McCarthy Tire Location Update

By Elizabeth Barr

COBLESKILL — McCarthy Tire has closed, but there is new interest in the property. Businesses have expressed interest in coming to the area and looking at this location for revitalization. 

It demonstrates that our local community is networking together to restore the recently closed business. They are encouraging investors to commit to the area and provide services that are needed for commercial, retail, and agricultural needs. Fonda Chronis, Executive Director, of Schoharie County Industrial Development Agency (IDA is working diligently with local officials to find other incentives to encourage investment for this property. 

Mike Piccolo, Codes Enforcement Officer for the Village of Cobleskill, said there are a few companies interested but nothing is definite yet. Hopefully, the Company coming in will be able to save the jobs of the displaced local workers.

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Sharon Springs School Update

By Tori Edwards 

SHARON SPRINGS — Sharon Springs Central School is back in session! The students over the break had some fun at Clark’s gym sponsored by the Sharon Springs Youth Commission. It was a free event for Sharon Springs students grades K-12. If you are interested in sponsoring events for the students during their breaks and summer vacation call Dan Cornwell at (518) 852-4979. 

You can join in on their meetings for the program and create future events for the kids. 

Students that are in FFA participated in a district competition on Saturday. The participants were Sophia Insogna (she memorized and presented the FFA Creed at the competition), Lucas Perry, Maya Korona, Payton Rullman, Jaxon Insogna, and Maddison Lynk. Each student created a poster board based on The Junior People in Agriculture. 

Maddison Lynk created a junior prepared speech that was based on Agriculture Impact Spiece Endangerment and the Environment. She will be progressing to the FFA Substates Competition at Windsor Central School. Great Work, Maddie! Keep up the amazing achievements students! 

Let’s Go Spartans! 

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“Sharon Things - Local Happenings for Sharon Springs”

By Alexis Pencar

Hey Neighbors!

It’s been a warm and strange one this past week with ups and downs and all around! Temperatures hit mid 60s and sunny on Wednesday to the delight of many! The wind kicked up after that bringing teens and lake effect snow to contrast.

Look out for higher temps into the 50s again next week with some rain expected at the end of week. It’s been a strange winter for most but remember, this has also been an El Niño year with a different pattern for the Jet Stream, giving us a typically warmer winter.

Have you ever heard of space weather? The sun is in its solar maximum and has been rather active with strong solar flares that can knock out cell phone communications and more. There was a cell service blackout last week that was thought to be related.

The days are lengthening and Spring is coming! The sun is setting at 5:46 PM now but don’t forget Daylight Savings Time is coming up on March 10th!

A big Happy Birthday to my daughter Aaria this week!

Brimstone Bakery just started offering afternoon tea on Wednesdays from 1:30-3:30 PM. Visit their social media @brimstonebakery or call (518) 284-6093 for more information.

Sharon Springs Rescue Squad

The Sharon Springs Rescue Squad is a cornerstone of the community! With many active members, they are always looking for new volunteers for Drivers, First Responders, Social Members, and EMT’s. SSRS will fund any training that is needed. SSRS meets the first Monday of the month at 7 PM and would be happy to answer any questions on how to support your community.

The American Legion

The American Legion Post 1269 of Sharon Springs is looking for new members! If you are interested in becoming an American Legion member, volunteering, or even donating to the many wonderful causes the Legion supports, please contact Commander Paul Todd at (518) 649-0024 for more information.

Sharon Springs Free Library

Remember that your library is available online, visit shsfreelib.mvls.info for more information.

Mrs. Fralick offers storytime for children on Thursday's at 10:00 am every week and includes a story or two, a craft, and a snack.

Winter Hours are: Tuesday, Wednesday and Fridays from 1:00 - 6:00 PM, Mondays & Thursdays from 10:00 - 6:00 PM, Saturdays 10:00 -1:00 PM, and Sundays - Closed. 

For more Library information please contact (518) 284-3126.

Worship Services

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

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

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

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

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

Food Pantry

The Sharon Springs Food Pantry is an excellent local resource for all! They are located in the United Methodist Church on Route 20, across from the school (511 US Route 20, Sharon’s Springs, NY 13459).

They are always accepting donations! If you or someone you know is in need of the Pantry, the hours are Thursday 9:00 am -10:30 am and 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm. For more information please contact (518) 284-2687 or follow them on Facebook.

Sharon Sr. Congregate Meal Site

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

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

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Silver & Gold March Luncheon

“Spa Ritz” meal site participants celebrated friendship by playing rounds of Valentine’s Day bingo.

Teriyaki baked chicken, brown rice with pineapple tidbits, Oriental vegetable blend, chocolate pudding and tropical fruit was a popular OFA lunch offering in February.

By Alexis Pencar

SHARON SPRINGS — The Sharon Silver & Gold Senior Club will hold its Luncheon Meeting for March at 12 noon on Friday, March 8th at the Office for the Aging’s Meal Site in the Village of Sharon Springs at the Firehouse (137 Beechwood Road Sharon Springs, NY 13459).

The Silver & Gold Senior Club meets each month and positively contributes to the lives of so many! Members of this monthly club come from surrounding areas including Sharon, Cherry Valley, Cobleskill, Ames, and beyond.

With Seniors of all ages, this group is always open to new members! It’s a great place to make new friends or just catch up with your community! The after-lunch activities change monthly and are always something to mark the calendar for!

For the March Luncheon, expect a delicious and nutritious meal of eggplant Parmesan, pasta, chopped spinach, California vegetable blend, white bean and dill vinaigrette salad, blueberry coffee cake and 1% milk will be served at noon. Following lunch the group anticipates a visit from 1st graders at Sharon Springs Central School and afterwards will conduct the business meeting.

Area seniors interested in more information about the club should contact Anne Lennebacker, president, at (607) 547-9055. Those interested in attending the March 8th Luncheon meeting must call the Spa Ritz meal site by March 6th at (518) 284-2883 on Monday, Wednesday or Friday 10:00 - 2:00 PM.

Sharon Sr. Congregate Meal Site

Local residents are invited to enjoy good company and a noon-time meal year round (except holidays) at the Schoharie County OFA’s “Spa Ritz” Sr. Congregate Meal Site at the Firehouse (137 Beechwood Road) M-W-F. 8 oz of 1% milk is served with each meal. Orders for meals must be called into the OFA office at (518) 295-2001 before 2:00 PM. for the following day. Effective January 1st the suggested donation for those 60 years old and older is $5.00 per meal. Under age 60? You’re welcome to participate for a fee of $7.50 per meal.

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SUNY Cobleskill Fighting Tiger Weekly Recap

The SUNY Cobleskill women’s basketball team lost in the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) Championship Game to the host Mariners of the Maine Maritime Academy in Castine, Maine on Saturday by a score of 78-62 to drop to 25-2 overall on the year. The Fighting Tigers were led by senior center Logan Thayne, Hoosick Falls, N.Y., Hoosick Falls High School, who had 18 points, four rebounds and two blocked shots on the day.

The Fighting Tiger men’s basketball team dropped an 80-70 decision in the North Atlantic Conference Championship game to the Eagles of Husson University to end their season at 17-11 overall. Senior center Markel Jenkins, Elmira, N.Y., Elmira High School/Corning Community College, posted a double/double with 12 point and 19 rebounds.

The men’s lacrosse team opened the season by dropping a 23-7 non-conference road loss to the host Giants of Keystone College in La Plume, Pa. on Saturday to open the season at 0-1. The Fighting Tigers were led by junior midfielder Albert Sippio, Syracuse, N.Y., ITC, with two goals, an assist and four ground balls on the day.

First-year Mackenzie Caldwell, Baldwinsville, N.Y., C.W. Baker High School, led the Fighting Tigers Hunt Seat Equestrian earned High Point Rider Honors at an Intercollegiate Mount Show Association (IHSA) Zone 2 Region 3 event hosted by the Mustangs of SUNY Morrisville in Morrisville, N.Y. on Saturday. Led by Caldwell the Fighting Tigers placed second overall at the event.

The Fighting Tiger men’s baseball team opened the season by dropping a non-league road doubleheader to the host Coronels of Wilkes University by scores of 4-0 and 9-7 to open the season at 0-2 overall. Senior right-hander Andrew Jarkow, Glen Head, N.Y., North Shore High School, threw five scoreless innings in the second game allowing only three hits while striking out two and walking only one.

UPCOMING HOME CONTESTS:

Baseball vs. SUNY Canton 4/5 & 4/6, SUNY Oneonta 4/10, Eastern Nazarene 4/12

Softball vs. VTSU-Castleton 4/2, MCLA 4/9, SUNY Poly 4/16 & 4/17

Lacrosse vs. SUNY Poly 4/2, SUNY Canton 4/13, Husson University 4/20

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Sharon Springs Updates All Around

By Alexis Pencar

SHARON SPRINGS — The Village of Sharon Springs Board gathered for their regularly scheduled monthly board meeting on Thursday February 15th at 6:00 PM in the Sharon Community Building. Many of the regular Village residents were present with a larger audience than usual on this evening.

After the Pledge of Allegiance, a representative from SEEK took to the floor to explain the new grant available for a new “placemaking curb appeal program” that just opened in February. The grant is a 50/50 match up to $5,000 with a minimum of $1,000. The grant has access to architects and designers onboard for those within the Village. Any commercial business may apply, including tenants, as long as the owner gives permission. The deadline is March 29th, 2024.

The next order of business was the Mayor's report with an announcement of a new joint planning board alternate appointment to replace Arianna Parsons (who joined the Village Board) as Ted Huggins on Chestnut Street. Mayor Kelley said “he is very excited to be on board.”

For a NY Forward Update, the Department of State has “taken a little longer than expected” as the estimate has now been pushed back to “late winter or early spring”. 

There was an update on the need for a handicap parking spot for Main Street with the SW corner of Main and Division in front of Klinkhart in consideration. The Village Board was asked to make and pass a resolution to amend the parking regulations and then send that to DoT to get started. The motion was made and passed without objection.

Jennifer Hill with Tobacco Free Communities Delaware, Otsego, Schoharie was a speaker for this meeting regarding the new Marijuana Regulation and Taxation act and the effect on smoke and vaping use in the outdoor municipal and country spaces including worksites as well. Due to the broad way the current laws are written, they do not cover the banning of vaping, specifically in parks for example. The speaker suggests the same banning of cannabis use as it does for tobacco and to specify the banning of vaping as well.

Mayor Kelly made reference to the concerns of those residents during the Meeting with Cannabis Management last year on the regulation of smoking use of public places and those potential impacts on the community. She also mentioned the no smoking sign in place in the Village Park.

There was a quick update on Tree City from Board Member Joyce Slater. The application for Tree City was approved at the state and regional level and is now at the national level for hopeful approval. Look out for more updates on the 2024 Arbor Day event.

SCHOPEG was present recording this meeting. Please check out Schopeg On Demand at www.schopeg.vids.io for the full video available now.

The regularly scheduled Village Board Meetings are on the third Thursday of the month at 6:00 pm, located in the Sharon Community Building at 129 Main Street, Sharon Springs, NY 13459. Please call (518) 284-2625 for more information.

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2023-24 Cairo-Durham Middle School Second Quarter Honor Rolls Announced

CAIRO – The Cairo-Durham Central School District is excited to announce its Middle School Principal’s Honor Roll, High Honor Roll and Honor Roll members for the second quarter of the 2023-24 school year.

To qualify for Principal’s Honor Roll, students must record a grade point average of 95 or higher throughout the quarter. To qualify for High Honor Roll, students must record a grade point average between 90 and 94. To qualify for Honor Roll, students must record a grade point average between 85 and 89.

Principal's Honor Roll

6th Grade

Leslie Cruz, Brayden Herdman, Hunter Lee, Dylan Mulligan, Natalie Olivett, Ruby Palmer and Reagan VanDenburgh.

7th Grade

Zoey Choinsky, John Kiley, Lucy Palmer and Abigail Pritchard.

8th Grade

Brooke DeFrancesco, Khodyn Laga, Lucas Lounsbury, Sebastian Miller, Lauren Musong, Patrick Panyan, Alexandra Richers, Alesiana Roeber, Sadye Schneider, Abigail Wright and Michaela Wright.

High Honor Roll

6th Grade

Marco Alvarado, Francis Baxter, Jaxon Geiger, Jano Guiragossian, Brendan Hasenkopf-Massaro, Dayyan Lalgee, Felicity Lendin, Brielle Lewis, Daniel Lopez, Hailee Myers, Aryssa Ortiz, Joseph Parks, Gianna Race, Kaylee Relyea, April Rooney, Nadav Saad, Kassidy Schrull, Jocelyn Shook, Silas Smith, Sophia Sternbach, Thomas Sylvester Jr., Anthony Tritto, Brayden Vedder, Aubree Walz, Aislinn Wilber, Kailynn Wynia, Ryan Young, Lily Zeun and Logan Zeun.

7th Grade

Kasandra Backenroth, Xaviyer James, Baylee Kastner, Rebecca Mahler, John Mirandona, Michael Parks Jr., Grace Plank, Francesca Porter and Alana Torres.

8th Grade

Vincenzo Alvarado, Allie Byrne, Evangeline Finnegan, Isabel Haigh, James Kuhn, Tyler Little, Payton Neubauer, Olivia Soto and Austin Sperano.

Honor Roll

6th Grade

Anastasa Amlong, Kaleb Avelar, Jasmine Bucao, Owen Chapman, Chloie Collins, Maribel Colon, Madelyn Dedrick, Nicolas Dyer, Emma Echevarria-Curet, Hannah Faulkner, Sofia Hernandez, Annabelle Holbrook, Luke Hulbert, Calvin Lewis, Brandon Mackle, Giavanna Massaro, Aiden McGovern, Autumn Nielsen, PhilipMichael Raia Jr., Robin Ransom, Anthony Rende, Jennifer Ruiz Yatz, Harper Sanford, James Sasso, Thomas Slater Jr., Aiden Smith and Logan Thorne.

7th Grade

Isabella Acker, Tavis Barbosa, Tyler Cherrington, Naylor Cooper, Sophia Cuti, Mya DeRose, Hannah DuHart, Amelia Hammond, Natalie Hennig, Michael Houston Jr., Rojer James Jr., Lexi Maderic, Carter Maland, Wynter Plank, Maya Powers, Karlie Sickler, Bella Snedeker, Nevaeh Stevenson, Bentley Thomsen, Joseph Tritto III and Teagan Watkins.

8th Grade

Giana Alverson, Hanna Baxter, Korin Beatty-Brust, Parker Carlaw, Luis Cruz, Brianna Dennis, Jacob Hall, Meaghan Hammond, William Hernandez-Merino, Zuri Hewson, Lukas Higgins Jr., Ziva Homeyer, Jakob Magsitza, Kourtney Matice, Zoey Mickle, Vivienne Myers, Michael Pernice, Ethan Searing-Burke and Leo Vittoz.

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Ashland Speaks

By Lula Anderson

February is over and we are on the cusp of Spring.  The air feels different, and we all itch to go outside.  Do we start our outdoor cleaning?  Nope, don't get fooled, you know that there will be more snow in the future.  The other morning it was 9 degrees outside and even though the afternoon sun was beautiful, it was downright cold out there.  Our last big holiday weekend is done for the winter.  Looking at the traffic, I would say it was a success for all business owners.  

Another Thursday, another Banner Day at the Jewett Nutrition Center.  Another 30 gathered for meat loaf dinner and good conversation.  We got some "newbies" to show, and Gail is making sure all of them are signed up for the future.  This Thursday is Chicken Dijon which is one of Gail's specialties.  Check in your local post office for the Greene County Round Table news which includes the menu for the month plus all pertinent information from Greene County Department of the Aging.  

Don't forget that March 10th is the day we spring forward.  It is really good to see the extra daylight in the evenings.  Judy has been tempted to walk to Bill's house on the lake, but it is still too early.  Monday was a teaser.  It was downright balmy when she left at 4, but when she left Bill's at 5:30 she was glad she drove because of the drop in temperature.  

Have you been counting the deer that have been feeding in the pastures during the early evening?  Last night there were over 20 between the two Conifer Lake entrances.  

St Patrick's Day is looming and I just got news that the Masons will be holding their 25th annual St Patrick's dinner on March 9th from 2:00 to 6:00 at the Lodge at 5345 St Rt 23 in Windham.  Meals are $20 each and include prime cut corned beef, cabbage, potato, Irish soda or rye bread, dessert and coffee.  Eat-in or take -out.  

A reminder from the UMC in Windham re their Corned Beef luncheon on March 15th starting at 10:30 AM.     Hensonville Hose Co Fish Fry is in full swing on Friday nights.  It's important that we support these events as it helps defray the costs of heating, and general upkeep of these organizations.  

Prayers for Christine Newcomb on her upcoming surgery.

AS I REMEMBER IT

On of my favorite shows is The Incredible Dr Pol on Nat Geo.  The other day, he was with his son who was taking a hundred-year-old barn down, piece by piece, just like taking a Lincoln Log toy apart.  Carefully removing beams to be reused.  Never breaking a piece.  He mentioned that it was a "bank barn."  What, I asked myself, is a bank barn?  I've heard of houses from Sears, but never a bank barn.  Oh, wrong kind of bank, not money bank, but a barn that had been built into a bank.  The hay mow was on the road level and farmers drove in and unloaded.  The cows were down underneath, which was reached by another path that went around the barn.  Well, that was just like my father's barn, but we never thought it was special.  It was convenient to drive in, then when we fed the cows, we dropped the hay bales through a hole in the floor which went to the stabling area.  very little lifting.  The pasture was at the bottom of the bank .We let the cows out to graze and the creek was at the edge of the pasture, so they had easy access to water.   

On the corner of 23 and county route 17, leading to Jewett, was the Case barn.  All that is left is a foundation, and woodchuck housing, but you can see how it was built into the bank.  Instructions to Jewett always included follow 23 west until you see the red barn, then take a left.  Now it's turn where the barn used to be.  Charlie Thompson's barn on Rice Street, Jewett, is still standing, and you can see the set up from the road.  

Since watching this story, I have been aware of how many bank barns there are and have been in this area, especially along rt 23.  Christman's  fit the category, as well as my father's barn.  I now look at the different types of barns in the area and try to figure what type they would be considered as well as thinking about the farmers who worked in them and the many kids who played in the hay mows--be they road level or climb a ladder to get into them.  

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Encon Officer News

HAINES FALLS — On Feb 10., ECOs Woodin and Bohling, along with Forest Rangers Fox and Patterson, attended an educational ice fishing clinic at North-South Lake Campground in the town of Haines Falls. The clinic, organized by West Kill Brewing, LLC., and run by licensed fishing guides from Adirondack Ice, emphasized sustainability and safe practices while ice fishing. Attendees of age purchased New York State fishing licenses and learned how to determine safe ice conditions. 

Once on the ice, the guides divided the 30 participants into three groups for hands-on experience using augers, setting tip-ups, using jig rods properly, and operating fish finders. The ECOs assisted in providing general fishing and bait fish regulations to the anglers. 

In addition to the various ice fishing lessons, participants also caught pickerel. 

Visit the DEC website for more information on ice fishing safety.

Participant in Greene County ice fishing clinic celebrates a successful catch

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(MORE) LEGISLATURE STUFF - Money in Memory of and Invested

By Michael Ryan

CATSKILL - It is going to cost money to try and save money following actions taken by the Greene County Legislature.

Lawmakers, during a recent meeting, approved two resolutions authorizing the hiring of Delaware Engineering to conduct infrastructure studies.

The first resolution paves the way for the Albany-based firm to perform a structural evaluation of 90 Allen Street in the town of Catskill.

A professional look-see is needed “to determine the extent of repairs that are required to rehabilitate the building’s structure per current New York State Existing Building Codes,” the measure states.

90 Allen Street, just off Route 23, serves as the county’s Buildings & Grounds maintenance department/administration office.

Lawmakers okayed an expenditure of $9,500 for the job which has a very specific purpose. “New York State was supposed to deed this property to the county some years ago,” legislature chairman Patrick Linger says.

“For whatever reason, the documents were never filed so we are just getting around to solidifying that deed. We need to know the overall condition of the building to make the transfer,” Linger says.

Delaware Engineering, in its proposal to the county, noted “an existing 66’x40’ two-story structure on the site is currently occupied.

“The client (Building & Grounds superintendent Craig Seaburg) notes the following; “My shop has exterior concrete block walls that are bowing and [have] some large cracks.

“The roof is in bad shape and leaking. The steel beams on the lower level are rusted and not in the best shape,” Seaburg wrote

Engineers will provide a report that includes a, “discussion on existing conditions, recommended improvements, a cost estimation of the recommended improvements and design/construction timeline.”

The second resolution gives the green light to pay Delaware Engineering a fee of $12,500 for a similar assessment of a barn located at the county office building at Angelo Canna Park in the town of Cairo.

“A 50’X36’ unoccupied 2-story structure is in need of a structural evaluation to get a better understanding of what improvements and repairs are necessary in order to utilize the building as a future workshop,” the resolution states.

The same type of engineering overview will be supplied in addition to “a discussion on any available grants that may be accessed for capital improvements.”

While no one was against a veterans group using the spot for a workshop, not everyone agreed the 12-plus G’s should be invested in this fashion.

“I am the only one who voted no on this,” Linger said. “I was initially in agreement when I thought it might be between $3,500 to $5,000.

“But the building was built in 1950. It is old. We could raise the building six feet out of the flood plain and restore it but it would still be old.

“We could put up a shed on the back side of the property and that $12,500 would pay for half of a new building,” Linger says.

“The State has said we can’t put anybody in that building until there is a study but to me, it is throwing good money at a bad situation.”

In other matters:

—Lawmakers approved a budget amendment, adding $277,623 to the Wayne Speenburgh County Legislature Grant Program, increasing the overall sum to $506,670.

The dollars are annually set aside in memory of Speenburgh, the former legislature chairman who had childhood roots in the town of Prattsville.

Speenburgh made the rare move of choosing a Democrat to head a legislative committee in an otherwise Republican-dominated board.

He was also a seemingly tireless presence in multiple communities during the devastating flooding in 2011 from Hurricane Irene.

To fund the grant, lawmakers set aside twenty percent of the new proceeds generated by the annual county auction of properties acquired through the In-Rem foreclosure procedures.

Initially focusing on activities and programs recommended by a special Task Force on youth, lawmakers subsequently recognized that senior citizens, veterans and non-profit groups could benefit from the grant.

Individual lawmakers periodically seek the funding based on requests from their constituents, assisting a variety of community projects.

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BETTER THAN HEARSAY - Wonderfully Out of Hand

By Michael Ryan

WINDHAM - The imagination of a young girl has led to what is probably undoubtedly the first parading of its kind in the town of Windham.

Mildred “Milly” Morabito is hosting a “Buffalo Plaid Walk” at the Windham Path on March 24 at 2 p.m., preceded by a community Treasure Hunt.

“I’m tickled plaid,” says Milly, who will be decked out from head-to-toe and beyond in her favorite pattern, a fashion statement born in serendipity.

“I don’t know if there will be two people or two-hundred people but it’s all in good fun and seeing what creative outfits may show up,” Milly says.

This all began when Milly first laid eyes on what is traditionally the preferred color scheme of lumberjacks and became the unofficial hue of Christmas.

“When I was a little girl, 10 or 12 years old, growing up in Mamaroneck, in lower Westchester County, my parents had a two-story house,” she says.

“One day, there was a small fire in one of rooms. Nobody knew how big or how small it was so we all went outside and the neighbors came out too.

“A neighbor we called Granny Julie was one of them. She asked me to go to her house to get something from an upstairs bedroom.

“I don’t remember what it was but I vividly remember what happened next. It was so strange and has stayed with me, even now,” Morabito says.

“There were twin beds with a night table in the middle. They had tartan red bedspreads. The room had a porthole window, like you see on a boat

“In the back of the house, there was a creek that went into the Long Island Sound. My family hardly ever went anywhere but I knew about Vermont.

“Looking out the window, I got a real warm, fuzzy feeling and, don’t ask me why but I thought, ‘this must be what Vermont is like.’

“I guess I was a Yankee at heart because I started loving everything plaid. A few years ago, I bought a mug and pen and paper and just kept buying things and people started gifting me plaid and here we are today.”

Milly, who didn’t step foot in Vermont until she was in her 40’s, moved to Jewett four years ago, persistently adding to her collection.

“Buffalo Plaid became my signature. Now it’s just out of control,” Milly says, laughing, noting she has a vendor’s booth at the annual Autumn Af-Fair, held by the Windham Chamber of Commerce.

Legend has it that Buffalo Plaid may have originated in America, in tribute to the revered plains animals, but it was on the other side of the Pond.

“Do a little digging and you’ll find that the Buffalo Plaid is actually the MacGregor Red and black pattern,” according to the “Piecework Needlework” website.

“In Scotland, the pattern is associated with folk hero Rob Roy MacGregor, although there is no evidence he ever wore it,” the website  states.

Folk lore would have you believe the pattern, “gets its red color from a sorcerer’s hex, a dye distilled from the spirit blood and ghostly souls of McCluskey's prey and enemies and, as a result, was said to bring good luck in battle,” the website states.

Milly, the mother of three kids, including twin sons, and a grandma to four more, romantically recalls dancing to “Moonlight in Vermont” while visiting the Green Mountain State, having much tamer intentions.

“Last year, I hid nine Buffalo Plaid rocks on Main Street, gifting people who found them. It was so much fun I want to spread the joy,” she says, planning a larger seek-and-ye-shall-find Treasure Hunt.

That’s in the morning. In the afternoon, “people who want to parade are encouraged to bring their furry friends to the Path,” Milly says. “I am wishing for sun and for Buffalo Plaid to be wonderfully out of hand.”

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