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Pulling For History

img 7714-webThe Enterprise — Michael Koff
Just like the old days: The restored grader is put to work during a demonstration at the Altamont Fair. It was made by Climax Road Machine in Marathon, N.Y., north of Binghamton, a factory that ran from 1887 to 1890. Andrew Tinning plans to display the horse-drawn grader in June at the Gas-Up in Gallupville, and in August again at the Altamont Fair.

img 7717-webThe Enterprise — Michael Koff
Period piece: “Little Winner,” the antique road grader restored to its former glory by Andrew Tinning, looks right at home in front of the also restored village train station, now home to the Altamont Free Library. The grader will be at the station at least through April 9 when, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, Judith Wines will give a presentation called “Tours and Trains in Altamont.”

img 7712-webThe Enterprise — Michael Koff
Rallying round the antique grader restored by Andrew Tinning, second from left, holding a whip, are, two grandsons of Casper Wagner, the grader’s original owner — Merlin E. Wagner at far left, and Bernard H. Wagner, at far right. The grader, which Tinning discovered, forgotten and neglected, on property behind his house on Dunnsville Road, was originally used to groom Guilderland’s roads before it was used for ditching at the Wagner farm. At center, is Steve Oliver, Guilderland’s current highway superintendent. Next to him is Judith Wines, the director of the Altamont Free Library, now housed in the village’s historic train station. The grader originally arrived in Altamont by train.

Joseph Petitti earns Eagle rank at age 13

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Published on Friday, 08 March 2013 18:36

By Daniel Bemis

eagle scout-web— Photo by George Laing
Proud moment: Joseph Petitti’s mother, Angie Petitti, pins the Eagle medal on him during a Court of Honor ceremony as his father, Nick Petitti, looks on. Petitti, a ninth-grade honors student at Guilderland High School, earned the scouting’s top rank four years ahead of the national average.GUILDERLAND — Joseph Petitti of Boy Scout Troop 83 in Guilderland had his Eagle Court of Honor on Jan. 19. The Court of Honor was held at Joseph E. Zaloga American Legion Post, the chartering organization for Troop 83.

Petitti earned the highest honor in Boy Scouts, the Eagle rank, by meeting all of the requirements. One of those requirements is to organize, plan, and run a service project.

Petitti’s project was to paint the walls and floor of a room for the Family Rosary, Inc. at Christ the King Church in Guilderland so the church could use that space as an office.

He also earned more merit badges than the required 21. In addition to the required merit badges, Petitti’s elective merit badges included American Heritage, Sculpture, Metalwork, Photography, Hiking , and Sailing.

He earned his Eagle rank at 13, far from the average age a Boy Scout achieves Eagle, which is 17.5 years.

Petitti has been in Scouts (Tiger Cub up to Eagle) for over eight years. He currently is a member of Guilderland Troop 83 and is a ninth-grade honors student at Guilderland High School. He enjoys strategy games, playing piano, creating sculptures, and drawing.

Along with Eagle projects that benefited Christ the King Church, recent Troop 83 Eagle projects have involved installing trail markers at Tawasentha Park, clearing part of the Rail Trail in Voorheesville, creating a registry and map for the town of Guilderland of the gravesites at the Guilderland cemetery on Route 146, and working on the grounds at the Fred Abele Mc-Kownville Town Park. Boy Scout Troop 83 meets every Thursday at 7 p.m. at McKownville United Methodist Church.

Editor’s note: Daniel Bemis is the scribe for Boy Scout Troop 83.