Thursday April 25, 2024 
Notification of Special Meeting for the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Best-Luther Fire District
Please take notice that a special meeting of the Best-Luther Fire District of the Town of East Greenbush, County of Rensselaer, New York, will be held on the following date; Friday, December 30, 2022.
This special meeting will be held at the Best-Luther Fire Station at 303 Old Best Road, West Sand Lake, New York 12196, at 7:00 p.m. on that day.
This notification is being given to the news media pursuant to the provisions of Section 104 of the Public Officers Law of the State of New York.
By order of the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Best-Luther Fire District.
Taylor Milkiewicz, Secretary, Best-Luther Fire District
Dear City of Rensselaer Residents
The Mayor is inviting you to subscribe to the “City Newsletter”. We understand not everyone is connected on social media and we want to make sure everyone is informed about the exciting things that are happening in the City of Rensselaer.
Some of the information to be included in the City Newsletter will be updates on new and/or existing developments within the city, up to date contact information for all City Departments as well as a list of upcoming events and meetings.
If you would like to start receiving the City Newsletter directly to your email, please send your name and address to info@nullrensselaerny.gov
We look forward to keeping you informed and updated on all the things happening in the City of Rensselaer.
Mayor Michael Stammel
Recruiting AmeriCorps Volunteers 55+
CAPITAL DISTRICT – Community Caregivers has partnered with AmeriCorps Seniors and is actively recruiting volunteers who are 55+ join a national volunteer movement and help their neighbors.
Our volunteers provide support, at no charge, to older adults and individuals who need help to live safely and independently in their own homes. There are several flexible opportunities available such as grocery shopping and transportation. We currently serve Albany and Rensselaer counties.
For those that meet the income guidelines, there is even a modest stipend available.
If your organization currently utilizes volunteers and would like to find out how we can partner or if you’re interested and have questions, please send us a note at americorps@nullcommunitycaregivers.org .
Also, Visit Community Caregivers at www.communitycaregivers.org.
Power Lunch Reading Mentors Are Needed in Troy
Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County needs volunteer reading mentors for the Everybody WINS! Power Lunch program at School 14 in Troy. A free training will be held on Wednesday, January 4th. 1:00-2:30 pm at Hart Hall, 71 First Street, Troy NY.
Power Lunch increases children’s chances for success in school and in life through positive reading experiences with caring adults. Elementary school children are paired one-to-one with volunteer mentors from local businesses, colleges and the community. Volunteers read aloud to their reading partner once a week during lunchtime. Everybody WINS! mentors meet with students at School 14 and School 2 in Troy, and at Van Rensselaer Elementary in Rensselaer.
For more information about EW Power Lunch! and LVORC’s other programs and services, visit www.lvorc.org or call (518) 244-4650.
SHAC Community Center News & Thanks
During this holiday season we are grateful for the support of the community. This fall, our community has been making generous contributions towards our Annual Fund to help heat and winterize the Sky High Adventure Community Center (SHAC Center) at 27 Lake Avenue in Averill Park. We will now be able to continue programming year round thanks to the renovations made thanks to the generosity of our donors, volunteers, committee and board members.
Since our soft opening of the SHAC Center in June of 2021, dedicated volunteers have also been creating programs and offering services for residents of Averill Park and surrounding communities. Future plans include services for veterans, seniors, and families needing after school programs and daycare, HVCC continuing Ed classes and much more.
Please take notice that it has come to our attention that many items mailed to us have not arrived at our address due to a clerical error not in our control. We believe the problem has been fixed with the help of the US Post Office, Postal Inspectors and the Inspector General’s Office. If you have sent a donation and did not receive an acknowledgement letter from us, this means that we did not receive your donation and would ask that you contact us at info@nullSHACcenter.org or call 518-674-6348.
Sky High Adventure Center, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and donations are tax deductible. We are grateful for every donation big and small and we are putting every penny of it to good use.
If you have not made a donation yet, please consider making a donation online at www.SHACcenter.org/donations.
Sky High Adventure Center Inc
27 Lake Avenue, Averill Park, New York 12018
www.SHACcenter.org | 518-674-6348
Averill Park CSD Announces Kindergarten Registration for 2023-24
The Averill Park School District has begun the process of registering boys and girls for the 2023-24 Kindergarten Classes. If you, or someone you know, has a child who will be 5 years of age on or before December 1, 2023 please contact the district registrar at 674-7050 extension 7201 to make sure that the child is listed on our school census. This will guarantee that you will receive all upcoming kindergarten information by mail. Registration paperwork will be started online and completed by appointment with the district registrar at the district office at the Averill Park High School during the month of February. Registration hours are Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 3:30 PM. Registration forms are accepted by appointment. All paperwork must be completed by 02-28-2023.
New York State Public Health Law, Section 2164, requires certain immunizations (shots) to enter kindergarten and attend school. Please check with your health care provider as soon as possible to make sure your child has all the needed immunizations. They are listed below.
Required Immunizations for Kindergarten (Number of Doses)
*Polio 4 (3 doses if 3 rd dose received after 4 th birthday)
*Hepatitis B 3
*Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis 5 (4 doses if 4th dose received after 4th birthday)
*Measles/Mumps/Rubella 2
*Varicella (Chicken Pox) 2
Age Requirements
Children who are five years of age on or before December 1, 2023 are eligible to attend Kindergarten this September. As a parent you have an option to enroll your child in school at age five or withhold your child until the school year in which he/she turns six. Children born between 7/1/17 and 6/30/18 must attend kindergarten in the coming school year. Children born between 7/1/18 and 12/1/18 may attend during the 2023-2024 school year or may wait until the following year.
Sand Lake Historical Society Announces 2023 Schedule
SLHS will be presenting the following public programs, from January to June 2023:
January 10th, Sand Lake “Show & Tell” Returns! Check your attic, your junk drawer, or that box on the top shelf of your closet – who knows what you’ll find? We’re looking for artifacts, photos, old documents of Sand Lake’s history – or yours. New for 2023: if you’ve been working on any locally-based historical research (a popular Covid pastime!) please share it.
February 14th, Edmonia Lewis. East Greenbush Town Historian Bobbie Reno will discuss Edmonia Lewis, noted American sculptor of mixed African American and Native American heritage, born right here in Rensselaer County. You’ve seen her on a postage stamp, now come hear her story.
March 14th, The Rensselaer Glassworks. Phil Bernnard of the National Bottle Museum will discuss Rensselaer Glassworks, one of Sand Lake’s early industries (and gave us “Glass Lake”). Hear the history of the works, the succession of owners, and the technology of 18th and 19th century glassmaking. Phil is asking attendees to bring any “Glass Lake glass” specimens they have, too.
April 11th, Covid-19 History Project. Committee report and presentations and a sharing of experiences from the SLHS Covid History Project. Let’s make Covid history!
May 9th, Annual Meeting. Elections, annual report to the membership – and more!
June 3rd, (tentative) Annual Gala. Final date and location to be announced. Don’t miss this highlight of our year!
June 13th, The Pretty Fantastic Mr. Fox. Albert Rodmond Fox, industrialist, glassworks owner, State Senator, mover-and-shaker, and the Fox who gave us Fox Mansion. Learn about one of Sand Lake’s early leaders and speculate on why we live in Averill Park and not “Foxboro.”
All SLHS programs (unless otherwise noted) are held at the Sand Lake Town Hall Courtroom, 8428 NY Rte. 66, Averill Park, beginning at 7:00 pm. More information at http://sandlakehistory.org/. Like us on Facebook.
News From Averill Park CSD
Congratulations to junior David Morelli, who participated in the NYSSMA Conference All-State Festival, as part of the Symphonic Band. To achieve this honor, David had to audition at the spring NYSSMA Festival on an All-State level solo (professional level). Few students are selected for this honor, as it is reserved for the highest achieving student musicians throughout the state. Way to go, David!
In total, 388 students qualified for the 2022-23 first marking period Honor Rolls at Algonquin Middle School. Job well done by all our Middle School students. Keep up the good work!
Algonquin Middle School and Averill Park High School students performed in holiday concerts and did an outstanding job. Bravo, everyone!
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
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.
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.
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