Students from left to right are Aleah Becker, Devin Tissiere, Tyler Lyon, Joseph Nedelsky, Judges Elizabeth Miller, Dennis Manning, and Joseph W. Camus.
Pictured from left to right are Tina Wellman, Aleah Becker, Devin Tissiere, Tyler Lyon, Joseph Nedelsky, and Randy Miller. Photos by Robert Duso.
Aleah Becker and her very proud mother.
By Wildert Marte
COBLESKILL — November 1943 settled over Cobleskill with a quiet rhythm. The last leaves blew along Main Street, store windows changed their displays, and the town adjusted itself to shorter days and colder mornings. The Cobleskill Index filled its pages with the steady pulse of local life church suppers, school concerts, business notices, and small reports of who visited whom. It was the kind of month where you could feel the year turning, one lamp-lit window at a time.
Church life marked the season first. The Methodist and Baptist congregations announced their Thanksgiving programs inviting neighbors to bring canned goods and songs in equal measure. Choirs practiced in the evenings while the smell of coal drifted through the village streets. At St. Vincent’s, preparations began for Advent, and the ladies groups met to plan their December teas and bazaars. Each notice read like a small promise of fellowship people gathering under one roof as the wind rose outside.
The schools carried on with their own energy. Students rehearsed plays and recitations for Thanksgiving week, and teachers organized classroom drives for coats and books. The Index printed the usual reminders school board meetings, basketball schedules, and lunch menus that mixed thrift with comfort. On Friday nights, the gym filled with the sounds of practice and laughter that carried out into the cold.
Business around town showed its usual practicality. Grocers advertised flour, sugar, and apples by the peck. The A&P and Victory Markets listed specials on coffee and oranges, while hardware stores reminded readers that “a well-kept stove makes a warmer winter.” Coal and oil dealers urged early orders, and the Newberry’s five-and-ten promoted its holiday stock glass ornaments, toy trains, and paper garlands. In the barber shops and cafes, talk ran to weather and prices, and the steady hum of daily trade gave Main Street its warmth.
Organizations filled the calendar, just as they always had. The Grange planned its next meeting at Richmondville Hall, and the Women’s Club hosted a program on local history. The Garden Club prepared its annual flower and craft show, while the Fire Department announced a fundraiser dance at
the Armory, promising “good music and a good time.” Even the library got its share of attention, reporting new donations of novels and magazines for winter readers.
Around the county, small improvements made news of their own. Crews finished repairing a stretch of road near Warnerville before the frost set in, and the electric company announced plans to replace several poles along Route 7. The paper noted with quiet satisfaction that the work was done ahead of schedule, “just before the ground froze.”
Social notes stitched the rest together. The Index listed dozens of visits and small gatherings families from Schenectady spending the weekend in town, a bridal shower at the Lutheran Hall, and Sunday dinners that seemed to move from house to house. One column told of a couple celebrating their fiftieth anniversary with a table of flowers and old friends stopping by to share coffee. These were the details that gave the town its texture simple, kind, and enduring.
Weather, as always, had the last word. A light snow arrived mid-month, dusting the fields white for a day before melting back into mud. Farmers hurried to bring in their tools, and children watched the first flakes with quiet excitement. The Index noted that “November temperatures fell early,” and readers would have known exactly what that meant the sound of kindling crackling in stoves and the faint scent of smoke rising through the valley.
Looking back, November 1943 in Cobleskill reads like a portrait of constancy. Churches filled their halls, merchants kept their doors bright, and neighbors found reasons to gather before winter took hold. It was a time of small routines done faithfully letters sent, pies baked, wood stacked, and the paper read by lamplight. The year was winding down, but the town’s pulse stayed steady, warmed by habit, faith, and fellowship.
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By Alexis Pencar
SHARON SPRINGS — This past Friday evening, December 5th, the Sharon Springs Parade of Lights had a successful turnout, despite the snow and colder than expected temperatures! This highly anticipated annual celebration started at the Sharon Springs Central School and ended at the Sharon Springs Fire House! With lots of families in attendance there was no shortage of smiles from children and adults alike!
To kick the parade off, The American Legion offered their Wreath Ceremony at the Memorials in front of SSCS with the special Tree Lighting of the huge pine just after! The Tree Lighting is always a cumulative effort made possible by many.
There were parade floats, lit up trucks, the Fire Engines from SSFD and Carlisle FD and of course ALL the lights! Many SSCS students dressed up and participated and then of course Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus at the end of the line up! There were floats by: Sharon Springs Chamber of Commerce, SSCS PTA, Girl Scout Troop 2844, Sharon Pathfinders, Sharon Springs Free Library. They all made their way to the Fire House to warm up with fresh baked cookies and treats! Children all got a chance to sit with Santa and Mrs. Claus for a photo and even received a special gift too!
What a wonderful event hosted by the Sharon Springs School District PTO! Without all the community support, this event would not be possible. If you are interested in participating next year, please contact SSCS PTO to register. With smiles and joy all around, this is another testament to the strength of Sharon Springs and beyond.
This year's Christmas Parade kicked off with "The Hill Town Hags" dance group, dancing their way down main street. By Robert Duso.
Best spot to hang out, as the float makes it's when down the parade route.
Lumber Jack's need a little down time too. This lumberJack was chilling on his float.
By Karen Cuccinello
WOW last Friday morning was zero degrees and the moon was so bright shining off the snow it was like daylight out. Thank goodness there was no wind. Anybody have frozen water that morning? We did all our little tricks to make sure the water kept running and all was well. It’s amazing how 20’s, two days later, feels great after you have been in the zero’s.
The chickens were not fond of the single digit days and stayed in the coop but when it got back up to the high 20’s with a bit of sun they were out and about.
From Sandy VanValkenburgh- We had about 15 kids and many community members at the Summit Fire Department Community Tree Lighting. Everyone enjoyed some goodies and conversation. The kids enjoyed making snowflake, wood ornaments and decorated cookies. Then they played games including the present relay game just in time for Santa to arrive by a fire truck. Each child got to tell Santa what they wanted and received a gift. The night ended with some carols and tree lighting. Thanks to Casey VanValkenburgh for photo’s.
I stopped by just for the tree lighting to take pics.
Thank You to Old Smokey Leather, of Summit, for fixing my 50+ year old leather seat tri-leg stool.
I got stuck waiting for a rather long train on the Warnerville Cut-off the other day. I don’t think I have had to wait for a train there in a couple of years.
The Charlotteville Schoolhouse Restoration Committee members thank you for another great season! We look forward to seeing you at our Pancake Breakfasts in 2026 - The Third Sunday of Every Month from April to October - - as well as our Spring & Fall Soup Buffets and BBQ Chicken Fundraiser. New committee members always welcome, meetings start in April. Like & Follow us on Facebook @charlottevilleschoolhouse
Festival of Trees event for the month of December at the Blenheim Gilboa Visitors Center; open Monday-Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. except December 24th and 25th.
Middleburgh Rod & Gun Club Youth Archery Program begins Saturday, January 3, 2026.
The program runs each Saturday until March 7, 2025. Registration each week before the program time slots. We look forward to continuing this awesome opportunity for our community youth ages 5-17. Beginners 9:00 am - 10:00 am- Experienced 10:00 am - 11:00am-
Advanced Target Shooters 11:00 am - around 12:30pm. Equipment will be provided, or you can bring your own. For info. contact mrgclubny@gmail.com.
CESRPL Team and High Individual Match Scores 12/05/25 Match VIII. Stamford/Richmondville beat Walton: 1113-25X to 1107-19X. High Stamford/Richmondville Scores were from: Gus Mueller 286-8X; Carl Tubbs 283-7X; Brian Righi 274-3X; and Larry VanDeusen 270-7X. Other Stamford/Richmondville Shooters were: Steve Baker, Jim Hitt, Stephen Hansen, Dave Ferris, Mark Gifford, Pat Mattice, and Jan Hornbach. High Scores for Walton were: Justin McAdams 281-7X; Dan Bennett 278-5X; Dennis Bennett 278-2X; and Michael Noviello 270-5X. Other Walton Shooters were: Bill McAdams, Glenn Bowker, Brian MacRabie, Ryan Boice, Steve Dutcher, Carl Banker, Jeff Yambor, and Aubrie Green.
December 12 – Christmas at Stamford Library 3pm includes stories with Mrs. Claus, ornament making, letters to Santa, and lots of delicious cookies and cocoa! At 5 p.m., we will bundle up to sing Christmas carols along Stamford's Main Street!
December 13 – Chocolate Jumble/Jumbo Cookie Contest at Old Stone Fort Badgley Museum Annex, Schoharie- cookie drop off 10am-1pm- judging 1-3pm.
December 13- Wreaths Across America ceremony 11am at Charlotteville Cemetery, Baptist Church Rd. There are 78 veterans in the cemetery that will be getting wreaths.
December 13 & 27 - Fulton Recycling Saturdays 7am-noon at the town hall 1168 Bear Ladder Rd.
December 14 – Upper Catskill String Quartet 2pm at Jefferson United Methodist Church, sponsored by the Jefferson Historical Society.
December 14 – Last day in 2025 that the Richmondville Antiques & Flea Market is open.
December 18 – Summit Town Board meeting 7pm at town hall.
December 18 – CRCS varsity and modified wrestling versus Fonda-Johnstown 6pm at CRSC high school.
December 20 – Holiday Piano Sing-Along in Judd Hall, 163 Main St, Jefferson 3pm. Free and all welcome.
December 21 – Winter solstice shortest day of the year 9 hours and 17 minutes. But never fear on the next day we gain 3 minutes.
December 25 - Christmas
History
December 19, 1895 Jefferson Courier- Summit - The neck tie social (not a lynching but a fundraiser) was well attended, and was indeed a social as well as a lively occasion. – J.H. Brown was in town and bought several dairies of butter. - Rev. Fyfe of Charlotteville will preach for us Sunday evening. - Fine skating on the lake now and old and young are enjoying it. - Miss Tillie Van Dusen of Stewart has been visiting at T. O Burnett’s. - The Methodist S. S. of this place will have a Christmas tree on the evening of Dec. 24th. A fee of 15 cents will be charged. It is desired that all bring their gifts to the church and help support the tree.
Let me know if you have any news or events to share karenc@midtel.net or 518-287-1945.
Ashten Hailey with the pin! Photos by Robert Duso.
Referee signals the win. Ashten Hailey with yet another winning match. He's more than likely headed back to the state finals again this year.
Bolo
Filipino ambushes and surprise night attacks using this curved weapon were greatly feared by American troops. In addition to its use in combat, the bolo served as a practical tool, similar to a machete, and was widely used throughout the jungles of the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei for clearing vegetation. Lieutenant Louis J. Van Schaick, originally from Cobleskill, nearly had his hand severed by a bolo strike. These items were sent to us by the Old Stone Fort’s Clay Edmunds.
Timothy Murphy Promissory Note
This promissory note from February 11, 1817, bears Timothy Murphy’s initials (he could not read or write) as well as the calculation of the $2.50 interest on the loan. Murphy is most famously known for receiving credit for killing British General Simon Fraser during the 1777 Saratoga Campaign. Murphy also helped defend the Middle Fort during the 1780 Johnson Raid.
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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