UPCOMING 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.

TROY LEAF BAG DROPOFF: City officials today announced Troy residents can dispose of bagged leaves at the newly-reopened Troy Resource Management Facility (former Alamo) in South Troy beginning Friday, April 16th. Troy residents can drop-off bagged leaves at the facility, located at 3000 Main Street (entrance is across from the Rensselaer County Jail), on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, from 12 pm to 3 pm. The program will be available until May 14th. Leaves must be in biodegradable (paper) bags. Leaves in plastic bags, or bagged leaves contaminated with non-organic items (metals, plastics, cardboard/paper, etc.) will not be accepted.This is a free service available to Troy residents only. Proof of residency will be required to drop off leaf bags (current driver’s license, recent utility bill). The Troy Resource Management Facility will be open to the public every Thursday, beginning April 15th, from 9 am – 1 pm for material disposal. Troy residents can drop off brush/branches and bagged leaves at no charge. No other materials will be collected. Additionally, Troy residents can pick up moving pallets and landscaping mulch from the TRMF at no charge during Thursday operating hours. For more info on the leaf bag drop-off program, please contact the Department of Public Works dispatcher at (518) 270-4579.

STUDIO SAMPLER: The Arts Center of the Capital Region is excited to reintroduce the public

to our facilities and instructors with a free Welcome Back Studio Sampler event on Saturday

April 24 and Sunday April 25 from 11AM to 4PM. We invite you to join us for a safe, fun, and interactive art making experience for all ages. This will be a great way to meet our teaching artists, explore our 13 studios, and learn more about the classes & camps we offer throughout the year. Participants who register for a class or camp while attending our Studio Sampler will be eligible for a 10% discount on tuition. Additionally, we will be holding raffle giveaways on Saturday and Sunday for the chance to win one free class, camp, or a one-year membership to the Arts Center! To ensure everyone has a safe creative experience, we are limiting participation to 8 students per studio. Please pre-register for a free workshop on our website:

https://www.artscenteronline.org/welcome-backstudio-sampler/. All participants will be required to wear face masks at all times, have their temperature taken upon entry, and sign a waiver.

VIRTUAL SILENT AUCTION: This spring Capital Roots is celebrating 45th years of service to our community. To help raise support for our important food access work, we are hosting our first ever virtual silent auction, from April 28 to May 3. Ongoing restrictions for in person gatherings have led us to place our annual Spring Brunch on hold until next year. A popular component of the Spring Brunch is our silent auction that allowed our 650 participants to bid on items, big and small, drawing interest to businesses and raising money for Capital Roots. While we can’t gather in person this spring, you can still support us during our six day long virtual silent auction. More information is available online at www.32auctions.com/CapitalRoots. Capital Roots is a 45-year-old nonprofit organization that nourishes healthy communities through its programs. Learn more at www.capitalroots.org.

ESSAY CONTEST: Applications are being accepted for the scholarship award of $300.00 for the best essay on “What Freedom Means To Me” by a graduating senior from Brunswick Central School District or Berlin Central School District who is continuing on with his or her education. The essay should not be less than 250 words or not more than 500 words. The scholarship is being given by the Carner, Etman, Smith V.F.W. Post 6340 in memory of a former member Elmer A. Grogan. The deadline for applications is May 10. Applications are available at the guidance counselor offices of both high schools and should be mailed to: Carner, Etman, Smith V.F.W. Post 6340, PO Box 361, Grafton, NY 12082, Attn: Commander Len Claus Jr.

OAKWOOD CEMETERY PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST: Attention photographers! Showcase your work while helping to communicate the beauty and value of historic Oakwood Cemetery by entering the Historic Oakwood Cemetery 2021 Photo Contest. Professionals and amateurs alike are encouraged to submit images that feature landscapes, hardscapes, or other features of Oakwood Cemetery. Please send entries from a range of seasons, settings, and subjects. With beautiful grounds designed as a park, Oakwood’s 282 acres offer a multitude of possibilities for photos. Best Youth Photographer: This category is for photographers 16 and younger. We know there are many burgeoning photographers out there and we’d like to encourage their curiosity and creativity. This is also a great family activity for those of you with children home from school. Please specify in your email if you are submitting photos for this category and include the birthday.Please be respectful of the cemetery grounds, stones and monuments. The contest committee reserves the right to reject photos based on content. Photos must be taken in historic Oakwood Cemetery. Photos must not have identifiable faces. No photoshopping or other photo editing. Each photographer may enter a maximum of five photographs. Each entry must include: photographer, Email, phone Number, Street Address, City, State, Zip Code, Photo Title, Brief description of your photo.Submit photos as a high-resolution JPG/JPEG file. All photos must be at least 24003000 pixels. Submit entries via email to Oakwoodtroyphotos@gmail.com using the subject line “2021 Photo Contest.” Each photo must be submitted with the entry which includes a publicity release/permission to reprint photos. Photographers consent to allowing Oakwood Cemetery to use their photos on our website, across social media, in publications, and other materials. Oakwood will not share photos with other entities unless permission is granted in advance by the photographer. Photo Contest submissions are due by October 31, 2021. First place receives the cover photo of a 2022 calendar to be created and distributed by Oakwood Cemetery and a private tour for 4 of Oakwood Cemetery, to be custom designed to meet the interests of the winner. Additional prizes will be awarded in both the adult and youth categories.

RESIDENTIAL COMPOSTING PROGRAM: Mayor Patrick Madden recently announced the launch of the City’s 2nd Annual Backyard Composter and Rain Barrel Sale to promote composting and food waste reduction in the Collar City. The program is part of the City’s efforts to promote sustainable practices and divert compostable items away from local landfills. Backyard composter bins, rain barrels, and other equipment to begin composting at home are currently available for purchase at a discounted price. The program is open to the public, including non-City residents. All orders must be completed online by Wednesday, May 5th. For a full list of available items, visit https://troycompostersale.ecwid.com/. The goal of the program is to help residents divert food scraps from the waste stream, and raise awareness on the benefits of composting. Orders will be available for pickup from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm, Saturday, May 8th, 2021, at the Troy Resource Management Facility (formerly the Alamo), located at the intersection of East Industrial Parkway and Main Street (across from the Rensselaer County Corrections Facility). Due to COVID precautions, all purchasers will be assigned a pickup time. Please note: all participants will be required to follow strict Covid-19 safety procedures during pickup. The City of Troy does not make any warranty or representation, expressed or implied, regarding the compost bins or other equipment offered for sale by BrandBuilders, LLC. Purchasers must direct any questions, claims or disputes regarding their purchase to BrandBuilders,LLC. For more information on this program, call 800-8420527 or contact Renee Panetta, City Recycling Coordinator, at renee.panetta@ troyny.gov.

CITYWIDE EARTH DAY CLEANUP PROGRAM: Mayor Patrick Madden is encouraging Troy residents to get involved in the City’s annual Citywide Earth Day Cleanup Program next month. Each April, Troy residents, families and business owners come together to organize community-driven cleanup and beautification projects at local parks, green spaces, and neighborhoods across the Collar City. Earth Day 2021 is Thursday, April 22nd. Cleanup projects will be held between April 17th and April 25th. Troy residents can make an impact on a neighborhood level, including: Participate in a small-scale alley cleanup at recommended physical distance, Adopt a park or other green-space with your neighbors and collaborate to improve the appearance of it throughout the seasons, If you are organizing a neighborhood cleanup, the City will provide clear bags for litter cleanup and yard bags for organic materials. Additional promotional materials, including Prevent Food Waste magnets and recycling bin stickers, will be available for neighborhoods to distribute to help promote sustainability. To organize a project in your neighborhood, please contact Renee Panetta, City Recycling Coordinator, at (518) 279-7171 or renee.panetta@troyny.gov. Please remember to follow public health guidelines (wearing a mask, social distancing) to keep you safe & healthy. For more information on the annual Citywide Earth Day cleanup, including a list of available projects, visit www.troyny.gov/earthday.

ELECTRONIC RECYCLING, PAPER SHREDDING & TIRE DISPOSAL EVENT: The City of Troy will host a collection event for Troy residents to dispose of electronics, paper shredding, and tires. The event is scheduled for Saturday, May 8th, from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the Troy Resource Management Facility (former Alamo site) located across from the Rensselaer County Jail. Registration is required to participate in the event, and is limited to Troy residents only. Registration is first-come, first served. Each participant will be assigned a drop-off time to reduce vehicle traffic at the site. Participants will be required to show proof of residency (driver’s license, utility bill) during the drop-off. Please note: there will be a disposal fee for tires: Bicycle: - $1 / tire, Passenger vehicle $5 / tire, Other (size dependent) - $50 - $100. To register, visit https://www.troyny. gov/event1-preregistration. Residents without internet access can call Renee Panetta, City Recycling Coordinator, at (518) 279-7171.

TROY SPRING CLEANUP PROGRAM: Public Works officials announced the release of the 2021 Spring Street Cleaning schedule for the Collar City. The City’s Department of Public Works (DPW) has scheduled six weeks of street sweeping and debris cleanup to clear dirt, brush, leaves and other materials that accumulated during the winter season. The annual cleanup program will begin Monday, April 5, and continue through May 14. For more information on the spring street cleaning program, contact the Department of Public Works at (518) 270-4579.

FREAR PARK GOLF COURSE 90TH SEASON: Season passes for Frear Park Municipal Golf Course are available for purchase at the Pro Shop, 2701 Lavin Ct., Monday through Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm. The course is celebrating its 90th season of operation in 2021. Troy residents qualify for daily discounts on greens fees with a Resident Recreational ID Card. ID Cards can be purchased at the Pro Shop for $25 with proof of residency (state-issued driver’s license, cable or telephone bill, etc.). Previously-issued resident ID cards are subject to annual renewal. For more info, contact the Frear Park Pro Shop at (518) 270-4553, Parks & Recreation at (518) 235-7761, or www.troyny.gov/golf.

HORSEPLAY CAMP: High and Mighty Therapeutic RIding and Driving Center will be holding Horseplay Camp this summer at the farm in Ghent. This day camp will be run according to all Covid guidelines. Various sessions are available throughout the summer. Please check our website for more information. high-n-mighty.org or contact Rachel - rachel@highn-mighty.org.

SPRING TURN-OUT GRAZIER MEETING: The Capital Area Agriculture & Horticulture Program and Cornell Cooperative Extension Albany County are pleased to present the Annual Spring Turn-Out Grazier Meeting, to be held on Thursday, April 29, 2021 from 7:00 – 8:30 PM EDT, online via Zoom. Ashley Pierce will discuss principles of how to adapt your sheep, cattle, and goats to your farm environment and management. Good and bad forbs – the herbaceous perennial plants other than grasses and legumes in pastures - are the topic of discussion for Aaron Gabriel’s portion of the program. Dayton Maxwell will help us understand the different types of money in a farm business and how to spend it to best advantage. Prepare for the grazing season! The meeting fee is $5/ person for residents of Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Schenectady and Washington Counties; residents of all other areas, $10/person. Join us by registering at https://tinyurl. com/SpringTurnOut2021 by April 28, 2021.