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 this coming Sunday, May 19 at 2pm, the Village of Altamont will hold its annual Memorial Day Parade from the Altamont Fair Grounds and will then proceed down Grand Street, Main Street, Lincoln, Western and Maple Avenues to Orsini Park.  The members of the Boyd Hilton VFW Post and the American Legion Post 977 will again lead this community event to honor and remember those who lost their lives in service of our nation.

Next Friday, May 24 at 10am, the Town is hosting the Hometown Heroes banner event, when we will honor 17 local heroes who have served our nation.   The honorees include Town employees in the Emergency Services and Police Departments.  The ceremony will take place at the Guilderland Performing Arts Center in Tawasentha Park.  In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held on GPAC’s stage.

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 am pleased to announce that the Police Department received a State grant for the purchase of a Trimble 3D Forensic Scanner that will help with fire investigations, accident reconstruction, and crime scene investigations.   The 3D scanner can be used indoors and outdoors, and can identify foot prints, tool marks, blood stains, bullet holes, and other physical evidence.   

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 for the 2024 Summer Camp is off to a very strong start.  This year’s camp brochure lists over 100 sport camps, enrichment classes, and fun activities.   The summer camp runs from Monday, July 1 to Friday, August 9.  Parks & Rec also has  opportunities for entry level summer camp counselors who must be at least 16 years old.  

The Guilderland Performing Arts Center’s 2024 season opens on Thursday, June 20 at 7:30pm, with a performance by the Guilderland Town Band.  The season’s lineup shares details for each performance group and each evening’s food truck vendor.  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.  

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 holding a special 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.  

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

The Guilderland Public Library’s monthly events calendar has interesting activities for all ages, including on this upcoming Saturday from 10am to 3pm, a walk-in genealogy query session with The Capital District Genealogical Society with laptops to assist you in answering your family history questions. You can sign-in when they arrive for 30-minute research sessions.  Snacks and beverages will be provided. 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 has reached the mid-point of its month-long celebration.   The upcoming opportunities include guided hikes, educational programs, engaging science and nature lectures, a native plant sale at 10am on Saturday, bird-banding observation, a learn to fish clinic, and the new Lupine Fest Passport program.  Please note that some events require a reservation.  

The Preserve also hosts “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.  

The Guilderland Food Pantry is on the forefront in responding to food insecurity in our community.  Last year, the Pantry served 5,252 individuals, distributed 47,268 meals, and provided 93 high school students with weekly food backpacks.  About 20% of the Town’s seniors and children are 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, with a special need this month for canned fruit, cake mix, and brownie mix.  You can also 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