SARATOGA SPRINGS — Silver Therapeutics Cannabis Company, a dispensary based in Saratoga Springs, has partnered with Shelters of Saratoga to raise awareness about local poverty, hunger, and homelessness in the area throughout the entire month of November.
Together, these two organizations will be collecting donations at Silver Cannabis Company for non-perishable food items, clothing, blankets, shoes, toiletries, mittens and gloves, and similar items. All donations will directly benefit the needs of un-homed and impoverished individuals, families, and communities. Donations can be delivered during regular business hours to Silver Cannabis Company located at 75 Weibel Avenue Saratoga Springs.
“Engaging with the communities we serve and the places our team members call home is a crucial part of our giving back initiatives at Silver Therapeutics,” said Brendan McKee, Co-Founder, CFO & COO of Silver Therapeutics, in a statement. “Being in a position to help raise awareness for fundraisers, clothing drives, and other non-profit efforts that benefit our communities is a priority and a privilege for us.”
SARATOGA SPRINGS —Impressions of Saratoga and The Dark Horse Mercantile are to announce that we are again partnering with The Wesley Community for their holiday giving campaign “Adopt a Grandparent” to help make Saratoga’s Senior Citizens’ holidays a little bit brighter.
From now through December 15, customers at both Broadway stores and online can purchase/sponsor a $20 gift tag that can be personalized with a special note from the giver. Each tag will represent one gift to be given. The tag will hang like an ornament on a “Giving Tree.” Each store will have a tree so everyone can see the progress.
“We had so much fun with this campaign last year, doing it again was a no brainer. We gave 400 gift bags last year” said Maddy Zanetti, co-owner of Impressions and Dark Horse. “It was so well received.”
“It was so touching to hear people’s stories and reasons for donating. Everyone wanted to support the cause. And the night we assembled all of the gifts was such a great experience, The Wesley Community Staff and our employees had a wonderful time working together on the project,” Marianne Barker, co-owner of Impressions and Dark Horse stated.
On December 19, Zanetti and Barker will use all the money earned to purchase small gifts for residents and attach the personalized gift tags to them. The gifts will be delivered to the residents just before Hanukah and again for Christmas. “We want to be able to purchase gifts for all 350 residents in The Wesley Community’s Health Care Center,” says Zanetti. “Many residents do not have visitors and we would love to be able to do something to bring them joy,” adds Barker. “The holidays can be very lonely.” The staff at Wesley will distribute the gifts to those without visitors during the holidays.
The Wesley Health Care Center provides skilled long term nursing care to aging adults who have significant chronic medical needs. For over 40 years, Wesley Health Care Center has provided long term care with an emphasis on compassion.
If you would like to be a part of the “Adopt a Grandparent” campaign stop in to Impressions of Saratoga or The Dark Horse Mercantile on Broadway in Downtown Saratoga Springs to purchase a gift tag, or two! Or visit ImpressionsSaratoga.com. Orders can be taken over the phone 518-587-0666.
Friday, November 15, was a day the Saratoga Springs High School Girls Varsity Soccer Team will never forget. Known as the #DreamTeam, this talented group of athletes accomplished something truly special: securing a spot in the state semifinals after a hard-fought victory over Section 3 champions Cicero-North Syracuse. This was the first time in school history, the Blue Streaks advanced this far, capping an incredible season. This historic achievement followed their thrilling 1-0 win over Shaker to capture the Section 2 Class AAA title—the first in more than 30 years.
A large part of this team’s success is rooted in the deep bonds they’ve formed over years of playing together. Many of these athletes have been teammates since their early days in Rec Soccer, through the Saratoga Wilton Soccer Club’s travel program, and now into their high school careers. Through it all, they’ve built not just a soccer team, but a sisterhood—and they proudly call themselves the #DreamTeam.
The team was sent off to the state tournament in spectacular fashion, with supporters from the Saratoga Wilton Soccer Club, the Saratoga Fire Department, the Saratoga Police Department, and even Saratoga Santa joined the send-off! Students from Saratoga High School also gathered to cheer them on, and the community came together in full force to celebrate their achievements.
The Saratoga Springs High School Girls Varsity Soccer Team ended up taking 3rd place in the state. Great job girls!
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Builders Association presented proceeds totaling $60,000 from the 2024 Saratoga Showcase of Homes to Rebuilding Together Saratoga County and Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties.
The Saratoga Showcase of Homes, an annual community event celebrating 28 years of exceptional homes, was this year held Oct. 5-6 and 12-13 and attracted over 3,000 visitors.
The Saratoga Builders Association also announced that the total contribution to local charities from the new home tour event is over $1.6 million dollars.
The 2024 edition of the Saratoga Showcase of Homes had 8 homes from 7 builders on tour this year – Abele Homes, Bella Home Builders, Belmonte Builders (2), Kodiak Construction, Stephen James, Trojanski Builders and Witt Construction.
For more information, go to: www.saratogashowcaseofhomes.com. For more information about the Saratoga Builders Association, visit www.saratogabuilders.org or contact Barry Potoker, Executive Director at 518-366-0946 or bpotoker@saratogabuilders.org.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — A Community Reading Event will be held 1 – 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 24 at Frederick Allen Elks Lodge #609, 69 Beekman St., Saratoga Springs.
The project seeks to introduce the Saratoga Springs community to the literary field of richly diverse worlds and alternate realities penned by black science fiction and fantasy writers.
The first “Community Read” discussion will be on Octavia Butler’s “Dawn,” the first book in her Xenogenesis Trilogy, “Lilith’s Brood.” The story’s protagonist is called upon to rebuild the future of humankind after a nuclear war, in this post-apocalyptic narrative, deftly exploring gender and race through the eyes of characters struggling to adapt during a pivotal time of crisis and change.
Light refreshments provided. Attendance is free, registration requested with name and contact info to: OurLodgeFoundation@gmail.com. Ralph Ellison’s “Invisible Man” will be featured in the next community read.
CLIFTON PARK — The following programs will be offered during the week of Nov. 25-Dec. 1, at the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library located at 475 Moe Road, Clifton Park.
Family Story Time – Monday, Nov. 25 at 10 am. Nurture your child’s love of reading with stories, songs, and other fun activities. 518-371-8622. www.cphlibrary.org
Read Digital Newspapers for FREE – Monday, November 25 at 10 am. Learn how to use library resources to access free newspaper articles from the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Daily Gazette, NY Post, and more. Registration required. 518-371-8622. www.cphlibrary.org
Teen Paint & Sip – Monday, Nov. 25 at 5:30 pm. Come paint and sip to lofi beats. We will provide the supplies and drinks for you to enjoy while you create your masterpiece. For grades 6-12. Registration required. 518-371-8622. www.cphlibrary.org
Take & Make: Popsicle Stick Turkey – Tuesday, Nov. 26. Pick up this cute craft to make at home, while supplies last. For ages 3-6, with an adult. 518-371-8622. www.cphlibrary.org
Zero Waste: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repair, and Rot – Sunday, Dec. 1 at 2 pm. Join Sustainable Saratoga to learn about the zero waste movement, what it means, and why it matters for the sustainability of our communities. We’ll also talk about some simple changes you can make every day and during the holiday season to reduce your household waste. 518-371-8622. www.cphlibrary.org
GREENFIELD CENTER —It is with a sad heart that we announce the passing of Ann E. Cornell, 91, loving mother, sister, granny, great granny, aunt, and friend after a long illness that she courageously battled.
She was born in Ballston Spa, New York on September 1, 1933, to Henry and Mabel Robinson. She was a 1950 graduate of Saratoga Springs High School. Ann was a nurse’s aide at Saratoga Hospital and the St. John Neuman Residence. She served as the Town of Greenfield Tax Collector for 25 years.
Ann bowled in a Monday morning league for many years and was a member and past president of Greenfield Seniors. She enjoyed traveling to visit her family and friends. She was proud of her family and was the 6th generation to live in the family homestead on South Greenfield Road.
She was predeceased by her parents Henry and Mabel Robinson, husband Donald Cornell, sons Don and Duane, and brother Gary Robinson. Ann is survived by her sister Jane Huffer (Ken), children Donna Wescoat (Tom), Kevin Cornell (Cindy), Karen Cornell, Keith Cornell (Kathleen), and Steven Cornell (Jeanenne), daughter-in-law Marge Cornell, 13 grandchildren, 11 great- grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to call on Saturday, November 23 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Armer Funeral Home, Inc., 39 East High Street, Ballston Spa. A service will be held at 12 p.m. Burial will follow in the Factory Village Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Ann may be made to Community Hospice of Saratoga, 179 Lawrence Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 or the Duane Cornell Scholarship Fund at the Adirondack Trust Co.
Online remembrances may be made at www.armerfuneralhome.com
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Jason F. Klink, age 51, passed away at home on November 17, 2024. There will be a celebration of life, Thursday, December 5 from 4 – 7 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus, Saratoga. Memorial donations to the National Scleroderma Foundation Tri-State Chapter (scleroderma.org/tristate). Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.
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 scheduled at a later date. 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.
