The Tsatsawassa Protective Fire Company will resume serving its monthly breakfast at the firehouse on Sunday, October 20, from 8 to 11:30 am. Breakfast consists of your choice of French toast or pancakes, together with bacon or sausage, toast, orange juice, beverages and eggs prepared to your order for a cost of $6, with children under five served free.
Support your locate fire company while visiting with friends and neighbors and enjoying a hearty breakfast to start your day. The firehouse is located behind the post office near the intersection of Routes 20 and 66 North in the hamlet of Brainard and is handicapped accessible. For more information call 518-766-3815.
North Hoosick FD Kids Dance
The North Hoosick Fire Department will hold its regular kids dance on Friday, October 18, from 7 to 10 pm at the fire station on Rt. 22. Students ages 9 to 15 and who attend any area school are invited. Parents must sign students out at the end of the dance.
Lebanon Valley Historical Society Presentation On Eleanor Roosevelt
The Lebanon Valley Historical Society will present Elizabeth Sheffer’s program, “Eleanor’s Traveling Suitcase – Unpacking a Life Close to Home,” on Monday, October 21, at 7 pm at the New Lebanon Town Hall.
Eleanor Roosevelt traveled the world throughout her life. The National Park Service will be introducing “Eleanor’s Traveling Suitcase” to schools in the near future. Schools will be able to rent the suitcase, which will be filled with artifacts representing different phases of Mrs. Roosevelt’s life. Along with the artifacts will be seven units highlighting Mrs. Roosevelt’s life from childhood through her days as “The First Lady of the World.” The units that will be available were developed by Elizabeth Sheffer and National Park Ranger Education Specialist and Trainer Susanne Norris.
Elizabeth Sheffer has 40 years experience in the education field. She began her teaching career in the Berlin Central School District then continued in the Berkshire Farm Union Free School District and finally in the New Lebanon Central School District. During her teaching career, she taught social studies grades 7 – 10, English, basic skills and home economics. Throughout her career, Sheffer was active in her local unions, serving as secretary, historian, VOTE/COPE liaison and local president. In 1997 she began working for NYSUT, New York State United Teachers, in the office of Research and Educational Services. Her areas of specialty are curriculum, instruction, standards, assessments, Academic Intervention Services, Shared Decision Making, Commissioner’s Regulations Part 100 and any educational issues that affect classroom instruction.
Sheffer holds a BA in History from SUNY Potsdam and an MA in History/Political Science from the College of St. Rose. She has received several grants to create curricula and was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study in Egypt.
Her four children are scattered from Nassau, NY, to Boston, MA, to Osnabruk, Germany. The love of her life is her granddaughter Olivia. Elizabeth lives in Lebanon Springs with her wonderful Tony and beloved dog Umay.
Stephentown Volunteer Fire Department Texas Hold’em
The Stephentown Volunteer Fire Department will hold a Texas Hold’em Tournament on Saturday, October 26, in the Stephentown Fire Hall, located at 35 Grange Hall Road in Stephentown. The doors will open at 5:30 pm and close at 6 pm. Play begins at 6:15 sharp.
No advance registration is required. A donation of $35 per player will be accepted and give the player 6,000 in chip value. Players can make an additional $10 donation at the door for 2,000 extra in chip value. This tournament will pay one place for every 10 players with a minimum of four places and a maximum of 9 places.
A free buffet will be served at the first break and refreshments will be available.
For more information, please call John Linton, 518-733-0469.
Art, Antiques And A Music Festival Enliven Berlin’s Weekend
by Alex Brooks
Corner Creations & More was a hive of activity this past weekend, as there was an art and antiques sale for the Columbus Day weekend as well as musical performances by seven different groups throughout the weekend. A nice collection of art and antiques was on display all weekend. [Read more…] about Art, Antiques And A Music Festival Enliven Berlin’s Weekend
Kenneth H. Bink Sr.
Cherry Plain – Kenneth H. Bink Sr., 60, of Palm Bay, FL, died on Wednesday, October 9, 2013, at the Williams Child’s Hospice Center after a brief illness. Born in Cherry Plain, NY. He was the son of the late Jacob H. and Doris Teal Bink.
Ken was a construction operator for many years, lastly employed with William Turnbaugh. He enjoyed his garden as well as following Jeff Gordon and the Washington Redskins.
Survivors include his longtime companion, Debbie Leonhardt of Palm Bay, his son, Kenneth H. Bink Jr. and wife Samantha of Stephentown, NY, his grandson, Gavin Bink of Stephentown, his stepson, A.J. Beecher, his siblings, Philip Bink, Joyce and husband Fred Moses, Elvia and husband David Corlew, Lillan and husband Lee Grandjean, Donna Bink and Carl, Lorraine Heath and Melissa Bink and Daniel, and his sister-in-law, June Bink, along with many nieces and nephews. He is pre-deceased by his brothers, Wayne, Jake and Richard Bink. All funeral arrangements will be private.
Letter To The Editor – Correcting The Record
To the Editor:
As part of this fall’s election campaign, false statements are being made about the Grafton Assessors office which need to be corrected. Let’s set the record straight.
My salary and my clerk’s salary were set based strictly on our experience, proficiency and knowledge. There was no increase in salary for extra work related to a revaluation and no agreement to complete a revaluation by 2012.
When formulating the 2011 budget, there was some talk about a revaluation, and some money was put into the contractual line of the budget for data collection in case we were able to get started on a revaluation during that year. We did not get started that year because the Town Board did not authorize a revaluation that year, and the money budgeted for data collection was never spent. Allegations that money was wasted or that my Clerk and I accepted money for work that was not done are baseless and irresponsible.
The Assessors office cannot begin work on a revaluation until the Town Board passes a formal resolution authorizing it. A resolution authorizing a revaluation was not passed until a few months ago, at the July 8 meeting this year.
My Clerk and I are honest hardworking people serving the Town of Grafton, and we ask that political statements about us stick to the facts.
Sincerely,
Craig Surprise, Grafton Assessor 2010-2013
HooRWA State of the River Conference
This year’s Hoosic River Watershed Association’s State of the River Conference will take place in the Fellowship Hall of the Williamstown Congregational Church on Saturday, November 2, from 9:30 am to 12 noon. The main focus will be PCBs in the Hoosic River.
Local and regional news are filled with stories of polychlorinated bi-phenols (PCBs) present in the sediments and within the aquatic food chain of the Housatonic and Hudson Rivers and the clean ups planned or underway to remove them. PCBs are also present in the Hoosic River.
Williams College chemistry professors David Richardson and Jay Thoman, along with students Amanda Schott and Austin Paul, have analyzed crawfish taken from the Hoosic River and most recently from the Green River and North Branch in Massachusetts.
Professors Richardson and Thoman and Mr. Paul will report on their research findings and on other PCB studies going back to 1991.
The Church is located at 906 Main Street, at the intersection of Main Street (Route 2) and Chapin Hall Drive, in Williamstown, MA.
Oktoberfest To Benefit The RLT
Join the Rensselaer Land Trust for its Sixth Annual Oktoberfest Benefit Event on Saturday, October 19, from 1 to 9:30 pm sponsored by Brown’s Brewing Co. at Brown’s Brewing, Revolution Hall in Troy. This year’s bands will include Flood Road, Chilly Nickels and East Bound Jesus. Admission costs $8, benefiting the RLT. Beer and food will be sold separately. You must be 21 years of age or older to attend. Volunteers are still needed to help on the day of the event with set-up, admission tables, 50/50 raffles and clean-up. A three hour volunteer shift will allow you to attend Oktoberfest for free. Volunteers must be 21 or older. Contact Kristina Younger to sign up for a shift at key12061@gmail.com or 518-659-5263. More information is available at www.renstrust.org.
Updated Events At Grafton Lakes State Park – October
Please note that the Fleet Feet 10k Race that was scheduled for October 20 has been cancelled.
25, Friday – Star Watch at GLSP at 7:30 pm. Join with members of the Albany Area Astronomers and come explore the night sky. Meets at Deerfield. Rain date: Saturday, 10/28. Call 658-9144 to confirm.
26, Saturday – Trick or Treat Nature Trail 4:30 to 7 pm. Follow a trail lit by jack-o-lanterns to meet some of the friendly animals of the forest and lakes at Grafton Lakes State Park. Solve riddles and play along the way. There will be treats and fun for all. This event is recommended for children ages 12 and under. The cost is $4 per person or $15 per family of four or more. Pre-registration is required by calling 279-1155. The group will meet at the Shaver Pond Center, 194 Shaver Pond Road in Grafton.