Check out our February ESCV Newsletter particularly page 1 on the upcoming Northeast Weekend May-16-20, 2026. If you haven't yet signed up to attend or volunteered to help now is the time to do so!

Please be sure to respond to the bus trip to Boston 50th Anniversary interest email if you have not already done so.

thank you

 

Fellow ESCV Walkers,

We have no walks scheduled for this coming week.

Wednesday’s Slingerlands walk was canceled due to unsafe conditions — freezing rain and icy sidewalks are no joke. And looking at the forecast, Wednesday (2/18) especially shows snow, sleet, and freezing rain turning to rain, with more mixed precipitation again Friday and Saturday. It’s definitely shaping up to be a challenging week for safe walking.

Rather than staying inside, this might be a great time to try out a Year Round walk using the Online Start Box (OSB). It’s a flexible and convenient option that allows you to choose a walk that fits your schedule and head out when conditions are safest for you.

You can still get those steps in — just on your own timetable and at your own pace.

Let’s keep moving, even if winter is trying to slow us down!

Stay safe and warm,

Louise

Fellow walkers and friends,

February has certainly reminded us that winter is still in charge! ❄️ Snowstorms, icy conditions, and cold temperatures have forced us to cancel a few of our scheduled walks.

Thank you for your patience—we’re eager to lace up again soon and get back out there together. We’re hopeful the weather will cooperate for our next scheduled Traveling Guided Walk on Wednesday, February 25, at Schenectady Mohawk Harbor.

Hope to see you there!

Warm regards 

Louise

We wish to extend our sincere sympathies to ESCV member Terry Gitnick on the passing of her mother, Beverly Gertrude Sechrest Mulligan, who passed away on Tuesday, January 7, 2026, at the age of 98. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank.

Weekly Update

A big thank-you to Teresa for leading the Schenectady Rose Garden walk—Wednesday, January 31  braving the cold and bringing everyone together for a great winter outing. ❄️

The TGW Albany Redux Walk, originally scheduled for Sunday, January 25, was proactively canceled due to the pending snowstorm, possible hazardous driving conditions, and very cold temperatures. We are working to reschedule the walk for a future date—stay tuned for updates.

Longtime ESCV member Shirley Pingelski is currently dealing with some health issues.

If you would like to reach out, Shirley would truly appreciate texts only at this time and would also welcome cards.
Shirley is currently staying with her daughter. For security purposes, please refer to the membership directory on escvwalks.org for her alternate address (daughter’s address). Her phone number is also listed in the directory. Thank you for your understanding and for keeping Shirley in your thoughts, and for the kindness and support that mean so much during times like this.

From the Checkpoint: AVA Webinar 

Wednesday, January 21 at 7:00pm-8:00pm Central.

To register for the webinar, go to https://ava.org/monthly-webinar/.

or go to AVA website homepage. 

Once you have registered for the Zoom meeting a link will be sent to the email you used to register. 

Guest Host: Karen Kaufman, AVA Board Member, Atlantic Region

Presenters: Ron Jones, AVA Deputy Director, Atlantic Region, Beth Stenstrom, Kay Shoemaker, Holly Pelking, and John McClellan.

The Atlantic Region Karen Kaufman, Regional Director and Ron Jones, Deputy, Regional Director will host the

January webinar on “How to Get New Members and Retain Them.”

The panel will present how each reached out to potential members and how they kept them interested in their clubs. The intended audience is any AVA member. Panel members are Ron Jones, Beth Stenstrom and Kay Shoemaker from the Fredericksburg Walking Club, Holy Pelking, Pacific Regional Director, and John McClellan from the Happy Wanderers Club.

Make a New Years Resolution to tune in and get best practices on how to grow your club. Recruiting new members is a great way to celebrate the AVA‘s 50th Anniversary!  

Thank you to POCs Marjorie and Karin for a wonderful walk in Greenwich! Temperature was a comfortable 45 degrees, we welcomed 22 happy walkers, including a first-time walker—welcome to the fun! 

Thank you to Gail for sharing the Albany Pine Bush Neighborhoods walk with us on Sunday, January 18. We had a great group of walkers come out and join us for a pleasant afternoon walk through the neighborhoods. It was a wonderful way to enjoy the day together.

Come walk with us!l

Louise

Happy New Year!
2026 is shaping up to be a fantastic walking year as we celebrate the USA’s 250th Anniversary and AVA’s 50th Anniversary, with special walking events planned throughout the year. More information can be found in December TAW. 

In addition, ESCV will continue to offer a full schedule of Year-Round and Seasonal walks and bike events, along with Wednesday Walks, Traditional Walks, and Traveling Guided Walks—providing many opportunities to get out and enjoy fun, fitness, and friendship together all year long.

Please be sure to mark your calendars for the Empire State Capital Volkssporters Northeast Weekend: May 16–20, 2026

Walk the Story That Changed the World

This event will feature walks highlighting locations connected to the British invasion of New York during the Revolutionary War. Planned activities include a Meet & Greet, a group dinner, and a scenic cruise on Lake George.More information is available on escvwalks.org website.

FYI: Please note a date and location change for Oktoberfest — it will now be held on Saturday October 10, 2026, at Tawasentha Park.

May the New Year bring you good health, happy miles, and many opportunities to participate in our walking/bike events. We hope you’ll join us in celebrating this milestone year!

Looking forward to seeing you at an upcoming walking event, 

Louise