The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Grafton

Grafton Game Tournament

By

The Rensselaer County Everett Wagar Senior Center and the Grafton Community Library are excited to present a Games Tournament Extravaganza coming to Grafton this May. Participants can compete in five different games at two locations over four weeks, culminating in a party at the Senior Center on May 21 where finalists from all the games will compete, prizes and trophies will be given, pizza and sundaes will be enjoyed by all participants and guests.

• Friday, May 2 – Quinella (31) at the Senior Center at 1 pm

• Tuesday, May 13 – Dominoes at the Senior Center at 1 pm

• Wednesday, May 7 – Scrabble at the Library at 10 am

• Wednesday, May 14 – Checkers at the Library at 10 am

• Friday, May 16 – Bingo at the Senior Center at 1 pm

• Wednesday, May 21 – Finalists of all games will play at the Senior Center. All participants and guests are invited for a pizza and make your own sundae party where prizes and trophies will be given for the winners.  Pizza and ice cream is sponsored by MVP Health Care and Stewart’s.

Participants can sign up at the Everett Wagar Senior Center during open hours, Monday through Friday from 9 am to 3 pm. For more information contact the Senior Center at 279-3413 or the Grafton Community Library at 279-0580.

GLSP April And May Events

By

• Saturday, April 26 – Silent Hike with Your Camera at 10:30 am. You know the expression “a picture says a thousand words.” We’ll see if we can write a book while out on this silent hike. Pre-register at 279-1155. This event is sponsored by the Friends of Grafton Lakes State Park.

• Tuesday, April 29 – Orienteering Basics at 10 am. Read an orienteering map and explore the Park with the aid of a compass. You’ll get some basic skills so that you’ll never truly be “lost in the woods.” Meet by main beach parking lot. Pre-registration required, call 279-1155. The cost is $2 per person. The suggested age for this program is 10 or older.

• Saturday, May 3 – I Love My Park Day! Begins at 9 am at Deerfield Pavilion. Volunteer on the trails at your favorite State Park from 9:30 am to 12 pm.  We’ll have service activities for volunteers of all ages, with morning refreshments and T-shirts available to those who pre-register by April  20.  Call 279-1155 to sign up.  Scout troops are encouraged to join us!

• Saturday, May 10 – Marvelous Mamas at 1 pm. Calling all kids! Does mom need a day off? Kids and accompanying adult can create a craft as a surprise for mama’s big day on Sunday.  Come learn about animal mothers in nature and why moms are so cool – including our own of course!  The cost is $2 per person or $5 per family.  To pre-register, call 279-1155.

• Saturday, May 7 – Women of the Revolutionary War at 1 pm.  Held at Bennington Battlefield Historic Site in Walloomsac, NY. In honor of Armed Forces Day and the month of Mother’s Day,  the stories of women who fought during the Revolutionary War will be explored. Have you        heard about Molly Pitcher? How about Daring Dicey? Come and hear about all these women and more whose efforts helped the Revolutionary cause. To pre-register, call 279-1155. This event is appropriate for ages 10+.  The cost is $2 per person.

• Saturday, May 18 – Great Strides for Cystic Fibrosis. 1k walk to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. For more information, contact CFF at 783-7361.

• Friday, May 23 – Star Watch at 9 pm.  Enjoy a free tour of the night sky with the Albany Area Astronomers. Call Bernard to confirm as cloudy skies may cancel at 658-9144. The rain date is Saturday May 24 at 9 pm.  Please use the Winter Entrance and follow the signs to the program.

Grafton Town Board Action – Truck Rollover

By

by Alex Brooks

At the Grafton Town Board meeting on Monday Highway Superintendent Herb Hasbrouck said there was an incident with one of the Town trucks about a month ago. A Town 2000 International single axle dump truck was forced off the road by a reckless driver in a car, and the truck rolled over onto its side.  The insurance company declared the truck unrepairable, so it must be replaced. The Town Board voted unanimously to seek bids for a replacement truck immediately.

[Read more…] about Grafton Town Board Action – Truck Rollover

April Events At The Grafton Library

By

The Grafton Community Library announces its programs for the month of April. All programs are free and open to the public. For more information contact the Library at 518-279-0580 or email director@graftoncommunitylibrary.org. Stay up to date with everything that is happening at the library by visiting our online events calendar at www.graftoncommunitylibrary.org/whats-happening-at-your-library, and signing up for our email newsletter on our website www.graftoncommunitylibrary.org.

Native American Animal Spirits

Storyteller Gil Payette will present Native American Animal Spirits (all ages program) on Friday, April 18, at 6:30 pm. In this fun and informative program Payette will weave together his teaching and storytelling skills to give us a glimpse of how Native Americans understand spiritual and sacred animal power. Some Native American languages had no word for “animal.” These life forms were considered extended family – brothers, sisters, cousins – each one unique unto itself, a symbol of power, of the soul, a creative element with a spiritual purpose. Special prizes will be given!

Facts About Lyme Disease

The Facts about Lyme Disease will be presented by Jennifer Mahoney, Rensselaer County Health Department, on Tuesday, April 22, at 6:30 pm. Get ready to enjoy the great outdoors in a safe way this spring by finding out everything you need to know about Lyme disease in our area.This program will cover:

• information about the tick’s life cycle;

• awareness of Lyme disease and other tick borne diseases;

• recognizing basic signs and symptoms;

• knowing to seek early diagnosis and treatment;

• knowing if you live, work or play in an area that has infected ticks;

• practicing preventive actions, and

• knowing who to contact for more information.

Book Discussion Group

The Book Discussion Group will discuss The Secret History by Donna Tartt on Wednesday, April 30, at 12:30 pm. The Grafton Community Library’s book discussion group meets monthly. New participants are always welcome. Donna Tartt’s The Secret History is the darkly engrossing debut by the author of last year’s acclaimed novel The Goldfinch. This tale of murder and intrigue at a small Vermont college was inspired by Tartt’s years in Bennington. Copies are available now at the Library.

Storytime

Weekly Storytime for Preschool Aged Children will take place on  Wednesday, April 23, at 10:30 am and Wednesday, April 30, at 10:30 am.

Coupon Clippers

The Grafton Clippers Coupon Group will meet on Monday, April 21, at 6 pm. Be part of a new social group where people gather to share knowledge of clipping coupons and finding ways to cut shopping trips by 90%. The Grafton Clippers will meet at the Library every other Monday at 6 pm. New members are always welcome. For more information email Donna atmoreoutoflife@gmail.com or Erin at Erin_469@yahoo.com.

Game Day At The Library

Game day is every Tuesday starting at 3:30 pm. Come to the Library to play your favorite board games with friends – Scrabble, Bananagrams, Scattergories and more. Use the Library’s games or bring your own.

Sit And Knit Needle Arts Group

Sit and Knit Needle Arts Group will meet Saturdays at 10 am. Come share your love of all the Needle Arts! Knitting, stitching, crocheting and more. All skill levels and abilities welcome.

Earth Day At Dyken Pond

By

The Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center is celebrating Earth Day on April 27 from 1 to 4 pm. Help us give back to the earth by doing trail maintenance and other outdoor work. Snacks and drinks will be provided to all volunteers. Pre-registration is encouraged to help with planning and can be done by contacting the Center at dykenpond@fairpoint.net or 518-658-2055. A complete list of programs can be found at www.dykenpond.org.

Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center, located at 475 Dyken Pond Road, Cropseyville, is a Rensselaer County Park open daily during daylight hours for hiking, fishing and non-motor boating. Canoes and kayaks are available for rent each day from 9 am until 3 pm after May 15. Call for more information and a complete schedule of our events.

TRACs Meeting

By

The TRACs (Together Reducing drugs and Alcohol in our CommunitieS) regular monthly meeting will be held on April 22 at 6:30 pm at Stephentown Memorial Library. Come join us as we collaborate in order to make a difference in the lives of the youth in the Berlin and New Lebanon School Districts in our effort to reduce youth use of alcohol and drugs.

Our mission statement, “to encourage a drug-free lifestyle for youth, support families and provide community-based pro-social alternatives,” requires the support of many community members, organizations and businesses. We look forward to your participation.

Berlin High School Class Of 2014 Valedictorian And Salutatorian

By

submitted by Erin Clary, Communications Specialist, Berlin Central School District 

The Berlin High School announces Alessa D’Alessio as its Valedictorian and Cullen O’Brien as its Salutatorian for the Class of 2014.

Valedictorian Alessa D’Alessio

BCS 2014 Valedictorian Alessa D’Alessio. Photo courtesy of Erin Clary.
BCS 2014 Valedictorian Alessa D’Alessio. Photo courtesy of Erin Clary.

D’Alessio is the daughter of Yolanda and Michael D’Alessio of Cherry Plain. She has a cumulative GPA of 96.79 percent. Her coursework this year includes Advanced Placement English and Psychology, along with Hudson Valley Community “College in the High School” Calculus. She will graduate with a Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation.

D’Alessio has been the recipient of several awards including the University of Rochester Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award and the U.S. Air Force Math and Science Award, both in 2013.

Although she has attended Berlin High School for less than two years, D’Alessio has made a tremendous impact on her class and the school community during that short time. She is a member of the varsity soccer and varsity cheerleading teams. She has served as a class officer and is an active participant in the Drama Club. D’Alessio is also a member of the National Honor Society.

As an active participant in her community, D’Alessio has volunteered her time at the Town libraries, the transfer station where she sorted recyclables and at Sunderland Elementary School in Vermont where she helped clean up the grounds.

D’Alessio is currently undecided on where she will go for college but plans on majoring in International Relations and the French language.

Salutatorian Cullen O’Brien

BCS 2014 Salutatorian Cullen O’Brien. Photo courtesy of Erin Clary.
BCS 2014 Salutatorian Cullen O’Brien. Photo courtesy of Erin Clary.

O’Brien is the son of Doris and Daniel O’Brien of Grafton. He has a cumulative GPA of 94.8 percent. His coursework this year includes Advanced Placement English and Chemistry, along with Hudson Valley Community “College in the High School” Calculus. O’Brien, along with one other student, also created their own Environmental Science Independent Study program. He will graduate with a Regents Diploma with Honors and Advanced Designation.

O’Brien was the recipient of several awards in 2013 including the University of Rochester George Eastman Young Leaders Award, the Clarkson University Leadership Award and the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Medal.

A well-rounded student, O’Brien is a member of the varsity soccer and basketball teams and is a four year member of the high school band. He is also part of the jazz band and marching band and has participated in drama club. He is a competitor in the Science Bowl, Envirothon and Masterminds teams. O’Brien is also a member of the National Honor Society.

Also active in his community, O’Brien has volunteered at church cleanups and in fundraising walks and activities in Grafton Lakes State Park where he is also employed as a life guard during the summer months.

Although currently undecided on where he will attend college, O’Brien plans to study Chemistry or Biology with the intent of pursuing a career in medicine, either as an emergency medical physician or physician’s assistant.

Grafton Library Food For Fines Amnesty Week

By

The Grafton Community Library is offering an opportunity to get rid of your late fees while helping to provide crucial food items for the most vulnerable in our community. For every nonperishable food item that you bring in to the Library between April 14 and April 19, we will waive one of your late fees. We cannot waive fees for items that are still checked out or lost. All food items will be donated to the Parish of Our Lady of the Snow Food Pantry and will go directly to help families in need in our community.

The food pantry is in particular need of the following: coffee, tea bags, peanut butter, jelly, pasta, spaghetti sauce, soups, cranberry sauce, canned veggies, canned fruit, canned chicken, tuna fish, instant potatoes, rice-a-roni, pasta-roni, cereals and juices.  Please do not bring expired or damaged food items or items that are unlabeled.

April Events At The Grafton Library

By

The Grafton Community Library announces its programs for the month of April. All programs are free and open to the public. For more information contact the Library at 518-279-0580 or email director@graftoncommunitylibrary.org. Stay up to date with everything that is happening at the library by visiting our online events calendar at www.graftoncommunitylibrary.org/whats-happening-at-your-library, and signing up for our email newsletter on our website www.graftoncommunitylibrary.org.

Storyteller Gil Payette will present Native American Animal Spirits (all ages program) on Friday, April 18, at 6:30 pm. In this fun and informative program Payette will weave together his teaching and storytelling skills to give us a glimpse of how Native Americans understand spiritual and sacred animal power. Some Native American languages had no word for “animal.” These life forms were considered extended family – brothers, sisters, cousins – each one unique unto itself, a symbol of power, of the soul, a creative element with a spiritual purpose. Special prizes will be given!

The Facts about Lyme Disease will be presented by Jennifer Mahoney, Rensselaer County Health Department, on Tuesday, April 22, at 6:30 pm. Get ready to enjoy the great outdoors in a safe way this spring by finding out everything you need to know about Lyme disease in our area.This program will cover:

• information about the tick’s life cycle;

• awareness of Lyme disease and other tick borne diseases;

• recognizing basic signs and symptoms;

• knowing to seek early diagnosis and treatment;

• knowing if you live, work or play in an area that has infected ticks;

• practicing preventive actions, and

• knowing who to contact for more information.

Book Discussion Group

The Book Discussion Group will discuss The Secret History by Donna Tartt on Wednesday, April 30, at 12:30 pm. The Grafton Community Library’s book discussion group meets monthly. New participants are always welcome. Donna Tartt’s The Secret History is the darkly engrossing debut by the author of last year’s acclaimed novel The Goldfinch. This tale of murder and intrigue at a small Vermont college was inspired by Tartt’s years in Bennington. Copies are available now at the Library.

Weekly Storytimes for Preschool Aged Children will take place on Thursday, April 17, at 4 pm, Wednesday, April 23, at 10:30 am and Wednesday, April 30, at 10:30 am.

The Grafton Clippers Coupon Group will meet on Monday, April 21, at 6 pm. Be part of a new social group where people gather to share knowledge of clipping coupons and finding ways to cut shopping trips by 90%. The Grafton Clippers will meet at the library every other Monday at 6 pm. New members are always welcome. For more information email Donna atmoreoutoflife@gmail.com or Erin at Erin_469@yahoo.com.

Game Day at the Library – Tuesdays starting at 3:30 pm. Come to the Library to play your favorite board games with friends: Scrabble, Bananagrams, Scattergories and more. Use the Library’s games or bring your own.

Sit and Knit Needle Arts Group – Saturdays at 10 am. Come share your love of all the Needle Arts – knitting, stitching, crocheting and more. All skill levels and abilities are welcome.

Poestenkill VFW Breakfast

By

The Sullivan-Jones VFW post 7466 in Poestenkill will be having its monthly buffet breakfast on April 13 from 8 to 11 am. The cost of the breakfast has gone up to $8 for adults, $4 for children 6 years to 12 years but  is still free for children 5 years and under.

This month, besides our normal fare, we will be serving corned beef hash and ham.