WEST WINFIELD STAR
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Curiosities of Columbia
by Donna Rubin, Town Historian High on a hillside overlooking Little Lake Unadilla lie the remains of the sheep farm of John Henry House (18571924), once a successful and respected member of the Millers Mills community. Descendant of the earliest area settlers, John Henry had many other titles: Sunday school superintendent, charter Grange member, chairman of the Board of Assessors, district school clerk, and MURDERER. For nearly a century locals have been fascinated by the rumors of what happened on “Highview Sheep Farm.� Five wives and several housekeepers each had a story to tell, of divorce, death in childbirth, and a suspicious suicide, but it would be the tale of the fifth wife that would lead to John Henry’s undoing. When he hung himself in the Herkimer County jail in 1924 he was survived by a son and three daughters, and many of their descendants live in this area today. Next October a full account of John Henry’s life will be presented at the Richfield Historical Association Museum, just in time for Halloween! If your curiosity’s been awakened, watch for a date to be announced.
Note from Gene: John-Henry House is my great-grandfather. Mark your calendar, you don’t want to miss this presentation.
Christ Uniting Provides Health Kits Worldwide
WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 2017
Scouts Attend Camporee at West Point By Aida Betancourt
Carrying their gear, nine Boy Scouts from Richfield Springs participated in one of the nation’s largest camporees in West Point Richfield Springs Boy Scouts Troop 14 earned a spot to participate in the 55th Annual West Point Invitational Scout Camporee, one of the largest in the nation with over 6,500 scouts. Troop 14’s weekend of April 28-30 was packed with graded events such as first aid, knot tying, drills, fire building, wilderness survival, ranger challenge, one-rope bridge, fitness challenge, weapons knowledge, search and rescue, amongst others...all for which our Troop 14 prepared extensively throughout the five months prior to
Camporee. Each of our scouts prepared themselves with everything they needed for surviving a weekend-food, personal cooking materials, clothing, sleeping bag, flashlights, etc...and were ready for this weekend of adventure that started with a 3-mile hike from the parking lot to the campsite. Undoubtedly, an experience they’ll all remember and one that they will continue to talk about. Our Scouts were happy and very excited to have been selected and participated of this great opportunity!
Vets Club Flowers and Garden Club Springing into Action After what seemed an endless winter, the Garden Club Hosts Cornhole Shrubs Need of Richfield Springs hit the ground running. As soon as the Tournament: a New Home snow melted, and the weather allowed, our community Tell your gardener friends flower boxes and planting areas were cleared and prepped May 20 that all plants growing for planting by Barb Crandall.
Members of the Church of Christ Uniting’s Christian Fellowship and Service Guild in Richfield Springs recently completed their health kit project for Church World Services. Church members donated items for the kits consist ing of basic hygiene needs such as tooth brushes, bars of soap, wash cloths, combs and bandages. Church World Services is a faith-based organization transforming communities around the globe through just and sustainable responses to hunger, poverty, displacement and disaster. Church World Services is just one of the many nonprofits the Guild supports either through its fundraising initiatives or in conjunction with the support of the church. For more information about the Church of Christ Uniting in Richfield Springs visit www.rschurchofchristuniting .com
It is time to tune your tossing technique for the BAGGO (CORNHOLE) Tournament with cash prizes on May 20. Boy Scout Troop 14 of Richfield Springs brings you this 1st Annual event. Come on out and play, eat + drink. Adult and youth teams are welcome as are spectators. Early registration is encouraged by calling Scott Kessler 315.794.1516. Registration from 900 - 1100 AM on Saturday, May 20 and tourney begins at 1100 AM. The Vets Club is located at 13 Lake Street in Richfield Springs. Cost to play is $20 per player (includes meal) or $10 for play only. Spectators may enjoy the meal of pig roast potatoes and salad for $15. Water/soda for $1.
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along creek wall at Overlook Park in Gilbertsville need a new home. The Village Improvement Society of Gilbertsville plans to maintain the area as grass with ornamental trees. Everything that is there now has to go. Daffodils, daylilies, irises, hostas and lots of peonies, amongst more assorted plants.
Our April dinner meeting took place at PK’s Pub in Herkimer with 18 club members attending. We enjoyed home baked cakes for desserts courtesy of Diane Jouben and Barb Crandall. The C Club’s Annual Plant Sale Fundraiser will be June 3 on the lawn he Richfield Springs Public Library from 900 AM to 200 PM. In addition to annuals, perennials and herbs, there will be home baked goods, hand crafted item raffles and a burickobrack boutique table. We look forward to seeing and greeting community members and friends from other garden clubs at the plant sale.