The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

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New Open Burning Regulation Takes Effect October 14

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Taking a step to reduce harmful air pollutants and help prevent wildfires, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has extended restrictions on the open burning of residential waste effective October 14. The open burning of residential waste will be prohibited in all communities statewide, regardless of population, with exceptions for burning tree limbs and branches at limited times and other certain circumstances (detailed below). Previously, the ban applied only in towns with populations of 20,000 or more. The New York State Environmental Board approved this State regulation on September 1.
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Pumpkins Catapulted In Hoosick Falls

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The catapult named Wilson lets go with a pumpkin. The Iron Horse Team, captained by Pat Bakaitism, won first place in the Punkin Chukin contest at the Pumpkinpalooza on Saturday. (Bea Peterson photo)
The catapult named Wilson lets go with a pumpkin. The Iron Horse Team, captained by Pat Bakaitism, won first place in the Punkin Chukin contest at the Pumpkinpalooza on Saturday. (Bea Peterson photo)

Pumpkinpalooza
by Bea Peterson
History websites state that catapults were originated in China around the third and fourth century BC. The first catapults were much like a big crossbow. They stood around 8 feet tall. What turned them into the design seen most often in books is the swinging arm mounted on a pivot. The crossbow string itself is not used to fire the projectile, it is used to move the arm which holds the projectile. Greeks and Romans used them. Almost every movie dealing with the middle ages shows them. Gunpowder and artillery made these humongous weapons obsolete… until now.
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