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Author: Saratoga TODAY

Veronica A. (Marra) Corona 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Veronica “Vera” A. (Marra) Corona went peacefully to the Lord surrounded by her loving family on Monday, March 9, 2020, at Wesley Health Care Center, just shy of her 98th birthday.

Born in Saratoga Springs on March 22, 1922, she was the daughter of Andrew T. and Mary Isolda Marra. Vera graduated from St. Peter’s Academy in 1940. After graduation she attended Ellis School of Nursing. In December 1943 she married Michael J. Corona Sr., a well-known thoroughbred jockey from Saratoga Springs.

During her long accounting career, she was employed at The Saratogian, The Gideon Putnam as Comptroller and several other businesses in Saratoga Springs and in Florida where she resided for many years before returning home to Saratoga Springs in 2014.

She was predeceased by her husband, Michael J. Corona Sr, sister Helen Marra Parillo, son Frank Corona Sr., and her great-grandson Michael Owens Jr.

Vera is survived by her loving children, Michael J Corona Jr., Rosemarie Ramel, Anne Solmo, Andrew (Susan) Corona and her dearest sister Diana M. Burke. She will be greatly missed by her many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren, as well as her loving nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family would like to thank the staff of WHC Victoria 3, Springs 5 and Community Hospice for all their love and care to Vera during her residence at Wesley.

No calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 14, 2020 in St. Clement’s Church. Burial to follow at St. Peter’s Cemetery, West Ave.

Vera enjoyed horse racing at Saratoga Race Course every summer and cared deeply about disabled jockeys. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund at www.pdjf.org or to the charity of one’s choice.

Online remembrance may be made at burkefuneralhome.com.

Colby Thomas Batchelder

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

SCHAGHTICOKE — Colby Thomas Batchelder, 20, passed away at Albany Medical Center on Friday, March 6, 2020. Calling hours and Mass of Christian Burial were Wednesday, March 11, 2020 in the Transfiguration Parish Church. Burial followed at St. Paul’s Cemetery. Memorial donations to Donate Life New York State www.donatelife.net. Visit burkefuneralhome.com.

Juliet L Morrill

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

BALLSTON SPA — Juliet L Morrill, 57, passed away on Wednesday, March 4, 2020 at Saratoga Hospital. Services were held March 9, 2020 at the Burke Funeral Home, Saratoga Springs 518-584-5373. Online remembrance may be made at burkefuneralhome.com.

Whitman Brewing Company Looks to Build Outdoor Patio Seating

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

Saratoga Springs ­— Design proposal submitted to city Land Use Board for the construction of a 50 to 60-seat screened-in patio/garden at Whitman Brewing Company, which is located in the former building occupied by The Saratogian offices at 20 Lake Ave., Saratoga Springs. 

Local Elks Lodge Donates to Emergency Shelter

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Wilton Elks 161 recently used a portion of their Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant for the Mother Susan Anderson House.

Members of the lodge joined with family members to shop and deliver linens to the women and children’s emergency shelter, which is located on Caroline St. in Saratoga Springs.

Together they delivered 12 sets of bed linen, 12 comforters and 6 blankets to the Shelter. The lodge would like to thank the volunteers and families who helped deliver the items for those in need. 

Every Elks Lodge is eligible to apply for the $3,000 Beacon Grant, introduced this year. In order to apply, the lodge has to actively serve the community. For more information visit www.elks.org/cip/grants/BeaconGrants.cfm.

SRYMCA Receives Gift from Bob Best Memorial Scholarship Fund

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Lisa Best, family and friends presented a gift of $13,500 to the Saratoga Regional YMCA in memory of their loving husband, father, and friend, Bob Best.

In 2018, after Bob’s sudden passing, family and friends created the Bob Best Memorial Scholarship Fund to honor Bob. Bob and Lisa Best and family were long-time members of the YMCA. Through their experience, they saw firsthand the great benefits Y membership and programs provides a family. Lisa found through her role as a teacher that at-risk students who were given financial assistance to the Y benefited from the positive influence the Y had on them through their programs. 

In total, the fund has provided the Y with $29,500. Funds are available to support sending kids to camp as well as covering membership costs. In addition, $1,000 was dedicated to the Saratoga Builder’s Association to benefit a local student entering the building trades. 

Lisa Best and their children want to thank friends, family and local businesses for their continued love and generous support to the Bob Best Memorial Fund.

Saratoga Youth Wrestling Finishes 2020 CDYWL Season in Impressive Fashion

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — In just their second year in the Capital District Youth Wrestling League, Saratoga finished the season with a 4-1 record. Coached by Brendan Polcare and Lance Matter, Saratoga has the best record in the league (8-2) over the last two years and is the only team to finish in the top 5 in each of the last two seasons. 

Saratoga lost only to eventual champion, Shenendehowa, by a three-point margin, and defeated Ballston Spa and Burnt Hills to finish 2nd in the North Division and advance to the championship rounds. They defeated Corinth 30-12 and cruised past the defending champions from Cobleskill 37-6. Brendan Stoutenburg earned the most team points for Saratoga and Jackson Wood won the Scholar Athlete Award. 

Gymnasts from Stepping Star Gymnastics Compete in the World Class Spring Challenge

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.

BALLSTON SPA — Gymnasts from Stepping Star Gymnastics in Ballston Spa competed in the World Class Spring Challenge on February 29. The Level 5 and Level 6 teams from Stepping Star both placed first and several gymnasts took first place on individual events. 

Gymnasts Competing: Ayla Skinner, Lucy Rubinstein, June Amiteye, Juliana Judge, Angie Pierre, Juliana Marchesielle, Priya Raso, Julia Gillson, Ali Maguire, Cailyn Bodkin, Amelia Anderson, Gianna Milo 

Individual Placing Gymnasts:

LEVEL 5s
Ayla Skinner: 3rd place vault, 1st place bars, 2nd place floor, 3rd all around. 
Lucy Rubinstein: 1st place beam 
June Amiteye: 3rd place vault, 2nd place beam, 2nd place floor, 2nd place all around 
Julia Gillson: 2nd place vault, 1st place bars, 1st place floor, 1st place all around 
Angie Pierre: 2nd place bars, 1st place beam, 1st place floor, 2nd place all around 

LEVEL 6s
Juliana Judge: 2nd place vault, 2nd place beam, 2nd place floor, 3rd place all around 
Juliana Marchesiello: 1st place vault, 2nd place bars, 1st place beam, 1st place floor, 1st place all around 
Priya Raso: 3rd place vault, 1st place bars, 3rd place floor, 2nd place all around