Hot Copy

By Cathy DeDe, Chronicle Managing Editor

Sign of hope! With a surge of optimism (however guarded, due to Covid), comes the return of The Chronicle’s annual list of dates for some of this area’s signature events.

The schedule is subject to change, of course — now more than ever — but this will help you start planning.

On page 20, we highlight 70 events we’ve got detailed. Here’ are some …

To the Editor:

My daughter lost her dog the other day after finding him dead in the open water at a neighbor’s dock because of their bubbler system, and had to tell my grandson that Finnegan is dead.

After contacting the APA & DEC, I find that no agency has jurisdiction regarding this. New York State has regulations on everything we do, yet there are no guidelines regulating personal ice …

Mark,

I just heard from a friend that Mike DuBray died this morning [Jan. 11]. My heart is broken. Although Mike was small in stature, he was a giant and a pillar in our community. Mike selflessly donated his time and talent as an announcer, emcee, and Deejay to scores of philanthropic organizations in our area. He always knew the the right song to play to get the party moving. …

South Street resident: We don’t need a roundabout; do these things to help instead

To the Editor,

As someone who has lived on South St. for the past nine years, I have to disagree with the Big Idea concept [Dec. 16 Chronicle] of the roundabout at South and Broad. Some folks may not remember, but about eight years ago the City spent a lot of money to re-make that intersection …

By Zander Frost, Chronicle Staff Writer

Apple orchards prospered again in the era of Covid.

At Hicks Orchard in Granville, owner/operator Dan Wilson said 2020 was abnormally strong. “We were wondering coming into this year, whether the last year was an anomaly…This year we found it has been at least as strong as last year.”

He noted, “Most of what we do is outdoors and safely distanced. At one point …