Your Community 01.14.21

Capital District Baseball Umpires Association Looking for New Members for the 2021 Season  

CAPITAL DISTRICT – Despite the pandemic, we are planning on games being played this Spring and Summer.  Training classes are now forming.  Please go to cdbua.com or call Bob at (518) 986-5987 for more information.

Historical Calendars Available

NORTH GREENBUSH – The 2021 North Greenbush Historical Calendar is now available for purchase. It contains old time pictures including Tess Alber’s Restaurant, Jordan’s Ice Cream Dairy in Defreestville, Snyder’s Lake photos and many others. The calendars are still only $10 and are available at the Town Clerk’s office in Wynantskill (283-4306) for pick up or mailed from the Town Clerk’s office for $12.00. Checks should be made out to the Town of North Greenbush. Town Historian Jim Greenfield in Defreestville (265-4254).

More than 300 Students Named to SUNY Oneonta’s Fall 2020 Provost’s List

ONEONTA, NY – A total of 315 SUNY Oneonta students earned Provost’s List honors for the fall 2020 semester. To qualify for the Provost’s List, a student must earn a perfect 4.0 grade-point average while carrying a course load of 12 hours or more.

Area students include:

Gabrielle Daigneault of Rensselaer, NY (12144)

Rachel Morris of Rensselaer, NY (12144)

Marissa Nagel of Averill Park, NY (12018)

SUNY Oneonta is a public, four-year college in Central New York, enrolling about 6,000 students in a wide variety of bachelor’s degree programs and several graduate certificate and degree programs. The college is known as both an exemplary residential campus that values inclusion, service and sustainability, and a nurturing community where students grow intellectually, thrive socially and live purposefully. Visit https://suny.oneonta.edu/

More than 1,900 SUNY Oneonta Students Named to Fall 2020 Dean’s List

ONEONTA, NY – A total of 1,938 SUNY Oneonta students earned Dean’s List honors for the fall 2020 semester. To qualify for the Dean’s List, a student must earn a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher while carrying a course load of 12 hours or more.

Area students include:

Kate Aluise of Castleton on Hudson (12033)

Ryan Baker of Wynantskill (12198)

Isabelle Bollman of Rensselaer (12144)

Annalise Burdick of Rensselaer (12144)

Lia Casale of Troy (12180)

Reegan Caulfield of Troy (12182)

Hadley Chan of Sand Lake (12153)

Mark Dearstyne of Wynantskill (12198)

James Driscoll of Troy (12180)

Mae Endres of Rensselaer (12144)

QunLi Fan of Troy (12180)

Hunter Galvin of Schaghticoke (12154)

John Giannone of Sand Lake (12153)

Ashley Gwin of Valley Falls (12185)

Sam Haita of Stephentown (12168)

Lucas Harland of West Sand Lake (12196)

Abby Haskin of Troy (12180)

Julia Haworth of Wynantskill (12198)

Laurel Hay of Castleton (12033)

Emily Hogan of Wynantskill (12198)

Haley Honsinger of Troy (12180)

Justine Katras of Rensselaer (12144)

Brooke Keefer of Troy (12182)

Catherine LaPorta of Rensselaer (12144)

Ariel Loucks of Averill Park (12018)

Aubrey Mahar of Hoosick Falls (12090)

Julia Manny of Averill Park (12018)

Danielle Muth of Wynantskill (12198)

Lauren Obermayer of East Greenbush (12061)

Alexander Pomykaj of Castleton On Hudson (12033)

Todd Scaccia of Nassau (12123)

Andrew Stevens of Hoosick Falls (12090)

Ryan Stuto of Castleton on Hudson (12033)

Amelia Wilson of Averill Park (12018)

SUNY Oneonta is a public, four-year college in Central New York, enrolling about 6,000 students in a wide variety of bachelor’s degree programs and several graduate certificate and degree programs. The college is known as both an exemplary residential campus that values inclusion, service and sustainability, and a nurturing community where students grow intellectually, thrive socially and live purposefully. Visit https://suny.oneonta.edu/

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Fundraising for Student of the Year

EAST GREENBUSH – I am participating in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Students of the Year program as a team member for Columbia Kicks Cancer. Students of the Year is a seven-week competition for high school leaders seeking to make an impact in the fight against cancer. This year, my good friend Taylor O’Brien and I, along with many people from around our community, have decided to start a campaign that will help those fighting cancer.

Our campaign’s goal is to raise $20,000, from January 21 through March 12. We would appreciate any support for our campaign. Make checks payable to Kendra Durivage. Thank you, Chase Durivage

Make a tax-deductible donation to my online fundraising page:https://events.lls.org/uny/unysoy21/cdurivage

Or venmo a donation to @kendra-durivage.
Or send a donation to Chase Durivage at 75 Morgan Road, East Greenbush, NY 12061

Guilderland Central High School Class of 1971, 50th Year Reunion 

CAPITAL DISTRICT – The Guilderland Central High School class of 1971 50th year reunion committee invites classmates to join us on the weekend of July 23-25, 2021.  We have established a website at http://www.guilderland71.com that we are asking you to please join.  The details of the great weekend we have planned for us to catch up are located on the site.  We’d love to hear your ideas for making this reunion special and fun. 

“Bread of Life” Food Pantry Needs Volunteers

POESTENKILL – Do you have 3 hours free time each month to volunteer? The “Bread of Life” food pantry is in need of your 3 hours on our open dates.

The folks we are looking for are young strong persons with the willingness to serve our guests by packing food requests in boxes and carrying the boxes to our guest’s car. This is not easy work and requires strong backs for lifting. Residing near the food pantry location in Poestenkill is a plus as well.

We are open only two times each month on the 1st and 3rd Thursday evenings from 5 pm to 7 pm. You will be indoors packing and outdoors in the fresh air part of the time. Our guests remain in their cars and all of us wear face coverings and we social distance for safety.

If you think you would like to help others and can commit to one or two times a month, please give us a call at (518) 283-6045 and leave your name and phone number. We are a great group of folks and this labor of love gives back tenfold. Thank you for considering sharing some of your time with us.

The food pantry volunteers.

Averill Park Announces Kindergarten Registration for the 2021- 2022 School Year

AVERILL PARK – The Averill Park School District has begun the process of registering boys and girls for the 2021-2022 Kindergarten Classes. If you, or someone you know, has a child who will be five years of age on or before December 1, 2021 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 02-26-2021.

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

Immunizations ….. (Number of Doses)

Polio – (4 – 3 dose if 3rd dose received after 4th birthday)

Hepatitis B  – (3)

Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis – (5 – 4 dose 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, 2021 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 7/1/15 and 6/30/16 must attend kindergarten in the coming school year. Children born between 7/1/16 and 12/1/16 may attend during the 2021-2022 school year or may wait until the following year.

Transfiguration Parish Book Nook News

SPEIGLETOWN – Happy New Year to all of our supporters! It has been quite the trying year, and it doesn’t seem to be over yet. Due to the increased threat of the Covid virus, the Book Nook at Transfiguration Parish in Speigletown, will remain closed until further notice. We are not accepting any donations at this time and will keep you informed when the Book Nook will be open again. We apologize for our closure and thank you all for your continued support. Hoping to see you back at the Book Nook SOON!

SUNY Potsdam Names Area Students to President’s List

POTSDAM, NY – The State University of New York at Potsdam recently named 1,046 students to the President’s List, in recognition of their academic excellence in the Fall 2020 semester. The SUNY Potsdam students were honored for earning top marks by President Kristin G. Esterberg.

The students included:

Catherine Gagnon of Rensselaer, NY, whose major is Archaeological Studies

 Andrew Gorman of Wynantskill, NY, whose major is Music Education

Jacob Hernandez of East Greenbush, NY, whose major is Music Education

Braden Jarosz of Schaghticoke, NY, whose major is Musical Studies

Molly Mann of Rensselaer, NY, whose major is Psychology

Sydney Miller of Hoosick Falls, NY, whose major is Exercise Science

Maeve Morrissey of Averill Park, NY, whose major is Exercise Science

Cameron Newman of Rensselaer, NY, whose major is Music Education

Rishi Ramsingh of East Schodack, NY, whose major is Music Performance

Anita Reitano of Averill Park, NY, whose major is Childhood/Early Childhood Education

Phoebe Reuther of Troy, NY, whose major is Music Education

Haley Surprenant of Sand Lake, NY, whose major is Music Education

 Zian Taylor of Troy, NY, whose major is Music Performance

To achieve the honor of being on the President’s List, each student must have satisfactorily completed 12 numerically-graded semester hours, with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

North Greenbush Common School District Announces

NORTH GREENBUSH – Little Red School House Kindergarten Registration – North Greenbush Common School District has opened phone registration for children attending Kindergarten for the 2021-2022 school year.  In order for your child to attend Kindergarten, they must be 5 years old on or before December 1, 2021.  Parents of children eligible to attend Kindergarten in September must call the District Office at (518) 283-6748 by February 12, 2021.  

News from Averill Park CSD

AVERILL PARK – Miller Hill-Sand Lake Elementary School fifth grader, Aly Thorsen, was selected to compete on the new YouTube game show “Author/Fan Face-Off” which has students competing against authors in trivia based on a book that the author has written. Aly played against Dan Gemeinhart, who wrote “The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise.” Great job Aly!

Recently, the District granted tenure to Athletic Director Mark Bubniak and Special Education teacher Katie Dergosits. Congratulations to both Mark and Katie, we thank you for all of the hard work and dedication that you have given to APCSD.

Throughout the month of January, the West Sand Lake PTA is coordinating a fundraiser with Hannaford Supermarkets. One dollar will be donated for each reusable community bag that is purchased at the store located in West Sand Lake.

Submitted by Dr. James Franchini, Averill Park CSD Superintendent

Mission: Meeting the needs of and creating opportunities for every student every day. #AP_EveryStudentEveryDay

Attention Marines and Naval Corpsman Past and Present

CAPITAL DISTRICT – The Capt. Wm. Dale O’Brien Marine Corps League Detachment #241 in Albany NY. – Are looking for Marines and Corpsman who want to continue to share the honors and camaraderie that you had while in the corps? Our Detachment is dedicated to helping other marines, their family and fellow veterans. We do it through several programs like the Rose Program, Honor a Vet, visiting home or hospital bond marine or naval corpsman, with our color guard in parades and other ceremonies. We continue to participate in the Toys for Tots program and more. There is also many social activities available such as our Annual Marine Corps Ball, bus trips to Washington DC to clean our monuments and participation in other Veteran events. We ae brothers and sisters supporting each other still!

If any of this sounds like something you would like to be a part , please contact me Fred Gilmore for more information, my cell phone is (518) 258-8125 (call or text), my email is gunny1074@nullaol.com – Semper Fi.

Problem Gambling – Northeast Resource Center Here To Help

CAPITAL DISTRICT – Avoiding triggers this holiday season –  The holiday season may be full of fun and family gatherings. But for those experiencing or recovering from a gambling problem, it’s also a season full of temptations.

It could be as simple as a card game around the kitchen table, a friendly bet on a college bowl game or getting scratch-off tickets as a stocking stuffer. For most, those are just everyday events during the holidays. But for some, they’re the kind of temptations that can trigger the urge to gamble.

But there are a few simple things that individuals with a gambling problem can do to prepare themselves for potential holiday triggers. They include:

Money: Put someone else in charge of your finances if you’re concerned about your urge to gamble. That way, you won’t have access to extra cash that could create temptation.

Talking: It may sound simple. But simple solutions tend to work. Just ask your family and friends not to gamble when playing games while you’re around them.

Gifts: Make sure your loved ones know not to give you holiday gifts in the form of cash, scratch-off tickets or other gambling games.

The holidays are a time for celebrating. Play it safe and separate yourself from the temptations that could trigger problem gambling. Staying safe from triggers for problem gambling is important.

How do you know if someone you care about has a problem? The simplest way to identify if your loved one struggles with problem gambling is to ask yourself this: Does gambling cause problems for my loved one or our family? If the answer is yes, then this person may be struggling with problem gambling. The good news is help is available! Contact the Northeast Problem Gambling Resource Center for local, barrier free help and additional resources. You can reach us by calling 518-801-1491 or emailing us at NortheastPGRC@nullNYProblemGambling.org We’re here to help.

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

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 5:00 to 7:00 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.

Vaping – Public Service Announcement

CAPITAL DISTRICT – Vaping has become almost more common today then cigarettes. Originally marketed as being more safe than other tobacco products recent events have made it clear that this is not the full story. One study found that those who vape the equivalent to a pack of cigarettes a day had a 70% higher risk of stroke. This is only one of the health risks that can arise from vaping. For more information visit: https://www.narcononnewliferetreat.org/blog/vaping-linked-to-serious-health-problems.html

Addiction Screenings – Narconon can help you take steps to overcome addiction in your family. Call today for free screenings or referrals. 1- 800-431-1754.

Fentanyl – Public Service Announcement

CAPITAL DISTRICT – Fentanyl has been making headlines recently, this is because the incredibly potent chemical has been contributing to the increase in overdose deaths across America. Most people however do not know much about the chemical. For instance many don’t know that one of the things that makes fentanyl so dangerous is the fact that it can be absorbed into the system through skin contact. Meaning getting it on your skin could cause a potentially fatal overdose.

To learn more about Fentanyl visit: https://www.narcononnewliferetreat.org/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-fentanyl.html

Addiction Screenings – Narconon can help you take steps to overcome addiction in your family. Call today for free screenings or referrals. 1- 800-431-1754.

Rensselaer County Recovery Helpline

RENSSELAER COUNTY  – 1-833-467-3123 – Do you need help with substance use issues? Are you interested in volunteering for the helpline? The Rensselaer County Recovery Helpline offers information, local resources, and referrals for individuals and their families regarding substance use issues. The toll-free line is available 7 days a week from 9am-9pm. Each volunteer chooses shifts of 4 hours at a time to be on-call. When someone calls the number, a volunteer answers on their own smartphone, and can enter information to a database on their own computer, allowing for easy and quick access to resources. The information is sent to one of the 9 leaders, who will then assist the caller. If you or someone you know needs information, resources, or a referral for a substance use problem, call 1-833-467-3123. For more information, or if you are interested in volunteering, contact Renscohelpline@nullgmail.com

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