Remembering family and friends

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

A roundup of notices and services. Look for additional recent obituaries on this newspaper’s website.

Upcoming

SCRABBLE CHALLENGE: On Sunday, February 18, Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County will hold the SCRABBLE Challenge at St. Michael’s Church Hall, 175 Williams Road, Troy, from 1 p.m. - 4p.m., with prizes for first, second and third-place winners. Three non-traditional SCRABBLE games will be played; the winners will be the teams who score the most total points. There will be side contests of trivia, raffle items and refreshments for all. Advance registration for teams of two to four players is $15 per person ($10for students under 18) or $60for a team of 4. Teams provide boards and tiles. All proceeds from this event will help LVORC offer free literacy services to adults. To register, call 518-244-4650or e-mail LitVolDirector@aol.com. For more information, visit www. lvorc.org. SCHENECTADY CIVIC PLAYERS: “An Inspector Calls,” by J.B. Priestley. Directed by Patrick White. January 26, 27, 28and 31 through February 4. Fridays & Saturdays at 8p.m., Wednesday & Thursday at 7:30p.m., Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Schenectady Civic Players, 12S. Church Street, Schenectady. $20. Call 518-382-2081or visit www. civicplayers.org for more information.

COLLEGE CONNECTIONS WORKSHOP: The Troy Public Library, 100 Second Street, will be hosting The Capital District Educational Opportunity Center’s College Connections team at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, January 17. The focus of this workshop will be on Essential Skills. Learning, like many other activities, involves a complex set of skills that require practice (for example: learning to play basketball). The workshop will help you understand what type of learner you are and equip you with tried and true methods for taking notes in class and reading a text book. Space is limited to 12 spots, so please register by January 12. This program is free and open to the public. For more information and to register, call the library at 518-274-7071 or online at www.thetroylibrary.org.

DANCE THROUGH PARKINSON’S: The National Museum of Dance announces the inception of Dance Through Parkinson’s, an innovative weekly class for people living with Parkinson’s disease and their care partners. This class, taught by Board-Certified Dance Movement Therapist Rachelle Smith-Stallman, explores movement through different types of rhythmic music in ways that are joyful, safe, and stimulating. Dance Through Parkinson’s has been proven to enhance strength, balance, flexibility, awareness, and confidence in its participants. Beginning on January 11, classes will be held on Thursdays from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30p.m. in the Swyer Studios located directly behind the National Museum of Dance, 99S. Broadway, Saratoga Springs. Classes are free of charge and no experience is necessary for participation. For more information please contact the Museum at 518-584-2225 ext. 3001. SCHENECTADY CIVIC PLAYERS AUDITIONS: Open auditions for Jon Robert Baitz’s “Other Desert Cities,” directed by Jennifer Van Iderstyne, at Schenectady Civic Playhouse, 12So. Church St., Schenectady, will be held on Tuesday, January 2, and Thursday, January 4, at 7:30p.m. Sign-ups begin at 7p.m. Performance dates are March 16-25. Five roles: three women (play 30s to 60s), and two men (20s to 60s). For more information visit www.civicplayers.org. YOGA CLASSES: The Troy Public Library’s Lansingburgh Branch, in conjunction with the Troy YMCA, will offer Yoga classes on Tuesdays, from January 9 – February 13at 5:45p.m. This is an all-level yoga class that will invigorate your body and reduce stress. You will experience traditional yoga poses, stretching, breathing and relaxation techniques which will improve your flexibility, balance, strength and overall wellness. Please bring your own mat. This program is free and open to the public. Please register by calling the library at 518-235-5310 or online at www.thetroylibrary.org. The Troy Public Library’s Lansingburgh Branch is located at 27114th Street, Troy.

ZUMBA: The Troy Public Library’s Lansingburgh Branch, in conjunction with the Troy YMCA, will offer Zumba Fitness classes on Mondays from January 8– February 12at 5:45p.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. Please register by calling the library at 518-235-5310. The Troy Public Library’s Lansingburgh Branch is located at 27114th Street, Troy.

WHOLE FARM PLANNING: Cornell Cooperative Extension Albany County was accepted into a Whole Farm Planning in the Northeast grant program as part of Holistic Management International. Through this program, farmers will receive training in areas such as decision making, farm design and land planning, financial planning, budgeting, enterprise selection, marketing, leadership, labor management, and more! There is no cost to participate, but space is limited. The project will run over a three year period, with regular meetings working through the whole farm planning process. Please contact Ashley at arp253@cornell.edu, 518765-3500(office), 518-2315384(cell) for an application or for more information. The deadline is January 16, with preference given to farmers from Albany County. Farms selected will be notified by January 17. The kickoff meeting will be January 24 for selected participants. FREE ENGLISH CLASSES: Do you want to improve your English? Are you new to the United States? Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County has free English Literacy Civics classes where you can improve your English language skills while learning about life in the United States. Each class meets two times per week. Classes for beginning learners meet in Albany. Classes for intermediate learners meet in Troy. Intake and testing will be done on at the LVORC office at 65River Street, Troy, on Tuesday, January 9, from 10a.m.to 2p.m. For more information, contact Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County at 518-244-4650or visit www.lvorc.org.

CALL FOR ARTISTS: North Country Arts will be holding an open call for artists for their annual juried art show “Expressions” from January 1through April 1, 2018. Artists are invited to submit two photographs of their work to www.onlinejuriedshows.com . Full details on how to enter, jurying fees and how to upload photographs of your work can be found by going to www. onlinejuriedshows.com and scrolling down to the North Country Arts icon.

EPIPHANY CELEBRATION: This free January 7event is an opportunity for children to learn about the LaBefana tradition. The children will participate in crafts and a treasure hunt. LaBefana will make a small gift to each child. Help us keep this beautiful tradition alive. Children must be accompanied by an adult. A social follows. 3p.m. - 4:30p.m., American Italian Heritage Association and Museum, 1227Central Avenue, Albany. For more information, email info@americanitalianmuseum.org or visit www. americanitalianmuseum.org. Please make reservations by January 5.

BEDDING PLANT CONFERENCE: Cornell Coop- erative Extension of Albany County and The Capital Area Agriculture & Horticulture Program announce the annual Capital Region Bedding Plant Conference, held on January 11from 8 a.m. to 4p.m. A series of presentations will include greenhouse pest and disease management and control, plant root zone monitoring and minimizing the impact of horticultural pesticides on wild and domesticated bees. Admission to the Bedding Plant Conference is $45per person if pre-registered, or $65per person at the door. Pre-registration is strongly recommended and is available online at http://bit.ly/2zPAzaY, or you may contact Tove Ford at 518-7653518or cce-caahp@cornell.edu for assistance with registration. Lunch is provided at no additional cost. POESTENKILL SENIORS: The Poestenkill Seniors will not hold their regular Tuesday afternoon meetings during the month of January 2018. Their next meeting will be held on February 6at the Sullivan-Jones Post in Poestenkill, starting with an 11:30a.m. board meeting to discuss upcoming events. TELETHON AUDITIONS: Showcase your talent and be part of a community tradition in the Capital/Saratoga Region. Choral groups, soloists, specialty acts and dance troupes are invited to audition for the January 28 #518Gives Telethon to benefit the Center for Disability Services. Open auditions are Saturday, January 6, from 11 a.m. to 3p.m., at the Holiday Inn Express, in the Gazebo Room, 400Old Loudon Road, Latham. Performers may audition only one piece with a three minute limit. Call 518944-2122or email foundation@cfdsny.org to schedule an audition. Go to www. cfdsny.org for information. QUICK BOOKS FOR FARM- ERS: There’s still time to register for a three-session workshop on using Quick-Books on your farm. This workshop will give you a

beginning working knowledge of this useful computer program, enabling you to set up a chart of accounts, automate the recording of receipts and expenses and generate useful financial reports to monitor and track your business. Participants who successfully complete the workshop series will receive up to $150that can be used to purchase QuickBooks software or to pay for the online subscription. The dates of the class are: January 10, 17& 24(January 31being held as a snow date). The class will be held at the Washington County Fairgrounds Administration Building, 392Old Schuylerville Rd, Greenwich. The cost is $50per farm for up to two people. Space is limited. Register online at http:// bit.ly/CAAHPQB, or contact Tove Ford at 518-765-3518 or cce-caahp@cornell.edu. FARM TRANSITION PLANNING: Cornell Cooperative Extension of Albany County, the Capital Area Agriculture & Horticulture Program and the Agricultural Stewardship Association announce “Managing for Today and Tomorrow,” a five-session workshop for farm women. The program will be held on 5consecutive Saturdays beginning on January 27, 2018. This workshop series will be held at Victor Lodge, 1535 NY Rte. 67, Schaghticoke. The cost is $100per person, which includes a workbook with fact sheets, hands-on activities and a meal. The course runs from 9:30a.m. to 2p.m. each week. Course size is limited, so please register soon. A grant has been applied for to reimburse up to 20participants their full registration fee. Farm women may register online at: http://bit.ly/MTT_ ENY. You may also register by contacting Tove Ford at 518765-3518or cce-caahp@ cornell.edu.

POLAR PLUNGE: Registrations are now being accepted for participants in the Polar Plunge at Grafton Lakes State Park on Saturday, January 27, 2018. The Plunge will once again this year raise funds for the food pantry at Our Lady of the Snow Church. Participants will take turns jumping into the frigid water while the New York State Police Ice Dive team provides safety. The Friends of Grafton Lakes State Park will provide a fun prize for Silliest Costume, but come in whatever “swim attire” you like. This event is open to the first 50people who pre-register. The fee is $20and includes a t-shirt. Heated changing areas are available nearby but bring warm clothes for before and immediately after. For more information and an application for the Polar Plunge contact Ray Dozois at 518663-5648.

DOG OBEDIENCE CLASS: Join Cornell Cooperative Extension Albany County for a Winter Dog Obedience Class and learn how to teach basic obedience while having fun bonding with your dog. There will also be an optional Canine Good Citizen test with an evaluator from the American Kennel Club. This class will be offered Mondays, January 22through March 5, with March 12as an optional day for the Canine Good Citizen evaluation. Classes will be held from 6p.m. - 6:45p.m. at the CCE Albany County Office, located at 24Martin Road, Voorheesville. This program is open to both 4-H and non-4H youth, as well as adults. The cost for 4-H youth members is $40, youth non-members-$50, and adults $80. All funds will go towards furthering Albany County 4-H youth education and development. For more information or to sign up, please contact Ashley at arp253@cornell.edu or 518-765-3500. The sign-up deadline is January 17. NORTH COUNTRY ARTS: North Country Arts will host an art exhibition featuring the graphic design work and photography of the students of SUNY Adirondack from January 8February 9at their 2nd Floor Gallery at City Hall in Glens Falls. An art party honoring the students will be held on Friday, January 26, from 5p.m. - 7p.m. The public will have an opportunity to chat with the artists and enjoy delicious creations by SUNY Adirondack Culinary Arts students. 2nd Floor Gallery is open weekdays from 9a.m. – 4p.m.

CALL FOR ARTISTS: North Country Arts invites artists working in all media to submit work for their “$99” exhibition which will open on January 12. Drop off and registration will be held at the NCA at the Shirt Factory Gallery, 71Lawrence Street, Glens Falls on Saturday, January 6from 1p.m. - 5 p.m. Hanging fees are $15 for North Country Arts members, $25for non-members (non-members can become members at registration for as little as $25) for up to two pieces of art. All artwork must be ready to hang or display. 2D artwork must have wire on the back. All work must be priced at under $100. The exhibit continues through February 9.

ST. JOSEPH’S: St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, located at 600State Street, (corner of State and Lafayette Streets), Schenectady, is announcing its New Year’s Day Mass Schedules. On New Year’s Eve, Sunday, December 31, the regular Sunday Mass will be at 9:30 a.m., and New Year’s Day, Monday, January 1, 2018, the Mass will be held at 9:30a.m. The Church and Parish offices will be closed January 2in observance of the holidays. The Public is cordially invited to attend these Masses. St. Joseph’s Church is handicapped accessible and parking is available in the rear of the Church. More information is available by calling 3744466, Ext. 13.

‘CHRIST REVEALS HIMSELF IN TEARS’: Yervant Kutchukian, chaplain at Albany Medical Center, explores how we see Christ through the lens of tears— both of those we serve and our own—and how these can be a source of healing and hope for the receiver and giver of care. January 27, 2018, Pastoral Center, 40N. Main Ave., Albany. Register for free at http:// www.rcda.org/Offices/pastoral_ care_ ministry/events. asp before January 12. This event can also be viewed via video-conferencing at Our Lady of Annunciation in Queensbury; St. Edward’s in Clifton Park; St. Francis de Sales in Herkimer; St. Patrick’s in Catskill and St. Mary’s in Oneonta. For more information email Maria. Schollenberger@rcda.org or call 518-641-6818. CAPITAL DISTRICT FLY FISHERS: The Capital District Fly Fishers will hold eight Intro to Fly Tying classes beginning January 10, 2018. Classes will held on the 1st, 2nd, and 4th Wednesday of each month from 7p.m. to 9p.m. at Saratoga Spa State Park, Geyser Creek Road Loop, Saratoga Springs. Students must have their own tying tools, which will be covered at the first class. There will be two weeks between first and second class to obtain any needed tools. Cost: $75 Non CDFF members,$65 CDFF members. Class size is limited. For more information, contact John Prokorym at jppflytyer@yahoo.com or 518-869-7563.

WINTE GREEN-UP:

Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Capital Area Ag & Hort Program announces the Tenth Annual Winter Green-Up, coming up on Saturday, January 27, 2018, at The Century House, 997 New Loudon Road, Latham. By popular demand, Winter Green-Up 2018will be a one-day event with great speakers, vendors and the traditional Winter Green-Up lunch at the great price of $75per person. To register online: https://reg.cce. cornell.edu/ WGU2018_ 201. For questions regarding registration, please contact Tove Ford, cce-caahp@cornell.edu or 518-765-3518. For questions about Winter Green-Up 2018, or if you wish to be a vendor at this event, please contact Hank Bignell, hdb48@cornell.edu or 518-649-0267, or Tom Gallagher at tjg3@cornell. edu or 518-577-0958.