Obesity, the leading cause of death in the United States – is the result of poor nutrition and inactivity. What is at the far end of the fork is killing Americans – over 500,000 of us annually. It is setting us up for diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, stroke and even cancer. Two thirds of Americans are overweight, and one third are obese. The epidemic of obesity can be reversed and more easily than you think. Success is possible! You simply need a realistic, systematic, take charge approach to weight management.
In a dynamic presentation on Thursday, January 17, at 6:30 pm at the Buskirk Better Living Center at the Buskirk Seventh-day Adventist Church, 2176 West Hoosick Road, you’ll learn about how to get to your ideal weight naturally and stay there effortlessly, the eight factors that scientific research associates with increased weight, concrete strategies for reducing fat in your diet and increasing physical activity, coping with stress and creating support systems. This is a free community service supported by your donations. For more information, please call 686-4524.
Robin O’Herin To Perform At The New Lebanon Library
Berkshire musician Robin O’Herin will be performing at the New Lebanon Library on Friday, January 25, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. This event is free and open to the public, although donations for the performer are appreciated.
O’Herin specializes in historically rich, interactive concerts that include original and traditional American music. Her concerts are warm, affirming experiences which explore the music of the Delta and Piedmont regions of the South. Song selections may include Robert Johnson, Blind Willie Johnson and O’Herin’s own original blues and fingerstyle ballads.
Robin O’Herin was a finalist in the 2006 Memphis Blues Challenge. She played in the Tropea Blues Festival in Tropea, Italy, in September of 2006. She was the headlining act in the Resophonic Blues Festival in Pilzen, Czechoslovakia in 2005. She has opened for the Doobie Brothers, Vance Gilbert and Michael Powers. Her music was used in the soundtrack for the PBS “2005 Roadtrip Nations.” She was a Telluride Blues Finalist in 2009. She has shared the stage with Paul Geremia, Andy Cohen and Roy Bookbinder. She is currently working on a new CD.
For further information on this event, please call the Library at 518-794-8844. The public is welcome, and the event is free.
The Library is located at 550 State Route 20, ¼ mile north of the yellow blinking light at the intersection of Routes 20/22.
Alexander Haley Named To President’s List At SUNYIT
Alexander Haley of Stephentown, majoring in Electrical Engineering Technology, has been named to the President’s List for the fall 2012 semester at SUNYIT. A semester grade point average of 3.60 or above qualifies full time, matriculated students for inclusion on the President’s List.
SUNYIT, the State University of New York Institute of Technology at Utica/Rome, is New York State’s public institute of technology, offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs in technology and professional studies.
Wildlife Tracking Field Intensive With Alcott Smith
Experience a full or half day field intensive with Alcott Smith, tracker, naturalist and veterinarian. Three wildlife tracking sessions are offered at the Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center on Saturday, January 26, from 9 am to 4 pm and Sunday, January 27, from 9 am to 12 noon or 1 pm to 4 pm. Sign up for one or all sessions.
From sets of tracks will emerge entire stories in the lives of the animals who traveled, foraged, hunted and interacted with one another. In past programs we have followed tracks to a porcupine in its den, found kill sites with tracks emanating in all directions and have found mouse tracks that end at a set of wing marks. The possibilities are truly endless.
Pre-registration is required and space is limited. Each session will explore a different area of the Center. Please register by contacting Jim at jim@bonesteel.com or 518-658-2055. There is a fee of $30 for the full day program and $20 for a half day program with a $5 discount for members of the Friends of Dyken Pond. Participants must dress appropriately for being outdoors and must be physically fit.
The Dyken Pond Center is a Rensselaer County Park open daily during daylight hours for hiking, fishing, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Call 658-2055 or visit the website www.dykenpond.org for more information, directions and a complete schedule of our winter events.
What Is The RPA?
Submitted by the Rensselaer Plateau Alliance
The Rensselaer Plateau Alliance (RPA), established in 2006, is a diverse group of organizations and people who want to conserve and protect the forested character of the Rensselaer Plateau and the many economic and environmental benefits it provides. The Rensselaer Plateau is a spectacular resource of about 105,000 acres that includes the fifth largest forest in New York State and endless opportunities for recreation, tourism, commerce and traditional living. A grassroots organization, the RPA is people living in the area who share a common interest in ensuring that future generations will experience and value the many benefits of the plateau.
Protecting our forests for the future means planning ahead and working together. We consider one of the best ways to accomplish this is simply by talking with our neighbors. If we all do our part, we can protect the plateau for our future.
In the past year we talked with our neighbors at many events including public forums, landowner workshops, public displays, town board meetings and woods walks. Knowledge is a key tool to understanding that preservation and protection do not happen alone. Preservation and protection require collaboration and proactive actions – all of which are currently happening because the people and organizations of RPA talk with their neighbors, friends, municipalities and elected officials about this “superlative” resource in our backyard and how we all play a role in protecting it. Come talk to us at the Grafton Winter Festival on January 19 or at one of our future events. Learn more about our events and regularly scheduled open meetings at www.rensselaerplateau.org.
Rensselaer Land Trust Receives New Preserve
On December 18, 2012, theRensselaer Land Trust (RLT) received 54 acres of significant wetlands in the Town of Nassau from the National Audubon Society. Part of Pine Swamp, an extensive marsh and swamp complex adjacent to Smith Pond, the property contains wildlife habitat and supports unusual plant species for Rensselaer County. Located off of Lyons Lake Road, the property will remain a nature preserve, with public access for environmental studies and natural history outings.
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Keith F. Gates
Eagle Bridge – Keith F. Gates, 44, of Route 67, Eagle Bridge, NY, died on Tuesday, January 8, 2013, at Albany Medical Center in Albany, NY. Born in Cambridge, NY, on May 12, 1968, Keith was a lifelong resident of the area and attended Hoosick Falls Central High School. He was a self-employed auto mechanic who had a true love for Ford trucks. He enjoyed camping, boating, hunting and fishing.
Survivors include his parents, Walter L. and Beverly A. Granger Gates of Hoosick Falls, NY, his fiancee, Kimberlee “Elizabeth” Mulready with whom he resided, a son, Keith E. Gates of Hoosick Falls, a step-daughter, Mandi Mulready of Eagle Bridge, grandchildren, Jordyn and Dylan, siblings, Michelle M. Gates of NYC, Scott W. and wife Merry Gates of Petersburgh, NY, Walter L. Gates Jr. and wife Christina of Buskirk, NY, Lynn M. Senecal of Eagle Bridge and Heather A. Gates and Rob McCannery of Clearwater, FL, and a special nephew and best friend, Todd Weber of Eagle Bridge. He is also survived by nephew Scott Gates Jr. of Petersburgh along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Cremation will be at the Gardner Earl Memorial Crematorium in Troy, NY. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 12, at 6 pm at the First Baptist Church 80 Main Street, Hoosick Falls. Relatives and friends are invited to the Church for visitation on Saturday from 4 to 6 pm to visit with Keith’s family. Arrangements are under the direction of the Thomas M. Barber Funeral Home of Petersburgh.
Lottie M. Brock
Berlin – Lottie M. Brock, 42, of Dyken Pond Road, Berlin, NY, died on Monday evening, December 31, 2012, at Samaritan Hospital in Troy, NY, after being stricken at home.
Born July 11, 1970, in Pittsfield, MA, Lottie was the loving wife of Karl D. Brock Sr., whom she married on June 20, 1992, in the Grafton (NY) Baptist Church. Raised in Stephentown, NY, she was a 1988 graduate of Berlin Central High School. Lottie worked at Energy Answers Corp. now known as Covanta Energy, with offices in Pittsfield and Agawam, MA. At the time of her death, she had been employed there for 23 years as a Senior Account Specialist. She was a former member of the Berlin Rod and Gun Club, where she served as Treasurer. She enjoyed cooking and the family’s yearly camping at Floodwood Pond in Saranac Lake, NY. Her true love was for her devoted family.
Survivors include her husband, Karl, her mother and her step-father, Roberta and Leonard Shackett of Stephentown, her two children, Karl D. Brock Jr. of West Sand Lake, NY, and Tonya M. Brock of Berlin, her siblings James and wife Tonya Rathbun of Hancock, MA, Vincent Rathbun of Warrensburg and Leanna Bailey of Stephentown, along with in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service was held on Saturday, January 5, at 4 pm in the Thomas M. Barber Funeral Home, 66 Armsby Road, Petersburgh, NY, where Rev. Mark Norland officiated. Lottie’s family received visitors at the funeral home on Saturday starting at 2 pm. Her cremated remains will be placed in Floodwood Pond later this summer.
To remember Lottie in a special way, memorial contributions may be given to the Berlin Rod and Gun Club in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box 361, Petersburgh, NY. 12138.
The Life Of George Holcomb – Selling the Stock
Tuesday, March 7, 1826: Today I walked to Pittsfield to The American Press and got 75 advertisements printed, and paid 50 cts, and paid 50 cts to have the advertisements put into the paper. In those advertisements Wm and I have advertised 22 cows, one pair of oxen, two steers, 60 sheep, and one cart and two wagons all at auction if not sold at private sale before the 20th. I began to scatter my advertisements every direction.
Wednesday: I walked to Hancock and put up my advertisements. I sent an advertisement to the north part of town. On the way home I called to Mr. Ezekiel Sheldon’s and got some colt’s foot for my children that has got the whooping cough.
Thursday: Today I walked to Andrew Snyder’s and engaged him to come and auction off this aforementioned property. I went round by the way of Lebanon Meeting House to put up advertisement and came home by way of Claudius Moffitt’s store.
Wednesday, March 15: Today we drove a part of our stock home from the Rodgers Farm and had six cows appraised off to Peter Wylie, which filled his note of 95 dol and eight dol over, and took my note, and we had seven cows and a pair of year-old steers appraised off to sister Miriam Campbell for 142 dol, which filled my note that she sent by said Wylie, and I keep it for sale in next Monday at auction with my stock.
Monday: Today we tended selling the property that we advertised. The stock that I turned out to Peter Wylie and Miriam Campbell last week, the said property of theirs was sold at auction for 14 cents on the dol less than it was appraised. I then put up a cart and covered wagon, but I had a by bidder and had them returned on to my hands. Caleb Chapman Jnr bid of our old double wagon at 23 dol and 75 cts. I offered six months credit but leaves it on our hands. George Landon bid off a hog at 2 dol and 22 cts but did not pay. I put up three cows but had them struck off to a buy bidder. I bargained with Hosey Bennet for two cow at 18 dollars each and have his note. Tonight our auctioner James Snyder returned home with us and took supper. I then paid him his cash, two dol for his services today. Today a very stormy damp, and chilly day.
Tuesday: This morning I walked down to Widow Hunter’s with brother Peter Wylie to collect money for cows, and to Hazard Morey’s and Ephraim Pierce’s. Today I bargained and sold our sheep to Moses Hunter at two dol per head, and took his note of 104 dol payable the 15th of April without interest. We helped him get the sheep home and took the wagon and horses and carried one that would not or could not walk. Today the money was all collected that was due on said Wylie and M. Campbell’s stock and handed to said Wylie and he is to return M. Campbell’s to her, 122.25 cts all cash and said Wylie’s $88.25. I took brother Wylie in to my wagon and carried him to Hancock to Squ John Gardner’s and left him to take the stage. As I returned I called to my Rodgers Farm and Hosea Bennet came after his cows. He examined one of his cows and found that she was lowsey. I offered him to leave her and take another, but he would not. He likewise took the two that he bargained for last night. He gave a note of 36 dol payable in six months with interest.Tonight I walked over to George Landon’s to get my pay, which is 2.22 cts for the hog he bid off, but he denies- paying me. He makes an excuse the hog is sick.
Green Renewable Gets Half Million From Economic Development Council
by David Flint
The Green Renewable company in Berlin is planning a major expansion, much of it aided by an award of a half million dollars from the Capital Region Economic Development Council. Company President Sean Gallivan said he was honored that Green Renewable’s application was one of 44 considered by the Council to be a priority project. He said the award of $550,000 will help Green Renewable utilize bio-mass harvested from New York’s forests to manufacture and distribute a variety of agribusiness and renewable energy products, including fuel chips, kiln dried firewood, landscape supplies and livestock bedding.
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