The Olive Press

Ah, the plenty... as has become tradition in town these past years, the Olive Free Library held its annual Holiday Craft Show and sale last weekend, drawing local gift-givers, and seekers, for a day of great cheer, good refreshments, and loads of fine art and crafty works to purchase for giving in the week to come.

Ready To Fight?
Town Board Mulls Lawsuits After Hearing Of 28A Repair Progress, Roof Repair Bids

12/17/2009 By Olive Press Staff
Anyone familiar with Olive’s routine, often dull, 30-minute monthly board meeting was pleasantly surprised by the December 8 gathering, which opened with an unexpected request from Dr. Leslie Ford, Superintendent of Onteora School District. School Trustees, she wrote, are contemplating having an open campus for seniors, and were requesting the Town of Olive supply crossing guards for students wishing to cross Route 28. A point was made by Rita Vanacore, former Onteora trustee, that this request is in direct conflict with the Child Safety Zone, which basically keeps all children away from Route 28. A motion was made and unanimously seconded to politely respond that Olive would not be interested in filling their request.

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It Takes A Community...
Shandaken Shows Its Holiday Spirit Via Pantry Benefit & Christmas Day Feast

1217/2009
Two events, one just passed and the other coming on Christmas Day, indicate a return to communal caring in the town, and a sense of appreciation for those facing difficult times.

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Our Kids Are At Risk
Survey Says Onteora Leads The County In Student Drug Use & Campus Drinking

12/17/2009 By By Lisa Childers
Based on a student survey on high risk behavior, the Onteora school district and Saugerties school district reveal drug and alcohol use among its students in grades 7-through-12 is the highest in the county.

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Back To Its Beginnings?
Catskill Center AIP-Related Funding Drop Leads To Major Staff Cutbacks, Changes

12/3/2009 By Paul Smart
The signing of Governor Eliot Spitzer’s Agreement in Principal okaying the building of a resort at Belleayre Mountain, alongside the state-owned ski center’s expansion, seems to be having continuing repercussions for at least one regional environmental organization over two years after the fact.

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HAPPY HOLIDAYS
We will be taking off the December 31 issue of this publication for our own holidays so see you all back in these pages on January 14, 2010!

VIDEOS ONLINE

Lowest Priced Gas

The next arty evening in Phoenicia will take place the evening of Saturday, December 19 from 6:00 to 10 PM, with The Arts Upstairs opening a "Holiday Show,î with solo room by Jean Campbell (who did the above work), and Cabane Studio showing similar seasonal work. See you at the openings!

Choral!
Voices Should All Join Together...

12/17/2009 By Violet Snowf
With the arrival of the holidays, ’tis the season for the blending of voices in harmony and praise. Choral performances have already inspired audiences in Phoenicia and Kingston this month. The Reservoir United Methodist Church on Route 28 in Shokan is preparing for a public presentation of Joseph M. Martin’s cantata “The Mystery and the Majesty” on Sunday, December 20, at 4:00 p.m.

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A Jar Of Olives
The Gift Of Giving

12/17/2009 By Carol La Monda
My tree is up, decorated. All the bulbs on all the strings of light are lit. My cards are addressed with handwritten notes to all. Six kinds of cookies are baked, and all the presents are wrapped. Martha Stewart would envy my handcrafted wreaths and centerpieces. A homemade gingerbread house adorns my kitchen counter. NOT! Before you suffer from holiday envy, know that I am lying though my teeth.

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