Jean Cooper poses with a bobcat. February 1963. (Click image for large view.)
Holiday Raffle to Benefit Our Lady of Hope Church New Roof Project
Saturday Quote
“It is the long history of humankind (and animal kind, too) that those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed.”
Charles Darwin
Whitehall Central School Proposed Capital Project
Recently, the Whitehall Central School District sent out postcards regarding a proposed capital project.
It listed three dates for public hearings. Wednesday November 8th, Wednesday November 29th, and Wednesday December 13th.
It directed people to the school website at www.railroaders.net.
The November 8th meeting was canceled. The page on the schools website is here.
October Dresden Town Board Meeting Minutes
The draft minutes for the regular October meeting of the Dresden Town Board have been posted on the town’s website.
Stec Bill to Combat Invasive Species Signed Into Law
Legislation sponsored by Senator Dan Stec (R,C-Queensbury) and Assemblymember Carrie Woerner (D-Round Lake) to address and better combat aquatic invasive species statewide has been signed into law by Governor Hochul. Senate bill S5836/Assembly bill A5801 enables town boards to further address and combat invasive aquatic invertebrate species, as they are currently only able to address invasive plants under state law.
“Stopping the spread of aquatic invasive species requires vigilance and providing our communities with the flexibility to take them on,” said Stec. “This bi-partisan legislation Assemblymember Woerner and I sponsored and helped pass provides town boards with the flexibility to control invasive aquatic invertebrate species, such as Asian clams or Zebra mussels, that aren’t covered by current law. I’m pleased that the governor has signed this important quality of life bill into law, which helps to ensure our region is now better equipped to manage aquatic invasive species.”
“Invasive aquatic species cause harm to our environment, health, and recreation economy by negatively effecting the natural habits of fish and wildlife in our beloved lakes,” said Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner. “I am grateful Governor Hochul has signed legislation that better enables our community leaders to reduce their rapid and damaging spread.”
Please Buy Postage in Huletts
A postage paid order form to buy stamps by mail from the Huletts Post Office.
There is one constant of activity on the Landing. The Huletts Post Office. However, there’s no guarantee that it will always be here. The US Postal Service is under pressure to cut costs – which I will attempt to document over the winter in a series of posts. So if you’re going to be “in town” for a long weekend or even if you’re not, please consider purchasing your postage from the Huletts Post Office. Like any business – the Postal Service has ways to measure how “productive” individual post offices are.
One thing we can all do, (even if you are not in Huletts) is to buy postage from our local Post Office. Ordering stamps by mail is a great way to support the Huletts Post Office. It’s free and incredibly easy. The order form comes in a return postage paid envelope and the stamps arrive at your door within a few days. It’s that simple and it helps.
If you don’t have a pre-addressed envelope, you can just write your order on a piece of paper and mail a check to:
Huletts Post Office
962 County Route 6
Huletts Landing, NY 12841-9998
It helps to have a Post Office in Huletts, so please support it.
September Dresden Town Board Meeting Minutes & Sewer Committees Minutes
The draft minutes for the regular September meeting of the Dresden Town Board have been posted on the town’s website.
Draft September meeting minutes of the Dresden Town Board.
Additionally, the minutes of the Sewer Committees are now being posted on the town’s website.
Here are links to the June 2023, August 2023 and September 2023 Sewer Committees minutes. (There was no July meeting.)
DEC Announces Temporary Closure of South Bay Boat Launch on Lake Champlain for Utility Work
South Bay Boat Launch Closed Sept. 25 – 28
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the temporary closure of South Bay Boat Launch in Whitehall, Washington County, for utility work. The boat launch site will be closed to public use from Sept. 25 to 28 to facilitate new utility wire installation. Users will not be permitted to access this site or the boat ramp during this closure to ensure public safety.
Users may see utility equipment staged at the launch over the course of the next few weeks. Normal public use of the site is allowed during this time, except for the closure period.
Saturday Quote
“I speak to everyone in the same way, whether he is the garbage man or the president of the university.”
Albert Einstein
Recent DEC Forest Ranger Actions
Village of Fort Ann
Washington County
Wilderness Rescue: On Sept. 10 at 7:30 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch requested Forest Ranger assistance with a hiker experiencing heat exhaustion on the Sleeping Beauty Mountain Trail. Rangers Carabetta and Nahor and local fire and EMS reached the 30-year-old from Saratoga Springs approximately one mile up the trail. The patient was nauseous and dehydrated. Rescuers provided treatment, placed the subject in a litter, and transported her to the trailhead where she was met by an ambulance. Resources were clear at 10:16 p.m.
Thoughts on September
September was always a hectic month when I was a child. We would always leave Huletts on Labor Day with our U-Haul trailer in tow. We packed everything – including the dog – and would head off. My grandparents would always say – Huletts turned into a different place at 3:00 pm on Labor Day – everything would go quiet, very quickly.
We would always head down through Fort Edward and stop at Stewarts where we would walk the dog. One year he got away and ran down to the Hudson River. As I was chasing after him, I remember thinking ‘this water is nothing like Lake George.’ We would travel over Bridge Street and across 197 and pick up the Northway at exit 17 because my father would say we missed all the traffic that way. Years later, driving that way always brings back memories.
We would always hit more traffic as we headed south, and our thoughts would turn to the beginning of the school year. My mother would always bring brown paper shopping bags because we used them to make covers for our schoolbooks. In our school district we always learned who our new teacher was at the end of the previous year, so starting wasn’t too stressful. My mother was President of the PTA so all the teachers came to our house for a luncheon in September so we knew them all.
Leaving the lake was always the hard part. There were no cell phones then. So, you basically “enjoyed” the ride. My brothers and I, along with the dog, would be crammed into the back seat of our station wagon and my parents would talk about the good things that happened that summer. I was always hoping for a successful year for the NY Giants, who I always rooted for, because I knew NFL Sundays would start soon.
So, wherever you are this point in the summer – in Huletts, back at your winter destination, or even on the road, a blessed and relaxing September to everyone. The NFL might even distract you from realizing that you’re not in Huletts anymore! (But maybe you are still in Huletts. If so – enjoy the peace and quiet!)
Ed Briody, R.I.P
Ed Briody walking in the 2023 New York city St. Patrick’s day parade.
I’m sorry to report that our longtime friend, Ed Briody, died recently after a short illness.
Ed was a humble, devout man who was always willing to serve others. My parents met Ed many years ago when the Catholic Alumni Club vacationed on Vicars Island. Ed brought his family to Huletts and, while renting a house, fixed so many things that we had to adjust the rent accordingly. Over the years, he became like family.
After retiring from a career with NY City, Ed spent his spare time advocating for those who lacked a voice, helping our family and visiting his relatives in Ireland. Ed believed in the goodness of work and was fiercely proud of his Irish heritage. Hard, physical labor was never too challenging for him. When he wasn’t performing some type of strenuous labor, he was getting ready with his tools and supplies for the next day. There were times when I would go out at night and find him doing all types of work. When I told him to come home for dinner, he would tell me he still had things to finish and to let him finish them.
Even though, he had not been to Huletts in a few years, we would speak regularly, and he always wanted me to convey his good wishes to all in the community.
If you believe that life is a gift to be used in the service of others, you would understand Ed. He will be greatly missed.
Rest in Peace Ed!
“May God support us all the day long, till the shades lengthen and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in His mercy may He give us a safe lodging, and a holy rest and peace at the last.”
August Dresden Town Board Meeting Minutes
The draft minutes for the regular August meeting of the Dresden Town Board have been posted on the town’s website.