LOCAL • INDEPENDENT • FREE Volume 11 • Issue 35 • September 8 – September 14, 2017
saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com • (518) 581-2480
A Living Tribute to 9/11 by Thomas Dimopoulos Saratoga TODAY
A 9/11 Ceremony at High Rock Park, 2016. Photo by PhotoAndGraphic.com.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Thin and delicate and with a flurry of leaves wrapped around its crown, a baby tree was planted this week at High Rock Park. A symbol of hope and resiliency, its fast-growing branches are expected to sprout a profusion of white five-petal flowers and rise to a height of 30 feet. “I think it’s an appropriate addition to this site,” said Department of Public Works Commissioner Anthony “Skip” Scirocco, standing in the morning shadow cast by the five
twisted and sculpted pieces of World Trade Center steel nearby. “It’s a living memorial of a tragedy. A survivor tree. It shows the resilience of the American people.” The tree planted in Saratoga Springs was grown from a seedling of a Callery pear tree which stands in Lower Manhattan and became known as the “Survivor Tree” after enduring the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks. It was the last living thing recovered from Ground Zero. Severely damaged with snapped roots and burned and broken branches, the original See Tribute pg. 12
Back to School Q&A Cancer Warriors Unite The first day of school is always a big event. For younger children and their parents it is both exciting and scary, while for older children it is a dreaded date that signals summer vacation is officially over. We had the opportunity to sit down with one local student and get his views on his first day of school. Meet Gabe, a 5-year-old who was eager to share his story. See School pg. 2
On Shelves Now! Inside TODAY Blotter 5 Obituaries 6 Saratoga Hospital intern Elizabeth Johnstone (at left) with hospital staffers Kweilyn Taylor, Renee Russell, Jennifer Baldwin and Joni Richter. Photo by PhotoAndGraphic.com. See Warriors pg. 8
Education 18-19 Sports 33-39