Sunday, June 21, 2026

It is with sadness that I share the passing of longtime ESCV walker, Shirley Pingelski, on June 18. Please keep Shirley’s family in your thoughts and prayers.

The Boston Bus Trip on Saturday, August 29, 2026, still has a few seats available. Visit escvwalks.org to sign up.

Thank you to POC Donna Farber and sign assistant Linda Dunn for coordinating Wednesday’s Strawberry Ice Cream Social. Special thanks also to Teresa, Sue, Sue, and Jan for providing the delicious strawberries and ice cream enjoyed by all.

On Saturday, June 20, ESCV sponsored a Traditional Walk in Catskill. Walkers enjoyed a beautiful sunny day with a refreshing breeze while exploring the village’s scenic streets and discovering the charming Catskill Cats. It was a perfect way to celebrate the first day of summer.

This week’s schedule includes one bike ride and two walks:

• Schenectady Rose Garden Walk – Wednesday, June 24

• Little Falls Bike Ride – Saturday, June 27
• Rhinebeck Walk – Sunday, June 28

Come join us for fun, fitness, and friendship!

Louise

Weekly Update Sunday June 14, 2026

Thank you POC Lea Darling, for the walk on Wednesday, June 10th Ballston Spa, the walk took us by the Iron Spring Park, Saratoga County History Museum, bakeries, old cemeteries, veterans memorials, and Victorian Homes. 

And thank you POC Judy Arnold for the year Round walk on Saturday, June 13th in Troy. The official "Home of Uncle Sam," we welcomed four first time Walkers and one new member, we enjoyed ideal walking weather while exploring the city.

Upcoming  Walk:

Come join us for ESCV 7th Wednesday walk in Niskyauna and the Strawberry and Ice Cream Social on June 17th with POC Donna Farber. 

Following the walk and ice cream please stay for the ESCV Meeting that will following the Niskyauna Strawberry Ice Cream Social Walk.  If you have any items you would like added to the agenda, or any concerns you would like discussed, please let me know in advance so we can be sure to include them.

On Saturday June 20th come join us for a Traditional walk in Catskill, with POC Louise Remillard. Catskill offers the perfect blend of history, scenic beauty, and small-town charm. Stroll along historic streets, enjoy views of Catskill Creek and the surrounding mountains, and explore a village that inspired generations of artists. Along the way, keep an eye out for the famous Catskill cats, whose friendly presence adds a touch of whimsy to every walk. Whether you come for the scenery, the history, or the cats, Catskill is a delightful place to explore on foot.

Come walk with us—let’s make some fun memories together!

Louise

On June 10, join ESCV in Ballston Spa as she welcomes everyone to come enjoy a walk through this sleepy antique stores focused village. You will walk by the Iron Spring Park, Saratoga County History Museum, bakeries, old cemeteries, veterans memorials, Victorian Homes and wide streets. We will begin at the Saratoga County Parking Lot just off Rt 67 and Rt 50 behind Christ Episcopal Church. Hope to see you there, Lea 

And on Saturday, June 13th join POC Judy Arnold in Troy. The official "Home of Uncle Sam," the walk is on city streets, passing business district, many historical homes, Russell Sage College, monuments, & Hudson River shoreline.

Save the Date – Wednesday, June 17, 2026 ESCV Club Meeting

Meeting will be held following the Niskayuna Strawberry Ice Cream Social Walk.  If you have any items you would like added to the agenda, or any concerns you would like discussed, please let me know in advance so we can be sure to include them.Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you on June 17!

Thank you to Terry and her sign-in helper Judy for hosting ESCV Wednesday walk on June 3rd in Cohoes and Van Schaick Island.

Come walk with us—let’s make some fun memories together!

Louise

Thank you, Deborah, for hosting the Wednesday walk 5/27 at the Albany Shaker Farm. Walking through the old Shaker Settlement, across a floating bridge, and through a beautiful garden with flowers and herbs. 

Thank you go out to Barbara and Alan for making a Year Round walk available on Sunday 5/31 starting at the Discovery Center at the Albany Pune Bush.  We walked on the yellow trail with 30 walkers, enjoying the trail, the flowers and peaceful quote of the woods.  

FYI: I have received the following Wednesday walk stamps from AVA:

6/17 Strawberry Ice Cream Social Walk,    6/24 Schenectady Central Park, 7/1 University of Albany (SUNY), 7/8 Schuylerville/Hudson Crossing. See Louise Remillard at an upcoming walk to receive the stamp for your walk. 

Come walk with us—let’s make some fun memories together!

Louise

Did anyone lose a pair of sunglasses at the Round Lake walk on 5/20/26. They were found on the table after the walk while packing everything up. See Louise Remillard to collect them. 

Check the supply of ESCV business cards in your walk boxes, wallet, or purse. Do you have cards with the old website address or the updated website address: ESCVWALKS.org?

ESCV’s updated business cards with the current website address will be available at each upcoming walk. See Louise Remillard.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the Northeast Weekend “A Revolutionary Event” such a memorable 50th Anniversary celebration filled with fun, fitness, friendship, and the spirit of AVA.

A heartfelt thank you to all the leaders, sweeps, POC’s, stampers, sign-in volunteers at the start points, photographers who captured and shared memories, walkers, people who created, update, upgraded the 5 and 10k walks, the committee who chose the beautiful venue for our stay, the meet & Greet, and dinner and everyone who contributed their time and energy throughout the weekend.

Your support, enthusiasm, and dedication helped create a wonderful celebration of walking and camaraderie. We could not have done it without each and every one of you!

On Wednesday 5/27/26 Join POC Deborah D’Arcangelis for a walk at Albany Shaker Farms. The route follows sidewalks, floating bridges, wooded trails, and bike paths through the old Shaker Settlement. 

Come walk with us—let’s make some fun memories together!

Louise

Weekly Update 

Saturday 5/16

First walk of the Northeast Walking Weekend on Saturday May 16th in Johnstown where we witnessed a parade, visited Johnson Hall, a key British trading post during early stages of the the American Revolution, shopped in a market with many people wearing period clothing. Lots of familiar faces at the walk. Lots of sunshine and beautiful weather.

Sunday 5/17 there was three walks starting at Crown Point with POC Wayne Knapp, Walkers crossed the bridge into Vermont, saw French and British ruins and an August Rodin sculpture on the lighthouse.

Next was a walk at Fort Ticonderoga with POC Teresa Kennedy starting at the Log House Welcome Center and proceeded through the Fort and the Kings Garden, then meanders along Sandy Redoubt to the Ticonderoga Ferry. 

Last walk of the day was in The Lovely village of Ticonderoga with POC Linda Morzillo walking along the La Chute River, home of the iconic Ticonderoga No. 2 pencil. Several Trekkies, visited the unique Trekonderoga museum.  

Monday 5/18 Schuylerville guided Walk with POC Karen Berzins & Marjorie Wytzka visit “Surrender Site" where one of world's top 10-victories of all time occurred: Saratoga - Turning Point of American Revolution. Rag-tag Patriots defeated world's most prestigious military.

Tuesday 5/19 Lake George guided walk with POC Debbie Hummel. Join us in viewing The beauty of Lake George, the contour of the mountains, and charming village atmosphere contribute to an enjoyable and memorable walking experience.

Round Lake 5/20

Come walk with POC Suzanne Daly and visit Round Lake’s quaintness with its restored tiny Victorian cottages from summer revival Methodist camp days - think Oak Grove. Walk along tree covered Zim Smith Rail Trail viewing waterfalls and ravines.

Zim Smith Bike 5/23

Please join us for our first bike 2026 on the Zim Smith bike trail. Start point Shenantaha Creek Park in Malta off Eastline Rd. Ride starts at 9:00 am. Helmets must be worn. Enjoy a leisurely ride on a paved path to Mechanicville with POC Brenda Streed. 

Williamstown 5/24

Join POC Sue Grey for a walk through a beautiful village in the Berkshires home to Williams College, the Clark Art Institute and the Tony-awarded Williamstown Theatre Festival.

Come walk with us—let’s make some fun memories together!

Louise

Happy Mother's Day! 

From Facebook posted by John McClellan:  The Empire State Capital Volkssporters (AVA-0410) of Clifton Park, NY are one of #AmericasWalkingClub's most active clubs with 62 events planned in 2026. The ESCV played host the to 2019 AVA Biennial Convention and they will host the next 50th Anniversary festival: A Revolutionary Event from 16-20 May in and around the Lake George / Ft. Ticonderoga area with 6 events from Saturday through the following Wednesday. The ESCV walk regularly with groups events twice a week most WEDs and SATs and offer an array of 15 self-guided seasonal (open 1 APR) and 17 year-round events including the Capital walk in Albany and Cooperstown, NY - site of the Baseball Hall of Fame!  All of their seasonal and year-round events can also be found on the AVA Online Startbox (OSB). website: https://escvwalks.org/

From Facebook posted by Kathy Mack:  We're now less than a week away from the start of the Northeast Walking Weekend - A Revolutionary Event, in Lake George, NY, May 16-20, 2026. Full details are available on our website, ESCVwalks.org.     People are asking about the weather. The forecast is calling for partly cloudy, with a 100% chance of fun, fitness and friendship. See everyone soon!  Don’t forget your Name Tags!  

Have you reserved your seat for the August 29, 2026 Boston Anniversary Bus Trip?  ESCV has a bus reserved for Saturday, August 29, providing an opportunity to participate in the Walkn’Mass club’s AVA 50th Anniversary Weekend on August 28–29. Doing a walk is encouraged, but not mandatory. Spots are still available — sign up today for this special event!  We expect the bus drop-off point to be the walk start point: Courtyard by Marriott – South Boston 63R Boston St. Boston, MA 02125

Come to Springfield in 2027 - Convention Committee Jerry Wilson                    Springfield Missouri that is!

Turns out there are 93 populated areas in the United States named Springfield. The location you should have your eyes on in 2027 is Springfield, Missouri. According to the US Geological Society, the Springfield area in Missouri is the largest of the 93, followed closely by Springfield in Massachusetts and Illinois.

Now is the time to start planning your visit to Springfield, Missouri, in 2027. The walking week and convention dates are June 28 - July 1. Pre-convention walks are being planned for the preceding weekend June 26 - 28. Post-convention walks and activities are being planned for July 2 - 4. Save these dates.  More information will be coming soon. Watch AVA.org. TAW and the Checkpoint  for more information. 
Come walk with us - lets make fun memories together 

Louise 

May is National Walking Month, so all walks that ESCV sponsors in May, including traditional or YRE group walks will be promoted on the special National Walking Month webpage. ESCV has a great line up of walks;  

May 3 Cooperstown

May 6 Albany Tulip

May 9 Saratoga Battlefield

May 13 Saratoga Springs Museums

May 16- 20 Northeast Weekend

May 23 Zim Smith Bike

May 24 Williamstown

May 27 Albany Shaker Farms

May 31 Albany Pine Bush Preserve

Thank you to all the walkers who joined us for our first ESCV sponsored Walkway Over the Hudson walk on Wednesday, April 29. It was a perfect day for a walk—great weather and even better company, after the walk we gathered at the Gateway Diner for a delicious lunch before heading back home.  

Don't miss the party! Only twelve days left to go before A Revolutionary Event Walking Weekend in Lake George, NY, May 16-20,  highlighting Revolutionary War sites, walks and biking in Johnstown, Crown Point, Ticonderoga, Schuylerville, Lake George, and Round Lake. Walkers coming from 21 states. You don’t want to miss the great walks and the fun social activities. Come for one or all events.

Save the Date Saturday, August 29, 2026 ESCV is sponsoring a bus to Boston in conjunction with the AVA 50th Anniversary Celebration.  Go to ESCVwalks.org to register for Bus trip to Boston. Cost is $60 per person and includes bus ride/tip for the driver, and walk registration fee. Seats are available on a first come first serve basis to members and friend/relatives.  

Come walk with us—let’s make some fun memories together! Louise

Sunday, April 26 — Thank you to POC Teresa for guiding us on the Year-Round Schenectady walk through the beautiful Union College campus (chartered in 1795, making it one of the oldest colleges in the U.S.), across the historic Whipple Truss Bridge, and through the GE Realty Plot a historic residential neighborhood Established around 1900, it features roughly 150 architecturally distinct homes designed for GE engineers and executives, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.   

On Wednesday April 29 join POC Louise for a scenic walk on the Walkway Over the Hudson, the world’s longest elevated pedestrian bridge. Choose a 5K out-and-back across the bridge or a 10K route extending into downtown Poughkeepsie with river views and historic landmarks.

Parking: Hudson Valley Rail Trail Parking Lot and Caboose, 75 Haviland Rd., Highland, NY 12528.  Carpooling: Encouraged

Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy in the park (weather permitting) or join the group afterward at Gateway Diner.

see you at the walk,

Louise 

Earth Day is Wednesday 4/22/2026

Come walk a Year Round Walk  with us at The Colonie Crossings with POC Donna Farber. 

Rails to Trails Celebrates 40th Anniversary Saturday 4/25 come walk a Traveling Guided Walk with us at Shenantaha Creek Park with POC Chris Yost. 

Schenectady Year Round Walk Sunday April 26  START POINT MOVED - behind St. John's, 806 Union St, Schenectady, Registration 1:00 - 1:25. Walk at 1:30 pm. walk to the Stockade neighborhood, the first designated historic district in the state and one of the oldest in the country.

Sign up for the ESCVC  one-day bus trip to Boston on Saturday, August 29, in conjunction with Walkn’Mass club’s AVA 50th Anniversary Walk. Participation in the walk is encouraged but not required.  Cost is $60 per seat, open to members, friends, and family on a first-come, first-served basis. For More information: escvwalks.org

Come walk with us—let’s make some fun memories together! Louise