The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

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The Sidewalks Of New Lebanon

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by Thaddeus Flint
On March 12 the Town of New Lebanon held a public hearing on a proposed plan to add sidewalks from roughly Lovers Lane, running along the north side of routes 20 and 22, to about the High School. There was mention of taking property through eminent domain, and many residents were worried taxes would go up, so it was little surprise that the new Town Hall was packed that night.
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Stephentown Volunteer Fire Department RecruitNY Day Open House

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by David Flint
“If you don’t, who will?” That’s the question put to Town residents in a letter from the Stephentown Volunteer Fire Department on the occasion of its open house at the Fire Station on RecruitNY Day, April 27. “We all lead busy lives,” the letter continued, “but we also make time for the fire department because it is right. Every member of our Fire Department is a volunteer. We have no paid personnel. We also understand that family, work and school come first. Our civic pride says give something back to the community.”
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Petersburgh Fire Department Cindy Harrison Memorial Scholarship

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Applications are now being accepted for the Petersburgh Fire Department/Cindy Harrison Scholarship from those continuing their education through either college or vocational training. Current or former Berlin graduates who have overcome obstacles and/or struggled through adversity are eligible.
Cindy was a Petersburgh firefighter and officer who, despite battling cancer, continued to be an active member until just before her death. The successful applicant should exemplify the interests and values of Cindy as evidenced by a caring nature, active involvement in the community and concern for others.  Applications are available at the Berlin High School Guidance Office and must be submitted by May 15.

An Illustrated Talk On W.C. Cowee At The Stephentown Historical Society

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Sharon Klein will give an illustrated talk on W.C. Cowee, the man and the company, at the Stephentown Historical Society meeting on Monday, May 6, at 7:30 pm. The meeting will be at the Stephentown Heritage Center on Garfield Road, Stephentown. It is free and open to the public. The building is handicapped accessible. For directions or information, phone 518-733-0010.
W.C. Cowee invented the floral pick at the request of his “Gladiola King” brother, Arthur. The pick is a thin wooden stick with a pointed end and an attached wire which is used to fasten flowers to arrangements and keep them in place. W.C. struggled to start the company, which began manufacturing the picks in 1898 in Berlin, NY. The company was a major employer in Berlin and celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1998. Over the years it made a variety of other wooden wares, including Tinkertoys®. Various parts of the company have been sold in recent years, and in 2011 the pick division closed.
W.C. Cowee was a community leader and also started the water and electric companies for Berlin. Klein will also give some background on the Cowee family.
Sharon Klein is Berlin Town Historian and the Past President and Secretary of the Taconic Valley Historical Society. She is retired from teaching at Berlin Central Middle/High School. She will be displaying some items that the W.C. Cowee Co. manufactured.