Community calendar

By Melanie Lekocevic

Capital Region Independent Media

RAVENA — As small-town residents often do, the community is pulling together to support one of its own.

A spaghetti dinner fundraiser will be held this weekend to aid local resident Scott Searles, the town’s former highway superintendent.

“There is a spaghetti dinner benefit for Scott Searles at the Halfway House Tavern on March 5 from 4-7 p.m.,” Village Trustee Caitlin Appleby said at the village board’s Feb. 20 meeting. “It’s $12 a spaghetti dinner. You call the Halfway House to pre-order at 756-6754. Pre-orders are strongly encouraged.”

The dinner will benefit Searles in his continuing battle against cancer.

Mayor Bill Misuraca, owner of the Halfway House Tavern, is hosting the dinner and said it’s important for the community to support its own in times of need.

“Scott has always been a good friend and customer, along with his entire family,” Misuraca said. “In this village we take care of one another, and it’s our honor to help out any way we can. Scott has given a lot to this community over the years, and we want him to know we have his back.”

Searles retired effective March 31, 2022, from his longtime position of town highway superintendent after 30 years with the department. He was replaced by Daniel Baker, who was appointed town highway superintendent in March and then elected in November.

At a town ceremony in March honoring Searles’ many years of service with the department, several area highway superintendents attended and spoke of Searles’ dedication to the job.

“As a highway superintendent, not many people know how many times you got up from your dinner table, with one fork into your meal and the phone rings,” said Gary Thorington, highway superintendent in Windham, in Greene County. “Thank you for the amount of service — all the hours over 30 years in public service — that you gave to the town of Coeymans.”

New Baltimore Highway Superintendent Alan Van Wormer last March noted Searles’ many years of service and offered his assistance in the future.

“Retired or not, once you’re one of us, you are always one of us, so reach out,” Van Wormer said.

Searles was awarded a citation from the state Assembly at his retirement ceremony by Assemblyman Chris Tague, R-102, honoring his service to the community.

“Scott, on behalf of the people in the 102nd Assembly District, the state Assembly of New York and all the residents of the Empire State, I say thank you for your service,” Tague said at the time.

The spaghetti dinner benefit will be held March 5, from 4-7 p.m., at the Halfway House Tavern, 26 Main St., in Ravena. The cost is $12 per dinner, with all proceeds going to Searles. Pre-orders are strongly encouraged by calling 518-756-6754. Meals can be eat-in or take-out.