SARATOGA SPRINGS —Born May 1, 1951 in Buffalo, New York as the first of four children to the late Edna May (neé Cochrane) and Arthur Richard Willman, Dean passed away after a short illness in Delmar, New York late Monday night, October 21, 2024.
Dean was a 1969 graduate of Smithville High School (Smithville, Ohio) and briefly attended Asbury College (now Asbury University) in Wilmore, Kentucky.
Having lived in Wooster, Ohio, Columbus, Ohio, and Sandusky, Ohio, he had resided in Saratoga Springs, New York since 2005.
Dean belonged to the Abundant Life Church in Saratoga Springs, New York, where each summer he loved volunteering at their Adventure Camp and attending as many of the church functions as possible.
He loved playing pool at the senior center three times a week and enjoyed his walks around the town.
Dean was predeceased by his parents and grandparents Grace Hattie (neé Rowland) and Archie Len Cochrane and Karolina (neé Trendel) and Josef Willman, along with all his aunts and uncles.
Dean is survived by his son, Jeremy (Missy) Stillwagner of Jacksonville, Texas; four grandsons (Jeremy Jr., Noah, Daniel, Micah); along with his brothers Don (Teri) of Brooksville, Florida; sister Martha (partner Scott) of Akron, Mentor, Ohio; nephew Christopher Willman-Bunge of Greencastle, Pennsylvania; brother Dale of Delmar, New York; niece Elana Willman of Troy, New York; nephew Adam Willman of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and long term pen pal and friend Tommy Westerlund from Sweden; along with so many more friends and cousins.
Dean had a big heart, and he meant the world to those left to cherish his memory. He was kind and loving and will truly be missed.
Memorial donations may be made in Dean’s name to your local humane society or to the Saratoga Springs Abundant Life Church, 2 Hutchins Rd, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.
Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 (518-584-5373).
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Edward Helmke passed away at home on December 21, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. A memorial service to celebrate Edward’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on January 18, at The Interlaken Clubhouse, in Interlaken, Saratoga Springs. Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —Sarah A. Hopkins, 65, passed away on December 20, 2024. Calling hours were held on December 27, at Burke Funeral Home, 628 N. Broadway. A Mass followed at at St. Clements Church. Remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com
IDAHO FALLS, IDAHO — Shirley Alice (Ross) Griffin, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, cousin and beloved friend, peacefully passed away on Saturday, December 14, 2024, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, surrounded by her loving family. She was 88 years old.
Born on January 6, 1936, in Glens Falls, New York, Shirley was the youngest of thirteen children born to the late Jeremiah Ross and Harriet (Bessette) Ross. She was predeceased by all her siblings but one, leaving behind her sister, Isabell (Ross) Woodcock.
Shirley’s life was defined by love, faith, and unwavering devotion to her family. She was a proud military wife who, alongside her husband Charles Henry Griffin Jr., embraced the challenges and adventures of military life. Throughout his 21-year career, Shirley moved with Charles to 15 military bases, including an overseas assignment in Japan. Shirley always joined the Family Readiness Groups and taught Sunday schools at each base. Their shared journey was one of deep commitment and service to each other and their country. After Charles retired from the military, they settled in Upstate New York, where they raised their family and established lifelong roots. In 1994, Shirley was treated for and survived breast cancer.
Shirley was predeceased by her beloved husband of 56 years, Charles Henry Griffin Jr. Together, they shared a life rich in love, laughter, and memories. She is survived by her children: Charles Mark Griffin (Cheryl), Valerie Griffin Gilchrist, and Gregory Scott Griffin (Joanie). Shirley was the proud and adoring grandmother of twelve grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren, each of whom she cherished deeply. Her legacy lives on through them, and she will be remembered as a pillar of strength, creativity, and grace.
Shirley’s compassion extended far beyond her family. She touched the lives of countless friends and acquaintances with her kindness, generosity, and warmth. Her legacy of love and care will live on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her. Shirley enjoyed traveling and sightseeing, crafting, painting, sewing, and quilting.
Shirley’s life was a testament to the power of love, faith, and family. She will be deeply missed, but her spirit will remain forever in the hearts of those who loved her.
A memorial and burial service is scheduled on June 21, 2025, with arrangements made by Compassionate Funeral Care. Further details can be found at www.compassionatefuneralcare.com.
Memorial donations may be made to: www.ToLife.org: a support and education charity that provides for those affected by breast cancer in New York’s Capital Region.
The Saratoga Beer Summit returns to Saratoga City Center
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Beer Summit is returning to the City Center in Saratoga Springs on Saturday, Feb. 22. The beer summit will once again feature its traditional menu of local and national craft beers, along with a robust selection of ciders, seltzers, and malt beverages.
There will be two 3-hour sampling sessions at the Saratoga Beer Summit from 1 to 4 pm and 5 to 8 pm, which include a souvenir tasting glass. There is also a 4-hour VIP option from noon to 4 pm.
Both sessions will feature a DJ, local vendors, and delicious food available for purchase from Screaming Eagle Concessions and Farmer’s Daughter.
BALLSTON SPA — The Brookside Museum, located at 21 Fairground Ave. in Ballston Spa will offer the following events this month:
Cloaks and Greatcoats – 18th Century Outerwear. Friday, Jan. 3, 7 p.m. Join well known historical clothing expert, Henry Cooke to learn how people kept warm in the 18th century and view original and replica garments. Learn about capes, cloaks and greatcoats in the late 1700s. By looking at original and replica garments, as well as artwork from the era, participants will discover the materials, construction techniques and fashionable styles of outerwear for men and women. The event is free and open to the public, though donations are always welcome.
Sounds in Winter Concert: String Theory Trio – Saturday, Jan. 18, 3-5 p.m. The String Theory Trio is a newly formed ensemble comprised of three friends, Brian Mooney,Dana Probeyahn-Smith and Kathryn Tomlin, who recently began exploring the repertoire that exists for two violins and a cello. For many years, they have performed with local orchestras, choral groups, and chamber groups, and have taught their instruments to students of all ages and levels of experience. The concert is open to the public and free, donations are always appreciated.
E.N.D. #26 – Greetings from the Great Camps: The History of the Adirondack Vacation. Thursday, Jan. 23, 7-8:30 p.m. Online event. A Zoom link will be sent out within 24 hours of the start. Join Connor Williams, scholar, teacher and the historian at Great Camp Sagamore (where he directs their history programming) as he answers questions, and discusses how environmentalism, opulence, industry, inequality, architecture and nature all intersected to produce the Adirondack Park (and the Adirondack vacations) we still connect to today. This event is free for members. There is a suggested donation of $5 for non-members, but any donations are always welcome.
For more information check www.brooksidemuseum.org
Glickman’s Men & Boys Shop 1929-1989 George S Bolster Collection-Saratoga Springs History Museum
by Carol Godette | Sponsored byThe Saratoga County History Roundtable
Contact The Saratoga County History Roundtable at: saratogacohistoryroundtable@gmail.com
G. Willikers: On This Spot
For generations, stepping inside 461 Broadway has been a sensory delight for Saratogians. Currently home to G. Willikers Toy Store, the address remains a hub of enchantment and community connection. For over 40 years, Linda Ambrosino and her husband have infused downtown Saratoga with holiday magic, captivating locals and visitors alike with their NYC-quality Christmas window displays.
This year’s display is no exception. The first window invites onlookers into a warm, nostalgic scene: a family gathered around a classic movie projector. The following windows come alive with intricate depictions of the films they are watching, drawing delighted murmurs from passersby. People pause to marvel, trying to identify each movie, their faces lighting up with childlike wonder. Inside the store, the enchantment continues. The upper shelves are adorned with snowy landscapes and whimsical woodland creatures, creating a magical atmosphere that makes every visitor feel like a kid again.
For Linda, these festive displays are a labor of love. She smiles when asked about her favorite Christmas window from the past four decades but admits that it’s an impossible choice. “They’re like children,” she says. “You love them all in different ways.”
But the magic of G. Willikers extends beyond its decor. The store’s charm is steeped in the history of its location. Before Linda brought toys and holiday cheer to 461 Broadway, the building housed another beloved family business that defined downtown Saratoga for 60 years: Glickman’s Men’s and Boys’ Shop.
A Look Back: Glickman’s Legacy
Founded in 1929 during the Great Depression by Henry and Pauline Glickman, Glickman’s Men’s and Boys’ Shop quickly became a downtown Saratoga institution. Specializing in men’s workwear, the store served local firemen, policemen, and tradespeople, offering durable clothing at fair prices with top-notch customer service. Over the decades, Glickman’s expanded its offerings under the guidance of Charlotte Glickman Albert, the founder’s daughter, who introduced women’s apparel to the store.
For local teenagers in the 1970s, Glickman’s was the go-to destination for fashion staples. “It was where we got our uniform of the day,” recalls one loyal customer. That uniform often included jeans or corduroys, a Northern Isle patterned sweater, a navy CPO jacket, and Converse sneakers. Kathy Wilson Cleary fondly remembers the rainbow stacks of cotton turtlenecks lining the store’s old wooden counters, while Weezie Foye describes weekly visits after cashing her paycheck at Adirondack Trust.
The sensory experience of shopping at Glickman’s remains vivid in the memories of many Saratogians. Entering through one of the two wooden and glass doors, customers were greeted by the hum of fluorescent lights and the distinct smell of mothballs from wool sweaters. The creak of wooden floors alerted the Glickman and Albert families to greet their next customer warmly.
A Family-Run Business with Heart
Glickman’s wasn’t just a store—it was a family operation that reflected the dedication and values of its owners. Henry Glickman worked well into his 80s, while his son-in-law, Jerry Albert, joined the business in 1958. The Alberts’ three daughters—Robyn, Sharon, and Alicia—helped out during summers and holidays. Alicia, the youngest, recalls being relegated to the basement to inventory Levi’s jeans, underwear, and other items, attaching handwritten price tags.
Upstairs, her grandmother managed the cash register with unmatched efficiency. Always dressed in a circle pin with an attached pen for writing receipts, she epitomized the professionalism and warmth that customers loved.
The family’s commitment to their business often meant long hours and few days off. Glickman’s was open six days a week, expanding to seven during the holiday season. Alicia remembers her father attending her high school graduation but leaving early to man the store, a moment captured in family graduation photos taken in front of the shop.
The personal touch extended to the customer experience. Bill Petit, a longtime Saratogian, recalls seeking advice from Mr. Albert for a wardrobe update. He left the store with a new outfit that boosted his confidence and even helped him impress the girl of his dreams that very night.
An Era Ends, A Legacy Continues
When Glickman’s closed its doors in January 1989, it marked the end of an era. A heartfelt editorial in The Saratogian lamented the loss of “homespun, meat-and-potato retail stores” that had long defined downtown Saratoga Springs.
Yet, the spirit of 461 Broadway lives on through G. Willikers Toy Store. While the creaky wooden floors and mothball-scented sweaters have given way to snow-dusted shelves and whimsical toys, the building continues to create cherished memories for generations of Saratogians.
At Christmastime, this legacy shines brightest of all. Whether it’s the nostalgic glow of the holiday windows or the timeless warmth of a family-run business, 461 Broadway remains a beacon of Saratoga’s enduring magic.
BURNT HILLS — Janelle M. Lisney, 44, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, in Burnt Hills, where she resided with her loving partner, Steve Hoffman, and their cherished dogs, Quincy and Lacey.
Born in Madison, Wisconsin, Janelle was the beloved daughter of Paul Lisney and Angela Hether.
Janelle had a creative spirit and found joy in painting, coloring, and spending time with her dogs. Her greatest happiness came from being with her family, especially her beloved children, whom she held so close to her heart.
She is survived by her parents, Paul Lisney and Angela Hether; her children, Joshua Warland, Taylor Warland, and Heidi Warland; her sister, Shelby Lisney; her nieces, Madyson Lisney and Giuliana Gaggi; her nephew, Joseph Gaggi; and her grandmother, Annette Burns. Janelle is also survived by many extended family members across New York, Maryland, and Wisconsin.
A spring burial will be held to honor her memory.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Janelle’s name to Friends of Saratoga County Animal Shelter at www.friendsofscas.org.
Niskayuna, NY — Joseph J. Prock passed away peacefully on December 11, 2024, he was 79. Calling hours were December 19 at Burke Funeral Home. Mass is December 20, at 11 a.m. at St. Clement’s Church, followed by burial with Military Honors at Gerald B.H. Saratoga National Cemetery. Please visit www.burkefuneralhome.com
SOUTH GLENS FALLS —Joseph “Joey” Burns, 27, of South Glens Falls, passed away peacefully on December 13, 2024. A visitation was held on December 18 at Compassionate Funeral Care, Saratoga Springs. Mass was held on December 19 at St. Clements Church. For condolences, visit www.compassionatefuneralcare.com.
