The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

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Class Of 2014 Pizza Night And Shop On The Avenue

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On Friday, December 13, the Berlin HS Class of 2014 will be holding its next Pizza Night fundraiser, and we are combining it with Shop on the Avenue. We are still looking for local crafters and vendors to register for spaces. The cost of each space is $10 and the money will be donated to the high school Student Council Operation Support Our Troops. Shop on the Avenue is from 5 to 8 pm. If you are interested in reserving a space, please contact Karen Day at the high school at 658-2515 or by email, kday@berlincentral.org.

As for Pizza Night, you can order hot, fresh pizzas by emailing Karen Day up to 2:30 Friday afternoon and then by phone at 658-2515 ext. 209. Pizzas cost $8 and toppings cost $1 each. Toppings include pepperoni, sausage, ham, bacon, mushrooms, black olives, peppers, onions, pineapple, broccoli and jalapeños. Pizzas are available from 4 to 7 pm.

Berlin Library Story Time

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Story Time at the Berlin Free Town Library will take place at the Library on all four Saturdays in December starting at 10:30 am. The Library welcomes children from preschool age and up for Story Time on December 7,14, 21 and 28.  For questions, please call the Library at 658-2231.

New Lebanon Library Community Holiday Celebration

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The New Lebanon Library will host a fun filled community holiday celebration on Friday, December 20, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at the Library.  The celebration will include music, pot luck, caroling, crafts for kids, a tree lighting and a visit from Santa. Participants are encouraged to bring treats or a covered dish to share.

Music will be provided by jazz duo DBX2, which features bassist Dan Broad and pianist David Bartley. Broad, one of the most sought after bassists in Western New England, has performed in nearly every state in the union and as well as in Europe. Bartley’s musical career included scoring original music for film, video and radio productions, performing in various popular music groups and composing and performing several performance art pieces in association with the Washington Performing Arts Society.

This program, which is made possible in part by a grant from the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, is free, and the public is welcome. For more information, please call the Library at 518-794-8844.

Memoir Writing Workshop

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The Brunswick Community Library is thrilled to present a five session Memoir Writing Workshop led by Susannah Risley, author and teacher of creative non-fiction. The sessions will be held at 1 pm on the following five Saturdays – January 11, 18, 25 and February 1 and 8.

Please contact the Library to sign up; space is limited. Our website is www.brunswicklibrary.org.

This event was funded in part by Poets & Writers, Inc., with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

Rensselaer County Legislature Approves 2014 Budget

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by Rich Crist Majority Legislative Liaison

The Rensselaer County Legislature voted Monday to approve the 2014 County budget, with the budget maintaining needed County services and the County’s strong fiscal position while staying under the State tax cap.

The 2014 County budget is the third consecutive County budget to stay under the tax cap, with the County complying with the tax cap each year the tax cap has been in place.

The budget, as adopted, includes a minimal property tax increase of three-quarters of one percent. The budget, when proposed in October, originally included a tax increase of just under one percent. The proposed increase was reduced thanks to a cooperative effort between the County Executive and Legislators, with an additional savings of $100,000 achieved during the effort.

“The 2014 County budget maintains needed County services, protects the positive fiscal standing and bond ratings the County has earned and for the third consecutive year, stays under the State tax cap, during the prolonged recession. This is a solid plan that will help guide the County in 2014,” said Chairman of the Legislature Martin Reid.

The budget includes a slight decrease in the legislative budget in 2014, with legislative spending now at a level comparable to the early 1990s.

“The County Executive and majority legislators worked together to generate an additional $100,000 in savings and further reduce the amount of the property tax increase next year. These savings are accompanied by a savings in the legislative operations during 2013 and continues our focus on being as cost effective as possible during challenging economic times,” said Vice Chairman of the Legislature for Finance Phil Danaher.

Proposed changes to the initial spending plan also include a local law to formalize the process as to how municipalities can re-levy demolition charges to the County. This program is expected to save $10,000 in County costs.

Additionally, newly vacant positions in the County Jail will remain unfilled until the additional $90,000 in savings is achieved.

Legislators and the Executive also will put a priority focus on a plan to improve County roads and bridges that is expected to be presented to the Legislature in early 2014, along with replacement of a bridge near the Tomhannock Reservoir.

“This budget also reflects innovative shared services agreements that have helped control costs and assisted job creation projects like the expansion of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals in East Greenbush,” said Vice Chairman of the Legislature Stan Brownell.

“The fact the County is moving ahead with plans to improve County roads and bridges is good news, especially given the challenges created by mandates and a tough economy,” said Majority Leader Ken Herrington.

The budget was approved by a vote of 12-7, with all Republicans voting in favor and all Democrats voting in opposition.

Yule Log Tradition At Dyken Pond

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Celebrate the outdoors this season by enjoying the annual Yule Log Event at the Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center on Sunday, December 15. Beginning at 1 pm, the story of the Yule Log and the Winter Solstice will be shared, followed by a search for the hidden Yule Log. Guests can then enjoy this informal day at the outdoor campfire or make holiday crafts for the season. There will also be a children’s scavenger hunt as well. People of all ages are encouraged to come out to this free program, and don’t forget to bring your sleds! Hot chocolate and light snacks will be provided. Feel free to bring your own snacks to share.

Dyken Pond Center is located at 475 Dyken Pond Road, Cropseyville. Contact the Center at 658-2055 or dykenpond@fairpoint.net or visit our website at www.dykenpond.org for a complete schedule of our winter events.

Memorial Celebration – Glenn Robert Swalm

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A Memorial Celebration of the life of Glenn Robert Swalm, who died October 17, 2013, will be held on Sunday, December 8, 2013, at 2 pm at the Mount Anthony Country Club, 180 Country Club Drive, Bennington, VT.  Please join family and friends in remembering this incredibly diverse and interesting man.

Mary Louise Olsen

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New Lebanon – Mary Louise Olsen, 74, died peacefully early Saturday morning, November 16, 2013, at the Hudson Park Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Albany, NY. She was born in Brooklyn, NY, on December 19, 1938, the beloved daughter of the late Julian and Ruth Hoffman Olsen. Mary moved with her parents as a young child to Canaan, NY, to be close to her grandmother and aunts. She attended elementary school in Chatham, NY, and later New Lebanon, NY, where she had lived for most of her life.

Mary Louise took care of her parents and was a homemaker. She enjoyed social occasions where she had the opportunity to talk to different people. She loved watching movies and knew how to ride a horse.

She was an active communicant of the Church of Our Savior in Lebanon Springs, NY, and assisted at the Opportunity Sales. She was a member of the Vestry, the Church Choir and the Altar Guild. The Church was her life.

There are no family survivors, but she is survived by many close friends who loved her.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, December 14, at 2 pm at the Church of Our Savior, 14660 Route 22, Lebanon Springs, with Rev. Canon Clinton Dugger officiating. Mary Louise’s ashes will be buried with her parents in the Cemetery of the Evergreens in New Lebanon following the service. A reception will be held in the Church Fellowship Hall following the interment.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Church of Our Savior, P.O. Box 827, New Lebanon, NY, 12125, or to the Columbia-Greene Humane Society/SPCA, 125 Humane Society Road, Hudson, NY, 12534.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Hall & Higgins Funeral Home in Stephentown, NY.

Norma Kimball

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Hoosick Falls – Norma Kimball, 91, passed on to her heavenly reward on November 20, 2013. A private person, she will be remembered by family as a reader, crossword puzzle advocate, preparer of the best homemade coleslaw and by a few as a true friend.

Norma is pre-deceased by two husbands, Earl Callahan, to whom she was married for 28 years, and John Kimball, to whom she was married for 21 years, and by a son, Dennis Callahan. She is survived by four sons, Earl Callahan Jr., of New Berlin, NY, Richard and Michael Callahan of Hoosick Falls, NY, and Jeffery Callahan of Portland, TX, and by a daughter, Beverly Thompson of Bennington, VT, as well as their spouses and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Norma’s early years of growing up were spent in the Rupert, Dorset, Manchester area of Bennington County, Vermont. Historically, she could relate many “I remember when” stories. The school she attended in Bennington, VT, is now a part of the complex of buildings on the grounds of Bennington Pottery. Her story is also the story of the now gone Undergarment factory in Hoosick Falls, where she performed duties as a secretary.

As per the wishes of this intensely private person, there will be no services. In the end, her daughter held her hand as she passed as quietly as she lived.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation at Hoosick Falls. Her life will be celebrated by family at a later date.