Thursday April 25, 2024 
Free Yoga Fridays
Join us for gentle and relaxing yoga every Friday at the Presbyterian United Church of Schaghticoke from 7-8pm. The Church is located at 16 Main St., Schaghticoke. For more information, visit presbychurchmouse@yahoo. com.
Baseball Umpires Needed
The Capital District Baseball Umpires Association is looking for new members for the 2019 season. Training classes meet weekly in February and March. Introductory meeting is Thursday, January 31, 7:00 p.m. at Shaker Junior High. Go to cdbua.com or, call Bob at 518-986-5987, for more info”
~Bob Umholtz-President, CDBUA
Free Tai Chi Classes
The Presbyterian United Church is hosting free Tai Chi classes at 10am on Saturdays. All levels- Chair and standing…try Tai Chi. Please share with anyone you might consider interested.
The Church is located at 165 Main Street in Schaghticoke.
Grafton Lakes State Park to hold 24th Annual Winter Festival
Join us on Saturday, January 26th. There will be outdoor events along with indoor exhibits, food vendors, and family-friendly recreational activities. The event is free of charge and runs from 10-4pm.
Join in a guided snowshoe or cross-country ski outing or borrow snowshoes for a free demo around the park. Enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides, a morning walk for dogs, as well as a K-9 Unit demonstration. For the kids; snow bowling hill, snowshoe races and a snowball toss, as well as sled rides with the charming Northland Newfoundlands. Also enjoy free snowmobile rides, snow fort building, and an ice dive demonstration.
The Polar Plunge, kicks off the main events at 10:30AM. As always, the Plunge includes a playful prize for the silliest costume offered by the Friends of Grafton Lakes State Park, so start planning your January beach attire! To pre-register for the Plunge, please call Ray Dozois for more information at 518-663-5648, or call the park office at 518-279-1155.
Note that this year’s Ice Fishing contest is being held on the weekend before, Saturday, January 19th. Please call the park for more info; 518-279-1155.
Dec Encourages Anglers to Put Safety First When Ice Fishing
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) encouraged anglers to put safety first when ice fishing. Four inches of solid ice is usually safe for anglers accessing ice on foot. However, ice thickness can vary on waterbodies and even within the same waterbody. Anglers should be particularly wary of areas of moving water and around boat docks and houses where bubblers may be installed to reduce ice buildup. The presence of snowmobile tracks or footprints on the ice should not be taken as evidence of safe ice conditions. DEC strongly encourages individuals to check ice conditions and avoid situations that appear to present even a remote risk. Testing the thickness of ice can easily be done with an auger or ice spud at various spots.
“Ice fishing is a popular sport in New York State and with the temperatures dropping around the region, anglers are looking forward to an early start to the season this year,” said Commissioner Basil Seggos. “The rush to get out onto the ice can lead to tragedy unless anglers remain vigilant about the condition of the ice. Anglers should heed DEC’s recommendation of at least four inches of solid clear ice before venturing out on the ice.”
Ice fishing continues to increase in popularity in New York State. Unlike the open water season, when an angler usually needs a boat to access good fishing locations, no boat is required to access these locations once a water is covered with safe ice. It’s also a great sport for families, as they can mix in skating, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, or other activities during an ice fishing trip.
As part of Governor Cuomo’s NY Open for Fishing and Hunting initiative February 16-17, 2019, has been designated as a free fishing weekend. The requirement for a fishing license is waived during this period. This is a great opportunity to try ice fishing for the first time or for experienced anglers to take friends ice fishing for the first time.
Anglers are reminded to take these important steps when using baitfish while ice fishing:
Follow the bait fish regulations to prevent the spread of harmful fish diseases and invasive species (please see: Special Regulations by County):
Use only certified disease-free bait fish purchased at a local tackle store or use only personally collected bait fish for use in the same water body in which they were caught. Do not reuse baitfish in another waterbody if you have replaced the water they were purchased in; and
Dump unused baitfish and water in an appropriate location on dry land.
Anglers are reminded to make sure that they have a valid fishing license before heading out on the ice. Fishing licenses are valid for 365 days from the date of purchase.
Reiki for Seniors
Rensselaer County’s Everett Wagar Senior Center, 2 Roxborough Road, Grafton, NY – Our center is offering Reiki appointments. Reiki is a healing technique where a therapist can channel energy into the patient by means of touch to activate the natural healing process of the body and restore physical and emotional well-being. We have a Reiki Master available by appointment on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It is non- evasive and very relaxing.
For more information, or if you are interested in making an appointment, please call 518-279-3413.
Introduction to Snowshoeing at Albert Family Community Forest
Introduction to Snowshoeing at Albert Family Community Forest– Saturday, 1/5, 10 am.
Snowshoeing has become one of the fastest growing winter sports in the country. Simply strap on a pair of snowshoes and go on a winter hike or backpack! This class is a great introduction to the sport. We will start with an indoor clinic and focus on the gear selection and the initial skills needed to get on the trails. Then we will hit the outdoors for some fun in the snow and to learn snowshoeing techniques, ascending and descending hills and winter preparedness. Discover the joy of winter and the freedom of snowshoeing! Some snowshoes will be available to borrow. Meet at the parking lot of the Albert Family Community Forest in Nassau. Register in advance with Fred McCagg at fredmccagg@nullfairpoint.net. Suggested donation of $5.
Co-sponsored by Rensselaer Land Trust and Rensselaer Plateau Alliance.
Bailey Mt. Ice Fishing Contest
Bailey Mt. Fish and Game Club 35th annual Ice Fishing contest.
February 2nd, 2019, Fishing on 4 Rensselaer County lakes–
Snyders Lake, Glass Lake, Reichards Lake, and Burden Lake.
$10 p/p, Multiple categories; longest Fish Cash Prizes;
$1000 in prizes; Auger and more! 6am to 2pm.
Register at each lake, 5:30am-10:30am.
Measure Fish at each Lake until 1pm.
Measure at club by 2:30pm.
For more information, find us on Facebook.
Bailey Mt. Fish and Game Club NYS
Pre-License Pistol Safety Course
Rensselaer County Pre-License Pistol Safety Course January 22, 2019, 6:30 pm-10:30 pm. Sign up with Joe Gazeley via email jgazeleysr@nullnycap.rr.com
This is the pre-License class. For more information or to find other course offerings, Visit www.bmfgc.org or www.rcfirearmstraining.us and like us on Facebook too!
Home Waters Chapter of Trout Unlimited Monthly Meeting
Home Waters Chapter of Trout Unlimited is holding their monthly meeting on Thursday, January 10, 2019, at 6:00 PM at the Grafton Lakes State Park Welcome Center, which is located at the end of the main parking lot. If main gates are closed, please enter via the Winter Entrance at the four corners in Grafton.
All are encouraged and welcome to attend. Snacks and Refreshments will be available. Contact us at homewaterstu@nullgmail.com or 518-326-6201 for more information.
Dec Offers Free Waterfront Lifeguard Course
Applications Now Accepted for Summer Recreation Jobs
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced that the agency is offering a free waterfront lifeguard course February 19 through 22, at the Lynch Literacy Academy in Amsterdam, NY. Class times to be determined. DEC encourages New Yorkers looking for seasonal summer employment and who enjoy the outdoors to learn more about this and other summer recreation opportunities.
Individuals 16 years of age and older interested in lifeguarding positions at DEC facilities this summer may register. Candidates who complete the course will be considered for employment. The course includes certification in all required waterfront lifeguarding skills, Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for the professional rescuer, and first aid.
A prerequisite fitness test will be given the morning of February 19. Candidates must successfully complete each component to continue with the course:
All applicants must meet agency medical and vision (20/70 or better) requirements and will be required to complete the following physical tests:
A 550 yard (22 lengths) continuous swim (front crawl or breaststroke only);
Treading water for two minutes using legs only;
Swim 20 yards, surface dive to retrieve a ten-pound brick, return to surface, and swim on the back returning to the starting point;
Exit the water without using a ladder or steps;
Swim five yards, submerge and retrieve three dive rings placed five yards apart in four to seven feet of water, resurface and continue to swim another five yards to complete the skill sequence.
Immediately following the course, candidates who pass will be given the opportunity to take the DEC qualifying procedure. Only individuals that pass the qualifying procedure can by employed as DEC lifeguards.
Seasonal lifeguard positions are available at DEC campgrounds throughout the Adirondack and Catskill parks this summer. Most facilities offer free housing.
For more information, updates, or to pre-register, call 518-457-2500 ext. #1,
e-mail DEC at Info.LifeGuard@nulldec.ny.gov or visit the Employment Opportunities in Summer Recreation web page on DEC’s website.