The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Hoosick

Hoosick’s Halloween Parade

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Looking for a ghoulishly good time this Halloween? Then come to the Annual Halloween Parade on Thursday, October 30, in Hoosick Falls.  Whether you join in the Parade, or just watch from the sidelines, you are sure to enjoy the many creative costumes of the parade go-ers.  The line-up for judging by members of the National Honor Society of Hoosick Falls Central School with their advisor Isabel McGuire will be at 6 pm at the Gazebo in the Village Park.  Marchers will start up Main Street at 6:15 and return to the Park for treats provided by the Town of Hoosick. Prizes in five categories will be provided by the Hoosick Falls Police Benevolent Association.

For more information contact Kevin O’Malley at 686-9460. hoosickkid@verizon.net

Candidates Attend Democrat Event

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About 50 people attended the Democrat event held at the Sand Bar on Sunday, October 19. “Everyone had a great time,” said Hoosick Town Supervisor Marilyn Douglas. Candidates running for election in November attending were Ian McGaughey who is running against Tony Jordan for the New York State Assembly and Mike Russo, former District Director for Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand. Russo is running for the New York State Senate against Roy McDonald. Also attending the event was Rensselaer County Democrat Chairman Tom Wade.

Frank D. Cipperly

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Hoosick – Frank D. Cipperly, 90, died Monday, October 20, 2008, at the Hoosick Falls Health Center where he had resided since August. Formerly, he had resided on Lower Pine Valley Road in Hoosick, NY, with his wife of sixty-five years, Mary (Wells) Cipperly.

Born in Hoosick on August 29, 1918, Frank was the son of the late Harry and Alice (Webster) Cipperly. He attended schools in Hoosick Falls, NY. Frank was a veteran of the United States Army serving during WW II with the 6th Armored Division 50th Armored Infantry. He was a farmer all of his life working the Fra-Mar Farms with his family. He was a director of the Tri-County Holstein Club and the Farm Bureau and a former Commissioner of the Hoosick Fire Department, and he also enjoyed playing cards.

Survivors other than his wife, Mary, include his daughters, Janice Cipperly, Betsy Tromans and husband Bob and Elva Rice and husband Tony, his son, Carl Cipperly, his sisters, Doris Kipp, Vera Griswold and Betty Kipp, and his brothers, William Cipperly and Robert Cipperly. Frank is also survived by two grandchildren, Brian and Cara Tromans, two step grandchildren, Kim and Jason Tromans, four step great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He is pre-deceased by a son, Dee Cipperly, a daughter, Kay Cipperly, four sisters, Blanch Cipperly, Eleanor Lohnes, Ethel Sherin and Helen Cloke, and five brothers, George, Dean, Waldo, Paul and Walter Cipperly.

Funeral services are Friday, October 24, at 11 am from the Mahar Funeral Home, 43 Main Street in Hoosick Falls. Burial will follow the service at Hoosick Rural Cemetery in Hoosick. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either the Town of Hoosick Rescue Squad or the West Hoosick Fire Department through the funeral home.

Public Tours Phase Two Of HFCS $8.3 Million Capital Improvement Project

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Taxpayers Curious

by Bea Peterson

On Monday evening, October 6, several people took an opportunity to tour Hoosick Falls

The new fitness room is a big hit in the school and offers strength and conditioning and cardiac improvement equipment. The room was part of Phase 2 of the school improvement project. (Bea Peterson photo)
The new fitness room is a big hit in the school and offers strength and conditioning and cardiac improvement equipment. The room was part of Phase 2 of the school improvement project. (Bea Peterson photo)

 Central School to see the improvements made inside and outside the building this past summer. Some of the older folks wanted to see where their tax dollars had been spent. This was the final scheduled open house. Parents had an opportunity to visit the school during the open houses held for the elementary classes and the high school.

 

Honor Society members were guides Monday. Superintendent Ken Facin, Principals Dailey and Leunig and other administrative staff were on hand to meet people and to answer questions. PTA members provided a large array of refreshments. Students, staff and PTA members were visibly proud of the progress made on the structure. 

The guides showed off the auditorium which has a new sound system, new lighting, new curtains and refurbished chairs. “While the chairs were out the school maintenance staff cleaned up the floor and refinished it with a granular paint,” said Facin. “They did a great job.” Guide Megan McEachron said that last year the Drama Club didn’t use one set of curtains because they were afraid they would fall down. Events in the auditorium should be much more pleasant in the warm weather as it is now air conditioned.

The floors in both the elementary and high school gymnasiums have been sanded and refinished. They look beautiful. The Homecoming dance will be held in the high school gym this Saturday evening.

The high school cafeteria has been repainted and students are delighted with the addition of booths and round tables as well as new long tables. 

All the mismatched lockers have been replaced. Now the halls are lined with only blue lockers. Half of the building has new windows and blinds. The guides said they are pleased with them because the lower portion has screens and open. The windows are tinted to cut down on sun coming in. The students have already found their classrooms to be much more pleasant. “They are definitely cooler in the warm weather,” said guide Erin Shea. The rooms have already proved to be warmer in the cool weather as a result of the new windows.

The school has a new fitness room equipped with strength, conditioning and cardiac equipment such as treadmills and stationary bikes. There is an impressive weight room as well. The guides said the rooms are open during the day and for two hours after school. “Students, staff and teachers are lined up to use them at the end of the day,” said Megan. The fitness room is especially helpful for special education students who have difficulty participating in regular gym classes.

A new technology classroom has replaced the former weight room.

Superintendent Facin said that the drainage projects and the new parking lot and sidewalks were the major improvements outside. Other improvements include a new security system and a phone and computer system that is the same throughout the building.

The new snack shack next to the athletic fields has already proved to be a big hit. On the other side of the school, work is underway on the new elementary playground. Once all the equipment is in place a level, soft surface will be poured. The playground will be handicapped accessible.

The elementary playground equipment is still being installed. Once it is all firmly in place a safety surface that is handicapped friendly will be poured. (Bea Peterson photo)
The elementary playground equipment is still being installed. Once it is all firmly in place a safety surface that is handicapped friendly will be poured. (Bea Peterson photo)

Voters approved the $8.3 million three-phase capital improvement project in 2006. Phase one, completed last year, included replacing the school’s roof and other outside projects. This year it was the many projects described above, and next year the rest of the windows will be replaced. Facin said the projects have been completed within budget. “We have to do a fiscal review of where we are now and look at what we are saving,” he said. “This is important in these economic times.”