Monday April 29, 2024 
Back to Home Basics Webinar Series
RENSSELAER COUNTY – Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rensselaer County is pleased to announce a four week webinar series under the umbrella of “Back to Home Basics”. This free series is designed to introduce participants from the comfort of their own homes new techniques to live better and more sustainably. This series will have something for everyone! Below are the dates and workshops:
September 24th – Basics of Canning and Myths – Learn how to enjoy your home grown or locally grown bounty year round. – Register today at Link –
https://cornell.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_cOxPOGk9QUeM4mLMkNGSEw
October 1st – Mask Accessories and More – Strategies for maximizing fit, accessorizing, general care, cleaning and more will be explored with youth in mind.
October 8th – Composting – Learn how to recycle food and yard waste into “Black Gold” for your gardens and decrease what you send to the land fill.
October 15th – Dyken Pond – How to Find Wild Life – Participants will learn how to sleuth out wild life and gain a new understanding of their super powers such as “owl eyes”, “deer ears” and “fox feet”
Plan on attending one or all of these free sessions. Registration links for October 1st, 8th and 15th will be available on our website at ccerensselaer.org, CCE Rensselaer County FB as the dates get closer. For more questions about the above workshops please email rensselaer@nullcornell.edu or call at 518-272-4210.
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.
HVCC hosts motivational speaker Damon West
TROY – All are welcome to join a live, virtual event on Thursday, Oct. 1 with Damon West, author of “The Change Agent: How a Former College QB Sentenced to Life in Prison Transformed His World.” The presentation from noon to 1 p.m. will be shared via Zoom. Visit www.hvcc.edu/culture for registration details.
As a teenager, Damon West was the “all-American kid” – a natural born leader, athletic and charming with a stable, loving home. So, he had other options when his Division I football career was cut short by injury. But he also used illicit drugs trying to bury a memory of childhood sexual abuse. While a young stockbroker for United Bank of Switzerland, West got hooked on methamphetamines. He ultimately found himself serving a 65-year prison sentence, where a chance discussion with another inmate sparked a revelation that motivated West to turn his life around. He published his autobiography just three years after his release from a Texas maximum-security prison.
Today, West is a motivational speaker. In addition to his autobiography, he is co-author of the best-seller “The Coffee Bean: A Simple Lesson to Create Positive Change” with Jon Gordon. He holds a M.S. degree in Criminal Justice and teaches at the University of Houston (Texas) Downtown.
West’s appearance at Hudson Valley Community College is co-sponsored by the Cultural Affairs Program and Athletics Department. Time will be allotted for Q&A.
Visit www.hvcc.edu/culture for a full schedule of spring 2020 cultural events.
Please call 518-629-8071 or email d.gardner@nullhvcc.edu for more information.
Nassau Village Wide Garage Sale
NASSAU – The Annual Village Wide Garage Sale will take place October 3, 2020 (rain or shine) 9 am-2 pm
Fire Prevention & Open House
BRUNSWICK – Sunday, October 4, 2020. 11:00 am – 1:00 PM – Location: Brunswick Fire Co No 1 Firehouse, 566 Hoosick Road, Brunswick, NY. Mask Required. Social Distancing.
Sand Lake Historical Society
SAND LAKE – Join the Sand Lake Historical Society Oct. 13 at 7pm for Historic Roads and the Shaping of Our Town with Diane DeBlois and Robert Dolton Harris (their business -”aGathering” based in West Sand Lake) at the Sand Lake Town Courtroom. Learn the connection between the US Post Office and our roads in Sand Lake/Rensselaer County. Covid-19 protocols will be followed. Masks required. Capacity limited. To attend, call ahead to 518-527-9926. Like us on Facebook or go to Sandlakehistory.org
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.
NYS Youth Snowmobile Safety Course Offered
GRAFTON – On Saturday, December 5, 2020 the Grafton Trail Blazers Snowmobile Club and Grafton Lakes State Park will host a snowmobile safety course for young people ages 10 to 18. Students must be at least 10 years old on the day of the course to attend. Parents are encouraged to stay and participate. The course will be held at the Grafton VFW/Fire Hall at 581 South Road from 8:15am to approximately 4:30pm. The course will be taught by NYS certified volunteer instructor Jim Blessing. Topics covered include NYS laws and regulations, riding skills, trail emergencies, protecting the environment, maintenance and repair, and trailering.
To register, email Grafton Lakes State Park at graftonlakessp@nullparks.ny.gov with the parent and student’s first and last name, student age, and your phone number. Adults are encouraged to attend as well so please let us know if a parent will be accompanying the child. Space is limited, so no walk-ins please. The course is free of charge. Please bring your own bagged lunch and snacks to enjoy. Please note that masks are required for all participants to limit the spread of COVID-19 and symptom screening will take place at program sign-in.
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.