Stephentown

The Douglas Farm on Osgood Road in Stephentown was settled 250 years ago by William Douglas.  Isabel Krebs, present-day owner and a descendant of William Douglas, will give an illustrated talk about the farm and the history of the Douglas family on Monday, June 1, 7:30 pm at the Stephentown Historical Society’s Heritage Center on Garfield Road (County Route 26) in Stephentown, New York.  The program is free and the building is handicapped accessible.  For directions, telephone (518) 733-0010.

William Douglas and his family arrived from Canaan, Connecticut, in 1765 and built a log cabin in what was then Jericho, Massachusetts.  He and his father Asa, a slightly later settler, fought at the Battle of Bennington and other actions during the American Revolution.  In 1787 boundary disputes between Massachusetts and New York were settled in a way that placed the cabin and about one-third of the Douglas land in New York State.  The log cabin was replaced by a colonial style house in 1824.  After it was destroyed by fire in 1967, a ranch house was built on the site to which a second storey was later added.  The present barn dates to 1824.

The talk will tell how this land stayed in the same family for 250 years and highlight some of the distinguished military contributions of the family, including the Civil War service of Captain (later Brigadier General) Henry B. Osgood.

Some sixty descendants of William Douglas will gather from all over the United States on June 19 to celebrate the Douglas Farm’s 250 years.  An unveiling ceremony for an historical marker for the farm will be on June 20.  The marker is funded by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, which has funded over 240 historic markers in New York State since 2006.

The Stephentown Volunteer Fire Department will hold a Texas Hold’em Tournament on Saturday May 30 in the Stephentown Fire Hall, 35 Grange Road in Stephentown, NY. The doors will open at 5:30 pm and close at 6:00 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. A donation of $35.00 will be accepted and give the player 7,500 in chip value. Players can make an additional $10.00 donation at the door for 2,500 extra in chip. This tournament will pay one place for every 10 players with a minimum of four places and a maximum of 9 places.

The next Texas Hold’em date in the Stephentown Fire Hall will be July 18.

For further information, please call John Linton at 518-733-0469

Join supporters of the Stephentown Memorial Library for an entertaining evening of A Little Night Music on Saturday, June 13.  Music for the party will be provided by Doug Schmolze, performing a varied repertoire of solo guitar and vocal music.  The benefit will be held at Berkshire Mountain House Bed And Breakfast from 7 to 10 pm.

Tickets for the benefit are $30 per person and include two glasses of wine, plentiful delicious hors d’oeuvres, decadent desserts, and hot and cold beverages. Tickets are available at the Library or at the door.  There will also be a wine auction.  Proceeds will benefit operation of the Stephentown Memorial Library.  Call Mona Berg at 518-733-6923 for more information or directions.

Doug Schmolze, tenor and classical guitarist, studied at the Berklee School of Music and is also a Certified Music Practitioner, trained in the Music for Healing and Transition Program.    His music for this event will come from the greats of the decades of the 20s, 30s and 40s such as George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin and Harold Arlen.  Doug will also play some international music and classical guitar solos and lead some popular sing-alongs.

Berkshire Mountain House Bed & Breakfast is a spacious contemporary inn, on a hilltop with views of the mountains from its broad decks and many windows.  The location at 150 Berkshire Way, Stephentown, NY, is reached from Route 22 via Wyomanock Road.

For the past 33 years the Stephentown  Historical Society has hosted a Strawberry Festival, which is enjoyed by many near and far.  Plans are in the beginning stages for the June event, but, because of the aging membership, help will be needed this year.  To serve everyone who comes, 180 to 200 lbs. of strawberries need to be picked and then hulled and sliced.  Without help the event might not happen this year.  If you have enjoyed the strawberry shortcake in the past and are willing to help, please call Bill Zimmerman at 794-8430 or Bev McClave at 733-5170.

Select libraries in Albany and Rensselaer counties are inviting teens to “Read It Forward” this summer. Interested young people in grade 6 to 12 will receive a copy of a featured book chosen by librarians. After finishing the book, each teen will pass it on to a friend, who will continue the chain. In the spirit of sharing, there are no due dates, no late fees, no lost-book charges—only the pleasure of reading a good book and passing it on.

A collaborative project of the Upper Hudson Library System, Read It Forward will highlight quality teen literature and foster reading and communication among teens. Schools and parents are also encouraged to participate.

Stop by the Stephentown Memorial Library desk for a copy of the book. Tips for teens, teachers and parents on how to talk about the book will be available on the library website, www.stephentownlibrary.org.

Stephentown Memorial Library is planning several programs in support of Read It Forward; check the library website for details. “Read It Forward” will continue through the summer.

Find out how sharing a good book makes great conversation! Call 518-733-5750 for more information.

submitted by Laurenne Teachout

Stephentown’s summer youth day camp program will operate again this year under the direction of the Stephentown Memorial Library. Join camp director and certified physical education teacher Laura Hunt and local soccer coach Shawn Willis for four weeks of science, sports, arts, environmental education and lots of play and fun.  Camp activities will take place at the library, the town hall and the library’s green fields property.

The summer camp will take place beginning Monday, July 6 through Friday, July 31 this year.  Campers will be served free breakfast and free lunch, provided through the Rensselaer County Office of Family Services. Camp hours will be 9am to 2pm Monday through Friday. The camp is free for residents of Stephentown.  For families who would like to drop off their child early, 8am drop off is available for $15/ week (discount available for multiple children in a family.) Non-Stephentown residents can participate at a cost of $75/week, 8 am to 2 pm, space permitting.

The Youth Camp also provides opportunities for Stephentown teens to gain employment experience. Teens may apply for the following positions: counselor – 16 and older; counselor-in-training – minimum age 15; volunteer – minimum age 13.

Campers will be accepted on a space available basis.   Camp registration forms and teen employment applications will be available next week at the Stephentown Memorial Library and the town hall. Please call the library for questions or other information – 733-5750.

The Stephentown Youth Summer Camp program, managed by the Stephentown Memorial Library (SML), announces that teens who are interested in a camp counselor position should submit an application to Laurenne Teachout, library director. Employment applications are available at SML and Stephentown Town Hall. Rensselaer County Department of Public Health requires that camp counselors be at least 16 years of age, counselors-in-training should be at least 15 years of age and volunteers should be at least 13 years of age. Please submit your application by Friday, Friday, June 5, 2015.

Questions? Call Laurenne Teachout at 733-5750.

Free Legal Program – Expansion of the Family Court Act – Thursday, May 21, 1:30 – 2:30 pm.  Do you think you’re in need of an Order of Protection?  Do you have custody and visitation concerns and just don’t know what to do?  Are you confused about your rights and what services are out there to help you?  Come find the answers to these questions and more at this legal workshop.  An attorney will be on hand to provide information and confidential individual consultations regarding family court matters. The workshop is free and open to the public. For more information, call the Unity House Law Project at 272-5917.

Film & Discussion – Limited Partnership.  Thursday, May 21 at 7:00 PM.  What would you give up for love? Join us for the free Community Cinema screening and discussion of Limited Partnership Movie, the true story of one couple’s 40-year fight for civil rights, immigration reform, and love. We are excited to partner with WMHT on this screening and are hoping for a lively discussion after the film, to be led by Brian Trautman, Instructor of Peace and World Order Studies at Berkshire Community College.  It is free and open to the public.

Family Movie Night – On Friday, May 22 at 6:30 pm we will show a recently released movie. Bring the family for a free movie at the library. Popcorn and juice will be served. This month the movie is rated PG. Running time for this movie is 99 minutes. It is free and all are welcome!

Plant Exchange at SML – Saturday, May 23, 10 am to 2 pm. Did you start a few too many veggie or flower seeds? Have divisions of perennials you want a home for? Have a few extra cuttings you don’t want to compost? Bring them to the side porch of the Library, preferably before 10 a.m., on Sat. 5/23 and share them with your neighbors. Please label what you bring!  Are you looking to add a tomato, herb or flower to your garden? Stop by and help yourself. It’s self-serve, although a gardener may be around to encourage and advise.

Although we call this a swap, YOU DON’T NEED TO BRING A PLANT TO TAKE A PLANT. And don’t forget to bring your extra seeds in to the Seed Exchange. You can drop them off at the desk.  Questions? Call Joan-Claire 733-0237

SML will be closed on Monday, May 25  in observance of  Memorial Day.   Please use our bookdrop when we are closed. We will be open Tuesday, May 26  as usual to meet your needs.

Real Food Revolution with Theresa “Sam” Houghton – Thursday, June 4 at 6:30 pm.

Join us for the “Real Food Revolution: Eating Healthy for Life.” Local wellness consultant Theresa “Sam” Houghton will cut through all the confusion surrounding what it means to “eat healthy” to provide a practical blueprint for truly healthy eating that you can follow for life. Sam is a graduate of the Nutrition Consultant program at Bauman College. She holds a Certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition from the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies and is a student member of the National Organization of Nutrition Professionals (NANP).

Attention Stephentown Graduating Seniors!

The Stephentown Memorial Library is offering one scholarship to a graduating senior who will enter a two- or four-year college in the Fall.  Applicants for the Stephentown Memorial Library Scholarship must be a resident of Stephentown, New York.  Applications are available at the Library and at the Guidance Offices of local public and private schools attended by Stephentown students.

The scholarship fund results from gifts and bequests made to the Library specifically for scholarship purposes. Application deadline is May 23, 2015.

For more information, call the Stephentown Memorial Library at 733-5750.  Check our website,www.stephentownlibrary.org for regular updates.  We are on Facebook -.  Add us to your friend list for up to the minute news!

The library is at 472 State Route 43 in Stephentown. Call 518-733-5750.