The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Berlin

Elizabeth Reynolds – Obituary

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Elizabeth Sophia Goodermote Reynolds died March 7, 2022 in the home that she treasured in Echo Park, Berlin, NY, aware and grateful that her family was by her side. Even at the age of 104 years, she still had a formidable will to be fully present, commanding the moments that she could and reaching out to give her love to her family. She had lived independently until a fall at age 102, and was then able to remain in her home with the kind care of her granddaughters.  

Elizabeth was born December 11, 1917, and grew up in the years following World War I. Her parents were Arthur J “Carpenter Art” Goodermote and Marcia Vincent Goodermote. Elizabeth’s childhood days were great fun as her family was one of five on Plank Road that included five children each, making a total of 25 kids who played 2 Old Cat Bat, slid downhill on wintertime’s unplowed Plank Road and swam in the brook together, developing in her a natural ability to create her own fun, engage others and easily make new friends. She learned early to work hard, form and express an opinion, get away with some moments of feistiness and put care for others into practical action. To her last breath she prided herself on being Plank Road Tough. These gifts served her well throughout her life as she enjoyed friendships with many of all the generations. Rare in current times, she would handwrite letters and cards and call to stay in touch, inviting people to come visit. [Read more…] about Elizabeth Reynolds – Obituary

Arrest Made in Bates Murder

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by Doug La Rocque

The Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office on Friday evening, March 4, announced the arrest of 22-year-old Ian J. Hasselwander of Petersburgh for the disappearance and death of 20-year-old Morgan Bates of Eagle Bridge. Bates was reported missing on Tuesday, February 22, with sightings reported early that morning in both Eagle Bridge and Petersburgh. Her body was subsequently located on Sunday, February 27 in a remote area of the Cherry Plain State Park near Black River Road. [Read more…] about Arrest Made in Bates Murder

Pops Concert

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Submitted by BCS Communications

Recently the Berlin High School Music Department held its Pops Concert. The event features the Senior High band, Chamber Choir and Senior High chorus, as well as a student hosted event of featured soloists. Those students are able to choose their own songs and either perform them as a solo or as a duet.

The eleven featured student performances were electric and the audience was filled with laughter and fun thanks to masters of Ceremony Bri Reger, Jacob Maxon, Riley Smith and Angelo Capozzi. [Read more…] about Pops Concert

Responding to Emergencies Class Invites Local Volunteers

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Submitted by Berlin Central School Communications

“The younger generation is the future of the Fire and EMS Service, and without classes like Responding to Emergencies putting an interest out there, the numbers would continue to dwindle,” said Stephentown Fire Chief David Corlew.

In 2019 Berlin Middle High School Health and Physical Education teacher Ms. Sandra Honsinger piloted an elective course at BMHS called Responding to Emergencies.

“We need more community members who are First Aid, CPR and AED (automated external defibrillator) certified.” said Ms. Honsinger back in 2019. “I wanted to marry the interests and create relationships between the students and the emergency responding volunteers in our community. [Read more…] about Responding to Emergencies Class Invites Local Volunteers

Berlin Central School District Board Meeting

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Contradictory Information

by Chris Tergliafera

At the January 18 regular meeting of the Berlin Central School District Board, Superintendent Joseph Dhara discussed some contradictory information the District has received from the State of New York regarding contact tracing for COVID-19. The State is telling schools they no longer need to contact trace, however they also told districts they need to do their due diligence and notify parents when their child has come in close contact with someone who is infected, which would require contact tracing. The District will look to get some clarification on the matter.

In other COVID-19 news, the number of days required to quarantine after being in close contact with someone who’s tested positive has been reduced from ten to five. [Read more…] about Berlin Central School District Board Meeting

Four Area Dams Listed by DEC as Unsound

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Rating Does Not Mean Failure Is Imminent

by Doug La Rocque

A recent survey of dams around New York State by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) obtained by The Eastwick Press places three dams in the Town of Grafton and one in the Town of Berlin on their unsound list. The DEC however explains a Condition Rating of Unsound refers to “dams with deficiencies of such a nature that the safety of the dam cannot be assured.” The unsound ratings do not mean that [Read more…] about Four Area Dams Listed by DEC as Unsound

Helping for the Holidays

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Through the generosity of people in the area, the Berlin Community Food Coset provided Thanksgiving dinner boxes to 15 families, cooked a turkey for one family and delivered individual meals to 6 people and couples. The Closet is working on collecting food for Christmas baskets. Hams, yams and cake mixes are needed. Stewart’s gas cards are needed as well. If you know of families that are in need of Christmas food and are not receiving help from another pantry, please contact the United Methodist Church by calling 518-658-2942.

Donations can be left at Taconic Mountain Insurance, with the Berlin Town Clerk or by calling to make arrangements for someone to meet you at the church.

On Saturday, January 15, from 9 to 11 am, the Food Closet will sponsor a free, take out only soup, bread and dessert buffet. Reservations are required, and can be made by calling the church at the number listed above.

[Read more…] about Helping for the Holidays

Berlin Central School District Board Meeting

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by Chris Tergliafera

Many who spoke at the regular meeting of the Berlin Central School District Board on November 16 used their time to recognize the career of Mary Grant, who will retire at the end of December, after 37 years with the District. Mrs. Grant began working as a typist in 1984 and worked her way up to become the Board of Education Clerk. Board President Frank Zwack stated that she always made new staff feel [Read more…] about Berlin Central School District Board Meeting

Berlin Library Changes are Coming

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Submitted by Berlin Free Town Library

Today libraries are faced with the possibility of becoming obsolete if they remain an institution that is only about the borrowing and lending of books. Libraries across the country and the globe are changing their models to stay relevant; they are diversifying. They view themselves as important community centers, but not just a place to borrow a book, conduct research or use a computer.

If there is one thing we have taken away from living through a pandemic, it’s that societies cannot stay healthy when they remain socially isolated. Libraries everywhere are becoming a place where people can gather, in person or remotely, over like interests, participating in activities and programs [Read more…] about Berlin Library Changes are Coming

Cross Country Sectionals

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Submitted by BCS Communications 

Congratulations to the BNL Cross Country Team on their impressive performance at Sectionals last Friday, November 5. The BNL Girls Cross Country team won the Sectionals race at SPAC with 41 points. Allura Meizinger led the way with an overall second place finish. Elsie Corbett, Sadie Giumarra and Brady Hills had a strong wall finish placing 9, 10 and 11. Ava Noel secured the BNL girls victory by finishing in [Read more…] about Cross Country Sectionals