Coach DJ Connolly writes, “This year is the first year Berlin Central School District has had wrestling in five years. We have a co-team with New Lebanon.”
Lady Panthers Roaring
by Steve Bradley
HF 47 Tamarac 33
On Friday, December 12, the host HFCS Lady Panthers basketball team wasted no time letting the Tamarac Bengals know who was in charge on this night. Blasting out to a 16 – 4 first quarter lead, the Panthers continued to stretch the lead to 25 – 8 by the halftime buzzer.
Rachel Pine led all scorers with 12 points. Chelsea Stevens scored 11, including three three-pointers. Megan Flynn had a nice outing, scoring eight points, including going 4 for 4 at the free throw line, hauling down 16 rebounds and blocking two shots.
HF 60 Mechanicville 39
The Ladies were never tested by Mechanicville on Monday, taking a 17 – 6 first quarter lead. By the end of the third quarter, the Panthers held a commanding 48 to 25 lead and cruised to a win in the Mechanicville gym.
Megan Flynn was the leader of the pack on this night. Flynn led all scorers with 18 points, shooting 5 of 11 field goals and 8 of 11 free throws. She also ripped down 14 rebounds, had 2 steals and one blocked shot.
Chelsea Stevens had 11 points, including 3 three-pointers. Kelly Pine added 10 points and nine rebounds.
Up Next
Over the next week, the Ladies will host Hoosic Valley on Friday, December 19. The JV game begins at 6 pm, and the varsity game begins after the JV, usually about 7:30.
The following week the Ladies will host their annual Hoosick Falls Tournament beginning on Monday, December 29, at 5:30 pm. Teams competing in the tournament have not yet been announced.
Panther Bowling Wrap-Up
submitted by Coach Bob Lang
The Hoosick Falls bowling team beat Stillwater last Thursday by the score of 4-0. Hoosick Falls had total match pins of 3,670, and Stillwater had total match pins of 2,461. Hoosick Falls now has a point record of 12-0 and a match record of 4-0 overall. Top bowlers for Hoosick Falls were Josh McCart 255-724, Jon Bossoni 235-671, Eric Bloomer 225-609, Kyla Day 255-596, Jennifer Sargood 213-548 and William Charbonneau 202-522. Other good JV and Exhibition scores were Tyler Lindsey 172-472, Matt Bulson 171, Meghan Backes 170 and Owynn Arnold 154.
“The team bowled some great scores today even though we were missing two varsity bowlers due to sickness. I told the team that this is why we practice from week to week because you never know when you might be called up to varsity to help the team win a match. Both Kyla and William stepped up today and bowled great to help the team win this important Southern Division match against Stillwater. Josh and Jon had their best triples of the year to lead the team to the victory. Both Eric and Jennifer bowled great to give the team the best match total, 3,670, of the season. It was a total team effort, and I hope we can continue these great scores as we have some big matches coming up next week,” said Coach Lang.
On Friday, December 12, the Hoosick Falls bowling team defeated Whitehall by the score of 4-0. Hoosick Falls had total pins of 2,807, and Whitehall had total pins of 2,401. Hoosick Falls now has a point record of 16-0 with a match record of 5-0. Hoosick Falls’ top bowlers were Josh McCart 211-540, Kyla Day 187-532 and Jon Bossoni 188-506.
“It was another low scoring match on difficult lane conditions. The team stayed patient as they tried to adjust to the lane conditions. The most important thing was that we won the match and remained in first place in the Adirondack League Southern Division,” Coach Lang said.
The Hoosick Falls bowling team defeated Corinth on Tuesday by the score of 4-0. Hoosick Falls had total match pins of 3,432 to Corinth’s total match pins of 2,709. Hoosick Falls now has a point record of 20-0 and a match record of 6-0 overall. Hoosick Falls’ top bowlers were Josh McCart 246-663, Jon Bossoni 246-630, Eric Bloomer 244-600, A.J. Hurlburt 210-591 and Kyla Day 221-584. Top JV scores were William Charbonneau 199-492 and Matt Bulson 211-438.
“This was another good team effort with a lot of good scores. The bowlers had a lot of strikes and did a good job making their spares. They made some good adjustments in the third game when the lanes started breaking down,” Coach Lang said,
The Hoosick Falls bowling team won a big match against Northern Division rival Fort Edward on Wednesday by the score of 3-1. Hoosick Falls had total match pins of 3,444; Fort Edward had match pins of 3,281. Hoosick Falls has a point record of 23-1 and overall match record of 7-0 while Fort Edward has a point record of 21-3 and a match record of 5-1. Top bowler for Fort Edward was Brad DeLisle with a 243-660. Top bowlers for Hoosick Falls were Josh McCart 236-686, Ken Marbot 249-642, A.J. Hurlburt 226-629, Jon Bossoni 213-524, Kyla Day 195-510 and Eric Bloomer 194-500. JV and Exhibition bowlers also had some good scores – William Charbonneau 171-496, Tyler Lindsey 171-491, Meghan Backes 187, Matt Bulson 175, James Hynd 157, Chris Synder 152 and Owynn Arnold 146.
“This was a big win for our team beating Fort Edward on their lanes and giving us a good win against a quality team. After losing the first game by 13 pins, the team came back and won the second game by 129 pins and the third game by 47 pins giving us an advantage of 163 pins for total match point. I was very proud how they didn’t get down after losing the first game by only 13 pins. They showed a lot of character by coming back and winning the match 3-1 against a good team like Fort Edward,” said Coach Lang.
Walter B. Howard Elementary School Teacher Receives National Certification
submitted by Erin Clary, Communications Specialist, New Lebanon CSD
Kindergarten teacher Jason Breslin recently received certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) as an Early Childhood teacher.
[Read more…] about Walter B. Howard Elementary School Teacher Receives National Certification
Wrestlers Compete In Glens Falls Tourney
by Steve Bradley
The Hoosick Falls wrestling team participated in the Glens Falls Mat Mania Tournament over the past weekend.
Nolan Foster, wrestling at 120 pounds, and Garrett Wright, at 182, brought home championships in their respective weight classes. Sam Richard, wrestling at 106 lbs. brought home a third place finish.
The Hoosick Falls team finished eighth in overall points with 86.5. Niskayuna took the tournament crown with 172 points, and Corinth finished second with 145.
On Thursday, December 18, the team hosts Tamarac at HFCS. Modified wrestling begins at 6 pm, followed by JV and varsity.
On Saturday, December 20, the team will travel to Ravena for the Lewis Johnson Memorial Tournament, a dual meet, beginning at 10 am. Following that, the next match will be the Warrensburg Duals Tournament scheduled for January 3, also at 10 am.
A Christmas Carol At Berlin High School
The Berlin Dramateers (featuring student and staff performers) will present Charles Dickens’ classic tale A Christmas Carol on Saturday, December 20, at 7 pm and Sunday, December 21, at 2 pm.
Tickets cost $5 for adults, $3 for student or senior citizens. To order tickets contact Maureen Seel at 518-658-3325 or email twinsmom@taconic.net.
Government Assistance For Laid Off Oak-Mitsui Workers
from U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s Office
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and U.S. Congressman Chris Gibson (NY-19) announced Wednesday that the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has approved a much needed Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) certification for laid off workers at Oak-Mitsui Technologies in Hoosick Falls. Former employees will now be able to apply for critical TAA benefits.
“This trade adjustment assistance will help ease the burden for our laid-off Oak-Mitsui workers as they look for new jobs,” said Senator Gillibrand. “While we work with local officials to attract new private sector jobs to the area, we must also ensure that workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own have the support and resources they need to get back on their feet and secure good jobs.”
“This is a small piece of good news for hard working people who have been through a lot this year and are facing a difficult beginning to the New Year,” said Congressman Gibson. “We will continue our advocacy for these families and for this community as we seek new opportunities for workforce development and employment in northeastern Rensselaer County.”
Earlier this month, Senator Gillibrand and Congressman Gibson wrote U.S. Labor Secretary Thomas Perez urging him to support the TAA petition filed on behalf of the 29 Oak-Mitsui Technologies workers who were notified in November that they would be laid off. Oak-Mitsui Technologies has played an important role in the Hoosick Falls area for over 40 years, and with the recent announcement that the company would be closing its local plant in February, workers will now be able to apply for TAA benefits following the approval of this petition.
TAA is a federal program established under the Trade Act of 1974. Workers whose employment is adversely affected by increased imports and shifts in production outside the U.S. may apply for TAA, which provides a range of benefits and reemployment services, such as:
• Training for Employment in another Job or Career. Workers are eligible for training in occupational skills, basic or remedial education, or training in literacy or English as a second language. Workers may also receive employment services such as case management, skills assessment, and job search assistance.
• Income Support. Workers can receive weekly cash payments called trade readjustment allowances (TRA) after a worker’s unemployment compensation benefit is exhausted and during the period in which a worker is participating in an approved full-time training program.
• Job Search Allowance. Workers can get reimbursed for expenses incurred in seeking employment outside their normal commuting area.
• Relocation Allowances. Workers can receive reimbursement for approved expenses if they are successful in obtaining employment outside their normal commuting area and they need to relocate.
Car Hits Pole In Slow Motion
by Steve Bradley
A young man leaving the Village of Hoosick Falls Tuesday afternoon forgot to keep an eye on where he was going. The driver drifted out of his lane and across the road and came to a quick stop when he ran into a telephone pole on the side of the road. [Read more…] about Car Hits Pole In Slow Motion
Panther Boys Basketball Team Cuts For A Cause
Stephentown Memorial Library News
The Stephentown Memorial Library will be closed Wednesday, December 24, and Thursday, December 25, for Christmas. We will also be closed Wednesday, December 31, and Thursday, January 1, for New Year’s. We wish you all a joyous and safe holiday season.
Events
• Family Movie Night – On Friday, December 19, at 6:30 pm we will show a recently released movie. Bring the kids for a free movie at the Library. This month the movie is Guardians of the Galaxy, rated PG-13. This movie features a misfit gang of space thieves who conquer the bad guys and save the universe. Running time for this movie is 122 minutes. Popcorn and juice will be served. Family Movie Night is free, and all are welcome!
• Family Movie Matinee – Kids climbing the walls after the holiday excitement? Bring them to the Library for a showing of the sing-along version of Frozen on Saturday, December 27, at 12:30 pm. Experience the epic animated hit from Walt Disney like never before in an all new, full length “Sing-Along Edition!” Join Anna as she sets off on an epic journey, teaming up with mountain man Kristoff and a snowman named Olaf, to find her sister Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom in eternal winter. Running time is 102 minutes, and the movie is rated PG. Juice and cookies will be served. This event is free, and all are welcome! Parents or caregivers must accompany children under 12.
• Pajama Storytime – Wear your pjs and bring your favorite stuffed animal, along with a parent or caregiver. We will listen to some holiday stories, sing a few holiday songs and enjoy cocoa and cookies. Join us Tuesday, December 30, at 6:30 pm.
For more information on any of these programs or to register for programs, call the Stephentown Memorial Library at 733-5750 or stop by during our Library Hours. Also check our website, www.stephentownlibrary.org for regular updates.