by Mary Grant and David Flint
It was sort of like a memorial service. But instead of remembering a beloved person who has passed away, it was the Grafton School that was sadly being put to rest, yet with a lot of fond memories recalled. Approximately 50 people attended the event on Saturday, June 22, that was billed as the opening of the Grafton School time capsule. Those attending included former students, faculty and staff, members of the community and members and officers of the Grafton Community Library and the Grafton Historical Society.
[Read more…] about Fond Memories Of GES
Local News
New Lebanon Town Board Action – Historic Images
by Thaddeus Flint
It’s summer in New Lebanon. Too nice to be sitting inside at Town Board meetings and so New Lebanon’s Town Board breezed through its monthly meeting Tuesday night, the Town Hall’s new air conditioner contributing the only uproar of the night as it cycled on and off.
The addition to the Hall, which was completed some months back, is now even more completed thanks to the New Lebanon Historical Society. [Read more…] about New Lebanon Town Board Action – Historic Images
Grafton Town Board Action – Town Revaluation Approved
by Alex Brooks
At its July 8 meeting, the Grafton Town Board unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the Town Assessor to begin a full revaluation of the real property in the Town. The groundwork for this decision had been laid at last month’s meeting in which there was a good deal of discussion about the need for a revaluation. [Read more…] about Grafton Town Board Action – Town Revaluation Approved
Stephentown Historical Society Strawberry Festival
submitted by Bill Zimmerman, SHS President
On Sunday, June 23, the Stephentown Historical Society hosted its 32nd Annual Strawberry Festival from 11 am to 4 pm at the Berry Patch on Route 22. Sunny skies, a light breeze and temperatures in the mid to high 80s whetted people’s appetites for strawberry shortcake, ice cream, strawberry-rhubarb pie and chocolate-covered strawberries. [Read more…] about Stephentown Historical Society Strawberry Festival
Route 2 East From Petersburgh Is Closed
from the NYS DOT
Motorists are advised that a quarter mile stretch of Route 2 in Petersburgh will be closed from Monday, July 8, through July 21 for slope repairs and for repairs to a culvert.
[Read more…] about Route 2 East From Petersburgh Is Closed
Stephentown Historical Society Community Tag Sale
The Stephentown Historical Society will host the sixteenth annual Community Tag Sale on Saturday, July 20, at the grassy field south of Gardner’s Coffee Shoppe on Route 22 in Stephentown. Gather your items to sell yourself or to donate to support the Society. The tag sale will run from 9 am to 3 pm, with a rain date of Sunday, July 21. Selling spaces are available for individuals or other organizations for $20. Reservations are not required. No tables, chairs or shade are provided. Call 518-733-5170 for more information.
Your donation of clean, useable items will help support the Society’s programs. They cannot accept clothing, large appliances, computers, computer equipment, televisions, plastic Christmas decorations, records or VHS tapes. Small appliances should be in working order. The Heritage Center on Garfield Road is open Fridays from 1 to 4 pm for delivery of donations. Call 733-5170 or 658-2605 to arrange for a drop-off of your donated items, to reserve a selling space or for any other questions.
Vendors should arrive no earlier than 8 am on the day of the sale. This event has attracted a large crowd of shoppers in past years.
Letters From Grafton At The Town Festival
The Grafton Town Festival will be held on Saturday, July 13, from 10 am to 4 pm at the Town Park located on Roxborough Road.
The Grafton Historical Society will offer a new publication that will be on sale at the Town Festival. It is a booklet which contains series of letters written from Grafton to Alonzo Philleps in New York City that provides insight into the attitudes and values of Grafton in the late 19th century. They are a source of local history as well. The booklet is called “Dear Lonnie: A Glimpse of Grafton 1893 – 1895” by Estella Myers Hovnanian.
For more information contact 518-641-9660 or historicgrafton@aol.com
Letter To The Editor – Police State Tactics At School
Dear Editor:
I share the dismay expressed by Anita Henry over the “Drug Sniff at BCS.”
What was the plan if the dog made a hit? Would the principal assist the sheriff’s deputy applying handcuffs to the student. Would the student(s) be taken away in a patrol car? Is there an attorney on call to assist a student with legal rights? Was the dog’s hit accurate?
What was the plan to deal with a child who refused to participate?
Is the District prepared for the expense of defending this behavior in court?
It is sad to see police state tactics brought to school. This tactic seems over the top when the principal indicates drugs are not a significant problem at the school.
I am dismayed that the Board of Education sponsored this exercise.
Richard A. Demick
State Route 43, Stephentown
The Hull Family At The Taconic Valley Historical Society
The topic of the July 15 meeting of the Taconic Valley Historical Society will be the Hull Family. Roger Hull, his father and son will visit Berlin from July 13 to 16 researching their rich family history in the Berlin area. Their research includes the Satterlee, Hull, Bentley, Peckham, Whitford, Burdick, Johnson, Sanders, Coon, Moon and Greene families.
The Hulls will give a presentation on the information they have and what they learned during their visit. If you have connections with the Hull family, we encourage you to bring photos or memorabilia to share. The meeting will be held at the Methodist Church, South Main Street, Berlin at 7:30 pm. The program is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.
Underground Magic In Grafton
As part of the Dig Into Reading Summer Reading activities, the Grafton Community Library is sponsoring a free special event for all ages – bring the kids and grandparents, too. Come to the Everett Wagar Senior Center on Saturday, July 13, at 11 am for the mind-boggling magic of Jim Snack. His new show, “Underground Magic,” is packed with magic, illusions and audience participation for the entire family.
After the show, Jim will teach simple yet amazing magic tricks to anyone age seven and up who wants to dig deeper into magic. Participants will even receive props and a book of magic tricks for further practice at home.
Magician and motivational speaker Jim Snack, from Averill Park, discovered the world of magic at age ten after reading a book about the Great Houdini. To learn more, he went to the library and read all the books he could find on magic. Jim has been amazing audiences for over thirty years with his performances at schools, libraries, fairs and festivals.
For more news of the Summer Reading Program and other activities at the Library, visit www.graftoncommunitylibrary.org or call 279-0580.