The Mountain Eagle

11/21/25

Lighting the Way - A Thanksgiving Celebration - Hosted by the Mountaintop Interfaith Community

Written By The Mountain Eagle on 11/21/25 | 11/21/25

TANNERSVILLE — Candles lit the way as more than one hundred mountaintop friends and families entered the beautiful and festive United Methodist Church in Tannersville, for the annual Mountaintop Interfaith Community Thanksgiving Service.

Faith leaders from across the mountaintop came together to continue this cherished tradition—an evening filled with moving songs, inspired readings, and timeless wisdom. Music by The Songbirds, The Platte Clove Voices, and Richard [last name] set the tone for a joyful and uplifting celebration.

Nine faith groups were represented, each offering a meaningful and unique message.

This year’s theme, “Lighting the Way,” celebrated the light we each carry within—and our shared responsibility to shine that light into the world as stewards of hope, compassion, and unity.

At the heart of the evening was a call for service to the community with gratitude, and compassion, especially for those facing hardship.

This year’s offering supported Mountaintop Cares Coalition (MCC)—a local nonprofit dedicated to helping individuals and families affected by alcohol and substance use disorders. MCC envisions a community where recovery is not only possible, but celebrated.

The generosity of attendees was extraordinary: over $3,000 was donated, both during the service and through mailed contributions—far exceeding all expectations.

If you were unable to attend but would like to contribute, donations may be made payable to:

Mountaintop Interfaith Community
PO Box 139
Tannersville, NY 12485
Memo line: Mountaintop Cares

Throughout the service, faith leaders reminded us of the profound power of light—
to guide those in need, to offer hope in darkness, and to unite all people of goodwill.
Even in our most difficult hours, a light still shines.

Our Mission

The Mountaintop Interfaith Community seeks to foster cooperation among all faith groups on the mountaintop by promoting harmony, understanding, and collaboration. By recognizing the common threads of all traditions and working together, we strive to build a vibrant, compassionate community of friends and neighbors.

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Local History by Dede Terns-Thorpe - Stony Clove

An interesting story on Stony Clove, NYS Route 214 sheds more light on the Clove's history.

STONY CLOVE

“Stony Clove forms the entrance and exits to and from Hunter from the south. Many years ago, this place was known as AWAGHWIC, in honor of an Indian Chief who led a band of warriors through here. The sides rise in colossal mountain walls, towering high in the air, and growing with all their mighty strength beneath the weight of their dense forest.

In this Clove we find two pretty settlements – Edgewood and Lanesville containing several pleasantly located summer resorts. STYGIAN LAKE, a pond of water of a darkish color; Maiden’s Cliff, from which, so tradition says, an Indian maiden in her flight with her lover threw herself and was killed; Pic Nic or Pulpit Rock; Devil’s Tombstone and other interesting places. Ice may be found in the crevices among the rocks in this Clove throughout the year.” (Besides Edgewood and Lanesville there was Neillsville, Saxe Corners, and Higgins Hollow, when the article was written in 1910).

Stygian Lake also means dark, which it probably did before the area around the lake was widened for the roadway and the railroad. The article said the word Stygian comes to us (by way of Latin stygius and Greek stygios) from Styx, the name of the principal river in Hades, the underworld of Greek mythology. English speakers have been using stygian to mean ‘of or relating to the river Styx’ since the early 16th century.’

The Mountain Top’s history is aided by little tidbits such as this. My summer jobs, many years ago, as Hunter Mt. Fire Tower Observer and Superintendent of Devil’s Tombstone Campsite have given me a special interest in the Stony Clove area. Many of the Town of Hunter’s industries began in this Clove.

This 1910 story is from an unknown local newspaper.

Thanks so much for reading.

Happy Thanksgiving to all. Stay safe and be careful.

Dede Terns-Thorpe/Hunterhistorian@gmail.com.

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BETTER THAN HEARSAY - Untangling the Chain

By Michael Ryan

JEWETT - The unresolved legal situation in the town of Jewett, viewed from the outside, is a little bit like trying to untangle a chainsaw chain.

It looks easy and maybe it is for everyone except a doofus like me. But no matter which way I finagle the thing, it’s hard as heck to unknot.

Jewett officials, at a meeting last week, enacted 14 new Rules of Order that are generic in some ways and seemingly very pointed in others.

They were passed eight days after a contentious election with a last minute write-in campaign for town supervisor by councilman John Pumilia.

Greg Kroyer, the incumbent, handily defeated Pumilia who will be staying in office the next two years, regardless, and was the only board member to vote against the resolution containing the Rules of Order.

“We’ve had multiple disruptions of our meetings,” Kroyer said, offering the resolution. “This will go a long way toward keeping order. These are how the meetings will be conducted in the future.”

Seated in the back of the meeting room, as Kroyer spoke, was a Greene County deputy sheriff reportedly dispatched there by the sheriff’s office based upon what happened at the previous meeting, in mid-October.

That’s when Pumilia revealed his write-in bid amid nose-to-nose shouting and table banging and undeleted expletives being hurled by multiple officials. Perhaps it was all just good, old-fashioned political drama.

But it was written, in this column at that time, that Pumilia’s entry in the race came, “as mystery continues to enshroud the entire community following the execution of a search warrant by the Greene County Sheriff’s Office at the town hall in early July.”

Three sheriff’s investigators took over two hours to conduct the search, seizing “electronic devices, paper files and business records,” sheriff’s captain Joel Rowell stated in a press release at that time.

The warrant, “was the result of allegations of potentially fraudulent activity,” Rowell stated without offering specifics on what was being sought.

Town officials, on the advice of counsel, have not made the search warrant available for viewing or commented on the issue.

********

Fast forwarding to today, nothing has been heard from the sheriff’s office on the inquiry that also involves the district attorney’s office.

Rumors are rampant about what the police were searching for and whether somebody has broken the law or not and whether this whole thing is just politics at its worst and will fade away now that the election is over.

Perhaps it is the same as the chainsaw chain, and the Rules of Order will smooth things nicely. But the tensions that overflowed at the October meeting had been simmering since the cops came a’ knocking.

Lines have been drawn and sides taken in what is a very clear split on the town council that overlaps to highway superintendent Bob Mallory.

Mallory is chairperson of the local Republican Party. Kroyer and Pumilia are both Republicans so if this is political, it is all nestled in the GOP family.

Ever since the police raid, it is safe to say Mallory has disrupted his share of meetings, partly because it is plain as day, sitting there seeing it, and partly because he makes no bones about doing it, and why.

There is massive difference of opinion about Mallory’s motivations but in the past, he would generally give a monthly report on his department - culverts fixed and roads paved, etc. - and be done for the night.

Something has changed since the cops came knocking. Mallory, for years, has been seated at the head table with the five board members and town clerk, Maya Carl, but he will no longer be there as per the new rules.

Rule of Order #12 states that henceforth only town board members and the town clerk can sit at the main table while,“all other town officials and the public shall be seated in the audience area.”

It would seem to apply strictly to Mallory since he is the only other person seated at the main table besides the town attorney, although he isn’t mentioned and presumably will stay put whenever he is present.

Rule of Order #13 states that, “if necessary, the supervisor may retain/appoint a Sergeant of Arms to maintain the civility of the meeting, and have those interrupting or preventing the meeting from proceeding, to be removed from town property.”

Council members, at their November 12 session, also okayed a “Motion to Amend the Recording of Meeting Minutes,” a task performed by Carl.

Carl, since the police raid, has changed her methodology, saying she is writing the Minutes “verbatim” rather than the usual concise summary.

Those summaries were a page or two. Writing it “verbatim” takes as many as 13 pages, a style that four of the five board members have declined to accept, leaving Pumilia as the lone potential approver.

Carl said she is doing it to let the public know exactly what’s being said and by whom at the meetings, but councilman James Pellitteri said the Minutes are not word-for-word and verbatim as she claims.

“I did a lot of homework,” Pellitteri said, explaining that he listened carefully to the tapes and discovered “notable omissions, approximately twenty percent of the total content.

“If verbatim is used, it should be applied consistently,” Pellitteri said, more than suggesting that sections were inexplicably omitted involving Mallory raising his voice and the proceedings being disrupted.

Carl is the town GOP vice-chairperson. Asked about the alleged omissions, she said Mallory is not involved in voting or decision-making on any town board matters so he is not included in the Minutes in that regard.

Pellitteri offered the Motion to Amend the Recording of Meeting Minutes which was approved 4 to 1, with Pumilia casting the lone “no” vote.

“The town board moves that the recording of meeting minutes be amended to return to a summary format rather than a verbatim transcription,” the Motion states.

“The summary should capture the key points, decisions and actions from the meeting, while still recording any motions and votes verbatim.

“This change aims to improve the accuracy and usability of the minutes, making them more concise and easier to review.

“Additionally, this approach will save time for both the [town clerk] and those reviewing the minutes.,” the Motion states.

“The recorded minutes will still be available for those who wish to hear the exact words spoken during the meeting, ensuring transparency and allowing for detailed review when necessary,” the Motion states.

“If you are looking for accuracy and details, then recorded audio and/or video will give the best of both. The recorded audio/video can be made available, posting it on the [town] web page,” the Motion states.

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Sgt. James F. Carty, DSC VFW Post 1545

This past weekend our post held a pancake breakfast and I would like to thank everyone who came and supported us. Also, I would like to thank all who participated with putting this together.

Our post has a piano on our stage that no one has used in years. If anyone who would like a piano you can email me at vfwpost1545@gmail.com and we will make it yours.

VFW National Commander Carol Whitmore and VFW Washington Office Executive Director Ryan Gallucci met with VA Secretary Doug Collin during a visit to VA headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Many topics were discussed during the meeting, including the government shutdown’s impact on VA services, the progress on the VA claims backlog and the recent reporting by The Washington Post on VA benefits.

Secretary Collins reassured the VFW that VA will always place veterans first. VFW National Commander Carol Whitmore, VFW Auxiliary National President Lois Callahan and VFW Washington Office staff took part in Veterans Day ceremonies in and around the Washington, D.C., area at Arlington National Cemetery, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Korean War Memorial.

As part of the ceremonies, delegations presented wreaths honoring veterans past and present.

After a record federal shutdown, the government has reopened and restored funding to critical programs supporting service members, veterans and their families.

Military pay and benefits will continue uninterrupted, with separation and permanent changes of station delays now being resolved as personnel offices reopen.

VA health care, disability compensation and GI Bill benefits, which were largely protected during the shutdown, are now fully funded for the year, ensuring stability for millions of veterans.

Federal civilian spouses of service members will receive back pay as agencies restart operations. Programs vital to military families, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Small Business Administration veteran business loans, are quickly resuming.

The coming days will focus on restoring services, clearing backlogs and returning federal support networks to full strength.

This week The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced no identifications or burial updates this week.

As a Vietnam Veteran, I would like to let you know that the Vietnam Veteran fought in the most unpopular war in the history of the United States of America. Regardless, he fought with honor, pride and sacrifice to the extent that 58,195 of his brothers gave their lives for the freedoms we have today.

For the Vietnam Veteran the war remains vivid in our minds. Yet, even so, Freedom flourishes and our beloved Flag still flies gloriously throughout our land. To our brothers and to our country we shall remain “Always Faithful”.

Let me tell you about Vietnam veteran Stephen Doane a First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. Place and date: Hau Nghia Province, Republic of Vietnam, 25 March 1969. Entered service at: Albany, N.Y. Born: 13 October 1947, Beverely, Mass. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. First Lt. Doane was serving as a platoon leader when his company, engaged in a tactical operation, abruptly contacted an enemy force concealed in protected bunkers and trenches. Three of the leading soldiers were pinned down by enemy crossfire. One was seriously wounded.

After efforts of 1 platoon to rescue these men had failed, it became obvious that only a small group could successfully move close enough to destroy the enemy position and rescue or relieve the trapped soldiers, 1st Lt. Doane, although fully aware of the danger of such an action, crawled to the nearest enemy bunker and silenced it. He was wounded but continued to advance to a second enemy bunker. As he prepared to throw a grenade, he was again wounded. Undaunted, he deliberately pulled the pin on the grenade and lunged it into the enemy bunker, destroying this final obstacle. 1st Lt. Doane's supreme act enabled his company to rescue the trapped men without further casualties. The extraordinary courage and selflessness displayed by this officer were an inspiration to his men and are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army .

Remember all who served our country and those still serving. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers. God Bless America.

Marc Farmilette, PFC ~ Commander VFW Post 1545.

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WAJ KINDERGARTENERS RETURN TO THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT - “Bittersweet” Visit for “The Gipper”

A wintry-dreaming visit to the town’s sand/salt shed for the kindergarten class of teacher Taylor Thorington and classroom assistant Lexie Lane, accompanied by volunteer parents and highway department workers.

Their attentions were scattered in several different directions, as usual, but the kids continued the tradition of pretending they are snow being plowed, joined by real life highway department personnel (standing, left to right) working foreman Troy Aplin, highway superintendent-elect Robert “BJ” Murray and retiring roads chief Gary Thorington.

Windham-Ashland-Jewett kindergartener Katie is all smiles sitting in the cab of the town’s snowblowing machine.

By Michael Ryan

WINDHAM - They usually do this when wintry weather begins to warm but a heartfelt exception was made by the kindergarteners from Windham-Ashland-Jewett, recently journeying to the town highway department.

Roads chief Gary Thorington, after thirty-one years with the local agency, has announced his retirement, effective at the end of December.

So, the “Gipper” as he is affectionately known, won’t be in his customary post for the return of the robins, prompting teacher Taylor Thorington to move the calendar ahead for the annual school field trip.

“Typically, this trip has been taken closer to early spring,” Ms. Thorington said, stepping in for Christi Corrigan who similarly retired, this year, after three decades at WAJ.

“However, with the “Gipper” also soon to be retiring, we thought it would be a special moment for him, to enjoy one last group of little friends from WAJ,” said Ms. Thorington (a niece through marriage).

“We had the privilege of learning about the importance of our local highway department and what their job entails,” Ms. Thorington said.

“The students had a wonderful time and were even able to check out some of the equipment that is used in the daily operations to keep our roads safe,” Ms. Thorington said.

The Gipper, in a subsequent interview, said the autumn visit to the highway garage, located along Mitchell Hollow Road, was “bittersweet.”

“Their attention was all over the place, as usual, so their teacher had to remind them about “bubbles,” the Gipper said, smiling.

“When she said that, the kids had to puff their cheeks out, like bubbles, and with their cheeks full of air they couldn’t talk anymore.

“You gotta’ love it,” the Gipper said. “We’ve always loved having the kids here. Christi was always trying to teach them what public officials do.”

That tradition will continue albeit differently. “I figured it’d be a bit emotional, this being the last time I’d do this,” the Gipper said. “But it didn’t really hit me until their bus pulled out of the parking lot.”

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LEGISLATURE STUFF - No Fitting Words

Flowers respectfully grace the desk of Tammy Sciavillo, the late Greene County Legislature clerk.

By Michael Ryan

CATSKILL - There are no known words to adequately describe the passing of Tammy Sciavillo, so a Moment of Silence was respectfully observed instead, this past Monday night, at the Greene County Legislature.

Sciavillo, the highly respected and longtime clerk of the legislature, died on November 13, from unspecified causes, predeceased three years ago by her husband, Vito Sciavillo, a firefighter. She was 54.

A few months ago, Tammy Sciavillo was named 2025 county “Employee of the Year,” a selection containing an element of light-hearted intrigue.

Part of Sciavillo’s job included typing up the annual Employee Recognition information, necessitating her colleagues creating a pseudo awardee to preserve the secret.

Whether she was savvy to their subterfuge or not, legislature chairman Patrick Linger, while making the presentation, noted her dedication.

Since the spring of 1999, “every resolution, every minute of every meeting taking place at Greene County government bears testimony to her tireless work ethic, focus and dedication,” Linger stated.

“Every agenda, every notice, every advertisement, every local law, every legislative memorandum and countless other documents and emails emanating from the legislature have her fingerprints on them.”

Having been the acting clerk of the legislature for a quarter century, Linger said Sciavillo, “applies a wealth of institutional knowledge every day and willingly shares that knowledge with all other departments.

“You can walk into the legislative office anytime and find her either wearing a headset and carefully typing minutes or searching records from the distant past looking for the proverbial needle in a haystack.

“She is always amenable to interruption, always with a welcoming smile and always asking what it is she can do to help you,” Linger said.

“Simply put, Tammy Sciavillo is essential in steering this ship that we all call Greene County and I can think of no one more deserving of this honor.”

********

Appreciation for her went beyond mundane clerical duties, and in the aftermath of her passing lawmaker Matthew Luvera stated, “as [the legislative] Majority Leader, I’m also the [board] vice-chairman.

“When our chairman went out on medical leave [two years ago], I was forced to step into the role of running our meetings,” Luvera stated.

“Tammy was there and sat to my right, keeping me updated as to what had to be said and when to say it.

“She organized the entire notes, even with the exact words that needed to be said. It certainly made me feel more comfortable having her at my side.

“Grief is a hard emotion to overcome,” Luvera stated. “We loved Tammy and always will. Our Legislature will never be the same without her there.

“Her presence gave us comfort and I’m completely heartbroken that she is not physically there,” Luvera stated.

Former legislature chairman William Lawrence, now retired, wrote, “she was Tammy Lynn Barbato when I first met her in 2005.

“That was the year she was appointed clerk for the county administrator and basically a clerk for the entire legislative group.

“When you deal with an administrator and [fourteen] needy legislators, it helps to be on top of your game and she always was.

“Tammy was charged with taking the minutes at every legislative meeting and she paid close attention to what was said and by whom.

“If you have ever been to one of those meetings, then you know that most of them are like watching paint dry, yet she kept track of every word said.

“Tammy never looked for the adulation of those she worked for,” Lawrence wrote “but she certainly earned it.”

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Out Lexington Way

By Christine Dwon

We express deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Kay Mead who passed away on Nov. 15.

Reminder there will be no edition of the Mountain Eagle Friday, Nov. 28 Thanksgiving week.

A representative from Greene County Department of Human Services will be available with information and for questions on Medicare at the Jewett Senior Service Center, 11:45 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 25. If you would like to stay for lunch, please call at least a day in advance, 518-263-4392. Lunch is served at noon and open to all Greene County residents age 60 and older. Suggested donation is $4 per meal.

The Windham Business Community is sponsoring Thanksgiving Dinner for senior citizens at the VFW, 5565 NY 23, Windham on Thursday, Nov. 27 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Availability is limited so please RSVP by calling Samerna Rion at 518-965-4512 or at the Windham Community Center. A big thank you to the Windham Community Center, the VFW, our volunteers and the Windham Business Community for helping make this Thanksgiving Dinner possible.

The Annual Holiday Market is being held on Saturday, Nov. 29 in the West Kill/Lexington Community Hall, 141 Spruceton Road, West Kill from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Come and do your holiday shopping and be sure to stop by the Ladies Aid of the West Kill UMC table for their bake sale and the Lexington Historical Society will have their delicious soups for sale.

There will be a Tree Lighting, Sunday, Nov. 30 at the Ashland Community UMC, 12216 Route 23, Ashland, at 5 p.m. Join in singing carols and enjoy hot cocoa.

Hannah Podliasik celebrates her birthday on Saturday, Nov. 22.

Happy birthday to Eleane Grinnell on Sunday, Nov. 23.

Monday, Nov. 24, Linny Bloodgood celebrates her birthday.

Also celebrating a birthday on Nov. 24 is Kevin Simmons.

Olivia Heppard’s birthday is Monday, Dec. 1.

Wednesday, Dec. 3 is Jeanette Petosa’s birthday.

Dede Terns-Thorpe’s birthday is Thursday, Dec. 4

Also celebrating her birthday on Dec. 4 is Lula Anderson.

Happy birthday to Jane Concato on Friday, Dec. 5.

Best wishes to everyone.

Festival of Trees at the Blenheim-Gilboa Visitor Center and Historic Lancing Manor, 1378 State Route 30, No. Blenheim, will have dazzling trees adorned in energy-efficient lights and decorated by local non-profits, Monday, Dec. 1 – Tuesday, Dec. 30. Come for the Holiday Fun Holly Jolly Party on Saturday, Dec, 14 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Free photos with Santa, every child gets a holiday ornament, letter writing to Santa, kids crafts, carriage rides and more, rain or shine, free admission and parking.

The Ashland Fire Department is holding a breakfast to benefit the Ashland Fire Department’s 100th year anniversary and the 138th Greene County Volunteer Firemen’s Association Convention hosted by the Ashland Fire Department in September 2026. The breakfast will be Saturday, Dec. 6 from 7:30 a.m. at the Ashland Town Hall, 12094 State Route 23, Ashland. Eat in or takeout, free will offering. Menu includes eggs, sausage, bacon, home fries, toast, pancakes, french toast, biscuits and gravy or grilled breakfast sandwich with egg, bacon or sausage, American cheese and side of home fries. Real maple syrup, coffee, juice, tea and hot chocolate too. There will be a 50/50 raffle, bake sale and Convention merch. Call Diane for information at 518-734-3636.

The Windham-Hensonville UMC, Main Street, Windham is holding their annual Christmas Tea and Craft Sale on Saturday, Dec. 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Santa arrives at 2 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 6 is the annual Charge Conference for the Mountain Top UMC Parish at the Lexington/West Kill UMC, Lexington.

Join in the annual Tree Lighting and Carol Sing in West Kill, Saturday, Dec. 6. Meet at the Community Hall, 141 Spruceton Road, West Kill, at 5 p.m., walk to the tree at the flagpole and back to the hall for light refreshments. Rumor has it that Santa will arrive on a fire truck and visit with everyone at the Community Hall.

The Ladies Auxiliary of the Town of Lexington Fire Company will hold their annual meeting and potluck dinner on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 6 p.m. in the Firemen’s Room.

Because there is no Friday, Nov. 28 issue of the Mountain Eagle, here are two weeks of the Greene County Senior Nutrition Program menu for the weeks of Nov. 24 – Nov. 28 and Dec. 1 – Dec. 5:

Week of Nov. 24 – Nov. 28: Monday–Sloppy Joes, white rice, old fashioned vegetable mix, tropical fruit; Tuesday—Tortellini Alfredo with chicken, zucchini and yellow squash, V8 Juice, chocolate mousse; Wednesday—Crab cake with lemon aioli, Brussels sprouts, rice pilaf, rice pudding with raisins; Thursday – Happy Thanksgiving—Department and all meal sites closed—no meals; Friday—Stuffed cabbage, winter mixed vegetables white rice, fresh fruit.

Week of Dec. 1 – Dec. 5: Monday—Macaroni and cheese, three-bean salad, stewed tomatoes, mandarin oranges; Tuesday—Chicken Marsala, California vegetable medley, mashed potatoes, pears; Wednesday—Shrimp Scampi, tomatoes and zucchini, linguini, lemon mousse; Thursday—Meatloaf with gravy, old fashioned mixed vegetables, baked potato, fresh fruit; Friday—Hungarian goulash, red cabbage, low sodium V8, egg noodles, fresh fruit.

All persons 60 and older are invited at attend. Meals served at noon, suggested $4 donation for each meal. Congregate reservations are required by noon at least a day in advance. If you reserve a meal and are unable to attend, please call as soon as you can to cancel. The number to call for the Senior Service Center at the Jewett Municipal Building, 3547 County Route 23C, Jewett is 518-263-4392.

Thank you to all law enforcement, firefighters, EMS, dispatchers, volunteers, healthcare providers, veterans, actively serving military, farmers, truck drivers and so many more.

Prayers for all who are dealing with loss, illnesses, healing, difficulties, our country, our military and their families, the world.

Until next week take care, be thankful, be safe, be respectful to others and please be kind to one another. Your act of kindness may change someone’s life.

Hope you all have a blessed, safe and peaceful Thanksgiving.

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Lighting the Way - A Thanksgiving Celebration - Hosted by the Mountaintop Interfaith Community

Written By The Mountain Eagle on 11/21/25 | 11/21/25

Local History by Dede Terns-Thorpe - Stony Clove