Calendar

of art. No experience is necessary for this free event. Please call 518-274-7071to register or sign up online at www.thetroylibrary.org. For ages 12-17. The Main Library is located at 100Second Street, downtown Troy.

Sunday, Dec. 17

AVERILL PARK COMMUNITY ORCHESTRA: Join the Averill Park Community Orchestra for a December concert filled with a fun variety of traditional holiday and classical music, along with selections from “Les Miserables” The performance is on Sunday, December 17at 4p.m. at Algonquin Middle School, 333NY-351. There is no admission fee, but any donations to help offset costs is greatly appreciated. Any questions can be directed to Christina Desmond at 518-948-0565 or cdmusic600@gmail.com. BLUE CHRISTMAS SERVICE: For some people Christmas is a difficult time. The joy of the season is overshadowed by the grief over the loss of a loved one, the loss of a job, or the end of a marriage. If this is true for you this year or if you know someone for whom it is true, come to a community Blue Christmas Service on December 17at 7p.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 405Vliet Blvd in Cohoes. BREAKFAST WITH SANTA: The Cohoes Knights of Columbus will have their All-You-Can-Eat Breakfast Buffet with Santa, including an omelet station and hash, on Sunday, December 17, at 255Remsen Street, Cohoes from 8:30a.m. to 11:30a.m. Adults are $8. and children under five are free. CAROLING TO THE HORSES: Ring in the Christmas cheer by enjoying holiday goodies and serenading High & Mighty Therapeutic Riding and Driving Center’s herd of horses. Dress warmly and bring horsey treats to stuff the horses’ stockings and to share with neighboring rescue farms. 5p.m., 71CR 21C, Ghent. For more information email info@high-n-mighty. org.

CELEBRATION OF LESSONS & CAROLS: At 4p.m. on Sunday, December 17, the eighth annual Celebration of Lessons & Carols will be held at the Kinderhook Reformed Church, 21 Broad Street. Nine readers from throughout the larger community will be joined by a choir of nearly forty experienced singers under the musical direction of David Smith. Assisting will be Justan Foster, organist of the Old Dutch Church in Kingston. Pastor Rudy Visser will preside. The church is handicapped accessible and parking is available. For further information please visit www.kinderhookreformedchurch.com or www. concertsinthevillage.org, or call 518-758-6401. CHANUKAH PARTY: Exotic latkes from around the world; arts & crafts for the kids; Iron Chef competition. 2p.m. to 4p.m., Beth Tephilah, 82River Street, Troy. Free admission; donations welcome. Menorah lighting with the mayor at Monument Square, 4:30p.m. for more information call 518-894-3490. CHILDREN’S MUSEUM AT SARATOGA: Members Appreciation Event: Make & Take Holiday Ornaments & Cookies, 11a.m. to 1p.m. Free to all museum membersl pre-registration is required to ensure that enough supplies are purchased for the event. 69Caroline Street, Sarartoga Springs. Call 518-584-5540for more information.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT: The annual Christmas Concert at the Petersburgh Baptist Church has become a lively local tradition, and is sure to impart the spirit of the season. This year, the community is invited to “Behold Our God,” celebrating a humble birth that would change the world. Under the inspired direction of Karen Webster, the multifaith choir will perform a program of Christmas songs representing many traditions and genres. Delicious desserts and refreshments will be served after the concert. The program is free of charge, and all are welcome. 4p.m., 19240Route 22, Petersburgh. For more information, call 518-658-3834. ENGLISH COUNTRY DANCE: Third Sunday of each month, 2p.m. - 5 p.m., October through April at Christ Church United Methodist, 35State St.,Troy. Escape the frenzy of the 21st century and experience the beauty of 18th century dancing, moving slowly and gracefully in sync with beautiful classical music. If you’ve seen a Jane Austen film, you’ve had a glimpse of this elegant dance form in many of her novels, including “Pride and Prejudice”. Dances taught and called by professional callers. Enjoy live music by the Heartsease band. Beginners welcome, no partners needed. Please wear clean, flat, soft-soled shoes. More info: danceflurry.org/recd.

HOLIDAY CONCERT: The Suburban Sounds Community Chorus holiday concert features expressive carols and seasonal songs performed by a chorus of talented singers and musicians. 2p.m., Guilderland Public Library, 2228Washington Avenue, Guilderland. Open to the public free of charge. For more information call 518861-8000.

LIVE NATIVITY: Hope United Methodist Church will host a Live Nativity on Sunday, December 17, at 5 p.m. & 6p.m. Come see the Christmas Story told with narration and live animals and a cast of Mary & Joseph, Shepherds, Wise Men, Angels and of course, the Baby Jesus born in a stable in Bethlehem. Following the presentation share in cookies and hot chocolate and the hospitality of Hope United Methodist Church. The worship center is located at 566Brunswick Road, Eagle Mills (Route 2- Town of Brunswick). For information call 518-279-1403. MELODIES OF CHRISTMAS: An annual tradition of beautiful music and generosity. The Empire State Youth Orchestra and ESYO Youth Chorale perform a 3 p.m. holiday concert at Proctor’s in Schenectady to benefit the pediatric oncology program at Albany Medical Center. Tickets are available for purchase through the Proctors Box Office and at the door.

PRE-HOLIDAY BAKE SALE: St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, 600State Street in Schenectady, is sponsoring its 12th Annual Pre-Holiday Bake Sale on Saturday, December 16from 4:30p.m. to 6:30p.m. and Sunday, December 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30a.m. All kinds of baked goods suitable for the Christmas holidays will be available, including cookies, nut breads, cakes, pies, etc., for a nominal fee. The Church is handicapped accessible and parking is available behind the Church. More information may be obtained by calling 518-3744466, Ext. 13.

‘OUR GIFT TO YOU’: The Clifton Park Community Chorus and The Choraliers of Schenectady Present “Our Gift to You” a holiday concert with an eclectic mix of old classics and new surprises, on Sunday, December 17, at 3p.m. at the Shenendehowa United Methodist Church, 971Route 146, Clifton Park. Free admission. Free will offerings will be accepted for the Schenectady City Mission. For more information contact Pat O’Donnell at 518-371-6681. ROCK & ROLL CHRISTMAS: Johnny Rabb’s Big Band Featuring The Tichy Boys performing Rock & Roll Christmas songs. 7:30p.m., The Ale House, 480River Street, Troy.

USA DANCE: Join the NYS Capital District chapter of USA Dance for their monthly ballroom dance for a fun evening of dancing on December 17at the Polish Community Center, 225 Washington Avenue Ext. Albany. The event begins with a free Bolero lesson with Andrew Brown from 6:15p.m. to 7p.m., followed by three hours of dancing with music provided by Dan DeBenedetto, with a dance demonstration performed by George & Eleanor Patton around 8:30p.m. Nonmembers $13, members $10, students $5, under 18free. For more information visit http://capitalusadance.com.

Monday, Dec. 18

BETHLEHEM PUBLIC LIBRARY: The Friends board meets at 6:30p.m. New members are always welcome. At 7p.m., Take part in a reading and discussion series focusing several of The Federalist Papers penned by Alexander Hamilton. Additional dates in February and March. This program is grant-funded and sponsored by Humanities New York. 451 Delaware Avenue, Delmar.

GIRLS’ SUMMIT: The Children’s Museum of Science + Technology is participating in the 10th Annual Girls’ Summit at the HVCC TEC-SMART Campus in Malta. CMOST will facilitate a series of workshops on wearable circuits. The Girls Summit focuses on STEM studies, careers and fields and the development of girls into the next generation of leaders and problem solvers. MASONS: The Mount Zion Masonic Lodge #311F.& A.M. will meet on Monday, December 18, at 7:30p.m. at the Troy Masonic Community Center, 39Brunswick Road. Refreshments will be served following the meeting.

TROY PUBLIC LIBRARY: Join the Troy Public Library on Monday, December 18, at 6p.m. for the fourth and final session of the Adult Holiday Crafting Workshop Series: DIY Birdseed Hangers. In this workshop you will make a holiday gift for your backyard birds. All supplies will be provided. This program is free and open to the public. Advanced registration is required. For more information and to register, call the library at 518-2747071or online at www. thetroylibrary.org. The Troy Public Library is located at 100Second Street.

Tuesday, Dec. 19

BRAIN FOOD FOR THE CURIOUS: New York State Museum historians and scientists share their knowledge and research in a series of lunchtime talks on select Tuesdays from October through March, from 12:10p.m. – 12:40p.m., in the Museum’s Huxley Theater, 222Madison Avenue, Albany. December 19, “PreContact and Early-Historic Social Networks in Northern Iroquoia.” Iroquoian pottery is characterized by often complex geometrical designs. Hear about how recent analyses of these designs are changing our understanding of Iroquoian social interactions in New York and southern Ontario. Each program includes a 20-minute talk with a State Museum historian or scientist followed by a questionand-answer period. Attendees are encouraged to bring their lunch.

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM AT SARATOGA: Tuesday for Tots: Mittens, 10a.m. A special time for visitors ages 2-5to gain preschool readiness skills in a fun and social environment. 69 Caroline Street, Sarartoga Springs. Call 518-5845540for more information. FARMER DISCUSSION MEETING: Description: Cornell Cooperative Extension-Albany and the Capital Area Agriculture & Horticulture Program are pleased to announce an upcoming series of Farmer Discussion Meetings, to be held in Albany, Rensselaer, Greene, Columbia and Washington Counties. After a free lunch, Aaron Gabriel will discuss basic insect biology and identification, and Sandy Buxton will lead a discussion about how to estimate farm machinery costs. A meeting will be held for Rensselaer County on December 19from noon to 2p.m. at the Brunswick Family Community Center, 19Keyes Lane, Troy. GRAFTON COMMUNITY LIBRARY: Kids’ STEAM Class, 4p.m. Game Night, 5p.m. 2455NY Route 2, Grafton. Call 518-279-0580 or visit graftoncommunitylibrary.org for more information.

POESTENKILL SENIORS:

The Poestenkill Seniors hold weekly meetings every Tuesday at 1p.m. at the Sullivan-Jones VFW Post in Poestenkill. All seniors are welcome. Coffee and refreshments are served after the meeting, followed by bingo and cards. The hall is handicapped-accessible with sufficient parking. The Poestenkill Seniors hold catered luncheons, clamsteams and fish frys at various restaurants. Best of all, they go on bus trips to casinos and other points of interest. Dues are $10a year.

RENSSELAER PUBLIC LIBRARY: Computer Help, 1p.m. to 3p.m. Drop in and get help with a computer, phone or other device, and get your questions answered Rensselaer Public Library is located across the street from the Amtrak parking lot. To learn more, see http://rensselaerlibrary.org/ or visit the library’s Facebook page,

TROY SENIOR CENTER: 9:30a.m., Knitting and Crocheting. 10a.m., Health & Wellness activities. Arts 4Vets meets every Tuesday at 10:30a.m. Call 2705349to make a noon lunch reservation, or 270-5348 for more information.

Wednesday, Dec. 20

BETHLEHEM PUBLIC LIBRARY: De-stress and enjoy the gentle movements and breathing exercises associated with qi gong. Wear loose and comfortable clothing and shoes. All ages and abilities welcome. 7 p.m., 451Delaware Avenue, Delmar.

BRUNSWICK COMMUNITY LIBRARY: Kids STEAM Class for ages 4+, 3:30 p.m. Adult Yoga, 6p.m.4118 State Highway 2, Troy. Call 279-4023or visit www. brunswicklibrary.org for more information.

CMOST: “Winter” is the December theme for CMOST’s 11a.m. Science Story Time. Join a Museum Educator for a science-based story time that includes a projectbased activity. No preregistration required; free with museum admission. For ages 2-6. Children’s Museum of Science + Technology, 250Jordan Road, Troy. For more information call 518-235-2120or visit www. cmost.org.

GRAFTON COMMUNITY LIBRARY: Tots’ Class, 10:30a.m. 2455NY Route 2, Grafton. Call 518-2790580or visit graftoncommunitylibrary.org for more information.

MEN’S CANCER SUPPORT GROUP: NY Capital Region Men to Men Cancer Support Group meets the third Wednesday of every month from 6p.m. to 8p.m. at the American Cancer Society Hope Club, 1Penny Lane, Latham. Come-share experiences and receive understanding and encouragement from men and their loved ones in dealing with cancer. For more information, please contact the ACS Hope Club at 518-2206960.

MINDFUL PRACTICES

GROUP: Includes walking meditation and sitting meditation in the tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. All are welcome; meditation instruction available. Wednesdays 6:30p.m. to 7:30p.m., RPI’s Newman Center Hospitality House--4 Sherry Road, Troy, about 30yards south of the RPI Chapel Center (near the intersection of Burdett and Peoples Avenues). Call 518271-6949or 518-273-1851 for more information. THRIFT SHOP: Johnsonville Methodist Church, Bridge St, Johnsonville (Route 40 to Route 67East. Look for the “OPEN” flag on Route 67) is open 9a.m. - noon Wednesdays and the first Saturday of each month. Great selection of Christmas decor; large selection of men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, shoes and accessories, most for $3a bag. Winter coats, jackets and snow pants $2. Special occasion outfits for those Holiday parties. Lots of housewares, CDs, books and jewelry -- plus a room full of toys.

TROY SENIOR CENTER: Swimming at Lansingburgh Boys/Girls Club, 9a.m. Aerobics 9:30a.m. Health & Wellness activities, 10:30 a.m. Bingo 12:45p.m. 19 Third Street, Troy. To make reservations for a delicious 12;15p.m. lunch, call 518270-5349.

Thursday, Dec. 21

BRUNSWICK COMMUNITY LIBRARY: Tots Class, 10:30a.m. Knitting group, 1 p.m. to 2:30p.m. 4118State Highway 2, Troy. Call 518279-4023or visit www. brunswicklibrary.org for more information.