The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

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The Life Of George Holcomb – John F. and Sarah O. Get The Mumps Also

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Saturday, March 30, 1850: This afternoon John F. took the one horse wagon and rode to Squ Strait’s to engage him to come and survey the line joining Benj. Nichols, but said Strait was not home. John F. called to Samuel Beers and then to Sq Wm Hands and made oath to his school bill.

Sunday: I gathered five barrels of sap, and we boiled sap today.

Monday, April 1: I gathered six barrels sap and tended to boiling sap and I boiled sap all night. Today Geo P. and John F. rode to Berlin and Geo P. bought a four year old horse of the son of Asher Wheeler and paid one hundred dollars cash in hand. Today Rensselaer Sheldon began to work for Geo P. for five months at 14 dollars per month.

Wednesday: Today I went onto my Rodgers farm and met Benj. Nichols there and we had Squ Strait survey or run the line betwixt us. I went and engaged said Strait, and said Nichols is to pay him for running the line. There was no variation in the line from the old line.

Thursday: Quite a rain storm all day and we only tended to chores and I cut up straw for horse feed. Geo P. and his hired man Sheldon sorted over and barreled up thirteen barrels of his grafted apples for market. Today or towards night Sarah O. was taken quite sick with the mumps.

Friday: I took the one horse wagon and went after Doctor Bates for Sarah. I met him on the road coming this way for Kent Hadsell’s and he came to my house first. I called to Ludwick Babcock shop and got my 24 new harrow teeth that he made out of my stock.

Saturday: This morning I walked to Lebanon to let Doctor Bates know that Sarah was better of the mumps and he was not wanted to come again, but I went one road and he came the other road. I took the ox team and wagon and carried 10 barrels grafted apples for Geo P. and I went with said load to Canaan Depot and Geo P. went with one horse wagon and carried three barrels apples which makes thirteen barrels that Geo P. sends to Boston. John F. went to Eber Rollo school examination.

Sunday: We gathered seven barrels sap and we boiled sap and I boil sap all night. Today sister Hannah Twichel came to visit us from Cincinnati Ohio.

Tuesday: I tended to boiling sap. I am lame and John plowed sward.

Saturday, April 13: Quite a snow storm and wind today. At four this afternoon brother F. Jay Wylie and wife returned home and I took my one horse wagon and carried sister H. Twichel over to Simeon Wylie’s and left her. Today John F. quite unwell with the mumps.

Sunday: Quite blustering, John continues unwell and tonight he got cold and the mumps went down out of his head into his bowels.

Monday: This forenoon I took a horse and cutter and rode to Lebanon after Doctor Bates for John F, for he is more unwell for his mumps settling down and is painful.

Lucy S. Moseley

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West Hoosick – Lucy Springer Moseley, 54, of Buskirk-West Hoosick Road, West Hoosick, NY, died on Wednesday evening, August 20, 2008, at her home surrounded by her loving family under the care of Community Hospice of Rensselaer County.

Born in Bennington, VT, on April 29, 1954, she was the daughter of Hazel Surdam Springer of Eagle Bridge, NY, and the late Roland Springer. She was the loving wife of Harold M. Moseley, whom she married on March 6, 1971, in the West Hoosick Baptist Church.

Lucy attended Hoosick Falls Central schools. She and her husband were the owner/operators of Taconic Valley Truck Rental in Buskirk, NY. Lucy was a 4-H Leader and a member of the West Hoosick Baptist Church where she was a Sunday School teacher. The love of her life was that of her family. From watching them grow as individuals, enjoying the activities they participated in, which included high school sports, Lucy’s family was always her top priority. She also had a great love of animals. Lucy was pre-deceased by a son, Timothy Scott Moseley, who died on June 11, 1995.

Survivors, besides her husband and mother, include her children, Janette C. Moseley of Hoosick Falls, NY, Erika Repman and Hallie Moseley both of West Hoosick, her grandchildren, Nathaniel Moseley, Makayla and Tanner Ellis, Elora and Charles Repman and little Glenn Milliman who will be born soon. Lucy is also survived by her siblings, Charles Springer and Roland “Peanut” Springer both of Eagle Bridge, Patricia McGarvin of Hoosick Falls, Robert Springer of North Carolina, Richard Springer and Dorothy Dawley both of Hoosick Falls, Geraldine LaFlamme of Bennington, Joseph Springer of Buskirk and Sally Whittet of Hoosick Falls, her in-laws, Paul and Janette Moseley of West Hoosick, and many nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will take place on Saturday, August 30, at 11 am in the West Hoosick Baptist Church, 1339 Buskirk-West Hoosick Road, West Hoosick. Memorial contributions may be made to the Community Hospice of Rensselaer County, 295 Valley View Blvd., Rensselaer, NY, 12144. Arrangements are under the guidance of the Robson-Reinfurt Funeral Home of Hoosick Falls.

Robert Charles Hall, Sr

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Cambridge – Robert Charles Hall, Sr., 79, died Sunday, August 24, 2008, at the Orchard Nursing Home in Granville, NY. He resided on Cambridge Woods Lane in Cambridge, NY, with his wife Wilhelmina E. (Tschumi) Hall.

Born on May 21, 1929, in Valley Falls, NY, Robert was the son of the late Wesley and Anna Mae (Hewitt) Hall. He graduated from Hoosick Falls High School. Bob was a Master Craftsman working throughout the Hoosick Falls, NY, area, building and remodeling houses. He also built the present Rescue Squad building in Hoosick Falls, built the church hall at the Raymertown Lutheran Church and did remodeling and updating at the Oak plants in Hoosick Falls. He especially enjoyed making cabinets and doll houses. Bob also built the first total electric house in this area in Valley Falls.

Bob enjoyed camping throughout his life. In his earlier years he and his family traveled across the United States, eventually camping in each state. In his later years he and his wife would go camping with their grandchildren.

Bob was very active in the community having served as the Exalted Ruler at the Hoosick Falls Elks # 178 for two terms. He was a Charter Member of the Lions Club, served on the Central School P.T.A., and was a volunteer for Rensselaer County Hospice. He was also involved with his church the First United Church in Hoosick Falls where he served as a Church Elder. Bob was also active in the Albany Presbytery and the Raymertown Lutheran Church where he served as the Superintendent of Sunday School.

Survivors, other than his wife Wilhelmina, include his children, Robert “Chuck” Hall Jr. and wife Cathy of Woodsville, NH, Brian J. Hall and wife Pamela of Cambridge, Karen R. Hall-Otero and husband Michael of Greenwich, NY, and Kathi Carknard of Hoosick Falls, and a brother, Malcolm Hall of West Hoosick, NY. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Eric C. Hall, Emily Rodriguez and Kenny, John McLucas, Brian McLucas, Carly Hall, Brian Hall and Ian Carknard. Robert is pre-deceased by three brothers, Forrest, Gilbert and Myron, and a son-in-law, Ed Carknard.

Funeral services were Thursday, August 28, at 10 am at the First United Church on Main Street in Hoosick Falls. Committal services will follow the service at Maple Grove Cemetery in Hoosick Falls.

Relatives and friends called at the Mahar Funeral Home, 43 Main Street in Hoosick Falls, New York, 12090, on Wednesday from 4 to 7 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to either the Town of Hoosick Rescue Squad, the Rensselaer County Community Hospice, the Karen McGovern Memorial Fund or Camp Hebron, a camp for children, through the funeral home.

Albert W. “Babe” Waytkus

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Hoosick Falls – Albert W. “Babe” Waytkus, 90, died Saturday, August 23, 2008, at home with his family tending to him in his own bed. He was also under the tender care of Hospice. Babe resided on Scott Street in Hoosick Falls, NY, with his wife Rose (McEckron) Waytkus. Babe and Rose celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary last November.

Born on January 16, 1918, in Hoosick Falls, Babe was the son of the late John and Beniga (Blinstrub) Waytkus. He graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in Hoosick Falls. Babe had many jobs in the Town, County and State. He was particularly happy with his school bus driving at Hoosick Falls Central, St. Mary’s Academy and the Howard Kinnicut School.

He belonged to the Elks Lodge # 178, the Derby Club, the St. Stanislaw Society and the Home Guard, all in Hoosick Falls. He was a communicant of the Immaculate Conception Church for 85 years.

Survivors, other than his wife Rose, include his eight children, Cynthia Salvi of Schenectady, NY, Rosemary Waytkus of Troy, NY, Neil Waytkus of Hoosick Falls, Michael Waytkus of West Sand Lake, NY, Steven Waytkus of North Petersburgh, NY, Patricia La Bombard of Manchester, VT, MaryAnn Anderson of Franklin, NH, and Donald Waytkus of Cambridge, NY. Babe is also survived by fourteen grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He is pre-deceased by four sons, John, Paul, Albert and Thomas.

Funeral services were Tuesday, August 26, at 9 am from the Mahar Funeral Home, 43 Main Street in Hoosick Falls. A Mass of Christian Burial was offered at 9:30 am from the Immaculate Conception Church on Main Street in Hoosick Falls. Burial followed the Mass at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Relatives and friends called at the funeral home on Monday from 4 to 7 pm. 

Memorial contributions may be made to either the Hoosick Falls Fire Department or the Town of Hoosick Rescue Squad through the funeral home.

Ruth P. Wager

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Petersburgh –  Ruth P. Jones Wager, 80, died on Tuesday, August 19, 2008, at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington, VT, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Born October 24, 1927, in Berlin, NY, she was the daughter of the late Harold W. and Nora Brown Jones. She was the widow of Claude Wager. Ruth attended Berlin schools and was of the Baptist faith. She worked for General Cable in Williamstown, MA, for 34 years before relocating to Vero Beach, FL, in 1978. She returned to the area in October of 2007 to celebrate her 80th birthday with family and was taken ill. She resided with her brother Harold and his wife Eva in Petersburgh, NY, and at the Center for Living and Rehabilitation in Bennington during her illness.

Survivors include a daughter, Debra and husband Wayne Barber of North Adams, MA, her siblings, Agnes Stanley of Zephyr Hills, FL, Harold W. and wife Eva Jones, Jr. of Petersburgh, Howard and wife Blanche Jones of Buskirk, NY, Dorothy Stewart of Las Vegas, NV, Alric “Mike” and wife Betty Jones of North Petersburgh, NY, a special niece, Gloria Adams of Berlin, an aunt, Gladys Jones of Berlin, and many nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by a brother, George Jones.

Following Ruth’s wishes, she will be cremated, with no calling hours or services. She had a great love for animals. Memorial contributions in her memory may be made to the Humane Society of Vero Beach & Indian River County, FL Inc., PO Box 664, Vero Beach, FL, 32961. Arrangements are under the guidance of the Thomas M. Barber Funeral Home of Petersburgh.

Sand Lake Historic Church Tour

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An Historic Church Tour of Sand Lake churches will take place on September 7 from 1 to 5 pm, presented by the Sand Lake Center for the Arts, the Sand Lake Historical Society and the Zion United Church of Christ. Visit the many historic churches in the Sand Lake area. Start at the Sand Lake Center for the Arts – a renovated church building originally constructed in 1835 – where you will pick up tickets and a map and then visit some or all of the many churches in our community.  The cost is $10 per person. The Sand Lake Center for the Arts is located at 2880 NY 43, one half mile east of the blinking light in Averill Park.  Call 518-674-2007 or visit www.slca-ctp.org for more information.

DEC’s Little Helpers

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by Bea Peterson

 

In April young conservationists Colin King, Noah Abbott, and Michael Matatt helped stock fish in the Walloomsac River. The New York trout fishing season is winding down now and hopefully most fishermen had a good season due to the kids’ hard work. 

For the past 50 years members of the Pioneer Fish and Game Club, along with their families and friends, have assisted DEC personnel in stocking local streams. That spring day over 5,000 brown trout were released into the River. 

The Pioneer Fish and Game Club would like to thank all the landowners along the Walloomsac who generously allow fishermen to pursue their sport. The endeavors this year were overseen by the area’s new DEC officer Lt. James H. Hayes Jr.

The Hoag Family Receives An Out Pouring From The Community

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Photo courtesy of Alan Bornt.
Photo courtesy of Alan Bornt.

The North Hoosick Fire Department along with several members of the community held a benefit chicken barbecue, ran several raffles and had a music concert for the Michael and Jackie Hoag family. Their 17 month old son has been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. On Monday, August 11, members of the benefit committee presented the Hoag family with the proceeds from the benefit which totaled $13,490. It was an outstanding out-pouring from the community we live in. On August 16 the family met in Boston with physicians and are getting the medical attention they need for Luke.

The Largest Corn Maze On The East Coast

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The maze shortly after it was cut. Photo by Tim Allen.
The maze shortly after it was cut. Photo by Tim Allen.

The public is invited to take part in making history in Hoosick and attend the ribbon cutting ceremony of the largest corn maze on the east coast on Saturday, September 6, at 11 am at The Corn Maze at Kettle Farms on the Troy-Bennington Road in Hoosick, NY.

 

 

Capturing Hoosick’s bond with farming and history, the 20-acre corn maze was designed to replicate the train on the old Corkscrew Railroad which ran through this very parcel in the early 1900s.  There are four sections to the maze with varying degrees of difficulty.  The engine consists of 2.3 miles of trails;  the cab, 3.2 miles of trails.  The coal car consists of .5 miles of trails and the caboose, 1.8 miles of trails.  There is a total of 7.8 miles of trails for those daring enough to venture through the entire maze.

Other venues at The Corn Maze at Kettle Farms include pick your own pumpkins, hay bale maze, corn cannon, pumpkin slingshots and trike track.

On hand for the ribbon cutting event will be Assemblyman Roy McDonald, County Legislators Stan Brownell and Lester Goodermote, Town Supervisor Marilyn Douglas and Board Members Bob Ryan, Mark Cottrell, Kevin O’Malley and Mark Surdam.  Other officials are also expected.

Town of Hoosick Supervisor Marilyn Douglas said, “The Corn Maze captures the spirit of the agri-tourism industry and provides a wholesome family experience on this 82-acre farm in the beautiful rolling hills of Hoosick.”

For further information and scheduling, call Tammy’s Candy Kettle and Kettle Farms at 518-686-0992 or the Town of Hoosick Town Clerk Susan Stradinger at 518-686-4571.

Hoosac School Hosts Girl Scout Day Camp

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In early August the Hoosac School athletic fields became a campground for the Hoosick Falls Girl Scout day camp. Fifty area girls attended the camp. The theme this year was TV game shows. Girls made games, played TV game show games, hiked, made crafts, enjoyed the outdoors between storms, had a cookout, did a clean up project for part of Tibbits Forrest and concluded their experience by having an American Idol show with scouts being the performers and scout leaders being the judges. Everyone had a great time. Special thanks to the Hoosac School who hosted this event. This camp is usually held at HF Central School but because of construction at HFCS it had to be relocated. Thanks to all the volunteer leaders, helpers and first-aiders volunteering their time and talents so the program was affordable for the girls. This camp operates yearly under Rensselaer County guidelines and permits for all HF girls grades 1 through 6 to attend.