Canajoharie

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.

Dec. 14, 7 p.m. — The Upstate Chapel (former Sts. Peter and Paul Church), Cliff St., Canajoharie, will be holding a Christmas performance, featuring many local musicians. Doors open at 6 p.m. The recital, which will feature Christmastide and seasonal vocal, choral and instrumental works, will begin at 7 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. Open to all and free admission.

Arkell Center

Daily activities taking place at Arkell Center during December will be as follows:

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. Note that on Dec. 24 the program is canceled.

Wednesday, Dec. 12 and 19, 3-4 p.m. — Gentle Yoga for seniors will be held, with instructor, Gloria W. or Patty P.

Second Time Around Big Band practice is cancelled for December.

There will be no meals served Dec. 6.

Note: Dec. 25 Arkell Center will be closed, as well as, the Meals of Montgomery Program for Christmas.

• Special Events

The card party for senior citizens will be canceled through December.

Dec. 10, 11 a.m. — Gary Van Slyke will perform Christmas memories. All seniors welcome.

Dec. 17, 9:15 a.m.-4 p.m. — Lifeline screening will be held. Call 1-888-653-6441 for an appointment.

Dec. 18, 11 a.m.-noon — The Meals of Montgomery “Christmas Special” will be serving roast beef with gravy, roasted potatoes, peas with mushrooms and apple cobbler. Call (518) 673-2000 for reservations.

Dec. 18, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. — A blood pressure clinic will be held with Home Health Care Partners Corp., co-sponsored by St. Mary’s Hospital and Nathan Littauer Hospital. In addition to conducting the blood pressure clinic, the Home Health Care Partners Corp., also provides health and wellness information.

• Meetings

Dec. 10, 1 p.m. — Canajoharie Senior Citizens will meet.

Dec. 11, 6 p.m. — Canajoharie/Palatine Chamber of Commerce will meet and is open to the public.

Dec. 27, 2-3 p.m. — The Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregivers Support Group meeting will be held with Lisa Hubbard and is sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association of Northeastern New York.

Fort Plain

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, please 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. For more information 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. Please call Vicki at 773-5419 for an appointment.

The Fort Plain Village Planning Board will hold its regular meetings on the 2nd Wednesday of each month 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, please call the Fort Plain Free Library at (518) 993-4646 during regular library hours.

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. The instructor will be A. Williams. Call (518) 993-3432 to sign up.

Nelliston

Weekly Events

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

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

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 and the public is invited to attend.

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.