Sunday April 28, 2024 
New From Averill Park CSD
The New York State School Boards Association recognizes October 17-21 as School Board Recognition Week. It takes strong schools to build a strong community, and these men and women devote countless hours to making sure our schools are helping every child learn at a high level. Thank you to Board of Education members Jacqueline Geraci, Samantha Hicks (Vice President), Douglas Kelley, Meghan McGarry, Ann Morone, Adam Stewart and Jessica Zweig (President)!
Congratulations to the varsity golf team for winning the program’s first-ever Section 2, Class B championship! Team members David Mooradian, Josh Durocher and Bryce Gaydushek all posted scores that landed them in the Top 10 at the match.
Thank you to our local fire departments and its volunteers who visited all three Elementary Schools during Fire Prevention Week. Students learned about fire safety, had the chance to speak with firefighters, and got to tour the fire trucks.
As always, for the latest news from the District, please visit our website – averillpark.k12.ny.us. You can also follow AP on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Submitted by Dr. James Franchini, Averill Park CSD Superintendent
Rensselaer Elks Lodge #2073 Hosts Young Chefs
Rensselaer Elks Lodge #2073 held a Master Chef Junior cooking event for two lucky local aspiring chefs.
Dan Raymond of Zachary’s Pastry Shoppe in Rensselaer, NY served as the judge for the event. Dan competed on the Food Network’s Holiday Baking Championship in 2018.
He offered ideas and feedback and whipped up a delicious dessert for the children and audience. The Lodge gave each chef cooking tools and equipment and obtained tickets for the participants and their families to see a real live Master Chef competition.
Averill Parl Art Exhibition at Faith Mills
Erie, Eerie, Aerie, Weird, Wired & Wild – Art at the Border of Strange is an exhibit of the work of 30 artists from the local community and the international community of artists who have been resident at Arts Letters & Numbers.
The opening, October 26 from 6 to 9 is free, all are welcome. 1548 Burden Lake Road, old Faith Mills building, second floor, Averill Park. Viewing after that evening by appointment, Diane DeBlois, at aGatherin@nullyahoo.com
Eagle Award
Troop 41 of East Greenbush is proud to announce the award of Eagle, Scouting’s Highest award, to Alexander Manning. Alex did trail repair, markings and building a kiosk to identify the trails at the East Greenbush Town Park as his project.
Shown in the picture are Scoutmasters’ Bret McIntyre, Jeff Morris, Dan Farley, Frankie Coonradt and Eagle Alex Manning, the troops 85th Eagle Scout.
Brown Bag Auction
Back after 2 years! On October 22, 2022, the Nassau Resource Center will hold its annual Brown Bag Auction at St. Mary’s Church Hall in Nassau. The auction is the only fund raiser for the food pantry each year. It is a fun and inexpensive event held right in the community. The church hall doors will open at 10:30 a.m.; drawing will begin at 12 noon. Admission is $2.00, and food and drinks will be available. For more information, please call 766-9014.
Refugee Welcome Center seeking playgroup volunteers
The Refugee Welcome Center in Albany is looking for playgroup volunteers. We have a playgroup for preschoolers while their moms are in English class. You just need to like little kids, no education required. Our program starts back up in September. You can volunteer 1 or more days a week. It’s only for a couple of hours. If you would like to find out more about this opportunity, please call Kasey at (518) 795-5678.
Capital District Chapter Columbiettes November Meeting
On Sunday, November 6th, 2022, The Capital District Chapter Columbiettes will host their November Chapter Meeting at 1:30 pm at the Waterford Knights of Columbus Council #237 , 76 Grace Street, Waterford, 12188. (Directions 787 exit at Rt 32/N, Cohoes Rd/ Saratoga Street, turn left at Vanderwerken Avenue continue to Grace Street. From the North Rt 32 South to Vanderwerken Avenue continue to Grace Street,).
Capital District Chapter President, Linda Cotch will preside!
The Neil Hook Vocal Music Scholarship
The Festival Celebration Choir will hold a competition for current graduating High School Seniors in the Greater Capital District. The winning applicant will receive a cash prize of $800.00 and will also agree to perform at our Spring concert. Applicants should be attending college in the Fall and continuing their study of music, although not necessarily planning a major or career in music. The cash prize is intended to facilitate the continued study of music.
All written applications must be postmarked by Monday, February 6, 2023.
The auditions for finalists will be held on Sunday afternoon, March 26, 2023. Times to be designated.
In the event of inclement weather, an alternate date will be provided.
Location: The First Lutheran Church, 181 Western Ave., Albany, NY 12203.
Audition selections are to be performed with their own accompanist – pre-recorded accompaniments are not permitted. Two copies of each musical selection are required at the time of audition. The scholarship winner will agree to perform at our Spring concert, and dress rehearsal the day before. Your own accompanist is required for the dress rehearsal and the concert.
Applications are available at the choir’s website: http://www.festivalcelebrationchoir.org
For additional information, please contact Anne Cronin at acronin922@nullgmail.com
The Anchor Food Pantry
In an effort to keep the citizens of the Town of Schodack informed for ways to aid the Anchor Food Pantry in their mission to help others we mention the following to pitch in.
Food donations of canned goods and tolletries can be dropped off at both Castleton Vilage Hall (lobby area) and Town of Schodack Town Hall at the Town Clerk’s offices drop box during regular business hours., Also 6 cent Redemption Center -9J- 550 South St-Rensselaer Ny is accepting bottle/can returns for the Anchor. Just let clerk on duty to credit the Anchor account. As always we thank all for their continued support of the food pantry.
Poestenkill “Bread of Life” Food Pantry
When struggling to purchase enough food to last the month, consider coming to the “Bread of Life” food pantry in Poestenkill.
If you are low income, we are here to help. We are located in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Poestenkill, 772 Route 351, Poestenkill, NY 12140.
Open on the first and third Thursdays of every month from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm both days. Please bring proof of your address in the form of a utility bill or other official documents.
Along with food products, we are offering baby diapers, wipes and food items for infants and toddlers to those who are low income.
We wish to help those in need in and around Poestenkill. You may leave a message at (518) 283-6045. Thank you to all who have donated. If you wish to donate, make checks payable to ELCP and note in the memo “Food Pantry” and mail to ELCP, P.O. Box 167, Poestenkill, NY 12140. We put every dollar to good use.
Hope 7 Food Pantry
TROY – The Hope 7 Food Pantry located at 520 Pawling Avenue, Troy NY serves the East Side of Troy, Wynantskill and North Greenbush.
Pantry Hours: Mon-Fri – 9:30am-11:45am; Thursday – 5pm-7pm. Last Saturday of each month 9:30am-11:45am
What to bring: Proof of residence (Troy’s East Side, North Greenbush, or Wynantskill) – (utility bill to your address in your name). ID’s for each person residing in household.
Free Car Wash with Food Donation on October 22-23
Hoffman Car Wash Bolsters Food Supplies for Local Food Pantries
CAPITAL DISTRICT – For the second time in 2022 and for the 11th consecutive year, the staff at Hoffman Car Wash will be collecting non-perishable food items to support local area food pantries. On Saturday, October 22nd, and Sunday, October 23rd, Hoffman Car Wash will provide a free Ultimate car wash with a food donation.
Hoffman Car Wash has partnered with 17 different food pantries to provide much-needed assistance for families and individuals in need. Each Hoffman location will donate the collected items to a food pantry in its neighborhood.
This year’s pantries include
The Anchor Food Pantry (East Greenbush)
Bethlehem Food Pantry (Delmar)
Captain Community Human Services (Clifton Park)
The Food Pantries of the Capital District (Colonie)
Fulmont Community Action Agency (Amsterdam)
Hope 7 Food Pantry (Troy)
Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless (Albany)
Loaves and Fish Food Pantry (Binghamton)
Northeast Regional Food Bank (Latham)
People’s Place (Kingston)
South Glens Falls Moreau Community Center (Queensbury)
The Wilton Food Pantry (Saratoga)
Franklin Community Center (Saratoga)
Utica Food Pantry (Utica)
Rome Food Pantry (Rome)
Utica Rescue Mission (Utica)
The Salvation Army in Hudson (Hudson)
Suggestions of non-perishable food items to donate include canned meat or fish, canned entrees (stew, ravioli, etc.), canned fruit in juice, canned spaghetti sauce, canned soup, hot or cold cereal, canned 100% juice, and peanut butter and jelly.
To participate, individuals only need to donate one non-perishable food item at any Exterior or Full Service location. A complete list of locations can be found at HoffmanCarWash.com.
The event is part of Hoffman Car Wash’s “Practice Kindness” initiative to spread positivity and goodwill in the communities it serves. In 2022, Hoffman Car Wash has supported Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless (IPH), Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), and the ALS Regional Center. Additionally, Hoffman Car Wash held its first Food Drive in early June and a free wash event for all First Responders and Hospital Personnel on September 11th. Still to come this year, Hoffman will host its annual Veteran’s Day free wash event in November.
Hoffman Car Wash also supports many non-profits and youth organizations through its Helping Hands Fundraising program.
St. Jude the Apostle Knights of Columbus Bottle & Can Donations
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!
FREE Helplines 24/7
ALCOHOLISM, DRUG ABUSE AND PROBLEM GAMBLING 877-846-7369 or Text 467369.
CHILD ABUSE is when a person does serious physical injury, creates a substantial risk of serious physical injury or engages in sex with a child in their care and when a caregiver allows someone else to abuse the child in their care in a similar manner. 518- 474-8740.
CRISIS FOR FOOD, HEALTH, HOUSING, HUMAN TRAFFICKING, EMPLOYMENT AND TRANSPORTATION: For non-emergency help for paying your bills or to help someone, get the most up-to-date information by calling United Way 3-digit number -211.
DOMESTIC ABUSE of an intimate partner is ‘ridiculing, humiliating, putdowns, isolating, manipulating, ordering, intimidating, threatening, beating, sexual coercion and controlling money’. The abused person, family member or friend can anonymously call one or more of these agencies: Unity House 518-272-2370; Equinox 518-432-7865; St. Peter’s Crime Victim Services 518-271-3257; YWCA NENY 518-374-3386; Wellspring 518-584-8188; National Domestic Violence Hotline 800-799-7233.
HELPING YOUNG PEOPLE WITH RELATIONSHIPS: Dating, personal safety and supporting others. 866-331-9474 or Text ‘LOVEIS’ to 22522.
HUMAN TRAFFICKING: Human trafficking crime occurs when a trafficker uses fraud or coercion against a person to solicit labor or engage in commercial sex acts. If the person engaged in commercial sex is under 18 years, it is a crime even when force, fraud, or coercion is not used. 888-373-7888 or Text 233733.
SEXUAL ASSAULT: Eight out of 10 sexual assaults are committed by someone who knows the victim. Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network 800-656.4673; Albany County sexual assault hotline 518-447-7716.
SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE offers confidential crisis and prevention resources for people in distress and their loved ones. Call 988 or 800-273-8255.
Newly Diagnosed with Parkinson’s? Consider Attending PD SELF – Parkinson’s Self-Efficacy Learning Forum
CAPITAL DISTRICT – A national program being offered in Albany. The program provides people newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s with an in-depth understanding of the disease and the tools to manage it with confidence. There is no cost to attend. Registration is required. Space is limited. Care partners are encouraged to attend.
This year the program, starting in September, has been adapted to be fully online. Find out more at www.cdparkinsons.org/pd-self
Knocking out Alzheimer’s
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.
If you can’t drop off, contact us we will even pick up!
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
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