The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

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Letter To The Editor – Does HFCS Know What The ADA Is?

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Dear Editor:

On Thursday afternoon (September 4) I went to a local automotive repair business in Bennington, VT, to have my wheelchair van’s oil changed and checked before I drove to the Syracuse Carrier Dome on Sunday, September 7, to watch the Hoosick Falls Football Team, of which my son is a member, play in the High School Kick-off Classic, one of only 18 schools in New York State to receive the honor, but the mechanic drove it off the side of the cement lift slamming the van into a cement wall leaving it severely damaged and unsafe to drive to Syracuse

Since I am a quadriplegic of 43 years and use a power wheelchair for mobility I am forced to use a vehicle that either has a wheelchair lift or a ramping system. My son knowing that Hoosick Falls was sending buses for cheerleaders/band and fans took it upon himself on Friday to ask the Athletic Director (Mr. Tom Husser) if one of the wheelchair buses could be sent so his dad could go? He was told NO, without hesitation.

Some of the football coaches also asked; they, too, were told no. My wife and other ambulatory parents were allowed to ride the fan buses but not me. On the bus ride to Syracuse, my wife was told by the driver, if more ambulatory buses were needed, they were to be added.

Recently I went with my son to the yearly Code of Conduct meeting required for any student who is going to play sports at Hoosick Falls. Two ex-NAVY SEALS spoke about how it takes parents, coaches, students and school administrators working together for the students’ teams to be successful.

I think the students, coaches and parents understand the philosophy, but I am not sure the school administration does. My son is a senior, and unless the football team ends up in the championship game again, I will never get to see my son’s team play at the Dome again. I know Coach Jones and his team will try their hardest to make it back to the Dome, and I pray that happens, but just in case it doesn’t, I have to ask again WHY COULDN’T THEY SEND A LIFT BUS to allow me or a student or any other individual with a disability to go to the game?

So I ask, why couldn’t a lift equipped bus have been added? I have managed transportation systems throughout the United States for over 35 years and during most of that time the Americans with Disabilities Act (passed July 26, 1991) which protects persons with disabilities from discriminations has been in effect. Doesn’t the Hoosick Falls Administration know what the ADA is?

On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks was told to move to the back of the city bus but stood her ground by refusing, and the whole world heard her. Fifty-nine years later discrimination still exists, however, now, individuals try harder to keep it quiet!

Sincerely,

Richard Pitt

Oak Street, Hoosick Falls

What Is A Kiwanis Club?

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Come join your local Hoosick Falls Kiwanis Club for dessert on Wednesday, October 8, starting at 6:30 pm at the Hoosick Falls Fire Department on Griffin Avenue, Hoosick Falls. Come see what the Kiwanis Club does for your community. Be our guest. Call 686-4426 to let us know you are attending… or just show up!

Aging Successfully With Low Vision

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The Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation at Hoosick Falls, 21 Danforth Street, is hosting an informative presentation entitled, “Aging Successfully with Low Vision, What You Can Do” by Cheryl Lawyer, speaker from  Northeastern Association for the Blind. The presentation will be held on Wednesday, October 1, from 10 to 11 am.

Learn about:

• early warning signs of vision loss;

• taking care of your eyes;

• low vision rehabilitation and  other services, and

• low vision adaptive aids.

Call Christa Caron at 518-686-4371 ext. 136 to register to attend this free event.

Upcoming Events At The Stephentown Memorial Library

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• Computer Basics Class – Thursday, October 2, at 6:30 pm. These days computer skills are no longer just optional – they are essential to almost every aspect of life, from finding a job and keeping up with the news, to staying in touch with friends and family. If there is something you have been thinking about learning or trying out, but you aren’t sure where to start, then this class is for you. Bring your questions and enjoy one on one attention. No matter your experience – all questions are welcome. This class is open to all ages and abilities and is free to attend. It is offered by the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rensselaer County and taught by Sarah McFadden.

• Weekly Story Time – Fridays at 10 am. Calling all pre-schoolers (and their care-givers)!   Join us each Friday for some story time fun. In this half hour session, we read aloud, sing songs, move about and explore the world around us through literature. Parents and children are encouraged to stay after story time so children have time for free play while grown-ups browse for books and socialize.

• New Lego Club – starting on Saturday, October 4, at 11 am.  Do you have a Lego enthusiast who could spend hours and hours every day engrossed with creative building? Do you have so many Legos in your house that you never know when you’ll suck one up with your vacuum cleaner? Do you sometimes get down on the floor with your clever builders and create something of your own? Well, this club is for you and your family! The New Lego Club meets on the first Saturday of the month for an hour of building fun. This month’s theme is Star Wars! There is no sign-up or charge.  Donations of Lego blocks are most welcome at the Library desk.

• Star Wars Read Day – Saturday, October 11, from 11 am to 1 pm.  The force is strong with young ones for Star Wars Read Day. There will be snacks, trivia and activity stations. Kids can make light sabers, fold an origami Yoda and more. Costumes are encouraged.  There will be some prizes and giveaways at the event.

For more information, call the Stephentown Memorial Library at 733-5750. Check our website,www.stephentownlibrary.org  for regular updates.

Cheney Library Story Kitchen

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In the Story Kitchen will be the theme of the fall pre-school story time at Cheney Library in Hoosick Falls. Tuesdays at 10 am is story time for pre-schoolers and their caregivers in the new Children’s Room. There will be stories, songs and crafts, and we will prepare our own snack based on each of the stories. On September 30 – Teddy Bear Picnic, on October 7 – The Muffin Man, on October 14 – Apples Here, on October 21 – Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, on October 28 – Candy Sushi, on November 4 – Sun Bread and on November 18 – Gingerbread Boy. There will be no story time on November 11, Veterans Day – the Library will be closed. If you have questions, please call 518-686-9401. Cheney Library hours are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 1 – 8 pm; Tuesday 10 am – 5 pm; Friday 11 am – 4 pm and Saturday 8 am – 1 pm.

Grafton Library Presents Native American Rock Art

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Local Storyteller Gil Payette will be back at the Grafton Community Library on Friday, October 3, at 6:30 pm for the next in his program series on Native American culture and folkways.

Native American Rock Art provides a vital record of the different peoples who lived on the North American Continent going back almost 15,000 years. Using a dynamic, multimedia presentation, Payette will take his audience through this fascinating history and help us learn about those who came before us on this land. Visit graftoncommunitylibrary.org or call 279-0580 for more details.

Financial Planning At The Berlin Library

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A member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA) of Northeastern New York will be presenting a discussion on financial planning at 11 am, followed by free mini-financial planning consultations at the Berlin Library on Saturday, October 4. She will be available for private financial planning sessions from 11:30 am to 2 pm, limited to 20 minute sessions and by appointment. This event will be held in recognition of FPA Financial Planning week to help Americans discover the value of financial planning.

Community members can receive assistance with retirement planning, paying for college, budgeting, debt management, estate planning, income taxes, mortgage loans, insurance and other topics.

The FPA is dedicated to serving our community by offering objective financial planning services to individuals and families. FPA members adhere to the highest standards of professional competence, ethical conduct and clear, complete disclosure to those they serve. For more information, visit fpa-neny.org.

To schedule an appointment with a financial planner for this event, please call the Berlin Library at 518-658-2231.

Sing-Along Story Time at The Grafton Library

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Bring the kids for a “Sing-Along Story Time” at Grafton Community Library at 4 pm on Thursday, October 2. In this monthly program, local favorites Mary Pierson and Jennene Ferguson will combine fun and learning with songs, guitar playing and stories for preschool and early school age children.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, “Reading aloud and talking about pictures and words in age appropriate books can strengthen language skills, literacy development and parent-child relationships.” The Grafton Community Library is committed to supporting the healthy development of our youngest patrons with a great selection of picture books and easy readers and a range of programs including weekly story times and more.

Call 279-0580 or visit graftoncommunitylibrary.org for more information.

Petersburgh Library News

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Knitting Group

The Petersburgh Public Library knitting group resumes meeting for the fall on Wednesday, October 1, at 4 pm. All knitters are welcome as well as anyone interested in learning how to knit. Yarn and needles are provided if you would just like to give it a try without making any monetary investment.

Story Hour

Preschoolers and their care-givers are invited to story hour on Tuesdays at 11 am. On September 30 we are continuing our transportation theme with airplanes, and on October 7 stories will feature trains. On October 14 we head into fall with apples.

Book Group 

You are invited to come to the book discussion group on Wednesday, October 8, at 7 pm to discuss the book Wonder by R. J. Palacio. Any young people who have read the book are encouraged to come for the discussion.

Copies of the book are available at the Library for you to take home and read.

Letter To The Editor – 60 Years Old Picnic

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To The Editor:

The Grafton Library’s “60 Years Old” picnic [on September 14] was a wonderful event. The weather was sunny; the food was terrific and abundant. The cake was delicious, and the company was friendly and entertaining. Those Graftonites who didn’t attend missed an awesome and auspicious celebration. I met some neighbors I had not known before. I hope you have another picnic.

Elsie Risedorf

Route 2, Grafton