Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper
Seeks Public Input At Workshop On March 5
The Rensselaer Plateau Alliance, in partnership with the Hudson River Greenway, has embarked on an exciting new project to develop a vision for a region-wide, multi-user trail network that will not only serve the immediate Plateau communities but will hopefully someday connect to other trail networks beyond the Plateau. [Read more…] about Rensselaer Plateau Alliance Seeks To Develop Trail Network
Rensselaer County Legislator Thomas Walsh Sr., chairman of the Legislature’s Veterans Committee, is encouraging residents to consider submitting names of family members who served our nation’s military for recognition during the county’s monthly Honor a Deceased Veteran ceremony.
The monthly Honor a Deceased Veteran ceremony recognizes the life and service of veterans who have passed away following or during military service to our nation. Veterans who served during times of war or peace are eligible for recognition.
The monthly ceremony includes representatives from the federal, state and county levels of government. The ceremony has been conducted in Rensselaer County for approximately two decades, starting in 1995.
“The Honor a Deceased Veteran ceremony shows that Rensselaer County does not forget the service and sacrifice of our veterans and their families in defending our freedom and security,” said Walsh.
“We invite family members of a deceased veteran to consider participating in the ceremony, and to contact our county Veterans Service Agency for more information,” added Walsh.
For more information regarding the ceremony, contact Veteran’s Service Agency Director Peter Goebel at 518-270-2760 or Lonnie Warrington, secretary at 518-270-2743.
Candidates for the Honor a Deceased Veteran monthly ceremony must have been honorably discharged, resided in Rensselaer County at some time during their lifetime before their passing. Families are asked to please submit the veteran’s DD-214. If no DD-214 is available, it can be requested by the county Veteran’s Service Agency office.
Along with participating in the Honor a Deceased Veteran ceremony, Walsh also was instrumental in establishing the Hall of Heroes in the third floor lobby of the County Office Building. The Hall honors county residents who have earned the Medal of Honor, along with those recognized at the Honor a Deceased Veteran ceremony.
In response to a complaint Thursday the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office is issuing a warning to the public about fraudulent IRS (Internal Revenue Service) phone calls. Scam callers are altering their caller ID number to make it look like they’re calling from an actual IRS office threatening people to pay owed money with a reload or prepaid credit card or be arrested. Once they make their threats, the scammers will call back and again disguise their caller ID so it appears they are calling from a police department asking you to “turn yourself in” claiming the IRS just faxed a warrant for your arrest. Beware – this is a scam that is happening locally.
The IRS offered several tips to help recognize the scam:
• The IRS does not call to demand immediate payment, nor does the agency call about taxes owed without mailing a bill first.
• The IRS does not demand payment without giving the resident an opportunity to question or appeal the amount owed.
• The IRS does not require a specific payment method, such as a prepaid debit card.
• The IRS does not ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
• The IRS does not threaten citizens with arrest for nonpayment.
A Day Of STEM For Rensselaer County Youth
A day of fun science projects designed to introduce young people to the wonders of science will be held Saturday, February 14, 9:30 am to 2 pm at the Brittonkill/ Tamarac Middle School. It is open to all youth in Rensselaer County in grades K-6
4-H Teens will engage youth in different projects including: building and launching stomp rockets, designing airplanes, discovering how hovers work and a community service project; making Valentine’s Day Cards to be delivered to Van Rensselaer Manor. Lunch (pizza) and light snacks will be included.
The cost is $10 for non 4-H youth which includes one year enrollment fee, payable at the door. Additionally, any non 4-H member participant must have a parent at check-in the day of the program to complete mandatory paperwork and attend a short 4-H Parent Orientation that will be held at 9:30, after morning check-in.
To register please call Kandis at the 4-H office by Friday, February 13 by 4 pm at 272-4210 x106. Space is limited.
The day will be fully run by the Rensselaer County 4-H Teen Council. This is a Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rensselaer County Program. If any participant has special needs that need to be taken into consideration, please indicate that at the time of registration. Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities.
submitted by Rich Crist
Members of the Rensselaer County Legislature are helping inform residents about upcoming public forums on a major gas pipeline proposed to be routed through southern Rensselaer County.
[Read more…] about Public Forums Scheduled on Major Gas Pipeline in Southern Rensselaer County
Rensselaer County 4-H recently held their 4-H Horse Program Year End Recognition event hosted by the Jogging Juniors 4-H Club and held at the Poestenkill Fire House. Thank you to the Poestenkill Firehouse for lending their outstanding facility. Below are some special Year End Awards that were presented in addition to year end completion certificates to all members and appreciation favors sponsored by our 4-H Teen Council presented to all our 4-H Leaders.
George Lamb Chosen As Rensselaer County Scholarship Winner
George Lamb was chosen as the Rensselaer County Farm Bureau winner by New York Farm Bureau’s Promotion and Education Committee.
George is the son of Terry and Christina Lamb of Buskirk, NY. George is a very well rounded student and is a senior attending Hoosic Valley High School. He has participated in a range of extracurricular activities: Schaghticoke Fair, 4-H Cornell’s Dairy Discovery, 4-H President, Past Vice President and Past Treasurer. He works on a local farm where he is responsible for night chores.
George plans to attend college and major in Agri-Business, Environmental Studies or Science for Agricultural Purposes.
The competition began at the county level where George and other students competed against one another for the right to be named the Rensselaer County scholarship winner. George was required to write an essay answering the question “If you had the power to change something in your community or on your farm, what would you change and why?” His application and essay were both reviewed by the judges, and both factored into his final score.
“The world of agriculture has many bright young leaders,” said the NYFB Promotion and Education Committee. “George and all of the other finalists have clearly demonstrated their depth of knowledge and commitment to agriculture. With such talented and intelligent leaders on the horizon, the future of New York agriculture seems particularly bright. We are thrilled that our scholarship money will be put to good use in helping these students to reach their full potential.”
Cherry Plain is a hidden gem for many campers in upstate New York, but few explore its beauty in the Winter. On Saturday, February 21, the Friends of Cherry Plain State Park (FCP) will host Winter Fun Day, a free event to bring the Capital Region out to this picturesque park. The event will be based at the Cherry Plain State Park entrance on Miller Road in Cherry Plain, New York from 10 am to 3 pm.
Volunteers will host snowshoe hikes and cross-country ski treks. A Winter Adventure at 11am and an Animal Tracking outing at 1:30 pm will be featured. Members of the FCP will be on-hand throughout the day to direct and guide small parties ready to head out into the various areas of the adjacent Capital District Wildlife Management Area.
Free snowshoe demos will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. The park has snowy hillsides for kids to enjoy, and the park will offer kids’ craft activities indoors when they need to warm up.
There will be a bonfire, hot chocolate, hot dogs, and marshmallows for roasting. Participants are invited to bring their own potluck dish to share at this community-spirited day. You will meet some wonderful people and have a chance to explore this special park during a quieter time of year. Participants are also encouraged to dress warmly and bring along their outdoor gear for a day of adventuring.
FCP thanks the Town of Berlin for plowing a loop near the park entrance to provide parking. However, as parking will be in short supply, everyone is encouraged to car-pool when possible.
Join us for this free outdoor event close to home! For further information or offers to help at the event, please call Fran Egbert at 674-3214. You may also call Grafton Lakes State Park’s Naturalist for more event information at 279-1155.
Did you know that the Rensselaer Plateau is the fifth largest forest in New York State, and that it is 90% forested, and that those forests are 90% privately owned?
Whether its two, 20 or 200 acres, do you love your land and value your woods? Then attend a Woods Forum conducted by the Rensselaer Plateau Alliance (RPA) on Wednesday, February 25 at 7 pm at the Poestenkill Town Hall (38 Davis Drive, Poestenkill, NY).
Join fellow woodland owners and forestry professionals for a discussion on how to maintain the value of your woods for timber harvesting, recreation, wildlife and for future generations. Discuss how to care for your woods today and plan for its future. Talk with and hear about the experiences of other landowners. Attendees will receive a copy of the new Guide for Landowners intended to help landowners find information in the recently published Rensselaer Plateau Regional Conservation Plan that is useful to them. Both of these resources and much more are now on the RPA website at http://rensselaerplateau.org/RensselaerPlateau/ConservationPlan.aspx. Refreshments will be served. Please call Sarah Parks at 302-584-7748 for additional information. This program is co-sponsored by New York Forest Owners Association, the Rensselaer Land Trust and the Agricultural Stewardship Association.
Keep informed of the many activities going on with RPA or the more than 30 Alliance organizations by checking out our new data-base driven calendar of events at http://renpa.azurewebsites.net/.
