Outdoors with Larry DiDonato - Holiday Hunt Gives Hunters Hope for More Hunting

Hunters still have options to harvest a deer in NY. The "Holiday Hunt" is a nice Christmas present for bow and muzzleloader hunters, and Long Island's firearms season remains an option for diehard deer hunters.  Photo courtesy of NYS DEC.

Regular gun season for deer and bear in the Southern Zone came to a closed on Sunday, December 7th. Bow, crossbow, and muzzleloading big game season opened the following day on December 8th and concluding one half hour after sunset on Tuesday, December 16th. 

Those who can’t get enough deer hunting need not be disappointed. Santa has one last belated gift in his bag for deer hunting afficionados. After a brief hiatus, the bow, crossbow and muzzleloading season for deer resumes on the day after Christmas. The relatively recent advent of the annual “Holiday Hunt” for upstate counties commences on December 26th and runs through New Year’s Day on January 1st. 

Those who dream of antlers instead of sugar plumbs dancing in their heads have even more than that to look forward to if they are willing to travel south a bit to Westchester or Long Island. In Westchester County’s Wildlife Management Unit, (WMU) 3S, you can hunt deer and bear with a bow or crossbow from October 1st right through December 31st of each year. 

For Long Island, DEC recently announced that their annual deer shotgun and muzzleloader season in January in Suffolk County will begin on Sunday, January 4, and continue through January 31, 2026. New for the 2026 Long Island January deer hunting season, DEC just stated it has overhauled the reservation method to hunt on State-managed lands to an online system. “Instead of requiring hunters to make an in-person reservation at the Ridge Hunter Check Station, hunters can now fully complete their reservation through Reserve America.” 

Now to hunt deer on DEC-managed lands during the firearms season, hunters will be required to create a free Reserve America account at https://newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com. DEC emphasizes this is different from the general Reserve America login used for reservations at New York State Parks and DEC campgrounds. If you already have a Reserve America login, you will need to create a new account at the link listed above. Through Reserve America, hunters will be able to make a reservation for the same locations that have always been available during the January season. 

Problem is, Reserve America opened reservations on December 15, 2025 and they remained open through December 19, 2025, until 5 p.m. During this initial reservation window, hunters were able to make one reservation for any available day and hunting location.  

But a second opportunity remains for hunters that miss the December 19th deadline who want to hunt deer on LI during the shotgun and muzzleloader season in January. Starting December 28, at 9 a.m., hunters can make additional reservations for remaining available hunting dates and areas up to one week in advance of the hunt date. Hunters will still be required to check in the day of the hunt at the appropriate hunter check station for all properties except Noyac and Barcelona Neck, for which permits will be emailed. 

Step-by-step instructions on reserving a time and location on a DEC-managed property are available on DEC’s Hunting on Long Island webpage. For further information on regulations and public lands available for firearms hunting in January, visit January Firearms Deer Hunting Season in Suffolk County. 

The regular bow hunting season for deer in Suffolk County will also continue through January 31, 2026. Archery hunters can access select areas with the use of a managed land access permit. For more information on locations where archery is allowed, visit Hunting on Long Island - NYSDEC.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and happy hunting, fishing and trapping until next time!

Remember to report poaching and polluting violations by calling the 24-hour ECO Dispatch at 1-844-DEC-ECOS.

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Local History by Dede Terns-Thorpe - Christmas

As people will soon be celebrating upcoming holidays in various ways, let me re-share this story written by the Windham Journal’s Editor from December 21, 1922.  

Editor Cole said, "As another Christmas approaches, we wonder how many of us will truly feel, "It is more blessed to give than to receive," and as we drift along in years toward our second childhood, how many of us remember much about the gifts we have received in recent years on Christmas? On the other hand, how vivid is our recollection of the gifts, of practically no value, that we received when our faith in Santa Claus was at its height? Those were happy days, and surely, they were Merry Christmases - every one of them. What an effort we would make to keep awake, either to see or hear Kris Kringle with his reindeer and sleigh, then at the break of day, or perhaps before, how we would hustle out of our warm beds to see what was in store for us.  

No parent gets more pleasure than when he or she witnesses the extreme and sincere happiness shown by the little ones while emptying a full stocking or unloading a Christmas tree.  

The young especially greet the day, and the old are young again as they imbibe its spirit." 

Families rewarded the big guy in the red suit with a treat; and there are different family traditions. In our home, Santa Claus was gifted cookies and beer, which was always gone in the morning! 

As we enjoy another holiday, let me say what an honor it has been to follow Justine Hommel, Leah Wiltse, and Bunny Showers; the ones that did the real work, without Google, Ancestry, or other media means. Thank you to John Ham, who shared his tremendous railroad knowledge and history; the MTHS and their dedicated archivists and board members. Thank you all.  

History is important. It took years of hard work, tough decision making, and local commitment that made the past 213 years of the Town of Hunter’s History. Their lives and work should be remembered. 

It has been an honor and a privilege to have the title Town of Hunter Historian.  

Happy Holidays to all. 

Dede Terns-Thorpe/Hunterhistorian@gmail.com

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Hear Here Interviews Owen Hartman from Mountain King Brewery

Owen Hartman			Mountain King Brewery  5351 Main Street Windham, NY 12496 2025
WINDHAM — Hear Here was joined by Owen Hartman, the head brewer from Windham’s Mountain King Brewery. The first time Owen was on the podcast, we talked about the origin story of the brewery and how he and founder Bob McLynn both found their love for beers while traveling in Germany. This time the boys just talked beer. Owen brought Jesse and Evan in some samples to open, taste, taste again, talk about and have another taste. Needless to say, they did not last long! And we are not the only ones who recognize how good their beer is! Mountain King has already been recognized for their incredible quality with an award from NYS Craft Beer Competition for the Burnt Knob Porter! Although no one in the room was a cicerone, all heartily agreed that they were some incredible beers.  Owen dug into the process from choosing a recipe, managing ingredients, modifying it, controlling for quality, and not crying over spilled beer. A point that really hit home was the quality of water in Windham which all on the mountain top knows and loves and how that lends to the quality of beer! Just in case you needed another reason to stop in and have a beer or grab some cans to go next time you go through Windham.  Search Hear Here – Owen Hartman on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Thanks for listening!

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Paramedic Training Awards for Greene County

CATSKILL — The Greene County Legislature will make 20 new Paramedic Training Awards of up to $14,500.00 each to persons who agree to work in our communities. Candidates must be sponsored by an agency with a Certificate of Need (CON) to operate within Greene County.

A Certificate of Need (CON) is a state-level regulatory approval required for healthcare providers to build new facilities, offer new services, or purchase major equipment, proving a community genuinely needs it.

“Greene County urgently needs more paramedics to make sure our Emergency Response capabilities can meet the needs of our residents and visitors” says Patrick Linger, Chair of the Greene County Legislature. “This legislative initiative will help us ensure that these needs are met throughout our towns and villages.”

To promote this initiative, an advertising and marketing campaign titled “Heroes Needed” is now in-market featuring billboards around the county, social media and digital ads, and collateral pieces with scannable QR codes to enable interested persons to apply for the program.

“Paramedics are our front-line in responding to emergencies resulting from injuries, and the need for them has never been higher” notes Matthew Luvera, Majority leader of the Greene County Legislature. “This program is designed to eliminate financial barriers for those who want to serve, while at the same time adding vital professionals to our local workforce.”

Requirements include successfully completing an accredited Paramedic program that has been approved by the county and passing the NYS Department of Health (DOH) Division of Emergency Medical Services certification exams. Award recipients  agree to actively serve as a Paramedic within Greene County for a provider with a CON for a period of at least four (4) years.

“This program will accelerate the process of getting trained first-responders serving in our communities that need them most,” states Harry Lennon, Minority leader of the Greene County Legislature. “It also gives them a chance to develop strong local connections, and hopefully continue serving beyond their four-year agreement.”

Prospective applicants for this program can find more information  as well as download the application and service agreement by  contacting the Greene County Department of Human Resources at https://greenecountyny.gov/greene-county-paramedic-training-awards/

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See & Be Kitchen Launches “First Rise Challenge” to Find Its Founding Franchisee

CAIRO — December 12, 2025. See & Be Kitchen, the beloved Catskills bakery known for its long-fermented sourdough, handcrafted pastries, and joyful, people-first culture, announces the launch of the First Rise Challenge, an uplifting eight-week regional competition to select the brand’s founding franchisee. Kicking off January 1, 2026, the challenge marks a major milestone as the company prepares to expand its community-centered bakery model across the Northeast. More than a competition, the First Rise Challenge is an invitation, an ‘apprenticeship to ownership’ journey that celebrates heart, craft, and the magic of feeding a community. Guided by the tagline, “Be our first. Bake the future,” the campaign calls on aspiring cottage bakery owners, operators, and investors to rise to a series of creative, community-driven, and operational challenges that mirror the real experience of running a See & Be Kitchen bakery.

“We’re not just searching for a business owner. We’re searching for a partner who believes in people, craft, and community as fiercely as we do,” said See & Be Kitchen founder Chrissy Traore. “This first franchise will help shape the heart of our brand’s future. We want someone who rises with purpose, leading with skill and soul.” The First Rise Challenge is rooted in See & Be Kitchen’s foundational belief that a truly great bakery is built on integrity, joy, curiosity, teamwork, generosity, and a deep love of nourishing people. Over the course of eight themed weeks, challengers will share their stories, stretch their creativity, deepen their craft instincts, and show whether they have the heart and leadership potential to open the very first See & Be Kitchen franchise.

During Week 1, “Call to Rise,” candidates submit a 90-second video sharing their “why,” their ideal territory, and their passion for bringing See & Be Kitchen to their community. Weeks 2–3, “Gathering Ingredients,” focus on culture and character fit through self-shot video content and interactive Zoom sessions that highlight each candidate’s values, leadership style, humor, kindness, resilience, and alignment with the company’s artisan ethos. In Week 4, “Rise Under Pressure,” contestants complete system-following tasks that test precision, problem-solving, and the ability to trust a process, an essential ingredient in any great bakery and any scalable franchise model. Week 5, “Firing Up the Ovens,” blends baking theory, hands-on skill, and teaching ability to demonstrate whether challengers understand the craft deeply enough to lead with consistency and care. During Week 6, “Setting the Table,” participants host a local community activation event, giving neighbors a taste of the See & Be Kitchen experience and showcasing each contender’s ability to create warmth, welcome guests, and build local excitement. Week 7, “Making That Bread,” assesses financial readiness through workshops and quizzes centered on KPIs, budgeting, cash flow and franchise sustainability. To support the winner, See and Be Kitchen is setting up partners with access to financial capital to help fund. Finally, Week 8, “The Final Bake-Off,” invites the top three to five challengers to present their polished 90-day launch plan to an expert panel that includes Richard Snow, IFA Board Member and CEO of Amplify Franchise Funding; Karen Bornath, Executive Director of the Bread Bakers Guild of America; Mariyam Shamshidova, Chief Growth Officer of WeFranch; and Chrissy and Ben Traore, Co-Founders of See & Be Kitchen.

The See & Be Kitchen franchise program is built for entrepreneurs seeking a systems-supported, operations-driven model with creative soul. Rooted in long-fermentation baking and meticulous craft, the franchise provides a fully developed operational playbook, standardized recipes, a premium artisan product line designed for scalability, and a people-first leadership philosophy that shapes hiring, training, and team care. Franchisees benefit from a strong wholesale backbone with flexible retail and catering revenue streams, community-focused brand identity, and hands-on franchisor support, including: marketing, communications, tech stack, CRM, operations and ongoing training. The founding franchisee will receive exclusive incentives valued at up to $100,000, including a 50% reduction in the franchise fee, one year of waived royalties, and an initial packaging order at no cost.

Eighteen territories across the Northeast are prioritized for this first expansion wave, with high-interest regions including the Capital Region & Albany; Oneonta & Delhi; New Paltz & Newburgh; and the Berkshire Mountains. Applications for the First Rise Challenge are now open, and interested candidates can learn more or begin their journey at franchise.seeandbekitchen.com.

To learn more about See & Be Kitchen visit https://www.seeandbekitchen.com/, and for more info on the First Rise Challenge, visit https://franchise.seeandbekitchen.com/.  To request a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) with detailed information for interested participants, email Hello@seeandbekitchen.com or call 518-0633–3690. For press inquiries, contact Pietra Communications at info@pietrapr.com or call 212-917-9761.

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The Prattsville Scoop by Abby and Gabby

PRATTSVILLE – Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. You cannot hear those words too often. Mother Nature has decided we need a white Christmas as of Sunday afternoon but warmer weather in the future. As long as we have a white Christmas, we all will be in the holiday mood.

Judy and Janet Chatfield in Oregon are taking a deep breath and enjoying the season festivities. After the summer harvest, Janet is busy putting her gardens in shape for next spring. They will enjoy the fruits/vegetables of their labors during the long winter months. In the meantime, Judy, after the death of her beloved dog GiGi, keeps busy attending the senior center lunches, being active in her book club, library concerts and attending lunches with her friends. Judy admits to doing lots of shopping also. She also got to visit Long Beach, Washington in the fall and thoroughly enjoyed the experience of driving on the beach and not getting stuck in the sand as some did. “We wish everyone a blessed Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year…….Love and Best Wishes, The Oregon sisters – Judy and Janet”. As readers of The Scoop, we reciprocate with our Merry Christmas and Happy New Year wishes to Judy and Janet.

Carol Landers delivered 200 signed Christmas cards from The Mews residents for the veterans at Stratton VAMC to be handed out on Tuesday, December 16, to coincide with the VA Christmas Celebration. Carol spearheaded this effort and sometimes that is all it takes is someone to say we can do this and then tells them how to do it. Thank you Carol for doing this as well as for all those goodies your provided for our veterans.

Janet Brainerd called to bring us up to date on her activities. Last week we reported the her twin daughters, Becky and Connie, took her to Albany to do some Christmas shopping but before that she had spent two weeks in the hospital. As with many of us at a certain age, the combination of some prescriptions not only do not work but cause their own problems. Janet says the problems have now been corrected and she is feeling up to par. As always, she has a positive outlook on life and her phone calls are always welcome.

Dan Peckham stopped by with his and Joyce’s donations for the VA Christmas Celebration. He had to make two trips to the car to bring it all inside. So many veterans will have some extra warmth and some out of the ordinary treats and snacks to enjoy while playing their new games and enjoying other surprises after their Christmas Celebration on Tuesday, December 16, sponsored by the American Legion Virgil E. Deyo Post 1327 and American Legion Auxiliary Virgil E. Deyo Unit 1327. So many donated this year in memory of a loved one (veteran) that their Christmas will be spectacular this year. The Post and Unit thank each and every one, those faithful supporters for the past twenty-one years and those who did so with special memories this year.

Late Sunday afternoon the phone rang and even before the caller had a chance to identify themselves, I answered the call with “Go Bills” and was replied to with “Go Bills”. Fellow columnist Dottie Pickett answered the correct way. We are hard core Bills fans and follow their games faithfully. Luckily we have been on the winning side for the past few weeks – Go Bills.

The ladies of the Friday afternoon luncheon club, Peggy Rappleyea, Susie Sutton, Carol Landers and niece, Kathy Sherman, Shelly Brainard, Diane Cammer, and Ginny Kennedy, met at Mama Maria’s for an enjoyable holiday luncheon. So far have not heard anything negative from or about this group. Got to raise the bar ladies.

To those battling lingering health issues and those who have the seasonal bugs, we wish you well and a return to good health. Please be well for the Christmas season and the beginning of a New Year. Can it really be 2026?

Cathy Martino and Ginny Gurley did some last minute shopping for the VA Christmas Celebration in Kingston on Thursday. Christmas winter weather with snow is one thing but when that is accompanied by below freezing temperatures and gusty winds, not so pleasant - Kingston was cold.

Happy Birthday to Nancy Hodge on December 20. On December 22 we wish our Steve ‘Beaver” Haskin a very Happy Birthday. On December 23 we send Happy Birthday wishes to Marcia Dougherty. Chris Tompkins is sent Happy Birthday greetings on December 25.

Please send your Christmas news to gurleyrv@gmail.com or call 518 299 3219.

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Traditionally Speaking…by Pat Larsen - Twas the Expectations Before Christmas….

“And all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse”.... A  simple reflection that embraces the past and instills renewed hope for the future in its continuity. 

It’s so rewarding to take the time to think back to the traditions that were born alongside our children. They filled our hearts with an abundance of joy and we filled their lives with our love.

Now grown, all of us, the generation that bore these children when we were but wee adults and they now are at an age when they can actually remember who we were then.

If good fortune has crossed your door step, perhaps you have even  added another role with the grandest of all titles to your lives. 

It’s a second chance to correct those things that might’ve gone wrong as we developed those ties to our initial parenting skills.

Those new babies simply tend to adore us and hang on to our every word and story. It just makes sense that our own kids wonder who we have grown up to be now that seems so different from what they experienced.

They’re not wrong.  But it’s their kids that reap those benefits of the kinder, calmer versions of ourselves since the pressures of the past are behind us. 

Having come across an unexpected quandary of late and feeling the anxiety of the potential for the past traditions “going away” has driven the concerns to re-frame what was most important and what should be carried forward when we are here no more…not to be melancholy or morose…simply the truth about something important that needs to be said.

That’s when serendipity intervened and I came across these powerful words that emerged to sooth the worry and then laid the foundation for a new way of teaching these important concepts.

One Day, We won’t be around to keep everyone connected…. 

So when we are no longer here…promise us this…

To keep each other close.

Respect each other's differences.

Protect each other's hearts.

Check in especially when life gets busy.

Show up when it matters most.

We hope the way we loved you always pulls you back to each other. 

That's the legacy we will leave…

That’s how you can honor this family.

(an excerpt from “A place for Mom”)

So as their desires to change up the traditions might come along and they lose interest in all the cooking and baking, WE have to make allowances ... .maybe it was all just “too much” anyway. 

It’s time to sit back, hold fast to the expectations about the most important things…the standing together, shoulder to shoulder with the blessings of the best of the memories all while creating new ones to pass  on to the younger generations.

It’s got to be okay to review these expectations before Christmas alongside any other major event that involves us. We’ve invested the time and now it’s time to trust that the lessons have become a part of the family's traditions going forward. 

Happy, Blessed Holidays to All…! From my home to yours.

Pat Larsen is a syndicated columnist who lives, works, plays and prays in Greene County. NY with her husband and pup.

By all means give her a call to chat if you’d like to chat about a column or story you'd like to share. 

518-275-8686

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Christmas Comes to Schoharie 

SCHOHARIE - The weather was perfect for the annual Christmas in Schoharie celebration Saturday. The air was crisp and there was snow on the ground as the day began with breakfast and a visit from Santa at the fire house.

The rest of the day was full of stories, a snowball drop, a treasure hunt, music at the Old Stone Fort, and then a parade in the evening followed by a tree-lighting on the DAR lawn. This year's tree was donated by Guernsey's Nurseries.

Photos by David Avitabile

 

Bob Vedder lights up the tree on the DAR lawn Saturday evening. The tree was donated by Guernsey's Nurseries.

Santa and Mrs. Claus helped announce the parade winners and the countdown to the tree lighting Saturday.

Santa had the seat of honor in the parade Saturday in Schoharie.

Just like during summer parades, there was plenty of candy tossed at Schoharie's Saturday parade.

Though Halloween is over, the Hilltown Hags still spread their joy at Saturday's parade.

The theme of the parade was classic Christmas movies and shows.

Mrs. Claus and friends walked down Main Street in the annual parade.

Children and adults scurry for the winning snowballs Saturday afternoon on the DAR lawn.

Down came the snowballs Saturday afternoon with the help of the Middleburgh Fire Department's ladder truck on the DAR lawn.

Uncle Billy’s Balladeers performed seasonal favorites on the second floor of the Old Stone Fort Saturday afternoon.

Schoharie Fire Department's Marty Pierce reads T'was the Night Before Christmas with the help of Santa in front of the County Courthouse.

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Santa Visits Schoharie FD

SCHOHARIE - Santa made his annual visit to the Schoharie fire house Saturday as part of the Christmas in Schoharie celebration.

Santa greeted children in the morning while everyone was enjoying a big breakfast. Children-and adults- also had a chance to make ornaments and  other crafts and also join in some Christmas games.

Photos by David Avitabile.

Ivan and Hadley Landauer of Berne visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Schoharie fire house Saturday morning.

Heath and Colton McCloud of Gallupville paint while waiting for Santa Saturday in Schoharie.

Dan Smith and Skylar Griffin cook up some goodies for breakfast at the fire house.

Juniper Shook, Emily Shrederis, and Kendall Lavoy visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus Saturday in Schoharie.

There were plenty of fun games for kids at the fire house Saturday morning.

Scout Murray of Wright plays an antler game Saturday at the Schoharie fire house.

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A Very Special B'ball Game at MCS

MIDDLEBURGH - Parents, relatives, friends, and supporters gathered on Saturday afternoon at the Middleburgh high school gym to watch a very important basketball game.

MCS players also helped out at Hoop Dreams 2025. The third annual Hoop Dreams game gave local special needs athletes a chance to play in a real game.

Photos by David Avitabile.

There were cheerleaders on the sidelines and Gregg Johns served as emcee and announcer.

Emcee Gregg Johns introduced all participants.

Mario Diaz and his brother were thrilled Saturday afternoon.

There was lots of action in the game on both ends of the floor.

Players thoroughly enjoyed the annual game at MCS.

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