Seders feature endless variety
Jennifer Patterson has a story in the Times Union about changes in the seder, which marks the start of Passover, the Jewish holiday that commemorates the biblical story of the ancient Israelites' exodus from slavery in Egypt to freedom, including the release of a new haggadah, or guidebook to the readings, from Maxwell House. "The seder (meaning "order") is one of the most celebrated Jewish home rituals, but no two households conduct it the same exact way," Patterson writes. "For all, it's a chance to come together, share a meal and re-enact history. Some last for less than an hour, others go on for a lot longer. Participants read from the Haggadah (meaning "telling"), which spells out the steps with songs, prayers and commentary for the spring holiday's festive meal." She then notes how new Maxwell House Haggadahs, offered free at supermarkets, has undergone its first major translation makeover since 1932, with antiquated "thees" and "thous" replaced by the more colloquial "you."

Man falls at Bash Bish
The Register-Star reports that a man sustained a fall at Bash Bish Falls at 1:48 p.m. on April 17. The Copake Rescue Squad and Copake, Hillsdale, and Egremont Fire Departments responded to the scene, and the subject was transported via Lifenet helicopter to Albany Medical Center. No word on the subject’s condition is available at this time, and no further information was available.

Lawmakers supporting, not opposing, closure of one state correctional facility
Veronica Lewin has reported in the Legislative Gazette what could be good news for Columbia and Greene counties: Westchester state, county and local legislators are calling for the closure of the infamous Sing Sing correctional facility they say is doing nothing for the community. Which could take the pressure off possible closings of other state prisons, including that in Hudson or, less likely, at Coxsackie. "During his State of the State address, Cuomo called for closing a number of correctional facilities around the state," Lewin writes. "Closing Sing Sing would eliminate approximately 1,700 to 2,000 cells, while preventing an upstate community from losing a correctional facility that its economy depends on."

Young entrepreneurs prep for Lemonade Day
Colin DeVries reports in the Daily Mail on a Sunday, April 17 event at GNH Lumber in Greenville where area kids learned what it takes to build a successful stand for the upcoming Lemonade Day on May 1. "More than 250 children of Greene County are already signed up to sell lemonade during the nationwide event intended to promote entrepreneurship," DeVries writes. "Now, with only a few weeks until Lemonade Day, participants are preparing their business plans, recipes, locations, and constructing an attractive stand."

Front St. work starts Tuesday
The Register Star ran a story this past weekend announcing an earlier Tuesday, April 19 start for the road work that will reduce Hudson's Front Street to one lane. "The milling up of the old roadway will take place on Tuesday because parking is needed on Front Street Wednesday for a large event at the Shiloh Baptist Church on lower Warren Street," the piece reads. "There will now be no roadwork done Wednesday. The surface of the street will be rough." The repaving of the roadway will take place Thursday, April 21 and Friday, April 22.