SARATOGA SPRINGS —John P. Bartoszek, 92, veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars, passed February 18, 2025. Mass is 11 a.m., March 28, 2025 at Church of St. Peter followed by inurnment with military honors at GBH Saratoga National Cemetery. Memorial donations to North Country Honor Flight: http://www.northcountryhonorflight.org/donate.html (P.O. Box 2644, Plattsburgh, NY 12901). www.burkefuneralhome.com
John “Jack” Thomas Rich, Jr (1947-2025) of Ballston Spa, NY passed away on March 9, 2025, at the age of 77. Over the years, Jack battled many health issues and was the recipient of a heart transplant. He always amazed friends, family (and doctors) with his strong will to survive. His life can be likened to a ball game that went into triple overtime, only to be lost by a single point at the buzzer. His loved ones were fortunate to have him in their lives for so long.
Jack was born in Whitehall, NY to parents John and Ida Rich where he was raised with his three siblings. Over time, Jack and his family also resided in Stillwater, NY and Ballston Spa, NY where Jack attended high school.
Sports were very important to Jack. He played baseball and football, but basketball was his passion. He was inducted into the Ballston Spa Athletics Hall of Fame for his contribution to the winning 1963-1964 Varsity basketball team.
He also was a member of the Junior College of Albany basketball team.
As an adult, Jack approached his career with the same drive and skill he demonstrated on the basketball court. He spent a lifelong career in the floor covering business and owned Miranda and Fountaine Floor Covering in Mechanicville, NY.
Jack loved and was loved by his family and friends. He was giving, quick to help, and loved to make people laugh with his witty sense of humor. He enjoyed home improvement projects, looking for a new treasure at an antique shop or yard sale, and following college sports.
Jack is survived by his wife of 22 years, Sharon Rich of Ballston Spa, daughters Renee (Hough) Larmour of Lexington, KY and Johna Rich of Saratoga Springs, NY, stepson Jeff (Michelle) Lambert of Saratoga Springs, NY, sister Joan “Jonny” Cummings of Saratoga Springs, NY, and grandchildren Kendall Hough, Graham Hough, Max Fogarty, Genaro Lambert, and Gianna Lambert. Jack also leaves behind many loved nieces, nephews, friends and his adoring cat, Gabby.
Jack was predeceased by parents John and Ida Rich of Stillwater, NY, sister Judith (Ron) Durante of Malta, NY, brother Michael “Mickey” (Sharon) Rich of Stillwater, NY and brother-in-law Robert “Jeep” Cummings of Saratoga Springs, NY.
A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, March 30 from 1 – 4 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus, 50 Pine Road, Saratoga Springs, NY. Friends and family are encouraged to join in sharing memories and celebrating Jack’s life. In place of flowers, charitable donations can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or the American Heart Association.
For online condolences, visit www.compassionatefuneralcre.com
SARATOGA SPRINGS —A Casino Night fundraiser to benefit Beagle School will take place March 21 at Canfield Casino in Congress Park.
Casino Night will kick off at 6 p.m. and include a range of classic casino games, including poker, blackjack, and roulette.
Located in Saratoga Springs at 115 Regent St. and 107 Circular St., Beagle School is a non-profit preschool serving children aged 2-5 for 53 years. Recently, the “Little Beagle” location for 2-year-olds on Circular Street suffered significant damage due to a traffic accident last summer. While the setback required a temporary home be found for students, it also sparked a plan to transform and renovate the main facility.
For more information about the Casino Night fundraiser and to purchase tickets, visit https://beagle-school.betterworld.org/events/beagle-school-casino-night or email: beagleschoolevents@gmail.com.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —The Saratoga Senior Center will celebrate its 70th anniversary on Friday, March 28 with a community event at Universal Preservation Hall.
The event features two presentations – at 10 a.m. and at noon. The first is a presentation that honors the visionaries who built their past homes and shaped the center of today, while connecting their story to the history of the city and the county. Following the historic presentation, a video will showcase members, the impact of the center on their lives, and the services provided. Following this, guests may enjoy a light brunch and live music
There will be an optional shuttle at 9:15 a.m. from the Center to UPH for those who will be attending.
Tickets for the event are $7 per person and may be purchased by visiting or calling the Center’s front desk at 518-584-1621 or via the website saratogaseniorcenter.org/70th-anniversary/.
This event is sponsored by the Alfred Z. Solomon Charitable Trust, Home of the Good Shepherd, and UPH.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Rotary Club of Saratoga Springs’ annual Home & Lifestyle show raised $86,000 in net funds which will go back into the community with donations to support local non-profit organizations and to the Rotary Education Foundation for local student scholarships.
The event was held March 1-2 at the Saratoga Springs City Center and the amount of funds raised during the Club’s major fundraiser was a record, according to the organization.
The Club and its members have produced the home show for the past 51 years and plan on continuing it in future years.
To learn more about thee programs or Rotary in general, go to: www.saratogaspringsrotary.org.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —The Northeastern Woodworkers Association is holding their 32nd annual Woodworkers Showcase on Saturday and Sunday, March 29–30, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day at the Saratoga Springs City Center.
The event will feature more than 500 exhibitors, amateurs and seasoned professionals alike, as well as a variety of displays that will include furniture, carvings, sculptures, musical instruments, intricate turnings, intarsia, scroll work, toys, and accessories.
Attendees will have the opportunity to see the exhibitors compete for award ribbons across several categories. Free lectures and demonstrations will also be held with nationally and regionally recognized master craftsmen for everyone to attend.
Day two of the event will include Family Day, where children will get to learn about working at the Toy Factory. Children will also have the opportunity to make a toy to bring home with them with the help of NWA members. Meanwhile, NWA members will guide parents through turning and creating their own pen on a lathe.
A number of national and regional trade vendors will be in attendance, offering woodworking tools and accessories for those of all skill levels.
This showcase event will also include the Totally Turning Symposium, where participants will get to learn more about the art of turning wood on a lathe. The symposium requires a separate fee to attend.
Visit https://woodworker.org/showcase-show-information/ for more information on the Northeastern Woodworkers Showcase and the Totally turning Symposium and to purchase tickets in advance. The Saratoga Springs City Center is located at 522 Broadway. Parking is available in the new City Center attached parking garage.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — “Breaking Bubbles: A Celebration of Women in Our Community,” will take place at Universal Preservation Hall, from 5:30-9 p.m. on Thursday, March 27.
The event to benefit Double H Ranch will feature food prepared by the dining team of the Ranch, along with 9 Miles East, and desserts by Driscoll Foods. The evening will also include a silent auction, interactive activity stations, and bubbly-related drinks.
JoAnn Slattery, vice president of wholesale at Vineyard Vines, will serve as keynote speaker.
Discover the Double H Ranch: Learn about the impactful work of the Double H Ranch, which provides specialized programs for children living with serious or chronic medical conditions.
For more information, registration options and admission, go to: https://www.doublehranch.org/special-events/breaking-bubbles/
Saratoga Springs — The annual fun-filled Community Purim Carnival will be held 10 a.m. to noon on Sunday, March 16.
The festivities, presented by Temple Sinai, will take place in the Coesa Room of the Roosevelt 2 Building at 37 Roosevelt Ave. in Saratoga Spa State Park. Families and children from the community are welcome to join the program for youngsters of all faiths.
Purim is a holiday celebrating a biblical story about overcoming racism and oppression. It’s traditionally celebrated with costume and revelry and has been called “the Jewish Mardi Gras.”
The local event will feature more than 15 interactive games and activities, including dance parties, a photo booth, crafts, face painting, wooden “pony” rides, snacks and carnival games with prizes.
Wristbands for unlimited games and activities are $10 each. Pita & hummus, popcorn, cotton candy, snacks, and beverages will be available for purchase. For further information about Temple Sinai’s Purim Carnival, contact Sylvia Bloom, Temple Sinai’s Director of Education at : educator@saratogasinai.org.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The New York Racing Association (NYRA) recently announced ticket and hospitality on-sale dates for the 2025 season at the Saratoga Race Course, which includes a special July 4th Festival as a prelude to the traditional 40-day summer meet.
The July 4th Racing Festival, typically held at Belmont Park, will take place from Thursday, July 3 through Sunday, July 6 at Saratoga while construction continues on a new Belmont Park. The 40-day summer meet will open Thursday, July 10 and continue through Monday, September 1.
Full-space group hospitality reservations are available beginning at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 5 for the 1863 Club, Paddock Suite, Surfside Party Deck at The Post, Spa Verandas, Big Red Spring and Festival Tent.
Saratoga Season Passes are currently on-sale and include complimentary admission for the July 4th Racing Festival. Season Passes are available for $95, the same price as last year, and include general admission for the July 4th Festival, in addition to the 40-day summer meet.
All tickets and hospitality for the July 4th Racing Festival and 40-day Saratoga summer meet will be available according to the following timeline:
March 5: Full-space private hospitality including luxury suites and the Rail at the 1863 Club; Spa Verandas, Surfside Party Deck, Big Red Spring and Festival Tent
March 19: Full-season reserved seating plans for the Clubhouse, Grandstand and Michelob Ultra Stretch
March 26: Partial-space group reservations for the Rail at the 1863 Club, Mionetto Easy Goer and individual tables within the Festival Tent
April 9: Weekly and flex reserved seating plans for the Clubhouse, Grandstand, Michelob Ultra Stretch, Miller Time Fourstardave Sports Bar and Pick Six Vodka Picnic Paddock; single-day reservations for the Founders Room and Clubhouse Box Seats
April 23: Dining reservations for the Turf Terrace, Porch and Club Terrace
April 30: Single-day reserved seats for the Clubhouse, Grandstand and Michelob Ultra Stretch
May 7: Single-day reservations for the Miller Time Fourstardave Sports Bar, Pick Six Vodka Picnic Paddock and Surfside Tailgate at the Turn
May 14: Single-day general admission tickets
July 4th Racing Festival Stakes Schedule
NYRA also recently announced the stakes schedule for the July 4th Racing Festival.
The festival begins on Thursday, July 3 with two stakes on tap in the Listed $150,000 Wild Applause for sophomore fillies traveling one mile on the turf, and the Grade 3, $175,000 Victory Ride for sophomore fillies sprinting 6 1/2 furlongs.
Friday, July 4 will feature a stacked card of five stakes races, headlined by the Grade 1, $750,000 Belmont Derby Invitational for sophomores going 1 1/8 miles on the turf. The program is supported by the Grade 2, $400,000 Suburban at 10 furlongs for older horses; the Grade 3, $200,000 Manila for sophomores going one mile on the turf; the Listed $150,000 Harvey Pack for older horses sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf; and the Listed $150,000 Schuylerville for juvenile fillies sprinting six furlongs.
Grade 1 action continues into Saturday, July 5 as sophomore filly turf routers take center stage in the Grade 1, $500,000 Belmont Oaks Invitational traveling 1 1/8 miles. Two other Grade 3 events are featured on the program in the $175,000 Kelso for older horses going one mile on the turf and the $175,000 Sanford for juveniles sprinting six furlongs.
The weekend closes out on Sunday, July 6 to conclude the 2025 Belmont at the Big A spring/summer meet.
Daily admission for the July 4th Racing Festival will be available for $7 when purchased in advance or $10 day-of.
For the complete stakes schedule for the July 4th Racing Festival, visit www.nyra.com/saratoga/racing/stakes-schedule/.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Dake Foundation for Children’s annual Bike for Kids fundraiser is happening Saturday, Mar. 15 at the Saratoga Springs YMCA at 290 West Avenue. Registration is at 10am and the race begins at 11am.
The event includes a one-hour stationary bike relay, with approximately 30 teams of 4 who have been raising funds for the past few months to benefit the Dake Foundation’s grant programs that support children with disabilities all over the Capital Region. Prizes will be awarded for most miles raced, most amount fundraised, best costumes, and more.
Parking is available onsite, although the Y is expected to be very busy that day. Anyone over 18 must present a photo ID at the front desk. Please note this will be a high sensory event with lights and music.
Founded by Gary Dake, president of Stewart’s Shops, the Foundation has provided independence, inclusion, and fun for local children with disabilities for over 16 years.
For more information or to register, visit https://givebutter.com/bikeforkids2025.
