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Cyclists brave rain in annual Brinkerhoff race
A cluster of racers make their way down Route 385 in Coxsackie on the first day of the two-day Trooper David Brinkerhoff Memorial Race Series. The second day of competition will be April 23. Melanie Lekocevic/Capital Region Independent Media
COXSACKIE — A steady downpour Saturday morning did not deter cyclists from racing through Coxsackie and Athens in the annual Trooper David Brinkerhoff Memorial Race Series.
The two-day race will continue April 23 for its second installment.
Formerly known as the Johnny Cake Lane Spring Series, the race was renamed in 2007 in honor of state Trooper David Brinkerhoff, a Coxsackie resident who died in the line of duty at age 29 from a gunshot wound he sustained in a shootout with a suspect April 25, 2007.
The race is hosted each year by the Capital Bicycle Racing Club. The memorial race series was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was delayed until June in 2021 with the status of the pandemic in flux. The event is typically held in April and is considered one of the premier early-spring racing series in the Northeast. It typically draws cyclists from all over the East Coast and Quebec.
There was steady rain Saturday morning on the first day of the two-day race, but cyclists still hit the course that winds through Coxsackie and Athens for several 12-mile loops.
Field A athletes — the most experienced — compete along a 62-mile route. Field B cyclists complete a 50-mile loop and those in Field C cycle for 38 miles.
Female athletes compete in Field D, a 38-mile loop. The field open to only female athletes was created in 2021 for the first time in the race series' history to encourage more female entrants.
"Women have sometimes been reluctant to race in these races and felt they would like to compete against each other, so we are trying it out," race co-organizer Tom Gordon from the Capital Bicycle Racing Club said in June 2021 when the all-female field was created. "There are a lot of women out there who are riding and riding very well. We are hoping this brings more women into racing."
This year was the second time the all-women's field competed.
The second day of competition will take place on Saturday, April 23, and is open to all. Registration is required prior to the day of the race at www.bikereg.com. No race-day registration will be permitted.
The race route includes flat areas and hills. Entry fees for adult racers is $50. Junior racers pay a $10 preregistration fee that will be refunded if they start the race.
The starting line is from near the Coxsackie-Athens High School campus and travels south on Johnny Cake Lane and Adams Road in Coxsackie to Route 385, where it heads south toward Union Street in the village of Athens. Racers then travel west on Union Street to Farm-to-Market Road, returning north to the beginning of the route.
Racers complete the 12-mile loop in three to five laps, depending on experience and ability.
Local roads are not closed for the race but traffic is delayed briefly as competitors pass through. Police officers and race officials are stationed along the route at busy or fast intersections to ensure racers' safety.
Each year the race donates funds to several local charitable organizations including the annual David Brinkerhoff Scholarship Fund at Coxsackie-Athens High School.
Durham, Cairo groups win county planning awards
CATSKILL — Four county organizations were honored recently for achievements in planning and economic development.
The Ellen Rettus Planning Achievement Awards are given out annually by the Greene County Planning Board and were awarded this year at the Greene County Legislature's Nov. 17 meeting.
"Ellen Rettus was a long-term county planning board member who for several years served as chairperson of the Greene County Planning Board and chairperson of the town of Durham planning board," said Carl Giangrande, vice chairman of the county planning board. "As chairperson of these boards, Ellen worked to promote sound and thoughtful planning throughout Greene County. The awards recognize outstanding planning, community and economic development activities that have taken place in Greene County."
Durham Connect won one of two awards this year in the Community Improvement category. The organization was nominated by Greene County Legislator Patty Handel, R-Durham.
"Durham Connect is a community group charged with implementing the recommendations of the Durham 2020 comprehensive plan," Giangrande said. "It is an innovative example of how a town government and residents, both full-time and weekenders, can work collaboratively to further their shared goals."
The aim of Durham Connect is to work towards achieving the goals set out by the comprehensive plan.
"Residents and town board members who developed the comprehensive plan wanted to ensure that the result of their two-year comprehensive planning process didn't just result in a plan that sat on a shelf collecting dust," Giangrande said. "The answer was Durham Connect."
The group is led by town resident Bernard Rivers and Town Councilwoman Joan Breslin, and has six volunteer working groups tasked with implementing various aspects of the comprehensive plan, Giangrande said.
Durham Connect has worked on assessing and improving broadband connectivity in the town.
"Improving broadband is essential to encouraging businesses to locate or expand in the town and in attracting new residents wanting to work from home," Giangrande said. "The broadband working group's first successful project was a free hot spot in a town parking lot that can be accessed 24/7. The group has conducted a complete assessment of the town's broadband availability and its finishing report with proposals for action."
Another aim of the comprehensive plan was to improve communication in the town. To that end, Durham Connect published two issues of a new town newsletter keeping residents apprised of what is going on in the community, Giangrande said.
The Cairo Development Foundation also won a planning award in the Main Street Revitalization category.
"The foundation has made tremendous strides towards a better vision of Main Street and has improved the very fabric and quality of life for everyone who is a resident of Cairo," Giangrande said. "The Cairo Foundation started as a group of dedicated residents determined to improve the economic and visual climate of the town of Cairo by raising funds via grants and events, and since they began in 2016, they have produced amazing results."
Among the group's achievements are purchasing two buildings on Main Street in need of repair. One was renovated and now houses a physical therapy practice, with a pocket park next door, Giangrande said.
A public art project in Cairo is another achievement of the foundation.
"In addition to the foundation's construction projects, the ongoing Cairo bears art project was picked up by the Cairo Development Foundation and has continued to be an event enjoyed by the residents of Cairo and our county, and which has been and continues to be a positive attraction for many tourists coming to Greene County," Giangrande said.
Two other organizations were also honored with awards. The Foreland contemporary arts building in Catskill received an award in the Main Street Revitalization category, and Windham Manor was honored in the Community Improvement category.
DEC issues guidance for spring recreation in Adirondacks
In Sports, Sports - Greenville, The Greenville Pioneer
DEC encourages New Yorkers to get outdoors and enjoy the season, but to do so responsibly and safely. Courtesy of Pexels
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation reminds visitors to recreate responsibly in the Adirondacks this spring to help protect state lands for future generations.
Spring is an excellent time to get outdoors and enjoy warming temperatures, but it can also pose many risks to outdoor enthusiasts, wildlife and natural resources. DEC encourages visitors to public lands to recreate responsibly to protect themselves and the resource.
Practice the Seven Principles of "Leave No Trace": Leave No Trace principles provide a framework for safe and sustainable recreation. Based on outdoor ethics rather than rules, the principles provide guidelines that can be tailored to a variety of outdoor activities and an individual's specific experience. Before heading out to visit state lands, DEC encourages outdoor adventurers to review and familiarize themselves with these principles to help be prepared, stay safe and minimize damage to shared lands and waterways.
Follow the Muddy Trail Advisory: Hikers are advised to avoid hiking on high elevation trails above 2,500 feet until further notice. Despite recent warm weather, high elevation trails are still covered in slowly melting ice and snow. These steep trails feature thin soils that become a mix of ice and mud as winter conditions melt and frost leaves the ground. Sliding boots destroy trail tread, damage surrounding vegetation, and erode thin soils, increasing the likelihood of washouts; rotten snow and monorails are a safety hazard even with proper equipment; and high elevation and alpine vegetation are extremely fragile during this time.
Hikers can encounter thick mud, flooding, ice and deep slushy snow even on low-elevation trails.
Walk through the mud, slush, or standing water and down the center of the trail. This helps to reduce erosion and trail widening and minimizes damage to trailside vegetation;
Do not attempt to walk through high or fast-moving water;
Waterproof boots, gaiters, and trekking poles are recommended to safely and comfortably traverse these variable trail conditions; and
Choose from DEC's recommended list of hikes found throughout the Adirondacks that are great alternatives to popular high elevation hikes.
Avoid wet and muddy mountain biking trails: Trail systems can be severely damaged by eager mountain bikers who hit the trail too early in the season.
Avoid biking on trails until they are dried and hardened;
Check with local organizations for conditions and consider alternate trail options like multi-use recreation trails, durable gravel road systems, or paved roadways;
Research area regulations for bike allowances ahead of time; and
Consider volunteering time to trail work and help local organizations repair trails and prepare for mountain biking season.
Plan and prepare for variable conditions: Spring weather can change rapidly. Prepare for every occasion by bringing the 10 Hike Smart NY essentials, including food, water, navigation, warm layers, snowshoes and traction devices, a headlamp, first-aid kit, and matches or a lighter. Stay up to date with current weather reports and if the forecast calls for harsh conditions, consider rescheduling. Always check the forecast the morning and evening of a planned trip and the day after a trip so the proper gear is brought in case of an emergency or unplanned overnight. Make a timeline, including a turnaround time, and stick to it. Visitors should leave their trip plans with a trusted friend or relative that will call for help if they don't return on time.
Safely enjoy spring water recreation: Paddling, fishing and boating are great ways to sustainably enjoy the outdoors this spring if done responsibly. Waterways are still very cold and with spring snow melt, high water and swift currents are always a possibility.
Always wear a personal flotation device (PFD) (required by law between Nov. 1 and May 1). Water temperatures are cold. A person in the water can quickly lose the ability to keep their head above water;
Use caution entering and exiting canoes, kayaks, or boats;
Heed high water warnings and do not attempt to fish or paddle during times of high and swift waters;
Research a trip ahead of time and follow any warnings or advisories for select paddling routes;
Watch closely for trees, branches, rocks, and debris both above the surface and underwater while paddling; and
Always clean, drain, and dry boats, wash boots and waders, and check for aquatic hitchhikers upon exiting a waterway to avoid the spread of aquatic invasives species.
Know how to protect against ticks: Ticks are very small bugs that can spread Lyme and various other diseases through their bites. Deer ticks live in shady, moist areas at ground level. Be tick free:
Wear light-colored clothing with a tight weave to spot ticks easily;
Wear enclosed shoes, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt. Tuck pant legs into socks or boots, and shirt into pants;
Check clothes and any exposed skin frequently for ticks while outdoors;
Consider using insect repellent on clothing; and
Stay on cleared, well-traveled trails. Walk in the center of trails. Avoid dense woods and bushy areas.
Give wildlife ample space: Spring is a vulnerable time for wildlife. Some come out of hibernation and most begin to search for fresh food wherever they can find it. This can mean wildlife encounters closer to trails, parking areas, and roadways.
Never follow, approach, or feed wildlife. Human food can harm wildlife and feeding wildlife can create bad habits that lead to unwanted human interaction and habituation;
Keep pets on a leash to avoid startling wildlife;
If you care, leave them there – Do not disturb young fawns or other young wildlife. View from a distance and call a wildlife rehabilitator if concerned the animal is orphaned or injured;
Many rock-climbing routes are closed to protect nesting peregrine falcons. Check closings before going;
Know how to reduce bear encounters while hiking and camping. Bear canisters are required to be used in the High Peaks Wilderness April 1-November 30 and are recommended for all backcountry users throughout the Adirondacks and
Before heading out to camp, learn more about bear canisters and avoiding human-bear conflicts.
Cement plant parent company rebranded with new identityby Melanie Lekocevic / April 8, 2022
RCS track and field competes in first meet of seasonby Melanie Lekocevic / April 11, 2022


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Actors / Classics / Movie Reviews
"They Drive By Night" (1940) starring George Raft, Humphrey Bogart, Ann Sheridan, & Ida Lupino
July 18, 2020 August 14, 2022 Emma1 Comment
[1] The dialogue is salty and well-delivered… while the background stuff- the diners, rented rooms and garages- is beautifully detailed and always believable.
[2] …it features a top-flight cast of actors who are usually fun to watch.
[3] It's mile-a-minute banter delivered by pros (this film played a big part in landing bigger roles for Bogie).
-Excerpts from IMDB reviews
[Paul is checking out Cassie, a waitress, at a roadside diner.]
Cassie Hartley: All right, that's enough of the X-ray treatment.
This is the story of the Fabrini brothers, ladies' man Joe (George Raft) and married man Paul (Humphrey Bogart), independent-minded truckers somewhere in California. They'd like to buy their own rig, but can't afford one. There is tough competition and long-haul trucking is dangerous. Cassie Hartley (Ann Sheridan) is the wise-cracking waitress the brothers pick up on the road. Joe obviously has eyes for her. Later that night, they witness a terrible accident after a fellow trucker falls asleep at the wheel! Later on, circumstances drive them to work for Ed Carlsen (Alan Hale), a former trucker who runs his own business. His much younger wife, Lana (Ida Lupino), is very interested in Joe.
Joe Fabrini: Do you believe in love at first sight?
Cassie Hartley: It saves a lot of time.
This film is considered an underrated/lesser-known noir. Raft and Bogart are close in age and have great chemistry, so you believe them as brothers. It's refreshing to see Bogie (before he became a leading man) as a regular guy; I don't think I've seen him smile so much! I reviewed Thieves' Highway (1949) earlier on this blog; it also deals w/ the trucking business. The screenplay of They Drive by Night was based on a novel by A. I. "Buzz" Bezzerides, who wrote Thieves' Highway (based on his experiences as a first gen American/former trucker).
Producer Mark Hellinger's wife, Gladys Glad (a former showgirl on Broadway for Ziegfeld), was responsible for getting this film made. Hellinger brought home a stack of scripts to read, skimmed this script, but felt that "nobody would pay money to see a bunch of truck drivers." Glad read this script, liked it, and pressured her husband to read it. The film became the sleeper hit for Warner Bros. It was directed by Raoul Walsh and shot in just 33 days (in sequence).
Action, Actors, Drama, Family, Film Noir, Friendship, Ida Lupino, Marraige, Romance
"Hamlet at Elsinore" (BBC: 1964) starring Christopher Plummer, Robert Shaw, & Michael Caine
Spoiler-Free Review: "Indian Matchmaking" (2020)
One thought on ""They Drive By Night" (1940) starring George Raft, Humphrey Bogart, Ann Sheridan, & Ida Lupino"
Servetus says:
Alan Hale Sr. — "the Skipper"'s father!

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Canadian Stamp News have an article about #Owls this week. The Royal Mail have released an interesting set of 10 stamps with British Owls. See here.
Undated handout photo issued by the Royal Mail of a set of ten stamps featuring five species of owls, including the barn owl, little owl, tawny owl, short-eared own and long-eared owl.


This case study observes the influence of mental imagery on an art therapy process with psychosomatic patients and is based on the assumption that combining interactive guided imagery with art therapy, can enhance symbolic functions in psychosomatic patients. First, basic psychodynamic concepts of the somatization process are reviewed, my assumptions on how the art therapy/mental imagery process can benefit psychosomatic patients are presented and the method of interactive guided imagery is explained. In the clinical presentation. the process of two women affected by psychosomatic disturbances is observed. Their art therapy process before and after the integration of interactive guided imagery in their sessions is presented and their art work before and after the combined art/mental imagery process is compared, stimulating questions and reflections on this approach. Though, this case study does not provide conclusions from which generalizations can be drawn, it does demonstrate that using interactive guided imagery in an art therapy process with the two research subjects appears to have had an impact on their symbolic process.
vii, 89 leaves : col. ill. ; 29 cm.