Grafton – On Friday morning, March 14, 2014, surrounded by her family, Patricia A. (Norton) Ryan passed into eternal rest at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, FL. She fought the good fight against melanoma cancer, and she would want to continue to encourage everyone to be regularly screened for early detection.
Grafton
Grafton’s Settlement With Tyler Sawyer
by Alex Brooks
The Eastwick Press filed a Freedom of Information Request with the Town of Grafton to learn the substance of the settlement the Town insurer reached with Tyler Sawyer to resolve his $1 million suit against the Town, former Deputy Supervisor Cathy Goyer and former Town Bookkeeper Victoria Nellis. Sawyer claimed damage to his professional reputation from comments made publicly by the two Town officials.
Grafton Town Board Action – A Fracas
by Alex Brooks
The Grafton Town Board meeting this month was a bit of a circus, with more argument and drama than substantive action. The first controversy that erupted was over a letter to the Town Board from Sheryl Sawyer, former Town Supervisor Tyler Sawyer’s wife. Councilman Rick Ungaro read the letter out loud at the meeting. [Read more…] about Grafton Town Board Action – A Fracas
Elmer A. Grogan Scholarship Award
All high school seniors graduating this year from the Berlin Central School District or the Brunswick Central School District who are continuing their education are invited to apply for the Elmer A. Grogan Scholarship Award.
The Elmer A. Grogan Scholarship Award is presented annually by the Carner, Etman, Smith V.F.W. Post 6340 Elmer A. Grogan Memorial Fund in memory of Elmer Grogan, a former member. The award is $250.
A copy of the application form is available at the guidance offices of the Berlin and Brunswick Central Schools. The deadline for receiving applications is April 30.
To earn the award you must complete the application form and submit an essay on “What Freedom Means To Me.” The essay should not be less than 250 words nor more than 500 words. There will be one winner. The award is to be used to further the winner’s education.
The application and essay are to be mailed to Carner, Etman, Smith V.F.W. Post 6340, Commander Richard Terpening, P.O. Box 361, Grafton, NY, 12082.
Ann McGrath’s Service Recognized By The USPS
by Megan Myers
On Wednesday February 26, a crowd of customers came pouring into the Grafton Post Office’s lobby to celebrate Ann McGrath’s retirement after 30 years of her dedicated service at this post office. [Read more…] about Ann McGrath’s Service Recognized By The USPS
Grafton VFD And Ladies Auxiliary Breakfast
The Grafton Volunteer Fire Department along with the Grafton Ladies Auxiliary will be serving an All You Can Eat Buffet Breakfast on Saturday, March 29, from 8 to 11 am at the Grafton VFW – Fire Hall on South Road (County Route 85).
Belgian waffles, pancakes, French toast, eggs (made to order), sausage gravy & biscuits, bacon, sausage, home fries, toast, orange juice, coffee and milk are on the menu. The cost is $9 per adult, $4 for kids 12 and under and free for kids five and under.
March Programs And Events At The Grafton Community Library
• Homebuyer Orientation with TRIP – Tuesday, March 11, from 6 to 7:15 pm. Thinking about buying a home in Rensselaer County? This is the place to start! This informational program with experts from TRIP (Troy Rehabilitation and Improvement Program) will look at the advantages and disadvantages of home ownership, qualifying for a mortgage and costs to expect during the homebuying process. You will also learn about TRIP’s Pre-Purchase Program and First Time Homebuyer Grants. This event will be held at the Everett Wagar Senior Center. Please sign up in advance on the TRIP website or by contacting the Grafton Community Library.
• Animal Tracking Workshop for School Age Children, first grade and up) – Saturday, March 22, at 11 am. Join tracking expert and Grafton resident Dan Yacobellis to learn how to read animal tracks and signs right in the Library’s back yard. The program will focus on how animals celebrate the emergence of spring and prepare for the changing of the seasons. Bring warm clothes and boots. We will meet in the Library and move outside to see what we can find. Please pre-register at the Library by phone or email.
• Book Discussion Group – Life after Life by Kate Atkinson – Wednesday, March 26, at 12:30. The Grafton Community Library’s book discussion group meets monthly. New participants are always welcome. Check the book discussion group homepage for upcoming selections.
• All Ages Program: Storyteller Gil Payette presents “Hidden Animals – Native American Myths, Legends and Monsters” – Friday, March 28. at 6 pm. Grafton based storyteller Gil Payette will share his knowledge and love of Native American folklore and mythology with a keynote presentation and talk about the legendary creatures that went bump in the night and moved through shadows in the woods as demonic half-beast shape-shifters or monsters of their realm. Some of these mythological creatures feasted on humans and some were their guardians….
Ongoing Programs
• Weekly Storytimes for preschool age children. Bring your little ones to the Library for storytime fun and learning with stories, songs, crafts and more. Nature Tales Storytime with special guests from Grafton Lakes State Park on Wednesday, March 12, at 10:30 am, on Thursday, March 20, at 4 pm and on Wednesday, March 26, at 10:30 am.
• Sit & Knit Knitting and Needle Arts Group – Saturdays from 10 am to 12:30 pm. All skill levels are welcome. Come work on your projects, share skills and ideas and learn about all the needle arts including knitting, stitching and crocheting.
• Game Day at the Library every Tuesday starting at 3:30 pm. Come to the Library to play your favorite board games with friends – Scrabble, Bananagrams, Scattergories and more. Games for all ages are available. Use the Library’s games or bring your own.
• Grafton Clippers Coupon Group – Every other Monday (March 10 and March 24) at 6 pm. The Grafton Community Library is excited to host this new social group where people can gather to share knowledge of clipping coupons and finding ways to cut shopping trips by 90%. New members are always welcome. For more information email Donna at moreoutoflife@gmail.com or Erin at Erin_469@yahoo.com.
Traditional Stories At The Brunswick Library
The Brunswick Community Library is pleased to present storyteller Gil Payette, with Traditional Stories, on Saturday, March 8, at 2 pm. Payette enthralls the audience with his stories and images. Come learn why the Arizona Daily Star wrote of Payette, “a gentle basso voice to bring a few minutes of rapt silence.”
March Events At GLSP
Thursday, March 6 – Silent Hike at 10:30 am. Join the Park naturalists in discovering whether March is coming in like a lion or a lamb. Your observation skills will amaze you when you have the opportunity to be silent for this hour-long outing. Meet at the Park Office. To pre-register, call 279-1155.
Wednesday, March 12 – Nature Tales at the Grafton Community Library at 10:30 am. Join the Park naturalists for a story and activity suitable for the little ones.
Friday, March 14 – Maple Sugar Nearly Full Moon Hike at 6:30 pm. Feel the earliest signs of Spring on this night hike. Meet at the Shaver Pond Center and enjoy some hot sap tea after the hike. Please pre-register for this two hour night hike at 279-1155.
Saturday, March 15 – Backyard Maple Sugaring at 1 pm. Do you long to set up a family scale syruping operation in your backyard? Join us for a short film, demonstration and samples of sap and fresh syrup. The cost is $2 per person and $5 per family. Meet at the Park Office. Please pre-register at 279-1155
Wednesday, March 19 – Frogs and toads need your help – attend North American Amphibian Monitoring Training at 6:30 pm. This free training will teach you how to be a citizen scientist. You’ll learn the local frog and toad calls and then monitor your amphibian neighbors during the Spring. Refreshments will be provided. Meet at the Shaver Pond Center, 194 Shaver Pond Road. Please call 279-1155 to pre-register.
Saturday, March 22 – Backyard Maple Sugaring at 1 pm. Savor a delicious sign of Spring and learn how to make syrup in your backyard. The cost is $2 per person and $5 per family. Meet at the Park Office. Please pre-register at 279-1155.
Friday, March 28 – Star Watch at 8 pm. Enjoy a free tour of the night sky with the Albany Area Astronomers. What constellations grace the night sky as Spring begins? Call Bernard at 658-9144 to confirm as cloudy skies may cancel. The rain date is Saturday, March 29, at 8 pm. Use the winter entrance to the Park.
Saturday, March 29 – Befriend the Bluebirds at 10 am. Hear the bluebird’s conservation success story and learn about the Park’s monitoring program. A free bluebird box will be given to participants who have good habitat near their homes, or kids can decorate one to put up in the Park. The cost is $2 per person and $5 per family. Please pre-register at 279-1155.
Helen Ellett Honored By County
by Bea Peterson
The Valentine’s Day Birthday Celebration scheduled for February 14 at the Grafton Senior Center had to be postponed because of a snowstorm that made traveling almost impossible. The celebration was held on Friday, February 21, however, with balloons, a great dinner, birthday cake and table favors in honor of anyone celebrating a birthday in February. And there were plenty of folks celebrating February birthdays! Among them was Helen (Babcock) Ellett who is now 100 years old!