Wednesday April 24, 2024 
Thank You East Side Neighbors
The congregation at Pawling Avenue United Methodist Church would like to thank all our neighbors who participated in ‘Help Us Help Others’ on Nov. 12.
We collected about 600 pounds of food for Hope 7 Food Pantry! The pantry is especially grateful for donations that help to fill empty shelves between deliveries from the regional food bank. Watch for our next event in March. Merry Christmas!
Toys for Tots
WEST SAND LAKE – TIS THE SEASON! Coldwell Banker Prime Properties is a Toys for Tots drop-off location. Please drop off NEW toys in the original store wrapping at our Rensselaer County offices located in North Greenbush and West Sand Lake. No stuffed animals please. We’ll be collecting toys until mid-December. We thank you so kindly in advance for your generosity!
North Greenbush Office address: 569 N. Greenbush Rd.
West Sand Lake Office address: 4350 NY 150 (Corner of Rts. 43 & 150).
SLHS Holiday Gathering Returns December 14th
The Sand Lake Historical Society “Holiday Gathering” is back after two years of Covid hiatus, Wednesday December 14th, 6:00 PM at the Sand Lake Center for the Arts, 2880 NY 43, Averill Park (please note that this is a change from earlier announcements).
Historical Society members are asked to bring a dish to share (as you are able). SLHS Trustees will provide beverages and desserts! There is no admission fee but members are asked to bring a donation of non-perishable food for Doors of Hope. If you are not currently an SLHS member, you can sign-up on line and join us December 14th.
This year’s gathering will feature the premiere performance of a short play, “Christmas Eve at the Knowlson House, 1852.” If you already don’t know why that date is significant to Sand Lake history, you’ll have just have to come and find out!
Please RSVP by Monday, December 12th at the SLHS website http://sandlakehistory.org/events.
News From Averill Park CSD
Eighth grade students, Rebecca Gallerani, Anastazia Valachovic, Morgan Dier and Halle Carpenter, volunteered to be a part of an art auction to benefit the Children’s Free Care Fund at Albany Medical Children’s Hospital. Each students created a piece of art and donated it to the auction. Great job, everyone!
Ann-Elise Stewart, a second-grade student, was named Principal for the Day at Miller Hill-Sand Lake Elementary School after being named the top reader during the PTA Summer Reading Challenge. Way to go, Ann-Elise!
Good luck to all of our Winter sports teams as they head into the season! For the Winter season, APCSD offers boys and girls basketball, wrestling, boys and girls indoor track and field, boys and girls bowling, competitive cheerleading, and ice hockey. As a reminder, all home games are free to attend. We’d love to have you come support your Warriors in-person!
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
Lights in Sand Lake 2022 Christmas Eve Luminaire Display
Light Up Christmas Eve with The Sand Lake Historic District.
The neighbors on Routes 66 & 43 and Shumann Rd. will have our annual luminary display on Christmas Eve – Saturday, December 24th.
Lighting of the luminary candles begins around 7:00pm and will continue as long as weather permits or until the candles burn out.
If you live in the area and want to participate, place luminaries along the road on your own property. For more information please contract Dawn or Bruce at 518.674.5210 or by email at knivad@nullyahoo.com.
Tutors are Needed in Rensselaer County
Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County needs volunteer tutors in Rensselaer County and Albany County, and you can help! As a tutor you can develop new skills, make friends, and see how your efforts make a difference in your community. Would you like to help someone to read and write, or to speak English as a new language?
We can train you. A tutor training workshop starts on January 21 at the Albany Public Library. To find out more, join us for a Volunteer Opportunities Information Session via Zoom at 12:00 noon on January 10. Contact mhellerlvorc@nullaol.com to register. Visit the website for more information: www.lvorc.org
Ugly Christmas Sweater Party to Benefit Sleep in Heavenly Peace
Saturday, December 10th from 6pm-10pm, The Polish American Club, 507 1st Street, South Troy, will be holding a Benefit for “Sleep in Heavenly Peace”, a group that believes No Child Should Sleep on the Floor, by making and delivering Free bed to kids in need in the Capital District.
Check them out on Facebook! DJ Rocky will be playing the tunes, Hors d’oeuvres & Dessert Bar. $20 Donation at the door. Also, if you bring a kid’s bedding set (twin size) you’ll be included in a $100 Gift Card Raffle. And of course, there will be prizes for the Ugliest Sweater, Basket Raffles and 50/50. Questions call the Polish Club at 518-272-2676.
Community Caregivers
Community Caregivers, a Nonprofit agency, has continued to expand in Rensselaer County! We have over 50 clients but not enough volunteers to serve all of 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. Call Heidi Buono, Rensselaer County Service Coordinator, at (518)366-9173 or Meredith Osta, Volunteer Coordinator, at (518)456-2898, if you would like to volunteer. To learn more or donate to our agency, see Community Caregivers.org.
CCCDW to participate in WICC Webinar to discuss PFAS in local water
On Saturday, December 10 from 11 to 12pm EST, Concerned Citizens for Clean Drinking Water (CCCDW), an ad hoc group of Poestenkill residents, will be participants in a webinar hosted by Water Insecurity Correction Coalition (WICC) and the Upstate Water Contamination Project (UWCP).
The latest updates on finding the source of PFAS near Algonquin Middle School and information on the health risks posed by PFAS will be presented. All are welcomed to join.
The Water Insecurity Correction Coalition, Inc. (WICC) is a youth-led 501c3 nonprofit organization based out of Upstate New York. The Upstate Water Contamination Project (UWCP) has been working through community surveys and education with residents, local leaders, and organizations of Poestenkill to increase awareness of the threat of PFAS to local water supplies and improve community connectivity to solve this threat to human health. Learn more about UWCP and WICC at yeswicc.com/uwcp.
You can register for the webinar at this link:
https://yeswicc.com/poestenkill
Bereavement Support Group
Are you struggling with grief? Is this time of year particularly hard for you? The joy of the holidays may be difficult to embrace after the loss of a loved one, and the happiness of others can cause those experiencing grief to feel isolated and alone in their sadness. Albany Diocesan Cemeteries is here to let you know you’re not alone.
This group provides a safe and confidential place for those who are grieving to gather and share their stories, show compassion to one another, and remember loved ones. Interested? Please join us for coffee and conversation.
December 14, 2022 from 10:00 – 11:30 AM at The Living Room Art Gallery at Historic St. Agnes Cemetery, 48 Cemetery Ave. Menands, NY 12204.
There is no fee to attend, but please pre-register with Kelly at (518) 350-7679 or Kelly@nullADCemeteries.org.
May peace and blessings be with you this Holiday season.
Center Brunswick UM Church Announces Financial Scholarship for 2023 Tamarac Graduates
The Finance Committee of the Center Brunswick United Methodist Church has announced that it will award $500 to a student to be selected from the Tamarac High School Class of 2023. The money may be used for any type of expenses related to further education. Students do not have to belong to this Church, any other church or religion to be eligible for this award.
Interested students must apply for this award no later than March 1, 2023. The application can be obtained from the school’s guidance department or from our website at (www.CenterBrunswickUMC.company).
This award is given in memory of Harold and Mabel Keyes through a trust funded by their last will and testament. Mabel taught in the Brunswick schools and continued teaching Sunday School at Center Brunswick UMC for many years after she retired. Through this award, her love of helping young people learn and grow will continue to reach the youth of our community.
The Center Brunswick United Methodist Church is located at the intersection of Routes 7 and 142 in Troy.
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.
Historical Calendars
The 2023 North Greenbush Historical Calendars are now available for purchase. They contain old time pictures including Frank Houser’s Store and Gas Station, the old Defreestville Hotel, the St.Jude’s Horse Show and much more.
Calendars are for sale at the Town Clerk’s Office in the Town Hall on Main Avenue Wynantskill (518) 283-4306. The cost is $12.00 (exact change or check made out to the Town of North Greenbush.) If you want it mailed the cost is $15.
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.
The Anchor Food Pantry
The Anchor Food Pantry is gearing up for the upcoming holidays and ask for community generosity at this time of year.
We ask for holiday items of canned goods, and toiletries that can be dropped off at The Anchor during business hours of Monday 430pm-630pm and Tuesday and Thursday 9am-130pm. Remember also that drop off is available at the Town Clerk Ofc @ Schodack Town Hall, and Castleton Library @ Village Hall-Village of Castleton -on Hudson NY during the library business hours Monday-Saturday.
Also this reminder that bottles and cans can be credited to the Anchor account at the 6 cent Redemption Center located on 9J -550 South St-Rensselaer Monday-Saturday during their business hours. Just inform the clerk to credit the Anchor Food Pantry account.
As always we thank the Schodack community for its continued support in aiding our mission to assist those in need during these uncertain economic times.
Cornell Cooperative Extension Rensselaer 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!
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