The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

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Literacy 5K Run/Walk On May 3

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The year’s biggest fundraising event for literacy programs in Rensselaer County, the Literacy 5K Run/Walk will be held on Sunday, May 3 at the Rensselaer Tech Park in Troy.  This USATF-sanctioned event is suitable for runners and walkers of all ages and abilities. The race day schedule begins at 8 am and ends at 11:15 with prizes for the top runners in all age groups. Pre-registration will be held at Rensselaer Tech Park on Saturday, May 2, from noon to 1 pm.  Register online at www.finishright.com.

The goal of the Literacy 5K is to raise awareness and build support for Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County’s programs and services, as well as to raise funds to provide these programs free of charge to adults and families in Rensselaer County. Please join us in thanking the sponsors who are making this year’s event possible: Aflac N.Y., Blasch Precision Ceramics, Cohoes Savings Foundation, Comfortex, First Niagara, Gettysburg Flag Works, Hilton Garden Inn, Troy, Phoenix, The Record, Rensselaer Tech Park, Snyder Printer, and Stewart’s Shops.

To learn more about volunteering or services, please visit the website at www.lvorc.org.

Grafton Reads Author Talk

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Grafton Community Library and the Grafton Book Club are excited to present the inaugural “Grafton Reads” community-wide read. On Wednesday, April 29 at 7 pm, acclaimed novelist and Troy resident Dennis Mahoney will be at the library for a discussion of his debut novel Fellow Mortals. The goal of “Grafton Reads” is to get as many people in the community as possible reading and talking about the same book. Fellow Mortals is a poignant story of how people rebuild their lives in the wake of tragedy. Pick up their copy at the library, and join the discussion with the author on April 29. Refreshments will be served. For more information contact the library at 279-0580.

Free Painting Class In New Lebanon

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Michael Cohen, Columbia County artist, will conduct a free five week painting class at the New Lebanon Library beginning on Wednesday, May 6, and meeting each Wednesday through June 3.  The class, oriented towards teens and adults, will meet from 7 to 9 pm. Advance registration is recommended. Call the library or email leb@taconic.net.

The class will begin with a discussion on Still Life and will progress to actual painting. Participants will explore the techniques and methods of still life and will work from a single subject supplied by the instructor. Paint and paper will be provided. There will be a $5 materials fee.

Michael Cohen is a landscape and portrait painter who resides in Columbia County. He is a graduate of the School of Visual Arts in NYC and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Queens College, NY. He also spent a decade teaching special education in New York City, often using his art skills to inspire the creativity in his students.

For further information on this program, please call the New Lebanon Library (518) 794-8844. The library is at 550 State Route 20.

Two Defensive Driving Courses

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Two AARP Defensive Driving Courses for Seniors will be offered this Spring: at the Hoosick Falls Senior Center on Thursday, April 30 from 9 am to 3:30 pm, and at Rensselaer County’s Everett Wagar Senior Center, 2 Roxborough Road, in Grafton.

The cost is $20 for AARP members and $25 for non-members.   Call 686-7561 to reserve a seat in Hoosick Falls. Call Penny at 279-3413 or stop by the center to reserve a space in Grafton.

Spaces are limited, call now.

Animal Stories With Gill Payette

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Gil Payette will be with us at Rensselaer County’s Everett Wagar Senior Center, 2 Roxborough Road, in Grafton, on Friday, May 8, 2015 for more storytelling about Native Americans.  This month Gil will be covering “Hidden Animals” Native American Myths, Legends and Monsters at 1 pm.

Join us for lunch at noon for a suggested donation of $2.00, with an entrée of Macaroni & Cheese Casserole.  For more information or to make reservations for lunch please call 279-3413.

Berlin Fire Department Breakfast

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On Sunday, May 3, from 7 to 11 am, the Berlin Fire Department will be holding its monthly breakfast. Breakfast includes all-you-can-eat pancakes, french toast, biscuits with homemade sausage gravy, bacon and sausage, home fries, toast and eggs (sunny side, over easy or over hard, scrambled). Beverage choice of coffee or tea (both available as decaf), hot chocolate, milk, and orange juice.

Prices are $8 for adults, $5 for children ages 5 to 12, children under 5 is no charge.

Takeouts available – call 658-2890.

Rensselaer Land Trust’s May Programs & Volunteer Opportunities

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Full descriptions at: www.renstrust.org

Seine Net Fishing at Papscanee Island Preserve 

Saturday, May 2 • 1 to 3 pm • Free

Registration contact: Julie Moore 607-220-8580 or julie@renstrust.org

Hiking the Continental Divide Trail: One Woman’s Journey 

Sunday, May 3 • 2 pm, East Greenbush Library • Free

Canoe the Creek at Schodack Island State Park 

Saturday, May 16 • 2:30 to 5 pm • Space is Limited • Free

Registration contact: Fran Martino riverhaggie@peoplepc.com or (518) 828-1330

Hoosic River Paddle

Saturday, May 23 • 9 am • Charge $5, members free.

Registration contact: Paul Schroeder (518) 674-2480 or pschroeder1@nycap.rr.com

Wildflower Walk with Tom Philips at Kinderhook Preserve

Sunday, May 31 • 1 to 3 pm • Charge $5, members free.

Registration contact: Francille Egbert 674-3214 or fran.egbert@gmail.com

Call for Volunteers

Staalesen Clean Up and Invasive Plant Removal Day 

Saturday, May 9 • 10 am  to 2 pm.

Registration contact: Bob Crowley crowleyrh@aol.com or (518) 283-7364.

Co-sponsored by NYSDEC Hudson River Estuary Program’s Trees for Tribs and Riverkeeper.

First Annual Invasive Water Chestnut Control Day on the Hoosic River

Saturday, May 16 • 9 am to 5 pm

Registration contact: Kristina Younger at key12061@gmail.com or 518-527-6577.  Co-sponsored by Brookfield Renewables and the Hoosic River Watershed Association. Rain date 17th.

Upcoming Events At GLSP

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Please Pre-register for all events: 279-115; Visit Us On Facebook

Saturday, April 25 at 10 am–Mycorrhizae and the Rhizosphere: The World Around Roots: The harmony of mushrooms and plant roots is critical to feeding the world and saving the environment. Explore this critical and active underground ecosystem on an interactive hike.

Saturday, May 2 from 9 am to Noon–Third Annual I Love My Park Day: Help your favorite park spruce up for Spring! Join us for a morning of projects on playgrounds, trails and in the beautiful outdoors! Scout groups welcome!

Sunday, May 3 from 10-11:30 am–Vernal Pools, Pollywogs and Other Ponderings: Why is a vernal pool so needed for the survival of our local amphibians? What do they look like and who lives there? Join Jorel Spain, a naturalist fascinated by vernal pools, and explore of one of the park’s best pools. Meets at Shaver Pond Center.

Lots Going On At The Sand Lake Center For The Arts

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 To Breathe as One

April 24 at 7 pm  

Every five years, 30,000 people gather on the same stage in the small country of Estonia to join voices at Laulupidu, the National Song Festival, to become the largest choir in the world.  More than a music festival, it’s a miracle that at least twice in history gave freedom to that country. To Breathe As One explores the beauty and meaning of the choral festival through the eyes of the young members of the California-based Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir, one of the few American choirs invited to participate. From the filmmakers of the acclaimed “The Singing Revolution,” the film reveals that for Estonians singing is not just a means of cultural expression, but a defining part of their national identity. The filmmakers, Jim and Maureen Tusty, will join us to talk about the film and answer any questions.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 under 18.

The Beatles Deconstructed 

April 25 at 7:30 pm

Scott Freiman will return to Sand Lake Center for the Arts on April 25 at 7:30 pm,  to “deconstruct” another Beatles album!  The Beatles’ 1968 self-titled album (commonly referred to as the White Album) is the bestselling album of the Beatles’ career. Its thirty songs span almost every style of music – from hard rock to country to chamber music to avant garde. Its recording took place during a remarkable year in Beatles history that included a lengthy trip to India and the arrival of Yoko Ono. Tickets are $20 prepaid, $25 at the door.

Matinee of Short Plays

April 28 starting at 12 pm. 

Join Matinee Theatre Players at the SLCA, as they bring you an enjoyable afternoon of Short Plays, including “Mrs. Sorken,” written by Christopher Durang,  “The Book Group,” written by Joe Starzyk, “Fantasy Baseball,” written by Lee Blessing, “Game Nite,” written by Val Kavanaugh, “Three Turkeys Waiting for Corncobs,”  written by Don Nigro and the whimsical “Duet for a Bear and Dog,” written by Sybil Rosen. Along with the plays you will be served a delicious lunch provided by Crossroads American Grille, of West Sand Lake.

This afternoon of fun takes place on Tuesday, April 28 starting at noon. Reserve now as space is limited. Tickets are $15 per person, this includes lunch and the show.  For reservations or information, go to slca-ctp.org or call (518) 674-2007.

SLCA is located at 2880 NY Highway 43, Averill Park, NY, and is fully handicapped accessible, with plenty of free parking.