Saratoga TODAY December 4-10, 2020

LOCAL • INDEPENDENT • FREE Volume 14 •

Issue 49 • December 4 – December 10, 2020

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saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

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518- 581-2480

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Vaccines On the Way Arriving in New York Dec. 15

Santa Claus is Coming to Town!

The Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association and Stewart’s Shops are bringing Santa to the children of Saratoga Springs!

C

atch a Glimpse of Santa in your Neighborhood as he travels through

Saratoga Springs atop a tower ladder fire truck!

December 6 Starts @ 4 p.m. Geyser Crest Area December 12 Starts @ 3 p.m. West Side Area December 16 Starts @ 6 p.m. Woodlands &

Meadowbrook Area December 19 Starts @ 3 p.m. East Side Area December 23 Starts @ 2 p.m. South Side,

Jefferson St., Union Ave. South Area

by Thomas Dimopoulos Saratoga TODAY ALBANY – New York’s first vaccine delivery – via Pfizer – is anticipated to arrive Dec. 15 and provide enough doses for 170,000 New Yorkers, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced this week.

Additional Moderna vaccines are expected to arrive in New York later in December. Nationally, by month’s end, it is anticipated there will be sufficient doses to vaccinate 20 million people nationwide, or about 6% of Americans.

The first vaccines to arrive will target seniors and staff in nursing homes, and health care workers, Cuomo said. There are about 85,000 nursing home residents and about 130,000 staff in New York.

“You won’t complete that with the first 170,000 (Pfizer doses) but two weeks later we’re supposed to get a Moderna tranche – they haven’t given us a number on that yet.”

There are about 600,000 health care workers in the state. Vaccine priority for health care workers will be given to those employed in ICU’s and emergency rooms.

See Story pg. 32/Back Cover

STATE CHAMPS Santa Experiences Boys X-Country For Your C hild!

PERSONALIZED LETTER FROM SANTA $3 FACETIME WITH SANTA SATURDAY $15

Follow Santa Live on Facebook @DowntownSaratogaSprings

SAT. DEC. 5

9 A.M.- 1 P.M.

SAT. DEC. 12

9 A.M.- 1 P.M.

Learn more at saratogaspringssowntown.com

Santa will Facetime with your child for 5 minutes in the time frame selected.

For More Information & to Purchase Events:

Photo provided. See Story pg. 30

classy.org/event/festival-of-trees/e310214

2

NEWS

Week of December 4 – December 10, 2020

Community Service Stays Front and Center at Saratoga County 4-H BALLSTON SPA — Saratoga County 4-H, the Youth Development Branch of Cornell Cooperative Extension, has always had a focus on community service, and 2020 hasn’t changed that. In fact, it has helped bring 4-H’s devotion to the community and the people who live here to the forefront.

One of the more concerted community service efforts of Saratoga County 4-H in the fall and winter months is the “4-H Holiday Mitten Tree” which partners with area libraries and community centers distribute winter weather clothing including gloves, hats and scarves to members of our community in need. Collected items are placed on the Mitten Tree, this year at the Saratoga Springs Public Library. Items are also donated to local organizations including the Saratoga County EOC and Salvation Army.

4-H Holiday Mitten Tree.

Members of Saratoga County 4-H Teen Council recently participated in a new community service opportunity. Working with a local non-profit, #HicksStrong of Clifton Park, 4-H Teen members painted “Hug Mugs” which are distributed to active duty military members and veterans as a way to show appreciation and support for their service. #HicksStrong also

4-H Teen members paint “Hug Mugs” for active duty military members and veterans as a way to show appreciation and support for their service. Photo provided.

connects members of the military and veterans to mental health services. More information about #HicksStrong can be found at hicksstrong.og.

Part of the 4-H Pledge is for members and volunteers to dedicate their “…hands to larger service.” 4-H members in Saratoga County go above and beyond to stay true to this pledge. If 2020 has

taught us anything it is that we are all members of a larger community, and it is our responsibility to help care for members of this community when they are in need.

The lessons learned by 4-H youth through community service will carry on into their adult lives, and help to reach 4-H’s goal of helping members become “competent, caring and contributing members

of society.”

4-H Youth Development actively involves youth in opportunities that help them learn to lead, build their communities, connect with Cornell University, and connect with each other.

For more information about 4-H Youth Development of Saratoga County visit www.ccesaratoga.org.

Week of December 4 – December 10, 2020

The Alpine Sport Shop Donates to Double H Ranch Winter Adaptive Program

Jack Hay (left), co-owner of The Alpine Sport Shop presents Jimmer Hayes, Director of Double H Ranch Adaptive Sports Program, a check for $1500.

Story/Photo credit: Terri-Lynn Pellegri.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The “Take Home Double H Raffle Pack” benefit at Alpine Sport Shop was an overwhelming success. With generous donations Alpine Sport Shop will be making a contribution of $1,500 to Double H Ranch Winter Adaptive Program. The raffle gift giveaways included four pairs of Alpine skis, helmets, goggles and more... there were many happy winners!

Alpine Sport Shop appreciates the participation of

the giveaways suppliers, including Smith, Nordica, Tubbs, Snoskins, Rossignol, Giro, Obermeyer, K2, & Volkl. With much to be thankful for, The Alpine Sport Shop celebrates 80 years in business and serving the greater Saratoga Springs community.

For more details about Apline Sport Shop visit www. alpinesportshop.com. For more on Double H Ranch Winter Adaptive Program visit www.doublehranch. org/programs/winter.

NEWS 3

Wilton Rotary Club and Wilton Food Pantry Provided 80 Thanksgiving Holiday Bags & Pies WILTON — On Saturday, November 21 the Wilton Rotary Club volunteered their services to the Wilton Food Pantry in handing out nearly 80 Thanksgiving Holiday Bags and pies to nearly 453 people within our Wilton Community.

On hand to assist the Wilton Food Pantry were Rotary Club President Bob Lounsbury with his daughter Diana, Past President Don Wildermuth, Sargent-AtArms Warren Weil and Treasurer Deb June-Miller and her husband, Club Member Ray Miller. Along with volunteers from the pantry, they distributed food, produce, baked goods and other items to those in need. The pantry provides this type of event on a regularly scheduled basis to those in our neighboring communities.

If you are interested in joining the Wilton Rotary Club or even learning about the club, please contact Don WIldermuth at 518430-8670. Also, if you interested in joining the Wilton Food Pantry or even learning more about the pantry, please contact Peter Maynard at 518-350-4566.

Rotary Club President Bob Lounsbury. Photo provided.

4

OBITUARIES

A. William Colonell

Edward “Buz” Fiorill

SARATOGA SPRINGS — A. William Colonell, “Bill,” died November 22, 2020. No calling hours. Mass of Christian Burial: 11 a.m. Friday, December 4, 2020, St. Clement’s Church (will be streamed on St. Clement’s Church Facebook page). Burial with military honors following in St. Peter’s Cemetery. Memorial donations to a charity of your choice. burkefuneralhome.com

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Edward “Buz” Fiorill, 77, passed away on November 21, 2020. Services were private. A funeral mass and celebration of life will be held in Belle Vernon, PA at a later date.

Information will be updated www.burkefuneralhome.com as it becomes known. Memorial donations may be made to Saratoga Hospital Foundation.

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Week of December 4 – December 10, 2020

Lisa Chodos Noonan

Mary Katherine Pitney

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Lisa Chodos Noonan, 67 passed November 30, 2020. Lisa was remarkable in so many ways, having lived with cancer for 16 years, never allowing the cancer to impact her contagious enthusiasm for life and exceptional level of personal optimism. Memorial donations: Jimmy Fund: Danna Farber Cancer Institute, Boston. www.burkefuneralhome.com

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Mary Katherine Pitney, 95, passed away on Wednesday, November 25, 2020. At the family’s request services will be private. Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Home, 628 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs.

Remembrances may be made to burkefuneralhome.com

Burke & Bussing

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and they recently celebrated 72 years of marriage. She is survived by her husband Henry; brother George; son Dick and daughter-in-law Joan Rowland; daughter Lynn and son-inlaw Tom Cumm; and son Stephan and daughter-in-law Rosamaria Rowland. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Shana Cumm and Tom Rupert; Shaun and JoAnne Cumm; Lauren and Rob Delaney; Dominique and Brandon Semzock; and Stephanie and Nicholas Chandler; and greatgrandchildren: Landen, Blake, and Avery Cumm; Waylon and Eleanor Semzock; and Emily Chandler. Additionally, Dorothy is survived by her sisters-in-law Ruth Hayes and Norma Potter and by many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Dorothy was predeceased by her siblings Frances Potter, Chester Potter, John Potter, Laura Roeckle and Jane Potter.

Dorothy was a communicant of Simpson United Methodist Church, Rock City Falls, President and 75-year-member of Greenfield Grange #807, a member of Saratoga County Pomona Grange, NYS Grange, and National Grange. She was past NYS Grange Deputy for Saratoga & Fulton Counties, Co-Director for NYS Grange CWA and Assistant Director of NYS Junior Grange Camp. She was a member and past president

of the NYS School Food Service Association and a member of the Saratoga County Agricultural Society as an Ad Hoc for the Culinary Department, Zonta International, and delivered Meals on Wheels for many years.

As a member of the Greenfield Historical Society, Dorothy was instrumental in the restoration of the one-room schoolhouse she had attended as a child.

Family, food and community were all extremely important to Dorothy.

The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to Eileen Beckwith and the Home Instead caregivers who helped take care of Mom over the past year. We would also like to thank Wesley Healthcare for their care and concern in her final days.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dorothy’s memory to Simpson United Methodist Church, 1089 Rock City Road, Rock City Falls, NY 12863.

Funeral services will be private. Dorothy will be laid to rest at Greenfield Cemetery.

Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Alice Joan Gaul, 85, passed Wednesday, November 25, 2020.

Calling hours were Wednesday, December 2 at Burke Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial was Thursday, December 3 at St. Clement’s Church followed by burial at the National Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to St. Clement’s Church, Saratoga Springs. burkefuneralhome.com.

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GREENFIELD CENTER — Dorothy M. Rowland, 94, lifelong resident of Greenfield Center, went to eternal rest on November 29, 2020, at Wesley Healthcare Center. Dorothy was born on August 28, 1926, to the late Richard and Evelyn (Rhodes) Potter in Greenfield Center.

Dorothy graduated from Saratoga Springs High School and SUNY Cobleskill. She was employed by Skidmore College in Food Service and later at Saratoga Springs City School District as the School Lunch Director for 25 years. During this time, she was named to the NYS Skilled Worker Emeritus Program by Governor Mario Cuomo.

Dorothy married Henry Rowland on August 29, 1948,

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Week of December 4 – December 10, 2020

COURT Shawn L. Whitman, 43, of Mechanicville, pleaded Nov. 23 to rape in the third-degree, in Saratoga Springs. Sentencing scheduled Jan. 26, 2021.

Frank L. Lewis, 39, of Stillwater, pleaded Nov. 24 to felony DWAI, in Saratoga. Sentencing scheduled Jan. 25.

Levi J.S. Tripp, 39, of Lake George, was sentenced Nov. 24 to 1 to 3 years state prison after pleading to failure to register or verify as a sex offender, in Moreau.

Neil L. Fullington, 65, of Saratoga Springs, was sentenced Nov. 18 to four months in jail, after pleading to failure to register as a sex offender.

Edwyn M. Snyder, 58, of Cohoes, was sentenced Nov. 18 to six months in jail, on the felony charge of attempted rape in the second-degree.

John A. Butler, 41, of Gansevoort, was sentenced Nov. 18 to 5 years of probation, after pleading to felony DWI, in Northumberland.

BLOTTER / OBITUARIES 5

Dennis C. Woods, 55, of Corinth, pleaded Nov. 17 to felony DWI, in Wilton. Sentencing scheduled Jan. 27.

Devin W. Campbell, 20, of Clifton Park, pleaded Nov. 17 to felony DWI, in Clifton Park.

Sentencing scheduled Jan. 19.

Alexander P. Jones, 33, of Ballston Spa, pleaded Nov. 20 to criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth-degree, a felony, in Malta. Sentencing scheduled Jan. 25.

William M. Biette, 44, of Latham, was sentenced to 2 to 6 years state prison, after pleading to felony DWI, in Malta.

Javier A. Dalmasi, 25, of Saratoga Springs, pleaded Nov. 19 to criminal contempt in the first-degree, a felony, in connection with incidents in Northumberland, Malta and Saratoga Springs in late 2019.

Sentencing scheduled Jan. 26.

POLICE

Shannon Richute, 43, of Wilton, was charged Nov. 17 in Saratoga Springs with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

Joshua Rector, 42, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Nov. 17 with resisting arrest, obstruct governmental administration, petit larceny, and criminal possession of stolen property. All four charges are misdemeanors.

Jeremy Depasquale, 40, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Nov. 18 with petit larceny, a misdemeanor.

Michael Redd, 18, of Mechanicville, was charged Nov. 19 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor assault.

Meaghan Kraft, 42, of Ballston Spa, was charged Nov. 19 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, misdemeanor aggravated DWI, refusal to take a breath test, and two driving violations.

possession of marijuana, having no motor vehicle license, and motor vehicle registration suspended.

Keegan A. Farrell, 20, of Greenfield Center, was charged Nov. 30 with felony burglary. Farrell is accused of entering and remaining unlawfully in a building in the town of Ballston with the intent to commit a crime, according to the Saratoga County Sheriff ’s Office.

Robert Bump, age 47, of Rensselaer, was charged Nov. 30 with burglary in the thirddegree, regarding an alleged incident that occurred in the town of Halfmoon.

William Brown, 37, of Latham, was charged Nov. 14 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, misdemeanor aggravated DWI, reckless driving, leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, obstruct governmental administration, criminal mischief, and three driving violations following an incident on Grand Avenue in Saratoga Springs where Brown is suspected of colliding with an unoccupied car.

Kayla N. Scolamiero, 29, of Ballston Spa, pleaded Nov. 17 to DWAI, in Ballston.

Sentencing scheduled Jan. 20.

Lucas Sisco, 20, of Granville, was charged Nov. 17 in Saratoga Springs with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and failure to stop at a stop sign.

Miles Hawes, 29, of Milton, was charged Nov. 17 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, misdemeanor aggravated DWI, unlawful

Michel McKenzie

Loreli Burkhouse

Justin Gilboy

GANSEVOORT — Michel McKenzie died on November 22 at Albany Medical Center.

BALLSTON SPA — Loreli Burkhouse, 55, died Friday, November 20 with her family at her side. A funeral service was held Sunday, November 29 at Compassionate Funeral Care in Saratoga Springs.

GREENFIELD CENTER — Justin Gilboy, 39, died November 19,2020 at Albany Medical Center. A funeral service was held November 29, 2020 at Compassionate Funeral Care in Saratoga Springs.

Virginia Arpei

Frank, Joseph Igoe, Jr.

Georgia Alicia Radtke (Grinos)

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Frank, Joseph Igoe, Jr., 84, was called home to be with the Lord on November 23, 2020 with his wife Linda Lee (Bunny) Igoe, at his side. There will be a celebration and memorial service in Saratoga Springs in the Spring of 2021.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Georgia “GG” Alicia Radtke (Grinos), 95, died November 20 in Saratoga Springs. Georgia was formerly of Rochester. At the family’s request, there will be no calling hours or service. A “Celebration of Life” is planned for the coming summer.

Norma Mastandrea WILTON — Norma Mastandrea, 91, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 21, 2020. At the family’s request there will be no services

Gregory Dempsey, 51, of Greenfield Center, was charged Nov. 14 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, refusal to take a breath test, and moving from lane unsafely.

Nicholas Charron, 22, of Spencerport, was charged Nov. 15 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, reckless driving, speeding, and failure to obey police officer.

Andrew Barney, 22, of Greenfield Center, was charged Nov. 15 in Saratoga Springs with two felony counts criminal possession of a controlled substance, and trespassing.

Noah McFarland, 21, of Greenfield Center, was charged Nov. 16 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, and speeding.

Christopher Nichols, 29, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Nov. 16 with misdemeanor petit larceny and misdemeanor criminal possession of stolen property.

Joy Jirak, 35, of Milton, was charged Nov. 16 in Saratoga Springs with criminal contempt, and criminal mischief – both charges are misdemeanors.

Richard Mergendahl GANSEVOORT — Richard Mergendahl, died November 22 in the arms of his family after a 20-year battle with cancer.

A funeral service was held November 27 at Compassionate Funeral Care in Saratoga Springs.

Peter F. Russo SARATOGA SPRINGS — Peter F. Russo, 88, passed away on Thursday, November 26, 2020 at Saratoga Hospital.

Born in Pennsylvania on December 31, 1931, he was the son of the late Charles F. and Thelma Russo. Services will be private.

Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com

Burke & Bussing Funeral Homes

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SARATOGA SPRINGS — Virginia Arpei passed away November 24.

A funeral service will be held at 4 p.m. on Friday, December 4, 2020 at Compassionate Funeral Care, 402 Maple Ave, Saratoga Springs.

Family and friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. prior to the service.

Shirley Simpson SARATOGA SPRINGS — Shirley Simpson, loving Mom, Nana, and Great Grandmother passed away peacefully at age 85 on November 20. A graveside service was held Wednesday, November 25 at the family plot at Greenridge Cemetery in Saratoga Springs and a Celebration of Life Gathering will be held at a later date.

6

NEWS BRIEFS

Week of December 4 – December 10, 2020

Managing Mental Health During the Holidays During COVID-19

Locally Owned & Operated PUBLISHER/EDITOR Chad Beatty | 518-581-2480 x212 cbeatty@saratogapublishing.com GENERAL MANAGER Robin Mitchell | 518-581-2480 x208 rmitchell@saratogapublishing.com MARKETING DIRECTOR Chris Bushee | 518-581-2480 x201 cbushee@saratogapublishing.com ADVERTISING Jim Daley | 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 Carolina Mitchell | Magazine DESIGN Kacie Cotter-Sacala Newspaper Designer Newspaper Ad Designer Website Editor Marisa Scirocco Magazine Designer Magazine Ad Designer EDITORIAL Thomas Dimopoulos 518-581-2480 x214 City, Crime, Business Arts/Entertainment thomas@saratogapublishing.com Megin Potter Education, Sports Anne Proulx | 518-581-2480 x252 Obituaries, Proofreader aproulx@saratogapublishing.com

Email DESIGN@ saratogapublishing.com to subscribe to our weekly e-Newsletter!

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ALBANY — The Early Care and Learning Council will host an online event with Katie Turner, a Registered Psychologist, speaker and intuition expert, titled: Managing your Mental Health During the Holidays While Dealing with COVID-19.

The event takes place noon to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 10.

The current COVID-19 pandemic and physical distancing has created a range of challenges and difficulties and the holidays are likely going to look differently this year than in the past, the organization says. The more people can prepare for this, the more likely we all will be to be able to make the best out of a

potentially very challenging time.

Topics the event will cover include: the impact of COVID19 on mental health during the holidays, making space for a range of emotions, and determining your own risk tolerance comfort level, among others.

Turner believes in a holistic approach to healing and has

studied a wide range of Western psychological approaches and Eastern healing techniques.

Additional information about Turner may be found at: katieturnerpsychology.com.

To register for the online event, visit the Early Care and Learning Council at earlycareandlearning.org.

New Poll: Worry About Unexpected Medical Bills Keep Nearly Half of U.S. Adults from Seeking Care; Findings Call For Urgent Congressional Action Amid Coronavirus Pandemic Nearly half (49%) of U.S. adults say worrying about an unexpected medical bill keeps them from seeking care, and a similar proportion (44%) say if they received an unexpected medical bill for $1,000 they would not have the money to pay for it, according to the findings of a public opinion survey conducted

by The Harris Poll on behalf of the American Heart Association, the leading voluntary organization focused on heart and brain health.

These findings reveal that amid the coronavirus pandemic, receiving surprise medical bills poses a significant financial burden for more than two-thirds (68%) of adults nationwide. The survey also reflects the financial disruption surprise bills cause to those who receive them: Two-thirds (68%)

of U.S. adults with private health insurance have received an unexpected medical bill, and of those, one in three (33%) were not able to pay the bill with money immediately available to them. Among those with private insurance who did not have money available, nearly one in four (23%) say they have yet to pay the bill.

Perhaps as a result, the survey found a strong majority (81%) of U.S. adults support Congress passing legislation to end surprise medical billing. More than three-quarters (76%) – including 82% of Democrats and 70% of Republicans – say if they knew an elected official worked to end unexpected medical bills, they would be more likely to vote for that elected official.

Patients may get a surprise medical bill after unknowingly receiving care from a health care provider, hospital or medical transport company that is outside their insurer’s coverage network. The Coronavirus pandemic has deepened concerns that patients are receiving care from out-of-network hospitals and providers because of overcrowding at in-network facilities, being surprise billed for COVID-19 tests and treatment, and struggling under the weight of financial pressures during the pandemic’s resulting economic crisis.

Surprise medical bills can be in the hundreds, thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars.

The American Heart Association is conducting a grassroots advocacy campaign urging patients

nationwide to share their experiences with surprise bills, using the hashtag #IWasBilled.

“A patient facing a medical emergency such as cardiac arrest or stroke should have to focus only on their immediate medical needs - not on whether they’ll be able to afford care not covered by insurance,” said Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association.

“Americans want Congress to put an end to surprise medical bills, and they need lawmakers to act now.”

The Harris Poll conducted the survey online within the United States from Oct. 12-14, 2020 among 2,045 U.S. adults ages 18 and older. Of those, 1,318 had previously received an unexpected medical bill and 977 had private insurance.

Authorities Remind Public of Disappearance of Saratoga Man SARATOGA — Marking the fifth anniversary of the 2015 disappearance of town of Saratoga resident Fred “Fritz” Drumm, the Saratoga County Sheriff ’s Office ask that area residents pay attention to their surroundings while outdoors and report any discoveries that could assist in providing answers as to the whereabouts of Drumm, including but not limited to clothing, identification, skeletal remains or any other items.

Drumm went missing from his home on Burgoyne Road. At the time of his disappearance, he was 68 years old.

The family of Mr. Drumm also reminds the public that a $10,000 cash reward continues

Fred “Fritz” Drumm, who went missing in 2015. Photo provided.

to be offered for information that directly leads to the whereabouts of Fred “Fritz” Drumm. Call 518885-6761 with any information.

Week of December 4 – December 10, 2020

7

BSBPA Honors Beautification The Flower and Fruit Mission Award Winners 2020 BALLSTON SPA — The Ballston Spa Business & Professional Association, in partnership with Curtis Lumber, honored business owners and residents whose renovation, restoration, and beautification efforts have enhanced the Ballston Spa community over the past year.

The winners were chosen from nominations submitted by others in the community. In lieu of the awards ceremony this year, the presentations were made by members of the Beautification Awards Committee and members of the BSBPA Board of Directors.

WINNERS: • Best Residential New Build: 24 Galleon Drive, Malta Development Co - Patrick Rowan and Christopher Cavanaugh.

• Best Residential Redevelopment: 54 Grove Street - High Rock Realty - Ron Murphy.

• Best Residential Renovation: 28 Chapman Street - Carrie McNeil and Scott Von Duhn.

• Residential - Honorable Mention New Build: 7 Oakwood Court - Travis Fitzgerald.

• Best Commercial Interior Renovation: The Front Street

Social Club, 52 Front Street Jamie Fronk.

• Best Commercial Exterior Renovation: Amazing Finds Boutique, 53 Milton Avenue Christine Jamison.

• Best Commercial Complete Renovation: Rilassare at 18 Front, 18 Front Street - Alicia TenEyck.

• Commercial Renovation Honorable Mention (4): dbTrends Boutique, 32 Front Street - Dayanis Bowie ; Inspire Hair Salon, 207 Milton Avenue - Dana Flinton ; Seraphina Devine Beauty, 437 Geyser Road - Autumn Wright; The Real McCoy Beer Co Ballston Spa, 28 Washington Street - Michael and Bona Schaffer.

• Best Community Renovation: St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, 167 Milton Avenue.

•#518RainbowHunt Winner: Saratoga County Historical Society at Brookside Museum, 6 Charlton Street.

The Ballston Spa Business and Professional Association, founded in 1983, is a non-profit organization committed to making the Village of Ballston Spa a better place to live, work and visit. To learn more, visit at www.ballston.org.

Continues Cookie Tradition Fundraiser

SARATOGA SPRINGS — For decades, the Flower and Fruit Mission has hosted a winter fundraiser called the Snow Ball, an annual event to kick off the holiday season and raise funds for Saratoga Hospital. In years past, members would sell boxes of homemade cookies to raise additional funds for the hospital.

This year’s Snow Ball is cancelled due to the pandemic, but to keep the cookie tradition and continue to raise funds, the Mission is selling beautiful boxes of cookies baked by the Putnam Market.

All orders must be placed by Dec. 4 and picked up Dec. 17-18.

Supporters can buy cookies for

themselves, as presents or donate them to local non-profits. To order cookies, go to: the-flowerand-fruit-mission-of-saratogahospital-108936.square.site/s/ shop.

The Flower and Fruit Mission was established in 1904 to raise funds for the William J. Hickey Woman’s Health Services of Saratoga Hospital. Today, the Mission supports the hospital’s maternity unit and the general well-being of its staff and patients.

Some recent contributions from the F&F Mission include a $30,000 donation to the Community Health Center to support the uninsured and

underinsured of our community, the purchase of Noelle, a simulation program used to train doctors and nurses in crisis care of mothers and newborns, the purchase of new Billibeds, which allow treatment of jaundice babies.

The Mission also supports nursing education through scholarships; The Philly Dake Memorial Award, given to a SSHS graduating senior pursuing a career in healthcare and The Mildred Rockwell Fund, $10,000 to pay for advanced educational opportunities for labor and delivery nurses at Saratoga Hospital.

8

NEWS

Week of December 4 – December 10, 2020

Under Development, Under Review

by Thomas Dimopoulos Saratoga TODAY

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The city Land Use Boards – the Planning Board, Design Review Commission, and Zoning Board of Appeals are considering a variety of applications this month.

Among the applications anticipated to be under consideration are an Architectural Review of exterior details and colors for the new construction of 18 townhomes at 96-116 Ballston Ave. and a Historic Review of exterior modifications at 351 & 353 Broadway with an eye to the repair or replacement of porch columns on the east side of the

Rip Van Dam to address deteriorating column bases.

An approval extension of a special use permit, which was granted June 20, 2019, is sought for a 200-unit affordable housing project at Allen Drive and Tait Lane, and as per a pair of demolition requests, a Historic Review determination of historic/architectural significance is sought for a pair of vacant structures which stand at 65 Phila St. and 69 Phila St., respectively.

The DRC is next scheduled to meet Dec. 9, the Planning Board on Dec. 10, and the ZBA on Dec. 14.

Meetings are typically held via Zoom.

See the city’s website at Saratogasprings.org for more details.

Buy Local it takes you to start the trend.

Shop Local.

Eat Local.

Enjoy Local.

A determination of historic significance will be made regarding a pair of vacant structures at 65 Phila St. (white building at left) and 69 Phila St. (red building at right), with an eye on future demolition.

Photo Dec. 1, 2020 by Thomas Dimopoulos.

Week of December 4 – December 10, 2020

NEWS 9

City News: Saratoga Springs Adopts $46.2 Million Budget for 2021, Announces Small Biz Grant Program

by Thomas Dimopoulos Saratoga TODAY

SARATOGA SPRINGS — With the clock ticking to a midnight deadline that would have installed what Finance Commissioner Michele Madigan called a “skeletal budget” as proposed in October, the City Council Nov. 30 staged a Special Meeting during which it unanimously approved a less austere 2021 budget that maintains essential city services and preserves city jobs and salaries.

The initial budget proposed in October was set at $41.9 million – a $7 million reduction to the 2019 plan. The amended 2021 budget approved this week calls for a $46.2 million spending plan.

It may be further amended after Jan. 1, 2021.

The plan calls for a 6% property tax increase, meaning a home assessed at $200,000 will require an additional payment of $72 annually; a home assessed at $400,000 will see an annual payment increase of $144.

Commissioner Madigan said with a vaccine seemingly on the horizon, she is feeling “optimistic” about at least some form of tourism returning to the Spa City next year.

• The city announced a COVID-19 Small Business Grant Program Application period opens Dec. 7, with 25 to 51 grants of $5,000 - $10,000 to be awarded.

Funds may be used for: payroll, rent or mortgage, utilities, equipment to facilitate the outdoor conduct of business during winter months, or supplies and equipment that reduce risk of coronavirus transmission.

Grant recipients must preserve at least 1 FTE job held by a low-income person - designated as less than $33,950/year - for at least six months.

The COVID-19 Small Business Grant Program, administered locally by the City’s Office of Community Development (OCD), was funded by a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grant through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. All applicants must agree to federal program requirements. For full guidelines, eligibility information, and application forms go to: saratoga-springs.org.

• The comment period for Draft 2 of the UDO has been extended and the public is invited to submit comments through Friday, Dec. 11.

Members of the City’s UDO project team led six public Q&A

sessions during the 60-plus days that Draft 2 has been available for review. Draft 2 documents and maps, including video recordings and presentation slides, are available on the UDO web page on the city’s website for review.

It is anticipated that a final draft of the UDO will be released and submitted to the County and City Land Use Boards for advisory opinions, prior to being presented to Council for a vote during the first quarter of 2021.

• A meeting of the Police Reform Task Force will be held at Saratoga Music Hall and livestreamed on the city website at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 9.

The city announced a COVID-19 Small Business Grant Program Application period opens Dec. 7.

10

BUSINESS

Week of December 4 – December 10, 2020

Local Sales Tax Collections Decline 5.2% in October

Monthly Local Sales Tax Collections: Capital Region 2020, Office of NYS Comptroller.

ALBANY — ­ Local government sales tax revenue declined by 5.2 percent in October compared to the same month last year, according to a

report released by State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli.

October’s sales tax collections totaled $1.4 billion for counties

and cities, or $74.4 million less than in October 2019.

The drop was less severe than previous declines since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, however. In the spring, collections fell by double-digits. Overall, local government collections in 2020, from January-October, are down nearly $1.6 billion, or 10.4 percent compared to the same period in 2019.

Locally, from January through October, sales tax collections were

down 3.3% in Saratoga County and 19.5% in Saratoga Springs.

“Statewide local sales tax collections have declined year-over-year for eight straight months,” DiNapoli said in a statement. “Our local governments are on the forefront of the pandemic response and they need financial aid from the federal government to help them get through this crisis.”

According to the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce,

demand for hotel rooms in Saratoga County is down 37.6% versus the same time in 2019 through the first ten months of 2020. As a result, Saratoga County’s 2020 revenue per available room is down 49.8% vs 2019. Demand for hotel rooms in Saratoga Springs is also down 41.2% and revenue per available room down 53.3% in the first ten months of 2020 versus the same time in 2019, according to the Chamber.

WANT TO VIEW THE PAPER ONLINE? subscribe to our weekly e-newsletter email: design@ saratogapublishing.com

saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

Week of December 4 – December 10, 2020

BUSINESS BRIEFS 11

Roohan Realty Saratoga Casino Hotel to Donate Welcomes Anny O’Neill $100,000 to Regional Non-Profits SARATOGA SPRINGS — Roohan Realty has announced that Anny O’Neill has joined the team as a Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker.

O’Neill has been listing and selling real estate in Saratoga County and surrounding areas since 2001. She has also been a member of the Church of St. Peter’s since 1986 and is a past member of the Parish Council, as well as a supporter of the Saratoga WarHorse Foundation, Mary’s Haven, the Franklin Community Center, Community Hospice and the American Cancer Society.

O’Neill and her husband Vince have been residents of Saratoga Springs since 1986. They have been

During Holiday Season

Anny O’Neill. Photo provided.

married for over 35 years with three adult children who were born and raised in Saratoga Springs and now live in the area.

Dr. Lindsay Ferraro Joins Team at Saratoga Hospital SARATOGA SPRINGS — Dr. Lindsay Ferraro has joined the neurology team at Saratoga Hospital.

As a physician with Saratoga Hospital Medical Group – Neurology, Ferraro provides outpatient care and is available for inpatient consultations. She also works closely with the hospital’s emergency medicine team, 24/7 teleneurology service providers, and stroke care partners at Saratoga Hospital’s affiliate Albany Med. Ferraro was raised in Clifton Park. She comes to Saratoga Hospital from the Neuroscience Center at Ellis Medicine in Schenectady. After earning a medical degree from New York University School of Medicine, Ferraro completed a neurology residency and epilepsy fellowship at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, the flagship

Dr. Lindsay Ferraro. Photo provided.

hospital of Penn Medicine. She is board certified in neurology with subspecialty certification in epilepsy.

Ferraro serves on the professional advisory board of the Epilepsy Foundation of Northeastern New York.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Casino Hotel has kicked off their “30 Days of Giving” campaign, committing to donate a total of $100,000 to 38 local and regional non-profit organizations.

Each day through Dec. 22, team members from Saratoga Casino Hotel will help to fill local food pantries, purchase essentials for families in need, and deliver checks to provide funding for nonprofit programs and initiatives.

Each organization will be featured on Saratoga Casino Hotel’s social media pages highlighting their cause and promoting local support and assistance. Throughout the 30 days the casino will also feature four Player Choice contests on their Facebook page where fans can vote for particular organizations to receive a $1,000 donation.

All organizations selected for the Player Choice contests will receive at a minimum $500.

In addition, Saratoga Casino Hotel is purchasing many of the non-monetary gifts for their program from small local establishments such as G. Willikers, Putnam Market, The Bread Basket Bakery, and D’Andrea’s Pizza.

The following organizations will receive a donation ranging from $500-$10,000 during the “30 Days of Giving” campaign: After the Fire: AIM Services Inc.: Ballston Area Community Center; Ben Osborne Memorial Fund: CAPTAIN Community Human Services: Catie Hoch Foundation; Donna Crandall Foundation - Cystic Fibrosis; Franklin Community Center; Friends of Saratoga County Animal Shelter; Gateway House of Peace; Give a Child Christmas; Habitat for Humanity; Jake’s Help from Heaven; Mechanicville Area Community Services; Moreau Community Center; Nathan

Littauer Foundation; Nipper Knolls Equine Center; Operation Adopt a Soldier; Rebuilding Together Saratoga County; Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region; Saratoga Center for the Family; Saratoga County FoundationSave our Locals; Saratoga EOC; Saratoga Hospital Community Health Center; Saratoga Senior Center; Saratoga County Children’s Committee Empty Stocking Project; Schuylerville Area Food Pantry; Shelters of Saratoga; Queensbury School District Snack Pack Program; Saratoga Springs School District SNACPack Program; Saratoga Sponsor-A-Scholar; Stillwater Food Pantry; Town of Malta Emergency Food Pantry; Wait House - Warren Washington County Homeless Youth Coalition; Wellspring; The Wesley Community; Wilton Food Pantry; The Corporation at Yaddo.

12

Week of December 4 – December 10, 2020

challenge accepted.

I

Collaboration and a Multi-Sector Team to Tackle the Issues of Homelessness in Saratoga County

n the on-going conversation around homelessness, a recurring theme emerges with local leaders, community advocates, committed groups and individuals, and those agencies tasked with developing meaningful solutions.

That theme is: It takes a collaborative and coordinated approach to prevent and end homelessness.

It is not the singular effort of one person or agency, and responsibility doesn’t lie with one sector or organization, it is the collective effort with purpose that creates and sustains movement forward and progress.

For many years Saratoga County has benefited from the collective effort of the Saratoga – North Country Continuum of Care (CoC).

This is a collection of agencies funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide housing solutions across the entire spectrum of homelessness: chronic, youth, families, domestic violence victims, veterans, and all others experiencing a housing crisis. The CoC serves a large region encompassing Saratoga, Warren, Washington, and Hamilton Counties; however, there is a subset of the full CoC, a local planning body known as the Saratoga Housing Alliance, that provides a committed local presence with years of experience and countless stories of success.

Just last month, the Saratoga Housing Alliance formally combined efforts with the Saratoga Collaborative to End Homelessness to become a more cohesive and organized group that will be called the Saratoga County Alliance to End Homelessness. This new group now combines the efforts

of over 12 different agencies and organizations, several faith-based partners, the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce, Department of Social Services, the City of Saratoga Springs, community advocates, health sector partners, and many others, which in practice and purpose meets the vision of the communitybased response to collaboratively address and prevent homelessness for all. This presents an opportunity for coordination on an entirely new level, breaks down barriers of perceived responsibility, and sets the stage for implementation of new funding available to Saratoga County to make significant change and impact on homelessness.

On March 27, 2020 Congress passed and President Trump signed H.R. 749, the CARES Act. Included in that legislation is an emergency allocation of $4 billion to be used specifically to address the needs of individuals and families experiencing homelessness, or at risk of homelessness, that have arisen as the result of COVID-19. For Saratoga County, this allocation amounted to $975,000.

Under the direction of, and in collaboration with, Saratoga County DSS developed a comprehensive community-wide plan to implement the funding with 8 different non-profit organizations, and named CAPTAIN Community Human Services as the lead agency tasked with coordinating those programs and services. The collaborative agencies include Legal Aid of NENY, Prevention Council / Healing Springs, Salvation Army, Shelters of Saratoga, Transitional Services Association, Veterans and Community Housing Coalition, and Wellspring.

The funding will be directed toward increasing on-the-street presence of trained professionals for Street Outreach, strengthening and supporting Emergency Sheltering services, providing access to permanent housing for homeless individuals and families, and preventing evictions and homelessness through financial assistance. This funding allows for implementation of innovative strategies to increase access to housing and permanency in a collaborative and cooperative model that is client-focused, which ultimately benefits the entire community by

decreasing the opportunity for community-spread of this debilitating disease and increasing the wellness of the most vulnerable.

Further, the City of Saratoga Springs Community Development Office received funding to create a program to address homelessness, or those at-risk of homelessness within City limits, due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The program provides additional funding for housing services, which are administrated through partnerships with local non-profits. Those non-profits work with eligible clients to provide security deposits, rental assistance, case management, and other supportive services to help homeless individuals and families attain permanent housing or maintain their current housing by preventing evictions.

The combination of these new funding sources and the enhanced collaborative, community-based approach, Saratoga County is poised for opportunities for real and lasting positive impact on homelessness.

More information will be available to the community on how to access these resources and eligibility for assistance in the coming weeks, but information can be found by contacting CAPTAIN Community Human Services at 518-371-1185, or on the City of Saratoga Springs website at: saratoga-springs.org/2577/ COVID-19-Emergency-Housing-Assistance-Pr

Week of December 4 – December 10, 2020

PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS

23 Bog Meadow Run, Saratoga Springs • $439,000

BALLSTON Barbera Homes Kelley Farms LLC sold property at 9 Stablegate Dr to Seamus OConnor for $650,794.

Barbera Homes Kelley Farms LLC sold property at 2 Red Barn Dr to Daniel Keating for $417,328.

Debra Brown sold property at 56 Cypress St to Thomas Vogel for $354,900.

Michael Molocznik sold property at 185 Charlton Rd to Bonnie Chapman for $440,000.

Julianne Taylor sold property at 122 Miner Rd to Joshua Smith for $250,000.

Allison Parks sold property at 3 Fuller Dr to Ronald Tabbitas for $245,000.

GREENFIELD Bruce Poritzky sold property at 141 Middle Grove Rd to Nikki Yas for $460,000.

Duane Carpenter sold property at 131 Wilton Rd to Mitchell Rager for $145,000.

MALTA

TP Builders Inc sold property at 8 Meadowbrook Ct to Alyssa Greer for $553,125.

26 Albany Ave LLC sold property at 26 Albany Ave to Ann Marie Floresca for $255,000.

BDC Cornerstone LLC sold property at 21 Cornerstone Dr to Donald Wood for $290,000.

Rasheed Bhatti sold property at 2867 Rt 9 to Aftab Bhatti for $355,179

CORINTH Atlantica LLC sold property at 17 Heath St to Colleen Shannon for $139,900.

Kathryn Kos sold property at 81 Arrowwood Place to Alyssa Taranto for $182,000.

Kenneth Jackson sold property at 51 Glade Mallow Rd to Sarah Maiolo for $282,000.

Michael McCabe sold property at 21 Ordelia Lane to Edward Updyke for $367,500

Anthony Nazzaro sold property at 225 Caroline St to Robert Leiponis for $510,000

Joseph Greene sold property at 129 Thimbleberry Rd to Susan McQuade for $210,000

DMN Realty Properties LLC sold property at 54 Walnut St to Thomas Grant for $473,000.

Andrew Lamothe sold property at 34 Pennyroyal Rd to Susanne Richardson for $262,000.

Thomas Burke sold property at 5 Jenee Way to Kyle Klopstock for $568,000.

SARATOGA SPRINGS

Jennifer Rose sold property at 30 Central Ave to Kyle Manny for $515,000.

Thomas Roohan sold property at 489 Broadway to 489 Springs LLC for $995,000 Excelsior Park LLC sold property at 9 Gibson Ct to Dalida Toro for $330,000.

Craig Wilson sold property at 9 Sunset Dr to Robert Woodson for $220,000.

Daniel Monaco sold property at 365 Caroline St to Salvatore Salamone for $765,000.

Aztlano Archuleta sold property at 13 Clubhouse Dr to Aimee Privitera for $251,500.

Lindsay Cogan sold property at 13 Michael Dr to Patricia ONeil for $257,500.

Kyle Marsicano sold property at 39 Wagon Wheel Trail to Stephen Prohaska for $265,900.

Spencers Landing LLC sold property at 24 Arrowhead Rd to Deborah Destefanis for $601,800

Robert Stern sold property at 44JWagon Wheel Trail to Jerry Gibson for $309,000.

13 WILTON Sally Gangell sold property at 3 Carlyle Terrace to Paul Farrell for $559,000.

Kasimier Jarosz sold property at 2 Saw Mill Court to Michael Akker for $620,000.

Richard Bangert sold property at 64 Castleberry Dr to Jennifer Colonagelo for $230,000 Kristen Bonner sold property at 9 New Kent Dr to Jennifer Foresman for $240,000.

Stuart Hardy sold property at 37 Nicholas Dr to Shawn Lavigne for $220,000.

14

EDUCATION

Week of December 4 – December 10, 2020

SOMEWHERE IN TIME

by Megin Potter for Saratoga TODAY | Photos provided.

COLOR SARATOGA SPRINGS’ HISTORY ANY WAY YOU’D LIKE TO SEE IT. Mary Frances Millet

L

ocal landmarks, people, and places are featured in “The History of Saratoga Springs, NY Coloring Book,” recently released by local artist Mary Frances Millet.

Drawing off the success of “The History of Schenectady, NY Coloring Book,” published in 2017, this second book (in what Millet plans to make a series) includes 60 hand-drawn illustrations of iconic Saratoga scenes.

“The series is a way to tell people what we have here. There are facts on each page because I wanted to make it like a history lesson that would be fun and interesting for all ages,” she said.

DID YOU KNOW? Mary Frances Millet’s coloring books are a snapshot of our shared history.

It’s a history that held some surprises for Millet, who is a third generation Schenectady native that has also spent a lot of time in Saratoga Springs.

“Saratoga has more than just horses and springs. It was the first and best in a lot of areas, including the Grand Union hotel, which was the biggest and best hotel of its kind in the world!”

Among some of Millet’s favorite facts include, that: • Saratoga was the birthplace of Dr. Simon Baruch’s research institute. He was the father of hydrotherapy and started his studies in Saratoga in the 1800s.

• The carousel in Congress park has real horsehair on its horses’ tails.

• The “Saratoga porch” is a structure with three stories and balconies on each level.

• The Old Daley Inn is the oldest building in Saratoga Springs.

A GLIMPSE INTO THE PAST Millet, who is also a caregiver and former occupational therapist, said that in addition to the relaxation and enjoyment that families can get from coloring the pictures, this book is also a great tool for a historical “treasure hunt.”

It has something for everyone.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR OUR NEXT ROUND OF CANDIDATES FOR

Athlete of the

1 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

“It’s a trip down memory lane.

For those who are older and have dementia or Alzheimer’s’, it can help bring back the memories they may have thought were lost,” said Millet.

It took about six months for Millet to draw the pictures for this latest book, which were then laid out by graphic designer, Dianne Stage Fowler.

Both of her coloring books are available on Amazon and at Northshire Bookstore.

Find Mary Frances Millet’s art and silk scarves at Thistle Be Perfect, 19 Glenridge Road, Suite A, Glenville.

See all of her work and purchase directly from the artist by visiting her website maryfrances.faso.com

Week of December 4 – December 10, 2020

EDUCATION BRIEFS

Saratoga Springs Arts Online Town Hall: Arts for Young People SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs Arts Commission, in partnership with Skidmore College, is excited to invite the community to the first in a series of four quarterly town hall style discussions with local arts leaders. The first discussion will take place Tuesday, Dec. 8, at 7 p.m.

Moderator Aili Lopez, Program Director of C.R.E.A.T.E. Community Studios, will host a discussion on the Arts for Young People - the community impact, accessibility, and ideas for art in Saratoga Springs.

Panelists will include Leigh

Berenis, Executive Director, Saratoga Children’s Theatre; Sarah DiPasquale, Assistant Professor of Dance, Skidmore College and Dance To Success/Bridges to Skidmore; Julianne Lewis, Saratoga Site Director, C.R.E.A.T.E. Community Studios; Dennis Moench, Senior Director of Education, Saratoga Performing Arts Center; Vivian Nesbitt, Program Coordinator, Caffè Lena School of Music; and Sunny Ra, Laurie M. Tisch Educator for K-12 and Community Programs, Tang Teaching Museum.

The online talk is free, open to all, and will be hosted on Zoom. To

join the meeting, go to skidmore. zoom.us/j/94553329121 Mark your calendars for three more Saratoga Springs Arts Town Halls in 2021: • March 9: Performing Arts moderated by Lisa Kolosek, Independent Curator and Jason Ohlberg, Professor of Dance at Skidmore College • June 8: Creative Collaborations moderated by Ian Berry, Dayton Director, Tang Teaching Museum at Skidmore College • Sept. 14: Public Art moderated

by Belinda Colon, Director of Spring Street Gallery

15

SUNY Provides Free COVID Tests to Employees The State University of New York announced an extension to conduct free, mandatory testing for CSEA-represented employees at SUNY colleges, universities, and hospitals this week.

The memorandum of understanding follows a similar arrangement last week between SUNY and United University Professions for represented employees.

“As our students and faculty are now mainly transitioned to remote learning for the rest of the semester we are working on preparations for their return next spring, and I am thankful for the ongoing efforts of our CSEArepresented employees in keeping our facilities safe and operational,”

said SUNY Chancellor Malatras.

Regular mandated coronavirus testing through June 30, 2021 is part of this strategy. Testing will be free and conducted during regular work hours.

“The CSEA-represented workers at all our SUNY facilities are the foundation that ensures they continue to function. Continuing regular testing for them will help ensure our entire SUNY system is focused on safe operations to keep students learning and workers working. We appreciate collaborating with SUNY administration to protect our campus communities,” said Civil Service Employee Association (CSEA)President Mary Sullivan.

Skidmore Cares 2020 Donation Drive Provides Community Support SARATOGA SPRINGS — For the 15th consecutive year, the Skidmore College community has come together to assist local residents and families through the Skidmore Cares community service program.

This year, Skidmore faculty, staff and students donated nearly 3,000 food items and more than 3,400 school supplies and personal care items - including 2,130 face masks - for Saratoga County community organizations. In addition, monetary donations to Skidmore Cares and community agencies totaled nearly $800.

To help ensure the health and safety of all involved, the annual campus-wide event was modified this year, encouraging individuals to drop off donations at outdoor locations on campus in early November.

Skidmore employees organized and delivered the contributions to 10 local community service agencies: Shelters of Saratoga, Franklin Community Center, Mary’s Haven, Saratoga Economic Opportunity Council, Wellspring, Corinth Central School District, Saratoga Springs City School District PATHS, the Latino Advocacy Program, the Salvation Army and Saratoga Center for the Family.

The donations come at a critical time for local residents and agencies facing challenges

Skidmore Cares Volunteeers with President Conner and Barbara Reyes-Conner. Photo provided.

created or intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Founded in 2006, Skidmore Cares has now raised more than

$122,000 for community causes and distributed nearly 60,000 food, personal care and school supplies items.

Santa

Experiences For

Your C hild!

nual n A 25 th

NEW to the event this year:

Personalized Letter from Santa $3 Facetime with Santa on Saturday $15 Saturday, Dec. 5 • 9 A.M.- 1 P.M. Saturday, Dec. 12 • 9 A.M.- 1 P.M. Santa will Facetime with your child for 5 minutes in the time frame selected.

For More Information & to Purchase Events:

classy.org/event/festival-of-trees/e310214

16

Holiday Gift Guide

Week of December 4 – December 10, 2020

Week of December 4 – December 10, 2020

Holiday Gift Guide

17

18

Food

Shop Local at the

Week of December 4 – December 10, 2020

Farmers’ Market this Holiday Season Sweetbrier Farms. Photo provided.

Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad Scotch Ridge Berry & Tree Farm. Photo by Madison Jackson.

SATURDAYS 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Wilton Mall | Food Court

by Julia Howard for Saratoga TODAY

S

Owl Wood Farm. Photo by Pattie Garrett.

upporting small businesses is always a must in our eyes, but this year it’s more important than ever. Not only does it give our local economy a boost, but you’re more likely to find unique gifts for your loved ones. .

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market offers a spacious shopping environment featuring 50+ local businesses, with some attending exclusively for the holiday season. These holiday season vendors will rekindle your excitement for shopping and finding the perfect gift.

Saratoga Suds ‘n’ Stuff makes soap the “old fashioned” way - “by hand, in small batches, using fat and lye and some essential oils to scent it.” For the holidays, find soaps in the shape of gingerbread men, Christmas trees, and other fun seasonal shapes alongside their traditional soaps.

Sweetbrier Farms makes small-batch, plant-infused wellness and beauty products. They offer handmade soaps, tinctures and glycerites, herb-infused raw honey, salves and balms, and teas. Sweetbrier’s products are made from “responsibly wildcrafted ingredients” - many from their farm in Salem.

Goodway Bakery has been baking cookies, cakes, pies, and brownies in Troy for over 40 years. Their rum cakes, in particular, have an excellent shelf life for 2-3 weeks at room temperature, making them perfect gifts.

With seasonal favorites like eggnog and hot cocoa, Grandma Apple’s Cheesecakes make great gifts for any “sweet tooth.” Grandma’s handcrafted, artisanal cheesecakes come in various flavors and sizes that make the perfect cake easy to find.

For the spirits connoisseur on your list, Springbrook Hollow Farm Distillery, nestled in the foothills of the Adirondacks, produces handcrafted, high-quality spirits in a natural and innovative process. They make award-winning vodka, gin, rye whiskey, moonshine, Limoncello, Orangecello, and Cowboy Coffee.

Scotch Ridge Berry & Tree Farm has handmade wreaths, kissing balls, holiday swag, and tabletop Christmas trees all this month. Gorgeous greenery makes a memorable and personal gift, and even more so when it’s locally made.

For the farmers’ market enthusiast in your life, Owl Wood Farm has freshly-harvested, Certified Naturally Grown produce every Saturday in December. Assemble a gift basket of produce, purchase a gift certificate, or buy a 2021 CSA subscription for a friend or family member.

Amazing authentic Indian food for Christmas? Why not! Daily Fresh Food makes to-go curries, vegan samosas, soups, and other specialty dishes that make a great gift and offer a break from cooking.

Many holiday season vendors offer pre-order for easy pickup as well as online ordering. Find their website or like them on social media to stay up-todate on their products and specials.

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Find us online at saratogafarmersmarket.org, follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and subscribe to our weekly e-newsletter: www.saratogafarmersmarket.org/weekly-newsletter.

YIELDS: 8 servings | PREP & COOK TIME: 15 min

INGREDIENTS: *Ingredients currently available at the farmers’ market

FOR THE DRESSING:

FOR THE SALAD:

• ⅓ cup olive oil

• 1 lb Brussels sprouts*, ends trimmed

• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar* • 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup* • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard • 1 clove garlic*, minced • Kosher salt and black pepper to taste

• 1 large Honeycrisp* apple, chopped (or 2 small apples) • ½ cup dried cranberries • ½ cup sunflower seeds • ⅓ cup shredded or shaved Parmesan cheese* • Kosher salt and black pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS: 1. First, make the maple mustard dressing. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, pure maple syrup, mustard, and garlic. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.

2. Next, shave the brussels sprouts. Use a food processor with the slicing attachment and pulse until the brussels sprouts are thinly sliced. You can also use a mandoline or sharp knife if you don’t have a food processor.

3. Place the shredded brussels sprouts in a large bowl. Add the chopped apple, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and Parmesan cheese. Drizzle the salad with the dressing and toss well. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

Recipe by Two Peas & Their Pod.

Week of December 4 – December 10, 2020

19

Food

Season’s

by John Reardon for Saratoga TODAY

Eatings!

Hello my Foodie Friends !

This is my fun time of year and has been since my childhood. Mom would be baking Italian cookies and pastries daily during the month of December. The cookies would get eaten so fast that they didn’t have much time to cool. There were five cookie monsters running around the Reardon household and three in Paula’s house. Cooking and baking smells were a daily occurrence and the excitement kept building up for the day the man in the white beard stopped by to get his cookies and leave something for the sweet, angelic little Reardon kids!

Everyone knows that baking is part of the holiday season. Italian cookies are a wonderful gift for family and friends. There are many types of Italian cookies made by people worldwide. Secret family recipes that have been around for over 50 years are usually delivered nationwide to hand out. Holly Wreaths were always my favorite Italian cookie to make with my mother. Our family really values certain traditions derived from our Italian culture and heritage. Both Paula and my grandparents came over from Italy! However, as I have been reminded by my wife, my family came from Sicily and that’s not Italy (?!). Is that true? Anyway, we try to hand down our Italian heritage to our children. Although we do not speak the language, we do try to cook some of the dishes we have learned over the years. We absolutely adore Italian cookies and remember our childhood memories of watching our mothers and grandmothers bake holiday cookies. The kitchen was filled with the wonderful aroma as tray after tray of cookies came out of the oven.

Cream Cheese Cookie Press

Enjoy your family baking traditions. It is always important to include personal traditions that everyone can love. Creating simple traditions makes holiday memories priceless. You can almost guarantee that your family will continue the tradition for generations to come. Stop in to 33 Railroad Place and say Buon Natale to the Reardon Family!

We also have all types of cookie cutters shapes for your delicious sugar cookie creations.

Happy Holiday Traditions! Remember my Foodie Friends: “Life Happens in the Kitchen.”

Take Care, John & Paula

INGREDIENTS • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 3 ounces cream cheese (at room temperature)

• 1 cup butter (at room temperature)

• 1 cup of sugar • 1 egg yolk

• Optional: food coloring, sugar sprinkles, jimmies, or other decorations

• 1/4 teaspoon lemon extract

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. Whisk salt into the flour and set aside.

3. Cream butter and cream cheese together until fluffy. Add sugar, egg yolk, vanilla, and lemon or almond extract, beating until combined. Stir in the flour/salt mixture.

4. Divide dough, if you desire multiple colors, then add optional food coloring(s) and mix well.

5. Apply desired cutting plate shape and fill cookie press with dough.

6. Press cookies onto an ungreased baking sheet. Bake 10 to 15 minutes, until lightly browned at the edges. Decorate as desired.

20 Home

&

Week of December 4 – December 10, 2020

garden

Under the Mistletoe

FRESH EVERGREENS

PLASTIC BERRIES ARTIFICIAL

Kissing Ball

Written & Photographed

by Peter Bowden for Saratoga TODAY

I

find it fascinating that Christmas has so many plants associated with it. Wherever we turn, we’ll see evergreen trees and wreaths, holly and ivy, Christmas Cacti and Poinsettias. Equally

interesting are the stories of the roles they play and forms they take.

Let’s take kissing balls for example....you know, those round balls of evergreen usually with a bow on top. Thirty years ago, kissing balls were not really seen much if at all. If they were seen, they were homemade. These days you can get all kinds of kissing balls. Pictured above at top right, a ball made of plastic berries. Behind that is a kissing ball made of fresh evergreens and, at bottom, a modern kissing ball made from the same material as an artificial Christmas tree. These days kissing balls are a well-entrenched holiday decoration. So, how did kissing balls get their start?

The biggest clue is in the name. To find their origin we need to look for the original kissing ball....mistletoe. The kissing part makes sense since we all know that, for some reason, we are entitled to kiss someone standing beneath a sprig of mistletoe...but what about the ball part? Mistletoe is a parasitic plant. Rather than growing roots into the soil to get nutrients, mistletoe forces its roots into the bark of a host tree and sucks the nutrients it needs from it like a vampire. here are several trees that can fall victim to mistletoe including oak trees. A mature clump of mistletoe takes on the familiar kissing ball shape Mistletoe is interesting for other reasons. It was never adopted by Christianity into Christmas celebrations. Not only did the church never sanction the use of mistletoe in holiday celebrations, but its use was also actually banned at one time. This is, no doubt, due to the fact that it was highly revered by the ‘pagan’ Druid priests. It is central to their ancient solstice celebrations along with its host, the

Mistletoe growing wild in an oak tree.

oak tree. During the Druid’s solstice celebration, a Druid priest would cut the parasitic mistletoe from the branch of an oak tree and distribute pieces of it to the gathered populace. While doing this, he was careful not to let it touch the earth. Part of the mystery of mistletoe to the Druids was that it grew, not from soil, but from the bark of the oak tree. To receive a sprig of mistletoe from the priest was a blessing Druids looked forward to as part of their solstice rituals.

Today, all we know about mistletoe is that we are entitled to kiss anyone who stands beneath it. That tradition has its roots in Scandinavian myth. Loki, a troublesome little god, shot Balder, another young god, with an arrow made of mistletoe, the only thing that could harm this favorite son of Freyja. The tears of sorrow Freyja shed became the white berries of the mistletoe. All the Norse gods worked together to restore Balder to life and, in gratitude, Freyja is said to bestow a kiss on anyone who passes beneath mistletoe. Now we are all entitled to kiss anyone we find standing below the mistletoe.

Although hanging an entire ball of mistletoe was fairly common in Victorian England, it would be rare these days.

This is partially due to a small supply but mostly out of safety concerns. Mistletoe is poisonous and can cause harm or even death if eaten. These days the only real mistletoe you can find is a heavily painted sprig with the warning on the package not to eat it.

If you want your modern kissing ball to have the same magical quality that requires people to kiss if they meet below it, you’ll need to attach a sprig of real mistletoe at the bottom.

Thanks for the read!

Week of December 4 – December 10, 2020

21

Puzzles Across 1 Not very spicy 5 Time and again, to a bard 8 Stage surprise 13 More reasonable 14 Give in to jet lag 15 Far from posh 16 Steinway parts 18 Whack, biblically 19 Space-saving abbr.

20 Mayberry kid 21 Bk. before Philippians 22 Cajun crustacean 24 Lowlifes 28 Bell-shaped lily 29 Hobbyist’s blade 31 Laura of “Marriage Story” 33 BMW competitor 34 Merged comm. giant 35 “Are you serious?”

39 Awareness-raising TV ad 42 Lose stamina 43 A whole lot 46 Cartoon character who is five apples tall 50 Chase scene maneuvers, slangily 52 Some bottled waters 53 Most tidy 55 Arcing shot 56 Fleshy facial feature 57 Student advocacy org.

58 Off-the-cushion pool shot 60 Receives a go-ahead ... and a hint to what’s hidden in 16-, 29-, 35- and 46-Across 62 Render weaponless 63 Maiden name lead-in 64 Country rocker Steve 65 Jam-packed 66 FedEx rival 67 React to yeast Down 1 Restaurant host 2 Like most pet birds 3 Writer Deighton 4 Dickens’ “The Mystery of Edwin __”

See puzzle solutions on page 30

See puzzle solution on page 30 5 Upstate New York lake 6 Actress Dunaway 7 Playfully pranks, for short 8 Stubborn equine 9 Cut down to size 10 German city where Wagner was born 11 Crime after a data breach, perhaps 12 “See ya” 13 Architectural details 17 Title planet in a 2001 sci-fi film 23 In need of patching 24 __ finder: carpenter’s tool 25 Wine city near Sacramento 26 Just managing, with “out” 27 Witness 30 Coast Guard Academy student 32 “__ your life!”

36 Dee who sang with Elton

37 Spring flower 38 Joint ailment 39 Prof.’s degree 40 Maritime route 41 Concession speech deliverer 44 Paging gadgets 45 Ventricular contraction 47 Hercules’ 12 challenges 48 Low-risk govt. securities 49 Evergreens used for archery bows 51 Buffy’s weapon of choice 54 Make changes to 56 Wrangler maker 58 Bovine chew 59 French Mrs. 60 Oxlike antelope 61 Yokohama yes

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: Deductive, Inductive (Concerning types of reasoning:)

Deductive means to reason from the general to the specific (top-down approach).

Example: All people need water to survive; Bob is a person; Bob needs water to survive.

Inductive means to reason from the specific to the general (bottom-up approach).

Example: Bob needs water to survive; Bob is a person; all people need water to survive.

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

22

local BRIEFS

Victorian Streetscapes Cancellation Stamp The 2020 Victorian Streetscapes Cancellation Stamp will be available at the Saratoga Springs Post Office at 475 Broadway on Saturday, Dec. 19 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Monthly Dinner On Friday, December 11 from 5 – 7 p.m., Principessa Elena Society will have soups available by the quart. Choose from Pasta Fagioli or Italian Wedding Soup. Only Take out will be available. Cost is $5 per quart.

Open to the public, purchases made at the front door.

LOCAL BRIEFS Fundraiser Takeout Fish Fry Knights of Columbus #246 will be hosting a Fundraiser Takeout Fish Fry on Friday, December 11 from 5 -7:30 p.m. This will be the last event which the Knights will do until the beginning of Lent. Orders should be called in to 518-584-8547 on Wednesday, December 9 and Thursday, December 10, between 1 and 3 p.m. On Friday, December 11 orders will begin at 1 p.m. and continue until we have run out. Menu will be fried or baked haddock ($14) or fried clam strips ($12), shrimp salad special ($10), New England clam chowder ($4), macaroni and cheese ($5), and dessert ($2).

When picking up your order, you may enter the building wearing a mask or call from the parking lot upon your arrival, give a description of your vehicle, and your meal will be brought out to you. Thank you, once again, to

COVID-19 Tracker; Weekly Update

all those who have supported the Knights in all their efforts during these trying times.

Academy for Lifelong Learning Barnes & Noble Book Fair Greet Academy members at the door and receive an Academy voucher. Shop at Barnes & Noble, located in Wilton Square, 3029 State Route 50, Saratoga Springs on Saturday, December 12 anytime between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. and mention the Academy for Lifelong Learning. A percentage of your purchases will be donated to A.L.L. Enter the free raffle for a case of Sundaes Best Hot Sauce. Find more information about the Academy for Lifelong Learning at www.esc. edu/all or call Jeff Shinaman at 587-2100, ext. 2390.

Saratoga Chamber Players Concert 2020-21 marks the 34th season of the Saratoga Chamber Players (SCP) and we’re still at it. Under the artistic direction of Jill Levy, SCP will once again bring us programs with seasoned, professional musicians. This concert season kicks off with the return of Jill on violin and cellist Ashley Bathgate in a December 13 concert to be streamed. And we plan on doing another streaming concert of all Beethoven sonatas on January 31 with Jill and pianist Peggy Kampmeier. The concerts will ask you to pay what you will. Jill also has plans for a string quartet concert on April 4 and a program of sextets in late May to include

Week of December 4 – December 10, 2020 the rarely heard work of Peter Schickele, a concert in honor of the late David Wasser, long-time board member. www.eventbrite. com/e/contribute-click-ontickets-tickets-127734729013

place between the hours of 10 AM and noon on the 19th.

Contact Sharyn Kalinkewicz at 518-928-0179 for information, placement of orders and/or payment information.

Havurah Vitik: Celebrate the Days of Chanukah

Indoor Classes

Rabbi Boaz Marmon who now serves as rabbi of Congregation Shaara Tfille, will join us with a program featuring an exploration of the Hasmonean royal dynasty -- descendants of the Maccabee leadership -- and how the Maccabean revolt against the Seleucid Greeks played out in history. He will combine this look back at Jewish history with music: songs for the Chanukah season and spirit. This is a Zoom event on December 15 from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Havurah Vatik in the time of Covid: Bring your own lunch; pajama bottoms welcomed; coffee or tea suggested. Nothing supplied but valuable information, exchange of ideas, opportunity to “see” friends and acquaintances.

28th Annual Holiday Cookie Sale The Galway United Methodist Church will hold its 28th Annual Holiday Cookie Sale on Saturday, December 19, 2020.

Cookies must be pre-ordered and paid for in advance.

Cookies will be boxed in 1 pound assortments and pick up will be available for drive through only in the church parking lot at the corner of Rte. 147 and CR45 in the Village of Galway. Pick up will take

Have you Heard? The Town of Malta Parks and Recreation has started indoor classes. For the latest programs and events go to our website maltaparksrec.com

Friends Bookshop Now open for 15-minute appointments, which can be made by calling 518-584-7860 ext: 333. The schedule is as follows: Monday - Thursday 12-5 p.m., Closed Fridays, Saturday 10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.. Closed Sunday. bookbagshop@gmail.com

Volunteers Needed Do you have a morning to spare?

Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council (EOC), a nonprofit based in Ballston Spa, is looking for volunteers to help with its food programs on weekday mornings. Urgent needs include: • Pick-up assistants to ride-along and help retrieve donated food from local stores. Runs start in Ballston Spa and last from 8 - 11 a.m. Shifts are available Monday - Thursday.

• Delivery drivers to bring food pantry packages to clients in Saratoga County. Shifts are available Tuesday through Friday mornings and routes begin in Ballston Spa. • Crew members to help prepare meals at the Soup Kitchen. Shifts are available Wednesday through Saturday mornings.

Be part of neighbors helping neighbors. Apply online at saratogaeoc.org/volunteer, email volunteerdesk@saratogaeoc.org or call 518-288-3206.

Southern Saratoga Art Society

2.3%

Note: due to the Thanksgiving holiday, reports above cover a nine-day period this week, from Nov. 22 to Dec. 1, inclusively.

Artists and members of the Southern Saratoga Art Society are exhibiting this month at the Clifton Park Senior Community Center, 6 Clifton Common Court, in Clifton Park. Thirteen artists will present “A Fall Festival of Art,” an eclectic mix of artwork. Please try to visit, late afternoon is best at this venue, and support the arts in southern Saratoga County. For more information about SSAS visit southernsaratogaartist.com.

Week of December 4 – December 10, 2020

mark your 23 CALENDAR

This Week’s Events: DECEMBER 4 - 10 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4 Saratoga Festival of Trees Saratoga Springs City Center 522 Broadway, Saratoga Springs | 2 – 6 p.m.

Catholic Charities of Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties invites the local community to unwrap the magic of the holiday season at their 25th annual fundraiser. With COVID-19 precautions in place, the Festival will once again showcase beautifully decorated trees, wreaths and other holiday and gift items for purchase. Festival proceeds will benefit the programs of Catholic Charities of Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties. New this year, the community will also be able to view and purchase trees online.

Remaining days and hours are Saturday, December 5, Noon – 6 p.m. and Sunday, December 6, 11 a.m.

– 2 p.m. Tickets are $8 per person, $5 for seniors, $3 for ages 10-18, and free for anyone 10 and under when accompanied by an adult. Everyone will be asked to wear their masks and socially distance, with limited numbers safely allowed in the Display Room at one time. For more information, please call 518-587-5000.

Takeout Roast Beef Dinner Fundraiser Knights of Columbus 50 Pine Rd., Saratoga Springs | 5 - 7:30 p.m.

Meals will include 8 oz. each of tender roast beef, mashed potatoes with gravy, a vegetable, salad, and rolls for $15 each. Last chance to order will be the day of the event from 1 - 4 p.m. or until we run out. To place your order or for questions, please call 518-584-8547. Thank you for your continued support of all our events, which help us to continue our work in the community.

Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting Wiswall Park, Ballston Spa | 6 – 6:30 p.m.

The Ballston Spa Business and Professional Association is making every effort to keep the holiday spirit alive even if COVID-19 restrictions to large gatherings require a different approach to the celebrations. Santa will light the village Christmas tree from the bucket of a fire truck.

The tree lighting will be live streamed on the BSBPA Facebook Page. For those who may choose to come to the park, NYS COVID-19 social distancing and mask requirements will be followed.

Following the tree lighting, residents should be sure to peek out their front windows or stand at the end of their driveways as Santa will parade through neighborhoods in the village, along with the Ballston Spa Police and Fire Departments and Community Emergency Corps’ ambulance

collecting Toys for Tots. The approximate route and times will be posted closer to the parade date on the BSBPA Facebook Page.

Christmas in the Country Various Locations, Washington County Friday and Saturday | Christmas in the Country is a group of artisans who get together every year for a Christmas in the Country tour of their homes and studios. They are primarily located in Fort Ann and Kingsbury. Participants will have Christmas tree signs in front of their houses; those who are not on the official list but are still participating will have snowman signs. Find Christmas in the Country - Washington County NY on Facebook for more information.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 7 Clayfest Saratoga Clay Arts Center 167 Hayes Rd., Schuylerville | 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Saratoga Clay Arts Center is pleased to present its first annual holiday invitational exhibition, CLAYFEST, our way of celebrating the holiday season with a compilation of incredible functional and decorative works by clay artists from across the country. The exhibition will be a beautifully diverse exhibition of functional and decorative pottery – cups, mugs, bowls, teapots, pitchers, vases - as well as some fabulous ceramic jewelry and holiday ornaments. The Schacht Gallery is open Monday - Saturday from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. and by appointment.

Visit saratogaclayarts.org, call 518-581-2529 or email info@ saratogaclayarts.org for more information.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8 Brooks House of BBQ Dinner Fundraiser Saratoga Automobile Museum | 4 – 7 p.m.

Enjoy the famous Brooks BBQ at home with helping raise funds for the Saratoga Automobile Museum’s exhibit and educational programing. Meals include: 1/2 chicken, baked potato, cole slaw, a roll, a drink and a cookie. Take out only. Please pre-register (order) on our website www.saratogaautomuseum.org/events. Cost is $15. Please contact Megan Hennessey at (518) 401-5185 or via email at megan. hennessey@saratogaautomuseum.org with any questions.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9

Take a Walk in the Park with History

Roast Pork Dinner

Corner of Route 50 and Middleline Rd., Ballston Lake 10 a.m. | Join Ballston Town Historian Rick Reynolds for a historic tour of Anchor Diamond Park. The walk will be about 2 miles. Wear clothing for the weather. Register at rreynolds@ townofballstonny.org with name and number in group. Free and open to all ages. Masks and social distancing required.

Ladies of Charity Poinsettia Sale Saratoga Senior Center 5 Williams St., Saratoga Springs | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Unusual and breathtaking colors. Plants from a local greenhouse. Cost is $12 per plant or 2 for $20.

Big Fez Xmas Show The Parting Glass 40-42 Lake Ave., Saratoga springs | 7 – 9:30 p.m.

Come celebrate with great holiday music, 2020 is almost over! Enjoy delicious Irish fare and beer in a safe and happy environment. For reservations please call 518-583-1916. Donations appreciated.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6 Santa Claus is Coming to Town Geyser Crest Area | Starting at 4 p.m.

The Saratoga Springs downtown Business Association and Stewarts Shops are bringing Santa to the children of Saratoga Springs.

Catch a glimpse of Santa in your neighborhood as he travels through Saratoga Springs atop a tower ladder fire truck provided by King Enterprises. Follow Santa live on Facebook @ downtownsaratogasprings. For more information visit www.saratogaspringsdowntown.com.

Saratoga-Wilton Elks, 1 Elks Lane, Rt. 9, Saratoga Springs 4:30 – 6 p.m. | Menu: roast pork, mashed potatoes, vegetable, stuffing, applesauce, gravy & roll, tossed salad. Dinner for 23 $25 (cash only).

For curbside pick-up only. Call Monday or Tuesday between 10 a.m. – Noon to place an order, 518-584-2585.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10 Brown Bag Lunch Saratoga Springs Public Library Zoom Presentation 11:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. | The History of Saratoga Springs using the bolster Photographic Collection, Part 2. James Parillo and Charles Keunzel are back with more fabulous images from the Bolster Collection, sharing more stories of the history of Saratoga Springs. Please register online. This online program uses the Zoom livestreaming platform. It will require access to a computer, mobile device with the Zoom app installed, and/or a phone for audio-only access. Registration with an email is required in order to receive information on how to connect. The email will be sent three (3) hours prior to the scheduled start time of the program. To register visit sspl. libcal.com/event/7195263.

Send your calendar events to calendar@saratogapublishing.com two weeks prior to the event.

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24 Arts &

Entertainment

Week of December 4 – December 10, 2020

Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story Zoom Discussion wrong in the life, career, reputation, and memory of a superstar,” said Saratoga Jewish Community Arts Coordinator, Phyllis Wang.

“It fascinates both as film history and as a sobering reminder of how little credit a woman like Lamarr received, even at the peak of her popularity.”

Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story is available for rental or viewing on most major video platforms and will be discussed at 7 p.m. Dec. 6. Registration is required at email address: sjca. sjcf@gmail.com for the Zoom link. Follow www.saratogajewishculturalfestival.org.

A Christmas Carol Holiday Entertainment Bombshell Zoom on Dec. 6.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Jewish Community Arts presents a Zoom panel discussion of Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story, at 7 p.m. on Dec. 6.

Born Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler in Vienna to Jewish parents in 1914, the late screen siren, known as Hedy Lamarr, immigrated to the United States and Hollywood where she appeared in such sexually charged films as White Cargo and Samson and Delilah. However, less known is

that she helped to invent a secure, radio-controlled torpedo guidance system (sonar), known as “frequency-hopping,” that would form the basis of WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, and cellphone technologies.

In addition to her sex appeal, six marriages, and multiple boyfriends, Lamarr’s gifts included obvious intellect and a quality of self-deprecating goofiness.

Although she had no formal training and was primarily self-taught, she worked in her spare time on

various hobbies and inventions, which included an improved traffic stoplight and a tablet that would dissolve in water to create a carbonated drink.

Lamarr was in her 80s and at the end of her life when one of the pioneers of Wi-Fi, upon realizing that Lamarr had never been recognized for her contribution to communications, called her up. “Well, it’s about time,” came her response.

“Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story” rights a grievous

Presented by Home Made Theater SARATOGA SPRINGS — Home Made Theater will present a virtual production of the holiday classic “A Christmas Carol,” streaming live starting at 7 p.m. on Dec. 13.

Local theater mainstays, Patrick and Mairin Quinn, have a long-standing tradition of reading A Christmas Carol to their grandchildren. The annual family Christmas gathering was Grandpa and Grandma‘s favorite time of the year. Stories, reflections and songs were all part of the festivities. This year, the

pandemic has prevented the usual joyful reunion from happening, so Grandma and Grandpa decided to put their Zoom skills to work and are regaling the family with their two person version of Charles Dickens’ classic tale of redemption, A Christmas Carol.

This production will be presented as a pay-per-view fundraiser for Home Made Theater.

The cost is $15 per view. The show will be available through Dec. 31.

For more information, or to get your link to the production, go to www.homemadetheater.org.

View the Paper Online:

saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

Week of December 4 – December 10, 2020

Arts & 25 Entertainment

Blame It On Love: New Album from

Spa City Songwriter Jeff Brisbin

by Thomas Dimopoulos Saratoga TODAY

SARATOGA SPRINGS — You may know Jeff Brisbin in any number of ways.

He is a one-man Welcome Party at the Spa City’s daytime cafes; He is a night-time traveler on a never-ending tour of regional performance stages, trusty guitar cradled in his arms. Maybe you first came upon him as the songwriter who struck those solemn tones in the wake of the sad passing of local resident Nancy Pitts, capturing in the process a city’s emotions in his touching ballad “Homeless Heart.”

Brisbin - the godson of Sage of Saratoga Frank Sullivan, first began writing songs at the age of 13, tumbling along the frayed edges of understanding tone and transcending meaning as his literary godfather looked over his shoulder.

“Frank would come over to the house and say, ‘Hey, show me the lyrics.’ It would be something silly thing like, ‘Poor Amy Drew, what happened to you?’ and he would give me constructive criticism: ‘What’s this about? What are you trying to say here?’” recalls Brisbin, who has just released a new album “Blame It On Love,” featuring 10 original songs that track the landscape of communally shared human themes, offering blessings for what is, yearning for what may be, and holding love tight to the chest, at its heart center.

Musically, the 10-tune journey is accompanied by dips into a ying-yang of harmonies - a solid foundation

just reviewed ‘Foreverly,’ I love it.’ So, the weekend comes and goes and it’s like Tuesday when I get a call from his mother. She says: ‘Jeff Brisbin.

I’ve got to tell you, when Forrest was home this weekend he talked about you so much I thought I knew you personally. He loved you.’ Forrest went home, got his mail from his neighbor, and then collapsed right there. A heart attack.” Jenkins was 50 years old.

“I immediately went and found a video of Forrest at Caffe Lena,” Brisbin recalled. “In one

of the songs, one of the lines was: You gotta blame it on love. I hit the pause, got out my legal pad and my guitar and in 10 minutes I had the song ‘Blame It On Love.’

The song itself is universal, but it’s about Forrest, my love for him, and what happens to us in life.”

“Blame It On Love” is available as a CD available at Celtic Treasures in Saratoga Springs, and via download at a variety of streaming services, including Spotify, Amazon, CD Baby, iTunes, and Pandora, and others.

519 Broadway Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

Mr. Jeff Brisbin, with his new album, “Blame It On Love.”

of guitar-bass-and-drums augmented by tasteful teases via a bevy of instrumentalists; There are pianos and there are mandolins. There are cellos and saxophones. There are organs and accordions and even a tin whistle to accent the varied collection of ballads, up-tempo celebrations, and addictive sing-a-longs.

One stand-out track, “New Year’s Day,” kicks off with the pulled tension of Oona Grady’s violin - morphing gypsy and Celtic styles, tempered by the percussive paddles of Brian Melick’s multiple drum tracks.

Grady and Melick are among the nearly two dozen players on “Blame It On Love,” which features some of the region’s most recognizable names: George Fletcher and Joel Brown, Chuck Lamb and Jim Mastrianni, among them.

“When you pick these people, it’s like casting a movie, and we got

the best,” says Brisbin, who credits producer Dave Maswick for his genius in style, and whom he refers to as “My George Martin.” The album is Brisbin’s third, and his follow-up to “Foreverly,” released in 2017 and also produced by Maswick – whose Ballston Spa studio is where the tracks for “Blame It On Love,” first began coming together, in late summer 2018.

The album’s title track holds special significance.

“The first song, the title song ‘Blame It On Love,’ is about Forrest Jenkins. Forrest and I were dear buddies when he was in town,” Brisbin recalls of Jenkins, who was known as a singer-songwriter and guitar player when he lived in Saratoga Springs.

“After he moved away, we would talk every 10 days or so. When I released ‘Foreverly’ he called me up on a Thursday morning and said, ‘Hey go look at my Facebook page. I

Brittany Alexander Lic. Real Estate Salesperson

518.587.4500 Ext. 161 518.683.5159 Cell 518.587.4509 Fax balexander@roohanrealty.com RoohanRealty.com

519 Broadway Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

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518.587.4500 Ext. 155 518.207.7088 Cell 518.587.4509 Fax fryan.ny@gmail.com RoohanRealty.com

519 Broadway Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

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519 Broadway Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

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519 Broadway Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

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518.587.4500 Ext. 121 518.527.9266 Cell 518.587.4509 Fax troohan@roohanrealty.com RoohanRealty.com

26

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It’s where NEED to be.

YOU

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Week of December 4 – December 10, 2020

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LEGALS PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the City Council of the City of Saratoga Springs, New York, will conduct a public hearing, on Tuesday, December 15, 2020, at 6:55 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter can be reached by, video conferencing, in the City of Saratoga Springs, New York, to hear all persons who wish to speak in regard to a proposed amendment to the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Saratoga Springs.

The proposal would amend the text of the Congress Park Centre Planned Unit Commercial Development in Appendix C of the Zoning Ordinance to extend the expiration date in Section XVII from December 31, 2020 to December 31, 2035.

Because of current COVID-19 restrictions, members of the public will not be admitted to the facility to speak in person. A copy of the proposed amendment and instructions for submitting public comments online or by remote video are available on the City website at www.saratoga-springs.org.

Dated: December 2, 2020 CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS, NEW YORK By: John P. Franck, City Clerk. 12/04, 12/11. 101456 PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the City Council of the City of Saratoga Springs, New York will conduct a public hearing on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 6:55 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter can be reached, by, video conferencing, in the City of Saratoga Springs, New York, to hear all persons who wish to speak either for or against the enactment of amendments to Chapter 225, Article IX, Section 225-94 of the Code of the City of Saratoga Springs, NY, entitled “Vehicle and Traffic – Schedule XXIX: Alternate-Side-OfStreet Parking.” The purpose of the amendment is to add the following to Schedule XXIX, section “A,” Alternate parking prohibited at all times: NAME OF STREET Walworth Street FROM Washington Street TO Cherry Street TUE, THU, SAT PARKING ON (side) West Because of current COVID-19 restrictions, members of the public will not be admitted to the facility to speak in person. A copy of the proposed amendment and instructions for

submitting public comment online or by remote video are available on the City website at www.saratoga-springs.org DATED: December 2, 2020 CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS, NEW YORK By: John P. Franck, City Clerk 12/04, 12/11 101454 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Anthony Dawson has applied to the Saratoga Springs Zoning Board of Appeals (Project #20200187, Lot 3 and #20200186, Lot 2) for an extension of an area variance to construct additions to a new single-family residence; seeking relief from the minimum mean lot width and minimum lot size, minimum front and rear yard setbacks, and maximum principal building coverage requirements in the Urban Residential-3 (UR-3) District at 77 South Franklin St. These properties are identified as Tax Parcel #165.66-2-65,64 on the Saratoga Springs Assessment Map. A public hearing on this application will be held before the Zoning Board of Appeals on December 14, 2020 at 6:30 p.m via Zoom Webinar. Please go to the City’s Website (saratog-springs.org) for instructions on how to access the meeting and provide comments. The project application is publicly available on the agenda via our website at www. saratoga-springs.org 12/04, 101446 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Mary Beth DeLarm has applied to the Saratoga Springs Zoning Board of Appeals (Project #20190500) for an extension of an area variance for the demolition of an existing 1-story garage and construction of a 2-story residential addition, 1-story single-car garage, and maintenance of a shed for an existing single-family residence; seeking relief from the minimum front and side yard setbacks for the residential addition and minimum side yard setback for the shed maintenance in the Urban Residential – 1 (UR-1) District at 96 Quevic Drive. These properties are identified as Tax Parcel #190.8-5-5 on the Saratoga Springs Assessment Map. A public hearing on this application will be held before the Zoning Board of Appeals on December 14, 2020 at 6:30 p.m via Zoom Webinar. Please go to the City’s Website (saratog-springs.org) for instructions on how to access the

meeting and provide comments. The project application is publicly available on the agenda via our website at www. saratoga-springs.org 12/04, 101447 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a “public” auction for licensed wholesalers will be held at Mangino Buick GMC, 1484 Saratoga Road in Ballston Spa, NY on DECEMBER 21, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. We will be auctioning a 2015 GMC Sierra Denali owned by Brian C Sisson VIN# 3gtu2wej1fg238671. The truck has 198k miles and a brand-new motor. Licensed buyers will have the opportunity to see the truck and submit their bid Via “silent” auction. 12/04, 12/11. 101441 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Jacquelyn L. Saxton has applied to the Planning Board of the City of Saratoga Springs for a proposed lot line adjustment between two lots and a twolot residential subdivision in the Urban Residential – 2 (UR-2) District at 34 Glenmore Ave in the City of Saratoga Springs, New York, Tax Map #178.00-145.2 on the assessment map of said City.

A public hearing on said application will be held before said Board on Thursday, the 10th day of December 2020, 6:00 p.m.via Zoom Webinar. Please go to the City’s Website (www.saratoga-springs. org) for instructions on how to access the meeting and provide comments.

The project application is publicly available within the posted agenda for said meeting at http://www.saratogasprings.org/AgendaCenter/PlanningBoard-9. 12/04, 101420 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Saratoga County Industrial Development Agency has prepared a proposed budget for its 2021 fiscal year in accordance with Section 861 of General Municipal Law. The proposed budget is on file in the office of the agency at 50 West High St., Ballston Spa NY and is available as a public record for inspection and comment by all interested parties for 30 days following publication of this notice. 12/04, 101430.

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. DNA Investigations, LLC was formed, and Articles of Organization were filed with the Department of State of New York on November 24, 2020. The office is located in Saratoga County. The Secretary of State of New

York (SSNY) has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served; the SSNY shall mail a copy of process to 27 Karner Dr., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. The LLC will operate in perpetuity for any lawful purpose. 12/04, 12/11, 12/18, 12/24, 01/08, 01/15. 101448 Notice of formation of PQ Capital Group LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York on 11/23/2020. 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: 28 Sydney Hill Road, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 12/04, 12/11, 12/18, 12/24, 01/08, 01/15. 101433 Notice of formation of Revibe Travel LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York on 11/27/2020 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: 16 University Street, Schuylerville, NY 12871 Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 12/04, 12/11, 12/18, 12/24, 01/08, 01/15. 101403 NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: Glamorgan Kennel and Labradors. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York on November 16, 2020 Office location: 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, 1173 Ridge Road, Broadalbin, NY 12025. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 12/04, 12/11, 12/18, 12/24, 01/08, 01/15. 101413 Notice of Formation of Limited Liability Company. Name: G and Chris Tree Service LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on September 22, 2020. Office location: Saratoga County. SSNY designed as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC at 7 Prestiwck Ave, Clifton Park, NY 12065. Purpose: any lawful purpose. 11/20, 11/25, 12/04, 12/11, 12/18, 12/24. 101263

Notice of formation of 102 Route 29N, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York on 11/12/2020 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: 7 Chestnut Hill Dr., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 11/20, 11/25, 12/04, 12/11, 12/18, 12/24.

101230 Notice of formation of Ebb & Flow Dynamics, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with SSNY on 10/9/20. Office: Saratoga County. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail copy to: 219 Whitetail Ct. Ballston Spa, New York 12020. Purpose: Any lawful activity. 11/13, 11/20, 11/25, 12/04, 12/11, 12/18. 101153 Notice of formation of Trerise Enterprises, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York on 08/17/2020 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: 84 Pearl St. Hudson Falls, NY 12839. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 11/06, 11/13, 11/20, 11/25, 12/04, 12/11. 10110 Notice of formation Weave Right Home, LLC Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York on 6/17/2020 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: 432 Broadway, suite #2, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 10/30, 11/06, 11/13, 11/20, 11/25, 12/04. 101017 Notice of formation of Night Train Signs & Graphics, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York on 10/01/2020 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: 5 Via Da Vinci Clifton Park, NY 12065. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 10/30, 11/06, 11/13, 11/20, 11/25, 12/04. 101011

Week of December 4 – December 10, 2020

29

Sports

Carving Out a Piece of History

One Duck at a Time

by Drew Ziehnert for Saratoga TODAY Have you ever been driving by a lake or pond and saw a duck that just did not look quite right?

Eventually, when you got a closer look you indeed discovered that it was in fact a fake. You must have been thinking to yourself, “why would someone put a fake duck in the water?” These fake ducks are in fact known as decoys and they are widely used today by hunters to attract waterfowl.

Recently I had the opportunity to talk to Shawn Beaulieu, owner of Market Hunter Decoys, who explained to me what makes a hand-carved duck decoy so special. Creating decoys to replicate ducks is a process that was started by the Native Americans over 2,000 years ago.

Beaulieu explained to me that initially, decoys were made from reeds and grasses, but eventually decoys became made of wood.

Hunters found that by having decoys in the water, waterfowl species were more likely to fly closer because having other birds around shows them that the area is safe. This allowed hunters to get closer, thus making them easier to shoot. The practice of hunting with decoys became widely adopted and eventually in the 1800s wood carvers were highly sought out to create decoys for the wealthiest of hunters. The process is truly an art form as it involved hours of hand carving and painting different types of wood to create lifelike presentations of duck species. Instead of using traditional methods to carve

decoys, today most modern decoys tend to be made from canvas or plastic. The plastic ones are easier to produce and therefore cheaper, but Beaulieu says that they lack certain aspects that could impact the outcome of your hunt. This is what he said inspired him to begin making them himself.

Shawn Beaulieu had wanted to build decoys for years because as an avid duck hunter, he felt that there was just something missing on the plastic ones. So, in 2017 he sat down in a spare room of his house and began carving. He continues to use the same method when carving by using a two-handle draw knife to complete the shape of them. At first, he started making decoys out of cedar wood, but eventually switched to a high-density cork. Ducks are known to have extremely good eyesight, so he knew he had to pay as much attention to detail as possible.

After he carved his first decoy, he did not know what kind of impact it was going to have.

He soon made a set of around 12 decoys and began testing them in the field. Beaulieu found that he was able to significantly attract more ducks to the areas he had his hand-carved decoys in than his areas with the plastic ones.

Although the success of duck hunting has many variables, he truly felt that these hand-carved decoys made a difference. A hunter always wants his decoys to look as real as possible and one of the biggest differences between a hand-carved decoy and a plastic decoy is how they sit and move in the water. Beaulieu discovered that by using cork bodies with a basswood head, the decoys became much more buoyant.

Each of his decoys ends up coming out slightly different, so they end up looking much more natural.

Duck hunters tend to hunt with a dozen to upwards of fifty decoys to imitate a flock of feeding ducks. By using hand-carved decoys, each one appears to move differently in the water, whereas plastic decoys all move and look the same. The painting process

is the most difficult and time consuming, but attention to detail makes his decoys one of a kind. By using high detailed photographs of duck species as a template, the decoys he hand paints come out looking extremely lifelike. He says the painting usually takes a few hours to a full day depending on the species of duck. Ducks like Mallards (the ones you see as you walk in Congress Park) are straightforward, but duck species like Teal and Wood Ducks have more advanced color schemes.

Beaulieu says his hand-carved decoys are made to fool the ducks that the plastic decoys do not.

So next time you pass by a lake and see a flock of ducks, be sure to look twice. You may be looking at a set of decoys.

Although if they are made by Shawn Beaulieu, you may have to look three times. Market Hunter decoys are currently available at Blueline Sports in Saranac Lake and are available for pick up at

Shawn Beaulieu, owner of Market Hunter. Photo provided.

their shop in Ballston Spa. Be sure to also check out their Etsy page. If you have any questions or inquiries, please feel free to reach

out to Market Hunter Decoys by email: mkthunter.decoys@gmail. com. Contact Info: Etsy shop: MarketHunterDecoys.

30

Sports

Week of December 4 – December 10, 2020

State Champs

Saratoga Boys XC

by Megin Potter for Saratoga TODAY | Photos provided.

what anyone else was doing, we just decided we would run our best that day,” said Dawson.

It was a tight spread as one runner came in after another.

“I thought, ‘We got this. I knew we did it,” said senior Max Fredette.

“I really like winning and don’t like losing, so I was happy.”

Shining at the Season’s End

T

Before their Championship run, to celebrate the end of their season, the Saratoga XC team held a drive-through banquet at Pitney Meadows Community Farm. he Saratoga Springs High School Boys Cross Country team started the 2020 season in a state of uncertainty.

Despite that, they set an intention early-on to make the best of this year’s challenging situation and success followed.

“Our main perspective, when we were talking a lot about the uncertainty, was to do anything we could to have a great season,” said senior Dawson Tooker.

Saratoga is undefeated among the Suburban Council competition this season. They came in first among the 15 teams in the league at their meet on November 21. Then, at this weekend’s regional championship, they were crowned New York State’s top team and the second-best ranked team in the entire Northeast.

From March until June, the 30-40 guys on the XC team trained remotely, running an average of 50 miles/ week. In the summer, they stepped it up to between 60-70 miles/week. Once school resumed in the fall, they were still running up to 12 miles/day while also competing in seven remote meets this season.

The runners’ families watched from their cars as awards were handed out, tuning in to hear speeches from their coaches on their car radios.

The Suburban Council exhibited more caution than almost any other league in the state, conducting races remotely. The teams ran independently and then merged their times to determine the winner.

“It was a really great team victory. The Championship victory was a result of running as a team,” he said.

The Heat is On

“It’s crazy. It’s a crazy feeling being my age (I’m a freshman) and doing something this big. It’s insane that we got here and I’m super pumped,” said Owen Mansfield.

The Northeast Championship was the only time this season that Saratoga XC raced in-person at the same location as their competition.

Self-Motivated to Go the Distance

Start times were staggered, with another group running every 30 minutes. Saratoga was the final team on the list.

They were expecting to have practice on that afternoon last Spring when it was announced school was going to be cancelled because of the pandemic.

“There was a little bit of pressure seeing everything in front of you and everyone coming in, there was a high bar to meet – higher than I expected. Despite

Puzzle solutions from pg. 21 Send your sports stories or briefs to Sports@Saratoga Publishing.com

“It was a really nice way to wrap-up the season,” said Coach Shane Zanetti.

Now that they’ve done so well in the Championship, they have something else to celebrate.

In addition to their fastest runners, it was the tremendous improvements made by other members that accomplished the team’s place in history.

Senior Brady Tooker expressed a similar sentiment.

“Now that we’re finished, I’m really relieved that we ended it on a really good note,” he said Although it was an unusual season, they were happy to have the chance to shine.

“I was grateful I got to spend the season with these guys. I enjoyed every second of it,” said senior Shifan Shaffe.

31

Sports Free Yourself from the Food Fight

Week of December 4 – December 10, 2020

by Megin Potter for Saratoga TODAY | Photos provided.

“Using force, overriding intuition, undervaluing heart consciousness, berating myself into submission, or changing because I think it’s going to prove my worth, are no longer options for me. Living under those belief systems has created such negative consequences in my life that whenever I can, I try for the most loving, gentle, and allowing path. The path of least resistance.” – from “Mindfulness – An Introduction,” an eBook by personal trainer and wellness coach Allison Petroski.

As if this year wasn’t already stressful enough, now are the holiday feasts and for many of us, the months when battling the bulge becomes a daily tug-of-war.

“I would love to allow people to let themselves off the hook a little. To tell them they don’t have to radically transform their lives at this time, to take the pressure off,” said Allison Petroski.

Soothing the Senses with Self-Love For almost a decade, Allison struggled with eating disorders. Anorexic and bulimic in her teens and early twenties, by her mid-20’s she’d stopped exercising and gained 50 lbs.

It was a low point that led her to an out-of-the-box diet plan – a system of making healthier food choices by first calming the nervous system through emotional, mental, physical, spiritual care, mindful living, and self-love.

“Soothing the nervous system is the key to shifting how you experience your entire life.”

Love It to Transform It Allison’s experience as a personal trainer and wellness coach, as well as a group fitness instructor at the Saratoga Springs Branch of the Saratoga Regional YMCA, combined with the advice from international motivational speakers including Louise Hay, Pema Condron, and Abraham Hicks, has informed her unique relationship to food and exercise – a system where you love the body to transform it.

“Stress, anxiety and depression are huge contributors to anxiety, depression, and mental unrest. There are all these emotions around self-acceptance, the negative self-talk, and why we use food as a coping mechanism, that there’s often such a disconnect between our mind and our body that we don’t tune in to our own hunger and fullness cues. It seems like a very simple act to know when we’re hungry, but it actually takes an immense amount of wisdom and connection,” said Allison.

Get Free from Food Obsession Allison has helped many of her clients lose 50 to 100 lbs. but the weight-loss is really a side-effect of the healthier mindset she teaches them how to develop.

“What people are most excited about is that they achieve a level of freedom from the obsessive quality that food and weight have on our brains and that they can bring into our lives,” she said.

If you want help identifying your own unhealthy patterns and a personalized plan, Allison offers weight-loss coaching sessions over the phone and by email. For personal training exercise routines, she conducts in-home visits or Zoom calls.

To find out more and to get a copy of her mindfulness eBook, find her on Facebook or go to www.loveittotransformit.com

Volume 14

•

Issue 49

•

December 4 – December 10, 2020

•

saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

See "Somewhere in Time" pg. 14

•

518- 581-2480

•

Free

See "Jeff Brisbin’s New Album" pg. 25

Vaccines On the Way - Arriving in New York Dec. 15 continued from front page...

Some studies show a return to a “normal” economy will occur when 75% to 85% of the public is vaccinated. The hope is that may occur by mid-year 2021, although there are many variables to consider, including public skepticism regarding a vaccine, Cuomo said. To address that skepticism, a “New York panel” will review FDA approved vaccines.

Covid-19 Infection rates and hospitalization rates due to the virus have increased across the region, the state and the country during the fall months. In early October, the average weekly positive infection rate among Saratoga County residents was 0.5%. In early November that rate more than doubled, to 1.1%. This week, the rate of infection is 3.9%.

“We hope to flatten the increase in mid-January – when social activity slows down, travel slows down and the increase of

Slide presentation during Gov. Andrew Cuomo presser Dec. 2, 2020, announcing details of vaccine arrival and initial distribution.

the rate slows down,” Cuomo said. “The vaccination program is really the endgame here.”

Cuomo said a comprehensive five-point plan overall includes managing the hospital load,

increase testing for the virus, keep schools open - especially K through 8 - prepare for vaccine distribution, and grow public awareness that small gatherings are currently the top cause of

viral spread.

“This is probably the only issue President Trump’s people and Joe Biden’s people agree on.

Both of their health advisors say small gatherings are the

problem,” Cuomo said. “The CDC recommendation for Thanksgiving was: no more than your household. For people who say it’s political: Whose politics are you playing? It’s agreed to by both.”