"American Stoneware: Objects Both Utilitarian and Beautiful" will be Robert Halley's presentation for the Guilderland Historical Society's program at its Thursday, Oct. 20, meeting.

Ted Kunker, chairman, Switzkill Farm, Berne

Village Historian Dennis Sullivan hopes to teach others about Thomas Merton during a session at the Voorheesville library, basing his talk on a treatise he wrote on the Trappist monk’s life, writing, and philosophy.

BETHLEHEM — The Bethlehem Grange is holding a giant rummage sale two weekends in September to help pay for a new roof on its historic building.

RENSSELAERVILLE — They don’t call them the Hilltowns for nothing.  Bike riders in  this year’s Rensselaerville Ride on Saturday, Sept. 16,  sponsored by the Carey Institute for Global Good, will be reminded of that fact no matter which of the four rides they choose.

A continuation of a long-running tradition stemming from the now defunct Plum Fest, the festival still tries to connect back to history and heritage of the area.

A young Altamont trumpet player and recent Guilderland grad will play a solo on a big local stage before heading to college.

Actors are preparing for opening performances of “Romeo and Juliet” and “Treasure Island” this weekend as part of the Helderberg Theater festival at Indian Ladder Farms.

NEW SCOTLAND — The Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy will host several events on Sunday, including an afternoon-long Summer Festival at Indian Ladder Farms and a series of “Hike-A-Thons” at a variety of locations in Altamont and New Scotland.

One of the most enduring and popular musicals of the last half-century — and some think one of the most meaningful — will receive a 2016 treatment in a new production staged in Rensselaerville the next three weekends.