Tuesday April 23, 2024 
Looking For New Baseball Umpires
CAPITAL DISTRICT – Capital District Baseball Umpires Association is looking for new members for the 2022 season. If you think you have what it takes to be a baseball umpire, training classes are now forming. For more information, call Bob Umholtz at 518-986-5987 or go to cdbua.com
Widow-Widowers Group
CAPITAL DISTRICT – Did you know…. There is an active Widow-Widowers group that meets each Friday for lunch. We are actively looking to recruit more widowers to balance out our group. If you are a widower, please consider joining us. We are a fun group. Call Pat: 518-557-2284.
News From Averill Park CSD
AVERILL PARK – Six seniors were selected for the New York State Scholarship for Academic Excellence Award! The selection this year was based on class rank and certain Regents exam scores. Congratulations to Isabella Cardillo, Alexandra Gaboury, Sonja Kaye, Sydney Ferguson, Danielle LaPier, and Francesca Morone!
Students and staff members at Miller Hill-Sand Lake Elementary School sold Make-A-Wish stars for $1 a piece throughout December. In total, they raised $558 which will help make a child’s wish come true. Great job everyone!
The Builders Club at Algonquin Middle School collaborated with Troy Sidewalk Warriors, decorating holiday bags to hand out to seniors at the Troy Kennedy Towers. Nice job raising spirits during the holiday season!
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
Mission: Meeting the needs of and creating opportunities for every student every day. #AP_EveryStudentEveryDay
Students Named to the University of Vermont Dean’s List
BURLINGTON, VT – To be named to the dean’s list, students must have a grade-point average of 3.0 or better and rank in the top 20 percent of their class in their respective college or school.
Morgan Mchugh of Nassau (Undeclared major, College of Arts and Sciences)
Jared Kehmna of Rensselaer (Environmental Sciences major, Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources)
Isla Lyons Named to Dean’s List at Plymouth State University
PLYMOUTH, NH – Isla Lyons of Petersburg, NY, has been named to the Plymouth State University Dean’s List for the Fall 2021 semester. To be named to the Dean’s List, a student must achieve a grade point average between 3.5 and 3.69 during the Fall semester and must have attempted at least 12 credit hours during the semester. Lyons is a Environmental Science & Policy major at Plymouth State.
Stonehill College Fall 2021 Dean’s List
EASTON, MA – To qualify for the Dean’s List, students must have a semester grade point average of 3.50 or better and must have completed successfully all courses for which they were registered.
Jadyn Lee of W Sand Lake (12196)
Marlee Peterson of Johnsonville (12094)
Students Named to Fall 2021 Dean’s List at The College of Saint Rose
ALBANY, NY – The College of Saint Rose has awarded dean’s list honors to students who earned a 3.5 average or higher in the fall 2021 semester.
Breannah Bebon of Hoosick Falls, NY, who is majoring in English Adolescence Education/Special Education BA/MSED
Andrew Beditz of East Greenbush, NY, who is majoring in Communications
Rachael Devernoe of Troy, NY, who is majoring in Performance
Joseph Downer of Troy, NY, who is majoring in English
Lydia Flynn of Averill Park, NY, who is majoring in Music (BA)
Natalie Johnson of Rensselaer, NY, who is majoring in Communications
Samuel Kondracki of West Sand Lake, NY, who is majoring in Communications
Stephen McClain of Wynantskill, NY, who is majoring in Music (BS)
Zachely Nickens of Troy, NY, who is majoring in Communications
Camryn Ohara of Troy, NY, who is majoring in Exploratory Program
Sean Moran of Troy, NY, who is majoring in Finance
Samuel Provencher of Troy, NY, who is majoring in Business Administration
Mckenna Ryan of Troy, NY, who is majoring in Business Administration
Safa Abuzaid of Troy, NY, who is majoring in Early Childhood Education/Special Education
Jenna Almon of East Greenbush, NY, who is majoring in Early Childhood & Childhood Education: B-6
Ashley Angelo of Castleton on Hudson, NY, who is majoring in Early Childhood & Childhood Education: B-6
Megan Bradley of Troy, NY, who is majoring in Inclusive Early Childhood Education
Caterina Burns of Wynantskill, NY, who is majoring in Inclusive Early Childhood Education
Rachel Coyne of East Greenbush, NY, who is majoring in Early Childhood & Childhood Education: B-6
Alysa Houghtaling of Castleton On Hudson, NY, who is majoring in Childhood Education/Special Education
Sydney Jones of Wynantskill, NY, who is majoring in Childhood Education/Special Education
Margaret Kelley of Troy, NY, who is majoring in Early Childhood & Childhood Education: B-6
Julia Lettrick of East Greenbush, NY, who is majoring in Early Childhood & Childhood Education: B-6
Jesse LeVan of Melrose, NY, who is majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders
Hailey Mason of Sand Lake, NY, who is majoring in Childhood Education/Special Education
Amber Mattison of Schaghticoke, NY, who is majoring in Early Childhood & Childhood Education: B-6
Cirstie Moon of Sand Lake, NY, who is majoring in Early Childhood & Childhood Education: B-6
Abigail Pauli of East Greenbush, NY, who is majoring in Childhood Education/Special Education
Lauren Reed of Johnsonville, NY, who is majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders
Kiera VanWormer of Rensselaer, NY, who is majoring in Early Childhood & Childhood Education: B-6
Megan Washock of Rensselaer, NY, who is majoring in Early Childhood & Childhood Education: B-6
Kendall Wilson of Troy, NY, who is majoring in Early Childhood & Childhood Education: B-6
Megan Bastidas of Troy, NY, who is majoring in Nursing (BS)
Naliyah Breslin of Troy, NY, who is majoring in Criminal Justice, Behavior, and Law
Kyleigh Chriss of Rensselaer, NY, who is majoring in Forensic Psychology
Abigail Guenther of Troy, NY, who is majoring in Psychology/Clinical Mental Health Counseling BS/MSED
Oleksiy Isaev of Troy, NY, who is majoring in Criminal Justice, Behavior, and Law
Jenna Muckle of Cropseyville, NY, who is majoring in Biology
Lam Nguyen of Troy, NY, who is majoring in Computer Science
Maggie-Foster Patrie of Troy, NY, who is majoring in Forensic Psychology
Jaylin Roundtree of Troy, NY, who is majoring in Psychology (BA)
Skyla Suarez of East Nassau, NY, who is majoring in Biology Adolescence Education/Special Education BA/MSED
Aidan Sullivan of Wynantskill, NY, who is majoring in Psychology (BA)
Seeking Tax Assistance Volunteers
CAPITAL DISTRICT – TaxAide, the free income tax assistance program sponsored by the AARP Foundation and the IRS, is seeking volunteers for the coming tax season. TaxAide volunteers answer questions, prepare and file returns for low to moderate income taxpayers and seniors from February 1 to April 15 at various sites in the Capital District.
Volunteers typically participate one day per week, with flexible schedules to accommodate volunteer availability. No experience is required, but computer experience is helpful for tax counseling. Volunteers who do not wish to prepare returns are also needed to greet taxpayers and confirm appointments. Training is provided for all positions. Volunteers may be reimbursed for a moderate level of necessary travel expenses.
For more information on how you can join our team in Saratoga, Warren and Washington counties contact Communications Coordinator [your name], [your phone number or] at [your email address]. For further information, visit www.nytaxaide.org
Youth Scholarships at Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center
Grafton – A gift of time spent in nature can benefit a child for years to come. The Friends of Dyken Pond are proud to announce that scholarships are available to youth and schools for 2022. Rensselaer County schools can apply to the Friends of Dyken Pond for field trip scholarships for a day of STEAM exploration at the Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center, covering costs of bus transportation and field trip fees. For summertime, the Friends of Dyken Pond will sponsor youth aged 11 – 17 to attend a DEC summer youth overnight camp. Youth may apply by contacting the Center for an application. Deadline for DEC camp scholarships is February 15. Registration opens on March 6, 2022. For more information on this opportunity, please visit: https://www.dec.ny.gov/education/29.html. Beginning March 1, youth ages 6 – 13 can also apply for a scholarship to attend our own Dyken Pond Center’s Outdoor Adventure Camp. This week-long day camp runs from mid-July through mid-August and provides age appropriate activities in ecology, wildlife and outdoor living skills. Games, hikes and hands on discoveries will give campers a lifetime full of memories. Scholarship applications, camp schedules and details can be found at www.dykenpond.org or by contacting the Center at (518) 658-2055 or dykenpond@nullgmail.com. Funds for scholarships are provided in part by McCarthy Charities and Stewart’s Holiday Match.
Albany-Tula Alliance Seeks Entries for 2022 Multimedia Contest
CAPITAL DISTRICT – The Albany-Tula Alliance is seeking Capital Region students from high school to first-year college to enter a multimedia contest on the importance of discerning fact from fiction.
For the past quarter-century, the Albany-Tula Alliance has been a cooperative sister city initiative between New York’s Capital Region and the Tula Region in Russia. Through the years there have been many cultural, educational, scientific and business exchanges between the two. Even though government relations remain strained the friends of the Alliance continue to work together as citizen diplomats.
The annual Essay Contest is asking students to submit a creative response to the prompt: “How can you form an unbiased opinion of another culture without being able to travel there?” Students can submit their responses in dozens of different forms from a poem to podcast, from a sculpture to a collage, from an essay to a song or video.
The deadline for registration and essay submission is Friday, February 28, 2022. The participant of the winning essay will win $1,000, second prize is $750, and third prize is $500.
For complete rules and detailed information on the Albany-Tula Alliance Essay Contest visit www.albanytula.org/contest.
Glass Lake Men’s Golf League
RENSSELAER COUNTY – Attention all golfers. The Glass Lake Men’s League at Burden Lake Country Club is looking for new members. Open to the public and members of Burden Lake Country Club. The league plays Tuesday nights from mid-April to mid-September, with tee times from 3:00-4:00pm. The league will also have two tournaments. The first being at a local golf course and the second at Burden Lake Country Club. All skill levels are welcome. For more information on dues and how to become a member, contact Kean Toomey at kean.toomey@nullgmail.com
Poestenkill Area Food Insecurity
POESTENKILL – Any greater Poestenkill area residents currently experiencing temporary or long term food insecurity can turn to The Bread of Life Food Pantry at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Poestenkill for supplemental food assistance. We provide basic nutritional foods and related items the first and third Thursday of each month from 4:30 to 6:30 PM in a very discreet, nonjudgmental manner. We offer drive-thru service where each guest receives a product list to form your order, we then fill your order and bring the completed order back to your vehicle. Delivery service to Poestenkill Seniors unable to visit our Pantry is also available. Please try us, we are here to help. Our phone number is: 518-283-6045 to leave a message. Thank you.
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 Northgreenbush.
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.
Johnsonville Thrift Shop
JOHNSONVILLE – The Johnsonville Methodist Church Thrift Shop, located at 22 Bridge St., Johnsonville, NY 12094, is open 9-12 every Wednesday and the first Saturday of each month. Closed on holidays. Look for our sign at the corner of Route 67 and Route 111. We have a great selection of adult and children’s clothing, boots, shoes, coats, purses, special occasion and career clothing, jewelry, toys, linens, household and decorative items. Our well-organized book room has over 1,000 books available.
The Anchor Food Pantry
SCHODACK – The Anchor Food Pantry in an attempt to keep the residents of the Town Of Schodack apprised during these Covid 19 times has an update regarding hours of operation and procedures. The Pantry is open on the following days for servicing clientele and the general public.
Monday Evenings-5pm-7pm, Tuesday and Thursdays -9am-2pm, and the first saturday of each month 10am-1pm. We ask to call ahead at 518-732-4120 for food calls so staff can prepare order for delivery to your vehicle.New clients are asked to provide proof of residency on their initial visit.
Donations are currently being accepted clothing wise for fall /early winter apparel preferably during business hours. As always we thank the citizens of Schodack for their present, past, and future support of aiding those in need during these seemingly never ending difficult economic times.
Northeast Problem Gambling Resource Center
CAPITAL DISTRICT – The addition of mobile sports betting in New York State has brought access to gambling to everyone’s pocket. Anyone in New York with a cell phone can now gamble 24/7 from anywhere. With the increase in access to gambling opportunities will inevitably come an increase in individuals, families and communities impacted by negative consequences.
In response to increased access to gambling in NYS, NYCPG has launched a brand new, solution-focused resource in NYS that’s designed to highlight all of the ways New Yorkers can work together on this cause to reduce these negative consequences.
StrongerThanYouThinkNY.org has something for everyone, whether you’re in need of treatment, have a loved one struggling, or want to be a part of the solution on a community level.
Problem gambling can impact anyone, and its effects go far beyond the individual. Relationships, employment, finances, and mental health all take a hit when gambling is no longer entertainment. Often the symptoms are invisible to others until they can’t be hidden any longer. It’s never too late to get help or become an advocate for this cause.
For help with problem gambling, please reach out to the Northeast Problem Gambling Resource Center at 518-801-1491 or email us at NortheastPGRC@nullNYProblemGambling.org
10 Tips for ‘Nonviolent Communication’ (1)
To maintain supportive relationships and reduce stress at home, workplace and the community.
Let me remember that myself and all the other persons (2) have the same needs (3).
Let me reflect every day on how compassionate I am, towards myself and other persons.
Let me check my intention to see if I am as interested in the other person getting her or his needs met, as I am, in mine.
When I am unable to fulfil a person’s request (4), let me say what need of mine is preventing me, instead of saying “I can’t do it.”.
When I am feeling (5) upset, let me think about what need of mine is not being met and what I can do to meet it, instead of blaming other persons or myself.
Before agreeing or disagreeing with the other person, let me tune into what she or he is feeling and needing at the moment.
Before asking a person to do something, let me decide whether I want to request or demand (6).
Let me say what I want the other person ‘to do’, instead of saying what I don’t want.
Instead of vaguely saying to a person “I want you to be responsible/kind etc.”, let me clearly spell out ‘what I want her or him to do’ to be such a person.
When a person does something, I like, instead of appreciating the action or the person, let me offer my gratitude (7) by saying what need of mine was met by that person’s action.
(1) Nonviolent communication (NVC), also called ‘Compassionate communication’ is our natural state of being according to Marshall Rosenberg who developed it in 1960’s. Multiple videos on NVC can be viewed on youtube by searching for “Introduction to nonviolent communication” including the quotes.
(2) A ‘Person’, includes a boss, cashier, child, coworker, convict, customer, doctor, infant, in-law, janitor, judge, own self, partner, parent, patient, police, president, priest, relative, student, teacher, etc.
(3) Needs: Basic human needs are: Autonomy, Connection, Honesty, Meaning, Peace, Physical wellbeing and Play.
(4) Request: A request is action specific, doable, positive, time specific and doesn’t put the other person under any pressure. The other person is more likely to fulfil a request with pleasure than a demand.
(5) Feelings: Pleasant feeling arises when a person’s needs are met: Affectionate, Confident, Excited, Exhilarated, Graceful, Hopeful, Inspired, Joyful, Peaceful, Refreshed, etc.
Unpleasant feeling arises when a person’s needs are not met: Afraid, Annoyed, Aversion, Confused, Embarrassed, Fatigued, Pain, Sad, Tense, Vulnerable etc.
(6) Demand: A demand focusses on own needs without concern for the other person’s needs and deprives them of choice. A demand is likely to discourage a potential helper or they may help with a grudge, resulting in a negative relationship.
(7) Gratitude: The primary purpose of expressing gratitude is to celebrate the awesome power we have, to help each other fulfill our needs thus making life better for everyone. The secondary purpose is to let them know that they have enriched our life. Gratitude infuses energy and motivation to make each other’s lives more wonderful.
When we regret not following NVC, we can get remotivated by Marshall Rosenberg’s quote: “Anything worth doing is worth doing poorly. We don’t aim at perfection. We try to be progressively less stupid!”.
(Adapted from https://www.cnvc.org/trainings/articles/10-steps-peace)
For FREE, anonymous, 24/7 help, you can contact the national ‘Domestic Violence Hotline’ at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), TEXT ‘START’ to 88788 or CHAT at https://www.thehotline.org/.
Poestenkill “Bread of Life” Food Pantry
POESTENKILL – We are open two times each month on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays beginning at 4:30 pm and ending at 6:30 pm. Bring proof of your current residence and grocery bags for your food request.
Starting in November 2021, we will now greet our guests inside the Evangelical Lutheran Church, 772 Route 351, Poestenkill, side entrance.
Please wear a mask and check the extra’s tables. Two guests at a time, fill out food selection forms while waiting in your car. We will continue to practice social distancing and safety for our volunteers and guests.
Delivery service to Poestenkill Seniors unable to visit our pantry is available. Call and leave your name and number at (518) 283-6045.
Our newest program offers infant and baby items (food, diapers and wipes) for those who reside in the Poestenkill area. Pre-orders only by a phone message at (518) 428-0124, a private Facebook message, or email: breadoflifepoestenkill@nullgmail.com. We do not currently stock these items in our pantry as selections are very individualized.
Johnsonville Thrift Shop
JOHNSONVILLE – The thrift shop at the Johnsonville Methodist Church, 22 Bridge St., Johnsonville, NY 12094 is open every Wednesday and the first Saturday of each month from 9-12. Look for our sign at the corner of Rte. 111 and Rte. 67. We have a great selection of adult and children’s fall and winter clothing, coats, boots, shoes, purses, special occasion and career clothes, jewelry, toys, linens, household and decorative items. Christmas decor is now on display. Our well-organized book room has over 1,000 books available.
Newly Diagnosed with Parkinson’s? Consider Attending PD SELF – Parkinson’s Self-Efficacy Learning Forum
CAPITAL DISTRICT – A national program being offered in Albany. The program provides people newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s with an in-depth understanding of the disease and the tools to manage it with confidence. There is no cost to attend. Registration is required. Space is limited. Care partners are encouraged to attend.
This year the program, starting in September, has been adapted to be fully online. Find out more at www.cdparkinsons.org/pd-self
St. Jude the Apostle Knights of Columbus Bottle & Can Donations
WYNANTSKILL – 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!
Team “Knocking Out Alzheimer’s” Bottle Drive, The Fundraising Continues …
WYNANTSKILL/RENSSELAER – 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.
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
New York State Commission for the Blind
CAPITAL DISTRICT – The New York State Commission for the Blind (NYSCB) provides free vocational rehabilitation and other services to legally blind New York State residents, including children, adults, and older adults. NYSCB assists participants in achieving economic self-sufficiency and full integration into society. Call toll-free (866) 871-3000 or visit our website: visionloss.ny.gov