Tomorrow from Noon to 5pm, the American Red Cross is holding a blood drive at Town Hall.  There are still time slots available for donations.  There is currently an emergency shortage of platelets and type O blood.  You can schedule an appointment by calling 1-800- RED-CROSS or online and entering “guilderlandtown” in the search box.

Parks & Rec has opened registration for its popular spring school break program.  April Break Fun And Games will take place from Monday, April 14 through Thursday, April 17 from 9am to 11m each day at Guilderland Elementary School.  The program is for students in grades 1 to 6 who reside in Town or are students in the Guilderland Central School District.  The day will start with warm-up tag games followed by games such as Jailbreak, Pins Down, Survivor, Seven-Base Kickball, Indoor Soccer, Basketball and more.  

Parks & Rec has opened registration for Pickleball for Beginners which will take place from Monday, June 2 to Friday, June 6 from 9am to 11am at Tawasentha Park, when you can improve your Pickleball game from beginner to an advanced beginner/intermediate player, and learn the basic skills and rules of the sport.  Paddles, if needed, and balls will be provided.  The Town now has eight courts, with four each at Tawasentha Park and Nott Road Park, with additional courts at Nott Road likely constructed this spring.

Please note that current muddy and slippery conditions are not suitable for enjoying the Town’s trail system, and that will soon hopefully change.   Please remember that, in all Town parks and open space, dogs must be on a leash at all times.  Your dog may be very friendly, but hikers and park patrons do not know that and the presence of an unleashed dog can be disconcerting.  The exceptions to this rule are the Town’s two dog parks at Nott Road Park and behind EMS Station 1 in Westmere.  Please also note that Western Turnpike Golf Course has historically opened in early April, depending on fickle early spring weather, and that walking is not allowed on golf cart paths during the golf season.  

A reminder that Highway crews pick up lawns bags and tied brush all year round but do not vacuum leaves until fall.   Leaf piles should be bagged.  In the next week or so, the Highway Department will begin sweeping streets and cleaning out stormwater drains.    

Please remember that, if your home has a septic system or cesspool that adversely impacts certain designated waterbodies, you may be eligible for reimbursement for replacement costs under the Septic System Replacement Fund Program.  I know several homeowners have taken advantage of this program to upgrade their septic systems. The program reimburses eligible property owners with grants for up to 50% of the costs (up to $10,000) of their eligible septic system projects. Grants are awarded only to those septic system projects that will significantly and quantifiably reduce environmental and/or public health impacts from cesspools or septic systems.   You can check your property’s eligibility by entering your property’s address.  This rare opportunity is a collaboration between the State, County, and Town, and property owners to address a pressing environmental and public health issue. 

With spring arriving, you might want to consider reserving a pavilion at Tawasentha Park for family outings and local business events.  Walk-in reservations (with payment) have priority over phone, faxed or emailed reservation requests (with payment).  To request booking a pavilion, please submit a completed Request for Use of Facilities/Know the Rules and required payment (credit card, check or cash) to the Town of Guilderland. You can drop off the required forms or mail them to Guilderland Parks & Recreation Department at 181 State Route 146, Altamont, NY 12009, or faxed to 518-456-3156.   You can view the availability calendar for Tawasentha Park Pavilion Rentals.

The Town’s Senior Services Department’s March newsletter has information about classes and seminars, tax preparation assistance, trips, medical and shopping transportation, next month’s book discussion, legal aide, monthly meal calendar, games, and much more.  On Wednesdays from 11am to 12:30pm, the Guilderland Public Library is the home for Senior Connects!, where seniors can have a friendly chat on a wide-range of interesting topics.  The prior topics included home downsizing, senior resources, hobbies, books, movies, favorite day trips, and local events.  No registration is required.

The Guilderland Chamber of Commerce upcoming events include Ladies Night Out on Wednesday, April 9 from 5pm to 8pm at the Albany County Club.  

On Saturday, April 26 from 8am to 2pm, the Guilderland Central School District is sponsoring the Guilderland Recycling Extravaganza in Farnsworth Middle School’s front parking lot where you drop off, with no fee, sneakers, bikes, cardboard, plastics, clothing, electronics (but not TVs), cell phones, and gently used instruments.   Here is a list of acceptable and unacceptable donations, and vendor details.  

On Saturday, April 26 from 10am to 2pm, the Police Department is holding the National Drug Take Back Day in the Guilderland Public Library’s auxiliary parking lot.  This event allows residents to responsibly dispose of unused, expired or unneeded prescription medications.  The event is free and anonymous.  Research shows that a majority of abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends from home medicine cabinets.  Please remember that no needles are accepted.  

 The Albany Pine Bush Preserve’s upcoming calendar, includes on Saturday, March 15 at 10:30am, Junior Birders, when students aged 11 to 17 years with an adult, can explore the Yellow Trail at Karner Barrens and look for birds.  On Saturday, May 10 from 10am to Noon, the Preserve is holding Volunteer Conservation Day, when you can help clean up glass and trash within the Preserve. If time allows, you can help pick up litter within the Preserve and clear vegetation around trail posts. All equipment including gloves, trash bags, and safety vests will be provided.