eedition The Daily Mail January 4-5 2020

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WEEKEND

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Saturday-Sunday, January 4-5, 2020

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Exodus from NY tops nation

nFORECAST WEATHER FOR HUDSON/CA TODAY TONIGHT SUN

By Sarah Trafton

Columbia-Greene Media Cloudy with a little rain

Rain and snow showers

Mostly cloudy and colder

HIGH 42

LOW 30

36 26

Complete weather, A2

Saturday - Sunday, January 4-5,

2020 - C1

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New York ranked No. 1 in the nation in 2019 for losing population, according to a recent report from the U.S. Census Bureau.

New York’s population decreased by 76,790, followed by Illinois with 51,250, West Virginia with 12,144, Louisiana with 10,896, Connecticut with 6,233, Mississippi with 4,871, Hawaii with 4,721, New Jersey with 3,835, Alaska with 3,594 and Vermont with 369. New York also ranked second in the country, after California, for losing population due to net domestic migration.

“It’s not a shock to anybody,” Greene County Legislature Chairman Patrick Linger, RNew Baltimore, said Friday.

“This has been going on for quite some time.”

Columbia County Economic Development President F. Michael Tucker agreed.

“The data reflects an ongoing trend, which is predicted to continue here in New York,” Tucker said.

Pattern for Progress, “Out of Alignment,” a year-long study funded by Central Hudson and released in October, looked at how the Hudson Valley

The Washington Post

by Sarah Priestap

A pedestrian braves a cold, snowy morning in Milton, Vt., on January 5, 2018. New York ranks first among the 50 states in population loss in 2019, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Vermont is in the top 10 states nationwide for population decline.

See DECLINE A8

e prettiest of the

UMC sees split over same-sex marriage

n SPORTS

By Melanie Lekocevic Columbia-Greene Media

C-GCC signs 2 Catskill seniors Laura Christman and Kelsey Lackie each signed their commitment letters to play in the 2020 season PAGE B1

The United Methodist Church may split into more than one denomination over same-sex marriage and other issues related to the LGBTQ community, the Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church announced Friday.

A diverse group of the church’s traditionalists, centrists, progressives and bishops signed an agreement, known as the Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace Through Separation, on Dec. 17, 2019. The agreement was announced Friday.

The proposal, which is awaiting approval, would split the

church over the controversy that erupted last year “over conflicting views related to human sexuality,” according to a statement released by the Council of Bishops. The controversy revolved around allowing Methodist ministers to perform same-sex marriage ceremonies, and the ordination of LGBTQ people as clergy.

The 8-page document was signed by representatives from both the conservative and liberal wings of the church from the United States, Europe, Africa and the Philippines, and outlines a path to dividing the See UMC A8

n NATION

Buyer emerges for Trump lease A Washington real estate developer says he will bid to acquire lease to Trump luxury hotel PAGE A2

n INDEX Region Opinion State/Nation Obituaries Sports Classified Comics/Advice

File photo File photo

The bell tower at North Chatham United Methodist Church.

A sign welcoming the community into First United Methodist Church in Coxsackie, with the “rainbow flag” in the center, a symbol of LGBTQ pride.

Toxins in firefighting foam will be eliminated

By Massarah Mikati Johnson Newspapers

A3 A4 A5 A5 B1 B4 B7-B8

On the web www.HudsonValley360.com Twitter Follow: @CatskillDailyMail Facebook www.facebook.com/ CatskillDailyMail/

WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES

Fire extinguishers on a truck at the Watertown International Airport. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has signed a law that mandates fire departments gradually switch to fire fighting foams that do not include certain chemicals containing Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, or PFAS.

ALBANY — The use of certain chemicals in firefighting foam will be phased out in New York.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has signed into law a bill that would mandate fire departments to switch gradually to safer, alternative foams when fighting fires.

The foam in current use contains toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS chemicals, which have been linked to thyroid disease, decreased fertility, learning disabilities in children and increased risk of cancer. The man-made chemicals have been used in several industries since the 1940s, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“Spills of this foam have

polluted New York’s drinking water from Newburgh to Long Island,” state Sen. Brad Hoylman, D-27, said in a statement. “This new law...is the latest example of how our new majority...has been able to pass legislation to protect the public health and environment.”

In his approval letter, Cuomo said he fully supports the need to reduce the use of firefighting foams containing PFAS. But he also indicated his approval of the bill is conditional upon an agreement he came to with the legislature on amending the bill.

“The bill...would also ban the use of all PFAS-containing firefighting agents when used to prevent or suppress fires from ignitable liquids as See TOXINS A8

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COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA

A2 - Saturday - Sunday, January 4-5, 2020

Weather FORECAST FOR HUDSON/CATSKILL

TODAY TONIGHT SUN

MON

TUE

WED

Potential buyer emerges for Donald Trump’s D.C. hotel lease Jonathan O’Connell The Washington Post

Cloudy with a little rain

Rain and snow showers

Mostly cloudy and colder

Clearing and milder

Cloudy

Morning flurries; cloudy

HIGH 42

LOW 30

36 26

42 26

42 30

36 20

Ottawa 30/19

Montreal 32/23

Massena 34/22

Bancroft 29/16

Ogdensburg 34/23

Peterborough 34/20

Plattsburgh 35/25

Malone Potsdam 35/21 35/22

Kingston 32/22

Watertown 36/21

Rochester 35/27

Utica 39/25

Batavia Buffalo 35/28 35/28

Albany 42/27

Syracuse 40/26

Catskill 42/30

Binghamton 41/24

Hornell 39/27

Burlington 37/25

Lake Placid 35/18

Hudson 42/30

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

SUN AND MOON

ALMANAC Statistics through 3 p.m. yesterday

Temperature

Precipitation

Yesterday as of 3 p.m. 24 hrs. through 3 p.m. yest.

High

0.00”

Low

Today 7:24 a.m.

4:36 p.m.

12:36 p.m.

12:59 a.m.

Sunrise Sunset Moonrise Moonset

Sun. 7:24 a.m.

4:37 p.m.

1:02 p.m.

2:00 a.m.

Moon Phases 47

Full

Last

New

First

Jan 10

Jan 17

Jan 24

Feb 1

39

NORMAL

Forecasts and graphics provided

by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2020

0.25

CONDITIONS TODAY AccuWeather.com UV Index™ & AccuWeather.com RealFeel Temperature®

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

38

42

39

43

43

41

43

40

38

38

36

8 a.m. 9 a.m. 10 a.m. 11 a.m. Noon 1 p.m. 2 p.m. 3 p.m. 4 p.m. 5 p.m. 6 p.m.

The higher the AccuWeather.com UV Index number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection. 0-2 Low; 3-5 Moderate; 6-7 High; 8-10 Very High; 11+ Extreme. The patented AccuWeather.com RealFeel Temperature is an exclusive index of effective temperature based on eight weather factors.

NATIONAL WEATHER TODAY Seattle 47/42

Montreal 32/23 Toronto 36/26

Chicago 34/26

Denver 59/27

San Francisco 58/46

New York 50/36

Detroit 37/28

Minneapolis 29/26

Washington 63/37

Kansas City 43/33 Los Angeles 70/50

Atlanta 57/34 El Paso 58/32 Houston 68/45

Chihuahua 64/34

Miami 86/57

Monterrey 69/41

ALASKA HAWAII

Anchorage 6/2

-10s

-0s

0s

showers t-storms

Honolulu 82/73

Fairbanks -16/-26 Juneau 26/18

10s rain

Shown are noon positions of weather systems and precipitation. Temperature bands are highs for the day.

Hilo 79/68

20s flurries

30s

40s

snow

50s ice

60s

70s

cold front

80s

90s 100s 110s

warm front stationary front

NATIONAL CITIES City Albuquerque Anchorage Atlanta Atlantic City Baltimore Billings Birmingham Boise Boston Charleston, SC Charleston, WV Charlotte Cheyenne Chicago Cincinnati Cleveland Columbus, OH Dallas Denver Des Moines Detroit Hartford Honolulu Houston Indianapolis Kansas City Knoxville Las Vegas

Today Hi/Lo W 48/26 s 6/2 pc 57/34 pc 55/39 sh 61/36 sh 53/29 pc 51/31 pc 47/31 c 46/36 r 71/38 r 50/30 sh 65/34 c 51/25 pc 34/26 sf 41/30 sn 39/30 c 40/28 sn 60/44 s 59/27 pc 38/29 pc 37/28 sf 42/32 r 82/73 sh 68/45 s 37/29 sn 43/33 s 51/32 sh 58/41 s

Sun. Hi/Lo W 51/27 s 5/-2 s 55/39 s 45/38 pc 45/33 pc 40/28 pc 56/37 s 41/28 sf 38/30 sn 58/39 s 46/33 pc 55/32 s 38/24 pc 43/27 pc 46/30 pc 40/34 sf 42/28 pc 65/38 s 46/25 pc 45/26 s 39/30 sn 37/27 pc 83/72 sh 73/52 s 46/28 s 52/23 s 50/32 s 60/40 pc

City Little Rock Los Angeles Miami Milwaukee Minneapolis Nashville New Orleans New York City Norfolk Oklahoma City Omaha Orlando Philadelphia Phoenix Pittsburgh Portland Portland Providence Raleigh Richmond Sacramento St. Louis Salt Lake City San Francisco Savannah Seattle Tampa Washington, DC

Today Hi/Lo W 52/31 s 70/50 s 86/57 c 35/27 sf 29/26 c 44/32 sh 64/44 s 50/36 r 65/42 sh 53/33 s 42/31 s 78/44 t 57/36 sh 67/44 s 44/27 sh 39/31 c 48/42 sh 45/35 r 67/35 c 65/37 r 60/37 pc 41/31 sn 43/27 c 58/46 pc 72/37 sh 47/42 r 74/46 t 63/37 sh

Sun. Hi/Lo W 61/36 s 72/48 s 70/50 s 43/29 pc 38/21 pc 56/32 s 66/50 s 41/34 pc 52/41 s 56/27 s 46/25 s 62/42 s 43/33 pc 68/44 s 37/29 c 36/16 sn 47/40 r 40/28 sn 54/36 s 51/36 s 59/39 s 54/28 s 39/29 c 57/43 s 59/40 s 46/41 r 62/45 s 48/35 s

Weather(W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy, c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms, r-rain, sf-snow flurries, sn-snow, i-ice.

WASHINGTON POST PHOTO BY JONATHAN NEWTON

The Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C.

signed with the federal government before entering office, requires paying the General Services Administration a base rent of $3 million a year.

“There’s never been a hotel that’s sold even close to that price per [room] in D.C. and the ones that have sold for the highest prices had no ground lease,” Friedman said. “You would never get $500 million for a ground lease.”

Friedman’s company, Friedman Capital, already owns two D.C. hotels: the Line Hotel, in Adams Morgan, and Kimpton Glover Park. Spokespersons for Hilton and Rosewood declined comment. Officials at JLL, the company handling the sale for Trump, did not respond to a request for comment.

Even if Friedman and the Trump Organization can agree on a price, however, other hurdles remain. Any sale of the

lease would be subject to approval by the GSA, which manages the property for the federal government.

Trump opened his hotel in 2016, three years after signing a 60-year lease with three 10-year options on the building, giving his company control over the property until 2103.

The property has become a Republican power center in Washington but has been a center of controversy and target of lawsuits. Trump continues to benefit from it financially while in office and the hotel has leased space to foreign governments, special interest groups and governors.

As many as three cases alleging the president is violating the Constitution’s “emoluments” provisions barring him from accepting gifts or payments from foreign or state governments now appear headed

for the Supreme Court. One of Friedman’s former employees, Jill Phaneuf, is a plaintiff in one of the cases, in which competitors of Trump properties argue Trump unfairly profits from his position in the White House.

By selling his interest in the hotel, Trump would end at least one of those suits, brought by the attorneys general of D.C. and Maryland.

Friedman said he recently attempted to buy the Mayflower Hotel downtown but the price was too high. He said he began considering the Trump hotel after Trump’s adult sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, announced in October they planned to sell it.

He said he did not think there would be much competition.

“I don’t think there are many people who are going after it,” Friedman said.

U.S. airstrike that killed a top Iranian commander sharply divides Congress Hannah Knowles The Washington Post

Winnipeg 23/19 Billings 53/29

WASHINGTON — District of Columbia real estate investor and developer Brian Friedman says he will bid to acquire the lease to Donald Trump’s 263-room luxury hotel in downtown Washington, a project that has generated ethical controversies for the president since he entered office.

Friedman said he would like to partner with Hilton to turn the property into a Waldorf Astoria, or with Rosewood, a Hong Kong-based chain that has nine hotels in the U.S., including a newly opened location in Georgetown.

After touring the Trump hotel recently, Friedman said the building was in “amazing” condition. Friedman added that the property was underperforming and Trump was smart to try to sell his interest in it while he is in the White House because the hotel’s business could worsen once he leaves office.

The hotel was only about 57% occupied in 2019, well below competitors, according to marketing materials issued by a real estate firm hired by Trump’s company.

“I think he has to sell before he gets out of office because its’ not going to get better - it’s going to get worse,” Friedman said.

Trump spent an estimated $210 million renovating the hotel. His company issued a statement saying it will try to sell the property for as much as $500 million - a number Friedman said was unrealistic.

The lease, which Trump

WASHINGTON — The U.S. airstrike that killed a powerful Iranian commander Thursday has sharply divided Washington lawmakers and revitalized a debate over presidential war powers.

Republicans praised President Donald Trump for a decisive blow against a general the United States regards as a war criminal responsible for hundreds of American deaths.

Democrats expressed concern that the escalation of tensions with Iran is a dangerous step toward war and complained that Trump ordered the strike against Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani without congressional input.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., criticized “provocative and disproportionate actions,” saying in a statement that the airstrikes were conducted “without the consultation of the Congress” and that the full body “must be immediately briefed on this serious situation and on the next steps under consideration by the Administration, including the significant escalation of the deployment of additional troops to the region.”

“America - and the world cannot afford to have tensions escalate to the point of no return,” Pelosi said.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., praised the killing of Soleimani as a “statement to those seeking to attack America.” Trump, McCarthy said, had responded appropriately to violence by Iranian-backed groups in Iraq, including an attempt to storm

the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

“In a display of resolve and strength, we struck the leader of those attacking our sovereign U.S. territories,” he said.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman James Risch, R-Idaho, offered his “congratulations to President Trump on his decisive action and successful outcome” and said in a statement that “the U.S. will always vigorously defend our interests and allies in the face of terrorist conduct and provocations.”

Graham, a Trump ally, said on Twitter after the strike that “the price of killing and injuring Americans has just gone up drastically.”

“Major blow to Iranian regime that has American blood on its hands,” he said.

Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, said “Soleimani was responsible for unthinkable violence and [the] world is better off without him. But Congress didn’t authorize and American people don’t want a war with Iran. All steps must now be taken to protect our forces against the almost inevitable escalation and increased risk.”

Joe Biden, former vice president and Democratic presidential candidate, said “no American will mourn [Soleimani’s] passing.” He added that Soleimani “deserved to be brought to justice for his crimes against American troops and thousands of innocents throughout the region.”

But, Biden said, that does not change “the fact that this is a hugely escalatory move in an already dangerous region.”

Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, a former Navy SEAL, called it “a great day for the fight against evil in this world.”

Rep. Michael McCaul, RTexas, the top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, emphasized Soleimani’s roles in “nurturing the terrorist group Hezbollah in Lebanon; protecting and enabling the tyrant Bashar alAssad in Syria; and destabilizing Yemen.”

“He supported militias in Iraq that killed over 600 Americans as well as thousands of Iraqis,” McCaul said. “According to the Pentagon, Soleimani was actively plotting more attacks on Americans. The President acted decisively to protect our country, diplomats, service members and citizens.”

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, DMass., another Democratic presidential contender, also denounced Soleimani while sharing concerns about the repercussions of his killing.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., warned of “another disastrous war in the Middle East” while recalling his opposition to other costly engagements abroad, such as the Iraq War. Other members of the Democratic field shared similar worries about escalation and questioned the president’s strategy on Iran.

Nikki Haley, a Republican and the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said she was “proud” of the president’s actions.

Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee who co-sponsored legislation to prevent war with Iran not

authorized by Congress, said the Trump administration has “unfailingly raised tensions with Iran,” starting with its withdrawal from a 2015 nuclear agreement negotiated with Tehran by the Obama administration and five other world powers.

Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., also a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, praised “decisive action” but noted the possibility of retaliation. “I now urge the Administration to be prepared for possible retaliation, including against U.S. troops stationed in the region, and to consult closely with Congress on any next steps should the situation escalate,” he said. “I hope Iran will realize its future depends on stopping its support of terrorism.”

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Saturday - Sunday, January 4-5, 2020 - A3

COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA • THE DAILY MAIL

CALENDAR Monday, Jan. 6 n Athens Town Board organization-

al meeting 7 p.m. Athens Town Hall, 2 First St., Athens n Cairo Town Board 7 p.m. at the Town Hall, 512 Main St., Cairo n Greene County Board of Electrical Examiners 1 p.m. Greene County Office Building, 411 Main St., 4th Floor, Room 469, Catskill n Greene County Legislature organizational meeting 6 p.m. Greene County Office Building, 411 Main St., Catskill

Tuesday, Jan. 7 n Catskill Town Board organiza-

tional meeting with monthly meeting to follow 6 p.m. Town Hall, 439 Main St., Catskill n Durham Town Board workshop meeting 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 7309 Route 81, East Durham

Wednesday, Jan. 8 n Athens Village Board 6:30 p.m.

Village Hall, 2 First St., Athens n Catskill Town Zoning Board 6 p.m. Town Hall, 439 Main St., Catskill n Catskill Village Board 7 p.m. Senior Center, 15 Academy St., Catskill n Greene County Economic Development Corporation 4 p.m. Greene County Office Building, 4th Floor, Room 419, 411 Main Street, , Catskill n Greene County Legislature health services; county resources and public safety 6 p.m. Greene County Office Building, 411 Main St., Catskill n Jewett Town Board 7 p.m. at the Jewett Municipal Building, 3547 County Route 23C, Jewett

Thursday, Jan. 9 n Coxsackie Village workshop

meeting 6 p.m. Village Hall, 119 Mansion St., Coxsackie n Greene County Legislature finance audit 4 p.m. Greene County Office Building, 411 Main St., Catskill n Windham-Ashland-Jewett CSD BOE audit finance committee 5:15 p.m. in superintendent’s office; regular meeting 6 p.m. in the School Library, 5411 Route 23, Windham

Monday, Jan. 13 n Ashland Town Board 7:30 p.m. at the Town Hall, 12094 Route 23, Ashland n Catskill Village Planning Board 7 p.m. Catskill Senior Center, 15 Academy St., Catskill n Coxsackie Village Board 7 p.m.

Village Hall, 119 Mansion St., Coxsackie n Greene County Legislature county services; public works; economic development and tourism; Gov. Ops.; finance and Rep. and Dem. Caucus 6 p.m. Greene County Office Building, 411 Main St., Catskill

Tuesday, Jan. 14 n Catskill Town Planning Board 7

p.m. Town Hall, 439 Main St., Catskill n Coxsackie Village Historic Preservation Committee 6 p.m. Village Hall, 119 Mansion St., Coxsackie

Wednesday, Jan. 15

By Massarah Mikati Johnson Newspapers

ALBANY — Electronic bikes and scooters won’t be coming to New York anytime soon, after Gov. Andrew Cuomo vetoed a bill last week that would legalize the increasingly popular modes of transportation.

Cuomo introduced legislation in his 2019 Executive Budget that would legalize e-bikes and e-scooters conditional upon the inclusion of safety measures such as a lower speed limit, mandatory helmets, lights and bells, and the prohibition of operating them while under the influence.

ALBANY — RoAnn Destito, New York State Office of General Services (OGS) Commissioner, announced the winter version of the “Fitness at the Plaza� program presented

by BlueShield of Northeastern New York, will offer free evening workout classes with Metabolic professional trainers in The Egg’s Hart Lounge at the Empire State Plaza from 5-6 p.m. Thursdays in January, February and March, beginning Jan. 9. “By offering our popular Fitness at the Plaza program during the winter, The OGS team hopes to make it even easier for our friends and neighbors to keep their new year’s resolutions to be healthy and fit in 2020,� Commissioner Destito said. “Already a sponsor of our New York

POUGHKEEPSIE — McCann Ice Arena and Ice Time Sports Complex will once again host a Try Skating For Free Class 2-3 p.m. Jan. 18 at McCann and 1-2 p.m. Jan. 25 at Ice Time Sports Complex in honor of National Skating Month.

National Skating Month welcomes potential skaters to a day of skill introduction and development, education and motivation. The event will allow participants young and old to experience figure

State Holiday Tree Lighting and Learn-to-Skate clinics at the Empire ‘Skate’ Plaza, BlueShield of Northeastern New York’s continued support for Fitness at the Plaza demonstrates what successful partnerships between the public and private sectors can achieve.� “Each new year brings the opportunity to set positive health and wellness goals,� said Keith Dolan, Regional Executive, BlueShield of Northeastern New York. “BlueShield is proud to continue our partnership with Empire State Plaza to offer free fitness classes at the Plaza to help our community achieve those goals and get healthy without breaking the bank.�

Fitness at the Plaza classes are free and open

to individuals of all ages, regardless of fitness level or experience. All participants will be required to sign a waiver to participate. People are encouraged to pre-register at www.empirestateplaza. ny.gov to sign the waiver in advance and to be contacted regarding any updates to the schedule. Walk-ins are also welcome.

Metabolic is a unique program that blends strength and cardio training. Metabolic training is optimal for those looking to build muscle, burn fat, increase strength, and improve cardiovascular performance in an efficient way. Each class is designed to accommodate people of all fitness levels, regardless of age, ability, or injury history.

statement that “Governor Cuomo, a supposed champion for immigrants and the working poor, has failed to protect 40,000 low-wage, mostly immigrant workers in New York.�

With his veto, Harris added, the governor had “blocked a critical path forward for new transportation alternatives that address congestion, reduce emissions and improve access to opportunity for all New Yorkers.�

Massarah Mikati covers the New York State Legislature and immigration for Johnson Newspaper Corp. Email her at mmikati@columbiagreenemedia.com, or find her on Twitter @massarahmikati.

FIRST PLACE WINNER OF HOUSE DECORATING CONTEST

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Anh Le, 4 First St., Athens, sits on the front porch with his prize of a beautiful gift basket donated by Black Horse Farms to the Athens Cultural Center for the 2019 Athens Victorian Stroll first place winner of the House Decorating Contest. The contest is judged by the Athens Community Garden Club who selected Mr. Le’s home as the winner this year.

skating and learn the basics from professional instructors in a fun-filled environment.

Immediately following the free class at both locations, participants are invited to stay for public skate and receive their rental skates for free with paid admission.

National Skating Month, now in its 19th year, will allow 750 member clubs and more than 1,000 registered Learn to Skate USA programs to reach out to new members in their region by offering a

day of skating from professionally trained instructors across the United States.

From its inception in 2002 through 2005, the program was offered as National Skating Week, but it was expanded to allow clubs additional time to promote the sport to new skaters in 2006. The goal of National Skating Month is to increase awareness and participation in the U.S. Figure Skating programs and Learn to Skate USA. U.S. Figure Skating is the

national governing body for the sport of figure skating in the United States as recognized by the United States Olympic Committee and the International Skating Union. U.S. Figure Skating is comprised of more than 750 member clubs, collegiate clubs, school-affiliated clubs and more than 1,000 registered Learn to Skate USA programs representing more than 203,000 members. U.S. Figure Skating is charged with the development of the

sport on all levels within the United States including athletes, officials, sanctioning of events and exhibitions, and establishing the rules and guidelines by which the sport is governed.

Come discover the magic of skating this month. For information, contact Danielle Anderson at 845-454-5800 or Taylor Dean, U.S. Figure Skating media relations, at 719-559-5542.

To Place a Classified Ad Columbia-Greene

Thursday, Jan. 16 7 p.m. Village Hall, 119 Mansion St., Coxsackie

Monday, Jan. 20 n Catskill Town Offices closed n Coxsackie Village Offices closed n Greenville Village Offices closed

1-800-724-1012 Fax: 315-661-2520 email: classified@registerstar.com or place your classified ad online at: www.registerstar.com or www.thedailymail.net

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of victims were not wearing helmets.

The veto was a blow to several constituencies, predominantly in New York City: scooter companies that operate in dozens of cities in the United States and abroad and see New York as a lucrative, untapped market; delivery workers in New York City who rely on an illegal form of transportation to earn a living; and those pressing for ways to ease congestion on New York City’s trafficchoked streets.

Danny Harris, the executive director of Transportation Alternatives, an advocacy organization, said in a

McCann Ice Arena and Ice Time Sports Complex offer free classes

n Coxsackie Village Planning Board

Business

The state Legislature nearly unanimously passed the drafted bill in June with bipartisan support. However, Cuomo wasn’t impressed with the final result. “The Legislature’s proposal inexplicably omitted several of the safety measures included in the budget proposal,� Cuomo wrote in his veto explanation. “Failure to include these basic measures renders this legislation fatally flawed.�

Cuomo cited a study that found head injuries have tripled in the past 10 years because of the use of e-bikes and e-scooters, of which two-thirds

Free post-work winter fitness classes being offered at the Plaza

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COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA • THE DAILY MAIL

A4 - Saturday - Sunday, January 4-5, 2020

THE DAILY MAIL Established 1792 Published Tuesday through Saturday by Columbia-Greene Media

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OUR VIEW

Try bipartisanship in the Senate New York’s Senate will look different after the next election. Several incumbent Republicans are stepping down and at least one other is on the fence.

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas week, half a dozen incumbent Republicans announced plans to retire from the state Senate, stretching from the Hudson Valley to Western New York to the North Country. At least four of the senators — including George Amedore Jr., R-46 — hail from competitive districts that could flip in the upcoming elections without an incumbent in the mix.

The latest Republican senator to announce their retirement is Richard Funke, R-55. Before him, Joseph Robach, R-56, Michael Ranzenhofer, R-65, Elizabeth Little, R-45, Chris Jacobs, R-60, and

Amedore also announced they would not be seeking reelection.

Obviously, going from majority to minority status is a big difference for people who have been in control for many years.

Republican senators are accustomed to being in a majority party and accustomed to driving the policy discussion. Outnumbered, they know they’re not going to get many bills passed next year.

Amedore bristles at this view, saying this: “I can tell you — and I can only speak for myself — what went into my decision of not seeking reelection.

It had nothing to do with majority-minority, the party, Republicans not being able to accomplish or be successful. I’m a Republican in a very Democratic Senate district, I’ve been extremely successful and I’ve been able to

get things done with the minority and majority because I work in a bipartisan fashion and that’s what we need.”

Another possible explanation for this retirement parade is that the Republican senators want to distance themselves from the catastrophic behavior of President Donald Trump and his administration.

It’s possible they are willing to leave public service and take refuge in family, business interests and the private sector.

The argument put forth

by Amedore, a successful businessman in his own right, has some merit.

Tough political times are ahead and it simply makes sense to put aside the majority-minority schism and learn how to get things done in a bipartisan way.

ANOTHER VIEW

Crucial witnesses The Washington Post

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., is withholding two articles of impeachment from the Senate, pending assurance that the Republican leader of that body, Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, will agree to a full and fair trial of the House’s charges against President Donald Trump. Whatever else may be said about the speaker’s move, and however long her holdout lasts, it has certainly taken advantage of some inevitable holiday-season downtime to focus attention on the Senate’s role in the process. So far, that has meant much-needed discussion of McConnell’s obvious - and obviously political - intention to go through the motions of a trial on the way to an acquittal.

Now fresh reporting from the New York Times has emerged to strengthen the Democrats’ minimum condition of a real trial: The Senate must seek witness testimony from key players in Trump’s attempt to strong-arm Ukraine into announcing an investigation of his political rival,

former vice president Joe Biden, using congressionally appropriated military aid and promises of a White House visit as leverage. The Times reports, based in part on previously undisclosed emails, that acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney tried to freeze the military aid on Trump’s behalf as early as June, prompting puzzlement and backlash within the administration - to the extent that Defense Secretary Mark Esper, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and then-national security adviser John Bolton convened a White House meeting with Trump to urge release of the aid.

Trump, apparently fixated on the idea that Ukraine had tried to defeat him in 2016, balked, asserting, contrary to Defense Department certifications, that Ukraine was hopelessly corrupt.

More than ever, therefore, the Senate and the public need to hear from Mulvaney and Bolton, the latter of whom made an unsuccessful individual plea to release the Ukraine aid on Aug. 16, according to the Times.

The Daily Mail welcomes letters to the editor. All letters must contain a full name, full address and a daytime telephone number. Names will be published, but phone numbers will not be divulged.

Letters of less than 400 words are more likely to be published quickly. The newspaper reserves the right to edit letters for length, clarity and content.

Letters should be exclusive to this publication, not duplicates of those sent to other persons, agencies

Their testimony, and that of Mulvaney’s top aide, Robert Blair, and Office of Management and Budget official Michael Duffey, has always been crucial, which is why House impeachment investigators initially sought it and — undoubtedly — why the White House refused to allow it.

Certainly, the House’s demand that the Senate call these witnesses is undercut to some extent by its own failure to persist in trying to compel their testimony, hoping to avoid gettingbogged down in an extended court fight with the administration. Yet the question of whether the Senate should exercise its subpoena power to obtain relevant testimony is a separate issue, politically, legally and morally.

A Senate leader sincerely interested in operating as head of an independent branch of government would have left no doubt that he intended to do so.

McConnell has done the opposite, giving rise to Pelosi’s very legitimate concerns.

or publications. Writers are ordinarily limited to one letter every 30 days.

Senators now risk indecent exposure of their minds WASHINGTON — Presidential impeachments are inevitably fueled by reciprocal political furies, so the Senate’s role, although called a trial, is imperfectly analogous to one.

Senate jurors are, by profession, partisans; none is disinterested.

Alexander Hamilton warned (Federalist 65) that impeachments would divide the nation into “parties more or less friendly or inimical to the accused” and that the final decision would reflect less “real demonstrations of innocence or guilt” than the comparative strength of “pre-existing factions.” So when Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., says, “I’m not trying to pretend to be a fair juror,” he is flamboyantly coarse, as is his wont, but within the parameters of expected behavior.

Jeffrey Tulis of the University of Texas says the Framers assumed that the Senate would not be “as tightly tethered to factionalism and political passion as the House.” But this assumption became anachronistic with the emergence of political parties, direct election of senators and the eclipse of Congress by the modern presidency.

Under today’s degenerate norms, party loyalties extinguish legislators’ concerns for their institutions’ duties and residual dignity. An impeachment process requires the Senate, as Tulis says, “to recompose itself into a new institution — an impeachment court.” Members take a juror’s oath: “I solemnly swear (or affirm) that in all things appertaining to the trial of ____, now pending, I will do impartial justice according to the Constitution and laws.” This, Tulis says, reminds senators “that they are not sitting as senators” but as jurors. But not as jurors are usually understood.

In theory, for the trial’s duration the Senate is, in Tulis’

words, “a new institution with new rules, new norms and new responsibilities.” In fact, the theory is incompatible with the political dynamic Hamilton foresaw, and with new norms reflecting the dominance of presidents and parties.

Most of today’s Republican senators will think of themselves only as senators and, worse, as modern senators: passive passengers on a minor planet, the Senate, orbiting the presidential sun. Democratic senators, too, have been complicit in creating, through sloth and carelessness, today’s swollen executive, and are equally subservient to presidents of their party.

When Rep. Sam Rayburn, D-Texas, who was speaker for 17 of his 48 years in the House, was asked “You served under eight presidents, didn’t you?”

Rayburn replied, “I did not serve under any presidents. I worked with eight presidents.”

This constitutional-political world has vanished.

According to Tulane Law School’s Stephen Griffin, the House’s articles of impeachment are arguably the first “not to be grounded ultimately in allegations that the president committed a federal crime or other violation of law.” The president’s misdeeds are clear and gross but, says Josh Blackman of South Texas College of Law Houston, are not unambiguously “tied to a preexisting, well-understood offense.”

Such linkage is not necessary to justify removal — gross, persistent abuse of the constitutional structure suffices — but linkage helps the public comprehend the process. And Rep. Kelly Armstrong, R-N.D., wisely warns: Throughout U.S. history, accusations of presidential abuse of power have been frequent and frequently valid, but beware of them becoming articles of impeachment whenever opposite parties control the House and White

House.

Today’s impeachment has had benefits and will have more. Attentive Americans already have learned much about the difficulty and potential perils of lassoing a runaway president with a lariat woven of concepts such as “abuse of power” (which presidents were innocent?) and “obstruction of Congress” (how defined, and by whom?). Soon Americans will learn much, not about the president — he is an open comic book who has read himself to the country for years — but about senators, a slew of whom aspire to be his successor.

Intelligent, informed, public-spirited Republican senators can conclude that because America is riven by recriminations hurled by irreconcilable factions, and because institutions are indiscriminately distrusted, it is imprudent to remove the president 10 months before voters can neuter him.

Or such senators can decide that this president’s deeds, regarding Ukraine and in frustrating congressional investigation thereof, are execrable but insufficient to justify truncating a presidential term that is almost 75% percent over.

Or blinkered Republican senators can affirm the president’s self-assessment as perfect yet persecuted. And incandescent Democratic senators can demand his removal — due process and valuable norms be damned — because he threatens due processes of law and valuable norms.

Senators must now risk indecent exposure of their minds. In 10 months, voters will decide what to do about the president’s malignant frivolousness.

George Will’s email address is georgewill@washpost.com. (c) 2020, Washington Post Writers Group

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Clarifying what the Toll Adjustment Proposal means for Capital Region drivers To the editor: The Thruway Authority is moving ahead with a proposal to adjust tolls on the Thruway beginning Jan. 1, 2021 — the first since 2010 — after we have converted to cashless tolling system-wide by the end of 2020. I want to further clarify what this means for motorists in the Capital Region, and how the proposed changes will impact our customers.

Simply stated, if you have a NY E-ZPass, your tolls will remain the same, and so I urge all New Yorkers to get an EZPass in the coming year. For example, NY E-ZPass customers with a commuter discount plan will not see any impact to their tolls. Neither would a daily commuter on I-90 or anywhere else on the Thruway system, except for the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge.

Your toll rate will remain the same.

Following the Thruway’s conversion to system-wide cashless tolling and beginning Jan. 1, 2021, motorists who do not have an E-ZPass will be charged the Tolls by Mail rate under this proposal. Tolls by Mail is currently used at cashless tolling locations on the Thruway such as the Grand Island Bridges and it takes a picture of a vehicle’s license plate and sends customers a bill in the mail. As part of the proposal, customers without E-ZPass who receive a bill in the mail would pay 30 percent above the base NY E-ZPass rate, and a $2 administrative surcharge per billing statement. Motorists who have an out of state E-ZPass, would pay 15 percent more than the NY E-ZPass rate.

If you do not currently have a NY E-ZPass, I urge you to consider getting one before 2021. E-ZPass is for everyone, and there are discount plans

to match your needs, regardless of how often you travel on the Thruway. Additionally, you do not have to be a New York resident to have a NY E-ZPass. Anyone, including Canadian residents, can sign up for a NY E-ZPass to save money and make your driving experience on the Thruway as affordable and convenient as possible. With cashless tolling going into effect by the end of 2020, and with the proposed billing changes taking effect Jan. 1, 2021, don’t wait — now is the time to sign up for a NY E-ZPass and start saving money.

As part of the process, the Thruway Authority will be holding public hearings this year to gather feedback on the proposal. We encourage Capital Region residents to contact us with any questions.

MATTHEW J. DRISCOLL THRUWAY AUTHORITY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

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Bonnie Lee Rogers Grossman Bonnie Lee Rogers Gross- Cooley. Finally, the light of her man, 86 of Hudson, NY passed life, the great grandchildren, away suddenly at home on Gannon and Eben Krein, Julia December 30, 2019. She was and Charlie Johnson, Ava and predeceased by her parents Violette Michaud and Attley RoJoseph and Marguerite Beth- lon. Mom worked at many local man of Claverack, NY stores over the years and her husband of 50 while raising a family. years, John P. GrossShe was very devoted man. She leaves beto family, friends and hind five children, Mary her neighbors in the (Gary) Cotsonas of “Park” and loved havCatskill, Joanne Moore ing a houseful of peo(Anthony Scalera) of ple. She will be greatly Hudson, Susan (Keith) missed. Internment Johnson of Kentucky, will be at the conveJohn (Christine) GrossGrossman nience of the family. man of Claverack and In lieu of flowers please make Timothy (Shanan) Grossman a donation to a charity of your of Hudson. The family grew by nine grandchildren, Lea Krein choice. A gathering to celebrate and Jodie Rolon, Gary and Ali- her life will be held at John and son Cotsonas, Scott and Steven Christine’s house at 30 Orchard Johnson, Alexandra and Syd- Grove Lane on Saturday Janunee Grossman and Kairee-Anne ary 4th any time after 2 PM.

Doris Jean Sippola Doris Jean Sippola, 74, of Stony Brook Rd., Palenville died January 1, 2020 in Kingston.

Bill Gates pushes for higher taxes on rich as wealth soars Ben Steverman Bloomberg

Microsoft Corp. co-founder Bill Gates started the last decade worth more than $50 billion and with a pledge to donate large parts of his fortune to charity.

By the end of the decade, he’d given billions of dollars to fight poverty and improve health care and education. But his fortune also more than doubled during the period, a result of soaring stock markets and favorable tax policies.

And so at the end of the decade, the world’s second-richest person said he wants his fellow billionaires to pay much higher taxes.

U.S. lawmakers should close loopholes, raise the estate tax and hike the capital-gains tax so that it equals the rate on labor income, Gates wrote Monday in a year-end blog post. He also called for states and local governments to make their taxes “fairer” and reiterated his support for a state income tax in Washington, where he lives.

“I’ve been disproportionately

rewarded for the work I’ve done -- while many others who work just as hard struggle to get by,” he wrote. “That’s why I’m for a tax system in which, if you have more money, you pay a higher percentage in taxes. And I think the rich should pay more than they currently do, and that includes Melinda and me.”

Gates, 64, has a net worth of $113.7 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, a ranking of the world’s 500 richest people. In 2010, Bill and Melinda announced the Giving Pledge with Warren Buffett and asked other billionaires to sign to give away chunks of their fortunes. As of May, 204 people from 23 countries agreed to participate.

At an event in November, Gates expressed reservations about the wealth tax proposed by presidential candidates Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders. In his blog post, Gates said he won’t take a position on the various proposals being debated during the campaign.

Former head of Maryland marijuana regulator joins industry Rachel Chason The Washington Post

The former head of the Maryland board that regulates medical marijuana has joined Green Leaf Medical, one of the first companies in Maryland to receive a license to grow marijuana, the company announced Thursday.

Joy Strand, who resigned last fall from her position as executive director of the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission, started Jan. 1 as executive vice president of Green Leaf, said chief executive Phil Goldberg. He said Strand will focus on government relations in various states as the Frederick-based Green Leaf looks to expand.

Green Leaf has licenses to grow, sell and process marijuana in Maryland. The company also operates in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Virginia. The company has an application for a vertical license pending in New Jersey and plans to apply for a license in Georgia.

Goldberg said he consulted

the state ethics commission before hiring Strand, who led the medical marijuana commission for 21 months. He said he is confident that the company will be operating within the law and that any conflicts of interest have been considered.

“If any issues come up that we haven’t thought of, then we’ll address them,” he added.

He said much of Strand’s initial work will be focused on improving regulations outside of Maryland, especially in states with newer medical marijuana industries.

“All the different states have different regulations and laws - coordinating those efforts is a big task,” Goldberg said.

“We’re going to be relying on Joy’s expertise.”

Strand said she resigned from the commission Oct. 1 because of personal reasons.

She said she was unaware of the opportunity at Green Leaf, known as “gLeaf,” when she decided to leave.

Border Patrol Museum visitors want to talk about politics, but the staff doesn’t Robyn Ross The Washington Post

When Paulina Ambert’s cousins came to El Paso in September, her father suggested they visit the Border Patrol Museum. On a warm Saturday, Ambert, then a college senior, and her relatives drove the short distance from her parents’ home to a blocky one-story building near the foothills of the Franklin Mountains.

Together, they explored the 6,000-square-foot display area, a single high-ceilinged room where staff say most guests spend less than an hour. After wandering past retired equipment like a sea foam green 1985 Pontiac Firebird used to chase smugglers in Arizona, they studied archival photographs and text panels about the agency’s history.

That history, Ambert later said, struck her as “a little glorified” - partly because, as a naturalized U.S. citizen who was born in Mexico, she had grown up in a community with a more critical perspective toward U.S. immigration officials. In recent months she’d been dismayed to observe the addition of troops and concertina wire to the international crossing when she returned to El Paso from visiting family or the doctor in Juarez.

“I don’t agree with how militarized the border is,” she said.

“I respect the job that the Border Patrol does, but I also think it’s important to have a conversation about it from both sides.”

As the flood of Central American migrants and the Trump administration’s response have intensified scrutiny of the Border Patrol, the museum has attracted visitors who want to talk about current events. Yet despite its location

PHOTO FOR THE WASHINGTON POST BY ELIJAH NOUVELAGE

Founded in 1985 by the Fraternal Order of Retired Border Patrol Officers, the Border Patrol Museum in El Paso receives about 18,000 visitors annually.

10 miles from the Rio Grande, the museum avoids engaging its audience in a dialogue about immigration or border security. And that is by design.

Although it has no formal relationship with the Border Patrol, the museum was founded in 1985 by the Fraternal Order of Retired Border Patrol Officers, whose members compose its board of trustees.

Accordingly, the attraction presents agency history from an internal perspective. There are even recruiting materials near the door.

Museum director David Ham said the history exhibits are meant to be purely factual and that the staff steers clear of political conversations - such as about the border wall - with the roughly 18,000 annual visitors. (The fraternal order doesn’t have a formal policy about whether museum staff can talk about politics with visitors, but it does have policies for its own website, which asks that posters keep remarks nonpolitical.)

“We get political questions all the time, but our parent organization is a fraternal organization, and they don’t

discuss politics,” Ham said.

“We present our history, but what the current strategies are - we have no control over that.”

Ham retired from a threedecade Border Patrol career in 2003 and served on the museum’s local board of governors before becoming director in 2015. A self-described history geek, he compiled most of the text for an exhibit about the agency’s development. That story starts in the early 1900s with mounted guards who enforced immigration restrictions such as the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. The Border Patrol was established in 1924, during Prohibition, and often clashed with liquor smugglers.

In the mid-20th century, the agency’s focus shifted to apprehending people who crossed the U.S.-Mexico border illegally in search of work.

One panel explains a 1950s mass deportation of unauthorized workers called “Operation Wetback.” (The phrase is “part of our history, but we don’t use it anymore,” Ham said, adding that it is no longer acceptable.) Later, as drug trafficking increased, agents again worked to stop smugglers.

Cracks in Trump’s evangelical firewall? Jim Wallis hopes so.

Vanessa Williams

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The Washington Post

Just before the Christmas holiday, a fight broke out among some on the religious right after Christianity Today magazine published an editorial calling President Donald Trump “grossly immoral” and saying he should be removed from office.

Jim Wallis, an evangelical author and speaker focused on social justice, was not surprised. He thinks it was only a matter of time until people who identify as Christians would begin to seriously question their allegiance to a political figure whose behavior and policies seem at odds with the words and actions of Jesus.

White evangelicals’ support for Trump has been dissected by journalists and pundits since his 2016 campaign, in which the former reality television star used harsh rhetoric to lash out at his political rivals and anyone who criticized him, including war heroes and their families. He also was accused by several women of sexual harassment and assault, bragged on tape about grabbing women’s genitals and made payments to an adultfilm star to keep quiet about an alleged sexual liaison. Some evangelical leaders also have remained silent or defended the Trump administration’s harsh immigration tactics, including separating migrant families that cross illegally or seek asylum at the U.S. southern border.

Not all Christians agree with Trump’s behavior and policies, Wallis said, and he thinks it’s time for them to speak up.

He has written a new book, “Christ in Crisis: Why We Need to Reclaim Jesus.” In it, he argues that too many Christians “have become disconnected from Jesus. We are not standing and acting in his name, with his values, action, and inspiration.”

A single display covering the period since the agency became part of the Department of Homeland Security in 2003 includes photos of agents surveying terrain and of President Donald Trump’s April 2019 visit to a Border Patrol station in Calexico, California.

Another exhibit features a homemade boat, made from two truck hoods welded together. A sign explains that smugglers used it to ferry people across the Rio Grande near Laredo for $500 a person. A visitor named Roger from Silver Spring, Maryland, described the boat as “a combination of ingenuity and cruelty” because of the price smugglers charged. “It’s inhumane what’s happening,” he said, choking up. “They take advantage of these poor people.”

Roger also took issue with the nine-minute Border Patrol-produced film he had watched at the museum.

“What it told was the Border Patrol side of the story, and it didn’t touch at all on the issues that we’re facing today with illegal immigrants, refugees, etcetera,” he said.

Some immigration activists have argued that the museum is making a political statement by offering a selective presentation of history. In February 2019, a group called Tornillo: The Occupation (now referred to as the Tornillo Coalition) included the museum in a weekend of protests that also targeted a detention facility for migrant children. Some participants placed stickers bearing the likenesses of children who died in Border Patrol custody over museum displays, including photos of agents killed in the line of duty.

DIRECTORS Copake, N.Y. (518) 329-2121 Pine Plains, N.Y. (518) 398-7777

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President Trump speaks on the phone in the Oval Office in August 2018.

The Washington Post spoke recently with Wallis, president and founder of Sojourners, a Christian organization focused on social justice. He has called for a more diverse representation of evangelical voices in this year’s election, which he said is vitally important to the future of democracy and religion.

This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Question: You described the Christianity Today editorial as another crack in Trump’s evangelical firewall. What are the other cracks?

Walls: A big crack is evangelical white suburban women who in the midterm elections said things like, ‘I believe in life at the border, as well as life in the womb. The second group was young white evangelicals breaking over climate and LGBTQ issues. And the third impact was, I think, a growing impact on white evangelicals particularly younger ones, from evangelicals of color.

Black and Hispanic evangelicals are having more influence with younger evangelicals, who are listening when evangelicals of color say things like, ‘Racial bigotry is a gospel deal breaker and you can’t allow that.’

The evangelical right, those leaders - the Franklin Grahams, the Jerry Falwell Juniors, the Ralph Reeds - have made a transactional bargain, a Faustian bargain with this administration. . . . Mark Galli [the outgoing editor of Christianity Today] said, ‘I can’t accept this anymore.’ He can’t take the ‘gross immorality’ anymore in exchange for getting the policies that he wants. It gives evangelicals with similar concerns permission and cover to do the same.

We don’t have to win back a majority of white evangelicals.

We just have to make a difference among white evangelicals in five or six states, and I think we can do that. There’s a crack in the white evangelical wall of support and that crack is growing bigger every day.

Question: How has the Christian right come to dominate the conversation about religion and politics?

Wallis: They don’t’ speak for all evangelicals, but they want you think that. They are dominant in the media, in part, because media does have an anti-religious bias. . . . I get attention, but given the attention that the right gets, the idea of progressive faith is not something the media does much about.

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A6 - Saturday - Sunday, January 4-5, 2020

Trying to solve the mysteries of the universe Another year is roaring down upon us and I can’t say I’m watching 2019 ride off into the sunset with much regret.

2020 — another month of writing the wrong year on my checks, although since I dated a check last week “1963” for no reason that makes any sense except for the fact that that’s the year I graduated from college and so it must have been a year full of miracles.

Life is like a roll of toilet paper — the closer you get to the end, the faster it goes. It seems just yesterday we were facing the millennium change and we were looking at Y2K with a certain amount of dread and uncertainty.

Remember Y2K? When the computers all crashed, the power went off, communications were all disrupted and life as we had known it ended?

Nothing happened — it was kind of like waiting for Congress to do something. I have hope for the new year in spite of the swell of presidential politics that’s already starting to rear its ugly head. Being old enough to realize the only thing I have control of is myself and that only infrequently, I have started thinking about resolutions I might make. I have the old standard list — weight, patience, thoughtfulness. I will include them as usual on this year’s list, but since none of them have ever outlived January, I’ll move

WHITTLING AWAY

DICK

BROOKS them towards the bottom of the list. This year I’d like to solve at least one of the mysteries of the universe.

The first one I think I’ll attack involves the folding of a fitted sheet. There must be a way! I’ve tried to work out several solutions but the only one that seems to work is wadding it up, sitting on it to flatten it out and putting the top sheet and pillowcases, which I can fold properly, on top of it on the linen closet shelf.

If that doesn’t work out, maybe I’ll try to figure out just where in the garage the tools migrate to seasonally. I can find the garden rake when I need the snow shovel, which appears magically when I can’t locate the weed whacker that I tripped over all winter while I was looking for the shovel. This year there will be a system. I’m an intelligent adult, how hard will it be to organize a garage?

I’m going to work on paying

more attention to Telly, my trusty canine companion. I want to make him proud of all the work he has put into my training and behavior modification. I’m going to work on paying more attention to the Queen, too. I want to make her proud of all the work she has put into my training and behavior modification.

Telly has been working on me for only a couple of years and has done a pretty good job. The Queen has spent most of her adult life on me and I’m sure she still considers me a work in progress, so hopefully she’ll keep me around for a few more years to try to complete the job.

This will be the year I finish my book and try to sucker someone into publishing it.

It shouldn’t be hard — I just want to compile some of these gems I come up with each week into printable form. An elderly lady I know said she’d consider purchasing one. That might make rereading the thousand or so columns worth it. I’ll get started right away — or maybe I’ll start next week.

Thought for the week — A voyage of a thousand miles starts with the first step.

Until next week, may you and yours be happy and well.

Reach Dick Brooks at Whittle12124@yahoo.com.

Catskill Middle School announces first quarter honor roll CATSKILL — Catskill Middle School announces the first quarter honor roll for the 2019-2020 school year.

GRADE 8 High Honor Roll: Jack Alexander, Emily Allen, Kaithe Andrews, Brooklyn Benjamin, Lucian Benjamin, Madison Breunig-Smith, Rogan Byrne, Ryan Carter, Jillian Devlin, Elizabeth DuBois, Xavier Engelin, Lucas Fisher, Devin Fitzmaurice, Ian Fitzmaurice, Olivia Franklin, Henry Goodell, Mia Gottesman, Grace Guenthner, Nixon Hawksby, Dakota Hough, Logan Hough, Shawn Johnston, Madison Jones, Dominic Lanuto, Angelika Lopez, Zachary Maccaline, Avery Riordon, Maya Segura, Isabella Woods.

Honor Roll: Chase Allen, Hunter Bulich, Savannah Ferretti, Adrianna Jenes, Kyle McNevin, Molly Osswald, Maeli Robinson, Lucas Russell, Zoe Synan.

Merit Honor: Charles Bertelle, Lincoln Dixon Hailey,

Breonna Dragon, Lily Gallagher, Andrew Holliday, Jasmine Keck, Noah Martinez, Cheyenne Teater, Cyprus Thibeault.

Tedford, Santiago Terron, Paige Thorpe, Olivia Van Alstyne, Dylan Wamsley, Noah Workman.

GRADE 7

High Honor Roll: Kenya Bryer, Carter Colon, Trevor Duong, Isabelle Edwards, Haley Frieary, Connor Grasse, Austin June, James LaBarre Jr., Sasha Lemus, Nicholas Maccaline, Kylie O’Connell, Rylin Quinn, Caleb Saulpaugh, Collin Shook, Elizabeth Signoretti, James Story, Forever Welch.

Honor Roll: Gabriella Amato, Sophia Blauberg, Jack Carr, Serenity Geiger, Gavin Hendricks, Sophia Hong, Benjamin Mahoney, Noely Mendez, Korben Raffo, Callie Rose, Lacy Soura.

Merit Honor: Marcello Buono, Dorian Carcamo, Aiden Cousens, Kayden Dolan, Tegan Morehead, Benjamin Munoz, Mariska Newman, Owen O’Rourke, Lilly Parkhurst, Jack Schroader, Zachary Sumpter, Isabelle Wamsley.

High Honor Roll: John, Breusch, Morgan Chan, Luke Farrell, Anthony Hoke, Sebastian Jones, Nina Keaney, Noah Kubicek, Justen Lindsay, William McMullen, Demetrio Morales, Aniya Richards, John Signoretti, Christian Slauson, Caleb Van Dyke.

Honor Roll: Kaylee Boan, Travis Bulich, Payton Frascello, Leon Hong, Raven Lynch, Lilliana Mariani, Ingris Martinez, Collin Minkalis, Gloriannah Santosky, Kayla Vandermark, Olivia White.

Merit Honor: Aryanna Bush, Chelsey Carlson, Ryan Chee, Julia Davies, Hayleigh Denniston, Hunter Frascello, Lillie Guilzon, Alexandra Hallam, Patrick Malkowski, Isabella Moore Krieg, Dine’a Rose, Alessia Salierno, Leonard Sperl, Alora Stiles, David

GRADE 6

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POST 110 CHRISTMAS PARTY HELD DEC. 15

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Catskill Honeyford Memorial American Legion Post 110 held its Christmas party on Dec. 15 at the Inn at Leeds. Members who attended include Larry Overbaugh; Town Superviser for East Durham Sean Marriott; Greene County District Attorney Joseph Stanzione; Sherriff Peter Kusminsky; Legislator Linda Overbaugh; Commander of Post 110 Tom Andreassen; Cairo committeeman Dan Joyce; Greene County Treasurer Peter Markou; Legislator Matthew Luvera; Catskill Superviser Dale Finch; Joy Andreassen, media for post; and World War II veteran John Rusack.

Hannaford donates nearly $300,000 to regional food bank to establish food pantries in local schools TROY - Hannaford Supermarkets announced a $296,000 donation to the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, which will allow the non-profit organization to establish food pantries in 33 schools throughout New York state.

Designed to serve as a vital and convenient resource for students and families in need while also increasing access to healthy and nutritious food, the in-school pantries are dedicated spaces where students can select food they enjoy based on their preferences and cooking abilities, to provide nourishment both during and after the school day.

The donation is one component of an overall $1 million commitment from Hannaford Supermarkets through its new “Fuel Kids at School” program, which is designed to directly address food insecurity and improve access to fresh and healthy food in schools in New York and New England.

“At Hannaford, we strongly

believe that our business goes far beyond selling products and that a key component of being ‘greater than groceries’ is investing into the communities we serve. As a community contributor, we have a longstanding commitment to aiding hunger relief in our neighborhoods. This effort often begins at school, where hunger directly impacts a student’s ability to learn, grow and succeed,” said Hannaford Supermarkets Vice President of Retail Operations Todd Bullen.

“These food pantries will fulfill a critical need for students and their families. All of us at Hannaford are honored to support the Regional Food Bank’s efforts through this donation as we reaffirm our commitment to nourishing our communities, one child at a time.”

“Our BackPack Program has demonstrated that when elementary school children are properly nourished on weekends, they focus better, have less anxiety and perform better in school,” said

Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York Executive Director Mark Quandt. “A few years ago, we also created the School Pantry Program to address hunger issues at the junior and senior high school levels. We slowly expanded the program until Hannaford awarded us this fabulous grant, which will enable us to assist children in 33 more schools. Hannaford continues to find new ways to help our food bank feed hungry children and adults throughout eastern New York. We are incredibly grateful for their commitment to the regional food bank and the people we serve.”

The following area schools are participating with inschool food pantries as a result of the nearly $300,000 donation from Hannaford to the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York Columbia County: Hudson High School in Hudson.

Greene County: Cairo-Durham High School in Cairo.

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Saturday - Sunday, January 4-5, 2020 - A7

COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA

New Year’s resolution 2020: Church Briefs Make yourself great again BLOOD DRIVE

Most of this week’s column was written by Paul Hexler, who was formerly with Cornell Cooperative Extension. I have edited it somewhat and added a few thoughts of my own. It has nothing to do with gardening.

By now, most North Americans have heard the phrase “Make America Great Again,” a popular slogan used by the Trump campaign. Regardless of how this saying might be construed or misconstrued, it’s natural that the thought of returning to a better point in time struck a chord with a lot of Americans.

I think many New Year’s resolutions have to do with the same idea: If we eat better, exercise more, give up tobacco, cut back on alcohol or greasy food, we hope to recover the ideal weight or physical strength we once had. Even if we never embodied the perfect figure or flawless health, we imagine a better self and would like to progress toward it. In general, this is a positive yearning.

Ushering a nation to a bygone era would be tricky.

Take the U.S., for instance. In 1969, workers made twice the income they do today in real dollars. But there were race riots, and rivers which caught fire. In 1949, when the economy grew by 30%, some 60,000 children contracted polio.

In 1900, the U.S. had half the world’s industry and an average life expectancy of 48 years for women, 46 for men.

However, it’s a different story with us as individuals. As a person, we all had a golden age, and it is possible to recover some of its most precious qualities. Exercise and a proper diet and are good, but in my opinion are empty without basic aspects of our best selves.

Whether you believe that

GARDENING TIPS

BOB

BEYFUSS God created us as perfect, but unique reflections of a divine image, or think we are the product of four billion years of an exquisite biological process called evolution, or both, you have to admit we come into the world pretty darn great.

OK, sure – we arrive helpless and need some looking after.

That’s a given.

We disembark from our mothers onto Planet Earth perfectly able to both receive and give love, capable of and eager to learn wonderful things. We come with a tremendous capacity – whether given through divine or natural means — for empathy and compassion. Every newborn shows up with an ability and desire to connect and bond with human beings. Any human beings. To an infant, everyone is acceptable, as they are to the world.

On the day of our arrival, we were capable of loving anyone, regardless of skin color, sex, or where they were from.

On that day we were fully open to feeling worthy to be here and to take our place in the world. This is greatness.

God — or nature — sends us here in our perfect skincolor wrapping, with our perfect sex, into the region of the world, and to the ethnic group that is right for us. However, because of fears we are taught, we may find it comforting to project our insecurity onto a

group who we see as different.

Unacknowledged fear leads to distrust and suspicion, which leads to anger and hatred.

As a result of massive and unparalleled income inequality around the world, more and more people are suffering. Employment is no longer a relevant metric, as working families increasingly fall into poverty. Two full-time parents working at minimum wage jobs earn just over $30,000 a year in America. Try raising two kids on that amount.

It is no wonder people are afraid. The thing about fear is that it will own you if you don’t admit it. Here is an interesting fact: You can only be courageous if you feel scared first.

This is not my opinion, it is the definition of courage.

The attraction of nationalism, racism, fundamentalism and other -isms at this time is understandable. Tragic, but fathomable. Blaming others — other countries, cultures, religions, you name it — for one’s problems anesthetizes fear. The fear doesn’t go away, it just gets Novocaine.

It takes a lot of bravery to acknowledge one’s fears. As more people open Pandora’s Box of fear and realize it won’t kill them, others will follow the example. It’s a slow process at first, and not adrenalinefilled like a hate rally, but once your fears come out, you no longer require the short-lived Novocaine of judgement and blame, which will fail you time after time.

Hey, I’m scared, too. Think you can be brave? Admit your fears. Feel them, even though they are uncomfortable. Remember that you were born great. Reach for the divine, original, real you. Make yourself great again.

Reach Bob Beyfuss at rlb14@cornell.edu.

CATSKILL — A Red Cross blood drive will be held 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Jan. 11 at the Catskill United Methodist Church, 40 Woodland Ave., Catskill. To schedule an appointment, call 1-800-RED CROSS or Ernie Moss at 518943-5477.

FOOD AND FELLOWSHIP LUNCHEON NEW BALTIMORE — The New Baltimore Reformed Church, 52 Church St., New Baltimore, The Food and Fellowship Luncheon Program will be held noon-2 p.m.

Jan. 8. The menu (subject to change) is the Blue Plate Special. It includes meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, Italian bread and butter and Black Forest cupcakes. Following the meal, Toni Carroll will tell us about the Greene County Y in Coxsackie and ways we can keep a resolution to exercise in the new year. This luncheon is open to all members of the community. To facilitate planning, reservations are encouraged by the Sunday before the luncheon.

To make reservations, call the church at 518-756-8764 or email nbrchurch@aol. com. Include name, contact number and the number of reservations being made. If transportation or physical assistance is needed, leave that information as well.

Dining space is limited to 60 seats. Free will offerings are graciously accepted to offset food costs.

THRIFT SHOP HUDSON — “New to You,” the thrift shop at Christ Episcopal Church, 431 Union St., Hudson, features home décor, kitchen equipment, dinnerware, collectibles, crystal, china, and serving pieces, as well as jewelry, books, CDs, small furniture items, house wares, etc.

New to You is open 10 a.m.1 p.m. Saturday and other times by appointment by calling 518-828-1329. As you shop, enjoy a cup of coffee on us. All proceeds are used to fund community outreach. Convenient off-street parking on the circular driveway is located a few feet from Union & Court Streets.

CONCERT PHILMONT — The Philmont Community Chorus under the direction of Carolyn Knowles presents “Let Heaven and Nature Sing,” at 3 p.m. Jan. 5 in the Philmont United Methodist Church, 27 Church St., Philmont.

The program includes such selections as “One Small Child,” “Sleigh Ride,” “Some Children See Him” and a sing along will be accompanied by choir chimes. A free will offering will be taken and refreshments will be served.

SCREENING OLD CHATHAM — Old Chatham Quaker Meetinghouse, 539 County Route 13, Old Chatham, will host a screening of “Always in Season” Jan. 11. Potluck at 6 p.m. and film at 7 p.m.

Always in Season takes an unflinching look at the multi-generational impact of lynching, connecting the racial violence that persists today to historical lynching terrorism. The film centers on the case of Lennon Lacy, an African American teen who was found hanging from a swing set in Bladenboro, North Carolina, in 2014, and whose mother, Claudia, seeks answers for her son’s death which was quickly ruled a suicide despite inconsistencies in the case.

This film is co-presented with WMHT Public Media.

Free and open to the public.

Refreshments will be served and a moderated discussion will follow. For information, call 518-610-3735; www.

oldchathamquakers.org.

CHICKEN BARBECUE KINDERHOOK — A chicken barbecue will be served 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Jan. 12 at the Kinderhook Reformed Church, 21 Broad St., Kinderhook. Dinner includes half a chicken, baked potato, ‘secret recipe’ cole slaw and dinner roll. Desserts available for a free will donation.

Take out only. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Pre-order by Jan. 6. Proceeds to benefit the beautification of the Kinderhook Reformed Church. For tickets and information, call 518-336-0859.

SOUP AND SANDWICH NIGHTS HUDSON — The First Reformed Church, 52 Green St., Hudson, will hold free soup and sandwich nights 5-6 p.m. Thursdays through March. Dine in only. The schedule is Jan. 16, Feb. 6, Feb. 20, March 5 and March 19.

REMEMBERING REV. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. HUDSON — The Columbia County Interfaith Committee will hold a gathering to remember the message of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at 6 p.m. Jan. 19 at Shiloh Baptist Church, 14 Warren St., Hudson. The gathering will include musical performances, a stirring message from Rev. Darrell Gray from Missouri as well as refreshments. All are welcome to this a free event. Freewill offerings are welcome to help defray costs.

PIZZA TAKE OUT GREENPORT — Sacred Heart Mt. Carmel Shrine, 442 Fairview Ave., Greenport, pizza takeout noon-6 p.m.

Feb. 7. Pizza is $10, extra toppings, $1 each. Call 518-8288775. Pick up between 3:306:30 p.m. Bake at home also available.

Local teen chosen as member of state 4-H Dairy Bowl team HUDSON — The New York State Dairy Bowl team travelled to Louisville, Kentucky, to compete in the National Dairy Bowl Competition, Nov. 7 through Nov. 10.

Dairy Bowl is a program designed to encourage youth in 4-H to develop their knowledge of dairy cattle and the dairy industry through preparation for an elimination-style quiz competition.

Individuals compete in

teams of four and study and prepare with coaches.

Teams compete on the regional, state and national levels. Columbia and Greene counties’ Vidar Pirrone was a member of the 4-person team selected to represent New York state at the National Dairy Bowl competition.

Members of the national team represent different counties within the state and are chosen after being

amongst the top scoring individuals at the regional and state level competitions.

To prepare for the national competition team members practiced at Cornell University with coaches Debbie Grusenmeyer and Matt Young, and studied materials on their own.

The national competition consists of two phases — a written exam, and then an elimination-style quiz bowl.

New York state came in

second place, falling to Wisconsin in a double elimination.

Dairy Bowl teams compete on the regional level in three different age and experience categories—beginner, junior, and senior, from ages 8-18.

If interested in learning more about Dairy Bowl or are a youth interested in participating in Dairy Bowl, reach out to Meg McDermott 4-H Animal Science

Program Coordinator at

518-318-1189.

Sitcer

Seamless Gutters Over 30 Colors Available Fully Insured • scott24@statetel.com

518-731-3103

House of Worship

News & Services Trinity United Methodist 1311 Rte. 143, Coeymans Hollow | NY 12046 • 756-2812

Pastor Paul Meador • Sunday Worship 11:00am (all are welcome) • Church School: “Faith Builders Kids Christian Education” Wednesday at 7pm • Wednesday, Bible Study & Prayer - 7-8:30pm (all are welcome) • Food Pantry, Last Saturday of the month, 10-11am and last Monday of the month, 5-6pm, or by appointment • Thrift Shop Open April 12 - Mid Oct., Thursdays 10 - 4 Saturdays 10 - 2 and when Food Pantry is open. (Handicap Accessible) • Youth Group - Grades 6 - 12 2nd and 4th Thursdays @ 6:30pm

Catholic Community of Saint Patrick 24 North Washington Street, Athens 12015 · 945-1656 66 William Street, Catskill 12414 · 943-3150

Janine O’Leary, Parish Life Coordinator Fr. L. Edward Deimeke, Sacramental Minister Saturday* 4:00 p.m. EST / 4:30 p.m. DST *1st / 3rd Athens and 2nd /; 4th Catskill Sunday 8:45 a.m. Catskill / 10:45 a.m. Athens

All Are Welcome!

New Baltimore Reformed Church 518 756 8764 • Rt. 144 and Church St. NBRChurch@aol.com • www.nbrchurch.org

Rev. Rick L. Behan, Pastor Sunday Worship - 9:30 AM Communion First Sunday every month Fellowship before and after worship Thursday - Choir Rehearsal 4:45 PM Tuesday - Bible Study 10:00 AM 2nd Sunday - Helping Hands 10:30 AM Come to the Church in the Hamlet! Working together since 1833

Church of Saint Patrick 21 Main Street, Ravena, NY 12143 • (518) 756-3145

Pastor: Fr. Scott VanDerveer Weekly Mass: 9:00 a.m. Wed & Thurs Saturday Vigil 4:30 p.m. Sunday 9:30 a.m.

Food Pantry Hours: Tues & Thurs 10-11 a.m.

Wednesday 6-7:00 p.m.

Thrift Shop Hours: Wed. 6:00-7:00 Thurs, Fri. & Sat. 1:00-3:00 p.m.

All Are Welcome!

To list your Church Services please call Patricia McKenna at (518) 828-1616 x2413

CMYK

COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA • THE DAILY MAIL

A8 - Saturday - Sunday, January 4-5, 2020

Decline From A1

recovered since the Great Recession that began in December 2007, and what is on the horizon.

From 2007-2017, Columbia County saw a decrease of 80 births and Greene County had a drop of 72, according to Central Hudson’s study.

In Columbia and Greene more than 40% of the population will be age 55 and older by 2030. By 2030 almost 25% of the Columbia County population will be age 70 or above, according to Central Hudson’s study.

Data from the Census Bureau in 2018 ranked Columbia County as 14th and Greene County as 31st in terms of population in the state. Greene County’s population had declined by 1.59%, or 785 residents, from 20102018; and Columbia County by

UMC From A1

church into separate factions.

“The undersigned propose restructuring The United Methodist Church by separation as the best means to resolve our differences, allowing each part of the Church to remain true to its theological understanding, while recognizing the dignity, equality, integrity and respect of every person,” according to the Protocol Statement.

If the agreement is ultimately approved, it is expected that a new “traditionalist” denomination would be formed. If that happens, the new church would receive $25 million over the next four years. In exchange, they would give up further claim to the United Methodist Church’s assets, according to

Toxins From A1

opposed to just flammable liquids,” Cuomo wrote. “For this type of fire there are not yet effective alternatives to PFAS.” Because of the current lack of alternatives to fight ignitable liquid fires, Cuomo said the bill needs to be amended

3.1%, or 1,959 residents.

There are a variety of potential causes for the migration numbers, Linger said.

“Some people don’t like the weather, some people don’t like to pay an income tax, others don’t like the property taxes,” Linger said. “When you put it all together, [New York] does not compete well with other states. I don’t think the policies the state is coming out with is helping with that.”

New York does not have the most favorable climate for businesses, Linger said.

“New York state overregulates a lot of things,” he said. “It’s hard for businesses to come in and hard for businesses to compete here.”

There are also natural population dynamics to consider, Greene County Economic Development and Planning Director Karl Heck said.

“People are living longer and having fewer kids,” Heck said.

Older residents occupy a larger population than they used to, Heck said.

“Retirees move to go somewhere warmer,” he said. “That trend is not going to change.”

Another factor is the disparity between regions, Tucker said.

“The costs of living where there are employment opportunities are too expensive,” Tucker said. “Here, the costs are more manageable but we lack jobs.”

The most important thing is what communities take away from these projections, Tucker said.

“The bigger issue is how to respond to the realities of the population shift,” he said.

Columbia County Economic Development aids with workforce development, education, attracting and growing small businesses, and upgrading infrastructure within the county, Tucker said.

“We have the foundations on which to grow economic vitality

in Columbia County,” he said.

In Greene County, a heavy emphasis is placed on tourism.

“We live in a beautiful part of the country,” Linger said. “People love to come here with the mountains, with the rivers and four distinct seasons.”

Many visitors end up falling in love with the area and purchasing property, Linger said.

The county strives to reach audiences through a variety of programs such as Buy in Greene, Heck said.

There are more than 9,000 second homeowners in the county.

“We did a study on them a couple years ago to try and see what would turn them into fulltime residents,” he said.

Many people who move into Greene County are people who wanted to move out of the metropolitan New York area.

A declining population can have major impacts on a community.

the statement.

Pastor Mary Langley, formerly of the Coxsackie United Methodist Church, said the proposal to divide the church did not surprise her.

“I have actually thought for years that it might come down to a split,” Langley said. “The United Methodist Church has added new branches to its tree historically, with divisions over other issues. There is a lot of combining with other denominations.”

Langley, who retired last year, said she supports same-sex marriage.

“If I had to choose, I would go with the side that is OK with marriage and the LGBTQ community. I am in support of them,” Langley said.

Under the agreement, conferences and local congregations could vote to separate from the church and affiliate themselves with new Methodist

denominations created under the agreement within a certain time frame, according to the Council of Bishops.

Pastor Ken Coddington of Trinity United Methodist Church in Hudson said his church will not make any

to allow state entities to make exceptions to the exempted use of foams containing PFAS in those cases. The exemption must be reevaluated every two years, and if PFAS-free foams become available, repealed.

“Today, we celebrate a victory for clean water,” said Rob Hayes, clean water associate for Environmental Advocates of New York. “Phasing out PFAS chemicals in firefighting

foam will eliminate a major source of water pollution in New York State, resulting in cleaner and healthier drinking water for all residents.”

Liz Moran, environmental policy director for New York Public Interest Research Group, applauded Cuomo for signing the bill.

“New Yorkers across the state, from those in Hoosick Falls, to Newburgh, to Seneca Lake, to Long Island, spoke

out against this dangerous class of chemicals and today their voices were heard,” she said in a statement. “The gift of clean water this holiday season is a precious one.”

File photo

The United Methodist Church has announced a proposal that would split the church into separate denominations in response to the same-sex marriage and other LGBTQ issues. Pictured is the Catskill United Methodist Church on Woodland Avenue.

Massarah Mikati covers the New York State Legislature and immigration for Johnson Newspaper Corp. Email her at mmikati@ columbiagreenemedia.com, or find her on Twitter @massarahmikati.

“It affects the labor force,” Heck said. “A lot of companies are having a hard time finding labor. It’s becoming a nationwide issue.”

The baby boomer population is reaching retirement age.

The workforce issue has pros and cons, Linger said.

“We wind up almost begging people to work,” he said.

On the upside, the employment rate is high.

“This creates a lot of competition for workers,” Linger said. “A benefit is that wages are going to increase.”

Although it is difficult for the county to grow when at maximum employment rate, there is a flip side, Linger said.

“It is a good problem to have rather than high unemployment,” he said.

Some effects of low populations may be shared government services and consolidation of school districts, Tucker said.

“Businesses and government will need to adapt to how services are delivered,” he said. Heck expects that population decline will become a bigger issue in the new decade.

The nation’s growth during the 2010s may be the lowest it has been since the Civil War, he said.

“While natural increase is the biggest contributor to the U.S. population increase, it has been slowing over the last five years,” said Dr. Sandra Johnson, a demographer/statistician in the Population Division of the Census Bureau. “Natural increase, or when the number of births is greater than the number of deaths, dropped below 1 million in 2019 for the first time in decades.”

Forty-two states and the District of Columbia had lower birth rates in 2019 than in 2018, according to the report.

decision until the agreement is finalized.

“We are not taking any action at this time because it is really in the preemptive stages,” Coddington said. “There is another general conference meeting in February. We are informed about it, but right now we are waiting to see how it will affect us, if at all.”

Linda Mussmann, county supervisor for Hudson’s 4th Ward and a leader of Hudson’s gay community, said the proposal is progress, of a sort.

“It’s a step forward,” Mussmann said. “I don’t understand why they need to split to be inclusive, but I guess it is a step forward.”

Mussmann said she viewed the controversy over gay marriage’s acceptance as archaic.

“Christianity seems like it would like to be inclusive, but the ideology tends to limit people’s ideas because it is so

restrictive,” Mussmann said. “If we were going to live exactly by the laws of the Bible, we would really have trouble, and I think that applies to same-sex marriage as well. The gender issue has become so complex that to be so restrictive on gay marriage seems to be a prehistoric concept.”

The United Methodist Church is the third-largest religious denomination in the United States, according to the Washington Post News Service.

Before the separation agreement can be implemented, it will have to be presented at the church’s 2020 General Conference held in May and adopted by the conference’s delegates.

After the agreement, or protocol, is adopted, churches that wish to separate must register their intention with the Secretary of the Council of Bishops no later than May 15, 2021, according to the council.

File photo

Man-made chemicals known as PFAS, a common ingredient of firefighting foam, will be phased out for a safer, more environmentally friendly foam. PFAS is known to be present in the Hudson River and can cause serious health problems.

Americans roughly divided on how to decide Trump’s fate John Wagner The Washington Post

Nearly 6 in 10 Americans think President Donald Trump has committed an impeachable offense, but the public is more evenly split on whether voters should decide his fate in this year’s elections rather than have the Senate remove him from office, according to a new poll.

The 538-Ipsos poll also finds that congressional Democrats, Republicans and Trump alike get low marks from the public for how they are handling the impeachment process.

After last month’s House vote to impeach Trump, largely along party lines, the parties are at an impasse regarding the timing and scope of a Senate trial.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, DCalif., has declined to transmit articles of impeachment - for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress - as Democrats seek guarantees that they will be able to subpoena documents and call several witnesses regarding Trump’s conduct toward Ukraine.

The poll finds that 57 percent of Americans think Trump has committed an impeachable offense, while 40 percent think he has not. Of those who think he has, 50 percent are “absolutely certain,” while another 31 percent are “pretty certain.”

Meanwhile, 51 percent say voters should ultimately determine Trump’s fate, while 47 percent say he should be removed from office by the Senate. Separately, a Washington Post average of 16 national polls in December found 47 percent supported impeaching and removing Trump, while 48

percent were opposed.

The 538-Ipsos poll found that fewer than half of Americans 45 percent - think House Democrats should continue to delay the start of a Senate trial until concerns about its fairness are resolved. Fifty two percent say the trial should not wait.

Neither party is winning high marks from the public for its handling of the proceedings.

Thirty-five percent of Americans approve of how congressional Democrats are handling the process, while 45 percent disapprove.

A still-smaller 28 percent of Americans approve of how congressional Republicans are handling the process, while 51 percent disapprove.

Meanwhile, 27 percent of Americans approve of how

Trump is handling the process, while 55 percent disapprove.

At the heart of the Democrats’ case is the allegation that Trump tried to leverage a White House meeting and military aid, sought by Ukraine to combat Russian military aggression, to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to launch an investigation of former vice president Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden, as well as a probe of an unfounded theory that Kyiv conspired with Democrats to interfere in the 2016 presidential election.

Majorities of Americans say they believe elements of the Democratic case based on what they know, according to the poll.

Eighty percent say they believe that Trump asked Ukraine to investigate the Bidens. Sixty

percent believe Trump withheld military aid with the aim of prompting an investigation into the Bidens. And 61 percent believe Trump and his administration attempted to cover up information about his actions toward Ukraine.

Majorities of Americans say those actions would be inappropriate if they in fact happened.

The poll also includes an ominous finding for Joe Biden, who is seeking the Democratic presidential nomination. Hunter Biden served on the board of a Ukrainian energy company

while his father was vice president and oversaw U.S. policy toward Ukraine.

The poll finds that Americans are evenly divided - 48 percent to 48 percent - on whether Joe Biden behaved ethically toward Ukraine while vice president.

When asked about an upcoming Senate trial, most Americans - 57 percent - say it would be better to allow new witnesses, as Democrats have suggested.

Meanwhile, 86 percent say senators should attempt to be “impartial jurors” and examine

the evidence. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has come under fire from Democrats for saying he does not consider himself an impartial juror and that he is working with Trump’s legal team ahead of a trial.

The poll of 1,551 adults was conducted online Dec. 26 to 30 among a sample drawn through Ipsos’s KnowledgePanel, an ongoing survey panel recruited through random sampling of U.S. households. Overall results have a margin of error of plus or minus 2.9 percentage points.

The Finals Have Begun!

Congratulations to all our nominees!

The finalists have been selected - find out who made it to Round Two, and vote for your favorite!

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CMYK

Sports

SECTION

Rangers fall

COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA

Sean Monahan’s goal lifts Flames over Rangers. Sports, B2

& Classifieds

B Saturday - Sunday, January 4-5, 2020 - B1

Tim Martin, Sports Editor: 1-800-400-4496 / sports@registerstar.com or tmartin@registerstar.com

C-GCC signs two Catskill seniors to 2020 soccer team PORTLAND PRESS HERALD PHOTO

DEC announces change to deer feeding regs

By Larry DiDonato For Columbia-Greene Media

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Columbia-Greene Community College women’s soccer coach Andrew Lashua (left) and Assistant Coach Paul Pape (right) pose with Kelsey Lackie and Laura Christman, Catskill High School seniors who each signed their commitment letters to play as Twins in the 2020 season.

Columbia-Greene Media

CATSKILL — Columbia-Greene Community College held its first Letter of Intent (LOI) signing of the off-season at Catskill High School recently, signing two seniors to the women’s soccer team.

Laura Christman and Kelsey Lackie each signed their commitment letters to

play as Twins in the 2020 season prior to the winter break, at a ceremony attended by family, friends, coaches, and college representatives at Catskill High School.

A LOI is a document that is signed with an NJCAA member college, which formally signifies a student-athlete’s commitment to participating in intercollegiate

athletics. Once signed, the recruiting process becomes finalized, and the studentathletes become official members of the newest incoming athletic class.

For more information, please contact the C-GCC Athletics Department at (518) 828-4181, ext. 3210, or visit CGCCTwins. com.

Giants interview Cowboys’ secondary coach Kris Richard Pat Leonard New York Daily News

The Giants kicked off their head coaching interviews Thursday with Kris Richard, the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive passing game coordinator and secondary coach.

Then GM Dave Gettleman hopefully set a new precedent for his public availability with consecutive radio appearances on WFAN and ESPN New York.

“He’s a very impressive guy, and we really enjoyed our time with him,” Gettleman said of Richard, 40.

Ex-Packers coach Mike McCarthy is on deck to be interviewed Friday.

The Giants said Richard (pronounced rih-SHARD) met with co-owner John Mara, Gettleman, assistant

MATTHEW EMMONS/USA TODAY

Dallas Cowboys defensive backs coach Kris Richard on the sidelines during a recent game against the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium.

GM Kevin Abrams and other members of the staff.

Co-owner Steve Tisch is

heavily involved in the process, as well. Tisch is in constant communication with

Mara and Gettleman and has plans to speak with all the candidates.

McCarthy, 56, who has met twice with the Carolina Panthers, interviewed with the Cleveland Browns on Thursday and now is set to meet the Giants.

McCarthy and Baylor’s Matt Rhule, 44, who has yet to schedule his interview, both have head coaching experience in either college or the pros.

Rhule has not scheduled his interview yet. He is reportedly vacationing with his family in Mexico for a bit before he gets the process started with both the Giants and Panthers.

After McCarthy, the Giants are scheduled on Saturday

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos recently announced the adoption of a regulation changing rules concerning feeding of deer and moose.

DEC says the change will reduce problems caused by wildlife feeding and establish strict procedures for the use of tickcontrol devices designed to treat deer. The rule prohibits the intentional and incidental feeding of deer and moose and requires labeling on deer feed stating its illegal to use in NY. Commissioner Seggos said, “Prohibiting the feeding of wild deer and moose is a best management approach to reduce risks associated with communicable wildlife diseases like chronic wasting disease, minimize conflicts with deer, and protect wildlife habitat.”

DEC first prohibited deer feeding in 2002 in response to the threat of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) on the premise that concentrating deer at feeding sites increases the risk of disease transmission.

Those who may be quick to criticize DEC’s current actions changing feeding and other regulations to combat CWD, need to consider the following: DEC is the ONLY state agency in the nation to have successfully eradicated CWD after infected deer were found in the wild.

In 2005, DEC’s Environmental Conservation

Officers (ECOs) and Wildlife Biologists, and veterinarians from NY Ag and Markets formed and deployed a task force to proactively search for the early detection or incidence of CWD in NY. The task force found CWD infected deer at deer farms that contaminated deer in the wild in Central NY. Addressing the problem early likely prevented a CWD epidemic. DEC took quick, bold, and decisive action by immediately reducing the herd in the small affected area near Rome, NY. That plus more than a decade of statewide testing and surveillance plus prohibiting import of certain cervid parts from infected states has kept CWD out of NYS to this very day.

Now, DEC cites other negative impacts associated with deer feeding that necessitated the change to a broader feeding prohibition.

The new regulation provides a clearer definition of what does and does not constitute illegal feeding of deer or moose. They provide exemptions for wildlife plantings, agricultural practices, livestock husbandry, and research and nuisance abatement.

“It clarifies that incidental feeding such as the attraction of deer or moose to a birdfeeder will only be considered a violation if DEC has previously issued a written warning to the person responsible for the incidental feeding.”

“To reduce the sale and marketing of products that are illegal to use and to protect consumers from See DEER B6

See RICHARD B6

Yankees’ German suspended for violating MLB domestic violence policy Kristie Ackert New York Daily News

NEW YORK — Domingo German will not be available to pitch for the Yankees until June.

The right-hander has accepted a suspension of 81 games under MLB and the union’s Joint Domestic Violence policy after an investigation by the league spurred last September. The suspension is retroactive to when he went on administrative leave, meaning he will serve a 63-game suspension this season.

German was placed on leave Sept. 19 following an allegation of domestic violence, so he is credited for serving the suspension on the nine final regular-season games and nine postseason games the Yankees played. German also will make a contribution to Sanctuary for Families, a New York City-based non-profit organization dedicated to aiding victims of domestic violence, according to an MLB statement. As part of the policy, German will also have to undergo treatment and evaluation supervised by the Joint Policy Board.

The 27-year old was alleged to have had a physical altercation with Mara Vega, his girlfriend and mother of his two children, last year at or after an event honoring teammate CC Sabathia. The incident, which was reported to ANDY MARLIN/USA TODAY the league by a third party, was enough that the New York Yankees starting pitcher Domingo German (55) pitches against the Oakland Athletics Yankees were confident at the time of his sus- during an Aug. 31 game at Yankee Stadium. pension that German was done for the season and was likely facing a “significant,” suspenLast month at the Winter Meetings, Yan- as he had since the news broke. Thursday, the kees GM Brian Cashman deferred comment team issued a statement that said it supported sion in the 2020 season.

the suspension and there would be no further comment from the team.

“We remain steadfast in our support of Major League Baseball’s investigative process and the disciplinary action taken regarding Domingo German. Domestic violence — in any form — is a gravely serious matter that affects every segment of our society. Major League Baseball has taken the lead in our industry to make domestic violence awareness and prevention a priority, and we will continue to back those efforts. We are encouraged by Domingo’s acceptance of his discipline, and we sincerely hope this indicates a commitment to making a meaningful and positive change in his personal conduct.

“As per the Basic Agreement’s Joint Domestic Violence Policy, the Club will have no further comment on this matter and refer all questions to the Office of the Commissioner,” the team’s statement said.

The Yankees, of course, have experience with this issue. In 2015 when the Dodgers backed out of a deal with the Reds to acquire Aroldis Chapman after news broke he was being investigated under the domestic violence policy, the Yankees swooped in to trade for the closer.

Chapman was suspended for the first 30 games of the 2016 season.

So the team will be prepared when German is eventually back in pinstripes.

He would not be eligible to return until June See YANKEES B6

CMYK

COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA

B2 - Saturday - Sunday, January 4-5, 2020

Pro football NFL PLAYOFFS Wild-card Round Saturday Buffalo at Houston, 4:35 p.m. (ESPN/ABC) Tennessee at New England, 8:15 p.m. (CBS) Sunday Minnesota at New Orleans, 1:05 p.m. (FOX) Seattle at Philadelphia, 4:40 p.m. (NBC) Divisional Round Saturday, Jan. 11 Philadelphia, Seattle or Minnesota at San Francisco, 4:35 p.m. (NBC) Houston, Buffalo or Tennessee at Baltimore, 8:15 p.m (CBS) Sunday, Jan. 12 New England, Houston or Buffalo at Kansas City, 3:05 p.m. (CBS) New Orleans, Philadelphia or Seattle at Green Bay, 6:40 p.m. (FOX) Conference Championships Sunday, Jan. 19 AFC, 3:05 p.m. (CBS) NFC, 6:40 p.m. (FOX) Pro Bowl Sunday, Jan. 26 At Orlando, Fla. AFC vs. NFC, 3 p.m. (ESPN) Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 2 At Miami Gardens, Fla. AFC champion vs. NFC champion, 6:30 p.m. (Fox)

College football FBS BOWL SCHEDULE Thursday Birmingham Bowl Birmingham, Ala. (Legion Field) No. 21 Cincinnati 38, Boston College 6 Gator Bowl Jacksonville, Fla. (TIAA Bank Stadium) Tennessee 23, Indiana 22 Friday Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Boise, Idaho (Albertsons Stadium) Nevada vs. Ohio, 3:30 p.m. (ESPN) Saturday Armed Forces Bowl Fort Worth, Texas Southern Miss (7-5) vs. Tulane (6-6), 11:30 a.m. (ESPN)

Pro basketball NBA Eastern Conference Atlantic W L Pct Boston 23 8 .742 Toronto 23 12 .657 Philadelphia 23 13 .639 Brooklyn 16 17 .485 New York 10 24 .294 Central W L Pct Milwaukee 31 5 .861 Indiana 22 13 .629 Chicago 13 22 .371 Detroit 12 22 .353 Cleveland 10 24 .294 Southeast W L Pct Miami 25 9 .735 Orlando 15 19 .441 Charlotte 14 23 .378 Washington 10 23 .303 Atlanta 7 27 .206 Western Conference Northwest W L Pct Denver 24 10 .706 Utah 22 12 .647 Oklahoma City 19 15 .559 Portland 14 21 .400 Minnesota 13 21 .382 Pacific W L Pct L.A. Lakers 27 7 .794 L.A. Clippers 24 11 .686 Phoenix 13 21 .382 Sacramento 12 22 .353 Golden State 9 27 .250 Southwest W L Pct Houston 23 11 .676 Dallas 22 12 .647 San Antonio 14 19 .424 Memphis 13 21 .382 New Orleans 11 23 .324 Wednesday’s games Orlando 122, Washington 101 New York 117, Portland 93 Milwaukee 106, Minnesota 104 L.A. Lakers 117, Phoenix 107 Thursday’s games Charlotte 109, Cleveland 106 Denver 124, Indiana 116 Miami 84, Toronto 76 Utah 102, Chicago 98 Minnesota 99, Golden State 84 Dallas 123, Brooklyn 111 Oklahoma City 109, San Antonio 103 Memphis at Sacramento, 10 p.m.

Detroit at L.A. Clippers, 10:30 p.m.

Today’s games Atlanta at Boston, 7 p.m.

Miami at Orlando, 7 p.m.

Portland at Washington, 7 p.m.

Philadelphia at Houston, 8 p.m.

New York at Phoenix, 9 p.m.

New Orleans at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 p.m.

Saturday’s games Memphis at L.A. Clippers, 3:30 p.m.

Toronto at Brooklyn, 6 p.m.

Utah at Orlando, 7 p.m.

Indiana at Atlanta, 7:30 p.m.

Oklahoma City at Cleveland, 7:30 p.m.

Denver at Washington, 8 p.m.

Boston at Chicago, 8 p.m.

Charlotte at Dallas, 8:30 p.m.

San Antonio at Milwaukee, 8:30 p.m.

Detroit at Golden State, 8:30 p.m.

GB — 2.0 2.5 8.0 14.5 GB — 8.5 17.5 18.0 20.0 GB — 10.0 12.5 14.5 18.0 GB — 2.0 5.0 10.5 11.0 GB — 3.5 14.0 15.0 19.0 GB — 1.0 8.5 10.0 12.0

Field Level Media

Johnny Gaudreau scored a goal and assisted on Sean Monahan’s game-winner as host Calgary beat New York, 4-3, to snap a two-game losing skid on Thursday.

Former Rangers goaltender Cam Talbot made 24 saves for the Flames, who also ended a five-game home losing skid (0-4-1).

Henrik Lundqvist stopped 25 shots for the Rangers, who have lost two straight and finish a four-game road trip Saturday in Vancouver.

Devils 2, Islanders 1 Nico Hischier scored the go-ahead goal early in the third period, Mackenzie Blackwood made 29 saves and New Jersey trimmed host New York in Uniondale, N.Y. P.K. Subban also scored for the Devils, who have won three straight games for the first time this season and are 6-2-1 over their past nine games.

Brock Nelson scored, and Semyon Varlamov made 29 saves for New York, which had won two straight, both on the road at Minnesota and Washington. New York fell to 0-3-1 in its past four home games as it faced New Jersey for the first time this season.

Sabres 3, Oilers 2 (OT) Jack Eichel scored on a penalty shot in overtime as host Buffalo rallied to snap a four-game losing streak by defeating Edmonton.

Eichel, who was awarded the shot after being harassed enough while breaking to the net at just 1:09 into the extra session, went wide and then skated in on Edmonton netminder Mike Smith (23 saves). The Sabres star then shot up top and past Smith for his 26th goal of the season to give the hosts their second victory in nine games.

Curtis Lazar and Sam Reinhart also scored for the Sabres, who trailed 2-0 after Riley Sheahan and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored for Edmonton. Linus Ullmark made 25 saves for Buffalo.

Avalanche 7, Blues 3 Nazem Kadri scored twice as the Colorado Avalanche ended a six-game losing streak to St. Louis by beating the Blues, 7-3, in Denver.

The Avalanche won for just the second time in their

SERGEI BELSKI/USA TODAY

Calgary Flames center Sean Monahan (23) passes the puck against the New York Rangers during Thursday’s game at Scotiabank Saddledome.

last seven games (2-4-1). The Western Conference-leading Blues have lost back-to-back games on the heels of an eight-game winning streak.

Nathan MacKinnon scored one goal and assisted on three others for the Avalanche.

Mikko Rantanen, Cale Makar, J.T. Compher and Joonas Donskoi also scored and Samuel Girard earned four assists. Avalanche goaltender Philipp Grubauer made 24 saves to snap his five-game winless streak.

Robert Thomas scored twice and Alex Pietrangelo scored the other goal while adding an assist for the Blues.

Jordan Binnington made 34 saves while giving up a career-worst seven goals before being relieved by Jake Allen.

Sharks 3, Penguins 2 (OT) Brent Burns scored a power-play goal at 2:02 of overtime to give visiting San Jose a win over Pittsburgh.

After a scoreless third period, the Sharks went to a fouron-three man advantage in overtime when Pittsburgh’s Kris Letang tripped San Jose’s Logan Couture. Burns’ big slap shot from the top of the slot went over screened goaltender Tristan Jarry’s glove.

Tomas Hertl and Logan Couture also scored, and Burns had an assist to go along with his goal for San Jose, which twice blew a onegoal lead before snagging the

two points. Patric Hornqvist, playing a day after his 33rd birthday, scored both goals for Pittsburgh, which had its three-game win streak snapped.

Lightning 2, Canadiens 1 Andrei Vasilevskiy finished with 38 saves to make a pair of first-period goals stand up as visiting Tampa Bay edged Montreal.

Anthony Cirelli and Nikita Kucherov each scored in the first period for the Lightning, who extended their season-high winning streak to five games. They also have emerged victorious in 13 straight contests against Atlantic Division foes.

Defenseman Jeff Petry scored early in the first period and Carey Price made 21 saves, but the Canadiens failed to solve Vasilevskiy again and dropped their fourth in a row.

Blue Jackets 2, Bruins 1 (OT) Pierre-Luc Dubois scored 52 seconds into overtime as Columbus rallied past host Boston to extend its points streak to 12 games (8-0-4).

Sonny Milano tied the game early in the third period, and Elvis Merzlikins made 26 saves as the Blue Jackets won for the seventh time in their last nine games.

David Pastrnak became the league’s first 30-goal scorer this season when he tallied

for the Bruins, who extended their own points streak to nine (4-0-5). Tuukka Rask, making his 500th NHL start, stopped 31 shots.

Maple Leafs 6, Jets 3 William Nylander scored two goals and added an assist and Frederik Andersen made 45 saves as streaking Toronto defeated host Winnipeg.

Kasperi Kapanen added a goal and an assist and Travis Dermott, Pierre Engvall and Mitchell Marner also scored for the Maple Leafs, who extended their point streak to nine games (8-0-1).

Kyle Connor, Patrik Laine and Mark Scheifele scored for the Jets, who dropped to 2-51 in their past eight games.

Goalie Connor Hellebuyck was pulled following the second period after allowing five goals on 17 shots.

Golden Knights 5, Flyers 4 Max Pacioretty scored two goals, Shea Theodore had a goal and an assist and MarcAndre Fleury finished with 34 saves, including one on a penalty shot, as Vegas won its third straight in beating Philadelphia in Las Vegas.

Jon Merrill and Cody Glass also scored for Vegas, which had to kill a 6-on-3 advantage in the final 1:29 to hold on for the win. Paul Stastny added two assists.

Sean Couturier had two goals and an assist, Claude Giroux added a goal and an

assist and Travis Konecny also scored for Philadelphia.

Carter Hart made 28 saves.

Canucks 7, Blackhawks 5 Adam Gaudette scored the game-winner while J.T. Miller collected four points as Vancouver claimed its sixth straight win with a home-ice victory over Chicago.

With overtime looming, Gaudette gained the puck near the boards, went to the slot and sent a wrist shot that found the mark with 4:11 left on the clock. Bo Horvat rounded out the scoring with an empty-net goal to cap a three-point game (two goals, one assist). Elias Pettersson also had three points (one goal, two assists) for the Canucks.

Robin Lehner stopped 30 shots for the Blackhawks, who saw their three-game winning streak snapped.

Panthers 6, Senators 3 Evgenii Dadonov had two goals and an assist and Jonathan Huberdeau added a goal and an assist to lead Florida to victory over host Ottawa.

Noel Acciari, Frank Vatrano and Colton Sceviour also scored goals for Florida, which won for the sixth time in eight games. Keith Yandle and Anton Stralman each added two assists and Sergei Bobrovsky made 28 saves for his 15th win of the season.

Tyler Ennis had a goal and an assist and Chris Tierney and Connor Brown also scored goals for Ottawa, which lost its third straight game. Craig Anderson finished with 25 saves.

Coyotes 4, Ducks 2 Arizona scored three thirdperiod goals, including Brad Richardson’s tally 6:47 into the period, en route to defeating Anaheim in Glendale, Ariz.

The Coyotes sealed their second straight win when Carl Soderberg deflected a skimming shot from Clayton Keller past the reach of Ducks goaltender John Gibson.

Lawson Crouse and Christian Dvorak also scored for the Coyotes, who got 27 saves from goaltender Antti Raanta.

Anaheim had goals from Jakob Silfverberg and Max Jones. Gibson finished with 30 saves.

NBA roundup: Doncic’s double-double helps Mavs top Nets

Pro hockey Atlantic Division GP W L OT SO Pts Boston 42 24 7 5 6 59 Toronto 42 23 14 3 2 51 Tampa Bay 39 22 13 4 0 48 Florida 40 21 14 2 3 47 Buffalo 42 18 17 6 1 43 Montreal 41 18 17 5 1 42 Ottawa 41 16 20 3 2 37 Detroit 41 10 28 2 1 23 Metropolitan Division GP W L OT SO Pts Washington 41 27 9 3 2 59 NY Islanders 39 25 11 2 1 53 Pittsburgh 40 24 11 5 0 53 Carolina 40 24 14 2 0 50 Philadelphia 40 22 13 0 5 49 Columbus 41 19 14 6 2 46 NY Rangers 40 19 17 2 2 42 New Jersey 40 15 19 2 4 36 Western Conference Central Division GP W L OT SO Pts St. Louis 41 26 9 3 3 58 Colorado 40 23 13 3 1 50 Dallas 41 23 14 2 2 50 Winnipeg 40 22 15 2 1 47 Minnesota 41 19 17 4 1 43 Nashville 39 18 15 4 2 42 Chicago 41 18 17 2 4 42 Pacific Division GP W L OT SO Pts Vegas 43 22 15 6 0 50 Arizona 43 23 16 2 2 50 Edmonton 43 21 17 4 1 47 Calgary 43 21 17 5 0 47 Vancouver 40 21 15 3 1 46 San Jose 42 18 21 2 1 39 Los Angeles 42 17 21 3 1 38 Anaheim 41 16 20 4 1 37 Tuesday’s games New Jersey 3, Boston 2, SO NY Islanders 4, Washington 3 Vegas 5, Anaheim 2 Toronto 4, Minnesota 1 Tampa Bay 6, Buffalo 4 Carolina 3, Montreal 1 Columbus 4, Florida 1 Detroit 2, San Jose 0 Winnipeg 7, Colorado 4 Los Angeles 5, Philadelphia 3 Chicago 5, Calgary 3 Edmonton 7, NY Rangers 5 Arizona 3, St. Louis 1 Wednesday’s games Dallas 4, Nashville 2, at the Cotton Bowl Thursday’s games Columbus 2, Boston 1, OT Buffalo 3, Edmonton 2, OT Tampa Bay 2, Montreal 1 New Jersey 2, NY Islanders 1 San Jose 3, Pittsburgh 2, OT Florida 6, Ottawa 3 Toronto 6, Winnipeg 3 Calgary 4, NY Rangers 3 Arizona 4, Anaheim 2 St. Louis at Colorado, 9:30 p.m.

Chicago at Vancouver, 10 p.m.

Philadelphia at Vegas, 10 p.m.

Friday’s games Washington at Carolina, 7:30 p.m.

Detroit at Dallas, 8:30 p.m.

NHL roundup: Monahan’s goal lifts Flames over Rangers

GF 139 152 139 145 124 132 114 89

GA 107 135 121 137 133 133 138 157

GF 146 115 138 136 127 107 132 104

GA 122 102 107 112 118 113 136 139

GF 128 144 111 125 126 134 118

GA 107 119 103 120 137 131 132

GF 134 122 127 118 132 112 109 105

GA 125 110 137 130 119 141 132 128

Field Level Media

Luka Doncic totaled 31 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists and Dallas made all the plays down the stretch in beating visiting Brooklyn, 123-111, on Thursday.

The Mavericks avoided their first three-game losing streak of the season on a night when Kristaps Porzingis (right knee soreness) and Tim Hardaway Jr (strained left hamstring) missed their second straight games apiece.

Spencer Dinwiddie scored 19 points to lead the Nets, who lost a season-high fourth straight game and dropped under .500 (16-17) for the first time since Nov. 22.

Heat 84, Raptors 76 Rookie Tyler Herro scored 11 straight second-half points as the Miami Heat ran their home record to an NBA-best 16-1 by defeating the Toronto Raptors, 84-76.

Toronto shot a season-low 31.5 percent, including 6 of 42 on 3-pointers (14.3 percent). Miami shot just 40.7 percent, including 12 of 37 on 3-pointers (32.4 percent).

Bam Adebayo led Miami with 15 points and 14 rebounds. Herro and Goran Dragic had 13 points each.

Jimmy Butler, who is Miami’s biggest star, missed eight of 10 shots from the field, but he contributed 12 rebounds, eight points and seven assists.

Toronto was led by Serge Ibaka (19 points, 10 rebounds) and Kyle Lowry (15 points, eight assists). But the Raptors were missing three starters: center Marc Gasol (left hamstring), forward Pascal Siakam (groin) and

shooting guard Norman Powell (left shoulder).

Nuggets 124, Pacers 116 Michael Porter Jr. scored a careerhigh 25 points, Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray had 22 each, and visiting Denver beat Indiana.

Porter hit 11 of 12 attempts from the field, including 2 of 3 from 3-point range, and committed just one turnover in 23 minutes. Will Barton added 16 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.

Jeremy Lamb had a game-high 30 points on 9-of-13 shooting for the Pacers. Myles Turner added 21 points, T.J. Warren scored 20 and Domantas Sabonis had 18 points and nine rebounds.

Jazz 102, Bulls 98 Utah won its fourth straight game with a hard-fought victory over host Chicago.

Five players – Bojan Bogdanovic, Jordan Clarkson, Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mitchell and Georges Niang – scored in double figures for the Jazz.

Zach LaVine had a game-high 26 points on 9-for-26 shooting for the Bulls.

LaVine hit a 3-pointer to tie the game at 96 with less than two minutes to go. Two free throws from Bogdanovic, who scored 10 points in the final frame, and a dunk from Gobert on the next two possessions helped the Jazz climb back on top.

Thunder 109, Spurs 103 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 25 points, including three huge baskets in the final three minutes, as visiting Oklahoma City roared from behind to beat San Antonio and claim its fourth straight win.

Dennis Schroder added 19 points for Oklahoma City, with Chris Paul hitting for 16, Steven Adams scoring 14 and Danilo Gallinari contributing 13.

The Thunder won a regular-season game in San Antonio for the first time since Dec. 25, 2014, snapping a nine-game losing streak at the Spurs’ home arena.

Clippers 126, Pistons 112 Montrezl Harrell had 23 points and Lou Williams scored 22, and Los Angeles defeated visiting Detroit despite playing without Paul George in the second half.

Kawhi Leonard posted 18 points, six rebounds and five assists for the Clippers, while Maurice Harkless and JaMychal Green chipped in 12 points apiece. Ivica Zubac had four blocks to go along with eight points.

Harrell also had four blocks, among 11 for the team.

George failed to return after experiencing tightness in his left hamstring. He finished with 12 points on 5-of-10 shooting in 16 minutes.

Bruce Brown led the Pistons with 15 points as the Pistons lost for the eighth time in nine games.

Timberwolves 99, Warriors 84 Robert Covington and Shabazz Napier scored 20 points each as Minnesota continued its improved play with a win over visiting Golden State.

Naz Reid added 13 points off the bench as the Timberwolves improved to 2-2 without guard Andrew Wiggins, who missed his fourth consecutive game with an illness, and are now 3-6 without Karl-Anthony Towns (knee). It is a modest development after an 11-game losing

streak to open December.

Glenn Robinson III scored 16 points and Eric Paschall added 13 for the Warriors, who lost their third consecutive game after a four-game winning streak.

Kings 128, Grizzlies 123 De’Aaron Fox recorded 27 points, nine assists and a season-best five steals as Sacramento snapped a season-worst eight-game losing streak by notching a victory over visiting Memphis.

Buddy Hield contributed 26 points and seven rebounds for the Kings, who recovered from a 20-point, second-quarter deficit. It was Sacramento’s first victory since beating the Golden State Warriors on Dec. 15.

Ja Morant had 23 points and seven assists while Jae Crowder added 19 points and six assists for the Grizzlies, who fell to 6-10 on the road. Jonas Valanciunas registered 18 points and 12 rebounds.

Hornets 109, Cavaliers 106 Devonte’ Graham made a deep 3-pointer with 23 seconds left to break a tie, and Charlotte rallied in the final minutes to beat host Cleveland, snapping a six-game losing streak.

Charlotte guard Terry Rozier, who supplied a career-high 35 points in his last visit to Cleveland, finished with a game-best 30 points this time around. He made six 3-pointers.

Collin Sexton poured in 21 points for Cleveland, while Kevin Love had 18 points and Osman finished with 17. Darius Garland added 14 points in a losing effort for the Cavaliers.

CMYK

Saturday - Sunday, January 4-5, 2020 - B3

COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA

Next Cowboys coach’s first order of business — fix the defense Kevin Sherrington The Dallas Morning News

DALLAS — Maybe we’ve misunderstood Jerry Jones, which wouldn’t be the first time. Maybe there’s a valid explanation for these meetings with Jason Garrett. Short of a covert trial by jury, I couldn’t imagine.

Whatever the reason, he’ll eventually do what he has to do. Too much negativity to let it go any further, as Jimmy Johnson said last month. Fans and media can’t talk or write about anything else. The customers want someone’s head, and it’s not going to be Jerry’s. If Garrett’s sacrifice satisfies, the owner will oblige.

Because as Jimmy said last month, and Jimmy should know, “I think Jerry listens to the fans.”

Jerry doesn’t listen as much to the media, but it hasn’t stopped us from making suggestions, so here we go again.

The next head coach’s first order of business is to fix this defense. They need help up front and, as always, on the back end. What they need more than anything, though, is a grounding in fundamentals. Basic stuff. Like tackling. And lining up.

Looking at you, Michael Bennett.

In his brief tenure, Bennett proved to be the classic Cowboy. Played hard and made some big plays.

And then he’d blow everything up by jumping offsides.

Frankly, you didn’t need a Hall of Fame quarterback or a wiz-bang play-caller to beat the Cowboys.

Just a hard snap count.

Hard to say exactly where the Cowboys’ defense went wrong this year. Except for Byron Jones and Jeff Heath, of all people, everyone who was here the year before went backwards. Coincidence? The definition of poor coaching, if you ask me.

Maybe Rod Marinelli and Kris Richard simply didn’t mix well. Whatever the reason, the only area more disappointing than the Cowboys’ defense was on special teams, which were awful. And as Jerry famously said after the loss in Foxborough, special teams are all about coaching.

The new coach should probably sweep out the defensive staff. On offense, not so much. At least Kellen Moore, Jon Kitna and Sanjay Lal look like keepers.

But no matter who’s in charge of

the offense, the priority is clear: Make sure Dak Prescott uses his feet more often. It’s all the rage these days. Lamar Jackson practically reinvented the quarterback position this season, enhancing the Ravens’ Super Bowl chances.

I don’t want to get too analytical for you, but, when quarterbacks run, it turns the numbers in the offense’s favor. College coaches get it, anyway, and the NFL has been trying to catch up with its farm system for years.

For instance, did you see how Trevor Lawrence’s runs lifted Clemson over an Ohio State team which clearly had better talent otherwise?

Did you notice how three touchdown runs by Oregon’s Justin Herbert provided the difference over Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl?

When it comes to quarterbacks, this isn’t your father’s NFL anymore.

The league has searched high and low for the next Tom Brady. Maybe there isn’t one. Probably too difficult, given the efficiency of defenses. Well, except for the Cowboys’.

Dak has the prerequisites to rank with the NFL’s new breed. He just needs a green light. Or a good shove.

Michael Bennett? Uh, no.

And if there’s any money left over, trade for the Jets’ Jamal Adams, who finally gives the Cowboys the kind of safety they haven’t had since Darren Woodson called it quits. You would hope by now that the Joneses get it.

Maybe safeties don’t make that much difference. But bad ones do. Great ones, too. Adams certainly qualifies among the latter.

Otherwise, Jerry, tell Will McClay that, in this year’s draft, if it comes to, say, a safety like Juan Thornhill or a defensive tackle like Trysten Hill, a guy who isn’t even trusted enough to start for his college team, go with the safety.

Depending on what’s available at any time in the draft, by the way, the priorities should be safety, defensive line, cornerback, tight end and wide receiver. If the Cowboys don’t re-sign Cooper, wide receiver moves near the top.

Just a few suggestions to mull while considering a makeover. More to come, as always. Fortunately, Jerry and I don’t operate on a contractual basis.

And for those who still maintain you’ll just get your QB hurt by turning him loose: New rules remove most of the danger. Besides, it’s just as scary standing in a crumbling pocket and taking a blindside hit.

Speaking of Dak, he gets a new contract. Sorry if that loses you. Troy Aikman is on board, if it makes any difference. Good enough for me, anyway.

As for the rest of the Cowboys’ 30 free agents, consider these as priority decisions: Robert Quinn? Yes, unless you can find 11.5 sacks somewhere else. And it might keep Jerry from thinking he can get it from Randy Gregory.

Amari Cooper? Yes, if he was playing hurt this season. No, if he wasn’t.

Randall Cobb? No. Good slot receivers aren’t hard to find.

Byron Jones? Yes. They need help at cornerback as is. Try finding two good ones.

Sean Lee? No. Meet your new linebackers coach.

Jason Witten? No. Meet your new tight ends coach.

Blake Jarwin? Yes. Maliek Collins?

No. Antwaun Woods? Yes.

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Entertain on the large deck, test your luck in the game room, or kick back by the wood stove after a long day on the slopes at Windham & Hunter. Jewett $489,000

This remodeled townhouse offers the peaceful low-maintenance mountain lifestyle you’ve been dreaming of. Relax near the wood burning fireplace, entertain on the spacious deck, float in the pool, & hop on the Jitney service to ski at Windham. Windham $229,900

Looking for magnificence? Completely isolated from the world, with endless views of the Pepacton Reservoir and the Catskill Mountains, is this striking 33 acre parcel. Embrace nature, smell the crisp mountain air, and build your dream.

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COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA

B4 - Saturday - Sunday, January 4-5, 2020

COLLECTOR’S NOTICE OF RECEIPT OF TAX ROLL & WARRANT TAKE NOTICE, that I, the undersigned, Town Clerk/Collector of Taxes of the Town of Greenville, Greene County, New York, have duly received the tax roll and warrant for the collection of taxes for the year 2020, and that I will receive taxes as follows: LOCATIONS AND DATES TO RECEIVE TAXES at the Pioneer Town Hall, Clerk-Collector’s Office, 11159 State Route 81, corner of State Routes 32 & 81 in Greenville, NY, telephone 518-966-5055 x23: Commencing Thursday, January 2nd, 2020, through the month of January, official days to receive will be Monday between 3 pm – 6 pm, and Tuesday through Friday, 9am-3pm, as well as on Saturday, January 25th, between 9am – 11am. The office will be closed on all legal holidays, including New Year’s Day and Martin Luther King, Jr. day. Payments made by mail must be clearly postmarked by the last day of the month. No post-dated checks will be accepted. Checks with any errors will be returned to sender for correction.

A $15 charge will be added to the total bill for each check returned for insufficient funds. Payment accepted by check, money order, cash, or credit card (convenience fees will be assessed if credit or debit cards are used for payment).

TAX BILLS CAN BE VIEWED, and PAID STATUS updated daily, ONLINE at www.egov.basg o v. c o m / G r e e n v i l l e .

TAKE FURTHER NOTICE, that taxes may be paid on or before January 31, 2020 without charge or interest.

On taxes remaining unpaid after January 31, 2020, there shall be added one percent for February or the remainder thereof; two percent for March; three percent for April; four percent for May; five percent for June; six percent for July; seven percent for August; at which time, the return of unpaid taxes is made by the Clerk-Collector to the Greene County Treasurer pursuant to law.

Dated: December 23, 2019 Jackie Park Town Clerk/Collector of Taxes Town of Greenville

LEGAL PUBLIC NOTICE The Greene County Industrial Development Agency will hold their Regular Board Meeting on Thursday, January 16, 2020 at 8:00 am, followed by a Greene Local Development Corporation meeting if needed.

The location of this meeting will be at the Greene IDA office, Training Room, in Coxsackie, NY. Please park in rear of building and use back door.

Respectfully Submitted: Rene VanSchaack, Executive Director

Notice is hereby given of the Annual Meeting of the Athens Rural Cemetery Association to be held on January 13, 2020 at 3:30 PM in the board room of the Association building on Olivett Lane, Athens, NY for the purpose of any business that may be legally brought up at this meeting.

John W Gotebiowski Secretary" Public Notice County of Columbia Town of Stockport Please take notice that I, Sandra Novak, the undersigned Collector of Taxes for the Town of Stockport, County of Columbia, State of New York, have duly received the tax roll and warrant for the collection of taxes within the Town of Stockport for the year 2020 and that taxes may be paid Tuesday through Friday 8:30 AM until 3:00 PM and Saturday 9:00 am until Noon at 2787 Cty. Rt. 20, (also known as Atlantic Ave.), Stottville, New York or daily by mail at Town of Stockport, 2787 Atlantic Ave., Hudson, NY, 12534.

Take further notice that taxes may be paid on or before January 31, 2020 without charge or interest. On all taxes received after such date, 1% will be added for the first month and an additional 1% will be added each month or portion thereof until paid.

Take further notice, that pursuant to the provisions of law, the tax roll for the Town of Stockport will be returned to the County Treasurer after the 1st day of June 2020.

Sandra Novak Town Clerk/Tax Collector PUBLIC NOTICE LIVINGSTON FIRE DISTRICT NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the regular monthly meetings of the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Livingston Fire District of the Town of Livingston, County of Columbia, New York, will be held on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 PM, at the District Office, except for the month of October, which will be held the third Tuesday, at 7:00 PM. The Year End Meeting will be held Dec. 28, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. The public Hearing will be held Oct. 20, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. The district office is located at 2855 Route 9, Livingston, New York. Bank of Greene County has been selected as the official bank of the Livingston Fire District.

William Young has been selected as the official lawyer for the Livingston Fire District.

The Register Star Newspaper has been selected as the official newspaper for the Livingston Fire District.

Commissioner Meeting Dates as Follows: -Jan 15th -Feb 19th March18th -April 15th -May 20th -June 17th -July15th -Aug.19th Sept. 16th -Oct.20th Nov. 18th -Dec. 16th Kelly McDonald Livingston Fire District Secretary PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the Mayor of the City of Hudson, New York, following a public hearing held on De-

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cember 30, 2019, approved the following Local Laws were adopted by the Common Council on December 17, 2019: Local Law No. 5 of 2019 – Amending the City Charter Concerning Residency Requirements for the City Attorney.

Local Law No. 6 of 2019 – Amending the City Charter to Designate the Majority Leader of the Common Council to Preside Over Meetings in the Absence of the Common Council President.

Complete texts of the above laws are on file and may be examined at the City Clerk's Office, City Hall during regular office hours.

The law may also be viewed on the city website www.cityofhudson.org Tracy Delaney City Clerk PUBLIC NOTICE TOWN OF STUYVESANT TAX COLLECTOR PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that I, Melissa A. Naegeli, the undersigned Collector of Taxes of the Town of Stuyvesant, County of Columbia and State of New York, have duly received the tax roll and warrant for the collection of taxes within the Town of Stuyvesant from January 1, 2020 to March 31, 2020 and that I will attend at the Stuyvesant Town Hall, 5 Sunset Drive, in the said Town of Stuyvesant on Monday evenings between the hours of 6:00pm and 8:00pm, on Tuesdays 9:30am12:30pm, on Thursdays 12:00pm – 3:00pm, on Fridays 9:30am – 12:30am, and on Saturdays 10:00am - Noon for the purpose of collecting payment on taxes listed on the said roll.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE, that taxes may be paid on or before January 31, 2020 without charge or interest. On all taxes received after such date, there shall be added interest of one (1) percent if paid on or before February 28, 2020 and an additional one (1) percent for each additional month or fraction thereof thereafter until such taxes are paid or until the return of unpaid taxes to the County Treasurer pursuant to law.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE, that pursuant to the provisions of law the tax roll of the Town of Stuyvesant will be returned to the County Treasurer of the County of Columbia on the 1st day of April, 2020.

Dated: January 1, 2020 Melissa A. Naegeli, RMC Collector of Taxes Town of Stuyvesant UNLESS YOUR storage unit is paid and vacated by 12:00 p.m. on January 18, 2020, this legal notice is to notify you that the contents of your storage unit will be disposed of without any further notice to you.

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PUBLIC NOTICE Village of Valatie Planning Board 3211 Church Street Valatie, NY 12184 PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Village of Valatie Planning Board will hold a Public Hearing on the following application: 1) Application from Imran Sadiq for change of use to convert existing space being used as a Tailor Shop to a Retail Smoke Shop.

Following the hearing, a Public Meeting will be held to discuss the following applications: 1) Application from Recon Cycle Works for change of use to convert existing space previously used as a car wash to a bicycle sales and repair shop.

Any other business to come before the Board.

Said discussion will be held at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, January 8, 2020 at the Village of Valatie hall in the Martin H. Glynn Municipal Building, 3211 Church Street, Valatie, NY, at which time all interested parties will be given the opportunity to be heard.

Additional information regarding this application can be obtained by contacting the Village of Valatie for the Planning Board.

By Order of the Village of Valatie Planning Board, Stephanie CaradineRuchel Clerk to the Valatie Planning Board

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Saturday - Sunday, January 4-5, 2020 - B5

COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA

The road to Super Bowl LIV: Ranking the 12 teams chasing the Lombardi Trophy Charles McDonald New York Daily News

The playoffs have arrived! This year’s playoff field is absolutely wide open, especially on the NFC side, but who is the best? Take a peek into the all-knowing crystal ball as Charles McDonald ranks all of the teams in the 2019 playoffs.

12. Philadelphia Eagles This isn’t a slight on the Eagles in general, they’re just so banged up it’s hard to see them go on a run. In addition to Pro Bowl guard Brandon Brooks recently having his season ended due to injury, DeSean Jackson, Ronald Darby, Alshon Jeffery, Malik Jackson and Darren Sproles have been put on injured reserve. Zach Ertz missed the season finale against the Giants with a rib injury and it seems like almost the entire team has been on the injury report at some point. At full strength, the Eagles can be one of the best teams in the league, but they aren’t anywhere close to full strength right now.

Maybe if Carson Wentz unleashes his inner Nick Foles the Eagles can go on a run. As things stand now, they shouldn’t be a favorite to beat Seattle in the wild-card round. Eagles SEAN GARDNER/GETTY IMAGES fans should be feeling optimistic about 2020, Drew Brees (9) of the New Orleans Saints greets Jimmy Garoppolo (10) of the San Francisco 49ers though. If Doug Pederson and Wentz were able after their Dec. 8 game at the Mercedes Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. to scrape together a playoff season, with some competition. help from an underwhelming Cowboys team, football over the past month.

That’s a bit troubling when it comes to pro9. Buffalo Bills then the goal for next season should be a Super The Bills defense is good enough to carry jecting this team’s postseason performance.

Bowl run. them to a wild-card victory over the Texans, but Despite finishing the season 11-5, Seattle 11. Houston Texans Deshaun Watson and DeAndre Hopkins their offense might hold them back in the long had a point differential of just seven. The 7-9 Tampa Bay Buccaneers finished with a point are excellent, but how good are the Texans as run.

Second-year quarterback Josh Allen has differential of nine! Russell Wilson has once a whole? Their defense ranks last in yards per play (6.1), tied with the 2-14 Cincinnati Ben- made strides this year, but he’s still a below- again put together an outstanding season, but gals. Getting J.J. Watt back will help, but this average quarterback. His yards per attempt their defense and frustratingly conservative team hasn’t been all that impressive to close (6.7), passer rating (85.3), and quarterback rat- head coach might doom them in the postseaing (45.8) all rank 24th or worse among quali- son. the season.

6. Green Bay Packers Let’s skip over the Week 17 game against fying QBs this year. He does have the physical Green Bay is an enigma. Aaron Rodgers is Tennessee when all of their important players skills to make the necessary plays to keep Bufwere sitting out. The Texans needed four inter- falo in a game, but he doesn’t consistently cre- still good and their defense can be incredibly ceptions by Jameis Winston, including one that ate enough positive plays for them to go on a disruptive in any given game.

But there’s something missing with this went back for a touchdown to barely squeak playoff run.

Packers team. Sometimes on offense they go 8. Minnesota Vikings by the Buccaneers, 23-20. Houston was blown The Vikings had one of the best passing at- through stretches where it looks like they don’t out by the Broncos, 38-24, and got decimated by the Ravens, 41-7. They did manage to beat tacks in the league this year, and one of the bet- even practice. Rodgers throws short passes into the Patriots, 28-22, but they also barely beat the ter pass defenses, but managed to only get the the dirt or he just isn’t on the same page with his receivers. The same can be said for the desixth seed in a rough NFC. Jacoby Brissett-led Indianapolis Colts, 20-17.

Kirk Cousins had his best season, finishing fense and their blown coverages.

Houston certainly has the top-end talent The Packers have a first-round bye, but they to go on a playoff run, but the entirety of their in the top 10 of most pass efficiency stats, but this team still feels untrustworthy. Star receiver aren’t as dominant as teams that you expect to team isn’t playing well right now.

Adam Thielen has been dealing with injuries all see in those top seeds.

10. Tennessee Titans 5. New England Patriots Kneel before our one true king, Ryan Tanne- season and head coach Mike Zimmer can be a little too reliant on running the ball.

New England is mortal. What a time to be hill.

Cousins hasn’t been a quarterback that alive.

In all seriousness, where are you supposed This may come back to bite me in the butt, to rank the Titans? They legitimately look like shines in the biggest moments, but he has a one of the better teams in the NFL right now. strong foundation of offensive coaching to lean but I’m going to let it rip. The Patriots’ offense Tannehill is setting the league on fire, rookie on as the Vikings try to make an improbable flat out stinks right now — relative to what wide receiver A.J. Brown has been unstoppable run as a six seed — Kevin Stefanski and (maybe we’re used to expecting. They rank 21st in yards in recent weeks, and the defense is just good more importantly) Gary Kubiak have been a per play (5.2) and Tom Brady’s age seems to finally have caught up with him. enough at forcing turnovers to make them in- tremendous pairing.

7. Seattle Seahawks Their defense is outstanding. Yes, they beat teresting on that side of the ball.

Seattle has had such a weird season. They’ve up on some cupcake teams earlier in the seaStill, this is a team that finished 9-7 and barely snuck into the playoffs. Even though the Tex- played in tight games all the way through the son, but they have the best group of man covans beat them when both teams played their season. Whether it’s the Bengals or the 49ers, erage corners in the league led by Defensive starting units, the Titans are playing better the Seahawks play exactly to the level of their Player of the Year candidate Stephon Gilmore.

The Patriots’ defense is good enough to carry them to the Super Bowl and win it, but that’s going to be difficult without a first-round bye.

4. New Orleans Saints The Saints are one of the rare teams that plays on wild-card weekend that has a chance to make a title run. They’ll host the Vikings on Sunday and would travel to Lambeau against the Packers if they win.

Drew Brees is still one of the most efficient passers in the league and Michael Thomas put together an unstoppable 2019 season, breaking Marvin Harrison’s record for catches in a single season with 149.

The defense is above average and just good enough to help the offense win it all. Going on the road twice to win the Super Bowl would be tough, but this group is talented enough to do it.

3. Kansas City Chiefs Kansas City looks terrific right now. Patrick Mahomes is starting to get into a groove and the defense has quietly been among the best in the league.

If there’s one area of concern for the Chiefs, it’s still their run defense. Over a 16-game sample, run defense doesn’t matter all that much.

However, in a single elimination tournament like the NFL playoffs, run defense can absolutely be an Achilles heel. Kansas City ranks 28th in opposing yards per carry (4.9).

2. San Francisco 49ers San Francisco probably has the most talented defensive line in the league. Four of their last five first-round picks, all top-10 selections, were on the defensive line. DeForest Buckner, Arik Armstead and Nick Bosa can go up against any trio of defensive linemen in the league and are a big reason why the 49ers rank second in the NFL in pressure percentage (29.4%) behind the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to Pro Football Reference.

Richard Sherman has had one of the best seasons of his long career and Fred Warner is a Tasmanian devil at linebacker. The defense as a unit doesn’t have many holes.

The offense isn’t dominant, but they’re certainly good. Kyle Shanahan is a mastermind at getting receivers open, especially tight end George Kittle. The 49ers have a diverse group of running backs to feed as well and they can rip off chunks at a time in their zone heavy scheme.

1. Baltimore Ravens The Ravens are comfortably the best team in the NFL. Their defense is one of the best in the league, Lamar Jackson has put together a season so dominant that he’s the overwhelming favorite to win the MVP, and John Harbaugh makes sure the Ravens maximize their scoring opportunities by being aggressive on fourth down.

Only injuries or a superhuman performance from Patrick Mahomes in the AFC Championship game will stop this team from reaching the Super Bowl. They’re a wildly talented group of players led by the most impressive coaching staff in the league.

Sam Wyche was the right coach at the wrong time for the Bucs Rick Stroud Tampa Bay Times

TAMPA, Fla. — Shortly after his first practice with the Bucs, Sam Wyche was asked how quarterback Vinny Testaverde had fared directing his hurryup offense.

“Well, he didn’t run into the goal post or anything,” Wyche deadpanned. “So far, so good.”

Wyche’s timing and sense of humor was as good as any latenight talk show host. He could be entertaining and self-deprecating.

He also was a great person and a very good coach, but that’s where Wyche’s timing failed him in Tampa Bay. He was only a few years removed from leading the Bengals to an AFC title and appearance in Super Bowl 22, where Joe Montana led the 49ers on a 92-yard drive and passed to John Taylor for the winning touchdown with 34 seconds left.

Wyche had been Montana’s first quarterback coach under Bill Walsh and they won a Super Bowl together.

But he was hired by the Bucs in 1992 at the end of Hugh

Culverhouse’s battle with cancer and exited one year after the sale of the team to Malcolm Glazer.

He had the last year of Testaverde and the first two of Trent Dilfer.

He was there when Warren Sapp and Derrick Brooks were drafted but not able to watch them develop into first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Fame players.

“To say he had a chance is exaggerating,” said Falcons president Rich McKay, who served as the team’s general manager in Wyche’s final season in Tampa Bay. “There were too many things working against him.

“Remember, he comes into a team where the owner is sick, it’s the start of free agency, all of football was changing, including the structure of organizations. We were just treading water. That’s what it felt like a lot.”

Wyche died Thursday afternoon after a short battle with metastatic melanoma. He was 74.

In a sense, his timing was unfortunate there, too. Because Wyche had a heart transplant

about three years earlier, they could not use the best medicine to treat the melanoma.

Bucs fans make the mistake of lumping Wyche in with other failed head coaches who couldn’t hold a whistle to him.

He didn’t have the ineptitude of Leeman Bennett or the insufferable attitude of Ray Perkins. He wasn’t overwhelmed like Richard Williamson.

He simply was overmatched, on the 53-man roster and by a minuscule payroll. After Culverhouse’s death from lung cancer in 1994, the team was run by a charitable trust that included McKay, Culverhouse’s law partner Stephen Story and Jack Donlan.

“That was a period when we were trying to get the things ready to be sold,” McKay said.

“So much of what was going on didn’t involve trying to win football games. It’s a tough thing for the guy charged with the responsibility of winning football games.”

It’s important to note that Wyche won the job in ‘92 over other attractive candidates such as Mike Holmgren, who was hired to coach the Green

Bay Packers, and former Eagles coach Buddy Ryan.

Culverhouse wanted someone experienced enough to handle both the coaching and front office duties. McKay became the team’s general manager in ‘95 after the Glazers closed on the deal and Wyche was supportive.

Wyche managed to attract what became important free agents such as Hardy Nickerson and Martin Mayhew, but knowing he was out-gunned in most games, he always tried to find an edge.

In ‘93, the Bucs went to Los Angeles to play the Raiders at the L.A. Coliseum. The Raiders’ reputation as one of the league’s most penalized teams was well established and Wyche wanted to take the fight to them.

The Bucs had an undrafted safety Curtis Buckley at wide receiver on the game’s first play. Buckley went in motion on a running play and drilled Raiders safety Derrick Hoskins.

“Curtis’ job was to go down and block the safety, which he did,” Wyche said. “Knocked the living crap out of him. The safety

got up 2 ½ seconds after the whistle had blown and knocked the living crap out of Curtis.

One of our goals was to go into the game and be the most intense football team in the history of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.”

Wyche was an innovator with the Bengals no-huddle offense. But with the Bucs, a lot of the offensive creativity appeared to be more desperate tricks with a lesser team.

An amateur magician, Wyche tried to make the Bucs’ string of double-digit losing seasons disappear.

After going 5-11, 5-11 and 6-10, Wyche had the Bucs at 5-2 to start the ‘95 season, the first under the Glazers.

“Five-dash-two,” is how Wyche boasted about it.

But the bravado was shortlived. Dilfer, in his first full season as a starter, threw four touchdowns passes and 18 interceptions while completing 54% of his passes. The Bucs went 2-7 down the stretch, including an improbable 13-10 win over the Green Bay Packers.

At the time, it was feared the

THE PUBLIC NEEDS THE TRUTH; NOT SOCIAL MEDIA HEADLINES & FAKE NEWS.

Glazers would move the Bucs to Cleveland if they couldn’t get a stadium built at taxpayer’s expense in Tampa.

Wyche endured all of it and really set the table for Tony Dungy with John Lynch, Sapp and Brooks.

After he left the Bucs, Wyche had three stints as quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator at Pickens High School in South Carolina. He served as the Bills’ quarterbacks coach under Mike Mularkey, whom he hired on his first Bucs staff as a quality control coach.

He was a pilot, a broadcaster and a city councilman. He was a great father to Zac and Kerry and a devoted husband to Jane, whom he met while playing quarterback at Furman.

He cared about his community and tried to end poverty and homelessness everywhere he lived.

Three years ago, doctors told Wyche he was down to his final days when miraculously a heart donor was found.

He would’ve turned 75 in three days.

“Everybody loved Sam,” McKay said.

#SupportRealNews

CMYK

COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA

B6 - Saturday - Sunday, January 4-5, 2020

2020 NFL mock draft: One-round projections Eddie Brown The San Diego Union-Tribune

The NFL’s 100th regular season is in the books and the Cincinnati Bengals are officially on the clock.

The order for the first 20 selections in the 2020 NFL draft is locked in. The rest will be decided by the playoffs.

Before Las Vegas hosts the Super Bowl of the offseason in April, we’ll play collegiate allstar games, watch the Underwear Olympics in Indianapolis, NFL free agency and pro days.

You can follow along by checking in with me on a weekly basis as the draft process remains fluid right up until the television cameras begin rolling in primetime on day one.

The NFL draft has become a nice appetizer before our main course in September. A mock version of said draft is meant to educate, and even entertain. At very least, it helps you pass the time.

This is an early attempt at identifying the best players available in this season’s draft class, and which teams they match up well with considering the updated draft order (according to NFL.com).

The closer we get to draft day, the more I attempt to match what teams will actually do with their draft picks as opposed to what I believe they should do.

Last season, I was the fifth most accurate (out of 101) — most accurate in print — NFL draft prognosticator according to The Huddle Report. I’m 18th over the past five years.

Follow me on Twitter UTEddieBrown so we can continue the conversation.

Here’s my updated 2020 NFL mock draft: 1. Cincinnati (2-14) — Joe Burrow, QB, LSU, Sr. It’s clear Andy Dalton isn’t the answer at quarterback. Burrow’s draft stock is powered by rocket fuel. The nearly unanimous Heisman Trophy winner has 5,208 passing yards (second in the nation), 55 touchdowns (first in the nation) against only six interceptions and a QBR of 94.4 (second in the nation). He’s the type of quarterback that aces the intangible checklist, but doesn’t feature any physical qualities I’d consider elite. The Bengals would be wise to adapt LSU offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger’s system to the pros for the highest return on their investment. Top needs: QB, OL,

Deer From B1

being misled, the new regulation requires retail products packaged for sale as food or edible attractants for wild deer or moose to carry a label clearly stating that such use is illegal in New York.”

The new regulation addresses the mixed message

Yankees From B1

5, when the Yankees return to the Bronx to host the Rays.

Richard From B1

to interview both Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, 50, and Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale, 56.

Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, 43, and special teams coach Joe Judge, 37, cannot interview until next week following New England’s Wild Card game against the Titans.

McDaniels, who interviewed for the Giants’ last vacancy two years ago, reportedly will hold all of his interviews on Jan. 10. He is not believed to be interested as long as the Giants keep Gettleman in control.

LB 2. Washington (3-13) — Chase Young, Edge, Ohio St., Jr. Young is the best player/pass rusher in this draft class (he has 16.5 sacks this season and 30.5 sacks in three years at Columbus). The Redskins will add him to a young, talented defensive line. Top needs: OT, CB, LB 3. Detroit (3-12-1) — Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn, Sr. The Lions have to prioritize improving their front seven if they have any hopes of competing in the NFC North. Brown would have been a first-round selection had he left school last year. The SEC Defensive Player of the Year (and consensus AllAmerican) is the most talented interior defensive lineman in this draft class, by far. Top needs: DL, CB, LB 4. N.Y. Giants (4-12) — Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia, Jr. Starting right tackle Mike Remmers is an unrestricted free agent after this season. You’d get the first team All-SEC selection if you could Weird Science an offensive tackle. He’s a big, powerful, athletic lineman with springy footwork and quick hands who’s a dynamic closer in both the run and pass game.

Top needs: OT, CB, LB 5. Miami (5-11) — Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama, Jr. Barring a move to land Teddy Bridgewater in the offseason, it’ll be hard for the Dolphins to pass on a signal-caller here.

Back-to-back seasons with an ankle injury and a dislocated hip will give us something to talk about until April (and the Bengals an excuse for passing on him). Mostly, because people will tire of talking about how prolific and precise the southpaw is. Some will try to compare Tagovailoa to Mike Vick, but he’s closer to a lefty (and taller) version of Russell Wilson. Top needs: QB, OT, Edge 6. L.A. Chargers (5-11) — Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson, Jr. The Chargers miss out on a splashy replacement for Philip Rivers, but they land another impact player for their defense at a position GM Tom Telesco prioritizes. The Butkus Award winner (best linebacker) is an athletic unicorn (equally adept at safety or linebacker) with incredible range and instincts.

Top needs: OT, OG, QB 7. Carolina (5-11) — Jeffrey Okudah, CB, Ohio St., Jr. The Panthers haven’t featured a cornerback this talented

since Josh Norman in his prime.

The consensus All-American is an elite athlete who has proven proficient in man coverage and is only scratching the surface of his potential. Top needs: OL, DB, QB 8. Arizona (5-10-1) — A.J. Epenesa, Edge, Iowa, Jr. The Cardinals need some help up front to compliment Chandler Jones after releasing veteran pass rusher Terrell Suggs. The AP All-American racked up 11.5 sacks and forced four fumbles despite facing persistent double-teams all season.

Top needs: OL, Edge, CB 9. Jacksonville (6-10) — Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina, Sr. The Jaguars run defense has been laughable, allowing almost 153 yards on average and 13 total touchdowns the last eight games. An interior wrecking ball like the AP All-American has the potential to be a force against the pass and run at the next level. Top needs: DT, WR, CB 10. Cleveland (6-10) — Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa, Jr. The Browns must upgrade their offensive line if Baker Mayfield has any hope in improving on a porous sophomore campaign in the pros. Wirfs is the best pass protector in this class.

Top needs: OT, S, LB 11. N.Y. Jets (7-9) — Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama, Jr. Elite prospects seem to fall in the Jets’ lap (See: Leonard Williams and Jamal Adams). Wide receiver Robby Anderson is facing free agency. Jeudy is an upgrade and the crown jewel of what is shaping up to be a special 2020 class of receivers. He’s the best prospect at the position in almost a decade. Top needs: OT, WR, Edge 12. Las Vegas (7-9) — CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma, Jr. Antonio Brown’s preseason antics left a huge hole in the depth chart at wide receiver.

Lamb has elite hands and ball skills (he’s special with the ball in the air). He can also contribute as a blocker. Top needs: WR, LB, CB 13. Indianapolis (7-9) — Henry Ruggs, WR, Alabama, Jr. GM Chris Ballard took a chance on Tyreek Hill when he was the Director of Football Operations in Kansas City. Like Hill, Ruggs is pure electricity with the football in his hands. He’s scored 25 total touchdowns on 97 touches in his Crimson Tide career. Top needs: DT, WR, Edge

14. Tampa Bay (7-9) — Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon, Sr. Demand ALWAYS overrules supply when it comes to quarterbacks in the draft. The Buccaneers aren’t a fantasy football team so I don’t see why they’d pay Jameis Winston $30 million per season. Herbert has all the physical attributes (prototypical size and elite arm talent) coach Bruce Arians requires, but consistency has been his bane. Top needs: QB, OT, Edge 15. Denver (7-9) — Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU, Sr. All-Pro cornerback Chris Harris will certainly test the free agent market in March. Fulton is an elite athlete who was the top cornerback prospect coming out of high school in 2016.

Top needs: OL, DB, LB 16. Atlanta (7-9) — Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma, Jr. De’Vondre Campbell hasn’t been cutting it at linebacker and happens to be a free agent after this season. Murray is an explosive athlete who has developed elite instincts during his three seasons in Norman. His draft stock should benefit from Alabama’s Dylan Moses returning to school. Top needs: Edge, OG, LB 17. Dallas (8-8) — Grant Delpit, S, LSU, Jr. All-Pro cornerback Byron Jones is an unrestricted free agent after this season and Jerry Jones can’t resign everyone, plus the safety position is in desperate need of an upgrade.

His first two seasons in Baton Rouge, the Jim Thorpe Award winner (nation’s top defensive back) had 134 tackles, 13 tackles for a loss, six interceptions, five sacks and 17 passes defensed.

He’s both a dangerous center fielder and capable blitzer. Top needs: S, DT, TE 18. Miami from Pittsburgh (88) — D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia, Jr. The Dolphins backfield has been a mess all year. A quarterback (Ryan Fitzpatrick) led them in rushing yards (243) and rushing touchdowns (four) while a wide receiver (Albert Wilson) had their longest rush from scrimmage (28 yards). Swift is a shifty back able to bounce it outside or handle the rigors of running between the tackles.

He’s also a weapon out of the backfield (he has 56 receptions and four touchdowns the last two seasons). Top needs: QB, OT, Edge 19. Las Vegas from Chicago

(8-8) — C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida, Jr. The Raiders are still in need of a long-term solution at cornerback despite spending significant draft and free-agent capital on the position in recent seasons. It’s nitpicking to say Henderson is a shy tackler in the run game. Shutdown corners aren’t charged with shutting down running backs. They’re supposed to shutdown wide receivers and Henderson has no problem doing that. Top needs: WR, LB, CB 20. Jacksonville from L.A. Rams (9-7) — Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama, Sr. The Jaguars will seek a replacement for All-Pro Jalen Ramsey (Tre Herndon certainly isn’t). Diggs (Stefon’s little brother) is still raw, but he features prototypical size (6-foot-2, 205 pounds) and elite athleticism. Top needs: DT, WR, CB 21. Philadelphia (9-7) — Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson, Jr. The Eagles wide receiver corps is in shambles. The inconsistent Nelson Agholor faces free agency while DeSean Jackson isn’t getting any younger (or healthier). Higgins is a big-play machine with elite size (6-foot-4, 200 pounds) and speed. He has an “above the rim” mentality as a former basketball player and would be a steal this low in the first round.

Top needs: WR, CB, LB 22. Tennessee (9-7) — Yetur Gross-Matos, Edge, Penn St., Jr. The Titans find a runningmate to pair with Harold Landry. Gross-Matos needs to add some strength to his frame, but he’s a gifted pass rusher with elite athleticism and a nose for the ball. Top needs: Edge, LB, RB 23. Buffalo (10-6) — Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado, Jr. An offense featuring Josh Allen, Devin Singletary and Shenault could get really creative. His size (6-foot-2, 225 pounds), speed (he could run a sub-4.4 40 at the combine) and nose for the end zone (he has 10 receiving and seven rushing touchdowns the past two seasons) could catapult him into the top-15 discussion. Top needs: WR, OG, Edge 24. Minnesota (10-6) — Paulson Adebo, CB, Stanford, Jr. Trae Waynes is an unrestricted free agent after this season and something is clearly wrong with Xavier Rhodes. Adebo is a physical ball-hawk who fits the Vikings style to a tee. Top needs:

CB, OG, DT 25. Miami from Houston (106) — Jedrick Wills, OL, Alabama, Jr. The Dolphins raid the SEC for an entire new offense, addressing quarterback (Tagovailoa), running back (Swift) and the offensive line with their three first-round selections. Wills is a powerful tackle who is versatile enough to play guard and has shown some serious growth this season. He’s only allowed one quarterback pressure in his last five games, according to Pro Football Focus. Top needs: QB, OT, Edge 26. Seattle (11-5) — K’Lavon Chaisson, Edge, LSU, Soph.

The Seahawks need an edge rusher who can take advantage of Jadeveon Clowney’s presence, assuming he resigns.

Chaisson features one of the highest upsides at any position in this draft class. He’s a natural speed rusher who is capable of dropping into coverage and can be an asset in defending the run.

The one knock is his durability.

Top needs: Edge, OG, DB 27. New England (12-4) — Curtis Weaver, Edge, Boise State, Jr. Jamie Collins has resuscitated his career and will surely test free agency. The Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year is a productive pass rusher (34 sacks in three seasons for the Broncos) who has also shown the ability to drop and play in space.

Top needs: OL, TE, Edge 28. Kansas City (12-4) — Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia, Sr. Kendall Fuller is an unrestricted free agent after this season. Hall led the nation in passes defensed his junior year with 21 (a testament to his elite ball skills), but missed most of this season with an ankle injury. Top needs: CB, RB, OL 29. Green Bay (13-3) — Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU, Jr. The Packers wide receiver corps has been a disappointment this season outside of Davante Adams. Reagor is one of the most impressive athletes at any position in this draft class.

He’s special with the ball in his hands. Top needs: WR, LB, DL 30. New Orleans (13-3) — Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama, Jr. Cornerback Eli Apple is a liability. McKinney is an elite athlete with prototypical size (6-1, 200) who can play every position in the defensive backfield.

Top needs: WR, LB, CB

sent when hunters enter stores filled with massive stocks of deer feed even though proprietors know full well it is illegal to bait or feed deer in NY. Now a distinct label must be posted on feed marketed to attract deer advising them of its illegal use in the state.

A key reason for the current change to deer feeding regulations as stated in DEC’s Regulatory Impact Statement, was that enforcement of the prior feeding prohibition was

neutralized a legal precedent set by the Sullivan County Supreme Court.

That case struck down the old reg causing law enforcement officers to be confronted by local justices who refused to consider deer feeding cases based on the prior Sullivan County court decision. This prompted DEC to promulgate a regulation they feel will withstand legal challenges.

The only effective feeding regulation ECOs had to work

with until the current adoption, prohibited the placement of any substance to attract or entice deer to feed within 300 feet of a public highway. Now, that can be enforced in concert with the new general deer feeding prohibition.

If you would like further details of the changes, the full text of the new regulation is on the DEC website.

Happy New Year and Happy Hunting, Fishing and Trapping until next time.

NEWS AND NOTES Save the Date: February 15, 2020 The Catskill Mountain F&G Club/Stony Clove F&G Club Youth Ice Fishing Derby The date for this event is scheduled for Saturday, February 15; ice conditions permitting.

Sign-in begins at 9 a.m. with youth fishing from 10 a.m.noon. There will be prizes for all kids attending, plus

refreshments will be available.

For more information call Bob Monteleone at 518-488-0240.

Remember to report poaching violations by calling 1-844-DEC-ECOS. You can share any comments with our sports desk at sports@registerstar.com *If you have a fishing or hunting report, photo, or event you would like to be considered for publication, you can send it to: huntfishreport@gmail.com

German had a breakout start to the 2019 season. He went 18-4 with a 4.05 ERA last season before being moved to the bullpen. The Yankees were planning to use him in a piggyback situation with Sabathia

down the stretch of the season and into the playoffs when he was suspended.

He could fit in to the backend of the Yankees rotation now or fill a valuable swing role in the bullpen. The

Yankees have already fortified their rotation by adding the best arm available in Gerrit Cole and are expecting to have a healthy Luis Severino to anchor a rotation that also has Masahiro Tanaka and James

Paxton. The Yankees also have J.A. Happ, coming off a disappointing first year of a twoyear, $34 million deal. The Yankees have been looking to move Happ and the $17 million he is owed next season,

because they also have lefty Jordan Montgomery expected back to full strength after 2018 Tommy John surgery and prospects Deivi Garcia and Michael King pushing their way into the picture.

Gettleman claimed on WFAN without qualification that he’d be receptive to relinquishing control of personnel moves if it meant it would help the Giants win a Super Bowl.

It remains to be seen if that’s genuinely possible.

Richard’s contract with Dallas is up, so he was free to interview with the Giants even though Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has yet to decide on head coach Jason Garrett’s fate.

Richard interviewed for three NFL head coaching vacancies this time last year: the Jets, Dolphins and Buccaneers. The Giants’ first question for Richard on Thursday should have been: ‘Why can’t we score on your defense?’

Pat Shurmur’s Giants went 0-4 against the Cowboys in two years and averaged 16

points per game in three of the losses. They scored 35 in Week 17 of last season, but Dallas rested or limited key players on both sides of the ball.

Richard’s Cowboys pass defense ranked 13th in the NFL in 2018 and 10th this year.

Richard is better known, however, for helping to develop the Seattle Seahawks’ famous “Legion of Boom” secondary that included Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor, Brandon Browner and Byron Maxwell.

Richard spent eight seasons (2010-17) in Seattle. He was the defensive backs coach when the Seahawks went to back-to-back Super Bowls, winning one, in the 2013-14 seasons.

Richard’s 2013 secondary was one of the most dominant in NFL history. The Seahawks

ranked first in the NFL in passing defense (172 yards per game), interceptions (28) and opposing quarterback passer rating (63.4).

He was then promoted to defensive coordinator for three seasons before leaving for Dallas.

In Richard’s first season as coordinator in 2015, Seattle led the NFL in scoring defense for the fourth consecutive season, becoming the first defense in the Super Bowl era to accomplish the feat. The unit led the league by allowing just 81.5 rushing yards a game and a franchise-record low 1,304 yards.

Richard, originally from Los Angeles, played four years in the league as a defensive back: three for the Seahawks, who drafted him 85th overall in the third round of the 2002 draft

out of USC, and one for the 49ers.

Gettleman said the Giants are in no rush to find their coach; they simply want to find the best one.

“It’s not about who gets there first,” Gettleman said.

“It’s about getting it right. And that’s what we’re really focused on.”

So it will be interesting to see if the Giants wait long enough to interview Garrett if the Cowboys wait to let him go on the day his contract expires, Jan. 14.

But right now the only true candidates are those coming in for interviews. And McCarthy, the former Super Bowl champion with a 125-77-2 (.618) career regular season record, is next.

Two important Gettleman exchanges from his Thursday

radio tour: 1. Gettleman told WFAN host Joe Benigno, a wellknown Jets fan, that he wanted to know how Benigno felt when the Giants acquired Leonard Williams. He was clearly expecting Benigno to be disappointed the Jets traded Williams. He was wrong.

“Dave. I’ll buy you dinner, Dave,” the WFAN host said, adding he was tired of Williams almost getting to the quarterback.

Gettleman laughed and responded: “Ya know what? He who laughs last.”

2. On ESPN, Gettleman said that he was not responsible for Shurmur’s firing as coach.

Gettleman said that decision came “from above,” a.k.a. ownership.

CMYK

Saturday - Sunday, January 4-5, 2020 - B7

COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA

Bride’s request brings back painful memories Dear Abby, I am a 37-year-old man who is getting married for the first time. My fiancee, “Holly,” and I went to middle school and high school together, but never really got to know each other until DEAR ABBY a few years ago. I love her more than words can describe, and I’m happy to be getting ready to spend my life with her.

Growing up, I was socially awkward, partly due to having Asperger’s, which made me a target for bullies.

Holly and I are now choosing our wedding party. My sister will be one of her bridesmaids. Holly is an only child, so she doesn’t have a brother who could be one of my groomsmen. She has expressed that she would like her cousin “Gerald” to be one of my groomsmen, so someone from her family is in our wedding party.

The problem is, Gerald was my main tormentor from eighth grade all through high school.

At one point in 10th grade, his cruelty led to my attempting suicide. I carry the scar from the attempt on my right wrist.

I understand that people change and mature as they grow older, and I’m OK with Gerald attending the wedding. But the idea of him standing next to me on the biggest day of my life triggers too many awful memories. How can I plead this to Holly without hurting her feelings or looking shallow and petty?

Nervous Groom-To-Be

JEANNE PHILLIPS

Shallow and petty? The scar on your wrist is visible, but clearly there are others, equally painful, that are not. I don’t think it would come across as either shallow or petty if you explain to your

fiancee why you prefer Gerald not be at the altar with you. This is something Holly should have been made aware of before the two of you set a wedding date. Do it now.

Dear Abby, I’ve been an alcoholic since I was 21. I was married for 19 years. I was selfish toward my wife and my daughter. Since then, I have learned many hard lessons that could have been avoided if only I had never drunk.

I have apologized to my ex-wife for my actions. I was never violent, but I embarrassed her and my daughter with behavior that I’m ashamed of. After our divorce, I made a few more mistakes and finally sought help. I’m in a Christian-based rehab program and have chosen to follow this path for the rest of my life.

Over the last six months I have sent texts and a few letters to my daughter, hoping for an acknowledgment or some dialogue, to no avail.

Since being at rehab, I’ve written her about my feelings and some small talk, always ending my letter telling her she’s the love of my heart, and I miss her. Is there anything else I can do?

Hoping And Praying In Nashville Yes, there is one more thing you can do. Because she may consider your words nothing but lip service, make an attempt to visit her so she can SEE the change in you. Accept that damage has been done, and you cannot alter the past. Continue living your life on the path you have chosen and pray that, with time, your daughter will recognize that you have turned your life around and let you back in to hers.

This murder mystery is not likely lurking in your refrigerator We watch a murder mystery show on TV. The detective finds any number of dead people who have been poisoned by almond and cherry pits.

I drink almond milk several times a day. Am I in any danger?

Stone fruit pits (the kernels inside the stone) contain the TO YOUR substance amygdalin, which the GOOD HEALTH body converts after consumption into hydrogen cyanide. Hydrogen cyanide is indeed poisonous. It has been a favorite of mystery authors for many years.

However, there is not a large amount of amygdalin in peach or plum kernels, apple seeds nor bitter almonds. Regular sweet almonds, from which almond milk is made, have almost none.

Cherry pits contain a fair bit more. The amount you’d have to consume would be large. Not only that, but people almost never get sick from these because they generally don’t swallow the pits.

Nefarious villains in crime novels (or on TV) will crush large numbers of these pits or kernels and give this to their unsuspecting victims.

You need not worry. Almond milk has almost no amygdalin. Even swallowing a few fruit pits by accident won’t cause problems. But never swallow chewed or crushed pits or kernels.

DR. KEITH ROACH

About two months ago I was diagnosed with Candida albicans, which appeared as a red rash under my breast. It itches and burns. I saw two doctors: One treated me with nystatin powder, and the other with a fluconazole pill weekly.

Neither has done much good. Are there any other treatments?

Intertrigo is the name of the skin inflammation that occurs where skin folds over each other. The groin and underarms are common locations, but underneath the breast is very common, especially in women with larger breasts.

Both bacteria and fungus can exacerbate the skin inflammation, and Candida albicans, a type of yeast, is among the most common. Nystatin and fluconazole are both active drugs against Candida.

While addressing the fungus is an important part of treatment, there are other parts that your doctors may not have emphasized. The first is to keep the area as dry and as exposed to air as possible. It’s much more common to see intertrigo in the summer; the moisture from sweat exacerbates skin irritation. After washing the area with a mild soap and water, the skin should be dried thoroughly. A hair dryer with no heat is a good way of drying the area quickly. Using absorbent, breathable fabrics helps a lot. Powders, even nonmedicated ones like talc or cornstarch, will also help when applied daily.

Since the nystatin isn’t helping, you might ask your doctor for a different one, such as ketoconazole or miconazole. These have anti-inflammatory as well as antifungal properties. Severe itching usually responds to mild steroid cream such as hydrocortisone, applied once or twice daily.

Oral fluconazole is powerful medicine. If you don’t get better in 2-4 weeks with all of these treatments, it might be time to confirm the diagnosis, possibly with a culture or even biopsy. Finally, consider getting tested for undiagnosed diabetes, since diabetes predisposes to intertrigo.

Classic Peanuts

Garfield

Blondie

Hagar the Horrible

Zits

Baby Blues

Horoscope

By Stella Wilder Born today, you are destined to be one of the most influential individuals born under your sign, and yet at the same time you are able to fly under the radar better than most and do a great deal — for yourself and others — without attracting very much attention, if any at all. You’re likely to accomplish much in your lifetime that has not been accomplished before, but novelty itself is not the point. Rather, you work toward achieving that which has an impact, which makes a difference, which can change things for the better — and if it’s something entirely new, so be it.

To see what is in store for you tomorrow, find your birthday and read the corresponding paragraph. Let your birthday star be your daily guide.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 5 CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — You are capable of dealing with more than what those around you bring to you, but the search for solutions leads you down an unexpected path.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — The plans you make today will look good on paper, but before you put them in motion, you’re going to have to make significant changes.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) — You may be in a position to approve of someone’s ideas today, but his or her intentions are not something you can trifle with in any sense.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) — You’re going to have to cut through a good deal of ambiguity today before you arrive at what you think a certain message really means.

Family Circus

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) — Any overreaction on your part can make things difficult for those who are trying to go it alone. Be supportive or get out of the way.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) — You are discovering much about yourself at this time that you can put to good use — but today, you may be stumped by someone’s revelation.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) — You’re in for more than you bargained for, perhaps, so be ready to put in a little extra effort — especially as midday gives way to afternoon.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) — You may be very close to making a mistake that is a permanent blot on your very good record. Stop and think about what is at stake right now.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — You are looking for an answer to a puzzle today that is, in fact, right in front of you — but it is in a form that you do not expect.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — The more you try to cover your tracks today, the more others will be onto you at every corner. What you do must be done out in the open.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — You may be invited to join a project that is already underway. Don’t think you’ve missed out on something; think about what lies ahead!

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — You’re sure to have to adjust your plans as you put them in motion today, but you mustn’t lose sight of what you’re really trying to do.

COPYRIGHT 2020 UNITED FEATURE SYNDICATE, INC.

Beetle Bailey

Pearls Before Swine

Dennis the Menace

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COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA

B8 - Saturday - Sunday, January 4-5, 2020 Close to Home

SUPER QUIZ

THAT SCRAMBLED WORD GAME

Unscramble these Jumbles, one letter to each square, to form four ordinary words.

OWSNO UVNEE RAYTAS DUROAN

Get the free JUST JUMBLE app • Follow us on Twitter @PlayJumble

By David L. Hoyt and Jeff Knurek

Yesterday’s

Famous Americans Level 1 2

3

4

Now arrange the circled letters to form the surprise answer, as suggested by the above cartoon.

©2020 Tribune Content Agency, LLC All Rights Reserved.

“

Score 1 point for each correct answer on the Freshman Level, 2 points on the Graduate Level and 3 points on the Ph.D. Level.

” Answers Tuesday (Answers Monday) Jumbles: WORRY HONEY PIGLET GRATIS Answer: The Hoover Dam hydroelectric facility, built in the ’30s, has proven its — STAYING POWER

1/4/20

Solution to Friday’s puzzle

Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9.

For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit

Heart of the City

sudoku.org.uk © 2020 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.

(e.g., “King of Rock and Roll.” Answer: Elvis Presley.)

Freshman level 1. His films include “Annie Hall” and “Manhattan.”

2. Actress, model and singer famous for playing comic “blond bombshell” characters.

3. Comedian who rose to fame playing the alien Mork on the sitcom “Mork & Mindy.”

4. She has been dubbed the “Queen of All Media.”

5. Golfer who ranks second all time in both men’s major championships and PGA Tour wins.

Graduate level 6. She was the Republican Party nominee for vice president in the 2008 election.

7. His life story was the inspiration for the lead character in the film “Citizen Kane.”

8. Business magnate who built the Spruce Goose airplane.

9. This artist’s works include silkscreen paintings of Campbell’s Soup cans.

10. He played 15 seasons in the NBA, winning six championships with the Chicago Bulls.

PH.D. level 11. He became infamous for the biggest doping scandal in cycling history.

12. This quarterback played in nine Super Bowls and won six of them.

13. “Angel of the Battlefield” who organized the American Red Cross.

14. Actor whose wives have included Jennifer Aniston and Angelina Jolie.

15. She rose to fame in the late 1990s as lead singer of the R&B girl group Destiny’s Child.

SUPER QUIZ ANSWERS 1. Woody Allen. 2. Marilyn Monroe. 3. Robin Williams. 4. Oprah Winfrey. 5. Tiger Woods. 6. Sarah Palin. 7. William Randolph Hearst. 8. Howard Hughes. 9. Andy Warhol.

10. Michael Jordan. 11. Lance Armstrong. 12. Tom Brady. 13. Clara Barton. 14. Brad Pitt.

15. Beyonce.

24 to 30 points — congratulations, doctor; 18 to 23 points — honors graduate; 13 to 17 points — you’re plenty smart, but no grind; 5 to 12 points — you really should hit the books harder; 1 point to 4 points — enroll in remedial courses immediately; 0 points — who reads the questions to you?

Mutts Dilbert

Pickles For Better or For Worse

Get Fuzzy

Hi & Lois

Crossword Puzzle Mother Goose & Grimm ACROSS 1 Conclusion 4 Follow as a result of 9 Use a sieve 13 Rich soil 15 __ for; desire strongly 16 Qualified 17 Actress Turner 18 Wild Australian dog 19 Chicken __; paltry amount of money 20 Precursor 22 Bladed tools 23 __ down; reclines 24 Deface 26 Destructive insects 29 Most highly seasoned 34 Seawater 35 Texas or Idaho 36 Compete 37 Pitcher’s goals 38 Nuts 39 __ processor; computer job 40 Family card game 41 __ out; escapes in a parachute 42 Furniture wood 43 Awful 45 NASCAR drivers 46 Actor Robinson’s initials 47 Corridor 48 Part of the alphabet 51 Attacker 56 Steel’s main component 57 Barbies & Cabbage Patch Kids 58 “__ Window”; James Stewart thriller 6O Ready to be picked 61 Martini garnish 62 Apiece 63 Ran fast 64 On the __; in a helpless position 65 Fight result, for short DOWN 1 Building wing, often

Bound & Gagged

Created by Jacqueline E. Mathews

2 Flood survivor 3 Carvey or Delany 4 Singer Gormé & others 5 German refusals 6 Warbled 7 Egg on 8 Hugeness 9 African expedition 10 Mountain goat 11 Escape 12 Kennedy & Cruz 14 Miami team 21 __ one’s time; wait 25 Part of a blackjack 26 Approximately 27 Dried fruit 28 __-miss; haphazard 29 Swiped 30 Cookware items 31 Escape detection by 32 Stringed instrument 33 In __; weeping 35 Dirt 38 __ retriever; friendly dog

1/4/20

Friday’s Puzzle Solved

Non Sequitur

©2020 Tribune Content Agency, LLC All Rights Reserved.

39 Announce; make known 41 “__ Sky Country”; nickname for Montana 42 __ off; cancel 44 __ in; brought under control 45 Elevates

1/4/20

47 Bisect 48 Evergreens 49 Tight hold 50 Remain optimistic 52 Fly alone 53 Undergarment 54 __ as a pin 55 Carpet nail 59 Sorority letter

Rubes

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The March sisters of “Little Women” are played by, from left, Emma Watson (Meg), Florence Pugh (Amy), Saoirse Ronan (Jo) and Eliza Scanlen (Beth). Wilson Webb/Columbia Pictures

‘Little Women’:

This movie is BIG

By A.O. SCOTT New York Times

‘LITTLE WOMEN’

“Christmas won’t be Christmas without any presents.” That’s the first sentence of “Little Women,” and I’m happy to say that in this gloomy holiday season — when so much of humanity has earned Krampus or coal — the new movie version of Louisa May Alcott’s novel comes as an absolute gift.

A whole stocking full, really. Written and directed by Greta Gerwig, this “Little Women” — the latest of many adaptations — embraces its source material with eager enthusiasm rather than timid reverence. It is faithful enough to satisfy the book’s passionate devotees, who will recognize the work of a kindred spirit, while standing on its own as an independent and inventive piece of contemporary popular culture. Without resorting to self-conscious anachronism or fussy antiquarianism, Gerwig has fashioned a story that feels at once entirely true to its 19th-century origins and utterly modern.

Some of that freshness comes from the cast, a cornucopia of effervescent young talent ballasted by a handful of doughty oldtimers. There is also an exuberance — an appetite for clothes, books, baked goods and adventure — that effortlessly links then to now. At the center of the hullabaloo, as she was in Gerwig’s “Lady Bird,” is Saoirse Ronan. She plays Jo March, the second oldest of four sisters living in Concord, Massachusetts, during and after the Civil War. The foursome varies by temperament and talent, inviting a mix-and-match game of identification and infatuation. The oldest, Meg (Emma Watson) is theatrical and responsible; Beth (Eliza Scanlen), the youngest, is musical and sweet. Amy (Florence Pugh) and Jo are in the middle, a painter and a writer who are frequently at odds. Before romance, tragedy and the ordinary pains of growing up complicate matters, they are an inseparable if not always harmonious troupe. Jo writes the plays that the rest of them perform for an audience that includes various toys, their mother (Laura Dern) and Hannah (Jayne Houdyshell), the housekeeper.

But the sisters live mainly to delight (and sometimes to torment) one another. The spectacle of their natural, affectionate, clamorous intimacy is a joy to behold, one we occasionally glimpse through the amused eyes of potential suitors, fond neighbors and a prodigiously judgmental and very wealthy aunt played by Meryl Streep. The girls’ nonjudgmental, nonwealthy father is played by Bob Odenkirk.

CAST: Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh, Emma Watson, Eliza Scanlen, Timothee Chalamet, Laura Dern, Bob Odenkirk, Meryl Streep, Louis Garrel DIRECTOR: Greta Gerwig INDUSTRY RATING: PG, for domestic struggles RUNNING TIME: 2 hours 14 minutes

Rather than starting where Alcott does, during an austere wartime Christmas, Gerwig introduces us to Jo seven years later, an ink-stained scribbler paying a visit to a New York publisher (Tracy Letts). The rest of “Little Women” zigzags between two periods in the lives of Jo and her family. Whereas Alcott traces their fates in a straight line, Gerwig (aided by the deft editing of Nick Houy and the musical stitching of Alexandre Desplat’s score) proceeds by association and recollection. It’s as if the book has been carefully cut apart and reassembled, its signatures sewn back together in an order that produces sparks of surprise and occasional bouts of pleasurable dizziness.

This chronological shuffling jolts the story awake and nudges the viewer to pay close attention. Like any good novelist and every great filmmaker, Gerwig isn’t afraid to let her audience work a little. She trusts our

intelligence and our curiosity, and also her own command of the medium. Reshuffling the plot is a way of making “Little Women” more cinematic without resorting to tricks or gimmicks.

As much as “The Irishman” or “Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood,” this is a film that tackles the mysteries of time. In Gerwig’s hands, the specific magic of the medium — its ability to reorder the sequence of events, to slow down and speed up, to project memory ahead of experience — becomes a tool of philosophical and emotional inquiry. We observe the March sisters becoming who we have always known them to be, and also figuring out, for themselves, who they are.

Their simultaneous comings-of-age take place amid the constraints and opportunities of their time, place, class and gender. The publisher who buys Jo’s sensational tales instructs her that women in fiction must wind up either married or dead, and “Little Women” the movie obeys that imperative, though not in quite the same way that “Little Women” the novel does. Romance arrives in the person of young Teddy Laurence (Timothée Chalamet), the slightly dissolute grandson of a wealthy Concord widower (Chris Cooper).

Laurie, as Jo calls him, seems at times more like a fifth March sister or an untrained puppy than like boyfriend material. He can’t even sit properly in a chair!

Meg, by consensus the prettiest of the four, falls for Laurie’s tutor (James Norton), which means that her wedding vow is also a vow of poverty. The more practical-minded Amy, counseled by Aunt March, grasps the economic implications of marriage. Jo, who catches the eye of both Laurie and a certain Professor Bhaer (Louis Garrel), might prefer not to marry at all. The question of freedom — in particular of a woman’s independence in a society that is both liberal and governed by tradition — is threaded through nearly every scene.

“I’ve been angry every day of my life,” Mrs. March says matter-of-factly, and while “Little Women” is full of silliness and sorrow, sweetness and warmth, it doesn’t minimize or apologize for that anger. Nor does it mock or marginalize the March family’s commitment to social justice, civic responsibility and artistic excellence. All of those were, for Alcott, part of the mainstream of American culture.

Gerwig knows that they still are.

And so is this kind of entertainment: generous, sincere, full of critical intelligence and honest sentiment, self-aware without the slightest hint of cynicism, grounded in the particulars of life and accessible to everyone.

Don’t let the diminutive title fool you. “Little Women” is major. It seems fitting to finish with Alcott’s last sentence: “I can never wish you a greater happiness than this!”

From left, Florence Pugh, Saoirse Ronan and Emma Watson play sisters Amy, Jo and Meg March in “Little Women.” Wilson Webb/Columbia Pictures

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COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA

C2 - Saturday - Sunday, January 4-5, 2020

Travel Participants, both living and doll, join a tug-of-war during a day on which the village recreated what was once an annual sports festival, in Nagoro, Japan, Oct. 6.

In a childless mountain village on an island of Japan, two dozen adults compensate for the absence with the company of hundreds of giant handmade dolls. Nadia Shira Cohen/ New York Times

VILLAGE OF DOLLS After young people left this mountain village, residents create life-size dolls

By MOTOKO RICH New York Times

Finished and unfinished dolls in Nagoro, Japan, on Oct. 7. In a childless mountain village on an island of Japan, two dozen adults compensate for the absence with the company of hundreds of giant handmade dolls. Nadia Shira Cohen/New York Times

We never see children here anymore. I wish there were more children because it would be more cheerful.

So I made the children.”

TSUKIMI AYANO 70-year-old dollmaker

NAGORO, Japan — The last children were born in the remote mountain village of Nagoro 18 years ago.

Now, a little more than two dozen adults live in this outpost straddling a river on the Japanese island of Shikoku. The elementary school closed its doors in 2012, shortly after the last two students completed sixth grade.

But on a recent bright autumn Sunday, Tsukimi Ayano brought the school back to life.

It just so happened that she did it with dolls rather than humans.

Ayano, 70, had arrayed more than 40 handmade dolls in a lifelike tableau on the grounds of the shuttered school. Recreating a school sports day known as “undokai,” a staple of the Japanese calendar, she had posed child-size dolls in a footrace, perched on a swing set and tossing balls.

“We never see children here anymore,” said Ayano, who was born in Nagoro, and has staged an annual doll festival for the last seven years.

“I wish there were more children because it would be more cheerful,” she said. “So I made the children.”

Japan’s population is shrinking and aging, and nowhere is the trend felt more intensively than in its rural regions, where a low birthrate is exacerbated by dwindling employment opportunities and an inconvenient lifestyle.

“There are no chances for young people here,” said Ayano, who remembers when the See DOLLS C6

The Lya River, which runs through the village, is surrounded by mountains covered with cedar on the island of Shikoku in Japan, Oct. 6. The village is down to just over two dozen residents, all of them adults. As the country’s population shrinks and ages, rural areas are emptying out. Nadia Shira Cohen/New York Times

Visitor Yukito Motokawa, 1, stands by a similarly-sized doll that posed as if participating in what was once an annual sports festival day at the the now closed school. Nadia Shira Cohen/New York Times

CMYK

Saturday - Sunday, January 4-5, 2020 - C3

COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA

Food & drink

By DAVE MCINTYRE

La Closerie des Lys Pinot Noir 2017. Photos by Stacy Zarin Goldberg/Washington Post

Charles & Charles Rosé 2018.

J. Lohr South Ridge Syrah 2016.

It has been a wild year here in Washington. The political maelstrom of the Mueller report and impeachment hearings left us dizzy, while sports championships for the Mystics and the Nationals gave us something to cheer. From Nancy Pelosi’s clap to baby shark, 2019 gave us a lot of reasons to drink.

Thankfully, there was plenty of wine.Best of all, there was plenty of inexpensive, delicious wine to delight us throughout the year. Here is our third annual list of the greatest values of the year — a case of 12 wines, each under $20 a bottle, that I awarded the great value label.

Great values perform above their price. A Great Value isn’t necessarily cheap, but you might think it costs more than it does when you taste it.

Choosing just 12 to feature as the year’s greatest values was not easy. I look for a variety of styles, grapes and regions to reflect the diversity of the market and the hard work done by winemakers, importers and retailers. Mostly, I chose wines that excited, surprised and delighted me. Many more could have made this list. Once chosen, I determined the rankings using a simple formula that combines price with my quality rating. So you will see a 2.5-star wine ranked above a 3-star bottle if its price is lower.

12. LA CLOSERIE DES LYS PINOT NOIR 2017 2½ stars Pays d’Oc, France, $17 Wow, this delicious pinot noir seems to defy gravity: Its color, body and flavors leave an impression of weightlessness. There’s no obvious power to this wine, yet its essence reverberates like an echo in the mountains. Absolutely delightful. Alcohol by volume: 13%

GOOD SIPS: These will set you back as little as $10 which give a bold palate of fruit flavors with the bracing acidity and dry finish we expect from a fine rosé. The wine is a partnership of French winemaker Charles Bieler of Bieler Père & Fils and Washington State winemaker Charles Smith, perhaps best known for Kung Fu Girl Riesling. ABV: 12.6%

10. J. LOHR SOUTH RIDGE SYRAH 2016 3 stars Paso Robles, Calif., $16 During a tasting last March in the District of the Rhone Rangers, a group of U.S. wineries that make Rhone Valleystyle wines, the J. Lohr Syrah impressed the audience with its easy-drinking, uncomplicated style and its rich flavors of blueberries and blackberries, buttressed by American oak. But when Steve Lohr, the family-owned winery’s CEO, said it retails for “about $15,” the audience was amazed. This is a terrific value and one to keep on hand for burger night.

ABV: 13.5%

9. FAMILLE BROCARD MARGOTE CHARDONNAY 2017/2018

Lab Rosé 2018.

2½ stars Columbia Valley, Wash., $14 Here’s an all-American, juicy rosé, right down to the flag motif on the label. Don’t think of it just for summer — it has heft to match the heartier foods of winter. The blend is based on syrah and cabernet sauvignon,

Ken Forrester Petit Chenin Blanc 2018/2019.

Barnard Griffin Riesling 2017.

Domaine Antugnac Chardonnay 2018.

11. CHARLES & CHARLES ROSÉ 2018

2. LAROQUE CABERNET FRANC 2017/2018

bargain wines of the year

2½ stars France, $13/$15 Wow. This is simply one of the best chardonnays under $15 I’ve tasted in a long time.

The Brocard family makes wine in Chablis. Sourced from outside the Chablis demarcation, this captures that style without carrying the price. Exquisitely balanced, it’s brimming with flavors of citrus and peach that seem to reach for the sky, and a taut stoniness that keeps it grounded. The importer is now selling the 2018, and the price has gone up because of the U.S.

Famille Brocard Margote Chardonnay 2017/2018.

is “joyful.” The first sip ignites a party. And if your party is outdoors, it comes in cans, too.

Stock up on this for your house red. Alcohol by volume: 13%

12 BEST

Washington Post

tariffs. ABV: 13%

8. LAB ROSÉ 2018 2 stars Lisbon, Portugal; $10 for a bottle, $25 for three-liter box If you’re stocking up for a backyard neighborhood barbecue, look for this charmer in the three-liter box. It’s a steal and is rich in bright red berry fruit and sunny fun. Warning: My bottle seemed to spring a leak, because it sure emptied mighty fast! ABV: 12.5%

7. KEN FORRESTER PETIT CHENIN BLANC 2018/2019 2½ stars Stellenbosch, South Africa, $12 When I recommended this wine in February, I wrote: “Here’s a strategy: Buy a case, then drink one bottle a month and enjoy its evolution. By the time you’re done, the 2019 vintage will be here.” Well, the 2019 is now on sale, and it is every bit as good as previous vintages. Chenin blanc may claim the Loire Valley as its spiritual homeland, but South Africa does it best (at least in its dry version). Ken Forrester is one South Africa’s maestros with this grape. ABV: 13%

6. BARNARD GRIFFIN RIESLING 2017 2½ stars Columbia Valley, Wash., $12 Washington’s Columbia Valley tends to showcase a ripe, fruity profile of riesling. This lovely bottling from Barnard Griffin is exemplary, offering peach and even a hint of mango, with some lime and orange zest to lend tension and keep the wine in balance. Bravo!

ABV: 12.2%

Fiorini Becco Rosso Lambrusco Grasparossa 2017.

5. DOMAINE ANTUGNAC CHARDONNAY 2018 3 stars Haute Vallée de L’Aude, France, $14 We don’t expect to find chardonnay grown in the foothills of the Pyrenees Mountains in the western reaches of Languedoc, but brothers-in-law Christian Collovray and Jean-Luc Terrier are chardonnay experts in the Macon region of Burgundy.

They are among several Burgundian producers who are exploring less expensive land in the south of France in an effort to produce great value wines.

They have succeeded with this beautiful chardonnay, bursting with flavors of fresh fruit and flowers, with a filigree of minerality. ABV: 13%

4. FIORINI BECCO ROSSO LAMBRUSCO GRASPAROSSA 2017 3 stars Italy, $14 This is not your grandmother’s lambrusco, that fizzy, slightly sweet red wine she kept in the refrigerator door for a nip after grandpa went to bed.

This dry sparkling red wine, redolent of dried fruit and wild herbs, is a traditional Italian partner to salumi and is ideal for barbecue and pizza, especially pies featuring pepperoni and sausage. Affirmation that life is, indeed, good. ABV: 11.5%

3 stars Cite de Carcassonne, France, $12/$13 “Wow! Here’s where we need a ‘Run, don’t walk to your wine store’ emoji. This is a bargain-priced red, made entirely of cabernet franc, that combines some Bordeaux style with the freshness and fruitiness of wines from France’s Mediterranean coast. Look for the dark cherry flavors and white pepper spice characteristic of the grape. Open it at least an hour before dinner and serve it slightly chilled.

I was glad I didn’t finish the bottle the first night, because the wine was even better the following evening. One of the best bargain wines I’ve tasted all year.” The distributor is now on the 2018, and you will pay a bit more because of U.S. tariffs, but this is still a fantastic value.

ABV: 13.5%

1. IMPERO COLLECTION PREMIUM PINOT GRIGIO TREBBIANO 2018 2½ stars Terre di Chieti, Italy, $10 This wine greets you with a smile and prompts one at first sip. It’s a lovely inexpensive white, perfect for sipping by itself before dinner or with lighter first courses and salads — a great everyday house white. There are also two reds under the Impero Collection label at the same price, bottled as a private label for the distributor. I hope they made a lot. ABV: 12.5% Three stars: Exceptional Two stars: Excellent One star: Vary good

3. SANTA JULIA TINTILLO MALBEC-BONARDA 2018 3 stars Mendoza, Argentina, $13 If you enjoy your red wines chilled, and jam-packed with fruit rather than laden with wood, here’s one for you. The best word to describe this wine

Impero Collection Premium Pinot Grigio Trebbiano 2018.

Santa Julia Tintillo MalbecBonarda 2018.

Laroque Cabernet Franc 2017/2018.

Modern style roast beef hash is easy to prepare

By LINDA GASSENHEIMER Tribune News Service

HELPFUL HINTS

Busy time? Tasty deli lean roast beef, washed, ready-to-eat salad, reduced-fat dressing and canned premium small white beans make preparing this dinner a breeze.

Make this quick dinner with the help of the deli department. Roast beef, shiitake mushrooms and fresh thyme make a modern version of hash. It takes only 20 minutes to make. The hash keeps well. Make double if you have time.

n Ask deli to cut roast beef in thick

ROAST BEEF HASH 2 teaspoons olive oil ½ pound red potatoes, washed, unpeeled and cut into ½-inch cubes 1 cup sliced red onion ¼ pound shiitake mushrooms, diced (about 2 cups) 2 tablespoons pine nuts 3/4 pound lean roast beef, cut into 1-inch cubes 1 cup canned sweet pimento, drained and sliced 1 tablespoon fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme 2 tablespoons flour 1 cup fat free, no-salt-added chicken broth Salt and freshly ground black pepper Heat oil in a nonstick skillet over high heat. Add potatoes. Saute 5 minutes, tossing potatoes to turn them. Add onion and mushrooms and saute 10 minutes. Toss after 5 minutes. Add pine nuts, roast beef,

slices. It will be easier to make cubes this way. n Any type of canned beans can be used in the salad. n I prefer using fresh herbs, but dried will work well in the recipe. Make sure the bottle is less than six months old.

Countdown: n Preheat oven to 350 degrees to warm bread. n Make hash. n While hash cooks, make salad.

pimentos and thyme and toss for 2 minutes. Push ingredients to the sides of the skillet leaving a hole in the center. Add the flour and then broth and stir until sauce thickens.

Toss with the ingredients. The sauce will lightly bind the hash together.

Add salt and pepper to taste. Remove thyme sprigs and serve.

Yield 2 servings.

Per serving: 535 calories (30% from fat), 17.8 g fat (4.3 g saturated, 7 g monounsaturated), 134 mg cholesterol, 56.8 g protein, 38.3 g carbohydrates, 6.3 g fiber, 190 mg sodium.

WHITE BEAN AND GREEN SALAD ½ bag washed, ready-to-eat mixed salad

Roast beef hash is served with white bean and green salad. Linda Gassenheimer/Tribune News Service

½ cup canned, reduced-sodium navy beans, rinsed and drained 2 tablespoons reduced-fat oil and vinegar salad dressing Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Toss salad and beans with dressing and add salt and pepper to taste.

Yield two servings.

Per serving: 101 calories (14% from fat), 1.5 g fat (0.2 g saturated, 0.4 g monounsaturated), 1 mg cholesterol, 6.2 g protein, 17.2 g carbohydrates, 5.4 g fiber, 17 mg sodium.

CMYK

COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA

C4 - Saturday - Sunday, January 4-5, 2020

Books & authors

C-3PO actor talks ‘The Rise of Skywalker,’ his new memoir and four decades of Star Wars C-3PO would only have a small part in 2015’s “The Force Awakens.” You go on to write, though, that you embraced the character’s role as a “beloved decoration” in that movie and 2017’s “The Last Jedi.” How long did it take you to come around?

A: Within moments. It was just an observation of how amazing it was to be there at all and how amazing it was to actually survive long enough to be in all nine episodes. You gradually notice people passing away around you in the news, and I did used to wonder, “Will I survive long enough to complete this task of being Threepio?” And I’m quite pleased that I have, for all sorts of reasons. To be there with [directors] J.J. Abrams and with Rian Johnson was a joy on the set every day. I would’ve liked to have done more, but there were other people in the story, so it was OK. Threepio is not an easy character to write for, and I understand that.

By THOMAS FLOYD Washington Post

I Am C-3PO: The Inside Story

By Anthony Daniels DK. 272 pp. $25 Anthony Daniels understands, on a factual level, that his journey portraying C-3PO in the Star Wars saga has come to an end with the ninth episode, “The Rise of Skywalker.” Emotionally, however, he’s still coming to grips with the reality that he’ll never again slip into his weathered, gold-plated suit and inhabit the endearingly anxious protocol droid on the big screen.

“It’s going to take a few years for me to think, ‘Oh, there isn’t another “Star Wars” around the corner,’” Daniels says. “In January, I should be working on something much less huge, voicing Threepio in various things, so it hasn’t come to a full stop. But I think it will take a while for me to get perspective.”

Daniels, 73, is the only actor to have appeared in all nine films of the Skywalker saga, which launched with 1977’s “A New Hope.” Although the franchise’s ever-expanding canon could call upon the Englishman to continue voicing C-3PO in streaming series, Disney park attractions and other media, “The Rise of Skywalker” has been billed as the end of the central Star Wars story.

So Daniels figured it was as good a time as any to pen a memoir, titled “I Am C-3PO: The Inside Story.” The book, which hit shelves last month, is a detailed meditation on Daniels’ relationship with Star Wars, from his first conversation with George Lucas, at a London office in November 1975, to his final day on the “Rise of Skywalker” set, late last year.

Earlier this month, Daniels discussed “I Am C-3PO,” “The Rise of Skywalker” and his reflections on four decades of Star Wars.

Q: “I Am C-3PO” is written with a noticeably brisk pace and conversational tone. How did you land on that approach?

A: The whole thing is kind of one long stream, and I’m glad you noticed it. I did choose to write in a rather slim way. I could have put far more flowery sentences or adjectives or adverbs in if I wanted, but I didn’t want to clutter it.

Nobody offered me a ghostwriter, and even if they had, I wouldn’t have wanted it. So it’s very much the way I talk.

Q: Although you emphasize in the memoir that you now have a deep appreciation for Star Wars, you also discuss the more difficult early days.

Q: Abrams, the director of “The Force Awakens” and “The Rise of Skywalker,” and Johnson, the director of “The Last Jedi,” have brought distinctive perspectives to this trilogy. How do you think this final movie reconciles their voices?

A: I enjoyed “The Last Jedi,” but it did leave some loose ends for people.

J.J. somehow has pulled the story, I won’t say back on track, but in a direction that doesn’t feel forced. It’s a remarkable piece of writing. Chris Terrio is the main writer, but J.J. has such a huge intellect and energy, and both of them have such a deep knowledge of Star Wars that they’ve brought something really quite fresh to say.

In particular, you recall how marginalized you felt in the wake of “A New Hope’s” success, when your contributions were downplayed. How did it feel to revisit these aspects of your experience?

A: I looked back at some with absolute pleasure and others with some trepidation and a certain amount of reliving the pain and discomfort that I felt at the time. They were very real events, very real feelings, and emotions that strong tend not to go away. It was only at the end, when I finally read through my finished thoughts and put them in order, that I realized the book is a journey — and I hadn’t intended it to be.

Q: The book also confirms longstanding speculation that “Return of the Jedi” director Richard Marquand struggled to command the set, leading

Lucas to direct much of the film “by proxy.” Why did you want to share your perspective on that situation?

A: Because there has been so much speculation over the years. I am giving my point of view, and hopefully not in an over-elaborated way. Marquand was an unfortunate experience because, really, he should have had the courage to leave the set. It was an uncomfortable situation. He was a man who was clearly out of his depth with responsibility for other people. I didn’t put this in the book, but I remember hearing Harrison Ford was reportedly amazed, and in fact rather angry, to hear that Marquand claimed to have helped him with his performance of Han Solo, and that’s just ridiculous.

Q: You also recall your initial disappointment when you realized

Q: As Abrams writes in the forward to “I Am C-3PO,” you may be “the least recognizable superstar on the planet.” What has it meant to be such an influential part of the Star Wars phenomenon?

A: I’m hearing more and more people telling me how Threepio helped them in their childhood to feel that they had a friend. It’s amazing to think that this work had a greater efficacy than just being entertainment. It has helped people who didn’t find life that easy, who realized that Threepio was kind of like them, too, because he was always bullied or put down. He has been a source of comfort. To me, that has been a bit of a gift, which I didn’t expect.

Floyd is a freelance journalist who writes about arts and entertainment for The Washington Post. He previously was the entertainment editor at Washington Post Express.

Scholars have dismissed debutante balls, but ‘The Season’ digs in to its strange, fascinating history

By LUCY TIVEN Washington Post

The Season: A Social History of the Debutante

By Kristen Richardson W.W. Norton. 288 pp. $26.95 Tracing the debutante ritual from the court of King Henry VIII to the present-day United States, Kristen Richardson’s gossipy social history, “The Season,” is a dizzying tour of aristocracy and its discontents.

Based partly on accounts preserved in debutantes’ journals and letters, the book’s premise is rooted in the idea that debutante balls have been unfairly dismissed by scholars as part of an institutional failure to seriously consider the inner lives of young women. But you might call “The Season” a personal history, as well. Richardson comes from a long line of debutantes and although she chose not to make her own debut, she had plenty of friends from boarding school who did. Her book intersperses historical research, analysis and reportage with personal reflection, some of it critical of her ancestors, including the founders of Colonial Williamsburg, who “began an unbroken chain of daughters who acted as vessels for their fathers’ property, allowing the family to make key alliances that have

sustained us, through ups and downs, for the four centuries we have been in America.”

Early chapters look broadly at the economy of marriage

and the emergent social sphere of the ballroom in the United States before the Civil War. As Richardson explains, the formalization of social life in

18th-century British assemblies — precursors to the “deb ball” — paradoxically created a more fluid society. Governed by rigid behavioral codes, assemblies were a rare venue where class lines could blur, and where manners were so highly prized they could occasionally even stand in for wealth.

Richardson has an eye for the strange and fascinating details of historical courtship. She describes raucous afternoon teas called “kettledrums” during the Gilded Age, a peculiar and loud practice involving the clinking and exchange of spoons.

She also explains the “code of flowers” young debutantes used to signal their popularity: “Debutantes would carry bouquets they received from men during their morning walks, effectively displaying their success,” Richardson writes. “Some girls would carry as many as eighteen bouquets at a time.” Upper-class bachelors had similar ways of proving their worth with collections of paintings called “miniatures” — portraits that noblemen sent of their marriageable daughters. “For a male socialite who did not marry, a collection of paintings of young women shows an achievement beyond any made by a man finding a wife.”

Richardson writes sharply

and with greatest wit and enthusiasm of the debutante ritual’s importance in the society page. The rise of popular media elevates “celebutante” Brenda Frazier to fame, without whom Richardson argues there would be “no Paris Hilton or Kim Kardashian.”

Frazier’s reputation was tarnished after she was photographed dunking a doughnut into her coffee (Emily Post weighed in, proclaiming the act completely acceptable, but to no avail). And yet, despite being regarded by the establishment as “a particularly fast kind of nouveau riche,” her debut was a major event; among the 2,000 attendees were Condé Nast, Henry Luce, actor Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and “scads of Vanderbilts.”

But for all the colorful descriptions, Richardson falls short when it comes to articulating precisely why debutantes matter and what we should take away from piecemeal anecdotes of their experiences. Part of the problem is a lack of focus. Though it is loosely chronological, the book lacks the central organizing mechanism of a distinct argument.

Meanwhile, Richardson’s frequent autobiographical detours account for some of the book’s uneven texture and preoccupation with frivolity.

NOTEWORTHY PAPERBACKS Summaries from The New York Times Book Review:

THE LIFE OF SAUL BELLOW: LOVE AND STRIFE, 1965-2005

By Zachary Leader. (Vintage, $22.)

This second volume of Leader’s biography begins with Bellow’s ascent to best-sellerdom with “Herzog,” balancing discussions of the author’s work and personal life. In The New York Times Book Review, Mark Greif called it “brilliantly calibrated to explore Bellow’s own central theme as a novelist: the conflict between solitary genius and the constraints of community.”

THE SHADES

By Evgenia Citkowitz.

(Norton, $15.95.) In this debut novel a British woman retreats from her husband after the death of their daughter to a country home. There, a mysterious young woman appears and insinuates herself into the household. Times reviewer Dylan Landis called the book “thrilling,” praising Citkowitz’s “cool and crystalline prose.”

A CERTAIN JUSTICE

By P.D. James. (Vintage, $16.)

In this 10th of James’ novels about Adam Dalgliesh, the Scotland Yard detective investigates the murder of a woman criminal attorney and is pulled into a web of brutal crimes old and new.

The novelist, who died in 2014, called Dalgliesh “something more than just a policeman, you see, a complex and sensitive human being.”

GRAND IMPROVISATION: AMERICA CONFRONTS THE BRITISH SUPERPOWER, 19451957

By Derek Leebaert. (Picador, $22.)

Rather than fading from the international scene after World War II, the United Kingdom influenced and propped up an uncertain United States, Leebaert argues in this re-envisioning of the postwar historical consensus. Leebaert “draws impressively on many original sources,” Harold Evans wrote in The Times.

NEW SELECTED POEMS

By Thom Gunn. Edited by Clive Wilmer. (Farrar, Straus & Giroux, $17.)

This collection of the British poet’s work ranges across his whole career, including poems on nature, animals, friendship, drugs, literature, sex, love, the AIDS crisis and death. An introduction and notes by the poet and translator Wilmer, who was Gunn’s friend, add historical and biographical context.

THE MAIDS

By Junichiro Tanizaki. Translated by Michael P. Cronin. (New Directions, $15.95.) This newly translated final novel by the revered Japanese author of “The Makioka Sisters” presents a series of portraits of the maids who worked for the affluent household of a writer named Chikura. Moving briskly from 1937 through 1961, the narrative offers a window into changing Japanese society and women’s evolving roles.

CMYK

Saturday, January 4, 2020 C5

COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA

Puzzles Last week’s puzzle answers

Answers on C6

Answers on C6

Answers Next Week

Goren bridge WITH BOB JONES ©2019 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

USING WHAT YOU KNOW Neither vulnerable, West deals NORTH ♠K9 ♥ A764 ♦ K953 ♣ K 10 2 WEST ♠AQJ2 ♥ K985 ♦ QJ2 ♣93

EAST ♠ 10 7 3 ♥ J32 ♦ 10 7 ♣Q7654 SOUTH ♠8654 ♥ Q 10 ♦ A864 ♣AJ8

The bidding:

WEST NORTH 1♣* Pass Pass 3NT *“May be short”

EAST SOUTH Pass 1NT All pass

Opening lead: Nine of ♣ Most players would open the West hand one diamond. Some players, however, like to have a four-card suit when they open one diamond, and they will open one club instead when they have this precise distribution.

ACBL laws required, until recently, that such players announce that their

Horoscope opening “may be short.” They might have any number of clubs, but they must announce this possibility. A bid of one no trump in the pass-out seat shows 11-14 points and was the correct action by South.

The opening lead made it look like West had, indeed, opened on a twocard suit. That meant that his original distribution was 4-4-3-2. How could declarer take advantage of that knowledge? He won the opening club lead with his jack and led a spade to dummy’s king. West was sure to have the ace from the auction. He continued with another spade. West won with his jack and cashed two more spades before exiting with his last club.

South won with his ace and led a club to dummy’s king. West, as expected, showed out and discarded a heart. South now cashed the ace and king of diamonds. He led a third round of diamonds, which West was sure to win. The diamonds were known to be splitting 3-2 with West having three. West was forced to lead a heart away from his king. South let it run to his queen and claimed his contract. Very well played!

(Bob Jones welcomes readers’ responses sent in care of this paper. Please send your e-mail responses to tcaeditors@tribpub.com)

By Stella Wilder Born today, you are destined to be one of the most influential individuals born under your sign, and yet at the same time you are able to fly under the radar better than most and do a great deal — for yourself and others — without attracting very much attention, if any at all.

This can give you a certain key advantage in all manner of endeavors, for there are certainly times in which going unnoticed will allow you to achieve much while risking very little.

You’re likely to accomplish much in your lifetime that has not been accomplished before, but novelty itself is not the point. Rather, you work toward achieving that which has an impact, which makes a difference, which can change things for the better — and if it’s something entirely new, so be it.

Also born on this date are: Julia Ormond, actress; Michael Stipe, singer; Dyan Cannon, actress; Don Shula, football coach; Jane Wyman, actress; Sterling Holloway, actor; Charles “General Tom Thumb” Stratton, circus performer.

To see what is in store for you tomorrow, find your birthday and read the corresponding paragraph. Let your birthday star be your daily guide.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 5 CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — You are capable of dealing with more than what those around you bring to you, but the search for solutions leads you down an unexpected path.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — The plans you make today will look good on paper, but before you put them in motion, you’re going to have to make significant changes.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) — You may be in a position to approve of someone’s ideas today, but his or her

intentions are not something you can trifle with in any sense.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) — You’re going to have to cut through a good deal of ambiguity today before you arrive at what you think a certain message really means.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) — Any overreaction on your part can make things difficult for those who are trying to go it alone. Be supportive or get out of the way.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) — You are discovering much about yourself at this time that you can put to good use — but today, you may be stumped by someone’s revelation.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) — You’re in for more than you bargained for, perhaps, so be ready to put in a little extra effort — especially as midday gives way to afternoon.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) — You may be very close to making a mistake that is a permanent blot on your very good record. Stop and think about what is at stake right now.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — You are looking for an answer to a puzzle today that is, in fact, right in front of you — but it is in a form that you do not expect.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — The more you try to cover your tracks today, the more others will be onto you at every corner. What you do must be done out in the open.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — You may be invited to join a project that is already underway. Don’t think you’ve missed out on something; think about what lies ahead!

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — You’re sure to have to adjust your plans as you put them in motion today, but you mustn’t lose sight of what you’re really trying to do.

COPYRIGHT 2020 UNITED FEATURE SYNDICATE, INC.

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C6 - Saturday - Sunday, January 4-5, 2020

Dolls From C2

village had a medical clinic, a pachinko gambling parlor and a diner. Now, Nagoro does not have even one shop. “They can’t make a living.”

Some 350 dolls made by Ayano and her friends outnumber the human residents by more than 10-to-1.

All around Nagoro, she has staged the dolls — made of wood and wire frames, stuffed with newspapers and dressed in old clothes donated from across Japan — in various scenes evoking the real people who once populated the village.

An old woman tends a roadside grave, while another rests in a wheelchair. Construction workers smoke cigarettes on break while others wait at the bus stop. A father pulls a wagon full of children. A mischief maker shakes chestnuts from a tree.

Inside the school, dolls loiter on the stairwells or sit at desks in front of teachers giving eternal lessons. Ayano has a playful touch, giving many of her dolls an impish mien. The overall effect, of a town dominated by dolls, is not as eerie as it might initially sound.

“I don’t think it’s creepy,” said Fanny Raynaud, 38, a nurse from France who was traveling through Japan on a motorcycle with her husband, Chris Monnon, 55. They stopped in Nagoro after reading about the dolls on a travel blog.

“I think it is a beautiful way to make the village alive again,” Raynaud said.

Another visitor scrawled a more pointed message on a chalkboard in one of the school’s classrooms: “Where are the living?”

Nagoro, which sits in what is known as the Iya Valley surrounded by vast mountainsides blanketed by cedar trees, was never a big place. Even when Ayano was a child, the population was only about 300. Shikoku is by far the smallest and least populated of Japan’s four main islands.

During the 1950s and ‘60s, the region was fueled by forestry, road construction and dam building for hydroelectric plants.

Once the dams were built, many people left. Those who stayed operate their own pumps to bring water to grow their own vegetables.

To get to a supermarket or the nearest hospital, Nagoro’s residents drive an hour and a half along narrow, winding roads.

“You have to really like mountain living,” said Tatsuya Matsuura, who at 38 is the youngest resident of Nagoro.

“I think a lot of people would have trouble living here.”

Matsuura is the third generation of his family to operate a guesthouse for hikers on Mount Tsurugi, about 6 miles up the road from Nagoro.

Three years ago, as business dwindled to nothing, the family shut down a general store and inn in Nagoro.

“If we continue on the path we have taken for the last 10 or 20 years, rural areas will continue to shrink and people will continue to concentrate in the cities,” said Hiroya Masuda, a professor at the University of

Life-sized dolls posed as scarecrows. Nadia Shira Cohen/New York Times

Shinobu Ogura, who also helps make the village’s life-size figures, poses dolls for the recreation of a school sports festival day that used to be held annually in Nagoro, Japan, Oct. 5, 2019.

Nadia Shira Cohen/The New York Times

A tourist imitates the doll next to her at the community center in Nagoro, Japan, Oct. 5. Nadia Shira Cohen/New York Times

Tokyo and a former governor of Iwate, in northern Japan. “Many communities will eventually vanish.”

Nagoro is one of several hamlets consolidated into a municipal area where more than 40% of the residents are 65 or older.

Even with child care subsidies, discounted medical bills and housing support, the area has little luck attracting new residents or luring back adults who were born in the region.

The local government merged several schools together and spent more than $8 million on a spacious new set of buildings. Just 38 students are enrolled in the entire school.

Most students travel to bigger towns for high school, and leave the region altogether for college or work.

“We want them to choose the life they want,” said Hiromi Mukai, principal of Higashi-Iya Elementary and Middle School. “It is unavoidable.”

Ayano, the eldest of four siblings, moved out of Nagoro at age 12 when her father took a job at a food company in Osaka, Japan’s third-largest city. She met and married her husband and raised two children with him there.

After retiring, her father returned to Nagoro to help take care of his ailing father-in-law and to nurse his wife through kidney failure.

Sixteen years ago, Ayano returned to the village to look after her father, 90, and Nagoro’s oldest resident.

In the field in front of their home, she planted a few radish and pea seeds. Birds dug them out, so she made a scarecrow, fashioning it in her father’s likeness.

“It looked like a real human, not a conventional scarecrow,” Ayano said. “That is why it really worked.”

She added three or four dolls in the shape of women weeding the field and others on the side of the road.

When a few travelers passing through asked some of the dolls for directions, Ayano was so amused that she started making them full time.

She now gives occasional doll-making lessons in a

nearby town or to visitors to her studio, set up in the village’s old nursery school.

On a recent afternoon, Ayano showed a group of women who had driven 60 miles from Tosa City how to create an angry or benevolent expression by angling fabric in different directions to make eyebrows.

Extra stitching could denote cheekbones or the creases of age.

Sometimes she takes custom orders from around Japan. A doctor whose wife died of cancer asked for two replicas of his spouse, one to keep in the living room and another for his bedroom.

Ayano keeps a doll modeled after her grandmother in the passenger seat of her car.

When driving the hour and a half to the grocery store, she

said, “I’m never lonely.”

The day before the recreated sports festival at the old school, Ayano staged various scenes with the help of a group of college volunteers, as well as a few other villagers and her sister and brotherin-law, who had come from Kyushu in southern Japan.

Up until dark, Ayano meticulously stitched arms, hair and clothing into place. After an overnight rain, she was up before dawn, refreshing her work.

By the time the festival opened, the sun emerged.

Residents set up food stalls serving soba noodles, fried potatoes and octopus balls.

Osamu Tsuzuki, 73, the owner of a local construction firm, gave a welcoming speech. “On behalf of staff, villagers and more than 300 dolls,” he said, “we have all been waiting for you.”

A few children showed up

from nearby towns or were visiting grandparents.

During a tug of war, people joined dolls whose hands Ayano had sewn to the rope.

There were not enough human children, so competitors in their 80s gave it their all. After a footrace, Hiroyuki Yamamoto, 82, a resident of a nursing home down the mountain, stroked the cheek of a doll in one of the running lanes.

“She is so cute,” said Yamamoto, a retired road maintenance worker. “I wanted to talk to her.”

Kayoko Motokawa, 67, grandmother of a toddler who resembled a doll himself, said it was sad that Nagoro was now known for dolls rather than its people.

“If these were real humans,” said Motokawa, taking in the festivities, “this would be a truly happy place.”

Tsukimi Ayano, 70, stands near some of her dolls in Nagoro, Japan, Oct. 6. Ayano and her friends have made some 350 life-size dolls, made of wood and wire frames, stuffed with newspapers and dressed in old clothes donated from across Japan, in various scenes evoking the real people who once populated their village. Nadia Shira Cohen/New York Times