Sunday April 28, 2024 
June Events at Dyken Pond EEC
Grafton – The Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center is offering the following events in June:
Finding Fish: Saturday, June 29th: 9am-11am
Find out who lives in Dyken Pond and how best to catch them. Fishing poles and tackle provided. For beginner youth. Pre-Registration required. Cost $3.
WGAWB
A “Two week Ringer “ Tournament was held at Winding Brook on June 12 and June 19 for the Women’s Golf Association of Winding Brook. With a net 58, Mary Kay Longo took first place. Paula Sancomb was second with a net 61. In third place with a net 67 was Sharon Frering. On June 12, Margaret Surpitski won the chip in contest on Hole 11. On June 19, Paula Sancomb chipped in on Hole 16 and Pat Stephanson had a chip in birdie on Hole 18.
Poestenkill Youth Summer Camp
Poestenkill Summer Camp will be held July 8th-August 2nd at Poestenkill Elementary School from 9am-4pm. Each week will be filled with field trips to a variety of locations around the Capital Region including Grafton, Billy Beez, Fun Plex, Liberty Ridge Farm, Valley Cats, Zoom Flume, etc., art projects, STEM challenges, physical activities, water activities and visitors to camp. Swim lessons will be offered at Grafton. Registration information can be found at www.bit.ly/PoestenkillYouth
Contact Town Office at 518-283-5100 with any questions. Submitted by: Tiffany Buker, Camp Director, Town of Poestenkill
Sand Lake Town Beach opening date
The Sand Lake Town Beach will open on Saturday, June 29, 2019. Hours are from 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM every day. The cost for residents is free. Passes can only be issued at the Town Clerk’s office during regular hours starting on Friday, June 21, 2019. Non-residents may not use the beach. For more information, please contact the Town Clerk’s Office at 518-674-2026 ext. 122.
Mariano Rivera to be honored at Saratoga Race Course during Opening Weekend
Photo by George Kalinsky
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y -The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will host National Baseball Hall of Fame inductee and legendary New York Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera at Saratoga Race Course on Friday, July 12th, as part of Opening Weekend festivities for the 2019 summer meet.
The special visit to Saratoga Race Course comes one week before Rivera heads to Cooperstown where he will be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame as the first unanimous selection in history.
NYRA will honor Rivera with a ceremony in the winner’s circle in recognition of the all-time Major League Baseball saves leader.
Fans will have an opportunity to meet the 13-time All-Star, regarded as the best closer in baseball history, during a luncheon in the Paddock Tent from noon to 1:30 p.m.
The event will feature an exclusive meet and greet and Q&A session with Rivera, photo opportunities and auction featuring authentic Rivera memorabilia.
Tickets to the luncheon are $250 and limited to the first 100 fans. Tickets include a buffet lunch and non-alcoholic beverages in the Paddock Tent which overlooks the historic paddock at Saratoga Race Course. Tickets are available for purchase online at NYRA.com/Rivera or by calling the NYRA Box Office at 844-NYRA-TIX.
Proceeds from the luncheon will benefit one of Rivera’s numerous charitable endeavors.
Sand Lake Kiwanis Announces the Results of Summerfest’s Annual Tennis Tournament
Men and Women Champions Eric and Heidi Schuman
Thirty-seven tennis players took part in the Summerfest Tennis Tournament held at the Averill Park HS courts Saturday June 8th. There were many spirited matches. Kiwanis congratulates all our participants. Here are the results of the finals in each division:
Women’s Singles Championship
Heidi Schuman defeated Jennifer Mooradian
Men’s Singles Championship
Eric Schuman defeated Lucas Harland
Men’s Doubles Championship
Greg Reo and Al Walton defeated Chris and Lucas Harland
Women’s Doubles Championship
Lilly Kronau and Heidi Schuman defeated Licia Romano and Pamela Bonesteel
Hiking, Naturalist, & Children’s Programs
Rensselaer Land Trust and Rensselaer Plateau Alliance are partnering to bring our communities unique opportunities to get outside this summer! More information and registration at www.renstrust.org
June 29 • 9 a.m.:
Taconic Crest in One Year: Petersburg Pass to Berlin Mountain and on to Southeast Hollow in Berlin, 7.3 miles.
Some steep ascents on the way to the summit of Berlin Mountain, at 2,818 feet New York’s tallest peak outside of the Adirondacks and Catskills. Co-sponsored with Taconic Hiking Club.
June 29 • 10 a.m.:
Connecting Children to Nature: Alphabet of the Trees
Calling all young naturalists to discover the trees and water of RLT’s Staalesen Preserve using their five senses. We’ll go for a short hike and get to know trees up close and personal through sensory activities, and each child will have a chance to record their studies through bark rubbings and poetry. For children ages six and up. Meet at John B. Staalesen Preserve, Troy, NY.
Free Fishing Clinic at Grafton Lakes State Park
Grafton Lakes State Park will offer “Go Fish!” a fishing clinic led by DEC’s Fisheries Educators, on Saturday, June 29th, from 9am-1pm. This program is an opportunity to go fishing without a license as part of the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Free Fishing Weekend.
This drop-in fishing clinic meets by the boathouse on Long Pond in Grafton Lakes State Park. Children and parents will learn the basics of fishing and identification. Fishing poles will be provided by DEC for this free class. Many children catch their first sunfish during this program each year, so come try your luck!
For more information about our other summer program offerings, please contact the environmental educator at 518-279-1155, ext. 2, or visit our website at www.nysparks.com/parks.
Town of East Greenbush Adult Bocce
Bocce players meet in Onderdonk Park on Hampton Avenue at 5:45 PM each Thursday evening throughout the Spring and Summer.
The group is currently seeking more players. This is not a competitive league and it is a lot of fun with great people! Stop by any Thursday to see what’s it all about.
Any weather cancellations will be posted on the Town’s website and sent as a Nixle alert on the Town’s alert system. For questions call 518-477-4194.
Free Fishing Clinic at Grafton Lakes State Park
Grafton Lakes State Park will offer “Go Fish!” a fishing clinic led by DEC’s Fisheries Educators, on Saturday, June 29th, from 9am-1pm. This program is an opportunity to go fishing without a license as part of the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Free Fishing Weekend.
This drop-in fishing clinic meets by the boathouse on Long Pond in Grafton Lakes State Park. Children and parents will learn the basics of fishing and identification. Fishing poles will be provided by DEC for this free class. Many children catch their first sunfish during this program each year, so come try your luck!
For more information about our other summer program offerings, please contact the environmental educator at 518-279-1155, ext. 2, or visit our website at www.nysparks.com/parks.
Upcoming Programs at Grafton Lakes State Park
(Cropseyville, NY) – Join us for our upcoming June programs:
Saturday, June 29th– Go Fish! Free Fishing Clinic 9am-1pm. On free fishing weekend, no license is required. Educators from DEC’s I Fish NY program will be on hand to show you how to fish, who’s in the lake, and they even provide poles to use! Ages 6 & up. Clinic is free, but gate fee of $8/vehicle still applies. Gate fee is refundable if leaving directly after program.
Saturday, June 29th—Busy Beavers at 1pm. Learn about all the great things these forest workers do to create a healthy habitat for themselves and many other creatures. Weather permitting, we will take a 25-minute walk to a beaver habitat to see the lodges that beavers at Grafton build! Please call to pre-register (518) 279-1155.
4-H Shooting Sports Archery Session for Youth
The Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rensselaer County 4-H Youth Development program is holding a four week 4-H Shooting Sports archery session. This program is for youth nine and older (as of January 1, 2019) who would like to learn about the safe and responsible use of archery equipment as well as equipment maintenance and other related topics. In doing so, the 4-H Shooting Sports program provides opportunities for youth to gain valuable skills, practice leadership, and build relationships with non-parent adults. This 4-H archery session will meet on Thursdays, July 11, 18, 25, and August 1, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Castleton Fish & Game Club. There is a $40.00 registration fee for 4-H members and $50.00 for non-members. Pre-registration is required no later than Wednesday, July 3, and registration will be limited. To register a youth, or for more information, please contact Eileen DePaula at 518-272-4210 or emd32@nullcornell.edu. For more information about this and other programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rensselaer County, please call 518-272-4210. No one shall be denied the opportunity to participate or receive information based on their ability to pay. If you have special needs that we can accommodate please let us know at the time of your call.
Grafton Fitness Opportunities
Rensselaer County’s Everett Wagar Senior Center, 2 Roxborough Road, Grafton, has several opportunities to keep our residents 60 and older in shape. Chair Yoga is offered 3 times a week at no charge. This is a low-impact workout for the body and mind. Aerobic Swimming is available on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at the Bennington Rec Center with transportation. Water aerobics offers a resistance and buoyancy that cannot be experienced on ground. The center has a small exercise room with a treadmill and stationary bikes. Regular exercise reduces the risk of injury, decreased symptoms of depression, and improves mobility. Regular exercise can lower blood pressure, strengthen muscles, correct body posture, relieve pain and promotes weight loss. Residents 60 and older are encouraged to get into a good exercise routine. For more information, call the center at 518-279-3413.
Schodack Island 5th Annual Fishing Derby
Schodack Island 5th Annual Hudson River Fishing Derby Saturday, June 29th, 7:00 AM– 12:00 PM.
Valuable prizes in three age categories for accumulative weight of fish. Anyone under age 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Free Fishing Weekend– no license needed, but all NYS DEC rules apply. Shoreline Fishing encouraged!
Schodack Island State Park, 1 Schodack Island Way (Route 9J), Schodack Landing, NY 12156. For more information, call (518) 732-0187.
Co-sponsored by Hudson River Bait & Tackle.
Form a team and join the fight to end Alzheimer’s!
Did you ever think of starting a team to help eliminate Alzheimer’s disease? You’re invited to attend a session on how to start a team and participate in the 2019 Walk to End Alzheimer’s. It’s easy to sign up, and it is an extremely rewarding experience. Join us in the fight for Alzheimer’s first survivor!
In the session, we’ll share ideas about how to register your team, team building, and fundraising. Teams can be just one person or as many as you like! One in three people know someone who is living with Alzheimer’s. Here is your chance to help improve their lives and prevent others from having to live with this devastating disease.
Please drop in to learn more on one of the dates and locations below. Stop in any time during the time frame listed. If you have any questions, please feel free to call Lori Gardner at (518) 461-1439 or Thorel Mead at (518) 283-3077. Help us make a difference!
Please join us on:
August 6, 2019- Brunswick Community Center, 6:30-8:00, Concert in the park.
We hope to see you there!
Together we can help end Alzheimer’s disease!
Burden Lake Country Club Wednesday Ladies Results
Here are the results from 6/5 and 6/12:
June 5th: Team Bryce (13pts) defeated Team DiIorio (5pts) and Team Squazzo (10.5pts) beat Team Hammond (7.5pts). Low net scores were Margie Biggins (32), Carol Fasoldt (32) and Barb Hansen (36).
June 12th: Team Hammond (12.5pts) beat Team DiIorio (5.5pts) and Team Squazzo (9.5pts) beat Team Bryce (8.5pts). Low net scores were Linda Matlock (34), Katie George (34) and Jen DiIorio (35).
League standings after 8 weeks are: 1st place Team Hammond (77.5pts); 2nd place Team Squazzo (76.5pts); 3rd place Team Bryce (69pts); 4th place Team DiIorio (65pts).
DEC Launches Second Phase Of “WomenHuntFishNY” Photo Contest
Following the success of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s DEC) statewide photo contest for women hunters, DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos announced the second phase of the “WomenHuntFishNY” contest to celebrate women anglers in the state. The contest officially opens on Monday, June 17, and continues through July 8, 2019.
Women who fish in New York State are encouraged to share their photos by emailing womenhuntfishny@nulldec.ny.gov. DEC welcomes photos of all aspects of safe, legal, and ethical fishing. Contest categories include:
*Freshwater fishing
*Saltwater Fishing
*Ice Fishing
*Youth (girls) fishing
*Mothers and Children/Multi-Generational
*Action shots (Casting, reeling, or landing the big one!)
To be considered in the contest, photos must depict women fishing in New York State. Fishing photos entered in DEC’s fall WomenHuntFishNY hunting photo contest will automatically be entered for consideration. Participants are strongly encouraged to include a sentence to describe their image or experience.
The deadline for contest entries is Monday, July 8. All submissions will become property of DEC to be used in promotions and outreach. Winning entries will be featured on DEC’s website, social media posts, marketing campaigns, print products, and future outreach to inspire future generations of female anglers.
Share the gift of camp!
Our Hope 7 Traveling Summer Camp brings 60 children daily, ages 5-13, to our beautiful state parks for physical activity, swimming, arts & crafts, social skill building, emotional learning, and good, old-fashioned summer fun. Our programs are designed to build children up – mind, body, and spirit. A nourishing lunch and snack are provided at no charge to fuel them for the adventures of the day.
The need for quality childcare for the long summer hours is so vital, but the cost is difficult for parents to bear. In light of this, Hope 7 has maintained low family rates despite rising program costs to ensure a quality program is available to those who need it, but the need is far greater than we can handle alone. We need your help!
Our sponsorship program is designed to cover part or all of the cost of camp. The cost per week for one child is $170. Last year, 40 children were able to attend camp with the help of sponsors like you!
If you would like to sponsor a child for camp who is in need of financial assistance, please contact Samantha Adkisson at hope7.samantha@nullgmail.com or 518-272-8029 or send a check to Hope 7 at 596 Pawling Ave, Troy.