Thursday April 18, 2024 
Curtis Lumber’s 11th Annual Virtual PetAPalooza Pet Adoption Week!
CAPITAL DISTRICT – Find and adopt your new furry-friend during Curtis Lumber’s Virtual PetAPalooza Pet Adoption week taking place November 9 – 15, 2020 at clpetapalooza.com. Hundreds of animals from local animal shelters and rescue groups will be available for adoption including cats, dogs, rabbits, birds and more! This week long event full of fur and fun will be hosted by Curtis Lumber online where you are welcome to browse adoptable pets virtually and safely from your home! Shelter/Rescue contact information and adoption applications will be available online also. Last year’s event resulted in over 250+ animals finding new forever homes! For full details and to learn how to adopt virtually visit www.clpetapalooza.com or www.facebook.com/clpetapalooza
Genealogy Program
CAPITAL DISTRICT – Heritage Hunters will host a one hour Zoom program on Saturday, November 14th at 1 pm. The topic will be “Researching Ancestors of Meager Means and Even Less Fame, in the 19th Century.” Judith Herbert, a full-time certified genealogist will present the program. In the past, Judith spent 15 years assisting others at her local Family History Center, including helping adoptees find their birth families. She is currently affiliated with the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society. HH members will receive the Zoom link in their emails. Non-members are invited to join the program and can request the link by emailing the organization’s president, Dave Peck, at davepeck208@nullhotmail.com.
The Capital District Genealogical Society Medical History for Genealogists
CAPITAL DISTRICT – While researching a family member, have you ever come across a disease in a death record you couldn’t identify or wondered about whether your family was affected by an infamous epidemic? Join us to learn more about how disease influenced American, local, and family histories. We will discuss symptoms, treatments and mortality rates for cholera, typhoid fever, diphtheria and a variety of other diseases. Common injuries of the nineteenth century will also be covered. This program will help expand our understanding of the realities of life in an era before antibiotics and other modern treatments. Saturday, Nov 21, 2020 at 1:00 P.M. via Zoom
Our speaker is Anne Clothier, Director of Education at Brookside Museum, home of the Saratoga County Historical Society. This will be a Zoom meeting. There is a 100 person limit. Registration is free and will open to the public approximately Nov 16, 2020. See our website under meetings and events. Please join us! www.capitaldistrictgenealogicalsociety.org
Toy Drive
NASSAU – The Town and Village of Nassau Youth committees are sponsoring a toy drive for the Nassau Resource Center. We are looking for donations of new, unwrapped toys which will be collected from Monday, November 16th through Friday, December 11th. The toys can be dropped off at the following locations: Village Hall (open M-F, 8:00 – Noon); Nassau Free Library (open M-F, 2:00 – 6:00); Nassau Town Hall (open M-F 9:00 – Noon); Transfer Station (open Tues 10:00 – 6:00, Fri 10:00 – 6:00, Sat 8:00 – 4:00); and the Chandler Young Veteran’s Association (call 518-766-3577). In particular we are seeking gifts suitable for children newborn – 2 years, and for teenagers (jewelry, hats and gloves, electronics such as phone accessories, headphones and personal care items). Stocking stuffers are always welcome (card games, coloring books, crayons, markers, play doh, hats and gloves, scrunchies, hair clips).
Managing Personal Finances in Tough Times
RENSSELAER COUNTY – will be held Tuesday, November 17, 2020 from 6:30 to 7:30 pm and repeated again on Monday, November 23 at the same time. Theresa Mayhew, Resource Educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension Columbia Greene Counties, will cover focusing on what you can control, evaluating spending, looking for ways to increase income, checking out local resources, and building an emergency fund. The November 17 program is being co-sponsored by the Nassau Free Library while the Cairo Public Library is co-sponsoring the November 23 program. There is no charge to attend this Zoom program. The link to register for either session is: https://pub.cce.cornell.edu/event_registration/main/events_landing.cfm?event=Managing-Personal-Finances-2_210. For more information, contact tcm5@nullcornell.edu.
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.
Hudson-Mohawk Weavers’ Guild Holds 42nd Annual Show & Sale in Virtual Format
CAPITAL DISTRICT – The Hudson-Mohawk Weavers’ Guild invites the public to its 42nd Annual Show & Sale. This yearly event will be held online for the first time in response to the current coronavirus pandemic.
Although this event is usually held in-person, with more than 500 attendees each year, the Guild has organized an exciting virtual alternative, including a livestream featuring both live demonstrations and interviews as well as hours of pre-recorded video. The livestream technology will allow attendees to interact with weavers. A full schedule of events is set for both Saturday, Nov. 21 and Sunday, Nov. 22 from 10 am to 5 pm. The Show & Sale is produced exclusively by Guild members, giving the public a chance to meet the makers and learn more about this craft.
Always known for its educational content and demonstrations, the Show & Sale will feature:
· A 30 minute pre-recorded demonstration with handspinner Joan Jensen, who will discuss spinning various fibers and demonstrate woolen and worsted style spinning of wool.
· An interview with Nancy Sharples, a weaving teacher in the Saratoga region, who will discuss options to start learning to weave during the current environment
· A pre-recorded demonstration with master weaver Grete Reppen, in which she will provide an overview of a project from start to finish: project design, loom setup and finally weaving a complex project on a computer-assisted loom
· Live weaving demonstrations on a variety of looms, during which attendees can ask questions and interact with the demonstrator
· Open studio live discussions
· And much more.
The ever-popular Fashion Show will return this year in pre-recorded format at 2 pm on both days. This is a great opportunity to see ways to style these unique handwoven garments and get a taste of the individual aesthetic of different makers.
Participating weavers are available to connect with shoppers in a range of formats. Some weavers are booking appointments during which people can visit their studio in-person. All weavers are available by phone or email for consultation, and most weavers can set up video shopping appointments. Items are available for local pick-up or shipping. Participating artisans have a wide range of items for sale, from clothing (both women’s and menswear) and accessories through towels, home goods, gifts and even catnip mice!
Weavers’ Guild President Jan Rowell says, “Although we are disappointed we cannot be in person with our dedicated audience, we have worked hard to produce an exciting online Show & Sale with lots of fun, interactive content. We hope everyone will check us out, learn something about this craft and shop handmade this holiday season. With most live craft shows canceled this year, the virtual Show & Sale is one of few opportunities for our Guild members to connect with the public this year.”
Event Hours – Saturday, November 21 from 10 am – 5 pm; Sunday, November 22 from 10 am – 5 pm.
Event Website – https://www.hmwg.org/show
About the Hudson-Mohawk Weavers’ Guild – The Hudson-Mohawk Weavers’ Guild was formed on April 12, 1978 as a special interest group for handweavers. Its chief aim is to bring together handweavers to share knowledge and enthusiasm and to promote weaving as a viable craft through education, demonstrations and exhibitions. Membership is open to anyone with interest in handweaving and/or handspinning and currently stands at 125 members. www.hmwg.org
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.
American Legion Post #1489 Toy Drive
WYNANTSKILL – The Holiday Season is approaching quickly. The American Legion Post #1489 111 Main Avenue Wynantskill, NY is hosting a fundraiser for the Veterans Toy Drive on Sunday November 29,2020 starting at 1:00PM. The public is welcome to come join us for a day of fun, food, raffles. Admission is a new unwrapped toy for a girl or boy or a $7.00 donation at the door. We would appreciate anything you could do to help raise money and toys for the needy Veterans families in the Capital District. Any donations or gift certificates you could donate would be greatly appreciated . Any checks should be made payable to the American Legion Post #1489 and in the memo write toy drive. Social distancing and masks are required.
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.
Capital District Fly Fishers Fly Tying Classes
CAPITAL DISTRICT – The Capital District Fly Fishers is having their annual fly tying class. 8 Sessions Various Wednesdays 7:00/9:00 pm – Jan. 13th, 27th, Feb. 3rd, 10th, 24th March 3rd, 10th, 24th. March 31st Makeup Session. Come learn the art tying flies. During the 8 session course that runs over 3 months, you will learn the tools needed, receive 14 kits with materials to tie 5 flies in each kit. You will also receive a host of handouts and there are free raffles of materials. Space is limited.
For information about the class contact Paul at (518) 885-8257, Rodney Priddle (518) 421-6762 or cdflyfishers@nullnycap.rr.com.
To Register go to https://parksrec.egov.basgov.com/cliftonpark select adult classes or call (518) 371-6651.
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.