News & Notes
Our new issues of The Greenwich Journal and The Salem Press are out and about!
Here are some News & Notes that didn’t make it by press time…
Genealogy and Local History
Heritage Hunters will meet Saturday, May 16th, at 1 pm at the Town of Saratoga Town Hall, 12 Spring St. in Schuylerville. JPV Oliver will lead the program, “George Washington & Saratoga: It’s Complicated.” John will take a humorous look at our 1st President and his involvement with Saratoga County. John has worked as a guide at the Saratoga County History Museum, is a former speech writer and publishes his musings every day at LoucheLife.substack.com. Program is free and the public is welcome. For info call 518-885-9309.
MUD U Wraps Up Successful 4th Season
Plans are underway for Mud U 2027
Mud U, a Cambridge community-based education project, wrapped up its 4th season on April 17, and has begun planning for 2027. This year, Mud U offered more than 50 classes, issued 700+ tickets to more than 300 community members entirely because of the generosity of its 40+ instructors, facilitators, organizers, site hosts, and volunteers.
Mud U offered classes on practical geometry, basket-weaving, poetry, nutrition, exercise, wellness, local history, women’s history, puppetry, chainsaw maintenance, tool sharpening, tree identification, bike maintenance, natural wines, genealogy, visible mending, AI, natural fiber dyeing, and many more topics, all offered by volunteer instructors. “We’re thrilled with this year’s class offerings,” commented Connie Brooks, Mud U founder and proprietor of Battenkill Books. “We couldn’t do this without local folks willing to share their interests and expertise with the community as Mud U instructors.”
Mud U also offered community events such as a Fiber Free-For-All and the Community Plant Swap, and hosted its first ever Community Volunteer Fair with more than 20 organizations participating. “After 4 years, we felt we had the connections, community recognition, and local support to start organizing larger events,” added Brooks. “There are a lot of organizations doing good work in Cambridge and it was great to see so many of them at the Community Volunteer Fair.”
Classes took place throughout the village of Cambridge and beyond, at Hubbard Hall, St. Luke’s, The Valley, Coila Church, Cambridge Central School, Battenkill Books, Cambridge Food Co-op, Embury Methodist Church, Canteen Coffee, Pompanuck Farm, Boundless Roots Studio, the Cambridge Public Library and others. These locations provided essential infrastructure for Mud U, without which it would be impossible for Mud U to do its work. “We wouldn’t be here without the support of the local businesses and organizations willing to let Mud U use their spaces and other resources,” said Brooks. “It truly is a community project.”
Plans are underway for Mud U 2027. Mud U will begin accepting course proposals on or around November 1, 2026. Keep an eye on the Mud U website/social media accounts for more details as the date gets closer.
More than 450 students earn associate degrees and certificates in Class of 2026
SUNY Adirondack announced its 64th annual commencement will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 9, at Harding Mazzotti Arena.
The Class of 2026 includes more than 450 students in the college’s nearly 40 degree and certificate programs, as well as 44 students completing Pathways to Technology (PTECH) and Early College Career Academy (ECCA) high school programs.
“Commencement is the culmination of all our work at SUNY Adirondack. We come together on this special occasion to celebrate academic achievement, determination and resilience,” said SUNY Adirondack President Anastasia L. Urtz, J.D. “Each graduate’s unique story contributes to the legacy of learning that has made SUNY Adirondack a launch pad for success over its 65-year history. We are proud of our graduates and look forward to the great futures they will build for themselves, their families and our community.”
During the event, which is open to the public, nearly 260 graduates will be recognized with Associate of Science, Associate of Arts, Associate of Applied Science and Associate of Occupational Studies degrees.
Professors emeritae Nancy White, distinguished professor of English, and Holly Ahern, associate professor of Biology, will serve as marshals. The processional and recessional will be led by Galloway Gaelic Pipes & Drums. The SUNY Adirondack Chorale will perform the National Anthem and “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”
Urtz and Amie Gonzales, chair of SUNY Adirondack’s Board of Trustees, will offer opening remarks and a welcome. Supervisors from Warren and Washington counties Scott Hahn and Michael Wild will offer greetings and announce student awards from their respective counties.
Student speakers include Lucas Van Dyke, a December graduate of SUNY Adirondack and SUNY Chancellor’s Award winner. Van Dyke of Franklin (Delaware County) earned a Criminal Justice: Police Science degree from SUNY Adirondack, then transferred to SUNY Potsdam, where he is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.
At SUNY Adirondack, Van Dyke was a resident assistant, president of Pride Club, a student senator-at-large, a mental health advocate, an English tutor for Upward Bound, a member of Active Minds and served on the Diversity Committee, Residence Hall Association and Safety Advisory Group.
Thirty-seven graduates of SUNY Plattsburgh at Queensbury will also participate in the ceremony, including student speaker Izabella Sawyer, who is a 2024 graduate of SUNY Adirondack with a degree in Individual Studies who earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. The Buskirk mother of two wants to work in a special victims unit at the federal level.
Those who can’t attend but wish to watch the ceremony live can do so on SUNY Adirondack’s YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/@SUNYAdirondackOfficial
Greenwich VFW Post honored the achievements of Past Greenwich Fire Chief Kevin Shephard and Trooper Joseph Barrett as recipients of VFW Public Service Awards. Past Chief Kevin Shephard and Trooper Joseph Barrett were honored at the Department of New York District 3, 74th Annual Gold Chevron Awards Dinner.
Past Chief Kevin Shepherd was honored as VFW District 3 Firefighter of the Year serving as a volunteer firefighter for 59 years. Kevin served 21 years as a certified New York State Fire Investigator. Past Chief Shephard was recognized for his work in Fire Prevention and bringing the Juvenile Firesetter Intervention Program to Washington County.
Trooper Joseph Barrett was honored as VFW District 3 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. Trooper Barrett was recognized for his dedication to his community and work patrolling rural areas. Trooper Barrett is respected by his peers and works tirelessly to better the communities he is sworn to protect.
Post Commander Don Ward nominated Past Chief Shephard and Trooper Barrett for the Public Service Awards and presented the awards at the dinner.
Derby Leads Witches at Fonda-Fultonville Invite
Fultonville, NY, 5/1- GCS t&f star Arriyana Derby won three events at the twenty-two team Fonda Invite. She broke the school record in the 100M hurdles for the second time, sprinting to a time of 14.67. She also won the 400H (1:06.98) and improved her triple jump personal record by almost three feet, with a performance of 35’ 10”. Finn Murray, gaining momentum in the high jump, was 4th with a jump of 4’ 6”.
The boys middle distance runners also stood out, with Brad Spiezio clocking 4:51.08 in the 1600m, for 5th place and Levi Murray finishing 6th in the 800M (2:08.66).
More tomorrow!