Monday April 29, 2024 
Historical Calendars Available
NORTH GREENBUSH – The 2021 North Greenbush Historical Calendar is now available for purchase. It contains old time pictures including Tess Alber’s Restaurant, Jordan’s Ice Cream Dairy in Defreestville, Snyder’s Lake photos and many others. The calendars are still only $10 and are available at the Town Clerk’s office in Wynantskill (283-4306) for pick up or mailed from the Town Clerk’s office for $12.00. Checks should be made out to the Town of North Greenbush. Town Historian Jim Greenfield in Defreestville (265-4254).
More than 1,900 SUNY Oneonta Students Named to Fall 2020 Dean’s List
ONEONTA, NY – A total of 1,938 SUNY Oneonta students earned Dean’s List honors for the fall 2020 semester. To qualify for the Dean’s List, a student must earn a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher while carrying a course load of 12 hours or more.
Area students include:
Kate Aluise of Castleton on Hudson (12033)
Ryan Baker of Wynantskill (12198)
Isabelle Bollman of Rensselaer (12144)
Annalise Burdick of Rensselaer (12144)
Lia Casale of Troy (12180)
Reegan Caulfield of Troy (12182)
Hadley Chan of Sand Lake (12153)
Mark Dearstyne of Wynantskill (12198)
James Driscoll of Troy (12180)
Mae Endres of Rensselaer (12144)
QunLi Fan of Troy (12180)
Hunter Galvin of Schaghticoke (12154)
John Giannone of Sand Lake (12153)
Ashley Gwin of Valley Falls (12185)
Sam Haita of Stephentown (12168)
Lucas Harland of West Sand Lake (12196)
Abby Haskin of Troy (12180)
Julia Haworth of Wynantskill (12198)
Laurel Hay of Castleton (12033)
Emily Hogan of Wynantskill (12198)
Haley Honsinger of Troy (12180)
Justine Katras of Rensselaer (12144)
Brooke Keefer of Troy (12182)
Catherine LaPorta of Rensselaer (12144)
Ariel Loucks of Averill Park (12018)
Aubrey Mahar of Hoosick Falls (12090)
Julia Manny of Averill Park (12018)
Danielle Muth of Wynantskill (12198)
Lauren Obermayer of East Greenbush (12061)
Alexander Pomykaj of Castleton On Hudson (12033)
Todd Scaccia of Nassau (12123)
Andrew Stevens of Hoosick Falls (12090)
Ryan Stuto of Castleton on Hudson (12033)
Amelia Wilson of Averill Park (12018)
SUNY Oneonta is a public, four-year college in Central New York, enrolling about 6,000 students in a wide variety of bachelor’s degree programs and several graduate certificate and degree programs. The college is known as both an exemplary residential campus that values inclusion, service and sustainability, and a nurturing community where students grow intellectually, thrive socially and live purposefully. Visit https://suny.oneonta.edu/
News from Averill Park CSD
AVERILL PARK – APHS sophomores who are part of Girl Scout Troop 1260 wrote more than 25 letters to women in public office as part of a “Take Action Project.” The group started the letter-writing campaign to make their voices heard and bring stories of their passions to those in office. Great job by Emma Hanlon, Gwen Jamison, Isla Multunas and Isabelle Relyea!
Congratulations to Lauren Paris and Sarah Wallace for being named Suburban Council Doubles Tennis All-Stars. Great season ladies!
Sophomore Tyler Michaels created a holiday lights recycling project and collected enough lights to fill two pickup trucks. Working with Boy Scouts, Tyler’s project helped raise money which went to the Toys for Tots program. Well done Tyler!
Submitted by Dr. James Franchini, Averill Park CSD Superintendent
Mission: Meeting the needs of and creating opportunities for every student every day. #AP_EveryStudentEveryDay
Pamela Collins Named to Fall 2020 Dean’s List at ENMU
PORTALES, NM – Pamela Collins of Rensselaer, NY (12144), has been named to Eastern New Mexico University’s dean’s list for the fall 2020 semester. To be eligible for the dean’s list, a student must complete a minimum of 15 credit hours with a GPA of 3.25 or greater. For more information, contact the Office of Communication Services at merit@nullenmu.edu.
SUNY Potsdam Names Area Students to President’s List
POTSDAM, NY – The State University of New York at Potsdam recently named 1,046 students to the President’s List, in recognition of their academic excellence in the Fall 2020 semester. The SUNY Potsdam students were honored for earning top marks by President Kristin G. Esterberg.
The students included:
Catherine Gagnon of Rensselaer, NY, whose major is Archaeological Studies
Andrew Gorman of Wynantskill, NY, whose major is Music Education
Jacob Hernandez of East Greenbush, NY, whose major is Music Education
Braden Jarosz of Schaghticoke, NY, whose major is Musical Studies
Molly Mann of Rensselaer, NY, whose major is Psychology
Sydney Miller of Hoosick Falls, NY, whose major is Exercise Science
Maeve Morrissey of Averill Park, NY, whose major is Exercise Science
Cameron Newman of Rensselaer, NY, whose major is Music Education
Rishi Ramsingh of East Schodack, NY, whose major is Music Performance
Anita Reitano of Averill Park, NY, whose major is Childhood/Early Childhood Education
Phoebe Reuther of Troy, NY, whose major is Music Education
Haley Surprenant of Sand Lake, NY, whose major is Music Education
Zian Taylor of Troy, NY, whose major is Music Performance
To achieve the honor of being on the President’s List, each student must have satisfactorily completed 12 numerically-graded semester hours, with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.
Local Students Named to Castleton University Dean’s List for Fall 2020
CASTLETON, VT – The following students were named to the Castleton University Dean’s List for the fall semester of the 2020-21 academic year. To qualify for this academic honor, the student must maintain full-time status and a semester grade point average of 3.5.
Christopher Ciccarelli (Schaghticoke, NY); Michael Gonyea (Rensselaer, NY).
Castleton University Fall 2020 President’s List
CASTLETON, VT – The following local students were named to the Castleton University President’s List for the fall semester of the 2020-21 academic year. To qualify for this highest academic honor, students must maintain full-time status and a semester grade point average of 4.0.
April Myers (Eagle Bridge, NY); David Wingate (East Greenbush, NY).
Muhlenberg College Announces Students Named to Fall 2020 Dean’s List
ALLENTOWN, PA – Congratulations to the Muhlenberg College students and Muhlenberg College School of Continuing Studies students who were named to the Dean’s List for the Fall 2020 semester.
Students with a term GPA of 3.50 or higher were recognized for this academic achievement.
Local students include: Allison Knapp of Rensselaer (12144); Kyle Norton of Johnsonville (12094).
Local Student Inducted into SUNY Delhi Honor Society
DELHI, NY – Olivia Bransky of Nassau is among forty-seven students who were inducted into SUNY Delhi’s chapter of the Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society last spring. The ceremony was cancelled due to COVID-19, but membership certificates were sent to the students’ homes last summer. Phi Eta Sigma is a national honor society recognizing academic achievements of full-time college students who attain a cumulative GPA 3.50 or higher during their college careers.
Marissa Anderson Named to SNHU Dean’s List
MANCHESTER, NH – Marissa Anderson of Rensselaer (12144) has been named to Southern New Hampshire University’s fall 2020 Dean’s List. Eligibility for the Dean’s List requires that a student accumulate an academic grade point average (GPA) of 3.5-3.699 and earn 12 credits for the semester.
SUNY Canton Announces Fall 2020 President’s List Honors
CANTON, NY (01/15/2021)– SUNY Canton President Zvi Szafran recognizes students who earned a 3.75 or greater GPA during the fall 2020 semester.
“The entire college is proud of your academic accomplishments,” Szafran said. “You have proven that you can overcome obstacles and succeed in the face of the ongoing pandemic. Please remember the steps you took on your way to this achievement with pride, as they’ll benefit you in your future endeavors.”
A complete list of all honor students runs on www.canton.edu.
Students who earned President’s List honors include:
Isabella Coleda, a SUNY Canton Funeral Services Administration major from Castleton On Hudson, NY (12033).
Heather Daoust, a SUNY Canton Criminal Investigation major from Castleton On Hudson, NY (12033).
Amanda E. Garrigan, a SUNY Canton Health Care Management major from East Nassau, NY (12062).
Jessica Alessi named to the Gettysburg College Dean’s Honor List
GETTYSBURG, PA -Jessica Alessi of Nassau (12123) has been placed on the Gettysburg College Dean’s Honor list for outstanding academic achievement in the Spring 2020 semester. Students with a quality point average of 3.60 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) for a semester’s work are placed on the College’s Dean’s Honor List.
Maria Sabo makes Dean’s List at Highpoint University
HIGHPOINT, NC – Highpoint University, Highpoint, North Carolina, has announced that Maria Sabo, the daughter of Joshua and Mary Frances Sabo of North Greenbush, has made the Dean’s list for the Fall 2020 semester. Dean’s List students must maintain an average of 3.5 while taking 12 semester hours.
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Fundraising for Student of the Year
EAST GREENBUSH – I am participating in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Students of the Year program as a team member for Columbia Kicks Cancer. Students of the Year is a seven-week competition for high school leaders seeking to make an impact in the fight against cancer. This year, my good friend Taylor O’Brien and I, along with many people from around our community, have decided to start a campaign that will help those fighting cancer.
Our campaign’s goal is to raise $20,000, from January 21 through March 12. We would appreciate any support for our campaign. Make checks payable to Kendra Durivage. Thank you, Chase Durivage
Make a tax-deductible donation to my online fundraising page: https://events.lls.org/uny/unysoy21/cdurivage
Or venmo a donation to @kendra-durivage.
Or send a donation to Chase Durivage at 75 Morgan Road, East Greenbush, NY 12061
Defreestville Fire Department announces officers and appointments for 2021
DEFREESTVILLE – The Defreestville Fire Department announces officers and appointments for the year 2021. They are:
Fire Chiefs: Chief William Burkhart, 1st Assistant Chief Brandon Galligan, 2nd Assistant Chief Charles (Bart) Galligan
Captains: Daniel Sheehan, Philip Sheehan, Jason Strosberg, and Bill Fleming
Lieutenants: Kylie Cotugno, Steve Golden, Erik Hopkins, Brian McCrae, J. Keith Slupski, and Gary Wright.
Fire Company Executive Committee: President, PJ Facteau. Vice President, Erik Denny. Secretary, Jason Christie. Membership Secretary, Robert Ewing. Treasurer, Jason Strosberg.
Thank you all for your commitment to the Defreestville Fire Department!
Guilderland Central High School Class of 1971, 50th Year Reunion
CAPITAL DISTRICT – The Guilderland Central High School class of 1971 50th year reunion committee invites classmates to join us on the weekend of July 23-25, 2021. We have established a website at http://www.guilderland71.com that we are asking you to please join. The details of the great weekend we have planned for us to catch up are located on the site. We’d love to hear your ideas for making this reunion special and fun.
“Bread of Life” Food Pantry Needs Volunteers
POESTENKILL – Do you have 3 hours free time each month to volunteer? The “Bread of Life” food pantry is in need of your 3 hours on our open dates.
The folks we are looking for are young strong persons with the willingness to serve our guests by packing food requests in boxes and carrying the boxes to our guest’s car. This is not easy work and requires strong backs for lifting. Residing near the food pantry location in Poestenkill is a plus as well.
We are open only two times each month on the 1st and 3rd Thursday evenings from 5 pm to 7 pm. You will be indoors packing and outdoors in the fresh air part of the time. Our guests remain in their cars and all of us wear face coverings and we social distance for safety.
If you think you would like to help others and can commit to one or two times a month, please give us a call at (518) 283-6045 and leave your name and phone number. We are a great group of folks and this labor of love gives back tenfold. Thank you for considering sharing some of your time with us.
The food pantry volunteers.
Averill Park Announces Kindergarten Registration for the 2021- 2022 School Year
AVERILL PARK – The Averill Park School District has begun the process of registering boys and girls for the 2021-2022 Kindergarten Classes. If you, or someone you know, has a child who will be five years of age on or before December 1, 2021 please contact the district registrar at 674-7050 extension 7201 to make sure that the child is listed on our school census. This will guarantee that you will receive all upcoming kindergarten information by mail. Registration paperwork will be started online and completed by appointment with the district registrar at the district office at the Averill Park High School during the month of February. Registration hours are Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 3:30 PM. Registration forms are accepted by appointment. All paperwork must be completed by 02-26-2021.
New York State Public Health Law, Section 2164, requires certain immunizations (shots) to enter kindergarten and attend school. Please check with your health care provider as soon as possible to make sure your child has all the needed immunizations. They are listed below.
Required Immunizations for Kindergarten
Immunizations ….. (Number of Doses)
Polio – (4 – 3 dose if 3rd dose received after 4th birthday)
Hepatitis B – (3)
Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis – (5 – 4 dose if 4th dose received after 4th birthday)
Measles/Mumps/Rubella -(2)
Varicella (Chicken Pox) – (2)
Age Requirements – Children who are five years of age on or before December 1, 2021 are eligible to attend Kindergarten this September. As a parent you have an option to enroll your child in school at age five or withhold your child until the school year in which he/she turns six. Children born between 7/1/15 and 6/30/16 must attend kindergarten in the coming school year. Children born between 7/1/16 and 12/1/16 may attend during the 2021-2022 school year or may wait until the following year.
North Greenbush Common School District Announces
NORTH GREENBUSH – Little Red School House Kindergarten Registration – North Greenbush Common School District has opened phone registration for children attending Kindergarten for the 2021-2022 school year. In order for your child to attend Kindergarten, they must be 5 years old on or before December 1, 2021. Parents of children eligible to attend Kindergarten in September must call the District Office at (518) 283-6748 by February 12, 2021.
Attention Marines and Naval Corpsman Past and Present
CAPITAL DISTRICT – The Capt. Wm. Dale O’Brien Marine Corps League Detachment #241 in Albany NY. – Are looking for Marines and Corpsman who want to continue to share the honors and camaraderie that you had while in the corps? Our Detachment is dedicated to helping other marines, their family and fellow veterans. We do it through several programs like the Rose Program, Honor a Vet, visiting home or hospital bond marine or naval corpsman, with our color guard in parades and other ceremonies. We continue to participate in the Toys for Tots program and more. There is also many social activities available such as our Annual Marine Corps Ball, bus trips to Washington DC to clean our monuments and participation in other Veteran events. We ae brothers and sisters supporting each other still!
If any of this sounds like something you would like to be a part , please contact me Fred Gilmore for more information, my cell phone is (518) 258-8125 (call or text), my email is gunny1074@nullaol.com – Semper Fi.
St. Jude the Apostle Knights of Columbus Bottle & Can Donations
WYNANTSKILL – Help Support Local Charities – St. Jude the Apostle Knights of Columbus has teamed up with 6 Center Redemption located at 461 Main Avenue in Wynantskill to accept bottle and can donations that have a NYS deposit.
This is to support local charities and those in need.
• Bring your clean, NYS deposit empties to 6 Center Redemption in Wynantskill.
• Say they are to support the St. Jude the Apostle Knights of Columbus.
• They do the rest, that’s it!
• Thank you for your support!
Team “Knocking Out Alzheimer’s” Bottle Drive, The Fundraising Continues …
WYNANTSKILL/RENSSELAER – Team “Knocking out Alzheimer’s” is partnering with the Alzheimer’s Association. Return your bottles and cans and help the Northeastern New York Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. Through an arrangement with: Six-Center Redemption
Two Locations: 461 Main Ave Wynantskill (Corner of Sharpe and Main Ave) & 550 South Street Rensselaer.
No need to count the cans or bottles, no waiting or standing in lines to feed your cans or bottles into a machine.
The Alzheimer’s Association will receive six cents for every container you donate to the cause. Simply drop off your containers and say: “These are for the Alzheimer’s Association.”
The mission of the Alzheimer’s Association is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. The first survivor of Alzheimer’s is out there, but we won’t get there without you. Join the fight with your bottles & cans! Check us out on face book – Knocking out Alzheimer’s
Poestenkill Area Food Insecurity
POESTENKILL – Any greater Poestenkill area residents currently experiencing temporary or long term food insecurity can turn to The Bread of Life Food Pantry at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Poestenkill for supplemental food assistance. We provide basic nutritional foods and related items the first and third Thursday of each month from 5:00 to 7:00 PM in a very discreet, nonjudgmental manner. We offer drive-thru service where each guest receives a product list to form your order, we then fill your order and bring the completed order back to your vehicle. Delivery service to Poestenkill Seniors unable to visit our Pantry is also available. Please try us, we are here to help. Our phone number is: 518-283-6045 to leave a message. Thank you.
Vaping – Public Service Announcement
CAPITAL DISTRICT – Vaping has become almost more common today then cigarettes. Originally marketed as being more safe than other tobacco products recent events have made it clear that this is not the full story. One study found that those who vape the equivalent to a pack of cigarettes a day had a 70% higher risk of stroke. This is only one of the health risks that can arise from vaping. For more information visit: https://www.narcononnewliferetreat.org/blog/vaping-linked-to-serious-health-problems.html
Addiction Screenings – Narconon can help you take steps to overcome addiction in your family. Call today for free screenings or referrals. 1- 800-431-1754.
Fentanyl – Public Service Announcement
CAPITAL DISTRICT – Fentanyl has been making headlines recently, this is because the incredibly potent chemical has been contributing to the increase in overdose deaths across America. Most people however do not know much about the chemical. For instance many don’t know that one of the things that makes fentanyl so dangerous is the fact that it can be absorbed into the system through skin contact. Meaning getting it on your skin could cause a potentially fatal overdose.
To learn more about Fentanyl visit: https://www.narcononnewliferetreat.org/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-fentanyl.html
Addiction Screenings – Narconon can help you take steps to overcome addiction in your family. Call today for free screenings or referrals. 1- 800-431-1754.
Rensselaer County Recovery Helpline
RENSSELAER COUNTY – 1-833-467-3123 – Do you need help with substance use issues? Are you interested in volunteering for the helpline? The Rensselaer County Recovery Helpline offers information, local resources, and referrals for individuals and their families regarding substance use issues. The toll-free line is available 7 days a week from 9am-9pm. Each volunteer chooses shifts of 4 hours at a time to be on-call. When someone calls the number, a volunteer answers on their own smartphone, and can enter information to a database on their own computer, allowing for easy and quick access to resources. The information is sent to one of the 9 leaders, who will then assist the caller. If you or someone you know needs information, resources, or a referral for a substance use problem, call 1-833-467-3123. For more information, or if you are interested in volunteering, contact Renscohelpline@nullgmail.com
Hudson-Mohawk Search & Rescue is Looking for Volunteers to Join our Team
CAPITAL DISTRICT – If you enjoy being outdoors in the wilderness, working with others to help people, follow directions well and have a willingness to learn, then our SAR team might be for you! Prior knowledge is helpful, but definitely not required as we provide the training. Check out our website at: www.humsar.org for more information.
Search and Rescue Volunteers Needed
CAPITAL DISTRICT – the Tri-State Emergency Team is recruiting volunteers to provide wildland and underwater searches within a 100 mile radius of Waterrford, NY. This includes all aspects of field and underwater search. The Tri-State Emergency Team responds when requested by NYS Forest Rangers and other police agencies throughout New York State, Western Vermont and Massachusetts. We are looking for certified scuba divers, experienced boat handlers, and people who enjoy hiking and the outdoors in general who wish to help people in need. The team will provide training and complete support as needed. Our headquarters is located in Waterford. Applicants need not live in Waterford to volunteer. If interested, please call 518-237-6744 or visit our website at www.tri-stateemergencyteam.org
New York State Commission for the Blind
CAPITAL DISTRICT – The New York State Commission for the Blind (NYSCB) provides free vocational rehabilitation and other services to legally blind New York State residents, including children, adults, and older adults. NYSCB assists participants in achieving economic self-sufficiency and full integration into society. Call toll-free (866) 871-3000 or visit our website: visionloss.ny.gov