The Greene County Murders: Episode 11 - WHO KILLED DELORES

By Esther Cohen

After weeks of obsessively evaluating the evidence (what did that even mean?) Beulah Hill, school teacher turned detective at the age of 71, decided, after much thought, after filling 11 black and white notebooks with interviews, with details, with anything that crossed her mind about Delores, about suspects, and about murder as a crazy phenomenon, she whittled down the suspects to two: either John, Delores’s devoted lover, or Emily, his wife.

She was pleased with herself with writing so effortlessly -something she’d never been able to do all her life.  But the purposefulness she felt, putting as much as possible onto those pages, was incomparable.  She hoped she would be able to do it again: to solve another crime?

She believed that John and Delores really truly loved one another:  but could love be a motive for murder?

And although Emily was an obvious choice because jealousy was such a clear and definite motive, Beulah believed all her life that women are so often blamed for things – being a bad mother was a common and unfortunate notion.  Fathers were blamed far less often.

And everyone she talked to – family members especially, said John seemed like a much nicer person than Emily.

People used the word kind often.   Did that mean he couldn’t murder Delores?  Could you be kind and commit murder?

Although the very idea seemed impossible, maybe that’s what happened.  

In her notes about Emily (all in her Emily notebook) Beulah recorded the attributes she’d learned:  intelligent, competent, reliable, cautious, athletic, organized, and straightforward. What you see was what you get was what several people said.

Once more Beulah decided to confront them both at church.

Her second church visit in so many years.  Church seemed like a neutral ground. Driving over on Sunday morning for the ten o’clock service, she tried hard to decide:  Emily or John?  John or Emily?  The killer was down to that.

In a way, they both had motives.  Delores was in the way of their longtime marriage.  Although John seemed to love her, and Emily certainly didn’t.  

Maybe John wanted the problem out of the way.

Or maybe, Emily still wanted the life she’d had for years with John.  Imperfect, of course, but so was everything else.  

Beulah dressed for church in her one navy blue suit, and she even put on her twenty year old pair of low navy heals.  They were called pumps when she bought them. She chose a seat on one of the back pews, with a good view of Emily and John. She sat through the whole service, humming the hymns, listening to the priest whose sermon was about Helping Others.  Delores was who Beulah wanted to help.  By finding out who’d killed her.

At the end of the service, she waited by the old wooden church door, not knowing quite what she’d say to Emily and John when they walked by. When they came at last, they were holding hands.  “Hello, Beulah,” John said.  Looking right into her eyes.  He smiled at her, and didn’t let go of Emily’s hand.  “Hello Beulah,” Emily said too.  She too looked right at Beulah.  “We’re ready to tell you what happened,” said John.  “We killed her together,” added Emily.  “In the end, we wanted to be together without any complications.”  “Isn’t murder a big complication?” Beulah replied.  “Maybe,” said John.  “And maybe not.”

 

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The Prattsville Scoop

By Abby and Gabby

PRATTSVILLE – Thank you veterans for your valor and patriotism. You are appreciated.

Stop the presses. News from the Zadock Pratt Museum, re the Victorian Tea on Saturday, September 13. THERE ARE STILL TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR EACH TIME SLOT. Text Lisa Birnbaum at 713-594-8118 to get your last minute tickets, it is never too late. Times available are 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM, and 3:30 PM. It will not be just tea, finger sandwiches and desserts but Gift Basket Raffle and Prizes. Join in for some hometown festivities.

It was a matter of one or two names to fit all in Jim’s Great American parking lot Sunday morning. There were two Michele Braine(a)rds and one Stephanie Brainerd just waiting for Stephanie Brainard Braswell to show up. Michele and Stephanie Brainerd are the daughters of Richie and Valerie Rikard Brainerd. Michele Brainard and Stephanie Brainard Braswell are the wife and daughter of Elliott Brainard. They were comparing the mix-ups they have incurred over the similarity of their names. They think all their records are now in order or until next time.

It is the Breakfast Club for the male cousins and friends on Fridays at Tracy’s Cafe in Grand Gorge. Cousins Tony Marsh and Bobby Gurley were joined by cousin Benny Benjamin and being an old friend of Benny’s, Maxie Stryker also made an appearance. Bobby Goff had also made an appearance at one of the previous breakfasts. Men do talk more than the ladies.

Had a short conversation with Lenore and Al Olivieri of East Jewett. They are supporters of and visitors to our local dinners and yard sales. They usually find something and do miss being able to visit with them over dinner. Al said his mom Toby is doing well for being 102 years old. As with most of that age, she does require some assistance and oversight but she is doing well for her age. Al and Lenore, please show her that she has made our local column again. The first time her name was mentioned here, she cut out the article and showed it to all her friends. She said it was the first time she was featured in such a newspaper article.

Sharon Potter and her sister-in-law Ethel Potter (Harvey) Strausser continued their assistance with the yard sale, stopping by to pick up the leftover serviceable items to take them to CORE in Stamford for someone else’s use. Sharon, as a member of ALA Unit 1327, will have her good deeds listed in reports. Ethel had fun selecting some books for her downtime while visiting Sharon and while at her cabin Ohio. She also has a home in Texas.

For those parishioners of St. Philip Neri RC Church in Grand Gorge who wish to share their pictures and memories with others of your special occasions, please bring them to St. Philip’s and give them to Theresa Gier or an usher by September 21, 2025. Make sure your name and address are on the back of your pictures. Invite people you know from years past who would like to be included in this walk down memory lane. This is all in preparation of St. Philip Neri RC Church’s 100th Anniversary celebration to be held on October 12. A Mass of celebration will be held on that day at St. Philp’s and all are invited to attend. It will be a very special day with Bishop Scharfenberger of our Albany Diocese being the Celebrant of that Mass. All are welcome in whatever capacity you can join in.

For those looking for a good cause, consider the Hudson Heroes, the team of Jane and Joe Concato supporting Brain Injury Your participation in Walk supports vital Association programs and services

that are critical to thousands of individuals and families in New York State. The Brain Injury Association of New York State is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization. Your contribution is tax deductible to the fullest extent allowable under the law. About the walk: Saturday, September 13, 2025 (rain or shine). Registration: 10 AM, Walk Starts 12 Noon Walkway over the Hudson;  87 Haviland Rd, Highland NY 12528, Donations are greatly appreciated: Online: https://give.classy.org/HudsonHeroes. By mail

Jane and Joe Concato, P.O. Box 53, Lexington, NY 12452. Please make your checks payable to The Brain Injury Association of New York State. Thank you for your donation. Some years ago Jane and Joe moved their permanent address from New Jersey to New York and have embraced local church groups and community organizations. Joe started the Prattsville Fire Company’s Color Guard.

Hanford Mills in East Meredith sponsored a 2-Day Metal at the Mill/Dan Rion Memorial Antique Engine Jamboree this past Friday, the 5th, and Saturday, the 6th, 10 AM – 4 PM. Heard from Prattsville residents Johannes and Marianne Krauss who attended this event as follows: “Marianne and I attended the jamboree on Saturday at Hanford Mills Museum in East Meredith.  Even though the weather was not cooperating the event was still held. Jim from Dan's Septic Service brought old tractors and a large gas engine to drive the wood splitter.  It made short work splitting the logs.  There were other vintage vehicles there also.The sawmill was operating cutting large logs with its very large circular saw blade.  The saw is driven by a water wheel.The wood fired boiler was supplying the steam engines there.  The boiler is fired by the wood from the sawmill. There was a string band supplying folk and country music.The Museum shows how thing were done.  It is a great place to see the history of our area.  It is living history. Well worth a visit.  The event was also held on Sunday. Looking forward to next year there. Johannes”. Dan (Danny) was a Prattsville boy from way back and members of his family still live here. To Dan’s family, thanks for sharing him with all of us. Another antique engine aficionado in our area is Jim Huggins of West Kill and he does travel around, with Laurel in tow, to visit these shows.

There will be a round and square dance and pot luck dinner at the West Kill/Lexington Community Hall in West Kill on Spruceton Road, Saturday, September 27, festivities start at 4 PM to 8 PM. There will be a caller and a live performance by Homespun Occasions. BYOB. Pot Luck dinner starts at 4 PM. Suggested donation is $10 per person. Questions? Email friendsoflexington@gmail.com or DM@friends-of-lex or Instagram.

The Minews, Pat and Schuyler, and the Albanos, Tina and Tony, are having a two family yard sale on Saturday, September 20, 9 AM – 3 PM. They live on Beech Ridge Road South, West Kill. Their homes are easy to get to by turning right onto their road from Route 42, just after the road to Spruceton. They have been saving their treasures for a few years so it should be worth a trip to check out everything.

Had a long conversation with Chris Dwon but she swore me to secrecy so….but I got even, swore her to secrecy also. Chris writes Out Lexington Way. Can say she is proud of her three granddaughters, and rightly so, so keep smiling Chris and Happy Birthday.

Happy Birthday on September 13 to Roxanne Marsh, Nadine Gurley Huntsman and Christine Dwon, fellow columnist for Out Lexington Way. On September 14 it is Happy Birthday to Julius Donisan. On September 15 it is Happy Birthday to Dylan Braswell. Sue Huggins, one of our favority cashiers at Jim’s Great American, is wished a super Happy Birthday on September 17. On September 18 we send Happy Birthday wishes to Jessica Schmiedle. And on September 19 it is a star studded Happy Birthday to Claudia Bracaliello, Anne O’Hara, Tony Bifolco and Dennis Baker, brother of our Steve Baker. Happy Anniversary on September 16 to Bonnie and Lester Chase. We send Happy Anniversary greetings to Dennis and Mary Barry Baker on September 18. Lots of parties for the upcoming week.

If you don’t see your name in the column, you didn’t let me know what you have been or planning on doing. Call 518 299 3219 or gurleyrv@gmail.com. Watch out for stopped school buses.

 

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Traditionally Speaking…by Pat Larsen - Loose Threads…

Imagine this scenario, you look down and see a loose thread dangling from the sleeve of a favorite sweater. Depending on your particular personality type you will do one of two things. 

That’s when the internal battle begins.

Maybe you decide to try to resolve this situation simply with a gentle tug.  Or maybe you will choose to leave it alone.

Then perhaps, without warning, you will decide to take that leap from your sweater unraveling to “life unraveling” because that is literally how it goes sometimes.

The threads that make up your day to day existence are there quietly holding it altogether.  Sometimes, though, you might find yourself suddenly driving through that opening and right into a midlife crisis of sorts that you never really saw coming.

Thoughts begin to flood your mind. You’re drifting back to that memory of the scarf that you started knitting back in 1989. You realize that these unfinished projects have been there all along nagging at your psyche, like that thread that you find yourself  focusing on now.

“One day I will…”  is always sitting there in the recesses of your mind. This happens at those very unexpected occasions as you  watch a friend completing a quilt that you never seemed to be able to even get started. 

Then sometimes, we just can’t resist pulling on those loose threads?  We find that the consequences are much bigger than we could have imagined but there we are at a crossroads. You’re either successful and able to move on or you’re in it up to your eyeballs as you search for the needle and thread that is impossible to locate, further complicating your next move.

Have you ever spontaneously decided it was time to clear out a closet that would never shut completely? Then you found that the can of paint you intended to use in your dining room a year ago was blocking that door. From there, you order a dining room set to match the new color of the walls. On and on this continues until you’ve checked off  every aspect of this desire to make it right.

Adding to the victory, your closet now is adorned with an organizer that would make Martha Stewart weep with joy.

Perhaps, one small loose thread can be seen as making up just a part of the texture of our lives. Something to keep us humble, opening the suggestion that “ it’s not that important an issue to resolve anymore with the caveat …”now that we’re older”. 

Perfection can be so overrated anyway.

I like the idea, on some of those effortless days, that I can decide to choose to fix the loose thread and simply move on from there. Other days, I might just tuck in that thread,  often like projects that I choose to disregard hoping to quietly forget like where I put my glasses. And sometimes I just let the thread dangle.  Exemplifying that a life with no loose threads is a life with no reminders that it's okay to embrace the imperfections.

Pat Larsen, lives, works and plays in Greene County, NY.

Her stories and ideas for columns often come from her  readership, so feel free to email your thoughts to pelarsen5@aol.com 

Ya never know.

 

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Vets Hit The Links at WIM Golf Event

WINDHAM – The Adaptive Sports Foundation (ASF) hosted a one-day Warriors in Motion® (WIM) golf event at Windham Golf Club on Wednesday, Sept. 3.

Nine veterans traveled to Windham and met at the golf club at 9:30 a.m. ASF staff and Windham Golf Club professional Jesse Muller welcomed the warriors and led them to the driving range, where they had a chance to loosen up, work on their swings and gauge the distance each club provides.

After 45 minutes at the range, the group focused on their short game at the putting green. Muller gave a tutorial on chipping the ball onto the green from a short distance — arguably one of the most difficult aspects of the game. The veterans then practiced individually with one-on-one instruction from Muller and his assistant before working on putting and reading greens.

To wrap up the morning lessons, the group participated in a friendly closest-to-the-hole putting competition. Robert Goo and Rafael Paniagua each won a round and walked away with a free sleeve of golf balls.

The veterans then enjoyed lunch at Mulligan’s Pub, which overlooks the scenic golf course, before splitting into three threesomes for an afternoon of course play. Once their rounds were complete, the warriors said their goodbyes and departed for home.

This was the final Warriors in Motion event of the summer. In total, ASF hosted eight WIM events, empowering injured U.S. servicemen and women throughout the season. The next WIM event will be the Bob Stubbs Warriors in Motion Winter Sports Weekend — a four-day learn-to-ski-and-snowboard program — scheduled for Feb. 5–8, 2026.

 

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Schoharie Blanks Bolton-Warrensburg to Open Season

Photos by Scott Keidong

SCHOHARIE — Schoharie’s season opener hosted Bolton-Warrensburg under the lights on the turf. The game started with both teams playing well, trying to establish possession and developing attacks. It was at the 19-minute mark when BW got the first opportunity when a nice defensive service to #11 Will Hens found himself 1 v 1 with the Goalkeeper. However, the Storm GK, Alex Wray made a point blank save, followed by another shot by BW that was saved by Schoharie’s CB Logan Swaha preventing the first goal. Schoharie would build off that momentum and began a more consistent attack. With 9 minutes left in the half, from a throw in and a couple of passes found #7 Benjamin Bengtson at the left top of the box who found the side netting for the game’s first goal. In the second half before either team could establish themselves, the Storm’s captain #9 Max Kenny shot from 35 yds out that found the back of the net over the head of the BW goalkeeper to take a 2-0 lead. Finally, with Schoharie controlling much of the play, #15 Caleb Cain, shot from inside the 18, and found #1 Nolan Fretto back post for the finishing touch. BW would continue to try and push for a goal, but the Storm’s back four stood strong. Alex Wray had a total of 9 saves in the game to preserve the clean sheet. #11 Will Hens and #6 Lance Corey both had good performances for BW, but just couldn’t find the net. Corners were even at two apiece. Special thanks to Prince Knight for the information.

Schoharie 3

Bolton-Warrensburg 0

Scoring

Schoharie

# 7 Ben Bengtson 1G

#9 Max Kenny 1G, 1A

#1 Nolan Fretto 1G

#15 Caleb Cain 1A

#00 GK Alex Wray 9 saves on 9 shots

Bolton Warrensburg

#20 GK Maris Martin 7 saves on 10 shots

 

 

Schoharie’s RJ Smith moves the ball downfield, driving past Bolton-Warrensburg’s Carson Clark.

Bolton-Warrensburg’s Ben Wells pursues Schoharie’s Max Kenny as he dribbles the ball downfield. Kenny had one goal and one assist in Friday night’s 3-0 victory.

Schoharie’s RJ Smith changes direction to keep the ball away from Bolton-Warrensburg defenders Abe Figueroa and Andrew Morehouse.

                        Schoharie Storm Head Coach Prince Knight addresses the team at halftime.

Schoharie modified soccer players watch Friday night’s game from the pitcher’s mound that’s next to the varsity soccer field.  

.

Bolton-Warrensburg goalkeeper Maris Martin looks on as defender Abe Monroe keeps pressure on Schoharie’s Nolan Fretto. Fretto scored one of the Storm’s three goals early in the second period, with the assist by Caleb Cain.

Schoharie’s Ben Bengtson keeps control of the ball as Bolton-Warrensburg’s Cole Hoerter does his best to take it away. Bengtson scored one of the Storm’s three goals with an assist by Max Kenn

 

 

 

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Torrential Rains Shorten Schoharie Sales

SCHOHARIE -  The sales was open and busy early Saturday at the annual town-wide garage sales in Schoharie but torrential bands of rain closed up the works shortly after 11am. About 10 vendors were set up in the county parking lot across from the county building but the rains sent them scrambling before noon. Photos by David Avitabile.

A bake sale on Main Street in Schoharie raised money for FFA trips for the 2025-26 school year.

 

 

Minnie Mouses sold quick in the county parking lot Saturday morning in Schoharie.

The parking lot across from the county building hosted about 10 vendors Saturday morning until the rains came.

Early shoppers make off for their cars before the rains Saturday in Schoharie.

 

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IF IT BLEEDS IT LEADS ALBANY COUNTY PREMIERE

RENNSELAERVILLE – R’ville Stage Creations is proud to present the Albany County premiere of If It Bleeds It Leads, a one-man show written and performed by Sean Allison, on Saturday, September 20 at 7:00 pm at Conkling Hall. This powerful evening of live theatre showcases Allison’s award-winning storytelling, blending humor, heart, and raw honesty as he recounts his unforgettable experiences as a breaking news chaser in 1990s New York City. 

The pay-what-you-can production marks a special partnership between Allison and R’ville Stage Creations, bringing his acclaimed show to a new audience while giving back to the community. Proceeds will benefit the Mental Health Association of Columbia & Greene Counties Child Advocacy Center, a choice made collaboratively by Allison and the R’ville Stage Creations Board of Directors. 

R’ville Stage Creations’ Artistic Director Tara McCormick Hostash says, “We were inspired to produce Sean’s story because it aligns with our mission to provide a platform for performing arts in our community. His journey is both gripping and deeply human, and we are thrilled to share it with audiences while supporting an important local cause." 

Allison, who lives in Hudson, NY, is a familiar face to local audiences. Most recently he performed the role of Caliban in Open Air Shakespeare’s production of The Tempest as part of The Hudson Eye Annual Art Festival. He previously appeared as Reverend Parris in R’ville Stage Creations’ April 2025 production of The Crucible and will return to the company this October as Lurch in The Addams Family musical. 

Since his 2023 premiere of If It Bleeds It Leads at Theatre Row in NYC - where the piece won the Best Storyteller Award at the United Solo Festival - Allison has performed it at several regional and local venues including Park Theater and Spotty Dog Books & Ale in Hudson, Byrdcliffe Theater in Woodstock, and Race Brook Lodge in Lenox, MA. 

In describing the show, Allison reflects: “After spending my entire adult life in nearly absolute silence about my experiences on the street, I got a therapist and began writing my story. If It Bleeds It Leads is my true coming-of-age story chasing mayhem, murder, and love full speed behind the wheel of an auctioned-off cop car on the streets of the biggest media market in the world.”

Following the performance, audience members are invited to stay for a talkback with Allison, offering a unique opportunity to engage directly with the artist about the story and production. 

With its gripping storytelling and resonant themes, If It Bleeds It Leads promises to be an unforgettable evening of theatre with lasting community impact. 

If you go: 

● Date & Time: Saturday, September 20, 2025, 7:00 pm (Lobby opens 6:00 pm, theatre doors 6:30 pm) 

● Venue: Conkling Hall, 8 Methodist Hill Rd, Rensselaerville, NY 12147 ● Tickets: Pay-what-you-can online or at the door. Seating limited, reservations recommended via the R’ville Stage Creations website 

https://rville-stage-creations.square.site/ or at 518-248-3261 

● Seating: General admission 

● Talkback: A post-show discussion with Sean Allison follows the performance ● Advisory: Contains mature language and themes; parental discretion advised

 

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Mine Kill State Park National Public Lands Day

NORTH BLENHEIM —  New York State Parks will host volunteers at Mine Kill State Park as part of National Public Lands Day on Saturday, September 27th. National Public Lands Day is the nation’s largest single-day volunteer effort for public lands. The purpose is to connect people to public land in their community, inspire environmental stewardship, and encourage the use of public lands for education, recreation, and general health.

At this event, volunteers will register and split up into groups at 9 am. The groups will be undertaking trail clean up, pollinator garden upgrades, removing invasive species, and more. After their hard work, volunteers will be treated to a barbecue lunch courtesy of park staff.

Located in the scenic Schoharie Valley, Mine Kill State Park overlooks the NY Power Authority's Blenheim-Gilboa Pumped Storage Power Project. Providing good fishing opportunities, the lower reservoir is stocked with trout and walleye, and has several other species, including bass, and is ideal for motor boating, kayaking, and water skiing. 

Cascading 80 feet through a narrow gorge is the picturesque Mine Kill Falls for which the park is named. A separate parking area, 1/4 mile south of the park's main entrance, provides access to the overlook viewing platforms, as well as the Long Path hiking trail to the lower falls and beyond. 

Those interested in volunteering in the project at Mine Kill State Park can register to volunteer by calling (518)827-6111 or emailing MinekillSP@parks.ny.gov before the start of the event. 

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, and welcomes over 88 million visitors annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer app or call 518.474.0456. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, the OPRHP Blog or via the OPRHP Newsroom. 

 

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