Phoenicia

By Jay Braman Jr.
A long-time fixture of the Phoenicia business community is about to close its doors, so those that want a taste of local history should makes reservations at Al’s Seafood Restaurant as soon as possible.

Open continuously since 1940, Al’s owner/operator Paul Pettinato, the son of restaurant founder Al Pettinato, announced this week that he is retiring and that the legendary eatery will close its doors, perhaps for good, on March 19.

By Jay Braman Jr.
The Onteora School Board decided last week to keep the Phoenicia school open, but to only have students from kindergarten through third grade in the facility.

At a February 28 meeting at the high school in Boiceville, the board voted six to one in favor of what is known as “the Bookends Plan,” which keeps all three elementary schools open.

On the other end of the district, the other “bookend” school is Woodstock Elementary, which will have grades kindergarten through third grade just like Phoenicia.

By Jay Braman Jr.
As battle lines within the Onteora School District are beginning to be drawn, the Onteora School Board is making it clear that they are not convinced that closing a school will be the financial savior of a plan for the sprawling district.

At a public forum last week, the board heard from many parents and residents about the three options on the table for how to cut spending in the coming school year.

By Jay Braman Jr.
If the Onteora School District decides to close an elementary school it will be Phoenicia Elementary, not Bennett Elementary or Woodstock Elementary, and it could happen this year.
And if it happens, students living in the Pine Hill/Highmount area could be traveling all the way to Woodstock.

That decision was made last week by the District Superintendent Phyllis McGill.

By Jay Braman Jr.
In spite of having been knocked back on its heels by Irene/Lee flooding and even though the main way into the business district remains closed, Phoenicia’s second annual holiday extravaganza, now going by the name “Ho Ho Holy Night” set for this Friday, promises to be bigger and better than last year’s offering.

Phoenicia — Local students who participated in the New York State Assembly Summer Reading and Exercise Challenge, sponsored in the 101st District by Assemblymember Kevin A. Cahill (D-Ulster, Dutchess), were honored last week in an awards ceremony that was held at Phoenicia Elementary School.

Phoenicia — In the spirit of the Holiday Season, Phoenicia’s popular Sportsman’s Alamo Cantina will once again open its doors on Christmas Day to welcome the citizens of Shandaken to a festive “Christmas Community Dinner.”

By Jay Braman Jr.
The Onteora Central School District is again facing the prospect of closing an elementary school as a cost-saving measure.

Speaking to small audience Monday at Shandaken Town Hall, the OCS superintendent said that tough fiscal times require that tough choices must be made as to how to develop a sustainable spending plan in a district with a current budget of over $50 million a year.

By Jay Braman Jr.
It has been just over two months since the region was hit by back-to-back flood events that crippled many local businesses. Even though one of those communities has recovered physically, its economy still has a long way to go to return to normal.

Making matters worse, there is no date in sight for the repair of the main access to the business district, leaving merchants nervous about catching the winter trade.
Phoenicia was hit pretty hard by flooding at the end of August, but it’s real estate fared remarkably well.

By Jay Braman Jr.
The Catskill Watershed Corporation (CWC) and its engineers are recommending that Phoenicians do what everyone in the country is doing these days. Don’t get what you need. Get what you can afford.