SARATOGA SPRINGS —Martin Stone, a trailblazing business leader, political activist, and devoted family man, passed 11/19/2024, leaving behind a legacy as vibrant and meaningful as the life he led. Memorial donations to Jimmy Fund. To honor his memory, take a walk outdoors and reflect on his remarkable life. www.burkefuneralhome.com.
MALTA — Lawrence “Larry” Lupo, 91, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 22, 2024, at Saratoga Hospital surrounded by his loving family. A military service will take place at a later date for close family and friends. At his request, there will be no calling hours.
SOUTH GLENS FALLS —Charles “Pete” Clute, of South Glens Falls, NY, passed away November 20, 2024. Calling hours were held on Saturday, November 30, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Compassionate Funeral Care, 402 Maple Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —Margie Helm Van Meter passed away peacefully on November 13, 2024, surrounded by her family at her longtime residence in Saratoga Springs, NY. Margie was born on September 7, 1932, the youngest of four children of John Blakey Helm and Catherine Burge Helm. Margie grew up in Louisville Kentucky and attended the Louisville Collegiate School. She graduated from Wellesley College in 1954. Soon after graduation, Margie married her husband of 70 years, Robert Van Meter. Margie and Bob were blessed with two children, Bob and Nancy.
After her children left for college, Margie earned a master’s degree in public administration from the State University of New York at Albany and embarked on a new career. She served for two decades as a senior staff member in the New York State Senate focused on childcare issues, including many years working for Mary Goodhue, who chaired the Senate childcare committee. Margie took great satisfaction from her success working across the aisle to pass over a dozen bills improving child welfare and expanding childcare for New York families and children.
Upon retirement, Margie deepened her lifelong commitment to community activism. She served on the Saratoga Springs Charter Commission and was appointed to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Concurrently, Margie was a board member for the Planned Parenthood for Saratoga, Fulton, and Montgomery counties. She was also active in the Westside neighborhood and for several years she led neighborhood tours for the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation. Margie mentored young women who were first-generation college students at Empire State College. Margie was a leader in the League of Women Voters, for more than fifty years starting in 1961 in Green Bay Wisconsin. Margie was an active member of the Presbyterian United Church of Christ in Saratoga Springs and served as an Elder of the church.
Margie was always interested both in her community and the larger world around her. As an adult learner, she took a variety of courses and participated in numerous book clubs. She also enjoyed traveling. Among other places that she visited with her children and grandchildren were Beijing, China, Paris, France, Havana, Cuba, Barcelona and Madrid, Spain.
Margie is survived by her husband, her son Bob Van Meter and his wife Pam Nourse, her daughter Nancy Van Meter and her husband Jeff Eagan, grandchildren Becky Dowgun and her husband Neil, Patrick Eagan-Van Meter and his wife Rebecca Salzman, Abby Nourse Van Meter and her husband Ian Benton, Ben Eagan-Van Meter and his wife Fabiola Gutierrez, Margie’s brother Joe Helm and his wife Sissy, and her brother-in-law Woodford Van Meter and his wife Dorothy. In addition, Margie is survived by great-grandchildren Valerie, Jesse, and Silas, as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Margie is predeceased by her parents John Blakey Helm and Catherine Helm, her sister Kitty Hartnett, and brother Jack Helm.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at 3 p.m. at the Presbyterian-United Church of Christ, 24 Circular St. Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 with a reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in her memory to the League of Women Voters of Saratoga County, www.lwvsaratoga.org
Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 (584-5373).
Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.
BALLSTON SPA — The annual Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting in the Village of Ballston Spa takes place Friday, Dec. 6 on Milton Avenue.
Hosted by the Ballston Spa Business & Professional Association (BSBPA), the parade steps off at 6:30 p.m. from the north side of Milton Avenue and proceeds to West High Street. The evening culminates in Wiswall Park, where Mr. and Mrs. Claus will arrive on an Eagle-Matt Lee Fire Company truck to light the community holiday tree.
The event will spotlight the Toys for Tots Campaign in collaboration with the Ballston Spa Community Emergency Corps, the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Department, and the U.S. Marine Corps. Volunteers from these organizations will collect donations of new, unwrapped toys from spectators along the parade route and during the tree lighting ceremony.
The event is free to attend and open to all. For more information about the Ballston Spa Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting, visit www.ballston.org
SARATOGA SPRINGS —Step into a world of glamour, suspense, and secrets Thursday, Dec. 12 at the 4th Annual Murder Mystery Dinner at the Saratoga Springs History Museum.
This year’s theme, Sing a Song of Murder, brings guests into the thrilling world of the American Folk Music Hall of Fame Nominations when an unexpected tragedy turns the night into a crime scene. Does it have anything to do with Pete Seeger chasing Bob Dylan with an ax when Bob went electric? Who knows. Will you have what it takes to uncover the truth?
The event takes place at Canfield Casino from 6-10 p.m. and combines an elegant three-course gourmet dinner – gourmet Prime Rib, Chicken, or Polenta Cakes – with an interactive murder mystery performance, written and directed by Kirk and Maria Starczewski.
“We planned to conclude this series last year, but the response has been so enthusiastic that we couldn’t resist bringing it back once more,” James Parillo, executive director of the Saratoga Springs History Museum said in a statement.
Will You Crack the Case… or Become Part of It?
Ticket Information: General Admission: $150; Museum Member Admission: $140. All proceeds from the event will support educational programming at the Saratoga Springs History Museum.
Reservations Required: Tickets are limited, and the event has sold out each year. Reservations can be made at www.saratogahistory.org/dinner-theate.
SARATOGA SPRINGS—The following holiday-themed events will take place at the Saratoga Senior Center, 290 West Ave.
Holiday Shop & Taste at the Center – Monday, Dec. 9, 2 pm – 6 pm. Second annual craft and vendor fair at the Center. Stop by and get some of that holiday shopping done early. Holiday Shops will feature art pieces, ornaments, greeting cards, books and more.
Holiday Hints for Caregivers: Managing the Busy Holiday Season – Monday, Dec. 16, 9:30 am. This program will help caregivers understand how cognitive changes impact the holiday season, as well as provide tips on how to modify activities and traditions. You’ll even leave with a few gift ideas. This program is supported in part by a grant from the New York State Department of Health.
TROY — The Tri-City ValleyCats have announced that the 2025 Frontier League of Professional Baseball All-Star Game will be played at the Joseph L. Bruno Stadium in Troy. A Home Run Derby will also be held at the stadium prior to the All-Star game. The multi-day event will last from July 14 to 17, 2025. Tickets will be available for purchase via the ValleyCats website.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Bikeatoga is hosting a kids’ bike giveaway on Saturday, December 7 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Families can bring their children to select a new bike from a stock of refurbished bikes. All are welcome to come. The recipient must be present with a responsible adult. Donations are encouraged but not required.
The event will take place in the rear basement of St. Peter’s Church at 241 Broadway in Saratoga Springs. The entrance is at the rear of the church facing Hamilton Street at the top of the parking lot.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Four Skidmore College field hockey players and two members of the women’s soccer squad have been named to All-Liberty League teams after racking up myriad accomplishments.
Field Hockey
In field hockey, Seniors CC Wetter and Kayla Hassett were voted to the First Team, while Victoria Bodnar made the Second Team, and Erin Ohlenbusch received Honorable Mention.
Wetter finished the season tied for fourth in the Liberty League with 12 goals. She appeared in all 21 games, making 20 starts, and finished with a team high 28 points on 12 goals and four assists. Her season got off to an impressive start with six goals over the team’s first four games. She later helped the Thoroughbreds reach the postseason with the winning goal against William Smith on October 18.
Hassett was voted to an All-Liberty League team for the third season in a row. Hassett started all 21 games this season, scoring one goal and registering a team-high six assists. She finished tied for third in the Liberty League in assists. On the defensive end, she helped lead a unit that recorded six shutouts and a 1.81 goals-against average.
Goalkeeper Bodnar went 9-12 with a 1.82 goals-against average, .793 save percentage, and six shutouts. With 146 saves on the season, she moved into second place in program history in career saves, finishing with 386. She also set a single-game program record when she made 26 saves against Middlebury on September 25. Bodnar tied for first in the Liberty League in shutouts, led in saves, and finished third in save percentage.
Ohlenbusch finished with two goals and one assist for five points. She helped lead a team that surrendered one goal or fewer 10 times in 2024.
Women’s Soccer
In women’s soccer, Senior Ella Stone was voted to the All-Liberty League First Team, while first-year defender Olivia Chandler earned a spot on the All-Liberty League Third Team.
Stone entered the NCAA Tournament as the Liberty League’s leading scorer with 13 goals through 17 games. She also sat atop the league in game-winning goals (6) and points (29). Stone had three multi-goal games including hat tricks against Eastern Connecticut State and Plattsburgh State. She scored four goals in nine conference games, and then sent the Thoroughbreds to the conference semis with the winning goal in a first-round playoff game against RIT.
Chandler, a freshman, appeared in all 17 games, making 16 starts, and entered the NCAA Tournament second on the team in minutes played, closing in on 1,400. Chandler had a goal and two assists with 13 shots on the season. She scored her first collegiate goal against St. John Fisher and recorded both of her assists against Plattsburgh State.
