The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Local News

Letter To The Editor – The Petersburgh Supervisor Responds

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Dear Editor,

I feel compelled, as the Town Supervisor, to respond to the letter entitled, “Genuine Intentions” that appeared in the Eastwick Press last week. The comment that I most strongly resent is the statement that the taxes will again be raised in 2015. This false prediction was assumed without any facts, opinions or information from the Town being taken into consideration. As the Financial Officer for the Town of Petersburgh, it is my intention to have a zero tax increase this year.

Additionally, in regard to the Youth Program finances mentioned in the article “PVMCC Starts Raising Funds For Youth,” the amounts quoted were incorrect as well. The total amount cut from the budget equals $4,665, not $6,000; also the amount allotted for 2014 is $3,000 not $1,600. This total amount includes $1,500 for salaries, and $1,500 for all contractual expenses. As for the State and County monies received, these figures are reimbursements, not additional funding for the budget. This fact was explained previously to Mrs. Bowman-Kluck, yet was still incorrectly accounted for within this particular article. Again, these statements were made incorrectly without making any sort of attempt to verify correct information with the Town.

I regretfully agree that this was a substantial amount cut, and would like to see the former budget amount from 2013 reinstated next year if possible. The current financial situation of the Town has forced many budgetary cuts in various important areas; although the Youth Program is an important asset in our Town, the fact is that our Town is struggling to function in light of so many drastic budgetary reductions. The functionality of all Town departments are at risk due to forced operation on minimal finances, and I hope that the taxpayers will take the entire situation into consideration and realize that these cuts were a very difficult decision to make.

Siegfried Krahforst, Supervisor

Town of Petersburgh

Editor’s note: Bowman-Kluck has since revised her figures and her revised article on the PVMCC fundraising will appear next week.

Berlin Library Valentine

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The Valentine Make-and-Take Workshop at the Berlin Library was deemed a success by all who attended on February 8. Three of the happy attendees were Lily von Schilgen and the Dunteman sisters. Here Lily von Schilgen shows off a Valentine snowflake she made while Libby Dunteman concentrates on her snowflake. Photo courtesy of Martha von Schilgen.
The Valentine Make-and-Take Workshop at the Berlin Library was deemed a success by all who attended on February 8. Three of the happy attendees were Lily von Schilgen and the Dunteman sisters. Here Lily von Schilgen shows off a Valentine snowflake she made while Libby Dunteman concentrates on her snowflake. Photo courtesy of Martha von Schilgen.

On Saturday, February 22 from 10 am to 12 pm thee will be a Make-and-Take Rubber Band Bracelet Workshop.  Learn how to make bracelets or share your expertise and help your friends learn how.  Please call the Library to register at 658-2231 for a fun workshop.

 

[Read more…] about Berlin Library Valentine

This Weekend At The Armory

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The Hoosick Barn Quilt Project

Saturday, February 15, is the next Hoosick Barn Quilt Work Day. On the last workday, we had a great time and got lots done. Come down and join us at The Armory from 9 am to 1:30 pm and help build and prime the 4’x4’ frames for the smaller barn quilts. Be a part of the project, be a part of the camaraderie. There are so many ways to help. Get more information at hayc3.org or call 686-9050.

Health Care Help At The Armory

Get health insurance help at The Armory on Saturday, February 15, from 9 to 11 am. Pamela Cole, a representative from WellCare, a healthcare group that partners with providers and governments to deliver quality, cost-effective health care solutions will be there to meet with you and help you make sense of the confusing healthcare system. WellCare provides managed care services through government-sponsored programs, such as Medicaid and Medicare. They offer a variety of health plans for families and children, as well as prescription drug plans.

NHFD Valentine’s Day Kids Dance

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The North Hoosick Fire Department will hold a Valentine’s Day Kids Dance on Friday, February 14, at the fire station on Rt. 22. As part of the first Valentine’s Day dance to be held in the history of the kids dances, students attending are asked to wear red and white clothing to match the dance hall decorations. The dance will be held from 7 to 10 pm.

Berlin Rescue Squad Café

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On Friday February 21, the Berlin Rescue Squad will be holding its monthly delicious Fish Fry Dinner. For $10 you can enjoy a hearty helping of fried cod on a roll, French fries, coleslaw, brownie and soda or water. Eat in or take out, it’s up to you.

We have also decided to serve mini hot dogs as well. These can be purchased in a meal, $10 for ten dogs with fries, a brownie and a beverage or $5 for four dogs with fries, a brownie and a beverage) or purchased a la carte.

Call-in orders are welcome. The Firehouse number is 658-2890. The dinner will be held from 5 to 7 pm at the Berlin Fire Department. Please call Stan at 658-0088 or 269-8646 with any questions.

Informational Meeting On A Recreational Trail For Eastern Rensselaer County

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by Bev McClave

Trails can be great assets to communities. They can provide recreational and exercise opportunities for residents, enhance local businesses by bringing more and new customers and spur local business development. The Friends of the Corkscrew Rail Trail invite the public to join them at an informational meeting to learn about the possibility for creating a superb recreational trail for the communities of eastern Rensselaer County.  If you are interested in the possibility of a multi-use recreational trail which could ultimately run from Chatham, NY, to Bennington, VT, passing through New Lebanon, Stephentown, Berlin and Petersburgh, please join us to hear about this exciting proposed project. There will be an opportunity for members of the public to ask questions and offer comment.

The meeting will be held on February 27 at 6:30 pm at the Stephentown Fire Hall, Grange Hall Road, Stephentown.  For more information, please visit http://corkscrewtrail.org//CorkScrewTrail/default.aspx or email info@corkscrewtrail.org.

Richard J. Ciuk

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Petersburgh – Richard J. Ciuk, 78, passed away on Friday, February 7, 2014, at Albany Memorial Hospital in Albany, NY. He had resided on Toad Point Road in Petersburgh, NY, with his wife Marie (Matte) Ciuk.

Born on August 2, 1935, in Hoosick Falls, NY, Richard was the son of the late Joseph and Helen (Levandowski) Ciuk Sr. He graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in Hoosick Falls and served in the Navy Reserves. Richard was employed at the former Columbia Box as a supervisor until retiring. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and was a champion archer in New York and Vermont. Dick was a member of the Eagles, the St. Stanislaw Society and was a former Captain of the Town of Hoosick Rescue Squad.

Survivors, other than his wife Marie, include his daughters, Lynn Shahinian of Ballston Lake, NY, and Deborah Carkner of Sand Lake, NY, his sons, Todd Ciuk of Georgia and Richard P. Ciuk of Cameron, NC, his stepdaughter, Melissa Counter of Gansevoort, NY, his stepson, Michael Schneider of Hoosick Falls, five grandchildren, four step-grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

There will be a time of sharing and remembrances held at the St. Stanislaw Society building on Mechanic Street in Hoosick Falls on Saturday, February 15, at 2 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to either the Petersburgh Rescue Squad or the Petersburgh Fire Department through the Mahar Funeral Home, 43 Main Street, Hoosick Falls, NY, 12090, who are handling the arrangements.

Stephen Colvin

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Hoosick Falls – Stephen W. Forrest Colvin, 21, on February 4th, one very loved shining star left us with his brilliant smile on his face, doing one of the things he loved so much. Stephen was skiing with friends and teammates of the Husson University football team when the accident occurred.

One of the happiest, funniest, most beautiful persons on earth, he was able to put a smile on the faces of all those he met with his very own smile.

Stephen was most of all an athlete who believed in himself. His work ethic in the gym was an inspiration to everyone who ever played football with him. His intensity on and off the field earned him leadership responsibilities among his band of brothers. Stephen touched the lives of all he met as mentor, teammate, friend, cousin, brother, nephew, grandson and, most of all, son. He leaves a community with a trail of broken hearts. He was the most wonderful son and brother a family could ask for. He was his family’s pride and joy.

Stephen loved and cherished the family he leaves behind to cherish his memories. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting, fishing, hiking, swimming, camping, canoeing, spelunking and, of course, being with his friends. All just fragments of a wonderful life. Words cannot describe the loss so many feel today.

Survivors extend so far beyond his immediate family, mother Melissa Colvin-North (Scott Goldstein), father Craig Colvin (Polly Harrington), sisters Cala and Brooke Colvin, paternal grandparents Milt and Dottie Cross, Gary and Diane Colvin, maternal grandparents Linda North (Robert Sheldon), Richard North Sr. (Laurie), aunts Kim Colvin, Jessica North, uncles Ron Colvin (Julie), Richard North Jr. and many cherished cousins.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, February 8, at 10 am from the HAYC3 building (the former Armory) on Church Street in Hoosick Falls. Burial followed the service at the Hoosick Rural Cemetery, Hoosick, NY.

Relatives and friends called at the HAYC3 building on Friday from 4 to 8 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to the Stephen W. Forrest Colvin Scholarship Fund through the Mahar Funeral Home, 43 Main Street in Hoosick Falls, NY, 12090, who are handling the arrangements.

Forever in our hearts, our blonde haired, blue eyed, smiling, beautiful, wonderful young man.

Karen Lehmuth Huff

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Berlin – Karen Lehmuth Huff, 62, passed away on January 24, 2014, at her home in Brookside Park in Berlin, NY. She was the daughter of Margaret and the late Harold Lehmuth of Stephentown, NY.

Karen worked for W.C. Cowee, Inc. in Berlin and Seagroatt’s Roses in Berlin until it closed and then she worked at Seagroatt’s in Colonie, NY.

Besides her mother, Margaret, Karen leaves three sisters, Margaret Mosher, Nancy Stollsteimer and Janet Van Rijsewijk, and two brothers, Walter and William Lehmuth.

Services will be at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be made to the Berlin Ambulance Squad.