Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper
by David Flint
Some 300 alumni and guests attended the New Lebanon High School Reunion held on Saturday, July 12, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Pittsfield. This gathering of all the graduated classes gets larger each year thanks to the generosity of Richard Burns, Class of 1949. [Read more…] about New Lebanon High School Reunion 2014
submitted by the Parade Committee
With a crowd as big as ever, hundreds of people lined the parade route despite the threatening weather. The parade brought families, friends and communities together to celebrate our nation’s birthday in spirited hometown tradition. The morning rain subsided before the 11 am start and held off for pretty much the duration of the parade. The only July 4th parade in Rensselaer County was led by local American Legion Taconic Valley Post #937 with Color Guard. They were followed by Grand Marshal, Dianne Mosher with her husband Bruce, driven by John Kellar in his 1950 Jeepster. [Read more…] about A Successful Berlin July Fourth Parade
by Alex Brooks
Following the retirement of George Holbrook, remaining partner Donald Tate has announced that A.J. Messersmith is joining the firm as a partner.
Tate said, “I’m super excited to have A.J. join us. He’s a local guy, and a perfect fit for our firm.”
[Read more…] about A New Generation At Holbrook Johnston & Tate
submitted by Sue Brissette
Libby Cass of Stephentown was awarded the highest honor in girl scouting, the Gold Award, last month for her work with the Town of Stephentown and the Stephentown Memorial Library to add science, engineering and collaboration with local professionals programming to the Town’s summer youth day camp program. [Read more…] about Libby Cass Receives Girl Scout Gold Award
Oren Gradus will present a concert of arias and show tunes to benefit Civicure on Saturday, July 26. Civicure is a Hoosick Falls non-profit organization driven by the mission of community revitalization through active stewardship of Hoosick’s rich heritage and rural environs and the art inspired by them. Gradus’ performance will support restoration of the live performance space in the Wood Block Building at 5 Main Street, where traveling and local artists once graced the two stages.
Oren Gradus, whose rich bass voice has been lauded as “full-bodied and sensitive,” has appeared in some of the world’s greatest opera houses. Notable venues in North America include New York’s Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Washington National Opera and the Canadian Opera in Toronto. European appearances include Teatro Communale in Bologna, Opera Marseilles and the Liceu Opera House in Barcelona. Gradus can be seen in the Great Performances at the Met broadcast of La Bohème, televised by PBS affiliates on Friday, June 27, at 9 pm.
Joining Gradus is lyric soprano Mariona Pallach from Catalonia, Spain. A graduate of the Barcelona Conservatory, she is an award winning vocalist and voice instructor who has sung feature performances on the premier stages of her country. In addition to opera and show tunes Pallach will contribute music from Spain to the program.
The singers will be accompanied by Jennifer Peterson, a gifted pianist, opera coach and accomplished conductor. She is the founder and director of operamission, based in New York City.
The concert is hosted by the Hoosac School which is celebrating its 125th year as an independent preparatory school in Hoosick. Reservations include a 7 pm reception with hors d’oeuvres on the East Lawn of the Tibbits Mansion, with its sweeping views. The concert begins at 8 pm in the auditorium. Meet the artists over coffee and dessert afterwards.
The Hoosac School is located at 14 Pine Valley Road. Tickets for the event are $20. For reservations by phone please call 518-686-4258 or online visit hoosac.org or email civicure@gmail.org.
Airoc Court # 42 of the Ladies Oriental Shrine of North America will hold a bake sale at Aqua Vista Campground on Armsby Road in Petersburgh on Saturday, July 19, from 10 am to 12:30 pm. Home baked goods and an opportunity basket will be featured.
Proceeds from the sale support the Child Life Units at the Shriners Hospitals for Children. Please come out and support this wonderful cause.
submitted by Anne Kiely
Grafton is about to have its first historic marker, and we would like you to join us at its dedication!
This marker is located at what is now the Grafton Inn. It acknowledges not only its current use but some of the prior unique history of the building.
Many of us have known Elsie Risedorf, the current owner, for approximately 25 years. She has been a major supporter of the Town of Grafton and, particularly, the Grafton Historical Society. The Society is grateful to her for allowing us to place this marker at the Grafton Inn.
We hope you will join us for this dedication which will start promptly at 10 am on July 26 in front of the Grafton Inn.
The program for the July meeting will be “Native American Folklore” presented by Gil Payette, interpreter and storyteller. Drawing on his experiences while living in Arizona, Payette, now a local resident, has been telling Native American folklore for over ten years. His stories are educational, entertaining and appropriate for all ages. These traditional stories are meant to be told aloud and come alive in the imagination of the audience.
The meeting is Monday, July 21, at 7:30 pm at the Methodist Church on South Main Street, Berlin, and is open to the public free of charge. You do not have to be a member to attend. Refreshments will be served.
John and Trista Bromirski would like to announce the birth of their son, Dylan Ernest Bromirski. He was born on May 17, 2014, at 1:08 am with a weight of 7 1bs. 3 ozs. And was 19½ inches long.
Over the next three weeks, several summer reading programs are planned for the Library:
• Tuesday, July 22, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm – Bedtime Stories with The Oxcart Man by the Bennington Museum for ages pre-school to 7.
Wednesday, July 23, from 1 to 2 pm – Incredible Pockets presented by Charlotte Neaton for ages 8 and up.
• Thursday, July 24, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm – Family Night with Jody Scalise, a mime, dancer, comedian and juggler, entertainment for all ages.
• Wednesday, July 30, from 1 to 2 pm – Mirror Magic, the how’s and whys of reflection, and make your own kaleidoscope – presented by the Scotia Glenville Children’s Museum.
• Thursday, July 31, from 6:30 to 8 pm – Drawing Class with Greg Winterhalter for ages 10 to adult.
• Thursday, August 7, – Closing Ceremony for Summer Reading. Everyone is invited for certificates, prizes, refreshments and entertainment.
Book And Bake Sale
The Library Book and Bake Sale is coming soon. August 23 is the day for one of our biggest fundraisers. We can accept baked goods on the morning of the sale, and we can accept books only when the Library is open. Sadly, when some people left books on the porch, they were damaged by rain. We are looking for donations of gently used books in good condition. We regret to have to say we cannot accept damaged, moldy or mildewed items nor can we accept textbooks, encyclopedias or technical books. These items will not sell and moldy items are a threat not only to our employees’ and volunteers’ health but also to our book collection. We no longer hold a boutique sale; we have returned to our tried-and-true Book and Bake Sale. Hope to see you there!
