Thursday April 25, 2024 
“Sir, What Shall We Do With All the Dead?” A Talk By Civil War Historian Robert Shuey
Noted Civil War historian Robert Shuey will give a talk, “Sir, what do we do with all the dead?” Mortuary Practices During the American Civil War, on Sunday, March 5, at 2:00 p.m.
This Stephentown Historical Society program meeting will be held at the Stephentown Heritage Center, 4 Staples Road, Stephentown, New York. The program is free and the building is handicapped accessible. For directions, telephone (518) 733-0010.
Shuey grew up within earshot of the cannons at Gettysburg. The Union trenches that protected Harrisburg were literally in his backyard. Bob has been writing and presenting programs on a variety of Civil War subjects for over the past 50 years.
The program offers insight into a problem that hadn’t been adequately considered before the first shots of the war were fired. A problem that caused a national outcry. Where are all of those dead soldiers, and who took on the responsibility of dealing with them with the respect they had earned?
Town of North Greenbush Annual Easter Egg Hunt
Hippity Hoppity Easter’s on its way! The Town of North Greenbush Youth and Recreation Committee is “hoppy” to announce Peter Cottontail is hoppin’ down the bunny trail right to North Greenbush for our Annual Easter Egg Hunt. No fooling …. it will be held on Saturday, April 1st at 10:00 am at town hall, 2 Douglas Street in Wynantskill.
Children should bring their baskets to collect all of those special treats. We will even have a surprise visit by the bunny who would love to say hi! We hope to have it outside as usual so dress appropriately (for rain we will be inside).
Please call Jessica Merola or Kelly Hoffman at the town supervisor’s office at (518) 283-5313, x5 with any questions. We hope to see you there for this wonderful holiday tradition with our great community.
Brunswick Historical Society presents “The Gilded Age”
Kathryn Sheehan, Rensselaer County & Troy City Historian will present an illustrated lecture on how Troy’s 19th century architecture became an integral backdrop to the Julian Fellows HBO series “The Gilded Age”.
Kathryn worked with the location scouts and production designer on locations throughout the city as well as providing information on how Troy appeared during the Gilded Age, who the major players were in the city at the time that represented “old” money and “new” money. Kathryn will also share some of the behind the scenes stories that happened during the filming for season one.
This program will be held at the Brunswick Community Center on March 18, 2023 at 1PM. Any questions, please call our headquarters at 518-279-4024
Capital Area Beekeepers March 8th Meeting
CAB will meet at the First United Methodist Church, 1 Gilligan Rd, East Greenbush at 7:00 pm on March 8th. The speaker will be Andrew Munkres who will talk about spring beehive preparations. All are welcome to attend.
Alumni Association of the Rensselaer, School District announces Hall of Fame Recipients
The purpose of the Hall of Fame is to highlight Rensselaer alumni who have demonstrated excellence and achievement through demonstrated accomplishment, leadership and/or character. Alumni are nominated on the basis of profession; trade, business, industry; community service; cultural endeavor such as art, music, dance, drama or literature; and charitable contribution on a local, state, national or international level.
This year’s Hall of Fame Recipients are: Virginia Habinak Poole Cleary, 1969; Jay Foust, 1981; Tracy Foust, 1983; Nancy Hardt, 1977; Superintendent Joseph Kardash; Tessa Kent, 2002; Deborah Halacy, 1971; Gordon Noel, 1964; Joseph Polsinello, 1966; Joel Preston, 1986; John Preston, 1981; Deborah Reinmann, 1974; Gary Roberts, 1986; Richard Wark, Jr., 1979.
The nominees will be honored at this year’s banquet on April 29, 2023, at the Franklin Terrace on Campbell Avenue in Troy from 5 pm-9 pm. If you are interested in attending the banquet, dinner reservation forms can be found on the Alumni website at https://rensselaernyalumni.org/ or on Facebook at Rensselaer Grade Schools and HS Alumni | Facebook.
Dinner reservations are due no later than April 10th. If you have any questions, please feel free to email alumniassociation@nullrcsd.k12.ny.us.
The Second Battle of Gettysburg?
The Esquatak Historical Society invites you to a presentation on “The Second Battle of Gettysburg.” Join talented storyteller and Esquatak favorite Ron Gabriele as he tells not of a forgotten Civil War battle, but of the monumental achievement and challenges of bringing 54,000 ageing veterans from every state in the Union back to the famous Pennsylvania battlefield to commemorate the military campaign 50 years later. The presentation takes place on Friday, March 24, 7 pm at the Castleton Fire House, Green Avenue. Admission is free and refreshments will be served.
Greenbush Historical Society
Please join the Greenbush Historical Society in celebrating Women’s History month on Sunday, March 12 , 2PM, at the East Greenbush Library.
Our speaker will be Barbara Urban – historian for the Illium Club which turned 100 years old last fall. The club was formed at a time when women’s opportunities were restricted by societal expectations. However, women across the country were hungry for socialization and self education in the early 20th century. The Illium Club brought to Troy just these things – an opportunity to get together, to be active in the community, and a way for women to further their education. Learn about this active group today on March 12 .
All GHS programs are free and open to the public but registration at the library is required. Please call 518 477 7476 to reserve a seat.
Book Presentation
Local author Jim Flanigan will release his newest book and give a presentation on Thursday, March 9th at 7:00 PM at the Sand Lake Center For The Arts. His third book, “People, Places and Politics”, introduces readers to some unique characters and travels to memorable places. A final section draws from Jim’s years as an elected official to explore the world of government and politics.
This is Flanigan’s third book following “Up From Second Street” and “The Great 2020 Paper Chase”. His presentation will use examples from all three books to illustrate his writing strategies and techniques. This will be the second in the monthly Authors Series at the Sand Lake Center For The Arts.
Celebrate Women’s History and Support Literacy at the Famous Ladies Tea
See local actresses bring women’s history to life at the 11th annual Famous Ladies Tea on Sunday, March 12 at the Hilton Garden Inn, Troy. You’ll meet women in history who were all trailblazers in their own right, including Nelly Bly, Nina Simone, Gypsy Rose Lee, Georgia O’Keefe, Eleanor Roosevelt, Whitney Houston, and more. Doors open at 12:30, and the program runs from 1:00-4:00 p.m.
The event will include a silent auction and raffle drawing, wine pull, and traditional tea luncheon. Tickets may be purchased online at www.lvorc.org or by mailing your check payable to LVORC, 65 First Street. Troy, NY 12180. For prices and details please visit the website or call 518 244-4650.
Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County depends on funds raised by special events to provide literacy programs and services at no cost to learners in Rensselaer County and Albany County. Since 1968, LVORC has trained volunteer tutors to help adult learners learn to read, write, and speak English. For more information, visit www.lvorc.org.
Crafters Wanted in Richfield Springs
CAPITAL DISTRICT – Applications are currently being accepted for two popular craft events in Richfield Springs–the 42nd Annual Friendship Craft Festival to be held on Saturday, June 10 in Spring Park and the 3rd Annual Fall Craft Fair scheduled for Saturday, October 7 at the Cullen Pumpkin, 587 Cullen Road. Both events are sponsored by the Church Of Christ Uniting in Richfield Springs.
For information and an application for both events go to www.rschurchofchristuniting.com or call Carla at 315-858-1451.
NAMI Capital Region NY holds Family To Family Class
NAMI offers the NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program free of charge to participants, beginning March 4th 2023 – April 22nd 2023 2022, 10:00am-12:30pm at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 420 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208. For more information and how to register, please contact NAMI Capital Region, NY at 518-588-6949 or namicapitalregionny@nullgmail.com
NAMI Family-to-Family is a free, 8-session education program for family, friends and significant others of adults with mental health conditions. NAMI Family-to-Family provides information about anxiety, depressive disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and other mental health conditions. Other topics covered include communication, problem solving, treatment and recovery.
The course is designed to increase understanding and advocacy skills while helping participants maintain their own well-being. The program is taught by trained family members who have a loved one with a mental health condition. NAMI Family-to-Family is an evidence-based program (EB). For information on the research base for the program, visit nami.org/research.
Rensselaer High School Craft Fair
The Alumni Association of the Rensselaer City School District and the class of 2024 are sponsoring a craft fair on March 25, 2023, from 9 am-2 pm at Rensselaer High School, 25 Van Rensselaer Drive, Rensselaer, NY 12144.
There will be over 30 vendors with a wide assortment of items available, including artwork and sewn items. There is a concession stand with breakfast and lunch items, raffles, and a 50/50. Enjoy the afternoon with us!