by Thaddeus Flint
Tuesday was the final monthly meeting for three of the Berlin School District’s Board members, and, true to form, it began on a sour note when John Nash, Bev Stewart and Alan Webster Jr. failed to show up even though they were to be recognized for their service.
[Read more…] about BCS Board Meeting – Fare Thee Well
The Karen McGovern Fund
by Bea Peterson
Everyone in Hoosick knows about the Karen McGovern Fund. They have either contributed to the Fund, benefitted from the Fund or know someone who has benefitted from the Fund.
The Fund was started at a volleyball tournament at the Sand Bar in memory of a special well loved individual who died from cancer in 2000. Karen McGovern graduated from HFCS in 1986. She had an interesting and varied career that eventually brought her to law school. She was in her second year studying law when her life ended.
[Read more…] about The Karen McGovern Fund
Letter To The Editor – Disturbed By The Warrantless Search Of Our Children
To the Editor:
I read with dismay the article in the June 7 Eastwick Press regarding the “Drug Sniff at BCS.”
It is refreshing to know that no drugs were found. However, it is equally disturbing to know our school administrators and County Sheriff’s Department felt it would be acceptable to conduct a warrantless search/sniff of our children’s belongings. If there was no explicit reason to suspect these children, there should have been no reason to conduct the search.
I wonder how the teachers, custodians, assistants, administrators would have felt if their pocketbooks, wallet, pant pockets, backpacks were sniffed as they entered the school or got out of their cars. Would the Sheriff’s Department have felt they could ask the adults to line up and place their belongings on the ground? Would the adults have complied?
This was not a drill. It was an assault on our children’s civil rights and privacy. I believe the BCS School Administration owes an apology to the children and to their parents.
Sincerely,
Anita Henry
Schmich Road, Stephentown
Letter To The Editor – Left Out
To the Editor:
On Monday, June 10, my family and I attended our daughters eighth grade moving up ceremony at Berlin Middle School. Although it was a wonderful event and many students were recognized for their efforts, it was a shame that the students who excelled in the advanced classes of algebra and science, taking ninth grade classes, were not mentioned. This was a time of recognition, and they were left out. Below is a list of those students who deserve to be congratulated for their efforts and outstanding work throughout the school year.
Those students are:
Alyssa Bierwirth
Emma Bowen
Alexander Flowers
Sarah Jean French
Samantha Hebert
Elysia Mars
Taylor Meyer
Ioann Popov
Christina Shupe
Congratulations to all of you with this outstanding achievement!
Sincerely
Stoney Bierwirth
Stillman Village Road,
Petersburgh
Letter To The Editor – The More Things Change The More They Stay The Same
To the Editor:
“For these many years of canal building and use, we have fought the Civil War and Indians, built the railroads, entered the Industrial Revolution and endured political scandal.” – writer unknown.
Today we are still bargaining with the Indians, repairing the railroads, have entered the technology era and still are enduring political scandal.
Gilbert E. Wright
NY Route 22, Hoosick Falls
Hoosick Grange News
Hoosick Grange had its regular meeting on the 12th day of June. Master David Cornell conducted the order of business. The Grange discussed what they were doing for the Schaghticoke Fair. They also discussed the Hoosick Falls scholarships and are going to make some changes next year. The Lecturer reported that they went to the Girl Scouting Award ceremony. Samantha Brewer received the Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouting. To achieve this award she spent 150 hours putting together a brochure describing all the service organizations in the Town of Hoosick and who to contact for information. She got awards from many of these organizations.
The Lecturer’s program was on the subject of Flag Day. The Grange sang two verses of “You’re a Grand Old Flag.” The Lecturer told that in the late 1950s, soldiers placed American Flags on each one of the 260,000 to 300,000 graves at Arlington National Cemetery. Soldiers gave up their three day weekend to patrol the cemetery 24 hours a day through Memorial Day, to ensure that the flags remained standing. Martha Babbitt read a poem: “No Substitute for Men,” and the Lecturer read a poem titled “Dad” in honor of all dads for Father’s Day.
June 6 was D-Day, also known as The Longest Day, and the 69th anniversary. The Lecturer read about the invasion. It was scheduled for June 5, but storms forced General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Commander of the Allied Forces, to postpone the invasion for one day. Let us remember our troops all over he world and pray for peace.
The Lecturer asked how many grangers had anything to do with farm pigs? She read an article on a farmer and his wife attempting to put a ring in eleven little piglets noses. He said it was only a “twenty minute job.” Ha, Ha.
In honor of Wedding Days, the Lecturer had a word game – Wedding Jumble. Martha Babbitt was the winner and won the prize. She had an article on a water aerobics class for seniors. First thing – if you haven’t used your swimsuit in twenty years – will it fit? All the swimsuits were for young people, or the suit she liked didn’t fit, or they would order one for her and when she received them all four were the same size, and they charged them on her credit card. Most people would give up after this.
The closing thought was – Trouble in marriage often begins when a man is so busy earning his salt, he forgets his sugar.
Our next meeting is at 7 pm on June 26. We will meet at the Hoosick Historical Society Museum. Anyone can attend. The Filkins family is in charge of refreshments.
Grafton Girl Scouts Plant Pumpkins
St. Mary’s Academy Pre-K Expands Its Program
St. Mary’s Academy proudly announces the expansion of its Pre-k Program to five days a week. Early drop-off and after care available until 6 pm. Our program is structured around a consistent daily routine that includes story time, outdoor play, art, music, gym, snack time and rest time. A full lunch and breakfast program is available. Contact Principal Maureen Daurio at 686-4314 for more details and to arrange a tour. [Read more…] about St. Mary’s Academy Pre-K Expands Its Program
Berlin Library To Celebrate July 4th
A delicious fundraiser will take place at the Berlin Free Town Library on the Fourth of July – the Library will host the Pie a la Mode Café from 10 am to 1 pm. Donations of pies will be accepted the morning of the parade. The Library Board calls on its members and friends of the Library to donate the yummy treats to eat on the spot or carry out. Stop by the Library lawn before, during or after the parade to enjoy a sweet treat and help support the Library.
Hoosick Falls Community Band And Stardusters Concerts
On Wednesday, June 26, at 7:30 pm, the Stardusters of Hoosick Falls will present a concert at the bandstand in Wood Park. The Stardusters are a local tribute to the big band era providing music in that style of all periods. The Stardusters have been a Hoosick Falls band since 1976 when they premiered at HFCS during one of the spring concerts. The group was originated by the late Cortland Cottrell and continues today under the management of Cort’s son, Bill Cottrell, lead trumpeter.
The Community Band Summer concert series begins on July 3 at 7:30 pm. The hour and a half concerts under the direction of Bill Gaillard include marches, pop tunes, overtures and show music.