Upcoming and ongoing events calendar

Area codes are 518 unless noted. See more calendar listings at www.troyrecord.com/community. Submit items two weeks in advance to calendar@troyrecord.com.

Upcoming

RENSSELAER ALUMNI HALL OF FAME DINNER: The Rensselaer City School Alumni Association will hold its Fifth Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony on Saturday, April 22, at Troy Elks Club on Route 4, North Greenbush, from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. Tickets are $45 per person; please make checks out to Rensselaer Alumni Association, 25 Van Rensselaer Dr. Rensselaer, NY 12144. Cocktail Hour 5p.m. - 6 p.m. Dinner at 6 p.m. Induction Ceremony 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. Children under 12: $15 per person for Chicken Nuggets & Fries. Reservations required by March 10. No refunds. Reservation forms available at rensselaernyalumni.org, Facebook page Rensselaer Grade Schools & HS Alumni or Renss. City School Dist. Page –Alumni. BREAD & SOUP LENTEN SUPPERS: The Women of St Paul’s invite all interested women, men, and children of St. Paul’s and the community at large to join them on Wednesdays from March 8 through March 29. They gather between 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m., for a simple meal of homemade breads and soups. Deacon Nancy Rosenblum, former deacon of both St. Paul’s Church in Troy and St. Paul’s Church in Albany, will lead the meditation each week. The programs typically end between 7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. The suppers are held at St. Paul’s Guild House located at 27 State Street, Troy. This program will be supported by a free will offering from various members of the community. FARM BUSINESS BENCHMARKING: This hands-on three part course applies your farm’s specific needs to real world business planning. You will use a combination of one on one consulting, and a small group collaborative learning environment to achieve your goals. Participants will learn the importance of routinely having financial statements prepared for your business; learn ways to examine the financial health of your business; enhance decision-making skills by gaining some tips on how to use financial information in the process. An Excel worksheet will be made available to assist in gathering necessary information and doing some of the calculations. Paper resources will be available as well. The course will be held on March 14, 21 and 28 at SUNY ADK, Business Central, Regional Higher Education building, room #137. The cost of this workshop series is $ 60 to cover the cost of and materials. Space is Limited and registration is required. To register, please call 518.743.2238 or Email conted@sunyacc.edu. When calling or Emailing to register, please use Course #20181. TRADESPEOPLE WANTED: The Hudson Valley Community College’s Workforce Development Institute, NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and Historic Albany Foundation (HAF) are offering a series of hands-on courses aimed at increasing the number of tradespeople skilled in the historic building trades. Those who successfully complete the program will earn a certificate.

The first in the series of courses is Historic Wood Window Rehabilitation. Classes will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from March 7 through May 16 at Historic Albany Foundation’s Part Warehouse at 89 Lexington Avenue, Albany. Students who are interested in taking the Historic Wood Window Rehabilitation course must complete an 8-hour EPA Lea Safe Class before attending the course, which will be offered for free to those who are enrolled in the course. Students are encouraged to register at www.hvcc.edu/ wdi, call 629-4111 or email workforce@hvcc.edu. NEW YORK FOLKLORE SOCIETY: “Farm and Field: The Rural Folk Arts of the Catskill Region,” a photographic study in black and white, will be on display at the New York Folklore Society, 129 Jay Street, Schenectady beginning March 3. The photographs of local farms and related subjects by photojournalist Benjamin Halpern is a collaborative initiative among the New York Folklore Society, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Delaware County, and Catskill Folk Connection, to document and showcase the rural folk arts rooted in the agricultural heritage of New York State. The photographs highlight a variety of interactions between people and their landscape that reflect the ongoing nature of agriculture in rural Upstate New York, and will be on display at the New York Folklore Society through Memorial Day weekend. New York Folklore Society is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday. Scheduling, and other information pertaining to the exhibit are available on the NYFS website, www.

nyfolklore.org. SCHENECTADY CIVIC PLAYERS: “Doubt, A Parable,” by John Patrick Shanley. Directed by Tom Templeton. March 17, 18, 19 and 22 through 26. Fridays & Saturdays at 8 p.m., Wednesday & Thursday at 7:30 p.m, Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Schenectady Civic Players, 12 S. Church St., Schenectady. $20. 3822081 or www.civicplayers. org. INTRODUCTION TO GNOSIS: The Northeast Association of Gnostic Anthropology will be sharing an Introduction to Gnosis on March 21 and 28 from 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. The talk is called “How to Stay Centered in a Divisive Climate,” and includes a meditation. The talks are free. NAGA is a 501c3 notfor-profit.. The event will be held at Troy Public Library, 100 2nd St, Troy, upstairs off the computer room. For more information: https:// troy-gnosis@squarespace. com or email gnosis.troy.ny@ gmail.com. WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE READING PROGRAM: In a unique collaboration, the New York Council for the Humanities has joined forces with the The Troy Public Library to offer Votes for Women a biweekly reading and discussion series with Dr. Jennifer J. Thompson Burns that runs on Tuesdays, March 14 & 28, April 11 & 25, and May 9 and 23 at 5:30 p.m. at the main library, 100 Second Street. As the centennial of Women’s Suffrage begins, participants will delve into the history of the movement through readings of biographies, historical documents and fiction. This program is free and open to the public, although pre-registration is required. For more information about the series dates and acquiring books, please contact The Troy Public Library at 274-7071 or online at www. thetroylibrary.org. For more information about Votes for Women, visit http://humanitiesny.org/our-work/programs/reading-discussion/. EQUESTRICON: Equestricon, LLC., announced today that tickets for its first-ever international horse racing convention, fan festival and trade show will go on sale Friday, February 24. Equestricon™ 2017, which will be held at the Saratoga Springs City Center from August 13-15, includes more than 45 panels, seminars, workshops and events. It is the largest-ever fan event in the history of the racing industry and will include programming geared toward those interested in everything from racing photography and betting to breeding and ownership. Tickets for the historic event will go live and be available for purchase exclusively on the event website, Equestricon.com. MUSICIANS WANTED: Do you play a musical instrument? The Averill Park Community Orchestra is starting rehearsals again soon and eagerly seeks new members. If you or someone you know plays an orchestral instrument (strings, woodwinds, or percussion) and may be interested in joining, please contact Christina Desmond at 948-0565. The orchestra especially needs string players, as well as those who play bassoon, bass clarinet, and french horn. The APCO rehearses at Algonquin Middle School in Averill Park on Wednesday evenings from 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., and performs two concerts a year, one in December and one in May. Rehearsals for the spring season begin March 8, and new members will be accepted through late March (3/8, 3/15, 3/22, 3/29) in preparation for the May 3 performance. CLOWN CLASS: “Introduction to the Art of Clowining” is a 36 hour course at Hudson Valley Community College that will introduce you to the ancient and honorable profession of clowning. This hands-on course covers many aspects of clowning, some magic tricks and a new balloon sculpture each week. You can decide to become a volunteer clown or become a working clown. Hospital clowning will be introduced as well as putting on clown shows. This non-credit course runs for 12 sessions on Wednesday evenings from March 1 to May 31, from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m., with no class on March 22. The clown graduation will be held on May 31, when all class members are required to perform at the Maureen Stapleton Theater. All family and friends will be invited to this event. Students are expected to purchase or create their own costumes and makeup kits. The course fee of $265 includes an $86 materials fee. The materials fee covers text book materials and a one-year membership to Clowns of America International (COAI). Any further information regarding this course can be obtained by calling instructor Marie Beck at 785-3046. GREENBUSH GARDEN CLUB GRANTS: Greenbush Garden Club is offering grants in the amount of $250 to support school gardening programs and non- profit community youth organizations that are developing or currently maintaining a garden with the goal of developing children’s interest in horticulture. The grant program, garden therapy sessions with the residents of Van Rensselaer Manor, and community beautification projects at Fort Crailo and the American Legion Memorial Garden in Ben Piersall Park are all funded with the proceeds of the club’s annual plant sale on Saturday May 20 at the Elks Club on Columbia Turnpike in East Greenbush. For more information on the grants and an application, please contact greenbushgardener@gmail.com or pick up the application at the garden club meeting on March 7 or April 4 at the East Greenbush Community Library. ZUMBA FITNESS PROGRAM: The Troy Public Library’s Lansingburgh Branch in conjunction with the Troy YMCA, will offer Zumba Fitness classes on Mondays from February 27 – April 3 at 5:45 p.m. Come for one hour of fun, aerobic dancing. Burn calories and sculpt your body to exciting international rhythms. This class will be taught by a certified Zumba instructor. This program is free and open to the public. You may register for one class or all six. Please make reservations by calling the library at 235-5310. The Troy Public Library’s Lansingburgh Branch is located at 27 114th Street , Troy. MENSA IQ TESTING: Mensa, the High IQ Society, will be holding a test session at miSci, the Museum of Innovation and Science, on Sunday, March 26, from 2:30p.m. – 5p.m. The Mensa Admission Test includes two tests featuring questions involving logic and deductive reasoning. A person who scores at or above the 98th percentile on either of these tests qualifies for membership. A certified Mensa proctor supervises the testing session. Test takers must be age 14 or older and must present a photo ID. Test takers age 14-17 must have parental permission to take the test. The test fee is $40. Reservations strongly encouraged by emailing scholarship@ monny.us.mensa.org or leave a message at 250-9601. miSci - Museum of Innovation and Science is located at 15 Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady. TROY LIBRARY SUNDAY FILM SERIES: Join the Troy Public Library for our Sunday Feature Film series. The Main Branch at 100 Second Street will be showing classic films from the 40s and 50s. The films start at 2 pm on the following Sundays: March 19, “Dark Passage;” March 26, “Double Indemnity;” April 2, “Pillow Talk;” April 9, “How to Marry a Millionaire.” This program is free and open to the public. Advanced registration is required. For more information and to register, call the library at 274-7071 or online at www.thetroylibrary.org. PRESIDENT’S FORUM ON DATA: SUNY Albany’s fourth annual President’s Forum on Data brings together national leaders and scholars in advanced data analytics (ADA) with SUNY Albany’s ADA network and partners. This year’s Forum will explore the new paradigm in cyber security, “security analytics” and how academia, business and government leaders are each responding to and advancing this emerging and transformational discipline. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Campus Center Ballroom, University at Albany Uptown Campus, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany. Please register by February 22. More information at http://www.renscochamber. com/events/communitycalendar/view/31318/ date/2017-03-02. LENTEN SERVICES: St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, located at 600 State Street (corner of State and Lafayette Streets), Schenectady, is announcing its Lenten Schedule. Ashes will be blessed and distributed during the 12:15 p.m. Mass on Ash Wednesday, March 1, and will also be distributed at 7 p.m. during a special Ecumenical Prayer Service with EmmanuelFriedens and First United Methodist Churches. Daily Mass will be offered Monday thru Friday at 12:15 p.m., with confessions following. The rosary is recited daily at 11:55 a.m. Weekend masses are Saturday at 5:30 p.m. and Sunday at 9:30 a.m. Also as part of the Lenten celebration, Stations of the Cross will be conducted every Friday afternoon immediately following the 12:15 p.m. Mass, beginning March 3. A Novena to St. Jude is conducted every Wednesday afternoon immediately following the 12:15 p.m. Mass, beginning March 8. The public is cordially invited to the Lenten observances. St. Joseph’s Church is handicapped accessible and parking is available in the parking lot behind the Church. More information is available by calling 374-4466, Ext. 13. PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: Preschool Story-time will begin on February 28 at 10 a.m. in the Children’s room of Cheney Library. This Spring session will include stories, songs, crafts, and snacks on the theme of “Build a Better World,” the New York State theme for the summer. February 28, All About You; March 7, Over in the Forest; March 14, guessing program about Who Lives Here; March 21, How Animals take Baths; March 28, Construction; April 4, All Around Town; April 11, try to discover who the worker is by the tools used; April 18, Planting. Please consider coming Tuesdays, starting February 28 at 10 a.m. in the Children’s Room of Cheney Library, 73 Classic Street in Hoosick Falls. PEEPALOOZA: Get yourself a whole heap of Peeps! Cheney Library in Hoosick Falls is having a Peep Diorama Contest running through the month of March. Create a depiction of a favorite scene or character from a book in a shoe size box. The one rule will be that all the characters in the diorama must be played by Peeps. The scene must be G rated appropriate for all eyes. Registration forms are available at the library, located at 73 Classic Street in Hoosick Falls, and must be returned by March 15. Students (ages 5 - 10) or Groups (parent and child) may enter. Judging will take place April 1. Cheney Library is open Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 1 p.m. - 8 p.m.; Tuesdays from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Fridays 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.; and Saturday 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. BENEFIT BUFFET DINNER: “Du vin et du pain en campagne!” Dine with wine in the countryside! Enjoy a wonderful dinner for a worthy cause at Amorici Farm Winery, 637 Colonel Birch Road, Valley Falls, on Saturday, April 29, at 6:30 p.m. $60 per person. Proceeds will help support the awards to area students studying French, given annually by La Fédération francoaméricaine du New York. The buffet dinner includes one glass of wine, French bread, salad, Coq au vin, Beef Bourguignon, Quiche with seasonal vegetables, Haricots verts (green beans), Scalloped potatoes, Fresh fruit for dessert, Coffee & tea. (Additional wine available for purchase.) Reserve now; only 34 tickets are available. Make check payable to FeFANY and send to FeFANY, PO Box 354, Cohoes, NY, 12047. Call Yvette with questions at 272-5061, and follow La Fédération’s activities on Facebook and the Web. KIDS CURATE: The New York State Museum will host Kids Curate, the first exhibition at the museum curated by children across the state, February 24 through 26. In addition, families can participate in a variety of educational hands-on activities, meet museum scientists and curators, and enjoy performances by local musical and performing arts groups. In addition, families and children can meet State Museum scientists and curators, go on scavenger hunt, participate in arts and crafts activities inspired by the Kids Curate exhibition, take a selfie at the photo booth, enjoy a ride on the historic carousel, and attend musical performances. A full schedule of activities is available at: http://www. nysm.nysed.gov/programs/ kids-curate. LENTEN DINNERS: The Poestenkill Christian Church, 721 Snyder’s Corners Rd., Poestenkill, will be serving fish fry or clam roll dinners from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. on Ash Wednesday, March 1, and every Friday during Lent including Good Friday. Dinners include French fries, cole slaw and beverage. Cost is $9.50. Also served are hot dog dinners, including French fries and beverage for $4.50. Individual food items can be purchased separately. Dine in or take-out. Call 286-2773 for reservations or take-outs. For more information, call Barbara at 279-9458. PITTSTOWN SENIORS TRIP: Still some seats available for the Jonah and the Whale trip. April 26-28. Besides seeing the stage show of “Jonah and the Whale” you will also dine in an Amish home, have interesting side trips and of course have plenty of time for site seeing and shopping. Cost of trip is $380 per person and includes bus, lodging, breakfast, two dinners, tickets to shows and all taxes and gratuities. Full payment is due March 5. Send check payable to TOPS c/o Sylvia Ward, 399 Cooksboro Rd., Troy, NY 12182 or call Sylvia for more information at 478-3338. PESTICIDE RECERTIFICATION DAY: Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Annual Capital Region Pesticide Recertification Day will be taking place at The Century House in Latham, New York on March 1. This event is designed to assist pesticide applicators in attaining DEC credits needed to keep their licenses up to date. The following DEC credits have been applied for: CORE credits, credits in categories 3a, 10, 24, 25, 1a, 10, 21, 22, 23, 7a & 8. Registration and check-in will begin at 7:30 a.m. with classes beginning at 8:30 a.m. The fees are $100 per person to attend all day; Morning or Afternoon classes only will be $85 per person. Lunch is included in all fees. To register for Pesticide Recertification Day online: https://reg.cce. cornell.edu/2017pesticid erecert_201. For content questions, contact Lily Calderwood, lbc75@cornell. edu or 765-3513. To register and pay by credit card or phone, contact Tove Ford, 765-3518. HIGH & MIGHTY THERAPEUTIC RIDING & DRIVING CENTER: When spring comes horses want friends, old and new to visit, learn and play. It is not too soon to think about spring at High and Mighty Therapeutic Riding and Driving Center 501(C)(3). Their mission is to provide equine-assisted activities to people with special needs with the goal of enhancing their physical, emotional and spiritual well being. Register for the spring program, which starts March 20 and runs through May 20. To learn more, call 672-4202, email info@ high-n-mighty.org, or visit High-n-mighty.org. High and Mighty is located at 71 CR 21C, Ghent. CLIFTON PARK NURSERY SCHOOL AUCTION: Join Clifton Park Nursery School (Little Red Schoolhouse) for the annual auction on March 18 at The Vista at Van Patten Golf Club, from 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. Enjoy delicious food and a cash bar while bidding in the silent and live auctions. Get great deals on Walt Disney World passes, overnights at local hotels, golf, birthday parties, restaurant gift cards, baskets, and much more while helping a local not-forprofit preschool. Tickets are $15 per person or $20 after March 1. Contact Diana at diana.glaser@gmail.com or 369-7057 for tickets. Credit cards accepted. ITHACA LOVES TEACHERS: Come to Ithaca NY as VITs (Very Important Teachers) are treated as special guests during the Winter Recess break. Ithaca wants to thank you for educating our future generation. The whole city goes on sale, just for you! Hotels, restaurants, event producers, attractions and merchants offer deep discounts all week long. Details are available at www. ithacalovesteachers.com. TAX ASSISTANCE: Experts from the NY State Tax Department will walk you through filing your taxes at the Rensselaer Public Library, starting February 1. Call or stop in to sign up soon, spaces are limited. Rensselaer Public Library is located across the street from the Amtrak parking lot. To learn more, see http:// rensselaerlibrary.org/ or visit the library’s Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/ RensselaerLibrary. TROY DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE: The City of Troy Democratic Committee is accepting Letters of Intent along with resumes for the positions of City Council President, as well as the six City Council District seats. All positions will serve a two-year term. As Troy progresses forward, we appeal to all interested persons living within the City who wish to run for any of the above offices to submit their letter and resume to the City of Troy Democratic Committee, PO Box 846, Troy, New York 12181. All letters and resumes must be submitted no later than Tuesday, February 28, for consideration. Be certain you have current contact information on your submission. There will be a Candidate Review Committee appointed to interview candidates during the month of March 2017. Thank you in advance for your interest. Carole Weaver, City of Troy Democratic Chairwoman. Email address: caroleweaver. troydems@yahoo.com. NORTHERN CALIFORNIA TRIP: This 9-day tour from Sept. 24 to Oct. 2 includes San Francisco, Tuolumne & Yosemite National Park, Sacramento, Lake Tahoe, Santa Rosa & Sonoma, the Napa Valley Wine Train, and more. Price per person includes round-trip airfare and air taxes, hotel accommodations, airport-to-hotel transfers, motor coach, wine train, and 12 meals. Rates vary by number of people per room. Capital Region residents are encouraged to reserve before March 17; after that, this tour will be advertised nationwide. It sold out fast last year. For details, call Lisa at Plaza Travel 785-3338 or email lisa@plazatravel.net. Sponsored by La Fédération franco-américaine du New York. NUNSUCH: Pat Brady’s One-Woman Comedy. Proceeds benefit Schenectady Civic Players’ Centennial/Elevator Fund. Friday, February 17 & Saturday, February 18. Reception at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Schenectady Civic Playhouse, 12 S. Church St., Schenectady. Tickets $25. www.civicplayers.org or 382-2801. CALL FOR ARTISTS: There is still time for artists to submit work for North Country Arts’ Juried Art Show “Visions.” Artists working in all media are invited to submit photos of their artwork (up to two pieces) to www.onlinejuriedshows.com. Full details on how to enter can be found on the onlinejuriedshows.com website. Go to www.onlinejuriedshows.

com and scroll down to North Country Arts Visions 2017 and click on the “I want to enter this show” icon. Jurying fees are $25 for North Country Arts members and $35 for non-members (payable at www.onlinejuriedshows.com ). Deadline for submissions is Sunday, February 19. CLEMENT ART GALLERY: Rare works by Marjorie Semerad, January 27 - February 22. A retrospective exhibit of more than 30 works by the late,well-known artist and educator, featuring local Troy and Adirondack paintings and watercolors. Opening night reception 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., January 27 at 201 Broadway in downtown Troy. For more information visit clementart. com or call 272-6811. CONWAY ICE RINK: Open recreational skating for all ages is offered at the 18,000-square-foot rink from 4 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. weekends and noon to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday through Sunday, March 7. Admission rates: $2 for children 2 to 17 years old; $2 for seniors (60+); and $3 for adults. Skate rentals: $3 each, toddlers through adults. McDonough Sports Complex, Hudson Valley Community College, 80 Vandenburgh Avenue, Troy. PRESIDENTS’ DAY LUNCHEON: Van Rensselaer Star Chapter #256, Order of the Eastern Star, is hosting a President’s Day luncheon on Monday, February 20, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the East Greenbush Masonic Temple, 710 Columbia Turnpike, East Greenbush. The proceeds from this luncheon will benefit the 14th annual Chapter’s scholarship fund which provides an award to a graduating senior girl from Columbia High School, Maple Hill High School and Rensselaer High School. Menu includes Baked Meatloaf, Scalloped Potatoes and all the trimmings. The cost is $10for adults. Reservations should be made by calling Emily at 438-6707 by February 17. BATTENKILL CHORALE SCHOLARSHIPS: The Battenkill Chorale, Janet McGhee, artistic director, is offering Young Singer Scholarships to deserving singers ages 14-26, who will become members of Washington County’s premiere choral ensemble, the 100-voice Battenkill Chorale, with all membership costs covered by their Scholarship Award. This is a unique opportunity for young singers to sing outstanding choral works with one of the area’s finest choirs, under the expert tutelage of Artistic Director Janet McGhee. Rehearsals are on Thursday evenings from 7:30 p.m. - 9:45 p.m. either at Hubbard Hall, 25 East Main Street, or Cambridge United Presbyterian Church, both in Cambridge. The first winter rehearsal is February 2 at Cambridge United Presbyterian Church. For information on the Young Singer Scholarships, call 677-8233 or email battenkill@mindspring.com. LANSINGBURGH LITTLE LEAGUE: Lansingburgh Little League Baseball and Softball is having registration for Boys and Girls who live within the Boundaries of the Little League. Lansingburgh School District plus, Hoosic Valley/Melrose to Congress St. Troy, North and South Lake ave, East to Grafton and 101st street north to Melrose. for players ages 4 to 12, born between May 1, 2004 and Aug 31, 2013. Registration will be Every Tuesday in February at Rensselaer Park School And Every Thursday in February at Turnpike School from 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. Please address any questions to Anthony Huff at 698-7214. SCRABBLE CHALLENGE: Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County’s Scrabble Challenge fundraiser is a great way to have fun while helping others on Sunday, February 19, at St. Michael’s Church Hall, 175 Williams Road, Troy (near HVCC), from 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. Each team of two to four players competes against other teams in this non-traditional format. Prizes will be given to the top three winners. Three games will be played and the winners will be the teams who score the most total points. There will be trivia contests, raffle items, and free refreshments. All proceeds of this event will help Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County offer free services including tutoring in reading and writing, tutoring in English as a second language, and high school equivalency prep to adults. Registration fee: $15 per person ($10 for students under 18) or $60 for a team of four. Teams bring their own boards and tiles. Register by email at Litvoldirector@aol.com or call 274-8526. Registration deadline: Friday, February 10. MY FAVORITE TEACHER: Barnes & Noble, Inc. announces the 2017 “Barnes & Noble My Favorite Teacher Contest.” Students can nominate their teacher by writing essays, poems or thank-you letters that share how their teacher has influenced their life and why they appreciate and admire them. Participating schools collect the essays and submit them to their local Barnes & Noble store, including Barnes & Noble Colonie Center, for consideration. Teachers from grades 1 through 12 are eligible for nomination. Awards for winning teachers, schools and students include cash prizes, NOOK® devices and more. The contest is broken down into local and regional winners, from which the “Barnes & Noble National Teacher of the Year” will be chosen. Students who want to participate must submit their essay or poem to Barnes & Noble Colonie Center, by March 1. Only middle and high school students and active teachers employed in elementary, middle or high schools in the United States are eligible to win. More details on the contest rules, and photos and the winning essay from the 2016 Contest, can be found at www. bn.com/myfavoriteteacher. CORNER SHOPPE: The Corner Shoppe at Cornerstone Comm. Church, 570 3rd Ave., North Troy, has a large inventory of have winter coats, boots, scarves, mittens & sweaters---all at bargain prices. There is a huge selection of housewares, baby clothes, toys & games. Valentine’s Day and St Patrick’s Day items also on display. Visit any Thurs or Fri., 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. NORTH COUNTRY ARTS: NorthCountryARTS will be accepting entries for their Spring juried exhibition, Visions 2017, until February 19. The show runs from March 29 to April 29, with an opening reception and awards ceremony to be held on Saturday, April 8, from 5 to 7 p.m. The show will be held at the Shirt Factory Gallery located in the Shirt Factory building at 71 Lawrence Street, Glens Falls. Awards for the exhibit include Gold, Platinum, and Silver levels with prizes of $750, $500, and $250 respectively. There will be additional awards for Peoples’ Choice. A maximum of two pieces may be submitted at www.onlinejuriedshows.com. Please search for NorthCountryARTS Visions 2017. There is a jurying fee of $25 for NCA Members and $35 for Non-Members. RADICAL KINGDOMS: During the 18th and 19th centuries, the European and American fascination with the collection and cultivation of uncatalogued flora and fauna species reached an apex. Books published during this time were accompanied by abundant illustrations, drawn by both men and women, that aesthetically enhanced prose about flowers, birds and animals. In the exhibition, “Radical Kingdoms,” contemporary works are juxtaposed with early practitioners’ works, such as John James Audubon’s “The Viviparous Quadrapeds of North America,” to highlight artistic similarities and formal shifts away from traditional modes of presentation. January 21 to June 18, Mandeville Gallery, 2nd floor of the Nott Memorial, Union College, Schenectady. Reception Thursday, January 26, 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Visit : https:// muse.union.edu/mandeville/ project/mandeville-galleryradical-kingdoms/ for more information.