The Columbia Land Conservancy will present “Animal Tracks” on Thursday, February 21, at 2 pm at the New Lebanon Library. The program is oriented to school-aged children.
Tracks and traces can provide a glimpse into the lives of animals whose actions are otherwise hidden. Participants will learn about track patterns, identify the animals that made them and make plaster casts of local animals to take home.
To register, please contact the New Lebanon Library at 518-794-8844 or email leb@taconic.net. The New Lebanon Library is located at 550 State Route 20, ¼ mile north of the yellow blinking light at the intersection of Routes 20/22.
Local News
Grafton Library Wants Volunteers
Anyone who wants to volunteer at the Library is welcome, depending on the needs of the Library and the abilities and skills of the volunteer. The suggested minimum age for young people volunteering at the library is 12 years old. We’re looking for help shelving books, checking in/out books for patrons, retrieving books off the shelves for inter-library loans and help with organizing materials for programs.
If you’re interested in volunteering, call the Library during open hours at 279-0580 or email the Director, Stephanie Preston, at Director@graftoncommunitylibrary.org.
Stephentown Volunteer Fire Department Texas Hold’em
The Stephentown Volunteer Fire Department will hold a Texas Hold’em Tournament on Saturday, February 23, in the Stephentown Fire Hall, located at 35 Grange Hall Road in Stephentown. The doors will open at 5:30 pm and close at 6 pm. Play begins at 6:15 sharp.
A free buffet will be served at the first break, and refreshments will be available.
No advance registration is required, and a donation of $35 per player will be accepted. Players can make an additional $10 donation at the door for 1,000 extra chips. This tournament will pay one place for every ten players with a minimum of four places and a maximum of nine places.
For further information, please call John Linton at 518-733-0469.
Friends of Cherry Plain State Park Outdoor Fun Day
On Saturday, February 23, the Friends of Cherry Plain State Park (FCP), is hosting Winterlude, a free day of fun in the outdoors. The event will be based at the Cherry Plain State Park entrance on Miller Road from 10 am to 3 pm.
Volunteers will host snowshoe hikes, cross-country ski treks and ice skating on the pond. An animal tracking and nature observation event will be featured. Members of the FCP will be on hand throughout the day to direct and guide small parties ready to head out into the various areas of the DEC’s Capital District Wildlife Management Area. Free snowshoe demos will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Kids’ craft activities will be available inside the Park office when they need to warm up.
There will be a bonfire, hot chocolate, hot dogs and marshmallows for roasting. Participants are invited to bring their own potluck dish to share on this community-spirited day. You will meet some wonderful people and have a chance to explore this picturesque park during a quieter time of year. Participants are encouraged to dress warmly and bring along their outdoor equipment for a day of adventuring.
FCP thanks the Town of Berlin for plowing a loop near the Park entrance to provide parking. However, as parking will be in short supply; everyone is encouraged to car-pool when possible.
For further information or offers to help at the event, please call Dick Gibbs at 283-0155 or 225-7371. Come on out and make your own fun as you join in with other outdoor enthusiasts.
Stephen J. Kellar
Berlin – Stephen J. Kellar, 47, of Park Avenue, Berlin, NY, died peacefully at his home on Tuesday evening, February 12, 2013, surrounded by his loving family.
[Read more…] about Stephen J. Kellar
Walter Weber
Berlin – Walter “Cobb” Weber, age 82, died peacefully on February 12, 2013. He was born on February 23, 1930, in Coney Island, NY, to the late Dorothy Ahlquist. A lifelong resident of Berlin, NY, he is survived by his loving wife of 33 years, Beverly.
Cobb was an accomplished carpenter and worked in various construction sites for over 30 years. When he wasn’t swinging the hammer or cutting a board, as a licensed barber, he would be cutting hair.
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Ruth J. Atwater
Stephentown – Ruth J. Hoffman Atwater, 93, a lifelong resident of Stephentown, NY, died peacefully on Friday morning, February 8, 2013, at Springside of Pittsfield, MA.
Born in Stephentown on September 8, 1919, she was the daughter of the late John H. and Eunice White Hoffman. She was the loving wife of the late William E. Atwater, who died on February 23, 1990. They were married in New Lebanon, NY, on August 28, 1942. She attended Stephentown schools and in her earlier years worked as a domestic housekeeper in Williamstown, MA. After her marriage and the birth of her son, Ruth was a homemaker who loved housecleaning, gardening, home canning and collecting ornaments.
She is survived by her son, Kirk W. and wife Micky Atwater of Montverde, FL, her grandchildren, Chad W. and wife Vicki Atwater of Montverde and Heather L. and husband Chuck Riccardi of Stephentown, her great-grandchildren, Shelby and Cody Atwater and Travis and Derek Riccardi, along with nieces and nephews. She is pre-deceased by her siblings, Dorothy Miner, Florence Crosier and John and William Hoffman.
Funeral services were held on Monday evening, February 11, at 7 pm in the Hall & Higgins Funeral Home, 457 NY 43, Stephentown, where Rev. Trygve C. Tomlinson officiated. Interment will be private in Garfield Cemetery.
Relatives and friends were invited to the funeral home for visitation on Monday from 4 to 7 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to the Stephentown Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 208, Stephentown, NY, 12168, in loving memory of Ruth J. Atwater.
HACA Lenten Luncheons Begin
Hoosick Area Community Enjoys Hoosipalooza Fun
by Bea Peterson
Events started early and ran throughout Saturday, February 2, for the second annual Hoosipalooza. Billed as a one day event with one cause supported by one community, it lived up to expectations; well, almost all. Some events were cancelled – no snow, no ice. Otherwise, it was difficult to decide what event to attend as many ran at the same time. [Read more…] about Hoosick Area Community Enjoys Hoosipalooza Fun
No Funds Available For Route 22 Underpass Fix In Petersburgh
by Kieron Kramer
In a letter dated January 17 the Acting Regional Director of the New York State Department of Transportation, Sam Zhou, informed District 5 County Legislators Stan Brownell and Lester Goodermote that NYSDOT does not have the funding available for improving the clearance on Route 22 where it goes under the Route 2 bridge in Petersburgh.
[Read more…] about No Funds Available For Route 22 Underpass Fix In Petersburgh