The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Troy

Edward A. Seagroatt – Obituary

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Troy – Edward A. Seagroatt, 81, died Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at Samaritan Hospital after a brief illness.  

You may have driven with him in his prized 1934 Ford Cabriolet with the top down. You may have spotted him in town surprising someone with a bouquet of long-stemmed roses. Or he may have called you on your birthday, always remembering the date but too polite to mention the year.

Born in Troy, Ed was the son of the late Albert Seagroatt and Helen Brown Seagroatt. Ed was raised in Berlin, NY and resided in the Capital District area all his life. He attended Avon Old Farms School in Connecticut and was a graduate of La Salle Institute in Troy, NY. Ed earned a degree in Ornamental Horticulture from the State University of New York at Farmingdale and later served in the Coast Guard. [Read more…] about Edward A. Seagroatt – Obituary

Lansingburgh’s First Annual Parade and Tree Lighting

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Story by Amy Modesti 

Saturday, December 10, residents and visitors lined up along Corliss Park, Northern Avenue, and Fifth Avenue to enjoy a wonderful afternoon. Holiday candy was tossed out to parade goers as a who’s who of participants ranging from area fire departments to the Lansingburgh HS football team, City of Troy departments, police officials, area businesses and residents in decked out vehicles made an appearance. The parade ended at Powers Park.

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Honoring Henry G. A. Higgitt

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By Amy Modesti
On Monday, December 12, a ceremony was held to honor and remember the life of Henry G. A. Higgitt. Born December 9, 1900, in Troy, Higgitt enlisted in the New York Army National Guard, serving in the Support Company, 2nd Infantry Division. Enlisting in the United States Navy in Albany, he served aboard the USS Eagle, USS Sacramento, USS Patonka, and USS Denebola. He served in the US Naval Reserve and Naval Training Station later in his military career tending to boilers in a ship’s engine room. Higgitt was honorably discharged on June 9, 1946, awarded with the World War II Victory Medal and American Campaign Medal. 

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75th Turkey Trot Results

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Submitted by Ed Parham
More than 5,500 participants braved the cold this past Thanksgiving morning to participate in the 75th Troy Turkey Trot, the nation’s 12th oldest road race. Below is a list of event winners, along with their respective race completion times:

10K Men’s Winner - Sean O’Brien (30:44)
10K Women’s Winner - Charlotte Richman (34:14)

5K Men’s Winner - Alex Hislop (15:01)
5K Women’s Winner - Amanda Chambers (17:13)

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Foodstock 8

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By Amy Modesti
According to Feeding America, in Rensselaer and surrounding counties, over 89,000 people are food insecure, 25,000 of which are young children and infants. They don’t have the means to afford fresh food, hygiene products, or provide baby formula to their infant. Where does one go to receive assistance and combat food insecurity? The Food Pantries of the Capital District. 

Sunday, November 6, the Rustic Barn Pub, along with event host and advocate Bob Gamache, hosted Foodstock 8. Since its 2017 inception, Foodstock is held to raise awareness about food insecurity and help feed the hungry in the Capital Region. And the eighth edition of Sunday’s event was no different.

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Workforce Development Career Center Opens at Hudson Valley Community College

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Courtesy of HVCC

On Thursday, October 27, College, State, and County officials gathered for the opening of the new Workforce Development Career Center at Hudson Valley Community College. The Center, which will be a satellite office of the Rensselaer County Career Center, is operated in conjunction with the Capital Region Workforce Development Board, which will also be located on campus. The new Career Center will provide job seekers with customized career planning, resumé assistance, career search workshops, and tuition assistance for short-term training through the federal Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act. The Center will work in partnership with the College’s Center for Career and Transfer in providing services that complement and expand the connection between education and workforce placement, and development activities in the region. Local and regional businesses also will have the opportunity to use the Center for recruiting and development of current and future employees.

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2023 County Budget Proposed

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Fifth Straight Year with Property Tax Reduction

From the Office of County Executive Steve McLaughlin
The proposed 2023 Rensselaer County budget would include a 1 percent property tax reduction, making it the fifth consecutive year with such a reduction. When combined with the previous four years, property taxes will have been reduced by 20 percent under County Executive Steve McLaughlin.

“Under the 2023 budget, the County tax levy will decrease by 1 percent. While modest, when coupled with the previous tax reductions from the past four years, it will mean our taxes have decreased by one-fifth in just five years. A 20 percent reduction in taxes is, we believe, is not equaled by any County in the State, and shows Rensselaer County is a leader in protecting taxpayers and encouraging other development,” added McLaughlin.

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Music to Help Feed the Hungry

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Submitted by Mark Emanatian
Join us on Sunday, November 6, from 2 to 8 pm at the Rustic Barn Pub, 150 Speigletown Rd, for Foodstock 8. This event is a benefit concert for The Food Pantries of the Capital District, featuring six hours of music and peace to feed the hungry. Participating bands include Northern Borne, The Hilltown Ramblers, The Tyes, Soul Sky, Bob Barker Band, and The Mushroom Men. Entry fee for the event is a suggested donation of $10 and/or donations of food, infant, and/or hygiene products, such as:

  • Canned proteins
  • Peanut butter
  • Canned fruits and vegetables
  • Starches (rice, pasta, oatmeal, pancake mix, etc.).
  • Diapers
  • Formula
  • Shampoo and conditioner
  • Paper towels
  • Laundry soap
  • and much more

Suggested items include foods low in fat, sugar, and sodium. Foods to avoid include those that are home canned, outdated, having no label, or in a glass jar. No registration is necessary. [Read more…] about Music to Help Feed the Hungry

Power Lunch Needs Reading Mentors 

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Do you enjoy reading to children? Do you have an hour a week to spare? Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County has a pressing need for at last 10 volunteer reading mentors for the Everybody WINS! Power Lunch program at Van Rensselaer Elementary in Rensselaer as well as School 2 and School 14 in Troy.

Everybody Wins! is an innovative reading and mentoring program that increases children’s prospects for success in school and in life. Power Lunch pairs elementary school children one-to-one with volunteers from nearby businesses, colleges and the community. Once a week, reading partners enjoy conversation together at the school, and the adult reads a book aloud to the child while he/she eats lunch.

 Readers will be required to attend a training session on Wednesday, September 28, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm at Hart Hall on the campus of Russell Sage College, 71 First Street, Troy. To register or for more information, contact 518-244-4650 or litvoldirector@aol.com.