Grafton Town Historian, Patricia Niebuhr, is pleased to announce that a pew from the former Grafton United Methodist Church has been donated to the Town of Grafton. This church was an important part in the life of Grafton for many years and the building has its origins at this location back to 1874. The pew is of historical importance.
The Church ceased operation at the end of 2010, and the property was subsequently purchased by Brian Brock of Brooklyn, who made the generous donation on July 25. The pew will now be used at the Town Hall.
Grafton
Grafton Historical Society Meeting
The Grafton Historical Society will meet at 7 pm in the Grafton Town Hall on August 21. This month’s program is about Lincoln’s Secret, a novel presented by the author Edward Peck.
In this Civil War novel, Lincoln’s right to hold office is thrown into doubt and the incriminating documents are in the hands of an adversary. What must the North do to protect its war effort and Lincoln’s presidency and thus save the Union? Colonel Lafayette C. Baker, head of the War Department’s Secret Service, turns to his long-time friend, Aaron Putnam, to quash the rumors and protect the war effort. Putnam is well aware that he faces the hangman’s harsh noose as well as the loss of his treasured Union if he fails. He enlists the aid of southern Unionists led by America’s greatest heroine, Elizabeth Van Lew, to help ensure the success of his mission.
The program is free and the public is welcome. Refreshments will be served.
Charles Farrell Named To The Marist College Dean’s List
Charles Farrell of Grafton, a member of the Class of 2015 and a Business Administration major, was named to the Marist College Dean’s List this Spring.
Marist is an independent comprehensive liberal arts college founded in 1929. Marist is included in the Princeton Review’s 2013 guide to the top colleges and universities in the U.S., The Best 377 Colleges.
Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center Events
Friday, August 9, 8:30 pm: Star Gazing For The Perseids Meteor Shower. Come stargaze for one of the biggest meteor showers this summer, the Perseids meteor shower. If you would like, please bring lawn chairs, blankets, binoculars and bug spray for your comfort. There is a $1 suggested donation. Pre-registration is encouraged for both of these events to help with planning.
Wednesday, August 14, 6:30 to 8:30 pm: Full Moon Kayak Tour This program is limited to 12 boats, so pre-registration is required and can be done by contacting the Center at dykenpond@fairpoint.net or by calling 658-2055. Kayaks can be rented for $10, or you can bring your own.
Fun Flopping Fish
The Junior Naturalist Program on August 20, from 1 to 3 pm, will be about the biology and anatomy of different fish species that live in Dyken Pond. This program will take place indoors for the first hour, and then the last hour will take place by the docks, fishing. Please bring your own fishing pole if you have one, since we only have a limited number available. A $1 per child donation covers material costs. Pre-registration is encouraged to help with planning but not required and can be done by contacting the Center at dykenpond@fairpoint.net or 658-2055.
Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center is a Rensselaer County Park open daily during daylight hours for hiking, fishing and non-motor boating at 475 Dyken Pond Road, Cropseyville. Canoes and kayaks are available for rent each day from 9 am until 3 pm. Our programs can be found at www.dykenpond.org.
Pirate Puppet Show In Grafton
As part of the “Dig Into Reading” Summer Reading activities, the Grafton Community Library is sponsoring a free special event for all ages. Join us at the Everett Wagar Senior Center on Friday, August 9, at 6:30 pm for a pirate puppet adventure to solve the mystery of Book Island, presented by The Puppet People.
The Puppet People are a professional touring puppet company and have been entertaining audiences for over twenty years. For more news of the Summer Reading Program and other activities at the Library visit www.graftoncommunitylibrary.org or call 279-0580.
Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center August Events
Tuesday, August 6, 1 to 3 pm: Fantastic Ferns. The Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center is offering a Junior Naturalist Program. This program will teach Jr. Naturalists all about the indigenous ferns of Dyken Pond Center. A short hike and hanging wall craft will be included in this program. A $1 per child donation covers material costs.
Friday, August 9, 8:30 pm: Star Gazing For The Perseids Meteor Shower. Come stargaze for one of the biggest meteor showers this summer, the Perseids meteor shower. If you would like, please bring lawn chairs, blankets, binoculars and bug spray for your comfort. There is a $1 suggested donation. Pre-registration is encouraged for both of these events to help with planning.
Wednesday, August 14, 6:30 to 8:30 pm: Full Moon Kayak Tour. This program is limited to 12 boats so pre-registration is required and can be done by contacting the Center at dykenpond@fairpoint.net or by calling 658-2055. Kayaks can be rented for $10, or you can bring your own.
Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center is a Rensselaer County Park open daily during daylight hours for hiking, fishing and non-motor boating at 475 Dyken Pond Road, Cropseyville. Canoes and kayaks are available for rent each day from 9 am until 3 pm. Our programs can be found at www.dykenpond.org.
Opposition Voiced To Amendments In Grafton
by Alex Brooks
The Grafton Town Board convened on Monday, July 22, to hold two public hearings on amending two local laws.
The first one was to get public input on an amendment that would prohibit parking on Beach Road at Babcock Lake. Supervisor Frank Higgins said the amendment was proposed because an ambulance visit to the area earlier this year found the area congested and difficult to navigate.
[Read more…] about Opposition Voiced To Amendments In Grafton
It’s Time To Play Bocce At The Grafton Center
The bocce court at the Everett Wagar Senior Center, 2 Roxborough Road, Grafton, has been completed thanks to the many volunteers, Donna Walker and the Town of Grafton. If you are a senior in Rensselaer County please feel free to come try it out.
Our Center is open Monday through Friday, 9 am to 3 pm. If you have any questions or need more information, please call the Center at 279-3413.
Run For The Roses
The 28th annual Run for the Roses will take place on Sunday, August 11, at Grafton Lakes State Park. Events include a 5k foot race, 2.5 mile scenic nature walk and a kids one mile fun run. Proceeds will benefit the Grafton Community Library and the Courtney Carelli Foundation for Literacy.
A medal and a bouquet of roses will be awarded to the top male and female runners. All entrants will receive a T-shirt and a book. The first 150 pre-registrants will receive a long sleeve T-shirt.
The deadline for mail-in pre-registration is August 6. Entrants for all events may pick up their packets at the Park’s main parking lot on the day of the race. For more information, or to access a race entry form on-line, go to www.graftoncommunitylibrary.org or call the Grafton Community Library at 518-279-0580.
Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center Events
• Saturday, July 27 – 1 to 3 pm – Community Art Project. Folk art fish will be created with local artist Ellen Crane. This program is great for families and all ages, so come to Dyken Pond and get creative! Please wear old clothes because art can get messy.
• Tuesday, August 6 – 1 to 3 pm: Fantastic Ferns. The Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center is offering a Junior Naturalist Program. This program will teach Jr. Naturalists all about the indigenous ferns of Dyken Pond Center. A short hike and hanging wall craft will be included in this program. A $1 per child donation covers material costs.
Pre-registration is encouraged for both of these events to help with planning, but it is not required and can be done by contacting the Center at dykenpond@fairpoint.net or by calling 658-2055.
Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center is a Rensselaer County Park open daily during daylight hours for hiking, fishing and non-motor boating at 475 Dyken Pond Road, Cropseyville. Canoes and kayaks are available for rent each day from 9 am until 3 pm. Call for more information and a complete schedule of our summer events. Our programs can be found at www.dykenpond.org.