Saturday April 27, 2024 
Abel Brown: A Sand Lake Conversation
On Tuesday February 8th, the Sand Lake Historical Society will feature “Abel Brown: Pastor, Abolitionist, Radical – A Conversation”, Presented by Peter Finn.
Elder Abel Brown has been called “the forgotten abolitionist” and “John Brown before John Brown was John Brown.” He was a newspaper publisher, a widely traveled and well-known temperance preacher and anti-slavery speaker, a leader in the radical Liberty Party, principal agent of the Eastern New York Anti-Slavery Society, and a key Underground Railroad figure. He has been credited with assisting “over 100” (and reportedly “up to 1,000”) escaped former slaves to freedom. And, for a time in the mid-1840s, he was pastor of the Sand Lake Baptist Church. Come find out about more this remarkable man and his time here in Rensselaer County. Peter Finn is a Trustee of the Sand Lake Historical Society. His article, “Rensselaer County Industrialist Albert Fox: A Short Bio,” was published November 10th in the New York Almanack.
SLHS monthly programs are open to the public and are held monthly at the Sand Lake Town Hall Courtroom, 8428 NY 66, Averill Park, beginning at 7 pm. COVID protocols are as determined by the Town for the use of their facility (masks are currently required). SLHS programs are also simulcast on Spectrum Channel 1303 and archived video can be accessed at the SLHS website (http://sandlakehistory.org). New members are always welcomed. Like us on Facebook or visit Sandlakehistory.org. Any questions, call 518-527-9926, Jackie Tremont, President.
CASTLETON BOAT CLUB
Spring 2022 History Lecture Series
92 South Main Street, Castleton, NY 12033
Join local historians and USCG Licensed Captains at the Castleton Boat Club for an informative and enjoyable series on Castleton and Hudson River history. Admission fee of $5 per person. Light refreshments provided prior to the lecture. NYS COVID guidelines will be respected.
Friday, February 25, 6:30-8:00 PM – A Trip Down Memory Lane: Historical photographs of Castleton and Schodack. A large, private collection of antique photographs from the Peter Family. In this well-researched presentation, Chris Peter gives anecdotes and context to the images of a younger Castleton on the shore of the Hudson.
Friday, March 25, 6:30-8:00 PM – Ice Harvesting Industry on the Hudson and in the Northeast: Tom Ragosta is the City of Watervliet Historian, and curator of the Watervliet Historical Society Museum. He has studied the Ice Harvesting industry of the Northeast. This presentation focuses on the methods and techniques used on the Upper Hudson.
Friday, April 22, 6:30-8:00 PM – The Industrial age of the Upper Hudson: Join Rensselaer County Historian, Kathy Sheehan, for an in-depth look at the industries and businesses on the shores of the Upper Hudson. These are the industries that built the Capital District.
Friday, May 27, 6:30-8:00 PM – Steamboats of the Hudson River: Captain Stanley Wilcox is the author of the full-color book “HUDSON: FROM TROY TO THE BATTERY”. He is a USCG licensed captain and has worked the river for many years. In this presentation he looks at the boats that brought Albany and Manhattan together during the age of Steam Power.
For more information, or to preregister, call 518-708-7995 or email laurawhiterivers@nullgmail.com
Capital Region Social Happenings December 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. Be prepared to show your vaccination card as well as provide your phone number for contact tracing. Our inside seating is limited. Call 518-452-6883 for more information.
Sunday Night – January 30 at 7 pm: We’re kicking off our first dance of the year with a great DJ. Put on your dancing shoes and be prepare to strut your stuff on the dance floor. Music requests taken. Only $6.
Dining with Diabetes Presented by Cornell Cooperative Extension Albany County
CAPITAL DISTRICT – Mondays, January 31, February 7 and 28th at 6:30pm – Virtual Program via Zoom
Adults with type 2 diabetes (or those who are at risk of type 2 diabetes) and their family members, caregivers, and support persons are invited to participate in Dining with Diabetes. This free virtual program will help you learn the skills needed to promote good health while living with diabetes. Dining with Diabetes is an Extension program taught locally by Karen Roberts Mort, MS of Cornell Cooperative Extension Albany County.
Participants will learn how to read the new food labels, count carbohydrates and plan meals using the Plate Method. There will also be time to discuss ways to stay motivated to eat healthy and stay active during the current health crisis. This class offers opportunities to connect with others who are dealing with diabetes. Healthy recipes, cooking techniques and even ideas for making healthier choices at restaurants and grocery stores will be shared with the group. A Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist has been invited to attend one of the sessions.
Please register here :
https://cornell.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJErf-ygqD4jH9f5xxKk0V3Il8E0bFtmCbCc
in order to get the Zoom link for the series. For help with registering or any questions, contact Karen from CCE Albany at kem18@nullcornell.edu or leave a message at 518-765-3552.
Johnny Rabb 1/29 postponed
The Sons of the American Legion in Wynantskill regret we must postpone our annual Johnny Rabb concert which had been scheduled for Saturday, January 29th.
We will announce a new date in the spring, once we have one confirmed. If you have purchased tickets and would like a refund, or have any other questions, please call Bill McGuirk at 518-441-0130. We thank you for your understanding, and continued support!
Kiwanis Club of Sand Lake 3rd Annual Ice Fishing Tournament on Burden Lake
AVERILL PARK – February 12, 2022 at Kay’s Pizza at Burden Lake. Registration: 5:00am – 11:00am. Tournament: 6:00am-2:00pm. 50/50 Drawing & Prizes: 3:00pm at Kay’s. 50/50 Raffle, 50/50 Bounty pool for largest Northern! Door Prizes, Food Truck on Site!!! Entry Fee: Adults: $15; Kids 15 & Under Free.
Adult Categories: 1st $125.00 / 2nd $50.00 / 3rd $25.00. Northern Pike/Pickerel, Perch, Crappie. Walleye: Biggest Only / $100.00.
Kids Categories: Plaques and Prizes (15 & Under). Northern Pike/Pickerel: 1st, 2nd, 3rd. Perch: 1st, 2nd, 3rd. Crappie: 1st, 2nd, 3rd
Registration, Food Truck, Weigh-Ins, Rest Rooms, Prizes will all take place at Kay’s Pizza. Call Wayne with questions (518) 698-9623.
Extension Holds “Spring Garden Day”
RENSSELAER COUNTY – Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rensselaer County will hold its 24th annual “Spring Garden Day” virtually, on Saturday, March 12. Using Zoom, the cloud-based video communications format, we’ll have a webinar-type program from 9:45 AM to Noon. Garden designer, consultant and writer Robert Clyde Anderson will discuss how to revolutionize your garden in his talk, “Perennial Planting The New Wave Way.” For friends of trees and shrubs, Fred Breglia, Executive Director of the Landis Arboretum, will talk about “Promoting Plant Health Through Proper Pruning.” A great selection of garden-related door prizes will be given away. You’ll need to download the free Zoom app to participate. For registration information, visit http://ccerensselaer.org/ or contact Cornell Cooperative Extension at (518)272-4210 or mmp74@nullcornell.edu