Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper
On Saturday, May 17, there will be a Trail Work Day at Cherry Plain State Park from 9 am to 12 pm. Call Fran Egbert 674-3214 for more information.
Beach Open
Cherry Plain State Park’s beach will open weekends through June 23 and then daily from 10 am to 6 pm.
Mother’s Day Wildflower Hike
The Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center is offering a Mother’s Day Wildflower Hike, May 11, from 1 to 3 pm to observe the many spring ephemerals in bloom. This will be a fun and easy hike for all ages.
Mid-Week Hike Series
The Center is offering a Mid-Week Hike Series on May 13, 22 and 27 from 2 to 4 pm. These guided hikes will cover about two or three miles over moderate terrain. You can attend one or more of these hikes, so come join us this spring for some outdoor adventures!
Sunday Pond Study
The Center is offering a Sunday Pond Study on May 18 from 1 to 3 pm. This program for all ages will have participants catching and releasing pond organisms and going over their importance to the environment. A complete list of programs can be found at www.dykenpond.org. Pre-registration is encouraged to help with planning, but not required, and can be done by contacting the Center at dykenpond@fairpoint.net or 658-2055.
Twilight Kayak Tour
The Center is offering a Twilight Kayak Tour on May 28 from 7pm to 9pm. This program is limited to 12 boats so pre-registration is required and can be done by contacting the center at dykenpond@fairpoint.net or 658-2055. Kayaks can be rented for $10 or you can bring your own. A complete list of programs can be found at: www.dykenpond.org.
Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center, located at 475 Dyken Pond Road, Cropseyville, is a Rensselaer County Park open daily during daylight hours for hiking, fishing and non-motor boating. Canoes and kayaks are available for rent each day from 9 am until 3 pm after May 15.
by Bea Peterson
Sunday, May 4, was not the most pleasant of spring days. However, inside the St. Mary’s Academy gym it was a wonderful day. It was the Fifth Annual Taste of Hoosick event, and it was the biggest and best yet. [Read more…] about Taste Of Hoosick Best Ever
Celebrate and enjoy the beautiful and historic stained glass windows of St. Mark’s, First Baptist, Immaculate Conception and the First United Presbyterian Churches in Hoosick Falls on Saturday, May 17, from 9 am to 2 pm. [Read more…] about Spring Stroll And Stained Glass In Hoosick Falls
submitted by Bev McClave
Despite the winter-like weather the Sounds of Spring organ concert warmed the hearts of the more than forty people who attended. On Sunday. May 4, at the Immaculate Conception Church in New Lebanon, five very talented organists from throughout the area played to the delight of all. [Read more…] about Sounds Of Spring Concert At The Immaculate Conception Church In New Lebanon
Cherry Plain – Caroline C. Crandall Perkins, 97, died February 27, 2014. She was the wife of the late Andrew H. Perkins, the mother of Ann and her husband Marc Woodroe, Lorraine and her husband Joe Schiff, Carol Wagar and Patricia and her husband David Shuhart. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 10, at 1 pm at the Thomas M. Barber Funeral Home, 66 Armsby Road, Petersburgh, NY, with visitation prior to the service from 11 am to 1 pm. A lunch will follow in the Berlin Methodist Church.
Berlin/New Lebanon – John M. Saunders, 54, of New Lebanon, NY, passed away on Thursday, May 1, 2014, at the Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, MA. Born in North Adams, MA, John was the son of the late Robert F. and Elizabeth May Bentley Saunders.
John recently resided in New Lebanon but had been a resident of Berlin, NY, for most of his life. He was a correctional officer for over 25 years working at several correctional facilities, recently retiring from the Hudson Correctional Facility where he had been employed for the past 20 years. John was a member of the Catskill Masonic Lodge #468. He loved fishing, hunting, trapping and spending time in Daytona Beach, FL. He will be truly missed.
John is survived by his cherished children, Joshua Saunders of New Lebanon and Marcella Saunders of Agawam, MA, and his devoted brother, William R. Saunders.
Family and friends are invited to a celebration of John’s life that will be held on Sunday, May 11, at the Hall & Higgins Funeral Home, 457 Rte. 43, Stephentown, NY, from 1 to 3 pm.
Berlin – Helen E. Thomas, 75, passed away peacefully on Sunday afternoon, May 4, 2014, at the Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation at Hoosick Falls, NY, surrounded by her loving family.
Helen was born in New Lebanon, NY, and retired from W.J. Cowee, Inc. in Berlin, NY, where she worked in manufacturing floral picks.
She is pre-deceased by her husband, Alonzo R. Thomas, and her siblings, Floyd Whitman and Gertrude Whitman. Survivors include her children, Susan Walters and Michael Thomas, Sr., her grandchildren, Meagan Hall, Michael Thomas, Jr. and Valarie Thomas, her great-grandchildren, Austin and Derek Tremblay, and her sister, Alice Hobson. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
The funeral service was on Thursday, May 8, at 12 pm at the Cherry Plain Community Christian Church, Cherry Plain, NY, with burial to follow in the Berlin Community Cemetery. Viewing hours were on Thursday from 10 to 12 at the Church.
For online condolences please visit, www.parkerbrosmemorial.com.
Stephentown – Stephen K. Bobik, a longtime resident of Moore Hill Road in Stephentown, NY, passed away peacefully at the age of 69 on April 22, 2014, after a long illness. He was able to remain with his wife Judy until the very end, which is all he ever asked for the entire time.
Born in Schenectady, NY, Stephen attended Mohonasen and Linton High Schools, Hudson Valley Community College and went on to receive his Master’s Degree from Union College. He was employed as a Mechanical Engineer at Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory for many years, retiring in 2006. An avid fisherman and hunter, he was founder and president of the Knolls Fishing Club at KAPL.
After residing for many years in Rotterdam, NY, Steve lived in Castleton-on-Hudson, NY, and then Stephentown. He was well known locally as a true outdoorsman who found his greatest joy in living among nature’s splendor and sharing his lifelong passion for the conservation of its resources. He was also an accomplished cross-country runner, awarded for his achievements in high school, at Hudson Valley CC and in numerous marathons.
Survivors include his wife, Judy of Delmar, NY, his daughter, Patricia Sezna and her husband Steven of Los Angeles, CA, his sister, Suzanne Whelan and her husband Charles of Ocala, FL, his grandsons, Randall Bobik and Christopher Bobik, both of Rotterdam, as well as several aunts, nephews and cousins. He is pre-deceased by his son, Stephen M. Bobik.
The family is so grateful to all the people of Stephentown who helped us through this difficult time. We will never forget the amazing optimism he carried within him even in the face of his greatest challenge.
A funeral service was held Monday morning, April 28, at Daly Funeral Home in Schenectady with interment at St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Memorial donations in Steve’s name may be made online or by check to the Natural Heritage Trust for New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation Education Camps. For details please visit the website www.dec.ny.gov/education/96461.html.
East Poestenkill – A graveside service will be held on Saturday, May 17, at 1 pm at the Woodside Cemetery on Fifty Six Road, Poestenkill, NY, for Elaine W. Goodermote of Plank Road, Averill Park, NY. Elaine died on December 21, 2013, after a long illness. Relatives and friends are invited to attend.
