mechanicville

We all know that teachers are the backbone of our communities in molding and shaping our kids. But there is a serious shortage of teachers and my alma matter is switching it up a little to make sure the substitute teaching jobs are filled. They are thinking outside the box.

The Capital Region has been a hotbed lately for New York Lottery's Take 5 winners. The latest winner comes from Saratoga County and I am convinced that it's just a matter of time until I am cashing in a Take 5 winning ticket. I have to admit I was a bit bummed it wasn't me when I found out where the ticket was sold.

My family has been playing bocce for as long as I can remember. My grandfather is actually one of the founders of the Italian Fraternal Society in Mechanicville where they built several bocce courts under a pavilion. My mom is now the president of the league. Bocce is a great game that anyone at any age can play. In fact, my grandmother played bocce until she was ninety-eight.

I usually mic myself up at my son's baseball games but since last weekend was a washout, I thought I would change things up. I joined the women's bocce league in Mechanicville and our first match was Tuesday night. Take a listen to how I obnoxiously tried to cheer on our team as I turned into the "Big League Chooch".

I moved back to my hometown of Mechanicville a couple of months ago and I couldn't be happier. A lot comes with moving back to where you grew up and in my case it involves bocce.

We just moved into a new house in Mechanicville and it's strange enough to move back to my hometown. But I didn't realize how much nostalgia I would feel moving into a new neighborhood. Ryan is able to be a kid just like I was growing up. Even though he is riding his bike until it gets dark and playing outside on the street with kids in the neighborhood, there's more to it than that.

It's the Running of the Roses. The most coveted horse race in America and Mechanicville native, Chad Brown has a horse in the race. He is one of the most successful horse trainers in the game and happens to be from my hometown. It's a given that we will all be rooting for him on Saturday in the Kentucky Derby.

This past weekend was very nostalgic for me and my family. My son, Ryan, embarked on something that was part of my childhood and now it's part of his. Ryan starting playing in the Mechanicville Stillwater Little League. It wasn't only nostalgic, it was amazing.

In a year like no other, high school seniors have missed out on a lot but it's nice to see that they will be able to celebrate at prom this June. My alma mater, Mechanicville High School is leading the way in ensuring that the seniors will have a night to remember.

When you live in a small town like Mechanicville and want to make a statement, or in this case, a promposal, you use the one main sign in the heart of the city. That's what Jason Carron Jr. (JJ) used the Mechanicville McDonald's sign to do the asking for him. The thing is, his girlfriend almost didn't see it.

There has been a lot of activity for me in Mechanicville in the last few weeks but this one, unfortunately, has nothing to do with me or my family this time. Someone has won nearly thirty-five thousand dollars on a Take 5 New York Lottery ticket at the Stewart's on Vosburgh Road in the Mechanicville-Halfmoon area.

We have been searching for the good samaritan that sprang into action to unselfishly help put out a fire that started on my mom's porch. The story is even more amazing when you hear Rob Rivers explain what made him do what he did to become a hero to my whole family.