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     The present Central National Bank of Middleburgh was first established in 1966, taking the place of the previous First National Bank of Middleburgh in having a monopoly on village banking service. From 1966 to 2001 the bank ran under this corporate administration. But according to Mrs. Granbacka, the Central National Bank of Middleburgh has now been "purchased" by NBT Bank.
     However, Mrs. Granbacka does not feel that this buy out will in any way affect the level of service always observed by Central National. In fact, she described the circumstances since that changeover as practically "business as usual" from her perspective. She said that the bank is still working under all the same staff as it was before, and she went on to state that there are "no major differences". Furthermore, she said that the only change that the public will see is in the area of new checking account programs. But, she did maintain that the staff is experiencing some minor change, especially with the adoption of a completely new computer system.
     This comment was proven true when it was observed that, even while we were there, one of the tellers had their window closed due to what she phrased were "computer problems". This left only one other teller manning both the inside and outside banking windows. This is evidence that even the subtle changes that have occurred have had possibly more of an affect in some ways than management might realize. This was especially clear in the case just mentioned where the one employee had to deal with twice as many customers. Unfortunately, it seemed that all the clients she was dealing with had little patience with the situation. But despite the occasional minimum inconveniences that come with progress and transition, Granbacka still firmly believes that she works for a "good, solid bank" where "each day is an adventure" to look forward to.
     In the letter by the CEO of NBT Bank, written as a declaration of principles, Mr. Daryl R. Forsythe reinforced that his corporation maintains a community oriented personalized service. He expressed this concept with his words that "NBT Bank understands that successful local businesses contribute to the success of their communities". That is why he also said that NBT works very hard "with businesses, large and small, to build individual plans that help foster their success".
     Therefore, it is evident that this takeover will probably not threaten the integrity of our small town bank. As Mrs. Granbacka said, "progress is good for the people". So we should watch to see how the "Now Building Tomorrow" Bank will attempt to help our community advance, to benefit the residents of Middleburgh.

       given off to high school students in Middleburgh. Mr. Morse said he doesn't think that having school during Regents' testing negatively effects students who are taking the exams. Mr. Morse also said that the State of New York dictates when Regents' exams are given, and that the decision to have school on Tuesday and Wednesday but not Thursday and Friday was based on the way the Regents' exams were scheduled this year.
        According to Cliff Moses, Supertintendent of The Schoharie School District, students in Schoharie Schools had classes on all four January Regents' days. Mr. Moses said that the students who took Regents' tests there were isolated, and that the bells were shut off on the testing days. Mr. Moses also said that if more students were taking Regents' exams at Schoharie, the district might consider not having regular classes on one day or two during January Regents' week. Mr. Moses said that everything went well during the testing days there.
        David Carr, the Assistant Principal at Cobleskill-Richmondville High School, said that his school held three two-hour classes on each of last week's Regents' testing days. Mr. Carr said that students there were expected to come to school unless they had a study hall during the first or last period of any given day, and didn't have any exams to take. Mr. Carr said the bells were turned off at his high school during Regents' week. Mr. Carr also said that Cobleskill-Richmondville's scheduling system during January Regents' week is a little confusing, but works well.
        Several area schools, such as Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School in Saratoga County, did not hold any regular classes Tuesday the 22nd through Friday the 25th, according to the websites of these various schools.
        The bells at Middleburgh High School were left on during the January Regents' testing days.
        Zach Lombardi, a senior at MCS, said that he took the Chemisty Regents' on Tuesday the 22nd. Mr. Lombardi said that he took the exam in the library, and that he wasn't really distracted by school noise. Mr.Lombardi also said that the construction machines outside of the school bothered him a little, and that he would have rather taken the Regents' exam without regular classes being held at the same time.
        Tegan Keller and Vanessa Porter both took the English Regents' on Wednesday the 23rd and Thursday the 24th. Both ladies said that they were not bothered by noise, and that they didn't hear any construction machinery outside.
        Joseph George, a senior at MCS, said that he was a little distracted by hallway noise while taking exams during Regents' week. Mr.George said that the construction machinery made a lot of noise on the second day of the English Regents', and that the machinery bothered him that day.