Around the Neighborhood - Esperance - 19 February 2026

Welcome to all your Esperance updates conveniently in one place!

Biscuitwood Farm will be hosting a Seed Swap with End of the Road Market Garden of Middleburgh; Saturday 2/21 from 2 PM- 4 PM at Wayward Lane Brewing (255 Ward Lane, Schoharie), “Come Swap Seeds; Come for the Seeds; Stay for the beer; Bring a bar snack; All are welcome!”

Biscuitwood Farm’s Farmstand will be open May-November at 2639 State Route 162 and they are taking orders through their website for items from Seasonal Paczki (Polish Brioche-style donuts) to homemade jam, with Basketry Willow Cuttings coming soon.

“2026 marks the 75th year since Oak Nose Farm officially became the George Landis Arboretum,” and, “The 25th anniversary of our unique Native Plant Trail created and curated by the late Ed Miller occurs this year.” Located at 174 Lape Road, they’re hard at work on a schedule of celebration events and more updates will be posted on Facebook. Sunday Snowshoe with George Steele is Feb. 22nd & March 8th; meet at the Barn at 2:00 PM, “for a couple of hours of snowshoeing fun. If there isn’t enough snow, then George will take participants on a winter hike.” 

March 14th at 10 AM, meet instructor Shayne Mitchell at the Greenhouse at Landis Arboretum for Setting Up a Bluebird Nesting Box. “Have you ever wanted to put up a bluebird nest box on your property but weren’t sure how, where, or when? We’ll discuss what you need to do step-by-step. For those interested in building their own nest box we can discuss that too. Our goal is for you to learn what you need to set up your own nest boxes at home in time for this year’s breeding season. This event may include a short walk to some nearby bluebird nest boxes to illustrate the points being made. Please dress for the weather. Free post-class consultation for attendees.” Register for these Landis Arboretum events at landisarboretum.org. "Arboretum members: $5/person, $15/family; non-members: $15/person, $25/family.”

Follow S&H Bicycle Store on Facebook for exciting updates as they plan their May 9th Spring Kick Off event which will include Mike the Juggler and a possible class.

If you run a coffee/breakfast stand, reach out to S&H Bicycle Store to be a part of their Spring Kick Off!

S&H Bicycle Store also invites you to mark your calendars: Team Valarie Presents the 3rd Annual Valley Ride for Valarie. “Saturday May 16th at 9 A.M. Open to all bicycle riders of all skill levels. Also food, music, and games. To be held at the Timothy Murphy Pavilion on Rt 30 in Middleburgh.”

Esperance Elks Lodge 2507, also known as the “Farmers Lodge,”  is the largest Elks Lodge in Schoharie County. Elks Lodges are places, “where neighbors come together, families share meals, and children grow up.” A change has been made to their Installation of Officers for this coming year; their ceremony was going to be done in a private meeting, but plans are now underway to make it open to the public on Saturday, 3/21 at 2 PM. They’re also working on finalizing plans for March and a possible St. Patrick’s Day fundraiser, “to raise money to send our new Exalted Ruler to the national convention in Chicago this July. More info to come.”

The Esperance Elks want to offer something similar to the mobile food drops again; to help them be able to apply for National Foundation grants, they are seeking your community involvement and membership support. New 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, follow them at facebook.com/elks2507. 

Esperance-Sloansville United Methodist Church (UMC) shared,  “We had such a great time last night (2/17) at our Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner! We want to give a big thank-you to everyone who joined us, as well as all the hands that came together to prepare and serve the meal. We’re so grateful for our community!”

Esperance-Sloansville UMC is located at 175 Main Street and has three events to invite you to on Sunday, February 22nd:

”Faith Adventure Club – Sunday, Feb 22nd at 10:45 AM; FAC meets in the Education Building for age-appropriate faith formation and fun for kids in grades K–8. 

Worship – Sunday, Feb 22 at 11:00 AM; Join us for our first Sunday in Lent as we begin a new sermon series, Tell Me Something Good. 

Mosaic Youth Group – Feb 22nd 4:00-6:00 PM; we’ll gather at CUMC (109 Chapel Street, Cobleskill). All youth in grades 5-12 are welcome to join. 

Stay connected! Follow us (Esperance-Sloansville United Methodist Church) on Facebook for updates on Youth Group and dates and locations.”

The Esperance Volunteer Fire Department’s annual Fish Fry Friday Dinner is back by popular demand at 115 Church Street. February 20th, March 6th, March 20th, and April 3rd from 5 PM- until sold out. “Grab a delicious hand-battered fish fry dinner served with mac and cheese, coleslaw, dinner roll & dessert. Enjoy every crunchy bite. Take out only. $15 per dinner. We accept: cash, check or Venmo!” 

Also at 115 Church Street, you can be involved in your community by sharing your questions and voice during 5-minute privilege of the floor when you attend regular Esperance Village meetings that take place every 2nd Monday of the Month; 7 PM in the Village Hall Meeting Room. March’s meeting will be on the 9th.

Esperance Town Board meetings are every third Thursday of the month; their February & March meetings will take place on the 19th, 7 PM at Town Hall (104 Charleston Street).

Mayor Royce Gage’s reminder: “Please no parking on Main Street Rt. 20 between November to April to help snow plowing keep our roads safe for all. Please park all vehicles in your driveways, thank you.”

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

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Photo caption: Photo and caption provided by Esperance Elks Lodge #2507 Lodge Secretary, Matt Lacy. “Our meeting last night (2/17) was our annual election of officers, and is customarily run by Past Exalted Rulers (past presidents) of the Lodge. In addition, the Past Exalted Rulers initiated Chelsea Kearney of Schoharie, and Nicole Baker and Daniel Jones of Middleburgh into the Lodge. The slate of officers for terms starting 4/1/26 are: Exalted Ruler: David Devall; Esteemed Leading Knight: Michelle Parks; Esteemed Loyal Knight: Rose Mattas; Esteemed Lecturing Knight: Clif Ballad; Secretary: Matt Lacy; Treasurer: Venus Louise; Trustees: Deana Tuthill, George Taylor, Don Schoeffler, Jennifer Parker, Bob Jackson; Tiler: Michael Fullford; Inner Guard: Liz Robertson; Esquire: Vanessa Harpster; Chaplain: Casey Trendell.”