Sunday April 28, 2024 
“Art In Our Time” at SLCA Gallery
SAND LAKE – Sand Lake Center for the Arts presents recent paintings by Peter Watrous Now through October 25. Artists’s Statement: “This has been a time of political strife, immigration struggles, racial unrest, and a pandemic. Some of my works reflect these harsh realities, but others are aspirational, looking to ways that we are or can act well together. These aspirational paintings celebrate our similarities, as well as our differences.” Gallery hours: Saturdays and Sundays from12 to 3pm. The artist will be at the gallery on Sunday, Sept. 20th to greet all who attend. No more than 15 people will be allowed into the gallery at one time. Masks and social distancing will be required. 2880 NY 43 Averill Park, NY 12018• slca-ctp.org
Pittstown United Methodist Church Rummage and Food Sale
PITTSTOWN – Rummage and Food Sale sponsored by the Pittstown United Methodist Church will be held on September 18-19. The hours for Fridays will be from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; the hours for Saturdays will be from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This year the Sale will be held on the Herb and Sally Backus farm, 571 Johnsonville Road, Johnsonville, NY 12094 (Town of Pittstown). The new location is just off County Route 111 near the intersection of Croll Road. For more information or directions call Herb or Sally at 518-753-4427 (home) or 518-596-0003 (cell) or email: hsbackus@nulloutlook.com. If coming from NY Route 7, look for signs. All profits from both Rummage and Food Sales will benefit the Pittstown United Methodist Church Current Expense Account. Covid Regulations will be followed. Wearing a mask is required. No masks, no entry.
Jigsaw Puzzle Sale to Benefit Poestenkill Library
POESTENKILL – Stock up on jigsaw puzzles for the winter months at an unusual sale of dozens of good condition used puzzles. Proceeds will benefit the Poestenkill Library. Friends of the Library will sell puzzles as part of the Poestenkill Farmers Market on Saturday, September 19 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Poestenkill Town Hall lawn. Most puzzles are 1000-piece ($5), many others are 300 or 500-piece ($3), and a few are children’s puzzles ($1). Come to find great puzzles by White Mountain Puzzles, Wysocki, Springbok, Hometown, among others. The Farmers Market requires masks and maintaining social distance, while still offering a friendly community atmosphere. Plan to buy local produce and other products while you are there! For more information contact mhopple@nullnycap.rr.com.
Wynantskill Flag Retirement/Chicken BBQ
WYNANTSKILL – The American Legion Post at 111 Main Ave. in Wynantskill, NY will be holding its annual Flag Retirement Ceremony at noon on Sunday, September 20th. If you have an American flag in need of proper disposal, you may drop it in the red, white, and blue box outside the lounge entrance facing Main Ave.
The ceremony is open to the public and will be followed by a chicken barbecue from 2-4 pm. Meal will include corn, potato, and roll. Tickets will be $15 and available by pre-order only until Thursday Sept. 17th by calling 518-227-7438. Beer, soda, and water will be available to purchase. Seating will be in the parking lot tent or takeout will be available. There will be no indoor seating, and all current social distancing and mask wearing rules at the time of the event will apply. We look forward to seeing you there!
St. Jude’s 15th Annual Fall Festival Drive-Thru
WYNANTSKILL – St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Community in Wynantskill, is holding it’s 15th annual Fall Festival on Saturday September 26th. Due to current regulations this will be a drive-thru & online event. You MUST pre-order food & raffle tickets, and you can schedule your flu shot. Ordering closes 9/19!
Entertainment will be live streamed on our Facebook page and we will feature some of our Craft Vendors so you can start your holiday shopping! We currently have over 40 items in our basket raffle and we are featuring cookies from Upstate Cookie Shack!
We still have Super Raffle Tickets available – $15,000 in prizes, only 250 tickets are sold at $100 each.
Head over to our website at https://StJudesFestivalWyn.square.site to place an order today!! Any questions email us at StJudesFestival@nullOutlook.com
Tie-Dye Time at Sand Lake Center for the Arts
SAND LAKE – Saturday, September 19th. Join us in the SLCA parking lot to play with colors and patterns in a fun-for-the-whole family, rain or shine fun(d)raiser. 12 to 4pm, this Saturday! • Tie-dye and take home a face mask: $10 • Tie-dye and take home a t-shirt: $10 • Or do both for only $15. Reservations would be appreciated so we have enough supplies on hand for everyone: slcactp.square.site/s/shop. Facial masks and social distancing will be required. We hope to see you then!
Sand Lake Town Wide Garage Sale-Update
SAND LAKE – The Sand Lake Town Wide Garage Sale is set for September 19th and 20th. However, there will NOT be a vendor corral/flea market this year due to obvious public health and safety concerns. Rest assured many residents are moving forward with individual garage sales at their homes and the SLBA will facilitate these with advertising and the usual user friendly map. Register your sale at sandlakebusiness.com and click on EVENTS. It is free to put your residence on the map. Remember the web posting option whereby you can market your special goods online for a small fee. Garage sale shoppers like to hit the residence clusters, so encourage your participating neighbors to register as well. This popular event is sponsored by the Sand Lake Business Association.
Literacy 5K Run/Walk – with Virtual Option
SCHODACK LANDING – The Literacy 5K Run/Walk is scheduled for Saturday, September 19 from 8:00-11:30 a.m. at Schodack Island State Park. For those who choose not to join the event in person, there will be an option to participate as a runner or walker virtually. Runners and walkers of all ages and abilities are welcome to join the 5K trail run, youth mile, story walk, nature walk, and other activities. Prizes will be awarded to the fastest runners in various age categories. All proceeds will benefit Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County’s programs and services for adults and children in Rensselaer County and nearby communities. For full event details and to register, visit www.zippyreg.com. All decisions about public events at this time will be in line with NYS and CDC safety measures. Find more information at www.lvorc.org.
Virtual Girl Scouts Open House
EAST GREENBUSH – Girl Scouts Service Unit 136 (East Greenbush) is holding a Virtual Open House on Tuesday, September 22 from 6:30-8:00pm on Zoom. Find out more about Girl Scouts and register for the 2020-2021 year for girls of all ages (grades K-12). Girl Scout leaders will be on Zoom to answer questions. Email su136girlscouts@nullgmail.com for Zoom link or more information on Girl Scouts.
Outdoor Flea Market
EAST GREENBUSH – First United Methodist Church, 1 Gilligan Rd. East Greenbush. Sat. Sept. 26th 9-3. Reserve a space for your table-tent, size 10’x10’ for $15 by 9/18. Call the church office at 518-477-9693. Event is rain or shine and no refunds.
City of Rensselaer – Food, Fun & Music
RENSSELAER – Looking for an escape from the seemingly endless Covid-19 restrictions that have shackled residents for months now?
You got it! City of Rensselaer Mayor Mike Stammel is leading the charge to unleash the Food & Music Festival at Riverfront Park’s softball field that will not only bring food and music to the city, but also bring one of the most popular bands to the stage – Skeeter Creek.
This award-winning modern country act will be just part of this day-long program that begins at 11 a.m. Saturday Sept. 26 and is sure to lift the spirits of Rensselaer residents and satisfy the appetites of all who attend.
This festive blowout will include many family, fun-filled activities, including pony rides and other kids activities.
Musically, the day will start off with an hour’s set of stirring patriotic songs of the city’s very own historic Yankee Doodle Band. Following will be Elvis tribute artist Donny Elvis, who is certain to rock the crowd with his energetic and lively renditions of Elvis Presley hits. Skeeter Creek will close out the day from 3-5 p.m.
With all these activities, you won’t be left yearning to satisfy your appetites. Several vendors offering an eclectic array of foods will keep your bellies happy throughout the day.
The park will be marked accordingly regarding social-distancing for those bringing lawn chairs.
Face coverings are optional, but appreciated if you can’t adhere to 6-feet or more of social-distancing.
The rain time/date will be 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday Sept. 27.
Lunch In The Garden Webinars
RENSSELAER COUNTY – Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rensselaer County will continue offering the popular, free “Lunch In The Garden” webinars on Wednesdays in September. Each week a different gardening topic is discussed, with a question and answer period following the presentation. Master Gardener Keith Austin will get us thinking about fall bulbs and their spring color in “Selecting, Buying and Planting Glorious Spring Bulbs” on Wednesday, September 30 at Noon. These presentations use the Zoom platform and you must download the free software in advance. To register, visit the Extension website at http://ccerensselaer.org/events or call (518) 272-4210.
Winter Raptor Fest 2020 Virtual Event Takes Flight!
CAPITAL DISTRICT – It’s all systems “GO” for Grassland Bird Trust’s (GBT) 10th Annual Winter Raptor Fest (WRF) Virtual Event! Winter Raptor Fest provides an exclusive opportunity to see hawks and falcons in flight and get up close and personal with a wide variety of live birds of prey.
SEE and learn about live owls, hawks and falcons through a new lens! MEET Short- eared owls, American kestrels and other imperiled raptors in the “natural” grassland habitat they depend for their survival. ENCOUNTER night owls, a Lynx, Red fox, porcupine and native hawks on a virtual walk through the woods.
You’ll also see flight demos by master falconers, learn interesting facts about the birds and their environment and find out more about GBT’s work. This professionally designed and directed virtual event is being produced in collaboration with Look Media and Junda Video. Filmed live from the Washington County Fairgrounds.
Each Viewing Pass donation directly supports GBT’s work to permanently protect critical habitat for rapidly vanishing grassland birds. After you make your donation you will receive a link to view the event beginning at 9am on October 18th. You and your family can view as many times as you want through the end of November!
Viewing Passes start at $25 ($20 for GBT Members) for a family. WRF 2020 Special: make a donation of $100 or more and receive a viewing pass, a one-year family membership to GBT and a free Bird Collective t-shirt (or $40 off your Bird Collective order)! Visit www.winterraptorfest.com to learn more or call 518-499-0012. Learn more about GBT’s work at www.grasslandbirdtrust.org
Emmaus Ministry for Grieving Parents Virtual Retreats
CAPITAL DISTRICT – Saturday October 24, 2020 or Saturday, November 21, 2020. 10:45am-3:00pm. Losing a child under any circumstances is horrendous. Focusing on the spirituality of the grieving process can help tremendously. Just as He comforted His grieving disciples on the road to Emmaus, Jesus comforts us and we comfort each other in this very special ministry.
Join other Emmaus Parent Companions in a warm and loving place— to think, to talk, to feel, and to pray. Find compassion, rest, and peace… at least for a time.
Donation: Optional Free-Will Offering to cover technical support, retreat materials and shipping costs.
Pre-registration is required. Price: Optional Free-Will Offering to cover technical support, retreat materials and shipping costs.
Internet connection and computer literacy required. You will receive an Emmaus Zoom Meeting ID and Password after you register.
More information & registration link: https://www.rcda.org/offices/pastoral-care-ministry/emmaus-ministry-grieving-parents-retreat. Contact 518-641-6818 for information or to register.
Ultimate New England Shopping Trip to Benefit Hope 7 Community Center’s Food Pantry
CAPITAL DISTRICT – The 2020 Ultimate Shopping Trip to New England departs from Dick’s Sporting Goods, Latham Farms, on Friday, November 6th at 7:15 am and returns, Sunday, November 8th at 9:00 pm.
Stops to include the Vermont Country Store, NH Liquor & Wine Outlet, King Arthur Baking Co., Wine Tasting at Seven Birches Winery, The Christmas Loft, Settlers Green Outlets & Merrimack Premium Outlets
Accommodations provided by Hampton Inn and Suites, North Conway. A complimentary breakfast Is included with your stay.
Cost per person (based on room occupancy) – Double: $395/person or Triple: $345/person.
The fee includes the bus, hotel, driver’s tip, wine tasting and dinner Friday & Saturday night. Limited spaces available.
For more information or to reserve your space, please contact Michelle at 518-590-6781 or mhouser35@nullaol.com.
Golf Tourney to Benefit Alzheimers
CAPITAL DISTRICT – More than 20 million Americans are living with or caring for someone with Alzheimer’s. Each of us know someone whose life has been affected by this terrible disease. It has certainly had a profound impact on my family. We invite you to come support the cause and join us for a great day of golf to help raise awareness and find a cure. Details: September 25th at the Burden Lake Country club, $110 per person. 4-person scramble, shotgun start, food and drink included. Contact Keith Stay at keith.j.stay@nullgmail.com or 518.944.7288 for registration information. If you represent a business, sponsorships are also available: $100 Tee, $250 Cart, $500 meal, we will create signage or use yours. All entry fees and sponsorships are tax deductible. Burden Lake CC is well equipped to make the event safe and fun. Get your foursome together and we’ll see you there!
The Kiwanis Club of Sand Lake Fundraising Drive
SAND LAKE – The Kiwanis Club of Sand Lake is supporting a charity fundraising drive within the Averill Park Central School District to benefit the Capital Region’s Ronald Mc Donald House. The fundraising drive has been extended until February 28th since schools have not been in session for over four months. The goal remains to collect enough pull tabs from soda, beer, soups and pet food cans to fill a school bus!
We ask that parents of our school children and other interested citizens join this effort by removing and collecting as many pull tabs as possible during the months ahead and while schools remain closed take them to the Town Clerk’s office at Sand Lake Town Hall. When schools reopen all collected pull tabs may again be dropped off at the office of one of our three elementary schools, the Algonquin Middle School’s office or to the office at the Averill Park High School.
Please join us to help the Ronald McDonald House as it continues to offer a haven of comfort, love, hope and support – free of charge – for critically ill children and their families. Thank you.