Saturday April 20, 2024 
Community Caregivers’ Lunchtime Chat Schedule November 2021
RENSSEALER COUNTY – All are welcome! Please dial-in to hear about interesting topics – it’s free and easy to join! Simply call 518-992-6661. Or let us know if you want us to dial you in!
Friday, Nov. 19, 1 pm – Old Time Radio: Our Miss Brooks
Tuesday, Nov. 23, 1 pm – Thanksgiving Traditions (and some not-so-traditional!)
Friday, Nov. 26, NO LUNCHTIME CHAT – Thanksgiving Weekend
Tuesday, Nov. 30, 1 pm – Amelia Earhart, American Aviator
HVCC Theatre Arts Students Present “Little Women”
TROY – Hudson Valley Community College’s Theatre Arts Program will present Kate Hamill’s adaptation of “Little Women,” Louisa May Allcott’s ever-popular 1868 novel about four sisters – Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy — growing up in New England during the Civil War, at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 19 and 20, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 21 in the Maureen Stapleton Theatre on the Troy campus. All performances are open free to the public with masks required at all times for audience members. (The actors will be unmasked.)
In Hamill’s remake, Jo March doesn’t want to be like most other girls. She is ambitious, rough around the edges, headstrong, and yearns for a future she can’t yet articulate. As the nation is torn apart by civil war, Jo and her sisters grapple with restrictive gender roles, political beliefs, poverty, and romantic relationships that threaten to break family ties. The March sisters try to reconcile their identities with society’s demands and stay true to themselves in a world that wants you to become a perfect little woman?
“Little Women” is directed by Rosanne Raneri, assistant professor in the Department of Fine Arts, Theatre Arts and Digital Media, with Delaney Williams, a theatre major, serving as assistant director.
Saratoga Voices Heroic Handel
CAPITAL DISTRICT – On Nov. 19, 7:30 p.m., at Universal Preservation Hall, Saratoga Voices is performing a semi-staged version of Handel’s oratorio, Judas Maccabaeus. This oratorio, composed in 1746, has become Handel’s most popular oratorio, second only to The Messiah.
To perform two of the lead roles, Saratoga Voices has engaged the talent of two internationally renowned vocal artists with strong dramatic experience. Tenor Thomas Cooley sings the title role of Judas Maccabaeus and baritone Jesse Blumberg sings the equally heroic role of Simon, the brother of Judas. Tickets for Heroic Handel! Handel’s Judas Maccabaeus ($40/$35 seniors) can be purchased at the UPH box office – UniversalPreservationHall.org – or by calling the box office at 518-346-6204. Seating is open, and the hall is fully accessible.
Get Out and Cub Scout with Pack 2528
POESTENKILL – Cub Scout Pack 2528 Open House is on Saturday November 20th 1PM to 3PM at the VFW Post 7466 25 Veterans St. Poestenkill, NY. What do Scout do? Camping – Swimming – Archery – Marksmanship – Summer Day Camp – Sports and Games – Derby Car Races – Hands-on Projects – STEAM – Service Projects – Make New Friends. Scouting provides: Value for your Investment. Flexibility for your busy schedule. Positive role models for your child. Experiences & Memories that last a lifetime.
The Spina Bifida Association Encourages All to “Dare to Dream” this November
CAPITAL DISTRICT – The Dare to Dream fundraiser is SBANENY’s major annual fundraiser supporting programs and services for individuals and families living with Spina Bifida. After this past year, with its many zoom meetings and challenges, SBANENY is able to once again host its annual Dare to Dream Gala in person at Wolferts Roost Country Club in Albany, NY on November 20, 2021 with Honorary Chair Dr. Dennis McKenna, Albany Med CEO & President.
At this year’s event, there will be an auction that will have both in-person and online options for bidding on auction items, with in-person tickets costing $60 and online tickets costing $15. Location aside, all of SBANENY’s generous supporters will have an opportunity to bid on prizes like gift cards, sports tickets, fun baskets, and more from November 7 to November 21, 2021. The event will offer live music and food to enjoy while viewing a video presentation including SBANENY’s staff, providers from Albany Med, Assembly Member Phil Steck, and 2021 You Make a Difference Award Recipient The Daily Gazette.
It is the success of fundraisers like Dare to Dream that makes supporting this community possible. However, if you cannot make it to our Dare to Dream fundraiser this year, there are other ways to support SBANENY. Donations are always appreciated, and getting connected provides opportunities to be educated about Spina Bifida as a condition. This helps SBANENY support those living with Spina Bifida which is a neural tube birth defect that happens in the first month of pregnancy when the spinal column doesn’t form properly, leaving nerves exposed and resulting in damage to the spinal cord. It also has associated conditions like paralysis, bladder, bowel and gastrointestinal disorders, learning disabilities, anxiety and depression, a higher risk of obesity, and the risk of latex allergy.
To learn more about Spina Bifida, SBANENY services, and register or donate to Dare to Dream, visit www.sbaneny.org.
Book Nook Open at Transfiguration Parish in Speigletown
SPEIGLETOWN – The Book Nook at Transfiguration Parish on Hillview Drive in Speigletown is open on Saturday morning, November 20, from 9:00 am until noon. The half-priced specials are on authors Mary Higgins Clark and John Sandford. The historical novels and biographies are just 3/$1. Please stop in and check out all of the new donations. Thanks for your continued support and see you at the Book Nook!
November 2021 Meeting for the Capital District Genealogical Society
CAPITAL DISTRICT – Saturday, November 20, 2021 at 1:00pm. Online Zoom Meeting. CDGS meetings are presently held on Zoom. Registration is free and will open to the public on 15 November 2021. See www.capitaldistrictgenealogicalsociety.org under meetings and events. There is a 100 person limit. Topic: Don’t Forget the Ladies: A Genealogist’s Guide to Women and the Law. Judy Russell “The Legal Genealogist” will present on techniques for genealogists to find those elusive female ancestors.
Indoor Drone Racing at Sky High Adventure Community Center
AVERILL PARK – Indoor Drone Racing. Join us for some fun and meet the Racing pilots of Full Tilt FPV Racing. November 21, 2021, 3-9pm. See the Sky High Adventure Community Center transform into an exciting drone racing course. Complete a survey on what you want to see from you local community center, let us know if you’d be interested in a Winter Drone Camp Program. Come on out for our indoor test event! While we would like this to be a tiny trainer only event we are open to any 3” quad that meets our spec!
VENUE: www.SHACcenter.org
Sky High Adventure Community Center., 27 Lake Ave, Averill Park NY 12018.
This race will take place in a community center that was a former school. We will be racing through multiple rooms, hallways, stairwells, and things like that. Analog and digital video work well in this venue.
***Anyone flying out of control and recklessly will be removed from the event.***
REGISTRATION: links available at www.fulltiltfpv.com – Pilots should register and check in no later than 24 hours before the race on MultiGP. You will need to check in to obtain your video frequency for the day. Please come with your video frequency setup before you arrive onsite. Pilots must be able to change video frequencies during the mains portion of the race day.
PILOT QUALIFICATIONS – For each race we ask for a $10 landing fee to help cover equipment purchase and maintenance plus venue fees. If you plan on racing with us regularly you can instead cover the entire season with a one time ‘season pass’ of at least $50. Fees can be made by paypal to fulltilt@nullfulltiltfpv.com. AMA membership is REQUIRED.
Consciousness-Raising Book Discussion
CAPITAL DISTRICT – Sunday, November 21 at 6 p.m. Join us for a spiritual book discussion. All are welcome whether or not they’ve read. This month’s book is Healing Words: The Power of Prayer and the Practice of Medicine by Larry Dossey, M.D. Hosted on Zoom by Albany-Saratoga Spiritual Adventures. Call or use the Contact us form at www.newthoughtnewyork.org for Meeting ID and discussion questions. For more information, visit our meetup.com group, Albany-Saratoga Spiritual Adventures or call (518) 366-9918.
Hope 7 Community Center’s Holiday Vendor & Craft Fair
TROY – Join Hope 7 Community Center on November 21, 2021, from 11:00-4:00pm, at Franklin Terrace Ballroom, 126 Campbell Ave, Troy, for our annual vendor & craft fair. This event will have 60+ crafters & vendors for all of your holiday shopping needs.
The first 100 shoppers through the door will be entered into a special door prize drawing. There will also be a variety of raffles, 50/50, bake sale, free admission & ample parking. Food will be available to purchase. Proceeds from this event to benefit Hope 7’s food pantry. Bring an unwrapped toy for our pantry’s Santa Shop and receive 5 free raffles tickets! For further information please contact mhouser35@nullaol.com or lauratbev@nullaol.com.
Troy Area United Ministries Ribbon Cutting
TROY – Troy Area United Ministries invites everyone to attend a ribbon cutting at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, November 23 to celebrate the opening of our new building addition. This addition will greatly expand the storage space available to our Furniture Program. The ribbon cutting will be held at TAUM’s administrative offices at 392 2nd Street. TAUM is also celebrating its 35th Anniversary.The Furniture Program of Troy Area United Ministries provides over 275,000 pieces of good, used furniture annually, free of charge, to families in need, including the working poor, women and their dependent children fleeing domestic violence, families leaving homeless shelters, persons with disabilities and the elderly poor.There will be photo opportunities with Troy Mayor Patrick Madden, Leslie Cheu of the Troy Savings Bank Charitable Foundation (Lead funder for the project), and TAUM Executive Director Donna Elia and others.
Community Caregivers November 2021 Volunteer Orientation Sessions
RENSSELAER COUNTY – Can you spare an hour or two a month to help your community? Our volunteers make friendly phone calls & visits, grocery shop and drive our neighbors* to medical appointments. Orientation is a first step in volunteering with us. Please allow 45 minutes. Please register at the email below or by calling 518-456-2898. Individual sessions are available upon request by emailing Meredith Osta at: meredith@nullcommunitycaregivers.org November 23, 12 p.m. via Zoom. Link to be sent via email prior to the session. We look forward to meeting you! *Serving Albany & Rensselaer Counties Community Caregivers is a non-profit agency supported by community donations, and grants from The Albany County Department for Aging, the NYS Department of Health and Office for the Aging & the U.S. Administration on Aging. www.communitycaregivers.org
Thanksgiving Pies by the VFW Auxiliary to Sullivan Jones Post 7466
POESTENKILL – Holidays are busy so let the VFW Auxiliary to Sullivan Jones Post 7466 bake your pies for you! 9” pies, blueberry, apple, cherry, pumpkin and are $15.00 each. Call Nancy 518-283-6197 to place your order. Pick up you pies at 25 Veterans Street, Poestenkill on November 23 from 5:00 to 7:00 or November 24th from 12:00 to 5:00.
Stephentown Lighted Parade
STEPHENTOWN – Kick off the holiday season with the Stephentown Lighted Parade and Tree Lighting on Saturday, November 27.
Join Santa and Mrs. Claus by decorating a tractor, side-by-side, float, fire truck, or car with lights and parade through town from Stephentown Fire Hall to the Veterans Park. Or line the streets to watch the parade! The parade steps off at 5:30 PM.
The parade will culminate with the Annual Tree Lighting at the Veterans Park at 6 PM followed by carols, cookies, and cocoa.
If you’re interested in participating in the lighted parade, register by November 20 at https://bit.ly/stephentownparade.
Bill Staines in Concert at Sand Lake Center for the Arts
SAND LAKE – For more than forty years, Bill has traveled back and forth across North America, singing his songs and delighting audiences at festivals, folksong societies, colleges, concerts, clubs, and coffeehouses. Well into his fifth decade as a folk performer, he has gained an international reputation as a gifted songwriter and performer. Singing mostly his own songs, he has become one of the most popular and durable singers on the folk music scene today, performing nearly 200 concerts a year and driving over 65,000 miles annually. He weaves a blend of gentle wit and humor into his performances and one reviewer wrote, “He has a sense of timing to match the best standup comic.” Saturday, Nov. 27 at 8pm. $18. Purchase your tickets today at slca-ctp.org.
Holiday Book Bonanza
East Greenbush – To all children’s book lovers: Meet several authors and find a special book for your loved ones at the Holiday Book Bonanza Nov. 27 (Small Business Saturday). Visit the Country Trunk, 705 Columbia Tpk, East Greenbush, NY 11am-4pm and shop local in the holiday spirit for children’s books and other gifts. Get your books signed, enjoy complimentary gift wrapping, as well as a warm beverage and treat. Give the gift of reading! For more info, contact cath.zampier@nullgmail.com
65th Annual Greens Show at The Hart Cluett Mansion
TROY – This year, the Van Rensselaer Garden Club is delighted to announce the 65th Annual Greens Show! 12 rooms inside the Marble House at the Hart Cluett Museum, 57 Second Street, Downtown Troy, will be decorated for the holidays with a Children’s Holiday Storybooks theme.
The event takes place Thursday, December 2 from 12pm-8pm and Friday to Sunday, December 3-5 from 12pm-5pm. Tickets are $15 for adults and free for children16 and under. Holiday gift shop, handmade decorated wreaths & creative expressions arrangements will be available daily. Room decor & tree sales also available. Masks required. Visit www.hartcluett.org for purchase and additional information. 518-272-7232 ext 18.
Capital Region Social Happenings November Event and Concert Series
CAPITAL DISTRICT – https://www.facebook.com/CapitalRegionSocial – CapRegSocialHappenings@nullgmail.com. Friday Night Events at 7 pm – Picnic at noon at 435 New Karner Road (Hanover Square Building) at “Hill” door entrance. Open to the public. Inside seating is limited. $12 pp and that includes beverages and snacks. Plenty of free parking. Handicap accessible.CDC & COVID compliant. Masks required on everyone. Call 518-452-6883 for more information.
Friday Night – December 3: SPECIAL OPEN HOUSE EVENT FOR ALL — The event starts at 5:30 pm with finger foods and meet the Board in our newly renovated Community Room and Stage. DON “THE SOUL MAN” HYMAN returns to our stage to entertain us with music and stories at 7 pm.
Salvation Army Bell Ringing in Memory of Christopher Bascom
EAST GREENBUSH – Once again family and friends of Christopher Bascom will be ringing the Salvation Army bells in his memory from 10 am – 8 pm Wednesday, Dec 1, at the Walmart in East Greenbush. Christopher would have been 35 this December 1 had his life not been cut short by a drunk, hit and run driver when he was 16 and a junior at Columbia High School. CHS students have also rung the bells in Chris’ memory all these years and will be manning the kettles this year on Sat., Dec. 4, from 9 am -1 pm.
Because Christopher was such a caring, giving, and compassionate boy who always strived to make others happy, it is fitting to honor his memory by having donations made to a group which shares his values. While the Salvation Army works year ‘round to assist people in need, its Red Kettle efforts at Christmas time help focus on such needs.
Contributions may be put in the red kettles or sent directly to the Salvation Army Troy Corps, 410 River St., Troy, NY 12180. You can write on the memo line, “Christopher Bascom”.
Submitted by: Janice G. Newport,
Christopher’s maternal grandmother
Bring the Christmas Season to Light!
NORTH GREENBUSH – Join us as we celebrate Saint Nicholas Day on Saturday, December 4 beginning at 3 pm at the Blooming Grove Reformed Church off Rte. 4 in North Greenbush. Holiday treats will be given out to all the children, stories will be told, songs will be sung and the Christmas lights on the parsonage front lawn will be lit! And it is rumored that Sinterklaas, better known as old Saint Nick himself will be stopping by to say hi! To keep our celebration COVID compliant, we ask that you drive into the main parking lot of the church to receive a treat for the children and park either in the church parking lot or across the street in the CDTA parking lot.
North Greenbush Christmas Parade
NORTH GREENBUSH – Santa and his helpers are coming to the Town of North Greenbush and you’re invited! Our annual Christmas Parade will be held on Saturday, December 11, 2021 at 6pm. The parade kicks off from St. Jude’s Church, proceeding down Brookside Ave to Main Ave to Town Hall where the streets will be lined with excited children and families to see the magic of the season come alive. This will be our biggest and brightest Christmas Parade ever. After the parade, we will start a new tradition with the lighting of our first Starry Night Memorial Christmas Trees. Come meet Santa and enjoy an evening filled with magic and memories. If you have a business that would be interested in participating in having a float in the parade, please contact the Town Supervisor’s office at (518) 283-5313, Ext 5. Hope to see you there.
North Greenbush Starry Night Memorial Christmas Trees
NORTH GREENBUSH – The Town of North Greenbush is starting a new tradition called the “Starry Night” Memorial Christmas Trees. Remember your loved one by ordering a Starry Night Tree. The field next to town hall will be filled with beautiful fresh cut Christmas trees supplied by the town. Purchase a tree for $50 which includes the tree, electricity and sign and you will provide your own LED lights and decorations in memory of your loved one. On Saturday, December 11, 2021 the trees will be lit following our town Christmas Parade. Checks made payable to the Town of North Greenbush to reserve your tree and is open to North Greenbush residents first. Please contact Deputy Town Supervisor Kelly Hoffman at khoffman@nullnorthgreenbush.org for additional information or by calling her at (518) 283-5313, Ext 5. Because this is our first year, we are starting out with a limited amount of trees and hope to see this grow over the years, so please order yours today.