submitted by Jaime Wasieliewski
On June 1 the Friends of Grafton Lakes State Park hosted their 20th Annual National Trails Day event. Over 70 volunteers including members of the Friends of GLSP, Grafton Trail Riders, the Taconic Hiking Club, Capital MTB, Hiking Mates of the Capital Region and Capital District Volunteers helped complete much needed repairs and clearing on five trails across the Park. Cub Scout Pack #680 and their families cleaned up miles of shoreline around Long, Second and Shaver Ponds.
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Dyken Pond Center Family Hike On Birds
Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center is offering a birding adventure for all ages from 10 to 11:30 am on Saturday, June 22. This program will teach you how to use binoculars and identify birds by sound and sight. Attendees will walk away being able to identify at least ten different bird species. [Read more…] about Dyken Pond Center Family Hike On Birds
Full SuperMoon Hike
Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center is offering an evening hike from 7 to 9 pm on Sunday, June 23, to observe this month’s “SuperMoon” as it rises over Dyken Pond. A SuperMoon can appear larger than an ordinary full moon. This will be a fun and moderate hike for all ages. Pre-registration is encouraged to help with planning but not required and can be done by contacting the Center at dykenpond@fairpoint.net or 658-2055. A complete list of programs can be found at www.dykenpond.org. The Center is located at 475 Dyken Pond Road, Cropseyville.
Dyken Pond Center Community Art Project
Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center is offering a community art project on Sunday, June 30, from 2 to 4 pm with local artist Ellen Crane. Drawing upon the rich tradition of fish decoys, participants will use their imagination to create distinctive and whimsical designs using paint, glass beads and tacks. Twenty-four fish will be created for a permanent installation featuring “Fish Out of Water.” This program is great for families and all ages so come to Dyken Pond and get creative. Pre-registration is encouraged to help with planning but not required and can be done by contacting the Center at dykenpond@fairpoint.net or 658-2055. A complete list of programs can be found at www.dykenpond.org. The Center is located at 475 Dyken Pond Road, Cropseyville.
Yoga Mondays At Grafton Lakes State Park
Grafton Lakes State Park will hold a new 8 week summer yoga program on Mondays from July 1 through August 19. Kripalu Yoga and Deep Relaxation classes will be offered by Kat Abrams, RYT, Kripalu Certified Yoga Teacher with 16 years of teaching experience. Abrams’ uplifting classes focus on mindful stretching and strengthening yoga flows with the needs and challenges of the class participants in mind.
Choose from two Monday drop-in classes, a lunchtime Yoga class from 12 to 1 pm near the Deerfield Pavilion and an evening Beach Yoga class from 6:30 to 7:30 pm on the Long Pond Beach. Participants should wear loose fitting, comfortable clothing, bring a yoga mat and/or beach size towel and arrive on time to begin.
Classes cost $12 each in cash or check, to be paid directly to the teacher. Sign-in at the booth is required.
Come join us for a deeply relaxing, energizing and restoring experience surrounded by natural beauty. For more information about Kripalu Yoga Mondays at Grafton call Kat Abrams, RYT, at 518-233-1717 or email her at katyoga@hotmail.com. You may also call Jamie Wasielewski at the Park at 518-279-1155. Information about Park events may also be found online at www.nysparks.com/parks.
Free Fishing Days At Dyken Pond
Free fishing, sponsored by New York State, is Saturday and Sunday, June 29 and 30, from 9 to 11 am at Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center. Fish without a license. Guides will be available to help you get started if you’ve never fished before. Use our fishing poles or bring your own.
June Events In Eastwick Area State Parks
Fans of frogs, fish, and constellations will find intriguing programs at Grafton Lakes State Park in June.
On Friday, June 28, enjoy our Star Watch, a free tour of the night sky with Albany Area Astronomers and their telescopes, starting at 9:30 pm. In case of overcast skies, program will be moved to Saturday the 29th. Enter the park for this after-hours program via the Winter Entrance on Long Pond Road and follow the signs to the Star Watch.
On Saturday, June 29, Department of Environmental Conservation’s Fisheries Educators will offer a drop-in fishing clinic from 11am until 2 pm by the Long Pond docks. Learn about local fish and try casting off the dam with fishing poles provided by DEC. Both Saturday and Sunday, visitors can fish without a license in Grafton Lakes State Park and Cherry Plain State Park as part of the statewide free fishing weekend.
Swimming is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm through Labor Day. Entrance fees are $8/vehicle. The Park is open daily for hiking, picnicking and biking from 8 am until dusk. For more information about park programs, call Liz Wagner at 279-1155.
Banjo Master Tony Trischka To Pick At PS21
PS21: Performance Spaces for the 21st Century will present Grammy nominated banjo master and International Bluegrass Music Association Banjo Player of the Year Tony Trischka on Saturday, June 29, at 7:30 pm. Trischka, who has been called the “ Godfather of the Banjo,” will be joined by Darol Anger on fiddle and Michael Daves on guitar for an evening of acoustic music.
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Kay ten Kraft
Cherry Plain – Kay ten Kraft, born on July 25, 1951, in Port Jervis, NY, died suddenly at her home in Cherry Plain, NY, on Thursday, June 13, 2013.
Kay was an avid knitter and fiber artist and the proprietor of Sliver Moon Farm. With her exquisitely hand-dyed yarns she was a fixture on the craft fair circuit in the Northeast and a regular member of several knitting circles in the region. She actively volunteered at theater productions and animal clinics.
She is survived by her husband, J. Nicholas Adams, and her three children, Matthew Cahill and partner Monica Bliss of Pittsfield, MA, Rebecca Brody and husband Ben Brody of Southampton, MA, and stepson Jason Adams and partner Hensley Evans of Rosendale, NY. She leaves her beloved granddaughters, Jordan, Rachel, Zoey and Aria Cahill and Kaia Adams, as well as Kay’s “adopted” children, Maggie Pesce and daughter Yzzi and Biffy Cahill. Kay also leaves nieces Jennifer Kraft and husband Michael Leavey of Atlanta, GA, Sarah Kraft and husband Christopher Peterson of Athens, GA, and cousin Sonny Pfundheller and his wife Suzanne and their sons Jason and Jackson of Phoenix, AZ.
Private memorial services will be announced at a later date. Any gifts should be made in Kay’s name to your local animal hospital or food pantry. For further information, please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com.
Logan Ryan Bettis
Hoosick – Logan Ryan Bettis, 22, passed away on Sunday, June 16, 2013, at Albany Medical Center. Logan was happy and always had a smile despite the challenges he faced throughout his life. He resided on Cobble Hill Road, Hoosick, NY, with his parents James and Michele (Moore) Bettis and siblings Dalton and Devin Bettis.
Logan was born on May 13, 1991, in Bennington, VT. He graduated from Hoosick Falls Central School in 2010. He enjoyed listening to music and playing video games. Logan especially enjoyed going to the movies with his best friend Samantha Conn.
Survivors other than his parents James and Michele, brother Dalton and sister Devin include his grandparents, Joseph and Elaine Bettis Sr. of Hoosick Falls and his grandmother, Anita Moore of Bennington, along with several aunts, uncles, and cousins. He is pre-deceased by his grandfather, Thomas Moore, and his uncle, David Bettis.
Funeral services are Friday, June 21, at 10 am from the Immaculate Conception Church on Main Street in Hoosick Falls. Burial will follow the service at Maple Grove Cemetery in Hoosick Falls.
Relatives and friends may call at the Mahar Funeral Home, 43 Main Street in Hoosick Falls, NY, 12090, on Thursday evening from 5 to 7 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to the Northeast Muscular Dystrophy Association through the funeral home.



