The Chatter for July 2013

7/28/2019 The Chatter for July 2013

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-chatter-for-july-2013 1/12

July/August2013 Editor:NancyDiPacePfau Number15

CONGRATULATIONS MAYOR PLUMMER

DouglasPlummer,co-owneroftheAmericanHotel,shownaboveonrightwithhispartner,GarthRoberts,isthenewlyelectedmayorofSharonSprings!WeattheChattercouldnotbehappierandhopetoseelotsofpositivechangesoccuroverthenextseveralyearshereinourlittlevillage.

NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES IN NEED

OurheartsaresaddenedbythetragicfloodinginnearbyFortPlain,Canajoharie,Herkimer,LittleFalls,andMiddleburg–donationsofcleaningsupplies,food,water,children’sclothing,moneyaregreatlyneeded.TheSharonSpringsFireDepartmentorganizedacollectiononJuly1 st ,theSalvationArmyandRedCrosswelcomedonations,andeachcommunity’sfiredepartmentsaretakingitemsanddistributingthemasneeded.****SpecialThankYoutoDavidDeVitoforcoveringtheprintingcostthisissue!****



CHALYBEATE PARK UPDATE

July4thcelebration–acommunitypicnicattheparkandinthenewlypaintedtemple!Allexpensesandworkontheparkhasbeendonatedandthere’sstillmuchworktobedoneincludinganothercommunitycleanupday–sostaytunedandhelpgetthisparkinshapewithus!Don’t

missthefirstconcert:ScottyMacandtheRockin’BonnevillesJuly10at7PM.Futureconcerts:July17th AnnieandtheHedonists,July24thBarnabyBright ,July31st OpenMic,August7ThreeQuarterMoon,August14thSoulSky,August21SingerSongwriterNight.

JOGGING MEMORIES

Lastweekmyfriend,BarbaraMelera,of LandrethSeedCompany graciouslypresentedmewithPrayingMantisEggstohatchinmygarden[didyouknowtheyarecannibalistic?And,ofcourse,they’lleatothergardenpests–socheckwithBarbandordersomeforyourgardennextyear!]IstartedreminiscingabouttheyearsItaughtat IranzaminInternationalSchool inTehran–in1970

tocelebratethefirstEarthDay,my5 thgradestudentsandIstartedourownnewsletter[theChatterbox,believeitornot–IdidnotnamethisNewsletter,thatwasLeila!]Weinvitedtheyoungerclassestocontributeessaysandpoetryhopefullywithanaturetheme.Myalltimefavoritewasthisentryfromafirstgradestudent:“ThePramanisisaBIGSpitter!”I’llletyoutranslatethatoneforyourself!Now,some43yearslaterwestillneedtoberemindedthattheEarthisafragilehome–let’salldosomethingniceforMotherNaturethismonth!



WEDDING HIGHLIGHTS AT BEEKMAN!!

InaweekthatsawDOMAoverturnedbytheSupremeCourt,SharonSpringscelebratedelegantly!JoshKilmer-PurcellandBrentRidge,ourveryownFabulousBeekmanBoys,tiedtheknotinaceremonyheldinthegardenatBeekmanmansionwheretheflowerswereperfection–

Hydrangea,Peonies,Rosesallbloomingprofusely!Asguestsarrivedbycharteredvan,eachbringingaheirloomcovereddishforthepicnic,theywerephotographedforaweddingalbum.Eachguestreceivedamonogrammedpicnicblanket[pureBeekmanstyle]asaweddingfavor.Justbeforenoon,weallsaunteredupthehillsidefortheceremony,overlookingthemountainsandfieldssurroundingthefarm.MarthaStewartbroadcastherSiriusRadioProgramfromtheporchfeaturinganinterviewwiththenewlyweds.Agrandpicnicwithbarbeque,games,conversation,andashowerortwocompletedthemagicalday.CheckoutthephotosonMartha’sblog!

CHERRY VALLEY ARTWORKS SCHEDULE

July12-13MotherhoodOutloud ***July28FenimoreStringQuartetAugust4thKlezmerConcert ***August11LifeCyclesAugust18EnsemblesBig&Small www.cvartworks.orgformoreinformation



SAHAJA MEDITATION RETREAT

LastyearwehadacouplestaywithusthatsaidtheywereattendingaMeditationRetreatnearby.Wedidn’tasktoomanyquestionsandtheyweregreatguests,sowedidn’tthinktoomuchabouttheretreat.

ThisyearwehadacallfromagentlemanwhowasacardiologistinTupelo,Mississippilookingforseveralroomsbecausetheywerecomingtoaretreatnearby.ThistimeIwasdeterminedtofindoutmoreaboutthis.TheyhadparentscominginfromIndia,abrotherfromTexas,anauntfromCaliforniaandthenwehadotherguestsfromBostonandOregon,allhereforthesameretreat.Alloftheseguestswereextremelyfriendlyandopenabouttheirbeliefs,butdidn’tpushthemonus.Normallywedon’tacceptyoungchildren,butthecardiologistandhiswifehada3and6yearold.Theycouldn’thavebeenmorepolite!ThefirstmorningtheboyscamedowntosayhitoMissKelly.Theparents’planwastobeoutofthehouseby8AMatthelatest.Howevertheoldestboywentintothediningroomandlookedaroundatthefoodandhadotherideas.Kellytoldthemshehadmadeabreakfastpizzaespeciallyforthem.Hewasalittleskepticalaboutthatuntilhesmelledit!

WhentheparentscamedownIdecidedIneededtoknowwherethisgatheringwas.At

firstIfoundoutitwasnearFtPlainandthatthisyearwasaninternationalgatheringwithover1000peoplefromaroundtheworldthere.ThispuzzledmebecauseIhavelivedintheareaforover50yearsandcouldn’tthinkofafacilityinFtPlainthatcouldaccommodatethatlargeagroup.TheypolitelytoldmeitwascalledtheSahajaMeditationRetreat.Itisaworld-wideorganizationbuttheyhaveregionalgatherings.LocallytheyownpropertyoffStarkvilleRdoutsideofFtPlainwithalargebarn.Theyputuplargetentstohousemostoftheattendeesinprimitivecampingarrangements.Inadditiontothemeditation,manymemberssellartsandcraftsinboothssetupinthebarn.TheattendeesfromforeigncountriesstayedthereandtheycamefrommostlyEuropeancountries. IalsofoundoutthatIhadsatnexttooneofourguestsonaplanefromMilwaukeetoNewYorkabout15yearsago!SherememberedmeafterIdescribedmygrowinguponadairyfarmhereandnowpublishingtrademagazinesthatgototheagriculturalindustry.Whatasmallworld!

Ifyouwanttofindoutmoreaboutthisgroup,hereistheirwebsite http://www.sahajayoga.org/.ByBruceButton,TheNewYorkHouseBed&Breakfast

NEWS FROM THE BLACK CAT

Glimmerglass Festival starts this Saturday July 6th with The Flying

Dutchman. And for the 7th summer, Black Cat provides wonderful gourmetpicnics delivered 2 hours prior to the performances. They can be

ordered online or by calling 518.284.2575. You can even order themif you are not going to the opera. We'll also be back at the Cooperstowwn Farmers'

Market on Tuesdays (12-5)

Black Cat is open 7 days a week, 8-3:30 or later.



THE PEOPLE ARE THE STORIES byGailLuna

Through its long history, Sharon Springs has seen a community ever changing and evolving.

During the Nineteenth Century at its height of popularity as a spa town, Sharon Springs sawten thousand people through its doors. It has welcomed visitors from all over the world.

Visitors with many styles, ideas and vision. Now in the Twenty-first Century it doesn’t nearly see that many people, however we thought it would be an interesting idea to get to know our

community by introducing you to the people who live here. As most of you know there are manytalented artists, musicians, businesses, and interesting people who have decided to make

Sharon Springs their home.

Let’s begin with a man who has been here since 2001, he’s won numerous awards for hisartwork, co-founder of the Studio of Fine and Decorative Arts and has travelled the world

working with some of the most prestigious artists. In Sharon Springs he’s part of the Chartwell House Studios. Let me introduce you to Peter Cozzolino, a truly gifted artist who has shared

with this community his artistic voice. Below are excerpts from a wonderful and informative

interview.

FULL NAME: Peter Cozzolino (Cozzolino means to strike lightly).

WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Harrison, NY.

PROFESSION? Sculptor. Being an artist. Medical Art.SCHOOLING: Graduated Boston University, School of Fine and Applied Arts, Illustration

Major. Independent Art Study-Italy, Intense study of Master works of Marble of AncientGreece, Renaissance and High Baroque.

WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO SHARON SPRINGS:We found the farm and the neighbor wasn’t right next door, we had privacy. We had 254 acres,

streams, it was a fantasyland with a cave. No dumps were nearby. We decided when all the kidsgraduated we would make the move upstate.IN YOUR PROFESSION WHAT TYPE OF WORK DO YOU MOST LIKE?

Classic sculpture, romantic. Clean hard lines.BIGGEST INFLUENCE IN YOUR LIFE: Giovanni Bellini, Michael Angelo.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEDIUM: I will sculpt out of whatever you want.MOST INFLUENTIAL PROJECT? Sister Carmelina Tarantino. Carved out of Marble. Placed

in Canada-Toronto and another in ItalyMOST MEMORABLE PROJECT? The Life-sized Sister Carmelina Tarantino, carved, carrara

marble for the Passionists of Rome. Peter spent a year In Italy working in the quarry’s whileworking on the Life-sized statue. Sister Carmelina was born in Italy in 1937 and moved to

Toronto in 1964 in hopes of finding answers about her unexplained illness. Canadian doctorssuspected a rare form of cancer, however it was never confirmed. She suffered through painful

treatments, including the amputation of her leg and a mastectomy. She was transferred toRiverdale Hospital for her last few months, yet she lived. In 1977 she became a nun and lived

in the same bed, same room, never sitting up or walking for an amazing 24 years. Transcendingher own suffering Sister Carmelina helped the poor and brought comfort to those who visited

her hospital. Sister Carmelina worked tirelessly with the development of the Passionists SocietyCommunity of North America in Canada. The Society called on Peter to interpret her combined



suffering and the warm and welcoming love she extended to each and everyone. Sister Carmelina of Tarantino is now being considered for Sainthood.

MOST NOTABLE CLIENT? We’ve worked with many celebritiesincluding; Armani, Eddie Murphy for 15 years, Countess Albino Du

Boisrouvray and the Association Francois-Xavier Bagnaud,

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PIECE? There are several different pieces, however I think it would have to be the life-sized statue of Sister Carmelina. As you advance it changes, as you evolve things change. I

love Terra cotta pieces and flat release of the female form. Each piecegenerates new growth and challenge.

THOUGHTS TO LIVE BY? Comes from the romans “Mens sana inCorpore Sano.”- “A sound mind in a sound body.” Another is “What you

think is what you get.” “Those who give themselves to ready and rapid practice, resemble a sailor who go to sea in a vessel without a rudder.” In

other words, learn your craft!

Peter, along with Marguerite MacFarlane will be painting the mural inChalybeate Park. When asked how long he thought it would take, he laughed

and said “well that depends on the rain. There’s a lot to do”. You can learn more about Peter Cozzolino and his art on his website. http://cozzolinosculptor.com/beginnings.php

There are many interesting people in Sharon Springs. If you know someone in the community

that you think would be fun to know more about, let us know! Next up, a conversation with Marguerite MacFarlane. Until then,

Gail



CUPID, DRAW BACK YOUR BOW: A SHARON SPRINGS

SILVER SPOON SERVING SOMETHING SWEET byDavidDeVito

Souvenirsilverspoonsweretherageoftheuppermiddleclassattheturnofthe20thCentury.Spoonsmarkedimportanttimesinaperson’slife(birth,graduation,marriage,andsometimesdeath),importantimprovementstoacommunity(newpostoffice,firehouse,etc.)andfortravel.Inthe1890–1920timeperiod,mostspoonssoldatretailbetween$2.00and$6.00.Thosedollarfigureswouldequateto$56.00-$169.00in2013–hardlypocketchange.Althoughwecanfindsouvenirspoonsforunder$10.00today,onemustrememberthatthesearemassproducedandfrequentlymadeoflow-qualitysilverorsilverplate.SharonSpringsisaspecialplaceintheheartofanyonereadingtheChatter;includingmyhusbandandIwhoweremarriedonthesideyardofTheAmericanHotelin2011.ItisonlyfittingthatIsearchedforanantiqueSharonSpringssilverspoon.WhatIdidnotknowishowfewtherewouldbe,yethoweasyitwastofindours.DorcasComrie,CuratoroftheSharonSpringsHistoricalSocietyMuseumconfirmedmyfrustrationinfindingspecimens.SheknewofaNewYorkCityresidentwhoclaimedtohaveaSharonSpringsspoon.RecordsshowthatanenameledspoonwithbowldepictingtheSulpherSpringsBathHousesoldoneBayin1996.Byandlargethereseemnottobemanysouvenirspoonsoutthere.Ouracquisitionwasnotonlylocalbutfamiliar.Mydentistwhorunsanantiqueshowroomandonlinesaleshappenedtohaveone!HeknewnothingofS.S.priortoourtransaction,buthecouldreadthegleeonmyfaceasItoldhimaboutthevillage.

Ourspoon,picturedbelow,wasmadebyTheWatsonCompanyaround1902.Itmeasuresslightlymorethan4”long.ThehandleisdecoratedwithCupidholdingabowandarrowaimedattheheart-shapedbowlofthespoon.Thebowlofthespoonretainsitsgoldwashgildingandfeaturestheinscription“SharonSpringsN.Y.”Thereverseofthehandleisfullydecoratedwiththecherub’sexposedbackside.Thespoonmayneverhavebeenusedforanythingotherthandisplay,yetitwouldworkwellasasugarordemitasse.ShouldyoustartyourowncollectionofSharonSprings,NYmemorabilia,dobecautiousofnewitems“rusticated”toappearold.Foraspoon,besuretoinspecthowfinethescriptisengraved.Shortjaggededgesinbrightsilvermayindicateanuntrainedhandrecentlyengravedtheitemunassociatedbylocationortime.Ofcoursetherearemanyitemstobe

foundincludingbottles,schoolpendants,postcards,andmore.Onlinesearchesusing“SharonSprings”asakeywordcanyieldmarvelousfinds!Remembertobegentlewiththeserarefindswhencleaningyourtreasures.(photosofspoonsonnextpage)





THREE ARGUSVILLE MURDERSbySandraMankoIn1826,amurdertookplaceinArgusvillebyamannamedVanAlstein.Itissaidthatwhenthesheriffcametocollectunpaidtaxes,VanAlsteintookhimdownbytheArgusvilleBridgeandbeathimtodeathwithastick.HewastriedinFonda,convictedofmurderandhungbytheneck.The

murderweaponisattheOldStoneFortinSchoharie.AnothermurderhappenedinArgusvillearound1855andwasdescribedintheCobleskillIndex.Afamily(namenotknown)wasanargumentativetypeandwhentheyargued,thewholetownknew.Onenightadisputebrokeout.Themotherforcedthedaughtertoholdthefather’slegswhileshebeathim.Themotherwastried,convictedandhung.AthirdmurderonMarch17,1905stirredupthesmallcommunityofArgusvilleasnothinghadinmanyyears.AlocalnewspaperaccountoftheincidentreportsDanielSmullen,35yearsold,fairlookingandveryfondofhardcider,waschargedwiththemurderofPeterConrad,67yearsold,describedasanagedfarmer.BothmenweresaidtohavevisitedthehamletofArgusvilleonMarch17thandjoinedheartilyinobservanceofSt.Patrick’sDay.

Therewerebadfeelingsbetweenthetwomenbecauseofapreviousincidentovermissingchickens.PeterConradlost18fowlsonenightandclaimshefollowedtrackstotheSmullenresidence.Anothertime,Smullen’scattlebrokeoutfromtheirpastureandgotintoConrad’sgrain.Thisaddedtothebadfeelings.Onthedayofthemurder,anargumentbrokeoutbetweenthetwomenatLehman’sStoreinArgusville.Smullenwassaidtohavebeeninapartiallyintoxicatedconditionfromhavingconsumedtoomuchhardcider.Witnessesobservedtheargumentandthetwomenleavingthestore,andthenracingtheirhorsesupMainSt.Mrs.ConradreportedherhusbandmissingandSmullenevenjoinedthepartytohelpsearch.

PeterConrad’sbodywasfoundnearhiscowshed.Theleftsideofhisforeheadwascrushedandatrailofblooddrippingswasfound.BloodledtotheSmullenhomesteadandbloodwasalsofoundonSmullen’ssleigh.OneofthebuttonswasmissingfromPeterConrad’sshirtandsaidtobefoundinSmullen’syard.TherewasbloodonSmullen’sjackethanginginthewoodshed,stillwet.HumanfleshandbonewerefoundinSmullen’syard.Dr.FredDiefendorfofSharonSprings,beingthephysicianwhoexaminedthebody,wascalledtotestifyatthetrial.HetestifiedthatConrad’sbodywasbadlybruisedhavingtheskullsmashed,therightwristbroken,theleftarmbroken,noseflattenedandsmashed,upperjawbroken,scratchesonneck,andbruiseonthesideoftheface.

PeterConrad’sbodywaslaterdisinterredandtheremainsagainexaminedbyphysicianstoseeifthebonefragmentfittheholeinthedeadman’shead.However,attheendofthetrial,anannouncementofanacquittalwasreceivedwithapplauseandcheers,butalsowonderingwhereistheguiltyman.ThejurydeclaredSmulleninnocentandtheso-calledevidencewasexplainedaway.Theprosecution’svastamountoftestimonywasallcircumstantial.Smullenclaimedhishorsehadcutitsfootwhichexplainedthebloodinthesnow.PeterConrad’swifesaidsheremovedthebutton



fromherhusband’sshirtandgaveittoCharlesConrad(Peter’sbrother)sohecouldfinditintheyard.Therewasnoattempttohidethebloodyjacket.Acowwasrecentlybutcheredwhichexplainedthebloodonboththejacketandsleigh.Afterthebodywasdisinterred,itcouldnotbeswornthatthebonefragmentcamefromPeterConrad’sskull.ThemurdertrialendedwithConrad’sbrotherseekingrevenge.CharlesConradstoppedatthe

MohawkHotelafterthetrialandflashedaloadedrevolver,declaringthatsomeonehadmurderedhisbrotherandthathewouldtakethelawintohisownhands.AnofficerhappenedtobeatthehotelandtoldConradtoputuphisgunandclosehismouth.Theofficeremptiedtherevolverofbulletsandgaveitback.Conradtooktheofficer’sadviceandwenthome;otherwiseanarrestwouldhavefollowed.SoendstheConrad-SmullenconflictandhopefullythelastofthemurdersinArgusville.Editor’snote:Formoregreatstoriesof“MurderandMayheminSchoharieCounty”don’tmisstheSeptember16thmeetingoftheSharonHistoricalSocietywhenKarenCuccinellawillspeakonthistopic.

NEWSY TIDBITS fromtheEditor

1. TheSharonHistoricalMuseumisopendailyinJulyandAugustfrom1PMuntil4PMorby

appointmentwiththemuseumcurator,DorcasComrie.2. Averyheartywelcometoournewestvillageresidents,HeathandBen,whoarerenting

theapartmentabovetheBeekman1802Mercantileandarethecreativeforcesbehindthenew,sumptuousmagazine,Folk .Checkitouronlinewww.folklifestyle.comorlikethe

magazineonFacebook,orbetteryet,subscribe–it’sonly$10ayear!3. HarvestFest2013comingsoon,markyourcalendarsforSeptember20-23soyoudonotmissoutonthefun!Ifyou’dliketosignupforaVillageTourWorkshopbetweennowandthentobecomeaSharonDocent,letmeknowat [email protected]’llsetoneup!

4. Getyourarton!TheFenimoreArtMuseumhastwospecialexhibitsthissummer: AWyethFamilyandTheHudsonRiverSchool ,bothbreathtakinglybeautiful.Dotaketimetovisit.

5. SummertimeisOperaTime –Glimmerglasshasastunningarraythissummer:TheFlyingDutchman,Camelot,KingforaDay [basedonVerdi’sUnGiornoDiRegno], StabatMaterandTheLittleMatchGirl .

6. TheAmericanHotel isopendailythroughJulyandmuchofAugust.

7. Beekman1802Mercantile isopenlateonSaturdaynightsforaVillageIceCreamSocial.Ifyouhaven’ttastedtheirnewBeekmanIceCream,you’reinforatreat.

8. Cobbler&Companywillbeopen7daysaweek10–6withanadditionalhourtackedontoWednesdayssoeveryonecanbuysometreatsonthewaytotheconcertsinChalybeatePark!



LET’S TALK RENEWABLES

ThecontroversyoverHydraulicFracturingcontinueswithralliesanddocumentaries

showingthedangerstotheenvironment,ourhealth,andfarming.UnfortunatelytheGasandOil

companieshavemoremoneytobuythemedia;and,asweallknow,moneytalks--withmanyfarmersandotherswhohavebeenscrapingbyfinanciallywatchingothersbecomewealthy,moneyfromfrackinglookstoogood.

AfterthemostrecentralliesinAlbanyandNewYorkCity[June28,2013]protestingagainstHydraulicFracturingandpromotingrenewableenergysourceslikesolarandwindpower,theNewYorkmediaignoredtheprotests.WhenIsearchedtheNewYorkTimesforanarticleontherallies,thepagethatpoppeduphadseveralpro-gasadvertisementsbutnothingontheanti-frackingrallies.TheonlynewsarticlefoundwasinaSanFranciscopaper.ItisdishearteningtorealizetheextenttowhichtheGasCompaniescontrolthemedia.

However,peoplecanmakeadifferenceandthestrugglewillcontinuewithanewemphasisonrenewableenergysources.TheDon’tFrackSharonSprings groupchairedbyMikeSchusterandLisaZaccagliniwillsetupatableduringtheCobleskillFairdaystohandout

materialsonalternativeenergysources.Theywelcomecontributionstothecausetohelppayformaterials–donationscanbeleftattheNBTBankinSharonSprings. Let’salltrytosaveourbeautifulland!



COBBLER INTERN TO TRAVEL

Cobbler&Companybidsfarewell(fornow)toSamanthaJohnsonwhowillbe

studyingabroadinArgentina.SamgraduatedfromCobleskill-RichmondvilleHigh

Schoolin2012andrecentlycompletedherfreshmanyearattheCollegeofSt.RoseinAlbanymakingtheDean’sListforacademicachievement.Shewastherecipient

oftheNYSYouthAdvocacyAwardin2012andhasbeenworkingatCobbler&

Companyforfiveyears.FellowCobbleremployeesandownerMaureenLodeshave

enjoyedwatchingSamgrowupfromanervous14-year-oldstartingherfirstjobto

aconfidentyoungwoman.Everyonewillmisshersmileandherenergybutwealso

lookforwardtoherreturninDecemberandallthegreatstoriesshe’llhavetotell

aboutheradventuresinArgentina.Goodluck,Sam,haveagreattimeandwe’llsee

youinDecember!ByMaryEllenWolfe

LIBRARY HOURS

SharonSpringsFreeLibraryHours:

Monday10am-4pm&6-9pm

Wednesday4-9pm

Thursday7-9pmFriday12-6pm

Saturday9am-2pm

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

August3rd–FIRSTANNUALWEEWHEELSAUTOSHOWintheVillage

July20th–Sharon’sAnnualGarageSalewith50sitestovisit

July27&28–ClassesinWeavingatThistleHillWeavers,call518-284-2729,spacelimited!

July17th–GASLANDSIIshowingatOmmegangBrewery,call607-544-1800,reservationsa

must!

Documents

The Chatter for July 2013