Daily Archives: February 28, 2013

Local residents to be honored at Herkimer County luncheon

Herkimer County HealthNet will honor farmers’ markets, municipalities, schools, and non-profit organizations throughout the county for their efforts in encouraging and improving the public health within their communities at the 2nd Annual Creating Healthy Places Recognition Luncheon on Friday, March 1.

Keynote speaker for the event will be Congressman Richard Hannah.

Representatives from CAP-21 of Old Forge will be among those honored at the luncheon.

Barb and Reed Proper of Thendara will be recognized for their efforts in managing the Old Forge Farmers’ Market.

Nick Rose, CAP-21 executive director, will also be in attendance for his work in securing two grants through Herkimer County HealthNet for the Town of Webb Recreation Department.

The event will be held at Francesca’s Banquets and Catering in Ilion at noon. The cost of the luncheon is $15.

The format of the event includes a social meet and greet followed by an awards ceremony. Adam Hutchinson, Executive Director of Herkimer County HealthNet said the organizations and individuals being recognized have committed to create healthy places in their immediate communities.

“They have been great partners, are committed to the health of local residents, and have plans to continuously make improvements in their communities,” Hutchinson said.

Share Button

Webb’s assessment data now available for review

Town of Webb Assessor Jean Murdock recently announced that the Assessment Inventory and Valuation Data is available for examination and review at the Assessor’s Office.

This data is the information that will be used to establish the assessment of each parcel that will appear on the Tentative Assessment Roll of the Town of Webb, which will be filed on or before May 1, 2013.

It is recommended that residents review this information to ensure that information about their parcels is correct before the Tentative Assessment Roll is filed.

The information can be reviewed at the Assessor’s Office at 183 Park Avenue on Friday, March 15 and Monday, March 18 from 10 a.m. to noon, and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Appointments to review the assessment inventory can be made by calling (315) 369-6880.

Share Button

C. Risley invited to join honor society

Calvin Risley, a Criminal Justice major at Mohawk Valley Community College was invited to join Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society for the Fall 2012 semester after earning a GPA of 3.5. He is a 2012 graduate of the Town of Webb School and the son of Richard and Valerie Risley of Thendara.

Share Button

Young Adirondacker takes his gun control thoughts to the top

Ethan Ehrensbeck

Ethan Ehrensbeck

Ethan Ehrensbeck of Old Forge comes from a long line of responsible gun owners and hunters.

At the age of 10, the fifth generation Adirondacker probably knows more about the ins and outs of guns than owners many times his age.

His teachers, he said, are some of the best around—his father Fred and grandfather Jim Ehrensbeck.

Because of his awareness of proper gun handling, Ethan has paid close attention to the gun control debates between politicians and the American public that have evolved from the December 2012 shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut.

It was the Sandy Hook tragedy, and the shooting in an Oregon mall that occurred earlier in the month, that prompted young Ethan to write a letter to President Obama on his feelings about gun control initiatives, and his personal experience with guns.

Ethan, a fourth grader at the Town of Webb School, authored the letter independently. He only shared it with his mother Judy after asking her for the money to buy a stamp before dropping it in the mailbox on December 31. Continue reading

Share Button

Osterhout, Brakeley announce engagement

August Kashiwa Brakeley and Megan Louise Osterhout

August Kashiwa Brakeley and Megan Louise Osterhout

Coach Peter Brakeley and Dr. Johana “Jody” Kashiwa Brakeley of Middlebury, VT are happy to announce the marriage engagement of their eldest son August “Gus” Kashiwa Brakeley to Megan “Mego” Louise Osterhout. Mego graduated from Middlebury College with a degree in Spanish.

She teaches and serves as Associate Dean of Academics at Stratton Mountain School in Stratton, VT, and is the farmer behind Green Peak Farm, which operates a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture).

Gus earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Political Science from the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.

He has coached sports on many levels and is currently coaching football and men’s lacrosse at Middlebury College.

The future bride’s parents are Debbie and Don Osterhout of Gibsonia, PA.

The future groom’s grandparents are the late Henry “Hank” Kashiwa and Miriam Kashiwa of Old Forge.

An August 2013 wedding is planned.

The couple plans to reside in Middlebury, VT.

Share Button

Service held for James A. Cole, Sr., 70

jim cole copyJames A. Cole, Sr., 70, of Thendara died unexpectedly February 21, 2013, in his home.

He was born August 18, 1942 in Montrose, NY, the son of James H. and Sophia (Sessock) Cole. He graduated from Hendrick Hudson High  School in 1960. Jim joined the Montrose Fire Department at the age of 18, where he eventually became Chief and Fire Commissioner.

Jim served his country in the U.S. Army from 1964 until his honorable discharge in 1966. He went on to serve in the Army Reserves until 1970.

He became a sheet metal worker with Local 38 in Brewster, NY, a job from which he later retired.

On August 31, 1969 he was united in marriage with Nina Barger in Peekskill, NY. The couple enjoyed their visits to the Old Forge area so much that they eventually purchased property in Thendara.

Being the craftsman and handyman that he was, Jim turned their modest cabin into a full-sized, year-round home for their family. Nina unfortunately passed away in 2007. Continue reading

Share Button

Kody Earl tackles lead role in Webb school’s ‘Bye Bye Birdie’

The Town of Webb School Drama Department will present a production of Bye Bye Birdie in the school gymnasium on Friday and Saturday, March 15 and 16.

The play will feature two school drama department veterans in the lead roles. Lauren Holt will portray Rose Alvarez and Kody Earl, her boss and love interest, Albert Peterson.

As Albert Peterson, Dakota “Kody” Earl plays music manager and song writer for the rock singer Conrad Birdie.

Earl describes his character as a “Mama’s boy” who, at age 33, still feels like he owes his mom something and is reticent to leave her.

Earl says this role is perfect for him, because he is, in fact, a Mama’s boy himself.

“I love my Mama,” he says of his mother, Chris Wilsey Earl. Earl describes “Bye, Bye Birdie” as a coming of age tale, even though his character is older.

He says it’s about Albert gaining confidence in himself and stepping out to do what he wants, regardless of who’s telling him not to.

Earl says that of all the roles he’s played, Albert Peterson is different.

Previously he has played tough and cocky characters.

“As Albert, I’m nervous. I’m kind of hesitant in the area of love, where I’ve always been the one looking for love” he said.

A senior at Webb, Earl said he saw his first play as an eighth grader, when his sister played a part in Damn Yankees.

He knew then that he wanted to be on the stage himself. He’s always liked to sing and has always been animated.

His first opportunity to act was when he starred as Danny in “Grease” his freshman year. He then played Sky Masterson in “Guys and Dolls” his sophomore year, and Eli Whitney in “Anything Goes” as a junior. Earl would like to continue involvement in drama this fall at Fingerlakes Community College, where he’ll study music recording technology.

Bye Bye Birdie is under the direction of Vocal Music Director Valerie Gaudin and Ann DeFillips.

Performances will be held at 7 p.m. on both evenings. Admission is $7 for adults, $6 for Seniors (62+) and $5 for students.

Share Button