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Queechy Lake Club celebrates 41 years

In Communities - Columbia, The Columbia Paper
July 1, 2024
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By PETER FLIERL

CANAAN–Sallie LaValle, president of the Queechy Lake Club (QLC), reports the club has celebrated its 41st anniversary and is a founding member of the New York State Federation of Lake Associations. QLC volunteers monitor water health, check for possible contamination and record environmental trends throughout the year.

Ms. LaValle noted that properties on or near Queechy Lake are under the protection and regulation of the state Department of Environmental Conservation. Permits are required for activities like draining, excavation, removal of soil, and dumping, filling, or depositing of any soil, gravel and the like. Watershed property owners can help keep water clean by using non-phorous laundry detergent. Septic tanks should be pumped clean at least every three years.

New York State requires that all motorized boat and personal watercraft operators complete and pass a boat safety course and carry a New York boater card by 2025. Queechy Lake has experienced devastating accidents and close calls. The Queechy Lake Club encourages all boaters to think about other boaters, swimmers, and the shoreline when the boat is creating a wake.

Ms. LaValle noted two upcoming events in 2024: the 49th Annual Boat Parade on Saturday, July 6 at 2 p.m. to celebrate the Declaration of Independence; and the Queechy Lake Club’s 116th Annual Meeting on Saturday, August 3 at 10 a.m. at Canaan Town Hall. For more information, go to www.queechylake.org

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THROUGH THE WOODS: The Scent of Rain

In Communities - Columbia, The Columbia Paper
September 19, 2024
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By NANCY JANE KERN

THIS SEASON IS AN AMAZING MIX of beauty and change. Something we rarely consider is one of our traditional senses, smell. Growing up, our farm families of 75 years ago washed up for meals and often left their unique characters alone due to a lack of deodorants. Everyone did physical labor and was accustomed to Gramp’s belief in a weekly set of long underwear and one bath a week on Saturday night. Whew!

Chipmunk. Photo by Nancy Kern

Our father, probably because of my mother, had frequent baths or showers. We spent much of our time outdoors and fall was a cool relief as a series of storms passed through the area and the past week was a reminder. Riding my horse in the rain gave me the pleasure of a wet horse and wet earth and trees. No horses now but the scent of rain comes through the yard to the porch. The ability to smell is considered one of the strongest memory-triggering senses and probably evolved as an adaption to warn us to seek shelter and protection. The sun faded and the gray clouds appeared. I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply as the wind and strong gusts came and then the downpour of rain. Some fine droplets hit my face, and it was wonderful. Spikey dry corn leaves would unfurl, and flowers brighten. It was a clean, earthy engulfment. The high pollen counts diminished, and my sneezing stopped.

The animals shared the moment with me. Some, like the deer, fled to the evergreen woods. A damp chipmunk and a few chickadees emerged on the porch and resumed collecting scattered birdseed. An internet search said the scent of rain is called petrichor and has been extensively studied by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). In a coming storm, we detect the signature musk of geosmin in concentrations as low as 100 parts per trillion. It is produced by bacteria, released by the rain hitting the dry ground to form an aerosol, and the wind carries the soil bacteria and plant particles. Sweeter ozone from the upper atmosphere is also present.

It was insightful but too clinical. I want to sense the storm, close my eyes, inhale the fragrant air, enjoy, and remember.

Copake Rapid Care gets a warm welcome back

In News - Columbia, The Columbia Paper
June 10, 2024
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By DIANE VALDEN

COPAKE—A crowd of about 50 people gathered on the pavement in the Copake Rapid Care parking lot, 283 Mountain View Road, with the temperature in the 80s under an intense springtime sun to witness the long-awaited grand reopening of the facility, Monday, June 3.

The center had been closed since December 2022 due to staffing and financial issues.

Little plastic bottles of water and snacks were made available to the sweltering onlookers as Columbia Memorial Health (CMH) President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Dorothy M. Urschel delivered opening remarks from a lectern and introduced speakers: Matt Herzog from Assemblymember Didi Barrett’s (D-106th) office, Emma Cohen from State Senator Michelle Hinchey’s (D-41st) office, Albany Med Healthcare System’s CEO and President Dr. Dennis McKenna, Alex Horton from Congressman Marc Molinaro’s (R-19th) office, CMH Board of Trustees Chair Kirk Kneller and Copake Town Supervisor Richard Wolf.

Citations, certificates and proclamations were presented by the representatives of state and federal politicians. Everyone offered words of congratulations and gratitude to all who helped make the reopening happen. It was noted that the center provides critical services which Roe Jan area residents would otherwise have to drive a half-hour or more to obtain. Mr. Herzog said the reopening “was a testament to the power of community.”

Some credit for the reopening was bestowed upon CMH Board of Trustees Member Hila Richardson and Board Chair Kneller. During his remarks, Mr. Kneller also deflected a piece of the credit to the community, since $300,00+ in individual donations to the CMH Foundation’s “donor designated fund” directly benefited the Copake Rapid Care Center’s revival. He said “it takes a community” to support a rapid care center. Also, Mr. Kneller predicted that within a year the center will be profitable.

AMC and CMH administrators, staff, board of trustees members, politicians’ emissaries, local town supervisors past and present and others lined up for the Copake Rapid Care ribbon cutting and photo opportunity, June 3. Photo by Diane Valden

Copake Supervisor Wolf said because his predecessor, former supervisor Jeanne Mettler, championed the rapid care center cause, residents once again have “a local place where they can go to get quality care.”

A ceremonial red ribbon was cut to usher those present inside the facility for a tour and refreshments.

The center is now open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Physician’s Assistant Thomas McGibbon-Vaugh will anchor the healthcare staff. Mr. McGibbon-Vaugh worked at the facility previously.

To contact Diane Valden email dvalden@columbiapaper.com

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