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40 Presenters at MCS Career Day

MIDDLEBURGH - Veterinary Science. Public Safety. Acting. Middleburgh Junior-Senior High School students explored these and many other future opportunities during Career Day on March 16. A diverse group of over 40 experts visited the school to discuss their occupations and answer student questions. Organizers broke career paths down by “career clusters,” including: business, education and training, human services and manufacturing. Representative Chris Tague (New York 102) delivered opening remarks. “Events like Career Day are so important because they are opportunities to spark students’ imaginations about how they can combine their passion with a means of making a living,” Tague said. “Building a career from a place of inspiration, creativity or by fostering a skill or value is a wonderful place to start when the entire world is in front of you, or you feel like you have no idea where to begin.” The MSCD Counseling Center, including guidance counselors Kelly Pacatte and Paul Pierce and staff member Laurie M. McGeary, organized the event. Principal Matt Sloane and Board of Education Member Vicki Hoerz provided additional assistance. “Career Day is important because it exposes students to careers they may not have thought of, but that are very interesting,” Pierce said. “Career day also enlightens students on what education is necessary and what skills are important to be marketable for a chosen field. Our presenters were engaging and made the day enjoyable for all the students.” The presenters offered candid discussions on salaries, benefits and job security for their fields, why they enjoy their professions and what challenges they have faced. Students asked questions at the end of each presentation and developed a broader understanding of the economic marketplace. “I thought Career Day was interesting,” Junior Stuart Shaul said. “I didn’t realize how much the trade professions work together.” “If you go into skilled trades, private companies are more ‘moveable’ and hands-on,” Senior Chloe LaBombard said. “Once you are in a job, you never stop learning.” Not all of the Career Day discussions focused on the future. Many presenters talked to students about classes they could take and school clubs they could join to prepare themselves for college and career. Some presenters outlined current opportunities to volunteer or apply for summer jobs with their organizations. MCSD thanks the following presenters for sharing their career experiences with students. Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources Sarah Hooper; Schoharie Valley Farms, Barber’s Farms Richard Ball; Commissioner of the New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets A/V Technology & Communications Giuliana Bruno; anchor, News 10 ABC Tom Gruning; electrical engineer, music studio equipment Patsy Nicosia; "journalist." Business Chris Hubbard; owner, Hubie’s Joe LeRoy; investor relations, Fenimore Asset Management Lisa Tennison; owner, Four Star Realty Education/Training Suzanne Fine; professor (Early Childhood) SUNY Cobleskill Ryan Irwin; professor (History) University at Albany Kris Wood; elementary teacher, MCSD Fine/Visual and Performing Arts Boris McGiver; actor (Law and Order, Empire Boardwalk, Serpent and others) Teresa Norfolk; retired MCS Art Teacher James Smyth; Smyth/Cid Pottery Government and Military Mike Hartzel & Emily Hartzel; Safety Head of Emergency Management/Preparedness Wesley Laraway; MCS teacher (Social Studies) and Supervisor, Schoharie County Board Staff Sergeant Rich Pangan; US Air Force New York State Assemblyman Chris Tague; District 102 Health Sciences Dr. Diane Biederman-Brynda; veterinarian and owner, Schoharie Valley Veterinary Clinic Katlyn Rohr; veterinary technician, Schoharie Valley Veterinary Clinic Nicole Dunn; physician’s assistant, Bassett Healthcare Heidi Koopmann; RN, Bassett Healthcare Heidi Zandri; LPN, Bassett Healthcare Human Services 1 Sierra Diamond; social worker, MCSD Justin Hamm; Executive Director, Schoharie County Council on Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Kiah Powell; Program Manager, Lexington ARC Human Services 2 Brian Kavanaugh; masseuse, Center for Natural Wellness Roger Palmatier & Aida Meledez; owner, Iron Horse Tattoo Studio Chris Kenyon; Minekill State Park Information Technology Cameron Erickson; principal consultant/data specialist, Camelot Solution Christie Hall; cyber security, New York State Technology Enterprise Corporation Joe Welch; Midtel Law, Public Safety Melissa Burgess; officer, Environmental Conservation Sean Smith; Deputy Director New York Prosecutors Training Institute Rebecca Brisley; Schoharie Co Sheriff Dispatch Investigator Dan Smith, Schoharie County Sheriff Dept. Manufacturing April Dunn; Human Relations Dept., Haleon Ethan Keidong; electrical engineer, Haleon Josh Anderson; Precision Valve & Automation Skilled Trades: Automotive John Cronin, diesel mechanic Rob Dawes; sales, Lia Honda John Keltey; service manager, Lia Honda Skilled Trades: Carpentry, Construction and Electrical Nicholas Wilsey; electrician, Aaron’s Electric Chris Manus; Union of Operating Engineers, IUOE Local 158

Mar 31, 2023 • 9 views

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MCS Drama Club Performs Little Shop of Horrors

Sunday, March 26, 2023 Quinn Smith dips Sienna Kelley during the curtain call following Sunday’s presentation of “Little Shop of Horrors” by the MCS Drama Club. The two actors played lead characters Seymour and Audrey in three performances of the sci-fi rock musical last weekend. A peek at the puppet -- Lauren, Avery, Grace, Brooklyn, and Harper Sloane (MCS Jr./Sr. High School Principal Matthew Sloane’s family) from Bethleham, New York, get an up close look at the largest of the Audrey II puppets (horticultural horrors borrowed from Warner Theatre in Torrington, Connecticut) used in “Little Shop of Horrors”. After rescuing her from near death, Seymour (Quinn Smith) feeds Audrey (Sienna Kelley) to Audrey II (rav enous carnivorous plant and Mean Green Mother From Outer Space) in the re-enacted final scene of the The Middleburgh Drama Club’s presentation of “Little Shop of Horrors” Sunday.

Mar 31, 2023 • 8 views

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Lots of Winners at Annual Middleburgh Library Cook-off

MIDDLEBURGH - It was a perfect day for a cup of soup or chili at the annual Cook-off at the Middleburgh Library Saturday. Winners from the 17 participants were: Kip Degroff in the chili category for his bean and sweet potato chili; Laura Pelton in the "other" category for her barbequed pineapple meatballs; and Scott Keidong in the soup/stew category for his Chicken Tortellini soup. Sarah Beekman won the 50/50 raffle.

Mar 31, 2023 • 8 views

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Earth Day 5K/Fun Run April 22 in Stamford

STAMFORD – What better way to mark Earth Day on April 22 than to get outdoors and take a run, or walk along a scenic route and initiate the arrival of spring. Heather Clark, of TP's Cafe´, one of the organizers of the race, is hoping to get lots of people of all ages to sign on to this first race sponsored by the Stamford Business Alliance. The 5K steps off at 9:45 a.m. and the children's one mile fun run steps off at 9 a.m. from the village parking lot next to the village swimming pool. The 5K will go from the parking and take a left onto South Street, then onto the Catskill Scenic Trail at the railroad station. It will continue along the trail and then go left onto Beaver Street and left on to Prospect St.. Take another left onto North Delaware St., go across Main St. to South Delaware Street and right onto Buntline Drive. From there it goes onto Railroad Ave before hanging a left at the driveway to Catskills Junction where it goes back onto the scenic trail, back to South Street and back to the parking lot. The Clark Sports Center in Cooperstown will provide official race times, according to Clark, with Chobani and Stewart’s Shops providing yogurt and chocolate milk, respectfully. Prior to the 5K race, there will be a one-mile fun run for children at 9 a.m.. Along the route, kids can look for fairies, fireflies, rock painting and plant identification. Thanks to some local girl scouts, there will be a spot to paint the rocks at the start point. The fun run starts at the parking lot near the village pool and goes along the Catskills Rail Trail. To register for either race, visit https://tinyurl.com/yuva22vp/. Children younger than 11 are free, while students and senior citizens are $15 and adults are $30. In addition to a T-shirt, registrants will receive a packet of seeds and a seedling to plant in honor of Earth Day. Certified Personal Trainer Ehren Curbelo of Essential Fitness has donated her time and is training people prior to the 5K. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/v3xdjmra/. Children are welcome to run the 5K, but if they don't want to, there will be several activities for children to do while their parents run the race. The girl scouts will be hosting a craft table to keep the kids busy with do it yourself birdfeeders and painted rocks. The rocks will be placed village for people to find. There will be opportunities to learn about the environment and listen to a live music performance by Bobby Curious. If it’s raining, the activities will move inside Churchill Gym. The Stamford Business Alliance, which is sponsoring the race, along with 50 local businesses, is holding a market at the various businesses throughout the village, beginning at 11 a.m.. Businesses will have special Earth Day offerings throughout the day. The Department of Environmental Conservation will be set up a demo booth in the parking lot where the race begins with a Milk Weed and Botanical seed give away, sponsored by the Mountain's Bounty Massage and Wellness and ACE Hardware. In order to get things ship-shape and cleaned up for the arrival of spring, a pair of afternoons have been scheduled by the SBA to clean up things around the village prior to Earth Day. People are asked to meet at Catskills Junction on April 6 and 13 at 4 p.m..

Mar 31, 2023

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Presentation: Unusual Railroads of Upstate NY

DCHA - Saturday, April 8 @ 2 pm Join the Delaware County Historical Association at 2pm on Saturday afternoon, April 8 for a PowerPoint presentation delivered by railroad historian, and trustee of the Greater Fleischmanns Museum of Memories, John Duda. John will be highlighting the more unusual railroads in our region. Admission to the event is free. For more information, please call (607) 746-3849, or email: dcha@delhi.net

Mar 31, 2023 • 8 views

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Skills Clinic a Hit

A baseball/softball skills clinic was held for area youth last weekend at South Kortright Central School. The event was sponsored by the Catskill Mountain Little League and was attended by over 40 children who learned fundamentals from the South Kortright varsity baseball team and longtime Coach Bob VanValkenburgh. CMLL will sponsor another pre-season clinic on Saturday, April 8 from 10am-12pm at the Grand Gorge Civic Center. The clinic will be led by Coach Nate Fish who has many years of coaching experience from his time in professional baseball. The event is open to all area youth ages 7-12 years old. No pre-registration is required.

Mar 31, 2023 • 7 views

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On the Wild Side

By Bill Combs Jr Welcome to On the Wild Side. Join me as I explore the wildlife and nature that Schoharie County and the surrounding areas have to offer on the wild side. Spring has arrived and so have the migrating birds. We spotted 1 immature Golden Eagle in the area around Max V. Shaul State Park and 2 immature Golden Eagles flying around Mine Kill State Park. Look for a large bird with a black tail with a white band near its body and triangle shaped white patches on its underwings. It is a rare treat to spot this many in the same general area as they have not nested in New York in over 40 years. We also spotted two about this time last year around the same area. One of the most colorful migrating ducks is the Wood Duck. We found them along Route 30 as you head south out of the town of Grand Gorge. Look for them in the beaver ponds and shallow marsh areas on the east side of the road near the edges of the water. Wood Ducks are one of the few species of ducks that nest in a tree. The males are more colorful than the females. They like the edges of the water and hang out in small groups. While you are in the Grand Gorge area check out the Catskill Scenic Trail for hiking or bike riding. Heading west toward Stamford look for the Mase Cold Spring Wetlands Preserve as it is a beautiful hidden treasure to relax and watch the wildlife in the area, you won’t be disappointed. Keep an eye out for Hooded & Common Mergansers, American Black Ducks, Ring-necked Ducks and Mallards as these will also hang out with the Wood Ducks. We also spotted a few Snow Geese, a Lesser Scaup, American Kestrels and a few Wild Turkeys trying their best to walk through the deep snow. We also came across an Eastern Meadowlark. After this last snowstorm I am sure it wishes it would have waited a few more weeks before traveling to Upstate New York, as Meadowlark live in farm fields, grasslands, and wet fields. They hunt for grubs, worms and insects in the ground which could be difficult this time of the year with the frozen ground, but will switch to seeds, corn and wild fruits in the wintertime. Look for a light brown bird with black marks and a bright yellow chest that has a bold black V on its chest. They are medium-sized songbird with a short tail and long bill. On the Eagle Trail these past few weeks they have had a lot of snow ending up their nest. All the eagles in the area are now sitting on eggs and all of them have survived the recent snowstorms. There are some immature and sub-adult Eagles still in the area looking for a mate and maybe looking for a place to call home. If you do happen to come across a Eagle nest please remember to keep your distance, do not hang out around the nest and be as quiet as possible to make sure they have a successful hatching, as they are very sensitive this time of the year. I have had up to 40 deer out in the fields at the same time and have encountered a good many of them crossing the roads this time of the year as the snow melts off the corn fields and the green grass starts to grow back; they are on the move. As you travel the roads and hiking trails of our beautiful and unique countryside keep your eyes and ears open, you never know what you may see or hear.

Mar 26, 2023 • 7 views

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<strong>Plumose structures at Opus 40</strong>

THE CATSKILL GEOLOGISTS BY PROFESSORS ROBERT AND JOHANNA TITUS We try, as often as possible, to show you interesting structures and features that you can go and see for yourself in our regional bedrock. We will do this again in this column, but this week’s effort will definitely be above average. Take a look at our first photo. We are, once again, down in the bottom of Harvey Kite’s Opus 40 quarry. That vertical wall of bluestone is a joint fracture probably exposed by long ago work when this was a functioning commercial quarry. Back then that wall of rock likely had a pile of rock debris banked up against it. We are guessing that Harvey Fite cleaned it up and exposed this surface. All that quarrying broke the rock along a very old joint. We spoke of joints last week. They are vertical fractures in the bedrock that date back often hundreds of millions of years. Those rocks were compressed probably when the African crustal plate collided with North America. That was perhaps about 390 million years ago. Later Africa split from our continent and drifted away, off to the southeast. That’s when all that compression was reduced, and the bedrock expanded and cracked along these joint planes. Take a good look and you will see a very distinctive feature. It is called a plumose structure. This is a common fracture pattern associated with jointing. You can see prominent and concentric fractures radiating upwards. They produce a rippled appearance to the joint surface. You have to look carefully, but there are more shorter radiating structures below. The effect is to produce something that, as the name implies, resembles a bird’s feather. Take a look at our second photo, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. Those are two real feathers and like the geology, they are shorter below. The similarity is obvious but strictly coincidental. What on earth is going on here? Geologists interpret these structures as having formed at the very moment of jointing. Stresses had been building up for long periods of time and then the rock gave way and the jointing occurred. Somewhere along the line we recall hearing that the fracturing radiated through the rock at the speed of sound. We can only guess, but there must have been an ear-splitting cracking sound. In the end, these are just humble fractures, but they have quite a history. We wonder what Harvey Fite knew and thought of them. He cleaned off this exposure. Was that to make it part of his art? Contact the authors at randjtitus@prodigy.net . Join their facebook page “Tye Catskill Geologist.” Read their blogs at “thecatskillgeologist.com.”

Mar 26, 2023

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Cave Mountain Catskills Music Festival

By Michael Ryan WINDHAM - They have not risen to the level of rising from the grave, but the legendary sounds of the Grateful Dead will be alive and well for the birth of the “Cave Mountain Catskills Music Festival.” “Joe Russo's Almost Dead” band, performing cover songs from the original appreciatively expired, are one of the popular acts for the 2-day concert, September 15 & 16, at Windham Mountain. They will be the headliners on Friday, with “Weezer,” a not-short-of-breath American rock band, topping the bill on Saturday. Between 4,000 to 5,000 attendees are anticipated per day, according to ski slope director of marketing and communications Kate Sullivan. The show christens what ski slope officials hope will be a continuing series of summer experiences, productively utilizing what would otherwise be ghostly space, waiting for winter snow. Town board members discussed the festival during a recent meeting, doing preliminary preparations in terms of having a police and ambulance presence available, a customary practice with large-scale events. And there is also the matter of Windham’s newly adopted Noise Law which sets strict limits on before-and-after-dark decibel readings. “Their representatives have already spoken to us, finding out what they will need to do if a waiver is necessary,” town supervisor Thomas Hoyt says. “They might not have to ask for extension,” Hoyt says, referring to the legal deadline for loudness impacting others in the neighborhood. “Windham Mountain has the ability, with their [Music on the Mountain] summer concerts, to work on where to put their speakers. “Plus, they are contemplating not going past ten o’clock [the current cutoff hour]. They are taking a conservative, responsible avenue,” Hoyt says. “They own a lot of the property around there anyway. As long as they are reasonable and stay within the parameters of the law, we think it will be good for the town. “Anything they do there is a community revenue source, filling the hotels and restaurants. This is being professionally organized. It’s not just somebody saying, ’hey, let’s have a party,’” Hoyt says. Sullivan, in a WRIP radio interview, said the festival is a “true collaboration between Brooklyn Made, Crush Music and Windham Mountain.” All entities involved in the production “wanted to bring this event specifically to Windham Mountain,” Sullivan said. “The promotion companies have been working closely with the town to make sure we are in compliance, being good neighbors. “We are excited to be able to bring this to Windham, to Greene County and the region at large, and to have the caliber of these acts,” Sullivan said. Joe Russo’s Almost Dead and Weezer share the stage with an eclectic lineup including Dinosaur Jr., the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Thunderstorm Artis, Lee Fields and Albert Hammond Jr. They are joined by Courtney Marie Andrews, Sheer Mag, Channing Wilson, Charlotte Rose Benjamin, Elijah Wolf, Matt Suscich and The Bones of Mr. Jones, playing near the back patio at the base lodge. As far as making the festival a regular thing, Sullivan said, “all of the parties bringing this together are hopeful about what this could mean for the future. “We will wait and see. This is not necessarily an extension of what we have been doing, in terms of the programming, but it definitely is a carrying over of that momentum,” Sullivan said. “September is a great time to be in Windham with the fall foliage and people getting ready to transition from that summer mode. “It will be great music with awesome views as a background,” Sullivan said, noting the bands will perform on what is colloquially known as the Wooly Bear section of the ski slope grounds. Music starts at 5 p.m. each day with tickets offered online for one or both dates, Sullivan said, noting the name of the festival comes from the surrounding terrain. “If you look at a topographic map, the actual peaks that the ski mountain is on is called Cave Mountain and West Cave Mountain,” Sullivan says.

Mar 26, 2023 • 5 views

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Craft Fair at MCS

Shoppers discovered homemade crafts Saturday in the Middleburgh high school gym as members of the National Honor Society and Middleburgh Central School Student Congress hosted a craft fair. Proceeds will benefit the year-end scholarships provided by the National Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society.

Mar 26, 2023 • 6 views

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Successful Opening at New Middleburgh Coffee/Bakery

MIDDLEBURGH - The customers were lined up outside the doors on Main Street Saturday for the "soft opening" for the Middleburgh Coffee Company and Scarlet Moon Desserts. Once inside, customers and visitors could see the fruits of the hard work of Patrick and Daria Mattia who worked on the building for months. A larger opening is scheduled for April when the shop will be fully operational. The coffee shop is in the front of the shop with three small tables set up with chairs and two lounge chairs. Regular coffees, espresso, lattes, cappuccinos, and matcha will be available. Jaden Reed will be the head of the bakery and will be cooking up cookies, croissants (butter, chocolate and other varieties), pies, macaroons, and cakes. The bakery will also carry other desserts, breads, and possibly ice cream. Special order and custom cakes can also be ordered. The bakery is in the back of the shop. Once fully operational, the shops will be open from 6am to 2pm Monday through Friday and probably 8am to 3pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Mar 26, 2023

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Thanks for Your Support

The Hill family at Shaver-Hill Maple Farm in Harpersfield, passed out a small token of their appreciation last Sunday to Assemblyman Chris Tague, Senator Peter Oberacker and New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball. The maple leaves and shirts represent their thanks for the support the three men who continue support the maple industry. The maple leaves are engraved with Friends of Shaver-Hill Maple and were presented during the first of two Maple Weekends taking place in the state to celebrate the maple industry. Pictured, from left, are Diedre Hill, Tague, Oberacker, Dwayne and Marylee Hill, Ball, Dave Hill and Damian Hill. The presentation followed a tapping demonstration in which all three men participated.

Mar 26, 2023 • 6 views

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