Sunday March 26, 2023 
Things you learn
The sun is slowly sliding down towards the horizon in the west,
Why the sun puts on such a grand display at the end of the day, I can only guess.
They claim that dust and other stuff refracts the sun’s light rays
In such ways to make these gorgeous colors.
By that time of day I’ve grown quite tired, but sunsets make me feel inspired.
I’ll sometimes sing a western tune as circumstance allows,
It takes me back to another time when I helped out milking cows.
The wooden-cased Philco radio hung up in a corner of the barn and was turned up really loud so we could hear the sound
And I knew and sang every word like “Pick me up on your way down”
I wrote some songs myself I must confide
One was about leaving a bar and taking a bend in the road a little wide
My brand new truck was totaled, but much worse, my good hunting dog died
I saw the light that winter night and the money I saved on beer
Could buy me a new truck every year
I shed my share of tears even after all these years
I still miss that dog.
We all make our foolish choices, we were given advice
But we didn’t heed their voices.
I have worn out my share of shoes, made myself a target to be abused
But win or lose, I am still around
And most of the bullies lay underground
I suppose it could have been worse but when I think of them
I say their name, and then tell them “For what it’s worth, you really looked good in that shiny hearse.”
I won’t ask about their smell when they were tossed in the lake of fire down in hell.
I sing at funerals for hire and do rather well
I’ve learned a lot since my birth because I’ve had quite a time on earth.
Dean Evans, The Outhouse Poet, September 29, 2020
A Watershed Moment
My town is coming together to help reduce flooding and droughts. At the North Greenbush Town Hall Meeting October 8, a presentation was made of our town’s Climate Smart Committee review of our plans for stormwater management and hazard mitigation. One of the powerpoint slides (available on the town website), showed how wetlands and trees hold back stormwater, reducing flooding, and how they hold moisture in the soil, reducing droughts.
What happens upstream matters for those living downstream. We are linked as a watershed.
The Committee presented a plan for action. We are coming together as a community for the common good. What a breath of fresh air!
Fortunately, we have excellent resources to aid us. The Renssealer Land Trust published a Conservation Plan for Rensselaer County, with detailed maps of areas of the most crucial areas to protect and preserve. The Rensselaer Plateau Alliance advocates for the enjoyment and preservation of natural areas. Green infrastructure design, on municipal and individual landowner levels, can provide stormwater management while preserving or creating habitat for wildlife, among numerous other benefits. Development guidelines hold up the idea of new housing developments having connecting trails to adjoining natural areas.
We can do smart growth, growth that knows how much is enough, not only for us, but for generations as yet unborn, the seventh generation.
Sheree Cammer, Wynantskill
Bright Be The Light
We sleep serenely through the night
Knowing that the darkness will bring forth the light
The birds sing a unique song at the dawn of a new day
Urging us to get up and enjoy today
The leaves of every plant reach for the sky
Because without the life giving power
Of light they shall perish and die
I gaze upon my cat basking in the warmth of the sun
Taunting me to come outside and have some fun
The rays of light give the earth
A subtle glamour and a glimmering glow
If you take the time to observe
You’ll see God puts on quite a show
The night brings forth fright
While the light gleams with delight
Evil tends to lurk at night
Then the light forces it to take flight
Suddenly a violent storm blew through the town
Leaving behind branches, and large trees came down
The lights flickered aimlessly and then ceased
The neighbors gazed upon the scene with disbelief
The folks grew contrite without their precious light
I prayed to God to keep everyone safe and sound
Until the source of the outage could be found
The night seemed longer than usual but the
Sun rose again without refusal
The next afternoon I heard a clicking sound
From above, when I was in my cellar
The power restoration evoked elation
And was rather stellar
To be without, teaches you what having, is all about
When God said “Let there be light!”
It made the world a beautiful sight
Let the light of the Lord shine upon you each day
And you’ll see infinite blessings coming your way
Donna Masters, Troy
Want To Make a Difference In Your Community? VOTE!
This year has been a complicated one for our country and localities. We have weathered abuses of power by elected officials and lost an overwhelming number of lives—grandparents, parents, siblings, children, aunts, uncles, friends, neighbors—to a heinous virus. We continue to navigate an employment and housing crisis amid ever-changing guidance on how to best help and protect one another.
One of the best ways to show support for our community and country is to VOTE. Voting sets our guiding principles into action. It is our opportunity to support candidates who will fight for the people who need it most and the issues we care about.
There is still time to take part. If you requested an absentee ballot, be sure to follow the directions and mail or deliver your ballot by November 3rd. NYS recently enacted an Early Voting option, which runs from Saturday, October 24th through Sunday, November 1st. Additionally, you may still vote in person on November 3rd. It is important to plan for how, where, and when you will vote as well as and whom you will vote for. Democracy requires your participation to thrive.
This election season, we ask that you vote for MIKE HELINSKI for North Greenbush Town Board, JOHN MCDONALD for State Assembly, PATRICK NELSON for State Senate, and PAUL TONKO for US Congress. These are candidates that are focused on serving our community and taking common sense approaches to the problems we are facing. They will be innovative, compassionate, and dedicated workers for the residents of North Greenbush and Rensselaer County.
Respectfully,
North Greenbush Democratic Committee
The Last Thanksgiving
What to do for Thanksgiving
We are told to stay at home and eat alone
And only call family on the phone
But as in a time of old, you can have Thanksgiving with the Indians
Go west near Rome at Turning Stone
They’re glad to accept your money, they’ll feed you really well
After all most of you go through life humming “Farmer in the Dell”
It’s easy to be deluded, not look reality in the face
Or believe in global warming or living in outerspace
I have no problem living on the earth
I have a thing for breathing air
But if you want to go all that bad, I really do not care
I often wonder how few will make it halfway there
They must have had some flat tires with their cars
How far is it out to Mars?
Put a sample in this Dixie cup, I’ll test it to see what’s up
Then I’ll finally know it’s not me. The truth will be there in the pee.
So donate to NPR and listen every day, but not to Chartock’s round table
But to composers like Chopin or Faure
In this election there is no confusion, you’re not in a pickle
You’re either pro American flag or the hammer and sickle
Dean Evans, The Outhouse Poet, October 15, 2020
Bright Be The Light
We sleep serenely through the night
Knowing that the darkness will bring forth the light
The birds sing a unique song at the dawn of a new day
Urging us to get up and enjoy today
The leaves of every plant reach for the sky
Because without the life giving power
Of light they shall perish and die
I gaze upon my cat basking in the warmth of the sun
Taunting me to come outside and have some fun
The rays of light give the earth
A subtle glamour and a glimmering glow
If you take the time to observe
You’ll see God puts on quite a show
The night brings forth fright
While the light gleams with delight
Evil tends to lurk at night
Then the light forces it to take flight
Suddenly a violent storm blew through the town
Leaving behind branches, and large trees came down
The lights flickered aimlessly and then ceased
The neighbors gazed upon the scene with disbelief
The folks grew contrite without their precious light
I prayed to God to keep everyone safe and sound
Until the source of the outage could be found
The night seemed longer than usual but the
Sun rose again without refusal
The next afternoon I heard a clicking sound
From above, when I was in my cellar
The power restoration evoked elation
And was rather stellar
To be without, teaches you what having, is all about
When God said “Let there be light!”
It made the world a beautiful sight
Let the light of the Lord shine upon you each day
And you’ll see infinite blessings coming your way
Donna Masters, Troy
Let’s Stop the Downhill Slide
As a member of Melvin Roads American Legion, I am honored to have our Post recognized in a previous letter to the editor. We were described as being at the forefront of 9-11 ceremonies this year for our region. However, we have been hit hard by Covid and are struggling to keep our Post afloat.
We, as well as many Posts throughout our area would like to continue our legacy of serving the community through sponsorships of girl’s and boy’s state scholarships, supporting veteran’s programs, honor flights, and generally promoting the ideals of Americanism when it seems to be under attack recently. Almost every VFW, and American Legion Post I have visited lately are in the same boat. They need their communities support now! It would be a shame to see these organizations wither and fade away from a lack of enthusiasm from their communities as well as a lack of member/volunteers from the younger veterans. Please support your local veterans organizations.
Vince Lanci, East Schodack
Last Day At The Log Pool
October 15th, 2020,
The last day of trout season;
A man just had to go fishing.
For me, the last day
Is as important as the first day…
For fishing a favorite mountain stream.
I arrived at the Log Pool,
Downstream from the Park
With weather/water conditions just right.
The Log Pool was just about perfect…
Water was spilling over the log,
Producing a 3 foot deep pool below.
Creeping close to the bottom of the pool,
I threaded a white Gulp maggot on my hook
And made the first cast…..
WHAM !!!…A brookie struck hard !
I set the hook and soon had the trout in hand.
Spectacular in Fall colors, it was Black River Gold!
That’s all I needed…one fish to close out the season.
I quickly got a photo of the fish…
Then returned it to the pool.
I headed home, satisfied with the outing.
I had many 2020 fishing memories, and
Six months to get ready for Opening Day 2021
Lloyd Barnhart, West Sand Lake