Saturday April 20, 2024 
Swearing In Ceremony for Rensselaer County Legislator Wayne Gendron
Rensselaer County Legislative Chairwoman Kelly Hoffman announces the Swearing-in Ceremony of newly appointed Legislator Wayne Gendron. Wayne was appointed as the new District 4 County Legislator, representing the Towns of Sand Lake, Schodack and Nassau at the January legislative meeting. He fills a vacancy by former Legislator Scott Bendett who won his seat for New York State Assemblyman.
Wayne has been active in local town government, serving as Town Councilman and Deputy Town Supervisor for the Town of Sand Lake. Wayne previously served on the town’s Zoning Board of Appeals. He has also been serving his community as a volunteer and President of the Kiwanis Club. The Honorable Judge Debra Young will administer the oath of office on Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at 5pm in the new Rensselaer County Legislative Chambers at 99 Troy Road in East Greenbush.
Highlight Acting Troupe Presents C-Rhyme & Punishment
Highlight Acting Troupe will present C-Rhyme @ Punishment a nursery rhyme justice system by Jane & Jim Jeffries. Music & Lyrics by Bill Francoeur. Representing the people are detectives who investigate crime and the magistrates who prosecute defenders. These are there rhymes.
The investigation involves a crime scene where Mister Humpty Dumpty has been found shattered. With lots of puns and plot twists, this Law and Order spoof surprises audiences by the end.
Performances dates are February 3-5 as well as February 10-12 at the Brunswick Grange in Troy, NY. Directed by Christine & Ethel LeVan. Musical Director Chris Morris. For reservations please call 518-237-6936 Ethel LeVan.
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.
Free Original Praise Music Shared at Benefit Concert for Buffalo, NY
St Paul’s church in Castleton is hosting a benefit concert 2/2 @6:30pm and we would love for you to be there! It will be all new music that the St Paul’s Praise Band has written. They want to share the music with churches looking for new songs to play during service either with their own bands or via YouTube. We are working on recording the music and will let interested persons/groups know when the songs are released.
Any monetary donations collected 2/2 during the concert will benefit Buffalo NY relief- filling their food pantries and initial aide through United Methodist upper New York Conference. All donations go to the cause. A lot is going on Feb 2nd! Hope to see you there! 1583 Carney Rd Castleton NY @stpaulscastleton Facebook/Instagram
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!
Bingo is Returning to the Brunswick Elks Lodge #2556 in Troy!!!
Finally !!! Bingo is returning to the Brunswick Elks #2556 in Troy on Sunday, March 5th, 2023 @ 1:30 PM ! We normally would be starting on this Bingo one month earlier, as hoped, but a little snag in the licensing process through the state has moved that back until March 5th, tentatively, as we have to get licensing also through the Town of Brunswick before starting up.
We are confident that the new date of March 5th, 2023 will be a bonafide date to let everyone know about.
If you have any questions about this endeavor, please call Jeff Keegan at 518-728-1795 or Mary Beth Keegan at 518-312-7291.
Please remember that the earlier date of February 5th, 2023 cannot be feasible and the new date of March 5th, 2023 is more firm.
You are urged to let all of your bingo friends know about this new date, as we will be calling all contacts when the license has been firmed up.
We thank you for your attention to this matter, and if all goes as planned, Bingo will indeed start on Sunday, March 5th, 2023 …
We also thank you for your patience while we work these things through; we are working diligently to make this Bingo a reality !!!
Rensselaer Plateau Alliance Presents January Nature Book Club
You are warmly invited to RPA’s Nature Book Club, with Rama Hamarneh, PhD. One evening a month, we will meet on Zoom to discuss a book we have read, and the work’s relationship to nature. We will explore multiple aspects of nature in literature – represented through multiple genres and authors from around the globe.
January’s meeting will take place on Tuesday, January 31 at 7pm on Zoom. The Zoom link for each meeting will be sent out to the book club email list a few days before the meeting. The book club is free to attend, and all are welcome.
For January 2023, we’ll read All Things Bright and Beautiful by James Herriot. All Things Bright and Beautiful is the beloved sequel to Herriot’s first collection, All Creatures Great and Small, and picks up as Herriot, now newly married, journeys among the remote hillside farms and valley towns of the Yorkshire Dales, caring for their inhabitants—both two- and four-legged. Throughout, Herriot’s deep compassion, humor, and love of life shine as we laugh, cry, and delight in the portraits of his many varied animal patients and their equally varied owners.
This book is available through the Upper Hudson Library System in physical format, on Hoopla via the library as an ebook and audiobook, at Market Block Books, and through other book sellers. Head to rensselaerplateau.org/rpa-book-club for more information.
Johnny Rabbs Big Band
On Saturday Feb. 4 2023 The Sons of The American Legion will be hosting Johnny Rabbs Big Band with special guests The Tichy Boys and Blue Hand Luke,performing all your rockin’ favorites.
This is our largest fundraiser event of the year and as part of The Legion Family our main goal is to raise funds aimed at improving the quality of life for our nations children and veterans.Advance tickets are available at The American Legion,111 Main Ave. Wynantskill for $ 15.00 ea.reserved seating is available with a 4 ticket minimum purchase.
Doors open @ 6:00 pm, band starts at 7:00.Supporters can enjoy food and drink specials ( by Giuliano’s Catering ) outside food and drink prohibited, This event has sold out quickly the past 9 years,so reserve early, tickets are limited. For more info call Bill 518-441-0013.