Sunday August 2, 2026 

Thank you to the walkers who braved the rain Wednesday July 29th for the Ballston Lake walk. 

Join us this Wednesday, August 5, as we explore the charming, tree-lined streets of Old Niskayuna with POC Teresa Kennedy. We hope you’ll join us for another enjoyable morning of walking, conversation, and discovering one of our region’s historic neighborhoods!

On Saturday, August 8, Tad Darling will be hosting a 24 mile recreational group bike ride from Pattersonville trail head to the Schoharie Creek a bit west of South Amsterdam.  Registration is 8:30 to 8:55, and the ride will start about 9:00 am.  We will stop at Lock 10 hoping a boat is going through and then we will tour the walking bridge over the Mohawk in Amsterdam.  We have moved this bike ride to mid summer hoping that more of the flowers will be out on the bridge.  From there, we will bike to the Schoharie Creek to view the old Aqueduct.  This is an out and back ride on a paved RR grade bike trail.  There are no bathrooms at the start point. Registration fee is $4.  Helmets are required.  Please make sure bikes are in good condition and tires properly inflated.  We will not ride in the rain or threat of lightning.  Cancelation will be at 7:00 pm Friday evening if possible.  POC is Tad Darling, Text at 518-275-6220.

Come join us for fun, fitness, and friendship.

Louise

Weekly Update Sunday July 26, 2026 

Thank you to POC Barbara Nigro for our Wednesday Walk on July 22 in Gloversville, and thank you to Alan L. for stamping our books. With a cool breeze, and comfortable temperatures, it was the perfect morning for a walk.

Thank you to POC Tad Darling and host Larry Godshalk for a great group bike ride on Saturday, July 25. We enjoyed a scenic ride from Albany along the Hudson River and toward the foothills of the Helderbergs. Another great day outdoors with ESCV! 

Come join POC Louise Remillard on Wednesday, July 29, for a walk in Ballston Lake. Enjoy a pleasant route through the village along sidewalks and local streets. We hope to see you there!

Come join us for fun, fitness, and friendship.

Louise

Sunday July 19, 2026

A big thank you to POC Larry Godshalk for our Wednesday, July 15 walk through beautiful Oakwood Cemetery in Troy. It was a wonderful opportunity to explore this historic National Historic Landmark while enjoying its scenic trails, monuments, and breathtaking views. And thank you to Barbara Feeney for helping at the sign-in table. 

Join us next Wednesday, July 22, for our twelfth Wednesday Walk of the season in Gloversville, by POC Barbara Nigro. Along the route, you’ll pass the New York State Baseball Hall of Fame, take in the ongoing revitalization of the historic  Schine Theater, and the beautifully restored Carnegie library. Join us as we explore another wonderful community together.

ESCV will be sponsoring, an 18 mile round trip recreational group bike ride on Saturday, July 25th.  Registration is 8:30 to 8:55 with the ride starting about 9:00 am.  Registration fee is $4.  The start point is the Corning Preserve Playground parking lot on Quay St., Albany.  Enjoy a leisurely railroad grade bike ride on a paved path. The trail starts in Albany, heads south on the new Albany connector trail and then west passing through Bethlehem, Delmar, and Slingerlands ending in Voorheesville. We will stop at the railroad themed pavilion in Voorheesville to regroup and then take a short detour into Voorheesville with a stop at the Blackbirds Bike Cafe for a treat.  This is an out and back ride. You can turn around at any point to shorten the ride.  Bikes should be in good repair and tires inflated.  Helmets are required.  We do not ride in the rain or threat of lightning.  If possible, cancelations would be posted at 7:00 pm the evening before if necessary. The POC is Tad Darling, cell: 518-275-6220, text with questions.  Larry Godshalk will be hosting the ride.

Come join us for fun, fitness, and friendship!

Louise

Sunday July 12, 2026

It was a beautiful morning to walk in Schuylerville/Hudson Crossing on Wednesday, July 8th. Thank you to POC LaVerne Stiles for creating the walk, and to Linda and Malcolm for assisting with registration. Participants enjoyed the Champlain Canal towpath, the historic village of Schuylerville, and the scenic trails of Hudson Crossing Park. Thank you to everyone who joined us!

Thank you to POC Tad Darling for creating Saturday’s Schenectady Mohawk Bike Ride on July 11th. Riders followed the Mohawk River to Erie Canal Lock 8 and through Schenectady’s historic Stockade neighborhood, enjoying scenic river views, local history, and great camaraderie. Thank you to everyone who participated!

Join POC Larry Godshalk on Wednesday, July 15th for a walk through historic Oakwood Cemetery in Troy. A National Historic Landmark, Oakwood spans 280 acres of wooded parkland with scenic trails, ponds, sculptures, and impressive stonework. Along the way, enjoy wonderful views of Troy and the Hudson River Valley while exploring one of the nation’s finest rural cemeteries.

 join us for fun, fitness, and friendship!

Louise

July 5 Update

Thank you to POC Wayne Knapp for hosting the Wednesday, July 1 walk at the University at Albany SUNY campus. We also extend our appreciation to Gail and Joyce for assisting and helping make the walk a success. Thank you to all who participated!

Coming up on Wednesday, July 8, join POC LaVerne Stiles for the Schuylerville/Hudson Crossing walk. Enjoy a scenic walk along the Champlain Canal towpath, through the historic village of Schuylerville, and the beautiful trails of Hudson Crossing Park while discovering the area’s rich Revolutionary War and canal history.

Join POC Tad Darling on Saturday, July 11, for the Schenectady Mohawk Group Bike Ride! This scenic city and town ride follows the Mohawk River to Erie Canal Lock 8, travels through the historic Stockade neighborhood, and loops around the beautiful Union College campus. Come enjoy a great day of cycling with fellow ESCV members!

Come join us for fun, fitness, and friendship!

Louise

Weekly Update – Sunday, June 28

Thank you to POC Teresa K. for leading Wednesday’s June 24 walk featuring the beautiful Rose Garden in Central Park. The roses were in full bloom, making it a wonderful place to enjoy a walk. Following the walk, several walkers attended an informative program at the greenhouse presented with Master Gardener Arden L.

Thank you to POC Tad D. for sponsoring Saturday’s bike ride on June 27 along the Empire State Trail to historic Little Falls, the highest lock on the Erie Canal. a beautiful morning to enjoy the scenery, and camaraderie along this iconic route.

Thank you to POC Larry Godshalk for sharing scenic Rhinebeck with us during today’s Year Round Walk on Sunday, June 28. Walkers enjoyed exploring the village’s historic architecture, charming streets, and beautiful Hudson Valley scenery.

This week join us for Wednesday July 1 with POC Wayne Knapp at the University At Albany SUNY Campus. Walk is on sidewalks and dirt roads on Indian Path trail, passing Indian Pond, the Academic Podium, the Boor Sculpture Studio, SEFCU Arena (home of the Danes Basketball teams). 

Come join us for fun, fitness, and friendship!

Louise

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