Tuesday April 23, 2024 
Recruiting AmeriCorps Volunteers 55+
CAPITAL DISTRICT – Community Caregivers has partnered with AmeriCorps Seniors and is actively recruiting volunteers who are 55+ join a national volunteer movement and help their neighbors.
Our volunteers provide support, at no charge, to older adults and individuals who need help to live safely and independently in their own homes. There are several flexible opportunities available such as grocery shopping and transportation. We currently serve Albany and Rensselaer counties.
For those that meet the income guidelines, there is even a modest stipend available.
If your organization currently utilizes volunteers and would like to find out how we can partner or if you’re interested and have questions, please send us a note at americorps@nullcommunitycaregivers.org .
Also, Visit Community Caregivers at www.communitycaregivers.org.
News From Averill Park CSD
Rudy Winkler, a U.S. Olympian and the American record holder in the Hammer Throw, visited Algonquin Middle School. Winkler, a 2013 graduate of APCSD, stopped by some of his old classrooms, visited with former teachers, and spoke with students. A big thank you goes out to Mr. Winkler for the visit, and for giving our students a real-life example of where hard work and dedication can take them!
The Averill Park High School Jazz Band and Treble Choir performed at the Empire State Plaza. Everyone did an outstanding job and represented our school district very well!
Mr. Kaedy’s U.S. Military History class hosted a breakfast for area military veterans. Students made the breakfast and interacted with their guests. We thank all veterans for their service to our country!
As always, for the latest news from the District, please visit our website – averillpark.k12.ny.us. You can also follow AP on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Submitted by Dr. James Franchini, Averill Park CSD Superintendent
East Greenbush CSD Kindergarten Registration Information for 2023-24
The East Greenbush Central School District is now enrolling kindergarten students for the 2023-24 school year. To be eligible for kindergarten in September 2023, your child must turn five years old by December 1, 2023.
Kindergarten registration packets will be mailed to all eligible families in the district database during January 2023. If your child is not currently in the district database, please call the school your child will attend to have the registration packet mailed to you. The packet will provide you with a list of all the documents you need to bring as well as all the forms you need to fill out prior to registration.
For more information, visit www.egcsd.org/registration.
Averill Park CSD Announces Kindergarten Registration for 2023-24
The Averill Park School District has begun the process of registering boys and girls for the 2023-24 Kindergarten Classes. If you, or someone you know, has a child who will be 5 years of age on or before December 1, 2023 please contact the district registrar at 674-7050 extension 7201 to make sure that the child is listed on our school census. This will guarantee that you will receive all upcoming kindergarten information by mail. Registration paperwork will be started online and completed by appointment with the district registrar at the district office at the Averill Park High School during the month of February. Registration hours are Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 3:30 PM. Registration forms are accepted by appointment. All paperwork must be completed by 02-28-2023.
New York State Public Health Law, Section 2164, requires certain immunizations (shots) to enter kindergarten and attend school. Please check with your health care provider as soon as possible to make sure your child has all the needed immunizations. They are listed below.
Required Immunizations for Kindergarten (Number of Doses)
*Polio 4 (3 doses if 3 rd dose received after 4 th birthday)
*Hepatitis B 3
*Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis 5 (4 doses if 4th dose received after 4th birthday)
*Measles/Mumps/Rubella 2
*Varicella (Chicken Pox) 2
Age Requirements
Children who are five years of age on or before December 1, 2023 are eligible to attend Kindergarten this September. As a parent you have an option to enroll your child in school at age five or withhold your child until the school year in which he/she turns six. Children born between 7/1/17 and 6/30/18 must attend kindergarten in the coming school year. Children born between 7/1/18 and 12/1/18 may attend during the 2023-2024 school year or may wait until the following year.
Sand Lake “Show & Tell” Returns
The January 10th Sand Lake Historical Society program presents … you (or your neighbor)! Check your attic, your junk drawer, or that box on the top shelf of your closet – who knows what you’ll find? And bring it to “Sand Lake Show and Tell.”
We’re looking for artifacts, photos, documents of Sand Lake’s history – or yours. Maybe old posters, printed placemats, souvenir plates, yearbooks, postcards – who knows? New for 2023: if you’ve been working on any locally-based historical research (a popular Covid pastime!) please come and share it.
Sand Lake Historical Society programs are held at the Sand Lake Town Hall Courtroom, 8428 NY 66, Averill Park, beginning at 7PM. SLHS monthly programs are open to the public and are livestreamed on the SLHS website — http://sandlakehistory.org (archived video will also be posted there).
A $5 donation is suggested for non-members. New members are always welcomed. Like us on Facebook.
Sand Lake Historical Society Announces 2023 Schedule
SLHS will be presenting the following public programs, from January to June 2023:
January 10th, Sand Lake “Show & Tell” Returns! Check your attic, your junk drawer, or that box on the top shelf of your closet – who knows what you’ll find? We’re looking for artifacts, photos, old documents of Sand Lake’s history – or yours. New for 2023: if you’ve been working on any locally-based historical research (a popular Covid pastime!) please share it.
February 14th, Edmonia Lewis. East Greenbush Town Historian Bobbie Reno will discuss Edmonia Lewis, noted American sculptor of mixed African American and Native American heritage, born right here in Rensselaer County. You’ve seen her on a postage stamp, now come hear her story.
March 14th, The Rensselaer Glassworks. Phil Bernnard of the National Bottle Museum will discuss Rensselaer Glassworks, one of Sand Lake’s early industries (and gave us “Glass Lake”). Hear the history of the works, the succession of owners, and the technology of 18th and 19th century glassmaking. Phil is asking attendees to bring any “Glass Lake glass” specimens they have, too.
April 11th, Covid-19 History Project. Committee report and presentations and a sharing of experiences from the SLHS Covid History Project. Let’s make Covid history!
May 9th, Annual Meeting. Elections, annual report to the membership – and more!
June 3rd, (tentative) Annual Gala. Final date and location to be announced. Don’t miss this highlight of our year!
June 13th, The Pretty Fantastic Mr. Fox. Albert Rodmond Fox, industrialist, glassworks owner, State Senator, mover-and-shaker, and the Fox who gave us Fox Mansion. Learn about one of Sand Lake’s early leaders and speculate on why we live in Averill Park and not “Foxboro.”
All SLHS programs (unless otherwise noted) are held at the Sand Lake Town Hall Courtroom, 8428 NY Rte. 66, Averill Park, beginning at 7:00 pm. More information at http://sandlakehistory.org/. Like us on Facebook.
Raise Your Voice Singing Competition Sponsored by CASA
The 8th Annual CASA “Raise Your Voice” Singing Competition which will be held June 29th, 2023, will be holding auditions on May 2nd and 3rd, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the First United Methodist Church, 603 State St., Schenectady, NY. We need to advertise now for Teens and Young Adults, ages 13-24 so they can schedule appointments for the auditions.
It would be very helpful to have it run more than once. Singers will be competing in one of two categories: Show Tunes, Theatre, & Opera-or-Rock, Pop & Country(no profanity). Solo or Duo performers can qualify. Top 25 Finalists will perform at Proctors for the chance to become the winner! Cash prize and trophy for the First and Second Place Winners in each category!
This is a major fundraiser for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for Abused and Neglected Children). To schedule an appointment for an audition, please call the Center for Community Justice at 518-346-1281 ext. 330 or 518-709-6288 or email rvaughn@nulltheccj.org.
SKYHIGH Community Center ushers in the New Year with classes and programs for everyone
Our Community Center located at 27 Lake Avenue in Averill Park has an array of classes and programs planned for elementary school kids, teens, adults and seniors that start in January and continue through the winter months. And there will be more exciting programs and classes to come.
Here’s the initial lineup:
• Let Your Artistic Talent Shine with John Hebert, for teens – starts 1/3
• Wholehearted Yoga with Jen Glasser, for adults – starts 1/8
• Monthly Open Mic Sessions with Patrick Ryan, for all ages and talents – on 1/11 & 2/15 & 3/8
• Quilters Group with Joan Pasquarelli, for teens and adults – starts 1/11
• Parent & Child Foam Ball Tennis with Coach Joe Behson – starts 1/18
• Monthly Bring Your Own Device Tech Support with Delia Hubbard, for adults and Seniors – on 1/19, 2/16 & 3/16
• Senior Strength & Agility Training Workshop with Rebecca Armsby – on 1/21
• Hula Hoop It Up, exercise fun for adults and teens with Kerri Stern – on 2/4 & 2/11
• Community Substance Abuse Informational Forums with Tim Murdick, for adults and teens – forums will continue monthly throughout the winter
To check out the times and dates of these offerings and to register go to:
www.shaccenter.org
Tutors are Needed in Rensselaer County
Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County needs volunteer tutors in Rensselaer County and Albany County, and you can help! As a tutor you can develop new skills, make friends, and see how your efforts make a difference in your community. Would you like to help someone to read and write, or to speak English as a new language?
We can train you. A tutor training workshop starts on January 21 at the Albany Public Library. To find out more, join us for a Volunteer Opportunities Information Session via Zoom at 12:00 noon on January 10. Contact mhellerlvorc@nullaol.com to register. Visit the website for more information: www.lvorc.org
Call for Singers
Capital Community Voices Inc., an SATB volunteer, non-audition, not-for-profit choral group, is seeking singers in all voice parts for its May concert, “Broadway Nights”. Weekly rehearsals are Tuesdays at 7 pm at Green Meadow Elementary School in East Greenbush, beginning January 10, 2023. Call 518-370-5434 for more information.
February Break Drama Camp w/Elyse Young
Town of Malta Parks and Recreation Department announces FEBRUARY BREAK DRAMA CAMP for ages 10-15 will run Tuesday, February 21 through Friday, February 24 from10:00am until 3:00pm.
The camp will be taught by Malta’s Artistic Director Elyse Young and will include acting skills, vocal techniques, theater games, crafts, rehearsals and performance of a short play. Camp and performance will take place at the Malta Community Center, One Bayberry Drive, Malta.
For more information, go online to www.maltaparksrec.com or contact Town of Malta Parks and Recreation Department at (518) 899-4411.
Community Caregivers
Community Caregivers, a Nonprofit agency, has continued to expand in Rensselaer County! We have over 50 clients but not enough volunteers to serve all of these nice people. Are you looking to help someone in your community remain living independently with a little assistance from you? We need your help!
Our volunteers can take someone to the doctors, grocery or other errands as well as visiting and calling. We have a simple orientation process. Call Heidi Buono, Rensselaer County Service Coordinator, at (518)366-9173 or Meredith Osta, Volunteer Coordinator, at (518)456-2898, if you would like to volunteer. To learn more or donate to our agency, see Community Caregivers.org.
Center Brunswick UM Church Announces Financial Scholarship for 2023 Tamarac Graduates
The Finance Committee of the Center Brunswick United Methodist Church has announced that it will award $500 to a student to be selected from the Tamarac High School Class of 2023. The money may be used for any type of expenses related to further education. Students do not have to belong to this Church, any other church or religion to be eligible for this award.
Interested students must apply for this award no later than March 1, 2023. The application can be obtained from the school’s guidance department or from our website at (www.CenterBrunswickUMC.company).
This award is given in memory of Harold and Mabel Keyes through a trust funded by their last will and testament. Mabel taught in the Brunswick schools and continued teaching Sunday School at Center Brunswick UMC for many years after she retired. Through this award, her love of helping young people learn and grow will continue to reach the youth of our community.
The Center Brunswick United Methodist Church is located at the intersection of Routes 7 and 142 in Troy.
Historical Calendars
The 2023 North Greenbush Historical Calendars are now available for purchase. They contain old time pictures including Frank Houser’s Store and Gas Station, the old Defreestville Hotel, the St.Jude’s Horse Show and much more.
Calendars are for sale at the Town Clerk’s Office in the Town Hall on Main Avenue Wynantskill (518) 283-4306. The cost is $12.00 (exact change or check made out to the Town of North Greenbush.) If you want it mailed the cost is $15.
Bread of Life Food Pantry Donation Request
The “Bread of Life” food pantry in Poestenkill has just begun our 8th year of serving our community and neighbors. As we see food costs rising dramatically, we realize more donations of food will be needed.
When you are shopping for grocery’s, we would greatly appreciate it if you would pick up a few food items to donate to our pantry. Here is a list of our most requested staple food items that our guests want..
Breakfast cereal for adults and kids, sugar, flour, baking oil, bottled apple juice, canned fruit, canned hash, canned chili, ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, cookies and snacks, canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, spaghetti sauce, Parmesan cheese, canned baked beans, instant and ground coffee.
Just a few of these items two times a month would be so helpful for our neighbors in need. You may drop them off at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Poestenkill,side entrance in the container. We check it daily and date and shelve each item for our open dates. Please check use by and expiration dates before donating. Thanks so much for your help. Our contact number is (518) 283-6045.
The Anchor Food Pantry
The Anchor Food Pantry is gearing up for the upcoming holidays and ask for community generosity at this time of year.
We ask for holiday items of canned goods, and toiletries that can be dropped off at The Anchor during business hours of Monday 430pm-630pm and Tuesday and Thursday 9am-130pm. Remember also that drop off is available at the Town Clerk Ofc @ Schodack Town Hall, and Castleton Library @ Village Hall-Village of Castleton -on Hudson NY during the library business hours Monday-Saturday.
Also this reminder that bottles and cans can be credited to the Anchor account at the 6 cent Redemption Center located on 9J -550 South St-Rensselaer Monday-Saturday during their business hours. Just inform the clerk to credit the Anchor Food Pantry account.
As always we thank the Schodack community for its continued support in aiding our mission to assist those in need during these uncertain economic times.
Cornell Cooperative Extension Rensselaer Hope 7 Food Pantry
TROY – The Hope 7 Food Pantry located at 520 Pawling Avenue, Troy NY serves the East Side of Troy, Wynantskill and North Greenbush.
Pantry Hours: Mon-Fri – 9:30am-11:45am; Thursday – 5pm-7pm. Last Saturday of each month 9:30am-11:45am
What to bring: Proof of residence (Troy’s East Side, North Greenbush, or Wynantskill) – (utility bill to your address in your name). ID’s for each person residing in household.
St. Jude the Apostle Knights of Columbus Bottle & Can Donations
Help Support Local Charities – St. Jude the Apostle Knights of Columbus has teamed up with 6 Center Redemption located at 461 Main Avenue in Wynantskill to accept bottle and can donations that have a NYS deposit.
This is to support local charities and those in need.
• Bring your clean, NYS deposit empties to 6 Center Redemption in Wynantskill.
• Say they are to support the St. Jude the Apostle Knights of Columbus.
• They do the rest, that’s it!
Thank you for your support!
Knocking out Alzheimer’s
Team “Knocking out Alzheimer’s” is partnering with the Alzheimer’s Association.
Return your bottles and cans and help the Northeastern New York Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. Through an arrangement with
Six-Center Redemption , Two Locations:
461 Main Ave Wynantskill (Corner of Sharpe and Main Ave) & 550 South Street Rensselaer.
No need to count the cans or bottles, no waiting or standing in lines to feed your cans or bottles into a machine.
If you can’t drop off, contact us we will even pick up!
The Alzheimer’s Association will receive six cents for every container you donate to the cause. Simply drop off your containers and say:
“These are for the Alzheimer’s Association.”
The mission of the Alzheimer’s Association is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.
The first survivor of Alzheimer’s is out there, but we won’t get there without you.
Join the fight with your bottles & cans!
Check us out on face book : Knocking out Alzheimer’s
Hudson-Mohawk Search & Rescue is Looking for Volunteers to Join our Team
CAPITAL DISTRICT – If you enjoy being outdoors in the wilderness, working with others to help people, follow directions well and have a willingness to learn, then our SAR team might be for you! Prior knowledge is helpful, but definitely not required as we provide the training. Check out our website at: www.humsar.org for more information.
Search and Rescue Volunteers Needed
CAPITAL DISTRICT – the Tri-State Emergency Team is recruiting volunteers to provide wildland and underwater searches within a 100 mile radius of Waterrford, NY. This includes all aspects of field and underwater search. The Tri-State Emergency Team responds when requested by NYS Forest Rangers and other police agencies throughout New York State, Western Vermont and Massachusetts.
We are looking for certified scuba divers, experienced boat handlers, and people who enjoy hiking and the outdoors in general who wish to help people in need. The team will provide training and complete support as needed. Our headquarters is located in Waterford. Applicants need not live in Waterford to volunteer. If interested, please call 518-237-6744 or visit our website at www.tri-stateemergencyteam.org