The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Local News

Patriot Flight Gears Up

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submitted by Gail Smith

About a dozen interested veterans attended the information night on the Patriot Flight that will take place on May 10 (originally reported as May 3). Bill Schaaf and Danielle Havel from the organization brought with them all the information veterans and/or guardians needed to know. Bill began with three tear-jerking clips from the movie Honor Flight, which is a documentary based on an Honor Flight event that depicted what attendees might experience during their trip.

The sole purpose of Patriot Flights is to bring veterans to the Washington, DC, War Memorials, free of charge, for a day filled with honor, recognition, remembrance and memories. Their goal is to take as many World War II Veterans as possible, but they are also taking applications for Korean War Veterans and Guardsmen.

Patriot Flight has made 13 trips to Washington over the years, which are funded through donations by individuals and organizations. It is a life changing experience which Bill promised, besides a veteran’s wedding day and the day their children were born, would be the most memorable event of a veteran’s life. The only thing they’ll have to do is get up, get dressed and get themselves to Hoosick Falls Community Alliance Church, the departure location. Patriot Flight will take it all from there.

We were assured that the veterans’ personal comfort is of utmost importance and the only medical concern they will have will be facial muscle fatigue from smiling all day. That’s a good problem to have!

Seats are first come-first serve, so don’t delay. Cost for Guardsmen is $350. If you have any questions or would like an application, you can call Gail at 686-3269 or Bill Schaaf at 542-0609, stop in at the Hoosick Falls Community Alliance Church or visit patriotflight.com.

Grafton VFD And Ladies Auxiliary Breakfast

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The Grafton Volunteer Fire Department along with the Grafton Ladies Auxiliary will be serving an All You Can Eat Buffet Breakfast on Saturday, March 29, from 8 to 11 am at the Grafton VFW – Fire Hall on South Road (County Route 85).

Belgian waffles, pancakes, French toast, eggs (made to order), sausage gravy & biscuits, bacon, sausage, home fries, toast, orange juice, coffee and milk are on the menu. The cost is $9 per adult, $4 for kids 12 and under and free for kids five and under.

Tsatsawassa Fire Company Monthly Breakfast

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The Tsatsawassa Protective Fire Company will serve its monthly breakfast at the firehouse on Sunday, March 16, from 8 until 11:30 am.   Breakfast consists of your choice of French toast or pancakes,  together with bacon or sausage, toast, orange juice, beverages and eggs prepared to your order for a cost of $6 with children under five served free.

Support your locate fire company while visiting with friends and neighbors and enjoying a hearty breakfast to start your day.  The firehouse is located behind the post office near the intersection of Routes 20 and 66 North in the hamlet of Brainard and is handicap accessible.  For more information call  518-766-3815.

March Programs And Events At The Grafton Community Library

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• Homebuyer Orientation with TRIP – Tuesday, March 11, from 6 to 7:15 pm. Thinking about buying a home in Rensselaer County? This is the place to start! This informational program with experts from TRIP (Troy Rehabilitation and Improvement Program) will look at the advantages and disadvantages of home ownership, qualifying for a mortgage and costs to expect during the homebuying process. You will also learn about TRIP’s Pre-Purchase Program and First Time Homebuyer Grants. This event will be held at the Everett Wagar Senior Center. Please sign up in advance on the TRIP website or by contacting the Grafton Community Library.

• Animal Tracking Workshop for School Age Children, first grade and up) – Saturday, March 22, at 11 am. Join tracking expert and Grafton resident Dan Yacobellis to learn how to read animal tracks and signs right in the Library’s back yard. The program will focus on how animals celebrate the emergence of spring and prepare for the changing of the seasons. Bring warm clothes and boots. We will meet in the Library and move outside to see what we can find. Please pre-register at the Library by phone or email.

• Book Discussion Group – Life after Life by Kate Atkinson –  Wednesday, March 26, at 12:30. The Grafton Community Library’s book discussion group meets monthly. New participants are always welcome. Check the book discussion group homepage for upcoming selections.

• All Ages Program: Storyteller Gil Payette presents “Hidden Animals – Native American Myths, Legends and Monsters” – Friday, March 28. at 6 pm. Grafton based storyteller Gil Payette will share his knowledge and love of Native American folklore and mythology with a keynote presentation and talk about the legendary creatures that went bump in the night and moved through shadows in the woods as demonic half-beast shape-shifters or monsters of their realm. Some of these mythological creatures feasted on humans and some were their guardians….

Ongoing Programs

• Weekly Storytimes for preschool age children. Bring your little ones to the Library for storytime fun and learning with stories, songs, crafts and more. Nature Tales Storytime with special guests from Grafton Lakes State Park on Wednesday, March 12, at 10:30 am, on Thursday, March 20, at 4 pm and on Wednesday, March 26, at 10:30 am.

• Sit & Knit Knitting and Needle Arts Group – Saturdays from  10 am to 12:30 pm. All skill levels are welcome. Come work on your projects, share skills and ideas and learn about all the needle arts including knitting, stitching and crocheting.

• Game Day at the Library every Tuesday starting at 3:30 pm. Come to the Library to play your favorite board games with friends – Scrabble, Bananagrams, Scattergories and more. Games for all ages are available. Use the Library’s games or bring your own.

• Grafton Clippers Coupon Group – Every other Monday (March 10 and March 24) at 6 pm. The Grafton Community Library is excited to host this new social group where people can gather to share knowledge of clipping coupons and finding ways to cut shopping trips by 90%. New members are always welcome. For more information email Donna at moreoutoflife@gmail.com or Erin at Erin_469@yahoo.com.

March Events At The New Lebanon Library

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The New Lebanon Library announces the following March events. All of these events are free and will take place at the Library which is located at 550 State Route 20.

• March 12, 19, 26 (this event is on Wednesdays) – Small Wonders Lapsit Storytime – 10 am. These are age appropriate stories, songs and movement activities for our youngest patrons and their caregivers. For ages up to 18 months.

• March 12, 19, 26 (this event is on Wednesdays) – Preschool Story Hour – 11 am. Story hour includes crafts, songs and movement activities.

• March 7 – Coffeehouse Night with Linda Worster – 6 pm, an evening of acoustic music with this Berkshire favorite. Donations for the performer are appreciated.

• March 11 – Community Film Night – 6:30 pm. See a free screening of the film “Cave of Forgotten Dreams” with a discussion to follow.

• March 13 – How to download eBooks and audiobooks with your library card – 6:30 pm. Bring your device and let our experts show you how to access our digital collections.

• March 14 – Dublin Porter in concert – 7 pm, an evening of Irish music. Donations for the performers are appreciated.

• March 20 – Family Crafts Night – 6:30 pm. All materials will be provided. This activity is for ages 5 and up.

• March 21 – Divinitress in concert – 7 pm, an evening of acoustic folk rock from local duo Tistrya Grace and Erin Laundry. Donations for the performers are appreciated.

• March 22 – Paws-to-Read – 9  am. Therapy dogs come to the Library and children read to their furry friends. And, of course, the dogs listen!

• March 23 – Together in Concert – David Grover, Linda Worster and Puggy Demary – 2 pm, an evening of original music plus a mix of folk and rock from the 50s, 60s and 70s with these Berkshire favorites. Donations for the performers are appreciated.

• March 27 – Tor Krautter in concert – 6:30 pm, an evening of unplugged originals and folk/rock covers with Rev Tor. Donations for the performer are appreciated.

• March 28 – Family Movie Night – 6:30 pm. A current film suitable for the whole family will be shown. Call for the title. Popcorn and juice will be provided.

For further information on any of these events, please contact Jeannie Bogino at 518-794-8844.

Folk Trio Divinitress To Perform At The New Lebanon Library

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Local acoustic folk trio, Divinitress, will be performing at the New Lebanon Library on Friday, March 21, from 7 to 9 pm.  Their blend of harmonies and acoustic instruments give this group a unique and uplifting sound.

Divinitress consists of singer-guitarist Tistrya Grace, who has spent ten years performing at coffee houses and festivals, and versatile Berkshire singer-songwriter Erin Laundry. They play a combination of original songs along with popular covers that encourage the audience to sing along.

For further information on this event, please call the Library at 518-794-8844. The public is welcome, and the event is free, although donations for the performers are appreciated. The library is located at 550 State Route 20, ¼ mile north of the yellow blinking light at the intersection of Routes 20/22.

Dublin Porter Performs The Music Of Ireland At The New Lebanon Library

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Irish music trio Dublin Porter will perform at the New Lebanon Library on Friday, March 14, at 7 pm. The repertoire of this Berkshire band focuses on the dance music and airs of Ireland.

For further information on this event, please call the Library at 518-794-8844. The public is welcome and the event is free. The Library is located at 550 State Route 20, 1/4 mile north of the yellow blinking light at the intersection of Routes 20/22.

Dr. Seuss At The Cheney Library

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The Friends of Cheney Library in Hoosick Falls will be hosting a Dr. Seuss Party at 10 am on March 15, in the Library. We will be celebrating Dr. Seuss by reading some of his books, doing a craft and having a snack. Last year the children who attended had a wonderful time. This is a great day in Hoosick Falls because after the Dr. Seuss Party you can grab some lunch and be on time for the St. Patrick’s Parade in downtown Hoosick Falls. Be sure to start your day at the Library with our party for the great children’s author Dr. Seuss.

The Cheney Library is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 1 to 8 pm, Tuesday from 10 am to 5 pm, Friday from 11 am to 4 pm and Saturday 8 am to 1 pm.

Taconic Valley Soccer Club Looking For Players

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The TVSC is looking for boys and girls from New Lebanon, grades kindergarten to fifth, who want to learn to play soccer! We play at Berlin Elementary School on Saturdays starting on April 26. Play begins at 9 am.

Registration costs $35. This fee includes uniforms, socks and insurance. Our club participates in the John Warner Youth Soccer League in Southern Vermont.

Forms for registration can be picked up at the local libraries as well as online at taconicvalley.sportssignup.com.

For further information, please contact Jen Burhans at 658-2096.