The May meeting of the Taconic Valley Historical Society will feature “Tracks and Speedways of Rensselaer County” presented by speedway historian Mr. Ken Gypson. Travel down or shall we say race down memory lane as we look at Carroll’s Grove, State Line Speedway, Route 66, Shippeys, and more. The meeting will be held Monday, May 18th at 7:30 PM, Methodist Church, South Main Street, Berlin, NY and is open to the public free of charge. You do not have to be a member to attend. Refreshments will be served.
BCS Alumni Association 75th Reunion
Please help us celebrate the 75th Alumni Reunion on Saturday, June 6, 2015 at the Hilton Garden Inn, Troy, NY.
All alumni, staff, faculty and retirees of Berlin Central School are cordially invited. We will be honoring the classes of 1935, 1940, 1945, 1950, 1955, 1960, 1965, 1970, 1975, 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, and 2015.
Join us for an evening of good food, friends and entertainment. There will be several retired teachers in attendance this year including Joanne Pederson, former choir teacher.
For more information visit www.berlincentral.org and click on District and Alumni. To update your mailing address, please like us on Facebook or email BerlinCentralalumni@yahoo.com.
Grafton Historical Society Underground Railroad Program
Kathleen Sheehan, Rensselaer County and Troy Historian, will present a program on the Underground Railroad in Rensselaer County and the key people and important events of the Abolitionist Movement in the nineteenth century. Estella Hovnanian will sing examples of Black Spirituals, which illustrate the suffering of the slaves and their longing for a better life after death.
This program will take place at the regular meeting of the Grafton Historical Society in the Grafton Town Hall on May 20 at 7 pm. Come and learn more about this period in American history and the local connection with the Underground Railroad.
Refreshments will be served following the program.
Stephentown’s Youth Summer Camp Accepting Registrations!
submitted by Laurenne Teachout
Stephentown’s summer youth day camp program will operate again this year under the direction of the Stephentown Memorial Library. Join camp director and certified physical education teacher Laura Hunt and local soccer coach Shawn Willis for four weeks of science, sports, arts, environmental education and lots of play and fun. Camp activities will take place at the library, the town hall and the library’s green fields property.
The summer camp will take place beginning Monday, July 6 through Friday, July 31 this year. Campers will be served free breakfast and free lunch, provided through the Rensselaer County Office of Family Services. Camp hours will be 9am to 2pm Monday through Friday. The camp is free for residents of Stephentown. For families who would like to drop off their child early, 8am drop off is available for $15/ week (discount available for multiple children in a family.) Non-Stephentown residents can participate at a cost of $75/week, 8 am to 2 pm, space permitting.
The Youth Camp also provides opportunities for Stephentown teens to gain employment experience. Teens may apply for the following positions: counselor – 16 and older; counselor-in-training – minimum age 15; volunteer – minimum age 13.
Campers will be accepted on a space available basis. Camp registration forms and teen employment applications will be available next week at the Stephentown Memorial Library and the town hall. Please call the library for questions or other information – 733-5750.
The Stephentown Youth Summer Camp program, managed by the Stephentown Memorial Library (SML), announces that teens who are interested in a camp counselor position should submit an application to Laurenne Teachout, library director. Employment applications are available at SML and Stephentown Town Hall. Rensselaer County Department of Public Health requires that camp counselors be at least 16 years of age, counselors-in-training should be at least 15 years of age and volunteers should be at least 13 years of age. Please submit your application by Friday, Friday, June 5, 2015.
Questions? Call Laurenne Teachout at 733-5750.
Poestenkill Historical Society – Home At Last?
The Poestenkill Historical Society has been given a rare opportunity to establish our very own Heritage/Research Center. It would be located in the parsonage of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Poestenkill on Route 351.
PHS would lease the building and pay for utilities. In addition, the organization would be expected to pay for any renovations required to fulfill its needs. Currently this is not possible given our very limited funds.
The Historical Society is asking for donations to help make the dream a reality. Please consider the importance of preserving Poestenkill history for not just for this generation, but for future ones as well. We need your support to preserve local history. Donations are tax deductable and can be sent to The Poestenkill Historical Society, PO Box 140, Poestenkill, NY 12140 or dropped off at the Town Hall.
Stephentown Memorial Library Upcoming Events
Free Legal Program – Expansion of the Family Court Act – Thursday, May 21, 1:30 – 2:30 pm. Do you think you’re in need of an Order of Protection? Do you have custody and visitation concerns and just don’t know what to do? Are you confused about your rights and what services are out there to help you? Come find the answers to these questions and more at this legal workshop. An attorney will be on hand to provide information and confidential individual consultations regarding family court matters. The workshop is free and open to the public. For more information, call the Unity House Law Project at 272-5917.
Film & Discussion – Limited Partnership. Thursday, May 21 at 7:00 PM. What would you give up for love? Join us for the free Community Cinema screening and discussion of Limited Partnership Movie, the true story of one couple’s 40-year fight for civil rights, immigration reform, and love. We are excited to partner with WMHT on this screening and are hoping for a lively discussion after the film, to be led by Brian Trautman, Instructor of Peace and World Order Studies at Berkshire Community College. It is free and open to the public.
Family Movie Night – On Friday, May 22 at 6:30 pm we will show a recently released movie. Bring the family for a free movie at the library. Popcorn and juice will be served. This month the movie is rated PG. Running time for this movie is 99 minutes. It is free and all are welcome!
Plant Exchange at SML – Saturday, May 23, 10 am to 2 pm. Did you start a few too many veggie or flower seeds? Have divisions of perennials you want a home for? Have a few extra cuttings you don’t want to compost? Bring them to the side porch of the Library, preferably before 10 a.m., on Sat. 5/23 and share them with your neighbors. Please label what you bring! Are you looking to add a tomato, herb or flower to your garden? Stop by and help yourself. It’s self-serve, although a gardener may be around to encourage and advise.
Although we call this a swap, YOU DON’T NEED TO BRING A PLANT TO TAKE A PLANT. And don’t forget to bring your extra seeds in to the Seed Exchange. You can drop them off at the desk. Questions? Call Joan-Claire 733-0237
SML will be closed on Monday, May 25 in observance of Memorial Day. Please use our bookdrop when we are closed. We will be open Tuesday, May 26 as usual to meet your needs.
Real Food Revolution with Theresa “Sam” Houghton – Thursday, June 4 at 6:30 pm.
Join us for the “Real Food Revolution: Eating Healthy for Life.” Local wellness consultant Theresa “Sam” Houghton will cut through all the confusion surrounding what it means to “eat healthy” to provide a practical blueprint for truly healthy eating that you can follow for life. Sam is a graduate of the Nutrition Consultant program at Bauman College. She holds a Certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition from the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies and is a student member of the National Organization of Nutrition Professionals (NANP).
Attention Stephentown Graduating Seniors!
The Stephentown Memorial Library is offering one scholarship to a graduating senior who will enter a two- or four-year college in the Fall. Applicants for the Stephentown Memorial Library Scholarship must be a resident of Stephentown, New York. Applications are available at the Library and at the Guidance Offices of local public and private schools attended by Stephentown students.
The scholarship fund results from gifts and bequests made to the Library specifically for scholarship purposes. Application deadline is May 23, 2015.
For more information, call the Stephentown Memorial Library at 733-5750. Check our website,www.stephentownlibrary.org for regular updates. We are on Facebook -. Add us to your friend list for up to the minute news!
The library is at 472 State Route 43 in Stephentown. Call 518-733-5750.
Petersburgh Library Events
The annual Library Plant, Book and Bake Sale will be held on Saturday, May 16 from 9 am until 1 pm. Donations of plants, books and baked goods would be appreciated to support the Library programs. Donations should be brought to the Library Friday afternoon between 2 and 6 or before 9 am on Saturday.
Story hour is held Tuesdays at 11 am. Preschoolers and their care givers are invited to join us for stories, games, crafts and snacks. On May 19 it will be “Rhymes and Songs”. There will be no story hour from May 26 through June 23 and it will resume on Tuesday, June 30.
Preparations are underway for the summer reading program which is for all ages from toddler to adults. Sign-up begins June 1 and the first 100 people to sign up will be given a bag to carry their books back and forth to the library. Save the date: on Tuesday, June 30 at 7 pm, the Puppet People will present their “Wizard of Oz” production at the PVMCC, sponsored by the Library. Invite a friend and enjoy their wonderful show.
Local Talents to Perform Together At New Lebanon Library
Local favorites David Grover, Linda Worster and Puggy Demary will be performing together at the New Lebanon Library on Sunday, May 17 at 1 pm. The group will perform originals plus a mix of folk and rock from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. From the Beatles to Crosby, Stills and Nash, from Simon and Garfunkel to Joni Mitchell, this group is always wonderful. All are welcome and the event is free, although donations for the performers are encouraged.
David Grover has earned countless awards including a Grammy nomination and Artist of the Year. He spent many years as Arlo Guthrie’s lead guitar and band leader. Grover and his Big Bear Band have performed at the White House, opened the Goodwill Games, appeared on The Today Show, performed with the Detroit Symphony for their Youth Series, and played for the delegates of the United Nations.
Linda Worster has toured as a solo musician throughout New England, New York, and New Jersey, performing in many venues. She has opened for many well-known artists including Harry Chapin, David Bromberg, Bill Staines, and Joan Baez.
Puggy Demary has been performing in the Berkshires for decades. He plays bass, guitar and piano, and is a songwriter, as well.
For further information, please call the library at 518-794-8844. The library is located at 550 State Route 20, a quarter of a mile north of the yellow blinking light at the intersection of Routes 20 and 22.
Back To The 1950s In Music And Garb
PVMCC presents “The Fabulous 50s Show” with live music by Tune Travelers on Friday, June 19, from 6 to 8 pm. Period costumes are optional, but encouraged, just for the fun of it!
Admission is $10, $5 for seniors. There will be an optional pizza buffet served from 5 to 6 pm for $6.
Tickets are available through Mary Lou Walters at 518-658-0136, or at the door.
The Petersburgh Memorial Community Center is at 71 Main Street in Petersburgh, NY.
Junior TOH Rescue Squad Unit Helps At Armory Event
Members of the Junior Town of Hoosick Rescue Squad, including Taylor Flohr, Olivia O’Connel and Anna Brewer measured the blood pressure of people who stopped by their table at the Armory on Saturday, April 25. Other members of the Junior group are Makala Sonnett, Fallon Parker, Jayde Tutunjian and Bernard Davock.
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