News

By Joe Moskowitz
New York State is on a budget roll. Governor Andrew Cuomo says that for three years in a row now, the state has a budget in place and on time. The spending increase is less than two percent more than last year. And, the budget is balanced.

The $136 billion spending plan was passed just prior to the April 1 deadline and means that the state expects to have enough money to pay its bills this year. The state still has long-term debt of more than $300 billion.

Following are some of the highlights of the state’s new budget.

Margaretville — Opening this week at Longyear Gallery is “The Return of Color,” a group show featuring the work of Longyear Gallery members. The artists’ reception will take place Saturday, April 13 from 3-6 p.m.

Highmount — Country star Dwight Yoakam and rock icons the Doobie Brothers highlight the diverse lineup for the Belleayre Music Festival’s 22nd season. Tickets go on sale April 15 at 10 a.m.
Latin jazz, Broadway, opera and comedy will also be part of the mix as the summer music festival continues its tradition of presenting acts from across the entertainment spectrum.

Dwight Yoakam kicks things off in hard-charging fashion on Saturday, July 6. Dwight traces the roots of his stardom to country music, but offers a universal appeal that spans genres.

Margaretville — Ever wonder what stories your old house could tell if its walls could talk?
The Historical Society of the Town of Middletown (HSM) will host a program Saturday, April 20 by two local homeowners who will recount the history of their homes and will try to give voice to some of the people who lived there.

“House History Hunting,” the first HSM program of 2013, will begin at10 a.m. at the Society’s Hall, 778 Cemetery Road, Margaretville. Admission is $2 for members, $4 for all others.

Unearthing tales

Staff report
The Arkville Fire Department held its Annual Dinner on April 6 at the Colonial Inn in Pine Hill.
Several department members were honored for their years of service. Robert Sweeney was presented a plaque commemorating his 40-plus years of membership and 25 years as fire chief.
Connie Spielman and Charlene Bode were each given a pin marking their 30 years of service to the AFD.

The other anniversary award presented at the dinner went to Curtis Earl who received a pin marking five years of department membership.

Margaretville — Michael J. Moriarty has been appointed to the Margaretville Health Foundation Board of Directors. He lives with his wife, Donna Hollon, and daughter, Teagan, in New Kingston. Moriarty is a graduate of St. John’s University School of Law and New York University School of Law.
Michael is currently co-founder, president and board member of IndexAtlas Group that was started in 2001 and has offices in New York and Moscow. The company participates in cross-border business transactions largely on behalf of non-United States based companies.

Grand Gorge and Roxbury fire department members held a chicken barbecue on March 9 with the proceeds benefiting the March of Dimes - March for Babies team “Remembering Dylan.”

The chicken was put on the barbecue after several hours of marinating in their “special sauce” and was ready for sale around 11:30 a.m. It was sold out by about 1 p.m.   Salads, baked beans and desserts were prepared by members of the department as well as members of the United Methodist Church.

The Rotary Club of Margaretville has announced that James Warner, a member of the Class of 2014 at Margaretville Central School, has been selected as a participant in the 31st annual Rotary District 7170 Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) Conference. The conference will be held at SUNY Oneonta from June 23 to June 28 this summer.

Warner will join 110 other students from high schools in the Southern Tier who will live, work, and study together at the RYLA Conference.

Margaretville — The Historical Society of the Town of Middletown (HSM) is gearing up for a busy season of programs, projects and a major exhibit on the Civil War. Details can be found at www.mtownhistory.org.

The first program of 2013 will be held Saturday, April 20 at 10 a.m. at the HSM Hall, 778 Cemetery Road, Margaretville when homeowners in Margaretville and Halcottsville share the secrets of their houses and the people who lived there.

Margaretville — It’s time to break out your favorite bowling shirt and dust off your bowling ball! Art Bowl, a benefit bowling party for the Roxbury Arts Group, will be taking place at the retro 1960s bowling alley Margaretville Bowl on Saturday, April 13 from 4 to 6 p.m.

Tickets are $25 per person and include two hours of bowling, shoe rental and a spread of bowling party themed food. There will also be prizes for highest score, lowest score and best bowling outfit. For tickets, call the Roxbury Arts Group at 607 326-7908.