Local Author, National Awards! WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER | PHOTOS PROVIDED
Stride along with Longshot the Moose, a loveable character who finds himself in yet another new, unexpected place in Twas the Night Before Christmoose, the latest in a series of picture books by Saratoga Springs author Vicki Addesso Dodd. There’s Still a Moose on the Loose This is the third book in the collection of fictional, rhythmically-told tales based on a real-life moose who happened to meander from the Lake Desolation area into Saratoga Springs, on one otherwise ordinary day in June.
“It was such an amazing thing to see this moose wander out onto the racetrack from the woods. People came from towns around to see this moose. It made people so happy, it occurred to me that it would make a great story,” said Dodd. The Series that IS Saratoga Vicki Addesso Dodd, the owner of Saratoga Springs Publishing, has
written six books and has won a number of awards.
The Longshot series, recommended for children up to age 10, began with “A Moose in My Stable,” a Mom’s Choice award-winner, followed by “A Moose in My Starting Gate,” a story about friendship and acceptance. “The Moose series is Saratoga in my mind,” said Dodd.
Twas the Night Before Christmoose was recently announced the recipient of TWO independent publisher's awards. It was chosen for the bronze in the 2020 National IPPY Awards, from a pool of 5,000 submissions, and it won the 2020 Moonbeam Children’s Award. “The Moonbeam was always my dream -and that it’s with this book, I’m just thrilled!” said Dodd. In 2021, look for Dodd’s newest work, “Derby School,” an early-reader chapter book. SF
Saratoga Family Readers... It’s Time to Celebrate!
Get a 20 % discount, or 3 books for the price of 2, by visiting www. saratogaspringspublishing.com There’s a Moose on the Loose! Stumble into new adventures in downtown Saratoga on a Longshotinspired Scavenger Hunt. Get the FREE printout from A Horse in My Stable and visit places including G. Willikers, Ben & Jerry’s, Northshire Bookstore, and Impressions of Saratoga. Get your sheet stamped and submit a completed copy to be awarded your own blue ribbon! Find a free, Colorful Way to Learn and Play at saratogaspringspublishing.com/ activity-sheets.
Caught Eating Vegetables? WRITTEN BY CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION OF SARATOGA COUNTY
Saratoga County Farm to School Coordinator Nicolina Foti (from the Cornell Cooperative Extension office of Saratoga County) had the opportunity to visit the Schuylerville Elementary students during their lunchtime. Sarah Keen, Food Service Manager at Schuylerville Central School District, partnered with the local Kings Brother Dairy to provide a fun opportunity and incentive for students to eat their vegetables.
A "caught eating veggies" contest was held the week of December 7th during the students' lunch period. If students were "caught" eating their vegetables, they would receive a ticket. At the end of their lunch period, the tickets were collected for each class and counted. At the end of the week, the class with the most students "caught" eating their veggies got an ICE CREAM PARTY. The Farm to School Coordinator for Saratoga County surveyed the students who tried their vegetables,
8 | SARATOGA FAMILY | SPRING 2021
and asked what vegetables they tried and if they liked them. They kept a tally for each lunch period of how many students enjoyed their vegetables. The students were very excited to get "caught" eating their vegetables! The overall winner for the "caught eating veggies" contest was Mrs. Rathbun's class, with 91% of students eating vegetables!!
The top class in each grade won an ice cream party donated by Kings Brothers Dairy:
• Kindergarten - Mrs. Curtis (79%) • 1st grade - Mrs. Weed (89%) • 2nd grade - Mrs. Becht (73%) • 3rd grade - Mrs. Rathbun (91%) • 4th grade - Mr. Carner (80%) • 5th grade - Mrs. Penniman (74%) • McMurray & Jordan (honorable mention)
Keen went on to say "This was so well received! Multiple parents emailed to tell me how excited their kids were
about the contest, and even kids who pack lunch were begging their parents to put veggies in it. The kitchen went through nearly double our usual quantities of veggies during the contest. It was so nice to do something fun and ‘normal.’" The Farm to School program has been working away to keep things going during these unfortunate and unusual times of COVID19. “It was overwhelmingly rewarding to get back into the school and get to hear firsthand how this program impacts students all over our county,” said Foti, Farm to School Coordinator.
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