The New York Capital District Christian's Women's Connection Luncheon is Wednesday, January 10 from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at the Guilderland Elks Lodge - 3867 Rte 146 (Carmen Road), Guilderland, NY 12303, (just off Rte 20 - Western Avenue),  518-355-2480.

The Special Feature this month is a dietitian from Ellis Hospital will give tips on keeping ourselves healthy through the winter.  Speaker Cindy Close from Northville, NY, will be telling us how she overcame some obstacles in her life and found peace. Music will be provided. 

English Country Dance. Called and taught by Dan Seppeler. Live Music by Barb Seppeler and Laurie Williams. Time: 2 - 5 p.m. Dance 1:30 p.m. Intro workshop. Channing Hall at the First Unitarian Universalist Church, 405 Washington Avenue, Albany NY 12206. Admission: $12, $10 members.

The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) invites New Yorkers to celebrate the New Year exploring the outdoors at one of the 75 hikes being held at state parks, historic sites, wildlife areas and trails across the Empire State.  The guided hikes are being hosted by New York State Parks and the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) as part of the seventh annual First Day Hikes program taking place throughout the nation on January 1, 2018. Five Rivers Environmental Education Center, Delmar; 9-11 am; 518.475.0291.

Saturday, December 30, at 2:00 p.m.: Hike to Historic Knox School #5 at Thacher Nature Center. Ever wonder what it was like to attend school in the early 1900’s? Take a walk back in time to visit a historic one-room schoolhouse.  Learn about life in a rural school, who was in attendance, and how the teacher managed to teach all grade levels in one room!  Afterwards, warm up around the campfire and enjoy hot cocoa and toasted marshmallows. Walk is less than one-half mile in length. Program is appropriate for adults and children. Please call 518-872-0800 to register.

"Ask the Beekeepers." The Southern Adirondack Beekeepers Association (SABA) will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. at 50 West High Street in Ballston Spa.

The meeting of the YOPD Support Group is scheduled Saturday, December 16, 2017, 2 - 4 p.m. at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 510 Albany-Shaker Road, Loudonville, New York. Program:  A holiday potluck celebration will be held, and attendees may bring a dish to share. If you would like to RSVP, contact 518-783-3492.

Hike to High Point at Thacher Park, Saturday, Dec. 16, at 10:00 a.m.  Join us for a hike to the escarpment on the Fred Schroeder Memorial Trail. We’ll walk through forests and fields and stop at the cliff to take in the views. The 3-mile loop trail is mostly level with a couple of moderately steep slopes. Call 518-872-0800 to register.

On Sunday, Dec. 10, Blaire Horner will discuss the steps that should be taken to reverse NYS's awful record in voter registration and turnout. Presented by The Capital District Humanist Society. Refreshments at 12:30; program at 1:15 pm. Room 224, Campus Center, Sage Colleges Albany Campus New Scotland Ave. at Academy Road, Albany. Admission: Free

Nic Stone, author of the debut young adult novel Dear Martin (2017), will present a reading and discussion at 7 p.m. in the Huxley Theatre, NYS Museum, Cultural Education Center, in Albany.

Cornell Cooperative Extension-Albany and the Capital Area Agriculture & Horticulture Program are pleased to announce an upcoming series of Farmer Discussion Meetings, to be held in Albany, Rensselaer, Greene, Columbia and Washington Counties on various dates. We will get together over lunch (provided free). Then Aaron Gabriel will discuss basic insect biology and identification; including practice in using a hand lens to look at insects and how to send pictures using a phone.