The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Petersburgh

Hoosick Falls Central School Kindergarten Registration

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Hoosick Falls Elementary School has finalized the process for kindergarten registration and screening for the 2014-2015 school year. Parents of children residing in the Hoosick Falls Central School District who will be five years old on or before December 1, 2014, should contact the elementary office as soon as possible at 686-9492 to provide the District with required information. This information will be used to create a mailing list for future events, including kindergarten screening.

An informational meeting for parents and guardians only will be held on Thursday, April 24, at 6 pm in the elementary school cafeteria. Parents will receive important information regarding medical requirements and concerns, transportation and the school breakfast and lunch program. They will also have the opportunity to meet all of the kindergarten teachers and briefly preview the curriculum as they rotate through the classrooms.

An additional component of the kindergarten registration process is kindergarten screening which is scheduled for June 23 through June 25. More detailed information pertaining to the screening will be provided at the informational meeting for parents. Registration packets are available through the elementary school  office. We look forward to hearing from you.

Petersburgh Library News

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Kids Crafts

The Petersburgh Public Library will be holding a Winter Break Kids Craft on Wednesday, February 19, from 2 to 4 pm.  Children of all ages are invited to stop by and make a bird feeder.  The bird feeder will be made out of a milk carton which will be painted, a popsicle stick roof added to it and a perch for the birds.   All materials will be provided, and children will be able to take home a bird feeder with bird seed to feed the birds this winter.

Story Hour

Story hour on Tuesday, February 11, will feature the letter “S.”  Pre-schoolers and their caregivers are invited for stories, activities, a craft and snacks.  There will be no story hour on February 18 because of school vacation.

Book Discussion Group

The Petersburgh Public Library book discussion group is reading the book The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón. The book will be discussed at the next meeting on February 12 at 7 pm. Copies of the book are available at the Library. New members are welcome.

Digital Photography Workshop 

The Library will sponsor another digital photography workshop on Thursday, March 27, April 3 and April 10 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.  Sign-up is required, and there are only two openings left so if anyone is interested please contact the Library soon to join the class.

Letter To The Editor – Genuine Intentions

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Dear Editor,

It has recently come to my attention that a handful of people have inquired about the efforts of my husband Gene and myself in regards to the town of Petersburgh. Let me assure the people that our intentions are genuine and aimed at advocating for the residents and taxpayers of the Town. Those folks that already know us realize this provocation has always been a part of who we are, whether at work or volunteering at the library and the school or coaching sports or assuming leadership roles within our church.

Last Spring, Gene was considering the possibility of running for the Highway Superintendent position. We began attending Town Board meetings in an effort to educate ourselves on how the Town operated. Generally, the meetings were sparsely attended; a select few were involved with decision making, and information was not forthcoming. Asking questions, learning the governing laws and researching the current processes by which the Town operated was a natural focus. We also spoke directly with many of the Town’s officials and sought out and encouraged feedback from the residents of Petersburgh.

Although faced with personal attacks and resistance from some Town officials, Gene and I continue to be committed to advocating for the residents and taxpayers of Petersburgh. Our efforts are not personal or directed towards any one individual. This year our taxes were increased by nearly 7% (originally figured at 13%), and it is likely that next year will be a substantial increase as well. Many of the Town’s valuable programs, such as the Youth and Senior Programs, received vast cuts, constraining their efforts to run effectively. It makes sense for our community to work collaboratively to explore ways in which the Town can be run more efficiently and current spending can be minimized, thus reducing the need for more significant cuts next year.

I feel confident that the current Petersburgh Town Board will do what is right for the residents and taxpayers of Petersburgh while maintaining an open and informative process without bias or the involvement of personal agendas. This can be achieved by a diverse group of community members attending meetings, becoming informed and offering to assist the Town with committees or appointed positions. We can all make a positive and cost savings difference that will affect our Town for years to come!

Sherry Bowman-Kluck

Johnny Cake Hill Road, Petersburgh

Mihael Gerkman On SUNY Potsdam’s President’s List

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Mihael Gerkman of Petersburgh was recently named to the President’s List at the State University of New York at Potsdam. Gerkman, whose major is chemistry, was among 851 SUNY Potsdam students who were honored for academic excellence in the Fall 2013 semester.

To achieve the honor of being on the President’s List, each student must have satisfactorily completed 12 numerically graded semester hours, with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

Brittany Dickhaus Named To Dean’s List At Western New England University

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Brittany N. Dickhaus of Petersburgh has been named to the Dean’s List at Western New England University for the fall semester of 2013. Dickhaus is majoring in Pre-Pharmacy. Students are named to the Dean’s List for achieving a semester grade point average of 3.30 or higher.

Western New England University is a private, independent, co-educational institution founded in 1919. Located on an attractive 215 acre suburban campus in Springfield, MA, Western New England University serves 3,700 students, including 2,550 full time undergraduate students. Undergraduate, graduate and professional programs are offered through Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, Engineering, Pharmacy and School of Law.

Nicole Hensler Named To The URI Dean’s List

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The University of Rhode Island is pleased to announce that Nicole Hensler of Petersburgh was named to the Dean’s List.

To be included on the Dean’s List, a student must have completed 12 or more credits during a semester for letter grades with at least a 3.30 quality point average. Part time students qualify with the accumulation of 12 credits with a 3.30 quality point average.

The University of Rhode Island’s pioneering research extends the University’s influence well beyond its coastal borders, while its unique interdisciplinary courses provide its 16,637 undergraduate and graduate students with global opportunities in an intimate environment. In May 2013, more than 3,200 undergraduate and about 770 graduate degrees were awarded.

Hiland E. Main

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Petersburgh/Hoosick Falls – Hiland E. Main, 86, on Saturday, February 1, 2014, with his family at his side at the Center For Nursing and Rehabilitation at Hoosick Falls in Hoosick Falls, NY, left on his journey to be with his lifetime friend and wife Mary Louise Main, who left on her journey April 17, 1975. Also waiting for him was his great aunt and adoptive mother, Hattie L. Main, and his brother, Alfred Dingman.

Born February 18, 1927, in North Bennington, VT, Hiland was the son of the late Udine Rice and Robert Moon. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II from 1943-1945. Farming was his lifelong passion, as well as hunting and fishing. He was a longtime member of and supporter of the NRA.

Hiland leaves behind his daughters, Georgia M. Main of Petersburgh, NY, and Autumn E. Main of Grafton, NY, his grandchildren, Kevin Buck of Manchester, NH, Jeffrey Buck and Amy Buckley of North Bennington, VT, Jessica Davis and David Pendleton of Sandgate, VT, Noel Corriveau and wife Haigouhi of Cranston, RI, Katie Dastoli of Petersburgh, Tabie Lajeunesse of Watervliet, NY, Hattie Richardson and husband Matt of Porter Corners, NY, and Mary Watkins and husband Jude of Selkirk, NY, his great-grandchildren, Kayla Bedford, Brittany Dickhaus, Danielle Dickhaus, Thomas Lajeunesse, Tashina Lajeunesse, Devon Smith, Philip Richardson, Abigail Richardson, Jude Watkins, II, Lauren Ely, Richard Davis, III, Hannah Buck, Julia Buck and Nyree Corriveau, a great-great-grandchild, Alliah Bedford, and several nieces and nephews of Winchester, NH.

The family wants to thank all of the staff at the Center For Nursing and Rehabilitation at Hoosick Falls for the kindness and loving care they gave Hiland. Per his request, there will be no calling hours or service. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Center For Nursing and Rehabilitation at Hoosick Falls or the Petersburgh Rescue Squad. To leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.

Petersburgh Town Board Action – Highway Expenses Scrutinized

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by Alex Brooks

The Petersburgh Town Board meeting began with a presentation from Tom Berry, who lives on Canfield Road in Petersburgh. He said he has been a resident for eight years and he felt moved to get involved because of the big tax increase this year and because he felt there are ways to reduce the cost of the Town’s operations which are not being explored.

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