by Kieron Kramer
Three bowlers and two coaches of the Hoosick Falls High School Championship Bowling Team appeared in the well of the Rensselaer County Legislature to receive copies of the resolution passed last month honoring the team for its achievements last season. Seated in the audience were several parents of the bowlers and assistants to Head Coach Bob Lang. Accompanying Lang to receive their resolutions were bowlers Brian Callahan, Josh McCart and Steve Surdam and Assistant Coach Dick Weeden. District Five Legislator Stan Brownell, who represents the towns of Stephentown, Berlin, Grafton, Petersburgh, Hoosick and the Village of Hoosick Falls, made the presentation along with the other District Five Legislator, Lester Goodermote.
The Panther bowlers won the Adirondack League Southern Division Championship, the Adirondack League Overall Championship and the Adirondack League Tournament Championship as well as the Section II Class C-D Title at Boulevard Bowl. The members of the Hoosick Falls Bowling Team, under the guidance of Head Coach Bob Lang, are James Lynch, Chris Pelletier, Tim Tobin, Cody LaFlamme, Joey Wolfrum, Mitchell Andrew, Mikaela Marbot, Jordan Colvin, Charlie Stowell, Bryan Callahan, Josh Conn, Josh Reveal, Ken Marbot, Josh McCart, Jennifer Sargood and Stephen Surdam.
After reading the resolution Brownell said, “Quite an accomplishment. The Barbecue Lanes in Hoosick Falls is only a ten lane house, but these young kids are there; every Saturday you’ll see them practicing and working on their game. We have a Troy Hall of Fame bowler with us, Josh McCart’s father, Tim McCart. We have some folks who are going to be following in these footsteps, that’s for sure. We are proud of all of you.”
Coach Bob Lang thanked the Legislature for the recognition and said, “I have lots of help doing this. Assistant Coach Dick Weeden and I have great parents that not only help coach but are very supportive of the team – Tim McCart, Walt Callahan and Chuck Pelletier. It’s a whole family, and we treat each other with respect.” Lang went on to say that he set an extra goal for the team this year that they achieved. “We were recognized as a scholar-athlete team this year,” he said. Lang said that he had taught at Hoosick Falls Central School for 35 years and has been retired for three years. “I keep doing this because I love it so much and because I have kids like these on the team,” he said. Lang said that being a scholar-athlete team “made me really happy.” Lang mentioned that junior Joe Wolfrum made the State team for the second time, and then Lang showed the booklet that he put together with pictures of the team, their accomplishments, averages and stats. The booklet will be available at the team banquet on April 23
In Memoriam Of Richard von Schilgen
A resolution in Memoriam of Richard C. von Schilgen passed unanimously at Tuesday’s Legislative session. Von Schilgen died at the Albany Medical Center on Thursday, March 24, after a short illness. His death, at the relatively young age of 57, shocked the Berlin community where he was very active. Having been elected in 2009, he was serving as councilman for the Town of Berlin at the time of his death.
The resolution says, “It is customary for this Legislative Body to pay honor and respect to persons who have had a great impact and influence on the citizens of this County during their time on this earth.” The resolution continues, “Richard was born in New Rochelle, NY, and spent much of his childhood in Bronxville. He moved with his parents, Anne and Robert von Schilgen, to Petersburgh when he was fifteen years old…Richard attended Berlin Central High School and earned an Associate’s Degree from SUNY Cobleskill…Richard met Martha Eaton while attending SUNY Cobleskill, and they married in 1974. After school Richard worked for several logging and lumber businesses, including Berlin Lumber and Paulson Wood Products [in Petersburgh], before he founded his own landscaping and contracting business, House and Yard LLC, which he ran until his death…Richard was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed trout fishing, ice fishing, grouse hunting, deer hunting, and he was also a skilled craftsman and gardener…Richard C. von Schilgen will be missed by his family – his mother Anne, siblings Chris, Betsy, Robert and Fred, children Peter and Betsy, granddaughters Basya and Channah and his friend Cheryl; now, therefore, be it resolved, that the Rensselaer County Legislature concludes its deliberations in memory of Richard C. von Schilgen and extends its deepest sympathy to his family, fully confident that his contributions to his community will live on to serve as a legacy for all.”
The Clerk of the Legislature will transmit a copy of this resolution, suitably engrossed, to the family of Richard C. von Schilgen.
In Memoriam Of Francis J. Grant, Sr.
Francis J. Grant, Sr. died on Monday, March 21. Active in his community, Frank Grant was a former constable for the Town of Stephentown, a member of the Stephentown Volunteer Fire Department and a member of the Veterans of the Stephentown area.
According to the resolution Frank was born in Port Henry, NY, to the late Agnes Grant. He was the foster child of the late Lester and Mary Weise and was raised in the Roman Catholic faith. Frank graduated from Keene Valley Central School in 1954 and enlisted in the United States Navy in January of 1955 serving four years as a Yeoman 3rd Class personnel clerk and chauffeur on the attack carrier USS Intrepid and the USS Duxbury Bay. He was honorably discharged in 1959. Then Frank worked for Torrington Construction, Lane Construction, D.A. Collins, Aborrio and spent 17 years with Callanan Industries. He was a member of the Laborer’s International Union of North American Local #190 from 1963 until his retirement in 1995. Frank enjoyed his retirement, doing yard work around his home, fishing, hunting, playing cards and spending the winter months in Florida
The resolution says, “It is customary for this Legislative Body to pay honor and respect to persons who have had a great impact and influence on the citizens of this County; it is with particularly deep sadness that we conclude this evening’s deliberations in honor of Francis J. Grant, Sr….Attendant to such concern and fully in accord with our longstanding traditions, it is the intent of this Legislative Body to convey its sincerest sympathy upon the death of Frances “Frank” J. Grant, Sr….Frank will be missed by his family – his wife of forty-eight years Janice W. Grant, his two sons, Francis J. Grant, Jr. and Cyril A. (Mary M.) Grant, his grandchildren, Eric F., Sarah A. and Samantha L. Grant, a foster brother Don (Marilyn) Weise, along with many friends and co-workers…the Rensselaer County Legislature concludes its deliberations in memory of Francis J. Grant, Jr. and extends its deepest sympathy to his family, fully confident that his contributions to his community will live on to serve as a legacy for all.”
The Clerk of the Legislature will transmit a copy of this resolution, suitably engrossed, to the family of Francis J. Grant, Sr.
Spending On Elm Street Bridge In Berlin Is Authorized
A resolution authorizing the implementation and funding of the federal aid and state “Marchiselli” program aid for the costs of a transportation federal aid project described as “County Road 38 over the Little Hoosic River bridge reconstruction.” This bridge is known in Berlin as the Elm Street bridge. According to Vice Chairman of the Legislature Stan Brownell the project for reconstructing the bridge is eligible for funding that calls for the costs to be borne at the ratio of 85 percent in Federal funds, 10 percent in State funds and 5 percent in County funds. The Rensselaer County Highway Department budget is to be amended in order to accept the available funding from the State and Federal governments.
With this resolution the County made a commitment of 100 percent of the Federal and non-Federal share of the costs of preliminary engineering and right-of-way incidentals and authorized payment for that work. The resolution made $225,900 available to cover the cost of participation in the above stated phases of the Project. The reconstruction of the bridge will take place in 2013.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand Welcomed To Rensselaer County
Last month the Legislature passed a resolution welcoming U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand to Rensselaer County. The Senator has recently moved to Brunswick. Last month’s resolution said, “A community is only as great as its members who provide exemplary leadership and service and who, through unique personal dedication, contribute to the fabric and climate of Rensselaer County…United States Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is one such individual, her unwavering commitment to improve the quality of our County has enriched the lives of many while serving residents of Rensselaer County as former Congressman and currently as Senator.”
According to the resolution a United States Senator has not called Rensselaer County home since 1883, when the former Mayor of Troy, Edward Murphy, was elected to the Senate. Gillibrand “has recognized that Rensselaer County, with all its resources and natural beauty, is a great place and has chosen Rensselaer County as a place to live and raise her family,” the resolution says. “It is our great pleasure that Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has chosen Rensselaer County to call home,” the resolution states.
David Connors, from Senator Gillibrand’s office, came to the Legislature Tuesday evening to accept a copy of the resolution, suitably engrossed, on the Senator’s behalf. He said, “Senator Gillibrand thanks you very much for this courtesy. While no stranger to Rensselaer County, she represented the NY 20 Congressional District [before becoming Senator], she is happy to call Rensselaer County home, and I am happy and humbled to accept this on her behalf.”