The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Letter To The Editor – Preventing Substance Abuse

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To the Editor:

As Principal of the Junior/Senior High School in New Lebanon I am thrilled to know that there is a local community initiative aimed at preventing substance abuse in our township. I learned of the group after speaking with Matt Larabee at our annual soccer tournament this fall. Immediately, we sought to connect TRACS with our existing Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) coordinator, Lenny Brown. Additionally, I contacted Biffy Cahill in January with the goal of establishing a relationship between the school and TRACS.

The school’s ongoing efforts toward our common mission of preventing substance abuse include the posting of TRACS monthly meetings on Mr. Brown’s school e-board. I was pleased to learn that one of our students took the initiative to attend last month’s meeting as a result of this effort. New Lebanon Junior/Senior High School addresses the threats posed by substance abuse in many areas, which include:

• having our health classes target the dangers associated with substance use;

• participation in Red Ribbon week (alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention awareness);

• participating in Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness week;

• providing character education programming that supports leading a healthy life;

• re-establishing and maintaining an active SADD program (going on 3 years);

• seven years of inviting the Columbia County Sheriff’s K-9 unit into our building (multiple times per year), and

• utilizing the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office for presentations, including drug identification for faculty and staff.

I am proud of our young adults and believe in their ability to make sound choices. We will continue our programming initiatives and will work in partnership with the New Lebanon community to address any issues should they arise.

Matthew R. Klafehn, NLCS Principal

Letter To The Editor – Donating Heirlooms

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To The Editor:

I just realized that it’s been twenty years since I first began donating family heirlooms and historical items to the Taconic Valley Historical Society. Since the old vacant garage on Main Street in Berlin was burned to the ground by arsonists, how safe is the old, vacant “cracker box” building where some of my donations are stored. Also, someone entered one of the homes where my donations are and walked out with one of the books I wrote for children, which was illustrated by Randi Bentley. 1 had to purchase another one to replace it.

I thought when I donated items to the Taconic Valley Historical Society: family heirlooms, two theatrical posters of my grandparents (cost $500 to restore), an original leather bound book by Emma Willard, books written by my great grandparents, and cannot be replaced, that these items would be appreciated and kept safe. At the time, a resident of Berlin advised me to donate to the Rensselaer County Historical Society instead, because everything was farmed out in individual homes and some things were reported stolen. Never once did I imagine that it would take twenty years to generate interest enough to provide a building for the society where my family treasures would be safe, and then – wait how long – for these items to be moved inside that building.

I planned to attend a lecture on March 11 in Waterford covering the Irish Revolutionaries. One of these groups was the Clan-na-Gael, of which my paternal great-grandfather was President and is written about in a book I donated to the Taconic Valley Historical Society called My Twenty-five Years In the Secret Service by Henri LeCaron.

It was because these treasures meant so much to me, and because I was proud of my family history, that I donated them to an organization I believed would provide safe keeping for the years to come; a place where my future generations could come to learn about their ancestors’ lives, careers and fame. My parents were life-long residents of Berlin, and I was born in a Berlin landmark. I’ve spent my life trying to restore and preserve – from my apartment buildings, homes (including Moseley’s), to heirlooms and genealogy.

I am hurt that the people of Berlin have this “day come – day go” attitude. I’d hoped to receive an announcement of an opening of the new building where I’d see my Victorian quilt and my family books, etc., displayed. I’ve had two strokes and have health problems and am afraid I’ll never see my cherished donations in a permanent, safe place, visible to all. I almost cry when I think about the lack of concern. I am filled with regret and disappointment. Can you tell me anything to restore my hope?

Sincerely,

Beverly Plank Lettko

Main Street, Mechanicville

BFD Monthly Breakfast

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On Sunday, April 6, from 7 to 11 am, the Berlin Fire Department will be holding its monthly breakfast. Breakfast includes all-you-can-eat pancakes, French toast, biscuits with homemade sausage gravy, bacon and sausage, home fries, toast and eggs (sunny side, over easy or over hard, scrambled). Beverage choice of coffee or tea (both available as decaf), hot chocolate, milk and orange juice.

Prices are $7 for adults, $4 for children ages 5-12 and no charge for children under 5. Take-outs are available.

Texas Hold’Em This Friday At The Armory In Hoosick Falls

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This Friday is poker night at The Armory in Hoosick Falls. Shuffle up and deal at The Texas Hold’Em Tournament on Friday, April 4.

Doors open at 6 pm; play starts at 6:30. The buy-in is $35 with an option for a $10 add-on plus a $5 high hand pot. Newcomers and experienced players are welcome. The Armory is at 80 Church Street (on the corner of Elm Street) in Hoosick Falls.

Veterans Of Stephentown Texas Hold’em

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The Veterans of Stephentown will hold a Texas Hold’em Tournament on Saturday, April 5, in the Stephentown Fire Hall, located at 35 Grange Hall Road in Stephentown. The doors will open at 5:30 pm and close at 6 pm. Play begins at 6:15 sharp.

No advance registration is required. A donation of $35 per player will be accepted and give the player 6,000 in chip value. Players can make an additional $10 donation at the door for 2,000 extra in chip value. This tournament will pay one place for every 10 players with a minimum of four places and a maximum of 9 places.

A free buffet will be served at the first break, and refreshments will be available.

For further information, please call Tom MacVeigh at 518-658-2448.

School Spring Vacation Series At Dyken Pond

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The Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center is offering a School Spring Vacation Series for kids from April 14 to 16, from 2 to 4 pm.  Each program will be held outdoors and will include a short hike through Dyken Pond’s trail systems.  Children are welcome to attend one or all programs.

• Monday, April 14, will offer a Bird Watching for Beginners program that will teach kids about the anatomy of a bird and how to identify them in the wild.

• Tuesday, April 15, will offer a Signs of Spring hike that will have kids exploring a 1-2 mile trek through the woods.

• Wednesday, April 16, is an Amphibian Adventure in search of frog eggs and other amphibian life in the forest. A $1 per child suggested donation covers material costs.

A complete list of programs can be found at www.dykenpond.org. Pre-registration is encouraged to help with planning, but not required and can be done by contacting the Center at dykenpond@fairpoint.net or 658-2055.

Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center, located at 475 Dyken Pond Road, Cropseyville, is a Rensselaer County Park open daily during daylight hours for hiking, fishing and non-motor boating. Call for more information and a complete schedule of our summer events.

A Solo Acoustic Benefit For The RLT

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The Rensselaer Land Trust, Inc. (RLT) and The Troy Savings Bank Music Hall Corporation announce the Hall debut of Troy’s own Sean Rowe on April 12.  The opening act will include MaryLeigh Roohan. There will be a special Meet the Artist Reception prior to the performance at 6 pm at the Rensselaer County Historical Society. Both events will benefit RLT.

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The Life Of George Holcomb – Drawing the Still House

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Friday, March 4, 1831: I went with I Newton to look at a timber lot, but concluded that it was too high a price.  When I was on said mountain David L. Brown was there drawing wood and I met with one of his hands, a stranger to me, but said Brown told me his name was Dean and recommended said Dean to hire my house I have to let.  Said Dean went with me on to said premises and I showed him what it was it contained, all that brother Sylvester now occupies excepting the buttery. Dean is to give one months work to be paid in July and August to work every other week until it was paid (rent) and we both consider it a bargain unless either of us concludes to give up the bargain.

Saturday: This evening I rode to Hancock to get a girl to work for us this summer. Phila Nye has disappointed us.  I sent Sales Jinks but I did not make a bargain with his daughter Hannah, for her price was too high.  I went to Mr. Potters on the mountain and bargained with Maryann Collins at 68 cts per week and she agrees to do any kind of work and milk a large portion of cows and if I concluded not to have her work for me I am to give her notice by next Tuesday. When I got home it was twelve o’clock tonight.

Monday: I called to Sylvester Gardner’s to see if I could hire a Watson girl but I could not, and I called to other places on the road to see if I could hire a girl on my way home. I called to Guy Moffitt’s to see a Griffin girl, but did not make a bargain with her to work for me.

Wednesday: This evening I went and engaged F. Bute to come on Saturday and put runners to my still house and draw it and take his pay in grain.  On this evening I went up to Stephen Sheldon’s and bargained with Gardner to work for us to milk or do any other work for seven months to begin the 4th of April and I do agree to pay her 75 cts per week.

Thursday: We drew rowing and brick from my still house home.  On this evening I went to the hill to Mr. Hatches and Mr. Marrel’s to invite them to help me draw my still house and sent to Mr. Nap to come and this evening the boy that boards with me by the name of Sylvester Swann, he rode my horse and went down to Mr. John Broad’s and invited hands.

Friday: This morning I went to Adam Brown, Aaron Sackett, Elick Allen, Robert Solomon Goodrich to have them come down and draw my still house.  I called and invited Simeon Wylie and I came home and we drew stalks and timber from my still and some brick.  and then I went and invited Zach Chapman, Calvin P. Sackett, Edward Carr, James Adams and brother Wm went and invited Guy Moffitt and I invited Sylvester H. Pardee and then went home and got my supper.  I then took both horses and Swan went with me to Hancock Village. I got trusted to Wm. Hadsell Store for five quarts rum, and I got one gallon of cider brandy that I had stilled on shares last fall.  On the way we called to John Wylie’s Benj Douglass’s and Eli Douglass and John Gardner’s and invited them to my drawing to come with their oxen, Mr. H. Platt, Wm L. Gardner, Daniel Smith had an invite sent them to come and help draw said building.

Saturday: said F. Buten came and helped hew and put said runners under and we drew said still house without much damage, only to break a few chains.  I have paid some for braking those chains, I stand ready to pay the rest.  I found victuals and liquor.  We had about thirty yoke of oxen and twenty six yoke drew the building.

Memorial Aviary At Berkshire Bird Paradise

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by Bea Peterson

The entryway to the Berkshire Bird Paradise will soon be beautified and enhanced, an elaborate cage will be constructed and a barn will become a bird museum. This will all happen as a result of a New York City woman who loved a Rock Dove/Pigeon named Puffy. When Puffy died his owner wanted a memorial built in his name. Peter Dubacher, owner and operator of the Berkshire Bird Paradise in Grafton said the woman is a frequent contributor to the Paradise and she generously donated $100,000 to make the Puffy Memorial Aviary a realty. [Read more…] about Memorial Aviary At Berkshire Bird Paradise