FULTON — The Town of Fulton Republican Committee nominated a number of candidates for November’s election, seen in the photograph from Left to Right:
William D. Jaycox, Jr. for Highway Superintendent
John P. Felitti for Town Justice
Maryann Pietromonaco for Town Supervisor
Robert J. Crosby for Town Council
George Sherwood for for Town Assessor
Rebecca Noxon for Town Council
Chris Luhr for Schoharie County District Attorney
Marcy Sammons for Town Council
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GO BILLS! Once again they won. I did not get to watch the game. Co-correspondent Ginny Gurley let me know it was another Buffalo BILLS win on Sunday.
Well, I did it! Monday afternoon I walked down by the shop and got to step on the Puff Balls I wrote about in one of my columns. Lots of brown dust filled the air, much to my delight. Laughing at myself what came to my mind was “Dot that is what you said you were going to do and you are living up to that statement.” All kidding aside I rather enjoyed it.Pastor Dawn Richards tells me all are welcome to join the Mountain Beacon Parish for a Community Potluck on October 4, 4:30-6:30pm. It will take place at the Danforth Community Center lower level, located across from the Jefferson School. The theme for this potluck is Harvest. Donations will be accepted for the Stamford Wellness Center. If you can you are welcome to bring a dish of your favorite food to share. It will be a great time with food, fellowship, and lots of great company. Now that sounds like the perfect plan for an evening out.
The last Farmers Market for the season will take place on Friday, October 3 under the Gilboa Museum Pavilion from 4-6pm. Marilyn wanted to thank everyone for supporting this new market which will be back open before Memorial Day 2026.
Sunday afternoon the Gilboa Museum Community Room was filled with people who came to the Memorial Tribute for Nick Juried. First of all, I need to thank Alicia Terry for stepping up to the plate at the beginning of the program. Because of a glitch I nervously asked her if she would do the invocation and then lastly the benediction. Wow! She could not have said it any better with such short notice. Kristen Wyckoff was called upon next to speak followed by Alicia and then several others. Honestly, I was always told it is hard for men to tear up. Believe me when I tell you, all the men who spoke about Nick we saw tears in their eyes. The women who spoke like me did pretty much the same. So grateful and so thankful for words that were spoken surely will stay in our thoughts for years to come. A lot of the speakers had never met Nick like I had known him for a very long time. However, through their e-mails back and forth everyone came to know this special man. After Matt Avitabile’s talk I asked the audience if anyone would like to speak. The microphone was handed over to at least eight or more people who spoke ever so highly and told how thankful they were for his donations not only to them but everyone who had received donations from his foundation. Lastly, I gave my talk about my long- time friend. I reminded everyone that Nick never wanted any praise. However, today he would have been so humbled by it all. Refreshments were available after the tribute. There are so many that I need to sincerely thank for answering the call to come to the Tribute. With that, I dearly want to thank Matt Avitabile for suggesting to me that we need to do something in Nick’s memory, for GHS President Kristen Wyckoff and the board for allowing the tribute to take place in the new community room built with Nick’s donation, Alicia Terry for filling in my urgent need, to GHS member Paul, Lee, Linda, the two Debbie’s, Cynthia, for helping to set up and keeping me calm, and to Lori for cutting the huge cake. Lastly thanks to Nick’s niece Margo for being there for Nick and me. To all who spoke along with so many others to honor this man who gave so much to keep the history of Schoharie County and surrounding areas in existence. It was such a privilege for me to host this event for my special friend Nick. What a wonderful legacy he has left. One of the speakers Charlotte Hallberg sent an e-mail to both Matt, Kristen and me this afternoon as I was doing my column. She wanted to thank us for the invitation to speak on behalf of the Zadock Pratt Museum Charlotte tells me it was such an inspiring day which made her realize that among other things Nick helped build an amazing community of institutions that can continue to support one another. Charlotte looks forward to continuing to connect with everyone that Nick brought together. Thank you so much Charlotte from the three of us.
While I was in the woodshop on Monday my neighbor Alison poked her head in and entered for a long visit. Her family had been up from the city for the weekend enjoying the fall colors and warm weather. Alison and I always have such a great visit talking about anything and everything. She could not help but to remark how nice the field looked since I had it cut down. Amazingly she was delighted to be able to view the whole lake too.
The next event at the Gilboa Museum will be with local artists displaying their art of barns and farms which begins Friday, October 3, from 5-7pm and then Barns and Farms are on the Driveabout Arts Trail October 4&5, 10am to 4:00pm. Need more information go to https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1B57olePuf I understand that my former co-correspondent Janice Wilkens will have his barn art work at the Gilboa Museum to. The end of the season for the Gilboa Historical Society Museum ends October 12, at 4:00pm. If you have never been to the museum be sure to make a visit before the season ends.
Rockland Cidery has a new name, Sunken City Cidery, same place, same owners just a name change. A rightful name as the Cidery is near the Gilboa Reservoir where our town once stood proudly among the beautiful mountains. There schedule for this weekend is under Upcoming Events.
Gilboa Town Board:
Tire Day is October 11 for Town of Gilboa Taxpayers 8:00am-12?00noon.
October 14, 6:30pm Town Board meeting chang due to Columbus Day Holiday
October 20, 8:30am special town board meeting Budget Workshop
November 6, 6:30pm Special Board Meeting-Public Hearing 2026 Budget
November 10, 6:30pm Town Board Meeting on Budget/Public Hearing on Gilboa Fire Protection District
Gilboa School: October 10, Superintendent Conference Day.
Prayer Concerns: Irene Hess, and all who may be ill at this writing.
Birthdays: October 4 Chari Standhart, October 6 George Wilson, October 7 Edith Butler (all in Gilboa) also on Oct. 7 Linda Rohacevich. (Grand Gorge)
Anniversary: October 8 Pastor Paul and Karen Overbaugh (Greenville) October 10 Pastor Ron and Linda Novak (East Durham)
Upcoming Events:
Friday, October 3, Sunken City Cider open from 3-7pm
Saturday, October 4, Sunken Cider yoga 11am-12noon with live music all day long from F.A.R. Trio and The Blues Maneuver Band along with the Horseshoe Café with their simply delicious food and The Reservoir food truck.
Sunday, October 5, 3-6pm the Sun Dogs with great music at the Cidery along with food from SASS Squash.
October 3-4 Gavin’s Country Inn Cornwallville presents Paul Keneally and Jimmy Kelly Duo.
Saturday October 4, 10am-4:00PM Fall Festival at the old Stone Fort, Schoharie.
Saturday, October 4, 10am-5pm Jefferson Historical Society presents the Spirit of Jefferson Art Show.
Sunday Worship Services:
Gilboa Methodist: 9:00am located on 990V
Flat Creek Baptist: Flat Creek Road, 9:30am Sunday school, 10:30am worship service with coffee and fellowship following the service.
Conesville United Methodist Chapel: First and Third Sunday of the month 4:00pm, Route 990V.
Got News? E-mail pickee@midtel.net
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The Blenheim-Gilboa Visitors Center hosted its annual Wildlife Festival, which attracted a great crowd and showed many animals and exhibits. Photos courtesy NYPA.
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By Matthew Avitabile
GILBOA — More than four dozen people packed the new meeting room in the Gilboa Museum and Nicholas J. Juried History Center on a warm Sunday afternoon to honor the legacy of a man who aided dozens of local community organizations.
Nick Juried, the valedictorian of Gilboa High School, served in the United States Air Force prior to a career in business. Wise investments resulted in a considerable personal fortune which he utilized to aid a number of projects in New York and Texas.
It started, said co-organizer Dottie Pickett, with a trip from Nick to Gilboa. She and Nick had clicked on an idea to help the area. She and her old friend coordinated a number of major actions and allowed for contact with many of the non-profits of the region.
Juried aided many groups, but especially historical societies and causes for animals and the arts. Speaker after speaker discussed what he had done to make the area a better place.
Pickett called Juried “my dearest friend,” and said that the gathering would be heard by “Nick in the heavens above.”
Gilboa Supervisor Alicia Terry recounted how “Gilboa has the good gift of water,” and that Juried “created waves” that helped him live up to his motto of “making a difference.”
Speaker after speaker praised the effort of Juried, who donated millions of dollars to community organizations.
The Gilboa Museum’s Kristen Wyckoff said that Juried was a “really great guy” who had aided the Museum greatly. It is now a major history center and a living part of his legacy.
Charlotte Hallberg and later Carolyn Bennett discussed Juried’s key role in the rebuilding of Prattsville’s Zadock Pratt Museum after 2011’s Hurricane Irene. Without him, Hallberg said, there would not be a Pratt Museum.
The Jefferson Historical Society’s Kevin Berner described Juried as the “breaking point of two different eras of the Jefferson Historical Society,” replacing a hat showing the group’s remarkable growth. He listed a number of major improvements that Juried had funded and allowed.
“Things changed now,” he said. “We were able to dream about things we otherwise couldn’t,” he said.
The Jefferson Art Room’s Martha Hacklin said that she was afraid to cry when recounting Juried’s generosity. “It’s life changing what he’s done for Jefferson, me, and my family.” She said that “it’s all because of Nick” and “probably saved my marriage.”
Conesville Historical Society President Kim Young said that Juried “left a lasting mark” and “invested in the life and future of Conesville.”
Gilboa-Conesville Central School Elementary Principal Candice Gockel relayed Juried’s significant support for the district, including for field trips and sponsorships. She cited Juried’s “legacy that will inspire and continue to benefit students for decades to come.” Gockel said that Juried invested “in human potential.”
Sharon Historical Society President Ron Ketelsen said that Juried created ripples of positive change. He was a “champion, a guardian, the most passionate of advocates” and a “beacon of inspiration.”
The Iroquois Museum’s Fred Stevens said that Juried was the “epitome of the free enterprise system” and would be “well remembered for giving back.”
Joyce Hodder of the Fulton Historical Society said that Juried allowed “the weak becoming stronger” and cited the work Juried donated to, allowing for the creation of a headquarters for the group.
The Middletown Historical Society’s Diane Galusha said that Juried “Gave us the confidence we can do this project,” citing a major expansion funded by the benefactor.
Conesville’s Connie Ruehle said that “there never was any doubt” that money Juried promised would be there and allowed for the area to blossom.
The Esperance Historical Society’s Ken Jones said that he was “pleased someone cared that much.”
“Wherever you look, there’s Nick Juried’s plans and supports.”
The Schoharie Library’s Jennie Mosher said that Juried had played a key role aiding the library and Schoharie County Arts.
A statement from the Landis Arboretum’s Fred Breglia cited his crucial support, including for a pavilion that bears his name.
Schoharie’s Susie Walsh cited the donation that Juried granted the Animal Shelter of Schoharie Valley, allowing for an expansion that will bring in a mobile vet clinic.
I had a chance to speak, stating that it was Juried who brought us all together and had done so much for various organizations. Even after putting together a list of groups that couldn’t make it, I still forgot some.
Dottie Pickett closed out the speakers, discussing how important and dear Juried was, and read a statement she prepared for a SCHOPEG documentary with help from Brett Barry on Juried’s life two years ago (two versions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsSRXu2PFA8 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aK6kZW1qdGY). Pickett had trouble reading through the text without becoming emotional, discussing just how much his kindness had meant to her and to all of us.
As a side note, I asked the speakers to send me their comments from that day. I have many of them, along with photos. I am going to hold onto them for now and either put them all together in one long article or section or over a number of editions. I’d have liked to have done it for this week, but unfortunately we are overpacked as it is this week.
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The Old Stone Fort
This building has become a staple of Schoharie County. It was built as a church in 1772 and was fortified just 5 years later during the American Revolution. It famously kept people safe during the 1780 Johnson Raid when much of the Schoharie Valley was burned to the ground. After the war ended, it went back to being a church and then became an armory owned by New York State from 1857-1873. Eventually the State gave this building to the county to preserve in 1873 and it opened as a museum with collections to the general public in 1889.
The Oliver Schoolhouse
This schoolhouse was built in 1863 between Summit and Charlotteville. It was in use until 1942 but is set up to resemble what it would have looked like between 1890-1914. This schoolhouse was purchased by Dr. Ward Oliver in 1963 who opened it as a museum. In 1984 he and his wife
Dr. Virginia Oliver donated this building to the Schoharie County Historical Society."
Both buildings will be open during our Fall Festival on Saturday, October 4th and are regularly open during the museum season! Special thanks to Clay Edmunds for the information.
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By Matthew Avitabile
SCHOHARIE — Lynette Lawyer has launched a campaign for Schoharie County Treasurer as a write-in candidate. She said that she hopes that her years in professional accounting and municipal budgeting can be helpful.
She was born and raised in Schoharie County and except for studying for a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Public Accounting, she has spent her entire life in the county. Over the last 29 years, she has worked in public accounting, including working in governmental accounting. This included brief periods in both town and school district accounting. She grew up in Seward, went to Cobleskill Central School. Her father, the late Conrad Bader taught at Sharon Springs Central School. Her mother Carol Bader was a dental hygienist between several districts, including Cobleskill, Richmondville, and Sharon Springs and worked for Dr. Lancaster Dental Group, which is now Cobleskill Dental Group. Lawyer currently lives in Carlisle, following living in Cobleskill. Her late husband Jeff Lawyer was from Richmondville.
Lawyer owns two businesses, including Cellar 77 Plaza Liquor and as Lynette S.B. Lawyer, CPA in Cobleskill.
Since working in Cobleskill, she has done accounting for the Towns of Cobleskill and Seward.
Lawyer had been offered the Democratic Party’s caucus. She had been an independent but switched to the Democratic Party following the caucus. However, the filing for the ballot was after the deadline. Lawyer is seeking the election as a write-in.
“I still want the voters to have a say,” she said.
The candidate said that she has considered running for the position for several years now. She said that with her kids going to college, this is the right time for such a move.
With Treasurer Maryann Wollaber-Bryan departing earlier this year, Lawyer said that it was important to seek the office before there is a new elected incumbent.
Lawyer contrasted her experience in the field as part of the Treasurer's position.
The candidate said that she would like to offer support for the staff of the County Treasurer’s office. She also cited the new accounting system the county is using, and hopes to make the process more efficient.
She cited Cobleskill Town Clerk Tina Ward’s support for her “analytical abilities.” This includes possible savings and efficiencies for taxpayers. This would offer a valuable perspective to bring to the County Board of Supervisors, she said.
Lawyer cited multiple efforts to save funds for Seward and Cobleskill on their costs, including through investments and health expenditures.
There is a “learning curve” to running a write-in campaign. Both the first and last names must be spelled correctly and the entire write-in must be within the boundaries of the appropriate area. Ballots that don’t meet these two requirements would be rejected.
Every vote matters, said Lawyer. She hopes that everyone will make it to the polls on Nov. 4. Voters are eligible to cast their ballot for County Treasurer in all 16 towns. Absentee ballot applications are open now and early voting will start later this month.
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By Liz Page
JEFFERSON – No one spoke during a public hearing on proposed changes to update the Jefferson Solar Energy Facilities Law at the Sept. 11 meeting and the hearing remains open for written and verbal comment.
The town of Jefferson is upgrading the existing solar energy law and set the hearing to receive the public's input. The public may still submit written comments to the Jefferson Town Clerk or make comments at the next meeting on Oct. 9.
Under reports, Town Clerk Vanessa Irwin said the town has a new credit card reader to accept credit payments in the office for revenue accounts. She said a fee is charged to the customer by the credit processor of 2.65 percent, with a minimum fee of $2.
Town Historian Bonnie Dailey said she is working to get the historic marker placed at the site of the original West Jefferson Methodist Episcopal Church and there are tentative plans for a possible opening ceremony. She said flags honoring the town's veterans are being considered for placement around the green and families would have the opportunity to fund a hero banner. She said she is working on getting an historical marker for the old Jefferson Cemetery.
Town Assessor Andrea Brooks was reappointed to another six-year term. In her report she indicated homeowners will no longer be required to apply to the assessor if there is a change in ownership or if they have aged into the Enhanced STAR exemption. The Office of Real Property TAx Services will notify the assessor of Basic STAR recipients who become eligible for the Enhanced STAR, rather than the senior having to notify the assessor.
Karen Cucinello has been working on records retention and a long list of documents were recommended and approved for destruction.
Council members Don VanValkenburgh and Bill Abbatine will check on the continued problem of mold and humidity in the records/archive room. A dehumidifier may solve the issue.
Phones at the town hall are not working properly and are now obsolete. MTC is proposing the phones be replaced with new equipment. They would provide the training on the new system for $313.19. Council members approved the proposal.
The report from Lamont Engineering regarding the cracks underneath the flooring tile in the justice court is believed due to normal settlement of the cement and no further action is required.
No one commented during the privilege of the floor.
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MIDDLEBURGH - Middleburgh elementary school first and second grade students are kicking off an exciting partnership with the Schoharie County Youth Bureau. Throughout the year, they will collaborate on creative and fun team-building activities designed to grow a sense of community and teamwork. There are big plans for a year-end event at Minekill State Park. Photos courtesy Middleburgh Central School.
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Photo by Bob Roney
MIDDLEBURGH – After several seasons of struggling to compete at the varsity level, the Middleburgh Central School girls' volleyball program has made a strategic shift, fielding a junior varsity team for the 2025 season in an effort to rebuild and foster player development.
The move comes after years of low participation numbers, which made it difficult for the standalone MCS program to compete against larger or merged teams. The varsity team managed only a single victory last season.
The seeds of the program's turnaround were planted two years ago when modified coach Alex Johnson started a summer program to help players build fundamental skills. Following discussions at the end of the 2024 season, the athletic department made the decision to focus on the junior varsity level for the current year. The move allows a young roster to gain valuable experience and compete more effectively.
The team is notably young, with no seniors on the roster, a situation solidified after the team's one potential senior was sidelined with a torn ACL before the season began.
Taylor Foland has stepped in to coach the junior varsity squad, bringing continuity and skill to the program after assisting Johnson with the modified team last year and helping with the summer skills program.
School officials report that the strategy is already showing positive results, as the team is now competitive at the junior varsity level, building a foundation of skills and confidence intended to pave the way for a successful return to varsity competition in the coming years.
Special thanks to Renee Schmidt for the information.
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This article in a 4 part series celebrates the Chester Zimmer Collection and the ongoing construction of the Chester Zimmer Library at the Old Stone Fort Museum Complex in Schoharie as well as taking note of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America.
By Mark Stolzenburg
WRIGHT – I had known George Zimmer Jr., in a way, since I was a child, purely from visiting his grave on frequent walks from end to end of our farm on Abrams Road in the Town of Wright. His remains lie in the small Forsyth family graveyard on a scenic hilltop with the best view of the rest of the farm. Only when I got a little older did I understand the significance of George having a much larger grave marker than the others interred there, and the importance of the inscription on his stone: “A soldier of the Revolution.” What I did not know at that time was how he had struggled for years to gain recognition from the U.S. government for his service in the form of a Revolutionary War pension payment.
My family learned about George’s time served in the American Revolutionary War and his difficulties in securing his veteran’s pension when doing research in preparation for the 2016 rededication of his grave by the local Schoharie-Leatherstocking Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. He is thought to have been the last to die of the Schoharie men who fought for independence, (more on that later). He passed away August 5,1857. The 2016 placement of a roadside marker and a new gravestone put his little piece of burying ground on the map. Most would consider his military service record during the Revolution unremarkable, except for the fact that George Zimmer was just a boy at the start of the war. His longevity and memory have enabled us to learn from his recollection of time during the war as he testified to apply for his pension late in his long life. From his words and those of his many friends, we get a glimpse of the type of man he was, how he viewed his wartime service, and his way of handling frustration and disappointment.
Now let’s fast forward to October 8, 2024, when our Chester Zimmer Collection researcher at the Old Stone Fort Museum in Schoharie, Dave Pelepzuck, tossed in front of me a copy of an 1850s portrait photograph from that collection. Right away I knew whose face I was looking at, even though I never dreamed I would see George Zimmer Jr. eye to eye, so to speak. Photographs of Revolutionary War veterans are a special part of our nation’s history. Although I am not at all surprised that Chester tracked one down, the limited period of time that early photographic technology overlapped with the lifespans of our nation’s first soldiers makes such photos uncommon. From that fact and seeing the expression on George Zimmer’s face in that photo, I felt like his pension story needed to be told.
Family
When the first shot of the American Revolution in 1775 at Lexington, Massachusetts was heard ‘round the world, George Zimmer was nine years old. He was born November 5, 1765, the youngest of nine documented children of Jacob Zimmer and Catherina Bader. The family lived at that time in the Fox Creek Valley near present-day Gallupville, NY. Early in his life, mention of George’s name usually included the suffix “Junior” to distinguish him from his grandfather, George, (or Jurrie), Zimmer, who lived at least until 1788.
The Zimmer family were successful farmers, land speculators, and, during the Revolution, staunch Patriots. Jacob was elected as a member of Schoharie’s first Committee of Safety in May 1775, served in other local leadership roles for the cause of Liberty, and was briefly a prisoner of local Tories (Loyalists) in August 1777. His five sons all served in the Schoharie District’s Albany County Fifteenth Regiment of Militia, mostly in Capt. Christian Stubrach’s company. The war took a toll on the Zimmer family. George’s brother, also named Jacob, was killed and brother, Peter, was taken to Niagara as prisoner in a raid on his father’s farm by the Tory, Adam Crysler, in July 1781.
The Schenectady Reformed church recorded the marriage of George Zimmer and Catharina Zettle (Settle) of “Hellenbergh” (the Helleberg area was in today’s western Albany County) on Jan. 8, 1788 and they had at least four children by 1795. He bought land from his father on lower Zimmer Hill, south of today’s Gallupville, in 1791. That parcel would become his lifelong home and various pieces of land near there became his farm. George’s elder son, John G. Zimmer had bought most of the farm from his father and occupied the house by the 1840s. George lived in his retirement with John G. and his extended family.
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LIVINGSTONVILLE - It was the perfect fall day to go shopping at the Creekside Flea Market in Livingstonville Sunday.
The fields were filled with vendors and shoppers under cloudless blue skies on an unseasonably warm day Sunday. The flea market will be open on Sundays for another month.
Photos by David Avitabile.
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