Calendar
EDITOR’S NOTE: This calendar is being regularly updated to reflect all event cancellations and postponements. However, it is recommended that readers contact event organizers before they attend. For the most updated version of the calendar, please visit or troyrecord. com.
Monday, Dec. 7 BLOOD DRIVE: An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held from 1:30to 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 7at the Rensselaer Elks, located at 683Columbia Tpke in East Greenbush. More information is available online at www. redcrossblood.org.
BLOOD DRIVE: An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held from 7a.m. to 3p.m. on Monday, Dec. 7at the Everett Road Blood Donation Center, located at 33Everett Rd. in Albany. More information is available online at www. redcrossblood.org.
FESTIVAL OF TREES:
Catholic Charities of Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties invites the local community to unwrap the magic of the holiday season at their 25th annual fundraiser - The Festival of Trees - on Wednesday, Dec. 2through Sunday, Dec. 6, at the Saratoga Springs City Center. With COVID-19precautions in place, the Festival will once again showcase beautifully decorated trees, wreaths and other holiday and gift items for purchase. Festival proceeds will benefit the programs of Catholic Charities of Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties. New this year, the community will also be able to view and purchase trees online at https://give.classy.org/ festivaltrees. Hours vary as follows: Wednesday 5-7pm; Thursday 4-9pm; Friday 2-6pm; Saturday 12-6pm; and Sunday 11-2pm. Tickets are $8per person, $5for Seniors, $3for ages 10-18 and free for anyone 10and under when accompanied by an adult. The Festival will go on without traditional group activities, such as Breakfast with Santa. Instead, various “Santa Experiences” are available for interested families. Children will receive a letter or video call from Santa or parents can purchase a DIY Christmas Cookie Kit to decorate at home. Anyone interested in a Santa Experience can visit https://give. classy.org/festivaltrees to purchase. Further details for this year’s Festival, including guidelines for the virtual sale and hours for in person viewing, can be found by calling 518-587-5000. All attendees will be asked to wear a
mask and socially distance, with limited numbers safely allowed in the Tree Display Room at one time.
Tuesday, Dec. 8 BLOOD DRIVE: An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held from noon to 6p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 8at the Hilton Garden Inn, located at 1389 Washington Ave. in Albany. More information is available online at www.redcrossblood. org.
BLOOD DRIVE: An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held from 11:30a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 8at the Everett Road Blood Donation Center, located at 33Everett Rd. in Albany. More information is available online at www.redcrossblood.org. Wednesday, Dec. 9 LUNCHEON: The New York Capital District Christian Women’s Connection is sponsoring a “Let’s Remain Connected to Each Other” luncheon on Wednesday, Dec.r 9, 2020at the Guilderland Elks Lodge, 3867Rte. 146(Carman Road) in Schenectady, NY 12303beginning at 11:30am and ending at approximately 1:30pm. CDC Covid-19recommendations will be followed along with a limit of 50reservations. Your reservation is necessary no later than Dec. 4and cancellations a must. Please call Nancy (518) 869-0642or Carol (518) 869-5253for reservations. On the menu this month is a Virginia Ham dinner with an alternative choice of Grilled Chicken Salad. The cost is $17inclusive (cash only please). Our Special Feature this month is Erich Ruger from Sugar Oak Farms, a family-owned maple syrup business located in Malta. They specialize in everything Maple! Our Special Speaker Cindy Close from Northville will speak on “What We Can Learn from Real Life”. Our Special Music will be one of our favorite people, Peg Hart on the accordion. All are welcome - bring a friend or your significant other.
BLOOD DRIVE: An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held from 7:30a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 9 at the Empire State Plaza concourse in Albany. More information is available online at www.redcrossblood.org. BLOOD DRIVE: An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held from 11:30a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 9at the Everett Road Blood Donation Center, located at 33 Everett Rd. in Albany. More information is available online at www.redcrossblood.org.
Thursday, Dec. 10 WINTERTIME WONDERLAND:
New holiday attraction Wintertime Wonderland is now open. This holidaythemed, family-friendly attraction, billed as the Capital Region’s largest indoor Christmas event, is located at 195Troy Schenectady Rd. in Colonie, in the former Kmart store next to Vent Fitness. Set at the North Pole, the walk-through experience features a frosty ice maze, a post office and train station, a life-size snowglobe and gingerbread house, a whimsical light show on Candy Cane Alley, Christmas Village and Santa’s Workshop, where children will have the chance to meet Santa himself. Other characters that visitors will encounter along the way include an ice princess, snowmen, gingerbread men, carolers, reindeer, elves and Mrs. Claus. Attendees will have the option to take photographs with actors either close together or in a socially distanced pose with scenery in the space between. Kids will receive a greeting card, coloring book and letter to Santa with activities for throughout the attraction and at home. After exploring the displays, guests can enjoy refreshments, do some holiday shopping with local vendors, support area nonprofits, enter a raffle for a brand new car, view and purchase photos from the event and pick up a Christmas tree. The event’s COVID-19protocols include temperature checks upon arrival, occupancy limits, frequent cleaning, social distancing and mask wearing at all times. Tickets, which can be reserved online, are $20per person. Children age two and younger are free. The wheelchair accessible event’s hours are 3to 9p.m. on Thursday and Friday, 9a.m. to 9p.m. on Saturday and 9a.m. to 8p.m. on Sunday, with expanded hours anticipated in the days right before Christmas. More information about Wintertime Wonderland is available online at wintertimewonderland.com. VIRTUAL MEETUP: The League of Women Voters of Saratoga County will hold two Virtual Meetups on Thursday Dec. 3from 7 to 8:30pm and Thursday Dec.10from 1:30to 3pm to examine the state of Healthcare in New York State prior to joining Leagues across the state in reaching a state position on Healthcare and the Financing of Healthcare in January. These meetings are open to the public to attend either or both meetings. Meetups are a way for us to come together virtually to explore, understand and advocate for issues that matter to us and they are focused on our members and their interests. We are open to the public so invite a friend to register for the event. Please register under events on the League website, (www. lwvsaratoga.org). After registering, you will receive an email containing information and a link to join this meeting on Zoom.
BLOOD DRIVE: An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held from 7:30a.m. to noon on Thursday, Dec. 10at the Empire State Plaza Department of Health, located at Empire State Plaza concourse in Albany, next to the Hallmark store. More information is available online at www.redcrossblood.org. BLOOD DRIVE: An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held from 11:30a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 10at the Everett Road Blood Donation Center, located at 33 Everett Rd. in Albany. More information is available online at www.redcrossblood.org. BLOOD DRIVE: An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held from 1to 6p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 10at the King of Kings Lutheran Church, located at 1593Crescent Rd. in Clifton Park. More information is available online at www.redcrossblood.org. BLOOD DRIVE: An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held from 9a.m. to 3p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 10at Curtis Lumber, located 885Rt. 67in Ballston Spa. More information is available online at www.redcrossblood.org. ARTISAN MARKET: The beloved “Artisan Market” at Brookside Museum will be returning in 2020, running from “Small Business Saturday” Nov. 28through Dec. 24at 6 Charlton St. in Ballston Spa. The market will feature only handcrafted products created by local artisans. Everything from natural soaps and lotions to unique ornaments and jewelry to scrumptious syrups and eatables – quite simply the best our community has to offer. The 2020 hours are noon to 4p.m. on Thursdays, 11a.m. to 6p.m. on Fridays, 11a.m. to 5p.m. on Saturdays and 11a.m. to 4p.m. on Sundays. All money raised by the Artisan Market will fund Saratoga County History Center public programming and collection maintenance, ensuring that future generations of Saratogians, as well as people from around the world, will be able to learn about and enjoy our amazing, historic region.
RUDOLPH’S MOVIE EXPERIENCE & PYROTECHNICS SHOW:
Ellms Christmas Trees, located at 468Charlton Rd. in Ballston Spa, recently announced a new 2020holiday season event called Rudolph’s Movie Experience and Pyrotechnics Show. Each show will kick off with a Rudolph trivia video, followed by Rudolph’s Movie Experience which is a special, abbreviated 11-minute version of the stop motion animation classic projected onto a giant screen. At the end of the movie experience, guests will enjoy a musical pyrotechnic, special effects and laser show, designed to dazzle and create exciting family traditions and memories. Rudolph’s Movie Experience, an all-ages event, runs every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 22, with three shows each night. Multiple packages offering holiday-themed food and beverage treats will be available as well, along with the opportunity to purchase Rudolph memorabilia on site. Upon arrival to the 240-acre tree farm, guests will be greeted by the masked Farm Team Elves who will direct guests to park and get ready for the experience to begin. Visitors can stand outside of their vehicles, but must remain at their vehicle the entire time. Masks will be required at all times if attendees are outside of their vehicle. Tickets to Rudolph’s Movie Experience and Pyrotechnics Show are currently on sale on the Ellms Farms website, www.ellmsfarms. com.
Friday, Dec. 11 WINTERTIME WONDERLAND:
New holiday attraction Wintertime Wonderland is now open. This holidaythemed, family-friendly attraction, billed as the Capital Region’s largest indoor Christmas event, is located at 195Troy Schenectady Rd. in Colonie, in the former Kmart store next to Vent Fitness. Set at the North Pole, the walk-through experience features a frosty ice maze, a post office and train station, a life-size snowglobe and gin
gerbread house, a whimsical light show on Candy Cane Alley, Christmas Village and Santa’s Workshop, where children will have the chance to meet Santa himself. Other characters that visitors will encounter along the way include an ice princess, snowmen, gingerbread men, carolers, reindeer, elves and Mrs. Claus. Attendees will have the option to take photographs with actors either close together or in a socially distanced pose with scenery in the space between. Kids will receive a greeting card, coloring book and letter to Santa with activities for throughout the attraction and at home. After exploring the displays, guests can enjoy refreshments, do some holiday shopping with local vendors, support area nonprofits, enter a raffle for a brand new car, view and purchase photos from the event and pick up a Christmas tree. The event’s COVID-19 protocols include temperature checks upon arrival, occupancy limits, frequent cleaning, social distancing and mask wearing at all times. Tickets, which can be reserved online, are $20 per person. Children age two and younger are free. The wheelchair accessible event’s hours are 3to 9p.m. on Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 9p.m. on Saturday and 9a.m. to 8p.m. on Sunday, with expanded hours anticipated in the days right before Christmas. More information about Wintertime Wonderland is available online at wintertimewonderland.com.
PASTRY SALE & BOOK DRIVE:
St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church, located at 440Whitehall Rd. in Albany, will host a Pastry Drive Thru Bake Sale and Grassroot Givers Children’s Book Drive on Dec. 11and 12. The Daughters of Penelope, the Philoptochos and the Maids of Athena are the three main philanthropic women’s organizations of St. Sophia’s and all share a common mission, to help charities and those in need in the community and beyond. This year the organizations have worked together for a spectacular Greek Pastry Holiday Drive Thru Bake Sale. The online bake sale features beautifully packaged pastry boxes of all your favorites that will make the perfect gift and addition to your holiday table such as Baklava, Kourambethes, Almond Cookies, and trays of Spanakopita. The Holiday Drive Thru Bake Sale is now teaming up with the Grassroot Givers of Albany children’s book collection drive. The organizations will be donating books from a portion of the proceeds of the Bake Sale and will have a collection box available for those who would also like to donate books when picking up their pastries. Visit St Sophia Holiday Trimmings and Treat website at https://dopalope158.square. site to place your order online and select your pick time. Quantities are limited, so place your order right away.
POP-UP PORCH SALE:
New this year at the Ten Broeck Mansion in Albany is a Pop-up Porch Sale, featuring wreaths designed and made by local garden clubs and artisans. All proceeds support the Albany County Historical Association’s education programming. Locally-made artisanal gifts and ornaments and new historic embroidery kits available. Pop-up Porch Sale hours are Fridays-Sundays, noon-3pm, December 4-20. For more information visit www.tenbroeckmansion.org. BLOOD DRIVE: An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held from 10a.m. to 4p.m. on Friday, Dec. 11at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites, located at 400Old Loudon Rd. in Latham. More information is available online at www.redcrossblood. org.
BLOOD DRIVE: An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held from 7a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 11at the Everett Road Blood Donation Center, located at 33 Everett Rd. in Albany. More information is available online at www.redcrossblood. org.
ARTISAN MARKET: The beloved “Artisan Market” at Brookside Museum will be returning in 2020, running from “Small Business Saturday” Nov. 28through Dec. 24at 6Charlton St. in Ballston Spa. The market will feature only handcrafted products created by local artisans. Everything from natural soaps and lotions to unique ornaments and jewelry to scrumptious syrups and eatables – quite simply the best our community has to offer. The 2020hours are noon to 4p.m. on Thursdays, 11a.m. to 6p.m. on Fridays, 11a.m. to 5p.m. on Saturdays and 11a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays. All money raised by the Artisan Market will fund Saratoga County History Center public programming and collection maintenance, ensuring that future generations of Saratogians, as well as people from around the world, will be able to learn about and enjoy our amazing, historic region.
HOLIDAY HOMES TOUR:
The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation is excited to announce that on Friday, December 11th at 7p.m. it will host a virtual Holiday Homes Tour. Since this year people will not be able to gather together for holiday parties, the Foundation is providing a unique way for people to get into the holiday spirit. The inspiration for the event is the Candlelight House Tour, a tour of private houses decorated for the holidays that the Foundation hosted for 25years until 2015. The virtual Holiday Homes Tour will feature the architecture and history of two private homes on Union Avenue, the George U. Gates House built in 1868and the Ashabel & Elizabeth Moody House built in 1873. The tour will offer a rare peek into the traditional and mid-century inspired interiors of these two historic homes while enjoying holiday music from local musicians the McKrells courtesy of Caffe Lena and singer/ songwriter Cassandra Kubinski. This virtual program will be presented through Zoom. Tickets are $20 for Foundation members and $25for non-members. Tickets must be purchased by 5PM on December 11th to receive a link to the live stream program. Visit www. saratogapreservation.org or call (518) 587-5050to purchase your ticket.
RUDOLPH’S MOVIE EXPERIENCE & PYROTECHNICS SHOW:
Ellms Christmas Trees, located at 468Charlton Rd. in Ballston Spa, recently announced a new 2020holiday season event called Rudolph’s Movie Experience and Pyrotechnics Show. Each show will kick off with a Rudolph trivia video, followed by Rudolph’s Movie Experience which is a special, abbreviated 11-minute version of the stop motion animation classic projected onto a giant screen. At the end of the movie experience, guests will enjoy a musical pyrotechnic, special effects and laser show, designed to dazzle and create exciting family traditions and memories. Rudolph’s Movie Experience, an all-ages event, runs every Thursday,
Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 22, with three shows each night. Multiple packages offering holidaythemed food and beverage treats will be available as well, along with the opportunity to purchase Rudolph memorabilia on site. Upon arrival to the 240-acre tree farm, guests will be greeted by the masked Farm Team Elves who will direct guests to park and get ready for the experience to begin. Visitors can stand outside of their vehicles, but must remain at their vehicle the entire time. Masks will be required at all times if attendees are outside of their vehicle. Tickets to Rudolph’s Movie Experience and Pyrotechnics Show are currently on sale on the Ellms Farms website, www.ellmsfarms.com.
Saturday, Dec. 12 PASTRY SALE & BOOK DRIVE:
St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church, located at 440Whitehall Rd. in Albany, will host a Pastry Drive Thru Bake Sale and Grassroot Givers Children’s Book Drive on Dec. 11and 12. The Daughters of Penelope, the Philoptochos and the Maids of Athena are the three main philanthropic women’s organizations of St. Sophia’s and all share a common mission, to help charities and those in need in the community and beyond. This year the organizations have worked together for a spectacular Greek Pastry Holiday Drive Thru Bake Sale. The online bake sale features beautifully packaged pastry boxes of all your favorites that will make the perfect gift and addition to your holiday table such as Baklava, Kourambethes, Almond Cookies, and trays of Spanakopita. The Holiday Drive Thru Bake Sale is now teaming up with the Grassroot Givers of Albany children’s book collection drive. The organizations will be donating books from a portion of the proceeds of the Bake Sale and will have a collection box available for those who would also like to donate books when picking up their pastries. Visit St Sophia Holiday Trimmings and Treat website at https://dopalope158.square. site to place your order online and select your pick time. Quantities are limited, so place your order right away.
WINTERTIME WONDERLAND:
New holiday attraction Wintertime Wonderland is now open. This holidaythemed, family-friendly attraction, billed as the Capital Region’s largest indoor Christmas event, is located at 195Troy Schenectady Rd. in Colonie, in the former Kmart store next to Vent Fitness. Set at the North Pole, the walkthrough experience features a frosty ice maze, a post office and train station, a life-size snowglobe and gingerbread house, a whimsical light show on Candy Cane Alley, Christmas Village and Santa’s Workshop, where children will have the chance to meet Santa himself. Other characters that visitors will encounter along the way include an ice princess, snowmen, gingerbread men, carolers, reindeer, elves and Mrs. Claus. Attendees will have the option to take photographs with actors either close together or in a socially distanced pose with scenery in the space between. Kids will receive a greeting card, coloring book and letter to Santa with activities for throughout the attraction and at home. After exploring the displays, guests can enjoy refreshments, do some holiday shopping with local vendors, support area nonprofits, enter a raffle for a brand new car, view and purchase photos from the event and pick up a Christmas tree. The event’s COVID-19 protocols include temperature checks upon arrival, occupancy limits, frequent cleaning, social distancing and mask wearing at all times. Tickets, which can be reserved online, are $20 per person. Children age two and younger are free. The wheelchair accessible event’s hours are 3to 9p.m. on Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 9p.m. on Saturday and 9a.m. to 8p.m. on Sunday, with expanded hours anticipated in the days right before Christmas. More information about Wintertime Wonderland is available online at wintertimewonderland.com.
BLOOD DRIVE: An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held from 7a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12 at the Everett Road Blood Donation Center, located at 33Everett Rd. Albany. More information is available online at www.redcrossblood. org.
STORYTIME WITH SANTA:
Storytime with Santa is a virtual event for children that will not be able to visit with Santa this holiday season due to Covid-19. The Saratoga Santa will be telling stories, singing songs and reading books to the audience. The event starts at 9a.mon Saturday, Dec. 12 and can be viewed on that day or anytime after that at www.sheltersofsaratoga. org. Tickets are free with optional donation. Sponsorships available. Proceeds from the event help members of our community who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness find shelter, support and permanent housing.
POP-UP PORCH SALE:
New this year at the Ten Broeck Mansion in Albany is a Pop-up Porch Sale, featuring wreaths designed and made by local garden clubs and artisans. All proceeds support the Albany County Historical Association’s education programming. Locally-made artisanal gifts and ornaments and new historic embroidery kits available. Pop-up Porch Sale hours are Fridays-Sundays, noon-3pm, December 4-20. For more information visit www.tenbroeckmansion.org.
TEN BROECK MANSION HOLIDAY HOUSE:
The Ten Broeck Mansion, home of the Albany County Historical Association, announces its Holiday House 2020schedule. Shimmering lights, festive trees and bright garlands inside and out set the scene at the Ten Broeck Mansion, a historic house museum which welcomes the community as a place to make family memories today. Tours with timed tickets are on Saturdays and Sundays from noon until 2:30pm from December 5-20. For the health and safety of all visitors, indoor admission is by timed tickets, advance purchase only. Tickets are available via the ACHA’s website www.tenbroeckmansion. org, Eventbrite, or Facebook. Walk-through tours of groups of 5or less feature docents to share information about holidays in the past, and the history of the Ten Broeck Mansion. Adults $5. Children and ACHA members free.
ARTISAN MARKET: The beloved “Artisan Market” at Brookside Museum will be returning in 2020, running from “Small Business Saturday” Nov. 28through Dec. 24at 6Charlton St. in Ballston Spa. The market will feature only handcrafted products created by local artisans. Everything from natural soaps and lotions to unique ornaments and jewelry to scrumptious syrups and eatables – quite simply the best our community has to offer. The 2020hours are noon to 4p.m. on Thursdays, 11a.m. to 6p.m. on Fridays, 11a.m. to 5p.m. on Saturdays and 11a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays. All money raised by the Artisan Market will fund Saratoga County History Center public programming and collection maintenance, ensuring that future generations of Saratogians, as well as people from around the world, will be able to learn about and enjoy our amazing, historic region.
RUDOLPH’S MOVIE EXPERIENCE & PYROTECHNICS SHOW:
Ellms Christmas Trees, located at 468Charlton Rd. in Ballston Spa, recently announced a new 2020holiday season event called Rudolph’s Movie Experience and Pyrotechnics Show. Each show will kick off with a Rudolph trivia video, followed by Rudolph’s Movie Experience which is a special, abbreviated 11-minute version of the stop motion animation classic projected onto a giant screen. At the end of the movie experience, guests will enjoy a musical pyrotechnic, special effects and laser show, designed to dazzle and create exciting family traditions and memories. Rudolph’s Movie Experience, an all-ages event, runs every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 22, with three shows each night. Multiple packages offering holidaythemed food and beverage treats will be available as well, along with the opportunity to purchase Rudolph memorabilia on site. Upon arrival to the 240-acre tree farm, guests will be greeted by the masked Farm Team Elves who will direct guests to park and get ready for the experience to begin. Visitors can stand outside of their vehicles, but must remain at their vehicle the entire time. Masks will be required at all times if attendees are outside of their vehicle. Tickets to Rudolph’s Movie Experience and Pyrotechnics Show are currently on sale on the Ellms Farms website, www.ellmsfarms.com.
Sunday, Dec. 13 HOLIDAY MARKET:
The Troy Waterfront Farmers Market (TWFM) Farmers
Holiday Market will be held at the Lansingburgh location on Sunday Dec. 13and Sunday Dec. 20, from 10 a.m. to 4p.m. Each Sunday market will feature a revolving roster of vendors, offering locally handmade arts and crafts, specialty foods, wines, spirits and craft beverages. There will also be prepared food vendors offering food to go. Admission to the holiday market is free. More information about the Farmers Holiday Markets will be provided on the TroyMarket.org website and social media channels.
WINTERTIME WONDERLAND:
New holiday attraction Wintertime Wonderland is now open. This holidaythemed, family-friendly attraction, billed as the Capital Region’s largest indoor Christmas event, is located at 195Troy Schenectady Rd. in Colonie, in the former Kmart store next to Vent Fitness. Set at the North Pole, the walkthrough experience features a frosty ice maze, a post office and train station, a life-size snowglobe and gingerbread house, a whimsical light show on Candy Cane Alley, Christmas Village and Santa’s Workshop, where children will have the chance to meet Santa himself. Other characters that visitors will encounter along the way include an ice princess, snowmen, gingerbread men, carolers, reindeer, elves and Mrs. Claus. Attendees will have the option to take photographs with actors either close together or in a socially distanced pose with scenery in the space between. Kids will receive a greeting card, coloring book and letter to Santa with activities for throughout the attraction and at home. After exploring the displays, guests can enjoy refreshments, do some holiday shopping with local vendors, support area nonprofits, enter a raffle for a brand new car, view and purchase photos from the event and pick up a Christmas tree. The event’s COVID-19 protocols include temperature checks upon arrival, occupancy limits, frequent cleaning, social distancing and mask wearing at all times. Tickets, which can be reserved online, are $20 per person. Children age two and younger are free. The wheelchair accessible event’s hours are 3to 9p.m. on Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 9p.m. on Saturday and 9a.m. to 8p.m. on Sunday, with expanded hours anticipated in the days right before Christmas. More information about Wintertime Wonderland is available online at wintertimewonderland.com.
POP-UP PORCH SALE:
New this year at the Ten Broeck Mansion in Albany is a Pop-up Porch Sale, featuring wreaths designed and made by local garden clubs and artisans. All proceeds support the Albany County Historical Association’s
education programming. Locally-made artisanal gifts and ornaments and new historic embroidery kits available. Pop-up Porch Sale hours are Fridays-Sundays, noon-3pm, December 4-20. For more information visit www.tenbroeckmansion.org.
TEN BROECK MANSION HOLIDAY HOUSE: The Ten Broeck Mansion, home of the Albany County Historical Association, announces its Holiday House 2020schedule. Shimmering lights, festive trees and bright garlands inside and out set the scene at the Ten Broeck Mansion, a historic house museum which welcomes the community as a place to make family memories today. Tours with timed tickets are on Saturdays and Sundays from noon until 2:30pm from December 5-20. For the health and safety of all visitors, indoor admission is by timed tickets, advance purchase only. Tickets are available via the ACHA’s website www.tenbroeckmansion. org, Eventbrite, or Facebook. Walk-through tours of groups of 5or less feature docents to share information about holidays in the past, and the history of the Ten Broeck Mansion. Adults $5. Children and ACHA members free.
SINTERKLAAS EVENT: On Sunday December 6and 13 from noon-2:30pm at Ten Broeck Mansion in Albany, “Sinterklaas” the Dutch St. Nicholas and the patron saint of children is available for free family photos outdoors on the Mansion’s decorated porch. Learn about Dutch and other cultural traditions for the holidays. Children must be accompanied by an adult and wear facemasks. Free and open to families. For more information visit www. tenbroeckmansion.org BLOOD DRIVE: An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held from 7a.m. to 3p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 13 at the Everett Road Blood Donation Center, located at 33Everett Rd. in Albany. More information is available online at www.redcrossblood.org.
ARTISAN MARKET: The beloved “Artisan Market” at Brookside Museum will be returning in 2020, running from “Small Business Saturday” Nov. 28through Dec. 24at 6Charlton St. in Ballston Spa. The market will feature only handcrafted products created by local artisans. Everything from natural soaps and lotions to unique ornaments and jewelry to scrumptious syrups and eatables – quite simply the best our community has to offer. The 2020hours are noon to 4p.m. on Thursdays, 11a.m. to 6p.m. on Fridays, 11a.m. to 5p.m. on Saturdays and 11a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays. All money raised by the Artisan Market will fund Saratoga County History Center public programming and collection maintenance, ensuring that future generations of Saratogians, as well as people from around the world, will be able to learn about and enjoy our amazing, historic region.
RUDOLPH’S MOVIE EXPERIENCE & PYROTECHNICS SHOW: Ellms Christmas Trees, located at 468Charlton Rd. in Ballston Spa, recently announced a new 2020holiday season event called Rudolph’s Movie Experience and Pyrotechnics Show. Each show will kick off with a Rudolph trivia video, followed by Rudolph’s Movie Experience which is a special, abbreviated 11-minute version of the stop motion animation classic projected onto a giant screen. At the end of the movie experience, guests will enjoy a musical pyrotechnic, special effects and laser show, designed to dazzle and create exciting family traditions and memories. Rudolph’s Movie Experience, an all-ages event, runs every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 22, with three shows each night. Multiple packages offering holidaythemed food and beverage treats will be available as well, along with the opportunity to purchase Rudolph memorabilia on site. Upon arrival to the 240-acre tree farm, guests will be greeted by the masked Farm Team Elves who will direct guests to park and get ready for the experience to begin. Visitors can stand outside of their vehicles, but must remain at their vehicle the entire time. Masks will be required at all times if attendees are outside of their vehicle. Tickets to Rudolph’s Movie Experience and Pyrotechnics Show are currently on sale on the Ellms Farms website, www.ellmsfarms.com.
Monday, Dec. 14
BLOOD DRIVE: An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held from 7a.m. to 3p.m. on Monday, Dec. 14 at the Everett Road Blood Donation Center, located at 33Everett Rd. in Albany. More information is available online at www.redcrossblood.org.
Tuesday, Dec. 15
VIRTUAL KINDERGARTEN INFO SESSION: The Robert C. Parker School, 4254NY Route 43in North Greenbush, is hosting a Kindergarten Virtual Information Session. Join our Head of School, Laura Graceffa, and Kindergarten Teacher, Leigh Augustine, to learn about Parker’s progressive curriculum that fosters curiosity and problem solving skills, nurturing and student centered learning community, outdoor exploration on a 77-acre campus with pond, meadows, forest and enriched programs including science, music, Spanish, PE and library. Attendees should register ahead of time by going to https://pages.parkerschool.org/kindergarten-open-house/. There is no cost to attend.
CONSCIOUSNESS-RAISING BOOK DISCUSSION: Tuesday, December 15at 6:30p.m. Hosted on Zoom by Albany-Saratoga Spiritual Adventures. Join us for a spiritual book discussion. All are welcome whether or not they’ve read. This month’s book is Key to Yourself: Opening the Door to a Joyful Life from Within by Venice J. Bloodworth, PhD. Call 518-366-9918or use the Contact Us form at www.newthoughtnewyork.org for Meeting ID and discussion questions. Join our meetup. com group, Albany-Saratoga Spiritual Adventures for notifications about upcoming events.
BLOOD DRIVE: An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held from noon to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 15 at American Red Cross of Eastern New York, located at 33Everett Rd. in Albany. More information is available online at www.redcrossblood.org.
BLOOD DRIVE: An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held from 1to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 15 at American Red Cross of Eastern New York, located at 33Everett Rd. in Albany. More information is available online at www.redcrossblood.org.
BLOOD DRIVE: An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held from noon to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 15at Malta Ambulance, located at 2449Rt. 9in Malta. More information is available online at www.redcrossblood. org. ROCHMON RECORD CLUB
LISTENING PARTY: Rochmon Record Club Listening Party – 2020Retrospective - Tuesday Dec.15. Zoom opens at 6:30PM Event begins at 7PM. 2020has been a rough year. On Tuesday December 15Rochmon Record Club will virtually converge via Zoom for our annual year end retrospective to listen and learn about many of the amazing musicians from Folk, Hard Rock, Country, Reggae, Pop, and World Music who left the planet this year. Our last listening party of 2020 will look back at the artists who changed our lives with their art. We will listen to songs and stories about 16artists including Bill Withers, John Prine, Mac Davis, Trini Lopez, Joseph Shabalala, Kenny Rogers and Caffe’ Lena’s favorite, Eddie Van Halen, just to name a few! A Rochmon Record Club Listening Party is meant to inform and deepen our understanding of the history of the individual performers, songs and the stories that went into the making of this classic album. By listening together, we get to hear the music again for the first time. The Rochmon Record Club will be streaming live on Zoom. Go to caffelena. org to register for free tickets! Attendees will be sent information to access the show after you register. Rochmon Record Club takes place on the third Tuesday of the month at Caffe’ Lena Saratoga Springs. For more information and new show listings check Rochmon Record Club on Facebook or go to caffelena.org. This event is free, but tickets are required as participation is limited.
Thursday, Dec. 17
WINTERTIME WONDERLAND: New holiday attraction Wintertime Wonderland is now open. This holiday-themed, familyfriendly attraction, billed as the Capital Region’s largest indoor Christmas event, is located at 195Troy Schenectady Rd. in Colonie, in the former Kmart store next to Vent Fitness. Set at the North Pole, the walk-through experience features a frosty ice maze, a post office and train station, a life-size snowglobe and gingerbread house, a whimsical light show on Candy Cane Alley, Christmas Village and Santa’s Workshop, where children will have the chance to meet Santa himself. Other characters that visitors will encounter along the way include an ice princess, snowmen, gingerbread men, carolers, reindeer, elves and Mrs. Claus. Attendees will have the option to take photographs with actors either close together or in a socially distanced pose with scenery in the space between. Kids will receive a greeting card, coloring book and letter to Santa with activities for throughout the attraction and at home. After exploring the displays, guests can enjoy refreshments, do some holiday shopping with local vendors, support area nonprofits, enter a raffle for a brand new car, view and purchase photos from the event and pick up a Christmas tree. The event’s COVID-19 protocols include temperature checks upon arrival, occupancy limits, frequent cleaning, social distancing and mask wearing at all times. Tickets, which can be reserved online, are $20 per person. Children age two and younger are free. The wheelchair accessible event’s hours are 3to 9p.m. on Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 9p.m. on Saturday and 9a.m. to 8p.m. on Sunday, with expanded hours anticipated in the days right before Christmas. More information about Wintertime Wonderland is available online at wintertimewonderland.com.
ARTISAN MARKET: The beloved “Artisan Market” at Brookside Museum will be returning in 2020, running from “Small Business Saturday” Nov. 28through Dec. 24at 6Charlton St. in Ballston Spa. The market will feature only handcrafted products created by local artisans. Everything from natural soaps and lotions to unique ornaments and jewelry to scrumptious syrups and eatables – quite simply the best our community has to offer. The 2020hours are noon to 4 p.m. on Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 6p.m. on Fridays, 11 a.m. to 5p.m. on Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 4p.m. on Sundays. All money raised by the Artisan Market will fund Saratoga County History Center public programming and collection maintenance, ensuring that future generations of Saratogians, as well as people from around the world, will be able to learn about and enjoy our amazing, historic region. BLOOD DRIVE: An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held from 1n to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 17 at the Saratoga-Wilton Elks Club, located at 1Elk Lane in Saratoga Springs. More information is available online at www.redcrossblood.org.