The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Hoosick Falls

Senior Life Day In Greenwich

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Calling all seniors! Christ the King Spiritual Life Center invites you to participate in Senior Life Day, a program designed to  help seniors learn about health, nutrition, exercise, economic concerns and lifestyle changes. Presentations will be made by Washington County CARES, Cornell Cooperative Extension and Christ the King. The program includes fellowship, lunch and coffee. For more information and reservations, please contact Shirley Parker at 518-692-9550 x 103 no later than Monday, October 13. The cost is $4 plus tax. Washington County Senior Dining tickets accepted.

Christ the King Spiritual Life Center is a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Albany where people come to pray, grow closer to Jesus Christ, and to experience community in an environment of natural beauty and living faith. We are located just minutes from downtown Greenwich, NY. For information about meals, overnight accommodations or other programs please visit our website, www.ctkcenter.org, or call 518-692-9550.

Rensselaer County Passes 2 Millionth Congregate Meal Mark

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County Executive Kathleen M. Jimino recently reported that the County has surpassed the 2 million mark on meals provided to senior citizens.  “Rensselaer County has strongly supported programs and services aimed at helping our senior citizens stay healthy and in their homes for as long as they desire and are able, support that has and will continue under my watch,” stated Jimino.

The congregate meal program serves nutritionally balanced meals to senior citizens five days a week at the five Senior Services Centers located throughout the County. County Operated Senior Centers are located in Grafton, Hoosick Falls, Rensselaer, Schodack and Troy and host services from nutrition, health, legal, transportation and home care services as well as information and opportunities on how to stay active and volunteer locally to the nearly 26,000 Rensselaer County residents aged 60 and over.   Senior Services programs are administered through the Rensselaer County Unified Family Services Department for the Aging.  Each Senior Services Center also sponsors a number of events and activities including those aimed at providing education, recreation and entertainment opportunities.   

Information on the County’s programs can be obtained by calling the Rensselaer County Unified Family Services Department for the Aging at 518-270-2730 or by visiting one of the Senior Services Centers.

In concluding her remarks Jimino said, “The programs and services offered through the Department for Aging can significantly improve the quality of life of many of our senior citizens, and I urge seniors and members of their families to take a look at the services available.”

Letter To The Editor – Making A Difference

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To the Editor: 

My name is Ayla Graney and I’m currently working on my Girl Scout Silver Award which is the highest award you can earn in my age group. To successfully complete this award, I must do six badge projects, complete fifteen hours of volunteer service and do a 40-hour project for my community. 

One of the badges I have chosen has to do with making a difference in people’s lives. I chose “In the Pink,” which is a Breast Cancer badge. 

In honor of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I’d like to share with the community what I’ve learned to increase awareness and encourage healthier living.

A small portion of our genes are directly involved in maintaining normal cell growth. If mutations occur within these genes they can eventually lead to cancer. If anyone in your immediate family has had breast cancer, your risk is increased. Most inherited causes of breast cancer have been associated with two genes: BRCA1 and BRCA2 (Breast Cancer 1 and 2). Women with breast cancer who have an abnormal BRCA gene often find a family history of breast/ovarian cancer.

There is no way to prevent breast cancer, but you can reduce the risk of getting it. By avoiding alcohol, exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight, your risk will go down. It’s also a good idea to fill out a chart with the food content you’ve eaten for one week. By taking this chart to a doctor or nurse, you can learn what foods are healthy for you and may help prevent cancer and which foods you should be avoiding.

One of the most important things to do is to get a mammogram! It can save your life. Men should be following all of these healthy practices as well, because, contrary to popular belief, men can get breast cancer, too.

Please do your part to join the fight against cancer! To learn more, visit www.cancer.org.

 

Thank you,

Ayla Graney

Hoosick Falls, NY

Schuyler A. Bink Jr.

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Hoosick Falls – Schuyler A. Bink Jr., 78, of the Danforth Adult Home in Hoosick Falls, NY, formerly of Dyken Pond Road, Petersburgh, NY, died on Sunday, October 5, 2008, at the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington, VT, after a long illness. 

Born in Poestenkill, NY, he was the son of the late Schuyler Sr. and Alice Kaiser Bink and husband of the late Amanda Yerdon Bink. Schuyler was a lifelong resident of the area and was retired from Al-Tech Specialty Steel in Waterviliet, NY, where he was a cutter. Schuyler’s greatest passion in life was to spend his time fishing, hunting, trapping and camping.

Survivors include his children, Schuyler Bink III, William Bink, David Bink and Sharon Merrills, a brother, Robert Bink, his sisters, Doris Lewis, Patricia Miller and Linda Smith, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Relatives and Friends were invited to call at the Perry-Komdat Funeral Chapel, 2691 NY 43 at Glass Lake, Averill Park, NY, on Wednesday from 4 to 6 pm. A graveside service was held on Thursday at 10 am at the Woodside Cemetery, 56 Road, East Poestenkill, NY.

Moose Hit By Car In Hoosick Falls

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The dead moose, still on the side of River Road on Thursday morning, September 25, had been put out of its misery by State Police after it was struck by a motor vehicle. Photo by Rick Ferrannini.
The dead moose, still on the side of River Road on Thursday morning, September 25, had been put out of its misery by State Police after it was struck by a motor vehicle. Photo by Rick Ferrannini.

by Bea Peterson

 

According to Hoosick Falls Police Chief Robert Whalen a bull moose was allegedly struck by a car on River Road about 4 am Thursday morning, September 25. The injured animal dragged itself to the edge of the road and then back across the road. Nearby residents told police they could hear the moose moaning. The NY State Police were called and Chief Whalen said, “They dispatched the animal.” 

The moose was estimated to be a three year old male weighing between 750 and 900 pounds. After daylight it was moved to the Hoosick Falls highway garage where portions of the animal were taken by the Department of Environmental Conservation to test for heart or brain worm and to assess the overall health of the moose before its death.

Not The First Moose

Chief Whalen said other moose have been seen in the area. “Last year we escorted a mother moose with her baby off of Main St., and they wandered away toward Wood Creek.” He said that another time traffic was tied up on NY Route 7 and County Road 79 as cars pulled off the road to observe a large bull moose clearly visible on the top of the hill.

In Friday’s case, the Chief said they located the driver that struck the animal and passed the information on to DEC.  

DEC Warns Motorists

Motorists should be alert for moose on roadways in the Adirondacks and surrounding areas at this time of year – a peak of moose activity – the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) cautioned last week.

Early fall is the breeding season for moose in northern New York. During this time moose are wandering to look for mates, leading them to areas where they are not typically seen. 

While this improves the opportunities for people to enjoy sightings of a moose, it also increases the danger of colliding with one on the roadway.

DEC estimates that New York has a population of approximately 500 moose in the Adirondacks and surrounding areas. Over the past couple of decades the moose population has increased mainly by entering the state from Vermont and Canada. Now the increase in population is mainly due to the birth of moose calves here in New York.

Moose are much larger and taller then deer. Their large body causes greater damage, and, when struck, their height often causes them to impact the windshield of a car or pickup truck, not just the front of the vehicle. Last year, 10 moose-vehicle accidents were reported in New York. However, there has not been a human fatality from an accident with a moose – a record DEC hopes to retain.

Moose are most active at dawn and dusk, which are times of poor visibility. Moose are especially difficult to see at night because of their dark brown-to-black coloring and their height – which puts their head and much of their body above vehicle headlights.

DEC advises motorists to take the following precautions to prevent moose-vehicle collisions:

ź Use extreme caution when driving at dawn or dusk, especially during September and October.

ź Reduce your speed, stay alert and watch the roadsides.

ź Slow down when approaching moose standing near the roadside, as they may bolt at the last minute when a car comes closer, often running into the road.

ź Moose may travel in pairs or small groups, so if a moose is spotted crossing the road, be alert for others that may follow.

ź Make sure all vehicle occupants wear seat belts and children are properly restrained in child safety seats.

ź Use flashers or a headlight signal to warn other drivers when moose are spotted near the road.

ź Motorcyclists should be especially alert for moose.

If a moose does run in front of your vehicle, brake firmly but do not swerve. Swerving can cause a vehicle-vehicle collision or cause the vehicle to hit a fixed object such as a tree or pole.

If a moose is hit and killed by a vehicle, the motorist should not remove the animal unless a permit is obtained from the investigating officer at the scene of the accident.

DEC expects the moose population to increase rapidly over the next decade. Drivers will likely be encountering moose on the roadway and need to become accustomed to practices that will help avoid collisions. DEC continues to work with the Department of Transportation to identify and place signs in areas where moose are present along roads.

Hoosick Falls Irish Football Still Undefeated

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With the official watching it all, Mark Hackett winds his way through the Schuylerville defense. Steve Bradley photo.

 

The Hoosick Falls Irish football team ran their record to 4 – 0 after a hard hitting victory over the Schuylerville Horses on Sunday. The Irish scored twice in the first half then held their opponents scoreless to keep the winning streak alive. Next week, the Irish face a big test when they face undefeated Cambridge. The contest will be held in Cambridge at the high school field. Game time is 1 pm.

Bowling Pro Am And Coaching Clinic Raises Funds For Cystic Fibrosis

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(l-r) Professional bowlers Len Reyngoudt, Ryan Shafer, Brian LeClair and Nick Miseno helped (kneeling) Jack Fitzsimmons of Barbecue Recreation raise funds to fight Cystic Fibrosis, a disease that afflicts about 30,000 children and adults in the US and, close to Jack’s heart, his nephew little Matthew Kempf. (Bea Peterson photo)

by Bea Peterson

Close to 100 people turned out for the Cystic Fibrosis Pro Am and Coaching Clinic at Barbecue Lanes on Sunday, September 28. League bowlers had a chance to bowl side by side with professional bowlers Brian LeClair of Hudson, Nick Miseno of Amsterdam, Len Reyngoudt of Schenectady and Ryan Shafer of Horseheads, NY. “Everyone had a great time,” said Barbecue Recreation’s Jack Fitzsimmons.  Between entrance fees and the after lunch raffle, which raised $870, Fitzsimmons will send a $3,571 donation to Northeastern NY Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in Albany. Barbecue Recreation would also like to thank Saratoga Eagle, DeCrescente Distributing, Hannaford Supermarkets and top ticket seller and statistician Michelle Hayner for their help and support in making the day so successful.

The Adult Division was won by Rich Bennett (813 w/hdcp) and the Youth Division was won by Joe Wolfrum (883 w/hdcp). Fitzsimmons hopes to make the Bowling Pro Am and Coaching Clinic an annual event to raise funds for Cystic Fibrosis.

According to information available at the Northeastern website, Cystic fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide). A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections and obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food.

In the 1950s, few children with cystic fibrosis lived to attend elementary school. Today, advances in research and medical treatments have further enhanced and extended life for children and adults with CF. Many people with the disease can now expect to live into their 30s, 40s and beyond.

About 1,000 new cases of cystic fibrosis are diagnosed each year. More than 70% of patients are diagnosed by age two. More than 40% of the CF patient population is age 18 or older.

H.A.P.P.Y. Names Five More Board Members

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The Hoosick Area Partnership for Parents and Youth, also known as H.A.P.P.Y., added five more members to its Board of Directors this past month. H.A.P.P.Y. is a private, non-profit coalition focused on prevention of alcohol, tobacco and drug abuse in youth within the Hoosick area.

The new Board members include Ken Facin, Superintendent of the Hoosick Falls Central School, Matthew Harrington of Media Logic, Anne Helft of Hoosick Tire, Barbara Lancour of St. Gobain and Eileen Wood of WCW., Inc.  The H.A.P.P.Y. Board of Directors represents the many different sectors of the Hoosick Falls community.  Mike Benoit, Board Chair of H.A.P.P.Y., said,  “As H.A.P.P.Y. enters its fifth year of serving the community the mission remains the same – we want to foster an asset-building community that includes caring neighborhoods, strengthening the integrity of the family, supporting effective education and providing a safe, drug-free environment where youth will reach their full potential.  We are confident that the new Board members will only strengthen this cause.”

In addition to grants, the Hoosick Area Partnership for Parents and Youth relies on charitable contributions to fund its programs and services.  To learn more about H.A.P.P.Y. visit www.hoosickhappy.org.

Nuts And Bolts Of Wood Stoves

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Hubbard Hall Projects and the Community Partnership present the third in their series on sustainability and “green” preservation and building practices. Forests, Trees and Woody Biomass – A Source of Fuel will take place this coming Monday, October 6, at 7:30 pm in the Beacon Feed Building, behind Hubbard Hall. This is a free program of special interest to home owners, builders, architects, real estate brokers, engineers, property developers and others.

The first two programs of this series explored integration of sustainable development and green design and construction practices and materials which save energy, conserve resources and increase comfort. This third program will offer contemporary perspectives on an old fashioned way of heating one’s home. Join us for an evening of discussion among experts in wood fuels. Speakers will cover everything from the big picture of sustainable forest management to the nuts and bolts of wood stoves and chimneys. How is wood fuel sustainable regionally?  How are emissions from wood stoves regulated, and how bad are they? Just what does it take to build a chimney, and how is it maintained?  What is the latest and greatest wood burning technology?

John Wiley, a consulting forester and woodland owner, will speak about forest management, timber stand improvement, markets for timber/firewood and wildlife habitat improvement through forest management.  Bob Somers, a woodland owner and forester, will provide a testimonial on the residential wood heating systems utilized in his home.  He will provide an overview of clean burning, gasification technology, summarize the performance of these systems and discuss outdoor wood boiler regulations.

Rich Klebes, a wood stove and insert specialist, will speak about the nuts and bolts of wood burning.  He is a National Fireplace Institute Gas and Wood Burning Specialist.  Rich will talk about the science of wood combustion, different types of burning appliances (e.g. stoves, inserts, etc.) and the details of good chimney design and system operation.

A round-table discussion and question-and-answer period will follow the presentations. Participants will make themselves available to speak about individual concerns and projects following the formal session.

For more information or to offer suggestions for presenters and topics for future sessions, please email Jeff at goldstone@nycap.rr.com. This is a free program.

Blessing Of The Animals

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Hooper, accompanied by Joyce Brewer (r), was one of the many dogs blessed by Rev. Donna Elia on Wednesday. Also receiving blessing were (l to r) Mango the cat with Cassie Crucetti, Bo the parrot with Mike Crucetti, little kitten Mambo with Sue Harper and Mackenzie LePage. (Bea Peterson photo) 

by Bea Peterson

At least 24 dogs, four cats and a parrot were together in Wood Park early Wednesday evening for the annual Blessing of the Animals. Rev. Donna Elia of the First United Church, Presbyterian conducted the service. Representatives of SOCS (Support Our Canine Strays) were on hand with information on responsible pet ownership. Many Girl Scouts in uniform brought pets to be blessed. 

The Blessing of the Animals is conducted annually near the October 4 feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi, founder in the 1200s of the Franciscan order of priests. He is known as the patron saint of animals, birds, the environment and Italy.