Indians on 4-game winning streak

By Melanie Lekocevic

Capital Region Independent Media

RAVENA-COEYMANS-SELKIRK — After a months-long process and engagement with the local community, the RCS school district is looking to finalize the district’s new team name and mascot.

New York state has mandated that all schools with team names that reflect Native Americans or their heritage — such as the RCS Indians — change their name or face losing state educational aid and other repercussions.

For RCS, the loss in funding would amount to over $20 million a year.

For several months, the RCS district has been conducting surveys of the local community to whittle down the list of prospective new names to three — Raptors, Ravens and Swarm.

Now, it’s time for the community to respond to the final name-selection survey, which will determine the team’s new name once and for all.

“It is time to make our final decision about the name of our new RCS mascot,” according to the school district’s website. “We were excited to have received over 5,000 responses to the last RCS Rebranding Community Survey, which narrowed down our third choice for the final round. In this final round, our community will be casting their vote by selecting one of these three choices.”

Community members are encouraged to complete the survey, so everyone has a say in the matter.

The survey has only a single question — “Please select your favorite choice that will round out our three-choice ballot in September.  We are the RCS…” — with the three options being Raptors, Ravens and Swarm.

The deadline to complete the survey is noon on Tuesday, Oct. 3.

The name that receives the highest number of votes will be the team’s new name.

Once that decision is made, the district plans to get local kids involved on another level.

“We will be holding a student art contest later this fall after the mascot name has been chosen,” according to the district. “Students will submit their concepts for what our mascot will look like and our community will cast one final vote.”

To cast your vote, visit the district website at https://www.rcscsd.org/ .

After the new name is selected, the district will have to begin the process of switching all imagery and signage around the campus to the new name, including athletic uniforms, school banners, the football/soccer field turf, the bottom of the swimming pool, and anywhere else where the Indians name currently appears.

The district is expected to officially retire the Indians’ team name by the end of next year, as required by the state mandate.

By Melanie Lekocevic

Capital Region Independent Media    

COEYMANS HOLLOW — For some, the Lord’s Acre Auction and Fair has become a family tradition passed down through the generations.

The auction, held at Trinity United Methodist Church on Route 143, celebrated its 69th year this fall.

“This is our annual Lord’s Acre Auction,” said church member and event co-organizer Linda Keir. “We have a lot of booths; we have a huge auction that many of the local businesses have donated to generously. This is one of our main financial activities to help our church.”

Outside the church, there were booths set up selling everything from cutlery to housewares to toys and artwork, and inside there was a book sale, bake sale and luncheon prepared by church members.

In the afternoon, everyone gathered under a large tent for the annual auction, with auction items donated by area businesses and individuals.

The money raised from the activities will benefit the church and go into its general fund. The event is one of the biggest fundraisers for Trinity UMC all year long.

In 2023, there was a new component added to the event that continued this year as well.

“Last year we started a ‘Care Portal’ where gently used furniture comes in and we try to help disadvantaged families,” Keir said. “For instance, if there is domestic violence and the woman now has an apartment and needs things like beds, dishes, towels, we try to gather items for her.”

The church puts out the word and asks supporters to bring in donations of furniture to aid people who could use a helping hand.

The annual Lord’s Acre Auction is a fundraiser for the church but also has become a major social event for the surrounding community. For some, it’s a family tradition.

Keir’s family has been involved with the church and its activities for generations.

“My great-grandfather was one of the founding members of this church, so this has been an annual thing passed down generation after generation,” she said. “My grandfather came to this church, my parents came to this church, and I’ve been coming here since I was 5 years old for Sunday School. It’s just a tradition — a family tradition.”