The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Stephentown

Become A Watershed Stream Spotter

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Think Spring! Become a Watershed Stream Spotter for the Kinderhook or Wyomanock Creeks. An information session will be held on Wednesday, December 11, at 6:30 pm at the Stephentown Memorial Library. This is your chance to become a citizen scientist.

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. Equipment, materials and training will be provided. There is no need to register, just show up. If you have questions, contact Fran@stockportwatershed.org.

Rita A. Mazzeo

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Stephentown – Rita Elizabeth Musante Mazzeo, 62, died suddenly Saturday, November 23, 2013, at the Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, MA, after suffering a stroke at home. Born in Pittsfield on November 11, 1951, she was the daughter of the late David and Stella Methe Musante. Rita was raised in Hinsdale, MA, graduated from St. Agnes Parochial School in Dalton, MA, and was a 1970 graduate of Wahconah Regional High School in Dalton. She later attended Berkshire Community College in Pittsfield.

Rita was a musician and the lead singer in many bands in the local area for over 25 years. She was employed as an administrative  assistant for 13 years for McClave & Company, Inc. in Stephentown, NY. She was also the manager and chief bartender at the Stephentown Hotel for ten years and enjoyed art and jewelry. Most of all, she was a great wife and mother.

She was the beloved wife of Robert R. Mazzeo, whom she married on February 12, 1972, at Mount Carmel Church in Pittsfield and the loving mother of Navairre K. Mazzeo of Stafford, VA, and Robert R. Mazzeo II of Stephentown. Rita is survived by her three sisters, Marie Musante of Leesburg, VA, Rosemary Musante of Alexandria, VA, and Antoinette Bosso of Beverly, MA, as well as several nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service to celebrate Rita’s life will be held Saturday, November 30, at 1 pm at the Hall & Higgins Funeral Home, 457 NY 43, Stephentown, with Rev. John Close officiating. A calling hour will precede the service on Saturday from 12 to 1 pm at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Stephentown Volunteer Fire Department, 396 State Route 43, Stephentown, NY, 12168. To light a candle or to sign the condolence book, please visit ParkerBrosMemorial.com.

Stephentown Town Board Action – Budget With 1.6% Tax Levy Adopted

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by David Flint

Following several budget workshop meetings and two public hearings, the Stephentown Town Board finally adopted the 2014 budget on Monday, November 18. With a 1.6% tax levy increase, the budget stays within the State mandated cap which is 1.66% this year. At the public hearing last week the Board had contemplated overriding the cap and going to a 4.8% increase. [Read more…] about Stephentown Town Board Action – Budget With 1.6% Tax Levy Adopted

Groceries Ordered Online Delivered

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New Lebanon Town Clerk Colleen Teal emailed that the Albany ShopRite delivers groceries ordered online to your home. New Lebanon, Old Chatham, Brainard, East Nassau, Malden Bridge and Stephentown are included in their delivery area.

“Please share this information with people that may have difficulty getting out to get their groceries but may have access to the internet or a family member who could order for them,” Teal wrote.

The link to shop on line is http://www.shoprite.com/srfh_delivery/. The link that shows the delivery area for the Albany ShopRite is  http://www.shoprite.com/srfh_232/, Teal added.

Stephentown Historical Society Topic: Benedict Arnold

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The Stephentown Historical Society will hold its holiday potluck dinner on Monday, December 2, at 6:30 pm at the Stephentown Heritage Center, Garfield Road (County Route 26), Stephentown. Officers and Board members will be elected at the brief business meeting.

Military historian Larry Arnold will give an illustrated talk, “Arnold on Arnold: The Day Benedict Arnold Saved the American Revolution.”

Arnold has been studying military history for fifty years. He followed a thirty year career at UPS with a ten year gig as Park Ranger at the Saratoga Battlefield National Historic Park. His talk will explain how Benedict Arnold became a national hero because of one day at Saratoga that changed the course of the American Revolution. When the officer turned traitor, his fall from grace was much more dramatic because he was so famous.

For the dinner, bring a dish large enough to share – main course, salad or dessert. Beverages and table service are provided. Instead of a gift exchange, a monetary collection will be taken to support the Stephentown Food Pantry. All meetings are free and open to the public. The building is handicapped-accessible. For information, phone 518-733-0010.

Robert M. Reiter

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Stephentown – Robert M. Reiter, 61, of Rte. 43, Stephentown, NY, died on Monday, November 18, 2013, at his residence surrounded by his family after a long illness. Born and raised in Troy, NY, Bob was the son of the late Thomas B. and Catherine Casey Reiter Sr. and the husband of Deborah York Reiter. Bob attended Troy schools and served in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. He had resided in Stephentown for the past 35 years.

[Read more…] about Robert M. Reiter

Korean War Vets Are Focus Of Stephentown Vet Ceremony

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by David Flint

The Korean War, often referred to as “the forgotten war,” was a bitter three year hard fought struggle that came to a precarious end 60 years ago. Fittingly, the Veterans of the Stephentown Area decided to focus on the veterans of the Korean War era in their Veterans Day ceremonies this year. The event was held in Veterans Park on Saturday morning, November 9.

[Read more…] about Korean War Vets Are Focus Of Stephentown Vet Ceremony

Stephentown Texas Hold’em

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The Stephentown Volunteer Fire Department will hold a Texas Hold’em Tournament on Saturday, November 16, 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.

Stephentown Area Korean War Era Veterans To Be Recognized

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The Veterans of the Stephentown Area invite all in the community to join with them in honoring the men and women of Stephentown who have served in the military. Ceremonies will be held at the Veterans Park in Stephentown at 11 am on Saturday, November 9.
This year we recognize in particular those veterans who served during the Korean War era.
Although the time of actual hostilities in the Korean War extended from June 27, 1950, to the cease fire on July 27, 1953, Congress has designated the official Korean War Era to extend to January 31, 1955, including a period of uneasy truce negotiations following hostilities. Among the Stephentown Veterans group are 19 members living who served during the Korean War era and seven members now deceased. Also to be honored are another 31 residents of Stephentown living and deceased who served during that era.