Wednesday April 24, 2024 
Town Of Sand Lake Fall Update – History News
The autumn has been beautiful with lots of history related activities going on. The Sand Lake Historical Society programs for September and October were well attended. My presentation, Crooked Lake Hotel: From Stagecoach Stop to Old Daley highlighted owners Janice and Marty Kearney telling stories about the hotel, as well as all the history the community has shared with them. We are lucky to have owners that realize how important this place is to our town’s history. The October meeting featured Rensselaer County Historian, Kathy Sheehan. The Sand Lake Center for the Arts had a full house for her presentation on the Gilded Age in Troy. If you haven’t seen the HBO series, it is worth viewing just to see Troy locations become the star of the show.
You may have seen work going on at the old Nash/Horton store in Sand Lake. Some may remember this as the Country Token or Jill’s Hidden Garden. I had an opportunity to meet Amanda Goyer, the owner of what will soon be the Sand Lake Merchant. Amanda is working hard to protect the integrity of the structure as she recreates an old-fashioned general store and cafe featuring local products with a small meeting space upstairs. Another new venture in West Sand Lake also deserves mention. Dater House and Friends Antiques, owned by Cindy Johnson had it’s grand opening a few weeks ago. The business, housed in the old Knights of Pythias Hall features Americana antiques of the highest quality. If you have a chance stop in to welcome this new business to town.
The Sand Lake Town Hall lobby has been spruced up with new paint, wall art and artifacts from Sand Lake. The last thing I must do is provide descriptions for each piece. The two display cases feature Averill Family Artifacts and old town photos. Our own historical museum exhibit is nearly complete.
Speaking of exhibits, the Sand Lake Historical Society and I have been working on a historical exhibit for the Sand Lake Center for the Arts during the months of November and December. The Now and Then feature of the show is very interesting when we think about all we have lost and the importance of preserving and protecting the historic structures we still have. The new exhibit opened November 5th.
Thank You From Nassau Resource Center
The Nassau Resource Center thanks everyone who participated in making this year’s auction its most successful one yet.
News From Averill Park CSD
Averill Park High School held its Career Fair recently and more than 25 vendors attended, including representatives from colleges, trades, the military, construction, healthcare, and more. Thank you to all who were involved in bringing this great event to our students!
Congratulations to Ava Bradley for being named Principal for the Day at Poestenkill Elementary School. Ava earned the reward by being the top fundraiser at the school’s Fun Run Boosterthon. Principal Bradley worked with Principal Gela, had lunch with friends and SRO Deputy Nikles, declared that there would be extra recess for all Kindergarten classes, and more. Great job, Ava!
In his 12th and final season coaching boys varsity golf, Coach Conroy led the team to its first-ever Section 2 championship. We thank Coach for everything he has done for the school community and the golf program.
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
Deck the Halls – Muitzeskill & Schodack Landing
Join your neighbors to celebrate the holidays. Decorate your home between 11/25/2022 – 1/1/2023. Register your street address by 12/9/2022 at 4cpmuitzeskill@nullgmail.com to win prizes and to be included on a list of decorated homes. The list of street addresses will be publicized. Prizes will be awarded by random drawing from registered addresses.
This event is organized by The Four Corners Partnership. The mission of The Partnership is to promote and provide quality activities and services that will contribute to the physical, emotional and social well-being of our community. FB.com/FCPcommunityhouse.
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.
Sand Lake Residents Household Hazardous Waste Day
November 19, 2022
The Town of Sand Lake, in collaboration with Rensselaer County, is sponsoring a Household Hazardous Waste Day on November 19, 2022.
For more information and registration go to the Town’s website: townofsandlake.us or call Town Clerk, Barbara Hansen, 518-674-2026 Ext. 122
New Children’s Book Released in Series Honoring 2008 APHS Grad Kasie Collins Released
Jennifer Barbic of Albany has released her newest children’s book in memory of her cousin, Kasie Collins, who passed away in 2018. Kasie was an honor graduate of APHS and SUNY Geneseo, with a Master’s Degree in Environmental Science from UMass, Amherst.
Ms. Barbic’s books celebrate Kasie’s adventurous spirit by spinning fantastical tales of a young Kasie and her loyal dog, Luna, who possess super powers that they use to save planet Earth from diabolical harm. The names of the books’ main characters change each year and are drawn from Kasie’s real life friends and family.
Books 1 and 2 began the series with the character of Jina’, in reference to Jina’ Ashline. Book 3 included a character named Kevin, in reference to Kevin Davidson, and book 4 includes a new character, Kaitlyn, referencing Kaitlyn Cahill Rowe. Additionally, all illustrations in the book are drawn and submitted by the children of Kasie’s family and friends. The cover of this year’s book, entitled Flower Power, was drawn by Mabel Rowe, age 7.
No profit is made from the sale of these books. 100% of the proceeds are donated directly to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, in memory of Kasie. All four books can be purchased at barnesandnoble.com by entering Adventures for Kasie in search box. Please help us in this fundraising campaign to combat the suicide epidemic. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call 988 or reach out to the AFSP by texting TALK to 74174.
The Anchor Food Pantry
In an effort to keep the citizens of the Town of Schodack informed for ways to aid the Anchor Food Pantry in their mission to help others we mention the following to pitch in.
Food donations of canned goods and tolletries can be dropped off at both Castleton Vilage Hall (lobby area) and Town of Schodack Town Hall at the Town Clerk’s offices drop box during regular business hours., Also 6 cent Redemption Center -9J- 550 South St-Rensselaer Ny is accepting bottle/can returns for the Anchor. Just let clerk on duty to credit the Anchor account. As always we thank all for their continued support of the food pantry.
Cornell Cooperative Extension Rensselaer County 4-H New York State Fair Selections
Several Cornell Cooperative Extension Rensselaer County 4-H members had their outstanding projects that were entered at the 2022 Schaghticoke Fair selected for the 2023 New York State Fair. The following 4-H members and projects were selected: Jessica Haynes (Record Book, Macramé), Hoosick Falls; Lucy Haynes (Quilling), Hoosick Falls; Kira Colarossi (Photography, Cookies), Melrose; Mia Brownell (Photography), Hoosick Falls; Ragan Retell (Corn Hole Game), Valley Falls; Allison Palladino (Photography), Valley Falls; Lillian Sliwinski (Creative Framing, Sewing), Waterford; Jameson Roberts (Clothing), Melrose; Glendora Kilmer (Hedgehog Book), Troy; Thomas Colarossi (Woodworking, Biscotti), Melrose; Mackenzie Diamond (Cookies, Pet Treats, Pies, Muffins, Ceramics), Wynantskill; Niko Colarossi (Coffee Cake), Melrose; Owen Campanella (Photography), Johnsonville; Brett Giglio (Painting), Petersburgh; Sydney Valcik (Painting), Buskirk; and Carlo Colarossi (Brownies), Melrose.
Fair exhibits have been an important part of the 4-H Youth Development Educational Program for over 100 years. Fair gives youth a platform to strive towards mastery in a project area through the process of showcasing their project, going through the evaluation process, and talking about the best parts and challenges they had in the project area. Research shows that when youth strive toward mastery and have a growth mindset they will put in extra time and effort leading to higher achievement. It’s exciting for 4-H members to showcase what they have learned; and in return they learn important things about their projects and themselves by going through the evaluation process and learning how to make their best better!
For more information about the Rensselaer County 4-H program, please contact Cornell Cooperative Extension Rensselaer County 4-H at 518-272-4210.
Hope 7 Food Pantry
TROY – The Hope 7 Food Pantry located at 520 Pawling Avenue, Troy NY serves the East Side of Troy, Wynantskill and North Greenbush.
Pantry Hours: Mon-Fri – 9:30am-11:45am; Thursday – 5pm-7pm. Last Saturday of each month 9:30am-11:45am
What to bring: Proof of residence (Troy’s East Side, North Greenbush, or Wynantskill) – (utility bill to your address in your name). ID’s for each person residing in household.
St. Jude the Apostle Knights of Columbus Bottle & Can Donations
Help Support Local Charities – St. Jude the Apostle Knights of Columbus has teamed up with 6 Center Redemption located at 461 Main Avenue in Wynantskill to accept bottle and can donations that have a NYS deposit.
This is to support local charities and those in need.
• Bring your clean, NYS deposit empties to 6 Center Redemption in Wynantskill.
• Say they are to support the St. Jude the Apostle Knights of Columbus.
• They do the rest, that’s it!
Thank you for your support!
FREE Helplines 24/7
ALCOHOLISM, DRUG ABUSE AND PROBLEM GAMBLING 877-846-7369 or Text 467369.
CHILD ABUSE is when a person does serious physical injury, creates a substantial risk of serious physical injury or engages in sex with a child in their care and when a caregiver allows someone else to abuse the child in their care in a similar manner. 518- 474-8740.
CRISIS FOR FOOD, HEALTH, HOUSING, HUMAN TRAFFICKING, EMPLOYMENT AND TRANSPORTATION: For non-emergency help for paying your bills or to help someone, get the most up-to-date information by calling United Way 3-digit number -211.
DOMESTIC ABUSE of an intimate partner is ‘ridiculing, humiliating, putdowns, isolating, manipulating, ordering, intimidating, threatening, beating, sexual coercion and controlling money’. The abused person, family member or friend can anonymously call one or more of these agencies: Unity House 518-272-2370; Equinox 518-432-7865; St. Peter’s Crime Victim Services 518-271-3257; YWCA NENY 518-374-3386; Wellspring 518-584-8188; National Domestic Violence Hotline 800-799-7233.
HELPING YOUNG PEOPLE WITH RELATIONSHIPS: Dating, personal safety and supporting others. 866-331-9474 or Text ‘LOVEIS’ to 22522.
HUMAN TRAFFICKING: Human trafficking crime occurs when a trafficker uses fraud or coercion against a person to solicit labor or engage in commercial sex acts. If the person engaged in commercial sex is under 18 years, it is a crime even when force, fraud, or coercion is not used. 888-373-7888 or Text 233733.
SEXUAL ASSAULT: Eight out of 10 sexual assaults are committed by someone who knows the victim. Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network 800-656.4673; Albany County sexual assault hotline 518-447-7716.
SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE offers confidential crisis and prevention resources for people in distress and their loved ones. Call 988 or 800-273-8255.
Newly Diagnosed with Parkinson’s? Consider Attending PD SELF – Parkinson’s Self-Efficacy Learning Forum
CAPITAL DISTRICT – A national program being offered in Albany. The program provides people newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s with an in-depth understanding of the disease and the tools to manage it with confidence. There is no cost to attend. Registration is required. Space is limited. Care partners are encouraged to attend.
This year the program, starting in September, has been adapted to be fully online. Find out more at www.cdparkinsons.org/pd-self
Knocking out Alzheimer’s
Team “Knocking out Alzheimer’s” is partnering with the Alzheimer’s Association.
Return your bottles and cans and help the Northeastern New York Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. Through an arrangement with
Six-Center Redemption , Two Locations:
461 Main Ave Wynantskill (Corner of Sharpe and Main Ave) & 550 South Street Rensselaer.
No need to count the cans or bottles, no waiting or standing in lines to feed your cans or bottles into a machine.
If you can’t drop off, contact us we will even pick up!
The Alzheimer’s Association will receive six cents for every container you donate to the cause. Simply drop off your containers and say:
“These are for the Alzheimer’s Association.”
The mission of the Alzheimer’s Association is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.
The first survivor of Alzheimer’s is out there, but we won’t get there without you.
Join the fight with your bottles & cans!
Check us out on face book : Knocking out Alzheimer’s
Hudson-Mohawk Search & Rescue is Looking for Volunteers to Join our Team
CAPITAL DISTRICT – If you enjoy being outdoors in the wilderness, working with others to help people, follow directions well and have a willingness to learn, then our SAR team might be for you! Prior knowledge is helpful, but definitely not required as we provide the training. Check out our website at: www.humsar.org for more information.
Search and Rescue Volunteers Needed
CAPITAL DISTRICT – the Tri-State Emergency Team is recruiting volunteers to provide wildland and underwater searches within a 100 mile radius of Waterrford, NY. This includes all aspects of field and underwater search. The Tri-State Emergency Team responds when requested by NYS Forest Rangers and other police agencies throughout New York State, Western Vermont and Massachusetts.
We are looking for certified scuba divers, experienced boat handlers, and people who enjoy hiking and the outdoors in general who wish to help people in need. The team will provide training and complete support as needed. Our headquarters is located in Waterford. Applicants need not live in Waterford to volunteer. If interested, please call 518-237-6744 or visit our website at www.tri-stateemergencyteam.org
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