The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

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Charlotte E. Wins Her Lawsuit

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Wednesday, June 26, 1850: I and my daughter Sarah went to Lenox and Geo P. carried Deborah, we all as witnesses and the wife of F. Jay Wylie as a witness and E. M. Buell we six witnesses for the plaintiff, and Colonel Ross and two others for the defendant, with several depositions on both sides. Council for plaintiff Thomas A. Gold of Pittsfield and H. W. Bishop of Lenox and Kellog and Colt of Pittsfield for defendant. This afternoon trial called on, tonight bound to tomorrow, half past eight in morning. We put up to Wilson’s tavern through the day and all we witnesses had dinner excepting Buell, he came this afternoon. Tonight Squ Gold rode up to Pittsfield with me and Sarah rode with Geo P. and Deborah, Mr. J. Wylie carried his wife. I did not settle my bill to Wilson’s, left to settle tomorrow. Tonight we all stayed to F. Jay Wylie’s and to supper there.

Thursday: This morning I and my son Geo P. and daughter Sarah O and Cornelia Wylie with her returned to Lenox at the opening of the court. The case was on trial through the day before Judge Hoar and about sundown the jurors went out to make up their verdict. Tonight I came about a mile on the road to Pittsfield to one Mr. Kendall’s and stayed, and Sarah went to F. Jay Wylie’s and stayed, and Geo P. and Deborah Wylie came home. Tonight before I left the court house I paid up Squ Bishop for pleading Charlotte’s case. I paid him 25 dollars and took a receit in full, and paid my bill to Wilson’s for nine dinners, and two horses to hay and oats, 4 dol 37 cts.

Friday: This morning at half past eight I returned from Mr. Kendall’s. I paid him 37 cents for myself  per lodging for breakfast and horsekeeping.  When I got to the court house the jurors handed their verdict to Judge Hoar which he gave into the court which was in favor of Charlotte E. Holcomb that Marcellus Ross is to pay her twelve hundred dollars and the cost. I then returned to Pittsfield to J. Wylie’s and took dinner. I handed him one dollar to hand to lawyer Hubbard for council on said case, nearly two years ago, shortly before said Marcellus Ross was arrested. This afternoon I and my daughter Sarah returned home from Pittsfield. Tonight I drove a cow onto my Rodgers farm and left her through the night with my bull.

Monday: I took my one horse wagon and rode to Pittsfield and returned the names of the six witnesses to Squ Gold that was on part of the plaintiff to Lenox last week on the Ross case and I also paid said Thomas Gold twenty dollars on his fees and took a receit. I returned home by four o’clock.

Fourth Hoosic River Benefit Bike Ride A Success

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Lara Shore-Sheppard and son Ethan (age 6) participate in last month’s Hoosic River Ride completing the 34 mile route that passed through the Village of Hoosick Falls.
Lara Shore-Sheppard and son Ethan (age 6) participate in last month’s Hoosic River Ride completing the 34 mile route that passed through the Village of Hoosick Falls.

The Hoosic River Watershed Association announced recently that the Fourth Hoosic River Ride, a benefit bicycling event, netted at least $5,700 for the organization’s programs in education, research and advocacy. “This is a tremendous boost to our budget in a challenging fundraising environment,” said HooRWA’s President John Case. 

 

At final count, the ride boasted its highest number of riders, their families and friends, just over 150 participants. While the majority came from within a 50-mile radius, there were small groups from Montreal, Philadelphia and New York City. Steve Brown, one of the participants who made the trek from Pennsylvania, offered this comment about the ride, “ ╔it was pretty, challenging and just plain old fun. The whole event was very well-organized, and the people at the rest stops could not have been nicer and more helpful.” 

Fortunately, the people at the rest stops were also well qualified. EMT’s from

Bennington, Petersburgh, Hoosick Falls, Cambridge and Pownal all provided their services to those in need at the six rest stops located throughout the watershed. Two of the rest stops were hosted by local residents Denise and Paul Hoag of Hoosick Falls, and Jim and Leslie Prendergast of Buskirk. In addition, volunteers – including Shelly Stiles and Michael Batcher of Buskirk – manned the stations serving up the oranges, bananas, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and other fare to keep folks going. “We have to thank the volunteers who make the day possible,” said Case. “Without their dedicated efforts the riders would not have as pleasant experience.” Case notes that the Town of Hoosick and the Village of Hoosick Falls need to be thanked, too, for working with organizers to ensure the success of the event.

C.H. McNally & Son, the Hoosick Federal Credit Union, the Stewart’s Shops and Trustco Bank were all local 2008 Hoosic River Ride sponsors. “Without the support of the region’s businesses this ride would not happen,” explained Lisa Carey-Moore, organizer of the ride. “We are very grateful to everyone who donated in these challenging financial times, especially since we understand that there are many worthwhile causes to support.”

The Hoosic River Ride intends to celebrate its fifth year back in Bennington next August. Those interested in helping to plan the 2009 event should contact Lisa Carey-Moore at 413-458-2241. For details on other HooRWA events and activities people can visit www.hoorwa.org.

Jiminy Peak Fall Festival Columbus Day Weekend

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The Annual Jiminy Peak Fall Festival will take place on Columbus Day weekend, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, October 11, 12 and 13. The Fall Festival features the Hancock Fire Department ski and snowboard sale, a craft fair, an outdoor barbecue and job fair. Mountain Sports by Potter Brothers will have sales on apparel and equipment throughout the weekend. The Just Jiminy logo store will also be open throughout the weekend. Turbine tours will be offered Friday and Saturday (reservations are required, call 413-738-5500 ext. 3760). The season ticket office will be open during the Craft Fair to take photos for 2008/2009 season passes. Festival hours are 9 am to 4 pm on Saturday and Sunday and Monday from 9 am to 2 pm. Mountain Adventure Park will also be open throughout the weekend from 11 am to 6 pm. Visit jiminypeak.com for more information on the Fall Festival. 

Those who would like to sell items in the Hancock Fire Department sale, drop-off times are Friday evening 7 pm to 9 pm and Saturday morning 8:30 am to 12 pm. For more information, contact the Hancock Fire Department at 413-738-5446.

Autumn Events At Grafton Lakes State Park

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October

5, Sunday – “Stylish Times” Historic Fashion Show at the Barnett Homestead at 2 pm. Reproduction fashions from 1700s to the early 1900s will be modeled at this second annual fashion show. Call 686-8266 for more information.  Barnett Homestead is off Rte 67, across from Bennington Battlefield historic site.

8, Wednesday – Ready, Set, Sleep! Wee Naturalists (Pre K) Program at 10 am at Shaver Nature Center. Kids will learn how animals ready for winter with a fun story, craft, and short outdoor explore. Call to preregister by Tuesday, October 7. Shaver Nature Center is located at 194 Shaver Pond Rd. $1/person

11, Saturday – Signs of Fall Nature Hike around Shaver Pond at 10 am. Enjoy this easygoing 2.5k hike around Shaver Pond and enjoy the fall colors and autumn air.   Easy grade, ideal for kids.  Meet by playground on north end of main parking lot in Grafton Lakes State Park.  Please call to pre-register by Friday, October 10.  $1/person. 

15, Wednesday – Trail Advisory Meeting at 7 pm at Shaver Nature Center.  Like to hike, bike, horseback ride or ski on park trails? Join this group to discuss trail improvements to Grafton Lakes State Park.

25, Saturday – Star Party with Albany Area Astronomers at 6 pm.  Explore the night sky at Deerfield Pavilion in Grafton Lakes State Park.

30,  Thursday – Trick or Treat Nature Trail at 4 pm. Enjoy a hike along our Woodland Nature Trail looking for creepy crawly forest dwellers and some treats for those with good observation skills! Call to pre-register by Wednesday, October 29.  Meet in Main Lot at Grafton Lakes State Park. $1/person (GLSP)

Warner Benjamin Harrison

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Hoosick Falls – Warner Benjamin “Ben” Harrison, 79, died Friday, September 26, 2008, at the Hoosick Falls Health Center. He had resided on Griffin Avenue in Hoosick Falls, NY, with his wife of fifty-six years, Henrietta Ann “Hennie” (Demick) Harrison.

Born on November 14, 1928, in Cambridge, NY, he was the son of the late Howard and Ina (Mason) Harrison. Ben graduated from Hoosick Falls High School. After high school, he worked in the family business, Harrison Vending. He later started Harrison Mobile Sales before starting his own vending business, now operated by his two sons, David and Doug. Ben retired in 1983. He was a member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, the Army National Guard, the Derby Club, a life member of the St. Stanislaw Society and a charter member since 1961 of the Lions Club, all in Hoosick Falls. Ben enjoyed playing golf, spending summers at Hedges Lake, winters in Florida, boat parades at the lake and riding his scooter.

Survivors other than his wife Hennie include his children, Lee Ann Kilby and Kimberly Harrison, both of Tallahassee, FL, David Harrison and wife Heather, Doug Harrison and friend Sandy Trembly, all of Hoosick Falls, a brother, Ronald Harrison of Syracuse, NY, and two sisters, Shirley Moses of Eagle Bridge, NY, and Ann Gilfeather of Red Hook, NY. He is also survived by his five grandchildren, Stephen, Lauren, Patrick, Emily and Evan. Ben is pre-deceased by three brothers, Harry, Malcolm and Mason Harrison.

Funeral services were Monday, September 29, at 10 am from St. Mark’s Episcopal Church on Main Street in Hoosick Falls. Burial followed the service at Maple Grove Cemetery, Hoosick Falls.

Isabelle B. Marshall

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Hoosick Falls – Isabelle B. Marshall, 95, passed away suddenly on October 1, 2009, at her residence in the Wood Park Apartments in Hoosick Falls, NY. She formerly resided in Hoosick, NY, and was the wife of the late H. Rudolph Marshall. Isabelle and Rudolph had been married for forty-seven years at the time of his death.

Born on June 25, 1913, in Bennington, VT, Isabelle was the daughter of the late Harry G. and Belle (Rudd) Breese. She graduated from Bennington High School in 1931 and attended Simmons College and Burdett College in Boston, MA. Isabelle was employed at the Samaritan Hospital in Troy, NY, as the Medical Record Librarian.

She was a member of All Saints Episcopal Church in Hoosick, an honorary member of the Bennington Chapter of D.A.R., a member of the Cambridge Area Branch of the Woman’s National Farm and Garden Association, the Cheney Library Book Club, a volunteer at the Louis Miller Museum, Hoosick Falls, and a Genealogy Library volunteer at the Bennington Museum.

Survivors include her twin daughters, Sandra Phelps and husband Robert and Susan Lohnes and husband Robert, all of Hoosick, her sister, Jane Rydberg of Rochester, NY, her brother, Robert Breese of Hoosick Falls, five grandchildren Carol MacDonald, Gary Lohnes, Heidi Byrne, Betsy Seplowitz and Brenda Phelps, six great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Isabelle is pre-deceased by a brother, Alexander Breese.

Funeral services will be Friday, October 3, at 11 am from All Saints Episcopal Church in Hoosick. Burial will follow the service at Hoosick Rural Cemetery.

Relatives and friends may call at the Mahar Funeral Home, 43 Main Street in Hoosick Falls, on Thursday from 5 to 8 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to either the Cheney Library in Hoosick Falls or the Hoosick Rural Cemetery Association through the funeral home.

Helen B. Eddy

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Eagle Bridge – Helen B. (Bartling) Eddy, 93, died Tuesday, September 30, 2008, at the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington, VT. She had resided on Rt. 67 in Eagle Bridge, NY, and is pre-deceased by her husband Perry Eddy.

Born on November 24, 1914, in the Town of Pittstown, NY, Helen was the daughter of the late Walter and Florence (Quackenbush) Bartling. She was educated at schools in Pittstown and was a homemaker all of her life. Helen also owned the Owlkill Gift Shop in Eagle Bridge. She enjoyed reading, taking care of other people and playing with her grandchildren.

Survivors include her daughter, Joan Gardner of Hoosick Falls, NY, a sister, Louise Splatt of Albany, NY, seven grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren. She also leaves her close friends, Debbie and Denny Brownell, Leslie, Jean and Lynn. Helen is pre-deceased by her daughter, Lois Sukuskas, sisters, Eva Gates and Lois Haner, and a brother, Walter Bartling.

Funeral services are Thursday, October 2, at 2 pm from the Mahar Funeral Home, 43 Main Street in Hoosick Falls. Burial follows the service at Island Hill Cemetery, Buskirk, NY.

Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday from 12 pm until the start of the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the Cambridge Valley Rescue Squad through the funeral home.

Bertha M. Jost

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Hoosick Falls – Bertha M. Jost, 101, died Friday, September 26, 2008, at the Hoosick Falls Health Center in Hoosick Falls, NY, where she had resided since 2007. Bertha formerly resided on South Street in Hoosick, NY. She was the wife of the late Milford Strait and the late Casper Jost.

Born on May 5, 1907, in Petersburgh, NY, Bertha was the daughter of the late Guy and Fidelia (Church) Barber. She was educated at schools in the Town of Hoosick and was a homemaker all of her life. Bertha was a member of the Senior Citizens and enjoyed playing cards and bowling.

Survivors include her daughter, Shirley Hayes, and her grandson, Ron Bovie, both of Hoosick Falls, a family friend, William Hamlin of Saratoga Springs, NY, and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins.

Funeral services were on Monday, September 29, at 2 pm from All Saints Episcopal Church in Hoosick. Burial followed the service at Maple Grove Cemetery in Hoosick Falls.

Relatives and friends called at the Mahar Funeral Home, 43 Main Street in Hoosick Falls on Sunday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to All Saints Church through the funeral home.

Missions Conference At Petersburgh Baptist

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The Petersburgh Baptist Church will be holding its 2008 Annual Missions Conference October 17-19.  The public is welcome to come hear missionaries from Ukraine and Africa tell about their cultures and ministries.

We are excited to have missionaries who have roots in our area.  Gary and Ruth Stephens

Gary and Ruth Stephens.
Gary and Ruth Stephens.

have been our missionaries in Cameroon, West Africa, since 1988.  Gary has served as seminary professor, academic dean and field administrator.  Besides being a childcare worker and school nurse, Ruth works training women in ministry.  Stephen Lazorischak began a church in Kirovograd and has served as a pastor, evangelist and children’s minister.  He also hosts visiting American mission teams.

 

The conference begins with a progressive, dessert-talk, with a different dessert at each missionary, on Friday, October 17, at 7 pm at the Church.  There will also be a children’s rally that night at 7 for kids aged three through sixth grade. On Saturday morning, there will be a women’s breakfast at the Church at 8:30 and a men’s breakfast at 9 at the Falls Diner in Hoosick Falls.  The fun continues with a missions and a covered-dish dinner at 5:30 pm at the Church followed by presentations by each missionary family at 6:45.  On Sunday morning, there will be special missions Sunday school at 10:45 and missions speakers in the morning service at 11.  Finally, we will wrap up the weekend with a light lunch after church.

For more information, contact the Petersburgh Baptist Church at 658-3834.

County Legislator Stan Brownell Charged With DWI

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by Bea Peterson

Rensselaer County Legislator Stanley Brownell has pleaded not guilty to a DWI charge incurred on August 10 in Springfield, VT. According to Brownell’s attorney Daniel McManus, Vermont law states a first time offender has a right to refuse a breath test. Brownell refused it. “He is innocent until proven guilty,” said his attorney. “We haven’t seen the video that was taken in the processing room by Springfield Police.” He feels that the video will provide more evidence on Brownell’s behalf. McManus asked that people keep an open mind until the case comes to court. “It’s unfortunate that because of his position in the Legislature this case has had a lot of publicity.”

“Legislator Brownell has pleaded not guilty and maintains his innocence. He expects to bring the case to trial some time this fall,” said Richard Crist, Republican Legislative Liaison from the Rensselaer County Legislature Majority Office. He added that so far as he knew, recently published stories appearing in several local daily newspapers had the facts correct.

The Eastwick Press does not have a copy of the police affidavit at this point, but, according to published reports, Brownell was stopped for driving 50 m.p.h. in a 40 m.p.h. zone. He was also alleged to be weaving in his lane, which his attorney disputes. Brownell reportedly admitted to police that he had consumed alcohol earlier in the evening. 

The case is scheduled for the Windsor, VT, District Court at 3 pm on October 8.