Friday April 26, 2024 
Capital District Fly Fishers Fly Tie-A-Thon
CAPITAL DISTRICT – On February 1, 2020 the Capital District Fly Fishers and VFW Post 8692 of Colonie, New York held The 3rd Annual Fly Tie-A-Thon at the post for the benefit of Project Healing Waters. Project Healing Waters is dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active military service personnel and disabled veterans through fly fishing and associated activities including education and outings. This event continues the desire of the members of both organizations wanting to do what they can for our veterans. The Veterans Administration has realized the benefits of fly fishing and fly tying as therapy for veterans.
Each year the Tie-A-Thon continues to draw more interest and participants. While the first year was a blow out, with one individual donating 102 dozen flys due to retirement, the fly tying community is stepping up in a big way to make sure the Tie A Thon lives on and continues to prosper to insure that we continue to provide the much needed flys to Project Healing Waters. Flys collected will be distributed to veterans nation wide and wherever they are needed. Just look at what we have done to date, working together for a common cause.
2018 – 200 Dozen; 2019 – 146 Dozen; 2020 – 164 Dozen.
The Capital District Fly Fishers, goes one step further, and purchases fly boxes, loads them up with a broad selection of flys so that each veteran that participates in the PHW fly fishing program will take home a box of flys to start them on their way, enjoying and healing thru Fly Fishing.
Mark your calendar, the 4th Annual Fly Tie-A-Thon is already scheduled for February 6, 2021, at the VFW Post 8692 – Colonie, 140 VFW Drive, Albany, NY 12205. If you are interested in more information about our program, wish to contribute flys or how you can help, contact John Prokorym at jjpflytyer@nullyahoo.com or Tom Passarelli at AJPLMP@nullaol.com.
Understanding Shakespeare – Pericles
TROY – Join us at the Troy Public Library on Thursdays, February 27th – March 26th from 6:30PM – 7:30PM for our Understanding Shakespeare workshop.
This will be a five-session program on how to understand Shakespeare’s plays. We will start our discussion with Act 1 of Shakespeare’s comedy “Pericles.” Then in the following four weeks we will discuss the play one act at a time. This program will allow the participants to put the play in a variety of contexts, such as its relationship to his other works and to the modern existential world. Tom Bulger, Shakespeare Scholar and retired professor from Siena College will lead this workshop. Please have Act One read for the February 27th discussion.
Movie Night at Center Brunswick United Methodist Church
CENTER BRUNSWICK – Rescheduled Movie Night. Jubilation Station of Center Brunswick United Methodist Church invites you to the showing of Sight and Sound’s theatrical production of Jonah on Friday night, February 28 at 6:30 pm. We are located at 990 Hoosick Road, Troy. Snacks will be provided. All are welcome.
Highlight Acting Troupe Presents Once Upon a Pandora’s Box
BRUNSWICK – The Highlight Acting Troupe presents “Once upon a Pandora’s Box” written by Monica Flory and Produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc. (www.playscripts.com). A clever comedy that demonstrates the importance of villains in every story. Once upon a time in New York City, Tabitha and her sibling discover a box sitting in the hall of their apartment. When Tabitha opens the box, five imprisoned fairy tale villains escape, and bring havoc to the tiny apartment and Manhattan! Will Tabitha be able to harness the power of her storytelling? Performances will be held at the Brunswick Grange Hall on Friday February 28th at 7:30PM , Saturday February 29th at 7:30PM and Sunday March 1st at 2:00PM
Tickets are $15 for Adults and $12 for Seniors and Students. For Reservations please call Ethel at 518-237-6936.
Salem United Methodist Church Pork Loin Dinner
WEST SAND LAKE – 349 Shaver Road West Sand Lake, NY 12196 (off Route 150) – Salem United Methodist Church hosts its annual Pork Loin Dinner, Saturday, February 29, 2020. Menu includes Sliced Pork Loin, Gravy, Coleslaw, Apples, Vegetable of the Day, Scalloped Potatoes, Rolls & Butter, Pie, Coffee, Tea & Decaf. Dinner is from 4:30pm-6:00pm. Cost is $12.00 per person. Reservations can be made by calling the church office at 518-674-3106, or call/text Carol at 518-330-7609. Visit our website: wslsumc.wordpress.com
Tax Collection Town of Schodack
SCHODACK – For anyone who has not paid their 2020 Real Property Taxes, the Tax Office will be open on Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays during the month of February during the hours of 8:30am and 4:30pm. All payments received after February 29th will incur an additional penalty. All tax bills and receipts, from 2005 to present, handled by this office can be viewed and printed from the website, www.schodack.org., Departments, Receiver of Taxes.
Submitted by: Shawn Masters, Receiver of Taxes
Cabin Fever Day – Fly Tying Expo 2020
CAPITAL DISTRICT – The Capital District Fly Fishers is co-sponsoring Cabin Fever Day / FLY TYING EXPO, at Field & Stream, Latham, NY, Saturday, February 29th 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. The event is open to the public at no charge.
Cabin Fever Day has long been a tradition in the area. Come in and watch the transition of Fur, Feathers and Synthetics in to Fly Tying master pieces. Chat with local & professional fly tiers and get the scoop on how they are made and how and where to use them.
For additional information, contact Capital District Fly Fishers at CDFlyFishers@nullnycap.rr.com or go to our webpage CDFlyfishers.org contact us.
12th Annual Russian Winter Festival
ALBANY – Saturday, February 29, 2020. 11am-5pm. Polish Community Center 225 Washington Ave. Ext Albany. It’s a day of Russian traditional food, music, costumes, exhibits, performances, crafts and contests.
The festival’s headliner is a folk ensemble “Barynya” from New York, NY. It’s a well-known group that enjoys exalting stature as the premier Russian folk ensemble outside of Russia. Barynya presents Russian, Cossack, Ukrainian, Jewish and Gypsy Roma traditional dancing, music, songs, and virtuoso performances on instruments including the balalaika, garmoshka (Russian folk button accordion), and Gypsy guitars.
Children Dance ensemble “Kaleidoscope”, Brooklyn, NY, provides a selection of thrilling and colorful Russian folk dancing, enchanting Russian folk music. Group performs Russian, Ukrainian, Gypsy, Armenian and Georgian folk traditional dances.
The contest “Best Braided Hairdo Contest” at the Grand Finale at 3pm is open to girls and women of all ages for modeling and to any non-professional hair stylists including students of hairdressing schools for designs. Russian braid – girl’s pride and glory! A “Russian braid” is something like a myth in Russia: the word means a girl who owns an especially long and thick braid, which always belongs to a true Russian beauty. Registration: Free.
www.newrussiacenter.org/winter/festival-events/braided-hairdo-contest
Exhibitions at the Grand Finale:
Soviet Historical Posters. 15 posters. The exhibition provides an opportunity to enjoy some wonderfully creative, playful, visually exciting Soviet posters which are undoubtedly works of art in their own right. Their work would be much copied, inspire and be influential to modern art movements of the 20th century.
Russian Porcelain Decorative Plates. 30 beautiful Villeroy & Boch – Germany – Heinrich porcelain limited edition plates depict Russian fairy tales with an amazing illustration by Boris Evorykin.
3rd Rifle Division Red Army. Reenacting group portrays a squad of a Russian rifle division in the Great Patriotic War.
Festival Sponsors. Support for the Russian Winter Festival 2020 by placing an ad in the Festival Program. www.newrussiacenter.org/winter/festival-sponsors
Vendors’ opportunities are available at the Grand Finale of the Russian Winter Festival 2018.
www.newrussiacenter.org/winter/craft-vendors
Admissions: Adult: $7, Children: $3 from 5 to 12, children < 5 – Free
www.newrussiacenter.org/winter/festival-events/grand-finale-2020
Averill Park Announces Kindergarten Registrations for the 2020-2021 School Year
AVERILL PARK – The Averill Park School District has begun the process of registering boys and girls for the 2020-2021 Kindergarten Classes. If you, or someone you know, has a child who will be five years of age on or before December 1, 2020 please contact the district registrar at 674-7050 extension 7201 to make sure that the child is listed on our school census. This will guarantee that you will receive all upcoming kindergarten information by mail. Registration paperwork should be hand delivered by the parent or guardian to the district registrar at the district office at the Averill Park High School during the month of February. Registration hours are Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 3:30 PM. Registration forms are accepted by appointment. All paperwork must be completed by 02-28-2020.
New York State Public Health Law, Section 2164, requires certain immunizations (shots) to enter kindergarten and attend school. Please check with your health care provider as soon as possible to make sure your child has all the needed immunizations. They are listed below.
Required Immunizations for Kindergarten – Immunizations Number of Doses; Polio 3-4; Hepatitis B 3; Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis 4-5; Measles/Mumps/Rubella 2; Varicella (Chicken Pox) 2.
Pamela Dalton Will Speak on Scherenschnitte, the Art of Paper Cutting
STEPHENTOWN – Pamela Dalton, will present a talk on Scherenschnitte, the Art of Paper Cutting, on Sunday, March 1. The 2:00 p.m. Stephentown Historical Society meeting will be at the Stephentown Heritage Center, 4 Staples Road (corner of Garfield Road), Stephentown, New York. The program is free and the building is handicapped accessible. For directions, telephone (518) 733-0010.
Pamela Dalton’s Scherenschnitte have delighted collectors worldwide for almost twenty-five years. Her work is created in the tradition of early American paper cutting popular in the Pennsylvania Dutch regions of this country in the early nineteenth century. She will tell of the history of paper cutting and the diversity of styles worldwide.
Dalton’s original designs are influenced by popular historical themes: patriotism, biblical and religious motifs, and scenes from rural life. Each piece is sketched freehand by the artist and then cut by hand, so no two are exactly alike. Each work is cut from a single piece of paper and framed in a false grain frame.
Dalton, a Ghent, New York, resident, has also illustrated many books, including “Brother Sun, Sister Moon” and “Under the Silver Moon.”
Love Lutheran Church News
EAST GREENBUSH – Please join us for Worship on Sunday, March 1st, as we celebrate the Sacrament of the Altar. Pastor Dietsche will once again be our guest Minister. You don’t want to miss his inspirational message! Bible Study/Confirmation 9:00 am, Worship 10:00 am, Fellowship 11:00 am. Love Lutheran Church is located: Just off Route 20 at Pheasant Lane & Middlesex Road, East Greenbush, NY. Church office: 518-477-8685.
Keyes Scholarship for Tamarac Seniors
CENTER BRUNSWICK – 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 2020. 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, 2020. The application can be obtained from the school’s guidance department or from our website at (www.CenterBrunswickUMC.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.
Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County Offers Volunteer Information Session
TROY – Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County needs volunteers, and you can help! As a volunteer you can develop new skills, make friends, and see how your efforts make a difference in your community. Would you like to help someone to read and write, or to speak English as a new language? We can train you. To find out more, join us for a Volunteer Opportunities Information Session, Wednesday, March 4 from 12:00 noon – 1:00 p.m. at the LVORC office, 71 First Street, 3rd Floor, Troy, N.Y. Call (518) 244-4650 to reserve a place. Visit the website for additional dates and times: www.lvorc.org
Climate Action Film Festival Albany Debut
ALBANY – SunCommon is pleased to announce the Capital District premiere of the Climate Action Film Festival to be shown at the Spectrum Theater in Albany, NY on March 4 from 7-9 pm. As the host, it is acting in partnership with Community Advocates for a Sustainable Environment, a local grassroots environmentalist activist group.
This is the first festival of its kind exclusively featuring storytelling around solutions, rather than simply the impacts of climate change. The Climate Action Film Fest is a touring, single-night event featuring a 90-minute presentation of ten short films from around the world (over 225 films were pre-screened). Step away from the doom and gloom we know too well and move to a place of hope, inspiration and ACTION.
For tickets, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/community-conversation-climate-action-film-festival-tickets-94056701125?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
One will be able to view enlightening, engaging and encouraging films about climate change and enjoy being with kindred souls and take part in lively discussions after these films.
Seating is limited on a first come, first served basis. To date, all similar events have sold out in advance, so consider reserving tickets now. All proceeds from screenings are donated to aid local environmental activities.
$10-$20 is a suggested donation, but no one will be turned away.
One of the films being featured in this, CAFF’s inaugural lineup, is Words Have Power, directed by Lynne Cherry, founder of Young Voices for the Planet, best-selling children’s author. Words Have Power features 10-year-old Jaysa Mellers, a girl on the front lines of climate change who stands up to a power plant – and wins. Her dynamic speeches at rallies and City Hall catalyze her community to fight the coal-fired power plant that causes her asthma, and together they shut it down.
To learn more, visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/247066802972777/
Korean War Veterans Association March Meeting
CAPITAL DISTRICT – The March meeting for Ch. 60 Korean War Vet. Assoc., will be held at 1:30 p.m., Thurs., March 5th, at the VFW Home, which is located off the arterial, just North of Saratoga Springs. Veterans who served anywhere during the Korean War, in Korea at any time, spouses, widows, families and friends are all welcome to attend. New members are always welcome. For further information or an application to join the organization, please contact Charles Walter at 518-884-0396. Annual dues for veterans are $10, $5 for all others.
Guest Speaker on Estate adn Medicaid Planning Essentials
GRAFTON – Rensselaer County’s Everett Wagar Senior Center, 2 Roxborough Rd, Grafton, will host Louis Pierro, Esq, of Pierro, Connor and Strauss, LLC, as our monthly guest speaker on Friday, March 6th at 12:40. Learn how you or your loved one can take control of your estate and ‘age in place’ with step-by-steps instructions. Mr. Pierro will speak on how to preserve your retirement assets, minimize your taxes, prepare for long-term care, obtain home care that you can afford if needed, avoid moving into the nursing home, and much more. You never know what your future will hold. You don’t want to end up incapacitated, nor do you want to end up with your assets at risk and facing potential losses due to high nursing home costs. You also don’t want to be without money in retirement, or leave your family in a bad financial position if you pass away unexpectedly. This free presentation should be attended by all residents 60 and over. Call to sign up for lunch at 518-279-3413.
7th Annual Dustin Mele Memorial Concert – A Night of the Beatles
TROY – Join us for a night of Beatles music to benefit suicide prevention and mental health intervention services. Saturday, March 7, 6-11pm at Brown’s Revolution Hall, 425 River Street, Troy. $20 minimum suggested donation at the door.
Bands Soul Sky, Across the Pond and Super 400 are donating their time and talent to fill the night with all of our favorite Beatles songs, With a Little Help From [our] Friends who will be sitting in throughout the night as special guest musicians. There will also be a 50/50 raffle at the event.
Proceeds from this year’s Memorial Concert will support three organizations — the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), and Rensselaer County mental health and emergency assistance programs through Catholic Charities CONSERNS-U program— all in memory of Dustin.
In 2013, the world lost a bright light. Dustin was kind-hearted, happy and a joy to be around. He was full of positive energy and always encouraging others. Proof that anyone can be lost to suicide in an instant.
We still believe that with advocating for suicide prevention programs that help erase the stigma of depression and making proper mental health care more easily available, lives can be saved.
For more information on the Annual Dustin Mele Memorial Concert, visit our Facebook page: Dustin Mele Memorial.
The Fresh Air Fund to Bring Summer to The Troy Waterfront Farmers’ Market This Winter
TROY – The Fresh Air Fund’s Albany, Ny Volunteers Will Attend The Troy Waterfront Farmers’ Market Held In The Troy Atrium. 49 4th Street, Troy, NY 12181.
The Troy Waterfront Farmer’s Market has returned for its 20th season in downtown Troy, NY, where the community is able to shop and browse over 100 local, producer-only vendors every Saturday from November to April, from 9 am – 2 pm. The market takes pride in creating and maintaining a sense of community, as it provides opportunities for community outreach and education. On Saturday, March 7, 2020, and Saturday, March 21, 2020, the Albany, NY Friendly Towns volunteers will have a community table, where they will be available to answer questions about volunteering as a Fresh Air Fund Host Family and share their experiences.
Attendees: Cynthia Mangione, Local Volunteer Fund Representative. Local host families from The Fresh Air Fund’s Friendly Towns Program.
East Greenbush Kiwanis hosts 11th Annual Comedy Night
EAST GREENBUSH – The Kiwanis Club of East Greenbush is hosting their 11th annual Comedy Night on Saturday, March 7th! This year, due to popularity of the event, we have moved to a larger facility: the Melvin Roads American Legion Post, 200 Columbia Turnpike, East Greenbush. Headlining this year’s event will be Howie Mason, a nationally recognized comedian and up and comer comedian Cody Montanye will open for him.
Showtime is 8:00 PM; however, doors will open at 6:30 PM. There will be a cash bar, snacks, Chinese Auction and 50/50 raffle, so come early! This is our club’s biggest fundraiser of the year, and allows us to both support community programs and fund our own events that benefit at-risk youth in the southern Rensselaer County area.
The event is usually a sell-out, so don’t wait! Easily order your tickets online at: egkiwanis.weebly.com, or pick-up in person at Gettysburg Flag Works, 715 Columbia Turnpike, East Greenbush, M-F, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM, or call Vinny Catelotti at 518-331-3798. Advance tickets are $25.00; at the door, $30.00.
We hope to see many of you there, and thanks in advance!
Extension Holds “Spring Garden Day” March 7
RENSSELAER COUNTY – Spring starts March 7 with “Spring Garden Day,” a program of gardening classes and fun for gardeners, held at Tamarac High School in Brunswick. Attendees can choose from ten classes covering pollinator gardens, perennials, vegetable growing in small spaces, hydrangeas, container gardening, birding basics, creating garden art, flowering trees and shrubs, avoiding ticks, making a cutting garden and more. Lorraine Ballato will encourage re-thinking garden maintenance in her keynote presentation, “Smarter Gardening: Let’s Talk!” A plant sale, garden book sale, Pick-A-Prize Auction, and fabulous door prizes are other highlights. Participants also receive a delicious homemade lunch featuring soups, Stromboli and desserts. Program fee is $30 per person and pre-registration is required. Pre-register early as this event always sells out. Call Cornell Cooperative Extension at (518) 272-4210 and ask for Marcie, or visit www.ccerensselaer.org for details.
Transfiguration Parish Book Nook News
SPEIGLETOWN – The Book Nook at Transfiguration Parish on Hillview Drive in Speigletown is open on Saturday morning, March 7 and 21, from 9:00 am until noon. March half-priced specials are on some of your top authors. Debbie Macomber, James Patterson and Danielle Steel. All biographies, historical, religious, cookbooks, self-help and large print books are $1 each. Children and young adult books are 6/$1. Our inventory keeps getting better with all the new donations! Please stop by and check us out. Thanks for your continued support. See you at the Book Nook!
Donny Elvis Romines at American Legion
WYNANTSKILL – Put on your blue shade shoes and join the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary at 111 Main Ave, Wynantskill on Saturday March 7. Doors open at 6, show will be 7-9pm. Advanced tickets are available at the bar for $10 and $12 at the door. Reserved seating is available with the purchase of 8 tickets. There will be a cash bar and 50/50 raffle. Our kitchen is now open and will be available for guests to purchase food. Outside food or beverages will not be permitted. Proceeds from this show will be used to support our Veterans and Community projects. Please call or text 518-265-6967 or email us at ladiesauxiliary1489@nullgmail.com if you have any questions. Check us out on facebook “American Legion Auxiliary Post 1489”
Famous Ladies’ Tea
TROY – Celebrate women’s history month and support literacy programs in Rensselaer County at the annual Famous Ladies’ Tea, Sunday, March 8, 1:00-4:00p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn, 235 Hoosick Street, Troy. While guests enjoy tea, coffee and gourmet sandwiches, local actresses will visit each table, depicting historical women. This year, the Famous Ladies will include Julia Child, Dr. Emmeline Moore, and Aloha Wanderwell. Tickets are $45 (or $315 for a reserved table of eight). Advanced payment is required and tickets can be purchased from Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County, 65 First Street, Troy, N.Y., 518-244-4650, or soon online at www.lvorc.org. All proceeds from this event will benefit Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer
Sand Lake Full Moon Dog Walk
SAND LAKE – Sand Lake Dog Park News – Celebrate the Full Moon & Daylight Savings on March 8th with a lantern lit walk with your best friends! The Sand Lake Dog Park Committee continues our capital campaign for a fence in 2020. As we develop a strong canine community we would like to invite you to a Full Moon meet up at the Sand Lake Walking Trails (and future site of the Dog Park) on Eastern Union Turnpike at 6:30pm. We will enjoy warm beverages and treats for dogs and humans. Donations encouraged
Nassau & Schodack Cemetery Association Annual Meeting
NASSAU – The Nassau & Schodack Cemetery Association will be holding their annual meeting on Monday, March 9th 6:00PM at the Thomas P. Mooney Funeral Home, 11 Elm St. Nassau, NY 12123.
Ch. 60, Korean War Veterans Association Luncheon
CAPITAL DISTRICT – The March luncheon for Ch. 60, Korean War Vet. Assoc., will be held at noon, Thurs., March 12th, at The Parting Glass Restaurant, Saratoga Springs, The restaurant is located at 40 Lake Ave., (Rt. 29) one block below Broadway. Hosts are Jean and Paul Nolan. For reservations, please call the Nolans at 518-893-3379 by March 10th or sign up at the meeting. Veterans who served anywhere during the Korean War, in Korea at any time, spouses, widows, friends and relatives are all invited to attend. For further information or an application to join the organization, please contact Charles Walters at 518-884-0396.
Society of American Magicians Meeting
CAPITAL DISTRICT -All persons, 16 and older, interested in the various aspects of the hobby of magic are invited to attend the monthly meeting of The Society of American Magicians – Assembly #24. We will be meeting promptly at 7:30pm, Tuesday, March 10 at: St. Luke’s on the Hill Church, 40 McBride Road, Mechanicville, NY. For more detailed information visit our web site: www.sam24.synthasite.com.
HVCC Announces “Voices” Lectures for March
TROY – Voices: A Library Lecture Series is offered each semester at Hudson Valley Community College to broaden and enrich the scope of studies at the college by presenting speakers on timely and enduring issues, and sharing these lectures and discussions with the community. All lectures are held in the Bulmer Telecommunications Center Auditorium on the Troy campus. The public is welcome to attend; admission is free.
• Shining the Light on Government – Your Right to Know
Tuesday, March 10 from 11 to 11:50 p.m.
Our founders envisioned and created a government that would serve its citizens. Mark Mahoney, editorial page editor for The Daily Gazette in Schenectady and winner of a 2009 Pulitzer Prize for his editorials against government secrecy, returns to campus to discuss the ways government keeps information from the public. Audience members will learn what they can do to protect their right to know.
• The Birth of Baseball’s Grand Slam
Thursday, March 26 from noon to 12:50 p.m.
The first grand slam in Major League Baseball history was hit on Sept. 10, 1881 in a game between Troy and Worcester. Discover the twists and turns of how one of baseball’s greatest games ended up on the banks of the Hudson River in Rensselaer. Matt Malette, local sports historian, gives a play-by-play of how he corrected baseball history.
The college’s full Cultural Events Calendar is available at www.hvcc.edu/culture. Please call 518-629-8071 or email d.gardner@nullhvcc.edu for more information.
Senior Chair Yoga
EAST GREENBUSH – The Town of East Greenbush Community & Recreation Department is happy to announce that the Senior Chair Yoga program will begin on Wednesday, March 11th and run through the end of May. To sign up today please contact Lisa O’Brien at 518-477-4775 or by email lobrien@nulleastgreenbush.org. Seating is limited, so please reserve your seat today.
Castleton-on-Hudson Farmers & Artisans Market Spring Fest
CASTLETON-ON-HUDSON – We got approval from the groundhog, so the Castleton-on-Hudson Farmers & Artisans Market (COHFAM) will hold Spring Fest on Friday, March 13, 2020 from 4:30 to 7:30 PM at the Castleton Fire Department, 11 Green Avenue. Repair Café and many of the winter and summer vendors are returning. Space is still available for new vendors, email cindytimlovemoore3@nullgmail.com or gina.giuliano@nullgmail.com for an application or private message the COHFAM Facebook page for details. Come to COHFAM and shop local for St. Patrick’s Day!
Repair Cafe
CASTLETON-ON-HUDSON – What do you do with a broken lamp? Or a sweater with a hole? Toss it? No way! The next Repair Café in the Village of Castleton-on-Hudson will be Friday, March 13, 2020 from 4:30-7:30 PM during the Castleton-on-Hudson Farmers and Artisans Market Spring Fest at the Castleton Fire Department, 11 Green Avenue. People visiting the Repair Café bring along their broken but beloved items. Volunteers try their best to make repairs, and it’s free of charge! Services include electrical, sewing, and “jack-of-all-trades!” Do you like to fix things and want to volunteer? Contact us via email at gina.giuliano@nullgmail.com or stop by Repair Café. For more information about global Repair Café, visit Repaircafe.org.
Rensselaer County Home Bureau
RENSSELAER COUNTY – Our Spring Luncheon will be Tuesday, March 24 at Pittstown United Methodist Hall, with deadline of March 13. Please check your newsletter for further info. There is also a website: Newyorkfederationofhomebureaus.com
St. Henry’s Irish Night
AVERILL PARK – St. Henry’s Church in Averil Park will be holding an Irish Night on Saturday, March 14th at the Wynantskill American Legion Post, 111 Main Avenue, Wynantskill. Doors will open at 6:30 PM, with Irish entertainment featuring “Who’s Your Paddy” from 7:00 to 10:00 PM. Tickets are only $10 per person, which covers soda, snacks, entertainment and door prizes. Beer, wine and refreshments will be available at reasonable prices. Due to State regulations no outside alcoholic beverages can be brought into the event. Tickets can be purchased by calling the parish offices at 518-674-3818.
2020 Events at Cohoes Music Hall
COHOES – World Premiere of Jerry Lee Lewis vs Jerry Lee Lewis (Now – Sunday, March 8) / Capital Region Premiere of Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill (Thursday, February 27 – Sunday, March 15) / In the Presence of Proof with Intuitive Medium Deborah Hanlon (Wednesday, March 8 at 7pm) / Melvin Seals & JGB (Thursday, March 19 at 8pm) / Women’s History Month Celebration featuring female songwriters of the Capital Region (Saturday, March 21 at 8pm) / Stanley Jordan Plays Jimi – Afterparty with The Dire Wolf Experience (Friday, March 27 at 7:30pm) – – – > Buy Tickets at www.thecohoesmusichall.org
French Film
CAPITAL DISTRICT – “Belle Et Sebastien”, March 21, 2020 1pm, Troy Public Library, 100 Second Street, Troy, NY, free, presented by La Fédération Franco-Américaine du New York. Taken place in the French Alps during World War II, a quiet little boy meets a stray dog and begins a friendship. The boy and his dog prove to be heroes when they help defend their village from the Nazis. For additional information, call the Troy Public Library at 518-274-7071. Follow La Fédération Franco-Américaine du New York at www.albanyareafrenchclub.com and Facebook.
Hudson Valley Writers Guild Showcases Prose Writers
ALBANY – (hvwg.org) – The Hudson Valley Writers Guild will present a reading to showcase local prose writers. Reading and presenting at this second event in the series will be Moriah Hampton (stories), Keith Willis (romance/fantasy), and Richard Matturro (stories.)
Each of the writers will take 20 to 30 minutes to read from and discuss their work. Members of the Guild and the general public are invited and encouraged to attend to hear these varied works. Light refreshments will be provided.
This event will take place on Sunday, March 29, 2020 between 1:30 and 3:00 pm. It will be at the Washington Avenue main branch of the Albany Public Library in the Community Room on the second floor.
Note: this event is rescheduled from a previous date.
Gilead’s Body & Soul Pantry New Dates for 2020
CENTER BRUNSWICK – I know 2019 was confusing as far as what date we would have pantry and the dinner. As of January 2020 and through April of 2020, we will return to the old schedule of the last Thursday of each month. The hours will be the usual 3:00-6:00 pm.
Last year many of you enjoyed a delicious Chicken Parmesan and Ziti Dinner in February. You are in for a treat because last year’s guest chefs have agreed to recreate the same meal for you this January. Should there be questions about being open due to inclement weather please call 518-279-3576.
In case you have not visited us before, we are located in the Fellowship Hall of Gilead Lutheran Church. The church is at the intersection of Routes 7 and 278 in Center Brunswick and is handicapped accessible.
Saratoga Automobile Museum NYIAS Bus Trip
CAPITAL DISTRICT – Please join us Monday, April 13 or Saturday, April 18 for our annual pilgrimage to the New York International Auto Show held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Trip includes: round trip motor coach transportation and admission to the New York International Auto Show. Depart Saratoga Automobile Museum promptly at 6:45 a.m. Depart New York City at 6:30 p.m. at 11th Avenue between 34th & 39th streets. There is plenty of time to explore the New York International Auto Show and enjoy some of the sights of New York City.
Purchase Early Bird tickets before March 1, 2020. Member Price: $75 Non-Member: $90. After March 1: Member Price: $85 Non-Member: $100. To purchase tickets or additional information contact Megan Hennessey at 518.401.5185 or megan.hennessey@nullsaratogaautomuseum.org
HVCC’s Teaching Gallery Presents Landscape Exhibition
TROY – The Teaching Gallery at Hudson Valley Community College announces The Production of Place, a two-person exhibition featuring landscapes by Leah Beeferman and Jen Hitchings that was organized by Thomas Lail, a professor in the college’s Fine Arts Department, on view through March 7.
Lail will moderate a conversation with the artists from 3 to 4 p.m. on Feb. 6 in the Bulmer Telecommunications Center Auditorium, followed by an opening reception from 4 to 6 p.m. in The Teaching Gallery, located in the Administration Building on the Troy campus. All events are free and open to the public.
Leah Beeferman is a New York City-based artist, using digital image-making, photography, text, sound and video to explore relationships between observation and abstraction, natural and digital, physical and experiential. A Brooklyn-based artist and curator, Jen Hitchings received a Queens Council on the Arts’ New Works Grant in 2018. She’s had solo exhibitions at MEN Gallery in New York City, and PROTO in Hoboken, NJ.
Exhibitions in The Teaching Gallery are installed and assisted by students enrolled in Gallery Management courses and supported by the Department of Fine Arts, Theatre Arts and Digital Media, the Cultural Affairs Program and the Hudson Valley Community College Foundation. Associate Professor Tara Fracalossi is gallery director. Gallery hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; 1 to 7 p.m. Wednesday; noon to 4 p.m. Saturday; closed Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday, Feb. 26. Directions and more information: www.hvcc.edu/teachinggallery
Volunteer Fire Company of Center Brunswick Bus Trip
CENTER BRUNSWICK – The Volunteer Fire Company of Center Brunswick, Inc. is sponsoring a bus trip to the Tanger Outlets and Foxwoods Casino. The bus will leave the firehouse at 1045 Hoosick Road on Saturday, March 21, 2020 at 8:00 a.m. and will arrive at Foxwoods Resort and Casino. The bus will be departing Foxwoods at 8:00 p.m. returning to the firehouse at approximately 11:30 p.m. The cost of the trip is $40 per seat, which includes $15 Slot Play and a $10 Food Voucher or Free Buffet. There is something to do for everyone – Shop in the Tanger Outlets, play in the casino or take the shuttle to the Mashantucket Pequot Museum (additional cost but worth it). There are no refunds for cancellations. To make reservations or for more information, contact Jenn Simmons at (518) 858-7285 or email jennsimmons@nullcenterbrunswickfire.com.
For the Love of Bags & Bling Couch Party | St. Paul’s Center
RENSSELAER – Support homeless families at our online For the Love of Bags & Bling Couch Party. Shop for new and gently loved purses, scarves, and jewelry from the comfort of your own home! All proceeds will benefit St. Paul’s Center a local nonprofit serving Rensselaer County families experiencing homelessness. Tuesday, March 31st. Time: 7-9PM. Your couch! Join us online here: https://www.facebook.com/events/484257078927638/
We will post pictures of each item for sale on our Facebook page from 7-9PM. Pick up your items from our Center in Rensselaer, or have them shipped to you for a flat rate of $10.
Visitation to the Sick, Elderly and Homebound: Formation & Skill Building Workshops
CAPITAL DISTRICT – Pastoral Care Ministry will offer skill building and formation workshops this Spring for those of any faith interested in volunteering as a visitor to the sick, elderly, and homebound.
The workshops will take place Mondays, April 20, 27 and May 4, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm and Saturday May 9 from 8:30 AM-3 PM at St. Edward the Confessor Church, Clifton Park, NY.
Information includes topics on pastoral visitation, communication, illness issues, spiritual assessment, grief, loss, suffering, faith, death, dying, ritual, sacraments, theology of pastoral care and care giving issues.
$60, includes book/materials. Registration required, space limited. Registration deadline: April 13, 2020. All faith traditions welcome. Registration: https://www.rcda.org/PastoralCareTraining; email: Maria.Schollenberger@nullrcda.org or (518) 641-6818.
Get a Heads-Up on This Year’s Trout Season! Fly Fishing 101, A Fly Fishing Mini-Course
CAPITAL DISTRICT – Have you always wanted to learn to fly fish? Need a little tune-up? Here’s your chance with a fly fishing mini-course offered by Clearwater Trout Unlimited. The course will cover all the basics: equipment, knot tying, casting, presentation, and reading the water. we will have equipment available or bring your own.
Day one will be held at St. Joseph’s Parish Center: 45 Mac Arthur Drive, Scotia. An optional day two will be held on the water at one of our local streams or ponds. (probably Cobleskill Holding Pond)
Here’s your chance to catch your first fish on a fly.
Saturday, April 25, 2020 (classroom) and Sunday, April 26, 2020 (optional). Saturday 9:00am — 5:00pm (lunch provided); Sunday 12 noon. Cost: $15 members, $35 non-members (includes a 1 year tu membership). For more information or to register for the class contact: john morrette jmorette@nullnycap.rr.com – home 518-393-6443 cell 518-275-9288 or Mike Walchko – mwalchko@nullnycap.rr.com – home 518-234-4192
cell 518-231-3276.
Capital District Genealogy Society Conference
CAPITAL DISTRICT – The Capital District Genealogical Society (CDGS) will hold a one-day Conference “Improving Your Skills: What Do You Need?” on May 30, 2020 from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the Desmond Hotel in Albany, NY, the Saturday after Memorial Day. Are you looking to take that first step into the genealogy world? Perhaps you are an avid genealogist who has published your own family history. Maybe you have been involved in the field for awhile and want to improve your skills. Have you received a genealogy DNA kit and want to understand what it means? Join us for an educational day of six sessions with nationally known speakers. Our Keynote is Judy Russell, The Legal Genealogist, JD, CG, CGL; with co-presenters Thomas W. Jones, PhD, CG, CGL, FASG, FUGA, FNG, author of the textbooks Mastering Genealogical Proof and Mastering Genealogical Documentation; and Meryl Schumacker, CG.
Sessions include: “After The Courthouse Burns: Rekindling Family History through DNA,” and “Don’t Forget the Ladies: A Genealogist’s Guide to Women and the Law” presented by Judy Russell; “The Jones Jinx: Tracing Common Surnames” and “Out-of-State Workarounds for In-State Record Shortages” presented by Thomas Jones; and “Let’s Make Trying New Things in Genealogy Less Scary” and “Strategies for Urban Research” presented by Meryl Schumacker. Your registration includes lunch, morning and afternoon breaks with refreshments. Registration closes May 20, 2020. Visit https://www.capitaldistrictgenealogicalsociety.org for details and to register. Questions may be sent to cdgsconference@nullgmail.com.
The Kiwanis Club of Sand Lake Fundraising Drive
SAND LAKE – The Kiwanis Club of Sand Lake is supporting a charity fundraising drive within the Averill Park Central School District to benefit the Capital Region’s Ronald Mc Donald House. The drive will run from now until October 31st with the goal to collect enough pull tabs from soda, beer, soups and pet food cans to fill a school bus!
We ask that parents of our school children and other interested citizens join this effort by removing and collecting as many pull tabs as possible during the months ahead and taking them to the office of one of our three elementary schools, the Algonquin Middle School’s office or to the office at the Averill Park High School.
Please join us to help the Ronald McDonald House as it continues to offer a haven of comfort, love, hope and support – free of charge – for critically ill children and their families. Thank you.