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Thoughts on February

With temperatures in the northeast approaching extreme lows, I wanted to reflect on the month of February. I once knew someone who said he simply could not understand why so many people subscribed to the common assumption that February was the dreariest month of the year.

He always said that in his opinion it was no worse than any other month and at least it was the shortest with a bonus every leap year of one day shorter. I suppose he had a point even though we do not have a leap year in 2023. He also said that in February we also see the end of the worst of winter and the lengthening of days.

At any rate, we are now here and so far, the weather hasn’t been too bad up to this point. As my friend said, after a few more nice days – it will be Valentines Day and we will start seeing the budding of the flowers and the trees.

God bless everyone and keep warm and well during this misunderstood month of February. Before we know it, spring will be here!

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Ernest ‘Tim’ Soothcage, Rest in Peace


I’m very sorry to report that Ernest ‘Tim’ Soothcage, 83, passed away on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 after a long illness.

‘Tim’ as he was known to many, did a lot of work in Huletts Landing in the 1980’s and 1990’s. He was an extraordinary contractor and an expert dock builder. I had many conversations with him where he explained how a dock can shift in the winter, and how a dock should be properly constructed. He had extremely high standards and everything he built for us, is working well. He worked for many people in Huletts Landing and had a wonderful laugh. He will be missed. Our condolences go out to his family.

He and his brothers ran Soothcage Brothers Construction and Arctic Cat Sales and Service. If you were fortunate enough to have work done by Tim, you had quality work done that was built to last. He expected perfection in anything he did.

In his retirement, he very much enjoyed his monthly breakfast get-together with his nephew Don Lee, and long-time friends William Pike, Ted Plude and Nick Sabo (deceased).

He was predeceased by his mother Hazel Rathbun and his father Leslie Soothcage and also his brothers Albert and Leslie Soothcage.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Janice; his daughter Tammy Kirshon (Steve), grandchildren Christopher (Amanda) and Carolyn Pepper (Scott) and great-grandson Miles; his daughter Terry Brooks and grandsons Derek and Ryan, his daughter Tonya Dudley (Chris) and grandchildren Olivia, Logan and Christopher Jr. (Courtney) and great-grandson Christopher III.

The family will conduct a graveside service in the spring. Tim’s arrangements are under the care of the Jillson Funeral Home, Inc. Online condolences may be made at jillsonfuneralhomes.com

“May God support us all the day long, till the shades lengthen and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in His mercy may He give us a safe lodging, and a holy rest and peace at the last.”

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Happy Thanksgiving

With great gratitude and appreciation, we would like to wish you and your family a happy and safe Thanksgiving! Thank you for contributing to our success this year and we look forward to working with everyone in the future. As you prepare to gather with loved ones, may you have a blessed Thanksgiving!

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Seen on the Big Screen at Citi Field


Congratulations to Adeline (right) who worked at the Huletts Landing Soda Fountain in 2022. Her school band performed recently at Citi Field and her saxophone performance was captured on the Big Screen!!

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Joseph R. Rota, R.I.P.

I am sorry to report that Joseph R. Rota, 89, the former Town Supervisor of Dresden, passed away on September 5, 2022. Mr. Rota served numerous terms as the Town Supervisor of Dresden during the 1980’s and was instrumental in the creation of the Town Sewer District #1 in Huletts Landing.

In addition to serving as Dresden Town Supervisor, Mr. Rota also served many years as Executive Director of the Adirondack Park Local Government Review Board. Demonstrating the importance of every vote, he won his first election as Dresden Supervisor by one vote.

On a personal note, I found Mr. Rota to always be fair and an extremely hard worker. I once delivered documents to him as he boarded a train to leave on vacation. A vocal defender for private property rights, he was instrumental in the formation of the first Huletts Sewer District, working with many local citizens, elected state officials and different state agencies to guide the project through a myriad of obstacles.

Our condolences go out his family.

His full obituary and online condolences may be found here: www.carletonfuneralhome.net/joseph-thomas-rota/

“May God support us all the day long, till the shades lengthen and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in His mercy may He give us a safe lodging, and a holy rest and peace at the last.”

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Pictures from the HLVFC 2022 Community Day

Many thanks to the members and supporters of the Huletts Landing Volunteer Fire Company who made this year’s community day a great success. The volunteers brought out the fire company’s trucks and new fire boat for a drill and demonstration of their capabilities on August 28, 2022.






Many thanks to the great individuals who protect our community!

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Update: Injured Boater Airlifted from Golf Course

Update 8/10/2022
Huletts Landing V.F.C was dispatched to a possible drowning across from 987 County Route 6 at approximately 4 pm on Tuesday afternoon.

Deputy Chief Leghorn arrived to find a 25 yr old male on the shore of the lake with a serious head injury.

Victim received injury after diving off boat and striking his head on a rock in the water. He was helped to shore by friends who were with him at the time of the accident.

Emergency Medical care was given by members of Huletts Landing Vol. Fire Co., Skeensborough Ambulance and a nurse and pediatric doctor who were in the area at the time of the accident.

The patient was flown by Lifenet helicopter to Albany Medical center. Huletts Landing Firefighters set up and coordinated the Landing Zone.

At approximately 4:00 pm on Tuesday, August 9th, an injured boater was airlifted for medical attention from the Huletts golf course. The Huletts Landing Volunteer fire department responded and coordinated the airlift for the injured boater.

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Photos & Results from the 2022 ‘A Day to Remember’


Part of the race course from the 2022 Kerry McNelis Memorial Race, held on August 6th.

Congratulations to all the participants in the 2022 ‘A Day to Remember’ and many thanks to those who worked so diligently to make the day a success.

2022 Kerry McNelis Memorial Race Results

Men:

12 & under
1. Caelyn Webber
2. Asher Yarmel
3. Wyatt Renolds

13-30
1. * Jimmy Mintel
2. Jonathan Biondo
3. John McNelis Jr.

31-54
1. Matt Clarke
2. Mike Renolds
3. Dan Yarmel

55+ (Champions)
1. John McNelis
2. John Shultz
3. Mark Davy

Women:

15 & under
1. Machenzie Linhart
2. Lizie Hamilton
3. Morgan Linhart

16-30
1.* Finn Cotton
2. Angelina Buttigieg
3. Alanah Walsh

31-44
1. Gina Yarmel
2. Tharyn Hamilton
3. Rachel Renolds

45+ (Champions)
1. Nancy Hurley
2. Doreen Stoecker
3. Kim Shultz

* Denotes First place overall winner for men and women.

Specialty Awards
Youngest: Henry Renolds (7 years old)
Most Experienced: Rixhie Smith & Lisa Gilinski

Golf – Winners (Score of 25)
Greg Hurley
Gary Hurley
Colin Hurley
Kevin Keough

To those we lost – we will never forget you.
(Click all images to see larger versions.)

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Ian Brown named MWC Baseball Position Player of the Week

Following several astounding performances, Grinnell College’s Ian Brown ’25 has been named Midwest Conference Baseball Position Player of the Week.

Brown, a first baseman from Darien, Conn. (Greens Farms Academy), had not one, but two, walk off home runs for the Pioneers as they went 4-1 in the last week. His three-run shot against Cornell College in the bottom of the seventh inning finished off the Pioneers’ 16-6 mercy rule victory, and yet another three-run homer in the eighth inning three days later concluded the Pioneers’ 22-11 win over Monmouth College.

Brown completed his homer trifecta for the week the next day with one more three-run shot in a 20-9 win over Monmouth. For the week, he hit .611 by going 11-of-18 with 13 RBIs, nine runs scored and two doubles while posting a slugging percentage of 1.222. Grinnell put up 71 runs over the five-game span.

Ian is the son of Sean and Delphine (Knight) Brown of Huletts Landing.

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Happy Mother’s Day

‘

I would like to especially recognize all mothers and wish them a blessed day on this Mother’s Day of 2022.

“The business done in the home is nothing less than the shaping of the bodies and souls of humanity. The family is the factory that manufactures mankind.”

G.K. Chesterton
from the book The Story of the Family

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DEC Statewide Forest Ranger Highlights

Town of Bolton
Warren County
Wilderness Rescue: On April 10 at 8:15 p.m., Warren County 911 requested Forest Ranger assistance regarding a group hiking Cat and Thomas mountains. One of the members got separated and called for help. Ranger Kabrehl responded to the coordinates provided by 911 and located the subject approximately one-half mile from the Edgecomb Pond trailhead. Ranger Kabrehl assisted the 18-year-old from the Bronx to the trailhead where the subject was taken by ambulance to the hospital. Resources were clear at 11:30 p.m.


Swift water rescue training.
Hamlet of North River
Warren County
Swift Water Training: On April 8, Forest Rangers from Region 5 took advantage of seasonally high waters on the Hudson River to train for emergency swift water rescues. Rangers used an inflatable rescue boat to perform whitewater maneuvers including ferry angles, j-turns, and upriver/downriver travel. These training exercises help Rangers perform at advanced levels when responding to incidents in difficult conditions.

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LGPC Chairman Bruce Young – Rest in Peace


In this photo from 2012, Bruce Young is seen with Lake George in the background.

It is with great sadness that I report that the Chairman of the Lake George Park Commission, Huletts Landing resident, and friend, Bruce Young, has passed away.

Mr. Young was, by far, the longest serving Chairman of the Lake George Park Commission, having been appointed and reappointed by different Governors from different parties to be Chairman. He led the advancement of many protections for Lake George and its users.

Mr. Young’s accomplishments in life are many, but he told me in many conversations I had with him over the years, that being Chairman of the Lake George Park Commission was one of the most important things he did.

He was devoted to Huletts Landing and Lake George in many, many ways. Mr. Young served for many years as a Trustee and Treasurer of the Mountain Grove Memorial church. His grandfather, Harland Foote, was the original builder of the church.

He will always be remembered as a leader in the conservation and protection of Lake George. He will be greatly missed.

When Mr. Young was reappointed for an additional term as Chairman, he told me: “When I look out at this beautiful body of water I realize that my job is to protect it, but while doing so, to always remember that our citizens are part of the Lake George story and that their legitimate rights need equal protection. It may be a quaint phrase, but I believe in maximum use without abuse. I believe that being appointed to three consecutive terms by different governors is evidence that the approach we’re taking is the right one.”

As information develops regarding his services, I will post.