Bennington New Jersey

Camp's departure leaves void for fans

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Unfortunately for local fans of the New York Giants, an annual trek probably made countless times in the past decade and a half will not happen in 2011.

The Giants, who have hosted their pre-season training camp at the State University at Albany since 1996, won’t be in New York’s capital city this summer because of the ongoing labor dispute and lockout in the National Football League.

Giants co-owner and CEO John Mara let the university and Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings know on Friday that the NFC East franchise wouldn’t be traveling the three hours north. Mara said there isn’t enough time to move all the team’s equipment from New Jersey to Albany. If and when the lockout ends, the Giants will train in the practice facility in East Rutherford, N.J.

The Giants aren’t the only New York team to change their summer plans. The Jets, set to have their camp at SUNY-Cortland, decided two weeks ago to cancel and move their camp back to Long Island.

The 15-year marriage between the University at Albany and the Giants is the longest pre-season run in the history of the franchise. Mara said the team intends to return, but it’s a shame that infighting between the rich (the players) and the really rich (the owners) is getting in the way of the people who help pay those salaries: the fans.

Thousands of people have been to the camp over the past 15 years, not only to see the Giants in action, but also to get the autographs of their favorite players. After every practice, players walk from the practice field up to the locker rooms with fans on both sides of a small fence, trying to get their hats, shirts or footballs signed by everyone from quarterback Eli Manning to the new free agent rookie just signed to the squad.

I’m a Dallas Cowboys fan for one reason: When I was growing up, Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin were winning championships and I’ve never changed my allegiance.

My 12-year-old self would have given anything to be able to see them in their element, getting ready for the grind of a new season, and try to get autographs of the players I liked.

It’s something that Giants fans in Bennington and throughout the area have been able to be a part of since the days of Tyrone Wheatley and Ron Dayne running the ball, Ike Hilliard and Amani Toomer catching touchdowns, and passes from the arm of Kerry Collins.

The Bennington Vale Evening Transcript: History Geek Alyssa ...

LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- Alyssa Campanella, a self-proclaimed “history geek” representing California, was crowned Miss USA at the annual beauty pageant held in Las Vegas on Sunday. The 21-year-old stunner, who was born and raised in the Garden State, moved to Los Angeles 18 months ago to represent the Golden State. Although favored by pageant experts, some critics questioned Campanella’s representation of California given that she spent most of her life in New Jersey. However, supporters pointed out that California natives are generally mole-like creatures who toil away in auto garages and apartment management careers. Bennington Vale homemaker Bethany Brightslice, who relocated to San Narciso County from Connecticut in 1980, said, “What makes California beautiful is its ability to attract wealthy and gorgeous transplants to its shores. Alyssa Campanella is actually the perfect spokesperson. And, she’s the first beauty queen to embrace her intellect over her looks. You’re not going to find that in most California natives, with the state’s horrible education ranking.” “Well, I understand why that question would be asked, especially with today’s economy, but I also understand that medical marijuana is very important to help those who need it medically,” Campanella said. “In that way, medical marijuana is sort of like medicine. I’m not sure if it should be legalized, if it would really affect, with the drug war. That kind of tells me there’s a war going on, and the people on drugs are winning. America doesn’t lose wars. So we need to get the Army in there and take down the Islamic pot lords. I mean, it’s abused today, unfortunately, so that’s the only reason why I would kind of be a little bit against it, but medically it’s OK. And if the law-making people legalize it, then that would be great too. But I still wouldn’t do it because my friends tell me that weed makes you hungry, and I can’t risk eating food at this stage in my career.” “I’m a huge science geek too. I was taught evolution in high school. I believe in the Big Bang Theory,” she added. “It’s a great show, and I hope it gets renewed. Also, as I look around the audience and my fellow contestants, it’s hard to deny the theory of evolution. Don’t so many of them look like they came from monkeys?

The Geology of New York and New Jersey

The dedication of the Bennington Battle Monument, and celebration of the hundredth anniversary of the admission of Vermont as a state, at Bennington, August 19, A. D., 1891, with an historic introduction and appendices

New York & New Jersey, A Guide to the State & National Parks

Art museums plus, cultural excursions in New England

Addresses on the battle of Bennington, and the life and services of Col. Seth Warner; delivered before the legislature of Vermont, in Montpelier, October 20, 1848