Special Reggie Harris Performance at Gilboa Historical Society

REGGIE HARRIS:

WATER AS A SYMBOL OF SOCIAL TURBULENCE

performed at the Gilboa Historical Society

Gilboa Historical Society presents a short performance each week by a rotating roster of musicians and story-tellers. You can be added to our mail list for reminders about upcoming shows!

Reggie Harris uses water as symbolic of social turbulence — from Jews escaping from Egypt, Africans being shanghaied across the oceans, and natural threats like hurricane Irene — and being able to survive with our own resurrection days.

. . . .THIS WEEK: Click here for this free performance from now through February 11, 2021.

Starting next Friday, our rotation continues with story-teller Nancy Payne celebrating some American veterans of the 20th century, followed by Dave Ruch and Phil Banaszak's seriously fun old American music!

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This project is made possible with funds from the Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature and administered in Schoharie County by Greene County Council on the Arts dba CREATE.

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Please forward this invitation to friends who might appreciate it.

.....These performances

are short (won't impinge on time);

are free (won't impinge on wallet)

are straightforward (won't lead down a trail of links)

are FREE for everyone—members and non-members alike.

Please use this form to enter or update your contact information with the society, or pass it on to a friend for their use. Remember, we need an email address to forward each week's link (you can also access the link in the upper right corner of all gilboahistoricalsociety.com pages.

.....Your status: You have a complimentary membership!

.....

Please send feedback on your reaction to these performances, and let us know if you are having difficulty taking advantage of our internet offerings.

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Cobleskill Library News

The Library is open for browsing. Face masks and social distancing are required at all times. We continue to take every precaution to keep our patrons, staff and the building safe so if you feel unwell please do not come into the Library. The hours are Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10-6 and Saturday 10-1. These hours may change without notice. You may fax, make copies and use the computers. Public meeting rooms are not available and Library seating has been removed except at the public computers. Curbside pickup continues to be available, just give us a call to schedule your pickup.

The Library celebrates 100 years this week, be sure to follow our facebook page for more information https://www.facebook.com/theCommunityLibraryCobleskill/

Tax forms and instructions are starting to arrive. We currently have 1040 and 1040-SR (SR is for anyone born before January 2, 1956). These forms and schedules 1, 2, 3 and LEP all come in one booklet. They can be found in the lobby or can be delivered by curbside pickup.

The Library Wi-Fi is accessible 24/7 from the parking lot.

You have access to online books, audiobooks and now over 3,000 magazines through Overdrive/Libby using this link https://mvls.overdrive.com/.

You have access to databases and other resources with your library card through this link https://communitylibrary.mvls.info/research-2/

Want to see what is new in our collection visit https://bit.ly/3c2TdCl

We still have January STEAM “Take and Make Kits” kits are available: Preschool Nature Explorer - Make your own binoculars and head outside to use your Nature Journal and do a scavenger hunt! Grades K-3 Pom-Pom Popper - Make your own popper and learn about energy and motion. Everything is included in this kit, including a target! Grades 4-6 Rubber Band Race Car - Engineer your own pull back race car and learn about physics while you do it! Everything is included in the kit but you will need a ruler and a hole punch or a nail will work in a pinch.  Each STEAM KIT will include: detailed instructions and the materials required to build or complete the activity.

The next Library Board of Trustees virtual meeting is on February 11th at 1pm. Meetings are open to the public however if you would like to attend please call the library (518.234.7897) and leave a message with your email address or email cob-director@mvls.info with your interest to attend.

Library Contact: 518.234.7897, coblib@mvls.info, cob-director@mvls.info https://www.facebook.com/theCommunityLibraryCobleskill/

https://communitylibrary.mvls.info/

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Bassett Offering Free COVID Tests Feb 9 & 10th

Cobleskill – Have no symptoms of COVID-19, but looking to be tested? Bassett Healthcare Network, in partnership with the New York State Department of Health, is offering free COVID-19 rapid testing at its Cobleskill and Sharon Springs Clinics specifically for individuals who have no symptoms of the virus, but who wish to be tested. Appointments are required. The testing will be offered on Tuesday, Feb. 9, and Wednesday, Feb. 10, at the following locations and times. Call ahead to make an appointment.

Testing Site

Date/Hours of Testing

When to call for an Appt.

# to call for an Appt.

Sharon Springs Health Center, 591-1 State Route 20, Sharon Springs

Tuesday, Feb. 9

8:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. prior to testing date

315-412-5875

Cobleskill Primary Care, 136 Parkway Drive, Cobleskill

Wednesday, Feb. 10

8:15 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. prior to testing date

315-412-5875

Have symptoms and need to be tested?

Bassett Healthcare Network locations are currently performing COVID-19 tests for individuals in our region who meet the following criteria (if you have symptoms, you are not eligible to participate in the above rapid test clinics):

• Have symptoms of infection (fever, chills, sore throat, runny nose, cough, shortness of breath, muscle aches, diarrhea, severe headache, or loss of taste/smell)

• Patients who require testing prior to a medical procedure

• Employees with suspected COVID-19 exposure

If you believe you have symptoms of the coronavirus and need to be tested, please call Bassett's COVID-19 central phone line at 607-547-5555. If it is determined that you meet the criteria for testing at a Bassett location, you will be given an appointment.

The COVID-19 Vaccine

The Bassett network has a limited supply of vaccines at this time. Please visit www.bassett.org/covid-19 for the most up-to-date information on local vaccine supply, eligibility guidelines, registration resources, frequently asked questions, and more. You may also call the state COVID-19 Vaccination Hotline: 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829).

It is important to understand that the vaccine will not give you COVID-19. Neither the Pfizer nor the Moderna vaccines contain any part of the actual virus. It’s safe, research is proving its effectiveness, and it's one of the many steps that we can take together to protect ourselves and our loved ones. Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine from the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

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Hobart Rotary Hosting Mental Health Webinar

Hobart Rotary Hosting Mental Health Webinar

The Hobart Rotary Club, in collaboration with Delaware Opportunities and the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council (ADAC) of Delaware County, will sponsor an essential community conversation on "Your Mental Health and the Covid Pandemic" on Wednesday, February 17 at 6pm. This webinar is free and open to the public via Zoom. Details on how to participate are outlined below.

 

The conversation will focus on the physical and mental impacts of living in these uncertain times and how we can best care for ourselves, our loved ones, and our community with simple strategies that help us build our resilience and connect to our community supports. This presentation is for any parent, teacher, health professional, and community member who is looking for strategies to deal with feelings of overwhelm, stress, and/or anxiety caused by the coronavirus pandemic and current climate of unrest.

 

Topics include Signs and Symptoms of a Mental Health Crisis, Concerns and Risks with Special Populations such as Youth and Seniors, Tools and Techniques to Handle Stress, and more.

 

Amanda Decker, Prevention Specialist at ADAC, will be the evening's Presenter. Ms. Decker is a trained CHAMPION for Delaware County, is certified as both a Youth and Teen Mental Health First Aid Trainer, QPR Presenter, Conscious Discipline trained, and a NYS certified teacher.

 

Moderators include Dr. Shelly Bartow, Executive Director of Delaware Opportunities, a community action agency serving all of Delaware County and providing some services in Chenango, Sullivan, and Otsego Counties; and Mary Rosenthal, Executive Director of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council of Delaware County, which provides information, referral, and prevention services and is credited with the formation of a Treatment Court and Family Treatment Court in the county.

 

This free webinar on Wednesday 2/17 can be accessed online via Zoom or by telephone dial-in. Participants are asked to arrive at 5:55pm so the program can start promptly at 6pm. The Zoom room will be locked 15 minutes into the session. The main room will be recorded for educational/promotional use.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86719432220?pwd=NktUQmpoQ1FqOW8yTUpFdzhjK3VYZz09

Meeting ID: 867 1943 2220

Passcode: 289519

To attend by phone:   1-646-558-8656

 

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M'burgh Gives Green Light To Winter Sports

The Middleburgh Board of Education early Friday morning gave the green light for high-risk varsity winter sports. This includes basketball and competitive cheerleading for remote and in-person students. 

Wrestling is permitted as well, but since MCS merges with Berne-Knox-Westerlo for that sport, the team will have to wait until Albany County’s positivity rate for COVID-19 goes below four percent. The rates are reported daily and are tracked using a seven-day rolling average. The Health Department cleared the way for the board's decision because Schoharie County’s positivity rate is below the mandated four percent. 

“This will enable our student athletes to hit the courts tonight and throughout the weekend,” said Superintendent Brian Dunn. “I would like to thank the Board of Education for this decisive action to provide relief to our long-suffering student athletes. I would like to thank everyone who voiced their opinions to me and the BOE. There was overwhelming parent and community support for this vote.

“Please know that we take COVID very seriously in our home and feel that with the proper guidelines in place our children can participate safely in school sports,” said Jamie and Tom Lacko, parents of two Middleburgh School students who want their children to have the opportunity to participate in school sports this year. “Our son is a senior and has worked very hard to maintain good grades, as well as be a good student and role model for others. His hope and our hope for him, is to have the opportunity one last time to play for Middleburgh High School with the teammates he has built strong relationships with as well as the coaches he looks up to.” 

“We are thankful and excited for the opportunity to compete this winter,” said basketball Coach Gregg Johns. “Our school district, administration, Board of Education, teachers, community, parents, athletes and coaches have been very supportive throughout this most challenging school year. We have stuck together and are stronger for it. We will do everything we can to make this a positive and healthy experience for all of those who are involved.”

Superintendent Dunn is a major proponent of safely opening up more activities for students. “Please know that we are equity-focused in Middleburgh and we are next looking to the Governor to loosen restrictions for our arts programs so that they can soon get back to acting, singing and performing in traditional ways,” said Mr. Dunn. 

“Let’s continue to be vigilant with our common sense protocols to reduce the risk of COVID-19 in our schools: masks, physical distancing and hand washing are essential to keep everyone safe and our schools open.”

Athletes participating in these high-risk sports will be screened, but it was determined that additional COVID-19 testing will not be necessary. Spectators will not be permitted to attend, but when possible, the district will live stream the events.

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Leadership Training at Del Co Chamber

Leaderful Delaware, an initiative of the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce, is seeking people committed to community service who would benefit from strengthening leadership skills while developing a personal professional network.

The 2021 Leaderful Delaware program is currently accepting applications for its eight-month curriculum that begins with virtual classes in March 2021.  Up to 20 individuals can participate and half-day sessions will meet virtually twice monthly.

Participants will learn about critical issues facing Delaware County and the Catskill Mountains region through lectures, discussion groups, personal introspection, and panel discussions featuring current community leaders. The innovative curriculum is based on scientific theories of organizational and community leadership. Leaderful Delaware offers an alternative to the traditional model and calls on leaders to be concurrent, collective, collaborative, and compassionate.  Strategies include effective facilitation, dialogue skills, active listening skills, managing conflict, intercultural competence, leadership styles,  and peer coaching. 

Candidates will be selected based on their:

Commitment and motivation to community service.

Previous community service or desire to become involved in community activities. 

Interest in public service and desire to learn more about public policy.

Potential to advance to a leadership position within their companies.

Commitment to remain in Delaware County.

Preference will be given to Delaware County residents but non-residents are encouraged to apply.

Applicants should be sponsored by a business or a community leader and provide references. Tuition, payable by a sponsor or a participant, is $300, and includes all materials and fees. 

For more information and an application, contact the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce at 607-746-2281, delawarecounty.org, or email info@delawarecounty.org.

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Ferguson Named Executive Director of SUNY Institute for Rural Vitality

Dr. S. Scott Ferguson, professor of business and management at SUNY Cobleskill, has been named executive director of the College’s Institute for Rural Vitality. Ferguson will lead the Institute’s continued work in engaging regional partners in a collective effort to enhance the community and economic vitality in rural New York. 

A presence on the SUNY Cobleskill campus for more than 12 years, Dr. Ferguson has served in multiple roles in addition to his tenure as a professor in the Business Administration degree program. He served as the College’s inaugural chief diversity officer and has led the planning and implementation of many campus-wide initiatives, including serving as chair for SUNY Cobleskill’s 2017 Strategic Planning program. 

Outside of his experience at SUNY Cobleskill, Dr. Ferguson is an ambitious entrepreneur and business management professional, with successes to his credit ranging from small business start-ups to multinational, Fortune 500 companies. As an extension of his business ventures, he currently serves on the Schoharie County Chamber of Commerce’s Education Committee and is a former president of the Chamber’s Board of Directors. He also serves as president of the Cobleskill Auxiliary Services Board of Directors and vice president of the Canajoharie Central School District Board of Education. 

“Dr. Ferguson’s leadership qualities have served to enhance many facets of our institution, and he has played an instrumental role in defining and advancing the values of SUNY Cobleskill,” said Marion Terenzio, president of SUNY Cobleskill. “His expertise in economic and community development will be of great resource as the Institute for Rural Vitality continues to elevate its mission in the spirit of collaboration and stewardship.” 

The Institute for Rural Vitality was introduced in 2016 through a $749,000 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and a unique partnership with Albany Law School. The Institute addresses the region’s most pressing issues in economic development and education, from college access and career readiness to legal support for agricultural businesses. Its distinct centers place SUNY Cobleskill students and faculty at the forefront of community partnerships and coalitions, adding their experience in support of these initiatives. 

SUNY Cobleskill was recently awarded an additional $761,141 through a USDA Agriculture Innovation Center grant. The Institute for Rural Vitality directed the funding to expand the services of the Farm & Food Business Incubator, a program offered in partnership with the Center for Agricultural Development & Entrepreneurship (CADE) to better equip growers and producers in the Mohawk Valley in addressing the farming industry's diversification and profitability challenges.

To date, the Institute has been instrumental in securing more than $6 million for community-based economic development projects and actively recruited a private partner poised to build an $84 million grow center on campus. The Institute’s commitment to regional development has recently been recognized by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) as the recipient of its 2019 Excellence and Innovation Award for Regional and Economic Development. 

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NYS Senator Oberacker is Guest Speaker at DelCo Chamber Event

The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce invites you to start your day with a productive and potentially profitable virtual learning opportunity, on Thursday, Feb. 18  from 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.  The Chamber's FREE  Third Thursday : Chamber Connects virtual Q & A live webinar is a terrific opportunity to participate in a leader-led conversation focused on building a better business and better business climate!

Stay current on what's happening in Delaware County and the region, and learn how to effectively pivot  toward a sustainable and thriving business model. 

The featured speaker for this event is New York State Senator Peter Oberacker, representing New York's 51st senate district - which includes the towns of most of Delaware County.

Senator Oberacker was elected in November and is the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Alcoholism & Substance Abuse and the Senate Committee on Internet & Technology.  Additionally, He also serves on the senate standing committees on education, health, higher education, and judiciary.

This event is sponsored by sfcu. sfcu is a full-service financial institution providing the tools and resources our members need to make banking easy and convenient. 

To register for this FREE visit delawarecounty.org or call 607.746.2281. Once registered, you will automatically be emailed a Zoom link to join the event.

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Plant Workshop at Landis

We're excited to introduce the first in a series of three informative and interesting classes to be presented by Chris Cash, popular recently retired SUNY Cobleskill Plant Science Professor.  

The other classes in the series will be scheduled soon, but now, we invite you to join us for What Is this Plant, and Will It Work for Me? by Zoom on Saturday, February 27, from 10:00 - 11:30 AM with flexibility for Q & A at the end. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR THIS CLASS; registrations will receive the Zoom link prior to class. Click here to register by PayPal or if you prefer to avoid PayPal, contact us at info@LandisArboretum.org to pay by phone using your credit card.

 

In this first class, Chris will help you grow your knowledge of plants and what they need in order to thrive in our world. Plants have names and we need to start there. Chris will guide you into the world of plant names, suggested reference books, and online tools to identify and learn about plants. These are tools that casual gardeners and practicing botanists alike are using to identify plants.  Chris will also provide simple look at local 'plant communities' and how you might employ knowledge of plants and ecosystems to making your own garden selections and create a garden that works.

This workshop series will also include Roots and What's Underground (and Why It Matters), and The Importance of Soils to Your Happy Healthy Garden. Information on these sessions will be provided soon.

 

Instructor:  Chris Cash, Professor of Plant Science at SUNY Cobleskill, retired

Location: Zoom (registration required)

Members: $5/person; Nonmembers: $15/person

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Exploring Nature Workshop at Landis

THE WORKSHOP IS FULL.  ANY FUTURE REGISTRANTS CAN BE PLACED ON A WAITING LIST Exploring Nature Themes in Writing February 12, 19, & 26, March 5, 12, & 19 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM   Participants will explore the effective use of nature themes to develop their own writing of fiction, poetry, and/or memoir. The instructor will share the work of authors who have used nature themes, as well as provide prompts and feedback to participants. The workshop is open to all regardless of experience. Participation in any or all sessions in the series is encouraged!  REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED AND LIMITED TO 12 PEOPLE.  Click here to register.  The workshop classes will be on Zoom; registrants will receive the link for accessing Zoom after registration.

Join Hanford Mills for 'Winter's Coolest Crop' Feb 4th

Thursday, February 4 at 7 pm

Winter’s Coolest Crop: Ice Harvesting History and Culture

Free program!

Andrew Robichaud, Assistant Professor of History at Boston University, joins HMM staff Liz Callahan and Kajsa Harley for a free online presentation about the ice trade in the 19th century. They will discuss the history of ice harvesting in the Northeast. They will also talk about the traditions of ice harvesting here in the Catskills and at Hanford Mills.

Sign up for the program here

If you can't join us for the live program, you can watch a recording of it on the Hanford Mills YouTube Channel. 

Andrew Robichaud is director of undergraduate studies and assistant professor of history at Boston University. He teaches courses in American history, including courses related to environmental history, urban history, animal history, and the history of Boston. His specializes in nineteenth-century America.

Robichaud’s next book project, tentatively titled On Ice: Transformations in American Life, is a history of climate, ice, and the ice trade in North America, and explores the cultural and economic ice age in nineteenth-century America.

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BOCES Offering Cabling Tech Program

SCHOHARIE – High School students interested in a career with great job growth projection and median salary in the U.S. in excess of $60,000 need to look no further than the Capital Region BOCES Network Cabling Tech/Smart Home Technology program.

The program, in it’s second year of existence, will be housed at the Albany Career and Technical School campus starting with the 2021-22 school year after being located at the  Schoharie Campus.

“We have heard from prospective students and our component districts in the Albany area that they are interested in the Network Cabling program that they want to attend the program. At the same time we are constantly in contact with employers seeking workers for the industry. To maximize the potential of the program and to best meet the needs of our students, schools and even employers, we believe it is the right time to make this change,”  said Jeff Palmer, director of Career and Technical Education at Capital Region BOCES.

The Network Cabling Technician/Smart Home Technology provides a clear path to both a job in the industry or to further education.

“Our program prepares the workforce needed to build out and cable this new infrastructure. We have the right program in place and are actively looking for the students interested in these great careers,” said teacher Ed Henson, a 35-year veteran of Verizon.

The program works with business partners such as Verizon, National Grid and MIDTEL to teach students everything from network cabling using fiber- and copper-based systems Smart Home technologies, voice of IP phone systems and 5G wireless antenna installation.

“We need young people that want to work. I can’t stress this enough,” said Jason Becker, executive vice president for MIDTEL. “We were a sleepy company for 100 years and then all of the sudden in the last 25 years, boom,” he said, adding that the growth was industry wide as demand switched from telephone to internet and data service.

A Mid-Hudson Cable technician corroborated the demand, saying he and coworker are working 12 hours a  day, seven days a week to need the demand.

Beyond the demand created by people needing access at home to the high-speed internet, the switch from to 5G internet connectivity that was already taking place requires a whole new infrastructure to be built – with new 5G antennas  being installed  and fiber cables being strung.

The Network Cabling Technician/Smart Home Technology program utilizes C-Tech, an international workforce development company specializing in curriculum development, to provide industry recognized certificates.

Using those certificates, students like Chris Rarick, a senior from Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk Central High School, can begin careers in telecommunication, audio/visual and telephone industries, or have a head start on higher education.

“I‘m working now on the side installing security cameras and wiring. I had to run cable to all the remote locations, test them and make sure they were operational.  Just recently completed a job and it was a lot of fun,” Rarick said.

Upon graduation, Rarick hopes to make his business a full-time venture.

“I feel like this has already helped me reach my goals and taught me everything I need to know to get started in wiring and cabling,” he said

Classmate Jasmine Neill said the program has given her a bright future. 

“I am going to work in telecommunications - anything within the industry. I really enjoy the skills and the trade,” said the Sharon Springs student.

Students interested in the program should contact their home school district’s school counselor. For more information on the program, visit https://www.capitalregionboces.org/career-technical-education/courses-programs/network-cabling-smart-home-technology/ or email edward.henson@neric.org or Nancy.Liddle@neric.org.

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February is Career and Technical Education Month

ALBANY -- February is Career and Technical Education Month — a time when school districts across the country celebrate programs designed to prepare students for the workforce or to further their education.

Once an education path for those students only seeking vocational skills, career and technical education is now a pathway for students looking to build career skills, get a start on their college education or just learn a life skill that will allow them pay for college. At Capital Region BOCES Career and Technical School (CTE), more than 70 percent of high school students pursue higher education, while many others directly enter the workforce with a highly technical skill set.

“CTE gives me a good opportunity and experience to see what it’s actually like working in a dealership,” said senior Leon Bhajan, who is taking part in work-based learning at Destination Nissan in Albany.

“I am working in the shop, doing whatever they need me to do. The other day I helped someone put a motor in a car. It is a lot of hands-on work and real experiences,” he said. “It’s great to get out of school and get this experience.”

For 2013 graduate John Broadus, CTE meant a guaranteed career in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC/R) field.

"There are a lot of possibilities in the trade. It’s recession-proof and I am doing quite well,” Broadus said.

Capital Region BOCES CTE offers approximately three dozen programs that prepare students for specific careers, but also give students such skills as communications, interviewing and time management that span the spectrum of careers.

Those programs are guided by input CTE receives from the business community. These professionals serve on nearly 20 different advisory panels that meet periodically at BOCES and guide the curriculum and planning, as well as provide work-based learning opportunities for students.

A key example of the BOCES CTE-business partnership is the Engineering Technician program that was launched in 2017 and was the result of a partnership between BOCES and GLOBALFOUNDRIES. The program trains students for careers at the high tech giant and other employers in the region and beyond.

"There's a demand among business leaders across the region and state to place an emphasis on college- and career-readiness," said Jeff Palmer, director of career and technical education at BOCES. "The programs we offer include everything from culinary and welding to electrical trades, auto body repair and internet application design. But they also prepare students with life skills that apply to whatever career a student pursues.”

“It’s about preparing students for life,” he added.

SUNY Cobleskill Outreach Instructor Ed Wallace concurred.

“Several students in recent years have come out of the BOCES program and entered the workforce as technicians and equipment operators, several others have gone on to secondary institutions like SUNY Cobleskill,” Wallace said.

Business officials said training high school students for careers in the skilled trades is crucial to keeping the industry alive.

“We need to create the connections for students early on. This is a way we can keep them in the pipeline as workers in our industry down the road,” said Jerry Skiff, director of service for Anderson Equipment Co.

More than 1,000 students from throughout the Capital Region take courses at the Capital Region BOCES campuses in Schoharie, Albany and at the Center for Advanced Technology at Mohonasen, as well as New Visions classrooms. Nationally, more than 15 million high school and postsecondary students are pursuing career and technical education, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

By choosing an education that includes career and technical training, those students are getting an education that is critical to their personal success, as well as the success of this region and the country.

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Rep Delgado Meets with Local Officials

U.S. Representative Antonio Delgado met with Greene County officials to discuss COVID-19 vaccine distribution, rural broadband, and infrastructure issues. Rep. Antonio Delgado spoke with Greene County Legislature Chairman Pat Linger, Greene County Highway Superintendent Scott Templeton, Greene County Deputy County Administrator Warren Hart, Greene County Administrator Shaun S. Groden, and members of the Public Health and Emergency Operations departments.

“Yesterday, Senator Gillibrand and I announced the reintroduction of our Rebuilding Rural America Act,” said Rep. Antonio Delgado. “This legislation would help communities like Greene County repair their weather-damaged roads, revitalize rural broadband, and build their local economy back better. Projects like the stabilization of the Hudson River shoreline need investment from the federal government. I thank Greene County leaders for speaking with me and sharing their coronavirus crisis struggles. I will keep working to deliver critical funds to Greene County, and rural counties across New York's 19th congressional district.”

“Greene County is very thankful to the Congressman for taking the time to meet with us,” said Greene County Legislature Chairman Pat Linger. “We have multiple projects underway that will require Federal assistance to accomplish. Stabilization of the Hudson River shoreline, broadband and cellular deficiency mapping and infrastructure build-out, and emergency funding for rural highway repair are all imperative to both the quality of life and economic development here in Greene. We are committed to our residents and visitors, and know the Congressman shares the same feeling. We hope he can assist in getting the funding committed to help move Greene forward with these critically important infrastructure needs.”

After his meeting with Greene County officials, Rep. Antonio Delgado met with Columbia County officials to discuss COVID-19 vaccine distribution. The Congressman spoke with the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors and Supervisor for the Town of Stockport Matt Murell and Columbia County Public Health Director Jack Maab about limited vaccine doses and a need for better coordination between the federal, state, and local levels.

“Counties like Columbia are ready, willing, and able to get shots in residents' arms,” said Rep. Antonio Delgado. “However, they need more vaccines and federal funding to cover the costs of vaccination distribution. My bill, the Direct Support for Communities Act, would send dollars directly to our counties, towns, and villages fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. I thank Chairman Murell and Director Maab for meeting with me and discussing this critical issue.”

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Audubon Offers Free Digital Program and Materials for Teachers and Homeschool Parents

Bird Flight Patterns and Music Sign-up is Required By: Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society For more information contact: Susan O'Handley, Publicity Chairperson, Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society, Oneonta, NY; (607) 643-5680; info@doas.us

[ONEONTA, NY; REGIONAL] Coming up in late March 2021, Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society will be offering FREE access to this very special program to all our members through a special opportunity provided by the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra in Massachusetts!  The program and correlating educational materials will also be available at no cost to any educator in our region as well as homeschool programs.  Teachers and Parents can sign up using our contact form on our website at  https://doas.us/contact-us/ .

About the Program

Explore the exciting connection between bird flight and musical motion in this concert video with accompanying teacher’s guide and curriculum. The video features performances by the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra and NBSO Education Trio with special guests Heloise Degrugillier, Recorder Soloist performing the world premiere of Jamie Allen’s Nightingale Concerto. The video also includes a special interview with Xavi Bou, photographer for the Ornitographies Project, a video featuring David Lentink from Stanford University’s bird flight and robotics lab and a visit with Sam Claggett, Conservation Education Specialist from the Buttonwood Park Zoo with a special bird guest. The orchestra and trio will perform works by Haydn, Mendelssohn, Vaughan Williams, Strauss and Derek Bermel’s Murmurations. The teacher’s guide will provide music, science, writing and visual art activities that further the bird flight pattern and music exploration. Activities include a starling murmuration interactive lesson with student-made “starlings on a stick,” play-along flap and glide melodies with the NBSO trio, thermal currents soaring experiment, music composition and improvisation activities, NBSO musician videos and much more. Educators and Homeschool Parents – sign up today at https://doas.us/contact-us/ to receive access to the concert video and the teacher’s guide with clickable links to music videos, activity demonstrations etc.

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Oberacker Calls for Health Commissioner Zucker's Resignation

State Senator Peter Oberacker (R/C – Schenevus) today commented on a new report from New York State Attorney General James on nursing homes:

“The report from the Attorney General proves what we already knew – bad policies emanating from the governor’s administration greatly jeopardized the health and well-being of our most vulnerable.  Both Governor Cuomo and his Health Commissioner have dodged questions relating to COVID related deaths in our nursing homes, hidden the true statistics, and advanced policies that contributed to increased casualties.  

“I join with Senate Republican Leader Ortt in calling for the immediate resignation of Health Commissioner Howard Zucker.   Additionally, it is time for subpoenas to be issued and a full independent investigation conducted – those we have lost and their families deserve a true accounting.”

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CCE Plans Meeting for February 22nd

The Board of Directors of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Delaware County will meet via zoom video conferencing/phone at 7:00 p.m. on February 22. 

The board will be attending via zoom video conferencing/phone from the following locations: Bovina Center, Delhi, Andes, Davenport Center, Ithaca, Unadilla, Walton, DeLancey, Stamford and Sidney.

The public can also join the meeting via zoom. For directions, please call 607-865-6531.

“Accommodations for persons with disabilities may be requested by calling Cornell Cooperative Extension of Delaware County at 607-865-6531 by January 21, 2021 to ensure sufficient time to make arrangements. Requests received after this date will be met when possible.”

Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities. 

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Sheriff DuMond Reminds Hunters to Beware of Errant Rounds

As a result of recent damages to fiber optics cables in the county, Delaware County Sheriff Craig S. DuMond and the management of the Delhi and Margaretville Telephone Companies remind everyone that shooting at birds or animals on utility lines, as well as target shooting in the area of those utility lines, will very likely result in damages to the fiber optic cables and other critical telecommunications infrastructure.  Damages to this infrastructure often leads to widespread and prolonged disruption of critical telecommunication infrastructure. 

Although these damages are often unintended and you may not observe any immediate evidence of damage, the internal damage may lead to service interruptions effecting critical telecommunications services.  These services include E-911; emergency two-way radio communications used by fire department, EMS and law enforcement agencies; critical Ethernet and broadband circuits; television emergency alert systems; emergency cellular back-haul circuits; as well as residential and business internet, telephone and television. 

The repair costs and liabilities resulting from “loss-of-service” fees can run into the tens of thousands of dollars per incident. Most importantly, these repair costs are a chargeable event to the entity or person(s) responsible and may even lead to criminal prosecution.

To help ensure that critical communications and emergency services are continuously maintained for you and your community, please be responsible and utilize due care when discharging a firearm to ensure that these telecommunications lines are not damaged.

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BOCES Electrical Trades Program Expands to Schoharie

In an effort to better meet the needs of students and component school districts, Capital Region BOCES is expanding the Electrical Trades program to the Schoharie Campus.

The program that prepares students for careers in electrical trades will now have labs and classrooms on the Albany and Schoharie campuses.

The change, Jeff Palmer, director of Career and Technical Education at Capital Region BOCES said, is necessary to best match the needs of students and school districts and to address the growing demand for the program.

“We look forward to making this exciting program with great career potential more available to the students in the Schoharie region,” Palmer said.

Just a few years ago, the program added a second classroom in Albany and now there is demand to add a third classroom, which will be located in Schoharie.

Students say they enjoy the opportunity the program offers.

“It’s a job that is going to be needed. It is a good career option. As more cars go electrical, they are going to need people to create the charging stations,” said Zachary Provost, who attends the program from Mohonasen,

“I like learning about electricity and wanted to get into the program to get a career with options and where I can make money,” added Joe Oystintravis, who attends the program from Berne-Knox-Westerlo.

The Electrical Trades program has been offered for decades and teaches the fundamental skills in electrical theory and through classroom instruction and hands-on shop lessons. Graduates can either further their education or enter the field through apprenticeships and go on to become successful residential, commercial and industrial wiring professionals.

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Roxbury Library February 2021 Hours

As a deterrent to the local spread of COVID-19, the Roxbury Library

Association is restricting the Roxbury Library's open hours to Mondays:

10:00 a.m.-12:00 noon, for CURBSIDE PICKUP ONLY, during the month of

February 2021. Please call (607)-326-7901 or email

frontdesk@roxburylibraryonline.org to arrange for curbside pickup of

books and audiovisual items.

During the month of February 2021, the RLA Thrift Shoppe will be open on

Wednesdays: 10:00 a.m.-12:00 noon, on a BY-APPOINTMENT-ONLY basis.

Please call (607)-326-7901 to make a Wednesday morning appointment. To

make an appointment on another day, please call (607)-326-7901 or email

dian@roxburylibraryonline.org, and the library staff will arrange a

mutually convenient time for a visit to the RLA Thrift Shoppe.

Please note that the Roxbury Library Association cannot accept donations

of any kind during the month of February 2021.

The Roxbury Library Association regrets any inconvenience caused by the

Roxbury Library's limited COVID-19 hours.

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