Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper
by Kieron Kramer
It’s all quiet on the Berlin front. At first, at the Berlin Town Board meeting on Thursday, March 13, various Town officers said that last month it was “all quiet” in Water District #2, in Code Enforcement, in Zoning appeals, in Youth Commission activities and at the transfer station. Well, not exactly. [Read more…] about Berlin Town Board Action – Shhhh…
by Thaddeus Flint
The Berlin School District’s Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Stephen Young, presented his rollover budget for the 2014-2015 school year at Tuesday’s Board meeting and the outlook he painted was somewhat bleak.
“It doesn’t look good,” conceded Dr. Young.
by Alex Brooks
The Hoosick Falls School Board held a Budget Workshop on Thursday, March 6. Superintendent Ken Facin began the meeting speaking to the School Board about inequities in State aid to schools in New York State, focusing on a policy mechanism called the Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA). This was introduced by Governor Paterson in 2010 as a remedy for the State’s $10 billion budget deficit that year. It subtracted money from State aid to schools in order to balance the overall State budget.
[Read more…] about In Spite Of GEA Hardships HFCS Will Not Exceed Tax Cap
by Bea Peterson
David Buckner appeared before the Town of Hoosick Planning for a second time on Monday, March 17, with all the paperwork requested of him at the February meeting. Buckner was seeking approval to open an automotive repair shop in the 22 x 24 foot two car garage behind his home on Route 22. [Read more…] about Hoosick Planning Board Action – Automotive Repair Shop Approved
by Bea Peterson
According to HACA Director Dianne Hosterman and HAYC3 coordinator Deb Alter, Empty Bowls was a success all around. “It was a wonderful community effort,” said Hosterman. “Special thanks to Megan Conner who had the inspiration for having this event in Hoosick Falls and got the bowls made, HAYC3 for hosting it and all the participants from the Girl Scouts, Jazz Band, Art Class, St. Mary’s Academy, Weeb’s, Bagels and Brew, First Baptist Church and others in the community. It has been a tough winter for those we serve, and this will really make a difference.”
[Read more…] about Total Community Effort Makes Empty Bowls A Success
Hoosick Falls – Isabel M. McGuire, 48, passed away on Thursday, March 13, 2014, at her residence surrounded by her family. She had resided on Main Street in Hoosick Falls, NY, with her mother, Isabella J. McGuire; she was the daughter of the late Leo McGuire. Isabel was born on October 5, 1965, in Bennington, VT.
Isabel graduated from Hoosick Falls Central School with honors. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from SUNY Potsdam and earned her Master’s in teaching from the University of Albany. She began her teaching career at St. Mary’s Academy in Hoosick Falls, where she worked for eight years. In 1995 she took the high school math position at Hoosick Falls Central School, where she was in her eighteenth year teaching. She was the National Honor Society Advisor, Math Department Head and had previously coached girls basketball. Her impact on students and her love for teaching was incredible. She continued outside the classroom cheering on the sports teams (often with her blue hair), attending each drama production and concert and chaperoning proms and formals. Her encouragement and mentoring will be missed.
For many summers Isabel taught swimming lessons and was a lifeguard at the Town of Hoosick Pool. When “retiring” from the pool, she purchased her getaway spot, “Camp Bella,” on Hedges Lake. There she spent quality time with friends and family. Travel was also a passion, and she could be found on whatever adventure came up – Italy, Spain, France, England, Scotland, Alaska, cruises and much more. The trip just had to be an idea and she was already signed up. She was a communicant of the Immaculate Conception Church.
Isabel is survived by her mother, Isabella, her sister, Karen Sprague and husband Richard, brothers Leo McGuire and wife Karen and Michael McGuire and wife Jan, all of Hoosick Falls. She is also survived by her much loving nephews and nieces, Keith Sprague and wife Jenn, Amy Raco and husband Matt, Kevin Sprague, Lisa McGuire, Brad McGuire and wife Becky, Jared McGuire, Tim McGuire and wife Ashley, Scott McGuire and Craig McGuire, as well as four great-nieces and great-nephews. In addition to her family, Isabel leaves her many friends, especially her “Campers” and her HFCS family of colleagues and students. We will miss her beautiful smile, honest friendship and her crazy sense of fun.
A Mass of Christian Burial was offered on Wednesday, March 19, at 10 am from the Immaculate Conception Church on Main Street in Hoosick Falls. Burial will be private.
Relatives and friends called at the Immaculate Conception Church on Tuesday, March 18, from 3 to 7 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to the Isabel M. McGuire Scholarship Fund or the Karen McGovern Memorial Fund, through the Mahar Funeral Home, 43 Main Street in Hoosick Falls, NY, 12090, who are handling the arrangements.
Nassau – Kermit “Kert” Fred Westfall, 59, of Nassau, NY, died March 3, 2014, of a long illness at Atria Shaker Assisted Living in Albany, NY.
Kermit was born in Hudson, NY, on April 8, 1954, and graduated from Berlin Central School. He was a self-employed water pump specialist. For many years, “Kert” ran Kert’s Water Well Pumps with his brother Keith. He was a man of few words, which were carefully chosen. His dry sense of humor and quick wit will be missed.
Kermit was pre-deceased by his parents, Victor Westfall in 1999 and Ruth (Brayman) Westfall in 1977. He is survived by his brother, Keith Westfall, and sister-in-law, Bev (Mooney) Westfall of Cherry Plain, NY, three nieces, Portia Westfall of Rochester, NY, Peace and husband Christopher Goyette of Brunswick, NY, and Patience Westfall of West Dennis, MA, one great-niece, Hailey Goyette, cousins, Nancy Johnston and John Johnston of Livingston Manor, NY, and longtime friend, Darlene Eagle of Nassau.
A graveside service will be held in the spring at the Grove Cemetery, Quaker Street, Delanson, NY, at the convenience of the family.
Arrangements are under the care of the Hall & Higgins Funeral Home.
To light a memorial candle, to leave a message of condolence for the family or for more information and directions please visit, www.parkerbrosmemorial.com.
Grafton – On Friday morning, March 14, 2014, surrounded by her family, Patricia A. (Norton) Ryan passed into eternal rest at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, FL. She fought the good fight against melanoma cancer, and she would want to continue to encourage everyone to be regularly screened for early detection.
Hoosick – Vivian H. deMercado, 90, passed away on Monday, March 17, 2014, at the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington, VT. She had resided on Lester Lane in Hoosick, NY.
Born on April 1, 1923, in Albany, NY, Vivian was the daughter of the late George and Birdie (Burdick) Goyer. She was married to Clarence O. White for thirty-four years; he passed away in 1980. She married Ivan deMercado in 1994, he passed away in 1999.
Hoosick Falls – Gloria A. Hunt, 75, passed away on Friday, March 14, 2014, at the Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Hoosick Falls, NY, with her family by her side. She was the wife of the late Earl Hunt Sr., who died in 1991.
Born on October 20, 1938, in Johnsonville, NY, Gloria was the daughter of the late William and Mary (Hansen) Cox. She formerly worked at the Undergarment and Barclay’s, both in Hoosick Falls, and later at C.B. Sports in Bennington, VT, from where she retired. Gloria enjoyed crafts and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Survivors include her children, Patricia Arnold of Hoosick Falls, Dale Hunt of Troy, NY, Gail Dryden of Ravena, NY, Brenda McGlamory and husband Sid of Crawfordville, FL, Marlene Hunt of Eagle Bridge, NY, Darlene Bradley and husband Mike of Cambridge, NY, Pamela Hunt of Hoosick Falls, Jeffrey Hunt of Cambridge, NY, Earl (Jake) Hunt Jr. and Robert Hunt both of Hoosick Falls, and a stepson, Earl (Butch) Hunt Jr. of Pittstown, NY. Gloria is also survived by a sister, Rose Burns of Clifton Park, NY, 28 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She is pre-deceased by two sisters, Evelyn Cox and Sylvia Meier, two brothers, Charles and Frank Cox, and a stepdaughter, Priscilla (Pat) Hunter.
Funeral services are Thursday, March 20, at 5 pm from the First Baptist Church on Main Street in Hoosick Falls. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. Relatives and friends may call at the Church on Thursday from 4 pm until the start of the service. 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 Alzheimer’s Association of America through the funeral home.
