by Kieron Kramer
Marked by lack of transparency and lack of productivity, the meeting of the Rensselaer County Legislature on Tuesday, July 9, resembled more the mode of governance in Washington, DC, than in Troy. [Read more…] about Rensselaer County Legislature – More Like Washington
Local News
Hoosick’s HAYC3 Community Coalition In Contention For National Honor
by Deborah Alter
HAYC3’s Community Coalition is in the running for a prestigious national award from the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America. The award recognizes established coalitions for successfully implementing comprehensive and collaborative strategies to achieve one or more targeted community-level multiple substance abuse programs. It is the highest honor CADCA bestows.
[Read more…] about Hoosick’s HAYC3 Community Coalition In Contention For National Honor
Hoosick Planning Board Action – Cell Tower Improvements
by Bea Peterson
A Public Hearing on the installation of three new LTE antennas to the tower on Wilson Hill Road was held at 7 pm on Monday, July 15. Maryanne Terry of Site Acquisition, representing AT&T, said the LTEs will be beneficial to the Town and its customers and provide easier and faster service. No one attended the hearing to object, and the Board approved the request.
The regular Planning Board meeting followed the hearing. Minutes of the June meeting were reviewed and approved. As no one appeared before the Board with any planning requests or issues, the meeting quickly adjourned on the hot summer evening.
Town Of Hoosick Democratic Chicken Barbecue
Agatha Christie At The Theater Barn
Agatha Christie’s The Unexpected Guest is playing at The Theater Barn, 654 Route 20, New Lebanon, through Sunday, July 21. Christie murder mysteries have become an annual tradition at The Barn, and this one is sure to please her most ardent fans.
[Read more…] about Agatha Christie At The Theater Barn
Fore!
St. Mary’s Golf Scramble and Alumni Banquet Is SMA’s first major fundraiser of the 2013-2014 School Year.
Don’t miss St. Mary’s Academy Alumni Weekend on August 2 and 3. The Golf Scramble will take place on Friday, August 2, at the Hoosick Falls Country Club, and the Alumni Banquet will be at the school on Saturday, August 3. Alumni Weekend is an exciting event for all members of the SMA family, former and current SMA parents and students, as well as community members.
At the Scramble, you can play golf and/or sponsor a hole. Spectators are welcome at the Club to cheer on the players and enjoy the festive atmosphere. The Scramble never fails to delight and entertain the whole family, golfers and non-golfers alike. Tee-off times are 8 am and 1 pm. The registration fee of $70 includes golf, lunch and Babson’s light fare supper.
As always, the Alumni Banquet is looking like it will be an enjoyable evening. The event will be held at the school, and there will be a catered dinner buffet by Scott Areson. Music for listening and dancing will follow the festivities. Come prepared to have a wonderful time with “old” friends! Cocktail Hour is 6 to 7 pm, dinner begins at 7.
Tickets cost $35. Don’t delay! Sign up now to reserve your spot. Early registration also helps us plan. More information and registration forms are available at http://www.stmaryshf.com. You can also call Pat Hayes at 518-686-4314 or send her an email at pathayes@yahoo.com.
Petersburgh Library Reading Program
The Petersburgh Public Library summer reading program is in full swing. Pre-school children are invited to story hour on Tuesdays at 11 am. On July 23 the theme will be “I Dig Animals.” On Wednesday afternoons, between 2 and 4 pm, children of all ages are invited to stop by the Library for our drop-in crafts and paint a jointed wooden snake.
Everyone is invited to our next “Saunter in the Shire” on Wednesday, July 31, at 5 pm. Meet at the Library and journey to the Petersburgh sculpture garden featured in the DVD “Peter’s People.” If you want a sneak preview, the DVD is available at the Library for you to take home and view.
Don’t forget to keep reading this summer. Children who have signed up for the summer reading program can log their books online or on forms provided. They need to be turned in by August 12 so you have lots of time to read. Teens and adults may enter a prize drawing for every book read. There are 11 prizes for adults and four for teens. Stop by the Library and pick up some entry slips and keep reading!
Win Yankees Tickets And Gift Certificates At The Grafton Library
Just in time for the dog days of summer, the Grafton Community Library will raffle a “Dig Into Summer” basket to benefit the Library. The winning ticket will be drawn at the Library on Saturday, August 3. Ticket prices are one dollar each or six tickets for five dollars.
The basket features two grandstand tickets to the New York Yankees evening game on August 20, a $50 gift certificate to the Grafton Town Store and a $15 gift certificate to Market Block Books. It is brimming with a variety of summer items for both the ladies and men, including a pocket garden hose, a citronella candle, sunscreen, a Budweiser ice bucket filled with barbecue sauces and marinade, Dirty Dan’s pumice soap, gardening books, truffles, Crabtree & Evelyn Avocado skin care, a hand painted set of three pots with tray, Burt’s Bees, Margaret Weinland notecards and much more. Give the basket as a gift, keep it as a treat for yourself or use the goodies as individual gifts.
Stop in at the Library located at 2455 NY Route 2 during regular hours to peek in the basket and purchase your raffle tickets. The Library is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 3 to 7 pm and Wednesday and Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm. Phone 518-279-0580 or visit www.graftoncommunitylibrary.org for news of Library programs and events.
The Grist And Saw Mills In New Lebanon
On Monday, July 22, at 7 pm the Lebanon Valley Historical Society will offer an on-location program about the Elm Tree Mills presented by Francesca Lally. The grist and saw mills are located on Mill Street in Lebanon Center, date from the third quarter of the 18th century and were in use until the mid-20th century. They were built by Elisha Gilbert, whose residence on Route 20 was the subject of Peter Watson’s talk this past April.
Francesca Lally, who has just completed her sophomore year at Miss Hall’s School and has grown up at the mills, will share her family collection of photographs and artifacts related to the operation.
Reminiscences and a discussion about the working mills will follow the presentation, along with the usual assortment of delicious refreshments.
Let’s Drum!
Come take your place in the drum circle! Join Capital District musician and educator Jonathan Duda for Let’s Drum at the Grafton Community Library on Saturday, July 27, at 11 am. Enjoy a hands-on introduction to percussive instruments like the clay udu jug from Nigeria or the berimbau from Brazil. Participants with all levels of musical ability will have the opportunity to try out instruments played throughout the world in a welcoming setting, no experience necessary.
More information about the program can be found at www.letsdrumprogram.com. This program is made possible in part through a Community Art$ Grant, a program funded by The Arts Center of the Capital Region through the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency. Visit www.graftoncommunitylibrary.org or contact 279-0580 for more Library news.


