Friday April 19, 2024 
Back to Home Basics Webinar Series
RENSSELAER COUNTY – Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rensselaer County is pleased to announce a four week webinar series under the umbrella of “Back to Home Basics”. This free series is designed to introduce participants from the comfort of their own homes new techniques to live better and more sustainably. This series will have something for everyone! Below are the dates and workshops:
October 1st – Mask Accessories and More – Strategies for maximizing fit, accessorizing, general care, cleaning and more will be explored with youth in mind.
October 8th – Composting – Learn how to recycle food and yard waste into “Black Gold” for your gardens and decrease what you send to the land fill.
October 15th – Dyken Pond – How to Find Wild Life – Participants will learn how to sleuth out wild life and gain a new understanding of their super powers such as “owl eyes”, “deer ears” and “fox feet”
Plan on attending one or all of these free sessions. Registration links for October 1st, 8th and 15th will be available on our website at ccerensselaer.org, CCE Rensselaer County FB as the dates get closer. For more questions about the above workshops please email rensselaer@nullcornell.edu or call at 518-272-4210.
Nassau Village Wide Garage Sale
NASSAU – The Annual Village Wide Garage Sale will take place October 3, 2020 (rain or shine) 9 am-2 pm
Fire Prevention & Open House
BRUNSWICK – Sunday, October 4, 2020. 11:00 am – 1:00 PM – Location: Brunswick Fire Co No 1 Firehouse, 566 Hoosick Road, Brunswick, NY. Mask Required. Social Distancing.
Caregiver Wellness Program (Virtual)
RENSSELAER COUNTY – October 6, 2020, 10-11 am. Caregivers, this is for you. Nature lovers have always known that a connection to nature can do wonders for mental and physical health, and now a growing body of evidence supports this. The Rensselaer Plateau Alliance (RPA) and the Alzheimer’s Association of Northeastern NY invite all caregivers who are taking care of someone with dementia to reconnect with self-care practices and take an hour to restore. This event is free. We will touch on the what, why’s, and how’s of self-care for caregivers and then practice it through guided breathing and relaxation exercises and a nature-inspired guided visualization. This event is free, but pre-registration is required. Please call Jon at (518) 675-7216 or email him at joweaver@nullalz.org to register.
Sand Lake Historical Society
SAND LAKE – Join the Sand Lake Historical Society Oct. 13 at 7pm for Historic Roads and the Shaping of Our Town with Diane DeBlois and Robert Dolton Harris (their business -”aGathering” based in West Sand Lake) at the Sand Lake Town Courtroom. Learn the connection between the US Post Office and our roads in Sand Lake/Rensselaer County. Covid-19 protocols will be followed. Masks required. Capacity limited. To attend, call ahead to 518-527-9926. Like us on Facebook or go to Sandlakehistory.org
Cornell Cooperative Extension Offers “Putting The Garden To Bed” FREE Webinar
RENSSELAER COUNTY – Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rensselaer County will offer the free webinar “Putting The Garden To Bed” on Wednesday, October 14 at noon. Join Master Gardeners Pat Mulligan and Becky Raymond as they discuss how to clean up your garden beds, important things to remember to do before the snow flies, and which jobs can wait until next spring. This webinar, offered as part of the free “Lunch In The Garden” series, uses the Zoom platform and you must download the free software in advance. To register, visit the Extension website at http://ccerensselaer.org/events or call (518) 272-4210.
Walter A. Wood Tractor & Agricultural Show
HOOSICK FALLS – This unique celebration of tractors features antique and rare tractors, and vintage farm equipment. The major focus of the third annual Walter A. Wood Tractor and Agricultural Show is on antique and older tractors, but modern equipment is welcome, too. The tractor show will take place on Saturday, October 17th. from 10am to 3pm in Wood Memorial Park in the Hoosick Falls New York, the historic home of the Walter A. Wood Reaping and Mowing Machine Company. The Burton Luke tractor parade kicks off at 12:00 Noon and will include many different kinds of tractors in every color. Preparations are already under way, with the application period now open for vendors, antique and unique tractors, hit-and-miss engines, horse drawn equipment, and other agricultural equipment.
Applications are now being accepted from tractor clubs and individuals from near and far who are interested in displaying their tractors and farm equipment at the event. All spaces are outside, and power is available if needed.
Food, merchandise, antique and farm equipment vendors are also encouraged to submit applications.
Applications are due by October 14th..They are available by contacting Kevin O’Malley by phone at 518-894-5035, or by emailing Kevin at hoosickkid@nullgmail.com
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to show off your farm equipment or support this exciting event. The 2020 Walter A. Wood Tractor and Agriculture Show is a great way to experience the history of agriculture in our area. Mask and social distancing a must.
LVORC Announces Fall Festival of Literacy
RENSSELAER COUNTY – Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County’s Fall Festival of Literacy will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2020 at the Hilton Garden Inn, Troy, from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. with the option of in-person or virtual attendance. A delicious boxed lunch prepared by the chefs of the Hilton Garden Inn, accompanied by a cash bar, will be followed by the program.
The Fall Festival of Literacy is a showcase of life-affirming true stories by our adult literacy students and tutors. LVORC’s students will share how improving their literacy skills (reading, writing, conversational English and/or math) has changed their lives. We will be joined by Scott Baker, author of No One Rises Alone: What Almost Dying Taught Me About Living.
The in-person portion will be held in full compliance with COVID-19 safety precautions including limited number of persons, health screening, and wearing of masks. Those wishing to attend virtually will receive the link to view the live event online and can pick up their boxed lunch at the Hilton prior to the event.
Tickets are $35 per person. Proceeds from this event will support literacy programs and services for adults and children in Rensselaer County and nearby communities. For more information call (518) 244-4650 or visit www.lvorc.org
Winter Raptor Fest 2020 Virtual Event Takes Flight!
CAPITAL DISTRICT – It’s all systems “GO” for Grassland Bird Trust’s (GBT) 10th Annual Winter Raptor Fest (WRF) Virtual Event! Winter Raptor Fest provides an exclusive opportunity to see hawks and falcons in flight and get up close and personal with a wide variety of live birds of prey.
SEE and learn about live owls, hawks and falcons through a new lens! MEET Short- eared owls, American kestrels and other imperiled raptors in the “natural” grassland habitat they depend for their survival. ENCOUNTER night owls, a Lynx, Red fox, porcupine and native hawks on a virtual walk through the woods.
You’ll also see flight demos by master falconers, learn interesting facts about the birds and their environment and find out more about GBT’s work. This professionally designed and directed virtual event is being produced in collaboration with Look Media and Junda Video. Filmed live from the Washington County Fairgrounds.
Each Viewing Pass donation directly supports GBT’s work to permanently protect critical habitat for rapidly vanishing grassland birds. After you make your donation you will receive a link to view the event beginning at 9am on October 18th. You and your family can view as many times as you want through the end of November!
Viewing Passes start at $25 ($20 for GBT Members) for a family. WRF 2020 Special: make a donation of $100 or more and receive a viewing pass, a one-year family membership to GBT and a free Bird Collective t-shirt (or $40 off your Bird Collective order)! Visit www.winterraptorfest.com to learn more or call 518-499-0012. Learn more about GBT’s work at www.grasslandbirdtrust.org
Emmaus Ministry for Grieving Parents Virtual Retreats
CAPITAL DISTRICT – Saturday October 24, 2020 or Saturday, November 21, 2020. 10:45am-3:00pm. Losing a child under any circumstances is horrendous. Focusing on the spirituality of the grieving process can help tremendously. Just as He comforted His grieving disciples on the road to Emmaus, Jesus comforts us and we comfort each other in this very special ministry.
Join other Emmaus Parent Companions in a warm and loving place— to think, to talk, to feel, and to pray. Find compassion, rest, and peace… at least for a time.
Donation: Optional Free-Will Offering to cover technical support, retreat materials and shipping costs.
Pre-registration is required. Price: Optional Free-Will Offering to cover technical support, retreat materials and shipping costs.
Internet connection and computer literacy required. You will receive an Emmaus Zoom Meeting ID and Password after you register.
More information & registration link: https://www.rcda.org/offices/pastoral-care-ministry/emmaus-ministry-grieving-parents-retreat. Contact 518-641-6818 for information or to register.
Ultimate New England Shopping Trip to Benefit Hope 7 Community Center’s Food Pantry
CAPITAL DISTRICT – The 2020 Ultimate Shopping Trip to New England departs from Dick’s Sporting Goods, Latham Farms, on Friday, November 6th at 7:15 am and returns, Sunday, November 8th at 9:00 pm.
Stops to include the Vermont Country Store, NH Liquor & Wine Outlet, King Arthur Baking Co., Wine Tasting at Seven Birches Winery, The Christmas Loft, Settlers Green Outlets & Merrimack Premium Outlets
Accommodations provided by Hampton Inn and Suites, North Conway. A complimentary breakfast Is included with your stay.
Cost per person (based on room occupancy) – Double: $395/person or Triple: $345/person.
The fee includes the bus, hotel, driver’s tip, wine tasting and dinner Friday & Saturday night. Limited spaces available.
For more information or to reserve your space, please contact Michelle at 518-590-6781 or mhouser35@nullaol.com.
NYS Youth Snowmobile Safety Course Offered
GRAFTON – On Saturday, December 5, 2020 the Grafton Trail Blazers Snowmobile Club and Grafton Lakes State Park will host a snowmobile safety course for young people ages 10 to 18. Students must be at least 10 years old on the day of the course to attend. Parents are encouraged to stay and participate. The course will be held at the Grafton VFW/Fire Hall at 581 South Road from 8:15am to approximately 4:30pm. The course will be taught by NYS certified volunteer instructor Jim Blessing. Topics covered include NYS laws and regulations, riding skills, trail emergencies, protecting the environment, maintenance and repair, and trailering.
To register, email Grafton Lakes State Park at graftonlakessp@nullparks.ny.gov with the parent and student’s first and last name, student age, and your phone number. Adults are encouraged to attend as well so please let us know if a parent will be accompanying the child. Space is limited, so no walk-ins please. The course is free of charge. Please bring your own bagged lunch and snacks to enjoy. Please note that masks are required for all participants to limit the spread of COVID-19 and symptom screening will take place at program sign-in.
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 fundraising drive has been extended until February 28th since schools have not been in session for over four months. The goal remains 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 while schools remain closed take them to the Town Clerk’s office at Sand Lake Town Hall. When schools reopen all collected pull tabs may again be dropped off at 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.