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Author: Saratoga TODAY

Saratoga Sponsor-A-Scholar Appoints Cindy Hollowood as Co-Executive Director

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

SARATOGA COUNTY — Cindy Hollowood was recently named Co-Executive Director of Saratoga Sponsor-A-Scholar (SSAS), current Executive Director Jim LaVigne announced. Hollowood will serve alongside LaVigne for one year before becoming the new Executive Director. LaVigne will continue with the organization as a board member concentrating on program development and fundraising.

“This is a bittersweet decision for me, but I believe it’s time.  The past 13 years have been wonderful, and I have loved every aspect of this job, but I needed to put a succession plan in place.  For the past three years, the board has discussed finding a suitable replacement, and we’ve spent countless hours reviewing the key requirements of the position and potential candidates,”
LaVigne explained.

Hollowood said the she has been impressed with the work of SASS since they first began.

“Anything we can do as a community to help deserving students overcome the barriers that prevent them from getting a college education, we should do. The program has done a remarkable job. There are participants of the SASS program succeeding in high school, college and in life because of the effort and commitment of the program’s board, mentors and volunteers.  These young people will change the world, and they have the program to thank for that. I am humbled and very happy that Jim and the SASS board think I can continue to grow what they have so successfully nurtured for these 13 years,” she said. 

Hollowood just finished a 38-year career as Managing Partner of the Saratoga Holiday Inn. While at the Holiday Inn, Hollowood served in a variety of leadership roles in the community and the hospitality industry. Her community involvement includes serving on the Saratoga Springs Zoning Board, the Special Assessment District, the boards of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, Saratoga Economic Development Corporation, Hudson Valley Community College Foundation and the Saratoga Race Course Community Advisory Committee. She was a founding member and three-time chair of the board of the Saratoga Convention Bureau and Chaired the New York State Hospitality and Tourism Association, the Saratoga America Red Cross and the Saratoga Next Step Downtown Redevelopment Committee. 

Saratoga Sponsor-A-Scholar’s ninth class graduated from Saratoga Springs High School in 2019.  All 84 graduates have been accepted into college.  For more information go to the Saratoga Sponsor A Scholar website: www.saratogasponsorascholar.org   

Property Transactions: Feb. 29 – March 6, 2020

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Property Transactions.

BALLSTON SPA

35 Long Creek Dr., $395,000.
Ross Galloway sold property to Peter and Darcy Jones.

42 Cypress St., $340,148.
Heritage Builders Group LLC sold property to Jason and Julia Smith. 

34 Sherwood Lane, $221,500.
Paige Weddle sold property to Mirabeau Properties LLC. 

8 Rolling Brook Dr., $365,000.
Gwen Somogi (as Trustee) and Glen Somogie (as Trustee) and Ginger Morris (AKA as Trustee), Gaye Somogie (as Trustee) sold property to Marilyn Keis Hartunian.

CHARLTON

2 Meadowbrook Lane, $245,000.
Michele Williams sold property to Timothy and Katherine Winslow. 

CLIFTON PARK

988 Route 146, $520,000.
Gilbert Vanguilder (Ind and as Trustee) sold property to Nine Hundred Eighty-Eight Route 146 LLC. 

5 Merion Ave., $305,000. Peter and Cynthia Lynch sold property to John and Jacqueline Coughlin. 

25 Kara Lane, $330,000.
Donald Juron, Jr. sold property to Kathleen Albert.

CORINTH

County Route 25 Rear, $50,000.
Saratoga Regional Young Mens Christian Association sold property to Lane Jones. 

24 Hack Rd., $166,800.
Lawrence and Frances Willette sold property to Cynthia Roberts. 

169 Heath Rd., $79,500.
Wilmington Savings Fund Society (as Trustee) sold property to Ricky French. 

GALWAY

5642 Lake Rd., $206,960.
Ronald Vermilyea sold property to Taylor Young and Killian Horney.

5264 North St., $79,900.
Galway Public Library sold property to Asuahwae LLC. 

GREENFIELD

64 Locust Grove Rd., $150,000.
Sixty Four Locust Grove Road LLC sold property to Harold Gile and Marion Trieste.

4400 Route 9N, $70,005.
US Bank National Association (as Trustee) sold property to Corrine Ernst. 

216 Locust Grove Rd., $395,000.
Robert Courtney sold property to Brian Doherty.

HALFMOON

42 Dewey Ave., $294,845.
Joseph and Marie DeVito sold property to Jeremy and Kelsey Dion. 

8A Macoun Dr., $308,815.
Malta Land Company LLC sold property to Oswaldo Rodriguez. 

36 Washington Ave., $198,500.
Joseph DeMarco sold property to Martha and Mark Hollenbeck. 

17 Fieldstone Dr., $399,900.
William Mooradian sold property to Raymond and Kristin Rose.

3F Tupelo Dr., $245,000.
Gloria Furman sold property to Karen Mantas.

117 Monmouth Way, $150,000.
Allison Cherkosly sold property to Neil Cherkosly.

5 Poplar Dr., $279,000.
Ayaz Lari sold property to Anastasiia and Oleksii Ivanenko. 

35 Algonquin Rd., $324,000.
Vladislav and Shannon Shove sold property to Fatima Djedid and Yamen Bensmail. 

13 Hearthstone Dr., $105,000.
Abele Builders Inc. sold property to Abele Homes LLC.

13 Hearthstone Dr., $395,655.
Abele Homes sold property to Peter and Cynthia Lynch. 

10B Fairway Dr., $228,000.
Reverse Mortgage Solutions Inc. sold property to Peter Miller.

MALTA

12 Foxglove Way, $420,000.
Donald and Angela Kinne sold property to Sidney and Caryle Pitt. 

6 Pinewood Dr., $285,000.
Joann Mare sold property to Robert Guido, Jr. and Christina Zullo.

42 Pepperbush Place, $188,000.
Peter Iwanezczko and Alexandra Wade sold property to David Pavlik. 

MILTON

235 Finley Rd., $416,825.
DeGraff Bloom Custom Builders Inc. sold property to Scott and Mary Dugan.

1 Kaatskill Way, $210,000.
Elizabeth Bennett sold property to Lori Coffin. 

MOREAU

15 Saratoga Ave., $75,000.
Terry Welsh sold property to Shafqat and Elishba Bhatti. 

17 Macory Way, $562,500.
Franco Walls and Nicole Durie sold property to Amy and Tadd O’Neil.

1244 Saratoga Rd., $225,000.
Emile Larose (by Exec) sold property to Jason Washburn.

309-331 Selfridge Rd., $70,000.
Gardner and Gay Congdon  sold property to Gregory and Lindsay Holcomb. 

5 Edens Way, $629,454.
James Greenwood sold property to Thomas and Adrienne Knapp. 

29 Winterberry Lane, $384,730.
Michaels Group Homes LLC sold property to Jordan and Jocelyn Edens.

72 Spier Falls Rd., $175,000.
Nancy Potter (by Agent) sold property to Perry Leonbruno. 

100 Sisson Rd., $180,000.
Jason Lupo sold property to Alyssa Shiel and Sean O’Neill. 

2 Sandy Blvd., $294,778.
Cerrone Builders Inc. sold property to Patrick, Cheryl and Ryan Collins.

286 Reynolds Rd., $311,000.
Jorge Correa and Bonnie Santini Correa sold property to Christopher and Serena Callahan.

NORTHUMBERLAND

41 Stevens Court, $275,000.
Charlene Hewlett sold property to Betty Pond and Debra Shaw.

228 Route 4N, $175,500.
Stanley Burger (by Admin) sold property to Kristina Stinson and Daniel Engwer III. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS

7 Park Alley North, $825,000.
Kimberly Leva (as Trustee) sold property to Michael and Darlene Hancox.

8 MacArthur Dr., $262,500.
Kathryn Price sold property to Michael Welch. 

5 Ritchie Place, $550,000.
Justin Hogan and Stephanie Cash sold property to Tiffany Blair. 

16 Walter Dr., $232,000.
Trisha Millier sold property to Seth McGuire.

6 Sherri Rd., $249,000.
Christopher Callahan sold property to Dominick Riccio.

2 Rolling Brook Dr., $750,000.
David Smith (by Atty) and Lynn Smith (Ind and as Atty) sold property to John Flavin.

125 South Broadway, $9,750,000.
BRE Select Hotels Properties LLC sold property to GCP Saratoga LLC.

Locust Grove Rd., $25,500.
Judith Orton (by Exec) sold property to Glens Falls Area Habitat for Humanity Inc. 

280 West Circular St., $120,000.
DGD Holdings LLC sold property to Myron and Linda Ferguson.

STILLWATER

16 Walnut St., $300,000.
Caroline Marzello sold property to Guy Coreno.

WILTON

Gurn Springs Rd., $10,000.
Diverse Holdings Group Inc. sold property to Jacob and Abbey Debenedetti.

38 Castleberry Dr., $233,000.
Nancy Jean sold property to Stephen and Donna Czarnecki.

811 Saratoga Rd., $265,000.
Amy and Tadd O’Neilsold property to Katherine Edwards.

A Saratoga Springs School Has A Problem… Again

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.

A school in Saratoga Springs has a safety problem, again. 

Lake Avenue Elementary is the closest school to our urban downtown and the city can make kids and parents much safer with some simple changes in traffic patterns surrounding the building. But change does not come easy in this town and some neighbors fought two parallel streets, Marion Place and Regent, from becoming one-way during school days.

Our community came upon a decent compromise two months ago: Signs were installed on these streets denoting temporary half-hour one-way traffic during student drop offs and pick-ups. Walking my 7-year-old to his first day back to school after Spring break last week, I was flabbergasted to notice all signs were gone.

It seems that without warning or public input, they were ripped down by the city— not unlike when, in 2010, the city filled our famous skateboard “bowl” with dirt rendering a perfectly good exercise facility useless. — that epic battle took a year and a half to reverse.

– Charlie Samuels

Thank You St. Mary’s School

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.

As we approach teacher appreciation week, I’d like to thank the teachers, staff, and our principal, Mrs. Fitzgerald, at St. Mary’s school in Ballston Spa. St. Mary’s provides our children with superior academics, wholesome friendships, and spiritual growth.

On their last field trip of the year, our daughter’s third grade class went on a hike. Their teacher, Mrs. Eddy, led the students and chaperones along a rocky path, which opened to a clearing next to a serene lake. The scene was reminiscent of a modern-day Norman Rockwell painting: The girls chatted and admired the view, while the boys picked up snakeskins and jumped along the rocks. As we unpacked our lunches, one of the students suggested we say a prayer. The students said a Hail Mary followed by prayers for those who had sick family members in need of God’s healing. 

As I observed the scene, I was struck by the beauty of God’s creation, and the students’ genuine belief in prayer and their care for each other. It was an experience I’ll never forget and one that can only happen at St. Mary’s.

I would encourage parents to call St. Mary’s in Ballston Spa to schedule a tour. Our school works with families by offering scholarships and tuition assistance. We don’t want anyone to feel left out. St. Mary’s has blessed our lives and it will bless yours too.

– The VanDeCarr Family, Ballston Lake

February 29 – March 6, 2020

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Police Blotter.

POLICE

Steven M. Pulver, age 26, of Saratoga Springs, was charged March 2 with criminal possession of marijuana in the first-degree, a felony. According to authorities, on Feb. 4, members of the Saratoga Springs Police Department executed a search warrant at 145 Elm St. The warrant was related to alleged illegal drug activity being conducted by Pulver at the residence. The warrant led to the seizure of approximately 25 pounds of marijuana inside the home that day, police said. Pulver was arraigned in City Court and released on his own recognizance.

Jessica Loso, 25, of Schenectady, was charged Feb. 17 in Saratoga Springs with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. 

Jeremy Zepf, 40, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Feb. 19 with petit larceny. 

William Kelly, 35, of Clifton Park, was charged Feb. 19 in Saratoga Springs with falsely reporting fire explosion or hazardous substance to an official, a felony. 

Janet Pepper, 55, of Sayville, was charged Feb. 20 in Saratoga Springs with criminal mischief, and harassment. 

Jonathan Guarino, 55, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Feb. 20 with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, operating without a registration and without an inspection certificate. 

Brendan Shannon, 32, of Queensbury, was charged Feb. 21 in Saratoga Springs with criminal trespass, tampering, and criminal possession of a controlled substance. 

Jorge F. Torres, 41, of Burnt Hills, was charged Feb. 23 on a warrant from Michigan with failure to pay child support. 

Hunter Herzog, 19, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Feb. 21 with criminal mischief, and criminal tampering.

Kalill Bostick, 45, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Feb. 21 with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. 

Anthony Luna, 28, of Schaghticoke, was charged Feb. 22 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, aggravated DWI, and moving unsafely from lane, after being involved in a property damage accident. 

Hailey Hinman, 23, of Cornish, was charged Feb. 22 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, failing to use headlights, failing to use a designated lane, and driving the wrong way down a one-way street. 

Brittney Cathey, 28, of Glens Falls, was charged Feb. 22 in Saratoga Springs with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. 

Lindsay Bennett, 34, of Watervliet, was charged Feb. 22 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor assault. 

Kyle Shuhart, 33, of Guilderland, was charged Feb. 22 in Saratoga Springs with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and a vehicle violation. 

Kaleb Persons, 25, of North Creek, was charged Feb. 22 in Saratoga Springs with criminal mischief. 

Paul Pedoto, 64, of Queensbury, was charged Feb. 23 in Saratoga Springs with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. 

Christopher Hansen, 31, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Feb. 24 with criminal trespass, a misdemeanor. 

Madelin Duffy, 26, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Feb. 24 with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and failure to obey a traffic control device. 

Gerald McClary, 20, of Troy, was charged Feb. 25 in Saratoga Springs with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. 

Christopher Decker, 37, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Feb. 25 with menacing, criminal possession of a weapon, and criminal trespass. 

Michelle Cole, 50, of Lake George, was charged Feb. 24 in Saratoga Springs with felony DWI, refusal to take a breath test, circumvent interlock, and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. 

Michael Lewis, 39, of Mayfield, was charged Feb. 26 in Saratoga Springs with criminal tampering, petit larceny – both misdemeanors, and felony burglary. 

Barkim Tomer, 25, of Ballston Spa, was charged Feb. 27 in Saratoga Springs with criminal possession of stolen property, and identity theft.

Sequain Fashion, 25, of Schenectady, was charged Feb. 28 in Saratoga Springs with two counts criminal possession of a controlled substance, and one count criminal possession stolen property.

Darryl Chan, 28, of Waterford, was charged Feb. 28 in Saratoga Springs with assault, and acting in a manner injurious to a child. 

Louis J. (Bunny) Farone, Jr.

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

FaroneLouis

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Louis J. (Bunny) Farone, Jr., 85, a businessman and developer in Saratoga Springs, died peacefully, surrounded by his family on Friday, January 17, 2020. Mr. Farone was born in Saratoga Springs on August 9, 1934, the son of the late, Louis J. (Doc) and Margaret Hickock Farone. He served in the United States Army in Germany for two years, the New York National Guard for three years and studied business at Boston University. 

His business career began at Saratoga Modern Distributing Co. with his father. He was responsible for developing Interlaken Travel Trailer Park where he and his family enjoyed spending summers. During the time there, he established many friendships including the one who encouraged him to have a personal relationship with God.

With his architectural creativity and innovation (and his wife, Margaret) he converted two old dairy barns located on the edge of Interlaken Park into the beautiful and unique Caunterbury Restaurant (now Longfellows), an enchanting mélange of restaurants and pocket sized shops. During the Caunterbury days, he connected with customers and staff forming friendships and fond memories. He renovated 14 Phila St. and with historic artifacts opened The Tin Shop, an Art Deco themed Jazz Club (now Harvey’s). He restored Riley’s Lake House, an Art Deco Casino, to its original beauty and character of the 20’s and 30’s to benefit The Multiple Sclerosis Society in 1984.

He was a true outdoorsman. He loved to walk and hunt the fields of Meadowbrook Farms (now Saratoga National) where he appreciated the peaceful quiet of the woods. He had a fondness for cooking and cherished family game dinners. He spent time on Lake George with his family enjoying the beauty of the lake from his antique Chris Craft boats.

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Margaret; three children, Laura L. Farone, Louis J. Farone III and Peter G. Farone; ten grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was a great- hearted father and grandfather. His grandchildren were a treasured part of his life; they shared a very special bond and looked after him in his final months. Along with his parents, he was predeceased by his sisters, Louise Blanch, Joan Snyder and Constance Farone.

 A private burial service was held at Greenridge Cemetery on Monday, January 20, 2020. Please send remembrances to Mrs. Margaret Farone in care of Burke Funeral Home. Bunny was a very spiritual man and his family is at peace knowing he is at home with his Lord.

Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com.

Stephen L. Smith 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

BATH, NY — Stephen L. Smith, 67, formerly of Saratoga Springs, passed away Friday, February 21, 2020. Calling hours were held March 5 at the Burke Funeral Home. A mass was celebrated on March 6 at St. Clement’s Church with a burial in Greenridge Cemetery. Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com.

Joseph G. Nokes 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Joseph G. Nokes (Joe) 71, passed away Thursday, February 27, 2020 surrounded by his loving family. Calling hours were held March 3 at Burke Funeral Home in Saratoga Springs. Interment was held March 6 at 2 p.m. at Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville. Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com.

Robert L. Dowen, Sr. 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

DELMAR — Robert L. Dowen, Sr., 86, passed away February 22, 2020. Calling hours 9-11 a.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2020 at Burke Funeral Home, Saratoga Springs. Funeral service 11 a.m. Following the service, there will be a gathering at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Visit burkefuneralhome.com.

John C. DeMasi, MD 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — It is with profound sadness that the family of John C. DeMasi, MD, 34, announces his sudden death on February 23, 2020. No calling hours. Mass of Christian Burial, 9 a.m., March 7, 2020 at St. Peters Church. Burial will be private. Memorial donations to FIGHT vEDS (www.fightveds.org/donate). Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com.