The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Local News

New Lebanon CSD Seeks Community Input On Smart Schools Allocation

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submitted by Erin Clary

The New Lebanon CSD will host three community stakeholder meetings to gain input on how to best use the $288,073 in reimbursement funds allocated to the district through the Smart Schools Bond Act of 2014.

The meetings will be held: Tuesday, June 2, at 6:30 pm at the Walter B. Howard Elementary School library; Wednesday, June 3, at 6:30 pm in the Jr/Sr High School cafeteria; and Wednesday, June 10, at 7 pm as part of the Board of Education meeting held at the Walter B. Howard Elementary School library. All district residents are welcome and encouraged to attend.

The Smart Schools Bond Act of 2014 authorizes the distribution of $2 billion statewide to finance improved educational technology and infrastructure to improve learning and opportunity for students. Examples of approved projects include broadband Internet, the installation of high-tech security, capital projects to expand Pre-K instructional space, and the acquisition of technology such as laptops or tablet computers.

Illustrated Lecture On 250 Year History of The Douglas Farm in Stephentown

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The Douglas Farm on Osgood Road in Stephentown was settled 250 years ago by William Douglas.  Isabel Krebs, present-day owner and a descendant of William Douglas, will give an illustrated talk about the farm and the history of the Douglas family on Monday, June 1, 7:30 pm at the Stephentown Historical Society’s Heritage Center on Garfield Road (County Route 26) in Stephentown, New York.  The program is free and the building is handicapped accessible.  For directions, telephone (518) 733-0010.

William Douglas and his family arrived from Canaan, Connecticut, in 1765 and built a log cabin in what was then Jericho, Massachusetts.  He and his father Asa, a slightly later settler, fought at the Battle of Bennington and other actions during the American Revolution.  In 1787 boundary disputes between Massachusetts and New York were settled in a way that placed the cabin and about one-third of the Douglas land in New York State.  The log cabin was replaced by a colonial style house in 1824.  After it was destroyed by fire in 1967, a ranch house was built on the site to which a second storey was later added.  The present barn dates to 1824.

The talk will tell how this land stayed in the same family for 250 years and highlight some of the distinguished military contributions of the family, including the Civil War service of Captain (later Brigadier General) Henry B. Osgood.

Some sixty descendants of William Douglas will gather from all over the United States on June 19 to celebrate the Douglas Farm’s 250 years.  An unveiling ceremony for an historical marker for the farm will be on June 20.  The marker is funded by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, which has funded over 240 historic markers in New York State since 2006.

Free Gardening Workshop At The Grafton Community Library

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On Wednesday, June 3 at 7 pm, Grafton Community Library will present a free gardening workshop,”The Scourges of Your Vegetable Garden – What can go Wrong and how to Fix it.”

Taught by Certified Master Gardener Nancy Chase, this workshop will address common problems in vegetable gardens, including blights, septoria leaf spot, pH and more. Learn what these plant destroyers are, how to identify and test for them, how to take action and treat them, and where to go for additional help. Whatever your skill level in the garden, this workshop is the place to start. Bring all your questions about your garden. Participants are asked to sign up in advance at the at the library or by calling 279-0580.

SMA Second Annual Duck Race

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A fun, family-friendly event hosted by Brown’s Brewery at 50 Factory Hill Road in North Hoosick, the Second Annual “Quack” will be held, on Saturday May 30 from 3 to 7 pm.

The focus of this event is a quarter mile rubber-ducky race down the Walloomsac River. Ducks will be sold for $10 each, or 3 ducks for $20. First place wins $1000, 2nd place $250 and 3rd place $100.  The event includes carnival games, carnival food, live entertainment and the most exciting attraction of all – the duck race!

The ducks will be launched at 5:30 pm.

While playing the games and eating great food you can enjoy the sounds of Three’s Harmony (Krissy, Wayne and Sherri) inside the Taproom at Brown’s. Fab DJ Ben Patten will be outside keeping everyone up to date on all of the events as they are happening. Tickets are on sale now.  Last year we sold out, so don’t delay.  You can get your lucky duck ticket or quack pack at St. Mary’s Academy, Thorpe’s Pharmacy and Brown’s Taproom. For more information please call St. Mary’s Academy at 518-686-4314. See you there! Quack! Quack!

HAYC3 Calls For Vendors For Farmers’ Market

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If you grow it, make it or bake it – sell it!

The HAYC3 Artisan Exchange and Farmers Market is back for the 2015 season and is looking for vendors. The market season starts before the Community Band Concert on July 8 and will continue every Wednesday through August in Wood Memorial Park, Main Street, Hoosick Falls (rain location in the Perry Room of the HAYC3 Amory).

Those who produce vegetables and fruits, BBQ, jams, flowers, baked goods, syrups and sauces, dairy products, natural oils and soaps, locally-made wearables – or whatever – sell it with HAYC3 in Hoosick Falls between 4 and 7 pm. Each space size is 10’x10’ and will be $20 per month during the growing season of July through August, or just $5 per week.

For more information on the Farmers Market or about HAYC3, call 518-686-9050, email to contacthayc3@gmail.com, or visit hayc3.org.

Mount Lebanon Volunteer Work Day

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Join us for a volunteer work day on Saturday, May 30 from 10 am to 1 pm to prepare for our upcoming season. This work day will focus on cleaning up the North Family buildings – cleaning, painting, landscaping, etc. Participants should wear appropriate clothes and gear such as gloves and boots. Coffee and pastries from Blueberry Hill Café in New Lebanon will be offered. If you are interested, please contact us at programs@shakerml.org or call 518-794-9100.

The Shaker Museum And Library is hiring. Tour guides are needed to educate visitors about the North Family at Mount Lebanon and the Shakers who lived and worked here from 1787 to 1947. Please visit our website for more details: www.shakerml.org.

The Museum opens for the season at 10 am on Friday, June 19. Museum hours are 10 am to 4 pm through October 12.

Want to know more about the museum and what we’re up to? Get in touch. Send us an email at info@shakerml.org, or call 518-794-9100 x220 for more information.