The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Berlin

New Historical Marker Honors Civil War Service

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Written and Submitted by Louise Hendry
Patricia Brazie Flint has dedicated the last decade to preserving and honoring the history of Stephentown through her work as the town’s historian. Earlier this year, Pat, a lifelong resident of Stephentown, was recognized for her tireless work by the Sons of the American Revolution with the Martha Washington Medal and Patriot Medal. Her dedication to Stephentown and telling its history is evident in the nine historical road markers the town has received while she has been its historian. The markers include: Brockway Cemetery, Denison Jones Cemetery, Garfield Cemetery, Presbyterian Cemetery, Patriot Burial Roadside Marker at Stephentown Baptist Cemetery, Stephentown Cemetery, Stephentown Heritage Center, and a Patriot Burial Roadside Marker at Carpenter Cemetery.

On May 14th, her ninth marker honoring the Civil War service of Benjamin Franklin Clark and his son Andrew Jackson Clark was erected at Braveheart Books & Bazaar, located at

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Orange Bucket Challenge Underway

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The Orange Bucket Challenge runs through May 23rd. The Berlin Community Food Closet challenges the staff at BCSD to compete against each other to donate foods for the summer lunch program. The winning staff receives a free breakfast provided by Food Closet volunteers.

This year the staff will try to bring in the most canned fruit, fruit cups, juices, dried fruit, fruit snacks, etc., and gift certificates for grocery stores to purchase fresh fruit.

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Berlin’s 4th of July Parade

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Grand Marshal Announced

This year's Grand Marshal is Bruce Hewitt, a lifelong resident of Berlin. Bruce’s parents, Erskine and Gladys Hewitt, bought the little country store on the corner of Elm Street and Community Avenue from Ferd Hull in 1941. We now know the store as Hewitt's Market. Bruce and his brother, Rodney, spent their early years working in the store with their parents.

Rodney Hewitt (Rod) ran the store for years and now the store is run by his son, Todd Hewitt, and his wife Sheila.

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Berlin‘s 4th of July Parade Details

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This year’s Fourth of July Parade, the only Fourth of July Parade in Rensselaer County, 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 120 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 many places.

The parade begins promptly at 11 am (be sure to get there early). It will start at the Berlin Elementary School, follow along Route 22, onto Main Street, and return to the school. Parking will be designated all over town, and there is plenty of sidewalk and curb space to place your chairs and view the parade. Various events will be interspersed throughout town to add to the joy of the day.

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Busy Spring for Berlin Church and Food Closet

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On May 3rd through 5th, and 10th, the church will host their annual Mother's Day plant sale at Taconic Mountain Insurance, Route 22.

May 10th and 11th, the BCFC will hold another craft supply sale.

The Food Closet Mother's Day dinner has been replaced by a small charcuterie tray. Please call to reserve your tray. Leave your phone number so we can call with pick-up instructions.

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Alvin F. Berry – Obituary

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Alvin F. Berry of Leesburg, FL passed away on April 10th, 2024 at Opis Ruleme Center in Eustis, FL. Alvin was born at home in Ephratah, NY on April 22nd, 1932 to Harold and Mary (Morrison) Berry. Al was an avid baseball player. As a high school senior in 1949 at Berlin Central High School in Berlin, NY, he threw the first no hitter game in Berlin’s history. Alvin married Gayle Croxson on April 19th, 1953. Alvin served in the US Navy from 1951-1955 and worked on a special Navy project tracking hurricanes which required him and Gayle to move to Jacksonville, FL. In 1954, they welcomed David their first child. They moved back to NY in 1955. They lived in Stephentown, NY and after a few years moved back to Berlin, NY. Al started his career at General Electric plastics division in Pittsfield, MA where he was awarded a patent for plastic processing. Al and Gayle had three more children: Kevin, Glenn, and Brenda. Alvin and Gayle were active members in the Stephentown Baptist Church.

After Gayle’s passing, Alvin met and married Maureen Panagos in April 2002. They lived in Stephentown, NY and later relocated to Leesburg, FL for the warm weather Al enjoyed so much. They traveled several times back to Maureen’s home country of New Zealand. [Read more…] about Alvin F. Berry – Obituary

Frederick Knuetter Sr. – Obituary

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Berlin – “Fred” Knuetter, Sr. also known in his younger days by his friends as “KingFish,” passed away at the age of 86 on April 8th, 2024. He was born in Berlin, NY on June 15th, 1937 to Harriet and William Knuetter, Sr.

Fred lived his entire life in Berlin, NY; he loved to meet people and learn about their lives. He enjoyed the company and conversation with many friends that he would drop by and visit with. In the last couple of years, Fred appreciated the friends that would stop by to see him at home as well. Fred worked for the State of New York, retiring from the Construction Trade, and then worked various other jobs after retiring from the State of New York. He also processed and sold firewood locally and always had to be working. In his local travels, Fred would often barter and trade for items and attend local auctions; many of his acquisitions became [Read more…] about Frederick Knuetter Sr. – Obituary

Berlin 4th of July Parade Details

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This year’s Fourth of July Parade, the only Fourth of July Parade in Rensselaer County, 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 120 years. The theme of this year’s parade is

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Annual Food Closet Corned Beef Dinner

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The Berlin Food Closet’s annual corned beef and cabbage dinner will be held on Saturday, March 16th, from 4 to 6 pm. The cost for the take-out meal is $17 for adults and $8 for children. The dinner will include corned beef and cabbage, potatoes, carrots, applesauce, roll, and dessert. The dinner will be available at the United Methodist Church at Berlin, 17 South Main Street. Reserve your tickets today by calling 518-658-2942 or 518-795-0509.

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Irma M. Hammersmith – Obituary

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Petersburgh – Irma M. Hammersmith, 93, of Berlin passed peacefully on Thursday morning, February 29th, 2024. Born on Berlin Mountain on September 9th, 1930, Irma was the daughter of the late Albert and Elsie (Maxon) Yerden, and wife for 66 years to the late Joseph P. Hammersmith.

In the mid-1940s, Irma was employed at the shirt factory in Berlin and later worked at W. J. Cowee winding floral picks. In 1949 Irma and Joe built their house on the top of Berlin Mountain on a parcel of land that was given to them by Irma’s parents. They were married in December 1950. [Read more…] about Irma M. Hammersmith – Obituary