Canajoharie

Nov. 29, 6 p.m. — The Canajoharie-Palatine-Root Community Chest will be holding a meeting at the Arkell Community Room located at 55 Montgomery St. in Canajoharie. All donors to Community Chest are members and are invited and encouraged to attend. If you cannot the meeting, contact Barbara Corrigan, acting president, at 852-1221 with your concerns and ideas.

Dec. 2, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. — The annual Holiday Tea and Fine Craft Fair will be held at the Van Alstyne Homestead, 42 Moyer St. There will be tea seatings at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. Tea seating tickets are $12 for members, $15 for non-members. It will feature teas, coffees, homemade sandwiches, sweets and savories. The Fine Craft Fair, featuring timeless and seasonal works by regional artisans, will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Call (518) 673-3066 for more information.

Dec. 2, 2-6 p.m. — St. John’s-St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 143 Church St., Canajoharie will hold a fundraising spaghetti supper. Served will be spaghetti and meatballs (with sauce and meatballs made by Ripepi’s Restaurant, St. Johnsville), salad, roll, drink and dessert. Take out is available. Tickets are $8. The proceeds of the event will be put toward St. john’s-St. Mark’s Medical Mission to Guatemala. The event will also feature a special performance by Stone Soup. Admission just to see Stone Soup (which does not include dinner) is $5.

Dec. 7, 4:30 p.m. — The Canajoharie Palatine Chamber of Commerce’s 2012 Elves Night out celebration takes place. The popular annual event will usher in the holiday season in Canajoharie and Palatine Bridge, featuring a visit by Santa Claus, horse drawn carriage rides and caroling in the village green. The streets will also be overrun with elves. At 4:30 p.m., Santa will arrive at the Canajoharie Post Office to receive letters from children. The event will also feature the new “Ringing of the Bells for the Elves”, wherein many of the historic buildings and churches in the area will participate in a synchronized chiming of their bells and carillons.  

Starting with a proclamation by Canajoharie Central School District Superintendent Deborah Grimshaw and Eric Trahan at 5:30 p.m. the sound of bells will begin at the Village Park Christmas Tree, with the chiming moving from one church or building to the next along both sides of the river. A different bell will be heard every 30 seconds for about 10 minutes during this part of the evening.

Dec. 8, 11a.m.-4 p.m. — The annual Canajoharie Library and Arkell Museum Holiday Gift Fair will be held. The event will feature local arts and crafts vendors selling soaps, wreaths, quilts, cards, art prints, woodcrafts, pottery, knit items and more. The Palatine Literary Society will be selling lunch and baked goods. There will be a huge used book sale and raffle fundraiser to benefit the library. At 12 p.m., families can visit the reading room for a performance of Holly Jolly Holidays by the musical storytelling duo “Tales n Tunes”. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., attendees can build a miniature gingerbread house to take home.

Dec. 9, 3 p.m. — The Valley Choralaires, under the direction of Alison Wallace, will be presenting their annual Christmas concert at the United Methodist Church, East Main St., Canajoharie. They will be accompanied by Janet Shuster on the piano. There will be no charge for admission or refreshments, but a free will offering will be accepted. Convenient parking is available in the parking lot on East Main St. across from the church.

Arkell Center

Daily activities during November 2012 are:

Monday through Friday — Noon meals are provided by the Meals of Montgomery Program (M.O.M.). Reservations are required by noon of the previous day. Call (518) 673-2000 or (518) 843-2300. Suggested donation is $3 for those 60 years of age or older.

Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10:15-11 a.m. — Senior’s Exercise Program will take place with Bob Smith.

Wednesday, 3-4 p.m. — Gentle Yoga for seniors will be held, with instructor, Gloria W. or Patty P.

• Meetings

Nov. 29, 2-3 p.m. — The Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregivers Support Group meeting will take place with Lisa Hubbard. This service is sponsored by the Alzheimers Assoc. of Northeastern NY.

Nov. 30, 1 p.m. — The Canajoharie Senior Citizens meeting will take place.

Fort Plain

Dec. 1, 4-8 p.m. — Fort Plain Museum will hold a holiday celebration. The event will feature live colonial music, artisans, crafters, and sutlers, along with an assortment of food and drinks. The Liaisons Plaisantes will provide Live Colonial Christmas Music, and have copies of their Christmas CD for sale. Authors Wayne Lenig and Joyce Berry will be signing copies of their local history books, and both will share stories. R.J. Butternut Sutlers will provide 18 century civilian and military reproductions, accoutrements, clothes and weaponry and Pumpkin Hill Hand Crafts will provide tin ware and handmade quilted items. New items have also been added to the gift shop, including the just released book “Reporting the Revolution”.

Dec. 2, 2-4 p.m. — Area residents driving by or strolling through Fort Plain’s Historic District are invited to stop by Diefendorf Hall at 47 Main Street for a free tour of the renovation project that’s been undertaken by the Friends of Fort Plain. The project entails a rehabilitation of an 1860s store front and music hall. Refreshments will be served.

Dec. 2, 6 p.m. — The Fort Plain Community Activity Council will host the annual visit from Santa Claus. The event will begin with caroling in Haslett Park, where Santa will arrive on a Fort Plain Volunteer Fire Department truck. From there, Santa will travel to the United Methodist Church, where refreshments and gifts will be provided.

Weekly Events

Mondays, 7-8 p.m. — AA meeting will be held at the Fort Plain Senior Center. Call (518) 993-2031 for details.

Mondays, 7-8:30 p.m. — Fort Plain’s Mayor Guy Barton will hold a weekly “Meet With The Mayor” session at the Village Hall, 168 Canal St. During the weekly gathering, which members of the public are encouraged to attend, Mayor Barton will discuss the future of Fort Plain. He will also answer questions pertaining to the village.

Tuesdays, 8:30 a.m. — Fort Plain Central School District Superintendent Douglas C. Burton will hold a coffee hour in the district office throughout the school year. Residents will be able to ask questions or find out more about the district. For more information, call the district office at (518) 993-4000.

Tuesdays, 10-11 a.m. — The Lotus Center for Wellness and Self Care will be offering yoga sessions at 9 Center St. Call (518) 993-9904 for more information. The center is open Monday thru Friday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30-7:30 p.m. — The Lotus Center for Wellness and Self Care will be offering aerobic classes at 9 Center St. Call (518) 993-9904 for more information.

Tuesdays — The Fort Plain Senior Center will hold a Pitch Tournament. For more details call (518) 993-3432.

Tuesdays — AA group will once again be meeting at The Reformed Church in the Fellowship Hall at 7 p.m.

Every other Wednesday, 1:30 p.m. — The Fort Plain Senior Center holds a pinochle tournament with prizes, sandwiches, cake and ice cream. For those of you who do not know the game of pinochle, come in any week day morning and lessons will be available. More players are always welcome. The game is easy and fun. Call (518) 993-3432 for details.

Thursdays — The Fort Plain Senior Center will hold a Poker Tournament. For more details call (518) 993-3432.

Thursdays — The Fort Plain Senior Center will hold bingo and a soup and sandwich lunch. For more details call (518) 993-3432.

Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. — Veteran employment representative at VFW Earl Stock Memorial Post 3275.

Thursdays, 10-11 a.m. — TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly) Fast Track Support Group is now meeting at a new location which is the Reformed Church, 165 Canal St. For more information, please call Geri Raymond, (518) 673-2318 or Margaret Miller, (518) 673-5979.

2nd Thursday of each month the Fort Plain Community Activity Council will meet at the Village Hall at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend.

3rd Wednesday of each month the Fort Plain Autism Support Group will meet at the Fort Plain United Methodist Church at 7 p.m. Call (518) 993-4353.

Every Monday Thursday and Friday is baked goods, Fort Plain Fulmont Community Action Agency, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Please bring your own bags. People may sign up for Child Health Plus with Vicki Morgan every other Friday at the center by appointment only. Call Vicki at 773-5419 for an appointment.

The Fort Plain Village Planning Board will hold its regular meetings on the 2nd Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

Saturdays, 10-11 a.m. — Preschool Story Hours at the Fort Plain Library. No registration is required for this free, drop-in event. For further information, call the Fort Plain Free Library at (518) 993-4646.

Saturdays/Sundays, 5 p.m. — Manna Meals served free of charge at Reformed Church, 165 Canal St. All welcome.

Saturdays — The Fort Plain Senior Center will hold art classes. Call (518) 993-3432 to sign up.

Nelliston

Dec. 1, 9-11:30 a.m. — The Canajoharie-Fort Plain Elks Lodge, #2621 will hold their third annual Breakfast With Santa at the Lodge on Old Station Road, Nelliston. Breakfast will be served, for a donation of $7 for adults, $3 children ages 3-12, and children two and under are free. Pictures will be available, and can be printed for a nominal fee. All proceeds will benefit the Elks’ Youth Activities Committee.

Dec. 2, 2 p.m. — The Canajoharie-Fort Plain Elks Lodge will hold their annual Memorial Sunday Program at the Lodge. It is a statute of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks that each subordinate lodge hold the ritual that recognizes the departed Brothers and Sisters of their organization on the first Sunday of December. The program will include the customary ritual, as well as readings and poems depicting the importance of the memories of loved ones. The family members of any of departed Brothers and Sisters are cordially invited to attend this program, as well as the light buffet meal to follow. The lodge is located on Old Station Road in Nelliston. For further information, call (518) 421-2969.

Weekly Events

Second Mondays, 7 p.m. — Nelliston Activities Council meeting at village office.

Palatine Bridge

Dec. 8, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. — A bake sale will raise money for Cal Wintermute, who was diagnosed with cancer and needs help with medical care. The event, hosted by Tanya Wintermute and Barb Hulbert will take place in the Big Lots Hallway, Dutchtown Plaza, Palatine Bridge.

St. Johnsville

Nov. 30, 5 p.m. — The St. Johnsville Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a Christmas raffle and tickets will be sold at NBT Bank. On Nov. 30, at 5 p.m. the American Legion will be sponsoring a chili dinner. The menu will consist of varieties of chili, tossed salad and bread for $3. Raffle tickets will be sold at this event and the winners will be announced after dinner.

Dec. 2, Noon-3:30 p.m. — St. Nicholas Day will be held at Fort Klock, St. Johnsville. This tradition was brought to America by the early Dutch and Palatine German settlers. It is a prelude to the holiday season and a special day for children. Bundle up your family and come to celebrate this rich heritage with St. Nicholas. There will be warm fires, spiced cider, hot chocolate, cookies and gingerbread, along with a storyteller, colonial music and militia drills. St. Nicholas will have a wooden ornament for each child. Contact Fort Klock at (518) 568-7779 for more information.

Dec. 2, 5 p.m. — The St. Johnsville Chamber of Commerce will be sponsoring the village tree lighting. This event will take place in the lot next to the American Legion. There will be wagon rides, a bon fire, S’mores, Christmas carols and Santa. Dawn Lamphere, St. Johnsville librarian, will be telling a Christmas story. Refreshments will be served at the American Legion.

Dec. 6, 7 p.m. — The St. Johnsville Central School Music Department will present their annual holiday concert in the high school auditorium. Featured in the program will be the elementary choir and band, Jr. High/High School band and choir, Jazz Ensemble and Handbell Choir. Each group will be performing a variety of musical selections. This concert is free.

Weekly Events

Third Thursdays, 2-3 p.m. — A Caregiver Support Group will meet in the rehab kitchen at the St. Johnsville Rehab and Nursing Center, 7 Timmerman Ave., St. Johnsville. Contact Lisa Hubbard at (518) 568-5037, Ext. 226 for more information or e-mail lhubbard@stjrnc.com.