Thursday, June 20

Chamber to Host Safe Workplace Workshop: The Schoharie County Chamber will hold a small business workshop at the chamber office located in the KPI Technology Center at 143 Caverns Road, Howes Cave, from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Regardless of the number of staff, from one to 100, you will leave with a different perspective on workplace safety considerations. This is not intended as an OSHA conformance seminar; this is intended as an awareness workshop. The cost is $25 per person, or $15 for chamber members.

County Executive to Honor Voorheesville Boy’s Baseball Team for winning the Section II Class C title and for advancing to Binghamton for the Class C final four. Daniel P. McCoy will be at the high school at 3 p.m.

Friday, June 21

Merry Mohicans Square and Round Dance Club: A picnic will be held from 6 to 7:15 p.m. at the Queensbury United Methodist Church, with a dance from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Casual Dress. The caller is Jay Silva and the cuer is Maureen Wall. Couples and singles welcome. The cost is $7 per person.

Five Guys Burgers and Fries Fund-raiser to benefit the Rodino Family Fund, from 5 to 8 p.m. Come enjoy a delicious Five Guys burger and help us raise money. 20 percent of all sales will be donated. Please remember to bring your flyer.

Mainstream Level Western Square Dance: The Schoharie Valley Hayshakers will hold a square dance at the Berne Firehouse, 30 Canaday Hill Road, Berne, at 7:30 p.m. The dance theme is Strawberry Festival. Casual dress encouraged due to warm weather. The caller is Ray Taylor and the cuer is Dolores Randall. Please wear soft-soled shoes.

Five Rivers Program on the Cultural History of Plants: A field study of the natural and cultural history of wildflowers will be conducted at 56 Game Farm Road, Delmar, at 7 p.m. Many of the plants which immigrants introduced to the New World were brought not for their food or medicinal uses, but because of their reputed supernatural powers. In celebration of the solstice, Five Rivers naturalists will lead a field foray along gentle trails to study the lore and magic of wildflowers of the season. Participants will learn savvy tips on plant identification. The impact of alien and invasive species on native plant populations will also be discussed. This program is open to the public free of charge. Call 475-0291 for more information.

Emergency Communications Demonstrations at Hales Cave at Thacher Park. The Albany Amateur Radio Association will be holding a national emergency preparedness drill and visitors are welcome from 1 to 6 p.m. on Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday. Guests may also be able to use the radio to talk to other stations across the United States and Canada.

Saturday, June 22

Car Show to Benefit Rodino Family: A car show will be held in the Café Court overflow lot of Crossgates Mall to benefit the Rodino family, who are struggling with Huntington’s disease, and Cooper Lare, who is 21 months old and battling cancer. Show cars can begin lining up at 9 a.m. Hot rods, customs, trucks, bikes, rat rods, imports, muscle cars, classics, and car-related vendors are all welcome. Trophies will be awarded to top show cars in various categories at 2 p.m. Goody bags will be handed out to the first 50 cars. The cost is $10 per car or bike. There will be a drawing and music.

Friends Union Band: Join us for an evening of music and entertainment with the Friends Union Band at the Shaker Heritage Society Meeting House, 25 Meeting House Road, Albany. Steve Iachetta on fiddle, mandolin, frailing banjo, and tenor guitar, and Rod Driscoll on hammered- and lap-dulcimers, guitar, banjo, and bodhran span the best in Celtic, Appalachian, and traditional music. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Happy Cat Rescue, Inc. Benefit featuring Belly Sisterhood Middle Eastern Belly Dancing and Outtatheblue DJ Service with Rodney and Nikki Haley. The belly dancing will take place from 2 to 4 p.m., and vendors will be on site from 1 to 5 p.m. There will be silent and Chinese auctions, door prizes, and refreshments and baked goods for sale. The event will take place at 11 Mill St., Altamont. Call 334-3195 for more information.

Charity Carwash at Advanced Car Wash, 48 Voorheesville Ave., from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to benefit Victory Baptist Church Children’s Vacation Bible School. There will be a drawing for prizes.

Hiking/Backpacking Safety Program at Five Rivers: A presentation on hiking and backpacking safety will be conducted at 56 Game Farm Road, Delmar, at 10 a.m. At this indoor program, Five Rivers staff will discuss basic equipment, tips on map reading, how not to get lost — and what to do if you do — and other expert advice about safety on the trail. Come prepared to ask questions. Scout groups are welcome. This program is open to the public free of charge, but space is limited; call 475-0291 to register.

Camping Clinic at Five Rivers: A hands-on clinic on how to go tent camping will be conducted at 56 Game Farm Road, Delmar, at 2 p.m. In celebration of Great American Backyard Campout Day, Five Rivers naturalists will show and tell everything you need to know to have a successful and enjoyable tent camping experience. Participants will help select a site, pitch a tent, set up a dining fly, collect firewood, and more. This clinic will discuss basic equipment, safety, hygiene, and wildlife pests, as well as the best places to go tent camping. This program is open to the public free of charge but space is limited; call 475-0291 to register.

Hike to Bullfrog Pond at Thacher Park: Join us for a fun and easy hike to an exciting habitat full of life. We’ll take a walk to a Bullfrog Pond and look for eggs, tadpoles, adult frogs, and other signs of wildlife. Wear rubber boots or old sneakers, your feet will get wet. This program is appropriate for all ages, so bring the family! Meet at Thacher Park Nature Center at 10 a.m.

Summer Solstice Hike: Enjoy the longest day of the year while hiking the Albany Pine Bush Preserve. We will explore several habitats and seasonal changes while hiking one mile over rolling topography. Meet at the Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, at 10 a.m. The fee is $3 per person or $5 per family, and registration is required; call 456-0655.

Sunday, June 23

Board Game Challenge at the New Scotland Historical Association, Wyman Osterhout Community Center, New Salem, from 2 to 4 p.m., as part of the continuing museum exhibit of “Entertainment Before 1950 and TV” Prizes will be awarded to the oldest and youngest players, the winners of each game, and others. This is a free event, and open to the public. Call 765-4212 for more information.

Ephrata Cloister Chorus Concert: Enjoy the sounds of music from America’s past at this special concert with the Ephrata Cloister Chorus, at 3 p.m., at the Shaker Heritage Society, 25 Meeting House Road, Albany. This chorus presents music from the historic Ephrata Cloister as well as selections from other early communities, including the Shakers. This is a fund-raising concert; all proceeds will be used for the stabilization of the 1915 Shaker Barn Complex. The cost is $10 per person.

Summertime in the Park Summer Exhibit 2013 opening day ice cream social, from 1 to 4 p.m., sponsored by the Bethlehem Historical Association, at 1003 River Road Selkirk. Thereafter, ice cream socials will be held Sundays through Sept. 4, from 2 to 4 p.m.

Antlions — Ferocious Creatures in the Sand: Join us for a walk to discover the amazing world of antlions, a unique insect in the Pine Bush. We will walk for about one mile to explore antlion pits and be able to investigate larva up close and personal. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore an interesting detail of the Albany Pine Bush Preserve. Meet at the Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, at 1 p.m.

Lake Onderdonk Improvement Association Meeting and Open House from 10 a.m. to noon, at the Lake Association Clubhouse. Refreshments will be served. All are welcome.

Monday, June 24

“Tulips in the Garden”: The Berne Historical Society will present “Tulips in the Garden” in the Berne Town Hall meeting room at 7 p.m. Judy Stacey, former Albany City gardener and currently a Master Gardener volunteer for the Cornell Cooperative Extension, will take us on a tour of the tulip gardens of Albany. The presentation will include a question-and-answer period after viewing and hearing about the beauty and history of the tulips in Albany. Refreshments will be served following the meeting.

Vacation Bible School at the First United Methodist Church of Voorheesville. “The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything,” a Veggie Tales Vacation Bible School, will set sail at the church from June 24 through the 28, from 9 a.m. to noon. Kids from age 4 to fifth grade students are invited for a fun-filled week exploring what it means to be a true hero for God. Call 765-2895 for more information.

School’s Out Hike: YEAH! School’s out and what a great way to celebrate by getting outdoors for a hike. Kids bring your parents for a 2.6 mile hike over rolling sand dunes. We will explore this rare ecosystem through hands-on activities and discover many seasonal surprises. Remember to wear sturdy walking shoes, long pants, and bring drinking water. Meet at the Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, at 10 a.m. The fee is $3 per person or $5 per family, and registration is required; call 456-0655.

Tuesday, June 25

Emerald Ash Borer Workshop: An update by Mark Whitmore, of Cornell University, on the invasive insect, the Emerald Ash Borer, that is now in the Capital Region. Whitmore will share with us current information on the Emerald Ash Borer and how our communities can address the infestations. As the infestation is now in Albany County, important information will be provided for our community leaders and highway/parks departments. This will look at options to save valuable trees, deal with dead and/or infested trees, and protect our residents in public areas. Following his talk, which will be held at 11 a.m. at 24 Martin Road, Voorheesville, Whitmore will host a visit to a site infested with EAB, for those who wish to see the infestation first-hand.

Strawberry Social at 6 p.m. in Orsini Park. This is a free family event including games, entertainment, and homemade strawberry shortcake.

Wednesday, June 26

Ice Cream Social at the Messiah Luterhan Church, 2850 Guilderland Ave., at 7 p.m. The event will feature the Esperance Band. A free-will offering will be taken. In the event of rain, it will be held in the church.

Voorheesville Farmers’ Market from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., featuring soil analysis, by the Cornell Cooperative Extension, for $3, and food sampling from Different Drummer’s Kitchen.

Thursday, June 27

Campfire Stories: Gather ‘round the campfire with us and listen to tales and stories about the natural world. Meet at the Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, at 7 p.m. The fee is $3 per person or $5 per family, and registration is required; call 456-0655.

Friday, June 28

Greenville Festival: Rides, live music, vendors, games, car show, and fireworks. The festival will be held in the Family Dollar plaza, 11 Garland Lane, in Greenville. Presented by J&J Party Express, and sponsored by the Greenville Laundromat and Nick’s Pizza and Pasta. It will run from 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday. Fireworks will be held at dusk on Saturday.

Old Songs Festival: The 33rd annual three-day Old Songs Festival — Music With Roots — will be held on June 28, 29, and 30, at the Altamont Fairgrounds. Old Songs celebrates acoustic roots music, including folk, blues, world, bluegrass, old-time, Gospel, and Celtic music. There are three main concerts — Friday at 6:30 p.m., Saturday at 6:30 p.m., and Sunday at 3:30 p.m., in the leafy, open-air main state area. During the day on Saturday and Sunday, there are 120 performances, dances, and workshops. An extensive artisan area and diverse food concessions are also offered.

Saturday, June 29

Annual Parade and Fireworks in Voorheesville. The parade will begin at 4 p.m. in the Hannaford Plaza, going straight down Maple Avenue to the Voorheesville Firehouse, where there will be a DJ, music, food, etc. Fireworks will begin at dusk.

Turkey Vultures: What can smell dead things up to a mile away? Turkey vultures can! Join us for a short inside presentation followed by a hike to learn about this amazing giant bird that soars high in the sky. Meet at the Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, at 11 a.m. The fee is $3 per person or $5 per family, and registration is required; call 456-0655.

Sunday, June 30

Family Fun Hike: Join us for a Sunday afternoon stroll through the Albany Pine Bush Preserve. Play some trail games with your guide and enjoy the beauty of the season. We will hike approximately one mile over rolling terrain. Please be sure to bring plenty of drinking water. Meet at the Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, at 1 p.m. The fee is $3 per person or $5 per family, and registration is required; call 456-0655.