The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Former Fire Chief Sentenced for Arson 

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Submitted by the Rensselaer County District Attorneys Office
Former Schaghticoke Fire Chief Matthew Woelfersheim pled guilty in Rensselaer County Court before the Honorable Jennifer G. Sober to one count of Arson in the Second Degree (class B felony), one count of Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree (class E felony), one count of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fourth Degree and one count of Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated (misdemeanor).

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Troy Winter Lighting Festival

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The Arts Center of the Capital Region, the Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Troy BID are thrilled to announce Troy Glo, a dazzling new winter lighting festival opening the night of the 40th annual Victorian Stroll. The size and sophistication of the artwork is expected to draw an estimated 25,000 visitors from the Capital Region and beyond over the course of a month. Creative development for Troy Glo will be managed by The Arts Center of the Capital Region.

The Arts Center is seeking artists to design temporary public light art installations at various locations in Downtown Troy. With creative and artistic support from an experienced artist and curator, a team of five artists will be commissioned to design a series of temporary light art pieces throughout the Downtown shopping and dining district.

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State Redistricting Thrown Out

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A State Supreme Court Judge based in Steuben County (Western NY) has thrown out the state legislature’s redistricting maps as unconstitutional, claiming the redraw was done to favor Democrats. The suit filed by the New York Republican Party claimed the 26 Congressional districts were redrawn to favor Democrats in 22 of these districts. The judge had ordered the legislature to submit new maps by April 11. It took only days before the decision was appealed by the New York State Attorney General’s Office as well as the Office of Governor Kathy Hochol. The Appellate Judge then issued a stay on the original order until the appeal is heard.

These new districts affect the areas represented by Congressman Antonio Delgado, Paul Tonko and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik as well as State Senator Daphne Jordan, Assemblyman Jake Ashby and John McDonald.

Auto Racing

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by Doug La Rocque

Plans by the Albany-Saratoga Speedway for their earliest season opener on Friday, April 1 were washed out. The track now plans to open the season on Friday, April 15. What did take the green flag was the first race of the year at the Orange County Speedway in Middletown, with more than $25,000 going to the winner. That turned out to be Matt Sheppard from the Rochester area. The other top five finishers were Mat Williamson, Dan Creeden, Ryan Godown and Andy Bachetti.

The Fonda Speedway opens for the season with all divisions on Saturday, April 16. The Green flag will fly at Lebanon Valley for Big Blocks, Sportsman, Pro Stocks and Pure Stocks on Saturday, April 23. The Devil’s Bowl Speedway in West Haven, VT has its first night of racing planned for Saturday, May 7.

Church Easter Services

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Here is a list of Easter services we have been informed about, please let us know about any other services we should add to this list by contacting news@eastwickpress.com.

Gilead Lutheran Church
Gilead Lutheran Church, Rt. 278 in Center Brunswick, will be holding an old-fashioned Easter egg hunt on Saturday, April 16. There will be three separate hunts based on age group, beginning at 10 am. This will be an outdoor event, so dress accordingly. If you would like to donate filled plastic eggs, call the church office at 518-279-9270 or email akeefer.gilead@gmail.com to set up a drop-off time.

Zions’ United Church of Christ
Join us for our annual Easter sunrise service, followed by breakfast, on the edge of Little Bowman Pond, Sunday April 17, at 6 am at Zions’s United Church of Christ, 741 Taborton Road, Sand Lake. Please make your reservation by calling Diane Hoffman at 518-674-2746 or Jane Weber at 518-258-4307.

North Chatham United Methodist Church
Saturday, April 16, at 9 am, The North Chatham United Methodist Church, 4274 Route 203, will be having an Easter Egg hunt. Our Easter Sunday SonRise Service will begin at 6:30 am, with regular worship at 11 am. For more information, please call 518-766-3535 or visit our website, northchathammethodistchurch.org. Zoom login information for services can also be found on our website.

Center Brunswick United Methodist Church
Palm Sunday, April 10, at 9 am, Good Friday, April 15, from noon to 3 pm, Sanctuary open for personal reflection and prayer.
Easter Sunday, April 17, at 6 pm, Sunrise service at Berlin UMC and virtual. Easter service will be at 9 am, and the Easter Service with Vocal and Bell choirs, at 9 am. Children’s Easter Egg Hunt will be at 10:15 am.

Stephentown Federated Church
Palm Sunday, April 10, at 9:30 am, Good Friday, April 15, from noon to 3 pm, an open house to pray alone or receive pastoral prayer.
Easter Sunday Sunrise service, April 17, at 6:30 am. Join us in Garfield Cemetery on Garfield Road and/or in the Sanctuary, 1513 Garfield Road, for our Easter service at 9:30 am.
The church is handicapped accessible. For more information, visit stephentownfederatedchurch.org, or call 518-733-5813.

All Saints Church
Palm Sunday, April 10, at 10 am.
Maundy Thursday, April 14, at 7 pm. Holy Communion and the Stripping of the Altar.
Good Friday, April 15, at 7 pm.
Easter Sunday, April 17, at 10 am.
Immediately following the 10 am service, the Church welcomes children to participate in our popular Easter Egg Hunt, with refreshments and fellowship for all.
All Saints Episcopal Church is located on 4957 NY Rt. 7 in Hoosick Falls. For more information, or to find our Zoom link for morning prayer, visit AllSaintsHoosick.org. All are welcome to attend.

Joseph N. Haneke – Obituary

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Stephentown – Hello neighbors in Stephentown. I would like to inform you of the passing of my wonderful husband, Joseph Haneke, who died at home on April 1, 2022.

In the short time that we have been here we have been so blessed by living in this beautiful Stephentown, the only Stephentown in the whole world. I would like to give many thanks to the wonderful Stephentown EMTs, who came to our home to assist my disabled husband. [Read more…] about Joseph N. Haneke – Obituary

Judy A. Bachorz – Obituary

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Hoosick Falls – Judy A. Bachorz, 75, passed away on Thursday, March 31, at the Bennington Health & Rehab Center in Bennington, VT. She formerly resided at Woodpark Apartments in Hoosick Falls and was the wife of the late Joseph Bachorz.

Judy was born on July 12, 1946, in Petersburg, NY, daughter of the late William J. and Dorothy E. (Parker) Lackey. She was educated at schools in Hoosick Falls and was formerly employed at the St. Stanislaw Society Club in Hoosick Falls for several years. Judy was a member of the Eagles Club, American Legion and St. Stanislaw Society, all in Hoosick Falls. [Read more…] about Judy A. Bachorz – Obituary

Carol M. Donovan – Obituary

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Brunswick – Carol McNeilly Donovan, 73, died March 15, 2022, at her home surrounded by her loving family. Carol was born July 11, 1948 in Cambridge, NY, the daughter of the late Alice (Welch) and Gordon McNeilly of Hoosick NY. 

Carol is survived by her loving husband of 49 years, Timothy, her daughter Kate Henson (Eric) of Boulder Colorado and her son Michael Donovan (Sarah) of Canandaigua NY, four adoring grandchildren, Wyatt and Owen Henson, Tyler and Toby Donovan and her sister and closest friend, Kathy White (Kevin) of Clifton Park NY and their children Rachel, Greg and Bryan. She is also survived by the Donovan clan, her sister-in-law Ann (Bill) White, Marge (Richard) Marker and Marianne Donovan and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents she was predeceased by her brother-in-law Joe Donovan. [Read more…] about Carol M. Donovan – Obituary

Donald A. Yerton – Obituary

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Berlin – Donald Anson Yerton, 95, passed peacefully at home with exceptional care from his son Chris Yerton, Jessica Wright and Community Hospice.

Donald was the son of the late Ada (Bly) Yerton and Gilbert Yerton. Donald was predeceased by his cherished wife of 55 years, Charlotte M. (Crandall) Yerton whom he married in East Poestenkill, NY on December 14, 1946.

Donald spent his early years on the farm located at Hilltop Road. He met his wife Charlotte, they married and he went on to logging and ran a saw mill with his father Gilbert. They provided maple planks for the manufacture of wooden heels by another mill in Shushan, NY.  [Read more…] about Donald A. Yerton – Obituary

Esther L. Wagner – Obituary

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Hoosick Falls – Esther L. (Woodard) Wagner, 89, passed away on April 1, 2022 at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, Bennington VT. She had resided at the Danforth Adult Care Center since 2017, but lived most her life in West Hoosick (Hoosick Falls) New York. Esther was born November 13, 1932 at Hoosick Falls, NY, the daughter of Clayton Woodard and  Mary Jane Brown Woodard. She attended and graduated from school in Hoosick Falls. In early years, she worked at Hoosick Falls Undergarment Co., and baked pies for the Falls Diner. Esther worked for many years for Ed and Violet Baker in West Hoosick, and became the babysitter for her grandchildren in later years.  [Read more…] about Esther L. Wagner – Obituary