The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Stephentown

Stephentown Town Board Action – Opposes Gas Pipeline

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by David Flint

Fulfilling a pledge made by Town Supervisor Larry Eckhardt at a public hearing last month, the Stephentown Town Board on Monday passed a resolution declaring their “strong opposition” to the construction of Kinder Morgan’s proposed gas pipeline through the Town of Stephentown. [Read more…] about Stephentown Town Board Action – Opposes Gas Pipeline

Stephentown, Berlin, Grafton Fire Department Open House And Recruiting Day April 25, 2015

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Three valley Volunteer Fire Departments will hold a coordinated open house and recruitment drive at their fire stations Saturday, April 24.  The event will allow the fire departments a chance to highlight the duties and rewards that come with being a volunteer.  We’ve increased our recruiting footprint by adding recruiting information at Berlin High School.   Junior members can join at age 16-17.   With no upper age limit, retirees can be a huge asset for our emergency services, especially as drivers.

Volunteer departments respond to all types of emergencies including fires, vehicle accidents, hazardous materials, rescue and emergency medical.   Our members are able to choose specialties, and can be trained as interior firefighters, scene support personnel, Emergency Medical Technicians, drivers, or fire police who assist at traffic control at many of our incidents.  Free training is provided in all these specialties.

Every member of these departments is a volunteer. Filling the ranks with volunteers keeps taxes low for the entire community.  We’re all neighbors helping neighbors.

As volunteer firefighters we learn to do dangerous things safely.  We weigh risks and benefits.  We proudly serve our community.  We’re the solution to all manner of emergencies.  Sometimes a crew of two suffices, other times the emergency grows so we need every member in the valley.  Fielding a larger crew resolves the emergency quickly and safely.  Some benefits of volunteering are scholarships for higher education and income tax credits.  We need new recruits to continue to serve our community.

This drive is part of RecruitNY, sponsored by the Firemen’s association of the State of New York, which is coordinating statewide recruiting.  Numerous other departments are also holding open houses.   Check recruitny.org  or  www.svfd1.org  for more information, or phone Bob Adler at 733-5749, or just stop by your local station for some refreshments and see what we do and how you can contribute to our community.

The hours when the local stations will be open are: Stephentown 10 am to 2 pm; Berlin 9 am to 3 pm; Grafton  10 am to 2 pm. Come say hello! For more information contact Bob Adler, Stephentown Volunteer Fire Department, at 733-5749.

Lots Going On At The Sand Lake Center For The Arts

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 To Breathe as One

April 24 at 7 pm  

Every five years, 30,000 people gather on the same stage in the small country of Estonia to join voices at Laulupidu, the National Song Festival, to become the largest choir in the world.  More than a music festival, it’s a miracle that at least twice in history gave freedom to that country. To Breathe As One explores the beauty and meaning of the choral festival through the eyes of the young members of the California-based Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir, one of the few American choirs invited to participate. From the filmmakers of the acclaimed “The Singing Revolution,” the film reveals that for Estonians singing is not just a means of cultural expression, but a defining part of their national identity. The filmmakers, Jim and Maureen Tusty, will join us to talk about the film and answer any questions.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 under 18.

The Beatles Deconstructed 

April 25 at 7:30 pm

Scott Freiman will return to Sand Lake Center for the Arts on April 25 at 7:30 pm,  to “deconstruct” another Beatles album!  The Beatles’ 1968 self-titled album (commonly referred to as the White Album) is the bestselling album of the Beatles’ career. Its thirty songs span almost every style of music – from hard rock to country to chamber music to avant garde. Its recording took place during a remarkable year in Beatles history that included a lengthy trip to India and the arrival of Yoko Ono. Tickets are $20 prepaid, $25 at the door.

Matinee of Short Plays

April 28 starting at 12 pm. 

Join Matinee Theatre Players at the SLCA, as they bring you an enjoyable afternoon of Short Plays, including “Mrs. Sorken,” written by Christopher Durang,  “The Book Group,” written by Joe Starzyk, “Fantasy Baseball,” written by Lee Blessing, “Game Nite,” written by Val Kavanaugh, “Three Turkeys Waiting for Corncobs,”  written by Don Nigro and the whimsical “Duet for a Bear and Dog,” written by Sybil Rosen. Along with the plays you will be served a delicious lunch provided by Crossroads American Grille, of West Sand Lake.

This afternoon of fun takes place on Tuesday, April 28 starting at noon. Reserve now as space is limited. Tickets are $15 per person, this includes lunch and the show.  For reservations or information, go to slca-ctp.org or call (518) 674-2007.

SLCA is located at 2880 NY Highway 43, Averill Park, NY, and is fully handicapped accessible, with plenty of free parking.

Stephentown Historical Society Hears About The Erie Canal

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by David Flint

“Low bridge, everybody down!” Not just a song, those bridges on the Erie Canal really were that low, built low to save on cost. The canal boats just barely squeaked through underneath, and if you were sitting on deck, it was worth your life to heed the call of the Steersman. [Read more…] about Stephentown Historical Society Hears About The Erie Canal