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September 3rd, 2010

Frank ‘Ted’ Thaddeus Walendziak

Frank (Ted) Thaddeus Walendziak, of Ghent died on September 2, 2010 at Pine Haven Nursing Home. Ted was born January 20, 1919 in Detroit, MI to the late Alexander A. and Bertha R. Sitkowski Walendziak. He grew up in Manhattan and Brooklyn areas attending and graduation Haaren H.S. in Manhattan. He was employed by Charles Pfizer Co., Brooklyn, NY and most recently worked as a pressman for over 26 year at Universal Match Co., Hudson, NY before retirement. Ted served in the U.S. Army from 1942 until 1945 as an engineer with the 75th Engineers in Central Burma & Indian Burma. He received the American Service Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. Growing up in Brooklyn he enjoyed sports including football, baseball, and running track. He was also a member of the “BB” (Barbell Club). He loved dancing and singing and sang on the radio as a child in the 1920’s. In later years Ted continued his love of sports and made golf his enjoyment with his friends from the Meadowgreens. Ted was a communicant of St. James R. C. Church in Chatham where he was an usher for over 50 years. He was a 25 year member of the Austerlitz Fire Company and a life member of the Ghent V.F.W. Post 5933. He is survived by his sister Irene Brickley of Ghent and many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents he was predeceased by his brothers Edward C. Walendziak of Georgetown, Conn., Walter Walendziak of Brooklyn, NY and his sister Opaline Mackowski of Ghent. Family received friends on Tuesday, September 7th from 3 to 5 and 6 to 9pm at the French, Gifford, Preiter and Blasl Funeral Home, 25 Railroad Avenue, Chatham. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. James R.C. Church, Chatham on Wednesday, September 8th at 11:00 am. Interment followed at St. James Cemetery, Ghent in the family plot. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Columbia Green Community Hospice. For directions or to send online condolences, visit www.frenchblasl.com.

September 2nd, 2010

Letter — Signs currently posted for Congressional race illegal

I am writing in regard to the political signs for a member on Congress currently on display in the village and town of Kinderhook. Zoning regulations in the village read, campaign signs are allowed “30 days before the event.” Town of Kinderhook Zoning Regulations, Chapter 81-21 M(14), state: “In place for no more than 30 days before the election.”

Letter — Student needs to gain perspective on global warming

Woe to those who dare to dissent from the fundamentalist religion of “global warming/climate change.” As evidenced by student Brinkerhoff’s letter (Aug. 19, “Dick Nelson should have researched climate change”), those who are skeptical are subject to derision, scorn, personal insults and condescension. I am surprised he did not call for Mr. Nelson’s stoning … after all, he is a heretic! In his tirade, student Brinkerhoff blames not just Dick Nelson, but “past generations” for being “selfish and despicable” for causing “all the problems with environment we have today.” Let’s try to put that in perspective: the generation that fought on the beaches of Normandy and freed Europe from Nazi tyranny, liberated concentration camps (my own father was 17 when he fought in the Battle of the Bulge), ended the tyranny of the Japanese Empire, endured inhuman conditions with singular bravery in the Korean War and fought with valor and never lost a single battle in Vietnam were “selfish” and ignorant because they “crank up the AC” during heat waves.

Editorial — Nothing but good news at Berkshire Farm

In May, we wrote an editorial that did not speak very highly of Berkshire Farm Center. There had been a rash of arrests of Center residents in so many months and community members in Canaan were concerned for their safety. So we brought into question security and education at the Center.

James P. Hamilton

James P. Hamilton of Ghent, NY, a former marine insurance executive, died on August 24, 2010 at Columbia Memorial Hospital. He was 91. The cause was heart failure.

Artist profile: Roger Phillips, ‘Split Disc in Rectangular Frame’

This is the fourth profile in a series of profiles on the artists and their sculptures currently being displayed on Hudson Avenue in Chatham through mid-October.

State Supreme Court turns Speedway owner’s ‘campground’ case back to town

NEW LEBANON — Despite claims in a motion filed by Lebanon Valley Speedway owner Howard Commander, that he is not operating a “campground” on his Route 22 property, or if he is, it’s “grandfathered,” state Supreme Court Judge Patrick J. McGrath refused to grant a judgment that the use does not violate town and state codes.

CHS Hall of Fame — Kristopher Winkler, Athlete, Class of 1992

Kristopher Winkler was a stalwart runner who left his mark on the record books of Chatham High School. In 1991, he won the Patroon Conference Championships in the 200m (23.9) and the 400m (52.5) and in the Class CC Sectional Championships, placed first in the 200m and second in the 400m.

Money spent locally benefits community

COLUMBIA COUNTY — We’ve all heard the claim that spending money locally means more of that money will stay in the community. But what does that really mean and why does it matter?

Food, rides and so much more at the 170th Columbia County Fair

Midway rides and a smorgasbord of vendors welcome you to the 170th Columbia County Fair through Sept. 6. In addition, there’s the second night of the Demolition Derby tonight, the 73rd Annual School Girl Queen Contest Friday, the 60th Annual Firefighters’ Parade Saturday, Craig Morgan Sunday, the Painted Pony Rodeo Monday, the Budweiser Clydesdales all weekend, and so much more. Open 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. through Labor Day. Visit www.columbiafair.com for details. David Lee/Hudson-Catskill Newspapers

Public asks CCSD board to reinstate Giordano

CHATHAM — The Chatham School Board met Tuesday, Aug. 24 and a crowd of more than 50 people once again attended in support of Mark Giordano, who is currently on administrative leave from his position as high school music teacher/band director.

Ghent man dies after accident

GHENT — A Ghent man is dead following a one-car crash Monday evening.

Columbia County native Ward Stone rebuts allegations of bad science

NEW YORK — New York state Wildlife Pathologist Ward Stone has been vocal in many controversial issues in the past and is no stranger to attacks, both personal and political. Regardless of the thick skin he has grown over the years, though, he feels that the two recently published articles in the Times Union — which criticize everything from his work-related and personal habits to his credentials and scientific ability — are going a step too far.

August 26th, 2010

Chatham Reds go undefeated in league play

The Chatham Reds 12U travel team went undefeated in the Empire State Baseball League games in June with an 8-0 league record. Chatham played teams as far away as Wilton. The season highlight was defeating the South Troy Dodgers with a score of 11-3. This special group of players played four days a week when combining their 12U season with their regular little league season. This travel league gave each player their first experience on the 50/70 foot diamond with high school baseball rules better preparing them for their next level of play for players 13 years and older. The team’s manager was Corey Skype and coaches were Kevin Skype and Brian Lossow.

Bowling league seeking bowlers

Twilight Women’s Bowling League is in need of a few women to join. The league will be starting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 9 at the Chatham Bowl. To join, call Joanne Hanson at (518) 794-8326.

Letter — New TV ad campaign encourages smokers to quit

To encourage smokers to quit and to offer resources to help them be successful, the NYS Department of Health launched a new TV ad campaign beginning Aug. 3. The featured ads have been used in several countries and have generated strong response wherever they are shown. They were also highlighted on a recent segment of ABC Nightline.

Letter — Running for Congress is a lofty goal for Gibson

On Aug. 19, I received a mailout from Chris Gibson who is running for Congress hereabouts. I am a registered Democrat. It was addressed to “Dear Friend and Veteran.” As a member of the VFW, I presume that the Gibson campaign got my name and address from them. This was mildly irritating.

Letter — Future of town hinges on open government

It should be deeply disturbing to voters in the town of Chatham that the Implementation Committee for the town’s Comprehensive Plan — a plan that was years in the making, carefully crafted and open to all town residents who wished to participate — was chosen with absolutely no openness or public participation. It should be even more disturbing that the first meeting of that committee (that we know of) was conducted at the Town Hall in a session closed to the public and in clear violation of the Open Meetings Law.

Letter — Fire convention in Ghent had great show of support

As co-chairs of the recently held Columbia County Volunteer Firefighter’s Association in our town, we would like to thank everyone in our community who helped in so many ways with the convention events in Ghent. To the residents who lined the streets it was a wonderful show of support for all the volunteers in our county.

Editorial — It’s fair time!

It won’t be long before the leaves turn bright shades of red, yellow and orange and the children are back in school. And with the unofficial end of summer comes the Columbia County Fair.

CHS Hall of Fame — Mickey Holt, Athlete, Class of 1952

Quoting from an article in the Chatham Press, “They called him Mr. Baseball at Chatham High from 1949 to 1952. Although he excelled in volleyball and track, where he ran sprints, Mickey Holt was born to play baseball. According to local sports legends and baseball coaches George Duggan and Pep Smith, stalwarts from the days of semi-pro teams in the area ‘Holt was the best major league prospect out of Chatham since Schoolboy George Brown,’ also a Chatham Hall of Famer, who played AAA ball for the Dodgers.”

Berkshire Farm Center hosts NYPUM Rodeo for first time

CANAAN — A sign reading “Welcome to the 34th Eastern NYPUM Rodeo” greeted hundreds of kids, counselors and instructors to the Berkshire Farm Center campus in Canaan. Signs lead visitors past classroom buildings and dorms, from well-kept pavement to dirt, where tents, banners, campers … and dirt bikes welcome kids from New York, Massachusetts and even Pennsylvania.

Fire destroys barn at Hillandale Farm

NEW LEBANON — An early morning fire Monday destroyed a barn on the Hillandale Farm on Canaan Road in New Lebanon. According to Lebanon Valley Protective Association First Assistant Chief Bud Godfroy, power was out Sunday night, so the owner ran a generator in the barn up until midnight. Somewhere between 4:30 and 5 a.m., he started up the generator again, but soon after he returned to the house, he heard a loud pop and looked out to see flames coming from the barn, which by the time fire crews were on scene, was already half involved.

Community walks in support of Bella

CHATHAM — Recently turned 5-year-old Bella Bianchi-Tarbox, the daughter of Ghent residents Michael Tarbox and Kim Bianchi-Tarbox, is irrepressible as she runs up the hill to the playground and back down to the bouncy house and back up to the playground, not just keeping up with her friends but often leading the way. It almost makes you forget that this little girl lost 80 percent of her foot in a lawn mowing accident in April. In an effort to help Bella and her family, the community rallied during a benefit at the Chatham High School track Saturday, Aug. 21 to raise funds — and spirits — for this courageous little girl.

Artist profile: John Cooley

This is the third profile in a series of profiles on the artists and their sculptures currently being displayed on Hudson Avenue in Chatham through mid-October.

Austerlitz, Canaan and Hillsdale share services to save money

COLUMBIA COUNTY — This summer, the towns of Austerlitz, Canaan and Hillsdale entered into a shared services agreement that will ultimately save some taxpayer money.

Melinda offers 20 years of consignments

CHATHAM — Though its location in the village has often changed, the quality of merchandise found at Melinda’s Consignments has not and as the store just passed its 20-year milestone as part of the community, it continues to grow and fill a much needed niche in Chatham.

You can bank on that

I may have one foot still in the door at KeyBank, but I just made a big step and put my other foot in the door at The Bank of Greene County. I opened up an account (well 2) in The Bank of Greene County because frankly, I was tired of all the fees at KeyBank.

August 25th, 2010

NYPUM incentives help motivate at-risk kids

Recently, I had the opportunity to cover the 34th annual National Youth Program Using Minibikes rodeo, an event held for the first time at Berkshire Farms. Nearly 100 kids from programs scattered over four states showed up to participate, and many of the events looked like such a good time that I wished I had been riding instead of reporting.

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