Friday June 2, 2023 
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.
Friday Night – January 7 at 7 pm: Special Event – BANNED BOOK NIGHT – Bring your favorite Banned Book to this event and share a passage from it. (Lists available on request or check the web). We’ll discuss the reasons for books being banned or challenged. $5 for all.
Friday Night – January 14 at 7 pm: Lonnie Hons will perform toe-tapping Country Songs for us. Put your boots on and stomp along with music. Line dancing welcome! Performance starts at 7 pm.
Friday Night – January 21 at 7:00 pm: Special Event: Going on the Cheap! Fashion and Food!!! Wear an outfit that you assembled from a thrift store for no more than $10 and show us your creation. In addition bring a dish to share that you prepared for no more than $2. This will be a fun night for everyone attending. Only $5 for all. If you decide not to participate in Fashion or Food then it’s $10 for the pleasure of watching the rest of us! Prizes.
Friday Night – January 28 at 7 pm: The Back Porch Players will perform music that we all enjoy. Maybe even some sing-a-longs. Performance starts at 7 pm.
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.
Risk and Ethics in the Attempt to Contact Extraterrestrial Intelligence
CAPITAL DISTRICT – A second space age, generated in part by the rapid commercialization of space access, has stimulated interest in contact with intelligent beings on other worlds. This talk focuses on the moral, cultural, and risk factors associated with attempts to contact extraterrestrial intelligence.
John W. Traphagan, a PhD in social anthropology from the University of Pittsburgh, is Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. His books include Science, Culture, and the Search for Life on Other Worlds.
This program will take place online, via Zoom, on Sunday, January 9th, 2022 at 1 PM. Current paid CDHS members will automatically receive an invite to the meeting via e mail.
Any one who is not a paid member can attend. Simply log onto our Meetup Page, https://www.meetup.com/Capital-District-Humanist-Society/ and use the RSVP function. The link to the meeting will then be available to you.
The Capital District Humanist Society provides a supportive community for exchanging ideas, heightening our knowledge of the world and ourselves, fostering moral and ethical growth, and promoting the principles of secular humanism. CDHS is a member organization for people with humanist values. Our values include commitment to free inquiry, rational thought, life-long education, democracy, social concern, and fellowship.
www.humanistsociety.net
Sand Lake Community “Show and Tell”
SAND LAKE – The community is invited to the Sand Lake Historical Society’s January program, Tuesday, January 11th, “Sand Lake Show and Tell – II”. What’s in your attic, cellar, closet, junk drawer? Old bottles and such from Sand Lake Springs, Village Shop gift boxes, glass slag from Glass lake, photos, posters, and ??? Who knows what might turn up? It’s part of your history — but it’s also part of Sand Lake’s! If you have it, bring it to share.
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 for more information. Any questions, please contact Jackie Tremont, President (518-527-9926).
Capital District Fly Fishers Annual Fly Tying Class
CAPITAL DISTRICT – 8 Sessions Various Wednesdays 7:00-9:00 pm – Jan. 12th, 26th, Feb. 2nd, 9th, 23rd March 2nd, 9th, 23rd, March 30th Makeup Session. Location: 5 Locust Lane, Clifton Park, NY 12065. Learn to Tie the following flies: Streamers Nymphs, Wet Dry, Terrestrials Caddis & Leaches, Deer Hair. Course Includes: ALL materials to tie 70 flies (5 each of 14 flies). Material give a way at the classes. Must have own tools, which are covered at the 1st session. Class size limited (First Come First Serve). For Information or Gift Certificate,Contact: Rodney Priddle (518) 421-6762 or flyrod@nullnycap.rr.com
Paul Sinicki at (518)885-8257 or cdflyfishers@nullnycap.rr.com
For Registration go to https://parksrec.egov.basgov.com/cliftonpark Or call (518) 371-6651.
Extension Offers “Microgreens” Free Webinar
RENSSELAER COUNTY – Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rensselaer County will offer the free webinar “Microgreens! A budget “USE WHAT YOU HAVE” approach” on Wednesday, January 12 at noon. Healthy, nutrient-packed greens can be grown using household items and off-the-shelf supplies. Buy limited and buy local. Each step to grow broccoli Microgreens is presented by Doug Pratt. Many options will be explored with tips to build and improve your “wintergreens” diet. Doug is a homesteader, long-time Rensselaer County Master Gardener, retired wholesale grower, and inventor of the IMP Seeder.
This webinar, offered as part of the free “Lunch In The Garden” series, uses the Zoom platform and you must download the free software in advance. To register, visit the Extension website at http://ccerensselaer.org/events or call (518) 272-4210.
Circle Theatre Players Presents “Admissions” by Joshua Harmon at Sand Lake Center for the Arts
SAND LAKE – Get your tickets today for this “Shockingly insightful and outrageously hilarious satire about class, race and the increasingly unbridgeable American cultural divide.” (St. Louis Post-Dispatch). Sherri Rosen-Mason is head of the admissions department at a New England prep school, fighting to diversify the student body. Alongside her husband, the school’s headmaster, they’ve largely succeeded in bringing a stodgy institution into the twenty-first century. But when their only son sets his sights on an Ivy League university, personal ambition collides with progressive values with convulsive results. A no-holds-barred look at privilege, power, and the perils of hypocrisy. January 14, 15, 16 and 21, 22, 23. Tickets are $20. Purchase online at slca-ctp.org.
Q.U.I.L.T., Inc. Monthly Guild Meeting on Zoom
CAPITAL DISTRICT – Q.U.I.L.T., Inc. is a not-for-profit guild of quilters interested in learning about the art of making quilts. Members live in the Capital Region and surrounding communities. All levels of quilters are welcome. Meetings are held at the Delmar Reformed Church the second Tuesday of each month (September through June.) Due to the pandemic, meetings are currently held virtually.
For the January 14, 2022 meeting, members and guests join on Zoom at 9:30am to greet fellow quilters. A brief business meeting begins at 9:45 which will be followed by Mini-Workshops and Show and Share. Preregistration is required on the Q.U.I.L.T., Inc. website https://www.quiltinc.org/ to receive the Zoom link. Please join us!
Ice Fishing Contest at Grafton Lakes State Park
GRAFTON – Grafton Lakes State Park will host its 36th annual Ice Fishing Contest on Saturday, January 15, 2022 from 5:30 AM – 2:00 PM. Join in on the fun as several hundred anglers brave the cold temperatures for their chance to make a winning catch on several of the park’s ponds. In the case of soft ice, the contest will be rescheduled for Sat., Feb 12th.
Registration begins at 5:30 AM and ends at 11:00 AM (or 12:30pm for youth) on January 15th in the park’s maintenance building, accessible via the Main Entrance. There is a $10 entrance fee required for all participants age 16 or older, with no fee for children under 16. All participants 16 and older must have a valid NYS fishing license to fish in the park at any time, including during the contest.
Big cash prizes are awarded for adults with 1st place fish and the longest length catch in all three categories of trout, walleye/chain pickerel, and yellow perch. Winning entries will receive gift cards and other prizes.
Tournament areas are located on Second Pond, Mill Pond, Dunham Reservoir, Shaver Pond, and Long Pond. Please note that due to preparations for Cabin Fever (January 22nd), ice fishing is not permitted adjacent to the beach on Long Pond. In the case of soft ice, the Ice Fishing tournament will be postponed until Sat., Feb 12th.
Grafton Lakes State Park is located off of Route 2, twelve miles east of Troy, New York. Please use the park’s main entrance on Grafton Lakes State Park Way for this event. There is no entrance fee for this event. For more information, please call the park at 518-279-1155.
Grafton Lakes State Park Needs Volunteers for Cabin Fever Event
GRAFTON – Grafton Lakes State Park and the Friends of Grafton Lakes State Park are looking for volunteers to assist with the Cabin Fever event on Sat, January 22, 2022. Due to COVID-19, we have modified our annual winter fest and are excited to offer capital region families a day full of outings, demonstrations, and tabling. Events like these are not possible without the dedication of volunteers who love the park. The event is free of charge and will take place from 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM.
Love to hike? Be a sweep on hikes and walks led by local clubs and organizations such as the Rensselaer Plateau Alliance, LL Bean, and the Rensselaer Land Trust. Prefer more of a front row seat? Assist with greeting visitors, registration, manning an activity, and more! To sign up to volunteer visit: (https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0a4daea72da4fb6-volunteering). The park will offer two free snowshoe rentals and meal tickets for your donated time.
Group sizes for outings will be limited. Masks will be required for all participants ages two and older when indoors. Cabin Fever activities will be spread out across the park. Locations for different activities will be shared upon registration. Volunteers will agree to not attend if they are experiencing any symptoms, have been in contact with someone who recently tested positive or is suspected to have COVID-19.
Grafton Lakes State Park is located off of Route 2, twelve miles east of Troy, New York. For more information about Grafton Lakes State Park events, check out our Facebook page at “Grafton Lakes State Park”, or visit our website at www.nysparks.com.
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 individual state parks, historic sites, golf courses, boat launches and recreational trails, which are visited by 71 million people annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit www.nysparks.com, connect on Facebook, or follow on twitter.
Grafton Lakes State Park to Host Cabin Fever
GRAFTON – Grafton Lakes State Park and the Friends of Grafton Lakes State Park will host a Cabin Fever event on Saturday, January 22, 2022. Due to COVID-19, many of the indoor exhibits will be offering hikes and scavenger hunts outside throughout the day. The event will include a polar plunge, food vendors, and family-friendly recreational activities. The event is free of charge and runs from 11:30 AM-3:00 PM.
Cabin Fever will include activities such as its popular snow bowling hill, snowshoe races and a snowball toss, as well as guided snowshoe outings. Other outdoor offerings this year include free snowmobile rides, sensory walks, and an ice dive demonstration. Registration for the hikes will open in January.
The Polar Plunge kicks off the main events at 11:30AM (registration from 11-11:30am). As always, the Plunge includes a playful prize for the silliest costume offered by the Friends of Grafton Lakes State Park, so start planning your January beach attire! To pre-register for the Plunge, please call Ray Dozois for more information at 518-663-5648, or call the park office at 518-279-1155.
For visitors who need to warm up there will be many large fires outside by the Welcome Center and the beach. Live animals will also be present at the festival in the welcome center. Visitors will not be disappointed with the refreshments available both inside the welcome center and outside by the main parking lot.
Note that this year’s Ice Fishing contest is being held on the weekend before, on Saturday, January 15th. Registration will take place the morning of the 15th. There is no pre-registration. Please call the park for more information: 518-279-1155.
Grafton Lakes State Park is located off of Route 2, twelve miles east of Troy, New York. Please use the park’s main entrance on Grafton Lakes State Park Way for this event. There is no entrance fee for this event. For more information, please call the park at 518-279-1155.
New York State Arms Collectors Association, Inc. Albany Gun Show™
CAPITAL DISTRICT – January 22-23, 2022. Empire State Plaza Convention Center, Albany, N.Y. 450 Tables. Open To The Public. Saturday: 9:00am-5:00pm. Sunday 9:00am-3:00pm.Daily Admission $8.00 Per Person. Children under 12 free – Must be accompanied by Adult• Senior Citizens $6.00.
Johnny Rabb Returns to the Wynantskill American Legion
WYNANTSKILL – The Sons of the American Legion in Wynantskill, NY invite you to shake off the winter blues with Johnny Rabb and his Big Band featuring the Tichy Boys and Blue Hand Luke, on Saturday, January 29th at the post located at 111 Main Ave. Tickets are $15, and reserved seating is available with a minimum purchase of 4 tickets. A cash bar will be available, and attendees are welcome to bring their own food or snacks. Doors open at 6pm and the show starts at 7pm, make sure to get your tickets soon as this show always sells out. All proceeds benefit Sons of the Legion veterans and youth charities, so please come out and have some fun while supporting a worthy cause. ***Proof of vaccination OR a negative COVID test within 72 hours of the show will be required*** All health protocols in effect on the day of the event will be observed. For more information, call Bill McGuirk at 518-441-0013.