The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Summer Camp Topic Of Special Board Meeting

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by Bea Peterson

The Town of Hoosick Board held a special workshop meeting on Thursday, March 20, to discuss the Town’s Summer Camp program. Supervisor Mark Surdam, Deputy Supervisor Jeff Wysocki and Councilman Bruce Patire were in attendance. Councilman Dave Sutton was out of town. Patire started the discussion by saying “I will not be surprised to not see the pool open.” This would definitely change the face of the Summer Camp as a good portion of the Camper’s days were taken up with swimming lessons and free swims. Another pool related issue regarding the Camp is keeping the youngsters away from the pool area while work is underway. [Read more…] about Summer Camp Topic Of Special Board Meeting

TRACS Meeting On Heroin Problem

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By Thaddeus Flint

An announcement a few weeks back by New Lebanon Town Councilman Matt Larabee that heroin and hypodermic needles had been found on a roadside next to a grave yard managed to get some attention lately in the digital world. But a local anti-drugs coalition is still finding it difficult to get residents concerned enough about the problem to do something about it in reality. [Read more…] about TRACS Meeting On Heroin Problem

Night Kitchen Farm Puts Hathaway’s Drive In Over Goal

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by Bea Peterson

Duane and Betsy Greenawalt recently announced that Hathaway’s Drive In will open with new digital cinema and sound on Friday, April 25, weather permitting. Duane said, though they had raised more than half of the necessary funds, they anticipated being closed this season and raising the rest of the money through the summer to reopen in 2015. They would not be opening this year without the help of Lynn Caponera from In The Night Kitchen at Scotch Hill Farm in Cambridge, NY. “Lynn contacted us around Thanksgiving time last year and told us she loves drive ins and she wanted to help and she provided a significant portion of the funds required to convert to digital projection.” In return for the financial support the Greenawalts agreed that Hathaway’s would help increase public awareness of the need for hunger relief for children and families in local communities by running on-screen public service announcements promoting awareness for hunger relief. “It is a cause we personally believe in so being a part of it was easy,” said Duane. “In addition we will be asking all movie patrons, if they can, to bring a non-perishable food item to the theatre when they visit. Together we hope to make a tangible impact on hunger relief in our communities while enjoying digital cinema and sound from our equipment.”

The late Maurice Sendak, author and illustrator of the children’s book “Where the Wild Things Are” and so much more, created The Night Kitchen Farm. Maurice bought the 150 acre Scotch Hill Farm in the 1990s. He was drawn to the area because of the nearby Monks of New Skete with whom he had a long term relationship. Scotch Hill Farm, now owned by Lynn, a long time Sendak companion and assistant, is a working farm that grows and donates food to local food banks and pantries.

Duane said, “It has been a long journey working diligently to accumulate these funds. We owe much gratitude to our loyal patrons, friends, family and well-wishers from across the country. They purchased field speakers, tee shirts, posters, season passes, raffle tickets, film earrings  and attended a fall music concert; all to benefit our cause. The recent ‘Night at the Brewvie’s’ event at the Hoosick Falls Armory, which was a collaboration between Brown’s Brewing Company, HAYC3 and Hathaway’s was a tremendous success. Again, a big ‘Thank You’ to everyone who supported the effort.”

Duane estimates the upgrade and other improvements will cost over $90,000. “We are still fundraising because there are more improvements we want to make,” he said. Originally the cost was thought to be about $70,000. “When we started tearing out the projection booth we discovered the whole electrical system, meters and panels, has to be upgraded and replaced,” he said. “Fortunately we are beginning to receive some in-kind donations, which are very helpful.” Dave Sutton of Suttonscapes has volunteered to use his equipment to dig the conduit line from the projection booth to the snack bar, for example. Someone else located underground lines as a contribution. Eventually they would like to upgrade the rest rooms as well.

The Greenawalts have so much going on in their lives that they have decided to turn over management of the Drive In to Steve Hansen who formerly operated the Bennington movie complex and, before that, the Bennington Drive In.

Gayle Donohue Promoted

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by Bea Peterson

Williams College Director of Dining Services Robert Volpi recently announced that, after a national search, which attracted a lot of interest, and included a wide range of student, faculty and staff involvement, Gayle Donohue has been appointed the Assistant Director of Student Dining. Donohue began her career at Williams in July 2005 as the Assistant Manager of the Faculty House. In 2006 she was promoted to Manager of Driscoll Hall and then moved on to become the manager of Mission Park in 2010. Donohue graduated from the University of Denver, Colorado with a BS in Hotel/Restaurant Management in ‘89-’90. She received a Master of Science Degree in Organizational Leadership from Norwich University in 2011. Donohue began her new position on March 10.

Gayle Donohue is the wife of Paul Donohue. They live in Hoosick Falls and have two children, Mary, a 2013  Cum laude graduate of St. Lawrence University and son Peter, a Junior at the New School in Manhattan, NYC. Gayle is the daughter of Herb and Peg Loretan of Hoosick Falls and a graduate of St. Mary’s Academy.

Magical Storybook Program For April Vacation

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Time to Register Your Child for HAYC3’s “Magical Storybook” April Vacation Enrichment Program

This spring break, send your child on a funtastical journey via books and stories at HAYC3’s April School Vacation Enrichment Program. “Once Upon a Story Book, Spring Edition” is a week of exploring and discovering contemporary and classic stories, fairy tales, and more.  The program is from April 14th to the 18th.

Every day features a new adventure, each focusing on different books. This creative, storybook-themed camp will spark kids’ imaginations. All of the program’s games, activities, and even snacks will be related to that day’s book. It’s an exciting, effective and fun way to connect kids to reading and open doors in their minds.

The Vacation Program runs each day from 9 am to 3 pm, with extended hours until 6 pm. Snacks are provided, but kids should bring a lunch. The cost is $110 per week per child. Enrollment is limited and the program is filling up quickly, so go to http://hayc3.org/youth/vacationprogram/, email contacthayc3@gmail.com, or call 518-686-9050 to reserve a spot for your child (or children) now.

St. Mary’s Academy Spring Auction Is Coming Soon!

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St. Mary’s Academy will be having its annual Spring Auction on Saturday, April 5. There will be a silent auction as well as a live auction hosted by Ron Seifert, Hoosick Falls Auctioneer. Doors will open at 6:00 pm for a preview of the items, and the live auction will begin at 7:00 pm. Come enjoy a light fare and cash bar while supporting a great cause. Please note this is a 21 and older event. We have many fabulous items to present once again, including: beautiful jewelry including Ed Levin pieces, an autographed Toby Keith picture, inside tickets to the sold out July 4th James Taylor concert, American Girl Doll (Kit), Dream Again Refresh Sleep System mattress (King size) by WCW, two George VanHook paintings, Coach bag, a trip to Martha’s Vineyard, a scoreboard that once hung in the SMA gym, precious classroom projects and more…much more! We hope to see you there!

Jim Sutton In Hall Of Fame

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High School Wrestling Coach Jim Sutton, surrounded by his family, was recently inducted into the NYS High School Wrestling Hall of Fame. photo courtesy of Gerry Surdam
High School Wrestling Coach Jim Sutton, surrounded by his family, was recently inducted into the NYS High School Wrestling Hall of Fame. photo courtesy of Gerry Surdam

by Bea Peterson

During the recent February/March NYS High School Wrestling Championships at the Times Union Center in Albany, long time Wrestling Coach Jim Sutton was inducted into the NYS High School Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Sutton, a high school and college wrestler, began his wrestling coaching career at Hoosick Falls Central School under Coach Ken Baker. He was HFCS Wrestling Head Coach from 1986 to 1998. He coached wrestling at La Salle Institute in Troy from 1999 to 2012. He was also the USA Junior Coach of the NYS team. During his career he helped produce nine State Champions, 40 Section II Champions, 31 NYS Place finishers and two consecutive State Team Championships.

Sutton and his wife Ruth live in West Hoosick. They have six children, daughters Summer and Caitlin and sons James, Stephen, Taylor and Connor. Jimmy, Steve and Connor wrestled at LaSalle. Steve was a four time State place finisher and Connor was a State Champion. Connor is now a student and wrestling at Columbia University.

In September 2013 Sutton was inducted into the La Salle Institute Athletic Hall of Fame as one of the most decorated coaches in the history of La Salle Institute, Section II and New York State athletics. He was also a major factor in building the La Salle’s athletic fields, which bear his family name.

Shrek The Musical at HFCS Free Fun for All Ages

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The Hoosick Falls Central School Drama Club will present Shrek The Musical on Friday April 4th, Saturday April 5th, and Sunday the 6th.  Thanks to the continuing support by the school, the Drama Club continues to offer free admission!

Crew members work on one of the many set pieces required for Shrek The Musical. Photo courtesy of Rob Allen
Crew members work on one of the many set pieces required for Shrek The Musical. Photo courtesy of Rob Allen

In keeping with the 2001 movie, the story follows everybody’s favorite lovable green ogre as he strikes a deal with the scheming Lord Farquaad to rid the swamp of a band of fairy tale creatures.  Shrek’s quest: to rescue the fiery Princess Fiona from a dragon-protected tower.    Teamed up with the incessantly chatty Donkey, he sets off on what seems to be a simple task, but it will forever change him and the land of Duloc.

While the musical has a great deal of similarities with the movie, there are also many differences and surprises. The music is all new, and is fantastic, beautiful, and hilarious.  Nominated for 8 Tony Awards, 11 Drama Desk Awards, and even a Grammy, the Broadway show enjoyed a successful run.

The show is perfect for all ages: it contains no bad language, is very captivating, and has great messages about love, friendship, and diversity…and it wouldn’t be the occasional burp.  There will be a brief 20 minute intermission where concessions will be available for purchase in the High School Cafeteria, with all proceeds going back into the HFCS Performing Arts through the student-run Performing Arts Council group.

Because the show is aimed at all ages, we had adjusted the start times to work better with the little ones.  The performances Friday the 4th and Saturday the 5th will begin at 6:30 pm, while Sunday’s start time will be 2 pm.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact the show’s director Rob Allen at 686-7321 x1106.

Karen & Charlie Bring New Business To Berlin

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by David Flint

The building on the southwest corner of Route 22 and Elm Street in Berlin has been through a number of rebirths. Back in the 1960’s it was a popular little eatery called the Lunchbox. Later it was a video store and then a pizza place. For a number of years it also housed a Laundromat. In its current life it is now the location of Karen & Charlie’s Guns.

Karen & Charlie in the new store. (photo by David Flint)
Karen & Charlie in the new store. (photo by David Flint)

Karen and Charlie Davis have resided in Petersburgh for about ten years. They have a business up there called D & D Floorcovering. They are both gun enthusiasts, hunters and members of the Berlin Rod & Gun Club. Having noticed that, aside from Steve’s Gun Shop in Stephentown, there is no place locally where the area’s many hunters can purchase hunting supplies, they opened their own shop last September.

Business, they say, has been pretty good, considering that they are still fairly new to Berlin. They have actually had a few customers from as far away as Connecticut and New Jersey. They have not heard any negative comments from people in the community so far and are pleased to say that they have received quite a few positive comments. They carry a sizeable variety of both hand guns and long guns and ammunition for whatever gun you have. Prices on the hand guns range from $170 up to $675 for a Beretta. Karen said they have sold a lot of rifles and shotguns, especially the Savage brand, and quite a few hand guns. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, Karen says they have access to all the manufacturers so they can order it for you.

They also carry muzzle loaders and air rifles along with all the necessary cleaning kits and accessories. They do take trade-ins and they have a few used long guns, but most people these days, they say, seem to want to hold on to their old weapons, perhaps fearing future confiscation. They expect soon to stock target and hunting archery equipment as well. For the fishing people they carry all kinds of fishing supplies as well as bait fish. Most of their sales, however, has been in ammunition for target shooting and for hunting.

With the advent of the Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement (SAFE) Act the Davises say that they have to be very careful with the paperwork and so do their customers. But they can help the customers with that. They have all the necessary forms if, for example, someone wants to transfer ownership of a weapon or request a pistol permit, and they are prepared to help customers fill them out and get them filed. They are also prepared to answer questions that people have regarding the new law, or they can refer them to the proper authority. Charlie said that it is pretty common knowledge now what arms and ammunition people can and can’t have under the SAFE Act and as far as he knows, everyone seems to be complying with the law. Regarding the SAFE Act, Charlie said he believes the State went about it the wrong way. He thinks they would have been better advised to more actively enforce existing laws rather than creating a new one that seems in some respects to go after sporting enthusiasts rather than potential criminals.

Another service that Karen and Charlie plan to offer is ammunition reloading. They think there will be a growing demand for that because the new law will eventually require background checks for ammunition sales. They believe that people will not want to go through the hassle of a background check just to buy a box of ammo.

Karen and Charlie say that they want to keep a small store that is community oriented. Their basic goal is to listen carefully to what the customers want, what they like and what they don’t like.

There is no website for Karen & Charlie’s Guns yet but they plan to have one constructed in the future. Meanwhile they are listed on a number of manufacturers’ websites. For more information they can be reached at 658-2222. Hours at the store are 10 am to 6 pm Tuesday through Friday and 10 am to 3 pm on Saturday.

Karen and Charlie are optimistic about the success of the store. “We hope it works out. We think it’s a real benefit to Berlin and Petersburgh to keep business local,” they said.

Berlin Rabies Clinic

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A Rabies Clinic will be held on Thursday, April 3, at the Town of Berlin Municipal Center, 17563 NY Route 22 in Cherry Plain (formerly Berlin Lumber). All rabies vaccines, dog-DHLPP vaccines and cat-FURCP vaccines cost $10 each; cash only! Cats will be treated from 6 to 7 pm, dogs from 7 to 8 pm. No appointment is necessary. Call Doug Goodermote at 658-3308 if you have questions.