Friday April 26, 2024 
Learn CPR/AED
Save a Life! – get certified with American Heart Association CPR/AED course.
Open to youth ages 12-18.
Thursday, Feb 23, 12:30-4:30 @ North Greenbush Town Hall.
FREE – Sponsored by Benetech Inc. and Kiwanis of North Greenbush.
Please register @ https://k20729.site.kiwanis.org.
News From Averill Park CSD
The Averill Park Central School District and Bus Patrol have launched a school bus safety program in partnership with the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Department. As part of this program, all District school buses will be equipped with stop-arm enforcement cameras that are designed to detect vehicles that illegally pass stopped school buses that are actively loading or unloading students.
Please note that as the cameras are installed, they will become operational. As of Monday, January 30, five buses in the APCSD fleet have new cameras installed and are running. The full fleet will be operational by April 1. Violators will be issued citations in the mail each time they illegally pass a school bus that has its red lights flashing.
Students, parents and staff should practice caution while driving in parking lots at each of the schools in the District. Regardless of where a bus is loading or unloading students, if the red lights are flashing and you pass by the bus, you will be issued a ticket.
Rebecca Gallerani, an eighth-grade student at Algonquin Middle School, has been awarded a 2023 Scholastic Art Honorable Mention award for her illustration titled ‘Colorful Marker Hair.’ Congratulations, Rebecca!
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
Art Call for an Averill Park Exhibition
Stratigraphy: Celebrating Layering in the Arts, is an art exhibition to be mounted at the Arts Letters & Numbers studios, Faith Mills, in Averill Park on May 27.
We are thinking of Amos Eaton – the first stratigrapher in the country, who mapped the route of the Erie Canal and the rock of our watershed – and of all the ways that art can be layered: the paint, the collage, the poetic images, the musical notes the stitches, the gestures, the impasto …
Deadline for proposals (all media, representational or performative) April 1. Deadline for delivery of material May 24. Sponsored by aGatherin’ with Arts Letters & Numbers. gather@nullagatherin.com.
Small World Registration
Small World Nursery School, 566 Brunswick Road, Troy as begun registration for the 2023-2024 school year. Open house is Friday, February 16 from 11:30 – 1:30
Class for three/four-year-olds is Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 9:00 – 11:30
Two-year-old class is Tuesday and Thursday 9:00 – 11:00.
Contact the school at (518) 279-0085 or email at sm.world566@nullgmail.com.
A non-refundable registration of $35 will be due at this time for those interested.
Appalachian trail Hike For A Cause – Benefits the SHAC Center
I am about to head out on a huge journey, and I am hoping to raise funding for the SHAC Center renovations.
I am embarking on a 2200 mile journey that will start on February 25 at Springer Mt. GA. I will be flipping to Mount Katahdin Maine in August.
I hope to finish at Harpers Ferry, West Virginia by October 15. Each mile that I hike will be dedicated to the people that will support the SHAC Center with their own pledge from one penny to one dollar a mile. All of it will go to the SHAC Center.
My goal is to raise $22,000 or more. If you have suggestions on how I might accomplish this please find a way to let me the information. You can shoot me an email at skyhighadventures@nullgmail.com. You could even text or call me at 518-281-6480.
Thank you very much for taking the time to consider my request.
Thanks! John Slyer
Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation Supports STRIDE Sled Hockey Team
Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation presented a $4,000 check to support the STRIDE Capital District Sled Warriors. The grant from Dick’s will aid the Capital District Sled Warriors team to travel to the Empire State Games and the Amelia Sled Hockey Tournament. The Capital District Sled Hockey was established in 2009 through STRIDE Adaptive Sports, an organization that provides life-changing sport and recreation opportunities for youth with special needs and Wounded Warriors.
Sled hockey is an adaptive version of full-contact ice hockey that allows users with mobility impairment to participate in a seated position. Players use their hockey sticks to propel themselves on the ice, as well as to move the puck up and down the ice. Sled Hockey provides an equal experience for all to participate in the sport of ice hockey – regardless of the nature of their disability.
“STRIDE has steadfastly supported all the expenses associated with the team. As is standard practice, the team is responsible for travel costs. The generosity of Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation The Capital District Sled Hockey consisted of 18 members who practice weekly to prepare for the tournaments. Going to the Empire State Games and the Amelia Tournament are the highlights of the season, said Team Manager Jon Phillips. “We are thrilled that Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation recognizes the value of sports for all abilities. A special thank you to Dick’s Latham manager, Adam Fromma and Larry DiDonato for their assistance in applying for this funding.”
“I’m grateful to be able to award a this grant to the Stride Adaptive Sports sled hockey team,” says Adam Fromma, store manager of Dick’s Sporting Goods in Latham and former member of the U.S. Disabled Alpine Ski Team. “As an individual with a disability and former athlete myself, I understand how transformative sports can be for persons with disabilities. We hope this grant will help these inspiring athletes build their confidence & independence.
Bingo at South Schodack Volunteer Fire Co.
The South Schodack Volunteer Fire Co. is having Bingo the first and third Sundays each month through May. Doors open at noon with card sales starting at 1:00 PM and games start at 2:00 PM.
South Schodack Volunteer Fire Co. 1563 Bame Rd., Castleton, N.Y. 12033 (518-732-2082).
Bingo is Back at the Brunswick Elks #2556
Finally !!! Bingo is returning to the Brunswick Elks #2556 in Troy on Sunday, March 5th, 2023 @ 1:30 PM !!!
We normally would be starting on this Bingo one month earlier, as hoped, but a little snag in the licensing process through the state has moved that back until March 5th, tentatively, as we have to get licensing also through the Town of Brunswick before starting up.
We are confident that the new date of March 5th, 2023 will be a bona-fide date to let everyone know about.
If you have any questions about this endeavor, please call Jeff Keegan at 518-728-1795 or Mary Beth Keegan at 518-312-7291.
Please remember that the earlier date of February 5th, 2023 cannot be feasible and the new date of March 5th, 2023 is more firm.
You are urged to let all of your bingo friends know about this new date, as we will be calling all contacts when the license has been firmed up.
We thank you for your attention to this matter, and if all goes as planned, Bingo will indeed start on Sunday, March 5th, 2023 …
We also thank you for your patience while we work these things through; we are working diligently to make this Bingo a reality !!!
The Defreestville Fire Department 2022 Summary and 2023 Updates
At our February meeting the DFD membership voted on and approved the appointment of fire officers and executive officers. We thank them for stepping up to fill these roles ensuring our department and community is ever ready for any emergency. We extend our sincere gratitude to outgoing Chief of department, William Burkart, elected as chief in 2020. We all know how tough that year was. Chief Burkart lead DFD through some of the most difficult times in our departments history during the pandemic. Thank you Chief for your commitment to department and community; we wish you the best going forward.
In 2022 your Defreestville volunteer firefighters responded to 421 alarms including 17 working structure fires (9 in our first due and 8 mutual aid responses). Additionally we responded to four motor vehicle accidents with entrapment. DFD held 65 drills and contributed 3,800 hours of work overall. Our call numbers have dwindled slightly as we work with our town businesses and complexes to reduce the number of nuisance alarms. The DFD membership remains committed to a high level of training and public safety to respond to all types of emergencies.
Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to a safe and healthy 2023. If you’re interested in becoming a member, reach out to us. You can find all of our available contact methods at www.defreestvillefire.org
2023 Fire Officers & Executive Officers
Chief – Shane Clute
1st Assistant Chief – Brandon Galligan
2nd Assistant Chief – Daniel Sheehan
Captains – J. Keith Slupski, Greg Croll, Brian McCrae, Jason Strosberg
Lieutenants – Gary Wright, Jeffrey Belschwinder, Kylie Cotugno
President – Steve Golden
Vice President – Jeffrey Pirro
Secretary – Jason Christie
Membership Secretary – Gary Wright
Treasurer – Jason Strosberg
Sand Lake Pandemic Remembrances
The Sand Lake Historical Society is putting together a book of remembrances by residents and businesses of the Town of Sand Lake so future generations will understand and appreciate all we went through during the Covid-19 pandemic. We’d love to include your story!
Did you:
• Work from home or in an “essential” job?
• Have a relative in a nursing home or sick with Covid?
• Have children learning at home?
• Have to close or make changes to your business?
• Spend more time outdoors or doing home repairs?
• Have some other experience you’d like to share?
Please submit your prose or poetry of 600 words or less describing your pandemic story. All experiences can be shared, whether they made you happy, sad, scared, crazy, brave, thankful, exhausted, etc.
Submit your story or any questions to: SLHSpandemic@nullgmail.com
Deadline for submissions is February 28, 2023. (SLHS reserves the right to edit stories.)
Find us on the Internet at https://sandlakehistory.org/; “Like” us on Facebook!
Artwork Needed for Community Wide Art Show
The First United Methodist Church at 1 Gilligan Rd. East Greenbush is looking for artwork of all kinds done by all ages for a Community Wide Art Show. The Art Show will debut on March 25th, 2023. All artworks will be due by March 19th at 2:30 pm.
The theme of the art show is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Art can have one item of the theme or incorporate the full theme. Please email Amber Telford at Youthleaderamber@nullgmail.com for the Art Work agreement form and any questions. You can also call 518-477-9693 and leave a message for Amber.
Sand Lake Center for the Arts Now Accepting Submissions for Juried Art Show
Artists of all media are invited to submit works for the 2023 Sand Lake Center for the Arts Juried Art Show. Submissions should reflect the concepts presented in the song I’m Going To Say It Now by Phil Ochs.
Lyrics:
I am just a student, sir, and only want to learn
But it’s hard to read through the risin’ smoke of the books that you like to burn
So I’d like to make a promise and I’d like to make a vow
That when I’ve got something to say, sir, I’m gonna say it now
Ooh, you’d like to be my father you’d like to be my Dad
And give me kisses when I’m good and spank me when I’m bad
But since I’ve left my parents I’ve forgotten how to bow
So when I’ve got something to say, sir, I’m gonna say it now
And things they might be different if I was here alone
But I’ve got a friend or two who no longer live at home
And we’ll respect our elders just as long as they allow
That when I’ve got something to say, sir, I’m gonna say it now
I’ve read of other countries where the students take a stand
Maybe even help to overthrow the leaders of the land
Now I wouldn’t go so far to say we’re also learnin’ how
But when I’ve got something to say, sir, I’m gonna say it now
So keep right on a-talkin’ and tell us what to do
If nobody listens my apologies to you
And I know that you were younger once ’cause you sure are older now
And when I’ve got something to say, sir, I’m gonna say it now
Artists should email JPEG or PDF examples to assvsubmit@nullgmail.com by May 15, 2023.
Show dates are July and August 2023. Artists should include a brief description of the piece along with the dimensions, weight, and any special displaying needs. No more than three submissions per artist. Artists of all backgrounds, ages, and skill levels are encouraged to submit.
The Anchor Food Pantry
The Anchor Food Pantry after experiencing a significant increase of over 30% demand from 2021 to calendar year 2022 is seeking support from our Schodack Community for canned goods and toiletries to meet our clientele’s needs at the present time.
Donations can be dropped off at the Anchor Food Pantry Mondays 430-630 pm, Tuesday& Thursday from 9am-130pm ,and the first Saturday of every month from 10am-1230pm. Additionally donations can be dropped off at Village Hall -Castleton or Schodack Town Hall during their regular business hours.
Bottles and Cans can also be dropped off @ 6Cent Redemption Center-9J, Rensselaer,NY; Monday-Saturday.
Wynantskill UFSD Kindergarten Registration Now Open
The Wynantskill Union Free School District has begun the process of registering new Kindergarten students for the upcoming school year.
Please visit our website at WynantskillUFSD.org or contact Kathy Fazioli in our main office for more information regarding registering for Kindergarten. You may call the main office at (518) 283-4600 or email kfazioli@nullwynantskillufsd.org
Wynantskill UFSD Pre-K Lottery Applications Are Now Available for the 2023-24 School Year
The Wynantskill Union Free School District has begun the process of registering students for the 2023-24 Pre-K program. Eligible students must be Wynantskill residents and be 4 years of age by December 1st, 2023. Applications collected will be entered into a random lottery in the event that there are more applicants than spots available.
Lottery applications must be submitted by March 16th, 2023 in order to be eligible for the lottery drawing being held on March 20th, 2023. Parents will be notified of the results and have until April 1st, 2023 to accept their seat and fill out the remaining registration forms.
Applications received after March 16th will go on a waitlist should a seat become available.
Please go to our website to find the application at WynantskillUFSD.org
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 Historical Society Announces 2023 Schedule
SLHS will be presenting the following public programs, from January to June 2023:
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.
Hudson Mohawk AHEC Announces Scholarship Opportunity
Scholarships available to support healthcare education
Hudson Mohawk Area Health Education Center (Hudson Mohawk AHEC) will be awarding ten scholarships of $500 dollars each to individuals who will be entering an approved healthcare related certificate or degree program at a local community college, university or training entity within New York State. Applicants must reside within the Hudson Mohawk AHEC ten-county service region, which includes: Albany, Essex, Fulton, Hamilton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Warren and Washington counties.
Interested applicants can learn more about the scholarship opportunity by visiting the Hudson Mohawk AHEC website www.hmahec.org or emailing admin@nullhmahec.org
Applications are due no later than Monday, March 17, 2023. Awards will be made in May 2023.
Hudson Mohawk Area Health Education Center (Hudson Mohawk AHEC) seeks to develop, and strengthen the healthcare workforce in Albany, Essex, Fulton, Hamilton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Warren, and Washington counties.
For more information about Hudson Mohawk AHEC please visit our website at: www.hmahec.org.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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