Blogger to Wordpress

I have moved this Blog to my own domain using Wordpress replacing Blogger.

Please visit me at www.mikeargiros.com

Be a Partner of Hancock

I am proud to be a partner with so many who share the interest of fostering and promoting the economic and social growth of the Greater Hancock, New York area. As an outgrowth of this desire the Hancock Partners Inc. was formed and is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Since its formation in 2003, the Hancock Partners has helped as a focal point for its members to share ideas and to carryout community based projects. I invite any and all to be part of the revitalization of Hancock. The only requirement for membership is a desire to help.

The Partners have successfully participated in and completed many projects and have many more either under way or in the wings waiting to be started. In order to accomplish this, we need your support.

The Hancock Partners have currently launched their Spring Appeal asking for donations. In addition, this year they are holding a 50-50 style raffle only 50 tickets being sold. There will be three (3) chances to win. 2nd and 3rd place prizes are $500 each and the first place prize is $1,500. That's $2,500 in total prizes. The cost per ticket is $100 and can be purchased as an individual or join other partners and team up on a ticket! The proceeds from this raffle will be added to the Spring Appeal and put toward the various projects that are designed to promote the economic and social growth of Hancock.



Please be a partner and support the Spring Appeal either by a direct contribution through the Hancock Partners web site or by purchasing a ticket.

If you would like to participate in the raffle, either as an individual or in partnership with others, tickets are available through:

- Jerry DaBrescia - at the office of the Hancock Partners.

- Russell Bass - Hancock House Hotel,

- Chris Gross - Upper Delaware Real Estate,

- Mike Argiros - The Family Foundation School

All contact information is available through the hot links associated with those selling Tickets.

Thank you for your support. --

Mike Argiros
Proud Partner of Hancock

Friends, Family, God & Star Trek - We have it all!

Today, Sunday - Mother's Day - My Family and I were able to connect with friends at Church (Hancock has several offerings in the way of worship). Following the service, we met with many more friends and family at the Boy Scout Sponsored Pancake & Egg Breakfast at the White Birch Air Field just outside of the Village of Hancock. For Lunch my children and I went for a short hike around the mountain (where they will NOT be building the NYRI Power line), and finally we went back into the village of Hancock to see the new release of Star Trek at Capra Cinemas - an absolutely awesome movie with action, humor and fun for all.

All this - Total driving time all trips combined under an hour - and no traffic!

Eagle Scout - a leader for tommorow

“The Boy Scouts of America is one of the nation’s largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations.”
The highest rank of Scouting is the Eagle Scout which requires among many other challenges, the successful completion of the Eagle Leadership Project. As the name suggests, the purpose of the Eagle Project is to demonstrate leadership. A good Eagle project gives the Scout an opportunity to demonstrate the leadership skills that he developed during his career as a Scout. . In this case, John Wenk, a member of Hancock’s Troop 74, is hosting a Pancake & Egg Breakfast fundraiser to fund his project to erect a Flag Pole in a nearby community center. John planned the fundraiser event, solicited contributions, promoted the event, and coordinated the volunteers from not only his troop but also Troop 174, Hancock’s sister troop centered at The Family Foundation School, just South of Hancock. John is pictured here serving coffee and greeting his guests.

Scouting - The Big Apple

Hancock NY - Boy Scout Troop 74 and Cub Scout Pack 75 took a joint day trip to see a piece of the "Big Apple" today. We spent this beautiful day as a Troop and a Pack visiting the Bronx Zoo. What a great opportunity to share with friends! I again want to say how lucky I feel to live in this community. The closeness of a country community with easy access to some of the world’s greatest attractions. Stay tuned for some of the upcoming Scouting activities coming over the next few months.

RE: Organic Farming near US

Below is an article I received about a local Organic farm. I thought I would spread the word.

Mountain Dell Farm – 607-467-4034 (Roods Creek Hancock NY)

NYRI - To be or not to be? Not we hope!

Well - NYRI may be close to death but since they worded their actions as only "suspending" rather then withdrawing their application we all need to be attentive.

Here is their letter to the Judge.

NYRI - Dead or Dying - Hancock Binghamton The Delaware River Safe

“Wonders of Wonders – Miracles of Miracles” (fiddler on the roof) or as Senator Charles E. Schumer said in a comment to news reporters – “Ding Dong the Witch is dead” (Wizard of Oz) – I am referring to NYRI’s withdrawal of the application to build the 190 mile power line through Hancock NY.

We were just gearing up to deliver our message of how this project would be devastating to Hancock and The Family Foundation School when we heard the Good News!

Here are some links for you plus a message from the STOP NYRI folks:

Wall Street Journal

Times Herald Record

Communities against Regional Interconnect

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Here's what you can do today:

Step outside your door and take a look at the sky near your home and around your property.
It seems like there won't be any power lines blocking your view (at least for now) !


Remember: this was the second time these guys have tried to push this through, so there's no guarantee they're gone for good. Always remain vigilant and active.



Here are some key places to look for information and leadership on the issue:

http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090403/NEWS/90403040

http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=786868

http://www.caricoalition.org/

http://stopthepowerlines.com/

http://www.radiofreehamilton.com/powerline_update.html



http://www.nyri.info/info.htm



http://www.udpc.net/

NYRI - A real threat to our town

On April 28th the Public Service Commission (PSC) along with members of the Communities Against Regional Interconnect (CARI) and administrative Law Judges will be stopping by Hancock and in particular stopping to see The Family Foundation School. They wish to see the sites in our area that will be impacted by the construction of the NYRI power lines.

In opposition to the NYRI project New York State has on its side - the nonprofit group - CARI which is spearheading the fight. I share this information so that any readers can, if so inclined, lend their aid to CARI in anyway possible. You need to know that the consequence to Hancock and to Delaware County will be devastating if NYRI get to build their power lines through this area.

One of the potential casualties could be The Family Foundation School which employs 120 Full time employees and if closed, 200 struggling teens currently on a therapeutic path toward a productive life will loose their opportunity to attend the North East’s leading Therapeutic Boarding School. Please help prevent this with your support of CARI.

What a View

I was clearing out some files on my computer and I came across this picture which I wanted to share.

What a view of the East Branch of the Delaware River! It was taken during a recent hike of the Hancock Pack 75 Cub Scouts. There are many places locally where an adventurer could find beautiful views and opportunities to enjoy nature.

Baseball - Yankees & Mets

Baseball! Here in Hancock we are only a few hours away from New York City where we can see the Yankees and / or the Mets play. Also, we are only 1 hour away from Binghamton NY where the Mets AAA team plays or we can go an hour to Scranton PA where we can watch the Yankee AAA team play. So baseball is a main stay in our small town culture. The picture here is A-rod playing in 2008 in the old Yankee stadium. This year we hope to be able to get to a game in the new stadium.

March "In like a Lion..."

March 2009 is proving to be very much in line with the adage "in like a Lion..." -- Today's weather is 33° rain/snow very windy. All around the country there have been massive spring snow storms, floods, tornadoes etc. However in the midst of all this, we were blessed by a visit of three lovely ducks who took a respite in our backyard pond. I hope the rest of the expression "...out like a lamb" is true.

Boy scouting

Living here in Hancock NY has been great for my children. Tonight I am particularly pleased with the fact that my sons are able to participate in a small group of scouts learning all sorts of hands-on skills and how to socialize in healthy and productive ways. John, 13 yrs old, just returned from a field trip to Great Wolf Lodge where he had a great time and worked on his swimming skills.

The Hancock Troop (#74) is one of the most active troops in the Otschodela district , which has its HQ in Oneonta NY - serving Delaware, Otsego and Schoharie Counties in upstate New York.

Hancock New York, located at the foothills of the Catskill Mountains in Delaware County New York, is a beautiful place to live. We get the best of all seasons in my opinion. Here is an example of the diversity and proximity of activities in the Catskills.

Now is Springtime, the beginning of the growing season for the gardeners and the beginning of golf season for us golfers. We have fresh air, beautiful views, the Delaware River, and lots of open space to enjoy nature. How fortunate we are.

Hancock - A Town, A Comunity, A Home

Hancock New York - Gateway to the Upper Delaware river and where the "Delaware Scenic Byway" (NY Route 97) begins. It's a community on the move toward a new and wonderful future.

In this Blog - I hope to serve as a spark that will get people communicating about the gifts of living in Hancock and the surrounding area (Delaware County NY).

To start off the conversation - Hancock is located where the head waters of the East and West branches of the Delaware River meet to form the full body of the river. They merge in a unique way creating an Island Mountain called Point Mountain. The Indian name for Hancock is Chehocton meaning "The wedding of the waters"

To anyone interested - please share your comments on the benefits of life in Hancock, its history or the Hancock community - Anything about Hancock - A great place to Live! ( http://www.hancocknewyork.com/ )