To the Editor:
On Monday, June 10, my family and I attended our daughters eighth grade moving up ceremony at Berlin Middle School. Although it was a wonderful event and many students were recognized for their efforts, it was a shame that the students who excelled in the advanced classes of algebra and science, taking ninth grade classes, were not mentioned. This was a time of recognition, and they were left out. Below is a list of those students who deserve to be congratulated for their efforts and outstanding work throughout the school year.
Those students are:
Alyssa Bierwirth
Emma Bowen
Alexander Flowers
Sarah Jean French
Samantha Hebert
Elysia Mars
Taylor Meyer
Ioann Popov
Christina Shupe
Congratulations to all of you with this outstanding achievement!
Sincerely
Stoney Bierwirth
Stillman Village Road,
Petersburgh
Local News
Letter To The Editor – The More Things Change The More They Stay The Same
To the Editor:
“For these many years of canal building and use, we have fought the Civil War and Indians, built the railroads, entered the Industrial Revolution and endured political scandal.” – writer unknown.
Today we are still bargaining with the Indians, repairing the railroads, have entered the technology era and still are enduring political scandal.
Gilbert E. Wright
NY Route 22, Hoosick Falls
Hoosick Grange News
Hoosick Grange had its regular meeting on the 12th day of June. Master David Cornell conducted the order of business. The Grange discussed what they were doing for the Schaghticoke Fair. They also discussed the Hoosick Falls scholarships and are going to make some changes next year. The Lecturer reported that they went to the Girl Scouting Award ceremony. Samantha Brewer received the Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouting. To achieve this award she spent 150 hours putting together a brochure describing all the service organizations in the Town of Hoosick and who to contact for information. She got awards from many of these organizations.
The Lecturer’s program was on the subject of Flag Day. The Grange sang two verses of “You’re a Grand Old Flag.” The Lecturer told that in the late 1950s, soldiers placed American Flags on each one of the 260,000 to 300,000 graves at Arlington National Cemetery. Soldiers gave up their three day weekend to patrol the cemetery 24 hours a day through Memorial Day, to ensure that the flags remained standing. Martha Babbitt read a poem: “No Substitute for Men,” and the Lecturer read a poem titled “Dad” in honor of all dads for Father’s Day.
June 6 was D-Day, also known as The Longest Day, and the 69th anniversary. The Lecturer read about the invasion. It was scheduled for June 5, but storms forced General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Commander of the Allied Forces, to postpone the invasion for one day. Let us remember our troops all over he world and pray for peace.
The Lecturer asked how many grangers had anything to do with farm pigs? She read an article on a farmer and his wife attempting to put a ring in eleven little piglets noses. He said it was only a “twenty minute job.” Ha, Ha.
In honor of Wedding Days, the Lecturer had a word game – Wedding Jumble. Martha Babbitt was the winner and won the prize. She had an article on a water aerobics class for seniors. First thing – if you haven’t used your swimsuit in twenty years – will it fit? All the swimsuits were for young people, or the suit she liked didn’t fit, or they would order one for her and when she received them all four were the same size, and they charged them on her credit card. Most people would give up after this.
The closing thought was – Trouble in marriage often begins when a man is so busy earning his salt, he forgets his sugar.
Our next meeting is at 7 pm on June 26. We will meet at the Hoosick Historical Society Museum. Anyone can attend. The Filkins family is in charge of refreshments.
Grafton Girl Scouts Plant Pumpkins
St. Mary’s Academy Pre-K Expands Its Program
St. Mary’s Academy proudly announces the expansion of its Pre-k Program to five days a week. Early drop-off and after care available until 6 pm. Our program is structured around a consistent daily routine that includes story time, outdoor play, art, music, gym, snack time and rest time. A full lunch and breakfast program is available. Contact Principal Maureen Daurio at 686-4314 for more details and to arrange a tour. [Read more…] about St. Mary’s Academy Pre-K Expands Its Program
Berlin Library To Celebrate July 4th
A delicious fundraiser will take place at the Berlin Free Town Library on the Fourth of July – the Library will host the Pie a la Mode Café from 10 am to 1 pm. Donations of pies will be accepted the morning of the parade. The Library Board calls on its members and friends of the Library to donate the yummy treats to eat on the spot or carry out. Stop by the Library lawn before, during or after the parade to enjoy a sweet treat and help support the Library.
Hoosick Falls Community Band And Stardusters Concerts
On Wednesday, June 26, at 7:30 pm, the Stardusters of Hoosick Falls will present a concert at the bandstand in Wood Park. The Stardusters are a local tribute to the big band era providing music in that style of all periods. The Stardusters have been a Hoosick Falls band since 1976 when they premiered at HFCS during one of the spring concerts. The group was originated by the late Cortland Cottrell and continues today under the management of Cort’s son, Bill Cottrell, lead trumpeter.
The Community Band Summer concert series begins on July 3 at 7:30 pm. The hour and a half concerts under the direction of Bill Gaillard include marches, pop tunes, overtures and show music.
Free Daily Lunch For Kids At SML
The Stephentown Memorial Library has been chosen again as a feeding site through a federally funded lunch program. A healthy bag lunch will be served each weekday from 12 to 1 pm in the community room. There is no charge and no income or residency requirement. All children under age 18 are encouraged to take advantage of this program. Children under 12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The program will run from June 24 until August 16, Monday through Friday. No lunch will be served on July 4.
Grafton Library Book And Tag Sale
The Grafton Community Library, located at 2455 NY Rt. 2, will be the site of a multi-sale event on Saturday, June 29. Doors open at 8 am for the Book Sale which will run until 1 pm. Stop by the Library to pick up some fresh reading material. There are still some VHS tapes available for free. You never know what you will find!
A tag sale to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation will also take place on the Library lawn from 9 am until 3 pm. Visit the Grafton Community Library at www.graftoncommunitylibrary.org for more news about programs and events or call 279-0580.
Sharon Sigot Honored As PTA Founders’ Day Award Winner
The Hoosick Falls Central School PTA annually seeks nominations to honor community members who make outstanding contributions to the well being of children and youth. This year’s award recipient was Sharon Sigot, an active participant in the HFCS PTA and a Girl Scout leader for over 15 years.
Sigot was honored at the PTA’s year end celebration on June 6. In addition to her recognition as someone who makes a difference in our community, Sigot was awarded $100 to give to a children’s association/organization of her choice. She chose her award to go to the Hoosick Falls Girl Scout Service Unit 155.
Mrs. Sigot was nominated by Joyce Brewer, a PTA member at HFCS and fellow Girl Scout leader, who said, “Sharon is the most inspirational person I know. I can always rely on Sharon to encourage kids to be their best and do their best. She has been very active in the school and programs through the school. Sharon pays attention and offers to help with anything she can. Be it chorus, cheerleading or the Open House, Sharon is there giving 110%. Sharon does it out of true love for the children and for our community.”
The PTA Founders’ Day (February 17, 1897) is the story of a group of lay people, a few thousand at first, now millions throughout the land, who make it their task to build a world of happy promise for children. In observing Founders’ Day, members pay tribute to the founders and to other PTA leaders. Recipients of this award are recognized as people who carry on that “happy promise for children.”
Past recipients of this PTA award are Kenneth Baker, Terri Burdick, Cathy Corcoran, Jim Cormier, Bill Gaillard, Dawn Gilbert, Joseph Holloway, Penny Holmes, Jason Jansen, Steve Johnson, Helen Levandowski, Leo McGuire, Lillian Mitchie, the staff at Morning Star Daycare and Preschool, T.J. Rasmus, Frank Redden, Virginia Skorupski, Ike Stevens, Marion Stevens, Greg Wilson, Aelish Nealon, Helen Hemendinger, Dale Ninivaggi and Father Tom Zelker.