Sunday April 28, 2024 
Castleton Girl Scouts Shop to Help Others
Troop 1762 Girl Scouts shopped for food and personal hygiene products for people in need within their community. This is the fifth year in a row that they have purchased food for The Anchor Food Pantry around the Thanksgiving holiday.
This year they also purchased personal hygiene products as part of Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York’s 2022 Sweets & Treats Service Project. These items were donated to veterans at the Albany Stratton VA Medical Center.
Toys For The Anchor Food Pantry Castleton
The Anchor Food Pantry Castleton is in need of toys for kids over 5!
New, unwrapped toys can be dropped off at the Peter Andrews Castleton Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), 105 Scott Ave, Castleton, NY 12033 on Saturday 11/26 11 AM to 3 PM, Wednesday 11/30 3 PM to 7 PM, and Saturday 12/3 11 AM to 3 PM.
Ricardo E. “Rik” Cosgrave, Commander, Email: vfw12033@nullgmail.com, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VFWCastletonNY, Cell Phone: 518-694-2070.
News From Averill Park CSD
The Off-Broadway Players Club put on its Fall performance of “The Single Man” recently. Bravo to everyone for putting together a fabulous show!
Logan Barsalow finished 13th out of 116 runners while Colin Brunelle placed 30th out of 115 runners during the NYSPHSAA Cross Country Championships. Both student-athletes were honored with the Section 2 Sportsmanship Award. Way to go, Logan and Colin!
All three elementary schools have Girls on the Run programs this year with more than 50 students in grades 3-5 participating. Recently, the groups came together to run a practice 5K! Great job, everyone!
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
Ugly Christmas Sweater Party to Benefit Sleep in Heavenly Peace
Saturday, December 10th from 6pm-10pm, The Polish American Club, 507 1st Street, South Troy, will be holding a Benefit for “Sleep in Heavenly Peace”, a group that believes No Child Should Sleep on the Floor, by making and delivering Free bed to kids in need in the Capital District.
Check them out on Facebook! DJ Rocky will be playing the tunes, Hors d’oeuvres & Dessert Bar. $20 Donation at the door. Also, if you bring a kid’s bedding set (twin size) you’ll be included in a $100 Gift Card Raffle. And of course, there will be prizes for the Ugliest Sweater, Basket Raffles and 50/50. Questions call the Polish Club at 518-272-2676.
Consider The Friends of Grafton Lakes State Park on Giving Tuesday, Nov. 29th
Who are the Friends of Grafton Lakes State Park? We are a local organization whose mission it is to support and promote the environmental education and programming offered at Grafton Lakes State Park. We also support the park through various volunteer activities such as event staffing and trail maintenance.
We could use some help in order to continue to offer and support programs within the park.
You can become a friend by going to https://www.friendsofgraftonlakes.org/membership and signing up or you can mail a check payable to: Friends of Grafton Lakes State Park, PO Box 163, Grafton, NY 12082. Please include your name, address and email address. The rates are as follows: Individual $10, Family $15, Students/Seniors $5, Supporting member (silver) $35, Supporting member (gold) $100. You will receive a monthly newsletter and information on volunteering as events become available – volunteering is not mandatory. The Friends is a registered 501(C)(3).
If you would like to be a more active Friend, we would love for you to volunteer with us at one of our events or behind the scenes. You can let us know what you are interested in doing by emailing graftonlakesspvolunteer@nullgmail.com. If you are even more ambitious, we would love to have you consider becoming a docent or a board member by contacting us at friendsofgraftonlakesstatepark@nullgmail.com.
Please consider giving locally this Giving Tuesday. We appreciate any and all help!
Community Caregivers
Community Caregivers, a Nonprofit agency, has continued to expand in Rensselaer County! We have over 50 clients but not enough volunteers to serve all of these nice people. Are you looking to help someone in your community remain living independently with a little assistance from you? We need your help!
Our volunteers can take someone to the doctors, grocery or other errands as well as visiting and calling. We have a simple orientation process. Call Heidi Buono, Rensselaer County Service Coordinator, at (518)366-9173 or Meredith Osta, Volunteer Coordinator, at (518)456-2898, if you would like to volunteer. To learn more or donate to our agency, see Community Caregivers.org.
Bereavement Support Group
Are you struggling with grief? Is this time of year particularly hard for you? The joy of the holidays may be difficult to embrace after the loss of a loved one, and the happiness of others can cause those experiencing grief to feel isolated and alone in their sadness. Albany Diocesan Cemeteries is here to let you know you’re not alone.
This group provides a safe and confidential place for those who are grieving to gather and share their stories, show compassion to one another, and remember loved ones. Interested? Please join us for coffee and conversation.
December 14, 2022 from 10:00 – 11:30 AM at The Living Room Art Gallery at Historic St. Agnes Cemetery, 48 Cemetery Ave. Menands, NY 12204.
There is no fee to attend, but please pre-register with Kelly at (518) 350-7679 or Kelly@nullADCemeteries.org.
May peace and blessings be with you this Holiday season.
Center Brunswick UM Church Announces Financial Scholarship for 2023 Tamarac Graduates
The Finance Committee of the Center Brunswick United Methodist Church has announced that it will award $500 to a student to be selected from the Tamarac High School Class of 2023. The money may be used for any type of expenses related to further education. Students do not have to belong to this Church, any other church or religion to be eligible for this award.
Interested students must apply for this award no later than March 1, 2023. The application can be obtained from the school’s guidance department or from our website at (www.CenterBrunswickUMC.company).
This award is given in memory of Harold and Mabel Keyes through a trust funded by their last will and testament. Mabel taught in the Brunswick schools and continued teaching Sunday School at Center Brunswick UMC for many years after she retired. Through this award, her love of helping young people learn and grow will continue to reach the youth of our community.
The Center Brunswick United Methodist Church is located at the intersection of Routes 7 and 142 in Troy.
Deck the Halls – Muitzeskill & Schodack Landing
Join your neighbors to celebrate the holidays. Decorate your home between 11/25/2022 – 1/1/2023. Register your street address by 12/9/2022 at 4cpmuitzeskill@nullgmail.com to win prizes and to be included on a list of decorated homes. The list of street addresses will be publicized. Prizes will be awarded by random drawing from registered addresses.
This event is organized by The Four Corners Partnership. The mission of The Partnership is to promote and provide quality activities and services that will contribute to the physical, emotional and social well-being of our community. FB.com/FCPcommunityhouse.
Historical Calendars
The 2023 North Greenbush Historical Calendars are now available for purchase. They contain old time pictures including Frank Houser’s Store and Gas Station, the old Defreestville Hotel, the St.Jude’s Horse Show and much more. Calendars are for sale at the Town Clerk’s Office in the Town Hall on Main Avenue Wynantskill (518) 283-4306. The cost is $12.00 (exact change or check made out to the Town of North Greenbush.) If you want it mailed the cost is $15.
Bread of Life Food Pantry Donation Request
The “Bread of Life” food pantry in Poestenkill has just begun our 8th year of serving our community and neighbors. As we see food costs rising dramatically, we realize more donations of food will be needed.
When you are shopping for grocery’s, we would greatly appreciate it if you would pick up a few food items to donate to our pantry. Here is a list of our most requested staple food items that our guests want..
Breakfast cereal for adults and kids, sugar, flour, baking oil, bottled apple juice, canned fruit, canned hash, canned chili, ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, cookies and snacks, canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, spaghetti sauce, Parmesan cheese, canned baked beans, instant and ground coffee.
Just a few of these items two times a month would be so helpful for our neighbors in need. You may drop them off at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Poestenkill,side entrance in the container. We check it daily and date and shelve each item for our open dates. Please check use by and expiration dates before donating. Thanks so much for your help. Our contact number is (518) 283-6045.
The Anchor Food Pantry
The Anchor Food Pantry is gearing up for the upcoming holidays and ask for community generosity at this time of year.
We ask for holiday items of canned goods, and toiletries that can be dropped off at The Anchor during business hours of Monday 430pm-630pm and Tuesday and Thursday 9am-130pm.
Remember also that drop off is available at the Town Clerk Ofc @ schodack Town Hall, and Castleton Library @ Village Hall-Village of Castleton -on Hudson NY during the library business hours Monday-Saturday. Also this reminder that bottles and cans can be credited to the Anchor account at the 6 cent Redemption Center located on 9J -550 South St-Rensselaer ,NY Monday-Saturday during their business hours,just inform the clerk to credit the Anchor Food Pantry account.
As always we thank the Schodack community for its continued support in aiding our mission to assist those in need during these uncertain economic times.
Cornell Cooperative Extension Rensselaer 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.
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