Please check out the district’s community page for local events, workshops, and activities below.
If you have a local community program/event/activity to share, please send your flyer to rturetsky@berlincentral.org.

Calling All Veterans!

Please join us this FRIDAY, November 7, 2025, when Berlin Middle High School will host its annual assembly to honor local veterans.

8 AM – Breakfast (Middle High School Cafeteria) for any veteran and a guest.

9 AM – Assembly (Middle High School Auditorium) featuring performances from the band, chorus, and speakers addressing why we celebrate veterans in our BCSD Community. This year’s theme is the impact and importance of service and how to get involved. Please join us and be honored by our students and community.

Questions? Please reach out to Mr. Robert Gould at rgould@berlincentral.org.

Community Event Notice from Ms. Shayna Davner, MSW
Student Assistance Counselor, Berlin BCSD/Rensselaer County Mental Health Prevention Services.
Please find the details on the flyer below and reach out for more information to https://www.artslettersandnumbers.com/transformation-project nopiatesevents@gmail.com or nopiates.com

Please find notices about upcoming community events from Ms. Shayna Davner, MSW, BCSD Student Assistance Counselor, and Rensselaer County Mental Health Prevention Services, on the flyers below.

Care Support Community Event at the Berlin Free Town Library!

Notice from the BMHS Counseling Department:
Monday Parent and Caregiver Open Support Groups
Charlie Health Family Programming invites you to our free open Family Support Groups.
Free and open to the public.
Please use the QR code on the flyer below to register for groups.

Notice from the BMHS Counseling Office: Virtual Group Program for Parents of Infants and Toddlers with Autism Spectrum Disorder

An Early Start Denver Model-based virtual group program is being offered at no cost through the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities at the University at Albany. This group program provides parents with training and tools to promote their very young children’s social and
communicative development. The program includes small-group
instruction to help parents learn real-world skills that will help them
interact with their infants/toddlers in a way that has been shown to
elicit social and communicative behaviors. Participants are asked to
complete pre/post assessments in order for us to evaluate the
effectiveness of this program.
If interested in being a part of this program, please complete this survey:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RX3ZLLP

News & Events from our Local Libraries

Berlin Free Town Library:

https://www.bftl.org/

Library Hours
Monday 10 am – 2 pm
Tuesday 2 pm – 6 pm
Wednesday 1 pm – 5 pm
Thursday 2 pm – 6 pm
Friday 1 pm – 5 pm
Saturday- Temporarily Closed
Sunday- Closed

Please join us on Thursday, October 23rd at 6:30 pm to learn about our library’s sustainable funding proposition on the Town of Berlin’s General Election Ballot. Light refreshments will be served!

Grafton Community Library:

https://www.graftoncommunitylibrary.org/

Library Hours
Monday- Tuesday: 1 pm – 6 pm
Wednesday: 10 am – 1 pm
Thursday, Friday: 1 pm – 6 pm
Saturday: 10 am – 1 pm
Sunday: Closed

Petersburgh Library:

https://www.petersburghpubliclibrary.org/

Library Hours:
Monday 2 pm – 6 pm
Tuesday 2 pm – 6 pm
Wednesday 2 pm – 7 pm
Thursday 2 pm – 6 pm
Friday 2 pm – 6 pm
Saturday 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Sunday Closed

Poestenkill Library

https://www.poestenkilllibrary.org/

Library Hours
Monday – 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Tuesday – 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Wednesday – 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Thursday – 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Friday – 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Saturday – 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Stephentown Memorial Library:

https://www.stephentownlibrary.org/

Library Hours
Monday – Thursday 12-6 pm
Friday 12-5 pm
Saturday 10-2 pm
Sunday (Closed)

Cornell Cooperative Extension Presents Social Media & Mental Health in Youth at St. Catherine’s Connections to Care Family Opportunity Center.
Lunch will be provided! Please see flyer below and attached.
Registration: mkd59@cornell.edu | 518-598 -9937

Caregiver Coaching through Bright Start Connect

Notice from the BMHS Counseling Staff – Youth Drop-In Support Groups

The Fox Hollow Music & Art Café

Jester Fretless

Saturday, November 15, 2025

Doors at 5:30pm, Show at 6:00pm

$5.00 Admission, FREE for Minors

We are looking forward to welcoming back Jester Fretless! Made up of Barry Hyman on steel guitar, vocals, harmonica, and guitar, and Jared Carrozza on double bass, electric bass, and melodica, this duo is dedicated to performing and documenting improvisational world music. Jared and Barry have played in bands together since 2004, first Zuela, later the Dread Resistors, and then formed the duo in 2018. Barry is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, songwriter, recording artist, and music teacher who has been performing a wide selection of musical styles around the VT/NY/MA area since the 1960s. Jared has played with many singers and bands around the NY Capital Region during the last twenty years, specializing in world music, reggae, and jazz. Jester Fretless has uploaded more than 350 short music videos to YouTube and Facebook, featuring an unusually varied mix of musical instruments and improvisational styles. More info at youtube.com/@jesterfretless and at www.barryhyman.com

As usual, this is our monthly community potluck night. A dish is not required for admittance, but a little contribution goes a long way towards filling everyone’s bellies! If you do not have time to cook something even a bag of chips, fruit, or a small dessert helps. You can bring your own alcoholic beverages if you are 21+. Please bring cash for refreshments ($1.00 each) and the 50/50 Cash Raffle ($1.00 per ticket or $10.00 for 15 tickets, and you get to keep HALF of the cash if you win!). Activities available for youth in our “Kids’ Corner.” A big thanks to Stewart’s Shops Holiday Match Grant for sponsoring our youth to attend for free!

Are you interested in being a performer or vendor during one of our 3rd Saturday events?

Email foxhollowcafe@gmail.com

or call your hosts Siobhan & Lee at:

(430) 305-2017

Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center

Events

475 Dyken Pond, Cropseyville, NY 12052

Pre-registration required for all programs at

(518) 658-2055 or jp844@cornell.edu.

Your registration is not complete until you receive confirmation from the Center.

Dyken Pond EEC website

GRAFTON LAKES STATE PARK

https://parks.ny.gov/visit/state-parks/grafton-lakes-state-park#events

Call (518) 279-1155 to register. Registration is required for all event unless otherwise noted.

Park hours: 8AM – sunset
Welcome Center: Wed. – Mon. 9AM – 4PM

Entrance Fee: Free until May*

Upcoming Events at Grafton Lakes State Park

November 5, 2025

Full Moon Hike

Grafton Lakes State Park

Come experience the park in the dark! Join us on November 5th for a guided hike under the Beaver Moon. We’ll be meeting at the Welcome Center at 5:00pm and departing soon afterwards. Our hike will be around 2-3 miles…

November 13, 2025

Story Book Trail Storytime

Grafton Lakes State Park

Come join us on an Afterschool Program at the Park. We’ll be meeting at the Welcome Center at 3:30pm before heading to our Storybook Trail! Enjoy a half mile accessible hike where we’ll go through the story. You may even…

November 14, 2025

Sunset at the Fire Tower

Grafton Lakes State Park

Do you enjoy the changing moments during the day? Join us on a hike to Dickinson Hill Firetower to watch the sunset. We will meet at 3pm in the Firetower parking lot at the end of North Long Pond Rd…

November 15, 2025

Hike the Ponds – White Lily

Grafton Lakes State Park

Come join an educator on a month-long challenge to hike our 5 ponds this month! Our second meeting will meet at the White Lily Trailhead on Babcock lane road at 9am before heading out for the White Lily Loop. This…

“Hudson Taconic Lands (HTL) (formerly Rensselaer Plateau Alliance/ Rensselaer Land Trust) invites your involvement in the Wolf Creek Community Forest Committee!
In 2024, HTL conserved a 385-acre parcel in the Town of Berlin on Route 22. This property, now named Wolf Creek Community Forest, will be led by a committee made up of Hudson Taconic Lands members and active volunteers. Join us in managing this new recreation resource!
The Community Forest Model at Hudson Taconic Lands
A community forest is a public nature area run by and for the community.
For each new community forest, HTL invites interested volunteers to join a community forest committee. The committee helps create a land management plan, set guidelines for recreation and public use of the preserve, and plan projects on the land. Each community forest has a Committee Chair who organizes meetings and activities, and a Steward who visits the land regularly to keep an eye on the trails and lead work projects.
Through this innovative model, we’ve seen an inspiring level of involvement and effort, leading to long-term care and love for the land. Our existing community forests offer miles of trails for passive recreation. The forests are frequented by hikers, birders, hunters, school groups, volunteer groups, researchers, and many others. They also serve as host sites for our annual Forest Conservation Corps program for teens.
Wolf Creek will be our sixth community forest and we look forward to serving your community through conservation.
Have questions? Reach out to our Stewardship Manager Andrew Schwitzgebel at andrew@rensselaerplateau.org“

Events
Scroll down to see all events.
Click here to fill out our Participant Waiver.

Find more RPA events here

https://www.rensselaerplateau.org/events

Working cooperatively with the community, RPA listens, inspires, leads and gets results.

RPA | About (rensselaerplateau.org)

RPA NEWSLETTER

SHAC Center-Adventure Community Center

Programs open to Berlin CSD Students and Families
The SHAC Center-Adventure Community Center is here to facilitate and support the development of healthy, active lifestyles for people of all ages in Averill Park and surrounding communities. Our Vision: To create a connected community and provide opportunities for healthy, active living and recreation in a safe, inclusive environment.

SHAC Center’s 2nd Annual Free Thanksgiving Dinner

Enjoy a FREE Thanksgiving dinner on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2025 from 1 pm -3 pm with other community members at the SHAC Center. This turkey dinner is open to all ages and people. The SHAC Center will be providing enough food to accommodate up to 100 individuals. If you or someone you know would like a turkey dinner, please register TODAY to reserve your spot.

RSVP for a Free Dinner:

TO REGISTER BY PHONE, PLEASE CALL DANA AT 516-835-8920

* Deadline to RSVP is November 14th *

VOLUNTEER to help serve our community (multiple time slots will be available):

Thanksgiving Dinner Setup: 10 am – 12:30 pm

Serving Dinner: 1 pm – 3 pm

Clean Up: 3 pm – 5 pm

DONATE Funds or Food to the Thanksgiving Dinner:

Fill out the Donor Form and Pay Online HERE

or you may send a CHECK (with “Thanksgiving Donation” in the memo line) to the following mailing address:

Sky High Adventure Center Inc.

PO Box 236

Sand Lake, NY 12153

SHAC Center/Sand Lake Turkey Trot 5k

Join us for a morning of fun, fitness, and community spirit at the Sand Lake / SHAC Center Turkey Trot! It’s the perfect opportunity to get active and enjoy the crisp autumn air with friends and family. Our event is designed for everyone, and we welcome participants of all ages and abilities.

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, November 27

Location: 27 Lake Avenue, Averill Park, NY

T-Shirts: The first 50 registered athletes will receive a complimentary Turkey Trot T-shirt, so be sure to sign up early!

Registration fees are $15 for adults and $10 for children.

Award Ceremony for numerous categories!

Schedule:

7:30–8:30 AM: Packet Pick-Up & Late Registration

Swing by early to collect your race packet or register if you haven’t yet. Remember, late registration incurs an additional $5 fee.

9:00 AM: 5K / 3.1 Mile Run & Walk

10:00 AM: Kids Fun Run / APRR – John

A special event just for the little ones to dash and delight in their very own run.

See All Program Offerings + Registration

FULL SCHEDULE:

MONDAYS

Strength Training, Treadmill & Spinning (9-11am)*

Needlecrafts (10am-12pm)*

Albany Aikido (12pm)

Bridge (Alternating Mon 1-3pm. Starts 9/15)*

Archery (6:30-7:30pm Starting Nov 3)

TUESDAYS

Albany Aikido (7:30am)

Cooking Class (10am-12pm)*

Chair Yoga (5:30-6:15pm Starting Oct 14)

Paint & Drip Art Café (6-8pm Alternate Tues)

WEDNESDAYS

Strength Training, Treadmill & Spinning (9-11am)*

Mexican Train Dominoes (10am-12pm)*

Pickleball at Butler Park (10am-12pm)*

Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support & Memory Café for People with Symptoms

(11am-12:30pm Wed Nov 19 & Dec 17)*

Mahjong Club (1-3pm)*

Parent-Child Foam Ball (5:45-6:45pm)*

THURSDAYS

Albany Aikido (7:30am)

Outdoor Cycling (9 am Start)* (Meets at Nassau Post Office/ Empire Trail)

TOAST – Thursday Open Art Studio Time (1-4pm)*

Story Writing (1-3pm)*

Community Ping Pong (6:00-7:30pm)*

Introduction to Vegetable Fermentation (6-8pm, Oct 29)

FRIDAYS

Strength Training, Treadmill & Spinning (9-11am)*

Foam Ball Tennis (Blue Room) (10am-11am)*

Tablet & Smartphone Tech Help (10-12pm) (By Appointment Email: Maggie@SHACcenter.org)*

SATURDAYS

Women’s Self Defense (10am-12pm, Nov 29)

SUNDAYS

Albany Aikido (10am)

The Center for Autism and Related Disabilities is now offering a group for parents of infants/toddlers diagnosed with ASD. Find out more on the flyer below.

Noteworthy Center of Albany

Volunteer some hours, learn bike repair, get a bike of your own.

https://troybikerescue.mayfirst.org/

Connect Center

The Connect Center is primarily a safe space for youth to be after school. Once students’ basic needs for safety have been met, the organization uses mentorship and youth development programs to allow students to explore their passions, talents, and eventually, a career path.

Connect After School is a youth program filled with workshops focused on student exploration in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math. Students in the Capital Region grades 6-12 can participate in the program at no cost!

Program Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 3:00-5:00pm. Snack included!

Flyer%20-%20Glizzies%20For%20Good%20%20%20(Document).png

Dear Parents,

Looking for a safe, engaging place where your child can explore, learn, and grow? You’re invited to Glizzies for Good, a special hot dog social at the Connect Center for Youth!

Join us to:

Meet our staff who are dedicated to helping youth reach their full potential
Tour our classrooms and see our STEAM programs in action
Learn about resources and events that support your family and community

Event Details:

What: Glizzies for Good (a hot dog social)
When: Wednesday, November 6th, 5:30–7:00 PM
Where: Connect Center

Our mission is simple: to break the cycle of poverty by connecting youth to their full potential—through hands-on STEAM programs, a safe space to grow, and access to community resources.

Come enjoy a hot dog, meet our team, and see firsthand how your child can thrive at the Connect Center. We can’t wait to welcome you!

Warm regards,
The Connect Center Team