Thursday April 18, 2024 
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.
Troy Lodge of Elks Bingo is Back
TROY – Monday night Bingo starting November 9th at our new location of the American Legion Post 111 Main Ave in Wynantskill. Doors open at 5:30 pm and bingo starts at 7:00 pm. There is a $ 25.00 admission packet of 16 cards plus door cards on all games. Two 50/50 games where tickets are sold separately for $ 1.00 per sheet. 50 people limit therefore RSVP is needed by calling Jeff at 518-728-1795. Refreshments/Snacks only will be sold the first week. Social distancing and masks will be mandatory and will be enforced.
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.
Local Veterans to be Honored at St. Jude the Apostle School Gymnasium
Wynantskill – The Very Rev. Anthony Ligato, Pastor, invites the community to St. Jude the Apostle School Gym, located on Dana Avenue just off of Brookside Avenue, Wynantskill, for the purpose of remembering and honoring ALL Veterans, both living and deceased on November 11, 2020 at the 9:00 a.m. Mass. Father Ligato and Parochial Vicar Zachariah Chichester will concelebrate. The Knights of Columbus and American Legion Members will act as Standard Bearers. At the conclusion of Mass, there will be a short prayer offered and the flag hoisted at the pole in front of St. Jude’s School. Masks and social distancing will be required throughout this event.
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.
Emmaus Ministry for Grieving Parents Virtual Retreats
CAPITAL DISTRICT – 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.
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.
Sand Lake Holiday Parade
SAND LAKE – The Town of Sand Lake will be holding its annual Holiday Parade on Friday, December 4th. More information will follow over the next few weeks. If you have questions or wish to participate in this fun event, please contact Town Council member Andy Bulmer at abulmer@nullsand-lake.us.
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.