The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

School News

NLCSD Reverses Two Teacher Lay- Offs

By

by Phil Zema
The New Lebanon Board of Education will not eliminate a business teacher’s or physical education teacher’s position. Initially, these positions were in peril due to the difficult economic times, but because of faculty and community concern, the Board worked to develop an alternative route that was both diplomatic and practical. [Read more…] about NLCSD Reverses Two Teacher Lay- Offs

Panther Softball Team Loses 1-0 In 12 As Quackenbush Strikes Out 20

By

by Gary Danforth
Home standing Schuylerville Central School scored the only run of a twelve inning softball nail biter last Monday afternoon, April 19, on a passed ball as the Black Horses beat Charlie Weeden’s Hoosick Falls Central School Panther nine in WASAREN League action. Despite 20 strikeouts from the Queen of the Diamond, sophomore pitching ace Rachel Quackenbush, HFCS fell to 2-1 in league play and to 4-1 overall.
[Read more…] about Panther Softball Team Loses 1-0 In 12 As Quackenbush Strikes Out 20

Berlin Baseball Loses To New Lebanon

By

by Erin Hogan
The Berlin Central School varsity baseball team took on New Lebanon at home on Wednesday, April 14, and got off to a quick lead with triples from Tyler Bacon and Aaron Gundlack and a double from Scotty Bamba in the first inning. But New Lebanon didn’t let Berlin keep them down. In the top of the third with the bases loaded, Jessie Conklin hit a great RBI that would tie the game up 6-6. New Lebanon got three outs easily in the bottom of the third to keep the score stagnant. [Read more…] about Berlin Baseball Loses To New Lebanon

Get Your Absentee Ballots Here

By

All school districts in New York State must provide Absentee Ballots to all qualified voters.
To qualify for an Absentee Ballot, you must fall under one of the following guidelines:
• absent from district while polls are open due to business occupation or studies;
• confined in a hospital or jail or having a physical disability or illness;
• absent due to vacation (includes retirees).
[Read more…] about Get Your Absentee Ballots Here

ADAPT Coffee House Concert

By

The Hoosick Falls Central School A.D.A.P.T committee will host a Coffee House Concert on Saturday, May 1, at 7 pm at the Immaculate Conception Church Hall, 67 Main Street in Hoosick Falls. The Coffee House Concert will feature musical entertainment by The Brewster’s, Krissy Fauler, Wayne Willson and Shari Hand as well as by Anne Smith, a professional vocalist from NYC.
[Read more…] about ADAPT Coffee House Concert

BCS Board Approves Budget

By

submitted by Charlotte Gregory, Interim Superintendent
The Berlin Board of Education approved an $18,757,983 budget for the 2010-11 school year which reflects a 1.74% increase in the tax levy. The spending level,  raised from the 2009-10 budget of $18,281,718 by $476,265, is driven by increases in salaries and benefits for 202 staff members. The major factor for planning the future budget was a $1.4 million dollar cut in State aid to the Berlin District in the Governor’s Proposal.
[Read more…] about BCS Board Approves Budget

Panther Softball Team Wins Opener

By

by Gary Danforth
Well, it appears Charlie Weeden’s Hoosick Falls Central School softball team has picked up in 2010 pretty much where it left off in 2009. Behind a dominating one hit, eighteen strikeout performance from the Queen of the Diamond, sophomore pitcher Rachel Quackenbush, and a stifling defense, the Panthers took their season opener 1-0 over a very good Duanesburg Central School team last Saturday. April 10, in the Lansingburgh High School Tournament. [Read more…] about Panther Softball Team Wins Opener

Panther Softball Team Wins Tournament

By

by Gary Danforth
Hoosick Falls softball Coach Charlie Weeden may have gotten a late Christmas gift. Junior first baseman/pitcher Katie Kovage took to the mound in the championship game of the Lansingburgh High School Tournament last Saturday, April 10 and pitched a four hit, three strikeout performance as HFCS beat the host Knights 6-0 for the title. With sophomore hurler Rachel Quackenbush taking over Kovage’s usual first base duties, Kovage did a nice job of keeping the ball in play for her defense, which backed her up all day. But, more importantly, Weeden may be able to give Quackenbush needed relief all season if Kovage continues to pitch the way she did in the title contest.
[Read more…] about Panther Softball Team Wins Tournament

Panther Softball Team Remains Undefeated

By

by Gary Danforth
Well, the Queen of the Diamond and her Hoosick Falls Central School softball teammates were at it again this past Monday afternoon, April 12, when Charlie Weeden’s Panther nine ran their unbeaten streak to 3-0 in this 2010 campaign by blanking host Hoosic Valley Central School 3-0 in their WASAREN League opener. Sophomore pitcher Rachel Quackenbush struck out 17 Indian batters, including the last eleven overmatched hitters in a row, in pitching herself and her stingy, defensive minded teammates to their initial league win after winning the Lansingburgh Tourney two days earlier. In 21 innings the Panthers have not allowed a run. As good as Quackenbush and fellow first baseman/pitcher Katie Kovage (Kovage pitched a complete game, four hitter in the tournament nightcap) have been to date from the mound, their defensive mates have come through whenever called upon to do so. It has been a real team effort.
HFCS went down via two strike outs and a ground ball out in inning one. Quackenbush got two Ks and a ground ball to second baseman Sierra Bailey to put HV away in the first inning.
HFCS went down on a strikeout, ground ball out and tap back to the mound to end inning two. Quackenbush struck out the Indian side in inning two. It was beautiful to watch.
Bailey walked to open the Panther third inning. A stolen base, K and ground ball out by Frankie Pearson moved Bailey to third base. Then Quackenbush belted a single up the middle to give herself the only run she would need. Kovage walked, but a Panther strikeout left HFCS leading 1-0.
Quackenbush handled two tap backs to the mound, making a nice recovery of a ball hit hard off her glove, for two quick HV outs in inning three. Then the Queen got her sixth strikeout to end the inning.
HFCS threatened to score in inning four. Marissa Davendonis singled to left field, and Kovage beat out an infield hit. But HV got out of the inning via a fielder’s choice ground ball, a strikeout and another ground ball out. In the Indian fourth inning, after the leadoff batter reached base, Panther shortstop Jen Priore made a nice play on a well hit ball, and Quackenbush ended the inning with two more strikeouts. By this time, on a cool Spring day of 52 degrees, the Queen’s right arm was getting loose. Hoosic Valley hitters didn’t have a chance.
In the Panther fifth inning, after a ground ball out and strikeout, Kovage walloped a double into centerfield. A pop up to the HV pitcher ended the Panther threat. Hoosic Valley went down in order via strikeout in the bottom half of the inning.
Davendonis opened the Panther sixth inning with a single to left field. A pop up and two ground ball outs put HFCS away in the inning.
Hoosic Valley went down via strikeouts for the first two outs of inning six. But a well hit, well placed bunt, which caromed between the pitcher’s mound and second base, fell in for the only Indian hit of the day. Quackenbush struck out the next Indian batter to end the inning.
HFCS scored twice more in inning seven. Priore reached on a dropped fly ball and Pearson beat out a slow roller. Quackenbush reached on a fielder’s choice with Priore forced at third base. Then Kovage laced a hard hit ball to right center field, plating the final two Panther runs of the day, good for a 3-0 HFCS lead. A strikeout, a walk by Davendonis and a pop up to the HV pitcher put HFCS away.
Quackenbush was pretty much untouchable. She ended the game with her 15th, 16th and 17th K in the Panthers’ 3-0 win.
Roaming The Outfield: HFCS travels to Schuylerville on Monday, April 19.