Around the Neighborhood - Esperance - 2 April 2026

Welcome to all your Esperance updates conveniently in one place!

Sweet Dahlia Farm & Florals, “will be opening our stand this weekend only for a quick Easter pop-up from Saturday–Sunday (4/4–4/5), or until sold out, with limited availability. We’ll have assorted mixed tulip bouquets, daffodil bunches, pussy willow bunches, and small bud vase and mason jar arrangements available. We are located at 4625 State Highway 30 in Esperance, and there is a self-serve stand at the end of the driveway.” 

Dairy Carnival’s spring hours are Wednesday through Monday from 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM; closed Tuesdays. Visit their window at 3673 US-20, Sloansville.

Thursday, April 2nd from 11 AM - 5 PM, Cute & Wicked Candles reopens in their new location; 152 Main St., Suite 1, “We can’t wait to welcome the community into our new space here in Esperance and share everything we’ve been creating. There’s a lot of excitement behind the scenes as we get ready to reopen our shop this Thursday. What started as a small space has grown into something we’re truly proud of, and we’re so grateful to be part of this community. We’ve been working hard to fill the shelves with our handcrafted candles, luxury scents, and body care products. We’re especially excited to begin offering small classes and creative experiences in the near future.”

Lots going on at Village Hall (115 Church Street) - come April 3rd for the last Esperance Volunteer Fire Department Fish Fry Friday Dinner served with mac and cheese, coleslaw, dinner roll & dessert will be available from 5 PM until supplies sell out ($15 per dinner; cash, check, or Venmo accepted). Then we will see you on April 4th for the 9 AM Budget Hearing. Village Hall rental is available (donations are appreciated; call the Village Office at 518-875-9044 for more information). The second Monday of each month is the regular Village meeting at 7 PM; April’s meeting will be on the 13th.

Town Board meetings are every third Thursday of the month at Town Hall (104 Charleston Street); April’s meeting will be on the 16th.

Have you signed up for Esperance notifications through TextMyGov yet? Text “Esperance” to 91896. This information was provided by Mayor Royce Gage and will allow you to receive important notifications right to your phone. Reminder from the Mayor: please pick up after your dog on walks and watch out for pedestrians walking in the Village and at the playground.

Less than two weeks away: The Esperance Historical Society’s “Annual Membership Meeting is coming up on Sunday, April 12th at 1:30 PM at Two Saps Sap House (303 Cripplebush Road, Central Bridge). We’ll start with a brief meeting and election of officers, while enjoying a full breakfast with pancakes, eggs, sausage, cookies, coffee, orange juice, and plenty of maple syrup. After breakfast, join us for a special program with Vic DiSanto, a retired museum professional, Army veteran, and associate at the Iroquois Museum. Vic will share the stories behind 17 Revolutionary War flags, exploring how these early American banners united troops, and helped shape a new nation. We hope to see you there!” And, “Find us at the Village-Wide Garage Sale; We are excited to participate in the Esperance Village-Wide Garage Sale on Saturday, May 16 from 9 to 2 PM! We’ll be opening the barn doors for another blow-out sale featuring books, picture frames, artwork, Christmas decorations, and lots of housewares from cups and glasses to small appliances. You may even find a few antiques and vintage items. Stop by and check out our bargains!” The Esperance Historical Society would like your help, “We’re looking for friendly faces to welcome visitors at the Esperance Historical Museum this summer, and we’d love to have you on board. We call our greeters “docents” (which is just a fancy way of saying you’ll hang out with fellow history buffs who stop by to explore the museum). It’s easy, no experience required! In between visitors, you’ll have time to flip through our incredible collection of vintage scrapbooks curated by Esperance residents, they’re full of stories, photos, and local gems you won’t find anywhere else. (Seriously, they’re worth the visit alone.) 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). To sign up, contact Linda Feuz by email (lfeuz27@gmail.com) or give her a call (518-577-4073).” Follow The Esperance Historical Museum 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. 

April 18th at The Meeting House, “Join us from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM for a Houseplant Swap at the Landis Arboretum! How? It's easy. Bring plants and cuttings to share with others. Meet other houseplant enthusiasts.Enjoy the grounds of the Landis Arboretum! Each attendee brings labeled plants or plant cuttings to share with others. Common and rare plants are welcome. Remember that everyone is in a different place in their plant journey so be prepared to chat, trade & learn! Admission is a $5 donation to the Landis Arboretum (cash or check only). Please, no plants for sale, just trades. Make sure you are bringing healthy, pest free plants. Want to volunteer at the Swap? Contact us at landisvolunteering@gmail.com. Questions? Contact us at info@LandisArboretum.org!” Additional volunteer opportunities are, “Coming up May 15, 16, 17 we have our Spring Plant Sale. Tasks include set up on May 14th, working at bake sale, book sale and raffle tables, helping folks get plants to their cars, and shuttle from parking with golf cart. Especially looking for students needing hours toward honors programs. Email landisvolunteering@gmail.com.”

“April 22 @ 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM; WAMC’s popular Vox Pop Gardening Show is headed out on the road to take root at the Landis Arboretum on Earth Day. Join Ray and the gardening show all-stars, bring your odd plants, your most fertile questions, and dish the dirt with our agricultural experts. You can be in the audience for this broadcast recording of WAMC’s Vox Pop. Featuring: Ray Graf – WAMC; Fred Breglia – Landis Arboretum; Dale-Ila Riggs – The Berry Patch; Greg Ward – Ward’s Nursery & Garden Center Reservations are required - no admittance without advance registration. Ticket sales support WAMC’s good work! Get tickets at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wamc-on-the-road-presents-the-vox-pop-gardening-show-tickets-1984987114895?aff=oddtdtcreator .”

 Landis Arboretum is located at 174 Lape Road and, “is open dawn to dusk 365 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.” 

Esperance Elks Lodge member-only events: “Our second Garden Party will meet Saturday April 18, 2026 to begin building the beds. We have our annual Spring cleanup in honor of Earth Day. All Elks members are encouraged to help on Sunday April 19 2026. Beginning at 8 am." 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. Mondays at the Esperance Elks Lodge, members and non-members are welcome to attend 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.”

S&H Bicycle Store is an authorized Aventon E-Bike dealer; check those models out next time you’re in their shop during 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 will be on May 9th from 9 AM - 3 PM with Witch’s Brew on site selling breakfast sandwiches and coffee, world famous Michael Inserra the juggler, bicycle and E bicycle demos , basic bicycle fitting class presented by William Monaghan Jr at 11 AM, and bicycle flat tire changing class taught by Steve at 1PM.

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 5th at 11:00 AM; Join us as we celebrate Easter Sunday!

Maundy Thursday Dinner and Worship Service – Thursday, April 2nd at 6:00 PM; Join us at ESUMC in the Education building for a Maundy Thursday grilled-cheese-and-tomato-soup dinner and worship service led by some of our young people. Dinner starts at 6 PM, with worship beginning at 7 PM.”

Van-Dale Farms is on Facebook and is located at 1391 Grosvenors Corners Road in Central Bridge. They will be participating in 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 vending can call Earl VanWormer III at 518-852-0270.

The Esperance Memorial Day Parade on May 25th will be celebrating our country's 250th anniversary of the signing of the Decoration of Independence. 1 PM line up, 1:30 PM parade start.

Biscuitwood Farm (2639 State Route 162, Esperance) has lots of exciting and unique items available through their website (biscuitwoodfarm.square.site). You can follow them on Facebook for information about joining their local bulk buying club and they plan to share more exciting updates in this column next week! 

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, graduation announcements, achievement, holiday, and celebration messages. Email them to me at bookclubhbhs@yahoo.com.