RENSSELAERVILLE — Can a Pacific Northwest silverfly save eastern hemlocks in New York State? The Huyck Preserve in Rensselaerville is leading the way in finding out.

The Albany Pine Bush Preserve is holding its annual Lupine Fest from May 15 to June 5 online at http://www.AlbanyLupineFest.org and with limited activities throughout the 3,350-acre preserve.

The first of Albany County’s 17 congregate meal sites for seniors re-opened Monday as a pilot program in Watervliet. Other meal sites will open on May 17, June 1, and Sept. 1.

Among American novels, J.D. Salinger’s “The Catcher in the Rye” is one of those that until not many years ago every high-school student would read — perhaps had read in junior high — and would read again as a young adult to savor its protagonist Holden Caulfield’s wry put-downs of the “phoniness” of the adult world.

Bill Banfield, Albany

“The state has been sitting on almost a billion dollars since January,” said Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy, concluding, “I have landlords that call me all the time, text me, wonder where this money’s at.”

Albany County will work with organizations from dance studios to karate dojos. “You have it, we want to work with you,” said Karen Ziegler, director of the county’s Crime Victim and Sexual Violence Center. Anyone who is interested may call her at 518-447-7100. Coaches, teachers, and parents will be trained on how to identify and prevent child abuse.

Albany County Health Commissioner Elizabeth Whalen said she has received word from the state’s health department on the “likelihood that in the next week the FDA will give the OK for the 12-to-15 age group.” Her department is preparing to vaccinate youth, communicating with local schools and pediatricians, urging the doctors to become certified vaccinators through the state’s Department of Health.

 Governor Andrew Cuomo on Monday joined with the governors of New Jersey and Connecticut to lift most industry capacity restrictions, beginning May 19. He cited the success of vaccination programs and the decline in cases of COVID-19.

As vaccination rates are falling off nationwide, incentives are being offered — like discounts and specials at Crossgates Mall. An incentive for states is a new federal policy to reallocate doses from states not using their weekly allotments.