The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Local News

The Ice Kreme Kafé Is Open

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by Bea Peterson

The Ice Kreme Kafé on Main Street in Hoosick Falls, near the tennis courts, is open for the season. Actually, they have been open for a month. Brian Harwood laughed and said, “Yeah, it was two degrees out the day we opened.” He and his wife Elaine have leased the Kafé for the season. Brian left the construction business to work in the Kafé. “Now I make ice cream and maintain the machines,” he said. Elaine said the LaPortes started the Kafé 20 years ago this year. “We think that is kind of neat,” she said. Brian said the ice cream making recipes he is using are the LaPorte recipes.

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Prescription Drug Take Back Day Is Saturday, April 26

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Hoosick residents are encouraged to bring unused prescription drugs to the Hoosick Falls Village Police Department on Saturday, April 26, from 10 am to 1 pm.  Please take this opportunity to safely discard unwanted medicine.

Abuse of prescription drugs has skyrocketed among teens.  Most youths abusing these drugs say they obtain them from their friends or relatives without their knowledge.  Often the first place they find them is in a medicine cabinet.  Many teens believe using prescription or over-the-counter medicines to get high is less risky than using street drugs, and they get them for free.

“HAYC3 and prevention groups throughout the country believe the first step in ending drug abuse is to limit access of prescription and over-the-counter medications,” said HAYC3 Community Liaison Patti Zilinskas.  “Safe disposal of these items during an event such as Prescription Take Back Day is an important step.”

Prepare for the collection day. Take a thorough inventory of all the prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines in your home.  Check the medicine cabinet, drawers, closets, etc.  Note whether the drugs are expired or if they are still needed.  Keep in mind that drugs that have been around for a long time should not be taken as they may be harmful to the patient, no longer potent or contribute to overdose or complications when mixed with any new prescriptions you or your family members may be taking.

The prescription drug take back program is free and anonymous.  Be sure to black out any personal information that may appear on prescription bottles, such as your name or birth date.  All prescription drugs and over-the-counter tablets and capsules will be accepted.  No intravenous solutions, injectable or needles, please.  Illicit drugs, such as marijuana or methamphetamine, are not part of this collection initiative.

All collected drugs will be disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner. For additional information, please call  HAYC3 at 518-686-9050 or visit our website at http://hayc3.org. This important initiative is sponsored by HAYC3 in conjunction with the Hoosick Falls Police Department.

Berlin Easter Egg Hunt

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The Town of Berlin Youth Commission will be holding an Easter Egg Hunt on April 13 at the Town of Berlin Municipal Complex, 17563 State Route 22, from 1 to 3 pm. Besides the Easter egg hunt, there wil be relay races for pre-k through adult. This will be fun for all!

TRACs Meeting

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The TRACs (Together Reducing drugs and Alcohol in our CommunitieS) regular monthly meeting will be held on April 22 at 6:30 pm at Stephentown Memorial Library. Come join us as we collaborate in order to make a difference in the lives of the youth in the Berlin and New Lebanon School Districts in our effort to reduce youth use of alcohol and drugs.

Our mission statement, “to encourage a drug-free lifestyle for youth, support families and provide community-based pro-social alternatives,” requires the support of many community members, organizations and businesses. We look forward to your participation.

Earth Day In Petersburgh

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submitted by Andy Zlotnick

On April 26 Boy Scout Troop 222 will assemble Scouts, parents, family and our community friends to attempt the cleanup of Depot Park along the Little Hoosic River in Petersburgh. The clean-up will start about 9 am and run through 1 pm on Saturday, rain or shine. The Troop will need tools like rakes grass whips, wheel barrels and lawn carts. It will need lawn bags and the Town to help remove the unwanted materials that are cleaned up.

This project is a small part of a larger District-wide Scouting attempt to make a difference on Earth Day. The Twin Rivers Council of the Boy Scouts of America and the Mahakin District are completing similar projects from Columbia County all the way to the Canadian Border this year. Thousands of volunteers will be working toward one goal  – of leaving the land better than we found it.

Troop 222 will form groups or teams of Scouts and volunteers which will work down the access road, working the right and left of the road, picking up all garbage and cans. The teams will spread out to cover the park area and the playground area. The Troop will separate the cans and recyclables, returning the cans to their regular can recycling at the Redemption Center in Hoosick. The remaining trash and recyclables will be placed in bags for the Town to remove. There are a few larger items that were dumped like a TV and some metal items. They will be brought up to the parking lot for the Town to remove.

“The Troop is looking for community involvement and support with this project. We anticipate that this project may incur some small costs to the Troop and at this time the Troop is expecting to cover the cost but, as with all organizations, we have limited funds to cover this kind of work and would like to invite the public to help with unanticipated costs. The Troop will try to offer a small lunch at the park after the work is complete. We will be providing hot dogs, chips and a large container of flavored drink. If anyone would like to help with food, in kind donations will be acceptable; they just need to let the Troop know by contacting the Scoutmaster Andy Zlotnick at azlotnick_40@yahoo.com  or by calling 658-9066.

It is the practice of Troop 222 to give back to the community that has given so much to us. The Troop believes that to be good stewards of our environment and to follow the ideals of The BSA outdoor code the Troop should complete projects of this kind. We ask for your participation and support.

Berlin High School Class Of 2014 Valedictorian And Salutatorian

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submitted by Erin Clary, Communications Specialist, Berlin Central School District 

The Berlin High School announces Alessa D’Alessio as its Valedictorian and Cullen O’Brien as its Salutatorian for the Class of 2014.

Valedictorian Alessa D’Alessio

BCS 2014 Valedictorian Alessa D’Alessio. Photo courtesy of Erin Clary.
BCS 2014 Valedictorian Alessa D’Alessio. Photo courtesy of Erin Clary.

D’Alessio is the daughter of Yolanda and Michael D’Alessio of Cherry Plain. She has a cumulative GPA of 96.79 percent. Her coursework this year includes Advanced Placement English and Psychology, along with Hudson Valley Community “College in the High School” Calculus. She will graduate with a Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation.

D’Alessio has been the recipient of several awards including the University of Rochester Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award and the U.S. Air Force Math and Science Award, both in 2013.

Although she has attended Berlin High School for less than two years, D’Alessio has made a tremendous impact on her class and the school community during that short time. She is a member of the varsity soccer and varsity cheerleading teams. She has served as a class officer and is an active participant in the Drama Club. D’Alessio is also a member of the National Honor Society.

As an active participant in her community, D’Alessio has volunteered her time at the Town libraries, the transfer station where she sorted recyclables and at Sunderland Elementary School in Vermont where she helped clean up the grounds.

D’Alessio is currently undecided on where she will go for college but plans on majoring in International Relations and the French language.

Salutatorian Cullen O’Brien

BCS 2014 Salutatorian Cullen O’Brien. Photo courtesy of Erin Clary.
BCS 2014 Salutatorian Cullen O’Brien. Photo courtesy of Erin Clary.

O’Brien is the son of Doris and Daniel O’Brien of Grafton. He has a cumulative GPA of 94.8 percent. His coursework this year includes Advanced Placement English and Chemistry, along with Hudson Valley Community “College in the High School” Calculus. O’Brien, along with one other student, also created their own Environmental Science Independent Study program. He will graduate with a Regents Diploma with Honors and Advanced Designation.

O’Brien was the recipient of several awards in 2013 including the University of Rochester George Eastman Young Leaders Award, the Clarkson University Leadership Award and the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Medal.

A well-rounded student, O’Brien is a member of the varsity soccer and basketball teams and is a four year member of the high school band. He is also part of the jazz band and marching band and has participated in drama club. He is a competitor in the Science Bowl, Envirothon and Masterminds teams. O’Brien is also a member of the National Honor Society.

Also active in his community, O’Brien has volunteered at church cleanups and in fundraising walks and activities in Grafton Lakes State Park where he is also employed as a life guard during the summer months.

Although currently undecided on where he will attend college, O’Brien plans to study Chemistry or Biology with the intent of pursuing a career in medicine, either as an emergency medical physician or physician’s assistant.

The New Lebanon Foundation Trivia Night

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submitted by Susan Bues, New Lebanon Foundation 

The New Lebanon Foundation will launch its 2014 fundraising campaign with a Trivia Night on Friday, April 25, from 7 to 9 pm at the New Lebanon Junior/Senior High School on Route 22 in New Lebanon. Test your trivia knowledge!  Bring your team of up to six family members and friends, or join a team on the spot. Door prizes, a Silent Auction and a 50/50 Raffle will add to the evening’s entertainment.  For additional information please call Barbara Ruhe at 518-794-9490.  The cost is $10 per person.  All proceeds benefit the Arts and Humanities program for New Lebanon Central School children.

Grafton Library Food For Fines Amnesty Week

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The Grafton Community Library is offering an opportunity to get rid of your late fees while helping to provide crucial food items for the most vulnerable in our community. For every nonperishable food item that you bring in to the Library between April 14 and April 19, we will waive one of your late fees. We cannot waive fees for items that are still checked out or lost. All food items will be donated to the Parish of Our Lady of the Snow Food Pantry and will go directly to help families in need in our community.

The food pantry is in particular need of the following: coffee, tea bags, peanut butter, jelly, pasta, spaghetti sauce, soups, cranberry sauce, canned veggies, canned fruit, canned chicken, tuna fish, instant potatoes, rice-a-roni, pasta-roni, cereals and juices.  Please do not bring expired or damaged food items or items that are unlabeled.

Petersburgh Library News

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Drop-In Craft

The Petersburgh Public Library will be sponsoring a rubber band drop-in craft during spring break on Wednesday, April 16, between 2 and 4 pm.  Stop by during that time and take home a ring, bracelet or other items made from colorful rubber bands.  All materials will be provided.  Children of all ages are invited to join in this activity.

Spring Foraging 

The Vanishing Skills series of the Petersburgh Public Library kicks off with its first installment, “Spring Foraging,” on Saturday, May 3, at 10 am.  The new series will offer instruction and knowledge sharing from local residents on country skills and self sufficiency that have been neglected in our fast moving digital age.  However, more people are seeing that keeping the knowledge current will prove even more valuable in an uncertain future.

On May 3 from 10 to noon Danny Schnoop and Mary Lou Walters will lead a spring foraging workshop.  They will lead a group to places where baby dandelion greens, fiddlehead ferns and other spring plants can be foraged.  Afterward, the group will return to the PVMCC for some pointers in preparing and preserving its finds.  Please sign-up at the library if you will be attending since space in the kitchen is limited.

Book Group

The next book discussion will take place on Wednesday, May 14, at 7 pm.  The book to be discussed is Savage Beauty:  the Life of Edna St. Vincent Millay by Nancy Milford.  Copies of the book are available at the library for everyone who would like to join in the book discussion.

Plant, Bake, Book and Tag Sale

The annual Plant, Bake, Book and Tag Sale will be held on Saturday, May 17, from 9 am to 1 pm.  Donations of plants and baked goods would be greatly appreciated.