The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Team Berlin Competes In Regional Science Competition

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submitted by Erin Clary, Communications Specialist, Berlin Central School District

On Saturday, March 1, a team of eight Berlin Middle School students competed in the U.S. Department of Energy National Science Bowl regional competition at General Electric Global Research in Niskayuna.

Team Berlin placed fifth in the car competition and advanced through quarter finals in the academic Q&A portion. With the support of more than 35 cheering friends and family members, this first time team was one of 11 middle school teams from nine school districts to compete in the regional competition.

For months leading up to the event, students stayed after school using knowledge from their math, science and technology classes to build a small electric car from a lithium battery and miscellaneous parts. The vehicle then had to carry a 1½ pound salt container down a 50 foot track. Team Berlin won its initial heats and qualified for the single elimination heats, making it to the second round.

Students also participated in the academic competition portion of the event to test their math and science knowledge. As the only rookie team at the event, Team Berlin defeated Bethlehem and had close scores with other Big 10 schools in the Capital District.

According to Berlin Science Teacher Audrey Vanderhoef, hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) projects like these help students learn 21st century skills such as team work, communication and problem solving. It also encourages students to begin thinking about college and careers.

“These students are already figuring out career pathways and the importance of work ethic,” said Vanderhoef. “Events like these allow them to discover the many opportunities in the Capital Region even if you come from a small town in the valley.”

Vanderhoef said the event helps students build confidence while having fun. “They’ve lost that frustration level,” she said. “It makes them excited to try and to not be afraid of making mistakes.”

Students also had the opportunity to see 3-D printers in action and speak to architects and engineers who developed the RPI tech park.

Team Berlin includes Ilan Mikit (captain), Seiji Akera, Breanna Brundige, Amada Despart, Mike Diaz, Kiam Kaiser, Anthony Marshall and Ben Stewart.

Team Berlin members, along with teachers Audrey Vanderhoef, left, and Dawn Wetmore, proudly display their electric car at the Capital Region Science Bowl at GE on Saturday. Photo courtesy of Erin Clary.
Team Berlin members, along with teachers Audrey Vanderhoef, left, and Dawn Wetmore, proudly display their electric car at the Capital Region Science Bowl at GE on Saturday. Photo courtesy of Erin Clary.

ELA Common Core Night

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The Parent Engagement Committee invites all Berlin Elementary School parents and grandparents to the English Language Arts (ELA) Common Core Night. This will be held on Thursday, March 20, from 6 to 7:30 pm at the Elementary School.  Child care and refreshments will be provided.  This is a wonderful opportunity to  learn more and ask your children’s teachers about how you can help your child in school.

Health Care Help At The Armory

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Confused about healthcare? Get health insurance help and information at The Armory on Friday, March 14, from 5 to 7 pm. Pamela Cole, a representative from WellCare, a healthcare group that partners with providers and governments to deliver quality, cost effective health care solutions will be there to meet with you and help you make sense of the confusing healthcare system.

WellCare provides managed care services through government sponsored programs such as Medicaid and Medicare. They offer a variety of health plans for families and children as well as prescription drug plans.

LVHS Receives Grant To Archive The ECHO Newspaper

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The Lebanon Valley Historical Society (LVHS) has been granted $225 from the Columbia County Board of Supervisors and the Columbia County Historical Society 2013 Re-grant program. These funds have been used to buy archival storage boxes and supplies for the LVHS collection of The ECHO, a now out of print weekly newspaper which  covered towns in Columbia and Rensselaer Counties on the Massachusetts border.

Previously, the LVHS had an extensive but incomplete collection of  The ECHO.  Last summer, the Town of New Lebanon received a donation of a complete collection of The ECHO, and gave them to the LVHS.  The LVHS  requested funding from the Columbia County Historical Society to buy  archival storage boxes and supplies in order to safely store this collection.

In January, volunteers from the LVHS sorted and collated the newspapers. The LVHS now has an almost complete collection of The ECHO from 1940 to 1996. They are archivally stored in the LVHS rooms at the New Lebanon Town Hall and available for public research by appointment.

Since many of the donated editions had multiple copies, extra copies were donated to the Stephentown and Canaan Historical Societies.  Copies of The  ECHO are also available for public perusal at the New Lebanon Heritage  Center.

Patriot Flight Gears Up

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submitted by Gail Smith

About a dozen interested veterans attended the information night on the Patriot Flight that will take place on May 10 (originally reported as May 3). Bill Schaaf and Danielle Havel from the organization brought with them all the information veterans and/or guardians needed to know. Bill began with three tear-jerking clips from the movie Honor Flight, which is a documentary based on an Honor Flight event that depicted what attendees might experience during their trip.

The sole purpose of Patriot Flights is to bring veterans to the Washington, DC, War Memorials, free of charge, for a day filled with honor, recognition, remembrance and memories. Their goal is to take as many World War II Veterans as possible, but they are also taking applications for Korean War Veterans and Guardsmen.

Patriot Flight has made 13 trips to Washington over the years, which are funded through donations by individuals and organizations. It is a life changing experience which Bill promised, besides a veteran’s wedding day and the day their children were born, would be the most memorable event of a veteran’s life. The only thing they’ll have to do is get up, get dressed and get themselves to Hoosick Falls Community Alliance Church, the departure location. Patriot Flight will take it all from there.

We were assured that the veterans’ personal comfort is of utmost importance and the only medical concern they will have will be facial muscle fatigue from smiling all day. That’s a good problem to have!

Seats are first come-first serve, so don’t delay. Cost for Guardsmen is $350. If you have any questions or would like an application, you can call Gail at 686-3269 or Bill Schaaf at 542-0609, stop in at the Hoosick Falls Community Alliance Church or visit patriotflight.com.

Grafton VFD And Ladies Auxiliary Breakfast

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The Grafton Volunteer Fire Department along with the Grafton Ladies Auxiliary will be serving an All You Can Eat Buffet Breakfast on Saturday, March 29, from 8 to 11 am at the Grafton VFW – Fire Hall on South Road (County Route 85).

Belgian waffles, pancakes, French toast, eggs (made to order), sausage gravy & biscuits, bacon, sausage, home fries, toast, orange juice, coffee and milk are on the menu. The cost is $9 per adult, $4 for kids 12 and under and free for kids five and under.

Tsatsawassa Fire Company Monthly Breakfast

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The Tsatsawassa Protective Fire Company will serve its monthly breakfast at the firehouse on Sunday, March 16, from 8 until 11:30 am.   Breakfast consists of your choice of French toast or pancakes,  together with bacon or sausage, toast, orange juice, beverages and eggs prepared to your order for a cost of $6 with children under five served free.

Support your locate fire company while visiting with friends and neighbors and enjoying a hearty breakfast to start your day.  The firehouse is located behind the post office near the intersection of Routes 20 and 66 North in the hamlet of Brainard and is handicap accessible.  For more information call  518-766-3815.

March Programs And Events At The Grafton Community Library

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• Homebuyer Orientation with TRIP – Tuesday, March 11, from 6 to 7:15 pm. Thinking about buying a home in Rensselaer County? This is the place to start! This informational program with experts from TRIP (Troy Rehabilitation and Improvement Program) will look at the advantages and disadvantages of home ownership, qualifying for a mortgage and costs to expect during the homebuying process. You will also learn about TRIP’s Pre-Purchase Program and First Time Homebuyer Grants. This event will be held at the Everett Wagar Senior Center. Please sign up in advance on the TRIP website or by contacting the Grafton Community Library.

• Animal Tracking Workshop for School Age Children, first grade and up) – Saturday, March 22, at 11 am. Join tracking expert and Grafton resident Dan Yacobellis to learn how to read animal tracks and signs right in the Library’s back yard. The program will focus on how animals celebrate the emergence of spring and prepare for the changing of the seasons. Bring warm clothes and boots. We will meet in the Library and move outside to see what we can find. Please pre-register at the Library by phone or email.

• Book Discussion Group – Life after Life by Kate Atkinson –  Wednesday, March 26, at 12:30. The Grafton Community Library’s book discussion group meets monthly. New participants are always welcome. Check the book discussion group homepage for upcoming selections.

• All Ages Program: Storyteller Gil Payette presents “Hidden Animals – Native American Myths, Legends and Monsters” – Friday, March 28. at 6 pm. Grafton based storyteller Gil Payette will share his knowledge and love of Native American folklore and mythology with a keynote presentation and talk about the legendary creatures that went bump in the night and moved through shadows in the woods as demonic half-beast shape-shifters or monsters of their realm. Some of these mythological creatures feasted on humans and some were their guardians….

Ongoing Programs

• Weekly Storytimes for preschool age children. Bring your little ones to the Library for storytime fun and learning with stories, songs, crafts and more. Nature Tales Storytime with special guests from Grafton Lakes State Park on Wednesday, March 12, at 10:30 am, on Thursday, March 20, at 4 pm and on Wednesday, March 26, at 10:30 am.

• Sit & Knit Knitting and Needle Arts Group – Saturdays from  10 am to 12:30 pm. All skill levels are welcome. Come work on your projects, share skills and ideas and learn about all the needle arts including knitting, stitching and crocheting.

• Game Day at the Library every Tuesday starting at 3:30 pm. Come to the Library to play your favorite board games with friends – Scrabble, Bananagrams, Scattergories and more. Games for all ages are available. Use the Library’s games or bring your own.

• Grafton Clippers Coupon Group – Every other Monday (March 10 and March 24) at 6 pm. The Grafton Community Library is excited to host this new social group where people can gather to share knowledge of clipping coupons and finding ways to cut shopping trips by 90%. New members are always welcome. For more information email Donna at moreoutoflife@gmail.com or Erin at Erin_469@yahoo.com.

March Events At The New Lebanon Library

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The New Lebanon Library announces the following March events. All of these events are free and will take place at the Library which is located at 550 State Route 20.

• March 12, 19, 26 (this event is on Wednesdays) – Small Wonders Lapsit Storytime – 10 am. These are age appropriate stories, songs and movement activities for our youngest patrons and their caregivers. For ages up to 18 months.

• March 12, 19, 26 (this event is on Wednesdays) – Preschool Story Hour – 11 am. Story hour includes crafts, songs and movement activities.

• March 7 – Coffeehouse Night with Linda Worster – 6 pm, an evening of acoustic music with this Berkshire favorite. Donations for the performer are appreciated.

• March 11 – Community Film Night – 6:30 pm. See a free screening of the film “Cave of Forgotten Dreams” with a discussion to follow.

• March 13 – How to download eBooks and audiobooks with your library card – 6:30 pm. Bring your device and let our experts show you how to access our digital collections.

• March 14 – Dublin Porter in concert – 7 pm, an evening of Irish music. Donations for the performers are appreciated.

• March 20 – Family Crafts Night – 6:30 pm. All materials will be provided. This activity is for ages 5 and up.

• March 21 – Divinitress in concert – 7 pm, an evening of acoustic folk rock from local duo Tistrya Grace and Erin Laundry. Donations for the performers are appreciated.

• March 22 – Paws-to-Read – 9  am. Therapy dogs come to the Library and children read to their furry friends. And, of course, the dogs listen!

• March 23 – Together in Concert – David Grover, Linda Worster and Puggy Demary – 2 pm, an evening of original music plus a mix of folk and rock from the 50s, 60s and 70s with these Berkshire favorites. Donations for the performers are appreciated.

• March 27 – Tor Krautter in concert – 6:30 pm, an evening of unplugged originals and folk/rock covers with Rev Tor. Donations for the performer are appreciated.

• March 28 – Family Movie Night – 6:30 pm. A current film suitable for the whole family will be shown. Call for the title. Popcorn and juice will be provided.

For further information on any of these events, please contact Jeannie Bogino at 518-794-8844.