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Author: Saratoga TODAY

Sculptor Gifts Skidmore Permanent Installation 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.


Photo provided by Skidmore College.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Sculptor and Skidmore College alumnus Fitzhugh Karol unveiled a permanent large-scale sculpture on Skidmore College’s campus last month.

The new installation, located just outside the Saisselin Art Building, is an evolution of Karol’s work “Tingwon,” which was previously exhibited at Sculpture by the Sea on Bondi and Cottesloe Beaches, one of Australia’s most-attended sculptural events. The piece has been reimagined and adapted specifically for its new home at Skidmore, where Karol first began his formal educational and artistic journey. 

“Having an artwork come to campus feels full circle indeed,” Karol said in a statement. “It’s very exciting for me. I love that students will sit on and around the work. They’ll have it in their everyday background and be in conversation with it. My process is about play, immersing myself and transporting myself within the landscape of work. Large-scale sculpture allows the viewer to take part in that as well.”

Leadership Saratoga Class of 2025 Graduates

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS,  — A class of 24 local leaders graduated recently from the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Saratoga program.

Directed by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, this award-winning program is dedicated to the development of leaders who will serve their communities today and in the future.

The first Leadership Saratoga class graduated in 1986, and the program has since assisted in training and educating more than 700 leaders in the Saratoga community.

This year’s graduating class was honored at a recent ceremony, where Leadership Saratoga Alum Clifford Van Wagner, class of 1988, and Todd Shimkus, president of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, shared their guidance and insight with the graduates. 


The Class of 2025: 

  • Matt Becker of Arrow Financial Corporation
  • Shawn Bennett of NBT Bank 
  • Amanda Capozzi of CAPTAIN Community Human Services 
  • Sophia Constantine of Roohan Realty 
  • Lisamarie Dapper of Phinney Design Group 
  • Julie Delay of Skidmore College 
  • Jon Dorflinger of Light It Up Media 
  • Victoria Furfaro of RISE Housing and Support Services 
  • Collin Gibson of Pioneer
  • John Howard of Stewart’s Shops
  • Marianna Hutcheson of Courtyard by Marriott / BBL Hospitality
  • Meredith Jenkins of Joseph E. Mastrianni, Inc.
  • Stephanie Lamphere of Clean Green Hauling &
    Removal LLC
  • Alyssa Mastrianni of JPMorgan Chase Bank
  • Chris McDaniel of NuScale
  • Sergio Quiroz-Mejia of Saratoga Casino Hotel
  • Joseph Miller of Saratoga Casino Hotel
  • Natalie Moore of Saratoga Living
  • Daniel Nazzaro of AIM Services
  • Sarah Smith of The Children’s Museum at Saratoga
  • Philip Spiezio of Stewart’s Shops
  • Kally Straus of The Wesley Community
  • Celia Vincek of Adirondack Trust Company
  • Amanda Vitullo of National Grid

Each year, members of the Leadership Saratoga class work on projects intended to create impact in Saratoga County. The 2025 class helped the American Cancer Society – Northeast Region, Ballston Area Community Center, Pitney Meadows Community Farm, and the Wilton Fire District. Leadership Saratoga Class of 2025 graduates will present the details of these inspiring projects at the upcoming Leadership Saratoga Alumni Annual Breakfast on June 18.

The purpose of the Leadership Saratoga program is to inform and educate members of the community who want to ensure Saratoga County’s success by giving of their time, talents, energy and expertise. This is often in a volunteer capacity such as serving on a board of an impact sector organization, a board of education, a land use board or becoming an elected official. 

“We are very proud of the Leadership Saratoga Class of 2025,” says Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce President Todd Shimkus. “These graduates are poised to become influential leaders who will make a lasting difference in the Saratoga County community for years ahead.”

Anyone interested in learning more about Leadership Saratoga or considering applying to be a member of the next class can visit www.LeadershipSaratoga.org for additional information. 

LWV Saratoga County Presents “Profiles in Courage” Series

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

The League of Women Voters of Saratoga County is announcing the first of four scheduled sessions, “Profiles in Courage”, in response to growing concerns over the federal government actions.

League of Women Voters of Saratoga County member, Patricia Nugent, will present “Deeds, Not Words” on Wednesday, June 11 at 7pm at the Saratoga Springs Public Library. This program will focus on how the militant suffragists of the early 1900s, under Alice Paul’s leadership, finally took women’s suffrage over the finish line after a 75-year battle. 

The sessions are designed to showcase what our community can learn from the resilience and determination of past political movements and aims to encourage attendees to customize their own plan for supporting the democratic principles of justice and inclusion. 

Patricia Nugent is the author of the play “The Stone that Started the Ripple” about a modern-day reunion of suffragists and edited the nonfiction anthology “Before They Were Our Mothers: Voices of Women Born Before Rosie Started Riveting.” She designs and teaches a course in feminist history and founded the Women’s Rights Awareness Campaign in Saratoga County, which was instrumental in passing the NYS Equal Rights Amendment. 

Dan Berggren, a tradition-based songsmith and award-winning educator and musician, will provide topical musical inspiration. The event is cosponsored by the New York Civil Liberties Union and the Saratoga Public Library. Registration is required at https://www.sspl.org/event/. 

The second session to be held June 25 at 7pm at SUNY Adirondack will focus on the Red Scare during the Cold War. Two additional sessions will be held in September. For more information, visit www.lwvsaratoga.org

League of Women Voters to Hold Greenfield Supervisor Candidate Forum 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

The League of Women Voters of Saratoga County will moderate a “Meet the Candidates” forum in advance of the primary election for the office of Supervisor of the Town of Greenfield. The forum will be held Tuesday June 10 from 7-8:00 p.m. at the Greenfield Community Center. All are welcome to attend.

Please get the word out about this in-person and recorded event! The LWVSC will post the recording of the forum on our website, lwvsaratoga.org, and our voter guide, VOTE411.org. 

The public is encouraged to submit questions for candidates to:  Lwvscquestions@gmail.com  no later than Sunday June 8th.   Please put “Greenfield” in the subject line of your email.

  • Questions will be reviewed by an impartial group of League members based on relevance to the office and topic/redundancy.  
  • No questions will be taken at the event itself. 
  • Questions should be clear, concise and appropriate to the office being sought. 
  • Questions must be directed to all the candidates seeking the office, not just to
  • one candidate. 
  • Questions should reflect the issues of greatest interest to the entire community and cover a broad range of topics. 
  • Questions must not include or imply personal attacks on any candidate.

Voters registered with the Republican Party may vote in the election on Tuesday June 24.  Early voting begins on June 14th.

Ethel M. Poutre

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

BALLSTON LAKE — Ethel M. Poutre peacefully passed away on May 22, 2025 at Albany Medical Center.

She was born on July 17, 1947 in Albany, New York, the daughter of the late Robert and Sally (Galizia) Mercier. 

Ethel spent many years as head cashier greeting customers with a friendly smile at the Malta Corners Mobil Mini Mart and Cumberland Farms. 

Ethel is survived by her three sons, Michael Poutre and his wife, Julie, Anthony Poutre and Stephan Poutre; one sister Gloria Nedeau; brother, Richard Mercier; grandchildren, Kayleigh, Nicole, Cody, Isabell, Shane and Sabrina; and 6 Great Grandchildren.

She is predeceased by her parents; ex-husband, Richard Poutre; sisters, Joyce Filkins and Theresa Brown; and brother, Robert Mercier.

Ethel was laid to rest on May 30 at the Memory Gardens Cemetery in Colonie, NY. 

Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes of 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Spring (518-584-5373).

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.

Stephen B. Chiperno 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

TEMPLE, TX — Stephen B. Chiperno, affectionately known as “Steve” by his family and friends, passed away on May 20, 2025, in Temple, Texas, at the age of 80.

Born on January 5, 1945, in Saratoga Springs, New York, Steve was the third child of Stephen B. Chiperno, Sr. and Anna Ferrara Chiperno. A proud graduate of Saratoga Springs High School, Class of 1963, he cherished his hometown roots and the values they instilled in him—love, adventure, and a steadfast work ethic.

Steve’s love for baseball began early. He was one of the first players for the West Saratoga Little League team, the PBA, in 1955. Summers were filled with joy as he played to packed bleachers, often facing off against his brother Ralph’s team, the Lions—memories he carried with pride throughout his life.

Steve dedicated over three decades of his life to the Alaska Railroad, where his passion for the outdoors and commitment to hard work found a natural home. His long career stood as a testament to his reliability, determination, and strong character.

Steve is survived by his beloved daughter, Stephanie Anne Moody; his son-in-law, Joshua Moody; and his cherished grandchildren, Stephen Chiperno and Samantha Moody. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Chiperno Casazza of Saratoga Springs, NY; his brother, Ralph Chiperno; and sister-in-law, Dr. Jil Bottrell of Fairbanks, Alaska. He leaves behind his former wife and dear friend, Kelly, as well as his longtime friend, Ted.

Steve will be remembered for his gentle spirit, deep loyalty to family and friends, and the legacy of hard work and love he leaves behind.

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com

Lewis H. Bruce 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Lewis H. Bruce, 92 passed away peacefully at his home on May 30, 2025. Lewis was a quiet and gentle soul, whose presence brought joy and a sense of peace. He will be truly missed. Burial with military honors is on June 9 at 10 a.m. at Saratoga National Cemetery. Please visit www.burkefuneralhome.com. 

Mark C. Powers 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Mark C Powers, 64, passed away at home on May 30, 2025. A graveside service took place June 4 at St. Peters Cemetery. Donations in Mark’s memory to be made to any local animal rescue. Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.

Jeannette Knapp 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.


BALLSTON SPA — Jeannette Knapp passed away May 15, 2025. Calling hours were held on May 20 at Compassionate Funeral Care. Funeral service, with burial followed at Saratoga National Cemetery. Condolences may be shared at www.compassionatefuneralcare.com.

John A. Jordan, Jr.

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.


MIDDLE GROVE — John A. Jordan, Jr., 90, passed May 29, 2025, at the Joan Nicole Prince Hospice Home. Calling hours and mass were 6/2/25 at Church of St. Peter followed by burial in St. Peter’s Cemetery. Memorial donations to Joan Nicole Prince Home (https://www.joannicoleprincehome.org/donate) or Saratoga Central Catholic (https://fundraise.givesmart.com/). Visit www.burkefuneralhome.com.