The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Berlin

Donald I. French Jr. – Obituary

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Donald Ira French Jr., 90, of Berlin, New York passed away late at night on Monday, July 29th at home of natural causes.

He was born to Donald and Dorothy French in Albany, New York in September 1933. After high school, Don attended Brigham Young University to study farming and education. When he moved to Berlin, New York, Don taught History at Berlin High School. He worked there for 16 years before retiring and has enjoyed watching many of his students grow up, running into them, and talking about the mischief caused in those school hallways.

Don met the love of his life, [Read more…] about Donald I. French Jr. – Obituary

Mountaineers Create StoryWalk with Library

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Submitted by BCS Communications
The Berlin StoryWalk is a community project that aims to boost literacy and vocabulary beyond the classroom, which is crucial for academic success.

With the focus of engaging children’s creative literacy, the Community Active Mountaineers (CAM) launched the StoryWalk project as part of the Berlin Elementary Nature Trail. This community service is in collaboration with the Berlin Free Town Library and led by CAM advisor Elisa Hammersmith. 

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Clara J. Oakes – Obituary

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Bennington – Clara Jean Oakes, 57, passed away peacefully on August 5th, 2024 after a long illness. Born December 12th, 1966, she was the daughter of the late Richard Oakes and Martha Oakes, who survives.

Clara grew up in Berlin, NY and moved to Bennington at the age of 19. She loved coffee, cats, Care Bears, knickknacks, clothes, movies, and music. [Read more…] about Clara J. Oakes – Obituary

Robert S. Lewis – Obituary

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Berlin – Robert Samuel Lewis, 59, died suddenly on Sunday, June 30th. He graduated from Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School in 1982 and SUNY Delhi in 1984, with a degree in landscape design. In August 1985, he married the love of his life and best friend, Maria Cross, his wife of 38 years. They enjoyed living with adventure, friendship, and acceptance at the center of their home.

Rob was part of the Faddegon’s Nursery family for 40 years. He began as a crewmember, advanced to foreman, and ultimately became a successful and popular landscape designer. [Read more…] about Robert S. Lewis – Obituary

A July 4th Tradition Continues

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Courtesy of Rensselaer County
Thanks to all the organizers of the July 4th Parade in the Town of Berlin. Berlin annually holds an Independence Day parade that features everything from fire trucks to farm equipment to floats while drawing a big crowd in the small community.

The always excellent parade was one of the best this year, with beautiful weather and enthusiastic spectators lining the route to see floats and marchers show how fun, energetic, and patriotic the annual event truly is.

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Clara S. Gutermuth

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Berlin – Clara Sheldon Gutermuth, 103, died Saturday, June 29th, 2024, at The Pines Rehab Center in Easton, MD after a brief illness. She was born on January 31, 1921, in West Rupert, VT, the loving daughter of the late Henry Ruel Sheldon and Helen Ayres Sheldon.

Clara grew up in Hoosick Falls, NY, at the Walter A. Wood estate. She graduated from Hoosick Falls High School and later attended Mildred Elly Business School. In 1940 she married the love of her life, Allen F. Gutermuth. They lived in Berlin, NY all of their married life except for a short period during WWII when she lived in CA while he was in the Navy stationed in Carmel. [Read more…] about Clara S. Gutermuth

Mervin A. Wheatley – Obituary

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Berlin – Mervin A. Wheatley, 87, known throughout his life as “Slim,” passed away at his home in Berlin on July 4th, 2024. He was born in Haverhill, NH, to Kenneth and Lillian Wheatley of Bradford, VT. The family moved from Bradford, finally settling in Dutchess County in New York where Slim finished his high school years. Along the way he became a musician and moved to Nashville, TN after high school, where he worked as a staff musician for WSM that owned the Grand Ole Opry. On his return home, Slim eventually gave up music for a few years, married, and started a family.

Slim came back to his musical roots in the 60’s and there he met Linda, who became his partner, and later his wife of over 53 years. They became quite popular in country music playing in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania, performing at clubs, stage shows, radio and TV, and making annual trips to Nashville to record. Examples of their work can still be found on YouTube Under Slim & Linda. [Read more…] about Mervin A. Wheatley – Obituary

A July 4th Tradition

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Submitted by Dianne Mosher
For as many years as local residents can remember, the United Methodist Church at Berlin, 17 South Main Street, has been selling pies on the 4th of July. For many years the delicious homemade pies were sold from the mobile bake sale with its bell on the truck’s roof announcing the approach of the pie truck. More recently the sale has been held at the church beginning at 9 am.

A special feature this year will be the introduction of the UMC Pie Calendar. The 2025 calendar features not only recipes from icons such as Elizabeth Reynolds (frozen lemon pie) and Ethel Perkins (Coconut Cream Pie), but modern cooks including Kent Goodermote (blueberry pie) and Sara Palmer (apple pie). There are recipes, stories, and pictures for each of the twelve months.

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4th of July Parade Details

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Submitted by Rose Orenstein
It’s almost time for this year’s Fourth of July Parade, the only Fourth of July Parade in Rensselaer County, which will again be held in the town of Berlin. The tradition in the Taconic Valley started in 1878, and it has continued in many forms for over 146 years. The theme of this year’s parade is American Road Trip: the wonderful places we love to travel to and visit in the U.S. Floats and displays will reflect these places.

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