The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Grafton

Grafton: Not Just Your Grandfather’s Library Anymore

By

by Paul Bouchey

Given the advent of the internet and the proliferation of ever-changing digital devices, now virtually everyone has easy access to an enormous amount of information hitherto available primarily on the written page in the form of books. These developments have led many to predict the inevitable demise of the traditional library. Yet, as Mark Twain once observed, “The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.” The same can be said of libraries.

[Read more…] about Grafton: Not Just Your Grandfather’s Library Anymore

Holiday Gathering At The Grafton Library

By

On Saturday, December 6, at 11 am, local children’s book author William Middleton will be reading from his books as part of Grafton Community Library’s Holiday Gathering. Parents are invited to bring their children to celebrate the holidays with friends, enjoy cookies and refreshments, make an ornament for the Christmas tree and hear Middleton read from some of his books, like Gordon the Goldfish, the Autumn Ball, Chipmunk Jamboree and more.

The Holiday Gathering will start at 10:30 am and go until 1 pm. For more information visit graftoncommunitylibrary.org.

Caroling For Cans Drop-Off Locations

By

Girl Scouts are sponsoring Caroling for Cans and special collections to help feed families this winter. Local Girl Scout Service Unit 154 is organizing a special holiday food drive to help food pantries and Berlin Elementary School meet a growing need for food supplies.

More families than ever are turning to local food pantries in Berlin, Grafton and Stephentown for help.  The need for supplemental food has become so great that Berlin Elementary School (BES) is supplying food directly to families for weekends and during holiday periods. These organizations are having trouble keeping their shelves stocked.

The community is invited to Caroling for Cans, a Christmas carol sing along on Wednesday, December 10, from 5:30 to 6 pm at the Seventh Day Baptist Church in Berlin. You can help by attending this important holiday event and bringing a non-perishable donation for the food pantries/school.

Many local organizations are asking their members bring a food donation to their next meeting and we have learned that several groups have already taken up collections of food or money to donate; thank you to every person and organization that is extending a helping hand.

The following locations will host food drop-off boxes throughout the month of December: Berlin Elementary School, Gardner’s Coffee Shoppe, Grafton Library,   Grafton Town Hall, Petersburgh Post Office, Petersburgh Town Hall, Stephentown Library, Stephentown Town Hall, Stephentown Trading Post with more locations to come.

Please consider making a food donation at one of these many collection sites. If you have any questions or would like to help, please contact Girl Scouts at 279-3772 or 733-6488.

The Everett Wagar Senior Center Festival Of Trees

By

To participate in the Tree Festival at the Everett Wagar Senior Center, just decorate a 2 to 5 foot Christmas Tree for the Festival of Trees in Miniature.  Trees will be displayed from Sunday, December 7, through Sunday, December 21. Trees may be traditional or completely original, no taller than five feet and should be in place by December 7.

Local businesses, organizations and individual community members are invited to participate. Prizes will be  awarded.  Categories for prizes will be – Business or Organization, Adult Group, Adult  Individual, Child Group, Child Individual, Most Original and Open House Best Traditional.

Open House 

An open house  will be held on Saturday, December 13, from 10 am to 2 pm. There will be entertainment and a visit from Santa. Refreshments will be served.  Judging will take place before the open house   If you are interested in displaying a tree, please call Donna Walker at 279-3275 or the Senior Center at 279-3413.

Take The Plunge At GLSP

By

Registrations are now being accepted for participants in the Polar Plunge at Grafton Lakes State Park. The Winter Fest is in its 30th year with events occurring all day on January 24. The plunge happens promptly at 1 pm with check-in beginning at noon by Long Pond beach. This event is open to the first 50 people who pre-register. The fee is $20 and includes a T-shirt and a hot drink. Heated changing areas are available nearby but bring warm clothes for before and immediately after.

[Read more…] about Take The Plunge At GLSP

Stalemate On Grafton Budget

By

by Alex Brooks

The Grafton Town Board held a budget workshop on Thursday November 20, but it didn’t last long. Councilman Rick Ungaro presented a series of changes to the budget and made a motion, seconded by Councilman Mike Crandall, to adopt these changes to the budget . The vote was 2-2, so the motion did not pass. Town Supervisor Frank Higgins then made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Barbara Messenger, to adopt the Preliminary Budget as the Final Budget. This also resulted in a 2-2 vote, so that motion did not pass either. But apparently it didn’t need to.

[Read more…] about Stalemate On Grafton Budget