Monday April 29, 2024 
Stephentown Lighted Parade
STEPHENTOWN – Kick off the holiday season with the Stephentown Lighted Parade and Tree Lighting on Saturday, November 27.
Join Santa and Mrs. Claus by decorating a tractor, side-by-side, float, fire truck, or car with lights and parade through town from Stephentown Fire Hall to the Veterans Park. Or line the streets to watch the parade! The parade steps off at 5:30 PM.
The parade will culminate with the Annual Tree Lighting at the Veterans Park at 6 PM followed by carols, cookies, and cocoa.
If you’re interested in participating in the lighted parade, register by November 20 at https://bit.ly/stephentownparade.
Bill Staines in Concert at Sand Lake Center for the Arts
SAND LAKE – For more than forty years, Bill has traveled back and forth across North America, singing his songs and delighting audiences at festivals, folksong societies, colleges, concerts, clubs, and coffeehouses. Well into his fifth decade as a folk performer, he has gained an international reputation as a gifted songwriter and performer. Singing mostly his own songs, he has become one of the most popular and durable singers on the folk music scene today, performing nearly 200 concerts a year and driving over 65,000 miles annually. He weaves a blend of gentle wit and humor into his performances and one reviewer wrote, “He has a sense of timing to match the best standup comic.” Saturday, Nov. 27 at 8pm. $18. Purchase your tickets today at slca-ctp.org.
Holiday Book Bonanza
East Greenbush – To all children’s book lovers: Meet several authors and find a special book for your loved ones at the Holiday Book Bonanza Nov. 27 (Small Business Saturday). Visit the Country Trunk, 705 Columbia Tpk, East Greenbush, NY 11a-4p and shop local in the holiday spirit for children’s books and other gifts. Get your books signed, enjoy complimentary gift wrapping, as well as a warm beverage and treat. Give the gift of reading! For more info, contact cath.zampier@nullgmail.com
65th Annual Greens Show at The Hart Cluett Mansion
TROY – This year, the Van Rensselaer Garden Club is delighted to announce the 65th Annual Greens Show! 12 rooms inside the Marble House at the Hart Cluett Museum, 57 Second Street, Downtown Troy, will be decorated for the holidays with a Children’s Holiday Storybooks theme.
The event takes place Thursday, December 2 from 12pm-8pm and Friday to Sunday, December 3-5 from 12pm-5pm. Tickets are $15 for adults and free for children16 and under. Holiday gift shop, handmade decorated wreaths & creative expressions arrangements will be available daily. Room decor & tree sales also available. Masks required. Visit www.hartcluett.org for purchase and additional information. 518-272-7232 ext 18.
Capital Region Social Happenings November Event and Concert Series
CAPITAL DISTRICT – https://www.facebook.com/CapitalRegionSocial – CapRegSocialHappenings@nullgmail.com. Friday Night Events at 7 pm – Picnic at noon at 435 New Karner Road (Hanover Square Building) at “Hill” door entrance. Open to the public. Inside seating is limited. $12 pp and that includes beverages and snacks. Plenty of free parking. Handicap accessible.CDC & COVID compliant. Masks required on everyone. Call 518-452-6883 for more information.
Friday Night – December 3: SPECIAL OPEN HOUSE EVENT FOR ALL — The event starts at 5:30 pm with finger foods and meet the Board in our newly renovated Community Room and Stage. DON “THE SOUL MAN” HYMAN returns to our stage to entertain us with music and stories at 7 pm.
Salvation Army Bell Ringing in Memory of Christopher Bascom
EAST GREENBUSH – Once again family and friends of Christopher Bascom will be ringing the Salvation Army bells in his memory from 10 am – 8 pm Wednesday, Dec 1, at the Walmart in East Greenbush. Christopher would have been 35 this December 1 had his life not been cut short by a drunk, hit and run driver when he was 16 and a junior at Columbia High School. CHS students have also rung the bells in Chris’ memory all these years and will be manning the kettles this year on Sat., Dec. 4, from 9 am -1 pm.
Because Christopher was such a caring, giving, and compassionate boy who always strived to make others happy, it is fitting to honor his memory by having donations made to a group which shares his values. While the Salvation Army works year ‘round to assist people in need, its Red Kettle efforts at Christmas time help focus on such needs.
Contributions may be put in the red kettles or sent directly to the Salvation Army Troy Corps, 410 River St., Troy, NY 12180. You can write on the memo line, “Christopher Bascom”.
Submitted by: Janice G. Newport, Christopher’s maternal grandmother
Bring the Christmas Season to Light!
NORTH GREENBUSH – Join us as we celebrate Saint Nicholas Day on Saturday, December 4 beginning at 3 pm at the Blooming Grove Reformed Church off Rte. 4 in North Greenbush. Holiday treats will be given out to all the children, stories will be told, songs will be sung and the Christmas lights on the parsonage front lawn will be lit! And it is rumored that Sinterklaas, better known as old Saint Nick himself will be stopping by to say hi! To keep our celebration COVID compliant, we ask that you drive into the main parking lot of the church to receive a treat for the children and park either in the church parking lot or across the street in the CDTA parking lot.
Covid Booster Clinic
STEPHENTOWN – The Stephentown Seniors will sponsor a COVID Booster Clinic on Saturday, December 4 from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm at the Stephentown Town Hall. The Clinic will be coordinated by Hannaford Pharmacy. Dr. Heather Govel PharmD, registered pharmacist and certified immunizing pharmacist will be the primary contact for all scheduling needs.
All three COVID vaccines will be available. Appointments only. Services provided by Hannaford Pharmacy. The Clinic is open to the public and recipients do not have to be Stephentown residents.
To register and for information, contact Dr. Govel at stephentownclinics@nullgmail.com or by phone or text at 518-281-4030. (Text preferred; calls may be accepted but response time will be longer.)
Church of the Covenant Christmas Bazaar
AVERILL PARK – The Church of the Covenant UM in Averill Park will host our annual Christmas Bazaar from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, December 4. Come visit the more than a dozen handcraft, gift and food shops designed for all of your holiday shopping. You will notice some changes this year in keeping with COVID safety measures. We respectfully request that only fully vaccinated persons (excluding boosters) attend the event. Masks will be required for ages 3 and up and we will maximize distancing throughout the bazaar. Masks for adults and children will be available.
On the main level, visit The Doll Boutique, the Pet Corner, Collectibles, the Country Store, Handcrafts & Decorations, Holiday Greenery and Religious Items. The COC Cafe will offer a variety of food items to eat in or take out. Satisfy your sweet tooth with goodies from the Sweet Shoppe. Downstairs will be entirely devoted to the Kids Only store where children can shop for gifts for family and friends. The Church of the Covenant, also known as “The Round Church,” is located at 3055 NY 43 in the center of Averill Park.
Holiday Bazaar at the The North Chatham United Methodist Church
NORTH CHATHAM – On December 4th The North Chatham United Methodist Church will host a Holiday Bazaar from 10 AM to 3 PM, sponsored by the United Methodist Women of the North Chatham and Grace (Nassau) churches. The church is located at 4274 Route 203 in the hamlet of North Chatham. There will be a nice variety of vendors and this is a great chance to do some Christmas shopping locally! Quarts of soup and a bake sale will be available and all proceeds will go to Mission Projects. For more information on the North Chatham UMC, please call 518-766-3535 or visit their website (northchathammethodistchurch.org). For more information on the Grace UMC, please call 518-766-9628 or e-mail Pastor Marquit at revberdan@nullaol.com. Thanks, and we hope to see you on December 4th!
4th Annual East Greenbush Town and Emergency Services Holiday Parade!
EAST GREENBUSH – Hosted by: The Town of East Greenbush, Bruen Rescue Squad, Becker’s Farm, Best Luther Fire Department, Clinton Heights Fire Department, East Greenbush Fire Department, East Greenbush Police. Saturday December 4, 2021 at 5:30 PM. Parade route: Start at Wyatt Circle on Phillips Road, traveling north on Phillips, left onto Columbia Turnpike and ending at Becker’s Farm for an outdoor meet and greet with SANTA, followed by a Fireworks display by Santore’s Fireworks!
Giant Model Train Show
ALBANY – December 5th: “Great Train Extravaganza™.” The original and largest model train event in the Capital Region. Empire State Convention Center. 10AM – 4PM. $7 adults, children under 12 free. Operating layouts most scales. 300+ tables: model trains, parts, train sets, buildings, craftsman kits, accessories, electronics, scenery, books, DVDs, prints, railroad memorabilia. Educational and NMRA displays. Switching puzzle. Roaming Railroad and giant Legos layout for the kids and grandkids. Door prizes. www.gtealbany.com, (518) 727-2009, trains@nullgtealbany.com.
Grafton Trail Blazers Snowmobile Club Landowner Appreciation Dinner
AVERILL PARK – Wednesday, December 15, 2021 at 6 p.m. Lakeview Restaurant, Averill Park, NY -All Landowners and their families are invited free of charge. There will be a cocktail hour at 6 with a brief meeting of the club to update everyone. Dinner served at 7 p.m. (Buffet) There will be prizes given, $100.00 cash and gift baskets donated by the club. Please RSVP via Facebook or call our treasurer; Samantha Robitaille at 518-258-8311 All club members are also invited to attend the cost pp is $30.00 RSVP by December 6. Without our landowners, we would not have trails beyond the State parks. THANKYOU!
North Greenbush Christmas Parade
NORTH GREENBUSH – Santa and his helpers are coming to the Town of North Greenbush and you’re invited! Our annual Christmas Parade will be held on Saturday, December 11, 2021 at 6pm. The parade kicks off from St. Jude’s Church, proceeding down Brookside Ave to Main Ave to Town Hall where the streets will be lined with excited children and families to see the magic of the season come alive. This will be our biggest and brightest Christmas Parade ever. After the parade, we will start a new tradition with the lighting of our first Starry Night Memorial Christmas Trees. Come meet Santa and enjoy an evening filled with magic and memories. If you have a business that would be interested in participating in having a float in the parade, please contact the Town Supervisor’s office at (518) 283-5313, Ext 5. Hope to see you there.
North Greenbush Starry Night Memorial Christmas Trees
NORTH GREENBUSH – The Town of North Greenbush is starting a new tradition called the “Starry Night” Memorial Christmas Trees. Remember your loved one by ordering a Starry Night Tree. The field next to town hall will be filled with beautiful fresh cut Christmas trees supplied by the town. Purchase a tree for $50 which includes the tree, electricity and sign and you will provide your own LED lights and decorations in memory of your loved one. On Saturday, December 11, 2021 the trees will be lit following our town Christmas Parade. Checks made payable to the Town of North Greenbush to reserve your tree and is open to North Greenbush residents first. Please contact Deputy Town Supervisor Kelly Hoffman at khoffman@nullnorthgreenbush.org for additional information or by calling her at (518) 283-5313, Ext 5. Because this is our first year, we are starting out with a limited amount of trees and hope to see this grow over the years, so please order yours today.
Yuletide Carols
ALBANY – Yuletide Carols being sung by Festival Celebration CHOIR. Sunday, December 12, 2021 3:00pm at First Lutheran Church, 181 Western Avenue, Albany NY.Admission FREE. Donations VERY welcome.