Town News & Announcements

National Night Out takes place this year on Tuesday, August 6 at Tawasentha Park from 6pm to 9pm.  Since 2009, the Town Police Department has hosted this event which allows the community to interact with police officers, fire department members, EMS personnel, and local organizations who serve the community.  There will be free ice cream, popcorn, and food available for purchase from vendors, and children’s games.  The Refrigerators will perform at 6pm at the nearby GPAC.  

The 2024 Summer Camp’s six-week, half-day program is into its third week and runs through Friday, August 9.   You can register for the one and two-week sessions.  The camp brochure details over 100 sports camps, enrichment classes, and fun activities.  

The Guilderland Performing Arts Center’s 2024 season continues tonight at 7:30pm with a concert by The McKrells, a Celtic-infused bluegrass group.  The food truck this evening is Flaco’s Tacos.  The Park Playhouse Stage Company’s four performances of The Marvelous Wonderettes, a fun 50s & 60s girl-group musical, takes place tomorrow, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 7:30pm, with an additional 4pm matinee on Saturday, July 20. All performances are free of charge, with seating on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please bring a lawn chair or blanket.    

The Marvelous Wonderettes is a story of a group of friends who form the impromptu entertainment at their high school prom in 1958, singing the girl-group pop songs of the decade in four-part harmony.  The friends reunite to perform at their ten-year reunion, singing the music of the girl-groups of the 60s.   

Tawasentha Park’s adult exercise facility has proven to be very popular which likely contributed to the recognition of the Town as the State’s healthiest community based on the use of the new facility.  You can also use a free app available for tracking your use of the equipment. There are also wide-ranging group activities, such as Functional Fitness, Functional Strength Training, Lifted Vision Community Yoga, Tai Chi, and Total Body Circuit.  Please bring water and wear comfortable, exercise clothing and sneakers. 

Tawasentha Park pool’s swimming hours are weekdays from Noon to 7pm, and weekends from 11:30am to 7pm.   Adult Lap swim is available on Monday through Thursday from 11am to Noon and on weekends from 10am to 11:30am. 

Next Wednesday, July 24 at 7pm, the Comprehensive Plan Update Committee will meet to discuss the draft comprehensive plan.    The CPUC members have been working on assigned topic areas, and will discuss refinements to the draft comprehensive plan that is posted on the Town website.     

The construction of four new pickleball courts at Nott Road Park is underway, with paving completed and final finishes installed soon.  The new courts should be ready for use in August.  The new courts supplement converted tennis courts at Tawasentha Park.   Additional pickleball courts are planned in other Town parks.

You may have noticed that the Town-owned Schoolcraft House on Western Avenue near the Guilderland Fire Department is being painted.    It follows the painting of the Mynderse-Frederick House in late June.  

Community Events and Resources

The Guilderland Chamber of Commerce’s Restaurant Week is taking place this week through Monday, July 22, with fixed price menus for $24.24.  The participating restaurants include Athos, Café Calabria II, Cider House at Orchard Creek, Hedge Bistro, Jacob & Anthony, MezzaNotte Ristorante, Northern Barrell, Peaches Café, Sage Bistro, and Tara Kitchen.  Please check the Chamber’s website for special menus at each of participating restaurants.  The Chamber’s Biking, Burgers & Beverages event takes place tonight from 5pm to 7pm at the Albany County Rail Trail in Voorheesville. The event will include craft and vendor tents, live music, food and beverage, and bicycle safety and skills course.  

The Guilderland Public Library’s monthly events calendar has interesting activities for all ages, including a virtual seminar on Thursday, August 15 from 2pm to 3:15pm, entitled The Golden Ticket to College Admissions Is Not What You Think: Redefining Success for Parents of Teens, when a former Stanford University admissions officer will share insights on the application process.  

The Albany Pine Bush Preserve’s summer calendar is full of activities for children and adults, including Karner Blue Butterfly Walk today at 3pm; Turtle Time, tomorrow at 2pm; Discover the Pine Bush for Families on Saturday, July 20 at 10am; and Community Outreach Volunteer Interview on Saturday, July 20 at 2pm. 

Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy’s summer events calendar includes a guided hike of the Bozen Kill Preserve starting at the trailhead in Altamont on this Saturday, July 20 at 10am.  Stewards will lead hikers along the trails and discuss the area's unique geology, history, flora and fauna.  On Sunday, August 11 from 10am to 1pm, MHLC is hosting Wild Edible & Medicinal Plants with Ondatra Adventures, when Dave Muska of Ondatra Adventures will explain the edible and medicinal plants that inhabit the Bozen Kill Preserve.  

MHLC received a grant from DEC to promote conservation of hemlock trees.  This effort includes a new volunteer initiative for specialized training in hemlock management and survey techniques. Volunteers will have the opportunity to visit parts of MHLC’s preserves that are too sensitive for public access.  If you are interested in volunteering for the hemlock conservation program, please contact Marshall@mohawkhudson.org.

The New York State Library’s summer calendar is full of free public programs, including seminars, trainings, book talks, and walking tours.   On Friday, July 26 from 1pm to 2:30pm, the State Library is offering an in-person Genealogy Research with Ancestry Library Edition (Onsite) when senior librarians will demonstrate the Ancestry Library online database that is accessible at the State Library.  It will include how to access Census records, genealogy and history books, maps and other resources that are freely available to the public.  The seminar will include search tips and strategies, how to save records, printing and how to create a family tree via Ancestry.  

The Summer Movie Express at Regal Cinemas at Crossgates, which shows two kid-friendly movies for $1 per ticket on Tuesdays and Wednesdays through August 7, continues next week with a double-billing of Trolls Band Together and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 on July 23 and 24.

As you may have heard, NYS Parks has launched ‘Get Offline, Get Outside’ campaign which provides free pool or beach access at State parks this summer.  To find a state pool or beach near you, State Parks has an swimming interactive map of freshwater lakes, salty ocean waters, Olympic-sized swimming pools, and other aquatic offerings.   

The CDC notes that, as of July 2, COVID-19 infection rates have expanded nationwide with growing or likely growing rates in 45 states, including New York State.  The CDC recommends everyone ages 6 months and older receive an updated 2024-2025 vaccine when they become available later this year. The new vaccine is formulated to protect against currently circulating variants of COVID-19 and will protect people from the potentially serious outcomes of COVID-19 illness this fall and winter.