Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper
by Steve Bradley
Emma Willard 12 HF 2
The Ladies traveled to Troy last Friday to try to put another W in the books. It was not to be as the Jesters overpowered the Panthers. Claire Seifert and Shaelynn Kelly each scored a goal. Zaynah Poore had nine saves in goal.
[Read more…] about Lady Panthers Lacrosse Giving It Their Best
Hoosick Falls Central School will host a Scholastic Book Fair and Family Night Ice Cream Social on Thursday, May 8, from 6 to 8 pm with ice cream, activities, including caricatures by Jenny O’Connor, and summer reading club sign up in the elementary school cafeteria. The purpose of the annual event, hosted by the PTA, is to increase literacy among students and raise funds to purchase books for the elementary school library. Families, teachers and the community are invited to attend the Book Fair, for a night of fun for everyone.
The Book Fair continues Monday through Friday 9 to 11 am and 1:30 to 3 pm, from May 8 through May 16, offering specially priced books and educational products including new releases, award winning titles, children’s classics, adult books and current best-sellers from more than 100 publishers. Book Fair customers may help the school build classroom libraries and improve children’s reading skills by purchasing books through the Classroom Wish List and donating loose change to the “All for Books” programs.
To the Editor:
Let’s start telling the truth in regard to the Grafton playground equipment. Yes, I, a private citizen, contacted the Berlin School Board to see if they would be willing to give the pieces to the Town of Grafton. They requested an official letter from the Town requesting the equipment. At the March Town Board meeting I brought this up to the Board, and they were in agreement. Councilman Crandall called it “a wonderful idea.” The Supervisor turned it over to the Park Committee to handle. Councilwoman Barb Messenger offered to write the letter to the School Board. Prior to the April Town Board meeting I checked with the Town’s insurance agent to see if this would raise the Town’s premium. He informed me that the State has strict rules on playground equipment, how to install it, proper footing around it, the need to inspect and maintain it, etc. The Town most likely would need an engineer to draw up plans for the installation. He also informed me that the insurance company would send a safety inspector to look at the equipment first at NO COST to the Town to give us their opinion. Owning the equipment itself does not raise the premium.
Following up with the School Board I found out Barb never sent the letter. At the April Town Board meeting there was no mention of the playground equipment. I asked for an update and the response by the Supervisor was, “After what I learned from the insurance company, I’m not touching it.”
I did not contact the School Board after that statement. At this point I’m not sure what to even say to them. So where the statement or idea came from that I went around the Town Board and the red tape is TOTALLY FALSE.
Back to the Grafton Town Board, analyze the Supervisor’s statement for yourself and the actions of certain members of the Board. Two councilmen support having the insurance company send its safety inspector to look at the equipment. From there we can put a plan together depending upon his or her findings and whether or not the School Board is willing to allow us to have a few of the pieces.
Please contact your Board members and inform them you want them to start working for the people of this Town instead of working against them!
Cathy Goyer
38 Goyer Way, Petersburgh
submitted by Corinne Philpott
Hoosick Grange had a great turnout the night the Jazz Band came on April 23. There were family members and grangers ready to enjoy the music. The Lecturer introduced the band leader, Mr. Bill Brown, and welcomed everyone. They played “Rocky” for their first piece, and then “At The Hop,” “Born to be Wild” and many more. Mr. Brown introduced all the band members, and then they played some more. I especially liked “Rock Around the Clock,” “Sentimental Journey” and “Sweet Georgia Brown.” The band ended with the Twist; that made you feel like dancing. The Grange members really enjoyed the music. The Lecturer thanked them all for coming and invited them all for some delicious refreshments. We try to feed them very good. We set up tables so they could sit down and we could talk with them.
At our last meeting we had a Food Drive for the Food Closet. Everyone gave monetary gifts so they could buy what they need.
On May 7 Rensselaer County Pomona Grange will meet at the Hoosick Grange Hall. We are having a covered dish supper at 7 pm. Our next regular meeting is on May 14 in Hoosick. Mr. Kendall Baker is in charge of the program. We will meet at 8 pm. Mrs. Marion Cipperly is in charge of refreshments.
All programs are free and open to the public. For more information contact the Library at 518-279-0580 or email director@graftoncommunitylibrary.org. Stay up to date with everything that is happening at the Library by visiting our online events calendar at www.graftoncommunitylibrary.org/whats-happening-at-your-library, and signing up for our email newsletter on our website www.graftoncommunitylibrary.org.
Games Tournament Extravaganza With The Everett Wagar Senior Center
The next game is Wednesday, May 7, at 10 am. It is a Scrabble Tournament at the Library.
Growing Beautiful, Natural Vegetables In Our Mountain Soil
Tips and techniques for growing beautiful, natural vegetables in our mountain soil is on Saturday, May 17, at 10:30 am. Some people say that you can’t grow good vegetables in our rocky soil. Farmers Jonah Vitale-Wolff, Leah Penniman and Capers Rumph would beg to differ. They are the energy behind Grafton’s Soul Fire Farm, a Certified Naturally Grown family farm, community resource and vessel for education that provides vegetables to over 40 families each season from their 2 acres through their CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program. In this free, interactive presentation they will tell us about their farm and let us in on the secrets of growing abundant, natural vegetables comparable to top quality local produce without any chemical input. Bring your questions!
The Bison
Storyteller Gil Payette presents The Bison in Native American Culture on Friday, May 23, at 6:30 pm. Payette will be back for his ongoing series on Native American culture and folkways. This month we will learn about the American bison and learn some of the traditional uses of the buffalo by Native Americans. Know the difference between the bison and the buffalo, but no matter what the name, this was Tatanka to the Sioux Nation of the Great Plains. Tatanka represents sacredness, life, great strength, abundance and gratitude. Every aspect of Indian life on the Great Plains was touched by the buffalo for which they were most grateful and respectful.
Book Discussion Group
The book discussion group will meet Wednesday, May 28, at 12:30 pm. New participants are always welcome. May’s book selection is Meg Wolitzer’s The Interestings. “Wide in scope, ambitious and populated by complex characters who come together and apart in a changing New York City, The Interestings explores the ways class, power, art, money, success and friendship can shift and tilt precipitously over the course of a life.” Check the Book Discussion Group page on our website for more details.
Weekly Storytimes For Preschool-Aged Children
• Thursday, May 8, at 4 pm. (Special singalong storytime.)
• Wednesday, May 1, at10:30 am.
• Thursday, May 22, at 4 pm.
• Wednesday, May 28, at10:30 am.
• Thursday, May 29, at 4 pm -Nature Tales Storytime with special guests from Grafton Lakes State Park.
Game Day
Come to the Library on Tuesdays at 3:30 pm to play your favorite board games with friends: Scrabble, Bananagrams, Scattergories, and more. Use the Library’s games or bring your own.
Sit And Knit Needle Arts Group
Come share your love of all the needle arts on Saturdays at 10 am. There will be knitting, stitching, crocheting and more. All skill levels and abilities are welcome.
The New Lebanon Library announces the following May events. All of these events are free and will take place at the Library which is located at 550 State Route 20. Call 518-794-8844 for more information.
• May 7, 14, 21, 28 (event is on Wednesdays) – Small Wonders Storytime – 10 am. There will be songs, movement activities and age appropriate stories for our younger patrons and their caregivers. For toddlers up to 35 months.
• May 7, 14, 21, 28 (event is on Wednesdays) – Preschool Story Hour – 11 am. Story hour includes crafts, songs and movement activities. For children 35 months to 5 years.
• May 2 – Coffeehouse Night with Linda Worster – 6 pm. Enjoy an evening of acoustic music with this Berkshire favorite. Donations for the performer are appreciated.
• May 3 – Saturday Morning Story Hour – 10:30 am, includes crafts, songs and movement activities.
• May 4 – New Lebanon Book Group – 11 am. The book is A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki. All are welcome.
• May 7 – For the Love of Yoga – 6:30 pm. All are welcome to this free yoga class for all levels.
• May 9 – Bernice Lewis in concert – 6:30 pm. Enjoy an evening of folk and original music with this acclaimed Berkshire musician. Donations for the performer are appreciated.
• May 10 – Paws-to-Read – 9 am. Therapy dogs come to the Library, and children read to their furry friends. And, of course, the dogs listen! Please call to register.
• May 13 -Exploring Spirituality Film Series – 6:30 pm. This is a screening of “Infinity, The Ultimate Trip, Journey Beyond Death” with a discussion to follow.
• May 15 – “Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Friends and Rivals” – 7 pm. This lecture and poetry reading by Longfellow scholar Bruce Southard includes Longfellow’s contemporaries such as Hawthorne, Thoreau and Holmes, his interaction with them and recitations of his and their writing.
• May 22 – Family Crafts Night – 6:30 pm. Join us and make duct tape hiking gear. All materials will be provided. For ages 5 and up.
• May 23 – Robin O’Herin in concert – 6:30 pm. An historically rich, interactive concert that includes original and traditional American music that explores the music of the Delta and Piedmont regions of the South. Donations for the performer are appreciated.
• May 30 – Family Movie Night – 6:30 pm. This is a showing of a current film suitable for the whole family. Call for the title. Popcorn and juice will be provided.
For further information on any of these events, please contact Jeannie Bogino at 518-794-8844.
Come and visit Cheney Library on Saturday, May 3, at 10 am and be part of this gardening lecture. Some children, once introduced to gardening, will become life-long gardeners. Others lose interest fast and head back to their computer games. Whether their interests are in art, music, writing or building, teaching children to keep a journal will get them outdoors and hone their academic skills through the school year or over vacations, all while tending their garden plants. Leader Marilou Town-Pudiak is a Master Gardener with the Cornell Cooperative Extension and a retired teacher. With spring on its way, summer will be here before you know it. There will be lots to learn for kids and adults.
On Sunday, May 4, from 7 to 11 am, the Berlin Fire Department will be holding its monthly breakfast. Breakfast includes all-you-can-eat pancakes, French toast, biscuits with homemade sausage gravy, bacon and sausage, home fries, toast and eggs (sunny side up, over easy or over hard, scrambled). Beverage choice is coffee or tea (both available as decaf), hot chocolate, milk and orange juice.
The price is $7 for adults, $4 for children ages 5-12, free for children under 5. Take-outs are available by calling 658-2890.
Petersburgh – Nathan Andrew Winters, 34, died Tuesday, April 29, 2014, at Albany Medical Center in Albany, NY, due to injuries sustained in an ATV accident on his farm in Petersburgh, NY. Born in Lancaster, PA, on November 16, 1979, he is the loving son of Grace Fuller VanWinkle and stepson of Eric VanWinkle of Lebanon, PA, and the late LeeRoy Winters. He was a graduate of Cedar Crest High School in Lebanon and attended the Art Institute of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania.
