Monthly Archives: April 2014

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Rachel’s Challenge- How To Be A Better Person – by Sandy McBride

“I have this theory that if one person can go out of their way to show compassion, then it will start a chain reaction of the same.”

These words were written by 18 year old Rachel Joy Scott in 1999.

Today’s high school kids are too  young to remember the feeling of horror and helplessness that gripped our nation on April 20 of that year when the news broke that two teen-age gunmen had gone on a shooting rampage at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado.  Twelve students and one teacher died in that attack.

Read the entire article in the May 1st issue of the Express.

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Vivian Perkins Sangil – 86

MECHANICVILLE – Vivian Perkins Sangil, 86, formerly of Park Place, died Thursday April 24, at Ellis Hospital after a long illness.

A longtime resident of Mechanicville, she was born June 5, 1927, daughter of the late Floyd and Gladys Lasher Perkins.

A Funeral Service will be held on Sunday at 6 PM at the DeVito-Salvadore Funeral Home, 39 So. Main St., Mechanicville, NY 12118.  Calling hours at the Funeral Home on Sunday from 3-6 PM.  Burial will be held in St. Paul’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Sjogrens Syndrome Foundation, 6707 Democracy Boulevard, Suite 325, Bethesda, MD 20817 or Parkinson’s Research Foundation at AMCH, 47 New Scotland Ave., Albany, NY 12208, in memory of Vivian Sangil. Visit www.devito-salvadorefh.com for directions and to leave condolences.

The entire obituary will be in the May 1st issue of the Express.

 

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Bald Eagles at Round Lake – by Lauren Peterson

Many people are familiar with the bald eagles that show up on Round Lake at the end of each winter, and in fact those with binoculars have already been out watching them for weeks. The lake and the village itself is a bird-friendly environment, with feeders in many yards and birdhouses set up everywhere. Some birds even come back year after year to nest in the same locals’ porches and vines, despite human traffic and our proliferation of cats.

Yet the eagles are what draw the most attention. At least three have been seen this year, two adults and an immature, though up to five have been spotted at once before. They have already been here a month, and could often be seen sitting on the ice that has now completely washed off the lake, or swooping up Prospect Avenue.

Read the entire article in the April 24th issue of the Express.

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Brown’s Beach Lease Signing – by Harold Wessell

TOWN OF STILLWATER, April 17th Town Board granted Supervisor Edward Kinowski to sign up the future operators of Brown's Beach when details of their joint lease are completed, which is expected shortly.

Also this week, see below, the Town Board will hold a special meeting Thursday night on several Capital Projects

The Board at its regular meeting of April 17 adopted a resolution authorizing the Supervisor to sign the pending license, lease and management agreement with Panza's Restaurant and Menneto Powersports regarding Brown's Beach, who have proposals   to operate the restaurant and hospitality facilities and the marina, respectively.

Read the entire article in the April 24th issue of the Express.

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The Red River Campaign April 1864 – by Sandy McBride

Although Ulysses S. Grant’s army had won a crucial victory at Vicksburg in July of 1863, taking control of trade and travel on the Mississippi River for the Union, the Confederacy had maintained control of the Trans-Mississippi region to the west of the river.  They were able to continue trade through Texas and Mexico, selling cotton to the nations of Europe in exchange for guns, thereby keeping their efforts to gain their independence going.

Grant had been given control of all the Union armies in March, 1864, and he had a plan to end the War Between the States by November.  He would concentrate the bulk of Union forces in the east to go after Robert E. Lee in Virginia and Joseph E. Johnston in Georgia.  He would push them back and force them to give up the fight.

Read the entire article in the April 24th issue of the Express

 

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Pets: Adoption vs. Purchase – by Jennifer Dugan

Spring is finally in the air and, for many people, that makes it the perfect time to start thinking about adding a new furry friend to their family. But, while the puppies and kittens in the pet store might look cute, adopting from a local shelter or rescue often proves to be a much better option in the long run.

Wendy Mongillo, President of Homes for Orphaned Pets Exist (H.O.P.E.,) says that animals from pet stores are often unhealthy and the product of poor breeding. “The majority of puppies in pet stores are from puppy mills, where the mothers are kept in small cages and are continuously bred for profit,” she said. “These dogs are often not cared for properly and the puppies are frequently not healthy.  Purchasing these puppies from pet stores at extremely high prices keeps the puppy mills in business and the vicious cycle going.”

Read the entire article in the April 24th issue of the Express.

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Mechaincville Looks to Limit Curbside Pickup – by Harold Wessell

MECHANICVILLE, April 16 ñ "We've been doing a little bit of brainstorming,"
City Public Works Commissioner David Higgins and Mayor Dennis Baker told a City Council meeting "We have people putting a lot of junk out on curbs." But the City wants to work with people, the Mayor emphasized several times.

Read the entire article in the April 24th issue of the Express

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College Students – Awards and Achievements March-Updated

Local Students Honored for Academic Achievement at The College of Saint Rose

ALBANY, NY (04/24/2014)(readMedia)-- The College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY, announced that 104 students were honored for outstanding academic achievement at the Honors Convocation held recently on the Saint Rose campus.

Students from this area who received recognition for academic excellence are:

Corrine Furjanic of Clifton Park, NY, received the Inez and Nicholas Tarquin Artist Scholar Award. Furjanic is a junior at Saint Rose. The award is presented to a talented junior majoring in art with a grade-point average of 3.50 or higher. Recipient is chosen by the Art Department faculty based on artistic and academic talent.

Barbara Hoenzsch of Stillwater, NY, received the Graduate Honors in Literacy - Grade 5 - 12 Award. Hoenzsch is a graduate student at Saint Rose. Graduate Honors Awards are based on criteria specified by the department in which the graduate student studies.

Kellie Monroe of Waterford, NY, received the Graduate Honors in MBA Award. Monroe is a graduate student at Saint Rose. Graduate Honors Awards are based on criteria specified by the department in which the graduate student studies.

Scott Ian Whitney of Waterford, NY, received the Academic Achievement - Class of 2016 Award. Whitney is a sophomore at Saint Rose. The Academic Achievement Awards recognize outstanding students from the undergraduate classes – junior, sophomore, and freshman. Award recipients have achieved the highest cumulative grade-point averages in their respective classes.

Jennifer Lachell of Waterford, NY, Inducted into Sigma Beta Delta Honor Society

ROCHESTER, NY (04/15/2014)(readMedia)-- The Honor Society of Sigma Beta Delta is pleased to announce that Jennifer Lachell of Waterford, NY, was recently initiated into the Sigma Beta Delta Chapter at Nazareth College.

Lachell is studying Marketing with a minor in Information Technology.

 

Benjamin Thomsen Named Member of SUNY Delhi's Associated General Contractor's Student Chapter

DELHI, NY (04/01/2014)(readMedia)-- Benjamin Thomsen of Stillwater has been named a member of SUNY Delhi's Associated General Contractor's Student Chapter for the 2013-2014 academic year.

Thomsen is currently pursuing an associate's degree in Electrical Construction and Instrumentation.

 Binghamton University Student Athletes Recognized For Outstanding Academic Achievement

BINGHAMTON, NY (04/04/2014)(readMedia)-- The following student athletes at Binghamton University, were named to the fall 2013 Athletic Director's Honor Roll after achieving semester grade point averages (GPA) of 3.30 or higher.

Kathleen Klein who is on the Women's Track & Field team, is pursuing a major in Graphic Design. He/she hails from Clifton Park, NY and attended Shenendehowa High School.

Sarah Osaheni who is on the Women's Track & Field team, is pursuing a major in Harpur College. He/she hails from Clifton Park, NY and attended Shenendehowa High School.

 

Shalina Rossi Named to the Marist College Dean's List for the Fall 2013 Semester

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (04/04/2014)(readMedia)-- Shalina Rossi of Melrose, NY, member of the Class of 2015, has been named to the Marist College Dean's List for the fall 2013 semester.

 Local Students Elected to Phi Beta Kappa at SUNY Geneseo

GENESEO, NY (03/25/2014)(readMedia)-- Faculty members at the State University of New York at Geneseo have elected 80 students to the college's chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation's oldest and most widely known academic honor society. Students from the junior and senior classes are selected each spring for membership into the organization.

New inductees from this area are:

Laura Duclos, a senior from Clifton Park, NY (12065)

Steven Rosenzweig, a senior from Clifton Park, NY (12065)

SUNY Potsdam athlete Marissa Skaczkowski earns SUNYAC Fall Commissioner's List accolade

POTSDAM, NY (03/17/2014)(readMedia)-- Marissa Skaczkowski, a resident of Mechanicville, N.Y. was one of 23 SUNY Potsdam student-athletes to earn a spot on the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Commissioner's List for the Fall 2013 semester, the conference announced last week.

Skaczkowski is a sophomore member of the SUNY Potsdam women's soccer team. Players named to the Commissioner's List have a minimum of a 3.3 GPA based on three semesters at Potsdam.

 

Local residents make fall 2013 Dean's List at SUNY New Paltz

NEW PALTZ, NY (03/18/2014)(readMedia)-- The following local residents were named to the Dean's List at the State University of New York at New Paltz for the fall 2013 semester.

Tyler Adams, a resident of Johnsonville, N.Y.. Adams's major is Visual Arts.

Kathryn Christensen, a resident of Clifton Park, N.Y.. Christensen's major is Undeclared.

Emily Hartley, a resident of Clifton Park, N.Y.. Hartley's major is Graphic Design.

Nicole Hoerold, a resident of Mechanicville, N.Y.. Hoerold's major is International Relations.

Mariah Johnson, a resident of Clifton Park, N.Y.. Johnson's major is Visual Arts.

Kate Lyons, a resident of Mechanicville, N.Y.. Lyons's major is English.

Kyle Marra, a resident of Clifton Park, N.Y.. Marra's major is Undeclared.

Hannah Nesich, a resident of Valley Falls, N.Y.. Nesich's major is Journalism.

Chrisanne Pierson, a resident of Clifton Park, N.Y.. Pierson's major is Undeclared:Pre-Management.

Eleanor Riccardi, a resident of Clifton Park, N.Y.. Riccardi's major is Art History.

Melissa Scheibner, a resident of Waterford, N.Y.. Scheibner's major is Digital Media Program and Mgmt.

Ryan Tompkins, a resident of Waterford, N.Y.. Tompkins's major is Computer Science.

 

Area Students Named to Siena College President's List

LOUDONVILLE, NY (03/07/2014)(readMedia)-- Siena College has named the following local students to its President's List for the Fall 2013 Semester

Stephanie Carroll, a accounting major, of Clifton Park, NY.

Ali Moosavi, a biology major, of Mechanicville, NY.

Robert Berry, a finance major, of Mechanicville, NY.

Tyler Rajeski, a finance major, of Clifton Park, NY.

Isabell Shields, a history major, of Clifton Park, NY.

Eli Bashwinger, a physics major, of Clifton Park, NY.

Alyx Gleason, a physics/engineering major, of Clifton Park, NY.

Meghan McBride, a psychology major, of Mechanicville, NY.

Hannah Pauli, a religious studies major, of Clifton Park, NY.

Abbey Lavazzo, a social work major, of Mechanicville, NY.

Delaney Rives, a sociology major, of Mechanicville, NY.

CORRECTION: Area Students Named to Siena College Honors Lists

LOUDONVILLE, NY (03/11/2014)(readMedia)-- Please disregard the Dean's List story sent to you on March 7. It inadvertently included students on both the Dean's List and President's List. We apologize for the error. A corrected story follows:

Siena College names local students to its Fall 2013 Honors Lists:

Stephanie Carroll, a accounting major from Clifton Park, NY (12065) was named to the President's List.

Kylene Fitsik, a accounting major from Clifton Park, NY (12065) was named to the Dean's List.

Connor Rutherford, a accounting major from Clifton Park, NY (12065) was named to the Dean's List.

Brandon Valvo, a accounting major from Clifton Park, NY (12065) was named to the Dean's List.

Ashley Vankempen, a accounting major from Clifton Park, NY (12065) was named to the Dean's List.

Abby Luciano, a Actuarial Science major from Stillwater, NY (12170) was named to the Dean's List.

Samantha Farina, a biology major from Clifton Park, NY (12065) was named to the Dean's List.

Waleed Ijaz, a biology major from Clifton Park, NY (12065) was named to the Dean's List.

Ali Moosavi, a biology major from Mechanicville, NY (12118) was named to the President's List.

Michael Abele, a classics major from Clifton Park, NY (12065) was named to the Dean's List.

Michael Williams, a economics major from Clifton Park, NY (12065) was named to the Dean's List.

Lydia Provancher, a English major from Stillwater, NY (12170) was named to the Dean's List.

Robert Berry, a finance major from Mechanicville, NY (12118) was named to the President's List.

Brian DiCaprio, a finance major from Clifton Park, NY (12065) was named to the Dean's List.

Dominick Iachetta, a finance major from Waterford, NY (12188) was named to the Dean's List.

Tyler Rajeski, a finance major from Clifton Park, NY (12065) was named to the President's List.

Matthew Findlay, a history major from Clifton Park, NY (12065) was named to the Dean's List.

Isabell Shields, a history major from Clifton Park, NY (12065) was named to the President's List.

Aaron Buckley, a management major from Waterford, NY (12188) was named to the Dean's List.

William Fitzgerald, a management major from Clifton Park, NY (12065) was named to the Dean's List.

Alexander Grayson, a management major from Mechanicville, NY (12118) was named to the Dean's List.

Danielle Thompson, a management major from Clifton Park, NY (12065) was named to the Dean's List.

Meghan Walsh, a management major from Clifton Park, NY (12065) was named to the Dean's List.

Kevin Cunningham, a marketing major from Mechanicville, NY (12118) was named to the Dean's List.

Courtney Mailloux, a marketing major from Clifton Park, NY (12065) was named to the Dean's List.

Louis Walsh, a marketing major from Clifton Park, NY (12065) was named to the Dean's List.

Dustin Clark, a mathematics major from Stillwater, NY (12170) was named to the Dean's List.

Eli Bashwinger, a physics major from Clifton Park, NY (12065) was named to the President's List.

Michael Englert, a physics/engineering major from Clifton Park, NY (12065) was named to the Dean's List.

Alyx Gleason, a physics/engineering major from Clifton Park, NY (12065) was named to the President's List.

Alexis Benedetti, a psychology major from Clifton Park, NY (12065) was named to the Dean's List.

Kelly Lloyd, a psychology major from Clifton Park, NY (12065) was named to the Dean's List.

Meghan McBride, a psychology major from Mechanicville, NY (12118) was named to the President's List.

Hannah Pauli, a religious studies major from Clifton Park, NY (12065) was named to the President's List.

Ashley Howell, a social work major from Clifton Park, NY (12065) was named to the Dean's List.

Abbey Lavazzo, a social work major from Mechanicville, NY (12118) was named to the President's List.

Delaney Rives, a sociology major from Mechanicville, NY (12118) was named to the President's List.

 

Hudson Valley Community College Student James Greg of Clifton Park to Receive SUNY Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence

TROY, NY (03/07/2014)(readMedia)-- James Greg of Clifton Park is the recipient of the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence, one of the highest student honors in the State University of New York system.

Greg, who is studying Engineering Science at Hudson Valley Community College, will be honored at an upcoming ceremony at the Empire State Plaza along with other recipients from across the State University's colleges and universities.

James is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, an invitation-only honor society that recognizes excellence in student achievement. He is a member of the college's Student Senate and has been named to the President's List for three consecutive semesters. James volunteers weekly with SAFE, which helps students with disabilities play sports and he also helped establish a charitable organization in memory of local Shaker and Shenendehowa students who were killed in a car accident.

Christopher J. Briam of Stillwater Named to the Men's Golf Team at SUNY Delhi

DELHI, NY (03/06/2014)(readMedia)-- Christopher J. Briam of Stillwater, NY is a participating member of the SUNY Delhi Men's Golf Team. Christopher J. is pursuing a bachelor's degree in Business and Professional Golf Management at Delhi.

 

Ryan McGrath inducted into honor society at FDU

MADISON, NJ (03/11/2014)(readMedia)-- Waterford, NY resident, Ryan McGrath, a student at Fairleigh Dickinson University's in Teaneck, NJ, has been inducted into FDU's Phi Zeta Kappa junior honor society for the Fall 2013 semester. To qualify for Phi Zeta Kappa, a student must have completed at least the first 60 credits toward an undergraduate degree, and of these credits, 44 must have been earned at FDU and a cumulative grade point ratio of 3.2 must have been maintained for all of them..

Alaina Larkin of Clifton Park Selected for Mathematics Honorary Society at St. Lawrence University

CANTON, NY (03/11/2014)(readMedia)-- Alaina E. Larkin of Clifton Park has been selected for membership in the St. Lawrence University chapter of Pi Mu Epsilon, the national mathematics honorary society. Larkin is majoring in international economics-multilanguages and mathematics. She is a member of the Class of 2015. Larkin graduated from Shenendehowa High School.

High school students earn scholarships at Paul Smith's College competition

PAUL SMITHS, NY (03/12/2014)(readMedia)-- One hundred high school students earned scholarships to Paul Smith's College after competing in the Presidential Scholarship Competition on Saturday, Feb. 22.

Recipients include:

Joseph DeMarco of Stillwater (12170). DeMarco received a $3,000 scholarship.

Adam Snyder of Clifton Park (12065). Snyder received a $1,000 scholarship.

Contestants participated in a pair of group problem-solving challenges as part of the competition. One was centered around an exercise to build a tower using balloons and few other materials; the other involved writing and acting a play using a handful of provided elements. The students also participated in a one-on-one interview with a college representative.

Scholarship awards ranged between $1,000 and full tuition. Recipients who choose to attend Paul Smith's are eligible to receive the scholarships annually for as long as they are enrolled.