Help the Backstretch Workers
B.E.S.T. is Backstretch Employees Service Team, a nonprofit organization that serves the physical and social welfare needs of the backstretch workers at the Saratoga Race Track. There are workers at the track until Nov. 15 and the free store on the track supplements bedding, clothing, etc., to these workers. As the cold weather has set in, the store needs blankets, men’s warm jackets, hats, gloves, long underwear, work shoes and boots to help finish the season. Contact (518) 538-2191 for information regarding more details including place and times for drop-off.
Toys for Tots Donations
During this upcoming holiday season, Community Emergency Corps of Ballston Spa will again be an official drop off point for donations for the Toys for Tots program sponsored by the United States Marine Corps. For 2014, they will also be partnering with the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office to broaden the scope of support for the national Toys for Tots campaign. Donations have already been accepted and will continue to be accepted at the station at 78 Thompson St. in Ballston Spa until Dec. 15. You can drop them off anytime, days or evenings. As a reminder, toys collected in this area are redistributed right back into this area to those in need. For further information, contact CEC Executive Director Ray Otten at (518) 885-1478.
Host Community Appreciation Day
WILTON, N.Y. (October 27, 2014) – The Ballard Road Office of Saratoga National Bank and Trust Company will host a Community Appreciation Day on Friday, Nov. 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 227 Ballard Road. The event will feature donuts and apple cider from Stewart’s, plus hot dogs, chips and refreshments for lunch. There will also be giveaways and balloons for kids. In addition, various fundraisers will support local organizations: A basket raffle will benefit the Wilton Food Pantry and the Adirondack Vets House, and the branch will collect food and coat donations for those organizations. For more information on the November 7 Community Appreciation Day, call the Ballard Road Office at (518) 587-4051.
Your Laughter Can Help Those in Need
Join After The Fire, Inc. and The Not Too Far From Home Comedy Tour on Friday, Nov. 7 at 8 p.m. for a professional standup comedy performance to benefit After The Fire, Inc., a volunteer, non-profit, publicly-supported organization helping people in Saratoga County who have been victims of fire in their home. The benefit will be at the Saratoga Wilton Elks Lodge No. 161. Tickets are $15 per person in advance and $20 at the door. Contact Maureen Smith of After the Fire, Inc. for tickets at (518) 581-1823. For more information about After the Fire, Inc. visit www.afterthefire.org.
Christmas Bazaar
Porter Corners United Methodist Church is hosting a Christmas Bazaar Nov. 8 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 512 Allen Road in Porter Corners. There will be homemade soup and sandwiches, plus new and used Christmas items, a bake sale, wreath orders and Ron Feulner books. The event is handicap accessible. Come join for lunch!
Annual Church Garage and Bake Sale.
Presbyterian-New England Congregational Church (24 Circular St., Saratoga Springs) is having the annual Church Garage and Bake Sale on Saturday, Nov. 8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. No early birds admitted. Indoor, rain or shine. All proceeds benefit church youth group activities. Something for everyone: Antique, vintage, gently used, new. Furniture, linens, housewares, books, CDs, toys, much more. No clothing. Plus homemade cakes, pies and cookies. Bring a box to fill!
10th Annual Harvest Buffet
The 10th annual Harvest Buffet will be at Christ The Savior Church (349 Eastline Road, Ballston Lake) Nov. 8 from 4–6:30 p.m. Menu: Soups – Cream of Broccoli or Borscht, Coke Beef Roast, Chicken Mole’, kielbasa and sauerkraut, Bar-B-Q Pork, salad, dessert and beverage. Donation: Adults $10, Children 5-12 $6 under 5 free. Pay at the door. First come-first served. For more information, visit www.xcsavior.org or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Warren Miller
The Alpine Sport Shop and the Skidmore Outing Club present the 2014-15 Warren Miller Ski & Snowboard movie "No Turning Back" to benefit the Skidmore Outing Club Double H Ranch Adaptive Winter Sports Program. The movie will be presented Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. at the Gannett Auditorium. Ticket price is $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Tickets are available at the Alpine Sport Shop (399 Clinton St., Saratoga Springs). For more information call (518) 584-6290.
Honoring our Vets
Operation Adopt A Soldier, Inc. presents the “Honoring our Veterans” buffet and brunch on Sunday, Nov. 9 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Fortunes Restaurant on the grounds of the Saratoga Casino and Raceway. Cost is $20 for adults, $10 for children 3-10 years old and free for those under 3. Reservations must be made by Nov. 1 with a check payable to Operation Adopt A Soldier, Inc. 4281 Route 50, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. For more information call (518) 260-9922 or (518) 729-9417.
Veterans Day Polka Celebration
A Veterans Day Polka Celebration will take place at the Knights of Columbus, 50 Pine Ave., Saratoga Springs on Nov. 9 from 2–6 p.m. Music for dancing and listening pleasure by Dennis Polisky’s “Maestro’s Men”. Cash bar and reasonably priced Polish/American kitchen. Welcome back to Eddie Grzyb and his Polka Recordings. Advance tickets will be $13 each until Nov. 1, and admission will be $15 at the door. 50/50 raffles, prizes and a lot of fun. For more information or tickets contact Steve Coblish, (518) 899-3061, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Havurah Vatik
Local novelist and playwright David Kalish was inspired by a brush with cancer and divorce to create comedy from his painful past. David will read from his recently published first novel, “The Opposite of Everything” and discuss the process of turning life experiences into fiction at Congregation Shaara Tfille Nov. 18 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Audience questions and comments will be welcomed. “The Opposite of Everything” will be available for sale and autograph. A catered lunch will be served. Contact Temple Sinai at (518) 584-8730, mailbox 4, or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Nov. 13 if you are planning to attend, need to cancel your reservation, or if you need transportation. All Saratoga area Jewish seniors 55 plus are welcome.
Over-30 Basketball at Gavin
Grab your sneakers and get ready for Over-30 Basketball! Designed with the mature, basketball-playing crowd in mind, the Over-30 Basketball Program is for adults, ages 30 and over. This is a drop-in activity which runs Mondays, 8-10 p.m. now through May 19. The weekly fee is $5 per person (cash only), and a maximum of 20 players can participate on any given night. Any questions, please contact the park office at (518) 584-9455.
First Night Saratoga 5K Run
The 17th annual First Night Saratoga 5K Run, presented by the Saratoga Arts, will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 31 at 5:30 p.m. The run is limited to the first 1,500 registrants. There is no day of race registration. The race has sold out for the past 13 years. A ChronoTrack B-Tag computerized scoring system will be used. The USA Track and Field certified course starts and finishes on the Skidmore College Campus. Awards will be given to the top three overall male and female finishers as well as the top three male and female finishers in five-year age categories. All finishers will receive a First Night commemorative medal. Register by Nov.28 for the early registration fee of $25 and a guaranteed moisture-wicking long-sleeved shirt. After Nov. 28, registration is $30. Refreshments following the race. Showers and restrooms available in the athletic complex. Save time by registering online or download an application and map at www.saratoga-arts.org. There is no additional fee for registering online. For further information contact First Night Saratoga at (518) 584-4132.
Saturday Nature Walk
A Youth Saturday Nature Walk will take place on Nov. 8 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Bring a lunch. Adults are welcome to join in the fun. The event is sponsored by Christian Education, Trinity United Methodist Church, 155 Ballard Road in Gansevoort. For more information call (518) 584-9107.
Baked Ham Dinner
A baked ham dinner will be Saturday, Nov. 8 from 3:30–6:30 p.m. at the Trinity United Methodist. Take-out available. Handicap accessible. Menu: Mashed potatoes and gravy, applesauce, vegetables, rolls, assorted desserts and beverages. Kids Entrée available. Cost is $9 for adults, $5 for children, under 5 free.
Christmas Shopping Crafts, Garage Sale, Lunch
Come check out Christmas shopping at the Saratoga-Wilton Elks Club off Maple Avenue on Elks Lane. With the Christmas season in force, there are extra vendors for shopping. Admission is free, over 40 vendors, great parking, bargains galore, bakery goods, books, household items, clothing, jewelry, handwork, party vendors, hand-painted bird feeders and ornaments, all natural soaps, jewelry, ladies handmade accessories, knitted baby items, Christmas decorations and antiques. Fun for the entire family. There will be pizza and other lunch choices available. All proceeds go to local charities. All markets are held the fourth Sunday of each month, excluding December. The next date is November 23. Tables are available for $15. Call Linda at (518) 289-5470 for more information.
