Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper
by Bea Peterson
Cheryl Lawyer, outreach coordinator for the Northeast Association of the Blind at Albany, which covers 15 counties, spoke at the Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation at Hoosick Falls on Wednesday. Her topic was helping legally blind older adults stay active and independent. She explained that legally blind older adults are entitled to free low vision rehabilitation services sponsored by the NYS Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped.
The Cheney Library in Hoosick Falls will host a Put Your Garden to Bed program on Wednesday, October 8, at 7 pm in the Library. Helen Dolan and Pat Mulligan, Master Gardeners from Cornell Cooperative Extension, will be at the Library to present the program. It will be an informative presentation to show gardeners how to end the growing season and prepare the garden for the winter ahead.
Cheney Library hours are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 1 – 8 pm; Tuesday 10 am – 5 pm; Friday 11 am – 4 pm; Saturday 8 am – 1 pm. Our hours will soon change beginning the week of October 13. On October 13 we will be closed for Columbus Day. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday hours will stay the same. Friday hours will be 11 am – 5 pm and Saturday hours will be 9 am – 1 pm.
by Steve Bradley
A Hoosick Falls man was arrested last Friday at a home on Second Street. Jonathan Austin, 35, address listed as Elm Street, was placed under arrest at 3:30 pm by State Police. Another 24 year old unidentified man was arrested, but details of that arrest were not released. Both men were taken to Rensselaer County Jail.
[Read more…] about Two Men Arrested On Gun Charges In Hoosick Falls
submitted by Bryen Bushner
Suicide is the third leading cause of death among teens and young adults in the United States. Even our community of Hoosick has seen its share of these tragedies over the years.
The suicide prevention walk gives our community the opportunity to support families who have suffered from a suicide and the opportunity for suffering families to feel the communal embrace. It is a night to bring light to the darkness and show hope through unity.
In past years, more than 500 people participated in our annual community suicide prevention walk. Each year this event is very moving and meaningful to those touched directly and indirectly by suicide.
Each year we are joined by people who tragically lost loved ones decades ago who come to help bring awareness and be part of this walk to save lives.
The issues of suicide and depression have been widely discussed this year, after the tragic loss of comedian Robin Williams. His death shocked and saddened so many to whom he had brought great joy. It was a reminder that, among other things, you never know who is suffering and in need of help.
The community is invited to walk with us again on Sunday, October 5, to raise awareness about depression and suicide, to advocate for mental health issues and to assist survivors of suicide loss in the recent and distant past.
Walkers should gather in Wood Memorial Park at 5:30 pm. Luminaries will be available. The walk will begin at 6 pm. St. Mark’s Church will be open before and after the walk for those who wish to reflect, pray or grieve.
For more information, call HAYC3 at 518-686-9050.
Dear Editor:
On Thursday afternoon (September 4) I went to a local automotive repair business in Bennington, VT, to have my wheelchair van’s oil changed and checked before I drove to the Syracuse Carrier Dome on Sunday, September 7, to watch the Hoosick Falls Football Team, of which my son is a member, play in the High School Kick-off Classic, one of only 18 schools in New York State to receive the honor, but the mechanic drove it off the side of the cement lift slamming the van into a cement wall leaving it severely damaged and unsafe to drive to Syracuse
Since I am a quadriplegic of 43 years and use a power wheelchair for mobility I am forced to use a vehicle that either has a wheelchair lift or a ramping system. My son knowing that Hoosick Falls was sending buses for cheerleaders/band and fans took it upon himself on Friday to ask the Athletic Director (Mr. Tom Husser) if one of the wheelchair buses could be sent so his dad could go? He was told NO, without hesitation.
Some of the football coaches also asked; they, too, were told no. My wife and other ambulatory parents were allowed to ride the fan buses but not me. On the bus ride to Syracuse, my wife was told by the driver, if more ambulatory buses were needed, they were to be added.
Recently I went with my son to the yearly Code of Conduct meeting required for any student who is going to play sports at Hoosick Falls. Two ex-NAVY SEALS spoke about how it takes parents, coaches, students and school administrators working together for the students’ teams to be successful.
I think the students, coaches and parents understand the philosophy, but I am not sure the school administration does. My son is a senior, and unless the football team ends up in the championship game again, I will never get to see my son’s team play at the Dome again. I know Coach Jones and his team will try their hardest to make it back to the Dome, and I pray that happens, but just in case it doesn’t, I have to ask again WHY COULDN’T THEY SEND A LIFT BUS to allow me or a student or any other individual with a disability to go to the game?
So I ask, why couldn’t a lift equipped bus have been added? I have managed transportation systems throughout the United States for over 35 years and during most of that time the Americans with Disabilities Act (passed July 26, 1991) which protects persons with disabilities from discriminations has been in effect. Doesn’t the Hoosick Falls Administration know what the ADA is?
On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks was told to move to the back of the city bus but stood her ground by refusing, and the whole world heard her. Fifty-nine years later discrimination still exists, however, now, individuals try harder to keep it quiet!
Sincerely,
Richard Pitt
Oak Street, Hoosick Falls
Come join your local Hoosick Falls Kiwanis Club for dessert on Wednesday, October 8, starting at 6:30 pm at the Hoosick Falls Fire Department on Griffin Avenue, Hoosick Falls. Come see what the Kiwanis Club does for your community. Be our guest. Call 686-4426 to let us know you are attending… or just show up!
The Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation at Hoosick Falls, 21 Danforth Street, is hosting an informative presentation entitled, “Aging Successfully with Low Vision, What You Can Do” by Cheryl Lawyer, speaker from Northeastern Association for the Blind. The presentation will be held on Wednesday, October 1, from 10 to 11 am.
Learn about:
• early warning signs of vision loss;
• taking care of your eyes;
• low vision rehabilitation and other services, and
• low vision adaptive aids.
Call Christa Caron at 518-686-4371 ext. 136 to register to attend this free event.
In the Story Kitchen will be the theme of the fall pre-school story time at Cheney Library in Hoosick Falls. Tuesdays at 10 am is story time for pre-schoolers and their caregivers in the new Children’s Room. There will be stories, songs and crafts, and we will prepare our own snack based on each of the stories. On September 30 – Teddy Bear Picnic, on October 7 – The Muffin Man, on October 14 – Apples Here, on October 21 – Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, on October 28 – Candy Sushi, on November 4 – Sun Bread and on November 18 – Gingerbread Boy. There will be no story time on November 11, Veterans Day – the Library will be closed. If you have questions, please call 518-686-9401. Cheney Library hours are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 1 – 8 pm; Tuesday 10 am – 5 pm; Friday 11 am – 4 pm and Saturday 8 am – 1 pm.
Due to the popularity of our Texas Hold’em Tournaments, HAYC3 is expanding to a second monthly night for the event. Newcomers and experienced players are all welcome. Doors open at 6 pm; play begins at 6:30 pm. Buy-in starts at $35 with an option for a $10 add on plus a $5 high hand pot.
The HAYC3 Armory is at 80 Church Street on the corner of Elm Street in historic downtown Hoosick Falls. For more information, call 518-686-9050 or email contacthayc3@gmail.com.
Upcoming poker dates: October 3 and 17, November 7 and 21, December 5 and 19.
An on site flu shot clinic is being held on Wednesday, October 8, at Hoosick Falls Central School from 2 to 5 pm. The clinic will be in the auditorium on the stage. Enter through the high school.
The clinic is open to the public – to parents, children and adults in the community. The shot is covered by insurance or a fee of $27. The shots are being given by Blue Shield and the HFCS Wellness Committee.
