The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Grafton

Historic First For Grafton

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submitted by Anne Kiely

Grafton is about to have its first historic marker, and we would like you to join us at its dedication!

This marker is located at what is now the Grafton Inn.  It acknowledges not only its current use but some of the prior unique history of the building.

Many of us have known Elsie Risedorf, the current owner, for approximately 25 years.  She has been a major supporter of the Town of Grafton and, particularly, the Grafton Historical Society. The Society is grateful to her for allowing us to place this marker at the Grafton Inn.

We hope you will join us for this dedication which will start promptly at 10 am on July 26 in front of the Grafton Inn.

Farmers Market Coupons Available

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Farmers Market Coupons are available in Grafton. Coupons will be distributed at the Grafton Senior Center. You must come in to the Center to receive your coupons.  Coupons will be available until our supply is depleted.  To be eligible you must show proof of residency in Rensselaer County, be 60 years of age or older and meet income guidelines.

Seniors receiving coupons must sign for themselves and have not received coupons from another location.  Only one coupon book per household is allowed. There is no waiting list or advance sign-up.  Coupon books will be distributed on a “first come first serve basis.”  For more information, days and times coupons will be available, please call the Grafton Center at 279-3413.

Grafton VFD And Ladies Auxiliary Breakfast

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The Grafton Volunteer Fire Department along with the Grafton Ladies Auxiliary will be serving an All You Can Eat Buffet Breakfast on Saturday, July 26, from 8 to 11 am at the Grafton VFW – Fire Hall on South Road (County Route 85). Belgian waffles, pancakes, French toast, eggs (made to order), sausage gravy & biscuits, bacon, sausage, home fries, toast, orange juice, coffee and milk are on the menu.

The cost is $9 per adult, $4 for kids 12 and under and free for kids five and under.

We look forward to serving you!

Upcoming Events At Local State Parks

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• July 18, Friday – Flood Plain Explore on the Walloomsac River from 5:30 to 8:30 pm. Join Ecologist David Hunt in the Bennington Battlefield on an exploration of the rich flood plain along the Walloomsac River. We’ll tramp through flood plain forest and peer into backwater sloughs. This is a very special opportunity to learn more about the ecology of this beautiful river and its surroundings. Please meet in the driveway of the Barnett House, 30 Caretaker Road, in Hoosick. To pre-register call 279-1155.

• July 19, Saturday – Skyhigh Triathlons at Grafton Lakes State Park – 8 am – adult triathlon and 11 am for youth. For more information, visit www.skyhighadventures.com.

• July 19, Saturday – Touch ‘N Explore Wildlife Display at Cherry Plain State Park from 2:30 to 4:30 pm – a birds and feathers program with live birds in attendance! Learn from wildlife educator Bernie Hoffman.

• July 23, Wednesday – If These Rocks Could Talk – A Geology Walk with David DeSimone at 4 pm. We are very pleased that local geologist David DeSimone will be joining us for a special geology tour of Grafton Lakes State Park. We’ll explore the signs of over 500 million years of geologic change found in the rocks you walk by every time you visit the Park and the Rensselaer Plateau. Call to register and for details at 279-1155.

Grafton Lakes State Park is open from 8 am to dusk, with swimming open 10 am to 6 pm. Gate fees are $8 per car. Cherry Plain State Park is open for camping through Labor Day, with swimming also open 10 am to 6 pm. Gate fees at Cherry Plain are $7 per car. The Bennington Battlefield is open daily from 10 am to 7 pm.

Ecosystem Engineers, Jr. Naturalist Program On The Beaver

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The Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center is offering a Junior Naturalist Program on August 6 from 1 to 3 pm. This program will teach Jr. Naturalists all about one of our favorite mammals, the beaver! Students will be thinking and acting like a beaver as we explore their homes and construct our very own dam. Please wear water shoes and clothes that can get wet. A $1 per child donation covers material costs. A complete list of programs can be found at: www.dykenpond.org. 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 located at 475 Dyken Pond Road, Cropseyville. Call 518-658-2055 for more information and a complete schedule of our summer events.

Register For 29th Annual Run For The Roses Race

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Registration is now open for the 29th Annual Run for the Roses 5k Foot Race to be held on Sunday, August 10, at Grafton Lakes State Park. The event benefits the Grafton Community Library and includes a 2.5 mile Nature Walk and Kids’ 1 Mile Fun Run in addition to the USATF sanctioned 5k race.

Pre-registration deadline for reduced entry fee is August 5. The Nature Walk steps off at 8 am, $10, day of race, $15. The 5k starts at 9 am, $20, day of race $25.  Fun Run starts at 10 am, $8, day of race $10.

The first 100 pre-registered 5k runners will receive a long sleeve T-shirt. Short sleeve T-shirts will given to all other pre-registered participants. All participants receive a free book and a rose.

Register online at www.finishright.com or download the application from www.graftoncommunitylibrary.org.  Race applications are also available at Grafton Lakes State Park Office, phone 279-1155, and at the Grafton Community Library at 2455 NY Route 2.

Summer Book Club At Babcock Lake Beach

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The Grafton Community Library and Babcock Lake Estates are partnering to host a “Summer Book Club at the Beach” this July and August. The public is invited to pick up the monthly book selection from the Library and then gather at the Babcock Lake Beach Gazebo to have a swim and join in the book discussion.

The first meeting will be Wednesday, July 16, at 7 pm. The featured book will be Homer’s Odyssey: a Fearless Feline Tale, or How I learned about Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat. The second meeting will be Wednesday, August 20, at 7 pm featuring The $64 Tomato. For more details and to order your copy of the books contact the Library at 279-0580 or online at graftoncommunitylibrary.org.

Let’s Drum! In Grafton

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Take your place in the drum circle! Join Capital District musician and educator Jonathan Duda for Let’s Drum at the Grafton Summer Festival on Saturday, July 12, at 11 am. Enjoy a hands-on introduction to percussive instruments like the clay udu jug from Nigeria or the berimbau from Brazil. Participants with all levels of musical ability will have the opportunity to try out instruments played throughout the world in a welcoming setting, no experience necessary.

More information about the program can be found at www.letsdrumprogram.com. This program is sponsored by the Grafton Community Library and is made possible in part through a Community Art$ Grant, a program funded by The Arts Center of the Capital Region through the New York State Council on the Arts, a State agency. Visit www.graftoncommunitylibrary.org or contact 279-0580 for more Library news.