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Lo c a l

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Volume 10 • Issue 13 • April 3 – April 9, 2015

I n d e p e n d e n t

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F r e e

saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com • (518) 581-2480

Pain in the Pothole

Featured Stories

City, County Try To Catch Up On Road Patch Up

by Arthur Gonick Saratoga TODAY

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Take it from a person in a position to know: “This winter was definitely worse than last year, which happened to be the worst in a long time.”

So stated Commissioner of Public Works for Saratoga County Keith Manz regarding the current pothole outbreak through our region.

Of course, anyone need only drive a couple of blocks to conclude the same thing.

We are bouncing around, ruining alignments and losing hubcaps all over the place – increasing the stress of driving under less A Vehicle Blasts into a Pothole on the Corner of Walworth and Cherry Streets. Photo by Francesco D’Amico.

Be Prepared Citizen Preparedness Training Shows Locals How to be Ready in the Event of an Emergency

The Red Cross recommends having at least one emergency preparedness kit in the home in the event of an emergency or natural disaster.

See pg. 9

See Potholes pg. 8

Local Artist Wins Big in NYC

by Stephanie Hale-Lopez Saratoga TODAY SARATOGA SPRINGS — A local artist won big at the United Ink “No Limits” Tattoo Festival in New York City Sunday, March 22. Matthew Mrowka, an oil painter from Saratoga Springs was awarded the Artist Hanger-Best of Show award for his oil paintings.

The festival boasted everything from inks, supplies, tattoo artists, artwork, a pin-up contest and of course, awards for artists.

See Saratoga Artist pg. 11

VOTING BEGINS

See pgs. 30-32

Seussical Family Fun Festival

See pg. 10

Inside TODAY Blotter 5 Obituaries 6-7 Education 18-19 Business

22-23

Your Home

24-29

Pulse 37-39 Sports 44-47

Weekend Forecast FRIDAY

64|38 SATURDAY

42|28 Oil painting by Matt Mrowka.

SUNDAY

44|27

Benedict Arnold

SARATOGA SPRINGS — On Saturday, Apr. 11 from 2 to 3 p.m. the NYS Military Museum at 61 Lake Avenue in Saratoga Springs will be the site for an interesting “debate” on an old question: Horatio Gates or Benedict Arnold…who is the real hero of the Battles of Saratoga?

The real hero of the Battles of Saratoga?

National Park Rangers Joe Craig and Eric Schnitzer will present this structured discussion on the strengths and weaknesses of American Generals Horatio Gates, commander of the American army, and Benedict Arnold, the army’s fighting general. Learn how each helped, or hindered,

the American victory in the world-changing Battles of Saratoga, called by some historians the “most important battle of the last 1,000 years.”

Saratoga National Historical Park, the Friends of Saratoga Battlefield and the NYS Military Museum will jointly

Horatio Gates

sponsor this program. The event is free and open to the public.

For more information about the NYS Military Museum, visit dmna.ny.gov/historic/mil-hist.htm.

Saratoga National Historical Park’s website is nps.gov/sara.

Saratoga Reads Names Top Five Books for Public Vote Special event on Apr. 21 will give inside look at top contenders

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Reads, a joint program of Skidmore College and Saratoga Springs community, has announced that five books have been selected as finalists for the program’s book of choice for the coming year. All of the titles come from a list of works nominated by the public.

The winning title will be decided by public vote, with area residents having until May 15 to cast their ballots. The selected book will be announced in the fall.

Among the top five contenders are two novels, Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and An Unnecessary Woman by Rabih Alameddine. The other three books are narrative nonfiction—The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Olympics by Daniel James Brown; Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy: Four Women Undercover in the Civil War

by Karen Abbott; and Provenance: How a Con Man and a Forger Rewrote the History of Modern Art

by Laney Salisbury and Aly Sujo.

Voters are urged to read the descriptions of the books posted on the Saratoga Reads website at SaratogaReads.org. Votes may be cast online at the Saratoga Reads site or at ballot boxes available at

the Saratoga Springs Public Library, Northshire Bookstore in Saratoga Springs and Barnes & Noble in Wilton.

“This ballot launches our 12th year of Saratoga Reads with five great books that are engaging and thoughtprovoking,” said Tabitha Orthwein, chair of the Saratoga Reads board.

“Each of the books has the potential to inspire great programming and discussion, and now we need the community to choose the winner.”

To help readers learn more about the five books, Saratoga Reads will offer a “meet the candidates” event on Tuesday, Apr. 21, 7–8:30 p.m., at the Saratoga Springs Public Library, in the H. Dutcher Community Room. The library’s director, Ike Pulver, will offer an introduction to each of the top choices, as well as information on other titles he recommends. There will be refreshments, giveaways and door prizes.

Once the winning book is announced, the public is encouraged to read the selected title and to participate in a host of educational and cultural activities connected to the book’s themes. Saratoga Reads will issue a list of junior companion books on related themes for pre-K and older.

Week of April 3 – April 9, 2015

Man on the Street “What are your plans for Easter?”

Danielle Kanuck, Burnt Hills

Cory Dunn, Schuylerville

Chloe Olsen, Saratoga

“I’m going to visit my grandparents and we’re actually doing a double thing – we’re celebrating Easter and my birthday…it was last Saturday, I turned 18.”

“I plan on buying a bunch of discount candy.”

“I’m going on a college tour with my mom…hopefully she’ll get me a chocolate bunny or something!”

Bikeatoga Announces Bicycle Recycle Day SARATOGA SPRINGS — With spring at hand, if you are looking to make room in your garage or storage space, here’s a perfect opportunity to do so, while providing essential transportation to members of our local community!

On Saturday, Apr. 18, volunteers from Bikeatoga will be collecting your used bicycles that will be repaired, refurbished and distributed to people in the Saratoga Springs region.

Members of Bikeatoga will be at the Saratoga Bike Workshop at the Church of Saint Peter, 241 Broadway, Saratoga Springs from 9 a.m. to noon (use the rear parking lot); and from noon until 3 pm at the Hewitt’s Garden Center on Maple Avenue (Rt. 9) in Wilton.

Those who are unable to bring bicycles to the workshop on Apr. 18 may call Doug at (518) 577-0286, to arrange for another drop off time, or, if you are in the Saratoga Springs area, request a pick up of your donation.

Bikeatoga is a local bicycle advocacy organization formed

in 2005 to help make Saratoga Springs and the surrounding area more bicycle and pedestrian friendly. This volunteer run bicycle-recycling program is part of its “Earn-a-Bike” program.

The group runs a workshop out of the basement of the Church of St. Peter on Thursdays from 6 to 8

p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon. A children’s bike giveaway is planned for May and adults can “earn” a bike for a child or themselves by volunteering at the workshop or other events.

For more information and a calendar of events, visit bikeatoga.org or facebook.com/bikeatoga.

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week in Review

VLT Aid Restored in 2015-16 State Budget

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Lawmakers recently announced that the new state budget will restore cuts that had been proposed to the state’s video lottery terminal (VLT) aid for Saratoga Springs and Saratoga County.

Under the 2015-16 state budget, Saratoga Springs will receive $2.3 million in VLT host community aid – about $500,000 more than Gov. Andrew Cuomo had proposed in January and about

the same as last year. Saratoga County will receive a VLT aid restoration of $166,114, bringing its total VLT host aid to $775,000.

The money is intended to compensate the city and county for additional costs they incur for police, fire protection and other expenses because they are the host communities for the Saratoga Casino and Raceway, with its slot machinestyle gambling floor.

Race Course Tickets Now on Sale

SARATOGA — Season passes and reserved seat tickets are now on sale for this summer’s meet at the Saratoga Race Course. Tickets are being sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

New this year, ticket buyers can see an online map of the seats available. Buyers can also bundle their ticket payments with the cost

of admission, which were separate in years past.

The cost for a season pass in the Grandstand is $35 and a season pass to the clubhouse is $55. Daily admission remains the same - $5 for the Grandstand, $8 for the clubhouse.

This summer’s meet runs from July 24 through September 7.

Saratoga Named “Healthiest” in Capital Region SARATOGA COUNTY — Saratoga County is the healthiest county in the Capital Region, according to new national rankings by the University of Wisconsin and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Publisher/Editor Chad Beatty 581-2480 x 212

cbeatty@saratogapublishing.com

Saratoga County came in third overall, while Vermont’s Bennington County ranked number 12. Albany County was ranked 29.

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Alyssa Jackson 581-2480 x 215 Creative Director Amy Gifford 581-2480 x 207 Advertising Design Editorial Arthur Gonick 581-2480 x 214 Saratoga Springs, Malta and County News; ‘Pulse’ Editor

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Water Authority Releases Quality Report SARATOGA COUNTY — The Saratoga County Water Authority (SCWA) released the 2014 Annual Water Quality Report, showing that the quality meets all drinking water standards and shows low levels of disinfection by-products.

The report shows that during 2014, the water system was in compliance with all applicable state drinking water operating, monitoring and reporting requirements.

During 2014, the Locational Running Annual Average

(LRAA) for Haloacetic Acids was measured at levels between 18.3 and 37.9 ppb (parts per billion), well below the 60 ppb standard.

In addition, the LRAA for Trihalomethanes was measured at levels between 36.0 and 45.6 ppb, well below the 80 ppb standard.

Schuylerville, Victory Sue Over Sewer Upgrade SCHUYLERVILLE & VICTORY — The villages of Schuylerville and Victory, who share a wastewater treatment plant on the Hudson River, are allegedly suing each other over some of what happened during last year’s state-ordered plant upgrade.

The village of Victory filed a lawsuit in state Supreme Court against the neighboring village of Schuylerville, seeking at least $750,000 in damages

because of incidents that happened during the upgrade and expansion of the Schuylerville wastewater treatment plant.

Victory says the sewer-plant improvements were undertaken “without input, agreement, participation or other involvement by Victory.”

The lawsuit was filed last week in Ballston Spa.

Gov. Cuomo Bans Non-Essential State Travel to Indiana ALBANY — Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Tuesday, March 31 that all “non-essential,” statefunded travel to Indiana has been banned.

Cuomo’s decision stems from Indiana’s adoption of a religious freedom law that critics say opens the door to discrimination against the

LGBT community. Cuomo released a statement saying the ban shows the state stands by “our LGBT family members, friends and colleagues.”

Similar travel bans were signed by Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin and Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy earlier this week.

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General Manager Robin Mitchell 581-2480 x 208 rmitchell@saratogapublishing.com

Week of April 3 – April 9, 2015

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Next Deadline: SIMPLY SARATOGA 4/17/2015

BLOTTER

Week of April 3 – April 9, 2015 Kaleef Y. Krigger, 29, of Saratoga Springs, was arrested on March 27 and charged with felony criminal possession of a controlled substance and ticketed for unlawful possession of marijuana.

Eskey J. Moore, 56, of Saratoga Springs, was also arrested on March 27 and charged with felony criminal nuisance, misdemeanor criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminally using drug paraphernalia.

A minor, also of Saratoga Springs, was arrested on March 27, as well. The minor was charged with felony criminal possession of a controlled substance and ticketed for possession of marijuana.

On March 27, at about 1:15 p.m., members of the Saratoga Springs Police Department executed a search warrant at 7 Maxwell Drive in the city. It was the culmination of a lengthy investigation into activity reportedly occurring at the residence.

The allegations against the minor and Kaleef Krigger stem from them possessing quantities of both heroin and cocaine with the intent to sell same.

The allegation against Eskey Moore, as the person responsible for the home, permitted Kaleef Krigger to engage in the sale of controlled substances from the home. The possession charge for Eskey Moore alleges he possessed cocaine.

All three were sent to Saratoga County Jail. The minor’s bail was $10,000 cash or $20,000 bond, Eskey Moore’s was $2,000 cash or $4,000 bond and Kaleef Krigger was remanded with no bail, as he was wanted on an absconder warrant from the state department of corrections.

Robert Moreiras, 35, unknown address, plead to the charge of felony criminal possession of a forged instrument. He will be sentence June 4.

Sandra L. Naylor, 70, of Waterford, was fined $1,000, ordered to install an ignition interlock alcohol sensor and put on five years’ probation for felony DWI. Jeremiah C. Fowler, 35, of Duanesburg, was fined $1,000, ordered to install an ignition interlock alcohol sensor and placed on five years’ probation for felony DWI. Christopher T. Sleight, 31, of Ballston Spa, was sentenced to a three-year conditional discharge for felony failure to register a change of address within 10 calendar days.

Thomas B. McKinsey, 50, of Saratoga Springs, was arrested March 30 and charged with petit larceny.

Harold C. Stevenson, 40, of Schenectady, was arrested March 30 and charged with felony aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and ticketed for failure to keep right.

Randall C. Gerber, 27, of Saratoga Springs, was arrested March 30 and charged with criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument, possession of a controlled substance outside of its original container, ticketed for avoiding an intersection and failure to signal a turn.

Ashley E. Moulton, 31, of Denver, was arrested March 29 and charged with DWI, aggravated DWI, driving with a BAC greater than .08 and ticketed for improper lane use.

Michael V. Digiacomo, 30, of Johnstown, was arrested March 29 and charged with DWI, speeding and failure to signal a turn.

Carmine R. Sohn, 30, of Ballston Spa, pled to the charge of felony attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance, and will be sentenced June 4.

Timothy L. Butler, 31, of Latham, was arrested March 29 and charged with felony DWI (second offense), refusal of prescreen test, failure to comply with police, improper lane use and speeding.

Brian P. Ouimet, 38, of Schenectady, pled to the charge of felony driving while ability impaired by drugs and will be sentenced June 4.

Neil U. Fryer, 23, of Greenwich, was arrested March 29 and charged with DWI, driving with a BAC greater than .08 and failure to stop at a stop sign.

Darcy D. Williams, 43, of Argyle, was arrested March 28 and charged with petit larceny.

Wanessa L. Graham, 32, of Argyle, was arrested March 28 and charged with petit larceny and resisting arrest.

Arthur A. Deluca, 56, of Albany, was arrested March 28 and charged with DWI, driving with a BAC greater than .08, refusal of prescreen test, and reckless driving.

Cameron J. Audette, 28, of Ballston Lake, was arrested March 28 and charged with DWI, driving with a BAC greater than .08, speeding and failure to signal a lane change Randy Fonseca Reyes, 35, of Malta, was arrested March 28 and charged with DWI, driving with a BAC greater than .08 and driving the wrong way down a one-way street.

Karen M. Buchner, 64, of Fort Edward, was arrested March 28 and charged with DWI, failure to keep right and equipment failure Michael J. Scoville, 20, of Saratoga Springs, was arrested March 27 and charged with criminal trespass.

Archie L. Burr, 40, of Saratoga Springs, was arrested March 27 and charged with criminal trespass.

Ryan J. Sarro, 22, of Schuylerville, pled to the charge of felony burglary. He will be sentenced June 3.

Michael W. Snide, 40, of Ballston Lake, pled to the charge of felony DWI, and will be sentenced on April 29.

Corey J. Melancon, 26, of Saratoga Springs, was arrested March 30 following a traffic stop and charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of marijuana.

Sean B. Willey, 43, of Saratoga Springs, was arrested March 30 and charged with criminal trespass and unlawful possession of marijuana.

Alicia M. Wilson, 43, of Saratoga Springs, was arrested March 30 and charged with criminal trespass and obstructing governmental administration.

Tonya T. Perrington, 46, of Saratoga Springs, was arrested March 30 and charged with felony grand larceny with a credit card in the fourth degree and making a punishable false written statement.

Christopher T. Stewart, 18, of Saratoga Springs, was arrested March 30 and charged with felony criminal contempt, misdemeanor

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criminal mischief with intent to damage property, criminal mischief to prevent assistance and obstruction of breathing or blood by applying pressure.

Thomas B. McKinsey, 50, of Saratoga Springs, was arrested March 30 and charged with petit larceny.

Harold C. Stevenson, 40, of Schenectady, was arrested March 30 and charged with felony aggravated unlicensed operation with 10 or more suspensions and failure to keep right.

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obituaries

William Casazza Jr.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — William J. “Bill” Casazza, Jr., passed away Thursday, March 26 at Saratoga Hospital with his family by his side. He was 72.

Born on Oct. 27, 1942 in Albany, he was the son of the late William J. and Brenda (Papen) Casazza, Sr. He attended Hartwick College and served as president of TKE fraternity alumni association for over 35 years, helping to organize their annual reunions.

Bill then returned home to Albany to care for the family business, Casazza Moving Company, when his dad became ill. He then graduated from Northeastern University School of Business in Boston.

Involved most of his life in management and sales, he was a sales representative for several tractor manufacturing companies, including Kubota Tractor Corporation. For his many years of faithful and diligent service, he was selected several times as Man of the Year and

was also distinguished as one of the top five salesmen. He was a member of the 7th BN (Hawk) 2nd Artillery division and was honorably discharged from the US Army as an SP/5 in 1971.

He was the recipient of various national defense service, expert rifle, sharpshooter, good conduct, Army commendation and Armed Forces expeditionary medals. Among his many interests were traveling and finance.

He is survived by his wife of 16 years, Mary L. (Chiperno) Casazza of Saratoga Springs; two children, Amy (Thomas J.) O’Connor of Brunswick and Ryan (Alyssa) Casazza of Roseland, NJ; 5 grandchildren, twins Maxwell and Nathan O’Connor, Charlotte, Andrew and Catey Casazza; his step-father, Edward F. Bunting of Troy; two brothers, Peter (Janet) Casazza of Columbia, MO and George (Pamela) Casazza of Glendale, CA; he is also survived by his cousin, John J. Casazza of Ballston Lake and his brothers-in-law, Ralph (Jil) Chiperno and Stephen Chiperno, all of Fairbanks, AK. Memorials may be made in his name to the American Lung Association of Northeast New York or the American Heart Association.

Thomas Thibodeau MIDDLE GROVE — Thomas Edward Thibodeau, Sr. died suddenly Monday, March 23 at his home. He was 75.

Born on February 8, 1940 in Bangor, Maine, he is the son of the late John P. and Fern A. Patchell Thibodeau. Thomas was a self-employed truck driver.

Thomas is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Barbara Mahoney Thibodeau; four children, Tammy Ouellette and Skip,

Terri Thibodeau and Bill, Thomas E. Thibodeau, Jr. and Jamie Julian and her husband Dave; five grandchildren, Erin, Danielle, Michel, Caden and Liam; three greatgrandchildren, Jaden, Keegan and Carter; four sisters, Marilyn Wawrzoszek, Wilda Webster, Edwena Hegna and Marie Lutz and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association.

Week of April 3 – April 9, 2015

William Daley

WILTON — William J. Daley passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 25 at his home with loving family by his side. He was 90.

Born on November 8, 1924 in Troy, he was the son of the late Thomas Daley and Catherine McConnell Daley.

William graduated from LaSalle Military School in 1942. He was an honored WWII Veteran having served in the US Navy and was

awarded the Purple Heart. After serving his country, he went to work for and retired from the Watervliet Arsenal.

William enjoyed music, old movies, horse racing, bowling, boating, smoking a good cigar, and most of all spending time with his family barbecuing turkey legs and potatoes.

He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. His passion for various types of music was obvious as he was often heard singing or humming a tune and often listening to music.

William also loved to play the numbers and never gave up the dream of a big payout someday.

His charm, wit, and good sense of humor that stayed with him until the very end will never be

forgotten by those who knew and loved him.

In addition to his parents, William was predeceased by his wife, Henrietta Korson and his siblings, Mary Ellen Daley, Thomas Daley, Edward Daley, and Jack Daley.

Survivors include his six children: James Walls, Kathleen Walls, Patricia Daley, Mary Daley, William Daley, and Michele Daley; his ten grandchildren, Jessica Walls, Rebecca Ray, Nicole McGinness, Stephanie Mayr, Jamie Ferrara, Michael White, Kurt Houle, Brooke White, Jason Houle, and Jessica Daley and eleven great-grandchildren.

Memorial donations may be made in his memory to Community Hospice of Saratoga.

Alice Louise Birch

LAKE GEORGE — Alice Louise Birch passed away Friday, March 20 at Spartanburg Regional Hospital in South Carolina, surrounded by her loving family. She was 73.

Alice was born on June 13, 1941 in Lake George, New York to the late LeRoy Holcomb and

Bertha LaPlanche. She was a domestic homemaker who was a kind, loving and a warm person who will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Alice enjoyed fishing, tending to her animals, bingo, gardening, traveling to the ocean, seeing family and friends. Her nickname was “Sookie.” She also loved her stray cats and raccoons.

She is survived by husband James Birch Sr., her eldest daughter and son-in-law Melissa and Eddi Hunt, youngest daughter and son-in-law Veronica and Steven Jones, her son and daughter-in-law

James and Dawn Birch Jr. along with several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. James and Alice were also known as Babe and Baber to their friends and family.

She is preceded in death by her brothers and sisters Howard Holcomb, Anne Martell, Maurice Holcomb, Norma Holcomb and her twin Alan Holcomb.

Interment will be at St. Peters Cemetery in Saratoga Springs.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society or American Diabetes Association in her name.

Margaret Harrington

Helen McKnight

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Margaret Grace Harrington, known to her family and friends as “Peg,” passed away Tuesday, March 24 at Saratoga Hospital. She was 83.

Born on Nov. 18, 1931 in Brooklyn, she was the daughter of the late William and Grace (Kenny) Moore. Peg retired, after many years, from Kay Bee Toys in Saratoga Springs and was a very active member of the Red Hat Society.

In addition to her parents, Peg was predeceased by her brothers, Harry and Bill Moore and her sister-in-laws Ruth-Ann Moore and Ann Moore.

Survivors include her loving husband John Harrington, Sr.; son John (Shilo) Harrington, Jr. and daughter Donna (Matt) Mayo; grandchildren Brian and Brittany Reale, Selina and Alec Mayo; sisters Ginger (Robert) Huber, Mary Smith and many nieces and nephews.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Helen McKnight of Wesley Health Care Center passed away peacefully at Saratoga Hospital on Monday, March 30. She was 95.

Born on February 2, 1920 in Troy, Helen was the daughter of John McKnight and Mary Daly McKnight. She graduated from CCHS high school and was a resident of Troy for many years. Helen moved to the Saratoga Springs area in 2001. She was employed as a payroll clerk for General Electric in Schenectady for many years.

In addition to her parents, Helen is pre-deceased by two brothers, John and Tony McKnight and one sister, Margaret McKnight.

Survivors include one sister, Rita Barrett of Wilton; four nephews; Thomas Barrett; MO Kevin Barrett of Troy; John Barrett of Washington; Cliff Barrett of Wilton; and two nieces, Doris Henderson and Mary Ellen Foster.

Memorial donations can be made in her memory to the Saratoga County Animal Shelter.

obituaries 7

Week of April 3 – April 9, 2015

Diane Gowell GREENFIELD CENTER — Diane Jane Gowell passed away Monday, March 30 at her home. She was 62.

Born on September 24, 1952 in Saratoga Springs, Diane was the daughter of the late Elizabeth (Hagadorn) and F. Howard Gowell. She grew up in Greenfield Center and resided there her entire life.

Survivors include her sisters, Jane (Harold) Roberts, Shirley (Lee) Crocker and brother Frank H. Gowell; nephews Richard Roberts, Mark (Linda) Roberts and niece Melissa Roberts along with many aunts and uncles, great nephews and one great niece.

There will be no public calling hours and services will be private at the convenience of the family.

The family would like to send a very special thank you to the care givers and nurses of Community Hospice who took such loving care of Diane during her final days.

Donations may be made in her memory to Community Hospice of Saratoga.

Kenneth & Hester Jensen SARATOGA SPRINGS — Kenneth James Jensen and Hester Eloise Jensen (nee Thompson) passed away recently with their family by their side. Kenneth passed away on February 27, 2015 from lung cancer and Hester joined him on Saturday, March 28 from pancreatic cancer.

Hester was born July 16, 1932 in Jersey City, New Jersey to Donald N. Thompson and Isabel Thompson (nee Hester). She moved to Brooklyn in her teens as her father was an engineer at Brooklyn Navy Yard. Kenneth was born June 2, 1930 on Staten Island to Oskel Jensen and Mary Jensen (nee Zieminski).

Hester and Kenneth met at a picnic on Staten Island and married on February 16, 1951 in Brooklyn. They had six children: Kenneth J. Jensen Jr, Cheryl Dunseath (David), Randy Jensen (Julie), Gary Jensen (Debranne), Wendi Jensen, Holly O’Brien (Harold).

In 1997 they moved to Saratoga Springs to enjoy retirement

together in a beautiful place central to their children.

Kenneth served in the Air Force from 1945-1951 and was a New York City Police Officer for 21 years, retiring in 1976.

In addition to other careers, Kenneth was the supervisor for Burns Security during the 1980 Olympics at Lake Placid. A stayat-home-mother for many years, Hester became a bookkeeper when her youngest entered school. Later, she was a certified Home Health Aide who served with distinction for 13 years.

They are also survived by 16 grandchildren: Kenneth III, Dean, Ashleigh, Lauren, Nicole, Christina, Stephen, Michael, Annamarie, Tabitha, Kaitlyn, Zachary, Kelly, Meghan, Conor, and Hope.

A joint service will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, May 11 at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Community Hospice of Saratoga.

William Quinn

SAUGERTIES — William P. Quinn died Tuesday, March 24 at Kingston City Hospital. He was 66.

Born December 15, 1948 in Saratoga Springs, William was the son of the late William and Margaret Quinn. A Veteran of the U.S. Navy, he served during the Vietnam War. He was employed for over 30 years with Central Hudson Gas and Electric as a heavy equipment operator; and he was a former member of the Centerville-Cedar Grove Fire Co. and the Saugerties Fish and Game Club.

William enjoyed stock car racing and demolition derby and frequented the Accord Speedway. He also enjoyed the flat track and horses at Saratoga.

Survivors include his wife of nearly 40 years, Elaine; one son, Adam, and his companion, Emily Wells of Catskill; two daughters, Lori and her fiancée Jack Duffy and Rebecca and her husband, Patrick Duffy; four sisters Sharon Rich, Barbara Oliver, Donna Marcellus and Kelly Pratt; two brothers Steve Kazsek and Terry Quinn; three grandsons Ty, Aiden and Jameson; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Interment will be held in the Saratoga National Veteran’s Cemetery.

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NEWS

Week of April 3 – April 9, 2015

Pain In The Pothole

Park Place and Regent Street.

Grand Avenue and Hyde Street.

Continued from front page than ideal conditions. One who experienced this firsthand is lifelong Saratoga Springs resident Anne Proulx.

“In the beginning of February we were heading to Wal-Mart along

Weibel Avenue. I made a turn and – boom – right into a hole.” She said. “I thought I was just running through some water, but I had no idea that the water was covering a huge gap in the road until I looked at it closely later on. I didn’t learn

until I returned home that I had lost my second hubcap of the winter.”

“The road in front of Saratoga TODAY (Case Street) is an absolute mess because of potholes every winter. I called and left a message for the head of the DPW a few months ago but never heard back or saw any progress.” said Chad Beatty, Publisher of Saratoga TODAY. “This road has been an ongoing issue. It’s ironic because the road leads into Fasig-Tipton. They do $20+ million in horse sales on a single summer weekend but there is a low budget road out front all year.” Beatty said.

Generally, winter potholes form after precipitation permeates the pavement, causing the soil and sub-base layers underneath to freeze and expand leading to cracks in the pavement. As thawing occurs, sub-base and soil recede, often leaving a hole underneath the cracked pavement, which breaks

further under the weight of vehicular traffic.

There you have pothole pain in a paragraph.

Each pothole can deepen or widen over time as more vehicles travel over it if not repaired.

According to Manz, what makes this winter so tough is that we never really got a mid-winter thaw. “Consistent frozen ground is much worse than a typical freeze/ thaw cycle,” he said.

“Eventually the thawing occurs and leads to a more severe effect.”

Kathy Moran, office manager for Saratoga Springs’ Department of Public Works (DPW) said that they have three crews out each day in the city: covering Geyser Crest, Westside and Eastside. They are marking locations and a truck is dispatched to nearby asphalt providers in the city (Pompa Brothers or Palette Stone) to employ a process called “cold patch,” which is a temporary fix until repaving can occur.

Why this intermediate step?

Manz explained that the ground should be above 40 degrees to properly repave the road’s blacktop. He estimates that it is about 32 degrees currently. In the shortterm, the prospect is for the pothole outbreak to get worse.

“There is certainly more to come,” Manz said. “A 55-60 degree day or two will make the pavement

Photos by Francesco D’Amico even more pliable” as the ground thaws further. In fact, the forecast on the day this issue is published calls for a high of 62 degrees, with rain.

Moran said that the crews are aware of most pothole locations by now, but if city residents want to report a particular pothole, they are welcome to call the DPW office at (518) 587-3550 ext. 2555.

Manz said that up to four of his eight crews are consistently out each day now, rotating through the county to make pothole repairs. He also noted that the county has a repair hotline to report potholes and other road hazards – (518) 885-9020. When they receive a complaint, they dispatch a foreman to inspect the location and, if deemed necessary, will divert a crew to that spot, usually by the next day.

Saratoga Springs Mayor Joanne Yepsen doesn’t control the paving budget items under the city’s commission form of government, but she certainly hears about citizen’s discontent.

“We do recommend that their first call go to DPW. Many people do call us though as a secondary measure, feeling that it will lead to a quicker response, and we want to be attentive to that and not give them ‘the city hall shuffle,’” She said.

Mayor Yepsen said she was pleased that some relief came from the state in the form of increased money from the Department of Transportation’s CHIPS (Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Plan) fund. A total of $40 million extra was allocated for “Extreme Winter Recovery” statewide, with the city receiving over $57,000 (Saratoga County also received over $209,000) according to the New York State Conference of Mayors website (nycom.org). This represents just under a 10 percent increase over the initial CHIPS funding levels.

The money certainly will help this region recover from the ravages of nature’s wrath this past winter, but there is likely a long road ahead to getting us all “patched up,” let alone paved.

“There’s an image component, of course. You don’t want people to have a miserable experience driving around our city.” Mayor Yepsen said. “But even more important are safety issues, not to mention the potential for hundreds, if not thousands of dollars in damage to our citizens’ and visitors’ vehicles.”

NEWS

Week of April 3 – April 9, 2015

Emergency Preparedness

by Neil Benjamin Jr. Saratoga TODAY SARATOGA SPRINGS — It’s 2 a.m. and you wake to the disturbing smell of a choking smoke billowing underneath your bedroom door. Your first thought is to get your family and pets out of the house as quickly as possible.

Once you and your family are out safe, which is the most important thing in such a dire situation, you regroup with loved ones to figure out the next step.

If you’re one of the lucky ones, your house may end up being habitable after some cleanup. But what do you do if your house is a complete loss?

The Citizen Preparedness Corps Training that took place last week at city hall, in conjunction with city and county emergency services and the Saratoga County Red Cross, put on an 80-minute presentation that explains how to be prepared in the event of a disaster of any type.

It may seem obvious that you will need some food and water and some other base essentials, but did you consider that you would need cash? How about important personal documents, such as health insurance cards, social security cards and insurance documents?

“There’s a lot of thinking that goes into what the Red Cross suggests people have in their emergency to-go bags,” Burgundy Magoon, a Red Cross representative and trainer, said. “We recommend having a to-go kit placed somewhere that you can grab quickly and easily when evacuating.”

The Red Cross suggests that you keep a small kit, with the most important survival items, in something no larger than a backpack, and to keep it placed somewhere along your emergency escape route.

This kit should include a toothbrush for everyone in the house, a comb, a phone charger, a small amount of water and a small amount

of canned food that has a pull-tab for opening. This way, you won’t have to worry about finding a can opener.

The Red Cross also recommends having a larger emergency kit, to be stored in your vehicle, or somewhere where it can be accessed outside of the home easily. This is where the items expand. It is recommended that important personal documents be backed up on a USB drive and kept in the bag, as well as some cash.

“You need money so that you can go to the corner store for supplies you may need,” Magoon said. “You don’t know exactly what you’ll need, so it’s good to have money to buy supplies.”

Batteries, a two-way radio, an AM/FM radio, two D and three AAA batteries, a first aid kit with bandages, adhesive and scissors and enough water and canned food to last a day should also be in this kit. If you go to RedCross.org, you can find lists of all sorts of emergency preparedness kit list items that you might need.

Also inside that kit should be contact information for at least two people, one of whom should live outside the area.

“What happens if the town floods, and you really have nowhere to go?” Magoon said.

“Having someone outside the area makes it easier for you to have somewhere to go that evening.”

You should also have enough of any medicine you may take daily, for a few days, Magoon said.

“You might not be able to get to a doctor right away, and it’s important to make sure you can stay healthy,” Magoon said.

At the training, some citizens brought up the topic of what to do about family pets such as cats and dogs. Magoon said the Red Cross is working in conjunction with communities to open emergency shelters, but at the moment only some places have that luxury. The Red Cross typically does not allow pets at its emergency shelters, Magoon said.

In the kits, it’s important to have food and water for the animal

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and veterinarian contact information. On your pet, a tag with your contact information should exist.

“In some cases, especially house fires, pets can run away,” Magoon said. “If they make it into a shelter, that information on the collar makes it easier for you to get your pet back safely.”

The Red Cross also urges that you maintain your smoke detectors in your house. Magoon said that a lot of people who rent apartments believe that maintaining the smoke detector is the landlord’s responsibility, which is not true. Make sure to check your batteries every month and that the detector is functioning.

The organization launched a campaign recently to prepare people in the event of a fire. They will send someone to your residence, and they will check your detectors and replace ones that don’t work.

Red Cross Fire Safety Campaign For more information on this program, please call the Red Cross at 518-458-8111, or email Burgundy at burgundy.magoon@redcross.org

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NEWS

Week of April 3 – April 9, 2015

Grab Your Hat, Cat! And Head To Saratoga Children’s Theatre’s Seussical Family Fun Festival

by Arthur Gonick Saratoga TODAY SARATOGA SPRINGS — An evening of activities that the whole family can enjoy will await you at Saratoga Children’s Theatre’s (SCT) Seussical Family Fun Festival. The event will take place on Friday, Apr. 10 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Saratoga Music Hall, above City Hall at 474 Broadway, Saratoga Springs.

This event is to help fund a great cause and serves as the kickoff to a campaign to send SCT’s teen troupe to perform at The National

Performing Arts Festival at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida next February 18 to 22. Admission to the festival is $15 for adults, $5 for kids and one child admission is free with each paid adult admission (see a coupon to redeem on this page).

A special appearance by the local family friendly music group Seth and the Moody Melix is part of the activities at the Music Hall.

Their music was recently featured on the Food Network and they helped Chef Paula Deen during the first two dates of her live cooking tour in Tennessee.

Now back home in Saratoga Springs, front man Seth Warden, a father of three, is busy with activities for his kids, which led to a desire to help SCT. “Our daughters have been involved in the Saratoga Children’s Theater now for two years, and each year I’ve watched them become more and more confident and proud of the work they’ve put in with SCT,” Seth said. “It was really just a matter of time before SCT and Seth and the Moody Melix became acquainted and we are thrilled to join them in their fundraising efforts.”

Seth and the Moody Melix will be performing music from their debut CD; “Hi, Hello, How do you do?” along with a handful of new songs which will be featured on their second release, which is anticipated to be released this summer.

SCT’s teen troupe members, no doubt in full Dr. Seuss regalia, will administer the other activities including face painting, a cake walk contest and a dance party. Also, the

A Mickey Mouse Pledge Card will Debut at the Seussical Family Fun Festival

entire teen troupe will perform the opening number from Seussical.

In addition to the admission proceeds, the family fun festival will also have an additional opportunity to donate with a Disney theme. This will mark the debut of a Mickey Mouse pledge card – which will be placed on a traveling “wall of fame” that will tour with SCT throughout its performances and campaign events as they seek to fund their trip to Florida.

This trip is certainly an ambitious undertaking. According to Meg Kelly, SCT’s executive director, the cost for travel, lodging and workshop fees to attend the National Performance Arts Festival is about $1,500 per child, with many members of the teen troupe in need of either full or partial funding to attend.

But once there, members of the SCT teen troupe will enjoy a oncein-a-lifetime experience to perform before Disney casting personnel against other drama student groups and receive feedback from some of the best in the business. They will also have the opportunity to participate in workshops and clinics

in areas such as audition and vocal techniques, stage movement and scene development.

During the Performing Arts Festival, the SCT teen troupe’s group performance competition will take place at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort Performance Hall, which hopefully will give them a “home-field advantage” of sorts.

There will be opportunities for troupe members to participate in solo and duo competitions as well.

At the end of the National Performing Arts Festival, an awards ceremony will take place at Disney’s Superstar Television Theater, with a showcase performance for the winning performers on The Waterside Stage at Downtown Disney.

So the Apr. 10 Seussical Family Fun Festival is not only an opportunity for you and your family to have a great time, but a chance to help young performers who do so much to enrich the cultural fabric in our community “wish upon a star” and maybe grab a few for themselves.

For more information, visit saratogachildrenstheatre.org

Week of April 3 – April 9, 2015

NEWS 11

Saratoga Artist Wins “Best in Show” Photos by MarkBolles.com

Mrowka works on a tattoo for a client.

Continued from front page Mrowka owns Mrowka Family Oils with his wife Michelle and the two create artwork ranging from fantasy themes to portraits.

However, the “No Limits” Tattoo Festival isn’t the first time Mrowka has been recognized by his work; he also took home the Popular Choice Award at 2014’s Arisia convention in Boston.

Aside from being an oil painter, Mrowka is also a tattoo artist with 10 years of experience under his belt. He currently works at Needlewürks in Saratoga Springs when he’s not painting.

“Anything and everything is inspiring to an artist,” Mrowka told Simply Saratoga Magazine last month. “We’re never bored.”

Like other forms of artistry, tattooing requires a tremendous amount of concentration, practice and skill. However, unlike other art forms, tattoo artists can’t rely on an eraser or have a back-up canvas in case of error.

“I think it’s one of the boldest, most difficult art forms in the world,” said Mrowka. “There is no eraser. You need to get it done right the first time. I can’t think of another art form that puts the artist under more pressure.”

Through his work as both an oil painter and a tattoo artist, both jobs tend to feed off each other.

Mrowka draws custom tattoos on a daily basis and pulls from his painting background to achieve unique, detailed tattoos that are wildly popular.

“It’s phenomenal...just being able to work [at Needlewürks] around such incredibly talented people all day long and feed off of that,” said Mrowka. “In no other job are you surrounded by that much talent doing the typical 9-5. I very much appreciate the crew and the energy that we have here.”

For those interested in purchasing not-so-permanent art,

Mrowka Family Oils is offering a Mother’s Day Special – a baby pastel portrait 18 inches by 24 inches in size for $150. The Mrowka’s are also accepting other custom portrait requests.

The Mrowka Family’s work can be viewed at MrowkaFamilyOils.com.

Prints of their work are available for purchase. Additionally, Needlewürks is located at 80 West Circular Street in Saratoga Springs. To set up a consultation, call (518) 583-4044. Walkins are also welcome.

Matt Mrowka, oil painter and tattoo artist.

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HISTORY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS

Week of April 3 – April 9, 2015

Saratoga Springs A Century of Progress On April 7, 1915, a charter was signed into law and a little town nestled in the foothills of the Adirondacks became the city of Saratoga Springs.

To celebrate this centennial milestone, Saratoga TODAY is running a 13-week series looking at the significant events that led to the community we now call home.

Thank you to the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce for their collaboration with this material. This is part five of our series‌We hope you enjoy.

Week of April 3 – April 9, 2015

HISTORY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS

UNION AVENUE

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Part 5:

1960

1970 1972

Verrazano College acquires Skidmore’s entire old campus including two buildings with long-term leases to Empire State College.

U

nion Avenue is one of Saratoga’s two great residential streets, one of many grand results of the boom years after the Civil War. First built through farmland from Circular Street to Saratoga Lake in 1841, it was intended for such recreational uses as carriage drives from Congress Spring out to the lake on its east end.

It was improved in 1870-71 to create a more magnificent approach to the 1864 racetrack, a true boulevard with a grassy strip down the center. Soon great houses were underway on either side, most of them built by Saratogians who took advantage of the summer rental market, a few by summer residents. The street was the site of only one hotel, the Kensington (18811909), which stood on the northwest corner of Court Street.

For decades Union Avenue was also the heart of the Skidmore College campus. By the end of the 1930s, the school owned 42 buildings. Its final number was 82, 19 of which were on Union Avenue – large and distinguished structures for the most part, many of which became homelike dormitories.

But as grand as Union Avenue had once been, by the mid-1970s many of its structures stood abandoned and in disrepair. It took the ingenuity and vision of a native son, John Roohan, to return the grand houses to private ownership and full restoration, creating the elegant avenue we know today.

The college added one large new building to the avenue, Moore Hall, the six-story dormitory built in 1958; faced with pinkish stone, the so-called “Pink Palace” was supposed to have a feminine color scheme. A 1959 college master plan proposed building other multi-story dormitories and classroom buildings on the avenue. In 1971 the administration chose to market the old campus on Union Avenue to another educational institution. Verrazano College, chartered in 1961, was an idea without a home. Its concept was a 1,200 student body pursuing a four-year liberal arts degree with one of the years spent in the Mediterranean.

Skidmore began its big move to a new campus in January 1966; later in that year this potential buyer came forward. With $2.35 million in mortgage funding provided

by Robert C. Haufler, a Boston businessman, Verrazano acquired Skidmore’s entire old campus in 1972 including two buildings with long-term leases to Empire State College.

Although the college opened in the fall of 1974, “it was nothing but a real estate deal,” said its former president Aldo S. Bernardo, the following June after resigning. In June 1975 Marine Midland Bank filed foreclosure on the mortgage.

The city woke up with a shock to the deteriorating situation. A bank holding a non-performing asset normally makes a quick sale. That, as Charles Wait of the Adirondack Trust Company says, “had all the potential for [slum] conditions.”

The buildings were in poor repair and mostly too large to become private homes.

What was worse, none had its own furnace.

They were served by a central heating plant.

At this critical moment, John T. Roohan stepped into the breach and came up with a remarkable solution.

A native of Spring Street who had worked in construction with W.J. Grande and Son, Roohan knew the city, the real estate market, and construction techniques.

He was appointed by the court as receiver in bankruptcy, and immediately began maintenance and leasing. He then convinced Marine Midland to let him market the 82 old campus buildings, rather than taking the easier method of unloading them to a single buyer.

A panel of realtors estimated it would take 10 years to sell all the buildings, during which 30 to 40 percent of them would deteriorate beyond restoration. Within two years, Roohan had sold every building except the gymnasium and the theater – and these, too, eventually sold.

While many of the houses were too large for single-family use, the new buyers retained the character of the buildings and the Victorian feeling of the neighborhood. The largest project was the Skidmore Apartments just off Union Avenue, a project by investors who bought 18 buildings, renovating 12 of them (the other six were demolished for parking).

The effort created 183 apartments in what were ultimately 16 buildings; each apartment is unique and attractive, and 30 years later they remain in high demand.

What could have been a disaster for Saratoga Springs was changed into a major asset by one man, a caring bank, and historic tax credits.

1975

Marine Midland Bank files foreclosure on the Verrazano College mortgage

1977

All buildings sold and 183 apartments created.

1980

1990

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

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

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

First Baptist Church of Ballston Spa 202 Milton Ave, Ballston Spa 885-8361 | bspabaptist.org Services: 10:30 a.m. worship, 9 a.m. Sunday School (all ages)

Christ Community Reformed Church 1010 Route 146, Clifton Park 371-7654 | ccrc-cpny.org Services: Sunday 10 a.m.

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

Adirondack Christian Fellowship 8 Mountain Ledge, Wilton 587-0623 | acfsaratoga.com Services: Sunday 8 a.m. & 10 a.m.

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

Adirondack Friends Meeting 27 Saratoga Ave, South Glens Falls 793-3755 adirondackfriendsmeeting.org Regina Baird Haag, Pastor Services: Sunday 10:30 a.m.

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

Galway United Methodist Church 2056 East St, Galway | 882-6520 galway-united-methodist-church.com Services: Sunday 9:30 a.m.

(9 a.m. in July and August)

Christian Science Church 107 Circular St, Saratoga Springs 584-0221 | Services: Sunday 10 a.m.

Grace Fellowship Saratoga 165 High Rock Ave, Saratoga 691-0301 saratoga.gracefellowship.com Pastor: Mike Adams | Services: Sundays 9 & 11 a.m.

The Alliance Church 257 Rowland St, Ballston Spa 885-6524 | Services: Morning Worship 10:30 a.m.

Assembly of God Faith Chapel 6 Burgoyne St, Schuylerville 695-6069 | Rev. Jason Proctor Services: Sunday 10:45 a.m.

Assembly of God Saratoga 118 Woodlawn Ave, Saratoga Springs | 584-6081 Services: Sunday Worship 10 a.m.

Bacon Hill Reformed Church* 560 Route 32N, Bacon Hill 695-3074 | Rev. Janet Vincent Services: Worship service 10 a.m.; Sunday School 10 a.m.

Baha’i Community of Saratoga Springs 584-9679; 692-7694 | usbnc.org Ballston Center Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church 58 Charlton Road, Ballston Spa 885-7312 ballstoncenterarpchurch.org Services: Sunday Worship, 10:30 a.m.

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

* — Handicap Accessible

Congregation Shaara Tfille* 84 Weibel Avenue, Saratoga Springs 584-2370 | saratogasynagogue.org Services: Saturday 9:30 a.m.

(1st & 3rd Sat. also 10:30) Corinth Free Methodist Church 20 Hamilton Ave, Corinth 654-9255; 792-0271 Services: Sunday 10 a.m.

Corinth United Methodist Church 243 Main Street, Corinth 654-2521 | cfumc@cnyconnect.net Services: Sunday 10:30 a.m.

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

Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Community 2001 Route 9, Round Lake 877-8506 | ccorpusc@nycap.rr.com Services: Saturday 4 p.m.; Sunday 8:30 & 10:30 a.m.; Eastern Orthodox — Christ the Savior 349 Eastline Road, Ballston Spa 786-3100 | xcsavior@yahoo.com.

Services: Sunday 9:30 a.m.

Full Gospel Tabernacle 207 Redmond Road, Gansevoort 793-2739 | Services: Sunday 10 a.m.

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

Greater Grace Community Church Pastor David Moore | 899-7777 thechurch@ggccmalta.org Services: Sunday 10 a.m.

Greenfield Center Baptist Church 30 Wilton Road, Greenfield Center 893-7429 | Services: Sunday School for all ages - 9:45 a.m.; Church Service - 11 a.m.

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

Week of April 3 – April 9, 2015 Living Springs Community Church 59 Pine Road, Saratoga Springs 584-9112 Services: Sunday 10:30 a.m.

Living Waters Church of God 4330 State Rt. 50, Saratoga Springs 587-0484 | livingwaterscog.us Services: Sundays 10 a.m.

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

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

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

Mt. Olivet Baptist Church Corner of Jefferson St. & Crescent St. Saratoga Springs | 584-9441 Rev. Dr. Victor L. Collier, Pastor New Horizon Church 150 Perry Road, Saratoga Springs 587-0711 | Services: Sunday 9:30 a.m.

Easter Sunday Service will be held at Old Saratoga Reformed Church at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 5. Pastor Joyce deVelder will preach an Easter message, the Lord’s Supper will be celebrated, and the Chancel Choir will sing. Following the service there will be a Fellowship Hour.

The sanctuary is accessible by a wheelchair platform lift. The church is located on the corner of Pearl and Burgoyne Streets in Schuylerville.

All are welcome.

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

Services: Sunday 10:30 a.m.

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

NorthStar Church Gowana Middle School, Clifton Park 371-2811 | northstarchurch.com Services: Sunday 9:30 a.m. & 11:15 a.m.

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

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

RELIGION

Week of April 3 – April 9, 2015 Old Stone Church (American Baptist) 159 Stone Church Road, Ballston Spa 583-1002 | Services: Sunday 9 a.m.; Adult Sunday School 9 a.m.; Service 10:30 a.m.

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

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

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

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

River of Hope Fellowship 100 Saratoga Village Blvd, Malta Cmns, Ste. 3 | 881-1505 riverofhopefellowship.com Services: Sunday 10 a.m.

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

St. Clement’s Roman Catholic Church 231 Lake Ave, Saratoga Springs 584-6122 | Services: Saturday 4 p.m.; Sunday 8, 9:30, 11:15 a.m. and 5 p.m., 1 p.m. Spanish Service St. George’s Episcopal Church 912 Route 146, Clifton Park 371-6351 | stgeorge@csdsl.net Services: Saturday 4:30 p.m.; Sunday 8 & 9:30 a.m.

St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church* 3159 Route 9N, Greenfield Center 893-7680 stjosephschurchgreenfieldcenter.org Services: Saturday 4 p.m.; Sunday 10:30 a.m.

St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church* 167 Milton Ave, Ballston Spa 885-7411 | stmarysbsta.org Services: Saturday 4 p.m., Sunday 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., Noon.

St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church* 771 Route 29, Rock City Falls 893-7680 | sjoegctr@nycap.rr.com Services: Sunday 8:30 am.

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

St. Peter Lutheran Church 2776 Route 9, Malta | 583-4153 Services: Sunday 8:30 & 10:30 a.m.; Sunday School at 9:15 a.m.

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church 1 Grove Street, Schuylerville 695-3918 Rev. Donna J. Arnold Services: Sunday 8 & 9 a.m.

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

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

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

Saratoga United Methodist Church* Henning Road, Saratoga Springs 584-3720 saratogaumc.com Services: Sunday 9 & 10:45 a.m.

Saratoga Seventh-Day Adventist Church 399 Union Ave, Saratoga Springs 882-9384 saratogasda.org Services: Sabbath School: 10 a.m.

Worship Service: 11:30 a.m.

Schuylerville United Methodist Church* 51 Church St, Schuylerville 695-3101 sumethodist.org Services: Worship at 11am

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

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

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

Stillwater United Church (Presbyterian U.S.A.) 747 Hudson Avenue, Stillwater 664-7984 stillwaterunitedchurch.org Services: Sunday 10:30 a.m.

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The Salvation Army/ Worship, Service & Community Center 27 Woodlawn Ave, Saratoga Springs 584-1640 Services: Sunday School 10 a.m.; Praise & Worship 11 a.m.

Trinity United Methodist Church 155 Ballard Road, Gansevoort 584-9107 tumcwilton.com Rev. Robert Kersten Services: Sunday 11 a.m.

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Saratoga Springs 624 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs 584-1555 | uusaratoga.org Services: Sunday 10 a.m.

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

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

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

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

Wilton Baptist Church 755 Saratoga Road, Wilton 583-2736 wiltonbaptistchurch.com Services: Sunday 11 a.m.

y p p a H ! r e t s Ea

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Week of April 3 – April 9, 2015

This Week’s SPOTLIGHT

Capitol district YMCA Capital District YMCA Offers Fun Affordable

and Safe Summer Camp for Your Child!

OUR PREMIER DAY CAMP

Located on Route 155 in Guilderland, YMCA Adventure Camp is our premier day camp, with outdoor pool, pond with paddle boats, zip line, rock wall, covered pavilion, and convenient bussing available.

FREE TOURS! Visit www.

CDYMCA.org today for tour dates, or call 456.3634.

MORE TRIPS! NEW SPECIALTY CAMPS!

— Register Online! Visit www.CDYMCA.org today.

— Sibling discounts!

— Free before and after-camp care.

— Membership not required. All are welcome!

DAY CAMP FUN!

We’re convenient! 11 locations: Albany, Bethlehem, Glenville, East Greenbush, Greene County,

To Advertise in the Summer Camp Guide

Call (518) 581-2480

Guilderland, North Colonie, Schenectady, Scotia, Southern Saratoga, and Troy.

Children 3 to 16 will find something fun to do, from fun trips to swimming lessons to archery and arts & crafts. And YMCA programs focus on fun activities that help your child build confidence and self-esteem.

Register Today! 518.869.3500.

Visit us at www.CDYMCA.org.

OUR PREMIER OVERNIGHT CAMP

Camp Chingachgook is located on the shores of Lake George in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains, and offers a unique overnight camp experience for your child.

Your child will love our day camp (for kids 5-10), overnight camp (for kids 7-15), adventure trip programs (for kids 11 and older), and Counselor-in-Training program (for 16 year olds).

FREE TOURS! Visit www.

LakeGeorgeCamp.org today for our 2014 tour schedule.

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Education

Week of April 3 – April 9, 2015

Saratoga Grad Finds Success with “Think Board” Creator Hanson Grant Fundraised More Than $10K for Popular Product

Hanson Grant, CEO and creator of Think Board. Photo provided.

by Stephanie Hale-Lopez Saratoga TODAY SARATOGA SPRINGS — Think Board is aiming to change the game of note-taking, list-making, and plenty of other tasks. The product is essentially a clear, removable and adhesive panel that turns any surface into a dry erase canvas. It can be overlaid onto desks, walls and doors, to name a few.

Now, nearly three months shy of the one-year anniversary of the product’s launch, Think Board has had an increasing number of sales – proving the consumer support for the product is strong.

Hanson Grant, a 2012 graduate of Saratoga Springs High School and current third-year student at

help bring his Think Board project to life.

“I wasn’t expecting it…upon starting the Kickstarter, I mainly did it for customer and market validation,” said Grant. “I wanted to make sure people thought the product was cool and that it was a viable idea. People loved it way more than I imagined.”

Through the fundraiser, Grant was able to improve the manufacturing process, create unique packaging and start mass-producing Think Board. He even set up Think Board’s headquarters – located at 610 Maple Avenue in Saratoga Springs. It’s currently staffed part-time by SSHS students John Layden and Jack McCarthy.

Grant’s brother, Garrison, serves as the office manager. Because Grant is a full-time student, he works remotely from Boston.

Grant says the three goals of Think Board are to give college students a place to write down ideas and stay organized; give elementary

students a platform to practice writing and math; and distribute the product in schools in developing countries who cannot afford a whiteboard, chalkboard or paper.

An even heftier goal – Grant says he’d like to see Think Board on every desk in schools across the country.

“We’re in two classrooms right now in Watertown Middle School out near Boston and we have a waitlist now of 60-70 teachers who are waiting to get Think Board into their classrooms. It’s an incredible learning tool,” said Grant. “I’ve had teachers tell me that it has increased the effectiveness of their teaching, the efficiency, the engagement of the students and the excitement within the entire class.”

It seems as though there’s no chance of Grant or Think Board slowing down any time soon. Grant says he and his team are exploring different markets and uses for the product, such as hospitals, offices, even bar countertops.

Boston’s Babson College, is the creator of Think Board.

Grant says back in high school, he created and sold whiteboard t-shirts that his peers could draw on, and used that same layering process and technology to create Think Board. He began using the prototype in his dorm room at Babson.

“I needed a place to write down ideas and stay organized and I felt that these resources from high school could really benefit my personal use,” said Grant. “Then a lot of people started to see it and thought it was cool and wanted to purchase it.”

From there, Grant started a fundraising campaign through Kickstarter and was able to raise $10,100 through 199 “backers” to

Think Board and those whiteboard t-shirts haven’t been Grant’s only business ventures.

The business major, with a concentration on entrepreneurship, started EyeCare for Boston his freshman year at Babson – a venture selling “Boston Strong” sunglasses to support the victims of the 2013 Boston Marathon and raise pride in the city.

“After these couple businesses, I realized that I’ve got something here that I really enjoy doing and I’m good at it, so I might as well keep going,” said Grant.

Think Board is available for purchase. The product comes in three different sizes and costs less than $30. Each Think Board kit comes with one Expo marker, one spray solution, one Squeegee for installation, one set of Velcro dots for the marker, and an instructions card.

For more information or to purchase Think Board, visit www.think-board.com.

Think Board’s clear, removable panel is perfect for school desks. Photo provided.

Grant’s goal is to get Think Board into every classroom in the country. Photo provided.

Think Board turns any surface into a dry erase canvas.

Photo provided.

Education BRIEFS

Week of April 3 – April 9, 2015

Free Food Up for Grabs at Lake Avenue Elementary SARATOGA SPRINGS — Lake Avenue Elementary School’s Green Team is seeking a few good chickens or pigs for parttime employment. The job?

Eating the food scraps (off-site, of course) generated each day in the school cafeteria.

The Lake Avenue Green Team is made up of students and parents interested in making the school a more eco-friendly place.

Past projects have included “No Idling” signs at designated pickup spots, and paperless communication between school and home. Most recently, the group focused its efforts in the cafeteria. Students began composting food scraps from their lunches this fall, and the program has reduced the amount of trash in the school dumpster by half.

“It was great to see how quickly the students got the hang of the new system,” said Principal Dr. Barbara Messier. “…and also how our custodians and lunch monitors keep tweaking the system to keep things running smoothly.”

Early on, the scraps went into the school’s on-site compost bin, for future use as a soil amendment in the school garden. When that bin filled up, the Green Team reached out to David Delozier, a local resident who raises chickens in his yard.

“It’s been really striking to see how much good food ends up in the compost,” said Delozier, who picks up garbage bags full of crusts, cores, and rinds a few times a week. “The volume is way more than I can handle.” He was sharing the scraps with a nearby pig farmer until last week, when the pigs went to the processor.

And so it happens that one person’s pork chops become someone else’s golden opportunity.

Anyone interested in claiming the tasty cast-offs from local children’s lunches for another group of critters, free of charge (except for the effort it takes to pick up the scraps), should apply for this position by contacting Green Team leader Robin Ambrosino at 322-1764 or by email at ambrosino.robin@gmail.com.

Phlebotomist, EKG Tech Certification Program Offered SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Adult Continuing Education program of the

Washington-Saratoga-WarrenHamilton-Essex BOCES has partnered with Bryant & Stratton College to offer a new program in April that provides students with the opportunity to earn a national certification as a phlebotomist and an electrocardiogram (EKG) technician.

The program incorporates three courses, preparing students for two National Healthcareer Association (NHA) exams. The three courses are: a clinical foundation course (72 hours); fundamentals of phlebotomy (85 hours) along with a clinical internship (40 to 120 hours); and electrocardiogram training (72 hours) and a clinical internship (8 to 36 hours).

All courses will take place at Bryant & Stratton College’s Professional Skills Center at 2452 Route 9 in Malta.

Local Student Wins New York Youth Art Month Flag Design Competition

(SSAS) recently announced its 7th annual Bowling-For-Scholars event to be held at the Saratoga Strike Zone in Saratoga Springs on Saturday, May 9. Bowling will be half price all day, with all proceeds generously donated by Saratoga Strike Zone to SSAS. Bowling will be followed at 7 p.m. by the Gutterball Bash, featuring music by Freeplay, food from Hattie’s, cash bar and silent auction. Tickets are $75 with all proceeds benefitting SSAS. SSAS is a nonprofit corporation that assists academically capable, but financially disadvantaged students to excel in high school and attend college. All 36 of graduating SSAS seniors over the past four years were accepted to college.

The organization was founded in 2009 and is a collaborative effort by local residents, Skidmore College, the Saratoga Springs High School and the Saratoga Mentoring Program.

SSAS selects 10 financially disadvantaged sophomores each year and dedicates up to $10,000 to each scholar’s enrichment.

Sage Colleges to Offer Courses in Saratoga

Saratoga Springs Mayor Yepsen and Georgia Berry. Photo provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Georgia Berry, an eighth grader at Maple Avenue Middle School, designed a flag that was selected as the official New York State flag design in the Youth Art Flag Design Competition.

Georgia’s design, in addition to winners from other states, will be made into a large flag and displayed at the National Art Education Association Convention in New Orleans.

The Youth Art Flag Design Competition is hosted by the National Art Education Foundation.

Each state chapter hosts a competition for a student flag design to represent their state at the National Conference annually.

SSAS Announces 7th Annual Bowling-For-Scholars SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Sponsor a Scholar

SARATOGA COUNTY — The Sage Colleges recently announced it will begin to offer courses in Saratoga County, starting with its Masters in Business Administration program this fall.

The private, liberal arts college will bring its MBA program to Hudson Valley Community College’s TEC-SMART facility in Malta. The program is marketed toward business professionals who do not live close to Sage’s campuses in Troy and Albany, or have a work schedule that requires a flexible MBA program.

Aside from Empire State College, no other colleges offer MBA programs in the Saratoga area. The college may add coursework for additional programs in the future.

Library Election and Budget Vote on April 16 SARATOGA SPRINGS — On Thursday, April 16, citizens of the Saratoga Springs School District will elect a library trustee and vote on the 2015-2016 library budget.

The election will be held in the Library’s H. Dutcher Community Room from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Saratoga Springs School District residents who are registered voters are eligible to vote. A public

hearing concerning the budget and an opportunity to meet the trustee candidates will be held Monday, April 13 at 7 p.m. in the H. Dutcher Community Room.

Library Trustees are asking the voters to approve a tax levy of $5,078,265 for FY 2015-2016, which is a 0.5 percent increase over the 2014-15 fiscal year. The complete proposed budget can be found at sspl.org.

Seventh Grade Spanish Classes Enjoy Mexican Cuisine

Chef Amy Kantor shows students how to cook some popular Mexican foods.

Photo provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Seventh graders in Ms. Soroka’s Spanish classes at Maple Avenue Middle School recently had the opportunity to learn about Mexican foods. Amy Kantor, a professional chef and owner of The Omelette King Catering Company, visited the classes to demonstrate how to make churros, Mexican hot chocolate and fried plantains.

In addition to the demonstration, students learned the

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history of churros and sampled the prepared foods. Students were adventurous in trying the new foods and were surprised to find that they actually liked them. Some students even asked for seconds!

SCCHS Class of 1980 Reunion SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Central Catholic High School Class of 1980 will celebrate its 35th reunion Saturday, July 25. The reunion committee is planning a gathering at the home of a classmate.

They are looking to connect with as many classmates as possible. If you were a member of the class, or know someone who was, please get in touch via email at spacatholic1980@gmail.com. The class also has a Facebook group.

April Fools’ Day Fun in Schuylerville

Students wear mustache glasses on April Fools’ Day. Photo provided.

SCHUYLERVILLE — Students in Mrs. Nevins’ second grade class and Mrs. Vallee’s first grade class had some April Fools’ Day fun with silly mustache glasses.

Week of April 3 – April 9, 2015

New Chief Ranger Named at Saratoga National Historical Park STILLWATER — Saratoga National Historical Park Superintendent Joe Finan has announced the appointment of David LaMere as the Park’s new Chief Ranger. “Dave brings with him experience and abilities honed during his National Park career at urban, natural and cultural sites,” Finan said. “We are fortunate to have an employee with such a varied set of skills, considering the variety of challenges that a chief ranger faces in the execution of his job.”

The Chief Ranger oversees visitor safety and resource protection of the park’s Battlefield and Old Saratoga units, heading up law enforcement and coordinating the structural and wildfire programs.

David LaMere is a fifteen year-veteran field ranger with the National Park Service, with prior service at serving at Cape Cod National Seashore, Boston National Historical Park and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. LaMere holds degrees in history and education

through Eastern Nazarene College and enjoys hunting and fishing.

“I am excited to be a part of the team protecting a National Park that is fundamental to the history and creation of our nation,” LaMere said.

For more information about events at Saratoga National Historical Park, call the Visitor Center at (518) 670-2985 or visit nps.gov/sara and the Park’s social media feeds on Facebook (facebook.com/saratoganhp) and Twitter (#SaratogaNHP).

Creative Kidz at Healthy Living Market! made some paint by mixing earth pigments, arrowroot flour and water.

The children then had the opportunity to unleash their creativity on their own canvas using brushes, sponges, rollers and their hands. The grand finale was a giant canvas that was made into a group masterpiece by everyone. The art created by the kids in this class will be displayed at a few different art exhibits in Saratoga Springs and Glens Falls, and printed into gift cards and posters. These items will be sold for donations to support Creative Kidz Café activities and related classes for children with autism.

The Creative Kidz yoga class in full swing

WILTON — Everyone had a blast at the Creative Kidz Café Yoga and Sensory Art class at Healthy Living Market on Tuesday, Mar. 24th. The class was specially tailored to create a space that brings out the wonderful creative expression of children with autism.

Taught by yoga instructor January Slater, the class started with some yoga poses, eye exercises, breathing techniques and chanting; then moved into Sensory Arts. The kids created some beautiful ‘stained glass’ art using Plexiglas sheets, glue and earth pigments. Next they all

Take a look at this week’s newest club member!

Alexandre, 7

Tooth Fairy Club is sponsored by:

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

Yoga Instructor January Slater helps with technique

Hello, Emma!

STILLWATER — A warm, warm welcome to the neighborhood to Emma Danielle Weatherwax. Emma joined the world via Saratoga Hospital on Wednesday, Mar. 25 at 10:22 p.m. to the delight of parents Bridgette Arnold and Patrick Weatherwax of Stillwater. Emma weighed 9 pounds, 3 ounces and was 21.5 inches long.

Grandparents are Brian and the late Lisa Anne Arnold and Trudy and Gerald Weatherwax — all of Saratoga Springs. Congratulations everyone from Saratoga TODAY!

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22

BUSINESS

Week of April 3 – April 9, 2015

New Owners Breathe New Life into Mexican Connection

Former Bartenders Take Over Popular Saratoga Restaurant

Photography by Francesco D’Amico

by Stephanie Hale-Lopez Saratoga TODAY SARATOGA SPRINGS — Mexican Connection, a staple in the Saratoga community for more than 25 years, is under new ownership. Sold to Brad Smith and Joe Parisi, both of whom were former bartenders at the restaurant, the co-owners are working toward updating Mexican Connection, while keeping the identity it’s known for.

“We’re not trying to create a new identity for Mexican Connection… we’re trying to bring a freshness in here because it has been around for over 25 years,” said Parisi. “So many things have changed in the food industry and with restaurants these days. We’re trying to make a new atmosphere, try to liven it up a little bit and get more of a younger crowd in here while keeping our regular customers at the same time.”

Parisi and Smith have added to the restaurant’s menu.

Smith and Parisi, two years apart in age and childhood friends, say Mexican Connection is where they started their careers. Both bartended at the restaurant for more than four years in the early 2000’s before leaving to gain more work experience.

After returning to the Saratoga area and starting families, the two friends were ready to take the leap into becoming restauranteurs. Smith and Parisi purchased Mexican Connection from Jason Friedman in July of 2014.

“We both grew up bartending here through our formative years; we were spending time learning about the tequila, learning how to make the drinks here and learning about the clientele,” said Smith. “Both of us knew we wanted to go out into the world and get some experience…Joe going to St. Thomas and myself going to Las Vegas…we had thought about a couple of other different businesses, but we kept coming back to this one.”

Now that they’re back, Smith and Parisi have rolled up their sleeves and are working like old times. Smith says he works the front of the house while Parisi handles the kitchen.

“We kept the menu but I play around with the specials,” said Parisi. “I try to make the specials a little more authentic – Mexican street tacos and soups…we also offer chilaquiles and tamales. We do have food that appeals to everybody as well as traditional, authentic Mexican cuisine.”

The restaurant’s bar continues to feature over 150 premium sipping tequilas, a wide selection of Mexican beer and handshaken margaritas.

In the last nine months the co-owners have updated the décor and the seating area of the restaurant, as well as the playlist. They’ve also opened Mexican Connection on Monday evenings from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and have an all-night happy hour.

(L-R) Brad Smith and Joe Parisi, co-owners of Mexican Connection.

The new owners made changes to the décor and seating area.

The full bar features over 150 premium sipping tequilas and a wide selection of Mexican beer.

Mexican Connection is located at 41 Nelson Ave.

Mexican Connection’s happy hours have been so popular that Smith and Parisi have extended them. Aside from Monday, happy hours from Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday are from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. as well as 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.; happy hour on Friday and Saturday is from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The restaurant will partner with Zuppler, a food delivery service, this spring. In the meantime, Smith and Parisi are preparing for Mexican Connection’s Cinco de Mayo festivities. The restaurant will have a

three-day celebration featuring live music and food and drink specials.

“People have a vested interest in this place and to see two owners genuinely caring and putting everything into it is getting them excited and rejuvenated to come back into Mexican Connection,” said Smith.

Mexican Connection is located at 41 Nelson Ave in Saratoga Springs. Business hours are Monday-Thursday 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, visit mexconx.com.

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Week of April 3 – April 9, 2015

Price Chopper Begins Market 32 Makeover WILTON — Price Chopper has officially started its $300 million makeover to Market 32. The company’s Wilton store now carries the new name and final touches are being put on the renovations.

When the rebranding was announced last November, owners promised new products, new food service options and a reemphasis on customer service.

Price Chopper plans to gradually rebrand all of their stores to the new name. More than half of the chain’s 135 Price Chopper locations will be changed to the new name within the next five years.

The “32” comes from 1932 – which was the year the company started. The Price Chopper name has been in place since 1973.

Heidi Ives Leads HomeBridge Expansion

Heidi Ives, Sales Manager with HomeBridge Financial Services, Inc. Photo provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Heidi Ives, a mortgage loan originator with more than 25 years of home lending experience, recently accepted the role of sales manager with HomeBridge Financial Services, Inc., one of the nation’s leading mortgage solution providers.

In her new position, Ives will spearhead the growth of HomeBridge in the Capital

Region and will educate the local community about HomeBridge’s lending products and philosophies. She is also charged with building the HomeBridge team in the greater Albany area.

After graduating from Creighton University, she began her financial career in 1998 in Dallas, Texas, where she worked as a sales manager for Reliance Mortgage Company. She then answered the call of her entrepreneurial spirit in 2003 and opened her own residential lending company, Solution Mortgage Lending, before deciding to return to her native New York in 2010. Most recently, Ives served as vice-president of residential lending at The Adirondack Trust Company.

Rebuilding Together Issues a Call to Action SARATOGA COUNTY — Rebuilding Together Saratoga County is actively looking for volunteers for their spring community work days of April 25-26 and May 2-3 and May 9.

Volunteer Orientation Day is Wednesday, April 8. To sign up to volunteer, call (518) 587-3315 or email Marian Bigelow at marian@rtsaratoga.org.

Rebuilding Together is a nonprofit housing organization committed to helping homeowners in need in Saratoga County live independently in homes that are safe, healthy, warm and dry by providing critical home repair and accessibility modification services for low-income Saratoga County homeowners.

Select Sotheby’s to Host Culinary Condo Crawl Benefit SARATOGA SPRINGS — Select Sotheby’s International Realty, a luxury real estate firm, announced the company will

host the Culinary Condo Crawl for a Cause at 93 Maple Street in Glens Falls to benefit the Glens Falls Hospital Foundation.

The event will be take place Thursday, April 16 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and will feature area chefs providing tastings from four different popular downtown Glens Falls restaurants. In addition to the tastings, there will be music provided

by Racing City Chorus’ Elderly Brothers Quartet.

Tickets for the crawl are $25 each and must be bought in advance. To order tickets, call 409-0041 or email culinarycrawl@selectsothebysrealty.com.

Tony Mariotti Joins Cruise Planners as Franchise Owner

Tony Mariotti, Cruise Planners independent franchise owner.

Photo provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Tony Mariotti has joined Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the travel industry.

As a franchise owner, Mariotti can now offer vacationers exclusive pricing on a wide range of cruise, land and destination wedding packages, private cruise sales, as well as travel upgrades and value-add

amenities such as shore excursions, discounted fares, travel gifts and more. As a Cruise Planners travel advisor, Mariotti also provides specialized land and tour packages to the most sought-after destinations around the world.

For more information, contact Mariotti at (518) 250-1111 or visit BucketlistVacationPlanners.com.

More Time for Bonacio to Close Kenwood Convent Deal SARATOGA — Real estate developer Sonny Bonacio was given more time to finalize a deal to buy the former Kenwood Convent and Doane Stuart School in Albany.

Bonacio has plans to convert those buildings into 125 luxury apartments – a $30 million renovation.

The Society of the Sacred Heart, the St. Louis-based Catholic religious order that owns the 73-acre campus, extended the term of its sales contract with Bonacio and his business partner, Mark Haworth.

The developers are seeking tax breaks from the Albany Industrial Development Agency that they say are critical to financing the expensive renovation. They said the investment is so risky that their lender won’t approve a loan without the IDA assistance.

The IDA could vote at its next meeting Thursday, April 23 to approve the tax breaks contingent upon the state Environmental Quality Review Act.

Permanent Cosmetics Available in Upstate NY NORTH COUNTRY — Teresa Sears-Dawson of North Country ENT & Med SPA is now offering

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permanent cosmetic procedures.

Permanent cosmetics use a stateof-the-art technique applied by way of intradermal pigmentation.

Sears-Dawson holds the highest accreditation of CPCP, with the Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals and is a member of the American Academy of Micro-Pigmentation of the entire body, allowing Sears-Dawson to treat both male and female patients who have been affected by scarring or disfiguring trauma to other areas of the body.

Whether it is ENT, allergy, adult or teenage acne, a cancer survivor for scar therapy, or a touch of the most advanced permanent cosmetics, Sears-Dawson says she’ll provide the best care.

Creatacor Expands Warehouse Team, Promotes Two SARATOGA COUNTY — Creatacor, Inc., an exhibit design, fabrication and trade show management provider in Clifton Park, recently announced the promotion of two employees and the addition of a new staffer to its growing team.

Nathan Champaign has joined Creatacor as a warehouse technician. In his new role, Champaign is responsible for maintaining computerized records of inventory, reports, inspections and following proper entry procedures to maintain “true time” inventory levels.

Additionally, Creator has proudly promoted Amy Bonville and Andrew Little. Bonville, who joined Creatacor last year, has been promoted from account coordinator to account manager.

Little has been with the production team for more than a year and has been promoted to FSS/ Tour Manager.

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Week of April 3 – April 9, 2015

Personal Preferences Dictate the Planning of a Four-Season Outdoor Living Room Putting together the look, feel and amenities of an open-air, multi-season room in your backyard is more likely to be an overall success when it reflects the interests of family members who will find sought after, personal rewards from their newly-found outdoor experiences. However, creating an outdoor space with up-to-the-minute, family-pleasing features that can bear the test of time will take more than hanging a hammock between two trees, uncovering a portable barbeque grill every spring, wheeling out a metal fire pit from the shed and patching a poured concrete patio that has not survived the changes in season. Thanks to the evolution of manufactured hardscape materials, worries are virtually nonexistent and the pleasures of an outdoor lifestyle are augmented beyond user expectations.

When planning a family vacation away from home, an all-inclusive resort often fits the bill. Choosing this option leaves nothing to chance for the vacationer at their destination.

This holds true when planning an outside living space as well. According to the 2014 Residential Landscape Architecture Trends survey, at the top of homeowners’ backyard wish lists are a paved patio, an outdoor kitchen, a fire pit, a fireplace, a grill, built-in casual seating, ambient lighting, water features and a swimming pool.

Week of April 3 – April 9, 2015

Before you begin, put together a wish list of sorts, and be sure to include the requests of other family members. You may discover some things that you did not consider. For example, outdoor cooking devotees may be interested in replacing that ancient barbecue grill with a grill island or fully-functional, openair kitchen. Models from Cambridge, manufacturers of outdoor living room components made with hardscape materials, come complete with a stainless steel appliance package designed

specifically for outdoor use. Popular season after season are outdoor pizza ovens that allow different members of family to make authentic pizza pies right at home, bake homemade breads and roast vegetables outside. Backyard grillers can also step out of the box by including an all-inone Cambridge Smoker BBQ Grill for the unmistakable smoky flavor that comes from real wood pellet cooking — the inspiration behind many favored regional cuisines.

For those private moments or intimate gatherings, sitting around an outdoor fire may be an ideal setting. There are gas and wood-burning fireplaces, fire pits and fire tables in addition to bistro-style tables, remote-controlled waterfalls

and fountain-based water features in the Cambridge product line that can custom tailor a backyard ambience.

Outdoor parties can come to life around a Cambridge freestanding Bar Module.

An outdoor room can be further defined by tucking certain spots under a pergola or pavilion from a Cambridge pre-packaged kit to provide an airy yet sheltered outdoor area.

Details about these and other outdoor living room components in addition to styles, colors made to last and installation patterns for Cambridge Pavingstones with ArmorTec® and Wallstones can be found in the company’s complimentary, 108-page Outdoor Living Room Guide, which is available at any Authorized Cambridge Distributor.

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About the writer Charles H. Gamarekian is the Chairman/CEO of Cambridge Pavers Inc. He is one of the founders and a current board member of the Interlocking Pavement Institute. Organized in 1993, ICPI is the North American trade association representing the interlocking concrete paver industry and considered by peer associations around the world as the leader in development and dissemination of technical information for design professionals and contractors. Mr. Gamarekian is recognized worldwide as an expert in his field and is a frequent speaker on the proper installation of pavingstones, wallstones and many outdoor living products.

Charles H. Gamarekian, Chairman / CEO Email: cgamarekian@cambridgepavers.com Phone: 201.933.5000 Fax: 201.933.5532

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Week of April 3 – April 9, 2015

Proper Planting

by Peter Bowden For Saratoga TODAY When you work at a garden center that has a guarantee on hardy shrubs and trees, you sadly get to see a lot of dead ones. We always like to look them over to see what went wrong. Over the years, a pattern has become apparent. About 90 percent of the dead shrubs and trees returned failed because they were planted too deeply. You can still see the dirt on the stem way above the crown of the plant.

When the crown of the plant is below the soil and the bark at the base of the tree is covered with dirt, it will eventually die. It might take a year or three, but that

plant will likely be returned to us for replacement.

Let’s go through the process, and I’ll show you the correct way to plant. The same planting method works well for any woody shrub or tree.

Make the planting hole a little bit wider than the root ball. Dig the hole only as deep as the root ball or the pot that contains the roots. The plant will suffocate if you bury the crown — the spot where the stem or trunk enters the soil — below the surface of the soil. The crown of the plant still needs to be visible after planting.

If you find that you’ve dug the hole too deep, add compost or soil to the hole to ensure that crown of the plant is right at the surface of the planting area. Add Bio-Tone to the bottom of the planting hole.

Bio-Tone contains organic nutrients and mycorrhizal fungi and other beneficial soil organisms to make sure the plant gets off to the best start possible.

Next, place the tree into the hole and check again to make sure it’s at the proper planting depth.

The spot where the trunk of the tree meets the soil of its ball or pot

should exactly match the level of the soil around your planting hole.

In other words, the plant’s stem or trunk should NOT be sunk below the level of the surrounding area.

The easiest way to check this is to lay a stick — the handle of your shovel works — across the planting hole and make sure that the top of the root ball is level with the ground. This seems trivial, but it can make all the difference to the plants’ health and survival.

Once you’ve made sure that the plant is at the proper level, fill in the rest of the planting hole.

This is the point where inexperienced gardeners make another mistake. When you dig a hole, then fill it with a large root ball, there’s going to be soil left over. What do we do with it? Many will opt to pile it up around the trunk or stem. I guess it looks cozy, like tucking the plant in.

DON’T DO IT! It has the same negative effect as planting too deeply.

If the stem or trunk above ground is covered with soil, it hinders the plant’s ability to pass moisture and nutrients from the root system to the branches and leaves above.

Use the left over soil to build a dish-shaped dike or berm out

Perfect depth

Too deep

Watering in

away from the stem of the plant.

This will collect water and direct it down to the root system below.

Lastly, water heavily after planting to remove any air pockets from the soil.

You should also take care when applying bark and other mulches not to pile them up

against the stems and trunks of plants. I’m always (sadly) amazed when I see trees with bark mulch piled in a volcano shaped mound around the trunks of trees.

Remember: Roots are roots and stems are stems. Bury the roots but let the stems be free to breathe.

Thanks for the read!

Week of April 3 – April 9, 2015

Property Transactions BALLSTON SPA 17 Independence Trail, $432,436. Briarwood Brooks Development LLC sold property to Jason and Cindy MacDowell.

266 Scotch Bush Rd., $265,000.

Elizabeth Seber sold property to Thomas and Katherine Chiccarelli.

CLIFTON PARK 8 Bridgewater Ct. $454,017.

Tralongo Builders Inc. sold property to Nils, Jr. and Brooke Lundberg.

CORINTH 85 Hamilton Ave. $160,000.

Lewis and Linda Montello sold property to Meghan Allen.

GREENFIELD 541 North End Rd., $353,000.

Catherine Francesa sold property to George and Karen Mercado.

58 Grange Rd., $214,000. Gregory and Rebecca Lockwood sold property to Alexander Gordon.

HALFMOON 8 Glenmeadow Dr., $348,540.

Abele Builders Inc. sold property to Marion Taylor and John Paolucci.

17 Camber Ct., $285,000. Nicholas and Danielle Parrotte sold property to Kristin Kandiel.

McBride Rd., $102,200.

Thomas McBride (as Trustee) and Suzanne DeCelle (as Trustee) sold property to Mechanicville Stillwater Youth Soccer League Inc. 16 Kelly Lane, $309,900. Annas Place of Halfmoon LLC sold property to Chad Tourtellot and Kari Cook.

27 Eagle Lane, $306,000. Jason and Amy Signor sold property to Erik Roberson and Laurie Wilson.

14D Pointe West Dr., $255,150.

Pointe West Town Homes of Halfmoon LLC sold property to Mary Sweeney.

1 Sandy Rocky Way, $36,500.

Raymond Dahoda and Arthur Lussier sold property to Valente Building Group LLC.

102 Sheldon Dr., $83,790. A and M Holdings LLC sold property to Abele Builders Inc. 102 Sheldon Dr., $418,948. Abele Builders Inc. sold property to Terry and Ann Ulion.

7 Sandy Rock Way, $406,735.

Hodorowski Homes LLC sold property to James and Melissa Wood.

61 Inglewood Dr., $292,000.

Bordeau Builders Inc. sold property to John and Barbara Moriarty.

MALTA 31 Thimbleberry Rd., $137,000.

Henry and Marianne Kawecki sold property to Eric Ren. 1049 Raymond Rd., $235,000.

Beverly Korff sold property to Kevin and Janice Hotaling.

22 Meadow Rue Place, $205,000.

James Fauci sold property to Therese and Jarryd Stauch.

MILTON 528 Elk Circle, $165,000. Justin Staucet sold property to Kristina Dreps.

163 Stone Church Rd., $367,000.

Susan Illich Weissner (by Agent) sold property to David Ostrowski and Lynae Maxim.

28 Deer Run Dr., $144,000.

James and Karen Costello sold property to P2W Properties LLC.

MOREAU 2 North Rd., $135,000. Howard Mulcahy sold property to Ralph and Linda Arbuckle.

37 Iris Ave., $220,000. Joseph and Colleen Patterson sold property to Matthew McDonald and Alissa Bevivino.

33 Iris Ave., $177,500. Alissa Bevivino sold property to SHOD LLC. 12 Jacobie Rd., $191,000. Leah Forth sold property to Andrew and Trish Cormier.

9 Castle Rd., $154,000. Barbara Small (by Co Exec) sold property to Denise and Brian Carlson.

154 Fort Edward Rd., $115,000.

Randall Gilley (by Ref) sold property to US Bank Trust NA (as Trustee).

15 Hilton Dr., $185,450.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs sold property to Nicholas Heald and Courtney Brosius.

NORTHUMBERLAND 216 Mott Rd., $70,000. Victor Bruce sold property to Delisle Properties LLC. 9 3rd St. $92,400. Jason Clark (by Ref) sold property to Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

96 Loudon Rd., Paul and Stephanie Lafond sold property to Jeffrey and Media Caron.

SARATOGA Brown Rd., $162,500. Saratoga Development LLC sold property to Edward and Adrianne Apicella.

Brown Rd., $185,000. Saratoga Development LLC sold property to Edward and Adrianne Apicella.

SARATOGA SPRINGS 9 American Way, $590,000.

David and Deborah James sold property to Meghan ConnollyHaupt and Gordon Haupt.

4 Cliffside Dr., $450,000.

Howard and Frances Zuckerman sold property to Sajed Chowdhury and Anjuma Farheen-Chowdhury.

23 Sherwood Trail, $375,000.

Ronald and Palma Pedrick sold property to Aaron and Sheila Cowieson.

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25 Cliffside Dr., $850,000. Jay and Jayu Malde sold property to Tina Mepani.

STILLWATER 37 Colonial Rd., $190,000.

Ella Giller sold property to Craig Johnson.

2 Gurba Dr., $258,000. Christopher and Tammy Smith sold property to Douglas and Cheryl Shaw.

12 Lakepointe Way, $328,716.

Mason Street LLC sold property to Michael and Danielle Sawner.

WILTON 32 Moonglow Rd., $315,000.

Michael and Phyllis Whittam sold property to Christopher and Kate Wahl.

60 Smith Bridge Rd., $300,000.

Marin Alson (as Surviving Co Trustee) sold property to Smith Bridge LLC.

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Week of April 3 – April 9, 2015

Get Set for A Taste of Ballston Spa! BALLSTON SPA — The Ballston Spa Education Foundation (BSEF) will hold its annual fundraiser, “A Taste of Ballston Spa” on Monday, Apr. 20 from 6-8 pm at the HVCC TEC Smart Campus, 345 Hermes Road in Malta. Guests will be able to sample offerings from some of the area’s most popular restaurants and food vendors, including Sunset Cafe, Ripe Tomato, Augie’s, Fifty South, Alaturco, Local 388 Burger Bar and others. A cash bar, with wine and beer provided by Fifty South, will also be available. There will be a raffle for gift baskets and other prizes from Lake George Steamboat Company, Willard Mountain, Howe Caverns and more.

The BSEF’s signature event raises money for educational enrichment for all students in the Ballston Spa School District. Since its inception in 1996, the foundation has awarded over $320,000 in grants for programs, projects, technology and classroom equipment, which enhances the learning experiences of students in grades K-12. Displays from past grants’ recipients will be on exhibit at the event, including the Ballston Spa district’s highly successful robotics team.

Early-bird tickets for $25 per adult are available for sale now at bspaedfoundation. com. Tickets will also be sold at the door for $30 per person. Ticket price for students is $10.

Quick and Easy Entertaining with Frittatas Saturdays, 9 to 1 Lincoln Baths, 65 So. Broadway Saratoga Spa State Park

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Happen to be entertaining soon, or simply looking for something warm and have zero time to make anything elaborate? We’ve all been there.

Enter the frittata.

What is a frittata? It’s an Italian specialty that resembles a baked omelet. Fast and healthy, frittatas are perfect for an easy weekend brunch or a quick weeknight meal.

The best part, you can use whatever veggies, herbs and cheese you

picked up at the Farmers’ Market or happen to have on hand to make one! Half the fun of making frittatas is coming up with new and exciting flavor combinations. Don’t be afraid to be creative!

Traditionally there is a greater ratio of filling to egg in a frittata.

The fillings, which range from vegetables like the mushrooms, asparagus and leeks used in this recipe, to meats like bacon, sausage or ham, are sautéed on the stove in a skillet before being mixed up with the eggs and goat cheese. To set the center, I popped the skillet under the broiler for less than 5 minutes. Make sure to keep a very watchful eye when broiling so the eggs don’t become overcooked or burn!

This week’s recipe is a hearty, satisfying frittata that can be served hot, warm or at room temperature. Depending on the time of day, you could beautifully pair this frittata with a sweet decadent breakfast treat, a side of fresh fruit and a mimosa, or possibly a light green salad tossed with olive oil and lemon juice, and a glass of wine.

To make things even easier, almost every ingredient (including the wine to pair it with!) can be found Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market.

Whatever the occasion may be, frittatas are delicious, simple to make and look elegant on any table. I hope you’ll try this recipe and they’ll become a staple in your household too.

Mushroom, Asparagus and Leek Frittata with Bacon PREP TIME 5 min | SERVES 3–4 | COOKING TIME 12–15 min

Ingredients 4 large eggs* 4 egg whites* 2 tbsp milk* 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter* 1 cup shiitake mushrooms, sliced* 1 cup asparagus, chopped into bite size pieces* 1 cup leeks, (just the white part) halved and chopped* 1 cup bacon, cooked and chopped* 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves* 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley leaves, reserving half for garnish* 1/2 cup chèvre, (or another soft cheese) crumbled into tiny pieces* *Available at the market

Directions Preheat the broiler and place the top rack 4 to 5 inches from the broiler element.

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, egg whites, milk, 1/4 teaspoon of the salt, and pinch of pepper until the egg mixture is frothy. Set aside.

On the stovetop, melt butter over medium-high heat in a wellseasoned 9-inch cast iron skillet.

Add the vegetables and sauté until they start to soften, about 3 to 4 minutes.

Add in the bacon, thyme, half of the parsley, 1/4 teaspoon of the salt, and pinch of pepper and cook, stirring 1 more minute.

Pour the egg mixture over the vegetables and stir to evenly spread vegetables around.

Let it cook, about 3 to 4 minutes, periodically lifting with a spatula to let the eggs flow underneath until the edges set but the middle is still loose.

Remove skillet from heat and sprinkle the cheese evenly over the top.

Place skillet under the broiler until the eggs are slightly puffed and the cheese begins to bubble and brown, 3 to 4 minutes. (Watch carefully to prevent overcooking!)

Remove from the oven and carefully slide the frittata out onto a serving platter or cutting board. Garnish with the remaining parsley.

Slice and serve.

Photo by Kristy McCabe

Week of April 3 – April 9, 2015

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A little Sauté can go a long way!

by John Reardon for Saratoga TODAY Hello My Foodie Friends!

Both my wife and I grew up in Italian homes where the house always smelled delicious - especially when mom was making a sauce and meatballs. Ahhh, I can still smell and taste the wonder of their sauces and the incredible meatballs. I can also remember helping my grandmother carry her large cast iron sauté pan that she would later fill with meatballs. Of course, I would do anything to sneak one of these meatballs once they were done!

The sauté pan is among the most used pans in the kitchen.

These wide, flat-bottomed pans have high L-shaped sides and are ideal for deep or shallow frying such as fried chicken, braising, sautéing meatballs or making Mexican rice. It is the perfect pot for one-pot meals.

Sautéing is a form of dry-cook heating that uses a very hot pan and a small amount of fat to cook the food very quickly. Like other dry-heat cooking methods, sautéing browns the food’s surface as it cooks and develops complex flavors and aromas.

Sautéing Requires a Very Hot Pan. When sautéing, it’s important to heat the pan for a minute, then add a small amount of fat and let the fat get hot as well, before adding the food to the pan. This hot fat helps to brown the surface of the food.

Don’t Overcrowd the Pan. Another key is to avoid overloading or overcrowding the pan. In order to achieve the desired browning of the food, the pan must stay hot throughout the cooking process. Too much food in the pan dissipates the heat, causing the food to steam or boil rather than sauté.

Keep the Food Moving.

There’s another element to sautéing — the toss. The word sauté actually means “jump” in French. Tossing or flipping the food in the pan ensures that it cooks evenly, but it also helps keep the pan hot. Sauté pans options include; cast iron, enamel cast iron, and layer bonded stainless steel cookware. One of our favorites is the All Clad Tri Ply Sauté pan with lid.

The All Clad Tri Ply Sauté pan with lid is a natural choice for making convenient one-pot meals; this versatile piece from All-Clad’s original three-layer bonded stainless steel cookware line combines the attributes of a sauté pan and a saucier. A new capacity engraving on the base makes for quick identification, and an improved ergonomic handle ensures comfort.

So my friends remember – “That’s a Spicy Meatball!” And “Life happens in the Kitchen!”

Take Care, John and Paula, Compliments to the Chef, 46 Marion Avenue, Saratoga Springs

Here are some of the All Clad Tri Ply Sauté Pan’s features: — Bonded-metal construction ensures fast, even heating.

— Stainless-steel cooking surface with starburst finish provides superior stick resistance and won’t react with foods.

— Ideal for use on any cook top, including induction.

— All-in-one pan combines wide base for searing and sautéing ingredients over high heat and sloped rounded sides to contain liquids and facilitate stirring when you’re simmering stews, whisking sauces or browning meats.

— Lid locks in moisture and heat after browning to finish cooking ingredients, either on the stovetop or in the oven, ideal for preparing one-pan meals.

— Ergonomic, riveted stainlesssteel handle stays cool on the cook top.

— Pan size etched on base.

— Tri-ply construction sandwiches a heat-responsive aluminum core between an easy-care stainless-steel interior and exterior.

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Week of April 3 – April 9, 2015

Week of April 3 – April 9, 2015

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Week of April 3 – April 9, 2015

calendar

Week of April 3 – April 9, 2015 Skidmore Dance Students’ Senior Capstone Concert

Family Friendly Event

Friday, April 3 Good Friday Fish Dinner Saratoga Wilton Elks, 1 Elks Lane, Saratoga Springs, 4:30 – 7 p.m.

New England clam chowder, your choice of broiled or fried fish, oven roasted potatoes, baked macaroni and cheese, green beans, coleslaw, rolls and butter, dessert, coffee and tea. Donation Requested: $10 Adults, $9 Seniors (62 yrs) & Military (Active or Retired) with ID Card, $6 Children 5-12 Children Under 5 Free, $10 All take-outs. Cash Bar Available. For more information call (518) 584-2585.

Fish Fry Fridays Fish Creek Rod and Gun Club, Route 32 south of the village of Victory, 4:30 – 7 p.m.

Look for our sign. This is the last fry. Menu: Fried Fish-$8.50, or Fried Clams- $8.50, or Fried Chicken Tenders-$8.50, also available will be Clam Chowder at $6 a quart. You are invited to eat in at our club house or to call ahead for Take Out (518) 695-3917.

Everyone will be welcome.

The Capital Region Guitar Show Knights of Columbus Hall, 50 Pine Rd., Saratoga Springs, 5 – 9 p.m.

Dealers from the Northeast will be on hand to buy, sell, trade, and appraise your musical equipment. No matter what level of playing or interest you have, the Capital Region Guitar Show is sure to please the eyes, ears, and fingers! The public is encouraged to bring along a guitar or amplifier to receive a discount of $2.00 off of the $7.00 admission charge. Discount is also honored when you bring in at least two cans of food for local food bank. Kids 10 & under are free with the folks. For more information call (518) 581-1603.

Skidmore College Dance Theater, 8 p.m.

Selected dance majors present their original choreography, performed

by Skidmore student dancers.

Additional performances on Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. For information call (518) 580-5392.

Saturday, April 4 Code Blue Annual 8K Run High Rock Ave., Saratoga Springs, 8 a.m.

The Annual Code Blue 8K is a fundraiser for the Saratoga Springs Code Blue Emergency Shelter. The Shelter serves homeless people in Saratoga Springs who might otherwise remain unsheltered during periods of extreme winter weather. The 8K course starts on High Rock Avenue and rolls through the charming neighborhood streets of the East Side with an out-and-back on the beautifully designed “Spring Trail.”

The course is front-loaded with a few challenging hills, then it levels off with more than 5K remaining, making it flat and fast. Because the event falls on the Saturday of Easter weekend, something unique will be provided for all ages, including a silent auction, Easter egg hunt, face painting, and more. There is a $2,000 cash award for the fastest time under 22:30.

Defensive Driving Class First Baptist Church, 45 Washington St., Saratoga Springs, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

New York State approved. Save 10% on your base auto insurance for the next three years and receive up to 4 points off your driving record according to New York State Department of Motor Vehicle guidelines. Class size is limited.

Fee $35.00. Bring a friend and fee is $30.00 each. A portion of the fee goes to First Baptist Church.

Registration required and can be made by calling Ray Frankoski at (518) 286-3788.

Egg-Stravaganza High Rock Park, Saratoga Springs, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Join Taylor’s Heroes and The City of Saratoga Springs for the first ever “Egg-Stravaganza” featuring special guest Mayor Joanne Yepsen and an appearance by The Easter Bunny.

Bring your friends and family to High Rock Park to enjoy an Easter

Egg Hunt, family fun, and raffles.

Suggested donations of $5 for children under 5 years old and $7 for ages 5+ that will benefit Taylor’s Heroes. For more information visit www.TaylorsHeroes.org.

Sunday, April 5 Breakfast Buffet Saratoga-Wilton Elks, 1 Elks Lane, Rt. 9, Saratoga Springs, 8:30 – 11 a.m.

Fruit cocktail, French toast, pancakes, potatoes, breakfast sausage and ham, corned beef hash, scrambled eggs, eggs benedict, juice, coffee and tea. Donation Requested: Adults $8, Seniors and Military (Active/Retired with ID Card) $7, Children 5—12 $6, Under 5 Free, Take-outs $8. Call (518) 584-2585 for more information.

Monday, April 6 Saratoga Springs Retired Teachers Association Meeting Longfellows Restaurant, 500 Union Avenue (Route 9P), Saratoga Springs, Noon Membership is open to retired educators who taught in or now live in Saratoga County. For membership information, call (518) 587-5356.

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 234 Meeting American Legion Post 234, 23 Pleasant St., Ballston Spa, 7 p.m.

Tuesday, April 7 Reconnecting Children with Nature/Craft Saratoga Springs Public Library, Susman Room, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

For children ages 3-9 and their parents or caregivers. Meet in the Crawshaw Story Room and then walk as a group to Congress Park to collect sticks and other nature items to make a twig vase. Interns from the Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park will be on hand to answer any nature-related questions and assist with the project. Please bring a small jar for each child. Register in The Children’s Room or by calling (518) 584-7860, ext. 305.

Wednesday, April 8 Film: La Yuma Emerson Auditorium of Palamountain Hall, Skidmore campus, 7 – 9 p.m.

The film tells the story of a young

woman who dreams of transcending her bleak life in the slums of Managua, Nicaragua, by becoming a boxer. Looking beyond the meager possibilities that are available to her, and ignoring the advice of her gangmember friends, she finds solace and hope in her training and falls in love with a middle-class journalism student. This is the third in a series of 4 films. The film series is sponsored

by Skidmore’s Latin American Studies Program; the college’s the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures; the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Sports of Spain; and Pragda Spanish Film Club.

Middle East Movie Screening: “The Fading Valley, West Bank, 2013” Davis Auditorium, Skidmore College, 6 p.m.

The film bears witness to the lives of Palestinian farmers who are hidden from the eye in the fertile Jordan Valley. For more information call (518) 580-5948.

Thursday, April 9 Interfaith Prayer Meeting Longefellows Restaurant Courtyard, 500 Union Ave., Saratoga Springs, 7:30 – 8:30 a.m.

Sign-in and continental breakfast begins at 7:15. There are no charges or donations. All are welcome. For more information call (518) 450-1615.

Brown Bag Lunch Series: Spuyten Duyvil Saratoga Springs Public Library, Noon – 1 p.m.

Remembering the Spuyten Duyvil; a Famous Saratoga Watering Spot.

Author, playwright and director, IONE (aka Carole Ione), is the granddaughter of Virginia Wheeler and daughter of Leighla Frances Ford who ran the famous Spuyten Duyvil Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge for four decades beginning in the mid-1940s. The restaurant and garden, with its prime location beside the Fasig Tipton Sales Paddock, became one of the most sought after places in town to be seen. IONE will discuss and read selections from two works, her critically acclaimed memoir, “Pride of Family: Four Generations of American Women of Color,” and “Pride’s Daughter,” the forthcoming sequel. She will also read selections from Mrs. Ford’s memoir, “The Pretty Way Home.” For more information call (518) 587-3241.

Local Town Websites Town of Ballston: Ballston Town Hall 323 Charlton Road (518) 885-8502 www.townofballstonny.org Village of Ballston Spa: 66 Front Street (518) 885-5711 www.ballstonspany.org Town of Greenfield: 7 Wilton Road (518) 893-7432 www.townofgreenfield.com Town of Malta: 2540 Route 9 (518) 899-2818 www.malta-town.org Town of Milton: 503 Geyser Road (518) 885-9220 www.townofmiltonny.org City of Saratoga Springs: 474 Broadway (518) 587-3550 www.saratoga-springs.org Town of Saratoga: 12 Spring Street, Schuylerville (518) 695-3644 www.townofsaratoga.com Village of Schuylerville: 35 Spring Street (518) 695-3881 www.villageofschuylerville.org Town of Stillwater: 881 N. Hudson Avenue Stillwater, NY 12170 (518) 664-6148 www.stillwaterny.org Town of Wilton: 22 Traver Road (518) 587-1939 www.townofwilton.com Saratoga County Board of Supervisors: 40 McMaster St, #1 Ballston Spa, NY 12020 (518) 885-2240 www.saratogacountyny.gov

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

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LOCAL BRIEFS

$3 Bag Sale Second Hand Rose Thrift Shop, 116 Broad St., Schuylerville will have a $3.00 Bag Sale, with some exceptions during the next two weeks. On sale now are Easter Items, Picture Frames and various glasses. Come in and see what the Thrift Shop has to offer.

Volunteers are always needed and gratefully appreciated.

Please apply at the shop. For further information, please call the Second Hand Rose Thrift Shop at (518) 695-4640.

Skidmore College Theater: Blood Wedding

by Federico Garcia Lorca Directed by Carolyn Anderson and Will Bond. All shows are at 8 p.m. except Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. in the Bernhardt Theater, main stage, April 10 – 12. Tickets are $12 general admission, $8 students and senior citizens. For more information call (518)-580-5439.

Special Performance of Sleeping Beauty Skidmore dancers and the Skidmore College Orchestra perform Sleeping Beauty on April 10 - 12, staged by faculty members Denise Warner Limoli with Anthony Holland, conductor. Friday and Saturday performances are at 8 p.m., and Sunday at 3 p.m. in the Arthur Zankel Music Center, Ladd Concert Hall Tickets are $10 general admission, $7 senior citizens. For ticket information call 518-580-5321 or go to www.skidmore.edu/Zankel.

Milton Grange’s Annual Garage Sale Spring Cleaning? Donations are needed. Donations of used household items (excluding clothing and electronics) are needed for the Milton Grange’s annual garage sale on April 11th.

Proceeds from the garage sale are used to support programs in the

community including the ECHO Food Pantry and vegetable plants for Head Start students. Please call Sam at 885-6606 to make donation arrangements.

The Milton Grange is part of the National Grange which is the nation’s oldest national agricultural organization providing service to agriculture and rural areas on a wide variety of issues, including economic development, education, family endeavors, and legislation designed to assure a strong and viable Rural America.

Internet Security and Online Banking: How Seniors Can Use the Internet Safely Wednesday, April 15, 2015, 6 to 7:15 p.m. in the Activities Room, Woodlawn Commons – The Wesley Community, 156 Lawrence Street, Saratoga Springs. Join Jeff Cohn, Principal of SAGE Computer Associates and Jodi Carner, Manager of Webwise Online Banking from The Adirondack Trust Company, for tips and strategies for seniors on how to safely use the internet, including online banking.

Topics covered will include how to stay safe while using the internet for shopping, learning and communication. In addition, the presentation will include an overview of online banking, how it can benefit your financial management, and how to keep your data safe and secure when banking online. This informational seminar is free and is hosted

by The Wesley Foundation.

Refreshments will be provided.

To register, please call 518-6911420 or email foundation@ thewesleycommunity.org by April 14, 2015.

Film: Chico y Rita This animated film tells a love story and features the music, culture, and people of Cuba.

Chico is a dashing piano player and Rita is an enchanting and beautiful Havana nightclub singer. When they meet, the sparks fly and they fall madly in love. An epic romance unfolds as the pair travels the glamorous stages of 1940s and ’50s in

Havana, New York City, Las Vegas, Hollywood, and Paris.

The film’s soundtrack features the works jazz legends performed by contemporary singers. This film on April 15 is the last in a series of four films. The film series is sponsored by Skidmore’s Latin American Studies Program; the college’s the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures; the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Sports of Spain; and Pragda Spanish Film Club. It will be shown at the Emerson Auditorium of Palamountain Hall, Skidmore campus, 7 – 9 p.m.

Benefit Dinner The Saratoga Knights of Columbus, along with The Catholic Daughters, will host a benefit dinner to support Books for Troops on Thursday, April 16 at the Knights’ Hall at 50 Pine Road. The menu will be smoked ham, sweet potato casserole, mixed vegetables, and homemade desserts.

Dinner will be served from 5 - 8 p.m. Cost $10 adults, $9 seniors. Come support our troops keeping us safe.

Pop-Up Common Roots Art Show Highly acclaimed Sculptor Bryce LeVan Cushing, in partnership with Common Roots Brewery and SUNY Adirondack, presents an elegant evening: Pop-Up Common Roots, A Fine Art and Entertainment Salon at the Common Roots Brewery in South Glens Falls, Thursday April 16, 2015 from 5-10 p.m. Common Roots is an exciting new business in South Glens Falls with an excellent product, and it has been a valuable experience for the students to work with the brewery. Pop-Up Common Roots is a grass roots fine art show featuring the work of Tim Reed, of Reed’s gallery in downtown Glens Falls and photographer Philip Casabona, of the LARAC Gallery. Sculptor Bryce LeVan Cushing will also be showing his latest work. The SUNY Adirondack Music Department will be providing entertainment for our guests.

Please join us for an elegant evening of fine art at a beautiful new South Glens Falls brewery.

For more information Contact:

Week of April 3 – April 9, 2015 brycelevancushing@gmail.com or call Bryce at (518) 812-9362.

Lasagna Dinner

Silent Auction and Raffles all to benefit this NO KILL animal shelter located in Saratoga County.

The 4th Annual Autism Informational Fair

The Old Saratoga Reformed Church will be hosting a Lasagna Dinner at 48 Pearl St., Schuylerville, on April 18, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. The menu will feature lasagna (meat or vegetarian) or baked ziti, tossed salad, Italian bread, choice of desserts and beverages. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children 5-10. Children under 5 free.

Reservations are preferred, but walk-ins are welcome. Please call (518) 695-6638. Take-outs available. For more information call (518) 695-3479.

Exhibitors from Camps, recreational programs, school programs: Pre-K through College, Bounce House, Arts and Crafts, Technological Apps for Autism and Therapeutic Programs will be at the Saratoga Springs City Center, 522 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, from noon – 3 p.m. on April 19, 2015. This event is presented by The Law Offices of Wilcenski & Pleat, LLC. For more information or to become an exhibitor contact jmarks@saratogabridges.org.

Saratoga Mom Prom

A Taste of Ballston Spa

Mom Prom Saratoga has chosen Camp Abilities Saratoga as the beneficiary this year of their 3rd annual Mom Prom which will be held at the Saratoga Holiday Inn on April 18 from 7 to 11 p.m.

Cost is $55 per person. Mom Prom Saratoga is a Ladies Night Out where women age 21 and over wear prom gowns (new or old!), bridesmaid dresses or the tackiest dress found in a thrift shop and join others for a night of dancing, lite fare, cash bar, raffle baskets, silent auction, tarot card readings, Saratoga Photo Booth, humorous prom traditions and great company.

Mom Prom has room for 300 women, but there are only about 120 tickets still available, so act soon. The night is for Ladies only, but you don’t have to be a Mom to join in the fun. This event sold out last year, and is sure to sell out again. Get your tickets now by going to the Mom Prom website www.saratogamomprom.com.

The Ballston Spa Education Foundation (BSEF) will hold its annual fundraiser, “A Taste of Ballston Spa” on Monday, April 20 from 6-8 p.m. at the HVCC TEC Smart Campus, 345 Hermes Road in Malta. Guests will be able to sample delicious offerings from some of the area’s most popular restaurants and food vendors, including Sunset Cafe, Ripe Tomato, Augie’s, Fifty South, Alaturco, Local 388 Burger Bar, to name a few. A cash bar, with wine and beer, provided by Fifty South, will be available. There will be a raffle for gift baskets and other great prizes from Lake George Steamship Company, Willard Mountain, Howe Caverns and more. The BSEF’s signature event raises money for educational enrichment for all students in the Ballston Spa School District.

Early-bird tickets for $25 per person are available for sale at www.bspaedfoundation.com.

Tickets will also be sold at the door for $30 per person. Ticket price for students is $10.

Estherville Shelter Spring Luncheon The luncheon will be held on Satruday, April 18, from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m at the Van Patten Golf Club Vista. 924 Main St., Clifton Park. Price is $35 per person for Buffet that includes beef tips, cracker crusted scrod, chicken, fresh vegetables, salads, desserts, beverages. Reservations must be made by April 5 with checks payable to Estherville, mail to Barb Kerker, 1556 Division St., Charlton NY 12010

Havurah Vatik April Event All Saratoga seniors 55 plus are welcome to attend Tales from the Twentieth Century: Modern Jewish Stories. The event will be held at Congregation Shaara Tfille on Tuesday, April 21 at 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. come hear Storyteller Kate Dudding share true stories about both famous and little-known Jewish

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

LOCAL BRIEFS

Week of April 3 – April 9, 2015 characters such as the Gershwin brothers, Irving Berlin, Rodgers and Hammerstein, as well as people you’ve never heard of, but will (now) never forget.

A catered lunch follows the program. Contact Temple Sinai at (518) 584-8730 (mailbox 4) or email havurahvatik@hotmail. com by April 16th if you are planning to attend, need to cancel your reservation, or if you need transportation. Keep Havurah Vitik alive and well, bring along a friend to enjoy this program.

Fall Consignment Sale Kids’ fall & winter clothes, toys and more! Katrina Trask School will host its annual Spring Consignment Sale April 24th and 25th at the American Legion in Saratoga Springs.

Items for sale include Children’s Spring/Summer clothing (sizes infant to size 10), Kids’ gear (car seats, strollers, high chairs, etc.), Furniture (cribs, toddler beds, changing tables, etc.), Kids sports equipment, Tricycles/Bikes and small play equipment, Toys, Puzzles and Games, Kids’ Books and DVDs, and Maternity and nursing wear.

The American Legion is located at 34 West Avenue in Saratoga Springs. There is a Pre-sale on Friday, April 24th from 12-3pm, and Pre-Sale Passes are available at the door for $10 each. The Public Sale takes place Friday from 3-8pm. Saturday’s Halfprice Sale is from 9am-1pm, and is open to the public. Proceeds will benefit Katrina Trask Cooperative Nursery School, a non- profit organization.

Tree and Shrub Program Order forms and information are now available for the Saratoga County Soil and Water Conservation District annual Tree and Shrub program. This year small fruit species are available, evergreens, deciduous tree and shrub species, compost, mulch, fertilizer tablets and wildflower seed mixes can be ordered. To obtain information, order forms and place an order by telephone call (518) 885-6900 or stop by the SWCD office at 50 West High Street, Ballston Spa, NY 12020 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; email treeandshrub@gmail. com or contact us by mail. You can also pick up a green booklet

with order forms at Stewart’s Shops. www.saratogacountyny. gov or www.facebook.com/ saratogacountysoilandwater.

All pre-orders are due by April 6th. Distribution days are Friday, April 24, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturday, April 25, 8 a.m. – noon at the 4H Training Center, 556 Middle Line Rd., Ballston Spa. You do not have to be a Saratoga County resident to participate.

Volunteers needed for annual TREE TOGA effort - April 25 Sustainable Saratoga seeks both tree planters and tree hosts for this spring’s annual Tree Toga planting effort, scheduled for Saturday, April 25. Volunteer to HOST a street tree at your home. Volunteer as a TREE PLANTER. Help grow a legacy that will benefit our great city for decades to come. To sign up, fill out the volunteer form at http:// www.sustainablesaratoga.org/ treetoga2015-signup/ If you have questions, email us at trees@sustainablesaratoga.org.

Saratoga Reads Capstone Event Looking ahead to May, it’s time to mark your calendar for the Saratoga Reads capstone event of the year on Saturday, May 2, at the Saratoga Springs Public Library. The daylong program for young readers, beginning at 11 a.m., will offer hands-on art activities, educational programs, and a visit by noted writer Cynthia Leitich Smith, author of three of this year’s Saratoga Reads junior books. Smith will share highlights of her life as a writer and describe “the stories behind the stories.”

For more information visit SaratogaReads.org.

Treasure or Trash? Spring Antique Appraisal Show Join us at the Malta Community Center for a fun and informative event featuring Mark Lawson of Mark Lawson Antiques and sponsor of Antiques Road Show as he educates us on the world of antiques and performs appraisals. This special event will take place on Saturday, May 9, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Bring an item or come and watch. Registration is required

by April 18th. Don’t wait as space is limited to 40 items. Please call (518) 899-4411 for more information or register on our website at www.maltaparksrec.com.

Induction Ceremony The Ballston Spa Athletics Hall of Fame Committee will hold its 2015 induction ceremony on Saturday, May 9, 2015 from 3-5 p.m. at the Ballston Spa High School auditorium, 220 Ballston Avenue. A reception will follow at the school. The BSAHF recognizes Ballston Spa alumni who have achieved outstanding accomplishments in the field of athletics. For more information please visit our website at ballstonspaathleticshalloffame.com.

Getting Your Affairs in Order: Estate Planning Basics Tuesday, May 12, 2015, 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Activities Room, Woodlawn Commons – The Wesley Community, 156 Lawrence Street, Saratoga Springs. Join Attorney Tara Anne Pleat, of the law firm Wilcenski & Pleat PLLC, for a program that will focus on the various issues that arise and documents that individuals and families should consider when taking steps to get their affairs in order. Specifically, the discussion will include Advance Directives, Durable Powers of Attorney, Wills/Revocable Living Trusts, the probate process, long term care planning and Irrevocable Trusts, as well as planning for a beneficiary that has a disability. The goal is to provide attendees with an education about common issues in estate and long term care planning by focusing on the decisions and documents that are often encountered. This informational seminar is free and is hosted

by The Wesley Foundation.

Refreshments will be provided.

To register, please call 518-6911420 or email foundationthewesleycommunity.org

by May 11, 2015.

a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Clifton ParkHalfmoon Library, 475 Moe Rd., Clifton Park, NY The Faire is hosted by Heritage Hunters, a genealogy and local history organization.

Free admission.

For more information call (518) 587-2978. This is a family event with activities for children.

Saratoga Springs High School Class of 1975 Announces 40th Reunion “Hawaiian Disco” Bash being held at the Wilton Elks Club 161 in Wilton, NY on Sat., June 27, 2015 at 4pm. For further info on tickets, contact Robin Carnevale Schwedt at 518-5840165, or Sandy Daigler or Peggy Ponton via the class email of sshs_1975@yahoo.com, website of saratogahigh75.com and class Facebook page.

Camp Saradac Increases Ages this Summer The Saratoga Springs Recreation Department will again be hosting Camp Saradac this summer. New this year is the inclusion of 13-15 year old campers. Camp Saradac Dates are June 29 ­August 14 (no camp July 3rd). Camp will be in session Mon-Fri from 9am to 4:30pm. Camp will again be offering exciting weekly field

35

trips, creative recreational and educational programs, arts & crafts, weekly swimming and themed weeks. Registration begins March 2nd for Saratoga Springs city residents and March 16th for all others.

Immunization records must be submitted with application in order to register. Sign up at the Saratoga Springs Recreation Center at 15 Vanderbilt Ave., Monday ­Saturday from 9am7pm or Sunday from 12-5pm or visit www.SaratogaRec. com. Questions? Contact us (518) 587-3550 x2300 or email recreservations@saratoga-springs.org.

Veteran Volunteers The Saratoga National Cemetery Honor Guard Association provides military burial ceremonies for all branches of service at the Saratoga National Cemetery. We are always looking for veterans to join us, no matter what branch you served in (male or female) you must have been honorably discharged. You can choose which day of the week (Monday-Friday ) that you want to be there. For information go to our web site www.snchga.com or contact Mark Brockway at brockway18@hvwisp.net , phone (518) 260-9933 or contact the Cemetery Administration Office 200 Duell Road, Schuylerville, NY 12871, Phone (518)-581-9128.

History Faire Many historical societies, museums and groups will be at the 4th annual History Faire, Saturday, May 16, 2015 at 10

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

36

Week of April 3 – April 9, 2015

Children’s Museum 25th Birthday Bash

Photos By Francesco D’Amico

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The banquet room at Saratoga National was completely filled on Friday, Mar. 27 as the Saratoga Springs Children’s Museum celebrated a quarter century of service to the community. Long-time benefactors Gary Dake of Stewart’s Shops and Charles V. Wait of The Adirondack Trust Company were honored for their generosity to the Museum. The band Fresh provided the soundtrack for the evening.

While there was plenty to celebrate, this 25-year old is certainly not resting on its laurels.

To great fanfare, the evening’s big announcement was the launching of a new $500,000 Capital Campaign to expand the Museum’s building on Caroline Street, including a planned new entrance and many new exhibits, including race horse stables, interactive science and others.

Jane Wait and honoree Charles V. Wait

William and Michelle Smith, Jim Verderosa, Kathy Hurley, Donna and Michael Cooke

Sarah Parker Ward announces the new Capital Campaign as Dave Martin reveals an artist’s conception of the expanded Children’s Museum

Bill and Susan Dake

Honoree Gary Dake, Aimee Taylor, Sonny Bonacio

Ron and Michele Riggi, Michael and Linda Toohey

Vince and Patty Riggi

Stacy Bold, Christine Dixon

Jude and Colleen Pierre

Sarah and Chris Ward, Margaret and Chris Noel

Mark Howorth, Samantha Bosshart

Charles Wait, Jr. and Mayor Joanne Yepsen

Johanna and Bob Lippman

37 PULSE Arts Center Gallery Opens New Exhibition Week of April 3 – April 9, 2015

Sculptor, Printmaker Combine in ‘Figure Sense’ SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Arts Center Gallery, 320 Broadway, Saratoga Springs will open a new exhibit, called ‘Figure Sense,’ which brings together two artists – printmaker Harold Lohner and sculptor Gyula Varosy – whose works portray a correlation between the human form and psyche.

The public is invited to an artist discussion at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Apr. 4, followed by a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. with refreshments provided by Druthers Brewing. The exhibit will remain on display through May 30.

Harold Lohner’s monoprints represent the psychology and spirituality of men. Lohner does not make editions of his prints, preferring to work through variations on a theme in series, in artist’s books, or in multiple-print installations.

In Gyula Varosy’s sculptures, the human figure is a central and ever present reference in each piece. It can take on many forms and shapes, which can embody hardship, suffering, loss, Fragments by Gyula Varosy perseverance and triumph.

The Look in His Eyes by Harold Lohner

The Night Yes And There Is the Night by Gyula Varosy

Skidmore Lecture to Recognize Former President David Porter

Vassiliki Panoussi

SARATOGA SPRINGS — A noted scholar of classics literature will visit Skidmore College to deliver the inaugural David H. Porter Classical World Lecture on Tuesday, April 7.

Vassiliki Panoussi of the College of William and Mary will lecture on “Isis at a Roman Wedding: Gender and Ethnicity in Ovid’s Metamorphoses” at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Apr. 7, in Gannett Auditorium, Palamountain Hall.

The public is welcome.

According to her web site, Panoussi’s research focuses on Latin literature of the late Republic and early Empire, and on Vergil in particular. She is also interested in the study of women and gender in antiquity and in Greco-Roman religion.

She has taught a range of courses on

David Porter Photo by Gary Gold

Greek and Roman literature and culture and all levels of Greek and Latin.

She is the most recent scholar to participate in Skidmore’s classics lecture tradition. For nearly two decades the college’s Classics Department has hosted the annual Classical World lecture, which has featured some of the field’s luminaries during the spring semester, when the department also offers the Classical World gateway course.

In honor of his tremendous contributions to the college as former president, to the department as emeritus professor, and to his continuing work in the discipline, Skidmore’s Classics Department this year renamed the annual departmental lecture to the David H. Porter Classical World Lecture.

That’s Incredible by Harold Lohner

PULSE

38

Week of April 3 – April 9, 2015

Fourth Annual Night at the Brewseum

Photos By Francesco D’Amico

SARATOGA SPRINGS — A gathering estimated at over 800 festive people descended upon the New York State Military Museum on Friday, Mar. 27. Attendees got to sample a wide array of beer, wine, food, soft beverages and coffee from over two-dozen regional vendors, and participate in chances to win a variety of raffle items.

Proceeds from The Night at the Brewseum, now in its fourth year, go to support local sight, hearing, diabetes and youth programs supported by the Saratoga Springs Lions Club, as well as the Friends of the NYS Military Museum.

PULSE

Week of April 3 – April 9, 2015

39

Spotlight: Robert Randolph & The Family Band

by Arthur Gonick Saratoga TODAY SARATOGA SPRINGS — In what has to be regarded as a major coup by any standard of measurement, Putnam Den (63A Putnam Street, Saratoga Springs) will welcome the internationally acclaimed Robert Randolph & The Family Band on Friday, Apr. 3. Their credentials are so prodigious that one risks overselling how big a deal this is. So let’s list a few highlights: — Randolph is a master of the pedal steel guitar. He was named by Rolling Stone Magazine as one of “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.”

— He and his band have collaborated on both stage and in studio with guitar luminaries such as Eric Clapton and Carlos Santana. Not enough? Try also John Mayer, Derek Trucks, Susan Tedeschi and Stanley Jordan.

— The band has “brought the party” playing virtually every major festival from Bonnaroo to New Orleans’ Jazz and Heritage Festival to Jam Cruises, touring relentlessly upwards of 280 days a year since bursting onto the music scene with their first release, Live at the Wetlands, in 2002. Next month, they leave for another tour of the UK and Scandinavia — The music itself is a unique, original blend of funk, blues, rock and soul – along with a unique ingredient in the mix known as “sacred steel” — a musical style based on African-American gospel traditional music that developed in a group of Pentecostal churches in the 1930s.

Randolph is the son of a minister, who took up the pedal steel at age 17. He is widely

Robert Randolph at the American Music Festival for the Lake, Lake George, Sept. 2014. Photo By Francesco D’Amico.

regarded as the standard bearer of the genre currently.

The doors for this show open at 8 p.m. and this is one that you are advised to get there early. Given the talent and the venue size, this has the potential to be one of the best, if not THE best, shows of the year.

Dates Announced For Second Annual Festival LAKE GEORGE — There’s a certain symmetry about the fact that in the same week we are extolling an upcoming appearance by Robert Randolph locally, the promoters who brought him in to headline and dazzle the crowd last year have announced their dates for this year’s event.

Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 26 and 27 have been officially designated as the dates for the second annual American Music Festival, which will hold court at the Charles R. Wood Festival Space in Lake George. In its first incantation, the festival drew a big audience with a combination of activities including

a food truck cavalcade, beer garden and family fun zone in addition to a superb music lineup.

The promoters have confirmed that they are busily booking acts and have four lined up at this point, but are not able to make any announcements due to contractual obligations. However, they are offering a chance for a substantial discount on two-day general admission and VIP tickets if you are willing to take a leap of faith that the music will be as strong, or better than in its first year. Visit festivalforthelake.com or facebook.com/lakegeorgefestival for updates.

Robert Randolph & The Family Band w/ Dave Spadaro Group

Friday, Apr. 3 at 9 p.m.

Putnam Den 63a Putnam Street, Saratoga Springs (518) 584-8066 | Ages: 18+ Tickets: $25 ($5 surcharge if under 21)

PULSE

40

Week of April 3 – April 9, 2015

week of 4/3-4/9 friday, 4/3: Rich Ortiz, 8 pm @ Bailey’s — 583.6060 Houde + Hofmanis, 9 pm @ Bentley’s — 899.4300 Don Julin + Billy Strings, 8 pm @ Caffè Lena — 583.0022 Phil Camp, 7 pm @ Carney’s Tavern — 952.7177 Justin Joyner, 8 pm @ Carson’s Woodside Tavern — 584.9791 Jukebox Night, 10 pm @ Caroline St. Pub — 583.9400 Fresh w/ Bo Goliber, 7 pm @ Crown Grill — 583.1105 High Peaks Trio, 9 pm @ Gaffney’s — 587.7359 Gary Brooks, 5:30 pm @ JP Bruno’s — 745.1180 DJ Stantastic, 10:30 pm @ JP Bruno’s — 745.1180 Duel Peaks Band, 9 pm @ Nanola — 587.1300 Darren Lyons Trio, 9 pm @ 9 Maple Avenue — 583.2582 Al Santoro Trio, 6:30 pm @ Primetime Ultra Lounge — 583.4563 Robert Randolph + The Family Band/ Dave Spadaro Group, 9 pm @ Putnam Den — 584.8066 Just Nate, 8 pm @ Ravenswood — 371.8771 Acoustic Out Loud, 9 pm @ The Mill — 899.5253 High Peaks Band, 6 pm @ The Saratoga Winery — 584.9463

saturday, 4/4: Nick Maccia, 8 pm @ Bailey’s — 583.6060 Eastbound Jesus, 8 pm @ Caffè Lena — 583.0022 Vivid Trio, 9 pm @ Cantina — 587.5577 Jeff Brisbin, 7 pm @ Carney’s Tavern — 952.7177 Tim Wechgelaer, 8 pm @ Carson’s Woodside Tavern — 584.9791 Bad Chaperones, 10 pm @ Caroline St. Pub — 583.9400 Karaoke, 10 pm @ Circus Café — 583.1106 Cole Broderick, 6:30 pm @ Fifty South — 884.2926 Bolton, Nolan + Greene, 9 pm @ Gaffney’s — 587.7359 Party Up, 10:30 pm @ JP Bruno’s — 745.1180 JJ + The Impacts, 9 pm @ Nanola — 587.1300 Arch Stanton Quartet, 9 pm @ 9 Maple Avenue — 583.2582 Nancy Kamen, 6:30 pm @ Primetime Ultra Lounge — 583.4563 Peedi Crakk, 9:30 pm @ Putnam Den — 584.8066 Mitch Frazier, 8 pm @ Ravenswood — 371.8771 Jess Marcotte Band, 9 pm @ The Mill — 899.5253

Forthlin Road, 9 pm @ The Parting Glass — 583.1916 Karaoke, 9:30 pm @ The Rusty Nail — 371.9875 Ubuntu, 3 pm @ The Saratoga Winery — 584.9463 Rob Aronstein, 7 pm @ Wishing Well — 584.7640

sunday, 4/5: Live Jazz Brunch, 11 am @ Primetime Ultra Lounge — 583.4563

monday, 4/6: Bobby Dick, 6:30 pm @ Brook Tavern — 871.1473 Chris Carey/ Tim Wechgelaer, 7 pm @ One Caroline — 587.2026

tuesday, 4/7: Rich Ortiz, 10 pm @ Caroline St. Pub — 583.9400 Two Step Tuesdays, 8 pm @ Crown Grill — 583.1105 Open Mic with Rick Bolton, 8 pm @ Gaffney’s — 587.7359

wednesday, 4/8: Session Americana, 7 pm @ Caffè Lena — 583.0022 Joe Gitto + Dan Wanczyk, 6:30 pm @ Mouzon House — 226.0014 Dan Sherwin, 6:30 pm @ Primetime Ultra Lounge — 583.4563 Road to Rock n Roll Resort, 7:30 pm @ Putnam Den — 584.8066 Celtic Session, 7 pm @ The Parting Glass — 583.1916 Karaoke, 9 pm @ The Rusty Nail — 371.9875

thursday, 4/9: Justin Joyner, 7 pm @ Bourbon Room — 330.2426 Open Mic, 7 pm @ Caffè Lena — 583.0022 Austin Barosi, 9 pm @ Cantina — 587.5577 Matty Finn, 6 pm @ Carney’s Tavern — 952.7177 Open Mic, 10 pm @ Circus Café — 583.1106 New Artist Showcase, 8 pm @ Gaffney’s — 587.7359 Jeff Walton, 6 pm @ Inn at Saratoga — 583.1890 Joe Gitto + Dan Wanczyk, 6:30 pm @ Mouzon House — 226.0014 Rich Ortiz, 6:30 pm @ Primetime Ultra Lounge — 583.4563 Turkuaz w/ Big Mean Sound Machine, 9:30 pm @ Putnam Den — 584.8066 Celtic Session, 7 pm @ The Parting Glass - 583-1916

fun and games

Week of April 3 – April 9, 2015

Puzzles

Across 1 Leafhopper relative 7 2002 Man Booker Prize-winning novel 15 Oath 16 Show of confidence 17 Evict 18 Accounting concerns 19 Ad infinitum?

21 Having a dark complexion 22 Clipper target 24 “Permit Me Voyage” poet 25 Dish prepared hot and served cold 29 Ones, e.g.: Abbr.

31 Fonda’s “My Darling Clementine” role 33 Setting for the 2001 film “No Man’s Land” 36 Like Singha beer 38 Correction 39 Astronomical scales 40 Tremendous spans 41 Olympic hurdler Jones 42 Inexplicable, in a way 44 Stop wearing down?

46 Fa follower 47 “I don’t care if you __ again”: The Cars lyric 48 Coal container 50 Showed grief 52 Mr. Peabody’s boy 55 Conic section 60 Balance sheet items 62 Make less musty 63 Like some decals 64 Easier to see, perhaps 65 It’s not charged 66 Cakewalk Down 1 Kvetch 2 2011 Best New Artist Grammy winner Bon __ 3 Parting aid 4 Taps absentee, possibly 5 Renaissance standout

41

See puzzle solutions on page 46

See puzzle solution on page 46 6 Hal Foster’s Queen of the Misty Isles 7 Author Yutang 8 Refreshing treats 9 Islamic ruling 10 Put behind bars 11 Sneaker inserts 12 Short-term residence, usually 13 Substance 14 Far from substantial 20 Hummingbird attractors 23 Like some humor 25 Genesis son 26 Genesis city 27 “Song based on a letter,” per McCartney 28 Bigoted 30 Ball Park Franks owner

32 2011 ABC show with multiple pilots 34 The tallest one is nearly 16,000 feet high 35 Took off 37 Emerald __ 43 Statistical anomaly 45 Building material 49 Nita of early filmdom 51 Backup 52 __ doctor 53 Hopping game?

54 __ Carrot: Crayola color 56 Requiem title word 57 Plant’s stoma, e.g.

58 1956 crisis site 59 French 101 word 61 __-Cat

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: Passport, Visa A passport is an official government document that certifies a person’s identity and citizenship and permits travel to another country. A visa is an official authorization stamped on a passport that permits a person’s entry into and travel within a country.

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 davedowling59@yahoo.com

42 It’s where NEED to be.

YOU

Publication Day: Friday

Ad Copy Due: Wednesday, noon

Space Reservation Due: Monday, 5 p.m.

Week of April 3 – April 9, 2015

Classified marketplace classified@saratogapublishing.com

Call (518) 581-2480 x204

MISCELLANEOUS

WANTED

LAND FOR SALE

SAWMILLS from only $4397.00MAKE & SAVE MONEY with your own bandmill- Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship! FREE Info/DVD: www.

NorwoodSawmills.com 1-800-5781363 Ext.300N

Wanted – Used Laptops, Portable DVD Players and Tablets to be used for learning and training programs for Veterans. Must be in good working condition. Receipt for tax deduction available from a 501©3 from Second Chance Sports and the Learning League.

Call Bill Yaiser at 491-0556.

Will Pick up.

UPSTATE NY WATERFRONT! 11 acres- $69,900 Beautiful woods on bass lake 5 miles to Cooperstown!

Private setting for camp, cabin or year round home! Terms avail! 888-4793394 NewYorkLandandLakes.com

CAREER OPPORTUNITY WELDING CAREERS- Hands on training for career opportunities in aviation, automotive, manufacturing and more. Financial aid for qualified students. Job placement assistance. CALL AIM 877-206-4006

DIVORCE DIVORCE $349 - Uncontested divorce papers prepared. Only one signature required. Poor person Application included if applicable. Separation agreements.

Custody and support petitions.

- 518-274-0380

MORTGAGES Your Homeownership Partner.

The State of NY Mortgage Agency offers competitive fixedrate mortgages for first-time homebuyers. www.sonyma.org.

1-800-382-HOME(4663)

AUTO DONATIONS Donate your car to Wheels For Wishes, benefiting Make-A-Wish.

We offer free towing and your donation is 100% tax deductible.

Call 518-650-1110 Today!

CASH for Coins! Buying Gold & Silver. Also Stamps, Paper Money, Comics, Entire Collections, Estates. Travel to your home. Call Marc in NY: 1-800-959-3419

HELP WANTED

CONTRACT FELL THRU! 5 acres- $19,900 or $254/month!

70% below market! Gorgeous woods, 5 miles to Cooperstown!

G’teed buildable! Town rd, utils.

Call: 888-905-8847 or go to newyorklandandlakes.com

VACATION RENTALS

MR.BULTS’S is currently hiring experienced Class A CDL Drivers in the NY state. If interested in applying, please text “Haul” to 55000 or www.mrbults.com/careers ATTEND AVIATION COLLEGE Get FAA approved Aviation Maintenance training. Financial aid for qualified students. Job placement assistance. Call AIM for free information 866-296-7093 OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND. Best selection of affordable rentals.

Full/ partial weeks.

Call for FREE brochure.

Open daily. Holiday Resort Services. 1-800-638-2102.

Online reservations: www.holidayoc.com

RENTALS WANTED

Week of April 3 – April 9, 2015

FOR SALE

43

FOR RENT

Couch, brand is Marshfield of WI, grey microfiber, 77” width, 36” depth, 36” height from floor.

Purchased in 2011. Absolutely immaculate, from a non-smoking home. Paid $1150, asking $700 obo. Cash/pick-up only, Saratoga Springs, near track. 518-584-1724 Privacy Hedges - SPRING Blowout Sale 6ft Arborvitae (cedar) Reg $129 Now $59 Beautiful, Nursery Grown. FREE Installation/ FREE delivery 518-536-1367 www. lowcosttrees.com Limited Supply!

OUT OF STATE REAL ESTATE Sebastian, Florida Beautiful 55+ manufactured home community.

4.4 miles to the beach, Close to riverfront district. New models from $85,000. 772-581-0080, www.beach-cove.com

LOT FOR RENT Lot for rent 2 Gridley Street (across from track) Saratoga. Call Dave. 754335-2400 or 954-788-5356

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SPORTS

Week of April 3 – April 9, 2015

Blue Streaks Seek Turnaround Photos by Francesco D’Amico

by Michael Gyarmathy Saratoga TODAY As massive snowbanks begin to disappear and we can finally see the grass for the first time in months, our minds fantasize about warmer days and sunshine rays.

But for Saratoga’s varsity lacrosse team, a bright outlook beckons the end of a long preseason. Saratoga will play its first game of the season April 3 against Niskayuna on Skidmore’s turf field. Faceoff will take place at noon.

Last year was tough on the boys who finished the season with a record of 5-13.

“We’re going to be expecting a lot more from ourselves this year,” captain and goalie Austin Degener said.

This will mean addressing some of the tough issues the team has faced these last few years.

One such issue has been returning a solid group of seniors. Last year Saratoga was able to carry only six seniors on the roster, one more senior than the year before.

This year things will be different.

“For the first time in a long time, we are senior heavy,” says head coach Jon Warner, who will be carrying 17 seniors on his roster this season.

Degener added: “It really shows the attitude is changing and guys are starting to care.”

II. Saratoga would hardly like to start the season with a loss.

Niskayuna is a traditional powerhouse in Section II, racking up state titles seemingly multiple times each decade.

“It’s great to start the season with the challenge of Niskayuna and it’s great to follow that game up with challenging opponents in Maryland,” Warner said.

“We want to start the season on a positive note before heading to Maryland for our spring break tournament,” says Starace.

After playing Niskayuna, Saratoga is set to play Maryland teams Severna and Meade. Last year in Maryland, the Blue Streaks had a lot of success. The highlight, interestingly enough, wasn’t a victory, but a close loss in double overtime to the defending Maryland state champs, Chantilly.

“After coming home from last year’s trip I think we lost sight of whatever we found in Maryland, we lost in OT to Bethlehem, and “With a few three-year players and a four-year player,” Warner said, “we should have a lot of experience and confidence on the field coming from that.

It’s been a long time since we’ve returned such a large group; that’s part of the reason we have such high expectations this year.”

In a way, Saratoga was lucky to have carried only six seniors last year, two of whom started.

That doesn’t leave many holes to fill coming into this season.

“Younger guys have been stepping up and playing since their debut on varsity and they now have a year of experience under their belt,” Andrew Starace said.

“It’s always hard losing guys,” Degener said. “We lost some important goal-scorers. We lost some guys that could get up and down the field.”

In regard to goal-scorers, he’s referring to midfielders Bobby Frank, Danny Martuscello, Gray Lanewski and attackman Evan Strock. As far as speed goes, watching guys like Kevin Mauro, a longpole midfielder, and Bobby Frank get up and down the field last year could be really amazing and it will hurt the team to lose them.

Fortunately Saratoga has also made some important additions to its roster this year. Listen for the last names Polmatier, Taylor and Stewart.

“Griffen Taylor,” Warner said. “ I see a lot of potential in this young attackman. He’s a great finisher, he’s a great dodger, but he’s got to learn to really attack the net this year.”

New defenseman Greg Polmatier has great fundamentals.

“Greg’s high Lacrosse IQ is what keeps him out of the kind of sticky situations some defenders tend to find themselves in,” Degener said.

Warner and the team are also excited about the addition of Liam Stewart.

“He’s a senior returning to the sport,” Warner said. “But as a tremendous athlete and competitor, we will definitely be looking for ways to get him on the field.”

Going into this week’s game the boys have a lot to think about.

Niskayuna’s record last year was 19-2.

The Silver Warriors’ two losses came against teams from outside Section

I think we were getting used to playing close games and congratulating ourselves,” Degener said.

The team looks forward to Maryland this year as an opportunity for team building and looks forward to playing tough opponents.

“Severna Park has been very good for a long time,” Warner said. “Until we get out on the field they won’t know about us and we won’t know us. That’s the beauty of it.”

It seems all of the team’s energy is coming to a front. With 17 returning players this coming year, Saratoga has a strong pool to draw from in terms of leadership and performance.

The fact that so many seniors are playing this year compared top the last two years is a huge testament to the change in attitude of the boys.

“This is a group that’s willing to work,” Starace concluded. “If we play confidently, we expect a lot of wins this season.”

SPORTS

Week of April 3 – April 9, 2015

45

Saratoga Softball Continuing to Improve Photos by Francesco D’Amico

by Neil Benjamin Jr. Saratoga TODAY Typically, a 7-15 record is not something most high school teams would celebrate, nor would it give much confidence heading into the following season.

But the Saratoga Springs softball team, coached by Geoffrey Loiacono, closed the 2014 campaign on a very high note, defeating Shenendehowa in the Section II tournament. It was the team’s first sectional victory under the guidance of Loiacono, who took over coaching duties at the end of the 2013 season.

“With a new coaching staff and getting the players used to my coaching style, last year was a transitional year,” Loiacono said. “Looking on to this year, we have many new faces on

Returning this season are seniors Alexzandra Casaw (outfield), Erinn Mangona (third base), Cierra McFarland (first base, outfield), Kaeli Conroy (shortstop) and McKenzie Ebert (pitcher, first base).

Loiacono said the youngsters would need to step up, but that he likes that he has a diverse group.

Makayla Pawloski, a junior transfer from Stillwater, will step directly into the spotlight, Loiacono said.

“We are looking for her to make a big contribution with her arm and hitting,” he said.

Some positions are not yet filled, such as first base, where Loiacono said the competition is still ongoing. The Blue Streaks

also need to iron out their outfield and decide who will be the team’s new catcher.

Underclassmen Kayleigh Reome, Cassidy Hayner, Kayla Rodecker, Patience Gebier, Meaghan Hmura, Kaeli Conroy and Courtney Heritage will all play key roles in battling for positions, and also at the plate as the season begins.

“All of them are talented and as a coaching staff, we push them to the limits on ability and athletic growth,” Loiacono added. “They have a fight in them to be willing to win and learn from their mistakes. As a staff, we want the program to be as competitive as it was years ago, when Brenda Adams was the coach.”

The team was supposed to

have a scrimmage March 31 at home against Albany High School, but it was cancelled because of muddy field conditions.

On April 7, the Blue Streaks are set to open the season at home against Shaker High School at noon, before traveling the following day to take on Schalmont.

The last scheduled game before the playoffs is May 14 on the road against Ballston Spa, slated for a 4:15 p.m. start time.

“If you breed winning, it will become second nature,” Loiacono said. “As a coaching staff, we have high hopes for this season and look to build a more competitive program going forward each year.”

the varsity squad.”

Five seniors have departed from 2014, including Sara WillnerGiwerc, who had been the team’s catcher since ninth grade. On top of her, Bailey Motala, Meranda Ruff, Kelsey Hayner and Erica Varsames are also gone, which sheds the team of a ton of senior leadership.

Loiacono said there were a “handful” of other girls who did not return to this year’s team for a variety of reasons, mainly that they are pursuing other sports or preparing for college.

As far as what the team is striving for in 2015, Loiacono said that Saratoga is aiming to up its win total into the double-digit column.

“I’d say that we are striving to be more competitive in the league, also,” he added.

Six Named to Golden Eagles Wall of Fame GALWAY — The Galway Central School District is proud to announce the 2015 inductees into the Golden Eagles Athletic Wall of Fame.

The wall recognizes and honors student athletes, coaches, teams and community supporters who have made a significant contribution to the Galway athletic program.

Members of the Galway community nominated the following individuals for their service, performance, dedication and commitment to Galway athletics. The selection committee then voted to induct these individuals into the Golden Eagles Athletic Wall of Fame.

David Mello

David Mello is a long-standing member of the Galway Athletic Booster Club. He led the Basketball

Booster Club as president until it merged with other athletic booster clubs into what is known today as the Galway Athletic Booster Club.

He is committed to the booster club’s success, whether acting as an officer or a volunteer.

Donald Mealy

Donald Mealy was a physical education teacher at Galway Central School District, then later athletic director. He coached three sports (basketball, baseball, soccer) at Galway starting in 1948 until his retirement in 1975.

Nicole Jones

Nicole Jones, Class of 2009, was a three-sport athlete at Galway Central Schools. She competed in volleyball, basketball and track and

field. She holds the Galway school record for shot put, received the 2009 Physical Leadership Award at Galway and earned many awards from the Western Athletic Conference. She went on to play at SUNY Brockport.

Patrick DiCerbo

Patrick DiCerbo graduated Galway as the Outstanding Male Athlete in the class of 1984. He was a three-sport athlete, competing in cross-country, wrestling and track and field.

In 1982, Patrick helped the Galway cross-country team win the Section II title.

Brigid Horigan

Brigid Horigan, class of 2002, was a two-sport athlete

at Galway, competing in crosscountry and track and field. She was also a member of the Stratton Mountain Ski Team.

Ashley Agresta

Ashley Agresta, class of 2002, was a three-sport athlete at Galway. She played softball, basketball and volleyball. She was the Female Athlete of the Year (2001-02) and she was also a WTEN Student Athlete of the Week.

In softball, Ashley received WAC awards for Best Defensive Player, Best Offensive Player, Exceptional Senior, Co-Captain, and MVP. She also made the softball All-Star team.

In volleyball, Ashley earned the following WAC awards: Coaches Award, Co-Captain, MVP, and Exceptional Senior.

Ashley’s basketball team won the WAC Northern Division League Championships, and she and her team competed in the Section II semifinals (2002).

Ashley received WAC awards for Basketball Co-Captain, MVP, AllStar, Northern Division MVP, Exceptional Senior MVP, Most Potential, and Dedication and Commitment Award for a “No Quit” attitude. She was also named Capital Region Scholar Athlete (2002) and was a member of the Section II Class C All-Tournament Team (2000, 2001, 2002).

The second annual Golden Eagles Wall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held on June 6, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. in the Galway auditorium. The public is invited to attend.

46

SPORTS

Week of April 3 – April 9, 2015

Community Sports Bulletin Sign up now for City of Saratoga Springs Recreation Departm ent Spring Soccer Pr ogram

mmer u S is th es g A s se ea cr In c a Camp Sarad n be artment will agai

ep ngs Recreation D is the The Saratoga Spri . New this year er m m su is th c rada c Dates hosting Camp Sa rs. Camp Sarada pe m ca d ol ar ye 5 p will be inclusion of 13-1 mp July 3rd). Cam ca o (n 14 t us ug p will again are June 29 – A m to 4:30pm. Cam 9a om fr ri -F on nal in session M creative recreatio s, ip tr ld fie y kl ee gw imming be offering excitin crafts, weekly sw & ts ar s, m ra og pr ram are and educational e full 7 week prog th r fo es at R . ks $950 for nonand themed wee ty residents and ci s ng ri Sp ga to for $695 for Sara kly rates are $170 ee W s. nt de si re city Saratoga Saratoga Springs d $235 for nonan s nt de si re ty ci ch 2nd for Saratoga Springs ation begins Mar tr is eg R s. nt de si Springs city re th for all others. nts and March 16 de si re ty ci s ng ri ion in Saratoga Sp itted with applicat bm su be t us m s cord reation Immunization re ratoga Springs Rec Sa e th at up gn Si rday from order to register. e Monday – Satu nu ve A lt bi er nd Center at 15 Va w.SaratogaRec. -5pm or visit ww 12 om fr ay nd Su email 9am-7pm or 3550 x2300 or 758 us ct ta on C com. Questions? . ratoga-springs.org sa recreservations@

This program is open to ch ildren grades program will ru Pre K-12. This n from April 25 to June 20 Saratoga Casin , 2015 at the o and Raceway (342 Jefferson St be separated by ). Players will grade and expo sed to skill devel on age. Shin gu opment based ards are required at al l le ve Kicker (Grades ls. Big Kicker/L Pre K and K) w ittle il l p la y on the weekend. A e ti m e p er week on ll other grades play once durin once on the w lar is g th e week and eeho onsor A Sc kend. Coordinators ar Sara al e Gtoelgaler.SpR nu Je an ff h an nt egthise te d Stephanie servebefore M Fdu to announce ltol Circ proud B to be held arch 29 in or t e er en ev ir d rs re la D ce ho ive the l Sc iscount. Big toga Early Gets Bowling-Forraicker/Little e in SaK on Z ke K ri ic St ke Ear rato Sagi stga ration M irdaDisIn ulymBb at there fee Bowling willr Sa New r Z cousnt t ructor turday, ay. is $35 fo Sa ra to on ga s ng ds Sp ri ee ri Sp for Sarato oc n Ful gs pr l l Cir C al cle it Fit y ith nes w R s an es y, ga nou id da nce Sp l en d al tha ri t, ngs school distr $60t Cheryl Zinnershine be half price haic s tjoin reed ff as Zumba and Suspe sidthe entsstaan SaratoAga S. Springs d nsion Training $8 .

5 m fo p. r going to SS ciedtyatre7sidents. Einstructor. She is certified as a Zunonllow mba instructor. ar ly B linrg will be fo ir d ic feBeowfo D us is m co Zinnershine will u ntlea Gra uring redin gist feat12 be h, 1ramb tion g Zu l Bdases isca$5 a sessions on Monday 0 rfor Sa the Gutterbal by $7 sh ba anra d to We ’s, dne ga sda tie Sp at y eve H ri nin 5 n gs, om fo gs fr as r ci we Sa od ll ty as ra fo , re to ay sidents, Saturday mornings. ga Springs5 wscithho She will also be

by Freepl ol district residleading Suspensi Tickets are $7 n. io ct n au ining Sessions. on nt ts d $100onfoTra and sile-Saratoga Spgri For more infoen S. city rmatian r on, visit www.fullc tin SSnAgs fit ne re be si d ircl ds en efitnessny.com. ee ts. Two volunteer oc l pr alte am are needed at al coaches per l levels. Registrat ion fee is waive child of each co d for the ach who register s by March 29.

Saratoga Springs Si gn up at the Recreation Cen Stevens Joins Thoroughbred ter at 15 Vander Monday – Saturd U A bi lt A A ve e ay n r u o fr e om 9am-7pm or kidm Sunday from 12 visit usS at www.Saratoga -5 Retirement Foundation p m or Rpec.c om e .sQtuestions? Con F o 3550 x230ir o H ’s tact us 587G 0 orl email recreservations@ Jennifer Stevens has joined relations and advocacy for the saratoga-springs the Thoroughbred Retirement .org. agric ultural community. ’ ls Gir

Bowling For Scholars Event

AAU ge will host an Skidmore Colle e college’s April 25 in th Hoop Fest on grades 5 m. Girls in basketball gy Each team n participate. ca 12 h ug ro th 5 per es. Cost is $27 m ga e re th ay will pl please call e information, team. For mor .

518-580-5363

Send your sports stories or briefs to Neil Benjamin, Sports Editor at neil@saratoga publishing.com

Puzzle solutions from pg. 41

Foundation as Assistant Director of Development and Horse Sponsorship.

Stevens comes to the TRF from Cornell University Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County, where she was the Ag Economic Development Educator and Equine Specialist. In that role, her duties ranged from education on best management practices and farm business management to public

She joined CCE Saratoga in 2006 where she developed the community based equine educational program and expanded the 4-H Horse Program. Stevens also brings experience as the Business Council Coordinator for the Albany-Colonie Chamber of Commerce. She holds a B.S. in Equine Business Management from Johnson & Wales University and has spent much of her life riding and working with horses.

SPORTS

Week of April 3 – April 9, 2015

47

A Final 4 To Remember

by Damian Fantauzzi for Saratoga TODAY This year, I picked two of the teams in the Final 4 correctly, but also chose Notre Dame to upset undefeated Kentucky, which nearly gave me three teams.

You can say I was close, but as we know, that only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.

Let’s go ahead and take a look at what is shaping up to be a Final 4 to remember.

Duke is taking on Michigan State and the relentless Kentucky Wildcats are playing a powerful Wisconsin.

In my opinion there is nothing that competes with college athletics, especially basketball. It’s the truest scenario of what a college championship tournament should be like. What would make it an even better tournament is if the field was doubled to 128 teaks and that sums up to one more extra game for the schools that move to the final. Think about it, not only is it a good moneymaker for the NCAA and communities to host the extra game,

or anything like that, but it would end a lot of the second-guessing.

Fewer snubs mean more happy and excited fans, which translates to a better tournament.

Just a whim on my part, but I have thought about this idea for a long time. How about the games on Saturday? I see a big-time upset, with Wisconsin upsetting No. 1 Kentucky.

I see a lot of Duke fans going home sad, as I believe the Spartans will beat the Blue Devils. I see the Big Ten strength of MSU overpowering the Blue Devils. I see the Kentucky Wildcats struggling against big man Frank Kaminsky.

He has all the tools of a Bill Walton or Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Kevin Durant. This guy is for real, and I feel the Badgers could ride on Kaminsky’s back into a National Championship.

It doesn’t get any better than this. Lucas Oil Stadium is the arena in Indianapolis where the Final 4 is taking place, and the floor will be covered with talented players.

Kentucky has the most talent from top to bottom; some sports writers say they could play in the NBA. But wait -- the Wildcats are vulnerable, they’re kids, which adds an extra layer of difficulty. For one, they’re 38-0 and now in an even more tense situation of possibly looking past their next game and on to a 40-0 perfect season.

Notre Dame almost tipped over that pot, and if the Irish didn’t cool off in the last 2:30 of the game, they would be gearing up for the Badgers. Unfortunately for the Irish, they lost. Did Kentucky learn from that? You can bet coach John Calipari, after wiping the sweat

from his brow against the Fighting Irish, is going to keep his players focused for the Final 4 run.

Here’s a little extra about Kentucky’s basketball program: there’s a man from behind the bench who is a helping hand for Calipari. His name is Bob Rotella, known as one of the world’s preeminent sports psychologists, namely golfers. Where is he when I need help with my pathetic golf game?

He’s been helping Calipari for close to 20 years, back when Calipari was the University of Massachusetts’ coach. Rotella’s job is to help the Wildcat players remain focused on playing team basketball.

Calipari has to be the ultimate leader who listens to his troops, which really is a necessity in today’s world of sports. This is where Rotella comes in as an unseen helping hand. On top of working with the players, he has to help Calipari remain calm on the sidelines, so he doesn’t get inside those young players’ minds.

As I mentioned, Wisconsin has Kaminsky, but the Badgers also have a coach who put them in the spotlight, coach Bo Ryan.

Kaminsky isn’t the only weapon in the Badger arsenal and they can put up 3-pointers with great success. With the Big 10 having two of its members in the Final 4 tells you something -- the league could be the best in the nation, in most collegiate sports programs. I see the battle between Kentucky and Wisconsin to be close, and despite the talent on the Wildcats’ roster, I feel Kaminsky will carry his Badgers into the championship game.

Mike Krzyzewski just tied John Wooden in Final 4 appearances

with 12. Understand that the collective of coaches who lead these four schools in this final series are an impressive group. But this guy, well I can’t say enough about him.

He’s a coach’s coach. I think he might be the best recruiter in the nation, which is nothing against the other guys, especially Calipari.

Year in and year out Duke has floored premiere basketball players, and that’s not by luck, but about selecting good-to-excellent student-athletes, from the high school pool across the nation. A Duke recruit must understand that he represents one of the nation’s top academic universities, athletically and academically. I think being a West Point grad and being under the influence of his mentor Bobby Knight has something to do with Krzyzewski’s success. Don’t misunderstand me -- coach Knight is not the reason for Coach K’s legacy, but the fuse was lit through Krzyzewski’s association with Knight as a player and assistant coach. Duke has an outstanding team, and mostly one of the best foul shooting teams in the nation, which could end up being a deciding advantage.

Then there is Michigan State coach Tom Izzo, another class act coach in this Final 4. His physically strong Spartans are a No. 7 seed and they might win it all. This team has got some tree trunks inside the paint, and if they stay out of foul trouble, watch out.

I like the way Tom Izzo handles his young men, as his demeanor parallels Coach K. They’re both great communicators with their teams. Izzo’s guys will be ready to play and they most definitely are a dark horse in these final games, or maybe labeled as a Cinderella team, only if the glass slipper fits.

So sit back and watch what could be one of the best finishes in NCAA history. I’m betting that there will not be any runaway games and that from start to finish, they will be competitive.

The only thing that could change the tournament is the psyche of Kentucky. If the Wildcats play the way they are capable, the result will be a record-setting, undefeated season.

Then the next step would be to prepare for the upcoming NBA playoff games. Ha!

NYRA Names New Board Chairman The New York Racing Association has announced that Anthony Bonomo will take the role of board chairman, according to various news outlets.

The Brooklyn-based Bonomo, a Democrat and owner of Brooklyn Boyz Stable, was voted in as chairman by the other board members, The Saratogian reported. Bonomo is a supporter of Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is trying to keep NYRA under the control of the state for at least one more year.

Bonomo also has a youth development program called the GAELS Foundation. He owns a home in Saratoga Springs.

NYRA has been working to put control of the association back into the private sector. For that to happen, Cuomo would have to give the state’s approval.

Chris Kay, NYRA president and CEO, has been working on plans, to be submitted to the state, detailing how NYRA can be reprivatized. A

few years ago, Cuomo helped organize the NYRA Reorganization Board, which is aimed at shifting NYRA back into the private sector. Various news reports state, however, that no such report has been submitted, which is the deciding factor in keeping NYRA public for at least another year.

NYRA completed 2014 in the black for the first time since 2001, netting a $1.5 million profit.

NYRA runs three thoroughbred tracks in the state:

Saratoga Race Course, Aqueduct and Belmont, the latter two are located downstate.

Cornell University president David Skorton resigned as NYRA chairman in December, stating he needs the time to prepare to become the leader of the Smithsonian Institute.

NYRA has been under state control since 2012, when the 17-member board was first adopted.

The Saratogian also reported that John Hendrickson, an adviser

to the state on horse racing, is not thrilled that the state is keeping NYRA under its control. He questioned whether the state was following its own laws, and alluded to the fact that the state could keep NYRA under its control “indefinitely.”

Of the biggest issues on NYRA’s plate is how to determine the association’s governing structure and the future of Belmont and Aqueduct.

NYRA will meet next on April 22.

Volume 10 • Issue 13

See Softball pg. 45

FREE

Week of April 3 – April 9, 2015

SPORTS

See Blue Streaks pg. 44

Slush Cup a Success

The 2015 Slush Cup attracted fans young and old for a successful Saturday at West Mountain.

Photos by Francesco D’Amico