75 Years Of The US Coast Guard Auxiliary At GHS
The Grafton Historical Society will meet at 7 pm in the Grafton Town Hall on Wednesday, October 15. This month’s topic will be “America’s Volunteer Lifesavers: 75 Years of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.”
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the uniformed volunteer component of the U.S. Coast Guard. The USCG Auxiliary has evolved from its beginnings in 1939, when it taught boating safety and guarded the beaches from invaders, to being a critical force multiplier for the Coast Guard.
The speaker, Charles Poltenson, is USCG Division Vice Commander and Chief of Staff for Division 15, which is responsible for an area from Saugerties to the Canadian Border. He is also a member of the United States Coast Guard Pipe Band.
This program is free, and the public is welcome. Refreshments will be served.
Curragh At The Music and Art Café
The Music and Art Café at the Petersburgh Veterans Memorial Community Center will present Curragh on Saturday, November 1, at 7 pm. Curragh is a group of seasoned musicians, Peter Jones, fiddle, Hilary Schrauf, fiddle, bodhran, and vocals, Eric Everson, bouzouki and guitar and Kara Doyle, Uilleann pipes and penny whistle, who have played throughout New York and surrounding locations for over twenty years. Their programs present the best in Celtic music with jigs, reels, hornpipes, airs, set dances and waltzes.
Hoosick Grange News
submitted by Corinne Philpott
Hoosick Grange had a very interesting meeting on September 24. Master David Cornell conducted the business meeting. Marion Brenenstuhl was in charge of the Lecturer’s program. There were two tables set up with a lot of unusual things on them. Marion called on Omer Brenenstuhl who read two poems. Next Marion Cipperly had a poem titled “Autumn’s Golden Moon,” and Martha Babbitt had a little glass figurine of a black bird, and we were to guess what it was. Marion Cipperly also had a beautiful handwoven basket with a Best of Show ribbon on it. She got the ribbon at the Schaghticoke Fair. She had a few pictures of the Cipperly family from 1909 – 1915. David Filkins had 8 model farms boards with pictures and cows. He painted the cows to be like his grandfather’s. Marion Hynick had a beautiful bag that she bought in Turkey. The bag had pictures of camels on it. Corinne Philpott had two handwritten poems and a picture she took of a river in England that she painted. Burta Burr had tools she uses in painting gold leaf. She had some Ducate Double Gold. She told us that she painted the weather vane in the church in Old Bennington. Carleton Philpott showed what looked like a short pail that was used for ice fishing. It had an oil lantern in it and a little door to keep warm. David Cornell had a box that would cure all ailments patented in 1896 and looked electrical. He had a tool he didn’t know for sure what it was, but Ralph Philpott knew what it was. He also had a 1920 Model T. coil that was used to start the car. Marion Brenenstuhl showed some other mugs or cups that were given to her over 28 years of driving a school bus. She also had 38 blue ribbons, 19 red and ten white she earned at the S. Fair this year. She had a closing thought. Marion had a great program and everyone brought in great things. David Cornell had refreshments.
Our next meeting was on October 8. Marion Cipperly was in charge of the program. Marion had a speaker, Mr. Dean Foster – Headmaster of the Hoosac School. All were welcome to come and hear him. The program started at 8 pm. Refreshment Chairman was Marion Cipperly.
A Fall Tradition Continues In Rensselaer County
On a beautiful day, September 27, the Grafton Trail Riders hosted their 64th annual Over The Mountain ride, as part of a three day weekend event. This is a 21 mile horseback ride from the Massachusetts border at the top of the Petersburgh Pass to our club grounds in Grafton.
Sixty-six riders from across New York State (Granville, Edmeston, Rodman, Watertown), Vermont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and as far away as Montana rode, using a variety of trails, including hiking trails, logging trails, dirt roads and old railroad beds.
Homeowners along the way came out to watch the horses pass, and a young lady on Scriven Road even had a bucket of treats for the horses. It is very special to view the spectacular scenery and beauty of our area from the back of your horse! We are truly fortunate to live in such a beautiful region of our state.
On behalf of the club, the Grafton Trail Riders extend our heartfelt thanks to those who helped make this ride a success.
Stephentown Youth Halloween Party
Young children, pre-k through fifth grade, and their families are invited to the Stephentown Fire Hall on Sunday, October 26, from 2 to 3 pm for the annual Halloween Party, sponsored by the Stephentown Memorial Library and the Town of Stephentown.
Fun activities for all ages will include a Haunted House, a costume contest, crafts and activities, including special activities for toddlers/pre-schoolers. The price of admission is one bag of candy. Wear your costumes for a costume parade with judging and prizes!
All About Email – A Free Program At The Grafton Community Library
On Friday, October 24, at 6:30 pm, the Grafton Community Library will present the second in its “Get Savvy about Computers!” series, offered in partnership with the Cornell Cooperative Extension. This month’s class is all about email. Participants will learn how to get an email address if they don’t have one and then learn how to get the most out of their email account in order to stay connected and safe online.
Laptops will be available for the first eight attendees to make use of during the program. Participants are welcome to bring their own laptops or other devices.
Future classes will be tailored to the needs of the participants and will include topics such as using Microsoft Office® tools or working with digital photographs.
For more information visit graftoncommunitylibrary.org or call 279-0580.
Underground Railroad At The Center
The Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation at Hoosick Falls is hosting a presentation by Rensselaer County Historical Society on the Underground Railroad in Rensselaer and Washington Counties on October 15 from 10 to 11 am at The Center, 21 Danforth Street, Hoosick Falls.
This presentation is free and open to the public.
Youth 2 Youth Haunted House Dance
On Friday, October 17, from 7:30 to 9:30 pm there will be a Youth 2 Youth Haunted House Dance at the Berlin Middle/High School with a costume contest and raffle prizes, including two tickets to Ramblewild Adventure Park.
Admission is $5 at the door; $3 with advance sign-up. Sign up at the main school office, one of your local libraries, on Facebook or by contacting Biffy Cahill, Youth 2 Youth Adult Facilitator at 518-791-2001 or TRACsCoalition@gmail.com.
This event is sponsored by Stephentown Youth Commission.
Letter To The Editor – Supporting Buckley
To the editor:
Many Grafton residents know that I retired from active politics two years ago, but I still have a keen interest in what happens in our town. This year Eric Buckley has made known that he seeks the position of Town Councilman to fill the vacant position.
I’ve know Eric for many years and respect him as a successful businessman, husband, father, and community volunteer, working with our children in the sports field.
I feel he embodies everything we need on our Town Board. His ability to work with all parties would be outstanding. I ask all citizens of Grafton, regardless of party, to place a vote for Eric on election day, and we will all win.
Thank you,
Bill Middleton
former Grafton Democratic Committee Chairman