Local beer and art featured with Santa and greens on Dec. 5

RENSSELAERVILLE — This Helderberg Hilltown will be abuzz with holiday cheer on Saturday, Dec. 5, including a greens sale at the library, an artists’ exhibition, a community beer party, a visit from Santa, and a tree-lighting.

From 2 to 4 p.m., the Carey Institute at 63 Huyck Rd. will host its annual eggnog beer party. Visitors can sample beers made by the institute’s brewer, Greg Hostash. The Helderberg Brewery was founded with the vision of brewing beer for the local community — using and ingredients grown by local farmers— and these are Hotash’s first farm-crafted beers; he has 15 years of home-brewing expertise.

In anticipation of the brewery’s official opening in early 2016, the institute will also launch its Growler Club at the party, with membership providing start-up capital for Hotash’s breweing.

Traditional eggnog will also be served at the party, adapted from P.L. Elmore’s historic recipe. Elmore was cofounder of the institute’s forerunner, The Institute on Man and Science, along with his wife, Katherine Huyck, and their friends Winifred and Everett Clinchy.

Other Dec. 5 events in Rensselaerville include:

— The Hilltown Artists Holiday Exhibition at the Guggeinheim Gallery from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The 10 artists will each have several pieces of original art displayed, including oil, pastel, and watercolor paintings; encaustics; photography; and sculptures made from clay, felt, metal, and wood.
The main exhibit will remain open during the week, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. throughout December at the Guggenheim Gallery, Carey Institute. Featured artists include Alberto Caputo, Sharon Costello, Bente Hirsch, Hope Konecny, Nora Logan, Stanley Maltzman, Dudley Reed, Clay Sorrough, Susan M. Story, and Leslie Yolen.

— The Library Greenery Sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wreaths, local cut trees, sprays, and roping will be available for purchase along Main Street. Inside the library, local vendors will sell their wares and there will also be children’s activities, a book sale, and a cookie sale.

— Lunch at The Palmer House Café will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will also be select vendors at the café.

— The Rensselaerville Volunteer Fire Department Children’s Holiday Party at 3:30 p.m. Santa arrives at the party at 5 p.m. followed by the tree lighting on Main Street at 5:30 p.m.

More Community news

  • Seven Girl Scouts from Guilderland’s Troop 1760 trekked to the nation’s capital where they toured the White House; spoke with Congressman Paul Tonko; and observed the House of Representatives and the Senate in session where they saw both their congressman, Tonko, and senator, Chuck Schumer, cast votes.

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