Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper
by Jen Burhans
The Berlin varsity track and field team is winding up its season as the weather warms up and sectionals and States loom near.
The combined boys and girls teams have fared well in the WASAREN league, setting two new school records and racing in five invitationals this season.
[Read more…] about Berlin Track Team Has High Hopes For Post Season
by Steve Bradley
Hoosick Falls Central School held its Junior Prom last Saturday on a beautiful afternoon. Students gathered at locations around the area prior to the event to have pictures taken, check out everyone’s attire and give the parents a chance to make sure their child looked just right.
submitted by Ellie Danforth
Hoosick Falls Central School is pleased to welcome the inaugural members of the Isabel M. McGuire National Junior Honor Society. Our new National Junior Honor Society is named in honor and memory of Miss Isabel McGuire.
A teacher at HFCS for 18 years, Miss McGuire believed in the kids and expected each to put forth his or her best effort. She worked hard to command respect and she got it. In return, she worked very hard to ensure that each of her students had the opportunity to benefit from her knowledge and instruction. Miss McGuire supported her colleagues by serving on committees, mentoring, attending Math Conferences and being a very determined advocate for improving our school. From Christmas Wish, to the APPR Committee, from advising the National Senior Honor Society to writing college recommendations, from cheering on our sports teams to chaperoning dances and trips, from delighting in the performances of the HFCS bands and Drama Club, to speaking her mind at faculty meetings, Miss McGuire personified all that one could wish for in a teacher and colleague. She would be thrilled to know that HFCS has begun this chapter.
The National Junior Honor Society membership will be made up of current 8th and 9th grade students. The students who are eligible for membership have demonstrated the four guiding principles of the National Junior Honor Society – Scholarship (minimum 90 GPA), Leadership, Character and Service. It is expected that NJHS members continue to be leaders and serve the community while maintaining their good reputations.
At the May 7 Induction Ceremony the following students became members: Hannah Borge, Caitlyn Boyd, Rhyse Cross, Gabe Fisher, Samantha Flohr, Lillian Hickey, Drew Hoag, Isaac Humphrey, Heather Hyde, Nora Kipp, Jillian Maser, Stephanie Merwin, Allison Perry, Bridget Redick, Samuel Richard, Josie Ryan, Danielle Saint Hilaire and Eliza Whitman.
by Deb Alter
Although there was low voter turnout, the Hoosick Falls Central School Budget for the 2015-2016 school year was passed with a 67% affirmative vote. Proposition One, the $23,145,413 school budget, passed with 317 yes votes and 155 no votes. Proposition Two, the bus purchase, was passed with 347 votes for and 124 against.
Laurie Gormley and Greg Laurin each won another three-year term on the School Board with 363 votes and 349 votes respectively. There was one write-in vote for Kathy Bugbee. Superintendent Ken Facin thanked the community for its support of the Hoosick Falls schools and the great work that the staff and students do.
submitted by Erin Clary
For the first time ever, Berlin Middle School joined 37 districts in the Olympics of the Visual Arts (OVA) competition held in Saratoga Springs on April 30. Berlin placed fourth in Illustration and seventh in painting.
[Read more…] about Berlin Students Compete In The Olympics Of The Visual Arts
On May 7, one high school and one middle school team from Berlin CSD competed in the 2015 Capital Regional Envirothon competition at New York State Power Authority’s Visitor Center in Gilboa, NY. The Berlin High School team won the competition for Rensselaer County and will advance to the state competition to be held May 27 and 28 at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, NY.
[Read more…] about Berlin High School Team Wins Regional Envirothon Competition
by Andy Zlotnick
Troop 222 took 15 scouts and their leaders to Columbia County to participate in the Mahikan District Woodsman Challenge. On May 15 through 17, the troop traveled to the Columbia County fairgrounds along with about 300 other scouts from around the region. [Read more…] about Petersburgh Boy Scout Troop 222 Attends The Mahikan District Spring Camporee In Columbia County
by Bea Peterson
It was the night before the Kentucky Derby and Brown’s Brewery was jumping for the Annual Derby Club pre-race Party. The Club was also celebrating its 80th Anniversary.
[Read more…] about Three’s Harmony, Brown’s Brewery Help Derby Club Raise Funds For Good Works
Come join Cheney Library at Brown’s Brewery in North Hoosick, on June 6, 3 to 6 pm for Books and Beer. Craig Gravina will talk about his book, Upper Hudson Valley Beer. Battenkill Books from Cambridge, NY will be there with a supply of beer related books for your purchase. And of course there will be beer on tap, lighter beverages and food. Please consider coming to support our neighbors in the Hoosick Valley. It will be fun!
The First Saturday Book Sale at Cheney Library, Hoosick Falls is June 6 from 9 am to 1 pm, featuring pocket books. They will be priced at 5 for $1. Get your Summer Reading to take on vacation, take to the beach or just sitting in your own backyard. Lots of good reading is available at the First Saturday Book Sale including adult and children’s books.
Join supporters of the Stephentown Memorial Library for an entertaining evening of A Little Night Music on Saturday, June 13. Music for the party will be provided by Doug Schmolze, performing a varied repertoire of solo guitar and vocal music. The benefit will be held at Berkshire Mountain House Bed And Breakfast from 7 to 10 pm.
Tickets for the benefit are $30 per person and include two glasses of wine, plentiful delicious hors d’oeuvres, decadent desserts, and hot and cold beverages. Tickets are available at the Library or at the door. There will also be a wine auction. Proceeds will benefit operation of the Stephentown Memorial Library. Call Mona Berg at 518-733-6923 for more information or directions.
Doug Schmolze, tenor and classical guitarist, studied at the Berklee School of Music and is also a Certified Music Practitioner, trained in the Music for Healing and Transition Program. His music for this event will come from the greats of the decades of the 20s, 30s and 40s such as George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin and Harold Arlen. Doug will also play some international music and classical guitar solos and lead some popular sing-alongs.
Berkshire Mountain House Bed & Breakfast is a spacious contemporary inn, on a hilltop with views of the mountains from its broad decks and many windows. The location at 150 Berkshire Way, Stephentown, NY, is reached from Route 22 via Wyomanock Road.
