Bullthistle Bounty Discount Cards are still available in Chenango County.

Cards cost $15 each; forms are available online at www.ofcinc.org/bounty. The program is run through Opportunities for Chenango.

People can use the cards to get a 10 percent discount at various businesses in Chenango County. Participating businesses include Chenango Coffee Roasters, the Bohemian Moon restaurant in Norwich, Black Beer Winery, High Meadow Farm and Upstate Harvest Granola.

Opportunities for Chenango started selling the cards June 16.

"Several longtime residents were surprised at how much is available right here in Chenango County," program specialist Stacie Edick said in a prepared statement. "With the discount card, they have a little extra motivation to visit these businesses and make purchases. It’s good for the customer because they receive 10 percent off, and it’s good for the businesses because they bring in new customers."

More information is available by calling 334-7114.

May new-home sales

in area counties down

Sales of new homes decreased throughout the area in May compared to May 2006, according to the New York State Association of Realtors.

The association released its monthly housing survey last week.

Schoharie County had the largest decrease, according to the association. Sales there dropped 58.3 percent: 10 homes were sold last month, compared to 24 in May 2006.

Delaware County had a 6.7 decrease: 14 homes were sold there in May and 15 were sold in May 2006.

Otsego County had a 9.1 percent decrease _ from 33 homes in 2006 to 30 last month _ and Chenango County had a 34.1 percent drop. The survey said 29 homes were sold in Chenango County last month, compared with 44 homes in May 2006.

Sales dropped 13.6 percent statewide, the survey said.

"While there has been a softening in completed sales compared to the most-recent boom markets, sales activity in New York remains at historically strong levels with the anticipated slowing in median price growth," association Chief Executive Officer Charles Staro said in a prepared statement. "The April-to-May increase in sales provides a solid starting point for the late spring and summer market, which is typically the most-active in our state."

Median sales prices for single-family homes decreased in Chenango, Delaware and Otsego counties but increased in Schoharie County.

The median sales price in Schoharie County went from $140,050 in May 2006 to $324,950 last month, the survey said. That’s a 132 percent increase. The increase was the second-largest in New York; Montgomery County had a 218.1 percent increase.

Prices dropped 27.5 percent _ from $130,000 to $94,250 _ in Delaware County and 1 percent in Otsego County. The median sales price in Otsego County last month was $133,707, the survey said.

The figures are from homes that are sold through multiple-listing services. Not all home sales in this area are done through such listings.

Rachael Ray to feature

local cookie company

A Cooperstown business will be included on Rachael Ray’s syndicated TV show next week.

Shortbread from the Cooperstown Cookie Co. will be Ray’s "Snack of the Day" on July 4, according to a news release from the company. The show was taped last month. It airs weekdays at 9 a.m. on WBNG-12 in Binghamton and 10 a.m. on WKTV-2 in Utica.

"Classic baseball shortbread cookies are the ideal All-American treat," company President Pati Drumm Grady said in a prepared statement. "What better day to be featured on Rachael Ray than the Fourth of July?"

The Cooperstown Cookie Co. was previously included in the Food Network program "Unwrapped." That program will air again at 7:30 p.m. July 6. The Food Network is on Channel 48 in the Oneonta area.

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To suggest a business story, announce a new business or changes to an existing one, e-mail aashbridge@thedailystar.com or call Amy L. Ashbridge at 432-1000, ext. 213 or (800) 721-1000, ext. 213.