The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Hoosick Falls

Town Of Hoosick Republican News

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Kenny And The Gamblers Win Golf Tournament

 

The Town of Hoosick Republican Party hosted its annual Golf Tournament on Sunday, September 21, at the Hoosick Falls Country Club.  The tournament was great success with perfect weather, good food and lots of laughter among the golfers.

The winning team Golf tournament Team, Kenny Rogers, Steve Bellemare, Mike Shea and Bobby Abbott with Rensselaer County Legislator Lester Goodermote, Town of Hoosick Council Mark Surdam and Rensselaer County Legislator Stan Brownell. Photo courtesy of Cindy Mattsion.
The winning team Golf tournament Team, Kenny Rogers, Steve Bellemare, Mike Shea and Bobby Abbott with Rensselaer County Legislator Lester Goodermote, Town of Hoosick Council Mark Surdam and Rensselaer County Legislator Stan Brownell. Photo courtesy of Cindy Mattsion.

Kenny and the Gamblers was the winning team with a team score of 57.  Team members were Bob Abbott, Steve Bellemare, Mike Shea and Kenny Rogers.  The Straightest Drive prize was awarded to Stacey Nuccio and the Longest Drive to Kenny Rogers.  Steve Bellemare took home the prize for being Closest to the Pin.

The Town of Hoosick Republican Party would like to thank each of the golfers, the Tee-Box sponsors, the Hoosick Falls County Club, Jean’s Place for a wonderful lunch and Robson and Geraghty Insurance Agency for the hole-in-one.   

Giffy’s Chicken Bar-B-Q

The Town of Hoosick Republican Party will sponsor a Giffy’s Chicken Bar-B-Q on Thursday, October 23, at the Grand Union Parking lot.  Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased from any Committee member or by calling the number below.  There will be limited amount of extra meals, so order soon.

Pick up will begin at 4 pm.  It’s delicious, hot, home-cooked meal with all the fixings and best of all – no clean up.  As always, we thank you in advance for your support.  For tickets or more information, please call 518-322-8685 or 686-7710.

St. Mary’s Annual Cow Plop And Car Show

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It’s that time of the year again! Rain or shine, St. Mary’s Academy of Hoosick Falls will be hosting its annual Cow Plop and Car Show on Sunday, October 5, at the Town of Hoosick Athletic Field. 

The car show will begin at 10 am. Registration for the car show will take place that day, entrance fee is $10. There will 35 trophies given away this year to the top favorite cars, trucks and motorcycles. The car show is sponsored in part by DePaula Chevrolet and Hummer of Albany, WCW, Inc., and Tinkham Real Estate.

In addition to the car show, it’s the famous Cow Plop. Deeds to squares are $20 and are on sale now. If the cow “plops” in your square, you win $1,000. They sold out before noon last year, so buy early.

Throughout the day, the crowd will be entertained by music provided by friend of St. Mary’s, Joe Shaw.

There will also be a family fun festival from noon until 3 pm, including a children’s games and activities area, The Hoedown Express train ride, sponsored by Interface Solutions, food, bake sale, raffles, rides provided by Amyland Amusements, entertainment and more. Vendors are welcome.

For more information or to purchase a deed, please call Mary at 686-4314, x206.

HFCS PTA Events

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Buy Your Raffle Tickets Early And Mark your Calendars For The Annual HFCS PTA Fall Fest! 

 

HFCS PTA Fall Festival 2008 is just around the corner! Come spend time with your family playing games and doing craft activities, while shopping for all kinds of great gifts – from pies to puppets, from jams to jewelry, from soaps to sweets, from T-shirts to toys! You’ll also be entertained by the famous cake walk, a “funhouse hall,” build-your-own Animaland© buddy and much more!

Three kitty-cats enjoyed last year’s HFCS PTA Fall Fest.
Three kitty-cats enjoyed last year’s HFCS PTA Fall Fest.

And don’t miss out on the fabulous door prizes and raffle items – a custom framed Will Moses, a handmade quilt, four framed Warren Kimble prints and a Bennington Pottery bowl filled with gift certificates to local restaurants. Food and beverages, plus home baked goodies, will be for sale, too.

Raffle tickets will be on sale at Fall Festival or prior to the Festival at the community-wide open house on October 6 and at Grand Union on October 4, 5, 11 and 12, from 9 am to 3 pm. Tickets are $1 for one or $5 for six. Take a chance to win any or all of the prizes, and enter as many times as you’d like! Raffle items will be on display at the Hoosick Federal Credit Union from October 8 through October 17.

Don’t miss out on this fun filled day that benefits special programs and events sponsored by the PTA throughout the year. Mark your calendars for HFCS PTA Fall Festival on Saturday, October 18, from 9 am to 3 pm at Hoosick Falls Central School. For information, contact Shannon Wickenden, 518-686-7133 or email swickend@nycap.rr.com.

Vendor Spots Still Available

The PTA still has some vendor spots remaining for the Fall Festival. This fun filled day features vendors, crafts for kids, a bake sale, a cake walk and fabulous raffle prizes.

If you’re interested in being a vendor, contact Margaret Stevens at 518-686-1648 or email bhw6@aol.com. Don’t miss out on this great selling opportunity!

Next HFCS PTA Meeting

The next business meeting of the HFCS PTA will take place on Wednesday, October 15, in the Elementary School Library beginning at 6:30 pm.

As always, members and non-members are encouraged to join meetings to find out what the PTA is doing for our children and to share ideas for special programs and events to benefit the children and families of our school district.

If you’d like to become a member or to learn more about PTA and its programs, please attend this meeting or contact Membership Chair Shannon Wickenden at 518-686-7133.

Fourth Hoosic River Benefit Bike Ride A Success

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Lara Shore-Sheppard and son Ethan (age 6) participate in last month’s Hoosic River Ride completing the 34 mile route that passed through the Village of Hoosick Falls.
Lara Shore-Sheppard and son Ethan (age 6) participate in last month’s Hoosic River Ride completing the 34 mile route that passed through the Village of Hoosick Falls.

The Hoosic River Watershed Association announced recently that the Fourth Hoosic River Ride, a benefit bicycling event, netted at least $5,700 for the organization’s programs in education, research and advocacy. “This is a tremendous boost to our budget in a challenging fundraising environment,” said HooRWA’s President John Case. 

 

At final count, the ride boasted its highest number of riders, their families and friends, just over 150 participants. While the majority came from within a 50-mile radius, there were small groups from Montreal, Philadelphia and New York City. Steve Brown, one of the participants who made the trek from Pennsylvania, offered this comment about the ride, “ ╔it was pretty, challenging and just plain old fun. The whole event was very well-organized, and the people at the rest stops could not have been nicer and more helpful.” 

Fortunately, the people at the rest stops were also well qualified. EMT’s from

Bennington, Petersburgh, Hoosick Falls, Cambridge and Pownal all provided their services to those in need at the six rest stops located throughout the watershed. Two of the rest stops were hosted by local residents Denise and Paul Hoag of Hoosick Falls, and Jim and Leslie Prendergast of Buskirk. In addition, volunteers – including Shelly Stiles and Michael Batcher of Buskirk – manned the stations serving up the oranges, bananas, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and other fare to keep folks going. “We have to thank the volunteers who make the day possible,” said Case. “Without their dedicated efforts the riders would not have as pleasant experience.” Case notes that the Town of Hoosick and the Village of Hoosick Falls need to be thanked, too, for working with organizers to ensure the success of the event.

C.H. McNally & Son, the Hoosick Federal Credit Union, the Stewart’s Shops and Trustco Bank were all local 2008 Hoosic River Ride sponsors. “Without the support of the region’s businesses this ride would not happen,” explained Lisa Carey-Moore, organizer of the ride. “We are very grateful to everyone who donated in these challenging financial times, especially since we understand that there are many worthwhile causes to support.”

The Hoosic River Ride intends to celebrate its fifth year back in Bennington next August. Those interested in helping to plan the 2009 event should contact Lisa Carey-Moore at 413-458-2241. For details on other HooRWA events and activities people can visit www.hoorwa.org.

Warner Benjamin Harrison

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Hoosick Falls – Warner Benjamin “Ben” Harrison, 79, died Friday, September 26, 2008, at the Hoosick Falls Health Center. He had resided on Griffin Avenue in Hoosick Falls, NY, with his wife of fifty-six years, Henrietta Ann “Hennie” (Demick) Harrison.

Born on November 14, 1928, in Cambridge, NY, he was the son of the late Howard and Ina (Mason) Harrison. Ben graduated from Hoosick Falls High School. After high school, he worked in the family business, Harrison Vending. He later started Harrison Mobile Sales before starting his own vending business, now operated by his two sons, David and Doug. Ben retired in 1983. He was a member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, the Army National Guard, the Derby Club, a life member of the St. Stanislaw Society and a charter member since 1961 of the Lions Club, all in Hoosick Falls. Ben enjoyed playing golf, spending summers at Hedges Lake, winters in Florida, boat parades at the lake and riding his scooter.

Survivors other than his wife Hennie include his children, Lee Ann Kilby and Kimberly Harrison, both of Tallahassee, FL, David Harrison and wife Heather, Doug Harrison and friend Sandy Trembly, all of Hoosick Falls, a brother, Ronald Harrison of Syracuse, NY, and two sisters, Shirley Moses of Eagle Bridge, NY, and Ann Gilfeather of Red Hook, NY. He is also survived by his five grandchildren, Stephen, Lauren, Patrick, Emily and Evan. Ben is pre-deceased by three brothers, Harry, Malcolm and Mason Harrison.

Funeral services were Monday, September 29, at 10 am from St. Mark’s Episcopal Church on Main Street in Hoosick Falls. Burial followed the service at Maple Grove Cemetery, Hoosick Falls.

Isabelle B. Marshall

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Hoosick Falls – Isabelle B. Marshall, 95, passed away suddenly on October 1, 2009, at her residence in the Wood Park Apartments in Hoosick Falls, NY. She formerly resided in Hoosick, NY, and was the wife of the late H. Rudolph Marshall. Isabelle and Rudolph had been married for forty-seven years at the time of his death.

Born on June 25, 1913, in Bennington, VT, Isabelle was the daughter of the late Harry G. and Belle (Rudd) Breese. She graduated from Bennington High School in 1931 and attended Simmons College and Burdett College in Boston, MA. Isabelle was employed at the Samaritan Hospital in Troy, NY, as the Medical Record Librarian.

She was a member of All Saints Episcopal Church in Hoosick, an honorary member of the Bennington Chapter of D.A.R., a member of the Cambridge Area Branch of the Woman’s National Farm and Garden Association, the Cheney Library Book Club, a volunteer at the Louis Miller Museum, Hoosick Falls, and a Genealogy Library volunteer at the Bennington Museum.

Survivors include her twin daughters, Sandra Phelps and husband Robert and Susan Lohnes and husband Robert, all of Hoosick, her sister, Jane Rydberg of Rochester, NY, her brother, Robert Breese of Hoosick Falls, five grandchildren Carol MacDonald, Gary Lohnes, Heidi Byrne, Betsy Seplowitz and Brenda Phelps, six great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Isabelle is pre-deceased by a brother, Alexander Breese.

Funeral services will be Friday, October 3, at 11 am from All Saints Episcopal Church in Hoosick. Burial will follow the service at Hoosick Rural Cemetery.

Relatives and friends may call at the Mahar Funeral Home, 43 Main Street in Hoosick Falls, on Thursday from 5 to 8 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to either the Cheney Library in Hoosick Falls or the Hoosick Rural Cemetery Association through the funeral home.

Bertha M. Jost

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Hoosick Falls – Bertha M. Jost, 101, died Friday, September 26, 2008, at the Hoosick Falls Health Center in Hoosick Falls, NY, where she had resided since 2007. Bertha formerly resided on South Street in Hoosick, NY. She was the wife of the late Milford Strait and the late Casper Jost.

Born on May 5, 1907, in Petersburgh, NY, Bertha was the daughter of the late Guy and Fidelia (Church) Barber. She was educated at schools in the Town of Hoosick and was a homemaker all of her life. Bertha was a member of the Senior Citizens and enjoyed playing cards and bowling.

Survivors include her daughter, Shirley Hayes, and her grandson, Ron Bovie, both of Hoosick Falls, a family friend, William Hamlin of Saratoga Springs, NY, and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins.

Funeral services were on Monday, September 29, at 2 pm from All Saints Episcopal Church in Hoosick. Burial followed the service at Maple Grove Cemetery in Hoosick Falls.

Relatives and friends called at the Mahar Funeral Home, 43 Main Street in Hoosick Falls on Sunday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to All Saints Church through the funeral home.

County Legislator Stan Brownell Charged With DWI

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by Bea Peterson

Rensselaer County Legislator Stanley Brownell has pleaded not guilty to a DWI charge incurred on August 10 in Springfield, VT. According to Brownell’s attorney Daniel McManus, Vermont law states a first time offender has a right to refuse a breath test. Brownell refused it. “He is innocent until proven guilty,” said his attorney. “We haven’t seen the video that was taken in the processing room by Springfield Police.” He feels that the video will provide more evidence on Brownell’s behalf. McManus asked that people keep an open mind until the case comes to court. “It’s unfortunate that because of his position in the Legislature this case has had a lot of publicity.”

“Legislator Brownell has pleaded not guilty and maintains his innocence. He expects to bring the case to trial some time this fall,” said Richard Crist, Republican Legislative Liaison from the Rensselaer County Legislature Majority Office. He added that so far as he knew, recently published stories appearing in several local daily newspapers had the facts correct.

The Eastwick Press does not have a copy of the police affidavit at this point, but, according to published reports, Brownell was stopped for driving 50 m.p.h. in a 40 m.p.h. zone. He was also alleged to be weaving in his lane, which his attorney disputes. Brownell reportedly admitted to police that he had consumed alcohol earlier in the evening. 

The case is scheduled for the Windsor, VT, District Court at 3 pm on October 8.

Fire At Hoosac Meadows

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The smell of smoke was evident from the opened windows at 22 Hoosac Meadows Way Wednesday afternoon as a result of a kitchen fire Tuesday evening. (Bea Peterson photo)
The smell of smoke was evident from the opened windows at 22 Hoosac Meadows Way Wednesday afternoon as a result of a kitchen fire Tuesday evening. (Bea Peterson photo)

by Bea Peterson

The Hoosick Fire Department received the call of a structure fire at Hoosac Meadows Way at 10:02 Tuesday night. “The first engine was at the scene in five or six minutes,” said Hoosick Fire Chief William Rifenburgh. Smoke from the kitchen fire was visible to Route 22, he added. 

The family of Darlene Lockrow had turned in for the night when smoke detectors alerted them to the fire, which was the result of an unattended cooking fire; something unintentionally left going on the stove. “The kitchen suffered heavy smoke, fire and heat damage,” said Chief Rifenburgh. 

Residents and neighbors with fire extinguishers held the flames at bay until Fire Departments from Hoosick and Hoosick Falls arrived on the scene. They quickly knocked down the remaining fire. “The automatic pre-plan we have in place for apartment complexes worked well last night,” said the Chief. Hoosick and Hoosick Falls Departments were automatically deployed and the North Hoosick Fire Department was on standby in quarters. “The Hoosick Falls ladder truck was on the scene and because there are no hydrants, trucks were sent up Route 22, across from McDonald’s, to be filled with water from hydrants located there. 

Some of the apartments share common attic space, and fire fighters made sure fire had not gotten into the walls before allowing residents to return to their homes about 11 pm. “The family of four was very fortunate their smoke detectors worked,” said Chief Rifenburgh. Often individuals are overcome by smoke rather than the fire, he added. “It was a good reminder that everyone should make sure their smoke detectors are in good working order.”