The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

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Winter Solstice Labyrinth Walk

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The HAYC3 Winter Solstice Labyrinth Walk will be returning to the HAYC3 Armory on Sunday, December 21, from 6 to 7 pm.

An ancient symbol that relates to wholeness, the labyrinth has long been used as a walking meditation and prayer tool by many cultures and faiths. Featuring a single path to the center and back out, the labyrinth represents a journey to our center and back out into the world. For many, the labyrinth walk leads to healing, self-knowledge, peace and finding a purpose in life.

The event is free and open to the public.

The HAYC3 Armory is located at 80 Church Street in Hoosick Falls. For more information, call HAYC3 at 518-686-9050.

HAYC3 (Hoosick Armory, Youth Center, and Community Coalition) is a rural revival and community arts organization based in Hoosick Falls. HAYC3’s goal is to restore rural sustainability and drive economic development through art, culture, education and health. It works toward these goals through being a community incubator, an art center and a place of opportunity.

A Winter Wonderland In Grafton

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The snow is a perfect setting for this Saturday’s open house for Grafton’s Festival of Trees. It will be held at the Everett Wagar Senior Center from 10 am to 2 pm. Santa will visit around noon time, and there will be music around 1 pm. Light refreshments of the season will be served.

Please join your neighbors and friends to check out these trees and support our community.

The Stardusters To Present Its Third Annual Christmas Concert

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submitted by Bill Gaillard 

The “big band” known as the Stardusters was formed in 1976 by Cortland Cottrell and continues today managed by his son Bill Cottrell and conducted by Bill Gaillard. The Stardusters will present its third annual Christmas  concert on December 14 at 3 pm at the Community Alliance Church in Hoosick Falls.

Big bands were popular in the latter part of the last century and were known by their musicians such as Glen Miller and Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, among others. Instrumentation included five saxophones, three trumpets, three trombones, a piano, traps and a bass. In many cases the leader was a soloist, and, in the case of the Stardusters, Bill Cottrell is the lead trumpet or soprano sax soloist.

The Stardusters are available for parties, receptions and concerts. Recently, the last week in June, the band performed in Wood Park before the summer band concert season and three years ago began the tradition of a Christmas concert.

Being a swing group in the big band era, the Stardusters’ Christmas selections are arranged with the swing or jazz idiom in mind. This adds a new  type of programming to the holiday season.

Some of the selections on this year’s program include “Winter Wonderland,” “The Nutcracker Swing” (based on “The Nutcracker Suite”), “Deck the Halls with Bones and Saxes,” “O Holy Night,” “Silent Night” and the Christmas waltz.

The program will also include audience participation with well known carols in a sing-a-long.

The audience is asked to bring a non-perishable food item to be given to the local food closet.

All are invited to attend this swingin’ concert. The Stardusters join a list of musical groups in Hoosick Falls continuing a tradition started by Henderson VanSurdam and the Eberles among others.

New Lebanon Library Hosts Community Holiday Celebration

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The New Lebanon Library will host a fun filled community holiday celebration on Friday, December 19, from 6 to 8 pm at the Library.  The celebration will include music, pot luck, caroling, crafts for kids, tree lighting and a visit from Santa. Participants are encouraged to bring treats or a covered dish to share.

Music will be provided by jazz duo DBX2, which features bassist Dan Broad and pianist David Bartley. Broad, one of the most sought after bassists in Western New England, has performed in nearly every state in the Union and as well as in Europe. Bartley’s musical career included scoring original music for film, video and radio productions, performing in various popular music groups and composing and performing several performance art pieces in association with the Washington Performing Arts Society.

This program is free, and all are welcome. For more information, please call the Library at 518-794-8844. The Library is located at 550 State Route 20, ¼ mile north of the yellow blinking light at the intersection of Routes 20/22.

Hoosick Falls Community Band To Present Its 32nd Annual Christmas Concert

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submitted by Bill Gaillard 

The Hoosick Falls Community Band under the direction of Bill Gaillard will present its 32nd annual Christmas Concert on  December 17, at 7:30 pm at the First United Presbyterian Church in Hoosick Falls.

The Community Band is a continuation of the VanSurdam Military Band established in 1873 by Henderson S. VanSurdam. The original name of the band was removed at the request of the VanSurdam family in 1970, and the band was renamed with many of the original members. Bill Gaillard became conductor under the managerial time of Fred Quackenbush.

The Christmas Concerts were started by Rev. Robert Sprunger who was the pastor of the First United Presbyterian Church at the time and also a clarinet player with the band.

The Community Band is known for its summer concerts in Wood Park, its support of the Flag Day ceremony, its marching in the Memorial Day Parade and recently doing a concert at the Waubeeka Golf Course. The brass section also performs at the tree lighting and provides music in the Village prior to the Christmas Holiday.

Selections on this season’s program include “Blue Christmas, “White Christmas,” “Do You Hear What I Hear,” “O Holy Night,” selections from Handel’s Messiah, “I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day” and “The Christmas Song.”

Our own “God  Bless America” soloist Judy Hoag will lead us in what has become almost a second National Anthem.

The program will include an audience participation sing-a-long of popular carols.

A reception will follow the concert, and all are invited to a concert provided by our home town band.

December Events At The New Lebanon Library

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The New Lebanon Library will hold the following December events. All of these events are free and will take place at the Library which is located at 550 State Route 20.

December 17 (event is on Wednesday) – Small Wonders Storytime – 10 am. This is songs, movement activities and age appropriate stories for our younger patrons and their caregivers – for toddlers up to 35 months.

December 17 (event is on Wednesday) – Preschool Story Hour – 11 am. Story hour includes crafts, songs and movement activities. For kids 35 months to 5 years.

December 12 – Coffeehouse Night with Linda Worster – 6 pm, an evening of acoustic music with this Berkshire favorite. Donations for the performer are appreciated. December 15 and 29 (event is every other Monday) – Study the Constitution – 7 pm. This biweekly discussion group focuses on the study of the Constitution. Interested participants should bring their questions and be ready to share their opinions.

December 16 – Block Party: Legos in the Library – 4 to 5:30 pm. This is a Lego club for kids. We provide the Legos and will display all creations in the Library until the next club.

December 18 – Holiday Film Night – 6:30 pm. Join us for a screening of the classic holiday musical Scrooge.

December 19 – Community Holiday Celebration with DBX2 – 6 pm. Enjoy pot luck, caroling, crafts for kids, tree lighting and a visit from Santa. Participants are encouraged to bring treats or a covered dish to share. Music will be provided by jazz duo DBX2. All are welcome.

December 28 – David Grover and Linda Worster in Concert Together – 2 pm. Celebrate New Year’s a few days early with these two local favorites.

December 29 – Bingo for Kids – 1 pm. There will be bingo, prizes and fun for kids aged 5-12.

December 30 – Crafts for Kids – 1 pm. Join us and make an adorable snowy owl. All materials provided. For ages 5 and up.

Call the Library at 518-794-8844 for more information on any of these events.

HFCS Bowlers Blank North Warren

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submitted by Coach Bob Lang 

The Hoosick Falls bowling team defeated North Warren on Thursday, December 4, by the score of 4-0. Hoosick Falls had total match pins of 3,243, and North Warren had total match pins of 2,450. Hoosick Falls now has a league point total of 8-0 and an overall match record of 3-0. North Warren has a league point record of 0-12.

[Read more…] about HFCS Bowlers Blank North Warren

Letter To The Editor – To A Great Football Squad

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To the Editor:

I don’t understand football – a ball that isn’t round but pointed at each end? But you guys had me hooked since back in 2013. I understand perseverance and teamwork, and you all have it.

I watched the Super game in Syracuse and at the end where you lost by a goal and conversion (not a whipping job you gave local teams). You looked upset by this one loss, and I understand that because you are kids. (Anyone under 70 is a kid to me.) But keep your heads up and backs straight because you got to the Supergame! Again! For this you should be proud.

The really big picture – you will tell your kids about your football career. You have represented yourselves, your school, your community and your fine coaching staff very well. Be proud of your fine work!

I will try to figure out why that ball has a funny shape.

Thanks for being you!

Bill Gaillard, HFCS Music Department (Retired)

HAYC3 To Host Health And Fitness Expo

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Exhibitors Still Being Accepted

The Health And Fitness Expo will be held at the HAYC3 Armory, 80 Church Street, Hoosick Falls,  on Saturday, January 10, from 9 am until 1 pm. This family-friendly event is open to the public and will feature over 30 exhibitors including dietitians, reiki practitioners, skin and health experts, fitness instructors and more. Free workshops, educational programs on common chronic illnesses, free health screenings and health and wellness opportunities will take place throughout the day.

Physicians and other local health care providers will be on hand to discuss services available to you or a loved one to manage health issues.

The fee for adults is $2; children are admitted for free. To learn more about the event or exhibiting, please call HAYC3 at 518-686-9050 or visit  www.hayc3.org.

David Grover And Linda Worster At The New Lebanon Library

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Local favorites David Grover and Linda Worster will be performing together at the New Lebanon Library on Sunday, December 28, from 2 to 4 pm.  All are welcome, and the event is free

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 coffeehouses, colleges, churches, healing centers, cafés and clubs. She has opened for many well-known artists including Livingston Taylor, Harry Chapin, Paul Stookey, Leo Kotke, David Bromberg, Bill Staines, Dave Mallett, Jonathan Edwards, Joan Baez, Richie Havens and Taj Mahal.

For further information, please call the Library at 518-794-8844. The Library is located at 550 State Route 20, ¼ mile north of the yellow blinking light at the intersection of Routes 20/22.