The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

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HFCS Accepting Universal Pre-Kindergarten Applications

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The Hoosick Falls Central School District is currently looking for the Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) class of 2014-2015.  UPK is a special program established by the State Education Department to provide an early learning experience for the children of eligible families.  Eligible families are defined as those who live in the Hoosick Falls School District and have children who will be four years old on or before December 1, 2014.

HFCS will be running UPK classes during the 2014-2015 school year at sites to be determined and will accept the applications, verify eligibility and place children as slots are available.  Parents/Guardians will be notified of the status of their child once slots have been filled.  If more requests are made than can be placed, a random lottery will be used to select children for the program.  Application and registration packets can be obtained at the Elementary School Office beginning on Monday, April 7.

If you have an eligible child, it is important to return the completed Hoosick Falls registration forms and the Universal Pre-Kindergarten application by 3 pm on Friday, June 6, 2014, to:

Amy Netti, Elementary Principal

Hoosick Falls Central School

Universal Pre-K Program

P.O. Box 192

Hoosick Falls, NY, 12090i

Letter To The Editor – What Happened To Thank You?

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To the Editor:

I would like to publicly thank Tom Berry for his presentation and educational handouts provided to Ray Harrison, Highway Superintendent, and Town Board members at the March 17 Petersburgh Town Board meeting.

Mr. Berry presented the Town with informational handouts on gravel specs, road building materials and various workshops offered at minimal or no cost to the Town.

Supervisor Krahforst was clearly not happy with Mr. Berry’s presentation. Krahforst was defensive and rudely interrupted Berry twice during his presentation. At the closing of Berry’s presentation Krahforst’s’ only response was “we can access that information from the internet!”

As a Town leader, Supervisor Krahforst should at the very least show some respect. Mr. Berry obviously spent hours on researching data. Krahforst and Harrison should be appreciative and thankful that a Town resident has taken the initiative to provide valuable information.

The old adage is “Knowledge is Power.” No one is beyond room for improvement.

Thank you Tom Berry for your efforts and time spent.

Respectfully submitted,

Priscilla Maxon

William Jones Road,

Petersburgh

Letter To The Editor – Preventing Substance Abuse

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To the Editor:

As Principal of the Junior/Senior High School in New Lebanon I am thrilled to know that there is a local community initiative aimed at preventing substance abuse in our township. I learned of the group after speaking with Matt Larabee at our annual soccer tournament this fall. Immediately, we sought to connect TRACS with our existing Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) coordinator, Lenny Brown. Additionally, I contacted Biffy Cahill in January with the goal of establishing a relationship between the school and TRACS.

The school’s ongoing efforts toward our common mission of preventing substance abuse include the posting of TRACS monthly meetings on Mr. Brown’s school e-board. I was pleased to learn that one of our students took the initiative to attend last month’s meeting as a result of this effort. New Lebanon Junior/Senior High School addresses the threats posed by substance abuse in many areas, which include:

• having our health classes target the dangers associated with substance use;

• participation in Red Ribbon week (alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention awareness);

• participating in Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness week;

• providing character education programming that supports leading a healthy life;

• re-establishing and maintaining an active SADD program (going on 3 years);

• seven years of inviting the Columbia County Sheriff’s K-9 unit into our building (multiple times per year), and

• utilizing the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office for presentations, including drug identification for faculty and staff.

I am proud of our young adults and believe in their ability to make sound choices. We will continue our programming initiatives and will work in partnership with the New Lebanon community to address any issues should they arise.

Matthew R. Klafehn, NLCS Principal

Letter To The Editor – Donating Heirlooms

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To The Editor:

I just realized that it’s been twenty years since I first began donating family heirlooms and historical items to the Taconic Valley Historical Society. Since the old vacant garage on Main Street in Berlin was burned to the ground by arsonists, how safe is the old, vacant “cracker box” building where some of my donations are stored. Also, someone entered one of the homes where my donations are and walked out with one of the books I wrote for children, which was illustrated by Randi Bentley. 1 had to purchase another one to replace it.

I thought when I donated items to the Taconic Valley Historical Society: family heirlooms, two theatrical posters of my grandparents (cost $500 to restore), an original leather bound book by Emma Willard, books written by my great grandparents, and cannot be replaced, that these items would be appreciated and kept safe. At the time, a resident of Berlin advised me to donate to the Rensselaer County Historical Society instead, because everything was farmed out in individual homes and some things were reported stolen. Never once did I imagine that it would take twenty years to generate interest enough to provide a building for the society where my family treasures would be safe, and then – wait how long – for these items to be moved inside that building.

I planned to attend a lecture on March 11 in Waterford covering the Irish Revolutionaries. One of these groups was the Clan-na-Gael, of which my paternal great-grandfather was President and is written about in a book I donated to the Taconic Valley Historical Society called My Twenty-five Years In the Secret Service by Henri LeCaron.

It was because these treasures meant so much to me, and because I was proud of my family history, that I donated them to an organization I believed would provide safe keeping for the years to come; a place where my future generations could come to learn about their ancestors’ lives, careers and fame. My parents were life-long residents of Berlin, and I was born in a Berlin landmark. I’ve spent my life trying to restore and preserve – from my apartment buildings, homes (including Moseley’s), to heirlooms and genealogy.

I am hurt that the people of Berlin have this “day come – day go” attitude. I’d hoped to receive an announcement of an opening of the new building where I’d see my Victorian quilt and my family books, etc., displayed. I’ve had two strokes and have health problems and am afraid I’ll never see my cherished donations in a permanent, safe place, visible to all. I almost cry when I think about the lack of concern. I am filled with regret and disappointment. Can you tell me anything to restore my hope?

Sincerely,

Beverly Plank Lettko

Main Street, Mechanicville

BFD Monthly Breakfast

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On Sunday, April 6, 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, over easy or over hard, scrambled). Beverage choice of coffee or tea (both available as decaf), hot chocolate, milk and orange juice.

Prices are $7 for adults, $4 for children ages 5-12 and no charge for children under 5. Take-outs are available.

Texas Hold’Em This Friday At The Armory In Hoosick Falls

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This Friday is poker night at The Armory in Hoosick Falls. Shuffle up and deal at The Texas Hold’Em Tournament on Friday, April 4.

Doors open at 6 pm; play starts at 6:30. The buy-in is $35 with an option for a $10 add-on plus a $5 high hand pot. Newcomers and experienced players are welcome. The Armory is at 80 Church Street (on the corner of Elm Street) in Hoosick Falls.

Veterans Of Stephentown Texas Hold’em

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The Veterans of Stephentown will hold a Texas Hold’em Tournament on Saturday, April 5, 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.

School Spring Vacation Series At Dyken Pond

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The Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center is offering a School Spring Vacation Series for kids from April 14 to 16, from 2 to 4 pm.  Each program will be held outdoors and will include a short hike through Dyken Pond’s trail systems.  Children are welcome to attend one or all programs.

• Monday, April 14, will offer a Bird Watching for Beginners program that will teach kids about the anatomy of a bird and how to identify them in the wild.

• Tuesday, April 15, will offer a Signs of Spring hike that will have kids exploring a 1-2 mile trek through the woods.

• Wednesday, April 16, is an Amphibian Adventure in search of frog eggs and other amphibian life in the forest. A $1 per child suggested donation covers material costs.

A complete list of programs can be found at www.dykenpond.org. Pre-registration is encouraged to help with planning, but not required and can be done by contacting the Center at dykenpond@fairpoint.net or 658-2055.

Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center, located at 475 Dyken Pond Road, Cropseyville, is a Rensselaer County Park open daily during daylight hours for hiking, fishing and non-motor boating. Call for more information and a complete schedule of our summer events.

A Solo Acoustic Benefit For The RLT

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The Rensselaer Land Trust, Inc. (RLT) and The Troy Savings Bank Music Hall Corporation announce the Hall debut of Troy’s own Sean Rowe on April 12.  The opening act will include MaryLeigh Roohan. There will be a special Meet the Artist Reception prior to the performance at 6 pm at the Rensselaer County Historical Society. Both events will benefit RLT.

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