Gardening Tips by Bob Beyfuss: Thanksgiving Thoughts
Written By Editor on 11/22/20 | 11/22/20
Art in the Dark Tours at Fenimore Art Museum – New Dates Added in December
Art in the Dark
Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown, NY
December 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19 at 4:30, 6:00 and 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $15.00 Members, $17.00 Non-Members. Reservations required.
FenimoreArt.org
COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. — Back by popular demand! See Fenimore Art Museum’s collections in a way never experienced before–in the dark–with its Art in the Dark tours. Join museum guides as they lead you through the galleries of American folk art and fine art by lantern light, stopping along the way to share some of the mysterious, melancholy, and untold stories within the artworks. Discover hidden secrets within the paintings with the help of a special ultraviolet light. The 45-minute tours are offered three times per night and are limited to up to eight guests each. Tours take place on Friday and Saturday evenings: December 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19 at 4:30, 6:00 and 7:30 p.m. Reservations are required. Tickets: $15.00 Members, $17.00 Non-Members. To purchase tickets, visit FenimoreArt.org or go directly to Eventbrite.com. Face masks are required.
Follow Fenimore Art Museum on Instagram and Facebook or sign up for e-newsletters to keep up with the latest information. For more, visit FenimoreArt.org.
About Fenimore Art Museum
Fenimore Art Museum, located on the shores of Otsego Lake—James Fenimore Cooper’s “Glimmerglass”—in historic Cooperstown, New York, features a wide-ranging collection of American art including folk art; important American 18th- and 19th-century landscape, genre, and portrait paintings; more than 125,000 historic photographs representing the technical developments made in photography and providing extensive visual documentation of the region’s unique history; and the renowned Eugene and Clare Thaw Collection of American Indian Art comprised of nearly 900 art objects representative of a broad geographic range of North American Indian cultures, from the Northwest Coast, Eastern Woodlands, Plains, Southwest, Great Lakes, and Prairie regions. Visit FenimoreArt.org.
Delaware County Tourism Nets $121 Million in 2019
Schoharie Library News of the Week
SUNY COBLESKILL ESPORTS CAPTURES FORTNITE CHAMPIONSHIPS AT ESPORTS LEAGUE FALL CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
SUNY COBLESKILL ESPORTS CAPTURES FORTNITE CHAMPIONSHIPS AT 2020 ESPORTS LEAGUE FALL CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT
Cobleskill, N.Y.: The SUNY Cobleskill ESports Team closed their 2020 SUNY ESports League Fall Season in impressive fashion by capturing the Fortnite Championship in the league’s Fall Season Championship Tournament on Wednesday evening.
The Fighting Tiger team of senior Brycen Franek, Cobleskill, N.Y., and Jesse Hodge, Syracuse, N.Y., East Minoa High School, advanced to the tournament’s semifinals by defeating number 14 ranked SUNY New Paltz 3-0 in their first-round match then defeating number 11 ranked Nassau Community College in the second round by 3-2 decision last week.
In the semifinals, the third ranked Fighting Tigers duo of Franek and Hodge met the second ranked SUNY Oneonta A Team of Ivan Colon and Brandon Martin. After the first two individual games the Orange & Black dropped a pair of close decisions to Oneonta to fall behind 2-0. From that point on, Franek and Hodge rallied to take a 3-2 victory over the Red Dragons once again in three closely contested contests that were decided by a hand full of points.
In the Championship game, Cobleskill would meet the tournament’s Cinderella team the number 17 ranked SUNY Oneonta B Team of Eric Halper and Michael Ferraro which had defeated the number five ranked Niagara Community College squad by a 3-1 margin in their semifinal match.
The Oneonta B Team opened the Championship contest by posting a pair of close decisions over the Fighting Tigers to take a 2-0 lead into a potential elimination game. However once again, Franek and Hodge rallied to take the next three contests by close scores to record a 3-2 victory to claim the tournament title.
Fighting Tiger Head Coach Mark Crosby had nothing but praise for his team when speaking about what Franek and Hodge had accomplished.
“They certainly made my job easy today because once things get started there is really not much, I can do for them,” said Crosby. “Last year they made it to the Sweet 16 of the tournament but felt that they could go farther. This year they developed a real feel for each other and worked hard to improve as a team. The match was exciting to watch with each game being decided by just a few points. When they fell behind 2-0, it was their focus and experience that helped them to come back and win.”
In Tuesday’s Super Smash Bros Ultimate Championship Quarterfinal Round, Fighting Tigers junior Abraham Rodriguez, Bronx, N.Y., Food and Finance High School, the third seeded player in the field defeated the second seeded player from SUNY Stony Brook Mike Wolf-Sonkin 3-2 in a match where all games were decided by single digit point totals to advance to the semifinals.
In the semifinals Rodriguez dropped a hard-fought decision to top seeded Gabriel Escobar from Westchester Community College by a 3-1 margin close out his season.
According to Coach Crosby, Rodriguez distinguished himself in the tournament and could be proud of his showing in which all individual games were decided by single digits.
“Abraham got to shine and show his skills in this tournament and throughout the season. He is a very experience player who has friends all over the world and has played in some big-time tournaments on his own. He told me that he thought he could have done much better today. It is great to know that students know that they can do better and that is what makes them shoot for higher performances the next time around. But I think he really put his all into it today and can be proud of his effort.”
In reflecting on the Fall Tournament Coach Crosby was extremely positive about the team’s performance and the future for the Fighting Tigers program.
“Now that we’ve got our foot in the door; I think that we are going to be able to continue to build the program in terms of students that will allow us to compete in all venues across the board, in terms of offerings. Some of our graduating players have even expressed interest in working with new players in the future in terms of scrimmaging, coaching, and practicing with them to help us grow. I believe that this can help us continue our goal of creating a full-fledged academic program that will include game management, game programing and game design.”
DEP announces 1,581 new acres open for hunting
With New York’s regular hunting season starting this weekend, new or expanded access in four counties provides additional opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today announced that it has opened access this year to 1,581 additional acres of water supply land where outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy recreation, including hunting. The expanded access includes 111 acres on three new parcels of recreation land, and 1,470 acres that were added to existing recreation areas throughout the Catskills. With the state’s regular hunting season starting this weekend, watershed residents and visitors are encouraged to utilize the nearly 100,000 acres of water supply land managed by DEP that are open for hunting. That includes more than 72,000 acres known as “public access areas” that are open for hiking, hunting, fishing, and trapping without the need for a DEP Access Permit. Parcels open for hunting are spread across more than 400 recreation areas in Delaware, Dutchess, Greene, Putnam, Schoharie, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester counties.
“DEP has long understood that many types of recreation are compatible with our core mission to protect the water supply for millions of New Yorkers,” DEP Commissioner Vincent Sapienza said. “Our neighbors who participate in hunting season are important to the ecological health of our watershed, and we welcome them to make safe and productive use of the water supply lands that we’ve opened for hunting in the Catskills and Hudson Valley.”
The new recreation units that allow hunting include three parcels of land located in Delaware and Greene counties:
Recreation Unit
Recreational uses allowed
Acres
County
Hubbell Hill Hollow
PAA
38
Delaware
Huntersfield Headwaters
PAA
28
Greene
Huntley Hollow
PAA
45
Delaware
Note: PAA denotes properties that are open for use without the need for a DEP Access Permit. All others require a free permit.
DEP has also added new lands open for hunting in 14 existing recreational units located in Delaware, Greene, Sullivan and Ulster counties. They include the following:
Recreation Unit
Recreational uses allowed
Acres
County
Alpaca Ridge
PAA
200
Delaware
Bagley Brook Headwaters
PAA
234
Delaware
Birch Creek
PAA
52
Ulster
Cape Horn
PAA
200
Delaware
Chestnut Creek
PAA
43
Sullivan
Gladstone Hollow
PAA
331
Delaware
Ladleton
PAA
97
Ulster
Little Delaware
PAA
75
Delaware
Marvin Hollow
PAA
118
Delaware
North Walton
PAA
23
Delaware
Roaring Kill
PAA
5
Greene
State Road Hollow
PAA
48
Delaware
Sutherland Road
PAA
19
Delaware
West Settlement
PAA
25
Delaware
Note: PAA denotes properties that are open for use without the need for a DEP Access Permit. All others require a free permit.
More information about each of these recreation units – including directions, printable maps and more – can be found by using DEP’s RecMapper utility. The RecMapper is an interactive tool that allows users to zoom in and click on highlighted parcels to learn about their location, size, and the recreational uses that are allowed on them. The RecMapper can be used on any computer or mobile device by visiting www.nyc.gov/dep/recmap. Addition information about recreation on water supper lands can be found at www.nyc.gov/dep/recreation. Hunters who are unclear about what activities are allowed in each unit may also call (800) 575-LAND during regular business hours.
All state hunting regulations – including antler restrictions throughout most of the watershed region in the Catskills – apply on water supply lands. Also, those using water supply lands for recreation and hunting should pay careful attention to posted signs that outline what uses are allowed. Some parcels that allow hunting are only open for bow hunting. Access to some areas may be restricted due to ongoing forestry projects, and entering areas marked as closed will be considered trespassing. Hunters should also pay careful attention to recreation unit boundaries to avoid venturing onto private properties. In addition, some parcels open for recreation, including those not listed as PAA above, require a free DEP access permit that can obtained through an online permitting system found by clicking here.
Deer management is an important aspect of protecting and maintaining water quality in New York City’s reservoir system. Dense populations of deer can stunt the natural regeneration of forest lands that serve as an important natural filter for water as it passes over the land and enters the streams, creeks and rivers that feed the City’s reservoirs. Hunting on these water supply lands, especially where forestry projects have recently been completed, provides a check on the deer population and gives young trees a better chance to grow. In turn, this improves the vigor and stability of our local forests by diversifying their age and range of species.
DEP manages New York City’s water supply, providing more than 1 billion gallons of high-quality water each day to more than 9.3 million New Yorkers. This includes more than 70 upstate communities and institutions in Ulster, Orange, Putnam and Westchester counties who consume an average of 110 million total gallons of drinking water daily from New York City’s water supply system. This water comes from the Catskill, Delaware, and Croton watersheds that extend more than 125 miles from the City, and the system comprises 19 reservoirs, three controlled lakes, and numerous tunnels and aqueducts. DEP has nearly 6,000 employees, including almost 1,000 scientists, engineers, surveyors, watershed maintainers and other professionals in the watershed. In addition to its $70 million payroll and $168.9 million in annual taxes paid in upstate counties, DEP has invested more than $1.7 billion in watershed protection programs—including partnership organizations such as the Catskill Watershed Corporation and the Watershed Agricultural Council—that support sustainable farming practices, environmentally sensitive economic development, and local economic opportunity. In addition, DEP has a robust capital program with $20.1 billion in investments planned over the next decade that will create up to 3,000 construction-related jobs per year. For more information, visit nyc.gov/dep, like us on Facebook at facebook.com/nycwater, or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/nycwater.
SUNY Cobleskill Fighting Tiger Weekly Recap
SUNY COBLESKILL FIGHTING TIGER WEEKLY RECAP 11/23/20
The SUNY Cobleskill ESports Team closed their 2020 SUNY ESports League Fall Season in impressive fashion on Wednesday evening by capturing the Fortnite Championship in the league’s Fall Season Championship Tournament. The Fighting Tiger team of senior Brycen Franek, Cobleskill, N.Y., and Jesse Hodge, Syracuse, N.Y., East Minoa High School, became the first players in team history to win a SUNY ESports League Championship in program history.
In the semifinals, the third ranked Fighting Tigers defeated the second ranked SUNY Oneonta A Team rallying from a 2-0 deficit to take a 3-2 victory over the Red Dragons. Then in the Championship game, Cobleskill would defeat the number 17 ranked SUNY Oneonta B Team coming back from a 2-0 deficit in an elimination game to post a 3-2 victory to claim the tournament title.
Congressman Delgado Statement: Delgado Votes to Pass Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Access to Apprenticeship Programs
U.S. Representative Antonio Delgado (NY-19) joined colleagues in voting to advance the bipartisan National Apprenticeship Act of 2020, which expands training opportunities for skilled jobs. Specifically, this legislation authorizes a grant program to grow Registered Apprenticeships, encourages employer participation and recruitment of individuals with barriers to employment, and expands educational alignment with national apprenticeship programs. The National Apprenticeship Act of 2020 would provide for nearly 1 million new apprenticeship opportunities on top of the current expected growth of the apprenticeship system.
“Workforce development and apprenticeship programs are essential to our local economy and help ensure that folks have the skills needed to find good-paying jobs here in upstate. I am proud to join colleagues on both sides of the aisle in voting to pass the National Apprenticeship Act of 2020, which would expand the number of Registered Apprenticeships to help both employers and those seeking employment,” said Rep. Delgado. “Throughout my first term, I’ve visited workforce development and BOCES programs all across the district, and introduced legislation to create training opportunities and jobs in high-demand industry sectors. I urge the Senate to take up this legislation as soon as possible to help more Americans get back to work and support job growth throughout our region.”
Earlier this year, Rep. Delgado introduced the Gateway to Careers Act to create a career pathway grant program that would fund partnerships between community or technical colleges and workforce development partners such as state workforce development boards, industry associations, and community-based organizations.
Rep. Delgado also introduced the Green Jobs and Opportunity Act, which would make a significant investment—$260 million per year for fiscal years 2020 through 2022—for workforce development for displaced workers. This funding would be distributed as grants to educational institutions and labor organizations, among other entities, to establish flexible training programs to reduce any shortages and skill gaps identified in reports created by the Departments of Labor and Energy. The bill the House passed today helps to achieve Delgado’s goals of developing the workforce to prepare for the jobs necessary to create a sustainable and green economy.
The National Apprenticeship Act of 2020 is endorsed by the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), Jobs for the Future (JFF), Laborers' International Union of North America (LiUNA), National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), National Skills Coalition (NSC), National Taskforce on Tradeswomen’s Issues (TWTF), North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU), and Third Way.
Sen Metzger Statement: After Fighting Proposed NYSEG Rate Plan, Sen. Metzger Welcomes PSC Changes
In addition to fighting the enormous rate hike alongside the Public Utility Law Project and AARP, Senator Metzger has also been advocating for increased investment to improve grid reliability, especially in Sullivan County, where power outages are frequent. Over the summer, Senator Metzger organized a meeting with NYSEG's CEO and staff that included local and county government officials from Sullivan County to impress on NYSEG the need to accelerate investments to replace antiquated circuits and beef up vegetation management along the power lines. Senator Metzger also pressed the PSC for changes to the Joint Proposal to better take into account these needs. Yesterday's PSC Order nearly doubles spending by NYSEG on vegetation management (increasing this budget item from $30 million to $57 million), which will reduce the incidence of power outages from downed trees and limbs. Moreover, the rate plan includes $1.6 billion for grid upgrades, including replacing the notorious Yulan circuit in Sullivan County that is responsible for hundreds of power disruptions a year, according to local officials.
"I've been fighting this proposed rate increase since last year, and while I do not feel any rate increase is justified during this challenging time, the PSC has reduced the increase to a fraction of what the parties to this rate case agreed to, and this is a much-welcomed improvement," said Senator Metzger (SD-42). "Moreover, the additional emergency bill credit for hard-hit residential and business customers will provide further relief. I am also pleased to see investments in new circuits and a near doubling of the required investment in vegetation management, which is absolutely essential to improving electricity reliability in the heavily wooded areas I represent, where downed trees and limbs cause the lion's share of outages. Another welcome development in the rate plan is the addition of 150 linemen and women and 55 apprentice linemen and women. The company has been severely understaffed when it comes to boots on the ground, which among other things has slowed recovery from power outages."
On the environmental front, Senator Metzger expressed strong support for a provision of the new plan to achieve net-zero growth in gas sales and end promotion of gas services, focusing instead on incentivizing expanded use of heat pumps for heating and cooling, which are much more climate-friendly. Metzger was disappointed, however, that the PSC approved an increase in customer fixed charges from $15.11 to $17.00 per month, which disproportionately burdens customers who use less energy.
Senator Jen Metzger serves on the Senate Energy & Telecommunications Committee. Prior to entering the State Senate in 2019 she served as Director of Citizens for Local Power, a nonprofit organization that fights unfair utility rates and practices and helps communities shift to a clean energy economy.
Jen Metzger represents the 42nd Senate District, which includes all of Sullivan County and parts of Delaware, Orange, and Ulster Counties. Senator Metzger serves as Chair of the Agriculture Committee and sits on the Environmental Conservation, Education, Health, Energy and Telecommunications, Local Government, Women’s Issues, Domestic Animal Welfare, and Legislative Commission on Rural Resources Committees.