On Saturday, February 28, at 10:30 am, local storyteller and student of Native American lore, Gil Payette, will be back at Grafton Community Library with the next in his program series on Native American folklore and tradition. This month he will be explaining the role of the moon in native traditions, including the names Native Americans gave to full moons: “it is said there are thirteen moons in a year and they are twenty-eight days apart. The calendar that is used has twelve moons, you would think there can only be a limited number of names for the full moon. You should know each moon has many names. We all see the same moon but it is called by different names from different places. The names from the Northeast Woodlands may not be the same as the names from the Southwest Deserts. This is also true from the southeast to the northwest and for some places in between.” Sign up in advance for this free and informative program by calling Grafton Community Library at 279-0580 or coming by the library during open hours.
Letter To The Editor – The Fracked Gas Pipeline
To The Editor:
On Thursday, February 5, a public informational forum was held at the SVFD Hall where about 180 attendees listened to each other’s concerns, viewed a presentation and directed questions to volunteer citizens knowledgeable about the issues surrounding the fracked gas pipeline proposed for Schodack, Nassau, Stephentown and beyond. It was affirming and energizing to witness the number of residents opposed to this project. A project that would put our safety at risk, pollute our air and water with volatile organic compounds,devalue all surrounding real estate and violate the property rights of abutters to the utility corridor. At a time when renewable energy has gained such momentum, expanding carbon-based energy infrastructure at the expense of the public’s well-being seems rather preposterous. It will take our concerted efforts to defeat the pipeline proposed by energy transport giant Kinder Morgan – an entity that cares for nothing more than profits – and adding to the concentration of wealth into the hands of a few. It is imperative to have our voices heard – there is no other course of action and it must be done in large numbers. So I urge all of us to commit to taking one or all of the following steps –
1. Voice your concerns in writing to FERC, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, www.ferc.gov.
2. Voice your concerns in writing to your local, state and federal elected officials
3. For landowners with property abutting the pipeline route, deny Kinder Morgan survey access. If you already submitted permission, you can rescind it in writing
4. Refuse to sign an easement with Kinder Morgan
5. Display an anti-pipeline sign at your home
6. Share your concerns with your neighbors and community organizations
7. Help out and get involved with an action group in your area
8. Donate money to an anti-pipeline action group in your area.
For more information on how to do the above go to stopnypipeline.org or any other anti-pipeline action group.
Thom Pecoraro
Stephentown, NY
All You Can Eat Corned Beef And Cabbage Dinner
Everyone Is Irish On St. Patty’s Day!
The Ladies Auxiliary of the Sullivan-Jones VFW Post #7466 (25 Veterans Street, Poestenkill, NY) will be hosting a Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner, on March 14, 2015 with “ONE SERVING @ 6:00 PM”. Enjoy all you can eat, corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, carrots glazed with brown sugar, onions, apple sauce, rye bread, dessert and coffee/tea. You may DINE IN or TAKE OUT, tickets are limited, so hurry and purchase your tickets early as they will not be available at the door. Take outs will be available after 6:00 for pick up. Tickets to Dine In or Take Out: Adults $13.00 and children under 12 $6.00. Tickets are available for purchase at the monthly breakfasts and at VFW’s bar. If you have questions, call Gail at 283-4890.
Come, celebrate with us, and have a Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Sullivan-Jones VFW #7466 Breakfast Buffet, Poestenkill
Cabin fever getting the best of you? Come on out for our monthly breakfast buffet on March 8, 8 to 11 am. Enjoy our regular buffet including scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, home fries, pancakes, homemade french toast, country style sausage gravy-n-biscuits, fruit, juice, tea and coffee. “Build your own omelets” ham, bacon, sausage, cheeses, mushrooms, peppers and onions. Adults – regular buffet $8; with omelet $10; children 6-12 are $4 and children under 5 are free.
Walsh Encourages Families To Submit Names For Monthly Honor A Deceased Veteran Ceremony
Rensselaer County Legislator Thomas Walsh Sr., chairman of the Legislature’s Veterans Committee, is encouraging residents to consider submitting names of family members who served our nation’s military for recognition during the county’s monthly Honor a Deceased Veteran ceremony.
The monthly Honor a Deceased Veteran ceremony recognizes the life and service of veterans who have passed away following or during military service to our nation. Veterans who served during times of war or peace are eligible for recognition.
The monthly ceremony includes representatives from the federal, state and county levels of government. The ceremony has been conducted in Rensselaer County for approximately two decades, starting in 1995.
“The Honor a Deceased Veteran ceremony shows that Rensselaer County does not forget the service and sacrifice of our veterans and their families in defending our freedom and security,” said Walsh.
“We invite family members of a deceased veteran to consider participating in the ceremony, and to contact our county Veterans Service Agency for more information,” added Walsh.
For more information regarding the ceremony, contact Veteran’s Service Agency Director Peter Goebel at 518-270-2760 or Lonnie Warrington, secretary at 518-270-2743.
Candidates for the Honor a Deceased Veteran monthly ceremony must have been honorably discharged, resided in Rensselaer County at some time during their lifetime before their passing. Families are asked to please submit the veteran’s DD-214. If no DD-214 is available, it can be requested by the county Veteran’s Service Agency office.
Along with participating in the Honor a Deceased Veteran ceremony, Walsh also was instrumental in establishing the Hall of Heroes in the third floor lobby of the County Office Building. The Hall honors county residents who have earned the Medal of Honor, along with those recognized at the Honor a Deceased Veteran ceremony.
Woodside Cemetery Meeting
The Woodside Cemetery will hold its Annual Meeting of Lot Owners and their Families at the Union Gospel Church Hall in East Poestenkill on Tuesday, March 3 at 7 pm. For more information please call President Mike Kaiser at 283-1257.
Submitted by Gerald French,
Secretary, 518-527-8102
SVFD Host Texas Hold’Em Tournament
The Stephentown Volunteer Fire Department will hold a Texas Hold’em Tournament on Saturday, February 21, in the Stephentown Fire Hall, 35 Grange Hall Road in Stephentown, NY. The doors will open at 5:30 pm and close at 6 pm. Play begins at 6:15 sharp. A free buffet will be served at the first break and refreshments will be available.
No advance registration is required. A donation of $35 will be accepted and give the player 7,500 in chip value. Players can make an additional $10 donation at the door for 2,500 extra in chip. This tournament will pay one place for every 10 players with a minimum of four places and a maximum of 9 places.
The next Texas Hold’em dates in the Stephentown Fire Hall will be March 14 and 28.
For further information, call John Linton at 518-733-0469.
Upcoming Programs At Grafton Lakes State Parks
Friday, February 20 – Animal Tracking with the Family at 1pm – Fisher, fox, and other creatures live in the park! Learn how spot their tracks and sign, and then join us as we look for the stories they’ve left in the snow. Preregistration required as space is limited. $2 each or $5/family.
Wednesday, February 25 – Snowshoe Outing at 10:30 am. Join the park naturalists on a casual snowshoe hike through beautiful Grafton Lakes State Park. Practice your observation skills and bring your camera to capture the scenes! We will hike if there is no snow. $2/person includes rental.
Wednesday, March 4 – Almost Full Moon Outing at 6 pm. Savor winter under the glow of the moon. Meets at Shaver Pond Center. Space is limited so please pre-register and let us know if you need snowshoes for the outing: Call 279-1155. Sponsored by Friends of GLSP.
Saturday, March 14 – Backyard Maple Sugaring at 1pm. Do you long to set up a family-scale syruping operation in your backyard? Join us for a short film, demo and samples of sap and fresh syrup. $2/person and $5/family.
Saturday, March 21 – Backyard Maple Sugaring at 1pm. Savor a delicious sign of Spring and learn how to make syrup in your backyard. $2/person and $5/family.
Grafton Lakes State Park is open daily from 8am-dusk. For an ongoing schedule of Friends group outings that changes weekly, look us up on www.meetup.com/Friends-of-Grafton-Lakes-State-Park. For more info on the park or our programs, please call the park naturalist at 279-1155 or look us up on Facebook!
Hubbard Hall Presents Moliere’s Uproarious Comedy Of Creeps, Deceits And Delusions: Tartuffe
Hubbard Hall’s Theater Company will present one of Moliere’s best known and loved comedy, Tartuffe, directed by John Hadden, weekends February 20 through March 15.
Celebrating Mardi Gras
In spite of the cold weather folks turned out for the Annual Mardi Gras festivities in the Immaculate Conception Church hall on Friday, February 13. [Read more…] about Celebrating Mardi Gras