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Author: Saratoga TODAY

“Act With Respect Always” Campaign Arrives in Bolton

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.


A high school student receives a Starfish Award, shirt, and certificate as part of Coach Rich Johns’ two-day visit to the Bolton Central School.
Photo provided by Coach Johns.

BOLTON LANDING — Coach Rich Johns, a former Saratoga Springs teacher and tennis coach for nearly four decades, visited the Bolton Central School recently to deliver his “Act With Respect Always” presentation to students of all ages.

The presentation is designed to build respect and leadership, teach positive and constructive behavior, and stop bullying before it starts.

As part of the program, teachers were encouraged to recommend one student from each class to receive a Starfish Award. The prize recognizes students who make a positive difference in their community with efforts that aim to build respect and leadership, teach positive behavior, and help stop bullying.

Each class also received their own “Act With Respect Always” banner to sign and display.

Stewart’s Expands, Purchases 45 Jolley Convenience Stores

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business, Featured.


Photo of a Jolley convenience store provided by Stewart’s Shops

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Stewart’s Shops announced last Friday that it had signed an agreement to purchase the assets of the Jolley Associates convenience store chain.

The acquisition includes 45 Jolley stores total — 38 in Vermont, 5 in New York, and 2 in New Hampshire. Local Jolley locations include Clifton Park, Lake George, Queensbury, and Plattsburgh. The shops will operate as Jolley stores in the short term, but will eventually rebrand as Stewart’s over the next few years, according to Stewart’s Public Relations Manager Robin Cooper.

The deal is expected to close by the end of the year. Terms are being kept confidential.

“We are thrilled to have this opportunity to acquire a company with such an impressive reputation in a market that we’ve been watching for many years,” said Stewart’s Shops president Gary Dake in a statement. “One of the primary reasons we were drawn to this deal is because of the quality and the character of Jolley’s employees.”

Jolley Associates was formed in 1977 by brothers Bruce and Robert Jolley, who had owned convenience stores since 1974. Robert passed away in 2009, and his ownership stocks were passed on to his wife Mary Ellen Jolley.

“We are proud of what we have accomplished over the years and we are happy to know that Stewart’s is providing our employees an opportunity to have ownership in the business and will continue to treat them well,” said Bruce Jolley, president and co-founder of Jolley Associates. 

Stewart’s has also agreed to purchase Jolly’s sister companies S.B. Collins, a petroleum products company, and Clarence Brown, a heating fuel oil company. Both of the sister organizations are based in St. Albans, Vermont.

Week of October 4 – October 10, 2024 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Property Transactions.

BALLSTON 

Brian Demichele sold property at 33 Sycamore St to Christopher Lafergola for $511,000

Timothy Cobart sold property at 103 McMaster St to Owen Cobart for $220,000

Kyle Solakian sold property at 5 Mohican Pass to John McPadden for $550,000

Richard Kirker sold property at 6 Independence Trail to Catherine Rana for $620,000

Michael Grabo sold property at 106 Scotch Bush Rd to Richard Clark for $390,000

CORINTH

Wayne Rayder sold property at 576 Main St to Alexsus Musco for $175,000

Doreen Everett sold property at 738 Cty Rt 25 to Amanda Adams for $260,000

Wendy Clements sold property at 329 West Maple St to Conor Eversole for $215,000

GALWAY

Liam Maccoinich sold property at 4846 Sacandaga Rd to Natalia Smelova for $485,000

Anthony Filiberto Real Estate sold property at 5251 & 5255 North St to ELD Group LLC for $150,000

GREENFIELD

Pamela Lipkin sold property at 7 Hemlock Dr to Kelsey Geiger for $380,000

Dennis King sold property at 40 Howe Rd  to Stephen Lisciani for $552,000

Ritchie Gregory sold property at 375 Ballou Rd  to Clinton Acker for $130,000

David O’Keefe sold property at 75 King Rd to Kaarlo Hietala for $865,000

MALTA 

Michaels Group Homes LLC sold property at 37 Wiggins Dr to Madeline McWilliams for $472,875

Jenae Heflin sold property at 92 Thimbleberry Rd to Carleigh Rosenberg for $314,000

Christopher Mitchell sold property at 258 East Line Rd to Michaels and Laraway Holdings LLC for $5,787,000

Susanne Richardson sold property at 34 Pennyroyal Rd to Stephanie Sinopoli for $385,000

John King sold property at 2286 State Rt 9 to Laura Lee for $390,000

Ronald Van Patten sold property at Route 9/Route 9 rear to Village of Round Lake for $275,000

SARATOGA

Jane Bryant sold property at 657 Cty Rd 70 to Michael Ahern for $154,500

SARATOGA SPRINGS

 Shawn Lynch sold property at 87 Railroad Pl #307 to Frank Rafalik for $999,999

Steven Hammer sold property at 5 Brookview Terrace to Brittany Beaudette for $605,000

David Marcelle sold property at 18 Denton Rd to Robert Bedard for $1,050,000

Mark Hogan sold property at 13 Park Alley North to Park Alley LLC for $2,700,000

Qiu Tao sold property at 114 Middle Ave to Shane Nolan for $1,212,500

Jon Laurin sold property at 19 Castlewood Dr to Alison Darbee for $122,500

Gertrude Gilbert sold property at 6 David Lane to Laura Pearson for $485,000

Choles Way LLC sold property at 30 Chloes Way to Cobblehill Development LLC for $350,000

Cobblehill Development LLC sold property at 30 Chloes Way to Gerald Merriam for $1,212,000

Jack Dejnozka sold property at 5 Park and 17 Division St to Papa Santo Properties LLC for $1,200,000

Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation Receives Statewide Recognition for 65 Phila St. Revival

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.


Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation received a 2024 Excellence in Historic Preservation Award for grassroots “Revive 65 Phila” campaign.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation received a 2024 Excellence in Historic Preservation Award from the Preservation League of NYS for grassroots “Revive 65 Phila” campaign. 

This year’s Award winners will be recognized at a public reception in New York City on Nov. 15. Event details can be found here: preservenys.org/excellence 

“The rehabilitation of 65 Phila Street has been one of my proudest achievements during my tenure with the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation,” said Executive Director Samantha Bosshart in a statement. “It is inspiring to see the community come together in support of this building that most had given up on.”

The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation successfully preserved 65 Phila Street, a historic property built in 1851 and later modified to the Italianate style, which had fallen into severe neglect. 

After years of advocating against demolition and working with the city to enforce property maintenance codes, the Foundation acquired the building in May 2021 with the assistance of Mark Haworth, a long-time member of the Foundation. 

The Foundation undertook a comprehensive rehabilitation, including environmental remediation, structural stabilization, and exterior restoration. Through monetary and in-kind donations to the “Revive 65” campaign raised over $500,000. The property is now on the market, with proceeds going to the Foundation’s Historic Property Redevelopment Fund. 

Saratoga County Awarded $200K Grant for Battlefield Interpretation Exhibit

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA COUNTY — Saratoga County has been awarded $200,000 for a Battlefield Interpretation Grants project, recently announced Congressman Paul Tonko, who had advocated to the National Park Service for Saratoga County to receive this funding for the implementation of technology to establish new, immersive exhibits that will interpret the figures and events that took place during the American Revolution.

 “As we rapidly approach the 250th anniversary of the Battles of Saratoga, our region will receive national and international attention and increased awareness of its role and importance in the war for our nation’s independence,” Congressman Tonko said in a statement. “The grant to Saratoga County will help to better tell that rich local history from diverse new perspectives, which is why I pushed to deliver this federal funding.” 

 The grant funds from the National Park Service will help the county tell the stories of the Battles of Saratoga to a new generation and “reignite enthusiasm for our area’s revolutionary history through interactive experiences that merge modern technology with compelling true accounts of the past,” said Lauren Roberts, Saratoga County Historian and Chair of the Saratoga County 250th American Revolution Commission.  

Saratoga County LWV Announces Upcoming Candidate Events

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

BALLSTON SPA — The League of Women Voters of Saratoga County has announced it will host a number of Candidate Events in advance of Nov. 5 elections. The events will be held virtually. 

NY State Senate District 44: incumbent Sen. James Tedisco and challenger Minita Sanghvi will participate in a Candidate Event on Oct. 30. 

New York State Assembly District 112: incumbent Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh and challenger Joe Seeman have agreed to participate in a Candidate Event on Oct. 23.

Saratoga County Treasurer: Acting Director JoAnn Kupferman and challenger Michele Madigan have agreed to participate. The LWV has yet to specify a date. 

The LWV of Saratoga says it has invited all candidates in the contested state and countywide races to participate in moderated events. 

The League hosts candidate events when there are at least two candidates participating. “Open” or “empty” chair candidate meetings – meetings with only one candidate physically present – are not held by the League, therefore it will not be able to hold events for races regarding NY Assembly Districts 107 and 113. 

To that point, according to LWV of Saratoga County, in the NY AD 107: Assemblyman Scott Bendett has not responded to any of the League’s outreach to schedule this event; Chloe Pierce has agreed to participate. In NY AD 113: Jeremy Messina has not responded to any of the League’s outreach to schedule an event; Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner has agreed to participate.

The public is invited to send questions for the candidates to Candidates.LWVSaratoga@gmail.com. Indicate which race the question pertains to in the subject line (i.e., either “AD 112,” or  “Senate 44,”  or “Treasurer).

Early voting gets underway at 6 county locations on Saturday, Oct. 26. Venues include: the Board of Elections in Ballston Spa, the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library, Gavin Park, Greenfield Firehouse No. 1, Malta Community Center, and the Saratoga Springs/Scott Johnson Recreation Center on Vanderbilt Avenue. All voters may vote at any poll site. See https://www.saratogacountyny.gov/departments/board-of-elections/ for details on Early Voting. 

Thomas Sartin Elected Chairman of Saratoga County Conservative Party

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

CLIFTON PARK — The Saratoga County Conservative Party unanimously elected Thomas Sartin as its chairman, following a vote by the Party Committee at a Sept. 17 organizational meeting in Clifton Park.  

In addition to Sartin, the Party elected Michael Welch as 1st Vice Chairman , Robert Zordan – 2nd Vice Chairman , Lindsey Cronmiller – Secretary  and Daniel Jeram -Treasurer. 

Saratoga Senior Center Open House Oct. 5

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —Saratoga Senior Center hosts its annual Open house Saturday, Oct. 5, from 9 a.m. -1 p.m. 

The community is invited to the event which will include fitness and wellness demonstrations, live music, health screenings, raffles/ giveaways, and more. 

Open House schedule of events: 9am -1pm: Balance Screenings, Vendor Tables, Flu Vaccines, $10 Saratoga Senior Center Membership Special; 9am: Bagels from Fat Paulies & Coffee (while supplies last); 9:30am – 10am: Scams Against Seniors presented by Herzog Law Firm; 9:30am – 11am – Art Class with Xander; 10am – 10:30am: Balance & Fall Prevention presented by Capital Area Physical Therapy; 10am – 1pm: Tarot Card Reading with Mary Shimp; 10am – 1pm: Enjoy Ice Cream provided by Stewart’s when you visit the CDPHP Healthy Neighborhood registration table (while supplies last); 11am – 11:30 am: Silver Sneakers Fitness Class; 11am – 12pm: Watercolor Workshop; 12pm – 1pm: Lunch provided by Home of the Good Shepherd & Live Music by Jeff Walton. 

Arkell’s Ambition – The Magic of Mt. McGregor Tuesday, Oct. 8

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

BALLSTON SPA—William J Arkell, son of the prominent Canajoharie businessman James Arkell, will be portrayed by Ben Kemp, staff member of Grant’s Cottage on Tuesday Oct. 8 at 7 pm at Brookside Museum in Ballston Spa. 

“President Ulysses S. Grant will always be associated with Mt. McGregor and rightfully so” Kemp said in a statement, “but there is also the larger context of the Gilded Age and how it transformed a mountain into a luxury resort.”

Arkell began his association with Mt. McGregor in 1881 and garnered financial support from other wealthy businessmen to transform the mountaintop into a resort. At 26, Arkell led the effort to construct a railroad and build a hotel on the summit. 

Kemp – operations manager of the U.S Grant Cottage State Historic Site – will feature a presentation that includes images of the luxurious wilderness resort provided by the wonders of the magic lantern. Artifacts associated with the resort and Grant Cottage Historic Site will be on display. Registration is recommended at brooksidemuseum.org. The program is free, and donations are welcome. 

The Saratoga County History Center at Brookside Museum is located at 21 Fairground Ave. in Ballston Spa at the intersection of Front Street, Fairground Avenue, and Charlton Street.

A Spectacular Fall Tradition. Saratoga Showcase Of Homes Opening Weekend

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Featured, News.

The area’s premiere new home tour, the 2024 Saratoga Showcase of Homes opens its doors this weekend! Showcase tickets are available now at www.saratogashowcaseofhomes.com or at Adirondack Trust branches, Saratoga National Bank on South Broadway in Saratoga Springs, Curtis Lumber in Ballston Spa & Queensbury and Roohan Realty in Saratoga Springs. Showcase tickets are always conveniently available at any showcase home during tour hours of 10:00AM – 4:00PM. As in previous years, each showcase ticket holder will receive a FREE commemorative shoe/tote bag at the first home visited, while supplies last!

The 2024 Saratoga Showcase of Homes is being proudly presented over two fall weekends this year on October 5-6 and October 12-13. Tickets are $25, which allows you to visit all of these beautiful new homes over four days. This year’s edition has 9 locations from 8 of our area’s finest builders.

Participating award-winning builders – Abele Homes, Bella Home Builders, Belmonte Builders, DSG Construction & Remodeling, Kodiak Construction, Stephen James, Trojanski Builders and Witt Construction. To view an interactive mobile map with locations, directions, house descriptions, and much more, please visit our website for all the details. 

This year’s showcase will also be featuring a student “Viking Chair” build exhibition on Sunday, October 6th from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM at the Abele Homes Showcase home #9. Local middle school students will be building and decorating these chairs. It’s all part of spotlighting work in the trades by the Northeast Construction Trades Workforce Coalition. In addition, a school bus renovated into a mobile classroom built by BOCES students will be on display at the same location.

Now celebrating its 28th year, this annual community fund-raising event has contributed over $1.5 MILLION dollars to our local charities. Proceeds from the Showcase of Homes will benefit Rebuilding Together Saratoga County (www.rtsaratoga.org) and Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties (www.glensfallshabitat.org). For more details on the 2024 Saratoga Showcase of Homes event, please visit www.saratogashowcaseofhomes.com.