MECHANICVILLE — Jill Lauretta Conley passed away April 20, 2025. A graveside service was held on April 25 at Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery followed by a celebration of Life at the Ballston Spa Elks Club, Ballston Spa. For condolences visit www.compassionatefuneralcare.com.
GLENS FALLS — Anne Robbins-Bunker, passed away April 19, 2025. Family and friends were invited to call on April 24 at Compassionate Funeral Care. A Mass service was held on April 25 at Our Lady of Seven Dolors followed by a graveside service at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Fair Haven, VT. For condolences visit www.compassionatefuneralcare.com.
ALBANY — James Alan Marvel passed away April 22, 2025. He was born on April 19, 1941, in North Hornell, NY. Interment with military honors was held on Wednesday, April 30, at Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery. For condolences visit www.compassionatefuneralcare.com.
Upcoming Events
Famous Brown Bread and Bake Sale
Spring has sprung and our kitchen is, once again, steaming up just in time for Mothers’ Day! Simpson United Methodist Church is having our semi-annual Brown Bread & Bake Sale. The cost is still $8 per loaf. Pick-up dates: Friday, May 9 between 4 pm and 6 pm and Saturday, May 10 between 9 am and 2 pm. Our address is 1089 Rock City Road, Rock City Falls. Bake sale on Saturday. Call 518-885-4794 to place your order. Please leave your name, telephone number and the number of loaves you would like to reserve; and if possible, let us know if you will be picking up on Friday or Saturday. A representative from Simpson will call back to confirm your order.
Veterans Celebration 2025
The Goat Brothers and Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 2586 present the celebration on Saturday, May 10 from 1 – 7 p.m. at 373 Crescent Ave., Saratoga. Sponsored by OSME Inc. Cost is $10 per person. Proceeds to benefit local Veteran organizations. Many of us have firsthand experience with or know a Veteran in need. Won’t you please lend a hand? If you have a donation call 518-583-3398 to arrange pickup.
4th Annual Mother’s Day Flower Sale Fundraiser
Saturday, May 10, 9 a.m. until sold out. Gateway House of Peace, located at 479 Rowland Street, Ballston Spa.
Malta Armed Forces Day Parade
Set to take place on Saturday, May 10 at 10 a.m. on Rt 9 in Malta. This vibrant event will bring together residents, first responders, businesses, military members and veterans to celebrate. The race will kick off at 2540 State Rt 9 and travel south through the roundabout. It will then travel north on Rt 9 concluding at the Malta Community Center. Attendees can expect a spectacular lineup featuring marching bands, colorful floats, classic cars and smiling faces. The parade is free and open to the public. Join us before the parade for the Annual Malta Mile Road race. This 1-mile race begins at the Malta Community Center, 1 Bayberry Dr., Malta to register for the race go to runsignup.com/Race/NY/Malta/MaltaMile.
Veterans Business Council Jamboree
VFW Post 420, located at 190 Excelsior Ave, Saratoga Springs, will be hosting the VBC Jamboree Fundraiser on Thursday, May 15. Cornhole Tournament with prizes, 3 p.m. to finish. BBQ by Dizzy Chicken at 4:30 -6:30 p.m. Free live music and Cash Bar. Cost is $100 for a 2-person cornhole team, includes BBQ for 2. BBQ Tickets: $20 in advance online, $25 day of event. All are welcome to come and enjoy live music and support veterans. Proceeds benefit programs for veterans through the Veterans Business Council. For BBQ tickets, Cornhole signup and more information visit http://www.vbcjamboree.com VFW Post 420. Or call 518-584-9686, leave a message.
This Week’s Events:
Friday, May 2
Sewing Skills: Mending
Saratoga Springs Public Library, 49 Henry St., Saratoga Springs | 10 – 11:30 a.m. Lost a button? Skirt hem coming loose? Shirt coming apart at the seams? Learn some basic sewing techniques for repairing clothing and household items to improve the longevity of your textiles. Thread and tools will be provided, along with scrap fabric to practice on. Adults & Teens are welcome. Please register online, sspl.org.
Friends Book Shop
Saratoga Springs Public Library, Dutcher Community Room, 49 henry St., Saratoga Springs | Noon – 4 p.m. Books are 2 for $1 and 5 for $2. All ages.
Saturday, May 3
4th Annual Turning Point Symposium and Guided “Sled Tracks of Henry Knox” Tour
Old Saratoga American Legion Post, Clancy St. and Fort Hardy Park, Schuylerville. 8:15 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Cost is $85/person. Includes a continental breakfast, coffee & tea, beverages, snacks, and a buffet deli lunch. Immerse yourself in a full day of education and discovery featuring renowned authors and historians sharing insights into one of the most pivotal moments in American history. Then, join us May 4 for a bus tour with distinguished Knox scholar, Dr. Phillip Hamilton, and explore key locations along the Henry Knox Noble Train of Artillery Trail. May 4, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Cost $75. Includes box lunch. Bus Departure and Return both at Fort Hardy Park. To register and get tickets, visit www.saratoga250.com.
Rummage Sale and Chowder & Soup Sale
Charlton Freehold Presbyterian Church, 768 Charlton Rd. Charlton, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Spring Faire
Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs, 62 York Ave., Saratoga Springs | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Maypole dance, farm animals, live folk music, natural crafts and homemade foods.
Craft Fair Fundraiser
The King’s School | 6087 Route 9N, Hadley | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Join us for a wonderful day of shopping and community at our Craft Show Fundraiser. Browse unique handmade crafts, explore vendor booths, enjoy delicious baked goods, and bid on exciting items in our silent auction. We’ll also have food for sale and a special area where you can learn more about our school’s mission. With Mother’s Day just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to find a heartfelt gift while supporting a great cause. We can’t wait to see you there! Contact Katie 518-518-701-4382-4382 for more information.
Celebrate The Art of Quilting
Maplewood Parkway Methodist Church, 15 Maplewood Parkway, South Glens Falls | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. The Wings Falls Quilters Guild invites the community to “Celebrate The Art of Quilting”. This event will showcase a variety of quilts created by guild members, highlighting both traditional and modern quilting techniques. Experience an old-fashioned bed turning, a unique storytelling presentation and quilting demonstrations. For those looking for the perfect Mother’s Day gift, a boutique will feature a selection of handcrafted items made by talented guild members. Admission is $5, children under 6 are free. For more information, visit. Wings Falls Quilters Guild on Facebook.
Saratoga Comic Con
Saratoga Springs City Center, 522 Broadway, Saratoga Springs | 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Also, on Sunday, May 4, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Due to ever-rising demand of pop culture and family friendly events, Saratoga Springs will host its 10th year on its pop culture comic con platform. Growing larger, also expanding into the Hilton Hotel attached to the City Center. For more information on Saratoga Comic Con please visit http://www.saratogacomiccon.com.
Free Concert
Galway Public Library, 2112 East Street, Galway, | 12 – 1 p.m. “Songs of the American Revolution by Cosby Gibson and Tom Staudle,” will celebrate the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This patriotic program includes historic songs and a brief narrative of the history of the Revolutionary War. This program is intended for teenagers and adults. Please register to attend by calling 518-882-6385.
Chicken and Biscuits Dinner
Old Stone Church, 159 Stone Church Rd., Ballston Spa | 4 – 7 p.m. Pick up only. Dinner includes biscuits, chicken and gravy with carrots and peas, green beans and cranberry sauce and a choice of homemade pie (apple, pumpkin or fudge pecan). Cash or check accepted. Dinners cost $12. To reserve dinners, call 515-583-1002 or call the church at 518-522-4482. State number of dinners, choice of pie and pick up time. Pick up is in the church parking lot located behind the church.
Sunday, May 4
Composting Workshop
The Presbyterian-United Church of Christ, 24 Circular Street, Saratoga Springs | Noon. The public is invited to a workshop on composting as well as a potluck lunch. The event is part of the church’s ongoing commitment to sustainable environmental practices. Immediately following the workshop there will be lunch at 12:45 p.m. and then the Environmental Action Team will host a garden orientation and planting to kick off the 2025 growing season. For more information, contact the church office at 518-584-6091.
Music for an Adirondack Spring
United Methodist Church, 175 Fifth Avenue, Saratoga Springs | 3 p.m. The Saratoga Chamber Players’ concert musicians will include Jill Levy, violin; Rosemary Nelis, viola; Ashley Bathgate, cello; and Andrius Žlabys, piano/composer. This will be a rare chance to hear Žlabys perform his own “Echoes of Light” for solo piano and explain the inspiration for the work, an homage to Mozart. Also, on the program are works of Haydn, Franck, and Brahms. Tickets: students $20, seniors $25, adults $30 may be purchased by mail sent to P.O. Box 60; Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 or online at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/music-for-an-adirondack-spring-tickets-950906686497.
Monday, May 5
Galway Preservation Society Meeting
Galway Town Hall, 5910 Sacandaga Road, Galway | 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:45. A short business meeting at 7 p.m. will be followed by this month’s program. David Brooks, Historic Site Assistant and Education Director at Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site will present the program, “A Crossing Situation”. David will explain how the engineers of the Erie Canal worked around the impediment the Schoharie Creek posed to Erie Canal, from designing and building the earliest dam to the incredible John B. Jervis designed Schoharie Creek Aqueduct. Open to the public, free of charge. If you choose, annual family or household memberships are available for $10 per year. Please join us for some fun and to learn more about our local history.
Tuesday, May 6
Pierogi Sale
Christ the Savior Orthodox Church, 349 Eastline Rd., Ballston Lake | Pick up 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Potato/cheese, sauerkraut, and farmer’s cheese will be available. Pick-up is from 11 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. You can call 518-363-0001. We will confirm orders.
Catholic Daughters of the Americas Meeting
Knights of Columbus, 50 Pine Rd., Saratoga Springs | 5:45 p.m. Court McLaughlin #422 will hold its monthly meeting. Members will meet for recitation of the Rosary, followed by refreshments and fellowship. Business meeting will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. All members and those interested in joining are welcome to attend. For questions contact Regent Dawn Weber 518-226-5641 or email
CDA422Saratoga@gmail.com.
Wednesday, May 7
Virtual Author Talk with Dr. David H. Rosmarin
ZOOM Program, Clifton Park Halfmoon Public Library | 2 p.m. Dr. David H. Rosmarin, author of Thriving with Anxiety, will share a constructive, compassionate, and evidence-based approach to help you feel less anxious, become more self-accepting, connected to others, and resilient. Registration required. 518-371-8622. www.cphlibrary.org
Chicken and Biscuits Dinner
Saratoga Wilton Elks Lodge, 1 Elks Lane, Saratoga Springs | 4:30 – 6 p.m. Take out only. Call Monday or Tuesday between 10 a.m. – noon to place an order at 518-584-2585. Menu: Chicken and Biscuits, mashed potatoes, vegetable, salad. $15 (cash only).
You Can Grow Cut Flowers
Cornell Cooperative Extension, 50 W. High St., Ballston Spa | 6 – 8 p.m. Get ready to blossom with Jingjing, Commercial Horticulture Educator from the Capital Area Agriculture and Horticulture Program!
Dive into the delightful world of flower production where you’ll learn the ins and outs of sustainable techniques, soil health, and season extension. Plus, we’ll tackle weed control, integrated pest management, and marketing strategies that will leave you feeling like a gardening guru! Registration $5 per session. Email Jessica Luse jmh452@cornell.edu.
Pickin’s
The Milton Community Center, 310 Northline Rd., Ballston Spa | 6 – 9 p.m. Open to the public, free admission and ample free parking. All acoustic musicians who enjoy playing country/western, folk, gospel & bluegrass are welcome to participate. If you don’t play, become part of the audience and enjoy the music. Bring a snack to share. Beverages provided. Call 518-885-4229 with questions.
Thursday, May 8
Secret Gardens Kick-Off Garden Party
Sunnyside Gardens, 345 Church St., Saratoga Springs, 5 – 7 p.m. Socialize and shop for Mother’s Day and for yourself. This annual event is free and open to the public, featuring wine and nibbles courtesy of Sunnyside, a host of chock-full raffle baskets, and background music provided by Phil Drum. The party celebrates and supports Soroptimists of Saratoga County’s upcoming 30th Secret Gardens Tour, which will feature nine gardens in Saratoga Springs on Sunday, June 29. Tour tickets will be ready for purchase in May online and in person at several locations. Sunnyside donates to Soroptimists a portion of proceeds from sales, including gift cards, during the May 8 event. Visit www.soroptimistsaratoga.org for more information. Email questions to secretgardesninfo@gmail.com.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) awarded certificates and monetary prizes to local flag and American history essay winners on April 22 at the Saratoga Holiday Inn.
The flag essay winners were from Lake Avenue School: Maceo London (1st place), Eve Cornish (2nd place), Abigail Black and Matthew Puryemebida (3rd place tie).
The American history essay winners were from Orenda Elementary School: Addison Bradley and Emily VanHuesen.
The flag essay subject was “What does the American flag mean to me,” and the American history topic was the “Edenton Tea Party in 1776”.
Maceo London’s flag essay was sent to the New York State DAR flag essay contest as the chapter winner. London then placed 2nd in the statewide contest.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs Lions Club will award $30,000 in academic scholarships to six graduating high school seniors at a celebratory dinner on May 21 at Mama Mia’s in Saratoga Springs.
All are seniors at Saratoga Springs High School and all were chosen based on their essays on their community service as well as their academic achievement, letters of recommendation, and all-around participation and leadership in sports, music, and other school organizations.
Wang has an unweighted GPA of 98.57. She plans to study neuroscience and biology. During her high school years, she was director of volunteers for the Stories for Success programs at Saratoga Hospital, Schuylerville’s Universal Pre-K, and Troy’s Universal Pre-K. Wang also is a youth board member of the Friends of the Saratoga Springs Public Library and a volunteer at Saratoga Hospital. She also participated in several science programs at Skidmore College and Albany Medical College.
Woytowich has an unweighted GPA of 97.11. She plans to study chemistry, with a goal of becoming a physician. She is a volunteer at Saratoga Hospital and the Soup Kitchen at LifeWorks Community Action. She’s also a member of the future medical leaders club and several honor societies.
Hoke has an unweighted GPA of 99.32. She plans to study mechanical engineering. She is a member and lead programmer of a robotics team with 4-H; a STEM Week volunteer teaching children to build Lego robots and write code; a Robotics Showcase Volunteer at the Saratoga County Fair; and a volunteer coordinator and engineering station leader in the Science in the Community Club, which presents programs about STEM at local elementary schools.
Hogan has an unweighted GPA of 95.38 and plans to study early childhood education and special education, with the goal of becoming a kindergarten teacher. Her volunteerism is focused on working with and raising funds for St. Baldrick’s Childhood Cancer, the “Melodies of Christmas” program to benefit The Melodies Center at Albany Med, Give A Child a Christmas, and the Saratoga Literacy League.
Serritella has an unweighted GPA of 96.98. He plans to study business, finance, and accounting with the goal of a career in business administration. He is a volunteer with Toys for Tots, the American Red Cross, Saratoga Hidden Horseshoes, the Athlete Mentor Program, Best Buddies, and Project Lift.
D’Evelyn has an unweighted GPA of 98.09 and plans to study engineering. His volunteer endeavors include Bikeatoga, where he repairs bicycles for the free bike donation program, and the Saratoga Rowing Association, where he is a junior coach and a member of the Learn to Row program. He also works as the audio/visual technician and manager for the Presbyterian United Church of Christ.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) announced this week that it has earned a Sensory Inclusive Certification from KultureCity, a national nonprofit at the forefront of the inclusivity movement.
The certification builds on the launch of SPAC’s new “All-Access Nights” and “Access the Arts” education programs, which offer free classes designed to promote a greater sense of belonging in arts programming for individuals with developmental, intellectual, and physical disabilities.
One of the only certified locations in New York State, SPAC School of the Arts opened in 2021 and is a multi-disciplinary school that provides music, theatre, and dance programming for children and adults.
“SPAC has always been dedicated to increasing access to arts education and the live performance experience,” said SPAC Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Sobol in a statement. “But over the past few years, we have expanded from solely presenting music and dance classes to incubating new educational programming that prioritizes barrier-free arts access. Becoming one of the only Sensory Inclusive Certified locations in New York State is an incredible achievement for our SPAC School of the Arts and we are proud to continue this important work serving our community.”
KultureCity’s Sensory Inclusive Certification has been widely embraced by venues, stadiums, and cultural institutions across the globe. The program provides training and resources, enabling teachers and staff to better accommodate individuals with sensory sensitivities. As a result, families and individuals can enjoy arts classes, live events, and public spaces with greater comfort and ease.
Sensory sensitivities or challenges with sensory regulation are often experienced by individuals with autism, dementia, PTSD, and other similar conditions, regardless of age. Individuals might become overwhelmed by crowds, lights, sounds, smells, or other external stimuli. As part of the certification process, SPAC School of the Arts staff were trained by leading medical and neurodivergent professionals on how to recognize guests with sensory needs and how to handle a sensory overload situation. Sensory bags (equipped with noise canceling headphones), fidget tools, verbal cue cards, and weighted lap pads are also now available to all guests at SPAC School of the Arts.
SPAC also recently announced that it has launched a new “All-Access Nights” program at its SPAC School of the Arts, developed as a response to the need for inclusive spaces for school-age students, their families, and caregivers. The program launched with a pilot session in the fall with free music, theatre, and dance classes. The spring session runs every Wednesday through May 7, with the next session planned for Wednesdays in June.
“All-Access Nights” follows the creation of “Access the Arts,” a program for adults which began in 2023 and has since expanded its reach, working with six organizations including AIM Services and Saratoga Bridges across Warren, Washington, Albany, Saratoga, Schenectady, and Montgomery counties. The program takes place three days a week at SPAC School of the Arts with free music, improv theatre, and dance classes for adults in day habilitation programs. “Access the Arts” culminated in a final celebratory “share” with all students, staff, caregivers, and community members on April 30 at the Spa Little Theater.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — In the wake of federal funding cuts for food and hunger relief programs, Pitney Meadows Community Farm and the Saratoga Hospital Community of Excellence have received funding from international nonprofit Health Care Without Harm for a Food as Medicine pilot program in Saratoga County.
The program, designed to strengthen the local food system while improving health outcomes, will provide enhanced Food as Medicine produce boxes to residents of three housing communities in need: the Stonequist Apartments in Saratoga Springs, the Intrada Apartments in Saratoga Springs, and the Riverview Apartments in Corinth.
Each participant will receive biweekly deliveries of locally grown, nutrient-dense food, along with educational materials on healthy eating and meal preparation. These deliveries will feature a diverse array of seasonal produce, grains, legumes, and other farm products, purchased directly from Pitney Meadows and a network of other local farms.
The Saratoga Hospital Food as Medicine Community of Excellence Workgroup, led by Pitney Meadows, spearheaded the development of this pilot. The workgroup convenes healthcare providers, community organizations, and food producers to help ensure the program effectively meets local health and nutrition needs.
“This project not only increases access to fresh, healthy food but also sets a model for how communities can sustain these initiatives long-term,” said Dr. Renee Rodriguez, a Saratoga Hospital Community of Excellence representative, in a news release. “By gathering data on health outcomes and program impact, we aim to make this a replicable solution for communities nationwide.”
“As federal funding for hunger relief and small farms declines, initiatives like this become even more vital,” said Daniel Williams, assistant farm manager of Food Sovereignty Programs. “Pitney Meadows and our partners are working to ensure Food as Medicine programs remain viable and sustainable through innovative partnerships and local investments.”
According to a recent report by ABC News, food bank managers across the country have said that their supplies, which were already strained by post-pandemic rising demand, have been worsened by recent cuts in federal funding to food distribution programs. In March, the U.S. Department of Agriculture cut $500 million from the Emergency Food Assistance Program, which buys food from domestic producers and sends it to pantries nationwide.
MALTA — Balet Flowers & Design celebrated the grand opening of its new barn last week on Earth Day.
The Flower and Arts Barn is stocked with bushes, perennials, annuals, herbs, vegetables, hanging baskets, handmade pottery, and additional gardening supplies.
The company also specializes in creating floral designs with a “unique country flair” for weddings and other special events.
Until July 3, the new barn located at 5065 Nelson Avenue Ext in Malta will be open daily from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. From July 5 until December 23, it will be open every day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (except Thanksgiving).
