The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

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Hoosick Grange News

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Hoosick Grange had an open meeting on April 9. Marion Brenenstuhl was in charge of the program. She introduced Mr. Paul Davendonis from the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office. Paul told us he was a fire investigator for eleven years. His partner is a yellow retriever named Inferno. He didn’t bring her in at first; she gets so excited. She is eight years old and weighs 68 pounds and eats only dog food, no table scraps. Paul told us a dog’s nose can smell 400 to 500 times better than humans. He and Inferno investigate after a fire to see if the fire was set or not. Paul took a stick with a drop of keroscene on it and hid it under a paper cup. He had set out five or six cups on the floor in different places. After answering questions, he went out and brought Inferno in. She ran around very excited then Paul called in a high tone voice, “find the cause” – that is the command. She went smelling around each paper cup and then sat next to the one that had the keroscene under it and looked at him. She was right. Then he played with her with something like a towel. She grabbed onto it, and he would pull it. They call this “play and praise.” She loved it. Inferno was very friendly; we were all able to pet her. In 2007 they were able to arrest two arsonists because of her nose. They have been to Bennington, Massaschusetts, Troy and all around the area investigating. They work for the County. They train every week. In the beginning they trained for five weeks in Watkins Glen for “scent impriting.” Inferno wears a vest, goes for check-ups and shots and is a good family dog, safe with the children. She is certified every year. They have two fire investigators in Rensselaer County. The Sheriffs are also EMTs. They belong to the K-9 Unit. Inferno’s number is 16. We sure enjoyed watching Paul and Inferno playing together. We thanked him for coming to Grange.

Our next meeting was April 23, and it was Grange Week. We had the Hoosick Falls Central School Jazz Band at 7:30 pm. Everyone was invited who would have liked to attend. The Refreshment Committee was CFA. Grangers brought cookies and goodies.

Grafton Game Tournament

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The Rensselaer County Everett Wagar Senior Center and the Grafton Community Library are excited to present a Games Tournament Extravaganza coming to Grafton this May. Participants can compete in five different games at two locations over four weeks, culminating in a party at the Senior Center on May 21 where finalists from all the games will compete, prizes and trophies will be given, pizza and sundaes will be enjoyed by all participants and guests.

• Friday, May 2 – Quinella (31) at the Senior Center at 1 pm

• Tuesday, May 13 – Dominoes at the Senior Center at 1 pm

• Wednesday, May 7 – Scrabble at the Library at 10 am

• Wednesday, May 14 – Checkers at the Library at 10 am

• Friday, May 16 – Bingo at the Senior Center at 1 pm

• Wednesday, May 21 – Finalists of all games will play at the Senior Center. All participants and guests are invited for a pizza and make your own sundae party where prizes and trophies will be given for the winners.  Pizza and ice cream is sponsored by MVP Health Care and Stewart’s.

Participants can sign up at the Everett Wagar Senior Center during open hours, Monday through Friday from 9 am to 3 pm. For more information contact the Senior Center at 279-3413 or the Grafton Community Library at 279-0580.

Petersburgh Townwide Tag Sale

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As you hoe out your house of this long winter’s collection keep in mind that one person’s junk is another’s treasure. PVMCC will again be sponsoring its annual townwide tag sale on May 17 from 9 am to 1 pm. This is in coordination with the Library’s book, plant and bake sale. Tables will again be at the bargain price of $15 each. To get on the map for your own yard sale costs $5. Call Joan Buzerak at 478-6311 or Mary Lou Walters at 658-0136 to reserve your table today.

Summer Youth Program Tables 

There will also be tables set for the benefit of the summer youth program. Proceeds from the sale of items donated to this table will go for the kids. If you have items to donate they can be dropped off the night before the sale. However, if you are planning on giving a large size donation please notify us by April 30 so we can reserve adequate space.

West Hoosick F.D. Pancake Breakfast

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The West Hoosick Fire Department announces an All You Can Eat breakfast at the firehouse on Sunday, April 27, from 7:30 to 11 am. The menu includes pancakes, French toast, eggs, sausage, bacon, toast, juice, coffee, tea and hot chocolate. The firehouse is located on Pine Valley Road near the intersection of County Routes 109 and 103.  Please call the firehouse at 686-1814 with any questions.

Petersburgh Depot Park Clean-Up

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Boy Scout Troop 222, which serves Petersburgh, Grafton, Berlin and Stephentown is conducting an Earth Day clean up event this year in Petersburgh at the Depot Park off of Main Street in downtown Petersburgh. The Troop is asking for community support as it participates in this Boy Scout Twin Rivers Council event. Please come out and support the environment and Troop 222 by lending a hand cleaning up the Park or donating to the Troop’s event. The clean-up will take place on April 26 from 9 am to 1 pm in Depot Park, Parking is available, and recommended, at the PVMCC on the day of the event.

Beck Farms Captures Friday National Bowling League

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The Beck Farms team captured the championship in the Friday National League at the Barbecue Recreation on Sunday April 13 with a win over All Out Waste in the roll-off. Beck’s earned a chance at the title by defeating the Falls Auto Team in the first round of play by the total pinfall score of 2859 – 2854. All Out Waste defeated the Sykes Store team in their preliminary round by the score of 3403 – 3173.

In the first match Todd Hover rolled 237, 279, 247 for a 763 series, Richie Bennett had 196, 280, 216 for a 692 and Richard Stone had a 257 game for Sykes’ Store. Dan Merrills Jr. led the All Out Waste team with 258, 255, 249 for a 762 series as Jake Colliano shot 212, 278 and 215 for a 705. John Dane added 276, 689 and Kevin Button shot 234, 236, 662.

In the Beck Farms vs. Falls Auto match, Paul Mason led Becks to the win with a 219 game and 616 series. Josh Case added a 215, 607. Richie Russell shot 203, 201, 585 in the loss.

In the championship round, it was Josh Case leading the way for the Beck Farms team with scores of 235, 230, 210 for a 675 series. Paul Mason added 215, 209, 217 for a 641 total. Dan Merrills Jr. led All Out Waste with 231, 231 for a 654 series. Jake Colliano added a 268 single and 630 series in defeat. The remaining bowlers for the Beck Farms team are Pete Moore, Matthew Beck and William Cipperly. The final tally in the championship round was Beck Farms 3169 and All Out Waste 2986.

The Friday National League will hold its banquet on Friday April 25 at The Barbecue Recreation.

Veterans Of Stephentown Texas Hold’em

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The Veterans of Stephentown will hold a Texas Hold’em Tournament on Saturday, May 3, in the Stephentown Fire Hall, located at 35 Grange Hall Road in Stephentown. The doors will open at 5:30 pm and close at 6 pm. Play begins at 6:15 sharp.

No advance registration is required. A donation of $35 per player will be accepted and give the player 6,000 in chip value. Players can make an additional $10 donation at the door for 2,000 extra in chip value. This tournament will pay one place for every 10 players with a minimum of four places and a maximum of 9 places.

A free buffet will be served at the first break, and refreshments will be available.

For further information, please call Tom MacVeigh at 518-658-2448.

GLSP April And May Events

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• Saturday, April 26 – Silent Hike with Your Camera at 10:30 am. You know the expression “a picture says a thousand words.” We’ll see if we can write a book while out on this silent hike. Pre-register at 279-1155. This event is sponsored by the Friends of Grafton Lakes State Park.

• Tuesday, April 29 – Orienteering Basics at 10 am. Read an orienteering map and explore the Park with the aid of a compass. You’ll get some basic skills so that you’ll never truly be “lost in the woods.” Meet by main beach parking lot. Pre-registration required, call 279-1155. The cost is $2 per person. The suggested age for this program is 10 or older.

• Saturday, May 3 – I Love My Park Day! Begins at 9 am at Deerfield Pavilion. Volunteer on the trails at your favorite State Park from 9:30 am to 12 pm.  We’ll have service activities for volunteers of all ages, with morning refreshments and T-shirts available to those who pre-register by April  20.  Call 279-1155 to sign up.  Scout troops are encouraged to join us!

• Saturday, May 10 – Marvelous Mamas at 1 pm. Calling all kids! Does mom need a day off? Kids and accompanying adult can create a craft as a surprise for mama’s big day on Sunday.  Come learn about animal mothers in nature and why moms are so cool – including our own of course!  The cost is $2 per person or $5 per family.  To pre-register, call 279-1155.

• Saturday, May 7 – Women of the Revolutionary War at 1 pm.  Held at Bennington Battlefield Historic Site in Walloomsac, NY. In honor of Armed Forces Day and the month of Mother’s Day,  the stories of women who fought during the Revolutionary War will be explored. Have you        heard about Molly Pitcher? How about Daring Dicey? Come and hear about all these women and more whose efforts helped the Revolutionary cause. To pre-register, call 279-1155. This event is appropriate for ages 10+.  The cost is $2 per person.

• Saturday, May 18 – Great Strides for Cystic Fibrosis. 1k walk to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. For more information, contact CFF at 783-7361.

• Friday, May 23 – Star Watch at 9 pm.  Enjoy a free tour of the night sky with the Albany Area Astronomers. Call Bernard to confirm as cloudy skies may cancel at 658-9144. The rain date is Saturday May 24 at 9 pm.  Please use the Winter Entrance and follow the signs to the program.

John A. McMartin

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Hoosick Falls – John  A. “Jack” McMartin, 85, a life long resident of Hoosick Falls, NY, passed away peacefully on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2014, at the Crescent Manor Nursing Home in Bennington, VT, with his family at his side after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. His beloved wife of 57 years, Elizabeth “Bette” Griffin McMartin, died on March 28, 2007.

Jack was born on October 2, 1928, in Hoosick Falls and was the son of the late Spencer and Julia Corbett McMartin. He was a graduate of the Walter A. Wood High School, attended Siena College and became an accountant for several companies. He was comptroller for John L. English & Co. until his retirement. He also prepared tax returns for many people in the area throughout his years and was a real estate agent during his retirement.

Jack was a member of the Elks Club, the Society of St. Stanislaw and the Hoosick Falls Country Club. He enjoyed golfing, dancing and traveling to Florida for winter months as well as spending time with his family. Survivors include his three loving daughters, Karen Jennings and her husband Larry, Donna Trottier and her husband John, all of Hoosick Falls, and Debra O’Neill and her husband Robert of Exeter, NH, his grandchildren, Kari Dowling-Ryan and her husband Jeremy, Rob Dowling and his wife Lisa, John Trottier, Scott Trottier and his wife Sarah, Sean Pruso and his wife Kristen, Bobby O’Neill and Julianna O’Neill, his great-grandchildren, Aidan Ryan, Christopher and Keira Dowling, Max Trottier and Austin Pruso. He is also survived by one brother, Spencer McMartin of Hoosick Falls, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He is pre-deceased by two sisters, Lillian Hansen and Carol O’Keefe, and three brothers, Donald, William and Robert McMartin. Jack will be greatly missed by all and remembered as a great dancer, an active and fun loving, well dressed, friendly gentleman with a beautiful smile.

Relatives and friends may call at the Mahar Funeral Home in Hoosick Falls from 4 to 7 pm on Sunday, April 27. Funeral Services will be held on Monday, April 28, at 11 am at the Immaculate Conception Church in Hoosick Falls. The family would like to thank Dr. Michael Romac and Dr. Marcus Martinez and the staff at the Crescent Manor Nursing Home as well as his home health caregivers, Diane Longe, Debra Mahar, Kelly Granger and Mary Ellen O’Neill for their compassionate care of Jack. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Jack may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Karen McGovern Memorial Fund through the Mahar Funeral Home.