Thursday April 25, 2024 
Historical Calendars Available
NORTH GREENBUSH – The 2021 North Greenbush Historical Calendar is now available for purchase. It contains old time pictures including Tess Alber’s Restaurant, Jordan’s Ice Cream Dairy in Defreestville, Snyder’s Lake photos and many others. The calendars are still only $10 and are available at the Town Clerk’s office in Wynantskill (283-4306) for pick up or mailed from the Town Clerk’s office for $12.00. Checks should be made out to the Town of North Greenbush. Town Historian Jim Greenfield in Defreestville (265-4254).
Kiwanis Helps Camp Adventure – A Lakeside Children’s Gem
SAND LAKE – As the fall colors start to turn to red, yellows and orange, the rhythm of summer camps also changes. Because of Covid-19 health restrictions Camp Adventure- a 15 acre day camp of the Boys and Girls Club of Southern Rensselaer County on the 3rd Burden Lake, Averill Park- never opened. The children couldn’t experience nature, swimming, boating and fishing as they have in past summers. That doesn’t mean that the camp was neglected. Without the revenue from camperships the Boys and Girls Club was strapped for the money for routine maintenance. On July 4th Kiwanians from the Van Rensselaer Division (Rensselaer County) stepped up to help Camp Adventure. During the next five months, Kiwanis member work crews dedicated over 700 hours to clear brush, raked in excess of 500 pounds of acorns from the beach, cleaned boats and canoes, properly disposed of old bicycles and useless items which accumulated over time, improved the road bed with 64 tons of gravel, modernized electrical fixtures and wiring up to code and scraped and painted buildings. In addition, improvements were made to the septic system to assure proper sanitation facilities for the children during the next camp season.
All this work was conducted under the watchful eye of a pair of American Bald Eagles. Their nest is on the property .It is about 8 feet in diameter and 75 feet from the ground in a pine tree overlooking the 3rd Burden Lake. Despite the work crews, the eagles successfully fledged 2 eaglets- a male and a female. The eaglets will develop the eagle coloration over the next 4 years. At that time, they will reach maturity and be able to begin other separate eagle nests in other territories. This testifies well for environmental practices by the EPA, the DEC and the Burden Lake Association to protect their habitat and expand the eagle population.
Next year will be another challenge to provide a wholesome children’s environment at Camp Adventure. We will need community support to re-open Camp Adventure in the spring of 2021. Come help us meet that demand. The Boys and Girls Club of Southern Rensselaer County will be ready to meet that challenge and provide a gem like experience for children.
Barnes Road Area Neighborhood Association Update
SAND LAKE – The Town of Sand Lake Planning Board, by a 4 to 2 vote, has voted to grant a special use permit for the Bailey party barn in an Agricultural District. Apparently one of the Board members, after abstaining when the matter was first brought up, changed her vote to yes when the matter was brought back to the Board, breaking the tie. The Board provided no explanation whatsoever for its actions, and addressed none of the the concerns expressed by the Barnes Road Area Neighborhood Association-an association of over 70 active members. The Planning Board majority completely ignored the over 40 substantive comments and letters submitted by the neighbors and their legal counsel. The majority of the Planning Board’s action is illegal and totally at odds with the Town’s zoning and Master Plan. The neighbors and the Association are not going away. The Association and many individuals will be taking the Town to court to reverse this inexplicable abdication of the Town Planning Board’s responsibilities.
It is the Town Board, of course, and not the Planning Board that will determine if the Town will expend the resources to hire and pay lawyers to defend this indefensible decision.
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rensselaer County Mitten Tree
RENSSELAER COUNTY – The weather is getting colder, and we want to support members of our community by providing cold weather gear to those in need. We are taking donations of items such as new gloves, hats, scarves, coats, etc. at our office to distribute. As the building is currently locked, please call the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rensselaer County office at 518-272-4210 to have a staff member meet you at the door to take your donation, or to assist you with picking up some winter clothing items.
Items will be available from the Mitten Tree starting the week of December 1st. If you or someone you know are in need of items, please feel free call for an appointment to pick up items at 61 State St. Troy NY 12180.
Nathan Lapinski of Averill Park Named to Dean’s List
AVERILL PARK – Nathan Lapinski named to the University of Maryland, Clark School of EngineeringDean’s List Spring 2020.
Santa Returns to Saratoga’s Star Radio
SARATOGA SPRINGS – Saratoga’s Star Radio is excited to bring back a warm family tradition for the holiday season, The Talk Live with Santa Show! For five evenings in December, parents can register their children to talk to Santa on Saratoga’s Star Radio. The program will air Tuesdays and Thursdays, December 8, 10, 15, 17 and 22 from 6-8PM.
“We are very excited to be bringing back a Saratoga holiday tradition for the community,” said Ricki Lee, owner of Saratoga’s Star Radio. “At a time when we crave connection with one another and preservation of family ideals and traditions, we look forward to delighting and exciting families with this holiday specialty programming.”
Locally owned and operated, Saratoga’s Star Radio offers a great mix of music, local news and relevant information to listeners living in the Saratoga region. The music focuses on classic hits from the 70s and 80s with a full playlist spanning 1960-2010. The target audience is 35+. Star Radio offers local and national news updates and connects Saratoga area listeners with what’s happening in their community.
“The Talk Live with Santa Show will be broadcast from our studios in downtown Saratoga,” said Fran Dingeman, General Manager of Saratoga’s Star Radio. “The show can be heard locally on 93.3FM, as well as globally via our mobile app and online stream at starsaratoga.com,” she said. Ms. Dingeman continued, “This year, when traditional in-person visits with Santa will not be possible, Star Radio is happy to share the magic of Santa through phone calls with children; and we’ll broadcast their conversations for friends and relatives near and far to enjoy! We ask parents to register their children for this limited specialty programming by going to StarSaratoga.com. Parents will be contacted prior to the broadcast.”
To Love A Child Announces Annual Angel Match $10,000 Challenge
CAPITAL DISTRICT – To Love A Child, Inc., a local 501(c)3 nonprofit organization announces its Annual Angel Match $10,000 Challenge. An anonymous “angel” has pledged to match every donation during the month of December up to a $10,000 total. Donations assist people suffering from abject poverty—those deprived of basic human needs; including food, safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, health care, shelter, and education. Donations will be used to support local families and our programs in Haiti and Zimbabwe.
To Love A Child invites you to make a difference in a child’s life. Your help and generosity are greatly needed this year to support our vision and mission in helping impoverished children. Over the past 10 years we continue to change lives through our journeys.
Donations can be made on PayPal by visiting the website www.toloveachild.net or by mailing a check to: To Love A Child Inc, PO Box 165, Clifton Park, NY 12065.
Indoor Castleton-on-Hudson Farmers & Artisans Market
CASTLETON-ON-HUDSON – The Castleton-on-Hudson Farmers & Artisans Market (COHFAM) ended its summer season with big news: The market is moving indoors for the winter – every Friday (except for December 25 and January 1) from 4-7 PM at 52 Hilton on Main (52 South Main Street) in the Village of Castleton-on-Hudson. Due to COVID-19, patrons are required to wear masks, observe social distancing, use hand sanitizer upon entering the building, and provide a phone number. Temperatures will be taken at the door, and only ten people will be allowed in at the same time. Come to COHFAM, the little market with the big heart, let us serve you, and support the local economy!
Keyes Scholarship for Tamarac High School Seniors
TROY – 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 2021. The money may be used for any type of expenses related to further education. Student does not have to belong to this Church, or any other church or religion to be eligible for this award.
Interested student must apply for this award no later than March 1, 2021. The application can be obtained from the school’s guidance department of 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 CBUMC 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 Route 7 and 142 in Troy. NY.
St. Jude the Apostle Knights of Columbus Bottle & Can Donations
WYNANTSKILL – Help Support Local Charities – St. Jude the Apostle Knights of Columbus has teamed up with 6 Center Redemption located at 461 Main Avenue in Wynantskill to accept bottle and can donations that have a NYS deposit.
This is to support local charities and those in need.
• Bring your clean, NYS deposit empties to 6 Center Redemption in Wynantskill.
• Say they are to support the St. Jude the Apostle Knights of Columbus.
• They do the rest, that’s it!
• Thank you for your support!
Team “Knocking Out Alzheimer’s” Bottle Drive, The Fundraising Continues …
WYNANTSKILL/RENSSELAER – Team “Knocking out Alzheimer’s” is partnering with the Alzheimer’s Association. Return your bottles and cans and help the Northeastern New York Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. Through an arrangement with: Six-Center Redemption
Two Locations: 461 Main Ave Wynantskill (Corner of Sharpe and Main Ave) & 550 South Street Rensselaer.
No need to count the cans or bottles, no waiting or standing in lines to feed your cans or bottles into a machine.
The Alzheimer’s Association will receive six cents for every container you donate to the cause. Simply drop off your containers and say: “These are for the Alzheimer’s Association.”
The mission of the Alzheimer’s Association is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. The first survivor of Alzheimer’s is out there, but we won’t get there without you. Join the fight with your bottles & cans! Check us out on face book – Knocking out Alzheimer’s
Poestenkill Area Food Insecurity
POESTENKILL – Any greater Poestenkill area residents currently experiencing temporary or long term food insecurity can turn to The Bread of Life Food Pantry at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Poestenkill for supplemental food assistance. We provide basic nutritional foods and related items the first and third Thursday of each month from 5:00 to 7:00 PM in a very discreet, nonjudgmental manner. We offer drive-thru service where each guest receives a product list to form your order, we then fill your order and bring the completed order back to your vehicle. Delivery service to Poestenkill Seniors unable to visit our Pantry is also available. Please try us, we are here to help. Our phone number is: 518-283-6045 to leave a message. Thank you.
Vaping – Public Service Announcement
CAPITAL DISTRICT – Vaping has become almost more common today then cigarettes. Originally marketed as being more safe than other tobacco products recent events have made it clear that this is not the full story. One study found that those who vape the equivalent to a pack of cigarettes a day had a 70% higher risk of stroke. This is only one of the health risks that can arise from vaping. For more information visit: https://www.narcononnewliferetreat.org/blog/vaping-linked-to-serious-health-problems.html
Addiction Screenings – Narconon can help you take steps to overcome addiction in your family. Call today for free screenings or referrals. 1- 800-431-1754.
Fentanyl – Public Service Announcement
CAPITAL DISTRICT – Fentanyl has been making headlines recently, this is because the incredibly potent chemical has been contributing to the increase in overdose deaths across America. Most people however do not know much about the chemical. For instance many don’t know that one of the things that makes fentanyl so dangerous is the fact that it can be absorbed into the system through skin contact. Meaning getting it on your skin could cause a potentially fatal overdose.
To learn more about Fentanyl visit: https://www.narcononnewliferetreat.org/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-fentanyl.html
Addiction Screenings – Narconon can help you take steps to overcome addiction in your family. Call today for free screenings or referrals. 1- 800-431-1754.
Rensselaer County Recovery Helpline
RENSSELAER COUNTY – 1-833-467-3123 – Do you need help with substance use issues? Are you interested in volunteering for the helpline? The Rensselaer County Recovery Helpline offers information, local resources, and referrals for individuals and their families regarding substance use issues. The toll-free line is available 7 days a week from 9am-9pm. Each volunteer chooses shifts of 4 hours at a time to be on-call. When someone calls the number, a volunteer answers on their own smartphone, and can enter information to a database on their own computer, allowing for easy and quick access to resources. The information is sent to one of the 9 leaders, who will then assist the caller. If you or someone you know needs information, resources, or a referral for a substance use problem, call 1-833-467-3123. For more information, or if you are interested in volunteering, contact Renscohelpline@nullgmail.com
Hudson-Mohawk Search & Rescue is Looking for Volunteers to Join our Team
CAPITAL DISTRICT – If you enjoy being outdoors in the wilderness, working with others to help people, follow directions well and have a willingness to learn, then our SAR team might be for you! Prior knowledge is helpful, but definitely not required as we provide the training. Check out our website at: www.humsar.org for more information.
Search and Rescue Volunteers Needed
CAPITAL DISTRICT – the Tri-State Emergency Team is recruiting volunteers to provide wildland and underwater searches within a 100 mile radius of Waterrford, NY. This includes all aspects of field and underwater search. The Tri-State Emergency Team responds when requested by NYS Forest Rangers and other police agencies throughout New York State, Western Vermont and Massachusetts. We are looking for certified scuba divers, experienced boat handlers, and people who enjoy hiking and the outdoors in general who wish to help people in need. The team will provide training and complete support as needed. Our headquarters is located in Waterford. Applicants need not live in Waterford to volunteer. If interested, please call 518-237-6744 or visit our website at www.tri-stateemergencyteam.org
New York State Commission for the Blind
CAPITAL DISTRICT – The New York State Commission for the Blind (NYSCB) provides free vocational rehabilitation and other services to legally blind New York State residents, including children, adults, and older adults. NYSCB assists participants in achieving economic self-sufficiency and full integration into society. Call toll-free (866) 871-3000 or visit our website: visionloss.ny.gov