Brent Demick of Stephentown received a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering Technology at SUNYIT’s 40th annual spring commencement on May 10 in the Wildcat Field House on the SUNYIT campus in Marcy, NY. More than 650 candidates for undergraduate and graduate degrees awarded in 2013-2014 were eligible to participate in the ceremony.
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Na Mu Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo
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.
S’Up Buttercup?
Fish Ecology At Dyken Pond
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
• 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.
Upcoming Rensselaer Land Trust Events
• Sample the Waters at Kinderhook Creek Preserve with Fran Martio on Saturday, June 7, from 10 am to 12 pm. This is the first of two stream walks the Rensselaer Land Trust will host to sample the waters of native brook trout spawning streams. Participants will conduct simple visual assessments of habitat to gain a greater appreciation of local stream ecology. We’ll poke around looking for aquatic insects that come in many sizes and shapes as well as a wide range of pollution tolerance levels. This is a hands-on, feet-wet outing so come prepared to wade in the stream, learn about stream ecosystems and have some fun. The field study will be beneficial to citizen volunteers who desire to establish a stream monitoring program. To register contact Francille Egbert at 518-674-3214 or fran.egbert@gmail.com. Information on the meeting place will be given at the time of registration. There is no charge for this event.
• Top Ten Easy Non-Gilled Edible Mushrooms on Thursday, June 12, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm in the Cowee Conference Room, 4th floor, Russell Sage College, Troy. Mycologist Sue Van Hook will teach you how to identify ten species of delicious wild fungi that commonly occur in our area. Learn or get a refresher on chicken and hen of the woods, morels, puffballs, boletes, chanterelles, trumpets and hedgehogs. If you already know these mushrooms, sign-up for the workshop below. The cost is $10. Register with Marcy Steinberg at 518-674-2171 or marcygs@aol.com.
• Ready to Learn the Gilled Fungi on Thursday, June 12, from 7:45 to 8:45 pm in the Cowee Conference Room 4th floor, Russell Sage College, Troy. For those who feel comfortable enjoying the top ten edibles, it is time to tackle the gilled fungi. This talk will focus on learning stature types, gill attachment, stipe types and spore colors. A copy of How to Know the Mushrooms I by David Largent is a must. Bring your copy or Sue will have copies for sale for $20. The cost is $10. To register contact Marcy Steinberg at 518-674-2171 or marcygs@aol.com.
Picturing Nature: A Practical Approach To Nature Photography
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.
Basket Bingo Bash At The Schaghticoke Fairgrounds
Grab your daubers and come on down to the Schaghticoke Fairgrounds for the Basket Bingo Bash! On Saturday, June 7, doors will open to the public at 5 pm in the New York State Product’s Building; games will begin at 6 pm. The Bash is limited to the first 200 people. The $10 cost of admission includes 18 games plus a chance to win a door prize. This is fun for all ages, so bring the kids. Prizes will consist of various theme baskets donated by local businesses from the surrounding areas and friends of the Schaghticoke Fairgrounds. Each theme basket is valued between $25 and $100. In addition to the regular 18 games, there will also be raffles, special games, 50/50, food, ice cream and more. For more information, call Mary at 518-753-4411 x13 or visit www.schaghticokefair.org. The Schaghticoke Fairgrounds is located at 69 Stillwater Bridge Road, Schaghticoke.
A Day Of Healthy Outdoor Family Activities At Dyken Pond
On June 21 “Let’s Move: A Day of Healthy Outdoor Family Activities” will be held at Dyken Pond from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm. All activities are free, family friendly and for the beginner. Activities will be held in two sessions. Come for one or both. Session 1 is from 10:30 am to 12 noon. Session 2 is from 12:30 to 2 pm. Each session will feature kayak lessons (ages 10 and older), fishing, geo-caching, a nature walk, a fox walk and other nature games.
Bring a picnic lunch. Healthy snacks will be available throughout the day.
