Saturday April 1, 2023 
Dog Park Forum
Furreal? A Sand Lake Dog Park? It’s not far-fetched, but it will be ruff if you don’t show up!
A very important dog park forum will take place Wednesday, January 23rd, at 6:30 P.M. in the Town of Sand Lake Courtroom (8428 Miller Hill Rd, Sand Lake, NY 12153).
To move forward with fundraising for a dog fence, the town MUST see that the community is committed to a dog park.
Having a designated fenced in dog area will protect the rights of other park users by preventing off-leash dogs from infringing on their activities. Dog owners will have a safe place to socialize their dogs in a controlled environment.
Off-leash areas bring people together, create a greater sense of community and provide a forum for dog owners to share information that can help foster more responsible pet ownership. This park will make dogs better neighbors who are less likely to bark incessantly or jump on people and offer elderly and disabled citizens a place to exercise their companions.
While a dog park seems like a small endeavor, it is not. A dog park sends a clear message that our community is organized, welcoming, and accommodating. This park will improve the overall physical and psychological well-being of our community and their pets. A committed community also positions us to receive local and federal grants and one step in developing a better life for all residents.
Please mark January 23, 2019 at 6:30PM on your calendar. We need to have a good turnout. Bring a friend, girl, boy, and/or eagle scout!
That’s all fur now!
~Shannon DeCelle
Send questions to: openspacessandlake@nullgmail.com
Life of Solomon Northup–“Twelve Years A Slave”
Join the Greenbush Historical Society on February 3, 2 PM, at the East Greenbush Community Library. (The correct date–Feb. 3 is the result of a schedule change.) Our guest speaker for Black History Month, Clifford W. Brown, PhD and Professor of Government at Union College, will discuss his collaborative writing of “Solomon Northup — The Complete Story of the Author of Twelve Years a Slave.” Having been born a free man and enjoying freedom for more than 30 years, Northup was a black man from Saratoga Springs who was kidnapped and sold into slavery. “Twelve Years a Slave” is his 1853 memoir and narrative. The authors’ book provides a chronological narrative of Northup’s entire life–from his birth in upstate New York to the activities he pursued after his release from slavery. The tale of Northup’s life demonstrates the constant threat slaves as well as any free person of color had to endure, including the threat of potential kidnapping. All meetings are free and open to the public. Because seating is limited, please register by calling the library at 518-477-7476.
Sand Lake Garden Club
The Sand Lake Garden Club will meet on Thursday, January 24th, at the Sand Lake Town library’s community room. All are welcome. The meeting will start at 6:30 pm. This month’s program will be “The Basics of Flower Arrangements” presented by Melissa Orth, owner of Poppy Tree Floral Designs. A brief business meeting will be conducted before the presentation. Please note the change from our usual time and location.
Thrift Shop
The Church of the Redeemer Thrift Shop in Rensselaer offers a clean, well-organized shopping experience with a very large selection of clothing for all ages and sizes including winter outerwear, housewares, toys, jewelry, baby gear and Avon collectibles. You’re sure to find something you didn’t know you needed from the vast selection of one-of-a-kind items. We’ll be open on Thursday, January 17th, from 3 to 6; and Saturday, January 19th, from 9 to 2, weather permitting.
The shop is located at 1249 Third Street, Rensselaer, on CDTA Bus Route #214. Enter through the parking lot on the Catherine Street side and be pleasantly surprised.
Comic Hypnotist Comes to APHS
Terry Parrett will be returning to Averill Park High School to perform his hilarious Hypnotist Show in the annual event held by the Senior Class ‘19 for a fundraiser. Please join us in this night to remember….maybe you will end up hypnotized yourself.
Wed., January 30th, 6:30pm.
TICKETS: $7 in advance during school lunches
$10 at the door ** Bake Sale during Intermission**
Winter’s Eve Nature Sketching
When: 1/23/2019, 6:00pm–8:00pm
Where: Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Rd., Albany NY, 12205
Suitable for teens and adults
The cold weather and short days of winter mean many of us spend less time enjoying and connecting with nature. During this indoor, evening program we will focus on improving our drawing skills while we spend time appreciating living and once-living objects and photographs of the Pine Bush Preserve. Participants are welcome to bring their own materials, purchase sketchbooks at the start of the program, or use materials we will provide.
Reservations are required for all public programs.
Fee: Free! Reservations required for all attendees (regardless of age). Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Make reservations by calling 518-456-0655 or visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org/events
Please plan to arrive at least 5-10 minutes before the start of the program to check in.
Groups with 8 or more people, please call us for special accommodations.
Top Entertainment to Take the Stage at Winter Fair 2019
Some of Upstate New York’s top entertainers, including a staple of the Great New York State Fair, will take the stage at the New York State Winter Fair, February 8 -10, in the new Exposition Center at the New York State Fairgrounds.
The full entertainment lineup includes the following:
Friday, February 8
4 p.m. – Paul Davie’s Magical Mystery Tour Tribute to the Beatles
6 p.m. – The Ripcords, a Central New York staple, rippin’ through roots, rockabilly, country, blues, swing and music influenced by both New Orleans, Bakersfield and more
8:30 p.m. – The Custom Taylor Band, Central New York’s premier top 40 country music band
Saturday, February 9
11 a.m. – Kambuyu Marimba Band, playing dance music From Zimbabwe
12:15 p.m. – Francis Academy of Irish Dance
1 p.m. – Karate John’s martial arts demonstration
1:30 p.m. – Mike & the Rhythm & Blues, a 12-piece youth orchestra
2:20 p.m. – Hilby, the Skinny German Juggle Boy, a tradition at the State Fair for more than 20 years, teasing and amusing audiences as he juggles, walks on stilts and rides a unicycle
3 p.m. – Karate John’s martial arts demonstration
3:30 p.m. – Joe Driscoll, a musician/rapper/beatboxer who uses recorded loops of his own beatboxing, and live looping using a sampler to fuse hip-hop, reggae, soul, folk and roots rock
4:45 p.m. – Native American Dancers, representing the Six Nations
6 p.m. – The BlackLites, an old school R&B/soul/funk group with a horn section.
8:30 p.m. to 10pm – The Todd Hobin Band, a legendary Central New York rock band
Sunday, February 10
12:15 p.m. – Sera Bullis, age 16, a two-time Syracuse Area Music Awards winner who plays piano, cello, ukulele and electric guitar
1:30 p.m. – Winner of the JCC Battle of the Bands, putting a great high school group in the spotlight
3:30 p.m. – Grupo Pagan, a Latin- American group with a salsa-inspired flavor
6 p.m. Jess Novak Band, a 7-piece band featuring pop, rock, soul, love, a fiddle on fire and a powerhouse voice
In addition to entertainment, Winter Fair will feature a mini-midway indoors, food, beverage and merchandise vendors, and State Fair cultural staples such as the Indian, Pan-African and Latino villages. Some special activities will also take place outdoors, in front of the Expo Center. Winter Fair runs 3 p.m. – 11 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. on Saturday and Noon – 8 p.m. on Sunday.
Pre-sale admission is $4 for adults and $2 for seniors age 60 and above and for teens ages 13-17. Children 12 and under are free. A small service fee is added to each ticket, which can be purchased here. At the gate, tickets will be $6 for adults, $4 for seniors and teens and only cash will be accepted.
History of Beer Making in Rensselaer County
The Esquatak Historical Society will present a talk on Rensselaer County’s over 225-year history of beer making on Friday, February 15th. Kathryn Sheehan, County and Troy City historian will present an illustrated program on local beer making and breweries. Included will be the history of Troy’s Fitzgerald’s Brewery to the popularity of new local craft breweries. Hear some of the colorful stories about this hoppy business and how Prohibition ended it (or did it?).
The program starts at 7 pm and will take place at the Schodack Town Hall located at the corner of Routes 9 & 20 and Schuurman Road in Schodack. Admission is free and refreshments will be served. For more information, visit www.esquatak.com.
Sand Lake Historical Soc. January program
Tuesday, Feb. 12th, the Sand Lake Historical Society will host Paul and Mary Liz Stewart, co-founders of Underground Railroad History Project of the Capital Region, Inc. (URHPCR). They will present a program about the influence of the Underground Railroad in this area. This group maintains the Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence in Albany, a headquarters for Underground Railroad activity in the mid-1850s and the only such structure remaining in the city; conducts annual conferences; publishes The Freedom Speaker; and documents our region’s Underground Railroad history. Starts at 7:30 at the Sand Lake Town Hall. Like us on Facebook.
Explore Ottawa
Capital District- June 7, 2019 to June 10, 2019: La Fédération Franco-Américaine du NY is sponsoring a bus trip to Ottawa, Canada. Rates include round trip deluxe motor coach with lavatory from Latham to Ottawa.
Three nights at the Historic Lord Elgin Hotel including hotel tax and baggage handling. The historic Lord Elgin Hotel is centrally located overlooking Confederate Park. Canadian buffet breakfast daily. A half day Ottawa city tour with step on guide. You will be free the rest of the time to explore the beautiful city. Reservations accepted by April 17, 2019. For details, call Lisa LaForest at Plaza Travel, 518-785-3338 or email lisa@nullplazatravel.net.
20th Anniversary Village of East Nassau Celebration
Please join us for a community celebration in honor of the Village of East Nassau. Settled in the mid 1760’s and officially incorporated as a village 20 years ago. Residents of the area grew concerned over preserving the rural character of East Nassau so they formed a village government. Who does that! Whether you want to celebrate the village or just get out for a good time, please join us. Saturday, February 16, 2019, Hoags Corners Firehouse, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Catering by Jack Kelly’s Tavern by the Green, music, and speakers. BYO if you want to enjoy a beverage. Cost $10.00. Please RSVP to rsvp@nullvillageofeastnassau.com or call 518-766-5811. Please mail check payable to the Village of East Nassau, P.O. Box 268, East Nassau, NY 12062.