AMSTERDAM - In connection with its 12th annual Dog Walk-a-Thon, the Montgomery County SPCA is sponsoring the Be Kind to Animals Poster and Writing Contest.The contest is for first- through eighth-grade students in Montgomery County.Each grade has a specific theme to draw or or write about, a news release said.MCSPCA staff and board members will pick the top five entries. Those selections will be posted at the annual MCSPCA Dog Walk on May 31 at Shuttleworth Park, where participants and visitors will vote on a grand- prize winner, who will be announced at the Dog Walk.The winner will receive an…

AMSTERDAM - The United Way's 70th annual awards dinner will be held May 22 at the Raindancer Steak Parlour, beginning with hors d'oeuvres at 6 p.m. A dinner and awards will follow.This annual event celebrates and honors those companies and employee groups that have invested in United Way activities that support the needy and less fortunate members of our communities, a news release said.United Way also will present the Delores Knutsen Award. This award is named for Knutsen, a volunteer in the service of United Way. This year's recipient is Jeannette Stevens-Duary, director of the Horace J. Inman Senior Center.…

JOHNSTOWN - Tony Pezzula may not be a household name, but his short plays have entertained audiences of Colonial Little Theatre's New Play Festival for three seasons.In the opinion of theater people, Tony Pezzula deserves a "Tony."Now, "The Waver," an expanded version of Tony's 2010 play, will cap off CLT's 2014 Festival on Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. A $5 donation is suggested. Reservations are not necessary.Tony, a retiree who lives in Albany, has had plays performed in regional theaters and received a Meritorious Achievement in Playwrighting Award from the Theater Association of New York State in 2011 for…

BROADALBIN - The Broadalbin Kennyetto Historical Society will meet Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church on West Main Street in the village.The program will be "Artifact Night," a news release said. Members and guests will be asked to explain and display household and family heirlooms, the release said.There are still some 2014 calendars available, the release said.Refreshments will be served. Everyone is welcome.