The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

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Rita A. Mazzeo

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Stephentown – Rita Elizabeth Musante Mazzeo, 62, died suddenly Saturday, November 23, 2013, at the Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, MA, after suffering a stroke at home. Born in Pittsfield on November 11, 1951, she was the daughter of the late David and Stella Methe Musante. Rita was raised in Hinsdale, MA, graduated from St. Agnes Parochial School in Dalton, MA, and was a 1970 graduate of Wahconah Regional High School in Dalton. She later attended Berkshire Community College in Pittsfield.

Rita was a musician and the lead singer in many bands in the local area for over 25 years. She was employed as an administrative  assistant for 13 years for McClave & Company, Inc. in Stephentown, NY. She was also the manager and chief bartender at the Stephentown Hotel for ten years and enjoyed art and jewelry. Most of all, she was a great wife and mother.

She was the beloved wife of Robert R. Mazzeo, whom she married on February 12, 1972, at Mount Carmel Church in Pittsfield and the loving mother of Navairre K. Mazzeo of Stafford, VA, and Robert R. Mazzeo II of Stephentown. Rita is survived by her three sisters, Marie Musante of Leesburg, VA, Rosemary Musante of Alexandria, VA, and Antoinette Bosso of Beverly, MA, as well as several nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service to celebrate Rita’s life will be held Saturday, November 30, at 1 pm at the Hall & Higgins Funeral Home, 457 NY 43, Stephentown, with Rev. John Close officiating. A calling hour will precede the service on Saturday from 12 to 1 pm at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Stephentown Volunteer Fire Department, 396 State Route 43, Stephentown, NY, 12168. To light a candle or to sign the condolence book, please visit ParkerBrosMemorial.com.

Viola Hall

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Hoosick – Viola Hall, 87, passed away on Wednesday, November 20, 2013, at the Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, MA. She was the wife of Roger Hall Sr., of Hoosick, NY; they were married for sixty-seven years. Roger met Viola in 1946 when she was working at the candy counter at the Woolworth store in Bennington, VT.

Born on March 8, 1926, in West Charleston, VT, Viola was the daughter of Howard and Kate (Stevens) Page. She was educated at North Stafford High School in New Hampshire. Viola was employed at the former Tansitor in Bennington as a Quality Control Supervisor. She and her husband enjoyed camping and were members of the Teton RV Club. Viola also liked doing arts and crafts and was a Den Mother for Pack 67 in Hoosick.

Survivors, other than her husband Roger Sr., include her sons, Roger Hall Jr. of Hoosick Falls, NY, and Rodney Hall and wife Donna of Shaftsbury, VT, her brother Milton Page of Lancaster, NH, five grandchildren, Linda Barnes, Raeann Hall, Russell Hall, Ross Hall, Jennifer Weber, and two great-grandchildren, John Barnes and Alexandria Hall. Viola is pre-deceased by a son, Eli Francis Hall, a sister, Vera Page, and two brothers, Carlton and George Page.

Funeral services were Saturday, November 23, at 10 am from the Mahar Funeral Home, 43 Main Street, Hoosick Falls, NY, 12090. Burial followed the service at the Mapletown Cemetery in Hoosick.

Relatives and friends called at the funeral home on Friday from 4 to 7 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to the Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation at Hoosick Falls (formerly the Hoosick Falls Health Center) through the funeral home.

The Life Of George Holcomb – A Busy Month Peddling Cider & Cake

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Tuesday, Sept. 15, 1829: This forenoon I went to look for the cow that I had bought of Harry Wheeler.  She had run away.  On yesterday said Wheeler drove me the cow and the three calfs that I bargained for the seventh of the month and my wife paid him the 12 dol in specie.  The said cow got nearly home and said Wheeler went with me, and we drove the cow to his house and he took her back and paid me the five dollars back that I had paid him towards her, the reason that I returned said cow was that she had the horn distemper, and I had no information of it when I bargained for her.  I called on the way home to Henry Stanton’s to look at some calves that he had for sale, and this afternoon I gathered apples.  Tonight Mr. Henry Withee and wife stayed with us, they were on a journey to the east.

Monday, September 21:  This morning I took the single wagon and fetched Sophia Hirse to work for us.  I went after her to Joseph Carpenter’s and today went with the single wagon peddling cake and cider to Sand Lake to Spencer’s Tavern at an officer training.  I made one dol and 59 cts.

Tuesday: I took the single wagon and went to Petersburgh to training at Worthington’s.  I cleared about four dol.  Brother Wm went with me and peddled for himself.

He went to training every day this week to peddle, in Nassau, Lenox, Dalton, and Windsor.

Monday, Sept. 28: Today I took the covered wagon and carried sister Newton to Pittsfield and had Doctor White examine her eyes, for she was blind with a film or a cataract on the site.  The before-mentioned doctor agreed to come over on Saturday to Mr. Newton’s and operate on Mrs. Newton’s eyes.  He agreed to come and operate for five dollars.

Saturday: On this day Doctor White came and operated on one of sister Newton’s eyes, as is before mentioned, but he charged ten dols, which was double what he agreed to do it for.

Monday: I am quite unwell with a cold.  We gathered winter apples and cider apples.

Wednesday: I went to Pittsfield to Cattle Show peddling.  I sold wine and cake.

Thursday: I peddled to said Cattle Show.  I sold out about 3/4 of another barrel of cider, and cake and wine.  What I cleared the two days was over sixteen dollars.  We got home about eight this evening.

Wednesday, October 14: This morning at one o’clock I started to peddling to Chatham to what is called Wetherwax Street to the races, what is called the heats.  Asa Sheldon went to peddle on shares, Mr. Newton went with us, and Rensselaer Sheldon.  We got there about eight this morning, not a very large collection today.  We sold some.  Tonight we put up nearby to a private house.

Thursday: we peddled to said races and at night stayed to the same place.

Friday: We peddled… I sold out one barrel and a quarter. I got about ten dollars.  My lodging and Sheldon’s the two nights was 25 cts and gate a coming home eight cents, which was all my expense.  We got home about 11 o’clock this evening.

Berlin Man Killed By Troopers

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by David Flint

State Police reported on Monday at a press conference that Berlin resident Steven Bell did not have a weapon when he was confronted and shot dead by State Troopers Sunday evening. NYS Bureau of Criminal Investigation Captain Scott Coburn said, however, that Bell disregarded all commands to stop and show his hands. He then made threatening statements, continued to approach the officers and motioned as if he was bringing a weapon up.

[Read more…] about Berlin Man Killed By Troopers

Grieving Family Has Car Vandalized – Reward Offered

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by Bea Peterson

William and Anne Bakaitis of Elm Street in Hoosick Falls were so happy with the birth of their grandson on November 5. Baby Daniel is the son of Brianna and Daniel Coonradt of Hoosick Falls, and he brought joy into his grandparent’s lives again. The couple and their daughters, Brittany, Brianna and Bethany, are still mourning the loss of their daughter and sister, Brooke Bakaitis, who died on December 10, 2011. Brooke was just 18. She had ACL surgery and died a few days later from a pulmonary embolism.

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Grafton Town Meeting: And The Children Shall Lead Them

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by Kieron Kramer

The highlight of the Grafton Town Board regular meeting on Monday, November 18, rescheduled from Monday, November 11 – Veterans Day, was the presentation of an $800 donation to the Grafton Youth Committee. The donation was represented by a four foot check facsimile signed by the Buckley and Reinhard family children, Tori, Zachary and Abby. In the context of years of conflict at the Town Board meetings, this was a special moment. It represented everything that is right about community spirit and about the Town of Grafton, in spite of the negativity expressed for so long in these meetings. [Read more…] about Grafton Town Meeting: And The Children Shall Lead Them

Berlin Sets 2014 Tax Levy Increase At 4.9%

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by Kieron Kramer

After a public hearing at 6:30 pm before its regular meeting on Thursday, November 12, the Berlin Town Board voted unanimously, 4-0, to override the State Tax cap; Board Member Rich deLeon was absent because his wife had just given birth. Berlin joins about twenty-six percent of local governments in the State that plan to override the property tax cap in 2014. The property tax cap increase is set either at 2%, like the last two years, or at the inflation rate calculated by the State, whichever is lower. This year the State Comptroller set the inflation rate at 1.66%. This has put a lot of pressure on municipalities all across the State.  [Read more…] about Berlin Sets 2014 Tax Levy Increase At 4.9%

Petersburgh Town Board Action – 2014 Budget Adopted With 6.5% Increase

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by Alex Brooks

The Petersburgh Town Board passed the 2014 budget at its regular monthly meeting on November 18. The tax levy will be $705,719, about 6.5% higher than last year. General Fund appropriations are about $54,600 lower than last year, and General Fund budgeted revenues are $3,600 higher. Highway appropriations are about $14,000 higher than last year, and highway budgeted revenues are $10,600 higher.

[Read more…] about Petersburgh Town Board Action – 2014 Budget Adopted With 6.5% Increase

Stephentown Town Board Action – Budget With 1.6% Tax Levy Adopted

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by David Flint

Following several budget workshop meetings and two public hearings, the Stephentown Town Board finally adopted the 2014 budget on Monday, November 18. With a 1.6% tax levy increase, the budget stays within the State mandated cap which is 1.66% this year. At the public hearing last week the Board had contemplated overriding the cap and going to a 4.8% increase. [Read more…] about Stephentown Town Board Action – Budget With 1.6% Tax Levy Adopted