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Dissension In The Stephentown Fire Dept.

eastwickpress — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 00:42:15 +0000

by David Flint
Jamieson Pelletier’s expulsion from the Stephentown Volunteer Fire Department this past March is still a source of major dissension in the ranks. The sticking point for many seems to be that the membership still does not know for sure why he was expelled. They also believe that, just as in a recent episode with the Stephentown Zoning Board, due process and governing regulations – in this case, the SVFD Bylaws – were not followed.
Following a meeting he had with the Board of Directors, Pelletier received a letter dated March 10 in which Bob Adler, President of the Department, and Doug Griswold, Chairperson of the Board of Directors, informed him that the Board of Directors had voted to expel him. No reason for the expulsion was stated. A follow-up letter in April, after Pelletier asked the Board to reconsider, indicated that “the consensus of the majority was to uphold the first decision to expel you on the grounds of insubordination.”
Pelletier believes the decision was related to two incidents. In November he had a confrontation with the Assistant Chief EMS at a training session in Berlin. Then in March he was in the driver seat of a fire truck about to depart the station to respond to a structure fire when the Fire Captain arrived and demanded that he get out of the truck and that he, the Captain would drive the truck. Pelletier seeing that the Captain did not have his gear, and advised by Earl Buffa in the passenger seat, drove the truck out anyway.
Pelletier claims he was not suspended by the Fire Chief for either incident and no charges were ever written up. He said that after the incident in November he agreed with Fire Chief Rich Burgess to stand down for the month of December but he was not officially suspended. He said he went to a Fire District Commissioners’ meeting in January to complain about harassment but was told to take it to the Board of Directors. He went to their meeting in March and told his version of the incident with the Fire Captain. The next day he received the letter saying he was expelled. Pelletier said he has consulted a lawyer on this but has no intention of taking any legal action.
Past Fire Chief David Corlew said it has never been clearly defined by the Department or the Board of Directors why Pelletier was expelled. He believes the Bylaws were not followed. The Bylaws specify that a member who has been suspended may seek a hearing before the Board of Directors and prior to the meeting the member is to be furnished with a written copy of the charges against him. The Board, with the recommendation of the Fire Chief, can uphold or overturn the suspension, or they can fine or expel the member. But there is no evidence that Pelletier was actually suspended, and, as far as Corlew knows, the charges against him have never been laid out.
Corlew expressed exasperation that at a time when the Department is sorely in need of volunteers, the leadership, instead of trying to work with a member, has just washed its hands and shut the book on it. Corlew said Pelletier may have been insubordinate but he has heard reports that the Board was also considering some incidents that happened 19 years ago. Corlew said Pelletier made a mistake in confronting the Assistant Chief EMS in the November incident. Regarding the second incident, however, he said he, too, if ready to roll in responding to a structure fire, would have ignored the order to get out of the truck from a superior officer who was not ready to go. “I fully back him on that,” Corlew said. That incident, he said, was blown out of proportion.
Corlew said Pelletier was absolutely a good fireman who responded to over 100 calls a year. He is missed, he said, especially at a time when it is often hard to get an ambulance off the floor. There were a few, he said, who did not like him and pushed to get him out. Corlew believes that because of the Board’s actions in this matter there are some who do not respond as readily to calls now, thus possibly putting the townspeople in jeopardy. “If this can happen to him, it can happen to anyone,” Corlew said.
Past EMS Assistant Chief Tammy Madden said that insubordination is not acceptable but neither is ignoring the Bylaws. If there were grounds for suspension or expulsion, due process should have been followed. As far as she could see, Pelletier was never officially suspended, the charges against him were never written up and the membership was never informed as to why he had been expelled. The Board, she said, could not vote on expulsion if the Fire Chief has not suspended the person. Madden said she brought it up at a Fire meeting in May, seeking to ask the membership for a vote on asking the Board of Directors to reconsider, but she was ruled out of order.
Madden noted that Pelletier was offered the opportunity to resign instead of being expelled, but she questioned why he should be required to make that choice without due process being followed.
Madden recalled that Pelletier, when he was Assistant Fire Chief, was enthusiastic and very safety conscious, “everything you would want an Assistant Chief to be.” She realized that he and current Assistant Chief EMS Rik McClave never got along. “They were like oil and water,” she said, “but we are all tossed in the same salad. We have to work together. We can’t be fighting.” This needless dissension, she believes, would discourage new volunteers. She mentioned that having recently worked on a retention and recruitment task force organized by Rensselaer County Executive Kathy Jimino, she was now discouraged that her own Department could set no better example than this.
How the Board could now “fix the mess they’re in,” Madden wasn’t sure. “If they could somehow go back and do everything right, I’d be happy,” she said. In her opinion, the Board should have thought through more thoroughly the consequences of their decision. Madden believes that regardless of the due process problem, expulsion was too harsh a punishment. “You have to be flexible with volunteers,” she said. “It’s not like you have 100 people standing in line to replace someone.”
Past Department President Barbara Danylak, who has also served as EMS Captain, said she did not know why Pelletier was expelled. She believed that a few people in the Department had been making his life miserable for years. She agreed that the Bylaws apparently were not followed, and she also did not believe that Pelletier was ever actually suspended before the expulsion took place. The charges, she said, should have been laid out before the Department and they should have been provided to Pelletier to give the 19-year member an opportunity to defend himself. Danylak said she had written a letter in his support to the Board of Directors but received no acknowledgement. She has heard that Department officers and the Board of Directors have been advised not to speak about the matter because it is in the hands of the lawyers, but, she said, no one seems to know who the Fire Department lawyer is.
Earl Buffa is a fireman and an elected Fire District Commissioner. He also feels it is not clear why Pelletier has been expelled. What he has heard seems to him to be petty. Regarding the confrontation in March with the Fire Captain, Buffa defended Pelletier. The Captain, he said, acknowledged that he did not have his gear with him and wasn’t ready to go.”I told Jamie, ‘Close the door and let’s go’,” he said. Later, Buffa told the Captain that he thought his behavior had been inappropriate. He also called the Fire Chief and discussed the incident. It riles Buffa that if the Board of Directors is basing their decision to expel at least partially on this incident, they never asked him to recount what he observed. Instead he believes they went on pure hearsay.
Buffa said that to his knowledge no charges against Pelletier have been written up. Members brought the expulsion up at Department meetings, but the leadership didn’t want to discuss it. Since Pelletier was not officially suspended following the incident in November, nor was he suspended for the incident in March, Buffa does not understand how the Board of Directors could be following the Bylaws in expelling him.
He thinks that a small group has had a vendetta against Pelletier for a long time. Pelletier, he said, may have in the past been “a hot-headed kid,” but he did not believe he was like that now. He sees him as a fireman with two or three letters of commendation to his credit, one who responded to over 100 calls a year, “a stand up guy, a valuable asset to the community as well as the Fire Department – and he doesn’t deserve this.”
Buffa said he has not heard that the matter is in the hand of the lawyers and that the Department’s lawyer is one retained by the Fire District Commissioners. Buffa is a Commissioner and knows nothing of this, nor does he know who the District’s lawyer might be. As a Commissioner, he said he would like to know who is paying for it.
Buffa does not know what can now be done about this matter, but he feels that it has affected morale greatly. It won’t help with recruitment and retention, he said.
In an attempt to get the Department’s side and that of the Board of Directors on this unfortunate story, Doug Griswold, Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Fire Chief Rich Burgess and Bob Adler, President of the Fire Department, were all contacted. All three said they have been told that the advice of legal counsel is that they refrain from saying anything on the matter.
Gaston Robert, past Fire Chief in New Lebanon and an objective observer, when asked to comment on the Stephentown situation wrote, “I urge all parties to come to the table. There is nothing good that is going to come of this. I have had to deal with the same issues when I was Chief, and I can tell you that there will be no winners. Only the fire company and the townspeople will suffer from the less membership it creates. Get together and make it work. Then make good rules and make sure everybody knows them and follows them. The company is a team effort. Don’t forget it!”

Are You Ready For Some Football?

eastwickpress — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 00:40:50 +0000

Friday Night Under The Lights
by Bea Peterson
The HFCS Football Season begins Friday, September 3, at 7 pm at home against Corinth. The new bleachers and press box are in place. There is a classy white fence trimming the field. The food bar, a fairly recent addition, is set to go. The only hang up may be the weather. It will be in the 80s until the sun goes down, and there is a possibility of rain. Fans will just have to wait and see.
Ready To Go
Coach Ron Jones said his players are ready to go. “It isn’t going to be easy,” he said. “You never know what team is going to pop up and be pretty good. We have to take it one week at a time. In the off season you work to be the best in the State. This week we have to worry about Corinth. We’ve worked very hard. We have goals, but we’ve got to prove it every week. We’ve got to perform. Last year every player played in the quarterfinal game. They know what it’s like to be in a big game before a big crowd.” No doubt they want that opportunity again.

The HFCS football team went through maneuvers on Tuesday in 90 degree heat, determined to give it the best they have on Friday night. (Bea Peterson photo)

Jones said, “We don’t have the offensive line we’ve had in the past. They’re a work in progress, but they’re very motivated and a fun group to work with. We’ll do the best we can.”
Those That Are Back, Those That Are Gone
One player that has stepped up has been senior Steve Colvin, said Jones. “He moved from wide receiver to defensive end and offensive tackle because it was better for the team. He’s very strong, very physical and he’s very good with the younger guys.” Quarterback/linebacker senior Mike Brewster is ready to set some school records this year. Both Tanner Williams and Brad Burns are back. They are running backs and slot receivers. “They’ll be rotating on the field. They look great, they’re very explosive. They are both honor students and both athletic. No problem there.”
“Both David Couch and Garrett Foster are back on the offensive line,” said Jones. “We’re not as big as we were, but for our size we’re strong and move pretty well.”
Jones said he has a lot of good players, “but there are not enough footballs to go around. Fortunately many of the players have been together for a while, and they understand.”
The team lost eight graduating players from last year’s roster. “Every one of them was a contributor,”

Coach Josh Fumas shows the players how he wants them to move in practice on Tuesday. (Bea Peterson photo)

said Jones. He is pleased that Jake Colliano, a freshman at Hudson Valley Community College is helping coach the team. Colliano’s goal is to be a physical education teacher and coach. “He’s a good leader,” said Jones.
He ticked off his other graduating players. Kevin McMahon will be playing basketball at SUNY Cortland, Greg Stifter is playing wide receiver for Mansfield U in Pennsylvania, Logan O’Brian is there, too. Pat Mulvihill and Connor Hemeon are at Utica College. Alex Hansen and Steve Moseley are also at HVCC.
No Jug Match
Unfortunately there will be no match between Cambridge and Hoosick Falls this year for the Ken Baker Jug. “Cambridge is Class D, and this year there are an even number of teams in the Class, so there will be no cross-over games,” said Jones. Too bad. That is one match-up everyone always wants to see. Maybe next year.
Regular season home games will be this Friday, September 3, Friday, September 24, against Granville and Friday, October 15, against Lake George. Away games are September 10 against Mechanicville, 7 pm, September 17 against Greenwich, 7 pm, October 2 against Hoosic Valley, 1 pm, and October 9 against Fonda, 1 pm. Sectional Quarterfinal or Crossover games begin October 22.
The team was previewed on Channel 13 Tuesday. An extended interview can be viewed on the television station’s website.
So, as the season begins, let’s hear it – GO PANTHERS!!

Working on the running game during a practice scrimmage. (Bea Peterson photo)

Former HFCS quarterback and Coach Ron Jones goes through drills with his quarterbacks. (Bea Peterson photo)

DEC Kills Moose

eastwickpress — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 00:34:16 +0000

Moose Mixed With Cows
by David Flint
A yearling moose began hanging out at the end of July with the cows on the farm of Leo and Janette Roberts on Newton Road in Stephentown. Leo said it wasn’t bothering anybody. But the animal looked a bit scruffy – it may have been molting – and it seemed to have no fear of humans. So people who observed it began to wonder if there was something wrong with it and eventually the Department of Environmental Conservation was called to come have a look.
Nancy Heaslip, Senior Wildlife Biologist at DEC’s Region 4 Office in Schenectady, said the animal’s behavior was definitely strange. The young bull moose showed no reaction when a group of people from DEC approached him and even laid hands on him. According to Heaslip, the first thing they think of when a

Just A Little Bit Different - This yearling bull moose on the farm of Leo and Janette Roberts on Newton Road in Stephentown was put down by the DEC for acting “strangely.” Photo by Joan Brokalis.

moose is acting strangely is the parasite known as brainworm. Heaslip said a number of moose in Rensselaer County have been found to have brainworm. Recently a hiker came across a moose lying down in the Capital District Wildlife Management Area in Stephentown. Another was found by hunters laying in a hay field near Best Road. Both animals were believed to have brainworm and were dispatched by DEC. Another moose was hit by a car on the Plank Road in Berlin. Subsequent tests on these animals showed that they all had the brainworm parasite for which there is no treatment or vaccine.
Having observed the young moose on the Roberts farm, the DEC team concluded that it, too, was probably infected with the parasite and the best thing to do was to put it down.
Heaslip said this week that they may have acted prematurely. The moose’s remains were taken for testing and the results turned out to be negative, both for brainworm and for rabies. She had no explanation for the animal’s strange behavior, but Heaslip felt sad that he was needlessly put down. The moose is a relatively new returnee to this area, she said, and wildlife specialists are trying to learn more about the species and their problems through experience.
The Department of Agriculture & Markets recently sent out an alert about an incidence of Eastern Equine Encephalitis in a horse in Oswego County. Asked if the moose could possibly have been suffering from this fatal disease, Heaslip said that is not something they tested for but she does not believe that EEE has ever been found to occur in the moose population.

The Moose checking out the barn on the Roberts' farm. Photo courtesy of the Roberts.

A Summer Family Fair

eastwickpress — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 00:30:02 +0000

by Bea Peterson
Carnival ride lights illuminated the Town of Hoosick Athletic Field Thursday, Friday and Saturday of last week. Unfortunately for the teenagers, most of the rides were geared for the younger set. Adults who took the time to browse around found great musical entertainment by the Champagne Jam Country & Western band, an antique car show and a dozen or more vendors of jewelry, clothing and assorted handcrafts. There was plenty to eat and Boy Scouts to visit while they camped out. Skilled belly dancer Fiona Slattery was an added attraction near the food concessions.
The event, organized by the San Damiano Family Support Services and sponsored by several local businesses, was held in response to requests made to San Damiano leader Joe DiFusco. DiFusco organized such an event with the Knights of Columbus several years ago in Hoosick Falls. Then for two years he organized even bigger events at the former Green Mountain Race Track. Unfortunately, the vendor that had a large variety of carnival rides for all ages no longer visits this area. Thus, the smaller event was undertaken this year.

There were plenty of rides for the little kids at the Summer Family Fair. They had a grand time! (Bea Peterson photo)

What Is San Damiano
According to information on the internet, the Secular Franciscan Order (SFO) is a religious order for lay men and women established by Saint Francis of Assisi. San Damiano is the name of the church where God spoke to Saint Francis and where Saint Clare and her community of Poor Clare nuns later lived in the early thirteenth

The rocket ride was an impressive sight at the Summer Family Fair. (Bea Peterson photo)

century. The Secular Franciscan Order is open to all practicing Catholics. “Joining a community of Secular Franciscans requires a period of discernment lasting approximately two and one-half years. This time of discernment consists of a period of orientation, a period of inquiry and a period of candidacy. A formal profession of vows marks the members’ entrance into the Secular Franciscan Order.” Members of the order wear habits, by choice, for special religious occasions.
Joe and Wanda DiFusco joined the order more than 20 years ago when they were living in New Britain, CT. They organized a shelter for the homeless and unwed mothers there. However, they found financing such a place often difficult. The couple decided to find their own way of doing things, and they moved to Petersburgh where they established San Damiano Family Support Services at 414 Potter Hill Road. Their little group is growing. They have their own chapel that is open to the public. They offer used medical equipment, such as hospital beds, wheelchairs, walkers, bath seats, etc. to individuals who don’t have insurance coverage or cannot afford to pay for such items. Wanda said their emergency food pantry serves people in Petersburgh, Berlin, Stephentown and sometimes Troy. “We try to help where there is a need,” she said. “We’re flexible. Folks can call and set up an appointment to come and get food in an emergency, any time.” Their regular hours are Monday through Thursday from 10 am to 4 pm.
For more information contact Joe or Wanda DiFusco at 658-3530.

Boy Scouts Robert Hoard, John Otruba and Reid Grobok of Hoosick Falls Troop 65 were just three of the boys who cooked their meals and slept in tents at the Summer Family Fair in honor of the Boy Scouts 100th Anniversary. (Bea Peterson photo)

Folks at the Summer Family Fair were entertained by great music from Champagne Jam. (Bea Peterson photo)

Highly skilled Belly Dancer Fiona Slattery entertained attendees at the Summer Family Fair. (Bea Peterson photo)

The swings were one of the most popular rides at the Summer Family Fair. (Bea Peterson photo)

NLCS District Consolidates Bus Routes

eastwickpress — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 00:20:16 +0000

by Phillip Zema
At the New Lebanon School Board meeting on September 1, Transportation Supervisor Mary Mabb announced that the number of District bus routes has been reduced from 19 to 15. She added that while some of the routes might become slightly longer, the time difference would not be substantial. And since Mabb is also the Transportation Supervisor for Schodack Central School, she is developing a system where New Lebanon and Schodack can select substitute bus drivers from the same pool. By doing so, both Districts would have more driver options and substitutes would receive more opportunities to work.
NLCS Is Preparing Its Students For Future Economy
The New Lebanon School District is enthusiastic about preparing its students for the 21st century global economy. Several faculty members talked about the need to integrate 21st century skill-sets into the classroom. In a PowerPoint® presentation, Principal Leslie Whitcomb highlighted the radical changes taking place in the workforce. With advances in technology and entrepreneurship, the job market is changing; the top 10 fastest growing jobs in 2010 did not even exist in 2004. The demand for students with degrees, especially Associates Degrees in technology and science, is growing rapidly. She emphasized that even with Associate Degrees students in these fields are earning lucrative salaries.
Whitcomb said that students need to enhance their skill-sets in order to meet the demands of the new job arena. Not only must students be well grounded in the basics (reading, writing and arithmetic), but they must also demonstrate the “four Cs” – creativity, corroboration, critical thinking and communication. That is, students must be diligent, have a great work ethic, be able to work in teams and be able to adapt to a rapidly changing work environment. Advances in science and technology require students to be adaptable to different job markets. She added that having a 21st century skill-set will help them thrive in the workforce. The District, accordingly, must take further measures to integrate such skills into the curriculum.
Also, Technology Teacher Rick Jason gave a presentation regarding the growing field of nanotechnology. This hundred billion dollar industry is only growing, as nanotechnology is used extensively in computers, technology and other practical industries such as blemish-free paint and scratch-free eyewear. Area schools are implementing this science into their curriculum, and Jason was optimistic that New Lebanon could have its own nanotechnology course by next year. The course will either last 20 or 40 weeks.
Update On The Union Free School
Debbie Gordon, of the Lebanon Valley Historical Society (LVHS), discussed the latest developments regarding the Union Free School. She informed the Board that while the Union Free School Committee (UFSC) – a subcommittee of the LVHS – did not receive the Lowe’s grant, it was still in the running for the Environmental Protection Fund Grant. The Committee will likely hear in January or February whether it is awarded the grant. The committee is striving after several other lucrative grants and is establishing a fund raising campaign.
Gordon also said the building would likely function as a community center. Ideally, the building would provide a myriad of community services. For example, it could be used to mentor students, house after-school activities and host large community gatherings. It could even serve as a home for the historical society and its collection.
A recent State inspection revealed that there is little asbestos remaining in the old school building. The building’s furnace and windows (with asbestos glazing) contain the only remnants of the substance. The District was already aware that the furnace contained asbestos, so the window glazing was the only new discovery. If the District decides to demolish the building, asbestos abatement must take place first. It was discussed that abatement and demolition would cost an estimated $35-36k, and this figure could go higher.
There was concern over how long it would take to stabilize and/or renovate the building. There was also discussion about whether the Board ought to lay aside room in the budget to cover demolition costs. It was suggested that more information was necessary before any crucial decision was made.
Superintendent Karen McGraw said that the issue should be on the BOE’s agenda for the September 15 meeting. She said that at that time, the BOE will discuss whether it wants to further support the UFSC’s goal of restoring the school building by co-signing grant applications, etc.
Soccer Schedules Set For Fall Sports
Athletic Director Matt Klafehn provided an update on the upcoming sports season. He announced that the girls varsity soccer team will open its season with a scrimmage at Chatham on September 7 and the boys will have their home opener on the 8th against Greenwich. In coordination with New Lebanon’s opponents, he was able to schedule a number of nighttime home games. Some schools, however, due to time constraints, could only play their away games at 4 pm. Also, Klafehn announced that the NL tournament will be held on October 14-16, and the boys varsity basketball team will participate in the Coaches vs. Cancer tournament in Glens Falls.

Berlin Central School District Announces New Teachers

eastwickpress — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 00:18:34 +0000

The Interim Superintendent of the Berlin Central School District, Eileen Leffler, has announced the addition of five teachers to the District school staff.
Noting that none are replacing the teacher position eliminated last year, Mrs. Leffler said the teachers, one of which is half time, are in the fields of special education, speech therapy, English and art.
Working with Students with Disabilities, Laura Garry joins the Middle/High School from Berne-Knox-Westerlo CSD and Capital Region BOCES. She received her education from the College of St. Rose and the University of Albany.
Danyelle Meyers will be teaching English at the Middle/High School. She worked previously in the Greenwich Central School District and attended college at Russell Sage and the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in Education.
Heather Riccardi’s assignment is as Speech Therapist at the Berlin Elementary School.
Certified in Visual Arts, Samantha Noles will teach art half time at the Middle/High School while she pursues her Master’s Degree at the College of St. Rose in Childhood Education and Special Education. Samantha was a student teacher in Berlin Central and has also been a substitute in Berlin since January 2010.
Filling in for a teacher on leave, Christina Hasel will teach art at the Middle/High School. Also certified in Visual Arts, Christina received her Bachelor’s Degree in Science from State University of NY at Plattsburgh in Art (Photography) and her Master’s from The College of Saint Rose in Art Education. Previously Christina taught at the Early Childhood Education Center.
“All are eagerly awaiting the new school year in Berlin and the opportunity to work with our students,” Mrs. Leffler said. “We are fortunate to have such talented teachers join our staff, and we extend a warm welcome to them.”
Laura Garry said that what she liked most about children is that “They’re fun, willing to learn and excited about life.”
Danyelle Meyers attributes her Berlin High School experience and relationships with her teachers with inspiring her to teach and is looking forward to “enjoying the journey through English with her students.”
Christina Hasel said she is excited about creating a space for students’ creativity and offers this advice – “Give learning a chance; be open-minded about your learning.”
Samantha Noles added that as children have different backgrounds and degrees of motivation, she welcomes the challenge of meeting their individual needs. She tells her students, “You don’t have to be an artist to do well in art class; just try your best.”
All the new teachers agree that parents can help their children by being involved, supportive, patient and by checking their work to see what they’re doing and how they’re doing it so they can be there to help as much as possible. The school year begins in Berlin on September 8.
For more information, go to the Berlin Central School District website at www.berlincentral.org.

Berlin Central School District welcomed new teachers at orientation. They are (l to r) Danyelle Meyers, Christina Hasel, Samantha Noles and Laura Garry. Missing from the picture is Heather Riccardi. Photo courtesy of Eileen Leffler.

Petersburgh-Berlin Scout Troop #222 Builds Trail Kiosk For Cherry Plain State Park

eastwickpress — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 00:16:00 +0000

submitted by Elizabeth Wagner
Since April, local Scout Troop #222 has worked during its weekly meetings on the construction of a beautiful trail kiosk for Cherry Plain State Park. On Monday, August 24, the kiosk was officially installed at the trail head of the charcoal kiln trail, which also leads into the expansive Capital District Wildlife Management Area’s (CDWMA) trail system.
The kiosk provides a large scale trail map of Cherry Plain and the CDWMA made by local map expert Gary Thomann, bear and campground information as well as free smaller copies of the trail map. All the materials that went into the kiosk were kindly donated by Burdick Building and Landscaping. Thanks to the Scouts’ efforts, thousands of Cherry Plain State Park annual visitors will have an easier time exploring the beautiful land that surrounds the campground.
The boys are now very close to their woodworking badge after all the time spent on this project. “One thing is for sure, that they can all use a measuring tape and a square handily now!” said Assistant Scout Master Joe Burdick, who is also the father of two of the Scouts.
“We really appreciate our local Scout Troop’s putting their service time towards Cherry Plain State Park,” said Park Manager Melissa Miller. “They’re clearly exemplifying the Scout saying to ‘do a good turn daily!’” The Scouts had also completed trail work on the eroded Charcoal Kiln trail in the Fall of 2009.
The scouts meet most Monday evenings at 6 pm in the Petersburgh Veterans Memorial Community Center. For information on joining the Scouts, contact Chuck Riccardi at 518-733-9855
For more information about hiking opportunities at the Park, please call the Park Office at 733-5400.

Members of Boy Scout Troop 222 who built the kiosk in Cherry Plain State Park are: (left to right): Joe Burdick (Asst. Scout Master), Tim Shupe, Derek Riccardi, Michael Zlotnick, Kyle Burdick, Chuck Riccardi, Travis Riccardi, Bill Curley. Other scouts who helped but are not in the photo: Ben Adrion, Aaron Burdick, Nick Despart, Trevar Hall, Timothy Kelly, Keel Krumenacker, Matt Moran, Timothy Thompson. Scoutmaster Mike Moran is also missing from the picture. Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Wagner, GLSP.

St. Mary’s Academy Welcomes New Principal

eastwickpress — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 00:13:24 +0000

St. Mary’s Academy is pleased to announce that Maureen Daurio will be joining St. Mary’s as Principal for the upcoming school year. Maureen was born and raised in Troy where she attended St. Augustine’s School and Catholic Central High School. She received her BA from Russell Sage College and her MA from SUNY Albany. She completed her Certification in Administration for the Building Level as well as the District Level through the Institute for New Era Educational Leadership and Innovation at the College of Saint Rose. Maureen has a strong background in teaching and has been a middle school social studies and religion teacher in the Albany Diocese for ten years.
The St. Mary’s community looks forward to the upcoming school year and welcomes the experience and enthusiasm that Maureen brings.

SMA Board Member Mary Jo Loughlin, new SMA Principal Maureen Daurio and Board Member Margaret Restino. Photo by Marilyn Douglas.

Campers Get Their Kicks On Route 66

eastwickpress — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 00:11:01 +0000

The final camp of the Hoosick Area Youth Center & Community Coalition 2010 summer enrichment series had youngsters taking a road trip along Historic Route 66 from Chicago to California. Campers created scenes from each of the eight states along the “Main Street of America” and presented a showcase, complete with a Route 66 diner and an Air Streamer camper, for friends and parents to explore.
Camp dates for 2011 are already posted on the HAYC3 website, www.hoosickyouth.org. There will be February and April vacation camps, as well as four camps during summer vacation. Themes will be announced later in the year. For information, visit the website or call 518-686-9050.
Open House
Registration information will also be available at the Youth Center Open House on September 15 from 5 to 7 pm. The Youth Center is located at 115 Church Street, Hoosick Falls.
Expanded Services
The Hoosick Area Youth Center & Community Coalition is excited to announce it has expanded the operating season for the Youth Center this year. The doors of the Center will open on the first day of school, September 7, and will close on the last day of school, June 23, 2011. That means four additional months of fun, enrichment and recreation will be available to those who join the Center this year!
Go to the website for more information.

On Route 66.

SVFD Visits Youth Commission Summer Camp

eastwickpress — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 00:07:48 +0000

The Stephentown Youth Commission Summer Camp concluded its six weeks of camp on Tuesday, August 10, with a visit from the Stephentown Volunteer Fire Department.
Following a summer safety program several weeks ago conducted by the SVFD, the kids drew up safety posters. About 40 children participated. The Fire Department gave $25 cash awards to three winners, one in each age group. The winners were Annie Cass, Matthew Brown and Lauren Meyers. Every child who was in the program received a gift certificate for a free ice cream cone donated by Stewart’s Shops.

The kids participated in the SVFD's Safety Poster Contest. Photo by Rik McClave.

After presentation of the awards the children joined together as a team to hold a fire hose that stretched across the Stephentown Elementary School field. Everyone got a chance to operate the nozzle while Bill Jennings pumped from B36 and Luis Rodriguez manned the nozzle with each kid. Danielle Hoffman made sure everyone kept in line and got their turn moving forward.
“The children seemed to get a real blast out of the program,” said. Assistant Chief Rik McClave. “Thanks to everyone who helped in the very, very difficult task of choosing the poster winners. And we really have to support Stewart’s as they have been very supportive of all the local volunteer organizations for many years.”

Kids in the Stephentown Youth Commission Summer Camp stretched a fire hose across the elementary school field. With the help of Luis Rodriguez, each kid got a chance to operate the nozzle. Photo courtesy of Rik McClave, Assistant Chief EMS.