Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper
by Andy Zlotnick
Troop 222 took 15 scouts and their leaders to Columbia County to participate in the Mahikan District Woodsman Challenge. On May 15 through 17, the troop traveled to the Columbia County fairgrounds along with about 300 other scouts from around the region. [Read more…] about Petersburgh Boy Scout Troop 222 Attends The Mahikan District Spring Camporee In Columbia County
by Bea Peterson
It was the night before the Kentucky Derby and Brown’s Brewery was jumping for the Annual Derby Club pre-race Party. The Club was also celebrating its 80th Anniversary.
[Read more…] about Three’s Harmony, Brown’s Brewery Help Derby Club Raise Funds For Good Works
Come join Cheney Library at Brown’s Brewery in North Hoosick, on June 6, 3 to 6 pm for Books and Beer. Craig Gravina will talk about his book, Upper Hudson Valley Beer. Battenkill Books from Cambridge, NY will be there with a supply of beer related books for your purchase. And of course there will be beer on tap, lighter beverages and food. Please consider coming to support our neighbors in the Hoosick Valley. It will be fun!
The First Saturday Book Sale at Cheney Library, Hoosick Falls is June 6 from 9 am to 1 pm, featuring pocket books. They will be priced at 5 for $1. Get your Summer Reading to take on vacation, take to the beach or just sitting in your own backyard. Lots of good reading is available at the First Saturday Book Sale including adult and children’s books.
Join supporters of the Stephentown Memorial Library for an entertaining evening of A Little Night Music on Saturday, June 13. Music for the party will be provided by Doug Schmolze, performing a varied repertoire of solo guitar and vocal music. The benefit will be held at Berkshire Mountain House Bed And Breakfast from 7 to 10 pm.
Tickets for the benefit are $30 per person and include two glasses of wine, plentiful delicious hors d’oeuvres, decadent desserts, and hot and cold beverages. Tickets are available at the Library or at the door. There will also be a wine auction. Proceeds will benefit operation of the Stephentown Memorial Library. Call Mona Berg at 518-733-6923 for more information or directions.
Doug Schmolze, tenor and classical guitarist, studied at the Berklee School of Music and is also a Certified Music Practitioner, trained in the Music for Healing and Transition Program. His music for this event will come from the greats of the decades of the 20s, 30s and 40s such as George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin and Harold Arlen. Doug will also play some international music and classical guitar solos and lead some popular sing-alongs.
Berkshire Mountain House Bed & Breakfast is a spacious contemporary inn, on a hilltop with views of the mountains from its broad decks and many windows. The location at 150 Berkshire Way, Stephentown, NY, is reached from Route 22 via Wyomanock Road.
Imagine saying yes to the dreams that live in your heart and soul. How would your life be different if you knew exactly what your greatest gifts are and you could spend your time sharing them? What if you could find a way to do what you love? On Friday, May 29 at 7 pm, Grafton Community Library will host a free talk by solo-preneur mentor and master teacher, Jeannie Thomma. She will share the mindset, heartset and skillset required to create a life (personal and professional) that is infused with happiness. Join Jeannie as she shows you how to connect with your own inspiration and develop a powerful vision to create meaningful change in your life. Contact Grafton Community Library for more details.
Skype Basics At Grafton Community Library
On Friday, May 29 at 5 pm, Grafton Community Library will offer a free workshop for anyone who wants to get started using Skype for video chatting, teleconferencing and more. Taught by experts from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rensselaer County the program will also address using Skype for job interviews. Participants are asked to sign up in advance at the library, or by calling 279-0580.
submitted by Corinne Philpott
Hoosick Grange had a meeting on May 13. David Cornell, Master, presided over the business meeting. It was reported that the Masonic Dinner was a success, and he thanked everyone who helped. There was a collection for the Food Closet.
Martha Babbitt, Secretary, was in charge of the lecturer’s program. She had a reading about V-E Day, May 8,1945. The war in Europe was over and a little girl was listening to her program, “The Lone Ranger”. The program was interrupted with the good news that the war in Europe had ended. She ran to the back yard where her parents and a friend were, and told them the news. It was the first time she had ever seen grown men cry. She hadn’t grasped how deep their feelings were. Martha had someone read about Anne Frank, the 13-year-old girl and her family who went into hiding on July 6, 1942. They were fighting for their lives. Today children should learn about discrimination and hatred and have them watch and read “The Diary of Anne Frank”. She closed her program with a reading on how the people in Boston celebrated when Germany surrendered. The fire trucks came out with sirens blaring and offered children rides throughout the town. It was very exciting. After the meeting we had refreshments provided by Berta Burr.
The lecturer thanked Martha. The next Hoosick Grange meeting is May 27. The lecturer will be in charge of the program, and Marion Cipperly is in charge of refreshments.
For the past 33 years the Stephentown Historical Society has hosted a Strawberry Festival, which is enjoyed by many near and far. Plans are in the beginning stages for the June event, but, because of the aging membership, help will be needed this year. To serve everyone who comes, 180 to 200 lbs. of strawberries need to be picked and then hulled and sliced. Without help the event might not happen this year. If you have enjoyed the strawberry shortcake in the past and are willing to help, please call Bill Zimmerman at 794-8430 or Bev McClave at 733-5170.
Select libraries in Albany and Rensselaer counties are inviting teens to “Read It Forward” this summer. Interested young people in grade 6 to 12 will receive a copy of a featured book chosen by librarians. After finishing the book, each teen will pass it on to a friend, who will continue the chain. In the spirit of sharing, there are no due dates, no late fees, no lost-book charges—only the pleasure of reading a good book and passing it on.
A collaborative project of the Upper Hudson Library System, Read It Forward will highlight quality teen literature and foster reading and communication among teens. Schools and parents are also encouraged to participate.
Stop by the Stephentown Memorial Library desk for a copy of the book. Tips for teens, teachers and parents on how to talk about the book will be available on the library website, www.stephentownlibrary.org.
Stephentown Memorial Library is planning several programs in support of Read It Forward; check the library website for details. “Read It Forward” will continue through the summer.
Find out how sharing a good book makes great conversation! Call 518-733-5750 for more information.
St. Mary’s Academy Duck Race is a fun, family-friendly event is hosted by Brown’s Brewery at 50 Factory Hill Road in North Hoosick, New York.
The Second Annual “Quack” will be held on Saturday, May 30, from 3 to 7 pm. The highlight of this event is a quarter-mile rubber-ducky race down the Walloomsac River.
Ducks are on sale now for $10 each, or 3 ducks for $20. First place wins $1000, second place $250, and third place $100.
The atmosphere will include carnival games and food, live entertainment and, of course, the main attraction-the duck race!
Everyone had a such a great time last year that this event has become the newest tradition in our wonderful Hoosick community. We hope everyone will come out and enjoy it. The ducks will be launched at 5:30 pm. While playing the games and eating some great food, you can enjoy music by fab DJ Ben Patten. 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 Bagel ‘n Brew. For more information please call St. Mary’s Academy at 518-686-4314.
The Grafton Community Library, 2455 NY Route 2, will be the site of a multi-sale event on Saturday, June 6. Doors open at 9 am for the Plant and Book Sale, which will run until 1 pm. Proceeds from the plant sale benefit the Lillis Bunce Memorial Award for Grafton high school seniors.
The library will gladly welcome donations of labeled, non-invasive plants during the preceding week. Plants may be dropped off at the rear of the library. Call 269-9520 with any questions about plant donations.
Book sale will be in the basement. Stop by the library to pick up some fresh reading material, and plants to enhance your garden. You never know what you will find! Visit the Grafton Community Library on Facebook or www.graftoncommunitylibrary.org for more news about programs and events, or call 279-0580.
