Monthly Archives: March 2013

Posted on by

Transfiguration Parish Welcomes Pope Francis – by Christine Barton

March 13th 2013 marked a significant day for the worldwide Catholic Church community. Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was chosen as the new spiritual leader of the Catholic Church. He is the first pontiff to take the name of Francis and the first from the Jesuit order. Born in the Americas, Pope Francis is the first non-European Pope that the church has seen in over 1200 years. He was elected during the season of Lent, which is a time of preparation for the Easter holiday. Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus and stands at the center of the Christian liturgical calendar.

To Read More Login To The Weekly Paper

Posted on by

This Month in the Civil War – March 1863 – by Sandy McBride

In the mid 1850’s, Fitzhugh Lee of Virginia and William Averell of New York were friends and fellow cadets at West Point Military Academy.  When the United States erupted into a Civil War in 1861, Lee and Averell would find themselves fighting on opposite sides. Fitzhugh Lee would become a cavalry officer in the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, while Averell would join the Union cavalry. When General Joseph Hooker assumed command of the Army of the Potomac in February, 1863 after the Union’s defeat at the Battle of Fredericksburg, he gathered the scattered Union cavalry units into one strong cavalry.  Averell was put in command of one of three divisions of that newly consolidated cavalry.

After the Fredericksburg clash ended in January, these two great armies had settled into encampments fairly close together in the Virginia countryside along the Rappahannock River.  There was, of course, some curiosity and concern on each side as to what the other side was planning to do next.

To Read More Login To The Weekly Paper

Posted on by

Supervisors Struggle Over Animal Shelter Appointment – by Harold Wessell

BALLSTON SPA, March 19 – No one expects to get turned down for a job to the strains of a cheering crowd.  Christina Abele of Halfmoon had that experience, today, in the chambers of the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors, in her quest to succeed recently retired, longtime Director of the County Animal Shelter, Daniel Butler.

Of 23 supervisors, six were absent, which as Waterford's John Lawler noted, "are automatically no votes."  That alone presented a serious hurdle for the nomination, because of those who remained, seven voted against the appointment. These included one of the two supervisors from the County's second largest municipality, Saratoga Springs; and both from the largest municipality, Clifton Park. Especially with so many absentees, those three supervisors essentially doomed the appointment because of the weighted vote tally, based on the population of a supervisor's municipality.

To Read More Login To The Weekly Paper

Posted on by

Richard R. Butler – 70

STILLWATER – Richard R. Butler, 70, of Sawmill Hill, passed Monday, March 25th, at Saratoga Hospital, after a two year battle with melanoma.
Born in Troy, Oct. 4, 1942, son of the late the Richard and Leona Best Butler and brother of the late Gail Morris.  Dick was a 1960 graduate of Stillwater Central School and a high honor graduate of University of Florida atGainesville, with a degree in architectural design.

To Read More Login To The Weekly Paper

Posted on by

John A. Zecca – 87

MECHANICVILLE – John A. Zecca, 87, lifelong resident of Mechanicville, died Monday morning, March 25th, at Maplewood Manor, following an extended illness.

Born Nov. 30, 1925, son of the late Augustus and Florence Zecca, John who was lovingly called “Tails” by family and longtime friends, served in the US Army during the Korean War.

To Read More Login To The Weekly Paper

Posted on by

Mrs. Agnes “Shirley” Rathbun – 85

STILLWATER – Mrs. Agnes “Shirley” Rathbun, 85, of County Road 75, died Monday, March 18that Maplewood Manor, Ballston Spa, following an extended illness.

Born and educated in Pittsfield, Mass, daughter of the late Louis and Blanche Laramee, Shirley was the wife of the late Donald A. Rathbun who died in 2011 and mother of a late daughter Linda Jacques.  A registrar’s secretary for Russell Sage College for years, she also was a former admissions secretary at Emma Willard School both of Troy. She and her late husband had operated Rathbun’s Dollhouse in Eagle Mills for 7 years.

To Read More Login to The Weekly Paper

Posted on by

Cobb Speaks at Mechanicville Highschool – by Sandy McBride

So said former pro football player Michael Cobb speaking to students in Mechanicville Junior/Senior High School last week.  Mr. Cobb talked to the boys and girls about goals, dreams, success, love, communication, commitment, dedication and making good choices.  The imposing but personable 6 foot 5 inch athlete wandered through the auditorium as the classes came in, talking with many of the kids as they took their seats.

After being introduced to the students by high school principal Kevin Kolakowski, Mr. Cobb.  took the stage to begin his remarks.  He asked the boys and girls how many of them had hugged their parents that morning before they left for school?

“Stop and take the time,” he said, “it only takes a few seconds to tell someone you love them.”

To Read More Login To The Local Paper

Posted on by

Town of Schaghticoke Opposes SAFE – by Christine Barton

SCHAGHTICOKE - Approximately 50 counties in New York State have passed or are considering passing resolutions opposing the NYS SAFE Act. The legislation, which was passed on January 15th 2013, has caused much controversy across the state since its inception. The number of town and municipalities that are passing resolutions opposing this Act, which is considered by many to be unconstitutional, are rapidly growing in number.

To Read More Login To The Weekly Paper