The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Hoosick Falls

Fund Raising Event For George Villarini

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The Hoosick Falls Baseball and Softball Program, in partnership with HAYC3, is sponsoring a spaghetti dinner at The Armory on December 13, from 5 to 7:30 pm in honor of Mr. George Villarini, beloved coach, teacher, trainer and referee for the Hoosick baseball and softball leagues.

Ask anyone who has ever played sports in Hoosick Falls and they will tell you that George Villarini was an important part of his or her sports career. He has always been there for the community, and now the community is there for him. Sadly, Mr. Villarini is suffering from liver cancer and is currently undergoing treatments in Dartmouth, NH. He is also on the National Transplant List at Mass General.

Mr. Villarini is a long time resident of Hoosick Falls and an incredible advocate for children’s sports in not only Hoosick Falls but in the surrounding communities as well. He has umpired and refereed many sports throughout the years, including basketball at The Youth Center, Little League and more. He never missed an opportunity to teach kids good sportsmanship and how to play better. Even a strike out or a foul on the court were teaching moments for him.

The spaghetti dinner menu includes all-you can-eat spaghetti and sauce, meatballs, bread and butter, dessert and drinks. Additionally, there will be baked goods for sale.

Mr. Villarini’s friends are “looking to do a great deed for a dear friend,” said one of the organizers, Maggie Thayne. All proceeds from this event will be used to help Mr. Villarini in his struggle to beat liver cancer. Tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for kids 4-12. Children under 4 enter free. You can get tickets in advance through HAYC3 at The Youth Center, 115 Church Street, Hoosick Falls, weekdays between 10:30 am and 6 pm, at Thorpe’s Pharmacy or from Maggie or Tony Thayne.  For more information contact HAYC3 at 686-9050.

Letter To The Editor – Sharing Wonderful Experiences

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Dear Editor,

I wanted to share with the Hoosick Falls community, as well as our surrounding towns, the wonderful experiences I have had with two groups from Hoosick Falls Central School in the past few weeks.

On November 16 I accompanied 33 students to NYC to perform at Carnegie Hall. Wow! How many people want to be able to do that in their lifetime? These 33 kids ranged in age from 12-17, grades 7-12. Under the direction of Ambigay Yudkoff, they had spent tireless hours learning songs in different languages to perform. The concert was a fundraiser for the Kate Winslow Golden Hat Foundation, a foundation celebrating love and self-expression for those with autism. They sang on stage with Tim Janis, Forte, Nathan Pacheco, Nick Pitera and Amy Petty.

The trip started at 5 am, after cheering on the football team the night before. We arrived at the rehearsal hall ready to sing and were the only group not carrying their music – they had it all memorized! There was no time for sightseeing except for the quick 20 block walk from the rehearsal hall to Carnegie Hall. The day was a bit hectic due to many last minute changes, but the kids adapted instantly. Everyone was well prepared, courteous and very professional. Our group on stage was visibly the expert; all students standing still, not fixing their hair or clothing and always having a smile on their face. Our students fully embraced the cause benefitting from their performance and were honored to be included. Even though they did not have many supporters other than close family members, they still were overjoyed to represent Hoosick Falls.

I have been the parent helper since the inception of the Pep Band in the fall of 2009. Every year our membership has grown. On November 23 I was able to take 22 of the members to Kingston to cheer on the football team at Dietz Stadium. These students tirelessly give everything they have week in and out to support the football program at HFCS. This year we had fans request that we sit near them! The community of Hoosick Falls enjoys the band; I hear nothing but great compliments on how the band makes the games more than just an average football game. I was honored to stand with the kids while they waited at the school and applauded the football team when they returned – the thought of abandoning them after a tough loss never crossed their minds!

I am also extremely proud of all the students involved in the performing arts programs. The drama department will be performing Noises Off on December 14 and 15. The jazz band played at the concourse in Albany on December 3, and all the groups will be performing for the winter concerts on December 16 and 19. On January 31 the chorus will be performing on the stage at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall with the Albany ProMusica for the fourth year in a row. Shortly after, they will be hosting international humanitarian and renowned musician Sharon Katz & The Peace Train on February 13. Sharon Katz & The Peace Train use proceeds from their concert appearances to support their humanitarian work in South Africa and other countries around the world. Their work includes music therapy with orphans and communities affected by HIV/AIDS, feeding programs in poverty stricken communities, conflict resolution work in violence torn regions and building schools and community arts centers in under developed areas.

I encourage the community to come see what talent we have in Hoosick Falls that is not on the field or the court but rather on the stage. Many of the concerts, plays and performances are rarely attended by the public at large. Just ask the jazz band how they feel at the end of a concert, only seeing family members left in the audience – their response will be less than joyful. Show your support for the performing arts today – you will not be disappointed!

Sincerely,

Joyce Brewer

TC Lane, Hoosick Falls

Christmas Cookies And Happy Hearts, This Is How The Holiday Starts

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Do you make the best Christmas cookies in Hoosick? Your family and friends say you do – why not find out for sure. Enter your Christmas cookies in the first Annual HAYC3 Christmas Cookie Contest.

Are your cookies chewy or crisp? Sweet or savory? Chocolate? Lemon? Butter-rich? Iced? Have nuts or not? Do you use Grandma’s favorite recipe? Are they a family classic? Something new and different? A concoction of your own invention? Pretty or plain? Complex or simple?

HAYC3 and Hoosick want to know! Our expert cookie taste testers will be on hand at The Pop-Up Holiday Shop at The Armory on Saturday, December 7, to sample all the entries. Just drop off a dozen cookies at The Armory by 10 am. First, Second and third place ribbons will be awarded.

Be a smart cookie – earn “Best Cookie” bragging rights by entering yours in the HAYC3 Christmas Cookie Contest.

Dates For The Hoosick Artisan Exchange And Market

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The Hoosick Falls Artisan Exchange and Market is alive and well and still at The Armory, but the schedule has changed. You can still get locally made goods, fresh produce, an Angel or Tarot Reading, maple syrup, hickory syrup, popcorn and more. The new dates for upcoming markets are December 13, January 31, March 14 and April 25. All are Fridays; all are from 5 to 8 pm.

On those same nights, you can also enjoy other happenings in The Armory, including gallery openings and free music in The Owl’s Nest, among other things.

On December 13, the opening reception for the new George Van Hook and Artist Guild shows are open from 6 to 8 pm in 120gallery90, and Music in Hoosick presents Holiday Jazz by Sage City Six in The Owl’s Nest.

Coming Concerts In Hoosick Falls

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On Sunday, December 15, Hoosick Falls’ big band, The Stardusters, will perform a Christmas program at the Community Alliance Church at 3 pm. The public is cordially invited.

On Wednesday, December 18, the Hoosick Falls Community Band will present its 31st annual Christmas Concert at the First United Presbyterian Church at 7:30 pm.

Hoosick Falls Soccer Club Registration

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The Hoosick Falls Soccer Club is now organizing spring travel teams.  If we do not have enough players on a team, we will not be able to register that team in the league.  We hope to have enough players to register all six teams.  If you are interested in registering please go to https://hoosickfallssoccer.sportssignup.com//Login.

We are forming teams for:

• Fourth Grade Boys

• Fourth Grade Girls

• Fifth Grade Boys

• Fifth Grade Girls

• Sixth Grade Boys

• Sixth Grade Girls.

The Club registrar and contact for travel soccer is now Hoosick Falls Soccer Club Board Member Justin Caywood. You can reach him at 518-944-1498 or at cicerorey1919@gmail.com.

Registration period ends  December 14.

Norma Kimball

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Hoosick Falls – Norma Kimball, 91, passed on to her heavenly reward on November 20, 2013. A private person, she will be remembered by family as a reader, crossword puzzle advocate, preparer of the best homemade coleslaw and by a few as a true friend.

Norma is pre-deceased by two husbands, Earl Callahan, to whom she was married for 28 years, and John Kimball, to whom she was married for 21 years, and by a son, Dennis Callahan. She is survived by four sons, Earl Callahan Jr., of New Berlin, NY, Richard and Michael Callahan of Hoosick Falls, NY, and Jeffery Callahan of Portland, TX, and by a daughter, Beverly Thompson of Bennington, VT, as well as their spouses and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Norma’s early years of growing up were spent in the Rupert, Dorset, Manchester area of Bennington County, Vermont. Historically, she could relate many “I remember when” stories. The school she attended in Bennington, VT, is now a part of the complex of buildings on the grounds of Bennington Pottery. Her story is also the story of the now gone Undergarment factory in Hoosick Falls, where she performed duties as a secretary.

As per the wishes of this intensely private person, there will be no services. In the end, her daughter held her hand as she passed as quietly as she lived.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation at Hoosick Falls. Her life will be celebrated by family at a later date.

Hoosick Area Community Packs Thanksgiving Dinners

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by Bea Peterson

On Friday evening, November 22, it was organized chaos at the HACA Center on lower John Street. Over 40 volunteers, from under 10 to over 80 years old helped pack 176 boxes of Thanksgiving food. They represented the Girl Scouts, Lions Club, Kiwanis Key Club, Hoosick Republican Committee and the Town of Hoosick Rescue Squad. They worked elbow to elbow with the regular Pantry volunteers. [Read more…] about Hoosick Area Community Packs Thanksgiving Dinners