The Rensselaer Land Trust (RTL) invites the public to attend three April events.
On Saturday, April 13, at 9 am the RTL will lead a vernal pool hike at their Geiser Preserve, a beautiful, wooded 95 acres on Perigo Hill on the Rensselaer Plateau. Among the rocky knolls and hemlock-maple-beech woods are vernal pools, which fill with snowmelt and rainwater in the spring, attracting breeding spring peepers, wood frogs and spotted salamanders. On this trip we hope to see or hear these symbols of spring or see their eggs. The hike will be about three miles roundtrip. The charge is $5, free for RLT members. To register contact Francille Egbert at 518-674-3214 or fran.egbert@gmail.com.
In observance of Earth Day, the RTL and the City of Troy will be sponsoring the sixth annual clean-up of the shores of Tomhannock Reservoir, the source of drinking water for 125,000 residents of Troy and other communities. Volunteers are needed on Saturday, April 20, from 9 am to noon. Meet at the NYS DEC public access parking lot on NY Route 7 in Raymertown, just before the causeway over the reservoir. Groups will collect trash along the shore. Garbage bags will be provided. Bring gloves. We will work regardless of weather, so dress appropriately. To register, contact Paul Schroeder at 518-674-2480 or pschroeder1@nycap.rr.com.
RTL is providing a series of opportunities to learn fungi with local mycologist Sue Van Hook. First up is an indoor workshop on Tuesday, April 16, at 7 pm at The Sage Colleges Cowee IV Conference Room in Troy. Learn to identify the different groups of fungi in preparation for Van Hook’s outdoor mushroom walk on Sunday, April 28, at 1:30 pm. Bring a notebook and pen. The charge for each program is $10 per person, $15 per couple. Kids can attend for free. Register for each program online on www.renstrust.org or contact Marcy at 518-674-2171.
For more information on the RTL, visit www.renstrust.org.
Jack Fox
Petersburgh – Jack Vincent Fox, 87, died suddenly and peacefully in his home in Petersburgh, NY, on Wednesday, March 27, 2013. He is pre-deceased by his beloved wife, Elizabeth (Betty) Felton Fox, to whom he was married for 62 years, his parents, Jacob Lewis Fox and Anna Elsie Shank Fox of Hatfield, PA, and his sister, Theresa Irene Fox Reese of Dickinson, TN.
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Kenneth W. Eldred
Potter Hill – Kenneth W. Eldred, 92, passed away on Monday, March 18, 2013, at home in Potter Hill, NY. Kenneth was the husband of the late June Eldred, who died in 1980.
Kenneth was born on July 24, 1920, in Potter Hill. He was the son of the late George and Edna (O’Dell) Eldred. He attended school and was a lifelong farmer in Potter Hill.
Survivors include his daughter, Jean Esposito and husband Nicholas of North Carolina, his sons, Kenneth A. and wife Lillian, James F. and wife Corinne and John A. and wife Patricia, and his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, all of Potter Hill. He is pre-deceased by three brothers and four sisters.
At Kenneth’s request there were no calling hours. Burial was at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are under the care of the Mahar Funeral Home, 43 Main Street in Hoosick Falls, NY, 12090. Memorial contributions may be made to the Rensselaer County Community Hospice through the funeral home.
James E. Kennedy
Stephentown – James E. Kennedy, 82, of Sutherland Road, Stephentown, NY, passed away March 19, 2013, under the care of Community Hospice of Rensselaer County after a two year illness.
Born on October 4, 1930, in Beaulaville, NC, Jim was the son of the late John and Katie Kennedy. Educated and raised in North Carolina, Jim enlisted in the United States Army, serving in Korea. He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans and a life member of the VFW. Before moving to New York, Jim resided in Scituate, MA, where he worked for the Department of Public Works for many years. Jim enjoyed gardening and tending to his lawns as well as hunting and fishing. Up until four years ago, he wintered in Florida.
He leaves his wife, Audrey, his daughter, Kathleen of Averill Park, NY, a stepson, Michael Martin, his son and daughter-in-law, Stephen and Mary Schnyer, his daughter and son-in-law, Arlene and Joseph Longo, all of Stephentown, and his daughter, Cathy Provenzano of Holbrook, MA, as well as six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He also leaves two sisters, a brother-in-law, a sister-in-law and many nieces and nephews in North Carolina.
Following Jim’s wishes, services were private on Friday, March 29, with burial and full military honors being held at the Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville, NY. Arrangements are under the direction of the Hall & Higgins Funeral Home of Stephentown.
The Life Of George Holcomb – A Division of Property Agreement – Called Off
Wednesday, April 4, 1827: Today the arbitrators came on, Adam Brown, Solomon Carpenter, and John Russell, and they proposed to Wm and me for one to buy the other out, and I proposed to Wm to set a price and I would agree to take it or let him likewise. He did by holding a council with these three arbitrators. Their judgement agreed to a dollar, and Wm’s was fifty dollars higher, and the price was nine hundred and fifty dollars for the one to pay the other that went away, one year from this date, and the one that stayed to have all of Mother’s furniture such as stove, brass or iron kettle, and whatever likewise Mother’s two cows and so forth at her decease, and I agreed to take said farm together with the encumbrances, but Wm is to improve one half for this year and support Mother for this year, one half, and I now take Samuel we signed notes of two hundred dol to each other if either give back to forfeit the same. On this evening I called down to Wm Bailey’s according as brother Wm directed as his business is to give me a deed and get said Bailey to do the writings, moreover Wm is to lease me the ground that the house stands on that Wm lives and the platform in front as long as the house stands.
Monday, April 9: Today we began to plow stalk ground. Wm and I do not divide, we manage our home farm together, each one to do half of the work for this year and each one to do his equal part in providing for our mother, and Samuel comes now into my hands as is agreed on the 4th of the present month. Today Gideon Barnhart came to buy our young oxen and today Mr. Rowland Danford moves from Wm’s house to Lebanon. Tonight Samuel drove our young oxen home from my Rodgers farm so that we could have a chance for Barnhart to see them if he wants to buy. Today sister Eleanor began to help us do our work, for my wife is quite unwell.
Incidents At The Armory
by Bea Peterson
Two Hoosick Falls Police reports surfaced last week regarding criminal mischief at the Armory. One was an incident that occurred on Saturday, February 16, and was reported to Police by HAYC3 Executive Director Aelish Nealon on Thursday, March 7. The incident involved a “destroyed/damaged/vandalized door handle.” The second report of criminal mischief in the fourth degree was made by Nealon on Thursday, March 14. [Read more…] about Incidents At The Armory
Grafton Chooses A Town Supervisor
by Alex Brooks
The Grafton Town Board met on Monday, March 25, to choose a new Supervisor to lead the Town from now until the end of the year. Just about all of the chairs in the meeting room were occupied, evidence of a good deal of citizen interest in the proceedings.
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In Close Vote Stephentown Rejects Library Legislative District
by David Flint
The Stephentown Library came close but didn’t get enough votes to become a Special Legislative District public library. After absentee ballots were counted on Tuesday afternoon the final vote count was 196 in favor and 208 opposed.
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HFCS Basketball Teams Raise Over $5k For Karen McGovern Fund
by Bea Peterson
“Last year when the teams did a fundraiser,” said Girls Basketball Coach Eamonn DeGraaf, “we raised $300. This year we hoped to raise $1,000. It shows what can happen when we all work together.” And that is what they did. [Read more…] about HFCS Basketball Teams Raise Over $5k For Karen McGovern Fund
Big Turnout For Outdoor Expo In Hoosick Falls
by Bea Peterson
HFCS Superintendent Ken Facin said the Outdoor Expo at the Armory was a great event. About 1,300 people turned out to see the exhibits and talk with the many exhibitors. Facin was pleased the event attracted more adults this year. Students were bussed to the Armory on Friday. Many returned with family Friday evening and Saturday. This year the Expo had the usual mounts of wild animals, plus a fascinating display of insects.
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