The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Grafton

38th Annual Ice Fishing Contest Rescheduled

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Submitted by GLSP
Due to warmer than usual temperatures, the 38th annual ice fishing contest at Grafton Lakes State Park has been rescheduled for Saturday, Feb. 11, from 5:30 am to 2 pm. Join in on the fun as several-hundred anglers brave the cold temperatures for their chance to make a winning catch on several of the park’s ponds. February is starting with some cold arctic air giving us high hopes for the contest next Saturday.

Registration will run from 5:30 to 11 am, or 12:30 pm for youth, in the park’s maintenance building, accessible via the Main Entrance. There is a $10 registration fee required for all participants ages 16 or older, with no fee for children under 16. [Read more…] about 38th Annual Ice Fishing Contest Rescheduled

38th Annual Winter Festival and Polar Plunge

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By Amy Modesti 

Snow showers didn’t stop one hundred courageous plungers from taking part in the 38th Annual Winter Festival’s polar plunge on Saturday morning, January 21, at Grafton Lakes State Park (GLSP). Spectators observed plungers rush into the icy water to benefit the Our Lady of the Snow Parish Food Pantry. 

The polar plunge wasn’t the only attraction keeping visitors entertained at GLSP. Plenty of winter fun was had both outdoors and inside the Welcome Center. Outdoor activities included snow bowling, kick sledding, carriage rides, chainsaw demos from Rayzor’s Edge, warming up at a giant bonfire, hanging out in a snow fort, and meeting sled dogs, northland newfoundlands, and bloodhounds. [Read more…] about 38th Annual Winter Festival and Polar Plunge

Grafton Resolution 62 Sparks Debate, Passes 4-1

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By Chris Tergliafera
The major point of interest at the Monday, December 12 regular meeting of the Grafton Town Board was resolution 62, which admonished Supervisor Ingrid Gundrum for alleged ethical misconduct, and urged her to immediately resign. At the meeting, attorney for Supervisor Gundrum, David Gruenberg, read a letter he wrote, claiming the findings by the Ethics Board should not be considered because when the Towns Ethics Board laws changed in 2021, a new Board was never appointed, meaning the current Board shouldn’t have existed past December 31, 2021. Rensselaer Plateau Alliance Executive Director Jim Bonesteel also submitted a letter saying he believes there was no ethical misconduct. Both letters are available for view on the Town’s website, in the packet for the December 12 meeting, as is the letter from Kevin Luibrand, of Luibrand Law Firm, PLLC, that was the catalyst for the creation of resolution 62.

Several residents spoke up in support of Supervisor Gundrum, others stated they just wanted the matter resolved, as they feel it’s dividing the Town. When all was said and done, resolution 62 [Read more…] about Grafton Resolution 62 Sparks Debate, Passes 4-1

The End of an Era

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On Saturday, November 26, the Grafton Volunteer Fire Department and Ladies Auxiliary, with Santa Claus in attendance for the kids, held their final monthly breakfast. The breakfasts, held at the Grafton Fire Hall, were a tradition on the last Saturday of each month for over a decade. Over the years the breakfasts became an event that the community really looked forward to, somewhat of a meeting place for those in and outside of the Grafton community. 

Organizers and volunteers within the Fire Department and Ladies Auxiliary did all they could to continue the monthly tradition, but food costs, and inflation in general, just became too much to allow them to do so.  [Read more…] about The End of an Era

Veterans Recognition Ceremony

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On Thursday, November 10, the Everett Wager Senior Center in Grafton held a ceremony, including a free lunch, to honor veterans. The veterans, including Town of Berlin Supervisor Rob Jaeger, were each recognized for their service. County Executive Steve McLaughlin, Legislator Dan Casale, and Assemblymen (and Senator-Elect) Jake Ashby were also on hand to help honor the veterans in attendance. The special guest speaker was President of the Albany Chapter of American Gold Star Mother, Carrie Farley, who is the proud mother of SSG Derek J. Farley, who was killed while serving our country.  [Read more…] about Veterans Recognition Ceremony

Snowmobile Safety Course 

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On Saturday, November 12, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, there will be a New York State (NYS) snowmobile safety course held at the Grafton VFW and Fire Hall, 581 South Rd. Lunch and snacks will be provided by the Grafton Trailblazers. Please bring a pen or pencil, as well as warm cloths, as a portion of the class will be outdoors. All registrants must be at least 10 years of age by the date of the course. Parents are encouraged to attend and participate. Completion of this course will result in receiving a NYS snowmobile safety certificate. 

There is no charge to register and take this course. To register, visit https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/188092. For more information, call Jim Blessing at 518-469-2656.

A Fond Farewell

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Written and Submitted by Dan – The Mail Man
It has been my pleasure to serve the residents of Grafton, Petersburgh and the surrounding areas, as your Rural Postal Carrier, these past 15 years. It was my good fortune to be trained by two excellent carriers, Ann Dennio of Melrose and Don Jones of Petersburgh. Being a Rural Carrier is more than just delivering mail and packages. It is becoming a member of the community, actively helping one another. More than once people of the the community have come to my aid when I broke down or was stuck; I endeavored to return the kindness whenever possible. I always felt my purpose was to be a good shepherd and provide the best service possible for those in my care. [Read more…] about A Fond Farewell

Grafton Fire Dept. Presentation

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Written and Submitted by Ann Kiely 
On Wednesday, September 21, Grafton Fire Chief Jim Goyer presented a program on the Grafton Fire Department to the Grafton Historical Society. Chief Goyer is the longest serving Fire Chief in Rensselaer County, and has been a member of the fire company since he was sixteen years old, seeing many changes in the department over the years. One thing that has not changed is the commitment of his family to the fire company, as three generations have served. [Read more…] about Grafton Fire Dept. Presentation

Berlin CSD Board of Education Meeting Highlights

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by Chris Tergliafera
The September 20 regular meeting of the Berlin Central School District Board of Education began with an international travel program proposal. The tentative dates for the trip to Italy would be April 6 through 14. As of now the estimated price for the trip would be $3,800 and would include flights, transportation, hotel, and two meals a day. The tentative cap on the number of students who could possibly attend is 30, and it was stated that fundraising opportunities could be available to help raise funds toward the trip. Transportation from the school to the airport was also requested. Superintendent Joseph Dhara stated that while the district would do what they could to help with transportation, they couldn’t currently make any promises due to driver shortages. [Read more…] about Berlin CSD Board of Education Meeting Highlights