 The Claverack Republican Club is happy to announce that their Summer Concert Series will return to Claverack in July!
This year’s Concert Series will feature three special promotion nights for local community service organizations and the fifth annual Emergency Services Appreciation Night. The series takes place Thursday evenings in July and August at the Claverack Town Park, Church Street, Mellenville. All the concerts are free of charge and open to the public. These community concerts have become a popular tradition in Claverack over the years. The club was forced to cancel their 2020 season due to the pandemic, but looks forward to getting back together and enjoying the area’s most popular country and rock bands this year. The season opener is Thursday, July 8th when the local favorite Southbound will take the stage. The Thursday, July 15th concert by the Darrick Kenney Band includes a special promotion for the Mellenville-Philmont Food Pantry. Attendees are asked to bring non-perishable food items and monetary donations for the food pantry that serves the entire Claverack community. On July 22nd, Jarrod performs for the fifth annual Emergency Services Appreciation Night, a special salute to area first responders that includes free hamburgers, hot dogs and giveaways for fire, EMS and police personnel. This is a terrific night to attend to support all of those who protect our community. July 29th is the Columbia-Greene Humane Society concert, featuring the Night Moves Band. Attendees are encouraged (but not obligated) to bring cat and dog food, old blankets and towels, paper towels, cat litter and, of course, monetary donations for this long-time twin-county rescue organization saving our forgotten and neglected pets. Back by popular request, The Oldies Show returns to town on August 5th for oldies night, bringing their retro take on rock oldies and doo-wop. August 19th features a concert by the very popular band Jarrod and features a special promotion for the Everlasting Hope Animal Rescue. Attendees are asked (but not obligated) to bring cat and dog food, old blankets and towels, kitty litter, paper towels and, of course, monetary donations for this locally-based rescue group saving our forgotten pets. The snack bar is open each concert night from 7 to 8:30 offering hamburgers, hot dogs, French Fries, Mary Jeanne’s fried dough, drinks and weekly specials, all at very reasonable prices. For a complete concert schedule or more information, click here.
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 Our thanks to all of the volunteers who helped with our roadside cleanup today, removing over 30 bags of trash and debris from three one-mile stretches of road leading to the traffic light in the center of the hamlet.
The Claverack Republican Club has been conducting the cleanups since partnering with the the NYS Department of Transportation "Adopt-A-Highway" program several years ago. Special thanks to Kippy Weigelt, Claverack Town Supervisor, Stephen Hook, Claverack Town Councilman and candidate for Claverack Town Council Doug Colwell for attending and helping out. Claverack is working!  We are profoundly sorry to learn of the passing of Rich Ostrander.
Rich served his community in many ways; a career in law enforcement, decades of volunteer service with the Philmont Fire Company and for many years as a Claverack Republican Committeeman. Rich was a pillar of the Philmont community, a loving husband and father, and a terrific friend. He will be deeply missed. Services are with the Sacco Funeral Home in Greenport. Rest easy, Big O.  The Claverack Republican Club will conduct a roadside cleanup of trash, litter and debris Saturday, May 22, 2021 in the Claverack Hamlet.
A number of years ago the group “adopted” three one-mile stretches of road leading to the traffic light in the center of the hamlet and each spring members and volunteers, in conjunction with the NYS Department of Transportation, pick up the trash that has accumulated along the sides of those three stretches. Volunteers from the Claverack Republican Club, many of them senior citizens, have conducted this clean up (all volunteer work - no pay or recognition) for years. The only "perk" has been the coffee, donuts and fellowship that the group enjoys prior to the day's work. Unfortunately, in recent years, the "new" (downstate) Claverack Democratic Committee tried to derail our tradition of picking up litter and trash by lodging a complaint with the State Department of Transportation. We were dumbfounded. Who would complain about someone cleaning up our roadways? Well, they did. Needless to say, they were unsuccessful. Please join us on Saturday, May 22, 2021 at 9:00 AM as we continue our long tradition of cleaning up the roadways in Claverack. We'll meet in the A.B. Shaw Firehouse parking lot (volunteers must be at least 12-years old). Volunteers need not be a member of the Claverack Republican Club.... all are welcome! Everyday on the streets of America, including right here in Columbia County, our police officers are faced with the daunting task of keeping us safe. The tragic event in Minneapolis recently has made the job of all cops exponentially more difficult. We want our police officers to know that they are appreciated. They are thought of, and they are supported. To show our support and appreciation, we're giving away five "Back the Blue" t-shirts, absolutely free. The only thing we ask is that the winners of the t-shirts wear them proud and wear them often!   We’re sorry to report that we’re forced to cancel the 2020 Summer Concert Series due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Summer Concert Series has been a staple of the Claverack community for the past nine years, offering free concerts by top local bands Thursday nights in July and August at the Claverack Town Park. In making the announcement, Club vice-president Charles Schram said the group had been grappling with ways to alter the program to bring it into compliance with CDC guidelines for reducing the transmission of the Covid-19 virus, which has virtually shut down huge segments of the country’s economy, particularly the dining and entertainment segments, since March. “There was simply no way to make it work,” Schram said, “given the nature of the venue and the close interaction required.” In mid-March, the Claverack Town Board announced that it was closing the park through July 29 and would re-evaluate the closure decision at that time, possibly extending it into August or beyond. “That effectively eliminated half of our season,” Schram said. “It made the decision for us.” Schram noted that the bands had already been booked for the season and a number of corporate donations had been received. “The bands have been great,” he said. “They understand what we’re going through. There really was no other choice. I’m sure this was not the only gig they’ve lost because of Covid-19.” Schram said the monetary donations have all been returned. The club will begin planning for the 2021 season at the first of the year. “There is no way to plan ahead with this thing,” he said. “This is all new territory. We just have to take it as it comes.”  The Claverack Republican Club will hold its annual Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, April 11 at the Claverack Town Park, off Church Street, Mellenville.
The grounds will open at 10 a.m. with the hunts getting underway at 11 a.m., rain, snow or sun. Admission is free. The egg hunt is open to all Claverack youths ages 1 to 9 and features first, second the third place prizes in the three age categories: ages 1-3, 4-6, and 7 to 9, as well as additional prizes in eggs around the fields. In addition to the egg hunts, the morning will feature free refreshments for the parents and children and a visit by the Easter Bunny. The annual Easter Egg Hunt is a community service of the Claverack Republican Club, which also runs the free Summer Concert Series Thursday nights during July and August in the Town Park. The Columbia County Republican Committee, including Committeemen from the Town of Claverack, gathered Monday night at Kozel's restaurant to hold their annual Nominating Convention. At this year's convention, candidates for Congress (NY-19), New York State Senate (District 43) and New York State Assembly (Districts 106, 107 and 102) were nominated.  (L-to-R) Candidate for Assembly Dean Michael, Assemblyman Jake Ashby, Senator Daphne Jordan, Columbia County Republican Party Chairman Greg Fingar, Candidate for Congress Kyle Van De Water, Columbia County Clerk Holly Tanner) Of note to Claverack, the following candidates were put forth and unanimously endorsed at the Convention:
FOR CONGRESS: Kyle Van De Water FOR NY SENATE: (Our great!) Senator Daphne Jordan FOR NY ASSEMBLY: Dean Michael Kyle Van De Water is an Army Veteran and Attorney who promises to bring the fight to Antonio Delgado. Senator Daphne Jordan is our wonderful New York State Senator who has done much for Columbia County and our Town of Claverack! Dean Michael is local businessman who has lived here for 50 years and will restore our voice in Albany when he replaces Didi Barrett. Please join us in supporting these great candidates! With all ballots now counted, George Duntz has come out on top in the race for two open seats on the Claverack Town Council. Duntz was top voter getter, receiving 967 votes.
The second open seat was too close to call on election night with Lisa Bowe leading incumbent Katy Cashen by 24 votes. That lead was overturned when absentee and early voting ballots were finally counted, with Cashen receiving 929 votes, Bowe 865 and the fourth candidate Ian Solomon receiving 757. As in other areas of Columbia County, second homeowners from downstate accounted for large numbers of the early voting and absentee ballots in Claverack. These are typically democratic voters who support democratic candidates. It was these votes that tipped the race for the second seat in Cashen’s favor. “I’m honored to receive the votes and endorsement of so many of my neighbors to represent them on the Town Council,” said George Duntz. “As I said during the campaign, I will approach all issues with an independent mind and seek common sense solutions. We needn’t work against each other. Let’s work toward consensus and common goals,” Duntz added. Lisa Bowe thanked her supporters saying, “I sincerely appreciate the strong support I received from everyone throughout the campaign, and everyone who took the time to cast a vote for me. The campaign was an amazing experience that afforded me the opportunity to meet and visit with neighbors that I may not have otherwise gotten to know. I plan to stay active and involved and will continue to support our great community in any way that I can.” The Claverack Republican Committee applauded both candidates for their hard work and commitment throughout the campaign. The committee encourages anyone interested in volunteering on future campaigns, or running for office, to contact them at [email protected].  Republicans from Claverack and Philmont gathered recently at the Town Hall on Route 217 to hold their annual caucus to endorse candidates for the General Election. Two positions for Claverack Town Council will be on the November ballot.
Nearly 50 energized Republicans attended the caucus and enthusiastically endorsed Lisa Bowe and George Duntz for the two seats. The nominations for Bowe and Duntz were made by Maryanne Lee and PJ Keeler, respectively. Both received unanimous support from the caucus goers. In nominating Lisa Bowe, Maryanne Lee - a Councilwoman herself - spoke of Bowe's commitment to the Claverack community and her experience and interest in town government. "Lisa is very in tune with the business of the Town Board," Lee said. "She attends every Town Board meeting and is a member of the Board of Assessment Review, and is very active in the community, including the annual Philmont Thank-a-Vet Celebration and the Claverack Summer Concert Series," Lee added. Bowe told those attending that she wants to be “the voice of all Claverack residents.” Bowe is a Columbia County native and has lived in Claverack the past 24 years. She has served the public as a Registered Nurse all of her adult life. Town resident and County Treasurer PJ Keeler endorsed George Duntz for the second Town Council seat. In making his nomination, Keeler spoke of Duntz's family history of community service, including that of his Grandfather, former County Coroner and County Clerk Don Tkacy. Duntz, a registered Independent, was the Independence Party liaison for former Assemblyman Marc Molinaro and worked on Molinaro's most recent campaign for New York State Governor. Duntz told caucus goers that he "looked forward to working for the common good" and "achieving common goals for all Claverack and Philmont residents." Also attending the caucus and supporting the candidates were Town Supervisor Kippy Weigelt, Town Councilmen Stephen Hook and Brian Keeler, Town Clerk Mary Jeanne Hoose, Town Highway Superintendent Lou Lamont, and Town Assessor Charlie Brewer. For more information on Lisa Bowe and her campaign, please visit www.LisaBoweforClaverack.com, and to learn more about George Duntz, visit www.GeorgeDuntzforClaverack.com. |
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