The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Win Gift Certificates And More At Grafton Library

By

With the dark winter days waning, the Grafton Community Library will raffle a “Surviving ‘Til Spring” basket to benefit the Library. The winning ticket will be drawn at the library on Wednesday, April 8. Ticket prices are one dollar each or six tickets for five dollars.

The basket features two gift certificates for deluxe treatment at Hoffman Car Wash, a twenty-five dollar gift certificate to Grafton Town Store, and a Joseph Carr Cabernet Sauvignon. It is brimming with a variety of items to soothe and pamper the mind and body, including The Book of Calm, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff for Women, candy, Yankee candle, a jumbo coffee mug and gourmet coffee, picture frames, therapeutic hot/cold packs, calming foaming bath, Avon, journals, Cheryl Richardson’s Daily Affirmation Cards, a limited edition Boyd’s Bear, and much more. Give the basket as a gift, keep it as a treat for yourself or use the goodies as individual gifts.

Stop in at the Library located at 2455 NY Route 2 during regular hours to peek in the basket and purchase your raffle tickets. The Library is open Monday and Tuesday from 3 to 7 pm, Thursday and Friday from 3 to 8 pm, Wednesday and Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm. Phone 518 279-0580, visit our Facebook page, or www.graftoncommunitylibrary.org for news of library programs and events.

New Lebanon Seeking Gently Used Formal Wear For Donation

By

Submitted by Erin Clary

The New Lebanon CSD, in conjunction with Becca’s Closet, is collecting gently used formal dresses, suits and accessories to donate to local teens in need so they can attend their proms. Dresses can be dropped off at Walter B. Howard Elementary School or at the New Lebanon Jr/Sr High School through April 18.

Dress Day is scheduled for Saturday, April 18, from 9 am to 5 pm. Please call 518-794-7774 or email michellebienes@aol.com for an appointment. Volunteers are needed for set-up on Friday, April 17 and Saturday, April 18.  Information can be found here: http://goo.gl/YYyIQ0

Active Parenting Class At Grafton Grafton Community Library

By

Grafton Community Library’s four session “Active Parenting Now” class for parents of children in grades K-5 continues, with the next class being held on Saturday, March 21st at 10:30 am. Taught by local expert Jill Augustine, this class is designed to support parents by offering skills to redirect misbehavior and sidestep power struggles, discipline while teaching responsibility, prevent young people from experimenting with alcohol and other drugs, communicate effectively with children, and explore and encourage nonviolent conflict resolution inside the home and out. Participants are asked to sign up in advance. Sign up at the library or by contacting Jill Augustine at 658-2515, ext. 2117 or jaugustine@berlincentral.org.

Berlin FD Clam Steam Postponed

By

The Berlin Volunteer Fire Company Clam Steam scheduled for Sunday March 22 has been postponed to May 17.

Unfortunately, icy waters along the East Coast have led to a historic shellfish shortage, including our beloved clams.

Distributors are denying orders with all the requests from our area depleting their supplies as well.

We are in hopes that warmer weather will soon arrive bringing with it a renewed supply for a May event. Anyone having purchased tickets for March will, of course, be honored in May. Hold on to your tickets.

For questions or concerns, please contact the member from whom you received your ticket.Thank you for your understanding.

Stephentown Memorial Library Upcoming Events

By

Celtic Concert – Local group, Shoni, will perform at the Stephentown Memorial Library on Friday, March 20 at 7 pm.  This event is free and open to all. Coffee and refreshments will be served.  Shoni explores traditional celtic music and original works using bagpipes, keyboard, guitar, percussion, violin, cello, and vocals.

Computers for Beginners Classes – On Thursday, March 26 at 2 pm and  Wednesday, April 29 at 6:30 pm, Farid Gruber will help new computer users understand how to use a computer and get connected to the internet.  This class is for anyone just beginning to learn how to use a computer. We will briefly go over the physical computer parts, how to turn the computer on and off, the desktop, Start menu, and how ‘Windows’ works. We will also spend time learning how to use the mouse.  Depending on time and interest, the class may move forward to internet use and email.  If you know someone who will benefit from this class, help spread the word and invite them to join.  Laptops provided for use, or bring your own.

Monthly Lego Club – Friday, April 3 at 6 pm.  Do you have a Lego enthusiast who could spend hours and hours every day engrossed with creative building? This club is for you and your family! The Lego Club meets on a Friday night each month for an hour of building fun. There is no sign-up or charge.  Donations of Lego blocks are most welcome at the library desk.

Easter Egg Hunt at Stephentown Memorial Library: Saturday, April 4.  Games and fun activities at 11 am – Easter Egg Hunt at 11:30 am.  Rain or Shine.

Looking for something fun to do with the kids? Come to the Stephentown Memorial Library for an Easter Egg Hunt.  There will be activities and fun for all ages, Easter games including Bunny Hop Race and Egg toss, Egg coloring, and a visit by the Easter Bunny!  Preregistration is helpful, but not required.  Rain or shine.  Sponsored by Town of Stephentown and open to all Stephentown children.

SML Annual Meeting – Stephentown Memorial Library Board of Trustees invites the public to its Annual Meeting on Sunday, April 12 from 4 to 6 pm in the SML Community Room.  A light dinner will be served and all are welcome to attend. Officers will report on events from the past year and discuss the future of the library.

Voice Of A Vet Sponsoring Fundraiser For “Debt To A Vet”

By

Enjoy Brown’s Root Beer, Giffy’s Bar-B-Q, HFCS Jazz Band And Silent Auction

Submitted by Gail Smith

Voice of a Vet is sponsoring  the Debt to a Vet  fundraiser at Brown’s Brewery in North Hoosick on Tuesday, May 5 from 4 to 9 pm. Funds raised will support two programs the task force is focusing on in 2015, the Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home on August 8 and the Town of Hoosick Tribute Flag Program.

Debt to a Vet will be a family friendly, alcohol-free event featuring Giffy’s Chicken Bar-B-Q ($11.50 for ½ chicken meal, including tax), the HFCS Jazz Band, and two auctions: a live Dessert Auction and a Silent Auction. The renown Ronald Seifert will do the auctioning honors.

As a special feature, Brown’s will serve their very own root beer which they brew in Troy.

Liberty, her travels and information about our Adopt-a-Grave program will be on display.

Tickets must be purchased by Friday, April 24 and are available at Thorpe’s Pharmacy, Hoosick Federal Credit Union, or by calling Gail Smith (686-9888) or Joyce Brewer (258-5772).

The Welcome Home and Tribute Flag programs have been meaningful to our vets, their families and our community. The cost is hefty, but they ensure that our Hometown Heroes receive the honor they are due.

There are a number of ways you can help: purchase Chicken Bar-B-Q tickets or donate an item for one of the Auctions.

Everyone is invited to become a member of the Debt to a Vet Honorary Committee, with several sponsorship levels to choose from: General/Admiral-$200 and includes four BBQ tickets; Captain is $100 and includes two BBQ tickets; E-1 is $50 and includes one BBQ ticket.

Your contribution helps fulfill the mission to recognize, honor and serve Town of Hoosick Veterans. Debt to a Vet Honorary Committee members will be listed in the event program and will be recognized in press releases.

Sponsorship checks can be made out to Voice of a Vet LLC and mailed to P.O. Box 558, Hoosick Falls, NY 12090. Response by March 31 is especially appreciated. Please be sure to include how you would like your name printed on the program, as well as address and phone number.

Dessert Auction items must be at Brown’s by 5 pm the day of the event, or call and we can pick it up.

Call Gail or Joyce at the numbers above if you have any questions or need more information.

Memorial Service – James F. Conway

By

Hoosick Falls – James F. Conway, 91, a resident of West Hoosick, passed away in his home Friday, January 23, 2015 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. He is survived by his wife Anneliese B. Conway, his daughter Charlann M, Fuller, two grandchildren, Matthew J. Fuller and Marie E. A. Fuller and numerous nieces and nephews.

Before moving to Hoosick Falls from Putnam County he was active in the volunteer Fire Department and served as chief for several years.He enjoyed hunting, fishing and carpentry.

A memorial service will be held at Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church in Hoosick Falls on Saturday, March 21 at 10  am. If friends desire, donations may be made to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Immaculate Conception Church or Rensselaer Hospice.

Carol Bisson

By

Hoosick Falls – Carol Bisson 78, passed away on Saturday March 14, 2015 at her residence surrounded by her family. She was the wife of the late Wilfred Bisson. She was born on December 25, 1936, in Pownal, VT, daughter of the late Henry Brimmer and Fannie (Aldrich) Green.

Carol graduated from Williamstown High School in 1954. She worked at various places in Bennington, VT and Hoosick Falls. Carol was a very active member of the V.F.W. Auxiliary in Hoosick Falls. She enjoyed time spent with family especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include her children Veronica O’Brien of Bennington, VT, Brad (Jean) Bisson of Dayton, OH, Joyce Grusaky and Melissa Bisson both of Hoosick Falls, Beth (Jay) Devlin of Nassau, NY, a sister Elizabeth Harris of Fl, also several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by two sisters and two brothers.

Services will be private and at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are under the care of the Mahar Funeral Home, 43 Main Street in Hoosick Falls, New York. Memorial contributions may be made to the Rensselaer County Community Hospice through the funeral home.

Her family would like to give a special thanks to Dr. James Carroll and Rensselaer County Community Hospice staff for their support and care given to Carol.

Linda Blake

By

Petersburgh – Linda Suzanne Blake, first born child of John R. Blake and Carol (Goodrich) Blake, was called home to the Lord on March 2, 2015 from complications of adrenal cancer. She was born on January 1, 1964 and is survived by both parents, three sisters Karen (Gary) Blake-Kittle, Melissa (Tab) Eigenbrodt, and Rebecca (Adam) Martin; her beloved step-son Kyle Montag and his father, Hans; as well as several nieces and nephews.

There will be no calling hours and further arrangements will be made privately by the family.

In lieu of flowers or donations, the family asks you to simply remember her infectious smile and warm, generous personality. Honor her life by sharing the same unending happiness and kindness that she did, to those you meet. Spread love and joy with the same sweetness of spirit that she carried within her.

For on-line condolences visit wenkfuneralhome.com.