Wednesday April 24, 2024 
Beryl Moul Scholarship
The Beryl H. Moul Memorial Grange Scholarship was established in 1958 by West Sand Lake Grange #949 in memory of prominent Grange Member Beryl H. Moul.
This year we are proud to announce Mckenna Erwell as the 2019 Beryl H. Moul Grange Scholarship Recipient. Mckenna, daughter of Joshua and Stacey Erwell of Rensselaer, NY graduated class of 2019, from Columbia High School. She was a member of the Student Advisory Council and helped to organize several projects to benefit the community of East Greenbush. Mckenna was recently named Student Athlete of the Week by Spectrum News as a three sport athlete, and is also a leader in several school student organizations including, President of Key Club, a member of the National Honor Society and a student advisor on a district committee to revise the Athletic Code of Conduct.
Congratulations Mckenna, we wish you well as you follow your dream of becoming a pediatric oncologist.
Campaign to Saratoga Talk to be Presented at Bennington Battlefield
Author Eric Schnitzer will deliver a presentation about his new book in collaboration with historical artist Don Troiani, Don Troiani’s Campaign to Saratoga – 1777: The Turning Point of the Revolutionary War in Paintings, Artifacts, and Historical Narrative. The free program will take place at Bennington Battlefield in the Caretakers House (30 Caretakers Road, Hoosick Falls, NY) on August 17 at 11:00 AM.
According to Schnitzer, “the Northern Campaign of 1777 was one of the war’s most important, formative military events. While there are many books out there on the subject, none are like this. Don Troiani’s Campaign to Saratoga – 1777 is a new publication which constitutes the campaign’s definitive history. Included are hundreds of full color artifacts, historical portraits and maps, thoroughly researched and exquisitely executed paintings, and fully cited historical narrative. New information unveils major, shocking truths never before revealed and forevermore obliterates ridiculous, long-standing myths.”
Schnitzer is an historian and park ranger at Saratoga National Historical Park. He is also a reenactor and member of the 62nd Regiment of Foot. He holds a degree in history from the University at Albany and is an authority on the Saratoga Campaign who has conducted exhaustive research into the British army. His work has been featured in the Bulletin of Fort Ticonderoga, The Saratoga Campaign: Uncovering an Embattled Landscape, the Journal of the Johannes Schwalm Historical Association. For more information contact David Pitlyk, 518-860-9094.
‘Just For Kids’ 2019 Free Summer Movie Series
July/August at Cohoes Music Hall, Wednesdays at 1pm on the Big Screen. August 21: The Jungle Book. Admission is Free to all children, parents and chaperones. Parking is Free across from the Music Hall. Doors open at noon with activities Just For Kids with chance to win some cool prizes. Children 12 and under receive a free small popcorn and small bottled water. Tickets may be picked up in advance at the box office 10am-1pm weekdays, day of show or reserved online. Please call 518-953-0630 for more info and group reservations. Cohoes Music Hall at 58 Remsen Street, Cohoes, NY 12047. Check out more movie info at www.thecohoesmusichall.org.
Family Movie Night
The Greenbush Reformed Church would like to welcome the public to a showing of a family friendly PG movie in our Chilton Hall on Thursday, August 22nd. Our hall is located at 14 Hayes Road, East Greenbush. Doors will open at 6pm, and movie snacks will be provided. All children must have a supervising adult. We hope to see you there!
Nøpiates Committee to Host Memorial Walk and Vigil
Wednesday, August 28th, 2019 at 6pm
The Nøpiates Committee along with the support of other community members and organizations including New York National Guard – CounterDrug Task Force, Youth Voices Matter, and Rensselaer County Heroin Coalition will participate in a Memorial Walk and Rally on Wednesday, August 28th at 6pm. We gather to remember our lost loved ones, bring hope and support for those who struggle with substance use disorders and celebrate those who are in recovery.
Beginning at 6:00 pm, attendees will gather at the West Sand Lake Elementary School, 24 Meeler Road, West Sand Lake, and will finish at the West Sand Lake Fire House at 3697 NY-43. The walk will be followed by a brief ceremony in which we will honor loved ones lost, provide support. We continue to speak out and raise awareness as we continue to reduce the shame and stigma associated with substance use disorders. By coming together to remember our friends, neighbors, loved ones, we stand together to say that more needs to be done to end overdose in our community.
For anyone who has lost a loved one that would like to honor and remember them in a photo presentation at our ceremony, please send a digital photo along with your loved one’s name, date of birth, date of loss to nopiateslaw@nullgmail.com by August 20th, 2019.
French Course
La Fédération Franco-Américaine du NY will be offering a beginners French course. Dr. Janet L. Shideler, Professor of French at Siena College will be the instructor. In addition to beginners, this class will also be for anyone who has taken a beginners course in the past, and wishes to improve their French. The cost of the course will be $70 for 8 sessions beginning September 5, 2019. The classes will be held on Thursday evenings from 6:30pm to 7:30pm at Siena College. There will be a limit of 15 students. For questions regarding the program, or to sign up for the course, call Tom Jacques, 518-541-3216. Send checks payable to FeFany, PO Box 354, Cohoes, NY 12047 by August 29, 2019.
Defensive Driving Class at Gilead Lutheran Church, Brunswick on October 5
Gilead Lutheran Church will host a 6 hour defensive driving class on Saturday, October 5, from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM. This is a NYS DMV approved class that will offer a 10% reduction off your auto insurance and up to 4 points off your NYS driver’s license! Exciting and interactive PowerPoint presentation and never a test to pass the course!
Cost of this class is just $30 per person and must be paid at the door. Doors open at 8:30 AM. Lunch items will be available for sale for an additional cost.
Gilead church is located at 308 Brick Church Road (Route 278), Troy, New York 12180. We are handicapped accessible and have loads of free close parking. SPACES ARE LIMITED and will sell out fast -again- at this price!! To reserve your seat please call John at 518-279-9552. Please drive safely!
ALL proceeds from this class will be donated to the church.
France Magnifique
La Fédération Franco-Américaine du NY is sponsoring a trip to France, featuring the 75th Anniversary of D-Day & Normandy, April 23 – May 7, 2020. Rates include round trip air from New York, air taxes and fees/surcharges, hotel transfers, and 20 meals. Highlights of the trip: Paris, River Seine cruise, Normandy, Omaha Beach, Le Mont St. Michel, Loire Valley, 2-night Chateau stay, winery tour, Lyon, Les Halles de Lyon, Paul Boscuse Market, Avignon, Creme Brûlée Cooking demonstration, Nice, Monaco. Plenty of time to explore on your own. For more information, pricing or a brochure, call Lisa at Plaza Travel at 518-785-3338 or lisa@nullplazatravel.net.
Rensselaer County Recovery Helpline
1-833-467-3123
Do you need help with substance use issues? Are you interested in volunteering for the helpline? The Rensselaer County Recovery Helpline offers information, local resources, and referrals for individuals and their families regarding substance use issues. The toll-free line is available 7 days a week from 9am-9pm. Each volunteer chooses shifts of 4 hours at a time to be on-call. When someone calls the number, a volunteer answers on their own smartphone, and can enter information to a database on their own computer, allowing for easy and quick access to resources. The information is sent to one of the 9 leaders, who will then assist the caller. If you or someone you know needs information, resources, or a referral for a substance use problem, call 1-833-467-3123. For more information, or if you are interested in volunteering, contact Renscohelpline@nullgmail.com
Feel Good
Do You Miss Him..??
We were going through some old pictures
When we came upon one of my Grandpa,
The most important male figure in my life.
“Do you miss him?”, my grandson asked.
“Yes, I do!”, I responded, and
I again ached with that feeling of loss.
He asked me how my Grandpa had died.
I told him of an abdominal aneurysm
That burst and led to Grandpa’s death.
Later, when we were riding our bikes,
He asked, “How old was your Grandpa when he died?”
To which I replied, “He was 78.”
“Yeah, but” he said……
“You don’t have that condition, right?”
I assured him I did not.
His concern for such things
Touched my heart…..
He felt the past…and worried about the future!
I hope to live to the age Grandpa did
And much longer if I can:
My grandson needs me…and I need him!!
-Lloyd Barnhart
West Sand Lake, NY
A Family Outing
I almost didn’t walk that way this morning after hearing a warning bark from he third house on the right where a hostile dog flings doggie insults at my dog, Sophie whenever we pass. FOrtunately our enemy was just hopping into the family car; the coast was clear, so we proceeded. This section of Eastern Union Turnpike is straight but dippy. Up ahead I saw a large buck unhurriedly crossing the road. There was a car approaching.
Close behind the buck was a doe, and behind the doe straggled three tiny fawns. I was enthralled by the scene but almost paralyzed with fear. With the dips in the road, would the driver see them, and brake in time? Holding my breath, I watched as the little family made the crossing safely. The tableau had been so beautiful, the relief so great, I had to share it with someone, but no one was there except Sophie, and she didn’t get it. As the car passed me; I gave an enthusiastic “thumbs up” and waved wildly (Actually, I almost did a cartwheel). From inside the care there were vigorous answering waves and happy smiles. Mutual wonder and relief flowed between us. There was joy in the sharing — no words were necessary. It lifted my day, even my week.
Naomi Boel
Averill Park
Memoirs of an Amnesiac: Lake and Field Days
The township of Sand Lake includes several lakes, but Crystal is the one I know best. Back when it had a public beach, that was the place to be on a Summer day. The cool kids hung out there, and coolest of all were the lifeguards.
Some of them used baby oil to expedite their suntan. UV radiation wasn’t a big worry back then.
At one time Crystal Lake had a carousel. From an outside animal you might snag a ring as you went around. A brass one meant a free ride. My arms weren’t long enough then, but I did find an iron ring in the sawdust, and I’ve kept it these 60 years.
One of the highlights of Summer was the Firemen’s Field Day in August. Maybe a dozen local fire companies took part, starting with a long parade from Averill Park’s Central School (now Homeroom Lofts) to Crystal Lake. That’s where several fire-fighting competitions took place.
There were carnival games for civilians, too. I spent a lot of time at a table covered with shallow glass dishes. All I had to do was land a nickel into one of the dishes, and it was mine. By the time I finally did, I had probably tossed more nickels than it was worth. Never mind, I was proud as a peacock, and ran home to give it to my Mom. For years that dish was reserved for cranberry sauce every Thanksgiving.
As night fell, more adults arrived, and people converged on the dance pavilion.
At my age, I could barely imagine life beyond high school; so the world of dances and grown-up girls was a fascinating mystery. I remember a young fireman with a beer in one hand and the other around his girlfriend’s waist. Was I looking at my own future? Sweet!
The one down-side to the Firemen’s Field Day was that it marked the beginning of the end of Summer. Next stop was Labor Day and another school year. Doom was closing in.
Ron McKee
Averill Park
Letters to the Editor
Swimming Pool Complex Now Worth a Close Look
An outdoor town swimming pool was again mentioned awhile back in this publication. While the concept has always been a bit wistful, I think it’s a good idea that now requires serious consideration, but in a regional context. I don’t think East Greenbush alone is quite at the population- or financial level to make this work, for a facility similar to those in Colonie or Bethlehem. However, a full-size pool shared by E.G., Rensselaer and at least one southern county town like Schodack or North Greenbush could be a strong proposition.
Our library district is a pretty good analog. From a cramped, little space in the E.G. town hall, the new complex quickly became the focal point for family and individual activity in this part of the county.
A number of locations that are relatively central to Rensselaer, Schodack and our town could be available for the pool. While an outdoor pool is seasonal, it would serve all of us during the most active part of the year. (And summers appear to be getting hotter!)
It’s time to begin getting serious input from residents on the idea. If things look positive, a good discussion on a shared financial structure should take place. The city of Rensselaer could certainly benefit from the pool, as could all of the surrounding, growing towns. Splash pads and little swimming ponds are okay, but aren’t going to cut it in the future.
Frank Coppa
East Greenbush