Toys for Tots New York Holiday Train Visiting Area Dec. 13 - Norfolk Southern, Marine Corps, and Amtrak Ramp Up Holiday Spirit

BINGHAMTON – The magic of the season is hitting the rails once again with its 26th train! Norfolk Southern, Amtrak, and the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation are thrilled to announce the return of the Holiday Train on Saturday, Dec. 13, continuing a tradition that has delivered joy for over 20 years.

Since its inception, the Holiday Train partnership has collected hundreds of thousands of toys and brought holiday cheer to countless families across the Northeast. Since 2022, Norfolk Southern has given the Toys for Tots Foundation nearly $500,000 in support of their mission.

This year, the train will make five festive stops in New York, inviting communities to join in the celebration:

• Binghamton
  9 a.m. –10:30 a.m.: Kickoff Celebration at East Binghamton Yard, 5 Holmes Place, Binghamton
  Enjoy free donuts, hot chocolate, kids’ activities, music, giveaways, and holiday cheer before the train departs.

• Bainbridge
  11:50 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.: Walnut Ave. Crossing, Bainbridge

• Oneonta
  1:10 – 1:45 p.m.: Gas Ave Rail Crossing near 70 S Market St., Oneonta

• Cobleskill
  2:55 – 3:25 p.m.: Cobleskill Fire Station, 610 E Main St., Cobleskill

• Delanson
  4 – 4:30 p.m.: Delanson Fire Station, 1797 Main St., Delanson

"For over 75 years, Toys for Tots has worked to ensure every child experiences the magic of the holidays. Our collaboration with Norfolk Southern and Amtrak brings that mission to life on the rails, reaching families in ways that truly make a difference,” said Patrick M. Lurenz, Coordinator in the Marine Corps
"Railroads have always been part of holiday traditions, and this train is a symbol of community and generosity. We’re honored to continue this journey with Toys for Tots and Amtrak to spread joy across our network,” said Director of the NS Foundation & Community Impact, NS Kristin Wong.

“We are proud to continue our annual tradition of celebrating the holidays with Toys for Tots, the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, and Norfolk Southern in the Capital Region with Operation Toy Train. Combining the magic of trains, the festivities of the winter holidays, and the joy we can bring to children is one of the highlights of our year,” said Amtrak Special Assistant to the President Bruno Maestri.

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Around the Neighborhood - Seward

Happy December readers! I hope everyone enjoyed the Christmas parade held over the weekend! I was part of an amazing vendor event on Sunday, called The Spirt if Christmas.  We saw many happy faces. This was put on by Wheels for The Community , if you would like to join, please contact  myself or Ratrod Harry. 

My December started with an amazing gift from my husband.  A new truck! Brought  home on December  1. I am thankful for him always taking  care of me and our family. I love you always and forever Jeremy ♡

Our youngest son Larson,  will have his party this Saturday at Checkers Out Speedway.  If you have not been, it is a great spot for a winter party! Indoor go cart track, that is family run. They have great food, fun and make you feel welcome!

What can you do this weekend? Get your photos with The Grinch Saturday 1:30-4:00 by Moore Memories Photography.  Will be held in Schoharie, waiting  for the exact location.  Please bring an item to donate to the Animal Shelter of Schoharie Valley. Another  event is at the Old Stone Fort on Saturday  December  13, from 10:00-4:00.

Congratulations to our local guy, Duane Spaulding! He and Ann have been working  hard to get whole milk back in school! Their work is paying off and will soon be on the president's desk! Great work!

Business Spotlight: Sunstruck Farm is an amazing local business in our little town. Phoebe McDonough is the owner and operator 

 She makes hand made cups, ornaments,  dishes, bowls, and more from pottery.  I have custom ordered special pieces from her.  They have a Facebook page to order from, or feel free to email them at sunstruckfarms@gmail.com.

I would like to thank Mr. Earlin Rosa for being our Supervisor for the past six years. Thank you for your time, knowledge,  heart, and hard work.  

Save the date: December 23 at 7:00 p.m. we will decorate a tree in the town pavilion, in Seward.  We will have hot chocolate, cookies, and carols, all are welcome.

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Carlisle's Laraway Attends Last Meeting As Councilman

By Chris English

CARLISLE — The Wednesday, Dec. 3 Town of Carlisle board meeting was the last for Dave Laraway as a Councilman.

Laraway is retiring from the board after being elected for three straight four-year terms and serving for 12 years. Fellow board members thanked him for that service at the Dec. 3 meeting. Laraway decided not to run for another term this year so he could spend more time on other things.

"Thanks for being part of this board for so many years and good luck in your future endeavors," Town Supervisor John Leavitt told Laraway.

"I'll still be around but other things take precedence," Laraway said.

In other news from the Dec. 3 meeting, Councilwoman Katie Schweigard announced during her recreation report that the annual Christmas Party will be 3-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14 at the municipal building at 541 Crommie Road.

Schweigard and fellow Councilwoman Mary Tillapaugh ironed out some details for the gathering during the meeting. There will be various treats, including a variety of cookies and Rice Krispie treats, and each child will receive a stocking full of goodies as they go up to visit Santa. Tillapaugh added there will be a new backdrop at this year's festivities.

Highway Superintendent Mike Broadwell reported that he and his crew are "full on in the winter" and were busy during the recent snowstorm. He said one of the plow trucks got stuck in a soft shoulder and it took two wreckers to free the truck.

A new Western Star truck is "very close to being delivered," Broadwell added. "They will call me when they are ready to deliver it."

He went on to report about how winter supplies have gotten more and more expensive, with salt at $70 a ton and sand at $9 a ton.

"Nothing is getting cheaper," Broadwell said. "I remember not all that long ago when sand was $2 a ton. We're trying to do a better job of scraping roads so we don't have to use as much sand."

The town board appointed Jennifer Regelski to a seven-year term on the town Planning Board.

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Catskill Regional Teacher Center Congratulates Peter Arruda for Achieving National Board Certification

ONEONTA — The Catskill Regional Teacher Center (CRTC) proudly congratulates Peter Arruda of the Cobleskill-Richmondville Central School District on earning the distinction of Accomplished Teacher in the area of Social Studies–History through National Board Certification.

The CRTC is a New York State–grant-funded program that provides free professional development to public and private school teachers in the DCMO and ONC BOCES regions. With offices in Oneonta, Stamford, and Bainbridge-Guilford, the Center serves 35 school districts and local institutions of higher education. Among its many services, the CRTC supports teachers pursuing their National Board Certification through the Catskill Area National Board Certification Cohort.

National Board Certification represents the highest professional achievement for classroom teachers. The certification process includes four rigorous components—Content Knowledge, Differentiation in Instruction, Teaching Practice and Learning Environment, and Effective and Reflective Practitioner—and requires candidates to complete a performance-based, peer-reviewed assessment that demonstrates their positive impact on student learning. Teachers typically invest 450–500 hours in this reflective, standards-based process.

The CRTC’s National Board cohort is led by NBCTs Regina Anderson of Cobleskill-Richmondville CSD and Neil Snedeker of Roxbury CSD. The cohort meets about ten times per year on Saturday mornings and includes a writing retreat to help candidates refine their portfolio submissions. Teachers have up to five years to complete all requirements. The program also welcomes participants from outside the immediate region, extending support to educators throughout the Catskill area.

Research consistently shows that students taught by National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) achieve greater academic gains than those taught by non-certified teachers. As the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) organization notes, “Pursuing Board Certification affords teachers the opportunity to become part of a larger network of accomplished educators shaping the profession. During the process, candidates reflect on best practices in their content area and apply their learning immediately in the classroom.”

“One of the goals of the Catskill Regional Teacher Center is to nurture and develop teacher leaders,” said Aaron Sorensen, Director of the CRTC. “National Board Certified Teachers set the standard for excellence in teaching, and we hope more educators in our area will pursue this prestigious recognition.”

Teachers interested in learning more about the National Board Certification process are encouraged to contact the Catskill Regional Teacher Center at (607) 436-3920 or by email at CRTCNY.org@gmail.com.

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Cobleskill Seeks Archive Grant

By Joshua Walther

COBLESKILL - The Cobleskill Town Board met on Monday evening to discuss a possible grant opportunity for sorting through their old records, as well as new end-of-year appointments.

Town Clerk Tina Ward explained that their old history room within the library used to include the records of both the Town and Village. However, when they moved out due to the library’s renovations, everything was piled together inside of a storage unit and left to gather dust.

Now, in an effort to separate the records and incorporate them back into their new history room, the Board will be pursuing a grant to give them enough funding for sorting, analyzing, recording, and hopefully digitizing for public viewing online.

Mrs. Ward expressed that since their old records are mixed together with the Village’s, it would be easier to ask the Village if they would like to join their efforts, saying “If it’s a combined grant, there will be more chances for more funding.”

It didn’t take long for the Board and Supervisor Werner Hampel to concur with her assessment, and they approved someone reaching out to the Village to see if they would be interested, with Supervisor Hampel concluding “I don’t see why they wouldn’t be.”

In other news, the Board also approved the appointments of several long-time Town employees back to their usual roles.

ADA Coordinator Joe Nelson was appointed for a one year term, with Mike Piccolo being appointed as the Fair Housing Officer for a similar term.

Court Clerk Karen Fletcher and the two deputy court clerks also received appointments of four years following the Town Justice’s recommendations. 

Finally, Supervisor Hampel mentioned that their Town kennel building needs to be rehabilitated to be brought up to the mandatory state requirements from Agriculture and Markets.

Receiving an estimate of the work needed, the interior would cost $36,800 while the exterior would run another $43,400 for a grand total of $80,200.

While the price was staggering for some of the Board members, Supervisor Hampel ensured that they would seek out a grant to help keep the kennel running and provide a place for sheltering dogs.

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Delisle and Morel Named Fighting Tiger Athletes of the Week

COBLESKILL – The SUNY Cobleskill Athletic Department has announced that sophomore Sydney Delisle (Mechanicville, NY) and junior Rowan Morel (Manhattan, NY) have been selected as the Fighting Tiger Athletes of the Week for the period ending December 7, 2025.

Delisle helped the Tigers open North Atlantic Conference play with a 2–0 weekend at home, averaging 12 points, 4.5 rebounds, three assists, and 1.5 steals across the two victories. She set the tone in the 61–58 win over Lyndon, leading the team with 11 points, six rebounds, three assists, and two steals, highlighted by a trio of three-pointers and several key late-game buckets. She followed with a game-high 13 points in the win over Johnson, adding three rebounds, three assists, and a steal while knocking down another three triples. Her shooting, decision-making, and defensive activity were central to Cobleskill’s strong opening weekend of conference play.

Morel turned in a dominant two-game stretch on the men’s side, averaging 19 points, eight rebounds, five assists, three blocks, and a steal while shooting 53.8 percent from the floor and 71.4 percent from three. He opened the weekend with 16 points, eight assists, six rebounds, and a career-high four blocks against VTSU–Lyndon, going 6-for-13 from the field and 2-for-4 from deep. Morel then delivered a career night in the 84–73 win over Johnson, posting his first double-double of the season with a career-high 22 points and 10 rebounds, along with two blocks and two assists on 8-for-13 shooting and a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc. His efficiency, versatility, and two-way impact anchored the Tigers throughout the weekend.

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Major Changes to HEAP, HERR Programs

Staff Report

SCHOHARIE COUNTY — It has been a confusing and frustrating year for anyone relying on the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). The seasonal program has been a savior for many low-income households for decades, providing relief on heating bills during the coldest months and helping New Yorkers survive our often-challenging winters. Ahead of this heating season’s opening, New York State’s Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) announced that funds would be limited to only one regular benefit and one emergency benefit, and programs like the Heating Equipment Replacement and Repair (HERR) and Clean and Tune would be cut from the 2025-2026 budget. Things were further complicated by the federal government shutdown. While much of the reporting on the shutdown’s impact focused on delays and changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), New Yorkers were also struggling with an indefinite delay in the opening of HEAP. Complicating matters was winter’s early and rather harsh arrival, leaving many struggling to fill their tanks to cope with colder-than-normal temperatures. HEAP finally opened on December 1, much to the relief of many. 

Late on Monday, December 8, OTDA announced it would be reopening the HERR program, but with a few new specifications. “Due to limited funding, HERR benefits will be available only to applicants aged 60 or older that own their home. If there is more than one documented homeowner, at least one must be aged 60 or above at the time of application and live in the home as their primary residence,” reads the official statement from OTDA. “All other eligibility requirements remain the same.”

The HERR program has been the primary option for income-eligible households needing to replace or repair their heating systems. With heating equipment costs continuing to rise, the lack of HERR had created a bit of a panic, as other options were initially somewhat limited. Currently, if a household needs to replace a heating system and does not include a resident aged 60 or older, they must apply for Public Assistance (PA), which generally has stricter guidelines and longer application processes than HERR. If an applicant is denied, they may apply to NYERDA’s Empower+ program, which provides up to $6,000 to replace a heating system. It can be a lengthy process. For more information, interested parties should contact their County HEAP offices or reach out to their regional Clean Energy Hub, which can be found here www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Regional-Clean-Energy-Hubs/Find-Your-Clean-Energy-Hub-Today. 

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Iroquois Museum Awarded $49,500 by NYS Council on the Arts.

HOWES CAVE –The Iroquois Museum in Howes Cave announced today a grant award totaling $49,500.00 from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) to support the arts and culture sector.  This grant will be used to bring in traditional dancers and artists.  These events usually occur on Saturdays, June – September, 2026.  

“Visitors find exhibits, especially contemporary Indigenous art and historical artifacts, incredibly moving and educational, offering deep insights into Iroquois culture and ongoing colonization issues. People love the tradition, the energy of the social dances, and learning about Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) culture through music, stories, and dance.  Staff are frequently described as friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate, enhancing the experience with personal stories and detailed explanations”, according to many Yelp and Google comments. 

“New York’s arts and culture sector is a cornerstone of the state’s identity, and we’re making bold investments to ensure it remains strong,” Governor Hochul said. “These grants will lift up artists and organizations in every region, fueling local economies and expanding access to the arts.  Congratulations to all the grantees-your talent and dedication help power New York’s future.”

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Rosa Thanks Board in Final Meeting

By Angela Clapper

SEWARD — The December Seward town board meeting was brief with several issues and well-wishes coming before the board.

The meeting started at 6:30, followed by an Invocation written by Ray Richards and recited by William Harlow.

The board approved the November 10 and 17 minutes before hearing written and oral reports from the Supervisor, Highway Superintendent,  Town Clerk, CEO, Assessor, and Dog Control. The board approved the reports.

No new business was brought up at this meeting.  

The board addressed the issues being tracked. Board member MaryAnn Nelson will follow up regarding the Fire Akam System. 

Organizational  meeting  date will be January 5, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. Next regular meeting will be January 12, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.

The bills were paid by the board. 

Supervisor Earlin Rosa addressed the board and Town, thanking them for being a cohesive unit. He sends best wishes for next year with the board. He sent well wishes to Mr. Seresky for healing from his recent injury. 

Record adjournment at 6:50 p.m.

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“Sharon Things - Local Happenings for Sharon Springs”

By Alexis Pencar

Hey Neighbors!

Happy Holidays to ALL! This time of year you’ll see me around town with my Santa hat on! The snow just hasn’t really stopped since last week! It feels like we have been in a snow globe! Look out for a break in sight with more snow starting again next week on Wednesday through the weekend. Temperatures will be variable between teens and 30s so be ready for anything! 

With snow on the ground for the time being, a quick trip to the store can become treacherous on those snowy days so please take caution when heading out and check the radar or any weather alerts. Last year we really didn’t get a good mid-winter thaw, I am truly curious if we will get that this season.

Remember your Sharon column is a great place to find out all about your local events, news, birthdays, and more! 

Polar's Express Sled Dog Rides with Santa are coming up this Saturday, December 13th from 11-2 PM at Run by Dogs in Sharon Springs with Musher Kate Walrath! Come celebrate your love of huskies, Santa, and holiday cheer! Visit Run by Dogs FB page for tickets and more info!

The 12 days of Christmas are still underway in the Village of Sharon Springs through December 21st! Between now and Christmas, every Friday, Saturday, & Sunday, shop at participating Sharon Springs businesses and spend $30 or more to receive a $5 Sharon Springs Gift Certificate! You can earn one certificate per store, per day, so come back every weekend to collect more! Eileen Harcourt of EH Rural Provisions offered, “From partridges to golden rings, every corner of our Village will hold a little holiday magic. The 12 Days of Christmas Village Walk invites neighbors to shop, eat, drink, smile, and rediscover what makes our community special. The true essence of Holiday: sharing, meeting new and old friends and giving back”.

There are new winter hours for the American Hotel in Sharon Springs. They are now open for dinner Friday through Monday from 5:00-8:00 PM, with the bar open at 4:00 PM. Check out Brunch on Saturday & Sunday from 11:00-2:00 PM. Call (518) 284-2105 for more info.

Your local Sharon Springs Food Pantry is an excellent local resource for all! Located in the United Methodist Church on Route 20, across from SSCS (511 US Route 20, Sharon Springs, NY 13459). They are always in need of donations of food or even unopened personal care items! The pantry hours are Thursday 9:00 -10:30 AM & 5:00 - 6:30 PM. For more information please contact (518) 284-2687 or (518) 852-1193.

The Village of Sharon Springs holds their Regular Board Meetings on the 3rd Thursday of each Month at 6:00 PM located at 129 Main St, Sharon Springs, NY 13459. The next meeting is scheduled for: Thursday, December 18th. The Village Mayor is Denise Kelly and the new Village Clerk is Hope Bayes. The Office Hours for Village of Sharon Springs are Monday & Wednesday 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Thursday 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM. For more information please call (518) 284-2625. Reminder: No Overnight Street Parking in the Village of Sharon Springs from November 1 - May 1. Please keep your sidewalks clear.

The Town of Sharon holds their Regular Board Meetings on the 1st Wednesday of each Month at 6:30 PM located at 129 Main St, Sharon Springs, NY 13459. The next meeting is scheduled for: Wednesday, January 7th. The Town Supervisor is Sandra Manko and the Town Clerk is Melissa Olsen. The Office Hours for the Town of Sharon are Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM or by appointment. For more information please call (518) 284-3010.

Sharon Springs Free Library News: Story Time is at 10:00 AM on Thursday mornings and includes a story, craft, and snack. They are now collecting new children’s books for the holidays in partnership with the Joshua Project through the first week in Dec. The Library is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Fridays from 3:00 - 8:00 PM, Mondays & Thursdays from 10:00 - 6:00 PM, Saturdays 10:00 -1:00 PM, and Sundays - Closed.  For more Library information please contact (518) 284-3126. 

Worship Services

The Sharon Reformed Church (6858 State Route 10, Sharon Springs, NY 13459) offers weekly service at 10:30 am. Contact at (518) 234-2387 for more details.

The Sharon Springs United Methodist Church (511 State Route 20, Sharon Springs, NY, 13459) offers weekly service at 10:30 am. Contact at (518) 284-2200 for more details.

Grace Episcopal Church (24 Montgomery Street, Cherry Valley, NY 13320) offers weekly Holy Eucharist at 11:00 am. Contact at (315) 858-4016 for more details.

The St. Thomas The Apostle Catholic Church (24 Maple Avenue, Cherry Valley, NY 13320) offers weekly mass at 10:00 am. Reminder: confession is available 30 minutes before every mass. Contact at (607) 264-3779 for more details.

The Zion St. John’s Lutheran Church Seward (114 Mesick Ave, Cobleskill, NY 12043) offers weekly service on Sundays at 9:00 am. Contact at (518) 234-3222 for more details.

Cornerstone Baptist Church (7274 Route 10, Ames, NY 13317). Sunday Service is at 10:00 am. All are welcome. Contact (518) 673 3405 for more details.

Sharon Sr. Congregate Meal Site

Local residents are invited to enjoy good company and a noon-time meal year round (except holidays) at the Schoharie County OFA’s “Spa Ritz” Sr. Congregate Meal Site at the Firehouse at 137 Beechwood Rd. M-W-F. 8 oz of 1% milk is served with each meal. Orders for meals must be called into the OFA office at (518) 295-2001 before 2 p.m. for the following day. Effective January 1st the suggested donation for those 60 years old and older is $5.00 per meal. Under age 60? You’re welcome to participate for a fee of $7.50 per meal.

To share community news, upcoming events, business specials, adjusted hours, birthdays, anniversaries, or even an outstanding resident, please contact me directly at (772) 971-1410 or alexis.pencar@gmail.com. Have a great week! Thanks!

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Spartans Start Season with Two Championships

SHARON SPRINGS — The Sharon Springs Girls Varsity Basketball has started their season with two early championships. The Lady Spartans won the Duanesburg Tip-Off Tournament November 28 & 29, then made their way to Afton the following weekend and emerged as champions of that tournament as well, leading to their 4-0 record to start the season. 

In Duanesburg on 11/28, SSCS defeated the host school 50-30 in their season opener. Zarie Barbic led the way with 33 points & 12 steals. Peyton Barbic added 9 points & 6 steals, and Isabella Cornwell grabbed 8 rebounds to lead the way for the Spartans. 

The Spartans faced Kipp Tech in the Championship game the following day and came away with a 60-17 win. Zarie Barbic scored 28 points, had 11 steals, and 9 assists to fill the stat sheet for SSCS. Maya Korona added 9 points, 6 rebounds, 5 steals, and 4 assists to help the Spartans get the win. 

The Sharon Springs girls then participated in the Afton Girls Tip-Off Tournament the following weekend, where they faced Rockland (Section 9, Class C) in the first round on 12/5. The Lady Spartans picked up a 48-24 win over Rockland, again led by Zarie Barbic who had 20 points, 9 steals, and 5 assists. 

They returned to Afton on Saturday Dec. 6 to take on the host school in the championship game and came out with a 50-37 win to take home another trophy. Zarie Barbic matched her performance from Friday by again picking up 20 points and 9 steals. 9 different players scored for SSCS in their victory.

Special thanks to Randi Korona for the information.

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This Project Left Aspiring Mechanic ‘Exhausted’

SCHOHARIE – One could make the argument that Cobleskill-Richmondville senior Brodie Merwin was “exhausted” after completing a recent project at the Capital Region BOCES Career and Technical Education Center  - Schoharie Campus.

Merwin, a student in the Automotive Trades Technology program, recently completed a custom exhaust package for a car by welding parts together.

Upon graduation later this year, Merwin plans to work in a local autobody shop before “hopefully opening my own shop one day.”

“I like working on cars, obviously, but I also like being able to work with my hands, using the tools, and being able to make my own customizations,” Merwin said.

Merwin is among more than 100 students enrolled in the Automotive Trades Technology program on the Schoharie and Albany campuses.

Students in the two-year program learn everything from computerized diagnostics to hands-on repairs while gaining the skills to service and maintain all types of cars and light trucks. Students are prepared to enter industry or pursue higher education and earn professional certifications that will aid them no matter the path they choose.

For more information on the program, visit https://www.capitalregionboces.org/career-technical-education/courses-programs/automotive-trades-technology/.

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Trustee Vacancy in Cherry Valley

CHERRY VALLEY - The following office in the Village of Cherry Valley will be vacant at the end of the official year, March 31, 2026 without primary election:

* Trustee: four-year term.

The polling place for the Village Election is at the Clerk’s Office, 2 Genesee Street, Cherry Valley, and will be held on March 18, 2026, from noon to 9pm., according to Melissa F. Gregory, Clerk-Treasurer.

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Updated CRCS Website Inbound

By Joshua Walther

COBLESKILL - On Monday evening, the CRCS Board of Education heard a presentation from Communications Specialist Samantha Keaney on their brand-new website, which will be easier to integrate with their ParentSquare app.

The district rolled out ParentSquare last year, allowing Superintendent Matthew Sickles and the principals of each school to communicate delays, emergencies, and other time-sensitive information to parents effectively over email, text, and phone.

Now that they’ve had a test year, Ms. Keaney plans to update their six-year-old website to be hosted on Smart Sites, another product under the umbrella of ParentSquare. 

Since both products are from the same company, ParentSquare posts will be able to be shared directly on the new website, CRCS’s staff directory will be up to date and reflect changes accordingly, and smart alerts for snow days or other school outings can function as a pop-up online.

Further, if the district needs help with maintenance of the site, Ms. Keaney stated that ParentSquare’s customer service is a huge plus, and Smart Sites will offer other incentives like free design changes and AI generative alt text on photos to serve as captions.

Ms. Keaney pledges that the website will be a big step up from the viewer’s perspective, and the individual links to a school’s specific page will be front and center, allowing for easier navigation.

The home page will also look very different, and there will be two sections for District Updates and Stories and Highlights, which will respectively list announcements for families and feature students’ accomplishments.

Clubs and activities will now have their own page, serving as a directory to encourage students to learn more about extracurricular programs and how to sign up for them, with another separate page dedicated to athletics and sports.

And if that wasn’t enough, the website will be easier for staff and faculty, as well. Principals and Superintendent Sickles will be able to pin specific announcements to the school pages, so that they’ll be the first thing a family sees when they go online.

Ms. Keaney explained that she’ll spend the next couple weeks ironing out the finishing touches, and she plans for the website to go live on December 22nd to give everyone time over the holiday break to acquaint themselves with the new tools.

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Vedder Book Signing December 20th

COBLESKILL — Just in time before Christmas, Bob Vedder will be doing one more book signing this year. It will be held at Kelley Farm and Garden, on West Main Street in Cobleskill.

It will be held for just two hours, on Saturday, December 20th, from 11AM until 1PM. The books make great stocking stuffers for friends or family, at a cost of just 6.99 each.

Bob would be happy to sign a copy for you at no additional charge. Bob's book, "Thoughts To Live By" is an original compilation of maxims, which have a five star rating on Amazon. Stop by Kelly Agway on Saturday, December 20th and get a first edition copy.

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