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Author: Saratoga TODAY

Reopening of Saratoga Natural Springs

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

The historic Roosevelt II Bathhouse at Saratoga Spa State Park. Photos provided. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the grand reopening of the historic Roosevelt II Bathhouse at Saratoga Spa State Park. 

First opened in 1935 by former New York governor and President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the iconic Georgian Revival-style bathhouse has been closed since falling into disuse in the 1980s. The bathhouse’s reopening is part of a $2.3 million transformational project that is restoring and improving upon the grandeur of the Roosevelt Baths.

“The Roosevelt II Bathhouse is a living piece of New York history that once provided a natural luxury experience to everyday New Yorkers, and by breathing new life into the facility, visitors will once again find themselves enjoying the peace and beauty of Saratoga’s natural springs,” Cuomo said. “New York’s parks are a national treasure and we will continue our hard work across the state to not only maintain them, but make them better than ever and true must-see destinations.”

Under the NY Parks 2020 initiative, the bathhouse’s historic lobby has been restored, new restrooms installed, new heating, ventilation and plumbing systems added, toxic asbestos removed, and programming space added for a planned artistic and wellness center.

Future plans include use of a portion of the 18,000 sq-ft facility by the not-for-profit group COESA. They will use 2,700 square feet to offer retreat experiences and classes in personal well-being, leadership, meditation, professional wellness training, and work-life balance. The facility will open once state regulations aimed at preventing spread of COVID-19 allow.

“This bathhouse will be returning to its original purpose – the enjoyment, well-being and relaxation of those who visit,” State Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid said. “I commend Governor Cuomo for bringing this historic facility back to life.”

The new coffee shop will be operated by Saratoga County-based Wired Coffee, which currently operates cafes in Malta and the city of Albany.

The COESA facility is across from the Roosevelt Baths and Spa, and is part of the Roosevelt Campus, which includes Parks administrative offices and the Spa Little Theater, as well as two mirror-image mineral water public bathing facilities, and the Hall of Springs.

After the baths were dedicated by President Roosevelt, who was a proponent of curative mineral baths, the facility offered baths until early 1943, when it was converted into a military hospital for disabled veterans. After construction of the Veterans Administration hospital in Albany, the facility was used by State Parks as office space, a restoration shop and storage until the building was closed in the late 1980s.

There is 12,000 feet remaining in the renovated bathhouse to be redeveloped in the future. In 2019, the Saratoga Performing Arts Center received $2 million in Regional Economic Development Council funding to offer substantial new opportunities for public use of the space.

H.O.P.E Adoption Center Reopens Doors by Appointment Only

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

WILTON — The H.O.P.E. Adoption and Education Center, located in the Wilton Mall, is open by appointment only and operating under all mandated COVID-19 safety measures and protocols per NYS Department of Health. The center originally opened on Jan. 26, 2020, and occupies almost 3,000 sq. ft. next to the former Sears store, which is soon to be Saratoga Hospital offices.

Adoptable cats, in high demand during this time of social isolation, are once again available at the H.O.P.E. Adoption and Education Center. With COVID restrictions resulting in many people having more time at home and fewer social activities, people have realized that this a perfect time to adopt. Unfortunately, their access to adoptable animals has also been limited. Most shelters and rescues were closed at some point, though H.O.P.E. kept the purpose of the center alive through dog and cat adoptions, handled with limited contact and without the benefit of public adoption events or access to the center. The re-opening of the center, by appointment, gets them a step closer to easy, open access for want-to-be adopters. Even this limited re-opening, will allow H.O.P.E. to better serve those looking to adopt. H.O.P.E. will also continue to produce virtual events.

Wendy Mongillo, founder and executive director of H.O.P.E. said, “having the center open by appointment is progress and we are so excited to have cats back at the center. Even though we only opened less than two months before COVID concerns closed the Mall, we were already having a significant impact on the community. We adopted-out hundreds of cats and dogs as well as beginning to establish the center as a go-to event space, with programs like dog adoption events, training workshops, cat yoga, and pet-related art exhibits. We will work toward a return to full operations as conditions safely permit.”

Programs are currently being redesigned and offered via Zoom. More educational and social programs are also being created for virtual participation until the center can open safely once again. 

“It’s important for people to know that cat and dog Fosters are still crucial to our mission. Donor support is also critical whether it comes through fundraising events or direct donations,” reminded H.O.P.E. President, Kristina Kline.

For appointments to meet adoptable pets, adoption information, volunteer and donation opportunities, call 518-450-7013 or visit
hopeanimalrescue.org or Facebook.com/PetsHope.

Organization Provides Support for People with Eating Disorders

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — A new nonprofit organization in Saratoga Springs aims to educate, support, advocate and fundraise for people affected by Eating Disorders.

Saratoga Springs residents Annalise and Cheryl Marron founded Flutters of Hope Inc. in Sept. 2019 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Annalise was diagnosed with this disease at 11-years-old and came to realize, she wanted to support others like herself and not let others suffer alone. 

Annalise Marron creates baskets of soothing supplies she calls “ButerflyWish Baskets,” along with a personal note with words of encouragement. Annalise has recently delivered four “ButterflyWish Baskets” to Albany Medical Center’s Comprehensive Care Center for Eating Disorders of Northeastern New York. Aware of the overwhelming costs associated with treating eating disorders, Annalise hopes to help offset the cost of treatment, travel, and counseling by creating a “ButterflyWish” Grant when more funds are raised.

Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental health disorder, yet many people never receive treatment, Cheryl Marron says. Residential treatment can cost around $30,000 or more a month. Counseling sessions cost roughly $250 per session.

Education, awareness, prevention and support are the key elements to fighting this disease. Recent studies have identified eating disorders as a genetic, neurological, and a biological disease intensified by social influences that increase the chances of suffering with an eating disorder. This disease can have a multitude of additional diagnoses, such as anxiety disorders, OCD, depression and bipolar disorder. 

Flutters of Hope Inc. seeks the community’s support to help Annalise Marron fulfill her wish to help others fight Eating Disorders. All donations will go to recipients of “ButterflyWish Baskets” and “ButterflyWish” Grants in the Capital Region. 

For more information on how to support, please visit fluttersofhopeinc.org or contact Cheryl Marron at hello@fluttersofhopeinc.org or 716-818-0170. Maggie Callesano can be reached at fundraising@fluttersofhopeinc.org.

July 18 – July 24, 2020

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Police Blotter.

POLICE

Alexander Nikola, 40, of Saratoga Springs, was charged July 17 with criminal mischief. 

George Coleman, 32, of Amsterdam, was charged July 18 in Saratoga Springs with criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Matthew Matrazzo, 23, of Ballston Spa, was charged July 18 in Saratoga Springs with disorderly conduct: obscene language/gestures. 

Donald Principe, 31, of Queensbury, was charged July 18 in Saratoga Springs with criminal trespass  — misdemeanor. 

Aturo Cruz-Agustin, 35, of Saratoga Springs, was charged July 19 with misdemeanor DWI, aggravated DWI, and leaving the scene of a property damage accident, after being involved in an accident on South Broadway. 

Randall Alger, 47, of New York, was charged July 19 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor petit larceny. 

Robert McCall, 59, of Ballston Spa, was charged July 18 in Saratoga Springs with two counts aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and a violation for speeding.

Brendan Benequisto, 37, of Saratoga Springs, was charged July 20 with criminal mischief: intent to damage property, a misdemanor. 

Yhashin White, 33, of Brooklyn, was charged July 11 in Saratoga Springs with felony DWI, refusal to take a breath test, drinking alcohol in motor vehicle on a highway, and two driving/ equipment violations. 

Richard McKeel, 25, of Newport, Virginia, was charged July 11 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, aggravated DWI, refusal to take a breath test, and passing a red light. 

Daniel Brzywczy, 38, of Highland Falls, was charged July 13 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor assault, and criminal possession of a controlled substance. 

 William M. Biette, 44, of Latham, was charged July 15 with felony DWI, felony aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, assault in the third-degree, circumvention of an ignition interlock device, criminal contempt in the second-degree, reckless driving, and several vehicle and traffic infractions. According to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s office, Biette was driving eastbound on Route 67 when he crossed the center line and struck two vehicles traveling westbound.  One of those drivers were trapped in their vehicle and needed to be extricated by emergency personnel. They were subsequently treated at Saratoga Hospital with a chest injury.  The incident occurred July 15 in the town of Malta. Biette was sent to Saratoga County Jail in lieu of bail or bond.

New York State Police STOP DWI Campaign

The New York State Police announced July 21 that Troopers issued a total of 9,214 tickets statewide during the 4th of July STOP-DWI enforcement campaign. The special enforcement period began on Friday, July 3, and ended at 6 a.m. on Sunday, July 5.

During the 36-hour campaign, which was funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, State Police utilized sobriety checkpoints, additional DWI patrols, and ticketed distracted drivers who used handheld electronic devices.

Troopers arrested 180 people for DWI and investigated 456 crashes, including 99 personal injury crashes and one fatality, according to authorities. As part of the enforcement, Troopers also targeted speeding and aggressive drivers across the state. In the Capital Region specifically there were 20 DWI charges and 26 distracted driving charges. 

During last year’s 4th of July enforcement campaign, State Police issued 16,388 total tickets and arrested 255 people for DWI.

Additionally, State Police announced 85 tickets were issued for a host of violations, including speeding, use of a cell phone while driving, and failure to obey a flagger during two days of “Operation Hardhat” initiatives that took place on the Northway this month.

Motorists are urged to drive responsibly in work zones. They are reminded to move over a lane when safely possible, or slow down significantly, whenever encountering roadside vehicles displaying red, white, blue, amber or green lights, including maintenance and construction vehicles in work zones.

Emory Joseph “Joe” Boucher

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

EmoryJosephBoucher

HOBE SOUND, FL — Emory Joseph “Joe” Boucher, 78, of Hobe Sound, Florida, passed away Tuesday, July 7, 2020.  He was born May 27, 1942 in Troy, New York to Emory and Doris (nee Fuller) Boucher. He attended Stillwater High School and St. Peter’s Academy in Saratoga Springs, where he graduated in 1960.

After high school Joe joined the United States Air Force. He served eight years as an Aircraft Engineer, including during the Vietnam War. He spoke little about his experience as a Veteran, but in later years he wrote that his job was to fix airplanes while in flight—often with bullets whizzing past—at least once dangling from a wing as he fixed the landing gear.

During his military career Joe was stationed in Texas, Massachusetts, Hawaii, and briefly, Japan and Germany (he returned to Germany several times in later years). After the military he moved with his former wife, Rose Marie (nee Natale) Boucher and their three daughters, Michelle, Sheri and Renee, to San Diego. The family spent many wonderful years in California where Joe worked as a contractor leading projects large and small, from award-winning condos in La Jolla to a ski resort atop Heavenly in Lake Tahoe. 

On the weekends Joe could be found with his daughters at the park or the beach, riding motorcycles, horses, picnicking, having fun. He was a wonderful father—loving, gentle and generous—dearly loved by his daughters and their friends, most who called him Dad.

Joe was great company, with a marvelous dry wit. He loved music, was an avid reader and a terrific storyteller. He was an incredible cook and enjoyed creating new dishes—bouillabaisse was a favorite—for friends and family. 

Joe spent the past 18 years in Hobe Sound, Florida, where he owned and operated a property management business.

Joe was predeceased by his father, Emory Boucher, Mother, Doris Boucher, his brothers Edward (Ann Marie) and Michael (Flo) Boucher and his former wife, Rose Marie Boucher.

He is survived by his daughters Michelle Hill, Sheri Loftis and Renee (Richard) Boucher Ferguson, of Saratoga Springs, his second wife, Sharon Weslowski of El Cajon, CA, and his partner of 20 years, Karin Ryan, also of Hobe Sound. He is survived by siblings Tim (Joanne) Boucher of Bradenton, FL, Patricia Boucher Flike of Bemis Heights, and Tom (Joanne) Boucher of Stillwater. He leaves behind  seven grandchildren, Nicole and Adam Hill of Queensbury, Cody Loftis of Hayden, ID, Waylon (Kandice) Loftis of El Cajon, CA, Liza Boucher Ferguson of Oxford, UK and Saratoga Springs and Cormac and Cole Ferguson also of Saratoga Springs, and seven great-grandchildren.

Emory Joe Boucher will be interred at the Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Earl J. Manning American Legion, Post 490, Stillwater, NY.

Patricia E. Miner

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

MinerPatricia

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Patricia E. Miner, age 89, passed away at Wesley Health Care Center on Wednesday, July 15, 2020.

Pat was born on October 6, 1930, in Saratoga Springs. She was the daughter of the late, Beatrice (Glean) and Fred Hames. 

Pat graduated from Saratoga Springs High School and worked at the Van Raalte Co. as payroll supervisor for the Saratoga and Vermont plants.

She is the widow of Horace Miner who passed away in December of 2006. They celebrated over 58 years of happy marriage before his passing.

She was active in girl scouting and was also secretary for the Corinth P.T.S.A. In Greenfield, she belonged the Fire Co. Auxiliary and recently has been living at Prestwick Chase in Saratoga.

She is survived by a beloved daughter, Kim Foster and her husband David, and four very loved grandchildren, Lucy, Edie, Desi and Raphael Foster, all of Las Vegas; one sister-law Lois Miner of Schuylerville as well as several nieces and nephews. 

A private funeral service was held on Saturday, July 18, 2020 at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes of 628 North Broadway (518-584-5373).

Burial followed at the family plot in Greenridge Cemetery.

Donations in Pat’s name can be made to the Community Hospice of Saratoga, www.communityhospice.org/donate.

Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com.

Erin Sweeney Hogan 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — It is with great sadness that her four sons announce the passing of Erin Sweeney Hogan on July 18. Erin was recently predeceased by her husband John. Memorial mass for Erin and John will be Saturday, July 25, 2020, 10 a.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church. Visit burkefuneralhome.com. 

Jeanne C. Brooks

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

BALLSTON SPA — Jeanne C. Brooks passed on July 7, 2020 at Saratoga Center for Rehab and Skilled Nursing. A private service was held on July 16, 2020 at Compassionate Funeral Care in Saratoga Springs, followed by interment at St. Peter’s Cemetery. View obituary at www.compassionatecare.com.

Howard P. “Bud” Armbruster, Jr.

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

WILTON — Howard P. “Bud” Armbruster, Jr., passed away July 9, 2020 at his home in Wilton. A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, July 25, 2020 at Compassionate Funeral Care in Saratoga Springs. Calling hours from 1 to 3 p.m. prior to the service. View full obit at www.compassionatecare.com

Mary Anne Chylinski 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Mary Anne Chylinski passed away July 11, 2020. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Aug. 15, 2020 at Compassionate Funeral Care, 402 Maple Ave., Saratoga Springs. Family and friends may call from noon to 2 p.m. prior to the service. View full obit at www.compassionatecare.com