Community 12.20.18

Volunteer Museum Teachers Needed

Do you enjoy working with children?  Do you love learning new things? Do you have a few hours at least once or twice a month to give?  Then join a team of volunteer museum teachers and guide children as they journey through the Hudson River Trading Game!   Based on the life of Hudson River sloop owner Philip Van Rensselaer of Cherry Hill, the interactive school program immerses 4^th and 5^th grade students in 18th century trade and travel on a 34-foot game board.  Teaching experience is not necessary, but teamwork and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment is a must. Training is provided. The program is 3 hours long, offered mornings November through June, at the Albany Visitors Center at Quackenbush Square in downtown Albany. Interested? Contact Shawna Reilly: shawna@nullhistoriccherryhill.org, 518-434-4791.

 

AARP Tax Aide Program Volunteers Needed

AARP Tax Aide Program is looking for volunteers. The Tax Aide Program is a free tax preparation service for all members of our community. There are many opportunities that are available for our volunteers. Tax Preparers work directly with the tax payer to complete their tax return. Client Facilitators welcome taxpayers and help organize their paperwork. Technology Coordinators manage computer equipment. Local Coordinators who manage the site, volunteers and schedules. Communications Coordinators who help recruit new volunteers. We have sites in Columbia and Rensselaer Counties. Volunteers will receive training. To become a volunteer, you will need to register for the Tax Aide Program. You can register at NYTaxAide.org. In the upper right of the window click on Volunteer with AARP Tax-Aide link and follow the instructions. If you have any questions, please contact Jerry Seeley at  jseeley1018@nullgmail.com.

 

 

Help Keep Our Service Men & Women in Afghanistan Warm

Edward C. Swartz Southern Tier Senior Center’s Community Service Group is participating in a project for service men and women serving in Afghanistan. We are knitting and crocheting scarves for them to help keep them warm this coming winter. We are asking for donations of yarn or funds to purchase the yarn. Yarn needs to be heavy (no wool) and dark colors; black, navy, deep green, brown, or camouflage. We have a specific pattern available for any of you wishing to help by making scarves. Please stop by the center to pick up a copy of the pattern. Donations can be brought to the center or mailed to: Edward C. Swartz Southern Tier Senior Center, 1800 East Schodack Rd., Castleton, NY 12033. Please call 518-477-6581 for more information.

 

Search and Rescue Volunteers Needed

The Tri-State Emergency Team is recruiting volunteers to provide wild land and underwater searches within a 100-mile radius of Waterford, 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 and 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-state emergencyteam.org.

 

 

B-I-N-G-O! 

Bingo is more than a game.  Many people laugh at the image of older people playing bingo, but it has benefits, that folks are not aware of.

Reflexes and coordination decline naturally as seniors age, but bingo requires players to identify numbers as they are called and mark their cards accordingly at a quick clip. Studies show that bingo can significantly improve the hand-eye coordination of many seniors.  As the game requires a great deal of mental flexibility and alertness to grasp, identify, and remember specific information, bingo may also help improve your loved one’s cognitive acuity and short-term memory.

Bingo events typically involve a lot of laughter and excitement. As laughter triggers a number of physical changes in the body that can boost the immune system, relieve stress, and even diminish pain, bingo can actually promote your loved one’s general health.  Players make friends and become more social, as well.

The Watervliet Senior Center offers bingo on Thursdays at 12:45 and after some of our monthly dinners; the third Wednesday of every month. Call 518-273-4422 for more information.

 

Historical Calendars Available

Looking for a Christmas gift? The 2019 North Greenbush Historical Calendar is now available for purchase. It contains old time pictures including Windy’s Village Inn in Wynantskill, the Defreest Hotel, the St. Jude’s 1956-57 Kindergarten, views of Snyders Lake, and other areas throughout the town. The calendars are still only $10 and are available at the Town Clerk’s office in Wynantskill (283-4306) or from Town Historian Jim Greenfield in Defreestville (518 283-6384).

~ Submitted by Jim Greenfield, North Greenbush Town Historian

 

 

Catholic Charities Representative in New Lebanon and Stephentown

This month, the Catholic Charities social services representative will be in New Lebanon and Stephentown for persons aged 60 and above, and/or their caregivers, on Thursday, December 27. She will be at the New Lebanon Library from 10 am to 1 pm, and at the Stephentown Library from 1:30 to 4:30 pm. In addition to providing information about senior services, she is also able to connect caregivers of persons with Alzheimer’s or other dementias to a NY State funded program that provides free support services for those family caregivers. Persons from any community in the eastern sector of Columbia and Rensselaer Counties are welcome. You may walk in or call 518-925-0682 to make an appointment.

There is no charge for this service provided by Catholic Charities Senior and Caregiver Support Services and sponsored by the Seniors’ Ministry of Immaculate Conception/St. Joseph, New Lebanon. For further information, you may call the Catholic Charities staff person directly at the number above, or contact Mary Linton, RN, 518-733-0469.  

 

 

Lights in Sand Lake 2018 Christmas Eve Luminaire Display

The Sand Lake Historic District creates Christmas Eve magic in Sand Lake! The neighbors on Routes 66 & 43 and our friends on Schumann Rd. will have our annual luminary display on Christmas Eve – Monday, December 24th. Lighting of the luminary candles begins around 7:00pm and will continue if weather permits or until the candles burn out. If you live in the area and want to participate, place luminaries along the road on your own property. For more information, please contact Dawn or Bruce at 518 674-5210 or by email at knivad@nullyahoo.com.

 

 

On-Going Bottle Drive

Drop-off your containers and say: “For friends of the North Greenbush Library”, at 6 Cent Redemption II; 461 Main Ave., Wynantskill. Donations will benefit the North Greenbush Library Friends.

 

New York State Announces Arbor Day Poster and Artwork Contests

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced the start of DEC’s annual 2019 State Arbor Day poster and artwork contests. New York’s fifth graders are invited to showcase their artistic talents and help to increase public awareness about trees by participating in the 5^th Grade Arbor Day Poster Contest. The Arbor Day Planning Committee will also be accepting original art and photography submissions to be selected as the New York State Arbor Day Poster.

“Trees play a vital role in the lives of New Yorkers and are an important part of our ecosystem and quality of life,” Commissioner Seggos said. “I encourage all fifth graders to join in on our celebration of trees to showcase why trees are important in our daily lives and to submit art or photos that depict the beauty of New York’s trees.”

The winner/s will have his or her artwork replicated as the official 2019 New York State 5th Grade Arbor Day Poster and the official 2019 New York State Arbor Day Original Artwork Poster. The winning artists will be announced and honored at the annual Arbor Day celebration, held the last Friday in April.

Promote Arbor Day with your Artwork

The Arbor Day Committee includes DEC, Empire State Forest Foundation, NYS Arborist Association, State Department of Agriculture and Markets (DAM), as well as the International Paper Company.

DEC will accept artwork on behalf of the committee through December 31, 2018. Original artwork entries should be sent to  arborday @dec.ny.gov. For more information about the contest, visit DEC’s website at  http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/108006.html or email  arborday@nulldec.ny.gov.

To obtain past NYS Arbor Day posters, contact any local DEC forestry office or call 518-402-9428.

5th Grade Arbor Day Poster Contest

The annual 5th Grade Arbor Day Poster Contest is sponsored by DEC, DAM, and Education. Students are asked to create an original poster depicting this year’s contest theme: “Habitats for Bats.”

Posters must be submitted by December 21, 2018 to your local DEC regional office to allow time for judging and printing of the artwork. The contest is open to all students enrolled in fifth grade. For more information, contact Mary Martin, DEC’s Arbor Day 5th Grade Poster Contest coordinator, at (518) 402-9428, or visit  http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/25420.html.

 

Home Purchase & Repair Funding Available

This spring, the Troy Rehabilitation & Improvement Program (TRIP) and Rensselaer County Housing Resources (RCHR), will offer grant funding to assist local residents with obtaining and maintaining their homes.

TRIP & RCHR have been awarded funds to provide grant monies, which can be used for down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers and home rehabilitation projects.

The NYS AHC Program assists income-eligible homeowners with home repairs including health and safety repairs, roof replacement, structural, electrical, plumbing and heating system repairs or replacements and energy efficiency measures.

The HIP Program (serving Troy residents) and the Small Cities (serving Rensselaer County residents outside of Troy) Grant Program assist income-eligible first-time home buyers with grants to be used for down payment and/or closing costs at the time of purchase.

Rensselaer County residents may apply for these grant opportunities.  Applicants need to be income-eligible and current on their mortgage, property taxes and homeowner’s insurance at the time of application in order to qualify.

For more information about these grants or other homeowner programs, visit www.triponline.org or call the TRIP & RCHR NeighborWorks Home Ownership Center at (518) 272-8289.

 

Free Legal Help for Federal Tax Problems

The IRS is now using private debt collectors (PDCs) to collect unpaid federal taxes. You may receive letters and phone calls from private debt collectors, but all payments must be made directly on the IRS’ website (irs.gov) or by check or money order made out to the “US Treasury.” You can request that your account be sent back to the IRS so that you can dispute the debt, request an installment agreement or to request a hold on collection. If you receive a notice from the IRS or a PDC you should call the Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic at the Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York. We can help you with this and many other income tax issues. The Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic can be reached at 518-462-6765 or 1-800-462-2922 if you need help. This clinic does not generally provide tax return preparation services.

~Submitted by Krzysztof Wendland, Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York

 

 

Poestenkill Historical Soc. Heritage Center December Exhibit

This month the Poestenkill Heritage Center has an exhibit from an original book of “The Night Before Christmas”.  This poem was written by Clement C. Moore and first published in the Troy Sentinel in 1823.  Also, on display are some works of artist Pat Lasch.  Pat grew up in Poestenkill and graduated from Averill Park High School.  Other exhibits of her work are on display in the MET in New York City as well as the Palm Springs Art Museum in California.

Come and check us out on any Monday 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 pm. or Saturday from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

 

 

Help with a donation to the Elmwood Cemetery Association

This dollhouse gift will bring many days of joy and a lifetime of memories. Custom upgraded from the Greenleaf “Harrison” model (with movable walls). It has 3 stories and 8 rooms. Local architect builder has added unique features such as: skylight in the “secret play room” upstairs where you can see the Minnie Mouse wallpaper…hand crafted base and cornice molding in all rooms…hand crafted operable doors for all rooms. Wallpaper in all rooms. Roof shingles were separately purchased in sheets, but hand sanded and set in. There is even a small gold bead from antique jewelry used as the front door knob. Overall dimensions are: 34”W, 30”H, and 20”D . Scale is 1 in. to 1 ft. Asking price of $650 covers kit costs and materials for custom work. It is also 100% deductible as a donation to the Elmwood Cemetery Association. Please e-mail Sanwax@nullnycap.rr.com asap to assure your purchase. Make your check payable to Elmwood Cemetery Association and mail to their address at P.O. Box 415, West Sand Lake, NY. We thank you and wish you the best of the Holiday season.

 

 

2018 SLA Fund Drive Winding Down

The Sand Lake Ambulance (SLA) 2018 Fund Drive is winding down. If you have made your donation already, we thank you for your support of this vital service. If you have not yet made your donation, we encourage you to do so before the end of the year. Remember, all proceeds of the fund drive are used to offset operating expenses which reduces the amount of the contract SLA needs to seek from the Sand Lake town board. Thank you for your consideration. Your help now will insure we’re available to help you should you ever need us.

 

Village of Nassau General Election

The General Election of the Village of Nassau, County of Rensselaer, will be held at the Village Municipal Building, 40 Malden Street, in said Village on the 19^th day of March 2019, and the polls will be open at 12:00 noon, and close at 9:00 p.m.

The Village Clerk designates the following offices as vacant at the end of the current official year, to be filled for the following term:

Mayor for the term of Robert W. Valenty for the term of four years.

Trustee for the term of David Scaccia for the term of four years.

Trustee for the term of Randy Howarth for the term of four years.

Justice for the term of Michael Conway for the term of four years.

Election is open to voters registered with Rensselaer County Board of Elections.  The last day to register with the County Board of Elections is Friday, March 8, 2019.

~Melissa Turner-Bulan, Village Clerk

 

 

 

 

Warm PJs for Cold Nights Needed

CoNSERNS-U in Rensselaer is collecting Pajamas for distribution to children in needy families. This effort with its specific focus is an addition to the organization’s ongoing community support work. The continuing economic downturn keeps bringing new needs to the surface, and the number of families seeking assistance increases.

Colleen Pidgeon, Director of Co-NSERNS-U, reports that the list of families in need has grown again in the last year. Co-NSERNS-U is collecting sleepwear for youngsters aged new born to 18. Individual donations may be dropped off at 50 Herrick St across from the Train Station in Rensselaer. Ms. Pidgeon also hopes Church groups and Civic Organizations may see the opportunity for a project to help in this need. Co-NSERNS-U is open M-F, 8:30-4:30, 50 Herrick St, Rensselaer, and the phone number is 518-463-8571.

 

Center Brunswick UM Church Announces Financial Scholarship for Tamarac HS Grads

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 2019. 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, 2019. The application can be obtained from the school’s guidance department or from our website at (www.Center BrunswickUMC.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.

 

 

Averill Park High School Honor Roll Students 1^st Quarter 2018-2019

High Honors – 90 and above:

Grade 9: Jack F Adams, Annalise Marie Agostine, Emma Lyn Alberino, Mackenzie Fitzgerald Anslow, Ty Michael Ardman, Wolfgang Balga, Jessica Lynn Barbour, Ashlee Marie Bayer, Alexander Mikael Bipat, Cole J Boughton, Nathaniel B Bourgault, Lauren Nicole Bradley, Dylan R Bubie, Libby Bulmer, Mason Bryce Buttaci, Isabella Dora Cardillo, Colin M Catlin, Kayleigh Jane Charron, Connor Clark, Daniel John Coiteux, Zara Mae Cole, Grant Conlee, Alysha Marie Costa, Lauren Elizabeth Cox, Brier Cylkoff, Tucker Cylkoff, Elizabeth S Daly, Riley M DeCamp, Dayna G Densmore, Molly L Eaton, Sean Fagan, Ava C Faragon, Sydney A Ferguson, Margaret K Finnerty, Nicholas C Foster, Meya Rae Francis, Alexandra Illyana Gaboury, Meredith Anna Gaylord, Isadora Nobre Geise, Paige Chloe Graham, Chloe Noelle Grimm, Asher Lawrence Hall, Jillian F Hogle, Isaac Vazhayil Joseph, Larissa L Karatnycky, Sonja Jordan Kaye, Justin Tyler Kendall, Makayla Rose Kieley, Avery Kittleson, Belle Klimek, Stephen M Koval IV, Olivia Kronau, Danielle Sue LaPier, Christopher John Leon, Avery Jane Leveroni, Ella Lindheimer, Mara Christine Little, Michelina Lisa Lombardi, Jaiden C Magill, Isabella Elizabeth Mahar, Machara Malone, Madison Noelle Matice, Carli McShane, Ashleigh Helen Mein, Terry M Meissner Jr, Joseph Edward Minehan, McKenzie Leigh Miner, Sophia Minich, Miranda Olivia Minkler, Gabrielle Kathleen Mohos, Jeana Marie Monaco, Francesca E Morone, Carter Ross Morse, Abigayle E Nagel, Brett Matthew Nardacci, Thomas John Nero, Lauren C Nolan, Alexander Michael Norton, Michael N O’Connor, Jessica Lynn Ody, John Paul O’Neill-Knasick, Kayley Christine Orologio, Bailey Theresa Ouimet, Nadia L Pascucci, Alayna Penman, Logan Neal Powell, Madison Leigh Rose, Liam Joseph Rounds, Zachary Ryan, Erin Leigh Schulz, Julia Teresa Skiba, Macenzie C Slattery, Tyler Deven Spink, Evan M Sweet, Nickolas Anthony Tempel, Alicia Mae Trotter, Payton C Van Aken, Lillian H Vrsalovic, Emily A Walsh, Rebecca J Ware, Jenyka Pylant White, Lauren Nicole Wicks, Anna Zusy.

Grade 10: Lucas M Abate, Michael Agro, Maddie S Allegretta, Katherine E Armlin, Bailey L Bates, Noah J Bonesteel, Adam Borland, Kallianna Elizabeth Brady, Emma R Burdick, Lillian J Bursey, Benjamin Antonio Campbell, Marissa R Carey, Fiona Carroll, Cameron Carter, Shaylin X Chan, Dylan Brady Chevalier, Emily Clark, Samantha Coluccio, Jacob Striker Coonan, Anthony James Cordero, Molly Cummins, Geoffrey M Dawes, Gabrielle Deck, Lorelai Denley, Kendall E Dollard, Giovanna Maria Dooley, Elizabeth DuBois, Logan Robert Feathers, Scott Ferlito, Olivia Mae Flagg, Julia S Foster, Grace M Fuller, Abigail Elizabeth Garrison, Catherine Grace Gaylord, Julia G Gelder, Jessie A Guilbault, Isabella Guyer, Rachel Lynne Haner, Julia Mary Hanlon, Marissa Hanson, Matthew Harmer, Emma Elizabeth Harriman, Alexander C Heap, Hannah Mae Horrocks, Emily Elizabeth Horton, Roy A Jacobson III, Anna S Jankovic, Augustin Gantt Johnson, Haley E Johnson, Rose Elizabeth Jokiel, Collin Kelly, Allison V Lapinski, Aidan Loucks, Grace A Mackey, Sean M Malenfant, Matthew P Marks, Damon Mason, Aksinya Masse, Ashley Mazzacco, Rebecca Moore, Lydia R Munandi, Madelynn Murray, Elizabeth M Owens, Lauren E Paris, Emma Clement Parker, Keri Paulson, Rachel G Peckham, Allie Isabelle Pember, Bellazara M Polaro, Henry B Powers, Meghan R Ratigan, Maddia P Reiter, Nicholas R Reohr, Joseph T Richter, Eric C Ries, Hannah M Rivers, Anna S Rizzo, Mackenzie Rockwell, Benjamin D Romer, Kyle Patrick Roth, Kyle Sherman, Davis E Snyder, Vita Marie Spence, Jeanine Morgan Spierre, Christopher Michael St Denis, Madalyn M Stevens, Jeremy J Stewart, Katherine Grace Emeline Story, McKenzie Erin Swinson, Layla E Tune, Donald Ullman, Olin R Wagner, Sarah Rose Wallace, Aidan Wallen, Meghan Walsh, Hannah Williams, Sarah Courtney Wing, Aidan Winkler, Caryn N Zimmerman.

Grade 11: Guiliana M Adamo, Jane E Adams, Bryanna M Agan, Madeleine M Balga, Adam N Balogh, Riley Bennett, Abigail L Bergerson, Matthew J Bielawa, Delaney G Burton, Dean R Buttaci, DeLana Castle, Hayden M Chenette, Tatiana I Damiano, Joshua H DeJulio, Jonathon D DeWolf, Lorenzo T Elliott, Sarah Kittrick Faragon, Adam J Film, Claire Elizabeth Flynn, Quinn Jordan Goddard-Hathaway, Andrew Joseph Gorman, Noelle Elissa Hall, Katherine Grace Happy, Lauren Elizabeth Harland, Madelyn E Harris, Jessica Haskin, Sydney Haskin, Mario P Hepp, Gabriel S Hildebrandt, Lindsey M Hitchcock, Keston C Holohan, Abigayle Beatrice Jorden, Mackenzie D Julien, Ryan C Kasuba, Emma G Kehn, Ashley Marie Kerwin, Caitlin M Kerwin, Lena G Kiehl, Joseph Scott Kocsis, Caleb Kronau, Lillian M Kronau, Isabella Jean LaFreniere, Matthew S Lettko, Adam Limoges, Triston Russell Lincoln, Alyssa R Lindheimer, Delaney Fitzgerald Long, Emily Julia Lubas, Joseph Manfred, Dani L Martuscello, Alexandra E Mau, Jason E Meyer, Lauren C Meyers, Alexander C Michaels, Joseph Paul Milanese Jr, Arica Miller, Aidan Millington, Matthew J Morin, Delaney Anne Munyan, Jack T Nichols, Audrey R Oliver, Anella Mary Olsen, Anna Olson, Kelly Jean O’Neill-Knasick, Luke Pelcher, Helen T X W Pond, Meghan E Prouty, Skyler L Rafferty, Taisei Reale, Ainsley P Rogers, Gabriella Romano, Kaylee Morgan Romano, Hannah C Ryan, Carley Marie Salerno, Dominic M Scattareggia, Emma B Scheeren, Eric R Schuman, Whitney Helen Shelhamer, Robert E Sherman, Matthew E Shoemaker, Austin Sicko, Gabrielle E Skiba, Julianna Sorriento, Haley M Surprenant, Emily M Sweet, Bryanna Leigh Swinson, Skye Anne Taylor, Alexis M Thompson, Alexandria Grace VanDerKar, Lydia L Ware, Justin R Weaver, Max Tyler Willson, Kelsey S Wood, Ian Zieske. Grade 12: Noora Ahmed, Emily C Armlin, Ryan G Baker, William R Ballard, Samuel H Bendett, Emily Isabelle Benoit, Jessica E Beskid, Michael J Beskid, Logan B Bielawski, Martin L Bond, Olivia M Bonesteel, Jacqueline J Borland, Brian M Bourne, Jacquelin Boyd, Victoria A Bubie, Caterina Burns, Iris A Bursey, Emma P Card, Molly Abigail Cardamone, Anthony Carucci, Morgan L Catlin, Taya A Catlin, Hadley J Chan, Kaylee M Clairmont, Trevor J Collins, Kathleen A Cone, Katelyn Rose Cooper, Lucas G Corbo, Shauna A Corry, Jesse C CrawfordHarris, Emma N Crawley, Henry Joseph Eann Crawley, Christina R DeGroff, Arlo J DeSimone, Kara F Dodge, Justice Joseph Dominy, Nicholas J DonVito, Anna F Doyle, Gracie Ann Driscoll, Cassidy Film, Konnor Fink, Eamon P Finnerty, William F Fleming, Ruthann Flick, Jason Foust, Matthew Daniel Gaston, Rachel E Gates, Avery M Gauthier, Gabrielle Lily Geerholt, Sydney N Gile, Megan Glanton, Jeremy Gregware, Marissa L Guilbault, Bruce Allen Gumlaw Jr, Thomas K Hacker, Megan M Hale, Dylan A Hansen, Julia Haworth, Raymond A Hebert, Jamie Elissa Holzman, Leena Victoria Horrocks, Nathaniel P Jamison, Emily Catherine Jaworski, Jacob Alain Jokiel, Aiden Jones, Emily Kay Jorden, Owen P Joyce, Andrew G Kardelky, Zachary R Karhan, Matthew Kenneally, Nixon Kwok, Michael LaChance, Genna E LaRose, Jadyn A Lee, Taylor A Liberty, Jacob Lucier, Isabella R Maddalone, Nancy Mainville, Stephanie C Mangene, Tiffany Maroncelli, Morgan C Mason, Nicholas McCart, Michael McCarty, James I McDade, Morgan McIntyre, John H McKenna, Olivia Lorraine Meemken, Mitchell R Mihalko, Colin T Miller, Jenna M Miller, Kelsey Christine Mohl, Josephine S Morelli, Sophia N Morone, Joshua Morra, Alexis Dale Moskov, Zachary Thomas Moskov, Marissa A Nagel, Katherine Elizabeth O’Neill-Knasick, Christina Marie Parrottino, Avery M Pascucci, Nicholas C Pastizzo, Stephanie Paul, Lauren E Pelletier, Kelsey Grace Perala, Gianna M Polaro, Grace T Powers, Joan F Quinones, Audrey Lynn C Rafferty, John Rapello, Kyle S Reasor, Jason L Reed, Anita R Reitano, Samantha M Schupp, Tristan Michael Shelhamer, Micayla E Slattery, Logan E Southard, Nicholas Mark Spink, Mariah H St Onge, Stephanie St Pierre, Christian Tyler Angelo Stuto, Aaron E Styczynski, Angela Elizabeth Thomas, Kristen Thomas, Derek Tobin, Celina Rose Tomlinson, Jacob W Unser, Petra A Valenti, Abigail Vandenberg, Morgan P VanDervoort, Alexander Joseph Verardi, MeiLin Wachtel, Jack T Wendell, Aidan R Westfall, Bradley Joseph Willett, Jessie Williams, Alexander C Williams-Mitchell, Izabella D With, Merrill A Wrenn, Julia N Zaremba, Keating Zelenke, Rebekah M Zimmerman.

Honors – 85 and above:

Grade 9: Gabriella Adamo, Tristen Alderman, Avery Barber, Amelia C Barber, Hailey Barnes, Emma Bogart, John Thomas Bonacquisti, Austin J Brundige, Nicholas William Burdick, Annabella Nina Bushnell, Nicholas James Carbone, Mackenzie Liegh Catlin, Michael Clark, Aidan M Covert, Rebekkah Tigist Crawford-Harris, Hannah M Crupi, Timothy Cummins, Silvio Joseph D’Arcangelis, Ryan Heffner, Nicole Leslie Hoffman, Rachel R Karhan, Jesse James Knefley, Amira Fatima Kouidri, Sophia M Maddalone, Adrianna F Maxfield, Andrew McCart, Josie Alice McKee, Spence Vink Mereness, Kyle Millington, Zachary Mills, Christopher David Parascandola, Alyssa Kay Pickard, Kaelin A Pogue, Wynn Alexander Richards, Camden R Schlederer, Breonna Noel Schreiner, Sadie Rose Thomas, Alexander M Trahan, Lilli Katherine VanDerKar, Evan Boyer Vejvoda, Breona Elizabeth Wagner, Kylie Weaver, Aniyah Libby Williams, Amelia Wood, Michael Scott Wormuth Jr, Haley Wright, Alex J Yash.

Grade 10: Theodore James Apfel, Tyler B Basle, Kevin John Bryant, Vincent Ronald Carucci, Nicholas Anthony Clemenzi, Emily I Consula, Gavin Sol Dees, Owen J Dell, Hannah E Ernest, Emily L Face, Benjamin Ferlito, Andre Galipeau III, Madeline P Gile, Victoria Catherine Guynup, Colin W Hansen, Hailey D Hodge, Emily Hubbard, Caden Winsor Jewell, Taylor Johnston, Kyra Marie Kusalonis, Jacob Dylan Lamphere, Jared T Lee, Alyssa R Maiello, Dominic Marrochello, Aiara Raye Mohamed, Jared Pardo, Anthony M Pastizzo, Matthew J Peckham, Erin Elizabeth Pendergast, Madison R Quell, Zachary Roman, Maddox Ruschmeyer, Brodie J Smith, Sophia Stern, Delaney C Sutton, Mia F Tessitore, Nicole Marie Angel Thorburn, Samantha Tremont, Lindsey Rebekka Van Alstyne, Aidan Willsie, Troy B Windover.

Grade 11: Lucas J Angrisano, Brandon Adam Bipat, Jasmine Chamberlain, Anthony J Childrose Jr, Alex B Cooper, Avriana M Davis, Bianca DeFlumer, Lindsey Catherine Despart, Naomi Jocelyn Dutra, Quinn T Dzembo, Logan T Escobar, Christopher James Evans, Samuel W Ghent, Mark R Goca, Allayanna Austen Halloran, Abby R Heier, Madyson Rae Heslin, Erik Jeschke, Cora Klimek, Jack T Long, Isabelle Malatesta, Michael Anthony Minehan, Julia Ovsanna Mooradian, Meara G O’Brien, Marie T Patanian, Logan Peaslee, Anya M Philistin, Kristian Edward Powell, Zachary B Purdy, Michael Re, Cora R Repecki, Colin J Rescott, Chase A Shepard, Cameron D Shoemaker, Ethan S Simard, Jacob T Slavin, Joseph A Sorriento, Kamryn Shelby Stone, Cylie T VanDeWal, Nathaniel White, Hayden R Wiedman, Forest J Wright.

Grade 12: Emily A Bulmer, James S Cocca, Karisa Dell, Wesley W Doscher, Anthony J Dutcher, Hunter D Farrell, Nicholas F Gelder, Sean P Graf, Darren Shane Griffin, Cameron J Groff, Kyle Arthur Harvey, Abigail Hillenbrandt, Carley D Hinman, Philip Jackson, Olivia A Kelley, Dylan W LaPorta, John T Leonard, Nicholas Marshall Maggio, Zachary M McGrath, Logan Elliot Messina, EmmaLee A Morgan, Bridget Catherine Mulligan, Kyle B Nethercott, Carl L Nitz, Zephryn A Noble, Jewelia Mae D Pasinello, Scott J Petersen III, Madalyne E Piche, Ryan Ranken, Rayanna Reed, Emily T Ruppert, Samantha S Schroeder, Caitlin E Siegel, Collin James St Pierre, Anna L Stern, Kalila Elizabeth Swan, Madelyn J Van Aken, Elijah E Wilcox, Nikolas C Yash.

 

News from New York National Guard

Major General Ray Shields, the Adjutant General for the State of New York, announces the recent promotion of members of the New York Army National Guard in recognition of their capability for additional responsibility and leadership.

Henry Hren from Johnsonville, and assigned to the Company C, 2-108th Infantry received a promotion to the rank of Private First Class.

Army National Guard promotions are based on overall performance, attitude, leadership ability, and development potential.

These promotions additionally recognize the best qualified Soldiers and attract and retain the highest caliber Citizen Soldiers for a career in the New York Army National Guard.

 

Schodack Planning and Development Association to Meet 

There will be a meeting of the Schodack Planning & Development Association (SPDA) on Thursday, December 20^th, at 6:30PM, at Nassau Public Library (upper level) on Rte. 20 in the Village of Nassau.  The public is welcome to attend; we will be discussing the Edwards Chiropractic house demolition and Amazon, among other topics.  Please park across the street in St Mary’s parking lot.  SPDA is a not-for-profit, non-partisan group committed to the Town’s natural and historic resources, and smart planning for the Town of Schodack. Please check our website for cancellations due to weather: www.schodackplanning.com

~Barbara Spink, President SPDA

 

News from Nassau Town Clerk

The Nassau Town Clerk’s Office would like to wish everyone a very wonderful and safe holiday season and to announce that the 2019 Transfer Station permits are now available at the Town Clerk’s Office as well as at the Transfer Station. Please note that the Town Clerk’s Office will be closed both December 24th and 25^th, for the Christmas holiday, but we will resume regular business hours on Wednesday. The Clerk’s office will also be closed on Tuesday, January 1st, New Year’s Day, the following week.

~Sandra L. Rings, RMC,
Nassau Town Clerk

 

Schodack Town Hall Closes for Christmas Holiday

Debra L. Curtis, Schodack Town Clerk, wishes to remind residents of Schodack that the Town Hall Offices will be closed on Tuesday, December 25^th, and Wednesday, December 26, 2018, for the Christmas Holiday. The Town Hall offices will resume standard business hours on Thursday, December 27, 2018.

The Highway Department and Transfer Station will be closed on Tuesday, December 25, 2018 and will resume standard business hours on Wednesday, December 26, 2018. The Highway Department will be available for any and all emergencies.

The Town Hall offices and the Highway Department and the Transfer Station will be closed on Tuesday, January 1, 2019, for the New Year Holiday and will resume standard business hours on Wednesday, January 2, 2019.

If you have any questions, please contact the Office of the Town Clerk at 477-7590,

Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:30am to 4:30pm; and Saturday, 9:00am to 12:00pm.

 

Rensselaer County Legislature Office of The Minority

The following are highlights of the December meeting:

Health – The Minority office introduced a resolution urging state government to assist the County with the skyrocketing coroner and medical examiner costs. As a mandate, counties are required to administer autopsies where necessary. Prior to 2011 these expenses were reimbursed at a rate of 36% by the NYS Department of Health. However, as these expenses were shifted to the Department of Justice Services, they are no longer reimbursed. The Legislature is requesting a reimbursement rate of 50%.

Human Resources – The County and the United Public Services Employees Union (UPSEU) have reached an agreement through December 31, 2022. This four-year agreement includes a 1.79% wage increase for 2019 and 2020; and a 2% increase for 2021 and 2022.

Social Services – The December meeting included many contract renewals for mandated Social Services programs with local agencies to provide support services ranging from family assistance, foster care, domestic violence, trauma assessment, secure and non-secure juvenile detention including the new Raise the Age mandate to name a few.

Van Rensselaer Manor – The Legislature unanimously approved renewals of many contracts in order to keep the Manor running smoothly. As customary each year, legislators donated

funds in order to present the Manor with a holiday gift. This year the Manor wished for a grill with accessories to use during their summer months for outdoor events. A presentation of the gift will be held on December 20.

NEXT MEETING – Tuesday, January 8, 2019, in the Rensselaer County Chambers located on the 3rd floor of the Ned Pattison Government Center, 1600 7th Avenue, Troy. Residents are welcome to contact our office at 518-270-2890. www.rensselaercounty.org & follow us on Facebook: “Rensselaer County Legislature – Democratic Team”

~Submitted by Antoinette Hueber, Rensselaer County Legislature

 

Support the Averill Park Yearbook Club

Do you want to promote your business to hundreds of families, for years to come? Are you interested in supporting The Averill Park High School students at the same time? Consider a space in the Threshold, Averill Park High School’s Yearbook!

To secure a space in the Averill Park High School’s Yearbook, please send detailed typed information including: Business Name, Address, Email,

Website, Phone number, along with a design of your message, any photos (cannot be returned – Do Not Staple Photos!) and/or business cards. You may email, mail or hand-deliver your information and payment. You will receive email confirmation that your ad was received.

• Full Page: $300 (Max. 6 photos)
• Half Page $150 (Max. 4 photos)
• 1/4 Page: $100 (Max. 2 photos)
• 1/8 Page: $65. (Max. 1 photo)

All ads will be printed in color. Artwork and business cards are accepted.  (Do not submit Telephone directory/ Newspaper quality). Photos may be reduced or enlarged.

Digital files should be

emailed to: blosteinm@nullapcsd.org/baileya@nullapcsd.org. Checks can be made payable to Averill Park H.S. Yearbook and mailed to:

APHS Yearbook, Averill Park High School- 146 Gettle Road

Averill Park, NY 12018. Submissions should be received no later than February 1, 2019.

 

December is a Busy Month in Sand Lake!

Construction is now going on at Town Hall. We are installing new lights in our parking lot to make the area safer for everyone. If you come to Town Hall, please be careful because parts of the parking lot are closed off as work continues.

At our December 12th meeting, the Town Board passed a resolution to hire a Consulting Engineer for the Sidewalk Enhancement Project. This grant will fund the building of sidewalks in Sand Lake and the repair of sidewalks in West Sand Lake.

I attended a meeting in Troy regarding the update to the Rensselaer County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. In order for our town to receive Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants, we must be an active participant in the update. This work will nicely coordinate with our efforts to improve dam safety in the town.

Our new website will “go live” at our next Town Board meeting on January 9th. Come to Town Hall for our celebration! The website is beautiful and easy to use. Many, many thanks to Sheila Mahan who has worked countless hours to make this a reality!

I was proud to participate in the Annual Holiday Parade on December 7th. The parade is just spectacular, and with the cold weather, I was amazed at the number of people who watched it. Our newest Highway Department snow plow tandem was decorated beautifully! I was honored to escort Santa and Mrs. Claus to Butler Park. Thank you to everyone who organized and participated in this annual event.

I wish Happy Holidays to all residents and businesses in the Town of Sand Lake! I have thoroughly enjoyed being your Supervisor over this past year and I look forward to 2019. We have a lot of ideas and plans for the New Year!

~Nancy W. Perry, Ph.D.

Town of Sand Lake Supervisor