The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

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Grafton Planning Board Action – Graftonondack Is Back

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by Kieron Kramer
The Grafton Planning Board met at 6 pm on October 21, an hour earlier than its usual time, because the Town Board meeting, which was moved from its usual date due to Columbus Day, was scheduled to begin at 7. There was no old business and only one item of new business so the meeting adjourned at 6:12 pm.
The one item on the agenda was a change of use application by David Buckley for the property at 2432 Route 2 which is owned by Tom Forster, who also owns the Grafton Town Store. Buckley will use the small barn on the west side of the Grafton Store as the new location for Graftonondack Outfitters and Boat Livery, the business that he ran for three years at 2978 Route 2, property formerly owned by Ray Darling. Darling died in February of this year not long after becoming Grafton Town Supervisor. Forster was at the meeting in support of Buckley’s application and to answer any questions. He said that the public rest room in his store could be used by Buckley’s customers and that he had no objection to Buckley selling bait. He also said that he was agreeable to the installation of the sign that was used by Graftonondack at its previous location.
Not only will Buckley rent kayaks and other outdoor gear, but he will sell bait and, he hopes, conduct tours. He described the kind of tour he is planning – a bus trip from Grafton Lakes State Park to the Peace Pagoda and then lunch at the Fire Tower followed by a hike back to the Long Pond Beach at GLSP. Buckley said that he is a licensed NYS Guide and has numerous Red Cross certifications. Since it will take some time for the barn to be made ready for the outdoor equipment rental business, it is likely that Buckley will just sell bait this year.
Access to the road and parking were the main concerns of the Planning Board in reviewing Buckley’s application. Planning Board Chairman Tom Withcuskey said that he had visited the site with Buckley to check on the line of sight issues from the pre-existing driveway and said there was good visibility from the driveway. The large Graftonondack sign will be placed so as to not block the line of sight in to or out of the business. Withcuskey recommended that Buckley check with the NYS DOT regarding the visibility issues and the sign “so that they don’t show up later and ask that the sign be removed.” Withcuskey also asked for a short Environmental Assessment Form (EAF) to be filled out.
“This is a win-win for both businesses,” Withcuskey said. “We should encourage small businesses in town; they are important to the future of the Town,” he added. Withcuskey made the motion to accept Buckley’s application for a change of use. The Board voted unanimously to accept the application, and a public hearing was scheduled for 5:50 pm before the next regular Planning Board meeting on November 18. The November 18 meeting will start at 6 pm because the Grafton Town Board meeting will be held at 7 pm. The Town Board meeting has been rescheduled from the second Monday, November 11, because that is Veterans Day.
Buckley thanked Tom Forster and his wife as well as Withcuskey and Town Supervisor Frank Higgins for finding him a location so he could bring his business back to Grafton.

Stephentown Area Korean War Era Veterans To Be Recognized

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The Veterans of the Stephentown Area invite all in the community to join with them in honoring the men and women of Stephentown who have served in the military. Ceremonies will be held at the Veterans Park in Stephentown at 11 am on Saturday, November 9.
This year we recognize in particular those veterans who served during the Korean War era.
Although the time of actual hostilities in the Korean War extended from June 27, 1950, to the cease fire on July 27, 1953, Congress has designated the official Korean War Era to extend to January 31, 1955, including a period of uneasy truce negotiations following hostilities. Among the Stephentown Veterans group are 19 members living who served during the Korean War era and seven members now deceased. Also to be honored are another 31 residents of Stephentown living and deceased who served during that era.

Stephentown Election Results

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by David Flint
The only election contest in Stephentown was for Town Council, but the two Democratic incumbents, Chris Demick and PJ Roder, won easily with 33% and 31% of the vote respectively, beating out Republican challengers Jason Guilbeault and Bob Parisi.
The Republicans had cross endorsed Democratic incumbents Cyril Grant for Town Justice and Aldie Goodermote for Highway Superintendent. The Democrats did not put up any candidates to oppose Republican incumbents Larry Eckhardt for Town Supervisor, Stephanie Wagar for Town Clerk or Ruth Rieger for Tax Collector.

Cantering Cowpokes Receive 4-H Blue Ribbon For Herdsmanship

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submitted by Christina Shupe
On October 19 the Cantering Cowpokes 4-H Club attended the Rensselaer County End-Of-Year Banquet at the Poestenkill Fire Hall. This banquet was for all the 4-H clubs involved in horses to get together and celebrate their achievements of the past year. Awards are given out; people are congratulated, and food is eaten.
[Read more…] about Cantering Cowpokes Receive 4-H Blue Ribbon For Herdsmanship

Hoosick Grange News

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On October 23, David Schmidt gave a report on New York State Grange held in Albany. It was held at the Best Western Sovereign Inn. After our regular meeting, David gave a very interesting day by day report. The New York State Dairy Princess, Courtney Luskin, was there and Rensselaer County Dairy Princess Lindsey McMahon was also there. They both made milk punch on Friday and both were delicious. At 6 pm we had our annual banquet. Our State and County Princesses were there, and the State Princess, Courtney Luskin, gave a nice talk. The New York State FFA President, Ashley Willits, was also. She gave a very interesting speech. The Keynote speaker was the Hon. Steve McLaughlin, Assemblyman Capitol District. On Saturday we had five minute reports from the State Secretary, Treasurer and Chair of the Executive Committee. On Saturday night they had the Sixth Degree. On Sunday they had a memorial service, and the Youth Department gave its annual report. Monday they had election of officers. Tuesday they had Committee Reports and action on them. Afterward they installed the officers. David answered questions and told about many different resolutions. They were very interesting. The Grange thanked David.
It was time for the program. Mary Remancus and Louise Ciuk were in charge. Louise had an October Trivia Quiz, with prizes. They had lots of stories and jokes.
The Lecturer reported on two baskets that the Grange gave to raise money for S. Grange. She also announced that Rensselaer County Pomona Grange would meet at Hoosick on November 6, and there is a covered dish supper at 7 pm.The next regular meeting of Hoosick Grange is on November 13. It is award night, and it starts out with a covered dish at 7 pm. Martha Babbitt is in charge of the program.

Basket Bingo To Benefit Cindy Randall Sr.

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On Thursday, November 14, at the Hoosick Falls Armory, 80 Church Street, there will be Basket Bingo to benefit Cindy Randall Sr., who has been battling lung and hip cancer. Cindy has gone through two rounds of chemotherapy, three rounds of radiation treatments and recently had a hip replacement due to damage from the cancer and radiation.
Please come out and show your community support. Doors open at 5:30 pm and Bingo starts at 6:30. There will be fun, raffles, food, 50/50 and lot of wonderful baskets to be won. Tickets can be purchased at the door, at Thorpe’s Pharmacy or at Charity’s Hair Studio.

Panthers Defeat Fonda Braves, 36 – 0, To Face Chatham In Super Bowl

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by Steve Bradley
In their first daytime game of the season, the Hoosick Falls football team traveled the very familiar road to Stillwater to face the Fonda Braves. The beautiful Stillwater turf field has become the Panthers’ home away from home. The Panthers have won more football games on Stillwater’s turf than Stillwater’s own football team. [Read more…] about Panthers Defeat Fonda Braves, 36 – 0, To Face Chatham In Super Bowl