The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Hoosick

Register To Vote!

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Town of Hoosick Supervisor Marilyn Douglas reminds everyone that there is still time to register to vote for the upcoming November election and that the times and dates set by the Rensselaer County Board of Elections  are as follows:

• October 8 – 5:30 pm to 9 pm – Voter registration in person at the New York State Armory in Hoosick Falls.

• October 10 – Last day to register in person at the Board of Elections in Troy and last day to register by mail – must be postmarked October 10.

• October 11 – 2 to 9 pm – Voter registration in person at the New York State Armory in Hoosick Falls.

• October 28 – Absentee ballot deadline by mail – must be postmarked October 28.

• November 3 – Absentee ballot deadline in person at Board of Elections in Troy.

Voter registrations forms are available at the Town of Hoosick Offices located in the New York State Armory at 80 Church Street, Hoosick Falls, for those who desire to register by mail.

Hoosick Falls Youth Football – Irish Romp Again

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Behind some great line blocking, Jake Bakaitis bursts through the Vermont Vipers defense for some big yards. Photo by Steve Bradley.
Behind some great line blocking, Jake Bakaitis bursts through the Vermont Vipers defense for some big yards. Photo by Steve Bradley.

The Hoosick Fighting Irish opened up a 30 point lead in the first quarter and coasted to a big win over the Vermont Vipers of Poultney, VT. The 3 – 0 Irish have now outscored their opponents 143 – 6. Next Sunday the team travels to Schuylerville with a 1 pm start at the Schuylerville High School.

HFCS PTA Fall Festival

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HFCS PTA is proud to announce its featured raffle items for the eighth annual Fall Festival being held on Saturday, October 18, from 9 am to 3 pm at Hoosick Falls Central School.

Each year, the featured raffle items are always an event in themselves, and 2008 will be no exception – and the public can get a sneak peek at them prior to the Festival on October 6 at the community-wide open house at HFCS beginning at 6 pm and from October 8 to October 17 at the Hoosick Federal Credit Union.

The fabulous prizes are: a Will Moses print entitled “Snow in the Hills,”

Fall Festival 2008 raffle items. Photo by Sharon Messersmith.
Fall Festival 2008 raffle items. Photo by Sharon Messersmith.

 custom framed by Peg Caron, a handmade quilt entitled “Split Decisions” by Sharon Messersmith, four prints by Warren Kimble called “Four Seasons,” framed in primitive Shaker black frames, and a Bennington Pottery bowl filled with dinner for a week (gift certificates from Bianca’s Pizza & Pasta, Falls Diner, Guiseppe’s Restaurant, Jean’s Place, John Street CafÄ, Olde Firehouse Tavern and Theresa’s Country Cuisine).

 

Take a chance to win any or all of the prizes, and enter as many times as you’d like!

Tickets are $1 per or $5 for six and are available for purchase prior to the festival at the community-wide open house on October 6 and at the Grand Union on October 4, 5, 11 and 12, from 9 am to 3 pm.

This fun-filled event features crafters and vendors, games and activities for the kids, a cake walk, a bake sale, food and beverages, several raffles for adults and kids and much more! And new this year are a tag sale featuring good quality, reusable products and Animaland©, a chance for youngsters to stuff their own collectible animals. All proceeds from the Fall Festival help the PTA host family-oriented events, volunteer time in support of classroom activities, offer funding for countless programs and events.

Please take a chance at one or more of these wonderful raffle items and come join the fun on October 18. If you have any questions or want to buy raffle tickets, you can call Shannon Wickenden at 518-686-7133 or Laurie Gormley at 518-686-9138 or, for vendor information, contact Margaret Stevens at 518-686-1648.

First Hoosick Land Use Workshop Held

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by Bea Peterson

 

Windmills, greenhouses, fences and riding stables were some of the topics reviewed at the first Hoosick Land Use workshop held on Thursday, September 11 at the Armory. Eight interested residents, members of the Land Use Commission, Marianne Zwicklbauer, Rensselaer County representative Linda von der Heide, Gail Delurey, John Smith, Ellen Scott, and Wally Sheffer, Sr., Supervisor Marilyn Douglas and Hoosick Building Inspector Ed King made up the group that gathered around four tables and for an hour discussed various aspects of the draft law. Points brought up by each table were then discussed by everyone present. A concern of all the tables was what defines the hamlet of West Hoosick, an issue they

Principal Planner for Rensselaer County Economic Development Linda von der Heide (glasses) went over portions of the Land Use Law with Everett Quackenbush, Marianne Zwicklbauer and John Smith at last Thursday’s workshop. Behind her Town Supervisor Marilyn Douglas discusses the Law with another of the workshop groups. (Bea Peterson photo)
Principal Planner for Rensselaer County Economic Development Linda von der Heide (glasses) went over portions of the Land Use Law with Everett Quackenbush, Marianne Zwicklbauer and John Smith at last Thursday’s workshop. Behind her Town Supervisor Marilyn Douglas discusses the Law with another of the workshop groups. (Bea Peterson photo)

hope to clarify at the West Hoosick meeting in October. Site plans and size restrictions were questioned regarding greenhouses and riding stables. Should windmills require a special permit? Five acre density was discussed. If a farmer sells an acre of land to someone to build a house on, then four acres should be set aside as forever farmland. The desire is that, for example, on a 100 acre plot, 20 houses could be built on one acre lots and 80 acres would remain farmland. Or 20 houses on two acre lots, 160 acres remaining farmland.

The difference between manufactured homes, mobile homes and doublewides was discussed. Should they be required to have foundations or are slabs sufficient. Roof pitch was also discussed. 

Clarification of some sections of the draft were requested. Copies of the 42 page draft law are available for review at the Hoosick Town Hall in the Armory and at the Cheney Library. Meetings by hamlet will be held on September 18 at the Buskirk Fire Hall, October 6 at the North Hoosick Fire Hall, October 15 at the Hoosick Fire Hall and October 22 at the West Hoosick Fire Hall. After these meetings the Commission will review the comments they have gathered, incorporate any changes, make corrections and then, in December or January, they will hold another Public Hearing to further review the law.

Hoosick Rescue Squad Recognizes Honorary Members

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Hoosick Rescue Squad members were on hand as Squad President Bill Gaillard (far right) bestowed Honorary Membership to (l-r) Alan Bornt, Walter Zwinge and Thomas Witkowski Wednesday evening. (Bea Peterson photo)
Hoosick Rescue Squad members were on hand as Squad President Bill Gaillard (far right) bestowed Honorary Membership to (l-r) Alan Bornt, Walter Zwinge and Thomas Witkowski Wednesday evening. (Bea Peterson photo)

 

 

by Bea Peterson

On Wednesday evening, September 17, members of the Rescue Squad gathered to grant Honorary Membership to Alan Bornt for his contribution of knowledge on the radio system that helps the community. He shared this knowledge during the Squad’s frequency change earlier in the year.

Walter Zwinge is caretaker of the Time-Warner facility which houses the radio transmission equipment as well as the cable translators. Squad members say he is always available when they need access to the facility on Oak Street.

Thomas Witkowski was honored for the work he and his crew do in cleaning the Rescue Squad quarters and ambulances and mowing and trimming of the grounds on a weekly basis.

Hoosick Rescue Squad President Bill Gaillard said, “We thank all of these people who have made our lives easier.”

September 2009 Town Of Hoosick Planning Board Action

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by Gary Danforth

The Town of Hoosick Planning Board meeting took place Monday evening, September 15, in the Hoosick Falls Armory with interim chairman Jim Dunigan calling the meeting to order at 7:30 pm. Following the Pledge of Allegiance the minutes of the previous month’s meeting were approved, with two corrections noted. Dunigan introduced the newest member of the planning board, Everett Quackenbush, a local surveyor, who was approved by the Town of Hoosick Board at its meeting last week.

First, Peter Schaaphok appeared before the Board and explained that he wanted to relocate his business from South Troy to Hoosick. His completed application had been sent to Rensselaer County which determined the site plan was within the parameters of the Town’s comprehensive plan. The Board passed a motion declaring this project to have a negative impact upon the surrounding environment. The Board had set a public hearing for this project for 7 pm on this night with no one voicing concern about the project. The Board passed a motion by a 6-0 vote allowing this project to go forward.

Then, Robert Breese, representing the Hoosick Fire District, appeared before the Board to discuss the Fire District acquiring the former Haynes Ford auto dealership lands, which would result in the land being used for a different purpose. Two disclosures had been made in the previous meetings concerning this proposed project. First, Stan King, the Town Planning Board attorney, disclosed that he had agreed to represent the Hoosick Fire District in this matter prior to the Planning Board meeting and this could be a potential conflict of interest, but he believed this would be up to the Board to decide. Second, Jim Dunigan, the interim Planning Board Chairman, disclosed that he was a Hoosick Fire District commissioner, another potential conflict of interest, with the latter not being able to vote on any Planning Board matter concerning same. Dunigan had recused himself from this discussion, taking a seat in the sparse audience A site plan had been gone over with existing lighting, utility and septic systems, along with any impact on local schools discussed. The Board would waive having a site plan on linen along with lighting, floor elevations, a topographic map, grade contours, landscaping planning, parking plans, a survey, an engineer’s stamp on the project, interior design, a seating plan, service and storage areas and a scale of building heights. Handicapped parking and access to the existing building and traffic flow patterns were shown on the site plan. The Board and applicant went over a short form environmental assessment. Breese said two additional overhead doors would need to be installed on site and two existing overhead doors would need to be enlarged. The project is on 6.5 acres in both an agricultural and residential district within the Township. The Board resolved that they had a complete application and that this application would be sent to Rensselaer County for review with the land being used for a new purpose with modifications to the existing building. The Board, by a 3-2 vote, set a public hearing for this matter for 7 pm on Monday, October 20, before the regular Planning Board meeting that starts at 7:30 pm. Breese and other fire department officials will be back before the Board next month.

Finally, a party appeared before the Board with clearance from the Village of Hoosick Falls for water and septic for a parcel of land which he had originally presented in May of 2008. The party had a letter from a local engineer stating same with the land being divided into two parcels. Board members John Cooney and Jim Dunigan had to recuse themselves from this matter for their involvement in same. By a 4-0 board vote the matter was declared a simple subdivision.

The meeting adjourned at 8:03 pm.

Ninth Annual Karen McGovern Volleyball Tournament

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Weather conditions were perfect Saturday for the Ninth Annual Karen McGovern Volleyball Tournament. (Bea Peterson photo)
Weather conditions were perfect Saturday for the Ninth Annual Karen McGovern Volleyball Tournament. (Bea Peterson photo)

by Bea Peterson

 

Karen McGovern fought a valiant battle with cancer over nine years ago. She lost her battle, but her memory lives on in the Karen McGovern Volleyball Tournament held every year at The Sand Bar. Funds raised at these tournaments are used to assist Hoosick residents fighting cancer. It can cover prescription and household bills, transportation to doctor’s appointments and treatment centers or help with any other financial needs they might have. This ninth year the tournament raised $12,000, the same as last year. With the state of the economy, the group had scaled back expectations to $10,000, so they were pleasantly surprised by the results. During break time Karen’s father Bill said, “$10,000 is a drop in the bucket for cancer research, but it does so much good in this community.” He estimates that over the years the tournaments and other contributions have reached over $100,000. Eight teams and many spectators participated in the September 13 event.

Bill Johnston Honored

Each year a cancer survivor showing Karen’s tenacity in fighting the disease is honored. This year George Holbrook had the privilege of introducing Bill Johnston. He said he and Bill have had a great business and personal relationship for 40 years. He said Bill has undergone radiation and chemotherapy and continued to do his legal work with a smile. He said it was a pleasure to be able to honor him in this way. He also noted what a great job the McGovern fund is doing in helping the community. 

Bill managed a humorous quip or two, then said. “I represent those souls that go before me and after me. This is not about me.”

“Our faith, our religion is what sustains us when we go through times of illness. Illness only affects your physical being, not your spiritual being.” He said he believes a soul’s job after death is to reach a nearness with God. “By honoring the soul of Karen McGovern, by doing good for others, you are assisting Karen to get closer to God.”

This year Ron Jones shared his memories of Karen. He described her as a wonderful, strong person with an upbeat spirit who rose up even stronger in the face of adversity. He spoke of a Christmas party he held when he asked everyone to bring an ornament for his tree. Karen’s ornament for him was an angel. “Every year I pull her angel out of the box and place it at the top of the tree, and my family gets to think about Karen,” he said.

Mahar Funeral Home Honored

This year Tim and George Smith of the Mahar Funeral Home were honored for their support of the Karen McGovern Fund. When a bereaved family is unsure of which charity they would like to receive memorial contributions, the brothers often suggest the McGovern Fund. Those supplemental donations add  much to the Tournament funds.

Lisa Ferrannini, one of the event organizers, said next year will be the 10th annual tournament and it will be huge!

Hoosick Grange News

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On Wednesday, September 10, Hoosick Grange met at the Grange Hall with Master David Cornell. The fair committee presented the blue ribbon and the fair check to the Master. The Master thanked the fair committee for their work. The fair committee thanked all those who provided the wood and the stove and pipe and all those signs so beautifully done. They also thanked the helpers who helped to set the booth up.

The Lecturer discussed the planning meeting for the year. It was decided to have the meeting on our next regular meeting, September 24. It was also decided that we would do shoe boxes again this year and would give them to the Hoosick Falls Food Closet to be given to the children who needed them, at Christmas. 

Elsie Marpe was in charge of the program for the evening. She told us about harvest  time and elderberries. The elderberries are very high in vitamin C and second only to black currants. Dyes can be made from the berries and the blossoms. Some people make wine and pies from the berries. Young elderberries can be scalded in boiling water and eaten in salads. Elsie told us many other uses of the berries. 

Elsie told us two jokes – one about the Mother Superior of an Irish Convent and one about Katie O’Neal, who dreamed of being a dancer. She was especially good at acrobatic dancing and became well known for her dancing in America. She became lonesome for Ireland so she returned for a visit. She went straight to the church and into the confessional. After that, the old priest gave her a light penance and said, “Aren’t you Katie O’Neal?” She said, “Yes.” So he asked her what she had been doing. She told him she lived in America and she was an acrobatic dancer and danced on stage. He thought that was wonderful, but he didn’t know what an acrobatic dancer does. She said, “Let me show you, Father,” and with that she leapt out of the confessional, skipped down the aisle, did 3 somersaults, 3 twirls, 3 handsprings and finished with a split landing on the floor in front of two astonished village matrons. “My gracious,” one woman said, “look at the penance Father is handing out today,” and the other said, “And me forgetting to put on my bloomers.” After that joke and when everyone stopped laughing, Elsie proceeded to tell us about Betty Crocker and Duncan Hines and finished with another joke. 

The Lecturer thanked Elsie and told about the next meeting being on September 24. It will be a planning meeting. Helen Filkins will be in charge of refreshments. Refreshments for the evening were provided by Edna and Allen Cornell.