New York State Commissioner of Taxation and Finance Thomas H. Mattox and Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced on Tuesday the arrest of Eli J. Strong, 50, of Petersburgh on three felony charges stemming from his failure to file personal income tax returns. Allegedly, the defendant owes nearly $40,000 for unfiled 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 returns
Berlin Students Inducted Into National Art Honor Society
submitted by Erin Clary, Communications Specialist, BCSD
On Friday, March 28, 19 students from Berlin High School were inducted into the National Art Honor Society (NAHS) during the Inductee Breakfast at the Middle School/High School Library.
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Hero Of The Chosin Reservoir
submitted by Mary Lou Walters
At the base of the Taconic Trail in Petersburgh there is a memorial to man who surely never saw the Taconic mountains. However, to John Parkinson, the man who lives at the home there, the memory of Robert E. Devins has been there since he moved in ten years ago. In fact, ever since John Parkinson, now 86, turned 21 Sergeant Devins has been a constant presence.
The Ice Kreme Kafé Is Open
by Bea Peterson
The Ice Kreme Kafé on Main Street in Hoosick Falls, near the tennis courts, is open for the season. Actually, they have been open for a month. Brian Harwood laughed and said, “Yeah, it was two degrees out the day we opened.” He and his wife Elaine have leased the Kafé for the season. Brian left the construction business to work in the Kafé. “Now I make ice cream and maintain the machines,” he said. Elaine said the LaPortes started the Kafé 20 years ago this year. “We think that is kind of neat,” she said. Brian said the ice cream making recipes he is using are the LaPorte recipes.
Prescription Drug Take Back Day Is Saturday, April 26
Hoosick residents are encouraged to bring unused prescription drugs to the Hoosick Falls Village Police Department on Saturday, April 26, from 10 am to 1 pm. Please take this opportunity to safely discard unwanted medicine.
Abuse of prescription drugs has skyrocketed among teens. Most youths abusing these drugs say they obtain them from their friends or relatives without their knowledge. Often the first place they find them is in a medicine cabinet. Many teens believe using prescription or over-the-counter medicines to get high is less risky than using street drugs, and they get them for free.
“HAYC3 and prevention groups throughout the country believe the first step in ending drug abuse is to limit access of prescription and over-the-counter medications,” said HAYC3 Community Liaison Patti Zilinskas. “Safe disposal of these items during an event such as Prescription Take Back Day is an important step.”
Prepare for the collection day. Take a thorough inventory of all the prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines in your home. Check the medicine cabinet, drawers, closets, etc. Note whether the drugs are expired or if they are still needed. Keep in mind that drugs that have been around for a long time should not be taken as they may be harmful to the patient, no longer potent or contribute to overdose or complications when mixed with any new prescriptions you or your family members may be taking.
The prescription drug take back program is free and anonymous. Be sure to black out any personal information that may appear on prescription bottles, such as your name or birth date. All prescription drugs and over-the-counter tablets and capsules will be accepted. No intravenous solutions, injectable or needles, please. Illicit drugs, such as marijuana or methamphetamine, are not part of this collection initiative.
All collected drugs will be disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner. For additional information, please call HAYC3 at 518-686-9050 or visit our website at http://hayc3.org. This important initiative is sponsored by HAYC3 in conjunction with the Hoosick Falls Police Department.
The Seasons Change
Berlin Easter Egg Hunt
The Town of Berlin Youth Commission will be holding an Easter Egg Hunt on April 13 at the Town of Berlin Municipal Complex, 17563 State Route 22, from 1 to 3 pm. Besides the Easter egg hunt, there wil be relay races for pre-k through adult. This will be fun for all!
TRACs Meeting
The TRACs (Together Reducing drugs and Alcohol in our CommunitieS) regular monthly meeting will be held on April 22 at 6:30 pm at Stephentown Memorial Library. Come join us as we collaborate in order to make a difference in the lives of the youth in the Berlin and New Lebanon School Districts in our effort to reduce youth use of alcohol and drugs.
Our mission statement, “to encourage a drug-free lifestyle for youth, support families and provide community-based pro-social alternatives,” requires the support of many community members, organizations and businesses. We look forward to your participation.
Earth Day In Petersburgh
submitted by Andy Zlotnick
On April 26 Boy Scout Troop 222 will assemble Scouts, parents, family and our community friends to attempt the cleanup of Depot Park along the Little Hoosic River in Petersburgh. The clean-up will start about 9 am and run through 1 pm on Saturday, rain or shine. The Troop will need tools like rakes grass whips, wheel barrels and lawn carts. It will need lawn bags and the Town to help remove the unwanted materials that are cleaned up.
This project is a small part of a larger District-wide Scouting attempt to make a difference on Earth Day. The Twin Rivers Council of the Boy Scouts of America and the Mahakin District are completing similar projects from Columbia County all the way to the Canadian Border this year. Thousands of volunteers will be working toward one goal – of leaving the land better than we found it.
Troop 222 will form groups or teams of Scouts and volunteers which will work down the access road, working the right and left of the road, picking up all garbage and cans. The teams will spread out to cover the park area and the playground area. The Troop will separate the cans and recyclables, returning the cans to their regular can recycling at the Redemption Center in Hoosick. The remaining trash and recyclables will be placed in bags for the Town to remove. There are a few larger items that were dumped like a TV and some metal items. They will be brought up to the parking lot for the Town to remove.
“The Troop is looking for community involvement and support with this project. We anticipate that this project may incur some small costs to the Troop and at this time the Troop is expecting to cover the cost but, as with all organizations, we have limited funds to cover this kind of work and would like to invite the public to help with unanticipated costs. The Troop will try to offer a small lunch at the park after the work is complete. We will be providing hot dogs, chips and a large container of flavored drink. If anyone would like to help with food, in kind donations will be acceptable; they just need to let the Troop know by contacting the Scoutmaster Andy Zlotnick at azlotnick_40@yahoo.com or by calling 658-9066.
It is the practice of Troop 222 to give back to the community that has given so much to us. The Troop believes that to be good stewards of our environment and to follow the ideals of The BSA outdoor code the Troop should complete projects of this kind. We ask for your participation and support.
Berlin High School Class Of 2014 Valedictorian And Salutatorian
submitted by Erin Clary, Communications Specialist, Berlin Central School District
The Berlin High School announces Alessa D’Alessio as its Valedictorian and Cullen O’Brien as its Salutatorian for the Class of 2014.
Valedictorian Alessa D’Alessio
D’Alessio is the daughter of Yolanda and Michael D’Alessio of Cherry Plain. She has a cumulative GPA of 96.79 percent. Her coursework this year includes Advanced Placement English and Psychology, along with Hudson Valley Community “College in the High School” Calculus. She will graduate with a Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation.
D’Alessio has been the recipient of several awards including the University of Rochester Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award and the U.S. Air Force Math and Science Award, both in 2013.
Although she has attended Berlin High School for less than two years, D’Alessio has made a tremendous impact on her class and the school community during that short time. She is a member of the varsity soccer and varsity cheerleading teams. She has served as a class officer and is an active participant in the Drama Club. D’Alessio is also a member of the National Honor Society.
As an active participant in her community, D’Alessio has volunteered her time at the Town libraries, the transfer station where she sorted recyclables and at Sunderland Elementary School in Vermont where she helped clean up the grounds.
D’Alessio is currently undecided on where she will go for college but plans on majoring in International Relations and the French language.
Salutatorian Cullen O’Brien
O’Brien is the son of Doris and Daniel O’Brien of Grafton. He has a cumulative GPA of 94.8 percent. His coursework this year includes Advanced Placement English and Chemistry, along with Hudson Valley Community “College in the High School” Calculus. O’Brien, along with one other student, also created their own Environmental Science Independent Study program. He will graduate with a Regents Diploma with Honors and Advanced Designation.
O’Brien was the recipient of several awards in 2013 including the University of Rochester George Eastman Young Leaders Award, the Clarkson University Leadership Award and the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Medal.
A well-rounded student, O’Brien is a member of the varsity soccer and basketball teams and is a four year member of the high school band. He is also part of the jazz band and marching band and has participated in drama club. He is a competitor in the Science Bowl, Envirothon and Masterminds teams. O’Brien is also a member of the National Honor Society.
Also active in his community, O’Brien has volunteered at church cleanups and in fundraising walks and activities in Grafton Lakes State Park where he is also employed as a life guard during the summer months.
Although currently undecided on where he will attend college, O’Brien plans to study Chemistry or Biology with the intent of pursuing a career in medicine, either as an emergency medical physician or physician’s assistant.