Andes

Andes — The Andes ‘Battle of the Bands,’ a music competition with cash prizes, will be held on July 14 at 2 p.m. at the Andes outdoor fire pavilion on Tremperskill Road. Admission is free and barbecue and drinks will be available.

This will be a competitive musical event for youth, open to contestants ranging in age from teen to 25 years old. First prize will be $250, second prize $100, and third prize $50.  Winners will be chosen by the audience, so come and root for your favorites.

 By Pauline Liu 
The Andes Planning Board went against the advice of Delaware County Commissioner of Public Works Wayne Reynolds, when its members voted 6-to-1 in favor of O’Connor Hospital’s $700,000 project to build a new primary-care health clinic on what the county considers to be a flood-prone section of Lower Main Street.

In a letter Reynolds sent to the board, he made this suggestion about the proposed 2,800- square foot, Greek Revival facility.

By Pauline Li
An elderly Manhattan couple died in Andes on May 3, following a minor car accident at the bottom of their 60-foot driveway. Though they desperately tried to get help by placing nine cell- phone calls, help didn’t arrive in time, because there was no cell signal. The circumstances of their disaster attracted extensive coverage from New York City news media. “Learning that numerous 911 calls failed due to poor cellular coverage worsened the loss,” wrote their grandson Jeantet Fields, on his blog, fieldsnet.com. Fields, who is a technology instructor, said he bought his grandmother the cell phone on an AT&T plan to use in case of emergencies..

By Pauline Liu
Not even one parent from the Andes Central School District showed up for Thursday’s public hearing on the new budget. School district voters across the state are just days away from going to the polls to cast their ballots on their respective 2012-2013 budgets.  Andes voters will be asked to approve the new $3.64 million spending plan, which carries a 1.13 percent tax levy increase and complies with the  state’s adjusted two-percent property tax cap. The new budget is $29,000 less than the current one.

Andes — Chace-Randall Gallery proudly presents Fractal Landscape, Re-constructions from Tuscany, the Hudson Valley and South America, by Rimer Cardillo, May 11 – June 17. The exhibition is comprised of woodcuts and mixed media unique works on paper. A reception for the artist is Saturday, May 12 from 5 to 7 p.m.

By Brian Sweeney
Four area residents died last week as the result of injuries sustained in two separate accidents in the Town of Andes.

Killed in an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) crash on May 3 were the driver John W. Morris, 32, and a passenger, Julie M. Manon, 45. Mr. Morris was pronounced dead at Margaretville Hospital and Ms. Manon died the following day at Albany Medical Center.

By Pauline Liu
With help from some good friends, Hogan’s General Store in Andes is in the process of being put through a major overhaul.

About two weeks ago, as the business marked its 14th anniversary, the “For Sale” sign outside the building came down. Owner Don Hogan is in it for the long haul but he now has some help from two Andes friends. Interior designer Cheryl Terrace of Vital Design Ltd. and property manager Andy Wos of Broadland’s Management are often on premises working on improvements.

The Kevin Roney Memorial Stars & Stripes Dart Tournament Fund-Raiser will be held on Saturday, May 5 starting at 1 p.m. in Andes.

Everyone is welcome to participate in the dart tournament fund-raiser. In addition to the competition, there will a be 50/50 prize drawing, donation can, Chinese Auction, door prizes and plenty of fun. A chicken barbecue will begin at 2 p.m. Halves will be $6 and full dinners (featuring fabulous side dishes by Laurie Day) are $9.

By John Bernhardt
“My heart is singing for joy this morning! A miracle has happened! The light of understanding has shone upon my little pupil’s mind, and behold, all things have changed.” —Anne Sullivan

Andes Central School teachers Sandy Reynolds and Tamara Tisch had to be feeling a little bit like Anne Sullivan, Helen Keller’s remarkable teacher and companion of long ago, when they learned that their pupil, Jade Litaker had been accepted into the Berklee College of Music’s Summer Program.

By Pauline Liu
Wastewater treatment, highway projects and flood-related issues were the highlights of the Andes Town Board meeting last Tuesday. 

Andes Town Supervisor Marty Donnelly looked visibly happy when he announced the finalization of a deal to have Andes’ malfunctioning wastewater treatment system replaced by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).