Previous Chatham Courier Headlines

May 25th, 2012

NEW: CCSD school board presents plan for vacant seat

CHATHAM — On May 22, the Chatham school board made a plan to fill an empty seat through appointment. This process will begin the week of May 28.

May 23rd, 2012

Five CHS teams are Scholar Athletes

CHATHAM — All of Chatham High School’s spring athletic teams were named Scholar Athlete Teams by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA). The honor is reserved for teams whose athletes realize a high degree of academic success while balancing the rigors of an often full extracurricular schedule.

My View — New library director should have vision, ability to engage

By David and Julia Rubel

Letter — Supportive community makes for successful Sean’s Run

Thanks to generous sponsors, enthusiastic volunteers and supportive participants, the 11th Annual Sean’s Run was a success. What started a decade ago as a fun community run/walk scheduled purposefully at the start of high school prom season to remind teens and families about the deadly consequences of underage drinking, has become a full-fledged weekend of activities. Through the years, as we added activities, the goal of the Organizing Committee has remained the same: To produce a fun and wide-appealing community event that serves as a catalyst for parents and the community to talk with our teenagers about the dangers of drinking, driving and lax use of seat belts.

Editorial — We salute you on Memorial Day

Monday, May 28 is Memorial Day. Federal, state, towns, villages and city offices will be closed, as will post offices and schools nationwide.

Margaret Taylor

In loving memory of Margaret “Peg/Mimi” Neal Taylor, born August 18, 1915 in Buffalo, NY, died peacefully at her residence May 12, 2012 in Delray Beach, FL. Peg attended The Park School, Buffalo, N.Y. in 1921 graduating in 1933. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from Southern Methodist University. An accomplished horse woman and past president of The United States Pony Clubs, a tireless volunteer and a voracious reader, Peg was a devoted mother and is survived by her sons Bob “Robin” (Sheila), Ted (DeAnn) and Neal (Carol) and sadly predeceased by her daughter Margaret “Meg” Taylor Pearson (Ron). Peg is survived by her sisters Barbara Neal Beeson and Jane Neal Sharp but predeceased by her brother Ray “Petey” Neal Jr.

Hope Catherine Prior

Hope Catherine Prior, 90, a longtime resident of Ghent, died Monday at Whittier Nursing Home, Ghent. Mrs. Prior born March 3, 1922 in Ogdensburg, N.Y. is the daughter of the late Ira and Helen (Darrow) Kring. She graduated from Hudson High School and Mildred Elley. In 1945, she married her husband, the late Francis Prior (2000). She had lived in the Chatham, East Chatham area before moving to Ghent in 1953. Mrs. Prior was a bookkeeper for the Kring Nursing Home in Hudson for many years. A charter member of the Ladies Auxiliary Ghent V.F.W. Post #5933 and charter and life member of the Ghent Volunteer Fire Dept. Ladies Auxiliary and a member of the Ghent Reformed Church. She enjoyed camping and will be missed by her friends at the Payn Home. Mrs. Prior is survived by 3 sons: David F. Prior of Ghent, Christopher of Chatham, Daniel of Old Chatham; brother Ralph Kring of Ghent, James Kring of Hernandez, Florida and sister Elaine Katt of Kiskatom, N.Y. Survived also by 6 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Friday 10:00am from the Wenk Funeral Home, Chatham with the Reverend Nancy McClure-Long, pastor of Ghent Reformed Church, officiating. Interment will follow in the Ghent Union Cemetery. Relatives and friends are respectively invited to call 4-7 pm Thursday. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, 440 New Karner Rd., Albany, N.Y. 12205. For online condolences, visit wenkfuneralhome.com.

2 houses, church nominated for historic registeries

COLUMBIA COUNTY — Three properties in Columbia County have been nominated to join the State and National Registers of Historic Places: the Bartlett House in Ghent, the Copake Falls Methodist Episcopal Church in Copake and the Daniel and Clarissa Baldwin House in Spencertown.

Despite skepticism, Chatham’s prom at Basilica Hudson a success

CHATHAM — The high school prom is a memorable occasion — from the dresses to the decorations to the destination. However for Chatham, some parents were hung up on the fact that the junior class wanted to hold their prom in an old factory in Hudson.

PHOTO: STRIDE cuts ribbon at SCORE Center

In a weekend packed with activities, a ribbon cutting was held for the building that houses the SCORE Center (STRIDE Center for Outdoor Recreation and Education) off Route 203 in Chatham. Posing for the ribbon cutting are, from left: Sen. Roy McDonald, U.S. Congressman Chris Gibson, Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin and Mary Ellen Whitney, CEO and founder of STRIDE Adaptive Sports. Through connections with Gibson, STRIDE was able to obtain use of a camping property that was formerly Girl Scout Camp Sha-te-Muc, which had been vacant since 2007. The camp will provide year-round programs, as well as a retreat for STRIDE’s numerous local Wounded Warriors and their families. To learn more about STRIDE, visit www. stride.org. David Lee/Hudson-Catskill Newspapers

Ticketyboo Farm doing egg-cellent biz

GHENT — Anna and Adam Stofsky take care of a 70-strong chicken flock in Ghent. They started their venture, Ticketyboo Farm, last fall when they decided to raise some hens in their backyard. Since then their flock has grown and they also plan to start breeding their own chickens soon.

North Chatham seeks historic district designation

CHATHAM — At Chatham Town Board’s May 17 meeting, the board agreed to support a historic district in North Chatham and mulled over the creation of a Conservation Advisory Council.

Honoring 28 Revolutionary War soldiers buried in New Concord cemeteries

NEW CONCORD — Since last August, a committee of 11 have been researching, documenting and planning a cemetery dedication to honor 28 Revolutionary War soldiers buried in the Mountain View and DeWitt Brown cemeteries in New Concord. On Saturday morning, all their hard work came to fruition as 115 attended a ceremony held at the Mountain View Cemetery on County Route 9 in New Concord.

Price Chopper plan creeps forward

GHENT — The Ghent Planning Board, on May 16, moved closer to approval of a site plan for the Price Chopper with discussion and partial resolution of differing opinions on a retaining wall, lighting and buffering trees.

Protect Ghent brings in expert to explain NYSEG’s Article VII

GHENT — The advocacy group Protect Ghent, which opposes the proposed New York State Electric and Gas high voltage transmission line through Columbia County, brought an expert in to explain the application process NYSEG will have to go through before they can build its line. Andrew Davis of the New York State Public Service Commission spoke with residents about what they could do to be involved in the eventual decision.

‘Place of worship’ raises red flags for neighbors, Planning Board

NEW LEBANON — Were it not for Google, Luba Evans’ request to the Planning Board at their May 14 meeting to continue the activities on her property on Salls Road as a “place of worship” for practitioners of Tantra yoga might have met a different reception.

May 22nd, 2012

NEW: ‘Place of worship’ in NL raises red flags for neighbors, Planning Board

May 21st, 2012

NEW: ‘Place of worship’ in NL raises red flags for neighbors, Planning Board

May 16th, 2012

PHOTO: Chatham Body Works members run in Sean’s Run

Chatham Body Works had more than 25 members take part in the 11th annual Sean’s Run 5K in Chatham April 29, raising more than $500 to donate to the cause. Pictured, Linnea Vantassel took first place in the women’s 50-59 age group with a time of 21:28 and Jay Thorn placed second in the men’s 40-49 age group with a time of 19:06. (Contributed photo)

Letter — What were they thinking?

Nineteen underage teenagers, two 20 years old and 17 individuals ranging in age 16-18, were arrested after a party, where there was alcohol at a residence in the Edgewood Acres Mobile Home Park on Route 203 in Chatham in late March. According to a press release from Captain David Bartlett of the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, “An 18-year-old female was hosting a party at her residence where underage individuals were possessing and drinking alcohol beverages.” The female allegedly lived in the residence with her father, who according to police, was in New Jersey at the time of the party.

Letter — Constituents want answers for cuts in domestic programs

An open letter to Congressman Chris Gibson:

Editorial — Protect your home from electrical fires

On April 27, an electrical fire at a home on High Street in the village of Chatham displaced a family of three (who fortunately was assisted by the American Red Cross and taken in by friends). It’s a scary reminder of the risks associated with the use of electricity. In light of National Electrical Safety Month, the National Fire Protective Association provides safety tips and information to reduce the risk of home electrical fires.

Stephen R. Monaghan

Stephen R. Monaghan, 71, passed away peacefully at home in Hancock, Massachusetts, on May 14, 2012, after a long illness.

Sidebar: 11 teachers, 2 principals at CCSD receive tenure

CHATHAM — A total of 13 education professionals — 11 teachers and two principals — in the Chatham Central School District were unanimously granted tenure at the May 8 school board meeting.

It’s tick season and what a season it will be

COLUMBIA COUNTY — Columbia County still has one of the highest rates of Lyme Disease anywhere in the world, according to Dr. Ananthakrishnan Ramani, chairman of the Columbia-Greene Lyme Task Force.

New Lebanon, Chatham school districts discuss working together to save money

NEW LEBANON — At a joint meeting of the New Lebanon and Chatham school boards, held at the New Lebanon Jr./Sr. High School May 9, the boards’ members heard proposals about ways their districts could save money and work together.

Ribbon cutting officially opens Camphill Ghent

GHENT — At a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, a senior housing facility that was put into the works seven years ago, finally completed its opening. Camphill Ghent, a senior community located on Route 66 in Ghent, invited state Sen. Stephen Saland to cut the ribbon.

Change in insurance plan will save village money

CHATHAM — If you are a retiree who gets your health insurance through the village of Chatham, be prepared for a change. The village will be switching its coverage from a group Medicare plan to individual Medicare plans, starting at the beginning of July.

Town approves Commander’s application for campground license

NEW LEBANON — At its May 8 meeting, the New Lebanon Town Board sent a clear message to those who would violate zoning laws: The town doesn’t enforce them.

Chatham, NL school district budgets, propositions pass

CHATHAM/NEW LEBANON — Both Chatham Central and New Lebanon Central school districts held their budget votes and elections Tuesday. The budgets and all propositions passed and school board candidates were either re-elected or newly elected.

Car hits pedestrian in front of Speedway

NEW LEBANON — The dangers of Route 20, the unlit 55 mph highway that bisects the Lebanon Valley Speedway and its parking lot — which has been subject of much discussion at town meetings for the past few months — were demonstrated Saturday night, when 58-year-old Mark Fowler of Hancock, Massachusetts was hit by a car driven by 24-year-old Elizabeth Rawlings of Stephentown.

Car forces tractor trailer off Route 22 in Canaan

CANAAN — A two-vehicle accident on Route 22 in Canaan Tuesday morning sent a tractor-trailer dump truck off the road and the driver of the other vehicle to the hospital.

May 15th, 2012

NEW: Chatham, NL school district budgets, propositions pass

By Trevor Alford

NEW: Car hits pedestrian in front of Speedway

NEW: Car forces tractor trailer off road

CANAAN — A two-vehicle accident on Route 22 in Canaan Tuesday morning sent a tractor-trailer dump truck off the road and the driver of the other vehicle to the hospital.

May 13th, 2012

PHOTO: Bees swarm oldest home in NL

Thousands of bees departed their hive in New Lebanon’s oldest house, the former grist mill now occupied by husband and wife, Joe Ogilvie and Fiona Lally, and their four children. The couple’s son, Liam, found swarming bees clinging to a branch of a magnolia tree in their yard early Saturday. Lally said that the hive had moved into a wall of the mill, facing a “big giant bee balm garden,” about two years ago. On Saturday, the swarm formed “a cluster made entirely of bees holding on to each other, about a foot long and also that wide at one end.” she said in an email. The family found another cluster that afternoon, “high up in an ash tree almost directly above the first one,” she added. No one was stung, despite members of the family getting “very close several times.” By 4 p.m., the bees were gone, said Lally.

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