Upcoming calendar

INTRO TO FLY FISHING: Capital District Fly Fishers’ Intro to Fly Tying classes begin January 9, 2019. There will be eight sessions, held Wednesdays from 7 p.m. – 9p.m. (except on January 16and February 20) at the Historic Grooms Tavern in Clifton Park. The $75class cost includes all fly tying material. Students must provide their own vice. Register at https://parksrec. egov.basgov.com/cliftonpark/Search?TagId=5. POESTENKILL HISTORICAL SOCIETY: During December the Poestenkill Heritage Center is exhibiting art from an original book of “The Night Before Christmas” by Clement C. Moore, which was first published in the Troy Sentinel in 1823. Also on display are works by artist Pat Lasch, whose art has been exhibited at the MET in New York City and the Palm Springs Art Museum. Open Monday 11 a.m. – 3p.m. and Saturday 1 p.m. – 3p.m. at 776Round Top Road, Poestenkill.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL: Walking the dog Theater of Ghent presents 3performances of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” at Solaris, 360Warren St. in Hudson, December 21- 23 at 8p.m. and December 24 at 3p.m. at Solaris, 360 Warren Street, Hudson. The theater’s Executive Artistic Director, David Anderson, performs the piece solo (moving fluidly from character to character), directed by Ted Pugh, in a modern revival of Dickens’ own manner of storytelling. Admission is free as part of WTD’s Free Culture Initiative, which seeks to make the experience of live theater available to all; donations in support of this initiative are gratefully received. To learn more about Walking the dog Theater’s Free Culture Initiative and to get involved, visit www.wtdtheater.org or call 518-610-0909.

EAST SIDE SENIORS: The next meeting of the East Side Seniors will be held on January 8, 2019, at the American Legion Post in Wynantskill, beginning at 1 p.m. There will be nominations for new officers, an election will be held, and there will be a discussion of upcoming events, including the Wildwood NJ trip on June 9. If Wynantskill schools are closed due to weather, the meeting will be canceled. If Troy schools are on a 2hour delay due to weather, bocce ball will be cancelled. Come January 1, 2019, membership dues are due. New members are always welcome. LANSINGBURGH HISTORICAL SOCIETY ORNAMENTS: The second holiday ornament in the Lansingburgh Historical Society’s “Historical Sites of Lansingburgh” series features the Lansingburgh Academy, built in 1820on the corner of 4th Avenue and 114th Street. Chester Alan Arthur, the 21st President of the U.S., taught there, and Herman Melville attended classes there. The Academy building is featured in color on a porcelain disc bordered in gold. The ornament comes in a gift box and may be purchased for $15, plus a shipping charge if the ornament is to be mailed. A limited supply of the first ornament in the series, featuring Herman Melville’s home, is also available. Proceeds from ornament sales support the Melville House and Lansingburgh Historical Society educational events. To make a purchase, call 518-235-3924, 518-2350730or 518-885-4295. CHOOSE, GIVE, GET: Ocean State Job Lot (OSJL), a privately-held, family-operated discount retail chain with 133stores in New England, New York and New Jersey announces a “Choose, Give, Get” donation program to benefit those in need this holiday season. From Thursday, November 29, through Monday, December 24, any customer who chooses to donate $50 or more (in increments of $50) to one of eight causes supported through the OSJL Charitable Foundation will receive their donated amount back in a “Crazy Deal” gift card. Causes supported by the Foundation are: military and veterans, food insecurity, child welfare, healthcare (fighting cancer/disease), education, animal welfare, performing arts and homelessness. To find an Ocean State Job Lot near you, go to https:// www.oceanstatejoblot.com/ store-locator.

BAKE SALE LUNCHEON: The New York Capital District Christian Women’s Connection sponsors a “Let’s Have a Bake Sale” luncheon, featuring a Virginia Baked Ham Dinner, on Wednesday, December 12, from 11:25a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at the Guilderland Elks Lodge, 3867Rte. 146(Carman Road), Schenectady. Please bring a bake sale item to sell. Roseanne Hargrave performs special music and Gail Deloriea discusses “Who Will Be There For Me?” Cost $16 inclusive (cash only). Make reservations no later than December 7by calling Nancy at 518-869-0642. SPEIGLE ELDERS CHRISTMAS PARTY: The Speigle Elders’ Christmas/ Birthday party will be held from noon- 3p.m. on Tuesday, December 11at The Party Event in the former Germania Hall building in Lansingburgh. All members will receive a complimentary bar beverage in celebration of birthdays throughout 2018. Contact Bert Lattimore for final reservations/ payments, which are due by December 4. The monthly charity collection will take place at the party for The Record’s Clothe-A-Child program. There will be no business meeting on December 12; the next meeting will take place on Wednesday, February 13, 2019. ITALIAN CHRISTMAS COOKING CLASS: Instructor Dolores Scalise will make foods related to the Christmas season including a tasting, during the annual Italian Christmas Cooking Class at the American Italian Heritage Museum in Albany on Tuesday, December 11, from 11a.m. – 1:30 p.m. The class costs $10 per person. Make your reservation by sending a check payable to AIHAM to American Italian Heritage Association and Museum, 1227Central Avenue, Albany NY 12205by December 9. In case of a storm, the class will be rescheduled. Call 518-435-1979, email info@ americanitalianmuseum. org or visit www.americanitalianmuseum.org for more information.

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, Glens Falls NY 12801. For more information, call Nancy at 1-518-327-1887or email ardhn23@netscape.net. 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 at www.thetroylibrary.org. The Troy Public Library is located at 100Second Street, Troy.

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.

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.

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.

COHOES ROTARY CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS: 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. 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.

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 postcards (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.

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 14 inch 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.

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 16performance.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. 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 518-512-3577x115 to 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/cctri-county-services. 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 1907 and 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. Photographers should plan to take their own interesting views and visions of Ste-

phentown 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.