December 16th

Eagle Watch Grab a pair of binoculars and join park staff on December 23 from 9 a.m. to noon, at Moreau Lake State Park on their weekly Bald Eagle survey. Moreau Lake State Park’s section of the Hudson is home to wintering bald eagles. It is important for us to monitor their population and health, please come and help us! Registration is necessary. A Christmas Carol The Puppet People Present: A Christmas Carol on December 28, at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. at the Saratoga Springs Public Library in the H. Dutcher Community Room. A Charles Dickens holiday classic, this show features beautiful handcrafted marionettes, shadow puppets, gorgeous masks, lavish costumes, vivid sets, a professional soundtrack that includes many holiday favorites, and a giant 9-foot parade puppet. This program is for ages five and older. Pick up tickets at the library. First Night Saratoga 2017 - A Night of Magic As one of the oldest and largest First Night celebrations in the country, First Night is the most affordable, accessible, family-friendly, safe and exciting way to spend New Year’s Eve in the region. On Saturday, December 31 join over 15,000 revelers as Saratoga Art’s hosts over seventy regional and touring performing groups in thirty venues throughout Historic Downtown Saratoga Springs. Starting with the 5K road race at Skidmore College at 5:30 p.m., culminating with the fireworks in Congress Park at midnight and packed full of live music, dance, comedy, and magic in between. This event will be a highlight of your outgoing year. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. Cost is $20 for adults; kids under $12 are free with a paying adult. Artists in Action Join us in the H. Dutcher Community Room at the Saratoga Springs Public Library on January 4, from noon to 1 p.m. for our monthly Artists in Action series. This month featuring Jim Schreiner of Great Sacandaga Designs who will demonstrate rustic furniture making. Jim has been building Adirondack rustic and traditional furniture professionally since the early 90’s. His unique designs are hand-crafted using sustainably harvested local forest materials such as figured woods, bark, twig, and log species, along with wood carving. No registration required. For more events at the library, visit www.sspl.org. Free Beginner Dance Lessons with Spa City Swingers Come check out different styles of partner dances on Friday, January 6 and February 24, from 7 to 8 p.m., and see what makes it so much fun. No partner is necessary. Pre-registration is required. Call 518-899-4411 or log-on www.maltaparksrec.com to reserve your spot. For ages 12+. New Saratoga Friends New Saratoga Friends is a social group for baby boomers who are new to the Saratoga area and are interested in making new friends to socialize with. We also welcome folks who are not new to the area but want to make new friends. This is NOT a dating or “singles” group! Couples and singles are welcome and there is no membership fee. Group members plan social activities based on their interests. You are welcome to join us in the Susman Room at the Saratoga Springs Public Library on Tuesday, January 24, 6:30-7:30 p.m. For more info or questions contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or join our New Saratoga Friends Meetup group (go to www.Meetup.com).” 99th Annual Dinner The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce cordially invites you to the 99th Annual Dinner on Thursday, January 26, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at the Saratoga Springs City Center, 522 Broadway, Saratoga Springs. The event will kick-off with a Cocktail Hour, from 6 to 7 p.m. and will be followed by dinner and the program, from 7 to 8:30 and will conclude with a dessert reception, running until 9:30 p.m. Sponsorship opportunities are available ranging from $500 to $3,500, which includes admission to the event. If you are interested in having your business name and/or logo displayed for members to see, please contact Keith VanVeghten, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or call 518-584-3255. “A Day at the Races” Tutsi Fruitsy Ice Cream Social On January 21, from 2 – 4:30 p.m. at Saratoga Springs Public Library, H. Dutcher Community Room, this Saratoga Reads tie-in program, we honor the humor of Frank Sullivan’s 1930s with a showing of the Marx Brother’s film “A Day at the Races.” Come dressed in your silliest Marx Brothers inspired outfit, or your best 30’s Hollywood glamour style and you might win a prize for “Best Dressed”! Ice cream will be served. No registration required. AARP Tax Prep Tax-Aide, a volunteer tax preparation program will be offering free tax preparation and filing of tax returns for low to moderate incomes, with a preference for seniors beginning February 1, 2017 through April 13, 2017 at the Malta Community Center. Appointments are required by calling 518-899-4411. AARP tax prep volunteers will be available, Wednesdays, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. and Thursdays, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Please make your appointment after you have received all of your income and tax documents. Saratoga’s Chowderfest Saratoga’s Annual Chowderfest, February 4, 2017, is one of the area’s most highly anticipated events of the year. Family-friendly, fun and utterly delicious, Chowderfest features more than 80 vendors—including Saratoga County’s best restaurants and caterers—who open their doors to the public and serve hot bowls of chowder to event goers. Sponsored by Saratoga Convention & Tourism Bureau, the 19-year anniversary of Saratoga Chowderfest starts at approximately 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. and will feature live music, family-friendly activities and, of course, a wide variety of chowders.For more information, visit https://discoversaratoga.org/chowderfest. Saratoga Winterfest and Camp Saratoga Snow Shoe Races The Saratoga Winterfest 5K Snowshoe Run/Walk will be held on Sunday, February 5 at 11 a.m. in the Saratoga Spa State Park. Camp Saratoga 8k Snowshoe Race will be held on Saturday, February 18 at the Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park at 10:30 a.m. Go to www.saratogastryders.org to download an application or link to online registration at www.active.com. A limited supply of Dion Snowshoes will be available at a $5 rental charge. Email Laura Clark at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to reserve a pair or phone 518-581-1278. For information about the entire Dion Snowshoe Series and for snow updates visit www.dionwmacsnowshoe.com. Annual Moonlight Ski and Snowshoe Join us at the popular and highly anticipated Annual Moonlight Ski and Snowshoe at Camp Saratoga on Scout Road. Luminaries will glow along 2.5 miles of groomed trails. Along the way you will find fields and forests, warming bonfires, and plenty of hot chocolate! The terrain is suitable for all levels and ages and includes a smaller 1 mile loop. Participants can drop-in anytime during the evening; no registration is needed. Snowshoes and cross-country skis will be available on a first-come first-serve basis in the I.P. Winter Lodge off of Parking lot #2. The rental fee is $5/ person for non-members. Parking will be directed by WWPP. This event is weather permitting. Please call or email for more information or if you are interested in volunteering for this event, 518-450-0321; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Got An Hour? Why not give it back by spending time volunteering in your community? The Saratoga County Office for the Aging is in immediate urgent need of volunteers to help deliver meals to homebound seniors in the following areas: Ballston Spa, Greenfield, Malta, Saratoga, Wilton, and Mechanicville. We are also currently seeking substitute drivers for many communities throughout Saratoga County. Please call Billie Jo or Ashley at 518-363-4020 or 518-363-4033 for details. Free Exercise Program for Seniors Increase your strength, flexibility and balance while decreasing your risk of falls and broken bones. The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of Saratoga County’s Office of the Aging sponsors Osteoporosis Prevention Exercise Classes throughout Saratoga County for people over 50. This low impact program can help improve your health and well-being and you can have fun while you’re at it. Classes meet at least twice a week and weights are provided. Locations include Ballston Spa, Malta, Saratoga Springs, Clifton Park, Halfmoon, Wilton, Schuylerville, Greenfield Center, South Glens Falls, Hadley and Corinth, For information about how to jump start New Year call Jen Buscema at 518-884-4110. Give a Neighbor a Lift If you are over 55 and enjoy driving, then this is the volunteer opportunity for you. The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of Saratoga County’s Office for the Aging provides rides to seniors in our community to medical appointments inside and outside of Saratoga County. There is no minimum requirement for hours volunteered, so if you have some extra time and would like to lend a helping hand, please reach out and call Jen Buscema at 518-884-4110.