GALLERY: The cows come home with a little help

February 11, 2025

DAVID LEE
Capital Region Independent Media
February 11, 2025

On the afternoon of February 8, under low clouds and with a fresh layer of snow, Hayden White, his mom Andria and independent 4H leader Brianna Laraway lead yearling cows along the dirt roads at Roxbury Farm where the cows are stabled. Hayden’s is an angus cross steer named Brutis. Andria leads a brown swiss dairy cow named Reighna and Brianna leads a milking shorthorn named Oaklynn. As the 4H participant, Hayden has raised Brutis from a calf. He must walk the cows 5 days a week and prepare them for the county fair next fall.

PHOTOS BY DAVID LEE

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Left to right are Andria White, Hayden White and Brianna Laraway. ©2025

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Village of Kinderhook receives $2.25M grant

In News, News - Columbia, The Columbia Paper, Uncategorized

March 10, 2023

Pictured (l-r) are Mayor Michael Abrams, Renee Shur, Governor Kathy Hochul, Quinn Murphy and and Trustee Dorene Weir. Photo contributed

KINDERHOOK—Governor Kathy Hochul announced on March 3 that the Village of Kinderhook has received $2.25 million in funding as one of the Capital Region winners of the first round of that state’s NY Forward program.

Also as part of the first round the Greene County Village of Coxsackie has received $4.5 million and the Village of Cambridge in Washington County has received $2.25 million.

A press release from the governor says this new program is building on the momentum of the state’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI). The $100 million NY Forward program adopts the same “Plan-then-Act” strategy as the DRI to support a more equitable downtown recovery for the state’s smaller and rural communities.

As part of NY Forward Round One, two to three awards will be made to smaller communities in each of the state’s ten economic development regions to support development and implementation of a revitalization plan for their downtowns. (more…)

THROUGH THE WOODS: The Year of the Rabbit

In Communities, Communities - Columbia, The Columbia Paper

February 9, 2023

Cottontail rabbit. Photo by Nancy Jane Kern

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR, The Year of the Rabbit. The rabbit has long been associated with our Moon and is said to live in harmony with nature. In Chinese folklore, the rabbit is frequently depicted as a companion and pet of Chang’e, the moon goddess. The rabbit is quick-witted and a swift runner.

Also in Chinese culture, the rabbit is a symbol of longevity and good fortune, and many Chinese people consider the rabbit to be a lucky animal and will have rabbit-themed decorations in their homes during the Chinese New Year.

The rabbit’s foot is a symbol of luck in several countries. When I was in grade school in the 1950s children often had a rabbit’s foot attached to their purse or book bag or kept in a pocket. We bought them in Delson’s Store in Chatham, and they came in natural or dyed colors. I was envious of a friend who had a blue one. Mine was white. The paw was real, and a metal cap covered the end and had a chain through it. Times have changed. No furs or rabbits’ feet good luck charms now. (more…)