Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper
by David Flint
Stephentown’s Heritage Center last weekend became an impressive showcase for local gifted artisans – the Women Artisans of Stephentown Showcase. This was not a sales event but rather intended to let people know about just a sample of the many talented creators of arts and crafts that reside in this small town. [Read more…] about Women Artisans Of Stephentown
by Steve Bradley
The HFCS boys varsity baseball has had a busy schedule in the month of April.
by Steve Bradley
Softball
Vs. Granville – Granville jumped out to a 7 – 1 lead by the end of the third inning, then scored seven more while the Panthers scored three enroute to a 14 – 4 win over the Panthers. The Panthers had 13 hits and left 13 runners stranded. Liz Ryan, Erica Quackenbush and Alyssa Ellis each had three hits and Sydney Miller added two. Abby Gilson hit a double. Ellis took the loss on the mound.
Second graders in Mrs. Gardner’s and Mrs. McEvoy’s class recently began a unit on Persuasive Writing. The students tested their persuasive skills on HFCS superintendent, Mr. Facin.
In a convincing letter, the class provided detailed reasons on why elementary students should be allowed to use the school’s fitness center. “Exercise will help us stay fit. You don’t want us to get fat and lazy and eating donuts for the rest of our lives. Do you?”
They further went on to explain that fitness helps them stay healthy. “Exercise keeps us healthy, so we don’t miss school. If we miss school, we won’t get smarter and then we won’t get into college. We need to get into college so we can get a good job!”
Mr. Facin, an avid supporter of the Fitness Center, was persuaded that the 2nd graders had strong arguments for fitness. He, along with Physical Education teacher and coach, Mr. Fleming, gave the students a guided tour of the center. They explained the equipment and the importance of safety and exercise.
While the students are not yet old enough to use the equipment, they are anxiously waiting to reach 7th Grade at which time the Fitness Center becomes available to them. Most importantly, the students learned that persuasive arguments, when written with valid reasons, can be quite convincing.
Watch out parents! Your persuasive letters are in the mail.
Hoosick Falls Central School will host a Scholastic Book Fair and ice cream social on Thursday, May 7, from 6 pm to 8 pm in the elementary cafeteria. The annual event hosted by the PTA, with ice cream donated by Stewarts Shops is to increase literacy among students and raise funds to purchase books for the elementary school library. Families, teachers, and the community are invited to attend the Book Fair, featuring the fun theme: Book Fair Under the Sea: Explore an Ocean of Books!
The Book Fair will offer specially priced books and educational products including new releases, award-winning titles, children’s classics, interactive software, young adult and teen novels, adult books, and current bestsellers from more than 100 publishers. Book Fair customers may help the school build classroom libraries and improve children’s reading skills by purchasing books through the Classroom Wish List and donating loose change to the All for Books® programs.
The Berlin CSD High School is pleased to announce Rebecca Olson as its Valedictorian and Serena Rizzo as its Salutatorian for the Class of 2015.
[Read more…] about BHS Announces Class Of 2015 Valedictorian And Salutatorian
submitted by Karen Day
On Friday, May 1 and Saturday, May 2 beginning at 7 pm, the Berlin Dramateers will perform James Lapine’s Into the Woods with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim under the direction of co-directors Karen Day and Dan Byron, and musical director Leslie Eliashuk.
This outstanding cast of characters is led by the Baker and the Baker’s Wife (we never do learn her first name) played by junior Nick Edwards and senior Madeline Peterson. Some of the other characters are: the Witch played by senior Rebecca Olson, Little Red Riding Hood played by senior Madison Rascoe, the Wolf and Prince Charming played by junior Garrett Cardinal, Cinderella played by senior Danielle Jones, and so many more with mothers and children, princes, princesses and “wanna-be princesses.” Some live in castles, some in shambles, and one even lives in a tower.
The students have worked hard and a few people have come out to help that we would really like to thank. Please join us this weekend for a family fun filled night of fairy tales. Tickets are available at the door: adults $6 and students and senior citizens $4. We hope to see you there!
The Petersburgh Public Library will hold a “Spring Foraging” program on Saturday, May 9 at 10 am. Danny Schnoop will lead this workshop. He will lead a group to places where baby dandelion greens, fiddlehead ferns and other spring plants can be foraged. Afterward, the group will return to the PVMCC for some pointers in preparing and preserving our finds. Please sign-up at the library if you will be attending since space in the kitchen is limited. In the event that there is inclement weather or the plants are not out yet, the workshop will be held on May 16 from 1 to 3 pm.
Story hour is held Tuesdays at 11 pm. Preschoolers and their care givers are invited to join us for stories, games, crafts and snacks. On April 28 stories will be from “Favorite Authors” and on May 5 “Folk and Fairy Tales”.
The annual library Plant, Book and Bake Sale will be held on Saturday, May 16 from 9 am to 1 pm. Donations of plants, books and baked goods would be appreciated to support the library programs.
The book discussion group will meet on Wednesday, May 13 to discuss “The Testament of Mary” by Colm Toibin. Copies of the books are available at the library for anyone who would like to read it and join the discussion.
To the Editor:
With heavy hearts, the current members of the Grafton Trail Riders feel a deep sorrow about the passing on April 12 of Helen Ellett. Helen, Chet (her husband) and a few friends were the inspiration in creating the Grafton Trail Riders horse club. Since it was incorporated in 1950, there have been hundreds of members who have enjoyed the camaraderie of horse people. I am sure Helen and the other members who have passed, will be with us in spirit as we trail ride, camp out and tell our stories around the campfire.
Keep the Lord as your riding partner and you will never ride alone.
-Connie Madigan, on behalf of Grafton Trail Riders
