Monday April 29, 2024 
VFW Post 7338’s “Night Out at the Club”
The East Greenbush VFW Post 7338, 100 Hays Road.
Is pleased to host: “A Night Out at the Club”, Friday February 10th , 6-9:30 PM, with the musical talent of singer, songwriter and musician: Bobbie Van Pettra
Open to the Public. Light fare available for purchase. $5 Door Charge.
Crafters Wanted in Richfield Springs
CAPITAL DISTRICT – Applications are currently being accepted for two popular craft events in Richfield Springs–the 42nd Annual Friendship Craft Festival to be held on Saturday, June 10 in Spring Park and the 3rd Annual Fall Craft Fair scheduled for Saturday, October 7 at the Cullen Pumpkin, 587 Cullen Road. Both events are sponsored by the Church Of Christ Uniting in Richfield Springs.
For information and an application for both events go to www.rschurchofchristuniting.com or call Carla at 315-858-1451.
The Capital District Genealogical Society of New York Announces Monthly Presentation
CAPITAL DISTRICT – Topic: Researching and Interpreting the People who were Enslaved in New Netherland and Colonial Albany…with a Focus on the Van Rensselaer and Schuyler Families
When: Saturday, February 25, 2023
Time: 1:00 – 2:30 PM
Where: Online via Zoom
Speaker Heidi Hill is the historic site manager of Crailo and Schuyler Mansion State Historic Sites, where she has fostered interpretive growth since 2005.
The Zoom presentation allows a maximum of 100 participants. At this time only members are invited to register. On the 16th we will open registration to all if there are places remaining. See our website under meetings and events. Registration deadline is Thursday, February 23rd, 11:55 PM.
FREE Registration: https://www.capitaldistrictgenealogicalsociety.org/event_registration
Sand Lake Historical Society Program on Edmonia Lewis
East Greenbush Town Historian Bobbie Reno will present “The Life and Art of Edmonia Lewis” before the Sand Lake Historical Society on Tuesday, February 14th, at 7PM. Her program will discuss what is known (so far) of the life of Edmonia Lewis and feature photographs of some of her more well-known sculptures. Lewis was a noted American sculptor of mixed African American and Native American heritage, born in Greenbush, Rensselaer County, in the early 1840s. Reno successfully championed the effort to have the Postal Service honor Lewis with a Forever stamp, which was issued in 2022. No doubt you’ve seen Edmonia Lewis on a postage stamp, now come hear her story.
A native of East Greenbush, Bobbi Reno has been the town’s historian since 2016. She previously worked in town and state government and has written, illustrated, and published three children’s books. Last August, her program on Edmonia Lewis headlined the Emancipation Day celebration at the Gerritt Smith National Historic Landmark (at the National Abolition Hall of Fame) in Peterboro, NY.
February’s program will be held at the Sand Lake Town Hall Courtroom, 8428 NY 66, Averill Park, beginning at 7PM. SLHS monthly programs are open to the public and are live-streamed on the SLHS website — http://sandlakehistory.org (archived video also will be posted there).
A $5 donation is suggested for non-members. New members are always welcomed. Like us on Facebook. SLHS turns Fifty in 2024!
Mary Edmonia Lewis Presentation
The Esquatak Historical Society invites you to a presentation on “Mary Edmonia Lewis, Locally-Born Sculptress.” Join East Greenbush Town Historian Bobby Reno as she tells the almost forgotten tale of Edmonia Lewis….a woman of color, who faced racial and gender discrimination to become a world-famous sculptor, and Ms. Reno’s effort to bring her unique story the attention it deserves.
The presentation takes place on Friday, February 17, 7 pm at the Castleton Fire House, Green Avenue. Admission is free and refreshments will be served.
Highlight Acting Troupe to hold auditions For Moon Over Buffalo
The Highlight Acting Troupe presents Moon Over Buffalo by Ken Ludwig.
The hilarious farce introduces aging actors George & Charlotte Kay. They find themselves performing with a down on your luck theater in Buffalo, NY.
The comic mishaps and absurd antics of their cast and crew will keep you laughing as the Kay’s attempt to achieve their dream of Hollywood stardom.
Auditions will be held at the Center Brunswick United Methodist Church Hoosick Road, Troy on 2/17 at 6:30 and 2/19 at 2:00
Cast- 4 men. 4 women . Performances will be 5/5-5/7
Director Cheryl Charbonneau, cchardo@nulllive.com.
Skiers Attempt to Ski & Ride 100,000 Vertical Feet in One Day to Benefit STRIDE Adaptive Sports
On February 27th, STRIDE Adaptive Sports is hosting its 8th annual 100k Vertical Challenge at Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort, an all-day team relay race to raise funds and awareness for adaptive sports programs serving youth and Wounded Warriors with disabilities. Approximately 20 teams of four members will make the attempt, but at its heart, the real competition is in the fundraising! 100,000 vertical feet equals 87 runs per team or 23 runs per person.
Mobility-impaired and visually-impaired skier Heather DeDecko took her first ski lesson with STRIDE Adaptive Sports in 2014, and now is a member of the STRIDE race team. DeDecko and her VI Guide, along with 2 other STRIDE coaches on their team, will participate in the 100K Vertical Challenge, an endurance skiing and snowboarding event. The team call themselves “The Knights of Ni.” Several other teams also include participants with disabilities, including mono-skiers (wheelchair users in sit-skis).
DeDecko, paralyzed from birth, skis using stand outriggers and uses a radio headset between she and her Visual impairment guide, Marcel Chaine, to guide her with voice commands down the mountain. DeDecko plans to ski about 15 runs for her team, and says “STRIDE is near and dear to my heart because I see it helps so many people year after year. I believe experiences in the pool, or on the dance floor, or on the mountain belong to everyone. So for me, the 100K is more like a celebration of all STRIDE does, and I get to hang out with some of my favorite people doing a sport I love!”
STRIDE’s founder and CEO, Mary Ellen Whitney, expressed high hopes for the fundraising event. “This event has typically been our biggest fundraiser of the year. Last year we raised $54,000 to support STRIDE programs. The 2023 goal is $75,000 to support all adaptive ski programs run by STRIDE at 3 resorts. To support DeDecko or any other STRIDE participant with a donation, visit www.stride.org for more information.
Rensselaer High School Craft Fair
Rensselaer High School’s class of 2024 and the Alumni Association are having a craft fair on March 25 at the high school from 9-2 pm.
If you would like to be a vendor, please email us, and we will send you a contract so you can participate. People who sell Tupperware, Mary Kay, Pampered Chef, etc., are allowed to participate. Spots are filling up, so be sure to get your space reserved. Please email us at alumniassociation@nullrcsd.k12.ny.us. Thank you!