Obituary - James L. Rossman

August 9, 1954 - August 19, 2025

It is with a heavy heart that the family of James L. Rossman, 71, of Schenevus, NY, shares that he passed away peacefully on August 19, 2025, at Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, NY.

James was born in Vega, NY, on August 9, 1954, to Barnet and Alice (Wright) Rossman, Sr. Later in his childhood, his family moved to Halcottsville, NY, and he went on to complete high school in 1973 from Roxbury Central School.

On July 15, 1978, James wed the love of his life, Debra V. Stannard. Together they raised their two children with an abundance of love and tenderness—a devotion that was extended to their son-in-law and, later, to their beloved granddaughter, whom Jim so proudly welcomed into the world on behalf of both himself and Debra.

James was employed as foreman and maintenance at Royal Oak, Inc. in Stamford NY for 25 years until its sudden closure in 1997. After many years of dedication and hard work, he retired from Custom Electronics in 2018.

Jim’s hands were rarely idle. He was a skilled tradesman with a remarkable gift for fixing things, always ready with a tool in hand and a solution in mind. It was common to find him working on a project or lending a helping hand. In his quiet time, he enjoyed the outdoors, dancing, singing along in his wonderful voice, old westerns, and most of all, the companionship of family and friends.

He was predeceased by his beloved parents; his treasured wife, Debra; his precious son, Jeremiah J. Rossman; his eldest brother, Barnet Victor Rossman Jr.; his niece, Arnetta Rossman; his sisters-in-law, Lela Rossman and Kay Rossman; his brothers-in-law, Edward VanSteenburg and Richard Robinson; and his dearly loved father-in-law, Richard Stannard.

James is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Sheila and Raymond Misner of Worcester; his granddaughter, Miah Misner of Worcester; six siblings: Maryanne Robinson, Ruth VanSteenburg, Eugene Rossman, Francis (Donna) Rossman, Walter Rossman, Arthur Rossman, and Althea (William) Keys. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, brothers-and sisters-in-law, numerous nieces and nephews, and many dear friends.

Jim was a gentle, humble, selfless, and kindhearted family man with a remarkable amount of inner strength and endurance. He was an incredible person, described by so many as an honor to know and an extraordinary husband, father, father-in-law, and Papa. With hands that could mend anything and a heart that never wavered, he was a teacher of more than how to build walls of a room—he taught us how to build a life full of love, patience, gratitude, and lasting memories. His big smile, laugh, love, guidance, and calm, reassuring presence will be deeply missed by everyone whose life he touched.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the First United Methodist Church, 66 Chestnut St., Oneonta, NY 13820.

A Graveside Service will be held at 2:30p.m., on Tuesday, August 26 at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Worcester, NY, with the Rev. Casey Bradley officiating.  Immediately following, there will be a gathering in celebration of James’ life at the Worcester Firehouse.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to, www.hellerskinnerfh.com, the website of Heller & Skinner Funeral Home, 155 Main St., Worcester.

 

 

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History at the Old Stone Fort - Tiffany Receipt and Bayonet

Colonel Mix Receipt, Tiffany & Co., 1860s

During the Civil War, officers were required to purchase their own uniforms and accoutrements. This receipt records Colonel Simon H. Mix's purchase of a colonel's strap from Tiffany & Co. in New York City.

Mix, a Schoharie native and former editor of the Schoharie Patriot newspaper, was commissioned as Lieutenant Colonel and later Colonel of the 3rd New York Cavalry. He commanded the regiment from April 1862 until he was mortally wounded on June 15, 1864, during the Siege of Petersburg.

Though buried in a mass grave, many of his personal belongings were returned home and are now preserved in our collection.

 

 

Bayonet, circa 1776

Carried throughout the Revolutionary War by Mr. Hankerson, who later settled in Carlisle. He served at Monmouth, Princeton, Valley Forge, and Yorktown.

Donated by William E. Roscoe.

 

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Calvary Assembly of God Dedicating North Wing During Aug. 24 Service - Picnic to Follow

COBLESKILL — Calvary Assembly of God (960 Mineral Springs Road, Cobleskill) invites the community to join them for their Sunday morning worship service on August 24th at 10:00 AM.  

During the service, the congregation will dedicate the completed north wing of their facility. 

This new wing includes a nursery with a separate nursing mothers’ room, a new classroom for toddlers known as “Cathy’s Corner” (in memory of Catherine Betts, a longtime children’s teacher at the church) with a new children’s bathroom connecting the two rooms. The north wing also includes additional office space and a Next Gen conference room.  

Following the service, the community is invited to stay for a community picnic where there will be a bounce house and a slip-in-slide. To reserve a place, contact the church at 518-234-4182, text 518-706-6081, or email at secretary@cagcobleskill.org.  

Calvary has multiple ministries that serve the community including a Counseling Center, Overcomers’ Outreach (a Christ-based 12-step recovery program), as well as children’s, youth and young adult programming. For more information about these ministries and others the church offers, check the church website at www.cagcobleskill.org or contact the church directly. 

 

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County Board Seeks Help For Understaffed Department

By Chris English 

SCHOHARIE COUNTY — A Schoharie County department in desperate need of staffing help could get some as the result of an action taken by the Board of Supervisors at its Friday morning, Aug. 15 meeting.

The BOS approved a motion from Supervisor Donald Airey that authorizes county Administrator Bryan Best to contract with a recruiting firm to help fill multiple vacancies within the Community/Mental Hygiene Services Department led by Director Sarah Nies. Wording in the motion spells out that the cost does not exceed $20,000.

Nies and others at the meeting noted how the department has been understaffed for months and is hard pressed to provide court-mandated mental health professionals that are often part of sentences.

"We cannot afford to lose services in this county, there are significant mental health and addiction issues that need to be addressed," Nies said.

"There are certain requirements from the state and we're not meeting those needs," added Supervisor John Leavitt.

Airey was asked to bring up the subject by fellow Supervisor Earlin Rosa after Airey chaired a recent meeting of the county's Health Committee because Rosa _ the normal chairman _ was unable to attend.

In other news from the Aug. 15 meeting, Best gave a report on his first 45 days as county administrator at the request of Rosa. The BOS also approved a motion from Rosa that Best give such a report at every monthly BOS meeting.

It's been a very busy first month and a half on the job, said Best, who started in the position on June 30.

"It's been like drinking from a firehose and also directing that hose at different places to put out fires," he said. "I've attempted to meet with every department. I've attended many committee meetings, and have met with Revize to learn about the new website. I've toured roads.

"I'm still learning. I want to meet with all departments and see what the strengths and weaknesses are. There are a lot of strengths in the county. I have not met with one person who has not been friendly and kind. It's been great."

County Department of Social Services Commissioner Donna Becker praised Best.

"He met with me for two and half hours, and that's as long as anyone has ever met with me," Becker said.

Marianne Younkeere of the Schoharie County Community Foundation Fund addressed the board during Privilege of the Floor.

"I've spent the last four years fund raising and meeting with community leaders and nonprofits," she said. "There is a real need for the foundation now in light of federal cutbacks and other issues."

Younkeere said it would be beneficial for the Schoharie County Foundation to join forces with the one in neighboring Otsego County.

"I would like it to be renamed the Community Foundation of Otsego and Schoharie County," she said. "That's my endgame."

One of the goals for next year is doing a capital campaign to benefit Schoharie County food pantries, Younkeere continued.

After being introduced by Supervisor Werner Hampel, CEO/Partner Peter Rasmusson and Project Manager Deb Husby of Farr Technologies gave a brief update on the $33.6 million broadband project whose goal is to provide every county resident with the ability to connect with the Internet. Farr Technologies is the project manager and engineer for the project.

After two contracts were awarded for the project at a special BOS meeting earlier this month, Farr's Rasmusson  said at Friday's meeting that construction should start in late September or early October. The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2026.

Rasmusson said keeping track of costs and proceeding in the most cost effective manner as the project moves forward is very much a priority.

"We're very aware of the $33.6 million," he emphasized.

 

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Cobleskill Not to Return to 24/7 Police - Potential Housing Project Hinted

By Joshua Walther

COBLESKILL - At the latest Cobleskill Village Board meeting on Tuesday evening, members discussed the status of the local police department and cleared the air about how it operates.

Mayor Rebecca Stanton-Terk began by saying that the department currently has thirteen police officers, with the chief and deputy chief being the two full-time employees. 

She noted that both full-timers also double as patrol officers, and “Patrol hours are based on availability and the direction of the chief.”

Mayor Stanton-Terk also explained that the department continues to cooperate with several other law enforcement agencies, such as the county sheriff’s office and the state troopers, for optimal policing of the Village.

With all of that said, Mayor Stanton-Terk said that there will not be a return to form from two years ago, saying “At this point, we have no intention of returning to a 24/7 police department. It is not, in any way, sustainable or affordable to the Village taxpayers.”

She also claimed that the Board was an authority on the matter, saying “The taxpayers are the ones who pay for it, and so we, as the Board, know what the limitations are.”

To conclude, she also gave a brief statement on the events of two years ago when the police department crumbled due to mass resignations.

“The department was never dismantled by the Board,” Mayor Stanton-Terk said. “Despite officers leaving on their own accord two years ago, the department never ceased to exist. Now in a right-sized capacity, the department continues to operate efficiently with seasoned professionals we’re happy to have on our team.”

In other news, the Board closed the public hearing on the controversial local law that signs the maintenance of the Village trees away from the tree committee and over to the code enforcement and groundskeeping teams. 

The Board gave the tree committee the opportunity to reach out to the Village and give suggestions on how they might incorporate volunteer work into the new revision, but they received nothing in response.

As such, member Ruth Van Deusen offered a motion to pass the law, saying “I move that, based upon not hearing feedback from the tree committee, that we move forward with these revisions.” The rest of the Board unanimously passed the motion.

Finally, Mayor Stanton-Terk gave a brief hint on potential new housing projects in the Village, citing 16 townhouse units for Settles Mountain Road, 240 housing units for Mineral Springs Road, and a potential buyer for the Zion Lutheran Church with the intentions for housing.

“We’ve got a lot of activity and some things happening,” she finished.

 

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Family Farm Day This Weekend

By Alexis Pencar

SCHOHARIE, OTSEGO, & DELAWARE COUNTIES — The 13th Annual Family Farm Day is this weekend on Saturday, August 23rd AND Sunday, August 24th! This year there is an exciting change with a whole weekend of family fun! This features open house events from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM both days at farms throughout Schoharie, Otsego, and Delaware Counties. This year there are more farms involved than ever before! They added the extra day so visitors can visit as many as possible!

Hosted by Cornell Cooperative Extension for Schoharie & Otsego Counties each year, residents are encouraged to take the opportunity to get acquainted with their local and talented farmers and business owners. The website and map outline which farms are open on which days. 

This huge annual event “provides local farms and related businesses the opportunity to introduce current and new customers to diverse, high-quality products, generate farm-gate sales, build long-term customer bases, and share the ever-evolving farm ‘stories’ that keep the importance of agriculture in the public dialogue.”

Each farm will have different and unique offerings ranging from educational information, tours, products for sale, free samples, and even kid-friendly crafts and activities! The interactive map available on the Cornell Cooperative Extension website is helpful to navigate participating farms so check it out and plan your day accordingly!

“Our signature agritourism event continues to thrive,” said Liz Callahan, Executive Director for CCE Schoharie and Otsego Counties. “The feedback from participating farms and visitors has been overwhelmingly positive over the years.”

Many farms are returning from years previous with more fun than ever and there are always new locations to check out as well! Remember to sign in and fill out the survey to turn in at the last farm you visit. 

Your favorite Sharon local farms and businesses are participating this year like: Bison Island Ranch, Earthly Remedies by Erin, Cold Spring Farm, Empty Pockets Ranch, Parsons Farm, Slate Hill Lavender Farm, and Stone House Farm. And don't forget your coolers and insulated bags so you can take home all your farm purchases throughout the day! After the day is over, continue to support small and dine local!

Keep in mind farm etiquette rules apply, including no pets allowed. For a full list of participating farms, please visit the website and view the interactive map at: www.cceschoharie-otsego.org.

Family Farm Day is an agritourism collaboration among CCE Schoharie and Otsego Counties, CCE Delaware County, Delaware County Tourism, Destination Marketing Corporation – Otsego & Schoharie Co. Tourism, as well as local chambers of commerce, county Farm Bureaus, local farmers, and many loyal sponsors.

 

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Folk Fest for Food Sounds Fill Cherry Valley

CHERRY VALLEY—Sounds from the first Folk Fest for Food concert filled downtown Cherry Valley Thursday evening.

Proceeds from concessions sold at the three free August concerts will benefit the Daily Bread Food Pantry, located at 2 Genesee Street. Folk Fest for Food concertgoers in Cherry Valley are also asked to bring non-perishable food donations; monetary donations will be collected as well.

The concerts began about 20 years ago when Phil Zenir and his son, Luke, built a crude stage on top of a hay wagon frame for the purpose of holding benefit concerts on behalf of the newly formed Daily Bread Food Pantry. The concerts soon became an organized music festival.

For the first few years, it was just Mr. Zenir and a handful of local enthusiasts playing on the stage three different Thursday evenings every August. As the years passed, the list of local talent began to grow, and Mr. Zenir, along with Cooperstown native Jeff Phillips, formed a band called Field Stone Pickers, the name of which was later was changed to Gravel Yard. Gravel Yard was, and still is, the anchor band of the festival, according to organizers. Mr. Zenir passed away in 2019 but the festival has carried on in his honor.

Today, bands from as far as Florida come to play at the festival to help raise funds for the food pantry. According to a press release, the festival is a family-friendly event with food vendors donating their time and profits to the pantry as well. The concerts are always the second, third and fourth Thursday evenings in August. August 14, 21, and 28 this year.

This year’s line-up began on August 14 with Sam Whedon, opening for The Currys. He is a singer/songwriter, musician, and music and video producer who was born in and now lives in Cobleskill. He will also joined The Currys during their set. 

Gravel Yard, playing on August 21, has been together for eight years, playing a mix of old-time bluegrass and folk. Band members Leslie Kubica, Bob Milner, James Leinhart, Jeff Phillips, Sue Bladek, Eric House and Dan Birnbaum will be joined by an array of guest performers.

Fan favorite Scattered Flurries will once again play the Folk Fest stage during the third and final performance on August 28. Band members Leon Gibson, David Lubell, Mike Cerra and Kevin Yerdon play rock covers and original tunes.

All concerts begin at 7 p.m.

Those interested in helping out with the food pantry’s work can make non-perishable food item and monetary donations at the Folk Fest for Food festival on August 14, 21 and 28, or drop donations at the Daily Bread Food Pantry, located in the back of the Old School, during open hours.

Food will be available for purchase at the concerts, the proceeds of which will go directly to the food pantry, and T-shirts will also be available for purchase. Those unable to make it to any of the events or to Cherry Valley, who would still like to help, can mail checks to Daily Bread Food Pantry Inc., 2 Genesee Street, PO Box 328, Cherry Valley, NY 13320.

 

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Veteran Sharon Springs Teacher Adds Assistant Principal Role

By Chris English

SHARON SPRINGS — Entering her 29th year as a full-time fourth-grade teacher at Sharon Springs Central School, Stephanie Fuller has now taken on the additional role of part-time assistant principal.

The assistant principal agreement was approved by the school board at its Monday, Aug. 18 meeting, where Fuller was also introduced by Superintendent Thomas Yorke. In her new part-time role, Fuller will be assisting Yorke with various student issues like activities, discipline and others, Yorke explained. She will earn a stipend for the additional work on top of her normal teaching salary, he added.

In other actions from the Aug. 18 meeting, the board approved a capital project bond resolution in the amount of $3.73 million. The 20-year bond, which Yorke said will have no impact on taxes, will fund various energy efficiency improvements, including lighting, and also other work to include replacement of the boiler in the bus garage, bleacher improvements in the new gymnasium, repaving of sidewalks and parking lots and various other items.

Yorke said work should start sometime in the 2025-26 school year, probably in the spring. He said the construction company J.W, Danforth will be doing some of the work and also recommending other companies. Yorke explained that since the school board and voters already approved the $3.73 million monetary cap on the project, that he and Business Manager Tony DiPace will have leeway to go ahead and award bids to contractors, though the school board will be kept in the loop on every aspect of the project.

The board Monday night also awarded a $63,700 bid to Gallo Construction Corp. for a much smaller capital outlay project that will involve Gallo updating doors throughout the school to make sure they adhere to current codes.

Also approved was the official 2025-26 tax levy resolution that includes setting this school year's property tax increase at 3 percent. The 2025-26 ONC (Otsego Area) BOCES cooperative purchasing agreement for electricity and natural gas was approved.

Also approved: The 2025-26 district wide safety plan. After a brief executive session, the board came back into session and voted to approve this year's NYS Clay Target League resolution. Yorke explained that the resolution allows a team in the league to use the Sharon Springs name and mascot. Shooting events are held at an outside range and not on school grounds, he added.

A request from the Marchand Manor nursing home in Sharon Springs to use the school as an evacuation site in case of emergency was green lighted.

In personnel actions at the end of the meeting, a part-time business teacher instructional coaching agreement was approved with Barbara Handy. She recently retired from full-time employment after 42 years with the school district but is coming back to help on a part-time basis.

Meghan Fancher was granted a one-year maternity leave. A full-time equivalent elementary education teaching position recommendation for McKenzie Rivenburgh was approved. The board also approved the declination of a full-time equivalent Spanish teaching position by Fernando Albarran. Yorke explained that he initially accepted the position but then declined. Also approved was the resignation of bus driver Charles Parks.

 

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Richmondville Sets Budget Workshop Meeting For Oct. 2

By Chris English

RICHMONDVILLE — Town of Richmondville Supervisor Jeffrey Haslun is getting numbers together for the 2026 budget, and in that vein the town board has scheduled a budget workshop meeting for 6 p.m. on Oct. 2.

The board approved the workshop meeting at its Thursday, Aug. 14 regular meeting.

"I don't have all the numbers yet," said Haslun, a retired Certified Public Accountant. "It will be a challenging budget." He added that he plans to present a tentative, preliminary budget at the September regular meeting.

In other actions from the Aug. 14 meeting, Highway Superintendent Brian Manchester reported that a new truck the town has been waiting on is scheduled to go into production in November. In other items from his report, Manchester said he and his crew removed asphalt and sidewalk on one side of the town municipal building just off Podpadic Road so a concrete slab could be poured for an addition to the building.

The $260,000 addition is expected to be finished by the end of the year. It should provide smoother access to the court part of the building while also increasing storage for that part. Manchester added in his report that his crew did ditching on Smith and Franzen Roads, and cut shoulders and ditched Boughton Road.

Haslun said that shifting about $60,000 to $65,000 from a reserve fund to pay for the new truck's chassis could require a permissive referendum. That means a legal notice will be published advertising the money shift and if no objections are received, the move would go ahead.. 

However, if the notice was met with significant objections, the move would become a ballot referendum to be decided by voters.

Town Clerk-Tax Collector Maggie Smith made it clear in her report that she is not a fan of the revamped Schoharie County website that recently came online. The revamping was done by a company called Revize. Towns across the county use its website as a kind of piggyback for their own websites.

"It's a huge mess, in my opinion," Smith said. "It's wiped out a ton of information, and I had spent so much time building our website with the help of someone from the county. (Now) there's no user friendliness. In lieu of another word, it sucks. I am stunned the BOS (county Board of Supervisors) did not talk to town clerks about this process."

Haslun responded that there were good intentions behind the website revamp and urged patience. As a town supervisor, he is also a member of the county Board of Supervisors.

"We wanted to upgrade so it had more features," Haslun said. "It's a work in progress."

Smith mentioned that she was told that each town needed its own IT (Information Technology) specialist to tune up its website in response to the revamped county site, but Haslun said that's not going to happen.

"No town has a specialized IT person within their staff," he noted. "This will get easier as it goes along and people get more familiar."

Haslun announced at the meeting that town court plans to apply for a JCAP (Justice Court Assistance Program) grant to pay for new and better audio equipment and also, possibly, more shelving for storage. It was also announced that a new 25 MPH speed limit for Court Street has been approved by the state and that signs should be going up soon.

Near the end of the meeting, the town board unanimously approved a resolution naming The Mountain Eagle the official newspaper for the Town of Richmondville. This resolution rescinds a previous one from Jan. 9 that had named another publication the official newspaper.

 

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Sharon Springs Harvest Festival Returns for 2025

SHARON SPRINGS  — The Sharon Springs Chamber of Commerce is  delighted to announce the return of the beloved Sharon Springs Harvest Festival, taking place  Saturday, September 20, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Sunday, September 21, from 10:00 AM  to 4:00 PM. This annual tradition transforms the picturesque village of Sharon Springs into a  vibrant celebration of small-town charm, local creativity, and the bounty of the season. 

Now in its 15th year, the Harvest Festival draws visitors from across the region for a weekend  packed with sights, sounds, and flavors. Guests can stroll the historic streets while browsing  goods from talented artisans, makers, and farmers; enjoy the beer garden featuring local  brews; savor delicious bites from a variety of food trucks; and delight in live music performances throughout the weekend at Chalybeate Park. Kids’ activities ensure that families  have plenty to enjoy together, making this a truly all-ages event. 

Live Music at Chalybeate Park 

Saturday, September 20 

• 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM – Doc Benson 

• 1:00 – 3:00 PM – Melody Makers 

• 3:00 – 4:30 PM – Cosby Gibson & Tom Staudle 

Sunday, September 21 

• 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM – Laura Boggs Gagnon 

• 1:00 – 3:00 PM – Becca Frame and Brian Shafer 

• 3:15 – 4:00 PM – Jeff Grippin 

Festival-goers can take advantage of free parking at the Sharon Springs Central School, with  shuttle buses running regularly to bring visitors directly to the heart of Main Street. 

“The Harvest Festival is a celebration of everything that makes Sharon Springs special,” said  Maggie Bouck, Harvest Festival Co-Chair. “It’s a time when neighbors, visitors, and friends  come together to enjoy great food, music, and craftsmanship in our beautiful village.” 

With its mix of unique shopping, regional flavors, live entertainment, and warm hospitality, the  Sharon Springs Harvest Festival offers something for everyone. Whether you’re a returning  visitor or experiencing the festival for the first time, this is a weekend you won’t want to miss.

More information can be found at https://www.sharonspringschamber.org/harvest-festival or  by following us on Facebook and Instagram: @sharonspringsharvestfest. 

About the Sharon Springs Chamber of Commerce 

The Sharon Springs Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to fostering economic growth,  supporting local businesses, and enriching community life in Sharon Springs, NY. Through  events like the Harvest Festival, the Chamber promotes the area’s unique heritage, vibrant arts  scene, and agricultural traditions, helping to ensure that the village continues to thrive as a  welcoming destination for residents and visitors alike. Learn more at  

www.sharonspringschamber.org. 

Press Contact: 

Maggie Bouck, Harvest Festival Co-Chair 

Turner Roach, Harvest Festival Co-Chair 

Email: sharonspringsharvestfest@gmail.com

 

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