The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Stephentown

50 Years On The Bench In Stephentown

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by David Flint

Nineteen sixty-four was the year the Beatles invaded America, the New York World’s Fair opened, the Ford Mustang made its debut, Nikita Khrushchev was deposed and Barry Goldwater was nominated. “Mary Poppins,” “Dr. Strangelove” and “Goldfinger” were the must-see movies. The Warren Report was issued, and the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution brought Vietnam front and center. John Garvin was Town Supervisor in Stephentown and Wes Edwards took office as Town Justice. It’s been a long time, with a lot of water over the dam, and Wes is still presiding at Town Court, this month completing his 50th year.

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The DOT’s Response To Route 7 And Route 22 Problems

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by Kieron Kramer

In late October County Legislators Stan Brownell and Lester Goodermote, who represent the towns of Stephentown, Berlin, Petersburgh, Grafton, Hoosick and the Village of Hoosick Falls, received letters from the New York State Department of Transportation in response to their concerns forwarded to the DOT in the form of resolutions by the County Legislature. The two concerns the Legislators put forward were the number of truck accidents that have occurred on the portion of NY Route 7 between the Bennington Battlefield Motel and the intersection of Route 7 and Route 22 in the Town of Hoosick and the hazardous condition of the road surface of Route 22 in south Berlin running through Stephentown to the Columbia County border.

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Stephentown Christmas Tree Lighting

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The public is invited to attend the Stephentown Christmas Lighting celebration at the Veterans Park in Stephentown on Sunday, December 8, starting at 6 pm. Join the caroling and enjoy refreshments afterward at the Fire Hall on Grange Hall Road. The event is sponsored by the Stephentown Seniors and the Veterans of the Stephentown Area.

December Events At SML

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• Toddler/Preschool Story Time.Join us for stories, songs and an art project each Wednesday at 9 am. This is a great opportunity for children to socialize and parents to connect with other parents.

• Zumba Classes – weekly on Wednesdays at 7 pm. Zumba is an exhilarating Latin inspired dance fitness class designed to benefit anyone, regardless of age or fitness level. Zumba Instructor Kim Conley is also a Certified Kripalu Yoga Teacher, Pilates Instructor and Personal Trainer who works with people of every age and ability all over the Berkshires. Each one hour class costs $5 per participant. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Zumba is a blast. Come join the party!

• Easy, Restorative Yoga on Thursdays from 10 am to 11:15 am. Limber up your body and have fun doing it. Enjoy gentle yoga in a supportive atmosphere with music and easy asanas. Have aches and pains? Jules has trained with Dr. Richard Brown, MD, and Dr. Timothy McCall, MD, to teach yoga as a part of a restful and healing life journey.  Classes cost $10 each, with a portion of the proceeds going to benefit the Stephentown Memorial Library.  Please sign up in advance, as space is limited. Contact Jules Harrell at 265-2808 or leave message at the SML front desk.

• Annual Mitten Tree at SML – from December 2 through December 20.  Bring your gently used or new winter accessories (mittens, gloves, hats, scarves) and hang them on the Mitten Tree at Stephentown Memorial Library. Collection will run through December 20.  We will donate them to a local agency for distribution to families in need. Children’s items are especially useful.

• Book Discussion Group. The Stephentown Library Book Discussion Group meetings are held monthly in the Community Room at the Library from noon to 1 pm.  Bring a lunch if you like.  Copies of the books are available at the Library desk.  New readers are always welcome.

• Family Movie Night. Come in from the cold and enjoy a showing of the film “Man of Steel” on Friday, December 6, at 6:30 pm.  The movie is rated PG-13. Running time for this movie is 2 hours, 23 minutes.  Popcorn and juice will be served. This event is free and all are welcome!

• Watershed Stream Spotter Informational Session – Tuesday, December 10, at 6:30 pm.  Volunteer environmental monitoring can be a great family activity, a good excuse to get outdoors or simply a good way to learn about pollution of water and how to protect your favorite water body.  No previous education or training is required in order to participate.  All you need is a desire to learn and help out.  Equipment, materials and training provided. This session will be led by Fran Martino of Stockport Watershed.  Come learn more!

• Make Your Own Mini Gingerbread House. Join us on Monday, December 16, at 6:30 pm as we make mini-gingerbread houses from graham crackers.  This is a great activity that is suitable for all ages, including very young children.  Led by Rebekkah Corbett,  this is a free activity, but we ask that you call ahead for reservations.

• Holiday Duct Tape Fun. If you’re looking for something fun and free to do, plan to join us on Friday, December 20, at 6:30 pm. Create wonderful holiday gifts for your friends and family.  We will provide an awesome array of duct tape colors from camouflage to the elusive plaid. We’ll provide a few patterns, but you’re only limited by what you can create in the time period! This activity is for middle and high school students.  Refreshments will be served.  Bring your friends!

• Family Movie Matinee. Are the kids climbing the walls after the holiday excitement? Bring them to the Library for a showing of the beloved film “Finding Nemo” on Thursday, December 26, at 2 pm.  Juice and cookies will be served.  This event is free, and all are welcome! Parents or caregivers must accompany children under 12.

• Pajama Story Time. Wear your pjs and bring your favorite stuffed animal, along with a parent or caregiver.  We will listen to some holiday stories, sing a few holiday songs and enjoy hot cocoa and cookies. Join us Thursday, December 26, at 6:30 pm.

For more information on any of these programs or to register for programs, call the Stephentown Memorial Library at 733-5750 or stop by during our Library Hours. Also check our website, www.stephentownlibrary.org for regular updates.

Holiday Closings

The Stephentown Memorial Library will be closed Tuesday, December 24, and Wednesday, December 25, for Christmas.  We will also be closed Tuesday, December 31, and Wednesday, January 1, for New Year’s.  We wish you all a joyous and safe holiday season.

Tsatsawassa Fire Company Breakfast

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The Tsatsawassa Protective Fire Company, serving Brainard and East Nassau and the surrounding community, will hold its monthly Breakfast on Sunday,  December  15, from 8 until 11 am at the firehouse on Firehouse Lane behind the post office near the intersection of Routes 20 and 66N in the hamlet of Brainard.

Breakfast, for a donation of $6, offers your choice of pancakes or French toast together with bacon or sausage, eggs cooked to your order, applesauce and an assortment of breakfast beverages.   Children five and under are served free.

 

Included during the breakfast hours will be a Santa’s workshop offered by the Cub Scouts sponsored by the Fire Company which will give children an opportunity to purchase inexpensive gifts and have them wrapped………it is even rumored that Santa might be visiting during the morning so bring your camera for that smile on the face of your favorite little one as he or she chats with  St.Nick.

 

The Overlooked Veteran

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by David Flint

Veterans Day ceremonies in Stephentown this year focused on the veterans of the Korean War era, appropriately so since this year marks the 60th anniversary of the cessation of hostilities in Korea. Last year the Veterans of the Stephentown Area honored in a special way the veterans of World War II. There were thought to be eight of these veterans still living in Stephentown, namely Vincent Devlin, Charles Hoffman, Howard Leibensperger, Franklyn Mooney, Lewis Sharp, Raymond Schielding, David Jacobs and Francis Foody. A brief resume of the service of each one was included in the issue of The Eastwick Press reporting on the 2012 Veterans Day ceremonies.

But one quiet, unassuming individual, who labels himself as “not a joiner,” was overlooked. That was William Halleck who lives on Garfield Road.

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Stephentown Trading Post Opens

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by David Flint

The Stephentown Trading Post opened for business on Sunday, November 25. The opening attracted a good crowd of locals eager to see what exactly was going on at the building that used to be the Stephentown Hotel. Their curiosity may have been heightened because the business is a peculiar blend of a grocery store, a breakfast and lunch café and a resale/consignment shop.

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December Events At SML

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• Mitten Tree – Bring your gently used or new winter accessories (mittens, gloves, hats, scarves) and hang them on the Mitten Tree at the Stephentown Memorial Library. Collection will run from December 2 through December 20.  We will donate them to a local agency for distribution to families in need. Children’s items are especially useful.

• How to Write a Budget – Thursday, December 5, at 6:30 pm. This class will teach participants the basics of budget development for grants, programs and business plans.  Attendees will learn how to plan for and financially represent revenue sources, staffing, operations and capital expenses. This workshop is an excellent introduction for anyone who needs to build a budget for a new business venture, a new or ongoing program or a grant application.  The workshop is ideal for people who want to find and apply for grants, people who are interested in writing a business plan and those who want to enhance their resume by adding these valuable skills. Please register at the front desk or by calling SML at 733-5750.

• Family Movie Night – come in from the cold and enjoy a showing of a popular new release film on Friday, December 6, at 6:30 pm.  This feature film is rated PG 13.  Call for title and details. Popcorn and juice will be served.  This event is free, and the public is welcome.

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

Stephentown Texas Hold’em

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The Veterans of Stephentown will hold a Texas Hold’em Tournament on Saturday, December 7, 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 10 players with a minimum of four places and a maximum of 9 places.

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

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