Once again, you didn’t let us down.
And neither did Schoharie County.
The 2024 Times-Journal Star drew a record number of nominations and like it’s been for the past 33 years, it was hard to pick just one winner.
As we head into 2025, there’s no better time to remember there’s nothing we can’t do together with stars like these.
In addition to our Star, outgoing T-J Publisher Jim Poole, the 2024 nominees were:
--Kathy Venette, who “exempflies all that it means to be a wonderful neighbor. She has always been a selfless, thoughtful person who is always putting others before herself.”
--Sal Liardo and the Pizza Shack crew, “the backbone of the community. Main Street would not be the same without them.”
--Matt Chichello, “for going above and beyond as Cobleskill Outlet to help me spend my first Christmas in my new home.
--Tom Nigro, whose Park Theatre is a staple of the community.
--Rosemarie Keller, for leading and encouraging and involving the entire communnity in December to Remember.
--Bruce Tryon, for wearing so many hats and being a hard-working, community-minded visionary.
--Kevin Berner, a “leader in the community and a force to be reckoned with” especially a president of the Jefferson Historical Society.
“Schoharie County is very lucky to have a man as resourceful, energetic and knowledgeable as Kevin Berner.”
--Bob Holt, for an endless list of contributions that include his historical photos, work with the Historic Review Commission, and the Schoharie Valley Singers.
--Kim Witkowski, for her work creating The Gathering Place.
“I am 87 and attend the Center at least twice a week for some activity, whether it be a lesson, craft, or exercise.
“If I did not take advantage of her time, generosity, and knowledge, I would probably stay home, do nothing, and just grow old.”
--The late Fred VanValkenburg, longtime Summit Highway employee. “Always willing to lend a hand where needed. Always smiling. Taken too soon.”
--Patsy Nicosia, “for her tireless reporting and coverage of all things Schoharie County…sometimes under extreme conditions.”
--Dave DeSando, who’s dedicated his retirement to distributing Narcan boxes throughout Scoharie County and offering Narcan training classes to anyone who requests them.
--Nick Juried, whose name “stands out as a contributor, supporter, benefactor, and hero to the entire county.”
--Diane Stewart and Richard Roland, “longtime Middleburgh volunteers for their church, the library, Best House, and Joshua Project.”
--The Bevins Family—Shawn, Ann, and Terrance, for their volunteer work at the Landis Arboretum.
--Emily Driscoll, who shares her passion for coffee throughout the county with her mobile coffee trailer, Hardscrabble Coffee.
--Darlene Patterson, a dedicated member of the Schoharie Promotional Association and a force for all it does.
--Lisa Tenneson, who’s “influence is felt both personally and professionally, making her a cornerstone of the Middleburgh community and beyond.”
--Ruth Anne Wilkinson, the driving force behind Schoharie’s fall and spring antique shows and now, the Schoharie Mercantile artisans’ space.
--Pat Costello, who, with the Joshua Project “Have consistently shown their dedication to helping those in need.”
--Beth Mowry, whose Awen Center “provides a welcoming space for groups and individuals to come together to recharge, learn, and enhance their wellness and creativity while fostering sustainability.”