Bringing Communities and Local Businesses Together “On the Canals”

The New York State Canal System, which has been in continuous operation since 1825, is longer than any other constructed transportation system on the North American continent, and includes the Erie Canal, Champlain Canal, Oswego Canal, and Cayuga-Seneca Canal, connecting the Hudson River to Lake Champlain, Lake Ontario, and Lake Erie via the Niagara River.

In 2020, the New York Power Authority (NYPA), as the managing authority of the New York State Canal Corporation, committed $300 million to revitalize the Canal system as a tourism and recreation destination while simultaneously boosting economic development and improving the resiliency of canalside communities – and securing the future of this world-class engineering marvel to operate as both a waterway and travel destination for the next 200 years.

As part of this initiative, the Canal Corporation developed “On the Canals,” a free, seasonal excursion program offering free unique opportunities to experience the outdoors on the canal waterways and the adjoining Empire State Trail.

Now in its third year, “On the Canals,” continues to grow and thrive, bringing communities and local businesses together along the canal for a variety of recreation and educational opportunities, including kayaking, cycling, boat tours, snowshoeing, ice fishing, and more.

The last season of the “On the Canals” program offered new, accessible kayaking and biking excursions and outdoor painting sessions with local artist Gail Talmadge for the first time, expanding the number of outings and locations for excursions, and attracting more than 12,000 visitors from across New York and beyond to communities along the banks of the Canal system.

NYPA and the Canal Corporation continue to offer a variety of activities for New Yorkers to enjoy the astonishing beauty and history of the Erie Canal. For more information on this program, and to check out the 2023 winter excursions, which include winter snowshoe hikes and folk painting, visit... canals.ny.gov/onthecanals/

Gail was born and raised in Amsterdam, and although has lived in other parts of the country she has always come back home. Gail has a bachelor’s degree from Empire State College in Sustainable Design, and a master’s degree in art education from the University of Florida.

Gail has been an active member of the community and a founding member of Creative Connections.

Gail has been creating art since childhood and regained her passion in the 90’s when she started painting furniture and accessories, she currently sells on many online sites as well as turning her art into products and selling those products online sites like Zazzle, Society 6, Fine Art America and more.

Gail has owned, and operated Taste & Paint, a traveling art business for the past 9 years, and recently started teaching En plein air painting classes (painting outdoors). sponsored by the NYPA On the Canals program and the NYS Canal Corporation along the Erie Canal Corridor. In 2022, she taught over 300 students in 3 months, teaching over 50 classes in that time. Gail currently lives with her two cats Piper, and Mo Mini, and her dog, Chloe. She has two grown children Rebecca and Dillon and a grandson Julien.

Her hobbies include painting, gardening, and spending time with her family and friends and enjoys walking in nature and taking Chloe for rides in the car

CDTA Started Bus Routes for Montgomery County, NY in 2022

Routes interconnect Montgomery County and provide service to Albany

The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) service began on Sunday, August 28, 2022 and features four routes of transit service that provide Montgomery County with a fortified route system, connecting communities and boosting economic opportunities. According to CDTA CEO Carm Basile, “These four routes will provide increased mobility for people living in the community and connect them with the rest of the Capital Region. The routes will transform the quality of life for residents in Montgomery County. We are thankful to be working with elected leaders and community partners in Montgomery County to provide better access for everyone.”

Montgomery County route network:

• Route #600 (Neighborhood Belt Line) will serve Amsterdam neighborhoods via Church Street, Clizbe Avenue, Guy Park Avenue, Division Street and Route 30. This route will run Monday - Friday 6:15 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Saturday 8:45 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. and Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

• Route #601 (South Side and Route 30) will serve South Amsterdam and Route 30 via Bridge Street, Market Street and

Wallins Corner Road. This route will run Monday – Friday 6:15 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 6:15 p.m.

• Route #602 (Amsterdam to Schenectady) will connect Amsterdam to Schenectady via Guy Park Avenue, Division Street, East Main Street and the Mohawk Turnpike (Route 5). This route will run Monday - Friday 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Saturday – Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

• Route #560 (Thruway Xpress) will connect Montgomery County to Albany via I-90. This route will run Monday - Friday. Morning trips will be 6:15 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. Afternoon trips will be 12:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. Evening trips will be 3:45 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Montgomery County

BEGINNING SUNDAY, AUGUST 28

* Info taken from: https://www.cdta.org/news/service-details-announced

28 Church St., Amsterdam, NY 12010 (518) 842-1080

Nicole Hemsley, Director AMSlib@mvls.info

Hours: Mon. & Thurs. 10am-7pm; Tues. & Wed. 10am - 5pm Friday 10am - 3pm • Saturday 10am - 1pm; Sunday - Closed

The mission of the Amsterdam Free Library is to inspire lifelong learning, advance knowledge, and strengthen our Greater Amsterdam Community.

Did you know that regular library visits lead to more reading, and research shows that the amount of time spent reading is directly related to academic success. Reading is also an excellent way to unwind and distract yourself from the pressures and stressors of everyday life.

Borrow as many items as your heart desires, peruse them at your leisure, and return them when you’re done to get a whole new set! In addition to our large collection of physical materials (books, audiobooks, movies, DVDs, and now board games for the whole family) we also have a large electronic collection available to patrons. Using the Overdrive or Libby apps, patrons can download and enjoy materials from the comfort (and safety) of their own homes.

You do need to have a library card to access library resources, so be sure you have one. If not, stop by today to get one - library cards are free of charge, all you need is a photo ID and a piece of mail showing your current mailing address.

Public computers and free Wi-Fi are also provided to our patrons free of charge. Access a wide variety of online databases (including magazines, newspapers, encyclopedias, almanacs, science resources, etc.) as well as word processing, social media, and other computer programs. Parents are responsible for monitoring their child’s use of library computers, as the internet is not regulated and may expose them to inappropriate or inaccurate materials.

Need the internet at home? No problem! Wi-Fi hot spots are also available to borrow for free for home use with your library card!

Have any questions about the library?

Visit our website: www.amsterdamlibrary.com, follow us on Facebook to nd out about upcoming events, or call 518-842-1080.

NICOLE HEMSLEY Director, Amsteram Free Library

You may occasionally hear someone say that libraries are outdated and that physical copies of printed books will be dead soon. Well, we are here to tell you that is far from the truth. More than just storage spaces for books, libraries have transformed into important community hubs that serve as centers of learning, professional development, healthcare, and truth.

Libraries have become centers for the movements that support women, immigrants, people of color, the LGBTQ community, and those facing religious persecution. They are free public spaces that allow everyone to feel safe and to find opportunity.

1) Free educational resource for everyone.

Public libraries provide safe, accessible, and 100% free educational resources for every member of the community. At the library, it doesn’t matter what you do or how much money you make, because every resource there is free of charge. This includes books and other materials, internet access, educational and entertainment programs, and professional training opportunities.

Individuals and families, no matter their socioeconomic status, can count on their libraries to provide them with the resources they need to succeed and the answers to important questions they can’t otherwise find. Librarians help patrons not only find their next reading selection, but also answer questions about computer and internet training, job applications and resume writing, government forms, and much more. And all of it is free.

2) Libraries are safe refuges for underserved populations. Libraries offer a safe and free refuge but also, they offer support to those in need. Each day when they open their doors, they become learning centers and employment centers for the most underserved population.

3) They help boost local economies.

While they are free, libraries play a key role in financially strengthening the local community. Providing a work space for telecommuters, supplying free internet access for people looking for employment opportunities, and offering help with job searches and interview training are just a few of the many ways libraries help build their local community.

4) Libraries help connect communities.

More than a community center, town hall, or public park ever could, libraries connect their communities in a way that benefits everyone. Whether you’re a family looking for a fun story time, an immigrant in need of language resources, an unemployed individual searching for job help, or a community member who needs help on with government forms, you can all go to one place: the library. At the library communities come together to learn, share, and celebrate where they live, who they are, and what they want to become.

Libraries truly are remarkable places, and in today’s world, we need them now more than ever. Find out how you can support your local library and get to work protecting one of our most important public institutions.