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Volume 8 • Issue 50 • December 20 – December 26, 2013

The Local Issue Of The Decade

saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com • (518) 581-2480

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Featured Stories

Spa Catholic Basketball Undefeated

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See Basketball pg. 36

Pgs. 10-12 Inside TODAY

Common Core:

Photo by MarkBolles.com

Business 6-7 Obituaries 8

Further Understanding The Curriculum

by Brian Cremo Saratoga TODAY

SARATOGA SPRINGS — At last Thursday’s “Parents’ Guide to the Common Core State Standards, K-6” Parent University program meeting at the Saratoga Springs High School, Dr. Joseph Greco and Director of Humanities Integration Freya Mercer tried to make the Common Core curriculum a little more clear.

Whether someone is for or against Common Core, there are ways to help the students with work at home and better understand the curriculum’s purpose.

Dr. Greco, K-12 director of math, science and technology integration, helped present parents with the differences between the Common Core curriculum, state assessments and the teacher evaluation program (APPR).

As an example, he asked parent

participants to solve the problem “3/4 minus 2/3” and explain their mathematical reasoning.

“While many parents were able to draw from their grade-school experiences to solve the problem, the difficulty came when they were asked to explain what they did and why they did it,” Greco said. “In the past, students were given a set of rules and procedures to memorize in an effort to answer questions quickly.

Blotter 3

While parents recognized that they needed to find a common denominator, they were unable to articulate why that was necessary and why their answer of 1/12 made mathematical sense.

Students now are being asked to get their hands dirty with the content and be able to not only solve the problems with accuracy, but be able to explain why the math works.”

See Common Core pg. 13

Education 24 Pulse 29-31 Community Corner

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Weekend Forecast FRIDAY

37|32 SATURDAY

43|25 SUNDAY

45|28

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Week of December 20 – December 26, 2013

Broadway Holiday Window Shopping

Northshire Bookstore

Celtic Treasures

Week of December 20 – December 26, 2013 Benjamin R. Pettit, 22, of Wampum Drive in Saratoga Springs, was arrested December 12 and charged with DWI, BAC more than .08 percent, aggravated DWI, failure to keep right and failure to signal a turn.

Kevin C. Leno, 29, of Ash Street in Saratoga Springs, was arrested December 12 and charged with petit larceny and fifth degree criminal possession of stolen property. Leno was arrested at 10:40 a.m. on a warrant.

David E. Palmer, 21 of Adirondack Circle in Gansevoort, was arrested December 12 and charged with aggravated DWI, DWI, BAC more than .08 percent and driving the wrong way down a one way street.

Marsha A. Mahoney, 67, of Silver Spring Drive in Ballston Spa, was arrested December 12 and charged with DWI and failure to signal a turn and lane change.

Gregory D. Novitzki, 48, of Dahlia Circle in Liverpool, was arrested December 12 and charged with improper equipment (headlights), failure to stop at a stop sign, DWI, BAC more than .08 percent and aggravated DWI. Sheri M. Rodriguez, 39, of Franklin Street in Glens Falls, was arrested December 11 and charged with fourth degree grand larceny. Rodriguez was arrested at 7:27 p.m. on a shoplifting complaint.

Charles H. Vancampen, 41, of Adirondack Circle in Gansevoort, was arrested December 16 and charged with endangering the welfare of a child. He was arrested on a warrant at 3:32 a.m.

Robert L. McCall, 52, of Beekman Street in Saratoga Springs, was arrested December 15 and charged with fourth degree

criminal mischief. McCall was arrested at 7:15 a.m. after a call for a dispute. It is alleged that McCall used a snow shovel to damage the window of a cityowned front-end loader.

Kyle

Joseph Silver, 30, of Meadowlark Drive in Ballston Spa, was arrested December 15 and charged with petit larceny. Silver was arrested at 3:31 a.m. for allegedly stealing a jacket from an establishment on Caroline Street.

Christopher S. Reavey, 24, of Arapaho Path in Saratoga Springs, was arrested December 14 and charged with petit larceny.

Brooke O. Ball, 24, of Arapaho Path in Saratoga Springs, was arrested December 14 and charged with petit larceny. Reavey and Ballo were arrested at 5:45 p.m. for alleged shoplifting.

Mark D. Winzer, 53, of Route 29 in Middle Grove, was arrested December 14 and charged with DWI, BAC more than .08 percent, aggravated DWI and failure to yield. Winzer was arrested at 6:23 p.m. following a property damage accident.

Patrick S. Ives, 22, of Garfield Street in Glens Falls, was arrested December 14 and charged with speeding, DWI and BAC more than .08 percent.

Joshua P. Spiezio, 29, of Mowry Lane in Greenwich, was arrested December 14 and charged with third degree assault. Spiezio was arrested at 12:59 a.m. following an altercation on Caroline Street.

Steven P. Watkins, 35, of Woodhaven Drive in Schenectady, was arrested December 13 and charged with resisting arrest, improper equipment (rear lights), DWI, failure to comply

BLOTTER and obstructing governmental administration.

John K. Park, 66, of Chase Court in Bel Air, Maryland, was arrested December 13 and charged with DWI. James J. Denue, Jr., 40, of Third Street in Waterford, pled to the charges of first degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle on December 12.

His sentencing, for the arrest that took place on July 21, will be February 26 at 9:15 a.m.

Jorge Diaz, 18, of Main Street in Moreau, was sentenced to three and a half years in state prison and two and a half years post release supervision concurrent with one year incarceration on petit larceny on December 12.

Diaz pled to the charge of second degree robbery on October 17.

John Tokos, 36, of Warsaw Avenue in Mechanicville, pled to the charge of possessing a sexual performance by a child on December 16. His sentencing will be February 25 at 1:45 p.m.

Manuel Olmo, 44, pled to the charges of third degree criminal mischief, third degree assault and DWI on December 16. His sentencing will be February 25 at 2 p.m.

Gary G. Garafalo, 58, pled to the charge of aggravated DWI on December 16. His sentencing will be February 16 at 9 a.m.

Sean M. Murphy, 28, of Edie Road in Saratoga Springs, was arrested December 18 and charged with DWI, BAC more than .08 percent, failure to keep right and failure to signal a turn.

Gregory M. Hernandez, 27, of Springs Street in Saratoga Springs, was arrested December 17 and charged with unlawful

possession of marijuana, DWI, failure to stop at a stop sign, refulsal of a prescreen test and failure to signal a turn.

Misty D. Garcia, 42, of Travers Road in Gansevoort, pled to the charge of third degree grand larceny on December 18.

Her sentencing will be March 5 at 1:15 p.m.

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Robert C. Mills, 41, of Lakehill Road in Burnt Hills, pled to the charge of DWI and was placed on interim probation to participate in drug treatment court. His sentencing will be March 26 at 1:15 p.m.

Josephy W. Carpenter, 24, of Carol Jean Lane in Halfmoon, pled to the charge of DWI on December 17. His sentencing is set for February 28 at 9:15 a.m.

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week in Review

Week of December 20 – December 26, 2013

Fire Destroys Malta Dunkin’ Donuts Locally Owned and Operated 5 Case Street, Saratoga Springs, New York 12866 Phone: (518) 581-2480 Fax: (518) 581-2487 saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com Hours of Operation 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.

Monday–Friday Publisher/Editor Chad Beatty 581-2480 x 212 cbeatty@saratogapublishing.com General Manager Robin Mitchell 581-2480 x 208 rmitchell@saratogapublishing.com Advertising Chris Bushee 581-2480 x 201 cbushee@saratogapublishing.com Jim Daley 581-2480 x 209 jdaley@saratogapublishing.com Cindy Durfey 581-2480 x 204 cdurfey@saratogapublishing.com Art Department Frank Garguilo 581-2480 x 202 Production Director, Website fgarguilo@saratogapublishing.com Colleen Sweeney 581-2480 x 207 csweeney@saratogapublishing.com Jessica Kane 581-2480 x 215 Creative Director jkane@saratogapublishing.com Editorial Arthur Gonick 581-2480 x 214 Saratoga Springs, Malta and County News; 'Pulse' Editor art@saratogapublishing.com Brian Cremo 581-2480 x 206 Sports Editor, Obituaries, Briefs, Education brian@saratogapublishing.com Trina Lucas 538-1190 RSVP, Events and Benefits trina@saratogapublishing,com Calendar Cindy Durfey 581-2480 x 204 cdurfey@saratogapublishing.com Photographer Mark Bolles 490-1757 mbolles@photoandgraphic.com Distribution Kim Beatty 581-2480 x 205 kbeatty@saratogapublishing.com

MALTA— The Dunkin’ Donuts on Route 67 in Malta was destroyed after a fire early Thursday morning, December 19. Fire officials were called to the building just before 3 a.m. when an employee noticed heavy smoke inside the building.

Fire companies from Malta Ridge and Round Lake and the Saratoga County Sheriff responded. Crews at the scene say the building is a complete loss.

The heavy smoke inside the building made it necessary to fight the fire from

the exterior exclusively. Combined with colder weather than usual, the fire took a longer time to bring under control.

By daybreak, the fire was extinguished. One firefighter was injured after slipping on some ice. There were no other injuries reported.

Sausville’s 1-Vote Victory Still Stands

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Appellate Division of state Supreme Court ruled that two ballots, which could have changed the outcome of the Malta supervisor’s race in favor of Cynthia Young instead of incumbent Republican Supervisor Paul Sausville, were invalid.

Sticking with the initial ruling by Judge Robert Chauvin, the

decision officially gives the race win to Sausville as head of the Malta town board, as well as representative on the county Board of Supervisors. Sausville is also next in line to be chairman of the county board.

Young initially appealed the ruling, but the two ballots were not counted because of marks and

words made on the proposition side on both.

Specifically, one voter drew a line through both the “yes” and “no” boxes in Proposition 5 and wrote “No vote” next to them. The other checked the “yes” box for Proposition 4 before scribbling out the check mark and writing “No vote” next to it.

Police Identify Homeless Woman Found Dead SARATOGA SPRINGS — The homeless woman who was found dead in an outdoor loading area of the Saratoga Senior Center last Thursday, December 12, was identified as Nancy Pitts, according the Saratoga Springs Police Department.

Police dispatch received a complaint of someone refusing to leave a loading area at 8:30 a.m. that Thursday. Upon arrival, officers located Pitts, 54, behind the building lying on the back porch.

Medical assistance was requested and it was determined that Pitts had died overnight. Pitts was known to the responding officers as having no permanent address. She would frequently spend the night at various locations in the downtown area of Saratoga Springs.

“The death of Ms. Pitts on the morning of December 12 draws our attention to a larger issue in the community and one that all communities must face, that of the local homeless population,” said Saratoga Springs Police Department Chief of Police Gregory J. Veitch in a press release. “An official cause of death is pending autopsy and toxicology results.”

Police officers said they found an individual who had spent the night with her but suspected no foul play.

The Saratoga Springs Police Department is frequently called to respond to a variety of issues regarding the homeless population in the City. Police officers often make referrals to other government and private agencies that provide services to the homeless population.

Other times officers are called upon to make arrests for violations of the law if appropriate. Police officers do not however, have the legal authority to require an individual to receive any services offered through government programs, non-profit organizations, or private entities.

Week of December 20 – December 26, 2013

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Maplewood Manor Local Development Corporation Selects Zenith Care Health Group

Zenith to Invest an Additional $2.5M to Further Improve Quality of Care BALLSTON SPA – The Maplewood Manor Local Development Corporation (LDC) Board of Directors unanimously approved the selection of Zenith Care Health Group to purchase Maplewood Manor.

Zenith was selected from a group of seven qualified applicants after an evaluation process that focused on the quality of care that residents will receive, the financial stability of the buyer and the buyer’s future plans for the facility, including their willingness to make major investments in improving care.

The offers received from the seven applicants ranged from the minimum bid price of $11 million to a high bid of $14.57 million.

Zenith will purchase the facility for $14.1 million, and has also committed to investing an additional $2.5 million in capital improvements within 18 months of taking ownership.

Zenith has agreed to continue to care for every resident of Maplewood Manor, will look first to hire existing employees and will negotiate cost-effective contracts with local vendors when practicable.

“With today’s announcement, the LDC has kept its promise to find the best possible operator for Maplewood Manor,” said LDC Chairman Mo Wright. “As we stressed since day one, there is a lot more at stake than just the purchase price. We made sure that Maplewood’s new owner has a track record of success, a commitment to the residents, and a solid plan to provide excellent care well into the future.”

“Transitioning Maplewood Manor from a financially insecure publicly-owned facility that the County cannot afford, to a financially sustainable privately-owned facility, will make Maplewood’s future and the County’s more secure,” said LDC Chief Executive Officer Spencer Hellwig. “Zenith has the resources necessary to invest in improvements that will revitalize

Maplewood Manor financially.

At the same time, the County will receive a substantial sale revenue, property taxpayers will no longer have to subsidize the facility’s $15 million annual deficit, and the property will go back on the tax rolls, generating more than

$460,000 per year in revenue for the County, the Ballston Spa school district, and the Village of Ballston Spa.” Ari Schwartz, who will serve as CEO of Maplewood Manor, announced that he will immediately meet with Maplewood management

personnel to introduce Zenith and learn more about resident, staff and community needs.

With the purchase and sale agreement having been signed, the next step is for Zenith to obtain licensure to operate the facility from the State

Department of Health (DOH).

When the DOH review process is complete, the County will turn over operations to Zenith, whose principals will have the benefit of having served Maplewood residents in this capacity during these six to 18 months.

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New Doctors Join Saratoga Hospital SARATOGA SPRINGS – Saratoga Hospital recently welcomed the following physicians to its medical staff: Dr. Matthias Solga, urology, received his medical degree from Charite Medical School, Humboldt University. He completed an internship at Helios Kilikum BerlinBuch, and a residency at Charite Humboldt University Medicine, all in Germany. Solga is in practice at One West Avenue, Saratoga Springs.

Dr. Jennifer White, internal medicine is a hospitalist with Saratoga Inpatient Physicians. She received her medical degree, and completed an internship and residency at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. White is board certified in internal medicine.

Dr. William Montgomery, orthopedics, received his medical degree from John A. Burns School of Medicine. He completed an internship and residency at University of Washington Medical Center, and a fellowship at Cleveland Clinic. Montgomery is board certified in orthopedic surgery and is in practice at orthoNY, 121 Everett Road, Albany.

Business

Week of December 20 – December 26, 2013

Roohan Realty Welcomes Gerard Wise SARATOGA SPRINGS — Roohan Realty announces that Gerard Wise has recently joined the Company. Gerard is a native of Saratoga Springs and has been actively involved in the Saratoga Springs commercial real estate market since 2004. He is a graduate of Saratoga Springs High School and the University of Miami School of Business where he graduated with a BBA in economics and an MBA in finance.

Mr. Wise works in all facets of commercial real estate with both landlords and tenants, as well as on property that he is

personally involved in, bringing a unique perspective to every transaction. He has expertise in areas such as investment properties, asset sales/purchases, lease negotiations, tenant relations, construction management, property/vendor management and development.

As a licensed real estate salesperson since 2010, Gerard has represented landlords, tenants and landowners in the buying, selling and leasing of commercial office, retail and land assets with closed transactions ranging from $20,000 to $1,000,000. He

is active in the community, serving on the board of non-profit Transitional Services, Inc., as well as a volunteer for the Ronald McDonald House of Albany.

Gerard lives in Saratoga Springs with his wife and two children.

He can be reached at gwise@roohanrealty.com or (518) 265-2420 Roohan Realty has been serving the community’s residential and commercial property needs since 1969 and will soon be celebrating its 45th anniversary.

For further information, call (518) 587-4500 or visit roohanrealty.com.

During the campaign $39,186 was donated by the community and business partners, surpassing the initial goal of $10,000 that had been established.

The Adirondack Trust Company matched all donations, dollar for dollar, for another $39,186. The community-wide initiative brought

eighteen participating business partners, The Adirondack Trust Company, and local citizens together to raise funds to support area nonprofits.

Speaking on behalf of the ATC Advisory Committee, volunteer Chairperson, Joan Taylor, noted: “The success of the Match Campaign speaks to the caring

character of our community. We are very grateful to the individual donors and business partners, as well as The Adirondack Trust Company match, for their generous support that pushed total donations well beyond our initial goals. Their charitable work strengthens our community for all of us.”

Adirondack Trust Community Fund Announces Autumn Of Giving Match Campaign Results SARATOGA SPRINGS—The Adirondack Trust Company Community Fund (ATCCF) announced that it recently concluded the 2013 ‘Autumn of Giving’ match campaign.

The Campaign raised a grand total of $78,372 to benefit local charities through the ATCCF Lend-A-Hand Grant Program.

Joan Taylor of ATC’s Community Fund (Autumn of Giving) Advisory Committee Chair congratulating: Carlie Barella, Davawn Hartz and Jim LaVigne from Saratoga Sponsor a Scholar Photos by StockStudiosPhotography.com

Joan Taylor congratulates Steven Cass of The Saratoga Film Forum.

Week of December 20 – December 26, 2013

BUSINESS 7

Missing Person Coaster Project

DA Murphy joins Lyalls, Tedisco and C.J. DeCrescente

MECHANICVILLE — Saratoga County District Attorney James A. Murphy III joined Assemblyman James Tedisco, Doug and Mary Lyall (Center for Hope founders and parents of missing daughter Suzanne Lyall), C.J. DeCrescente Jr., president

of DeCrescente Distributing Company and a number of families who have a missing child at DeCrescente Distributing headquarters in Mechanicville today to announce a program to create more than 5,000 drink coasters which will be distributed through the capital region each depicting one story of seven missing persons.

Each coaster contains a photo of the missing person, the date of birth, the last seen date, the circumstances where he or she were last seen and the anonymous tip line to call in, text or email

information.

The idea behind the coasters is to distribute the coasters in every bar and restaurant in the capital region with information about missing persons on them in the hopes that someone will have information about a particular case and call in information to the New York State Police (NYSP.) DeCrescente Distributors, through its drivers, will distribute the coasters to bars, restaurants and taverns immediately.

Studies have shown that the quicker the information on the missing person goes out the greater the chance of finding the missing person.

District Attorney Murphy said, “The Lyalls came up with putting the missing persons information on a coaster and went to C. J. DeCrescente to fund it.

He did so immediately with private dollars and Jim Tedisco got the NYSP on

Christopher DiSiena Joins Flynn, Walker, Diggin SARATOGA SPRINGS – Saratoga Springs-based Flynn, Walker, Diggin C.P.A., P.C. recently hired Christopher DiSiena as Senior Accountant.

DiSiena has several years of experience in public accounting, with engagements ranging from tax planning for individuals to corporate audits.

He is experienced with a variety of industries including

manufacturing, construction, insurance and banking as well as government and non-profit organizations.

Christopher DiSiena graduated from Siena College with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting, and is currently in the process of obtaining his CPA license. DiSiena lives in Saratoga Springs, and is an active volunteer firefighter at Quaker

Springs Fire Department.

Established in 1992, Flynn, Walker, Diggin provides audit, accounting, tax and management services to individuals, closely-held companies, and not-for-profit and government entities in Saratoga Springs, the Capital District, southern Adirondack region, and New York¹s Tech Valley.

Further information about the firm is at flynnwalkerdiggin.com.

Mimosa Gallery to Close SARATOGA SPRINGS — Mimosa Gallery, located at 489 Broadway in Saratoga Springs will be closing its doors the end of this month. Mimosa, which features “art for home and wear”, opened nine years ago in the Beekman Arts District. The gallery has carried fine art as well as contemporary fine craft since opening in 2005. It has been one of the few galleries in the area to carry 100 percent handmade in America craft.

Local, regional and nationally known artists have been featured in the gallery. Monthly opening receptions and the popular “Meet Me At Mimosa” luncheons introduced customers to individual artists’ work, processes and

techniques.

Mimosa’s annual 10”x10”= $100 exhibit of small works selling for $100 or less helped to make fine art accessible to everyone. Annual fundraisers were held where customers and artists supported diverse not for profit organizations such as The Alzheimers Foundation, Breast Cancer Research, the Clinton/ Bush Haiti Fund, Capital District Big Brother/Big Sisters, Wiawaka, The Giving Circle and Saratoga ArtsFest.

Owner Michelle LaLonde said that the decision to close has been a difficult one. LaLonde and her husband Michael design and make a line of handbags that they exhibit in art shows around the country. She states

that “the time has come to end this journey at Mimosa and concentrate on our line of handbags. Although I can’t imagine not having Mimosa, I am at the same time very excited for the next chapter. I’ll now have time to expand our one-of-a-kind, limited edition line, including bridal handbags and update our website (www.michellelalondeaccessories.com.)”

Mimosa will be open every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Christmas Eve. All merchandise, except for fine art is being offered at 40 percent off.

The store’s fixtures will be for sale after December 25. For more information, call (518) 583-1163.

board. What a simple but brilliant idea.”

“Everyone reads their coaster.”

Murphy continued. “Getting the most information out to as many people as possible is the concept. We have “amber alerts” in place for immediate information dissemination, but the coasters will keep the information active long after the “amber alert” fades away. Look at success stories like the girls from Cincinnati who were abducted 10 years ago and have been alive held

against their will in a man›s basement. Look at Elizabeth Smart who was kidnapped, taken from her home, found alive and was able to make it back to safety. Parents don›t ever stop searching and neither should we.”

The coaster idea is the second program created by the Lyalls, the first being the missing person playing cards now in its sixth year.

Visit www.hope4themissing.org/ cfh/page.php?13

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Obituaries

E. Joseph Baldwin Jr. WILTON — E. Joseph Baldwin Jr., 85, of Wilton, passed away Tuesday, November 26 at home with his loving family by his side.

Born in Detroit, he was the son of the late Elton and Anna Baldwin.

Joseph served in the U.S. Army. While stationed in France, he met the love of his life and surviving spouse, Pierrette Pia Baldwin. They opened Chez Pierre Restaurant in 1964, a local tradition Joseph was able to enjoy operating together with his family up until his recent illness.

Joseph enjoyed many years of family traditions and gatherings, traveling to France with his wife, cooking, gardening and fixing anything that needed to be fixed.

Linda Mae Krywy

His family will miss his expertise, which they all relied on so frequently, and will continue to prepare many of his personal recipes.

In addition to his wife, Pierrette, he is survived by his son Pierre, who has two daughters, Danielle and Natalie; his daughter Patricia and her husband, Keith Ashby; his son Patrick and his wife, Susan, and their children, Patrick Jr. (his daughter, Adeline), Elizabeth and Kelsey; and his daughter Pia Field and her husband, Lincoln Field, and their children, Tyler, Brayden and Lincoln Jr.

BALLSTON SPA — Linda Mae Krywy, 56, of Ballston Spa, peacefully passed away on December 11, from Glioblastoma Multiforme, an aggressive brain cancer.

Born in Ballston Spa on February 10, 1957, Linda was the youngest daughter of the late Henry and Frances (Hika) Krywy.

After graduation from Ballston Spa High School, Linda received various degrees from her studies at Mitchell College in Connecticut, Syracuse University and the University of Maine. Her desire for a career in Eastern Medicine led her to the

Margaret Wellman Roberts Casey

BALLSTON SPA — Margaret Wellman Roberts Casey, 90, of Ballston Spa, went to be with the Lord on December 13.

Meg was born on September 7, 1923 to Maynard and Nellie (Mansfield) Wellman in Rome. She was the stepdaughter of Sarah (Ferguson) Wellman and grew up in Rome with a large loving family where she developed her love of camping. She was a graduate of Rome Free Academy. She married William “Bill”Henry Roberts on February 21, 1943 and was his beloved wife for 25 years and had three loving children: Linda, Peter, and Janellen.

She worked at Utica State Hospital. Following Bill’s death she went back to school and went on to earn her Associates Degree at Adirondack

Week of December 20 – December 26, 2013

Community College and became a Registered Nurse. She worked for many years for New York State in the Wilton Developmental Center.

Nursing was her passion and expressed her joy in serving and caring for others. She worked there until she retired, but she continued her life of caring with her grandchildren.

She married Paul J. Casey on October 4, 1974 in Inlet and was his wife and companion for 22 years.

Meg was a strong determined person that met adversity head-on. She was always thoughtful, giving and caring. She embodied the principle of putting others first. Meg had a very strong faith and was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church.

Meg was predeceased by her two husbands, William “Bill” Roberts and Paul Casey. She is survived by her three brothers: Maynard Wellman (Judy), Ronnie Wellman, and Bruce Wellman (Pam) and two sisters Eileen Wellman McHale (Ken) and Marion Wellman Raines (Earl, deceased), her three children Linda Roberts Matson (Art), Peter Roberts (Patricia), and Janellen Roberts Clark (Jeff), and her beloved grandchildren Arthur Matson IV, Christine (Matson) Strack, Emily (Clark) McPhee, Sarah (Clark) Quarles, William Clark, Deanna Roberts, Catherine Clark and Jennifer Roberts.

She was also blessed with nine great-grandchildren and was awaiting the birth of her 10th.

She is also survived by dear friends including her closest friend Barbara Sorrell.

To view the full version of the obituaries vist the archive section of SaratogaTODAYonline.com It is the policy of Saratoga Today to publish Obituarires as a service to our readers.

Please send your obituaries to obits@saratogapublishing.com

Oregon Center for Oriental Medicine (OCOM) where she completed four years of study and became a Board Certified Acupuncturist after taking her final boards in California.

While practicing acupuncture in the western United States, Linda’s deep Christian faith drew her to Christian College studies. Her church calling was cut short when she returned to Ballston Spa to live with her mother after the passing of her father. She then opened Adirondack Acupuncture and began her career as a New York State licensed acupuncturist.

Linda is survived by her brother Donald Krywy of Ballston Spa; two sisters, Mary Ann Baratta of Belmont, Massachusetts and Karen Rush of Scotia; seven nieces; three nephews; one great-niece; and many cousins and countless friends.

There will be a memorial service to celebrate Linda’s life on December 28 at 11 a.m. at the Christ Episcopal Church, 10 West High Street in Ballston Spa. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Linda Krywy may be made to the National Brain Tumor Society, 55 Chapel Street, Suite 200, Newton, MA 02458 or through their website at www.braintumor.org.

In Memorium

Mary Eileen Brophy

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Mary Eileen Brophy, 90, went peacefully into the arms of the Lord December 2, 2012 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Paterson, New Jersey, surrounded by her children: Regina (Jeanie) Tate (Ralph) of Middle Grove; Dennis Brophy (Patricia) of Sag Harbor; Rosemary Brophy of Queensbury; Lauretta (Laurie) Buscaino (Anthony) of Massapequa Park; Kevin Brophy (Kathleen) of Syosset; with some cousins and grandchildren.

Mary was born February 10, 1922 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Paterson.

She was predeceased by her beloved parents: Charles and Eileen Dempsey; her beloved sister Elizabeth (Betty) Rainey; her brother-in-laws: John Rainey, Joseph Knapp, and James Egan; and her sister-in-law Beatrice Brophy, all of New Jersey. She is also predeceased by her beloved husband Vincent, daughter Patricia, and son Joseph.

In addition to her children, she is survived by her beloved sisters

Helen Knapp of Boonton, New Jersey and Noreen Ward (Leo) of Little Falls, New Jersey, as well as her beloved brother-in-law Timothy Brophy (Marie) of Little Falls and beloved sister-in-law Eileen Egan of Woodland Park, New Jersey.

Mary left behind 33 nieces and nephews, 17 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.

Mary was a deeply religious Catholic and belonged to the Legion of Mary, the Rosary Altar Society, and the Right to Life movement. She was also a member of the Lay Order of Carmelites. She and her husband were founding members of Holy Family Church in Hicksville, where she served as a Lector and Eucharistic Minister while living in Westbury. She moved to Leisure Village in Ridge, where she also became a Lector and Eucharistic Minister at St. Mark’s Church. She left Ridge to move to Saratoga Springs, where she attended St. Clement’s Church.

Other organizations she was a member of were: Daughters of America and the American Legion.

Mary proudly served her country as a Technician, Fifth Grade, in the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) while her husband served in the Army.

Special thanks to the Saratoga Hospital Emergency Staff, for their kind, caring, patient, and thorough care during Mary’s many visits to the Emergency Room.

Week of December 20 – December 26, 2013

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Happy Hoildays from the staff at Saratoga TODAY!

Week of December 20 – December 26, 2013

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Dr. Greco Gives Parents Information Outlet continued from page 1

The following Saratoga TODAY question and answer session with Dr. Greco further explains the challenges of Common Core’s implementation, the difficulties faced by students and the resources available to further help understand the program.

Q. Are there any big misconceptions about Common Core?

A. One of the biggest misconceptions with the Common Core is that students are unable to participate in such high-level conversations regarding mathematics. While this was initially a challenge, the Saratoga teachers have done an outstanding job of repackaging their instruction to allow students to share their mathematical reasoning with others and work collaboratively to solve complex and real-world mathematical problems.

Q. What have you seen as the biggest complaint?

A. The biggest complaint regarding Common Core has been the accelerated pace of the implementation. This is a completely new way of instructing students. This is not the way that parents learned it in school and this is not the way teachers were formally trained. As a result, teachers from across the state were forced to learn, unlearn, and relearn alongside their students.

Q. Have more parents been coming around to the idea of Common Core?

A. The Common Core curriculum has become politicized over the past year in New York. While there has been much debate over the accelerated timeline for implementation, the number of high-stakes assessments, and the linking of these assessments to teacher performance, there has been support from both teachers and parents on what students are learning and how they are learning it. Now that teachers and students have already had one complete year of Common Core level instruction, we are already seeing an increase in students’ level of understanding.

Q. With Common Core standards currently being limited to English and math, are there any plans of extending to other subjects in the future?

A. While the focus has been on English and mathematics, social

studies and science are still very much alive in the Common Core.

The design is to break down the compartmentalization of the subjects and instead inter-mix the content under the umbrella of English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics. For example, students are now reading more informational or non-fiction text as a result of the Common Core shifts. This is translating to social studies and science being read, discussed and written about during a student’s English instruction. There is still work to do to ensure students are receiving the hands-on experience needed for deep understanding of Science or Engineering topics, but we are moving in the right direction.

Q. In your opinion, why is there a need for Common Core?

A. The Common Core curriculum in math is critical in providing our students with the skills they need to pursue jobs in the science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) industries should they choose to do so. When our instruction focused on the memorization of rules and procedures, students struggled with more complex algebraic questions. As a result, students began to lose confidence in their ability to do well in math and ultimately chose courses and careers outside of the STEM field.

Common Core focuses on the deep understanding of a focused curriculum. Students don’t learn tricks—they learn math. With a deep understanding, students are able to build confidence in their problem-solving abilities and ultimately choose to take more challenging math and science courses as they progress through their educational pathway.

Q. What do you say to a parent who says, “It just teaches kids how to take standardized tests”?

A. The Common Core curriculum is actually very difficult to assess. In the past, our assessments focused on rote memorization of facts, with little emphasis on deep understanding. The new assessments are now asking students to design, critique, and infer at a very high level. There is a high degree of writing that is now being asked of our students. As a result, students across the state

have struggled. With time, students will improve their level of understanding, their communication skills and their stamina for such focused high-level thinking.

Q. Does it limit a teacher’s freedom to teach away from the statewide curriculum? And do you think that is something that should worry parents of students?

A. Teaching in New York has always been based on a set of standards for each grade level or course. The Common Core has basically replaced those previous state standards for teachers. The one difference, however, is that the Common Core has components such as the “8 Mathematical Practices,” which are instructional guidelines to help with the implementation of the Common Core Curriculum.

Saratoga Springs has recently assigned trained math coaches to each elementary building to help with this implementation. These math coaches have been helping to improve the Saratoga math program by working directly with elementary teachers to improve their classroom delivery of the Common Core.

Q. If you could list the top three benefits of Common Core, what would they be?

A. Less content, more focus Deep understanding of the math and less reliance on the memorization of algorithms.

Real-world application of the math so students understand how these lessons apply to their daily lives.

Q. Do you agree that Common Core puts added pressure on students? Or is this another misconception?

A. Although there may be less content to cover, the Common Core curriculum does put more pressure on students. Students can no longer be passive learners and must now take ownership of

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their education. They will need to actively participate in classroom discussions.

They will need to listen to the ideas of others and be able to engage in conversation regarding the course content. Student will not only have to show their work, but they will now be required to explain their thinking with supporting evidence. This will be a challenge, but we have strong students, supportive parents and a dedicated faculty that are determined to provide our students with the best possible education.

Q. Is there anything else that you have either liked or disliked about the curriculum?

A. While many teacher are supportive of the common core, there is still concern that some topics, especially at the younger grades, are developmentally inappropriate. Kindergarteners are entering school at vastly different levels of readiness. As a result, our teachers

are working to close any initial gaps while still preparing these students for the rigorous content of the Common Core.

Q. What have you told parents they can do to help?

A .During the presentation, parents were given information on the various educational shifts, what their students would be seeing in class, and what parents could do to help support their child at home.

(Greco also referred parents to Engage New York’s website that provides further information for parents: http://www.engageny.org/ sites/default/files/resource/attachments/parent_workshop_backpack_guide.pdf.

Parents also submitted questions that were answered and posted on the Saratoga Springs City School District’s Website.

More information on the presentation and upcoming Parent University events can be seen at www.saratogaschools.org.

14 From The Publisher’s Desk

Contemplating Common Core

by Chad Beatty For Saratoga TODAY As the parent of a fourth grader I have become accustomed to hunkering down at the end of a day and doing my part to help with homework. Ahhh the memories: Math, spelling, social studies, earth science and computers (well maybe not computers but we read science fiction books about them!).

However, homework has recently taken an unpleasant shift. Much to my dismay and the dismay of millions of other parents, teachers, tax payers and high level educators, the government is instituting a new form of learning. Welcome to Common Core Standards — The government’s newest venture to oversee and take control of our lives.

At this point it is my understanding that New York State has adopted the Common Core state standards for mathematics and for English language arts.

As I am sure you have heard, there is plenty of controversy surrounding the new program and administrators are scrambling to defend their decisions and justify this boondoggle. They talk about testing scores and the need to prepare students for college and the future work force. Blah, blah, blah. I would find them much more genuine if they just came out and said “Hey, if we want to receive our full Federal funding, we need to do this.”

As far as I can tell, the government is holding schools hostage (financially) reliant on their

adherence to Common Core standards.

I will admit that I am not a teacher, an educator or an administrator. I didn’t graduate with a degree in education and I never spent any time auditing classes. But guess what: You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to see that this ship isn’t going to reach the stars. It seems to me that an unspoken tenet of Common Core is to have everyone reach a mid to lower-level common denominator rather than try to raise students to a higher common denominator.

But let’s look past parents like me and see what people far more qualified have to say.

Recently a group of 132 Catholic scholars wrote a letter to every bishop in the United States asking them not to adopt Common Core. The letter is signed by notable academics from Princeton University, Providence College, Franciscan University, Baylor, Lehigh , Villanova, Fordham, Notre Dame, Texas State and Ave Maria to name a few.

The letter says that Common Core standards are poor for academic reasons, and bad for faith.

While it doesn’t delve into particulars, stating that particulars are topic for another discussion, it does say the philosophy and aims of Common Core will undermine education and dramatically diminish our children’s horizons. The letter goes on to say “Common Core adopts a bottom-line, pragmatic approach to education. The heart of its philosophy is, as far as we can see, that it is a waste of resources to ‘over-educate’ people.”

Professor Anthony Esolen of Providence College states, “We are not programming machines.

We are teaching children. We are not producing functionaries, factory-like. We are to be forming the minds and hearts of young men and women.”

Common Core strips teachers of their ability to use their unique personal skills to create

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the next generation of confident, well rounded workers who seek knowledge and are eager to succeed. To a certain degree it turns teachers, the individuals responsible for educating our most precious resource, into factory workers churning out widgets that meet average requirements.

But scholars and parents aren’t the only ones getting into the mix. Scores of teachers feel the new standards are forcing lessons to revolve around data and testing with methods and strategies that are counter-intuitive. I have personally spoken to teachers who made the choice to retire early rather than endure the implementation and countercreative procedures of Common Core.

Recent critical comments have even come from individuals considered supporters of the Common Core idea. American Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten said, “You think ObamaCare is bad?

The implementation of Common Core is far worse.” She adds that the new standards, complete with plummeting test scores, lack of time for schools to develop curricula associated with the standards, and extreme focus on the Common Core test areas to the detriment of other subjects has been disastrous.

So there you have it, a quick snapshot of Common Core from my perspective and the perspective of others with similar views.

I could fill pages providing specific examples of my issues with Common Core, but we don’t have the space. So I will leave you with this thought: Common Core Standards is another example of rushed and failed policy by government bureaucrats.

If we truly want to raise the next generation of thinkers and leaders, let’s implement more of a classical education approach and get back to the principles that made this nation great.

To find out more about Common Core in NY, visit: stopcommoncoreny.com

Free weekly online delivery saratogatodaynewspaper.com

Week of December 20 – December 26, 2013

To the Editor: I’ve lived in Saratoga Springs since 1970, practiced real estate since 1978, and I am an opponent of expanded casino gambling.

I am not here to talk about Big Money and the inevitable corruption that follows, or about Atlantic City- type degradation, or even about shortterm gain for long-term loss.

Rather my perspective is that of a long term Realtor who has helped thousands to move here.

When I first landed here Saratoga was lovely, a perfect scale, with wonderful buildings.

Yet at that time few people had even heard of Saratoga Springs and fewer chose to move here.

Imagine that! But this changed - because of the hard work of many people and organizations, public and private, profit and non-profit. Saratoga Springs became known as the “city in the country,” and went from being “the Summer place to be “ to being “THE place to be,” now known as 1) the home of an excellent college 2) a safe and pedestrian-friendly place to raise children 3) an architectural gem 4) an artistic mecca and 5) the home of an elegant 6 week race track. Quite the accomplishment! And from this new image came a healthy, even robust, real estate market. In my industry the Saratoga Springs real estate market is known as the “engine that pulls the county.”

But I hear murmurings of a change. People are already coming to me to discuss their Exit Strategy, when do I sell if this casino becomes a reality?

These are not only old timers, who might be accused of being change averse, but

newcomers, young families who, thankfully, have flocked here more and more in the past 10 -15 years thankfully because they are the ones, the new workers, who will become the backbone of a vibrant civic life. These people chose to live here. Many of them gave up high paying jobs in metropolitan areas for what they call “quality of life.” We want these people to stay here and to keep moving their retired parents here (another lovely new trend I see). We want all people not to feel they must flee Saratoga.

Please indulge me for a minute and close your eyes.

What do you picture when I say “Saratoga Springs”? My above description? Now what do you picture when I say “Atlantic City” ?

One more time, picture....

“Saratoga Springs -The Big Box Casino Destination” (just imagine the ads!)

Which vision would cause you to uproot and move here???

What about the objective facts? NAR Research, in conjunction with the Pioneer Valley Realtors Association in Massachusetts concluded “The literature on economic impacts (of casinos) is voluminous,” and, after a review of that literature they concluded “…the impact on home values appears to be unambiguously negative”.

Unambiguously negative. And this is only the real estate story.

There is more. And I will weep for us all, and for all that so many have built, if gambling is expanded in Saratoga Springs.

Jennifer Mirling Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

Week of December 20 – December 26, 2013

Casino!

SARATOGA SPRINGS – While much uncertainty remains about what the actual characteristics that a fullblown “Saratoga Style” casino would have, if it were to come to Saratoga Springs at all, some things are already certain: To use a sports analogy, we are closer to the top of the first inning than the bottom of the ninth in the process – This is because, as explained at the fact-finding forum by Attorney Robert J. McGlaughlin, the actual guidelines for a casino request for application (RFA) that comes out of the language in Proposition 1 has not been finalized.

Last Election Day Proposition 1 passed by a good margin statewide but emphatically defeated by both the Saratoga Springs and Saratoga County electorate.

Moreover, the panel of RFA reviewers has yet to be appointed.

Proposition 1 calls for a review panel of five. But when three people are appointed, an RFA is supposed to be finalized within 90 days. Mr. McGlaughlin’s read on the timetable was that the most optimistic timetable would be to have the RFA deadline be the end of June of 2014, with an actual “you get the casino” decision being some undetermined time after that.

So it’s going to take a while. In the meantime: The Battle Lines have Been Drawn – The stage has been set. The combatants have coalesced around two major groups, each vehement in getting their message out.

This is not to say that the citizenry at large have declared their individual loyalty to one camp or the other, but rather that two firm camps have been established. Both groups are

well equipped to be victorious; both get high marks for their organization skills although their approaches are markedly different.

Just what you look for in a heavyweight title fight, which both sides would probably say the casino issue is: The red team, as it were, is a color worn by the SAVE group; standing for Saratogians Against Vegas-style Expansion. They burst on the scene first in a big, big way on November 18 when they packed City Hall for an overflow meeting. You can read all about their POV at www.savesaratoga. org but for the purposes of setting the table, think of them as the hardcore “No” group.

They don’t want to “make it work.”

They don’t want a casino, period.

Their principal strong points to date are in the numbers – not just the one’s they have motivated and turned out, but the voting numbers. They purport to give voice to the majority that voted down Proposition 1 locally and that alone is compelling.

They have developed a variety of citizen action tactics, most recently when, chagrined at their exclusion from the Chamber Forum, they had their supporters come to Monday’s forum in… red!

And I did the math. I saw a lot of red this past Monday night. Here are two reasons why you shouldn’t underestimate SAVE as just a bunch of proletarian tree-huggers or some such: They turned out big visible numbers – twice now- in a little less than a month, and Let’s face it— all those red tee shirts cost money, even if you are getting a deal somewhere. I have been told to expect further fund-raising and rally plans by a principal member of SAVE and I have absolutely no doubt that they will do just what they have planned.

The other side can be called the

15

Photo by MarkBolles.com

Reporter’s Notebook

The Local Issue Of Our Decade

by Arthur Gonick Saratoga TODAY

Green Team, and not because funding their activities should hardly be an issue—well, at least not totally.

Behold Destination Saratoga.

Their POV is delineated at destinationsaratoga.com and prominently on their site’s front page is the fact that The Saratoga Casino and Raceway is a major branch of their coalition, in addition to “…local officials, business leaders, small business owners and community members…” and some, if not many of their steering committee members (listed on their site) would be familiar to someone who has lived in this market for any length of time.

In other words, they bring a strong, experienced lineup to the game.

Destination Saratoga came to the party later, proclaiming their formation at a press conference at Lillian’s Restaurant on Wednesday, December 11, so at this point their plans and related tactics are in the “to be announced” category.

Yet there is no doubt that a fullrange of activity will be forthcoming, if for no other reason than the principals’ self-interest, which is how it should be. At press time, there are interviews pending with both Destination Saratoga and Saratoga Casino and Raceway officials. Like SAVE, these groups have their case to make and deserve the space to make it.

For this is nothing less than THE local issue of our lifetimes.

We invite all concerned readers to submit their views. We will select to print one pro-casino and one anticasino letter per week from what we receive. The rest will be posted online if they are sent electronically. Email them to art@saratogapublishing.com. You are also invited comment on our coverage as it goes forward.

Game on!

Three Stars SARATOGA SPRINGS – Since I used baseball and boxing in the main story, let’s invoke a hockey-like homage here and announce the three “stars among stars” at Monday’s Chamber Fact-finding forum.

This, of course, is like picking your favorite child in many ways, for I must salute the panel members in total and the Chamber for putting said panel together.

Nonetheless, there were standouts on a stage where everybody brought their A-game. I have no reason to gush over everyone assembled; they earn it from their passion to be involved, which also includes over 1,000 people in the audience. Kudos all around and a tip-o-the-hat to a passionate community.

Having said that, let’s first begin with an honorable mention: This goes out to Colleen Holmes, co-owner of Wheatfields Restaurant, for being the only one that I heard mention the subject of shuttle-buses between a Casino property and downtown Saratoga Springs. It says here that this might develop into a bigger topic down the road and certainly one worth exploring deeper. Colleen did not get to say much more, but she cut through the clutter and made it count.

Now, your three stars: Number 3: Skip Carlson, Saratoga Casino and Raceway – I, like many, have had the privilege of knowing Skip for a long time.

I knew of his skill in communicating on a human scale—one-on-one and in small groups, but I was amazed at how well he was able to articulate his message over the big screens at the City Center. One woman (well-placed in the Downtown network with built-in reasons to be at least skeptical) that I was sitting with described him as “warm, funny and genuine.” That’s good enough for me.

Number 2: Robert J. McLaughlin, Esq., Hodgson Russ Attorneys LLP – When a lawyer chooses his or her lawyer, you are well-advised to pay attention. In that connection, Mr. McLaughlin drew the daunting task of explaining both the language of the statute, potential timetables and other important matters to a large audience of varying degrees of knowledge.

This audience of one came away with a lot more understanding both about the important points and just as importantly the nuances of the topic. This is a communicator, pure and simple.

Number 1: Matthew J. Jones, Esq., Senior Partner, The Jones Firm – He makes this list just for having the guts to take on the role of MC, but he earns the top star for the way he conducted the proceedings with a combination of commanding presence, timing and verve.

He may not have asked all the follow-up questions that you wanted, but he asked most of them and probably threw in quite a few that you didn’t think of. He exhibited good grace with enough Jimmy Stewartreminiscent “aw, shucks-ness” to make everyone feel like they were listening to their neighbor… a native son.

Which, in fact, you were.

- Arthur Gonick

16 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: Morn. 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.

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

Ballston Center Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church 58 Charlton Road, Ballston Spa 885-7312; ballstoncenterarpchurch. org Services: Sunday Worship Service, 10:30 a.m.

RELIGION Ballston Spa United Methodist Church 101 Milton Ave., Ballston Spa 885-6886 Services: Sunday 10 a.m.

Bethesda Episcopal Church 41 Washington St., Saratoga Springs 584-5980 Services: Sunday 6:30, 8 & 10 a.m.

Church of Christ at Clifton Park 7 Old Route 146, Clifton Park 371-6611; cliftonparkchurchofchrist. com Services: Sunday 10:30 a.m.

Christ Community Reformed Church 1010 Route 146, Clifton Park 371-7654; ccrc-cpny.org.

Services: Sundays 10 a.m.

Christ Episcopal Church Routes 50 & 67, Ballston Spa 885-1031 Services: Sunday 8 & 10 a.m.

Christian Restoration Ministries Saratoga Senior Center 5 Williams St., Saratoga Springs 796-4323 Pastor Pat Roach Services: Sunday 10 a.m.; 6:30 p.m.

Congregation Shaara Tfille 84 Weibel Avenue, Saratoga Springs 584-2370; saratogasynagogue.org Services: Saturday 9:30 a.m., Monday & Thursday 7:30 a.m., third Friday each month 7:30 p.m.

Handicapped Accessible Corinth Free Methodist Church 20 Hamilton Ave., Corinth 654-9255; 792-0271 Services: Sunday at 10 a.m.

Corinth United Methodist Church 243 Main Street, Corinth

654-2521 cfumc@cnyconnect.net Services: Sunday 10:30 a.m.

Cornerstone Community Church 516 Park Ave., Mechanicville 664-5204 Pastor Frank Galerie mycornerstonechurch.org Services: Sundays at 10:30 a.m.

Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Community 2001 Route 9, Round Lake 877-8506, ccorpusc@nycap. rr.com Services: Saturday 4 p.m.; Sunday 8:30 & 10:30 a.m.; Weekday Masses: MondayFriday 9 a.m.

Eastern Orthodox— Christ the Savior 349 Eastline Road, Ballston Spa 786-3100; xcsavior@yahoo.com.

Services: Sunday: 9:30 a.m.

First Baptist Church of Saratoga Springs 45 Washington St., Saratoga Springs 584-6301 Services: Sunday: 11 a.m.

First Baptist Church of Ballston Spa 202 Milton Ave., Ballston Spa 885-8361; bspabaptist.org Services: 10:30 a.m. worship 9 a.m. Sunday School (all ages) First Presbyterian Church of Ballston Spa 22 West High St., Ballston Spa 885-5583 Services: Sunday 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

Week of December 20 – December 26, 2013 Services: Sunday 9:30 a.m.

(9 a.m. in July and August) Grace Brethren Church 137 W. Milton Road, 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.org Services: Wednesday 7:30 p.m. Good Times Restaurant, Lake Rd. 2nd floor; Friday 7:30 p.m. Saratoga Chapel, Eastline & Lake Rds; Sunday 10 a.m. Glenville Senior Center, 32 Worden Road Greenfield Center Baptist Church 30 Wilton Road, Greenfield Center 893-7429 Services: Sunday School for all ages - 9:45 a.m.

Church Service - 11 a.m.

Prayer Meeting Wednesday 6:30 p.m.

Highway Tabernacle Church 90 River Road, Mechanicville 664-4442 Services: Sunday 10:30 a.m.

Hope Church 206 Greenfield Ave., Ballston Spa 885-7442 Services: Sunday 10 a.m.

Jonesville United Methodist 963 Main St., Clifton Park 877-7332 Services: Sunday 8:30 & 10:30 a.m. Sunday School 9:30 a.m.

Living Springs Community Church 59 Pine Road, Saratoga Springs 584-9112 Services: Sunday 10:30 a.m.

Living Waters Church of God 4330 State Rt. 50, Saratoga Springs 587-0484; livingwaterscog.us

Services: Sundays 10 a.m.

Malta Presbyterian Church Dunning Street, Malta 899-5992 Services: Sunday 10 a.m.

Malta Ridge United Methodist Church 729 Malta Ave., Ext., Malta 581-0210 Services: Sunday 10:30 a.m.

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

Handicapped accessible New Horizon Church 150 Perry Road, Saratoga Springs 587-0711 Services: Sunday 9:30 a.m.

New Life Fellowship 51 Old Gick Road, ­­ Saratoga Springs 580-1810; newlifeinsaratoga.org.

Services: Sunday 10:30 a.m.

Childcare is available at all services.

New Thought New York Center for Spiritual Living 2 Imperial Lane, Charlton Rev. Joanne McFadden 423-3569 newthoughtnewyork.org NorthStar Church Shenendehowa High School West Auditorium, Clifton Park 371-2811; northstarchurch.com Services: Sunday 10 a.m.

Old Saratoga Reformed Church 48 Pearl St., Schuylerville oldsaratogareformedchurch.org Services: Sunday 10:30 a.m.

Handicapped accessible.

Old Stone Church (American Baptist) 159 Stone Church Road, Ballston Spa 583-1002 Services: Sunday 9 a.m.; Adult Sunday School 9 a.m.; Service 10:30 a.m.

Coffee and Fellowship in Living Stone Hall; Wednesday: Noon potluck luncheon; 1 p.m. choir rehearsal; 2 p.m.

Week of December 20 – December 26, 2013

RELIGION

Bible Study Group Our Lady of Grace Roman Catholic Church 73 Midline Road, Ballston Lake 399-5713 Services: Saturday 5 p.m.

Sunday 8:15 & 10:15 a.m.

Handicapped accessible.

Presbyterian-NE Congregational Church 24 Circular St., Saratoga Springs 584-6091; pnecc.org Services: Sunday 10:45 a.m.

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

Handicapped accessible.

River of Hope Fellowship 100 Saratoga Village Blvd.

Malta Cmns., Ste. 3 881-1505; riverofhopefellowship.com Services: Sunday 10 a.m.

Roman Catholic Church of St. Peter 241 Broadway, Saratoga Springs 584-2375 Services: Eucharistic Celebrations: Saturday 5 p.m.; Sunday 7:30, 9 and 11 a.m.

St. Clement’s Roman Catholic Church 231 Lake Ave., Saratoga Springs, 584-6122 Services: Saturday 4 p.m.; Sunday 8, 9:30, 11:15 a.m. and 5 p.m., 1 p.m. Spanish Service

St. George’s Episcopal Church 912 Route 146, Clifton Park, 371-6351; stgeorge@csdsl.net Services: Saturday 4:30 p.m.; Sunday 8 & 9:30 a.m.

St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church 3159 Route 9N, Greenfield Center 893-7680; sjoegctr@nycap.rr.com; www.stjosephschurchgreenfieldcenter.org Services: Saturday 4 p.m.; Sunday 10:30 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 St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church 771 Route 29, a Rock City Falls 893-7680; sjoegctr@nycap.rr.com Services: Sunday 8:30 am.

Handicapped accessible.

St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church 149 Lake Ave., Saratoga Springs 584-0904 Services: Saturday 5 p.m. with Holy Communion. Sundays 8:30 & 11 a.m. with Holy Communion.

St. Peter Lutheran Church 2776 Route 9, Malta 583-4153 Services: Sunday 8:30 & 10:30 a.m.

Sunday School at 9:15 a.m.

St. Thomas of Canterbury 242 Grooms Rd., Halfmoon st-thomas-of-canterbury. org Services: Sunday 10 a.m.

Saratoga Abundant Life Church 2325 Route 50 South, Saratoga Springs 885-5456; saratogaabundantlife.org Services: Sunday 9:30 a.m.

Saratoga Chabad 130 Circular St., Saratoga Springs 526-0773; saratora@aol.com; saratogachabad.com Saratoga Friends Meeting (Quaker) Rts. 32 and 71, Quaker Springs 587-7477; 399-5013 Services: Sunday 10 a.m.

Saratoga United Methodist Church Henning Road, Saratoga Springs 584-3720; saratogaumc.com.

Services: Sunday 9 & 10:45 a.m.

Handicapped accessible.

Saratoga Seventh-Day Adventist Church 399 Union Ave., Saratoga Springs 882-9384; saratogasda.org

Old Saratoga Reformed Church, Pearl and Burgoyne Streets, Schuylerville, will be holding its annual Candlelight

Celebration of the Birth of Jesus Christ on Tuesday, December 24 at 8 p.m. The Christmas Story will be read,

carols and anthems sung, and the Christmas Message will be delivered by Pastor Joyce deVelder. The service will include the traditional candle lighting during the singing of “Silent Night”. The sanctuary is handicapped accessible. All are welcome.

Services: Sabbath School: 10 a.m. Worship Service: 11:30 a.m.

Shenendehowa United Methodist 971 Route 146, Clifton Park 371-7964 Services: Sunday 9 & 10:30 a.m.

Simpson United Methodist Church Rock City Road, Rock City Falls 885-4794 Services: Sunday 10:45 a.m.

Soul Saving Station for Every Nation Christ Crusaders of America 62 Henry St., Saratoga Springs 584-3122 Services: Sunday 10 a.m. & 6:30 p.m.

Temple Sinai 509 Broadway, Saratoga Springs 584-8730 www.saratogasinai.org Shabbat Services: Friday 6 p.m.

Preceded by 5:30 p.m. Oneg.

Handicapped Accessible.

Terra Nova Church 45 Washington St., Saratoga Springs 833-0504; terranovachurch.org saratogaquestions@ terranovachurch.org Services: Sunday 5:30 p.m.

Childcare: 6 months–4 years and expanding Handicapped accessible.

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The Salvation Army/ Worship, Service & Community Center 27 Woodlawn Ave., Saratoga Springs 584-1640; Mail-P.O. Box 652 Captain Aaron A. Boone, Sr.; Captain Amber S. Boone Commanding Officers/Ministers Services: Sunday School 10 a.m.; Praise & Worship 11 a.m.

Trinity United Methodist Church 155 Ballard Rd., Gansevoort 584-9107; tumcwilton.com Rev. Patti Molik-Pastor Services: Sunday 9&11 a.m.

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Saratoga Springs 624 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs 584-1555; uusaratoga.org Services, Nursery Care, and Religious Education: Sundays 10 a.m.; Youth Group: Sundays 11:30 a.m.

Unity Church in Albany 21 King Ave., Albany 453-3603; Services: Sunday 9 a.m. & 11 a.m.

West Charlton United Presbyterian Church 1331 Sacandaga Road, West Charlton 882-9874 westcharltonupc.org Rev. Thomas Gregg, Pastor Services: Sunday 10:30 a.m.

Wilton Baptist Church 755 Saratoga Rd., Wilton 583-2736; wiltonbaptist@ gmail.com; wiltonbaptistchurch.com; Services: Sunday Service 11 a.m.

18

Food

Farmers’ Market Ingredients Highlighted In New Cookbook

Week of December 20 – December 26, 2013

Pumpkin-Cranberry Cookies

These Pumpkin Cranberry Cookies make an attractive holiday cookie with lots of health-promoting carotene (a precursor of Vitamin A).

From Farmers Market: Favorite Recipies!

By: Diane Whitten

Ingredients

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Just in time for holiday gift-giving, Saratoga Farmers’ Market is featuring a new cookbook authored by nutrition educator Diane Whitten of Cornell Cooperative Extension.

Whitten writes a weekly recipe featured in the market’s e-newsletter during the summer, when she is also present at the outdoor market each Wednesday afternoon in High Rock Park, providing samples of the dish and offering cooking and nutrition information to those who stop by to chat.

“I’ve been attending the Wednesday afternoon outdoor markets for 10 years, and really enjoy the interaction with the shoppers. Whether people are seeking lower-sodium recipes or nutrition tips on handling health issues like high cholesterol or diabetes, I am able to give some advice and perhaps point out market products that could help them in their quest for better health,” says Whitten. “Plus, it’s been a lot of fun getting to know the farm vendors at the market, and using their products in my recipes.”

With that experience as a backdrop, Whitten recently pulled together 125 of her recipes into a new cookbook, “Farmers’ Market:

Directions •Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

Beat in vanilla, egg and pumpkin.

•Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Beat flour mixture into pumpkin mixture.

•Stir cranberries into mixture along with orange peel, and nuts.

Drop with a rounded teaspoon onto greased cookie sheet.

•Bake in a preheated 375°F oven for 10-12 minutes.

This makes a soft, cake-like cookie.

Favorite Recipes”—which is now for sale at the winter market on Saturdays, at Lincoln Baths in Saratoga Spa State Park (open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Saturday through April).

The attractive cover on the

cookbook was designed by Penny Heritage, a local artist who grew up on a dairy farm in Charlton.

In the book’s introductory pages, Whitten mentions the market as an influence on the recipes, each of which features an ingredient

Have You Been Good This Year?

by John Reardon for Saratoga TODAY

1/2 cup softened butter 1 cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 egg 1 cup pureed cooked pumpkin 2 1/4 cups flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 cup cranberries Grated peel from one orange 1 cup chopped walnuts

Hello my Foodie Friends!

The excitement is building because Christmas is just days away.

In the past, Paula’s mom and my mom were in full cookie baking mode during this time and our house’s smelled great. Paula and I have tried to carry on their traditions but it’s hard to measure up to the best. That being said we keep trying!

Paula takes a lot of pride in baking up cookies for school events at her college or sending the kids back to their college with enough cookies to make even the

Keebler elves jealous. Just like our parents did, Paula and I now have our kids helping with the cooking and baking.

Getting children to help do anything is never easy but baking cookies is not work to children it is a privilege. We start with if you are good then we will LET you help us. My mom taught me this strategy since she had five kids who needed to be focused on something other than quarreling with each other. One time my brothers Danny and Billy and I came rolling into the house

available locally and specifically at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market.

The book has a well-balanced mix of recipes, each with complete nutrition information.

Recipe categories include soups, salads, vegetable side dishes, salsas, sauces, dips and dressings, main dishes, quick breads and desserts, and beverages. Some of the more unusual ingredients include fennel and red currants.

These and other ingredients at the farmers’ market can be found in the ingredient index in the back.

Diane Whitten will be at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market on Saturday, December 21, selling the book ($15) and sampling a

recipe. In addition, the market is selling a specially-priced gift bundle for $20, which includes the cookbook plus a Saratoga Farmers’ Market insulated shopping bag. These are gifts of good taste that your favorite home chef will enjoy well into 2014!

covered in snow and wrestling with each other over a snowball fight that got ugly.

My Mom, who had an empty plastic bottle in her hand, conked us each on the head and told us to stop fighting or we wouldn’t get to help make the brownies and cookies. The three of us sat on the floor trying to figure out what that was that conked our heads and then those wonderful smells hit our nostrils. My brothers and I had a look we would share that we still do today.

You know that look, it says: “Boy are we lucky.”

As Confucius said, “find a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.”

A family working together in the kitchen is a great bonding experience that stays with you the rest of your life. I can’t wait for my kids to come home for the holidays so we can make some memories.

Remember my Foodie friends: “Life Happens in the Kitchen” Take Care and HappyHolidays from the Reardon Family!

Week of December 20 – December 26, 2013

NEWS

Season’s Greetings Thank You for Your Support

Established 1892

Established 1918

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Established 1982/2011

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Week of December 20 – December 26, 2013

First “Toys For Toga” Campaign A Success

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Toys for Toga campaign was formed by the Saratoga Convention & Tourism Bureau, DeCrescente Distributing Co and the Olde Saratoga Brewing Co. and was held in conjunction with the Ninth Annual Saratoga County Restaurant Week, December 6-12. During the week, the public was asked to donate a new and unwrapped toy at any one of the 57 participating restaurants.

By the end of Restaurant Week, the campaign raised over 400 donated toys. These donated toys were distributed evenly on December 16 to local charities Franklin Community Center, Captain Youth and Family Services and Mechanicville Area Community Services Center.

Week of December 20 – December 26, 2013

Max Oswald from Olde Saratoga Brewing Company and Connie Crudo from Saratoga Convention & Tourism Bureau look over the 400+ toys donated.

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NEWS

Week of December 20 – December 26, 2013

Season’s Greetings Thank You for Your Support

Established 1988

Established 1991

Established 1991/2013

Established 1992

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Established 1993

Established 1997

Established 1999

Established 2002

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Week of December 20 – December 26, 2013

fun and games

Puzzles Across 1 Capital of Qatar 5 Invertebrate’s lack 10 Former Cubs slugger Sammy 14 Stale smell 15 Controversial topic 16 Greek boy with a bow 17 Allot, with “out” 18 *Naval cereal icon sporting a Napoleon-style hat 20 Nuclear __: social unit 22 City in Honshu’s Kansai region 23 Academic URL ending 25 Stately tree 26 Like most pies 28 *Nearly none, in slang 31 Summer, in Paris 32 Nosed (out) 33 Eggs on 35 Christmas carol 36 Forest clearing 38 Feet pampering, briefly 42 Bridal party rides 44 Anglo-__ 45 Giant slugger Mel 48 *Venue for self-publishing 51 Shingles or slate, e.g.

53 “Isn’t __ bit like you and me?”: “Nowhere Man” lyric 54 39-Down unit 55 Brown Betty fruit 56 Beantown basketball player 58 *Arc-shaped, finger-staining snack food 61 5,280 feet 64 Erie or Huron 65 Myanmar, once 66 Yard sale sign phrase 67 Expected landing times, briefly 68 Ply with drink 69 Formally turn over Down 1 __ Pérignon 2 Poem of celebration 3 Sundae topping 4 Region 5 Mount Etna’s island 6 Biblical songs

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See puzzle solutions on page 37

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 SOLUTION TO SATURDAY’S PUZZLE

12/16/13

© 2013 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.

See puzzle solution on page 37 7 ‘60s espionage show 8 Religious sister 9 Continental trade org.

10 Grinch creator 11 Elaborately decorated 12 Light bulb’s place 13 Slightly 19 Google Maps offering 21 Pinochle declaration 23 Genesis garden 24 Prank 26 Bean __: tofu 27 Fierce anger 29 “The Farmer in the __” 30 Resembling 34 Practice in the ring 36 Fed. agent 37 Like the “o” in “no”

39 Beneficial activity that ends the answers to starred clues 40 Two teaspoons, say 41 Gadget’s rank: Abbr.

43 Wall-climbing vines 44 Lovers’ clash 45 Ancient soothsayer 46 Astaire headwear 47 Capital of Kansas 49 Heat: Pref.

50 Chew out 52 Makes tracks 56 Mangy mutts 57 1998 Apple debut 59 Go out, like the tide 60 Pool shark’s stick 62 Jar topper 63 Opposite of WNW

Writing the Right Word by Dave Dowling Accuracy in word choice is a key to effective communication. This quick weekly tip will help you filter the confusion in some of our daily word choices.

Warrantee, Warranty Warrantee is the person to whom the warranty is given.

The dealer gave the warrantee the required forms to complete.

Warranty is a promise to repair or replace a faulty product.

Vehicles under a factory warranty will be repaired at no charge.

Dave Dowling is the author of the The Wrong Word Dictionary and The Dictionary of Worthless Words. Signed copies are available for purchase at the gifts and home goods store, Homessence on Broadway in Saratoga Springs.

24

Education

Week of December 20 – December 26, 2013

Benke Inducted Into IACE Hall Of Fame SARATOGA SPRINGS — Meg Benke, a professor and mentor at the SUNY Empire State College School for Graduate Studies, was inducted into the International Adult and Continuing Education Hall of Fame.

A nationally and internationally recognized leader, she has devoted her entire career to improving the quality of education and increasing access and choice for students. In addition, she has worked to advance professionalism in her field and as an advocate for adults

at the state and national levels.

“Induction into the Hall of Fame is a great honor,” Benke said. “While this recognition is individual, it is built on substantial support from my colleagues at Empire State College and the Sloan Consortium and it recognizes the significant advancements that the college and the consortium have made to improve quality and increase access to higher education for those that have been under served.”

Benke first joined Empire State College in 1991 and has served the college as acting

president, provost, vice provost and as dean of the college’s Center for Distance Learning.

Working together with her colleagues at CDL, she led the effort to expand the college’s programs throughout the state, nation and around the world. As a result, enrollment with the college’s online programs grew to more than 10,000 full and part-time students.

Today, more than 70 percent of all online bachelors’ programs offered within the 64-campus SUNY system are provided by the college and CDL is one

of the foremost and innovative open and distance learning systems in the United States.

As the college’s acting president and provost, Benke provided her leadership and expertise to the systemwide Open SUNY initiative, while successfully leading an institution with an enrollment of approximately 20,000 students learning at 35 locations across the state, with partners at eight international locations and online everywhere.

Benke mentors and teaches in the college’s School for Graduate Studies’ Master of

Arts in Learning and Emergency Technologies and the Master of Arts in Adult Learning programs.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Art created by about 150 students in the Saratoga Springs City School District will be on display at an “art gallery” reception from 4-6 p.m. on January 8 in in the district’s MacFadden Administration Building.

The event, originally scheduled for December 17, was

postponed because of snowfall.

The show in the administrative wing will represent a cross-section of artwork by students in the six elementary schools, the Maple Avenue Middle School and the high school. The artwork highlights a variety of skills and techniques, use of different mediums, reference to various artists and styles

and inclusion of art history.

The work visually demonstrates students’ understanding and competency of learning goals established in the New York State Art Standards and the school district’s power standards.

The artwork will remain hanging for a year, demonstrating the wide

range of artistic talent throughout the district and illustrating the growth students show from kindergarten to commencement.

Freya Mercer, K-12 director of humanities integration, Dawn Talley, art department head, Sandy Lajeunesse, senior typist, and art teachers K-12 collaborated to select, collect,

and display the art along the hallways of the administration building.

“One of the first things I noticed when I visited MacFadden for the first time was the rich display of student artwork,” Mercer said. “Visitors often compliment both the artists and the district’s commitment to showcasing student art.”

Meg Benke

‘Gallery’ Reception To Honor Students’ Art

Clifton Park Supervisor Promotes Job Growth With Bryant And Stratton College

Clifton Park Supervisor Phil Barrett (left) stands with Bryant and Stratton Campus Director, Mike Gutierrez (right), at their recent legislative briefing.

CLIFTON PARK — Clifton Park Supervisor Phil Barrett met with Mike Gutierrez, Campus Director of Bryant and Stratton College, for a “legislative briefing” to discuss job training issues in Southern Saratoga County, as the new Malta Bryant and Stratton campus is now open to adult students looking for degrees in healthcare administration.

Supervisor Barrett and Campus Director Gutierrez discussed the need for creating greater public awareness on the increasing demand for jobs in the healthcare industry in the Saratoga

County region. Bryant and Stratton’s newly opened Malta campus offers two-year degrees in medical assisting and medical administrative assisting, plus four-year Bachelor’s degrees in health services administration. Courses are taught in new classrooms and laboratories in the center, located on Route 9, which also features a computer resource center and a student lounge.

“The steadily increasing growth of Saratoga County has led to an upsurge in the need for more healthcare workers, and Bryant and Stratton is filling

this void with its Malta campus,” said Supervisor Barrett.

“We hope to continue these legislative briefings and open dialogue with legislators from around the County in creating awareness for the need of adult job training and re-training in Upstate New York,” said Campus Director Gutierrez. “We look forward to Bryant and Stratton’s bright future in Saratoga County.”

To learn more about Bryant and Stratton, visit www.bryantstratton.edu.

What’s Happening In School This Week?

December 20

December 24

Ballston Spa Central School District None Schuylerville School District None

December 26

Saratoga Springs City School District Saratoga Springs City High School: Welcome Back Forum, School District Holiday Recess Class of 2013, TA, 1:45 p.m.

Ballston Spa Division: Holiday Singalong, Central School District 9:45 a.m.

Holiday Recess Members of the Saratoga Schuylerville School Springs High School Class of District 2013 invited to return to their Holiday Recess alma mater from 1:30-2:30 p.m. to share their experiences December 25 in college, the military and the Merry Christmas! world of work.

Saratoga Springs City School District Division Street Elementary Holiday Recess School holds a school-wide Ballston Spa singalong at 9:45 a.m.

Central School District Tina Damiano’s and Jennifer Holiday Recess Burton’s kindergarten classes at Schuylerville School the Dorothy Nolan Elementary District School participate in a Polar Holiday Recess Express Day.

December 23 Saratoga Springs City School District Holiday Recess Ballston Spa Central School District Holiday Recess Schuylerville School District Holiday Recess

Saratoga Springs City School District Holiday Recess Ballston Spa Central School District Holiday Recess Schuylerville School District Holiday Recess

Classes will resume Monday, January 6

Week of December 20 – December 26, 2013

Breakers Club at Gavin Park Gavin Park will once again offer Breakers Club, a school break program for children, grades K-5. The December Holiday Breakers Club will run from Monday, December 23 through Friday, January 3, with the exception of Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. The December Holiday Breakers Club program fee is $35, per day, for Wilton residents and $45, per day, for non-residents. The enrollment fee includes gym activities, crafts, movies, bingo, and outside fun (weather permitting), as well as a light afternoon snack and drink.

Registrations may be completed online at www.townofwilton. com, or by going to https:// apm.activecommunities.com/ wiltonrecreation. Registrations may also be completed by downloading and completing the registration form (available online) and mailing it, along with a check made payable to Town of Wilton, to: Gavin Park, 10 Lewis Dr., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

The Puppet People Present: A Christmas Carol A Charles Dickens holiday classic, this show features beautiful handcrafted marionettes, shadow puppets, gorgeous masks, lavish costumes, vivid sets, a professional soundtrack that includes many holiday favorites and a giant 9-foot parade puppet. This program is for ages five and older. Shows are at 11a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on December 27. For more information call the Saratoga Springs Public Library at (518)5847860, ext. 250.

DanceFlurry Saratoga Contradance Contras, squares, and couples dances will take place December 28 from 8-11 p.m. (lesson for beginners at 7:30 p.m.) with Michael Kernan at First Baptist Church, 45 Washington Street in Saratoga Springs. With music

by Quickstep, all group dances are taught and newcomers are welcome. No need to bring your own partner. Wear sneakers or other soft-soled shoes only. Price is $10 for students, $7 for seniors and $6 for children under 15. For more information contact (518) 8990105 or visit www.danceflurry.org.

After School Program Registration Begins The Saratoga Springs Public Library offers a drumming workshop (grades K-3), “City by Design” (grades K-3), “Hola La” (ages 3.5-5), “Hola La” (grades K-2), “Chinese Language and Culture” until December 30.

Registration for these programs is in-person and in-district only. Beginning December 30, registration will be taken by phone or in-person and will be open to out-of-district patrons. For more information call the Saratoga Springs Public Library at (518)5847860, ext. 250.

New Year’s Day Ski Bowl Party The North Creek Ski Bowl party will be January 1 and include skiing, boarding, tubing and family fun with live entertainment to bring in the New Year from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Call (518) 251-2411 or goremountain.com for more information.

Frostbite Cruise Lake George Shoreline Cruises offers a cruise on Lake George with entertainment and refreshments, January 1 from noon to 2:30 p.m. Call (518) 668-4644 for more information or visit lakegeorgeshoreline.com.

Town of Malta Family Fun Night The first ever Family Fun Night at the Malta Community Center will be on Friday, January 3, from 6-8 p.m. For just $15 per family you will enjoy a KidzArt corner, basketball free play in the gymnasium, an inflatable obstacle course, family Zumba, a community center scavenger hunt, demos from swing, tai chi and martial arts instructors, and more.

Pizza, popcorn, and refreshments are available for purchase.

Pre-registration is requested

by December 27, but drop-ins are welcome. Please wear gym shoes. Call the center for more information at (518) 899-4411.

Introductory Stress Reduction Classes An introductory Saratoga Stress Reduction program class will be held January 7 from 5:15–6:45 p.m. at 58 Henry St. Remaining classes meet eight subsequent Tuesday nights from 5:15–6:45 p.m. from January 7 to March 4. An all-day retreat for this class will be Sunday, February from 10:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. There are also introductory Saturday morning classes from 8:30–10 a.m. (January 11 to March 8). To register call Dr. Selma Nemer at (518) 581-3180, ext. 307

LOCAL BRIEFS WSWHE BOCES to Offer Free Preschool Education The Washington-Saratoga-WarrenHamilton-Essex BOCES offers a free preschool as part of its Early Childhood Education program at the F. Donald Myers Education Center on 15 Henning Road.

Under the guidance of veteran teacher Cathy Goodwin, the preschoolers will work directly with high school students studying early childhood education.

Children ages 3 and 4 years old are eligible. They must be fully toilet trained. Enrollment is limited to 18 children. There are two sessions: 8:30 a.m.–10:15 a.m. and noon to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Classes begin on Tuesday, January 7. Transportation is not provided.

For more information on the program at the Myers Center is available by calling Cathy Goodwin at (518) 581-3647.

Celebrating Women in Nature With an opening by local photographer Deborah Neary, the event is on Saturday January 11 from 4-8 p.m. at the Roosevelt Baths & Spa in Saratoga Springs.

Celebrate our beautiful natural world and meet the women who made these photographs possible. Refreshments and light fare donated by Putnam’s Restaurant of the Gideon Putnam Hotel. Wine will be available for purchase. Local musicians, Jackie Callahan and Clem Marino will be performing their original music.

Sarah Hopkins will be giving Tarot readings. Complimentary chair massage, make-up application, eye treatments and foot massage will also be provided by Roosevelt Baths & Spa. Other prizes include spa service of choice and mineral baths. For all enquiries and to RSVP, email djdn. photos@gmail.com.

“War Horse” Premieres at Proctors The National Theatre of Great Britain’s epic “War Horse,” winner of five 2011 Tony awards including Best Play, will make its premiere at Proctors, January 15-19. Tickets are on sale now and are available by calling (518) 346-6204, going online at www.proctors.org, or visiting the Box Office at Proctors, 432 State Street Schenectady.

Winter Classic XX Girls’ Hockey Tournament The Glens Falls Recreation Center presents the Winter Class XX Girls’ Hockey Tournament, January 1720. One of the oldest and largest girls ice hockey tournaments in New York, hosting teams from Northeast states, Ontario and

25

Quebec, the event will raise money for local charities. Games will also be played at thee Glens Falls Civic Center. Visit adirondacknorthstars. com for more information.

available on that Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Sunday, 11:30 a.m.4 p.m. Call (518) 668-9463 or visit adirondackwinery.com for more information.

Purple Tie Affair Coming to Saratoga The first annual Purple Tie Affair will be held on January 18 at the National Museum of Dance in Saratoga Springs. From 7-11 p.m., guests will enjoy delicious food, drinks, a silent auction and dancing with entertainment by The Accents Band. A multi-purpose celebration, proceeds from the event will benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS), while a large focus of the night will highlight corporate teams and individual recruitment for Team in Training (TNT), the athletic endurance program that raises funds for LLS cancer research and patient services. Tickets for A Purple Tie Affair are $55 per person or $100 per couple in advance and can be purchased online at www.purpletieaffair.org.

Make sure you visit A Purple Tie Affair’s Facebook and Instagram pages to see photos of some of the events available to participate in. For more information contact Danny Arnold (518) 495-2594 or email apurpletieaffair@gmail.com.

Dreamzzz: Adirondack Theatre Festival Winter Gala Performance The 20th Annual Adirondack Theatre Festival Winter Gala Performance will be January 25 at the Charles R Wood Theater in Glens Falls. Celebrate an enjoyable evening with ATF. There will be entertainment by high caliber New York City musical theatre performers. Food and beverages from area restaurants, and the region’s most unique silent and live auctions will also be present starting at 7 p.m. Call (518) 8740800 or visit atfestival.org for more information.

Adirondack Phantoms Hockey: Dax’s Big Birthday Bash See Adirondack Phantoms hockey host the Albany Devils at the Glens Falls Civic Center on January 18, starting at 7 p.m. For “Dax’s Big Birthday Bash.” This is the night to celebrate Dax and The Northway Rivalry continues Call (518) 4803355 or visit phantomshockey.com for more information.

Bridal Day Weekend Plan your day with the area’s leading professionals at Dunham’s Bay Resort in Lake George.

Engagement party and girls night out, two levels, with after party is offered until midnight on Saturday, January 18. Prizes will be given away at both these events and you must be present to win. The bridal show will be on Sunday, January 19 and a free wedding package giveaway will be awarded on Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. For more information call (518) 7926092 or visit a-awa.com.

Spice up Your Winter With Wine Tasting Adirondack Winery in Lake George is hosting a free wine tasting on January 18 and 19.

Spiced mulled wines, gourmet food, cheese and chocolates will be

Torch Run: Fireworks Fireworks will be on display for free on Gore Mountain on January 26, starting at dusk. Call (518) 2512411or visit goremountain.com for more information.

Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce 96th Annual Dinner From 6-9:30 p.m., January 30, the Chamber will recognize 25 and 50-year anniversary members and volunteers that dedicate their time to the overall mission of the Chamber, the Board of Directors and staff. In addition, the Chamber will be honoring the Saratoga 150 committee and recapping the 150th year of racing this past summer. Tickets for the event at the Saratoga Springs City Center (522 Broadway) are $100 per person or $1,000 for a table of 10. If interested, contact Keith VanVeghten through email at kvanveghten@saratoga.org or Denise Romeo at dromeo@ saratoga.org.

Gavin Park Pickleball Indoor Pickleball has begun at Gavin Park and runs from now until April. Players of any experience level can participate on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:15 a.m.–11:15 a.m. Three to six courts will be available each session. Participants may bring their own equipment or may use the park’s. Players must register, in person, at the Gavin Park Office, 10 Lewis Drive, Wilton. Doors open at 9 a.m. No regular commitment is required. Cost per person, per day, is $3. For more information call (518) 584-9455.

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

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calendar African Children’s Choir

Family Friendly Event

Friday, December 20 Ticket Sales Begin - The Sing-Off Live Tour Ticket Sales Begin at 10 a.m. On February 26, the live tour will come to Proctors.

Featuring the newly crowned best a cappella group in the country, along with other finalists from season four of The Sing-Off, performing their a cappella versions of the biggest chart topping songs viewers fell in love with from the show. The brand new tour will include individual sets from each act, all new group numbers, ultimate sing-offs and a few new surprises. To purchase tickets and for more information visit, www.singofftour.com.

All You Can Eat Dinner Principessa Elena Society, 11-13 Oak St., Saratoga Springs, 5 – 7 p.m.

Pasta Fagioli, sausage, peppers, onions, pasta with sauce, salad, bread, butter, dessert, coffee, tea. Seniors $8, Regular 9, Children 5 – 12 $5, all take-out $10. For more information call (518) 584-4163.

Friends and Family Night The Shirt Factory, 71 Lawrence St., Glens Falls, 5 – 8 p.m.

A festive evening with special sales, refreshments and more. As a special treat, a cappella groups Primrose Lane and The Skirts will be strolling the hallways singing Christmas carols for visitors. All are invited. For more information visit www. shirtfactorygf.com.

Holiday Rock and Skate and Rob Skane 3 Empire State Plaza Ice Rink, Madison Ave., Albany, 6 – 8 p.m.

Skate Rental: $3 for children under 12 and $4 for adults.

Skate rentals will be available whenever the rink is open. Free skate rentals on Fridays courtesy of Hannaford Supermarkets.

Full-service snack bar open Friday nights, weekends, and school holidays.

GE Theatre at Proctors, 432 State St., Schenectady, 10 a.m. & 7 p.m.

The African Children’s Choir embodies a powerful light of hope in the face of war and famine in Africa. This musically gifted, Grammy®-nominated group of singers has performed on American Idol, with Alicia Keys and for President George W. Bush. Their cause is just - putting all the funds that they earn toward education and further fundraising for the organization.

The primary goal of the Choir is to raise awareness of the need of destitute and orphaned children in Africa and to raise funds for continued development and support of the African Children’s Choir Programs. The Choir’s international educational endeavor provides unique training for the children. Once Choir members have completed a concert tour, they will return to their homelands with the tools necessary for bettering their future. Come listen to these inspirational children as they aspire to new heights. For more information or to get tickets visit www.proctors.org.

Christmas with the Cadets Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, 30 2nd St., Troy, 7:30 p.m.

The Cadets of La Salle Institute will be performing their annual Christmas Concert. The evening will include selections from the dedicated Middle School Band, the distinguished Symphonic Band, and the award winning Cadet Blues Jazz Ensemble and will include seasonal favorites, famous classics, and new renditions in a sophisticated performance, aptly performed by the students. Tickets are available the night of the show at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall Box Office $12 adults/ $5 children (age 12-5). For more information contact La Salle Institute at (518) 207-5878.

Christmas with the Rat Pack Main State Proctors, 432 State St., Schenectady, 8 p.m.

Raise some holiday spirits with Frank, Sammy and Dean as they sing, dance and unwrap all of your seasonal favorites. With a talented cast and 15-piece orchestra, take a trip back with I’ll Be Home for Christmas, Baby It’s Cold Outside, Silent Night and many more. Las Vegas glitzy, this sensationally staged production will bring the music and lives of these three legends together again.

For more information and other performances visit www. proctors.org.

Saturday, December 21 Santa Live on the Air Waves Santa will be live on the radio talking to local kids from 8-10 a.m. on 101.3 FM. Kids can call (518) 899-3000 to talk with Kris Kringle.

Winter Fest Breakfast with Santa American Legion, West Ave., Saratoga Springs, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Visit Santa at his temporary North Pole. Santa arrives by sleigh with presents for all the kids. Enjoy the breakfast buffet that includes juices, milk and coffee, fresh fruit, bagels with cream cheese, assorted muffins, eggs cooked to order, biscuits and gravy, hickory smoked bacon, breakfast sausage, home fries, and even a waffle station.

Bring your camera have your picture taken with Santa and his reindeer. Hot Cocoa provided for all to keep you warm and cozy. Hope to see you there. For more information call (518) 5872003 or (518) 526-9890.

Yoga in the Atrium Healthy Living Market, Wilton Mall, 8:30 – 9:30 a.m.

Join Meredith for a FREE hour of Good Morning Yoga, where you’ll experience a balancing flow to awaken your body. Greet your weekend with movement and leave radiant, refreshed, and glowing. Chase the class with a fresh juice or frosty smoothie for a truly spectacular Saturday.

This free class is great for beginners and more experienced students. Register on line at www.healthylivingmarket.com or call (518) 306-4900.

Saratoga Santa Comes to The Winery The Saratoga Winery, 462 Rt. 29 West, Saratoga Springs, 10 a.m.

– 2 p.m.

Bring the kids to get their picture with Santa. Cheese Boards & Wine Pairings are available all day. Complimentary cookies and cocoa for the kids.

For more information visit, www.TheSaratogaWinery.com.

Kids Close Up Comedy, Stunt and Magic Proctors, 432 State St., Schenectady, 11 a.m. Be amazed by three of the most prolific

Week of December 20 – December 26, 2013 entertainers in the CNY area.

Wacky Chad will dazzle your offspring with backflips, pogo sticks, upside down skateboard riding and juggling. Matt Richards will impress with magic, Hypnosis and general ridiculous hilarity. The emcee is Dan Frigolette, stand-up comedian and improv comedy teacher for children. This Saturday morning performance will mystify and entertain children and adults in one amazing show. Ideal for all ages. Cost is $10. For more information call (518) 346-6204.

2nd Annual Santacon Saratoga Springs Starting Point Putnam Den, Putnam St., Saratoga Springs, 2 p.m. Santacon is a convention for “Santas” of all walks to gather and have a great time while doing public good and spreading holiday cheer. For Santacon Saratoga Springs, all attendees are asked to dress up head to toe in a full Santa suit (or other holiday garb) and bring at least 2 non-perishable food items to donate to the local food bank at the Franklin Community Center. For more information visit our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/ events/1426072657611453/

Greater Schuylerville Youth Program Fort Hardy Park, Schuylerville, Wednesdays and Saturdays, 3:30 – 8:30 p.m. At this time activities are focused on gift making for the holidays.

Offerings will be expanded after the first of the year. The Greater Schuylerville Youth Program provides social, recreational, and educational activities on a year round basis.

Living Nativity with Animals Calvary United Methodist Church, 15 Ridge Place, Latham, 5 – 8 p.m. Calvary United Methodist Church will host a continuous 20 minute living nativity play, featuring Calvary’s King’s Kids and live animals.

This event is free of charge and handicapped accessible. For more information call (518) 7855142.

Last Minute Dash The Shirt Factory, 71 Lawrence St., Glens Falls, 5 – 8 p.m.

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We are open the last Saturday before Christmas for your holiday shopping needs. LARAC is also open

from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. as part of Last Minute Dash. Santa is visiting us from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Come and tell him what you want for Christmas. For more information visit www. shirtfactorygf.com.

“Light in the Darkness” Service First Presbyterian Church, 22 West High Street, Ballston Spa, 5 p.m. A service of comfort and hope during the longest nights of the year. Christmas can be a painful time. The constant, inescapable refrain about the happiness of the season reminds many people of what they have lost or have never had. Broken or lost relationships, employment and financial insecurity, poor health, depression--all of these can be more difficult as the nights lengthen and the cold intrudes. Recognizing that Christ came to comfort those who struggle with sadness and pain, First Presbyterian Church will host a community service of scripture, prayer, music and candle lighting to invite God’s Word to shine light into our darkness. Everyone, regardless of church background, or no religious affiliation, is welcome.

For more information, contact Rev. David Bennett, (518) 8855583 or visit the church website www.ballstonpresby.org.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Spa Little Theater, 19 Roosevelt Dr., Saratoga Springs, 1 & 4:30 p.m. Mr. Willy Wonka, the eccentric owner of the greatest chocolate factory in the world, has decided to open the doors of his factory to five lucky children and their parents.

In order to choose who will enter the factory, he devises a plan to hide five golden tickets beneath the wrappers of his famous chocolate bars. Come discover the true meaning of teamwork, self-confidence and self-esteem. The delicious fun of Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory awaits you. Tickets are $18 for adults and $12 for Children. For more information and additional performances visit, www. homemadetheater.org.

Sunday, December 22 Breakfast Buffet ITAM, 247 Grand Ave., Saratoga Springs, 8 – 11 a.m.

Now featuring made to order omelets and always featuring made to order eggs, bacon, ham,

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

Week of December 20 – December 26, 2013 sausage, hash, fruits, pancakes, French toast, juices, Danish and more. Adults $8, Seniors $7, kids under 5 free. For more information call (518) 584-1841.

Brunch with Santa Gideon Putnam Resort, Saratoga Spa State Park, 24 Gideon Putnam Rd, Saratoga Springs, 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.Entertain your friends, family or business colleagues with our delectable array of fine foods and culinary creations put forth by Chef Matt Barton and his creative Culinary Team. Enjoy our classic brunch favorites such as Eggs Benedict, Fruit Crepes, Smoked Seafood, Belgian Waffles, Bacon & Sausage, and our Local Artisan Cheese Displays.

Afterwards enjoy the sweeter side of things with hundreds of mini desserts to choose from, cakes, pies, tortes and fresh baked cookies. Children 5 and under free of charge. Reservations Recommended, please call (518) 226-4719.

The Sunday Club

Saratoga Springs Public Library, Noon – 3 p.m. This informal weekend club is for high-functioning teens on the Autism Spectrum to get together socially and play board games. For ASD teens who are selfsufficient. No registration necessary.

For more information, email michelleo@nycap.rr.com.

Drop and Shop Children’s Art Program The Hyde Collection, 161 Warren Street, Glens Falls, 12:30 – 4:30 p.m.

With the holiday season upon us and last minute shopping on everyone’s agenda. Bring your children, ages 6 – 12, to the museum to make art in the studio with a museum educator to guide them. Pre-registration is required and space is limited. The cost is $5 per hour per child. Lunch is not provided so feel free to pack a lunch.

To register or for more information contact the curator of education, June Leary at 518-792-1761, ext. 327 or jleary@hydecollection.org.

Seth and the Merry Melix

Saratoga Springs Public Library, H. Dutcher Community Room, 2 – 3:30

p.m. This winter break, come in out from the December air and join us for a winter wonderland celebration with Seth and the Moody Melix.

Complete with live music and warm treats (think cocoa and cookies), we hope to offer you and your family a joyous and merry time together as we appreciate the beauty and wonder of a new season. For more information and other events, visit www.sspl.org.

calendar pinecone reindeer ornament.

Free with Museum admission.

For more information call (518) 792-2773.

Thursday, December 26

Make a Gingerbread House

Saratoga Springs Public Library, Saratoga Springs Public Library, H. Dutcher Community Room, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. When the real Santa becomes unavailable, this dad reluctantly puts on Santa’s suit, only to find out there are new rules he has to follow. Along with them comes a trip to the North Pole, hot chocolate and a beard that won’t stop growing back. Join us for this humorous winter family movie. Rated PG. Call the children’s room for title information. (518) 584-7860, press 3.

Monday, December 23

Round Lake Library, Clark House 11 a.m. & Malta Branch 6 p.m. For teen and tweens, show your creativity.

Make a lovely holiday gingerbread house with candy and graham crackers. Registration is requested but not required. For more information call (518) 899-2285.

Special Silly Science Program: Live Furry Friends

How the Grinch Stole Christmas: Family Film Series

The Children’s Museum at Saratoga, 69 Caroline St., Saratoga Springs, 10:30 a.m. – Noon. Free admission for ages 3 and up. Stop in to learn about two very neat pets; a chinchilla and a guinea pig.

Meet Lola and Bella, and their caretakers Michelle and Felicia, to learn about these fun furry pets.

You can also enjoy all of the other fun activities that our program Silly Science has to offer. For more information call (518) 584-5540 or visit www.cmssny.org.

Storybook Lady World Awareness Children’s Museum, 89 Warren Street, Glens Falls, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Listen to the “Storybook Lady” tell a holiday story then play musical seats and make a holiday

Charles R. Wood Theater, 207 Glen St., Glens Falls, 2 p.m.

Enjoy the world of The Grinch and Dr. Seuss in this special deluxe edition. Included is a beautiful re-mastering of the original 1966 television special, as well as Horton Hears a Who and two bonus features. This is truly a package of holiday goodness. For more information visit www.woodtheater. org or call (518) 798-9663.

Tuesday, December 24 NO SCHEDULED EVENTS

Wednesday, December 25 MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Family Movie

Upcoming Town Meetings Town of Ballston: Ballston Town Hall 323 Charlton Road (518) 885-8502 www.townofballstonny.org 1/08: Zoning Board, 7:30 p.m.

Village of Ballston Spa: 66 Front Street (518) 885-5711 www.ballstonspany.org 12/23: Board of Trustees, 7:30 p.m.

CMOST Science Workshop

Town of Greenfield:

Children’s Museum of Science and Technology, 250 Jordan Rd, TroyCNSE Children’s Museum of Science and Technology will be hosting a series of Science workshops from December 26-30. On Thursday, December 26, the workshop will be The Science of a Snowflake. Join us as we explore what makes snowflakes so unique, see how crystals form and experiment with Nano science to see how snowflakes self-assemble.

Ages 5 and up, pre-registration is required, free for CNSE CMOST members, $2.00 for non-members plus admission to the museum. For more information call (518) 235-2120.

7 Wilton Road (518) 893-7432 www.townofgreenfield.com 12/24: Planning Board, 7 p.m.

Town of Malta: 2540 Route 9 (518) 899-2818 www.malta-town.org 1/06: PlanningBoard, 7 p.m.

Town of Milton: 503 Geyser Road (518) 885-9220 www.townofmiltonny.org 12/26: Zoning Board, 7 p.m.

City of Saratoga Springs: 474 Broadway (518) 587-3550 www.saratoga-springs.org 1/07: City Council, 7 p.m.

1/08: Planning Board, 7 p.m.

Town of Saratoga: 12 Spring Street, Schuylerville (518) 695-3644 www.townofsaratoga.com 1/13: Town Board, 7 p.m.

Village of Schuylerville: 35 Spring Street (518) 695-3881 www.villageofschuylerville.org 1/20: Planning Board, 6:30 p.m.

Town of Stillwater: 881 N. Hudson Avenue Stillwater, NY 12170 (518) 664-6148 www.stillwaterny.org 1/08: Board of Trustees, 7 p.m.

Town of Wilton:

Blood Drives December 24, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Temple Sinai, 509 Broadway Saratoga Springs December 26, 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Saratoga Wilton Elks Club 1 Elk Lane, Saratoga Springs

27

22 Traver Road (518) 587-1939 www.townofwilton.com 12/26: Zoning Board, 6:30 p.m.

Saratoga County Board of Supervisors: 40 McMaster St, #1 Ballston Spa, NY 12020 (518) 885-2240 www.saratogacountyny.gov

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

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Week of December 20 – December 26, 2013

week of 12/20-12/24 friday, 12/20:

saturday, 12/13:

Rick Rosoff Quartet, 9 pm

Dj Vinyl Tap, 9 pm

Bob Pulsifer, 9 pm

Dj Dingz, 10 pm

The Schmooze, 9 pm

Twisted, 10:30 pm

@ 9 Maple Avenue - 583.2582 @ Bailey’s - 583.6060

@ Bentley’s - 899.4300

Holiday Folk Show, 8 pm @ Caffè Lena - 583.0022

Headwall, 10 pm

@ Caroline St. Pub - 583.9400

Jeff Walton + Rick Bolton, 5 pm Woodstone, 9 pm @ Gaffney’s - 583.7359

Justin Joyner, 8:30 pm @ Irish Times - 583.0003

Crispy Critters/Funk Evolution, 10:30 pm @ JP Bruno’s - 745.1180

Jeff Strange, 9 pm @ The Mill - 899.5253

Mckrells’ Christmas Show, 8 pm @ The Parting Glass - 583.1916

Larry Hooker, 6:30 pm @ Primelive Ultra Lounge - 583.4563

@ Irish Times - 583.0003

@ Saratoga City Tavern - 581.3230 @ JP Bruno’s - 745.1180

Crossfire, 9 pm @ The Mill - 899.5253

McKrells Christmas Show, 8 pm @ The Parting Glass - 583.1916

Dan Sherwin, 6:30 pm @ Primelive Ultra Lounge - 583.4563

The Figgs/Charlie Watts Riots, 9 pm @ Putnam Den - 584.8066

Karaoke, 9:30 pm @ The Rusty Nail - 371.9875

sunday, 12/22: Jewmongous, 7 pm @ Caffè Lena - 583.0022

McKrells Christmas Show, 7 pm @ The Parting Glass - 583.1916

Lucid w/Thirteen Four, 9 pm

monday, 12/23:

Mikki Bakken, 8 pm

Chris Carey/Tim Wechgelaer, 7 pm

Sean Lyons, 8:30 pm @ The Rusty Nail - 371.9875

tuesday, 12/24:

Rich Ortiz, 6 pm

Rich Ortiz, 10 pm

@ The Saratoga Winery - 584.9463

@ Caroline St. Pub - 583.9400

The Audiostars, 8 pm

Jeff Brisbin, 7 pm

@ Vapor - 792.8282

@ Maestros - 580.0312

Jeff Brisbin, 7 pm

Open Mic w/Rick Bolton, 9 pm

@ Putnam Den - 584.8066 @ Ravenswood - 371.8771

@ Maestros - 580.0312

@ One Caroline - 587.2026

@ Gaffney’s - 583.7359

saturday, 12/13: Arch Stanton Quartet, 9 pm @ 9 Maple Avenue - 583.2582

Vontus, 9 pm @ Bailey’s - 583.6060

Sugar Pill, 9 pm @ Bentley’s - 899.4300

Nouveau Jazz Beat, 7 pm @Circus Cafe - 583.1106

Holiday Folk Show, 8 pm @ Caffè Lena - 583.0022

Chuck Kelsey, 8:30 pm @ Ravenswood - 371.8771

Rich Ortiz, 9 pm @ Gaffney’s - 583.7359

Jeff + Rick. Saratoga’s Happiest Hour. This Friday at Gaffneys.

Week of December 20 – December 26, 2013

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Rock Your Holiday!

The Figgs, Charlie Watts Riots at Putnam Den

by Chelsea DiSchiano For Saratoga TODAY SARATOGA SPRINGS — By this point in the holiday season, it is easy to become slightly weary of Christmas music after hearing it on the radio, in stores, in shopping malls, in restaurants and any other public place looking to spread holiday cheer.

Those who are looking for a different way to celebrate the holiday season have the opportunity to do so this Saturday, December 21 at the Putnam Den in Saratoga Springs, where native band members of The Figgs and opening band The Charlie Watts Riots will be playing both original and Christmasthemed tunes.

With music reminiscent of Weezer’s early days, the promising Charlie Watts Riots will be opening up the stage at 9 p.m. (doors at 8 p.m.) with plenty to offer, including their brand new Christmas single “The Christmas Fit,” an upbeat rock track which comically depicts the band’s struggle to write a holiday song, claiming “There ain’t no Christmas songs left for us to play.”

“There’s surprisingly little Christmas rock,” says Seth Powell,

the Charlie Watts Riots’ singer-guitarist. “You’ve got The Figgs covering the Kinks’ ‘Father Christmas’ and Springsteen’s ‘Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.’ After that, what’s left—Mannheim Steamroller?”

In addition to debuting their first-ever Christmas song, the Riots will be playing music from their newly released album, “A Break In The Weather,” the band’s follow up to its 2010 debut album “Long Story Short” which received praise and plenty of play from independent radio stations. Charlie Watts Riots are known for their energetic, rambunctious live shows which bring to life their guitar-pop sound.

Following the Charlie Watts Riots are the main event, The Figgs, who have more to celebrate than just the holidays: band members Mike Gent, Pete Donnelly and Pete Hayes, who met while students at Saratoga Springs High School, are this year celebrating their 25th year of playing music together as The Figgs with the release of “1,000 People Grinning: The Figgs Anthology.”

The Anthology celebrates the band’s 25 years of touring and recording fittingly, as it includes 25 time-tested tracks inspired by bands such as the Kinks, The Beatles, The

Band, The Who and more. Over the past two and a half decades, The Figgs have quietly offered their music to a worldwide fan base who value the band’s power rock sound, sonic experimentation and youthful elements, even as the years have come and gone.

The Figgs are also known for their work and tour dates with renowned singer/songwriter Graham Parker, who came across the band after they signed to Capitol Records (which released 1996’s “Banda Macho”), recruiting the band to back him on tour. A 1997 double-album live release on “Razor & Tie, The Last Rock N Roll Tour” was the fruit of that initial tour, but the band has continued to work with the iconic Parker, including recently in his 2010 live DVD titled “Graham Parker & the Figgs: Live at the FTC.” The Figgs are also prepared to celebrate the holidays at the Putnam Den with their cover of the Kinks’ “Father Christmas” and other holiday tunes. So if you’re getting cabin fever from this week’s snowfall, head out to Putnam Den on the 21st for two

The Figgs

sets of rock that will get you in the groove at the peak of the holiday season. Doors open at 8 p.m.,

Charlie Watts Riots spark up the show at 9 p.m. The show is $15 for 18+ and $10 for 21 and up.

The Figgs & Charlie Watts Riots

Saturday, December 21 – Doors 8 p.m.

Putnam Den, 63A Putnam Street Saratoga Springs $15 for 18+ / $10 for 21 and up 518.583.8066 putnamden.com

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Week of December 20 – December 26, 2013

Holiday Special: SPAC Hall Of Springs Box Office Open This Saturday Only

Bolshoi Ballet

Enter To Win Dinner for Two With Any Box Office Purchase SARATOGA SPRINGS -­For the first time ever, Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) will open its Hall of Springs Box Office on Saturday, December 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to allow holiday shoppers to purchase SPAC gift certificates, memberships, seat plaques, Live Nation tickets and tickets to SPAC’s 2014 Bolshoi Ballet engagement.

This special one-day-only opening of the box office on Saturday, December 21 is in addition to SPAC’s online sales at spac.org.

Since tickets to the Bolshoi Ballet’s Don Quixote became available earlier this month, tickets have been selling at an incredible rate.

More information on SPAC ticket and gift opportunities for

the holidays is also available at spac.org or by calling (518) 584-9330.

The SPAC box office will also be accepting entries for a drawing to win a dinner for two at the Hall of Springs before a 2014 classical performance.

No purchase is necessary to enter the drawing which will take place on Monday , December 23.

A Christmas Carol From Saratoga Children’s Theatre Photos by MarkBolles.com

Week of December 20 – December 26, 2013

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31

With A Band Like This... You Know You Should Be Glad!

Photos by MarkBolles.com

Hey Jude...

The Tribute

by Arthur Gonick Saratoga TODAY

City Center Main Hall Shows at 6, 8 and 10 p.m. facebook.com/heyjudethetrib saratoga-arts.org

gh

As someone who programmed original music in this town for over a decade, let me say that I always advised a songwriter to include a stylized cover tune in their set to show perspective.

However, when it comes to iconic Beatles music, often the best ‘stylization’ is to remain as true to the original as possible. In that context, Hey Jude…

The Tribute hits a bulls-eye for authenticity.

li

And so, an advance preview of songs that have been picked for your pleasure include: She Loves You I Saw Her Standing There All My Loving This Boy A Hard Days Night Ticket To Ride I’m Happy Just To Dance With You Act Naturally Yesterday Imagine Hey Jude

t

Clockwise from top left: Tom Raider, Rick Bedrosian, Don Ackerman, Brad Jarvis.

Sp ot

SARATOGA SPRINGS— Professional, accomplished musicians with original songwriting credits playing the music they grew up loving – just like you did, eight days a week- whether you are eight or eighty. That’s pretty much what Hey Jude…The Tribute brings to the table in a nutshell.

The Beatles released some of this music over 50 years ago its intrinsic cross-generational appeal may be enough to get you considered for a prime venue at First Night Saratoga, but to make it onto the main stage in the big room, you’ve got to have the goods in all respects.

And so, after only about a halfyear performing as this incantation of the Fab Four, Hey Jude will be sharing the Ed Sullivan-like City Center Main Hall, trading sets with the mighty, mighty Soul Session (see our story next week.)

“Our goal is to play some of The Beatles music from all of their various stages but our favorite Beatles music is their early stuff, circa 19621966,” said Rick Bedrosian, affectionately known as “George” in this case. “That’s what we play the most.

The early Beatles music tends to be the most fun for the audience too.”

32

Week of December 20 – December 26, 2013

Calling All Mittens Take a look at this week’s newest club members!

Brock

Sydney

Ellie

Dylan

Tooth Fairy Club is sponsored by:

Nicole M. Byrne, D.M.D Pediatric Dentistry 659 Saratoga Road Gansevoort, New York 12831 (518) 226-6010

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center is sponsoring its annual “Happy Hands Mitten Tree” program through December 31.

Donations can be placed on the Happy Hands Mitten Tree in the Visitor Center at 297 Broadway Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Any warm gear is greatly appreciated— scarves, gloves, hats, muffs—anything to keep away the chill of winter.

Individuals, organizations and youth groups are invited to contribute mittens or gloves to the tree.

Items can be purchased or handmade, and all sizes, colors and styles are welcome.

Those in need of warm gear are invited to come into the Visitor Center during the holiday season through the month of December. All remaining items will be donated to local charities for distribution throughout the winter months.

In Saratoga Springs, mittens and gloves are essential to winter comfort, but there are many children and adults who do not have anything warm for their hands.

For people who are looking for a way to share during the holiday season, adding a pair of mittens to the “Happy Hands Tree” is a small way to make a big impact in someone’s life: Warm hands are happy hands!

Last year over 200 items

were collected.

For more information on the Happy Hands Mitten Tree,

sponsored by the Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center, call (518) 587-3241.

Week of December 20 – December 26, 2013

NEWS

33

34 It’s where NEED to be.

YOU

Publication Day: Friday

Ad Copy Due: Wednesday, noon

Space Reservation Due: Monday, 5 p.m.

HELP WANTED

Week of December 20 – December 26, 2013

Classified marketplace classified@saratogapublishing.com

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Donate your car to Wheels For Wishes, benefiting Make‐A‐Wish. We offer free towing and your donation is 100% tax deductible.

Call (518) 650‐1110 Today!

HAS YOUR BUILDING SHIFTED OR SETTLED? Contact Woodford Brothers Inc, for straightening, leveling, foundation and wood frame repairs at (800) OLD-BARN. www.woodfordbros.com.

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(772) 581‐0080, www.beach‐cove.com.

Limited seasonal rentals.

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Week of December 20 – December 26, 2013

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35

36

SPORTS

Week of December 20 – December 26, 2013

Blue Streaks Tie Plainsmen in Season’s First Matchup CLIFTON PARK — The Saratoga Springs ice hockey team held a 2-0 lead in Wednesday night’s capacity crowd game at the Clifton Park Arena, but they could not hold it.

Shenendehowa (1-0-1 Capital District High School Hockey League, 2-2-1 overall) came back and eventually took a 3-2 lead in the third period before Elliot Hungerford’s heroics with 1:32 left in regulation.

Hungerford tied the game at three on an extended power play after a checking penalty at the 4:34 mark. It was the second time Saratoga Springs (2-0-1, 3-1-1) capitalized on a man advantage and the last time a goal was scored in the game, which ended in a 3-3 tie.

After being shut out in every game against the Blue Streaks last season, the Plainsmen made their run with three unanswered goals, ending in the third period with 12:20 left when Shen’s Cameron Kuhl found the back of the net.

The two teams are scheduled to meet again at the Weibel Ave Ice Rink on February 5. They have played each other in the Section II final for the last three years.

(l-r) Elliot Hungerford and Jake Fauler had a goal and an assist, respectively, in Wednesday’s 3-3 tie against Shenendehowa. Photo by MarkBolles.com

Spa Catholic Continues To Bring Pressure, Force Turnovers

by Brian Cremo Saratoga TODAY SARATOGA SPRINGS — The No. 7 state ranked Saints are marching.

Saratoga Central Catholic won its third straight Western Athletic Conference road game on Wednesday against Fort Plain to improve to 4-0 in the league and 6-0 overall.

Aside from the WAC, the Class C Saints have beaten Class A South Glens Falls and Class B Schuylerville.

“It’s real impressive to win in these different environments,” said Saints head coach Ken Mantia.

“Northville had been coming off a big win. To come in there and win and then Canajoharie is a big rivalry game.

We had a lot of foul trouble and we showed maturity to pull that game out.

And [Wednesday], Fort Plain is probably our main rival. They always play tough there. The kids showed a lot of composure in the second half.”

After taking a one-point lead into halftime, the Saints came out in the third quarter against Fort Plain with a 7-0 run, outscoring the Hilltoppers (1-3 WAC, 2-4 overall) 13-5 in the quarter and never looking back.

Led by senior guard Luke

Spicer’s 14 points, six rebounds and seven steals, as well as senior forward Michael Naughton’s 12 rebounds, the Saints pulled away with the 56-47 victory that keeps the team undefeated heading into tonight’s home game against Oppenhein-Ephratah/St. Johnsville (1-2, 3-3).

“We feel like we’ve really earned the home game and we’re looking forward to having our crowd supporting us,” Spicer said.

“It’s a quick turnaround,” added Mantia. “We just have one practice and then play right away, which is tough the way the schedule is set up, but they’re (St. Johnsville) in the same boat. I know they have a tremendous point guard and a very strong forward who hit six threes the other night— Dylan Klock. You have to stay with him. We expect to come out and really play our ‘A’ game leading into our Christmas tournament, so we’re going to throw it all out on the floor.”

Klock is averaging 17.6 points per game. He cashed in 28 points against a struggling Galway team when he hit the six threes. The sophomore has cashed in 20 shots from beyond the arc this season. St. Johnsville’s guard Johnny Viccarelli started the

season with a 27-point effort against Schoharie and is also a three-point threat.

Viccarelli will be one of the players the Saints will be looking to pressure. Just as they have all season, Spa Catholic has shown a consistent fullcourt press throughout games and that’s not something Mantia sees changing.

“I think we’re deep enough where we can press pretty much the entire game and it wears down the other team’s ball handler,” Mantia said. “I think you saw that the last couple games. Dillan Veeder for Canajoharie is outstanding, the point guard for Fort Plain is very good, but they got very tired as the game wore on and that’s really our game.”

“We want to force the guards into pressure and make them make the mistakes,” Spicer said.

Arguably the biggest piece of the puzzle for this year’s Saints team has been sophomore Evan Pescetti, a transfer, who goes into tonight leading Spa Catholic with 12.6 points per game. But scoring hasn’t been his only threat. Versatile at 6-foot-3, Pescetti likes to work in the paint and provides yet another active presence on the

defensive end.

“Evan is awesome,” Spicer said.

“He’s huge on the boards for us and he’s very physical inside. We just need that scrappy player who brings the spark and he’s been able to do that for us.”

Offensively, the Saints have been at their best when sharing the ball has resulted in getting it inside.

“If we are patient in the halfcourt offense and look to utilize our inside people, with Evan Pescetti and Michael Naughton, the guards can play off of that,” Mantia said.

“But it’s really important that we establish getting to the inside and then working it out.

Being listed at No. 7 in Class C by the New York State Sportwriters Association comes a year after the Saints struggled to find wins in the beginning of the season.

It has been no coincidence that this year’s team chemistry is much improved.

“I think this year, obviously we have different guys, we’re playing more as a team,” Spicer said. “I think that we have good team chemistry and we’re playing hard. We’re taking practice real seriously too and we’re really bringing it. Hopefully we can stay undefeated. I’ve heard [St. Johnsville] has some pretty good shooters, so we have to respect them and not take anything for granted.”

Spa Catholic guard Brian Hall is second on the team in scoring and has been a consistent defensive presence in the top of the Saints’ 2-3 zone this season.

Last Wednesday, against Fort Plain, Hall and teammate Luke Spicer had 11 combined steals. Photo by MarkBolles. com

Week of December 20 – December 26, 2013

SPORTS

Community Sports Bulletin Basketball Teams Working On Off-Court Assists Empire State Plaza Ice Rink SARATOGA SPRINGS — Tony Devizzio’s Saratoga Springs freshman team and St. Mary’s CYO team have been working on their assists both on and off the court.

Both teams have donated to local food pantries on Thanksgiving and have participated in the Give a Child a Christmas to help raise money for Nick Rychick, a local child battling cancer.

Officially Open for 2013-14 Winter Season

Each Friday to feature free skate rentals courtesy of Hannaford Supermarkets

ALBANY — The official grand opening of the Empire State Plaza Ice Rink was last Friday, December 13. Each Friday from here on out will feature free skate rentals courtesy of Hannaford Supermarkets.

The rink will be open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week and skating is always free. Lockers and skate rental are now located on the Plaza level adjacent to the rink. Friday evenings will also feature family-friendly entertainment, including live music.

BlueShield of Northeastern New York will once again sponsor Front (l-r): Jeffrey Matthews, Christian McCarthy, Nick Winslow, Dante Marin, Jack Rath and Chris Kolodziejski. Back (l-r): a series of Learn-to-Skate clinics James Devizzio, Coach Tony Devizzio, Brett Burns and Anthony Devizzio; Missing: Jared Denisulk and Tyler Parlipiano.

Photo provided.

Saratoga Resident Earns Associate Degree in Golf Complex Operations and Management MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — John McGinn of Saratoga Springs joined 97 fellow students from the Golf Academy of America in Myrtle Beach to earn an associate degree in Golf Complex Operations and Management during graduation ceremonies on December 13.

“These students put in a lot of hard work and all of them are now well prepared to step into golf career opportunities anywhere in the country,” said Jim Hart, president and campus director of the

Send your sports stories or briefs to Brian Cremo, Sports Editor at brian@saratoga publishing.com

Myrtle Beach Golf Academy of America. “Our students are some of the best trained and most knowledgeable golf career professionals in the industry. When they leave Golf Academy of America, they are recognized as the future golf professionals who will lead this industry.”

The GAA is the largest and longest-running two-year golf career college in the world and prepares graduates for a wide array of golf career opportunities in the $76 billion a year industry.

Golf Academy of America is an accredited golf course management school offering a comprehensive curriculum of golf instruction and business management. The 16-month program balances classroom studies, practical experience and a comprehensive understanding of both the game and the business of golf.

For more information about Golf Academy of America, go to www.GolfAcademy.edu, or call (800) 342-7342.

Puzzle solutions from pg. 23

throughout the season.

After being closed for several years, the rink reopened under Governor Cuomo in December 2011.

The rink was closed for several years and was reopened under Governor Cuomo in December 2011. The ice rink originally opened on December 17, 1976, when the Office of General Services held the first holiday festival at the Empire State Plaza. The three-day event drew more than 60,000 people to see the lighting of the tree, fireworks, and rink dedication.

Rink Events: • Hannaford Supermarkets Free Skate Rental Fridays – No charge for skates from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., every Friday • December 20, 6–8 p.m. — Holiday Rock and Skate and Rob Skane 3.

• December 28, 9–11a.m. — Learn-to-Skate Clinic presented by BlueShield of Northeastern New York. Visit ogs.ny.gov to register.

• Saturday, January 25, 9–11a.m. — Learn-to-Skate Clinic • February 14, 6–8 p.m. — Valentine’s Day Rock and Skate.

• Saturday, February 22, 9–11 a.m. — Learn-to-Skate Clinic • Saturday, March 8, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. — Hannaford Kidz Expo, on the concourse.

General Rink Information: • Hours: Every day from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., weather dependent. Closed Christmas Day. • Cost to Skate: Free • Skate Rental: $3 for children under 12 and $4 for adults. Skate rentals will be available whenever the rink is open. Free skate rentals on Fridays courtesy of Hannaford Supermarkets.

• Amenities: Full-service snack bar open Friday nights, weekends, and school holidays; skate lounge with lockers for personal items now located at the Plaza level; and music.

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SPORTS

Week of December 20 – December 26, 2013

Parents, Be Aware Of Your Actions

by Damian Fantauzzi for Saratoga TODAY I have witnessed on many different occasions how parents react to teams and games where their children are participants. Don’t misunderstand me. I feel the majority of parents are involved in a good way.

But there are some parents who just can’t control their temperament. It can get really ugly and this has been an issue for many of us who are on the other side of the floor, the coaches and referees.

Some situations have given the word disrespect a whole new meaning. Actually, this is my second article on this subject, and it just doesn’t go away.

Let me dissect the problem.

First: Whose game is it anyway? The kids, of course, but when some moms and dads are watching a game, they only see one player,

their own child.

Yelling has become the sound of parental frustration.

Yelling at the refs, the coaches, even team players, and not necessarily opponents, but sometimes teammates. I feel this scenario has become an epidemic in youth sports, one that might seem to have no solution. The expression of “the adult in the room” has possibly lost its true meaning.

It has been brought to my attention that there are some basketball youth leagues that use older kids for officials. I was informed that it really gets ugly because of the disrespect demonstrated by the adults toward the youngsters who are refereeing the game.

Understand that many of these young refs don’t receive any monetary stipend. In fact, these programs are for youth participation and their enjoyment. What is being created is a scenario of dread.

“Oh, we’re playing so and so’s team and they have those unruly parents who can’t control their emotions and are constantly screaming at the refs and coaches.”

Visitors, parents, and adults who are lacking in restraint and discipline have become an offensive group exhibiting behavior not to be emulated by children.

A little more dissecting, if I may? There are those parents who get on their own child’s

performance during and after a game. This brings ugly to a whole new level of being reprehensible. I have heard stories from kids who talk about the ride home after a game and being bombarded with parental critique for having had a poor game. I have witnessed finger pointing and yelling result in embarrassment for the youngster, from parents who are disillusioned by their kid’s possible future of stardom.

Some of the worst situations that I have observed were by moms or dads who have never had any success as an athlete, or even played sports.

There have been situations when adults go after each other with reckless behavior. In recent years, there have been some cases of reckless brutality of parents against parents, coaches, referees and opponents. In some isolated instances, murder has been a result of a brutal fight. In the world of sports, there probably isn’t anything more heart wrenching than witnessing a fight over a game, a game where adults have no control over the outcome.

Why does this exhibition of anger, aggression and rudeness happen? There’s probably a long list of reasons. But whatever is on that list, there is no justification for the disrespect that’s manifested by unruly adults.

It may result in the young

athlete not wanting to play any more. Even if they do play, the fun and idea of playing sports for all of the good reasons of being involved have vanished into a seemingly reluctant participation, or no involvement at all.

My last thought here is that if you, as a parent, are totally involved in your child’s pursuit of playing sports, let them experience the fun and try to encourage him or her, without negative feedback. Help them out in a positive

way, and if you volunteer as a coach, know something about the game, especially for their sake. Try Googling rules and the technique of the sport. Allow them to have fun and enjoy playing with friends, meeting new people and being on a team.

Encourage and support the experience, so they might want to continue their journey. And finally, savor your child’s games by cheering her on and watching them have fun.

Saratoga TODAY'S Star Athletes Aldin Medunjanin

Photo Courtesy of Skidmore Athletics

Molly McLaughlin

Skidmore • Sophomore • Guard

Skidmore • Junior • Guard

Aldin Medunjanin earned Liberty League Performer of the Week honors for the second straight time after his doubledouble performance in a 61-59 win on the road against Ithaca.

The 6-foot-4-inch super sophomore capped off his 24 point, 10 rebound game with what ended up being the game-winning shot from beyond the arc with 11 seconds remaining.

He is first in the conference with 5.8 assists per game and sixth in scoring with 19 points per game. He’s also second in the Liberty League with a 1.6 assist-toturnover ratio and sixth in field goal percentage (.500), as he has helped lead the Thoroughbred’s to a 4-2 record heading into the holiday break.

Next up for Medunjanin and the Thoroughbreds: A trip to Orlando for the Land of Magic Classic, Sunday, December 29-30.

Molly McLaughlin has earned Liberty League attention, being named to the women’s basketball weekly Honor Roll for her double-double performance against the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.

During the Thoroughbreds’ 75-42 win, McLaughlin had a game-high 15 points to go along with 12 assists, four rebounds and three steals. Her 2.5 assist-to-turnover ratio is tops in the Liberty League, while her 5.3 assists per game are good for second.

McLaughlin is also second in minutes played per game (38.3) in the conference.

McLaughlin and the 3-4 Thoroughbreds pick up their games again on Sunday, December 29 at Salem State University in Massachusetts for the Salem State Tournament. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. against the host Vikings before the next round of games pick up the following day.

Photo courtesy of Skidmore Athletics

Week of December 20 – December 26, 2013

SPORTS

39

McDonnell Takes UNH New Saratoga Springs Dance Team to First FCS Semifinal Season Underway

by Brian Cremo Saratoga TODAY

DURNHAM, N.H. — After making seven FCS quarterfinal appearances in the last 10 years, the University of New Hampshire football program and head coach Sean McDonnell are headed to the semifinals for the first time.

McDonnell, who was part of the St. Peter’s (now Saratoga Central Catholic) 1973 Class B state championship basketball team, credited the resiliency of a team that started off 1-3.

“It’s a product of a lot of hard work and a lot of people in this football program, not just coaches and players,” McDonnell said.

“We’ve been on the threshold for a long time. This year, this group is very resilient. We’ve found ways to win football games. It’s just a credit to these kids that they’ve stuck with it and stayed the course and put themselves in the position that they’re in.”

Despite starting the season 1-3, the Wildcats are now 10-4 heading into tonight’s matchup against top seeded North Dakota State University.

“You’re talking about the twotime defending national champion that we’re playing,” McDonnell said.

“Our work is cut out for us, but that being said, this team has been so resilient. It’s just another opportunity for them to create a great story again. Our kids are looking forward to it. We’ve practiced well the last few days. We’re looking forward to going out and playing on national TV and giving ourselves a shot at being one of the last two teams left. We’re still standing, so that’s a good sign.”

To get past the quarterfinal hump, the No. 15-ranked Wildcats took a 20-17 victory over No. 7 Southeastern Louisiana, who came into the matchup on a 10-game win streak, on Saturday, December 14.

Sean McDonnell. Photo by Gil Talbot.

At the end of the game, UNH completed an 80-yard drive, which included a crucial fourth down conversion despite being in field goal range, capped off by quarterback Sean Goldrich’s two-yard touchdown run.

“We’ve been in that situation before,” McDonnell said. “We were behind to Villanova with a minute and 30 left and we scored a touchdown and went for a two-point conversion to win the game (29-28, October 19).”

The Wildcats have now won six games in a row.

McDonnell has been the head coach at UNH for 15 seasons and has been with the team since 1991.

After his high school days at St. Peter’s, he also played football for UNH. The man who Saratoga Central Catholic Athletic Director Phonsey Lambert referred to as “one of the best athletes to come out of this area” also was the quarterback of the St. Peter’s football team and a catcher in baseball.

McDonnell said what he learned from his coaches at St. Peter’s in the 1970s has paid dividends in coaching career.

“Joe King turned the whole football program around here,” McDonnell said. “ He took us from a 1-8 team to a 7-1 team— just talking a lot more about competing, working hard and doing the right things as a football player. I was blessed to have a guy like Bill Dalrymple (basketball) who taught me an awful lot of lessons on how to enjoy the game.

Those two guys had a big influence on my life as a player, but more importantly as a coach.”

As a point guard on the 1973 state championship team, McDonnell played with Mike McDermott, who eventually was a co-captain his senior year at Georgetown.

Front (l-r): Samantha Paige, Ashleigh Waters, Sabrina Knott (Co-Captain). Back (l-r): Alicia Brantigan (Captain), Maddy Spain, Kristen Duscher. Photo by Deborah Neary.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The first ever Saratoga High School Dance Team began their season December 13 at halftime

of the girls’ varsity basketball game.

The first of five scheduled performances at home basketball

games for the small team will most likely expand to include football games and local competition in the future.

40

See Damian Fantauzzi’s Column About Overbearing Parent Attitudes In Youth Sports pg. 38

SPORTS

SPORTS

Week of December 20 – December 26, 2013

See Hockey pg. 36

No. 7 Ranked Saints Off To Hot Start

See Basketball pg. 36 (l-r) Jake VanPatten, Keegan Murphy and Ryan Czarnecki have helped Saratoga Central Catholic basketball to an undefeated 6-0 record heading into tonight’s home game against St. Johnsville. The Saints took a third straight road win in the Western Athletic Conference, Wednesday, December 18 against Fort Plain. Photos by MarkBolles.com.