How a 19-year teaching career ended at College of St. Rose

Happy Election Day, Capital District! Today, we’re introducing you to Daniel Nester, who shares bittersweet memories from 19 years of teaching at the late-great College of St. Rose. Also, see the results of our reader poll: Do you approve of speed cameras around Albany schools?

Get your vote on 🗳️ and let’s dive in!

—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan

How a 19-year teaching career ended at College of St. Rose

Daniel Nester vividly recalls the evening he learned that the College of Saint Rose, the 102-year-old institution where he taught as a tenured English professor, would abruptly close its doors for good. A student had sent him a tweet with the stunning news as he was heading to a party in the Berkshires. It was late November, a year ago.

“I remember just sort of sleep walking through this holiday party,” Daniel tells The 518.

The next day, the news was officially delivered: This would be the school’s final year. The college was deeply in debt with an estimated $50 million in the hole, after years of declining enrollment. And just like that, Daniel’s 19-year career at St. Rose was finished.

How could a century-old college just go out of business? In an essay he wrote for The Writer’s Chronicle, Daniel finds the answer in Hemingway’s famous line from The Sun Also Rises, describing how a character went bankrupt: “Two ways… gradually and then suddenly.”

After St. Rose closed, Daniel landed a job as a communications specialist for a NYS agency. He also found time to reflect on what he had left behind. Of his many memories and experiences, it is the sheer joy of teaching—nurturing young minds and writers—that he misses the most.

“Teaching writing is one of the most electrifying and self-actualizing things I have ever done,” Daniel writes in the essay. “Now that it’s gone, I find myself perpetually grieving.”

Thanks to an Arts Thrive and Grow grant from NYS, Daniel is hosting two public readings this month to share his reflections and read from a work-in-progress, “Here’s Where the Story Ends.” Several of his former students will be joining as well, including Sarah Michelle Sherman, a personal essayist and professional copywriter who lives in Albany; Abbey Barker, who worked as Gov. Andrew Cuomo's deputy press secretary; and Brett Petersen, a writer/musician/artist.

The events are free and open to the public:

Thur, Nov. 7 at MopCo in Schenectady 
Sat, Nov. 23 at Woman's Club of Albany

Reader poll: Do you approve of speed cameras at Albany schools?

Y’all had strong reactions to the camera-enforced speeding program around Albany schools. Our poll found a majority of readers (57%) approved of the program, but most of the folks who wrote in were not thrilled at all about it.

One reader wrote to say that she was caught going 31 mph on Western Avenue in front of Eagle Point Elementary School—at 5:30 pm, which is within the enforcement period (7 am-6 pm) but long after students had gone home. Anyone going 10 mph over the 20 mph speed limit during those hours is automatically issued a ticket.

“Eagle Point ends at 2:30.… why go to 6 pm? We're fighting the ticket. Drivers in Albany are crazy. People going 30 mph at 5 pm are not the problem!”

Here’s a sampling of other comments:

• “Wish we had better ways of getting money to the city than fining the hell out of their residents.”

• “If the city cared about the speed of travel they would redesign the roads.”

• “Tickets are only for the city's income flow.”

• “Keeping our kids safe is more important than saving some time in a commute. And we know that kids are getting hurt by cars. I'm really glad the city is doing this.”

🌞 WEATHER WATCH

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🗳️ Today’s the day to make your voice heard! Find your polling location here and make a plan to get out and vote before polls close at 9 pm tonight.

🇯🇵 With love, from Japan. Hoshino Resorts is bringing the traditional onsen ryokan experience—a hot spring inn featuring mineral-rich baths—to Sharon Springs. The resort is set to open in 2028 with 40 guest rooms. [News 10]

👮 According to Albany police officials, there’s been a 16% increase in gun violence this year. However, outgoing Chief Eric Hawkins emphasized that the number of shootings is still down 13% when compared against the 5-year average, and that homicides decreased by 30% in last year’s count alone. [WAMC]

Welcome to Troy’s Park Boulevard! This charming 4-bedroom Tudor nestles up to expansive Frear Park and is just minutes from the vibrant downtown area. Complemented by a sweet sunroom, the open floor plan brings in the light, while the living room with brick fireplace just calls out for cozy evenings at home. The semi-finished basement includes a washer/dryer and plenty of storage. Outside, enjoy mature floral beds in the spring and a 2-car tandem garage. With two full bathrooms, low taxes, and loads of modern updates, this 1940s gem is as cute as a button and easy to love.

The deets: 4 bd, 2 ba, 1474 sf. Asking: $254,900. Days on market: 5. See the full listing here.

🎟️ WHAT’S HAPPENING

Note: Our full weekend roundup publishes on Thursdays. Check your inboxes!

🍽️ All week through Sunday, Saratoga Restaurant Week offers $15 prix fixe lunches and $25/$35 dinners. See participating restaurants.

🍸️Hattie’s in Albany is launching its new Happy Hour on Wednesday with a party! Come for drink specials and bite-size faves, plus a live DJ. 24% of proceeds will benefit Team Big Guy to help find a cure for Alzheimer's.

🏮 Happening all week, Troy Glow invites you to view art installations lighting up nightly throughout the downtown area. On Friday, do it with cocktails at the Neon Nights Bar Crawl. The outdoor art festival ends on Sunday.

🎙️ The Magic of Motown comes to Troy Music Hall on Thursday.

🎪 The Ringling Bros. are bringing the greatest show on earth to the MVP Arena starting Friday, through Monday. Get tix.

💃 This weekend, Dance Flurry puts on ContraFest, two days of contra dancing and lessons. Also, get to Bar Vegan for Bachata Room Fridays’ 5th anniversary All-White Social.

🥟 Also on Friday, The Egg hosts Asian Occasion 2024, a night of cultural celebration, delicious food & exciting performances.

🍗 On Saturday, the Capital Region Wing Wars continue as the district’s largest chicken wing competition returns.

🎖️On Sunday, the Voorheesville American Legion will host the 3rd annual Veteran’s Day Ruck March fundraiser. Albany’s traditional Veteran’s Day Parade takes place on Monday.

🎸 LIVE MUSIC & MORE

💌 GET IN TOUCH!

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