Community

By Jay Braman Jr.
The recent redistricting of New York State government has changed the local representation, and on Thursday there are two primary races to determine who will be on the ballot in November.
Longtime Republican Senator John Bonacic will no longer represent the region, as he is being redeployed in a new district.

Now the area will fall under the 51st Senate District, where Oneonta resident Senator James Seward, a Republican, is facing a challenge from James Blake, a businessman and political newcomer from up in Otsego County for the Republican Party endorsement.

Halcottsville – Registered nurse and herbalist Marguerite Uhlmann-Bower will lead a hike on Saturday, Sept 22 originating at the Pakatakan Farmers’ Market at the Round Barn and embark on a journey into neighboring woods to discover the bounty of edible and nutritious plants common to the area. 

The informative hike is part of a series entitled “Leaves, Weeds, Seeds and Shoots” which introduces beginners and experienced herbalists to the flora of a different Delaware County location about once a month. 

By Joan Lawrence-Bauer
Longtime area resident Annmarie Urso has been appointed by New York State Education Commissioner, Dr. John B. King, Jr. to the Commissioner’s Advisory Panel on Special Education representing institutions of higher education.

By Joan Lawrence-Bauer 
Though Hurricane Irene is a year behind us, the mess she left in her wake is still here.  Memorial events serve as comforting reminders of the way people came together to cope.  But tax bills in the mail next week will be painful reminders of what we’ve lost in a decade-and-a-half filled with population shifts, changing demographics, floods and global economic downturn.

Walton — In the wake of renewed efforts to improve the treatment of individuals with severe developmental disabilities in New York, The Arc of Delaware County (Delarc) is experiencing a surge of interest in its training initiatives from both government officials and industry professionals.
The focus is primarily on Delarc’s Vantage Point training program, a unique exercise that puts able-bodied individuals into situations where they experience first-hand what it’s like to go through life with a disability.

Delhi —Time to Pony, Twist, and Stroll on over to the Heart of the Catskills Humane Society’s 10th annual Woofs‘n Wags Dog Walk and Fair on Saturday, Sept. 15 at the American Legion Hall and Field, Route 10, Delhi.

“Long Live Ruff & Roll” revisits poodle skirts, sock hops and hula hoops for a Fabulous Fifties’ fundraising tribute to the homeless cats and dogs of the Catskills region!

By Brian Sweeney
Summer unofficially ends this week as area schools open for the 2012-13 year.
Following are overviews of changes at local school districts for the upcoming year.

Andes
The first day of classes at Andes Central School will be on Thursday, Sept. 6 from 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
Superintendent Robert Chakar said that all staff positions at ACS remain unchanged.
He said that enrollment for pre-K-grade 12 will be just under 130.

Margaretville — New York State Senator James Seward, who will represent this area starting in January, visited Prattsville, Grand Gorge, Roxbury, and Margaretville on Tuesday, Aug. 28 to familiarize himself with the area and its needs. His visit in Margaretville was hosted by the Margaretville Area Tea Party.

Margaretville — A Hurricane Irene Remembrance and Community Picnic will be held at Margaretville Central School on Thursday, Aug. 30 starting at 5 p.m.

The free event gets underway with a picnic on the school grounds. Refreshments will include hot dogs, soft drinks along with an ice cream social complete with all the fixings, donated by Stewart Shops.

Dollar General also made a generous donation to the event, providing rolls and condiments among other items.

The theme of the night will be “Remembrance, Recovery Outreach and Information.”

Highmount — Saturday at the Belleayre Music Festival, the Catskill Park Resource Foundation (CPR) announced the winning slogan of “Capture the Catskills” contest and the winner of the $1,500 grand prize.  And the winner is: “The Catskills, Always in Season.”