SHAC Center Blog

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 by Paul Kolakowski

You have seen the signs on Lake Avenue in Averill Park and have probably wondered what the Sky High Adventure Community Center is.  The Community Center is a concept developed by one of our local active community members, John Slyer.  John's vision is to renovate the old school on Lake Avenue into a vibrant center for ALL local residents to use and enjoy.  The community center would include meeting spaces for local organizations, preschool and afterschool programs, a gym and group exercise, fitness and wellness programs, senior center, and eventually even an indoor pool.

Local input and participation is critical in bringing this vision into reality.               

We need skilled trades to help with the renovation, grant writers, volunteers and people interested in participating in activities at the facility. 

Find us at: www.SHACcenter.org or email
SKYHIGHadventures@gmail.com  with any comments, ideas, or to volunteer! 

by Jim Snack 

 At the Fall Fun Fair on October2nd, 2021 the SkyHigh Adventure Community Center dedicated its library and reading room to Mary Lynn Baldwin, a former history and European cultural studies teacher at Averill Park High School.  A tribute plaque honoring Mary Lynn, who recently passed away, was presented to her husband and son during a ceremony at the fair. 

Mary Lynn Baldwin was a devoted teacher at Averill Park High school for 35 years.  She developed many programs there, including a Russian Studies curriculum, which brought in Russian college exchange students from the University at Albany to interact with the high school students, and an interactive “Never Forget”   Holocaust curriculum, which she was later recognized for by the Golub Foundation in 1989.  She was also recognized by the Rothenberg family and a ceremonial tree was planted in her name in Israel. 

Mary Lynn Baldwin was active in many area clubs and organizations. She was a Rensselaer County literacy volunteer for 10 years and a longtime member/advocate of Junior Achievement within Averill Park High School.  Mary Lynn was an avid reader and many of the books in the library came from her personal library.

A team of volunteers have been renovating the former St. Henry’s school located at 27 Lake Avenue in Averill Park to be used as a community center. Most recently, they repaired and painted plaster walls and installed laminate flooring in the room housing the library.   

John Slyer, Director of the Community Center, said, “Thanks to the efforts of many volunteers and donors, the SkyHigh Community Center will soon be open year-round. We are honored to dedicate the library to Mary Lynn Baldwin, a teacher who made a positive impact on many young people in our community.”