Cam Jackson #3 has his shot blocked by Camdon Jones #10. Both teams put up a strong defense, holding the score at a tie 46 to 46 at the end of regular play forcing overtime. The Bulldogs would be victorious with a score of 52 to 49.
By Rebecca DeVito
Hello everyone! Keeping nice and warm, I hope. Writing this from my kitchen, staring at an icicle that is over 3 feet long. Yes, I measured it.
Thursday evening we had an incredibly well attended kick off for The Frog. I got to meet Patricia Wadsley (very briefly as I was slinging drinks), who has written a piece on the event. Thank you for coming and for sharing, and thank you to Katherine Wandersee for all of her efforts in making the event a success. It was nice to switch it up a bit from the regular music focused programming we have at The Print House.
Some of you might have caught Jeff Entin telling a story at The Frog, a lot of you might have gone to Open Mic at Arkbowl, and some of you might know him from past musical performances in our space. Following the loss of The beloved Arkbowl, Jeff approached us about giving Open Mic some new life. All our best to the owners of Arkbowl on their future endeavors. You’ll be missed. We are excited to share that together with Jeff, The Print House will host Musician’s Open Mic every other Thursday, signups at 6:30pm and performances start at 7pm. The first Open Mic will be February 5th.
Despite absolutely Baltic temperatures, our little village was bustling for Martin Luther King weekend. Lines for Belleayre and Plattekill were bonkers! We opened the kitchen at The Print House at 3pm all weekend to accommodate the influx of people- and will be doing so weekends only, moving forward.
There’s a (maybe?) full weekend of music at The Print House again this weekend! Friday 8pm with The Classics, Saturday 4pm Apres Ski with Marji Zintz…. Its not looking good for Sunday due to the threat of over a foot of snow but we will tentatively have Too Lazy Boys at 5pm. We want our staff, patrons, and musicians to be safe, so depending on how the snow falls, we might be closed altogether.
Sunday February 1st Fleischmanns First will be meeting to further discuss planning for the 2026 Memorial Day Street Fair. All are welcome to attend! All are welcome and encouraged to volunteer! Special thanks to Christine Creter & her family for their generous donation to the organization. Fleischmanns is happy to have you!
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! The holiday will fall on a Saturday so I implore you to make reservations if you hope to go out! Goatie Whites and The Print House will both be open, and taking reservations. TPH reservations will open up on 2/1 @ 12am via Resy. The holiday falling on a Saturday also means that it's a perfect opportunity to stock up on some delicious baked goods from Two Stones, gifts at Doolittle’s, and flowers from the long awaited Wax & Wild. Wax and Wild, owned by Cassandra Murphy & myself, will be open as a pop-up for the holiday ahead of our opening later in 2026. The location is 1084 Main Street, once home to Community Bank. More info can be found at www.waxandwild.com, Instagram at @waxandwild_, or Facebook.
A huge thank you to the MARK Project and all of those who put their efforts into the New York Main Street program! It's going to be a wonderful summer in Fleischmanns!
If you hear of any fun local events or Valentine’s Day happenings in the area, feel free to let me know! rebeccamariefreehill@gmail.com
Rebecca DeVito
Wax & Wild
@waxandwild_
Flowers. Events. Experiences. Vinyl.
Coming soon to Main Street Fleischmanns!
M. (929) 393-3729
The Print House
@printhouseny
1070 Main Street
Fleischmanns, NY 12430
P. (845) 254-3444
ARKVILLE — The Catskill Center for Conservation and Development was awarded a $31,033 matching grant from the Environmental Protection Fund’s Park and Trail Partnership Grants program to improve accessibility and visitor experience at the Congressman Maurice D. Hinchey Catskills Visitor Center. The project will update and replace aging signage with a new entrance kiosk, enhanced interpretive signage along trail systems, an outdoor television providing orientation, stewardship, and safety information, and Adirondack chairs that invite the community to gather and enjoy the landscape outside of regular hours. The Catskill Center will contribute an additional $4,486 in matching funds to reach a total of $35,519 for the project.
The grant is one of 27 awards totaling $2.25 million for organizations dedicated to the stewardship and promotion of New York’s state parks and historic sites, trails, and public lands. The grants will be matched with private and local funding and will support projects to strengthen Friends groups and enhance public access and recreational opportunities.
Friends groups—nonprofit organizations often made up entirely of volunteers—are essential to the stewardship and promotion of our state park system. These dedicated groups raise private funds for capital projects, perform maintenance tasks, provide educational programming, and promote public use through hosting special events.
The Park and Trail Partnership Grants program, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, is administered by Parks & Trails New York, a statewide non-profit organization, in partnership with the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation and the Department of Environmental Conservation.
Parks & Trails New York Executive Director Paul Steely White said, “New Yorkers statewide are experiencing the benefits of restored trails, enhanced visitor centers, and engaging programs that foster a deeper connection with the outdoors. For the past decade, Park and Trail Partnership Grants have been instrumental in making these experiences possible by supporting the dedicated local organizations that steward our public lands. This year's record-breaking awards will ensure that these vital sites continue to educate, inspire, and warmly welcome all who visit.”
This project addresses a critical first point of contact for visitors and residents entering at the Catskills Visitor Center, ensuring they receive clear, accurate, and welcoming information from the moment they arrive. Updating outdated and damaged signage will eliminate confusion, guide visitors to the full range of resources available, and provide essential orientation and safety information for recreating responsibly in the 700,000-acre Catskill Park, where wilderness conditions and limited cell service can pose challenges. New interpretive panels will deepen understanding of the region’s natural and cultural history, while improved accessibility features such as multilingual and audio content will expand who can benefit from these resources. Together, these improvements strengthen the Catskills Visitor Center’s role as a trusted, inclusive gateway that connects people to nature, to the Catskills community, and to the knowledge needed to protect both visitors and the landscape.
Jeff Senterman, Executive Director of the Catskill Center, said, “By improving how information is shared at the Catskills Visitor Center, we’re helping people start their experience in the Catskills informed, prepared, and connected to the landscape. This investment supports safer recreation, a deeper sense of place, and a stronger relationship between the community and the region we’re working to protect.”
By Mary A. Crisafulli
MARGARETVILLE - Mike Coryat from Delaware County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) presented the finalized Local Flood Analysis (LFA) to Margaretville Village Board members on Jan. 20th. After the presentation, the board unanimously adopted the LFA.
An LFA is an engineering study conducted to identify areas of high flood risk and recommend solutions. The analysis can help guide a municipality to access grant funding and move forward with flood mitigation projects.
Margaretville’s LFA was conducted by SLR engineering firm after village officials sought assistance from SWCD in 2023. The firm conducted hydraulic analyses and ran flood scenarios to identify problem areas, explained Coryat.
One major recommendation is to install a larger culvert for the crossing over Benikill stream along Cemetery Road. It is further recommended to clear debris from the stream regularly.
SLR will make several recommendations to the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) regarding the Bridge Street bridge. DOT owns the roadway and has plans to replace the bridge in a few years. One flood-mitigation option would be to expand the bridge from Main Street to Route 28. However, Coryat notes this would limit access to stores.
It was recommended the village conduct further studies regarding the Fair Street bridge, including the possibility of removing the structure completely.
Another proposal is to lengthen the Bull Run Stream channel under the Swarts Street bridge.
SLR recommends extending the stormwater channel or drainage ditch on Swarts Street and Kennedy Heights Road.
It is recommended the Margaretville Central School District review projects proposed to help mitigate basement flooding. It is further recommended the district organize a new evacuation location.
Several other recommendations and project details are outlined in the LFA.
Coryat noted that many of the projects will help alleviate flood issues during five or ten year floods, but 100 year floods are unlikely to be affected. There is not much that can be done for the 100-year floods, he said.
SWCD and the Catskill Watershed Corporation both offer grant funding options the village can pursue for some of these projects if it chooses to move forward.
Water Meters
In another discussion, Highway Supervisor John Paul Beers asked trustees to consider establishing fees for uncooperative homeowners. To ensure water bills are fair, the department needs to read the meters often inside the home. Several property owners are not responding or making an effort to help us read meters, he reported.
Further, Beers asked for a fee for homeowners who have repeatedly had frozen pipe issues. One homeowner had their pipes freeze twice last year and once already this year, he explained. The issue can cause long term ware on the water infrastructure as a whole, said Beers.
Mayor John Hubbell noted that a committee will be established in order to address these concerns and review options for new water meters. The meters need an update, he noted. Trustee David Budin will take the lead.
In other business
Sargent Robert Walsh requested the village adopt a newly developed 100% tax exemption for fully disabled service-connected veterans. Hubbell is looking into the matter.
The March board meeting was moved to Tuesday, March 24, because of St. Patrick's Day. The election was also moved due to this holiday and will be held from noon until 9 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18. Election inspectors will be paid $120 for the day.
Chris Ortiz was approved to host a glass-blowing class at the village park and to display artwork produced there during December. Ortiz is expected to present full plans to the board at a future meeting.
The furnace at the village hall was replaced, costing $5,200.
The village will contract with the County for planning committee consultation at a rate of $60 per hour.
The village is one of four final municipalities up for the $4.5 million NY Forward grant designed to revitalize main streets. Two municipalities will be rewarded.
The next regular board of trustees meeting is Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 5 p.m.
By Mary A. Crisafulli
MIDDLETOWN - The Middletown Town Board decided it was time to review options for insurance coverage before renewing a contract. They asked the current provider, Sluiter, and NYMIR to provide quotes for review, which were presented on Jan. 14.
NYMIR quoted the town at $118,196, with Sluiter coming in slightly lower at $116,444 for annual fees. Since this was a request for quotes rather than a formal bid process, the town is not required to select the lowest quote. A special meeting was scheduled for Jan. 21, where — was chosen.
Summer Programing
In another discussion, Councilmember Colleen Martin advised the board to consider funding alternative summer programming for local children. Last year, the town allocated $6,900 to the Margaretville Central School District for summer programs. Martin reported the data: the history program, four students; learn to write a college essay, one student; AP art, three students; LEGO, two students; pre-K intro, six students; and pickleball and soccer, nine students. “I am not sure our money is being spent wisely with those numbers,” said Martin. She recommended that the school fund a recreational program rather than an enrichment one.
The board will send a letter to the school requesting information on plans for the 2026 summer season.
Other Busines
The board accepted the 2025 budget amendments. Key adjustments were $20,000 in overages for health insurance costs and $7,000 for the zoning clerk's salary.
A revised ambulance services contract will be sent to Westchester Medical Center for feedback, with a request for data on call numbers and locations.
Paul Gregory resigned from the Board of Assessment Review, leaving a vacancy. Julie DiBenedetto filled another vacancy on the board for a term from Feb. 1 through Sept. 2028.
The board unanimously approved a tax exemption for the property owned by Margaretville Village, where a new water tank will be installed.
Remaining mortgage costs, estimated at around $3,000, were forgiven for a Community Block Grant recipient now experiencing medical issues, prompting the need to sell the home.
The contract between the town and the County for consultation services for the planning committee was renewed at an annual cost of $3,500.
Sargent Robert Walsh requested that the town adopt a newly developed 100% tax exemption for fully disabled service-connected veterans. Supervisor Falkner will seek counsel from the Association of Towns on the matter.
A public input session with the Comprehensive Plan Committee is scheduled for Feb. 12th at Union Grove.
The town received three applications for the open code enforcement officer position. Interviews are being scheduled.
The next regularly scheduled town board meeting is Wednesday, Feb. 11, at 6 p.m., with a workshop on Wednesday, Feb. 4, at 6 p.m.
CATSKILL MOUNTAINS — The Catskill Mountain Club is a 22 year old, grass roots, non-profit, offering free, member lead hiking, paddling and biking adventures throughout the Catskill Mountains. The Club also advocates for any non-motorized outdoor recreational opportunities.
The following are our member led hikes for the upcoming weeks. For details and directions go to: https://www.catskillmountainclub.org/events-all
Friday, Balsam Cap, Rocky, Lone, Table & Peekamoose Mountains
• Saturday, January 24, 2026 8:00 AM 8:00 PM
Plateau, Sugarloaf, Twin & Indian Head Mountains
• Saturday, January 31, 2026 8:00 AM 6:00 PM
Frick Pond, Big Rock, and Loggers Loop Trails
• Sunday, February 1, 2026 9:00 AM 1:00 PM
Giant Ledge and Panther Mountain
• Wednesday, February 4, 2026 8:00 AM 4:00 PM
Slide, Cornell, and Wittenberg Mountains
• Saturday, February 7, 2026 8:00 AM 4:00 PM
MARGARETVILLE — THE COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY OF MARGARETVILLE IS HERE TO HELP our local residents experiencing food shortages during this winter season and at any time. FOOD INSECURITY IS ON MOST PEOPLE’S MINDS IN THIS TIME OF RISING FOOD COSTS ALIGNED WITH HEATING COSTS SPIRALING IN MOST COMMUNITIES IN OUR AREA.
This article is a follow-up to my November 15, 2024 article on the Community Food Pantry and to remind people that it is here to serve the local communities of Margaretville, Arkville, Fleischmanns, Halcottsville and surrounding areas. The volunteers who staff the pantry hope that this article will bring attention to this important lifeline in the area.
Established after Tropical Storm Irene in its location on Route 28 near Sanford’s Auto Parts, it has helped many of our area residents manage food insecurity while living in an area with a high poverty rate and low median household income. It is a lifeline for our clients, not only for the food they select, but also connecting with the volunteers who staff the Pantry.
Thanks to the many donors who support the Community Pantry, it is able to be fully stocked with canned goods, dry goods, and surprise offerings at times. Fresh local produce arrives in late spring and through the summer thanks to local gardeners who donate overflow from their gardens. Milk, eggs and butter are always available. Meat is also always available but changes frequently depending on what Delaware Opportunities provides. Personal care products are sometimes available.
This winter looks to be very cold and snowy if it continues on the track it has taken so far. The Community Pantry is here to provide food. It is very easy to start a monthly visit, you simply show a form of identification and fill out a very short form with address and family members. The volunteers on duty will help with that. They are always aware that sometimes a person may need food help before their next monthly visit and they will assist with that. No names are ever disclosed and privacy is valued by the staff.
Located at 42838 State Route 28, a bit set back from the road, the Pantry is open on Friday evenings from 4:00 – 6:00 and on Saturday mornings from 10:00-12:00. The telephone number is 845-2233 and messages are picked up regularly. We invite anyone to stop by, ask questions and sign up. If you know of anyone that may need food assistance, please tell them to stop by and sign up or let the volunteers on duty know so that person/family can be contacted.
A vehicle caught fire after striking a pole Monday morning on the east end of town on Route 28 in Fleischmanns around 8:48. Another car had pulled out front, causing the original vehicle to swerve and hit a power pole, which then snapped. The car caught fire. All four passengers were transported out. No serious injuries reported.
Special thanks to FFD Chief Todd Wickham.
PINE HILL — We’re excited to announce that the 2026 Concert Series is officially kicking off at the Pine Hill Community Center.
Get ready for another great year of live music, talented performers, and wonderful community nights.
Stay tuned for concert announcements and dates — we can’t wait to welcome you back!
We’re thrilled to announce that our very first concert features Joe Colwell — and it’s his first time performing at the Center!
Let’s show Joe what the Pine Hill Community is all about and give him a huge, heartfelt Concert welcome. Bring your friends, spread the word, and help us pack the room for an unforgettable night of live music.
Saturday, February 7
7:00 PM
Pine Hill Community Center
Joe Colwell is a singer-songwriter and guitarist from Montclair, New Jersey, now proudly based in the Hudson Valley. He has been coming to the area since he was a young boy, and during the COVID-19 pandemic his family relocated to Pine Hill. It was there, tucked into the quiet of the mountains, that Joe spent countless evenings at home writing songs and recording music, deepening both his craft and his connection to the place he calls home.
As venues reopened, Joe began performing at local inns, restaurants, and distilleries throughout the region. Known for his deep love of music in all its forms, his sets span an eclectic range of artists—from Marc Anthony to the Grateful Dead, Duran Duran, Frank Sinatra, and Bruce Springsteen. Blending covers with original songs, Joe performs either solo using live looping or alongside a full band, delivering intimate, high-energy sets that connect naturally with audiences.
A passionate entertainer, Joe has shared his love of music with audiences at the Wellmont Theater in Montclair, the Outlaw Music Festival at Bethel Woods (2024), the Busking Stage at Mountain Jam (2025), and Montclair Pride, where he performed in front of an estimated 20,000 attendees.
Currently taking time away from his music studies at the University of Miami, Joe is honing his songwriting, working at Utopia Studios in Bearsville, and performing regularly at the Print House, Union Grove, Tinker Street Tavern, and other local venues.
A true member of his community and a lover of the mountains and the people who live among them, Joe will never forget his roots along Route 28 in the Catskills. He is deeply honored to be performing for his neighbors at the Pine Hill Community Center on February 7.
By Patricia Wadsley
FLEISCHMANNS — 19 degrees, ice on the roads, snow on the ground, darkness long descended —but you’d never know it by the packed house and convivial atmosphere on a recent Thursday night in Fleischmanns’ inviting bar/restaurant The Print House.
Every table was filled, and patrons lined up two deep at the bar. Friends and families had gathered to see each other, chow down on platters of foodstuffs like heaping prosciutto flatbreads, and to hoist a glass or two— as well as being treated to the the very first of a series of the Catskills own spoken word events, “The Frog,” conceived and hosted by Katherine Wandersee.
“The Frog” features regular folk—from all walks of life- telling personal stories about memorable events in their lives.
“It’s not fiction, and not poetry,” stresses Wandersee, a Roxbury dweller who juggles medical writing with spoken word events and a bit of stand up comedy. “You don’t have to be polished or a professional.”
The stories are sometimes sad, some happy and some uproarious. Wandersee got the idea from “The Moth,” a copyrighted spoken word event which has swept the nation and now has spread to six continents.
“But this is the Catskills,” says Wandersee. “We do things differently here and we love frogs. We look forward to their little croaks to herald the first sounds of spring. So we are calling our spoken word events, “The Frog.”
Wandersee lined up five story tellers, herself included, and three surprise open mic guests, who signed up at the last moment. Each person took the corner stage under the glow of amber lighting —an area in which Print House features live music on other nights. There was no theme for this starter to the Frog series, so Wandersee told speakers, it’s “A Free-for-All.”
All eyes were fixed on the first speaker Jason Frome, who manages Pine Hill Lodging and is also a volunteer fireman in the Arena fire department. He spoke about his first night on the job at the fire company—a night that landed him in the hospital.
Walter 2Shirts—who describes his background as someone who “outwitted the draft by enlisting in the United States Army” told a story about his service in Vietnam-an inside view of a period rarely told.
Patricia Gonzalez, a nurse for forty years, told her story about her on the job hospital run-in with a bare butted US president. And Amy Randall a special ed teacher at Delaware Academy, told a hair-raising story about a sheep mercilessly slaughtered by a neighbor’s dog.
Wandersee’s story was about a horrible first job. Hers was in a cheese restaurant in Wisconsin. But a horrible first job —that’s a story everyone can relate to!
It truly was a get-to-know your neighbor night. People stuck around to talk to each other and make new friends—and it seemed they knew a lot more about each other! Kenneth Strickland, an impromptu speaker who’s an IT specialist in Woodstock summed up the night. “I was expecting performance,” he said. “But what I found here is community. “
If you’d got a story you want to tell, don’t hesitate! Contact Wandersee at catskillsfrog@gmail.com. The next Frog event is February 24. And the theme is “Life Transitions.” Another story we can all relate to!
These folks had stories to tell at the Frog. Left to Right: Nelson Strickland, Katherine Wandersee, Rob Greenawalt, Patricia Gonzalez, Jason Frome, Jeff Entin. Photo by Damian Catera.
Patricia Wadsley
BOVINA — On a very snowy Saturday afternoon in Delaware County parents and supporters from points far and wide in the Greater Catskill area gathered at the Bovina Montessori School for their school fundraiser, the second annual KidSkill Fund Winter Gala. Set on 50 rolling acres nestled between Delhi and Andes, Bovina Montessori follows the precepts of Maria Montessori the early 20th century educator, who identified children’s learning stages, and saw that education and activities should meet each child at his or her stage of development.
After belonging to a “home-schooling pod” of several families for the duration of Covid, Bovina residents and school founders Sophie Rasmussen and David Madie wanted to continue a more personalized education for their children, and for other children and parents too.
“We researched Rudolf Steiner schools, Reggio Emilia, and other independent
schools but when we researched Montessori we knew it was the right one,” says David Madie. “It has a good support system of other Montessori schools throughout the country, sister schools and a national association.”Then, when we saw this land we knew we had to do it. It’s a place where the indoors and outdoors meet, and where children can have a practical experience of what they learn in science, biology and math—a place where nature is a place for learning, artistic expression and nutrition.”
At the Saturday fundraiser, Parents of students already in attendance, , as well as parents new to the Montessori method got to see how this worked in practice. Parents were shown a short film which showed students at work and play. “It’s great to see children laughing while they’re learning,” mused one of the parents who attended. “Learning should be fun.”
Lessons change with the seasons. In autumn, children learn how to make apple cider vinegar, for example. Organizer Katie Henry explains that math is integrated into making vinegar. “How long does it take to ferment? How long do particular volumes of the liquid take to ferment?” she asks. Students make math calculations based on this and other real world hands-on activities.
At the fundraiser, students also gave in person demonstrations of their interests and knowledge. Sophie Deysenroth demonstrated the “Clock of Eras,” one of the materials kept on hand for students. For her presentation, Sophie had drawn her own clock of eras. The clock face functions as an analogy for the history of the world—starting with the birth of the earth at midnight, continuing through the Headen Era in which the solar system consists of spinning clouds and gases, through to today, when mammals roam the earth. Sophie spoke most animatedly about the Paleozoic Era, in which plants and animals learned how to co-exist.
Sophie and David stress that no child should be turned away. The fundraiser , catered by Chef Deanna of the new Bovina eatery, Bramble Hill restaurant, raised 14 thousand dollars through their partner non-profit KidSkill, according to Henry, and goes to scholarships for new and old students, as well as apportioned to other non-profits in the area. This year, for example, the school plans to implement transportation for other schools to go to after school activities, In past years funds were apportioned to non-profits such as the Pine Hill Community Center.
On Sunday, June 7, Bovina Montessori puts on the Pink Street festival on its grounds, a family friendly event that celebrates and promotes local vendors, environmental and arts organizations, agriculture, children and youth programs and just plain fun.
“We are so happy that our gala was a success and that we’ll have more to offer,” says Henry. “We are thankful to be vital members of the community.”
If you are a family or a non-profit seeking funds for programming, hop over to KidSkillFund.org.
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