Thursday April 25, 2024 
Friends of Dyken Pond sponsoring two youth to attend DEC summer camps
Now in its 72nd year, the DEC Summer Camps program offers week-long adventures in conservation education for children aged 11-17. DEC operates four residential camps for children: Camp Colby in Saranac Lake (Franklin County); Camp DeBruce in Livingston Manor (Sullivan County); Camp Rushford in Caneadea (Allegany County), and Pack Forest in Warrensburg (Warren County). All four camps offer programing for children aged 11-13 and aged 14-17.
If your child is interested in a great summer overnight adventure, please have them send a letter stating why they would like to attend a DEC camp by February 1 to:
Mr. Chris von Schilgen
Friends of Dyken Pond
475 Dyken Pond Road
Cropseyville, NY 12052
More information on DEC camps can be found at: http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/29.html
We will also be offering scholarships to our very own Outdoor Adventure Camp at Dyken Pond this summer too! Applications for the Dyken Pond camp can be found at: http://dykenpond.org/? page_id=110
Questions about the scholarships? Please contact Lisa Hoyt at Dyken Pond Center at 518 658-2055 or dykenpond@nullgmail.com.
For more information about Friends of Dyken Pond and the Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center, visit our website at: http://www.dykenpond. org
Lansingburgh Little League Baseball and Softball Registration
Lansingburgh Little League Baseball and Softball is having registration for Boys and Girls who live within the Boundaries of the Little League. Lansingburgh School District, plus Hoosic Valley/ Melrose, North and South Lake Ave, East to Grafton and 101st street north to Melrose. For Boys ages 4 to 12, born between Sept 1, 2006 and Aug 31, 2015. Also, for Girls ages 4-16 born between Jan 1, 2002 and Aug 31, 2015. Registration will be every Tuesday in February at Rensselaer Park School and every Thursday in February at Turnpike School from 7-8pm. Questions, call Anthony Huff at 518-698-7214.
DEC Reminds Anglers to Put Safety First When Ice Fishing
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos reminded anglers to be cautious when ice fishing.
Four inches of solid ice is usually safe for anglers on foot. However, ice thickness can vary on waterbodies and even on the same waterbody. Anglers should be particularly wary of areas of moving water and around boat docks and houses where bubblers may be installed to reduce ice buildup. The presence of snowmobile tracks or footprints on the ice is not evidence of safe ice conditions. Individuals are strongly encouraged to check ice conditions and avoid situations that appear to present even a remote risk. Testing the thickness of ice can easily be done with an auger or ice spud at various spots.
Ice fishing continues to increase in popularity in New York State. Unlike the open-water season, when an angler usually needs a boat to access good fishing locations, boats are not required to access these same locations once a waterbody is covered with safe ice. It’s also a great sport for families, as they can mix in skating, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, or other activities during ice fishing trips to keep everyone interested and happy.
As part of Governor Cuomo’s NY Open for Fishing and Hunting initiative, Feb.16-17, has been designated as a free fishing weekend. The requirement for a fishing license is waived during this period. This free fishing weekend is a great opportunity to try ice fishing for the first time or for experienced anglers to take their friends ice fishing. Beginning ice anglers are encouraged to download the new I FISH NY Guide to Ice Fishing. Additional valuable information, including where to fish recommendations, can be found on the DEC ice fishing web page and the Ice Fishing Chapter of the DEC’s I FISH NY Beginner’s Guide to Freshwater Fishing.
The use of fish for bait is popular when ice fishing and bait fish may be used in most but not all waters that are open to ice fishing.
Anglers should take these important steps when using baitfish while ice fishing:
Review and follow the DEC baitfish regulations;
Make sure that the use of baitfish is permitted in the waterbody by checking the special regulations by county section of the Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide;
Use only certified disease-free bait fish purchased at a local tackle store or use only personally collected bait fish for use in the same water body in which they were caught;
Do not reuse baitfish in another waterbody if the water the baitfish were purchased in has been replaced; and
Dump unused baitfish and water in an appropriate location on dry land.
DEC reminds anglers to make sure that they have a valid fishing license before heading out on the ice. Fishing licenses are now valid for 365 days from the date of purchase.
Stephentown Vol. Fire Dept. Members Raise Funds for STRIDE Adaptive Sports
Members of the Stephentown Volunteer Fire Department (SVFD) are participating in STRIDE Adaptive Sports’ 4th Annual 100K Vertical Challenge. This 12-hour, 87-run skiing and snowboarding marathon at Jiminy Peak on February 25, 2019 supports the work STRIDE does to empower individuals with special needs in life-changing sport & recreation programs.
The SVFD’s team includes Chief Jonathan Angley, Assistant Chief Jeff Brokalis, Fire Lieutenant Ron Disher, and Safety Officer Chuck Riccardi who is team Captain. “I have a personal connection to this event,” says Officer Riccardi, “having seen the difference STRIDE made in the life of a friend who is living with traumatic brain injury.”
It’s all about raising funds for a worthy cause but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t also a healthy dose of competition at play. The Delmar Fire Department’s Team will be competing and is the current top fundraiser. Lieutenant Disher explains, “Living next to Jiminy Peak, we would love to rally local support for the event and give Delmar a run for their money.”
You can support this event which will help STRIDE continue their valuable work with local special needs kids and wounded veterans by donating to the SVFD’s campaign at https://www.classy.org/team/205958.
Ice Skating in The Village of Nassau
The Village of Nassau Youth Committee is pleased to announce that we will be hosting ice-skating parties at the Village Pond, Malden St. (located between Ben Stanley Park and the Village Hall), on Fridays at 6pm. Don’t have skates? No worry–we have a supply of ice-skates that can be borrowed for the event. Because conditions of the pond can vary from week to week, it is suggested that you call first to find out if the pond is safe to skate on. On Fridays, call 518-522-2916 (after 1pm) to get the latest information.
Austin Lawrence Named a Captain of RPI Baseball
TROY, NY — Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) student-athlete Austin Lawrence of East Greenbush 12144 and Columbia High School has been recognized by being selected as a captain of the baseball team.
A senior infielder, Lawrence played in 36 games last season, including 35 as a starter. He hit .281 (34 for 121) with seven doubles, 27 runs scored and 14 runs batted in. Compiling a .339 slugging percentage and a .379 on-base percentage, he stole seven bases in eight tries and made just six errors in the field for a .961 fielding percentage. Lawrence played previously at Hudson Valley Community College before joining the Engineers a year ago. He hit .284 (21 or 74) in 26 games for the Vikings in 2017, recording one double, one triple and two home runs, to go along with 20 runs and 10 RBI. He had a .341 on-base percentage and a .405 slugging percentage.
The Engineers open their 2019 schedule on February 16 and 17 with a three-game series at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Va.
Old Man…….Young!
He was an old man….
3/4 of a century behind him.
He should be slowing down….
You know, sitting and reading, etc.
But he had a six-year-old grandson
Who kept him young:
Together, in the winter, they played in the snow,
Sledding, building snow forts and having snowball fights.
Their cold weather outings were followed by
Sweet snacks and storytelling inside thereafter.
In warmer weather, they hiked and explored wild areas:
They chased frogs and grasshoppers and searched for newts.
They did a lot of fishing…stream fishing in wild brooks…
Both found stability and security, holding hands while wading.
Together, the boy learned,
While the Old Man remembered!
Yessir….There is nothing like a young boy
To make an Old Man feel young!
~Lloyd Barnhart
West Sand Lake