Fo r A d v e r t i s i n g I n f o : 2 6 5 . 1 1 0 5 • y o u r h o m e t o w n e @ g m a i l . c o m • w w w. y o u r- h o m e t o w n e. c o m
MALTA AVENUE ELEMENTARY PARTICIPATES IN
“SCHOOLS HELPING SCHOOLS” HAT DAY
Malta Avenue Elementary School in Ballston Spa "adopted" the Massapequa City School District through the Schools Helping Schools program sponsored by the New York State Council of School Superintendents (NYSCOSS). The school district was impacted by Hurricane Sandy and is in need of many items for their students and families. On Wednesday, January 16th, the Malta Avenue Student Council sponsored a Hat Day and raised $513.12, which will now be sent to aid with the relief efforts going to the people in the Massapequa schools. NYSCOSS launched the program, Schools Helping Schools, in response to the many offers of help from school district members throughout the state following the terrible impact of Hurricane Sandy on communities, schools and families. The Council is matching affected school districts with others from around the state in a state-wide “adopt a school” donation and relief effort. Superintendents who have “adopted” another district continue to communicate with the adopted school district to see what needs their students and community have. Two elementary schools in the Ballston Spa Central School District (BSCSD) were matched with sister schools in the Massapequa Public School District on Long Island to provide support for homeless families who were displaced by Hurricane Sandy. Over 275 families in their district lost everything due to the damage and they are in need of resources to assist the families with daily living. Malta Avenue and Milton Terrace South Elementary Schools both planned school wide efforts to collect any possible donation that can be easily transported to the affected schools for distribution to families. The school district remains cognizant of teaching students the importance of service learning and community service throughout the entire school year. When asked to support another school district, “ Our Principals and staff did not hesitate to volunteer their assistance in helping our “sister” schools downstate,” indicated Joseph P. Dragone, Ph.D., Superintendent of BSCSD. BSCSD students and staff members throughout the district were actively involved in supporting the relief efforts following the storm. Milton Terrace North 3rd grade students hosted a pasta dinner to raise money for victims of Hurricane Sandy and collected close to $1,800.00. The Ballston Spa Middle School hosted their 3rd “Scottie's Closet” and distributed all of the clothing left to the victims of Hurricane Sandy. Ballston Spa teachers and staff also gathered supplies and donations for an elementary school in Coney Island. For additional information on the Schools Helping Schools project, please contact Kyle McCauley Belokopitsky at kyle@nyscoss.org or 518-6944874. Local contact is Stuart Williams, Community Relations, @BSCSD, 884-7195 or swilliams@bscsd.org.
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PRIMITIVE COUNTRY DECOR'S NEWEST TWIST Each month I share “Decorating Tips from The Speckled Hen” and introduce you to new ways to decorate your home with primitives. If you already have a primitive home, I'll help add to it with fresh ideas. And although I won't be open this month, I still have many decorating tips to share! Most of us know primitive decorating as part flea market finds, part shabby chic, and part 'make-do'. This requires investing time into scouting out classic older pieces - antiques or barn finds that you fix up for display. If you can't find the perfect piece at a flea market, second hand store, garage sale, or country auction, then check out primitive country décor's newest trend - taking something new and forcefully 'aging' the piece. These pieces are made with the finest wood and craftsmanship, and then distressed to look old through paint applications and techniques. I've yet to hear a name for it, but I think that 'upscale primitive' describes it perfectly. This has become popular in recent years, and in fact, there are many local craftsmen who produce beautiful 'upscale primitive' pieces. You can make pieces similar to this at home, so let's talk more about taking new pieces and making them look old for primitive decor. There are many 'aging' tricks for making furniture look primitive. Find the right piece for your home and make it look olden using a crackle paint treatment and some sandpaper. Sand down the areas that would've been worn-down naturally over years of use. While the standard “Crackle” paint is great, also try the “Porcelain Crackle” - this will give you a finish similar to what you'd see on old china dishes. Replace the standard hardware with something more rustic, and be sure to use the similar aging techniques on it. Soon your furniture will have a country appeal that is 100% to your taste and matches you home's color scheme perfectly. These ideas and suggestions are in addition to the many items featured in The Speckled Hen. I can't wait to see you during your next visit, but remember I'll be closed for the month of February. Maureen Culver • 369.8771 • 38 Saratoga Road, Scotia thespeckledhen38@gmail.com
Glenville Town Offices
18 Glenridge Road, Glenville, NY 12302