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Volume 7 • Issue 46 saratogatodaynewspaper.com
Homeless Go Figure! in Saratoga ‘Day Without a Home’ Event Raises Awareness of the Homeless by Chelsea DiSchiano Saratoga TODAY SARATOGA COUNTY – Scattered in abandoned buildings, stairwells and hallways and huddled in the dark nooks and crannies of Saratoga, we pass by the homeless every day, simply letting them blend into the scenery while we walk by with our usual everyday worries. We may throw them some change or give them our leftovers from a restaurant, but most of us do not stop to actually think about whom
these people are and why they are sitting on those sidewalk curbs. Who exactly are the people behind those worn down faces? What caused their lives to spiral downward at such a rate that they resigned to living under an open sky instead of under a roof? Sometimes when we pass by and see them bundled up in layers of coats and blankets on an icy winter day, we shudder to imagine what it might be like to be in their shoes, and simply hope we never have to find out. The Saratoga County Housing
See Homeless page 8
Math Teacher, Businesswoman to Compete in Fitness America 2012 Competition by Francis LaBelle for Saratoga TODAY
SCHUYLERVILLE – Jodi Mehan and Angela Annese were eagerly discussing the months of training and preparation for their upcoming competitions at Fitness America 2012 in Las Vegas. Mehan, a mother of two who also owns and operates Challenge By Choice fitness studio in Schuylerville; and Annese, a math-
ematics teacher at Saratoga Springs High School, told of the different paths that have placed them on the same road. All was going smoothly – until Mehan pulled out a sweet potato. “You're not going to eat all THAT, are you?” Annese asked. “You're supposed to have one serving; that's about three. “Don't start on me,” Mehan said. “You've been eating things like nut
See Fitness page 6
A P.L.A.N. for the Future by Patricia Older Saratoga TODAY PROVIDENCE – Knee-deep in mud next to the waterline of the marsh, a small doe picked her way along, nibbling on small slivers of grass poking up from the mist-shrouded water. As a flock of geese passed noisily overhead, she raised her head, looking first toward the opposite side of the marsh, then back toward the darkening forest. For a
photo by MarkBolles.com
Inside TODAY… Publisher’s Desk pg 5 Education
few moments, she stood motionless, her breath coming out in puffs of silvery smoke, and then she took a cautious step forward, lowering her head to graze. That scene was one of several breathtaking moments during a recent hike on the new trails opened by Saratoga P.L.A.N. (Preserving Land and Nature,) in the Hennig Preserve in
pgs 10-11 Business pgs 12-13 Gift Guide pgs 20-21 Obituaries pg 23
See New Trails. page 7
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Week of November 16 - November 22, 2012
Round and Round! Photos by Deborah Neary for PhotoandGraphic.com SARATOGA SPRINGS – The city’s Department of Public Works came up with a fun way to help the Franklin Community Center’s food pantry November 12, offering free rides on the carousel in Congress Park in exchange for donating a non-perishable food item to help prepare the pantry for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. See page 18 of this edition for a thank you from Franklin Community Center.
Week of November 16 - November 22, 2012
Michael B. Hare, 38, of County Route 76 in Saratoga Springs was sentenced to time served in Saratoga County Jail and five years of probation. The sentence comes as a result of pleading guilty to assault in the second-degree, a Class D violent felony back on September 12. Philip W. DeBlois, 57, of Connecticut Avenue in Queensbury was sentenced to six months in the Saratoga County Jail and five years of probation. This sentence comes as a result of pleading guilty to disseminating indecent material to minors in the second-degree, a Class E felony. Gary R. Karnbach, 52, of Main Street in Corinth was sentenced after pleading guilty to aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first-degree, a Class E felony and misdemeanor driving while intoxicated. He was sentenced to a one year and six month sentence in the Saratoga County Jail, respectively. The sentences will run concurrently. He also must
install an Ignition Interlock Device on his car for three years following his release. David P. Brown, 32, of Western Avenue in Albany, pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated, a Class E felony, stemming from his arrest back in August 2012. He is scheduled for sentencing in Saratoga County Court on January 22, 2013. Scott W. Johnson Jr., 32, of County Route 76 in Stillwater, pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated, a Class E felony, stemming from his arrested back in June 2012. He is scheduled for sentencing in Saratoga County Court on January 22, 2013.
Thomas R. Patnode, 21, of Denkers Drive in Clifton Park pleaded guilty to possessing a sexual performance by a child, a Class E felony, stemming from the arrest made in July 2012. He is scheduled for sentencing in Saratoga County Court on January 8, 2013. Jeremy B. English, 40, of East Turf Trailer Park in Clifton Park, was sentenced to one year in Saratoga County Jail after pleading guilty to driving while ability impaired by drugs, a Class E felony. He pled to the charge back in September 2012. Nicholas J. Cassillo, 29, of Church Avenue in Ballston Spa was
BLOTTER re-sentenced in Saratoga County Court by Judge Jerry Scarano to nine months in Saratoga County Jail, to run concurrently with a 60 day sentence handed down by Saratoga Springs City Court, and termination of his probation after his conviction for driving while intoxicated, a Class E felony. He was originally sentenced to five years of probation.
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Correction: In the 11/9 edition of Saratoga Today, it was incorrectly listed that the Saratoga Senior Center would be offering a defensive driving course. The information was mistakenly taken from the Senior Center’s website in the city of Saratoga Springs, California. Saratoga Today regrets the error.
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WEEK IN REVIEW
Locally Owned and Operated 5 Case St., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 Phone: (518) 581-2480 Fax: (518) 581-2487 www.saratogapublishing.com
Hours of operation 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday Publisher/Editor Chad Beatty 581-2480 x 212 cbeatty@saratogapublishing.com
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Advertising Chris Bushee 581-2480 x 201 cbushee@saratogapublishing.com Jim Daley 581-2480 x 209 jdaley@saratogapublishing.com Cindy Durfey 581-2480 x 204 cdurfey@saratogapublishing.com
Art Department Richard Hale 581-2480 x 202 Production Director rhale@saratogapublishing.com Eric Havens 581-2480 x 207 ehavens@saratogapublishing.com Jessica Kane 581-2480 x 215 jkane@saratogapublishing.com
Editorial Andrew Marshall 581-2480 x 206 Managing Editor, Sports amarshall@saratogapublishing.com Chelsea DiSchiano 581-2480 x 214 Education, Pulse, Community Corner chelsea@saratogapublishing.com Patricia Older 581-2480 x 203 Business, Obituaries, Briefs patricia@saratogapublishing.com
Calendar Cindy Durfey 581-2480 x 204 cdurfey@saratogapublishing.com
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Three Saratoga Police Officers Suspended in Assault Investigation SARATOGA SPRINGS – The Saratoga Springs Police Department made a statement November 13 about the alleged involvement of three police officers in an assault early morning on November 12 at Dango Fitzgerald’s, a bar located on Caroline Street. The police department received a call from the victim at 12:52 a.m. that Monday morning, saying he was assaulted and believed the assailants were off-duty police officers. The department has not released the names of the police officers since the investigation is currently ongoing, but will release names if any arrests are made. The police are treating this as both a criminal and internal investigation. Community Reacts to Police Department’s Handling of September Sexual Assault SARATOGA SPRINGS – The Saratoga Springs Police Department faced harsh criticism this past week regarding their handling of a reported rape that occured in the early morning hours of September 1. Community members were surprised to learn of the attack some two weeks after it allegedly took place along Broadway. The department says they felt the amount of infomation, or lack thereof, led to the decision being made not to issue a report. The victim, police said, simply did not recall enough information due to her understandably traumatized state following the attack. Mathiesen’s subsequent comments resulted in allegations that he was blaming the victim in this instance for walking alone at night. Police Chief Chris Cole released a statement in the wake of the backlash, apologizing to the city for what he retrospectively concedes should have resulted in a release. He also added that he intends to personally review each report of sexual assault “to ensure appropriate notifications are made.”
Week of November 16 - November 22, 2012
Convicted Animal Abuser Charged with Violating Probation GREENFIELD CENTER – After being convicted of 19 counts of animal cruelty after authorities found 19 malnourished and neglected horses on her farm, Ann Arnold was found to have violated her probation November 14. The original terms of her probation were that no horses would be allowed on the premises of her farm for three years, but Saratoga County District Attorney James Murphy recently saw horses on her farm and filed a Violation of Probation notice with the Greenfield Town Court. Arnold has also refused the judge's order to undergo a psych evaluation and reimburse the county for care of the animals. Arnold will now go to court November 20 to face her sentencing, which could be up to a year of jail time if she is convicted of probation violation. Maplewood Manor Continues Moving Toward LDC SARATOGA COUNTY – The Law and Finance Committee voted November 14 to create an LDC, or local development corporation, that will take control of the nursing home, Maplewood Manor, and sell it to a private corporation in order to take the burden of financing the home off the county’s shoulders. The annual cost of running the nursing home is about $27 million, and it was estimated earlier this year that the home would face a $9.8 million deficit in 2012. Supporters and employees of Maplewood Manor have done all they can to fight the
privatization of the home, creating groups and protesting at county meetings, but with little other viable options, the county will continue to move forward with the creation of an LDC that will eventually turn the home over to a private entity. Cocaine Supplier Pleads Guilty, Faces Six Year Prison Sentence SARATOGA SPRINGS – Robert Allen, 44, of County Route 75 Mechanicville, pleaded guilty Wednesday to a felony criminal sale of cocaine and conspiracy charges. It is anticipated that he will receive six years in prison and three years post-
release supervision at his sentencing on December 20. The Saratoga Springs Police Department launched an investigation into Allen last year that resulted in the arrest of a dozen involved persons. Many of those individuals were those who contacted Allen asking that he supply them with user amounts of cocaine and marihuana, according to the DA’s office. Many of those individuals were those who contacted Allen asking that he supply them with user amounts of cocaine and marihuana, and those individuals were charged with conspiracies to participate in drug transactions.
Week of November 16 - November 22, 2012
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From the Publisher’s Desk . . .
by Chad Beatty Saratoga TODAY So when did it become socially acceptable to where pajamas in public? Yes, pajamas…soft and fuzzy with the occasional fluffy slippers. There is nothing that says “Look at me, I got class” as the public pajama ensemble. Let me add a quick caveat: I am not talking about little kids who run out real fast with mom or dad, or the sick person at the pharmacy counter. I’m talking about healthy teenagers and able-bodied adults. (Of course, Hugh Hefner receives a lifetime exemption from this rule because he looks really cool in his silk pajamas and smoking jacket!)
It seems as though social norms, whether they be dress attire or public behavior, are step by step sliding backwards down a slippery slope. I know what you are thinking right now, “He is talking about Walmart; I always get those funny emails.” Granted a large percentage of the pajama perpetrators do shop at Walmart for one reason or another, but I seem to find more and more pajama people making their way out of Walmart and meandering through the aisles of a variety of stores. Who are these people? Where did they come from? Could this be the beginning of the “Pajama Apocalypse”? I can’t say for sure, but to play it safe, we should all take steps to prepare for this sort of thing. I recommend having a supply of Amy Vanderbilt’s Complete Book of Etiquette. Highlight the appropriate sections and hand them out when needed. But whatever you do, don’t rely on the federal government for assistance. If we bring it up to them, they will probably form a committee and we will be told we are “anti-pajamites,” and they (meaning the pajama people) will receive free handouts, free health care and free pajamas. Okay, okay, I got carried away
for a minute. But you got a quick chuckle, didn’t you? According to researchers, laughing is very important; in fact it has a number of medical and psychological benefits. As the old saying goes “laughter is the best medicine.” So in addition to addressing the
infamous pajama problem, I have personally taken it upon myself to help improve your overall health and wellness. I know solving world problems and addressing the health crisis is a big task but I felt up to it this week. So in closing, remember to ditch the pajamas when you head out the
door, and take time to laugh a little every day. P.S. There is one more exception to the pajama rule…everyone agrees that it is O.K. to run out to Stewarts real fast for a cup of coffee in your comfiest outfit – but make sure you cover-up with a jacket.
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Week of November 16 - November 22, 2012
FITNESS continued from Page 1 butter and Ezekiel bread, which I haven't had in months, so I don't want to hear it. Besides, look how skinny it is.” Although their exchange was spirited, it was by no means nasty. If anything, Mehan and Annese have grown closer as their Las Vegas trip approaches. Mehan, 39, will be competing on Friday and Saturday, November 16 and 17, in the Ms. Bikini and Figure competitions, while Annese, 44, will compete in Figure only on November 17. They will be among 500 contestants who will be showing off the results of their hard work and sacrifice before a live crowd and ESPN International's television audience. “This is my first competition,” said Mehan, who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Fitness and Cardiac Rehabilitation. “I turned 39 over the summer, and I told myself that competing in an event
this size was something I wanted to scratch off my bucket list before I turned 40.” Trying something new was certainly not daunting for Mehan. She had a background in dancing, but had also been a personal trainer, hair designer, pharmaceutical salesperson and even director of a physician-referral program for people at high risk for heart disease at a North Carolina hospital. The decision to compete at Fitness America 2012, however, meant commitment not only from Mehan, but from her husband, Steven, and their daughters Ruby, 7, and Daisy, 5. “I talked to my husband about competing, and it was tough,” said Mehan, who, along with Figure, will compete in the Classic (age 35-plus) division of Ms. Bikini, where contestants will be judged on “poise and presence”; sportswear selection and appearance.
“Fitness America is only a week before Thanksgiving, and it's a big expense before the holidays to go to Las Vegas. But my husband said that if this was something I really needed to do, that I should do it.” “My family has been very supportive, and I need that. The other day, the kids had purple cabbage for breakfast. They already had their oatmeal, saw what I was having and they wanted some. They are not picky, and they are learning to eat healthy, whole foods. At the Schuylerville Health Fair, Daisy beat four, 10-year-old boys in a push-up competition, and when she was done, she started walking her feet up the wall to do incline pushups. I was so proud.” Likewise, Annese has gotten backing from her “kids.” “I have about 90 students throughout the day,” said Annese, whose instruction includes geometry and finance. “They've been terrific about this. I've even had one student approach me about helping him to get fit.” For Annese, the chance to inspire her students is one of her main reasons for competing in Fitness America 2012. “Obesity is such a huge problem nowadays, especially with high school girls,” Annese said. “A lot of them don't eat right, don't get enough exercise and some don't know how to get and to give respect. They don't have the right role models.” Annese certainly qualifies. Several years ago, while working out at a local gym, she was encouraged to pursue bodybuilding. She proved to be something of a natural, winning the Berkshire Classic in Massachusetts and the New York State AMBC at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs in 1997. It was an impressive start for Annese, who had once weighed 240 pounds. At 5-feet-6, she now weighs 146 pounds and, through, training, diet and isogenics, a body-cleansing program, has lost about six percent body fat since making her decision to compete back in August. She will compete along with Mehan in
the Master's category (age 35-plus) in Figure, where body appearance is more athletic and slightly more muscular than Ms. Bikini. “My wake-up call came when I was a graduate student at the University of South Florida and came back to Saratoga for a friend's wedding,” Annese said. “I had to get a dress for the wedding, and I was size 22. I told myself that when I went back to Florida, I wasn't going to be size 22 again. “The Berkshire show was my first, and I didn't even tell anybody I was entering. The next one was big because my family and friends showed up. I really loved competing.” Annesse, however, had a life outside of bodybuilding and as she pursued her Master's degree in Special Education, her travels took her from Florida, to Maryland and even to Florence, Italy. She remained active. Running, kayaking, hiking all found their way into her daily exercise routine. It was while attending a fitness boot camp in Ballston Spa that she met Mehan. The gloves were off. “I looked over at this girl on the mat next to me, and I said `There's no way she's going to beat me in push-ups,” said the five-foot-twoinch Mehan, whose Challenge By Choice studio will be expanding to a larger, neighboring location in March. “Then, when we were running, I saw that Angela was the only one who could keep up with me. We became friends pretty quickly.” Like all friendships, theirs is built on mutual respect. And the more they push one another, the more respect they gain. When Mehan announced her decision to pursue her bucket list item, Annese didn't need too much persuasion to join. “Angela had experience as a bodybuilder, but that is totally different from what we will be doing in Las Vegas,” Mehan said. “Bodybuilding has more to do with muscle mass; our competitions will be judged by appearance, more
femininity. We have already accomplished a lot, and we know we will be competing against a lot of 20-year-olds. But our goal is in sight and we are pretty excited about this opportunity.” Their regiment is similar: up at around 3:30 or 4 a.m.; personal time for mental, spiritual and emotional preparation; weight and cardio-vascular training at various local gyms; small meals every two hours; and, hopefully, bed by 8:30 p.m. The schedule does not stray too far from Mehan's slogan at Challenge By Choice: “Sweat. Rinse. Repeat.” In between, they sprinkle in their lives. “It's hard to explain this to people who don't understand what it takes to do this,” Annese said. “There may be someone who will say, `Go ahead, Angela, have an apple.' Or, `Try a little bread.' They mean well, but don't realize that I can't have those things while training for competition. I have to stay focused. I train at 5 o'clock in the morning. I teach at the high school from 7:30 a.m. to 3:10 p.m., and I also do private tutoring, which will get me home on some evenings around six. Jodi trains, gets her kids off to school, teaches at her own studio, gets her kids after school, looks after her family and runs her business. But because we understand what the other one is going through, we've been able to support one another and share our experience. We've even gotten to the point where we text each other about everything we're about to eat.” As if on cue, Annese received a text from Lauren DiNapoli, her coach from Cathy Savage Fitness. Both Annese and Mehan will be part of “The Savage Girls,” representing the Boston-based company that prepares individuals for such competitions by offering guidance on nutrition, sports specific training, music, modeling, suits, choreography and stage presentation. “Lauren just changed my diet again: no dairy, no more nut butters. Only green veggies, fish, turkey, chicken or lean beef until we get to Las Vegas. One starch a day: oatmeal or sweet potato. A quarter cup of either grapefruit or blueberries every other day,” Annese said. “That's twice in the last few days that she's changed my diet.” Polishing off the last of her sweet potato, Mehan dismissed the teacher with one of her looks. “I don't want to hear it,” she said.
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Week of November 16 - November 22, 2012
New Trails for Equine and Motorized Use continued from Page 1 Providence. The Hennig Preserve is now the largest parcel of land managed by the organization – 604 acres of pristine forest boasting mixed hardwoods and hardy pines, streams, creeks and ponds – an ecosystem of wetlands, marshes and forests with wildlife in abundance. Previously owned by the Hennig family for the last 50 years, the property was donated in 2010 to Saratoga P.L.A.N. Volunteers, eager to get started, began the tedious task of designing, mapping, and constructing the trails in the spring of 2011. Those trails were opened earlier this month for public use. The trail, explained P.L.A.N. Stewardship Director Andy Fyfe, is divided into five separate routes and takes hikers, among others, along a natural esker, past a beaver pond, and near a house foundation from the Civil War era. But getting to that point, said Fyfe, was not an easy task. Mapping the trails, he explained, is a mix of technology, science, and good ol’ legwork. “We have GIS software in which we can put in the wetlands, the elevations, streams, old roads, even soil types,” he said. “But then we get out on the land and start seeing what is there.” He went on, explaining that the GIS software helps them create a topographical map of the land giving them a scientific understanding of it, but then they have to actually walk the parcel to see what can and cannot be done. “We want to make sure the trails do not go onto neighboring properties and that they are not on more than a 10 percent slope,” Fyfe said. “It is a lot of hard dedicated work.” Even so, the walking of the land and cutting of the trails, he added, is what the volunteers love the most. “That is the most enjoyable because we get to see what is there,” said Fyfe. “We get to be out in nature.” That part also requires skill and common sense. For example, he explained, they want hikers to be able to see and enjoy landscapes such as ponds, creeks and marshes, but they also need to protect them. “We want to allow for the viewing of streams and such,” said
Fyfe. “But without disrupting it or damaging it.” One of the ways they do that is by building boarded walkways, like they did in the Bog Meadow Marsh Preserve or with scenic overlooks, like in Hennig where there is a marshy pond overlook and an area to view a beaver pond. Getting such land gifts over the years has not been easy, but as more and more people understand the benefits for everyone, including themselves, people are more apt to give the organization an easement, conservatory, or deed to parcels of land, Fyfe said. Saratoga P.L.A.N. is a relatively new organization but it has its origins in humble, but determined grassroots movements from the 1980s. One was the Open Space Project, begun in 1987, which was made up of a small group of dedicated volunteers who advocated for the preservation of the unique city and country atmosphere Saratoga Springs is famous for. The other, the Land Trust Foundation, started in 1988, worked at acquiring stewardship, easements, and ownership of property in Saratoga County in an attempt to keep their rural nature. According to Saratoga P.L.A.N., Open Space became “the voice of smart growth, protecting and preserving public access to natural resources,” while the Land Trust organization worked toward conservation of the county’s natural resources. “It was a unique situation we had here in the Saratoga area,” said Fyfe. “They wanted to do both things, so they decided to merge. It made sense because they could get more accom-
plished that way.” By the 2003 birth of Saratoga P.L.A.N., the Land Trust had protected over 2400 acres within Saratoga County. One of those early pieces of property acquired was an 18-acre parcel in Wilton. Deeded in 1996 by the niece of Orra Phelps, the man who had owned and protected the property from development, the Orra Phelps Preserve is a rich ecosystem of wetlands, streams and woodlands containing more than 30 of the 40 known New York species of ferns. Bog Meadow followed in 1998 when the Anderson family donated 168 acres of open marsh, wetlands, and forested wetlands just east of Saratoga Springs to the city. P.L.A.N. worked with the city to construct two miles of trails, some that follow the path of an abandoned railway and with much of it featuring an extensive boardwalk system. The entire trail, Fyfe said, is designed to be enjoyed on foot, cross-country skis or snowshoes. In the 150-acre Levine Preserve, which is near Hennig, hikers can experience woods much like the Adirondacks were before developers came around. It is known for its mixed hardwoods and lofty pines and has its history etched into the landscape with the footprints of former homesteads, logging roads and stone fences. Some of the pines and hemlocks in the Levine Preserve are estimated to be over 150 years old. Fyfe said that while all of the trails and preserves overseen by Saratoga P.L.A.N. offer individual unique experiences, the biggest thrill of the Hennig Preserve is that it has been connected to 400 acres owned by the
county. Those trails, he said, are expected to be completed by the spring of 2013 and will add two more miles of trails. He noted that while the majority of P.L.A.N.’s trail uses are limited by restrictions placed by the donors, Fyfe said the county trails are open to multiple uses, including equine and snowmobiles. “The county land is already open to walkers,” said Fyfe. “And they will be open to horse traffic, ATV’s and snowmobiles.” Continuing, he said Saratoga P.L.A.N. has other projects in the wings, including one he called their most “exciting.” It is, he explained, an opportunity for the public to see previously-held private property with historic roots – the lands occupied by the American troops in the historic 1777 Battle of Saratoga. Among one of the 15 most decisive battles in world history, the Battle of
Saratoga is considered the turning point of the Patriots’ struggle to gain independence. “The public has only been able to see where the British were,” said Fyfe of Saratoga National Historic Park and its public lands. “Now people can see where the American troops actually beat the British.” That trail, which is part of the Fish Creek Trail in Schuylerville, will also connect to the Park’s four mile walking trail and loops around past the Schuyler House, the Saratoga Monument and through Victory Woods. “We like to look toward what we can do for tomorrow,” said Fyfe. “Our focus is on the future.” For more information on any of Saratoga P.L.A.N.’s preserves or trails, or to volunteer, call (518) 587-5554 or visit their website at www.saratogaplan.org.
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Week of November 16 - November 22, 2012
HOMELESS continued from Page 1 Alliance (SCHA) has another idea in mind. In commemoration of National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, the SCHA organized an event called “A Day Without a Home” in its efforts to raise awareness about how hard it actually is to live without shelter. During the experience, participants were given scenarios as if they were someone who was homeless and had to seek out services to provide for their most basic needs, including tasks such as finding shelter, food or clothing. What participants experienced was just a simulation of a day in the life of a homeless person—but for people who really are homeless, finding these basic needs is an every day reality, and an increasing number of these
people are actually normal. Along with people who have mental health issues or chronic addictions, an increasing number of “average Joes” are becoming a part of the homeless population in Saratoga County. “[The homeless] are now more people that are losing their jobs,” said Cindy Phillips, co-chair of the SCHA. “It’s families that can’t afford their rent anymore, or they can’t afford food because they’ve lost their jobs.” SCHA Coordinator Laura Weil agreed, saying a lot of homeless people aren’t what they are often stereotyped as. “It really is a lot more families now, a lot of people that you wouldn’t think would be homeless,” Weil said. “The so-called ‘middle class’ is really experiencing it now.”
However, much of the homeless population is also made up of citizens who have mental health issues, addictions and/or problems with substance abuse who have a hard time getting off the streets due to their illnesses, according to SCHA co-chair and Executive Director of Shelters of Saratoga, Peter Whitten. “Some addictions are chronic— once they are addicted they have decided that that’s the life for them,” Whitten said. “I’ll never forget this guy—I’ve seen him three times in the last three years-the last time he left he was hanging his head, sitting on the shelter steps, and the girl that was with him said, ‘Well, we’re drinking. That’s what we do, you know.’ And it was like ‘That’s our life, we drink. That’s our escape, it’s who we are.’”
Weil added that sometimes they are choosing their situation because of their diseases. “There is a misconception that sometimes they’re not trying hard enough to get off the street,” Weil said. “Sometimes that’s true, but in the way that they have a disease— they’re alcoholics or have substance issues, and funds have been cut so they’re not getting the help they need anymore. So yes, they’re on the street, but they really don’t want to be—they’re just not well enough to make the effort to stay off the street.” But when the weather gets cold, the homeless population that refuses the shelter’s help has to find other ways to stay warm in the streets. “I’ve heard there are people sleeping in hallways of buildings—they know where they can go where there’s a door unlocked,” Phillips said. “I’ve had police report calls that people are in dumpsters. If it’s a really cold night, people know where to go.” “When the weather is nice and the weeds grow tall, they have a place to go,” Whitten added. “It’s like summer campers just camping out on open ground, anywhere where they can be out of sight. But when the weeds start to lose their leaves and the weather gets colder, they have to find other locations.” Phillips said that there is a population that doesn’t want to live in the shelter because it “has rules, and they don’t want to follow those rules, so they decide they want to be out in the cold.” Whitten said that staying with Shelters of Saratoga is no free ride. “We case manage folks and meet with them twice a week to say, ‘Hey, what are you doing looking for work, or finding a place to live,’ or ‘What’s going on with your addiction counseling?’” Whitten said. “We’re not about warehousing. We’re really trying to get to the key point—the goal is a permanent change from your homeless status.” The shelter requires guests to complete daily chores, leave the house during business hours to look for jobs or shelter, attend case management meetings twice a week, and enforces a curfew every night. All of these tasks are required to instill a sense of accountability in the shelter’s guests and encourage a sober and structured environment. Whitten said that even those that find jobs still have a problem getting housing in Saratoga Springs. “The absence of housing is the deal-breaker in this city,” he said. “It’s more difficult here because of the high property values. There’s plenty of people looking for low-
income apartments who are stable in their life and have jobs. But when you’re trying to get someone in who has an $11/hour job who is still fighting some demons in their life— there’s just no place for them.” Though they can be hard to come by, there are some success stories by people who have climbed up from rock bottom back to the top. “There was a gentleman who was down and out, living in a car,” Phillips said. “The case managers at the mental health clinic got him into services and groups, and about a year later the gentleman ended up getting a full-time job and was able to afford an apartment on his own.” Phillips added that the man was very thankful for the services he was provided during his homelessness. “He wrote a letter thanking us for the support we gave him, and it just brought tears to your eyes when you read that,” she said. “You don’t have very many success stories, but that was a great one.” Weil said that sometimes they know it’s a success story because they don’t see them again. “You’re used to seeing them once a year or once every six months, and when you don’t see them again you know they don’t need your services anymore and they’re out on their own,” Weil said. After the “Day in the Life” event was held, the experience was followed up by a round-table discussion at City Hall, where participants discussed what they learned from the day and brainstormed ideas on how to improve services or access to services for people dealing with homelessness. Saratoga TODAY readers can look for an article on the round-table discussion in next week’s issue. Weil said that after hearing some formerly homeless people speak at a panel a few years ago, she has learned that the most important thing is to never give up on anyone. “Some people at the panel said, ‘It took me four times in rehab or five times in different counseling programs before it finally clicked,’” she said. “So you can’t give up, because even though you’ve seen them four times, the fifth time might be the time it sticks and they really might be able to get into housing and stay with their program. You have to keep going.” To learn more about the Saratoga County Housing Alliance, visit their website at www.saratogacountyhousingalliance.org. To learn more about Shelters of Saratoga, visit their website at www.sheltersofsaratoga.org.
Week of November 16 - November 22, 2012
Thanksgiving Guide
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EDUCATION
Week of November 16 - November 22, 2012
LEGO League Exhibition Hosted by Ballston Spa Robotics Team
photo provided The Ballston Spa High School Robotics Team, 0xBE4, Team 3044, will host an exhibition for the district’s F.I.R.S.T. LEGO League robotics teams on Monday, November 19 at 6 p.m. in the Wood Road Elementary School cafetorium. Student teams from all four Ballston Spa elementary schools, as well as three teams from the Ballston Spa Middle School will participate in the exhibition. The 2012 Seniors Solutions Challenge compels student teams to build, test, and program an autonomous robot using LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT to solve various challenges. The district continues to receive corporate sponsorships for the Ballston Spa High School F.I.R.S.T. Robotics Team as well as the LEGO League teams in the elementary schools. This year’s sponsors include the Ballston Spa
National Bank, Advanced Energy Conversion, Time Warner Cable, CSArch, Guyson Corporation, TCT Federal Credit Union, Gilbane Building Company, The Adirondack Trust Company, Technical Building Services, Specialty Silicone Products, Bechtel, Team Howard, Inc. and Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield. Please contact Ballston Spa’s Coordinator of Development Courtney Lamport at clamport@bscsd.org for additional information on sponsorship opportunities. The robotics exhibition event is free and open to the public. Check the district website at www.bscsd.org or contact Science Coordinator Diane Irwin at the Ballston Spa High School (8847150) for additional information on the FLL Tournament or robotics initiatives.
Week of November 16 - November 22, 2012
EDUCATION
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The State of Saratoga Springs High School by Chelsea DiSchiano Saratoga TODAY SARATOGA SPRINGS Saratoga Springs High School is on track toward reaching its goals in several categories, according to Principal Brett Miller’s presentation on the state of the school to the Board of Education November 13. The presentation covered enrollment statistics, the school’s status on reaching district goals, and building initiatives. Some of the district’s goals include raising the bar on graduation plans, closing any gaps that exist in student subgroups, focusing on the power of literacy, and cultivating powerful leadership, connection and engagement of students. Enrollment Statistics The high school’s total enrollment number for the 2012-2013 school year is 2,125 students. There are 583 in the ninth grade, 500 in the tenth, 515 in the eleventh and 517 twelfth graders. Special education students make up 10.2 percent of the school and the annual attendance rate for the school as a whole is 95 percent. Raising the Bar on Graduation Currently, the district holds a 91 percent graduation rate and the school has a 90.4 percent rate. Miller said there are only five or six fifth-year seniors this year.
“We keep trending upward, so that’s nice to see,” Miller said. “We’re very proud of it.” Other goals and initiatives created to keep improving the graduation rate include decreasing secondary course failures by 10 percent, improving Regents test results, adding more advanced placement classes and encouraging students to take those exams and encouraging SAT participation and improved results. To decrease secondary course failures, academic study teams were created to identify which students were struggling and identify solutions to help them pass their classes, which has resulted in improvements in those students’ work. Regents test results in the English and Language Arts and Math categories show that 65 percent of the high school’s students are “college ready.” “This is a target that the state has set, and we are going to keep an eye on it,” Miller said. In the 2011-2012 school year, 80 percent of students scored a three, four or five on their advanced placement exams, three being the minimum to get college credit for the course. The school has added several AP courses into the course schedule and expects to see the number of AP exams taken rise. SAT preparation has seen high numbers from the school: in 2012, 77 percent took the test. Compared to overall NYS scores, students from the high
school scored 9.3 percent higher, and 6.9 percent higher compared to the national averages. Closing the Gap on Subgroups The goal for special education students and other subgroups is to increase their graduation rate by 5 percent. According to 2008 data, 90.4 percent graduate, a number the school hopes to improve. “It’s going to continue to be hard work, but it’s well worth it,” Miller said. “And overall, our rate has climbed, so we are making steady progress.” Other initiatives to help increase the graduation rate of subgroups have been to create academic study teams that pinpoint students who may be behind and work to give them the extra attention they need to pass their classes. There has also been Regents testing remediation in English, global studies, algebra and U.S. history. The school has also added math and science programming, which means they have added extra labs in pre-algebra, algebra, geometry and the natural world class. This gives students 80 minutes of instruction every other day, and 40 minutes of instruction the days in between. Miller also said the alternative school has seen much improvement in students advancing grade levels to where they should be, and expects that number to continue to rise.
Focusing on the Power of Literacy and 21st Century Learners Collaboratively planned and taught classes have shown a rise in numbers of database searches and time spent by students in the library. In the 21st Century Academy, there are currently 80 students enrolled, and those that were enrolled in the 2011-2012 school year had a 100 percent graduation rate. Cultivating Powerful Leadership, Connection and Engagement of Students Out of the 2,073 students enrolled in the high school, 1,198 of them participate in extracurricular activities. The majority of those students participate in at least one or two activities, though there are more that participate in up to six extracurricular clubs or
activities. Examples of extracurricular activities or events included a senior give back day, a districtwide food drive, a Uganda Relief club fundraiser, and a CEIP internship program with 119 student participants. “We have so many things going on, it’s mind boggling,” Miller said. After the presentation, some of the board trustees made comments on the initiatives. “As a board, I think we really support all these initiatives,” said board member Russell Danforth. “The successes and the failures are all a part of getting better.” Board President Regina Gapczynski agreed. “I like the initiatives,” she said. “I like them, as well as the continued ideas that will be presented to us in the future.
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BUSINESS
Week of November 16 - November 22, 2012
SNCR Expands Schedule SARATOGA SPRINGS – The Saratoga & North Creek Railway Snow Train will return this winter with an expanded schedule designed to serve day-trippers and skiers alike for the 2013 season beginning on January 11. The expanded schedule features two round-trip trains each Saturday, providing an additional trip from last year’s schedule. The Saturday schedule will offer both early and midmorning departures from Saratoga
Springs with return trips from North Creek in the early afternoon and evening. Fridays and Sundays will each offer one round-trip train. Skiers can check their equipment before climbing on board for the relaxing two-hour ride through the heart of the Adirondacks, and transfer from the North Creek Depot to the direct shuttle service to Gore Mountain, where they will find their ski equipment waiting for them. For non-skiers, the Snow Train
welcomes passengers to visit downtown North Creek where a variety of antique shops, country stores, bed and breakfasts and restaurants line Main Street and offer visitors an array of historic, artistic and cultural attractions. The Saratoga & North Creek Railway Snow Train departs Saratoga Springs on Fridays and Sundays at 10 a.m. and arrives in North Creek at 12:17 p.m. Return service departs North Creek at 3:45 p.m. and arrives in Saratoga Springs at 5:57 p.m. On Saturdays, the train will offer two travel options for passengers. The first train departs Saratoga Springs at 7 a.m. and arrives in North Creek at 9:17 a.m. A second train will follow with a departure from Saratoga Springs at 10 a.m. arriving in North Creek at 12:15 p.m. Return trips will depart from North Creek beginning at 1 p.m. with arrival in Saratoga Springs at 3:15 p.m. and again at 5 p.m. arriving in Saratoga Springs at 7:15 p.m. For more information about the Saratoga & North Creek Railway Snow Train, including a full schedule, please visit SNCSnowTrain.com.
Getting Fit for the Animals
Flipping over the new craze – Zume Fitness owners, left to right, Miranda Weese, Henry Seth, and Michelle Palladino, show off the silk hammocks used for aerial arts at their new fitness studio on Rte. 50 in Wilton. Photo by MarkBolles.com. A fundraiser to benefit Estherville Animal Shelter will be held Sunday, December 2 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Zume Fitness at 4295 Route 50, Saratoga Springs. The benefit will feature all of the premier, local Zumba instructors and the cost is $15 per person. In addition, Zume Fitness will have their Grand Opening of their entire facility this winter 2013. In addition to their aerial arts and cycle studio located behind Best Tile, they will also occupy space in the front of the Design Center directly next door to Capital Stone. The front space will feature another 1500 square foot studio which will be dedicated to all things Zumba. They will be hosting master classes and teacher trainings as well as holding daily classes in Zumba fitness seven days a week. The front space will also feature a state of the art juice, smoothie and oxygen bar, as well as a fitness retail store. For more information on the fundraiser, call Barbara Kerker at (518) 882-5562; for more information on Zume Fitness, call (518)583-1200.
BUSINESS 13 Doctor Takes the Fear Out of Dentistry Week of November 16 - November 22, 2012
by Patricia Older Saratoga TODAY Like many people, Audrey Page did not like going to the dentist. It was something she knew was a necessity, but at the same time, an experience she would like to avoid as much as possible. “I have a tremendous fear of needles and dentists,” Page said. “I was so afraid of the pain.” But when she was faced with a major procedure that would affect her smile for the rest of her life, she decided to seek out a second opinion. “I had a broken front tooth and my dentist said there was only a 50/50 chance [the root canal] would last,” said Page, who admitted she had not smiled in years because of her teeth. That is when some friends told her about Dr. Marc Johnson’s Smiles For Life Dental Care on South Broadway in Saratoga Springs. That one visit, said Page, changed not only how she views dentists, but her future. “It seriously changed my life,” she said. “I have not stopped smiling since.” “Everything in this office is high tech,” explained Dr. Johnson about his practice.
He continued, pointing out that one of their newest technologies is the E4D System. “We are able to scan the area where the tooth is going and then have the patient come back in an hour and they have a brand new implant,” he said. “That’s pretty cool technology as opposed to waiting three weeks. It is amazing.” While Dr. Johnson may have just opened his new office this past spring, he has been practicing dentistry in the area since the late 80s. “I had a prior dental office for 18 years,” said Dr. Johnson, who revealed that he was drawn into the field by his own childhood experiences in a dentist chair. “I wanted to find a way to make it a pain-free experience for people.” But a lifelong desire to sail the world had been gnawing at the doctor, who along with his wife Angie moved to the area after college because of the “quality of life it offered.” “We had a dream we wanted to sail about the world, even before the kids came along,” said Dr. Johnson. So, the couple sold their business and set out on a 42 foot catamaran with their son and daughter who were nine and seven at the time. “We visited 27 countries in the Caribbean and in South and Central America.”
That adventure took the family four years to complete and they returned home in 2011. After dabbling in a couple of other business ventures, Dr. Johnson said he just couldn’t get dentistry out of his mind. “I decided to come back into the business because so many people would say to me, ‘You have such a gift,’” said Dr. Johnson. “This time, though, I wanted to keep the practice smaller and intimate. I want to be able to spend what time people need in order to help them with their fears and anxieties. I want this to be a pleasant and pain-free experience for them.” That calming effect Dr. Johnson promotes is what sold Page to give Smiles For Life Dental Care a go. She explained that when she went for her initial visit, even the look of the office had a soothing and reassuring feeling. “Just the appearance of the office put me in a relaxed mood,” she said. “I wanted to create an environment that was bright, comfortable, and non-threatening,” said Dr. Johnson, pointing out the comfortable fabric chairs, soothing pastel décor and unconventional use of small spaces through-out the workplace. “In addition, each [patient] room has high-depth monitors with soothing images playing. Or
Dr. Marc Johnson chats with a patient while his dental assistant, Renee DuBois looks on. Photo by MarkBolles.com.
patients can watch Netflix or listen to music.” Even the dental chairs, he said, are designed for ultimate comfort for the patient. “Our two hygiene areas have chairs with memory foam and gentle massage capabilities,” said Dr. Johnson. “When you get out them you feel like putty.” By utilizing technologies such as the high resolution scanner and lasers, Dr. Johnson said he can give his patients pain-free experiences while also providing excellent dental care. “We can use oral sedation which makes for a pleasant experience, laser for soft tissue procedures, and E4D system for [faster reconstructions],” he said. “We want long term problem-free solutions for people.” Page, agreed, saying that she never felt pain or even realized Dr. Johnson had completed the root canal when he stepped back. “I never felt anything,” said
Page, adding that since the work was performed, she finds herself smiling all the time. “I honestly had not smiled in so long,” said Page. “But since [I had the procedure,] I am always smiling. Everyone always comments about it now – my friends, my coworkers, people who come into my office – they want to know what has changed.” She continued, “My self-confidence is back and I have had so many compliments on my teeth. It has seriously changed my life. I am dumbfounded and in awe. He is top of the line.” It is that feeling, said Dr. Johnson, which keeps him doing what he loves. “It is all about quality of life,” said Dr. Johnson. “And the ability to change people’s lives for the better. It is what I love.” For more information on Smiles For Life Dental Care, call (518) 886-8610 or visit their website at www.My518Dentist.com.
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NEWS
Week of November 16 - November 22, 2012
Wilton Proposes Zoning Changes/Ethic Laws by Patricia Older Saratoga TODAY WILTON – For the 31st year in a row, the Wilton Town Board adopted a budget that contains no road or town tax for residents. The $7.4 million budget allows more spending for the highway department, a necessity according to the Town Board for them to play “catch up.” “Our revenues are higher than expected,” said Supervisor Art Johnson. “We are giving the highway department more to help them get back on track.” In recent years, the budgets of most departments were scaled back to keep the no tax position. Supervisor Johnson said that with
everything the highway department does for the town, it was only fair to give them more to work with this year. In addition, he noted, the highway department has extra miles of road work to perform as well as needed equipment purchases. “I think we have put together a responsible fiscal budget,” said Johnson. “The department heads only asked for what they needed, not a wish list.” As part of the new budget, all employees, with the exception of elected officials, will receive a two percent cost-of-living raise as well as bonuses as part of a performance based program in which department heads evaluate workers through a point scale system. Those raises range from around
$900 to $1,200. In other business, the town held a public hearing on a new ethics law that will go up for vote at the December 6 meeting. The law, said Supervisor Johnson, is necessary because there appeared to be ambiguities with the existing law. “The law we have now is several years old,” he said. “And with some new ethics laws statewide and the ambiguity that was in ours, we felt the time was right.” He continued, noting that the original law did not have an education aspect for the board members and it did not have a requirement that members be from differing political affiliates. “We wanted to give it an educational aspect and get [the board] as non-political as possible,” said Johnson. “The town of Milton has a very good ethics law and they have been complimented for it. We incorporated Milton with our own and the new state template.” In addition, the new law will eliminate the existing ethics board and new members will be appointed following its adoption. That area of the new law was challenged by town resident Dennis Towers, who asked the town board during the public comment period, “What are the goals for dissolving the existing board?”
The town board does not have to answer questions during the public comment session and did not answer Towers’ question. Towers also questioned the board about the removal of the disclosure requirement. “We felt we should start new,” Johnson said of that provision, adding that anyone now serving on the board is welcome to apply. “Existing members can re-apply if they like.” Of the five members, according to the new law, no two members of the same political party can sit on the board at the same time. The chair will be chosen by a majority vote of the town board. Resident Chris Ramsdill also spoke during the public comment portion of last Thursday’s meeting and said that he felt it was a good idea to bring in new people. “There have been some contentious meetings the last few years,” said Ramsdill, “It is good to have people coming in fresh. It will help avoid possible problems people have had with the prior ethics board.” The board also discussed proposed zoning changes, some called just “necessary housekeeping,” while others propose to allow new signage in what is possibly a mostly residential stretch of roadway. Spear-headed by zoning commission chair Robert Pulsifer, the major changes are directed at the zoning ordinance that calls for sidewalks to be 30’ from the roadway, allowing for LED signage for the Route 9 corridor, and allowing for new business uses on both Routes 50 and 9. “I think the previous board did too much micro-managing of small businesses on Route 50 and Route 9,” said Pulsiver. “They took business uses out and we’re putting them back in.” For example, said Pulsiver, the mini storage proposed for Route 50 was shot down because of the zoning restrictions and he didn’t understand why certain businesses cannot be located on Route 9.
“You know where that new [Adirondack Community College] campus is? I don’t know why an ice cream shop can’t go there,” he said. But Pulsifer’s method and ideology behind the proposed changes were questioned. One resident asked if the people he consulted and the people on the committee were truly a representative of the people who would be affected. “I would estimate that 75 percent of places along Route 9 are residential,” Mike Worth said. “My concern with the commission was that everyone has a business interest in the Route 9 corridor. Pulsifer, who admitted he had a business along the corridor, told Worth he was “factually wrong,” pointing to the RB1 zone, saying no one “had a business interest in that zoning.” Worth said he felt he was “left out of the negotiations,” and just wanted the people who actually live along the corridor to be represented in the decision making. “I just wanted them included, that’s all,” said Worth. One of those proposed changes would allow for digital signage that flashes a message. Pulsifer said that his research showed the lights do not emit more light than a tradition back-lit sign, but that they would have a clause in the law to restrict message changes to no less than every two minutes. “The planning board may also decide, on a site by site basis, to require dimming of the digital signs,” he said. Johnson said the changes have actually been a couple of years in the making, and that councilman Pulsifer was appointed as chair two years ago. “He chose two other people to be on the committee with him and he consulted business people he knew,” said Johnson. “But we want to hear from the residents and it is not etched in stone. I hope they will come out and voice their thoughts and opinions.” The public hearing for the proposed zoning changes will be December 6 at 7 p.m.
NEWS Letter to the Editor
Week of November 16 - November 22, 2012
Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Services of Saratoga County Launches New Website SPRINGS SARATOGA Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis (DVRC) Services of Saratoga County is proud to announce the launch of their new website, Local www.dvrcsaratoga.org. graphic and web design agency Tone Creative donated their services to create the new website through their pro-bono program Websites For Good, which provides free graphic and web design services to nonprofits in need. Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Services of Saratoga County is a nonprofit agency that provides essential services to Saratoga County residents who are victims of domestic violence and/or sexual assault. Services include a 24-hour hotline, legal support, counseling, case management and safe shelter. DVRC reaches beyond crisis intervention to provide free services that include educational programs, support groups, financial literacy training, temporary housing and much more. When asked about their goals for the new website, executive director Maggie Fronk said, “Our goal is to end relationship abuse in Saratoga County and increase the number of Saratoga County residents who are personally concerned about relationship violence as an issue in the community.” When asked about working with DVRC, Creative Director Dan Vidali says, “The dedication of DVRC’s employees and volunteers was part of our inspiration in creating the website. It was an honor to support their mission to provide essential crisis intervention services and end relationship violence in our community.” DVRC celebrated their 30th anniversary at their Color ME Purple event on October 30. At the event, DVRC honored Leadership Soroptimist and Saratoga International of Saratoga County as well as Saratoga County Assistant District Attorney Lyn Murphy and Katharine Winderlin, Home Instead’s NYS Senior Heroes 2012 Awardee. To learn more about Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Services of Saratoga County, visit their new website at www.dvrcsaratoga.org or call (518) 583-0280. To learn more about Tone Creative or their Websites for Good program visit www.tonecreative.com or call (518) 633-4844.
Re: Thank you from Franklin Community Center for Carousel Ride Franklin of behalf On Community Center and the families we serve, I’d like to send a HUGE thank you to all the people who made the “First Annual Carousel Ride for Hunger” a suc-
cess on Veteran’s Day. What a great way to spend such an important day, by giving back to our neighbors in-need. We are so grateful to Commissioner of Public Works, Skip Scirocco, who came up with the awesome idea. The weather cooperated, and the support poured in! You filled more than five bar-
rels of food for our pantry! We’d also like to thank all the local media who helped promote it on such short notice, as well as covering it the day of. Thanks, too, to the generous volunteers who gave their time to operate the ride out-of -season: Rose Zaciek, Dawn Britt and Sherry Wardel. What a fabulous way to kick the
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holiday season into high gear! The staff of Franklin Community Center is incredibly grateful to be repeatedly embraced by our generous community. We promise we will keep working hard to make you proud. Sincerely, Bo Goliber, Coordinator of Development
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RELIGION
Adirondack Christian Fellowship 8 Mountain Ledge, Wilton 587-0623; acfsaratoga.com Services: Sunday 8 a.m. & 10 a.m. Adirondack Friends Meeting 27 Saratoga Ave., S. Glens Falls 793-3755, AdirondackFM@ nycap.rr.com; www.adirondackfriendsmeeting.org Regina Baird Haag, pastoral minister Services: 10:30 a.m. Sunday
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 Service, 10:30 a.m. Ballston Spa United Methodist Church 101 Milton Ave. 885-6886 Services: Sunday 10 a.m.
The Alliance Church 257 Rowland St., Ballston Spa 885-6524 Services: Morning Worship 10:30 a.m.
Bethesda Episcopal Church 41 Washington St., Saratoga Springs 584-5980 Services: Sunday 6:30, 8 & 10 a.m.
Assembly of God Faith Chapel 6 Burgoyne St., Schuylerville 695-6069 Rev. Jason Proctor Services: Sunday 10:45 a.m.
Church of Christ at Clifton Park 7 Old Route 146 371-6611; cliftonparkchurchofchrist.com Services: Sunday 10:30 a.m.
Assembly of God Saratoga 118 Woodlawn Ave., Saratoga Springs 584-6081 Services: Sunday Worship 10 a.m., coffee served at 9:45 a.m.
Christ Community Reformed Church 1010 Route 146, Clifton Park 371-7654; ccrc-cpny.org. Services: Sundays 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. All are welcome. Handicapped accessible.
Christ Episcopal Church Routes 50 & 67, Ballston Spa 885-1031 Services: Sunday 8 & 10 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.
Week of November 16 - November 22, 2012
Congregation Shaara Tfille 84 Weibel Avenue, Saratoga Springs 584-2370; saratoga synagogue.org Services: Saturday 9:30 a.m., Monday & Thursday 7:30 a.m., third Friday each month 7:30 p.m. Handicapped Accessible Corinth Free Methodist Church 20 Hamilton Ave. 654-9255; 792-0271 Services: Sunday at 10 a.m. Corinth United Methodist Church 243 Main Street 654-2521; cfumc@cnyconnect.net Services: Sunday 10:30 a.m. Cornerstone Community Church Malta Commons 899-7001; mycornerstonechurch.org Associate Pastor Paul Shepherd Services: Sundays at 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.; Weekday Masses: Monday-Friday 9 a.m. Eastern Orthodox Christ the Savior 349 Eastline Road, Ballston Spa 786-3100; xcsavior@yahoo.com. Services: Sunday: 9:15 a.m. First Baptist Church of Saratoga Springs 45 Washington St. 584-6301 Services: Sunday: 11 a.m.
First Baptist Church of Ballston Spa 202 Milton Ave. (Rt. 50) 885-8361; fbcballston spa.org Services: 10:15 a.m. First Presbyterian Church of Ballston Spa 22 West High St. 885-5583 Services: Sunday at 10 a.m. Full Gospel Tabernacle 207 Redmond Road, Gansevoort 793-2739 Services: Sunday 10 a.m.; Bible Study: Thursday 6:30 p.m. Galway United Methodist Church 2056 East Street (at intersection of Route 147), Galway 882-6520 www.galway-unitedmethodist-church.com Services: Sunday 9:30 a.m. Grace Brethren Church 137 W. Milton Rd., Ballston Spa 587-0649 Rev. Dan Pierce Services: Sunday 10 a.m. Handicapped accessible. Greater Grace Community Church Pastor David Moore 899-7777, thechurch@ggccmalta.org Services: Wednesday 7:30 p.m. Good Times Restaurant, Lake Rd., 2nd floor; Friday 7:30 p.m. Saratoga Chapel, Eastline & Lake Rds; Sunday 10 a.m. Glenville Senior Center, 32 Worden Rd
Greenfield Center Baptist Church 30 Wilton Rd., Greenfield Center 893-7429 Services: Sunday School for all ages - 9:45 a.m. Church Service - 11 a.m. Prayer Meeting Wednesday 6:30 p.m. Highway Tabernacle Church 90 River Rd., Mechanicville 664-4442 Services: Sunday 10:30 a.m. Hope Church 206 Greenfield Ave., Ballston Spa 885-7442 Services: Sunday 10 a.m. Jonesville United Methodist 963 Main St., Clifton Park 877-7332 Services: Sunday 8:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.; Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Living Springs Community Church 59 Pine Rd., 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. 581-0210 Services: Sunday 10 a.m.
Week of November 16 - November 22, 2012
Middle Grove United Methodist Church 581-2973 Pastor Bonnie Bates Services: Sunday 9 a.m. Handicapped accessible New Horizon Church 150 Perry Road Saratoga Springs 587-0711 Services: Sunday 9:30 a.m. New Life Fellowship 51 Old Gick Rd. Saratoga Springs 580-1810; newlifeinsaratoga.org. Services: Sunday 9:30 a.m.-noon Childcare is available at all services. NorthStar Church Shenendehowa H.S. West Auditorium Clifton Park 371-2811; northstarchurch.com Services: Sunday 10 a.m. Old Saratoga Reformed Church 48 Pearl St., Schuylerville oldsaratogareformedchurch.org Services: Sunday 10:30 a.m. Handicapped accessible.
Presbyterian-NE Congregational Church 24 Circular St. Saratoga Springs 584-6091; pnecc.org Services: Sunday 10:45 a.m. Quaker Springs United Methodist Church 466 Route 32 South 695-3101; qsumc.com Pastor Al Johnson Services: Sunday 9 a.m. Handicapped accessible. River of Hope Fellowship 100 Saratoga Village Blvd. Malta Cmns., Ste. 3, Malta 881-1505; riverofhopefellowship.com Services: Sunday 10 a.m. Roman Catholic Church of St. Peter 241 Broadway Saratoga Springs 584-2375 Services: Eucharistic Celebrations: Saturday 5 p.m.; Sunday 7:30, 9 & 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. & 5 p.m.
Our Lady of Grace Roman Catholic Church 73 Midline Road Ballston Lake St. George's Episcopal 399-5713 Services: Saturday 5 p.m. Church 912 Route 146 Sunday 8:15&10:15 a.m. Clifton Park Handicapped accessible. 371-6351; Old Stone Church stgeorge@csdsl.net (American Baptist) Services: Sat. 4:30 p.m.; 159 Stone Church Rd., Sunday 8 & 9:30 a.m. Ballston Spa St. Joseph's Roman 583-1002 Services: Sunday: 9 a.m.; Catholic Church 3159 Route 9N Adult Sunday School Greenfield Center 9 a.m.; Service 893-7680; 10:30 a.m. Coffee & sjoegctr@nycap.rr.com; Fellowship in Living www.stjosephschurchStone Hall; Wednesday: greenfieldcenter.org noon potluck luncheon; Services: Sat. 4 p.m.; 1 p.m. choir rehearsal; Sunday 10:30 a.m. 2 p.m. Bible Study Group Handicapped accessible.
RELIGION
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. Handicapped accessible St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church 771 Route 29 Rock City Falls 893-7680; sjoegctr@nycap.rr.com; www.stjosephschurchgreenfieldcenter.org Services: Sunday 8:30 a.m. Handicapped accessible.
Saratoga Friends Meeting (Quaker) Rts. 32 and 71 Quaker Springs 587-7477; 399-5013 Services: Sunday 10 a.m. Saratoga United Methodist Church Henning Rd. Saratoga Springs 584-3720; saratogaumc.com. Services: Sunday 9 & 10:45 a.m. Handicapped accessible. 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.
St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church 149 Lake Ave. Saratoga Springs 584-0904 Services: Saturday 5 p.m. Shenendehowa United Methodist with Holy Communion. 971 Route 146, Sundays 8:30 & 11 a.m. Clifton Park with Holy Communion. 371-7964 St. Peter Lutheran Services: Sunday 7:45, 9 Church & 10:45 a.m.; Acts II 2776 Route 9, Malta Contempory 10:45 a.m. 583-4153 Simpson United Saturday: 5 p.m. Methodist Church Sunday: 7:30 a.m., Rock City Rd. 9:00 am, 11:30 a.m. (June-August 11:00 a.m.) Rock City Falls 885-4794 St. Thomas of Services: Sunday Canterbury 10:45 a.m. 242 Grooms Rd., Soul Saving Station for Halfmoon Every Nation Christ st-thomas-of-canterCrusaders of America bury.org 62 Henry St. Services: Sunday 10 a.m. Saratoga Springs Saratoga Abundant 584-3122 Life Church Services: Sunday 10 a.m. 2325 Route 50 South & 6:30 p.m. Saratoga Springs Temple Sinai 885-5456; sarato509 Broadway gaabundantlife.org Saratoga Springs Services: Sunday 584-8730 9:30 a.m. www.saratogasinai.org Saratoga Chabad Friday 8 p.m. Oneg 130 Circular St. Sabbat Saratoga Springs Saturday 10:30 a.m. 526-0773; Oneg Sabbat saratora@aol.com; Handicapped accessible saratogachabad.com
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The Salvation Army Worship, Service & Community Center 27 Woodlawn Ave. Saratoga Springs 584-1640; Mail-P.O. Box 652 Captain Aaron A. Boone, Sr.; Captain Amber S. Boone Commanding Officers/Ministers Services: Sunday School 10 a.m.; Praise & Worship 11 a.m. Trinity United Methodist Church 155 Ballard Rd. Gansevoort 584-9107 tumcwilton.com Rev. Patti Molik-Pastor Services: Sunday 10 a.m. Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Saratoga Springs 624 North Broadway 584-1555; uusaratoga.org Services, Nursery Care, and Religious Education: Sundays 10 a.m. Youth Group: Sundays 11:30 a.m. Unity Church in Albany 21 King Ave. 453-3603 Services: Sunday 9 a.m. & 11 a.m. West Charlton United Presbyterian Church 1331 Sacandaga Rd. 882-9874 westcharltonupc.org Rev. Thomas Gregg, Pastor Services: Sunday 10:30 a.m. Wilton Baptist Church 755 Saratoga Rd, Wilton 583-2736; wiltonbaptist @gmail.com; wiltonbaptistchurch.com Services: Sunday Service 11 a.m.
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Week of November 16 - November 22, 2012
Thank You
from the Franklin Community Center!
SELF
HELPDirectory
Alcoholics Anonymous Saratoga Springs (518) 587-0407 Alzheimer’s Association Glens Falls (518) 793-5863 Gamblers Anonymous Saratoga/Albany (518) 292-0414 Narcotics Anonymous Saratoga/Albany (518) 448-6350 Overeaters Anonymous Saratoga Springs (518) 584-8730 Sexaholics Anonymous Saratoga Springs (518) 964-6292
Thank you for answering FCC's call for food. We're hoping people can now come forth to feed the holiday spirit! Franklin Community Center is a non-profit human service agency that has been providing basic necessities and services for less fortunate residents of Saratoga County for nearly 30 years. Through their holiday assistance program, they serve more than 300 families each year with holiday gifts. There are still a large number of children left to be "adopted" for Christmas. If you or your business is interested in purchasing holiday gifts for a local child/children, please email kristen@franklincommunitycenter.org the following information: your name, phone number, address and how many children you would like to shop for. (Kristen will then email you back a wish list(s). All donations must be dropped off, unwrapped, at Franklin Community Center by December 10. Franklin Community Center’s approach to the holiday assistance process offers struggling parents a comfortable and personal way to help brighten the season for their children, and donors enjoy the efficient and personal “shopping list” that helps them know exactly what the children hope for this Christmas. FCC would like to send a special thanks to all the individuals, organizations and businesses who have contributed to our Thanksgiving efforts, especially TJ Tracy, who has solicited more than $1,000 worth of donations toward holiday food baskets on FCC's behalf. Thanks, too, to Chad Beatty, for the donated pies. The Franklin Community Center and its Staff
AIDS Council of Northeastern New York Glens Falls (518) 743-0703 Shelters of Saratoga Saratoga Springs (518) 587-1097
Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis of Saratoga County Saratoga Springs (518) 583-0280 Hotline (518) 584-8188 Saratoga Center for the Family All aspects of family counseling Saratoga Springs (518) 587-8008 Saratoga County Alcoholism Services Saratoga Springs (518) 587-8800 St. Peter’s Addiction Recovery Center Ballston Spa (518) 885-6884 Franklin Community Center Food Pantry & Furniture Distribution Program (518) 587-9826 101 Washington Street (Food Pantry Mon-Fri, 8 am4 pm; free clothing/furniture Wed, Thurs, and Fri, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.)
Health and Support Groups Stepmother Support Group: Saratoga Stepmoms Where: Virgil's House, 86 Henry St. When: Every third Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. What: Support group for women in a relationship with men who have children from a previous relationship. Contact: saratogastepmoms@gmail.com
Caregiver Support Group Where: Evergreen Adult Day Services, 357 Milton Ave., Ballston Spa When: Last Tuesday of each month, 3-4 p.m. What: Support for caregivers, families and friends of people with dementia. Contact: Trudi Cholewinski (518) 691-1516
Parkinson's Support Group Where: Woodlawn Commons, Saratoga Springs When: Third Monday, at 2 p.m. What: A group open to anyone with Parkinson's disease, family members and friends. Contact: Joyce Garlock (518) 885-6427
Parents Without Partners Where: Shenedehowa Adult Community Center, at Clifton Commons What: Single parents can meet other single parents in a supportive environment.
Contact: (518) 348-2062, www.meetup.com/PWP796.
TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Meetings held at two locations: - Wesley Health Care Center, Day Activity Room, 133 Lawrence St, Saratoga Springs: Every Thursday at 7 p.m., with weigh-ins from 5:45-6:45. - Trinity United Methodist Church, 155 Ballard Rd. Wilton: Every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., with weigh-ins from 5:30-6:30. What: Support for those looking to lose weight in a sensible manner. Annual membership is $26 with monthly dues of $5.
Saratoga Fibromyalgia Friends Where: Saratoga Springs Public Library, 49 Henry St., Sussman Room When: Second Tuesday, 3 - 4:30 p.m. Contact: Dawn (518) 470-4918
Saratoga Springs Debtors Anonymous Where: United Methodist Church When: Tuesdays, 7:30-8:30 p.m. Contact: saratogadebtbusters123@gmail.com. What: Support for those who are dealing with debt and wishing to become more financially responsible. There are no dues or fees; the only requirement for membership is a desire to stop incurring unsecured debt.
Week of November 16 - November 22, 2012
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Community Corner
Week of November 16 - November 22, 2012
Scottie’s Closet Distributes Clothing to Hundreds in Ballston Spa
The Ballston Spa Middle School recently hosted their 3rd “Scotties Closet” and distributed free clothing and books to hundreds of district residents. Over 400 individuals, children and families were served through the community event grounded in service learning and financial literacy. Numerous administrators, faculty, staff and community members assisted with the event to make it another huge success including: the Mangino family, the Ballston Area Community Center, TCT Federal Credit Union and long time district partner State Farm Insurance who provided funding for the event through the current grant that was awarded to the district in the spring.
Saratoga Sponsor-A-Scholar Student Teaches Nutrition/Fitness Workshop
the
Tooth fairy club Take a look at this week’s new club members!
JADIEN
DANIEL
ELLIE
XAVIER The tooth fairy club is sponsored by: Nicole Byrne D.M.D. Pediatric Dentistry 659 Saratoga Rd. Gansevoort, NY 12831 (518) 226-6010
Saratoga Sponsor-A-Scholar senior Karley Robinson taught a Nutrition/Fitness Workshop to students and mentors in the Saratoga Mentoring Program (SMP) of Catholic Charities and Big Brothers Big Sisters on Sat. Nov 2 at the Case Center at Skidmore College. Robinson, who aspires to be a physical education teacher, included information on eating well and staying fit in her presentation.
Ballston Spa Lions Club Donates to 4-H Co-op Extension
Lion Eric Carson, King Lion Harry Petersen and Recipient, Greg Stevens, the Extension Community Educator at 4-H Youth Development
The Ballston Spa Lions Club has been a supporter of the 4H for decades. The club has provided annual donation to their general fund and for special projects. On this evening the club dined on a homemade roast pork dinner provided by the 4-H members. The club presented their annual donation of $1,000 to Greg Stevens Extension Community Education 4-H Youth Development.
Week of November 16 - November 22, 2012
Albert C. Flick, Jr. S A R ATO G A SPRINGS – Albert C. Flick, Jr. 89, entered into eternal life S u n d a y , November 11. Born June 7, 1923 in Brooklyn he was the son of the late Albert C. and Kathryn I. (Osborne) Flick. In addition to his parents he was predeceased by his sister Estelle A. Donnelly. In 1944 Albert married Jean Elizabeth Every, his high school sweetheart. Albert, a WWII veteran, proudly served aboard the USS Bunker Hill, for the US Navy, in the South Pacific until 1945. Survivors include his wife of 68 years Jean; his son Albert; daugh-
ters Catherine Ariel (Jon) and Christine, all of Saratoga Springs; daughter Diane Widlak (John) of New Britain, CT and son Brian Flick(Sue) of Lexington, SC. Albert was affectionately known as “Pops” to his seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Albert will be remembered during Sunday Mass, November 18 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church in Kingston. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.
Robert E. Ingmire SARATOGA SPRINGS – Robert E. Ingmire, 89, passed away on Sunday, November 4. Born July 15, 1923 in Erie, PA, Bob was the son of the late Walter Ingmire and Evelyn (Jordan) Ingmire. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister Marilyn (Ingmire) Terbush.
Survivors include a niece, Diane (Terbush) Dart of Oakfield, and two nephews, David Terbush of Castle Rock, CO and Bruce Terbush of Ballston Spa. Services were held on Monday, November 12. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to a charity of choice.
Norman J. Humiston, Sr.
SARATOGA SPRINGS – Norman John Humiston Sr., 93, passed away Monday, November 5 after a brief illness. Born in Victory Mills on February 13, 1919, he was the son of the late Marvin Humiston and Mabel DuBois Humiston. Norman married his childhood sweetheart and the love of his life, Gloria Mae Greenwalt, on November 3, 1940. A veteran of WWII, Norman was drafted into the army in May 1944, serving his country in the European theater. He was a member of the 99th Division of the 393rd Infantry, 1st Battalion. He was captured December 16, 1944, during the opening hours of the Battle of the Bulge, in which his Battalion suffered a 72% casualty rate. Norman
remained a prisoner of war until the end of the war in May 1945. Upon his discharge from the Army, he returned home to raise his family. Norman is survived by his loving wife of 72 years, Gloria; two sons, Norman J. (Lynn) Humiston, Jr. of Schuylerville, Terry L. (Barbara) Humiston of Saratoga Springs; three daughters, Bonnie L. (Donald) Young of Saratoga Springs, Connie R. Hayes of S. Glens Falls, and Ann (David) Mihalek of Canton, OH. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Norman was predeceased by four brothers, Ralph Humiston, LeRoy (Roy) Humiston, Earl (Buck) Humiston, and Robert Humiston, and two sisters, Edna Esmond and Leona Green. A private memorial service was held on Friday, November 9. Burial with military honors was at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville.
OBITUARIES
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Ruth Arleene Countermine S A R A T O G A SPRINGS – Ruth Arleene Countermine went to be with the Lord on November 11, 2012 at the Wesley Health Care Center of Saratoga with her family by her side. Ruth was married to Richard Countermine of Saratoga Springs for 52 years. Ruth had four children. Rebecca Bilby, Randall Countermine, Richard Countermine, and Ruth Countermine. She had eight grandchildren and one sister, Althea Smallwood. Ruth was an avid musician and played the piano, organ, and accordian. After raising four children, Ruth was employed at the Southern Adirondack Library System in
Saratoga and New Dimension Outdoor Services in Gansevoort. The celebration of Ruth’s home going is taking place at the Wesley Health Care Center on Saturday, November 17, 2012 at 1 p.m. for family and friends. From 2–4 p.m. her family will be there for those who wish to stop by and covey their condolences. Wesley was Ruth’s home for eight-anda-half years. We have celebrated many special occassions there including her 50th wedding anniversary. This will be the final and grandest of all celebrations. In lieu of flowers money gifts can be sent to the Wesley Health Care Center, 131 Lawrence Street, Saratoga Springs, New York 12866.
To view the full-text version of the obituaries printed on this page, visit the archive section of SaratogaTodayNewspaper.com. It is the policy of Saratoga TODAY to publish obituaries as a service to our readers. Please send your obituaries to obits@saratogapublishing.com.
Shirley Sheard SARATOGA SPRINGS – Shirley Sheard passed away on Monday, November 12. She was born on Dec. 13, 1924, in Queens the daughter of the late Otto and Grace. Shirley is survived by her husband of 60 years Walter G. Sheard; sons Keith Sheard, Daniel Sheard (Mary Sue) or (Suzanne); daughters Paige Jaeger (Kurt) and Rachel Kimmel (Brian); thirteen grandchildren; four great-granddaughters and her many
nieces and nephews. Funeral Services will be held on Friday November 16 at 10 a.m. at Compassionate Funeral Care, 402 Maple Ave, Saratoga Springs. Interment following service at 12 noon, at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Rd., Schuylerville. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Gideon’s International or Hospice of Saratoga Springs.
Leonard H. Breen MALTA - Leonard H. Breen, 83, joined his beloved wife Helen Mary in eternal life on Thursday, November 8. Len died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, just 24 days after his cherished wife’s passing. Len, the son of the late Myrtle Mae Breen and Leonard J. Breen, was born on July 7, 1929, in Saratoga Springs. Len served in the U.S. Coast Guard during the Korean Conflict and was an active member of the Korean War Veterans’ Association and the VFW Post 420. He was predeceased by his parents, Leonard J. and Myrtle Mae Breen, his wife, Helen Mary Breen, and his brother, Ronald Breen. Survivors include his sons, Patrick (Jeanne-
Marie), Daniel (Kelly), Leonard, Andrew (Linda), and daughters, Nancy Breen Lamb (Michael) and Susan Batchelder (Jonathan). He was cherished and adored by his grandchildren: Brendan, Kelsey and Norah Breen, Rachael and Caitlin Lamb, Alex and Aidan Klein, Edwidge and Rowan Breen, Jenna and Molly Batchelder, and Conor, Griffin and Gavin Breen. He is also survived by his loving sisters, Shirley Karr and Jean Coppernoll, and many caring nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Tuesday, November 13. Burial with military honors was at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery.
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Week of November 16 - November 22, 2012
Sudoku Level: 1
2
3
4
Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit www.sudoku.org.uk
See puzzle solution on page 36
11/12/12
© 2012 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Media Services. All rights reserved.
Scrabblegram
Movie Review Flight
See puzzle solution on page 36
PUZZLES PUZZLES PUZZLES Crossword
ACROSS 1 Restraint at a rodeo 6 Magnum __ 10 Telegraph "T" 13 Respond to 14 Receive with relish 16 Headline-making NYSE event 17 What makes a cat a cat? 19 Pro at balancing: Abbr. 20 Second-smallest st. 21 To date 22 Elevated church area 24 Greek vowel 25 Bearish directors? 28 State from which the Utah Territory was formed 30 Tarzan, for one 31 No longer in 32 Prefix with culture 33 Former word for former days 34 Sea dog who's actually a wolf? 39 Calendar pg. 42 Texter's "Zounds!" 43 Many a Johann Strauss work 47 Muscle Shoals site 50 Countless 52 Dogs who inspire artists? 54 Marshal at Waterloo 55 "__ Schoolchildren": Tracy Kidder book 56 Nancy Drew's beau 57 Econ. measure 58 San Francisco's __ Hill 59 Deliverers of certain farm news? 64 Shakespeare title word 65 French income 66 iComfort mattress maker 67 Shooting locale 68 1967 #1 hit "Somethin' Stupid," e.g. 69 Former "NOVA scienceNOW" host Neil deGrasse __ DOWN 1 Churchill's "so few": Abbr. 2 Summer quencher 3 In any event 4 Slave 5 Wilson of Heart 6 Least fresh 7 Story opener 8 Org. managed by Scripps until 1982
After an amazing display, the world hails you as a hero. But, even with that, you still might spend the rest of your life in prison. What do you do? Obscure the truth and save yourself or admit the truth and face the music? Captain William “Whip” Whitaker (played by Denzel Washington) is an airline pilot with impeccable skills and a personal life in shambles. After a night of intimacy and intoxicants, Whitaker and flight attendant Katerina Marquez wake up and prepare themselves for a scheduled flight to Atlanta. Whitaker greets his co-pilot, the naïve and devoutly religious Ken Evans (played by Brian Geraghty), and flight attendant Margaret Thomason (played by Tamara Tunie) and then prepares for take-off. After deftly piloting the plane through turbulence, Whitaker mixes himself a drink, turns on the auto-pilot, and goes to sleep. The plane goes into a steep dive as it approaches Atlanta which rouses Whitaker from his slumber. Both Whitaker and Evans attempt to halt or at least slow the plane’s descent, unsuccessfully. Whitaker then decides to roll the plane so that they might glide in at a safer angle. During the maneuver, Katerina (Whitaker’s companion from the previous evening played by Nadine Velazquez) unbuckles her seatbelt to help a child who’s been unseated thanks to the maneuver. In the interim, the engines flame out and the plane is now gliding to earth. Whitaker turns the plane right side-up, the plane crashes, and Whitaker loses consciousness. Now injured, Whitaker wakes up in an Atlanta hospital and is met by a friend and representative of the pilots’ union named Charlie Anderson. Anderson (played by Bruce Greenwood) tells Whitaker that of the 102 people on board, 96 survived the crash. Katerina, with whom Whitaker had spent the night preceding the crash, was among the six fatalities. Whitaker’s injured but will leave the hospital in a matter of days. While in the hospital, he meets another patient named Nicole Maggen while smoking in the stairwell. Maggen (played by Kelly Reilly) is in the hospital as a result of an overdose that occurred as the plane was crashing. After the hospital releases him and he is picked up by friend, neighbor and dealer Harling Mays (played by John Goodman), Whitaker elects to avoid the press by staying at a farm owned by his deceased father that he has been trying to sell. He drives to a meeting with an airline where a lawyer named Hugh Lang (played by Don Cheadle)
At The Movies With Trey Roohan
Gasoline Alley
“Our forefathers were not so much thankful for something as they were thankful in something. In bounty or in want they were thankful. In feast or in famine they were thankful. In joy or in misery they were thankful. There is a big difference between being thankful for things and being thankful in all things.” Brett Blair
Words to know: kiosk - n., a small structure used as a sales booth or newsstand. See puzzle solutions on page 36
9 Soccer mom's ride 10 Work with a steno 11 Worn things 12 Accumulated to a fault 15 R&B singer Bryson 18 Lake __, Australia's lowest point 23 Sever, with "off" 24 Announcer Hall 25 Language spoken in New Delhi 26 Church section 27 Change, in a way 29 Unadon fillets 32 Taiwanese-born Lee 35 Apple or pear 36 Mosque leader 37 PDA add-ons 38 Foolish talk
39 Tropical birds that run on lily pads 40 Fashionable 41 Hypothetical high-tech predator in Crichton's "Prey" 44 Banks, e.g. 45 Abides by 46 "__ objections?" 48 Storage unit 49 Steamed state 50 Online discussion venue 51 Assyrian's foe 53 Link 57 Like rainy London skies 60 Logical abbr. 61 Onetime Burmese statesman 62 L.A. setting 63 __ Mateo, California
tells Whitaker that a blood test performed after the crash showed Whitaker was under the influence and that he could face prison time, no matter what the ultimate cause of the crash. Whitaker is the very definition of an anti-hero. While he succeeds in saving the majority of the crew and the passengers, he struggles with a myriad of personal issues including alcoholism and cocaine addiction. Goodman’s character, while he is a supplier, is hardly a salesman. He simply serves the needs of a demanding customer. The character of Nicole Maggen offers little more than perspective as we watch her turn her life around while Whitaker continues down a dark road and attempts to take her with him. Cheadle and Greenwood play morally ambiguous characters who know Whitaker broke the law but hope to keep that a secret. While this may not be as triumphant as director Robert Zemeckis’s last live-action film, Cast Away, it’s a well-made, well-written, well-acted film and I’m glad I saw it. (7.7/10) For comments and questions, contact me at movies@roohanrealty.com.
Broom Hilda
Animal Crackers
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Week of November 16 - November 22, 2012
L A C LO iefs br
Girl Scouts’ Open House & Community Service Day The Saratoga area Girl Scouts will be hosting a Holiday Open House & Community Service Day on Saturday, December 1, from 1–3p.m. at the Saratoga Springs Public Library in the H. Dutcher Community Room. Girl Scout Troops from the Saratoga area welcome all girls from kindergarten through 12th grade, including girls who are not currently in Girl Scouts, to join them with their parent or troop. There will be many activities including holiday crafts, make a card to send to a soldier or senior, add a link in their paper chain to decorate a holiday tree. There will also be holiday caroling and refreshments. Please bring a can of food to fill the boxes around their Holiday tree and menorah. Food will be donated to help stock the local food banks in Wilton and the EOC for the holidays. Local Author Pens Animal Story Book “Whiskers and Tales” is a recently published book written by local writer by Jill D. Sweet. It is a book of short essays that first appeared as columns on the Pet Page of Saratoga Today. The stories, written for all ages, are about service dogs, family pets, and animal shelters. Many are appropriate for parents to read aloud to their young children. Illustrations are by local artist, Mary Jane Kotsi. Animal characters featured in the stories include a service dog named Moses, an elderly retired service dog named Vida and Jessie, a smart youthful rescued herding dog with an abundance of energy. There is also the story about Sully, a particularly mischievous tiger cat and Magic, a rescued feline who is aloof but sweet. Published by Troy Book Makers and priced at $20, this book makes a wonderful holiday gift for any animal lover. Sweet and her dog, Moses will be at Impressions on November 23 from 2–4 p.m. and at Dawgdom on November 24 from 2–4 p.m. Proceeds from the sale of this book will benefit Friends of the Saratoga County Animal Shelter, Homes for Orphaned Pets Exist (H.O.P.E.), and the Estherville Animal Sanctuary. Call for Entries for Photography Show at Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park For photographers who enjoy taking pictures of nature or people enjoying nature, entries for a photography show
that will be highlighting the beauty and the mission of Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park are being sought. All entries to the show must be photographs that have been taken somewhere at the Preserve & Park. The entry deadline is November 26 and up to four entries will be accepted per person. There will be prizes for the following categories; Best in Show, Best Nature in Winter, Best featuring Conservation, Best featuring Education, Best featuring Recreation, Best Animal Shot, Best Karner Blue butterfly, and Best under13. Entries should be submitted via email to info@wiltonpreserve.org with the following information; attached photograph files saved as jpeg or pdf, name, address, phone number, email, title of each submission, age if under 13, and which category or categories the photograph would be entered in. Only photographs that are mounted and ready-to-hang will be hung in the show. All work should be original and have been taken at the Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park. Selections from the entries will be done the week of November 26 and notifications made by Friday, November 30. Once notified, all photographs for the show must be delivered, ready-to-hang by December 7. The selected photographs will be on display from December 11 to April 1 at the office located at 80 Scout Road in Gansevoort. There will be an opening reception at the annual Holiday Gathering following the annual meeting on Tuesday, December 11 at 6 p.m. Schuylerville 13th Annual Craft Fair The Schuylerville United Methodist Church is hosting its 13th Annual Craft Fair on Saturday, November 17 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the American Legion Post 278, Clancy Street and will have many crafts and baked goods including Thanksgiving pies. There will also be a silent auction. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Hurricane Sandy Fundraiser The Town of Milton is hosting a Hurricane Sandy Fundraiser on Saturday, November 17 at the Milton Community Center from 2–10 p.m. The Community Center is located at 310 Northline Road, Ballston Spa and proceeds will benefit the American Red Cross for Hurricane Sandy victims. First Night Saratoga 5K Run The 15th annual First Night Saratoga 5K Run, presented by Saratoga Arts, will be held on Monday, December 31, at 5:30 p.m. The race is limited to 1,500 registrants. Awards are given to the top three male and female, plus age category awards. All finishers will receive a First Night commemorative medal. Registration fee is $22 by November 23, and $30 after November 23. Register online at www.saratogaarts.org for further information, call (518) 584-4132.
St. Peter's Academy Class of ’63 Reunion A 50th reunion is planned for September 28, 2013, so be sure to save the date. More information will follow as the event is firmed up. Please send your contact information to one of the following: annob113@aol.com; pamlollias@yahoo.com; jert5491@hotmail.com Holiday Shoppe A crafters’ marketplace at the Olde Flax Mill Gallery will feature a gathering of crafter tables in the gallery space. The annual marketplace is the ideal place to find unique, affordable, one-of-a-kind crafted works for Christmas, hostess and New Year’s gifts. Fresh local evergreen wreaths will also be available. Watch skilled artisans work their fine crafts: traditional rug-hookers, knitters, basket weavers, potters, woodworkers, mosaicists, fiber and fabric artisans and more. The Holiday Shoppe will be for the next three weekends beginning Saturday, December 1. Saturdays are from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sundays are from 10a.m. – 1p.m. For more information call the gallery at (518) 695-5534. The gallery is located at 88 Broad Street, Schuylerville . Snow Ball Dinner & Dance The Flower and Fruit Mission of Saratoga Springs Hospital will host their annual Snow Ball Dinner & Dance on Saturday, December 1, at the Hall of Springs. This year’s theme is “Dream South Beach” and dress is Miami Chic. Tickets are $125 per person and include an open bar, dinner buffet, and dancing to the music of Grand Central Station. Proceeds from the event are used to benefit the William J. Hickey Women’s Health Services of Saratoga Hospital. Contact Barbara Ferraro at (518) 5830417 for tickets. Shirt Factory Artist Open House The Shirt Factory Artist's Association presents its 11th Annual Holiday Open House, Friday through Sunday, November 23, 24 and 25, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Visitors will have an opportunity to win a “Shopper's Advantage Basket” valued at $500. For every $25 spent Shirt Factory shoppers will receive a chance toward the drawing of a gift basket. Many of the inhouse studios and shops will offer holiday discounts, special sales, and demonstrations throughout the weekend. The Shirt Factory is a community of Artisans, Craftspeople, Healers and Professionals located in the historic Shirt Factory Building on Lawrence and Cooper Streets in Glens Falls. For directions or more information visit the website www.shirtfactorygf.com or call (518) 907-4478. Musical Shabbat Congregation Shaara Tfille, located at 84 Weibel Avenue in Saratoga Springs, will be having a Musical Shabbat on Friday, November 16 at
7:30 p.m. Rabbi Kenneth Blatt will conduct and perform a program that features a variety of musical styles including traditional prayer songs, modern compositions, cantorial pieces and melodies from the American Songbook adapted for the Jewish Sabbath. He will be accompanied by keyboardist Michael Clement. Call (518) 584-2370 for more information. Help for Lake Village Festival of Trees The Village of Round Lake is seeking tree decorators and cookie bakers for the Round Lake Village Festival of Trees. The festival will take place November 30 through December 2. Call (518) 885-3627 for more information. Singles Holiday Party Parents Without Partners and Single Parents of the Capital District is sponsoring their annual Singles Holiday Party on Saturday, December 1 at 7 p.m. at The Edison Club in Rexford. Admission is $22 and includes hot and cold appetizers, desserts, coffee, dancing and music by the best local DJ – JC Kelleher Entertainment. There will be a cash bar as well as a silent auction with great gifts and prizes. For more information call (518) 348-2062 or visit their website at www.meetup.com/PWP796. Advance reservations only and the deadline is November 26. Holidays Schedule for Crafters The Wednesday Crafters at Simpson UMC, 1089 Rock City Road, Rock City Falls follows the Ballston Spa School District schedule and so will not meet on November 21 or December 26, or on school closing days. Meetings will resume on Wednesday, January 9, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. All crafters and hobbyists are invited to bring their latest project and drop in any time. No ability level, attendance, or church affiliation required. Bring a bag lunch or partake our light refreshments. Stay an hour or the day, whatever works for your schedule. Any questions, please contact Laura at (518) 885-5286 or lauraviolet@nycap.rr.com. After The Fire After The Fire's monthly meeting will be Tuesday, November 27 at 7 p.m. at Eagle Matt Lee Fire House on Washington St. in Ballston Spa. New members are always needed, and are welcome to attend a meeting, find out more about the organization, and see how to help neighbors in need. Anyone planning to attend a meeting should call first to assure that there is no change in meeting schedule. After The Fire helps Saratoga County residents who have suffered a loss due to fire. The group is comprised entirely of volunteers and exists totally on donations. They provide families with personal care items, clothing, a night's lodging at a participating hotel/motel, informational material, emotional support, etc. For more additional information, please leave a message at 435-4571.
upcoming town meetings Town of Ballston: Ballston Town Hall 323 Charlton Road 885-8502 www.townofballstonny.org 11/27: Public Hearings, 7 p.m. 11/27: Town Board & Special Meeting, 7:30 p.m. 11/29: Planning Board, 7:30 p.m. Village of Ballston Spa: 66 Front Street 885-5711 www.ballstonspany.org Town of Greenfield: 7 Wilton Road 893-7432 www.townofgreenfield.com 11/29: Planning Board, 7:30 p.m. Town of Malta: 2540 Route 9 899-2818 www.malta-town.org 11/20: Planning Board, 7 p.m. Town of Milton: 503 Geyser Road 885-9220 www.townofmiltonny.org 11/29: Zoning Board of Appeals, 7 p.m. City of Saratoga Springs: 474 Broadway 587-3550 www.saratoga-springs.org 11/19: City Council Pre-Agenda Meeting, 9:30 a.m. 11/19: Zoning Board of Appeals, 7 p.m. 11/20: City Council, 7 p.m. Town of Saratoga: 12 Spring Street, Schuylerville 695-3644 www.townofsaratoga.com 12/06: Town Board Pre-Agenda Meeting, 7 p.m. 12/10: Town Board, 7 p.m. Village of Schuylerville: 35 Spring Street 695-3881 www.villageofschuylerville.org 11/19: Planning Board, 6:30 p.m. Town of Stillwater: 66 East St., Riverside Mechanicville, NY 12118 www.stillwaterny.org 11/19: Planning Board, 7 p.m. 11/26: Zoning Board of Appeals, 7:30 p.m. Town of Wilton: 22 Traver Road 587-1939 www.townofwilton.com Saratoga County Board of Supervisors: 40 McMaster St, #1 Ballston Spa, NY 12020 (518) 885-2240 www.saratogacountyny.gov 11/20: Regular Board Meeting, 4 p.m.
Send your local briefs to calendar@saratogapublishing.com before Monday at 5 p.m. for Friday publication
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living
16 - Nov 22
Nov
events Friday, November 16 Estate Planning Basics Seminar The Wesley Community’s Woodlawn Commons 156 Lawrence Street Saratoga Springs 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. This is a free seminar courtesy of The Wesley Foundation. Presenters are Amy S. O’Connor, Esq., McNamee Lochner and Titus & Williams P.C. with panelists David Cornell, CFP and James E. Coker, FA, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. Refreshments will be served. There will be no sales or solicitation during this program. For more information call 518-691-1420.
“Hope for the Arts”: Third Annual Artsfest and Show Hope Church 206 Greenfield Avenue Ballston Spa 4:00 – 9:00 p.m. You are cordially invited to attend an evening in celebration of the Highlights of the evening include a juried fine arts exhibit, children’s art exhibit, awards presentation, and delicious food served throughout the evening. At 7:00 pm there will be a special program focusing on the literature, visual arts and music of the Romantic
Era, an artistic time period rich in beauty and emotion. Poetry, paintings and piano works by some of the greatest artists of the era will be presented. Come and enjoy some delights for the senses and stimulation for the mind! Free admission. For more information call 409-7890.
Saturday, November 17 Mother Teresa Academy’s Super Saturday Vendor Show 509 Moe Road Clifton Park 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Get a head start on your Christmas and Holiday Shopping in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Many vendors will come together in one location for you and your family to shop. There will be a bake sale and concession stand to keep up your energy! A silent auction will add to the fun and get some great gifts for yourself or your loved one. For more information call 280-4227.
New York Vegetarian Expo Polish Community Center 225 Washington Avenue Ext. Albany 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. The NY Vegetarian Expo brings together global health benefits of green sustainable living, environmental awareness, and compassion for animals and all beings. For more information visit: http://www. nyvegetarianexpo.org/ or email support@nyvegetarianexpo.org. .
Breakfast with Santa Clifton Park Center 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. Free – Reservation required. Join us and Radio Disney for a free breakfast to welcome Santa’s arrival to Clifton Park Center for the holidays! The breakfast kicks off at 8 AM with games and holiday fun. All kids will receive a free
Week of November 16 - November 22, 2012
breakfast and the first 25 to register will get a free photo with Santa. Call 371-1710 ext 103 to make your reservation.
Lake George Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Shepherds Park Beach Lake George 9:00 a.m. Registration The Lake George Polar Plunge participants will be "freezin' for a reason" as they rush into the bonechilling waters of Lake George for this great cause. The goal is to get friends, family, colleagues and other donors to sponsor your plunge, ultimately raising thousands of dollars to help the Special Olympics reach their fundraising goal, which this year is the $1 million mark. At noon, on the dot, feel the thrill and chill of the ice-cold waters of Lake George. Spectators Free. For more information call 388-0790 x129.
13th Annual Craft Fair American Legion Post 278 Clancy Street Schuylerville 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Genealogy and Local History Heritage Hunters of Saratoga County Saratoga Town Hall (corner of Rt. 4 and Rt. 29) Schuylerville 1 p.m. Lynn Calvin, genealogy researcher, will present “Searching Through Probate Records”. His talk will include the history and structure of New York’s probate courts; the process of probate; why probate records are useful in genealogical research; and where to find records in NY and other states. Public is welcome. For information call 587-2978.
Local, Natural, Organic: What’s on your plate? SUNY Empire State College 2 Union Avenue Room 126 Saratoga Springs 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Join a team of experts for an interactive discussion about rediscovering local food. Celebrity Guests: The Cooking Channels’ farming chefs, The Fabulous Beekman Boys. For more information call 587-2100. (Free).
Schenectady Annual Holiday Parade State Street Downtown Schenectady 5:00 p.m. Join us for the 45th Annual Gazette Holiday Parade in the Northeast. Be ready to share in the magic of the Season as we kick off the holidays in style with this year’s theme – Magic and Myths. Over 100 entries including marching bands, floats, marchers and more.
Sunday, November 18 Buffet Breakfast Saratoga Wilton Elks Lodge #161 8:30 – 11:00 a.m. Serving fruit cocktail, pancakes, French toast, potatoes, breakfast sausage, ham, corned beef hash, scrambled eggs, eggs Benedict , juice, coffee and tea. Donation requested: Adults $7.00. Seniors & military (Active/Retired with ID Card) $6.00. Children ages 5-12 $5.00. Under 5 Free. Takeouts $8.00.
Fashioned by Friendship 2012 Fancy Schmancy Fall Fashion Show Hilton Garden Inn Clifton Park 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. “Fashioned by Friendship” is an afternoon of fashion, food and music benefitting the Thomas Patrick Morrison Foundation. The
foundation assists Capital Region families who have children suffering from rare diseases, conditions and disorders by awarding grants to ease the financial strain they often face. These grants cover vital transportation for medical needs, fund visits to specialists nationwide, provide a comfortable bed at home for their ailing child, prevent eviction from the familys’ home, or restore home utilities. For more information call 281-0930.
Ecumenical Service The Old Stone Church 159 Stone Church Road Ballston Spa 4:00 p.m. Please bring a non-perishable food item for the Echo Food Pantry. For more information call 584-8550.
Monday, November 19 The Parkinson’s Support Group of Saratoga Woodlawn Commons 156 Lawrence Street Saratoga 2:00 p.m. This meeting is open to anyone with Parkinson’s Disease, family members and friends. For more information call Joyce Garlock at 885-6427.
Adirondack Chapter of Trout Unlimited Monthly Meeting Saratoga Public Library Dutcher Room 49 Henry Street Saratoga Springs 7:00 p.m. As part of TU’s “Guide” series the featured speaker will be Tom Conway of the auSable River Two Fly Shop in Wilmington N.Y. Tom will give a run down on when, where, and how to fish this challenging and productive river. The two fly shop carries on the legacy of the late Fran Betters and will display and discuss his famous flies and their success on the river
Sendyour your calendar to to Emily Fowler at efowler@saratogapublishing.com 5 pm on Monday forFriday Fridaypublication. publication. Send calendaritems items calendar@saratogapublishing.com beforebefore 5 p.m. on Monday for
Week of November 16 - November 22, 2012
and beyond. Trout Unlimited mission is to conserve, protect, and restore North America’s coldwater fisheries and their watersheds. General Public Welcome. For more information call Mark @ 8932228.
The Nutcracker Tea 108 Avenue of the Pines Saratoga Springs 11:00 a.m. A tea party to top them all! “The Nutcracker Tea” presented by SPAC’s Action Council is a holiday tradition complete with Northeast’s Ballet rendition of The Nutcracker, Christmas cookies and hot cocoa. Tickets: spac.org. For more information call 584-9330.
Tuesday, November 20 "Yoga for the Unenlightened": A Donation-based Beginning Yoga Class Saratoga United Methodist Church 175 Fifth Avenue at Henning Road Now meeting weekly on Tuesday evenings from 6 to 7 PM. Join our warm and friendly group as we explore the basic poses (asanas), meditations and breathing exercises of this centuries-old traditional exercise. Beginners encouraged, though all levels welcomed! $10 suggested donation per class. For more info please call (518)584-3720, or visit our website: www.saratogaspringsumc. org, click on News & Events, Event Calendar.
Achieving Optimal Health The Gideon Putnam Hotel & Conference Center 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Free Seminar! Do you know anyone who wants to lose weight, wants more energy or simply wants to feel better? This important informational seminar will feature one of the country’s lead-
ing experts in obesity and weight loss. Dr. JC Doomick will share the secrets to rapid weight loss that includes a free health coach like Donna Smaldone to guide you on your journey to optimal health. The seminar is free and open to the public but reservations are required. To reserve your seat contact Donna@donnasmaldone.com. Seating is limited and will be accepted on a first-come, firstserved basis.
BSBPA Networking Breakfast Ballston Journal Our Towne Media Center 83 Milton Avenue Ballston Spa 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. The Ballston Spa Business & Professional Association sponsors networking breakfasts on the third Tuesday of each month at different locations. A great way to share and promote your business with others in the community. Open to all, cost is $5.00 with advance reservations and $10.00 the morning of, both payable at the door. RSVP to 8852772 or info@ballston.org.
Wednesday, November 21 Pre-School Story Time Saratoga Springs Public Library 46 Henry Street Saratoga Springs 10:15 – 10:45 a.m. A children’s librarian will read aloud, offering stories and visuals that will help your preschooler’s vocabulary and spark their imagination. Children ages 42 months to 5 years will enjoy, learn and develop literacy skills through this popular story time program. For more information call 5847860, press 3.
Toddler Story Time Saratoga Springs Public Library 46 Henry Street Saratoga Springs 11:00 – 11:20 a.m. This interactive program is designed to foster a love for sto-
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ries, as well as encourage the development of pre-literary skills. Children ages 24 – 42 months and their parent or caregiver will be introduced to stories, rhymes & songs they can enjoy together. For more information call 584-7860, press 3.
Thursday, November 22 11th Annual Christopher Dailey Turkey Trot Saratoga Springs City Hall 8:30 a.m. Each year on Thanksgiving morning thousands of runners (and walkers) congregate in Saratoga Springs to race in the annual Turkey Trot race which benefits the Christopher Dailey Foundation. Runners can register online through November 20th at 12 noon at https://www.areep.com/ online_reg/registration.php?eventI D=214. There is no day of registration, but there is a last chance to register on November 21st , 4 – 8 pm at the Saratoga Hilton Hotel. Entry fees are nonrefundable and each runner will receive a Turkey Trot T-Shirt. Registration fee is $25.00. For more information call 581-1328.
19th Annual Community Thanksgiving Day Dinner Union Firehouse Milton Avenue Ballston Spa 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. Come join our community, friends and family. Sponsored by the community, no cost, all are welcome.
Friday, November 23 16th Annual Price Chopper Capital Holiday Lights Albany’s Washington Park, (enter at Madison and New Scotland Ave.) Nov. 23 – Jan. 4. Lights will open nightly at 6:00
p.m. for a glowing celebration. More than 125 illuminated displays throughout the historic park.
Upcoming Events DanceFlurry Saratoga Contradance First Baptist Church 45 Washington Street Saratoga Springs Contras, squares, and couples dances 8:00-11:00 PM (lesson for beginners at 7:30), Saturday, November 24. Caller Ted Crane with music by Eric Buddington & Friends. All dances taught, newcomers welcome. No need to bring your own partner. (Wear sneakers or other soft-soled shoes only, please.) Adults $10, students $7, children under 15, $6 For more information call 899-0105. or www.danceflurry.org.
37th Annual Holiday Craft Fair Saturday, November 24, 10:00 – 4:30 p.m. Saratoga Springs City Center.Annual Craft Fair to benefit Saratoga Center for the Family’s programs and services. Traditional items sold at the fair include pottery, ceramics, jewelry, homemade food items and much more.
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Saratoga Tree Lighting Wednesday, November 28, 7:00 p.m. Downtown Saratoga Springs. Santa & Mrs. Clause, caroling, hot chocolate & cookies, fun for children of all ages.
Victorian Streetwalk Thursday, November 29, 6:00 – 10:00 p.m. Downtown Saratoga Springs. The Saratoga Springs Victorian Streetwalk is a holiday event that can’t be missed. As you walk the sidewalks of downtown Saratoga you will see carolers and entertainers in period costumes. Kids can visit Santa and adults can enjoy the decorations at The Festival of Trees.
Festival of Trees November 29 – December 2. Saratoga Springs City Center, 522 Broadway, Saratoga Springs. The Saratoga Springs Festival of Trees is a fun-filled event and craft fair that is great for kids and adults alike, putting spirit of Christmas in everyone’s heart. Walk amid hundreds of beautifully twinkling trees, wreaths, centerpieces and other holiday items on display for visitors to purchase or simply admire. Santa himself will also be stopping by from time to time for pictures. Visit: www.saratogafestivaloftrees.com.
Singles Holiday Party – Parents Without Partners Registration Deadline 11/26. Start the season off right. Meet up and party with singles (age 3060) as Parents Without Partners and Single Parents of the Capital District sponsor their Singles Holiday Party. Saturday, December 1 at 7:00 p.m at the Edison Club, Rexford. Admission is $22, includes hot and cold appetizers, dessert, coffee, dancing, and music by the best local DJ, JC of JC Kelleher Entertainment. Cash bar, silent auction and great gifts and prizes too. For more information call 348-2062.
Farmers’ Markets Saratoga Springs Division Street Elementary School Saturdays 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. www.saratogafarmersmarket.org
Burnt Hills / Ballston Lake Corner of Lake Hill Rd. and Route 50 Saturdays 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Sendyour your calendar to to Emily Fowler at efowler@saratogapublishing.com 5 pm on Monday forFriday Fridaypublication. publication. Send calendaritems items calendar@saratogapublishing.com beforebefore 5 p.m. on Monday for
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Don’t miss the CD release party for
Antje Duvekot at Caffe Lena on Sunday, November 18 beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at the Caffe Lena box office and are $15 in advance, $17 at the door.
Week of November 16 - November 22, 2012
Local Gigs Week of 11/16-11/22:
Send listings to amarshall@saratogapublishing.com Send listings to entertainment@saratogapublishing.com
Friday, 11/16:
Saturday, 11/17:
Live Music, 6 pm
The Blisterz, 9 pm
@ primelive ultra lounge - 583.4563
Dan Falk Quartet, 7 pm @ druther’s - 306.5275
Tret Fure, 8 pm @ caffè lena - 583.0022
Beatlemore Skidmania, 8 pm @ zankel music center 580.5000
Grand Central Station, 8 pm @ vapor - 581.5772
@ bayou cafe - 384.7226
Frankie Lessard Trio, 9 pm @ bentley’s - 899.4300
Woodstone, 9 pm @ gaffney’s - 587.7359
80’s night, 9 pm @ irish times - 583.0003
Ryan Montbleau Band, 9 pm @ putnam den - 584.8066
Tony Jenkins Jazz Trip, 8:30 pm Rusty Edge, 9 pm @ wallabee’s - 792.8282
@ the mill - 899.5253
Filming Ohio, 9 pm
Off the Hook, 10:30 pm
@ bailey’s - 583.6060
The Availables, 9 pm
@ jp bruno’s - 745.1180
@ bayou cafe - 384.7226
Sunday, 11/18:
[To be determined], 9 pm
Live Music, 7 pm
@ bentley’s - 899.4300
Jeff Brisbin, 9 pm @ gaffney’s - 587.7359
Just Nate, 9 pm @ the mill - 899.5253
Rustic Overtones, 9 pm @ putnam den - 584.8066
Radio Junkies, 9:30 pm
@ druther’s - 306.5275
Antje Duvekot, 8 pm @ caffè lena - 583.0022
Thursday, 11/22: HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
@ irish times - 583.0003
Funk Evolution, 10:30 pm @ jp bruno’s - 745.1180
Saturday, 11/17: Beatlemore Skidmania, 2 pm
Open Mic Nights: Sun. Open Mic, 7 pm @ bailey’s - 583.6060
@ zankel music center 580.5000
Thur. Open Mic, 7 pm
RUNA with Dave Curley, 7 pm
@ caffè lena - 583.0022
@ caffè lena - 583.0022
Tue. w/Rick Bolton, 8 pm
David Berger Trio featuring Nick Panydies, 7 pm
Wed. Open Mic, 8 pm
@ gaffney’s - 587.7359 @ putnam den - 584.8066
@ druther’s - 306.5275
Thur. Open Mic, 10 pm
Ubuntu, 9 pm
@ circus café - 583.1106
@ bailey’s - 583.6060
PULSE
Week of November 16 - November 22, 2012
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Skidmore Presents: Beatlemore Skidmania by Chelsea DiSchiano Saratoga TODAY SARATOGA SPRINGS – What started as just a small seminar class in the late 1990s has now grown into one of Skidmore College’s most highly attended, revered annual events: Beatlemore Skidmania. The annual concert, which pays tribute to the music of the iconic band The Beatles, spawned off a seminar taught every other year by Professor of Music Gordon Thompson, who has also started teaching a larger Beatles survey class every year. The event originated in the fall of 2001, when some of Thompson’s students asked him to ‘play the music, rather than just talk about it.’ Thompson remembers that semester as a ‘tough one’—that fall, the lead guitarist of The Beatles, George Harrison, died, and the 9/11 tragedy occurred. Because of that, Thompson decided to go along with the students’ idea. “I just remember saying, ‘We need to have some fun,’” Thompson said. “It was a natural reaction to the time and the context.” After agreeing to the idea, he began setting up a performance during a ‘study day’ in December with expectations of a small, private concert setting. “I kind of flew it under the radar,” Thompson said. “We set it up, they rehearsed the material and I noticed there were these little flyers going up around campus—individual performers and bands started putting up their own little flyers saying, ‘Hey, there’s gonna be this performance.’ Sure enough, we get there on the performance day—and I didn’t do any advertising—and we basically had a full hall on the first night we did it.” Since that first concert, the event has grown rapidly to sold-out crowds—even the bands or artists that want to participate in the show must now audition, and this year was no exception. 32 individuals and bands sent in their video auditions to be considered for the concert, but since the show can only hold 16 slots, half of those artists had to be cut. The lucky few that were chosen to perform will have a lot of eyes— and pressure—on them. “They rehearse it over and over again to make it so it’s going to be as good as they can possibly get it, because they know there’s going to be a lot of other really good acts on stage and their peers, parents and the
Capital District community will be there watching them perform,” Thompson said. “This year we’re also going to do a live webcast on Saturday night, so they know there’s a lot of folks off campus that will be watching this. Skidmore has also arranged listening events in New York and Boston, and last year we did this and I heard afterwards we had people watching in Europe—so they know there’s a big audience out there and that puts a lot of pressure on them.” Five other students are also working hard to prepare for the show as part of their independent study course. “They do everything from recruiting bands, auditioning bands, working on the marketing, manning tables, selling T-shirts and posters— they’re just figuring out how to run a show. It’s a great experience for them, they learn a lot about how to run a concert and they see what goes on behind the scenes in order for a concert to happen,” Thompson said. “Besides seeing what goes into the planning of the actual program, it's been really interesting learning about how much effort goes into creating buzz for the events,” said one of the independent study participants, Sam Hoffman, who is also a senior music major at Skidmore. “At first, being a part of such a big event was certainly intimidating, knowing just how great the expectation is that the public has of the shows,” Hoffman said. “I've really enjoyed seeing what goes into choosing the poster design and line-up of an event like this. Many more factors have to be taken into consideration past which acts are ‘the best.’ To create a great program, we wanted to have variety in music styles, songs being performed, and a fluid arc to the show as a whole.” Those who are interested in attending the show to hear Beatles songs played the exact way they were originally recorded may need a quick correction: most of the songs will actually be students’ recreations of the songs, or “creative re-imaginings,” as Thompson put it. “One of the fun things about this concert that emerged early on—of course there were folks that tried to duplicate what the original recordings sound like—but early on it emerged that students were into doing their own versions of these songs, and it’s Skidmore, so of course there’s going to be some crazy renditions of them,” Thompson said. “Over the years we’ve had DJ versions with turnta-
bles, electro-pop stuff with computers, one year there was a version of ‘Across the Universe’ with a vibraphone and bass cellos, and just some creative re-imaginings of how the music could sound.” Beatlemore Skidmania will also give its net profits to the group Skidmore Cares, which supports soup kitchens, hospices and provides school supplies for needy children. “[Skidmore Cares] really does a lot of work within the Saratoga and capital district community to provide funding and materials for families that need our help, especially just before Thanksgiving,” Thompson said. “It’s become this aspect of the concert that’s taken on its own life— it’s basically a benefit concert now.” “We have an incredibly talented program, with some really unique interpretations of favorite Beatles songs,” Hoffman said. “I think this along with live streaming to alumni events in NYC and Boston is going to create a really exciting event. It's been really fun to see all of the pieces come together.” The concert is open to the public, and will take place November 16 at 8 p.m. and November 17 at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $8 for adults, $5 for seniors and Skidmore faculty/staff/retirees/alumni, and $3 for Skidmore students. Tickets, event t-shirts and posters can all be purchased online at www.cms.skidmore.edu.
“These students put a lot of energy into coming up with original arrangements, rehearsing them—there’s this energy that I cannot even begin to describe,” Thompson said. “I can tell
you that the energy backstage Friday night is going to be intense. There is this big rehearsal room backstage, and the energy in that room—you can light a small city with it.”
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PULSE
Week of November 16 - November 22, 2012
Food, Farms and the ‘Fabulous Beekman Boys’ SARATOGA COUNTY – What it takes to grow good food, the importance to you and your family of thoughtful eating and preserving local farmland, as well as the challenges of bringing local food into your schools will be among the topics explored in a panel discussion sponsored by the Academy for Lifelong Learning at Saratoga Springs (A.L.L.) on Saturday, November 17 at SUNY Empire State College room 126, Two Union Avenue. The event, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 2 p.m. Titled ‘Local, Natural, Organic – What’s on Your Plate? An Interactive Discussion about Rediscovering Local Food,’ the event is part of A.L.L.’s 20th Anniversary Celebration. Teri Ptacek of Agricultural Stewardship
of Washington and Rensselaer Counties will serve as moderator of the panel consisting of: Justine Denison, owner of Denison Farm CSA; Jennifer Small, owner of Flying Pigs Farm and representative of the American Farmland Trust; Lyndsay Meilleur, manager of The Healthy Living Market and Café, which will be opening in Wilton Mall in the spring; and Margaret Sullivan, Saratoga Springs school food service director and creator of the district’s farm-to-school program. After the panel discussion and a short refreshment break, special celebrity guests Dr. Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell, “The Fabulous Beekman Boys” of TV fame, will share their experiences as two city boys becoming farmers in Sharon Springs and their support
of local farmers. Presently appearing on the Cooking Channel and The Amazing Race, Ridge and best-selling author Kilmer-Purcell will have available copies of their “The Beekman 1802 Heirloom Cookbook” for purchase after the program. Those unable to attend this special program can view it online at www.esc.edu/esc-tv. The Academy for Lifelong Learning at Saratoga Springs is a member-driven organization offering non-credit academic study groups, as well as leadership and social opportunities for mature learners. For more information, or to be added to the Academy’s mail list to receive the spring 2013 brochure, visit A.L.L.’s web site www.esc.edu/ALL or call the office: (518) 587-2100, ext. 2415.
Dr. Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell, “The Fabulous Beekman Boys” of TV fame will be celebrity guests at the Academy for Lifelong Learning’s panel discussion Local, Natural, Organic – What’s on Your Plate? featuring local farmers, farm preservationists and healthy food advocates scheduled for November 17 at 2 p.m. in SUNY Empire State College room 126, Two Union Avenue. Photo provided.
PULSE
Week of November 16 - November 22, 2012
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Ryan Montbleau Returns to Putnam Den, Inspired by New Orleans
Photo provided SARATOGA SPRINGS – If recent history is any indication, the upcoming Ryan Montbleau Band show at Putnam Den on November 17 will draw one of the larger crowds on that popular live music club's fall concert calendar. It will also offer some fresh New Orleansinspired surprises to those attending. From the 2004 genesis of its first public performance at the former Club Caroline locally, the Bostonbased blues/roots rockers have since grown a huge, loyal fan base nationally, performed at many of the country's top festivals and even opened amphitheater shows for Dave Matthews. Following up on their sold out April show at the Den, the band returns to their favored venue as part of their current national tour on Saturday, hitting the stage after a 9 p.m. start by the acclaimed indie singer-songwriter Jonah Smith. Admission for the 18+ show is $15, with advance purchase recommended on the Den's web site at www.PutnamDen.com. Songs for Montbleau typically need to simmer: In his 10-year career, this gifted singer and his limber band have built their catalog the old-fashioned way, by introducing new songs to their live set, then bending and shaping them over dozens of performances before committing a definitive version to the hard drive. For that and many other reasons, Montbleau's current album, “For Higher,” is quite literally a departure. Well-established out of his home base in the Northeast, the singer threw himself into New Orleans, where everything is slowcooked, for a few fast-moving days—and whipped up an instant delicacy. A few of the cuts on the new
album—the playful stomp of “Deadset” or “Head Above Water,” freshly peppered with horns—were already part of the Ryan Montbleau Band's ever-growing repertoire. But the majority, including four handpicked cover tunes—stone soul nuggets from Bill Withers, Curtis Mayfield, the late Muscle Shoals guitarist Eddie Hinton and more—came together spontaneously, with little prep work. It was a feel thing, with Montbleau putting heads together with fellow music head Ben Ellman of New Orleans flag-bearers Galactic. The singer and songwriter first eased his way into the city when he was invited to contribute songs to “Backatown,” the breakthrough album of favorite son
Trombone Shorty. It went so well that Montbleau co-wrote two more songs for Shorty's recent followup, “For True.” At 34, he's a late-bloomer who's right on time. Montbleau didn't start singing and playing guitar in earnest until he was in college. Later, working at the House of Blues in Boston, he began playing solo sets there as a warm-up act. His band came together naturally, over time, planting strong roots in coffee shops, folk venues and rock clubs before converting audiences on an outdoor festival circuit that now stretches across the country. Through word of mouth and repeat visits, the band has built a devoted following from the Northeast to Chicago, Seattle and Austin. Far from feeling left out of the
New Orleans sessions, his band is already feeding hungrily on the arrangements from the new album in their live sets. “We've done a good job staying in one direction, just moving forward,” says the singer. “We all just really want to get better. I try to instill it in the guys — if we just keep it together, good stuff is gonna continue to happen.”
When the crowds are dancing, the band digs deeper in the pocket. But Montbleau, who still performs solo, is constantly looking to strike a balance between the contagious energy of moving bodies and making a closer connection. “You can still dance and have a good time,” he says of his fastspreading fan base, “but I love when you listen.”
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FOOD
Week of November 16 - November 22, 2012
Glazed Acorn Squash
(The Saratoga Springs Farmers’ Market accepts EBT, credit and debit cards, in exchange for wooden tokens, for purchases from all vendors at the Winter Market, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Division Street School.)
This is adapted from a California Thanksgiving recipe given out at a nutritional seasonal gathering of foodies. It is a savory, low-calorie, delicious way to enjoy the fall bounty of acorn squash.
Ingredients
Directions
(Those marked * are available at the Saratoga Springs Farmers’ Market.)
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2 medium-sized acorn squash * 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil ¼ cup balsamic vinegar, divided ½ cup chopped walnuts 2 tbsp. chopped fresh thyme * Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste Optional: ¼ cup crumbled fresh goat cheese (chèvre or feta)* (For a slightly different version, try using Ballston Lake Apiaries Saratoga- balsamichone- concentrate* and skip the fresh thyme.)
2. Cut acorn squash in halves and scrape out seeds. Cut into ½ in thick slices, but do not peel. Toss with olive oil mixed with half the vinegar. Spread on baking sheet. 3. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Remove from the oven; sprinkle with chopped walnuts and thyme, and put back in oven for another 5 minutes or until squash is tender. 4. Drizzle with remaining balsamic vinegar; add salt and pepper to taste. 5. Serve warm with optional local fresh goat cheese (chèvre or feta) sprinkled on top.
Week of November 16 - November 22, 2012
“I see,” said the Turkey
John Reardon
Hello again, my Foodie Friends! No Thanksgiving would be complete without the telling of the “Grandma and the Turkey” story. It was a long time ago when Johnny was three and Aubrey was five-months-old when we made the annual trek to grandma’s house to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner and watch football. First, let me explain I am a Giants fan and so is my mother-in-law. So watching the Cowboys is not our favorite thing, but her son is a Cowboys fan and so is my sister-inlaw’s husband. Yep, two Cowboys and two Giants fans in the same house and they do not like each other! I love football so I watched but the room was silent because they don’t speak to each other. They were holding their feelings down to make my mother-in-law happy. My mother-in-law was busy making a huge feast for all to enjoy. She was very nervous because she wanted everyone to get along. We always ate after the game and this one was a tight one. Most Cowboy fans may want to stop reading now. With just seconds left in the game the Miami Dolphins lined up to make a game winning field goal and it was blocked by the Cowboys! The brothers-in-law were silent! I wanted to yell but held back because of the tension. All of a sudden, one of the Cowboys (Leon Lett) chased the blocked field goal and touched it. Oh no! Well the Dolphins got another chance and won. Not good around grandma’s house. My mother-in-law was now really nervous that her day could be ruined! Her kitchen was filled with many dishes all cooking at once. There was a shout from the kitchen and Grandma announced that she had lost her glasses and could not see without them. The brothersin-law were pressed into service to find the glasses. These were not just any glasses; they were big and black and hard to lose but there were no glasses to be found. We looked everywhere and grandma was close to tears when she asked me to check on and baste the turkey. This was a big turkey - 28 pounds - and it smelled great. I grabbed my son Johnny and the baster, which he took charge of, and opened the oven to show him the turkey. He said “Look Daddy, the turkey can see better!” Yep he found the glasses neatly melted in perfect harmony with the bird so it looked like he had eyes. I started laughing and everyone joined in. Needless to say we had ham and lasagna but no turkey. It didn’t matter because the rest of the day was perfect! Remember my friends “Life happens in the Kitchen.” Compliments to the Chef
Happy Thanksgiving to all! Take care, John and Paula
FOOD
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Week of November 16 - November 22, 2012
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Week of November 16 - November 22, 2012
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SPORTS
Week of November 16 - November 22, 2012
Community Sports Bulletin Saratoga Rowing Association Offering Masters Level Winter Training Session SARATOGA SPRINGS – Starting November 19 and continuing through January 11, Saratoga Rowing Association will offer an eight-week Masters Winter training session. The program is $80 to join, and payment is due at time of registration, no later than November 23. For the first week of the program, if the weather is favorable, mid-morning sessions will be on the water. Be prepared and dress accordingly. Following November 26, all sessions will be held indoors. Anticipate extensive ergometer training, core fitness, stretching, biking and running. SRA encourages you to go at your own pace. Here’s a chance to improve your skills during the off-water season. This will dramatically improve your on-water performance and comfort level when you return to the water this spring. Winter Training Session Schedule: MONDAY: 8 - 9:45 a.m. TUESDAY: 5:30 – 6:45 a.m. 6:15 - 7:45 p.m. WEDNESDAY: 8 - 9:45 a.m. THURSDAY: 5:30 - 6:45 a.m. 6:15 - 7:45 p.m. FRIDAY: 8 - 9:45 a.m. SATURDAY: 7:30 - 9:15 a.m. SUNDAY: No sessions unless advised in advance. **Note: You need to be a member of Saratoga Rowing Association to participate in the indoor training. You can do a temporary membership for each session ($10 apiece) or a yearly Master's membership for $60. Call their offices with any questions at (518) 587-6697. **
You’re Invited to the Grand Opening of the Saratoga Regional YMCA’s Newly Expanded Wilton Branch
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED - Here’s a look at the recently completed expansion to the Saratoga Regional YMCA’s Wilton Branch, opening December 1, 2012. On December 1, the Saratoga Regional YMCA will open the doors to the highly anticipated expansion of their Wilton Branch. “We are excited to provide the local communities with a higher level of health and fitness”, said Jim Letts, CEO of the Saratoga Regional YMCA. The decision to proceed with Phase Two of the Wilton Branch Expansion was announced in early June, when the Board of Directors agreed it was time to proceed. “We listened to our members and the community and developed this building with their needs in mind.” Here are some of the new components to the Wilton Branch following the completion of Phase Two: Free Group Fitness classes, Warm Yoga Room, Cycling Room, Functional Training Area, Group Exercise Studio, Basketball and Pickleball Court, Year-Round Gymnastics Center, Childcare Rooms for Preschool, Before and After School Programs, Babysitting Room, Massage Therapy, and more! The Saratoga Regional YMCA extends an invitation to the Grand Opening Ceremony to all, on Saturday, December 1, 10 a.m. at the Wilton Branch, located at 20 Old Gick Road. There will be refreshments and beverages available, as staff members provide tours to those who are interested. For more information on the Wilton Branch Expansion, contact Kelly Armer at (518) 583-9622, ext. 106. If you would like to contribute to the capital campaign, please visit our website at www.saratogaregionalymca.org. To see updated photos of the construction site, you may visit their website at http://saratogaregionalymca.org/ccampaign.php.
Puzzle Solutions from p. 24 Send your sports stories or briefs to Andrew Marshall, Sports Editor at amarshall@saratoga publishing.com
Week of November 16 - November 22, 2012
Contemplating the Blatnick Legacy
Damian Fantauzzi How many times does the failure of trying turn into an opportunity for success? Perhaps more than we can imagine. There are many stories about situations like the one I’m about to share; and the first one I can think of is about the late Jeff Blatnick. He was a 1984 Olympic gold medalist in GrecoRoman Wrestling, who graduated from Niskayuna High School in Schenectady County. Jeff died this past October 24 at the too-soon age of 55 years old. Even though he was a cancer survivor, he died from complications due to a heart surgery. Jeff conquered his cancer (Hodgkin's lymphoma) in 1982, just two years before his heroic accomplishment of winning the Olympic gold medal. Not only did he win the gold, he was chosen by his Team USA counterparts to carry the flag during the closing ceremonies of the games which were held in in Los Angeles. Jeff stood six-feet-two-inches tall and was quite a big young man; he weighed over 200 pounds. During his sophomore year in high school, he was approached by Niskayuna's famed wrestling coach Joe Bena, who in 1972 was without a heavyweight. Blatnick was a basketball player, but was just cut from JV tryouts, and Coach Bena was searching the hallways of the high school looking for a big guy to wrestle. He saw Blatnick and asked him if he would be interested in the sport of wrestling - Blatnick originally said he had no interest in wrestling. Three years later, in 1975, he was a New York state champion in the heavyweight division. [Editor’s note: As a Niskayuna graduate who was there for Bena’s last few years with the school, he did this frequently. I am guessing the
thinking behind it was that he had already once found himself a gold medalist, who’s to say he couldn’t find another?] Blatnick was recruited by Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts, where he became a three time Division II All-American. Jeff’s story reads like the pages of a novel; the surprising-yet-true story of a person who fought the adversity of a devastating and life threatening illness to become a success and win an Olympic gold medal. This is an inspirational and mind-altering circumstance of what an individual, with the will and drive who achieved unimaginable feat of conquering life's unpredictable realities. In 1980, Blatnick was a member of the U.S. Olympic team, but the team did not participate during that Olympics because the U.S boycotted the games. The boycott came in the heat of the Cold War with the Soviet Union and the 1980 games were held in Moscow. So politics, again, stuck its nose into the world of sports. Blatnick had a bigger battle to fight than the Russians and it was with his health. In 1982, he was operated on and went through chemotherapy for cancer. Two years later in 1984, Jeff was one of the first two Americans ever to win Olympic gold in GrecoRoman wrestling, clocking in at 6'2" and as a 248 pound heavy weight. [Note: Greco-Roman wrestling is a style that forbids the athletes from using holds below the waist, which is a major difference compared to freestyle wrestling, which is more traditional in style. Basically it means the participants can't trip each other to get their opponent down on the mat.] With the adversity of Blatnick's health and struggle to become a member of the U.S. Olympic team, not once but twice, he still earned his way back to the Olympics to repeat as a member of the team. There was no quitting for him, after his battle with cancer he worked himself back to improved health and do the impossible. Having bouts not only with cancer but with the effect of chemotherapy, he was able to repeat as a member of the U.S. Olympic wrestling team. This is a story about a hero, a national hero; his gold medal was an award of valor.
With no previous experience in wrestling as a high school athlete, Jeff Blatnick became a national hero as an accomplished Olympic athlete. He was a young man who proved to those who would have put their dreams of being a superstar in one sport and with the fortitude to move in another direction successfully. Jeff Blatnick’s triumphs were an enigma, and to do what he did is an amazing story. I can't imagine if it was me who was cut from basketball that I would even consider going into wrestling. These two sports, basketball and wrestling, couldn't be any further from having any similarities. Blatnick's achievement all came around and developed into a storybook or novel of triumph of the human spirit, but it wasn't fictional - it was fact! We all have our own personal stories of evolvement as person in this thing we call life. This is a story of success and tragedy (as most are) but Jeff Blatnick's trip on the road of life was as real as it gets. He fought against the odds that confronted him and he was able to beat those odds. But, at the age of 55, his conquest came to an end as his physical heart failed him. The emotion of triumph of his internal drive of achieving his goals, helped him follow his dream and legacy - during his quest, this is where his heart did not fail him. There is nothing but admiration for what this man had done in his life. He has left his family behind, through no choice of his own, his wife, Lori; a son, Ian; a daughter, Niki. They will remember their husband and father in such a different way than the rest of us. He left the world of wrestling with memories of achievement as a national sports hero. Before his passing, he was still giving back to the sport of wrestling, as a coach at Burnt Hills High School. Thanks to the late Jeff Blatnick for not only bringing a local Olympic hero but for his greatest achievement of winning over the adversity of what life can present and turning into gold. For his inspirational legacy, we thank him!
SPORTS
37
Saratoga Central Catholic Introduces Winter Sports Teams at “Meet the Players Night” by Andrew Marshall
Saratoga TODAY
SARATOGA SPRINGS – The Saratoga Central Catholic athletic booster club hosted a “Meet the Teams” night in anticipation of the upcoming 2012-2013 winter sports season. Parents, friends, faculty and staff in attendance were introduced to the modified, junior varsity and varsity teams for both girls’ and boys’ basketball as well as the cheerleading squad. The school also announced a brand new varsity basketball tournament called the Saratoga Springs Fire Fighter Classic, scheduled for the weekend of November 30 as a tip off event for the season. Saratoga Central Catholic’s athletic director Phonse Lambert welcomed the crowd to the event before the Saints cheerleading squad entered the gym to perform a cheer. The team will be coached by Erica Dingeman and Amy Barakat this season. Lambert then introduced the modified girls’ basketball team for this season, which will be coached by Pat Maher. Stevie Towne will serve as an assistant to Maher. Next to be introduced were the boys’ modified team, who will be split into two squads this season of seven and eight players. Their coach will be Oliver Aldrich. The junior varsity squads were introduced next, with the girls’ team receiving high praise from Lambert during their introduction, suggesting that their size will serve as a definite advantage on the interior this season. Mike Lenz will be coaching the junior varsity girls this year.
The boys’ junior varsity followed the girls’, with Lambert introducing the team as “perhaps the best looking team” in the entire Western Athletic Conference. He was referring to the sweaters most of the team was wearing, which were provided by the parents of a student at the school. The junior varsity will be coached by Anthony Gargano. Next, the varsity teams took the floor as the girls’ team was introduced. Lambert made special notice of the recently-crowned 2012 WAC Volleyball Most Valuable Player and varsity starter, Natalie Pikus. The girls’ varsity head coach is none other than the school’s principal, Steve Lombard. He’ll be assisted this season by Tom Coons and Betsey Towne. Lastly, the boys’ varsity team was introduced alongside their head coach Ken Mantia, He’ll be assisted this season by Mike Beson. Following the introductions, the school thanked Stewart’s Shops and Saratoga National Bank for their help in purchasing two new wireless digital scoreboards and shot clocks for the upcoming season.
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SPORTS
Week of November 16 - November 22, 2012
News and Notes: Thoroughbreds Ice Hockey Team Defeats Saint Anselm College
Skidmore Field Hockey’s Postseason Ends in Second Round
SARATOGA SPRINGS - A determined Skidmore College hockey team came from behind to beat St. Anselm College, 5-4 in ECAC East action, the afternoon of November 10 at the Saratoga Springs City Ice Rink. The Thoroughbreds improve to 22 after handing the 2-1-1 Hawks their first loss of the season and snapping a 12-game St. A's unbeaten streak that began last season. St. Anselm jumped out to a quick 2-0 first period lead on goals a pair of goals by Liam McKillop at 5:08 and 8:06 of the first. David Limoges got one back for Skidmore with a breakaway goal at 11:31. McKillop completed the hat trick at 16:58 for a 3-1 Hawk lead at the first intermission. Skidmore freshman goalie Ben Freiberg stopped a Mike Richard breakaway at 1:03 that kept it a twogoal game and allowed the Thoroughbred comeback. Skidmore cut the lead to one 27 seconds later when Erik Nilsson scored on a rebound from Limoges and Tony Giacin at 1:30. Brad Schuler made it 3-3 with his fourth of the season at 5:52 from Vlad Gavrik and Daniel Morelli. Freiberg, who came on in relief in the first period, had 10 saves in the period. In the third, Skidmore took its first lead of the game, 4-3, when Jack Even beat St. Anselm goalie Robert Kang glove side from a tight angle at 2:53, from Brendan Cottam and Chris Powers. Cottam made it 5-3 when his shot connected high stick side at 8:25 from Dalton Weinstein and Ondrej Krajnak. Richard got it to within one, 5-4 when scored his sixth of the season, a power-play goal at 12:46. The Thoroughbred defense shut the door the rest of the way for the 5-4 win.
MIDDLEBURY - The Skidmore College field hockey saw their season come to an end with a 6-2 loss at top-seeded Middlebury in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on November 10. The Thoroughbreds end their season at 14-6, while the Panthers remain perfect at 18-0 and will face DePauw in tomorrow's quarterfinal at 1 p.m. Skidmore put the pressure on the Panthers early, earning three penalty corners but were unable to convert. Lauren Greer got the scoring started for Middlebury when she took a pass off a penalty corner and sent a pass to Catherine Fowler who gave it right back to her as she blasted home a shot to make it 1-0. Fowler made it 2-0 after she collected her own rebound off a shot from the wing and found the back of the cage. The Thoroughbreds responded just a few minutes later when Ceilidh MacNeill streaked down the sideline and sent a pass in to Dani DeGregory who found Kelly Blackhurst in the middle of the circle to cut the deficit to 2-1. Fowler pushed the lead back to two goals at 24:12 when she corralled a rebound from Greer's shot from the wing and put it home for her second of the game. Greer made it 4-1 at 31:56 off another penalty corner. Alyssa DiMaio inserted a pass to Fowler who went to her right and flicked a pass behind her back to Greer for her second of the game, giving Middlebury a 4-1 lead at the intermission. Middlebury put the game away with a pair of goals in a 1:48 span late. Anna Kenyon redirected a shot from Greer to make it 5-1 and Greer capped off the scoring with a loft from the top of the circle off a penalty corner. DiMaio and Elinore
O'Brien were credited with the assists.
DeGregory, Blackhurst grab Liberty League honors Skidmore College field hockey freshman Dani DeGregory (Greenwich, N.Y./Greenwich) and junior Kelly Blackhurst (North River, N.Y./Johnsburg) earned Liberty League recognition for their performances during the Thoroughbreds’ run in the NCAA Tournament. DeGregory earned Rookie of the Week honors for the fourth time this season and fourth time in the last five weeks. She finished the week with three goals and an assist in two games. In the opening round win over UMass Dartmouth, DeGregory scored twice before picking up a goal and an assist in the loss to topranked Middlebury. Blackhurst was named to the weekly honor roll for the third time this season. In Wednesday’s win, she had two goals and an assist and also added a goal at Middlebury. The Thoroughbreds ended their season with a 14-6 record, earning a trip to the NCAA Tournament for the sixth straight season.
MacNeill named to NFHCA senior game Skidmore senior Ceilidh MacNeill (Framingham, Mass.) has been selected to the 2012 NFHCA Division III senior game to be played this Saturday. MacNeill put together the best season of her career this past year, amassing 12 goals and nine assists for 33 points. Over her four year career, she has played in 77 games, totaling 31 goals and 15 assists for 77 points. The game will be played at 4 p.m. on Saturday at William Smith College, the site of the 2012 NCAA Division III field hockey championship.
Week of November 16 - November 22, 2012
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Wilton YMCA Expansion pg. 36
Week of November 16 - November 22, 2012
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Masters Rowing pg. 36
Vol. 7 • Issue 46 • FREE • Saratoga TODAY
Saratoga Central Catholic Introduces Winter Sports Teams
Photos courtesy of Deborah Neary for PhotoandGraphic.com
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