Margaretville

Margaretville — Catskill Mountain Christian Center (CMCC) is pleased to present the Bluegrass Mountain Summer Concert Series on Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. through August 29.

Offered at no cost to the public, concerts will be held rain or shine, just bring your lawn chair or a blanket. Different Bluegrass bands will perform each week at this family-friendly event which is sure to be a fun, lively summertime experience for young and old alike.

By Brian Sweeney
Two Margaretville Central School fifth-graders were among the winners in the NYC Department of Environmental Protection’s 26th annual Water Resources Art and Poetry Contest.

The students, Cruz Garcia and Jackson Kowatch, traveled with their families to Citi Field in New York City on June 6 to participate in the awards ceremony. Cruz shook the hand of DEP Commissioner Carter Strickland and Jackson took to the stage to read his poem, “Trout in Water” to a large audience.

By Brian Sweeney
McIntosh Country Market and Auction has joined the growing list of flood-damaged businesses that have finally reopened.

Located at the intersection of Fair Street and Route 28 in Margaretville, the sprawling building was hard-hit by a wall of rushing water during the historic August 28 flood.

By Brian Sweeney
The Margaretville Central School Junior/Senior Band earned a Silver Rating at New York State School Music Association Major Organization Festival (NYSSMA) on May 16.

The Silver Rating from the judges indicates that the students “have demonstrated an excellent level of technical and artistic skill in each of the evaluated categories.”
MCS Band Teacher Cassandra Olin said that she and the ensemble members were proud of their achievement.

Margaretville — Opening this week on Thursday at The Longyear Gallery is “Coastlands,” featuring the photographs of one of Longyear Gallery’s founding members, David Leveson, accompanied by a group show of all Longyear Gallery artists. The artists’ reception will be held on Saturday, June 2 from 3-6 p.m.

“Coastlands” presents David Leveson’s photographs of the beaches, marshes, and dunes of Cape Cod, largely deserted in late autumn.

By Pauline Liu
The house at 20 Swart Street in Margaretville is like no other, because its foundation has been elevated by four feet. The home, owned by Pam and Jim O’Neal, has caused many to simply stop and stare in amazement. It’s hard to miss, since it’s right next door to the Margaretville Telephone Company, so there’s plenty of traffic passing by. 
 
The house, where the O’Neals have lived for decades, is in the floodplain and was damaged by the floodwaters of Tropical Storm Irene last August 28. 

Safety concerns

By Brian Sweeney
The Freshtown Supermarket in Margaretville will reopen this week, nearly nine months after sustaining massive damage from last August’s historic flood.

PSK Supermarkets Vice President Dan Katz told the News on Monday that “we are aiming to reopen by mid- to late-week, but we are waiting on confirmations for certain equipment.”

By Pauline Liu
Nearly nine months after the raging floodwaters of Tropical Storm Irene swept through the Cheese Barrel and Gourmet Shop on Margaretville’s Main Street, owner Sue Ilho is back. The shop reopened on Saturday to rave reviews.

“Oh, wow!” shouted former neighbor John Kaufman. “ This is blowing my mind. It’s better than new. I’m in awe.”

By Brian Sweeney
A Roxbury woman received a wonderful Mother’s Day surprise when her daughter arrived home after a long deployment in Kuwait.

LTJG (Lieutenant junior grade) Trisha Kutkiewicz has been serving a United States Navy deployment for the past six months, but was able to obtain a leave to pay a surprise visit her mom, Sandy Kutkiewicz. Making the visit even more special is the fact that Sandy has been suffering from the effects of cancer treatments over the past five months.

Father Dante Tarantini, FCR, co-pastor of Holy Innocents Cathedral in Halcottsville, was presented the Cross of Saint Charles during the General Assembly of the Catholic Apostolic Church in North America on May 15.

The Cross of Saint Charles, which is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a priest of CACINA, is named after Saint Carlos Duarte Costa, the founder of CACINA. In presenting the award, Bishop Anthony Santore, FCR, the presiding bishop of the church, spoke of Father Dante’s dedication to both the national church and the faith community of Holy Innocents.