Saratoga Today 11/9

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Volume 7 • Issue 45 saratogatodaynewspaper.com

Stars and Gripes Local business fined for flying flag

by Andrew Marshall Saratoga TODAY SARATOGA SPRINGS – What does it mean to fly the American flag outside your home or business?

It seems no matter where you go in the Spa City; you’re bound to see “Old Glory” flapping in the breeze.

Whether it’s simply out of respect for one’s country or to honor a loved

one serving in the military, it is about as inoffensive a symbol as one could expect to find while out in public.

Yet since July of 2010, the American flag is at the very center of a gripe between the building association representing Franklin Square Condominiums and a business owner hoping to honor her son.

Debra Docyk is the owner and operator of Sanctuary Spa, located on the ground level of the Franklin Square IV building on Railroad Place. She’s also a mother to two sons, one of whom serves in the United States Navy.

The rules of the condominium association were stipulated that the tenant owned from the sheet rock inward, and the association owned from the sheet rock, outward.

Because of this, Docyk was required to ask permission to have two flag holders installed in what

See Flag page 7

Pedal it Forward

by Chelsea DiSchiano Saratoga TODAY Bicycles are a common symbol of childhood: Most everyone has owned a bike as a child, or taken turns with their friends riding a bike down their neighborhood street.

Learning to ride a bike for the first time can be a child’s first rite of passage into independence. But what about children with limited mobility, who can’t ride a normal bicycle the way other kids can? Don’t they deserve a chance at independence, too?

Photo provided by Chelsea DiSchiano

See Dake page 9

Inside TODAY…

Gallery of Valor

by Patricia Older Saratoga TODAY SARATOGA SPRINGS – The images are striking. Young men and women, many in uniform, others in t-shirts and fatigues, still others in every day clothes pose for the camera – fleeting moments in time captured on silver emulsion for eternity. Some have gentle smiles, others grins that stretch wide, and still others, a somber, melancholy look. But in each, it is their eyes

that catch you – a quietness that belies the experiences they must have endured.

With around 200 photographs and documents, the exhibit, “Gallery or Valor,” is being unveiled this Sunday, November 11 for Veteran’s day at the VFW Post 420 on Excelsior Avenue in Saratoga Springs. Sunday is the only day it will be available for the public to view.

See Gallery page 17

Election Results pgs 4 Business pg 10-11 Education pg 12-13 Veterans Editorial pg 14 Families TODAY pgs 15-26

Photo provided by MarkBolles.com

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Week of November 9 - November 15, 2012

Alfred Z. Solomon Senior Center Pavilion Open House

photo provided

The Adult & Senior Center of Saratoga hosted their Open House, sponsored by CDPHP, on Saturday, November 3. The day featured classes, tours and presentations as well as ice cream tastings compliments of Ben & Jerry’s and Stewarts. Visitors were able to talk face-to-face with instructors, staff and current members. The day also featured a ribbon cutting for the newly constructed Alfred Z. Solomon Senior Center Pavilion

and Price Chopper’s Golub Foundation Entryway. Thanks to donations from these generous organizations, members will now be able to enter the Center safely, protected from the elements through a covered, handicappedaccessible entrance.

The Center is located at 5 Williams Street in downtown Saratoga behind St. Peter’s Church and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Week of November 9 - November 15, 2012

Michael P. Ryan, 20, of Route 21 in Valatie, pleaded guilty to criminal mischief in the thirddegree, a Class E felony, on November 1. He is scheduled for sentencing January 3, 2013.

Clyde D. Woodruff, 36, of Madison Street in Saratoga Springs, was sentenced to five days in Saratoga County Jail, five years of probation and an Ignition Interlock device to be installed in his vehicle for a period of three years after pleading guilty to driving while intoxicated, a Class E Felony.

Peter Engelmann, 46, of Jockey Street in Charlton, was resentenced in Saratoga County Court by Judge Jerry Scarano to 60 days in Saratoga County Jail and a continuation of his previously sentenced five years of probation stemming from charges of driving while intoxicated, a Class E felony.

Tyler J. Grennon, 33, of Eastline Road in Ballston Spa, was sentenced to two years in a New York State prison and one year of post-release supervision after pleading guilty to attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third-degree, a Class C felony.

Matthew Lofchie, 59, of Zephyr Lane in Saratoga Springs, was resentenced in Saratoga County Court by Judge Jerry Scarano to continued probation.

He was originally sentenced to time served and five years of probation following conviction for

attempted grand larceny in the third-degree, a Class E felony.

Sandra G. Wheeler-Arey, 52, of Galway Road in Galway, pleaded guilty November 1 to aggravated driving while intoxicated with a child in the vehicle, a Class E felony. She is scheduled for sentencing January 3, 2013.

Billie Jo Parker, 37, of Gordon Lane in Wilton, was sentenced to two years in New York State Prison and one year postrelease supervision after pleading guilty to attempted sale of a controlled substance in the thirddegree, a Class C felony.

Andre M. Clark, 36, of McClellan Street in Schenectady, was sentenced to time served and five years of probation after pleading guilty to the charge of criminal sale of marijuana in the third-degree.

Brian K. Killion, 30, of Rock City Road in Ballston Spa, was resentenced in Saratoga County Court by Judge Jerry Scarano, who terminated the defendant’s probation on the condition he plead guilty in Milton Town Court which will carry a sentence of one year in Saratoga County Jail. He was originally sentenced to time served, five years of probation and the installation of an Ignition Interlock device in his vehicle after pleading guilty to driving while intoxicated.

Nicholas J. Carroll, 23, of Ascot Circle in Saratoga Springs, pleaded guilty to forgery in the second-degree, a Class D felony.

Sentencing has been adjourned until January 7, 2013.

Nicholas J. Carroll, 23, of Ascot Circle in Saratoga Springs pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree and grand larceny in the fourth-degree, Class D and Class E felonies, respectively. He is scheduled for sentencing on January 7, 2013.

Joel J. Torres, 22, of East Main Street in Amsterdam, pleaded guilty to attempted reckless endangerment in the firstdegree and criminal possession of stolen property in the fourthdegree, both Class E felonies. He is scheduled for sentencing November 28.

John Rafferty, 32, of Summer Park in Rochester, was sentenced to time served, five years of probation and the installation of an Ignition Interlock device after pleading guilty to driving while intoxicated, a Class E felony.

Curtis L. Grimsley, 43, of Warsaw Avenue in Mechanicville, was resentenced in Saratoga County Court by Judge Jerry Scarano, to continued probation. He was originally

BLOTTER sentenced to aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first degree and operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

He was originally sentenced to three months in Saratoga County Jail, five years of probation and three months in Saratoga County Jail for driving while intoxicated to run concurrent.

Chad M. Alonzo, 27, of Jolly Road in Stillwater, pleaded guilty to the charge of criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth-degree, a Class E felony.

He was placed on interim proba-

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tion to participate in Drug Treatment Court. He is scheduled for sentencing January 9, 2013.

Anthony J. Amash, 20, of Grange Road in Greenfield, was sentenced to three years in New York State Prison, three years post-release supervision and restitution of $17,500 plus surcharge for two victims.

Restitution for the third victim is to be determined in Saratoga County Court on January 24, 2013. Amash pleaded guilty to attemped burglary in the seconddegree, a Class D violent felony, back in September.

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WEEK IN REVIEW

Week of November 9 - November 15, 2012 Photos by MarkBolles.com

Locally Owned and Operated 5 Case St., Saratoga Springs,NY 12866 Phone: (518) 581-2480 Fax: (518) 581-2487 www.saratogapublishing.com

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Editorial Andrew Marshall 581-2480 x 206 Managing Editor, Sports amarshall@saratogapublishing.com Chelsea DiSchiano 581-2480 x 214 Education, Pulse, Community Corner chelsea@saratogapublishing.com Patricia Older 581-2480 x 203 Business, Obituaries, Briefs patricia@saratogapublishing.com

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Marine Veteran Ron Coviello mulls his options in the voting booth.

SARATOGA COUNTY – Election Day came and went, with several hotly-contested races coming to their inevitable conclusion November 6.

Only one notable local race stretched into the next day, but most of the elections revealed few surprises, with most races called by the end of the night. In case you’re still wondering who managed to claim victory this year, here’s a quick list of some notable outcomes.

Barack Obama (D) was re-elected as President of the United States and defeated challenger Mitt Romney (R).

Kirsten Gillibrand (D) was elected to her first full six-year term as a United State Senator representing New York State defeating challenger Wendy Long (R).

Challenger Kathy Marchione (R)

defeated incumbent Roy McDonald (I) and challenger Robin Andrews (D) for the 43rd District State Senate seat.

Paul Tonko (D) defeated Bob Dieterich (R) in the race for the newly configured 20th Congressional District, which contains Saratoga Springs.

Chris Gibson (R) defeated challenger Julian Schreibman (D) to represent the 19th Congressional District.

Bill Owens (D) defeated challenger Matt Doheny (R) in their race for the 21st Congressional District.

Finally, the ballot initiative which would have changed the form of local government in Saratoga Springs from a commission-based format to the more common council-manager format was defeated.

Milton resident Mindy Delay casts her ballot on Election Day at Milton Community Center on North Line Road.

Week of November 9 - November 15, 2012

City Votes to Approve 2013 Budget

by Andrew Marshall Saratoga TODAY SARATOGA SPRINGS – Though split 3-2 along party lines, the Saratoga Springs City Council voted to approve the $39.7 million budget for 2013 during their October 5 meeting. The meeting was held a day earlier than normal to prevent the regularly scheduled meeting from interfering with coverage of the local and national elections.

The budget increases roughly $2.5 million from the 2012 budget, with the property tax levy only decreasing between 0.01 percent to 0.07 percent depending on whether you live in the inside or outside district of the city, respectively.

This was Finance Commissioner Michele Madigan’s first budget following her election last November.

Madigan’s co-Democrats on the council, Accounts Commissioner John Franck and Public Safety Commissioner Chris Mathiesen, both commended Madigan for the budget while the council’s two sitting members of the Republican Party, Mayor Scott Johnson and Public Works Commissioner Anthony “Skip” Scirocco, voted against it.

The budget numbers reveal five new positions in the Department of Public Safety, including two new firefighters, two new police officers and one new dispatcher.

Public Safety’s 2013 budget increased by $1.3 million dollars, which is a 6.4 percent jump from the 2012 budget. The increase is largely due to the $800,000 increase in health insurance costs and retirement benefits. The rest of the increase can be attributed to

the expiration of the SAFER grant, which paid for seven firefighters over the last two years.

Commissioner Scirocco was less than pleased with the budget.

Though his department will receive almost $870,000 between the Capital Budget and the general fund, the total is about $400,000 less than his requested amount.

He stated that this was Madigan’s “re-election budget” and added that it doesn’t help him provide necessary services. In the months leading up to the budget announcement, Scirocco had been requesting more money to make up for a perceived labor shortage.

The total the Department of Public Works will receive is roughly $240,000 more than the entire county recently requested for their 2013 budget.

Mayor Johnson’s concern over the budget was the sudden agenda item change from a discussion to a discussion and vote, suggesting that it sets a bad precedent in the city to give such short notice for future budgets.

Johnson once again questioned Madigan’s authority to change items in the 2013 Capital Budget after it was approved in September. He also voiced his concern over the Public Safety budget, calling it “unsustainable.”

Franck countered that the city providing ambulance service was a “home run” and that without it the city would have likely faced a tax increase this year.

Madigan added that it was a shame the sitting Republican council members were essentially voting against a property tax decrease, which the Mayor objected to. The vote would then fall along party lines.

NEWS

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Malta Town Meeting Held November 5th

by Chelsea DiSchiano Saratoga TODAY MALTA – The Malta Town Board’s meeting room was packed with citizens November 5, as dozens showed up for both the celebration of Ernest Kunz’s 100th birthday and for the public hearing on the two percent tax cap in Malta.

The meeting began with the public hearing regarding the tax cap, with a presentation made by some of the firefighters from Malta Ridge and Round Lake fire departments, who are in favor of exceeding the tax cap in order to have funding for a third fire station in Malta.

Various firefighters made cases as to why the tax cap should be exceeded, saying that Malta is being penalized by the NYS tax cap. They say to keep under the two percent limit, the tax rate must be lowered despite the fact that Malta is growing and needs to raise upkeep and activity.

Firefighters also said the Malta Ridge Fire Station was rated as substandard and needs some renovations, while new four and fivestory buildings such as Ellsworth Commons necessitates a new fire truck that has the capacity to reach these higher heights.

The hearing was concluded with no further comment from the Town Board. Later, a motion was carried to adopt a tax levy in excess of property tax cap, with three in favor and two against.

The regular meeting began with a tribute to former public servant Ernest ‘Ernie’ Kunz, who turned 100 years old on November 5.

Friends, family members and former colleagues stood up to sing “Happy Birthday” to Kunz and give him a piece of birthday cake.

Current and former Malta Town Supervisors Paul Sausville and Dave Meager shared words about Kunz’s contributions to the Town of Malta, emphasizing his work with the first-ever zoning board in the late 1960s.

“It took a courageous town board in 1968 to adopt a zoning ordinance,” Meager said, explaining that under Kunz’s leadership, the zoning board marked all the Malta exits off the Northway ‘residential’ so the town board could

have control over what could be placed on those exits.

“If they hadn’t done that, we wouldn’t have all the things we have now, such as the Ellsworth Commons,” Meager said. “It required somebody with courage to stand up in those meetings and speak in favor of an unpopular subject.”

Fire officer George Seeley also offered words to Kunz, thanking him for his service with the Malta fire stations.

“Prior to 1948, we had to rely on Ballston Spa fire departments if there were any problems, and there were quite a few,” Seeley said. “In the fall of 1947 and winter of ‘47-’48, we decided it was time to make a change—Ernie was one of the founding fathers of our fire company. Even today, he allows us to use his property on the Round Lake shore to tie up our rescue boat. Thank you, Ernie.”

After hearing the speeches thanking Ernie, Supervisor Sausville then proceeded to present Kunz with a key to the city along with a certificate for a Malta Citizenship Award.

The last highlight of them meet-

ing was a presentation made by the Malta planning committee, who have been working for over a year to come up with a concept on how to create a new ‘highway corridor’ to accommodate increasing traffic without taking away from Malta’s ‘residential character.’

The presentation included plans to expand East Line Road to Chango Drive where there is not as great of a pedestrian demand.

The committee also recommended a three-legged roundabout at the intersection along with another roundabout or two lane road with no signalization at the RuhleRaylinski intersection. The committee plans to have another public hearing in December, after which they will introduce the concept to engineers for analysis on how to move forward with the plan.

The rest of the meeting proceeded with usual business, including a unanimous vote to adopt the tentative 2013 town budget, which will have no town taxes.

To read town agendas or meeting minutes, visit the town website at www.malta-town.org.

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OBITUARIES

Week of November 9 - November 15, 2012

Ann F. Szuchy Milan – Ann F. Szuchy, 85, of Milan died Tuesday, October 30.

Born in Providence, RI on February 3, 1927, she was the daughter of Stephania and Basil Lankowicz.

Her husband, Nicholas C. Szuchy, predeceased her in 2003.

She is survived by a daughter & son-in-law, Elizabeth & Stephen North of Saratoga Springs, three sons & daughtersin-law, Nicholas & Eileen Szuchy of Lexington Park, MD, Stephen & Carol Szuchy of Richmond, VA, and John &

Diane Szuchy of Babylon, eight grandchildren, Matthew and David North, Patricia (North) Gettings, Kathryn, Jonathan, Andrew, Peter, and Kristen Szuchy, and numerous nieces & nephews. A son, Charles J. Szuchy, predeceased her in 1963.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday, November 3.

Memorial donations may be made in Mrs. Szuchy’s memory to Good Shepherd Church, 3 Mulberry St, Rhinebeck, NY 12572.

To view the full-text version of the obituaries printed on this page, visit the archive section of SaratogaTodayNewspaper.com. It is the policy of Saratoga TODAY to publish obituaries as a service to our readers.

Please send your obituaries to obits@saratogapublishing.com.

Paul F. Roth Saratoga Springs – Paul F. Roth, Jr. died Friday, November 2 at Wesley Health Care Center. He was born on July 29, 1924 in Long Beach, California and served in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1943 to 1946.

Survivors include his wife Jill; one brother, Bob; a son, John; his stepdaughter,

Carol E. Robinson Saratoga Springs – Carol E. Robbins of Wilton died peacefully surrounded by her family on November 4 at her home. She was 64 years old.

Born on April 15, 1948, in Glens Falls she was the daughter of the late Charlie Nims and Elizabeth Trombley Nims.

Mrs. Robbins married her husband Alvin on June 24, 1970.

Survivors include her husband Alvin, a son, Peter Robbins of Portland ME and his significant

other Rachel Henry, two daughters, Shawn Thompson and her husband Richard of Greenfield Center and Amy Peck and her husband Robert of Moreau, a brother William Nims of San Antonio, TX, and a sister Fay Jacobson of Phoenix, AZ and a granddaughter Emily.

Graveside services will be held at noon on Friday November 9 at East Schuyler Cemetery in Schuyler.

Ruth Mary Haviland Greenfield Center – Ruth Mary Haviland Harrington of Greenfield Center died peacefully surrounded by her family on Friday November 2. She was 76.

Born on September 30, 1936 in Saratoga Springs she was the daughter of the late Fred Haviland and Eva Mabb Haviland.

Mrs. Harrington was married to the late Lawrence Harrington Sr. who passed on March 18, 1966.

Mrs. Harrington is predeceased by a daughter Susan, her brother George (Beatle) Haviland and two sisters Betty Edith Mabb and Anna Mabb.

Survivors include four sons, Lawrence (Larry) Harrington Jr. of Greenfield Center, Charles Lester Harrington and his wife Christine of Amsterdam, James John Harrington and his wife Lisa

of Saratoga Springs and Stephen Michael Harrington and his wife Teri of Milton, two brothers, John Haviland (Starlene) of Albany and Charles Haviland (Frances) of Wilton, three sisters Rose Yakush and Veronica (Richard) McFarland of Greenfield Center, and Geraldine Evens of Hudson Falls, nine grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren, her big loveable dogs Shep and Linzy and her cat Baby, many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Services were held on November 7.

Memorial donations can be made in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis TN, 38105 or Albany Medical Children Hospital 1 Clara Barton Drive, Albany, NY 12208.

Terry Stortz; five grandchildren and six great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his first wife, Helen.

A graveside service with military honors was held on Wednesday, November 7 at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, Duell Rd., Schuylerville.

James S. Watson Saratoga Springs – James S. Watson of Franklin St. Saratoga Springs died peacefully on Friday November 2. He was 86.

Born on November 16, 1926 in Garfield, NJ, he was the son of the late Alvin Watson and Sally Watson.

He is predeceased by two brothers Alvin Watson and William Watson, and a sister Ruth Espy.

Survivors include his sister in-law, Harriett Watson of Saratoga Springs, a nephew, Alvin Watson Jr. and his wife Karen and a niece Yama Phillips and her husband Eric and a host of great nieces and nephews, other relatives, special friends Jonny Davis, Rev Catherine Patterson and Eddie Jones and many others who called him friend.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, November 7.

Mary Anna DeMarco Saratoga Springs – Mary Anna DeMarco passed away Saturday, November 3.

Born on Nov. 5, 1927 in Worcester, she was the daughter of the late Percy and Anna Gaffey Palmater.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Harold, who died in 1973.

Survivors include her daughter, Maryanne and her two sons, Robert and Thomas along with her three grandchildren, Sabrina, Andrew and Christine and one great-granddaughter, Bianca.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held November 8.

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Week of November 9 - November 15, 2012

FLAG continued from Page 1 the association refers to as a “common area.”

The original idea for the flag poles to be installed was to fly a flag bearing the spa’s logo for advertising purposes. The condo association said no, which gave the spa owner the idea to fly the American flag instead.

Before the flag holders could be placed onto the stone exterior of the building, the professional contractor she sought for assistance said they wanted to make sure they had permission to do so.

Docyk says that permission was granted by the then-association president, Harley Lake, in an email dating back to July of 2010 which includes the exact words “I give my permission to install the flag poles.”

However, in June of 2011, a letter signed by Harley Lake arrived at the door of Sanctuary Spa, denying her request for any flags to be hung on the outside of the building. That’s when she contacted her attorney, John Ducharme, to see if there was anything she could do.

Ducharme referred her to a federal statute called the “Freedom to Display the U.S. Flag Act of 2005” which states “that a condominium association…may not adopt or enforce any policy, or enter into any agreement, that would restrict or prevent an association member from displaying the U.S. flag on residential property…”

This federal statute represented a grey area, as the condominium is technically zoned for mixed use of residential and commercial. Section 339-J of New York State Real Property Law compensates for the federal statue stating that “…no action or proceeding for any relief may be maintained due to the display of a flag of the United States measuring not more than four feet by six feet.”

With her flag within the designated size limits set forth by New York State, Ducharme sent a letter to the attorney representing the condo association informing him of their position and what rights she had to fly the American flag.

In response, the condo association passed a resolution allowing Docyk to fly the flag, but with considerable restrictions. After arguing that Docyk never had permission to install the flag poles to begin with, the condo association said that the flag must be hung indoors or on a “vertical flag pole on a freestanding base outside of her door.”

Ducharme shot back that they intended to abide by the federal statute and state law, again remind-

ing the board that they had previously granted permission for the installation of the poles. Ducharme cautioned the board that the appropriate legal action would be taken if the flag wound up missing or stolen.

The board challenged that Docyk’s “new found patriotism” was only after the board rejected her original request for a flag with her logo on it.

“I never said I was hanging the American flag to bring customers in here,” Docyk said. “Every business in Saratoga has American flags flying. So are we all trying to drive business into Saratoga with the American flag?”

The issue, though still unresolved, would then quiet down. It would remain that way until July 11 of this year, coincidently Docyk’s birthday, when she arrived on a Monday morning to open the spa and the flag was missing. Deb called Ducharme, who instructed her to call the police.

“The flag was found inside the building,” said Docyk. “As I was talking to the police officer, the new board president happened to be driving by and stopped to talk to us. She said the flag was in her office, which led the police officer to ask what happened.”

The new president of the Franklin Square Condominium Association, Joan Johnson, explained that two board members discovered the flag that morning at 6 a.m. detached from the building and laying on the ground. Docyk said there was nothing out of the ordinary regarding the flag when she closed the spa that Saturday afternoon. She noted that it was a beautiful summer weekend, absent of wind, rain or otherwise inclement weather.

That bit of information is important, as Docyk still possesses the detached flag holder, which shows clear signs of being forcibly removed. She was told that the holder “fell off the building” and represented a danger to pedestrians on Railroad Place.

Docyk contacted the contractor who installed the flag holders who simply told her there was no way it could have simply fallen off the building. Today, only one flag holder remains on the building, with the American flag clearly visible from Docyk’s office window.

The condo association would make the next move, assessing a monetary penalty to Docyk and claiming that this was the second time that the flag had become detached from the building. This letter came despite a state law saying that no action can be taken against

displaying the flag.

The amount of the fine isn’t the concern for the spa owner, but that her refusal to pay the fine has technically rendered her delinquent in the eyes of the condominium association. The bylines of the association stipulate that a condo owner must be in good standing in all payments to participate in votes regarding the association.

Failing to remove the flag and pay the fine, the condo association has threatened to file a lien on her property with the county clerk. Docyk is

still current with the condo association’s monthly fees.

“They’re telling me I have no rights in this building,” said Docyk.

“I can’t go to the meetings or anything to see what’s going on in the building until I pay my fine.”

“Bottom line is we’re flying a flag, doing nothing wrong. It’s completely legal, and they’re harassing her,” said Ducharme.

When reached by telephone, Franklin Square Condominium Association board president Joan Johnson acknowledged the dispute,

adding that they’re entitled to their version of events before declining further comment.

For now, the flag continues to fly outside the office of Debra Docyk in honor of the men and women serving in the U.S. military. She has not paid her fine with the condo association, which continues to compile monthly late fees.

“It’s the American flag,” said Docyk. “We live in America and everybody should have the right to fly the American flag.”

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NEWS

Week of November 9 - November 15, 2012

Bone Marrow Fundraiser for Local Woman

by Patricia Older Saratoga TODAY SOUTH GLENS FALLS – “You have cancer.”

Those words came at Joy Clark and her world went numb. She could still see the doctor and she could still hear her best friend and daughter asking questions, but she felt as though she was totally inside of herself – separated from the real world and the surreal.

“I was kind of in shock and disbelief,” said Joy. “It was a quiet

moment for me. All I could think was you are telling me I am going to die? I kept thinking ‘This can’t be happening to me. I have children I have to raise, I have things I want to do, I can’t die.’”

Joy was diagnosed last summer with Myelodysplastic Syndrome – a rare form of cancer that attacks the bone marrow. It is the same disease that Robin Roberts of Good Morning America is being treated for and according to the American Cancer Society; approximately 12,000 new cases are diagnosed each year.

Joy’s diagnosis did not come easily though. For a year she had been feeling tired, her joints hurt deep within her body, and she often found herself short of breath.

“I was sure it was Lyme disease,” said Joy, whose regular visits to the doctor failed to turn up anything wrong with her. “The doctor did some tests and nothing came up except my Vitamin D levels were off, so he thought maybe it was arthritis.”

As a single mom with three children, Joy said she tried to push the nagging doubt she had away.

“I was like a lot of moms – who gets taken care of last? You always take the back seat,” she said.

With extra doses of Vitamin D, Joy began to feel better, but her joints still continued to ache.

“My joints hurt so bad, I could not push myself up from the floor,” she continued.

Another year passed, and again, her symptoms reappeared. But this time they were accompanied by an internal heat she had never experienced, not even during menopause.

“It was not like hot flashes. It was a heat deep within me. I knew it wasn’t right,” she said.

This time she went to her gynecologist who ordered a mammograph and body scan. That reveal some osteoporosis in her spine, but that still not reveal what the real source of her symptoms were.

That is when she decided to see Maureen Highland, PA. “I credit her with saving my life,” Joy said.

Tests were run and then on a Friday Joy got a call that would set life as she knew it adrift.

“The cancer center called and said they needed me to come in for some tests,” explained Joy. “That was a Friday, so I spent the entire weekend worrying about what they wanted me to come in for.”

Those tests revealed her white blood count was abnormally low.

Unfortunately, even though she kept going back for monthly monitoring of her white blood cell count, no one could definitely say what was wrong with her.

That is because, Joy explained, diagnosing myelodysplastic is complicated since the disease hides in the bone marrow and a biopsy has to be performed.

“That is when I learned we would have to do a bone marrow

aspiration – it is the only way to tell,” continued Joy. “A week later is when they told me I had the syndrome.”

Told she had less than three years to live without treatment, Joy said she knew she had to face her fears and stand up to the cancer.

“I needed to own this, I didn’t want it to own me,” said Joy. “I had to have power over this disease, not it over me.”

That is when Joy talked to her colleagues and asked if they could help. The fund raiser, a Be The Match Registry bone marrow drive, is set for next Saturday, November 17th at the Oliver W. Winch Middle School in South Glens Falls where Joy is secretary to the principal.

“It has turned into so much more – there is now a bake sale and raffle and face painting,” she added.

Be The Match helps patients with leukemia, lymphoma, and other diseases that need a marrow or umbilical cord blood transplant and people can become a donor, volunteer, or contribute financially to the organization. The process to see if you match anyone, said Joy, is not initially invasive.

“They swab the inside of your cheek in four areas and then it is typed and studied,” said Joy. “If it is a match, they’ll contact you and then begins the process.”

Joy said that all the proceeds from the fund raiser will go to the National Marrow Donor Program.

“If you want to come and support me, that would be great,” said Joy. “But be willing to save a stranger.

We are all on journeys and all of our journeys may be different, but we are on our journeys together.”

The Oliver W. Winch Middle School is located at 99 Hudson Street, So. Glens Falls.

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Week of November 9 - November 15, 2012

Dake Foundation Holds Fundraiser continued from Page 1 This is the philosophy of the Karen and Gary Dake Foundation for Children, a charity that raises money to provide kids with disabilities the tools they need to become as independent as possible. One of these tools is an adaptive tricycle, a special bike that can be customized and tailormade for children with limited mobility.

The organization created a fundraising event called the Stationary Bike Race, where families and friends can form teams and compete relay-style on stationary bikes for an hour while kids with adaptive tricycles ride their bikes on the track.

Adaptive tricycles can cost anywhere from $500 to $4500, and insurance companies won’t cover the cost, according to the foundation’s executive director, Susan Koppi.

“We get a lot of requests for those bikes, so I thought, ‘What a great way to bring it all full circle—to have a stationary bike race and the adaptive race on the track at the same time so people can raise money and then see directly where their money goes,’” Koppi said. “So last year’s recipients of bikes are able to ride their bikes and show off their new skills, and you can see how proud they are.

And the people in the studio get it, like ‘Wow, the hard work I did being here today made this kid’s world.’”

One of these kids is Alyssa Cusack, whose right side of her body was paralyzed after she suffered a stroke at just 14 months old. After years of different therapies and re-learning how to walk,

Alyssa wanted to ride a bike just like any other child.

“Her sisters ride bikes, and she always wanted to,” said Denise Cusack, Alyssa’s mother. “But she couldn’t get one because she didn’t have the strength.”

But after Alyssa’s friend Eric told her in their pool therapy session how he received an adaptive bike through Minor Improvements (a physical therapy center founded

by Karen Dake), Alyssa’s mom decided to call and see if Alyssa could get a bike, too.

“At the time we couldn’t afford a bike, but because of the foundation Alyssa was able to get a bike completely tailored to her,” Cusack said. “As soon as she got on the bike she was able to pedal. It was very emotional for all of us.”

After receiving her own bike, Alyssa’s parents decided to raise money to help another child in need of a bike this year.

“Our goal was to raise around $500 to see what we could do, and it just kept growing and growing, and between my husband and I, we raised over $1500,” Cusack said.

“Our thought was that last year at this time, someone raised money for a bike and that’s what paid for our daughter’s bike last May,” Cusack said. “So now it’s our turn and somebody else will have a bike because of our fundraising.”

“We feel like every kid deserves the right to ride a bike and our mission is to help children become as independent as possible,” Koppi said.

George and Janie Green, whose son, Sammy, has cerebral palsy, said that the adaptive bike his son received from the foundation initiat-

Photo provided by Chelsea DiSchiano

ed his independence and confidence.

“This has been a godsend, really,” Janie Green said. “When he first got his bike they went and measured him and I thought they were just loaning him one. They said ‘Oh no, this is going to be his bike,’ and he got to pick the color and we got it right before Christmas so it was like the biggest present he’s ever gotten. It’s just made him so independent.”

Sammy’s independence has enabled him to join a bowling team in Lake George—just last week, he

bowled a 107, according to his father.

“Both teams and everyone in the whole bowling alley got up and clapped when he got a strike,” George Green said, teary-eyed. “It gives him that attitude that he can, you know?”

Not only does he ride his bike and play for the bowling team, but Sammy also enjoys shooting basketballs at his house.

“He’ll go outside and put his basketballs in the back [of his bike] and rides over to the basket-

ball hoop and shoots hoops,” Janie Green said. “He just loves it. I’m just so thankful for this organization, what they do—you can’t even put it into words. Every kid has to have a bike.”

For more information on the Karen and Gary Dake Foundation for Children or to learn how to donate to help more children receive adaptive tricycles, visit the foundation’s website at www.dakefoundation.org.

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BUSINESS

Week of November 9 - November 15, 2012

Flying High With Fitness

by Patricia Older Saratoga TODAY WILTON – Imagine this – the ability to float through the air, weightless and free-flowing while at the same time, toning muscles, losing weight and getting fit. Say hello to the newest craze in fitness – aerial arts, which combines circus art, dance and yoga into an exhilarating fitness routine without the high impact on the body associated with floor routines.

Zume Fitness, located off of Rte. 50 in Wilton, has brought this latest craze to the region, while also offering classes in Zumba, cycling and Yoga. The 4500 square foot state-of-the-art fitness studio is operated by friends

Henry Seth, Miranda Weese and Michelle Palladino.

“Our yoga instructor went to New York City and discovered the anti-gravity movement that was happening,” explained Miranda, a retired principal ballet performer with the New York City Ballet (NYCB) “She was so excited and enthusiastic about it after trying it, we were intrigued. The idea [for the fitness studio] went from there.”

As the seed for the fitness center began to grow, the trio felt confident that bringing the newest fitness craze to the region was a perfect way to combine their artistic background with fitness, while also making a living. Michelle’s background includes musical training and op rock art, while

Henry danced with the NYCB for 16 years.

“We are all Zumba instructors,” said Michelle. “Literally, through Susan’s recommendation and her renewed spirit, we decided to combine them.”

Starting their business plan in January, the partners then had to familiarize themselves with the art of the aerial workouts. They each found the act of working out in the silken hammocks exhilarating and exciting.

“It was life-changing,” said Miranda. “It is such a natural high. You get a little euphoric afterwards.”

But finding a location to start their new fitness studio proved daunting at first. After looking at several locations, Miranda said they were seriously considering a location in Malta.

“I kept seeing this ad for a place with a New York design center,” said Miranda, “So we decided to take a look.”

Upon seeing the store front, they trio immediately knew it was perfect for the fitness center – the floor plan, the expansive rows of south-facing windows creating a natural light in the 4500 square foot space, and that tall ceilings and airiness and appeal to them.

“You need a lot of space for a fitness business,” explained Miranda. “We saw this place and met with the owner and knew it was just right for it.”

Special beams were hung from the warehouse-style ceilings, mirrors were lined against the back wall, and a floor specifically designed for shock absorbency was laid.

“It is better for the body and joints – it’s kind to the body,” said Henry, adding that the Zumba Room, another space they are developing in the same complex,

will have a floating floor. That studio will have 4300 square feet.

“Once we got the system up and hung, and with everyone’s background and the comprehensive training, we have a great program,” said Michelle.

Continuing, Michelle said their classes and programs are designed for people at all fitness levels, including the aerial art hammocks.

“It is not stationary and it supports your weight, so it allows for more support,” said Miranda. “It is designed for any fitness level and it is the same idea as Zumba – you do not know you are exercising and you are having so much fun. You can do flips, and tricks and fun stuff with the hammocks.”

The best part, added Michelle, is that the first class in aerial arts, Zumba and cycling are free.

“You can try it out and see,” she said. “And as we continue to add more programs we encourage people to cross train.”

For the cycling room, the trio went all out, adding laser lights, music and videos. While it is mostly geared toward the cycling enthusiast, the trio made sure it could be used by an amateur rider.

“It mimics the road,” said Michelle. “We have instructors who have been specially trained and we have lights and laser graphics. People really enjoy it, especially the cyclist enthusiasts, but you do not need a level [of skill] to participate. We encourage everyone to come out and try cycling.”

Henry, who just completed his first cycling class with their trained instructor, said he was impressed with not only the training bikes, but the level of instruction offered by a member of their team.

“It was an amazing experience.

I was able to see what people can take from our instructors,” he explained. “She did a great job with me as a beginner and it was such a great experience.”

The partners said that they are seeing a distinct interest in their center with people as far away as Vermont scheduling classes.

“We are now giving classes and our fall schedule is up on our website,” said Michelle, pointing out that the website is very “userfriendly.”

As for their Zumba classes, Miranda said that if people give it a couple of classes, they will find that the experience is worth the time. “It has some basic elements, but it mostly about having fun and getting fit. Zumba is like a big community and you don’t feel like you are working out.”

Participating also reaps additional benefits added Henry.

“There is personal individual growth with Zumba,” said Henry.

“After you have tried it two or three times you realize, ‘Hey, I can dance,’ and you get excited and you feel good about it. It is such a wonderful feeling.”

As for age, the trio said people of all ages and fitness levels can try the different classes and see what works best for them.

“We want all age groups to try our classes,” said Michelle.

“Everyone will have a good time and go home feeling better while also getting fit.”

Zume Fitness is located at 4295 Rte. 50, Saratoga Springs, approximately two miles past Wilton Mall. For more information, call (518)583-1200 or visit their website at www.ZumeFitStudio.com.

Week of November 9 - November 15, 2012

BUSINESS

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Fitness Bodywork Grand Opening Party Professionals Opens Studio at Frenchy’s Celebrates Saratoga Office SARATOGA SPRINGS – Known for its three H’s – Health, History, and Horses – Saratoga Springs has a new business in town that focuses on the first of the H’s – Health.

Bodyworks Professionals, owned by Nick Pavoldi, has opened an office in Franklin Square, offering a variety of massages from Swedish, to deep tissue, as well as pre and post natal.

“We are excited to have a Saratoga location,” said Pavoldi.

“I wanted to have a location in my hometown for years, but I didn’t feel like the time was right until now. It’s great to see it turn into a reality and be able to offer our services to the Saratoga clientele. I have an amazing staff working here and we are delighted to be part of the movement toward natural health and the history of health in Saratoga Springs.”

Even the historic building they are located in has links to the city’s history and health.

“The building and the whole square are from the 1820s and built around the healing effects of the Saratoga waters.”

Pavoldi said his Saratoga staff is made up of some of the most seasoned therapists in the region with an average of 11 years’ experience in the field and all are fully licensed and insured. Pavoldi, with 16 years’ experience as a practitioner of bodywork, has worked on members of the New York City Ballet, as well as the New York Giants football team and the Olympic athletes in Salt Lake City. Pavoldi also teaches at The Center for Natural Wellness School of Massage Therapy in Albany.

Specializing in deep tissue work, Rolf Structural Integration, Thai Yoga massage, Swedish massage therapy and massages designed for women during their pregnancy and afterwards, Bodywork Professionals also offer the unique service of childcare for clients.

“While our primary market are active males 55 and up, we have seen an amazing response from

offering babysitting and massage for stay-at-home parents during the day,” Pavoldi said.

Adding to the complete line of bodywork and massage therapy service is the relaxing and professional environment they are set in. Pavoldi said that work model has proven effective for Bodyworks and led to not only the new location in Saratoga Springs, but an expansion to the Fort Orange Club in Albany.

“It is a natural fit for us,” said Pavoldi of the new Spa City location.

Bodywork Professionals offer same-day appointments as well as online booking and is open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. In addition, if a client needs an emergency visit, Pavoldi said they can call and the staff will work to schedule a last minute appointment with a qualified massage therapist. Childcare services are Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Call 389-2200 for more information or visit their website at www.bodyworkprofessionals.com.

15 Years

Total Body Trifecta Fitness Studio will celebrate its 15th year the weekend of November 17 and 18. Originally located on Church Street in Saratoga, the studio is currently located in My Gym Fitness Center, 2100 Saratoga Road, Ballston Spa. Weekend festivities include a special Retro 20/20/20 class on Saturday from 9:10 to 10:10 a.m. and a Latinstyle Cardio/Sculpt class on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Both classes will be taught by Total Body Trifecta owner Mary Anne Fantauzzi. Refreshments and an Open House will be Saturday 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and on Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. My Gym offers full gym memberships, class-only packages, and gym/class combination options. Visit www.totalbodytrifecta.com for class schedule and descriptions or www.mygymfitness.com for pricing and gym general information.

Frenchy's will have a grand opening party this weekend, Saturday November 10 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday November 11 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Every guest receives a free pair of post earrings with crystal dangle. Frenchy’s is located at 556 Maple Avenue, Saratoga Springs.

They specialize in jewelry, beads, art, hats, and fascinators, as well as offer designer jewelry for proms, formals, brides and bridesmaids. The shop has repair services for beaded jewelry, as well as art and bead classes and an afterschool program. Call (518) 4614893 for more information.

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EDUCATION

Week of November 9 - November 15, 2012

Rich Johns Teaches Ballston Spa Students to ‘Act with Respect Always’

by Chelsea DiSchiano Saratoga TODAY BALLSTON SPA - After teaching, coaching and promoting respect among students and athletes in the Saratoga Springs School District for 38 years, Rich Johns retired—but he wasn’t ready to give up sharing his message of acting with respect. Instead, Johns decided to create the Act with Respect Always program, a movement designed to spread the importance of respect—among other character traits—into classrooms, athletics, and the daily lives of both

students and adults.

Johns brought his message to Ballston Spa Middle School students on November 6, giving them a presentation that covered several topics such as how to act with respect, the concept of “paying it forward,” and certain honorable character traits and what they mean.

“What do you want to make of yourself and do with your life?”

Johns asked the attentive students.

“In 10 years you’ll look back and say, ‘What have I done to change the world?’”

Johns then introduced the concept of ‘paying it forward,’ as made

famous by the 2000 film, titled “Pay it Forward,” starring Haley Joel Osment. The idea is for a stranger to do something kind for another stranger, asking only for that person to do something kind for someone else—to pay their act of kindness forward.

“We once lost a Maple Avenue student to a gunshot incident,” Johns said in his example of how to pay it forward. “I went to a vigil in Congress Park and there was a girl who got to speak, but she broke down. She said, ‘I really didn’t know him but he did something for me one day that I’ll never forget— some kids hit me and all my books fell to the ground, and he came and picked up the books and gave them to me and then walked away. And that’s last time I saw him.’ Hearing that statement made me realize that one act can have a monumental difference in someone’s life.”

Johns also introduced character traits to live by, including character, teamwork, kindness, caring, honesty, empathy, courage, and respect, with a special emphasis on honesty.

“Your life will be better when you are honest with yourself,” Johns said. He also emphasized that it’s 99 percent of us is our char-

photo provided

acter (the one percent is our physical appearance), and that it is “what’s inside of us that matters.”

Johns encouraged students to be honest with themselves and at the end of each day “grade” themselves on their good character—as an example, only giving yourself a 60 percent grade if you could have helped somebody that day but decided not to step in.

Johns also encouraged students to be empathetic toward others by “putting yourself in someone else’s shoes.”

“You don’t know what’s going on with someone,” Johns said.

“Everybody has a story. I have a story.

So be a good listener and help other people out.”

Johns gave further examples of extraordinary students he’s worked with, citing a young tennis player named Drew who continued to play

tennis through Krohn’s disease, even after having emergency surgery to have his colon removed; a girl named Brooke who was born with no arms or legs, but continued to smile and have a positive attitude; and Jimmer Fredette, a Glens Fall native and basketball player who never gave up on his dream, going on to play for the Sacramento Kings in the NBA. “Be thankful for what you have and what you can do,” Johns said.

“Live a life of purpose. We forget that we can make a difference, but it’s whether we choose to or not.”

Johns said the Act with Kindness Always program has morphed into something very big since he launched it just two years ago.

“It’s not just about kids,” he said.

“It’s about everyone, whether it’s school-related or business-related.

I’m excited about it.”

Week of November 9 - November 15, 2012

EDUCATION

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President Obama Wins in Mock Election at Saratoga Schools Students in the Saratoga Springs School District made their voices heard in the presidential race by heading to the polls to cast their votes in a mock election. The results are in, and the students chose President Barack Obama over Governor Mitt Romney by a vote of 3,341 to 2,004.

In a repeat of a districtwide effort in 2008, students in all eight schools, from the elementary grades through high school, participated in their own election. The coordinated effort for the nearly 6600-student school district was spearheaded by the Saratoga Springs Teachers Association (SSTA), with the support of school district administrators.

High school students voted November 1 and 2 in their social studies classes, and voting districtwide wrapped up on November 5, allowing time for the results to be tabulated and announced on Election Day. “It’s important for students to be engaged in the election process so that they will not only better understand the process, but will also become lifelong voters,” said high school social studies teacher Michael Miller, who serves as chair of the SSTA’s edu-

cation concerns committee.

Miller said each school determined how and when the mock elections would be staged. Paper ballots were used at the high school and elementary schools, while students at the Maple Avenue Middle School used computers to cast their votes.

For many students, involvement in the election goes beyond casting a vote. Activities at the high school included a mock debate in October, pitting J.D. Towers as Romney against Jared Fein as Obama, with Jon Zinter serving as moderator. The debate was filmed in the school’s television studio, and was shown in social studies classes. After the mock election, students in high school statistics classes will do a statistical analysis of the results.

The schools also encouraged parents of elementary and middle school students to bring their children to the polls so students could become familiar with the voting process.

Students didn't have to stay up past their bedtimes on Election Day to hear the mock election results.

The outcome was announced before they headed home from school on November 6.

photo provided

4th Annual Spike Out Cancer Matches photo provided

The Saratoga Central Catholic High School Volleyball Program sponsored a “Dress Pink” fundraiser followed by the 4th Annual Spike Out Cancer volleyball matches on October 16. The day’s events included students paying for the privilege of dressing down in pink, a bake sale, a breast cancer

awareness bracelet sale and a 50/50 raffle. The day was organized by volleyball coaches Maria Izzo, Liz Angelini and Margot Downie.

Students, faculty and coaches raised $1000, which was donated to the Mollie Wilmot Radiation Oncology Center of Saratoga Hospital.

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Week of November 9 - November 15, 2012

From the Publisher’s Desk . . .

by Chad Beatty Saratoga TODAY I don’t even know where to begin. Election results, Veterans Day, Super Storms…so much to talk about and so little time.

With Veterans Day right around the corner (depending on when you read this) I think it is most appropriate to fill this space with homage to our men and women of the armed services.

What is Veterans Day you ask?

Well every year on November 11, the Federal Government of the United States recognizes and celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans. Veterans Day also

marks the anniversary of the signing of the armistice that ended World War I. What does all this mean to you and me? It means we need to slow down for a moment, sit back and acknowledge these fine men and women. Then we need to go out, find a veteran and simply say “Thank You.” Maybe buy them a cup of coffee or let them step in front of you in line.

And there’s no need to track down an Audie Murphy (look him up – it’s a great story). People like him are rare breeds who are placed on this Earth to give regular human beings like us a benchmark to strive for. While those supersoldiers may make great headlines, it is the countless servicemen and women who get the job done on a daily basis.

Take for instance, D-Day (The allied invasion of Normandy, better known as Operation Overlord).

We didn’t successfully storm the beaches of Normandy and change the tide of the war because one shining soldier accomplished miraculous feats. We achieved success because a few hundred thousand regular soldiers accomplished a monumental feat. But that monumental feat came at a cost and the cost was American

lives. During the course of the battle, 135,000 troops gave their lives and limbs to secure democracy and stop tyranny.

As I write this editorial and reflect on the courage that our troops have summoned upon command, my heart fills with pride for the Red, White and Blue. So whether they were hundreds of thousands of combat ready G.I.’s storming the beaches of Normandy, or the elite members of Seal Team Six taking out Osama Bin Laden earlier this year, they deserve our recognition, our respect, our gratitude and our thanks.

From the staff and family of Saratoga TODAY we send out a big and sincere Thank You. Thank you for your service; Thank you for your sacrifice; Thank you for standing guard against foreign invaders; Thank you for ridding the world of evil men and women; Thank you for spending many a day hungry and many a night cold so that we could sleep safely in the comfort of our homes. Thank you for serving in the United States military.

You can find a complete listing of local Veterans Day events and stories on pages 15-17.

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Week of November 9 - November 15, 2012

Families

TODAY

A special supplement to Saratoga TODAY • Pages 15-26

Q&A: Two Veterans, Two Generations

by Chelsea DiSchiano Saratoga TODAY Ed Kane, Jr.: A veteran stationed in Germany during the Cold War What years did you serve in the U.S. Army?

I served during the Cold War from 1977-1988. Back then, because there was no actual war fighting going on, we looked at the Russians and they looked back at us and we kind of maintained the peace for strength and numbers. I served in West Germany twice and that’s back when Germany was still divided, at the time.

Tell us about what you did when you were enlisted.

My career started off as an enlisted man when I joined the Army in 1977.

I was awarded a two-year ROTC scholarship in 1979 to go back to the University of Miami for two years, and at the time of graduation I was commissioned as a lieutenant. They paid me a whopping $100 a month— it was pretty tough back then. I’ve been to Berlin about six times, and I literally took military convoys from West Germany through East Germany when it was still controlled by the Russians and East Germans, and we’d bring those military convoys like tanks and other heavy equipment into Berlin, which was still a walled-in city.

Where all have you been stationed?

I was first stationed with an armored Calgary unit in Germany called the 3rd squadron, 8th U.S. Calgary, in the 8th infantry division in Manheim, Germany. The second time I went back, I was a part of the 28th transportation group in Manheim, Germany after I was commissioned as a second lieutenant.

Once I got done there, I went to the 101st airborne division, which has a tremendous background and I

became a company commander in that division. I went to airborne school to become a paratrooper and also went to what they called air assault school to learn how to repel out of helicopters and do helicopter operations and things like that. I commanded 160 people, which was comprised of four officers and the rest were non-commissioned officers and enlisted men. It was very cool, very exciting, and very stressful.

What were some of the challenges of being a leader?

Number one, you always need to take care of your soldiers. Then you take care of your NCOs and your junior officers. Challenges were everything from worrying about food, bullets, ammunition, repair parts—your day-to-day operations, but literally managing and leading 160 different personalities to accomplish a mission. Every solider in that unit should know what the mission is on a day-to-day basis, so you have to be a very good communicator, an excellent motivator—because when things are really bad you have to make sure you can motivate them through the worst of times. I never asked any of my soldiers or NCOs or officers to do anything I hadn’t done before in the past. That’s leading by example. My motto was to always be with them, no matter what we do.

What is one of your favorite memories of serving?

One of the best experiences I ever had was to go from central Germany and take an 18 or 24 truck convoy to Berlin. It was about 1600 miles round trip, and we could only go 40 miles an hour. We took 18 or 24 trucks loaded with heavy equipment through Germany, through all these autobahns, negotiated all these different obstacles, going through different bridges to go from point a to point b, meeting with all the German police, making sure everyone was safe and

well-fed and having enough fuel for our vehicles, then getting to the border and literally walking up to the Russian officer there, presenting my paperwork and saluting him and letting him inspect our convoy, then getting back on the road and going straight into Berlin without any problems. That for me was exhilarating.

Another thing was as Army Captain being selected to become a paratrooper. I jumped out of an airplane six times, and that was a very defining moment in my life because every time you walk out of that air craft, you could literally die. But our physical and mental training was so incredible, so you overcome those things, and when you get your wings at the end of your training—3 weeks of absolute hell—when I got those wings slapped on my chest it was one of the highlights of my military career.

If there was any time to relax, what did you do to entertain yourselves?

We did physical training, sports, had little competitions. We always tried to do things where we would get people’s minds off of just sitting around doing nothing, because the greatest demoralizer is sitting around and thinking about ‘When am I going home,’ the whole ‘woe is me’ kind of thing.

How did your service affect your life once you got to go home?

Number one, the service to my country was an incredible experience. It made a positive impact in my life because whenever I have been challenged with anything, I always knew that other people have done it before me, others will do it after me, and I will be the one that gets the job done. It taught me to always focus on accomplishing the mission—failure is not an option. I applied a lot of those people skills, problem solving, and organizational skills to what I do today as a civilian.

Ed Kane, Sr.: A U.S. Marine Corp veteran who served in the Korean War What years did you serve and what was your job?

I joined the Marines in 1952 at the height of the Korean war. I was due to get my commission as soon as I finished college in September of ’53.

My job at that point was in the Marine air wing and I ended up at a base on the western coast of Korea with Marine Air Group 12. Then I was further assigned to handle transportation and motor transport and all those kind of duties, and was there for a little bit more than a year. Then I was reassigned to help Marine Air Group 33, which was on the opposite coast in Pohang, Korea. When I got back to the West coast I was discharged.

Also, one thing you have to understand about the Marine Corp is that every person is a rifleman—when everything turns to hell, you grab the closest rifle and you’re on the line, ready to do battle with the enemy.

But that’s the way the Marines are trained.

What were some cultural differences in Korea?

It’s a different lifestyle, different people, different food that we were advised not to eat because of sanitation problems—it goes on and on. I never thought that we would find that many people in another part of the world living essentially the way the people did in Korea, in mud huts with little refrigeration and countrywide electricity and transportation, which as far as I’m concerned is astounding. Most of that country was in total disrepair when I got there in ‘53, but we got to see a lot of the country. They were waiting for people to do something for them. It would make your heart sink.

Did you enjoy serving in the Marine Corp?

Everybody takes care of everybody else, which is what I loved about the Marine Corp. Their slogan, Semper Fidelis, simply means we’re going to take care of each other—the literal translation is ‘always faithful.’

How did being in the war affect you once you got back to the U.S.?

I understand now about what they say when these poor guys come back with the PTSD syndrome. It’s more a mental kind of thing—you go through life for however many months overseas, and you come back to a totally different life. You’ve lost years of your life and sometimes we take a look at guys that return from overseas during their formative years, like ages 18-22, and you say ‘Ugh, he’s acting like a kid.’ Well, they are, and the reason is because they missed a certain part of their growing up years. I think that the American public has to be aware of that and show a little bit more empathy to these returning veterans and understand that they’re coming from a totally different life. Let’s face it, firing a weapon at somebody is a hell of a lot different than firing away at a typewriter. Until these folks--our heroes really--can make an adjustment and find friends and be able to talk about some of their problems, they have a difficult time. But God bless ‘em, they were out doing what they were trained to do and protecting us and being always faithful.

Other thoughts?

Final analysis: I wouldn’t go through it again, but I’ll tell you what—I sure as hell would have hated to miss those opportunities.

That’s the important thing, I think. I saw both enlisted ranks and the officer ranks, as did my son—you learn who’d doing what and when. It was great to do both, and I enjoyed going out and doing my thing for the country and for each other.

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Week of November 9 - November 15, 2012

Veterans Day Events Free Driver Safety Course for Veterans and Their Spouses Saturday, November 10 Knights of Columbus 50 Pine Road Saratoga Springs 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

With the completion of this course there is a discount offered for auto insurance and points can be reduced from your license. For more information call Stan Drosky at (518) 587-5847.

Revolutionary Run for Veterans

Taylor’s Heroes presents Rock of Ages Fundraiser

Saturday, November 10, 9 a.m.

Fort Hardy Park, Red Street Schuylerville The Saratoga County Board of Supervisors and the Saratoga County Veterans Service Agency will be having a Revolutionary Run for Veterans to benefit the Saratoga County Veterans Trust Fund. The Veterans trust fund was established in May of 2011 to assist Saratoga County Veterans in need. The Revolutionary Run for Veterans will be held in the historic Village of Schuylerville and will consist of a 3.5 mile journey past many historical landmarks from the Revolutionary War.

Saturday, November 10, 7–11 p.m.

Universal Preservation Hall 25 Washington Street Saratoga Springs Great night of fun including live music from The Refrigerators, huge silent auction, free wine and beer for the first hour, rock star makeup and temporary rock tattoos, great food stations, photobooths, roaming photographers and dancing! The organization is called Taylor's Heroes in honor of Taylor Miller who died in June 2010 while serving our country in Afghanistan. The event is scheduled for Veteran's Day weekend, Saturday, November 10. Taylor would have turned 22 this Veterans Day. Money raised helps to fund fitness and nutrition classes for kids age 10-18 in Saratoga Springs. Tickets are $65 in advance, $75 at the door and $45 for ages 18-29. For more information call (518) 894-1658 or visit www.taylorsheroes.org.

Saratoga Springs Firefighter’s Veterans Day 5K Run Sunday, November 11, 10 a.m.

Warming Hut Saratoga Spa State Park Saratoga Springs Firefighters Proudly presents the First Annual Veterans Day 5K. All proceeds benefit the wounded warrior project, which supports the brave men and women that incurred ServiceConnected wounds, injuries, or illnesses on or after the events of September 11, 2001. Awards will be given to the first place veteran, firefighter, man and woman.

Please join us at Druthers Brewpub on Broadway after the race for food and drinks.

Veterans Day Benefit Dinner Sunday, November 11, 3–7 p.m.

Middle Grove Firehouse 25 North Creek Road Middle Grove The Middle Grove Fire Dept.

Ladies Auxiliary and the Town of

Greenfield Historical Society will be hosting a benefit dinner on Veterans Day. Dinner will include spaghetti and meat sauce (plain will also be available), salad, Italian bread, homemade desserts, and soft beverage. Suggested donation are Adults $9 and children under 10 are $5. Takeout will also be available. For more information call (518) 587-6060 or (518) 893-0645.

The Veterans Vision at the Hyde: Honoring Veterans Past and Present The Hyde Collection 161 Warren Street Glens Falls The Hyde Collection pays homage to our country’s veterans. Join historians, writers, and veterans in a discussion of war and poetry inspired by the works of the great American poet and Civil War-era patriot, Walt Whitman. For more information call (518) 792-1761, ext. 327.

Freebies and Discounts for Veterans 25 Cents Off a Gallon of Gasoline from Price Chopper

Saratoga Casino and Raceway – The Garden Buffet

At participating gas stations with your Price Chopper card and Military ID.

342 Jefferson Street, Saratoga Springs November 11 and 12 $4.95 Lunch and $6.95 Dinner with Military ID.

Free Car Wash for Veterans – Hoffman’s Car Wash Sunday, November 11 and Monday, November 12 5 Lowes Drive Saratoga Springs This is our way of thanking these men and women for the sacrifices that they made in service to our country. Military ID required.

Free Entrée at Applebee’s – Veterans and Active Duty Military Every Veterans Day, Applebee's invites vets and active duty military to come have a meal on us. It's our way of saying thanks for their service. But, really, every day is an opportunity to say thank you.

So, join us in our Thank You Movement to personally show your gratitude for those who have served, or are currently serving, in our military.

Free All You Can Eat Pancakes for Veterans at Denny’s 469 Louden Road, Saratoga Springs 10 percent–20 percent off every day with military identification.

Free Dinner for Veterans on Veterans Day at Golden Corral 15 Old Gick Road, Saratoga Springs

Free Meal for Military and Vets at Olive Garden 303 Clifton Park Center Road, Clifton Park

Free Cheeseburger for Vets at Red Robin on Veteran’s Day 1 Halfmoon Crossing, Clifton Park

Free Bloomin’ Onion and Coca Cola at the Outback Thank You to our Military Mates 610 Old Route 146 Clifton Park November 11 and November 12 in honor of Veterans Day. Plus, receive a Military Mates 10 percent Discount November 13 – December 31.

Free Lunch on Veteran’s Day at TGI Fridays 3060 Route 50, Saratoga Springs

Free entrée or Pizza on Veterans Day at UNO Chicago Grill 3008 Route 50, Saratoga Springs

Week of November 9 - November 15, 2012

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Gallery of Valor continued from Page 1 Photos provided.

While a person must have been in actual combat or earned a military ribbon in order to be a member of the Post, Gene Ratigliano, senior vice commander of the Post, said the members wanted to do something that honored all who had served.

“Many veterans served in periods of conflict, but not necessarily in combat or earned a campaign award,” said Ratigliano, who had served in the Navy. “We wanted to recognize everyone who had been in the service whether they had been in combat or not.”

The exhibit, first suggested by VFW member Jim Hartman, grew from what they thought would be around 50 images, to over 200 photographs, documents and memorabilia.

“We went to a number of school districts and asked the students and staff to participate,” explained Ratigliano, who said Saratoga Springs, Mechanicville, Schuylerville, Corinth, Galway, and Ballston Spa were among those who sent in pictures and documents. “We recruited pictures of [military personnel] from families in our area.”

The exhibit begins with a panel dedicated to World War I, and then works its way through all the major and minor conflicts. There are fighter pilots kneeling next to their planes, Seabies on board their ships, soldiers with arms linked around one another. Some of the images are the formal military head shots; others are of time spent on leave, and still others of men on duty.

“We even have one of a soldier who served in the Spanish American War and another of who was in the Civil War,” said VFW member Rich Koenig, who served in Vietnam.

The Post itself was chartered in 1910 and had approximately 30 members who had served in the Spanish American War, the Mexican Border War or World War I. It was named for two brothers from Saratoga Springs who died on the same day while in combat – Corporal William Gurtler and Private George H. Gurtler, Jr. Both had served with the New York Infantry and the U.S. National Guard in Mexican Border Service and later with the 105th Infantry, 27th Division in World War I.

Both brothers were killed in action on October 20, 1918 while serving with their division in World War I and were buried in France.

Ratigliano said they were amazed at the number of items they received from the public. “We did not expect this many,” he said. “These are some very personal things people have given us for display.”

One of the items on display is a letter from the War Department telling the parents that a photograph is enclosed. It is of “Army Cemetery #1, Marianas Islands, in which your son, the late Private First Class John N. Miner, is buried.” The letter writer states that he hopes the picture brings them a “sense of comfort.”

Other documents on display are letters home from soldiers stationed overseas, discharge certificates, and personal letters from families. Most have accompanying photographs of the person involved.

“We can’t believe how much we have gotten,” said Koenig. “We’re still getting them in.”

The exhibit will be covered until the unveiling on Sunday. “We want it to be a surprise,” explained Ratigliano of exhibit items. “We want everyone to know they are welcome to come and see the exhibit and have something to eat.”

Gurtler Brothers VFW Post 420, 190 Excelsior Avenue will host its annual Veteran's Day commemoration with the special "Gallery of Valor" picture memorial as part of its Veterans Day commemoration.

To honor our veterans, a memorial service will be held at Maplewood Cemetery in Wilton at 9 a.m. for Post 420 veterans interred there. At 11 a.m. in Congress Park, a public memorial service will be held with the Rifle Squad, Taps, and guest speakers, followed by a luncheon at the Post. At 2 p.m., the unveiling of "Gallery of Honor" will take place.

The public is invited.

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Week of November 9 - November 15, 2012

Under the Umbrella of Dementia: Where the Confusions Exists

by Clare Colamaria for Saratoga TODAY Most families, when asked if their aging loved one has been diagnosed with a specific neurological disease, typically respond with, “Well…they have Dementia.”

Dementia is a term used much too loosely and with great uncertainty by the general public.

However, they are not to blame.

Those who have never been educated on Dementia or never known someone with a particular form of dementia are surprised to learn just how many types of Dementia exist.

I cannot stress enough the importance of a proper diagnosis when it comes to Dementia. If you or someone you are close to is worried that there are serious concerns with a loved one and wish to have more in-depth testing done to determine a proper diagnosis, then please ask your GP (General Practitioner) the name of a reputable Neurologist.

What is Neurology? Neurology is the medical specialty which focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the brain and nervous system.

Without a proper diagnosis, you

cannot be treated appropriately or effectively. You wouldn’t treat a sore throat with Pepto Bismol, would you? The wrong medications can have serious adverse affects and actually cause additional symptoms and complications.

Once your loved one is properly diagnosed by experts, it then allows your team of experts and your family to have a base line or starting point to watch the progression of the disease and manage the treatment as changes occur and treatments need adjustment.

So, what exactly is Dementia?

According to Medicine.Net, Dementia is not a specific disease.

It is a descriptive term for a collection of symptoms that can be caused by a number of disorders that affect the brain. People with dementia have significantly impaired intellectual functioning that interferes with normal activities and relationships. They also lose their ability to solve problems and maintain emotional control, and they may experience personality changes and behavioral problems such as agitation, delusions, and hallucinations. While memory loss is a common symptom of dementia, memory loss by itself does not mean that a person has dementia. Doctors diagnose dementia only if two or more brain functions - such as memory, language skills, perception, or cognitive skills including reasoning and judgment - are significantly impaired without loss of consciousness.

There are many disorders that can cause dementia. Some, such as AD (Alzheimer’s disease) lead to a

progressive loss of mental functions. But other types of dementia can be halted or reversed with appropriate treatment.

With AD and many other types of dementia, disease processes cause many nerve cells to stop functioning, lose connections with other neurons, and die. In contrast, normal aging does not result in the loss of large numbers of neurons in the brain.

What Are the Different Kinds of Dementia?

Dementing disorders can be classified many different ways. These classification schemes attempt to group disorders that have particular features in common, such as whether they are progressive or what parts of the brain are affected.

Some frequently used classifications include the following: • Cortical dementia: dementia where the brain damage primarily affects the brain's cortex, or outer layer. Cortical dementias tend to cause problems with memory, language, thinking, and social behavior.

• Sub cortical dementia: dementia that affects parts of the brain below the cortex. Sub cortical dementia tends to cause changes in emotions and movement in addition to problems with memory.

• Progressive dementia: dementia that gets worse over time, gradually interfering with more and more cognitive abilities.

• Primary dementia: dementia such as AD that does not result from any other disease.

• Secondary dementia: dementia that occurs as a result of a physical

disease or injury.

Some types of dementia fit into more than one of these classifications. For example, AD is considered both a progressive and a cortical dementia.

Dementia Facts Alzheimer's disease (AD): is the most common cause of dementia in people over age 65 with cause possibly related to amyloidal plaques and neurofibrillary tangles; almost all brain functions, including memory, movement, language, judgment, behavior, and abstract thinking, are eventually affected.

• Vascular dementia: is the second most common cause of dementia caused by brain damage from cerebrovascular or cardiovascular problems (strokes) or other problems that inhibit vascular function; symptoms similar to AD but personality and emotions affected only late in the disease.

• Lewy body dementia: is common and progressive where cells in the brain's cortex die and others contain abnormal structures (Lewy bodies); symptoms overlap with Alzheimer's disease but also include hallucinations, shuffling gait, and flexed posture with symptoms that may vary daily.

• Frontotemporal dementia: is dementia linked to degeneration of nerve cells in the frontal and temporal brain lobes and some evidence for a genetic factor (many have a family history of the disease); symptoms in patients (usually ages 40 – 65) have judgment and social behavior problems such as stealing, neglecting responsibilities, increased appetite, compulsive behavior and eventual motor skill problems and memory loss.

• HIV-associated dementia: is due to infection of the brain with HIV virus; symptoms include impaired memory, apathy, social withdrawal, and concentration problems.

• Huntington's disease: is a heredity disorder caused by a faulty gene and children of a person with the disorder have a 50 percent chance of getting the disease; symptoms begin in 30-40 year old people with personality changes such as anxiety, depression and progress to show psychotic behavior severe dementia and chorea involuntary jerky, arrhythmic movements of the body.

• Dementia pugilistica: is also termed Boxer's syndrome, is due to traumatic injury (often repeatedly) to the brain; symptoms commonly

are dementia and parkinsonism (tremors, gait abnormalities) and other changes depending where brain injury has happened.

• Corticobasal degeneration: is a progressive nerve cell loss in multiple areas of the brain; symptoms begin at about age 60 on one side of the body and include poor coordination and rigidity with associated visual-spatial problems that can progress to memory loss, hesitant speech and dysphasia (difficulty swallowing).

• Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: is a rare disease that seems related to a gene mutation that causes rapid (death about one year after symptoms begin to develop) degenerative and fatal brain disease in people usually over 60 years old; personality changes and reduced coordination develop, rapidly followed by impaired judgment and vision and many patients develop a coma before they die.

• Other rare hereditary dementias: – Most of these diseases develop in people between 50 – 60 years old and most have variable symptoms of poor reflexes, dementia, hallucinations, paralysis and most develop coma before death; some of the names of these diseases are Gerstmann-StrausslerScheinker disease, familial British dementia, familial Danish dementia and fatal familial insomnia.

• Secondary dementias: These dementias occur in patients with other disorders of movement such as Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis and may because by one or more problems listed above; these dementias may share symptoms with any of the above mentioned dementias but researchers are unsure if this is due to disease overlap or other causes.

• Dementias in children: While infections, trauma and poisoning can lead to dementia in both children and adults, there are some dementias that are unique to children but may result in mental problems, seizures, reduction or loss of motor skills, blindness, neurodegeneration and death; many are inherited disorders such as Niemann-Pick disease, Batten disease, Lafora disease and mitochondrial abnormalities.

• Other conditions that may cause dementia: Reactions to medications, endocrine and metabolic problems, nutritional deficiencies, infections, subdural hematomas, poisoning, brain tumors, anoxia (lack of oxygen), heart and lung problems.

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Week of November 9 - November 15, 2012

SENIORS CALENDAR • What conditions are not dementia: Although these conditions may resemble some aspects of dementia, they have different causes, usually are treatable and have better outcomes; examples are depression, delirium, mild cognitive impairment and age-related cognitive decline.

• Dementia causes: All causes of dementia result from death and damage of nerve cells in the brain; genetics and possibly the formation of different types of inclusions in the brain cells are likely the major causes, although some researchers suggest that certain inclusions may be only side effects of an underlying disorder.

• Risk factors for dementia include advancing age, genetics (family history), smoking, alcohol use, atherosclerosis, high cholesterol, diabetes, high plasma homocysteine levels, mild cognitive impairment, Down syndrome Dementia is diagnosed by using many methods, such as: patient's medical and family history, physical exam, neurological evaluations, cognitive and neuropsychological testing, CT's, MRI's and other brain scans, mental status exams, electroencephalograms, blood tests, psychiatric evaluations, and even some pre-symptomatic tests are available for some patients that may have a genetic link to dementia.

Most treatments for dementia will neither reverse or stop the disease; however, there are treatments and medications that may reduce the symptoms and slow the disease progression; they are tight glucose control by persons with diabetes, intellectual stimulating activities, lowering cholesterol and homocysteine levels, regular exercise, education, controlling inflammation of body tissues, using NSAID's and possibly other medications.

Today’s column was written for a better understanding of the term Dementia. There are many other concerns associated with a loved one or family member suffering from a “Dementia” related disorder. To help you become more aware of the other lifestyle changes and safety precautions, please call Clare Colamaria, Founder of A Senior’s Choice, LLC at (518) 4242527 or begin by visiting www.aseniorschoiceonline.com and filling out our senior consultation form.

Adult & Senior Center 5 Williams St., Saratoga Springs (518) 584-1621 TRIP TO NYC

Celebrate the holidays with a trip to the Big Apple. A bus will leave the Senior Center at 7 a.m. on December 5th and head to New York City. See a holiday show, shop or visit a museum. You’re on your own. Cost is only $38 for members and $53 for non-members. The bus will bring you to Manhattan’s Bryant Park, near 6th Ave & 42nd St. around 11am and leaves from the same location around 6pm.

The bus departs from the Center lot Wednesday, December 5th, at 7a.m. and returns at 10 p.m.

Minimum sign-up is needed by November 21, to guarantee trip.

Passengers must be able to walk, dine and navigate the city independently.

SPAIN’S COSTA DEL SOL & PORTUGAL’S RIVERA TRIP SLIDE SHOW

An informational slide show about the Spain’s Costa del Sol & Portugal’s Riviera trip will be held at the Center at 2 p.m. on December 5. The travel agent will be on hand to answer questions.

Commit to the trip at the slide show and save $100. Bring your passport. The full itinerary for the trip is available at the Center.

Registration for the slide show is required.

SIPS & SNACKS

Guest bartender's John Witt and Jenny Witte will be serving up drinks from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the

Irish Times upstairs bar. Twenty percent of food and drink tabs all night upstairs go to the Saratoga Senior Center as well as all of the tips. Invite friends and family to enjoy a night out and give back to those who have given so much to you – our seniors.

AARP DRIVER SAFETY CLASS

The AARP Driver Safety Class is designed for drivers 50 and above and is offered several times a year in SASCC's portable building. The certificate participants receive upon completion of the course will allow them to receive a reduced insurance rate from most insurance providers. The certificate is valid for three years. Prior to signing up for the class, please contact your insurance representative to confirm that they will give you the reduced rate. To attend, participants must attend both days of classes from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; must have a valid driver's license (out-ofstate is okay,) and bring it to class; Cost is $12 for AARP members and $14 for non- members and payable in advance. Checks are to be made out to “AARP” and dated the first day of class. Classes are held at the Saratoga Senior Center, 19655 Allendale Avenue, Saratoga and anyone 20 minutes or later for class will be turned away. The class size is limited by law to 30 participants maximum and certificates are issued to each person who completes the course at the end of the second class. These are valid for three years and recognized by all California auto insurance companies. To register or for more

information, call John Hulme at (408)741-0284.

BRIDGE–BEGINNING/INTERMEDIATE

On Mondays there are two levels of play of Bridge – beginner and intermediate. Beginner level invites members to just drop in.

The intermediate level requires members to join with partners so that the teams are full. If you wish to find a partner, please stop by on Mondays or leave your name at the front desk. Tuesdays and Thursdays are just beginner levels of play. No partners are necessary.

CERAMICS CLASS

Learn basic hand building techniques with clay. Earthenware pieces are fired in a kiln and are food safe. No experience necessary. Ceramic classes meet Wednesdays 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. or Fridays 10 a.m. to noon. The cost is $10 per month for one class a week, or $20 a month for two classes a week. Fee includes supplies and firing. Ceramics Lab is also offered after Wednesday’s class from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at no charge. Lab is available to anyone taking either class as a time to complete work started in class.

There is no instruction and no fee for labs. Preregistration required.

HEALTH INSURANCE COUNSELING

Health insurance counseling is offered the fourth Monday of every month from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

LINE DANCING

Line dancing is offered in the Saunders Room for beginners and

intermediates. The cost is $40 for members and $56 for non-members. Call 868-1257 for schedule information.

LIP READING

Learn to read lips. Lip reading classes are offered on Tuesdays from 1:15 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. in the Oak Room. Learn how to understand what people are saying even if you're having difficulty hearing them. Speech reading classes are designed for adults who wish to understand what others are saying even with background noise.

Students will learn to recognize specific sounds and use that information to improve their ability to understand in all listening environments. The classes can benefit non hearing-aid users, hearing-aid wearers, and even those fortunate enough to have normal to near normal hearing. In addition to learning speech reading, discussions include how to hear, preventing hearing loss, tinnitus, hearing aids and any other topics related to hearing and its impact on our lives. Lead by Marcia Fariss, M.S., WVC, there is no fee. Beginning or intermediate has no prerequisites, but advanced requires previous instruction and/or experience. Call Marcia Fariss for more information at 741-2045 ext. 3655 or visit www.gizmology.com/hear QUILTING GROUP

A quilting group is on Monday 9 to noon in the Magnolia room. There is no fee and all quilters of all levels are welcome

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Week of November 9 - November 15, 2012

Let’s Be Cool and Read!

by Kate Towne Sherwin for Saratoga TODAY I was at a school book fair recently to pick up a couple of books for the boys. The benefits of going to the book fair alone included the ability to browse leisurely, without a small boy screeching every other second about what he wants. Also, it was nice not having to maneuver my crew through the thick throng of

fellow book browsers—no matter how hard I try to keep the boys close to me, making the smallest footprint we can manage, we still always seem to be in someone’s way.

The downside of being at the book fair alone was not knowing exactly what books the boys would like. I remember when I was a little girl, there were particular books in the school library that were “the” books to borrow.

When I was Thomas and Gabe’s ages, the cool books were joke books—I remember the boys in my class coveting them, and crowding around the one or two whose turn it was to check them out of the library that week to catch a glimpse.

Not that I care a whit about being cool, but kids often do, and if I can help out by adding “cool” books to our home library, I don’t mind doing so. They’re books, after all. Books! Let’s be cool and read!

But it turned out to be a pretty easy selection—despite the age range and span of reading ability of my boys, as I told the checkout

lady (and she agreed), “If it’s gross or scary, I know they’ll love it.” I came home with a book about spiders (a huge, terrifying close-up of a hairy spider on the cover), a book about why feet smell and other bodily questions, and a couple small encyclopedias about sharks and dinosaurs (also a dictionary, and a book of science experiments that doesn’t fit the “gross or scary” criteria, but which my oldest has been poring over ever since, as I suspected he would. I believe he has world domination—or at least, brother domination—on his mind. The dictionary, so far, has remained untouched).

It was like Christmas come early when I revealed my purchases to them later. For the next couple of hours, I found all four of the older boys taking turns with the gross and scary books. Xavier and John preferred to gape in horror at the pictures, while Gabe tested out his new reading ability, and Thomas acted like quite the expert, even reading a bit to his younger brothers. It was a pretty great afternoon.

Reading is often my go-to when we have a bit of time to kill (like when I’m counting down the minutes until naptime), or if everyone’s bouncing off the walls, or if a particular boy just needs a few minutes of one-on-one Mom-time, or if it’s a cozy day and I just want to read with them. Really, what child wouldn’t love being snuggled up with Mom, her arm around him, her attention totally on him and the thing they’re doing together—learning, imagining, chatting, laughing, crying? (Dads too, of course—I have the best picture of all the boys with my husband, climbing on his shoulder, sitting on his lap, perched behind his head on the back of the couch, while he read Richard Scarry’s “Cars and Trucks and Things That Go.”) We have a stack of favorites that they seem to always go for when I ask them to choose a book or two, like “Harold and the Purple Crayon,” by Crockett Johnson; “Green Eggs and Ham,”

by Dr. Seuss; “Where the Wild Things Are,” by Maurice Sendak (we’ve read this one so many times I can recite it from memory, and often do if I need the kids to behave, like when we’re waiting in a doctor’s office or in line at the grocery store); books of saints (the

gorier the martyrdom, the better); and some new favorites, now that they’re getting older: the “Boxcar Children” series by Gertrude Chandler Warner; and the “Arthur Adventure” series, by Marc Brown (I’ve also been trying to hook them on C.S. Lewis’ “Narnia Chronicles”).

Just last weekend, they came home from the public library with two versions of “Beowulf”—one for younger kids, and one for those a bit older. I’d never read it (being an English major, I’m not sure how I evaded it), but when they were all misbehaving at lunch that day I finally said, “Enough!” and grabbed the younger-version of Beowulf (by James Rumsford) to read to them all.

They were all completely taken with this story, and so was I! They listened with barely a movement, eyes wide as pies, as I read about Grendel the ogre eating the king’s men, and how Beowulf tore off Grendel’s arm, killed Grendel’s horrible mother, and slew the dragon, even as he himself ended up dying from his dragon-inflicted wounds. The boys drank in the illustrations of terrifying ogres and ripped-off arms, and I swooned over the constant description of Beowulf as a good man, strongwilled and fire-hearted, bold and fearless—what a great model for boys!

I’m sure that being so involved with their reading will help them

love books and reading as they grow older--as I did and still do-and help them reap all the benefits “the experts” say come from reading together when they’re young.

But I also hope that a childhood of sharing stories and talking about them—especially about the good guys, the bad guys, and why—in the context of affection and coziness will help them always want to read, and to choose good things to read as they mature— books of substance, that teach important things about people and the world and truth. I hope it will help them learn how to quiet themselves down in a world of noise, to breathe and contemplate in silence, to help cultivate wisdom and create a strong interior life, from which will spring men strong-willed and fire-hearted, bold and fearless.

Who knew that reading “Big A, little A, what begins with A?” or “Go, train, go!” until your eyes fall out might help change the world? At least, that’s what I’m hoping! Happy reading!

Kate Towne Sherwin is a stay-athome mom (SAHM) living in Saratoga Springs with her husband, Steve, and their sons Thomas (8), Gabriel (6), John Dominic (4), Xavier (2), and Thaddeus (10 months). She can be reached at sksherwin@hotmail.com.

Week of November 9 - November 15, 2012

Thanksgiving Guide

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Week of November 9 - November 15, 2012

Sweet Potato Soufflé

A special southern treat for fall (A note about the Saratoga Farmers’ Market: Customers can swipe their EBT, credit and debit cards at the desk in the hallway at the Division Street School. They receive wooden tokens, which all vendors accept. The Winter Market is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.)

America loves its regional traditions, especially when it comes to food, and Southern cuisine is known to favor food that is both rich and sweet. This dish combines both qualities and could be a welcome variation of the sweet potato on Saratoga dinner tables this fall. It is well worth the extra bit of work.

Chain, chain, chain! Chain of Pies!

Side Bar on Sweet Potatoes vs.

Yams: What is a “sweet potato” and what is a “yam”?

Even restaurant menus and labels on packaging often confuse the two. So what are they? The familiar orange tubers commonly available in the U.S. are sweet potatoes from the morning glory family (Convolvulaceae).

True yams, members of the Dioscoreaceae family, are generally imported from the Caribbean and are dry, starchy and white fleshed.

Few people in the U.S. have actually eaten yams. Despite this, many people even in the food industry call sweet potatoes yams.

John Reardon Compliments to the Chef

Hello my Foodie Friends!

I am back after my knee surgery and ready to go! Well, I am thinking about pies and how an American home smells so much better when one is in the oven!

When you are preparing your pie shell, a must-have is a device called a pie chain.

You would use this heavy stainless steel pie chain when baking unfilled pie shells (also known as “blind baking”) to prevent the dough from shrinking or puffing in the oven. It’s more foolproof than using dried beans, pricking, crumpling foil and all those other unreliable methods. Just spiral the chain in the bottom of the shell before baking.When cool, remove the chain to reveal a perfect crust that’s ready for filling.

Now there’s no greater memory of mine involving my little daughter Aubrey and my son John than when we went to bake a pie for my wife’s homecoming after being away for a week on business. Now, keep in mind, I am not the best baker in the house. That would be my wife Paula! I gave it a shot and when I went to take the pie chain out I forgot about the cooling part. My children were on the floor laughing so hard at watching their father doing the hot chain dance that they had tears coming down their faces.

That was a long time ago but when ever I look at that little scar, I smile. It feels like it happened yesterday! By the way my wife loved the pie and the story my kids had to tell her about its making.

Thank you to everyone who helped keep the Compliments to the Chef store running while I have been out! Remember my friends; “Life Happens in the Kitchen” Take care, John and Paula

Ingredients (Makes 8-10 servings. Those marked * are available at the Saratoga Springs Winter Farmers’ Market.)

2 boiled or baked local sweet potatoes, cooled and peeled to make 2½ cups * 1 tsp. salt ⅓ cup 100% maple syrup (Sheldon Farm) * 3 tbsp. brown sugar, packed 4 tbsp. corn starch 4 farm fresh eggs brought to room temperature and separated * 1½ sticks butter, melted 1 cup heavy cream (Battenkill Valley Creamery) * ½ cup pecans, chopped

Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Put 2½ cups of sweet potato flesh into a bowl. Stir in the salt, maple syrup, brown sugar, cornstarch, egg yolks and butter. Beat the cream until fluffy and stir into the sweet potato mixture.

3. In another bowl, the beat eggs whites with a pinch of salt until stiff peaks form.

4. Gently fold the egg whites into the sweet potato mixture.

5. Pour into a buttered 2-quart soufflé dish. Sprinkle pecans on top. Bake for 50 minutes.

Week of November 9 - November 15, 2012

Should I Withdraw Money From My IRA?

by Peter Sweetser for Saratoga TODAY

Q:

What are the possible tax consequences of withdrawing money from my IRA? There are several items to consider.

Before taking a distribution from a tax-deferred account such as a Traditional or Roth IRA, think about the following. First, a Traditional (“deductible”) IRA distribution is typically taxed as ordinary income. Keep in mind, distributions to shareholders younger than 59½ may also be subject to a 10 percent IRS penalty unless an exception applies. Second, a Roth distribution is tax-free if you have met the necessary requirements like owning the account for five or more years and being 59½ or older. It is important to note that if you take money from a regular (taxable) non-retirement account, such as a single or joint account, you may be subject to capital gains taxes.

Here is an example. Let’s say you need $3,000 to take a vacation. If you withdraw it from the Traditional IRA and you are in a 25 percent tax bracket, you would incur $750 in federal taxes. However, the Roth distribution could be taxfree. Meanwhile, your taxable single or joint account may be subject to capital gains tax on proceeds above your original cost at rates ranging from zero percent to a maximum of 15

A:

percent for long-term gains.

Each scenario has different tax ramifications and your decision should be based upon your situation at any given time.

Due to the complex IRA distribution rules, one size does not fit all, so speak with an investment professional and discuss what might be right for you. As always, I recommend including your accountant or tax preparer in the decision before you make a transaction.

Fenimore Asset Management is an independ-

ent investment advisory firm located in Cobleskill, NY. Fenimore’s team of seasoned professionals conducts indepth research and analyzes the companies behind the investments to gain unique insights. Fenimore manages individual and institutional accounts (Fenimore Private Client Group) and mutual funds (FAM Funds).

Peter Sweetser is a Retirement Plans Specialist at Fenimore Asset Management in Cobleskill, NY.

23

24 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., S. Glens Falls 793-3755, AdirondackFM@ nycap.rr.com; www.adirondackfriendsmeeting.org Regina Baird Haag, pastoral minister Services: 10:30 a.m.

Sunday The Alliance Church 257 Rowland St., Ballston Spa 885-6524 Services: Morning Worship 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., coffee served at 9:45 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.

All are welcome.

Handicapped accessible.

Week of November 9 - November 15, 2012

Baha’i Community of Saratoga Springs 584-9679; 692-7694; usbnc.org.

Congregation Shaara Tfille 84 Weibel Avenue, Saratoga Springs 584-2370; saratogasynaBallston Center Associate gogue.org Reformed Presbyterian Services: Saturday Church 9:30 a.m., Monday & 58 Charlton Road, Thursday 7:30 a.m., Ballston Spa third Friday each month 885-7312; ballstoncenter- 7:30 p.m. Handicapped arpchurch.org Accessible Services: Sunday Corinth Free Methodist Worship Service, Church 10:30 a.m.

20 Hamilton Ave. Ballston Spa United 654-9255; 792-0271 Methodist Church Services: Sunday at 101 Milton Ave. 10 a.m.

885-6886 Services: Sunday 10 a.m. Corinth United Methodist Church Bethesda Episcopal 243 Main Street Church 654-2521; cfumc@cny41 Washington St., connect.net Saratoga Springs Services: Sunday 584-5980 10:30 a.m.

Services: Sunday 6:30, Cornerstone Community 8 & 10 a.m.

Church Church of Christ at Clifton Malta Commons Park 899-7001; mycorner7 Old Route 146 stonechurch.org 371-6611; Associate Pastor Paul cliftonparkchurShepherd Services: chofchrist.com Sundays at 10:30 a.m.

Services: Sunday Corpus Christi Roman 10:30 a.m.

Catholic Community Christ Community 2001 Route 9, Reformed Church Round Lake 1010 Route 146, 877-8506, Clifton Park ccorpusc@nycap.rr.com 371-7654; ccrc-cpny.org.

Services: Saturday Services: Sundays 4 p.m.; Sunday 8:30 & 10 a.m.

10:30 a.m.; Weekday Masses: Monday-Friday Christ Episcopal Church 9 a.m.

Routes 50 & 67, Ballston Spa Eastern Orthodox 885-1031 Christ the Savior Services: Sunday 349 Eastline Road, 8 & 10 a.m.

Ballston Spa 786-3100; Christian Restoration xcsavior@yahoo.com.

Ministries Services: Sunday: Saratoga Senior Center 9:15 a.m.

5 Williams St., Saratoga Springs First Baptist Church of 796-4323 Saratoga Springs Pastor Pat Roach 45 Washington St. Services: Sunday 584-6301 10 a.m.; 6:30 p.m.

Services: Sunday: 11 a.m.

First Baptist Church of Ballston Spa 202 Milton Ave. (Rt. 50) 885-8361; fbcballstonspa.org Services: 10:15 a.m.

First Presbyterian Church of Ballston Spa 22 West High St. 885-5583 Services: Sunday at 10 a.m.

Full Gospel Tabernacle 207 Redmond Road, Gansevoort 793-2739 Services: Sunday 10 a.m.; Bible Study: Thursday 6:30 p.m.

Galway United Methodist Church 2056 East Street (at intersection of Route 147), Galway 882-6520 www.galway-unitedmethodist-church.com Services: Sunday 9:30 a.m.

Grace Brethren Church 137 W. Milton Rd., Ballston Spa 587-0649 Rev. Dan Pierce Services: Sunday 10 a.m.

Handicapped accessible.

Greater Grace Community Church Pastor David Moore 899-7777, thechurch@ggccmalta.or g Services: Wednesday 7:30 p.m. - Good Times Restaurant, Lake Rd. 2nd floor;. Friday 7:30 p.m. - Saratoga Chapel, Eastline & Lake Rds; Sunday 10a.m. Glenville Senior Center, 32 Worden Rd

Greenfield Center Baptist Church 30 Wilton Rd., Greenfield Center 893-7429 Services: Sunday School for all ages - 9:45 a.m.

Church Service - 11 a.m.

Prayer Meeting Wednesday 6:30 p.m.

Highway Tabernacle Church 90 River Rd., 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 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.; Sunday School 9:30 a.m.

Living Springs Community Church 59 Pine Rd., 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. 581-0210 Services: Sunday 10 a.m.

25

Week of November 9 - November 15, 2012

Middle Grove United Methodist Church 581-2973 Pastor Bonnie Bates Services: Sunday 9 a.m.

Handicapped accessible

Quaker Springs United Methodist Church 466 Route 32 South 695-3101; qsumc.com Pastor Al Johnson Services: Sunday 9 a.m.

Handicapped accessible.

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.

Handicapped accessible

Saratoga Friends Meeting (Quaker) Rts. 32 and 71 Quaker Springs 587-7477; 399-5013 Services: Sunday 10 a.m.

The Salvation Army Worship, Service & Community Center 27 Woodlawn Ave. Saratoga Springs 584-1640; Mail-P.O. Box 652 Saratoga United Methodist Captain Aaron A. Boone, New Horizon Church River of Hope Fellowship Church 150 Perry Road Sr.; Captain Amber S. 100 Saratoga Village Henning Rd. Saratoga Springs Boone Commanding Blvd. Malta Cmns., Saratoga Springs 587-0711 Officers/Ministers St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Ste. 3, Malta 584-3720; Services: Sunday Services: Sunday School Church 881-1505; riverofhopesaratogaumc.com.

9:30 a.m.

10 a.m.; Praise & 771 Route 29 fellowship.com Services: Sunday 9 & Worship 11 a.m.

New Life Fellowship Rock City Falls Services: Sunday 10 a.m.

10:45 a.m. Handicapped 51 Old Gick Rd. Trinity United Methodist 893-7680; accessible.

Roman Catholic Church of Saratoga Springs Church sjoegctr@nycap.rr.com; St. Peter Saratoga Seventh-Day 580-1810; 155 Ballard Rd. www.stjosephschurchAdventist Church 241 Broadway newlifeinsaratoga.org.

Gansevoort greenfieldcenter.org 399 Union Ave. Saratoga Springs Services: Sunday 9:30 584-9107 Services: Sunday 8:30 a.m.

Saratoga Springs 584-2375 a.m.-noon Childcare is tumcwilton.com Handicapped accessible.

882-9384; Services: Eucharistic available at all services.

Rev. Patti Molik-Pastor St. Paul’s Evangelical saratogasda.org Celebrations: Saturday Services: Sunday 10 a.m.

NorthStar Church Lutheran Church Services: Sabbath 5 p.m.; Sunday 7:30, Shenendehowa 149 Lake Ave. School: 10 a.m. Worship Unitarian Universalist 9 & 11 a.m.

High School Congregation of Saratoga Saratoga Springs Service: 11:30 a.m.

St. Clement’s Roman West Auditorium Springs 584-0904 Catholic Church Shenendehowa United Clifton Park 624 North Broadway Services: Saturday 5 p.m.

Methodist 231 Lake Ave. 371-2811; 584-1555; uusaratoga.org with Holy Communion.

971 Route 146, Saratoga Springs northstarchurch.com Services, Nursery Care, Sundays 8:30 & 11 a.m.

Clifton Park 584-6122 Services: Sunday 10 a.m. and Religious Education: with Holy Communion.

371-7964 Services: Saturday 4 Sundays 10 a.m. Youth Old Saratoga Reformed St. Peter Lutheran Church Services: Sunday 7:45, 9 p.m.; Sunday 8, 9:30, Group: Sundays Church 2776 Route 9, Malta & 10:45 a.m.; Acts II 11:15 a.m. & 5 p.m.

11:30 a.m.

48 Pearl St., 583-4153 Contempory 10:45 a.m.

St. George's Episcopal Schuylerville Unity Church in Albany Saturday: 5 p.m.

Church Simpson United Methodist oldsaratogareformed21 King Ave. Sunday: 7:30 a.m., Church 912 Route 146 church.org 453-3603 9:00 am, 11:30 a.m.

Rock City Rd. Clifton Park Services: Sunday Services: Sunday (June-August 11:00 a.m.)

Rock City Falls 371-6351; 10:30 a.m.

9 a.m. & 11 a.m.

St. Thomas of Canterbury 885-4794 stgeorge@csdsl.net Handicapped accessible.

West Charlton United 242 Grooms Rd., Services: Sunday Services: Saturday 4:30 Old Stone Church Presbyterian Church Halfmoon 10:45 a.m. p.m.; Sunday 8 & (American Baptist) 1331 Sacandaga Rd. st-thomas-of-canter9:30 a.m.

Soul Saving Station for 159 Stone Church Rd., 882-9874 bury.org St. Joseph's Roman Ballston Spa westcharltonupc.org Services: Sunday 10 a.m. Every Nation Christ Catholic Church Crusaders of America 583-1002 Rev. Thomas Gregg, Saratoga Abundant 3159 Route 9N 62 Henry St. Services: Sunday: 9 a.m.; Pastor Life Church Greenfield Center Saratoga Springs Adult Sunday School Services: Sunday 2325 Route 50 South 893-7680; 584-3122 9 a.m.; Service 10:30 a.m.

Saratoga Springs sjoegctr@nycap.rr.com; Services: Sunday 10 a.m.

10:30 a.m. Coffee & Wilton Baptist Church 885-5456; saratogaabunwww.stjosephschurch& 6:30 p.m.

Fellowship in Living 755 Saratoga Rd, Wilton dantlife.org greenfieldcenter.org Stone Hall; Wednesday: Temple Sinai 583-2736; wiltonbapServices: Sunday Services: noon potluck luncheon; 509 Broadway tist@gmail.com; 9:30 a.m.

Saturday 4 p.m.; 1 p.m. choir rehearsal; Saratoga Springs wiltonbaptistchurch.com Sunday 10:30 a.m.

2 p.m. Bible Study Group Saratoga Chabad 584-8730 Services: Sunday Service Handicapped accessible.

Presbyterian-NE 130 Circular St. www.saratogasinai.org 11 a.m.

Congregational Church Saratoga Springs Friday 8 p.m. Oneg 24 Circular St. 526-0773; Sabbat Saratoga Springs saratora@aol.com; Saturday 10:30 a.m.

584-6091; pnecc.org saratogachabad.com Oneg Sabbat Services: Sunday Handicapped accessible 10:45 a.m.

26

Week of November 9 - November 15, 2012

Take Time for You Just Say No: Setting Healthy This Holiday Season Boundaries During the Holidays

by Gayle LaSalle for Saratoga TODAY “If you put yourself on the back burner, you may get burnt ... or burn out.”

—Karen McMillan OK, so the holidays are upon us.

Yes, it is that time of year again. It can be wonderful, or it can become a whirlwind of insanity.

Do you feel guilty at the thought of taking time for you? Do all the things you need to do—mostly for others—get in the way of finding that time? Then you must learn to say no to that guilt! It is not just a gift to yourself but also a gift to those you love. And you deserve a gift this time of year, too—even if you have to give it to yourself.

You are just as deserving as others to have your needs met and to meet them yourself, when appropriate. Taking time out to care for yourself sends a message to you and the others in your life that you view yourself as important, thus expecting the same from them.

Research shows that it also acts as a role model for your children at home and for employees at work.

Those who take care of themselves are more caring and more productive. Don't those in your life deserve this as much as you do?

So, taking time for you is not selfish. In fact, it's important to realize that an empty vessel has nothing to give. When you are worn out, frustrated, angry, etc., you aren't giving in a way that is caring and helpful. Rather it creates significant unhappiness, a low sense of self and underlying feelings of resentment.

Are you afraid those in your life will react when you begin to take time for you? As you learn to see this time as essential—and it is— you will not feel the need to defend yourself or justify your actions. In fact, you are not as indispensable as others—and even you—think you are. Some in your life may even find they can do for themselves things you thought only you could do. A gift to you and to them!

Making time to eat right, get exercise and even getting enough sleep will ultimately benefit all involved.

What are the things you've been neglecting? What do you need to do to claim some time to attend to these things? What might you need to say no to in order to find this time? Make a commitment this week to identify at least one thing you want or need to do - just for you. Tell those who need to know that you plan to take care of you.

Now, take a few minutes to think about what’s really important, focus on those things and say no to others if they don’t make life more joyful.

Really—do it! No excuses! No procrastination! See how it feels— I think you'll like it!

by Meghan D. Lemery for Saratoga TODAY The holiday season is fast approaching, and while the season can be a magical time of the year, for some the holidays are a trigger for stress, exhaustion, anxiety and depression.

Learning to set boundaries and have a strategy in place to get through the holidays is the key to keeping yourself healthy and sane.

Be proactive: Before you rush out to begin frantic days of holiday shopping, take a few minutes to stop and reflect on years past. Are you always rushing to buy last minute gifts? Do you dread visiting certain family members but torture yourself spending time with them because it’s “the holidays”? Do you wake up frantic worrying about finances and the expectations of your children?

Take some time to think about how you can change your approach and come up with a holiday strategy that leaves you feeling more in control and clearheaded.

Take the time you need to think about what matters most to you and your family during the season and take action steps to honor your vision of a peaceful enjoyable holiday.

Stick to the Basics: It is no coincidence that during the holidays I see a major increase in referrals and receive many calls from clients “in crisis.” In order to feel clearheaded, rested and enjoy our day-to-day lives we have to honor the basics of self care.

Good sleep, healthy nutrition, exercise and spending time with close friends and family are the basics to looking and feeling great.

The basics are the first thing to go when we feel stressed and overwhelmed. Don’t abandon your day-to-day routine to accommodate

a few days of holiday celebrations.

Take the time you need to plug in and refresh so that you avoid hitting the New Year with exhaustion and an unhealthy body and mind set.

Know what recharges your batteries and make a commitment to honor your self care plan daily.

It only takes a few days of neglect to feel the affects of stress and anxiety. Safe guard yourself from the holiday hangover by taking small steps daily to refresh and recharge.

Say No: The holiday season brings endless opportunities to socialize and get together. Don’t put pressure on yourself to attend every invitation you receive. Take the time you need to sort out your schedule and attend the gatherings that work best for you. If you have to attend the office holiday party but are dreading an evening with colleagues,

vival suits just hoping to make it through the season.

Be real about any feelings of depression that may creep into your heart and talk it out with a spouse, friend or therapist. Do not avoid or minimize your feelings if you are struggling and feeling blue.

If we never stop to acknowledge a traumatic time in our lives we never allow ourselves to heal and move forward to emotional and spiritual health.

If there are certain family members that can be a trigger for depression and anxiety, be honest with yourself about these triggers and do what you need to do to feel healthy.

Don’t be bullied into putting yourself in a situation that will cause you emotional distress. Your peace of mind and sense of security is far more important than someone’s reaction to it.

Anytime you override your emo-

make a plan to go for a short time and have an exit strategy in place.

Don’t put yourself in situations with people that will drain your energy and cause you to feel uncomfortable.

Say no when you need to and attend gatherings that will be fun and lift your spirits.

Get Real: The holidays are all about spending time with family and the people we love. Unfortunately, for many, the holidays can be a trigger for negative feelings that may lead to a downward spiral of major depression.

If you grew up in a dysfunctional family, the holidays may represent chaos, insecurity, loss and feelings of hopelessness.

Likewise, if you are going through a divorce, the holidays can bring on paralyzing fear and dread. Many of us plow through these uncomfortable feelings and put on our sur-

tional comfort to accommodate someone else, you are putting someone else’s agenda and comfort ahead of your own. Be real about what your triggers are and take the steps you need to honor your well being.

Self care is not being selfish, it’s about making your health and well being a priority in every season.

As we get ready to enter the holiday season in full swing, take a deep breath, stick to the basics, have a strategy in place and enjoy!

Let the joy, peace and fun that the season brings lift your spirit and bring light into your heart.

Wishing you a blessed holiday season!

Ms. Lemery is a psychotherapist practicing in Glens Falls and Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Visit meghanlemery.com or email meghanlemery@yahoo.com for more information.

27

Week of November 9 - November 15, 2012

Sudoku Level: 1

2

3

4

Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit www.sudoku.org.uk

See puzzle solution on page 36

11/6/12

© 2012 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Media Services. All rights reserved.

Scrabblegram

Movie Review Argo

See puzzle solution on page 36

PUZZLES PUZZLES PUZZLES Crossword

ACROSS 1 Post-op regimen 6 Ligurian capital 11 Pepper, e.g.: Abbr.

14 End of __ 15 “Paper Moon” co-star 16 Fight sound 17 FL? 19 A single might get you one 20 Tops 21 Herr’s home 22 Like always 25 One with an inflamed “I”?

27 Legal matter 28 CO? 31 Increasing in vol.

34 Swiss peak 35 AK? 40 Twist of a sort 41 Doohickey 43 OR? 47 Dixie product 48 Not at all light 49 Gets going after a crash 52 __ rock 53 Harum-__ 55 Blubber 56 ND? 61 Navig., for one 62 Gourmet mushroom 63 Sheets and such 64 Rocky hails 65 Kind of secret represented by each two-letter puzzle clue?

66 Saw DOWN 1 Battle of Britain gp.

2 Like mil. volunteers 3 “What’s the big idea?!”

4 Recital pieces 5 Language family common in southern Cameroon 6 Split with the band 7 Fangorn Forest denizens 8 How cognac is usually served 9 It fits in a lock 10 Key used in shortcuts 11 Wrench 12 Tank

A hostile nation is holding 52 members of the embassy staff hostage.

While the majority of the State Department is focused on those hostages, six members of the embassy staff have sought refuge with the Canadian ambassador. How would you get them out? Could you get them out?

Thanks to the U.S. allowing their deposed leader to seek refuge in America, the Iranian people storm the American embassy on November 4, 1979. The staff is rushing to shred or burn all their confidential files. The majority of the staff are held hostage while a small percentage escape unnoticed. The State Department begins planning a rescue and asks the CIA to consult. It’s abundantly clear to the Agency’s “exfiltration” specialist, Tony Mendez (played by Ben Affleck), that the State Department is in over their heads. With such plans as having the embassy workers ride to the border disguised as teachers on bicycles in winter. It was back in his hotel watching Battle for the Planet of the Apes and talking to the son Ian (played by Aidan Sussman) that Tony (Affleck) has an idea. Disguise the hostages as a film crew and sneak them out right under the enemy’s nose. After bringing the idea to his boss, Jack O’Donnell (played by Bryan Cranston) the plan gets the go-ahead. Later, they approach the make-up specialist who worked on The Planet of the Apes who has also done work for the Agency in the past, John Chambers (played by John Goodman). Chambers in turn introduces Mendez to a well-known producer named Lester Siegel (played by Alan Arkin). Once they’ve chosen a script, Argo, a science-fiction fantasy in the style of Star Wars, they go the extra mile in establishing it as a legitimate enterprise. Where it was simply a poster in the beginning, Siegel organizes a table-reading with known actors, press, and studio staff. While all this is going on, the Iranian government has sweatshop labor assembling the shredded photos so that they can identify anyone who they failed to capture. Also, our six escapees become increasingly fearful that they will be discovered.

At The Movies With Trey Roohan

Gasoline Alley

“Make a point of recognizing the good that others do and telling them about it.

Showing appreciation is a great habit to develop.”

Daily Word, May 1991

Words to know: quell - v. to suppress or to pacify.

See puzzle solutions on page 36

13 Little wrench 18 Ally Financial Inc., formerly 21 Exuberant cry 22 Pop-up path 23 Balkan native 24 Tech support caller 25 I can follow them 26 Do a Sunday morning church job 29 “The Threepenny Opera” star 30 Really be into 32 Grabbed 33 Pool shot 36 Band with the multi-platinum album “Follow the Leader” 37 Liszt’s “Piano Sonata __ Minor” 38 Psychotic penguin in “Madagascar”

39 Letter-shaped fastener 42 Rte. finder 43 Elaborate style 44 Outs 45 Nurturing place 46 Saw cut 48 Impertinent 50 Weightlifter’s pride 51 All, to Caesar 53 Poet Teasdale 54 Site where techs get news 56 Execs who make trades 57 Balderdash 58 Hill worker 59 Wrangler competitor 60 Apt puzzle answer, in this case

I’m kind of a sucker for movies based on factual events, no matter how much the narrative diverges from history. A Beautiful Mind, The Insider, some that don’t have Russell Crowe as the lead actor. That said, it doesn’t guarantee I will like it. Case in point, I found J. Edgar unbelievably dissatisfying. Argo, on the other hand, is brilliant, in my opinion. The story is gripping, the comic relief is hilarious, and the suspense has me on the edge of my seat. As a lead actor, Affleck has had some notable flops. Gigli and Surviving Christmas among them. As the director of Gone Baby Gone, The Town, and now Argo, however, he is now three for three. You should definitely see this movie. (8.4/10) For comments and questions, contact me at movies@roohanrealty.com.

Broom Hilda

Animal Crackers

28

PULSE

Week of November 9 - November 15, 2012

Roy Book Binder LIVE at Caffe Lena on Saturday, November 10 starting at 8 p.m. Tickets are $18 in advance and $20 at the door. For more information visit www.caffelena.org.

Local Headline Headline Local Gigs Gigs Week of 11/9-11/15: Week of ?/?-?/?

by Name Saratoga TODAY

Friday, 11/9:

by Name Saratoga TODAY

Blue Angel, 9 pm @ 9 maple avenue - 587.7759

•Rob Pulisifer, 9 pm @ bailey’s - 583.6060

•HAIR BAND RIOT, 9 pm @ bayou cafe - 384.7226

GRAVITY, 9 pm @ bentley’s - 899.4300

Stony Creek Band, 8 pm @ caffè lena - 583.0022

•Michael Louis Quartet, 7 pm @ druther’s - 306.5275

Tim Wechgelear, 9 pm @ gaffney’s - 587.7359

•Beatles Tribute, 9:30 pm @ irish times - 583.0003

•Crying Out Loud, 10:30 pm @ jp bruno’s - 745.1180• Marcus Duo, 9 pm @ the mill - 899.5253

•Aabaraki, 9 pm @ putnam den - 584.8066

•Jay Yager, 6 pm @ primelive ultra lounge - 583.4563

•AUDIOSTARS, 8 pm @ vapor - 581.5772

Tony Jenkins Jazz Trip, 8:30 pm @ wallabee’s - 792.8282

Sylvia Stoner, 8 pm @ zankel music center 580.5000

Saturday, 11/10: Arch Stanton Quartet, 9 pm

Send listings to amarshall@saratogapublishing.com Send listings to entertainment@saratogapublishing.com

•Jeff Brisbin, 3 pm •@ druther’s - 306.5275 Street Corner Holler, 7 pm •@ druther’s - 306.5275 Rick Bolton, The Dwyer Sisters & Arlin Greene, 9 pm @ gaffney’s - 587.7359

Who Are You, 9 pm @ irish times - 583.0003

Philip The Meatbox, 10:30 pm @ jp bruno’s - 745.1180• Bo Peep & Funk Sheep, 9 pm @ putnam den - 584.8066

Double Take, 9 pm @ the mill - 899.5253

Sunday, 11/11: Peter Mulvey, 8 pm @ caffè lena - 583.0022

Erin Harkes Band, 7 pm @ druther’s - 306.5275

Thursday, 11/15: Rock Pile, 8 pm @ gaffney’s - 577.7359

The Play Doughs, 9 pm @ primelive ultra lounge - 792.8282

Open Mic Nights:

@ 9 maple avenue - 587.7759

Sun. Open Mic, 7 pm

The Ideal Situation, 9 pm

@ bailey’s - 583.6060

@ bailey’s - 583.6060

Headroom, 9 pm @ bayou cafe - 384.7226

Vivid, 9 pm @ bentley’s - 899.4300

Roy Book Binder, 7 pm @ caffè lena - 583.0022

•Tue. w/Rick Bolton, 8 pm @ gaffney’s - 587.7359

•Wed. Open Mic, 8 pm @ putnam den - 584.8066

•Thur. Open Mic, 7 pm @ caffè lena - 583.0022

Thur. Open Mic, 10 pm @ circus café - 583.1106

Week of November 9 - November 15, 2012

PULSE

Taylor’s Heroes to Host ‘Rock of Ages’ Party in Honor of Fallen Soldier

SARATOGA COUNTY – All across town, dozens of charities and nonprofit organizations host events to benefit a variety of causes. In the midst of all the galas and soirées that are consistently put on by these organizations, the actual reason for putting on these events can sometime get lost.

The cause for Leslie Miller’s foundation, Taylor’s Heroes, is something that she will never forget. After struggling with weight issues in his adolescence, Taylor Miller lost 60 pounds and enlisted in the U.S. Army. But at just 19 years old, Taylor’s life was tragically cut short while serving in Iraq.

Since then, Leslie Miller, along with Taylor’s aunt Suzanne D’Iorio, founded Taylor’s Heroes to honor his memory and help children who may be struggling with weight issues, just like Taylor did.

The organization offers a threemonth program for children and their families that includes an exercise program, nutrition classes and cooking classes.

“We don’t stress that it’s about weight loss, because what we’re trying to do is not set them up with a quick-fix weight loss plan,” Miller said. “We’re trying to teach kids habits that are lifelong habits that involve eating healthy—you know, we have folks out there that actually believe potato chips are part of the vegetable pyramid.”

Children, ages 10–18, who hear about the program or are referred to it and interested in joining, must first submit an application that states why they want to be a part of it and why they think their commitment is strong enough.

“The program is free, but we want to make sure you’re committed and we’re not turning away

other kids who are more committed,” Miller said.

After kids are admitted, the multifaceted program—sponsored by Saratoga Regional YMCA, which offers free memberships for kids enrolled in the program—begins.

“There’s a regular course that the kids take that will help them set goals, which the Y already teaches and meets once a week. Then there are additional nutrition classes and cooking classes throughout the three months,” Miller said. “They will also choose two other activities that they want to try, because we think a lot of the secret is to find something they like to do and they’ll do it. If the [YMCA] doesn’t offer their chosen activities, then we’ll find them in the community and pay for them to do that. We have big prizes at the end for the people who reach their goals.”

On top of organizing the fitness program, Miller also organizes a party in honor of Taylor’s birthday every year.

“Last year was the first one we did, where Taylor would have been 21 on November 11 of 2011, or 1111-11, so there was no way we were passing up that date to have a party,” Miller said. “We had to do it, and it worked out very well for our first year.”

This year, Miller is hoping the party will be even bigger and better for what would have been Taylor’s 22nd birthday. The party has a “Rock of Ages” theme and will have plenty of activities to keep partygoers entertained: Fusion Salon will be present to give attendees rock star makeup; two photographers will be there with props in tow to take some crazy pictures; a henna tattoo artist will be available; a large silent auction will take place

in the downstairs community room of the University Preservation Hall, and those who want to pretend they can play guitar for a night can do so by playing Guitar Hero. Not to mention there will be food and complimentary wine and beer for the first hour of the night.

Popular local band, The Refrigerators, will also be present to provide live rock music for those who are ready to let loose for the night.

“Every year we have the party, it’s bittersweet for me,” Miller said.

“But I think—I know—that I’d rather do something that’s meaningful, with lasting value, than sitting at home. This, I feel, honors my son and it honors everyone who’s ever wanted to do something and maybe just didn’t have the resources to do it. And we hope that we can do that.”

The “Rock of Ages” party will take place November 10, from 7–11 p.m. at University Preservation Hall. Tickets cost $65 in advance and $75 at the door and can be purchased online at www.taylorsheroes.org. Cash or checks can be mailed to P.O. Box 185, Saratoga Springs, N.Y., 12866.

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PULSE

Week of November 9 - November 15, 2012

GODSPELL! Is Coming to Saratoga Springs

by Kate Towne Sherwin Saratoga TODAY

Starting Thursday, November 15, St. Clement’s Church will present five performances of GODSPELL! in the latest revival of the 40-yearold musical. Based on the Gospel of Matthew, GODSPELL! presents a series of parables blended with song and dance.

“The premise of the show is that through Jesus a community is formed, a community that learns together, laughs together, leans on

each other, [and] grows together,” said director Karey Hall Trimmings.

Drawing a parallel from the show’s premise to the cast itself, Ms. Trimmings noted that over the last two months the cast members have similarly learned, laughed, and grown together.

“All of the cast members are from St. Clement’s but come from all different communities, schools, and levels of theater experience,” she said, which is the realization of the original hope for the show at St. Clement’s. “[Pastor] Fr. Paul and I really envisioned this as a church community production and that is truly what it is,” she said. “Since we started the 5 p.m. LifeTeen Mass and LifeSong Band three years ago we have been talking about a way to bring members of our faith community together in a different way to celebrate our faith. With my musical theater background, a great band in place, and knowing many people in theater in our community, Godspell seemed a natural choice.”

Along with the band and the cast, Ms. Trimmings has teamed with

dancer and choreographer Tina Baird, who specializes in the art of jazz tap dance.

“We are so lucky to have Tina doing the choreography on this show. She and I spent lots of time discussing how unique it is to have our church be the stage and the different ways we can utilize the space to give our audience a performance that happens all around them...amongst the community... and not just up on a stage,” Trimmings said.

The cast, a mix of ages and experience, certainly seems up to the challenge. “We advertised in our church bulletin for auditions and we got the perfect response to fill the roles,” Ms. Trimmings said of Chris Cucinella (John the Baptist/Judas), Lindsey Flint, Ericka O’Donnell, Mary O’Toole, Morgan Ose, Joe Powers, Michelle Przedwiecki, Devin Towne (Jesus), and Emma Trimmings.

Saratoga TODAY was able to get a sneak peek of their talent at a recent rehearsal, on a night when they needed to move to a different space than where they usually rehearse. Despite the upheaval of a

different room and trying to recreate the stage in a smaller space, they were cheerful, focused and serious, and clearly having fun with their show. We can’t wait to see the end result of their months of work—it’s definitely not a show to be missed.

Performances will be on Thursday, November 15 at 7 p.m.; Friday, November 16 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, November 17 at noon; Saturday, November 17 at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, November 18 at 1 p.m.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for senior citizens and children under 12, and may be purchased at St. Clement’s Parish Office or reserved via email to PaulBrow60@gmail.com.

Proceeds will benefit St. Clement’s Youth Ministry and St. Clement’s Outreach Program.

For more information, please visit the parish web site at www.stclementschurch.com or the production’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/GodspellAtSt ClementsSaratogaSprings, or call the church at (518) 584-6122.

PULSE

Week of November 9 - November 15, 2012

Ecobelli Matriarch’s Granddaughter to Speak, Sign Cookbooks at Brookside Lora Lee Ecobelli will speak and sign copies of a cookbook that honors the legacy of her late grandmother starting at 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 1 at Brookside Museum in Ballston Spa. Titled “Laurina’s Kitchen,” the literary keepsake Ms. Ecobelli coauthored with brother Tom honors the legacy of Laurina Inzinna Ecobelli, who was the matriarch of Ecobelli’s Tam O’Shanter Restaurant in the village for most of the four decades when the family owned and operated the now closed Italian-American dining establishment.

Published by Square Circle Press, “Laurina’s Kitchen” is described as “a colorful and eclectic mix of ephemera, such as menus, postcards and newspaper articles” which collectively bring this upstate New York institution back to life.

“Peppered throughout are images of the Ecobellis and their extended ‘family’ around the restaurant and at home as well as special memories contributed by staff, patrons and friends who were all a part of the restaurant’s devoted community,” said publisher Richard Vang.

While “Laurina’s Kitchen” is a light-hearted and heart-warming 108-page collection of many previously secret family recipes as well as a treasure trove of previously unpublished memories, those who attend the museum presentation will also have an opportunity to hear about a far different chapter in the young life of Laurina Inzinna Ecobelli.

“It’s unfortunate that Tom won’t be able to join me at Brookside on December 1 because of work commitments on the West coast, but he has many fond memories of his visit here last summer during which we were reunited with former Ballston Spa High School classmates as well as former staff and patrons of Ecobelli’s Restaurant,” said Ecobelli. “Tom is as eager as I am to share details of a companion project to the cookbook into which we have both poured our hearts and souls since our grandmother shared a diary she had kept in the 1920s with us prior to her passing in 1981,” said Ms. Ecobelli, who resides in the Catskills.

Titled “Chickadee,” the movie that was co-scripted by the sibling pair has won the support of Emmy award-winning director Arthur Allan Seidelman, whose credits

include more than 50 movies and 100 television productions.

Seidelman, who is working hard behind-the-scenes to bring star power that includes Raoul Bova, Ellen Burstyn, Chris Cooper, Julie Kavner, Simon Miller and Giovanna Zacarias to this part of upstate New York for the filming of the major motion picture, said he is confident the finished product will become a classic in the style of “To Kill A Mockingbird” or “The Color Purple.”

Renowned composer David Amram is creating an original score for the movie, which will be shown in theatres and at major film festivals around the world.

The independent motion picture from Laurina Film Partners is budgeted at $5 million and will commence production once funding is completed. The company is presently working with a number of interested investors and benefactors to make their dream a reality.

“Nobody in that bygone era knew about what our grandmother had endured as a girl,” noted Tom Ecobelli. “Laurina was not only abused by her stepfather, she was also forced to work long hours in a factory that still stands in Amsterdam. She wanted my sister and me to share her story in a way that would bring hope and healing to future generations. It was important to her that the story be told in a way that would encourage victims of abuse and exploitation to speak up – to put an end to the kind of suffering that had in so many ways robbed her of her youth.”

The fact that many of the actual locations where the story of “Chickadee’s” young heroine unfolded still exist will not only give the film an aura of authenticity, but will also provide local jobs for extras as well as for a variety of local businesses and professionals in settings ranging from Ballston Spa and Saratoga Springs to Albany and Amsterdam.

Investors and financial groups interested in helping to make this important film a reality may learn more by visiting www.ChickadeeTheMovie.com or by calling (310) 651-4099. Another way to help support plans to bring Chickadee to this area is to invest in copies of Laurina’s Kitchen, which is priced at $31.95. To learn more, visit www.squarecirclepress.com.

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Local Actors Guild Present ‘Nunsense II: The Second Coming’ The Local Actors Guild of Saratoga proudly presents the musical, Nunsense II: The Second Coming. The musical takes place six weeks after the sisters have staged their first benefit. The sisters are back presenting a "thank you" show for all the people who supported them in the past. But now, they're a bit slicker, having been "bitten by the theater bug." Things get off to a rousing start as the sisters sing Nunsense and The Magic Word, but before long chaos erupts.

Two Franciscans come to claim Sister Mary Amnesia (who has won the Publishers Clearing House Sweepstakes) as one of their own.

At the same time, the nuns hear that a talent scout is in the audience to see them strut their stuff. From the riotous bingo game run by Sister Amnesia to the hilarious duet, What Would Elvis Do?, to the rousing finale, There's Only One Way to End Your Prayers and That's to Say Amen!, this show will have you rolling in the aisles.

Reverend Mother will be played

by JJ Buechner, Sister Hubert by Ann Miliken, Sister Robert Anne

by Lindsay Rae D'Ottavio, Sister Amnesia by Andrea Burger, and Sister Leo/Choreographer is played

by Christine Meglino.

Showtimes are Saturday,

November 10 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday, November 11 at 7 p.m. at The Saratoga Arts Center, located at 320 Broadway.

General admission tickets are $20 and can be reserved by calling (518) 393-3496.

During the run of Nunsense II, the Local Actors Guild of Saratoga will be donating all the proceeds from their 50/50 raffle to The Catholic Community of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in Hoboken, NJ. A donation basket will be available, as well! They have a Hurricane Sandy relief fund for people affected in Hoboken, NJ.

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Community Corner

Week of November 9 - November 15, 2012

Thorobred Toastmasters Congratulate Vice President

Thorobred Toastmasters of Saratoga is pleased to congratulate its club’s Vice President of Membership, Richard Romano, for winning the Division G Humorous Speech Contest with his animated and entertaining speech Driven to Distraction. Richard will next represent Thorobred Toastmasters and Division G in the District 53 Humorous Speech Contest at the Toastmasters Fall Conference on Saturday, November 17, at the Albany Marriott, 189 Wolf Road in Colonie.

the

Tooth fairy club Take a look at this week’s new club member!

MEGHANN The tooth fairy club is sponsored by:

Toastmasters Division G Humorous Speech Contest. (l-r) District 53 Governor Jeff Sobel, Division G Governor Jamie Macica, contest runner-up Munir Hussein, contest winner Richard Romano, and Chief Judge John McKenna

H.O.P.E. Animal Rescue’s Featured Pets

659 Saratoga Rd. Gansevoort, NY 12831 (518) 226-6010

Saratoga-Wilton Elks Presents Eagle Scouts

P.O. Box 2497 Wilton, NY 12831 Telephone: (518) 428-2994 Info@HopeAnimalRescue.org

Rusty, Age 4 Male He is good with other cats but may not be a fan of dogs. Rusty is calm, affectionate and waiting patiently for his forever loving home!

Eliza, Age 5 Female

Eliza loves to purr and cuddle on your lap. She gets along great with cats and dogs. Her gorgeous green eyes just beg you to take her home!

Saratoga-Wilton Elks Lodge #161, Exalted Ruler Tom Klotz, presented new Eagle Scouts Mike Gregory and Shepard Urbahn framed National Elks Eagle Scout certificates with an American flag during an Eagle Scout ceremony at the Lodge. Both scouts are members of Troop 16, sponsored by the Elks Lodge. Shepard Urbahn’s Eagle Scout project was working with the Wilton Wildlife Preserve with habital renovation for the endangered Karnor Butterfly. Work on the project started in August 2011, in collecting and cleaning special seeds for planting. After collecting seeds, they were prepared for storage, when in the following spring he planted the collection of seeds on an 18-acre site for the Karnor Butterfly. Michael Gregory’s Eagle Scout project was planning, designing, and installing a garden at Grants College in Gansevoort, N.Y. Grants College is an historic site preserved to commemorate the Adirondack College where Gen. Ulysses S. Grant completed his memoirs and then died of throat cancer on July 3, 1885.

Week of November 9 - November 15, 2012

TODAY’s

classified

classified saratoga publishing

Call (518) 581-2480 x 204

It’s where

M A R K E T P L A C E

Publication day Friday

Ad Copy Due Wednesday 12:00 p.m.

FOR RENT WILTON MCGREGOR VILLAGE APARTMENTS. FALL SPECIAL - 1ST MONTH FREE 2 bdrm, 1 bath. Cats only. (A/C avail) All 1st flr. units includes features for persons w/disabilities required by the Fair Housing Act. Now $775/month.

518-886-8013

Space Reservation Due Monday 5:00 p.m.

WANTED TO BUY Wanted: Will Pay up to $15.00 for High School Yearbooks 1900-2012.

Any School/Any State. www.yearbookusa.com or 214-514-1040

GARAGE SALE

ADOPTION

GARAGE SALE: Contents of Home: Snowblower, lawnmower, indoor/outdoor furniture, jewelry & much more! Too much to list! Fri. & Sat. 7am-5pm, Sun. 1pm5pm. 557 Lake Ave. Saratoga Springs.

ADOPTION: A wonderful life awaits your baby!

We'll provide warmth, security, devoted extended family, opportunities and endless love. Expenses Paid. Anne & Marc 1-877-977-5411. www.anneandmarcadopt.com.

ADOPTION: Pregnant? Anxious? Get FREE, no-pressure, confidential counseling, guidance, financial assistance at our licensed agency; if adoption is your plan, choose from loving, pre-approved families.

Call Joy: 866-922-3678.

ForeverFamiliesThroughAdoption.org.

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SCHEV Authorized. Call 888-2018657 www.CenturaOnline.com

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LAND FOR SALE

LAND FOR SALE

LAKE LIQUIDATION NY: 8 acre Waterfront Home $99,900. 6 acres on Bass Lake $29,900. 5 acres Lake/River uses$18,900. 40 new properties. Financing www.LandFirstNY.com 1-888-683-2626.

HUNTING LAND/ CABIN BARGAIN 3 Acres w/ "Cozy Cabin"-$19,995 or $157/month* 5 Acres w/ Adirondack Style Cabin-$29,995 or $236/month* State land close by, great hunting, fishing & snowmobiling. Call 1-800-229-7843 or visit LANDANDCAMPS.COM *20% down, 8.49% rate, 15 years HUNT TROPHY DEER! 40 acres- $59,900; 60 acres$79,900; 100 acres- $119,900.

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Streams, mature hardwoods, fields, apple trees! Close before opening day and we pay your closing costs! (888)701-7509.

HELP WANTED

BUYING/SELLING

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DRIVERS: HOME NIGHTLY ALBANY, NY. Flatbed/Curtainside Runs! Great Pay, Benefits! CDL-A, 1yr. Exp. Req. Estenson Logistics. Apply: www.goelc.com 1-866-336-9642 DRIVERSAlbany/Glens Falls Company: Home Daily !! Owner/Operators: Paid Weekly+FSC 2yrs exp. CDL-A req'd. 518.792.6571 x109 or x400 AIRLINES ARE HIRING Train for hands on Aviation Career.

FAA approved program. Financial aid if qualified -Job placement assistance. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance 866-296-7093

MISCELLANEOUS HAS YOUR BUILDING SUFFERED STRUCTURAL DAMAGE FROM THE RECENT WEATHER? Contact Woodford Brothers for structural repairs on all types of buildings. At 1-800-653-2276 or WWW.Woodfordbros.com

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Week of November 9 - November 15, 2012

upcoming town meetings Town of Ballston: Ballston Town Hall 323 Charlton Road 885-8502 www.townofballstonny.org 11/13: Presentation on Archeology of Middle Line Road, 6 p.m.

Village of Ballston Spa: 66 Front Street 885-5711 www.ballstonspany.org Town of Greenfield: 7 Wilton Road 893-7432 www.townofgreenfield.com Town of Malta: 2540 Route 9 899-2818 www.malta-town.org 11/15: Zoning Board of Appeals, 7 p.m.

Town of Milton: 503 Geyser Road 885-9220 www.townofmiltonny.org 11/14: Planning Board & Public Hearings, 7 p.m.

City of Saratoga Springs: 474 Broadway 587-3550 www.saratoga-springs.org 11/14: Planning Board, 7 p.m.

11/20: City Council, 7 p.m.

Town of Saratoga: 12 Spring Street, Schuylerville 695-3644 www.townofsaratoga.com Village of Schuylerville: 35 Spring Street 695-3881 www.villageofschuylerville.org 11/19: Planning Board, 6:30 p.m.

Town of Stillwater: 66 East St., Riverside Mechanicville, NY 12118 www.stillwaterny.org 11/15: Town Board, 7 p.m.

Town of Wilton: 22 Traver Road 587-1939 www.townofwilton.com Saratoga County Board of Supervisors: 40 McMaster St, #1 Ballston Spa, NY 12020 (518) 885-2240 www.saratogacountyny.gov 11/14: Law and Finance Committee Meeting, 4 p.m.

11/20: Regular Board Meeting, 4 p.m.

L A LOC fs brie

2012 Veteran of the Year Award Ceremony On Saturday, November 10 at 2 p.m. the 2012 Veteran of the Year Award Ceremony will be held in the New York State Military Museum Public Room honoring Charles P. Evans, a former Captain in the U.S. Army Air Corps who served in World War II in the European Theater of Operations.

The Annual Award is co-sponsored by the Friends of the New York State Military Museum and the Capital District of New York Chapter of the Association of the U.S. Army. The public is welcome.

St. Nicolaas’ Chocolate Letters Available St. Nicolaas’ Chocolate Letters, a Dutch tradition, will again be available for purchase to support the Schuylerville Area Chamber’s St Nicolaas Festival, this year celebrated on December 1. A gift of the first initial of the first name in chocolate can be made in milk, dark or sugarless chocolate. The cost per initial is $6. St Nicolaas Chocolate Letters are available now by calling 6954171 or email rstickle@schuylersweets.com; or 695-5609 or fostermr@verizon.net Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park Photography Show Entries for a photography show highlighting the beauty and the mission of Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park are now being sought. The entry deadline is November 26 and up to four entries will be accepted per person. There will be prizes for the following categories; Best in Show, Best Nature in Winter, Best featuring Conservation, Best featuring Education, Best featuring Recreation, Best Animal Shot, Best Karner Blue butterfly, and Best under-13. Entries should be submitted via email to info@wiltonpreserve.org with the following information; attached photograph files saved as jpeg or pdf, name, address, phone number, email, title of each submission, age if under 13, and which category or categories the photograph would be entered in. Only photographs that are mounted and ready-to-hang will be hung in the show and all work should be original and have been taken at the Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park. Selections from the entries will be done the week of November 26 and notifications made by Friday, November 30.

Once notified, all photographs for the show must be delivered, readyto-hang by December 7. The selected photographs will be on display

from December 11 to April 1 at the office located at 80 Scout Road in Gansevoort. There will be an opening reception at the annual Holiday Gathering which takes place after the annual meeting on Tuesday, December 11 at 6 p.m.

Veterans Day Benefit Dinner The Middle Grove Fire Dept.

Ladies Auxiliary and the Town of Greenfield Historical Society will be hosting a benefit dinner, Veterans Day, November 11 at the Middle Grove Firehouse from 3 – 7 p.m. Dinner to include Spaghetti and meat sauce, (plain will be available), Salad, Italian Bread, homemade desserts, beverage.

Donation Adults $9, Children under 10 are $5. Take-outs are available. For more information call 587-6060 or 893-0645.

Chamber Angels Fundraiser Chamber Angels will hold a fundraising cocktail reception, “An Evening with Angels” on November 15 at the Mohawk Country Club and Chateau.

Individuals can register to attend the reception or receive more information about sponsoring a child by calling the Chamber at 371-7748 or by visiting www.southernsaratoga.org. Businesses or individuals who may be interested in sponsoring this event or being an angel to a child a need this season can learn more by calling the number above.

Christmas tree ornaments containing a single wish list item can be obtained at the following locations starting the first week in November: Times Square at Clifton Park Center Mall; NBT Bank, 225 Guideboard Rd, Halfmoon; TD Bank at Shopper’s World Plaza; Mechanicville District Public Library; and Tiny Tots Tea Room or Artique, both in Plaza 8, Crescent Road. Visit www.southernsaratoga.org for more information.

New Life Fellowship’s 3rd Annual Great Fall Giveaway If you are in need of clothing, winter coats and boots, household items, or food, New Life Fellowship will be giving these items away to anyone in the community who needs them.

Everything is free, and in good shape — it all just needs a new home. The event will take place at New Life Fellowship at 51 Old Gick Road in Saratoga Springs on November 10 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Breakfast will be provided from 9 to 11 a.m. Children are welcome.

For more information, call 5801810.

First Night Saratoga 5K Run The 15th annual First Night Saratoga 5K Run, presented by Saratoga Arts, will be held on Monday, December 31, at 5:30 p.m. The race is limited to 1,500 registrants. Awards are given to the top three male and female, plus age category awards. All finishers will

receive a First Night commemorative medal. Registration fee is $22

by November 23 and $30 after November 23. Register online at www.saratoga-arts.org for further information, call 584-4132.

St. Peter's Academy Class of ’63 Reunion A 50th reunion for St. Peter’s Academy Class of 1963 is planned for September 28, 2013. Please send your contact information to one of the following: annob113@aol.com; pamlollias@yahoo.com; or jert5491@hotmail.com.

Victory Monthly Breakfast The Fish Creek Rod and Gun Club located on Route 32 south of the Village of Victory will be cooking breakfast on November 11 from 8 to 11 a.m. and will continue on the second Sunday of each month all year. Eggs cooked to order, bacon, sausage, toast (white or wheat), pancakes (regular, blueberry, buckwheat, apple cinnamon), French toast, home fries, orange juice, coffee, tea, hot chocolate. Cost is $6 for adults and $3 for children.

Everyone is welcome.

Crafters Wanted The Schuylerville United Methodist Church is hosting its 13th Annual Craft Fair on Sunday, November 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the American Legion Post 278 located on Clancy Street in Schuylerville. Any crafters wishing to participate contact Nellie Dumas via email at ndumas1@nycap.rr.com or call 695-9668.

Holiday Grief Recovery Program The Community Hospice of Saratoga offers a special evening to help those who have lost a loved one prepare and cope with the holidays. Easing Grief During the Holidays will be held on Tuesday, November 13 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Community Hospice Office, 179 Lawrence St., Saratoga Springs. The presentation will be given by Hospice staff and a panel of volunteers who will share their experiences. Pre-registration is not required and community members are welcome. For further information or directions, call 581-0800.

Need a Coat?

CAPTAIN Youth and Family Services is partnering with Southern Saratoga YMCA and Grace’s Closet in hosting COATS for CAPTAIN, their 2nd annual coat drive to help struggling families in Saratoga County. Come to the CAPTAIN main office located at 5 Municipal Plaza, Clifton Park 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, November 9. Call 371-1185 for more information.

Round Lake Festival of Trees The Village of Round Lake is seeking tree decorators and cookie bakers for the Round Lake Village

Festival of Trees. The festival will take place November 30 through December 2. Call 885-3627 for more information.

Monthly Indoor Craft/ Flea Market Come and shop at the monthly indoor craft and flea market on Sunday, November 11 from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Saratoga Wilton Elks Club at Rte. 9 Maple Avenue in Saratoga. There are over 40 vendor tables with a variety of items from gemstone jewelry, books, craft supplies, wood designs, photos, memorabilia, clothing, and household items, to meat, eggs, honey, and Christmas gift ideas.

The sale is open to the public and admission is free; all money from the table rentals goes to support the Auxiliary‘s Community Services.

Next flea markets are November 25 and January 27. For an application or questions call Linda at 289-5470 or Debbie at 885-6506.

Empty Stocking Project The Saratoga County Children’s Committee, a nonprofit organization that helps less fortunate children and families, is once again undertaking the Empty Stocking Project. This vital and rewarding project provides holiday gifts and necessities to over 800 children and teens throughout Saratoga County.

At the heart of this undertaking are the many people and organizations, which generously sponsor a child by purchasing gifts from the child’s “wish list.” At this point in the project there are still over 125 children without sponsors. If you would like to participate or would like more information call 448-5120 and leave a message.

“Gallery of Valor” Picture Memorial Gurtler Brothers VFW Post 420, 190 Excelsior Avenue will host its annual Veteran's Day commemoration with a special "Gallery of Valor" picture memorial as part of its Veterans Day commemoration.

Area residents provided photos of a friend or loved ones who were in service during a period of conflict for the gallery. To honor our veterans a memorial service will be held at Maplewood Cemetery in Wilton at 9 a.m. for Post 420 veterans interred there. At 11 a.m. in Congress Park, a public memorial service will be held followed by a luncheon at the Post Home and at 2 p.m., the unveiling of "Gallery of Honor" will take place. The public is invited.

Ecumenical Service The Old Stone Church at 159 Stone Church Rd., Ballston Spa, NY will hold the Ecumenical Service on Sunday November 18 at 4PM. Please bring a non-perishable food item for the Echo Food Pantry. Any questions regarding this please call 584-8550.

Send your local briefs to calendar@saratogapublishing.com before Monday at 5 p.m. for Friday publication

Week of November 9 - November 15, 2012

living

9 - Nov 15 Nov

events Friday, November 9 Old Stone Church Baby Clothing Sale The Old Stone Church, 159 Stone Church Rd., Ballston Spa 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Baby clothing sale from size 0 months to size 6. Please come see what we have.

For more information, call (518) 885-5896.

The Evolution of Barbershop “A Musical Odyssey” Galway Central School 7 p.m.

The program is a musical/theatrical piece containing original music compositions and parodies, not to mention, fabulous costumes! "A Musical Odyssey" takes a whimsical look at the development of music through the ages. Travel with us back in time for an evening of unique musical entertainment.

For more information, email fran@saratogasoundtrack.org.

H.O.P.E’s 10th Anniversary Gala Prime at Saratoga National, 458 Union Ave., Saratoga Springs 6:30 p.m. – midnight Homes for Orphaned Pets Exist (HOPE) Dinner, live and silent auctions, dancing and live music by Special Delivery. James Tedisco, Benita Zahn and Brian Shapiro, NY State Director of the Humane Society of the United States will be our key note speakers. Individual tickets are $80 each. (Cost of a cat spay/neuter at HOPE's Low-Cost Clinic). Sponsorships available. For more information, call (518) 4282994 or visit www.hopeanimalrescue.org.

CALENDAR

Saturday, November 10

Sunday, November 11

Food Collection for Franklin Community Center

Victory Monthly Breakfast Jumpstart your 2013 – Fish Creek Rod and Gun Club, Make Strategic Planning Route 32 Work For You

Common Thread Saratoga will be collecting food items for the Franklin Community Center from November 10 through November 18. With a minimum donation of two cans, patrons will receive one stamp on their Common Thread loyalty card. See their Facebook page for more details or call (518) 583-2583.

Craft Fair & Holiday Café Ballston Spa United Mehtodist Church 101 Milton Avenue 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Quality handcrafted products bake sale, café style lunches, drinks, and snacks for sale. Live Holiday music and chamber music! Great time to do some holiday shopping!

Sponsored by: BSUMC - United Methodist Women.

Baked Ham Dinner Trinity United Methodist Church, 155 Ballard Rd., Wilton Saturday, November 10, 3:30 - 6:30 p.m. Mashed potatoes and gravy, applesauce, vegetables, rolls, assorted desserts and beverages.

Also kid friendly food. Take-Outs available. Handicap accessible.

New Life Fellowship 3rd Annual Great Fall Giveaway New Life Fellowship, 51 Old Gick Rd. Saratoga Springs.

9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Breakfast from 9 11 a.m.

Clothing, winter coats, boots, household items, and food Everything is free and in good shape. For more information, call (518) 580-1810.

Knights of Columbus Polka Benefit Saratoga Knights of Columbus, 50 Pine Rd., Saratoga 2 – 6 p.m.

Benefit building fund, polka dance, music by Dennis Polisky and Maestro's Men of Colchester CT. Cash bar and kitchen open, Polish and American food on sale, polka recordings on sale by Eddie Grzyb of Woburn MA. Raffles and prizes. $15/person. Contact Steve Coblish for advance tickets and reserverd seating. No charge for children. For more information, call (518) 8993061.

8 – 11 a.m. (Second Sunday of ea.

Month) Eggs cooked to order, bacon, sausage, toast (white or wheat), pancakes (regular, blueberry, buckwheat, apple cinnamon), French toast, home fries, orange juice and coffee.

Contra Dance Parting Glass, Corner of Lake Avenue/Henry St. 4 – 6 p.m.

For beginners and up. All dances will be taught, live music provided by the Pan Celtic Session Players.

Please be prompt to help with instruction. FREE though donations accepted. Get ready for a winter of dancing! This program is affiliated with the Dance Flurry organization. For more information visit: www.danceflurry.org.

Monday, November 12 Thoroughbred Toastmasters Longfellow’s Restaurant, 500 Union Ave., Saratoga Springs 6 – 7 p.m.

Public speaking and the development of leadership skills are the focus of Thorobred Toastmasters, a community club open to anyone interested in practicing these skills in an engaging, no-pressure, supportive environment. For additional club information: www.thorobredtoastmasters.org. All are welcome.

Tuesday, November 13 Plum & Crimson Fine Interior Design Holiday Decorating Class Bob's Trees 1227 West Galway Road, Hagaman 7 p.m.

Get Ideas and Style Tips for this Decorating Season Mantles * Christmas Trees * Centerpieces RSVP by Saturday, November 10th to jessica@plumandcrimson.com Bring photos of the room(s) you need help decorating and we'll give you some personalized style tips for the holidays.

Wednesday, November 14

Do you want 2013 to be better than 2012? If so, the time to start planning is now! Regardless of the size of your company, you have the responsibility of thinking about the long term direction of your business. Don't wait until next year to start planning and don't go into next year without a plan unless you want more of what you got this year. Cost $10.

For more information, call (518) 664-5033.

Thursday, November 15 Holiday Shopping Open House 38 High Rock Ave. Saratoga Springs November 15, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Keller Williams Real Estate will host a Holiday Shopping Open House.

There will be multiple raffle prizes and those proceeds will be given to The Shelters of Saratoga. For more information, call (518) 5849990.

Thankful Thursday Ecumenical Luncheon First Presbyterian Church 22 West High Street, Ballston Spa Noon – 1 p.m. Join us for a free meal and a brief message from guest speaker Mike Saccocio, director of the Schenectady City Mission. Sponsored by the Ballston Area Clergy Association Churches.

A freewill offering will be taken to support the Ballston Area Clergy Association Community Assistance Fund and the Schenectady City Mission. All are Welcome! For more information, call (518) 885-5583 or (518) 885-8361.

Thanksgiving Eating Survival Tips Saratoga Springs Public Library, 49 Henry St., Saratoga Springs Noon - 2 p.m.

Thanksgiving, perhaps the biggest food-related day of the year, is almost upon us. Come listen to Rebecca Mahoney, Certified Dietitian, who will offer tips on how to enjoy the food without the guilt and smart strategies for avoiding the all-too-common pitfalls of eating around holiday times. For more information, call 584-7860.

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Toast & Taste Le Beaujolais Nouveau Union Gables Bed & Breakfast, Union Ave. Saratoga Springs 6:30 – 9 p.m.

Celebrate the arrival of this year's Beaujolais Nouveau. Enjoy wine tasting, French food and music!

Net proceeds of the event will benefit the Language Learning Institute Financial Needs Scholarship. Cost: $35/$25 (LLI Students) Includes wine tasting and French food Must be over 21 to attend event. For more information call (518) 346-7096.

Simplicity Parenting with Kim John Payne Skidmore College 6:30 pm.

For more information, visit www.simplicityparenting.com.

Upcoming Events Lake George Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Saturday, November 17, Shepherds Park Beach, Lake George 9 a.m. Registration The Lake George Polar Plunge participants will be "freezin' for a reason" as they rush into the bonechilling waters of Lake George for this great cause. For more information, call (518) 388-0790 x129.

Genealogy and Local History Corner of Rt. 4 and Rt. 29 in Schuylerville 1 p.m.

Heritage Hunters of Saratoga County will meet at the Town of Saratoga Town Hall.

Farmers’ Markets Saratoga Springs Division Street Elementary School Saturdays 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. www.saratogafarmersmarket.org

Burnt Hills / Ballston Lake Corner of Lake Hill Rd. and Route 50 Saturdays 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Sendyour your calendar to to Emily Fowler at efowler@saratogapublishing.com 5 pm on Monday forFriday Fridaypublication. publication.

Send calendaritems items calendar@saratogapublishing.com beforebefore 5 p.m. on Monday for

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Week of November 9 - November 15, 2012

Bikeatoga and Bicycles for Humanity Collecting Bicycles for Local Need, People in Africa SARATOGA SPRINGS - Are you looking to clean out your garage or storage space, while providing essential transportation to needy members of both our global and local communities?

On Saturday, November 17 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., representatives from Bikeatoga and Bicycles for Humanity Adirondack Chapter (B4H) will be at the Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS) store at 3066 Route 50 in Wilton to collect used bicycles. Bikes must be in “ride ready” condition; bikes that are not “ride ready” will not be accepted.

Bicycles collected will be either shipped to Africa by B4H, or distributed to needy people in the Saratoga Springs region by Bikeatoga.

Through its chapters around the globe, B4H has delivered tens of thousands of bicycles to African to empower people there with the gift of mobility, delivered by a bicycle. Bicycles allow healthcare works to visit more patients per day, help farmers bring goods to market and let students commute faster so they can spend more time studying and helping at home.

B4H’s Bicycle Empowerment Model concept creates many jobs servicing and supporting the donated bicycles. B4H chapters collect bicycles, spare parts, and tools and ship them to community-based organizations in developing countries in 40-foot containers, which remain and are run as community bicycle workshops called Bicycle Empowerment Centers.

Bikeatoga (formerly known as

Saratoga Healthy Transportation Network) is a local bicycle advocacy organization dedicated to pushing for a better future by making functional cycling more convenient, accessible and safe in and around Saratoga Springs, New York. Bikeatoga’s volunteer members work to emphasize the environmental, economic and health-related benefits of everyday cycling, as well as the pleasure of it. The group runs the Bikeatoga workshop out of the basement of the Church of St. Peter at 241 Broadway, Saratoga Springs. The workshop is generally open on Thursdays from 6-8 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. – noon. For more about the bike workshop visit www.bikeatoga.org, or check them out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bikeatoga.

So, on Saturday, November 17, do something good for the environment, help those in need and unclutter your garage. For more information on donating a bike, contact Doug Haller at (518) 577-0286.

About Bikeatoga: Bikeatoga was formed in 2005 to help make Saratoga Springs and the surrounding area more bicycle and pedestrian friendly. The organization’s focus is helping to provide better conditions for functional cycling by making it more convenient, accessible, and safe for visitors and residents alike. Bikeatoga’s volunteer members work to emphasize the environmental, economic, and health-related benefits of everyday cycling. By working together, Bikeatoga believes that we can create a healthier, more vibrant, and sustainable community. The group also co-founded and continues to operate the Bikeatoga Workshop. This volunteer-run bike recycling program is dedicated to repairing donated used bicycles and getting them back on the streets through its Earn-a-Bike Program.

About Bicycles for Humanity (B4H):

Puzzle Solutions from p.27 Send your sports stories or briefs to Andrew Marshall, Sports Editor at amarshall@saratoga publishing.com

B4H is a grassroots movement that was created in 2005

by Pat and Brenda Montani. Initially, they planned on sending one container of bicycles to Africa from communities in British Columbia. The next year it grew to four chapters sending five containers and hundreds of people having fun, pitching in and knowing that they have helped bring our world just a bit closer together. In 2007, Dave Townsend in Santa Rosa, California started the first chapter outside Canada. The Melbourne chapter was the first in Oceania when they started in 2009. In 2010, we had three chapters in Europe and the movement was continuously growing. By the end of 2011 B4H has sent over 45,000 bikes to Africa, has 35 chapters in five countries, and 50 Bicycle Empowerment Centers in developing countries. B4H plans to deliver 15,000 bikes in 2012, and with good partnering and support, 30,000 bikes in 2013.

Week of November 9 - November 15, 2012

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The Running Legacy of Art and Linda Kranick

Damian Fantauzzi Do people know about the incredible record of the Saratoga Springs High School cross country program? If not, I would be very surprised! These coaches are the dynamic duo team; the husband and wife team of Art and Linda Kranick. Their history with the team dates back to the mid1980s. They are both retired from teaching now, but Linda was a secondary science teacher (junior high/middle school) and Art was a science teacher (junior high/elementary school) who converted himself into a physical education teacher later in his career.

Beginning with sectional titles, just recently the boys and girls captured their respective Class A sectional titles. That's just two more added to their unbelievable total of 75 sectional titles, which includes both seasons of track and field (winter and spring). The two educators have a record that most coaches dream about, a success that is unmatched for any athletic program in the section, no matter what sport. Art and Linda have been together since they were in ninth grade and both graduated from the now defunct Draper High School, which was in Rotterdam, New York.

Their accomplishments are just incredible and will be unforgettable for years to come. My calculation is that they have 77 sectional championships (but I could be short a couple), not to mention their state and national titles. Hold onto your hat: their total of state championships for girls’ cross country, 14, is the best in the state with the next closest school only having eight (which includes six consecutive titles from 2000-05).

Their Federation meet record, for the girls, is an unprecedented total of 18. Federation meets are limited to qualifiers through their asso-

ciation championships, approved by their association chairperson and meet the Federation qualifying criteria and quotas. It's a collection of champions across the state, which including private and parochial schools, some do not participate in the public school state meet.

The boys’ cross-country national championship in 2005 can be added to the 10 girls’ national championships, the six second place finishes and have never fell from the top five in the last 21 years. There are numerous prestigious national meets they have won, like the Nike and Footlocker national races, that are by invitation only, as well as famous Penn Relays. There are more, but I don't have that kind of space to keep going!

One of the major highlights of their careers is their additional success of producing over 80 AllAmericans in track and over 100 AllAmericans in cross-country. The culmination of their accomplishments is that they have had many athletes, boys and girls, go onto major college programs, with some receiving full athletic scholarships to Division I schools and others ran for Division II and III schools and all contributed to their collegiate track programs.

How is coaching greatness measured? To put it simply, not only through the win-loss record, hard work and dedication, but also through the athletes they help develop. Dedication can sometimes be misunderstood, especially by those who have never experienced athletic success or even tried to. The Kranicks, as they are fondly called, are very selfless and have a total focus for the athletes of their respective programs. No stone goes unturned!

If there are new techniques and methods coming to the running culture, Art and Linda are on top of it.

They make sure that the kids have the proper footwear, a very important necessity in any track related event. Their love, nurturing and guidance of their teams is truly appreciated by all the athletes they have and have had and there is always an emphasis on academics, the proper nutrition and the need for the constant training in preparation of goals.

Their biggest attribute is having their young athletes buy in to the system, which for many kids is a

change in their lifestyle, their focus and goals for a road to success! One of the major hurdles is getting the athletes to understand that it takes dedication and sacrifice of some of the social norms that comes with being teenager. Once these young people see what is expected of them there is usually friction or questions of why they have to do what's expected of them. Many of the kids understand from Art and Linda that without hard work and dedication there will be no light at the end of the tunnel - or finish line!

I feel that this area, Section II, has become extremely well known for the quality cross country programs in the state, maybe even the best section for the sport in the entire state of New York. It wasn't always like that - now there are many D-I schools recruiting in the Capital District for cross-country.

Wonder why? Well, my feeling is that someone, or maybe some two, have set the bar so high that others (local coaches) are trying their best to emulate their success. In recent years there has been an explosion of high schools that have made the mark on the list of the New York State's scholastic cross-country programs.

These are schools like Burnt Hills, Shaker, Shenendehowa and smaller schools, like Greenwich and Argyle. I feel that some local coaches are doing their best to emulate what Art and Linda have achieved. That happens in scholastic sports. Examples are iconic coaches like Brent Steuerwald of Shenendehowa and what he did for local high school football; coaches took his philosophy and incorporated it into theirs. Another local Shenendehowa coach known for his outstanding soccer program is Mike Campese who set the bar for local soccer programs. Currently, another program of dominance is the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake girls’ volleyball program, under the direction of Coach Gary Bynon and many volleyball coaches are trying to duplicate what Bynon is doing and has done. There can be no bigger complement, that one coach could pay another coach, when they imitate another coach's system.

Hats off to Art and Linda Kranick for what they've done for their high school athletes, year after year, 24 hours a day and seven days a week. Every season there are one

or two outstanding runners who are usually recruited by big name colleges. Both coaches are humble and selfless people who don't really take the time to reflect on their success.

They're always moving onto the next step in preparation for the next runner, next team and next season. Their marriage to one another included the

sport of running and their children are the athletes, who have become the most intricate part of the Kranick legacy. The success of Art and Linda Kranick is a living textbook of the many clichés and metaphors of the world of sports!

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Saratoga Central Catholic Graduate Tim Stauffer Offically a Free Agent

by Andrew Marshall Saratoga TODAY SAN DIEGO – Tim Stauffer, former Saratoga Central Catholic standout and Major League pitcher, cleared outright waivers October 26 and elected to become a free agent.

Stauffer had been with the team since he was drafted fourth overall by the San Diego Padres out of University of Richmond in 2003. He made his debut with the club in 2005.

There were high hopes for Stauffer this season, as it appeared injuries and an underwhelming free agent crop would allow the right-hander to assume a key role in the Padres’ starting rotation. There was even discussion that Stauffer would be selected as the club’s opening day starter, which is normally reserved for the best pitcher on the staff.

What followed was nothing short of a lost season for Stauffer.

An elbow injury prevented him from starting the first game of the season, which went to the recently-acquired Edison Volquez.

He would make one appearance in 2012 for the Padres, where he went just five innings and gave up four runs (three earned) on seven hits while striking out five and walking three batters.

Trivia buffs will note that Stauffer showed up long enough in the 2012 season to serve up the very first home run in the young career of baseball wunderkind and Nationals mega-prospect Bryce Harper.

As for the future, it would appear the San Diego Padres may attempt to resign Stauffer to a deal that would be cheaper than the $3.2 million dollars he was owed for 2012. The Padres only have three potential returning starters, with Andrew Cashner’s health a major question mark at this point in the off season.

Stauffer is currently eligible to sign with any team he chooses.

He posted a 1.85 ERA in seven starts and 25 relief appearances in 2010 and followed the next season with a respectable 3.73 ERA in 31 appearances as a full time starter in 2011.

NYRA Reorganization Board Will Hold Open Meetings, According to Chairman Designate David Skorton QUEENS – As of November 7, the newly designated chair of the New York Racing Association Reorganization Board Cornell President David Skorton met with the management of the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA), the Racing and Wagering Board and the NYS Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Following the meetings and a tour of the racetrack and Resorts World Casino New York City, Skorton said: “I am looking forward to working with the talented and devoted individuals on the NYRA Reorganization Board and professionals on the NYRA staff over the next three years.

This is an important institution that has a long history in our state. The racing industry is too important to the state for NYRA not to be performing at its peak. We will reach out to all of NYRA’s stakeholders, including its

customers, the track workers, owners, trainers, breeders, OTB corporations, and everyone else who cares about racing. In addition to this outreach, we will hold public hearings at NYRA tracks to solicit input in order to build on New York’s premier racing status.”

David J. Skorton, Cornell University's 12th president, is a cardiologist, professor of biomedical engineering, and professor in the Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics at Weill Cornell Medical College. He is past chair of the Business-Higher Education Forum, an independent, nonprofit organization of industry CEOs, leaders of colleges and universities, and foundation executives; life member of the Council on Foreign Relations; and member of the board of directors of the Association of American Medical Colleges.

Week of November 9 - November 15, 2012

Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Varsity Field Hockey Preparing for New York State Tournament

by Andrew Marshall Saratoga TODAY BALLSTON LAKE – In high school athletics, most school districts would be happy with just one Sectional championship. At Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School, the fall sports programs alone can boast five separate Sectional champions this season.

The glorified, “Friday Night Lights” appeal to football tends to steal the headlines and attention from other fall sports, not to mention the fact that the BH-BL football program just secured their second-consecutive Section II championship. In fact, girls’ swimming, girls’ volleyball, girls’ soccer and last but certainly not least, field hockey also won their sectional finals.

Field hockey has long been the little sister to the much more popular girls’ team sports. The rules and nuances of the game do not exactly make for a particularly exciting viewing experience for the casual fan as perhaps soccer or volleyball does. But to suggest that these girls do not work as hard as their other fall sports counterparts would be a mistake.

Take for example, the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake varsity field hockey program, who with their 3-1 victory over Johnstown in the Class B final at Shenendehowa High School November 3, avenged their losses to Johnstown in the previous two Class B semifinals and made a statement to the rest of the Suburban Council that they’re a program to be reckoned with.

“I think what’s special is that we started coaching three years ago here and a lot of the girls, including a very strong junior class, have been with us since then,” said Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake head field hockey coach Kelly Vrooman. “They’ve seen us grow as a program where before us in two years they could claim one win, where they were 1-13 and 017. They’ve seen a lot of progress

and they’re realizing that the more work you put into this, the more you get out of it.”

The hard-fought victory over Johnstown means the BH-BL Spartans earned the second seed in the NYSPHSAA tournament, including an automatic bye into the second regional round to be played Monday, November 12. Their opponent will be determined by a play-in game scheduled for November 10.

Coach Vrooman knows how hard her girls worked this season and addressed what it’s like competing for a school with so many other successful programs.

“I’d say it has been kind of difficult,” added Vrooman. “The girls for a long time didn’t feel respect-

ed because for a long time, they weren’t a winning program. All these programs at Burnt Hills are so successful and it’s hard to get the respect when you’re not winning games. I guess they didn’t know what it felt like. Now they do and they like the feeling of being a winning program.”

The head coach knows the season won’t get any easier from here, with the remaining games in their 2012 season likely to come against the best the state has to offer.

“In order for this program to get anywhere, we still have to work very hard. We’re still pretty young, but I think now that they’ve won a Sectional final, they know what it takes. In the future it will be easier for them to work as hard as we’ve pushed them this year.”

The team has benefitted from the arrival of new players such as senior Amy Lebel, who joined the team as a lacrosse player hoping to stay in shape by playing a fall sport.

“We’re definitely glad to have her. She was a first-team all-star last year, and I imagine she’ll be selected this year as well.”

Lebel was a huge factor for the Spartans in their recent championship win over Johnstown, scoring two goals, including the gamewinner early in the second half.

The third goal, scored by junior Aubrey Kamppila, was all the insurance the Spartans would need to seal the championship.

Kamppila figures to provide solid veteran leadership for the team in her upcoming senior year.

“This year alone she’s done so much for this team. She’s in all the specialty corners.

She provides a lot of confidence for this team and helped us through some tough times,” said Coach Vrooman.

What stands out considerably is that Burnt Hills won their sectional championship with a relatively inexperienced player in goal. Freshman Brittany Ryan stopped nine shots in the title game, and turned away 11 of 12 penalty corners to propel the team to victory.

With the New York State tournament on the horizon, the team has been preparing all week with practice at Union College in Schenectady. The team has faced some tough challenges on their road to a Section II title, but their head coach knows it’s only made her team stronger as a result.

“I would say we’ve hit any challenges this season head on,” Vrooman said. “We play in a very tough league, which is great for us.

We take it game by game and try to learn from every loss. We lost six games this season and we learned from every one. We just try to improve the next time around.”

Week of November 9 - November 15, 2012

Practice Makes Perfect The Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Spartans field hockey team has been practicing all week at Union College in Schenectady, working with the team from Niskayuna the afternoon of November 6. Though they don’t know who they’ll be playing yet, they’re working hard to prepare for a deep run in the state tournament. Our photographer met up with the team as they practiced to get a glimpse of how a team prepares for the postseason.

photos courtesy of MarkBolles.com

FIELD (HOCKEY) OF DREAMS - (Above) Players from Burnt Hills and Niskayuna make a play for a loose ball in front of Spartan goaltender Brittany Ryan.

(Below) It was a cold afternoon in Schenectady, forcing players from both teams to bundle up to stay warm.

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Biking for Humanity pg. 36

Week of November 9 - November 15, 2012

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NYRA Reorganization pg. 38

Vol. 7 • Issue 45 • FREE • Saratoga TODAY

SPARTANS FIELD HOCKEY PREPS FOR POSTSEASON PLAY

Photos courtesy of MarkBolles.com

Story on page 39