Calendar
Sunday, Dec. 2
ADVENT LESSONS & CAROLS: Historic Bethesda Church on Washington Street near Broadway will present a traditional English choral service of Lessons and Carols on Sunday afternoon, December 2, at 3 p.m. The Schola Cantorum of Bethesda under the direction of Dr. Kathleen Sleezak and Organist, Farrell Goehring will offer a varied program of pieces by Joel Martinson, Paul Manz, Patrick Hadley and George Frideric Handel. There is no admission charge; a free will offering will be taken. For further information call 518-584-5980.
AUDITION WORKSHOP: The auditioning process can be a very intimidating experience. Director/choreographer Bonnie Thomas, director Garrett West and musical director Carol Hawks of Schuylerville Community Theater are holding an Audition Workshop on Sunday, December 2, from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. at the Saratoga Town Office Building for people interested in auditioning for the upcoming production of “Baby” or simply in improving their audition skills. The workshop covers script reading, vocal and dance auditions. Participants must be 16 years old or older. The workshop is free, but pre-registration is required. Apply online at http:// www.scttheater.org/?page_ id=895, or contact Bonnie Thomas at 518-798-5984 or thomasbpc@hotmail.com.
BREAKFAST BUFFET (SARATOGA SPRINGS): Saratoga-Wilton Elks Lodge #161 serves a Breakfast Buffet from 8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. at 1 Elks Lane, Saratoga Springs. Donation requested: Adults $9, Seniors/Military $8, children 5-12 $7, under 5 free. Takeouts $9. Call 518-5842585 for more information.
BREAKFAST BUFFET (WATERFORD): The Waterford Knights of Columbus All-YouCan-Eat Breakfast Buffet features an omelet station and eggs cooked to order. Served 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. at the K of C Hall,76 Grace Street, Waterford. Adults $8, children $4, under 4 free. Each paid breakfast ticket enters you in a chance to win a free breakfast at a later date Call 518-237-9330 for more information.
CHANUKAH CELEBRATION: Congregation Shaara Tfille, located at 84 Weibel Avenue in Saratoga Springs, will hold a Chanukah Celebration on Sunday, December 2, starting at 11 a.m. The entertainment will feature magician Alan Endstrom, while the festivities include a dairy luncheon featuring latkes, children performing and lighting the Menorah. General admission $10, free for children under 15. Make reservations by Thursday, November 29, by calling 518-584-2370. This event is sponsored by a generous grant from the Jewish Federation of Northeast NY.
CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PARTY: The Quaker Springs Auxiliary will host a children’s Christmas party at 1 p.m. on Sunday, December 2, at Quaker Springs Fire House on Blodgett Road. The event features a visit with Santa, arts and crafts. Donations to the SAFER food pantry will be accepted. All Community Children are welcome.
CHRISTMAS CONCERT: Music at Emmanuel presents the Emmanuel Baptist Choir and soloists directed and accompanied by Michael Clement with varied Christmas works on Sunday, December 2. This is an old fashioned church concert in a stately old church in Albany. 3 p.m., Emmanuel Baptist Church, 275 State Street, Albany. All welcome. Admission is free; donations are welcome. A tasty reception will follow the concert.
COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CONCERT: A Community Christmas Music Concert will be held on Sunday, December 2, at 3 p.m. at Old Saratoga Reformed Church, Burgoyne and Pearl Streets, Schuylerville. Featured will be area choirs and local musicians. Refreshments will follow the concert. Sponsored by the Greater Schuylerville Ecumenical Association, the event is part of the community’s St. Nicolaas Celebration weekend. A free will offering will be taken to benefit the Caring and Sharing Program, which helps children in need in the Schuylerville School District. For more information call 518695-3479. ELF JR: Saratoga Children’s Theatre presents “Elf Jr. the Musical;” at 2 p.m. in the Saratoga Springs High School Teaching Auditorium. Adults $10, students/seniors $5, kids 10 and under free. All tickets sold at the door.
ELKS MEMORIAL SERVICE: Saratoga-Wilton Elks Lodge 161 will conduct their annual Memorial Service on Sunday, December 2, beginning at 2 p.m. at 1 Elk Lane, Saratoga Springs. The public is invited to attend the ceremony honoring 17 members who died over the past year, and a light reception to follow. For more information, call chairman Mark Phillips at 518-5847464.
FESTIVAL OF TREES: Walk among over 250 beautiful twinkling trees, wreaths, centerpieces and other holiday items for purchase or simply to admire. 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.., Saratoga Springs City Center, 522 Broadway. Adults $8, seniors $5, children over 10 $3, under 10 free. Money raised goes toward Catholic Charities.
GRACE CHURCH (WATERFORD): The Rev. Kathy Alonge-Coons celebrates the Holy Eucharist at 7:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Sundays at Grace Church, 34 Third Street, Waterford. Deacon Denise Moore assists. An adult Christian Education program begins at 8:30 a.m. A coffee hour follows each service. For more information, call the Episcopal parish at 518-237-7370 or visit www.gracewaterford.com.
POT LUCK DINNER: Simpson United Methodist Church hosts this year’s ECHO Food Pantry Pot Luck Dinner and fundraiser on Sunday, December 2 at 4:30 p.m., following a 4 p.m. non-denominational service. Bring a dish to pass and enjoy a meal and fellowship together. A love offering basket will benefit the Ecumenical Community Helping Others food pantry at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Rock City Falls. Simpson United Methodist is located at 1089 Rock City Road, Rock City Falls. For more information contact Pastor Glenn at 518-461-1295.
RIVERRUN MONTESSORI: RiverRun Community Montessori hosts an Open House on Sunday, December 2 from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. at 2117 Union Street, Schenectady. Learn about Montessori education, tour the classrooms and meet teachers and administrators. For more information call 518937-9338 or email office@ riverrunmontessori.org.
ST. NICOLAAS WEEKEND: The St. Nicolaas Weekend celebration in the Village of Schuylerville concludes on Sunday, December 2, with an Ecumenical Sing at 3 p.m. at the Old Saratoga Reformed Church at the corner of Burgoyne and Pearl Streets. SING NOEL: SUNY Schenectady’s a capella groups “Totally Pitchin’” and “Vinage Harmonics” perform “Sing Noel,” a free concert on Sunday, December 2, at 2 p.m. at Burnt Hills Baptist Church, 193 Kingsley Road, Burnt Hills. Refershments will follow the concert. All are welcome. For more information visit www. burnthillsbaptistchurch.org.
SKIDMORE CONCERTS: Skidmore Concert Band, 2 p.m.; Wind Chamber Ensemble, 7 p.m., Zankel Music Center. For more information call 518-580-5321 or visit www.skidmore.edu/zankel.
SUNDAY MEDITATION: Cultivating compassion & wisdom. Sunday morning meditation 9 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. at One Big Roof, 538 Maple Avenue, Saratoga Health & Wellness Building (across from the Maple Avenue Middle School, just off Route 50). By donation. No experience necessary. All are welcome. 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, there will be hands-on indoor activities instead. The observatory will be open from 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. every Sunday through December 30. miSci galleries will be open continuously from noon – 5 p.m. Access to the observatory or activities is free with museum admission ($12 Adult, $10 Senior, $8 Child) at miSci, the Museum of Innovation and Science, 15 Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady. TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH: Trinity United Methodist Church of Wilton holds Worship and Sunday School every Sunday at 10 a.m. Choir meets at 9 a.m. Youth group follows worship. Nursery provided. 155 Ballard Road, Gansevoort. Contact Pastor Jeffrey Stratton at 518423-8195 for baptisms and weddings.
Monday, Dec. 3
AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY: The American Legion Auxiliary, Henry Cornell Post 234, will hold their monthly meeting on Monday, December 3, at 7 p.m. at the post home, 23 Pleasant Street, Ballston Spa. CLIFTON PARK SENIOR COMMUNITY CENTER: Basic Computer Class, “Shopping safety online,” with Bob Stromberg. 10 a.m. – noon, 6 Clifton Common Court, Clifton Park. Membership not required. Free, but advance sign-up required; call 518-383-1343 for more information. DEATH CAFÉ: The Studio at Greenfield hosts the region’s newest Death Café on Monday, December 3. Begun in 2010, this worldwide meetup group offers a casual and friendly opportunity for folks to talk about the one thing they all have in common. Free and open to the public. Tea and cookies will be provided. Donations welcome. 6:30 p.m., 165 Wilton Road, Greenfield Center. For more information visit thestudioingreenfield.org. GALWAY PRESERVATION SOCIETY: The December 3 meeting of the Galway Preservation Society featurs an interview with Agnes Bunyan Donnan by Arlene Rhodes and Florence Reedy, conducted in the 1980s, with speaker Bonnie Donnan. 7 p.m., Galway Town Hall. Meetings include a social time, refreshments and a very brief business meeting. The public is invited to attend. For more information, visit www.galwaypreservationsociety.org. SARATOGA RETIRED TEACHERS: Saratoga Retired Teachers will meet on Monday, December 3, at noon at Longfellow’s Restaurant, 500 Union Avenue, Saratoga Springs. For membership information and luncheon reservations, please cal 518-587-5356. SARATOGA SPRINGS PRESERVATION FOUNDATION: The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation, in partnership with the City of Saratoga Springs, recently completed an economic impact study of historic preservation in Saratoga Springs. Donovan Rypkema of PlaceEconomics, a nationally recognized economic analyst and author, presents the results on Monday, December 3, at 7 p.m. in the H. Dutcher Community Room at the Saratoga Springs Public Library, 49 Henry Street. An abbreviated presentation will be given during the City Council meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, December 4, at the City Center, 522 Broadway. SKIDMORE BIG BAND: Concert by Skidmore Big Band, 7 p.m., Zankel Music Center. For more information call 518-580-5321 or visit www.skidmore.edu/ zankel. WILTON WILDLIFE PRESERVE: Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park hosts its annual meeting on Monday, December 3, at 6 p.m., followed by the 2018 Annual Photography Show Opening and Holiday Gathering at 7 p.m. The annual meeting is an overview of Preserve & Park activities this year. The Opening and Holiday Gathering include a variety of homemade refreshments. All events will be held at the Preserve & Park Office at 80 Scout Road, Wilton. For more information, please call the Preserve & Park office at 518-450-0321 or email info@wiltonpreserve.org.
Tuesday, Dec. 4
AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY: American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Unit 70 holds its monthly meeting on Tuesday, December 4, at 6 p.m. at 34 West Avenue, Saratoga Springs. Please bring a dish/dessert to share and a grab bag gift valued at $10 if you wish to participate. BALLSTON SPA BPA NETWORKING BREAKFAST: The Ballston Spa Business & Professional Association will sponsor a Networking Breakfast on Tuesday, December 4, from 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m., hosted by the Saratoga County Historical Society at Brookside Museum, 6 Charlton Street in Ballston Spa. Meet new SCHS director Michelle Arthur and shop at the museum’s Artisan Shop.$5 with advance reservation— prepayment available at www.ballston.org or RSVP to info@ballston.org and pay at the door. Non-reserved walk-ins that morning are $10. Business and community members are welcome; you do not need to be a BSBPA member to attend this event. Membership information will be available. HOLIDAY CONCERT: The Music Company Orchestra is a 70-piece all volunteer community orchestra, conducted by Dr. Gerald Lanoue, bringing live orchestral music to audiences throughout the Capital District, with light classical & pops repertoire. Join the orchestra for a program of holiday favorites, including Handel and Tchaikovsky, and a new sing-along. Tuesday, December 4, 7:30p.m., Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School, 88 Lakehill Road. Free and open to the public. Sponsored by Burnt Hills Rotary. NORTHSHIRE BOOKSTORE: Northshire Bookstore and the Friends of the Saratoga Springs Public Library present Susan Oliver, bestselling author of “The Orchid Thief,” discussing her new volume “The Library Book” with SSPL director Isaac Pulver. Tickets $5. Proceeds benefit the Friends of the SSPL. 6 p.m., 424 Broadway, Saratoga Springs. The Friends will host a reception with light refreshments during the author’s signing. For tickets and more information visit www.northshire.com. ROCKWELL MUSEUM TRIP: The Saratoga Senior Center holds a bus trip to the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge MA on Tuesday, December 4. Lunch at The Widow Bingham’s Tavern at the Red Lion Inn after the museum tour. Bus leaves the Center, 5 Williams Street, Saratoga Springs, at 9 a.m. Pay $15 at sign-up and please bring an addition $18 for museum admission and lunch. SKIDMORE CONCERT: Concert by Students of African Drumming, 7 p.m., Zankel Music Center. For more information call 518580-5321 or visit www. skidmore.edu/zankel. TANG MUSEUM: Curator’s tour of “Tim Davis – When We Are Dancing (I Get Ideas). Noon, Tang Museum, Skidmore College. For more information call 518-5808080.
Wednesday, Dec. 5
CLIFTON PARK SENIOR COMMUNITY CENTER: Lunch & Learn: “ClearCaptions,” presented by Debbie Grant, 12:30 p.m. If you are experiencing any form of hearing loss, you may qualify to receive a ClearCaptions phone at no cost. Reservations required; call 518-383-1343 for more information. To Love a Child Foundation Service Project to benefit young women in Haiti and Zimbabwe, 1 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Donate your time, skill or supplies (dark-colored cotton, flannel, fleece and terry-choth, thread, plastic snaps, etc.) 6 Clifton Common Court, Clifton Park. FISH DINNER: Saratoga-Wilton Elks Lodge #161 serves a Fish Dinner featuring New England Clam Chowder, your choice of broiled or fried fish and much more from 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. at 1 Elks Lane, Saratoga Springs. Donation requested: Adults $12, Seniors/Military $11, children 5-12 $8, under 5 free. All takeouts $12. Cash bar available. For more information call 518-584-2585. LUNCHTIME MEDITATION: Free and open to all on the first and third Wednesday of each month. 12:30 p.m.,S aratoga Springs Public Library. Presented by One Roof Saratoga. NORTHSHIRE BOOKSTORE: Join Northshire’s publisher sales representatives and booksellers for an informative and useful lunch break as these book experts share their favorite new books for every hard-to-shop-for person on your list. $15 tickets include a buffet lunch. Noon, 424 Broadway, Saratoga Springs. For tickets and more information visit www.northshire.com. OLDE SARATOGA SENIORS: The Olde Saratoga Seniors will not be meeting on December 5. They will hold their annual Xmas luncheon on Wednesday, December 12, at the American Legion. If you haven’t already signed up, please contact Pat at 518-3382329 by Friday, December 7. The next meeting will be a casserole luncheon at noon on Wednesday, January 2. POETRY READING: Caffe Lena presents a poetry reading by Steven Huff, followed by an open reading hosted by Carol Graser. Doors open at 7 p.m. at 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs. $5 general admission, free for students. For more information call 518583-0022 or visit www. caffelena.org. SENIOR SCIENCE LECTURE: Explore the Museum of Innovation and Science (miSci) on a quiet afternoon, then join the Dudley Observatory for “What’s Up in Astronomy? Biggest Discoveries of 2018,” presented by Outreach Astronomer Dr. Valerie Rapson. 3 p.m. – 4 p.m., 15 Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady. Cost: Senior admission to miSci ($10 for ages 65 and older, adults $12), free for miSci members. You don’t have to be a senior citizen to attend. For more information visit www.dudleyobservatory.org or call 518-382-7890. UNTOLD STORIES OF WORLD WAR II: Summit Senior Living hosts awardwinning author, blogger and history teacher Matthew Rozell on Wednesday, December 5. Rozell will discuss and sign copies of his latest book, “The Things Our Fathers Saw – The Untold Stories of the World War II Generation, Vol. !V: Up the Bloody Boot – The War in Italy.” 1 p.m. in the library at Summit at Saratoga, 1 Perry Road, Saratoga Springs. Light refreshments will be served. Free and open to the public. Seating is limited; reserve your place by emailing Christy at christyd@summitsaratoga.com or calling 518-460-3355.
Thursday, Dec. 6
CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUP: A caregivers’ support group with Pierre Zimmerman, MS, meets on the first Thursday of each month at Saratoga Hospital. The group is free and open to all, but pre-registration is required. For more information and directions to the meeting space, call Pierre at 413-992-7012. Presented by One Roof Center for Holistic Practices. CLIFTON PARK SENIOR COMMUNITY CENTER: Chorus concert, 1 p.m. 6 Clifton Common Court, Clifton Park. Free and open to the public.