The Mountain Eagle

1/9/26

ASF Announces 2026 Awareness Celebration Schedule

Written By The Mountain Eagle on 1/9/26 | 1/9/26

WINDHAM – The Adaptive Sports Foundation (ASF), in conjunction with Windham Mountain Club (WMC), announced that it will hold its annual ASF Awareness Weekendon January 17 and 18, 2025 and its annual ASF Awareness Concert, honoring Harvey Silverman, the following week on Saturday, January 24.

Celebrating its eighth Awareness celebration, the ASF will set up a tent outside the WMC base lodge on both Saturday and Sunday of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day-weekend with games and giveaways, while staff and volunteers talk to interested patrons about how the ASF empowers the lives of individuals with disabilities and has been doing so for over 40 years.

Also on that Sunday, the ASF Competitions Team will be competing with the Windham Race Factory in the ASF Awareness Day Race.

The evening of January 24, the ASF Awareness Concert, Honoring Harvey Silverman, will feature a performance by the famous cover band, The Nerds, in the WMC base lodge. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the show will begin at 6 p.m. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online by visiting www.adaptivesportsfoundation.org/asf-awareness.

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Ashland Speaks

By Lula Anderson

The Holiday Season is over, now we are into the cold, dreary days of January, although it feels like it's been January, weather-wise, since Thanksgiving. The unrelenting cold, the "nuisance" snow daily, the winter winds blowing and drifting what little snow we have. Lula got her water pipes insulated and ,so far, hasn't had any more problems. Judy's chimneys are finally finished and she's back to heating with wood. Problem is, she didn't get wood over the summer, so she's looking for some to continue the season. It's always something.

Windham has been booming! It's hard to drive through town without meeting a group of people crossing the street, people opening car doors in front of you, cars pulling out of parking spaces without looking. Going to Key Bank is always a challenge as you can't see around the cars parked at the curb. I try to look before I get to the street, but sometimes misjudge and still wind up almost hitting someone. It's just a short distance to Church Street, but takes skill and patience to get there. Don't get me wrong, we are thankful for our winter visitors as they bring much needed income to our area, but sometimes it's hard to put up with them.

Our community lost a wonderful person with the passing of Eric Towse. He was such a kind, gentle man who fought his illness with courage. We will all miss him. We also lost Ed Armstrong just before Christmas. Prayers and sympathy to both families.

WAJPL Seniors are on winter schedule and will be meeting on January 12, for the only meeting of the month. MaryLouise will have information on the upcoming trips, including the big trip to VA International Tattoo in April. Don't give in to Cabin Fever, come join us at the Senior Room at the Windham Ambulance building with the meeting starting at 1. If coming, please arrive a little early to get settled in and talk with your neighbors.

Continued prayers for Greg and the Beckmann family, Tricia LoPresti, John O'Brian, Jim Varelas, David Cunningham and Sandy Ebsen.

AS I REMEMBER IT

With the year 2025 behind me, and only the thoughts of Christmas to tide me through the Holiday. This year, as in past years, I was alone. I had plans (in my head), to have an early Christmas Eve dinner, then go to church with my sons. I did get to church, and although I cooked a meal, no one was able to enjoy it with me. Sickness came and spoiled my plans. So I am left with memories of the past.

All of the children in our house got to write a letter to Santa, then to make sure, we went to Miller Brothers and then again to Big Ben in Stamford to ask Santa, personally, for our Christmas wishes. We didn't have long lists, just a new doll, or accessories for the girls, and Western outfits for the boys. They all wanted to dress like Tom Mix with the hat, bandana, and gunslinger belt and holster for their cap guns. The sets always came with a sheriff's badge to pin on and show the world they were a real cowboy. As they got older, a Lionel train set was asked for, and that proved to be a gift that kept on giving, as there were accessories by the hundreds to add on to it. Cattle cars that unloaded cows, barrel loaders that loaded the barrels right on to the freight cars. Switches, horns, lights, billboards. The selection was endless! Soon an entire room had to be delegated to this magnificent train set.

One year I was surprised with a wicker doll carriage. It was painted white with bows on the bonnet part. It was beautiful and I so loved putting my favorite dolls in it.

Does anyone recall what their parents got from Santa? Did he only bring to the little ones, or did mom and dad get something unique? Maybe a new radio or a surprise appliance for mom? Except for maybe a new flannel shirt and some bandanas for my father, and a bathrobe and nightgown for my mother, I don't remember what they got.

Our stockings held candy, walnuts and an orange. Not the small gifts that everyone has to have today. Stockings were not the fancy stockings of today, but one of father's longest, brand new socks, that he then wore.

I remember a simple time. A time for family to sit and enjoy each other while playing with their new toys. Father sitting on the floor helping to set up the trains or hiding behind his chair during a shoot-out. I remember Mother brushing my doll's hair and teaching me how to change a diaper, as when you fed it, it wet. On Christmas she treated my doll like a member of the household. A real baby.

This year an inlaw called and was talking about what her 12 year old daughter got. Yes, it was an only child, but the conversation went on for about 10 minutes. There was makeup, hair curlers (yes, the same curlers that I threw out because no one uses them any more), video gams, a Kindle, pajamas, clothes, and more clothes, and the list goes on and on.

As for me, I'm content with my memories of how it used to be. I look back on the family time we had and just wish I could relive those times.

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Baye & Asa Open Rehearsal: At The Altar

At the Orpheum Performing Arts Center, January 10

HUNTER – Catskill Mountain Foundation, in partnership with Works & Process at the Guggenheim, will present a free open rehearsal of Baye & Asa’s most recent and thought-provoking new work, At the Altar, at the Orpheum Performing Arts Center in Tannersville on January 10 at 7:00 PM.

At the Altar, Baye & Asa’s new evening-length work, is an exploration of cultural, religious, and political deities, and asks these central questions: Who/what do we worship? How do we worship? Who are the righteous? Who are the blasphemers? At the Altar reckons with the pitfalls of extreme idolatry and interrogates our collective struggle for survival and salvation.

Amadi ‘Baye’ Washington and Sam ‘Asa’ Pratt rehearse At the Altar. Photo by Maria Baranova.

In 2024, Catskill Mountain Foundation and Works & Process LaunchPAD provided a technical residency and a well-received showing of Baye & Asa’s Cortege, a contemporary dance piece created for the Martha Graham Dance Company and inspired by Graham’s Cortege of Eagles, at the Orpheum Performing Arts Center.

Baye & Asa is a company creating movement art projects directed & choreographed by Amadi ‘Baye’ Washington & Sam ‘Asa’ Pratt. They’ve presented their work at The Joyce Theater, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, La MaMa Experimental Theater Club, Baryshnikov Arts Center, Jacob’s Pillow, Pioneer Works, Works & Process at the Guggenheim, The American Dance Festival, and more. They were one of Dance Magazine's "25 to Watch" in 2022, and were recipients of Dance Magazine's 2023 Harkness Promise Award. They’ve created works for repertory companies including The Martha Graham Dance Company, BODYTRAFFIC, and Alvin Ailey II. Their choreography has been featured in collaborations with music and theater artists including Laurie Anderson, Zhailon Levingston, Knud Adams, and Dimitry Krymov. Their film work has also won numerous awards and has been presented internationally.

Commissioned and development support provided by The Democracy Cycle, a program of Perelman Performing Arts Center | PAC NYC and Civis Foundation, At the Altar is co-commissioned by ADF with support from the Doris Duke/SHS Foundations Award for New Works. At the Altar is also made possible through generous support from Works & Process at the Guggenheim, Foundation for Contemporary Art, New York State Council on the Arts, The Watermill Center, and Jody and John Arnhold.

The open rehearsal of At the Altar will be followed by discussion and held on Saturday, January 10 at 7:00PM at the Orpheum Performing Arts Center, 6050 Main Street, Tannersville, NY. Arrive early to find available parking in the municipal or other parking lots. Seating is open and admission is free. Reserve seating at https://our.show/baye-and-asa.

About Catskill Mountain Foundation
The Catskill Mountain Foundation’s (CMF) aim is to provide educational opportunities in the arts for youth and lifelong learners, to bring the experience of the arts to the Catskill community, and to support artists and art organizations in the development of their work through residencies. Since its founding in 1998, CMF has presented hundreds of music, dance, and theater performances; screened over 1,000 films to tens of thousands of audience members; provided studio arts classes to thousands of students of all ages; and served thousands of art-loving patrons in the Catskill Mountain Foundation Gift Shop. The Catskill Mountain Foundation operates the Doctorow Center for the Arts in Hunter, the Orpheum Performing Arts Center in Tannersville, and the Sugar Maples Center for Creative Arts in Maplecrest, NY.

Since 1998, CMF has raised, generated, and invested close to $16 million in facility development and an excess of $42 million in programming operations, for a total investment in the Catskill community of over $58 million. Catskill Mountain Foundation is supported in part by New York State Council on the Arts, the Greene County Cultural Fund administered by the Greene County Legislature, The Jarvis and Constance Doctorow Family Foundation, The Royce Family Foundation, The Samuel and Esther Doctorow Fund, The Orville and Ethel Slutzky Family Foundation, Platte Clove Bruderhof Community, Bank of Greene County Charitable Foundation, The Greene County Youth Bureau, Marshall & Sterling Insurance, All Souls’ Church, Stewarts Shops, Windham Foundation, and by private donations. CMF believes that the arts can transform the lives of those touched by it and can transform the community. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

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BETTER THAN HEARSAY - Putting Two and Two Together

Multiple themes were needed to celebrate the combined retirement and birthday parties for Amy Lloyd, with Potter Hollow Union Church Pastor Michael Ryan providing not one (as shown) but two cakes.

By Michael Ryan

WINDHAM - A whole new profession could be on the horizon, one she hadn’t counted on, which is very out of the ordinary for Amy Lloyd.

Lloyd is recently retired from Windham-Ashland-Jewett school, spending the past decade working in the Accounting Department.

She kept the books at Windham Mountain Club for fourteen years before moving to WAJ and, prior to the ski slope gig, handled additions and subtractions at Lacy Ford in Catskill.

Accounting is what she’s done, landing a job fresh out of high school, fifty-two years ago, and basically never abandoning the abacus.

Amy was born and raised on a small family farm in the county seat, gaining the attention of her teachers arising from her aptitude in arithmetic.

She got her start at Lacy Ford when one of the owners contacted the school, asking if any students were talented in tidy tabulating.

Amy more than fit the description, wearing the cap and gown in June and being on the payroll in July, 1973, ardently learning the ropes.

The reasoning is as simple as one plus one equals two. “I like numbers,” she says. “There’s nothing to argue about with them.”

Likewise, there was no fussing about choosing blue-and-white placemats, honoring the WAJ school colors, for her retirement luncheon, actually a combination sendoff and birthday party.

There was, however, the customary dither about the date. The bash took place January 3 at the venerable Potter Hollow Union Church, not even trying to hold it on December 31 which isn’t anything new for Amy.

She is a New Year’s Eve baby, an entrance into this world that proved prophetic. “I was my father’s tax deduction,” she says, laughing.

The good news is it translated into a lifetime of loving ledgering. The not so good part is that planning a normal birthday party has often been ill-fated, with most folks focused on midnight countdowns and popping bubbly.

So the intent was to gather on January 1, but Potter Hollow Union Church pastor Michael Ryan had car trouble, and it wouldn’t have seemed right without his wife Judi and him there, so the schedule got shifted.

As usual. But speaking of car trouble, Amy also did bookkeeping for Lloyd’s Garage in East Durham, owned by her husband, Lawrence Lloyd.

That was for one year, in-between Lacy Ford and the ski center. They’ve been hitched 30 years. “I waited because I wanted to get it right the first time. He is one of the most caring individuals I know,” Amy says.

It was Lawrence who got Pastor Ryan road-ready so that Judi and he could travel to and from Illinois in time to serve as party hosts. Hallelujah!

Which brings us to Amy’s possibly ensuing unexpected career. Her first day of staying home in more than half-a-century was this past Monday

“It wasn’t as odd as I thought, since I’d been off from work for the holidays anyway,” she says, “But it did feel like I should be doing something other than doing nothing.”

That something might be nothing she ever figured on. “My husband moves cars around with a backhoe. One day he wanted me to help,” Amy says.

“I thought ‘No’ at first but the next thing I knew I was on it. I’ve run it a little bit now so I might get some more lessons,” she says, with a totally untypical, putting two and two together twinkle in her eye.

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LEGISLATURE STUFF - Investing in People and Places

By Michael Ryan

CATSKILL - The price of virtually everything else is going up other than a lease agreement between Greene County and the town of Jewett, but nobody is complaining about sticking with the status quo.

Greene County Legislature members, at a recent meeting, authorized the pact involving the Department of Human Services (Aging) and Jewett for use of their town hall as a senior citizen service center.

It is a longstanding, year-round program colloquially known as Meals on Wheels, preparing hot food for the elderly and homebound.

Jewett provides the kitchen and dining space on the upper story of the building in exchange for $1,500 in monthly rent from the county.

The stipend is staying the same as last year amid inflation elsewhere, but Jewett town supervisor Greg Kroyer was pleased, receiving the renewal.

“I consider this to be very good news,” Kroyer said, “Meals on Wheels is an essential program and many local people have weighed in on how important it is to them.”

There were no guarantees the re-up would happen amid changes to the program over the past year as belt-tightening occurs across the board.

Multiple appeals were made by citizens at county budget public hearings, this past fall, as lawmakers contemplated the funding cuts, prompted by expected reductions in State and federal aid.

The heartfelt appeals struck home with lawmakers similarly acknowledging the vitalness of Meals on Wheels and other related projects.

Jewett, under the agreement, will continue to foot the bill for expenses such as garbage removal, internet, heat, lights, electricity, pest control and normal wear and tear on the structure.

The town must similarly ensure that the grounds, building and furnishings including the water purification system (i.e. ultraviolet), are maintained in good repair and free from any dangers to health and safety, according to the legislative resolution.

It is further resolved that the arrangement can be terminated by either party upon 90 days written notice, the legislative resolution states.

In other fiscal matters:

—Lawmakers authorized the renewal of an agreement between the county and Mountaintop Historical Society for $15,000 in annual general support.

The hilltown historical society requested and was granted the backing for their efforts in touting not just what is unfolding in the upper elevations of the county, but the county as a whole.

Mountaintop Historical Society members interact with “tourists from around the State, the nation and the world, as well as local residents,” the legislative resolution states.

—Lawmakers authorized a commitment of $37,000 for the continued development of a Greene County Historical Society project.

“Greene County largely benefits from a tourism-based economy composed

of numerous destinations, including historically significant sites, that attract a high volume of visitor traffic, driving much of the county’s employment figures and contribution to the overall tax base,” the resolution states

“The county understands the importance of strengthening the accessibility

of these destinations and its impact on visitor spending, employment, and long-term operations for sites operated by non-profit organizations,” the resolution states.

“The Greene County Historical Society is considered one of the leading entities providing services and resources to preserve historic artifacts and sites that contribute significantly to the County’s tourism-based economy,” the resolution states.

“The Society preserves and operates the oldest surviving home in New

York State as part of the Bronck Museum complex in the Town of Coxsackie,” the resolution states.

The Bronck Museum complex includes the Vedder Research Library, a prominently important facility vital for archiving Greene County’s historic collection of artifacts available for public research,” the resolution states.

“The Society has requested a financial appropriation from the county to

assist with funding for improvements to take place at the Bronck Museum and Vedder Research Library complex and facilities along with code-compliant repairs to the historic 13-sided barn,” the resolution states.

Given all those facts, “the county desires to continue its priority of assisting in the preservation of historically significant tourist destinations,” the resolution states.

That assistance applies, “particularly [to] the Society’s complex which is situated in the northern gateway of the county, and improving their accessibility for visitors and residents alike,” the resolution states.

—Lawmakers reappointed Jonathan Palmer as Greene County historian to a 3-year term, commencing January 1, 2026.

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Riccardella Swears In

Swearing-in ceremony was held recently for newly elected Lexington town supervisor Robert Riccardella, accompanied by his wife Ann, with town justice Devon Russ administering the Oath of Office.

By Michael Ryan

LEXINGTON - No time is being wasted by newly elected Lexington town supervisor Bob Riccardella regarding what could be an arduous detour established by the State Department of Transportation.

And even before he administered his first town council meeting, earlier this week, Riccardella was warmly welcomed to the position.

Government leaders gathered on Tuesday night, marking the new supervisor’s official debut while making all the appointments and designations needed to conduct annual taxpayer business.

It is normally a ho-hum session and was no different on this occasion, other than a letter Riccardella was authorized to send to the DOT and one of their project managers, Corey Barringer.

The missive is related to a planned culvert replacement job on busy Route 42 which the DOT, in their preliminary report, said could be closed for as long as 60 days during the construction.

Nothing is set in stone at this stage but Lexington isn’t waiting to inform the State agency that even thinking about the closure, apparently unfolding between the Notch and Ulster County, is unacceptable.

Riccardella, in the letter to Barringer, stated, “thank you for taking my call on Friday, January 2, 2026.

“As I stated then, and stating for the record now, the Town of Lexington strenuously objects to the timing and staging of this project. Not the need for the project itself,” the letter states.

“Route 42 is the only road that exits the town south and connects us with Route 28 and everything south of us,” the letter states.

“The obvious inconvenience to our residents aside, having to detour through the village of Hunter and Route 214 south into Phoenicia to get to Route 28 is a burden,” the letter states.

“The project as defined now, 60 days of full road closure, presents us with very serious safety concerns,” the letter states.

“After speaking with my Emergency Management Coordinator and Fire Chief, we agree that the complete closure of Route 42 would cut off a section of our town from fire, rescue and ambulance response,” the letter states.

“We would be forced to ask multiple agencies to cover our responsibilities in that section of town,” the letter states.

“We would also be forced to re-route our ambulance; many of our transports are south to Kingston Hospital. We would have to send them north to CMH in Hudson or Albany Medical Center,” the letter states

“I look forward to working with you and your team to adjust the staging of this project. Again, we do not object to the project itself,” the letter states.

Several alternatives were bandied about by council members and they will all likely be suggested to the DOT before the agency’s project team sits down, later this month.

Riccardella noted that Barringer, during the phone conversation, was “very nice,” emphasizing, “he understands our objections.”

There was no compunction about rolling out the red carpet for the new supervisor, elected in November to follow Jo Ellen Schermerhorn who opted not to run for another two-year term.

Prior to his chat with the DOT engineer, Riccardella was feted by residents of the Spruceton Valley and hamlet of West Kill at a New Year’s Eve gathering hosted by Nick Aster and Jo Piazza.

“We’re excited to see Bob take the helm for us here in the valley as well as the greater Lexington Community” said Piazza.

“Bob’s been a great neighbor and introduced us to the workings of the community here. I’m confident the town will be in good hands,” Aster said.

Spruceton Inn co-owner Steven Weinberg, reflecting on Riccardella’s role as an emergency first responder and reputation as a pasta chef said, “who else do you know who can come to your house at midnight for a chimney fire, fix that, roll pasta at noon and then run a community meeting at six?”

“I am honored to be supervisor of Lexington,” Riccardella said. “I thank everyone for their support.

“I really want to hit the ground running and get out in front of some of the issues we face…a new Public Works facility, renovate town hall, making sure that all of the new businesses are good partners for Lexington,” Riccardella said.

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Sgt. James F. Carty, DSC VFW Post 1545

As the new year arrives, so does the cold weather, with a light blanket of snow covering the area. My own New Year’s celebration was a quiet one at home, watching the ball drop. I wish everyone a healthy and happy New Year.

In veteran news, VFW leaders and members recently engaged crowds at the Army–Navy football game tailgates.

Along with VFW National Commander Carol Whitmore and Junior Vice Commander Glenn Umberger, staff from the VFW Washington Office and members from the Departments of Rhode Island and Maryland participated in two tailgate events focused on camaraderie and community outreach.

At the Travis Manion Foundation’s tailgate, VFW leadership and staff connected with key leaders and supporters in the military and veteran communities.

Meanwhile, members of VFW Rhode Island Post 152 hosted their “Mother of All Tailgates” fundraiser to benefit Homes For Our Troops. VFW members from the Department of Maryland played a major role in outreach at both events, helping spread VFW’s message of service, advocacy and camaraderie to new audiences.

If you are a veteran and qualify for VFW membership, please consider joining. To learn more about our organization and our work advocating for veterans, visit VFW.org.

For information specifically about VFW Post 1545, please email vfwpost1545, and we will be happy to tell you more about our post. This past December, we visited Stratton VA Hospital and donated $500 worth of Hannaford gift cards to be distributed to veterans in need.

Last week, I mentioned that I would be sharing information about one of our Korean War veterans; however, he was hospitalized with COVID and unable to meet. I was, however, able to speak with our one and only remaining World War II veteran.

I would like to introduce Mr. Peter O’Brien of Hensonville, who will turn 100 years old on August 8, 2026. He grew up in East Jewett, attended grammar school in a small local schoolhouse, and later graduated from Tannersville High School.

At just 17 years old, Pete joined the U.S. Navy. After completing basic training, he became a motor machinist and electrician.

His first ship was the USS Kidd (DD-661). While sailing toward Okinawa, the ship came under attack by kamikaze planes. Pete was stationed near the bow when a plane struck the stern, killing approximately seven crew members who were manning guns.

After the ship was damaged and sent for repairs, Pete was transferred to a minesweeper—one that was built entirely of wood.

Interestingly, the ship was constructed in Kingston, New York. When I asked why it was made of wood, he explained that wooden ships were less likely to trigger mines than steel vessels.

As the war came to an end, Pete served in Japan, where he was awarded the Japan Occupation Ribbon. He later traveled to the Philippines before boarding a ship back to the United States.

One memory he shared was the long period during which he and his mother had no contact. The relief he felt when a cab finally brought him home was something he never forgot.

Pete served as Commander of VFW Post 1545 and held every officer position at one time or another. In those days, the post had only a few World War I veterans, with most members being from World War II.

I met Pete about 25 years ago when I first joined the post. After returning home from the war, he started his own electrical business and, by all accounts, still considers himself an electrician today.

He believes the reason he, and others, live long lives is because they love their work. He did not stop until lately as he enjoyed helping people. His mind and attitude today are remarkable. Quite a gentleman to say the least.

They often say the “Greatest Generation” were truly special. I am grateful and honored to call Pete my comrade. May God bless him. Stay well, my friend.

Please keep all of our servicemen and women who are still serving in your thoughts and prayers along with all of are veterans.
God Bless America.

Marc Farmilette, PDC ~ Post 1545 Commander

Pete O’Brien – WWII Navy Veteran, Past Post 1545 Commander

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ASF Announces 2026 Awareness Celebration Schedule