By Chris Hoffman

(Earlville, NY – Jan. 2012) At a public hearing on Jan. 10, the Earlville Board of Trustees approved a new 10-year franchise contract with Time Warner, which provides Village residents access to cable services.

Computel Consultants was engaged by the Village to review the previous Time Warner contract and make recommendations for the new contract that would provide the best possible services to residents in the most cost efficient manner to the Village.  Located in Earlville since its formation in 1989, Computel is a full-service utility billing analysis consulting firm serving both the public and private sectors throughout New York State.  They specialize in identifying and correcting overcharges on telecommunications, electric, and gas bills.

Following the public hearing, the trustees held their regularly scheduled monthly board meeting, conducted by interim mayor Bill Excell.  The annual audit of the Village’s financial records, required by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development grant funds oversight regulations, will commence on Jan. 17.  USDA/RD was the federal agency that funded the Village’s water project beginning in 2010.

There will be a special meeting on Jan. 17 at 7:30 p.m. to discuss the 2012 budget and review the State audit covering the period June 2009 through May 2010, conducted after the resignation in July 2010 of former mayor Toni Campbell.  Clerk Treasurer Kelly Beach said the findings in that audit “revealed nothing unexpected.”

Excell appointed Margaret Corey as trustee to fill the vacancy created when Excell was appointed interim mayor after the resignation on Dec. 26, 2011, of former mayor Mark Doeberl.  Corey will serve until the general election in March 2012, at which point she may continue in the position if elected or step down if someone else is elected.

The Planning Board will meet on Thursday, Jan. 19 at 7 p.m.

The next regular Board meeting of the Village Trustees is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 14 at 7 p.m. at the Village Office, located at 8 North Main St. Office hours are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to noon and Tuesdays 1-6 p.m.

For further information, call 691-2121, or visit the Village website at villageofearlville.com.

Chris Hoffman is a freelance writer/reporter for the Madison County Courier. She can be reached at madnews@m3pmedia.com. 

(Hamilton, NY – Dec. 2011) The Palace Players are delighted to present a benefit holiday production of Dylan Thomas’ “A Child’s Christmas in Wales.”  The staged reading of this classic holiday story marks what the theater group hopes will be the first of a regular holiday tradition for the company and the community.

“A Child’s Christmas in Wales is a heart-warming reminiscence of all those things that make the holidays such a memorable time, especially for children – the family, the generosity, the carols, and the traditions,” said director Dominick Pangallo, who also adapted the script for the reading.  “Our goal is to offer a new family-friendly, holiday tradition for the community, to raise funds for a worthwhile local charity, and to bring to life one of Dylan Thomas’ most beloved stories.”

All of the proceeds from the production will be donated to the Hamilton Food Cupboard.  A volunteer from the Cupboard will be on hand during the half-hour reading to also collect donated goods and nonperishable food items.  The Cupboard has especially asked for donations of tea, coffee, and hot chocolate for this winter season.

The cast includes Harrison DuBois (Poolville), Wil Eberhart (Hamilton), Jan Webb Guistwite (Sherburne), Clara Lantz (Hamilton), Dave Lantz (Hamilton), Ian Leavitt (Earlville), and Adger Williams (Hamilton).

The reading will take place at the Palace Theater on Sunday Dec. 18 at 3 p.m.  Tickets are $10 and will be available at the door only.

The Palace Theater is located at 19 Utica St. in downtown Hamilton.

(Poolville, NY – Dec. 2011) The Poolville Winter Farmers’ Market returns Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Poolville Community Center.

This month the market welcomes guest chefs Charles Wilburn and Roger Foster from the Poolville Country Store to the cafe, as well as more farmers and local artisans. Drover Hill Farm, Evans Farmhouse Creamery, Jewett’s Cheese House, Sunfed Beef, Szarek Farms, and Utica Coffee Roasting Company will join a lineup of more than 20 local food producers.

Local artisans featuring their work will include Denise Leone, Beth duBois, Goat Lady Soap and Denise Timms. (Photo by Kate Klein)

Just a sampling of local foods sold at the Poolville Winter Farmers’ Market. The market opens again Dec. 10. (Photo by Chris Hoffman)

 By Chris Hoffman

(Poolville, NY – Nov. 2011) Saturday, Nov. 12 was the opening day of this year’s Winter Farmers Market at the Poolville Community Center (PCC), and as in years past, people turned out in droves.

New managers Martine Cook of Heirloom Meadows Farm in North Brookfield and Amy Somers of Somers Harvest Farm in Hamilton took the helm this year after Things From Here ran the market beginning in 2009.

A new feature of the market this year is the presence of a “guest chef” from a different local restaurant each month.  This month the guest chef was Janssen Fay who, along with his wife Leah, opened Nola’s Restaurant in Clinton in 2005.

Janssen and Fay offered a lunch of cream of mushroom soup, salad, and made-to-order grilled sandwiches.

Next month, the guest chefs will be Roger Foster and Charles Wilburn of the Poolville Country Store.

Cook said, “The idea is to showcase a variety of local restaurants who make the effort to source their ingredients from local farms and producers.”  Half the profits from these sales are donated to the PCC to help with upkeep of the building.

In years past, separate fundraising efforts raised money to help pay the PCC’s electric and heating bills. Beginning this year, vendors have agreed to pay $60 each for the season to offset the PCC’s costs.

Cook also said that there are enough vendors now who have had a very satisfying experience in the past with this market that if a particular vendor can’t make one of the dates, there are others who can step up to fill what would otherwise be an empty slot. This way shoppers always have a full market with plenty of choices.

The vendors at Saturday’s market included Highland Farm from Hamilton, Ingleside Meadows Farm from Canastota, Johnston’s Honeybee Farm from Eaton, Dutch Girl Cheese from Leonardsville, the Poolville Country Store, The Imaginary Farmer from Hubbardsville, Lucky Moon Farm from Cazenovia, Quarry Brook Farm from Sherburne, G&M Farms from Morrisville, Fruit of the Fungi from Lebanon, Mizrahi Manor Farm from Norwich, Heirloom Meadows Farm from North Brookfield, Somer’s Harvest Farm from Hamilton, Sabino’s Farm from Sherburne, Windy Hill Apple Orchard from Cassville, and Jake’s Gouda Cheese from Deansboro.  Beginning next month, Evans Farmhouse Creamery in Norwich will return to the market.

Vendors offer a wide variety of products:  eggs; pasture-raised pork, beef, lamb, and goat meat; onions, garlic, and root vegetables; fresh and dried herbs, as well as greenhouse grown salad greens, chard, kale, and collards; mushrooms; jams, jellies, and salsas; peppers and seasonings; apples and cider.  Additionally, Bruce Rivington from Red Gate Farm is selling Kriemhild butter made from the milk of grass-fed cows from four local farms: Journey’s Joy Farm in Peterboro, Monanfran Farm in Canastota, Sunny Acres Farm in Georgetown, and Red Gate Farm in Hamilton.

The market is open from 10 a.m. to noon on the second Saturdays of the winter months:  Dec. 10, Feb. 11, March 10, and April 14 (no market in January).

For more information, or to get on their mailing list, email poolvillefarmersmarket@gmail.com.

(Poolville, NY  – Nov. 12, 2011) On Nov. 12, community members wondering where to find fresh, locally grown produce and homemade goodies can make the short trip to the first of five Poolville winter farmers markets. Visitors will find locally grown food products including eggs, produce, meats, honey, cheese and other dairy products, mushrooms, baked goods and more.

This season, the market’s café will feature a local guest chef offering brunch or lunch items to enjoy with a cup of locally roasted coffee.

The market will be held at the historic Poolville Community Center on Willey Road in Poolville Nov. 12, Dec. 10, Feb. 11, March 10 and April 14.

November’s vendors will include Drover Hill Farm, Dutch Girl Cheese, Fruit of the Fungi, G & M Farms, Heirloom Meadows Farm, Highland Farms, The Imaginary Farmer, Ingallside Meadows, Jewett’s Cheese House, Johnston’s Honeybee Farm, Lucky Moon Farm, Maple Avenue Farm, Mizrahi Manor Farm, Poolville Country Store, Quarry Brook Farms, Sabino’s Farm, Sommers Harvest Farm and Windy Hill Orchard.

For more information, email poolvillefarmersmarket@gmail.com.

Out of the Dust

By Bob Betz

(Wampsville, NY – Oct. 2011) On Aug. 8, Monday evening, quite a number of people from this vicinity went to Poolville to meet the delegation of children which came from New York City for a two-week stay in the country.

No, this wasn’t to be at the current retreat by Poolville Pond; this was in 1882.

They were in the charge of the Rev. Edward Judson, Pastor of the Borond Baptist Church of the 9th ward. The children who came were mostly connected with Mr. Judson’s Sabbath School, and are of the middle class of people, that is, they are children of merchants and workmen.

Some of the little ones are weakly, and had to have some friends accompany them, but the largest portion of them are hale, healthy children, and are just the ones to enjoy such a visit to the country.

Prof. Judson did not depend upon the Tribune fresh air fund, but secured the means from some well-to-do gentlemen who felt an interest in the children. His appeal to the people of this vicinity to take the children was promptly responded to, more places being offered than he could find children to fill.

The number who came were between 75 to 78, and were met at Poolville and taken charge by or for the following persons:

Mrs. Harris 1, Edwin Chase 3, Truman Chase 3, C. I. Osborne 1, A. Onderdouk 2, A. Z. Kingsley 3, Mr. Hopkins 2, C. R. Payne 2, Mrs. Hascall 2, H. R. Babcock 2, Mrs. Haswell 1, E. K. Kern 2, C. J. Johnson 1, M. Lont 2, Mrs. Felt 2, Geo. Waite 3, Mrs. Doolittle 1, J. O. Swift 1, Prof. Andrews 2, E. B. Gaskill 2, H. H. Keith 6, O. Patterson 2, Mrs. Wayman 2, Wm. Hartsborn 1, Mrs. Jenkins 2, Warren Buell 3, Mrs. E. Van Slyke 2, O. L. Woodruff 2, C. C. Wright 2, Mrs. C. R. Palmiter 2.

Some of these families may have taken one or two more than here noticed. The children are between the ages of 6 and 15 years and a few ladies who came for their own good will as well as to assist in the care of the little folks. A number were taken by people of Smith’s Valley.

From: The Republic Aug. 17, 1882

The Rev. Edward Judson was the son of Rev. A. Judson, the famous missionary. He attended Madison University and was graduated class of 1864 and Theology in 1869.

He was Prof. of Latin at Madison University for a period of time. He had offers from several other Churches but preferred to remain in New York City and work among the poor and needy.

During the year 1882, 215 children came to the area.

Bob Betz is an independent historian who volunteers in the Madison County Clerk’s Office Archives. While working there, Betz has recaptured stories of Madison County’s past ‘out of the dust.’ His columns are taken from historic documents and written in the language of the era. He can be reached at history@m3pmedia.com.

Nature Center to host Great Halloween Fun Day

(Town of Lenox, NY – Oct. 2011) The Great Swamp Conservancy, Inc., will host a non-scary day of fun for children and parents Oct. 30 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the nature center located at North Main Street and Pine Ridge Road, about four miles north of the village of Canastota.

The event is the second of two events designed for those seeking an alternative to traditional scary Halloween events.

The Great Halloween Fun Days feature Halloween displays, games, crafts and fun activities during daylight hours geared for children with accompanying adults. Each child in costume will receive a trick-or-treat prize.

The Good Witch will escort visitors through her house, where she will be brewing up some creepy surprises. Other displays include a “petting zoo” with spiders, rats, bats and other creatures of the night, a frog pond, a bird sanctuary and an underwater scene with giant fish.

In the pumpkin patch, children can talk to the Great Pumpkin and vote for their favorite jack-o-lantern. At Old McDonald’s Farm, there’s a “horse” to ride and a corn-filled “sandbox” to play in.

Children can go into the Bat Cave and crawl through the Giant Caterpillar. Every hour, there will be an interactive story-telling presentation and the breaking of a Halloween piñata.

There will be a coloring contest with prizes awarded in each age group, along with stamping and face painting. A variety of games will test the children’s skills with prizes awarded, while the make-n-take crafts will encourage their creativity.

Everyone will be offered free popcorn by costumed waiters. Lunch and other refreshments can be purchased at the Lady Bug Café.

Weather permitting; visitors can go on a tractor-drawn hayride.

Suggested donation for admission to the Great Halloween Fun Day is $3 per child ages 12 and under. Anyone accompanied by a child is free.

Rocky Horror Comes to Hamilton Theater

(Hamilton, NY) The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the all-time cult classic movie, comes to the Hamilton Theater Friday night, Oct. 28 for a special midnight show. Admission is $3. Costumed guests at Hamilton Theater’s midnight presentation will see themselves featured on the big screen. Tickets are available in advance by phone at 315-824-8210 or at the theater, or may be purchased at the door.

Costumed guests at Hamilton Theater’s midnight presentation will see themselves featured on the big screen. Tickets are available in advance by phone at 315-824-8210 or at the theater, or may be purchased at the door.

Trick or Treat at All Things Oz

(Chittenango, NY) The Oz-Stravaganza committee will be offering Halloween treats to children in costume during regular business hours, Friday, Oct. 28, from 5 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 29, from noon to 5 p.m. at All Things Oz, 211 Genesee St., Chittenango.

Costumed children will also be given free admission to the 1,000-item Oz collection during those hours. The regular fee for the Oz exhibit is $2 per person.

The All Things Oz exhibit is run by the all-volunteer Oz-Stravaganza Committee. In addition to regular business hours, the exhibit may be viewed by appointment by calling (315) 333-2286.

For more information, visit oz-stravaganza.com.

Lincoln to Celebrate Halloween

(Clockville, NY) The town of Lincoln, in coordination with the Lincoln Fire Department, will host a community gathering to celebrate Halloween at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at the Lincoln Fire Department in Clockville.

Join fellow community members for coffee, punch, popcorn, doughnuts and costume judging. Prizes will be awarded, and the costume contest is open to those infant through 12 years old.

Costume judging will begin at 6:15 p.m.

Information will be available and updated, if necessary, on the town’s website at TownofLincoln.org or by calling (315) 697-8837.

Public Invited to Haunted Opera House

(Earlville, NY) The spirit of Halloween transforms the 1892 Earlville Awesome House for kids Saturday, Oct. 29, from 7 to 9 p.m. On the first floor, the Wicked Witch and Warlock of Earlville greet you at the door. Scary exhibits and monsters fill this year’s Hall of Brides.

Be amazed by the 50 new exhibits in Rippley’s Believe It or Rot!

On the second floor, visit the deathly City Morgue to get a taste of the beginnings of the afterlife. See the ghosts and ghouls inhabiting the fourth dimension of the historic 1892 theater.

This event is free. The Earlville Opera House is located at 18 E. Main St., Earlville. For more information, visit earlvilleoperahouse.com or call (315) 691-3550.

Parents of children under 8 years old are urged to use their judgment.

(Earlville, NY – Sept. 2011) The Earlville Opera House invites singer-songwriters under age 22 to enter its fifth annual Youth Showcase of Singer-Songwriters to be held Saturday, Oct. 15, at 8 p.m. at the Earlville Opera House.

The fast-paced evening features two original songs from each songwriter or songwriting ensemble. Last year’s showcase winner was Mason McDowell. He will be invited to be on the four-judge panel this October.

The showcase is sponsored by Orbital Sound, who will be donating the grand prize of a professional four-song recording demo package valued at more than $675.

Additional prizes will be announced.

The deadline for entry is Sept. 15.

For more information, visit earlvilleoperahouse.com.

By Mike Bova, publisher

Did you know the average visit to a news site is 3-4 minutes? That tells me people are not reading their newspaper online. They are only reading a story or stories of interest.

There is nothing better that sitting down with a cup of coffee and flipping through the pages of a local newspaper. You can peruse the paper at your leisure. There is not a computer to fire up and it’s easy on the eyes…no glare.

Plus, you’d have to click on 70-80 pages of www.MadisonCountyCourier.com to read what is in one issue of the Madison County Courier Weekly.

The Weekly is so good, it will even be seen in Steven Soderbergh’s blockbuster movie, Haywire, which is opening Jan. 20, 2012.

Also, you should really purchase a subscription to the Weekly, which supports your local newspaper and keeps the newspaper in business.

Lastly, we just made it a little less expensive for everybody. Until Sept. 30, 2011, a 13 week subscription is only $10 (normally $13.) A 26 week subscription is only $15 (normally $20) and a 52 week subscription is only $25 (normally $35.)

If you buy a subscription to the Madison County Courier Weekly, I promise you won’t be sorry you did. Thank you for supporting your county newspaper.

Central New York summer camp recognized as one of the best summer learning programs

(Hamilton, Poolville, NY – Aug. 12, 2011) The Fiver Children’s Foundation, a New York City-based youth development organization with a camp in Hamilton, has been chosen as one the recipients of the 2011 Excellence in Summer Learning Awards.

All Fiver students in grades three through 12 attend Camp Fiver, a residential summer program aimed at helping at-risk kids develop strong character, improve literacy and develop healthy decision-making habits.

Fifteen percent of Fiver’s participants live in upstate New York in the areas surrounding Camp Fiver. The organization makes a 10-year commitment to each participant from ages 8 to 18, which allows for focus on long-term character development.

Camp Fiver’s curriculum aims to promote healthy life choices, enhance self-efficacy and leadership skills, motivate the participants to succeed in school, and increase their employability. Participants are encouraged and aided in developing a sense of self and ways to relate to the world around them through the foundation’s Whole Self curriculum.

“One of the main reasons Fiver is successful is because its immersive culture becomes embedded in kids’ hearts,” says Executive Director Christie Ko. “It is more than a program to the 550 children enrolled and more than 100 alumni. Fiver is an extended family. We are incredibly proud to have created a program that is worthy of this distinction from the NSLA.”

Research has established that low-income students are disproportionately at risk to lose academic skills during the summer. Excellence Award winning programs strive to curb these losses, but also employ other research-based practices to build 21st Century skills, confidence, parental engagement and future aspirations.

This annual award recognizes summer programs demonstrating excellence in accelerating academic achievement and promoting healthy development for young people, demonstrating exemplary practices in overall programming, including supporting staff, schools and other program partners in fulfilling shared goals.

“This year’s Excellence Award winners are nothing short of inspiring,” said Sarah Pitcock, the Association’s senior director of program quality. “This diverse crop of programs is evidence that regardless of subject matter or setting, young people thrive when summer learning programs build relationships, self-efficacy and knowledge in equal measure.”