The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Sports Outdoors

Art And The Naturalist At Dyken Pond Center

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On Sunday October 12, from 9 am to 2 pm, the Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center will hold an Art and the Naturalist program offered to the public.  The program will be run by Dan Yacobellis.  Yacobellis is a local naturalist who conducts many wilderness education programs in the Capital District.

All participants will have the opportunity to learn how to extract the subtleties contained in the subject matter, from animal signs to landscapes and the relationships they have with each other.  All skill levels and ages are welcome to attend this program.  There is a $20 fee for adults and a $10 fee for each child accompanied by an adult. If you have any questions please contact Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center 518-658-2055 or  dykenpod@fairpoint.net.  

Full Harvest Moon Paddle

Paddle into the stillness of the night under a full harvest moon on Dyken Pond.  A guided paddle will be held on  Tuesday evening, October 14, from 6 pm until 8 pm.  We’ll look for beavers and other wildlife on the lake. Pre-registration is required for this program as space is limited.  Canoe and kayak rentals are available for $10.   You can register by contacting the Dyken Pond Center 518-658-2055 or by email, dykenpond@fairpoint.net.

Fire By Friction

Have you ever wondered how to start a fire without matches? On Saturday, October 18, there will be a fire building program taking place at the Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center.  This program will be conducted by Jim Bonesteel and concentrates mainly on the bow drill method of building a fire with friction but will still encompass a wide range of fire building techniques.  This is an all day program (9 am to 4 pm) where pre-registration is required.  There is a $20 fee for non-members and a $15 fee for members.  Registration can be done by either calling Jim Bonesteel at 766-5354 or emailing him at jim@jbonesteel.com.

Dyken Pond Center is a Rensselaer County Park open daily during daylight hours for hiking, fishing and non-motor boating. Call 658-2055 for directions and a complete schedule of our fall and winter events.

Hoosick Falls Irish Football Still Undefeated

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With the official watching it all, Mark Hackett winds his way through the Schuylerville defense. Steve Bradley photo.

 

The Hoosick Falls Irish football team ran their record to 4 – 0 after a hard hitting victory over the Schuylerville Horses on Sunday. The Irish scored twice in the first half then held their opponents scoreless to keep the winning streak alive. Next week, the Irish face a big test when they face undefeated Cambridge. The contest will be held in Cambridge at the high school field. Game time is 1 pm.

Bowling Pro Am And Coaching Clinic Raises Funds For Cystic Fibrosis

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(l-r) Professional bowlers Len Reyngoudt, Ryan Shafer, Brian LeClair and Nick Miseno helped (kneeling) Jack Fitzsimmons of Barbecue Recreation raise funds to fight Cystic Fibrosis, a disease that afflicts about 30,000 children and adults in the US and, close to Jack’s heart, his nephew little Matthew Kempf. (Bea Peterson photo)

by Bea Peterson

Close to 100 people turned out for the Cystic Fibrosis Pro Am and Coaching Clinic at Barbecue Lanes on Sunday, September 28. League bowlers had a chance to bowl side by side with professional bowlers Brian LeClair of Hudson, Nick Miseno of Amsterdam, Len Reyngoudt of Schenectady and Ryan Shafer of Horseheads, NY. “Everyone had a great time,” said Barbecue Recreation’s Jack Fitzsimmons.  Between entrance fees and the after lunch raffle, which raised $870, Fitzsimmons will send a $3,571 donation to Northeastern NY Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in Albany. Barbecue Recreation would also like to thank Saratoga Eagle, DeCrescente Distributing, Hannaford Supermarkets and top ticket seller and statistician Michelle Hayner for their help and support in making the day so successful.

The Adult Division was won by Rich Bennett (813 w/hdcp) and the Youth Division was won by Joe Wolfrum (883 w/hdcp). Fitzsimmons hopes to make the Bowling Pro Am and Coaching Clinic an annual event to raise funds for Cystic Fibrosis.

According to information available at the Northeastern website, Cystic fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide). A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections and obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food.

In the 1950s, few children with cystic fibrosis lived to attend elementary school. Today, advances in research and medical treatments have further enhanced and extended life for children and adults with CF. Many people with the disease can now expect to live into their 30s, 40s and beyond.

About 1,000 new cases of cystic fibrosis are diagnosed each year. More than 70% of patients are diagnosed by age two. More than 40% of the CF patient population is age 18 or older.

Town Of Hoosick Republican News

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Kenny And The Gamblers Win Golf Tournament

 

The Town of Hoosick Republican Party hosted its annual Golf Tournament on Sunday, September 21, at the Hoosick Falls Country Club.  The tournament was great success with perfect weather, good food and lots of laughter among the golfers.

The winning team Golf tournament Team, Kenny Rogers, Steve Bellemare, Mike Shea and Bobby Abbott with Rensselaer County Legislator Lester Goodermote, Town of Hoosick Council Mark Surdam and Rensselaer County Legislator Stan Brownell. Photo courtesy of Cindy Mattsion.
The winning team Golf tournament Team, Kenny Rogers, Steve Bellemare, Mike Shea and Bobby Abbott with Rensselaer County Legislator Lester Goodermote, Town of Hoosick Council Mark Surdam and Rensselaer County Legislator Stan Brownell. Photo courtesy of Cindy Mattsion.

Kenny and the Gamblers was the winning team with a team score of 57.  Team members were Bob Abbott, Steve Bellemare, Mike Shea and Kenny Rogers.  The Straightest Drive prize was awarded to Stacey Nuccio and the Longest Drive to Kenny Rogers.  Steve Bellemare took home the prize for being Closest to the Pin.

The Town of Hoosick Republican Party would like to thank each of the golfers, the Tee-Box sponsors, the Hoosick Falls County Club, Jean’s Place for a wonderful lunch and Robson and Geraghty Insurance Agency for the hole-in-one.   

Giffy’s Chicken Bar-B-Q

The Town of Hoosick Republican Party will sponsor a Giffy’s Chicken Bar-B-Q on Thursday, October 23, at the Grand Union Parking lot.  Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased from any Committee member or by calling the number below.  There will be limited amount of extra meals, so order soon.

Pick up will begin at 4 pm.  It’s delicious, hot, home-cooked meal with all the fixings and best of all – no clean up.  As always, we thank you in advance for your support.  For tickets or more information, please call 518-322-8685 or 686-7710.

Panther Football Team Moves To 3-1 With Overtime Win Over Corinth

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by Gary Danforth

It took them into overtime to do it but Ron Jones’ Hoosick Falls Central School Panther football team moved to 3-1 on the year in Class C, North division play with a 39-33 victory last Friday evening, September 26, in Corinth.

The home standing Tomahawks got on the board first when they scored on C.J. Saunders’ 66 yard run early in period one. The point after touchdown was added as Corinth led 7-0. Hoosick Falls came right back with quarterback Kevin Woods scoring from a yard out. Hutton Rasmus’ PAT boot knotted the score at 7-7. Early in period two Woods scored on a five yard run with Rasmus adding the PAT to put the Panthers ahead, 14-7. But Corinth returned the ensuing kickoff for an 85 yard TD and the PAT boot was good as the Tomahawks tied the score at 14-14.

Then Corinth’s Mike Rubel scored on a 29 yard run to give the hosts a 20-14 edge, and the score remained that way when the PAT kick failed. Rubel opened period three with a 79 yard TD scamper, and the kick failed again to leave the Tomahawks ahead, 26-14. HFCS came back with Woods scoring on a one yard run. The PAT boot was no good as HFCS trailed, 26-20. Thomas Bass hauled in a 29 yard TD pass from Woods to knot the score at 26-26. The PAT boot was no good for HFCS.

Corinth took a 32-26 advantage on a 57 yard run by Saunders midway through period four. The Tomahawks’ PAT boot put them ahead, 33-26. Junior Alex Hansen scored on a four yard run with less than a minute to go to get HFCS to 33-32. Rasmus’ PAT boot put the game into overtime.

Hansen’s one yard run in overtime gave the Panthers the hard earned win. 

Under the Goalposts: In other Class C games this past weekend, Cambridge crushed Stillwater 41-0, Chatham blistered Voorheesville 62-7, Granville blasted Mechanicville 38-6, Fonda-Fultonville beat Brittonkill-Tamarac 41-39, Watervliet pounded Hoosic Valley 30-0 and Coxsackie-Athens beat Catholic Central High School 8-0. A lot of teams are putting up a lot of points this season. Cambridge looks to be rounding into their usual form. Watervliet has another experienced, senior dominated team. Fonda has some fine skill players, and Chatham looks to be loaded this year. That brings us to the rest of the Panthers’ final three regular season games. In two weeks HFCS will play host to Mechanicville for their final regular season home game which will most likely be Homecoming. That will be followed by a long journey to Cobleskill-Richmondville. They will be two very competitive games. This week the Panthers travel to Granville to take on the Golden Horde in their earthen stadium. Bring a lawn chair and watch the game from the hill on the Granville side of the field. Opponents’ fans have shared the high side of the field for years. Granville has a very respectable team this year and cannot be taken lightly. The Horde scored 30 points against Cambridge in week two and put 38 points on the scoreboard versus an always competitive Mechanicville eleven this past week. Granville and Hoosick Falls battled year in and year out for league supremacy in the early 1980s and this week’s game could be a throwback to those very competitive teams which battled so closely on even terms some decades back. HFCS seems to be coming along and they have a lot of players on offense and defense who are getting better and better. This one could come down to turnovers and extra points made. But Hoosick Falls has found ways to win versus Stillwater and Corinth the past two weeks, and I think they will find a way to beat the Horde. But this is not the same Horde team which the Panthers have played the past five or six years. Too many mistakes and it could be a long bus ride home from Granville. Corinth turned the ball over five times against HFCS and lost. This Saturday’s game will be very competitive.

Pumpkin Picking Time At Ioka Valley Farm

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The Pumpkin Patch will be open weekends through October 26 from 10 am to 5:30 pm at Ioka Valley Farm, Rt 43, Hancock, MA. The Family Fun Center is open with a pipeline slide, pedal carts, new Pumpkin Racers, pick-your-own pumpkins and Indian corn, free hayrides, an animal petting area, a pumpkin slingshot, a corn walk, our homemade baked goods and our own pure maple syrup and natural beef.

Spend the day enjoying all the fall fun activities.  Win a free pumpkin with your best shot at the pumpkin slingshot.  Enjoy a free hayride to our pumpkin patch to pick your own pumpkin and Indian corn.  Come zoom down our 40-foot pipeline slide, race on the pedal carts, try one of our mazes and our rubber duck race flume.  Stickers for the play area are $3 per person, good for all day play.

New is our Pumpkin Racers; decorate a mini pumpkin and choose a fancy racecar for your pumpkin to race down our new racetrack.  It costs $1.50 per pumpkin to race; keep your decorated pumpkin when you are done racing.

And of course our friendly farm animals will be waiting to see all their friends.

The Calf-A is open for lunch and snacks serving Ioka’s roast beef and maple BBQ sandwiches, hot dogs, soup, sandwiches and desserts, including our homemade pies, cookies and pumpkin whoopie pies.

The fall gift shop will be filled with all sorts of fall decorations, pumpkin carving kits, Ertl farm toys, “Terri’s baskets,” Ioka’s Pure Maple Syrup, & specialty maple products, Judy’s jam, 

Ioka’s natural beef and more.  Fall birthday packages and group rates are available.

For more information about Ioka Valley Farm’s fall activities call 413-738-5915 or visit www.iokavalleyfarm.com.  Ioka Valley Farm is located on Rt. 43 in Hancock, just  mile from Jiminy Peak Resort and 4 miles from intersection of Rt. 43 & Rt. 22 in Stephentown.  Parking is free.

Fourth Hoosic River Benefit Bike Ride A Success

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Lara Shore-Sheppard and son Ethan (age 6) participate in last month’s Hoosic River Ride completing the 34 mile route that passed through the Village of Hoosick Falls.
Lara Shore-Sheppard and son Ethan (age 6) participate in last month’s Hoosic River Ride completing the 34 mile route that passed through the Village of Hoosick Falls.

The Hoosic River Watershed Association announced recently that the Fourth Hoosic River Ride, a benefit bicycling event, netted at least $5,700 for the organization’s programs in education, research and advocacy. “This is a tremendous boost to our budget in a challenging fundraising environment,” said HooRWA’s President John Case. 

 

At final count, the ride boasted its highest number of riders, their families and friends, just over 150 participants. While the majority came from within a 50-mile radius, there were small groups from Montreal, Philadelphia and New York City. Steve Brown, one of the participants who made the trek from Pennsylvania, offered this comment about the ride, “ ╔it was pretty, challenging and just plain old fun. The whole event was very well-organized, and the people at the rest stops could not have been nicer and more helpful.” 

Fortunately, the people at the rest stops were also well qualified. EMT’s from

Bennington, Petersburgh, Hoosick Falls, Cambridge and Pownal all provided their services to those in need at the six rest stops located throughout the watershed. Two of the rest stops were hosted by local residents Denise and Paul Hoag of Hoosick Falls, and Jim and Leslie Prendergast of Buskirk. In addition, volunteers – including Shelly Stiles and Michael Batcher of Buskirk – manned the stations serving up the oranges, bananas, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and other fare to keep folks going. “We have to thank the volunteers who make the day possible,” said Case. “Without their dedicated efforts the riders would not have as pleasant experience.” Case notes that the Town of Hoosick and the Village of Hoosick Falls need to be thanked, too, for working with organizers to ensure the success of the event.

C.H. McNally & Son, the Hoosick Federal Credit Union, the Stewart’s Shops and Trustco Bank were all local 2008 Hoosic River Ride sponsors. “Without the support of the region’s businesses this ride would not happen,” explained Lisa Carey-Moore, organizer of the ride. “We are very grateful to everyone who donated in these challenging financial times, especially since we understand that there are many worthwhile causes to support.”

The Hoosic River Ride intends to celebrate its fifth year back in Bennington next August. Those interested in helping to plan the 2009 event should contact Lisa Carey-Moore at 413-458-2241. For details on other HooRWA events and activities people can visit www.hoorwa.org.

Jiminy Peak Fall Festival Columbus Day Weekend

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The Annual Jiminy Peak Fall Festival will take place on Columbus Day weekend, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, October 11, 12 and 13. The Fall Festival features the Hancock Fire Department ski and snowboard sale, a craft fair, an outdoor barbecue and job fair. Mountain Sports by Potter Brothers will have sales on apparel and equipment throughout the weekend. The Just Jiminy logo store will also be open throughout the weekend. Turbine tours will be offered Friday and Saturday (reservations are required, call 413-738-5500 ext. 3760). The season ticket office will be open during the Craft Fair to take photos for 2008/2009 season passes. Festival hours are 9 am to 4 pm on Saturday and Sunday and Monday from 9 am to 2 pm. Mountain Adventure Park will also be open throughout the weekend from 11 am to 6 pm. Visit jiminypeak.com for more information on the Fall Festival. 

Those who would like to sell items in the Hancock Fire Department sale, drop-off times are Friday evening 7 pm to 9 pm and Saturday morning 8:30 am to 12 pm. For more information, contact the Hancock Fire Department at 413-738-5446.

Autumn Events At Grafton Lakes State Park

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October

5, Sunday – “Stylish Times” Historic Fashion Show at the Barnett Homestead at 2 pm. Reproduction fashions from 1700s to the early 1900s will be modeled at this second annual fashion show. Call 686-8266 for more information.  Barnett Homestead is off Rte 67, across from Bennington Battlefield historic site.

8, Wednesday – Ready, Set, Sleep! Wee Naturalists (Pre K) Program at 10 am at Shaver Nature Center. Kids will learn how animals ready for winter with a fun story, craft, and short outdoor explore. Call to preregister by Tuesday, October 7. Shaver Nature Center is located at 194 Shaver Pond Rd. $1/person

11, Saturday – Signs of Fall Nature Hike around Shaver Pond at 10 am. Enjoy this easygoing 2.5k hike around Shaver Pond and enjoy the fall colors and autumn air.   Easy grade, ideal for kids.  Meet by playground on north end of main parking lot in Grafton Lakes State Park.  Please call to pre-register by Friday, October 10.  $1/person. 

15, Wednesday – Trail Advisory Meeting at 7 pm at Shaver Nature Center.  Like to hike, bike, horseback ride or ski on park trails? Join this group to discuss trail improvements to Grafton Lakes State Park.

25, Saturday – Star Party with Albany Area Astronomers at 6 pm.  Explore the night sky at Deerfield Pavilion in Grafton Lakes State Park.

30,  Thursday – Trick or Treat Nature Trail at 4 pm. Enjoy a hike along our Woodland Nature Trail looking for creepy crawly forest dwellers and some treats for those with good observation skills! Call to pre-register by Wednesday, October 29.  Meet in Main Lot at Grafton Lakes State Park. $1/person (GLSP)