Friday April 26, 2024 
Sand Lake Garden Club Presents “Putting Your Garden to Bed”
SAND LAKE – The Sand Lake Garden Club will meet on Thursday, October 22 at 7pm at the Sand Lake Town Town Hall. The meeting will be socially-distanced, in person with masks required. All are welcome. “Putting Your Garden to Bed” will be presented by Pat Mulligan and Becky Raymond, garden club members and Master Gardeners. Masks and hand sanitizer will be available at the meeting.
Create Your Own Seasonal Home Sign at Sand Lake Center for the Arts
SAND LAKE – Join us for an afternoon craft workshop to make and take a sign for your home that you can customize throughout the year! Hosted by SLCA Board President Barbara Neu. Saturday, October 24th, from 12 to 4pm. Only $25. Reserve your spots today: https://slcactp.square.site/s/shop
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.
Save the Ta Ta’s Fundraiser to Benefit To Life!
EAST GREENBUSH – October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. While the pandemic has slowed the World and social events, it hasn’t slowed Cancer. So, the Gunner Band, based in Green Island, is hosting an outdoor BBQ Fundraiser on Saturday, October 24, at 1:00 p.m. under the Rensselaer Elks Lodge Pavilion. Special thanks goes to our Event Sponsors: Primary Painting (Averill Park) and Delmar Sign Shop. We are following CDC Guidelines, and only 50 tickets will be sold in advance by calling Cheri Pierce (518) 598-3067. After a brief screening at the entrance, attendees will receive Breast Cancer Awareness materials, flowers from Felthousen Florist, door prizes, and BBQ. “No-touch” food service will also include salads served in individual containers and a sweet treat, individually packaged, from Freihofer’s. The hosts — Gunner Band — consists of six seasoned musicians who came together during the Pandemic to play Classic and Southern Rock. Until more live venues open, the Band is hosting a few Fundraisers to benefit non-profits. Band members have had Breast Cancer hit home — one family member is thriving, but one Mom was taken from her family way too early since advanced technology didn’t existence years ago. The Band will perform, but dancing is prohibited; tables are scattered for social distancing, and masks are required. Funds will be raised from Raffles, 50/50, Silent & Live Auctions, and cash/check donations for To Life! 501(c)(3); ID#14-1808431. They are located in Delmar and in Saratoga; you can check them out at www.tolife.org. Due to the limited number of attendees allowed, we’re also raising funds through “Bottles for Boobies” and “Pennies for Heaven.” You may drop off clean bottles and cans, as well as spare coins, to volunteers in the Elk’s parking lot on Saturday between 10:00 a.m. and noon only. If you have a significant amount of bottles/cans, please call Cheri for possible pick up arrangements. Please consider supporting To Life!
Rensselaer Land Trust Opens New Public Nature Preserve
RENSSELAER COUNTY – On Sunday, October 25 at 11:00 a.m. Rensselaer Land Trust will be holding a public grand opening of their Featherweald Nature Preserve in Cambridge, NY. Featherweald Nature Preserve is a 44-acre is a protected area owned, created, and maintained by the Rensselaer Land Trust (RLT) and generous volunteers. RLT invites you to walk their two miles of woodland trails, look up to the treetops to see the great blue heron rookery, and enjoy the seasonal views along the Hoosic River.
Featherweald was donated to RLT in 2018 by Ms. Lisa Lindquist, Ms. Ilse Godfrey, and Mr. Craig Johnson in memory of their parents, Kenneth and Nancy Johnson. The property was donated to RLT in order to protect biodiversity on the property and to honor Kenneth and Nancy Johnson’s long-time enjoyment of the property and commitment to sharing its wonders.
Ecologically, the property is important as one of several large parcels in the area that sustain regionally-important features of high conservation value for northern Rensselaer County and southern Washington County. A total of 230 species of biota have been observed at Featherweald Preserve including 171 plants, 54 animals, and five fungi.
The preserve offers excellent bird watching opportunities. Nineteen species have been observed on or near the property, including great blue heron, black-billed cuckoo, red-shouldered hawk, yellow-bellied sapsucker, and pileated woodpecker, among many others.
Featherweald Nature Preserve is located at 187 County Route 59, Cambridge, NY 12816 (Washington County). To learn more go to www.renstrust.org.
Drive-Thru Halloween Toiletry Drive
DEFREESTVILLE – Blooming Grove Reformed Church (Bloominggrove Drive, Defreestville, behind CDTA Park & Ride Lot is hosting a contact-free Halloween event for you and your family this year on October 30, 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. We will be handing out bags of candy at our festively decorated parking lot. We are also collecting toiletry items for Doors of Hope in Averill Park (body wash, shampoo, tooth brushes, tooth paste). For more information check out our page @Bloominggrove RCA.
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.
Soldiers of the American Revolution to be Honored in Stephentown Ceremony
STEPHENTOWN – Roadside historical markers honoring Stephentown veterans of the American Revolution will be unveiled in a ceremony at the Stephentown Veterans Park on Saturday, November 7, at 1:00 p.m. The ceremony will include the Saratoga Battle Chapter Color Guard of the Sons of the American Revolution and members of the Daughters of the American Revolution, some dressed in colonial garb. It will also commemorate Veterans Day with participation by the Stephentown Veterans Group, Stephentown Historical Society, Sons of the American Revolution, and various Town and area officials. Masks and social distancing will be required.
The six markers, obtained with a grant from the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, will be placed at cemeteries where sixteen veterans of the Revolution are buried. Stephentown Town Historian Patricia Flint applied for the grant which provided this addition celebrating the historical legacy of the town. Those honored are Justin Brockway and Simeon Gardner in the Brockway Cemetery on Madden Road; James Jones, Stephen Arnold, James Denison and Daniel Denison in the Denison-Jones Cemetery on East Road; Israel Platt and John Wylie in the Garfield Cemetery on Garfield Road; Hosea Moffitt, Elemander Cone and Beriah Holcomb in the Presbyterian Cemetery on Presbyterian Hill Road; William Douglas, Daniel Brown, Asa Douglas and Abel Tanner in the Stephentown Cemetery on Cemetery Hill Road; and Oliver Barrett in the Stephentown Center Baptist Cemetery on Calvin Cole Road.
Sand Lake Historical Society Presentation
SAND LAKE – Please join the Sand Lake Historical Society on November 10 at 7 pm at Sand Lake Town Hall in the Courtroom for a presentation by double Purple Heart, Bronze and Silver Star recipient LTC (Ret) John Brownrigg titled the “Four Freedoms We Celebrate on Veterans Day”. Upon completion of his presentation, he will join fellow area veterans William Glasser, Jr., Paul Glasser, Jr., and Shari Mantini during a recollection of their most memorable military experiences. COVID 19 precautions will be followed, therefore seating is limited. Please email Jtre115@nullyahoo.com or call 518 527-9926 if you want to attend. The presentation will be simulcast on Spectrum Cable TV channel 1303 and available for live streaming and playback via the, “Watch Town Government Meetings,” portion of the Town of Sand Lake Internet home page. Like SLHS on FB or Sandlakehistory.org.
Science Lecture Series Webinar: The Effects of Prescribed Fire on Ticks in a Pine Barrens Landscape
ALBANY – Thursday, November 19, 2020 7pm – 8pm. Ticks don’t survive the flames of a prescribed fire but do the secondary effects of this restoration tool impact tick populations in other ways? Join us this evening for a lecture by Dr. Michael Gallagher, Research Ecologist in the Climate, Fire, and Carbon Cycle Sciences Unit with the United States Forest Service Northern Research Station, to find what recent research in the New Jersey Pinelands is teaching us about ticks and prescribed fire. This is an online webinar. Make a reservation at 518-456-0655 or www.AlbanyPineBush.org/events and you will be emailed a link to join the webinar on November 19th at 7pm. Suitable for adults.
Troy Turkey Trot Announces Virtual Edition for 2020 Thanksgiving Day Run
CAPITAL DISTRICT – Due to ongoing health concerns surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, Troy Turkey Trot officials announce they have modified this year’s 73rd edition from an in-person to virtual event. The virtual edition will use a state-of-the-art Troy Turkey Trot app that allows participants to race with others, real time powered by RTRT.me.
Registration is open now and closes Saturday, Nov. 28. Multiple registration price points are available. Visit TroyTurkeyTrot.com to learn more and register. View virtual registration video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0E00sEB2c0
After registering for the event, participants in the 5K, 10K, Grade School Mile and Turkey Walk will receive an email asking them to download the customized Troy Turkey Trot app, which will be available for both iOS and Android devices. The app uses their phone’s GPS to track their race progress, and receive real-time data, regardless of their location.
All of this year’s events (i.e. 5K, 10K, Grade School Mile or Turkey Walk) will begin simultaneously at 10 a.m. Thanksgiving morning. Participants using the Troy Turkey Trot app will have their results automatically uploaded to the leaderboard live. Those who wish to use Strava data instead of running with a cell phone can upload results from Strava to the app. Those not using either method can submit times via the results portal. If you choose not to participate Thanksgiving morning, you can complete your chosen distance between Thanksgiving morning and Saturday, Nov. 28 at midnight. Results from all platforms must be submitted by Saturday, Nov. 28 at midnight in order to be included in the event results. For more information, visit TroyTurkeyTrot.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.