News

The Community Storytelling Troupe invites you to join the “Story Circle,” an informal gathering of new and experienced storytellers.  Story Circle starts at 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 15 at the Andes Public Library’s interim location at 295 Main Street in Andes (directly across the road from The Hunting Tavern and bank).

The  MARK Group, now in its 30th year, continues to serve local communities through the implementation of several programs and activities focused on rehabilitation, development and revitalization in the Catskills. Over the past 12 months MARK, with funding assistance from the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal,  has overseen substantial rehabilitation projects in 42 homes  of low-moderate income  families. These projects include everything from new roofing to interior renovation and upgrades to obsolete heating and electric. MARK also manages an eight-unit senior housing facility, 32 units of mixed senior and family housing at Mountain Laurel Gardens and four additional units at the Golden Seal Building in Roxbury, currently in process of restoration.

The Catskill Watershed Corporation Board of Directors August 26 approved five grants – three to correct storm water problems and two to address streambank erosion that threatens property and public utilities.

An investigation into numerous timber theft claims in Schoharie and Delaware counties has resulted in multiple felony charges against a Schoharie County man, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Regional Director Gene Kelly announced.

Delaware Opportunities announced that a donation of $8,246.20 was received from the Delaware National Bank of Delhi (DNB) to support the food bank network.
Bob Armstrong, president and CEO of the DNB said “We asked the employees and our board of directors if they were interested in raising funds to support charitable purposes for Delaware County. Our employees agreed to solicit donations and make contributions of their own and they also agreed that the donations would be provided to support the food bank network. The board of directors agreed to provide a three-for-one matching contribution.”

By Matthew J. Perry
In one sense, the anticipated natural gas rush is yet another discussion of water rights. Hyrdrofracking, a recent technological advance that has helped to make the Marcellus and other shale formations into viable targets of exploration, requires millions of gallons of potable water.

By Jay Braman Jr.
A Mount Tremper man is free on $5,000 bail after being arrested for working in the Esopus Creek with a backhoe.
Algernon Reese was arrested last Wednesday after a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEP) Police Officer responded to a complaint that Reese was working in the stream with equipment and a crew of workers. He was charged with the misdemeanors of obstructing governmental administration, disturbing a protected stream and violating a general prohibition against pollution.

By Jay Braman Jr.
The Shandaken Town Board met in a special session last Monday to begin work on the 2009 budget. And from the sound of it, everything is on the table when it comes to possible spending cuts.
The informal session, which was sparsely attended, saw the board members seated at a table scrutinizing the current figures in the budget in an attempt to find places to save money.
Right off the bat there was disagreement over how brutal the cutting should be. Supervisor Peter DiSclafani, who recently favored no raises in 2009, said that all non-union salaries should increase four percent next year. He changed his mind, he said, because energy costs have risen so high that it’s going to be tough for workers to make ends meet.

By Verna D’Alto
The community members of the Hamlet of Halcottsville invite the public to join them in what they hope will be an historical event. On Saturday, Sept. 6 from 1 to 8 p.m. they are holding a H.O.G. celebration. H.O.G. stands for Halcottsville Old Grange. It will be an arts’ festival with dancing, food and a fund-raiser.

Woodchuck Lodge, the rustic Roxbury farmhouse where naturalist John Burroughs spent summers from 1910 to 1920, will be open for guided tours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on September 6 and 7. On Saturday, Sept. 6 Richard Parisio, an environmental educator with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, will read some nature poetry, along with excerpts from nature-inspired prose and then will lead a workshop to help participants write their own poems, essays and short stories. Meet at the Lodge at 11 a.m.