BOVINA NEWSLETTER

A letter from the pastor

Bell Ringers Needed!

It seems that congregations across our nation are doing anything and everything they can to get people through

the doors on Sunday morning. Many such comments were made by those opposed to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s

recent decision to change their constitutional definition of marriage from “Marriage is a civil contract between a woman

and a man” to “Marriage involves a unique commitment between two people, traditionally a man and a woman, to love and

support each other for the rest of their lives.”

It may be the case that for some who voted for this decision they were only interested in trying something to

draw people in on Sunday mornings; however, I believe that for most it was something else. I believe most who voted to

change our definition of marriage believe that they were truly doing the right thing. They felt that this decision was the

sincerest expression of their belief in God and love for Jesus Christ.

On the other side, there are Christians which believe from the sincerest expression of their belief in God and

their love for Jesus Christ that this decision was blasphemous and in no way aligns with the will of God.

This divide (and not just the one caused by this issue) isn’t only amongst Christians. Divides exist in the other

world religions as well and even amongst secular humanist and atheists. I myself am so steeped in the Christian tradition,

but I believe this saying is true for any two people whatever creed they might claim: Whenever two Presbyterians (people)

are in a room together there are at least three different opinions. Basically, we’re going to disagree.

Disagreeing with one another is not inherently right or wrong. It is natural. The problem is when we quit listen-

ing to one another. It’s my hope that deep down we are all working for what’s best for everybody. It’s my hope that deep

down we all want to do what’s right. However, it’s impossible for us to do what’s best for everybody, it’s impossible to do

what’s right if we’re always shutting out those with which we disagree.

Whichever side of the fence you’re on, let’s take time to listen to the other side. It’s established we’ll disagree.

Let’s also establish that we’ll listen to one another despite our disagreements. Let’s establish we’ll hear another out and

we’ll work together to do what’s best for all. Recently Margaret Hilson shared with me a saying that she heard a lot in her

earlier years. “We have two ears for a reason and only one mouth. We’re supposed to listen twice as much as we speak.”

Let’s heed this wisdom and let’s hear one another out.

God Bless,

Rev. Garrett Adam Vittorio Schindler

P.S. For those wondering about the Bell Ringers, it’s my ploy to get people in the sanctuary doors on Sunday morning. If

you’re interested in ringing our bell before service and joining us for worship stop by any Sunday by 9:55 and I’ll show you

where the bell is.

P.S.S. The session hasn’t approved this yet, so if you’re looking to get me in trouble this would be a good time to show up

COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER Sponsored by

the Bovina UP Church

June 2015

June 1-5—

Sacred Harp Singing School, 6 - 8:30 PM (Potluck June 6 @ 5 PM)

June 14—

Graduation Sunday honoring 2015 gradu-ates, 10 AM (reception for all following ser-vice).

July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29—

Surprise of Summer @ Bovina Ball Field 7-8 PM

July 7— Summer Arts Program begins at the Library

July 18— Bovina Day

July 18-25— Summer Youth Mis-sion Trip to Baltimore

August 1— Historical Cooking Class

August 3-7— Vacation Bible School, 5-7 PM (Program on the 7th @ 7 PM)

August 8— Concert in the Pines

August 20— Chicken BBQ

August 24-28—

Schoolhouse Camp

Page 2 Bovina newsletter

Joys and Concerns

Our condolences to the families of Bob Barnhart, Helen Burns, Celia Coulter, Terry Kaufman, and Mary Parsons,

who we lost this winter.

We ‘d like to congratulate our high-school graduates, Nate Denison, Ally Heavey, Inda Gillett, Allyce McIn-

tosh, and Colin Spangenberg. We’re looking forward to seeing what the next chapter brings!

Sebastian Hilson-Schneider joined the Bovina communi-ty on February 21st. He was enthusiastically welcomed by

is parents, Julie and Mark, and his brother, Hans, and sister, Gretel.

Youth Group and After-school Program

This winter and spring the Church School kids have had the blessing on working with local artist Steve Burnett

and Delaware Academy Senior Colin Spangenberg. We will be hosting an Art Show and Concert soon. Keep up-

to-date on our church facebook page: face-book.com/bovinaupchurch.

Bovina UP Church News

The Bovina UP Church welcomes you to worship with us Sunday mornings at 10 AM. If

you are interested in joining the church, please contact a member of the Church Session

(Jack Burns, Norma Gabriel, Tom Hilson, Evelyn Stewart, Mark Schneider, or Steve Bur-

nett).

Sunday worship @ 10 AM. Please come join us!

Sunday School for Children preschool through 6th grade during worship (during

the school year).

Communion served on the 1st Sunday of every month.

Session Meeting @ 7PM on the 2nd Tuesday of every other month.

Fellowship Coffee Hour following worship service on the 2nd Sunday of every

month.

Page 3

Bovina Library News, by Mary Pelletier

COMMUNITY NEWS

Congratulations to our Readers of the Year!

Medals and crowns were awarded at a grand ceremony in early May! The ceremony

was attended by a small, yet loving and enthusiastic crowd to celebrate the Readers of the Year at the Bovina Public Library. Our recipients received

crowns and medals, and then read from favorite books or discussed authors and

stories that have inspired them. Peg Hilson was the Adult Reader, and spoke elo-

quently about her interest in Ann Patchett’s work, both fiction and non-fiction. Wray

Rominger and his wife, Lonie, were the Family Readers of the Year. Wray read

from a favorite childhood series, Freddy the Pig, and talked about growing up in

the suburbs of Omaha, loving Walter Brooks' series. Brooks was from Rome, NY

and lived much of his life in Roxbury, NY, so there's a local connection, Bovinians! Marco and André Shaw were the juvenile Read-

ers of the Year. André read excitedly from a passage about the summer solstice from a Magic Tree House book. Marco read a

humorous passage from Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series, a conversation between the protagonists about a Latin phrase that

they thought might mean, 'eat my pants.' Congratulations to our Readers of the Year! Keep on reading!!

Please make note that library hours change slightly after Memorial Day: Tuesdays 2:30-7, Wednesdays 1-7, Thursdays 10:30-3 and Saturdays 9-2.

Bovina Public Library lecture and discussion series continues this summer!

Dr. Lilly Lei has signed on to continue her thought-provoking conversation about eastern and western views on health and medicine, and the body-mind-spirit connection. The series will be continuing on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays

throughout the summer @ 6pm: June 3 + 17, July 1 + 15, August 5 + 19

This series encourages participants to ask questions, share ideas, listen, and fact-proof given information in order to enhance personal learning. There will be challenges to current and collective beliefs which will be dissected and analyzed in hopes of

hearing different perspectives. The speaker’s goal is that topics will lead to the discovery of new personal reflections on mind, body and spiritual dynamics. June topics include: Western Medicine/Eastern Medicine, and Digestive Malfunction: the

Root of All Evils

Summer Arts Program: “Bird Buddies” with John Virga

Spend five Tuesday evenings (July 7-August 4) from 5-6:30 pm at the library with local artist John Virga. John will be leading children ages 3-13 in an artistic exploration of birds, their nests and their behavior. Plan to build bird houses and create other pieces, all with an ornithological theme. There is no cost for

this program but feel free to make a good-will donation to the Bovina Public Library if you wish. Please RSVP to bovinalib@delhitel.net or call (607) 832-4884, and let them know the ages and the number of partici-pants to expect. If your child is under 6, or might be more successful with their parent or caregiver near-

by, please plan to remain at the library with your child during the program.

Please visit the Bovina Public Library to travel the world!

Page 4 Bovina newsletter

The Bovina Historical Society has had a busy year, beginning a major fundraising campaign for physical up-

grades to Russell’s Store. We had a delightful Bovina Historical Pageant organized by our town historian, Ray

LaFever, with lots of help from many volunteers. Our Crock Pot competition was successful and we continue our

efforts with the following: July 11th, Casserole Competition – contact Briana Riera 832-4442; July 18th, Bovina

Day Calf Photo Booth; August 1st, Historical Cooking Class,; August 8th, Sum-

mer Concert “Among the Pines” (see release for this event on p. 5); and Septem-

ber 12th, Mountain Brook Inn Dinner – contact Donna Bray. On August 24th-

28th, we will again sponsor School House Number One experience for children

having finished first through fifth grades. Mary Pelletier and Amy Burns

Lamport will be our school marms this year. The registration date will be an-

nounced soon.

Do save your saleable items as we look forward to Bovina Day on July 18th.

Winners of the Crock-Pot Cook-off were: GERRY MURPHY- SHORT RIBS & SMASHED

POTATOES (Meat); ANNE GOHOREL- SENEGALESE PEANUT SOUP (Vegetarian); LUCAS,

MATEO, KAI RIERA- LEEK POTATO GRATIN (Side); KIM RIERA- VENISON CHILI

(Chili); CULLEN, RILEY, FINN RIERA- CHOCOLATE PB CAKE (Dessert).

Mary Pelletier announced with regret that she is resigning from her role as li-

brary director in June, in order to more efficiently devote time to her family

responsibilities. She will still be involved as a member of the Friends of the Bo-

vina Public Library committee, as a library clerk, and in facilitating programs

along with the new director during the transition. Fortunately and happily for the library, one of their current library clerks, Annette Robbins, was here and

ready to take on the director position! Annette has a background in library and information technology and has been

working at the Fairview Library in

Margaretville this year. Many of you may also know her from her ‘other’

life, running Green Shepherd Farm

with her husband, Stephen. She is

involved with Farming Bovina and the library Friends Committee. Mary is sad to be

stepping down as director, but thrilled that she can remain a ‘friend’ and active

patron of the library. Annette officially begins as director in June. Stop by and say

hello!

Bovina Library News, continued...

Bovina Historical Society News, by Jan Bray

Page 5 Page 5

Bovina Historical Society News Release, by John Tucker

On Saturday, August 8, 2015, from 4 to 8 PM the Bovina Historical So-ciety will host a fundraiser featuring the John Burroughs Memorial Lo-cust & Wild Honey Mountain Orchestra.

This outdoor musical event will take place at one of Bovina’s oldest farm properties, known as “Among the Pines” in 19th-Century documents. The house was built by the Russell family around 1825, restored in 1990, and owned by Bovina residents John and Carmen Tucker since 2008. The property is located at 1300 Coulter Brook Road and can be reached by driving one-and-a-quarter miles east on Coulter Brook Road from Bovina Center proper.

The featured group, called the Burroughs Mountain Orchestra for short, is comprised of Catskill musicians inspired by the life and writings of the celebrated Catskills naturalist John Burroughs (1837-1921). Led by singer and songwriter Steve Koester, the group has created many pieces of origi-nal music that grow from Burroughs' words and life. They have per-formed often since their launch in 2014, including at Burroughs’ two New York State homes: Woodchuck Lodge in Roxbury and Slabsides in West Park. Their choice of instruments--fiddle, double bass, banjo, gui-tar, dobro--harken back to an earlier time.

Admission is $10 per adult, with children under the age of 12 free. At-tendees are invited to bring their own picnic and refreshments, and fold-ing chairs and blankets if desired. Ample parking on an adjacent grass meadow will be provided. In the event of rain on the afternoon of the event, the venue will change to the barn of the Livestock Foundation Headquarters at 124 Bob Hall Road, Bovina Center.

Proceeds from the event benefit the Bovina Historical Society, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving the architectural character and charm of Bovina, with a particular commitment to maintaining Rus-sell's General Store, and the old firehouse and museum.

Bovina Fire/EMS News, from Bobbi Burgin

It’s time to choose a new Fire Queen! Eligible girls must be 14-18 years old and must live in the Bovina

Fire District. Contact Fire Chief Bob Burgin if interested. The contest will be held on the last Tuesday of

June.

Mark your calendars for upcoming events: the Chicken BBQ will be held on Thursday, August 20th, and

the Chili Supper will be held on Saturday, October 3rd.

For additional information, contact Wendy Buerge of the Bovina Historical Society at 607

832-4400 (email wendybuerge@gmail.com) or co-host John Tucker at 607 832-4770 (email

jgtnor@aol.com).

The Burroughs Mountain Orchestra will per-form for a fund-raiser for the Bovina Historical Society on August 8, 2015. Its members (below,

top) are, from left to right, Josh Roy Brown, John Jacobson, Scott Hill, Aaron Lieberman,

and Steve Koester.

Bovina History Pageant - 2015 version by Ray LaFever, Town Historian

Page 6 Bovina newsletter

I am happy to report that the Bovina History Pageant (2015) on April 18 was a big success. It was standing

room only as we had over 100 people attend. I'm very grateful to Briana Riera, Chris Ingvordsen, Roz Fos-

ter, Doug Perrett, and Marni and Mel Greenberg for all their terrific help in getting this thing off and run-

ning. Briana and Marni really helped with a lot of the detail stuff, right down to sequencing when the per-

formers were to come on stage. And Chris and Roz provided not only the lighting but a great collection of

costumes. Doug did pretty much any chore that we

gave him and made some great suggestions.

This pageant was modeled on one that took place April

21, 1955. For the 2015 version, I used some compo-

nents of the 1955 program but did scale it down a bit

while adding a couple of stories not in the original.

With so many busy schedules these days, it was hard-

er getting people who were available to participate,

but a number of folks did step forward, including two who participated in the original pageant –

Marie Reinertsen Burns and Jim Hilson. And our youngest participant, at barely two months old,

was Jim’s grandson, Sebastian Hilson-Schneider.

Here’s who participated with a brief description of the segments:

First Settlers: I reviewed the story of the first settlers in 1793, the Maynard Family, who were played by Riya

Desai, Ally Heavey, Julie Hilson, Gretel Hilson-Schneider, Hans Hilson-Schneider, Sebastian Hilson-Schneider,

Kadence LaFever, Cullen Riera, and Mark Schneider. I also mentioned the settlers who came close behind the

Maynards, including the family of Alexander Brush. These slightly later settlers were portrayed by Marie

Burns, Jim Hilson, Peg Hilson, Finnegan Manning, Finn Riera, Lucas Riera, Mateo Riera, and Riley Riera

One Room School: School children came in and played Keeley-I-Over until school marm Mina Wilson (played

by Jan Bray) rang the bell for them to assemble. The children were portrayed by Autumn Dorr, Siena Dorr,

Gwen Hilson, Gretel Hilson-Schneider, Hans Hilson-Schneider, Kadence LaFever, Rose McPheely, Cullen Riera,

Lucas Riera, Mateo Riera, Riley Riera, Marco Shaw, and Alex Stanton. Thank you to Jan for working with the children so well.

Farming Bovina: I reviewed how Bovina farming has changed over the years, with several of our participants bringing in items to represent farm-

ing in Bovina over the years: Wheat, represented by a loaf of bread from Bread Fellows, a Bovina based bakery, carried by Hans Hilson-Schneider;

Oats, represented by Quaker Oats and carried by Autumn Dorr; Sheep, represented by Annette Robbins, who with her husband Steve, run Green

Shepard Farms and came in wearing fleeces from Bovina sheep; Pigs, represented by bacon and carried by Cullen Riera; Dairying, represented by

three generations of a current Bovina dairying family, the Webers, Ed and Donna, their son Cody and their grandson Zachary; Chickens, represented

by Heidi Gogins carrying some of her baby chicks; Maple syrup, represented by fifth generation maple syrup producer Kadence LaFever, carrying

jugs of her dad Jonathan’s syrup; and Cauliflower, represented by Kim Riera carrying a head of cauliflower. I also had some slides of Bovina farms

to round out this review.

I would like to thank everyone in and around Bovina who participated in

the Bovina History Pageant on April 18. The event was a big success, with

a standing room only crowd. And that crowd was very generous to the

Bovina Historical Society, so thank you for that. And finally, a big thank

you to all the kind words I received after the event. I had a lot of fun put-

ting this together and think we did the folks who did the pageant in 1955

proud. So be ready for another one in 2075! Ray LaFever, Bovina Town

Historian (Photograph by Doug Perrett)

Anti Rent Troubles: I told the story of the lease system that affected most of Bovina in the early 19th

century and its involvement in the Anti-Rent War and about Calico Indians. Peter Manning, Gary Mayer

and John Tucker portrayed Calico Indians (thanks to Jim Andrews in Andes for the costumes) as I

related the climax of the Anti-Rent story, the shooting of Osman Steele at the Moses Earle farm in

Andes in 1845. Peter Manning was ‘arrested’ by Richard Tucker and revealed to be Edward O’Connor, a

Bovina farmer who had a farm on Russell Hill Road. This segment concluded with O’Connor in jail writ-

ing a letter to his girlfriend’s parent’s just days before he expected to be hung for the shooting of

Steele. O’Connor’s sentence was commuted to life imprisonment days before the scheduled execution.

He was released in 1847 when the governor pardoned all the Anti-Renters. And Peter really exuded the

pain and sorrow of O’Connor as he wrote what he thought would be his last letter to his loved ones.

Home and Community: I reviewed some of the organizations that Bovina had over the years, includ-

ing the Bovina Coronet Band, the Bovina Recreation Club (which hosted the 1955 pageant), the Bovina

Fire Department and the Bovina Rescue Squad. From there, I segued to life in Bovina in the 19th century and told the story of when the Gladstone

and Biggar families fought with and ultimately left the Bovina Association Presbyterian Church over the issue of dancing. To demonstrate what the

dancing may have looked like, Wendy Buerge, Samantha Misa, Mary Pelletier, Briana Riera, Kim Riera, and Sally Elliott Scrimshaw demonstrated a

few steps.

Veterans: Bovina men and women have served their country since the town’s founding. The Civil War saw over 90 men involved, with eleven of

them dying in the war. The first casualty was Sinclair Burns in 1863. His great great great grand nephew, Jack Sinclair Stanton, portrayed his

ancestor, carrying Burns’ Civil War pistol. Richard Tucker and Mel Greenberg also portrayed Civil War soldiers, with Mel as a veteran, known in

the parlance of the time as an “Old Soldier.” Marcelo Riera represented World War I and Jona-

than LaFever, Dario Riera, and Samantha Misa represented World War II. We ended this seg-

ment by saluting all Bovina veterans with the playing of “Taps.”

Bovina History Pageant, continued... by Ray LaFever, Town Historian

Pastor, Rev. Garrett Schindler garrettschindler@gmail.com

607-832-4340 PO Box 26

Bovina Center, NY 13740

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Photos and images in this issue were generously contributed by Julie Hilson, Ray LaFever, Mary

Pelletier, Doug Perrett, Kim Riera, Garrett Schindler, and

John Tucker.

If you have any news to contribute for future issues, please let Julie

know (bovinanewsletter@hotmail.com

or 832-4567)!