Rest In Peace, Eastwick Press (1992-2025)
Rensselaer County community newspaper "closed and ceased operations" March 26 after its 33-year publication run
CROPSEYVILLE - For 33 years, readers across Rensselaer County and northern Columbia County relied on the Eastwick Press to keep informed on what was happening in the community. From town board meetings, reading The Life of George Holcomb excerpts, and community features, Eastwick Press was the weekly news source for area residents.
Eastwick Press met its untimely demise Wednesday afternoon, March 26.
The Eastwick Press sign hanging up on the building of the former Grafton Elementary School in Petersburgh, NY, June 14, 2022. For almost eight years, The Eastwick Press headquarters was located in the Town of Grafton until it ceased operations March 26. Photo taken by Amy L. Modesti of Around Town With Amy Modesti and ALM Fine Art & Photography
Eastwick Press publisher, Tom Withcuskey, posted an official goodbye statement on Facebook and on the Eastwick Press website Wednesday, citing the end of the newspaper’s run.
“Due to circumstances beyond our control the Eastwick Press has officially closed and ceased operations immediately. We would like to thank everyone for their loyal support over the years.”
“The Eastwick Staff.”
The screen grab of the official Eastwick Press closure written out by publisher, Tom Withcuskey on the Eastwick Press Facebook page, Wednesday, March 26, 2025.
The news of the newspaper’s closure spread quickly across Facebook. In fact, the announcement has garnered a total of 188 reactions, 75 comments, and 74 shares on the social media platform.
Eastwick Press Facebook followers and readers mourned over the newspaper’s end, as it was one of several vital sources for local news and events, in addition to The Record, Times Union, and The Advertiser. Readers relied on the publication for its updates on local meetings, church and library events and government news.
John Pagano said in a Facebook comment to nature photographer and Eastwick Press contributor, Trix Niernberger, that he enjoyed viewing her articles, as it was the first thing that he looked at in the paper. He suggested to Niernberger that she should have a Facebook page for her articles.
The final printed edition of Eastwick Press was published and sold at retail shops Thursday, March 20, with the March 21, 2025, edition Vol. 35, No. 12.
The final, printed copy of the Eastwick Press was the March 21,2025 edition, Vol. 35, No. 12. The last day that loyal readers could purchase a copy of the paper at retail stores was March 26. Photo by Amy L. Modesti of Around Town With Amy Modesti and ALM Fine Art & Photography
Reactions to the Closure
Reactions to its closure have been mixed on Facebook. Anne Sicley, a fellow reader, found the publication to be “very useful for local news!” Cindy Schaefer said that the closure is “a huge loss.” Frank Mace thanked the Eastwick Press staff for the work that they’ve done and was sorry to hear of its closure.
Other Facebook followers were not surprised at all of its closure, but did extend their best wishes to all who were still employed with the paper.
Andy Zlotnick, although shocked by its closure, spoke out about one theoretical factor of the paper’s demise: the political views of the former co-owner, Tom Withcuskey.
“Shocked.” Zlotnick said. “Tom (Withcuskey) turned it into his own political rag. Sad, there was a time when you could count on the Press to cover local news and politics.”
As for Eastwick’s comment to Zlotnick’s reaction?
“Your entitled to your opinion.”
Around Town With Amy Modesti spoke to former staff writer, graphic designer, and editor, Miranda Sehl, once the news was made public. Sehl said that she assisted Withcuskey with the Facebook post. As for its closure, she said that she’s “pretty bummed about the whole thing.”
What Happened?!
Why did Eastwick Press close?
Sehl said that Eastwick was “struggling to stay in business.” Also, the Eastwick Press Facebook page was outdated and wasn’t helping matters either as management wasn’t keeping it up to date with news postings. The Eastwick Press Facebook page continued to be weekly updated by Withcuskey and former editor, Chris Tergliafera until July 22, 2023.
With Eastwick struggling to stay in business, early this year, Withcuskey let Tergliafera go since he couldn’t afford to keep him, Sehl said.
Former Employees’ Reactions
“I’m sorry it had to happen just as Eastwick Press was to print two of my frog mating photos.” Trix Niernberger posted on Facebook.
Trix Niernberger shared a photo of these mating frogs on the Eastwick Press Facebook page on March 30, upon hearing the closure of the Eastwick Press. Photo taken by Trix Niernberger.
Over 14 plus years ago, Niernberger first shared a frog couple photograph in an April 2011 issue. She found the photo sharing of her frog photos and other nature photographs that she took to be fun.
Niernberger said that she shared a total of 549 nature photos in the paper.
“I sure liked taking the photos and sharing them with you.” Niernberger continued. “Maybe I’ll start Petersburgh Geographic.”
Amy Modesti discovered the news of her former employer’s closure on Facebook while spending time viewing the Formative Expressions exhibition at The Arts Center of the Capital Region. Although she was surprised, but not surprised at all of the news, she felt sorry for her remaining co-workers, Sehl, Woofenden, and Wright, for being let go from employment, she posted on the ALM Fine Art & Photography Facebook page.
“I send my former co-workers who remained on board at the publication, much needed love and light during this time.” Modesti said. “I apologize to all the online and paper readers, subscribers, and the Rensselaer County community for not getting a quality community newspapers like it should have been before things had switched ownership.”
Modesti continued.
“Thank you to everyone who took the time to read and purchase the Eastwick Press and thank you to those who included us in telling your stories in the paper and on social media.”
Modesti left Eastwick Press Jan. 2023 to take on a full-time reporter and photographer position at Spotlight Newspapers in Delmar, where she served her time for a year and a half until she was let go from employment June 2024. Modesti remains grateful for her experiences and lasting relationships that she built as a former Eastwick Press employee.
Eastwick Press Origins
Eastwick Press was formed in 1992 by its original owner, Alan Hoglund. The newspaper was first known as the Petersburgh Poop, a military term meaning, inside information. It had several name changes including The Petersburgh Press, The Press, before settling on The Eastwick Press.
In 1994, Alex Brooks became the newspaper’s publisher and new owner. For 23 years, Brooks served as its editor, reporter, ad salesman, and layout editor. June 2017, Brooks publicly announced his plans on the Eastwick Press website to cease publication.
Brooks did not want to continue as the paper’s leader. The week of June 22, 2017, former Berlin and Grafton reporter, Doug LaRocque proposed to Brooks about taking the paper over and needed to look for a partner and investors to make certain that he had enough resources to get Eastwick Press to profitability, Brooks said on the Eastwick Press website.
It was announced in Brian Nearing’s July 7, 2017, Times Union article, “Rensselaer County Community Newspaper Enters New Era”, that LaRocque and Withcuskey would become co-owners of Eastwick Press. For five years, LaRocque would serve as the paper’s editor, with Withcuskey serving as publisher.
Eastwick Press expanded its news coverage ever further to include the towns of Brunswick, Pittstown, and Schodack, and hired additional contributors, photojournalist Amy Modesti and sales representative, Brittni Russell.
Later on, Miranda Sehl joined on as graphic designer, writer, and editor, Heidi Woofenden became chief financial/administrative officer and copy editor, and Chris Tergliafera served as assistant editor and editor.
Accomplishments & Notable Moments
December 17,2019, Eastwick Press was awarded the 2019 Rensselaer County “Good News” Award by the Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce and Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin.
Between 2002-2012, previous reporters Bea Peterson and David Flint each received a New York Press Association (NYPA) Award for a photograph contribution.
In times of trouble, Eastwick Press staff provided assistance to those in need. Sept. 29, 2019, Eastwick Press held the Berkshire Bird Paradise Fundraiser at its headquarters to raise money for Berkshire Bird Paradise’s parrot house which caught fire Aug. 22, 2019.
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Eastwick Press teamed up with Grafton Lakes State Park and Catholic Charities to give donated food to needy families and area residents as part of several Catholic Charities Mass Food Giveaway events at Grafton Lakes State Park.
What will the future hold?
A full week has passed since Withcuskey announced the closure and Facebook followers have asked, “Are the people with yearly subscriptions getting reimbursed?”
“I hope all the people who paid for advertising thru the end of the year will get their prorated money back.” Ann Calabro said.
For all questions concerning reimbursements, and additional billing questions can make a phone call to (518)-573-3062.