The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Stephentown

Local Students Inducted Into Phi Theta Kappa Academic Honor Society

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More than 130 students from Hudson Valley Community College were recently inducted into the Alpha Xi Sigma chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the international academic honor society for students at two-year colleges.

The local students who were inducted are:

• Erika Pelletier of Petersburgh who is studying in the Early Childhood program.

• Matthew Coleman of Stephentown who is studying in the Business Administration program.

Membership in Phi Theta Kappa is indicative of academic excellence. Those inducted are matriculated students who have met standards including a grade point average of 3.71 or higher. The College’s Alpha Xi Sigma chapter recognizes and promotes scholarship, develops leadership, encourages service and cultivates fellowship among qualified students of the college.

Local Students Named To President’s List For Spring 2014 At HVCC

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Local students named to the President’s List at Hudson Valley Community College for the Spring 2014 term earned a term grade point average between 3.5 and 4.0. They are:

Clarice Derosia of Berlin – Derosia is studying in the Liberal Arts and Science: Humanities and Social Science academic program.

Judith Galusha of Berlin – Galusha is studying in the Early Childhood academic program.

Kassandra Homiak of Berlin – Homiak is studying in the Human Services academic program.

Kazie Homiak of Berlin – Homiak is studying in the Early Childhood academic program.

Lauren Giumarra of Hoosick – Giumarra is studying in the Liberal Arts and Science: Humanities and Social Science academic program.

Kaitlyn Snyder of Hoosick – Snyder is studying in the Individual Studies academic program.

Tonya Brock of Petersburgh – Brock is studying in the Theatre Arts academic program.

Connor Brown of Petersburgh – Brown is studying in the Biological Sciences academic program.

Tyler Gagnon of Petersburgh – Gagnon is studying in the Business Administration academic program.

Sandra Goyer of Petersburgh – Goyer is studying in the Non-matriculated academic program.

Steven Mooney of Petersburgh – Mooney is studying in the Liberal Arts and Science: Humanities and Social Science academic program.

Matina Patsos of Petersburgh – Patsos is studying in the Computer Information Systems: Web Design and WWW Programming academic program.

Erika Pelletier of Petersburgh – Pelletier is studying in the Early Childhood academic program.

Isaac Share of Petersburgh – Share is studying in the Liberal Arts and Science: Humanities and Social Science academic program.

Katie Tobin of Petersburgh – Tobin is studying in the Individual Studies academic program.

Emma Brown of Petersburgh – Brown is studying in the Biological Sciences academic program.

Ryan Carpenter of Stephentown – Carpenter is studying in the Biological Sciences academic program.

Matthew Coleman of Stephentown – Coleman is studying in the Business Administration academic program.

Audrey Smith of Stephentown – Smith is studying in the Individual Studies academic program.

Matthew Sowycz of Stephentown – Sowycz is studying in the Physical Sciences academic program.

Local Students Named To Dean’s List For Spring 2014 At HVCC

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Students at Hudson Valley Community College recently named to the College’s Deans’ List have a term grade point average between 3.0 to 3.49. Local students include:

Justin Shorter of Berlin

Marissa Sweener of Berlin

Candace Dufoe of Petersburgh

Brigitte Goldstein of Petersburgh

Michael Koch of Petersburgh

Brandy Morine of Petersburgh

Matthew Matson of Petersburgh

Gregory Stifter of Petersburgh

Samantha Ambuhl of Stephentown

Tyler Chartrand of Stephentown

Christian Muller of Stephentown.

Brent Demick Receives Degree

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Brent Demick of Stephentown received a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering Technology at SUNYIT’s 40th annual spring commencement on May 10 in the Wildcat Field House on the SUNYIT campus in Marcy, NY. More than 650 candidates for undergraduate and graduate degrees awarded in 2013-2014 were eligible to participate in the ceremony.

Upcoming Rensselaer Land Trust Events

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• Sample the Waters at Kinderhook Creek Preserve with Fran Martio on Saturday, June 7, from 10 am to 12 pm. This is the first of two stream walks the Rensselaer Land Trust will host to sample the waters of native brook trout spawning streams. Participants will conduct simple visual assessments of habitat to gain a greater appreciation of local stream ecology. We’ll poke around looking for aquatic insects that come in many sizes and shapes as well as a wide range of pollution tolerance levels. This is a hands-on, feet-wet outing so come prepared to wade in the stream, learn about stream ecosystems and have some fun. The field study will be beneficial to citizen volunteers who desire to establish a stream monitoring program. To register contact Francille Egbert at 518-674-3214 or fran.egbert@gmail.com. Information on the meeting place will be given at the time of registration. There is no charge for this event.

• Top Ten Easy Non-Gilled Edible Mushrooms on Thursday, June 12, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm in the Cowee Conference Room, 4th floor, Russell Sage College, Troy. Mycologist Sue Van Hook will teach you how to identify ten species of delicious wild fungi that commonly occur in our area. Learn or get a refresher on chicken and hen of the woods, morels, puffballs, boletes, chanterelles, trumpets and hedgehogs. If you already know these mushrooms, sign-up for the workshop below. The cost is $10. Register with Marcy Steinberg at 518-674-2171 or marcygs@aol.com.

• Ready to Learn the Gilled Fungi on Thursday, June 12, from 7:45 to 8:45 pm in the Cowee Conference Room 4th floor, Russell Sage College, Troy. For those who feel comfortable enjoying the top ten edibles, it is time to tackle the gilled fungi. This talk will focus on learning stature types, gill attachment, stipe types and spore colors. A copy of How to Know the Mushrooms I by David Largent is a must. Bring your copy or Sue will have copies for sale for $20. The cost is $10. To register contact Marcy Steinberg at 518-674-2171 or marcygs@aol.com.

Stephentown Town Board Action – Transfer Station Fees Rising

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by David Flint

Fees at the Stephentown Transfer Station will be going up soon, but the good news is the price of those pink trash bags will stay the same – for now. In an effort to reduce the cost of operating the facility, the Town Board voted on Monday to raise annual permit fees as well as the fees for dumping construction and demolition (C&D) materials.

[Read more…] about Stephentown Town Board Action – Transfer Station Fees Rising

SML Offers Free Computer Classes

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Trouble finding a job? Feel that you lack the proper skills? Strengthen your work skills with free computer classes at the Stephentown Memorial Library.

• Computers for Beginners Series – On Wednesday, May 28, Wednesday, June 4, and Monday, June 9, at 2 pm and Thursday, June 19, at 6:30 pm. Farid Gruber will help new computer users understand how to use a computer and get connected to the internet. This class is for anyone just beginning to learn how to use a computer. We will briefly go over the physical computer parts, how to turn the computer on and off, the desktop, the Start menu and how Windows® works. We will also spend time learning how to use the mouse. Depending on time and interest, the class may move forward to internet use and email. If you know someone who will benefit from this class, help spread the word and invite them to join. Attend one session or all four.

• Introduction to Microsoft Word® – On Monday, June 2, and Monday, June 30, at 6:30 pm and Monday, June 16, at 2 pm. Attend one session or all three! Learn how to use Microsoft Word® to type a resume, create a flier or prepare a letter. Basic computer mouse and keyboard skills are required. The Introduction to Microsoft Word will be taught by Farid Gruber, a retired early childhood educator and administrator with a new career as a technological consultant. He combines his patience, honed through working with preschoolers, and his many years of experience working with computers and various media, to offer quality support.

• Introduction to Microsoft PowerPoint® – Saturday, May 31, at 11 am and Monday, June 16, at 6:30 pm. Attend one session or both! Learn to create and deliver a Microsoft PowerPoint® presentation. Intermediate computer mouse and keyboard skills required. The course will be taught by Nathan Hans.

• Introduction to Microsoft Excel® – Thursday, June 26, at 6:30 pm. This class will explore the basic features of Excel®. Participants will learn how to create a worksheet and perform simple calculations and manipulations with data. Students should be familiar with the Windows® environment, the keyboard and be able to use a mouse. The course will be taught by Nathan Hans.

All classes will be held in the SML Community Room. Please call ahead to register, as space is limited. If you have your own laptop computer, please bring it along to the class. Laptops will be on hand for those who don’t have their own. This program series is made possible through an Outreach Mini-Grant from the Upper Hudson Library System.

The History Of The Mohawk Trail

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by David Flint

With the approaching 100th anniversary of the opening of the Massachusetts scenic roadway along Route 2 known as the Mohawk Trail, Lauren Stevens of Williamstown entertained and informed the Stephentown Historical Society on Monday with a presentation on its cultural significance. Stevens, former college professor, environmental columnist for The Berkshire Eagle and founder of The Advocate newsweekly and of the Hoosic River Watershed Association, recognized that construction of the road was a remarkable engineering feat that finally provided good access to Berkshire County across the Hoosac Range from the east. [Read more…] about The History Of The Mohawk Trail