The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Rensselaer County

Kent’s Sugar House To Host Maple Weekend

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submitted by Lilly Hewitt
NYS Maple Producers Association is a not-for-profit comprised of the folks who make maple syrup in New York State. The Association is welcoming everyone to visit member Sugar Houses on “Maple Weekends,” March 16 and 17  and 23 and 24, to learn about the process of making maple syrup.  Kent’s Sugar House, a 38 year old local business, will be the Rensselaer County host. It is located at 2529 Plank Road in Berlin and is open from 10 am to 4 pm on both Maple Weekends.
[Read more…] about Kent’s Sugar House To Host Maple Weekend

A Public Meeting On The Rensselaer Plateau Conservation Plan

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Please come and join others who live, work or play on the Rensselaer Plateau for a presentation and discussion of the Rensselaer Plateau Regional Conservation Plan (The Plan).  On Thursday, March 21, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, the Rensselaer Plateau Alliance (RPA) will host a public meeting at the Carner-Etman-Smith VFW Post in Grafton. Turn on South Street directly across from the Town Store.  The VFW Post is 1/3 mile on the right. A copy of the draft plan is available at www.rensselaerplateau.org.
The Plan has been under development for over two years which included community forums in 2010, public workshops in 2011-12 and targeted stakeholder meetings to facilitate public input.  The purpose of the Rensselaer Plateau Regional Conservation Plan is to:
• identify the areas with the most significant ecological, economic and community values;
• identify conservation and stewardship needs for those areas, and
• create a toolbox for all of the stakeholders of the Rensselaer Plateau region to use.
Participants will have an opportunity to discuss and comment on the plan. RPA will be accepting individual and organizational comments until May 1, 2013.

Schaghticoke Fair Announces 2013 Fair Theme And Design Contest

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The Schaghticoke Fair is very excited to announce the 2013 fair theme as “Who’s Your Super Hero?” This theme was chosen to represent the many different kinds of people who are super heroes every day. The fair will be introducing “Who’s Your Super Hero?” into the buildings, exhibits, fair entries and contests. In addition to Super Hero, the fair will be initiating for the first time a food drive. Building on the theme Souper, the contest design entries can incorporate this spelling and or design elements. We want the students to have fun with the idea, and we are looking for some creative input.
The contest is open to all currently enrolled high school students throughout Rensselaer County. The selected design will be used on the 2013 fair brochure, T-shirt and for marketing purposes. Each student who submits one design entry will receive a one day fair pass to the 2013 Schaghticoke Fair. In addition to having the winner’s work published, the winner will also receive a one day fair pass with one unlimited ride ticket, a 2013 “Who’s Your Super/Souper Hero?” T-shirt, a certificate of achievement presented during the week of the fair and will also become an honorary judge for future themed design contests. For more information on how to participate and the elements that are to be included in the design, please contact the art department at your high school or call Mary at the Fair office, 753-4411, x13. All entries must be must be submitted by June 7.

Woods And Wildlife Workshop

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“Caring for Your Woods and Wildlife” is a day long workshop for forest owners held at Tamarac High School in Brunswick, on Saturday, March 16. There will be seven presentations on a variety of topics in the morning, followed by a woods walk in the afternoon. The talks will be geared toward issues and concerns of woodland owners in the Rensselaer Plateau area. Speakers from the NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation, the Hudson River Estuary Program and the Cornell Cooperative Extension will cover topics including wildlife ecology, forest regeneration, streamside management, woodland transfer and how to develop a forest management plan.
The afternoon walk in a nearby forest will give attendees the opportunity to see how some of the management topics can be applied in their woods. The workshop is sponsored by the Hudson River Estuary Program and the Cornell Cooperative Extension Biodiversity Program Work Team, with endorsement by the Rensselaer Plateau Alliance, Greene and Rensselaer County Cooperative Extension and the Capital District Chapter of the NY Forest Owners Association.
The $15 fee covers refreshments, lunch and an information packet. To register by March 9 online or to print a mail-in registration form, go to www2.dnr.cornell.edu/ext/pwt/bio/.   For more information, email Kristi Sullivan at kls20@cornell.edu.

New Spokesperson Crowned For New York Dairy Industry

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Courtney Luskin from Hoosic Valley, Rensselaer County, was crowned the 2013-2014 New York State Dairy Princess on February 21 at the Holiday Inn in Liverpool, NY. Having served as the Rensselaer County Dairy Princess since spring of 2012, Luskin will devote an additional year promoting milk and dairy products with the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council, Inc. (ADADC). [Read more…] about New Spokesperson Crowned For New York Dairy Industry

County Legislators Renew Call For Route 7 Safety Review

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submitted by Rich Crist, Majority Legislative Liaison
Following another serious incident with a tanker truck, members of the Rensselaer County Legislature are renewing the calls for a safety review on a section of State Route 7 in the Town of Hoosick.
Last week, a tanker truck left the road, slid down an embankment and burst into flames. The truck was carrying over 8,000 gallons of unleaded gasoline, and much of the gas went into a nearby creek.
[Read more…] about County Legislators Renew Call For Route 7 Safety Review

County Honors Joseph Manoogian, Jr., Korean And Vietnam War Veteran, US Navy Submariner Service

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submitted by Chris Meyer, Deputy County Executive
The late Joseph Manoogian, Jr., a United States Navy Veteran whose service included maritime service during both the Korean War and Vietnam War, was recognized by Rensselaer County’s Honor-A-Deceased Veteran Committee and County officials on Monday, January 14, 2013, during services at the County Office Building. [Read more…] about County Honors Joseph Manoogian, Jr., Korean And Vietnam War Veteran, US Navy Submariner Service

NYS Assemblyman McLaughlin Announces Mobile Office Hours In Rensselaer County

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Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin (R,C,I-Melrose) today announced that he will be holding mobile office hours throughout Rensselaer County during February and March. McLaughlin said traveling around the District will provide constituents with more opportunities to meet with him personally to discuss local and State issues. With the onset of State budget negotiations, McLaughlin also said this would give constituents an opportunity to address and ask questions about issues that are important to them.
“As the people’s voice in state government, the best way I can represent our District’s needs is by hearing directly from the families, seniors and business owners who live in the District,” said McLaughlin. “This is a great way to open up conversations about the local issues my office might be able to assist community members with as well as an opportunity to help shape our legislative agenda in Albany.
“I am encouraging everyone to stop by my Mobile Office Hours to share thoughts, concerns and ideas with me and my staff.”
Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin’s Mobile Office Hours
• Berlin: Wednesday, February 20, 11 am to 2 pm, Berlin Town Hall, 17563 NY Route 22, Berlin.
• Sand Lake: Thursday, February 21, 11 am to 2 pm, Sand Lake Town Hall, 8428 Miller Hill Road, Sand Lake.
• East Greenbush: Thursday, February 28, 3 pm to 6 pm, East Greenbush Community Library, 10 Community Way, East Greenbush.
• Hoosick: Thursday, March 7, 3 pm to 6 pm, Hoosick Town Hall, 80 Church Street, Hoosick Falls.
Assemblyman McLaughlin will be holding additional Mobile Office Hours in Rensselaer County during the spring months. A March grand opening is also expected for McLaughlin’s new District office in Troy.
Assemblyman McLaughlin represents the 107th NYS Assembly District, which consists of parts of Rensselaer, Columbia and Washington counties. For more information, please visit Assemblyman McLaughlin’s official website.

Rensselaer County Dairy Princess Visits HFCS

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by Courtney Luskin
I have been busy getting ready for our NY State Dairy Princess Pageant in Syracuse.  The NYS Dairy Princess Program, as well as Rensselaer County’s, will be celebrating 50 years.  The two day competition will include a speech, scrapbook, product knowledge, interview and written communications.
[Read more…] about Rensselaer County Dairy Princess Visits HFCS