Wednesday May 8, 2024 
AP Fire Texas Hold’em Cancelled
AVERILL PARK – Due to concerns about the Covid-19 Virus (Coronavirus) the Averill Park Fire Department has cancelled the March 21, 2020 Texas Hold’em Tournament. We feel it is better to be safe, and help promote social distancing, as we all are confronted with this virus. We ask all of our players to follow all available guidance on how to protect yourselves and your friends and families. We hope to see you all at the April 18, 2020 Tournament.
Registration for the Averill Park Road Runners 2020 Track & Field Season Now Open
AVERILL PARK – The club is for anyone ages 7-14 who enjoys running, jumping, throwing and having FUN! Events include sprints, distance running, long jump, high jump, shot put, turbo javelin and discus. AP School District residency is NOT required. Practices at AP High School Monday and Thursday evenings and some optional Saturday mornings. Several meets throughout the season, from April 6th through the USATF Junior Olympics and Regionals in June and July.
Registration and more information at www.aproadrunners.com. Registration fee includes a uniform ($75 before 3/22, $85 3/23-4/19 and $100 after 4/20, $10 sibling discount). Membership in the U.S. Track and Field Association ($20) is required and provides insurance coverage. Contact tfcoaches@nullaproadrunners.com for help with registration or questions.
We’re a parent-run organization, and parental involvement is required. All abilities and skill levels are welcome. See you at the track!
Classie Lassies Girls Softball Spring Registration
AVERILL PARK – Registration is open for the Spring 2020 Classie Lassies Girls Softball season. Girls ages 5 through 14 (must turn 5 in 2020) are eligible to join. You can register on-line at www.classielassies.net. Contact classielassiesprez19@nullgmail.com for additional information.
March Programs at Grafton Lakes State Park- Spring is on its Way!
GRAFTON – Saturday, March 21—Only YOU Can Protect the Forest: Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Info Session at 10am. Come learn about one of the most harmful invasive insects of the Eastern US. Learn how to ID, its forest impacts, and how to help! Indoor info session & outdoor walk. Free hot chocolate! Ages 14-adult. Preregister: 518-279-1155 ext. 2.
Saturday, March 21— Backyard Maple Sugaring at 1pm. Learn how maple sap turns to syrup. Tasty samples for all! Come dressed for the outdoors. $2/person, $5/family. Preregister: 518-279-1155 ext. 2.
Sunday, March 22—Kid’s Story Time at 10am. Join us in the Welcome Center’s for Dr. Seuss’s, “The Lorax” and create a craft. Ages 4 – 9 years old.
Saturday, March 28– Yoga Class: Spring Awakening at 10am. Join us for gentle & energizing yoga. $5/person. Ages 10 & up. BYO water & yoga mat. Preregistration required: 518-279-1155, ext. 2.
Saturday, March 28—Bluebird Boxes at 1pm. Learn about bluebirds, its & how you can help! Include excursions to local nest boxes. Ages 8+.
Sunday, March 29—Signs of Spring Hike at 10am. Stretch your legs and shrug off winter. Come prepared for muddy trails; wear waterproof boots or shoes. All are welcome.
Mindfulness in the Outdoors
GRAFTON – Saturday, March 21: 10am – 12pm. Get outside. Go Within. Quietly sauntering in the woods in a state of mindful awareness allows you to connect with nature, reduce stress, breathe fresh air, gently move your body, relax your mind and renew your spirit. We will meet at the Dyken Pond EE Center and combine sauntering, forest bathing, meditation,journaling/drawing, and end with a tea ceremony. During this experience you will be guided through the process of slowing down and becoming aware of your surroundings. Techniques will be shared on how bring this gift into your daily life. Fee: $5. Preregistration required at (518) 658-2055 or dykenpond@nullgmail.com. Space is limited to 10. For older teens and adults. Leader: Sandra Wilson.
Equinox Hike
ALBANY – Saturday March 21, 2020, 1:00pm–2:30pm. Suitable for ages 6-10, tweens, tweens and adults. March 20th is the Vernal Equinox! What better way to welcome spring than to get outside for a hike in the Pine Bush! We’ll hike 0.9 miles, stopping to look for signs of the season. Location: Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, Albany, NY. Fee: Free! Reservations required for all attendees (regardless of age). Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Make reservations by calling 518-456-0655 or visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org/events
Capital District Senior Softball League Looking for Players
CAPITAL DISTRICT – Capital District Senior Softball League (CDSSL.COM) is recruiting players for their 55+ mens league. Call Wayne at 518-852-4308 for info.
Female Golfers Wanted
TROY – The Frear Park Women’s Golf league has openings in their Wednesday evening league. Players must be able to tee off between 3-5pm and have an established handicap prior to league start on May 6th. For more information contact Sherry at slc33@nullhotmail.com or 518-378-9589.
Swifty’s Happy Hour with Friends of the Pine Bush Community
ALBANY – Join the Friends of the Pine Bush Community on Tuesday, March 24, from 4 to 7pm at Swifty’s Restaurant & Bar for the first in a series of Community Trail Orientations where you’ll learn more about the 20-Mile Challenge, the activities of the Friends, and enjoy themed Happy Hour specials. Location: Swifty’s Restaurant & Bar, 95 Everett Road, Albany, New York. No reservation required.
iMap Invasives Training
ALBANY – Wednesday March 25, 2020 7:00-8:30pm. Suitable for adults. This Training: Volunteer community scientists can make valuable contributions that help conservation professionals manage invasive species. The evening will provide an introduction to iMap Invasives, an online mapping tool for sharing invasive species data. The Survey: Volunteers will use the iMap Invasives App to document invasive species year-round in the preserve and in the neighborhood. Location: Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, Albany, NY. Fee: Free! Reservations required for all attendees (regardless of age). Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Make reservations by calling 518-456-0655 or visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org/events
Averill Park Youth Soccer League
AVERILL PARK – 2020 Spring Rec Registration Now Open! This is an all-play non-competitive league that focuses on learning the skills and fundamentals of soccer and most of all, having fun! Season runs April 20th -June 7th. Practice and games will be held on the same night. **Pre K**– Monday; Kindergarten/Grade 1 – Tuesday; Grade 2nd/3rd – Wednesday; Grade 4th/5th/6th –Thursday. Register now through March 25th: $65. Late registration March 26th through March 31st: $80. Register online: www.averillparkyouthsoccer.com. (Scholarships are available to those qualifying for the school lunch program, must register by March 17th).
Tuesday Treks at Dyken Pond EEC
GRAFTON – Every Tuesday: 1pm-3pm – We will hike or snowshoe about 2-3 miles depending on conditions every Tuesday afternoon in March. Please call or check the website for updated conditions and possible cancellations. For adults and older teens. Snowshoe rentals available for $5. Leader: Leonard Tremblay.
Cornell Cooperative Extension Renselaer County Offers 4-H Youth Air Rifle Session
RENSSELAER COUNTY – The Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rensselaer County 4-H Youth Development program is holding an Air Rifle session for youth ten and older, as of January 1, 2020. Youth who would like to learn about the safe and responsible use of firearms as well as equipment maintenance and other related topics are encouraged to participate. In doing so, the 4-H Shooting Sports program provides opportunities for youth to gain valuable skills, practice leadership, and build relationships with non-parent adults. This 4-H Shooting Sports session will meet on Fridays, March 27th, April 3rd and 10th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. There is a $15.00 registration fee for 4-H members and $25.00 for non-members. Pre-registration is required and registration will be limited. To register a youth, or for more information, please contact Eileen DePaula at 518-272-4210 or emd32@nullcornell.edu. For more information about this and other programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rensselaer County, please call 518-272-4210. No one shall be denied the opportunity to participate or receive information based on their ability to pay. If you have special needs that we can accommodate please let us know at the time of your call.
Hug a Tree
ALBANY – Saturday March 28, 2020, 11:00am–1:00pm. Suitable for ages 6-12 with an adult. Calling all kids! Would you know what to do if you were outside playing or hiking and became lost? If you’re not sure, this program is for you. Hug a Tree was developed to teach children a few of the most basic and vital survival principles. It was specifically designed for children between the ages of 6 and 12. We will start with an indoor presentation and demonstrations, followed by an outside presentation and guided hike. We plan to hike approximately one mile. Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, Albany, NY. Fee: Free! Reservations required for all attendees (regardless of age). Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Make reservations by calling 518-456-0655 or visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org/events
Grafton Lakes State Park to hold Earth Day 50th Anniversary Celebration
GRAFTON – Grafton Lakes State Park will host Earth Day: 5 for 50 on Tuesday-Saturday, April 14th-18th. The 5 for 50 will involve five days of events in honor of the 50th year anniversary of Earth Day. The events will include a lecture series about climate change, a citizen science fair, and a trail work and weeds removal day. All events taking part during these days are free of charge and held at the Welcome Center.
Tuesday, April 14th – 6:30 pm talk: “What is climate change?”
Wednesday, April 15th – 6:30 pm talk: “Why should you care about climate change?”
Thursday, April 16th – 6:30 pm talk: “What can you do about climate change?”
Friday, April 17th – 3 pm – 7 pm: Citizen Science Fair with tables and workshops
Saturday, April 18th – 8:30 am – 2 pm (lunch included): Trail Maintenance and Weeds Removal
Keynote speaker: Bird expert, Rich Guthrie
These events will all help to promote this year’s Earth Day theme “climate action.” All talks will be given by local environmental professionals.
Grafton Lakes State Park is excited to announce that the more events you attend, the more rewards you can earn!
Tier 1- participation in trail work on Sat, April 18th
Four program tickets and lunch
Tier 2: attend all three lectures Tues, April 14th – Wed, April 16th
Two boat passes (can be used for kayaks, canoes, paddle boats, etc.)
Tier 3: attend four out of five Earth Day events offered Tues, April 14th – Sat, April 18th
Beach Tent rental (**must have reservation day ready on 4th day of attendance)
Tier 4: attend all five Earth Day events offered Tues, April 14th – Sat, April 18th
Rewards for Tiers 1-3 AND a chance to win a 2020 Empire Pass
Mark these dates on your calendars and come out to learn, sign up for a project, rebuild a trail, and take action!
To register for the different events and to find out more info, call the park at 518-279-1155.
Grafton Lakes State Park is located off of Route 2, twelve miles east of Troy, NY.