submitted by Donna Murray
Please join us for the Berlin-Berkshire Fall Foliage Grazing Tour on Saturday, October 5, from 10 am to 4 pm. Our first stop on the tour will be with Morgan Hartman of Black Queen Angus Farm in Berlin starting at 10 am.
Black Queen Angus Farm is a grass fed operation owned by Morgan Hartman and his family. The farm credits its success to the sunshine, green grass and clover, clean water and good, efficient Aberdeen-Angus cattle. Morgan has selected the foundation of the herd from breeders who believe as they do, that nature intended cattle to forage for a living. His cows raise their calves in the clean air of hilly pastures. They receive no grain, hormones or feed-through antibiotics. Morgan ensures the quality of his beef by taking great pride in how it’s raised.
The next stop on our tour is the Berlin Fire Hall at 12 pm to enjoy a delicious local foods lunch catered by Wild Oats Market of Williamstown, MA.
Our last stop will be at Cricket Creek Farm, a small grass based enterprise located in Williamstown at 1:30 pm. Nestled on the slopes of the Taconic hills, the farm consists of over 500 acres of rolling fields and woodlots, old apple orchards and sugarbush. The farm’s herd of 40 cows is made up of registered Brown Swiss and Jerseys. Cricket Creek Farm produces a variety of products for a diversified, year-round CSA. They are licensed to sell raw milk directly from the farm, with the remaining milk being made into artisanal cheese in their farmstead creamery. In addition they have a bakery, laying hens, raise grass fed beef and whey fed pork. Goods are sold through the farm store, the diversified year-round CSA, at local farmers markets and through various regional cheese shops, food co-ops, restaurants and other establishments.
The grazing tour is a drive yourself tour. For those who would like to car pool, we will arrive at Black Queen Angus Farm in Berlin at 4 pm.
The Berlin-Berkshire Fall Foliage Grazing Tour is sponsored by the Hudson Mohawk Resource Conservation and Development Council, Cornell Cooperative Extension and the NYS Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative. The cost for tour and lunch is $20 per person. Please contact Donna Murray at 518-270-2668 for more information and to register.
Archives for September 2013
Petersburgh Fire Auxiliary Can Auction
The Petersburgh Fire Auxiliary will be holding its annual Can Auction, Bake Sale/Tag Sale on Saturday, October 12, from 9 am to 1 pm at the Fire House on Rt. 22.
Those who stop by will have the opportunity to win some wonderful items or gift certificates from local vendors for just $ .25 a chance. There will be an amazing selection of home baked pies as well. We will also have some very reasonably priced gently used treasures in our Tag Sale.
Join The Taconic Valley American Legion
The Taconic Valley American Legion Post #937 invites all Veteran’s to attend its October 2 meeting at the Watipi Building in Berlin at 7:30 pm to hear about the advantages and benefits of becoming an American Legion member. Questions may be directed to the American Legion Taconic Valley Post at 658-2757.
Stephentown Republican Caucus
by David Flint
The Stephentown Republicans met in caucus Monday evening, September 16, at the Fire Hall to select candidates for the November election. Tammy Madden, assisted by Renee Wagar, conducted the proceedings.
For two 2-year terms on the Town Council the names of two Republicans, Jason Guilbeault and Robert Parisi, and the two incumbent Democrats, PJ Roder and Chris Demick, were put forward. Guilbeault and Parisi received the nominations. Vote counts were not disclosed. Guilbeault ran for Town Council two years ago but came in third in the election trailing Bill Jennings and John Meekins.
For Highway Superintendent, a 2-year term, incumbent Aldie Goodermote won the nomination, beating out a challenge from Derrick Gardner. Goodermote, nominated by the Democrats in 2009, won election that year against the Republican candidate Neil Gardner. Two years later Goodermote was cross-nominated by the Republicans without opposition.
Larry Eckhardt was selected without opposition to run for another 4-year term as Town Supervisor. Also nominated without opposition were incumbents Cyril Grant, a Democrat, for Town Justice (4 years), Stephanie Wagar for Town Clerk (2 years) and Ruth Rieger for Tax Collector (2 years). When it was asked if there were any other nominations for Tax Collector, one wag shouted out, “I don’t want one!”
Stephentown Democratic Caucus
submitted by Andrew White
Stephentown Democrats braved torrential rain and fierce lightning Thursday night, September 12, gathering at the Fire Hall, to nominate their candidates for this year’s Town election. Andrew White, Chair of the Stephentown Democratic Committee, headed the Caucus, and Veronica Demick served as Secretary. Four Democratic incumbents whose terms are up this year were unanimously endorsed for re-election.
Aldie Goodermote was nominated for another two-year term as Superintendent of Highways. Goodermote gained bipartisan support two years ago after originally being elected on the Democratic ticket in 2009. Town Justice Cyril Grant, who has served with distinction since 2001, was nominated to continue on the bench for another four years. Town Councilmen Chris Demick and PJ Roder, who have served since 2005, were nominated for another term on the Town Board.
“We promised voters a change to government based on integrity and ability and we have delivered on that promise,” said Andrew White. “We’re very grateful for the support from Stephentown residents and look forward to continuing to deliver on our promise to move Stephentown forward.”
Also in attendance at the Caucus was Stephentown resident and long time Berlin art teacher Jackie Elacqua, who is a Democratic candidate for Rensselaer County Legislature.
NY Army National Guard Promotes Petersburgh Soldiers
Major General Patrick A. Murphy, The Adjutant General for the State of New York, announcedthe promotion of members of the New York Army National Guard in recognition of their capability for additional responsibility and leadership.
Shannon Goyer from Petersburgh and serving with the 466th Medical Company Area Support is promoted to the rank of Private First Class.
Derek Montanye from Petersburgh and serving with the Company C, 2-108th Infantry is promoted to the rank of Private.
Berlin Rabies Clinic
A Rabies Clinic will be held on Thursday, October 17, at the Town of Berlin Municipal Complex, 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 needed. Call Doug Goodermote at 658-3308 if you have questions.
A Last Gasp Before Winter
Na Mu Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo
The Grafton Peace Pagoda 20th Anniversary Celebration is Saturday, October 5, at 11 am and everyone is welcome. The Ceremony Celebration begins at 11 am with the Annual Ceremony by Nipponzan Myohoji Multi-faith Prayers for Peace followed by special guest speaker Dennis Banks, (Ojibwa Nation) American Indian Movement Leader, music and dance, including Japanese Nou Drumming (Tsuzumi Shoulder Drum) and a potluck lunch (vegetarian options preferred).
“Since we first came to this land we have seen many snow filled winters, many springs sweet with apple flower blossoms and many autumns filled with the brilliant red of the changing maple leaves. Our lives, too, have seen many changes: children we knew as babies now have babies of their own; many of you are now grandparents who were young men and women when we first met.
We worked together as one, using recycled wood and mixing concrete by hand, and the Peace Pagoda was finally inaugurated in 1993. In the 20 years since the inauguration, we have welcomed visitors from all over the world. Every day friends come and go like the breeze,”
The Grafton Peace Pagoda is located at 87 Crandall Road in Grafton. Call 518-658-9301, email cheythiya@gmail.com or go to www.graftonpeacepagoda.org for more information.
Literacy Volunteers Announces Daytime Tutor Training For Fall 2013
A series of daytime tutor training workshops will begin on Monday, November 4, at the East Greenbush Community Library. Each session will run from 12:30 to 3:30 pm. Anyone interested in attending this training is requested to attend an information session on Thursday, October 10, from 12:30 to 1:30 pm at the offices of Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County, located on the third floor of the First United Presbyterian Church, 1915 5th Avenue, Troy. To reserve a place, call 518-274-8526.
For 45 years Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County has recruited and trained volunteers to provide individual and small group tutoring. A professional staff supports volunteers who make the programs run. We are an affiliate of Literacy New York and accredited by ProLiteracy America. To learn more, visit www.lvorc.org.