Local Businesses Celebrate Inaugural Mountaintop Pride Weekend

By Max Oppen

HUNTER — This weekend, get ready to party. From June 6 to June 8, local businesses across the Catskills are joining forces to host the very first Mountaintop Pride Weekend, a three-day celebration of love, community, and Catskills charm. Events are free to attend, with food and drinks available for purchase.

Leading the festivities are Deer Mountain Inn, Mama’s Boy Burgers, Fellow Mountain Café, and Scribner’s Catskill Lodge, with many other Tannersville businesses offering discounts and special offers in honor of Pride.

“What we’re doing is, two or three people got together and decided to hold some events,” said Michael Koegel, owner of Mama’s Boy Burgers. “We decided to call it Mountaintop Pride because we’re trying to be as inclusive as possible. Anyone can be a part of this. It’s a bunch of businesses doing their own thing under the rubric of Mountaintop Pride.”

Koegel emphasized the local historical roots of LGBTQ+ community refuge in the Catskills, referencing Casa Susanna, a safe haven for transgender women and gender non-conforming individuals in the 1950s and ‘60s.

“The mountaintop does have a little bit of history — it was one of the first safe spaces for these individuals to come to without fear of persecution,” he said.

Susanna, the founder, was a photographer who documented life at Casa Susanna. Her partner, Nancy, owned a wig shop in Hunter. Today, that legacy continues to inspire.

“There’s a book of photographs and also a documentary about this period in time,” Koegel noted. “That’s our reason for being.”

Koegel hopes the weekend becomes an annual tradition.

Jade Sinskul, marketing manager for Escape Hospitality (Scribner’s), added:

“Mountaintop Pride is all about bringing our community together to celebrate something meaningful. It is a weekend filled with love, joy, and the freedom to be exactly who you are, and we feel so lucky to be part of it.”

Mountaintop Pride Weekend Itinerary

Friday, June 6 — Deer Mountain Inn

4 PM to 7 PM | Happy Hour & Music in the Garden

Kick off the weekend with bubbles, light bites, and a DJ set by Pretty Woman.

Saturday, June 7 — Scribner’s Catskill Lodge

1 PM to 5 PM | Vendor Pop-Up at Scribner’s Garden

A curated showcase of local makers and handcrafted goods.

3 PM to 8 PM | Garden Party

Live music by Terra Rose and Pretty Woman, drinks, and Instagram-worthy garden vignettes, including:

Cotton candy and Polaroid photos

Garden-inspired accessories

Beautiful garden tablescapes and greenhouse vignettes

3 PM to 8 PM | Tattoo Flash Pop-Up by Hummingbird Catskills

Book in advance for a Pride or garden-themed tattoo. Limited walk-ins are available.

4 PM to 6 PM | Bouquet-Making Bar

Create your own five-stem bouquet while supplies last.

4 PM to 7 PM | Garden BBQ with Mama’s Boy Burgers

Enjoy burgers and snacks as the party rolls on.

8 PM to 10 PM | Film Screening: Casa Susanna

An intimate documentary screening in the Lodge Studio.

Sunday, June 8 — Fellow Café, Scribner’s, Mama’s Boy Burgers

8 AM to 3 PM | Breakfast at Fellow and Lawn Games

Start your day with coffee, pastries, and casual outdoor games.

12 PM to 6 PM | Scribner’s Pool Open to the Public

Cool off with a swim and a poolside drink.

3 PM to 7 PM | Mama’s Disco Boy!

A disco-themed afternoon at Mama’s Boy Burgers with music, food, and celebratory flair.

Local Business Offers — June 6 to 8

Show your Pride colors or wear a flag pin to unlock special offers in Tannersville:

Camp Catskill – Free bandana with purchase (while supplies last)

Lucky Catskills – 10% off your purchase

Tabla – 10% off your meal

Pantry on Main – Free bumper sticker with purchase (while supplies last)

Maggie’s Krooked Café – 15% off and surprise gifts with purchase

Tannersville Works – Wear your Trevor Project Pride Pin and enjoy 20% off purchases of $200 or more (some restrictions apply). Join their festive shopping party with wine, music, and celebration supporting the LGBTQ+ community.

What’s Included?

Three days of Pride events across multiple venues

Vendor market, tattoo flash pop-up, bouquet bar

DJ sets, film screening, BBQ, and pool access

Community-wide local business participation

All events are open to everyone and free to attend

Main Venue Address:

Scribner’s Catskill Lodge

13 Scribner Hollow Rd, Hunter, NY 12442

Other locations: Deer Mountain Inn, Mama’s Boy Burgers, and more

For more information, contact Jade Sinskul at:

hello@scribnerslodge.com

 

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Local History by Dede Terns-Thorpe - Hunter-Tannersville Alumni Association Dinner

This is a great piece of history from a June 9, 1983, Windham Journal, some 40+ years ago.

”The first Hunter-Tannersville Alumni Association dinner dance last Saturday at Hunter Mountain Ski Bowl was a huge success from every point of view. Seating was limited to 400 people, but after dinner was over, at 9:30 pm, the door opened to a number of graduates who came to socialize, meet classmates they had not seen for years, and catch up on events.”

The newly elected officers were President Paul Van Valkenburgh, First Vice President John Glennon, Second Vice President Agnes Farrell, Third Vice President Elaine Johnson, Recording Secretary Stella Cross, Corresponding Secretary Barbara Mead, and Treasurer Elizabeth Williams Hapeman. Historians elected were Florence Haines Howard (class of 1945), Doris O’Brien (1938), and Ella Mae Gillespie (1939).

Lyle and Margaret (Peg) Sokoll were the honored guests. Peg had given much-needed help in developing the H.T.C. Alumni reunion. She shared her experiences when forming the Windham-Ashland-Jewett Alumni Association back in 1971.

A delicious dinner was said to be enjoyed by all. The evening began with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mr. John Glennon, the Alma Mater led by Linda Sciarrillo Nicholls (today’s director of the excellent Mountain Top Song Birds), and the invocation by R. J. Filson Reid, with Loraine Miles Banks reading a poem and sharing the names of deceased alumni members. A symbolic candle was lit in their memory.

Dorothy Peck Becker, class of 1918, represented the earliest class (dues-paying member). Stella Young Osborn, class of 1933, celebrated her 50th. Jean Francis Simmons traveled from Hawaii.  

President Van Valkenburgh expressed thanks to Orville and Ethel Slutzky and staff for “making this evening, our first dinner dance, one to be remembered.”

The article said dancing and socializing went on between people who had not seen each other for many years. “We have a lot of catching up to do.”

Much thanks go out to the alumni who have worked hard to keep the alumni dinners as special as the one in 1983.

Thanks for reading. Take care of yourself, and stay safe.

Dede Terns-Thorpe-Town of Hunter Historian.

 

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Greene County Sheriff’s Department Has New K9 Kennel

Photos courtesy George Kelly

By Max Oppen

TANNERSVILLE –  Village Trustee George Kelly and his wife Paris presented Deputy K9 Officer Kaitlyn Raynor of the Greene County Sheriff’s Department with a custom-built “dog mansion” Kelly says is valued at $9,000. The spacious shelter, constructed over three months in the middle of winter, will house Rainer’s one-year-old Belgian Malinois, according to Greene County Sheriff Peter Kusminsky. 

Construction began when Paris Kelly was recovering in the hospital. Reflecting on those difficult days, George Kelly explained, “While my wife was critically injured in the hospital, I approached her in regards to building a massive doghouse to pay back the first responders as a form of thanks. So, Platoon Sergeant for the Greene County Sheriff’s Department Ryan Schrader was happy to connect us with Greene County Sheriff Peter Kusminsky, who gladly accepted our hard work and love regarding the K9 donation. We were ecstatic to be allowed to improve the mountaintop we call home.”

Over three chilly months, Kelly, his brother, and hired help worked on and off through frigid temperatures. The final retail cost, including parts and labor, was approximately $9,000, according to Kelly. 

Paris Kelly’s gratitude for local first responders inspired the project’s spirit. As Trustee Kelly noted, “Paris loves all local cops up here, including Deputy Sheriff Amy Wyland, who is a dear friend and neighbor who was a proponent of this wonderful donation. With her many illnesses, Paris is grateful to the Greene County Sheriff, the Town of Hunter Police Department, and the Hunter Area Ambulance. She thought it would renew the spirit of public donation to those who protect and serve us community members.”

Before beginning the project, Trustee Kelly, with the assistance of Sergeant Ryan Schrader, visited a shop in Cairo and found comparable enclosures that were “half the size, poorly made, and two times the price,” Trustee Kelly said. “We exceeded our initial plans for a doghouse and ended up constructing a Tiny Home – a dog mansion with outdoor and indoor fencing. “The ceiling is large enough for a human being to stand in and even live in. Our materials were bought locally and were nothing but the highest quality. We felt it was worth our time instead of purchasing a $5,000 subpar dog enclosure.”

This gift follows another Kelly family donation two years ago when they contributed $5,000 to equip the Hunter Police Department with tasers. “After working for the City of New York and other agencies, the camaraderie has never left my blood,” said Kelly.

Sheriff Kusminsky praised the Kellys’ generosity: “I want to recognize George Kelly for his generous donation. His support of the Greene County Sheriff’s Office plays a vital role in enhancing the effectiveness and safety of our K-9 teams, and I am truly thankful for his commitment to helping us serve and protect our community.” Kusminsky added that Rip, the new occupant of the dog mansion, has just been certified in explosive detection.

Tannersville Mayor Lee McGunnigle also offered his thanks: “Deputy Mayor George Kelly has exhibited his continued unwavering commitment to our community, time and time again, for our health, safety, and welfare. I am grateful to work alongside him to ensure our Sheriff deputies have the necessary resources. This philanthropy and outreach brings us together and helps bridge the gap between law enforcement and our residents.”

McGunnigle added that he was lucky to have such a dedicated team of first responders. 

“I love community spirit – I love giving back,” Kelly concluded. “My wife and I wanted to stir the pot of community service to attract other like-minded individuals with their ideas.”

 

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The Hero of Haines Falls

 

By Jesse Angelino

HAINES FALLS — Born and raised in the Morris Park neighborhood of the Bronx during 1958, Joseph Morabito possessed a spirit that yearned for more outside his city, a way to add some miles to his soul. At the age of 18, he enlisted in the United States Navy as a cook where he quickly earned the nickname "Joey Pots-&-Pans." 

"He loved to cook but he couldn't stand the taste of the MRE's ("Meals ready to eat") that were provided  in the service, so he got involved with the Angels For Soldiers program and was able to receive donations of real food and real ingredients from people back in the States which he would then happily use to feed sometimes up to 100 men just so they could have a real meal" says  Andrea Morabito, Joe's wife and mother to his three children.

After 2 years at sea Joe was promoted to Master At Arms, beginning what was to become a long and fascinating career in law enforcement around the world. 

"In the late 70s and into the early 80s, he would participate in undercover narcotics investigations over in Iran" continues Andrea. "By 1983 he had left the Navy and the two of us got married and moved upstate to Haines Falls." 

 An active member of the mountaintop community, Joe would cook at his own restaurant "Jam's Cafe," volunteer with the Haines Falls Fire Department, and rescue lost or injured hikers from nearby trails. 

Though retired from the Navy, Joe still pursued  law enforcement work as a detective for the Dept of Veterans Affairs before securing a position with the Department of Defense in Bayonne, New Jersey (and a lengthy commute). 

" He would go down, work for three 12 hour shifts a week, and then come back upstate to be with his family" cited Andrea. 

"I remember my dad was a man of many hats" begins Joey, Joseph's son who is better known by friends up the mountain by his nickname "Bito." 

"He would be cooking up here in the restaurant one day and then the next he would be guarding gold for the Federal Reserve, it was wild" he remembers,  during a time his father found work closer to home with the U.S. Mint at West Point. "That was his life, but then when the events on 9/11 happened it affected him deeply and he felt a call to go back." 

With the devastations of the terrorist attacks weighing heavy on his mind, Joseph enrolled as a contractor in the role of an LEP (Law Enforcement Professional) for the United Nations that would travel overseas and use his vast stores of knowledge and experience to better educate and train foreign law enforcement or "National Police" to better detect and stop terrorism before it reached our shores. He would equip and train police in Iran, authorities in Haiti, and officers in Afghanistan with everything he knew. 

Tragically, on June 8th of 2013, while on assignment in Afghanistan providing physical security for a group of high-ranking  U.S. military personnel, Joseph was killed in action by insurgents targeting a senior officer whom the insurgents believed was going to compromise one of their future missions. It was later discovered that the senior officer targeted in the attack was the victim of mistaken identity, and not the man the insurgents were looking for.

"When he was away my dad would contact us if not once a day then definitely once a week" starts Joseph's oldest daughter Amanda. "He would always show us these pictures and videos online of what he was doing in all of these far away places, keeping us updated on his work, and just really inspiring me to want to do more with my life." "He really loved his job, and it was something that he took very seriously but when he was around us, his family, he was always very funny and humorous" Amanda continues. "When we were out driving he was the guy that would speed up on bumps so all us kids in the back seat would get bounced around, he would squirt us with water at dinner when we weren't looking,  he would sing these ridiculous songs that he made up but would swear were real, and he loved taking us to his secret fishing spot out at North Lake." 

After his unfortunate passing, Joseph's family received a surprise visit from celebrity chef Fabio Viviani of the cooking program "Ciao Chow," who wanted to give their regards after hearing of his loss and knowing that he was a tremendous fan who would often share recipes he learned watching it with his troops as well as his family. 

"Cooking was just as important to my father as serving his country" regales Tonianne, Joseph's youngest daughter. "I think that's part of the reason why I became a baker." "When we were growing up my father would  make trips off base to gather supplies for things like pizza sound really exciting, I mean here was this man who would go out to get cheese and naan bread  in a helicopter" Tonianne continues. 

In honor of her father's memory, Tonianne organized a 5K run/walk known as the DASH to raise charitable funds to help veteran organizations like Team Red, White, and Blue who reach out in support for those in the armed forces and their families raise $ 7,500. "I took psychology in college because I wanted to better understand people and especially veterans that suffer with PTSD" Tonianne says. "I used to love going running with my dad, which is why I thought of organizing DASH."

With the 21-year mark approaching this weekend, Joseph's family is able to look back with pride on his career and reputation as a man with a lot of love to give,  a big teddy bear to his kids and a hopeless romantic for his wife. "Every year without him is a milestone" Joey concludes.

 

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Traditionally Speaking…by Pat Larsen - Creating a Family Cook Book

Our son was graduating from the Culinary Institute of America and we were clamoring for the perfect gift that would suit this occasion. 

That’s when the idea hit me. Why not create a collaboration of family favorite recipes that would span the generations from great grandmothers to present day so that our culinary grad would always have these gems as the foundations of his budding career.

For whatever your reasons might be to put together a collection of your family's best of the best favorites, I thought I’d share just how we did it for those who might be looking for a direction to take.

We started by sending a note out to all of our grandparents, aunties and cousins asking them to think about their most popularly requested recipes. Now came the hard part. Actually getting them to write down the ingredients list and directions for the item that they were declaring to be the family's gem.   I’d love to add at this point, that many of these recipes were originally written out long hand on what was previously used…recipe cards.  Or, worse yet, simply recollected to memory with an approximation of the ingredients. That, in itself, made the cook book even more precious to actually see the  actual recipe written out. Nevertheless, that was the first part of the task and the second part was getting the families to comply.

Be sure to give yourself some time especially if you’re a last minute gift giver.

Next up, while you’re waiting for your family to comply with their offering, is to create an introduction to the cookbook that includes the motivation behind the student to pursue this career. It’s fun to do and can be very heartwarming for your graduate or for the person you’re gifting this item to, to see what their part was in the final product.

Think of this as though you’re all participating in filling out a graduation/birthday card. Then perhaps understanding how significant sharing in a lifetime of holiday cooking and celebrations  becomes a very special gift indeed. Add as much of the generational history as you can remember and don’t forget to add input from the family.

I was particularly delighted when a relative would send a recipe that revealed a secret ingredient that made an item particularly delicious and left us all wondering what was “different”. Mystery solved.

Anecdotal stories make this cookbook creation that much more special. Have fun with it and most of all, be sure to make a copy for everyone who contributed.

Family History IS the culmination of all those meals that we shared throughout our lives. So much is being lost now that older generations haven’t gotten to pass along how a favorite cookie was prepared. It’s so important not to lose these opportunities. 

Our son’s  gifted cookbook is now 20 years old. It is one of our most prized possessions and his as well. It’s a joy to still have so many in our family still refer to grandma's special dishes from within its pages.

These are the things that we never want to lose as we get older. Nourishing each other with the food that makes up our lives is the beginning of a gift cookbook that will carry on our legacies forever.

Pat Larsen is a syndicated columnist in Greene, Albany and Northern Ulster Counties. Please feel free to contact Pat with your ideas and comments. She can be reached at # 518-275-8686 or at pelarsen5@aol.com

 

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The Prattsville Scoop

By Abby and Gabby

PRATTSVILLE – Want to send words of appreciation and thankfulness to all veterans, firefighters, EMS, members of our medical professions, and our neighbors who just show up unannounced to offer their help. Thank you to all.

Congratulations to members of our sister community, Lexington/West Kill – Schuyler and Pat Minew and daughter Heather Minew Boyer of Leeds and granddaughter Cameron Boyer. Cameron has just achieved the rank of S/Sgt in the U.S. Marine Corps. She is following in the footsteps of Grandfather Schuyer, U.S. Seabees and mother Heather, U.S. Air Force. Cameron is also the great, great granddaughter of Pvt. Lee Delmar, U.S. Army, who served in France during WWI. Again, Congratulations to all. We are proud of you.

Speedy recovery to Rose Dudley who did not let minor surgery keep her from her job at Jim’s Great American. Keep up the good work Rose. You are a pleasant cashier. We won’t mention the other two over the hill ladies who took tumbles on Memorial Day. They did spread their areas of mishaps – one taking place in West Kill and the other in Prattsville. As far as we know, neither one was hindered in their day to day activities. We are also sending out get well wishes to Tom Gebhart of Grand Gorge. Tom is a Vietnam veteran and we thank him for his service.

Good to see Nancy Olson out and about. Same re: Joann Roman.

Heard those hosting yard sales over the Memorial Day weekend were satisfied with the results and perhaps the items that did not sell will again be available for your perusal later in the summer. Nancy Kizyma will like that, she always has her laser beam out for those hidden treasures and she is very knowledgeable about what she wants and what is being offered.

The American Legion Auxiliary Virgil E. Deyo Unit 1327 wishes to thank all who contributed to make their annual Poppy Program a success. Your generosity will help make Christmas, or times of need, merrier and less stressful for veterans in hospital, at home, or without a place to call home. Thank you.

And in keeping with this area of need, Theresa Gier of Grand Gorge has formed an alliance with Midland Quilters of Midland, Michigan, under the leadership of Judy Harris, 88. This church based group has made it their mission to make and then gift their quilts to groups in need, including our local veterans, mailing many of their handmade quilts and other items to Theresa and then Theresa forwards them on to American Legion Auxiliary Unit 1327 of Prattsville to be delivered to the Stratton VAMC, Voluntary Services. The are then given to veterans who use our local VA. Sometimes there is a plethora of items and these are in turn gifted to veterans in our local Greene County Nursing Homes. This same group of Michigan quilters also give quilts to newborn babies, to the delight of the parents. All deserve a thank you on behalf of our veterans.

Stephanie Braswell had an unexpected, and uninvited, guest early Sunday morning. A bear visited her while she was outside by her car. There was not physical contact nor menacing behavior made by either party. The bear was not interested in Steph and after jumping the guardrails, proceeded to meander across the bridge. Wasn’t told whether he stayed in his own lane or took up the whole road. The Schoharie was a too deep and rapid to try to swim across.

Happy Birthday to Rosanne Cross on June 7. On June 9 we wish Shanon Brainerd Holdridge, Brandon Haight and Peter Tocci Happy Birthday. On June 10 it is Happy Birthday greetings to Adam Brainard. Happy Birthday to Miranda Cross Koerner-Fox on June 11. Happy Anniversary to Larry and Sandy Case Hill on June 10 out there in Missouri. On June 13 it is Happy Anniversary to Roberta and Jim Hull. To all, have a great day and celebrate.

News? Send to gurleyrv@gmail.com or call 518-299-3219.

 

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Local Man to Share Experiences Aiding Ukraine, Fundraise for New Vehicle

JEWETT – A Greene County man who has made multiple trips to Ukraine to provide hands-on assistance during the war will share his experiences and fundraise for future efforts on Saturday, June 7th. The event will take place at 3 p.m. in the St. John the Baptist Parish Hall on Ukraine Road in Jewett. 

Michael DiBenedetto is a retired biology teacher from the Fleischmanns area.  After witnessing so many children and schools being bombed in Ukraine, he felt compelled to help—thinking, “This could be my own children or grandchildren.”  

12.7 million people in Ukraine required humanitarian assistance in 2025, including nearly 2 million children. 

These figures underscore the profound human cost of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Though he previously had no ties to Ukraine, Michael has made several trips to the war front in eastern Ukraine bringing direct aid to the war front. He has personally delivered vehicles to support humanitarian efforts there. One of those was recently destroyed, and Michael is now raising funds to replace it.

The destruction of 260,000 civilian vehicles underscores the urgent need for ta transportation solutions to deliver aid, evacuate civilians and support recovery effort. 

Michael will share his powerful story, photographs, and video during a special prestation:

Parish Hall, John the Baptist Church, Ukraine Road, Jewett Saturday, June 7th at 3pm.

Michael’s goal is to raise between $3,000 and $4,000 as soon as possible to purchase and transport another vehicle to Ukraine.

We’ve all been deeply inspired by Michaels’s courage and compassion. His story reminds us of the resilience of the human spirit-and the impact one person can make.

There is a large and vital Ukrainian community on the mountaintop- our friends and neighbors-many with loved ones still in Ukraine, suffering the devasting effects of war.

This is our chance to stand with them.

Please come. Bring a friend. Spread the word. And help us make a difference.

During the event, Michael will give a brief talk and slide show, sharing photos and discussing his experiences in Ukraine. 

Donations are welcome, and those contributing $50 or more will receive a handmade blue and yellow crocheted heart, while supplies last. 

For further information, contact Jonathangross25@gmail.com or call 914-523-3766. 

 

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“Save the Maze” - Online Petition Seeks to Save Beloved Playground

 

 

By David Avitabile 

MIDDLEBURGH -An online petition has been started to save the beloved Maze Craze playground at Middleburgh elementary school. District officials are planning to commemorate, and then "decommission" the wooden playground in about two years, but signers of the petition, or asking the district to save the playground, that was built in 1989.

As of Wednesday evening, 297 people signed the petition titled "Save the Maze Craze Playground-Middleburgh, NY."

The petition reads, "The Maze Craze playground has been a vital part of the Middleburgh, NY community for years. This charming playground is not just a playground; it’s a place where children laugh, friendships are formed, and everlasting memories are created. Tearing down this playground would mean losing a piece of our community’s heart and a place our children have come to cherish. 

"The community raised $60,000 for the project and community volunteers came together to build The Maze Craze in just FIVE days. The Maze Craze is a testament to community spirit and joint effort. This playground provides a safe environment for kids and is one of the few spots in Middleburgh that is accessible to all families regardless of their socio-economic status. Furthermore, playgrounds like The Maze Craze are essential for children's physical development, providing a necessary outlet for exercise and social interaction."

The writers of the petition offered options instead of removing the playground.

"Instead of demolition, let's consider refurbishing and updating the structures to meet any new safety regulations. This approach respects the community's desire to maintain their beloved Maze Craze while addressing any underlying concerns about safety or modernization."

They are asking school board members to reconsider.

"We urge the Middleburgh School Board to reconsider the decision to tear down The Maze Craze playground. By signing this petition, you're helping preserve an invaluable part of our town's heritage and supporting the well-being of future generations. Please sign this petition today to make a stand for our community's future and our children's joy. 

The website for the petition is: https://www.change.org/p/save-the-maze-craze-playground-middleburgh-ny.

MCS Superintendent Mark Place said Wednesday that the district does not comment "on social media posts directly.

"As you know, we’ve been transparent about the plan since January, and the community showed its support by approving Capital Project 2026 at the polls."

Earlier, Mr. Place said, "The plan for now is to address any safety concerns that were identified by our health and safety coordinator from BOCES.

"We have already removed the center tree, and today (in late May) we ground down two stumps that were tripping hazards. Over the summer we will continue working on the list of repairs that were identified.  

"The Maze Craze will continue to be used until such time that the new playground is opened sometime in the 2026-2027 school year.  We will gather community input as to how to celebrate the decommissioning of the Maze Craze once we get closer to that time."

 

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All About Racing

By Ed & Betty Biittig

This week we will begin with Albany-Saratoga racing and keep things in a positive light by not mentioning that four letter word that has been plaguing us for the season so far. 

The “Great Race Place” saw Matt DeLorenzo of Cropseyville with the checkered flag at the end of the Modified main event giving him a $500 bonus for back-to-back wins, on top of the $3000 he received for the win on Friday.   DeLorenzo then had a good shot at winning the special DeCarlo Auto Body 358-Modified Shoot Out if not for Felix Roy who nixed that by inches.  The 358-Mod event was the second leg of a special 358 Shootout Tour.

Also winning at Malta on Friday were Joey Scarborough (Sportsman), Beau Ballard (Pro Stocks), Nick Arnold (Limited Sportsman) and Damian Ward (Street Stocks). 

Traveling to the west on the NYS Thruway Utica-Rome was able to complete their show on Friday but not without a short visit from that four-letter word. Matt Sheppard of Savannah NY used a lap car to overtake Rocky Warner of Gloversville on lap 28 for the win.  Other winners at Utica-Rome were Payton Talbot (Sportsman), AJ Walters (Pro Stocks), Jayden West (Limited Sportsman), Justin Pope (Four Cylinder dual cam) and Wayne Russell, Jr. (single cam). 

30 Years Ago in Racing:

This weekend we decided to look into our archives and found that,

May 26, 1995, Alan Johnson of Clifton Springs achieved his first victory at Albany-Saratoga, increasing his career win total to 290. He drove the Dennis Tremont No. 21 small block Modified and subsequently secured two more feature wins at the Malta oval that season. These victories remain his only wins at that track. Alan Johnson continues to race and has amassed a total of 563 career wins to date.

May 27, 1995, Jack Johnson of Duanesburg won his second feature of the season at Fonda on his way to recording six consecutive wins at the track that year.  Jumpin Jack was behind the wheel of the Bobar No. 12B.  In his career Jack Johnson went on to record 152 wins at his home track of Fonda Speedway and became the winningest driver in the track’s history to date.  Glenn Fitzcharles won the URC Sprint event at Fonda.  The URC Sprints came to Fonda every Memorial Day Weekend for many years. 

John Hewitt was the winner of the Modified main event on the high banks of Lebanon Valley Speedway.  John’s first win at The Valley was June 23, 1984.  When he stopped racing his career win total at the track was 14. 

The Northeast Dirt Modified Hall of Fame in Weedsport inducted drivers Ernie Gahan, John McArdell, Buck Holliday, and the late Jackie McLaughlin into its Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, the Hall of Fame racing program was cancelled due to inclement weather moving in from the west. 

May 28, 1995, Jacque Villeneuve survived a penalty to win the 79th Indy 500. 

Bobby Labonte recorded his first NASCAR Winston Cup win of his career winning the Coca Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina.      

Until next week please send all news and/or comments to biittig@yahoo.com

 

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Village of Schoharie Announces Open Call for Projects as part of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative

SCHOHARIE – The Village of Schoharie Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI)  Local Planning Committee is seeking transformative project proposals for potential  inclusion in the Village of Schoharie DRI Strategic Investment Plan. Investment Plan.  Proposals for public, private, and not-for-profit projects can be submitted through an  Open Call for Projects from May 9th to June 11th, 2025.    

For those interested, please go to www.villageofschohariedri.com to download the  Open Call Form. An informational webinar on the Open Call is scheduled for May 20th  from 12:30 - 1:30 pm and one-on-one support is available for potential project sponsors  starting today. Prospective project sponsors are encourage to reach out the consultants  via email – villageschohariedri@gmail.com – to set up a pre-application meeting to  talk through their project and ask any questions they may have. Projects received  through the Open Call will be reviewed by the Local Planning Committee, with input  from the public. Successful submissions will be recommended for funding to the state.    

The NYS Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) provides state funding to New York  communities to foster vibrant downtowns across the state. The ultimate goal of the DRI  is to fund projects that will help transform downtowns into vibrant communities where New Yorkers want to live, work, and raise families.  

As the Round Eight DRI winner for the Mohawk Valley, the Village of Schoharie will  receive $10 million in funding from New York State Governor Kathy Hochul to develop  and implement a Strategic Investment Plan for the DRI area. A Local Planning  Committee made up of representatives of local businesses, institutions, and community  groups is leading the effort, supported by a team of state planners and private sector  experts.  

The Open Call for Projects provides the community with an opportunity to propose  transformative projects within the Village of Schoharie. Submissions may include  projects such as new capital/construction projects, public improvements, and  renovation of existing buildings. Projects should have a visible and functional impact on  the downtown area, for example, by serving as an anchor or catalytic project that will provide employment opportunities, housing choices, and/or services for the community.  Projects must also align with the DRI goals and eligibility criteria. They should be  shovel-ready and implementable within two years. Inclusion of a project in the Village  of Schoharie DRI Strategic Investment Plan does not guarantee funding through the  DRI Program. New York State will make the final determination of which projects will  receive a DRI award. 

Information on the open call including useful resources for project sponsors can be  found online at www.villageofschohariedri.com/opencall 

 

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