Lifestyle & Entertainment

60 years strong, 80 years young

Albany Memorial honors longtime nurse Esther Rappold for decades of service

Friends, family and coworkers gathered at Albany Memorial Hospital to celebrate 80-year-old Esther Rappold's 60 years of service at the facility.

Park lovers give back

Volunteers pitch in to help Thacher Park for 'I Love My Park Day'

More than 50 people turned out to lend Mother Nature a helping hand at John Boyd Thacher State Park for New York state's second "I Love My Park Day" on Saturday, May 4.

[Photo Gallery] Taking a peek at farm life

Indian Ladder Farms showcases baby animals and activities

Baby animals returned to Indian Ladder Farms in Altamont on Saturday, May 4, with children clamoring to chicks, ducklings, bunnies, lambs, pigs and goats.

Living Resources, a Capital District nonprofit, held a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, May 1, for its group to be located off Ardsley Road in Guilderland. The building was touted as the state’s first barrier-free “smart house” designed especially for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Chalk it up to Albany

Central Avenue BID, Equinox hold sidewalk art contest to coincide with Tulip Fest

Each spring, thousands of tulips take over downtown Albany. The appearance of the flowers mark the beginning of spring in the city and have a way of bringing a feeling of renewal to Albany each year.

Forest Walk stops in Normanskill

Forest Owners Association looks to promote knowledge of responsible festry

Members of the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy are looking to educate landowners about forest management with a woods walk through the Normanskill Preserve.

Students get a taste of SPAC

'Classical Kids' stops in North Colonie to introduce youngsters to world of dance

Siobhan Dunham and two other professional dancers spent the morning of Friday, May 3, at Shaker High School with the entire district’s fifth-grade students for the arts education series “Classical Kids.” The school-based program is sponsored by SPAC and Union College, and was created in 1993 to help provide an interactive approach for children to learn about classical music and dance.

The Greatest Show on Earth

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus speaks to the child in every seat

Not many kids plan to run a circus when they grow up - and it’s not exactly what Johnathan Lee Iverson had in mind either as a kid growing up in New York City.

Of loss and young love

Shaker High grad Dana Lee Hom releasing first album, “Almost Gone”

It took love, heartbreak and a bout of emotional numbness for Dana Lee Hom to put together her first full-length album. Now that she’s ready to release those songs to the public, she feels like the burden of some of her troubles is disappearing.

Walkers step up in heart disease fight

Annual Capital Region Heart Walk this Saturday at Crossings

The 2013 Capital Region Heart Walk at The Crossings of Colonie will begin with breakfast and last-minute registration at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 4 and walkers will take either a 1- or 3-mile stroll. Participants raise money for the American Heart Association, and the donations go directly to funding research and education to fight heart disease and stroke. This year, the goal is set for $570,000.

Remembrance effort still strong

Delmar man continues event commemorating D-Day veterans

As what has been called the Greatest Generation ages, finding World War II veterans is getting harder. Tougher still is locating survivors of a single action, even one as momentous and enormous as D-Day.

Let's get ready to read

Albany Children’s Book Festival connects young readers with authors

The fifth annual Albany Children’s Book Festival, hosted by The Albany Academies, allows people of all ages to meet some of their favorite authors and illustrators. There will also be magicians, a children’s concert, clowns and other activities around the theme of reading.

Growing green habits

Family-friendly Go Green Day to feature recycling, demos, good eats

Go Green Day 2013 will be held Saturday, April 27, at Farnsworth Middle School in Guilderland. Several area groups worked together to create the educational event and recycling drop off, along with opportunities to donate a variety of items to local causes and organizations.

A festival for the senses

Cathedral of All Saints to present 'Vin de Choir: A Night of Song and Wine'

On Friday, April 19, from 6 to 8 p.m., The Friends of the Choir will hold a wine tasting event at the The Cathedral of All Saints

A common thread

For area quilting group, tradition, service and fellowship are a seamless combination

Q.U.I.L.T. Inc. has met at the Delmar Reformed Church once a month for the past 36 years. They meet to showcase their work, learn new skills and listen to guest speakers.

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