Another Win for Schoharie Volleyball

Schoharie defenders Sara Harrington and Stella Rockwell guard the net, jumping over Berne Knox Westerlo’s Trista Smi in the first of three sets played Tuesday night at BKW. The Storm won the match 3-0, making them 10-1 so far this season.

 

Schoharie’s Ciarra Nay and Caroline Borst jump to block a Bulldog volley. Schoharie Storm earned a 3-0 (25-13, 25-16, 25-18) victory over the Berne-Knox-Westerlo Bulldogs Tuesday.

 

Schoharie’s Madison Spencer spikes one down at the Berne Knox Westerlo Bulldogs. Photos by Scott Keidong.

Schoharie’s Madison Spencer spikes one past Berne Knox Westerlo Bulldog Eliza Snyder.

 

Schoharie volleyball players on the sideline celebrate another Storm point scored.

 

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Central Bridge Farmers Market Expanding

By Matthew Avitabile

CENTRAL BRIDGE - The Central Bridge Civil Association and volunteers have worked with a number of local partners to organize a farmers market at the baseball field off of Route 30A. The market meets each Wednesday afternoon from 4:30 to 7:30pm.

There are a variety of items as the market grows, said co-organizer Judith Warner. The effort is being brought about in cooperation with Esperance Supervisor Earl VanWormer III and Luanne Mansheffer.

Vendors so far include Linda Cross and Erin Smith furnishing meat and eggs. VanWormer and Van-Dale Farms are selling honey, maple products, soaps, and candles. Barb Sharpe offers candies and baked goods. Garlic, jam, jelly, and bread are also available and Cecelia Coluccio with garlic, mittens and  kitten catnip mice.. As we get into harvest season, make sure to pick up some fresh vegetables.

Vendors are welcome to join the growing market.

 

 

 

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Down to the River to Pray on the Schoharie Creek

Geri And Tom White, And Paster Maryelle Moore

                                                                            Peter Gaida

By Pastor Maryellen Moore and Cathleen Berry

Photos by Cathleen Berry and Erin Carney

MIDDLEBURGH — It was the perfect day, especially having had six inches of rain to fill the Schoharie Creek in Middleburgh—just enough for Sunday's baptisms!

On September 28th at Timothy Murphy Park, members from the United Methodist Churches of Warnerville and Gallupville and Nourished of Middleburgh, under the leadership of Pastor Maryellen Moore, gathered to celebrate the baptisms of six individuals in Schoharie Creek, welcoming them and three others as members into their respective parishes. Pastor Moore offered a message about baptism and what it means.

Baptized were Karen Lewis DeGroff (Nourished), Joseph Gaida (Warnerville), Peter Gaida (Warnerville), Jacob Litchfield (Nourished), Kacie Baez (Nourished), Leland Pitt, Jr. (Nourished). New members were all of the above, plus Gary Albright, (Gallupville), Bonnie Davenport (Warnerville), and Jim Cope (Warnerville).

The weather was spectacular, but the rocks were slippery, so Bill Sossei IV and Leland Pitt assisted those being baptized into the creek. Geri and Tom White and Pastor Moore performed several selections of heartfelt, spiritual bluegrass music, and a potluck lunch followed the ceremonies. The day left everyone inspired.

If you are interested in joining any of the three churches or simply attending Sunday service, please contact Pastor Moore at 518.827.5126 or email her at melenamoore2323@gmail.com.

 

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Great Weather for Fall Schoharie Antiques Show

SCHOHARIE - Shoppers and vendors enjoyed great fall weather Saturday and Sunday at the annual Fall Antiques in Schoharie show at Depot Lane.

The Mill Building and the Depot were filled to the brim with shoppers and vendors and shoppers had a great choice of items. The event is a fundraiser for the Schoharie Colonial Heritage Association. Photos by David Avitabile.

Shoppers look for the right antiques in Schoharie Sunday afternoon.

 

Brooke Ketz of Colonie searches for the perfect postcard Sunday in Schoharie.

 

Barbara Sharpe prices an item at the Schoharie Antiques Show Sunday.

Some spooky times in Schoharie Sunday.

 

Blacksmith Kyle Heffron of Berne hammers a piece of metal Sunday.

 

Gwen Medak of Schoharie finds the right item Sunday as Warren Ainslie of Richfield Springs watches at the annual Fall Antiques in Schoharie show.

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Schoharie Valley FFA Member To Perform with National FFA Chorus

SCHOHARIE – Caroline Borst, a member of the Schoharie Valley FFA chapter in Schoharie New York, will be on stage and in the spotlight Oct. 29-Nov. 1 during the 98th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis.

Caroline, a Junior at Schoharie High School and the daughter of John and Michele Borst, has been selected for the second year in a row to be a member of the National FFA Chorus. 

The National FFA Chorus is an audition required ensemble consisting of approximately 100 FFA members from around the United States. The chorus will perform several times throughout the National FFA Convention & Expo, adding excitement and motivation to the sessions through their music. 

Caroline will join fellow chorus members in Indianapolis for rehearsals three days before the start of the convention and expo begins. “To be selected to participate in the National Chorus for a second year is a tremendous honor. I am so excited to reconnect with old friends and make new friends, all while celebrating all of the wonderful opportunities FFA offers, “ said Borst.

The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization with more than 1,027,200 student members as part of 9,235 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. For more, visit the National FFA Organization online at FFA.org and on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. 

 

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All About Racing

Michael McCallion of Sharon Springs poses next to his new Sportsman division racer on Friday at Fonda.  Biittig photo

 

By Ed & Betty Biittig

This year’s favorable weather conditions have provided excellent racing, benefitting the end-of-season extended distance and high-paying events.

Fonda Speedway concluded its 2025 season with the Montgomery County Open, a two-day event featuring the 358-Modifieds on Friday and the Modifieds and Sportsman of the Short Track Super Series (STSS) on Saturday, with races added to both days.

On Friday, Rocky Warner of Gloversville picked up the victory in the 50-lap 358 Modified race after trailing Matt Stangle for much of the competition. Stangle lost control after encountering a rut in turn four, allowing Warner to take the lead in the closing laps. Additional winners included Mason Gray in Limited Sportsman; Jay Ingersoll (dual cam) and Stephen Burka (single cam) in the Four Cylinders; and Jason Samrov in the Online Performance/Stone Motorsports Street Stocks division.

Saturday’s program saw Matt Sheppard of Savannah, NY take an early lead on lap three of the 50-lap STSS North Region Modified event, maintaining his advantage until a caution was called on lap 43 due to a reported torsion bar failure on Danny Varin’s No. 93, resulting in Varin landing on his roof in turn three. Varin was fortunately uninjured. When the race resumed Sheppard continued to dominate, claiming his second win of the season at Fonda Speedway and tenth overall in his career. Jack Lehner placed second and Bobby Hackel III finished third.

Other Saturday winners included Tyler Peet of Lake Ariel, PA in the STSS Sportsman, joined on the podium by Camron Hotaling and Bobby Hackel III. Ivan Joslin won Pro Stocks, while Justin Guyle (dual cam) and Stephen Burka (single cam) prevailed in the Four Cylinders division.

Michael McCallion of Sharon Springs returned to competition at Fonda this past weekend and expressed satisfaction with the performance of his new car. He recorded the second fastest lap during Friday practice and achieved a top ten finish in Saturday’s Sportsman event. After sustaining a season-ending crash last year, Michael had not competed until this past weekend.

Utica-Rome Speedway also hosted a two-day event; Friday’s Victoria 50 was won by Erick Rudolph of Ramsonville, NY. A.J. Walters claimed the Jim Normoyle Memorial for Pro Stocks, while Chuck Lowe won the Limited Sportsman race.

On Saturday, Alex Yankowski of Covington Township, PA won the New Yorker 50. The New York 25 for Sportsman was won by Payton Talbot of South New Berlin, and the Street Stock event was won by Casey Cunningham of Georgetown, NY.

Andy Graves of Middleburgh was the winner in the Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modifieds Series, Modified division, with Joe Rando taking victory in Mystiques and Frank Hoard Jr. winning the Late Model event.

The racing community experienced the loss of four members over the past week. Guy Madsen, sponsor and car owner, was also the grandfather of current Sportsman driver Dylan Madsen. Ray Hedger served as a car owner, fabricator, and crew chief, and was the brother of Ron Hedger, long-time racing columnist. Janice Faulkner, mother of former driver, Ray Zemken, grandmother of Jessica Friesen, was a Fonda Speedway fan who supported Jessica throughout her racing career. June Keyser, mother of Carole Palmer, co-founded the Fonda Speedway Kid’s Club with her late husband, Ed, and they operated it for many years; the Keyser family also managed the infield concession stand. Condolences are extended to the families and friends of these individuals. 

Until next week please send all news and/or comments to biittig@yahoo.com 

 

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Auto Racing News

Fonda Speedway-General Manager Jamie Page speaks during the driver’s meeting last Friday, while track promoter Brett Deyo looks on.

By Tom Coughlin

Fans can expect to see the Halmar-Friesen Racing number 44 at the upcoming Super DIRT Week at Oswego Speedway, scheduled for Oct. 6-11, and at the Eastern States 200 Weekend at Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown from Oct. 23-26. In an interview, Stewart Friesen announced that two-time reigning Fonda Speedway modified track champion Alex Yankowski would be the pilot for those events.

Friesen, who was at New Hampshire Speedway to oversee his two NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series entries, also mentioned that he is still dealing with some nerve issues in his right foot but is working with his physical therapist to address the concern. In other news related to Orange County Fair Speedway, Jamie Friesen, Stewart's father, has been hired to prepare the track for the Eastern States 200 Weekend. Another team looking to extend their 2025 season is Nelson Motorsports, as the team may compete in the 358-modified division with Jack Lehner behind the wheel.

The 39th annual Neivel Precision Plumbing Outlaw 200 Weekend at Fulton Speedway began on Thursday, Oct. 2, and continues through Saturday, Oct. 4. Friday’s schedule includes modifieds, sportsman, Empire Super Sprints, and DIRTcar pro stocks, with racing at 7 p.m. Saturday’s main event is the 200-lap, $20,000-to-win feature for 358 modifieds with sail panels, with racing starting at 5 p.m.

On Saturday, Oct. 4, the Versus Monster Truck Series will invade the Track of Champions at Fonda Speedway for a full show of monster truck competition. On Sunday, Oct. 5, the Fonda-Fultonville PTSA will host its fourth annual Car Show from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., rain or shine, at the Fonda-Fultonville Central School.

Last Weekend's Racing Results

Last weekend featured several major events, including the Montgomery County Open at Fonda Speedway and the Victoria weekend at Utica-Rome Speedway. On Friday, Sept. 26, Utica-Rome's program was highlighted by the 47-lap Jim Normoyle Memorial for the pro stock division. That same night, Fonda Speedway held night one of its Open, featuring the 358-modified division, limited sportsman, street stocks, and 4-cylinders. On Saturday, Sept. 27, both tracks continued with their weekend events, with Fonda hosting the Short Track Super Series modifieds and sportsman divisions.

The Weedsport Speedway hosted the Encore 50 for the big block modified division and the Sportsman Classic 75 on Sunday, Sept. 28. Also last weekend, the Galway Lions Club and Galway Volunteer Fire Company held their 10th anniversary Vintage Camper Rally and Car Show, and Brookfield Speedway hosted the 54th edition of Wheels Days.

In results from Sunday, Sept. 28, Brookfield Speedway hosted the Short Track Super Series modified division for the first time, where Danny Creeden scored the 30-lap feature win. In the Halmar-Friesen Racing camp, substitute driver Kaden Honeycutt finished seventh and Michael Christopher Jr. finished 13th in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series EJP 175 at New Hampshire Speedway.

Fonda Speedway promoter Brett Deyo also recently announced that the "Chill Factor" will kick off the earliest opening date in the track's history, with a 50-lap enduro scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026.

 

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Come and Meet Mick and Mack at the Old Stone Fort!

The Old Stone Fort Society of the Children of the American Revolution invites you to attend the Fall harvest Fest at the Old Stone Fort to meet Mick and Mack and learn of their role in the American Revolution on October 4, 2025.  

We are the newly-formed Society of the Children of the American Revolution in Schoharie, hosted by the Schoharie Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution.

If you are a parent of a child under the age of 22, he or she may be eligible for membership, if he or she is lineally descended from a man or woman who rendered material aid to the cause of American Independence as a soldier, sailor, civil officer, or recognized patriot in one of the several Colonies or States.

Please visit us. If you are unable to do so, please contact Dianne Rizzo at SchoharieDar.Registrar@outlook.com for further interest in the Children of the American Revolution Old Stone Fort Society.

You can also visit https://nscar.org  for more general information about the National organization.

 

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Cider Donuts and More Now at Cyprus Hill Farm

By David Avitabile

MIDDLEBURGH - It's a perfect combination, apple cider donuts and shopping for fall treasures. Both are now available at the Cyprus Farm stand at the intersection of routes 145 and 30 in Middleburgh.

"Crossroad Specialty" was opened about two weeks ago to the pleasure of hungry and thirsty shoppers and travelers.

As in past years, the popular farm stand has plenty of pumpkins, mums, vegetables and more, but new this year is a full menu of drinks and food.

The farm stand is open every day but owners Katie and Pano Ioannou are operating the food stand Thursday through Sunday, 9am to 5pm.

The food stand is extensive with much more than apple cider donuts.

The menu includes: apple cider slushies, mozzarella sticks, onion rings, jalapeno poppers, fresh cut French fries, cheese fries, chili cheese fries, Sabrett hot dogs, chili cheese dogs, and drinks, including apple cider.

Picnic tables are nestled next to mounds of pumpkins and other fall favorites for diners.

They did not need more work, but both Pano and Katie have been very happy that they added a new option this fall.

"I love to bake and always talking about doing it," Katie said this week

"Food is what my family has done their whole lives," Pano added. "My wife is an amazing cook."

The apple cider and the donuts are a big hit, they said. "Put two and two together" and the apple cider donuts are selling very well as are the slushies, Pano said.

The food stand will not be open during the winter when the farm stand also closes, but will return in the spring with new items such as New York-style sausage and peppers and roasted corn.

If there are warmer days during the off-season, the food stand will be open  on "pop-up days," Katie said.

She is also thinking of special soup orders.

Katie and Pano are always looking to the future with their stands, which have grown immensely since they opened.

"We did it for the kids," they noted.

 

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Community Potluck in Jefferson Oct. 4

JEFFERSON — All are welcome to join the Mountain Beacon Parish for a Community Potluck on Oct. 4th, 4:30-6:30.  It will take place at the Danforth Community Center, Lower level, in Jefferson. It is located across from the school.  The theme for this potluck is Harvest.  Donations will be accepted for the Stamford Wellness Center.  If possible, bring a dish to share.  

All are welcome to come for food, fellowship and great company!

 

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Counselor with Nearly Three Decades of Service at BOCES Enjoys Watching Students Grow

Jen Russo, Counselor, and McKenna Davis

SCHOHARIE – With 28 years of experience at Capital Region BOCES, Jen Russo knows a little about helping students forge bright futures.

“Each year at graduation, I am so proud of the positive choices and decisions our students have made for their future,” Russo said. “So many have overcome obstacles to attain the skills and certifications they earn while with us.”

Russo, who is counselor at the Career and Technical Education Center  - Schoharie Campus, works with students to help them choose the best path to professional success – whether it’s pursuing further education after high school or directly entering the workforce. She also helps the teenagers work through the daily angst of life and develop the coping and other skills needed in professional and personal settings.

“I really enjoy the growth of our students. When they visit as 16-year-olds, they are still very uncertain of what they want to do in the future. By the time they leave, they have a much clearer path.”

Russo has held many jobs at BOCES including Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator, during which she helped launch the PAX Good Behavior Game in several area school districts. The program helped young students better regulate themselves in educational settings and cut down on her visits to classrooms to help students focus and manage their behaviors.

Her path to BOCES and helping young students started with obtaining a degree in psychology and drugs and alcohol rehabilitation. 

“I initially worked in a rehab setting and decided I was on the wrong side of the issue and wanted to focus on preventing it. This led me to graduate school and school counseling,” she said.

Russo said attending BOCES was not an option for her during her school days, but she wishes it was.

“Career and technical education was not presented as an option for me while in high school. If it had been, I probably would have chosen Early Childhood or Culinary,” she said. 

Outside of BOCES, Russo follows her passion of helping youth, mentoring middle school students and volunteering with Schenectady County’s “Working Group on Girls” initiative.

She was named a Woman of Achievement through the YWCA in 2012 and also volunteers to deliver lunches during the summer to youth who are food insecure.

 

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At the Summit

Luna Pelton of Middleburgh finished her 420 Grid Sunday! She is the first child to ever do so. She's done all 35 high peaks in each month of the year. 420 summits in total!

 

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Fonda-Fultonville Edges Schoharie in Five-Set Volleyball Thriller

FONDA – Fonda-Fultonville handed Schoharie its first loss of the season last Thursday, prevailing in a hard-fought, five-set league volleyball match (26-28, 25-18, 25-19, 19-25, 15-13).

The two teams battled back and forth in a contest that saw several lead changes. Schoharie took a marathon first set, 28-26, before Fonda-Fultonville responded by winning the next two sets. Schoharie forced a decisive fifth set with a 25-19 victory in the fourth, but Fonda-Fultonville held on for a narrow 15-13 win in the final frame to secure the victory.

Onaleah Egleston led the way for Fonda-Fultonville, recording a double-double with 17 kills and 12 digs. Karina DaMallie set up the offense with 26 assists, and Sigourney Myles anchored the defense with 17 digs and two aces.

For Schoharie, Madison Spencer had a standout performance with 12 kills and 36 digs. Ciarra Nay contributed across the board with three aces, nine assists, 14 digs, and 18 service points, while Stella Rockwell added eight kills.

With the win, Fonda-Fultonville improves its league record to 4-1 and its overall record to 5-1. The loss drops Schoharie to 5-1 in the league and 9-1 on the season.

Special thanks to Heather Palmatier for the information.

 

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Fulton GOP Nominates Candidates

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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