Local News

by Bea Peterson

Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin (R,C,I-Schaghticoke) is proud to announce that important legislation he introduced to assist residents and municipalities along the Hoosic River was recently signed into law. McLaughlin introduced Assembly Bill 9149-B to include the Hoosic River under the existing legal definition of an inland waterway in New York State. This designation allows residents and municipalities along the river to apply for flood mitigation and waterfront revitalization funding. McLaughlin’s bill was passed by both houses of the legislature earlier this year and signed into law on August 11. The law takes effect immediately, and municipalities can access grant information at http://www.dos.ny.gov/opd/grantOpportunities/epf_lwrpGrants.html.

Hoosick Falls Mayor David Borge is very hopeful that under this new law some work can be done for improvements to Woods Brook, which is a tributary of the Hoosic River. Borge said he will be in touch with Assemblyman McLaughlin in that regard.

“The Hoosic River is a major waterway in New York State and this legislation marks a substantial victory for residents and towns along the river,” McLaughlin said. “Waterfront projects will no longer be strapped for funding, and I look forward to making the Hoosic River area a top destination for outdoor enthusiasts and families on vacation.”

The new statute brings relief to residents who have experienced serious flooding in the past caused by the river. Under this legislation, the Department of State will be able to distribute matching grant funds for waterfront revitalization projects, primarily through the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program.

Assemblyman McLaughlin represents the 107th district, which consists of parts of Rensselaer, Columbia and Washington counties.

The Hoosick Barn Quilt project is on the verge of becoming the Hoosick Barn Quilt trail and HAYC3 is getting ready to celebrate big-time! Twenty-one 8’x8’ barn quilts and six 4’x4’ barn quilts have been delivered to their permanent homes and are about to be installed.

Join HAYC3 on Saturday, August 30, from 10 am to 12 pm at the HAYC3 Armory for the Hoosick Barn Quilt Trail unveiling and celebration of our community. The event will be jam packed with exciting quilt-related happenings and activities. Get your free trail map and be among the first explorers to follow the Hoosick Barn Quilt Trail. This event is free and open to the public. Everyone is invited to this big community event.

The celebration starts with a “Meet the Barn Quilt Artists” reception. Before or after you head out on the Trail, you can view an exhibit of exquisite hand made quilts (some for sale) by local and regional quilters in 120gallery90. Beginning at 10 am, experienced quilters will be demonstrating different kinds of quilting techniques, like English, and other methods of paper piecing, accu-quilting, hand quilting, applique and more. You’ll see a step by step how-to on how a quilt is made, from choosing the right colors to cutting the pieces, to putting it all together and finishing techniques.

Martha von Schilgen will provide lively entertainment. Her fiddling repertoire includes jigs, reels, hornpipes and waltzes, all with an old time feel.

At 11 am, HAYC3 will present a lecture called “Underground Railroad Quilt Signals.” Russell and Noreen Hinton of Newport, VT, will share their interest in this fascinating topic. They will bring a sampler quilt they have made together which depicts 16 of the patterns commonly in use during the period when there was slavery in the south.

What did quilt patterns and runaway slaves have in common? They shared a secret, a secret so guarded that only recently has it been shared with the world. Unable to read and write, or communicate openly about escape plans, the slaves turned to everyday objects so common they could be displayed anywhere anytime without arousing suspicion. The quilts were used to communicate hidden messages to runaway slaves traveling north towards freedom.

The Hintons will share the secret meanings of the Underground Railroad quilt code that was used to convey those messages. Using reproduction fabrics from the Civil War era adds authenticity as the tale of the Underground Railroad Quilt Code is told.

There will also be a Poker Run that day. A poker run is an event in which participants, riding any kind of vehicle, must visit five checkpoints, drawing a playing card at random from a paper bag at each one. On the day of the unveiling, the checkpoints will, of course, be at Hoosick Barn Quilt locations. The objective is to have the best poker hand at the end of the run. Winning is purely a matter of chance. The fee to enter the Hoosick Barn Quilt Poker Run is $20 for the driver and $10 for each passenger. The prizes are the same as our Texas Hold’Em tournaments, based on entries. You don’t have to be a poker aficionado to participate; you just need a vehicle, a sense of fun and adventure and a desire to help a worthy cause. Participants should meet at the HAYC3 Armory to pick up details of the route and the stops they need to make. Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.

The Hoosick Barn Quilt Project’s importance to the community is obvious. It will help beautify both the Town and the Village for locals as well as encourage tourists to follow the trail and discover Hoosick’s beautiful landscapes and farming traditions. New visitors will come to the Village and support local businesses. Even more important is that it is a community project that has successfully brought our already supportive community together. HAYC3 has partnered with Northeastern New York Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in this endeavor.

Come experience the Hoosick Barn Quilt Trail and celebrate community and art in our town on Saturday, August 30. For more information, visit the HAYC3 website at http://hayc3.org, call 518-686-9050 or email contacthayc3@gmail.com.