Mohawk Valley Express Volume 3 Number 7 July 2023

Marchell Giorgi Scarano, Her Story of Wellness, Incredible Resilience and Inspiration

By Denise Louise Gregorka

Anyone who has lived in Little Falls for a short while has most likely crossed paths with or has heard of Marchell Scarano, owner of ‘Yoga and Wellness.’ She has been a fixture in the community as a wellness instructor for decades and has committed her life to keeping people

healthy.

Little did she know that in one life-changing moment, everything she had ever taught would become necessary tools in a huge personal hurdle.

Marchell was born and raised in Little Falls. For the most part of her childhood, she lived on the south side, and she

went to Jefferson St. School. She grew up with dancing lessons, including ballet, jazz, and tap dancing.

She went to college for ‘Probation Parole for Juveniles’ to follow the family tradition of law enforcement. Unfortunately, in the 1970s, women were not as accepted into those

Dolgeville Farmer’s Market in Full Swing

Story and photos by Carol

Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm, the Village of

Dolgeville holds its weekly Farmer’s Market sponsored by Dolgeville Forward at Plowe Park. It was a rainy morning when

I visited the market, but the vendors and visitors were not discouraged.

Amanda from K&A Coral

kinds of positions, and she was not able to find work in that field.

The Early Exercise Years

said they have been coming to this market for about five years. “It’s very steady and busy. We’ve gotten to know the other vendors and the customers who come each week. It’s a nice family atmosphere.”

Local vendors offer organic produce, farmraised meats and eggs, homemade wares, flowers, plants, and unique gifts. The market is a chance to support local farmers and businesses

She remembers, “My first training in exercise came from Jack LaLanne. During my college years, I was able to train with him during a summer

Please See WELLNESS Page 2

while stocking up on fresh and healthy locallygrown products for the week.

There are also lots of great snacks and food available each week. While I was at the market, there were great options such as sausage, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwiches, fruit and yogurt parfaits, pulled pork sandwiches with coleslaw, and cold drinks.

Please See MARKET Page 7

Photo by Dave Warner - Marchell in her studio after leading her morning yoga class.

Vogel

program.”

After college, because she could not pursue her chosen profession, she took a part-time job managing a women’s gym in Herkimer, which was the only one in the area. She stayed in that position for one year and was eventually recruited by the owners of a new gym in Little Falls.

Around 1975, after running that gym, Marchell states, “I decided I wanted to do an exercise class for women because there was no such thing. Women were coming to the gym, but they needed more than the rollers, the belts, and the old-

fashioned machines.” She approached Mr. Truman, the YMCA director in Little Falls, and he agreed to give her a small room in the Y’s basement. It was a modest start.

The following year, Tony Deluca became the new YMCA director and helped to make her room more accommodating. After a couple of years, the class had outgrown its space, and they moved to the Y’s gym for one hour each week.

Marchell remembers, “By the time we got into the 80s, we were in the gym two nights, and those classes were up to almost eighty to ninety

Joe Macri Home Improvement

315-336-4176

josepheasyout@aol.com

people. The gym was packed because it was popular. Jane Fonda had come in, and it was more acceptable. We had it all...the leg warmers, the headbands...everything.”

She was teaching separate classes, including high impact, low impact, flexilence, & weights.

As time went on, Marchell sought to find gyms in different, large cities as she traveled with her husband for his work. She wanted to see what they were doing.

“During those years, there was no training to go learn how to teach Pound. There wasn’t that kind of thing, especially for women. So you had to look. I brought back step aerobics classes. My dad made the steps. At the peak of my time there, I had two classes on four nights and one on Saturday morning.”

The women appreciated having a place to go and learning how to be healthy. Marchell states, “I always wanted it to be something I enjoyed, and I wanted them to enjoy. I wanted them to feel good about what they were doing and be healthy

and strong in a safe atmosphere. I have never stopped learning. There is always something else to learn.”

She taught weight training at Herkimer College as well.

Yoga

When Marchell approached her fortieth birthday, she started feeling that the excessive hours of teaching were taking a toll on her body.

“I was teaching a lot and doing a lot. That was more than the average person should actually do, so I started to feel some of the side effects. It was too much.”

She started looking at yoga practices. Since there were no yoga classes in the area, she went searching in Albany and Syracuse to see what was out there and what

she could learn. “There was no online learning, no YouTube.”

She started to learn yoga and eventually would slowly introduce the stretches and poses to her classes. In 1996 she became certified and started yoga classes.

“I’ve learned the different styles, but I still come back to Hatha Yoga which is the yin & yang, the balance, and was the beginning of all of the other styles of yoga. I am a Hatha Yoga teacher with flavorings of many other teachings.”

She went from teaching on Furnace St. to the basement of the Co-Op and also brought classes to Herkimer College. She has taught yoga all over the area, including YMCAs in various surrounding cities. During all of those years of teaching, she held a full-time job.

Marchell decided that she wanted to own her own business, which she could run her way on her schedule. She set her sights on her present location at 27 West Main St. in Little Falls, where she has most of her classes but takes opportunities to teach

Please See WELLNESS Page 5

Photo submitted - 1987, Marchell leading her class in the First Canal Days Parade in Little Falls.

Plans for Quackenbush building in Herkimer show signs of life

By Dave Warner

Scott Flansburg’s plans for the Quackenbush property and the origins of basketball took a step forward this June by clearing approximately 30,000 square feet of the four-parcel area in Herkimer.

The location was first built in 1873 and extended in 1890. Flansburg acquired the property and created the Herkimer 9 Foundation to revitalize the area back to how it was in 1891 and restore the buildings surrounding the historic four corners. They’re also focused on proving that basketball was invented in Herkimer, with the first game being played on February 7, 1891.

According to the book ‘I Grew Up with Basketball’

the second game was on February 21, 1891, between a combined Herkimer 9 team and the Little Falls 9.

“The County was going to tear the building down, and I just didn’t feel like that was the smartest move with the historic nature of that building,” stated Flansburg.

The building was recently listed on the National Historic Registry to protect the Quackenbush legacy. “He had all these inventions, including the nutcracker, but built all the machines that built all those inventions in this factory.”

have a picture of the first team, and his kid is in that picture, so that’s why the Quackenbush factory is where we had to start. We have that same team in ‘92 and ‘93 with the same kids growing up, and you can see it.”

Some of the smaller addon buildings will probably have to come down, but plans are for the main building to become a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math) learning center. “We’re starving in this area for programs like that. What better building to put it in than where a guy had 50 patents?”

Frank J. Basloe,

written by

‘The Herkimer 9’ was the name of the first basketball team from the Herkimer YMCA. Lambert Will was the first coach/player and was recognized in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for his contribution of early innovations to the game.

That first game was between the Herkimer YMCA 9 and the Businessmen 9, and

The factory also was used during the World War to create bullet cores, shell casings, and other screw machine products used in the war effort. Quackenbush, in his early life, worked at Remington Arms and ended up making the .22 caliber rimfire rifle, various air rifles, and pistols, ammunition for airguns, including lead air rifle shot (known as BBs), and felted slugs. “All these things first came out of the Quackenbush factory.”

Flansburg is convinced and has evidence to prove that basketball started at the same location. “We

Flansburg said they had to do something to show the community that the project was moving forward, so they decided to complete Phase I to show they were serious about making a difference.

“That 30,000 square feet of concrete, metal scrap buildings, and everything people see from Main Street towards these beautiful buildings in the background. We’re going to make that a beautiful green space in the middle of Main Street and celebrate and honor the factory that had so much impact in the community,” he said.

After this, plans are to begin remediation, which should take about six months. “It will cost almost a half million dollars,

but we’ll clean up all the contaminants in that building that have been Please See LIFE Page 8

The famous Quackenbush factory in Herkimer, New York.

Flansburg said they had to do something to show the community that the project was moving forward, so they decided to complete Phase I to show they were serious about making a difference.

He says it will take them through July to complete the green space area, and they hope to begin the remediation phase on the building in September.

City of Little Falls

July 4, 2023

Common Council Meeting - Auditing of the bills: 6:30 p.m. Regular Meeting: 7:00 p.m.

July 10, 2023

Police and Fire Board Meeting - Bills 8:30 am and Regular Session

9:00 am in the Mayor’s Conference room in City Hall.

July 12, 2023

Urban Renewal Agency Meeting - 8:15 am in the Mayor’s conference room at City Hall.

July 13, 2023

Tourism Committee Meeting 8:30 am in the Mayor’s Conference room in City Hall.

July 13, 2023

Harbor Commission Meeting 9:00 am in the Mayor’s Conference room in City Hall.

July 18, 2023

Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting - 6:30 pm in the Mayor’s Conference room in City Hall.

July 19, 2023

Golf Commission Meeting - 8:00 am at the Little Falls Municipal Golf Course.

Little Falls Elks

July 7, 2023

Live Music at LF Elks Lodge 7-10pm, featuring Charlie Sherman. Free admission. Age 21 & over only.

July 11, 2023

Lodge meeting 7pm. All members are encouraged

to attend.

July 27, 2023

$1,000 monthly raffle drawing at 9pm at LF Lodge. Only 200 tickets sold, @$10 each. Age 21 & over only.

Dolgeville

July 1, 2023

Dolgeville Farmers’ Market - 9 AM - 1 PM, Plowe Park.

July 6, 2023

Dolgeville Forward Monthly Meeting - 6:30 PM - George Ward Library.

July 8, 2023

Dolgeville Farmers’ Market - 9 AM - 1 PM, Plowe Park.

July 15, 2023

Dolgeville Farmers’

Market - 9 AM - 1 PM, Plowe Park.

July 19, 2023

Public open house for NY Forward award 4-8 pm, Southern Girl Diner 83 North Main St.

July 20, 2023

Dolgeville Forward Blueberry Fest Meeting - 6:30 PM - George Ward Library.

July 22, 2023

Dolgeville Farmers’ Market - 9 AM - 1 PM, Plowe Park.

July 29, 2023

Dolgeville Farmers’ Market - 9 AM - 1 PM, Plowe Park

The Dolgeville Violet Festival will be selling ice cream as a fundraiser every Thursday night

in July during the Community Band Nights at Dolgeville Plowe Park.

Salisbury

Salisbury Historical Society Open every Sunday 1pm-3pm

July Truck and ATV Sand Drags - 2 Day Event at: The Salisbury Ridgerunners Where Old Friends Meet

July 29, 2023 - Trucks race on Saturday

ATVs race on Sunday July 30, 2023.

If you would like to see your story or event in the Mohawk Valley Express - email it to news@ mohawkvalleyexpress.com

WELLNESS From Page 2

outside in Rotary Park or on the rooftop of the Rock City building.

Life Interrupted

Her resume is very impressive, and the story could end here, but there is much more to tell you.

As Marchell was driving on a Sunday morning in January of 2021, a pickup truck crossed into her lane and hit her head on.

In her words, “I clenched and moved back in my seat. When I opened my eyes, all of the airbags went off. It turned my car completely around, and I ended up facing in the opposite direction. I knew part of the car was not there. I thought I wanted to get out, but I couldn’t get out. I was broken.

Those first seconds, I didn’t know...but the pain rushed right in.”

“God bless those two Little Falls Firemen. They were perfect that day. They asked me the right questions, and they listened. I was directing them to hold this, hold that as they moved me. They were compassionate and gentle. “God was with me that morning, and I know that,” she stated.

“I was moved to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital and was in a lot of pain. I actually remembered to use my yoga breathing to relax because if you can relax, the pain would be less. Part of everything we do, the way we take care of ourselves, our nutrition, yoga, whatever it is, affects our recovery

time when things happen. In a short time, I was sent to Upstate Medical in Syracuse and was in an ICU unit.”

“My right knee had hit the console, and it splintered my femur and my tibia. They did two surgeries on the leg, one of which was 10 hours. Part of my tibia bone was powdered, so they had to rebuild that bone. My right leg has metal bars that will be with me forever. There are bars, wiring, and screws,” Marchell said.

“The radius and ulna on my left wrist came into my palm, and both broke off, so my hand was pretty much broken off underneath the skin.” They did two different surgeries on the arm resulting in two plates on

the bones. They did a phenomenal job of putting my arm back together.”

“I was in the hospital for five weeks, and no one was able to come because of Covid. When I was there, one of the therapists actually had me do chair yoga, sitting in the wheelchair. She said, ‘Teach me what I can do with other people.’ That got me thinking that I can do this.”

“I went home in a wheelchair. It took a couple of months before I was able to start using a walker. PT at Kress was very helpful. I started to crochet and wash dishes to get my hand working. Then I went to knitting, which was also good therapy.”

“The leg took a long time to recover. After a while, I was using the walker and

had to make a decision whether I would re-open my studio. My family and friends encouraged me to go back.

Coming Back

The first time I came back, I walked in with a

Please See WELLNESS Page 6

Photo submitted - Marchelle working out on her 40th birthday.

WELLNESS From Page 5

walker and said, ‘Either they will come, or they won’t come.’ I had a chair in the corner. They started coming back, and I taught. That encouraged me to work harder at therapy. I went from the walker to a cane and was able to stand and teach.”

“And here we are. I teach eight classes a week and am trying to get back to teaching at the college as well. I am still looking forward to being able to do more. I will do this as long as I can until people stop coming, and then I will be all by myself doing it on my own. I have learned to be a better

teacher of yoga. I have learned to have more compassion for people that have injuries. I love what I do, I love people.”

Inspiration

Marchell is an inspiration for anyone who wants to be fit or may be overcoming any kind of physical challenge.

If you would like to learn more about Yoga and Wellness, you can find her at https://www.facebook. com/yogawellnessforall, or you can reach her at marchellray@hotmail. com (315) 868-1907.

SENIOR MEALS FOR JULY

To reserve a meal, call the Herkimer County Office for the Aging at least one business day in advance, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, at 315-867-1204 or 315-867-1634. If you will not be home for meals, call 315867-1204 at least a day in advance. All sites are handicapped accessible.

Jul 03 - Ham and cheese pasta salad, cottage cheese, three-bean salad, watermelon.

Jul 04 - Happy Fourth of July!

Jul 05 - Chicken and biscuits, mashed potatoes, broccoli, pudding.

Jul 06 - Macaroni and cheese, stewed tomatoes and zucchini, green beans, fresh fruit.

Jul 07 - Lasagna, tossed salad, Italian blend vegetables, garlic roll, sugar cookie.

Jul 10 - BBQ chicken, baked beans, coleslaw, peanut butter cookie.

Jul 11 - Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, spinach, pudding parfait.

Jul 12 - Turkey dinner with gravy, stuffing, corn, peaches.

Jul 13 - Ham with plum sauce, scalloped potatoes, green beans, pie.

Jul 14 - Seafood salad cold plate, potato salad, carrot raisin salad, frosted birthday cake.

Jul 17 - Salisbury steak with gravy, rice pilaf, squash, berries in a cloud.

Jul 18 - Baked chicken with mushroom gravy, stuffing, country blend vegetables, pineapple.

Jul 19 - Tuna salad cold plate, macaroni salad, marinated beets, sherbet.

Jul 20 - Frittata, sausage patty, hash browns, muffin, fruit cup.

Jul 21 - Yankee pot roast, boiled potatoes, carrots, chocolate chip cookie.

Jul 24 - Chicken broccoli alfredo over pasta, cupcake with topping.

Jul 25 - Roast beef cold plate, coleslaw, three-bean salad, pears.

Jul 26 - Ziti with meatballs, tossed salad, garlic bread, apple crisp.

Jul 27 - Hamburger, cucumber red onion salad, potato salad, ice cream.

Jul 28 - Pulled pork, au gratin potatoes, broccoli, cantaloupe.

Jul 31 - Turkey cold plate, pasta salad, corn salad, ice cream.

All meals are served with 8 ounces of milk, a slice of bread, and margarine. Desserts have no concentrated sweets. The suggested donation is $3. Mail donations to Herkimer County OFA, 109 Mary St., Suite 2501, Herkimer, NY 13350. Envelopes are available from drivers.

there for decades. Then we can begin renovating those buildings to make them viable for tenants,” Flansburg stated.

He says it will take them through July to complete the green space area, and they hope to begin the remediation phase on the building in September. They have talked about what the green space should be - everything from grass and benches, but they’re just going to seed it for now. “We really want to protect that space at first to grow in the grass and give it a chance to fill in.”

In the future, they’re looking at everything from a basketball court to a stage for concerts and community events. “We’ve also discussed putting the biggest basketball in the world in that spot. That’s where it happened,” he stated.

He said, “Herkimer has

LIFE From Page 3 Please See LIFE Page 9

been credited with the first backboard, rim, and net. Lambert Will was using a bushel basket that kept shredding during the games. So, they took it to the local blacksmith to have him reinforce the top of the basket with a metal band.”

They realized they didn’t need the basket once they brought it back, but his mother made a net for it. “She’s the Betsy Ross of basketball,” Flansburg said. “That’s why we want to honor the story on the block that it happened.”

The group also wants to turn the courthouse into a hall of fame or museum displaying all the evidence they’ve put together to prove basketball was invented in Herkimer. “We want to put it on public display so people can go through it at their leisure.”

Flansburg says they also

Marchell’s current Yoga studio

Yoga at Rotary Park (left) & leading the Canal Celebration parade in 1987 (right).

MARKET From Page 1

You can find activities for your little ones, such as pedal tractor rides and a coloring station. The kid’s activities change each week, but there is always something for everyone at the Dolgeville Farmer’s Market.

While each week brings new seasonal produce and items, a core group of vendors makes up this charming Farmer’s Market in the middle of town. The products are varied and fresh, so you are sure to fill your shopping bags with plenty of great market finds.

Keep up with what’s new at the market each week by emailing Coleen at winterfarmersmarketdolgeville@ gmail.com to be added to the weekly newsletter. You can also follow Dolgeville Forward on Facebook for Saturday morning updates on the market: https:// www.facebook.com/people/Dolgeville-ForwardInc/100064641254401/

The following booth descriptions come from the Farmer’s Market Newsletter to give you an idea of the variety of goods the market provides. New vendors are welcome and join each week, and the market continues to grow!

K & A CORRAL - ground Beef, chicken, eggs, homemade lemon bars, strawberry, cherry, and strawberry rhubarb pies, and of course, Aunt Peg’s Shortbread.

STOLZFUS FAMILY FARM - chemical-free vegetables, including onions, asparagus, garlic scapes, peas, chard, and potted vegetable plants.

HISTORIC HOFFMAN FARM - infused herb and

infused Carolina Reaper salts, new jam and jelly flavors include strawberry rhubarb, cranberry pear, olde fashioned plum, apricot habanero, and basil banana pepper.

J&R BAKERY - located just two miles outside of Dolgeville, makes white and wheat bread homemade from scratch. Also, whoopee pies, oatmeal raisin, chocolate, and pumpkin. Plus, several types of cookies.

JONES FAMILY FARM

- hand crafted artisan cheese including white cheddar, cream cheese, feta, and soft flavored goat cheese.

Artists in Residence

Richard and Leah have

classic handcrafted grapevine baskets, wreaths, and unique found form art creations, including a giant size praying mantis ready to be hung on a tree or wall.

Summer Event

Dolgeville Forward will host a “Blueberries, Blues and BBQ” event on Saturday, August 5th, 2023, at Plowe Park from 9 am-4 pm.

The Farmer’s Market will be on as usual from 9 am - 1 pm with a Chicken BBQ and Blueberry Ice Cream Social in the afternoon.

There will also be music, and local businesses and restaurants will have specials for the day. A

themed basket raffle will also be held and will serve as a fundraiser to benefit Dolgeville Forward and its efforts to elevate the quality of life in the village.

Dolgeville Forward is looking for local vendors and artisans to participate in this event.

“We’re looking to spotlight local artisans, goods, and services,” says Chris Reynolds of Dolgeville Forward.

“We are not charging anything for a booth. We are here to promote the village.” If you would like to have a booth at this event, please contact Dolgeville Forward at Please See MARKET Page 8

Left to Right: New Vendor Wyndfield Acres booth, Fresh Flower Bouquets, Historic Hoffman Farm Jams & Jellies.

dolgevilleforward@ gmail.com.

Dolgevillle Forward

Their mission states:

Farmers Market Coupons

“Dolgeville Forward, Inc. is a registered 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization of volunteers committed to improving life for the residents of the Village of Dolgeville and its surrounding areas.” With eight subcommittees, all the projects and events are funded through donations, fundraising, and grants.

Membership is open to the public, and everyone is welcome to join. With a community pavilion project in the works as well as other helpful resources for residents such as the Fun and Fitness Area, The C.A.T. Project, and Village Beautification initiatives, volunteers and members are always needed.

Little Falls Cheese Festival looks to make history (again)

LITTLE FALLS, NY –

The Little Falls Cheese Festival committee has announced the date for the city’s eighth annual Cheese Festival, which will be held Saturday, October 7, 2023. Planning is well underway for another festival filled with New York cheesemakers, gourmet foods, craft beverages, and more on Main Street from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Coupons can be used to purchase fruits and vegetables at any participating Farmer’s Market. YOU QUALIFY IF you are at least 60 years of age AND have a monthly income at or below: $2,248 for a one-person household, $3,041 for a two-person household, $3,833 for a three -person household, or are at least 60 years of age and currently receiving or eligible to receive SSI, food stamps, public assistance, or Section 8 housing subsidy. Each eligible older adult living in a household may receive their own booklet, but they must be present to sign for them. If an older adult is unable to pick up the coupons in person, a proxy or power of attorney may sign instead. Coupons will be distributed at the following centers on a first come, first served basis. You can pick up coupons at any of these sites. Please see the instructions following the distribution locations.

2023 Distribution Centers

Mon. July 10 9am -Noon: London Towers, 100 W. Main St., Ilion

1:00-3:30 pm: Prindle Apartments, 80 E. North St., Ilion

Tues. July 11 9am -11:30am: Galinsky Apartments, 105 Protection Ave. Herkimer 1pm-3:30pm Valley View Courts, 760 E. Monroe St. Little Falls

Wed. July 12 1pm -3:30pm: Stoneridge Gems (formerly Midtown Apartments) 315 N. Prospect St. Herkimer

Thurs July 13 9am -11am: Litchfield Manor, 402 S. Litchfield St., Frankfort 1pm-3pm: Greenwood Terrace, 1 Greenwood Terrace, Mohawk

Fri. July 14 9:00-11:00am: Parkside Courts 53 S. Main St., Dolgeville 1:30-3:00pm Rockton Plaza, 550 E. John St. Little Falls

Mon. July 17 9:00am -11:00am Scott House , 56 South St. West Winfield 1:30-3:00pm Willoughby Hall, 3041 Hillside Meadows Dr, Newport

Tues. July 18 10:00am -11:30am Schuyler Firehouse, 120 Newport Rd. Utica

Fri, July 21 10am -Noon: Lakeside Terr. Apts., 110 South Shore Rd, Old Forge 1pm-3pm: Old Forge Farmers Market, Park Ave , Old Forge

“We’ve made history every year with the attendance of our festival, and we are so grateful for all the enthusiastic support,” said Teri Chace of the Little Falls Cheese Festival committee.

“So this year, we’re looking to pay tribute to our city’s roots in the cheese industry. And, of course, we’ll feature more fantastic New York beverages, goodies, and cheeses!”

The festival will feature various New York State farm-produced cheeses, from hard cheeses such as cheddar, gouda, and

Havarti to soft cheeses, goat cheeses, cheese curds, yogurts, and more. Numerous New York-based gourmet food and craft beverage vendors will also be on hand to complement the cheeses. Also returning this year are showcases for local entertainment and musical acts all along Main Street, the Food Truck Food Court, and a free, cheese-themed play. Shuttle busses are returning as well for ease of parking, this time with additional shuttles to reduce the wait to get to the festival.

The Little Falls Cheese Festival is New York State’s premier gathering of cheesemakers, with an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 people in attendance last year. Keep up to date with planning and vendor announcements by following the Little Falls Cheese Festival on Facebook and Instagram or by visiting littlefallscheesefestival. com.

LIFE From Page 5

have a letter of intent from the New York State Basketball Hall of Fame to move from Albany to Herkimer. “It’s been in Albany almost 20 years.”

He owns the Herkimer Originals ABA Basketball Team and says that the ABA is also willing to put their hall of fame in Herkimer.

Things seem to be speeding up for the project, with Lambert Will now being considered for entry into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield. “He’s being voted on to be put in the hall of fame. They will have to answer, ‘Why was he nominated, and what did he do?’ And then our story fills that.”

The gentlemen who wrote the book NaisMYTH: Basketball’s Stolen Legacy are also considering moving to the area to curate the collection of historical items proving Lambert Will invented basketball in Herkimer.

“So people in the Village of Herkimer and

everywhere around can stop, walk in, and in just a matter of a couple of thousand square feet have a whole new picture on what really happened,” Flansburg said.

“I think that will make a statement that says, ‘Wow, we haven’t heard the whole story.’”

Assembly Resolution No. 1052 is now in front of the New York State Legislature, “Recognizing Herkimer, New York, as the birthplace of Basketball, Lambert Will as the game’s inventor, and the Mohawk Valley as the game’s principal influence in the game’s initial adoption.”

Assemblymember Robert Smullen (R), Assemblymember Marianne Buttenschon (D), and Assemblymember Brian Miller (R) have sponsored the bill, which is now in front of the State Senate.

Flansburg said that H. M. Quackenbush, Lambert Will, and Frank J. Baslow are all buried within one hundred

yards of each other in the Oak Hill Cemetary in Herkimer. He also said the Quackenbush factory was the first steam-powered plant. “Turning it into a STEAM learning center is pretty interesting.”

He also said they are trying to attract a manufacturing museum to the location. “There’s an association for Central New York Manufacturing we’ve been talking to.”

According to Flansburg, Things invented in Central New York could be housed in the museum section.

Another interesting fact they’ve dug up is, “Thomas Edison lit up Main Street Herkimer in 1891, the same week basketball was invented. He was testing it to take to the 1893 Worlds Fair in Chicago but used Herkimer’s Main Street as the test location.”

Flansburg said, “It’s been fun putting this together. I’m driven and motivated

A rendering of the Quackenbush building with the green space behind it with a large basketball and museum building.

The green space area looking towards the Quackenbush building.

Frisbie House Summer Exhibit: Salisbury Loggers

Story and photos by Carol Vogel

This year, the Salisbury Historical Society’s summer exhibit will present “Salisbury Loggers,” featuring local loggers from the past and present. The Logging industry in Salisbury is an important part of the community’s history, and it continues to be an important part of the area today. Deeply rooted, most area residents have family that were or are currently involved in logging. This exhibit showcases the community and culture that was built around this industry and how it affected commerce and the local economy through the years.

Logging in Salisbury

A Salisbury tradition since the 1700s, logging provided homes with heat and utilized the area’s

natural resources. Mills tapped into the power of the local waterways and opened opportunities for jobs and a connection with other communities via transportation routes such as the Erie Canal and the railroad network. The strength and fortitude of the families involved is apparent, as the life of a lumberjack was difficult and dangerous.

With the help of historical society members and local families, Kevin Yatarola led the research and installation of the exhibit featuring many aspects of the logging industry in Salisbury. Families who have played an important role in the rich history of logging in Salisbury are featured and accompanied by newspaper articles and rare photos from the late 1800s to 1900s.

“This is a different exhibit

because it’s a living tradition. We had two of the family loggers here at the opening last weekend, both in their late 70s and 80s – one of which is still working. One had their five grandchildren here looking at photos of Grandpa that were on display.” Kevin explained. The community connections in this industry are widereaching. A local visitor to the exhibit, Donna Clavette DarlingBoucher, has roots in the Darling family who is featured in the exhibit. Today, her grandson continues the tradition of working in logging. Other family names such as Moore, Lanphere, Helterline, Steciak, and Chmielewski are also featured for their logging legacies.

“Many of the photos were donated by the families,” Kevin added. He was able to hear stories and build the exhibit by

speaking with residents as well as researching online for news articles. He also speaks of the community focus of the industry. “All of these people worked with each other. One family would help on a job over here, and then they’d both go work with another family over there.”

Part of the Logging Exhibit throughout to tell the stories of the industry as well as mishaps and thievery that made the news. Transportation of wood and logs evolved over the years and is featured along with the larger corporate lumber companies that operated in the area in the early 1900s.

The exhibit walks you through the local families who were integral to the logging industry, followed by tools of the trade and the unfortunate hazards of logging. The exhibit is also a tribute to those who were injured or lost their lives.

Local newspaper articles are scattered

The exhibit is well organized and gives a glimpse into the lives and skills of the lumberjacks who brought lumber from forests to mills and onward with limited resources and how the industry evolved over time. It truly is a living community exhibit, and the incredible images on display tell how logging has been and continues to be, part of the fabric of residents’ lives.

Permanent Exhibits

In addition to the summer exhibit, the Historical Society has standing collections of cheese-making and milk production, mills along Spruce Creek, the iron mines, one-room schoolhouses, and local characters such as Nat Foster. Relics from St. Bridget’s Catholic Church, including a stained-glass window and pump organ,

LOGGERS From Page 10

are also on display. You can also view a collection from the former Salisbury Post Office. Themed rooms, such as the dining room and bedroom, give visitors a glimpse into the lives and history of this small but important town.

Built by Billious Avery for the Augustus Frisbie family in 1805, the Frisbie House is a federal-style historic building. It was the first frame house constructed in Salisbury and served as the first inn and tavern. Town meetings were also held here. Added to the State and National Registry of Historic Places in 1999, it is the home of the Salisbury Historical Society, the local heritage

and history Museum for the Salisbury area.

Located at #109, Route 29A in Salisbury Center, NY, the Frisbie House will be open every Sunday from 1:00 - 3:00 PM until the weekend before Labor Day.

Keep an eye out for special events and talks during the season as well. The Historical Society exists on donations and receives grants based on visitors, so be sure to sign the guest book and donate to help keep the history of the Salisbury area alive at the Frisbie House!

You can follow them on Facebook for more information.

Permanent Exhibits at The Frisbie House: Left: Dining Room, Right: Bedroom

Homeschooling in the Mohawk Valley

By Allysa Rader

The school year has ended for most students in the Mohawk Valley, and summertime fun can begin.

Proud parents and family members share photos on social media of their kiddo’s Pre-K graduations, ceremonies to mark the transition from elementary to middle school, middle to high school, and high school graduates celebrating a most momentous achievement.

These celebrations

include families who homeschool and are moving their children up a grade in their learning. While the end of a school year and the anticipation of the next does not entail a new teacher, a different class of peers, or a new building as it might for those in public school, homeschooling students and their parents are still excited for the next chapter.

Mary Martens of Mohawk homeschools her nineyear-old son, who has just finished third grade. They use a curriculum called Bookshark

that offers completion certificates when a subject is completed.

“I always make a big deal about signing the certificate and handing it to him. Then we take a picture to mark the occasion and get ice cream at Mrs. Shakes to celebrate. It’s a tradition, and it’s nice to celebrate his accomplishment of completing a grade. I really know how hard he worked because I was with him every step of the way, watching him,” said Mary.

Mary appreciates that

teaching her son means having an active role in his learning.

fall through the cracks because I’m paying close attention and putting extra help into areas where he needs it, and diving deeper into topics he’s particularly good at or especially enjoys.”

Mary also plans to homeschool her 2-yearold son once he is schoolage.

“We just love the freedom it gives us. We don’t have to live by someone else’s schedule. We make our own. We went to Florida last year, and we were able to go for three weeks, and I just planned our school schedule around it. We had a bunch of educational field trips down there too. Learning is all of the time, not just when you sit down and do your curriculum. I also feel like we get more field trips than public school does, thanks to the great homeschool groups around here. And, there is nothing better than first-hand experiences.”

According to the National Home Education Research Institute, homeschooled children score 15 to 30 percentile points above public school students on standardized tests. There were 3.1

Please See HOMESCHOOLING

“I get to see his strengths and weaknesses and help him. He will never

Little Falls potter Natalie Parent teaches the Herkimer Homeschool 4-H club how to use a pottery wheel.

HOMESCHOOLING From Page 12

million homeschooled students in 2021-2022 in grades K-12 in the United States, roughly 6% of all students in this grade range.

Jennifer Pierce recently moved to Herkimer from Oriskany. She homeschools her two daughters, ages 13 and 8. “I was homeschooled growing up and experienced many of the benefits. I had always thought I’d want to homeschool my children eventually”, explained Jennifer.

“My older daughter was struggling in public school with math and English.

Along with a collection of other reasons, we started homeschooling in 2020. I didn’t want them wearing a mask all day or to get the mindset that social distancing was normal. I wanted them to be able to socialize like normal,” says Jennifer.

Parents and guardians who homeschool their children can also choose what they learn and how they learn it. For example, parents may base some learning around family practices and traditions, such as faith-based beliefs. Learning can also be structured around a family’s interests. While New York State does have

LIFE From Page 9

educational requirements and mandatory reporting for students registered as being homeschooled, parents still have the freedom to incorporate topics, field trips, books, and other learning methods of their choice.

Jennifer also mentioned the flexibility of scheduling and setting a pace tailored to her children’s needs as a positive aspect of their homeschooling experience.

“I am able to cater to their learning styles and interests so they can develop a love of learning.

about this because I know the truth. When people get to read the book and look at the evidence, they’re going to know that Herkimer is the true home of basketball. Hopefully, we’ll get support from the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield to tell that story.”

Flansburg said that to be 28 miles from the Hall of Fame for Baseball and to have a hall of fame here, even if it’s just New York State, will be

huge. “We really believe that Herkimer deserves to become to basketball what Cooperstown is to baseball.”

“It puts Herkimer on the map. If all we do is save those historic buildings that witnessed the beginning of basketball, I believe we can freeze that block in time, and people can come there and shoot baskets where baskets were first shot,” he said.

If you would like to see your story in the Mohawk Valley Express - email it to news@mohawkvalleyexpress.com

Two homeschool students from Little Falls attend “Homeschool Day” at the Cooperstown Farmers Museum.

HOMESCHOOLING From Page 13

I have the ability to go at their pace so they can go slower where needed and advance where gifted. We can have a flexible schedule that utilizes any time of day and any place for learning. My children get to really socialize with all ages so they can become more socially rounded. I appreciate the ability to add life skills and practical knowledge along with things like community service to their education. When you homeschool, you have a closer relationship with your kids because you spend so much more time with them, and they are also closer to their siblings.”

Homeschooling your children is not always easy, says Jennifer. “The challenge for me is getting subjects done that my kids would prefer not to do - math & English. I also have to referee sibling disagreements while teaching them. And, at times, it can be challenging to find something to spark their interest.”

For anyone considering

homeschooling their children, Jennifer advises knowing the state regulations on what is required. She also recommends getting to know your kids and their learning styles and interests to help with curriculum decisions.

“And, get a network of friends and support, along with telling yourself you can do this!” said Jennifer.

Jennifer leads the Herkimer County 4-H homeschool club. “I started a 4-H club as a way to develop friendships, to have the ability to participate in 4-H events and use their resources. I was in 4-H growing up.”

Jennifer’s homeschool 4-H group has 15 active families from across Herkimer County and continues to grow. The group visits local farms and businesses, hiking trails and parks, and learns practical skills such as foraging and sewing.

Jennifer is happy to be homeschooling in the

Mohawk Valley. “I think this area is gradually growing the number of options for extracurricular and group activities, and it would be nice for this to continue. There are resources with libraries, co-ops or LEAH groups, and other youth organizations, and being in touch with other homeschoolers can be a wealth of information. There is a gradual increase in the number of co-ops in the area. Hopefully, it continues!”

Erika Carrier of Frankfort is also part of the Herkimer County Homeschool 4-H group. Erika homeschools her two sons, ages 10 and 8.

Erika has been homeschooling her children for three years and hopes to continue for as long as her kids would like to.

“We chose to homeschool when the district we lived in was mandating masks in school. My son has asthma, so him in a mask all day just wasn’t going

Please See HOMESCHOOLING Page 15

Local homeschool student celebrates the end of the school year.

Photo submitted.

Herkimer Homeschool 4-H club members forage for edible plants.

HOMESCHOOLING From Page 14

homeschool-specific classes.”

lives because of the path we have chosen.”

Erika also feels there are many benefits of homeschooling her children. “I get to spend a lot of time with my children. We aren’t rushed to get up and get to school all week and then hurry up and fit everything in together on the weekends.”

Erika stated that one of the challenges with homeschooling was finding groups to make friends, but they overcame this challenge. “A lot of other families are starting to homeschool, so we are starting our own groups. We have 4H, and karate, and the library sometimes has

Erika would recommend homeschooling to anyone that wants to give it a try. “You can find resources to help with what curriculum to use. The Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) is helpful if you need someone to navigate the laws. And other families are always willing to help as well. I wish the programs we have available weren’t so expensive but everything is expensive these days. We just don’t have a Parent Teacher Association to help cover the costs.”

Sonya Conners is the leader of the Herkimer LEAH, a faith-based homeschool club with many chapters across the state. Sonya and

her husband have been homeschooling their children for ten years. “Initially, we started homeschooling because the thought of sending our son to school felt like we’d be letting strangers raise our children,” said Sonya.

They continue to homeschool their son, age 13, and their daughter, age 10. “For us, I’d describe the homeschool experience as life-changing. It is a rewarding journey filled with trials, errors, laughter, true purpose, and an amazing community. I love the people that have become a part of our

Sonya feels there are many benefits for her children when it comes to schooling them at home. “For our son, the ‘how and why’ for homeschooling him is the flexibility it provides and having his parents as his teacher. For our daughter, she likes the comfort of home, knowing who is teaching her, and the friends she has made in our community.”

And as for the kids’ opinion on homeschooling, “That depends on the subject!” laughed Sonya.

The Mohawk Valley is rich with a thriving

homeschool community and available resources to support and bridge any gaps in learning. Children from toddlers and younger up to teens learn and play together during homeschool community trips, outings, and gatherings. Homeschooled students can also participate in extracurriculars such as ASO soccer, Girl and Boy Scouts, karate, dance, and gymnastics. While homeschooling may not be possible, practical, or the best option for every family, for these Mohawk Valley families, this path seems to work and provide enrichment for both the parents and their children.

Only $13.75 l4pm-8 pm lNow every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month

May 11 and 25 August 10 and 24

June 8and 22 September 14 and 28

July 13 and 27 October 12 and 26

STAY TUNED AND CHECK FACEBOOK FOR OTHER EVENTS,HOLIDAY FEATURES, AND BANDS!!

Bring

0Gift Certificate

EventPlanning Available! Call 518-673-3635

Amateur Radio ‘Field Days’ draws interest

Story & Photos by Andy McEvoy

The Fort Herkimer Amateur Radio Association (FHARA) started the annual ARRL North American Field Days at 2 pm Saturday, June 24th, 2023. Field Days run for 24 continuous hours, with members either splitting shifts or working the radios nonstop. The event is held in a field on Kilts Hill Road just north of Little Falls, NY, and is open to the public.

One of the first visitors that stopped by was Assemblyman Robert Smullen and his wife, Megan. Robert is an Assemblyman for the 118th District and has assisted the FHARA numerous times over the last ten months in acquiring the 24ft Emergency Communications Trailer that the FHARA took

possession of the past week.

He was thanked for his assistance by Association President Don Peterson (KD2ILO), Vice President Andy McEvoy (KB2KBO), and Treasurer Chris Bouck (KB4CMF). Assemblyman Smullen and his wife were shown around the trailer and briefed on the Association’s needs and plans to outfit the trailer with communications equipment in the near future. The FHARA members discussed the plans for the EMCOMM trailer, including Emergency and recreational use for public events.

Smullen stated, “From my time in the Marine Corps in Afghanistan, I know how hard it is to communicate, especially in rural mountainous areas. If all of the cell phones and landlines go

down, we have to have the means to be able to communicate. Ham Radio, and particularly these civic organizations, provide that extra layer of security, and we should always help them and provide the funding so they can maintain the equipment.”

“You don’t need them until it’s a true emergency, and that’s really the tricky part,” he stated.

Assemblyman Smullen served 24 years with the United States Marine Corps, retiring in 2015. Although he has not been active with Amateur Radio, he spent a considerable amount of time with communications equipment while in the service and was able to talk the talk with a few of the group’s more experienced members. Under supervision, Assemblyman Smullen worked the HAM radios

on several stations. The frequencies were bustling with radio traffic as the event was in full swing.

The FHARA had over a dozen members set up in campers, tents, and trailers. Many types of antennas were utilized depending on which bands or frequencies the members were communicating on. All radio communications are off-grid and help demonstrate how Amateur (HAM) Radio can get communications through if other means of communication fail.

To learn more about Amateur Radio, go to

https://www.arrl.org/ public-service.

The FHARA hosts a Weekly Monday Night Net at 7 pm on the frequency 145.110 (-0.6 MHZ) PL Tone 167.9. Members check in and are updated on any Association news or functions. A short Emergency Preparedness Training is usually broadcast every week as well. Any Licensed operator can participate regardless of whether or not they are a member of the Association. Weekly check-ins include ham radio operators from

Please See RADIO Page 17

Servicesat TheCarClinic include: KrownRustProtection, CastrolFluid Changes,Tiresales &Installation,Detailing Service,Suspension &DrivetrainService, Muffler &ExhaustRepairandService, BrakeRepair &Service.

Assemblyman Robert Smullen (left) and Don Rankins (N2ZWO), ARES/RACES Coordinator for FHARA work the radio.

Where I Wander - Rubythroated Hummingbirds

Story By Joan Herrmann

Whereiwander… every spring, about the first week of May, I can expect to hear a familiar whir of wings and chipping sounds, to make me aware that this territory is being reclaimed, and where did you put our feeders.

The male Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) has returned.

Ruby-throated is our only eastern hummingbird. The other seventeen species of hummingbirds that can be found in North America, reside west of the Mississippi River. The males will arrive in our area a few days prior to the females’ arrival. The migrating hummingbirds will have journeyed nonstop over the Gulf of Mexico, a distance of about five hundred miles. Before starting their journey, they will double their body weight in fat and live off their body fat while flying over the water. Migrating from Central America across the Gulf waters will take them about twenty hours, but they still have a long, long way to travel.

Ruby-throated hummingbirds have a phenomenal metabolic rate that is higher than any other animal. Their heart rate is about one thousand two hundred and sixty beats per minute, and their breathing rate is about two hundred and fifty breaths per minute, even while resting. Scientists have learned that during flight, the hummingbird consumes ten times more oxygen than human “elite athletes.” Their wings can beat fifty-three times per second as they hover and feed. In addition to flying forward, they can also fly backward and upside down. The male’s aerial mating display includes flying back and forth like a pendulum in front of the female until she

is accepting, and then they will mate.

Males are polygamous and will mate with more than one female. Males take no responsibility in nest making, incubating, or caring for the nestlings. The female is the architect designing the lichencovered nest, laying two or occasionally three eggs, and perhaps reusing the same nest for a second brooding in the same season. The cup-shaped nest is about one inch in width and depth. She assembles it with plant materials and spider webs and covers the outside with greenish-gray lichen. The silky spider webs allow for the expansion of the nest as the nestlings grow within it. She will line the inside of the nest with dandelion or colt’s foot downy seed fluff. The female will most often nest in a mixed deciduous and coniferous forest. The nesting trees of choice are usually six to fifty feet tall, with ten to twenty feet being the average height. She attaches the nest to a small twig or small branch that slants downward from the tree, is sheltered above by leafy branches, and has an open area below the nesting site. The female will take about seven or eight days to complete her nest.

The eggs which she lays are glossy white and about the size of a white bean. She will incubate the eggs for approximately fourteen to sixteen days. The nestlings are born altricial, which means they are immobile, downless, with closed eyes, and need to be fed. For the first few days, shortly after being fed, the nestlings will expel a fecal sac after eating. The female will remove the fecal sac preventing the nest from being contaminated with

RADIO From Page 16

Herkimer, Montgomery, Fulton, Schoharie, Chenango, Otsego, Oneida, and Madison

Counties.

Anyone interested in the FHARA can attend a meeting or call

Educational Committee

Chairman Chris Bouck

KB4CMF at 1-315-4293927 or Association

President Don Peterson

KD2ILO at 1-315-8683283 for more information. More info can be found at www.fhara.net.

We

Mohawk Valley Diamond Dawgs provide mid-season update

By Dave Warner

The PGCBL (Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League)

Mohawk Valley Diamond Dawgs provided a midseason update on the team this week. They are currently 14-5 and in second place in the East Division.

Travis Heiser is the team owner, and his message is simple, “The Diamond Dawgs are deeply committed to providing the best, most affordable, family fun and fan experience in the Mohawk Valley.”

When asked about the team and how he feels they’ve been playing through the first half of the year, he stated, “I think our players have jelled really early this year, which is something that we’ve struggled with in the past.”

“For whatever reason, this year has been something that I haven’t experienced in the sixteen years I’ve been here - having players jell within the first two weeks has been amazing to see. It’s almost like a brotherhood and that these players have been together for many years,”

he said.

Heiser said that the team players have bought into the family environment he tries to create, along with the blue-collar atmosphere. “They go out and fight day in and day out. I like that even though we may be down sometimes in games...we never quit, and we keep battling and grinding things out.”

“I think that’s part of the reason we’ve had the early success that we’ve had.”

Coach Steve Luby said, “I’m really pleased with

our kids. I think we’ve got an outstanding group of young men that play together and for each other. I think they’ve bonded really well.”

Offensively, he said they’re swinging pretty well and constantly working. “I think our pitching staff has done a great job as far as continuing to grow and finding their role in the rotation. Defensively, for the most part, we play pretty solid defense.”

“The more we compete, the more we’re going to grow,” he said.

He said one of the nice things was that several players had not gotten a lot of innings before coming to the Diamond

Dawgs. “They’ve really grabbed onto our philosophy of being bluecollar, working through things, and putting in the time and effort to improve.”

Coach Luby stated that Heiser does a fantastic job when it comes to recruiting players. “The part that I really like about our kids is that they are coachable. They listen and want to work to make adjustments to improve. That’s really the goal - to send them back to their schools, better than we got them, and they’re doing that.”

After battling Covid for two seasons, the weather has been a factor this year, with abundant rain, smoke from Canada, and cold weather affecting the schedule and gameplay.

“These are things you can’t prepare for. Rain happens every summer, but having the smoke and those kinds of issues have made it challenging for us and every other team in the league,” Heiser said.

He said the real credit goes to the players and coaches who have fought through it.

“Our grounds crew in Little Falls has done a good job preparing the field. I think it has been a team effort from everyone, but the players are here to play.”

Heiser said, “The team just doesn’t quit. We get down, and it would be easy to say let’s just get through the game and go home, but I feel these guys want to win and get better.”

Please See UPDATE Page 19

UPDATE From Page 18 feces. On approximately day three, the nestlings will move to the edge of the nest and “squirt” their waste over the side of the nest. The nestlings grow very quickly and need to be fed constantly. The female will retrieve nectar from flowers; find small insects like aphids and tiny spiders, working continually throughout the daylight hours to feed her hungry brood. Thankfully they grow quickly and are ready to fledge within fourteen to twenty-eight days. At fledging, they will be fully feathered and able to fly and find their own food. They will undoubtedly still beg for food, and she will teach them how and what to eat.

Hummingbirds have a tongue that is long and forked. It is actually two times longer than its beak and is lined with a “hair-like fringe” that is called lamellae. As the hummingbird extends its tongue into a tubular flower where the liquid nectar is found, the tongue laps up the nectar and pulls it back into its beak. Male Rubythroated Hummingbirds live about five years, and the life expectancy of the female is about nine years. Their tiny bodies are between 2.8 inches to 3.5 inches in length for the male and 3.1 inches to 4.3 inches for the female. The male’s weight is estimated at 0.12 ounces, and the female is slightly larger at 0.13 ounces. They are dimorphic, which means they appear different in color and size. The male is an iridescent deeper green than the female and has a ruby-colored gorget (throat patch) which, in certain lighting, can appear black. His chest is a sooty white in color. The female coloring is a limier green iridescent, and she also has a sooty white breast but no gorget. They both have tiny feet and even though they are most often

seen flying or hovering, they can perch on a twig or on the provided perch of a hummingbird feeder. In winter, they molt their worn feathers and replace them with new ones. They can often be observed on a twig preening their feathers using their feet as “combs” to scratch their neck or head.

Some of our native wildflowers that are preferred by the hummingbirds are columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) in the spring and both red cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) and jewelweed/ spotted touch-me-not (Impatiens capensis) in the fall. Hummingbirds are instrumental in pollinating all three of these flowers because of their long beak and tongues. It becomes a symbiotic relationship for both, providing food for one and continuation of the species for the other.

Other interesting facts are that the males will depart for their winter habitat about a month before the females and the fledglings. Each species of hummingbird have a unique “humming sound” in flight due to the number of wing beats per species. The ruby-throated hummingbird in flight beats its wings fifty-three beats per second. Unfortunately, hummingbirds occasionally fall prey to predators such as sharp-shinned hawks and other small raptors. Blue jays and crows will sometimes eat the nestlings, and house cats have also been known to prey on hummingbirds. On a happier note, they always seem to bring us great joy. I sincerely thank my dear neighbors and close friends for giving me an opportunity to photograph the hummingbird nest and nestlings which appear in this column. A joy that is shared is a joy made double… Thank you so much.

He said the players arrive early to practice daily, even if they’re not in the night’s lineup. “When their number is called, they’re ready to go.”

Heiser said the one thing they need to work on is not letting large leads slip away. “Even when we win games, and we’ve been up big, we’ve had teams come back on us. When

you have a team down and out, you really need to put the hammer down and put them out of the game without question.”

Luby said, “We haven’t seen a couple of teams yet. I know Albany’s pretty good, Saugerties and Utica are always good, so I think that just us coming to play, regardless of who shows up, is the key. Us playing our game. If we

do that and take care of our business, we will find ourselves in the hunt at the end of the season.”

The coach also complemented Tyler Roper for doing a fantastic job with the kids. “Without him, we wouldn’t be where we are.”

“I’m really excited to see where the season ends,” Heiser finished.