The annual meeting of the Taconic Valley Soccer Club will be held on March 31 at the Berlin Municipal building starting at 7 in the evening. All coaches, parents and Board members are asked to be in attendance. Some of the items to be discussed will be how to increase the number of players, inclusion of players from other towns lacking teams, filling open Board member spots, new fundraising activities and developing new fields.
Hoosick Falls Soccer Club Registration Ends March 21
In-House Rec Soccer registration has begun. Please sign up at https://hoosickfallssoccer.sportssignup.com//Login. The registration period ends March 21.
The season runs from Saturday, May 3, to Saturday, June 7, with practices starting approximately two weeks prior.
Please feel free if you have any questions to contact Laura at 944-4971 or email peasag17@aol.com She will be glad to help you along.
Berlin Elementary PTO Scholarship
The Berlin Elementary PTO Scholarship award will be presented to a graduating senior who plans to enter a two or four year college, the Armed Forces or a Technical School in the fall. Two $250 scholarships will be awarded to the class of 2014, 2015 and 2016 from funds the Stephentown PTO had prior to its closure. Students will be awarded the scholarship based of the evaluation rubric.
Eligibility: Applicants must be a current senior in high school or home-schooled in the Berlin School District. Applications are available at the Guidance office at the Berlin Middle/High School. Completed applications should be returned to the Guidance Office by May 5. No late applications will be accepted.
Elmer A. Grogan Scholarship Award
All high school seniors graduating this year from the Berlin Central School District or the Brunswick Central School District who are continuing their education are invited to apply for the Elmer A. Grogan Scholarship Award.
The Elmer A. Grogan Scholarship Award is presented annually by the Carner, Etman, Smith V.F.W. Post 6340 Elmer A. Grogan Memorial Fund in memory of Elmer Grogan, a former member. The award is $250.
A copy of the application form is available at the guidance offices of the Berlin and Brunswick Central Schools. The deadline for receiving applications is April 30.
To earn the award you must complete the application form and submit an essay on “What Freedom Means To Me.” The essay should not be less than 250 words nor more than 500 words. There will be one winner. The award is to be used to further the winner’s education.
The application and essay are to be mailed to Carner, Etman, Smith V.F.W. Post 6340, Commander Richard Terpening, P.O. Box 361, Grafton, NY, 12082.
Berlin Rescue Squad Café
On Friday, March 21, the Berlin Rescue Squad will be holding its monthly delicious Fish Fry and Mini-Hot Dog Dinner. For $10 you can enjoy a hearty helping of fried cod on a roll, French fries, coleslaw, a brownie and soda or water. Eat in or take out it’s up to you.
We also have Mini Hot Dogs for those of you that do not like fish. These can be purchased in a meal, $10 for 10 dogs with fries, a brownie and beverage or $5 for 4 dogs with fries, a brownie and beverage for the kiddies or purchased à la carte, 6 dogs for $5.
Call in orders are welcome. The firehouse number is 658-2890. The dinner will be held from 4:30 to 7 pm at the Berlin Fire Department. Please call Stan at 658-0088 or 269-8646 with any questions.
Woods Forum In Berlin
Did you know that the Rensselaer Plateau is the fifth largest forest in New York State and that it is 90% forested and that those forests are 90% privately owned? Do you love your land and value your woods? Then attend a Woods Forum conducted by the Rensselaer Plateau Alliance (RPA) on Tuesday, March 18, at 7 pm at the Berlin Town Hall (17563 NY Rt. 22).
Join fellow woodland owners and forestry professionals for a discussion on how to maintain the value of your woods for timber harvesting, recreation, wildlife and for future generations. Discuss how to care for your woods today and plan for its future. Talk with, and hear about the experiences, of other landowners. There will also be an opportunity to sign up for a walk of your property with a Master Forest Owner and to win RPA gear. Attendees will also receive a copy of the new Guide for Landowners intended to help landowners find information in the recently published Rensselaer Plateau Regional Conservation Plan that is useful to them. Both of these resources and much more are now on the RPA website at http://rensselaerplateau.org/RensselaerPlateau/ConservationPlan.aspx. Refreshments will be served. Please call Sarah Parks at 302-584-7748 for additional information. This program is co-sponsored by New York Forest Owners Association, the Rensselaer Land Trust and the Agricultural Stewardship Association.
Keep informed of the many activities going on with RPA or the more than 30 Alliance organizations by checking out our new database driven calendar of events at http://renpa.azurewebsites.net/.
Robert F. Willbrant
Petersburgh – Robert F. Willbrant, 92, of Willbrant Road, Petersburgh, NY, died on March 10, 2014, at the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington, VT.
Lois Wolcott Germain
New Lebanon – Lois Wolcott Germain, 85, of Nolan Road, Ballston Lake, NY, died on Tuesday, March 11, 2014, at the Ellis Hospital in Schenectady, NY. She was born on September 15, 1928, in Florida and was the daughter of the late Gerald and Vera Wolcott. Mrs. Germain was a graduate of New Lebanon High School and later attended nursing school. She had lived in Ballston Lake since 1949 and worked as a librarian’s aide at the Stevens Elementary School for many years. She was full of joy and had a zest for life. She loved her flower gardens, and she was an avid reader. Every winter she looked forward to spending happy times with her husband, family and extended family in Bonita Springs, FL. Lois deeply loved her family and friends and she will be dearly missed.
Lois was the beloved wife of Malcolm R. Germain, whom she married on June 26, 1949, the loving mother of Bruce R. and wife Cheryl Germain of Ithaca, NY, Barry W. and wife Charlotte “Sharky” Germain of Greenville, SC, David R. Germain of Scotia, NY, and Steven W. and wife Barbara Germain of Greenville, the caring sister of Leroy and wife Lil Wolcott of New Lebanon, NY, and the late Helen and husband William Dennette, and the adoring grandmother of Shanna, Josh, Chelsea, Taylor, Beth and Nate. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be held on Saturday, March 15, at 3 pm from the Townley & Wheeler Funeral Home, 21 Midline Road, Ballston Lake. Lois’ nephew, Rev. Alan Wolcott, will officiate.
Relatives and friends are invited and may call on Saturday from 1 to 3 pm prior to the service at the funeral home. The interment of her cremains will take place next week in Memory Gardens Cemetery, Colonie, NY.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK, 73123-1718 or to the American Diabetes Association, 2 Pine West Plaza, Albany, NY, 12205.
The family encourages you to view and leave messages on Mrs. Germain’s Book of Memories at www.TownleyWheelerFH.com.
Lambert F. Cassidy, Jr.
Schodack/Stephentown – Lambert F. Cassidy, Jr., 73, of Schodack, NY, died Saturday, March 8, 2014, at his home after a long illness. Bert was born and raised in Albany, NY, and had worked in the parts department at Crailo Ford and Orange Motors. He retired in 2005 from the NYS Department of Transportation.
The Life Of George Holcomb – Dispute Over Hired Boy Is Resolved
Tuesday, Oct. 19: This afternoon I went to school meeting. The district met and put it to a vote to build a new school house. I voted for to build a new one, but the majority against it.
Thursday: I went to Albany with the double wagon. I carried 12 bushels of apples and I carried the widow Betsy Wylie.
Friday: We sold out the remainder of our load. I got 25 cts per bushel of apples, and I got 20 cts for 19 quarts chestnuts, and the widow got 31 cts a pair for nearly all her socks and 4 cts per pound for her cheese. I called to the Patroon’s (Steven Van Rensselaer III’s office) and found that I owed 41 dol and 72 cts for rent but did not pay any.
Saturday: Today I sent Ancil Ingram home for he would not work nor mind to do what he was bid to do and sent for his Father.
Thursday, Oct. 28: This afternoon I took the single wagon and went to the widow Margaret Douglass and engaged of John Wylie a load of good sound apples fit for market at 12 cts per bushel. I then went to George W. Glass and bought 14 bushels of apples at 10 cts per and fetched them home. I paid cash for them. On this evening Mr. Elisha Ingram came and we tried to make a settlement for his boy living with me, but we did not think alike and we agreed to leave it to men. I offered eighteen dollars, and he offered to take 22 dollars. Mr. Ingram and son returned home tonight.
Friday, Oct. 29: I went to Pittsfield with the double wagon and carried 15½ bushels apples and sold them at 25 and 33 cts per bushel. I cleared three dols and 38 cts.
Thursday, November 11: On this evening Mr. Elisha Ingram and his son Ancil came and we reckoned for his boy’s work for me this summer past. We agreed that the boy Ancil had done six months work and we called it three dollars per month. We then footed up my account that I had paid the boy in clothing and other articles and found the amount twelve dollars and 94 cts. I then paid said Ingraham five dollars and eight cts in specie, which squared our deal, and we passed receits in full of all demands of whatever name or nature and I gave him a half a barrel of cider and lent him a cask to carry it home in.