The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

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GLSP 29th Annual Winter Festival This Saturday

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Grafton Lakes State Park and the Friends of Grafton Lakes State Park will host the 29th Annual Winter Festival and Ice Fishing Contest on Saturday, January 25. The Winter Fest will feature winter exhibits, vendors and family-friendly and recreational activities. The event is free of charge and main events run from 10 am to 4 pm.

The Winter Festival offers a variety of free, active and entertaining activities, both indoors and outdoors. Indoor offerings will include nature crafts and exhibits, including Five Rivers “Wheel of Wildlife” and fly-tying with Trout Unlimited. Out of the Pits will offer its very popular kissing booth with charming, adoptable pitbulls on hand. Ford’s Falconry will bring native birds of prey for the public to meet and learn about these fascinating creatures from wildlife rehabilitator Richele Ford. The Rensselaer Land Trust will bring its Enviroscape, giving children a hands-on experience of watershed health. Tamakoce Wilderness Programs will offer nature awareness games as well as a hike to discover animal signs in the woods and fields near the exhibit building. Face painting, hot food and many other exhibits will also be available indoors.

The 7th Annual Polar Plunge benefitting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation jumps into Long Pond at 1 pm. Participants can still sign up for the plunge and receive a hot drink after the experience. Please call Margaret Philips at 479-3739 to pre-register.

New outdoor events this year include a dog walk for furry friends as well as an introduction to animal signs. A new primitive skills demonstration will warm visitors with a toasty fire, a snow fort and the chance to learn an ancient form of firemaking with the bow drill. There will be guided outings throughout the Park for all levels and ages to enjoy, on snowshoes if conditions permit or offered on foot along the Park’s trails. Northland Newfoundland Dog Club will give sled rides pulled by their jovial and furry dogs on the beach. Carriage rides with majestic Percheron horses will also be offered by Indian Creek Farm.

The annual ice fishing contest draws several hundred fishermen annually and will run from 5:30 am to 3 pm on all the ponds in the Park. Ice conditions are expected to be more than adequate for the event. Participants can register starting at 5:30 am until 11 am on January 25 at the Park’s pole barn, accessible via the Winter Entrance. A $10 entry fee for adults 16 and older is required to participate in the fishing tournament. The catchers of all first place fish will receive a $300 cash prize this year, awarded for the longest length catch of trout, walleye/chain pickerel and yellow perch. Children may enter at no charge, and their winning entries will receive gift certificates and other prizes. Please remember that all participants 16 and older must have a New York State fishing license to fish in the Park at any time.

For more information about the Winter Festival, please call the Park at 518-279-1155. A full schedule of events is available on the Grafton Lakes State Park’s website (www.nysparks.com/parks) and on www.facebook.com/GraftonLakesStatePark.

Dyken Pond Environmental Center Events

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February 1, Saturday – Snow Shoe Trek – Enjoy the winter by trekking through the forest on a pair of snowshoes  from 1 to 3 pm. This is a free program. Snowshoes may be rented from the Center for $5. Bring any snack or water you may need along the way. Call ahead for snow conditions. Snowshoes may be rented any day with advanced registration for a fee of $10 per day, $5 for half day, and there are special group rates.

February 2, Sunday – Wildlife Tracking Series continues during February. Dan Yacobellis, local naturalist and tracker, will be leading Family Friendly Tracking  from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm or 1 to 3:30 pm. The cost is $15.

February 9, Sunday –  tracking with a focus on fishers will be offered from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. The cost is $20. Both programs offer a $5 discount for members, students and seniors. Winter is more enjoyable when you can discover movements of the animals around you. Common tracks found include red and grey fox, fisher, otter, porcupine and weasels. Pre-registration is required and space is limited.

February 14, Friday – Valentine’s Day Full Moon Trek. Enjoy Valentine’s Day at a free guided cross-country ski and snowshoe trek at the Center from 7 to 9 pm. The trek will cover two miles and is designed for the intermediate skier or snowshoer. No beginners, please. Snowshoe rentals are available for $5. Hot cocoa and chocolates will be shared around a campfire following the trek. Please contact the Center for updated snow conditions.

February 16, and March 16,  Sundays – Nature Writing Workshops.Paying Attention Among the Trees: A Winter Walk and Nature Writing Experience will be held from 1 to 3 pm. Diane Kavanaugh-Black will lead participants on a meditative woodland walk followed by writing with intention in a cozy wood stove heated cabin. This workshop will inspire the creative process whether you are a novice or already working on your own writing project. Sign up for one or both sessions. The cost is $15. $12 for members. Pre-registration is required for both workshops and space is limited, so register early.

The Dyken Pond Center, located at 475 Dyken Pond Road, Cropseyville, is a Rensselaer County Park open daily during daylight hours for ice fishing, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Visit www.dykenpond.org for directions and a complete schedule of our winter events. Call 658-2055 or visit the website www.dykenpond.org.

RLT Snowshoe Hike To Perigo Hill

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Explore the wilds of the Rensselaer Plateau on Saturday, February 8, from 1 to 3 pm with a 4 to 5 mile snowshoe hike to the top of Perigo Hill at the Geiser Preserve. Keep on the lookout for animal tracks as signs of bear and moose have been previously seen.

The snowshoe hike will be three miles along flat, logging roads and one mile of a moderate climb to the top of Perigo Hill. Bring water and a snack. The hike is free for Rensselaer Land Trust members, $5 for nonmembers. Contact Nick Conrad to register at 518-278-1963 or nbconrad@msn.com.

Barbara M. Maleady

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Hoosick Falls – Barbara M. Maleady, 81, passed away on Friday, January 17, 2014, at the Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation at Hoosick Falls. She was the wife of Edward F. Maleady, who resides on Third Street in Hoosick Falls, NY.

Born on October 17, 1932, in Hoosick Falls, Barbara was the daughter of the late Jacob and Dorothy (Gorman) Brandalik. She graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in Hoosick Falls and was employed by New England Telephone, Grand Union and Allied Signal.

She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America, the Immaculate Conception Church and the St. Mary’s Academy Auxiliary. Barbara enjoyed her Monday night card club, Neil Diamond, crossword puzzles, baking, watching her grandchildren’s sporting events and trips to Florida to visit her daughter and family. She was an avid NY Yankee fan.

Survivors, other than her husband Edward, include their children, daughters, Therese Goyette and husband Albert of Troy, NY, Jeanne Wade and husband Barry of Vero Beach, FL, and Dorothy LaCroix and husband Chris of Hoosick Falls, sons, Edward F. Maleady III and wife Deborah and Joseph Maleady, all of Hoosick Falls, and Patrick Maleady and Amy Lynn of Schaghticoke, NY, their grandchildren, Monica Allin, Lindsay Goyette, Rachel and Ryan Maleady, Aaron and Austin Wade, Nicole and Christopher LaCroix, Morgan and Joshua Creech and Noah and Logan Maleady. She is also survived by two sisters, Mary Jane Wysocki of Hedges Lake, NY, and Arcadia, FL, and Catherine DeLisle of North Adams, MA, a sister-in-law, Veronica Hoag, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Barbara is pre-deceased by two brothers, Lawrence and Joseph Brandalik.

A Mass of Christian Burial was offered on Wednesday, January 22, at 11 am from the Immaculate Conception Church on Main Street in Hoosick Falls. Burial followed the Mass at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Hoosick Falls.

Relatives and friends called at the Mahar Funeral Home, 43 Main Street in Hoosick Falls, NY, 12090, on Tuesday, January 21, from 4 to 7 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to either St. Mary’s Academy or the Karen McGovern Memorial Fund through the funeral home.

Cindy M. Randall

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Hoosick Falls – Cindy M. Randall, 44, passed away on Thursday, January 16, 2014, at Crescent Manor Care Center in Bennington, VT. She was the wife of Kim A. Randall.

Born on April 23, 1969, in North Adams, MA, Cindy was the daughter of the late Larry Mears Sr. and Loretta (Maynard) Mears of Bennington. Cindy graduated from Mt. Anthony Union High School in Bennington and was a cook at the Vermont Veterans Home in Bennington. She loved the time she spent with her family.

Survivors, other than her husband Kim, include their daughters, Alicia Youngman and husband Simeon, Cindy Randall and husband Pat, all of Hoosick Falls, NY, Courtney Randall and wife Kayla of Bennington, her brothers, Larry Mears Jr. and wife Della of Bennington and Lyle Mears and wife Linda of Petersburgh, NY, her best friend Belinda Matte of Hoosick, NY, and several nieces and nephews. Cindy is also survived by her brothers-in-law, Dan Randall and wife Leslie of Jamaica, VT, Doug Randall of Tempe, ME, Fred Randall and wife Pia of Bethel, CT, Jeff Randall and wife Ann of Monroe, CT, and Guy Randall and wife Patti of Pownal, VT, her sisters-in-law, Deb Cunningham and husband Bob of Southbury, CT, Bernice Mason and husband Paul of Bennington and Cindy Crone and husband John of Greene, SC, and her mother-in-law, Berenice Randall of Hoosick Falls.

Funeral services were Monday, January 20, at 12 pm from the Community Alliance Church in Hoosick Falls. Burial followed the service at the Ira Allen Cemetery in Sunderland, VT. Relatives and friends called at the Church on Monday from 11 am until the start of the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Karen McGovern Memorial Fund through the Mahar Funeral Home, 43 Main Street in Hoosick Falls, NY, 12090, who are handling the arrangements.

The Life Of George Holcomb – Hiring A Boy To Help On The Farm

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by Alex Brooks

As the warm weather returned in the spring of 1830, George’s son’s illness seemed to get better, and George hired a boy to help on the farm.

Thursday, April 8, 1830: I called to Munson’s Mill in Canaan and bargained with the miller by the name of Elisha Ingraham for his son Ancil to work for me for one year and I do agree to pay him $26 dols in clothing and cash and to school him three months and he agrees to come and begin next Monday.

Friday: This afternoon I took the single wagon and rode to Robert Runnal’s and got a large cradle to rock my son Geo P.  On the way I called to Barnum Clark’s and bought a new plow of Right’s improved patent, price six dol.  I paid two dol in cash and for the other four dol I am to deliver him four barrels of cider. I bought a shear of Wooley’s patent, 50 cts and had him charge it.

Sunday, April 11: Today Mr. Ingraham came and left his boy to work for me as we bargained last Thursday.  Tonight quite rainy.

Sunday, April 18: This evening I took the single wagon and carried Mother Holcomb up to Brother Wm’s and this evening Wm had a fifth daughter born.

Thursday, April 22: This morning my son Geo P was not so well.  I walked up to Calvin P. Sackett’s and left word if Doc Graves came to come to my child.  He likewise did.  Today I plowed and sowed and harrowed a small piece of peas in the meadow, and this evening I went to Hancock with the wagon and horses with five barrels of cider to Wm Hadsells to sell on shares, and I carried butter and eggs to the amount of 58 cts and said Hadsell credited me the same on account and I got trusted for one vest pattern 44 cts for my hired boy Ancil.

Monday, April 26: This forenoon rainy, I made goose yoke and plowed sward.  This afternoon I put up fence on my Rodgers Farm.  Today I sent to Hancock by our people and got trusted to Wm Hadsell’s 25 cts for trimmings for my hired boy Ancil Ingraham trimmings for vest.  I sent a grist, but they could not grind, and hired girl fetched it home again, Esther Shelden, her name is.

Tuesday: I plowed sward.  Tonight our peddler Mr. Clapp stayed with us.  I paid my winter schooling to Joshua Maxon, which was one dol and 34 cts.  I sent 3 children for 200 days.

Hoosick Television Stars

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by Bea Peterson

This has been a big week for the Town of Hoosick. Two of its own have become television stars. On Tuesday evening, January 14, an enormous crowd gathered at the Dutchaven Sports Pub in Buskirk to view the first show in a series of ten in “Building Wild” on the National Geographic Channel. The show stars Cabin Kings Paul DiMeo and Pat “Tuffy” Bakaitis of North Hoosick. [Read more…] about Hoosick Television Stars

New Lebanon Town Board Action – Noise Ordinance Discussed

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A Big Noise

by Thaddeus Flint

For the New Lebanon Town Board, 2014 could be a noisy year –  when it comes to noise.

At the first monthly meeting of the Board on Tuesday, Board members were once again asked to look over a proposed noise ordinance for the Town. The matter has been brought up before, but the Board has changed now. Councilmen K.B. Chittenden and Doug Clark have been replaced by Councilmen Dan Evans and Chuck Geraldi, and so the matter didn’t get very far.

[Read more…] about New Lebanon Town Board Action – Noise Ordinance Discussed