Grange serving takeout dinners on Oct. 17

SELKIRK — Bethlehem Grange 137’s first takeout roast Please see

beef dinner will be held 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 17 at the grange, 24 Bridge St.

Cost is $13, $6 for children 11 and younger. To order, call Carol Carpenter, 518-421-1384 by Thursday, Oct. 15. Masks are required. Dinners will be delivered to your vehicle.

Proceeds benefit the grange.

Toys for Tots benefit set for Oct. 17

BRUNSWICK — The Brunswick Harley Owners Group will hold its 22nd annual Toys for Tots benefit 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 17 to raise funds and gather toys for the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program.

The traditional ride will not take place this year. Instead, participants can ride to Brunswick Harley, 1130 Hoosick Road, and drop a monetary donation or an unwrapped new toy. A food truck will be present during the event.

Donations and toys may also be dropped off at Brunswick Harley during store hours. For more information, call Tom Hall at 518-279-1145 or 518-2791040.

Sustaining environment subject of library program

CLAVERACK — A virtual program offered 4 to 5 p.m. Oct. 17 by the Claverack Free Library will have information on how to create a more sustainable environment.

Members of the citizens’ group Zero Waste Columbia and Columbia County’s Department of Solid Waste Management will offer practical ways to rethink, reduce, refuse, reuse, repair, recycle and recover waste that can have a large economic, environmental and community impact.

For more information, or to register for the Zoom login, call the library, 518-851-5667 or email: Zerowastecolumbia@gmail.com. BALLSTON SPA — Birdhouses from the third annual Ballston Spa birdhouse program will be for sale 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 17 at 10 Thompson St.

All birdhouses are $10. Proceeds go to Ballston Spa Blooms for next year. Attendees must wear masks to the sale.

Guided tours from Melville House

TROY — A guided historical walking tour will be offered at 1 p.m. Oct. 18 starting at the Melville House, 2 114th St.

Michael Barrett will lead the tour of pre-revolutionary buildings including the Revolutionary War Hospital, and industries and old homes including those of Herman Melville and President Chester Arthur.

The tour is sponsored by the Lansingburgh Historical Society. Cost is $6 a person. Checks must be made out to “Lansingburgh Historical Society ” and mailed to P.O. Box 219, Troy 12182.

Reservations are required by Oct. 13. Participants must wear face masks and observe physical distancing. For more information, or to make reservations, call John or Mary Ellen Ward, 518-8854295.

Oktopurrfest is virtual on Oct. 24

MENANDS — The Mohawk Hudson Humane Society ’s Oktopurrfest event will be virtual at 6 p.m. Oct. 24.

The program includes videos featuring animals and surprises and live voting for the Festmeister, an annual tradition in which one animal is selected for the ceremonial title. The event will be co-hosted by Jaime Roberts of 98.3 WTRY and MHHS CEO Ashley Jeffrey Bouck.

Participants may order Oktopurrfest party packs by Oct. 19 from Brown’s Brewing Company, 417 River St., Troy, by Oct. 19 to be picked up the day of the event. Cost is $40 a person. Additional food and beer may be purchased. For more information, call 518-434-8128, Ext. 206 or go to https:// mohawkhumane.org.

Schodack church serving annual turkey dinner

SCHODACK — The Reformed Dutch Church of Schodack at Muitzeskill’s annual turkey dinner will be takeout only this year on Oct. 24 at the church, 902 Schodack Landing Road.

Three pickup times are offered: 4, 4:45 and 5:30 p.m. The cost is $14, $7 for children ages 6 to 12. A gluten-free meal is available upon request. Reservations are required. To place dinner orders, call 518-732-7345.

Costume drive to benefit mission

SCHENECTADY — A Halloween costume drive to benefit the City Mission of Schenectady is under way through Oct. 24.

New and used children’s costumes can be dropped off participating organizations: Capital Region Aquatic Center, Mohawk Honda, Mohawk Auto Center, Mohawk Collision Center and the Haraden Family Foundation, all in Schenectady, and Mohawk Chevrolet, Clifton Park.

Cash for Coats drive on until Nov. 6

ALBANY — The Cash for Coats Drive will take place through Nov. 6.

The community-based initiative will collect funds to purchase new winter clothing for Albany school children in need. It is sponsored by the City of Albany, Lodge’s Department Store, Burke Companies, The United Way of the Greater Capital Region and Dr. Edward Wladis.

To donate, call 518-4342032; mail a check to Albany City Hall, Room 402, 24 Eagle St., Albany, 12207; text Coats20 to 41444 or go to https:// www.albanyny.gov.