Saratoga TODAY July 29-August 4, 2022 by Saratoga TODAY

LOCAL • INDEPENDENT • FREE Volume 16

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Issue 30

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July 29 – August 4, 2022

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saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

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518- 581-2480

From Parking Lot...To Pocket Park

BEFORE

AFTER

City redesign plan for repurposing a current lot into a park with amphitheater. The current view captured from the upper level of the City Center parking garage on July 26, 2022, depicts the paved parcel targeted for re-use as a park, and in the distance a second paved lot filled with parked cars that borders Lake Ave. Photo by Thomas Dimopoulos. See Story pg. 9

History

SARATOGA

Those Carefree Days When Ballston Was A Spa

Aggressive Panhandlers

BEWARE

by Thomas Dimopoulos Saratoga TODAY

The Sans Souci Hotel about 1875. Photo provided by The Saratoga County History Roundtable. See Story pg. 2

SARATOGA SPRINGS — In an effort to help curb “aggressive” panhandling in Saratoga Springs, the City Council this week is expected to stage a public dialogue session regarding a proposed measure to prohibit “aggressive solicitation.” The purpose of the measure is to protect people from

threatening, intimidating or harassing behavior by persons soliciting money or other valuables in public places, according to a draft copy of the proposed ordinance. A public hearing is anticipated to take place in advance of the 7 p.m. start of the council’s Tuesday, Aug. 2 meeting at City Hall. A vote on the measure could also potentially take place later that same night, although the council See Story pg. 10

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History

HISTORY OF

SARATOGA

Those Carefree Days When Ballston Was A Spa

by Sam McKenzie | Sponsored by The Saratoga County History Roundtable Contact: saratogacohistoryroundtable@gmail.com

In the more than two hundred years of its existence, the historic village of Ballston Spa has possessed one building which achieved national, perhaps even world-wide, renown. I refer, of course, to the Sans Souci Hotel, which graced the east end of Front Street near Milton Avenue for some 84 years in the 19th century. To more precisely orient the modern reader, while you are enjoying your favorite beverage in a wellknown Ballston tea shop, which is exactly opposite the north end of Low Steet, you are sharing the space previously occupied by the main lobby of the Sans Souci Hotel and metaphorically rubbing shoulders with the likes of Joseph Bonaparte, ex- king of Spain and brother of Napoleon. It is Nicholas Low, owner of the tract which became Ballston Spa, and a man who knew how to think big, to whom must be given the credit for guiding and financing the project which breathed life into the idea of this village becoming a successful resort. He was advised that the best way to profit from his holdings was to attract visitors to the mineral spring located at the southwestern edge of his property. So Low first built in 1792 a lodging house and a bathing facility hard by the original spring and just opposite the hotel which later became Brookside. Very soon, more springs were discovered to the east of the original one, in the valley of Gordon’s Creek, an area known as the Flats. From the initial steps to capitalize upon these new resources came the idea of a larger hotel located on high ground slightly to the east of the Flats. It is said that the name comes from the 18th century royal palace called the Sanssouci (meaning carefree) in Potsdam, Germany. Another common assertion is that the design of the building was copied from either the Potsdam palace or from the more famous Palace of Versailles in France. There is no evidence that either of the latter is true.

Week of July 29 – August 4, 2022 However, the source of the building plans seems indeed to have been Europe, acquired somehow by that famous reprobate Gouverneur Morris and possibly conveyed to America by his servant, a native of Germany, Martin Bromeling, who was to play an important part in the project. Construction of the hotel started in the summer of 1803 with Martin Bromeling being paid $1500 to be the superintendent of the work for the period through 1805. Andre Berger, an immigrant from France, and said to be a protégé of Low, also was involved. Berger would be the hotel manager on startup. Captain James Hawkins, who owned a local carpentry firm, did the bulk of the construction of the all-wood building. The hotel had a frontage of 160 feet facing east-west along Front Street and was three stories high (see the photograph of the hotel ca 1875). At each end were wings about 150 feet in length also three stories in height facing to the north. This gave the hotel almost an E shaped footprint (see the Sanborn map of 1887). Initially the hotel’s capacity was said to be 150 guests, but later on 300 was the advertised figure. Ancillary buildings included a workshop, and woodshed and, across Washington Street, a bathhouse, ice house, wash house, coach house and stables. Other work involved canalizing Gordon’s Creek to reduce flooding of the Flats, and constructing a conduit known as the “Waterworks” to supply water from a reservoir further uphill around the area of the current High Street. One of the lasting features of the hotel was added early in the construction when 30 young trees were planted. Furniture installed included 526 chairs, 139 beds and 50 tables. The hotel was ready to receive its first guests in the summer of 1805. Andre Berger was the manager, or boniface, the 19th Century term for his job. Original documents disclose that the total project cost to Low was $43,000 and that James Hawkins’ company took home $26,300 (61%) of this sum. (I asked an expert if Hawkins did good work for that impressive pay. It turns out that at best it might be judged inconsistent. – something to do with the doors not opening correctly at the “Grand Opening”!) The hotel did very well during Nicholas Low’s ownership, which

The Sans Souci Hotel about 1875. Photo provided by The Saratoga County History Roundtable.

lasted through the 1822 season. Andre Berger seems to have been manager for that entire period. But in early 1823 Low sold the hotel and all his Ballston Spa property to Harvey Loomis. Loomis held on to the hotel for about ten years but thereafter the ownership changed frequently, because of competition from the rising power of Saratoga Springs and the failure of the original springs at Ballston Spa. In 1849, for the first time the Sans Souci was out of the hotel business and converted into a Law School. This sabbatical lasted till 1853. In 1863 the hotel was converted into a “ladies seminary” but returned to hotel work in 1868, partly because new mineral springs were being developed again in Ballston Spa by the deep drilling technique. Indeed, the Sans Souci Hotel in 1870 activated its own “spouter” by drilling in the rear of the building, directly behind the main lobby. Nevertheless, time was running out for the venerable institution. The hotel closed permanently in 1883 and was sold to Eugene F. O’Connor in 1887. He was intent on developing the hotel lot for an opera house and retail space, so he had the hotel demolished in the winter of 1887-88. But in an important sense it lives on still in the form of its spring. The spring operated as a retail outlet of potable mineral water until 1967. Later, the water was piped to a free drinking fountain at Wiswall Park until a few years ago. The spring water is still available at the Medbury Spa on Front Street. Sam McKenzie received a PhD in Chemistry from St. Andrews in Scotland, then worked in the petrochemical industry for 33 years. Since 2015 he has been a volunteer researcher for Brookside Museum. His research interests have included the history of the Mineral Springs of Ballston Spa, and is now studying the lives of the brothers Isaac and Nicholas Low.

Week of July 29 – August 4, 2022

NEWS

About Saratoga Builders Association: The Saratoga Builders Association, Inc. (SBA) is a specialized professional trade association representing an industry basic to the well-being

House by Witt Construction featured in the 2021 Showcase of Homes. Photo provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The 2022 Saratoga Showcase of Homes Committee is proud to announce this year’s dates and builders. Celebrating 26 years of exceptional homes, this annual tradition will be presented over four beautiful fall days on October 8-9 and October 15-16. We have a spectacular line-up of 8 locations from our region’s finest builders for the areas premiere new home tour event. Thank you to all our generous sponsors and the awardwinning builders committed to this year’s event; Bella Home Builders, Belmonte Builders, DSG Construction & Remodeling, Kodiak Construction, Peerless Builders, Trojanski Builders and Witt Construction. Over the past 25 years, this community event has contributed over $1.4 MILLION dollars to

our two local charities. Proceeds from the Showcase of Homes benefit Rebuilding Together Saratoga County www.rtsaratoga. org and Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties www.glensfallshabitat.org. For more details on the 2022 Saratoga Showcase of Homes event, please visit www. saratogashowcaseofhomes.com. Follow us on FACEBOOK for all the updates!

and economy of the people of Saratoga County. Its membership includes residential and commercial builders, developers, remodelers, building material suppliers, sub-contractors, financial institutions, architects,

engineers, realtors, attorneys and other industry professionals. SBA is committed to the continued growth, prosperity and quality of life in Saratoga County. For more information, please visit www. saratogabuilders.org

OBITUARIES

Week of July 29 – August 4, 2022

Marie B. (Yakush) Murray

Josephine (Gen) C. Wrobel

Mark J. Cintula

Margaret Prendergast

Hazel B. Poitras

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Marie B. (Yakush) Murray, 59, passed away on Tuesday, July 19 at Saratoga Hospital. Visitation is from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, July 29 at Burke Funeral Home, 628 N. Broadway. Burial is at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 29 in St. Peter’s Cemetery. Burke & Bussing Remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com Funeral Homes

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Josephine (Gen) C. Wrobel, 99, died Wednesday, July 20, 2022. She was co-owner and manager of Kaydeross Beach and Amusement Park until its sale in 1987. Services and burial will be private at the Gerald BH Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, Burke &NY. Bussing Schuylerville, Please visit www.burkefuneralhome.com Funeral Homes

PROVIDENCE – Mark J. Cintula died on July 15. A funeral service was held on Sunday, July 24 at Compassionate Funeral Care with Pastor Clarence T. Thomas, Sr. officiating. Family and friends gathered to remember him prior to the service at the funeral home. Visit: www. compassionatefunerfalcare.com

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Margaret Prendergast, 78, passed away on July 16, 2022 at Wesley Health Care Center. At the request of the family there will be no services at this time. Visit: www. compassionatefuneralcare.com

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Hazel B. Poitras died on July 17. A funeral service was held on July 20 at Compassionate Funeral Care with calling hours prior to the service. A graveside service was held at Saratoga National Cemetery following the service at the funeral home. Visit: www. compassionatefuneralcare.com

Burke & Bussing

SARATOGA SPRINGS ∙ 584-5373

Irene C. Bethel

Luke Anthony Rizzo

Joseph John Raffel Jr.

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Irene C. Bethel, age 77, passed away on Friday, July 19, 2022 at home. There was a graveside service at the Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Frankfort, NY on July 22, 2022. Visit: www. compassionatefuneralcare.com

WILTON – Luke Anthony Rizzo, 29, of Wilton passed away on July 20, 2022. At the family’s request there will be no services at this time. Visit: www. compassionatefuneralcare.com

CAMBRIDGE – Joseph John Raffel Jr., 89, passed away on Friday, July 22, 2022, at Saratoga Hospital. At the family’s request there will be no services at this time. Visit: compassionatefuneralcare.com

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Week of July 29 – August 4, 2022

COURT Michael R. Zakrewski, 45, of the town of Day, was sentenced July 18 to more than 34 years in prison, following a six-week-long trial. The charges stem from a Nov. 30, 2020 incident during which he strangled his girlfriend until she lost consciousness, drove her to a remote location and assaulted her, holding her for approximately 9 hours overnight, according to the Saratoga County District Attorney’s office. Following her escape, his arrest, and the issue of an order of protection he called the victim approximately 100 times – in violation of that order – and enlisted the assistance of his teenage son to convince the victim to not testify against him. Multiple charges included kidnapping, assault, unlawful imprisonment, tampering with a witness, two counts strangulation, and three counts each criminal contempt, and aggravated family offense. The victim provided the sentencing court with a Victim Impact statement.

Justice D. Locke, 20, of Indian Lake, was sentenced July 14 to 16 years in state prison and 5 years post-release supervision, after pleading to assault in the first-degree in connection with an October 2021 incident in Corinth, where he entered an apartment and assaulted a man with a tomahawk-style axe, according to the Saratoga County District Attorney’s office. The victim suffered serious physical injury and was airlifted to Albany Medical Center where he received critical emergency care. Donald D. Martin, III, 36, of Corinth, was sentenced July 11 to 2-4 years incarceration after pleading to criminal possession of a weapon, and 1-1/2 to 4-1/2 years incarceration after pleading to failure to register as a sex offender. Sentences to run consecutively. Vallen E. Mayes, 37, of Moreau, was sentenced July 11 to 5 years of probation, after pleading to felony DWI. Nicholas R. Alber, 25, of Schenectady, was sentenced

BLOTTER 5 July 12 to 1-1/2 to 3 years incarceration, after pleading to attempted assault on the second degree.

POLICE Antonio Vargas, 56, of the Bronx, was charged July 14 with possession forged instrument, criminal impersonation, and unlawful possession personal ID. Vargas is suspected of being in possession of a forged passport card while attempting to cash a forged check at Saratoga National Bank on South Broadway in Saratoga Springs. According to city police, further investigation showed that the identification Vargas presented was a forged passport card and that the check was also a forged document. The Department of Homeland Security was contacted in relation to the forged federal document. Vargas, upon his release from City Court, was turned over to Homeland Security. Ann Khanna, 55, of Saratoga Springs, was charged July 14 with criminal contempt, and criminal tampering.

Allison Hammond, 51, of Ballston Spa, was charged July 14 with DWI, and two driving violations. Sean Dechick, 40, was charged July 13 with criminal mischief. Jennifer Hemphill, 50, of Saratoga Springs, was charged July 13 with petit larceny. Rosanna Burt, 38, of Cohoes, was charged July 13 with aggravated harassment. Paul Kazmierczak, 18, of Greenfield, and Tyrese Reeves, 22, of Saratoga Springs, were each charged July 11 in Saratoga Springs with gang assault in the second-degree, and assault in the third-degree. Frank Devito, 32, of Nyack, was charged July 10 in Saratoga Springs with DWI, vehicle equipment violation, and speeding. Aaron Gilbert, 63, of Clifton Park, was charged July 13 with assault, and criminal obstruction of breathing. Jeremy Allen, 34, of Schuylerville, was charged July 9 in

Saratoga Springs with aggravated unlicensed operation, and speeding. Joseph Schwartzbach, 39, of Stamford, was charged July 9 with DWI, refusal to take a breath test, and two driving violations. Tamara Robinson, 27, of Schenectady, was charged July 9 in Saratoga Springs with assault, resisting arrest, and obstruct governmental administration. Alanah Dubois, 27, of Nassau, was charged in Saratoga Springs July 8 with DWI, aggravated DWI, refusal to take a breath test, aggravated unlicensed operation, speed violation, and moving from lane unsafely. Matthew Gifford, 29, of Hadley, was charged in Saratoga Springs July 7 with reckless endangerment in the second-degree. Matthew Cinquanti, 41, of Gansevoort, was charged in Saratoga Springs July 7 with aggravated DWI.

From the Publisher’s Desk... 6

Week of July 29 – August 4, 2022

ELECTRICITY, FOSSIL FUELS, & THE GREEN NEW SCAM Locally Owned & Operated PUBLISHER/EDITOR Chad Beatty 518-581-2480 x212 cbeatty@saratogapublishing.com MARKETING DIRECTOR Chris Bushee | 518-581-2480 x201 cbushee@saratogapublishing.com ADVERTISING Jim Daley, Advertising Director 518-581-2480 x209 jdaley@saratogapublishing.com Cindy Durfey | 518-581-2480 x204 cdurfey@saratogapublishing.com DISTRIBUTION Kim Beatty | 518-581-2480 x205 kbeatty@saratogapublishing.com DESIGN Kacie Cotter-Sacala Creative Director, Graphic Designer Kelsey Sherman Ad Designer, Web Designer Kelly Schoonbeck Ad Designer, Web & Social Media Jennifer Allen Ad Designer, Web Designer EDITORIAL Thomas Dimopoulos City, Crime, Arts/Entertainment 518-581-2480 x214 thomas@saratogapublishing.com Tyler Murray Business, Education, Sports 518-581-2480 x219 tyler@saratogapublishing.com Anne Proulx Obituaries, Proofreader 518-581-2480 x211 aproulx@saratogapublishing.com

Email DESIGN@ saratogapublishing.com to subscribe to our weekly e-Newsletter! ADVERTISING? NEXT MAGAZINE DEADLINE: Simply Saratoga: August 26 Fall/Showcase of Homes Issue

Local news never looked this good! 2254 Route 50 South Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 Phone: 518-581-2480 saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

by Chad Beatty Saratoga TODAY

Where does electricity come from? It’s a rather simple question that very few people can succinctly answer. But if we can’t answer that simple question, how can we insist on a universal switch to electricity and green energy? As you see in the accompanying graph, most of our electricity is still generated through the burning of fossil fuels. Yup, to power your electric everything, someone, somewhere, is probably still burning natural gas, coal, or some other fossil fuel. So, before you pat yourself on the back as an ecowarrior, realize that you too may be contributing to climate change. Personally, I am excited for a future where renewable energy is abundant, and our reliance on fossil fuels dramatically decreases. Unfortunately, the technology just isn’t there yet. We can wish for it; we can hope for it; we can divert billions of taxpayer dollars towards it; we can even force people to change their habits; but we can’t change reality. Taking into account Moore’s Law or similar theories on technological innovation, the pace of our progress in this sector will increase exponentially on an annual basis. Human ingenuity will eventually figure this out, but until then we need to keep the

economy running, homes heated, and people fed. And that means burning fossil fuels. Last Wednesday President Biden called the climate issue a “clear and present danger.” He then announced $2.3 billion in new funding as he previewed an agenda of executive actions. “Climate change is an emergency, and in the coming weeks I’m going to use the power I have as president to turn these words into formal, official, government actions through the appropriate proclamations, executive orders and regulatory power that a president possesses,” Biden said. I couldn’t help but reminisce to a speech from 2009 where Al Gore loosely cited researchers and said there was a “75% chance” the arctic ice could be gone during at least summer months within five to seven years. So, according to former VP Gore, by 2016 the arctic ice shelves should have been melted. I am happy to report that there are still 5.7 million square miles of ice, covering 10% of the planet. It is critical to note that VP Gore made a FORTUNE trading carbon credits during this period. I personally believe President Biden came out with his emergency announcement to appease a certain voter base, and to ease his historically low approval numbers.

ELECTRICITY GENERATED BY SOURCE 2% 3% 6% 9% 38%

19%

22%

Natural Gas

Hydro

Coal

Solar

Nuclear

Renewable ‘Other’

Wind

Fossil ‘Other’ *U.S. Energy Information Administration

As far as the President’s executive actions and his $2.3 billion in new funding, let’s not forget the countless boondoggles related to the green energy sector which minted countless new millionaires. Most notably is the defunct solar power company, Solyndra. On March 20, 2009, Solyndra accepted a guaranteed loan of $535 million taxpayer dollars under the Obama administration’s revamped loan guarantee program. By the end of August 2011, little more than a year after hosting a presidential visit, Solyndra filed for bankruptcy. A half billion taxpayer dollars up in green smoke! Are these ecofriendly companies truly altruistic, or are they simply raking in massive paychecks from the newest hot button? Your guess is as good as mine, but probably a little of both. Getting back to the consumption of fossil fuels, I am always amazed that some Americans want to shut down, or heavily curtail, our fossil fuel industry. Mind you, these same Americans don’t slow down their travel; they still warm homes in the winter and cool their homes in the summer; they still use their cellphones (more than ever), and they still buy endless products produced from crude oil, they just plunder the resources from another corner of the planet. It appears we don’t care where the fuel comes from, we just don’t want it to come

from the United States; and we aren’t concerned about the global environment, just our environment. This is selfish at best, and morally repugnant at worst. These radical ecowarriors demand we change our lifestyle, but they aren’t willing to change theirs. And they fail to realize, or prefer to ignore, that the United States can produce the oil better, cheaper, and much cleaner than most of the world. Not to mention that becoming self-sufficient is good for jobs, the economy, and national security. I will have to leave it for another time (sadly space is limited), but keep in mind the nuclear power option. While it may sound scary, it is one of the safest forms of energy production and one of the cleanest sources of energy regarding greenhouse gas emissions. In closing, I urge everyone to embrace sensible environmental solutions while being realistic about our technological capabilities. Make as many little changes as you can to help the planet; invest in responsible green energy solutions; recycle everything possible; stop littering; compost; buy in bulk; eliminate disposable cups; donate old clothes; vacation locally; etc. And for God’s sake, don’t get me started on a certain senator’s asinine, destructive, and fiscally disastrous green new deal. GOD BLESS! -Chad

Week of July 29 – August 4, 2022

Local Families and Ribbon Café Team Up to Raise Money for 3-year-old with Cancer in Ballston Spa BALLSTON SPA — Come enjoy a nice cold glass of lemonade, buy snacks, listen to music and shop some vendors on July 30 at Ribbon Café and put your money towards a real local cause. Several local families are teaming up with the locally known restaurant to provide a sweet treat stand in the hopes of raising money for Jagger Zopp, a

local 3-year-old with cancer. Ribbon Café will be putting on a Lemonade Stand, all proceeds benefiting a local 3-year-old with cancer. Jagger was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare, aggressive, fast-growing cancer. On average across the country only 400-500 people are diagnosed annually.

The event takes place 1 – 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 30. Ribbon Café is located at 11 Prospect St., Ballston Spa. The Facebook event link is at: facebook.com/ events/s/lemonade-stand-cancerbenefit/579349053851967/. A Go Fund Me campaign for donations has also been initiated for those who cannot attend.

photo

OF THE

WEEK

summer 2022

Youth Helping Youth Hosts Aug. 6 Pop-Up to Collect School Supplies SARATOGA SPRINGS — Youth2– Youth Helping Youth will be hosting a pop-up noon – 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 6 to collect school supplies. These items are essential to kick start a child’s year in school and allow them to have the full potential to succeed. According to the New York State Office of the State Comptroller, the total out-ofpocket cost for parents in New York State in 2010 purchasing school supplies was estimated to be $123 million, not including time and fuel

spent obtaining the supplies. The pop-UP will take place at 112 Spring St. parking lot, Saratoga Springs, and will be a Covid safe drop-off, rain or shine. The supplies needed are below. New supplies are preferred but supplies that are in excellent condition will be accepted as well. Pencil boxes, plastic dividers, backpacks, spiral notebooks- college and wide ruled, composition notebooks, wide ruled & college ruled paper, pencil pouches, crayons, highlighters, Kleenex, dry

erase markers, plastic folders, kids scissors, markers, pencils, pens, glue sticks, binders: 1,2, or 3inch and Gift cards to Staples, Target, Walmart etc to give children the freedom to purchase school supplies catering to their needs. Donations will be given to the following agencies: Wellspring, Project Lift at Franklin Community Center, and SNAC Pack and distributed to the families that they work with. Youth2 thanks the community for giving children the opportunity to learn to their full potential.

In the Saratoga Style: Potato Chips and Their Regional Folklore to Open July 30 BALLSTON SPA — The Saratoga County History Center at Brookside Museum hosts the opening of the new exhibit “In the Saratoga Style: Potato Chips and Their Regional Folklore.” The exhibit explores the many stories that have claimed to explain the story behind the snack, from disgruntled customers to kitchen mishaps. The history of the legendary George Crum is examined, along with his experiences as a cook and outdoor guide of African and Native American ancestry. Learn more about this contender for inventor of potato chips, along with other possible innovators who may have been responsible for the irresistibly crispy potatoes. Items include sheet music for the “Potato Chip Song,” images from 19th century Saratoga Springs, and tools used to make “Saratoga Chips.”

George Crum. Photo provided.

The exhibit is open to the public 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays. For more information, go to: brooksidemuseum.org.

“Hall of Springs” Photo by Charlie Friderici Thank You To All Who Submitted Photos! We received so many amazing photos over the past five weeks; thank you to all participants. Each week one photo was chosen to be PUBLISHED IN PRINT in Saratoga TODAY Newspaper. All contest submissions can be viewed at: saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com/ galleries

Summer Contest Closed. Contest Resumes Fall 2022!

Honorable Mention “First Hibiscus Blossom, July 22” Photo by Denise Rutledge

NEWS

Tonko, Stefanik Vote to Enshrine Marriage Equality in Law SARATOGA COUNTY — Democrat Congressman Paul Tonko and Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik on July 19 voted to enshrine marriage equality into federal law, in response to growing threats on constitutional protections to marriage equality, contraception, and other key rights. H.R. 8404, the Respect for Marriage Act, will ensure that no married couple can be denied protections and benefits under federal law based on sex, race, ethnicity or national origin. The measure passed by a 267157 vote, with all Democrats and 47 Republicans voting in favor. In New York State, the measure passed 25-1 with U.S. Rep. Claudia Tenney casting the lone vote

Week of July 29 – August 4, 2022

Primary Election Day is Aug. 23, Early Voting in Saratoga Begins Aug. 11

against. Now it’s off to the Senate. As it stands, the Respect for Marriage Act will require the federal government to fully recognize any marriage considered valid in the state where it was performed and prohibit state officials from denying recognition of an out-ofstate marriage on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity or national origin.

Voter information for August.

by Thomas Dimopoulos Saratoga TODAY

SARATOGA COUNTY — Congressional and State Senate Primary Election Day is Tuesday, Aug. 23, with an early voting period set for Aug. 13 – 21. Both the Congressional race and the State Senate race have local primary ramifications. Also note, both have recently been redistricted. Congressional District 20, which includes Saratoga, Schenectady, Albany and part of Rensselaer, counts about 500,000 registered active voters – 170,000 of them in Saratoga County. Of these, just over 61,000 are registered Republicans, 50,000 are registered Democrats, and 46,000 are “blanks” – registered voters unaffiliated with any party, according to the state Board of Elections’ most recent report, on June 6. Voters registered with the Conservative, Working Families, and “other” parties comprise the difference.

Democratic Party: Rostislav Rar, Paul D. Tonko. Republic Party: Elizabeth L. Joy (uncontested). Conservative Party: Elizabeth L. Joy (uncontested). Working Families Party: Paul D. Tonko (uncontested). Senate District 44 counts just over 219,000 registered active voters, largely comprised of approximately 170,000 registered in Saratoga County. The district also includes a part of Schenectady County. The party registration breakdown in Saratoga County is as follows: just over 61,000 are registered Republicans, 50,000 registered Democrats, and 46,000 are “blanks” – registered voters unaffiliated with any party, according to the state Board of Elections’ most recent report, on June 6. Voters registered with the Conservative, Working Families, and “other”

parties comprise the difference. Democratic Party: Michelle Ostrelich (uncontested). Republican Party: Daphne Jordan, James N. Tedisco. Conservative Party: Daphne Jordan, James N. Tedisco. Working Families Party: Michelle Ostrelich (uncontested). Note, the political parties that remain in New York State are Democratic, Republican, Conservative, and Working Families. Those previously registered with the Green, Libertarian, Independence, or SAM party, are now considered No Party (NOP). All registered voters are eligible to vote in the November General Election; however, No Party voters are not eligible to vote in any Primary Elections. General Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Week of July 29 – August 4, 2022

NEWS

From Parking Lot...To Pocket Park by Thomas Dimopoulos Saratoga TODAY

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The city’s Department of Public Works alongside the local LA Group design firm have collaborated on a plan that would turn an existing paved lot immediately adjacent to the City Center parking garage into a community park featuring stonedust walking paths, newly planted trees, and an amphitheater “where artists and musicians could gather,” city DPW Commissioner Jason Golub said this week. “For a number of years there has been a community discussion about the development of Flat Rock Park… but since that time it has remained a landlocked parking lot and an unusable piece of city-owned property offering no benefit to the community,” Golub said, explaining the workings of a plan that would, in a reversal of the popular Joni Mitchell tune: un-pave a parking lot and put up a piece of paradise in its place. “Much of the (previous)

discussion centered on the City Center parking garage. The two remaining city-owned parcels were left for later phases of the project,” Golub said. “Part of the City Center agreement included that the center lot would remain a green space when construction was completed.” The two parcels sit between the newly developed parking garage and the Lake Avenue corner. The newly released DPW design features the redevelopment of one of those lots into a park. In May 2018, then-city Mayor Meg Kelly created the Flat Rock Working Group. Comprised of area residents, City Center Authority representatives, county leaders, city officials and other community members, the group was tasked with developing a Concept Plan for the 2.6-acre city-owned parcel. A subsequent July 2018 La Group presentation conceptualized the land bordering Lake Avenue as the site to be developed as “Flat Rock Park.” By August 2019 the project plan was broken into multiple

phases, with the development of a multi-level parking garage, a “pedestrian connector” between the City Center and the parking structure, and an extension of the Green Belt Trail along High Rock Avenue targeted as priority one. Specific park design plans for the remaining two lots subsequently varied, and it is unclear whether the previous administration had identified either of the lots for inclusion in projected future phases. “The park will allow folks to come from the Farmers’ Market and have a picnic at Flat Rock, or let their kids run around on the big open lawn. Musicians can play and people working

downtown can eat their lunch at the tables,” Golub says. “Our downtown needs more green space for families and Flat Rock Park will be a great addition.” The Department of Public Works will pay for the project, and all material costs are covered in the 2022 operating budget, says Golub, adding that all construction work will be performed in-house. So far, the only fixed cost is $12,000 to CT Male for conducting soil tests to ensure there are no contaminates. Those findings will determine the overall project cost. A high-end project estimate points to a cost range between $30,000 and $40,000, but some of that may potentially be offset

by grant opportunities. “We, along with the community, will evaluate future potential uses for this area,” Golub says. “The great thing is that we will take a space that has been an unused eyesore in our downtown for years, and make it into a beautiful park that will serve our community.” Public input is sought regarding the proposal. Comments may be offered via DPW social media channels, or by contacting the department directly by phone at 518-5873550, ext. 2561, or via email at: jason.golub@saratogasprings.org. Construction is anticipated to begin late summer or early fall.

NEWS

Week of July 29 – August 4, 2022

AGGRESSIVE PANHANDLERS

BEWARE

continued from front page... has yet to release its agenda. “The purpose of the ordinance is not punitive, to not take away from the poor, but rather intended to serve a two -fold purpose,” said city Public Safety Commissioner Jim Montagnino. The first is to provide mechanisms for those with mental health issues to access services needed, Montagnino explained. This would be achieved by issuing court appearance tickets for “homeless court” sessions – held every other Tuesday. Those sessions are attended by service providers who can offer guidance of available services to those appearing in court. “The secondary purpose (addresses) an aggressive minority of panhandlers in the city who don’t take ‘no’ for an answer and become an annoyance to people…this ordinance will limit the means by which an individual can ask

for money,” Montagnino said. The draft is based on a similar model in effect in Rochester, N.Y. for nearly 20 years. “It is an ordinance that has withstood constitutional challenges,” Montagnino said. Melanie Trimble, regional director for the NYCLU Capital Region office, says the New York Civil Liberties Union strongly opposes the anti-panhandling ordinance proposed by the Saratoga Springs’ City Council. “Begging and use of public sidewalks for non-criminal activities are First Amendment rights protected by the United States and New York Constitutions,” Trimble said in response to a Saratoga TODAY inquiry seeking comment from the organization regarding the city’s proposal. “This ordinance is antithetical to the values of generosity and compassion that are a notable part of New York life. While no one condones intimidation, the mean-spirited nature of this ordinance that criminalizes poverty can be lost

on no one.” The Rochester law prohibiting aggressive panhandling went into effect in July 2004 with fines ranging from $25 to $250. Repeat offenders potentially face up to 15 days in jail, if convicted twice withing 12 months. “It’s a city code, but they don’t give tickets. They choose not to,” explained Bettie McBride, responding this week to an inquiry requesting information about the effectiveness of the law. McBride works as a clerk in the office of the Rochester chief of police. “What we do is we try to help out; offer resources to get shelter, get clothing and food.” In 2020, the town of Colonie crafted a resolution to curb aggressive panhandling similarly based on the Rochester ordinance. Police reported they had answered 95 calls for aggressive panhandling in 2019, and 110 complaints through the first part of 2020. During public hearings regarding the Colonie proposal,

residents raised concerns that such a Local Law could open the town up to a lawsuit, that it discriminated against the poor, addressed just one symptom of broader issues related to poverty, drug addiction and mental illness, and violated a person’s freedom of speech, according to a report by Jim Franco of the Spotlight News. The resolution was adjourned without vote during the board’s meeting in late August 2020 and seems to have since fallen off the town’s radar. Messages requesting information about the current status of the resolution were left with two of the board’s past and present members, but no response was immediately received. With the Saratoga Springs measure, both the city Police Department and the Department of Code Administration would have the authority to enforce and to issue appearance tickets for violations of the provision. The described intent of the measure is to protect people from threatening, intimidating

or harassing behavior in connection with solicitation in public places, provide for the free flow of pedestrian and vehicle traffic, and to promote tourism and business and preserve the quality of urban life. “Aggressive acts can cause persons to avoid public places and lead to declining patronage of commercial establishments and tourism,” reads the draft. Solicitation is prohibited outright in proximity to bank entrances or ATMs, as is making physical contact with a person in the course of the solicitation. Behavior that causes intimidation or fear by following someone in an act of solicitation, or continued solicitation in close proximity after a person has provided a negative verbal or non-verbal response is also not allowed. Additionally, no person shall solicit in an “aggressive manner” in a public place, or when it is directed at an occupant of a vehicle while standing on a sidewalk.

Week of July 29 – August 4, 2022

PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS

John Moran sold property at 111 9th St to Catherine Kunz for $476,000

MILTON 4 Paddington Dr., Saratoga Springs listed with Roohan Realty and sold for $750,000.

BALLSTON Michaels and Larwaway Holdings LLC sold property at 19 Summerhill Dr to Scott Chizek for $585,105

CORINTH

Diane Lawrence sold property at 33 Coachman Dr to Danielle Groat for $310,000.

West Ave Development Saratoga LLC sold property at 116 West Ave Unit 306 to Mina Dunnam for $629,000.

Robert Chetwynd sold property at 224 Drummond Dr to Peter Meisburger for $430,000

Jennifer McDonald sold property at 40 Regatta View Dr to Andrew Bauch for $930,000.

Mohawk Trails LLC sold property at 5 White Rd to Olympiaombrea LLC for $170,000

Buff Road LLC sold property at 13 Buff Rd to Howard Foley for $150,000

Nancy Mosher sold property at 6 Heather Lane to James Troiano for $310,000.

Brian Andrews sold property at 205 Emigh Rd to Joshua Cohen for $190,000.

Kenneth Tambasco sold property at 310 Main St to Sean Horan for $279,000.

Andy Wright sold property at 376 Leroux Rd to Gregory Matteson for $127,200

Steven Montague sold property at 93 Hunt Lake Rd to Cynthia Minuti for $359,000.

Brandon Hudson sold property at 77 Deer Run Dr to Eileen Corrigan for $200,500

GALWAY Jennifer Flomer sold property at 6050 Spring Rd to Kevin Harrington for $250,000.

MALTA Kristie Ford sold property at 7 Callaghan Blvd to Marc Casale for $555,000. Melissa Gilbert sold property at 9 Moccassin Bend to Beranrd Possidente for $475,000

Excelsior Park LLC sold property at 16 Whistler Ct to MAG Realty Holdings LLC for $490,945

SARATOGA Lucinda Copper sold property at 865 NYS Rt 29 to Northeast Drywall for $125,000 Steven Foley sold property at 1 Hessian Dr to Michelle Campbell for $310,000

SARATOGA SPRINGS Francey McLeod sold property at 7 Lilac lane to Brian Kerwin for $837,500

Risa Bubonia sold property at 30 Quevic Dr to Cooper Smith for $320,000 Elena Rizzo sold property at 90 Quevic Dr to Clint Grisham for $310,000. Nancy Lazar sold property at 17 Morton Place to Higher Capital LLC for $662,500. Colleen Potter sold property at 7 Round Table Rd to Christopher Mierek for $650,000 128 Henry Bldg LLC sold property at 128 Henry St Unit 206 to Mark Supko for $810,000 Kenneth Henderson sold property at 5 West Circular St to Walter Albrecht for $428,750. Georgeanna Nugent sold property at 42 Thoroughbred Dr to Christian Johnson for $590,000

Diane Geils sold property at 197 West Circular St to 197 WC LLC for $475,000 Marilyn Kellner sold property at 36 Vista Dr to Ruth Konet for $875,000. Beechwood Saratoga LLC sold property at 31 Jenna Jo Ave to Nicole Heim for $1,490,000. David Knittel sold property at 7 Deerleap Place to Ali Abid for $360,000 Elizabeth OBrien sold property at 128 Kaydeross Park Rd to Jason Golub for $450,000.

11 WILTON Erico Mattos sold property at 2 Meghan Ct to Jaime Stafford for $555,000. Richard Daley sold property at 7 Thistle Rd to Sara Colman for $515,000 Sonoma Grove LLC sold property at 16 Berkeley Way to Matthew Gac for $581,117. John Catone sold property at 4 Paddington Dr to Danielle Barrow, Matthew Schumaker for $750,000

BUSINESS

Week of July 29 – August 4, 2022

Hattie’s Fried Chicken Named Best in NY by The Food Network With multiple locations in the Capital Region and 100% of profits donated back to the community, Hattie’s chicken continues to be a crowd pleaser SARATOGA SPRINGS — In Food Network’s newly released rating of fried chicken from coast to coast, The Food Network dubbed Hattie’s Restaurant & Chicken Shack one of the best spots in the country, and the best in New York for fried chicken! “Hattie’s, in Saratoga Springs, has received many accolades for their standout fried chicken over the years, and even beat Bobby Flay in fried chicken on Throwdown! with Bobby Flay,” said The Food Network in its review. “Hattie’s famous fried chicken has been served since 1938, and there’s a reason it’s still around: it is that good!” As part of the Business for Good family of businesses, Hattie’s Restaurants aim to grow and amplify a community positive business, while maintaining the quality and character of its product, the vision of its present ownership, and the legacy of its founder, Miss Hattie Moseley Austin. All profits of the Hattie’s Restaurants are donated to local charity, aligning with the Business for Good mission of giving back to move forward. Miss Hattie’s locations include Hattie’s Restaurant in downtown Saratoga, Hattie’s Chicken Shack in

Photo provided.

Wilton, Hattie’s Track Shack at the Saratoga Race Course and soon-toopen Hattie’s Albany. “We are thrilled for Hattie’s to have been given this incredible recognition from The Food Network!” said BFG Restaurant Operator, Jasper Alexander. “Not only do we serve delicious chicken, but under the ownership of Business for Good, we are able to help more people than we ever imagined we could.” “With all of our profits now being reinvested in the community through local charities,

we are in an exciting new chapter,” added Philip “Chef Fitz” Fitzpatrick, Executive Chef for Hattie’s in Saratoga Springs. “The Food Network’s review is another amazing layer on what has been an incredible year. It’s an honor to be placed in a category of recognition with other renowned restaurants and chicken shacks throughout the country.” For more on Hattie’s Restaurant & Chicken Shack visit hattiesrestaurant.com. For more about Business for Good visit businessforgood.org.

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Week of July 29 – August 4, 2022

Grand Opening of New Healing Garden at Wellspring MALTA — Wellspring officially opened their new healing garden at their facility in Malta on July 12. Wellspring created the new outdoor space to provide peace and healing for clients, staff, and community members. This will be a space where those impacted by domestic violence and sexual assault can come to breathe and heal, where Wellspring staff members can take a break after a heavy counseling session, and the community can come for a variety of interactive outdoor programs. “This garden and outdoor space, like Wellspring, is a place for people to heal, find safety, and start a new future,” said Wellspring’s executive director, Maggie Fronk, to a crowd of 50 gathered for the ribbon cutting. Saratoga Springs mayor Ron Kim, NY State Senator Jim Tedisco, Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner,

Photo provided.

and members of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce were in attendance, as well as Ellen Sax, Vice President of Community Engagement at MVP Healthcare, who helped fund the garden’s construction. Attendees also included members of the Capital Region Chamber, the Malta Business Community Alliance committee, and the Ballston Spa Business & Professional Association. Members of staff from MLB Construction, who donated and constructed the garden’s gazebo,

as well as staff from Brookside Nursery, who provided the space’s preliminary design and the garden’s landscaping, plants, and flowers, attended the event. Rebuilding Together Saratoga volunteered to assemble the garden’s benches and build the garden’s storage shed. The space is free and open to all community members during Wellspring’s business hours. For more information about Wellspring’s mission, services, and programs, go online to www. wellspringcares.org.

Heather O’Shea Named Assistant VP of Retail Banking at Ballston Spa National Bank BALLSTON SPA — Heather O’Shea has recently been named Assistant Vice President of Retail Banking at Ballston Spa National Bank according to Christopher R. Dowd, BSNB President and CEO. In her new role, O’Shea will be responsible for bank security as well as retail banking operations. This includes but is not limited to: expanding operating efficiencies, exploring new technologies and enhancing BSNB’s customer experience. O’Shea, who has nearly two decades of experience in the banking industry, joined BSNB in 2011 as a personal banker at the

Heather O’Shea. Photo provided.

Stillwater branch. Most recently, O’Shea held the position of Retail Banking Administrator and Security Officer.

Week of July 29 – August 4, 2022

1960-2010

CONGRESS PARK

Congress Park, the city’s 33-acre public “pleasure garden,” has a surprising origin. It was created by Dr. John Clarke, owner of the Congress Spring, so that visitors would have a pleasant place to “walk off ” the laxative effects of the mineral waters.

Photo courtesy of the Saratoga Springs History Museum.

According to tradition, Congress Spring was discovered in 1792, and was soon popular as an alternative to the High Rock Spring, adjacent to the present Farmers’ Market on High Rock Avenue, which had been in use since before the Revolutionary War.

rail cars, which was in operation during the 1835 season, just three years after the first real railroad train arrived in Saratoga Springs. It wasn’t until 1850 that the last of the swampy areas were drained for lawns and “Congress Spring Park” was in full use.

The waters Gilman found bubbled up in what was then a swamp surrounded by a gloomy pine forest. For many years, improvements were limited to simple platforms, railings, and perhaps an awning. It wasn’t until 1826 that Dr. John Clarke, who had begun bottling the water, acquired the land. Three years later, he built the first promenade, a path from the spring to the Circular Street hill, so visitors could enjoy “a healthful exercise in connexion with a morning visit at the fountain.”

The country’s centennial celebration of 1876 was the occasion for the park’s first complete redesign. In July 1875 the Congress and Empire Spring Company, which then owned the spring, the park, and an adjacent bottling plant, engaged famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted (who designed Central Park in New York City) to create a unified design. Through these efforts the south half of the present park was graded and landscaped in time for the centennial, and elaborate High Victorian Gothic pavilions, full of rich stained glass, replaced the simple old pavilions and other structures.

By the mid-1830s, a Greek Revival pavilion sheltered Congress Spring and a smaller classical dome covered the nearby Columbian Spring, but other improvements took place slowly in the privately-owned park, then only on the south side of East Congress Street (now the dead-end street in the center of Congress Park). One of the first amusements was the Circular Railway with its hand-cranked

During all this time, the north side of the present park was built up with streets and buildings, in particular the huge Congress Hall, a hotel begun in 1812 (and rebuilt in 186768) at the corner of Broadway and Spring Street.

Week of July 29 – August 4, 2022

An elaborate landscape imposed on a curious sheltered valley in the midst of a growing city, the park displays superb ornamental sculpture and other features added over many generations. In 1870-71, prize fighter and gambling promoter John Morrissey built his “Club House” (now Canfield Casino). Private houses, stables, and other structures filled the space be-tween it and Congress Hall. An Indian Encampment, an amusement staffed by mixed-race Indians from Canada, was near Circular Street. Julius Mangelsdorf’s little carousel lured children (and jockeys!) where Union Avenue currently ends at Circular Street. Morrissey’s “Club House” did not allow locals or women and high rollers went to private gambling rooms on the second floor. Richard Canfield, Morrissey’s successor, was responsible for the next major landscaping project. In 1901, he built the Italian Garden on his private land along Spring Street. But

times were changing, and Canfield’s operation closed in 1907, victim of the broad social reform movement of the era. Between 1911 and 1913, the village purchased Congress Spring Park, the Casino and its grounds, and the Congress Hall hotel. East Congress Street was blocked at Circular to become a dead end; Congress Hall and the elaborate Vaux and Withers pavilions were demolished, and Charles W. Leavitt of New York City drew a new landscape plan. Saratogians took great pride in their new park, and contributed to its embellishment. Katrina Trask hired Daniel Chester French to design “The Spirit of Life” (1914-15) as a memorial to her husband. She was later honored by an elaborate stone stairway constructed in 1922. The Brackett Memorial Gateway at the park’s entrance was added in 1914 and, in 1931, the American Legion built the War Memorial Bandstand, replacing a wooden, Victorian bandstand. But routine park maintenance was subject to the vagaries of city budgets. By the 1950s, although all the major features were intact, the park was showing its age. Saratoga’s last two behemoth hotels had come down in 1944 and 1953. In August 1955, Mayor Addison Mallery began discussions with a New York syndicate that planned to build a 300-room hotel in the park. But “by the time the shouting was all over and the last vote counted, the men with the money had disappeared,” wrote Charles W. Andrews in an article published December 21, 1959, in the Schenectady Gazette. Another hotel in the park attempt surfaced in 1968 when Dutch Inns of America indicated interest. Fortunately, the City Council was saved from a “dilemma” when the developer withdrew.

As the 1970s dawned, Saratogians could take pride in having protected their park from commercial development. With the election of Tom McTygue as Commissioner of Public Works in 1971, Congress Park gained a champion. For 32 years, McTygue marshaled the resources of his department to address the park’s needs, beginning with the ambitious reconstruction of a Greek Revival pavilion over Congress Spring, initiated by the Historical Society of Saratoga Springs and funded in part by the Saratoga Springs Rotary Club; it was completed and the spring was retubed in 1976. As with many subsequent projects under McTygue’s watch, the use of Department of Public Works labor cut costs in half. In 1977, the local landscape architectural firm of Leaver, Anthony, Gerow and Associates prepared a master plan for the park. Craftsmen employed by the DPW began repairing the damage of vandals and aging that the report had identified. A perennial problem was flooding of the Village Brook, which runs east to west through the park. When it overflowed, much of Congress Park was inundated. Federal funds secured by the city in 1979 paid for construction of a huge culvert to carry off the water during the heaviest of rainfalls. In 1987 when Kaydeross Park, an amusement facility at Saratoga Lake, was being dismantled. Saratogians raised more than $131,000 in just 16 days to purchase its Marcus Illions carousel. Housed in a graceful pavilion designed by local architect John Muse, the carousel opened in 2002. An elaborate landscape imposed on a curious sheltered valley in the midst of a growing city, the park displays superb ornamental sculpture and other features added over many generations. Rebirth of Elegance series continues August 12.

EDUCATION

Week of July 29 – August 4, 2022

Bridging the “Digital Divide” SARATOGA COUNTY — Saratoga County libraries are taking innovative steps to help connect the unconnected. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted inequities across New York State in regards to how people access information online and use communication technologies. These disparities impacted individuals within a broad range of areas including education, workforce development and healthcare. In simpler terms, as the world was forced into digital spaces for school, work and even healthcare consultations - those without access to these internet-based technologies were left behind. To combat this divide, more than $6.2 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act

(ARPA) funds have been made available to help libraries and other cultural institutions across the state address this digital divide. Efforts have been made statewide to increase access to the state’s cultural history and expand student access to digital learning materials. Last year, the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) awarded the ARPA funds to the New York State Library to help communities respond directly to the pandemic and related economic and community needs. This year, those funds have been put to use throughout Saratoga County. For instance, in Schuylerville, where 15% of homes are without broadband internet connection, the Schuylerville Public Library has made it their goal to bridge their town’s digital divide. According to Library Director Caitlin Johnson, “one of the things we did early on was we added additional Wi-Fi hotspots that people can borrow from us, which pretty much are always checked out. We never have any available; that’s a good sign, though.” Furthering the town’s dedicated effort to connect the under-connected, Schuylerville took advantage of the

Photo provided: yourlibrary.org.

Schuylerville Public Library. Photo provided

American Library Association’s Transforming Communities grant, which helped install a free-to-use public Wi-Fi network in the Fort Hardy Recreation Park. In Corinth, the Corinth Free Library is working on an innovative project to bring affordable internet access to the entire community. It plans to install a solar powered bus stop in front of its building equipped with seating and USB charging outlets,

Corinth Free Library. Photo provided

enabling patrons to access the library’s free broadband when the library is closed. The project received some money from the village upfront, and the library applied for a grant for the rest. “We’ve got our fingers crossed. We will know about that in a couple of weeks,” said Head of Children’s Services Michael Hadfield in a statement this month. As the world races into a digital future, ensuring equal

access to opportunities in digital spaces will become increasingly more important. And New York State has a long way to go. There are 681,773 unemployed individuals in New York, of which at least 224,985 lack foundational digital skills, according to recent findings from the National Skills Coalition. For more information on what towns across the state are doing to bridge the digital divide, visit: www.yourlibrary.org.

Food

Eggs at Saratoga Farmers’ Market

Week of July 29 – August 4, 2022

Shakshuka

YIELDS: 6 servings | PREP TIME: 10 min | COOK TIME: 30 min Shakshuka is made with gently poached eggs in a simmering mixture of tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, and garlic

HIGH ROCK PARK SATURDAYS 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

INGREDIENTS:

WEDNESDAYS 3 - 6 p.m.

*Ingredients currently available at the farmers’ market

by Mary Pratt for Saratoga TODAY Photos provided.

• 1 large yellow onion*, chopped

• 6 medium tomatoes*, chopped (about 6 cups chopped tomatoes)

• 2 garlic cloves*, chopped • 1 teaspoon ground coriander

• 1 teaspoon paprika • ½ teaspoon ground cumin • Pinch red pepper flakes, optional

• ½ cup tomato sauce • 6 large eggs* • ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley* • ¼ cup chopped fresh mint*

INSTRUCTIONS :

Squash Villa Farm, from the Town of Easton, Washington County, raises vegetables, goat meat, and eggs. They’re the only vendor who has chicken and duck eggs and attends Wednesday and Saturday Markets. Himanee Gupta-Carlson said, “Jim and I started raising poultry for eggs in 2012.”

1. Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large cast iron skillet. Add the onions, green peppers, garlic, spices, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened, about 5 minutes. 2. Add the tomatoes and tomato sauce. Cover and let simmer for about 15 minutes. Uncover and cook a bit longer to allow the mixture to reduce and thicken. Taste and adjust the seasoning to your liking.

“Today, we raise heritage breed hens, such as Cuckoo Maran, Cuckoo Araucana, and Speckled Sussex.” They produce a variety of eggshell colors - brown, green, blue, and white. Their duck eggs are from Muscovy.

Laurie explained that during pasture season, her hens can go all over their yard when she’s at home. They are fenced into a portion of her yard when she’s away. In winter, they can go outside under a covered area.

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 2 green peppers*, chopped Squash Villa Farm

our vendors offer chicken eggs at Saratoga Farmers’ Market. All their hen shelters are on pasture in spring, summer, and fall. Most hens can choose to go outside their shelters in winter.

Laurie Kokinda from Kokinda Farm in Mechanicville offers vegetables, fruit, and jam, and began raising hens for eggs in 2012. They also raise heritage chickens, including Black Asterlop, Polish, and Olive Eggers, which produce several colored egg shells.

• Extra virgin olive oil

3. Using a wooden spoon, make 6 indentations, or “wells,” in the tomato mixture (make sure the indentations are spaced out). Gently crack an egg into each indention. Lovin’ Mama Farm

Lovin’ Mama Farm, according to Corinne Hansch, raises organic vegetables and flowers and also heritage breed hens for organic eggs. Their hens include Whiting True Blue and Whiting True Green, whose feathers have been used for fly fishing. Also, Cucu Marana, for dark brown eggs.

Mary and Bob Pratt’s Elihu Farm, also in the Town of Easton, offers lamb, wool, and eggs. They started raising hens for their own use; then, around 2000 began raising more and more hens for eggs to sell.

Their hens receive non-GMO feed and rotationally graze in summer. From November to March, they live in vegetable tunnels with deep straw where they receive leftover vegetables and micro-greens for dark orange yolks.

Their hens are hybrids produced by Moyer’s Chicks in Pennsylvania, which lay brown eggs. Their hen shelters and feeders are on pastures and frequently moved. In winter, their hens can still go outside. Chile powder and alfalfa powder are added to their feed to keep the yolk color orange.

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at High Rock Park. And on Wednesdays from 3 to 6 p.m. also at High Rock Park. Find us online at saratogafarmersmarket.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

4. Reduce the heat, cover the skillet, and cook on low until the egg whites are set. 5. Uncover and add the fresh parsley and mint. You can add more black pepper or crushed red pepper if you like. Serve with crusty bread of your choice. NOTES: • Leftovers will keep for 1 to 2 days if stored properly in the fridge in tight-lid glass containers. Warm over medium heat, adding a little more liquid to the shakshuka sauce if needed. • If you want to add meat, cook about ½ ground beef or ground lamb in some extra virgin olive oil. Season well with salt and pepper. Once fully cooked, remove the meat from the skillet, wipe the skillet well and follow steps #1 and #2 to make the shakshuka sauce, only this time, add the cooked ground meat to the skillet to simmer with the tomatoes for 15 minutes or so before adding the eggs. Recipe by Suzy Karadsheh, The Mediterranean Dish

Press B

Bacon Meatloaf on a Stick

FOR BACON

by John Reardon

Hello my Foodie Friends !

for Saratoga TODAY

Summer is a great time to cook outdoors or to make some of the delicious salads that we tend to avoid during the winter months. Both my wife and I love Cobb Salads made with diced tomatoes, avocado, chicken, cheese, diced egg, and crispy bacon or adding bacon to potato salads. Now close your eyes and remember the smell of bacon cooking in the morning. Nothing like it! We love this aroma so much but many times it is not cooked correctly. A familiar problem with cooking bacon is the bacon curling up on you and not crisping evenly. This is where a bacon press comes in allowing you to flatten your bacon and cooking it to perfection. Bacon presses come in several shapes and styles; circular, rectangular, or shaped as a pig. The press is made of heavy cast iron construction with heat resistant wood handles. The large surface allows for pressing multiple strips of bacon at once.

There are also various other uses for the bacon press. You can use it as a tortilla press by putting the dough ball between two sheets of plastic wrap and pressing down with the bacon press with all of your might. Then, cook the tortilla in the skillet. Or, you can use it to make a quesadilla by placing a heated bacon press on top of the tortilla to ensure even melting and browning. Another use for the bacon press is turning your next sandwich into a Panini by heating a seasoned skillet and placing the press inside to heat up. After building your sandwich, place the sandwich into the heated skillet and under the heated press, pressing slightly leaving your sandwich golden brown. A bacon press can be used on the outdoor BBQ grill to quick cook burgers or steaks on both sides at the same time. Heat the press up on the grill before you begin cooking and place the press on top of the meat. Crispy hash browns are delicious for both breakfast and as a side dish for entrees. Make crispy hash browns by placing 3 tbsp. of oil in a pan on medium heat, add the bacon press inside while the pan heats. Once the pan heats up toss your potatoes in and place the heated bacon press on top. Cook until the hash browns are golden brown. For desserts, use a bacon press on bar cookies pressing gently to flatten the bar cookie and crispy rice treats.

h c n u L FRIDAY

Food

Week of July 29 – August 4, 2022

MONDAY

Here is a fantastic recipe for Bacon Lovers. You can use a bamboo or metal skewer and cook it in or out doors. Enjoy!!

INGREDIENTS • 1.5 pounds Ground Beef

• 1/4 Cup BBQ Sauce

• 1 pound Sliced Bacon (thin or original cut)

• 1/4 Cup Ketchup

• 1/2 Cup Cheese (triple-cheddar)

• 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce

• 1/2 Cup Crackers, crushed • 1/4 Cup Green Pepper, chopped • 1/4 Cup Yellow Onion, chopped The Bacon Press is truly a versatile tool! At Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store, located at 33 Railroad Place in Saratoga Springs, we carry the true kitchen essentials needed to help you with your culinary delights. Have fun Pressing B for Bacon! Remember my Foodie Friends: “Life Happens in the Kitchen.”

Take Care, John & Paula

Served at the Saratoga Senior Center

7/29

8/1

8/2

• Baked Fish w/ Dill Sauce • White Rice • Vegetable Trio • WW Dinner Roll • SF Chocolate Pudding

• Meatballs in Sauce • Peach Glazed Chicken • Pasta w/Marinara • White Rice Sauce • Vegetable Trio • Spinach • WW Dinner Roll • Mandarin Oranges • SF Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

WEDNESDAY

• 1 Tablespoon Steak Seasoning • 1 Medium Egg

INSTRUCTIONS 1. In a large mixing bowl, combine meat and spices, chopped onions, chopped pepper, crushed crackers, egg, bbq sauce, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, and mustard, then hand mix until well blended. 2. Form mixture into 1/4 pound (or smaller) patties 3. Form the patties around the cheese then top each meat patty with cheese then fold bacon around cheese into a corn-dog shaped object. The bacon shrinks while cooking and helps hold the entire thing together. ITS LIKE A BACON HUG! 4. Insert skewer in one end then wrap meat end to end with bacon.

Office for the Aging Lunch Program

TUESDAY

• 1/8 Cup Yellow Mustard

THURSDAY

8/3

8/4

• Seafood Mac & Cheese • Brussels Sprouts • Warm Berry Crisp • Yogurt

• BBQ Pork Loin • Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes • Cabbage • Cornbread • Applesauce

Menu Subject To Change. Coffee, Tea and Butter are served daily at sites. The suggested contribution is $2 per meal. There is a $8 fee for guests under the age of 60. Please make checks payable to: Saratoga County Treasurer, c/o Saratoga County Office for the Aging, 152 West High Street, Ballston Spa, NY 12020

5. Place in smoker or outside grill at 225F for about three hours or until the bacon is done. If you do not want to use skewers or would prefer to cook in the oven; Roll parchment paper around the meat, tuck the ends under and transfer to a rimmed baking sheet. Bake at 325 degrees for about 45 minutes or until the internal temperature reads 160 degrees F on a meat thermometer. 6. Serve warm with dipping sauces like BBQ, Ketchup or cheese to make this one a real winner! Recipe courtesy of TailgateMaster.com

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upcoming

Events

Landing New Light Spring Street Gallery is proud to present works by Francelise Dawkins on view through August 9. Through creative interpretation, “Landing New Light” brings attention to viewing all art from a “prismatic light”. Dawkins’ brightly colored, collaged artwork amplifies a visual connection between the artwork shared with the viewer and the viewer’s need to take time to enter each form, color, and thread individually. The 34 works exhibited are all for sale with a portion of the proceeds benefitting Reverend Michael D. Bell’s community work in Saratoga Springs. “Landing New Light” is visible by appointment only by contacting Belinda Colón at springstreetgallerylist@gmail. com (48 hours notice is required).

The Town of Greenfield Historical Society Museum The Museum is open every Friday from 4-6 pm through Aug 26, 2022. There are 2 floors of Local History. View the many photos, Veterans Corner, logging and farming displays, Stewart’s display of ice cream making, IOOF display, and much more. The museum is located at 440 Middle Grove Road Middle Grove. While in town, stop by the Greenfield Farmers Market just down the road at the Church Parking Lot. Market is open from 4-7 p.m. every Friday.

Hudson River Quiltmakers Quilt Show The show will be held at the Hadley/Luzerne High School, 273 Lake Ave. (Rt 9N), Lake Luzerne on August 6, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, August 7, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Cars & Coffee The Town of Greenfield Lions Club is hosting a Cars & Coffee Event on Saturday August 6, at the Middle Grove Town Park, 430 Middle Grove Road, Middle Grove, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. The event is free and is open to any car or truck, including daily drivers. There will be a 50-50 raffle and door prizes for entered vehicles. This event is being sponsored by Ryan’s Garage. The

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Greenfield Lions will be selling fresh breakfast sandwiches, donuts, and coffee. The public is invited to check out the vehicles.

Friend. For more information visit www.villagepizzeria. com or contact Sandra Foster wineanddineon239@gmail.com.

Southern Saratoga Art Society Exhibits

Wings and Wheels Photoshoot

Town of Clifton Park Lobby, 1 Town Hall Plaza, Clifton Park: July - Artwork by Sherry Walkup August - Artist David Mayack will be exhibiting. Clifton Park Senior Community Center Gallery, 6 Clifton Common Blvd., Clifton Park: August & September - Group Show featuring five members, Artists Virginia Harrison, Barbara Hurley, Kristine Kelly, Judy Loucks, and Jo Weatherwax. Mechanicville Library, 190 N. Main St., Mechanicville: July & August - Artist Kristine Kelly. The Waterford Library, 117 Third St., Waterford: August - Artists, Jack Morgan, Anup Sood and Joan VanAlphen. Visit these venues and enjoy the artwork of these various artists. For more information about SSAS visit our website: southernsaratogaartist. com. For more information, visit our website: www. southernsaratogaartist.com

The Empire State Aerosciences Museum, 250 Rudy Chase Drive, Glenville, Saturday, August 6, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Bring your car or truck and photograph your vehicle in front of the F-5E Tiger Jet. This very aircraft flew in the original “Top Gun” film in 1986 with Tom Cruise! Bring your own camera and your car or truck. ESAM will provide the jet! $35 (includes 1 admission to the Museum). For more information contact Rich Bievenue at rbievenue@nycap. rr.com or 518-867-7330.

Acting and Performance Drama Camp Monday – Friday, August 1 – August 12, 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. Actors and actresses collaborate as a team to decide whether to write an original script or use existing storylines that they make their own. Through the process campers will develop characters, design a set, choose costumes, rehearse, and perform their work. This program for 11–16-year-olds is led by Malta Artistic Director, Elyse Young, at the Malta Community Center, One Bayberry Dr., Malta. Acting exercises, vocal skills, theater games and crafts included. Camp culminates with a performance the last day of camp. Contact Malta Parks and Recreation at 518-899-4411 for additional information or go to www. maltaparksrec.com to register.

Tee Off Fore Ta Ta’s Annual Charity Golf Tournament on September 17 at Hales Mills Country Club. Foursomes and Singles – Prizes – Post Play Banquet. $125 per golfer or $500 per 4-some. All proceeds benefit To Life, local cancer support network, Brady Duhame “Buddha,” Local Chef & Dear

Town of Greenfield Summerfest To be held Saturday, August 6, at the Middle Grove Town Park, Middle Grove. Starting at 4 p.m. there will be four (4) live local bands, Happenstance, Elizabeth Conant, Out of Reach, and New American Cuisine at the pavilion. Bring a lawn chair or picnic blanket. Stay for a family movie on the giant screen at 8:15 pm or dusk. Feature movie is Disney’s Encanto. The Town of Greenfield Historical Society has teamed up with the Greenfield Town (providing the movie) and Greenfield Lions Club coming with their food truck to sell their burgers, hot dogs and much more. Stop by our Penny Candy Store, buy some popcorn, maple cotton candy, snack food. Fun for all ages. Become a member of the Town of Greenfield Historical Society for just $10 and receive a free gift. Rain date TBD

Schuylerville Central School Alumni Annual Banquet Schuylerville Central School Alumni will be holding their annual banquet on Saturday, August 6 at 6 pm at the American legion in Schuylerville. DJ will be Andy Jennings, Class of 2000. Cost will be $30 per person. Please make reservations early as possible with deadline being July 29. No tickets at door. Mail checks to SCS Alumni, PO Box 50, Schuylerville, NY 12871. Further information, contact Pat Temple at 518-338-2329 or e-mail patty61349@yahoo.com.

Week of July 29 – August 4, 2022 Sandy Hill Arts Exhibit Lake Luzerne’s Adirondack Folk School will present an exhibit of artisan-made crafts at The Sandy Hill Arts Center located at 214 Main Street in Hudson Falls, on the third floor. Through the artistry of local woodworkers, fiber artists, basket makers, blacksmiths, carvers, weavers and skilled crafters of other traditions, crafts reflecting the culture and history of our region will be on display. Also, a display of student work, demonstrations by master crafters, and opportunity to participate in several classes will be offered during the exhibit. Opening reception is Saturday, August 6 at 5:30 p.m. and runs through October 12. Questions about our classes and the exhibit may be directed to the Adirondack Folk School at 518-696-2400. For more information, visit www. adirondackfolkschool.org.

Markets at Round Lake The Markets at Round Lake: Three Markets – Two Days – One Eclectic Village! Come and Celebrate the Makers Revolution and Sustainable Food Movement. August 13 & 14, from Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. & Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For one weekend in August, we will be showcasing over 70 of the best and brightest Artisans in the local and regional Maker, Crafter and Artisanal Edibles community. These Makers, who have been selectively juried, will converge within an eclectic village bringing forth the latest talent and hottest trends. Also featuring Food Trucks, Live Music sponsored by The Mill on Round Lake and a Book Sale. The Markets will be held at the Village Green, 49 Burlington Ave., Round Lake. The profits from the event are solely dedicated to help support the Round Lake Library.

16th Annual Car Show On Saturday, August 20, the Clifton Park Elks Lodge will hold their 16th Annual Car Show. The Lodge is located at 695 MacElroy Road, Ballston Lake. All years and makes of cars, trucks and motorcycles are welcome. We will present awards to the top vehicles. Fun, music, 50/50 raffles, and great food. Come see the contestant vehicles! Proceeds benefit the Elks National Foundation and the NYSEA Major Project Fund

(Cerebral Palsy Home Service Program). Registration starts at 9 a.m. until Noon and awards around 3:30 p.m. Contestant registration is $10; spectators are free. Rain date is Sunday, August 21. For information call Doug Simmons at 518-669-4588. Email rexfordren@gmail.com.

Call for Choreographers Nacre Dance Company is accepting modern dance choreography submissions for their annual “So, You Think You Can Choreograph?” competition. This year’s performance will be at Universal Preservation Hall, located at 25 Washington St., Saratoga Springs. The theme will be “Twist and Shout” choreography to music by Rock and Roll Musical Legends. Staging will be in a traditional theater setting. All accepted applicants will receive an honorary stipend upon completing the competition. Accepted submissions will perform Saturday, Sept. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at UPH, where the audience votes on their favorite choreography. The winner will be commissioned to set a new piece of modern dance choreography for Nacre Dance Company for the 2023 season. Apply at www. nacredance.org/sytycc by Aug. 15.

Swing for Music 2022 Golf Outing To benefit Saratoga Chamber Players Friday, September 16 at Airway Meadows Golf Course, located on 262 Brownville Rd, Gansevoort. Nine Hole Scramble, Registration at 2:45 followed by a 3:15 Shotgun Start. Entry fee - $75 per person. Includes greens fee, cart, taco dinner and soft drinks. Cash bar available. Players may sign up individually and will be placed on a team. For more information and to register visit www.saratogachamberplayers.org.

Calling All Singing Voices! Saratoga Voices invites singers to join them for their 1st performance at Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs. Handel’s Judas Maccabeus, November 19 at 7:30 p.m. Rehearsals are Tuesday evenings at O’Rourke Middle School in Burnt Hills. Our first rehearsal is September 7. Go to SaratogaVoices. org/Sing to schedule a vocal placement interview. Must be vaccinated. 518-416-4060, info@ saratogavoices.org.

mark your

Week of July 29 – August 4, 2022

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This Week’s Events: July 29-Aug. 4

FRIDAY, JULY 29 Annual Lawn Sale Old Stone Church, 159 Stone Church Rd., Ballston Spa 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. | The sale will also be held on July 30, August 5-6. Items will be sold inside and outside rain or shine. Hot dogs, chips and drinks will be available for purchase. Parking lot is located behind the church.

Fridays in the Herb Garden: There’s more to an herb than its name. Brookside Museum, 6 Charlton St., Ballston Spa 2 p.m. | The Saratoga County History Center and Brookside Museum invites you to join Kathleen Royka, Master Gardener, and Thymly Herb’s lead gardener at the museum’s Colonial Herb Garden. This week’s theme “Have you met an Egyptian Walking Onion? Or Good King Henry? Saint John’s-Wort? Each has a story to tell.” Questions and discussions about any aspect of gardening will be welcome. The programs are free, donations are appreciated. Children welcome; there will be 18th-century toys and games and other activities for them to explore.

Saratoga Children’s Theatre Summer Shows 615 Maple Ave., Suite 3, Saratoga Springs Rising Stars present “Pixar” at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are available at www.onthestage. com/saratogachildrenstheatre. For more information call 518-886-8800 or email info@ saratogachildrenstheatre.org.

Godspell 615 Maple Ave., Suite 3, Saratoga Springs | 7:30 p.m. Presented by SPA City Theatre. Tickets on sale at onthestage.com/saratogachildrenstheatre. For Tickets: 10 & under $5, Students $12, Adults $18. Also showing on July 30 at 7:30 p.m. and July 31 at 2 p.m. Book by John Michael Tebelak, Directed by Bob Berenis and Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz.

SATURDAY, JULY 30 Exploring Foraging Galway Public Library, 2112 East St, Galway 10:30 a.m. | Exploring Foraging with Anne Best. Registration for the program, which is suitable for all ages, is required at 518-882-6385. More program information is available on the website, www. galwaypubliclibrary.org.

Fundraiser for Jagger Zopp Ribbon Café, 11 Prospect St., Ballston Spa 1 – 3:30 p.m. | Together with local families, Ribbon Café will be putting on a Lemonade Stand with all proceeds benefiting a local 3-year-old with cancer. Enjoy a nice cold glass of lemonade, buy snacks, listen to music, shop vendors and put your money towards a real local cause. Several local families are teaming up with the locally known restaurant

family friendly

to provide a sweet treat stand in the hopes of raising money for Jagger Zopp. Link to donate: www.gofundme.com/f/lemonade-stand-tobenefit-jagger-zopp?utm_source=customer&utm_ medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+shareflow-1 or you can make checks payable to Kelsey Zopp. Facebook event link: facebook. com/events/s/lemonade-stand-cancerbenefit/579349053851967/

Saratoga Style: Potato Chips and Their Regional Folklore Brookside Museum, 6 Charlton St., Ballston Spa 1 – 5 p.m. | The Saratoga County History Center at Brookside Museum new exhibit explores the many stories that have claimed to explain the story behind the snack, from disgruntled customers to kitchen mishaps. The history of the legendary George Crum is examined, along with his experiences as a cook and outdoor guide of African and Native American ancestry. Learn more about this contender for inventor of potato chips, along with other possible innovators who may have been responsible for the irresistibly crispy potatoes. Visit the website (www. brooksidemuseum.org) and social media accounts (@SaratogaCoHistory) for news and announcements.

SUNDAY, JULY 31 Summer Sunday Stroll: Summer Cottages of North Broadway Meet in front of Witt Construction, NW Corner of North Broadway and Van Dam St., Saratoga Springs 10:30 a.m. – Noon. | Executive Director Samantha Bosshart will lead a tour of beautiful North Broadway, highlighting the architecture and sharing entertaining stories of those who built and resided in the grand residences. Cost per tour is $15 for SSPF members and $20 for non-members. For additional information or to purchase tickets, visit our website, call 518-5875030, or email Jacqueline Bunge, Events & Programs Coordinator at jbunge@saratogapreservation.org.

MONDAY, AUGUST 1 5 K Trail Series The Saratoga Stryders Camp Saratoga 5K Trail Series will be held at 6:15 p.m. Monday evenings in August: August 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29. Registration is day-of only: $30 for all 5 or $5 for each individual race. This is a low-key, fun event topped off by unusual raffle prizes. Please bring your own water. Proceeds benefit the Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park. For more information, call Laura Clark at 581-1278 or email laura@ saratogastryders.org or visit www.saratogastryders.org.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 2 Congress Park History Tours Saratoga Springs Visitor Center, 297 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, Tuesday – Saturday 10:30 a.m.

Our experienced guides will tell you the stories of how Saratoga became the “Queen of Spas” in the 19th Century. The tragic story behind the Trask Family and the Spirit of Life statue. The history of the Saratoga City Museum and its notorious reputation as the highest rolling gambling casino in the US. How the city rallied to restore the historic Spit and Spat statues. Cost is $20, children under 12 free.

National Night Out Clifton Commons, Front of Ice Rink, Clifton Park | 5 – 8 p.m. Southern Saratoga Art Society will have a booth under the Big Tent with information, artwork and even a separate “sketching tent” with a live subject and a still life for the public to sketch. Materials will be available for you to sketch or bring your own. There will be food and other vendors to view. Let’s celebrate this event which takes place in other towns/cities throughout the nation, all on the same night.

Toast to the Ta Ta’s Village Pizzeria & Ristorante, 2727 Route 29, Middle Grove | 6 p.m. Annual wine tasting fundraiser. Silent auction, entertainment, wine pull, appetizers, with special guest Joe Carr. $75 per guest. Tickets available in advance or at venue. For more information visit www.villagepizzeria. com or contact Sandra Foster wineanddineon239@gmail.com.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3 Stuffed Shells Dinner Take Out Saratoga Wilton Elks, 1 Elks Lane, Saratoga Springs | 4:30 – 6 p.m. For curbside pickup only. Menu: stuffed shells, meatballs, sweet sausage, tossed salad, garlic toast. Dinner for 2 / $30. Cash only. Call Monday or Tuesday between 10 a.m.–Noon to place an order. 518-584-2585.

Take Out Ziti Dinner Charlton Freehold Presbyterian Church, 768 Charlton Rd., Charlton 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. | Menu: ziti, meatballs, salad, Italian bread, brownie. Cost is $15. Net proceeds go to support the Summer School Lunch Program. Tickets available at Mail N’ More in Burnt Hills.

Poetry Reading Caffè Lena, 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs | 7 p.m. A poetry reading by Katrinka Moore. An open mic poetry reading will follow. Doors open for sign-ups at 6:30 p.m. and the readings will start at 7 p.m. The host for the event will be Carol Graser and the cost is $5 general, free for students. The featured reading will also be livestreamed. You can find a link for the livestream at caffelena.org.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 4 Schuyler’s Saratoga Schuylerville Veterans’ Memorial Park, US 4 and NY 32, Schuylerville 4 p.m. | Sean Kelleher, Historian for the Town of Saratoga, and Vice President at the Saratoga County History Center will lead a walking tour of Schuylerville. Visiting the sites that relate to General Philip Schuyler and his family within the current landscape. Philip Schuyler was an American general in the Revolutionary War and a United States Senator from New York. He established a large plantation in Saratoga and helped develop the area. Parking is available along the village streets. The tour distance is one mile and duration one hour. Suggested donation $10 per registration. Register for the tour at brooksidemuseum.networkforgood.com/events/45153-historianswalking-tours-schuyler-s-saratoga-thursday-aug-4th

Ballston Spa Concerts in the Park Iron spring Park, Front Street, Ballston Spa | 6 – 8 p.m. The BSBPA presents the 2022 Concerts in the Park summer concert series. Free and open to the public. It is a great family friendly event made possible by our sponsors each year. Bring your blanket & chairs to the park for a great evening of live music in the village! This week’s featured concert: Annual Ice Cream Social with The Union Fire Company Band.

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Entertainment

Week of July 29 – August 4, 2022

David Cassidy Annual “The Vow” – Much-Awaited Celebration of Life, New Film Plays Locally Aug. 5 Fundraiser on Aug. 16 by Thomas Dimopoulos Saratoga TODAY

David Cassidy Memorial Legacy Group will host a daylong event at Putnam Place Aug. 16.

by Thomas Dimopoulos Saratoga TODAY

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The David Cassidy Memorial Legacy Group (DCMLG) will host its annual celebration of the life of David Cassidy on Tuesday, Aug. 16 at Putnam Place. The event kicks off with a “mix & mingle” at 3 p.m. and lasts til 11 p.m. and will feature Celebration of Life events and live performances. The showcase will act as a fundraiser to promote racing and to support thoroughbred aftercare organizations. Benefit recipients include the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, NYRA Cares, Take The Lead, Take2 and Columbia Greene Humane Society. Debuting in 2021, the David Cassidy Remember Me Awards will again be included at this year’s summer fundraiser. Featured among the award categories are Thoroughbred Aftercare Awards, Compassionate Trainers and Owners Awards, Heart of Saratoga Awards, Animal Welfare

and Advocacy Awards, Animal Rescues and Shelters Awards, Amazing Horse Racing Awards and Thoroughbred Horse Racing Community Awards. The event will feature music, videos of memorable horse racing moments, guest speakers from the horse community and benefitting charities, silent auction, a trivia contest and an announcement of the recipients of The David Bruce Cassidy Memorial Scholarship Program and the David Cassidy Remember Me Awards ceremony. Videos showcasing “In The Spotlight” bands will be shown on the big screen. Live performances will be staged starting at 8 p.m. featuring long-time Cassidy drummer Teri Coté, Vance Brescia, and Joe’s Boys - performing a variety of Cassidy’s solo work, music from the Partridge Family and “good time rock n’ pop” songs from the 60’s, 70’s 80’s and beyond. Tickets are $20 at the door. For more information, email the David Cassidy Memorial Legacy Group at: DavidCassidyIts4ever@gmail. com, or go to putnamplace.com.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — If you’ve spent time in the regional arts community over the past couple of decades you’ve likely come across the creative efforts of musician, writer and filmmaker Charles Sweeney. His new film, “The Vow,” has recently been screening in Manhattan and will have its Capital Region showing Friday, Aug. 5 on WMHT, we are told. Check listings for screening time. TMFF (The Monthly Film Festival) gave the film 4-1/2

“The Vow,” a film by Charles Sweeney will be broadcast on WMHT Aug. 5.

out-of-5 stars and says this: “We all know the sad story of Madame Butterfly and her tragic love affair. Well, Charles Sweeney invites us to a sort of alternative ending of

the famous opera. However, his short film, ‘The Vow‘, doesn’t take place in the early 20th century, but in the United States of our very present.”

Rockin’ For Ronald: Three-Day Free Benefit Concert at Shepard Park In Lake George Aug. 5-7 LAKE GEORGE — Ronald McDonald House Charities have served families whose children are fighting serious illnesses in area hospitals for decades. To expanding the facilities offered to families from out of town, a family retreat program began last year at Krantz Cottage, a four-bedroom home located in the village of Lake George. While the hospital can provide medical care and treatment for a child’s illness, the uncertainty and anxiety evoked by lifethreatening illness can be difficult to dispel among family members, so Krantz Cottage offers a beautiful, natural setting where families

Krantz Cottage in the village of Lake George. Photo provided.

can spend time together away from the hospital. The three-day, eight band festival on Aug. 5-7 is designed to raise money and awareness about the role

Krantz Cottage serves as a Ronald McDonald house for families. Friday at the Lake on Aug. 5 kicks off the three-day festival with Skeeter Creek and Bluz House Rockers. The festival gets underway at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 5. The concert schedule for Saturday, Aug. 6 gets underway at 3 p.m. and features The Dirty Harri’s, The Newells, and Reelin in the Years, and Jacquelin Mignot and the Family Band start things off at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, to be followed by Last Band Left, and New York Players. Admission to Rockin’ for Ronald is free all three days, and there will be food and beverage vendors on site.

Week of July 29 – August 4, 2022

Legends Of Horse Racing, Equine Arts to Celebrate 50th Anniversary Of Secretariat SARATOGA SPRINGS — Spa Fine Art Gallery is hosting a month-long exhibition entitled, “Big Red, White and Blue,” commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Secretariat running his juvenile races (1972) in Saratoga Springs. The rare collection features a brand-new collection of Secretariat paintings by Lisa Palombo, and hand-signed photography by Secretariat’s owner Penny Chenery, affectionately known as “the First Lady of

Racing” as well as Hall of Fame jockey Ron Turcotte. Select memorabilia and historical pieces from the Secretariat/ Meadow Stables Archives will be on display and available for sale. The exhibition kicks off 7-9 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 5, with an opening champagne and dressto-impress, racing attire reception at the gallery. Spa Fine Art Gallery is located at 376 Broadway, Saratoga Springs. Call 518-587-2411 or visit www.spa-fine-art.com.

Saratoga Bridges raised a record $187,000 at “The White Party with a Splash of Color” SARATOGA SPRINGS — A record $187,000 was raised at The White Party with a Splash of Color held on July 16 at Saratoga National Golf Club. Co-Chairs Kimberly and Leigh McConchie, who made a memorable entrance arriving by the silent auction package donated by Independent Helicopters, and their committee welcomed a festive crowd of 435 guests who dressed in various splashes of color. The event included complimentary cocktails from DIAGEO Brands (partners with Saratoga Bridges for 26 years), 90+ Cellars and DeCrescente Distributing Company, food by Mazzone Hospitality, Silent and Live Auctions, Santore’s World Famous Fireworks, Creative Endeavors’ artwork, photos by Cathleen V. Duffy Photography and Silly Snaps Photo Booth, and Cryin’ Out Loud kept guests dancing until 11 p.m. News Channel 13 Anchor Chris Onorato kicked off the program as Emcee and introduced Saratoga Bridges Foundation Board Erik Whittle and CEO Jane Mastaitis who thanked the many sponsors, donors and guests; shared the vital importance that the agency provides and the necessity to help support their mission. They recognized the McConchie’s, Honorary Chairs Charles and Candace Wait and

Community Builders Awardees Angelo and Kate Calbone for their long-time support and gave them prints of torn cardboard collages created by created by collaborative artists from their Creative Endeavors Art Center. Auctioneer Steve Rowland opened the bidding on the live auction with these items and donors: • North Carolina Getaway with JetBlue tickets donated by Stephen Fifield (JetBlue) Emily Baker and Eddie Contreras (Beach House) • VIP Package to Luke Bryan at SPAC donated by Performance Industrial (Bill Miller) • Backyard She or He Shed donated by Curtis Lumber (Doug Ford) and Homes by Malta Development (Wayne & Sarah Samascott) • VIP Package to Chris Stapleton at SPAC donated by Kimberly and Leigh Mcconchie • A new Driveway from RDM Asphalt & Paving donated by RDM Asphalt & Construction (Cheri Mariani) • “Everything Sundae” an original torn cardboard piece donated by Creative Endeavors artists • VIP Package to Bruce Springsteen at the MVP Center donated by Performance Industrial (Bill Miller) For more information, contact to Pamela Polacsek at (518) 587-0273 ext. 1255 or ppolacsek@ saratogabridges.org.

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“The Fascinating Life of Katrina Trask” A Presentation Aug. 1 SARATOGA SPRINGS — Join the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation for “The Fascinating Life of Katrina Trask” at 7 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 1. Katrina, wife of philanthropist Spencer Trask, is best known as the co-founder of Yaddo, and led an accomplished and intriguing life. The presentation features literary dramatist Betty Spinelli, who conveys the “true essence” of a woman whose life was filled with tragedy, romance, and creativity. The vent takes place at Holiday Inn, Saratoga Springs, 232 Broadway. Tickets are $20 for SSPF Members and $25 for non-members. Space is limited and reservations are encouraged. Cocktails and beer will be available for purchase at Bookmakers Restaurant

Entertainment

Week of July 29 – August 4, 2022

Cheap Trick, Rod Stewart: Live at Saratoga

Katrina Trask. Photo provided.

and Lounge prior to the program. “The Fascinating Life of Katrina Trask” is the first in a series of three programs commemorating the life of Katrina Trask. For additional information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.saratogapreservation.org.

Are you passionate about creating opportunities for families in Albany County to build better futures? Join the ACAP team and learn what it means to be part of Community Action. We have a variety of openings available in the Early Childhood Education Department: • Head Start Site Supervisor/Assistant Supervisor • Teachers-Preschool and Early Head Start • Teacher Assistants • Family Engagement Specialist We provide a generous benefit package including Health, Dental, & Vision Insurance; Sick, Vacation, and Personal Leave; 403(b) with employer contribution; up to twelve (12) paid holidays; Opportunities for professional advancement; plus so much more! Apply on our website at www.albanycap.org/careers-at-acap OR email cover letter and resume to hr@albanycap.org We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V.

Live shot of a screen shot from behind drummer Daxx Nielsen leading Cheap Trick in their show opener of “Dream Police” at Saratoga Performing Arts Center July 22, 2022.

by Thomas Dimopoulos Saratoga TODAY

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Amid the blare of sirens and a blaze of lights flashing, Cheap Trick kicked off their 60-minute set with an opening volley of their tune “Dream Police” on a sweltering summer night at Saratoga Performing Arts Center July 22. The heat didn’t seem to keep many fans away; miles of motorized machines, jalopies and limousines alike stretched across Saratoga Springs, queuing in lines to attend the concert featuring Rod Stewart as its headliner.

Fronted by longtime members Robin Zander, Rick Nielsen and Tom Petersson, the stage band that is Cheap Trick included accompaniment by Nielsen’s drummer son Daxx, and Zander’s son Robin Jr. on guitar. Seemingly sporting a varying series of guitars for any occasion, Nielsen sported a patchwork blazer and baseball cap. The elder Zander – who is somehow still quite capable of hitting ALL the high notes without any auditory sign of strain – appeared in a black-on-black ensemble, blond tresses tumbling to his shoulders from beneath a top hat. A rendition of Fats Domino’s

“Ain’t That A Shame” was among the fan favorites, and the consecutively fired delivery of “I Want You To Want Me” and “Surrender” brought the crowd collectively to its feet. Rod Stewart entered the stage to a cascade of bagpipes, the smack of a hi-hat smack and the boomcrack-a-thump of a kick-and-asnare, to reimagine a replica in both sight and sound of Robert Palmer’s mid-1980s “Addicted To Love.” Much of his set revisited that same decade – “Young Turks,” “Forever Young,” “Some Guys Have All the Luck,” among them – mixed with solo Rod staples “Hot Legs,” “You’re In My Heart,” and repurposed tunes written or first performed by artists as varied as Cat Stevens to Donna Summer, Van Morrison to Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Sam Cooke. “Here’s one from The Faces – 1972,” he announced before launching in to “Ooh La La,” invoking that most memorable band of rock ‘n’ roll hooligans that included Ronnie Wood, Ian McLagen, Kenney Jones and Ronnie Lane. Stewart looked physically fit in this his 77th year on the planet, well-coiffed and smartly dressed. Several decades removed from his time with The Faces and a Vegas-y schmaltz long having become his schtick, Stewart is ultimately ever the entertainer, and the crowd largely expressed their appreciation of having him.

Week of July 29 – August 4, 2022

Puzzles Across 1 Pours to the brim 6 Fit together 10 __-à-porter: ready-to-wear 14 Cellphone bill statistic 15 Baseball’s Moises 16 Resign, in chess 17 “Make yourself comfortable” 20 Editor’s “Don’t change that” 21 Lubricate 22 Start a journey 23 Sine __ non: essential 25 Quick bite 26 Personal connections 29 “Don’t be a stranger!” 35 Maple tree fluid 36 Backless sofa 37 “Cheers” actress Perlman 38 Olympics venue 40 It tops a king 41 Riyadh resident 42 Pooh’s Hundred __ Wood 43 Show gratitude to 45 Squealer 46 Regardless of how things go 49 Phoenix MLB team, on scoreboards 50 New Look designer 51 U.S. Presidents, so far 53 Deprived (of) 56 Broke bread 58 Machu Picchu builder 62 Where a puppy may learn the starts of 17-, 29- and 46-Across 65 Stretched tight 66 Capital of Peru 67 2000s “American Idol” judge Abdul 68 Syringe, briefly 69 Throwaway part of a cherry 70 Annual Tournament of __ Parade Down 1 Commotion 2 “__ any wonder?” 3 Out past curfew 4 Pride parade letters 5 Caribbean, e.g. 6 Sushi roll type 7 Airline to Tel Aviv 8 Luke, to Darth

See puzzle solutions on page 34

See puzzle solution on page 34 9 Big Apple river 10 Large amount 11 Chocolate-caramel candy brand 12 Jacob’s twin 13 Modern message 18 Raccoon relative 19 Sabbath activity 24 Meat safety agcy. 25 Hr. when many workdays begin 26 Writer Asimov 27 DEA agent 28 Type of whale 30 Picture next to a username 31 Luxury vessel 32 “Star Trek” lieutenant 33 Fragrant wood 34 One side of Hispaniola

39 Had no choice 41 Breed of terrier 44 Monikers 47 Coffeehouse amenity 48 Tripadvisor listings 52 Mandarin greeting 53 “Ice cream or cake?” response, perhaps 54 Online auction venue 55 Enlist again 56 Highest point 57 “There’s no ‘I’ in __” 59 Entre __: between us 60 Either of two “Unforgettable” singers 61 Wistful word 63 Tiny complaint 64 Bit of EMT expertise

Writing the Right Word by Dave Dowling Accuracy in word choice is a key to effective communication. In your daily writing and speaking, try to make sure you use the right word in the right place with the right spelling. By doing so, its effect will affect your communication in a positive way. This quick weekly tip will help you filter the confusion in some of our daily word choices. This Week: Marked, Remarkable Marked means clearly defined and evident. We noticed that Jack has a marked limp when he walks. Remarkable means extraordinary or worthy of notice. We noticed a remarkable improvement in Gerry’s grades. Dave Dowling is the author of The Wrong Word Dictionary and The Dictionary of Worthless Words. Both books are available from many book retailers, and signed copies can be obtained by contacting Dave at dave.dowling65@gmail.com

It’s where NEED to be.

YOU

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Week of July 29 – August 4, 2022

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LEGALS NOTICE: FORMATION OF OAK WARREN LLC. Art. of Org. filed w/ NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 6/27/22. Ofc. Loc.: Saratoga Co. SSNY designated as agent for service of process. SSNY to mail copy of process to LLC at its principal bus. loc., 73 Hearthstone Dr., Gansevoort, NY 12831. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 07/29, 08/05, 08/12, 08/19, 08/26, 09/02. 113734 NOTICE OF FORMATION OF PROFESSIONAL LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: Hope Mental Health Counseling P.L.L.C. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on June 28, 2022. Office location: Saratoga County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the PLLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to the PLLC, 20 Prospect St. Suite 203, Ballston Spa, NY 12020. Purpose: For mental health counseling. 07/22, 07/29, 08/5, 08/12, 08/19, 08/26. 113686 Stem & Stone Farm LLC Articles of Organization of this Limited Liability Company (LLC) were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on July 14, 2022. The LLC maintains its office in Saratoga County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process served to Stem & Stone Farm LLC, 225 Scotch Bush Road, Burnt Hills, NY 12027. Purpose: for any lawful activity for which limited liability companies may be formed under the law. 07/22, 07/29, 08/05, 08/12, 08/19, 08/26. 113665 Notice of formation of Earth Sight Tarot, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York on 04/13/2022 Office:

Saratoga County. SSNY has been designated as the LLC’s agent upon whom process against it may be served. A copy of process should be mailed to the LLC at: 636 Sandhill Rd. Greenfield Center, NY 12833. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 07/22, 07/29, 08/05, 08/12, 08/19, 08/26. 113659 Notice of formation of KEN SHAPIRO, M.D. PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION CONSULT, PLLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York on 7/11/2022 Office: Saratoga County. SSNY has been designated as the PLLC’s agent upon whom process against it may be served. A copy of process should be mailed to the PLLC at: 106 BALSAM WAY, CLIFTON PARK, NY 12065. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 07/22, 07/29, 08/05, 08/12, 08/19, 08/26. 113649 Notice of formation of Hemp Creations LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York on 07/13/2022 Office: Saratoga County. SSNY has been designated as the LLC’s agent upon whom process against it may be served. A copy of process should be mailed to the LLC at: 91 Lakeview Lane Rt 9p, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866 Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 07/15, 07/22, 07/29, 08/05, 08/12, 08/19. 113627 Notice of Formation of VS Saratoga Springs, LLC. App. for Auth. filed with SSNY on 7/7/2022. Office location: Saratoga Co. SSNY has been designated for service of process and shall mail a copy of any process served against the LLC to c/o ValStone Asset Mgmt., 260 E. Brown Ave., Ste 250, Birmingham, MI 48009. Purpose: any lawful act or activity. 07/15, 07/22, 07/29, 08/05, 08/12, 08/19. 113611

Notice of formation of Sanding & Handyman Solutions LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York on 06/27/2022 Office: Saratoga County. SSNY has been designated as the LLC’s agent upon whom process against it may be served. A copy of process should be mailed to the LLC at: 2 Woodlawn Ave, South Glens Falls, NY 12803. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 07/15, 07/22, 07/29, 08/05, 08/12, 08/19. 113587 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF THE MIND BODY SPIRIT CENTER LLC under Section 203 of the Limited Liability Company Law. The name of the limited liability company is The Mind Body Spirit Center LLC. Articles of Organization of The Mind Body Spirit Center LLC were filed with the New York Secretary of State on May 20, 2022. The county within the state in which the office of the limited liability company is to be located is Saratoga County. The street address of the principal business location is 1155 Middleline Road, Ballston Spa, New York 12020. The Secretary of State is designated as agent of the limited liability company upon whom process against it may be served. The address within or without this state to which the Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the limited liability company served upon him or her is 1155 Middleline Road, Ballston Spa, New York 12020. The limited liability company is organized to carry on all lawful activities. 07/15, 07/22, 07/29, 08/05, 08/12, 08/19. 113579 Notice of formation of NANCALA CO. LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York on 06/13/2022. Office:

Saratoga County. SSNY has been designated as the LLC’s agent upon whom process against it may be served. A copy of process should be mailed to the LLC at: 721a Bruno Rd. Clifton Park, NY 12065. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 07/15, 07/22, 07/29, 08/05, 08/12, 08/19. 113567 NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME 2 Snake Hill Road LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on June 8, 2022. Office location: SARATOGA County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to the LLC, 4220 24th Street Apartment 43B Long Island City, New York, 11101. Purpose: For any lawful purpose. 07/8, 07/15, 07/22, 07/29, 08/5, 08/12. 113512 NOVANA LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/27/2022. Office in SAR Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY shall mail process to 60 Railroad Place, Suite 502, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 Purpose: General. 07/8, 07/15, 07/22, 07/29, 08/5, 08/12. 113506 Notice of Formation of Limited Liability Company. Name: Fox Tail Hospitality LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 06/21/2022. Office location: Saratoga County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to the LLC, 1427 Saratoga Rd. Apt 44, Ballston Spa, New York 12020. Purpose: For any lawful purpose. 07/8, 07/15, 07/22, 07/29, 08/5, 08/12. 113482

Notice of Formation of KETTLE CORN STAN, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 03/09/2022. Office location: Saratoga County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 3 Packetboat Ct., Waterford, NY 12188. Purpose: any lawful activity. 07/8, 07/15, 07/22, 07/29, 08/5, 08/12. 113474 Notice of formation of RJKPC, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York on 06/28/2022 Office: Saratoga County. SSNY has been designated as the LLC’s agent upon whom process against it may be served. A copy of process shall be mailed to the LLC at 4 Virginia Court, Rexford, NY 12148. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 07/8, 07/15, 07/22, 07/29, 08/05, 08/12. 113464 Notice of formation of MarHold Space Systems LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York on 01/12/2022 Office: Saratoga County. SSNY has been designated as the LLC’s agent upon whom process against it may be served. A copy of process should be mailed to the LLC at: 1031 Ballston Lake Rd Ballston Lake NY 12019. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 07/8, 07/15, 07/22, 07/29, 08/05, 08/12. 113458 Notice of Formation of VS Saratoga Springs Management, LLC. App. for Auth. filed with SSNY on 6/23/2022. Office location: Saratoga Co. SSNY has been designated for service of process and shall mail a copy of any process served against the LLC to c/o ValStone Asset Mgmt., 260 E. Brown Ave., Ste 250, Birmingham, MI 48009. Purpose: any lawful act or activity. 07/1, 07/8, 07/15, 07/22, 07/29, 08/05. 113378

Week of July 29 – August 4, 2022

LEGALS Notice of Formation of VS 300 Church, LLC. App. for Auth. filed with SSNY on 6/23/2022. Office location: Saratoga Co. SSNY has been designated for service of process and shall mail a copy of any process served against the LLC to c/o ValStone Asset Mgmt., 260 E. Brown Ave., Ste 250, Birmingham, MI 48009. Purpose: any lawful act or activity. 07/1, 07/8, 07/15, 07/22, 07/29, 08/05. 113372 Notice of Formation of VS 400 Church, LLC. App. for Auth. filed with SSNY on 6/23/2022. Office location: Saratoga Co. SSNY has been designated for service of process and shall mail a copy of any process served against the LLC to c/o ValStone Asset Mgmt., 260 E. Brown Ave., Ste 250, Birmingham, MI 48009. Purpose: any lawful act or activity. 07/1, 07/8, 07/15, 07/22, 07/29, 08/05. 113366 Notice of Formation of VS Malta, LLC. App. for Auth. filed with SSNY on 6/23/2022. Office location: Saratoga Co. SSNY has been designated for service of process and shall mail a copy of any process served against the LLC to c/o ValStone Asset Mgmt., 260 E. Brown Ave., Ste 250, Birmingham, MI 48009. Purpose: any lawful act or activity. 07/1, 07/8, 07/15, 07/22, 07/29, 08/05. 113360 Notice of Formation of VS Moreau, LLC. App. for Auth. filed with SSNY on 6/23/2022. Office location: Saratoga Co. SSNY has been designated for service of process and shall mail a copy of any process served against the LLC to c/o ValStone Asset Mgmt., 260 E. Brown Ave., Ste 250, Birmingham, MI 48009. Purpose: any lawful act or activity. 07/1, 07/8, 07/15, 07/22, 07/29, 08/05. 113354 Notice of Formation of VS Wilton, LLC. App. for Auth. filed with SSNY on 6/23/2022. Office location: Saratoga Co. SSNY has been designated for service of process and shall mail a copy of any process served against the LLC to c/o ValStone Asset Mgmt., 260 E. Brown Ave., Ste 250, Birmingham, MI 48009. Purpose: any lawful act or activity. 07/1, 07/8, 07/15, 07/22, 07/29, 08/05. 113348

Notice of Formation of Limited Liability Company (LLC) Name of the LLC is: CYSBL, LLC Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on June 22, 2022. Office Location: 28 Birch Drive, Diamond Point, NY 12824, County of Warren Under section 203 of the Limited Liability Company Law. The secretary of state is designated as agent of the limited liability company upon whom process against it may be served. The post office address within or without this state to which the secretary of state shall mail a copy of any process against the limited liability company served upon him or her is: 28 Birch Drive, Diamond Point, NY 12824 The purpose of the Company is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which limited liability companies may be organized under the LLCL. . 07/1, 07/8, 07/15, 07/22, 07/29, 08/05. 113338 Notice of formation of JadeRaven Solutions LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York on 06/23/2022 Office: Saratoga County. SSNY has been designated as the LLC’s agent upon whom process against it may be served. A copy of process should be mailed to the LLC at: 39 Rip Van Ln Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 07/1, 07/8, 07/15, 07/22, 07/29, 08/05. 113323 Notice of formation of limited liability company (LLC) Name: Capital Region Therapeutic Massage, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with sec. of state of NY (SOS) on 6/2/22. Office location: Saratoga County. SOS is designated as agent of LLC for service of process. SOS shall mail copy of process to 400 Clifton Corporate Pkwy, Clifton Park, NY 12065 Purpose: Any lawful act or activity. 06/24, 07/1, 07/8, 07/15, 07/22, 07/29. 113024 Notice of Formation of Merlyn Enterprise LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 4/11/22. Office: Saratoga County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail

copy of process to the LLC, 79 Tamarack Tr. Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 06/24, 07/1, 07/8, 07/15, 07/22, 07/29. 113198 NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY Name: Placentric LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on June 14, 2022. Office location: Saratoga County. SSNY is designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: The LLC, 14 Lydia Street, South Glens Falls, NY 12803. Purpose: Any lawful act or activities. 06/24, 07/1, 07/8, 07/15, 07/22, 07/29. 113192 Notice of formation of Peaceful Pursuit Mediation LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York on 6/9/22. Office: Saratoga County.

SSNY has been designated as the LLC’s agent upon whom process against it may be served. A copy of process should be mailed to the LLC at: 560 Route 32 South, Schuylerville, NY 12871. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 06/24, 07/1, 07/8, 07/15, 07/22, 07/29. 113151 Notice of formation of Dame Good Catering Company LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with the Secretary of State New York on 6/16/2022. Office location: Saratoga County. DOS has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. DOS shall mail a copy of process to Matthew Dame 46 Trottingham Rd, Saratoga, NY 12866. Purpose: For any lawful propose. 06/24, 07/1, 07/8, 07/15, 07/22, 07/29. 113136 Notice of formation of Wilton Networking and CyberSecurity, LLC. Articles

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Week of July 29 – August 4, 2022

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WINNER’S

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Week of July 29 – August 4, 2022

News & Notes:

WEEK 3 EVENTS AT SARATOGA RACE COURSE SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Race Course gates open at 11 a.m. each day, including weekends, with the exception of Runhappy Travers Day, Saturday, August 27. Racing will not be held Mondays and Tuesdays, Admission can be purchased at all track entrances on live racing days, as well as on Ticketmaster.com.

WEEK 3 STAKE RACES Tune-in to Talking Horses for in-depth analysis from handicapper Andy Serling and other guests. FRIDAY, JULY 29 Curlin (R): 3YO, 1 1/8 - Dirt, Purse $135,000 SATURDAY, JULY 30 GI Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap: 3&UP, 6 Furlongs - Dirt, Purse $350,000 GII Jim Dandy: 3YO, 1 1/8 - Dirt, Purse $600,000 SUNDAY, JULY 31 GII Amsterdam: 3YO, 6 1/2 Furlongs - Dirt, Purse $200,000 GII Bowling Green: 4&UP, 1 3/8 - Turf, Purse $250,000 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3 Shine Again (R): F&M 4&UP, 7 Furlongs - Dirt, Purse $135,000 THURSDAY, AUGUST 4 Alydar (R): 4&UP, 1 1/8 - Dirt, Purse $135,000

Photo by Super Source Media

TASTE NY PAVILION EVERY THURSDAY - SUNDAY New York-made food and adult beverages will be available for sample and purchase exclusively at the Taste NY Pavilion throughout the season. Race fans can visit the Taste NY Pavilion, located inside Gate A at the Top of the Stretch, to enjoy New York craft beer, cider, wine and spirits.

PREMIUM GIVEAWAY FRIDAY, JULY 29 SARATOGA PICNIC BLANKET PRESENTED BY SARATOGA CASINO HOTEL

PURDY’S SUMMER CONCERT STAGE

Friday, July 29: Dealt The Blues Saturday, July 30: ILL Funk Sunday, July 31: The Twangbusters Wednesday, August 3: Johnny Kribs Band Thursday, August 4: The Lustre Kings

SATURDAY, JULY 30 Joining other racetracks across the country, Saratoga Race Course will host autograph signings and photo opportunities at the Jockey Silks Porch as part of the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF) Day Across America. Suggested donations will benefit the PDJF.

BERKSHIRE BANK FAMILY SUNDAYS EVERY SUNDAY Berkshire Bank Family Sundays will feature a wide variety of free family-friendly activities, games, attractions and educational activities each Sunday inside the Berkshire Bank Family Zone, located near Gate A at the Top of the Stretch.

*Mondays and Tuesdays = Dark Days. No racing.

Fans will enjoy free live music performances each afternoon of the season from popular local and regional bands at the Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage. This year’s summer music stage is sponsored by Purdy’s Discount Wine & Liquor in Saratoga Springs.

PERMANENTLY DISABLED JOCKEYS FUND AWARENESS DAY

STARS AT THE SPA SERIES PRESENTS TERESA GIUDICE Saratoga-branded Picnic Blanket Giveaway.

The first giveaway of the season: a Saratoga-branded picnic blanket. Presented by Saratoga Casino Hotel, the black and red plaid patterned blanket is 52” x 47” when unrolled and folds up for easy storage while traveling to and from the track.

SUNDAY, JULY 31 Fans will have the chance to meet The Real Housewives of New Jersey star Teresa Giudice at Saratoga Race Course. Choose between a ticketed meet-and-greet for up to 50 guests in the brand-new Paddock Suite, or a ticketed meet-and-greet at the Jockey Silks Porch that includes a photo opportunity and signed headshot. Tickets must be reserved in advance at NYRA.com.

Week of July 29 – August 4, 2022

WINNER’S

CIRCLE

AN UNUSUAL WEEK

The good luck that the New York Racing Association enjoyed in the first week of the meet disappeared as scorching temperatures, small fields and racing snafus marred week two.

by William G. Gotimer, Jr. for Saratoga TODAY

Photo by Chelsea Durand, courtesy of NYRA.

The enthusiasm of week one was tempered by the realities of racing in the northeast in late July as the temperature topped 90 degrees on each racing day of week two. Bedraggled patrons and employees slugged through three weekdays of small but competitive fields and then two weekend days of small but star-studded fields. The Todd Pletcher trainee Nest established her claim as the best three-year-old filly in the country in the Coaching Club American Oaks by easily besting her rival Secret Oath. Nest won easily but her performance had skeptics as her last furlong time was sub-par while finishing on the wrong lead. Her rival, Secret Oath made her customary sweeping move on the turn but retreated once repelled by Nest and finished like a horse that would appreciate some time off. Nest is now reported as a possible entrant in the meet’s hallmark race the Travers on August 27th. On Sunday, Clairiere bested Malathaat in a roughly run race in which Malathaat added blinkers for the first time in her stellar career. Malathaat appeared uninterested in the paddock and post parade and was simply second best. It remains to be seen whether she can rebound. While the racing was good, it was partially overshadowed by a trio of unusual occurrences. A late surface change on Thursday and two separate incidents of equipment malfunction, respectively on Friday and Sunday combined to frustrate and confuse bettors. On Thursday, sudden rain, minutes before the first race, prompted the decision to take the third race off the grass. While this provided the first opportunity to use the new one-mile Wilson Chute when grass routes move to the main track due to weather the late decision resulted in most Pick-5 players having horses they selected for grass now competing on the main track. The complaints were immediate and numerous. The race itself was uneventful in its running. What was unprecedented was the very belated announcement (more than 20 minutes after the race was declared official) that for Pick-5 wagering purposes, the race was deemed an “all” race meaning every runner was considered a winner. Rarely, if ever, is such a declaration made AFTER the race is official. The saying “better late than never” clearly applies as the decision was the correct one but it is disturbing that the announcement came so late as it undermines the credibility of parimutuel wagering. This incident is a function of the multitude of betting options currently offered and shows the difficult balance between protecting the riders, horses and turf course when the rains come and protecting the bettors

in the increasingly important horizontal wagers that unfold over 2 hours or more. Friday’s malfunction was minor but still unusual. A late malfunction of the “eight” stall door necessitated that the stall be left empty – requiring five horses to start one stall wider than drawn and leaving a gap between two runners. While late scratches normally result in a re-aligning of the gate stalls so no such gap exists, this seemed to be a practical on-the-fly solution to a sudden problem and the race was uneventful from start to finish with the favorite overcoming the extra-wide starting post to win easily. The most notable difficulty was still to come and it arrived in Sunday’s seventh race. The Maiden Special Weight mile and a sixteenth race for two-year-old fillies on the grass course was well run until the half-mile pole when it was clear the riders were confused and focused on something other than the race. Word was received by the riders, from an outrider, that an obstruction was on the course and that for safety they should pull up. The problem arose when a malfunctioning tractor delayed the removal of the starting gate from the course. A combination of “timing is everything” and Murphy’s First Law combined to see the gate safely removed before the field reached the top of the stretch but after numerous riders heeded the warning and abandoned the race. The stretch run then proved a thrilling one among those that continued on with a tight finish going to Towhead over the favored Idea Generation. Unfortunately, the efforts of all were for naught as the stewards deemed the race “voided” and declared it a “no-contest” for both wagering and purse purposes. This resulted in most wagers being refunded (or in the case of certain horizontal wagers declared an “all”) and purse money retained by the track. To compensate runners for the time needed to recover from their efforts in the voided race, each runner earned 3.5 percent of the purse ($3,150) which is roughly the cost of a month’s training. This decision was clearly correct and in concert with previous similar incidents where safety concerns necessitate riders stop horses from continuing. However, it was frustrating to horsemen and bettors alike – eroding some of the much-needed confidence in the running of the races. While maintenance and operational problems occur in all endeavors two significant equipment/operational malfunctions at the beginning of the meet warrant questions about the procedures being following and expenses budgeted to run races smoothly and safely. Let’s hope the necessary steps are taken.

WINNER’S

CIRCLE

Week of July 29 – August 4, 2022

A “Dream” V ictory

for the Local Connections

Eddie Fazzone.

by Tony Podlaski

for Saratoga TODAY Photos provided unless noted.

Dream Central wins the 2022 Suzie O’Cain Stakes Race. Photo courtesy of NYRA.

Gary Sciacca. Photo by Tony Podlaski.

Dream Central gives Eddie Fazzone his first Saratoga win in a race that recognized the late Suzie O’Cain, an ambassador of New York racing, who also had connections with trainer Gary Sciacca and breeder John Jayko.

t is a dream for anyone to win a race Saratoga Race Course. It is more special when there is a local connection to that victory, especially when those people are within a couple of miles of each other. That’s what happened on July 20 when local restaurant owner and Schenectady native Eddie Fazzone won his first Saratoga race with Dream Central in Suzie O’Cain Stakes, which was named in honor for one of the ambassadors of New York racing. Along with being the first Saratoga win for Fazzone, the victory was also special for him, trainer Gary Sciacca, and Fedwell Farms breeder John Jayko since each one had a connection with O’Cain, who lost her battle to breast cancer on Jan. 4. O’Cain, who lived with her husband Dr. C. Lynwood “Doc” O’Cain of 40 years in the Birch Run development while they helped manage the late Carl Lizza’s Highcliff Farm and Flying Zee Stables, was a long-time board member for both the New York Thoroughbred Breeders and the Thoroughbred

Retirement Foundation. She was also a frequently visitor of Fazzone’s Eddie F’s New England Seafood Restaurant on Clinton Street. “I got to know them over the last six years,” Fazzone said. “I had a good relationship with her and Doc. She often came to the restaurant with Doc. I would go outside to sit with her and she would tell me stories about their time with Flying Zee. I was just getting into the game and she was always wishing me a lot of luck. She was great.” Sciacca, who has been Fazzone’s friend for more than three decades, also knew O’Cain through the racing community. Before the race, Sciacca was asking for a little bit of racing luck. “When I walked out of my car, I said, ‘Suzie, I need you now,’” Sciacca said. “It was nice to have the race named for her. Running the race was great; to win it was even better.” For Jayko, this was also a special win for his farm, which is located on Denton Rd. – about two miles from Birch Run and Fazzone’s restaurant – where he bred Dream Central. Just like with Fazzone and Sciaccia, Jayko knew O’Cain through the New York Thoroughbred Breeders community.

Week of July 29 – August 4, 2022

Suzie O’Cain. Photo provided.

“I knew Doc and Suzie as much as everyone else did. We lived right around the corner of Birch Run,” Jayko said. “We’ve always bumped into them at some place. Suzie was at all of the functions. She did all of the committees and boards. She left us too soon. It’s a special win. It’s very nice and rewarding to win a race in her honor.” This hasn’t been the first time that Fazzone, Sciacca, and Jayko have been part of winning a stakes race. As part of Eddie F’s Racing Stable, Fazzone privately purchased Chowda and Lobsta. Both horses were bred at Fedwell Farm by 2012 Forego Stakes winner Emcee and Salty Little Sis, who won her debut at Saratoga in 2010. Two years ago, Chowda took the 2020 Gander Stakes. That followed with Lobsta winning the Thunder Rumble Division of the New York Sires Stakes in December and the Say Florida Sandy Stakes just over a month later at Aqueduct.

WINNER’S

CIRCLE

Fedwell Farm. Photo provided.

This year, the 3-year-old filly continued to show improvement by winning her first career race in the Cupecoy’s Joy Division of the New York Sire Stakes on June 19. That followed her making a six-wide move at the top of the stretch before winning by a head in a fourhorse battle at the finish of the Suzie O’Cain Stakes. “It’s kind of confusing. She runs six races and doesn’t break her maiden. Now she wins two stakes races,” Sciacca said. “She got steadied in a couple of her races. Perhaps she was not mature enough. When I worked her on the turf before the first stakes race [Cupejoy’s Joy], she worked like a monster. Maybe that set her up.” Even before Dream Central went into training, Jayko, who started the farm in 1984, began training horses at Saratoga, Belmont, Aqueduct, and Finger Lakes from 1992-2000, then starting his landscaping business for the next 22 years, saw potential in the filly.

Both horses are currently taking a summer break from racing on equine veterinarian Patty Hogan’s farm in Cream Ridge, NJ before possibly returning to Belmont for the fall. Oysta, a 2-year-old gelding by Micromanage and half-brother to Lobsta and Chowda, is currently training at Saratoga.

“We’ve always thought she was a pretty nice filly,” Jayko said. “We put her in the sale a couple of times when she was a yearling. She didn’t bring what we thought she was worth. We ended up keeping her and put her in training. Obviously, it’s exciting. It validates everything that we are doing. Over the years, we’ve have done pretty well with the small amount of horses. We’ve been lucky.”

Dream Central comes out the mare Dreamed to Dream, who Jayko purchased for $7,500 at the 2018 Ocala Winter Sale. At the time, she in foal to multiple Grade 1 winner Point of Entry, and that foal became Dream Point. While Dream Point, who is owned by Fazzone and trained by Sciacca, is still looking for his first career win, Dream Central development hasn’t been a surprise for all of the connections.

Even Sciacca knows they have been lucky, but he also believes there has been a little bit of magic and possibly divine intervention. “Sometimes, you do a lot of things that don’t turn out,” he said. “I don’t know what happened. Eddie [Fazzone] hit the magic touch. There is no explanation. The man upstairs blesses you and gives you a little luck. You have to go with that. You can’t question it.”

After struggling on dirt in her first two starts, Dream Central showed a lot more promise by finishing fifth in a 12-horse field as the New York turf season came to an end in December.

If everything remains in good order for Dream Central, Fazzone and Sciacca indicated the filly will likely race in the Statue of Liberty Division of the New York Sire Stakes on Aug. 18 on the Saratoga turf course.

Sports Camp Abilities Returns to Saratoga

Week of July 29 – August 4, 2022

Photos provided.

Games

Fun And

SARATOGA — After two years of virtual camp, the Saratoga Lions Club is officially back to hosting “Camp Abilities.” Formed in 2014, the overnight camp is sports and recreation-based, tailored to children and teens who are blind, visually impaired and deaf blind. The camp leaders help children play sports and enjoy outdoor activities - just as every child should experience during

the days of summer. Activities the campers will take part in include, “beep baseball,” horseback riding, paddleboarding, ice skating and much more. This year, the camp is taking place from July 31 to August 7 at Skidmore College. The camp’s mission is inspired by and modeled after Camp Abilities Brockport and is a service project of the Lions Club of Saratoga. The Camp Abilities Saratoga

staff includes adapted physical education specialists and is set up to provide a one-on-one instructional situation for each person. Evening events also include a barbeque in the Saratoga Spa State Park, a dance, bowling and a talent show. The camp supports an enrollment of 26 children. For more information about this worthy cause, or to donate visit, campabilitiessaratoga.org.

Puzzle Solutions See puzzles pg. 25

Sports

Week of July 29 – August 4, 2022

The Wesley Community to Host Golf Fundraising Event In Saratoga Springs

Saratoga Jockeys Vs. Horsemen Charity Game Set for Aug. 4

Saratoga 9 & Wine golf fundraiser, 2021. Photo provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Wesley Foundation’s annual Saratoga 9 & Wine golf fundraising event will be held on Tuesday, August 9 at Saratoga Lake Golf Course at 2 p.m. This event is a 9-hole scramble format, with two concurrent tournaments being played on the front and back 9 holes. Along the course there will be wine and spirits tastings to enjoy at each hole. A grab and go lunch will be available for all golfers. Day-of registration opens at 12:30 p.m. Early registration is recommended by visiting www.thewesleycommunity.org/

wesley-foundation/special-events/ saratoga-9-and-wine-golf/. Saratoga 9 & Wine fundraiser will benefit The Campaign For Springs at Wesley Health Care Center. The Campaign For Springs aims to help raise funds to finish renovations on the Wesley Health Care Center’s Springs Building. To learn more about the impact that this project will have on their most in-need residents, visit CampaignforSprings.com. Sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting Katelynn Donovan, Assistant Director, at kndonovan@ thewesleycommunity.org.

Jockeys-versus-Horsemen charity basketball game, 2019. Photo provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The 13th annual Jockeys-versusHorsemen charity basketball game, which benefits the programs of the New York Race Track Chaplaincy, is scheduled for Thursday, August 4 at the Saratoga Springs Recreation Center at 6:30 p.m. The jockey team will once again be coached by Hall of Fame jockey Ángel Cordero Jr. Trainer

Todd Pletcher and agent Kiaran McLaughlin will be coaching the horsemen team. Mitch Levites will serve as the announcer and provide commentary. Fans will be able to participate in raffles for prizes including a custom, autographed bobblehead of champion jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. The NY Race Track Chaplaincy provides the

backstretch community with children’s enrichment, social service, and recreational programs, as well as educational opportunities, and non-denominational religious services. Horsemen, individuals, or organizations who would like to sponsor the game may do so via www.rtcany.org or by contacting Eleanor Poppe at info@rtcany.org or 516-428-5267.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR OUR NEXT ROUND OF CANDIDATES FOR

the of Athlete

Week

They can be a STAND-OUT or STAND-BY, a SUPERSTAR, or a SUPER TEAMMATE. Send us your suggestions. Any and all sports welcome. Send: Athlete Name | Sport | Brief Description to: cbeatty@saratogapublishing.com Put ‘Athlete of the Week’ in the Subject