Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper
by Thaddeus Flint
Two women were whispering in the audience at Tuesday’s New Lebanon Board meeting.
“I’m so tired of hearing about Covent Circle,” said one.
“I know!” said the other. “When will it end?”
And that is probably how most of New Lebanon feels about the little road that wants to be a Town road. Will it ever end?
[Read more…] about New Lebanon Town Board Action – A Circle Has No End
On Friday, May 23, at 9 am, New Lebanon Jr./Sr. High School will be hosting its fourth annual Memorial Day Assembly to honor our servicemen and women and all who gave their lives in defense of our country. All veterans and current members of any branch of the military are invited to join the American Legion Post #1236 of New Lebanon and the Berkshire Chapter 65 Vietnam Veterans of America in the high school gymnasium as our honored guests.
Family and community members are also welcome and encouraged to attend the festivities in memory of our fallen heroes and in celebration of those who serve.
The guest speaker will be Lee Godfroy IV of the United States Marine Corps, NYS Trooper and 2000 graduate of New Lebanon High School.
submitted by Tistrya Houghtling
This year’s summertime Sunday market for local foods and products is joining forces with a local farm. The New Lebanon Country Market will be held at Windswept Farms at 36 Old Rt. 20, New Lebanon. It will run from Sunday, June 1, through Sunday, September 28, from 10 am to 2 pm. It will feature locally grown fruits and vegetables, locally raised meats (beef, pork and chicken), homemade pies and jams, fresh baked goods and breads, locally made arts, crafts and jewelry and much, much more.
Each market will feature some form of fun family entertainment including but not limited to hayrides, a kids’ arts and crafts area, live music, a petting zoo and animal fun and yoga. You can get updates on our featured entertainment happening at the market at www.facebook.com/newlebanoncountrymarket. For more information, or if you are interested in being a vendor at the market, please email Tistrya Houghtling at tistryagrace@gmail.com
On Sunday, May 18, from 10 am to 2 pm, we will be having a sign making day at Windswept Farms. Please come and bring your creativity, artistry, carpentry and fun to help us make signs to promote this year’s market.
The New Lebanon Jr./Sr. High School’s Travel Club and Class of 2015 and 2017 are putting on a Spring Fling Community Carnival on Friday, May 16, from 3 to 8 pm in Shatford Park.
There will be plenty of games and food. Games include a dunk tank, Bounce House, Corn Hole, Pin Toss, Dart Board, face painting, tug of war, balloon animals and much more! Tickets cost $1 per ticket for games – all games have prizes. Food available includes TCBY yoghurt for $3, fried dough and candy. Dinner is a hot dog or hamburger, chips and a drink for $4.
A kickball competition featuring the teachers in the Walter B. Howard Elementary School vs. the Jr./Sr. High School teachers starts at 4 pm.
All proceeds benefit the New Lebanon Travel Club and the Classes of 2015 and 2017.
submitted by Steve Ricci
There is a bumper crop of corpse flowers rising at Darrow School. Each year since 2009, when the flowers were first planted in the sheltered confines of Darrow’s Samson Environmental Center (SEC), they have thrived and multiplied. Four bloomed in 2012, six in 2013, and this year, according to SEC Director Craig Westcott, as many as ten flowers have sprouted, several of which are currently in full bloom.
[Read more…] about Corpse Flowers In Full Bloom At Darrow School
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow scholar Bruce Southard will deliver the lecture “Longfellow Friends and Rivals” on Thursday, May 15, at 7 pm at the New Lebanon Library. This program is free and open to the public.
Perhaps no period in human history produced more famous authors and literature than the period spanning Longfellow’s life. Using his life and poems as the timeline, this presentation introduces Longfellow’s contemporaries, authors such as Hawthorne, Emerson, Whitman. Dickens, Thackeray, Tennyson, Irving, Bryant, Lowell, Thoreau, Holmes and Wilde, his interaction with them and samples of his and their writing. All materials are recited in the rich oral tradition ensconced in 19th through mid-20th century education (but the audience need not worry; there will be no homework assignments!). Behind the scenes stories help illustrate each poem, and there may be a surprising work or two known to all who attend.
Bruce B. Southard was born and raised in Hancock, MA, then spent 23 years living and working in and around New York City. Southard holds a BFA in Communications Design from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY, and an MBA from The Isenberg School of Business, UMASS Amherst. He currently works for Eldorado Resorts Corporation. Southard is a professionally trained Podium Presenter for Las Vegas, Nevada, and the Berkshires of Massachusetts.
The New Lebanon Library is located at 550 State Route 20, ¼ mile north of the yellow blinking light at the intersection of Routes 20/22.
The Tsatsawassa Protective Fire Company will serve its final monthly breakfast of the season at the firehouse on Sunday, May, 18, from 8 until 11:30 am.
Breakfast consists of your choice of French toast or pancakes, together with bacon or sausage, toast, orange juice, beverages and eggs prepared to your order for a cost of $6, with children under five served free. There will however be a similar breakfast on Father’s Day, June 15, during the same time and prepared by the firemen and ladies with serving and other help by the Cub Scouts. So mark your calendars for May and June.
Support your locate fire company and scouts while visiting with friends and neighbors and enjoying a hearty breakfast to start your day. The firehouse is located behind the post office near the intersection of Routes 20 and 66 North in the hamlet of Brainard and is handicap accessible. For more information call 518-766-3815.
submitted by Bev McClave
Despite the winter-like weather the Sounds of Spring organ concert warmed the hearts of the more than forty people who attended. On Sunday. May 4, at the Immaculate Conception Church in New Lebanon, five very talented organists from throughout the area played to the delight of all. [Read more…] about Sounds Of Spring Concert At The Immaculate Conception Church In New Lebanon
Berlin/New Lebanon – John M. Saunders, 54, of New Lebanon, NY, passed away on Thursday, May 1, 2014, at the Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, MA. Born in North Adams, MA, John was the son of the late Robert F. and Elizabeth May Bentley Saunders.
John recently resided in New Lebanon but had been a resident of Berlin, NY, for most of his life. He was a correctional officer for over 25 years working at several correctional facilities, recently retiring from the Hudson Correctional Facility where he had been employed for the past 20 years. John was a member of the Catskill Masonic Lodge #468. He loved fishing, hunting, trapping and spending time in Daytona Beach, FL. He will be truly missed.
John is survived by his cherished children, Joshua Saunders of New Lebanon and Marcella Saunders of Agawam, MA, and his devoted brother, William R. Saunders.
Family and friends are invited to a celebration of John’s life that will be held on Sunday, May 11, at the Hall & Higgins Funeral Home, 457 Rte. 43, Stephentown, NY, from 1 to 3 pm.
The New Lebanon Library announces the following May events. All of these events are free and will take place at the Library which is located at 550 State Route 20. Call 518-794-8844 for more information.
• May 7, 14, 21, 28 (event is on Wednesdays) – Small Wonders Storytime – 10 am. There will be songs, movement activities and age appropriate stories for our younger patrons and their caregivers. For toddlers up to 35 months.
• May 7, 14, 21, 28 (event is on Wednesdays) – Preschool Story Hour – 11 am. Story hour includes crafts, songs and movement activities. For children 35 months to 5 years.
• May 2 – Coffeehouse Night with Linda Worster – 6 pm. Enjoy an evening of acoustic music with this Berkshire favorite. Donations for the performer are appreciated.
• May 3 – Saturday Morning Story Hour – 10:30 am, includes crafts, songs and movement activities.
• May 4 – New Lebanon Book Group – 11 am. The book is A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki. All are welcome.
• May 7 – For the Love of Yoga – 6:30 pm. All are welcome to this free yoga class for all levels.
• May 9 – Bernice Lewis in concert – 6:30 pm. Enjoy an evening of folk and original music with this acclaimed Berkshire musician. Donations for the performer are appreciated.
• May 10 – Paws-to-Read – 9 am. Therapy dogs come to the Library, and children read to their furry friends. And, of course, the dogs listen! Please call to register.
• May 13 -Exploring Spirituality Film Series – 6:30 pm. This is a screening of “Infinity, The Ultimate Trip, Journey Beyond Death” with a discussion to follow.
• May 15 – “Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Friends and Rivals” – 7 pm. This lecture and poetry reading by Longfellow scholar Bruce Southard includes Longfellow’s contemporaries such as Hawthorne, Thoreau and Holmes, his interaction with them and recitations of his and their writing.
• May 22 – Family Crafts Night – 6:30 pm. Join us and make duct tape hiking gear. All materials will be provided. For ages 5 and up.
• May 23 – Robin O’Herin in concert – 6:30 pm. An historically rich, interactive concert that includes original and traditional American music that explores the music of the Delta and Piedmont regions of the South. Donations for the performer are appreciated.
• May 30 – Family Movie Night – 6:30 pm. This is a showing of a current film suitable for the whole family. Call for the title. Popcorn and juice will be provided.
For further information on any of these events, please contact Jeannie Bogino at 518-794-8844.
