Stephentown

Stephentown Town Historian Pat Flint will tell of 18th and 19th Century murders in Stephentown, at the Stephentown Historical Society meeting on Monday, October 6, at 7:30 pm. The meeting will be at the Stephentown Heritage Center on Garfield Road (County Route 26), Stephentown. The program is free and open to the public. The building is handicapped accessible. For directions or information, phone 518-733-0010.

Pat Flint is a Past President of the Historical Society. She will recount several of the recorded murders of past centuries and then introduce a skit performed by prominent local men. The skit will be based on the reported facts of the 1791 trial of Whiting Sweeting of Stephentown, who was accused of murdering Deputy Constable Darius Quimby, the first New York State law enforcement officer to be killed in the line of duty. It is the earliest of Stephentown murders that is recorded. Quimby’s name is on the Albany wall memorializing officers killed in the line of duty. Whiting Sweeting was the son of Dr. Lewis Sweeting, a physician in Stephentown. The narrative will demonstrate the differences in the law as it was back then and now.

The Stephentown Library Book Group will be discussing Colm Tóibín’s novel, The Master, on Tuesday, October 21, at 1:30 pm in the Library. This beautifully written work captures the mind and heart of the writer Henry James.

Copies of the book are available at the Library desk. New readers are always welcome. The Stephentown Library Book Discussion Group meets on the third Tuesday of each month at the Library. For more information, call 518-733-5750.

The Stephentown Memorial Library is planning a Halloween party for Stephentown children, in association with the Town. If you are interested in participating in planning or helping at the event, please call Laurenne Teachout, Library Director, at 733-5750.

The Veterans of Stephentown will hold a Texas Hold’em Tournament on Saturday, October 11, 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.

No advance registration is required. A donation of $35 per player will be accepted and give the player 6,000 in chip value. Players can make an additional $10 donation at the door for 2,000 extra in chip value. This tournament will pay one place for every ten players with a minimum of four places and a maximum of nine places.

A free buffet will be served at the first break, and refreshments will be available.

For further information, please call Tom MacVeigh at 518-658-2448.

• Computer Basics Class – Thursday, October 2, at 6:30 pm. These days computer skills are no longer just optional – they are essential to almost every aspect of life, from finding a job and keeping up with the news, to staying in touch with friends and family. If there is something you have been thinking about learning or trying out, but you aren’t sure where to start, then this class is for you. Bring your questions and enjoy one on one attention. No matter your experience – all questions are welcome. This class is open to all ages and abilities and is free to attend. It is offered by the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rensselaer County and taught by Sarah McFadden.

• Weekly Story Time – Fridays at 10 am. Calling all pre-schoolers (and their care-givers)!   Join us each Friday for some story time fun. In this half hour session, we read aloud, sing songs, move about and explore the world around us through literature. Parents and children are encouraged to stay after story time so children have time for free play while grown-ups browse for books and socialize.

• New Lego Club – starting on Saturday, October 4, at 11 am.  Do you have a Lego enthusiast who could spend hours and hours every day engrossed with creative building? Do you have so many Legos in your house that you never know when you’ll suck one up with your vacuum cleaner? Do you sometimes get down on the floor with your clever builders and create something of your own? Well, this club is for you and your family! The New Lego Club meets on the first Saturday of the month for an hour of building fun. This month’s theme is Star Wars! There is no sign-up or charge.  Donations of Lego blocks are most welcome at the Library desk.

• Star Wars Read Day – Saturday, October 11, from 11 am to 1 pm.  The force is strong with young ones for Star Wars Read Day. There will be snacks, trivia and activity stations. Kids can make light sabers, fold an origami Yoda and more. Costumes are encouraged.  There will be some prizes and giveaways at the event.

For more information, call the Stephentown Memorial Library at 733-5750. Check our website,www.stephentownlibrary.org  for regular updates.