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.”

Please: Never Flush Wipes

All wipes – disinfectant wipes, “flushable” wipes, baby wipes, etc. – belong in the trash, and should never be put down the toilet or drain.

Even “flushable” wipes do not readily dissolve in water like toilet paper. They can get stuck in bends in the pipes or cling to other buildups, causing clogs that lead to sewer backups and/or spills. In Huletts, I have been told that they have gotten stuck in some of the sewer pumps, causing expenses to rise as the pumps have to be removed and unclogged.

This video helps explain.

Huletts Volunteer Fire Department Community Day


Sparky the fire dog makes an appearance at the Huletts Landing Volunteer Fire Company’s community day.

Many thanks to the members and supporters of the Huletts Landing Volunteer Fire Company who made this year’s community day a great success. The volunteers brought out the fire company’s trucks and fire boat for a drill and demonstration of their capabilities on August 11, 2023.


Volunteers on the fire company’s fire boat.

2023 A Day To Remember Results


Participants from the ‘A Day To Remember’ Race

Congratulations to all the participants in the 2023 ‘A Day to Remember’ and many thanks to those who worked so diligently to make the day a success.

2023 Race Results

Men:

12 & under
1. Asher Yarmel
2. Logan Spink
3. Wyatt Renolds

13-30
1. John Keenhan
2. James Mintel
3. Nick Ruig

31-54
1. *Sean Kennelly
2. Mike Renolds
3. Dan Yarmel

55+ (Champions)
1. John McNelis
2. Pat Keenhan
3. John Shultz

Women:

15 & under
1. Sophie Machiski
2. Keeley Ferriter
3. Matty Gleason

16-30
1. Amanda McNelis
2. Angelica Buttigieg
3. Taylor Keough

31-54
1. * Hana Rex
2. Rachel Renolds
3. Crita Derenza

55+ (Champions)
1. Nancy Hurley
2. Christine McNelis
3. Joann Keenhan

* Denotes First place overall winner for men and women.

Specialty Awards

Youngest Boy – Morie Ferriter (7 years old)

Youngest Girl – Clara Yarmel (8 years old)

Most Experienced – Howie Webber

Golf – Winners (Score of 25)
Tom Stanton, Thomas Stanton, Nicki Stanton, Matt Engel

To those we lost – we will never forget you.
(Click all images to see larger versions.)

New Sign at Huletts Firehouse

A new outstanding and “Fire-Rific” sign has been installed at the doorway to our “House of Heroes” Huletts firehouse, honoring our men and women volunteer firefighter company. What an impressive creative design and public placement.
(Click image to see larger image.)

HLVFC Community Day: Tuesday August 8th

When & Where: Tuesday August 8th, Original Casino Site and HLPOCA Pavilion at 11:00 am

Fire trucks and fire boat
Fire apparatus on display
See firefighters in action
Fire prevention & safety Information
A possible visit from Sparky the Fire Dog
Live fire hose training
Free hotdogs and cold drinks

Public Safety Panel Discussion: August 14th

Panel of Washington County
Professionals and Public Safety
Huletts Landing Volunteer Fire Company
Monday, August 14, 2023
11:00 am – 12:00 pm

At the firehouse

Presenters will include information about:
Fall Prevention / CarFit
Emergency Preparedness
How to maximize your cell phone for personal safety
How to avoid being scammed
Overview from Office of Aging and Sheriff’s Department of available resources and safety measures

Lunch will be provided following the presentation.
*This is a free event sponsored by the fire department
However a head count is needed. If you plan on attending please contact Fire Department Secretary, Pam Hansen.
(Her number is in the phone book.)

Recent DEC Forest Ranger Actions

Village of Fort Ann
Washington County

Wilderness Rescue: On July 5 at 4:24 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch requested Forest Ranger assistance with a lost hiker near the summit of Buck Mountain. Ranger Poulton found the 23-year-old from Troy and helped her back to the trailhead. Resources were clear at 7:30 p.m.

Why We Celebrate the Fourth of July

The colonies had been in conflict with England for over a year in June of 1776. A Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia on June 7 of that year. Richard Henry Lee from Virginia offered up a resolution with these now famous words:

“Resolved: That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.”

Lee’s words spurred the drafting of the Declaration of Independence. A committee of five was appointed to draft a statement making the case for the colonies, a statement to the world of the intent and the reason behind that intent.

Members of the Committee were John Adams of Massachusetts, Roger Sherman of Connecticut, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, Robert R. Livingston of New York and Thomas Jefferson of Virginia. Jefferson took on the task of actually drafting the document as we know it today.

The Continental Congress reconvened on July 1, 1776, and on the following day, the resolution for independence by Lee was adopted by 12 of the 13 colonies, with New York not voting. Minor changes were made to the Jefferson document.

Work on the document continued through July 3 and into the afternoon of July 4, when the Declaration was officially adopted by the Congress. Of the 13 colonies, nine voted in favor of the Declaration, two — Pennsylvania and South Carolina — voted No, Delaware was undecided, and New York again abstained.

As we all know, John Hancock, President of the Congress, made his signature large enough for King George to read “without his spectacles.”