Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper
Children and families are invited to stop by Grafton Community Library on October 31 from 3 to 8 pm to celebrate Halloween with spooky stories, sweet treats and great give-aways. All children will get to choose a book to keep from our grab bag. Come in costume for a special prize!
For more information visit our website or call 279-0580.
by Kieron Kramer
Perhaps it was the big bowl of candy, with plenty of root beer barrels, that appeared at the front table for the first time at this Grafton Town Board meeting on Monday, October 20, or the presence of nice kids in the audience trying to contribute to their community but, whatever, butter wouldn’t have melted in the mouths of the members of the Grafton Town Board. All the Board members seemed to be on the same page, as the saying goes, acting as one body for the furtherance of the agenda. [Read more…] about Grafton Town Board Action – Butter Wouldn’t Melt
To the Editor:
Autumn represents something different to everyone who lives in Grafton. To those who heat with wood, it is time to cut the required cords of wood for the winter. To our school children, it is reconnecting with friends and teachers. And to those seeking an elected position, it is time to distinguish oneself from the opposing candidate and to work toward the public good.
The willingness to work for the public good is always on the forefront of my mind as I gaze out among the audience attending the Grafton Town Board meetings. Some of the most humbling moments of my life have been representing the people of Grafton. It is a great honor and privilege in spite of the challenges facing the Town Board.
These challenges include the relocation of friends or family, declining community gathering spaces and shifting demographics. All factors that have an effect on which path the Town Board should follow to control Town expenses, what services to provide and how to create an environment to support community growth.
We can all agree the community of Grafton is evolving. Those attending the Grafton Town Board meetings or read the accounts of the Town Board meetings in the Eastwick Press are familiar with the divide among the current Board members. My commitment to the people of Grafton is to protect the legal position of the Town, manage spending and uphold the law, as well as being respectful of those with differing opinions.
So, as I contemplate who among the candidates running for Grafton Town Board share my vision and commitment, there is only Eric Buckley. Eric represents all of the characteristics needed to serve with distinction.
Eric is a proven leader dedicated to developing positive community relationships. Eric symbolizes a voice of reason. His vision for Grafton is to explore every option to work “across-the-aisle” for the betterment of the community. Eric has expressed a commitment to engage our youth in programs that will allow them to compete in an ever changing world. He recognizes the value of Grafton seniors, the need for library services and the community benefits of volunteerism. Eric pledges to remain independent in his thinking using patience and understanding with every decision. Eric truly has the personal qualities desired to represent the Town of Grafton.
I urge all Town of Grafton residents to support Eric in his quest to become your next Town Board representative.
Barbara J. Messenger,
Grafton Town Board Member
The 7th Annual Trick or Treat Nature Trail at Grafton Lakes State Park will take place on Saturday, October 25, from 4 to 7 pm at the Shaver Pond Center, 194 Shaver Pond Road, Grafton. Join us for an adventure along the Wild Wood trail. This year we’ll have some old and some new costumed characters with feathers, fur, scales and slimy skin. They’ll greet you along a trail lit by jack-o-lanterns, and they’re sure to share wisdom, games and treats.
This program is geared towards younger audiences (age 4 to 11). We want to foster children’s appreciation of nature at night and the beauty of the Autumn season, but we’ll leave the spookiness out of the program. We aim to entertain and teach, not scare.
Please pre-register by calling 279-1155. You must sign up for a specific time slot. The program will fill up before the 25th so please call early.
Join us November 2, from 1 to 4 pm to learn how to use maps and compasses to navigate around the Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center. Individuals will gain confidence in using topographical maps and compasses to bushwhack through the wilderness. Pre-registration is required and the class is limited to 12 participants, adults and youth aged 12 and older. There will be a charge of $5 per person ($3 for members).Call 658-2055 or email dykenpond@fairpoint.net to register.
Prepare to get crafty on November 1 from 1:30 to 3:30 pm at the Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center. We will be decorating mason jars with a fall leaf decoupage to be used as candleholders. We will also make miniature acorn floating candles that could be used as the candle in your mason jar. Registration is limited, and there will be a charge of $3 for materials. Please call the Center at 658-2055 to reserve a spot.
Dyken Pond Center, located 475 Dyken Pond Road, Cropseyville, is a Rensselaer County Park open daily during daylight hours for hiking, fishing and non-motor boating. Contact the Center for more information at 658-2055 or dykenpond@fairpoint.net or visit www.dykenpond.org for directions and a complete schedule of our fall events.
On Saturday, December 6, the Grafton Trail Blazers Snowmobile Club and the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation will host a snowmobile safety course for young people ages 10 to 18. Students must be at least 10 years old on the day of the course. Parents are encouraged to attend and participate. The course will be held at the Grafton VFW/Fire Hall on South Road from 8:15 am to approximately 5 pm.
The course will be taught by NYS certified volunteer instructor Jim Blessing. It will cover topics such as NYS laws and regulations, riding skills, trail emergencies, protecting the environment, maintenance and repair, trailering, etc. To register, call the Grafton Lakes State Park office at 279-1155 or email elizabeth.wagner@parks.ny.gov with the parent’s name, student’s name and age and your phone number by Wednesday, December 3. Space is limited, so no walk-ins, please. The course is free of charge, and lunch will be provided. An accompanying adult will be required to fill out registration paperwork on the morning of the course; please plan accordingly.
Petersburgh – Cindy Ann (Crandall) Gentner, 55, died suddenly Friday, October 17, 2014, at the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington, VT. Born in Cambridge, NY, on October 5, 1959, she was the daughter of the late Joseph B. Crandall and Trevah Yerke Crandall Burdick and the stepdaughter of the late Stanton Burdick. Cindy was raised in Petersburgh, NY, and Grafton, NY. and was a 1977 graduate of Berlin High School. She became a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) through the BOCES program at school.
Grafton – Stanton Burdick, 86, died peacefully Wednesday, October 8, 2014, at his home on the hill in Grafton with his family at his side. Born in Grafton, NY, on May 3, 1928, he was the son of the late Edward and Edna Vars Burdick.
