How to resolve AdBlock issue?
“Keep Moving Forward” – by Andrew Marshall (Published March 15, 2012)
Toward the beginning of spring, we brought you the story of Ballston Spa resident Ben Eckland, a 26-year-old living with disabilities who had set a goal for himself to pass his driver’s test. With the help of the Saratoga Bridges Foundation and their dedicated staff, he cleared a major hurdle that March by obtaining a learner’s permit. The title of the story was taken directly from Ben Eckland’s own personal motto of “keep moving forward.” It was a testament not only to Ben’s determination, but the support he received from Saratoga Bridges.
“Saratoga Olive Oil Store Named One of the Top Five in the World” by Patricia Older (Published November 21, 2012)
By now, the news of Saratoga Olive Oil’s tremendous accolade has made its way around the city. When you consider the places you’d find the other stores on that list (two in New York City, one in France and one in Spain), you can see that the Olive Oil Times trade magazine was quite literally considering locations all over the world.
“Saratoga War Horse” by Daniel Schechtman (Published January 6, 2012)
Saratoga War Horse was introduced to our readers with in our first edition of 2012. It told the story of Vietnam veteran and former airline pilot Bob Nevins and Thoroughbred expert (and frequent Saratoga TODAY contributor) Marilyn Lane’s organization that pairs soldiers struggling with readjustment to civilian life with retired Thoroughbred race horses. The practice is said to have an incredible effect on the participants, helping them to shift their perspectives back to what they once knew.
“Skateboarding 101: Volunteers Organize Skateboarding Events for Kids, Community” by Andrew Marshall (Published June 15, 2012)
Far and away our most popular story on our blog for 2012, this story briefly touched on the issues between the skateboarding community in Saratoga Springs and city officials. After raising money for the necessary repairs to the park with an art show fundraiser, local activist and skateboarder Charlie Samuels sat down with us to talk about how he had organized several events in conjunction with the city, and even started a class to teach kids the fundamentals of skateboarding.
“A Father’s Legacy” by Daniel Schechtman (Published March 22, 2012)
This was the touching story of Andrew Ragan, a man suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. After outliving his prognosis by four years, Ragan was extremely limited in his mobility and required the use of an Eyegaze computer system to communicate verbally. His final goal was to finish a book titled “Father’s Whispers,” which he wrote with hopes of passing on the advice, insight and life lessons to his children as they grew older without him. Andrew Ragan passed away May 20, 2012.
“UPH For Sale?” by Arthur Gonick (Published June 8, 2012)
When we first heard rumblings about the possible sale of the Universal Preservation Hall along Washington Street in Saratoga Springs, we had our old friend and roving troubadour Arthur Gonick see what he couldn’t dig up. We received some interesting responses to this piece, with many people upset the piece ran at all. While the building did not end up being sold, Proctor’s CEO Philip Morris and UPH board president Dorothy “Teddy” Foster announced at an October 25 press conference their intentions to collaborate on restoring the building as a future performance space.
“Spa City Teens Arrested, Global Fake ID Ring Exposed” by Andrew Marshall (Published April 6, 2012)
The news that 14 teenagers - including 13 from Saratoga Springs High School – had been arrested for possessing fake IDs was one that sent shockwaves through the community. Soon it was revealed that these students were purchasing the offending documents from a website based in China. The website created the documents with the purchaser’s real name and personal information. What we learned was that the information they provided was likely sold to identity thieves who would attempt to open credit cards and mortgages in their name. The story aimed to warn other teenagers in the area of the dangers of obtaining fake identification.
“Homeless in Saratoga” by Chelsea DiSchiano (Published November 30, 2012)
This story called attention to the real issues of homelessness here in the Spa City. The Saratoga County Housing Alliance invited reporters to learn more about what it’s like to live on the streets of Saratoga by organizing an event called “A Day Without a Home.” Participants were presented the kinds of scenarios that the homeless in the city face every single day. Representatives of the SCHA, along with Shelters of Saratoga spoke out afterwards about the causes and misconceptions surrounding the homeless, and offered possible solutions.
“Build It and They Will Come” by Chelsea DiSchiano (Published March 8, 2012)
The 2009 arrival of the GlobalFoundries plant in Malta brought with it some lofty hopes for the growth of the small Saratoga County community. With the additions of new medical facilities – including the Albany Medical Center’s Malta Med Emergent Care - fire stations and restaurants, the town’s business is thriving. The effects of GlobalFoundries also appear to be attracting a new, diverse population to residential complexes such as Ellsworth Commons.
“The Sterling Archer” by Andrew Marshall (Published March 8, 2012)
This was the story of Jimmy Butts, world champion archer and master jeweler at Broadway’s N. Fox. Jimmy had recently returned from the archery world championships with a second-place finish. The story’s title is a play on his recent silver medal finish as well as his craft of jewelry making. There is also a popular television character by the name “Sterling Archer.” We know this, because Andrew refuses to let this one go. (Seriously.)
“SOS! Save Our Seniors: Maplewood Manor Mobilizes to Save Nursing Home” by Chelsea DiSchiano (Published October 19, 2012)
The fate of the county-owned nursing home known as Maplewood Manor had been up in the air for the majority of 2012. When it finally came time for the powers that be to make a decision, the loved ones of Maplewood residents sprang into action to do whatever they could to prevent the home from being sold to a private entity. Dorothy Tyler and the Maplewood Manor Family Council demanded that the County Board of Directors be held accountable for the decisions they made and how they affected their loved ones living at Maplewood.
“Mountaintop Miracle” by Yael Goldman (Published February 24, 2012)
This was the harrowing story of Steve Mastaitis’ trip up Mount Marcy gone wrong. The Saratoga Springs lawyer spent 20 hours stranded on New York State’s tallest peak, enduring the cold weather and suffering frost bite and hypothermia. As inclement weather delayed the rescue team’s search, Steve was forced to battle through the pain of the frigid conditions to ensure his recovery.
