Around the Neighborhood - Esperance - 17 April 2026

Welcome to all your Esperance updates conveniently in one place!

New to the column this week, Irma Martinez Coyle will be sharing information about their farm stand in Sloansville in an upcoming column edition, and this week would like to let you know about Princetown Group, “We are a 501c3 non profit organization that provides educational, enrichment and social opportunities for homeschooling students and support families in the Capital Region. We have two locations, one at Duanesburg Florida Baptist Church in Delanson and Liberty Church in Schenectady. We offer weekly classes in subjects like History, Science, cooking, gym, art, Writing, Drama and more! We do field trips and organize social events for homeschoolers. If you’d like to chat my number is 518-817-0339 and our Facebook page is Princetown Homeschool Co Op.” You’re invited, “Princetown Group presents Rosalyn and the Beast; a new musical tale of Beauty and the Beast; all new original play including six original songs by Sharlene Grenier; Saturday April 25th at 1 PM; Fusion Church: 375 North Grand Street, Cobleskill; suggested donation $10; refreshments and drinks available for purchase.”

Congratulations to the 2026 Esperance Fire Department Elected Officials, positions effective 4/25; Officials will be sworn in during a member-only banquet. Bryan Deffer-Chief, Kyle Smart-1st Assistant, James Waddell-2nd Assistant, Duane Diamond-President, Howard Burman-Vice President, Angela Burman-Secretary/Treasurer. 

The Esperance Fire Department is looking for Auxiliary, Firefighter, and EMT volunteers.Those interested can reach out to the Firehouse; leave a message at 518-875-6088, or you can message Esperance Fire and Rescue Squad through their Facebook page.

And congratulations to re-elected Esperance Historical Society members:  Ken Jones-President, Willard Martin-Vice President, Andrea Oliver-Treasurer, Sandy Farah-Exhibits Curator, Janet Fritz-Librarian, and Scott Lavigne-Carriage Barn Curator. Carrie Ann Fonda was elected Director and Collections Curator following Karen Bruhn stepping down after thirteen years of service to support the Esperance Historical Museum. During the May 16th Village-Wide Garage Sale Day, The Carriage Barn will be full of items for sale to raise money for the Museum. The Museum is seeking greeters, or docents, this summer; no experience required, “We’re open weekends from Memorial Day to the Sunday before Labor Day. And the shifts are short, just 3 hours, from 1 to 4 PM on a Saturday or Sunday (whatever works best for you).” Reach out to The Esperance Historical Society for more information, follow them on Facebook, and check out their eBooks. “Member Benefit: You can subscribe to the Mountain Eagle annually for fifteen bucks — just call (518-763-6854) and say you're a member!” Esperance Historical Society Memberships are $9.00 per year and $5.00 per year for Sr. Citizens; small business patron $25. Anyone looking to support this organization can send a check made out to the Esperance Historical Society to 123 Church St., Esperance, NY 12066. 

At Dairy Carnival, “Our special soft-serve flavors of the week are Banana & Chocolate Peanut Butter. And did you know that pickin’ our chicken has never been easier? Grab our delicious tenders & nuggets with your favorite dipping sauce at the drive-thru window!” Dairy Carnival is located at 3673 US-20, Sloansville, and you can follow them on Facebook. They are open Wednesday through Monday from 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM; closed Tuesdays with online ordering, indoor and outdoor eating, and take-out options. 

In light of Sloansville’s Locust-Spring Farm closing, Will-A-Way Farm Store would like any customers looking for an alternative to know that they offer, “Farm fresh chicken and duck eggs, beef, chicken, maple, honey, baked goods & more! Open daily 8 AM - 8 PM. 14653 Duanesburg Rd, Schoharie.” Will-A-Way Farm Store is run by Towns of Esperance and Schoharie Appointed Assessor, Erin Smith, who will also be vending at The Central Bridge Farmer’s Market every Wednesday July - October, 4 - 7 PM at The Ball Park (649 NYS Route 30A, Central Bridge) and The Festival Farmers Market at The Gathering Place (127 Kenyon Road, Cobleskill) every Saturday July 11- October 24; 10 AM - 2 PM. Those interested in also vending at these Farmers Markets can call Earl VanWormer III at 518-852-0270.

Sweet Dahlia Farm & Florals said that if you, “Missed our Easter pop-up, our roadside flower stand will be open again this Saturday, April 18, from 8 AM until sold out for another spring pop-up. We’ll have mixed tulip bouquets, daffodil bunches, bud vases, mason jar arrangements, and farm-fresh free-range eggs available. The stand operates on a first-come, first-served basis and is located at 4625 State Highway 30, Esperance. We will also be at Becker’s Nursery (927 Krumkill Road, Slingerlands) this Sunday, April 19, from 12 – 3 PM as part of their Spring Vendor Market. Prom season is approaching, and we are currently accepting prom flower orders for Duanesburg, Schoharie, Middleburgh, and surrounding schools. We offer custom corsages, boutonnieres, pocket boutonnieres, and bouquets designed to coordinate with dresses, suits, or ties. Orders can be placed by messaging our Facebook or Instagram pages. Pickup will be in Esperance prior to each school’s prom.”

S&H Bicycle Store shared, “The shop is open, the sun is shining, and it is time to get out there and ride!” S&H Bicycle Store is an authorized Aventon E-Bike dealer with open hours Tuesdays and Thursdays 5 PM - 9 PM & Saturdays 10 AM - 3 PM. In addition to new & used bikes and accessories for every budget and skill level, they offer tune-ups, repairs, and service at 3595 Highway 20, Sloansville. Their Spring Kick Off Sale and Swap Meet on May 9th will run from 9 AM - 3 PM.

“Landis Arboretum Celebrating 75; ‘Sonja’s Diamonds’ Quilt Raffle; The quilt was started by long-term volunteer and Board Member Sonja Javarone. Sonja was instrumental on the horticulture committee and helping with entering plants into our database. She also served as board president. The arboretum has been involved with quilts over the years and Sonja was part of the crew that made them for raffling off to help with our fundraising. They were very popular. This is the last one that Sonja was making, but unfortunately passed away before she completed it. It was graciously completed by a quilters group in Cobleskill, NY. Quilt measures 82” x 66”.; Tickets are $5 each -or- 5 tickets for $20; Winning ticket will be selected on October  4, 2026 at our Volunteer Appreciation luncheon.” If you are interested in volunteering at Landis, email landisvolunteering@gmail.com for more information. At  Landis Arboretum, located at 174 Lape Road, daffodils and Magnolia are beginning to open, and, “Sunny weather also brings out the creatures of Landis! The Eastern Garter Snakes play a significant role in the ecosystem by controlling the populations of toads and other small reptiles and serving as a food source for hawks, raccoons, and foxes. Rest assured, they are not a threat to human visitors.” Landis Arboretum is, “Open dawn to dusk 365 days a year to you (and your well-behaved leashed dog; please scoop and remove any poops). No motorized vehicles allowed on the property beyond parking lots.” Visit their website, landisarboretum.org, to enter their Bluebird Lottery and register for events including April 18th Houseplant Swap, April 18 Star Party, April 22 WAMC On The Road presents The Vox Pop Gardening show at the Landis Arboretum, April 24 American Chestnut: History, Blight, Recovery, and April 25the 2026 Annual Spring Hawk Watch & Hawk Identification Workshop.

Esperance-Sloansville United Methodist Church offers confidential food pantry assistance; You can call or text 518-248-2185 to utilize that resource or reach out via phone or email (pastoralisyn@gmail.com) to schedule a food pantry donation drop-off at 175 Main Street. Esperance-Sloansville United Methodist Church upcoming events: “Worship – Sunday, April 19th at 11:00 AM; Join us as we celebrate Eastertide with our new sermon series, "Alive in the World." Faith Adventure Club – Sunday, April 19th at 10:45 AM; FAC meets in the Education Building for age-appropriate faith formation and fun for kids in grades K–8.”

Mayor Royce Gage said, “If there are any joys and concerns of the Village, please contact me and/or please come to the Village meetings. I would love to hear any positive or negative feedback that would help the Village be a better place. Thank you.” Most recently, Mayor Gage has responded to concerns by installing a dog waste station so people can easily pick up after their dogs during walks. That station is on the Esperance-Sloansville United Methodist Church Main Street premises, and another will get hung up soon. Also, the Village Groundskeeper will be replacing flower pots and putting flowers in, Mayor Gage hopes within this week. 

Regular Esperance Village meetings are held every second Monday of the month, 7 PM at 115 Church Street; during April 13th’s meeting the 2026/2027 budget was adopted and next month’s meeting will be on May 11th.

Village Hall rental is available (donations are appreciated; call the Village Office at 518-875-9044 for more information), Esperance notifications are available at your fingertips by texting “Esperance” to the TextMyGov number 91896, and mark your calendars to celebrate our Country's 250th anniversary of the signing of the Decoration of Independence during the annual Esperance Memorial Day Parade. This cherished tradition is scheduled for a 1 PM line up and 1:30 PM parade start on May 25th.

Esperance Town Board meetings are every third Thursday of the month, 7 PM at 104 Charleston Street. During April 16th’s meeting, you will be able to view the beginnings of the new Town Hall art collection being hung in the meeting room, and next month’s meeting will be on May 21st.

Esperance Town Supervisor, Earl VanWormer III, is advocating for those in need of a Dialysis Center in Schoharie County. He currently knows of at least eleven residents and their families who are struggling to make constant, necessary dialysis appointments no matter the weather and the distance. Please reach out to VanWormer at 518-852-0270 or via email at supervisor@esperancetown-ny.gov if you are another resident who would be relieved to see a local Dialysis Center come to fruition in Schoharie County, and if you are a professional versed on the logistics of how to go about getting a Dialysis Center constructed and staffed. All the support that can rally around this cause is appreciated.

VanWormer is also owner of Van-Dale Farms. They are located at 1391 Grosvenors Corners Road in Central Bridge and you can follow Van-Dale Farms on Facebook and they are excited to be vending at the 59th Annual Maple Festival April 25th, 9 AM - 4 PM at the Cobleskill Fairgrounds (113 Sunshine Dr., Cobleskill).  

“With Mother’s Day just around the corner, now is the perfect time to start thinking about something thoughtful and meaningful for the special women in your life. At Cute & Wicked Candles we’ve curated a beautiful selection of handcrafted candles, botanical body care, and gift-ready bundles — making it easy to find something unique without the stress of running from store to store. Whether you’re looking for a small token of appreciation or a full gift set, we’re happy to help you put together something that feels personal, elegant, and ready to give. We’re also continuing to expand our offerings and are excited to bring more in-store experiences to the community in the coming months — including our upcoming Candle Workshop Experience this summer. Stop in, say hello, and let us help you create something special. Cute & Wicked Candles; 152 Main Street, suite 1, Esperance, NY; Open Thursday–Saturday, 11 AM – 5 PM.” Their highlighted candle for the month of April focuses on, “Empowerment, renewal, bringing new life to yourself.” The Empowerment Candle comes with two crystals; Jasper for courage, strength, and grounding, and Angel Aura Quartz for healing and raising vibration and clarity. The herbs associated with it are for healing, hex breaking or removals, new beginnings, & new starts. It also comes with a parchment paper you can write all you want to release, then fold it up, put it under your candle, and ask the candle to guide you to where you need to be; “burn it and let it go.” May 9th from 12 PM - 3 PM, Cute and Wicked Candles will hold a, “Mother’s Day Sip & Shop; An afternoon of music, wine, & shopping; Featuring Acoustic Duo Becca Frame & Brian Shafer; Complimentary Wine, Light Appetizers, Luxury Shopping Experience.” Follow Cute & Wicked Candles and More on Facebook and through their website cutenwicked.com.

Esperance Elks Lodge #2507, members and non-members are welcome to attend Monday classes taught by Registered Yoga Teacher, Venus Louise; “5:30 PM Chair Yoga, 6:30 PM Intro to Power Yoga. Classes are free by donation. Contact Venus Louise 518-764-9460.” Additional classes include Monday & Friday 10:30 AM Mindful Walking Yoga at The Gathering Place (5 week session that’s open to non-members), Wednesdays at The Gathering Place 10:30 AM Chair Yoga ($5 for members, $7 for non-members), and Tuesdays & Thursdays Thai Bodywork at Esperance Health and Wellness ($75 per hour, by appointment only). 

“Chair Yoga is an incredibly accessible fitness form that can burn up to 150 calories in one hour while seated. It is not just for seniors; it offers a high-impact, low-stress workout for office workers, travelers, or anyone looking to reduce joint pain and improve flexibility without needing a mat. 

Mindful Walking Yoga is a one hour indoor exercise. Incorporating a warm up and then alternating 3-minutes of fast paced Walking followed by 3 -minutes of slow walking. FUN music specifically picked for Walking in the lyrics, ie. Walking on the Sun. Walking on Sunshine. I walk the Line. These boots are made for Walking. Then cool down seated in a chair.

Power Yoga aka Ashtanga is a dynamic, highly structured, and traditional system that synchronizes breath and movement (vinyasa) through set sequences to promote detoxification, strength, and mental clarity.”

During the May 16th Esperance Village-Wide Garage Sale Day, “Sign up to participate in this event and sell your items or baked goods; 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM; Don’t live in the Village of Esperance - Here’s your opportunity to participate in the Village Wide Garage Sale - Rain or shine we’ll be there!” For information, call or text Julie at (518) 332-8024. Anyone interested in applying for space to sell on the Lodge grounds are welcome and applications are available at the Esperance Elks Lodge. New Elks Lodge #2507 members are typically invited by existing members, but if you don’t have a connection to someone at the Elks Lodge, there’s a membership inquiry form available through their website (elks2507.org). You can also call the Lodge at (518) 875-6200 or email join@elks2507.org. The Esperance Elks #2507 Facebook page is regularly updated and they’re located at 111 Main Street. 

You can follow Biscuitwood Farm (2639 State Route 162, Esperance) on Facebook. And you can order a variety of unique products through their website (biscuitwoodfarm.square.site) including Buttery Fresh Baked Irish Soda Bread, Flaky Hand Pies, Seasonal Pączki, Homemade Jam, and Annual Seedling Overstock options for late-May pick-up.

I’d love to include your Esperance, Sloansville, & Central Bridge business & organization updates including events, classes, special offers, and seasonal hours, as well as resident birthday, anniversary, achievement, holiday, graduation announcement, and celebration messages. Email them to me at bookclubhbhs@yahoo.com.