Stana Iseman will give a talk, “Four Centuries of Knickerbocker,” at the Stephentown Historical Society meeting on Monday, August 5, at 7:30 pm. The meeting will be at the Stephentown Heritage Center on Garfield Road in Stephentown. Iseman will be talking about the history of the area, Native American tribes and the Witneagemot Oak Peace Tree, the history of the Knickerbocker Family and the story of the Knickerbocker Mansion restoration. The program is free and open to the public. The building is handicapped accessible. For directions or information, phone 518-733-0010.
The Knickerbocker Mansion, the most significant historic building in upper Rensselaer County, is located in an area of the Hoosic River Valley near Schaghticoke known as the Vale of Peace. The Mansion was built by Johannes and Elizabeth Knickerbacker in the 1780s using a rare Middle Age architectural style. The Mansion presides over the remains of the historic Witneagemot Oak Peace Tree, which was planted in 1676 to commemorate a peace treaty between the Native Americans and the European settlers. The Mansion’s quiet agricultural setting has been unchanged for centuries.
The building fell into disrepair over the centuries, and major restoration began in 1991. It remains a restoration work in progress but is open to the public every Sunday and during special monthly events such as the September Harvest Festival and the October Knick at Night ghost tours or by appointment.
Iseman is Project Director for the Restoration Projects, Tour Guide and Treasurer for the Knickerbocker Historical Society, Inc. She has volunteered for the Knickerbocker Mansion for 25 years. She lives in Cambridge, NY, and is a retired teacher. She was recently honored by NYS Senator Kathleen Marchione in her Women of Distinction program for the 43rd. Senate District.
The mission of the Knickerbocker Historical Society, Inc., is to preserve and maintain the Knickerbocker Mansion, the Knickerbocker Family Cemetery and the remains of the Peace Tree, as well as working to interpret the history of the Mansion property, develop educational programs concerning the history of the Mansion and the surrounding area, and promote community awareness and appreciation of local history.
Take A Bahamas Cruise In December To Help The Honor Roll Fund
Go on an awesome vacation and make a donation in the process. Yankee Trails has partnered with the Petersburgh Veterans Memorial Community Center in its fundraising efforts for the Veterans Honor Roll Memorial. They are sponsoring an eight day cruise to the Bahamas from December 3 to 11. For every eight cabins filled Yankee Trails will cut a check to PVMCC for the cost of a ninth cabin traveler.
This trip will include Cruise Express Shuttle to and from the cruise ship in New York City, a $50 onboard credit per stateroom, cruise accommodations, all shipboard meals and activities and all taxes and fees. The cost per person (with two persons in each stateroom) will be $649 for interior, $709 for ocean view and $859 for balcony. The cost will be $407 for the 3rd and 4th person in any class rooms. There are also large discounts for veterans.
What’s more – if more then twenty people sign up they will bring a bus out from Rensselaer to pick up travelers in Petersburgh at no extra cost.
There are flyers at PVMCC, and more information can be obtained by calling Walter Walters at 658-0136 or Erin Tobin at 286-2400, ext 206.
Atwater-Donnelly To Perform And Teach At New Lebanon Library
Aubrey Atwater and Elwood Donnelly will perform at the New Lebanon Library Friday, August 9, at 7 pm. The highly acclaimed husband-wife duo will present a delightful program of traditional American and Celtic folk songs, a capella pieces, old time gospel songs, dance tunes and original works. [Read more…] about Atwater-Donnelly To Perform And Teach At New Lebanon Library
Letter To The Editor – The Martinezes Make A Difference
To the Editor:
How do you compile a letter of sincere appreciation and thanks to a couple who have made such a huge impact on this community? How do you possibly put into words how much Dr. and Mrs. Martinez mean to all they have treated, the many families they have delivered a child for, saved a loved one, held a hand and wiped a tear over the countless years of their practice?
We all have stories we could tell of the way this wonderful couple have changed our lives, saving my son, Matt, as a baby during birth, saving my daughter, Stephanie, three times during her childhood, and I’m sure there are many in the community who have similar stories. They say behind every man is a good woman. In this case beside this great man is a great woman with a kind word and that beautiful smile. What a perfect team they have made and continue to make. Thank you doesn’t seem enough, but please know for all you do, have done and continue to do for all of us, you are appreciated and highly thought of. It is only fitting that this honor [Health Care Leadership by SWVTMC] is bestowed upon you.
Our community is a much better place for having the privilege of Dr. and Mrs. Martinez amongst us. They will never have to ask the question of themselves that many of us do, “Did we make a difference?” Absolutely, they did, beyond a shadow of a doubt.
We are most fortunate and blessed to have you. Thank you.
Respectfully,
Stan and Robin Brownell
A Heavenly Quilt Raffle
submitted by Donna Mullet
The ladies of the Heavenly Quilters have assembled two raffle quilts and are ready to sell tickets to win one of them. The monies received will be donated to “Quilts for Kids,” and the drawings will be held at the Heavenly Quilters meeting on October 8.
[Read more…] about A Heavenly Quilt Raffle
Raffle For An Attic Window Quilt
Make ’Em Laugh Film Festival In Chatham
PS21 presents its Make ’Em Laugh Film Festival beginning August 5. Enjoy nine consecutive nights of classic comedy that will make you laugh out loud. All films are free of charge, open to the public, begin at 8:30 pm and shown under the tent at 2980 Route 66 in Chatham.
This season’s Make ’Em Laugh Film Festival will show some of comedy’s most iconic films. [Read more…] about Make ’Em Laugh Film Festival In Chatham
Leah Jo Hyde And Christopher Eli Bush United In Marriage
submitted by Sandy Hyde
Leah Jo Hyde and Christopher Eli Bush were united in marriage on May 18, 2013. The 1:30 pm country wedding took place at Higher Ground Farm, owned by Eric and Jamie Ziehm, in West Hoosick, NY.
As the groom and his best man, Jeremie Younger, walked down the hill between the horses, the bride’s party emerged from the horse barn and made its way down the aisle between the seats made of bales of hay.
[Read more…] about Leah Jo Hyde And Christopher Eli Bush United In Marriage
Berlin Library News
Book And Bake Sale
The Berlin Free Town Library announces its annual Book and Bake Sale. What could be better than a new stack of books to read? How about a baked goody to enjoy with your new books? The Book and Bake Sale will take place at the Library on Saturday, August 17, from 9 am to 1 pm.
Donations
The Library Board asks for your support through donations of new or gently used books and items for the bake sale. Books must be in good condition; no textbooks, technical manuals or encyclopedias, please. We cannot accept musty or moldy books. Please try to make all book donations by August 12. Please donate only when the Library is open so that books are not damaged by being left out in rainy weather. Baked goods should be brought to the Library the morning of the sale. Cash donations will be happily accepted at any time.
Summer Reading Activities
• Wednesday, August 7, from 1 to 2 pm. Led by Charlotte Neaton, participants, ages 8 and up, will craft some crazy looking birds.
• Tuesday, August 13, at 6:30 pm – Summer Reading Closing Ceremony and Party. Children, family and friends, please join us for the presentation of Reading Certificates. We will have snacks and entertainment.
Pirate Puppet Show In Grafton
As part of the “Dig Into Reading” Summer Reading activities, the Grafton Community Library is sponsoring a free special event for all ages. Join us at the Everett Wagar Senior Center on Friday, August 9, at 6:30 pm for a pirate puppet adventure to solve the mystery of Book Island, presented by The Puppet People.
The Puppet People are a professional touring puppet company and have been entertaining audiences for over twenty years. For more news of the Summer Reading Program and other activities at the Library visit www.graftoncommunitylibrary.org or call 279-0580.