Naval Officer From Worcester, NY Selected For Hall of Fame

The New York Senate created a Veterans' Hall of Fame in order to honor and recognize outstanding veterans from our state who have distinguished themselves both in military and civilian life. One of the 53 veterans inducted for 2021 is from the 51st senate district - Worcester (Otsego County) and was selected by the district's senator, Peter Oberacker.

Yesterday, the announcement was made from Oberacker's office that Richard Scheiner, a Navy veteran who served as a member of the Naval Seabees from July 1979 to December 1994 would be inducted in the Veterans' Hall. During Scheiner's 15 years of military service, he received three Southwest Asia Service Medals, a Kuwait Liberation Medal, two Navy Achievement Medals, a Humanitarian Service Medal, three Good Conduct Medals, and a Navy Expedition Medal. Add to those achievements two Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbons, three Sea Service Deployment Ribbons and various campaign, service, and unit awards.

Not only was he an exemplary military member but he has also shown his leadership skills with a variety of service positions held in his Schenevus, NY community. He held the position of Master of the Schenevus Valley Masonic Lodge 592 at one time and he has also served as Grand Director of Ceremonies for the New York State Grandlodge.

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Scheiner has held leadership positions in his church, the Schenevus Episcopal Church where he has been treasurer, senior acolyte, and lay leader. In addition, Scheiner has held leadership positions with the Order of the Eastern Star and Rebekah Lodge, taking part in various public service projects.

There is no doubt that Scheiner is deserving of this honor from the New York Senate considering his dedication while in military uniform and as a community member.

The Senate Veterans’ Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held virtually starting at 12:00 pm today due to COVID-19 concerns. To get a link to the event, visit Senator Oberacker’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/Peter4Senate51.

You can learn more about Richard Scheiner and all of the other inductees at www.nysenate.gov/honoring-our-veterans.

13 Upstate Food Favorites You Can't Buy Outside of New York State

Upstate New York is the home to many fantastic food favorites. Mention sponge candy to somebody 100 miles outside Buffalo and you are probably going to get a blank stare. Mention a Michigan hot dog to anybody not from around Plattsburgh. Same stare. So here is a list of 13 regional food icons that you cannot buy outside of the empire State.

I will add this asterisk. You certainly can buy some of these items online, like the Saratoga Peppermint Pigs. Perhaps the Stix and Sauce item is known by another name somewhere in the country. Salt potatoes may have gravitated elsewhere but if so nobody knows where they started. And Grandma Brown. Well, you can buy that sweet lady's baked beans on eBay. But for the most part you would have to walk into a store or restaurant in Upstate New York to enjoy these "regional" fan favorite foods.

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There are many old pubic buildings in Upstate New York that, after they served their original purposes, have been magically transformed for newer uses. An old train caboose is now an Airbnb overnight suite. A steamship coal tower is now a scenic restaurant. An early vintage firehouse is now a popular bar and book shop in the Hudson Valley. A 1940s Chevrolet car dealership showroom is a popular Rochester coffee shop. Take a look at some of these magical transformations! It just goes to show you that everything old (can be) is new again!

Source: Decorated Naval Officer From Worcester Selected For New York’s Veterans’ Hall of Fame