The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Local News

The Overlooked Veteran

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by David Flint

Veterans Day ceremonies in Stephentown this year focused on the veterans of the Korean War era, appropriately so since this year marks the 60th anniversary of the cessation of hostilities in Korea. Last year the Veterans of the Stephentown Area honored in a special way the veterans of World War II. There were thought to be eight of these veterans still living in Stephentown, namely Vincent Devlin, Charles Hoffman, Howard Leibensperger, Franklyn Mooney, Lewis Sharp, Raymond Schielding, David Jacobs and Francis Foody. A brief resume of the service of each one was included in the issue of The Eastwick Press reporting on the 2012 Veterans Day ceremonies.

But one quiet, unassuming individual, who labels himself as “not a joiner,” was overlooked. That was William Halleck who lives on Garfield Road.

[Read more…] about The Overlooked Veteran

Hoosick Area Community Packs Thanksgiving Dinners

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by Bea Peterson

On Friday evening, November 22, it was organized chaos at the HACA Center on lower John Street. Over 40 volunteers, from under 10 to over 80 years old helped pack 176 boxes of Thanksgiving food. They represented the Girl Scouts, Lions Club, Kiwanis Key Club, Hoosick Republican Committee and the Town of Hoosick Rescue Squad. They worked elbow to elbow with the regular Pantry volunteers. [Read more…] about Hoosick Area Community Packs Thanksgiving Dinners

Berlin Town Board Action, Pt. 2 – Berlin Youth2Youth Hopes To Add New Lebanon Youths

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by Kieron Kramer

Due to space considerations the remainder of last week’s report on the Berlin Town Board meeting is continued this week.

The Berlin Town Board meeting on Thursday, November 14, began with a presentation by two young ladies from the Berlin Central School District, Julianna D’Alessio and Drew Kells, who are members of the Berlin Youth2Youth organization, the youth center of TRACs (Together Reducing Alcohol & Drugs in our CommunitieS). Kells and D’Alessio presented a persuasive argument for why it is time for Berlin Youth2Youth to be joined by teens, and sponsors, from the New Lebanon community. [Read more…] about Berlin Town Board Action, Pt. 2 – Berlin Youth2Youth Hopes To Add New Lebanon Youths

Information Meeting On The Broken Wheel Road Bridge Replacement

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by Alex Brooks

A public information meeting was held on November 18 to tell the public about the project to replace the bridge over the Little Hoosic River at Broken Wheel Road. Presenters were from the engineering firm that is designing and managing the project, Greenman Pederson Inc., known as GPI.

[Read more…] about Information Meeting On The Broken Wheel Road Bridge Replacement

Stephentown Trading Post Opens

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by David Flint

The Stephentown Trading Post opened for business on Sunday, November 25. The opening attracted a good crowd of locals eager to see what exactly was going on at the building that used to be the Stephentown Hotel. Their curiosity may have been heightened because the business is a peculiar blend of a grocery store, a breakfast and lunch café and a resale/consignment shop.

[Read more…] about Stephentown Trading Post Opens

County Legislators Mourn Passing Of Former Legislator Thomas Restino Of Hoosick

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submitted by Rich Crist, Majority Legislative Liaison

Members of the Rensselaer County Legislature are mourning the passing of Thomas G. Restino of Hoosick, a former member of the County Legislature with decades of public service to the County and Town.

Restino passed away at his home at the age of 86 on November 23.

He served three terms in the County Legislature during the 1970s and 1980s. Restino also served as Hoosick Town Supervisor, Hoosick Town Judge, Hoosick Falls Village Judge and Village Trustee.

Along with his public service, Restino was also a veteran of the U.S. Army in Korea. His son, Tom, now serves as a Hoosick Town Justice.

Legislator Lester Goodermote was a Town Justice in Hoosick during Restino’s service as Town Supervisor. He remembered Restino’s sense of humor and love of his neighbors.

“He was a great guy to work for and had a great sense of humor and never lost track of the big picture. He was definitely a people person, and that made him unbeatable in Hoosick,” said Goodermote.

“You could never question Tom Restino’s dedication and love of Hoosick and Hoosick Falls. He cared very deeply for his neighbors, and was very proud to be given the privilege of serving them,” said Vice Chairman of the Legislature Stan Brownell.

Goodermote and Brownell represent District 5 in the Legislature, which includes the towns of Stephentown, Berlin, Petersburgh, Grafton, Hoosick and the Village of Hoosick Falls.

Majority Leader Ken Herrington served with Restino in the County Legislature during the early 1980s and remembered Restino’s work resolving issues affecting his hometown.

“Tom was an energetic and independent representative for his constituents. He loved the County and was very devoted to the people of Hoosick,” said Herrington.

The Legislature will introduce a resolution in memory of Thomas Restino at a future legislative meeting.

Caroling And Holiday Music And The Berlin Christmas Tree Lighting

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Come to the annual Christmas Tree Lighting with Santa sponsored by the Berlin Fire Auxiliary at the Berlin Firehouse parking lot on December 1 at 4:30 pm. This festive event is free and open to the public.

Refreshments will be served in the Firehouse after the tree lighting ceremony.  Please bring a non-perishable food item for the food pantry, if you can. We hope you and your family can join us to kick off this Joyous Holiday Season.