The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Hoosick Rocks The Block In Style

By

submitted by Deborah Alter

The Hoosick Rocks the Block party on August 3 was a tremendous success; clean-up was not even finished and people were already asking when there would be another.[private] At church on Sunday, people were still talking about how nice it was to just be together as a community, without the glare of TV cameras

These attendees of the Rock The Block Celebration were all smiles as they made their way through the pot luck offerings at a festive table in the middle of Main Street. Photo by Steve Bradley
These attendees of the Rock The Block Celebration were all smiles as they made their way through the pot luck offerings at a festive table in the middle of Main Street. Photo by Steve Bradley

and media. “We have great community spirit here,” one attendee said, “I don’t know if there’s anywhere else like this. I mean, where in America, in 2016, does this happen?!”

The event drew at least 500 people of all ages and from all parts of town, who came out to enjoy hot-off-the-grill BBQ chicken, baked potatoes, rolls and coleslaw donated, cooked and served by Monolith Solar; hot dogs were also grilled on site. Fifty or more pot luck dishes of all shapes, sizes,

Hailey Jacobs (left) and Lacey Pattison work together to sketch the outline for their sidewalk chalk drawing. The Girls Scouts organized this part of the Rock the Block event, headed up by the talented Maryann Jacobs. Photo by Deb Alter
Hailey Jacobs (left) and Lacey Pattison work together to sketch the outline for their sidewalk chalk drawing. The Girls Scouts organized this part of the Rock the Block event, headed up by the talented Maryann Jacobs. Photo by Deb Alter

textures, colors and flavors brought by community members, along with delicious and beautifully decorated cakes were set out on tables adorned with blue and white checked table cloths and dozens of vases overflowing with local gardeners’ wildflowers. The tables were lined up along Main Street from Wilder Avenue to Eberle Way, where the grills were set up. The sidewalk along Eberle was covered with chalk drawings created by kids and adults in a related event that had started at 4 pm.

The Hoosick Falls Community Band began playing at 7:30, by which time pretty much everyone was sated and had settled in for another wonderful Wednesday evening of fabulous music. As a special treat, Dave Sutton sang

After waiting patiently in line along Eberle Way, the Danforth family got their chicken, potatoes, coleslaw and rolls. From there, they moved to Main Street to sample the many pot luck options. Grilled hot dogs were popular with the younger crowd. Photo by Deb Alter
After waiting patiently in line along Eberle Way, the Danforth family got their chicken, potatoes, coleslaw and rolls. From there, they moved to Main Street to sample the many pot luck options. Grilled hot dogs were popular with the younger crowd. Photo by Deb Alter

“On the Road to Mandalay,” based on the poem by Rudyard Kipling with music by bandleader Bill Gaillard. Sutton’s father had sung that song with the Hoosick Falls Junior High School Band when Sutton was their trombonist back in 1978.

Organized by an independent group of residents, the event’s aim was to celebrate Hoosick and Hoosick Falls’ many assets, especially its people and their community spirit. And indeed it did. People from all the HF Wards and all parts of the Town enjoyed spending time with their neighbors, meeting Hoosickians they hadn’t met before, sharing stories, reminiscing, and catching up with news about children and grandchildren.

Event organizers and other spontaneous volunteers set up the tables along Main Street. The blue checked tablecloths and many, many vases of wildflowers helped create the festive mood. The pot luck dishes that arrived soon after were varied and oh-so-delicious. Photo by Deb Alter
Event organizers and other spontaneous volunteers set up the tables along Main Street. The blue checked tablecloths and many, many vases of wildflowers helped create the festive mood. The pot luck dishes that arrived soon after were varied and oh-so-delicious. Photo by Deb Alter

The Rock the Block community celebration could not have happened without the generous donations from Hoosick True Value, Airgas, Brown’s Brewing Company, Moses Farm, Stewart’s Shops, and Team Tinkham Realty. Local community organizations including HAYC3, CiviCure, and the Girl Scouts were also a big help. It also could not have happened without the community potluck contributions and volunteers who helped with set up, clean up, and everything in between.

Perhaps it takes a village to throw a really great party.[/private]