Around the Neighborhood - Esperance - 26 February 2026

Welcome to all your Esperance updates conveniently in one place!

Did you know that Central Bridge and Cobleskill have annual Farmers Markets that Esperance & Schoharie Town Assessor Erin Smith (Will-A-Way Farm), Town Supervisor Earl Van Wormer III (Van-Dale Farms), & Town Board Member Barbara Sharpe (Sharpe’s Sweets) will be a part of? The Festival Farmers Market at The Gathering Place is in its 30th year; The Central Bridge Farmer’s Market is in its 2nd year. More details to come as we get closer to the start of their season; until then, mark your calendars: 

Festival Farmers Market at The Gathering Place (127 Kenyon Road, Cobleskill), is planning a special sale including potted plants & seed starts from Parsons Vegetable Farm; May 21st, 3-5 PM. Then their season starts the second Saturday in July (7/11).

The Central Bridge Farmer’s Market will take place at The Ball Park (649 NYS Route 30A, Central Bridge) every 1st Wednesday of the month July-October, 3-6 PM.

They’re seeking more vendors offering a variety of products. If you’re interested in vending, reach out to Van Wormer at 518-852-0270.

Last call to volunteer for the Comprehensive plan Committee to recommend zoning law regulations. Call Town Hall (518-875-6109) or email clerk@esperancetown-ny.gov or supervisor@esperancetown-ny.gov with your questions and interest. 

The February 20th Esperance Volunteer Fire Department’s Fish Fry Friday Dinner sold out in an hour! You’ll have more chances to, “Grab a delicious hand-battered fish fry dinner served with mac and cheese, coleslaw, dinner roll & dessert” at 115 Church Street on March 6th, March 20th, and April 3rd from 5 PM - until sold out. $15 per dinner; they accept: cash, check or Venmo.

Reminder from Mayor Royce Gage:  “Please no parking on Main Street between November  till April. This is a State Law so that the state can do their job keeping roads clear from snow. Please keep sidewalks in front of your homes clear of snow for people to walk on during our snowy season, and please check on your neighbors and help out if needed. Thank you. Our Village meeting is every 2nd Monday of the month starting at 7pm.” The March Village meeting will be on the 9th at 115 Church Street, and the March Town Board meeting will be on the 19th (every 3rd Thursday of the month); 7 PM at Town Hall (104 Charleston Street).

Visit Landis Arboretum (174 Lape Road) during their 75th Anniversary year! “Landis 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.” Register on their website (landisarboretum.org) for March 8th Sunday Snowshoe with George at 2 PM, Setting up a Bluebird Nesting Box March 14th at 10 AM, & March 21st Star Party 8-10 PM (Star Party is a free event with Arboretum donations greatly appreciated. Hosted by The Albany Area Amateur Astronomers,  “A variety of telescopes will be set up for viewing the heavens, revealing nebulae, star clusters, galaxies, double stars, planets, and other celestial objects. Guests of all ages are always welcome. In cold weather it is very important to dress warmly.Star parties are cancelled if the skies will be mostly cloudy.” Also on their website, look for more ways you can enjoy your Arboretum visit in their parking lot kiosk, Welcome Center, and download the trail map.

What the Esperance Historical Society has been up to: “In 2026 the Esperance Historical Society is planning to work with several local groups this year. They include the Arboretum on their 75th Anniversary, the Elks Lodge on their 30th Haunted House, the Fire Department on Christmas in Esperance not to mention our usual summer “What is it?” exhibits in various towns possibly including Conesville this fall. We usually have a display at the Altamont Fair as well.  While the museum is awaiting warmer weather for the volunteer Bookbuddies to arrive next month, we have another partnering opportunity we will be exploring for this year. We have several summer programs booked for the museum including some special themed ones to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the U.S.  as well as the 100th Anniversary of the Great Western Turnpike being designated as U.S. Route 20. We have worked with the Cobleskill Historical Society recently in assisting them with their upcoming program on our late curator Gus La Monica and his set they now have of amusing Schoharie History themed paintings to be displayed at the Sr. Center in Cobleskill and at their monthly meeting.  We have recently been contacted by a NYC Actress and film maker for assistance who has won an artist’s grant to create a documentary on the Esperance Witch folklore story.” 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.

Do you want to enjoy fresh vegetables, flowers, and other local and farm-produced goods all spring and summer long? Biscuitwood Farm has a couple Free-Choice CSA shares left. How it works: “Members commit to a dollar amount spent per season to be paid in full at the time of enrollment. In return, you receive an easy-to-use gift card with the amount added to it, plus an additional percentage added as a thanks for your commitment to our farm. You can use this balance on our web-based ordering system, at 2026 farmers markets, and at designated farm stand days. The more you commit, the greater the percentage of added $. We have three options available: Option 1: Pay $125, get $140; Option 2: Pay $200, get $235; Option 3: Pay $300, get $350” For more information, email biscuitwoodfarm@gmail.com or check out their website (biscuitwoodfarm.square.site) where you can order Buttery, Fresh-Baked Irish Soda Bread, their Polish Treats Box (Pączki and Chruściki), and 4 pack of Flaky Hand Pies!

Find Cute and Wicked Candles’ Facebook page by searching Cute & Wicked Candles and More. They want to share this update: “Due to the ongoing weather conditions, we’re still closed at the moment. We need some additional time to go through our inventory and salvage what was not affected by the cold temperatures. Because of this, we’ll be reopening on March 21st with a limited selection of products, as we’ll also be in the process of restocking for our new location. In the meantime, customers are still welcome to place orders online at Cutenwicked.com. Thank you so much for your understanding and continued support. We truly appreciate it and look forward to reopening soon.”

Esperance-Sloansville United Methodist Church (UMC) is located at 175 Main Street and shared, “Food Pantry-You can call/text 518-248-2185 for confidential assistance from our food pantry.  We don't have set drop-off times at the moment, but our food pantry stewards are great about arranging times to meet folks. You can either call or text that number or send me an email at pastoralisyn@gmail.com if you'd like to support our pantry, we'll be grateful to arrange a time for you to drop off your donations.

Worship – Sunday, March 3rd at 11:00 AM-Join us for our first Sunday in Lent as we begin a new sermon series, Tell Me Something Good.

Faith Adventure Club – Sunday, March 3rd at 10:45 AM-FAC meets in the Education Building for age-appropriate faith formation and fun for kids in grades K–8. 

Pancake Breakfast – Saturday, March 7th, from 7 am – 12 pm.-Join us for this all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast on March 7th from 7 am – 12 pm. Serving: pancakes, eggs, sausage, gravy, coffee, juice, and milk. Snowmobiles welcome! Adults $12; Kids 6-12 $6; Under 6 FREE. Stay connected! Follow us (Esperance-Sloansville United Methodist Church) on Facebook for updates on Youth Group and dates and locations.”

S&H Bicycle Store (3595 Highway 22, Sloansville) has solidified plans for their 9 AM - 3 PM Saturday, May 9th Spring Kickoff Sale and Swap Meet! At 11 AM, William Monaghan Jr. will present their Basic Bicycle Fitting Class. 1 PM will be their Bicycle Flat Tire Changing Class taught by Steve. MIke the Juggler will be performing throughout the day, breakfast sandwiches & coffee will be available from Witch’s Brew, and there will be bicycle & E bicycle demos. “Swap meet space is FREE. Bring your bikes and parts to sell or swap,  and come hungry!!!!!”

Don’t forget to also save the date: 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.”

This week from Esperance Elks Lodge 2507: “Beyond local grant impacts in our community, Elks Lodges in New York support CP State (formerly Upstate Cerebral Palsy) and their affiliates as a “Major Project” of the Elks. Approximately $400,000 annually is donated across New York lodges to the home service program to help improve the lives of those with cerebral palsy, autism, and more.The role of the Home Service Director is one of the vital strands that bind CP of New York State together. The New York State Elks Association Major Project is the solid foundation upon which the program of the Home Service Director rests.” Your community involvement and membership support is important. 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. 

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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