Upcoming calendar

JANE AUSTEN’S BIRTHDAY: The Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA) – New York Capital Region hosts the annual celebration of the author’s birthday on Sunday, December 16, at 1p.m. at the Batcehller Mansion, 20 Circular Street, Saratoga Springs. This year’s festivities include readings from Austen’s earliest works, an Afternoon High Tea with Regency savories and sweets, and Jane’s Birthday Cake. $20for JASNA members, $25for nonmembers. Please reserve your place by December 9by sending a check payable to JASNA NYS Capital Region to JASNA, NYCR c/o Nancy Duell, 56Fifth Street, Gelns Falls NY 12801. For more information, call Nancy at 1-518-327-1887or email ardhn23@netscape.net. TOWN OF PITTSTOWN SENIORS CHRISTMAS PARTY: The Town of Pittsotwn Seniors’ Christmas Party will be held on December 9at the Pittstown Volunteer Emergency Corp, with ham dinner served at noon. Members who wish to attend should contact Sylvia Ward at 518-478-3338 by Sunday, December 2. PICTURE MY PARK: The Friends of Peebles Island State Park and Choose Cohoes for Art present “Picture My Park” a month-long exhibit of photography highlighting the many attractions of Peebles Island State Park. The show, which runs from December 5through January 1at the Peebles Island Visitors Center, features the work of 10different local photographers, all captured in or of the park during 2018. A reception will be held Friday December 7, from 6p.m. to 8p.m. at the Visitors Center. The show is free and open to the public. Prizes for the three best works will be awarded during the reception. Questions about the show can be sent to FriendsOfPeebles@GMail.com .

INTRODUCTION TO QIGONG: QiGong is an ancient Chinese art that empowers you to help yourself by activating your inner resources for self-healing and reducing stress through breathing techniques, postures and mindful focus. The Troy Public Library will present Diana Wells, certified QiGong teacher, in a series of four introductory classes on Monday evenings, at 6 p.m. from November 26– December 17. Classes are free but space is limited so registration is required. For more information and to register, call the library at 518-274-7071or online atwww.thetroylibrary.org. The Troy Public Library is located at 100Second Street, Troy. NORTH COUNTRY FESTIVAL OF TREES: The 27th Annual North Country Festival of Trees welcomes visitors on November 29 and December 1-2at The Queensbury Hotel, 88 Ridge Street, Glens Falls. The Festival includes many activities for the entire family, a Children’s Wonderland, visits with Santa, decorated trees and wreaths and unique, handmade items created by area artisans for gift giving or home in the Holiday Boutique. General admission $7, seniors $5, children 12and under $3. The November 30Festival Gala is an evening of fine cuisine, spirits and entertainment by the Radio Junkies and pianist Matt Donnelly. Tickets are $75per person, $100for Honorary Chairpersons. All events benefit Prospect Center, a division of the Center for Disability Services. ARTISANS’ MARKET: Join the Saratoga County Historical Society at Brookside Museum for the 18th Annual Artisans’ Market, open daily from November 24-December 23. Shop from unique, handmade gifts, including coaps, lotions, ornaments, jewelry, aprons, syrups, cutting boards and much more. Each purchase supports local artisans and the SCHS. Monday – Thursday 10a.m. – 4p.m., Friday 10a.m. – 7 p.m., Saturday noon – 5 p.m., Sunday noon – 4p.m., 5Charlton Street, Ballston Spa. FRANCO-AMERICAN CHRISTMAS BRUNCH: Enjoy delicious food, lively music and holiday camaraderie at La Fédération Franco-Américaine du NY’s annual Christmas Brunch on Sunday, December 9 from 11a.m. – 2p.m. at The Venue, locate at the former St. Joseph’s Church at 65 Congress Street, Cohoes. Buffet by Joe Forget, French-Canadian music by John Guay, Vonnie Estes, Nancy Bakemeier and Maurice Mercier, and 50⁄50 raffle at the door. Adults $29, children 6-12$14. Reservations are required; make checks payable to FeFany and send to FeFany, PO Box 354, Cohoes NY 12047. For more information, call Yvette at 518-272-5061or visit albanyareafrenchclub.com.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES CHRISTMAS STORE: Help make a child’s Christmas morning special with Catholic Charities Tri-County Services. The Catholic Charities Christmas Store collects donations of new gift items for ages 0-17, from toys to clothing and games to gift cards. Eligible parents are then invited to “shop” for their children at no cost, giving them the ability to ensure that each child receives a gift they truly will enjoy. You can donate by purchasing new gift items and dropping them off at Catholic Charities Tri-County Services’ main office at 50Herrick Street, Rensselaer, or you can purchase a gift directly from an Amazon Wish List at http://a.co/ 7AhAk4r, and it’ll be mailed to the office. Catholic Charities can also arrange a pickup of gifts at your home or office. For more information, including help with organizing a gift drive at your office, contact Justine Carroll at 518512-3577x115or jcarroll@ccalbany.org.

GLASS BLOWING COMPETITION: Downtown Glens Falls retailer 42Degrees presents a glass pipe blowing competition called ADK Throwdown on December 3 -7. Each day, two glass artists will create new work in the 42Degrees studio at 23 Park Street. Visitors are invited to watch the artists in action during the day at no charge. The $2,500Grand Prize will be chosen based on a combination of factors: votes via 42Degrees’ Instagram (www.instagram.com/42degrees.gf), votes cast in person during 42 Degrees’ December 8Holiday Party, and votes cast by event organizers.The tournament ends with an awards ceremony and presentation of the grand prize during the Holiday Party from 7p.m. to midnight. The Holiday Party will also feature live glass blowing, live music by Hasty Page, and refreshments. Admission is free. Find more information online at www. adkthrowdown.com.

ST. MARY’S HOLIDAY CABARET: On Saturday, December 15, St. Mary’s Academy presents its 16th annual Cabaret, featuring the eight-piece band West Side Drive. Ben Patten of Magic 590AM and 100.5FM will be the emcee for the evening. An appetizer buffet, cash bar, desserts and coffee will be available. At a silent auction you can bid on an assortment of gift ideas and some very special classroom projects from St. Mary’s students. Doors open 6p.m. and the music starts at 7p.m. at 4Parsons Avenue, Hoosick Falls. Tickets $20prior to the event. Please call Mary Beth Smith at the school office (518-686-4314)to reserve tickets or tables for eight.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL: Scrooge finally comes to Sand Lake when Sand Lake Center for the Arts presents a new adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” directed by Brian Sheldon and Melanie Douglas. Performances December 7-8, 13-15at 8p.m., December 9and 16at 2:30 p.m. at 2880NY 43, Averill Park. Adults $18, under 18 $10. For reservations or more information visit www. slca-ctp.org or call 518674-2007.

‘PRIDE OF OUR NATION’ EXHIBIT: The eighth annual “Pride of Our Nation … Pride of Our College” exhibition of military photographs and memorabilia will be on display from November 10– December 7in the Troy Savings Bank Charitable Foundation Atrium at the Marvin Library on the Troy campus of Hudson Valley Community College, 80 Vandenburgh Avenue. This year’s exhibition marks the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I with stories and artifacts of that war. Library hours are Monday-Thursday 7a.m. – 10p.m., Friday 7a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday 9a.m. – 4 p.m. Closed Sundays and on November 21-25. Admission is free.

COHOES ROTARY CHRISTMAS ORNA- MENTS: The Rotary Club of Cohoes has issued collectable Christmas ornaments featuring historic Cohoes landmarks since 2004. This year’s ornament design, the fourth in the slim design series, features the Cohoes Armory. Coffee mugs with the Armory design are also available for purchase from the Rotary Club and at Marra’s Pharmacy, 217Remsen Street. Ornaments are $15, mugs $8. Visit www. rotaryclubofcohoes.org for more information. STRENGTHENING FAMILIES: Cornell Cooperative Extension of Albany County’s Strengthening Families program is a fun, interactive series of workshops that allows parents/caregivers to spend special time with their youth (ages 14-16) and help him/her be successful in teen years. During each session, parents/caregivers and their youth will learn ways to build on existing strengths, improve communication skills, and have fun together as a family. The series runs Wednesdays from November 28through December 12from 5:30 p.m. – 8p.m. at the Parsons Child and Family Center Neil Hellman School, 60Academy Road, Albany. Dinner is provided at each workshop and each family will win a family fun gift basket during the course of the series. Bus passes are available for transporation if needed. Advance registration is required by contacting Maria at 518-765-3559or emailing mkd59@cornell.edu. YOUTH SNOWMOBILE SAFETY: On Saturday, December 8, the Grafton Trail Blazers Snowmobile Club and the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation will host a snowmobile safety course for young people ages 10to 18, taught by NYS certified volunteer instructor Jim Blessing. Students must be at least 10years old on the day of the course. The course is free of charge and lunch will be provided. It will be held at the Grafton VFW/ Fire Hall on South Road from 8:15a.m. to approximately 5p.m. To register, call the Grafton Lakes State Park office at 518-279-1155 by November 30, or e-mail Elizabeth.wagner@parks.ny.gov with the parent’s name, student’s name and age, and your phone number. Adults are encouraged to attend as well; be sure to notify the office if a parent is accompanying the child. Space is limited, so no walkins please.

ARTS CENTER HOLIDAY SHOP: Stop by the Arts Center of the Capital Region from November 30– December 23to shop in a newly redesigned and revisioned Holiday Shop featuring art inspired by and for the holidays. Proceeds help fund the Arts Center’s free programs. Noon – 5p.m. on November 30– December 2, Dec. 7-9, 14-16and 21-23, 265River Street, Troy. For more information visit www. artscenteronline.org. ANCESTRY.COM TUTORIALS: North Greenbush Community Library Trustee and Town Historian Jim Greenfield offers free personal tutorials on the use of ancestry.com. Ancestry Library Edition, available at the library, provides access to 7,000databases, delivering an extraordinary online collection of genealogy information. To set up your individual session, please call the library at 518-283-0303and leave your information. Jim will call you back to schedule an appointment. The library is located at 141Main Avenue, Wynantskill.

SPEIGLE ELDERS: Due to Thanksgiving and Christmas, the Speigle Elders will hold only one meeting in November and December, on November 14and December 12, with charity collections designated for the Salvation Army’s local toy campaign and Clothe-A-Child respectively. Table #3members will host an in-house Italian luncheon at the November 14meeting. The annual Christmas/Birthday party will take place on Tues--

day, December 11, at Party Events in the former Germania Hall in Lansingburgh. The club will not meet in January 2019due to winter weather concerns. The first meeting of the new year will be held on Wednesday, February 13.

SOUTHERN SARATOGA ART SOCIETY: Members of Southern Saratoga Art Society will exhibit their works throughout the area during November and December. “Winter” will be displayed in November in the Center Gallery of the Clifton Park Senior Community center. The works of Joan VanAlphen will be featured at the Mechanicville District Public Library during November and December. The Burnt Hills Library will feature the work of Jack Morgan, Richard Kitchen, Joan VanAlphen, Jean Skanes, Mary Fekete and Frank Fucci. CatskillHudson Bank features the work of Eva Marie Loucks at its Clifton Park branch and Virginia Harrison at its Malta branch. Rebecca Jenkins and Patricia Wade will be featured at Mocha Lisa’s Café in Clifton Park.

NEW SCOTLAND HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION: The New Scotland Historical Association Museum has reopened with a new exhibit. “History Lost, History Preserved” features four aspects of Town of New Scotland history: dairy farms, hotels, the Helderberg Ski Club and vintage post cards (or “Early Tweets”). The museum is located in the Wyman Osterhout Community Center, 7the Old Road, Voorheesville. Hours are Sundays 2p.m. – 4 p.m. and by appointment. For more information visit newscotlandhistoricalassociation.org.

HOPKINS FOREST DEER HUNTING: Hopkins Memorial Forest in Williamstown MA will be open to deer hunting by special permit during the 12-day shotgun season this fall. The 2018Massachusetts deer shotgun season runs from November 26to December 18, excluding Sunday, December 2. A limited number of complimentary permits will be issued to hunters from local communities. Applications can be submitted on line (https://hmf.williams.edu/public/deer-hunting/) or obtained

from the Center for Environmental Studies. Regardless of how they are submitted, applications are due back to the Center by October 27. They will be evaluated on a first-come, first served basis and permits will be issued to selected hunters by mid-November. Hunters may obtain a no-fee permit application by contacting the Center for Environmental Studies, 55Mission Park Drive, Williamstown, MA 01267, calling 413-5972346, or e-mailing dlewis@ williams.edu.

SUNNY SUNDAYS: Sunny Sundays are your opportunity to take a safe glimpse at the sun. Educators from the Dudley Observatory at miSci will operate their 14inch telescope inside the roll-top roof observatory, allowing visitors to safely look at the sun and search for sunspots. Other objects such as the moon and planets may also be visible. In the event of poor weather, we will have hands-on activities indoors instead. The observatory will be open from 1p.m. - 2:30p.m. every Sunday through December 30. miSci galleries will be open continuously from noon – 5p.m. Access to the observatory or activities is free with museum admission ($12Adult, $10Senior, $8Child) at miSci, the Museum of Innovation and Science, 15Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady. HIICAP: Do you have questions on Medicare, EPIC or your prescription drug coverage? Not happy with your present coverage? Open enrollment runs from October 15– December 7 and the Health Insurance Information Council Assistance Program (HIICAP) can help. If you can’t afford your Medicare Part B premium you may be eligible for assistance. The Medicare Savings Program is available to qualifying seniors. You can make an appointment to speak to a HIICAP representative privately at the Everett Wagar Senior Center, 2Roxborough Road, Grafton. All Rensselaer County seniors 60years of age and older are welcome. To make an appointment contact the senior center at 518-279-3413or the Rensselaer County Department of Aging at 518-270-2730. BIBLICAL HISTORY OF ISRAEL: Through a series of video lectures from The Great Courses by Professor Jodi Magness and Profes-

sor Cynthia R. Chapman, followed by discussion, this series of classes will add new dimensions to your understanding of the millennia-long narrative of the birthplace of Judaism and Christianity. All classes will take place from 7p.m. – 8:30p.m. at Congregation Gates of Heaven, 852 Ashmore Avenue, Schenectady on every other Thursday starting October 11. The series is free and open to the public. For more information, contact temple director of congregational Jewish living Arnold Rotenberg at 518-374-8173, or email arotenberg@cgoh.org. ALL AROUND ABRAHAM: Congregation Gates of Heaven’s new Wednesday adult education course, “All Around Abraham,” begins October 17from 7p.m – 8 p.m. with Brian Haak. Classes will be held on October 17 and 31, November 7and 14, and December 5and 19at 852Ashmore Avenue, Schenectady. The course is free and open to the public. For more information, contact temple director of congregational Jewish living Arnold Rotenberg at 518-3748173, or email arotenberg@ cgoh.org.

FOR FREEDOMS: A selection of signs created for “For Freedoms: 50State Initiative” highlighting participating artists’ definitions of freedoms is on exhibit in the Learning Commons of Schaffer Library on the Union College campus through March 21, 2019. For more information about For Freedoms please visit https:// www.forfreedoms.org/. WOMEN’S HOCKEY: Frozen Assets, a women’s ice hockey team based in Troy, is looking for new players and a goalie. The team has players that are novice hockey players (some skating experience is required) and others who played competitive hockey. The team practices Sunday evenings and competes regularly with other local teams at the Recreational and D-Levels. If you are looking to play a fun sport and meet some great people, contact CathleenBU@gmail.com. Practices begin September 30at Hudson Valley Community College ice arena.

AVERILL PARK COMMUNITY ORCHESTRA: If you play a musical instrument, the Averill Park Community Orchestra is looking for new members. The orchestra is especially in need of string players (violin, viola, cello, string bass). APCO rehearses at Algonquin Middle School in Averill Park on Wednesday evenings from 7p.m. - 8:30p.m., and performs two concerts a year, one in December and one in June. Rehearsals start September 12, New members will be accepted through early October in preparation for a December 16 performance. If you or someone you know plays an orchestral instrument (strings, woodwinds, brass, or percussion) and may be interested in joining, please contact Christina Desmond at 518-948-0565.

UPPER HUDSON LIBRARY EXPEDITION: Did you know that your Upper Hudson Library card lets you borrow virtually anything from any library in Albany and Rensselaer counties? Become a “36-er” by going on the Upper Hudson Library Expedition, which opens the doors of every UHLS public library and gives you the chance to win prizes by visiting as many Upper Hudson libraries as possible. Open to explorers of all ages, this selfpaced journey takes place from September 1through November 30. With each visit to a different library, you get a stamp on your map. Prizes are earned for visiting 5, 15, 25, or all 36 public libraries and branches in the two counties. Anyone interested in joining the Expedition can start their journey at Cheney Library in Hoosick Falls, or any public library in Albany or Rensselaer County. For more details visit www.uhls.org/ expedition.

BACKPACKS WANTED: Catholic Charities Tri-County Services runs five school supply programs throughout our communities and needs *new* backpacks for elementary and middle school aged children. Donations can be dropped off at the office at 50Herrick Street in Rensselaer, or call Justine Carroll at 518-512-3577 x115to arrange a pickup of

larger quantity donations. You, your business, church or group can arrange a collection of new backpacks or donate funds for Catholic Charities to purchase them. If you prefer to make a monetary donation you can donate online at https:// rcda.thankyou4caring. org/ccrcda/cc-tri-countyservices.

THEATER VOICES: Theater Voices has announced its program for 2018-19, the 31st anniversary season of free professional staged readings Directed by Jacqueline Donnaruma, “Circle Mirror Transformation” by Annie Baker runs from February 15-17, 2019. “The Subject Was Roses” by Frank D. Gilroy, directed by Brian Sheldon, runs from April 12-14. The season will close out with “Chapatti” by Christian O’Reilly, directed by Patricia Bunce, on May 17-19. All shows will be presented at Steamer No. 10Theater, 500Western Avenue, Albany, with performance times of Fridays at 8p.m.; Saturdays at 3p.m. and 8p.m.; and Sundays at 3p.m. For more information, visit www.theatervoices.org or look up Theater Voices on Facebook.

HISTORIC STEPHENTOWN PHOTOS: Photographs of Stephentown from 1907and 1908are now on display at the Stephentown Post Office. These scenes have been printed from glass plate negatives that were donated to the Stephentown Historical Society by the Lebanon Valley Historical Society. The views include the Kinderhook Creek and Atwater Village section of Garfield. These historic images will also be part of a Spring 2019exhibit of local photography at the Stephentown Heritage Center. Photog- raphers should plan to take their own interesting views and visions of Stephentown throughout the coming year with this exhibit in mind. FREE ENGLISH CLASSES: Do you want to improve your English? Are you new to the United States? Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County has free English Literacy Civics classes where you can improve your English language skills while learning about life in the United States. Each class meets two times per week. Classes for beginning learners meet in Albany. Classes for intermediate learners meet in Troy. For more information, contact Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County at 518-244-4650or visit www.lvorc.org.

ERIE CANAL EXHIBIT: “Enterprising Waters: New York’s Erie Canal” will be on display through October 20, 2019. The exhibition honors the bicentennial anniversary of the Erie Canal’s construction and features artifacts, images, posters, and documents from the collections of the State Museum, State Archives, State Library, and cultural institutions from across the state. The first phase of the exhibition explores the circumstances leading up to building the canal, the construction, and the famous “wedding of the waters” that marked the opening of the completed canal in 1825. Located at 222Madison Avenue in Albany, the Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:30a.m. to 5p.m. It is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Admission is free. Further information about programs and events can be obtained by calling 518474-5877or visiting the Museum website at www. nysm.nysed.gov.