Local First Saratoga North Edition 122222

Saratoga County History Center Launches “Saratoga History

Hours”

BALLSTON SPA - Saratoga County History Center members are invited to our inaugural Saratoga History Happy Hour at the Real McCoy Beer Company in Ballston Spa. The Saratoga History Happy Hour is a series of three happy hour vibe programs at which local historians or experts weigh in on a variety of historical topics, share their insights, answer audience questions, participate in a trivia contest, and enjoy libations from a New York State craft brewery.

Sean Kelleher, SCHC vice president, explains, “Mike Schaffer of the Real McCoy Company approached us. With all the history at his site, the birthplace of the purported inventor of baseball, this will be a fun opportunity to learn about some of Saratoga County’s most intriguing historical accounts.”

The program takes place at the Real McCoy Beer Company, the historic birthplace of Major-General Abner Doubleday in Ballston Spa. The taproom is a legacy of America’s early aesthetic and historic charm, so you can enjoy historical stories and craft beers just like our ancestors. The Real McCoy Beer Company is

Schumer ends N.Y. tour in Spa City

By JOSHUA SOLOMON

SARATOGA SPRINGS — U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer touted completion of his annual tour of every county in New York as “one of the most impactful of his career” as he finished Monday in Saratoga Springs, where he discussed aid to area fire departments struggling with training and staff retention.

At the top of Schumer’s list of accomplishments: the American Rescue Plan, the Inflation Reduction Act, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and the CHIPS & Science Bill.

Schumer reflected on Congress’ work regarding the price of insulin, the elimination of burn pits and especially the investment in chip manufacturing in New York.

The deal to convince Micron to come to the Syracuse area, a project that represents a $100 billion investment that officials say will create 50,000 jobs, is of particular note to Schumer.

“Micron, planning the biggest investment, said they needed the investment tax credit and that would help them come to New York and so we got that passed as a part of the CHIPS bill,” he said of the Senate’s work.

The state passed a similar Green CHIPS bill that provides up to $10 billion in potential tax breaks to the industry.

The state legislation passed in the final hours of session. An Empire State Development spokeswoman, at the time, described the bill as a way to capitalize on the anticipated passage of Schumer’s federal bill that would put New York “in the best position to stand apart from the other states and countries who are trying to attract the semiconductor industry.”

Schumer on Monday noted that Micron’s decision to come to New York is also expected to spur SUNY’s Albany Nanotech campus and others in the area in the chip manufacturing business.

It was his 24th time visiting all 62 counties in New York and the second time since becoming majority leader. He recalled his election in 1998, defeating three-term U.S. Sen. Al D’Amato.

“D’Amato said, ‘If Chuck Schumer wins, you’ll never see him west of the Hudson (River).’ I said, ‘God willing I win — I’ll visit every county in my first year.’ I did and I learned so much,” Schumer said.

This year, U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin invoked Schumer’s well-known journey across all 62 counties, “a full Schumer,” when he completed his own tour of the state on the gubernatorial campaign trail. When he visited all the counties twice over, he quipped at rallies that it should be called “the full Zeldin.”

Schumer encouraged all elected officials to visit every part of their constituency.

Spa residents choose urban forest, skating

First participatory budget process hailed as success

By WENDY LIBERATORE

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The votes are in for the city’s first participatory budget initiative – a survey of what residents would like to see the city spend its money on. Residents chose nine projects including an urban forest, outdoor skating in Congress Park and a community garden.

The projects, expected to cost $96,000, will go to the City Council for final approval on Tuesday. The projects, which also include launching a youth arts program and planting of native flowers, were selected out of 20 ideas submitted by city residents and organizations.

‘Crisis for animal welfare’

Veterinarian shortage, surge in need of care overwhelm clinics in the Capital Region

By MELISSA MANNO

When Nicole Yancy’s dog, Riley, began displaying erratic behavior on a recent Sunday afternoon, she and her boyfriend anxiously called around to local emergency veterinary clinics to no avail.

One clinic said they were too short-staffed. Another told the couple they were so backed up that they could only see pets in life-threatening emergencies.

The next morning, after finally getting in to see an emergency veterinarian in Latham, they were told their dog had an enlarged spleen and liters of blood in her abdomen. They had to euthanize her the next day.

Yancy’s story is not unique. Across the country, state and locally, there is an unprecedented veterinarian shortage that has overwhelmed practices with a deluge of clients and stretched an already overworked industry to its limit.

“I understand there is a shortage of help and it’s hard on everyone. I just wish there was some way we could’ve gotten help that day we called around.

I feel like she would’ve had a similar outcome either way, but it was disheartening to hear they couldn’t see her

‘unless she’s dying’ when she actually was dying the entire time,” Yancy said.

Turning animals away has become an all too familiar response for veterinarians who face mounting pressure from demands for pet care intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic. And it’s a trend experts expect will worsen, with nearly 41,000 additional veterinarians needed to meet the demands of companion animal health care by 2030, according to a recent study from MARS Veterinary Health.

The crisis has been set into motion by a number of contributors. For one, the number of retiring veterinarians has outpaced those entering the field, said Tim Atkinson, executive director of the New York State Veterinary Medicine Society.

The staffing shortage, however, does not mean that fewer people are pursuing the career, Atkinson said. Classes are still full at veterinary schools throughout the nation. Instead, there are also factors at play that have led long-term veterinary staff to leave the field.

To sum it up, he said, it’s “become less pleasant to be a veterinarian and much less pleasant to be front of house.”

At Albany County Veterinary Hospital, the loss of one of its veterinarians and a relief doctor have placed a heavy burden on the two who remain, including the practice’s owner, Virginia Jarvis.

Prior to the pandemic, Jarvis, 55, began cutting back her hours as she approached retirement. Now her weeks are overbooked, and each day is spent treating 20 to 25 clients including a record number of urgent cases.

“The emergency clinics are so short-staffed that whereas before we had the ability to transfer patients that we couldn’t see or (see them) after hours, that’s now limited in the Capital Region for the first time in 30 years,”

she said. “We have to figure out ways to keep treating patients when we don’t have any overflow capability anymore.”

Jarvis said she put out a hiring ad for an associate veterinarian about a year ago but received little interest and recently took it down. The shortage, she believes, is due to so many veterinarians leaving the field in the early days of the pandemic, including not only retirees but also those that became overwhelmed by pandemic-era pressures of working in the clinics.

“I think during the pandemic, a lot of people saw it as a good time to get out, then things progressed and we quickly became overwhelmed with all of the people staying home with their pets and it became too stressful because we weren’t able to take care of everyone that needed us,” she said.

In 2019, 63 percent of the nation’s active veterinary workforce was female, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. Jarvis said the gender gap likely contributed to some leaving the field after enduring the stress of seeing clients all day while also having to take care of their families.

The only solution, she said, is for more veterinarians to enter the field to take the places of those who’ve left — but with veterinary medicine having always been a career of passion, the heightened strains of the job might be enough to dissuade some potential students.

“There’s definitely more stress, more grief. It really hurts when I’m unable to find a place to transfer a critical patient at the end of the day, or when I need to turn an animal away,” Jarvis said.

For animal lovers, the reward of incurring a huge sum of educational debt is a lifetime spent working with animals — but as the job

PAUL BUCKOWSKI / TIMES UNION

The City Council will vote Tuesday on the inclusion of outdoor skating in Congress Park.

10th Annual Toys for Toga Campaign Delivers 2,600 Toys, Including $24k in Gifts For Teens, to 3 Local Organizations

Saratoga County Program Is Also Making a $7,600 Cash Donation

MECHANICVILLE -

The 10th annual Toys for Toga campaign is proud to announce it has donated over 2,600 toys, including $24,000 in gifts for teenagers, to the program’s 3 local beneficiaries.

Death Wish Coffee Company donated the teen-specific gifts for the first time this year. The gifts included gaming consoles, sporting goods, headphones, bedding, gift cards and more.

“Each year, I grow more amazed by the community’s support for Toys for Toga,” said Eric Donovan, Community Engagement Director for Death Wish Coffee Company. “With everyone’s help, we are making the holidays brighter for so many local children, including local teens who we were able to specifically help for the first time this year.”

Today, Toys for Toga organizers delivered the toys to the program’s three beneficiaries: Franklin Community Center in

Capital Region Veterans Memorial (CRVM) Fundraiser

SCHENECTADY - Mary Brandt, Board President of the Capital Region Veterans Memorial, has announced a fundraising Dinner at the Water’s Edge Lighthouse, 2 Freeman’s Bridge Road, Glenville, NY on January 28, 2023 for the benefit of the Capital Region Veterans Memorial

Saratoga Springs, CAPTAIN Community Human Services in Clifton Park, and the Mechanicville Area Community Services Center.

“It’s always an amazing feeling to see the smiles on the faces of the organizations we help with this program,” said Carmine DeCrescente III, Vice President of DeCrescente Distributing Company, which distributes toy collection bins, creates marketing materials, and administers the program’s GoFundMe account.

“Their staff members work so hard all year long and we are happy to extend a helping hand when they need it most. On behalf of everyone at DeCrescente, thank you to all our toy-drop off locations and everyone who helped make this holiday season extra special for local kids.”

Toys for Toga is spearheaded by several Saratoga County businesses, including DeCrescente Distributing Company, Discover Saratoga, Death Wish Coffee Company, Druthers Brewing Company, and Quick Response Restoration.

“This program was designed to help bring joy to local children in need during the holiday season,” said Darryl Leggieri, President of Discover Saratoga, another founding member of the Toys for Toga

to be located in the new Legacy Park of Glenville, NY.

A highlight of the event is the Silent Auction with a very exciting item to be raffled off. A FLIGHT for TWO out of the Saratoga County Airport to a nearby Regional Airport. The flight will conclude with breakfast with the Pilot and all expenses are included. Many other items have been collected

program. “Each year, I am amazed by the outpouring of toys and monetary donations from the local community. I’d like to personally thank every person and business who participated in Toys for Toga this year, and years past. I’m so grateful to live and work in a community where people give so generously.”

In addition to the toys, Toys for Toga has raised over $7,600 in cash to donate to the 3 beneficiaries.

Of that cash donation, $2,500 was raised through the sale of Druthers Brewing Company’s signature Toys for Toga NEIPA beer.

This year’s beer, which was aged on tangerines for a juicy, citrusy flavor, was available on draft at several Saratoga County bars, and available in 4-packs at beverage centers and grocery stores across the county.

Over $4,500 was raised through Toys for Toga’s GoFundMe page. The page will remain up for the rest of the holiday season and those who would like to contribute can still do so at: www.gofundme.com/f/ toys-for-toga-2022

We would like to specifically thank Gail Dunmyer, one of Death Wish Coffee’s biggest fans, who raised over $3,000 for the GoFundMe this year.

Andy Gilpin, Executive Director of CAPTAIN Community Human

according to Ginny Barr, board member. Some other major items include a “Gaming Chair” and an Air Convection Oven. Auction items can be donated by calling Mary Brandt at 518-495-2524.

Bidding for this event will commence at 4 PM on Saturday, January 28th. Dinner will be at 5 and the evening will include an updated presentation on the progress of this important

Services said, "The holiday season is especially challenging for many of our local families. Every parent hopes for a big, bright smile on their child's face when they tear open the wrapping paper and see what's inside. Through the generosity of our community, there will be hundreds of smiles come Christmas morning and much hope for our families going into the new year."

Franklin Community Center Development Director Mary Beth McGarrahan said, "We are so grateful to be included in the annual Toys for Toga toy drive and fundraiser and we thank all who donated toys and money this year. This has brought hope to so many, exhibiting what the holiday spirit truly means. We are fortunate to live in a very special community of caring people and we would like to thank everyone who contributed. Thank you as well to DeCrescente, Quick Response, Death Wish Coffee, Druthers and Discover Saratoga for organizing this tremendous effort and helping to fulfill the Christmas dreams of less fortunate children, who might otherwise have gone without."

Megan Quillinan, Executive Director of the Mechanicville Area Community Services Center said,

Capital District Project for Veterans. The cost is $40 per person and tickets can be purchased on line at CAPITALREGIONVETERANS.ORG

Ballston Area Senior Citizens Activities

BALLSTON/MILTON - BASC Inc. If you are 55+ a resident of Saratoga County. Looking to make new friends consider joining Ballston Area Senior.

“Toys for Toga embodies all that it means when we say #ittakesacommunity. It is heart-warming to see local businesses partner with community organizations to support so many during the holiday season.

This year, MACSC with the help of Toys for Toga, will be able to help over 400 children from local school districts.”

Toys for Toga would not be possible without the 80+ local businesses who helped collect toys, sell beer, and promote our GoFundMe page. A full list of participating businesses can be found below.

Thank you to Forno Bistro, which donated $600 from sales during November’s Discover Saratoga Annual Restaurant Week.

The Horseshoe, Nanola, The Hideaway, Iron’s Edge and more held special events at their locations to encourage toy drop offs and fundraising and we greatly appreciate their efforts this year!

Businesses who would like to participate in Toys for Toga next year are encouraged to contact Roberto Cruz, Communications Manager at DeCrescente Distributing at r.cruz@ddcbev.com or 518-539-2035.

Residents from surrounding Counties are welcome to join. Stop in the Milton Community Center any Thursday 10:00 am—11:45 am to join. Our newsletter at ballstonmiltonseniors. com also has an application in it fill it out and mail it in.

For membership information contact Barb Broderson at 518-885-4229 or e-mail ballston.area. seniors2@gmail.com

The Largest-Circulation Print Newspaper in New York’s Capital Region

Published Every Thursday Distributed Weekly To 180,000 Homes

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

Jennifer Morrell 518-454-5513 jmorrell@timesunion.com

DESIGN DEPARTMENT

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CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT

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DISPLAY AD DEADLINE: Friday 4:00pm

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Reproduction without permission is prohibited. The majority of the ads in this publication were created by and are the sole property of Local First and cannot be reproduced without express permission from the publisher.

Looking for Baseball Umpires

CAPITAL DISTRICTCapital District Baseball Umpires Association is looking for new members for the 2023 season. Training classes are now forming. Please call Bob Umholtz at 518-986-5987 or go to cdbua.com for more information.

To Love A Child Announces Annual December Angel Match $15,000 Challenge

CAPITAL DISTRICT - To Love A Child, Inc., a local 501(c)3 nonprofit organization announces its Annual Angel Match $15,000 Challenge. This event kicks off on Giving Tuesday November 30th and will extend thru December 31st.

Two anonymous “angels” have pledged to match every donation during the month of December up to a $15,000 total. Donations assist people suffering from abject poverty—those deprived of basic human needs; including food, safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, health care, shelter, and education. Donations will be used to support local families in our community as well as programs and projects in Haiti and Zimbabwe.

To Love A Child invites you to make a difference in a child’s life. Your help and generosity are greatly needed this year to support our vision and mission in helping impoverished children. Over the past 13 years we continue to change lives through our journeys and your support.

Donations can be made

on PayPal by visiting the website www.toloveachild. net or by mailing a check to: To Love A Child Inc., PO Box 165, Clifton Park, NY 12065

Your support and generosity is greatly appreciated.

Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center to

handmade items upon the tree. Visitor Center hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

givers.org . Also, Visit Community Caregivers at www.communitycaregivers.org.

Faith Weldon during the months of November and December, 2022.

Trinity UMC Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Kick Off

Annual Mitten Tree Program

Program encourages giving back to locals in need this winter season

SARATOGA - The Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center is excited to announce the launch of their annual Mitten Tree Program. Starting Saturday, November 26 through Saturday, December 31, members of the local community are invited to contribute warm winter wear to the Visitor Center Mitten Tree located at 297 Broadway in Saratoga Springs. All donations will benefit the following organizations: CAPTAIN Community Human Services, Franklin Community Center, and Shelters of Saratoga.

“As the holiday season approaches, we’re reminded how important it is to give back,” said Karen Verrigni, director of the Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center. “This annual tradition provides hundreds of pieces of winter wear to those in need during the cold winter months. The kindness and generosity of our region is heartwarming!”

Instead of ornaments or lights, the tree is decorated with warm winter items such as hats, scarves, gloves, and of course, mittens. If you’d like to donate, the Visitor Center asks that you hang new or

Murder in the Canfield Casino: New Detective Board Game Benefits Saratoga Springs History Museum

SARATOGA - Murder in the Canfield Casino: New Detective Board Game Benefits Saratoga Springs History Museum

The Saratoga Springs History Museum has released a fun new board game just in time for the holidays: Murder in the Canfield Casino: The Saratoga Springs Historical Detective Game.

Players take on the role of historical figures from Saratoga Springs history and act as sleuths to solve the murder of Ms. Sara Toga in the Canfield Casino, Saratoga Springs’ most historic building. The game board is based on the floor plan of the Casino, and the suspects are prominent people from Saratoga Springs history, including: John Morrissey, builder of the Casino and founder of the racetrack; George Crum, inventor of the potato chip; and singer/actress Lillian Russell. All the potential murder weapons shown History Museum.

“This game was conceptualized during the pandemic shutdowns. I designed and wrote it, and sourced out the creative materials necessary to talented local people. We are so excited to have this finally come to fruition and be available for the holiday season,” says James Parillo, Executive Director of the History Museum.

Murder in the Canfield Casino retails for $49.95, with all proceedsbenefitting the Museum. The game is available at the Saratoga Springs History Museum Shop, Impressions of Saratoga, The Dark Horse Mercantile, G. Williker’s and The National Museum of Racing & Hall of Fame’s Shop.

The History Museum has been located in the Canfield Casino since 1912 and serves thousands of visitors and hundreds of schoolchildren every year. The Museum’s three floors of exhibits tell the story of Saratoga Springs, and are always changing and improving. The History Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., through December 18.

The Museum Shop will remain open December 19-23 for holiday shopping.

This game was made possible by Camelot Print and Copy Centers, The Adirondack Trust Company, Impressions of Saratoga, The Dark Horse Mercantile, Larry Ambrosino Design and Gail Stein Photography.

The History Museum can be reached at 518-584-6920, at www.saratogahistory.org, or on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Empty Stocking Project Begins

SARATOGA COUNTY - The Saratoga County Children’s Committee is a nonprofit organization that helps children and families in Saratoga County. The Empty Stocking Project provides holiday gifts and necessities to about 900 children and teens each year. Generous people and organizations sponsor a child by purchasing gifts from the child’s “wish list”.

If you are willing to sponsor a child or for more information please call Kathy Kelly at 399-6629 or go to our website www.saratogachildrenscommittee.org. Cash donations are always appreciated and may be sent to The Saratoga County Children’s Committee, P.O. Box 1254, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

The Visitor Center will be closed on Wednesday, November 23 - Friday, November 25 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. In December, the Visitor Center will be closed the following days for the Christmas holiday: Saturday, December 24 - Tuesday, December 27.

The Visitor Center will be closed Friday, December 30 and Saturday, December 31 for the New Year holiday.

For more information, visit www.discoversaratoga.org/saratoga-springs-visitor-center.

Recruiting AmeriCorps Volunteers 55+

CAPITAL DISTRICT - Community Caregivers has partnered with AmeriCorps Seniors and is actively recruiting volunteers who are 55+ join a national volunteer movement and help their neighbors.

Our volunteers provide support, at no charge, to older adults and individuals who need help to live safely and independently in their own homes. There are several flexible opportunities available such as grocery shopping and transportation. We currently serve Albany and Rensselaer counties.

For those that meet the income guidelines, there is even a modest stipend available.

If your organization currently utilizes volunteers and would like to find out how we can partner or if you’re interested and have questions, please send us a note at americorps@communitycare-

WILTON - Trinity United Methodist Church cordially invites you to our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 7:00 PM on Saturday, December 24, 2022 . We are located at 155 Ballard Road, Wilton, NY 12831.

Kwanzaa Celebration at the Frederick Allen Elks Lodge 609

SARATOGA - Fri., Dec. 30, 11:30am to 2:30pm Please join us at the Frederick Allen Elks Lodge in celebrating together the seven principles of Kwanzaa: Unity, Self-Determination, Collective Work & Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity, and Faith. Sponsored by the Mary A. Carter Temple #362

For updated details & to purchase tickets: https://www.frederickallenlodge.org/kwanzaa

More information: 518691-2499 www.FrederickAllenLodge.org 69 Beekman Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

Southern Saratoga Art Society

CAPITAL DISTRICT - Artists and members of SSAS are exhibiting throughout the area. The Town of Clifton Park Lobby, 1 Town Hall Plaza, Tel.#: 518-371-6651, Ext. 240, will feature artist

Saratoga County History Center Launches “Brookside Books”

BALLSTON SPA - Today, the Saratoga County History Center in Ballston Spa has announced a new initiative, “Brookside Books,” a collection of ten books written and signed by members of the History Center that cover a wide range of historical topics. The books are sold as part of the 22nd annual Artisans’ Market at Brookside Museum.

The books, both hardcover and softcover, range in price from $15 to $35. The ten titles in this collection, fiction and non-fiction, are available for purchase at the Artisans Market thru December 24 at Brookside Museum, 21 Fairground Ave., Ballston Spa. The 2022 market hours are: Thursdays 12pm – 5pm, Fridays 11am – 6pm, Saturdays and Sundays 11am – 5pm.

The collection includes titles by seven different authors.

· Robert Conner: James Montgomery-Abolitionist Warrior and The Last Circle of Ulysses Grant

· Matt Grumo: Uriah Gregory: A New York Settler in Revolutionary Times

· Alan Maddaus: The Prestons Of East Street – The Story Of A 19th Century American Family and Wright Peak Elegy - A Story of Cold War, Nuclear Deterrence and Ultimate Sacrifice

· James Richmond: War on the Middleline

· Timothy Starr: Isaiah Blood: Scythe & Axe Maker of Ballston Spa and The Ballston Terminal Railroad and its Successors

· John L. Scherer: More Bits Of Clifton Park History

· Stephen Williams: Off the Northway – A Collection of Newspaper Articles on Saratoga County

The History Center just released More Saratoga County Stories, a collection of essays and articles written by 33 local historians. This second volume of Saratoga County Stories provides snapshots of the past and true tales of crime, heroism, and colorful personalities.

Annual New Year’s Celebration at the Frederick Allen Elks Lodge 609

SARATOGA - Saturday, December 31 7:00pm to 2:00am, You are invited to dance in 2023 with all of us at The Lodge ... Complimentary Champagne @ Midnight! Live Music & Dancing • Nibbles & Lite Fare • Raffles & Door Prizes • Cash Bar

For updated details & to purchase tickets: www.FrederickAllenLodge.org/new-years-eve

More information: 518-691-2499 www.FrederickAllenLodge.org 69 Beekman Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

The Clifton Park Senior Community Center Gallery, 6 Clifton Common Ct., Tel.#:518-383-1343, will be hosting members of SSAS in a show called “Seasons”, which showcases the elegance of Spring, the passion of Summer, the subtlety of Autumn and the harshness of Winter during the months of November and December, 2022.

The Mechanicville Library, 190 N. Main Street, Tel.#:518-664-4646, will feature artist, Karen Zimmer for the months of November and December, 2022. Visit these venues and enjoy the artwork of these various artists. For more information about SSAS visit our website: southernsaratogaartist. com or check us out on Facebook.

Academy for Lifelong Learning Offering 16 Winter Courses

SARATOGA - The Academy for Lifelong Learning continues its 30+ year tradition of presenting educational and social opportunities for adults 55+ by offering sixteen, 5-week courses starting the week of January 23 Registration is now open. For a course brochure, go to www.esc.edu/all or www.allsaratoga.org

Course brochures are also available at local libraries, YMCA’s and retirement communities or by request at (518) 2906988 or jeff@allsaratoga. org. Please note – some changes have been made. For the most updated version go to our website. Registrations will be

accepted throughout the term until courses are full. Some courses will sell out. Annual membership is $75 and goes for 365 days from join date. Five-week courses are $50 each.

Topics for these volunteer-led, noncredit courses include music, literature, teas, Italian language, investing, variety speaker series, Art History and Anatomy, ancient game of Go, hiking, snow shoeing, Chinese writings, history, art at the Tang, science, and more. Join A.L.L. locally for classroom and outdoor courses, or from anywhere for Zoom options.

Founded in 1992, the Academy is a nonprofit, membership organization whose members share a love of learning.

A self-funded entity, A.L.L. is designed to offer lifelong learning and comradery among seniors, A.L.L. also offers a spring and fall term, Special Interest Groups, (SIGs) and special events that are held throughout the year. If you would like to support the Academy by becoming a member or for more information, contact the Academy at (518) 290-6988, email jeff@allsaratoga,org, or go to www.allsaratoga.org.

Saratoga – Wilton Elks Lodge 161

Baby Back Ribs Dinner for Curbside Pick Up

SARATOGA / WILTON - Wednesday, December 28, 2022; 4:30-6:00pm Call Monday Or Tuesday Between 10am-Noon To Place An Order - 518584-2585

Baby Back Ribs, Baked Beans, Cold Slaw, Corn Bread Dinner For 2 /$30.00 (Cash Only)

Adirondack Trust Company Community Fund Supports the History Center

Lend-A-Hand Grants an Exhibition on the History of Saratoga County

BALLSON SPA - Tthe Saratoga County History Center in Ballston Spa announced a $2,500 grant from the Adirondack Trust Company Community Fund as part of their Lend-A-Hand program. The grant was presented at the Community Fund’s annual award reception and will support an immersive exhibition on the history of Saratoga County to open in spring 2023.

Field Horne, president of the SCHC, said, “This grant helps the History Center regain fiscal momentum with exhibitions, the lifeblood of a museum. The support of the Adirondack Trust Company Community Fund makes possible the preservation and sharing of our county’s rich history.”

Maureen Walsh, SCHC Treasurer, said, “This grant represents the faith of the Adirondack Trust Company Community Fund in the value of SCHC. We are delighted and honored. The funding will help SCHC deliver on its mission to bring a deeper understanding, for residents and visitors alike, of how the past informs and impacts our present and future in Saratoga County.”

With this grant and other support, the organization will create an exhibit with a lifespan of about a decade. An exhibition of this magnitude and quality should result in a steady audience and sustainable fiscal support. It will provide an engaging orientation for residents and visitors about the county’s history and be the basis for developing new public and school programs. This development should lead to additional partnerships with cultural and educational institutions and increase outreach to audiences and donors.

The Saratoga County History Center is dedicated to the preservation and sharing of the diverse histories of Saratoga County. In addition to the Brookside Museum, the History Center provides various innovative, exciting, and educational programs online and in-person across the county. Please check the website (www.brooksidemuseum.org) and social media accounts (@SaratogaCoHistory) for updates and announcements.

HOME SOLUTIONS

Pros and Cons To Open-Concept Homes

Open-concept homes have become increasingly popular in recent years. An open-concept home is one in which the rooms flow into one another with limited obstruction from walls or other barriers. According to the National Association of Home Builders, 84 percent of new single-family homes have fully or partially open layouts.

While they may seem like a new trend, open floor plans are anything but. Early American homes featured open, often one- or two-room units built around the central kitchen/hearth. This maximized warmth and functionality. Homes evolved as incomes grew, and soon homes had several smaller rooms with specialized functions.

What’s old has become new again. However, before diving head first into a new home purchase or a big renovation to realize an open-concept dream, consider the pros and cons of this type of setup to determine if it’s really right for you.

Advantages of open floor plans

Open floor plans facilitate the flow of natural light throughout a space and can promote air flow, helping to reduce warm or cool pockets of air in otherwise closedoff rooms.

Open homes make socializing easier, even when people are doing different things. While someone is cooking dinner in the kitchen, he or she can still interact with someone else playing video games in the family room or paying bills in the home office. Entertaining also is easier, as mingling with guests is much more convenient when walls are not getting in the way.

A smaller home can feel much larger if it employs an open concept. The square footage is not divided into smaller quarters, which sometimes are rooms (such as formal dining rooms) that are only used a few times per

How To Furnish Your Dining Area

year. This eliminates underused spaces and opens up sight lines in the layout.

The value of real estate has risen dramatically since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and prospective buyers may prefer an open-concept plan because it can help them minimize building costs.

Disadvantages of open floor plans

Open layouts are not for everyone. The same sense of space that occurs when walls are taken down may make rooms feel cavernous and less cozy, particularly in homes with ample square footage. In addition, privacy can be hard to come by when all rooms feed into one another.

When the kitchen is not separate from the family room space, that makes it easy for noise to compromise the area’s comfort levels. There is no hiding from noise in an open floor plan, as sounds from voices, television shows and appliances tend to echo and blend together. And if the home is a single-story layout, those noises from the main living areas also may carry to adjacent bedrooms.

Smoke and smells are another thing to consider. When something on the stove spills over, a small range hood will not be practical for clearing smoke from a large space. Though the aroma of freshly cooked food is enticing, it can make it hard for cooks to keep guests out of the kitchen.

Open-concept homes are popular, but homeowners should weigh the pluses and minuses to see if this trend is truly right for them.

Modern homes look a bit different than those of generations past. Rather than several small rooms divided by walls, modern homes offer open-concept floor plans. That means the boundaries between spaces are not so defined, allowing rooms and activities to blend into one another.

Formal dining rooms may or may not be part of the current home layout with regard to new construction. Many homeowners now gravitate toward kitchens with adjacent breakfast nooks that utilize large islands with stool seating that open up to family rooms. These layouts can make it more challenging for homeowners to figure out how to furnish their dining areas — however casual or formal they may be. Individuals can use these tips as a springboard for selecting the right pieces in their homes, no matter where they enjoy their meals.

Consider the scope of the room

Is it a dining room or a dining area? This will help determine decor and the formality of the pieces of furniture needed to outfit the room, according to The Spruce, a home renovation resource. If the room is a multi-purpose space, consider furniture that can serve different purposes, such as a table that has fold-down portions to change its size depending on the number of people dining at a particular time. You may want to include an armoire to store linens and stash away pens and note pads for making shopping lists.

Dining table

The dining table is the foundation of a dining area. After all, people need to have somewhere to sit and eat. Remember to measure the dimensions of the room carefully, as furniture can look much smaller in warehouse stores or furniture showrooms than in a home.

Consider a round or square dining table, which tend fit into rooms more easily than rectangular tables. Plus, these shapes are more conducive to conversation. Rectangular tables often leave people at the ends out of the chat.

Seating

Seating can affect the ability to move around the room. If space is at a premium, some narrow-profile chairs are a better option than larger, upholstered wingbacks. Homeowners may consider a wooden or upholstered bench on one side of the dining table to maximize seating during family events.

Lighting

Pottery Barn suggests using a mix of lighting sources to create the right lighting needs in the space. Floor lamps, an overhead chandelier, wall fixtures, and natural light need to blend and be adjusted as needed. Also, choose an overhead chandelier that complements the shape of the dining table. For example, a round fixture will look best above a round table.

Rug

An area rug can help define the dining space and set it apart from other areas in an open-concept home. An area rug also adds warmth and color when a wood table meets a wood floor; otherwise, it may look too stark.

Homeowners must take various factors into consideration when decorating a dining room. Size, purpose and style are just some of the things that merit ample consideration before furnishing a dining space.

and restrictions (CCRs) must be considered before renovating an existing home or building a new one. Setbacks are mandated buffers between surveyed property lines and permanent structures. Easements are legal designations that enable individuals or entities to use portions of a person’s property for physical access or to build on it for one reason or another. Easements may be owned by utility companies for gas lines or government agencies when sidewalks are on a private property.

Additional examples of easements include greenbelt conservation easements, beach easements or view easements, according to The Spruce, a home and lifestyle resource. CCRs include rules established by many planned communities, subdivisions and planned unit developments. CCRs, easements and property setbacks can affect which type of renovations are allowed on particular plots and may affect the issuance of permits. It’s essential to learn about property easements, CCRs and setbacks in advance and discuss them with contractors when drawing up preliminary plans. Your property deed or plat map as well as the local building inspection offices can highlight any regulations that may be in effect on your property and if they may affect future projects.

SARATOGA SPRINGS RECREATION DEPARTMENT

SARATOGA - Saratoga Springs Recreation Department Spring Program Registration

Mark your calendars! Registration for spring programs including baseball, fitness classes, skating lessons, soccer, and volleyball begin in January.

Visit www.SaratogaRec.com and click Programs for complete information and to register.

Contact the Recreation Department at (518) 587-3550 x2300 or recreservations@saratoga-springs.org with questions.

Begin Your Ice Skating Journey with the Saratoga Springs Recreation Department

Intro to Ice Skating introduces skaters age 3-adults to the exciting world of ice skating, and prepares a skater for advancement to figure skating, hockey, or speed skating.

Visit www.SaratogaRec.com and click Programs, Ice Skating lessons for complete information and to register.

Contact the Recreation Department at (518) 587-3550 x2300 or recreservations@saratoga-springs.org with questions.

Begin Your Figure Skating Journey with the Saratoga Springs Recreation Department

Fundamentals of Figure Skating introduces participants to the artistry and athleticism of figure skating.

Visit www.SaratogaRec.com and click Programs, Ice Skating lessons for complete information and to register.

Contact the Recreation Department at (518) 587-3550 x2300 or recreservations@saratoga-springs.org with questions.

Learn Responsible Dinking at the Saratoga Springs Recreation Department Pickleball Workshops

Several pickleball workshops will be held in Dec 28th and 29th at the Rec Center at 15 Vanderbilt Avenue for various levels of interest and expertise.

Visit www.SaratogaRec.com and click Programs, Pickleball Workshops for complete information and to register.

Contact the Recreation Department at (518) 587-3550 x2300 or recreservations@saratoga-springs.org with questions.

Gear up for a great winter with the Saratoga Springs Recreation Department

Registration is now open for fan favorites boxing and volleyball.

Visit www.SaratogaRec.com and click Programs for complete information and to register.

Contact the Recreation Department at (518) 587-3550 x2300 or recreservations@saratoga-springs.org with questions.

New Fitness Room at the Saratoga Springs Recreation Department Commit to being fit at the Rec!

The Scott T. Johnson Recreation Center offers popular exercise equipment including a treadmill, rowing machine, free weights, and more.

Participants must sign up for a Drop In Rec Card prior to coming.

Visit www.SaratogaRec.com and click Programs, Rec Center, Drop In Sessions for complete information.

Contact the Recreation Department at (518) 5873550 x2300 or recreservations@saratoga-springs.org

with questions.

Drop In Fitness Classes at the Saratoga Springs Recreation Center

The Saratoga Springs Recreation Center at 15 Vanderbilt Avenue is currently offering drop in classes in Balletone and Pumped up Strength.

Balletone is a cardio and strength program that combines dance, pilates, and fitness moves, and is open to everyone 18 years and older.

Pumped up Strength is a combination strength training and cardio program, and is open to everyone 18 years and older.

Both incorporate fun and energizing music to keep you moving.

A City or Non-City Drop In Rec Card is required in order to participate.

Visit www.SaratogaRec.com and click Programs, Balletone or Pumped Up Strength for complete information.

Contact the Recreation Department at (518) 587-3550 x2300 or recreservations@saratoga-springs.org with questions.

Drop In Sessions at the Saratoga Springs Recreation Center

The Saratoga Springs Recreation Center at 15 Vanderbilt Avenue is currently offering Open Adult (17+) Basketball, Open Gym, and Pickleball sessions.

A City or Non-City Drop In Rec Card is required in order to participate.

Visit www.SaratogaRec.com, and click on the basketball for the schedule, information, and to sign up for your City or Non-City Drop In Rec Card.

Contact the Recreation Department at (518) 587-3550 x2300 or recreservations@saratoga-springs.org with questions.

Drop In Sessions at the Saratoga Springs Ice Rink

Join us for Family Skate, Open Public, Family and Open Stick, Open Adult (17+ and 40+), and Open Figure sessions.

A City or Non-City Drop In Rec Card is required in order to participate in all sessions except Open Public (City residents receive a discount upon sign-up).

Visit www.SaratogaRec.com, and click the ice skate for the schedule, information, and to sign up for your City or Non-City Drop In Rec Card.

Contact the Recreation Department at (518) 587-3550 x2300 or recreservations@saratoga-springs.org with questions.

Racquetball Rentals at the Saratoga Springs Recreation Center

Reservations for court times can be made through Community Pass.

Fees are $5 for City residents with a verified Community Pass account and $8 for all others.

Reservations and fees are per person/per hour.

Participants must sign up for a Drop In Rec Card prior to coming.

Participants must a racquet, racquetballs, and appropriate footwear.

Visit www.SaratogaRec.com and click Programs, Rec Center Drop in Sessions for additional information and to reserve a court. Contact the Recreation Department at (518) 587-3550 x2300 or recreservations@saratoga-springs.org with questions.

Artisans’ Market Open Brookside Museum Holiday Market Open

BALLSTON SPA - Celebrate the holiday season at Brookside Museum during the 22nd annual Artisans’ Market which opens on Small Business Saturday, November 26, and will run through Saturday, December 24, 2022.

The annual market features only handmade/ handcrafted products created by local artisans. Items include soaps, lotions, ornaments, jewelry, syrups, scarves, ceramics, hats, and much more! Shoppers can stroll through the market and visit the museum’s exhibits about the history of the Saratoga Chip and Dake Family/Stewart’s Shops.

Beth Silvestri, the Brookside Museum retail manager said, “Every year

Capital Region Veterans Memorial Fundraising Continues

GLENVILLE - Efforts are continuing to create a Capital Region Veterans Memorial in a new 6.5 acre Legacy Park at Dutch Meadows Lane and North Ballston Road in Glenville, NY.

The Capital Region Veterans Memorial board of directors is trying to raise $1,000,000 or more to build a 4,000 square foot building to house a Veterans Café, visitor welcome center, museum, and computer technological services. The Legacy Park will have an amphitheater and a serene walkway with Military monuments, according to Mary Brandt, board president.

Monuments for World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan and Expeditionaries will commemorate our fallen troops from Albany, Columbia, Fulton, Greene, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren and Washington counties.

The completed project will honor our deceased Veterans while honoring and also serving our living Veterans, according to Ginny Barr, a board member.

The Veterans Café will be a place where Veterans, their friends and families, as well as the general public, can interact and share history and concerns, according to Justine Crowley-Duncan, board secretary.

Larry Zeglen, board vice-president suggested combining two original ideas of a Veterans Café’, inspired by Richard’s Coffee House in North Carolina and a monument park, inspired by one in Utah.

To date the group has raised nearly $100,000, according to Brandt.

There are a number of ways people can help fund the project. Donations can be made through its website at capitalregionveteransmemorial.org or by mail. Send checks to Capital Region Veterans Memorial, PO Box 2756, Glenville, NY 12325.

Or, by purchasing a brick paver for the walkways by the monuments. A 4” by 8” paver costs $100 and an 8” by 8” paver costs $200. You can honor a Veteran, a military unit, a group, a business or anyone and that will be engraved on the paver brick. To place an order on line, visit the website at capitalregionveteransmemorial.org, and click “Buy a Brick”

For more information, contact Mary Brandt at 518-495-2524 or marybrandt543@gmail.com

Capital District Fly Fisher Present an Introductory Fly Tying Class

CLIFTON PARK - Intro to Fly Tying (Ages 13 and up) First session covers materials, tools, safety and hands-on instruction on knots used in fly tying. Students MUST have their own tying tools, which will be covered at the first session, and have 2 weeks to obtain needed tools. By the end of the 8 sessions, each student should have all the skills needed to embark on a life-long hobby of fly tying. Date: Jan 11, 25, Feb 1, 8, 22, March 1, 8, 22, (March 29 for weather date) Time: 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Site: Locust Lane Clubhouse - 5 Locust Lane, Clifton Park Fee: $85

Registration is online through Town of Clifton Park. You do not have to be a resident to enroll.

Instructor: Members of Capital District Fly Fishers Contact: Tom Passarelli tpassare@yahoo.com (518)765-3389 Evan Lubin evan.Lubin@gmail.com

the Artisans’ Market gets better! This one-of-a-kind shopping experience offers a variety of unique items, making holiday shopping simple. Each item sold supports both the Saratoga County History Center at Brookside Museum and local artisans!”

The Artisans’ Market is held at SCHC at Brookside Museum, 21 Fairground Ave., Ballston Spa, NY 12020.

The 2022 market hours: Thursdays, 12pm – 5pm Fridays, 11am – 6pm Saturdays, 11am – 5pm Sundays, 11am – 5pm

The History Center is dedicated to the preservation and sharing of the diverse histories of Saratoga County. In addition to the Brookside Museum, the History Center provides various innovative, exciting, and educational programs online and in-person across the county. This is the last chance to see the museum’s popular

A Century of Ice Cream, a centennial of the Dake family and Stewart’s Shops and In the Saratoga Style: Potato Chips and Their Regional Folklore exhibits.

Christ’s Cupboard Food Pantry

BALLSTON SPAChrist’s Cupboard Food Pantry, located at the First Baptist Church of Ballston Spa, 202 Milton Ave, has expanded our service hours. We are now open every Tuesday morning from 9-11am and every Thursday afternoon from 4:30-6:00pm.

Ballston Spa United Methodist Church Thrift Shop

BALLSTON SPA - The Ballston Spa United Methodist Church Thrift Shop is open on Tuesday mornings from 9:30 until noon. We are located at 101 Milton Avenue in Ballston Spa.

Joshua Anthony –

“The Baking Powder King”

Submitted by Lynda Bryan December 14, 2022

Lynda Bryan, a life-long resident of the Town of Halfmoon, serves as Town Clerk since 2010, and is Town Historian and President of the Halfmoon Historical Society

With the holiday season in full swing, many of us are making frequent stops to the baking ingredients aisle at our favorite supermarket. You may not be aware that 150 years ago some of these products were manufactured in the Town of Halfmoon.

ever introduced to the public. One 1893 advertisement boasted:

Spice grinding and the production of extracts for flavoring were introduced in 1892. It was said that he made visitors weep when he was grinding the Simon Pure Pepper! He could grind up to 3,000 pounds of pepper in a day! The factory was a two-story building and was equipped with “perfected and rapid machinery”, and most of the employees were women!

In 1882, the success of his business prompted Mr. Anthony to approach the Delaware and Hudson Railroad. He was able to work with them and secure a station of the Schenectady branch to make a stop in Ushers. The following year, Mr. Anthony had a private telegraph line running from Ushers, Clifton Park and Round Lake to his factory keeping him in constant touch with the rest of the business world, and in 1883 he secured the Ushers Post Office.

Around the turn of the century, Mr. Anthony was dealing exclusively with the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. (aka the A&P) With rising costs of shipping, the operators of the A&P chain tried to entice Mr. Anthony to move his operations to NYC, but he refused. His contributions to the community were improvements from which many benefited and changed the footprint of the Halfmoon community forever. The Spice Factory ceased operations in 1920.

In the 1800s, most of the commerce in Halfmoon was located close to the Mohawk & Hudson Rivers. Joshua Anthony however, developed his spice factory in a remote part of northern Halfmoon on his grandfather’s farm on Farm to Market & Anthony Roads. The three-story tower in the center of the factory (pictured above) once boasted a windmill that provided power for the machinery. Anthony heated the farmhouse and buildings in the winter with steam from the factory. Imagine, that technology that we are still trying to perfect was used a mere 153 years ago by Mr. Anthony!

He began his operations in 1869 under the name “Anthony and Co’s Universal Baking Powder” with the manufacture of Baking Powder and Cream of Tartar. He was known to manufacture a very superior and pure baking powder and it is said to be the best Baking Powder

“Finish the Job” Campaign for Brookside Museum Launched

BALLSTON SPA - The Saratoga County History Center at Ballston Spa’s Brookside Museum has launched its Annual Appeal, “Finish the Job,” with the objective of complete stabilization of the historic building in the coming year. The goal of the current phase, $45,000, will fund energy efficiency and long-postponed repair of space required for museum operations and care of its important collections. Two friends of the museum have pledged $15,000 to match an equal sum from the community.

Last year’s “Preserve the Porch” campaign exceeded its goal by more than $10,000. The building’s porch of six

Annual New Years Eve Comedy Event Is Back!

CAPITAL DISTRICTThe First Night of Funny returns for the 15th time at three local venues

The First Night of Funny, the annual New Years Eve stand-up comedy event that has long been a tradition for comedy fans is BACK! This year live events will take place at Proctors Theater in Schenectady NY, The Cohoes Music Hall in Cohoes NY and The Charles R. Wood Theater in Glens Falls NY.

The annual event is now in it’s 15th year and provides a high quality yet affordable indoor option for guests to enjoy on New Years Eve. All shows are suitable for guests 16 and over and provide a great night of laughs that ends early enough to be home well before midnight. Each event features four nationally touring headliners. All tickets are the same price everywhere in the house, so the earlier you purchase, the closer to the stage you sit (no VIP seating for those willing to spend more). Tickets are $35 from 12/26 through 12/30 and $40 the day of the event for all shows and venues. Tickets for ALL shows and details for each are available at www.

FirstNightOfFunny.com.

7:30pm - Proctors Theater – 432 State Street –Schenectady, NY

7:00pm & 9:00pm –Charles R Wood Theater –207 Glen St – Glens Falls, NY

7:00pm & 9:30pm –

Cohoes Music Hall –58 Remsen Street –Cohoes, NY

Master Gardener

Training

WARRENSBURG - Applications are now being accepted for the Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Training Program!

The program starts in January 2023 and will be held virtually. The program is open to anyone who has an interest in expanding their gardening experience and knowledge. Learn how you can improve your own gardens and landscapes. Learn scientifically-based gardening information in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere. It is a great way to learn even more by sharing information with fellow-Master Gardeners during the training, and following the training, by participating in community-based horticultural programs, educational projects, and helping people in the community with their gardening questions. The Master Gardener Training Program is packed with information provided by the many scientists, educators, and garden experts associated with Cornell University. The course includes information about botany; entomology; organic gardening; soil health; use of

Joshua was born February 16, 1839, in Adams, Mass. He and his three younger brothers were orphaned at a young age when his parents tragically died. They were raised by Zephaniah and Joanna Wells Buffington, their maternal grandparents who were devout Quakers. They moved to NY and the boys were raised on what was to become the Anthony farm. At 18, Joshua left the farm and clerked in local mercantile stores gaining business experience, returning to the farm in 1867 at age 28 and started the Baking Powder business two years later.

At age 93, he was interviewed by a local newspaper and recalled voting for Abe Lincoln in 1860, which was his very first ballot. He cast his ballot for “Honest Abe” again four years later. He recalled the grief that shook a nation when the great, kindly heart of America’s “Martyr President” was stilled by the assassin’s bullet. Mr. Anthony voted for every Republican President since Lincoln, including Hebert Hoover in 1928, with whom he shared the Quaker faith.

square columns in the Greek Revival style is believed to have been built in the late 1820s or early 1830s, replacing the 1792 original. The top-quality restoration work of the porch is now underway and will be finished by year’s end.

“Finish the Job” will make the museum’s most economical operation possible. Its storm windows are 70 years old and do little to keep out the weather. Replacement with modern, efficient storms is planned before midwinter. New interior and exterior lighting, for the comfort of museum visitors and to reduce energy consumption, will use LED technology.

An area of the building damaged many years ago by a leaking roof was to be gutted and converted to badly-needed storage. Finally, since most of the museum’s

fertilizers; plant diseases; good flower, fruit, and vegetable growing practices; and wildlife management. The deadline for all applications is Friday, December 30th. Please contact Rebecca Devaney for more information and an application by calling 518-623-3291 or email rld245@cornell.edu .

Code Blue Saratoga Open

SARATOGA - Shelters of Saratoga to open the Code Blue winter emergency shelter beginning 10/27/2022 until April 2023. The agency operates the NYS mandated winter shelter for Saratoga County.

Beginning Thursday and continuing until April 2023, the program will provide nightly shelter from 4 p.m. to 8 a.m. Additionally, on days when the temperature drops below 32 degrees, daytime respite with a navigation

center where community partner agencies provide client services will be available. Services this winter have expanded to include case management, which provides the means for guests to move out of homelessness.

SHELTER LOCATION: 4 Adelphi Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 Phone: 518-581-1097 ext. 500

CONTACT CODE BLUE: 518-581-1097, ext. 500 About Shelters of Saratoga - Shelters of Saratoga’s mission is to transform the lives of our neighbors facing homelessness through supportive services, safe shelter, and a path to independence. The Saratoga County based human services agency has been providing homeless care since 1991. Shelters of Saratoga

Mr. Anthony passed away at age 94, below is an excerpt from his obituary: JOSHUA ANTHONY, 94, MASON FOR 66 YEARS, DIES HERE STILLWATER, Oct. 31 (Special)— Following an illness of three days, Stillwater's oldest citizen, Joshua Anthony, died at his home here Saturday evening. Mr. Anthony who was in his 94th year was New York State's oldest Mason, having been affiliated with the order for 66 years. He was a member of OnDa-Wa Lodge in Mechanicville where he has held an office for 35 years.

“It

So, as you drive by Anthony & Farm to Market Roads, glance over and see the factory building and farmhouse that remain relatively unchanged to this day and think back to the time not so long ago when one man changed the history of our area. His name on the road is a daily reminder of his many contributions to the Town of Halfmoon, and the names of the roads in the Old Dater Farms development next door, remind us of all the products he manufactured and sold.

Joshua’s famous first cousin was Susan B. Anthony, also born in Adams, Mass., and a Leader of Women’s Suffrage. She was no stranger to this area. She visited the Anthony Farm at the time Joshua operated the Spice Mills. In fact, a third cousin, Mrs. Arthur Collins, says that Susan when she was 19, used to babysit for her grandfather Joshua shortly after he was born. Susan and her friends Elizabeth Cady Stanton & Matilda Gage, to name a few, changed the course of history for women and dedicated their lives getting women the right to vote.

One Halfmoon man and his family know this story firsthand. It is lifelong Halfmoon resident Harvey Hayner, the great grandson of Joshua Anthony. Harvey & Carol Hayner’s son Craig Anthony Hayner is our County Clerk, and I wonder where he got his middle name! The Hayner Family has farmed in Halfmoon since Joshua ran his spice factory and still does today. This certainly is an amazing family!

galleries have been renovated, only two floors must be repaired and refurbished.

Field Horne, president of the Saratoga County History Center, explains, “In late spring 2023, a permanent exhibition about the county’s economic and social development since First Nations times will be installed, thanks to funding from the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors. “Finish the Job” will create a welcoming setting for the new exhibit.”

All gifts will be acknowledged with gratitude and donors will be counted as 2023 members. Contributions can be submitted through the www.brooksidemuseum. org link or by mail to SCHS, 21 Fairground Avenue, Ballston Spa, N.Y. 12020.

operates Saratoga County’s Code Blue program, a New York State mandated program that protects people who would otherwise remain unsheltered during winter weather.

To get involved or donate, visit: www.sheltersofsaratoga. org

Fish Creek Rod & Gun Club Monthly Breakfast

SCHUYLERVILLESunday, January 8, 2023 8:00 – 11:00 - 123 SR 32 Schuylerville, NY $10 Adults $5 Children Come welcome the New Year with us.

Choose from: Pancakes, regular, buckwheat, apple cinnamon and blueberry or French Toast. Eggs to order, homefries, bacon or sausage, toast, coffee and orange juice.

Al-anon Meetings

SARATOGA - Alanon meeting to support those living with an alcoholic, grew up with alcoholism etc… please join us at our weekly meeting: Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church 175 5th Ave., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

Every Tuesday: 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Ballston Spa United Methodist Church Food Pantry

BALLSTON SPA - The Ballston Spa United Methodist Church Food Pantry is open each Wednesday from 9:30 to noon and serves all of Saratoga County. We are located at 101 Milton Avenue in Ballston Spa.

Joshua Anthony’s Spice Factory, Halfmoon, NY

North Church, built in 1867, has been

ithout seeing the photos with this listing, it would sound fairly typical: A three-bedroom, one-and-a-half bathroom home a little less than 2,000 square feet, on almost an acre of land. But when you see how that square footage is contained, maybe your jaw does what mine did and drops a little.

The North Church was built in 1867 and has been transformed to become a modern home. There are original touches that play up the church’s charm, like wood beams framing the 30-foot ceilings, the bell hanging from the tower and beautiful stained glass windows throughout the house. The majority of the interior has newer features,

from the deck and outdoor fireplace to the modern kitchen and bathrooms. It comes fully furnished, so turnkey is the keyword. New HVAC and septic systems. Taxes:$2,500. Listing price: $795,000.

For more information, contact Erin Sipowicz, of the Erin Sipowicz Team of Howard Hanna Real Estate, at 518-307-6348 or erinsipowicz@howardhanna.com.

CRISIS

CONTINUED FROM 1

becomes more taxing, Jarvis said she believes young people might instead pursue medicine, where they can earn a higher salary to pay off what they owe.

While veterinary school can cost about the same as medical school — hovering around $200,000, depending on location — veterinarians earn a median annual wage of $100,370 compared to the roughly $208,000 for physicians, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. When Jarvis graduated from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1993, she said she spent the early years of her career earning $35,000 annually while paying $600 a month in loans.

There are also more options available to those pursuing human medicine — with more than 150 medical schools in the U.S. compared to just 32 accredited schools of veterinary medicine.

In New York, efforts are under way to attract and train more veterinarians. In 2020, Long Island University welcomed its inaugural class of 100 students in its new accredited veterinary college on its campus in Brookville. The class will graduate in 2024, and the hope is the new program will help to relieve the encumbered industry. But until then, overbooked and understaffed clinics will forge ahead with the limited manpower available.

Albany County and Sand Creek veterinary hospitals are among myriad practices unable to accommodate new clients. Albany’s Parkside Veterinary Hospital has also stopped accepting new clients, and for current clients, routine appointments are being scheduled at least five months in advance.

The few that are still treating new patients are warning the public of potential delays. The Central Veterinary Hospital in Albany posted on its website that meeting the heightened demand for veterinary services at all levels has proved to be difficult for staff and that the practice has had to “prioritize sick and urgent appointments.”

The practice also announced that it has cut back on its

HISTORY

CONTINUED FROM 1

located at 28 Washington Street in the village of Ballston Spa, NY 12020.

The agenda of the series is as follows:

January 26 – Real Life Crime is the focus with Waterford Historian Russ VanDervoort and SCHC Director of Education Anne Clothier.

February 9 – The Hamiltons and the Schuylers is the focus with Saratoga National Historical Park’s curator, Christine Valosin.

March 16 – Saratoga Style Baseball, including the story of the Abner Doubleday House and Lefty Mulligan with town of Saratoga Historian Sean Kelleher and others.

The programs start at 6 pm. Tickets to the Saratoga History Happy Hour are $15 each and come with a craft

boarding services because it doesn’t have the staff to keep up.

The stresses on the industry are due in part to record-level pet adoptions during the pandemic coupled with increasing animal cruelty cases and dog intakes that have also overwhelmed local rescue organizations. For instance, Mohawk Hudson Humane Society recently ended 16 of its municipal stray-dog sheltering contracts due to the surging demand for its services.

The veterinary shortage is affecting the organization on every level, from intakes to its ability to provide care, said MHHS Senior VP of Operations Gail Hughes-Morey.

“Right now, we have all of these animals in homes where they can’t get veterinary care because people are having a hard time either affording it or getting access to it, which means a lot of people are looking to re-home their pets or letting them loose,” she said. “We’re seeing increases in intakes. We’re seeing an increase in owner surrender and strays. The number of animals coming in is huge.”

The shelter has been inundated by requests for help with veterinary care, but under state law, it is only able to provide income-qualified spay and neuter surgeries and basic vaccines — and with its second veterinarian recently retiring, the shelter has been buckling under the weight of the demand.

“Telling people no feels terrible when they’re just trying to do the right thing for their pet,” she said. “The way all of this came together and created this crisis … I feel like I’m not saying that loudly enough: it is a crisis for animal welfare.”

The shelter is hiring a second veterinarian, but it’s been difficult competing with private practices offering six-figure salaries and large signing bonuses due to desperation, Hughes-Morey said.

MHHS is also seeing a spike in its low-cost euthanasia requests, whereas it previously only scheduled one to two euthanasia appointments a week, the shelter is now booking two to three per day and having to turn people away. “The reality right now is that if your pet is sick and suffering, it might be a while before you can get them in to see a veterinarian,” she said.

beer or non-alcoholic beverage. These events are limited to Saratoga County History Center members. Advance purchase of tickets is required by visiting https:// brooksidemuseum.org/2022/12/saratoga-history-happy-hours/

Membership in the Saratoga County History Center starts at $25. You are invited to become a part of Saratoga County’s history and join our fantastic community of partners and supporters as a History Center Member! Visit the link to explore our different membership levels: https://brooksidemuseum.org/support-schs/new-individual-membership-page/

If you are interested in participating in the upcoming Saratoga History Happy Hours, join our email list https://brooksidemuseum.networkforgood.com/ events/51237-saratoga-history-happy-hour-mailing-list to stay current on all the latest Saratoga History Happy Hour news!

Even alternative veterinary medicine is feeling the impacts.

Kristina Dallas runs Ancient Arts Veterinary in Saratoga Springs and has been a holistic veterinarian for more than two decades, helping to heal her clients’ pets with diet modifications, acupuncture and chiropractic therapy.

As a specialist without a degree from a veterinary school, Dallas is an additional resource for clients looking for sources of alternative medicine, but she is not a replacement for primary care veterinarians. Instead, she works alongside the community’s accredited veterinarians and has seen firsthand the pressure they face.

“I’m trying to fill in where I can, my assistant and I draw blood work and can help lighten the load a bit, but I can also only handle so much and I already have so many clients,” she said.

One potential solution is to change licensing requirements and establish a position akin to a general practitioner in traditional medicine that doesn’t require a veterinary degree. But this and other solutions brought to the table — from incentivizing veterinarians to practice in New York to launching new programs at state veterinary schools — are long-term solutions that offer little relief for those struggling in the present.

Instead, those that haven’t left the industry trek ahead, begging for the patience of their clients, looking motivation in the animals they save and burying the pain of the ones they don’t.

“They’re already going above and beyond, and we can’t ask more of them without them breaking. They need to sleep, they need to eat, they have to nourish themselves and recharge ... so the answer is not that the vets need to be doing more,” Dallas said.

“I don’t know what the answer is. It’s really that we are all just stuck.”

“I’m trying to fill in where I can ... but I can also only handle so much and I already have so many clients.”

Dallas Ancient Arts Veterinary in Saratoga Springs

Fish Creek Rod & Gun Club

Fish Fry Friday Eat-In or Take Out

SCHUYLERVILLE - The Fish Creek Rod and Gun

Club Friday night Fish Fry will be back for 2023. Fish Fry will start January 13 and run through April 7th We will be serving from 4:00pthm till 7:00pm. Various menu items are available From fried fish to chicken nuggets with French fries, Cole slaw and chowder also available. 518-695-3917

Mother Teresa’s Thrift Shop

MECHANICVILLE - Mother Teresa’s Thrift Store, 52 William Street, Mechanicville, will be opened on Saturdays for the month of December from 10 - 2. December 3, 10, 17. Hours each week for the month of December will be Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday 10 - 2. Stop in for some great bargains. New inventory arrives everyday! Donations always welcome.

Kristina

Ballston Area Seniors

BALLSTON SPA - The Ballston Area Seniors will be meeting at the Town of Milton Community Center, 310 Northline Rd. every Thursday at 10:00am To play cards, use the craft room & play pool or just socialize.

Lunch is at 12:00 noon. A

Congregate Meals, Monday –Friday at 12:00 noon—1:00 pm. Reservation are required the day before your meal, call 518-884-0163.

At lunch the BASC Members may participate in Congregate Meals OR bring your own lunch, your choice. We will have pizza every third Thursday of the month.

Coffee and hot water for tea will be available. New information on weekly activities

Mondays 9:00 ---12:00---Table

Pool 10:00---11:00am--Chorus 11:15am---12:00--Exercise Tuesdays 10:00am---12:00--Crafts 1:00---4:00pm--Mahjong Wednesdays 9:00---12:00—Senior Craft Room 12:30 pm---3:00 pm---

Quilting First Wednesday of each Month Pickin’s 6:30pm9:30pm Thursdays 12:00---Lunch & General Meeting, followed by Bingo 1:00pm---4:00pm--Table Pool Fridays 9:00 am—12:00---Senior Craft Room 10:00 am—12:00-— Computer Class 2:00---2:45pm--Exercise 6:30---9:00pm---Table

Pool We will be keeping you updated in the newspapers & meetings.

Knights Of Columbus

246 Host Bingo

SARATOGA - KOC Hall, 50 Pine Road, Saratoga Springs, every Wednesday evening. The doors open at 4:30, the kitchen window (which is staffed by the Catholic Daughters) opens at 5:30, games go on sale at 6:00, and the first game starts at 7:00. Every week, there is $1,500 in guaranteed prize money. Join us for an evening out and help to support our activities within the community.

The Boys and Girls Club Of Albany is Hosting an Adult Bible Study

ALBANY - Each Thursday at 6:00 P.M. The address is 21 Delaware Avenue.For further info please call 518-885-3149.

Cohoes Rotary to Donate Portion of Ornament Sale Proceeds to Support

Students and the Arts

COHOES - In 2004 The Rotary Club of Cohoes started a collectible series of Christmas ornaments featuring historic landmarks in the City of Cohoes. This year’s ornament depicts the 1968 Cohoes High School. A portion of the proceeds for the sale of the 2022 ornament will go to support the Cohoes Friends of the Arts Booster Club. The purpose of the Arts Boosters is to serve and support the students and promote activities of the Cohoes School District Arts Programs.

The arts programs include visual arts, fashion design, building design, graphic design, writing, performance, theater, chorus, band, and music.

Following are previous ornament designs in the series: 2004-the Cohoes Falls; 2005-the Harmony Mills; 2006-the Cohoes Music Hall; 2007-the Cohoes Mastodon; 2008-Cohoes City Hall; 2009-the

Half Moon; 2010-Silliman Memorial Church; 2011the Van Schaick Mansion; 2012-Keveny Memorial Academy; 2013-Cohoes High School (dedicated in 1921); 2014-Cohoes Library; 2015-the former Cohoes Movie Theatre; 2016-Carlson’s Ice Rink; 2017-Erie Canal Locks; 2018 Cohoes Armory; 2019-Matton Shipyard; 2020-Cohoes 150th Anniversary logo; 2021-St. Agnes Church. This year’s design is the Cohoes High School built in 1968. Coffee mugs with the Cohoes High School design are also available for purchase.

Cost for ornaments is $20. Mugs are $10. To purchase ornaments or mugs go to http://www. rotaryclubofcohoes.org for further information. Ornaments and mugs are also available for purchase at Marra’s Pharmacy, 217 Remsen Street, Cohoes.

Local Magicians To Meet January 10th

LATHAM - The local group of The Society of American Magicians, Assembly #24, meets at 7:00 PM on the second Tuesday of the month at the S. W. Pitts Hose Co. of Latham,

HOROSCOPE

Week Of December 25, 2022

ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20

Cleaning and organizing can wait for another week, Aries.

This week you should focus on having fun with your family and friends Enjoy the respite from work.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21

Taurus, work is on your brain, but it could be because you’re wired to focus on getting things done. Work is important, but remember to make time for other things as well.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21

Your bank account may not be as healthy as it could be, Gemini. Tuck those credit cards away and cut back on purchases for the time being to set things straight.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22

You have been feeling less motivated of late, Cancer.

That is likely due to the breakneck speed that you have been going for some time. Slow down and enjoy the break.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23

Leo, practicality is your middle name. The next few days you may be focused on whimsy and imagination. It could be all the feelings the holidays are bringing up.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22

Planetary energies could be affecting those around you and their reception to your ideas, Virgo. Remain patient that things will tip in your favor after some time has passed.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23

Your thoughts this week are about setting goals for the future, Libra. Not that you haven’t already been doing your share of planning, but now you’re firming up those plans.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22

Scorpio, issues with your professional life may be on your mind. It could be time to make a major change in the days to come. Are you ready to move in a new direction?

SAGITTARIUS –Nov 23/Dec 21

New responsibilities have left little time to spend with your significant other, Sagittarius.

Carve out moments to snuggle if you cannot get out to a romantic meal or movie.

CAPRICORN –Dec 22/Jan 20

Have you been plotting a move, Capricorn? Make sure your real estate research is up-to-date and you’re ready to take the plunge. This move may be a big one.

AQUARIUS –

Jan 21/Feb 18

Aquarius, perhaps you have made a few big purchases lately and feel like your budget has taken a hit? Add up receipts and you may find it’s not as bad as you had thought.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20

This is a good time for a change of perspective, Pisces. Maybe you have been looking at things all the wrong way. Switch things up.

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS

DECEMBER 25

Jimmy Buffett, Singer (76)

DECEMBER 26

Jared Leto, Actor (51)

DECEMBER 27

Bill Goldberg, Wrestler (56)

DECEMBER 28

John Legend, Singer (44)

DECEMBER 29

Diego Luna, Actor (43)

DECEMBER 30

LeBron James, Athlete (38)

DECEMBER 31

Gabby Douglas, Gymnast (27)

226 Old Loudon Road, Latham, NY. We welcome all persons, age 16 and older, with any interest in the art of magic whether it be: performance, history, collecting or purely entertainment to join us for a fun evening. For more information about our organization, or for a link to a local magician, visit our web site: WWW.SAM24.

SYNTHASITE.COM.

Senior Christmas Sing Along at St. Mary’s Church

CRESCENT - St. Mary’s Church, Crescent will be hosting a Christmas Sing

Along as our December Senior Tuesday event on Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at 1:00 PM in our church hall. Carla Page, a local professional singer known for her ability to sing oldies from the 30’s through the 70’s, will lead us in an afternoon of singing Christmas carols and other songs familiar to all of us. We hope to see you that day for a fun celebration of the holidays. Please feel free to bring a few Christmas cookies or other dessert to share with the group.

EMPLOYMENT

Hispanic and International Ministry at Clifton Park Ctr. Baptist Church

CLIFTON PARKCPCBC offers an outreach program for Hispanics and Internationals in the area. It is a time of fellowship and Bible Study on Mondays @ 7:00pm. It is offered in English and in Spanish. The church is located at 713 Clifton Park Center Road in Clifton Park, NY. Please contact Rev. Damaris Cami-Staples at (518)371-6023 if you have any questions.

TOWN MANAGER

TOWN OF MANCHESTER, VERMONT

The Town of Manchester, Vermont seeks an engaging, collaborative and experienced Town Manager. Manchester (pop. 4221) is a charming and vibrant New England community located in the Northshire of Bennington County, surrounded by the Green Mountain National Forest and close to several resorts. The Town has a thriving tourist and retail economy and strong tradition of community engagement.

The Town Manager reports to the Town’s five-member selectboard and is responsible for the Town’s daily operations.

The manager directly supervises approximately 34 full-time and 80 seasonal part-time employees, administers an operating budget of $6.25 million, and oversees all financial, public works, public safety, personnel, economic development, recreation, and community relations matters for the Town.

A detailed job description and position announcement are posted at https://manchester-vt.gov/employment-opportunities/.

Salary range is $95,000 to $125,000 commensurate with experience and education and includes an excellent benefits package. Requirements include a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, management experience, preferably in municipal government, and substantial knowledge of municipal government operations, the duties of municipal officials, and state and federal law provisions affecting municipalities.

To apply, please email a cover letter, resume, and contact information with three references by January 3, 2023 to municipal. recruitment@vlct.org with “Manchester Manager Search” as the subject line. E.O.E.

From our family to yours, happy holidays!

May the warmth and good cheer of the season last all year round.

Start with beautiful, flavorful bagels baked fresh in-store. Spread on delicious Market 32 cream cheese and then load up smoked salmon, capers and onions. It’s the classic combo everyone loves!

Bagels, lox and cream cheese make the perfect family brunch

Deck the halls with New York style bagels!

It’s that time of year when we cast routines aside, and late breakfasts and brunches become holiday staples. Pick up fresh New York style bagels from Market 32 in Malta, and you’ll never be disappointed. Big and bodacious, they’re bursting with flavor. Freshly baked in-store, they’re crisp on the outside and pleasingly soft and chewy on the inside. Available in 13 scrumptious varieties.

Sweet on the holidays!

Our handcrafted donuts are fresh and holidayready! Made from scratch every day using fresh dough, these delectable donuts are soft on the inside and crisp on the outside. Perfect as a snack or as welcome treat for guests stopping by. Choose from 18 delectable varieties!

Now open in Malta!

We’re hiring for the holidays and beyond!

Apply today at pricechopper.com/careers