Vying for attention from what's left of the media
Northrup BHM event; how to grow berries
By Darren Johnson
Journal & Press
One of the interesting parts about being one of the last active media players left in the game is that politicians still want media attention — and there are so few of us working journalists now — that they try harder and harder to even get the attention of tiny rural papers like ours.
I guess a link is a link. The Journal & Press can be just as clickable as The New York Times.
I got an email from Elise Stefanik’s camp yesterday. Apparently she’s still our congresswoman? I thought she’d done a farewell tour. I guess I shouldn’t believe everything I read in the media.
Her press release was about the lack of support state prisons are getting from the Democrats, according to the email, as conditions are deteriorating in these places, riots are happening and corrections officers are less safe.
(Of course, that’s a more complicated matter bigger than ideology. I don’t have time to bloviate on that topic, so let’s look at something lighter…)
Someone trying to take Stefanik’s place in Congress — he’s hoping party chairs select him for the seat — is Amsterdam Sticker Mule guy Anthony Constantino, who is to Trump II what the My Pillow Guy was to Trump I.
He had this bronze statue commissioned by a well-known sculptor.
What a kiss up!
Do you think Jefferson commissioned a statue for Washington during his presidency?
Apparently, the statue is of Trump pumping his fist after last year’s assassination attempt. The release says:
The statue was handcrafted by sculptor George Lundeen of Loveland, Colorado. Lundeen is known for his realistic bronze sculptures, including the Benjamin Franklin Statue at UPenn and the Apollo 11 Monument at the Kennedy Space Center. This masterpiece will be donated to the Trump International Golf Course West Palm Beach. President Trump expressed enthusiasm for the monument, commenting recently via text message, “How good is that statue???”
Before it makes its way to Florida, Constantino will unveil the completed bronze “Defiance Monument” at Sticker Mule’s 26 Elk Street location in Amsterdam, New York, on Tuesday, February 25th at 6pm. That surrounding property will be the future site of the “America Loves Trump” park, which he is building to celebrate that President Trump is a widely loved and unifying American hero. A replica of the statue is planned for the park.
Sticker Mule is a cool company, and it’s a great success story that’s relatively local, helping a poorer Upstate city that needs it.
But is this how one gets nominated for a congressional seat?
By being outrageous? Constantino has also gotten press for having a huge Trump sign outside his factory that riled opposing local pols, and, last month, he funded a free MMA cage match in Glens Falls co-hosted by Roger Stone.
I’d have to think Constantino is being a bit tongue-in-cheek. It’s the current form of rhetoric — do or say 10 silly things (Buying Greenland? 150-year-olds getting Social Security? Gulf of America?), confuse everyone, and then fly in more serious projects under the radar.
This energetic fellow is definitely getting attention. Maybe this bronze statue will get him the gold? A congressional seat.
Event Rescheduled
An Evening with Solomon Northup was postponed last week due to weather but has been rescheduled. Drop by the Visitor Center at 30 Ferry St., Schuylerville, on Monday, February 24, 2025, at 6:00 PM for an evening exploring the powerful story and legacy of Solomon Northup.
This Black History Month event will bring history to life through the powerful reenactment of Clifford Oliver Mealy, promising to offer a deeper understanding of Northup’s experiences and impact.
For accessibility questions for this event, reach out to wdelacruz@hudsoncrossingpark.org.
How to Grow Berries
On Wednesday, March 12, the Greenwich Gardeners will be hosting a presentation on growing berries in your garden and preparing healthy soil. Soil preparation and site selection are the biggest considerations for success, and Laura McDermott, retired Cornell Cooperative Extension Berry Production specialist, will help you avoid costly mistakes. This workshop will cover other basics including variety selection, pest management considerations and cultural requirements. Soil preparation, when to mulch or compost, will also be addressed.
Come learn how to cultivate a variety of nutritious and delicious berry crops in your yard. The event is at the Greenwich Free Library Community Room from 7 – 8 p.m.
And Now for the Comics — by Joel Pett
That’s it for today. More tomorrow!