Events 02.24.22

The Lion King JR. Performance by the Goff Drama Club

Disney’s The Lion King JR. is playing at Columbia High School on Friday, March 18th at 7pm & Saturday, March 19th at 2pm & 7pm. 

The 60-minute musical, designed for middle-school aged performers, is based on the Broadway production directed by Julie Taymor and the 1994 Disney film. The Goff Drama Club cast & crew of 70 students is led by Lorraine LaVoie, Rebecca Stevens, Hannah Decker and Jean Hirt.

The Lion King JR. tells the story of the epic adventures of a curious cub named Simba as he struggles to accept the responsibilities of adulthood and his destiny as king. Along the way, the young lion encounters a colorful cast of characters including spunky lioness Nala, charismatic meerkat Timon, and loveable warthog Pumbaa. To claim his rightful place on the throne and save his beloved Pridelands, Simba must find his inner strength and confront his wicked Uncle Scar. The Lion King JR. features classic songs from the 1994 film such as “Hakuna Matata” and the Academy Award®-winning “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” as well as additional songs penned for the Broadway production.

Performances of Disney’s The Lion King JR. are open to the public. 

Admission is Adults $10 – Students/Seniors $8.

Rensselaer HS Hall of Fame Induction Dinner

RHS Alumni Association Hall of Fame Inductions Dinner will be held April 9, 2022 from 5-9pm at Birch Hill 1 Celebration Way Castleton NY. Reservations required via school website https://www.rcsd.k12.ny.us/. Select Rensselaer Jr-Sr High School from the menu, then Alumni Association. $47pp adult, $15 children under 12yrs. includes hors d’oeuvres and full course meal. Menu choices, listed on the website with payment, via check made out to “Rensselaer Alumni Association”, must be sent to 25 Van Rensselaer Dr., Rensselaer, NY 12144 no later than March 31, 2022.

Inductees for this year are: Rikki Terry Allert ‘95; Jon Badi, Sr ‘62; Jay Corcoran ‘66; Carol Davis ‘72; Philip Foust ‘76; Frances Harrison, Faculty, Posthumous; Edward “Eddie Angel” Heeran ‘71; Bryan Leahey ‘74; Jacklyn Nixon, Staff; Capt. Grant Staats, Rrtd. ‘78.

Knapp to Present “The Kittle Family Murders” at SLHS March 8th

On Tuesday March 8th, the Sand Lake Historical Society will feature author Jill Whitbeck Knapp and The Kittle Family Murders. The region was shocked in December 1870 when blind 20 year-old Asa Kittle shot both his parents to death. Described by some as a “half idiot,” his ability to understand the charges against him was questioned. But Asa was the not the first, nor would he be the last, family member to be involved in a murderous situation in West Stephentown. Learn about the lawlessness that entangled other members of the family, its impact on the local community, and what became of Asa. 

Jill Witbeck Knapp grew up in Latham, graduated from Shaker High School, received a BS in agriculture and MS in agronomy from Cornell, and a Ph.D. in agronomy from Purdue. She’s held several executive director positions with small nonprofits from Iowa to New York, and as adjunct faculty at Berkshire Community College and Ramapo College in New Jersey. Upon returning to the Albany area in 2005, Jill became interested in her family history, resulting in her non-fiction book, “The Time for Redemption,” the story of her great great grandfather William Witbeck who was charged with the murder of a Rensselaer County, Deputy Sheriff Griggs in 1869. During her research, Jill discovered other fascinating topics of the period including the Kittle Murders and her current research interest, the Capital Police District. 

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. Any questions, call 518-527-9926, Jackie Tremont, President.

Hoosick Falls St. Patrick’s Parade

The Hoosick Falls St. Patrick’s Parade is less than a month away. Saturday March 12. 2022 at 1:00 PM. Floats, Bands, Marchers, Cars, Trucks, Tractors and Horses are welcome. Cash prizes will be awarded for the best floats. This year’s theme is Irish fairies, Legends and Myths.Get your friends, family, businesses or service organizations to enter and join the fun!.

To enter contact Kevin O’Malley at 518-894-5035 or email hoosickkid@nullgmail.com.

For More information on the parade check out our Facebook page: Hoosick Falls St. Patrick’s Parade and Irish Festival.

HVCC Hosts Live Webinar on Feb. 28: Civil Rights Activist Minnijean Brown Trickey

In August 1957, Minnijean Brown and eight classmates – now known as the “Little Rock Nine” – walked past armed guards and an angry mob outside Little Rock (Arkansas) Central High School to help set the United States on a path toward public school desegregation, an objective still not fully realized 65 years later. This brave act also ignited a fierce career as a civil rights activist and teacher.

Minnijean Brown Trickey will discuss her life-long social justice career during a live webinar at 2 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 28. Her talks are a sweeping exploration of social change and a reminder that the fight is far from over. In recognition of her enduring work, Brown Trickey received a U.S. Congressional Gold Medal, the NAACP’s Spingarn Medal, the Wolf Award, and a medal from the W.E.B. DuBois Institute. Under the Clinton administration, she served as deputy assistant secretary for diversity in the Department of the Interior. She appears in two acclaimed documentaries – “Journey to Little Rock: The Untold Story of Minnijean Brown Trickey” (2001) and HBO’s “Little Rock Central: 50 Years Later” (2007).

The second annual event in the Martin Luther King Jr. Speaker Series, Brown Trickey’s virtual appearance is hosted by Student Activities, the Student Senate, the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and the Cultural Affairs Program at Hudson Valley Community College in recognition of Black History Month. The program is open free to all; registration is required at www.hvcc.edu/events (scroll to Feb. 28 event). A sign-in link will be emailed to all who register. Call (518) 629-8071 for more information.

Sand Lake Center for the Arts 2022 Community Arts Project

After last year’s successful birdhouse project, SLCA is inviting local artists to participate in this year’s windchime/suncatcher auction. 

Pick up your windchime at SLCA by February 28 and create your masterpiece to be exhibited at SLCA throughout the month of April. Patrons will then bid on your creations and all proceeds will go to benefit SLCA. Submissions will be accepted until March 25. 

For more information, visit www.slca-ctp.org or call 518-674-2007. Sand Lake Center for Arts is located at 2880 NY 43, Averill Park, NY.

Sand Lake Center for the Arts 2022 Juried Art Show Call for Submissions

Artists of all media are invited to submit up to two works for a juried show at Sand Lake Center for the Arts July 1 through July 31, 2022. Twenty pieces will be selected. Awards will be presented for first ($300), second ($200), third ($100), and people’s choice ($100). There is no submission fee for this show. 

Art should reflect the concepts presented in the song “When I’m Gone” by Phil Ochs. Song lyrics are included on our website, www.slca-ctp.org. Submissions should be sent to assvsubmit@nullgmail.com in jpeg form by June 1, 2022. Selections will be announced by June 20, 22. Selected pieces must be delivered to SLCA by June 30,2022. 

For more information, visit www.slca-ctp.org or call 518-674-2007. Sand Lake Center for Arts is located at 2880 NY 43, Averill Park, NY.

Middle & High School Mountain Bike Team 

Sky High Adventure Center is hosting the Rensselaer County Redtails Mountain Bike Team and we’re looking for high energy, fun-loving youth athletes to join us for our first season as a National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) team. 

All students in grades 6-12 are welcome; no experience is required. We will train 2-3 times weekly (6pm Tue & Thur & 10am Sat) and participate in up to five sanctioned races. Official practices will start on March 1st. The 2022 Spring Race Weekend Dates are: April 10 & 24, May 15 & 22 and June 5th. 

The NICA Mission is to build strong minds, bodies, character, and communities through cycling. Our vision is for every youth to be empowered to be part of a thriving and engaged cycling community. We value having fun and adventure while inspiring friendships in an inclusive, equitable team environment that emphasizes respect and community building. Experience is not necessary! Our coaches are NICA certified and have years of combined experience teaching cycling.

Many thanks to Steiner’s Sports, Tomhannock Bicycles, and Velo Domestique for their sponsorship. If you are interested in volunteering or sponsoring the Rensselaer County Redtails, please contact Coach John at SKYHIGHadventures@<span class=”oe_displaynone”>null</span>gmail.com

Registration is NOW OPEN and will close on March 15th. To Register, complete the Rensselaer County Redtails Mountain Bike Team Registration form. Registration is $170 and includes a NICA Athlete License and first race entry fee. Subsequent races are $30. Financial aid is confidential and available if needed. Register prior to March15 at www.SHACcenter.org/services

HVCC Offers Noontime Concert Series, In Person or Live Stream

TROY – A series of Thursday noontime concerts begins Feb. 17 at Hudson Valley Community College. The performances are live in the Bulmer Auditorium on the Troy campus and live streamed at www.hvcc.edu/culture. Each hour-long event is free and open to all. (Masks are required indoors on campus.)

The concerts — all at noon in the Bulmer Auditorium — are:

March 10 — Reese Fulmer & the Carriage House Band — Up-and-coming, Saratoga Springs-based, singer/songwriter Reese Fulmer and band mates on guitar, upright bass and drums are eager to share the music on “It’s All A Dream,” a debut EP released in 2021.

March 24 — Jim Gaudet & the Railroad Boys — Singer/guitarist Jim Gaudet is joined by stellar musicians on fiddle, mandolin, piano and upright bass to deliver a blend of bluegrass and rockabilly reminiscent of Hank Williams, Earl Scruggs and Bill Monroe.

April 21 — Double B & the New Orleans Drive-by Band — Area mainstay trumpeter Bob Button and six band mates — playing sax, guitar, harmonica, accordion, Hammond organ, bass, trombone, tuba, drums and spoons – stir up a gumbo of dance music and soulful ballads that is a hearty mix of jazz, New Orleans funk, R&B and Gospel-infused soul. The concert series is presented by HVCC’s Cultural Affairs Program. Visit www.hvcc.edu/culture for live stream access. Call (518) 629-8071 for more information.

Sand Lake Center for the Arts presents a Wine and Sweets Tasting

Join us for this fundraiser featuring wines from Sabba Vineyard and sweets from Parchment Bakery. Thursday, March 10 from 6 to 8pm. We will also have raffles plus wines and sweets for sale. Tickets are $20 and are available at slca-ctp.org. Ages 21 and older. *Proof of vaccination will be required. Masks must be worn when not eating or drinking.

 

Castleton Boat Club

Spring 2022 History Lecture Series

92 South Main Street, Castleton, NY 12033

Join local historians and USCG Licensed Captains at the Castleton Boat Club for an informative and enjoyable series on Castleton and Hudson River history. Admission fee of $5 per person. Light refreshments provided prior to the lecture. NYS COVID guidelines will be respected.

Friday, March 25, 6:30-8:00 PM – Ice Harvesting Industry on the Hudson and in the Northeast: Tom Ragosta is the City of Watervliet Historian, and curator of the Watervliet Historical Society Museum. He has studied the Ice Harvesting industry of the Northeast. This presentation focuses on the methods and techniques used on the Upper Hudson. 

Friday, April 22, 6:30-8:00 PM – The Industrial age of the Upper Hudson: Join Rensselaer County Historian, Kathy Sheehan, for an in-depth look at the industries and businesses on the shores of the Upper Hudson. These are the industries that built the Capital District.

Friday, May 27, 6:30-8:00 PM – Steamboats of the Hudson River: Captain Stanley Wilcox is the author of the full-color book “HUDSON: FROM TROY TO THE BATTERY”. He is a USCG licensed captain and has worked the river for many years. In this presentation he looks at the boats that brought Albany and Manhattan together during the age of Steam Power.

For more information, or to preregister, call 518-708-7995 or email laurawhiterivers@nullgmail.com

Dining with Diabetes Presented by Cornell Cooperative Extension Albany County  

CAPITAL DISTRICT – February  28th at 6:30pm – Virtual Program via Zoom

Adults with type 2 diabetes (or those who are at risk of type 2 diabetes) and their family members, caregivers, and support persons are invited to participate in Dining with Diabetes.  This free virtual program will help you learn the skills needed to promote good health while living with diabetes.   Dining with Diabetes is an Extension program taught locally by Karen Roberts Mort, MS of Cornell Cooperative Extension Albany County.  

Participants will learn how to read the new food labels, count carbohydrates and plan meals using the Plate Method.   There will also be time to discuss ways to stay motivated to eat healthy and stay active during the current health crisis.  This class offers opportunities to connect with others who are dealing with diabetes.  Healthy recipes, cooking techniques and even ideas for making healthier choices at restaurants and grocery stores will be shared with the group.  A Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist has been invited to attend one of the sessions. 

Please register here :

https://cornell.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJErf-ygqD4jH9f5xxKk0V3Il8E0bFtmCbCc

in order to get the Zoom link for the series.  For help with registering or any questions, contact Karen from CCE Albany at kem18@nullcornell.edu or leave a message at 518-765-3552. 

Extension Holds “Spring Garden Day” 

RENSSELAER COUNTY – Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rensselaer County will hold its 24th annual “Spring Garden Day” virtually, on Saturday, March 12.  Using Zoom, the cloud-based video communications format, we’ll have a webinar-type program from 9:45 AM to Noon.  

Garden designer, consultant and writer Robert Clyde Anderson will discuss how to revolutionize your garden in his talk, “Perennial Planting The New Wave Way.”  For friends of trees and shrubs, Fred Breglia, Executive Director of the Landis Arboretum, will talk about “Promoting Plant Health Through Proper Pruning.”  A great selection of garden-related door prizes will be given away.  You’ll need to download the free Zoom app to participate.  

For registration information, visit http://ccerensselaer.org/ or contact Cornell Cooperative Extension at (518)272-4210 or mmp74@nullcornell.edu