Recent News on www.rsmercury.com - Richfield Springs Mercury

Health and safety focus at RSCS

RSCS students in grades five through eight were participants in a Health and Safety Fair on Friday, February 13 thanks to the efforts of the Otsego County Public Health Department, the RSCS PTO, and many presenters who brought displays and materials to give the students information on a variety of age appropriate subjects.

Donkey Basketball to Benefit Research

The excitement is building and on Saturday, February 28 at 7 p.m., members of the RSCS staff and community members and supporters will saddle up to benefit leukemia research at the Donkey Basketball Game to be held in the Richfield Springs Central School gymnasium. If you’re looking for hearty laughs and have never seen basketball played with donkeys, this is an event you won’t want to miss.

RSCS Board of Education Meeting Highlights-2/11/09

The Feb. 11 Richfield Springs Central School (RSCS) board of education meeting was held in the school’s cafeteria and included budget presentations by head of building and grounds, Randy Moshier and Computer coordinator Jim Hill, but the topic on many minds was not building and grounds or technology in the next school year; it was the future of the RSCS football program.

RSCS Spirit

Cool offense!

Moshier moves!

Sporty seniors honored

DiPerna lecture cancelled

Grand band stand

HISTORY COLUMN

Tavern Tales

Like many young guys at the time, I couldn’t wait to grow up to experience what it was like to be an adult. One of those grown up privileges was the abililty to legally consume adult beverages.

In my adolescent days the legal drinking age was 18. Beer was usually the beverage of choice, probably because it was cheaper and a lot easier going down the throat. Most of the time, two or more guys would get together, pool their money and the oldest looking (or bravest) would go to a store that was known to be lax when it came to checking ID.

Catch of the day

Seniors stay busy with bouquets

Voice your budget concerns

There is a lot of discontent brewing as budgets are scrutinized and redefined for upcoming votes. Excessive spending, cost increases, cuts, salaries and benefits, contract negotiations and programs are all areas being considered as proposals are prepared.

Residents are asking why budgets continue to increase when enrollment is decreasing. Why are administrative costs rising while programs are being slashed for a student body that continually shrinks?

It’s not too late to fix health insurance

When Governor David Paterson’s deficit reduction package hit my desk one of the first things that jumped out at me was an increase in health insurance taxes. I fought the ill conceived legislation, but senate Democrats were unwilling to budge, and passed the plan anyway. Now I am calling on the governor to use funds from the federal stimulus package to rescind his hike in health insurance taxes and right a very serious wrong.

COOKBOOKIN'

JGB’s new broker extends an invite

Stop in and say hi to JGB Property’s new broker, Pete Bussmann. That is a direct invitation from the man himself. Guaranteed you will find yourself endeared, inspired and educated as he shares anecdotes and philosophies while you become acquainted. After a few moments you will learn that the chat isn’t idle or without reason. While you get to know one another, Bussmann is hard at work figuring out exactly what you are looking for and need in your life as far as your quest to purchase property.

Mount Markham to present “Once Upon a Mattress”

Mount Markham Central School District’s all-school musical, “Once Upon a Mattress,” will take the stage on Friday and Saturday, March 6 and 7, beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the high school auditorium on Fairground Road, West Winfield.

Non credit courses offered at HCCC

Bassett hosts blood drive

Homeward Bound (Conclusion)

After we said our goodbyes to the cousins we left Okemos, picked up Interstate 69, and headed west to Port Huron. Our driving plan was to cross into Canada for the fifth time on the trip. I hoped they didn’t keep records of all the crossings or they might wonder what we are up to. Highways 3, 1, 405 and the QEW (Queen Elizabeth Way) brought us to one of our favorite campgrounds in Confederation Park, just outside of Burlington, Ontario.

Alligator On The F Train (Continued)

Carlos is telling me his story:

“I’m so hoppy to see my boys when I go out to New Jersey for a visit. But my wife – she only asks for money. I get my kids anything they want. I buy them a motorbike. We take it to a field near the ocean. There are dirt trails running through the tall weeds. All three of us get on the bike and with a little trouble I take them along the hard sand next to the water. Salt spray fills our narices. The wind is in our hair. ‘I love my poppy!’ the little one yells. I’m feeling good but when I take them home she’s shouting at me, that I should give her the bike money for the house. ‘You mean for dee pot parties,’ I say. Then we haf a big fight and I head for the door and the little one is crying and he says, ‘Don’t go, Poppy!’ and I haf to look away from his eyes.”

Glimmerglass Opera had humble beginnings

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. – Glimmerglass Opera has been a part of the Cooperstown cultural scene for more than 30 years. Although snow now blankets the countryside, many people are working behind the scenes to create what promises to be another spectacular season.

The opera company presented its first season in the summer of 1975, with four performances of La Boheme staged in the auditorium of the Cooperstown High School before an audience of 1,200 local residents. This year, performances will be presented from July 18 through Aug. 25 in the 900-seat Alice Busch Opera Center, which opened in June, 1987.

Make a difference

Last Wednesday, at least in Richfield Springs, the day was a little greyer, the snow was a little thicker, and the afternoon ticked by agonizingly slowly, as if the slush frozen with salt and sand had clogged time immobile.

Middle East measures questioned

Local mushers say “thanks!”

Say no to golf tax!

Gala co-chairs give thanks

Herkimer Industries workers honored

HERKIMER, N.Y. – Herkimer Industries (HI) honored sixteen workers for perfect work attendance in 2008. Each was presented with a fleece jacket for their dedication to their workplace.

Located in Herkimer, HI offers competitive subcontracting services in commercial sewing, packaging and assembly.

Hearing set for Springfield comprehensive plan

Ostrander jailed for robbery

Former Richfield Springs resident Edward Ostrander, was convicted earlier this month following a February 9 court hearing, on charges of robbery in the third degree. Ostrander was sentenced to one to three years in a state prison, according to Otsego County District Attorney John Muehl.

Scholarships available to local students

The Folts/Mohawk Valley Nursing Homes are again offering scholarship opportunities to area high school students. One $250 scholarship will be awarded to a student at each of the following local high schools: Dolgeville, Little Falls, Owen D. Young, Mount Markham, Herkimer, Richfield Springs, Ilion, Poland, West Canada Valley, Frankfort, Gregory B. Jarvis, B.O.C.E.S.

What's On

Winter just seems to hang on in Central New York State and many of us are still waiting for a nice February thaw to make an appearance. Hang in there though, as we spring ahead and go on daylight savings time on March 8, and maybe an early spring will be our reward for the old-fashioned winter we’ve had. Wouldn’t it be great if on St. Patrick’s Day we saw green poking through on our lawns? Let’s hope!

Head Start Superstars of the week!