Monday April 29, 2024 
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.
July Programs at Grafton Lakes State Park
July 4th —Sand Castle Building Contest—12pm Registration by the Lifeguard Station at Long Pond Beach. Must provide your own tools and props. 2pm Judging, 3pm Awards. Free with prizes!
July 6th & 28th— Beach Yoga 9:30-10:30am. 16+ and provide your own mat. $5 per participant. $8/vehicle gate fee refunded if departing directly after class. No pre-registration required. North end of the beach past the volleyball nets. Rain? Meet @ Welcome Center.
July 7th— Be Bear Aware @ 1:00 PM— Discover interesting facts about bears, touch a real bear pelt, and learn some tips on how to keep bears away from your house and what to do if you encounter one. Ages 12 and up. Meets at welcome center.
July 13th– Group Kayaking on Long Pond 10:00 am-12:00 pm. BYO Kayak, limited rentals for added fee. All experience levels. Limited space; call 518-279-1155, ext. 2.
July 20th– Rensselaer Plateau Bioblitz– Survey for fish, birds, mammals, insects, amphibians, reptiles, plants, and fungi. No expertise necessary. Details to come. Email matthew.west@nullparks.ny.gov.
July 26th– Family Movie Night @ 8:45 PM- Free movie on Long Pond beach, weather permitting. PG for the whole family. Food concession open after the beach closes at 6pm; buy food before the show! Bring a chair or blanket.
July 27th—Paint the Park 5:00 pm– 7:00pm. No experience required, all materials provided. $12 per person, to cover cost of materials. Please call to pre-register at (518) 279-1155, ext. 2. Space is limited, register early!
Sand Lake Town Beach open
The Sand Lake Town Beach opened 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. Non-residents may not use the beach. For more information, please contact the Town Clerk’s Office at 518-674-2026 ext. 122.
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.
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.
Kiwanis Clubs Of The Van Rensselaer Division Benefit Scramble Golf Outing
The Van Rensselaer Division of Kiwanis is comprised of the clubs in: Castleton/Schodack, East Greenbush, Hoosick Falls, Rensselaer, Sand Lake, and Troy. Kiwanis is a community organization of volunteers dedicated to providing assistance and support through community service projects and fund raising activities to those in need, especially children.
On Saturday July 20th 2019, The Kiwanis Clubs of Rensselaer County are hosting a Golf Outing (Scramble-Best Ball format) at the Pheasant Hollow Golf Course at 2670 Phillips Road, Castleton, N.Y. 12033.
A day of fun, golf and prizes will begin at 8:00 A.M. with sign-in and optional putting contest followed by a 9:00A.M Shot-gun start and nine holes of golf w/cart – beverages included on the course. At 1:00P.M. – Steak Lunch will be served at Samson’s Bar and Restaurant located at 1736 Rt. 9, Castleton, NY – all included for $65.00 per golfer.
This is a fund raising event. Many of the prizes have been donated by local community businesses and organizations. Scheduled event contests include; closest to the pin, longest drive, putting, etc. (Questions/inquiries call: 518-202-6876)
To Register: Please provide the following information; Golfers names & phone numbers
Mail w/payment to: Kiwanis Club of Sand Lake, Inc. P.O. Box 535 West Sand Lake, N.Y. 12196
Greenbush Soccer Club- Fall Rec 2019 Registration is OPEN!
We offer the following divisions: Preschool (age 3 and 4), Kindergarten, 1st grade,2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th/5th grade, 6th/7th grade, 8th/9th grade.
Players living in the school district of East Greenbush, Schodack, and Rensselaer are welcome to join.
The season is 8 games playing Saturday’s September 7th 2019-October 26th 2019.
All players are required to wear shin guards.
Volunteers are needed for head coach and asst coach.
Any questions please email greenbush.rec.soccer@nullgmail.com
Registration is online greenbushsoccer.org
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.
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.
Nassau Block Dance
The Village of Nassau Bicentennial Committee in concert with the Nassau Hose Company #1 will be holding a Block Dance on Saturday, July 20th from 6:00-10:00 at the firehouse on Chatham Street in the Village. Food will be available from our local vendors, a bake sale and 50/50 raffle along with music by the SESSION BROTHERS will be there for your enjoyment. Chatham Street will close to traffic at 5:30. Bring your family, and BRING YOUR CHAIRS, for a fun filled evening with friends and neighbors.
Rensselaer Youth Outdoors Forest Conservation Corps Teen Summer Program
Rensselaer County, NY: Rensselaer Youth Outdoors is announcing an environmental education summer program for teenagers, aged 14-16. The program will combine recreation and education experiences while teens work on valuable conservation projects protecting Rensselaer county’s parks, waters and natural resources.
The four-week program will run weekdays from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm, July 22 to August 16, with space for 10 teens each week.
Locations:
Week 1: July 22-July 26 – Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center
Week 2: July 29-August 2 – Grafton Lakes State Park
Week 3: August 5-August 9 – Poestenkill Community Forest
Week 4: August 12-August 16 – Albert Family Community Forest
Participants who complete a full week of the program will receive a certificate and a $100 stipend at the end of the week.
For more information or to download an application, visit ryoutdoors.org and click the Programs tab
Contact RYO Program Coordinator Amanda McCreary with questions at: Email: Amanda.ryo.coordinator@nullgmail.com
Phone: 518-810-4544.
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!
Leave Fireworks to the Professionals!
The Fourth of July holiday is rapidly approaching, and with it, the annual fireworks shows. Although sparklers and similar items can be bought and sold in much of New York State, the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY) urges New Yorkers to leave these devices to trained professionals. Instead, FASNY encourages New Yorkers to attend one of the many professional fireworks displays offered throughout the State.
All fireworks, including sparkling devices, are extremely dangerous. Despite their toy-like appearances, sparklers can seriously harm their users. The tip of a sparkler burns at a temperature of approximately 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, which can cause severe burns. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), sparklers cause roughly 25 percent of all fireworks-related emergency room visits, the most of any type of fireworks-like device.
“FASNY warmly wishes all New Yorkers a happy, safe Fourth of July holiday. Should any emergencies arise, do not hesitate to dial 9-1-1. New York’s brave volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians will be ready to respond, as they always are,” said President Klein.