LOCAL • INDEPENDENT • FREE Volume 11 • Issue 10 • March 11 – March 17, 2016
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Behind the Thin Blue Line My Night on a SSPD Ride Along by Norra Reyes Saratoga TODAY
Saratoga TODAY Newsroom Manager Norra Reyes participated in a tour and ride-along of a typical night in the life of Saratoga Springs Police Officer Jonathan VanWie and his colleagues on Friday, March 4. Photo courtesy of the Saratoga Springs Police Department.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —Sergeant Mark Leffler’s experienced ears responded quickly to the voice I hardly noticed on the radio, breaking off our conversation about local DWI incidents. The lights and siren went on, and I could feel a slight increase in G’s as our vehicle sped down Broadway, traffic quickly moving out of our way. “Ambulance in route,” came dispatcher Aneisha Liska’s calm voice into the unmarked vehicle. That, I heard. It was about 3:15 a.m. on Saturday morning, March 5, about the time my ride-along shift with the Saratoga Springs Police Department was about to end, and it sounded like it was about to end on a sober note.
Up until this point, it had been fairly quiet, a routine night in Saratoga. I had arrived at the double doors on Lake Avenue leading to both the police station and the department of public works at around 8 p.m. Friday, March 4. The air was country-crisp and clean, wrapped in the welcoming twilight of the city lights that held the cold night at bay. I remember thinking, no wonder people make the drive from Albany up here after the bars close there. Saratoga Springs is quite pretty at any hour, and it smells nice. I paused at the security window of the Saratoga Springs Police Department and was welcomed by Officer Jonathan VanWie, 29, who wore his uniform with the ease of See Blue Line pg. 7
The Final Four Up for Auction Blue Streaks Buffalo Bound See Final Four pg. 51
Photo by Francesco D’Amico
by Rebbecca Davis Saratoga TODAY
BALLSTON SPA — Twice each year, in March and September, properties foreclosed on for tax delinquencies in Saratoga County are sold at public auction. On Tuesday, March 15, the 2016 Spring Auction will take place at 50 West High Street in Building 5 in Ballston Spa, and will feature approximately 60 parcels to bid on. See Auction pg. 12
Daylight Savings March 13th 2 a.m.
See pg. 34-36
Inside TODAY Blotter 5 Obituaries 6-7 Business 14-15 Education 26-27 Pulse 42-45 Sports 51-55
Weekend Forecast FRIDAY
57|29 SATURDAY
62|37 SUNDAY
60|39
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Week of March 11 – March 17, 2016
Man on the Street “When you were five years old, what did you want to be when you grew up?”
Dan Murphy, from Middle Grove “A garbage man. I would see the garbage man outside my house, and that’s the only job I knew about at five!”
Douglas Johnson, from Gansevoort “I wanted to be six. Six would mean I was a big kid. That’s about as far ahead as I could think back then!”
Hailey Burnside, from Saratoga Springs “A veterinarian. I love animals. When I was little, I cried when my mom killed a grasshopper!”
Penny Dodge, from Saratoga Springs “A showgirl. I wanted to entertain!”
“A veterinarian. I loved animals, and I still do. Now I want to be a scientist.” – Julie Stuart (left), from Broadalbin “A Marine biologist.” – Suzanne Moré – Straton (right) with her dog Badger, from Majorca Island, Spain
“A Veterinarian.” – Celia Calbone (left), from Saratoga Springs “A nurse. My mom is a nurse, so I thought I’d follow that route and take care of people. Now, I’m in nursing school!” – Nichole Scott (right), from Wheeling, West Virginia
Ryan Hodnett, with Riley Trujillo, from Garden Grove, California “I wanted to be a cop so I could help people.”
“I wanted to be an outdoorsman, an adventurer. When I became a teenager that turned into wanting to be a photojournalist for an outdoor magazine. Now I’m a consultant for solar energy at Apex.” – Bruce Matula, from Stillwater “I always wanted to do something with animals, like a vet. Now I’m in school and I work for a vegan food company, so I’m still helping animals!” – Caroline Matula, from Charlotte, North Carolina
Week of March 11 – March 17, 2016
NEWS 3
Camp TLC Wants You!
Spring Break Overnight Camp Seeking Families with Special Needs by Arthur Gonick Saratoga TODAY
LAKE GEORGE — If you are part of a family that has a child with special needs or a life threatening illness, or know one – this may be the most important story you read today. A fully funded overnight family camp program is looking to add 10-15 additional families to take part in this free, yet priceless experience. The details are below, but you must act quickly. Camp TLC – a free camp experience that connects children who have experienced medical or life trauma by offering unique ways of coping through recreational and performing art-based activities – is expanding to include Saratoga County families, and will take place during this year’s spring break period – from April 24-28. The camp will be hosted at the YMCA Camp Chingachgook in Lake George. Camp TLC, which stands for Together Living a Challenge, has a program model that incorporates the whole family unit into the camp experience – with an emphasis on developing necessary skills and building self-esteem as a means to overcome challenges. According to Founder and Executive Director Caroline Baumis, herself a native of Saratoga Springs, similar camps around the country have been successful over the past five years and she is particularly excited about establishing Camp TLC in her native region. “We are honored and grateful for our connections in Upstate New York and excited to expand our program to meet the needs of more children and families in Saratoga County. Our relationships with local organizations – including the Upstate New
York Austism Alliance – help us recruit new families so that we can provide a week of resources, respite, love and wellness.” “We are especially thankful for the support of foundations such as the Alfred Z. Solomon Charitable Trust, Charles R. Wood Foundation, and the Kennedy Mulcahy Fund of the Ethel and W. George Kennedy Foundation for their continuous support of our camp program.” Baumis has previously been involved with a day camp for backstretch workers and other charitable activities such as with Medical Missions for Children. She noted that the overnight camp model has proven to be logistically easier to achieve than day camps (where daily transportation could be an issue for some) while proving to be a superior experience for participating families. While many local families have been recruited for the April camp, the good news is that there is room for up to about 15 more. There is an application process, and it is requested that you apply by March
Families at Camp TLC will receive week of resources, respite, love and wellness.
21, to allow for screening and processing. Here is what you do: Visit https://www.ultracamp. com/camps.aspx - there is a drop down menu and click on “Kids Need More” to set up a secure account to transmit your information. The program is also looking for volunteers, including daily volunteers. Contact Caroline Baumis directly if interested at cabaumis@gmail.com or 917-363-5154. Donations, should you wish, would also be accepted, but Baumis indicated that the primary needs at this time are for volunteers and families. Families that participate in Camp TLC at Chingachgook will be able to participate in a broad variety of activities that you would expect from a comprehensive camp experience, including yoga, massage, a petting zoo, arts and crafts, bingo nights, sing-alongs with local favorite Rich Ortiz around the campfire, drive-in movie night, hiking and other outdoor activities, guitar and theater lessons, in addition to special theme days such as carnival day and color games in which kids get to ‘pie’ their parents. “That’s always a favorite,” Baumis said, laughing. Overall, “Our campers will love the warm and encouraging atmosphere and it serves the entire family,” Baumis said. For more information, visit www.thecamptlc.org. Camp TLC also has Facebook and Twitter pages.
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WEEK IN REVIEW
Sheriff’s Office Needs your Help Locating a Missing Wilton Woman WILTON — In the early morning hours of Friday, March 4, the Saratoga County Sheriff ’s Office responded to a call for a missing person. Christine Lee (pictured) was reported to have left the family home in the Town of Wilton improperly dressed for the weather conditions. Lee is described as a white female, 20 years of age, 5’9”, 135 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes and may be in need of medical treatment. The Sheriffs Office said that Lee was improperly dressed for the weather, wearing only pajama pants and had no footwear on. Lee also recently cut her hair to 1 to 2 inches in length throughout. An updated photo is not available.
Lee appeared to be under the influence of narcotics when she left her mother’s home. Anyone with information regarding Christine Lee’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Sheriff ’s Office at 518-885-6761.
Corinth Man Caught Driving While Intoxicated with Child Passenger CORINTH — A Corinth resident was charged with a DWI after driving under the influence with a child as a passenger. Michael P. Wetherby, 32, of Corinth was driving on Thursday, March 3 when he was caught operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated with a passenger under 16. Wetherby was charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Aggravated DWI
Child in Vehicle (class E felony), Aggravated DWI BAC at or above .18% (class E felony) Driving with BAC above .08% (class E felony), Driving while Intoxicated (class E felony), and Refusing Roadside Pre Screen Device. Wetherby’s record showed that he was charged with an additional DWI that occurred within the past 10 years.
Week of March 11 – March 17, 2016
Sheriff Zurlo Announces Appointment of New Undersheriff
BALLSTON SPA — Sheriff Michael H. Zurlo announced on Monday, March 7 that he has selected Richard L. Castle of Halfmoon to serve as
his Undersheriff, replacing Kevin P. Mullahey, who retired in February. Undersheriff Castle has been employed with the Saratoga County Sheriff ’s Office since 1989, and has served for the past two years as Chief of the Law Enforcement Division of the Sheriff ’s Office. In this capacity he was directly responsible for the day-to-day operations of the patrol division and various administrative functions including oversight of the 911 Communications Center, the New York State Accreditation Program, and the agency’s grant management.
According to Sheriff Zurlo, “I have worked with Rick since his early days with the Sheriff ’s Office and watched him progress through his career. His education, experience, work ethic and commitment to the Sheriff ’s Office and the residents of our County made him my first choice for Chief when I was elected Sheriff. As Chief, he has continued to excel and has played an integral part in all of the positive changes we have made in the Sheriff ’s Office over the past two years. I can think of no better person to serve as my Undersheriff.” Undersheriff Castle was scheduled to be sworn in this week.
Repeat Drunk Driver Sentenced to Maximum in State Prison BALLSTON SPA — Michelle A. Moyer, 44, of Saratoga Springs, was sentenced on Monday, March 7, following her sixth drunk driving related conviction (and fourth felony DWI conviction). She was convicted by a jury on the counts of DWI, a class D felony, as well as Obstructing Governmental Administration
in the second degree, Criminal Mischief in the fourth degree and three counts of Harassment in the second degree. Moyer received the maximum allowable sentence on each count – 2 1/3 to 7 years in state prison for the felony DWI conviction, and will be required to install an interlock device
on any vehicle she ever owns and/ or operates following her release. Additionally, Moyer was sentenced to consecutive one-year terms of incarceration on the Obstruction and Mischief charges, as well as three concurrent 15-day terms of incarceration for the Harassment violations.
Brief Strike at CP Rail Ends
FORT EDWARD — An unannounced strike early Monday morning, March 7 by maintenance workers at rail yards along Canadian Pacific Railway’s Delaware & Hudson line, ended after about eight hours. During that time, workers at the rail yards in Saratoga Springs, Fort Edward
and Whitehall set up picket lines. The main issues that caused the brief work stoppage involved claims by the union that CP Rail had not paid employees fully for time they worked, had not accurately paid employees at their contractual hourly rates, paid employees incorrectly or not at
all for holidays and vacations and deprived union workers of health insurance and supplemental sickness benefits while on medical leave or furlough. A March 14 meeting has been scheduled between the union and CP Rail in Chicago to attempt to resolve the issues.
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Week of March 11 – March 17, 2016
COURTS: William C. Kennedy, III, 43, of Clifton Park, pled on February 19 to the felony charge of criminal contempt in the first degree. Sentencing is scheduled for March 25. Edmond A. Wood, 51, of Fort Edward, pled on February 19 to the felony charge of driving while intoxicated. Sentencing is scheduled for April 22. Carl E. MacKenzie, 50, of Corinth, was sentenced on February 23 to 5 years probation after pleading to the felony charge of driving while intoxicated. Kimberly J. Becker, 24, of Mechanicville, pled on February 23 to the felony charge of driving while intoxicated. Sentencing is scheduled for April 19. James E. Bellamy, 33, of Ballston Spa, was arraigned on February 24 on the charges of two counts of felony driving while intoxicated; felony aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first degree, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the second degree, and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree. Sherman Rituno, 40, of Saratoga Springs, was arraigned on February 24 on the felony charges of nine counts of promoting a sexual performance by a child, and fifty-four counts of possessing a sexual performance by a child. Angel A. Gopi, 29, of Schenectady, was arraigned on February 24 on the charges of two counts of felony criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree, two counts of felony criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, and two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree. Robert M. Buckley, 28, of Schenectady, was arraigned on February 24 on the charges of felony burglary in the second degree, felony robbery in the second degree, petit larceny, unlawful imprisonment in the second degree, harassment in
the second degree, and two counts of felony grand larceny in the fourth degree. Delbert E. Parker, 39, of Schenectady, was arraigned on February 24 on the charges of felony burglary in the second degree, felony robbery in the second degree, petit larceny, unlawful imprisonment in the second degree, harassment in the second degree, and two counts of felony grand larceny in the fourth degree. Michael W. Winchip, 39, of Schenectady, was arraigned on February 24 on the charges of felony burglary in the second degree, felony robbery in the second degree, petit larceny, unlawful imprisonment in the second degree, harassment in the second degree, and two counts of felony grand larceny in the fourth degree. Kenneth R. Bickmeyer, 20, of Broadalbin, was sentenced on February 25 to 1 1/3 – 4 years in prison after pleading to the felony charge of burglary in the third degree. Avree Larkin, 25, of Cohoes, pled on February 25 to the felony charge of disseminating indecent materials to a minor in the first degree. Sentencing is scheduled for April 21.
ARRESTS: Jared R. Lozier, 23, of Albany, was arrested on February 19 and charged with speeding in a posted zone, improper lane use, driving while intoxicated, and driving with a BAC more than .08 of 1 percent. Shayne M. Richardson, 23, of Saratoga Springs, was arrested on February 19 and charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, and criminally using drug paraphernalia in the second degree. Victoria N. Wilson, 23, of Saratoga Springs, was arrested on February 19 and charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree.
BLOTTER 5 Jessica M. LeBrun, 22, of Glens Falls, John W. Beebe, 24, of Lake George, Joshua D. Cutter, 27, of Queensbury, Jordan S. Branchcomb, 22, of Fort Edward, were arrested on February 20, and each charged with one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, and one count of unlawful possession of marihuana. Additionally Wayne M. Phillips, 23, of Gansevoort, was charged solely with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, and Michael A. Taylor, 21, of Glens Falls, was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, and criminally using drug paraphernalia in the second degree. Kyle J. Quinn, 28, of Saratoga Springs, was arrested on February 21 and charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree, driving with no/an expired inspection certification.
Armand A. LaForest, 32, of Troy, was arrested on February 21 and charged with unlawfully fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle in the third degree, four counts of failure to signal a turn, two counts of failure to stop at a stop sign, driving the wrong way down a one way street, passing a red traffic signal light, reckless driving, failure to comply with lawful order of the police, improper lane use, unreasonable speed, and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the second degree. John D. Kennedy, 29, of Delmar, was arrested on February 21 and charged with driving with a BAC more than .08 of 1%, driving while intoxicated, and aggravated driving while intoxicated. Kailynne E. Neverett, 39, of Saratoga Springs, was arrested on February 22 and charged with driving while intoxicated, driving with a BAC more than .08 of 1 percent, and aggravated driving while intoxicated.
Thomas J. Blake, 23, of Saratoga Springs, was arrested on February 23 and charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree. Carson J. Davis, 22, of Corinth, was arrested on February 23 and charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle (three or more suspensions), and a registration violation. David O. Hunt, 25, of Gansevoort, was arrested on February 23 and charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree, and an equipment violation. Sarah J. Burger, 32, of Saratoga Springs, was arrested on February 25 and charged with driving with BAC more than .08 of 1 percent, failure to signal a turn (last one hundred feet), failure to signal a turn, and driving while intoxicated.
6 John Daniel Meader BALLSTON LAKE — John Daniel Meader (Jack) passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday February 18, 2016. Jack grew up in Schenectady and excelled in academics and sports. As a youth Jack became an Eagle Scout and was the youngest on record in New York State. He received a letter of commendation from then New York State Governor Thomas E. Dewey complimenting him for his achievement. Beyond Eagle Scout, he earned three Palms: Bronze, Silver and Gold. He was active in other youth organizations and spent many summers at the Schenectady YMCA Camp Chingachgook on Lake George. Jack was a graduate of Nott Terrace High School in 1949 (Schenectady) and a graduate of The Hill School Preparatory School 1950 in Pottstown, PA. Awarded an athletic scholarship, he graduated from Yale University with a B.A. in Political Science in 1954. Jack also received a professional certificate from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) In Management Engineering. He worked as a sales engineer for Albany Felt Co. (now Albany International) in Albany from 1954 to 1959 and graduated from Cornell University Law School with a J.D. in 1962 where he was also the assistant track coach from 1959 to 1962. He was admitted to the New York State, Ohio, and Florida State Bar. In 1964 he won the Republican primary for the U.S. House of Representatives in New York’s 29th District but was defeated by incumbent Rep. Leo O’Brien. He was assistant Attorney General of New York State from 1965 to 1968, Corporation Counsel for GE in Schenectady from 1969 to 1977, General Counsel for Glidden Division of SCM Corporation in Cleveland, Ohio from 1977 to 1981, He was President and Chairman of the Board of the Applied Power Technology Company (APTCO) in Jacksonville, Florida from 1981 to 1984 and President of Applied Energy, Inc., Ballston Spa from 1984 to 1988. Jack was a Lt. Colonel in the United States Army Reserve and was Deputy Staff Judge Advocate in the 3rd US Army JAG Corp - US Central Command. He was awarded the US Army Commendation Medal and was also the Senior Colonel, Comptroller, and Military Judge in the New York State Guard. Jack was a Judge for the NYS Department of Social Services and from 1988 until his death, he was an Administrative Law Judge for the New York State Workers Compensation Board in Menands, NY. Jack was a natural athlete. He was the National AAU High School 1000 Yard Indoor Champion in 1949, National AAU Prep School 440 and 880 Yard Indoor Track Champion in 1950, National AAU Outstanding Performer Award, Millrose Games Association in 1950, and Heptagonal Track 880 Yard Champion in 1954. Jack also won the 1948 Grout Run and was honored in 2013 to be the guest starter for the 75th Annual Grout Run. Jack was a candidate for the 1952 U.S. Olympic Team, but was unable
OBITUARIES to participate due to an injury. Jack was also the announcer at the William F. Eddy Jr. Memorial Track Meet sponsored by the Schenectady Police Department Benevolent Association (PBA) for fifty-seven years and he will be inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame (HOF) of the Schenectady City School District on September 12, 2016. Jack was born in Ballston Spa on October 22, 1931, one of five children born to Jerome Clement and Doris Luella (Conner) Meader. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Joel
JoAnn M. Whipple-Allen Saratoga Springs, NY — JoAnn M. Whipple-Allen, 68, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 4, 2016. In her younger days, JoAnn was employed at Planned Parenthood and EOC of Saratoga Springs. She loved crocheting and going to garage sales. JoAnn was predeceased by her brothers Frederick “Sonny” and Charles “Chuckie” Whipple and a sister Yvonne Wingler. Survivors include her sons Jacob DeLoriea, Donald DeLoriea and Darwin Gibbs; several grandchildren, nieces and nephews. There will be no calling hours and a graveside service will be announced at a later date in the spring. Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Buussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes of 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs (584-5373). Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com
Kathleen Ann Pierce SARATOGA SPRINGS — Kathleen Ann Pierce, age 70, passed away on Monday, March 7, 2016, after a long illness. Born on January 20, 1946, she was the daughter of the late Raymond and Edith Pierce. In 1968 Kathleen married Thomas E. Brophy. She is survived by her daughter Kelly (Mark) Freebern and her two grandchildren, Jamie Patrick and Jessica Ann Freebern, who are the light of her life; her brother Raymond (Jackie) Pierce and niece Andrea Pierce (Randy) Greer. Kathleen was deeply loved and will be remembered for her love of red roses. The family wishes to express their appreciation to the staff at Saratoga Hospital for their dedicated care to Kathleen. At Kathleen’s request, a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated privately at the Historic Church of St. Peter on Broadway in Saratoga Springs. Donations may be made in her memory to the Soup Kitchen Saratoga County located at 24 Circular Street, Saratoga Springs,
Week of March 11 – March 17, 2016 NY 12866. Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes of 628 North Broadway in Saratoga Springs. Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com
Lori Anne Bussing SARATOGA SPRINGS — Lori Anne (Aspelund) Bussing, 56, of Saratoga Springs, passed away, Tuesday, March 1, 2016 after a long, courageous battle with cancer. Born in Brooklyn, Lori was the daughter of the late Llewellyn and Elaine (Anderson) Aspelund. At the young age of one her dad was transferred to Massachusetts where she spent most of her formative years. In high school her father was then transferred to Saratoga Springs where she graduated from Saratoga Springs High School in 1977. After high school, Lori married her high school love and moved to Texas for several years, where her daughter was born. They then returned to Saratoga Springs and she gave birth to her son Alex. While raising her children gave her much pleasure, Lori also took on many successful endeavors. She started her own business, Blue Ice Originals, where she created beautiful crystal bridal sets and several brides commissioned her to make them the jewelry to wear on their special day. Music brought her heart and soul pure joy as she enjoyed singing with the Methodist Church choir for over 25 years; she learned to play the guitar and piano. Lori was the most creative and artistic individual as you would always find her working on music compositions as well as enjoying the company of her family and friends, just listening to music. She was especially fond of local artists “The Audio Stars” and “Garland Nelson”. Lori’s children, grandchildren and pets were very near and dear to her and her heart overjoyed with happiness by the ocean. Lori was an extremely spiritual lady, who wanted to spread immense love, joy and laughter to others. In her final months, she spent most of her time creating artwork and trying to educate others about Metastatic Breast Cancer. She wanted to hold a legacy by helping others and their families with this specific type of cancer. She will leave a huge footprint in the hearts of her family on how to be strong and get through adversities. In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her beloved niece, Melissa L. Leminen of Weymouth, MA. Survivors include her daughter, Ashley Murphy and her children, Gemma and Gavin Murphy of Saratoga Springs, her son, Alex Benjamin of Saratoga Springs, her sisters, Joyce (Thomas) Leminen and her children Cathleen (Thomas) Lloyd and Brenda (John) Chevalier of Quincy, MA, sisters Susan Aspelund and Carol Aspelund with her son, Reggie, of St. Louis
Week of March 11 – March 17, 2016 Park, MN. Relatives and friends gathered to remember her on Thursday, March 10, 2016 at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway in Saratoga Springs. Donations may be made in Lori’s memory to the Metastatic Breast Cancer Network (to aid in research), c/o Ginny Knackmuhs, Treasurer, 477 Ackerson Ave., Wyckoff, NJ 07481. Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com
Michael G. Quinn SARATOGA SPRINGS — Michael G. Quinn died at his home on March 4, 2016 of complications from Alzheimer Disease. Born on October 12, 1944 in Jersey City, New Jersey, Michael was the son of the late Michael J. and Adele (Eyre) Quinn. He is survived by his loving wife Brenda; his daughter Hannah, whom he adored and was truly proud of; a sister Margot (Boylan) and niece and nephew Laura and Greg. Raised in Ridgewood, NJ, Michael graduated from high school in 1962. He enlisted in the Army and was stationed in Turkey and Germany in the Army Security Agency. After his service, Michael pursued his education obtaining his BA in Medieval History from Rutgers University, a certificate from The Post Graduate Center for Mental Health in NYC, and his Master’s degree in Social Work from Fordham University. Michael met his wife Brenda at Fordham in 1978, the two became best friends and were inseparable from that point until his death. In 1986, after living and working in NYC for 10 years, the couple moved to Saratoga Springs. Michael was a clinical therapist, a job he loved, for 34 years. He practiced first at the Counseling and Human Development Center on Wall Street and then for the Samaritan Counseling Center of the Capital Region until his retirement in 2011. Michael was a dedicated therapist who never met a client that he didn’t like and find interesting. He was an avid bicyclist and kayaker, loved to read, work on cars, tell stories and have “adventures.” The family would like to thank Community Hospice of Saratoga for their compassionate care of Michael and the kindness and sensitivity they showed us during his final week. A funeral home service with military honors will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 12, 2016 at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway in Saratoga Springs. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer Association, Northeastern New York Chapter, 4 Pine West Plaza, Suite 405, Albany, NY 12205. Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com
OBITUARIES 7
Behind the Thin Blue Line Continued from front page.
someone twice his age. “I love it here,” he told me. “It’s a great department to work for – very much community-based policing.” We started in the dispatch office, where I met Aaron Deuel and Aneisha Liska, who field the calls as they come in. The room was softly lit, with most of the glow coming from the multiple monitors at each desk. One wall was lined with a glass partition between the front of the office and dispatch, and Sergeant Robert Dennis leaned in through the window to sing the praises of the dispatch department. “There aren’t that many cities left that still have local dispatchers,” he said. “The 911 calls are routed through the county sheriff’s office directly to the officers, but our calls are routed here.” Dennis explained that local dispatchers are supreme multitaskers. They not only dispatch the call quickly, but they simultaneously research the call and keep the officers updated with their findings, such as whether there might be a gun registered to the homeowner on a domestic dispute call. According to Dennis, county dispatchers don’t have time to provide that level of background, and that work provided by local dispatch has saved time, money, and lives. The station was bigger than it appeared, and tours are commonly held for schools and other groups. I was taken to the interview rooms where suspects and victims were questioned. We then visited the initial intake area where the personal belongings of suspects were inventoried and their photos taken. Hanging on the wall were sturdy shackles that made me immediately think of every prison movie I’d ever seen. I saw the digital fingerprinting station, the breathalyzer that was set and ready to go, the roll-call room that doubles for training, and the storage area for firearms. We also visited the room where the body
Officer VanWie and all Saratoga Springs Police Officers wear body cameras which are stored in this charging and download station. Photo courtesy of Saratoga Springs Police Department.
cameras were recharged and downloaded for future review or to be deleted, as the case may be. VanWie drove a marked police vehicle that was equipped with the standard dashboard camera, computer monitor and printer for checking license plates and inputting traffic tickets, and secure places for firearms. As we drove along, he demonstrated how he could flip a switch to see the speeds of all the cars coming toward us or going away from us, easily distinguishable at a glance. We drove through different areas of the city as a standard check, pulling through the train station, down Broadway and through different neighborhoods. We spoke about his training at the police academy, and the regular firearm training all officers receive throughout the year, even though state law does not require additional training for officers beyond initial firearm certification. VanWie’s training has prepared him for everything from domestic disputes to active shooter situations, and even to notice, in the few seconds that a car drove past us, that its inspection sticker was out of date. Around 11:30 p.m., after a few routine calls, I was handed over to the
care of Sergeant Mark Leffler, wellknown for his numerous DWI arrests and named 2014 Officer of the Year by the Saratoga Springs Police Lieutenant’s Police Benevolent Association. He had a hand in the background checks and training of some of the young officers working that night, and in his capacity as patrol supervisor on the midnight shift, we took his unmarked vehicle to back up some of the traffic stops of other officers. Just as VanWie did, we took a tour of various neighborhoods and businesses, checking that all is normal. By 1 a.m., Caroline Street had a strolling crowd of laughing people enjoying a relaxing Friday night with friends and coworkers. I couldn’t help but smile as we slowly pulled past the wave of people out having a good time. Some, however, were having too good of a time. Leffler and I pulled in behind one DWI stop, watching while Officer Joe Hughes put a driver through a sobriety field test. The sergeant explained each step to me as the driver walked a line, balanced on one foot, and finally turned and put his hands behind his back to be handcuffed with a rueful smile, knowing he’d been caught fair and See Blue Line page. 10
8
OP-ED
Viewpoint The Next Steps for Open Space
by Matthew E. Veitch for Saratoga TODAY It has been a great honor serving you. As I begin my fifth term as your Supervisor, I continue to be impressed that so many residents care enough about their City and its government, and want to be involved in the civic life of our great City. In 2015, I served as the Chairman of the Saratoga County board of Supervisors, and it was a great honor, in what was a fantastic Centennial year for the City of Saratoga Springs. Looking at issues and concerns at the County level gave me a unique perspective on the role our City plays in relation to its neighbors, both locally, and at the State and National level. Using that perspective, I will focus on some important local issues going forward – and none is more important to us all than open space. Last year, Saratoga County reestablished the Open Space Grant program, as part of my initiatives
as Chairman in 2015. Additionally, I was appointed to the City’s Open Space Committee at the end of 2013. This committee was dormant for many years, and was restarted in 2015. For the past year we have been developing a plan for the City’s Open Space Program. My colleagues on the committee have elected me the Chairman of this committee, and I believe we are ready to start moving forward in a more public way over the next two years. I want to thank my fellow committee members for their confidence in me, and specifically to thank member Charlie Morrison for temporarily chairing our committee over the past year, and getting us focused on our priorities. There are several issues to work on, including updating the City’s Open Space Plan, which was last updated in 2002. We have spent much of the past 14 years working on preserving various open space parcels in the City’s greenbelt, and have some great lands to show for it. The committee will continue to identify those parcels in the outer district that will be strategic to our City’s goals. Our Recreation Department has enlisted our committee to assist in finding some new lands for recreation fields and other recreation uses, and we have been looking at the map of the City to see if there are any potential parcels available for this use. What we need to start focusing on, in my opinion, are smaller parcels within the inner district to preserve as well. As part of
our plan update, we will look to develop a policy for criteria of preserving lots within the inner district, or ‘pocket parks’ that can either provide passive recreation within a neighborhood, act as a buffer between different land uses. The City currently has no program for doing this, and with continued building within the City’s core, we must evaluate where we may want to have some open lots to provide some respite from a more intensely developed area. Additionally, the $5 million bond act voted on by our residents in 2002 is almost depleted, so our committee will work on finding new ways of funding open space purchases for the City’s future. I have always said important issues that come up aren’t Democrat or Republican issues; they are issues and problems that you elect us to work together to solve. We live in the greatest City and County in the State of New York, and we should be proud of our successes. So many communities wished they had some of the problems that we have. I am so proud to be a native Saratoga Springs resident, and will act in a positive way to move our community forward, and continue our great success as a community, over the next two years in my term as your Supervisor. Matthew Veitch is one of two Saratoga County Supervisors representing the City of Saratoga Springs.
Week of March 11 – March 17, 2016
Where are the Urban Planners?
The Saratoga City Center Board has consistently dictated to the City Center Council that its parking garage proposal is in the best interest of the City of Saratoga; yet not one urban planner has come out in favor of this design. Rather, many have voiced their direct opposition to the City Center’s design. I am concerned that the preference of the City Center, with their vested interest in their own proposal, is being considered over expert urban planners, whom the city has not even sought council from. There is nothing progressive about the City Center Board’s parking garage proposal. In fact, it encourages an unhealthy commuter culture, discouraging people who work in the city to live in the city, shop in the city and create the sense of neighborhood and vibrancy that is so important to any burgeoning community. Two RFP’s (Requests for Proposal), incorporating elderly and workforce housing as well as offices into the garage, were presented to the city. These proposals would encourage people to work, live and play downtown; making Saratoga a great place to retire, creating a walk-able city for visitors and residents alike
and eliminating the need for so much commuter parking, while supporting the investments already made in the condos and hotels surrounding the proposed garage. The City Center’s proposal, on the other hand, features a walkway from the garage to the City Center. This means that people do not even have to step a foot outside of the garage and onto the streets of our city. How does this benefit any business in downtown, other than the City Center? I hoped, that when faced with a decision that will significantly impact the future development of our city, my elected officials would keep the best interests of our community in mind and carefully consider all proposals. I am extremely disappointed and concerned at the ease in which they have signed on to a short-sighted and unimaginative proposal that will leave its mark on our city for the next 50 years; Especially when they had an opportunity to create a plan that would add to Saratoga’s charm and character. Nicholas Anderson Saratoga Springs
Letters to the Editor Policy Letters to the Editor in response to a Saratoga TODAY articles or local issues are welcome. Letters should be 250 words or less. Preference is given to typed, concise letters. All letters are subject to editing for length or clarity. Writers are limited to one published letter per month. Letters must include the writer’s name, address and a daytime phone number for confirmation, but only the writer’s name and town will be printed. Anonymous letters are not accepted. Letters to the editor, opinion and editorial columns and articles submitted to Saratoga TODAY may be published in print, electronic or other forms. We reserve the right not to publish a letter. Submit to Norra@saratogapublishing.com.
Week of March 11 – March 17, 2016
OP-ED 9
Viewpoint
City Center and High Rock Parking
by Michele Madigan for Saratoga TODAY I want to clarify certain facts regarding the City Center’s plans to build a parking structure, and clear up any confusion amongst members of the public regarding the City’s RFP (Request For Proposal) to develop the entire High Rock parking lot. It is important to note that the City Center Authority is not a private entity; it was created by a legislative act of New York State to carry out governmental functions. The Mayor is an ex-officio member, and the Finance Commissioner acts as its agent, empowered to examine its accounts, finances, contracts, and leases, among other things. As such, the City Center and the City have a very close working relationship that is written into New York State law. The City Center approached the City Council on November 20, 2012 with a proposal to lease a portion of the High Rock lot upon which they would build - at their expense - a facility to provide much needed parking. The lack of covered and connected parking for vendors and exhibitors to unload marketing materials and wares at City Center events places them at a competitive disadvantage, which will worsen once competing
local convention facilities are open for business. This is unfortunate, as the City Center is a vital part of our local economy, drawing thousands of visitors each year to our hotels, restaurants, and retail establishments, supporting local businesses and generating tax revenues that fund our government and help keep our property tax rates stable. At that meeting, the Council agreed unanimously to allow the City Center to move forward with its plans. Although questioning the proposed $1 lease payment and resulting financials, I did offer my support, as did Commissioners Scirocco and Mathiesen, and Mayor Johnson. Commissioner Franck said that this was the best High Rock lot proposal that he had ever seen; he’d “worked the numbers” and was in full support. Soon thereafter, the City Center issued an RFP, receiving several responses and selecting one. Their plans have been subject to numerous public discussions, which resulted in several modifications. The current plan to lease approximately two-thirds of the lot and build a parking structure (that includes space for community events) on half of the leased land, with the City retaining development rights for the other half, has received all of the necessary approvals from the City’s various land use boards. While the above was transpiring, several local residents expressed reservations about these plans, suggesting a grander multi-use development of the entire High Rock lot that would simultaneously meet the needs of the City Center and provide other opportunities. The Council unanimously agreed to explore this alternative, and in the summer of 2015 the City issued an RFP soliciting proposals to develop the entire
lot. The City Center’s original RFP was focused on meeting the demonstrated downtown parking needs, with a structure occupying a portion of the High Rock lot, which they would pay to build. The purpose of the subsequent RFP issued by the City was to solicit plans to develop the entire High Rock lot while meeting those parking needs, which the City Center would not fund. The Council clearly stated that while we were issuing this RFP, and would be reviewing subsequent proposals, the City Center should continue to move forward with its plans. The City received two responses to this RFP, and the Council appointed the Technical Review Committee to review the proposals. At a special City Council meeting on February 25, 2016 the Technical Review Committee said they could not recommend either proposal due to parking, financing, urban form and engineering concerns. The City has been negotiating the aforementioned lease with the City Center since 2013; I assumed responsibility for these negotiations in September 2014. Given that the City Center has received all necessary approvals for their plans, and the Technical Review Committee’s concerns regarding the two High Rock lot development proposals, I presented this lease to the public and the Council on March 1, 2016. I plan to ask the Council to make a decision regarding the lease in April. If the Council approves this lease then the City Center will be able to move forward with their plans - leaving approximately two-thirds of the High Rock lot available for future development. Michele Madigan is the Commissioner of Finance for the City of Saratoga Springs
THE PAUSE BUTTON Clarity in a World of Information Overload and Extremes
There Oughta Be a Law by Norra Reyes Saratoga TODAY Maintaining law and order in the City of Saratoga Springs is as much of a challenge here as it is anywhere else in the nation, partly because the law is as living, breathing, and changeable as the people who make it. How is it possible, in a city of nearly 28,000 people, to create laws, ordinances and regulations that can keep them all safe, fed, housed, healthy, working, prosperous and happy? The short answer, according to Saratoga Springs Assistant City Attorney Tony Izzo, is it can’t always be done. “Sometimes you have to tell people that you really can’t write a law that does what they are asking it to do,” said Izzo. “The street performance ordinance is a good example of that. Some wanted to ban certain types of performances on public streets, and unfortunately, it falls to people like me to do the research and tell them that public streets are a traditional form of public expression. So say the courts, and so say a number of statutes. Some people get very disappointed when they hear that. They come to us with something they believe is a big problem and expect local government to do something decisive, but you can’t.” To make viable laws that work for a city-full of several thousand is a feat that requires an enormous amount of flexible cooperation. Moreover, we have the capacity to imagine a better way of living and communicate that vision. That’s how we can conceive a line between properties where none physically exists, and use that line to cooperate with local zoning
ordinances. We can describe and define a walkable city, and set common goals through a Comprehensive Plan to achieve it. We can meet and discuss on whether that goal went too far and resulted in too few parking spaces. We can hold hearings and propose laws to prohibit paving paradise, and do it all again to change our minds and build roads. We can weigh the needs of one group of individuals, such as businesses, beside another group of individuals, such as buskers, and find compromise. And it all begins with someone stepping up with an idea and communicating it to elected lawmakers. Saratoga Springs Mayor Joanne Yepsen said, “You could come in with an idea for a law tomorrow, to any one of us City Council members. We’ll sit down with people who bring ideas forward, and with city attorneys, and always do a public hearing. Sometimes you’re doing it because you feel personally that the city will be a better place if you pass this law, but usually it’s part of a momentum of some sort.” She gave the example of last year’s Busker Law, which began from some downtown businesses stepping forward with a concern. “We sat down with the business community and the street performers,” she said, “and everyone looked at a draft that Tony had put together, and then there was some back and forth, then it went to the City Council and through public hearings.” That’s the typical process of policymaking. Yepsen and Izzo both commented that City residents here do tend to be involved and cooperate to make the community as a whole a better place to live and work, that Continued on page 11.
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NEWS
Week of March 11 – March 17, 2016
Behind the Thin Blue Line
Continued from page 7.
square. Leffler inventoried the vehicle before the tow truck took it away, and as I watched him pull open the door, we were both hit by the smell of alcohol pouring invisibly out of the SUV. There was a domestic dispute call that also looked like it involved alcohol, as the man on the front lawn could barely stand. There were two other cars on the scene, and after checking with the officers, we went on our way. Another call came in about a man seemingly asleep behind the wheel of a parked car, and we drove up in time to see one of the patrol officers stepping back from the man as he bent over and lost his dinner. “At least he had the good sense to not start his car,” said Leffler, after he confirmed the officer didn’t need his help and we moved on. The dispatcher called us to back up one of the officers who had stopped a car with a handgun in it. Protocol requires backup in such cases, even for licensed guns. As the officer put the driver through a sobriety field test, Leffler removed the handgun from the car. “There’s a passenger,” he told me, so they couldn’t leave the gun in the car in that case. It occurred to me that much of police protocol was based in the common sense adage, better safe than sorry. And then it was after 3 a.m. and
we were being called, along with an ambulance, onto Caroline Street. Leffler was assessing the situation well before he stopped the vehicle, and he decided he could allow me to get out. There was a crowd of about 30 people on the south side of the street, and a few onlookers on the north side, where I first went to find out what was going on. The temperature had dropped considerably, and angry voices bounced like a thousand ping pongs through the cold night air, mingled with the lower but firm responses of the officers. “He’s bleeding, can’t you see he’s bleeding?” “You get your hands off me – don’t you tell me what to do!” “Ma’am, I need you to stand back.” I counted five police officers, including Leffler, and two first responders from the ambulance that had arrived. The officers were trying to separate the crowd, asking the onlookers to disburse so they could get to the heart of the problem, which appeared to be a group of women of various ages who were angry about the treatment of a young man who was sitting on the steps of a vestibule holding his head. He appeared to be okay except for something on his head that I couldn’t see because his hand was over it. The onlookers on the north side of the street told me they hadn’t
Aaron Deuel and Aneisha Liska are part of the small team of local dispatchers that route and research 911 and other calls. Photo provided.
seen a thing, so I moved back across the street to see and hear better. The young man was taken to the back of the ambulance and when next I saw him, he was holding a square white bandage to his head and yelling at the EMT who had a clipboard, “I’m only 17. I’m not signing nothing!” The group looked like family and friends dressed to celebrate something, and the party got out of hand. One of the bouncers at a nearby bar told me that the group had tried to get into one of the bars and the bouncer refused to let the young man in, and got punched in the face for his trouble. Another bouncer pulled
the kid off the first bouncer, and somehow the youth ended up on the ground. It wasn’t clear if he was pushed, thrown, or fell, but he hit his head on the way down. The crowd had grown as people were leaving the bars either to find out what was going on or to end their evenings. I was shivering and had to put my gloves on to keep writing, but the crowd didn’t seem to notice the cold. Men and women with varying degrees of delight or disgust on their faces passed by, watching as the officers continued to move the original party further down the street away from the spectators, who weren’t making things any easier for them. One sandy-blonde haired man of about 30 years old was practically skipping through the crowd, laughing and shouting something in slurred words with his arms out for balance, weaving in and out among the onlookers and the angry partiers. I could see the officers looking at each other to see who could get a handle on this guy, but there wasn’t one to spare – they each had their hands full with an angry person in their faces, refusing to go home or calmly explain what happened. Another onlooker, who smelled strongly of stale beer, began jeering and chanting at the top of his voice. The way the sound bounced between the buildings on the narrow street, I’m not sure people could really hear him above all the other voices crowding the night, but it suddenly occurred to me that there were not enough police officers to handle all these people if things did get ugly by something like the incendiary words this drunk was throwing. Looking at the officers’ faces again, it was clear they knew that, too, and I could see all their energies were concentrated on keeping the crowd calm. The scene appeared to be a lesson in the consequences of too much to drink. Caroline Street at 4 in the morning was filled with people stumbling, designated drivers supporting them out the doors, bouncers standing firmly with their arms crossed but ready, people shouting for cabs that couldn’t get through because of the police cars and ambulance, and the original group of about seven or eight women who would not disburse after the officers arrested and took away their young suspect. I glanced down at my notes for a second and looked back up to see an officer had pinned one of the women against the trunk of a police vehicle,
having cuffed one hand and was trying to cuff the other. She was yelling and fighting with all her strength, and it took three officers to hold her down and get her cuffed. The bouncer near me said the officer who had initially tried to handcuff her had the patience of a saint. It was hard to see much beyond their shadowed forms with the bright, flashing police lights behind them, but it looked to me like they were just trying to hold her still to get the cuffs on, but she used her whole body to fight them off. It was a far cry from the drunk driver earlier who ruefully smiled and gave himself up easily. I would later speak with Police Chief Gregory Veitch, who told me that it was standard procedure to hold an internal investigation with every use of force to assure that those incidents were being conducted appropriately. “I’m very proud of the officers and how we handle things,” said Veitch. “They could lose their tempers, and we train them not to. I’m very proud at how well they handle themselves in these situations.” Once the cuffs finally fastened, the middle-aged woman slipped between the officers down to the ground and huddled there, laying at the edge of the cold sidewalk next to the police car. At least four smartphones appeared in the crowd and began shooting video. The officers tried to help her to her feet, but she refused, saying she couldn’t breathe and had asthma. They immediately signaled for the EMTs to step forward and the ambulance rolled up closer so she could be placed in a stretcher and taken to the hospital. The street began to clear, then. It was as if it were the end of a movie, with all the tension suddenly drained as people walked away in different directions, chatting about what they’d seen. I was so cold my teeth were chattering, but I didn’t want to get back in the car just yet. Caroline Street had changed. Officers were getting into their cars or ushering onlookers on their way, bars were shutting doors and locking up, and the noise and smell were beginning to fade in the predawn. This was the street that hours earlier was filled with people taking a break from everyday life to enjoy each other’s company, the same street that became a tinderbox waiting for a match by 4 a.m., a match that never lit because of a thin blue line.
Week of March 11 – March 17, 2016
11
Spousal Options for the Inheritance of an IRA How to Minimize Taxes and Maximize Benefits
by Matt Dorsey for Saratoga TODAY In addition to property controlled by a Will or Trust, there are assets that pass directly to family and friends through beneficiary designations. A primary example of such an asset is an Individual Retirement Account (IRA).
IRAs were initially introduced in 1974 as part of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). They were designed to help people without a workplace retirement program to save money for retirement in a tax favored way. The main advantage of IRAs is that money held within them grows tax free. IRAs now represent the largest amount of retirement savings in the United States, with holdings of over $7 trillion in assets. If your spouse passes away and leaves their IRA payable to you, you will have certain options regarding that IRA. There are two basic types of IRAs – traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs. We’ll limit our discussion here to traditional IRAs where the spouse is the sole beneficiary because that is the most common occurrence. Upon the death of your spouse,
There Oughta Be a Law Continued from page 9.
people have dropped off volumes of information in support of new ideas for laws, and that it’s impressive how much work they put into it. Once a law is made, however, it’s not necessarily done. “I do believe a lot of policies do need to be reviewed every so often, and our charter insists we do that in certain cases,” she said. Yepsen remembered working with a group of Skidmore College students on a proposed environmental ordinance on vehicle idling, but there were enforcement concerns. “Sometimes Tony will say that all sounds good, but how is the City going to be able to enforce it?” said Yepsen. “All of these things need to be thought of ahead of time, troubleshooting them before you bring it to a vote.” Laws and ordinances and regulations are all as changeable as the public cooperatively decides. Anyone with a good idea can bring it in to a policymaker, and it is up to that
policymaking body to research it, figure out how much it will cost, who has to pay for it, who it will impact, and whether it will have any unintended consequences if it does become law. Here at the local level, anyone reading this with a good idea can simply hop onto www.saratoga-springs.org and find a list of contacts to reach out to with the idea. “That’s exactly how we get some of our proposals,” said Izzo. “Someone walks in and says there should be law. Sometimes it’s one person with a good notion, sometimes it’s a very detailed, well-thought-out petition signed by a lot of people.” Laws – good and bad – in all their complexity, do not physically exist, yet we have a police force and court system and policymakers all working on them day in and day out. It takes a concerted effort of public cooperation, flexibility, and imagination to make these living, breathing policies that keep our communities safe, prosperous, and peaceful.
you have four basic options regarding your deceased spouse’s IRA: 1) Lump Sum Distribution. You may take the entire amount of their IRA as a lump sum distribution. This distribution would be taxable as income to you in the year received, but would not be subject to any penalty. While this may be a tempting option, a lump sum distribution results in the loss of future tax free growth of those distributed funds. The next three options allow the funds to continue to grow tax free. 2) Spousal Rollover. You could opt instead to roll the IRA over into your own IRA. If you take distributions from that IRA before the age of 59 ½, they would be subject to a 10 percent penalty, but after you reach 59 ½, they are penalty free. Once you reach 70 ½, you must take annual minimum
required distributions (MRDs), which are taxable. 3) Inherited IRA. You could open an inherited IRA pursuant to the Life Expectancy Method. If your spouse was under 70 ½ when they died, you would then have to take out distributions based on your life expectancy, starting no later than the year your spouse would have become 70 ½. If your spouse was over 70 ½ when they died, you would have to take out distributions based on your life expectancy, starting no later than the year after your spouse died. These distributions would be taxable, but without any penalty. 4) 5 Year Method. If your spouse was under the age of 70 ½ when they died, you also have a fourth option available. You may open an inherited IRA and take distributions from the IRA over a
period ending on December 31st of the fifth year after your spouse died. This is the so-called “5 Year Method”. These distributions would be taxable, but without any penalty. IRA distribution decisions can be challenging, especially if you are also dealing with the grief of losing your spouse. To successfully navigate these decisions, you should consider retaining the services of an experienced estate planning professional to ensure the decisions you make are the best for you. Matthew J. Dorsey, Esq. is a Partner with O’Connell and Aronowitz, 1 Court Street, Saratoga Springs, NY. Over his nineteen years of practice, he has focused in the areas of elder law, estate planning, and estate administration. Mr. Dorsey can be reached at (518)5845205, mdorsey@oalaw.com, and www.oalaw.com.
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NEWS
Week of March 11 – March 17, 2016
Up for Auction 60+ properties go to tax sale Continued from front page.
Though tax delinquent auctions are a common practice, many people are not sure how the auction process works. Properties end up going to auction if the property owner does not pay their taxes. After two years of delinquent taxes, the foreclosure process begins, which usually takes roughly one year before the property goes to auction. “There is a wide range of reasons why people can’t stay current on their taxes, and it pains me to have to manage this process in our community. It’s a heartbreaking job but someone has to do it,” said Andrew Jarosh, Treasurer for Saratoga County. Though it can be difficult to manage a process that involves foreclosing on local homeowners, Jarosh also mentions how property owners have several chances and several years of opportunities to prevent their home or land from going to auction. Right up until the time the auction begins on March 15, property owners are allowed to pay off their delinquent taxes and keep their property. If paying off the taxes isn’t
possible, property owners can go to their town supervisor and request that their property be pulled off the auction block until the next auction, which in this case is in September. If after six months the property owner still cannot pay off their taxes but wants more time, the entire town board has to vote in order to approve the request. Due to people paying their taxes and making delay requests, the number of properties listed for auction often decreases as the auction date approaches. For the March 15 auction, 90 properties were initially on the auction list, but it is now down to roughly 60, an average number of properties for the March auction. As for the auction itself, it is quite similar to any other auction. Interested bidders register, and then get a paddle with their number on it, which they hold up to make their bids. “The auction is a fascinating process of civics at work,” said Jarosh. The auction takes place in a large room at the county complex, with information about all the properties posted
around the room. After everyone registers, the auction begins, and usually lasts about two hours. The auctions are conducted through open bidding, with no minimum bid. Sealed bids and absentee bids are not allowed. Additionally, bidders cannot bid on the behalf of the former property owner. The auctioneer chooses the price to start the bidding, which is usually near the market value of the property and goes down from there if no one bids. Once someone makes a successful bid, that bidder must make an immediate deposit of 10 percent of the bid or $200, whichever is more. A good personal check or cash will be accepted for the deposit, but credit and debit cards will not be accepted. After the auction, the bid goes to the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors for approval. The timeframe from the date of the auction to when the deed is finalized varies from roughly 60 to 90 days. Many people are attracted to tax delinquent property auctions because it is an opportunity to potentially obtain
a home or land for a reduced price. “I’ve seen properties go for $50,” said Jarosh. “For instance, if there is a parcel that is next door to three other houses, chances are one property may want to expand their own lawn. In this case, other people may not be too interested.” Though the prospect of incredibly inexpensive property may seem alluring, it is imperative that all interested bidders fully educate themselves about the auction and the property first. “Everyone should do their research first,” said Joanne Bosley, Director at Saratoga County Real Property Tax Services. “Look at the information we have online, at the county assessment database. I also recommend they go out and drive to the location to see the property. Some properties are landlocked, so they might want to make sure it has road access. They can also go to the county clerk’s office to see what information they have there. Really go out and know what you’re bidding on.” It is worth mentioning however, that while interested parties may drive by a property to view it, they may not step foot on the property whatsoever. “One of the downsides
is that you really don’t know much about the property until you’ve become the owner and can get inside of it and see the condition it is in,” noted Bosley. Jarosh agrees that doing thorough research is crucial to a successful auction purchase. He suggests interested buyers should explore the history of the property fully, including finding out about all liens against the property. Interested parties may want to check with the town planner to find out the property’s zoning and building regulations as well. The general public is welcome to attend the auction to observe. Attending an auction is a great way to learn more about the auction process, especially for those considering getting involved in future auctions. “In the March auction, a lot of parcels come in for the first time,” said Bosley. “It’s an exciting auction to go to.” Bidders should arrive at the auction on March 15 at 5 p.m. for registration. The auction will begin at 6 p.m. For more information about Saratoga County’s tax delinquent property auctions, and to view all terms and conditions of sale, visit saratogacountyny.gov.
Week of March 11 – March 17, 2016
NEWS 13
SHMD 2016 Raises Unprecedented $762k+
SOUTH GLENS FALLS — The 39th annual South High Marathon Dance (SHMD) raised an unprecedented $762,153.87, which was announced during the closing ceremony on March 4. The 2016 total surpasses the $621,680 that the students and community raised last year, and pushes the total amount raised to more than $5 million over the 39-year history of the dance. The total for this year’s dance follows months of work, fundraising, and of course, a 24-hour dance marathon in the gym at South High. The money will benefit 43 recipients—both individuals and organizations from South Glens Falls and neighboring areas. “You represent the highest standard of character, and as your principal, I am very proud of you,” said South Glens Falls High School Principal Carla Biviano. This year Maddie C. was the top student fundraiser, raising $15,679, among many other students who raised thousands of dollars. The top 15 dancers raised more than $105,000. In addition to the students, scores of local businesses held fundraisers for the community, which added thousands to the total amount raised. The elementary schools and the middle school students and families raised more than $62,000 for SHMD.
“We are so proud of you!” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michael Patton. Patton thanked the hundreds of volunteers, and families who support the dance, and asked for a special round of applause for the district’s “littlest Bulldogs,” (the elementary school students) who are the future of SHMD. The dance itself, which was streamed live at shmdlive.org, has grown each year since its inception in 1977. The event has progressed from a small dance in the high school gym to an event that brings the entire community together. Over the course of the last 38 years, SHMD has raised more than $4.8 million for more than 321 beneficiaries. This year, the total raised in 39 years hits approximately $5.5 million. After reviewing 180 applications, the student committee selected individuals and organizations as recipients of the 2016 Marathon Dance, some of which include: Angel Names Association; Lyme Action Network; Moreau Community Center; Open Door Mission; Project: Cameron’s Story; Rebuilding Together Saratoga County; Southern Adirondack Independent Living (SAIL); and The Ben Osborn Memorial Fund. For a full list of recipients, visit http://www.sgfcsd.org/ shmd-2016/.
All photos courtesy of SHMD.org.
The dance marathon fundraiser will benefit 43 recipients—both individuals and organizations from South Glens Falls and neighboring areas.
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BUSINESS
Week of March 11 – March 17, 2016
Award-Winning Shop Owner Finds Her Stride
Laura Palkovich, surpassing sales goals and winning awards in an industry outside her field. Photo by Rob Spring Photography.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Laura Palkovich, owner of Lily Saratoga, an exclusive bridal boutique located at 6 Franklin Square, was honored in February by WeddingWire.com with a Weddi Award. Palkovich was the winner in the “Follow Your Dream” Professional Achievement category at their national conference, WeddingWire World 2016. The award honors an individual who left a career in another field, ultimately finding success in the wedding industry. Palkovich was nominated and selected out of a pool of more than 30 industry professionals nationwide; following a public voting period and judging by a panel of industry experts. In 2014, Palkovich was approached by the former owners who were looking for someone to carry on their legacy after
a decade of ownership. With a background in sales, human resources and retail management, Palkovich, who also purchased her own wedding gown from Lily Saratoga, seemed to be the perfect fit. Lily Saratoga transferred ownership in late 2014 and has seen extensive growth since. Bringing new designer lines into the shop and expanding the web and social media presence have helped sales to increase by 15 percent in 2015. The upcoming year is shaping up to be a record-breaking one as well. “We are only 8 percent away from where we ended last year in terms of the number of brides that joined the Lily Saratoga family it’s amazing because it is so early in the year,” explains Palkovich. It is the mission of the staff at Lily Saratoga to make every bride feel like she is the store’s
top priority. A Lily Bride herself, Palkovich is committed to providing the ultimate in customer service, “It is my number one goal to continue to carry out the tradition of customer service excellence for our brides and their families,” said Palkovich. “The experience of Lily Saratoga is something so special and unique.” As Lily Saratoga continues to grow, Palkovich is excited for what the future holds. “I’m truly honored to be recognized in this way. Working with brides and their loved ones is a rewarding experience every day.” Located in downtown Saratoga Springs, Lily Saratoga carries bridal gowns, accessories, bridesmaids and flower girl lines. For more information and appointment inquiries, please visit lilysaratoga.com.
Mega-Mansion Back on the Auction Block SARATOGA SPRINGS — 36 Stony Brook Drive, a 25,000 square foot mega-mansion in the heart of Meadowbrook Estates, is once again up for auction, this time, at a greatly reduced price. A previous auction for this sprawling home was scheduled for December 19, 2015, but was cancelled after a potential buyer showed interest in the property. However, 36 Stony Brook didn’t end up selling, and it will be on the auction block again on Saturday, March 19. The estate will be sold at or above the reserve price of $3.995 million, a considerable decrease from the recently offered sale price of $8.9 million and the past reserve price of $4.9 million. The auction will be held by Platinum Luxury Auctions.
Sitting on 8 private acres, 36 Stony Brook Drive is a three-story home that includes five bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, a movie theater, full basketball court, a bowling alley, fitness center, outdoor tennis courts, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and an eight car garage. A grand entry foyer with winding double staircases, marble flooring and a
shimmering chandelier overhead welcomes guests into this massive, yet comfortable, home. A separate guesthouse on the property boasts two more bedrooms, two full baths and 1,200 feet of living space. 36 Stony Brook was built in 2007 by David Silipigno, a local entrepreneur with an intriguing past. After an investigation of his company, National Finance Corp., Silipigno pled guilty to fraud charges in 2003. He was under scrutiny once again in 2009 when his latest company, First Guarantee Mortgage, was investigated by the FBI for falsifying financial statements. For the last few years, Silipigno has been out of the limelight and focusing on charity work. He has recently sold his condo in Saratoga Springs and still has a mansion in Lake George. For more information about 36 Stony Brook Drive and the auction on March 19, visit platinumluxuryauctions.com.
Week of March 11 – March 17, 2016
March Networking ReRuns Consignment Breakfast in Ballston Spa Shop Closes Its Doors
BALLSTON SPA — The Ballston Spa Business and Professional Association will be sponsoring a Networking Breakfast on Tuesday, March 15, from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., hosted by Ellis Medicine, located in the Ballston Spa National Bank corporate office building, 990 Route 67 in Ballston Spa. Cost for the breakfast is $5 with advance reservation or $10 that morning, both payable at the door. Business and community members are welcome; you do not need to be a BSBPA member to attend this event. Membership information will be available. The BSBPA sponsors networking breakfasts every month throughout the year at different locations in Ballston Spa. For more information or to RSVP, contact Ellen at 885-2772 or info@ballston.org.
TCT Federal Credit Union’s Campaign Benefits Pediatric Patients BALLSTON SPA — TCT Federal Credit Union’s Care for Kids Campaign raised a total of $3,000 to benefit pediatric patients of two hospitals within the Credit Union’s service area of Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties. “The TCT Care for Kids Campaign has been a success thanks to the generosity of our members and employees. Their donations help us support the remarkable pediatric care provided by our area’s hospitals and help comfort children when they need it most,” said Curt Cecala, TCT Federal Credit Union’s CEO. TCT and their members have a long history of raising money for the Children’s Miracle Network, which supports the Children’s Hospital at Albany Medical Center. Expanding upon that success, TCT decided to help pediatric patients at the hospitals located in their tri-county service area as well. Funds were raised by offering members and staff the opportunity to make a $10 donation in exchange for the TCT Care for Kids stuffed animal for 2015 - Luka the Lion. A $1,500 donation was made to each hospital and a supply of stuffed animals was provided to be distributed to sick or injured children to help calm and comfort them when admitted to the hospital or emergency room.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Stuart Armstrong sat behind the counter of his Phila Street consignment shop, much as he has the past 14 years, and at his previous storefront another near-dozen years before that. After a quarter-century of selling vintage clothes and thousands of other pieces of America’s past, at month’s end, Reruns will be no more. Last week, Armstrong was told his lease will not be renewed. “The times they are a-changing,” he says, the vintage sounds of Smith Ballew’s orchestra floating through the store. “I was kind of shocked.” In 1990, Armstrong was working at Raymond’s Bootery – a popular Broadway shoe store owned by one-time city mayor Raymond Watkin – when he saw opportunity in a vintage consignment shop that was closing its doors. It was called Orphan Annie’s. “I figured I would carry on in Orphan Annie’s footsteps,” he says.
Price Chopper and Market 32 Supermarkets Raise Close to $40K for JRDF SCHENECTADY — Price Chopper and Market 32 Supermarkets’ pin-up campaign during the month of January 2016 raised $39,854 for JDRF (originally branded as Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation). “We’re proud to fortify our partnership with JDRF, not only through the Diabetes AdvantEdge and community nutrition programs that we offer, but with our support for this annual campaign to raise awareness about Type 1 diabetes,” said Mona Golub, vice president of public relations and consumer services. “The funds that are raised help to make critical programs and services available to the children and their families who are managing its symptoms.” JDRF is the leading global organization that is funding type 1 diabetes research, is developing better treatments
BUSINESS BRIEFS 15 and is dedicated to finding a cure. For more information, visit http://jdrf.org/
Chamber Networking Breakfast SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce will feature Michael Brown from Death Wish Coffee and Pat Pipino from Ben & Jerry’s at the March Networking Breakfast on Tuesday, March 15 from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the Holiday Inn. Cost of this event is $20, $25 at the door. Recently, Death Wish Coffee won a national competition amongst small businesses for a commercial during the third quarter of the Super Bowl. Pat Pipino went viral on social media and news outlets in 24 hours due to a
letter that he wrote to his kid’s teacher explaining that they were tardy due to the Bruce Springsteen concert the night before. Both instances brought a great deal of attention to Saratoga County!
Women’s History Month Saturday STILLWATER — Artist and Colonial period educator Jennifer Morrow will inspire women of all ages as she presents readings from original letters and diaries of girls and women who lived at the time of the Battles of Saratoga and Revolutionary War. Enjoy English tea while Jennifer shares heartfelt stories of how women and girls lived and loved during the 18th century. Join us at the Visitor Center at Saratoga National Historic Park
on Saturday, March 19 from 2 to 3 p.m. Snow date is the following Saturday, March 26.
Patricia Fogg Named Relationship Manager at Ballston Spa National Bank BALLSTON SPA — Patricia Fogg has been named relationship manager at Ballston Spa National Bank according to Chris Dowd, president and CEO. Ms. Fogg will be responsible for providing financial solutions to customers and for maintaining the daily operations of the bank’s Latham branch office. Ms. Fogg has more than 10 years of experience in the banking industry. Prior to joining BSNB, she was a financial services representative and loan officer at another local financial institution.
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Week of March 11 – March 17, 2016
Spring Into Fashion-Forward Eyewear
by Susan Halstead for Saratoga TODAY Hard as it may be to believe, spring is right around the corner and with it comes a whole new collection of frames
and sunglasses from every designer you can think of ! Go Big or Go Home. Large frames and sunglasses continue to dominate the market. Just look to the fashion runways of New York to London and Paris to Milan. Whether you pick a large aviator by Ray Ban or an oversize square by Boss, you won’t want to be seen in your tiny frames anymore. Cat Eye Suns Still Rule. While traditional cat eyes are still available, it is the combination of round and cat that are this season’s new rage. Check out Dolce & Gabbana and Dior for the glamourous, glitzy frames and suns that come in both traditional black
and tortoise but also in bright colors and floral prints. Colorful Lenses. Although the traditional grey and blue lenses are still available, many designers have opted for dark purple hues, amethyst, dark reds and light yellow hues. These give the wearer a more exotic and sophisticated look. Dress Eyewear Blues. Virtually every designer line has launched several styles of everyday eyewear in various shades of blue. Etnia Barcelona Men’s, LaFont Paris Ladies and Predesign all have their own versions of men’s and ladies blues from dark navy to bright sky blue and aqua. The warm hues offer a nice alternative from classic black and tortoise. Rimless Remain. When Silhouette released drill mount titanium eyewear in 2002, it quickly went on to become the hottest selling frame in the history of eyewear! Ever popular through the years, Silhouette continues to offer the classic, minimal design styles but also added thick, colorful temples and bold designs to fill out the line. Suns to Match Your Outfit. For inspiration, check out Dolce & Gabbana colors, flowers and patterns that match their clothing lines. So much more fun than pairing that purse with your shoes and nails! Whatever your style
preference is, this collection has something for everyone! With all the new products being released this month, many offices will be hosting sales and trunk shows, making Spring a perfect time to buy new eyewear at great prices! Very few medical devices are as fashion-forward as eyewear, and it is the first thing people notice when you walk into a room; make an
impression by updating your glasses…see better and look better…it’s a win-win! Susan Halstead, ABOC, FNAO is a Nationally and NYS Licensed Optician and owner of Family Vision Care Center on Lake Avenue in Saratoga Springs. Susan may be reached for comments or questions at 584-6111 or via email, Susan@ familyvisioncarecenter.com
Week of March 11 – March 17, 2016
Families
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TODAY
Make A Difference Locally: Join Rebuilding Together themselves suddenly in need of some assistance. Each volunteer is asked about their availability and their skills and is then assigned a project that will fit in with what they are looking to do. The organization strives to have their skilled plumbers, electricians, and carpenters serve as mentors. “That’s what I love to see happen,” said Larkin. Volunteering has served as a rite of passage for many of the neighborhood
by Megin Potter for Saratoga TODAY SARATOGA SPRINGS — Complaining about the neglected buildings in your neighborhood doesn’t do anything to change them. The volunteers in organizations like Rebuilding Together Saratoga do, and they want your help. A home doesn’t deteriorate in a day, but that can be all the time that’s needed to fix it. This spring, workdays are being scheduled for an army of volunteers to go out and make a difference in their community. There’s a lot you can do… We all know how to do different things. That’s why working together can be an effective way to get things done. Since 2003, Rebuilding Together Saratoga has been bringing volunteers of all ages and skill levels together to assess, repair, and beautify a total of 715 homes and 73 non-profit sites in the Saratoga community. “That’s the neat thing, we live in an area where people are very gracious and generous,” said Rebuilding Together Saratoga cofounder and executive director Michelle Larkin. The needs of the elderly, those living with a disability, or with a low-income, are quite similar, she said. “Only the addresses change, the projects all stay the same.” Let me show you… Building ramps, repairing floors, and modifying bathrooms are some examples of common projects that Rebuilding Together Saratoga volunteers complete regularly. The story of how people come to be in need of them is always unique. Some, like those diagnosed with an illness, got progressively worse. Others have endured a tragic accident and find
children, including her own. They started out doing yard work and painting, and went on to learn so much from the good training they received from the community-minded people on-site that they now have the added benefit of being able to use those skills in their own homes. It’s the small things… “For one family, all we did was go in and replace a door. In the scheme of things, it’s not a
huge project for us, but for them, it is,” said Larkin. That’s what it’s all about; helping to make homes healthy and safe by maintaining affordable housing in the community. That’s why so many well-known local companies continue to sponsor them and just last year approximately 900 people volunteered to help. “We try to squeeze every little nickel out of the dollar that we can,” said Larkin.
Rebuilding Together Saratoga Springs volunteer workdays are scheduled for April 30, May 7, 14 & 15, with a volunteer orientation day on April 6. If you would like to volunteer, please email Michelle Larkin at michelle@rtsaratoga.org or call Marian at 518-587-3315 instead of completing the online form. By request, special arrangements can be made for families bringing children ages 14 or younger.
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Families
TODAY
Week of March 11 – March 17, 2016
Senior Calendar… Adult & Senior Center of Saratoga 5 Williams St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 (518) 584-1621 ROAD TRIP!!
Boston - Wednesday, March 16 Enjoy a day in Boston, shopping, eating and sightseeing! Or pretend it’s spring and go to the Boston Flower Show. $37 member, $57 nonmember. Add $17 for flower show. Bus trips are open to all regardless of age, residency and membership. Sponsored by Adirondack Trust Community Foundation
ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATION
- Thursday March 17, 9-11 Hot Breakfast and Irish Music. Enjoy a delicious hot breakfast while listening to Jeff Walton perform your favorite Irish songs. $5.00 members only. Must sign up by Friday, March 11.
HAPPENINGS AT THE CENTER!
Movie - $2 members / $4 nonmember, inc. snacks. sign up! Fri., Mar. 11, 1:00pm - “Elsa and Fred” starring Shirley MacLaine and Christopher Plummer Fri., Mar. 25, 1:00 “Bridge of Spies” starring Tom Hanks Health Screening by Saratoga County Public Health - Mon. Mar. 14, 10-12 Blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose checked. Free. Open to the public. Make an Easter or Spring Wreath - Tues., Mar. 15th, 1-3pm. The wreath class has become very popular. Create a colorful wreath with Marylou. Supplies provided. Bring your own special decorations. Free.
Everything You Need to Know About Medicare! Wed., Mar.16 11:30-12:30 Join Kim Weaver, MVP, and gain a better understanding of the most important things to know about Medicare. Free. Open to the public. Art Workshop - Wed. Mar. 16 at 1:30 -3. Please come in and help finish the ‘make-over’ of our community room tables in the chalk paint style. Book Club - Tue., Mar. 29th at 3pm Discussing “The Goldfinch” by Donna Tartt. Please join us! Board Games - Thursdays at 10:30 The ACE students from Saratoga Bridges will be here to play board games. Join the fun! No sign up required. Computer, Phone, and iPad
Help – Mon, Tues, Wed., Thurs., 3-4 Students are in the house! Must sign up! Tarot Card Reading with Mary Shimp ¬- Thurs., Mar. 31st, 9-11. A reading can give you an idea of where you are now, where you’ve come from, where you want to be, and how to get there. Donation.
2016 ONE DAY BUS TRIPS
Open to non-members, you do not have to be a Saratoga resident. Must be able to travel independently. Wed., Mar. 16: Senior Swim: Waterpark Fun: at the Great Escape Indoor Water Park. Soak up the sun in tropical 82 degree temps. Swim, slide and ride the lazy river. Leave the center at 9:30am. Pay $10 van fee at sign up. Bring $20 admission. Lunch is included. Return at 2:30pm. Thurs., Mar. 17: “Bye Bye Birdie”: Senior Preview Performance. Pay $1 at sign up. Play is free. Leave the center at 2:45. Fri., Mar. 18: Capital District Garden and Flower Show: Walk into a garden lover’s paradise of fully blooming gardens, floral arrangements exploding with rich colors and fragrances. Lunch at Moscatiello’s Italian Restaurant. Pay $20 at sign up. Bring lunch and shopping money. Leave center at
9:15am. Wed., Mar. 23: Hyde Museum: “Norman Rockwell in the ‘60s”. Trace Rockwell’s transformation from a painter of people and life’s small moments, to a powerful visual commentator on democracy, freedom, and justice. Lunch at The Peppermill. Leave at 10am. Pay $10 at sign up & bring lunch money. Admission is free - please bring a $5.00 donation. Tue., Mar. 29: Lunch Bunch: “Grapevine Farms” Shop, browse the greenhouse and enjoy lunch in a historic farmhouse. Leave at 9am. Pay $10 at sign up & bring $ for lunch and shopping. Thurs., Mar. 31: Bowling: Saratoga Strike Zone: When was the last time you bowled? Join us and have some fun trying to knock those pins down! Leave the Center at 10:30. Pay $1 at sign up for van. Bring $4 per game, max. of 2 games, shoes inc. Bring money for snacks or lunch. Wed., Apr. 6: Perthshire Inn presents: “Laura Roth” Enjoy lunch while listening to this incredible one-woman entertainment genius. Leave at 10:45. Pay $50 at sign up. Sign up by Mar. 30. Sun. Apr., 24: HMT presents “Calendar Girls” Pay $25 at sign up, inc. van and admission. Sign up by Mar. 30.
Week of March 11 – March 17, 2016
Families
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TODAY
The Summit at Saratoga
New Independent Senior Living Opens this Summer SARATOGA SPRINGS — In a move designed to provide greater choice to Capital Region seniors seeking independent housing, Summit Senior Living, LLC is constructing a 110-unit rental complex called The Summit at Saratoga on Perry Road off Route 50 in Saratoga Springs.
The three-story apartment project, which is already underway, will be situated on 12 acres and will comprise of one building with an integrated clubhouse featuring an indoor pool and hot tub, sauna, fitness center, full-service salon, tavern, movie theater and a variety of other
The Summit at Saratoga is being constructed as an identical, sister community to The Meadows at Glenwyck located in Glenville. Photos provided.
recreational areas, including bocce ball and pickle ball courts. “The Saratoga Springs market is underserved in terms of luxurious, yet affordable housing options for those over 55,” said Summit Senior Living, LLC Principal Adam DeSantis. “This community will give seniors tremendous value for their money as there are no entrance fees. Included in each month’s rental fees is access to our Senior Engaged Life® (SEL) program, which allows residents to remain active in mind, body and spirit as they enjoy everything from regular speakers and outings to Pilates and cooking classes.” Once completed this summer, The Summit at Saratoga will feature a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments ranging in size from 715 to 1,065 square feet. Finishes will include upscale carpeting and floor tile, granite countertops, balconies/patios for all apartments, full-size washers and dryers in each apartment, central air conditioning and 24-hour emergency services through an emergency call and fire detection system.
Christy Durant
Rents will also include cable television and Internet service, water, sewer, trash and full access to the SEL services featuring links and referrals to community service providers, educational programs, health and wellness activities, recreational events, finance/legal resources, social opportunities, transportation services for shopping and medical visits, as well as a daily continental breakfast. “We believe that Capital Region seniors who enjoy an active lifestyle will be attracted
to The Summit at Saratoga,” said DeSantis. “This community is within minutes of an array of retail conveniences including major grocery and big box outlets. The site is also a short distance from downtown Saratoga for those who enjoy fine dining and other attractions.” The Summit at Saratoga is Summit Senior Living’s third Capital Region project. Eastwyck Village, a 144-unit senior retirement community for seniors 62 and older, opened in North Greenbush in 2011. Last year The Meadows at Glenwyck, a 110-unit independent living community designed for those 55+ who want to maintain an active, healthy lifestyle without all the hassles of home ownership, opened at 150 Dutch Meadows Lane in Glenville. Anyone interested in reserving an apartment may call Christy Durant, The Summit’s senior living consultant. Durant is responsible for leasing the facility’s 110 apartments, as well as overseeing all aspects of the community’s marketing activities. For more information, call 518-926-9003.
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TODAY
Week of March 11 – March 17, 2016
Getting Fit For Summer Safely
by James Markwica for Saratoga TODAY Although we have few reasons to wish away the winter that never really was, there is something so wonderful about longer sun-lit days and rising average daily temperatures. It may be premature to daydream about lounging by the pool, camping and hiking. However, given the average lack of physical activity that accompanies winter it is high time to start
reorganizing you priorities and start getting a little bit more physical! The push is officially on to prepare your yard, your deck, your pool and then finally YOURSELF. Bathing suit season is right around the corner, and if you aren’t already taking action you’re not going to be stoked when you put that suit on the first time this summer. So it is time to get started. Motivation is the hardest part for anyone to initiate a safe and consistent exercise program. In case you need more incentive, courtesy of the Mayo Clinic, here are six benefits of regular physical activity and a pretty good reason to get moving. 1. Exercise improves your mood by allowing end of the day decompression. 2. Exercise combats chronic diseases such as heart disease, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity and osteoporosis. 3. Exercise helps weight management by burning calories and dropping pounds while improving metabolism. 4. Exercise boosts your energy level by improving your
cardiovascular strength and stamina. 5. Exercise improves your sleep by helping to fall asleep faster and deeper allowing longer periods of undisturbed sleep. 6. Exercise can be fun when engaged with other family members and friends. Additionally, regular exercise promotes physical strength and flexibility that prevent bodily break-down. Motion is Lotion! So it is time to get moving and you don’t know where to start. This may be the case whether you have a history of formally working out in a gym or your home or not at all. First of all, you need to assess your baseline or your current physical fitness level. A few simple examples and measurable scores can be obtained by YOU such as your pulse rate before and after walking a distance whether it is a half or a full mile. How long does it take you to walk that distance? How many push-ups or sit ups can you do in a minute or two. How far can you reach towards your feet while sitting on the floor with legs outstretched? And what is your waist measurement? What is your percentage of fat that makes up your body? If you cannot find answers to these questions, there are resources out there for you. Once you have obtained measurements for each of these questions you can begin formulating your workout program. Establish your goal! What do you want out of this? Is it general fitness, recovery from a previous injury, or are you training for an event? Answering this question will help you determine your actual exercise catalog. Designate time out of your day! If you don’t schedule yourself the time to work out daily or a few times per week you’re likely to never do it. Build or plan your routine! Try to be creative and include various activities to avoid boredom. With
so many options via work-out classes at both small and large facilities along with comprehensive work-out videos it is easy to do. Make a daily log and stick to it. Use your log to track your progress. Allow a warm-up and cooldown period! Be sure to stretch during these periods. Start slow and progress slow. What’s the hurry? Stretching can be just as important as your actual physical workout routine considering the benefits. Stretching not only increases flexibility, but it also promotes improved range of motion in joints. In turn your muscles are less likely to be strained before, during and after activity. Additionally, stretching improves circulation to your muscles by increasing blood flow demand. In all, working on your flexibility will directly relieve stress in tense muscles. Here are some general but great stretches for the whole body: - ‘Tree Hugger’ – Place your feet a little less than shoulder width apart and about 12 to 16 inches from a small tree or a railing/banister. Hold onto the tree or railing with both hands at waist height as you keep your knees locked leaning back away from your grip. You should feel stretching throughout your arms, upper and lower back and legs. - ‘Trapezius stretch’ – Sit or stand tall with one hand behind your back as you tilt your head the other way until you feel a gentle pulling in the upper trapezius in the neck. Be gentle and don’t overstretch. Hold for up to 10 seconds for 3 to 5 reps in both directions whenever needed. - ‘Door stretch’ – Stand in front of a door frame with elbows at shoulder height. You’re your palms and elbows resting on molding take a few small steps forward until you feel a gentle stretch through the front of your shoulders and chest. Don’t lean
forward! Control your stretch with steps. Hold for 10 – 15 seconds for 3 to 5 reps. - ‘Hamstring Stretch’ – Lay on your back with knees bent. Bring one knee up to your chest and hold with both hands as you raise your foot towards the sky. Feel a gentle stretch behind the leg holding for 10 seconds for 5 reps on both sides. Now that you are on your way with a few general stretches and a self designed workout plan its time for a couple of extra safety tips to avoid injury especially when working out outside. Take it easy when in the warmer temps. As the day becomes warmer attempt to lower the exercise demand if need be. Drink lots of fluids to replenish when sweating. And finally, dress appropriately and wear sun screen to avoid over-exposure. Know when to say when a rest is needed. Remember, injury is the #1 reason that people stop working out, running, hiking or going to the gym so listen to your body. If you or someone you know suffers from pain and is considering a new work out program please be aware that it is illadvised to begin a new exercise program without consulting first with your Physician, a physical therapist, certified athletic trainer, exercise physiologist, physiatrist or other specialist. It is important to first get an accurate diagnosis for the cause of pain, as the specific exercises recommended will depend on the cause. James Markwica, MS PT is a New York State Licensed Physical Therapist at LaMarco Physical Therapy, 417 Geyser Road in Ballston Spa and 538 Maple Avenue in Saratoga Springs.. For questions or followup, contact James at 587-3256 or online at www.lamarcopt.com.
Week of March 11 – March 17, 2016
Families
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TODAY
Tax-wise Retirement Basics
by Stephen Kyne for Saratoga TODAY The days are starting to get a little longer, the birds are singing, and the snow is almost gone, which can only mean one thing: it’s tax time! Tax season presents an opportunity to review your strategy from last year, make some last minute changes, and plot a path for the coming year. Part of that review should include your strategy for maximizing contributions to tax-deferred, and tax-free retirement plans. With so many types of accounts available to you, are you sure you’re prioritizing properly? When it comes to taxation, most of the retirement plans available to you fall into two categories; tax-free, or tax-deferred. Tax-free accounts include a Roth IRA, Roth 403(b), and Roth 401(k). What differentiates a “Roth” account from other accounts is the tax treatment for contributions, and for distributions in retirement. In these accounts your contributions are taxed normally, but all of the growth in the account grows to be tax-free once you’ve reached retirement age of 59.5 or older. In this way, you’re being taxed on the “seed” money, but the “harvest” grows tax-free. This type of account won’t reduce your tax liability today, but it can go a long way to provide sizeable tax-free income in retirement to supplement your other income sources, and give you greater control over your tax liability at a time when making your assets last will be your greatest concern. If you qualify to contribute to a Roth IRA, remember that you can make prior year contributions right up until the tax filing deadline, so if you forgot to contribute for 2015,
there may still be time! Most of the other account options available to you fall into the tax-deferred category. These include Traditional IRAs, 401(k), 403(b), Simple IRAs, SEP IRAs, and 457 Deferred compensation plans. Generally, these are the nonRoth options available to you at work. In these types of accounts, you will receive a tax deduction in the current year for contributions you make, but the growth in the account will be fully taxable to you in retirement. In these accounts, you receive a tax break on the “seed”, but the “harvest” grows to be fully taxable. With all of the options that may be available to you, it can be a bit overwhelming to prioritize where you should be saving. Once upon a time, the thinking was that you would be spending less money in retirement, so your tax bracket would be lower, making tax-deferred accounts more beneficial. If you got a deduction during your working years, when you were in a higher tax bracket, and withdrew money from the accounts when you were in a lower tax bracket, that thinking may still hold true. For many people, however, that logic falls apart, as Boomers have redefined retirement. No longer content to retire to a porch swing, retirees are spending more in retirement as they travel and fill their free days with activities they never had the time to pursue while working. Often people think of diversification only in terms of stocks and bonds, but it’s important to also be diversified in the tax treatment of your various accounts. Having a mixture of taxable, tax-free, and tax-deferred accounts to draw from in retirement will give you the most control over your tax liability to help ensure your assets will enjoy the same longevity that you do. Here are some general rules of thumb for helping to prioritize your savings: 1. Many employers will provide matching contributions for your employer-sponsored retirement plan, so you should consider contributing to the match as your first savings priority. If your employer will be contributing 3% of your salary when you do, then you’ve essentially received a 100%
return on your contributions in the first year. Don’t turn down free money! 2. Once you’ve contributed to the match in your plan at work, then your next priority should be maximizing contributions to your Roth IRA, if you are eligible to participate. Because the tax-free treatment of these types of accounts is so powerful, you’re restricted in how much you can contribute. For many, the limit is $5,500, but if you’re over age 50, you can make an additional $1,000 “catch-up” contribution. You may even still be able to contribute for last year. 3. Once you’ve maximized contributions to your Roth IRA, then it’s back to your employersponsored plan. Depending on the types of plans offered by your employer your total contributions could be as high as $53,000. Not everyone can afford to contribute at that level, but every bit helps, and the earlier you start, the more time will be on your side. Everybody’s circumstances are different, so be sure to work with your financial advisor and tax advisor
to determine the best savings plan for you. Balancing your tax liability today, while planning for favorable tax treatment in the future, in order to provide for a sustainable retirement is the ultimate goal of your advisory team. Stephen Kyne is a Partner at Sterling Manor Financial, with
offices in Saratoga Springs and Rhinebeck. Securities and investment advisory services are offered solely through Cadaret, Grant & Co. Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Sterling Manor Financial and Cadaret, Grant are separate entities.
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Families
TODAY
Week of March 11 – March 17, 2016
The Power of a Lighthouse
by Meghan Lemery Fritz, LCSW-R
for Saratoga TODAY Do you find yourself unable to sleep at night worrying about your loved ones? Are you constantly spending your time trying to fix the problems of the people around you? Do you consume yourself with worry and find it hard to relax? Often times when we are consumed with “fixing” the people around us we become addicted to living in other people’s crises and solving their problems. I call this the
ambulance type of personality. You drive around in your ambulance with the sirens blaring, speeding down the street going from crisis to crisis trying to help others. While helping others is a wonderful quality, it is important to be aware of the root of this behavior so that you may more deeply understand the drive to fix others. When we consume ourselves with fixing the people around us this is usually an avoidance tactic. If you are always driving your ambulance saving other people you never really have time to stop and deal with your own life. This avoidance can cause you to always feel exhausted, drained, frustrated and upset. You begin to focus on the fact that if this one person would just get their life together you would be happy. The fact is, when and if that person “fixes” the problem you will quickly find another person close to you to take on as the next project. The root of this avoidance lies in having low feelings
of self-worth and fear of facing your own issues. Often times when we grow up in a dysfunctional family unit where there is one person who is chronically sick, drug or alcohol dependent or suffering from debilitating mental illness, we spend our time walking on egg shells trying to keep things as peaceful as possible and morphing our personalities to try and fix the broken family member. There is such a focus on the problem person that developing your own identity and self-worth takes a back seat and your emotional growth becomes stunted. You learn to ignore your own needs and your identity becomes rooted in trying to avoid or fix the broken family member. Growing up in this type of environment can cause you to seek out adult romantic relationships with people that you have to fix thus continuing the cycle of self-abandonment. The key to working through this type of behavior is to be aware of your ambulance driving tendencies. Before you jump in your ambulance to respond to the 911 of the person who “needs you,” take a step back and ask yourself if your response is going to change the situation in any productive way. When we continually rush to fix the loved one who is always in trouble or in crisis we rob them from
developing their own problem solving skills. We enter into a co-dependent relationship where we become dependent on feeling needed and the problem person becomes dependent on you driving the ambulance. This type of relationship is not sustainable and both people will end up selfdestructing eventually. One of the best ways you can begin to change your ambulance-like behavior is to begin to act as a lighthouse. A lighthouse has a firm, solid foundation and remains fixed in the same spot. Its light is bright and ever moving, aware of its surroundings. A lighthouse gently and methodically guides ships out at sea in the right direction shining a clear path for the ship to follow. A lighthouse serves as a beacon of hope for those lost or confused about what direction to take. A lighthouse is strong yet gentle. Ships are drawn to the light and able to slowly make their way to their destinations. When we act as a lighthouse to our loved ones in trouble we are a gentle, guiding force. We don’t stress ourselves out by driving the ambulance at high speeds with a loud siren blaring; rather, we remain stable and fixed in our position while offering a light to a dark path. A lighthouse personality doesn’t push, beg, demand and shout. It simply stands strong shining the
light in a calm, direct clear way. When you abandon the ambulance behavior for the lighthouse you will feel quietly confident, strong and more stable. You won’t be draining all of your energy trying to push someone into fixing their problem. Rather, you let them know your position and offer a light of hope; whether they choose to follow the path of the light is their choice. Don’t spend another minute in the ambulance, trade this behavior in for lighthouse living and watch your life begin to feel more enjoyable and less stressful. Notice how drama and crisis begin to slow down and become less exciting to you. You will find that letting go of the ambulance and choosing the lighthouse will bring you a sense of peace and calm that you are not used to. When we take a step back from trying to fix our broken loved ones and focus on our own lives, we stop the codependent enabling behavior. We take charge of our own lives and commit to remaining stable and fixed, like the foundation of a lighthouse. Next time you rush to respond to a 911 call and jump in your ambulance to save the person in crisis, take a step back, take a deep breath and remember the image of a strong, calm, beautiful lighthouse consistently, gently and quietly shining its bright light to guide the lost ship safely to their destination. Meghan Fritz is a psychotherapist practicing in State College, PA. For more information, email meghanlemery@ yahoo.com
Week of March 11 – March 17, 2016
Families
23
TODAY
Money, money, money
by Katherine Morna Towne for Saratoga TODAY One thing I’ve consistently had a hard time figuring out since I became a mom is the concept of allowance for the kids. I’ve read enough articles about it to know that a lot of parents struggle with how to do allowance, which I find soothing (that I’m not the only one). But also, after doing so much reading (I love to research the heck out of things), I would really like to feel like I have a good handle on the whole thing and that I’ve figured out a system that works for us. It has taken an inordinately long time to finally get to that point! First off, I do think it’s important that kids have some familiarity with money— where it comes from and how to prudently manage it. From that perspective, I like the idea of having their allowance be contingent on them doing their chores, like payment for a job well done, which is going to be an important concept for most of their lives. For a while I tried to figure out chores for each of them (age appropriate) and I tried to pay them each week in response to them doing their chores. That was a disaster for a few reasons: for one thing, set chores isn’t something that has worked really well for our family—a better system for us is “do what Mom and Dad tell you to do when we tell you to do it.” Different boys would be asked on different days and at different times to do the regular things, like the constant cleaning up, and then there
were occasional things like raking or shoveling or cleaning out the van. As they got older we added in washing the dishes in the sink or emptying the dishwasher or folding the towels, and perhaps these got a bit more regular and a bit more tied to one particular boy or another, but even still, if you asked me who has what chores, I’d say they all have to help maintain the house in the ways we ask them to, when we ask them to. So you can see how keeping track of all that in order to pay them for their work would be hard to do. Secondly, I started hearing about parents who didn’t feel like their children should be paid for doing chores—that helping out around the house is just a part of being a member of the family and household. Basically, it’s just life, and when you’re grown up you’re not going to be paid for doing the dishes and keeping your room neat and taking out the garbage (don’t I know it), so it’s better to cut off that kind of thinking now. I kind of liked that a lot. It made so much sense, and seemed more consistent with our family way of “do what Mom and Dad tell you to do when we tell you to do it.” But then, how to figure out allowing them to have money? I still felt that was important. And what about remembering to pay them each week? I’m notorious for forgetting things like that—for a while I tried to remember to go to the bank to get small bills in the right amounts to pay them, and I just kept forgetting and forgetting for weeks and weeks and it was really adding up. And how much should I pay them? What’s appropriate for their ages and the times we live in? I’ve seriously spent way more time thinking about this than I’d like—years, no joke— and I finally think I have a system that works for us. Which is the point of this whole article—just to share with you what I’ve figured out in case
you find it helpful. (1) Each of the boys who’s old enough to know what money is receives a weekly allowance. The allowance is for the purpose of letting them have some of their own money to learn how to manage. It’s not given in response to doing chores, nor for good behavior or good grades, but having some of their money taken away is on the list of possible consequences for bad behavior and disobedience. (2) They each receive half their age as their dollar amount—it’s not a huge amount, but it adds up, and they get a big kick out of knowing that on their birthday their allowance automatically increases by fifty cents. (3) Their money is all virtual—I keep a piece of paper for each one with a running tally of their money, and when I think of it I add the weeks I haven’t yet recorded (so much easier than trying to remember to go to the bank!). (4) From their allowance, I show them that I portion out 10 percent for tithing, 40 percent to save, and 50 percent to save in order to spend at some future parent-approved point. (5) When they need money—as when they all recently requested that they be allowed to use some of their money to buy something they might like—we will give them what we think is reasonable and deduct it from their running tally. The whole system is a bit like a bank, no? I’m really liking it. As soon as they’re old enough to have a paying job, we’ll stop the allowance, but for now this seems really age appropriate and manageable. The boys love seeing their money increase on paper—just like a bank statement! And they’re learning about what we want them to understand money is for (charitable giving; saving; spending on wants and needs). If this system stops working, you know I’ll be pulling my hair out and going back
to the drawing board. But it’s been long enough now—a couple of years—that I think it’s going to stick for a while longer.
Kate and her husband have six sons ages 11, 9, 7, 6, 4, and 1. She can be reached at kmtowne23@gmail.com.
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Week of March 11 – March 17, 2016
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Week of March 11 – March 17, 2016
BOCES SUMMER ENRICHMENT THIS WEEK’S
SPOTLIGHT
When school is out the fun begins! WSWHE BOCES Summer camps offer youngsters an opportunity to participate in a wide variety of fun and educational classes.
F. Donald Myers Education Center 15 Henning Road & SUNY Adirondack Wilton Campus
JULY 11- 15; JULY 18 22; JULY 25 - 29, 2016
Three weeks of summer camps at the F. Donald Myers Center include full or half day sessions:
• A World of Art will take participants on a journey of creative projects from around the globe. • Experiment with a variety of materials – whiteboard, cut paper, sand, 3D objects, clay and puppet characters – to become familiar with animation techniques and the process of stop motion animation in Animation Antics. • Campers can find their own personal style through guided drawing activities in Adventures in Drawing: Dream, Doodle &
Draw. • Culinary Camp introduces the young chef to baking and international cuisine. • Combining the fun of summer camp and the enrichment of language immersion, campers of all ages will be exposed to Chinese Language and Culture. • Mad Science of the Capital District will introduce younger campers to Claws, Codes and Constellations or Chemicals, Cells & Crime!
AUGUST 1 - 5, 2016 - STEM ACADEMY CAMP
at SUNY Wilton Adirondack will immerse the campers in all things STEM:
• Creative Filmmaking provides a hands-on learning experience on how to make Hollywood movies. • Discover the world of Forensic Science as campers explore some favorite experiments with Mr. Biss. • Campers will develop an understanding of what elements of technology and art come together to make a computer game successful in Computer Game Design. • Mad Science of the Capital District will bring fun and exciting science explorations to the younger campers while older campers can learn about about ecology in An Introduction to Ecology and Field Natural History.
JULY 11 - AUGUST 19, 2016 SRYA THEATER ARTS SUMMER CAMP
Saratoga Springs School District, WSWHE BOCES and C-R Kids have united to offer a summer arts program like no other in the area.
To Advertise in the Summer Camp Guide
Call (518) 581-2480
• SRYA Sprouts Camps Ages 4 – 6 Going into Kindergarten. Through storytelling, theatre games, on-your-feet fun and more, these camps will inspire and create excitement in the math, science, nature, technology or history in before starting their kindergarten year. • SRYA Kids Camps Ages 6 – 12 Grades 1st – 5th. Experience the thrill of being part of a full-scaled, fully designed show under the guidance of highly skilled teaching artists. • SRYA Juniors Camps Ages 12 – 15 Grades 6th – 8th. Campers experience intensive training to understand the actor’s process from auditions, to the creation of believable and sustainable characters, to the final performance. • SRYA Teens Camps Ages 14 – 18 Grades 9th – 12th. A complete immersion in the world of theatre. Students take creative risks in each class and rehearsal, and to support one another through the artistic process. Students then flourish both individually and as a member of the artistic ensemble. Teens have access to audition seminars, improvisational workshops, and special master classes and will also travel to NYC to witness a Broadway show and have the opportunity to meet the show’s creative team and actors. Join in the fun! Register early to insure you don’t miss out!
For more information:
Call the WSWHE BOCES Enrichment Resource Center at (518)581-3585 or email:giftedresources@wswheboces.org Visit www.wswheboces.org/summercamps to register or www.syracamps.org for Theater Arts Camps
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EDUCATION
Week of March 11 – March 17, 2016
Science Competition Brings Out Area’s Best by Megin Potter Saratoga TODAY BALLSTON SPA — Area students that excel in math and science competed in the 26th Annual U.S. Department of Energy National Science Bowl regional qualifying tournament this week. The knowledge of 700 students from local middle and high schools was put to the test in a grueling fast-paced question and answer session. Racing gravitypowered model cars that they spent months building gave students the chance to demonstrate their engineering abilities as well. “It’s such a hands-on process. It’s a really, really authentic, holistic, fantastic learning experience,” said Ballston Spa Middle School’s team co-advisor Roberta Nahill. This is her tenth year participating in the event, which resulted in the team reaching their second-highest score ever and a medal for their 4th place win overall. Selected by their teachers, the team of 15 middle-schoolers spent five months preparing for the event. Taking on hours of
extra reading, weekly practices and even working for big chunks of time on precious Saturdays, they gave up sleep and made hard choices to get this far. “It’s about the commitment that we made. It’s a team and we need every part of the team. Without one person, it falls apart,” said 7th grader Nathan Sheehan. More than just memorizing facts, these students had to gain a deep understanding of the subject matter, which included a range of biology, Earth science, physics and math information. Because they not only had to know the answers, but also had to be first to hit the buzzer after a question was asked, they practiced with the rainbow-colored wireless Eggspert during review sessions and fine-tuned their responses to limit interruptions, which result in a point penalty during the competition. “I love learning,” said team captain, 8th-grader Caitlin Doyle. Through her studies she discovered a love of biology, a subject not currently offered at the school, and a newfound interest in taxonomy and the classification of organisms.
Others found preparing for the event helped them score higher on their school’s placement exams. The students also gained a great deal of confidence, as they were competing against private school teams who have an entire class dedicated to National Science Bowl preparation. The trial and error of the car building portion tested their creativity
and resourcefulness as well. “I fit this in because I love this. Kids get infected with problem solving, they become so invested. The students are highly motivated and really want to do this, and that has made a huge difference,” said Nahill. Saratoga Springs Maple Avenue Middle School took second place in the
competition. The winners of the regional competition, the Iroquois Middle School and Bethlehem High School teams, will be going on to the national competition in Washington, D.C. this spring. The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science manages the National Science Bowl®, and sponsors the NSB finals competition.
Front row: Kiana Pearson, Justin Sheehan, Ruby Bashant, Nathan Sheehan, Ethan Paster, and Shelby Whitney. Back row: Nathanial Schin, Roberta Nahill, Natalie DeStefano, Caitlin Doyle, Hilary Northrop, Renee Madcharo. Photo Provided
Caitlin Doyle, Nathan Sheehan, and Ethan Paster prepare the gravity-powered model car for the competition. Photo provided.
Week of March 11 – March 17, 2016
EDUCATION BRIEFS
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ESC’s Mitchell Wood Recognized with Chancellor’s Award
Mitchell Wood is a 2015-16 Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching recipient. Photo courtesy of Empire State College.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Mitchell Wood ‘02, ‘06, a SUNY Empire State College alumnus and adjunct professor of humanities, is one of only 46 adjunct faculty to be recognized with the 2015-16 Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching. This SUNY-wide honor recognizes consistently superior professional achievement, encourages the ongoing pursuit of excellence and underscores SUNY’s commitment to sustaining intellectual vibrancy, advancing the boundaries of knowledge, providing the highest quality of instruction and serving the public good.
Author Meets Hudson Falls Students HUDSON FALLS — On March 6 author of “The Adirondack Kids” series Gary VanRipper visited Hudson Falls Primary School to speak with the students. From 10 to 11 a.m., VanRipper spoke with students in grades 3 through 5, and from 12:45 to 1:45pm he spoke with those in kindergarten through 2nd grade. That evening, VanRipper participated in the UPK PTSO Reading Night, an event which included a Skype call from his
son and co-author, Justin. VanRipper began the series when Justin was in 3rd grade. Today Justin not only still works with his father, but is a college graduate who is married. Getting to speak with the VanRippers showed the students just how much you can accomplish if you are willing to do the hard work necessary. For more information about VanRipper and the series that he and his son have authored, go to www.adirondackkids.com .
“It is wonderful to be recognized, but it is the students at SUNY Empire who have earned my award,” Wood said. “It is invigorating and endlessly challenging to work with hardworking students who lead complex lives and bring diverse experiences to class. I am not teaching; I am engaging friends in a dialogue that they will find meaningful, productive and fulfilling.” Wood is known among the college’s faculty for his innovative teaching methods and enhancing the student experience through technology in his classes. The 66-yearold holds a Master of Arts in Liberal
Studies and a Bachelor of Arts in History and Media Studies from Empire State College. He has been on the faculty at SUNY Empire State College since March 2007 and teaches many courses, including “American Popular Music,” “Becoming Americans” and “Public History.” “On behalf of the college, I congratulate Mitchell Wood for receiving this award,” said SUNY Empire President Merodie Hancock. “His development of new courses ensures that course material stays fresh and relevant, all while adhering to rigorous learning outcomes.”
In announcing the award, Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher said, “On behalf of the SUNY system, I congratulate Mitchell Wood on his scholarly and teaching accomplishments and personal dedication. He goes beyond traditional teaching requirements, helping students find meaning and relevancy in historical events and social issues that resonate in their lives. Students praise him for making learning exciting and for making it possible for them to take their new-found knowledge and apply it in the real world.” More information about the college is available at www.esc.edu.
Apply for Universal Pre-K, Today!
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs City School District is now accepting the names of children to attend its Universal Pre-Kindergarten program for the 2016-2017 school
year. The district is able to fund this program through money provided New York State, and the program is administered through the district. To apply, children must
reside in the school district, and must turn four on or before December 1, 2016. For more information, visit the program’s webpage at www.saratoschools. org/upk.
Dorothy Nolan Hosts Science Fair
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Dorothy Nolan Middle School will be holding its 2016 Intermediate Science Fair on Wednesday, March 23, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Participants will need to submit their applications by March 11, and those accepted will need to arrive between 5:30 and 5:45 p.m. on the
23rd to set up. The event will give students the opportunity to not only demonstrate what they have learned, but also to show off their ability to innovate and think creatively. Students who are participating will be allowed to walk around and view others’ exhibits as
well, but they should bring someone who can stand by their experiment while they do so. Those with additional questions can contact Carol Cutler at acutler@ nycapp.rr.com or 518-581-8332.
Week of March 11 – March 17, 2016
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Sunday, March 27
Week of March 11 – March 17, 2016
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30 Adirondack Christian Fellowship 8 Mountain Ledge, Wilton 587-0623 | acfsaratoga.com Services: Sunday 8 a.m. & 10 a.m. Adirondack Friends Meeting 27 Saratoga Ave, South Glens Falls 793-3755 | adirondackfriendsmeeting.org Regina Baird Haag, Pastor Services: Sunday 10:30 a.m. Assembly of God Faith Chapel 6 Burgoyne St, Schuylerville 695-6069 | Rev. Jason Proctor Services: Sunday 10:45 a.m. Assembly of God Saratoga 118 Woodlawn Ave, Saratoga Springs 584-6081 | Services: Sunday Worship 10 a.m. Bacon Hill Reformed Church* 560 Route 32N, Bacon Hill | 695-3074 Rev. Janet Vincent | Services: Worship service 10 a.m.; Sunday School 10 a.m. Baha’i Community of Saratoga Springs 584-9679; 692-7694 | usbnc.org Ballston Center Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church 58 Charlton Road, Ballston Spa | 885-7312 ballstoncenterarpchurch.org Services: Sunday Worship, 10:30 a.m. Ballston Spa United Methodist Church 101 Milton Ave, Ballston Spa 885-6886 | Services: Sunday 10 a.m. Bethesda Episcopal Church* 41 Washington Street, Saratoga Springs Bethesdachurch.org | 584-5980 The Very Rev’d Marshall J. Vang Services: Sunday 8:00AM & 10:00AM Calvary Capital District 17 Low Street, Ballston Spa | Pastor Andrew Holt Services: Sunday 10 am | calvarycd.com Church of Christ at Clifton Park 7 Old Route 146, Clifton Park 371-6611 | cliftonparkchurchofchrist.com Services: Sunday 10:30 a.m. Christ Community Reformed Church 1010 Route 146, Clifton Park | 371-7654 ccrc-cpny.org | Services: Sunday 10 a.m. Christ Episcopal Church Routes 50 & 67, Ballston Spa | 885-1031 Services: Sunday 8 & 10 a.m. Christian Restoration Ministries Saratoga Senior Center 5 Williams St, Saratoga Springs 796-4323 | Pastor Pat Roach Services: Sunday 10 a.m.; 6:30 p.m. Christian Science Church 107 Circular St, Saratoga Springs 584-0221 | Services: Sunday 10 a.m. Community Alliance Church 257 Rowland St, Ballston Spa 885-6524 | Services: Morning Worship 10:30 a.m. Congregation Shaara Tfille* 84 Weibel Avenue, Saratoga Springs 584-2370 | saratogasynagogue.org Services: Saturday 10 a.m. Corinth Free Methodist Church 20 Hamilton Ave, Corinth 654-9255; 792-0271 Services: Sunday 10 a.m. Corinth United Methodist Church 243 Main Street, Corinth 654-2521 | cfumc@cnyconnect.net Services: Sunday 10:30 a.m. Cornerstone Community Church 516 Park Ave., Mechanicville | 664-5204 mycornerstonechurch.org | Pastor Frank Galerie Services: Sunday 10:30 a.m. Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Community 2001 Route 9, Round Lake 877-8506 | ccorpusc@nycap.rr.com Services: Saturday 4 p.m.; Sunday 8:30 & 10:30 a.m.;
RELIGION Eastern Orthodox — Christ the Savior 349 Eastline Road, Ballston Spa 786-3100 | xcsavior@yahoo.com. Services: Sunday 9:30 a.m. First Baptist Church of Saratoga Springs 45 Washington St, Saratoga Springs 584-6301 | Services: Sunday 11 a.m. First Baptist Church of Ballston Spa 202 Milton Ave, Ballston Spa 885-8361 | bspabaptist.org Services: 10:30 a.m. worship, 9 a.m. Sunday School (all ages) First Presbyterian Church of Ballston Spa 22 West High St, Ballston Spa 885-5583 | Services: Sunday 10 a.m. Full Gospel Tabernacle 207 Redmond Road, Gansevoort 793-2739 | Services: Sunday 10 a.m. Galway United Methodist Church 2056 East St, Galway | 882-6520 galway-united-methodist-church.com Services: Sunday 9:30 a.m. (9 a.m. in July and August) Grace Fellowship Saratoga 165 High Rock Ave, Saratoga | 691-0301 saratoga.gracefellowship.com Pastor: Mike Adams Services: Sundays 9 & 11 a.m. Grace Brethren Church* 137 W. Milton Road, Ballston Spa 587-0649 | Rev. Dan Pierce Services: Sunday 10 a.m. Greater Grace Community Church Pastor David Moore | 899-7777 thechurch@ggccmalta.org Services: Sunday 10 a.m. Greenfield Center Baptist Church 30 Wilton Road, Greenfield Center | 893-7429 Services: Sunday School for all ages - 9:45 a.m.; Church Service - 11 a.m. Highway Tabernacle Church 90 River Road, Mechanicville | 664-4442 Services: Sunday 10:30 a.m. Hope Church 206 Greenfield Ave, Ballston Spa 885-7442 | Services: Sunday 10 a.m. Jonesville United Methodist 963 Main St, Clifton Park 877-7332 | Services: Sunday 8:30 & 10:30 a.m. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Living Springs Community Church 59 Pine Road, Saratoga Springs 584-9112 | Services: Sunday 10:30 a.m. Living Waters Church of God 4330 State Rt. 50, Saratoga Springs 587-0484 | livingwaterscog.us Services: Sundays 10 a.m. Malta Presbyterian Church Dunning Street, Malta 899-5992 | Services: Sunday 10 a.m. Malta Ridge United Methodist Church 729 Malta Ave. Ext, Malta 581-0210 | Services: Sunday 10:30 a.m. Middle Grove United Methodist Church* 581-2973 | Pastor Bonnie Bates Services: Sunday 9 a.m. Mt. Olivet Baptist Church Corner of Jefferson St. & Crescent St. Saratoga Springs | 584-9441 Rev. Dr. Victor L. Collier, Pastor New Horizon Church 150 Perry Road, Saratoga Springs 587-0711 | Services: Sunday 9:30 a.m. New Life Fellowship 51 Old Gick Road, Saratoga Springs 580-1810 | newlifeinsaratoga.org. Services: Sunday 10:30 a.m.
NorthStar Church Gowana Middle School, Clifton Park 371-2811 | northstarchurch.com Services: Sunday 9:30 a.m. & 11:15 a.m. Old Saratoga Reformed Church* 48 Pearl St., Schuylerville oldsaratogareformedchurch.org Services: Sunday 10 a.m. Old Stone Church (American Baptist) 159 Stone Church Road, Ballston Spa 583-1002 | Services: Sunday 9 a.m.; Adult Sunday School 9 a.m.; Service 10:30 a.m. Our Lady of Grace Roman Catholic Church* 73 Midline Road, Ballston Lake 399-5713 | Services: Saturday 5 p.m. Sunday 8:15 & 10:15 a.m. Presbyterian-NE Congregational Church 24 Circular St, Saratoga Springs 584-6091 | pnecchurch.org Services: Sunday 10:45 a.m. Quaker Springs United Methodist Church* 466 Route 32 South, Quaker Springs 695-3101 | qsumc.com Pastor Al Johnson Services: Sunday 9 a.m. River of Hope Fellowship 100 Saratoga Village Blvd, Malta Cmns, Ste. 3 | 881-1505 riverofhopefellowship.com Services: Sunday 10 a.m. Roman Catholic Church of St. Peter 241 Broadway, Saratoga Springs 584-2375 | Services: Saturday 5 p.m.; Sunday 7:30, 9 and 11 a.m. St. Clement’s Roman Catholic Church 231 Lake Ave, Saratoga Springs 584-6122 | Services: Saturday 4 p.m.; Sunday 8, 9:30, 11:15 a.m. and 5 p.m., 1 p.m. Spanish Service St. George’s Episcopal Church 912 Route 146, Clifton Park 371-6351 | stgeorge@csdsl.net Services: Saturday 4:30 p.m.; Sunday 8 & 9:30 a.m. St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church* 3159 Route 9N, Greenfield Center 893-7680 stjosephschurchgreenfieldcenter.org Services: Saturday 4 p.m.; Sunday 10:30 a.m. St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church* 167 Milton Ave, Ballston Spa 885-7411 | stmarysbsta.org Services: Saturday 4 p.m., Sunday 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., Noon. St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church* 771 Route 29, Rock City Falls 893-7680 | sjoegctr@nycap.rr.com Services: Sunday 8:30 am. St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church 149 Lake Ave, Saratoga Springs 584-0904 | Services: Saturday 5 p.m.; Sundays 8:30 & 11 a.m. St. Peter Lutheran Church 2776 Route 9, Malta | 583-4153 Services: Sunday 8:30 & 10:30 a.m.; Sunday School at 9:15 a.m. St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church 1 Grove Street, Schuylerville 695-3918 | Rev. Donna J. Arnold Services: Sunday 8 & 9 a.m. St. Thomas of Canterbury 242 Grooms Road, Halfmoon st-thomas-of-canterbury.org Services: Sunday 10 a.m. Saratoga Abundant Life Church 2325 Route 50 South, Saratoga Springs 885-5456 | SALChurch.org Services: Sunday 9:30 a.m.
Week of March 11 – March 17, 2016 Saratoga Chabad 130 Circular St, Saratoga Springs 526-0773 | saratogachabad.com Saratoga Friends Meeting (Quaker) Rts. 32 and 71, Quaker Springs 587-7477; 399-5013 Services: Sunday 10 a.m. Saratoga United Methodist Church* Henning Road, Saratoga Springs 584-3720 | saratogaumc.com Services: Sunday 9 & 10:45 a.m. Saratoga Seventh-Day Adventist Church 399 Union Ave, Saratoga Springs 882-9384 | saratogasda.org Services: Sabbath School: 10 a.m. Worship Service: 11:30 a.m. Schuylerville United Methodist Church* 51 Church St, Schuylerville 695-3101 | sumethodist.org Services: Worship at 11am Shenendehowa United Methodist 971 Route 146, Clifton Park 371-7964 Services: Sunday 9 & 10:30 a.m. Simpson United Methodist Church Rock City Road, Rock City Falls 885-4794 Services: Sunday 10:45 a.m. Soul Saving Station for Every Nation Christ Crusaders of America 62 Henry St, Saratoga Springs 584-3122 Services: Sunday 10 a.m. & 6:30 p.m. Stillwater United Church (Presbyterian U.S.A.) 747 Hudson Avenue, Stillwater | 664-7984 stillwaterunitedchurch.org Services: Sunday 10:30 a.m. Temple Sinai* 509 Broadway, Saratoga Springs 584-8730 | saratogasinai.org Shabbat Services: Friday 6 p.m. or 8p.m. (rotating schedule) Saturdays: 10:30a.m. Terra Nova Church* 45 Washington St, Saratoga Springs 833-0504 | terranovachurch.org Services: Sunday 5:30 p.m. The Salvation Army/ Worship, Service & Community Center 27 Woodlawn Ave, Saratoga Springs 584-1640 Services: Sunday School 10 a.m.; Praise & Worship 11 a.m. Trinity United Methodist Church 155 Ballard Road, Gansevoort 584-9107 | tumcwilton.com Rev Keith Mann Services: Sunday 10 a.m. Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Saratoga Springs 624 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs 584-1555 | uusaratoga.org Services: Sunday 10 a.m. Unity Church in Albany 21 King Ave., Albany 453-3603 Services: Sunday 9 a.m. & 11 a.m. West Charlton United Presbyterian Church 1331 Sacandaga Road, West Charlton 882-9874 | westcharltonupc.org Rev. Thomas Gregg, Pastor Services: Sunday 10:30 a.m. Wilton Baptist Church 755 Saratoga Road, Wilton 583-2736 wiltonbaptistchurch.com Services: Sunday 11 a.m.
* — Handicap Accessible
Week of March 11 – March 17, 2016
RELIGION BRIEFS
31
Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church kicks-off support for new UMCOR South Sudan development project by Susan Kim for Saratoga TODAY March 8, 2016—The more Rev. Drew Sperry and his congregation learned about the world’s youngest country — South Sudan — the more they wanted to help people in war-torn communities as they restored their everyday lives after decades of violence. “We knew UMCOR [United Methodist Committee on Relief] was starting a new project, and people we talked to were passionate about trying to get it started,” explained Sperry, associate pastor at Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church (UMC). Though UMCOR has been working for a decade in parts of what is now South Sudan, a new project, “Yei’s Voice,” is underway. The Yei River County in South Sudan has nominal infrastructure and social services due to years of
First Presbyterian Church Choir The Seven Last Days, a Tenebrae Service written by Joel Rainey, will be presented by the Choir of The First Presbyterian Church under the direction of Eve Kenyon at 7 p.m. on Good Friday, March 25, 2016. The Seven Last Days is a deeply moving and meaningful Tenebrae worship service following the events of each day of Holy Week. The service will feature readings, choral anthems and the lighting and extinguishing of candles leading us through a musical journey depicting the events of Jesus’ last seven days as described in the book of Matthew. The church is located at the corner of Bath and West High Streets, Ballston Spa. For more information about this free event call the church at 518-885-5583. Free
civil war and continued conflict. UMCOR has embarked on a new community engagement and development project in South Sudan that will help Lasu Payam, a district of the county, identify its needs, make a plan to meet them, and sustain the community. As members of Saratoga Springs UMC learned more about the needs in South Sudan, they felt moved to become the first donor to kick off the project. “Our mission chair came up to me and said she’d like to raise $1,000 to give to UMCOR’s work in South Sudan,” said Sperry. The congregation ended up surpassing its goal, raising $1,500. Then they donated the money during a time when UMCOR pledged to “match” donations with an equal contribution, so $3,000 went directly to South Sudan’s most vulnerable people. “When I look at what our funds are accomplishing, I believe
all our churches need to be doing this," said Sperry. UMCOR continues to seek churches to help fund its latest efforts in the world’s youngest nation. “When I visited South Sudan last year, I was inspired by the hope and energy for the country’s future that I witnessed at the grassroots level,” said Hannah Hanson, UMCOR gifts and church relations manager. “Yei’s Voice is plugged into that energy. But it can’t launch without the prayers and gifts of United Methodist churches,” she continued. Hanson detailed that the project still needs to raise $83,000 this year to get started, and then will need additional support over the next three years to see it through. “This is such a great opportunity for churches to learn about and help a country that, at the community level, has such tremendous excitement for the future,” she said. “Churches that donate to Yei’s Voice
Women gather with their children and wait to be seen by a doctor at the Nyori Primary Health Care Unit in Yei River County, South Sudan. Photo: Hannah Hanson
will be walking alongside our South Sudan sisters and brothers on an inspiring new path.” Congregations that feel led to support Yei’s Voice can contact
Hannah Hanson at hhanson@ umcor.org. Susan Kim is a journalist and a regular contributor to www.umcor.org.
Week of March 11 – March 17, 2016
33
Puzzles Across 1 Thom __: shoe brand 5 Greek Zs 10 This, in Spain 14 Poi source 15 Motionless 16 Like spider webs 17 __ the Impaler: model for “Dracula” 18 One of a 1492 trio 19 Ritual flammable stack 20 They’re juiced in Jacksonville 23 Anteater’s sound in the comic “B.C.” 24 Mobster’s gal 25 Hawaiian wreath 26 Flood-control project 29 Garbage barge puller 31 Odorless gas 33 They’re baked in Boise 37 Disaster relief org. 38 Put the kibosh on 39 Exec’s “By yesterday!” 42 They’re boiled in Bangor 47 Sets aside for future use 49 __ and improved 50 Barnyard home 51 Suffix with transit 52 “Green __ and Ham” 55 Knock sharply 57 They’re shelled in Savannah 62 One-liner, e.g. 63 Make __: get rich 64 Dining table expansion piece 66 Degree recipient 67 Guts 68 Year-end clearance event 69 Office note 70 Deuce toppers 71 One-named Art Deco artist Down 1 Network that once employed VJs 2 Muscle prone to cramps 3 Devastated Asian sea 4 Caffeinated pill 5 “Be quiet!” 6 Oklahoma city 7 Early brunch hr. 8 “Star Wars” droid, familiarly 9 Hollywood hopeful 10 “College Football Playoff” network
See puzzle solutions on page 54
See puzzle solution on page 54 11 Crow’s-nest telescopes 12 Deep serving bowl 13 Infant’s bodysuit 21 __-Rooter 22 Voice above tenor 26 “What’s the __?”: “So what?” 27 Fruity cooler 28 “Li’l Abner” matriarch 30 Departed 32 Furnace output 34 Lukas of “Witness” 35 “Shop __ you drop” 36 Neural impulse conductor 40 Museum collection 41 Would-be social worker’s maj. 43 “__ your pardon” 44 NFLer who plays at the Meadowlands—in NJ, ironically
45 Scolds but good 46 Ugly duckling, as it turned out 47 Lumber mill blockage 48 Bump from which cactus spines grow 53 Xbox enthusiast 54 Cathedral topper 56 Throb 58 San __, Italy 59 Jealous feeling 60 Rip 61 Word after sea or before Lake 65 Doctor’s charge
Writing the Right Word by Dave Dowling
Accuracy in word choice is a key to effective communication. In your daily writing and speaking, try to make sure you use the right word in the right place with the right spelling. By doing so, its effect will affect your communication in a positive way. This quick weekly tip will help you filter the confusion in some of our daily word choices. This Week: Paltry, Petty Paltry means meager, trivial, or measly. The company made a paltry contribution to the fund this year. Petty means minor, trifling, or of little importance. The rules apply in petty offenses and other misdemeanor cases. Dave Dowling is the author of The Wrong Word Dictionary and The Dictionary of Worthless Words. Both books are available from many book retailers, and signed copies can be obtained by contacting Dave at davedowling59@yahoo.com
Week of March 11 – March 17, 2016
37
Birthday Pawty Bash Meet the Ogdens’ Newest Addition at Impressions SARATOGA SPRINGS — Impressions of Saratoga is a very dog-friendly shop located in downtown Saratoga Springs, that has 5 shop dogs, Cookie, Pupa, Smitty, Smalls and Hercules, who all have birthdays right around this time of year! Join in our Birthday Celebration Pawty with lots of fun events for our 2 and 4-legged guests including lots of prizes and pawty favors. - Celebrate in true birthday style with special treats for our pup pals made by our own Maddy and for our human friends made by Mare. - 1 to 3 p.m. – Meet Holster, the winner of this year’s 2016 Westminster Masters Agility Championship in NYC and his owner and handler, Wendy Cerilli. Holster is an Australian Shepherd dog who lives at High Goal Farm in Greenwich, NY. Holster will be autographing his photo from Westminster.
Joseph John Ogden and Lisa Marie Ogden (Bonacci) of Saratoga Springs are honored to announce the birth of their son, Jude Michael Ogden, who was born at 8:18 a.m. on Saturday, February 27 at Saint Peter's Hospital in Albany. Jude weighed 8 pounds 12 ounces and was 21.5 inches long. He was also welcomed by his big brother, 22-monthold John Richard Ogden. Maternal grandparents are John Bonacci (deceased) and Barbara Bonacci of Webster. Paternal grandparents are
Photo by Sharon Castro
- Join in our scavenger hunt for all 5 of our Birthday Dogs with prizes. - Get a doggie tattoo (temporary of course)! - Activity table with coloring contest for kids. - Contest for the “Cutest thing” your pet ever did with prizes!
Students Raise $1k+ for American Heart Association BALLSTON SPA — The Ballston Spa Middle School Service Club held its annual Hoops for Heart event on February 11. Students earned pledges from family and friends for the American Heart Association and then were invited to the special event where they could play basketball after school. Staff also participated by donating money and wearing red in support of American Heart month. During the event students could win prizes for various contests and raffles including basketballs and t-shirts.
The Service Club worked with Eliana Clem’s Heart Princess Team to raise funds. Eliana is the Capital Region Heart Princess 2016 and will be honored at the American Heart Walk on June 11 at the Empire State Plaza. She was born with 4 congenital heart defects, which required surgery when she was only 2 days old. Today, Eliana is a thriving 7-yearold in the Ballston Spa School District. Overall, the school raised an astounding $1,287 for the American Heart Association.
Annual Palm Sunday ‘Polka Country Hoedown’ Benefit SARATOGA SPRINGS — The 27th Annual Palm Sunday ‘Polka Country Hoedown’ Benefit will be held on Sunday, March 20 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Saratoga Springs Knights of Columbus, located at the corner of Rt. 29 and Pine Road in Saratoga Springs. The event features the “Polka Country Musicians” from Jewett City, CT, cash bar, Polish and American food prepared by Knights
of Columbus staff, raffles, prizes and 50/50 drawing. All proceeds will benefit Saratoga Bridges special projects. As seating is limited, advance tickets purchased by March 10 are $13 per person and $25 per couple. If available day of, tickets are $15 per person. For reservations, contact Steve or Cathy Coblish at 518-899-3061 or scoblish@nycap.rr.com.
Richard and Jean Ogden of Queensbury. (Joe Ogden is the
Deputy Mayor for the City of Saratoga Springs.)
It’s a Boy!! SARATOGA SPRINGS —Hannah and Joseph Christopher of Saratoga Springs are thrilled to announce the birth of a son, Theodore (Teddy) Clemente Christopher on December 29, 2015 at 7:19 a.m. at Saratoga Hospital. He weighed 6 pounds and 15 ounces, and was 20 inches long.
He will be joining his siblings Henry, Jack, and Leo at home. Maternal grandmother is Jane Stevens of Saratoga Springs, and paternal grandparents are Lynda Rhodes of Waterford and Joseph Christopher of Halfmoon. Congratulations to all!
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FOOD
Week of March 11 – March 17, 2016
Comfort Food from a Truck Recipe: Swedish Meatballs Recipe courtesy of The Food Florist Ingredients
Saturdays, 9 to 1
Mix together bread crumbs, salt, dill, ground 1 1/2 cups bread mustard, pepper, chopped onion and nutmeg. crumbs* Add eggs and milk to 1 tbs salt the mixture and whisk 1/2 tbs dill* together.
* Ingredients can be found at the market
Lincoln Baths, 65 So. Broadway Saratoga Spa State Park
•
by Jeremy Riccardi for Saratoga TODAY Trisha Nusbaum, owner of The Food Florist, has brought comfort food via a “pop-up” food truck to Saratoga Springs. She joins the Saratoga Farmers’ Market as its newest vendor. Nusbaum, who has 16 years experience of restaurant ownership, relocated last year with her husband to Saratoga from Indianapolis. She had started The Food Florist in Indianapolis as an expansion-arm of her former business and brought it to Saratoga Springs in October 2015. “When my husband transferred to Saratoga Springs for work, it was natural that The Food Florist would move with me,” Nusbaum said. “I felt Saratoga Springs was a fabulous location and thought it would be a great place to build my business.”
Directions
• • • • • • • • •
The Food Florist offers a wide-range of meal choices from Swedish meatballs to chicken pot pies. She uses many of the other market vendors’ products to produce her meals, including Longlesson Farm’s Angus beef for meatballs, Battenkill Creamery’s
milk and cream for sauces in casseroles and lasagnas, and Argyle Farms’ Greek yogurt as a sour cream substitute. Nusbaum uses organic, all natural, or locally produced products in her recipes. She plans to feature a market ingredient list on her website (http://thefoodflorist.com/),by late April. The website’s product list will also work with Nusbaum’s newest endeavor, opening Food Florist Farms, a six-acre farm with a commercial kitchen and a farm-to-table dining experience later this year. The Food Florist truck is lined with freezers. Nusbaum cooks and prepares the food in a commercial kitchen at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Saratoga. She freezes her preparations to bring to sell to the market. “My food truck is not an ordinary food truck,” said Nusbaum who
1 tsp ground mustard 1 tsp pepper 1/4 cup chopped onion* 1 tsp nutmeg 3 eggs* 3/4 cup milk* 2 1/2 lbs. ground Angus Beef*
Then add 2 1/2 lbs. ground Angus Beef. Kneed in by hand until all ingredients are mixed together. Roll into 1.5 oz balls Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until internal temperature is at 165 degrees. Serve over your favorite egg noodles and enjoy.
describes her concept as a “popup truck.” Instead of cooking on the premises, she sells her meals made in advance that customers can finish cooking at home. Nusbaum hopes that her “pop-up truck” will inspire
others to become passionate about no-frills comfort food. “I love the Saratoga Farmers’ Market,” Nusbaum said. “Showing that you’re authentic is what is important to become a vendor. Every vendor has made me feel welcome and the customers have been so nice. ” You can get additional information via The Food Florist’s website and Facebook page, or by e-mailing orders@ thefoodflorist.com. You can also visit Nusbaum’s truck at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Lincoln Baths Building in Saratoga Spa State Park.
FOOD 39
Week of March 11 – March 17, 2016
Chop it, Scoop it, Cook it
by John Reardon for Saratoga TODAY Hello Foodie Friends, Many of you may not know that along with my love for the culinary arts, I am an avid movie buff. I love the old movies, and enjoy watching the works of many of our contemporary directors and artists. My wife and children will often times join me in watching movies. However, whenever there is a Bradley Cooper movie, both my daughter and wife do not need any convincing to watch his movies. If you have not yet seen one of his recent movies “Burnt,” I would recommend it - especially if you come from a culinary background or just simply
enjoy cooking. “Burnt” shows the stressful and prideful life of our incredible chefs. It portrays the behind-the-scenes demands in the making of the dishes we savor when we eat at a restaurant. We had fun identifying the tools and watching the skill levels of the chefs in the movie. One particular piece that stood out was the importance of food prep in the kitchen. The art of prep work is significant to the efficiency of getting meals out from the kitchen to the customer for chefs. “Mise en place” is French for “everything in place.” This is an important tip from professional chefs. Before you cook, have everything measured, peeled, chopped, and within reach. Prep work is easily more than 50 percent of cooking. The chop and scrape tool has an important role in food preparation in getting your diced meat and chopped vegetables from the cutting board into your stove top pots. The prep tool can also be used to chop cubed potatoes, chop nuts, or cut through bread dough. The chop and scrape tool is made of stainless steel to allow
for ease of cutting and easy clean up. At Compliments to the Chef located at 46 Marion Avenue in Saratoga Springs, we have several types of chop, scrape and scoop tools for your prep needs.
The next time you go to a restaurant, please be sure to “compliment the chef.” They work hard and really take pride in the spectacular dishes they create. They deserve to
Fish Fridays
be recognized for their work. Remember, “Life Happens in the Kitchen” for both our chefs and our foodies. Take care. John and Paula
Lenten Specials through March 25th
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LOCAL BRIEFS
Genealogy and Local History Heritage Hunters of Saratoga County will meet on Saturday, March 19, at 1 p.m. at the Town of Saratoga, Town Hall, corner of Rt. 4 and Rt. 29 in Schuylerville. “Ancestry DNA” will be the program topic presented by Kim McCartney, Town of Milton historian and member of Heritage Hunters. She will discuss her testing experience with Ancestry’s genetic matching program and how it helped her narrow down the identity of her grandfather. Public is welcome. For information, call (518) 587-2978. Lenten Sung Prayer An evening of Lenten Sung Prayer in Thanksgiving for and Celebrating the Life of Sister Carolyn Krebs, OP, to be held at St. Clements Roman Catholic Church, Saturday, March 19 at 6 p.m. Jeff and Brenda Vredenburg, former Directors of Liturgical Music at St. Clements, will direct the program. We hope you will join us for this spiritual time together reflecting on Sr. Carolyn’s life, with an eye toward Holy Week and the Passion Death and Resurrection of Jesus. There will be a “Free Will” offering collected. All proceeds will be donated to “Sister Carolyn Krebs, OP Memorial Scholarship Fund.” The Sister Carolyn Krebs, OP Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to a graduating high school senior from the greater Saratoga area who has been accepted into a College or University with a chosen major in Music, Voice or Instrument, Music Education or Music Therapy. Saratoga Hospital’s Free Running Screening A free stride assessment clinic for runners of all skill levels will be held at the YMCA, West Avenue Branch, Saratoga Springs, on March 19 at 9 a.m. to Noon. We will assess strength, flexibility and stride of runners, as well as provide information on which running shoes are right for you. To register, please call (518)580-2450. Women’s History Month Presentation In recognition of Women’s History Month, Saratoga National Historical Park will offer a free
program, “In Their Own Words: Women in the Revolution,” on Saturday, March 19 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the park visitor center. Saratoga National Historical Park is located between Rt. 4 and Rt. 32 in the Town of Stillwater. Join artist and Colonial period educator Jennifer Richard-Morrow to explore the lives of women who lived during the American Revolutionary War through their stories, excerpted from letters and diary entries. How did events around these women affect them? What did they find important to document in their daily lives? How did they deal with life’s challenges? Join us for a nice cup of tea and find out. Event snow date: Sunday, March 26. For more information call (518) 670-2985, check our website at www.nps.gov/sara or follow us on Facebook and Twitter @SaratogaNHP. Valley Bog Players The Schuylerville Public Library will be hosting the Valley Bog Players on Saturday, March 19 at 6 p.m. The Valley Bog Players are a bit unusual among Irish bands as they play nearly equal numbers of both instrumental and vocal music: jigs, love songs, drinking songs, reels, songs of rebellion, and hornpipes. You may hear accordion, 6 and 12 string guitars, bodhran, whistling, Jew’s harp, Celtic and 5 string banjo, and even certain sound effects upon occasion. Their repertoire is large and varied: “We continuously seek new numbers which speak, first to us, and, later, to our audience.” This is a free event and open to all ages. Doors open at 5:45 p.m., please be prompt as space is limited. For more information, call (518) 695-6641. 27th Annual Palm Sunday Polka Benefit Polka Country Musicians of Jewett City, CT will be providing music for your dancing and listening pleasure on March 20 at the Saratoga Knights of Columbus Hall located at 50 Pine Rd., Saratoga Springs from 1 – 5 p.m. A cash kitchen and bar, raffles, and prizes. Cost is $25 per couple, $13 per person or $15 at the door. For reservations, call Steve or Cathy Coblish by March 10, (518) 8993061, or mail checks payable to Steve Coblish, 4-B Harwich Manor, Ballston Lake, NY 12019.
Auditions for “Groovy!” Malta Spotlighter’s Theatre Troupe is holding auditions Sunday, March 20 and Monday, March 21, for the musical comedy tribute to the 1960s, ‘GROOVY!’ Elyse Young, Artistic Director, is seeking dozens of teens and adults for a variety of speaking, singing and dancing roles. There are also parts for a small group of children, ages 8+. Performances are June 11 and 12 at the Malta Community Center. Audition appointments are necessary. For more details or to schedule an appointment, contact Elyse at (518) 899-4411 x305 or theater@maltatown.org. Parkinson’s Support Group The Parkinson’s Support Group of Saratoga will meet at Woodlawn Commons, 156 Lawrence Street in Saratoga Springs on Monday March 21, 2016 at 2 p.m. This meeting is open to anyone with Parkinson’s Disease, family members and friends. For more information, call Joyce Garlock at (518) 885-6427 or Marilyn Merry at (518) 798-8947. Beginning Ornithology: An Introduction to the Science of Birds Retired wildlife ecologist and artist Steven Jay Sanford will present a slide show presentation at the Saratoga Springs Public Library on Wednesday, March 23 at 7 p.m. Sanford prepared his bird biology program for both novice and experienced birders of all ages. Topics will include: why we should all watch and learn about birds, how some of our common birds go about their lives, how their “design” equips them for the challenges in a bird’s world, the basics of identifying birds, how to make the best of a bird feeder and, finally, a light hearted quiz to test the audience’s skills. The program is part of the monthly program of the Southern Adirondack Audubon Society and is free to the public. The library is located at 49 Henry Street in downtown Saratoga Springs. For more information, visit http://www. southernadirondackaudubon.org. Babysitting Course at Gavin Park Adirondack Health & Safety will once again be presenting a child and babysitting course at Gavin Park. This course is open to girls and boys ages 10 and up. Participants will learn the basics of CABS (Child and
Week of March 11 – March 17, 2016 Babysitting Safety), along with CPR and first aid. The course runs from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday April 2. Pre-registration and bag lunch is required. Cost for Wilton Residents is $60, Saratoga Springs School District Residents is $65 and all others $70. Questions may be answered by calling the park office at (518) 584-9455. Dance +26 The Dance Alliance of the Capital Region is proud to co-sponsor Dance +26 with The National Museum of Dance’s School of the Arts on Sunday, April 3, 2016 from 11 a.m. - 5:15 p.m. The theme will be “Dancing through Time” and all classes will be inspired by a member of the National Museum of Dance Hall of Fame. Three levels of classes: children 8-11, open ages 12 - adult, and intermediate/advanced 12 - adult. Registration and more information will be available soon at www.dancealliance.org. Thrift Shop Easter Merchandise Sale Second Hand Rose Thrift Shop, 116 Broad St., Schuylerville is having a 10% off of Easter Merchandise Sale. St Patrick’s Day merchandise is also available. The Shop also offers household goods, books, children’s toys, clothes and shoes for men, women and children. Volunteers are needed and appreciated. The Shop is open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Our proceeds after expenses are given back to community service organizations. For more information, please call Second Hand Rose Thrift Shop at (518) 695-4640. Unique Approach to Healthcare Sarah LoBisco, ND, naturopathic doctor and functional medicine practitioner to present on new book highlighting a unique approach to healthcare. In celebration of the recent release of her new book, BreakFree Medicine: A Systematic and Integrated Guide to Balancing Your Body, she will be presenting at One Big Roof, A Center for Mindful Practices, on April 23. One Big Roof is located at 538 Maple Ave. (Route 9N) in the Saratoga Health & Wellness Building (Across from Maple Ave. Middle School, just off Route 50, Saratoga Springs). The event will take place from 4 - 5 p.m. Admission: $5 donation requested to cover expenses.
Spring Activities Brochure Available The Town of Malta’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Human Services Spring Activities Brochure is now available online at www.maltaparksrec. com. It is available at the Malta Community Center and registration has begun for spring classes and programs. New classes, sports programs and special events are scheduled to begin in March. Please call the Malta Community Center at (518) 899-4411 for more information. Burnt Hills Oratorio Society - Call for Singers If you love to sing, come join The Burnt Hills Oratorio Society, which rehearses Tuesday nights, 7 p.m. at the Burnt Hills/Ballston Lake High School choral room. BHOS is a friendly group that welcomes all singers without audition. The choir will perform Vivaldi’s “Gloria” and highlights of Handel’s “Messiah” at the time of year originally intended by its composer. The upcoming concert is scheduled for Sunday, May 15, 3 p.m. at the Zankel Music Center at Skidmore. Founded in 1970, BHOS proudly present two major concerts annually that feature local soloists and orchestral players. The members represent all age groups and vocations. Here is your opportunity to sing with an orchestra, blend voices, and enjoy community in a way that is often lacking in today’s culture. New singers accepted through the end of February. Membership is $55 plus the cost of music. For more information, go to www.bhos.us, find us on Facebook or just show up at a rehearsal. Olde Saratoga Seniors Bus Trip The Olde Saratoga Seniors are hosting a trip to Westin Country Store & Bryant House in Westin, VT on Monday, May 16, 2016. The cost is $23 per person, includes lunch and visit to the Vermont Country Store. Leaves from Saratoga Train Station or America Legion in Schuylerville. Money is due by April 26. Mail checks to Old Saratoga Seniors; c/o Mary LaMora, 19 Seward St D16, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Call (518) 584-7986 for more info. Sign up early.
Send your local briefs to calendar@saratogapublishing.com two weeks prior to the event.
Week of March 11 – March 17, 2016
Family Friendly Event
Friday, March 11 Fish Fry Fridays Fish Creek Rod and Gun Club, Route 32 south of the village of Victory, 4:30 – 7 p.m. Menu: fried fish, fried clams, fried chicken tenders, popcorn shrimp or buffalo shrimp. Also clam chowder by the bowl or by the quart. Beverages: soda, water, coffee or beer. Eat in at our club house or call ahead for take-out (518) 695-3917. Everyone is welcome.
Yaddo Presents: Works in Progress - Anthony Grooms in Conversation Northshire Bookstore, 424 Broadway, Saratoga Spring, 7:30 p.m. We are thrilled to partner with Yaddo to bring the best in new writing and new ideas to the Capital District. The new speaker series, Yaddo Presents, continues with an evening with Yaddo writer Anthony Grooms, author of Bombingham. Grooms will discuss his current work in progress and his moving first novel, which looks back at the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights era violence in Birmingham. For more information, visit www.northshire.com
Saturday, March 12 Spring Craft Fair Ballston Area Community Center, 20 Malta Ave., Ballston Spa, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. The BACC will be hosting their annual spring Craft Fair, featuring local artist, and crafters. Something for everyone. Admission is free.
Happy Traum: Coming of Age in the Greenwich Village Folk Revival and Woodstock Scene Saratoga Springs Public Library - H. Dutcher Community Room, 49 Henry Street, Saratoga Springs, 2 – 4 p.m.
With colorful anecdotes and incisive memories, and the aid of vintage photos and music clips, Happy Traum relates his adventures as an active member of the New York folk revival. He recounts his friendship with Bob Dylan in Woodstock, as well as his association with Allen Ginsberg, George Harrison, Pete Seeger, Dave Van Ronk and many other notables on the scene. Happy punctuates his remembrances with powerful renditions of songs and guitar solos from the “folk era” and beyond. This free program is presented by Caffe Lena and Saratoga Springs Public Library in cooperation with the Empire State Plaza Performing Arts Center’s New York Living Legacy Project.
Criminal Justice Reform: Motivating and Mobilizing the Faith Community for Restorative Justice Bethesda Episcopal Church, 26 Washington Street, Saratoga Springs, 1 – 4:30 p.m. The Skidmore College Project on Restorative Justice will present a community forum. The event is free and open to the public. The discussion will explore reforms needed to improve the fairness and effectiveness of the criminal justice system in New York State and the U.S. and the roadblocks facing formerly incarcerated men and women as they attempt to re-enter society. Speakers include Sheila Rule, former New York Times correspondent and co-founder and executive director of the Think Outside the Cell Foundation; Jonathan Gradess, executive director of the New York State Defenders Association; and David Karp, professor of sociology at Skidmore College and director of the college’s Project on Restorative Justice.
Sunday, March 13 Dharma Meditation One Big Roof, Center for Mindful Practices, located in the Saratoga Health & Wellness Bldg. (across from Maple Ave. Middle School) 9 - 10:15 a.m. This is a group meeting for meditation followed up by a short discussion. All contemplative traditions are honored. Visit www. oneroofsaratoga.com or call Pierre at (413) 992-7012.
CALENDAR 41 Children’s Auditions for New York City Ballet at SPAC National Museum of Dance, 99 South Broadway, Saratoga Springs, 10 a.m. The Saratoga Performing Arts Center has announced children’s auditions for New York City Ballet’s July performances of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at SPAC. Ms. Dena Abergel, New York City Ballet’s Children’s Ballet Master, will conduct the auditions. Having loved his experiences of performing onstage as a child, Balanchine felt it was important that children be given the same opportunity in his own ballets when possible. A Midsummer Night’s Dream is one such ballet that features several dozen roles for children. This summer, SPAC honors Balanchine’s legacy with casts of local dance students performing the roles of fairies, butterflies, and pages. For more information and audition forms, visit www.dancemuseum.org and www.spac.org.
Hop Out Hunger Easter Egg Hunt Milton Community Center, 310 Northline Road, Ballston Spa, 1 – 3 p.m. JCI Saratoga Springs Jaycees are organizing the annual Hop Out Hunger Easter Egg Hunt. Kids up to fifth grade are welcome. Admission is a non-perishable food item. Monetary donations are welcome. Games, prizes and a visit from the Easter Bunny. Special thanks to the Town of Milton and the Village of Ballston Spa for their support of this event. Contact Kim at (518) 528-1787 for questions or www.saratogajaycees.org for more information.
125 Years of Tango: A Walk Through the History of the Dance National Museum of Dance, 99 S. Broadway, Saratoga Springs, 3 p.m. This exhibition, the only one of its kind, presents costumes, music, artifacts and historical details dedicated solely to Argentine Tango. As part of this celebration, join Tango Fusion’s Johnny and Diane for demonstrations and a guided tour of the exhibition. Also try your hand at the dance itself with tango lessons throughout the afternoon. This event is free and open to the public. Don’t miss your last chance to view this fantastic exhibition.
Souper Supper Greenwich Elks Auxiliary BPOE 2223, Corner Bulson Rd. and Route 40, 4 – 6 p.m. Enjoy bottomless bowls of soup for only $7 per person. Bread, soft drinks and dessert included. Kids age 5 – 10 $3, and under 5 free. Dine in only. No reservations needed, there is plenty of room. For more information, call Amberlyn Deyo at (518) 587-8224.
Café Musica Coffee House Old Saratoga Reformed Church, corner of Burgoyne and Pearl St., Schuylerville, 6:30 – 8 p.m. Featured will be “This Time Around,” an eclectic Christian folk group; Lydia Martin playing her guitar and singing; a saxophone ensemble, the “Winds of Harmony and completing the lineup, the “Four Stray Cats”, a local folk/rock quartet. Refreshments will be available. No charge for admission, but a free will offering will be taken to support local mission projects. Handicapped accessible. For more information, call (518) 695-3479.
Monday, March 14 Wellness Walk at Camp Saratoga Wilton Wildlife Preserve and Park, Camp Saratoga North, 10 – 11 a.m. Start working on your New Year’s Resolutions and get out and enjoy the Preserve and Park with others looking to get outdoors. Our wellness walks are meant for both gentle exercise and for enjoying nature. It is good for people of even the most basic fitness level. Meet at Parking Lot #1 on Scout Road where the trail to Camp Saratoga North begins. The walk will be about an hour and will cover about a mile and a half of gently rolling terrain. Preregistration is suggested but not required. The program will not take place in inclement weather. If snowshoes are required they will be available for rental for $3.00 per person or free for members of the Preserve and Park.
Tuesday, March 15 The History of Rowing in Saratoga Springs with Dr. Lorraine Skibo Saratoga Springs Public Library, 49 Henry Street, Saratoga Springs, 7 – 8 p.m.
To complement this year’s Saratoga Reads selection, “The Boys in the Boat,” Dr. Lorraine Skibo will present a history of rowing in Saratoga Springs from the 19th century through the founding of the Saratoga Rowing Association in 1996. While pursuing her medical career in radiology, Dr. Skibo first learned to row in Boston and continues to race and row on Fish Creek. Free and open to the public. No registration required. For more information, visit www.sspl.org.
Wednesday, March 16 Olde Saratoga Seniors Meeting Schuylerville Town Hall, 12 Spring St., Schuylerville, Noon This will be a sandwich luncheon with dessert provided. There will be no entertainment at this meeting. Stay and play bingo afterwards. For more information, call Pat (518) 331-2978.
Thursday, March 17 Senior Nutrition Program: St. Patrick’s Special Various Locations in Saratoga County, Noon Menu: Corned beef and cabbage, red potatoes, carrots, rye bread and green iced brownie for dessert. A suggested donation of $2 per meal requested. Persons age 60 and over can participate in a meal. This nutritious lunch is served Mondays-Fridays. Reservations are required at least one day in advance by noon. For more information and contact phone numbers of locations, please call Billie Jo at The Office of the Aging, (518) 884-4996.
Bye Bye Birdie Saratoga Springs High School, Loewenburg Auditorium, 1 Blue Streak Blvd, Saratoga Springs, 7 p.m. Saratoga Springs High School Drama Club will present the funloving musical comedy. Ticket prices are: Adults $12, Seniors $7 and Students $7. Check website for details at www.sshsdramaclub. com/ticketinfo.
Send your calendar events to calendar@saratogapublishing.com two weeks prior to the event.
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Week of March 11 – March 17, 2016
Ring in Spring at Bands ‘N Beans
by Rebecca Davis Saratoga TODAY LAKE GEORGE — Winter is on its way out, which means that Lake George’s famous Bands ‘n Beans is on its way in. Taking place on Sunday, March 20, the 25th annual Bands ‘n Beans event brings together all-you-can-eat chili and all-you-can-dance-to live music for a springtime celebration that is sure to get you in the warmer weather spirit. Last year’s Bands ‘n Beans drew over 1,000 people to Lake George’s Roaring Brook Ranch, and it’s easy to see why. Nearly 30 area restaurants will be serving up signature chili, all in the name of friendly competition. Attendees can sample as many chili dishes as they wish, using tokens to vote on their favorite restaurant. To add to the party atmosphere, live music will be played on two stages non-stop throughout
the event. This year’s performers include Rich Ortiz, George Fletcher’s Foldin’ Money, Stony Creek Band, Big Fez & the Surfmatics, Dirt Cheap, Chris Ballini, Tim Wechgelaer & Chris Carey, PJ Ferguson, and Cowboy Ernie Sites. A silent auction will also be held at the event. Bands ‘n Beans’ 2014 and 2015 chili competition winner, UpRiver Café, will be returning this year to defend their title. Other participating businesses include: Barking Spider, Barnsider, Bean’s Country Store, Caffé Vero, Caldwell House, Center Plate, Dizzy Chicken, Docksider, Dunham’s Bay Lodge, East Cove, Frederick’s, Friends Lake Inn, Full Moon Bar & Grill, The Garrison, The Georgian, Grateful Den, King Neptune’s, Lizzie Keays, Longhorn Restaurant & Pub, Northway Diner, O’Toole’s Restaurant, The Tavern, and Vic’s Tavern. Along with delectable chili from all these restaurants, Rock Hill Bakehouse will be serving their award winning breads, and Ben & Jerry’s will be selling their famous ice cream. “There are always new bands to take the stage, and
always new restaurants to rotate into the competition each year,” said Andrea Jacobs, event coordinator for Bands ‘n Beans. “This is also the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Lake George Arts Project.” Bands ‘n Beans not only makes for a great time, but it benefits a great cause as well. Jacobs, who works with the Lake George Arts Project, explained how the organization’s mission is to “keep arts and music alive in the Lake George region.” Using proceeds from Bands ‘n Beans and other fundraisers, the Lake George Arts Project runs the Courthouse Gallery to showcase local artists, organizes the Lake George Jazz Festival, and each summer, brings audiences together in Shepherd Park for the Summer Concert Series. “A lot of people don’t know what cause they’re supporting [at Bands ‘n Beans], they just enjoy seeing the bands and the competition between the restaurants. But we couldn’t do all that we do without this public support,” said Jacobs. “This
event is so much fun, and a nice way to get out of hibernation. It really is the rite of spring.” Bands ‘n Beans will once again take place at Roaring Brook Ranch, located at 2206 NY-9N in Lake George. Tickets are $20, and can be purchased at the door. For more information, visit lakegeorgearts.org or facebook. com/lakegeorgeartsproject.
Week of March 11 – March 17, 2016
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Last Chance at National Museum of Dance! SARATOGA SPRINGS — Sunday, March 13 will be the last chance for the public to view “125 Years of Tango: A Walk through the History of the Dance” at the National Museum of Dance, located at 99 S. Broadway. This exhibition, the only one of its kind, presents costumes, music, artifacts and historical details dedicated solely to Argentine tango. The exhibit, which opened one year ago, begins with the primitive tango of the 1890s through the modern tango of today, and explores the rich history of the dance. The Museum has collaborated with world-renowned tango dancer and historian Antón Gazenbeek, whose private collection makes up much of the installation. As part of this last chance celebration on March 13, Tango
Photos by Lisa Miller, Studio di Luce
Johnny Martinez and Diane Lachtrupp of Tango Fusion Dance Company will be at the National Museum of Dance on Sunday, March 13.
“125 Years of Tango: A Walk through the History of the Dance” at the National Museum of Dance.
Local Actors’ Guild Performs “The Odd Couple” SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Local Actors’ Guild of Saratoga will be presenting “The Odd Couple,” a play by Neil Simon, on Friday, March 18 and 25 at 8 p.m., Saturday, March 19 and 26 at 8 p.m., and Sunday, March 20 and 27 at 2 p.m. Performances will take place at The Dee Sarno Theater, located at 320 Broadway, at the Saratoga Arts Center.
The play follows divorced slob Oscar Madison, who invites a group of guys over to play cards. One of the guests, Felix Ungar, who happens to be very meticulous and tense, has just been separated from his wife. The slob and the neat-freak decide to share one apartment, but patterns of their own disastrous marriages begin to reappear with hilarious results.
Throw in a double date with the Pigeon Sisters and enjoy a night of uproarious fun. Directed by Melissa Putterman-Hoffman, JJ Buechner will be playing the role of Oscar Madison and Oliver Ord as Felix Ungar. Tickets to “The Odd Couple” are $20 general admission. For reservations, call 518-393-3496.
Fusion’s Johnny Martinez and Diane Lachtrupp will be giving demonstrations and a guided tour of the exhibition. Visitors can try their hand at the dance itself with tango lessons throughout the afternoon. This event begins at 3 p.m., and is free and open to the public. The National Museum of Dance is currently open for
daily admissions on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 12 to 4 p.m. To support future exhibitions and events such as these, consider becoming a museum member. For more information about exhibitions and upcoming events, visit dancemuseum.org or call 518-584-2225.
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Week of March 11 – March 17, 2016
Saratoga Springs High School to perform the 1960’s Classic “Bye-Bye Birdie” by Allie Capasso for Saratoga TODAY SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs High School drama club is set to put on another showstopping spring musical this month. The cast and crew have been working hard to put it together for months now, and it’s down to crunch time. The Saratoga Springs High School drama club is known for their first-rate performances. Putting on shows like these takes more work than many can imagine. Actors rehearse around 16-20 hours a week for four months, while the technical and backstage crew often works many late hours after the actors have gone home to rest. Everyone involved is exceptionally hard-working and won’t settle for anything less than flawless. As a member of the drama club myself, co-operating the sound system, I can attest to this. The actors in “Bye-Bye Birdie” work long hours with director Bob Berenis, musical director Jeff Halstead, and choreographer Leigh Berenis on perfecting character work, dance moves and harmonies. Starring in the show are seniors Liam McKenna and Olivia Holguín. McKenna plays the quirky momma’s boy, Albert, while Holguín plays his opposite as the fiery Rosie. Though McKenna has been involved with the drama club for four years,
Photos by MarkBolles.com
Holguín is a new student at Saratoga as of this year, and impressively scored the lead role in her first production at the school. “It’s been a good switch for me. I went to a tiny private school before where I did a lot of Shakespeare. Musical theater is a new experience for me. It’s very different,” said Holguín. “I love playing Rosie. I’m really glad to be playing a Hispanic character.” Any show that’s ever been performed wouldn’t exist without a technical crew. Saratoga’s tech crew is quite a large one. Tech consists of set construction, sound and lights, backstage running crew, costuming, producing, and stage managing. Freshman Tucker Wurtmann
works on set construction and backstage running crew. “As tech, we create the set and make everything look nice. Running crew is responsible for making the scene changes happen,” said Wurtmann, who plans to continue with drama club throughout the rest of high school. “I just really like the people here.” The sound and lights crew are responsible for lighting the stage and making sure the actors are heard. As a member of drama club, the sound system operator is my role. I work alongside senior Mary Kate Rogan. “It’s a big responsibility, but it’s fun,” said Rogan, who has been involved since her sophomore year. A musical wouldn’t be a musical
without music! “Bye-Bye Birdie” will have a full pit orchestra with brass, strings, and percussion. The orchestra members have been practicing separately for months, and have started applying their hard work at rehearsals with the actors. “The pit music is really hard this year, but playing it with my favorite music teachers makes it easier to tackle,” said senior Erin Eberhardt who plays percussion in the pit.
Eberhardt has been an avid member of the club for years, playing in the pit and working with tech. “Bye-Bye Birdie” will be performed March 17 at 7 p.m., March 18 and 19 at 7:30 p.m., and March 20 at 2 p.m. at the Saratoga Springs High school auditorium. Tickets are $12 for adults, $7 for senior citizens and $7 for students. Tickets will be available at the door, or may be purchased at sshsdramaclub.com/ticketinfo.
Week of March 11 – March 17, 2016
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“Snoga:” An Outdoor Yoga Skidmore to Welcome U.S. Poet Laureate SARATOGA SPRINGS — Class for Everyone U.S. Poet Laureate Juan Felipe
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Coesa is hosting “Snoga,” an outdoor standing pose yoga class on Sunday, March 13 at noon in Spa State Park. Snoga, originally planned as a yoga class in the snow, looks like it’s going to be on a warmer day than expected for early March. Taking place just outside the lawn at Lincoln Baths, Snoga will be a great way to get out and enjoy this unseasonably nice weather. The Snoga class will be a benefit for Coesa, a not-for-profit that seeks to raise funds to create a holistic and wellness retreat center in the heart of Saratoga Springs. According to Coesa’s website, the
organization “integrates holistic practices, the natural environment and the healing springs Coesa’s energy inspires positive and sustaining change and is the source of renewal of spirit and deep exploration of self to forge new paths for transformation.” Snoga will be taught by three newly-trained yoga teachers: Melisa Golub, Jael Polnac and Allison Verley. The class is suitable for all ages and all levels of yoga experience. No yoga mat is needed. For more information about Coesa and Snoga, visit coesainthepark.com and facebook.com/ coesainthepark.
Herrera will give a public reading at Skidmore College on Wednesday, March 23. Free and open to the public, the event will begin at 7 p.m. in Gannett Auditorium, Palamountain Hall. In the poem “Blood on the Wheel” by Herrera, blood is the motif. The rhythmic litany weaves imagery of blood through the lives of migrants and laborers, women and children, prostitutes and hoodlums, Mexicans and Bosnians. Herrera’s other poems are spare, or partly prose, or as much visual as verbal—a diversity he will bring to his March 23 reading. The son of migrant farm workers, Herrera has won numerous honors for his poetry and novels, as well as his performance art and activism on behalf of migrants, at-risk youth, and others. He was educated at UCLA and Stanford University, and earned an MFA from the University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop. His numerous poetry collections include “187 Reasons Mexicanos Can’t Cross the Border: Undocuments 19712007,” “Half of the World in Light: New and Selected Poems (2008),” and “Border-Crosser with a Lamborghini Dream (1999).” He became the 21st U.S. Poet Laureate in 2015.
U.S. Poet Laureate Juan Felipe Herrera will be at Skidmore College on March 23. Photo provided.
Professor Viviana Rangil organized Herrera’s Skidmore visit. She predicts students across the college will enjoy Herrera’s public reading. “His poetry is very socially conscious and up to the minute with international news and issues,” said Rangil. “He’s also a performer, he has written books for children as well as adults, and he writes in both English and Spanish. He writes for a wide range of poetic tastes.” Herrera’s time on campus will include a brown-bag lunch session, where he’ll interact with students from Rangil’s course as well as from an international affairs course on the U.S.-Mexico border, a study of Latino/a history, and courses in Spanish and Latin American studies. The March 23 public event will include awarding Herrera
an honorary degree from Skidmore. A Q&A with the audience will follow the poetry reading. Afterward, at a reception in the lobby, Northshire Bookstore of Saratoga Springs will cohost a book signing by the author. For more information about this event, contact Skidmore College at 518-580-5000.
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ACROSS THE POND
Week of March 11 – March 17, 2016
week of 3/11-3/17
Across the Pond is a group of musicians that pays tribute to the music of The Beatles, not by impersonation, but by focusing on their distinct music style. Across the Pond will be performing at Universal Preservation Hall on Saturday, March 12 at 7:30 p.m., with doors opening at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20, and can be purchased at the door or online at herecomesthesun.brownpapertickets.com. Proceeds from the event will benefit Universal Preservation Hall’s restoration efforts. For more information, visit universalpreservationhall.org.
friday, 3/11:
@ Wishing Well — 584.7640
Jess Marcotte, 9 pm @ Bentley’s — 899.4300 Lucy Kaplansky, 8 pm @ Caffè Lena — 583.0022 Jeff Walton, 7 pm @ Carson’s Woodside Tavern — 584.9791 Jukebox Night, 9 pm @ Caroline St. Pub — 583.9400 Party of Three, 4 pm @ End Zone Sports Pub — 584.6460 Rick Bolton + Sheri Nolan, 9 pm @ Gaffney’s — 587.7359 Ill Funk Ensemble, 10 pm @ Harvey’s — 583.0003 Electric City Hustlers, 5:30 pm @ Nanola — 587.1300 Rob Lindquist Group, 9 pm @ 9 Maple Avenue — 583.2582 Shaun McCarthy, 6 pm @ One Caroline — 587.2026 Jeff Nania Afro.Cuban Ensemble, 9 pm @ One Caroline — 587.2026 Nancy Kamen, 5:30 pm @ Primetime Ultra Lounge — 583.4563 Dryer w/ Mournin’ Dove and Sobgoblin, 9 pm @ Putnam Den — 584.8066 Stout Boys, 8 pm @ The Mill — 899.5253 Barleyjuice, 9 pm @ The Parting Glass — 583.1916 Emily Teller, 8:30 pm @ The Rusty Nail — 371.9875 Rich Ortiz, 6 pm @ The Saratoga Winery — 584.9463 Lisa Santoso, 6:30 pm @ Thirsty Owl — 587.9694 Skeeter Creek, 8 pm @ Vapor — 581.5775
sunday, 3/13:
saturday, 3/12: Dan Sherwin, 9 pm @ Bentley’s — 899.4300 Happy Traum, 2 pm @ Caffè Lena — 583.0022 Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen, 8 pm @ Caffè Lena — 583.0022 Nate, 7 pm @ Carson’s Woodside Tavern — 584.9791 Blackouts, 9 pm @ Gaffney’s — 587.7359 The Master Cylinders, 10 pm @ Harvey’s — 583.0003 Electric City Horns, 8 pm @ Nanola — 587.1300 Steve Lambert Quartet, 9 pm @ 9 Maple Avenue — 583.2582 Vinnie Martucci, 6 pm @ One Caroline — 587.2026 Bobby Kendall Trio, 9 pm @ One Caroline — 587.2026 Rich Ortiz, 5:30 pm @ Primetime Ultra Lounge — 583.4563 Lucid w/ Wobblesauce, 9:30 pm @ Putnam Den — 584.8066 String Theory, 9 pm @ The Mill — 899.5253 Forthlin Road, 9 pm @ The Parting Glass — 583.1916 Marcus Ruggiero, 3 pm @ The Saratoga Winery — 584.9463 Mike O’Donnell, 6:30 pm @ Thirsty Owl — 587.9694 The Refridgerators, 9 pm @ Vapor — 581.5775 Across the Pond, 7:30 pm @ Univ Preservation Hall — 581.5775 Rob Aronstein, 7 pm
Epstein, Lowman + Weinstein, 7 pm @ Caffè Lena — 583.0022 Live Jazz Brunch, 10 am @ Primetime Ultra Lounge — 583.4563 Red Haired Strangers, 3 pm @ The Saratoga Winery — 584.9463
monday, 3/14: Justin Joyner, 6:30 pm @ Brook Tavern — 871.1473
tuesday, 3/15: Rich Ortiz, 9 pm @ Caroline St. Pub — 583.9400 Open Mic with Rick Bolton, 8 pm @ Gaffney’s — 587.7359 Steve Candlen, 6:30 pm @ Thirsty Owl — 371.9875
wednesday, 3/16: The Masters of Nostalgia, 8:30 pm @ One Caroline — 587.2026 Celtic Session, 7 pm @ The Parting Glass — 583.1916 Karaoke, 9 pm @ The Rusty Nail — 371.9875
st. patricks day thursday, 3/17:3/17 The Road Kings, 6 pm @ Almost Saratoga — 583.6060 Marcus Ruggiero, 7 pm @ Bailey’s — 583.6060 Dave Moore, Noon @ Bentley’s — 899.4300 Open Mic, 7 pm @ Caffè Lena — 583.0022 Tim Wechgelaer, noon @ Carson’s Woodside Tavern — 583.9400 Black Abbey, 7 pm @ Carson’s Woodside Tavern — 583.9400 Open Mic, 10 pm @ Circus Café — 583.1106 Jeff Walton + Tim Wechgalear, 3 pm @ Gaffney’s — 587.7359 Gwen Tracy Trio, 8 pm @ Gaffney’s — 587.7359 Black Abbey, noon @ Harvey’s — 583.0003 Irish Step Dancers, 4 pm @ Harvey’s — 583.0003 The Grady Girls, 8 pm @ Harvey’s — 583.0003 Rob Fleming, 7 pm @ Nanola — 587.1300 Chris Carey & Mike O’Donnell, 8 pm @ One Caroline — 587.2026 Rich Ortiz, 5:30 pm @ Primetime Ultra Lounge — 583.4563 Aqueous w/ Doctor Magnum and Let’s Be Leonard, 7 pm @ Putnam Den — 584.8066 Dan Sherwin, 5 pm @ The Mill — 899.5253 Celtic Session, 7 pm @ The Parting Glass — 583.1916 Kevin McKrell + Forthlin Road, 11 am @ The Parting Glass — 583.1916 Rich Clements, 2 pm @ The Rusty Nail — 583.1916 Jeff Strange, 4 pm @ The Rusty Nail — 371.9875
48
It’s where NEED to be.
YOU
Publication Day:
CLASSIFIED MARKETPLACE
Friday
Ad Copy Due: Wednesday, noon
Space Reservation Due: Monday, 5 p.m.
Week of March 11 – March 17, 2016
classified@saratogapublishing.com
Call (518) 581-2480 x204 FOR SALE
INSTRUCTION
FOR RENT REAL ESTATE AUCTIONS 100+ HOMES-LANDCOMMERCIAL BUILDINGS PROPERTY TAX AUCTION 3/30@11AM. Holiday Inn, Elmira, NY. 800-243-0061 HAR, Inc. & AAR, Inc. Free brochure, Bid Online from Anywhere: www.NYSAUCTIONS.com
LAND FOR SALE CATSKILLS FARM LIQUIDATION March 12th & 13th! Lender Ordered! 5 to 39 acre Tracts! Foreclosure prices! Mountain views, streams, ponds, gorgeous setting just 2 hours from the GW Bridge! Terms avail! Call 888-905-8847 NewYorkLandandLakes.com UPSTATE NY LAND BARGAIN! 11 acres Stream, Pond -$39,900 Beautiful woods, long rd frontage, Utils, EZ drive from NY City! Terms avail. Call 888-479-3394 NOW!
MISCELLANEOUS SAWMILLS from only $4397.00- MAKE & SAVE MONEY with your own bandmill- Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship! FREE Info/DVD: www.NorwoodSawmills.com 1-800-578-1363 Ext.300N
Week of March 11 – March 17, 2016
AUTO DONATIONS Donate your car to Wheels For Wishes, benefiting MakeA-Wish. We offer free towing and your donation is 100% tax deductible. Call 518-650-1110 Today!
VACATION RENTALS OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND. Best selection of affordable rentals. Full/ partial weeks. Call for FREE brochure. Open daily. Holiday Resort Services. 1-800638-2102. Online reservations: www.holidayoc.com
HELP WANTED Can You Dig It? Heavy Equipment Operator Career! We Offer Training and Certifications Running Bulldozers, Backhoes and Excavators. Lifetime Job Placement. VA Benefits Eligible! 1-866-362-6497
EVENTS VT. Gunshow, March 12-13 at the Howe Ctr (Franklin Room), 1 Scale Ave. Rutland VT. 05701 Free parking,Sat:9-5 and Sun: 9-2 greenmtgunshowtrail.com 802-875-4540
DIVORCE DIVORCE $349 Uncontested divorce papers prepared. Only one signature required. Poor person Application included if applicable. Separation agreements. Custody and support petitions. - 518-274-0380
HUNTING Our Hunters will Pay Top $$$ To hunt your land. Call for a Free Base Camp Leasing info packet & Quote. 1-866-309-1507 www.BaseCampLeasing.com
JEWELRY APPRAISAL EXPERT JEWELRY, GEM & DIAMOND APPRAISALSA+ ASSOCIATES GEM LAB- Graduate Gemologist Diane Burke provides unbiased, confidential, appraisals of all types. Brokerage services. (518)438-1511 www. aplusappraisals.info
AIRLINE CAREERS Start Here Get trained as FAA certified Aviation Technician. Financial aid for qualified students. Job placement assistance. Call AIM for free information 866-296-7093
49
50 BALLSTON SPA 604 Cindy Lane, $245,000. Edwin and Linda Belles sold property to Jeffrey and Kayla Griffin. 43 Lewis St., $169,950. Lucille Defilippo (by Atty) sold property to Andrew and Tara Champagne. 24 Remsen St., $225,101. Bruce and Kelly Pilkey sold property to Hezzies Daughters LLC.
CHARLTON 8 Maplewood Dr., $177,000. Anders Faltskog sold property to Eric and Genna Rowe-Jones.
CLIFTON PARK 19B Woodcliffe Dr., $159,574. Shirley Sullivan sold property to Jaime Linnemann. 1 Dhara Ct., $112,500. Kain Development LLC sold property to DeGraff Bloom Custom Builders Inc. 5 Tekawitha Ct., $170,000. Loretta Nudelman sold property to Vincent Bennett and Melissa Lafond-Bennett.
PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS 12 Yogi Ct., $112,500. Kain Development LLC sold property to DeGraff Bloom custom Builders Inc. 152 Wood Dale Dr., $257,000. Michael and Darlene Hancox sold property to Aaron Cordes and Jingyuan Yao. 92 Stoney Creek Dr., $181,500. Robert Howells sold property to Patricia Dugas. 25 Haystack Rd., $235,000. Tikiri Dissanayake sold property to Kristin Sicko. 16 Lace Lane, $223,000. Michael Petryk (as Trustee) sold property to Marissa Petta and Todd Gordon.
CORINTH 312 Center St., $147,000. William and Donna Mulcahy sold property to Kathleen Lesson.
GALWAY 1528 Route 29, $48,500. Oscar Sittner, Jamie Sittner (Ind. and As Agent) and Kelly Percival (by Agent) sold property to David Hutchins.
GREENFIELD 516 North Creek Rd., $40,000. William Cunningham sold property to Jeanette Ramsey.
MALTA 59 Arrowwood Place, $158,000. Jeffrey Gould sold property to Patricia Fogg. 2656 Route 9, $95,100. Thomas Deveno and Thomas Farone sold property to Archaeological Conservancy. 44 Burlington Ave., $157,000. Adam Sweet sold property to Suzanne Hall-Westcott. 53 Admirals Way, $431,050. Malta Land Company LLC sold property to Russell and Rachel Lachapelle. 46 Thimbleberry Rd., $170,000. Christopher Mushaw (by Admin) sold property to George Bleuzen and Virginia Whitney.
MILTON 606 Sunny Lane, $193,750. Frederick Dreher, Sr. sold property to Matthew Dreher. 908 MacArthur Dr., $300,715. Tra Tom Development Inc. sold property to John Bastolla, III. 14 Knollwood Hollow Terrace,
Week of March 11 – March 17, 2016
$171,500. Yvette Brown (by Atty) sold property to Robert and Muna Pulling. 539 Sherman Rd., $144,000. Raymond Howe, Leanne Ball (by Exec), Dustin Howe, Susan Talmadge, Wayne Howe, and Cheri Howe sold property to Dominic, Vincent and Nancy Manaco.
MOREAU 1044 State Rt. 9, $320,000. Keith and Shannon O’Borne sold property to Wendy McDade. 24 Briarhurst Dr., $285,000. Edward Powers sold property to Matthew Sersen. 178 Main St., $80,100. State of New York Mortgage Agency sold property to Margaret Gannon and Robert Jenkins.
NORTHUMBERLAND 6 Third St., $151,400. Frederick and Virginia Whiting sold property to Charles Clark, Jr.
SARATOGA 1058 NYS Route 29, $10,000. Riversource Reo 1 LLC sold property to Jay Degarmo. 227 Broad St., $150,000. Bruce and Kerry Lawson sold property to Sean and Jennifer Healy.
SARATOGA SPRINGS 457 Broadway, $700,000. John Compton (Ind. and CoTrustee) and Joan Compton (Co-Trustee) sold property to Maher Compton. 14 Prospect Dr., $177,000. Frank DeSantis (Ind. and as Atty) and Janet R Life Estate (by Atty) sold property to James Kennedy. 10 James St., $190,000. Anne Morris sold property to Blue Moon Home Management LLC. 124 Fifth Ave., $1,200,000. Kenneth McPeek (as Trustee) sold property to Robert and Kristine Edwards.
STILLWATER 14 Carpenter Place, $228,000. Michael and Kelly Lucas sold property to Edward and Jenette Coon. 672-74 Hudson Ave., $155,000. Christian Thrane (as Trustee) sold property to Matthew and Tamra Hopkins. Lot 2 Gronczniak Rd., $9,000. Shirley Ligiecki sold property to James and Christine Purdy. 14 Whitney Rd., $266,000. Penelope Martin sold property to Warren and Emily O’Connor.
WILTON 64 Gailor Rd., $287,000. David and Joanne Eddy sold property to Donald and Lauren Benway.
SPORTS 51
Week of March 11 – March 17, 2016
Final Four!
Photos by Francesco D’Amico
SPORTS
Blue Streaks off to Buffalo this Weekend in Search of Third State Title
Junior forward Jonathan Luse (2) scored two quick goals in the first period
Co-captains Elliot Hungerford (9) scored and Jake Fauler (24) assisted on Saratoga’s third tally
Colin Paton (6) gets Saratoga’s fourth goal of the first period, en route to a 5-0 win over Monroe-Woodbury in a regional final. It was the last home game at Weibel for many seniors, and a great time to celebrate.
Saratoga closes out scoring to win NYSPHSAA regional finals
52
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Four jockeys, four Thoroughbreds and two trainers comprise the 10 finalists on the National Museum of Racing’s 2016 Hall of Fame ballot, as selected by the Museum’s Hall of Fame Nominating Committee on Wednesday, March 9. The finalists are: jockeys Ramon Dominguez, Victor Espinoza, Garrett Gomez and Craig Perret; Thoroughbreds English Channel, Kona Gold, Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta; and trainers Steve Asmussen and David Whiteley. Dominguez, English Channel, Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta are first-time finalists. Hall of Fame voters
SPORTS
Week of March 11 – March 17, 2016
National Museum of Racing Announces 2016 Hall of Fame Finalists may select as many candidates as they believe are worthy of induction to the Hall of Fame. A maximum of four candidates with the highest vote totals — provided they receive majority approval (50.1 percent) of the voting panel — will be elected to the Hall of Fame. If less than four candidates receive “yes” votes from a majority of voters, there will be fewer than four inductees in 2016. The results of the voting on contemporary candidates will be announced on Monday, April 25. The induction ceremony will be held at the Fasig-Tipton Sales Pavilion in Saratoga Springs on Friday, August 12 at 10:30 a.m. The
ceremony is free and open to the public. The finalists were selected by the Hall of Fame’s 16-member Nominating Committee from a total of 82 initial candidates suggested by turf journalists, Thoroughbred industry participants and racing fans. To be eligible, trainers must have been licensed for 25 years, while jockeys must have been licensed for 20 years. Thoroughbreds must be retired for five calendar years before becoming eligible. All candidates must have been active within the past 25 years. The 20- and 25-year requirements for jockeys and trainers, respectively, may be waived, at
Rachel Alexandra (3) Wins the 2009 Woodward Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. Photo by Sharon Castro.
the discretion of the Museum’s Executive Committee. Dominguez, who rode from 1996 through 2013 before suffering a career-ending injury, had the 20-year requirement
waived by the Executive Committee. Candidates not active within the past 25 years are eligible through the Historic Review process.
coverage of the Tour de France and luge events at the winter Olympics, among other assignments. Posey’s proudest moment with ABC Sports came when he was honored with an Emmy for Writing for the network’s coverage of Alaska’s famed Iditarod sled dog race. Other major accomplishments of “Renaissance Man” Posey include acclaim as an artist and painter and credit for his endeavors as an architect, including the Control Tower at Lime Rock Park and numerous homes and commercial buildings in the area. He also holds a place of honor in the model railroading community, where his tome “Playing With Trains” is held in extremely high regard, as is the world-class train layout at his Connecticut home.
The Posey exhibit, which will occupy the auto museum’s Golub Gallery, will include three cars from his personal collection, including his Mercedes-Benz Gullwing, a vintage Formula Ford and his 1967 Caldwell D7. A number of other significant cars marking various stages of his career will be announced at a later date. This exhibit will open to the public on June 11, with the annual Saratoga Automobile Museum Gala, honoring Sam Posey, set for Friday, June 24. More information on gala attendance, the Posey exhibit and the museum’s wide-ranging activities and educational programs can be found online at www.saratogaautomuseum. org.
Auto Museum Exhibit to Feature Salute to Auto Racing’s “Renaissance Man”
SARATOGA SPRINGS – A strong argument could be made that auto racing and broadcasting icon Sam Posey, subject of the Saratoga Automobile Museum’s summer featured exhibit, is as deserving of the title: “the most interesting man in the world” as anyone in a Dos Equis beer commercial. “POSEY: Shifting Through the Creative Life of Sam Posey,” will be
subtitled “A journey through racing, art, broadcasting, writing, design and more.” But even a title of that length cannot do justice to Posey’s multi-faceted career, interests and skills. An amateur sports car racer whose career blossomed at nearby Lime Rock Park, Posey soon graduated to the professional Can AM and Trans AM series, where he wheeled one of Roger Penske’s Sunoco
Sam Posey. Photo Provided.
Camaros as a teammate to the legendary Mark Donohue. From there, Posey’s career path included the USAC Championship Car series, where he made 13 career starts including the Indianapolis 500, and endurance racing, highlighted by five top-10 finishes in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in ten starts. Posey’s second career began when he joined ABC Sports, serving as analyst for a variety of auto racing broadcasts. Best known for his work in the broadcast booth at the Indianapolis 500 and ongoing coverage of the CART/PPG Indy Car Series, Sam delighted the audience when he sparred repeatedly with fellow analyst Bobby Unser. His association with ABC Sports grew, and Posey was the lead broadcaster on
Week of March 11 – March 17, 2016
SPORTS 53
The Olympics: Are They In Trouble?
by Damian Fantauzzi for Saratoga TODAY I don’t know if you’ve been following the scuttlebutt of what’s going on with the upcoming Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. With about 6 months until the opening of the 2016 Summer Olympics, there are many problems that show no signs of resolution. I have used as a reference some information from an article written by Emmett Knowlton, a writer for the Business Insider. Knowlton also researched some of his information through Will Connors of The Wall Street Journal. There is a big political problem in Brazil, one of which is financing and constructing a subway that extends about 10 miles from the Capital of Brasilia. The hope is to have it ready by the opening ceremony. The cost is approximately $247 million U.S. dollars. Rio’s biggest impediment is that there are the distractions of corruption scandals, and the ongoing impeachment proceedings against Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff. Mind you, this subway is expected to carry some 300,000 people daily from the capital to Olympic Park. This subway is supposed to be finished by July 1. Note that the games begin on August 5, and if this extension of the current subway system isn’t ready by then, there is no plan B. Then there are the mosquitoborne diseases - multiple illnesses are spreading faster than the effort to combat them. As of December 2015, a record number cases, 1.58 million people have come down with dengue fever (a common tropical viral disease with symptoms of high fever, headaches, pain behind the eyes, muscle pain, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, skin rash, and mild nose and
gum bleeding), and Chikungunya (a virus with symptoms that might include: fever, joint pain, headache, muscle pain, swelling in the joints, or rash) is spreading as well. Most worrisome is the recent rapid-spreading and relatively new virus of Zika. Zika, was a little known disease, even though it’s been around for about 60 years, and now it is spreading quickly in the Rio de Janerio area. Zika can cause birth defects while mom is pregnant, and more research has discovered that the disease can be sexually transmitted. In other recent Olympics there have been budgetary issues. Obviously, this one is not any different - but to compound Brazil’s Olympic budgetary problems, there is a national economic crisis. The monies for the infrastructure costs rose to more than $5.9 billion U.S. dollars. This price tag is 25 percent higher than the original plan. Also, the poverty level of Brazil is off the charts. According to 2011 statistics, fully 21.4 percent of the population is considered to be “below” the poverty level, with 4.2 percent considered below the “extreme” poverty line. This rate of poverty is in part attributed to the country’s economic inequality. In response to the overall economic situation, the Opening and Closing Ceremonies are expected to be less lavish than those of London and Beijing Summer Olympics. Rio de Janiero said it would slash expenses by 30 percent, with cutbacks in highend cuisine for VIPs and a reduction in the number of trained volunteers who would assist visitors. In certain sites they will use temporary tents, in place of durable structures. By far, the biggest, and most talked about scandal is regarding the two polluted bodies of water (Guanabara Bay and Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon), in which athletes will compete. These bodies of water are showing no signs of improvement. Several athletes in the Rio training on these waters in prep for the Games have become ill. One German sailor contracted MRSA. The AP quoted a U.S. expert in waterborne viruses, Kristina Mena, back in December, “The levels of viruses are so high in these Brazilian waters that if we saw those levels in the United States on beaches, officials would likely close those beaches.” Connors of The Wall Street
Journal said, “Plans for sewage treatment never materialized. Instead the government is using stopgap measures like small ‘eco-boats’ that move around the bay and collect larger pieces of debris.” That certainly won’t help clean the water; it’s not even a good band aid. Finally, there’s the sale of tickets - which very few Brazilians appear to have any interest in purchasing. This is worrisome to the organizing committee; they are relying on domestic ticket sales to meet 17 percent of its budget needs. But less than half of the 4.5-million domestic-market tickets have been sold. The people of the country in general are not in support of the Games. There have been some small protests held, with predicted larger ones to come toward the Opening Ceremony. This, of course, relates to the economic crisis. Brazilians are growing increasingly fed up with the coming Olympics. So the greatest question, comes
with the argument: Is it simply never worth hosting the Olympics? These Games are not cost effective in today’s international economy. My wife and I were discussing this issue with my son and our daughter-inlaw. My wife Ann thinks the solution that might seem to be more feasible for future Olympics, is maybe only have “one city” be the designated Olympia City, every four years. Say, Athens, Greece! I think what might be more economically affordable is using a few established venues, lets say: Los Angeles, Athens, Berlin, Sydney, and Beijing. Or a small number of designated international cities to host the Games every four years, in the summer and winter. Costs would just cover updates to the infrastructures and facilities, and a pot of international monies sitting in an account for that purpose. Maybe an international tax, that each participating government/
country would pay, all based on population, for financial growth for future Olympic venues. Let’s hope that Rio de Janiero can get its act together, before it gets worse. Maybe there needs to be more outside support and even some intervention with assistance from the international community to continue the progress before August. But the Olympic Games are worth saving. It is one of the few times that the world has a healthy and positive interaction between nations competing and demonstrating appreciation for each other, through the exciting scenario of athletic competition.
54
SPORTS
Week of March 11 – March 17, 2016
COMMUNITY SPORTS BULLETIN Ballston Spa School District Offers Community Swim Opportunities The Ballston Spa Aquatics Program is currently offering opportunities for public use of the pool during adult lap swimming sessions, from 6 -7 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, and on Monday and Wednesday evenings. A family/open swim is also offered on Saturday afternoons from noon – 2 p.m. Additional opportunities are offered throughout the year, including adult Aqua Cardio classes and a Learn-To-Swim program in the spring. The Community Swim Program is open to district students, families and community members. District residents need to show identification and pay a $1 entrance fee to utilize the pool. Nonresidents are admitted, as space allows, for a $2 fee. The pool is closed during swim meets, school vacations, emergency cancellations (i.e. snow days or early dismissals) and when school activities necessitate closure. Information is available online at www.bscsd.org, by clicking on the aquatics/pool button on the left side of the homepage. For more information, please contact the pool office directly at 518884-7150 ext. 2324.
Hoops Fest for Girls Coming to Skidmore Open to girls in grades 5-12, a basketball Hoops Fest will be coming to Skidmore College on Saturday, March 26. Girls will have the opportunity to play in a tournament where they play three games in one day, and learn from members of the Skidmore College team that were 2015 Liberty League Champions. For further information or to register: Email Coach Darren Bennett at dbennett@skidmore. edu or call 518-580-5363.
SNOGA! SNOGA! Outdoor Yoga! Coesa presents SNOGA! Regardless of whether or not there is any snow on the ground, join Coesa for an outdoor standing pose yoga class with three newlytrained yoga teachers: Melissa Golub, Jael Polnac and Allison Verley. Coesa is a not for profit seeking to renovate a structure in the Spa State Park for a holistic wellness and retreat center. Meet on the lawn outside the Lincoln Baths on Sunday, March 13th at noon. Dress in layers and wear gloves and boots. No yoga mats are needed.
Register Now for Camp Saradac - Now 8 Weeks! The Saratoga Springs Recreation Department will again be hosting Camp Saradac this summer. New this year is the addition
of an eighth week for more camp fun! Camp Saradac dates are June 27August 19 (no camp July 4th). Camp will be in session Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Camp will again be offering exciting weekly field trips, creative recreational and educational programs, arts + crafts, weekly swimming and themed weeks. Early Bird rates for the full eight-week program is $795 for Saratoga Springs city residents and $1085 for non Saratoga Springs city residents. Early Bird weekly rates are $170 for Saratoga Springs city residents and $235 for non Saratoga Springs city residents. Early Bird registration ends May 16, when prices will increase. Immunization records must be submitted with application in order to register. Sign up at the Saratoga Springs Recreation Center at 15 Vanderbilt Avenue, Monday Friday 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. or Sunday noon -6 p.m. For additional information or to download forms go to www. SaratogaRec.com. Questions? Call 587-3550 x2300 or email recreservations@saratoga-springs.org.
New Kaged Kombat MMA Events Announced After the success of his most recent event last November, Jon Spoor, owner of Kaged Kombat MMA, has announced that Kaged Kombat XXV and XXVI will take place at the Saratoga City Center. Three championship fights are
Puzzle solutions from pg. 33 Send your sports stories or briefs to Arthur Gonick, Sports Editor at arthur@saratoga publishing.com
scheduled for the March 12 event and another in May. Advance tickets are $30, and are available online at kagedkombat25.brownpapertickets. com. They are also available at the Comic Depot, on Broadway next to the City Center, at Cayman Tanning, 878 Route 9 in Queensbury, and from the fighters directly. Tickets are $40 on the day of the matches at the door. For more information, call Jason Ingleston at 518-955-0975.
Sign Up For 2nd Annual Blue Needs You 8K Run On March 26, 2016 join our great community of runners in the second annual Blue Needs You 8K Run. This family friendly event features an 8K Run, Kids Fun Run, and Cheer Squad- A $10 donation gets you a race day Cheer Squad tee. All proceeds benefit the Saratoga Springs Code Blue Shelter. When you “Run for Blue” you are ensuring a safe, warm shelter, kind hand and hot meals for individuals in the Saratoga region who may otherwise remain unsheltered during periods of hazardous winter weather. To register or for more information, visit www.codeblueneedsyou.org/wordpress/
Babysitting and Safety Course at Gavin Park Adirondack Health & Safety will once again be presenting a child and babysitting
at Gavin Park. This course is open to girls and boys, ages 10 and up. Participants will learn the basics of CABS (Child and Babysitting Safety), along with CPR and first aid. The course runs from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 2. Pre-registration and bag lunch is required. Cost for Wilton Residents is $60, Saratoga Springs School District Residents is $65, and all others are $70. Questions may be answered by calling the park office at 518-584-9455.
Saratoga Springs Recreation Department Summer Clinics and Programs Registration for summer clinics and programs hosted by the Saratoga Springs Recreation Department will begin Monday April 11. The Saratoga Springs Recreation Department will again be offering an extensive and varied list of programs and clinics for Summer 2016. Choose from boys and girls basketball, volleyball, baseball, field hockey, tennis, boys and girls lacrosse, soccer, cheerleading, skateboarding, softball, track, running, sandlot baseball, flag football and ice skating lessons. Questions? Call 587-3550 x2300 or email recreservations@saratoga-springs.org.
Week of March 11 – March 17, 2016
SPORTS 55
Scotties Stampede 5k State Champions in Track for Streaks Benefits BSCSD Partnership for Innovation in Education Fund
Two Seniors Crowned at Indoor Track Finals at Cornell
Aidan Tooker winning the Boys 5K last November at the New York State Federation Cross Country Championship.
BALLSTON SPA — The Ballston Spa Central School District has announced that the inaugural Scotties Stampede, the Ballston Spa 5k for Education, will be held on Saturday, May 21, at 9 a.m. The primary goal of the 5K is to bring the school community together and encourage students and their families to participate in healthy and active lifestyles. The entire community is invited to walk or run in this fun athletic event organized by the school district. Financially, the 5K will provide revenue for the district’s Ballston Spa Partnership for Innovation in Education Fund, a component fund of the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region. This field of interest fund is used to support the various innovative and missionrelated programs throughout the district that include Sponsor-A-Scholar, Robotics, the Performing and Fine Arts, STEM enrichment initiatives and the Clean Technologies and Sustainable Industries Early College High School (Clean Tech ECHS). The school district is grateful for all of the sponsors that are making the event possible including platinum and media sponsors Lemery Greisler LLC, LookMedia and Saratoga TODAY; and gold sponsors Empire BlueCross, Healthy Living Market Saratoga, Leonard Bus Sales, Inc., and TCT Federal Credit Union. For registration and additional details, please visit the event website
at http://www.scottiesstampede. org/. Information about sponsorships or volunteer opportunities is available by contacting the district’s Coordinator of Development, Amber Mooney, at amooney@bscsd. org or 518-884-7195 x1369.
ITHACA — Saratoga Springs High School Seniors Aidan Tooker and Tom Conboy were crowned State champions on Saturday, March 5, at the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Championships, which were held at Cornell University. Conboy won the title in the pole vault, Tooker in the 3,200-meter event. Conboy had won the Sectional title and on Saturday, vaulted 14 feet, 6 inches to beat
capture the State crown. This bested his nearest rival by 3 inches . Tooker won the 3,200meter event with a time of 9:03.81, outpacing his nearest rival by well over two seconds. Tooker has also pledged to attend Syracuse University next fall, competing in both track and cross-country, and took part in the National Letter of Intent Ceremony, which took place last November 12.
Tooker has signed a letter of intent to go to Syracuse University for Track and Cross Country. Photo by Francesco D’Amico