The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Berlin

Berlin Brewer To Open Tap Room In Stephentown

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Bly Hollow Brewery, dba The Beer Diviner, is opening up a Tap Room and Market at the junction of Route 22 and 43 in Stephentown. Under a farm brewery law just passed by New York State, a brewery able to use 20% New York State hops and 20% barley and all other ingredients in the first five years (the percentages go up after that) has certain licensing fees exempted or reduced and can open up to five branch offices all under the same license. At any of these locations a farm brewery can make and sell hard cider, sell New York State wine and liquor and also sell local food such as cheeses and meats.
Jonathan Post, brewer and owner of The Beer Diviner, said that he is one of only three farm breweries now in New York State. “The problem for larger breweries is the small amount of barley and hops grown in New York. They can’t be certain of a regular supply and because what is available comes from different small growers, they can’t be certain of consistency. However, consistency does not mean quality,” Post said. “In my opinion the New York State malt grown by small farmers is far superior to the malt grown by the giant companies out in North Dakota and Minnesota. And though there are variations in different batches because the malt comes from different farmers, it’s not enough to make a big difference and just enough to make the variation interesting in the beer.”
Post is currently running a Kickstarter campaign which you can look up on line under The Beer Diviner to help raise money for the new Tap Room and Market. “I’m taking a chance,” he said, “because after a year in business I’m still doing it all on my own – brewing, marketing, distributing, etc. – and still not making any money. I want to be able to hire people, to buy and sell local food as well as wine and distilled spirits, for example, from the new Albany Distillery. People can come and fill growlers, drink pints, get wifi and one whole side of the building is going to be a game room with ping pong, foosball and darts. I see a bigger economic potential of this for our area. I just know that people driving to Jiminy Peak and to Vermont will make this a stop on their way, and people over in Massachusetts will want to come and visit.”
Grand Opening Is June 22
The Grand Opening of the Tap Room and Market will be on Saturday, June 22, from 1 to 4 pm. There will be barbecued hamburgers and sausages from local farms and tastings of The Beer Diviner beers, three different New York State wineries, a meadery and a distillery. Local musicians will be playing Bluegrass and kids can come too for a reduced price.
Bronze Medal Winner
Post recently won the Bronze Medal for Best Beer in the Hudson Valley for his Got Your Back Coffee Oatmeal Stout at TAP New York, the longest running beer festival in the State. “There were a lot of big breweries competing,” said Post. “The organizers of the event told me that for a one man operation in business only for a year, it was quite an achievement.”

Kindergarten Is The Topic At The Taconic Valley Historical Society

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“Yours Days In Kindergarten” will be the topic of discussion at the June 17 meeting of the Taconic Valley Historical Society.  It has been said that everything we need to know, we learn in kindergarten.
Please come prepared to share your stories and pictures as we take a journey back to the days of childhood.
Meetings are held at the Methodist Church, South Main Street, Berlin, on the third Monday of each month at 7:30 pm.  The programs are free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served after the program.

Alvin J. Vincent

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Berlin – Alvin J. “Jim” Vincent, 70, a lifelong Berlin, NY, resident, died suddenly on Thursday, June 6, 2013.
Born in Rutland, VT, while his father worked on the railroad, he was the son of the late Evelyn Appenzeller Vincent and Alva J. Vincent of Berlin. Jim was the loving and devoted husband of Margery LeBarron Vincent, whom he married on August 10, 1963 in the Berlin United Methodist Church, where they were members.
In his earlier years, Jim worked for Bill Craib helping with excavation. He was a 1961 graduate of Berlin Central High School. After completing his education he worked for Oak Industries in Hoosick Falls, NY, for many years. He later left to help his father in the family business, Vincent’s Trucking, and the business expanded under Jim’s leadership. He retired, closing the business in 1994. Afterwards he worked for Seagroatt’s Floral Company in Albany, NY, working with the transportation department, the Town of Berlin Transfer Station and the Berlin Central School District, delivering meals to other schools.
Among his hobbies Jim loved car shows, motorcycles (both repairing and riding), tropical fish (guppies), working in his garage and in his home. He was a natural “Mr. Fix-It.”
Survivors, besides his father and wife, include his three children, Wendy Sue and husband Matthew Smith of Greenwich, NY, James P. and wife Margaret Vincent of Berlin and Matthew E. and wife Susan Vincent of White Creek, NY, and his grandchildren, Michael A. Smith, Amanda S. Smith, Rebekah A. Smith, Lori R. Smith and Nathaniel E. Vincent.
Graveside services were held on Tuesday, June 11, at 1:30 pm in the Berlin Community Cemetery where dear friend Terry Lamphere  officiated. A time of fellowship was held later at 6 pm in the Berlin United Methodist Church’s Fellowship Hall.
To remember Jim and his family in a special way, memorial contributions to the Berlin United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 225, Berlin, NY, 12022, would be greatly appreciated. Arrangements are under the guidance of the Thomas M. Barber Funeral Home of Petersburgh, NY.

Richard J. Bagley Sr.

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Berlin – On June 5, 2013, Richard J. Bagley Sr. passed away peacefully at his home with his brother, friend and caregiver Dennis and Katie by his side. He was born on June 2, 1949, to LeRoy and Ethel Rivers Bagley and raised in the “South End” of Albany, NY. He was a graduate of Philip Schuyler High School. He worked for Adirondack Trailways in Albany.   [Read more…] about Richard J. Bagley Sr.

The Berlin 2013 July 4th Parade

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Berlin’s 2013 July 4th parade will be held on Thursday, July 4, at 11 am. This year, in celebration of Independence Day, the committee has chosen the theme “American Adventures.”
Float Prize Categories For 2013
Grand Prize                      $125
Theme Prize          First – $100; Second – $75
Funniest                First –  $75; Second – $50
Prettiest                 First –  $75; Second – $50
Ribbons will be awarded for horses, cars, boats, antique equipment and marching groups. Costumed walkers as well as costumed riders on horses will be judged as one group with ribbons awarded to the winners. Bikes must be decorated to participate in the parade. Due to legal restrictions, no ATVs will be allowed except for those pulling a float with a rigid support.
Prizes will be awarded to the best appearing Fire Company as well as the Fire Company with the most firemen in line.
If you or your group would like to participate, please be sure to call 658-3010 or 658-3936 or email berlinjuly4thparade@yahoo.com or submit a Participation Form to P.O. Box 66, Berlin, NY 12022. A parade is only as good as its participants, and we look forward to having you join us this year. Let’s celebrate Independence Day with another great parade! Please note: it is not necessary to follow the theme; it is only offered as a guide.
Financial Support
Since most of our parade expenses are paid with funds contributed by individuals and businesses, we must once again ask for your financial support. Please make your contributions payable to The July 4th Parade Committee and mail them to July 4th Parade Committee, P.O. Box 66, Berlin, NY, 12022. For more information please call 658-3010 or 658-3936.
Schedule
• 9:30 am – All participants arrive at Berlin Elementary School. Judging will begin promptly at 10 am. If floats are not present at this time, they may not be judged. The Parade Committee requires this time to line up the various contingents so that the parade can begin on time.
Upon arrival, all parade participants must check in at the registration table located on the front lawn or school steps.
• 11 am   Parade steps off promptly.
Route
From the Berlin Elementary School north on School Street to Park Avenue, left on Park to Community Avenue, right on Community past the firehouse to Elm Street, left on Elm to Route 22 at Bank of America, turn right on Route 22 to North Main Street, turn left on North Main Street to go south to the end of Main Street turning left onto Route 22 to Park Avenue, turn right on Park Avenue and return to the Berlin Elementary School.
Following the parade, refreshments will be served to all participants at the firehouse, compliments of the Berlin Fire Company.
Attention
We are concerned for the safety of everyone, especially the children, along the Parade route, and therefore the Parade Committee is urging participants in the Parade to refrain from throwing any items from moving vehicles. If candy or other items are given out, please have someone walk beside the float or vehicle to hand these items out.
We also request that no sirens be blown during the Parade. We need to know that a siren means there is an emergency and they need to get through traffic.

Sullivan-Jones VFW Monthly Breakfast

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The Sullivan-Jones VFW Post 7466 will be holding its monthly buffet breakfast on Sunday, June 9, from 8 to 11 am in Poestenkill. Breakfast includes eggs, home fries, sausage, pancakes, French toast sticks, fruit, toast, juice, tea, coffee and milk.
The cost for adults is $7, $3 for children 6 to 12 years old and free for children 5 years and under. Please come and enjoy!

Berlin Fire Department Breakfast

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On Sunday, June 2, from 7 to 11 am, the Berlin Fire Department will be holding its fresh, hot off the griddle monthly breakfast.  For your eating pleasure we include all-you-can-eat pancakes, French toast and biscuits for our homemade sausage gravy, sausage and bacon, toast, home fries and eggs (scrambled, sunny side, over easy or over hard).  Beverage choices include coffee, tea, (both decaf available), hot chocolate, milk and orange juice.
Prices are $7 for adults, $4 for kids 5-10 and free for kids under 5. Please join us before church, grocery run or what you are doing for the day and have a great start to the morning.
This will be the last breakfast until October so please come out and support us!