The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Local News

New Lebanon CSD To Honor Veterans

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On Friday, May 22, at 9 am, the New Lebanon Jr./Sr. High School will host its Fifth Annual Memorial Day Assembly to honor our service men and women, and all who gave their lives in defense of our country.

All veterans are invited to join the American Legion Post #1236 of New Lebanon and the Berkshire Chapter 65 Vietnam Veterans of America in the New Lebanon Jr/Sr High School gymnasium. Family and community members are also welcomed and encouraged to attend the festivities in memory of our fallen heroes and in celebration of those who serve.

Youth To Youth Visits The County Legislature

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submitted by Biffy Cahill

On Wednesday, May 6, Youth 2 Youth Berlin did a presentation to the Rensselaer County Legislature and Rensselaer County Executive Kathy Jimino, during the legislative open forum. Legislator Rob Bayly, Legislator Todd Tesman, County Executive Kathleen Jimino, Legislator Judith Breselor, Chair of the Legislature Martin Reid, Legislator Kelly Hoffman, Legislator Tom Walsh and Vice Chair of the Legislature Stan Brownell joined students Jordan Cahill, Rachel Cahill, Amanda Despart & Phillip Doin, along with adult facilitator, Biffy Cahill. They thanked the legislature for sponsoring a youth’s attendance at the Youth 2 Youth Eastern States Conference in 2014, and delivered a presentation on their efforts to reduce substance abuse in the four communities of the Berlin Central School District. The group of high school students received respect and praise for their knowledge and efforts.

The group, which has secured contracts with the four towns of Berlin Central School District, will send two young people from each town in exchange for their substance abuse prevention efforts and community service. It continues to seek sponsors and donations from local churches, businesses and community members.

Since getting more youth involved increases the impact of the program, the group hopes to send at least 15 kids to the Eastern State Conference this year. To do this they need to raise $6,375. For more information, please contact Biffy Cahill, TRACs President, at 518-791-2001 or BiffyCahill@gmail.com. All donations can be sent to TRACs (Together Reducing Alcohol & Drugs in our CommunitieS), c/o Biffy Cahill, TRACs President, 58 CCC Dam Rd, Stephentown, NY 12168.

Grafton Summer Festival

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The Annual Grafton Summer Festival is scheduled for July 18 from 9 am to 4 pm in the Grafton Town Park. The park is located 12 miles east of Troy on Route 2 in the heart of town. The festival includes a Flea Market featuring the wares of local artisans. Set up for the flea market will begin at 7 am. Numerous community organizations will be on site providing presentations and regional history. Entertainment is provided all day.

Our Lady of the Snow Parish will feature Sister Kenan’s Giant Raffle which is a fund raising event for the parish. Prizes for the Giant Raffle, which has over 100 total prizes, include handcrafted items, gift certificates for many local restaurants and businesses, and Grand Prize of $1500!!

The Parish is also sponsoring a Bake Sale and Chicken BBQ. BBQ tickets are $12 for a half-chicken, baked potato, coleslaw, beverage, and a brownie. Serving will begin at noon and continue until 3 pm. Limited seating will be available. For tickets, call Gloria at 658-2435 or Julie at 421-5070. For information or to reserve spaces call John at 271-8555 or the Parish Office at 279-4943.

Local Tracks And Speedways

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The May meeting of the Taconic Valley Historical Society will feature “Tracks and Speedways of Rensselaer County” presented by speedway historian Mr. Ken Gypson.  Travel down or shall we say race down memory lane as we look at Carroll’s Grove, State Line Speedway, Route 66, Shippeys, and more.  The meeting will be held Monday, May 18th at 7:30 PM, Methodist Church, South Main Street, Berlin, NY and is open to the public free of charge.  You do not have to be a member to attend.  Refreshments will be served.

Grafton Historical Society Underground Railroad Program

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Kathleen Sheehan, Rensselaer County and Troy Historian, will present a program on the Underground Railroad in Rensselaer County and the key people and important events of the Abolitionist Movement in the nineteenth century. Estella Hovnanian will sing examples of Black Spirituals, which illustrate the suffering of the slaves and their longing for a better life after death.

This program will take place at the regular meeting of the Grafton Historical Society in the Grafton Town Hall on May 20 at 7 pm. Come and learn more about this period in American history and the local connection with the Underground Railroad.

Refreshments will be served following the program.

Stephentown’s Youth Summer Camp Accepting Registrations!

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submitted by Laurenne Teachout

Stephentown’s summer youth day camp program will operate again this year under the direction of the Stephentown Memorial Library. Join camp director and certified physical education teacher Laura Hunt and local soccer coach Shawn Willis for four weeks of science, sports, arts, environmental education and lots of play and fun.  Camp activities will take place at the library, the town hall and the library’s green fields property.

The summer camp will take place beginning Monday, July 6 through Friday, July 31 this year.  Campers will be served free breakfast and free lunch, provided through the Rensselaer County Office of Family Services. Camp hours will be 9am to 2pm Monday through Friday. The camp is free for residents of Stephentown.  For families who would like to drop off their child early, 8am drop off is available for $15/ week (discount available for multiple children in a family.) Non-Stephentown residents can participate at a cost of $75/week, 8 am to 2 pm, space permitting.

The Youth Camp also provides opportunities for Stephentown teens to gain employment experience. Teens may apply for the following positions: counselor – 16 and older; counselor-in-training – minimum age 15; volunteer – minimum age 13.

Campers will be accepted on a space available basis.   Camp registration forms and teen employment applications will be available next week at the Stephentown Memorial Library and the town hall. Please call the library for questions or other information – 733-5750.

The Stephentown Youth Summer Camp program, managed by the Stephentown Memorial Library (SML), announces that teens who are interested in a camp counselor position should submit an application to Laurenne Teachout, library director. Employment applications are available at SML and Stephentown Town Hall. Rensselaer County Department of Public Health requires that camp counselors be at least 16 years of age, counselors-in-training should be at least 15 years of age and volunteers should be at least 13 years of age. Please submit your application by Friday, Friday, June 5, 2015.

Questions? Call Laurenne Teachout at 733-5750.

Poestenkill Historical Society – Home At Last?

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The Poestenkill Historical Society has been given a rare opportunity to establish our very own Heritage/Research Center.  It would be located in the parsonage of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Poestenkill on Route 351.

PHS would lease the building and pay for utilities.  In addition, the organization would be expected to pay for any renovations required to fulfill its needs.  Currently this is not possible given our very limited funds.

The Historical Society is asking for donations to help make the dream a reality. Please consider the importance of preserving Poestenkill history for not just for this generation, but for future ones as well. We need your support to preserve local history. Donations are tax deductable and can be sent to The Poestenkill Historical Society, PO Box 140, Poestenkill, NY 12140 or dropped off at the Town Hall.

Stephentown Memorial Library Upcoming Events

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Free Legal Program – Expansion of the Family Court Act – Thursday, May 21, 1:30 – 2:30 pm.  Do you think you’re in need of an Order of Protection?  Do you have custody and visitation concerns and just don’t know what to do?  Are you confused about your rights and what services are out there to help you?  Come find the answers to these questions and more at this legal workshop.  An attorney will be on hand to provide information and confidential individual consultations regarding family court matters. The workshop is free and open to the public. For more information, call the Unity House Law Project at 272-5917.

Film & Discussion – Limited Partnership.  Thursday, May 21 at 7:00 PM.  What would you give up for love? Join us for the free Community Cinema screening and discussion of Limited Partnership Movie, the true story of one couple’s 40-year fight for civil rights, immigration reform, and love. We are excited to partner with WMHT on this screening and are hoping for a lively discussion after the film, to be led by Brian Trautman, Instructor of Peace and World Order Studies at Berkshire Community College.  It is free and open to the public.

Family Movie Night – On Friday, May 22 at 6:30 pm we will show a recently released movie. Bring the family for a free movie at the library. Popcorn and juice will be served. This month the movie is rated PG. Running time for this movie is 99 minutes. It is free and all are welcome!

Plant Exchange at SML – Saturday, May 23, 10 am to 2 pm. Did you start a few too many veggie or flower seeds? Have divisions of perennials you want a home for? Have a few extra cuttings you don’t want to compost? Bring them to the side porch of the Library, preferably before 10 a.m., on Sat. 5/23 and share them with your neighbors. Please label what you bring!  Are you looking to add a tomato, herb or flower to your garden? Stop by and help yourself. It’s self-serve, although a gardener may be around to encourage and advise.

Although we call this a swap, YOU DON’T NEED TO BRING A PLANT TO TAKE A PLANT. And don’t forget to bring your extra seeds in to the Seed Exchange. You can drop them off at the desk.  Questions? Call Joan-Claire 733-0237

SML will be closed on Monday, May 25  in observance of  Memorial Day.   Please use our bookdrop when we are closed. We will be open Tuesday, May 26  as usual to meet your needs.

Real Food Revolution with Theresa “Sam” Houghton – Thursday, June 4 at 6:30 pm.

Join us for the “Real Food Revolution: Eating Healthy for Life.” Local wellness consultant Theresa “Sam” Houghton will cut through all the confusion surrounding what it means to “eat healthy” to provide a practical blueprint for truly healthy eating that you can follow for life. Sam is a graduate of the Nutrition Consultant program at Bauman College. She holds a Certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition from the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies and is a student member of the National Organization of Nutrition Professionals (NANP).

Attention Stephentown Graduating Seniors!

The Stephentown Memorial Library is offering one scholarship to a graduating senior who will enter a two- or four-year college in the Fall.  Applicants for the Stephentown Memorial Library Scholarship must be a resident of Stephentown, New York.  Applications are available at the Library and at the Guidance Offices of local public and private schools attended by Stephentown students.

The scholarship fund results from gifts and bequests made to the Library specifically for scholarship purposes. Application deadline is May 23, 2015.

For more information, call the Stephentown Memorial Library at 733-5750.  Check our website,www.stephentownlibrary.org for regular updates.  We are on Facebook -.  Add us to your friend list for up to the minute news!

The library is at 472 State Route 43 in Stephentown. Call 518-733-5750.