Friday April 26, 2024 
Town of Sand Lake Dog Park jumps major hurdles!
It’s time to design and raise funds for a 2 Acre Dog Park! To move forward, we MUST be committed and create some committees. This is where the Paw meets the Park!
If you are committed, please be a part of the next step on Tuesday, May 7th, from 6:30 P.M. – 7:30 P.M. in the Town of Sand Lake meeting room. (8428 Miller Hill Rd, Sand Lake, NY 12153)
Consider the following committees which will meet the first Tuesday of the month for one hour –
- Leadership Committee:
- Fundraising Committee:
- Infrastructure Committee:
- Rules Committee:
- Publicity Committee
A dog park will offer owners a safe place to socialize their dogs in a controlled environment and keep them off the streets. Off-leash areas bring people together, create a greater sense of community and provide a forum for dog owners to share information that can help foster more responsible pet ownership. The park will make dogs better neighbors that are less likely to bark incessantly or jump on people and will offer elderly and disabled citizens a place to exercise their companions. The park will improve the overall physical and psychological well-being of our community and their pets. Remember, a committed community positions us to receive local and federal grants. This park is just one step in developing a better life for all Sand Lake residents.
Please mark May 7th, 2019 at 6:30 P.M. – 7:30 P.M. on your calendar. It’s up to you!
That’s all fur now!
~Shannon DeCelle
Friends of the Sand Lake Dog Park!
4-H Advanced Veterinary Science Program
Members of the 4-H Advanced Veterinary Science Program (Brice Retell, Bella Campanella, and Kaylie Millar) along with chaperones (Kayela Statom and Shari Mantini) attend the 2019 Cornell Vet School Open House
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rensselaer County recently completed its 4-H Advanced Veterinary Science Program. During this 4-week program, youth from Columbia-Greene and Rensselaer Counties had the opportunity to learn about various aspects in the field of veterinary medicine. Sessions included: an injection lab, animal care and behavior, livestock nutrition, a hands-on necropsy, and a tour of Dutch Hollow Farm. The program wrapped up with a trip to the Cornell Veterinary School Open House on April 6th. The participants sat in on lectures on the K9 Police Unit, Raptors, and Honeybees, as well as enjoyed ice cream from the Dairy Bar. CCE of Rensselaer County looks forward to another 4-H Veterinary Science program in 2020. If you would like more information about joining 4-H and the 4-H Veterinary Science program, please contact the CCE Office (518-272-4210).
Benefit Show by Chantal Turvey At Long Shadows Farm
CAMBRIDGE. World renowned equestrian performer Chantal Turvey will perform with her horses at Long Shadows Farm in Cambridge, NY on Friday, May 3, at 7 p.m. Gates open at 5:30. Between 5:30 and 7:00, and there will be pony rides and entertainment as well as food and beverage concessions on site.
The event will benefit the sanctuary horses, including retired Thoroughbred racehorses, at Long Shadows Charitable Foundation (LSCF) as well as its healing programs for veterans, first-responders and others. Turvey is a highly acclaimed horse trainer, stunt rider, and trick trainer specializing in training equines for television and cinema. Her performance will be a special tribute to American veterans.
“I am thrilled to be back at Long Shadows Farm to help the beautiful rescue horses in their care and the programs that they provide for American veterans,” said Turvey. “It is my way of helping people and horses.”
Long Shadows Farm is located at 84 Dr. Brown Lane, Cambridge, N.Y. The event will take place in the arena on the premises.
Tickets are $15 per person and can be purchased at www.LongShadowsHorses.org. Veterans and children 10 and under get in free.
For more information: 518-928-6161 or info@nullLongShadowsHorses.org
Pet Adoption Fair
Hugs From Henry, Inc. will hold a Pet Adoption Fair to benefit local pets for medical needs and to find their forever home. The event will be held on Sun., May 5th, Benson’s Pet Center, 3083 NY-50, Saratoga Springs, NY from 10 am to 3 pm. Local shelters and vendors will be on hand.
If you are Spring cleaning and find unneeded pet supplies to include old towels, sheets or blankets, bring them and we will provide them to people adopting a pet or the shelters will take what they need. We will give you a donation receipt.
Spring Dog Obedience Sessions
Class is in session: Spring Introduction to Basic Dog Obedience
Sessions will take place Wednesday Evenings at the Schaghticoke Fairgrounds April 24th-June 5th
6:00 – 6:45 PM; Open to Rensselaer County Residents (Adults):
Designed for the new puppy, family pet, or for someone who wants to get more involved in the world of “dogs”. Dogs must be nonaggressive. This class will introduce basic obedience tasks including sit, down, attention, walking on a loose leash, recall and building drive. For those that have the basics down, we can continue working on same tasks, but introducing distractions and longevity.
7:00 – 7:45 PM Open to Rensselaer County Residents
(8-18 years old):
Designed for our children, who are able to keep control of their dogs on a leash. For those that may need some assistance with the dogs, we ask that an adult participate with them. This class will introduce or continue your work on sit, down, attention, walking on a loose leash, recall and building drive. I also will be including some tricks that everyone enjoys doing.
The cost for 4-H members and volunteers is $25 and $50 for non-members. Space is limited, so please call Kayela at 518-272-4210 to reserve your spot today!
DEC Announces May 1st Opening of Spring Turkey Season
Annual Youth Turkey Hunting Weekend Set for April 20-21
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced that spring turkey season opens May 1st, in all of Upstate New York north of the Bronx-Westchester County boundary. In addition, DEC’s annual youth turkey hunting weekend will take place on April 20-21. The youth turkey hunt for junior hunters ages 12-15 is open in all of Upstate New York and Suffolk County.
“Hunters across New York are looking forward to the excitement of spring turkey hunting, which requires an understanding of turkey behavior, navigation, and field skills, an ability to locate and call in birds, and take a good shot,” Commissioner Seggos said. “I encourage hunters to act responsibly, follow regulations, and adhere to the cardinal rules of hunting safety.” Important Details for the Youth Turkey Hunt on April 20 and 21
- Hunters 12-15 years of age are eligible and must hold a hunting license and a turkey permit;
- Youth 12-13 years of age must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or adult over 21 years of age with written permission from their parent or legal guardian. Youth 14-15 years of age must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or adult over 18 years of age with written permission from their parent or legal guardian;
- The accompanying adult must have a current hunting license and turkey permit. The adult may assist the youth hunter, including calling, but may not carry a firearm, bow, or crossbow, or kill or attempt to kill a wild turkey during the youth hunt;
- Shooting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to noon each day;
- The youth turkey hunt is open in all of upstate New York, north of the Bronx-Westchester County boundary and across Suffolk County;
- The bag limit for the youth weekend is one bearded bird. This bird becomes part of the youth’s regular spring season bag limit of two bearded birds. A second bird may be taken only in upstate New York, north of the Bronx-Westchester County boundary, beginning May 1;
- Crossbows may only be used by hunters age 14 or older; and
- All other wild turkey hunting regulations remain in effect.
Other Important Details for the Spring Turkey Season, May 1-31, 2019:
- Hunting is permitted in most areas of the state, except for New York City and Long Island;
- Hunters must have a turkey hunting permit in addition to their hunting license;
- Shooting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to noon each day;
- Hunters may take two bearded turkeys during the spring season, but only one bird per day;
- Hunters may not use rifles or handguns firing a bullet. Hunters may hunt with a shotgun or handgun loaded with shot sizes no larger than No. 2 or smaller than No. 8, or with a bow or crossbow;
- Successful hunters must fill out the tag that comes with their turkey permit and immediately attach it to any turkey harvested; and
- Successful hunters must report their harvest within seven days of taking a bird. Call 1-866-426-3778 (1-866 GAMERPT) or report harvest online at DEC’s Game Harvest Reporting website.
For more information about turkey hunting in New York, see the 2018-19 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide or visit the “Turkey Hunting” pages of DEC’s website.
Citizen Science Opportunity: DEC Seeks Turkey Hunters for Ruffed Grouse Drumming Survey
Turkey hunters in pursuit of that wary gobbler in the spring are ideally suited to monitor ruffed grouse during the breeding season. Turkey hunters can record the number of grouse they hear drumming while afield to help DEC track the distribution and abundance of this game bird. To get a survey form, go to DEC’s website or call (518) 402-8883.
To participate in DEC’s Summer Wild Turkey Sighting Survey or other wildlife surveys, visit the “Citizen Science” page of the DEC website.