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Author: Saratoga TODAY

Saratoga Joinery to Host Live Mural Painting and Open House Event on Saturday

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —Saratoga Joinery, a woodworking makerspace at 69 Caroline St., invites the community to Rooted in Community: Open House and Mural Painting event, 10a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16.

Guests can expect shop tours, live woodworking demonstrations, make-and-take toy build stations for kids, raffle drawings and refreshments.

Saratoga Joinery, which opened in March, has been bringing people together through woodcraft, offering more than  40 woodworking classes on projects like cutting boards, picture frames, resin river charcuterie boards, hand cut joinery and kumiko. 

Over 80 community members have joined the community woodshop for access to tools, fellowship, and training 

Learn more about this event and Saratoga Joinery at www.saratogajoinery.org.

Saratoga Arts Announces New Executive Director:  Amy Bloom

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —Saratoga Arts Board of Directors has announced Amy Bloom as the new Executive Director.  

Bloom is an experienced leader in strategy, operations, marketing, and fundraising, and a long-time resident of Saratoga Springs.  She has worked regionally as an Executive at Planned Parenthood, Hudson Headwaters Health Network, and Alliance for Better Health, and in 2020 co-founded and grew a local primary care organization, and led it towards acquisition by a national health care company.  

Founded in 1986 by and for artists and audiences, Saratoga Arts’ mission is to enrich the region by cultivating a vibrant arts community and by ensuring that the arts are accessible to all. For more information about Saratoga Arts, visit www.saratoga-arts.org. Saratoga Arts is located at 320 Broadway in Saratoga Springs.

Skidmore Exhibition: Artist Molly Burt Westvig Opening Reception Nov. 19   

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.


Molly Burt-Westvig – Installation view, “To Trace a Sunbeam,” video projection on salvaged automotive mirrors, 2024. Photo provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —  Molly Burt-Westvig is Skidmore College’s 2024 resident for the competitive Work+Space program, which allows the Skidmore Art Department to bring an emerging artist to campus for three weeks. 

During the residency, Burt-Westvig will operate from a studio in Saisselin Art Building and engage with students through artist talks, one-and-one critiques, and more. The residency will also culminate in a public exhibition at Schick Art Gallery. 

The exhibition will open on Tuesday, Nov. 19, and run through Friday, Dec. 8, in Schick Art Gallery, on the second floor of Saisselin Art Building. An opening reception and gallery talk will take place from 5 to 6:30 p.m. (talk begins at 5:30 p.m.) on Tuesday, Nov. 19. All Schick Art Gallery exhibits and events are free and open to the public; visit the Schick Art Gallery website to learn more. 

Give Thanks for Great Gadgets

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Food.

Hello  my Foodie Friends!   

Thanksgiving is right around the corner. There is so much to do to gear up for the holiday season. It is time to start the preparations of items needed to create your fabulous feast. At Compliments to the Chef, we have some gadgets which can make your Thanksgiving prep and serve a little easier. Good tools are essential to good cooking just like good tools are helpful to a carpenter building a house. One tool I think a lot of foodies don’t have or know how to use is the thermometer.  It is one of my must haves in a kitchen.  Undercooked Turkey is a recipe for Salmonellosis!  Your turkey should be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees for 15 seconds.  You should check the temperature in at least two places and in the thickest part of the turkey. Do not discount how much this tool means to not just you but your whole family. Our recommendation is a simple Bi-Metallic stemmed thermometer.  There are others, such as digital but this is the simplest, easiest and most cost-effective choice. It’s easy to calibrate and if you stop in, I’ll personally teach you how. One of our favorite instant-read thermometers is the Thermo Pop by Thermo Works. 

The second recommendation for a must have is a Flavor injector and there are many types.   Adding some flavor can really set your Turkey apart from Mom’s recipe. 

Our third recommendation is either an open roaster or a roaster with a lid. Roast meat, poultry, and vegetables to perfection with a large roaster. Open roasters can hold up to a 20-lb. turkey. The heavy-duty stainless-steel roasting pan features tall, straight sides, which help prevent splatters and spills, while its upright handles ensure a secure hold when transporting the pan to and from the oven, even when wearing thick oven mitts. The open roaster comes with a V-shaped nonstick roasting rack that elevates large cuts of meat to promote even cooking.

Another cool tool for your feast is a gravy/fat separator. There are various sizes and styles of gravy separators. Among the types is a 1 ¾ cup gravy separator that is made of FDA-approved, BPA-free polycarbonate and plastic. This gravy separator strains out fat, seasonings, and lumps for flavorful gravy, broth, soup stock, au jus, and sauce with lower fat and calories. The BPA-free polycarbonate and plastic structure resists breakage and is heat-safe to 248-degrees Fahrenheit. It has a large handle that allows for a safe grip The pierced lid strains out lumps and larger food bits with a low-set spout that pours flavorful liquids without the fat; drip-free spout for easy, mess-free pouring.  The fat separator also has a wide-mouth opening and markings in milliliters and cups (from ½-cup) makes straining and measuring easy; microwave safe for easy reheats. The fat separator is easy to use and is great for everyday or holiday meals and is dishwasher safe for easy cleaning

Also, have your knives sharpened so you do not end up hacking away at your roast. Remember, we have knife sharpening services at Compliments to the Chef. 

These are just a small list of what can help you this season. Getting ready for the holidays doesn’t have to be a struggle. Cherish your moments together. Stop by Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store located at 33 Railroad Place. Let us assist you with your holiday culinary needs. Remember my Foodie Friends, “Life Happens in the Kitchen”. 

Take Care,
John & Paula

Thanksgiving Dessert

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Food.

Whether you make your own desserts, or prefer to pick up pre-made, the Saratoga Farmers’ Market is bursting with ingredients and baked items ready to serve your guests.  Here are two delicious, seasonal desserts to consider adding to your menu.

The Saratoga Farmer’s Market is open on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Wilton Mall in the food court area November 2nd through April 26th. Find us online a www.saratogafarmersmarket.org, where you can sign up for our weekly newsletter, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @SaratogaFarmersMarket.

WWII-Era Aircraft Fly Over Local Schools to Celebrate Veterans Day

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.


Public domain photo of two U.S. Army Air Force North American AT-6C-NT Texan trainers via the National Museum of the United States Air Force.

BALLSTON SPA — On the morning of Friday, November 8, a formation of World War II-era T-6 Texan aircraft soared over local schools in celebration of Veterans Day. The planes could be seen above Ballston Spa High School, Caroline Street Elementary School, and Maple Avenue Middle School.

The spectacle was arranged by the Prescott Foundation, along with local warbird operator Mark Murphy. The aircraft flew in a circular route that began at Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School around 9:30 a.m. and ended at Galway Central School District about an hour later.

According to the National Museum of World War II aviation, the T-6 Texan is an American single-engine aircraft used to train pilots of the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) and United States Navy during World War II and into the 1970s. 

The last known military use of the Texan was by the South Africa Air Force as a trainer in 1995, which gives it a working history of 60 years, a figure virtually unrivaled by any other WWII-period aircraft. Today, the T-6 remains a popular warbird aircraft used for airshow demonstrations and static displays.

Ballston Spa Library to Hold Groundbreaking Ceremony

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.


The Ballston Spa Public Library will be adding a new reading room and local history room. Photo via the library.  


BALLSTON SPA — The Ballston Spa Public Library will hold a groundbreaking ceremony on Sunday, November 17 at 1:30 p.m. to celebrate the start of construction of a reading room and local history room. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own shovels. Light refreshments will be served. The library is located at 21 Milton Avenue in downtown Ballston Spa.

Empire State University Student Invited to White House

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.


Danielle Emeny, an Empire State University student, appears at the White House for the National Partnership for Student Success. Photo via Empire State University.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Danielle Emeny, a student in Empire State University’s Doctor of Education program, was recently invited to the White House by President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to celebrate the National Partnership for Student Success and paint the way forward for educational equity across the country.

The National Partnership for Student Success is a public-private partnership led by the U.S. Department of Education, AmeriCorps, and Johns Hopkins University, that focuses on evidence-based student support. The partnership connects school districts with local, state, and federal agencies and resources while connecting students to community and service-oriented activities. Emeny helped pilot the program at SUNY Upstate as a member of their professional staff, in collaboration with staff at SUNY Onondaga Community College and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. 

Educational equity is at the center of Emeny’s personal, professional, and academic goals. At Empire State University, Emeny is working toward a Doctor of Education degree and focusing on research surrounding graduate students with disabilities in higher education. This is a personal mission for Emeny, who suffered a traumatic brain injury in 2022 shortly before her studies began. 

“This changed how my brain processed data as well as nearly obliterated my ability to read printed text,” Emeny said in a statement. “Fortunately, I can read for short periods of time on a computer if the text is inverted white on a black background, but this sudden shift in my adult life made me realize that accessible does not necessarily mean equal. I wish to focus on this topic to make sure that other students who need support services can get services that are useful in a timely fashion and to make accessibility mean access.” 

As this work continues, Emeny said she hopes to bring the program to other campuses and bring financial resources to other students that could help keep them in school.

Decorated Captain Speaks at Local Veterans Business Council Event

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.


Photo provided by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Captain James Diefenderfer, Commanding Officer of the Nuclear Power Training Unit in Ballston Spa, spoke to attendees of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce’s Veterans Business Council Annual Breakfast on October 28 in Saratoga Springs.

According to the Naval Sea Systems Command, Captain Diefenderfer’s personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (5), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various unit, campaign, and service awards.

Captain Diefenderfer’s shipboard assignments include: USS Chosin (CG 65) as First Lieutenant; USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) as Reactor Mechanical Division Officer; USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93) as Operations Officer; USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) as Reactor Training Assistant; and USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) as Executive Officer, and Commanding Officer. 

While in Command of USS The Sullivans, his ship earned the Battle E twice, won the Battenberg Cup, deployed independently to 5th and 6th Fleets, and with the HMS Queen Elizabeth Strike Group to 5th, 6th, and 7th Fleets.

Ashore, he served as Shift Engineer at the Nuclear Power Training Unit in Ballston Spa at the S8G/AFR Prototype, on the Navy Staff in the Navy Warfare Group (OPNAV N515), and on the U.S. Northern Command Staff as a Missile Defense Officer and as Aide-de-Camp to the Commander.

Week of November 15 – November 21, 2024

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Property Transactions.

BALLSTON 

Daniel Halbig sold property at 17 Sycamore St to Charles Savage for $455,000

Eastline Holdings LLC sold property at 16 Timber Creek Dr. to Lucas LaFreniere for $551,400

CORINTH

1010 19TH St LLC  sold property at 541& 545 Main St to J Thomas Roohan for $150,000

Manfred Boyle sold property at 34 Morgans Way to Rae Gass for $455,000

GALWAY

Anthony Nuzzi sold property at 3009 South Shore Dr to David Pickens for $429,900

GREENFIELD

Eric Varcoe sold property at 160 Allen Dr to Suzanne Guzy for $670,000

MALTA 

Susan McQuade sold property at 129 Thimbleberry Rd to Tyler Godell for $355,000

Malta Land Company LLC sold property at 8 Admirals Way to Allen De Jesus for $730,990

Diane Fiore sold property at 670 East Line Rd to David Wilson for $183,333 

MILTON

Mackenzie Paine sold property at 927  to Armer Family LLC for $400,000

Faraone LLC sold property at 289 Rowland St to Michelle Paquette for $275,000

54 Van Buren St LLC sold property at 54 Van Buren St to Robert Coffey for $291,000

SARATOGA

Sandra McTygue sold property at Lot 2B Burgoyne Rd to Shayne Lyon for $180,000

Ryan Coleman sold property at 309 Burgoyne Rd to Andrew Travis for $421,000

Christopher Pleskovic sold property at 1406 NYS Rt 9P to Sean Oshea for $533,000

SARATOGA SPRINGS

Top Tier Rentals sold property at 59 Union St to Luigi Casinelli for $465,000

Lorraine Thompson sold property at 57 Central Ave to Solar Engine 1 LLC for $345,000

Linda Martelli sold property at 227 Maple Ave to Neil Costa for $120,000

54 Marion Ave LLC sold property at 34 Marion Ave to Judy Geist for $180,000

Todd Bishop sold property at 223 Maple Ave to Neil Costa for $1,125,000

Rex Steves sold property at 340 Grand Ave to Steven Bidstrup for $720,000

Jeffrey Hanington sold property at 3 Dutchess Ct to Christopher Thier for $474,900

Beechwood Saratoga LLC sold property at 22 Aurora Ave to Mitchell Patterson for $2,268,000

Tradewind Holdings LLC sold property at 38 Oak St to Shari Noonan for $675,000

Adelphi Owner II LLC sold property at 19 Washington St #661 to Teno West for $1,175,000

Wade Geary sold property at 8 Karista Spring Dr  to Raymond Genier for $305,000

WILTON

Maximus Restoration and Development sold property at 183 Louden Rd to Matthew Smith for $400,000

Forest Grove LLC  LLC sold property at 78 Daintree Dr to Christopher Williams for $796,864

Forest Grove LLC  LLC sold property at 29 Daintree Dr to Michael Bassett for $645,662

Suzanne Farr sold property at 30 Fairmont Dr to Eric Tenczar for $530,000