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Volume 9 • Issue 46 • November 21 – November 26, 2014
Streaks Send 10 Swimmers to States by Brian Cremo Saratoga TODAY SARATOGA SPRINGS — A school record 10 members of the Saratoga Springs swim and diving team are headed to the NYSPHSAA Championships this weekend at Ithaca. Josh Muldner has been the head coach of the Blue Streaks swim team for nine years now. In his words, this year’s team is his best ever. “[Sending 10 to states] is truly amazing,” said Muldner. “I think it speaks to the strength of the entire team—not just these 10 fantastic athletes—but the whole team. It’s the best team I’ve ever been able to coach.” It’s not to say Muldner hasn’t coached successful teams in the past. In fact, this year’s team finished third at the Section II Division I meet in early November, as did last year’s Blue Streaks when they
I n d e p e n d e n t
F r e e saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com • (518) 581-2480
Saratoga’s Ray O’Conor
Writes WWII Love Story
by Megan Harrington for Saratoga TODAY
A few Februaries ago, a man walked into a flower shop near Ironton, Ohio. He ordered a beautiful bouquet and the florist remarked, “These must be for a very special lady.” “She is a special lady,” the man said. “But I haven’t even met her yet.” The florist said, “Well, that sounds like a good story.” “It is,” the man said. “Do you want to hear it?” See WWII Love Story pg. 8
Featured Stories
City Accepts $550,000 Gift See Pg. 11
Holiday
Gift Guide
Ray O’Conor. Photo Provided.
10-Year-Old Entrepreneur Saratoga Local Launches Big Balls The Adventure by Stephanie Hale-Lopez Saratoga TODAY SARATOGA SPRINGS — He can’t drive a car or purchase a lottery ticket…at least not for now; but 10-year-old Nick Scialdone Jr. is doing something most adults only dream about – running his own business. Scialdone Jr. is the mastermind behind Big Balls the Adventure, a business all about zorbing. Zorbing, which has been popularized in Europe and Asia, is a fun and recreational activity using zorb balls. Zorbs are big, inflatable orbs that are generally made of clear plastic.
See Saratoga Swim Team pg. 44
Photo by MarkBolles.com
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10-year-old Nick Scialdone Jr. is the mastermind behind Big Balls the Adventure. Photo by MarkBolles.com
See Big Balls pg. 19
See Pg. 23-25
Inside TODAY Blotter 5 Obituaries 6-7 Business 16-17 Education 20 Pulse 37-40 Sports 44-47
Weekend Forecast FRIDAY
30|20 SATURDAY
36|31 SUNDAY
46|36