11/52009
Lower It!
The Shandaken Zoning Board of Appeals has rendered a verdict
in a long standing dispute over the height of a newly
built garage, and has voted to force the owner to actually
lower the height of the structure.
For Brian Scism, the owner of the garage, this means having
to cut over three feet of the walls off and somehow lower
the roof system. Scism, who has been battling the zoning
board for over two years, was at least granted a setback
variance to legalize the problem of the garage being built
too close to the property line.
This long festering case of a Phoenicia landowner allegedly
building a massive garage illegally took a turn for the
worse one year ago. Ten months after being told he must
tear down the garage, Old Plank Road resident Brian Scism
faced legal action in October 2008 by the town of Shandaken.
At that time the Town Board authorized Supervisor Peter
DiSclafani to hire an attorney to legally force the removal
of the building. Gina Reilly, the town’s Code Enforcement
Officer, said that when she took office in January, 2008
she notified Scism that the garage, located just a few
feet off the shoulder of the Old Plank Road in Phoenicia,
must be torn down. The building, which is larger than
Scism’s house, is built too close to property lines,
town officials have long said.
In 2007 the courts decided that the garage, already framed
and partially sheathed, was in fact in violation. An appeal
of that decision by Scism was unsuccessful, but the building
remained despite the order to remove it. Scism not only
failed to remove the structure but continued building
it in an attempt to protect the structure from the elements.
More sheathing was installed and a new overhang was built
on the side of the garage to protect an RV that Scism
parks there.
Scism, who could not be reached for comment, appeared
last year before the Shandaken Zoning Board of Appeals
in an attempt to get that board to grant him relief from
the law but was unsuccessful.
This time around he was.
The ZBA also required that Scism screen the property lines
with plantings to protect neighbors from the view of the
garage.
Budget Stuff…
Bennett, Kielson accounting consultants are going over
Ulster County Executive Michael Hein’s proposed
2010 budget with a fine tooth comb after the county legislature
hired the company, which does similar work for most other
area counties, asking that they present their findings
and recommendations in the next few weeks.
County Legislature Chairman David Donaldson has said is
hopeful lawmakers will be able to save some of the 30
jobs that are slated for layoff at the present moment.
Projected sales tax projections are also being looked
at for possibly being higher than reality.
Hein’s proposed budget comes in at just under $350
million with a tax levy increase of less than 3.5 percent.
Stay tuned… especially as the state continues wrestling
with its figures and our local towns finalize their own
spending plans for the coming year within the coming week,
with last looks showing Shandaken wrestling in a figure
of about 2 percent in terms of taxpayer increases over
last year, and Olive’s a little over 6 percent,
depending on how much unexpended balance gets used.
What’s With Flu?
According to the county health department, testing for
the influenza-like illness is not being conducted by the
State for every person who has flu like symptoms, at the
moment, because the NYS Department of Health has chosen
instead to monitor the prevalence of the disease through
test sampling at designated medical practices and facilities
around the state. For this reason, pinpointed local data
is not available; however, there is statewide data to
provide trend information on various fl strains, including
the H1N1 type commonly known as Swine Flu, showing so
far that the overall level of flu activity is currently
moderate but appears to be increasing when compared week
to week. The number of people hospitalized with flu is
currently low, according to records, but also appears
to be increasing.
As of this time, the health department has added, H1N1
vaccine supplies are still far below potential demand,
with only 700 does administered countywide to date, although
it is noted that we are still early in the “flu
season” so this is not deemed a serious problem
yet. Going forward, the Ulster County Health Department
has added that they do not expect that there will be a
shortage of the vaccine, even though exact availability
and demand numbers are not predictable. They will publicize
the availability of vaccination clinics as soon as adequate
vaccine supply is confirmed.
As more vaccine becomes available, it is added, the initial
doses available will be given to five target groups, as
established by the federal Center for Controlled Diseases:
Pregnant women, health care workers and emergency medical
services personnel, persons who live with or provide care
for infants under six months of age, children and young
people ages six months through 24 years, and persons age
25 through 64 years old who have medical conditions that
put them at higher risk for serious illness and influenza-related
complications.
For additional info. Visit www.UlsterCountyNY.gov/health.
And hold tight. Be patient…
At Onteora…
The Onteora High School Guidance Department will be hosting
their annual College Fair on Friday, November 13th from
9-11am in the High School Gymnasium. Admissions counselors
from approximately 50 regional colleges and universities
will be available to provide information and to answer
questions about their schools. All Onteora High School
students and their parents are welcome to attend. For
further information, please contact the Onteora Guidance
Department at 657-2373.
Meanwhile, “Proactive!” is the new buzzword
being utilized in our and other Ulster County districts
as Ulster BOCES Instructional Services starts pushing
its new Supportive Learning Environments and Positive
Youth Development (SLE/PYD) protocol, which is seeking
to better instill Positive Behavior Systems in students
via new behavior patterns.
According to the program, negative consequences for inappropriate
student behavior – detention, removal of privileges,
and other punitive measures – do not address the
cause of the behavior, nor do they provide incentive for
students to change underlying attitudes. Constructive
steps begin with a philosophical overhaul – what
is being called a “Systems Change” where the
new goal is to inspire a climate of cooperation, constructive
discussion, and a problem-solving approach to behavior.
The comprehensive SLE/PYD process may require a commitment
of three to five years to fully impact a cultural change
in the system, BOCES is adding. Fundamental is the conviction
that individuals are life-long learners, meaning that
teachers and students learn from each other, encouraging
young people to form intellectual partnerships and mentoring
relationships with positively minded adults while the
adults work to ensure that students feel respected by
the learning community.
Casino Update
A decision on the future of Native American casino gaming
in the Catskills could be known in the coming weeks according
to U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, who has said that he
got the word from Interior Secretary Ken Salazar. If the
blanket ban set by former Secretary Dirk Kempthorne is
overturned or modified, the senator is also urging the
Interior Department to evaluate the applications that
have already been submitted instead of forcing interested
parties to go through a reapplication process.
“I am hopeful that they will allow Indian tribes
to do casinos even if it’s not on their reservation,”
he said. “They didn’t tell me that, but I
am just getting some vibes that we might, might get a
good decision.”
The Stockbridge-Munsee seeks to build a casino in the
Town of Thompson and the St. Regis Mohawks sought to build
one at Monticello Raceway, both in Sullivan County. Years
ago, there was also conjecture, and state legislation,
that called for a third casino within Ulster County that
has not been discussed in recent years.
In January 2008, Kempthorne denied the Sullivan County
applications along with 21 other off-reservation land-into-trust
applications.
In related news, the Ellenville-based Nevele Grande Resort
and Country Club, which has long been rumored as a potential
casino site, is back on the auction block after a deal
for the purchase of the property fell through.
Steve Kutner, director of marketing for AuctionAmericaRealty.com,
said the sale was canceled when funding didn’t arrive
in the country in time to meet the sale deadline and Town
Supervisor Edward Jennings of Wawarsing, where the property
is located, said he was disappointed by the news.
The financially troubled resort closed abruptly after
the Fourth of July weekend, putting more than 100 people
out of work. AuctionAmericaRealty.com had been hired to
sell the closed hotel through a public auction. The auction
was canceled after a buyer for the property came forward.
Kutner said the deal fell through when the funding, which
was coming from overseas, was delayed due to the Patriot
Act. But he added that there is interest by other bidders
in the facility and he expects that the property will
be sold.
In 2000, Stratford Business Corp., also of New Jersey,
purchased the facility for a reported $15 million. During
the following three years, the new owners put about $11
million into improvements at the facility. When the work
was done, the property boasted 682 guest rooms, 70,000
square feet of meeting rooms, hundreds of acres of recreational
lands, five swimming pools, weight and exercise rooms,
15 outdoor and eight indoor tennis courts and 27 holes
of golf. And that’s all in combination with what
used to be the Fallsview.
Prior to the recent deal falling through, most of the
overdue taxes for the property were paid off to county,
town and local school district recipients.
Interim Director
The Catskill Center for Conservation and Development,
the regional non-profit environmental group that’s
currently celebrating its 40th anniversary this year,
named an interim director while a search gets underway
for a new executive director to succeed Lisa Rainwater,
who will be stepping down from the position later this
month after a year and a half on the job.
Rainwater began her tenure at the Catskill Center in July
2008; her last official day as Executive Director will
be November 16. The Board of Directors has hired Dr. Dan
Palm as Interim Director, who will take the helm officially
on November 17.
A search committee to find Rainwater’s successor
has been assembled, co-chaired by Sibyl Golden and Frank
Sanchis. But a press release announcing the hiring of
Palm came out soon after.
“The board of the center accepts her resignation
with regret,” Golden said in a prepared statement.
“She and her leadership of the center will be missed.”
The search committee leaders have sent a statement to
leaders and organizations in the Catskills seeking input.
The job description refers to the Catskill Center’s
territory as “a mosaic of many small and picturesque
communities striving to provide a high quality of life
for residents and visitors.” It notes that the region
is home to New York City reservoirs and the Catskill Park
and Forest Preserve and features landscapes of unmatched
scenic beauty.
The job description also states that the Catskills present
a national model of the effort to successfully balance
the many competing interests, such as New York City, the
state, the federal government and numerous local jurisdictions.
The search committee leaders say the Catskill Center is
looking for a chief executive with outstanding leadership,
communication and fundraising skills and that the candidate
must be enthusiastic and prepared to apply entrepreneurial
thinking and skilled follow-through to support the organization’s
approach to conservation and development.
At a 40th anniversary celebration in July, Rainwater,
who became executive director in June 2008, said the Catskill
Center’s mission has, at times, been a precarious
balancing act.
“This hasn’t been an easy mission,”
she said. “In fact, it has often put us at the center
of controversy. But controversy often opens the door for
dialogue, and with dialogue comes a better understanding
of the needs of the community and who we are as an organization.
We are privileged to have operated in this wonderful region
for four decades.”
“When Lisa joined us some 15 months ago, The Center
had been spending much of our energy and resources over
the previous 5 years on the Belleayre Resort controversy,”
said Board President H. Claude Shostal in a release this
week. “We asked Lisa to focus on rebuilding our
connections to the communities we serve, upgrading our
administrative and financial procedures and revitalizing
and integrating our community planning, education and
cultural programs. Lisa has made great progress in all
of these areas. We are sorry to see her depart. We wish
her well in all of her future endeavors.”
Palm comes to The Catskill Center from a recent position
as Interim Director for the Watershed Agricultural Council
(WAC), also based in Delaware County. Dr. Palm holds a
Ph.D. in Natural Resource Economics from Pennsylvania
State University. He has also served as Staff Economist
for the Susquehanna River Basin Commission and Regional
Director of the New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation. He has worked in similar Executive Director
capacities for the St. Lawrence-Eastern Ontario Commission,
Executive Director of the New York Forest Owners Association,
and as Interim Executive Director for the WAC in 2003.
“Dr. Palm understands life in the Catskill Mountain
Region and is committed to the mission of The Catskill
Center,” noted Shostal. “His experience as
a professional management consultant will assure a smooth
transition at The Catskill Center during our search for
a new Executive Director.”
The deadline for applications and nominations for a new
executive director is Dec. 11.
National Park?
In a move that could bring elevated national prestige
and levels of federal funding to the region, Congressman
Maurice Hinchey has unveiled new legislation he’s
authored that would initiate the process for the Hudson
River Valley special resources study by the National Park
Service via a bill that would authorize the NPS to conduct
a study of the Hudson River Valley to determine if the
area could benefit from NPS programs and to make recommendations
to Congress on what further action should be taken.
Hinchey emphasized that what is envisioned would not affect
private property, or the ability of counties and municipalities
to continue to control their own planning and growth.
The legislation explicitly states that any future NPS
designation must respect the rights of private land owners.
There would be no forced land acquisition activities permitted.
“We’re not creating a public national park,
here, or anything like that,” he insisted. “What
we’re creating is an understanding, and recognition
and enhanced responsibility of the federal government
on the importance of the projects, and on buildings, and
on the history of this region.”
Hinchey made the announcement on Nov. 2 at the Hudson
River Maritime Museum, on the Rondout waterfront, accompanied
by museum officials and several government and private
agencies, including the DEC and Scenic Hudson.
Already, the NPS is involved in funding and management
at several sites within the valley and region, including
the Roosevelt Library in Hyde Park and Thomas Cole House
in Greene County.
In order for the Hudson River Valley to become part of
the National Park System, a congressionally-authorized
NPS study must be conducted. Hinchey’s legislation
would authorize such a study from Fort Edward in Washington
County down through Westchester County. The study would
entail significant outreach to local communities and extensive
research and cataloging of the region’s resources.
If the NPS’s study finds that the Hudson River Valley
would be a good fit as part of the National Park System
then subsequent legislation would be needed to make that
designation.
While the NPS would have a lot of discretion during the
study process, Hinchey’s bill outlines specific
guidelines to ensure that the study recognizes the realities
of the Hudson River Valley, similar toi the ways in which
the Catskill Park acknowledges specific landowner realities.
These guidelines require the NPS to closely examine park
unit models, in particular national river and recreation
areas, as well as other landscape protection models, that
encompass large areas of non-federal lands within their
designated boundaries, foster public and private collaborative
arrangements for achieving NPS objectives, and protect
and respect the rights of private land owners.
Designating the Hudson River Valley as a unit of the NPS,
would dramatically increase the level of funding and attention
that the NPS could invest in the region. Historic sites
would be eligible for new aid, local communities would
be able to work more effectively with the NPS to protect
natural resources, and recreational resources, such as
trails, would be enhanced.
As a National Heritage Area, the region receives about
$1 million in federal funding annually.
Hinchey said as the region celebrates the 400th anniversary
of Henry Hudson’s historic voyage, he believes it
is fitting to consider how to protect and promote the
landscape into the future in an area in which much of
the Revolutionary War was fought, aspects of the U.S.
Constitution were debated, and the first successful steamboat
was launched.
Jeff Rump, executive director of Clearwater, described
the proposal as a “new paradigm” for looking
at national parks that goes beyond the wilderness.
Hinchey said the region’s inclusion into the national
park system could be modeled after the Mississippi River’s,
which was establish in 1998 and includes 72 miles of the
Mississippi River stretching from the cities of Dayton
and Ramsey to just south of Hastings, Minn.
In addition to authoring legislation to designate the
region a National Heritage Area, Hinchey noted when he
was a state assemblyman he was behind legislation that
led to the creation of the Hudson River Greenway, which
created a process for voluntary regional cooperation among
264 communities within 13 counties that border the Hudson
River.
Basin Studies…
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has received funding
from New York State and the U.S. Government to begin flood
and other studies of the Willowemoc Creek basin in Ulster
and Sullivan counties. Their first efforts will be to
model existing conditions in the basin to document past
flood damages with high flows and rain events. The majority
of the study funds will be needed for this modeling effort
as well as comparing any potential alternatives later
in the study. They are currently gathering all existing
data and identifying data gaps. Survey crews will be in
the area around the first of November to get the remaining
data needed for the models. During the study, sources
are saying, there should be no reason for residents to
be concerned that they may be prioritizing restoration
over flood damage reduction. The restoration alternatives
will be analyzed along with flood damage reduction alternatives
but restoration alone isn’t driving the study. ACE
will hold public meetings later and send out newsletters
to ensure the community is involved and informed throughout
the process.
Word is the rest of our Catskill creeks will both benefit
from these studies, and be up for similar flood reduction
alternatives over the coming decade.
Parting Ways
After 6 years in the area, Reverend Richard McSherry has
announced he’ll be leaving the Phoenicia-based United
Methodist Church in the coming weeks, to take a new post
further upstate. A native of southern Vermont, McSherry
is moving back to that region to help care for his elderly
mother and expects to relocate by November 20.
“I’ve had a great experience here, in the
church and in the community.” said McSherry.”
“I’ve made some really wonderful connections,
reaching out to the Methodist and Catholic community.
It’s been terrific, and I’m going to have
a very difficult time saying goodbye.”
McSherry didn’t know at this point who the Conference
of United Methodist Churches might be planning to have
assume his duties at the three local UM facilities, though
he expressed confidence they’ve got great people
to choose from and the community would be very well served.
Go, Efficiency!
Local municipalities and public schools are being urged
to apply for Recovery Act funding currently being made
available through NYSERDA to improve efficiency through
renewable energy, clean fleet projects, and other alternative
energy initiatives.
Through a new state legislative budgeting act, NYSERDA
has made $6.8 million available to entities located in
the region. The deadline for applications is November
23.
“Energy costs make up a significant percentage of
the budgets of our local governments and schools,”
said Assemblyman Kevin Cahill, a sponsor of the new funding.
“By helping to implement cost saving efficiency
measures we can reduce the burden on property taxpayers
and contribute to the development of the clean energy
economy.”
Altogether, Governor David Paterson has announced that
$24 million in funding has been awarded to support 87
energy conservation projects to counter recent cuts in
his budget. The projects, which were competitively selected
under the State Energy Program and include the NYSERDA
monies, represent the first round of funding this program.
Primary selection criteria includes technical viability,
cost-effectiveness, demonstration of compliance with program
requirements, and cost sharing. Measures funded this round
include installation of lighting and lighting controls,
photovoltaic systems, high efficiency biomass boilers,
solar thermal and small wind generators and alternative-fuel
refueling stations and vehicles. For more information
about these programs visit http://www.nyserda.org/funding/1613rfp.asp.
Stimulus Update
The federal stimulus package, which has been passing billions
of dollars through the states for distribution to counties,
is expected to spend over $1.2 billion in the Hudson Valley,
Governor David Paterson also announced this week. Pattern
for Progress President Jonathan Drapkin, head of one of
the region’s key “large picture” economic
development organizations, said in answer to the Gov’s
announcement that the funding program should not have
been called the stimulus package, but rather a stabilization
program.
“The categories of spending for individuals from
food stamps and unemployment, or for county governments
in the areas of Medicaid and education, are really helping
in the sense of stabilizing the economy, although, as
we know from watching the increase in unemployment rates,
which still have grown dramatically over the last 18 months,
that it would have been worse had this money not been
put into the economy,” Drapkin said.
The report released the day before Election Day, which
includes spending that is administered by the state as
well as spending that flows directly from federal agencies
to local governments, institutions and individuals, showed
totals of $153.2 million for Dutchess County to date,
$23.9 million for Greene, $221.8 million for Orange, $57.7
million for Sullivan, $103.6 million for Ulster, and $552
million for Westchester county to date, with more yet
expected.
In Need…
The Shandaken Food Pantry, located at the Methodist Church
Hall in Phoenicia, is in need of cash contributions and
food donations. It recently had to change its schedule
from every Thursday to the last Thursday of the month,
from 10 am to 12 pm. Jane Todd, who runs the Food Pantry,
says the need for food has grown tremendously in the past
year and they had to cut the hours because of diminishing
funds and contributions. She hopes this will be a temporary
cutback in services.
To donate money, send a check made out to Shandaken Food
Pantry to: Shandaken Food Pantry, c/o Town Clerk, PO Box
67, Allaben, NY 12480. You can drop off a donation of
food, etc., at the Methodist Church Hall in Phoenicia.In
addition to food, you could donate items that are not
covered by Food Stamps: toilet paper, paper towels, detergent,
and personal hygiene articles such as toothbrushes, toothpaste,
and soap. The pantry also accepts pet food.
In related news, UPAC, located at 601 Broadway, will be
collecting non perishable food items as well as paper/cleaning
products (soap, detergent, toilet paper, etc.) to be distributed
to the community via Queens Galley located at 254 Washington
Ave, a not for profit organization providing relief, awareness,
education and prevention of food insecurity throughout
the county. UPAC attendees will be able to bring food
items when they attend performances as well as during
UPAC box office hours (11am – 5pm Wednesday through
Friday).
For more information contact the UPAC Box Office at 339.6088
or Queens Galley at 338.3468 in Kingston.
Finally, food stamp benefits known as SNAP (Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program) can now be applied for online
or over the phone, instead of by having to go to Kingston,
by calling 334-5200 or visiting www.myBenefits.ny.gov
ATV Death
An Ellenville man was killed on a recent morning when
the all-terrain vehicle he was riding went off a road
in western Ulster County and struck a tree, state police
said.
Troopers at the Ulster barracks said Jason Lark, 23, was
riding the ATV westbound on Greenville-Sundown Road in
the town of Denning about 8:30 a.m. on Halloween morning
when he lost control of the vehicle, went off the shoulder
and hit a tree. Lark, who apparently was wearing a helmet,
was pronounced dead at the scene.
Troopers said they were alerted by friends of Lark’s
whose home he had left just before the accident. The crash
site was about 3 miles north of the Rondout Reservoir.
Honoring Chet
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County (CCEUC)
and Ulster County Farm Bureau will host an evening of
celebration with fine food and live entertainment for
their annual dinner and silent auction at the Twin Lakes
Resort, 198 Heritage Drive in Hurley, on Friday, November
13, at 6:00pm. Among the individuals being honored for
their countless hours of volunteering and dedication to
community-minded programs this year will be Phillies Bridge
Farm in New Paltz, Peggy Lapp of High Falls, Lucky C Stables,
Inc. in New Paltz, SUNY Ulster in Stone Ridge and Chester
“Chet” Karwatowski of West Shokan.
In a related release, Cornell Cooperative has announced
that its popular Master Gardener Horticulture Hotline
will be changing their hours of service to 9:00am to 12:00pm
on Fridays only from November 1, 2009 through March 1,
2010. The Hotline number is 845-340-DIRT. Messages can
be left at anytime but will only be returned on Fridays
from 9:00am to 12:00pm.
The Master Gardener hotline provides the public with free
gardening advice. Other services offered are pH soil testing
and Insect/Disease Identification.
Master Gardeners are volunteers trained by Cornell Cooperative
Extension of Ulster County experts in the art and science
of gardening. They provide the public with gardening programs
and activities that draw on the horticulture research
and experience of Cornell University.
If interested in learning more about the Master Gardener
Program call Dona Crawford at 340-3990 or visit www.cceulster.org.
Cool Lady!
On Saturday afternoon, Nov. 7, the Catskill Mountain Foundation
will present the second program in its “Women in
Film Series” at the Mountain Cinema, Rte. 23A, Hunter,
from 1 to 3 PM when Iris Cahn, an editor of feature films
and documentaries and longtime local resident, explores
the life of pioneer filmmaker, writer, actor, and producer
Helen Gardner in a special free presentation.
“It is hard not to present the story of Helen Gardner
in theatrical terms. It plays as a storyline of woman
discovered, woman triumphant, woman discarded and all
but forgotten,” says Cahn of her presentation. “Helen
Gardner has a right to be remembered, resurrected, not
just as a film actress, but as one of America’s
pioneer filmmakers, writers and producers.”
As the second person ever to produce a feature-length
film in America, and the first woman to do so, Helen Gardner
should have been assured a place in every published film
history in the pantheon of directors of the silent era.
Gardner produced at least 11 films and acted in more than
30. But when Iris Cahn included Gardner’s work in
a lecture in 1994, she could find only two lines mentioning
her in any published film text, and that was on her work
as an actress. Fortunately, at least two of the films
Gardner produced, Cleopatra and A Sister to Carmen, have
since been restored and Gardner’s granddaughter,
Dorin Schumaker is writing a book about her grandmother’s
career, so that lack should soon be remedied.
For those not familiar with Gardner’s work, Iris
Cahn will present a biography and overview of Gardner’s
films, including clips of Cleopatra at the Mountain Cinema
second floor theater in Hunter.
Visit www.catskillmtn.org for further info.
Yo, Poets!
Bright Hill Press of Delaware County has announced a call
for manuscripts for its 16th annual poetry book competition.
The winning poet will receive publication, $1,000, 25
copies of his/her published book, and national distribution
of his or her collection of poems. Postmark deadline is
November 30, and results will be announced in the summer
of 2010, with publication in 2011. This year’s winner
was Robert red hawk Moore of Arizona; his manuscript,
“Raven’s Paradise,” was selected by
poet Rhina Espaillat, of Massachusetts, and will be published
in 2010.
Poets submitting manuscripts may include a padded, 6 x
9 envelope or a sturdy 9 x 12 envelope with $2.50 postage,
and Bright Hill will send a free BHP poetry book.
Manuscripts will be judged anonymously. Send 48-64 pages,
plus bio, table of contents, acknowledgments page, and
two title pages, one with title of manuscript only, one
with title and name, address, telephone, and email addresses.
Poet’s name and other identifying material should
not appear anywhere else on manuscript. Individual poems
may have been published in journals or anthologies, but
complete manuscript may not have been published elsewhere.
Manuscript must be paginated and secured by bulldog or
spring clip; no bound manuscripts or manuscripts in book
form. Manuscripts will not be returned; include self-addressed,
stamped envelope for results only. More than one manuscript
may be submitted, but each requires a reading fee of $25
for non-Bright Hill members or $17 for Bright Hill members.
Manuscripts will first be read by regional poets; who
will select up to 25 manuscripts as finalists; those manuscripts
will be sent to the awards judge (to be announced at close
of competition) for determination of the winner.
For more information, see the web site at http://www.brighthillpress.org
; or contact Bright Hill 607-829-5055.
Two Good Causes
Infiniti Family Chiropractic is offering a comprehensive
spinal screening and the chance to begin chiropractic
care for a minimum $20 donation which will be used to
fight hunger. Proceeds will be distributed to local food
agencies by the NY Giants Foundation. The program called
Project HOPE, now in its 12th year, is organized by the
NY Chiropractic Council and runs from November 16-21.
To schedule an appointment call Dr. Emily Bobson at 679-2111.
Racing Indians
Onteora’s track teams ruled at the Mid-Hudson Athletic
League cross country championships at Ogden Mills State
Park last weekend.
Onteora claimed the girls crown, unseating two-time defending
champion Rhinebeck and having all five of its scorers
finish in the top 20 for 61 points. Behind Emily Waligurski
were Kim Wiley (eighth, 20:56), Cara Ugolino (14th, 21:41),
Erica Beesmer (18th, 21:59) and Alex Nichols (19th, 22:07).
“This was a hard race, but I’m so proud of
my teammates,” Waligurski said. “We thought
we could compete with Rhinebeck. They have some very experienced
runners, but we ran our best today.”
Indians coach Patrick Burkhardt was ecstatic about his
team’s win, Onteora’s first since 2003.
“I gave the girls the advice of going out there
and running their race,” Burkhadt said. “I
didn’t want them to let anyone else dictate how
they ran. We were not expected to win this, but our five
went out and collectively did their jobs. Emily’s
race was especially impressive.”
