UPCOMING CALENDAR

DINOS ALIVE IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE: Following highly successful runs of Van Gogh and Claude Monet immersive experiences at Schenectady’s Armory Studios, Exhibition Hub in partnership with Fever presents its next exhibit, “Dinos Alive: An Immersive Experience.” “Dinos Alive: An Immersive Experience” uses more than 80 highly accurate animatronic dinosaur models, immersive projection technology, virtual reality, theatrical lighting, elaborate scenery, and hands-on activities to create an unforgettable journey back to the days of the dinosaurs that will thrill all ages. Highly educational, immersive, and interactive, “Dinos Alive” showcases some of the largest dinosaurs to ever walk the planet, including the iconic Tyrannosaurus rex, Apatosaurus, and the fierce Spinosaurus. Visitors can mix it up with the dinosaurs as well, coloring them every shade of the rainbow, racing a Velociraptor to see who’s fastest, engaging in multiple selfie opportunities, and even riding a dinosaur. Along with its vast installation of animatronic dinosaurs that chronicle all three periods in the Mesozoic era, “Dinos Alive” also boasts a 2,500-square-foot virtual aquarium where guests can dive into the deep sea and interact with Jurassic sea giants in their natural habitat. The 60-75-minute experience also offers educators an opportunity to enrich their classes through K-12 educational materials aligned to state standards. “Dinos Alive” is designed to cater to visitors of all ages. Children can enjoy an interactive space where they play the role of a paleontologist and engage with iconic dinosaurs. Group discounts make it an ideal family activity, providing an immersive and educational experience for everyone. Those interested in booking school groups or corporate events can contact groups1@exhibitionhub.com for more details. To ensure easy access to “Dinos Alive,” Schenectady County has reserved over 200 FREE parking spaces located at the rear entrance to the Armory, providing direct access to the experience. Plenty of designated ADA parking is also available. For ticket sales and additional information, visit https://dinosaliveexhibit.com/schenectady/?cp_ landing_term=city_selector&cp_landing=city_selector

STATE PARKS CENTENNIAL CHALLENGE: 2024 marks the centennial of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation. To celebrate, we invite you to take on the Centennial Challenge! We’ve come up with a list of 100 activities to give you a chance to get outdoors and discover our state parks, to learn more about our New York State history at our historic sites, and to give back to preserve all our properties for the next generation. Not sure you can complete all 100 activities in a year? That’s okay! The goal is to complete 24, after which you’ll earn a commemorative Centennial prize, as well as an entry into a random drawing for one of 24 three-year Empire Passes and a Centennial swag bag! Earn more than 24 points? You’ll receive one (1) extra entry into our promotional giveaway for every extra ten (10) points you earn! Keep track of your Centennial Challenge with either the Goosechase app, available on your iPhone or Android app store, or our handy checklist that you can download or pick up at any local state park or historic site. Challenge submissions will be accepted from January 1, 2024 to January 10, 2025. Winners of the promotional giveaway will be announced the week of January 13, 2025. For more information visit our website at https://www.parks. ny.gov/100/challenge/

ESSAY CONTEST: Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park is seeking submissions for their Annual Earth Day Essay Contest in celebration of Earth Day and the environmental movement. Earth Day, celebrated on April 22, brings environmental awareness to the forefront. This day promotes increased environmental consciousness, community participation, and protection of the planet worldwide. The mission of Wilton Wildlife includes environmental education as a priority, and Earth Day is the perfect opportunity to engage youth in important environmental conversations. The Earth Day Essay Contest was initiated to give school-aged children a chance to research and engage in climate issues and actively seek out solutions to protect the future resources of this planet and to bring their thoughts and solutions to the climate crisis. The theme for 2024 from EarthDay.org is “Planet vs. Plastics.” The theme encourages the consideration of health concerns of plastics and to help raise public awareness of the harm it brings to human and animal life. Together, we can help form a plastic-free world for future generations by rapidly eliminating all single-use plastics, enforcing rules to prevent fast fashion, and investing in new innovative technologies. A panel of judges from Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park will review the essays and select winners in lower elementary, upper elementary, middle school, and high school levels to receive a cash prize and recognition for their innovative ideas. Other essays are recognized by runner up and judges’ choice categories. High School entries must be no longer than 650 words; Middle School entries must be no longer than 500 words; Elementary School entries must be at least 10 sentences. Accompanying illustrations are also encouraged. The contest winner from each of the categories will receive a $50 cash prize! The deadline for entries is Friday, April 19. Winners will be announced in May and prizes will be awarded at the Annual Wildlife Festival on Sunday, June 2nd. Submissions may be mailed to Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park at 80 Scout Road, Wilton, NY 12831 or emailed to allyson@wiltonpreserve. org by the deadline. Please include the student’s name, the name of the school, the student’s grade, and the teacher’s name. Make sure that there is an email and a phone number with each student’s entry.

INTERNATIONAL CUISINE GALA REGISTRATION OPEN: The World Awareness Children’s Museum will be celebrating their biggest event of the year — the International Cuisine Dinner & Auction — on May 19, 4:30 — 8:30pm at The Queensbury Hotel in Glens Falls. This annual event features some of the area’s best restaurants, allowing guests to experience a variety of international foods and flavors while also benefiting a family-centric institution in the community. This program, now in its 34th year, will also feature a raffle, live auction, and silent auction with dozens of items available donated from charitable local businesses, individuals, and organizations. Over 200 guests join the museum each year to celebrate this momentous occasion. Guests are encouraged to dress in black tie attire this year. Those interested in attending can visit wacm. ticketleap.com/gala2024/ to pick up their tickets. Early bird special pricing is available through April 1 ($120 for Young Professionals up to 35 Years and $135 for Individuals). Restaurants interested in participating in this year’s event have until March 29 to contact the museum regarding their desired support. There is no fee to participate and spots are limited. Options include donating appetizers and dessert for the night’s festivities. All participating restaurants/culinary artists will also have the opportunity to display brochures and menus for guests to take home with them. All inquiries can contact megan@worldchildrensmuseum.org or call 518-7932773 with any questions.

SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY: The Saratoga Hospital Volunteer Guild is offering up to five $2000 scholarships to high school seniors in the Saratoga County area interested in pursuing a career in healthcare. Eligible students must be accepted into college for September of 2024, have at least a 3.0 GPA, and must complete an application by the deadline. In prior years, the Volunteer Guild has looked for a documented record of community service, especially in a healthcare environment. Given reduced community involvement opportunities during the applicants’ high school years, newly revised essay questions will focus on how the applicants’ high school careers have been challenged, how students approached these challenges, and how such challenges played into their decisions to enter the medical field. The application deadline is March 31. Volunteer Guild Scholarship Chairperson Irma Somich will personally contact recipients upon the decision of the Scholarship Committee. Recipients will be formally announced and honored at the Guild Dinner in May, with details to follow. Description, requirements, and application forms are available through local high school guidance offices and online at https://www.saratogahospital.org/classes/ volunteering.

VENDORS WANTED: Ballston Area Seniors are gearing up for their Annual Bazaar on November 9 at the Town of Milton Community Center (310 Northline Rd. Ballston Spa) What is your specialty? Pickles, relishes, jams & jellies, or any handmade crafts are appreciated and welcome. We are looking for you to join us. Indoor spaces — 8’Wx7’D are $ 30.00 indoor only are (first come, first serve basis and electrical outlets indoor are limited.) Outdoor spaces — 12’Wx10’D are $ 25.00. To receive an Exhibit Contract and a Town of Milton agreement contact the Bazaar Vendor Coordinator Sue Heimburg. We can email out contracts. Sheim381@aol.com, call or text 518-885-8037.

CRAFT FAIR VENDORS WANTED: The Saratoga County History Center is seeking vendors of handmade crafts, antiques and farm products for the annual craft fair on Saturday, June 22, from 10am to 3pm. No mass-produced or commercially-made items will be permitted. Spaces are available outdoors, with limited spaces available indoors. This is a rain or shine event. Visit https:// brooksidemuseum.org/ event/2024-craft-antiquefair/ for more information, or contact Beth Silvestri at bsilvestri@brooksidemuseum.org.

YOUTH SHOOTING COURSE: 4-H Beginner Shooting Sports for Boys and Girls by Cornell Cooperative

Extension of Saratoga County. Beginner Shooting Sports Course March 5—April 16 (excludes April 2) on Tuesday evenings. Youngsters will learn the basics of Air Pistol, Muzzleloader, Rifle and Shotgun, Archery, and Hunting and Wildlife, with a focus on Safety, Ethics, and Personal Responsibility. Open to boys and girls 12 years old and older. Register at https://pub.cce.cornell. edu/e vent_ registration/ main/events_landing. cfm?e vent= SC 4 H ShootingSports Spring 2024_241

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION: Malta Sunrise Rotary is accepting applications for its two scholarships until March 25. Graduating high school seniors will be selected for one-time awards. The first place finalist receives a one time award of $1,000. One runner up finalist receives a one-time award of $500. The Rotary is looking for students who have demonstrated caring for others through strong involvement in community service. Also sought is academic excellence in their core curriculum. Consideration for financial need will be given. Applicants should plan to attend an accredited university, college, or vocational/technical institute in the fall of 2024. They must be residing in the Town of Malta, including the Village of Round Lake. The club considers legal addresses, not postal addresses. Town or school officials may be able to help with any uncertainty about residency. For more detailed explanation of eligibility and to apply for the scholarship reach out to school counselors or Malta Sunrise Rotary Scholarship Chair, Paul Phillips: (518) 796-5174 or email paulandjeanp@yahoo.com

GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP: St. Luke’s on the Hill, 40 McBride Road (located off Pruyn Hill Rd in the Town of Halfmoon), is hosting a six week non-denominational Christian grief support group for all those grieving the death of a loved one. The group will meet Wednesdays at 4:30pm at the church, February 28 — April 10. To register please email: dcnlynne@gmail.com or call 518-664-4834.

AARP FOUNDATION TAX-AIDE: At the Ballston Spa Public Library. Every Friday through April 12th, AARP Foundation will provide free tax assistance and preparation through its Tax-Aide program at the Ballston Spa Library. AARP Foundation TaxAide is the nation’s largest volunteer-based free tax preparation service. Volunteers are trained and IRS-certified every year to ensure they understand the latest changes to the U.S. Tax Code. Tax-Aide will provide taxpayer assistance through interaction with IRS-certified Tax-Aide volunteers in two short same-day, in-person meetings to exchange documents. For more information about AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, including what type of service is available, which documents you need to file your taxes, and to schedule your appointments stop in or call (518) 885-5022. Please note this is not a drop-in service, appointments are required. Ballston Spa Public Library is located at 21 Milton Avenue (Rt. 50) with its parking lot behind the building on Low Street.

HOLOCAUST EXHIBITION: The traveling exhibit “Messages From Survivors: One Family’s Holocaust Legacy” will be at the Saratoga Springs Public Library for the month of March. Two programs will be held during the exhibit. Holocaust survivor Ivan Vamos will give a presentation called “A Child’s Memories of the Holocaust: A Conversation with Survivor Ivan Vamos” on March 10 at 1pm. Vamos will speak of his early childhood memories in war-torn Hungary with his family and his later emigration from home. He will also display some photos and documents from his early years and some drawings he has made of his time in Hungary, and offer a brief Q& A after his presentation. The library will host a discussion of the book “Finding Kalman: A Boy in Six Million” on March 18 at 6pm, with a viewing of the accompanying documentary.

SNOWSHOE AND CROSS COUNTRY SKI RENTALS: On Saturdays and Sundays from January 6 through the end of March, Wilton Wildlife offers rentals of snowshoes and cross-country skis from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Winter Rentals are located in the Winter Lodge at Camp Saratoga with access from Parking Lot #1 on Scout Road in the Town of Wilton. If there is no snow or if there are poor trail conditions, rentals will not be available. For more information, call the Wilton Wildlife office at 518-4500321 or email info@wiltonpreserve.org. For up-to-date trail conditions or program information, please visit the Wilton Wildlife website at wiltonpreserve.org or follow on Facebook or Instagram @wiltonpreserve.

WINTER SPORTS EQUIPMENT RENTALS: Don’t hibernate all winter! Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are great ways to explore the trails during the snowy season of the year. Cross-country skis and snowshoes will be available for rent every Saturday and Sunday through March 24, weather permitting. Adult and child sizes are available, meaning the whole family can enjoy the winter trails at Wilton Wildlife! The rentals are located in the Winter Lodge at Camp Saratoga with access from Parking Lot #1 on Scout Road in the Town of Wilton. Rentals are $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for kids/students. Members of Wilton Wildlife have access to rental equipment at no cost. Rentals are available between 10 am and 2 pm with all rented equipment needing to be returned by 3 pm. Rentals are on a first-come firstserve basis. For more information, call the Wilton

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Wildlife office at 518-4500321 or email info@wiltonpreserve.org. For up-to-date trail conditions or program information, visit the Wilton Wildlife website at wiltonpreserve.org or follow on

Facebook or Instagram @ wiltonpreserve.

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION: Hudson Crossing Park invites graduating high school or homeschooled seniors from Saratoga, Washington, and Warren Counties to submit an application for the 2024 Hudson Crossing Park (HCP) Seedling Award. The HCP Seedling Award is given to a single recipient who has demonstrated excellence and outstanding dedication to their community and/or the environment, serving as a role model to their peers and showing others that individuals are important and can make a difference.

This opportunity is open to graduating high school seniors, including those who are homeschooled, in Saratoga, Washington, or Warren County. Applicants are asked to submit an essay of approximately 1,000 words or a 3-5 minute video describing how their leadership and service have made a positive difference in the environment and/or community, and how they will continue to have an impact through college and beyond. The HCP Seedling Award includes $150 cash and three (3) tickets to Hudson Crossing Park’s Banquet by the Bridge on Thursday, June 13 for the winner and two parents/ guardians/guests. Submissions should be received no later than 5pm on May 1. They may be submitted via postal or electronic mail to Hudson Crossing Park, attn: Seedling Award Committee, PO Box 144 Schuylerville, New York 12871 or info@hudsoncrossingpark.org.