Views From The Hil 29 Views From The Hil 29

Instead of "man"

Cartoonist Hilary Allison adores your comments and can also be reached at hilaryallison@activist.cc.

IMPORTANT PUBLIC MEETING 5/28/2008 IMPORTANT PUBLIC MEETING 5/28/2008

Overview and Discussion of the Washington County Economic Development Strategic Plan

WHEN: Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 7 PM
WHERE: Beacon Feed Building, Board Room (Behind Hubbard Hall in Cambridge, NY)

Washington County recently completed an economic development strategic plan. The Board of Trustees of the Village of Cambridge has invited Mark Galough, Executive Director of the Local Development Corporation and Director, Washington Co. Dept. of Planning & Community Development, to speak about the plan at this forum open to the public.

The strategic plan can be downloaded from the County website at the following address: www.co.washington.ny.us/PDF/Eco_dev_Strg.pdf

A detailed review of County resources, demographics, employment trends, infrastructure, and commercial sectors is included in the plan. Five target sectors including Manufacturing, Retail/Commercial, Agriculture, Mining and Tourism are reviewed in detail to assess their growth potential. Finance, Insurance, and Real Estate (FIRE), Public Administration, and Transportation & Utilities are also noted as significant sectors in the County.


Supporting sound economic growth through cooperative marketing

A Note from the TVOBV - This plan impacts all businesses not just those in Cambridge. The TVOBV encourages all businesses to consider joining in this presentation and learn more about the plan and how it can grow your business.

For further information contact
Chris Callahan, Village of Cambridge, Trustee
Cambridge Village Offices
518 677 2622

Photographer's Log Photographer's Log

Photo by June Mohan

Spring Tilling In Buskirk

This photo was taken on Route 59A in Buskirk, N.Y. near the end of last autumn, I believe. It is my hope to go back to photograph it again this week to see if it has yet been tilled for planting.

Each spring and autumn the Cambridge Valley Hills are a patchwork of harvested fields of corn, which leave amazing tracings of the contours of the very earth itself. This particular field reminds me of a sand crab’s eye view of beach sand through which some child has pulled his sand rake as he was walking along beside his mom or dad. I hope this photo pleases you as it does me.

You will soon be able to see more of June’s work and the work of other local artists at 50 East Gallery.

Views From The Hil 28 Views From The Hil 28

Far Side Buzz

Cartoonist Hilary Allison adores your comments and can also be reached at hilaryallison@activist.cc.

Public Service Announcment Public Service Announcment

Cambridge Cooks: Grilled Pizza with Salmon Cambridge Cooks: Grilled Pizza with Salmon

Photos: Debra Pearlman

GRILLED PIZZA with SMOKED SALMON

It's grilling season, so clean-up the grill and try this over the Memorial Day Weekend.

WHAT YOU NEED:
1 lb. pizza dough
¼ cup fresh chives, snipped
½ cup crème fraiche
½ large red onion, thinly sliced
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp. kosher or sea salt
4 oz. smoked salmon (lox), sliced paper thin
2 tbsp. chopped fresh dill
Freshly ground pepper
Flour and cornmeal for dusting
Vegetable oil, for grill

WHAT YOU DO:
1. Have the pizza dough covered and ready to roll out or toss. In a small bow, combine the chives and crème fraiche. Set aside.

2. In a medium bowl, mix the red onion with the olive oil, salt and a few grinds of pepper. Set aside.

3. Remove the salmon from the refrigerator, separate the slices, and arrange on a plate ready for topping the pizza. Have the dill in a small bowl ready for garnishing.

4. Heat grill to hot for a charcoal grill or medium high (high on central burner) for a gas grill. Have all your pizza toppings set out next to the grill. Flour a pizza paddle or baking sheet.

5. Flatten the dough on a heavily floured work surface, using a cornmeal and flour mixture to prevent sticking. Using a rolling pin, make a pizza 12-13” in diameter. Dough should be ¼” thick. An odd shape circle gives it a nice rustic look.

6. Using your hands, quickly lift and transfer the pizza to paddle or baking sheet.

7. Brush grill with a generous amount of oil and then slide the dough onto the enter of the grill. Immediately cover the grill. Grill until a crust and light marks appear, 1-2 minutes.
8. Using a paddle or large spatula, flip pizza.

9. With a spoon, dollop the crème fraiche mixture onto charred side. Layer onions on top of mixture and grill on a covered grill until nicely browned and crisp at the edges, about 7 minutes. (check after 3 minutes, if pizza is browning too quickly, move toa cooler part of the grill).

10. Arrange the slices of lox over the onions and garnish with dill. Bake 1 minute.

11. Remove pizza with paddle and transfer toa cutting board. Slice and eat immediately.

This recipe comes from my niece-in-law, Sarah, who says, “This pizza is pretty easy to make, especially if you use a pre-made dough from the grocery store. It's a basic grilled pizza recipe and you can substitute any toppings you like for the crème fraiche and salmon. The secret is to keep an eye on the grill.

Cambridge Life 5/16/08 Cambridge Life 5/16/08

Photos by John Carlson and June Mohan)

Ever wonder what is going on with your teenager? To find out what is in, what is out, and what just doesn't matter I've asked Cambridge resident Molly King to give us the skinny on what's happenin' on the teen scene. Here's what she tells me:

WHAT'S HOT AND WHAT'S NOT: SPRING 2008

HOT-
Afternoons
Ironman (new fantasy, Robert Downey Jr. single-handedly solving the world's energy crisis all dirty in a cave in the middle of nowhere with basically nothing, if only. . . )
"Paper Planes" by M.I.A. (invest in it immediately if you haven't already, you will probably enjoy it)
Flip Flops (eternally)
Retro, oversized sunglasses (your welcome, world)
Senioritis
Double Parking
Papier Mache

NOT-
Your mom!!!
Terroristic threats and coercion
Chill Zones (thank god, but they are still delicious)

If you understand what she's talking about, you must be one hip dude! Personally, I am going to check out the Paper Planes by M.I.A. (whoever that is).

Just a reminder that everyone in the community is invited over to the Cambridge Freight Yard on Saturday to help paint the exterior of the Lovejoy Freight building. I've been told that it will be lots of fun!

This Sunday, May 18th, will be the first "unofficial" farmer's market in Cambridge. Hours are from 10 am - 2 pm. It will probably be a good time to get starter tomatoes and other goodies for your garden.

Even with out of sight gas prices, life keeps on keeping on here in Cambridge, NY.

Views From The Hil 27 Views From The Hil 27

Cartoonist Hilary Allison adores your comments and can also be reached at hilaryallison@activist.cc.

Photographer's Log Photographer's Log

It has been more than one year since we purchased the former Cambridge Florist Building on the corner of East Main and South Park Streets in Cambridge, NY. Our plan had been to open it last June, but unexpected renovations had to be made and are yet in progress as I type this. The changes are going to be quite lovely, creating a re-birthed structure in Cambridge that will serve citizens and visitors.


Photos by June Mohan

It is our hope to have 50 East Gallery open by mid-summer. The inside renovations are nearly over and we can finally say we can see the light at the end of a very long tunnel. Sculptures, paintings, weaving, jewelry, films, photographs, woodworking, metalworking, poetry, prose, stained glass, blown glass, pottery, on and on.........oh, what a diversity of beauty and thought provoking work there shall be to choose. I can't wait to exhibit the talents of those who call this beautiful part of New York State "home".

It is just so wonderful to finally have interior rooms which will be lovely spaces to display art of all kinds. Completed exterior painting and landscaping will probably have to wait until next spring.


Photos by June Mohan

The photos we are posting on the Cambridge Buzz show some of the renovation and restoration as it took place.

For those interested, we have begun interviewing Artists and Craftsmen in varied media and levels. We are also searching for talent for our "Entertainment Nights", needing musicians, and varied entertainers for lively, fun evenings at 50 East Gallery. If you, or someone you know, would like to try to exhibit your work or entertain, please call us at 518-686-0366 for an appointment.

Cambridge Life 5/9/08 Cambridge Life 5/9/08

Photos by John Carlson and June Mohan)

Weekend Happenings in Cambridge, NY:
1. Saturday, May 10, is the annual Mother's Day Clean-up
2. Saturday night Hubbard Hall presents an Evening of Jazz with local resident Bruce Williamson and Art Lande - tickets still available
3.Sunday is Mother's Day - you can find wonderful gift ideas for the Mom in your life at one of our many local shops.

The Cambridge Buzz received an interesting email that I'd like to share with all our readers.

Dear Cambridge Buzz,

What can you tell us about the railroad tracks that link Cambridge to neighboring towns? I've heard that a passenger train once ran between Salem and Cambridge. Why did it stop? The tracks are there.... The freight trains are there (so the tracks can't be in terrible shape).... So why has the public transportation niche remained empty? I would expect plenty of enthusiasm for a local passenger train! - Salem Reader


Photos courtesy of the Community Partnership

A train ran, run by NE Rail and the Battenkill Rambler, ran for 2 years from 1999-2001. The Battenkill Rambler was a not for profit linear museum with two passenger cars. Due to the high cost of running the train it stopped.

Additionally, there is a portion of track in Shushan that is not qualified for passenger traffic – this is being address now. Unfortunately, there was not a lot of demand for the passenger scenic train – for a variety of reasons. The terrain is not as attractive as other nearby scenic passenger trains, it was run by volunteers, the engine and fuel was rented from NE Rail and each trip cost approximately $1,000 per run – meaning that a minimum of 100 passengers, at $10 a ticket, had to ride just to cover costs – per day.

The train did have wonderful ride and dine packages with the Cambridge Hotel and Fort Salem Theater – which were successful (though the trip was long), the Salem Chamber of Commerce did an amazing Christmas and Halloween train – meaning that on specialty occasions the train did well, but alas this was not enough to support the ongoing costs to run and maintain the train cars.


Photos courtesy of the Community Partnership

The good news is there is a group of organizations including the Salem Chamber of Commence, the Community Partnership and the Towns and Villages of the Battenkill Valley who are eager to get the train moving again. The area has more service than it did 10 years ago, and a focused effort to bring tourism to the area is underway. So it is possible now with a larger broader community involved that the Battenkill Rambler could once again make a go of it.

However, all of this is contingent on the tracks in Shushan becoming compliant for passenger traffic and some serious fundraising to get the passenger cars up to code and fix some vandalism that occurred while they sat stationary.

If any of the our readers have questions about the area's history, send them to Debra Pearlman and I'll try and get you an answer.

Views From The Hil 26 Views From The Hil 26

Cartoonist Hilary Allison adores your comments and can also be reached at hilaryallison@activist.cc.

Cambridge Cooks: Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Cambridge Cooks: Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

Photos: Debra Pearlman

This recipe comes via my niece and her mother. I'm told that Gretchen's crust is "to die for." Of course, you can use store bought crust, but nothing tastes like homemade!

STRAWBERRY RHUBARB PIE

WHAT YOU NEED:

2 Pie Crusts (see recipe below)
1 pint strawberries (approx. 2.5 cups)
2-3 stalks of rhubarb (approx. 2 cups)
1/3 cup flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1.5 cups white sugar

WHAT YOU DO:

1. Wash and slice strawberries and rhubarb to make 4-5 cups of filling

2. Combine dry ingredients and then stir into strawberry and rhubarb mixture. Let this get juicy while you make the crust.

3. Pour the juicy filling goodness into bottom pie crust and cover with the thop crust. Make sure to cut a slit in it, to vent the pie.

4. Cover the edges with foil to keep them from getting too brown.

5. Bake at 425 degrees for 40-50 minutes.

6. Let the pie cool a bit before eating, as this will allow the insides to create a nice gel.


HOMEMADE PIE CRUST - A LA GRETCHEN or MOM'S PIE CRUST

WHAT YOU NEED: (One Crust - double recipe for 2 crusts)

1 cup + 2 Tbsp. all purpose flour
1/2 cup Crisco shortening
1/2 tsp salt
2 Tbsp water (approximately)

WHAT YOU DO:

1. Combine flour and salt. Cut up Crisco into about 2 tbsp. globs/clumps/slices, reserve about 1-2 tbsp. of above to add if you need the right texture.

2. Cut shortening into flour mixture, until you get pea sized lumps. NOTE: if you have a course meal texture, add the remaining shortening a little at a time (.5-1 tbsp).

Once you get the clumping pea texture, add water 1-2 Tbsp at a time, stirring with a fork. You want it just moist enough so that it starts to stick together and form a large lump.

3. Roll out on a floured pastry cloth (half the dough if you made a batch for 2 crusts). Once you have it to the approximate size of your pie plate (it should be larger as it will need to fit down into the pie plate), roll the pastry over the rolling pin by lifting pastry cloth and draping pastry over pin as you roll backwards.

4. Slide onto pie plate and push down into shape. Trim edges if a lot is hanging over and add remaining dough to second crust. I use slightly more than half for the bottom crust as it is larger.

5. Fill pie with filling

6. Repeat step 3 and place onto of filling

7. Crimp sides of 2 crusts together.

NOTE: I find that the secret to working with any pastry dough is to work quickly so the dough does not get too sticky or warm.

Cambridge Life 5/2/08 Cambridge Life 5/2/08

Photos by John Carlson and June Mohan

This has been a week of change in Cambridge, NY. Sunday was beautifully springlike and sunny and now we are back in the freezer. I turned my heat off and am loath to turn the furnace back on, what with heating oil going for over $4 a gallon. Which leads me to comment on the big excitement on Main Street this past Tuesday evening. Fire trucks blocked the driveway of my good friend KT's house...but don't worry, it was just her need for heat and a furnace that decided that it wanted a smoke instead. No harm, no foul just a scary moment. I know some folks were annoyed by the "traffic jam" this created (and I was a contributing factor in that), but neighbors check on neighbors here in Cambridge, NY and I needed to be sure that all was well with my friends.

We are heading into farmers' market season. Look for the Cambridge Farmers' Market to be up and running for Memorial Day weekend (Sunday, May 25). Checkout the Hubbard Hall website for upcoming events, performances and class schedules.

Upcoming Events:

May 3 & 4 - The 16th Annual Washington County FiberTour

May 3 & 4 - Battenkill Chorale performance at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Greenwich

May 9 - Cabaret Night at the Cambridge Hotel

May 10 - Mother's Day Beautification Day

May 11 - Mother's Day Brunch at the Cambridge Hotel

For more information on upcoming events check out the Towns and Villages of the Battenkill Valley website and click on the Calender button.

Have a great week Cambridge!

Public Service Announcment Public Service Announcment

PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING ON MAIN STREET (NYS Route 372) PEDESTRIAN AND PARKING IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT

VILLAGE OF CAMBRIDGE-- A Public Information Meeting will be held on Thursday, May 8, 2008 from 7-9 P.M. in the Municipal Building/Fire House at 11 West Main Street, Cambridge, NY 12816. Members of the public, particularly residents and business owners along Main Street, are invited and encouraged to attend. Engineers from the firm Barton & Loguidice, PC will present the proposed improvements and seek public input on anticipated plans to make incremental safety improvements to five intersections along Main Street and along an approximately half mile of Main Street (NYS Route 372) in the Village of Cambridge. In addition to improving intersections in this area, plans call for installing parking delineations, cross walks, curbs, traffic calming measures and American with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant sidewalks and ramps.

The project, funded through a NYS Department of Transportation/Federal Highway Administration grant, focuses on making safety improvements to the intersection of Main and North/South Union Street-including the construction of curb bulb-outs, sidewalk improvements and crosswalks. The project also proposes to make parking, intersection and pedestrian improvements along the approximately half-mile stretch from O'Hearn's Pharmacy to Washington/Grove Street. Intersection improvement slated for this stretch of Main Street include Memorial Drive, Pearl/St Luke's Place, Broad Street, and Washington/Grove Streets.

This Village effort builds off of, and further promotes the plans described in the highly participatory 2004-2005 Main and Park Street Visualization Project, which outlined street design concepts for Main and Park Street-including improvements related to intersection design, traffic calming options, crosswalks, sidewalks, and streetscape enhancements. Under this 2004-2005 Visualization Project, public workshops and design charettes were held to gather public input and ideas to inform the current proposed design concepts.

It is anticipated that construction of the 2008 Intersection, Pedestrian and Parking Improvements will be made in the late Summer/early Fall of 2008. Questions can be addressed to the Village of Cambridge Office by calling 677-2622.

If individuals are unable to attend the public hearing, they can submit written comments to the Village Board (at the Village Offices at 56 North Park St. or via PO Box 271, Cambridge, NY 12816) for receipt by Monday, May 12, 2008.