Town News & Announcements

I thank residents for their overwhelming support for the Town to acquire the historic Cobblestone Schoolhouse from the Guilderland Central School District for $10,000. At Tuesday’s school board vote, the vote was 2,064 (87.3%) in favor and 322 opposed. It will take a month or two for the transfer of title. Among the first steps after the Town takes title is the construction of a multi-use trail that will allow residents to walk or bike from the heart of the Guilderland Center hamlet to Keenholts Park. Assemblyperson Patricia Fahy has sponsored a $125,000 grant for renovating the historic school, with a new roof, replacing interior walls and ceiling, added insulation, upgraded heat and electric, restoring the bathroom, and aesthetic upgrades. You can learn about the Cobblestone Schoolhouse’s rich history in a detailed summary prepared by Town Historian Mary Ellen Johnson.

Tomorrow at 10am, the Town is hosting the Hometown Heroes banner event at the Guilderland Performing Arts Center in Tawasentha Park, when we will honor 17 local heroes who have served our nation, including employees in the Emergency Services and Police Departments. The banners will be placed in Tawasentha Park, and can also be viewed online.

Thanks to a generous grant from Albany County, the Guilderland Chamber of Commerce yesterday launched its Seasons of Guilderland passport in support of local businesses. More than 40 businesses are taking part in the initiative which invites everyone to explore and experience wide-ranging venues at which you can have a passport stamped. The passports are available at the Chamber’s offices at Hone Coworks, 300 Great Oaks Blvd, Suite 300 and the participating businesses.

Western Turnpike Golf Course’s webpage has up-to-date tee time reservations and is offering opportunities for weekly adult classes taught by Golf Pro Joe Lavinga. Registration for PGA Jr. League for girls and boys, ages 7 to 13, is also available.

The Hedge Bistro, the restaurant at the golf course, offers dining and takeout options, and hosts special events. On Saturday, June 8 starting at 5pm, the Hedge Bistro is hosting a charity event, with a dinner with Joe Ganniscoli, a/k/a Vito Spatafore from The Sopranos. There will be a question-and-answer opportunity with the actor, and 20 percent of the proceeds will be donated to local charities.

Please remember that the Guilderland Hannaford has designated the Guilderland Historical Society as the Bloomin' 4 Good beneficiary for the month of May. For the purchase of each specially marked bouquet, Hannaford will donate $1.00 to the Historical Society. The eligible bouquets have a round red marker on the cellophane wrapper in their fresh flower display under the posted sign for the Guilderland Historical Society.

On Friday, June 14 from Noon to 5pm at EMS Station 1 in Westmere, the American Red Cross is hosting its annual blood drive in memory of Richard W.O. Beebe, a teacher of a generation of emergency medical technicians and paramedics. You can sign up online and enter “Guilderland EMS” in the search box. I thank residents who showed up at the May 10^th blood drive at Town Hall when the blood drive collected 38 units, far more than the goal of 27 units.

You can sign up online for scheduled classes at Tawasentha Park’s adult exercise facility, including Functional Fitness, Functional Strength Training, Lifted Vision Community Yoga, Tai Chi, and Total Body Circuit. Please bring water and wear comfortable, breathable exercise clothing and sneakers. You can also use a free app available for tracking your use of the equipment.

The registration deadline for the 2024 Summer Camp is quickly approaching. The summer camp runs from Monday, July 1 to Friday, August 9. The camp brochure details over 100 sports camps, enrichment classes, and fun activities.

The Guilderland Performing Arts Center’s 2024 season opens in a month on Thursday, June 20 at 7:30pm, with a performance by the Guilderland Town Band. The season’s program includes a food truck vendor for each performance. The season’s nine concerts are on Thursday evenings at 7:30pm, except for National Night Out’s concert at 6pm on Tuesday, August 6. As noted last week, GPAC’s season will be supplemented by Park Playhouse Stage Company’s performances of The Marvelous Wonderettes on Friday, July 19 through Sunday, July 21 at 7:30pm, with an additional 4pm matinee on Saturday, July 20.

The Town is accepting letters of interest and resumes from candidates for Equipment Operator II, Police Officer, Paramedic, Stormwater Management Officer, Telecommunicator/911 Dispatcher, and Laborer positions in the Highway, Parks and Water Departments.

Community Events and Resources

On Saturday, June 1, from 10am to 1pm, Albany County Soil & Water Conservation District is providing a soil sample analysis for lead at its offices at 24 Martin Road, Voorheesville. The event is limited to two samples in a plastic ziploc bag (about two cups). The soil screening results and one-on-one health education will be provided. The event is part of the Cornell Cooperative Extension Albany County Master Gardener Garden Education Fair taking place at the same place and time.

The Guilderland Public Library’s monthly events calendar has interesting activities for all ages, including on Wednesday, May 29 from 4pm to 5pm, Crafting Conversation: A Live Event with Rebecca Ringquist, when the artist will share floral themed embroidery samplers that burst with vibrant hues that celebrate pollinators. On Sunday, June 2 at 2pm, the Library is hosting a concert by the Suburban Sounds Community Chorus.

The Albany Pine Bush Preserve’s Lupine Fest is continuing, with upcoming opportunities including a guided hike, bird-banding observation, volunteer certified seed collector training, and science tutorial. The Preserve is also hosting “Nature Night Out” events on Thursday, June 6, and Wednesday, July 17, when you can enjoy live music and a meal from food truck vendors, take a Story Walk along the trail, and learn more about the natural and cultural history of the Pine Bush with interactive Discovery Center exhibits. The Discovery Center will be opened until 7:30pm to take advantage of longer sunlit hours. The Preserve’s spring calendar has other activities for children and adults.

The Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy’s Loving Your Land Workshops continues with All About Birds, a seminar about techniques for grassland bird management on Friday, June 7 from 10am to Noon at the Bender Melon Farm Preserve in New Scotland.

The Guilderland YMCA’s calendar is full of health and fitness programs. The YMCA is also waiving the joiner’s fees for college students who are home on summer break to enjoy classes, wellness centers, basketball courts, and more by using the code “College2024” during online checkout.

A reminder that on Monday, June 17, Community Caregivers is holding its 20^th annual golf tournament at the Pinehaven Country Club, and is looking for sponsors and golfers. Please contact Linda Bourgeois at lbourgeois1@verizon.net for more information. The event is a key funding source for this non-profit’s work in our community.

Please also remember that the Guilderland Food Pantry desperately needs your help in combating hunger in our community. In 2023, the Pantry served 5,252 individuals, distributed 47,268 meals, and provided 93 high school students with weekly food backpacks. About 1 in 5 of the Town’s seniors and children are daily facing food insecurity. The Pantry has an ongoing Neighbors Helping Neighbors campaign, where you can make a tax-deductible contribution to help. You can also make food donations and order Amazon deliveries for the Pantry.

Town Hall will be closed on Monday, May 27 for Memorial Day. The Transfer Station will also be closed on Tuesday, May 28.

Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter.

Peter G. Barber

Town Supervisor

Town News & Announcements

Upcoming Meetings at Town Hall

Community Events and Resources