Your Community 10.12.23

(Grafton, NY) – Join us at Grafton Lakes State Park for our annual Trick or Treat Nature Trail on Saturday, October 14, 2023. Discover some of our weird and wonderful forest friends along the jack-o-lantern lit trail. Participate in fun fall activities including a bonfire and crafts at the welcome center. Be sure to wear a costume! Special guest, Uncharted Wild, will also be in attendance showing off some of their spook-tacular creatures.

Time slots begin at 3:00PM and go every 15 minutes through 7:00PM. Time slots before 5:00pm are designated for families with small children, or those with sensory sensitivities. Preregistration is required to reserve your family’s time slot; please call 518-279-1155, ext. 2. Cost for this program is $4/person.

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 individual parks, historic sites, recreational trails, and boat launches, which were visited by a record 78 million people in 2020. A recent university study found that spending by State Parks and its visitors supports $5 billion in output and sales, 54,000 private-sector jobs and more than $2.8 billion in additional state GDP. For more information on any of these recreation areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit parks.ny.gov.

The Salem United Methodist Church will be hosting an indoor Halloween Family Fun Event on Sunday, October 22, 2023 from 3:00pm-5:00pm.

This a free event that will include Face painting, Cookie decorating and of course candy to trick or treat for. We also participate with the Teal project program so kids with allergies can safely participate to trick or treat and receive a non-food item. If you have any questions please contact Carol Robinson at 518-330-7609.

Melvin Roads American Legion Family is having a Trunk or Treat on Sunday, October 29th, 2023, at 200 Columbia Turnpike, East Greenbush.

Plenty of parking spaces in the post parking lot , with separate areas for Trunk or Treaters. Come see what the Mad Scientist has cooked up this year. We offer a safe experience during daylight hours. After you visit us, travel to East Greenbush VFW on Hayes road, is also having Trunk or Treat, as well as some of the churches in the area. Enjoy a SAFE Halloween.

We are very pleased to announce the well known Rens. Co. & Troy Historian Kathryn Sheehan will present an illustrated talk on Empowered Women, rising from our very own Rensselaer County. These women consist of spiritualists, suffragists and abolitionists.

The program will be held on Sunday, October 22nd at 3:00PM at the Evangelical Church in Poestenkiil (lower level) The church is across from our historical museum. The building is handicapped accessible. Homemade refreshments will be served and of course, the program is free. We hope to see you!

Sunday 10/29/23: 1pm -4pm. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

Please call Melinda at 518-653-9852 if you would like to participate by decorating your vehicle for this event.

Plan to set up in parking lot at VFW Post 7338, 100 Hayes Rd. starting at 11am.

This year will mark our 7th year celebrating Halloween with the community. We are honored to continue this service to our community. With the uncertainty of what is given out to children, it is nice to know there is a safer place for our children to enjoy this annual tradition.

If you would like to decorate your trunk and celebrate with us, please contact John at 518-279-9552 or Jmike50@nullaol.com. If you are an elephant and would like to decorate your trunk, we have plenty of room for you to celebrate too. We will be welcoming our little gremlins on Sunday, October 29th from 3-5 PM in our parking lot.

Gilead is located at the intersection of Routes 7 & 278 in Center Brunswick. See you then. We won’t scare you if you don’t scare us.

Do you believe in ghosts? The people of 18th century Greenbush did!

Join us around the campfire on Saturday, October 21, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. in Crailo’s riverside park for an evening of haunted tales, spectres, and portents of doom!

Bring your lawn chairs and dress for the outdoors. Program appropriate for ages 10 & above. Younger siblings and the faint of heart are invited to paint spooky pumpkins. Mulled cider and donuts will be available.

Reservations required by 10/18 and can be made by calling (518) 463 – 8738. Donations happily accepted.

Once part of the Van Rensselaer family’s vast landholdings, today Crailo tells the story of the early Dutch inhabitants of Albany and the upper Hudson River Valley. Located at 9 ½ Riverside Ave in historic Rensselaer, the museum is open for general visitation through 10/29 and by appointment Nov – Apr. For further information about this and other site programs and events, please call us, visit www.parks.ny.gov, or find us on social media.

Calling all ghosts and goblins! The annual Town of North Greenbush Halloween Parade tradition continues on Sunday, October 29th kicking off from the Family Dollar parking lot on Main Ave and ends at town hall. Come in your prettiest, spookiest, funniest costumes for a chance to win major prizes, enjoy free treats and sweets and more.

The town will be transformed with children marching down Main Ave for a goonie good time. All schools and children in town are invited to participate. No animals (except service animals ) will be allowed in the parade to ensure the safety of our children). This is a great family fun event. If you have any questions, please feel free to call either Deputy Supervisor Kelly Hoffman or Councilwoman Jessica Merola at (518) 283-5313, x5.

On October 14th the hamlet of North Chatham will be holding its third annual Community Day. All are invited to come to North Chatham and see what makes it a great place to live!

The North Chatham Free Library will be open with books for sale on the front lawn (weather permitting) and some residents of the hamlet will be having yard sales.

The North Chatham United Methodist Church clothing barn will be open and the church will have a “sweet treats” sale, silent auction, “tailgate sale”, donated items for sale, and lunch available. If you would like to donate items for the sale or sell your own items as part of the “tailgate sale”, please see the church website listed below.

The Neighbors of Northern Columbia County will have an informational table at the church. The North Chatham Volunteer Fireman’s Association will have a truck at the church and kids can spray a fire hose! There will be games for kids on the church lawn and the Buccaneers 4-H club will be selling pumpkins. Free parking will be available behind the church.

For more information please go to northchathammethodistchurch.org. Thanks, and we hope to see you in North Chatham on October 14th!

Calling all Crafters and Artists!

The Center Brunswick United Methodist Church Annual Fall Craft & Vendor Fair will be on Saturday, November 4, 2023 from 9AM to 2PM at the CBUMC located at 990 Hoosick Road; Troy, NY 12180.

If you are interested in participating in this popular event, please email Jill Walton at wgems03@nullaol.com Tables are provided for $25 each and come with one chair. Space is limited and will be assigned on a first come, first serve basis.

Bring your holly and jolly and help the CBUMC ring in the holiday season!

On Friday, October 20, Esquatak Historical Society presents Glenn Hankle in “Old Money,” an illustrated talk that will show us how the currency and legal tender we now call Money evolved and changed from Colonial times to the present.

Hear the stories, the history and the local connections on how generations of our ancestors converted good to crowns, greenbacks and bucks. Held at the Schodack Town Hall, US Route 20, starting at 7 pm. Admission is free and refreshments will be served.

On October 14,2023, the Lansingburgh Historical Society and Oakwood Cemetery will host a joint Cemetery tour from 9:00 to noon, of the resting places of Lansingburgh’s pre-Revolutionary War founding family as well as of those people who made Lansingburgh an early commercial powerhouse.

Well-known local Historian, Michael Barrett will present the tour. Pre-paid registration of $20/per person is required.

Call 518-328-0090 to make your reservations. The tour is limited to 25 people. In addition, the Melville House at 2 114th St., Troy, NY, will be open for tours from 1 to 3 with cider and donuts.

The Friends of the Nassau Free Library invite you to our annual Harvest Craft Fair and Frozen pie sale Saturday, November 4, 2023 at the Chandler Young VFW, Lyons Lake Road, Nassau, NY.

Pick up your preordered frozen pies; purchase art, baked goods, Jewelry, knitwear, and other crafts. Doors open 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The frozen pies this year are all 10”; Apple, Strawberry Rhubarb, Cherry, Blueberry, and Very Berry and Peach, cost is $20 each. These can only be preordered and pre-paid at the library, through Friends members or by email friends@nullnassaufreellibrary.org or by mailing an order form from the library web site: www.nassaufreelibrary.org.

Order deadline is October 25, 2023. Checks should be made out to: Friends of the Nassau Free Library. Enjoy the wonderful smells of baking pies in your home for the holidays. Funds raised support the Nassau Free Library. Come celebrate the Harvest and support your library! Call 518-766-2715

St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church in Wynantskill will be hosting a Liturgical Celebration of Veterans Day on Friday November 10, 2023 at 9:00 am in the Church. This service will honor veterans, living or deceased, who are currently serving or who have served in the various branches of the military in the United States or Allied Forces. The Mass will be concelebrated by Pastor Rev. Patrick Rice and retired Air Force Chaplain Colonel Edward Deimeke. All are welcome.

The annual Harvest Festival at the First Reformed Church in Wynantskill returns on Saturday, October 14, from 10 AM to 2 PM. This community event will feature homemade crafts, home-canned goods, bake sale, “second chances” (new and gently used items), and the K-9 unit and Safe Child Program from the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Department. Free activities for kids will include pumpkin decorating, cookie decorating, and magic tricks. You may also order your holiday pies and our famous frozen meals. To keep up your energy, our snack bar will include walking tacos, a baked potato bar, hot dogs, chili, hot and cold drinks, and warm apple crisp with ice cream. We will also be collecting donations of new (purchased or handmade) hats, mittens, and scarves to be distributed to local organizations if you would like to contribute.

Don’t miss the excitement of the latest version of our Harvest Festival on Saturday, October 14, from 10 AM to 2 PM. First Reformed Church is located at the corner of Main Avenue (Route 66) and Church Street in Wynantskill. For questions or directions, please call 518-283-4420.

Residents of Van Rensselaer Heights is hosting a community Halloween Party for the families of Rensselaer on October 27th from 5 to 8 PM. There will be food, candy, music, and fun for all. Van Rensselaer Heights is located at 460 Forbes Ave, Rensselaer NY 12144. Please call (518)621-7585 to RSVP.

Friends of the Nassau Free Library Looking For Artisans & Crafters:

We ask Artisans and Crafters in the areas of Nassau, Schodack, East Greenbush, etc. to join us for our annual Harvest & Craft Festival and frozen Pie Sale on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at the Chandler Young VFW hall on Rt. 20 in Nassau. We expect to have room for about 10 vendors, tables will be available and we hope to offer a variety of hand-made items for sale.

Please submit photos of your crafts or include a brief description of your crafts to the Friends at the Nassau Free Library along with a $25.00 table fee by October 28th. Mail or deliver to Friends of the Nassau Free Library, P.O. Box 436, Nassau, NY 12123.(or Nassau Free Library, Church Street, Nassau, NY)

Please direct questions to our Email friends@nullnassaufreelibrary.org. As space is limited we reserve the right to select which vendors we will include. Hours for the sale will be 9:00 – 4:00 (set up at 8:00).

This is a benefit for the Nassau Free Library so please join us and help support the library, Questions? – call 518-766 -2715 or email friends@nullnassaufreelibrary.org

Eighth grade students at Algonquin Middle School visited the Northeast Regional Food Bank Farm as part of the AMS Serves program recently. Students helped plant and harvest vegetables that will be used to benefit families in need throughout the greater Capital Region. Great job, everyone!

October is National Principals Month! We thank each of our principals for all they do to guide and support our students and staff. They include Heath Quiles (Averill Park High School), Robert Messia (Algonquin Middle School), Denis Sibson (Miller Hill-Sand Lake Elementary), Josh Gela (Poestenkill Elementary) and Keri Rosher (West Sand Lake Elementary).

Poestenkill Elementary School hosted the band Flame recently. Flame is an international band made up of developmentally or physically disabled individuals who inspire through music. Thank you to everyone who was involved in bringing their message to our students.

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

Calling all ghosts and witches and ghouls and goblins (and Barneys and Princesses, too)! The witching hour is at hand! Once again, the time has come to dress in all your spooky finery, and invade West Sand Lake.

The West Sand Lake Volunteer Fire Co. is sponsoring its annual Halloween party for kids of all ages on Sunday, October 29, 2023. Because Halloween falls on a weekday, we are planning a special treat for all our trick-or-treaters, and their parents. We will be proudly featuring our community’s costume creations in a parade from the West Sand Lake elementary school to our Fire House.

If you would like to join our parade, please meet at the school at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 29, 2023. We will step off promptly at 1:30 p.m., and proceed to the Fire House. The traditional Halloween party, with costume judging, prizes, games, refreshments and surprises will immediately follow the end of the parade. Admission to the party is free to all.

So, plan on joining us on Halloween afternoon. It promises to be a fun time for all!

The Kiwanis Club of Troy is holding their 26th Annual Fresh Florida Fruit Fundraiser.

Call today to reserve your 20 lb. cases of either Navel Oranges, Ruby Red Grapefruits or Mixed Cases of Both.

We kept the price at $28 per case. Most others are charging $35+.

The fruit will be picked fresh from the Florida groves and shipped directly to the Troy area for your enjoyment or holiday giving!!! All should arrive in Troy around the 6-8th of December.

Call Dean at 518-322-0826. Help fund needed projects for Troy area kids! All orders are due by Sunday, November 19th.

This past February, Travel and Leisure magazine named the ” Empire State Trail ” system one of the 15 best multiuse trails in the U.S. Part of that system, right here in Rensselaer and Columbia counties, is called the ” Electric Trail ” which connects Albany to Hudson. The trail is free, open year round, and welcoming to all walkers, hikers, and bicyclists. Join the Greenbush Historical Society on Oct. 22, 2PM, at the East Greenbush Library to learn more about this New York treasure.

Matt Kierstead will host an illustrative talk on ” Trolleys, Trails, and Tales “about the history of the former electric trolley line. Matt is the owner/proprietor of Milestone Heritage Consulting, a Hudson Valley business that provides documentation and interpretation services for the heritage tourism industry. Examples of his colorful and informative trailside signage will be on display at the East Greenbush Library from Oct. 16 until Nov. 30th.

The 2 PM Historical Society meeting is free and open to all but seating is limited. Please call the library at 518 477 7476 to register.

East Greenbush VFW Post 7338 Auxiliary will be holding the Judy Peters Memorial Pick & Poke 10/21/23 and 10/22/23 from 9am to 5pm.

If you have clothing, outerwear, footwear or toys to donate, please drop off at the VFW, 100 Hayes Rd starting 10/16/23 through 10/19/23 from 9am to 3pm. Please call Melinda at 518-653-9852 if you have questions.

Grafton, NY. An annual event to help the Dyken Pond Center cut, gather, haul, split, and stack enough firewood to last the winter. We’ll treat all hardy volunteers to a free lunch for your efforts. Please preregister at (518) 658-2055 or dykenpond@nullgmail.com by Thursday, October 20 so we can plan enough food for everyone.

East Greenbush VFW Post 7338 Auxiliary will be holding a Bake Sale on 11/4/23 along with our Vendor/Craft Sale. You can pre-order pies from 10/16/23 – 10/27/23 by calling Melinda at 518-653-9852. Choose from Apple, Blueberry, Cherry, Chocolate or Pumpkin. Also available will be Bread Pudding. Pick up and pay on 11/4/23 from 10am -3pm. Pies, bread pudding, and other assorted goodies will be available for sale as well.

The Grief Support Group will meet monthly on Thursdays starting at 6pm at Hope Lutheran Church in North Greenbush – https://www.hopelc.org.

Please read below for details and to learn about our facilitator – Camie Engel.

This monthly, one-hour group is a safe, welcoming, and judgement-free place where people who have recently experienced a loss (death of loved one, loss of job, pet, friendship, marriage, or home, children who left for college, to name a few) can come together to share their struggles and learn some coping skills. This group will provide emotional support, validation, and education about grief, helping you feel less alone.

Camie Engel holds a master’s degree in Grief Counseling from Regent University of Virginia Beach, VA.

Her monthly column in “Our Towne” magazine, “Good Grief with Camie”, is written to be a window into the often confusing and painful topics of grief and loss.

Having experienced life-altering losses of her own, she had a passion to get more educated and trained to help others.

Join us when you are ready, the next meeting will be on Thursday, Oct 26th.

Feel free to reach out to Lois with any questions – Lois.Batsios@nullGmail.com

Join the SLGC on Thursday, Oct. 26 at the Sand Lake Town Hall for our social gathering starting at 6 PM followed by a program at 6:30 .

The talk for the evening is on ” Understanding Plant Behavior ” presented by Jill Knapp – local historian and plant specialist. [ MS Cornell, Ph.D Perdue ]

This presentation will cover the basic concepts of plant growth and development – from seed to maturity.

It is intended to explain how various plants respond to environmental and cultural conditions such as day length, seasonal temperatures, moisture, CO2, pruning ,etc. It is designed for the plant lover from beginner to those with years of horticultural experience.

All are welcome to this free event – Thursday, Oct. 26 at 6 PM.

It is with pleasure that the Salem UMC announces our New Pastor Kristi VanPatten. Pastor Kristi is an Associate Minister serving both Salem and Church of the Covenant in Averill Park. She is joined by Pastor Lori Buno-Taylor, Senior Pastor, who is also serving both Salem and Church of the Covenant.

Pastor Kristi was born and raised in the Capital District and has been serving as a Licensed Local Pastor since 2001. Pastor Lori began her career as a Special Education Teacher and preschool coordinator for over three decades. After serving many Northern New York churches in a variety of roles, she was called to ministry and appointed in 2011.

Salem United Methodist Church worship services are Sunday’s at 11:00am. We hope you will take the time to come and meet this dynamic duo!

Have you, your family, or friends been affected by Substance Use Disorder? Do you have a creative outlet to process your experiences? The NOpiates Committee, Arts Letters & Numbers, and the Sand Lake Center for the Arts are extending an open invitation to submit work (finalized or in process) for the upcoming show: The Transformation Project. The show, running throughout December 2023, aims to raise awareness about Substance Use Disorder and its impact on individuals, families, and communities in Rensselaer County.

This call for art is open to artists of all levels (from established to first-time <FZ,3,0,68>makers), all ages, and all forms of art.

For more information and details on how to apply, please visit artslettersandnumbers.com/transformation-project-open-call.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Frida at frida@nullartslettersandnumbers.com.

Sunday, October 22, 2023, $3,000 pay out. Super Bingo will be held at the Italian Community Center Charitable Foundation, 1450 Fifth Avenue, Troy, NY. Doors open at 11:30 am and bingo starts at 1:15 pm.

Admission is $25.00 and includes a door card and package. There will be two $1,000 games included in the package. We will also have two “Share the Wealth” games ($2.00 for a sheet of three cards). Refreshments, extra cards, pull tab games, Queen of Hearts and bingo supplies will also be available.

Come join us and help support our charitable works for the holiday season ahead.

The North Chatham United Methodist Church worships every Sunday morning at 11:00 AM, with Adult Bible Study at 9:45. All are welcome!

Our Clothing Barn is open from 9:30-12:30 every Saturday morning, through the end of October.

We will be part of the annual North Chatham Community Day activities on October 14th, along with the North Chatham Free Library and the North Chatham Volunteer Fire Company.

The church is located at 4274 Route 203 in the hamlet of North Chatham. If you can’t make it in person our worship services are available on Zoom – please see our website (northchathammethodistchurch.org) for details.

For more information on North Chatham United Methodist Church, please call 518-766-3535 or visit our website.

Thanks and we hope to see you soon, in person or on ZOOM!

The Kiwanis Club of Sand Lake has been providing a wide-range of services to the greater community for 75 years.

To commemorate this milestone we are planning a gala 75th Anniversary Party and we want the Rensselaer County community to celebrate with us.

So, please save the date of Saturday, December 2, 2023 and join us at the lovely Burden Lake Country Club starting at 5:30 PM.

There will be appetizers, dinner and dessert options and will feature after- dinner entertainment by the popular Donnie Elvis Show, tickets $60 pp.

For more information and for tickets please contact Kiwanis President Wayne Gendron at 518-698-9623.

We will have additional information to share as the date gets closer.

To learn more about our Kiwanis Club go to www.SandLakeKiwanis.org or visit and friend us on www.facebook.com/Kiwanis-Club-of-Sand-Lake.

The Auxiliary to East Greenbush VFW 7338 on Hays Road will be having their annual Craft/Vendor Fair on Saturday, November 4, 2023 from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. Tables are available to be rented for $25 per 8′ table with 2 chairs. The Auxiliary will also have their giant raffle, 50/50 raffle, Bake Sale and the kitchen will be open for breakfast and lunch. Contact Lynda Essenter for more information and rental form at: schoolrn52@nullaol.com or (518) 248-0324.

First Reformed Church of Wynantskill is thankful to everyone who purchased a strawberry rhubarb or blueberry pie. Apple pies are now available – frozen and ready to bake at your convenience for just $15. Stop by the Church on Saturday, Oct. 14 for the fall Harvest Festival from 10–2 or contact the Church Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9-12. FRCW is located at the corner of Main Avenue and Church Street or call (518) 283-4420.

The long-awaited $5/Bag sale is back at the Transfiguration Book Nook on Hillview Drive in Speigletown! Beginning on Saturday, October 21 at 9:00 am and continuing on Sunday, October 22 at 12:00 noon. Bring the largest bag you have and fill it will all your favorite authors for just $5. Also among the selection, are children’s books, romance novels, biographies and many other topics of interest. We also have large print books available.

The regular Book Nook is also open and half-priced authors for October are Danielle Steel, David Baldacci and Debbie Macomber. In most cases, that’s 2 paperbacks for $1, or hard covers at 2/$2! Can’t beat those prices. Please come and visit the Book Nook and it’s $5/Bag Sale, Saturday, October 21 from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm and on Sunday from 12 noon until 3:00. You won’t be disappointed! Thanks for your continued support and see you at the Book Nook!

On Monday night October 16th the Poestenkill Business Association will present our annual “Meet the Candidates Night” Forum at the Poestenkill Sullivan-Jones VFW Post on Main Street. All Candidates running for County Sheriff, Town Supervisor, Town Board, Town Highway Superintendent, Town Clerk and Town Judge have been invited to attend and will present their respective positions.

Doors will open at 6:30 PM and the program will begin at 7:00 PM with all Candidates offering a concise position statement. Pre-submitted Questions from Town Residents will then be read by the Moderator to the respective Candidates. If time remains, questions may be entertained from the audience. We sincerely hope that you are able to attend and listen to the Candidates responses on issues facing Poestenkill.

Refreshments will be provided. Thank you for your interest and participation. See you Monday Night 10/16/2023!

The Sand Lake Town Library Friends will hold a free pumpkin decorating event on Saturday, October 28th. Join us from 11:00 till 12 noon in the Town Hall’s kitchen on the first floor (enter through Town Court doors). Bring your own pumpkin or use one of ours! We’ll have carving tools and other decorating materials along with some sweet treats for all who attend. Please fill out this form so we can plan https://forms.gle/xuXa2vc9YcEYAtfJ6 – type in the URL or email us at sltlfriends@nullgmail.com and we’ll email the form to you. Happy Fall to All!

Performance Dates: October 13, 14, 20 & 21 at 7:30 PM. October 15 & 22 at 2:00 PM. Location: Brunswick Grange Hall, 7 Grange Road, Troy.

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow written by Mary and Andrew Arnault. Directed By: Nicole Osterhout & Robin Dickinson-Sawyer: Early on a September morning the villagers of Sleepy Hollow await their new schoolmaster. When Ichabod finally arrives, his priggish correctness casts a pall over the gossipy, prank-playing townsfolk. Soon enough, though, his genteel manners and his hymn singing impress the ladies, including Katrina Van Tassel, the town belle. The menfolk are less thrilled, especially Brom Bones, Katrina’s beau, and he begins plotting to <FZ,4,0,68>rid himself of his unwelcome rival. Matters come to a head during the Van Tassel’s Halloween party, after which the superstitious Ichabod is accosted on his lonely ride home by a fiendish apparition, the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow. The next morning Ichabod has disappeared, leaving behind only a song in the wind, and a new legend is born.

For Reservations Call Ethel @ 518-237-6936.

Thousands of used books, DVDs, and puzzles for adults and children. Huge selection, everything $1! Cash, check, or credit card accepted. Friday, October 13 – Noon – 5:00 PM; Saturday, October 14 – 10 AM – 4:00 PM; Sunday, October 15 – BAG SALE – 11 AM – 3 PM. Proceeds to benefit the East Greenbush Community Library.

Ho Ho Ho! Merry Christmas might be a bit too early and we don’t want to rush Fall. Plans are well underway for our annual Town of North Greenbush Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 2nd. Each year the parade gets bigger and this year, we want it to be our most spectacular yet.

So, if you are interested in participating in the parade with a beautifully decorated float, tractor, old fashioned car, vehicle or boat, walk with your business or would like to be a sponsor of the event, please contact Deputy Supervisor Kelly Hoffman or Councilwoman Jessica Merola at (518) 283-5313, Ext 5. We will have cookies, hot chocolate, a Christmas T-shirt give aways and a beautiful opportunity to purchase our first ever Town of North Greenbush Christmas ornament.

At the conclusion of the parade, our annual Starry Night Memorial Christmas Tree event will start with our choir of angels singing, reading of the names and lighting of the beautiful trees. It’s a touching ceremony that has become so very popular and meaningful. We couldn’t end the night without seeing SANTA! Bring your list of things you want to ask as we know the children in North Greenbush are always on the good list. Please sign up soon!

A Public Hearing on the Budget will be held at 7:00 PM at the Best-Luther Fire Department, 303 Old Best Road, West Sand Lake, New York 12196 on October 17, 2023.

The Alzheimer’s Association, Northeastern New York chapter is hosting its 2023 Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Albany on Saturday, Oct. 21 at Siena College. Participants may check in beginning at 10:00 a.m. with an opening ceremony at 11:00 a.m. The walk will begin immediately following the opening ceremony.

On Walk day, participants honor those affected by Alzheimer’s with the poignant Promise Garden ceremony — a mission-focused experience that signifies our solidarity in the fight against the disease. During the ceremony, walkers will carry flowers of various colors, each color symbolizing their personal connection to the disease.

“This Walk means so much to the community – to those living with the disease, to those providing care, to those who have lost someone to the disease,” said Andrew Sagarin, Development Events Manager for the Alzheimer’s Association Northeastern New York chapter. “Walk is a reminder that we’re fighting for a different future. We are closer than ever before to ending this disease, but we have more work left.

“We hope that everyone impacted in our community will join us by starting a Walk team. By helping us raise awareness and funds, our chapter can continue to provide free care and support services for families facing the disease today, as well as invest in research to finally find a cure,” said Sagarin.

More than 6 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s disease, including 410,000 New Yorkers. It’s not only a leading cause of death in the U.S., more than 11 million family members and friends provide unpaid care to people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. The Albany Walk is supported by local presenting sponsor, The Kerry Crew Charitable Gift Fund. The goal for this year’s Albany walk is to raise $350,000.

To register, visit alz.org/walk.

CPL is located at 85 S. Main St., Castleton, NY. All events are free. Questions? Call 518-732-0879.

Events & Take-Home Kit:

Take & Make: Monster Puppets – Kits available for pick-up 10/2 through 10/28 – Celebrate the spookiest time of the year with fun paper bag monster puppets you can make at home!

CPL Board of Trustees Meeting – Mon., 10/16, 7:00pm – Monthly meeting of the library’s Board of Trustees. Members of the public are welcome to attend.

Pajama Storytime – Tue., 10/17, 6:00pm – Feel free to wear your pajamas or bring a stuffed animal friend to this evening storytime! Ages birth-8.

Afternoon Book Club – Wed., 10/18, 1:00pm – Join us the third Wednesday of each month for a book discussion! Books available at the front desk. This month’s book is How the Word is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery across America by Clint Smith.

Friends of CPL Meeting – Wed., 10/18, 5:30pm – Want to help support and raise funds for CPL? Come join the Friends! All are welcome.

Special Storytime: Bird Migration – Thu., 10/19, 10:30am – At this special storytime with an environmental educator from Schodack Island State Park, we’ll learn about why birds fly south for the winter!

Teen Time: Cookie Decorating – Thu., 10/19, 4:00pm – Decorate tasty cookies using frosting, icing, and more fun toppings! For teens in 6th-12th grades.

Bridge Club – Fri., 10/20, 10:30am – Come play bridge with us! Geared toward beginners and players who need a refresher.

Edible Art – Fri., 10/20, 11:00am-2:00pm – Create your own unique artistic sculptures and structures out of food and eat them when you’re all finished!

Paint a Mini Pumpkin – Sat., 10/21, 11:00am-3:00pm – Come paint a mini pumpkin to decorate your home for Halloween!

Thurs. 9/12 – 6:00 PM: We’re celebrating Spanish Heritage Month by making paper alebrijes! Alebrijes were invented during the 20th century and made popular by Mexican artists Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. Though we will be making ours from cardstock, alebrijes were originally made from papier-mâché, and later from carved wood. They are meant to remind us not to be afraid to pursue adventure, new opportunities, and to remember to see the beauty and magic that surrounds us. Registration is not required for this program, but would be greatly appreciated! You can add your name to the sign-up sheet in the library or give us a call at 518-283-3721 to register.

Mon. 9/16 – 11:00 AM: During the Mini Musicians program your littlest musicians will use their voices, bodies, & instruments to sing, play, create, and explore the world of music. Mini Musicians is held on the 3rd Monday of each month at 11:00 and is led by Ms. Kate.

Wed. 10/18 – 6:00 PM: Children are invited to another fun and challenging STEM program with Ms. Phil. During October’s STEM program children will attempt to build their own da Vinci Bridge using chopsticks. Leonardo da Vinci’s self-supporting bridge was a remarkable feat of engineering. It required no nails or ropes to hold it together and could be carried into any battlefield and assembled by just a handful of men. Registration is required for this program. Please call the library at 518-283-3721 to reserve your seat.

Thurs. 10/19 – 4:30 – 6:30 PM: Think green this Halloween! Save money and reduce waste by participating in our Halloween Costume Swap. Donations of clean, gently used costumes are currently being accepted. On Thursday, 10/19, between 4:30 – 6:30, guest can pick out a “new to you” costume. All costumes, masks, and accessories will be free and available on a first come, first serve basis.

For more info on any of our programming or events please visit www.PoestenkillLibrary.org/calendar.

You don’t want to miss this community affair that Connecting Point Church <FZ,5,0,68>is hosting in our courtyard set in Medieval times. The Royal Fun Faire will be filled with a variety of games, activities, prizes, roaming minstrels, candy, and prandial (lunch). Admission is free! Lunch is free! Everything is free!

Let’s recapture some glory from the Dark Ages…bring the throngs with you. Fare thee well!

When: Saturday, October 28, 2023. Time: 12 noon – 4:00pm. Rain date: Sunday, October 29th, 2:00-6:00pm. Location: 568 Columbia Turnpike, East Greenbush, in the Van Den Houten Square, across from Dunkin Donuts.

For more information, visit www.connectingpoint.church

Connecting Point Church is the friendly neighborhood church that endeavors to offer alternative ways of keeping your children safe on Halloween. Be sure to dress up!

This summer was the busiest in the history of the Poestenkill Library. Patrons of the member libraries in the Upper Hudson Library system were encouraged to visit as many of the 36 libraries as possible as part of the 2023 Upper Hudson Library Expedition. Between April 3 and July 31, Poestenkill Library welcomed 1,110 Expeditioners. Other summer numbers include 986 visitors in June, 1292 visitors in July, 895 visitors in August, 28,140 minutes read by 123 Summer Reading participants, 1 tractor and 1 excavator to Construction Storytime.

Did you know? The Poestenkill Library now provides free notary services. Please see www.poestenkilllibrary.org for appointment details.

Seasonal Tablerunner Wednesday, Oct 11 at 6:30pm OR Thursday, Oct. 12 at 1:30pm. Basic sewing skills helpful. Class limit is 5-6 adults. Call to register and get required materials list.

Lego Club Tuesdays 3:30 – 6:00. We have the blocks, you supply the imagination!

SLTL Storytime Wednesdays at 11am; 10/18 theme is Nursery Rhymes.

Bring Your Own Device Drop-in Tech Help on Wednesday Oct. 18, 11am – 12pm.

SLTL Board Meeting Thursday, Oct. 19 at 6:45pm.

SLTL Friends Meeting, Tuesday, Oct. 24 at 6:30pm.

Calling all knitters & crocheters! Bring your current project to the library on Thursday, Oct. 26 at 1:30pm. Knit/crochet while making new friends. Future date/times to be decided.

Pumpkin Decorating with the SLTL Friends on Saturday, Oct. 28 between 11 & 12.

Museum passes are available for The Clark, MASS MoCA, Hancock Shaker Village, Norman Rockwell Museum, & the Albany Institute of History and Art.

Check the Community Calendar at sandlaketownlibrary.org for events around town. Submit non-profit community events to info@nullsandlaketownlibrary.org with the subject “calendar.”

Located at 8428 Miller Hill Road, Averill Park. Hours: M-TH 11 – 8; F 11 – 4; Sat 10 – 2. Closed Monday, Oct.9. Call 518-674-5050 with questions or to register for programs.

Open Mon-Thu 9a-8p; Fri 10a-6p; Sat 10a-5p; Sun 1-5p. The drive-thru closes 15 min. before the library. We offer programs for adults, teens & kids. Register: https://events.eglibrary.org, call 518-477-7476, or stop in at 10 Community Way, E. Greenbush.

Join us 10/7-10/29 for the Great Greenbush Quest, a townwide clue hunt through the towns of East Greenbush and Schodack to find the hidden treasure! Register in person at the library.

10/13 (12-5), 10/14 (10-4) & 10/15 (11-3 bag sale only): Friends Fall Book Sale–Huge selection of books, media & puzzles for all ages at great prices!

10/13, 11-2p: EGPD Drug Take Back Day at the library. Accepting unused or expired medication for safe disposal. No needles or fluids accepted.

10/16, 6pm: AARP: We Need to Talk – Conversations with Older Drivers. AARP presents guidance to families in determining when it’s time for their loved ones to limit or stop driving. Register.

10/18, 1pm: The Legal Project- Elder Law Assistance Program. Register.

10/19, 1pm: 3rd Thursday Movie- Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Register.

10/22, 2p: Albany-Hudson Electric Trail Trolleys, Trails & Tales. An illustrated talk about the corporate, social, and technological history of the “Albany-Hudson Fast Line.” Accompanying exhibit on display in library 10/16-11/30. Register.

A Rabies Clinic is scheduled for Saturday, October 14 at the Schodack Town Garage. You MUST register to participate. All information and registration is on our website: townofsandlake.us.

If you need assistance please call my office: 518-674-2026 Ext. 122 and we will assist you. NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets require all dogs to be licensed. Please obey the law.

Barbara Hansen, Town Clerk, bhansen@nullsand-lake.us.

Pumpkin time is just around the corner! Make Halloween and autumn crafts at our Thursday Crafternoons in the library’s children’s room, from 3-5 PM. Engage your preschoolers with songs, stories, and crafts at Storytime, 11 AM every Tuesday in the North Greenbush Town Hall Annex.

Information technology expert Michelle St Louis from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rensselaer County will answer all your tech-related questions at the library on Wednesday, October 18, at 1 PM. Call the library to set up a 15-minute appointment. Then bring your phone, laptop, or tablet!

Come build your city at our next LEGO Club meeting on Monday, October 23, 5:30-6:30 in the children’s room. We supply the LEGO!

The graphic novel “Spirit Week” by Ira Marcks will be discussed at our next Tween Book Club (ages 10-13) meeting, Saturday, October 21, at 12:30 PM. Come for a discussion, stay for a snack and a craft. Books are available at the circulation desk.

Our adult book club will discuss “A Flicker in The Dark”, by Stacey Willingham, on Wednesday, October 23, at 6:30 PM. Books are available at the circulation desk. Call the library for the Zoom meeting link.

Our third annual Halloween Hullabaloo is fast approaching! Save the date, Saturday, October 28, from 10:30 AM to 1 PM. Details to follow!

Library hours are Monday-Friday, 10 AM to 7 PM, and Saturday, 10 AM to 2 PM. Questions? Call the library at 518-283-0303.

Sunday, October 15, service will be at 9 am. Coffee hour follows in the Hearth Room.

Hot Mess Crafters meets on Wednesday at 10 am. Bible Study meets later at 2. All are welcome. Thrift Shop is open every Thursday from 3-6 and Saturday, October 21, from 9-2. . Halloween costumes are here. Come in to make your selection.

The Church of the Redeemer is an Episcopal church located on at the corner of Third and Catherine Streets. There is handicap parking, a ramp in front, and a parking lot in the rear. Fr. Robert Haskell may be emailed at rhaskell2@nullnycap.rr.com.

TROY – Saint John’s is hosting its fourth annual Trunk or Treat on Sunday, October 29, from 2:00pm until 4pm. Come bring kids of all ages to receive “treats” as they visit the elaborately-decorated “trunks” of cars, trucks, vans, parked in the parking lot of Saint John’s, directly across from the church. It promises to be a fun time for all, and a chance to enjoy the creativity of the trunks on display as well as the imagination of the children’s costumes.

Sunday in-person worship gathers at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. The 8 a.m. spoken service follows a more ancient Eucharistic Rite in Elizabethan English. The 10 a.m. modern Eucharistic Rite is preceded by hymns on the tower chime and is both live-streamed and in-person. Hymns are accompanied on the regal pipe organ, and Communion music is often from contemporary repertoire. For more information about music at Saint John’s, be in touch with Tiffany Dzembo, Choir Director, at tdzembo@nullstjohnstroy.org. Coffee hour follows in the gym after the 10 a.m. service. Join us!

Sunday School has resumed! Children can draw near to God as they reflect on passages of Scripture and elements of liturgy in a hands-on curriculum, Sundays, starting at 9:15am. For information about this or upcoming events, including Trunk or Treat, be in touch with Gaby Gastelum, Children’s Christian Education Director, at ggastelum@nullstjohnstroy.org.

Our next food pantries, which include fresh produce, will be Saturday, October 7, from 10 until noon., and Saturday, November 4. All are welcome.

All activities are at 146 1st Street in Troy (518)274-5884. The Rector, the Rev. Judith Malionek, can be reached also at rev.jmalionek@nullstjohnstroy.org.

Sunday, October 29, Evangelical Lutheran Church, Route 351, Poestenkil.l

5pm – Dinner (German wursts, sauerkraut, potato salad). Seating is limited – RSVP for dinner is required 518.269.6268 or steven.f.keller@nullgmail.com by October 20.

6:15PM – Movie – “Luther” – This film traces Luther’s extraordinary and exhilarating quest for reform within the Catholic church. Donations of money or non-perishable food for the Bread of life Food Pantry gratefully accepted.

Stock up on jigsaw puzzles for your winter entertainment, at another huge sale of good condition used puzzles to benefit the Poestenkill Library. The friends of the library will offer hundreds of puzzles on the library lawn (9 Plank Road, 12140) on Saturday, October 21, from 9 – 12.

The rain date will be Sunday, October 22. Come right at the start to get your first choices of puzzles by Wysocki, Pomegranate, White Mountain, Ravensburger, Hometown, and many other good brands.

Puzzles will be displayed by number of pieces. Prices are $6 for 1000 pieces, $4 for 500 to 1000 pieces, and $2 for fewer than 500 pieces. For more information about the puzzle sale contact Marcia at 518-283-5353 after October 8. This year the Library Friends will also offer selected crafting materials alongside the puzzle sale, including premium yarns and knitting accessories.

665 Brunswick Rd. (Rt.2) Eagle Mills. Sunday, October 22nd, doors open at 11:00 AM. Raffles start at 1:00 PM.

$10.00 cover charge includes lunch, drinks, dessert and 2 pages of raffle tickets.

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED, CALL EARLY TO RESERVE A TABLE. Call Dee at 518 281-5088 or Dorothy at 518 279-4824.

Columbia High School is one of eight high schools in New York State that was named a National Banner Unified Champion School by Special Olympics New York earlier this fall. The distinction marks the highest level of achievement for Unified Champion Schools in the nation, recognizing their leadership in creating an inclusive school community where all students are accepted and celebrated.

Columbia offers Unified Sports teams in basketball and bowling, which brings together students from regular education and special education classes to compete on the same teams. There is also an informal cheer team that supports the basketball team at games.

“Unified Sports creates a space for inclusion, friendships, physical activity and fun,” said Columbia Unified Basketball Coach Audra Di Bacco, who works as a school social worker. “We see student athletes in our program challenge negative perceptions of people with intellectual disabilities by highlighting their capabilities instead.”

Columbia formed the Unified Basketball team 10 years ago, and then added Bowling in 2015-16.

Unified Sports are offered in partnership through Special Olympics New York and New York State Public High School Athletic Association.

The Columbia Unified Basketball team has served as a model for other schools locally, and five years ago, the team won a bronze medal at the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games in Seattle.

Columbia also provides a Devils for Inclusion club that supports the unified teams and a positive school climate for all.

Local author, Jim Flanigan, will give a presentation as part of the Authors Series at the Sand Lake Center for the Arts on Thursday, October 19th at 7:00 PM.

Flanigan is the author of three books, “Up From Second Street”, “The Great 2020 Paper Chase” and “ People, Places and Politics”. His writings draw from his early years in South Troy, growing up in Wynantskill, his work with people with disabilities and his 24 years as an elected official.

Flanigan’s memoirs include the New Year’s Day flood in South Troy, the day the Wynantskill School burned down, the murder trial of a fellow Town Board member, the development of the Rensselaer Technology Park, the fight against a casino in East Greenbush, the search for toilet paper during the pandemic and the account of a native of Wynantskill who played a key role in the release of the Iranian hostages.

He also has written about travels to Italy, Alaska, Ireland and a fire tower in Idaho. The event is free and Flanigan will be available for signing copies of his books. The Sand Lake Center for the Arts is located at 2880 NY Route 43 in Avril Park.

October 29th, 2023 the Meeting for the Capital District Chapter Columbiettes will be held at St. Isaac Jogues Knights of Columbus Council #11428, at Sacred Heart Church Parish Center, 53 Mohican Street, Lake George, N.Y. 12845. (Directions; Northway I -87 North to Exit 21, take a right off the exit then a left at traffic light, follow signs to Rt. 9 North to Lake George, just past the Fort William Henry Hotel take a left on Mohican St. continue to the Parish Center).

An Initiation Ceremony for New Columbiette Members will precede the Chapter Meeting! Capital District Chapter President, Linda Cotch, will preside!

This year the Friends of the Poestenkill Library will offer selected crafting materials alongside their jigsaw puzzle sale. This sale will highlight premium yarns and knitting accessories along with a variety of other craft supplies. Something for children and adults. Stop by and stock up. Sale is on the library lawn from 9 to noon on October 21st Rain date is October 22nd.

Help Support Local Charities – St. Jude the <FZ,7,0,68>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.

Your donation supports the Knights to raise money for the Coats for Kids Drive and gets warm winter coats to families 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!

Tuesday, October 24 at 7pm on Zoom

For October 2023, we will read Silent Spring by Rachel Carson, in any edition. First published by Houghton Mifflin in 1962, Silent Spring alerted a large audience to the environmental and human dangers of indiscriminate use of pesticides, spurring revolutionary changes in the laws affecting our air, land, and water. “Silent Spring became a runaway bestseller, with international reverberations . . . [It is] well crafted, fearless and succinct . . . Even if she had not inspired a generation of activists, Carson would prevail as one of the greatest nature writers in American letters” (Peter Matthiessen, for Time’s 100 Most Influential People of the Century).

This book is available through the Upper Hudson Library System, at Market Block Books, and through other book sellers.

Register for the email list on our website: www.rensselaerplateau.org/events

Troy Public Library (Main) is located at 100 2nd Street, Troy, NY. The Lansingburgh Branch is located at 27 114th Street, Troy, NY. Cafe Euphoria is located at 225 River St, Troy, NY. All events are free and open to the public. Registration may be required and is designated with an “RR.” Call (518) 274-7071 with any questions or to register.

Fall Recipe Swap & Cookbook Making – Monday, Oct. 16, 3 p.m. (Main) Come with your favorite cozy fall-themed recipes and create an autumn-themed recipe book! RR

Brick Builders Uptown – Monday, Oct. 16, 3:30 p.m. (Lansingburgh) Join us for some lightly structured Lego fun! For ages 5+.

Learn to Draw the Human Eye – Tuesday, Oct. 17, 3:00 p.m. (Online) Learn how to improve your observation skills to draw the human eye more accurately. RR

Dungeons and Dragons! – Wednesday, Oct. 18, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. (Lansingburgh) Join gamemaster Ernst as he leads you through perilous adventuring and epic storytelling. RR

Wednesday Evening Knit & Crochet Group – Wednesday, Oct. 18, 6 p.m. (Main) Join like-minded fiber crafters to work on your projects and have a good time!

Sci-Fi/ Fantasy Book Club – Wednesday, Oct. 18, 6:30 p.m. (Main) Join us for our brand new book club! This month we will be discussing Dark Matter by Blake Crouch.

Fiber In the Morning! – Thursday, Oct. 19, 10 a.m. (Lansingburgh) Join us for this informal stitching group. Bring your knitting, crochet, sewing, needlepoint, or other lovely stitch-based craft!

Microsoft Excel Basics Part 2 – Thursday, Oct. 19, 2 p.m. (Main) Come learn the ins and outs of Microsoft Excel in this second course. Laptops will be provided. RR

1st Annual Fall Fest! – Saturday, Oct. 21, 12:00 p.m. to 4 p.m. (Main) Celebrate the season with the Troy Public Library’s first-ever Fall Festival! Join us for pumpkin and gourd painting, family scarecrow making, a spooky storywalk, face painting, tarot reading, a thriller/mystery/horror book sale, a bake sale, live music, and more!

Thursday, October 19, 2023 at 7pm on Zoom

Stephentown-based artist Stephen Pentak will present his work as a painter and the relationship between that work and life living at the edge of the Rensselaer Plateau. Stephen is Professor Emeritus of Art and former associate Dean of the College of the Arts at Ohio State University. He is the recipient of numerous awards and fellowships and has taught internationally. He is also the co-author of a best-selling textbook, Color Basics, which is a guide to color theory and application for the beginning student. His work is in various public and private collections, including The Columbus Museum of Art and The Wexner Center.

Pre-registration is required. The suggested voluntary donation is $5, though any amount is welcome. Register on our website: www.rensselaerplateau.org/events.

ELECTION DAY POLLING LOCATIONS for the Town of North Greenbush residents.

Election Day is November 7, 2023. All locations open @ 6:00 a.m. and close @ 9:00 p.m.

Districts 1, 3, 4 and 7 vote @ Town Hall, 2 Douglas Street. Districts 2 & 6 vote @ Defreestville Fire House, 350 North Greenbush Road. Districts 5 & 8 vote St. Michael’s church, 175 Williams Road.

If you should have a questions about your voting location in North Greenbush, please do not hesitate to call my office @ 518-283-4306 and we will be happy to assist in any way we can.

Please disregard the “Important Notice “ flyer you received with your East Greenbush school tax bill. That flyer is not for any property parcels in the Town of Schodack. It was mistakenly inserted with the mailing of tax bills. Please follow the payment information that is listed on your bill.

Both Schodack Central School and East Greenbush Central School Tax Bills are in the penalty period. All payments must include the 2% late fee to be processed as paid.

Payments can be mailed to Receiver of Taxes, P.O. <FZ,8,0,68>Box 436, East Schodack, NY 12063, dropped in the green box next to the Town Hall entrance door or paid online with an e-check at Schodack.org for a $1.75 fee. Please write current phone number on your check in case we need to contact you about your payment. After October 31st no payments will be accepted at this office and must be paid to Rensselaer County Bureau of Finance.

Office hours for October are Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9-4pm and Saturday 10/28 between 9-11am. If you have any questions or concerns please contact me at 518-477-7935, Shawn Masters, Receiver of Taxes.

We are proud to announce the new Town of North Greenbush Community Recreation Complex at Snyder’s Lake is progressing on schedule. “This new, community recreation building will be home to a brand new site for our summer camp for our youth, featuring a brand new concession stand serving healthy snacks, new kitchen with coolers, refrigeration and area to make popcorn and hotdogs,” reported Supervisor Joe Bott.

“This has been a well-planned project which includes a spacious community room with views overlooking the lake and state of the art media room which can be used for activities for our youth, meeting space, movies nights and events for our seniors,” indicated Councilwoman Kelly Hoffman. There are large restrooms and private changing areas, office space for our medical personnel and camp staff. The outside has been transformed into a beautiful oasis where a new patio will house adirondack chairs and tables to eat outside or for our residents to sit and enjoy reading a book in the fresh air. New picnic tables will be in place under the pavilion which will house several cookers for those renting it for events. Brand new docks have already been installed and we have received positive feedback from those who kayak and launch from the new dock system. Stay tuned for more information as we get closer to our ribbon cutting and tours of the complex as we continue to invest in new programs for our summer camp, as well as having an inviting space for our community to use year round.

Looking to Volunteer?

Community Caregivers, a nonprofit agency, continues to expand in Rensselaer County! We have over 60 clients but not enough volunteers to serve 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 and we work around volunteer’s schedules. Call Heidi Buono, Rensselaer County Service Coordinator, at (518)925-8794 or Izzy Abrams at (518) 456-2898 to receive information on volunteering. We have also paired with AmeriCorps to provide older volunteers with stipends based on their income and hours. To learn more or donate to our agency, see Community Caregivers.org.

Bring your bag and have some fun! We have great finds due to the generosity of your wonderful people that have donated to our little boutique.

We are open 9am to 3pm and close 12 to 12:30 to serve lunch.

Come shop and stay for lunch with a reservation.

As you turn your closet from summer to winter please continue to think of us with your donation.

For more information or to make a lunch reservation or a donation give us a call at Call (518) 463-2166. We are open from 9am to 3pm Monday thru Friday.

We are located on East and Herrick Streets in Rensselaer across the street from the Amtrak Train Station.

Sand Lake Senior Club

The Sand Lake Seniors have put together a 3 days/2nights trip to Niagara Falls, Canadian side for Oct 16th through the 18th.

A valid ENHANCED Driver’s License or a current PASSPORT is required. We will be staying at the Holiday Inn Fallsview which is across the street from the Fallsview Casino (Bonus $35/pp).

Two breakfasts and 2 dinners are included one of which is at the Skylon Tower. Enjoy the 20 minute Hornblower Cruise of the Falls! There is a guided full day tour of historic Niagara on the Lake where you can lunch on your own followed by a wine tasting at a local vineyard.

A ride on the Skywheel prior to departure for home as well as a Duty Free stop at the border.

All taxes, meal and driver gratuities are included in the price: $509/pp/DBL, $639/pp/SNG, $499/pp/TPL. Contact Bette Bieg 518-663-8292 for reservations or questions.

VFW Post 7338, East Greenbush, located at 100 Hayes Road, is available to handle all of your family gatherings/activities, whether inside or outside!

We can be your 1st choice for Weddings, Showers, Anniversaries, Holiday Parties, High School Graduations, Club Meetings, get-togethers for families and friends or a quiet place to have a Celebration of Life of a loved one that passed.

We have a seating capacity for 125 people! We also have an Outdoor Pavilion which can accommodate any size party or gathering, along with a large outside Barbeque Pit! We offer reasonable rates and appreciate your business! As everyone knows we offer a Delicious Pancake Breakfast, usually on the 3rd Sunday of every month!

Donations are always welcome and very much appreciated!

Please contact us by emailing us at VFWpost7338@nullgmail.com or calling Ginny at 518-479-0767 and leave a message with your name, number and your request. She will return your call ASAP. (We do not have a person at the Post to return calls.) Thank you for your support!

VFW Post 7338, East Greenbush, at 100 Hayes Road is extending an invitation to all veterans in the community!

If you are a veteran, you are invited to visit our Post to see if you are qualified to be a member of this great organization here in our local community! If you are a veteran, and looking to contribute to your community, this is the place to be! We are open and have been for some time! We invite you to be a member of the world’s largest veteran organization!

Joining the VFW as a Life Member or as an ongoing Member can also make your family members eligible to join our VFW auxiliary. If you are already a Veteran, they are eligible to join the Auxiliary We need new members of our Post to help run our Post properly, and to continue to help YOU, our veterans, your families and our community. We want to continue to administer the many programs that will help us to keep our East Greenbush VFW post active for many years to come. Please consider joining our organization.

We have monthly Pancake Breakfasts, usually on the 3rd Sunday of the month! (Except July and August). Every month or so we are planning additional dinners alternating between either a Chicken Bake, Spaghetti or Roast Beef. Recently, we just had a successful “Night at the Club” with light fare, music provided by a DJ and dancing. We are open to the public and offer our hall for your meeting or family affair! We have a seating capacity for 125 people! We can be your 1st choice for Weddings, Baby Showers, Anniversaries, Birthday Parties, Get-togethers for families and friends or a quiet place to have a Celebration of Life of a loved one that has passed. We offer reasonable rates and can accommodate your wishes!

Please contact us by emailing us at VFWpost7338@nullgmail.com or calling 518-477-7770 and leave a message with your name and number. Your message will be forwarded to another number which is checked every day. Your tel. call will be returned.

A committee of five war veterans has launched a new Wreaths Across America drive to commemorate veterans buried in three Rensselaer County cemeteries.

Retired Army Col. John Brownrigg, a Vietnam War veteran, committee chairman, and his helpers Paul Glasser Sr., Navy Seabee veterans of the Vietnam War, Bill Glasser, an Army veteran of the Korean War, Paul Glasser Jr., a Marine veteran of the Persian Gulf War, and Dave Barnum, an Army veteran of the Vietnam War, are promoting the sposnorship of wreaths through the national Wreaths Across America organization at $17 each.

“The Veterans of Sand Lake and its Averill Park Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion posts have been sanctioned to put Wreaths Across America wreaths on veterans’ graves,” said Brownrigg. “Our objective is to place a wreath on each of the veterans’ graves in Elmwood Cemetery in West Sand Lake, St. Henry’s Cemetery in Averill Park and the Sand Lake Union Cemetery.

The decorative wreaths will be placed on those graves of veterans who fought in the Revolutionary War through the present.

“The goal of Veterans of Sand Lake is to support efforts that help unify our community and celebrate our freedom by thanking the 675 veterans that rest in these cemeteries with the placement of live, balsam, veteran’s wreath,” he added

The wreaths will be placed on the graves on National Wreaths Across America Day Dec. 16 to remember the fallen, honor those who served and teach the next generation the value of freedom, Brownrigg added.

So, when families and friends who visit the gravesites will see grave decorated during the Christmas holidays as a way to let the visitors know the fallen are not forgotten for service to our country, he said.

Veterans of Sand Lake will receive $5 for the sponsorship of each wreath, according to Brownrigg.

That money will benefit veterans programs, homeless veterans, the Fischer House in Albany, employment transition programs and Averill Park High School scholarships.

To sponsor a wreath online, visit wreathsacrossamerica.org/NYO463P. For more information, contact John Brownrigg at (518) 281-7090 or jbrownrigg2015@nullgmail.com.

“Wreaths Across America is a nonprofit organization founded and to expand the annual wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery begun by Main businessman Morrill Worchester in 1992,” said Sean Sullivan, WAA spokesman. “The effort has expanded to more than 3,700 locations in 50 states.”

The Stephentown Historical Society Road Challenge on Saturday, October 21, will combine a quiz about the “only Stephentown on Earth” with a road rally for an enjoyable forty-mile jaunt around town and a chance to earn a prize. Think scavenger hunt! Individuals or teams of two to five will follow clues to drive the route and complete a quiz to earn points. Ten extra points will be awarded per team for wearing or purchasing a SHS T-shirt the day of the Challenge. Registration can be done right up to the day of the event, either online using the link on the Stephentown Historical Society website, www.stephentown-historical.org, or in person at the Heritage Center (open Fridays from 1 to 4). The first 20 teams to preregister will earn a $10 gift certificate toward the Stephentown Volunteer Fire Department Roast Beef Dinner that same day. The entry fees are $15 for an individual and $20 for a team. Three prizes will be awarded: $250, $100, and $50. If you have any questions or need additional information, contact Ellen Jennings at 518-733-5923 or Bev McClave at 518-733-5170.

The Road Challenge starts at the Stephentown Heritage Center on Garfield Road (4 Staples Road) at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 21. The teams meet back there at 5:00 p.m. for apple cider and cider doughnuts and to determine the winners. What a great way to celebrate autumn and learn more about your community.

Scheduled for Tuesday, October 17th

Albany, NY – The Capital District Women’s Employment and Resource Center (WERC) is excited to announce that WERC’s 2023 Constellation Building Event: Recharge Your Light From Within So We Can Shine Brighter Together will be held on Tuesday October 17, 2023 from 11:30am to 1:30pm at the Hilton Garden Inn, 235 Hoosick Street, Troy.

The Capital District Women’s Employment & Resource Center (WERC) is thrilled to host a special luncheon program, featuring two remarkable individuals renowned for their dedication for empowering women and fostering well-being through the magic of laughter.

We are honored to introduce this year’s distinguished guests: Benita Zahn, a certified health and wellness coach, motivational speaker, podcaster, and journalist, alongside Jennifer McMullen, a seasoned human resources professional with a talent for comedy. Together, they will lead a program crafted to deliver a refreshing and uplifting experience, brimming with light-hearted camaraderie.

Proceeds from this luncheon event will provide support for WERC’s Programs and Students. Tickets are $65 per person. All are welcome to attend. Chances to win incredible prize giveaways are also on sale to raise additional funds.

For more details on the event, information about sponsorship opportunities or to purchase tickets, visit: http://cdwerc.org.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church located at 772 NY Hwy 351 in Poestenkill is now offering a casual “come as you are” evening worship with communion on the first and third Thursdays of every month at 6:45 pm. Please feel free to join us for this time of prayer and reflection.

We serve low-income individuals and families in and around the Poestenkill area. Open on the first and third Thursdays of each month from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm. We offer a once-a-month three-day supply of food and non-food items of your choosing. We also carry wipes and diapers for infants and toddlers up to size six.

On a second monthly visit, we offer a partial food request of eggs, bread, milk card and fresh produce available plus a free extras table for you to choose from.

We invite you to come and check out what we offer and take home a supply of food to help your food dollars go further. We are located at the Evangelical Lutheran Church, 776 Rt. 351, Poestenkill, NY 12140. Any questions, call (518) 283-6045 and leave your name and phone number. Come and visit us.