The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Grafton

Outdoor Tykes Summer Series At Grafton Lakes State Park

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Grafton Lakes State Park announces its new Outdoor Tykes Summer Series beginning Friday, June 13, at 10:30 am. This series is free and will take place once a month during the summer. Each session is open to toddlers and pre-k aged children and their accompanying adult. We encourage each adult to participate as a co-explorer with their child and discover new sights and sounds together.

The series will be nature based, with each session introducing a new theme. The first of the series is titled “The Grass is Always Greener” and participants will explore, with all their senses, the plants of Grafton. We will meet at the Park Office located at 61 North Long Pond Road before heading outside for an age appropriate adventure.

The program dates are Friday, June 13, Thursday, July 10, and Thursday, August 7. All programs begin at 10:30 am. Please pre-register for each program by calling the Park Office at 518-279-1155.

Fresh Air Yoga At Grafton Lakes State Park

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Grafton Lakes State Park proudly announces a new “Fresh Air Yoga” program for Summer, beginning Saturday, June 14, and running through August 23. Enjoy relaxing, energizing and restorative classes surrounded by the beauty of the natural world.

Kripalu Yoga and Deep Relaxation classes will be offered by Kat Abrams, RYT, Kripalu Certified Yoga Teacher with 17 years full time devoted teaching experience. Abrams will guide uplifting non-competitive classes, accentuating mindful stretching, limbering and strengthening yoga flows, with the needs and challenges of the class participants in mind. All levels welcome.

The program begins on Saturday June 14, with morning Beach Yoga from 9:30 to 10:30 am. Beginning the first week of July, Abrams will offer the Saturday morning classes as well as three more weekly “Fresh Air” classes. Enjoy Lunchtime Yoga on Mondays from 12 to 1 pm in Deerfield Meadow, beginning July 7, and Sunset Beach Yoga on both Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 pm on the sand of Long Pond Beach, beginning Monday, July 7, and Wednesday, July 9.

Participants should wear loose fitting comfortable clothing, arrive on time to begin, and bring a yoga mat and /or beach towel. Classes cost $12 each in cash or check, to be paid directly to the teacher. Participants will be asked to mention their yoga participation at the Grafton gate.

For more information about Fresh Air Kripalu Yoga at Grafton call Kat Abrams, RYT, at 233-1717 or email Kat at katyoga@hotmail.com or call 518-279-1155. Information about park events may also be found online at www.nysparks.com/parks.

Grafton Library Hosts Plant, Book And Tag Sale

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The Grafton Community Library, located at 2455 NY Route 2, will be the site of a multi-sale event on Saturday, June 14. Doors open at 8 am for the Plant and Book Sale, which will run until 1 pm. A Tag Sale benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation will be open until 3 pm.

Proceeds from the plant sale benefit the Lillis Bunce Memorial Award for Grafton high school seniors. The Library will gladly welcome donations of labeled plants during the week of June 9. Plants may be dropped off at the rear of the library. Call 658-3422 with any questions about plant donations.

The book sale will be in the basement. There are still VHS tapes available for free. Stop by the Library to pick up some fresh reading material, plants to enhance your garden and some bargain treasures. You never know what you will find. Visit the Grafton Community Library at www.graftoncommunitylibrary.org for more news about programs and events, or call 279-0580.

Shamballa Bracelet Workshop In Grafton

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The Grafton Community Library will present a Shamballa Bracelet Workshop as part of the Grafton Community Arts Program awarded grant funding from The Arts Center of the Capital Region.   Instructor Joanne Farash of Silver Lining Jewelry will show us how to create a fabulous macramé bracelet embellished with crystal pave beads and inspire us to create many more as great gifts.

Class will be on Saturday, June 7, from 11 am to 1 pm at the Everett Wagar Senior Center, located at 2 Roxborough Road on the corner of NY Route 2.  Class size is limited, and advance registration is required, along with a $10 materials fee.  Sign up at the Library at 2455 NY Route 2.

Joanne Farash has been designing jewelry since 2006. She incorporates Swarovski crystals and semi-precious gemstones in her pieces. Her creations are available at two Artique co-op locations. She also teaches non-credit classes in jewelry at Hudson Valley Community College.

This project is made possible in part through a Community Art$ Grant,  a program funded by The Arts Center of the Capital Region through the New York State Council on the Arts, a State agency.  Connect with the Grafton Community Library by phone at 279-0580 or visit www.graftoncommunitylibrary.org.

Brunswick Historical Society Exhibits

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Land Indenture Exhibit

The Brunswick Historical Society is currently exhibiting seven beautiful Brunswick land indentures spanning 60 years, from 1770-1830.  Two of the documents contain Stephen Van Rensselaer’s signature.  Other indentures contain the names Lansing, Hayner, Bornt, Clum, Bonesteel, Snyder and Simmons. The Brunswick Historical Society is open Wednesdays, 1 to 3 pm, and Saturdays, 10 am to 3 pm and is located at the 1881 Garfield School, 605 Brunswick Road, Brunswick.

 “My Secret Brunswick” Art Show

The Brunswick Historical Society will host the opening and reception of the art show and sale, My Secret Brunswick, on Thursday, June 5, at 6:30 pm at the Garfield School, 605 Brunswick Road, Brunswick. The event will feature the art work of 16 local artists including textiles, woodworking, painting and photography.  Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the BHS at 279-4024.

Na Mu Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo

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The Grafton Peace Pagoda Flower Festival will celebrate the birth of the Buddha on Sunday, June 8, starting at 11 am. Please join us in celebrating Buddha’s birth in this world and in reawakening our belief in humanity’s noble, spiritual purpose on this earth.

There will be a traditional Buddhist ceremony with ecumenical prayers. The speaker will be Deb Krol who will educate the community about the dangers of fracking. Music will be provided by the Peace Poets and the Peace Band. A pot luck lunch will follow the ceremony.

The Grafton Peace Pagoda is located at 87 Crandall Road, Petersburgh. For information call Nipponzan Myohoji at 518-658-9301 between 8 am and 5 pm.

Fish Ecology At Dyken Pond

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The Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center is offering a Fish Ecology Program on June 1 from 1 to 3 pm. This program for all ages will teach you about the various fish species that inhabit Dyken Pond and about the habitat in which they live. Pre-registration is encouraged to help with planning, but not required and can be done by contacting the Center at dykenpond@fairpoint.net or 658-2055. A complete list of our summer programs can be found at www.dykenpond.org.

The Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center, located at 475 Dyken Pond Road, Cropseyville, is a Rensselaer County Park open daily during daylight hours for hiking, fishing and non-motor boating. Canoes and kayaks are for rent each day from 9 am until 3 pm.

GLSP And Bennington Battlefield Historic Site Events

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• June 7, Saturday – National Trails Day from 9 am to 12 pm at Grafton Lakes State Park. This fun morning of trail work will be followed by a complimentary raffle and barbecue for all our volunteers. Please pre-register by June 3 for the complimentary barbecue at 279-1155.

• June 7, Saturday – Ribbon Cutting for the Baum Trail at the Bennington Battlefield at 2 pm. This is the end of the trail for Baum, whose defeat at the Battle for Bennington helped set the stage for success at Saratoga. Re-enactors will be present in period costume to help tell the tale along with renowned historian and author Michael Gabriel.

Picturing Nature: A Practical Approach To Nature Photography

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The Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center is offering a nature photography workshop for all levels of photographers on June 14 from 10 am to 12 pm. This class will be instructed by two well known professional photographers – Denise Hackert-Stoner and Scott Stoner. They will cover the basic concept of nature photography including light, composition and aspects of simple editing. So bring your questions and your camera – be it cell phone, point and shoot or digital SLR. This program will cost $10 per person or $5 per member. Pre-registration is required, and space is limited. If you have any questions please email us at dykenpond@fairpoint.net or call 658-2055. A complete list of programs can also be found on our website at www.dykenpond.org.

Dyken Pond Bird Walk

On June 7 there will be a Bird Walk sponsored by Hudson-Mohawk Bird Club from 8 am to 12 pm. Come bird watch throughout Dyken Pond Center’s trail systems and wetlands.  This event is free and for all bird enthusiasts!

The Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center, 475 Dyken Pond Road, Cropseyville, is a Rensselaer County park open daily during daylight hours for hiking, fishing and non-motor boating. Canoes and kayaks are available for rent each day from 9 am until 3 pm.