Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper
by Steve Bradley
The HFCS girls varsity soccer team started the season with a Friday evening under the lights game at Mt. Anthony High School in Bennington. Led by new head coach Brittany Pine, who has been an integral part of the HFCS soccer coaching staff for many years, the girls had their ups and downs throughout the game. With the loss of several key players due to graduation, many players were varsity starters for the first time.
by Steve Bradley
Last Friday, the Panther golfers hosted Stillwater at the Hoosick Falls Country Club. The Panthers scored 3½ points, with Stillwater gathering 1½. Andrew Hoag and Eric Bloomer shared the medalist position, each shooting a 39.
On Tuesday the Panthers traveled up to the Battenkill Country Club to play the Greenwich Witches. The Panthers suffered their first loss of the season, 0 – 5. Greenwich’s Kevin Williamson was medalist.
The Panthers record now stands at 5 – 1.
Next
Over the next week the Panthers will travel to Troy to play Tamarac at Frear Park on Thursday, September 4, at 4 pm. Tuesday, September 9, they play Mechanicville away at 4 pm. On Wednesday, September 10, the Panthers travel to Hoosic Valley for a 4 pm start.
The Karen McGovern Volleyball Tourney is this Saturday, September 6, at the Sandbar. Money raised from this tourney helps numerous families and individuals in our area cope with cancer or other life threatening or long term illnesses. Our funds provide money to help with travel, medical equipment or other living expenses associated with these illnesses.
This year we honor two very special people who were instrumental in not only this tournament but in Karen’s life as well – Isabelle McGuire and Matt Philpott. The Tourney begins around 9:30 or 10 am, and the awards and acknowledgements will be at noonish when we break for lunch. The Sandbar has been very generous over the years and provides food and the courts for the day. Hope to see you there!
Grafton Lakes State Park will host the third annual Pets in the Park day on Saturday, September 20. The event will take place at the Deerfield Pavilion from 10 am to 2 pm and is free with Park admission. Local pet rescue agencies will be in attendance with adoptable dogs. There will also be food, raffles and vendors of pet goods.
The day will begin with a guided hike at 10 am led by one of the Park Naturalists. At 11 am there will be an open hour with an adoption clinic featuring Pepper Tree Rescue, Mohawk Hudson Humane Society and Out of the Pits. Then there will be an agility course demonstration at 12 pm and the Pooper Scooper Race at 12:30 pm. To round out the day there will be a Doggie Dress up/Owner Lookalike Contest at 1 pm and a Search and Rescue demonstration at 1:30 pm. Ongoing attractions include a doggie play area, llamas from Windy Ridge Farm, live music from the Stray Dogs, the Brown Bagger food truck, a donation only bake sale, a raffle and pet food vendors. All proceeds from the event will be donated to the rescue agencies in attendance.
This event is free with Park admission of $6. For more information about Pets in the Park, please call the Park office at 518-279-1155.
Now in its 15th year, the Hudson River Valley Ramble brings people outside to enjoy the Valley’s distinct cultural heritage and scenic beauty during the Northeast’s most beautiful time of the year. Ramble events are being held on four weekends – September 6-7, 13-14, 20-21 and 27-28. Events include guided hikes, cycling and kayaking tours, historic site walks, festivals and river explorations. With more than 200 events being offered this year, there is something for everyone. Make plans now with some of the suggested events below, or find more on the Ramble website, www.hudsonrivervalleyramble.com.
• Listen to the Buzz of the Pine Bush Bees and Wasps – September 7 at 1 pm. Did you know that the Albany Pine Bush Preserve is home to over 90 species of native bees? Join in this program for an indoor introduction to native solitary bees, then examine bees on the trail and learn how you can help these native pollinators in your own backyard.
• The Albany Riverfront Jazz Festival – September 6 at 1 pm, features a veritable “who’s who” of jazz greats, critically acclaimed up and coming artists and local favorites at one of the area’s most spectacular venues.
• Discover Troy’s Amazing Architecture – September 6 at 10:30 am. Stroll downtown Troy and you’ll find a rich built environment. This one hour walking tour showcases Troy’s architectural gems and range of styles, explained by your guide from the Rensselaer County Historical Society.
To have a copy of the Ramble guidebook mailed to you, call 518-473-3835. Copies of the guidebook can also be found at various tourist destinations throughout the Hudson Valley.
This year’s NYS Trappers Association Youth eastern camp will be held on October 10, 11, 12 and 13 at DEC’s Pack Forest Camp in Warrensburg, NY, just north of Lake George. Campers will arrive on Friday evening and stay through lunchtime on Monday. Camp tuition is $40 for the entire weekend. This includes lodging and all meals as well as any educational material needed. The youth trappers camp is open to boys and girls ages 12 – 14 who have a sincere desire to learn all about trapping and are willing to put forth the effort and commitment to obtain their NYS Trapper Training Certificate. Topics to be covered include, but are not limited to, proper trapping techniques as well as hands-on trapping and proper fur handling techniques by experienced trappers. Participation in the class is strongly recommended. Camp is limited to 26 first time students and 10 returnees. Campers are expected to follow guidelines set forth by camp counselors and mentors on hand.
The deadline for registration is September 15. For more information or to register, contact Pat Arnold at 315-644-4643 or email Pat at patriciaarno@gmail.com.
by Bea Peterson
Fifteen youngsters participated in the first ever locally organized and run soccer camp. The camp was held at the George Helft Soccer Complex in Hoosick for young people in the first through sixth grade. It ran from August 4 to 8, from 6 to 8 pm. “It was our first Camp with an in-house registrar and in-house coordinator,” said Hoosick Falls Soccer Club Board Member Laura Peabody. She hopes the camp will become a yearly event.
by Steve Bradley
The HFCS golf team is off to a great start, going 4 – 0 and grabbing 18 out of a possible 20 points.
On Thursday, August 21, the team played its first match against Tamarac at the Hoosick Falls Country Club. The Panthers grabbed the five available points. Eric Bloomer was the medalist and also recorded his first sectional score. Andrew Hoag also shot a sectional score.
The next day the Panthers faced off against Mechanicville at the HFCC. The Panther team once again nabbed the five points. Hoag and Bloomer competed for the medalist position, with Hoag getting it with a 36, Eric Bloomer shot a 38. Hoag, Eric Bloomer and Ryan Bloomer, Eric’s younger brother, all shot a sectional score.
This past Monday the team played Hoosic Valley at the HFCC. Hoosick Falls grabbed four of the available five points. Medalist for the match was Ryan Bloomer, with a 41. Andrew Hoag and Jake Nolan each scored a 42, giving them a sectional score.
On Wednesday, the team gathered at 8:30 am at the HFCC to play Cambridge. The Panthers took four of five points. Andrew Hoag was medalist and was credited with a sectional score. Eric Bloomer was also credited with a sectional score, shooting a 40.
Coming up next week, the Panthers will face Greenwich at Battenkill CC on Tuesday, September 2, at 4 pm. Wednesday, September 3, will find the team traveling to Granville for a 2 pm start, and on September 4 they will face Tamarac at Frear Park in Troy, beginning at 4 pm.
