Author: Lori Mahan

BALLSTON SPA — Ballston Spa High School’s FIRST Robotics Team #3044 and FIRST Tech Challenge Team #6945 recently hosted a Hudson Valley FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Qualifying Tournament. Eight FLL teams participated in the tournament. The first-place winner was the BroBots team from Christian Brothers Academy in Albany. They will be moving on to the Hudson Valley FLL Championship Tournament on February 8, 2020 at Dutchess Community College. Other teams that received awards at the tournament include: • Robot Design Award & Robot Performance Award (BSpa Beasts from Saratoga County 4-H) • Project Award (Motors in Action, Wood Road Elementary) • Core Values (Bionic Builders, Ballston Spa Middle School) This year’s FLL challenge, City Shaper, required students to design a LEGO robot that was programmed to operate independently on the competition table and accomplish several design and construction related tasks. The teams were judged based on the robot’s performance, design, core values and on a project. The theme of this year’s project asked students to think like architects, engineers and construction workers to identify a problem with a building or public space in their community and design a solution to the problem. The tournament was sponsored by Hudson Valley FLL, Dutchess Community College and their Foundation, IBM, and NY Tech Valley FIRST. FIRST programs are growing in New York Tech Valley as a result of the overwhelming support of our industry sponsors to engage more students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) and develop the needed workforce to support their businesses. Sponsors for New York Tech Valley include GLOBALFOUNDRIES, GE, ASML, National Grid, KLATencor, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Lam Research, Applied Materials, AMD, Turner Construction, SCREEN USA, nfrastructure, Edwards, Regeneron, Pickett Family Foundation, Acumetra, Tokyo Electron and Westerwood Global. Additional information is available by contacting Ballston Spa K-12 Science Coordinator Diane Irwin, dirwin@bscsd.org, or at the High School by calling 518-884-7150.

BALLSTON SPA — The Ballston Spa Central School District is currently enrolling students for its Universal Prekindergarten Program for the 2020-2021 school year. An eligible child is a child who resides within the school district and who is four years of age on or before December 1, 2020. A child who is age-eligible to attend kindergarten is not eligible for the UPK program. Agencies that provide the Universal Prekindergarten Program for the district are the YMCA Malta Childcare Center, the Saratoga County Equal Opportunity Center Head Start program at Gordon Creek Elementary School, and the Ballston Area Community Center. To apply to enroll a child at the YMCA Malta Childcare Center, contact Jenna Graber at 518-583-4342. To apply to enroll a child at the Saratoga County EOC Head Start program, contact Lina Sanchez at 518-884-7270, ext. 3484. To apply to enroll a child at the Ballston Area Community Center, contact Kathi Leigh at (518) 885-3261, ext. 16. The application packet is available on the BSCSD website or through the UPK agencies. The application deadline is January 31, 2020. Parents/guardians will be notified in writing at the end of February of placement decisions. For any other questions regarding the program, please contact the Ballston Spa Central School District’s Office of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment at 518-884-7195, ext. 1330. For additional information, visit the district’s Universal Prekindergarten Program webpage via www.bscsd.org

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Marc C. Conner, provost of Washington and Lee University, innovative leader of interdisciplinary academic programs and longtime advocate of diversity and inclusion, has been named the eighth president of Skidmore College. His term begins July 1, 2020. “I have deep respect for what Skidmore has achieved as a model of an excellent liberal arts education, and I am tremendously excited to be part of its future,” Conner said. Conner, a widely published professor of English, has served as provost of Washington and Lee University, a private liberal arts university in Lexington, VA, since Jan. 2016. As Washington and Lee’s chief academic officer, he has led the university in reaffirmation of its accreditation, co-chaired its strategic planning process and overseen the revitalization of its law school. “I’m eager to sit down with the Skidmore community, roll up our sleeves and continue Skidmore’s tradition of academic excellence, collaboration and creativity.” Conner will succeed Philip Glotzbach, who will retire at the end of June 2020.

SOUTH GLENS FALLS — Beginning in 1978, South Glens Falls High School has hosted a marathon dance to raise money for local families and charities in need. Raising $1,500 that first year, which was donated to a local EMS Squad, every year the numbers have climbed. High school students in grades nine through twelve gathers for 28 hours of dancing for a crowd that fills the entire bleachers. Donating to a dancer is not the only way to contribute; vendors, raffles, and silent auctions also fill the school and donate their proceeds. At the end of the dance, awards are presented to the students who raised the most money, the raffle awards, the live auction, and the highly anticipated tally of the money raised. The 43rd annual South High Marathon Dance will be held March 6-7, 2020 at the South Glens Falls Senior High School. Last year, the dance raised $837,859.97 for 40 beneficiaries, bringing the 42-year total to more than $8.1 million raised for 530 beneficiaries. The South High Marathon Dance Inc. is registered with the state of New York as a charitable corporation and has been determined by the IRS to be a public charity under section 501 (c) (3). Accordingly, all donations are tax-deductible.

FUNDRAISING IN THE NAME OF SOUTH HIGH MARATHON DANCE

Part of the success of the South High Marathon Dance is attributed to the significant number of fundraisers and events which take place throughout the community prior to the weekend of the Marathon Dance. If you would like to conduct a fundraiser or event, or to verify the legitimacy of one which is scheduled, please contact our Events Committee at Events@ SHMD.org. All fundraising activities or events, the use of the South High Marathon Dance (SHMD) name, icons, images and logos are subject to approval of the Corporation. Any event or fundraiser raising money for a specific student’s fundraising goal MUST also receive approval, and clearly state on all flyers and advertisements that the proceeds of said activity will be attributed to that student’s total; this includes money jars at businesses.

DONATIONS OF GOODS AND SERVICES

This year, all donations must be received no later than Friday, February 21. Donations received after that date will be inventoried for the 2021 Marathon Dance. No donations for auctions or prizes will be accepted at the Dance. Many businesses, individuals, and organizations donate goods or services to the dance to be used as auction items, rewards for dancers, or to provide food for dancers, recipients, or the concession stand. If you are interested in donating a good or service, please contact donations@SHMD.org. Please provide information about the goods or services you would like to donate as soon as possible. The Marathon Dance will use your donation as it deems most appropriate. If you are approached by someone representing the South High Marathon Dance, but unsure of their legitimacy, please reach out to verify their identity.

SOUTH GLENS FALLS — Beginning in 1978, South Glens Falls High School has hosted a marathon dance to raise money for local families and charities in need. Raising $1,500 that first year, which was donated to a local EMS Squad, every year the numbers have climbed. High school students in grades nine through twelve gathers for 28 hours of dancing for a crowd that fills the entire bleachers. Donating to a dancer is not the only way to contribute; vendors, raffles, and silent auctions also fill the school and donate their proceeds. At the end of the dance, awards are presented to the students who raised the most money, the raffle awards, the live auction, and the highly anticipated tally of the money raised. The 43rd annual South High Marathon Dance will be held March 6-7, 2020 at the South Glens Falls Senior High School. Last year, the dance raised $837,859.97 for 40 beneficiaries, bringing the 42-year total to more than $8.1 million raised for 530 beneficiaries. The South High Marathon Dance Inc. is registered with the state of New York as a charitable corporation and has been determined by the IRS to be a public charity under section 501 (c) (3). Accordingly, all donations are tax-deductible.

FUNDRAISING IN THE NAME OF SOUTH HIGH MARATHON DANCE

Part of the success of the South High Marathon Dance is attributed to the significant number of fundraisers and events which take place throughout the community prior to the weekend of the Marathon Dance. If you would like to conduct a fundraiser or event, or to verify the legitimacy of one which is scheduled, please contact our Events Committee at Events@ SHMD.org. All fundraising activities or events, the use of the South High Marathon Dance (SHMD) name, icons, images and logos are subject to approval of the Corporation. Any event or fundraiser raising money for a specific student’s fundraising goal MUST also receive approval, and clearly state on all flyers and advertisements that the proceeds of said activity will be attributed to that student’s total; this includes money jars at businesses.

DONATIONS OF GOODS AND SERVICES

This year, all donations must be received no later than Friday, February 21. Donations received after that date will be inventoried for the 2021 Marathon Dance. No donations for auctions or prizes will be accepted at the Dance. Many businesses, individuals, and organizations donate goods or services to the dance to be used as auction items, rewards for dancers, or to provide food for dancers, recipients, or the concession stand. If you are interested in donating a good or service, please contact donations@SHMD.org. Please provide information about the goods or services you would like to donate as soon as possible. The Marathon Dance will use your donation as it deems most appropriate. If you are approached by someone representing the South High Marathon Dance, but unsure of their legitimacy, please reach out to verify their identity.

SOUTH GLENS FALLS — Beginning in 1978, South Glens Falls High School has hosted a marathon dance to raise money for local families and charities in need. Raising $1,500 that first year, which was donated to a local EMS Squad, every year the numbers have climbed. High school students in grades nine through twelve gathers for 28 hours of dancing for a crowd that fills the entire bleachers. Donating to a dancer is not the only way to contribute; vendors, raffles, and silent auctions also fill the school and donate their proceeds. At the end of the dance, awards are presented to the students who raised the most money, the raffle awards, the live auction, and the highly anticipated tally of the money raised. The 43rd annual South High Marathon Dance will be held March 6-7, 2020 at the South Glens Falls Senior High School. Last year, the dance raised $837,859.97 for 40 beneficiaries, bringing the 42-year total to more than $8.1 million raised for 530 beneficiaries. The South High Marathon Dance Inc. is registered with the state of New York as a charitable corporation and has been determined by the IRS to be a public charity under section 501 (c) (3). Accordingly, all donations are tax-deductible.

FUNDRAISING IN THE NAME OF SOUTH HIGH MARATHON DANCE

Part of the success of the South High Marathon Dance is attributed to the significant number of fundraisers and events which take place throughout the community prior to the weekend of the Marathon Dance. If you would like to conduct a fundraiser or event, or to verify the legitimacy of one which is scheduled, please contact our Events Committee at Events@ SHMD.org. All fundraising activities or events, the use of the South High Marathon Dance (SHMD) name, icons, images and logos are subject to approval of the Corporation. Any event or fundraiser raising money for a specific student’s fundraising goal MUST also receive approval, and clearly state on all flyers and advertisements that the proceeds of said activity will be attributed to that student’s total; this includes money jars at businesses.

DONATIONS OF GOODS AND SERVICES

This year, all donations must be received no later than Friday, February 21. Donations received after that date will be inventoried for the 2021 Marathon Dance. No donations for auctions or prizes will be accepted at the Dance. Many businesses, individuals, and organizations donate goods or services to the dance to be used as auction items, rewards for dancers, or to provide food for dancers, recipients, or the concession stand. If you are interested in donating a good or service, please contact donations@SHMD.org. Please provide information about the goods or services you would like to donate as soon as possible. The Marathon Dance will use your donation as it deems most appropriate. If you are approached by someone representing the South High Marathon Dance, but unsure of their legitimacy, please reach out to verify their identity.

SOUTH GLENS FALLS — Beginning in 1978, South Glens Falls High School has hosted a marathon dance to raise money for local families and charities in need. Raising $1,500 that first year, which was donated to a local EMS Squad, every year the numbers have climbed. High school students in grades nine through twelve gathers for 28 hours of dancing for a crowd that fills the entire bleachers. Donating to a dancer is not the only way to contribute; vendors, raffles, and silent auctions also fill the school and donate their proceeds. At the end of the dance, awards are presented to the students who raised the most money, the raffle awards, the live auction, and the highly anticipated tally of the money raised. The 43rd annual South High Marathon Dance will be held March 6-7, 2020 at the South Glens Falls Senior High School. Last year, the dance raised $837,859.97 for 40 beneficiaries, bringing the 42-year total to more than $8.1 million raised for 530 beneficiaries. The South High Marathon Dance Inc. is registered with the state of New York as a charitable corporation and has been determined by the IRS to be a public charity under section 501 (c) (3). Accordingly, all donations are tax-deductible.

FUNDRAISING IN THE NAME OF SOUTH HIGH MARATHON DANCE

Part of the success of the South High Marathon Dance is attributed to the significant number of fundraisers and events which take place throughout the community prior to the weekend of the Marathon Dance. If you would like to conduct a fundraiser or event, or to verify the legitimacy of one which is scheduled, please contact our Events Committee at Events@ SHMD.org. All fundraising activities or events, the use of the South High Marathon Dance (SHMD) name, icons, images and logos are subject to approval of the Corporation. Any event or fundraiser raising money for a specific student’s fundraising goal MUST also receive approval, and clearly state on all flyers and advertisements that the proceeds of said activity will be attributed to that student’s total; this includes money jars at businesses.

DONATIONS OF GOODS AND SERVICES

This year, all donations must be received no later than Friday, February 21. Donations received after that date will be inventoried for the 2021 Marathon Dance. No donations for auctions or prizes will be accepted at the Dance. Many businesses, individuals, and organizations donate goods or services to the dance to be used as auction items, rewards for dancers, or to provide food for dancers, recipients, or the concession stand. If you are interested in donating a good or service, please contact donations@SHMD.org. Please provide information about the goods or services you would like to donate as soon as possible. The Marathon Dance will use your donation as it deems most appropriate. If you are approached by someone representing the South High Marathon Dance, but unsure of their legitimacy, please reach out to verify their identity.

Skidmore College to host annual American Culinary Federation Competition

Top college and university chefs from the region will compete 
in a “Chopped”-style competition in Saratoga Springs, Jan. 8-10

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Skidmore College will host the ninth annual American Culinary Federation (ACF) Conference and Competition, Jan. 8-10. The conference will culminate in a “Chopped”-style contest featuring chefs from colleges and universities across the Northeast.  

The annual event is organized by Skidmore’s Dining Services. It provides staff development and continues to raise the standards of the College’s award-wining dining program.

This year’s contestants hail from 10 institutions across New York and Massachusetts: Binghamton University, Bonnie Briar Country Club, Cornell University, Skidmore College, St. Lawrence University, State University of New York at Albany, State University of New York at Cobleskill, State University of New York at Geneseo, Tufts University and Williams College.

“Skidmore College looks forward to hosting this exciting competition once again,” said Mark Miller, director of Dining Services. “Participants have the chance to be inspired by one another’s culinary creativity. The event offers professional development in a fun and dynamic setting. Our chefs enhance their culinary skills and come away with innovative dishes that can be put into practice — and onto the plate — in our own dining hall.”

Skidmore’s team has won gold medals each of the past six years of the ACF competition. Skidmore’s food service has achieved wide recognition, including a No. 4 ranking for Best College Food in New York in 2020 from Niche.com based on meal plan costs and student reviews. Top-ranked colleges offer outstanding on-campus dining and provide easy access to healthy, quality food across a wide range of cuisines and dietary preferences.

As part of the competition, each four-person team must prepare both a four-course menu and buffet platter serving 10 from the same ingredients. Each team has one hour to develop the menu and then several hours to prepare and serve the dishes.

A panel of seven professional chefs will judge the teams on originality, taste and presentation, and may award or deduct points for timing, teamwork, utilization of food, skills, sanitation and overall preparation.

The ACF-sanctioned competition begins in Skidmore’s Murray-Aikins Dining Hall at 6 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 10. Teams will prepare and present their courses until 1 p.m., when final judging gets under way. Awards will be presented at approximately 3 p.m. The public is welcome to view the event at any time during the day. Admission is free.

Top college and university chefs from the region will compete in a “Chopped”-style competition in Saratoga Springs, Jan. 8-10. Photo provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Skidmore College will host the ninth annual American Culinary Federation (ACF) Conference and Competition, Jan. 8-10. The conference will culminate in a “Chopped”-style contest featuring chefs from colleges and universities across the Northeast.  

The annual event is organized by Skidmore’s Dining Services. It provides staff development and continues to raise the standards of the College’s award-wining dining program.

This year’s contestants hail from 10 institutions across New York and Massachusetts: Binghamton University, Bonnie Briar Country Club, Cornell University, Skidmore College, St. Lawrence University, State University of New York at Albany, State University of New York at Cobleskill, State University of New York at Geneseo, Tufts University and Williams College.

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“Skidmore College looks forward to hosting this exciting competition once again,” said Mark Miller, director of Dining Services. “Participants have the chance to be inspired by one another’s culinary creativity. The event offers professional development in a fun and dynamic setting. Our chefs enhance their culinary skills and come away with innovative dishes that can be put into practice — and onto the plate — in our own dining hall.”

Skidmore’s team has won gold medals each of the past six years of the ACF competition. Skidmore’s food service has achieved wide recognition, including a No. 4 ranking for Best College Food in New York in 2020 from Niche.com based on meal plan costs and student reviews. Top-ranked colleges offer outstanding on-campus dining and provide easy access to healthy, quality food across a wide range of cuisines and dietary preferences.

As part of the competition, each four-person team must prepare both a four-course menu and buffet platter serving 10 from the same ingredients. Each team has one hour to develop the menu and then several hours to prepare and serve the dishes.

A panel of seven professional chefs will judge the teams on originality, taste and presentation, and may award or deduct points for timing, teamwork, utilization of food, skills, sanitation and overall preparation.

The ACF-sanctioned competition begins in Skidmore’s Murray-Aikins Dining Hall at 6 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 10. Teams will prepare and present their courses until 1 p.m., when final judging gets under way. Awards will be presented at approximately 3 p.m. The public is welcome to view the event at any time during the day. Admission is free.