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Author: Saratoga TODAY

Calling Brass Musicians of All Ages: Join Philadelphia Orchestra Musicians on Stage at SPACIn Shared Music-Making Event

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium, and tuba players of all ages are invited to join Philadelphia Orchestra musicians on the SPAC stage in a shared music-making event. 

Showcased as The Philadelphia Orchestra “PlayIN” at Saratoga Performing Arts Center, the event takes place 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 1.

PlayINs have involved community musicians who play the violin, flute, double bass, viola, harp, woodwind and brass sections of the Orchestra. The Aug. 1 PlayIN is curated specifically for brass instruments and is the seventh annual event for SPAC. 

Openings are limited; interested musicians are encouraged to sign up online at spac.org. A PDF of all the music to be performed will be available to download on spac.org. The event is free and open to the public and audiences are encouraged to attend (audience members do not need to register for the event).

PlayINs are signature events for The Philadelphia Orchestra and part of the ensemble’s HEAR initiative, a portfolio of programs promoting the role of music in Health, Education, Access and Research. The PlayINs have taken place regularly in Philadelphia since 2012 and in Saratoga since 2017 and are part of a full array of programs designed to promote access for people of all ages to experience orchestral music either as listeners or performers. 

Participants will join the following Philadelphia Orchestra musicians during the event: Jeffrey Lang, associate principal horn; Christopher Dwyer, horn; Matthew Vaughn, co-principal trombone; Blair Bollinger, bass trombone (leader of the PlayIN); Carol Jantsch, principal tuba; Travis Peterson, trumpet. 

The afternoon PlayIN on August 1 precedes The Philadelphia Orchestra’s performance: Rhapsody in Blue Celebrates 100, conducted by David Robertson. The evening celebrates the 100th anniversary of Gershwin’s iconic Rhapsody in Blue with legendary jazz pianist Marcus Roberts and his trio alongside the orchestra. The program continues with one of the orchestra’s signature pieces, Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances, written for and premiered by The Philadelphia Orchestra in 1940 and 1941.

For additional information on the PlayIN, as well as the schedule for The Philadelphia Orchestra’s SPAC season from July 31 – Aug. 17, visit spac.org.  

Saratoga Automobile Museum’s Annual Gala Set for July 26

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Automobile Museum will present its Annual Gala, celebrating the Museum and the 2024 feature exhibition – “Enzo Ferrari: An Obsession with Speed,” on July 26. 

This year’s Gala, of which legendary car collector Lawrence Auriana is the Honorary Chairman, will offer guests an unparalleled experience with a silent auction, book signing by Pam Yates, cocktail hour, formal dinner, music, gaming tables, and the presentation of the Museum’s Drive For Excellence Award. The highlight of the evening will be a panel discussion moderated by automotive historian, Donald Osborne.

The panel discussion will focus on Ferrari as its theme, and will include a group of experts commenting on all aspects of the iconic marque, including Pam Yates: Author and Executive Producer of the Michael Mann Film, “Ferrari,” Professional racing driver Derek Hill, historic race car driver Joe Colasacco, and Luigi Chinetti Jr. – the son of the legendary Ferrari importer and founder of the Ferrari North American Racing Team.

The evening begins with cocktails at 5:30 p.m., during which the panel discussion will be held. Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m., and awards will be presented during the evening.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit saratogaautomuseum.org or contact Megan Hennessey at 518-401-5185, megan@saratogaautomuseum.org.

Saratoga Bridges Hosts Travers Day at the Races

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Join Saratoga Bridges at the Easy Goer dining area at the Saratoga Race Course for the 34th Annual Travers Day at the Races on Saturday, Aug. 24 at 11:30 a.m. 

Enjoy premium seating, a buffet, a complimentary cocktail, general admission to the Clubhouse, Post Parade program and a special gift from Saratoga Bridges. 

Tickets are $225 per person, or $250 per person for the Honorary Committee. To purchase tickets go to: www.saratogabridges.org and click on fundraising events, then click on Travers Day at the Races. Seats are limited.

Saratoga Bridges has provided services and programs to children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families for more than 60 years by promoting their abilities and achievements in every aspect of community life.

For more information on the Travers Day event, please contact Saratoga Bridges at (518) 587-0723 or via email at info@saratogabridges.org. We look forward to seeing you! 

Frances Day: Annual Summer Open House with Art-Making, Tours, Music, Food – Saturday July 20 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

Visitors participate in Frances Day 2023 at the Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery at Skidmore College. Photo: Megan Mumford.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery at Skidmore College announces its annual summer open house, Frances Day, will be on Saturday, July 20, beginning at 2 p.m. 

The day includes a timed schedule of events and ongoing activities both inside and outside the Museum that visitors can drop in on at any time.

The family-friendly event honors the museum’s namesake, Frances Young Tang, Skidmore College Class of ’61, and offers multiple ways for visitors to explore the museum’s stellar program of contemporary art exhibitions and events, with tours, art-making activities, food, music, giveaways and more.

This year’s Frances Day features Mark Dion and Alexis Rockman: Journey to Nature’s Underworld, a new exhibition that fills the museum’s largest gallery spaces with large-scale painted and sculptural works addressing humankind’s strained relationship with the environment and its vast ecological consequences. 

In addition to guided tours of the exhibition, visitors can learn about sustainability, take a tour of the trees on the museum’s grounds, and engage in multiple art-making projects inspired by the exhibition, including Recycled Earth form Crayons, Illuminated Landscapes, Bug Boxes, and Recycled Map Flowers.

At 5 p.m., acclaimed Capital Region musician and performer Taína Asili and her ensemble take the stage for an energetic concert. 

All events are free and open to the public. Plenty of free parking is available in lots adjacent to the Museum. In case of inclement weather, activities will be indoors. For more information, visit http://tang.skidmore.edu or call the Visitors Services Desk at 518-580-8080.

Amy Coseo

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

10/19/76 – 11/07/23

The world became less bright on November 7, 2023, when Amy Coseo (47) tragically passed away at her home in Missoula, Montana.

Amy was born in Saratoga Springs, on October 19, 1976 and graduated from Saratoga High School in 1994. As a “Streak”, Amy competed on the Girl’s Varsity Soccer and Lacrosse teams, loved her time as a Choralier, and immersed herself in creating art. After high school, Amy studied art and psychology at Middlebury College in Vermont, graduating in 1998. Amy played on the Women’s Varsity Soccer team for the four years she was at Middlebury.

Amy’s life was full of love and adventure. From rafting trips in Chile, climbing active volcanoes at night in Italy and rafting multiple times down the Colorado River to running in the Klondike Road Relay Race in Alaska, Amy ‘s enthusiasm for experience and living fully was inspiring. She dedicated her life to finding beauty in the world around her and turning that passion into artwork. Most recently, her latest artwork exhibit titled “Promise” was featured in Missoula’s premier art gallery, Radius.

After college, Amy lived for five years in New York City and then moved to Missoula, Montana, where she resided until her death. While in Missoula, Amy and her partner, Dave Morris, enjoyed backcountry and cross-country skiing, off-road bike riding and trips to Moab, Utah with their dogs Moki, Osa and Juno. 

Amy was a survivor of breast cancer. She tirelessly devoted her energy to advocacy for breast cancer awareness. She was a Legislative Advocate for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. Amy was a member of the Silver Lining Foundation in Missoula, a group of breast cancer surviving women that engage in international dragon boat and outrigger canoe paddling competition.

An ardent advocate for affordable health care, Montana’s environment and the Indigenous People who live there, Amy used her design and marketing company, Studio Verde Creative, as the voice of her activism. Studio Verde Creative specialized in branding and multi-media for mission-driven clients. 

A member of Leadership Montana’s Class of 2017, Amy was also a member of its inaugural Masters Class of 2019. She served on the Board of Directors of Garden City Harvest, a Missoula not-for-profit organization and was also a founding board member of the Red Ants Pants Foundation. Amy was a board member of Montana Mountain Mamas, a network of women throughout Montana, focused on the continuing enjoyment of clean air, clean water and the freedom to access Montana’s waters and lands.

Most recently, Amy worked with Harvest Wholeness Center in Missoula as its Creative Director and Wholeness Guide. Harvest Wholeness Center provides an integrative health approach using ketamine-assisted therapy. 

Amy struggled with depression for many years. She battled the symptoms through the use of multiple modalities of treatment. Sadly, she was unable to manage her disorder. 

Survivors of Amy are her parents John and Jeanne Standarski Coseo (Unity, ME and Fort Pierce, FL), her partner Dave Morris (Missoula, MT), her sister Kate Coseo, brother-in-law Martin Maines, niece Lucy Maines and nephew Asher Maines (all of Unity, Maine). Her loving aunts and uncles are Tom and Donna Coseo, Jim and Kate Coseo, Peter and Terri Coseo, Mary and Mark Deyle, Nancy Coseo and Steve Korn, Frank Standarski and Susan and Ed Cummings. Amy is loved and will forever be deeply missed by her incredible group of cousins, their partners and their children. She also had a remarkable friend community that spanned her life.

Amy’s family asks that all take the time to become more aware of the prevalence of suicide and its causes in our society and to connect with their family and friends. Condolences can be sent to: The Coseo Family, P.O. Box 182, Unity, ME 04988. 

A private celebration of Amy’s life will be held in Saratoga Springs, New York. Contributions to a scholarship in the memory of Amy Coseo can be made to the Zootown Arts Community Center (ZACC) in Missoula. Donations will be used to promote arts education in the Missoula County Public Schools and ZACC classrooms.

Details about the donation information can be found through an internet search engine by typing in the words “everloved amy coseo.”

Dr. Merrily O’Connor Miller

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —Born Mary Leslie Smith, later and most well known as Dr. Merrily O’Connor Miller, 82, passed July 7, 2024. Calling hours were July 15 at Burke Funeral Home, Mass was July 16 at St. Clement’s Church followed by burial in Greenridge Cemetery. Memorial donations to Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation (www.myotonic.org). Visit www.burkefuneralhome.com.

Patricia M. Zecca

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

MECHANICVILLE —Patricia M. Zecca, our beloved Sister, Aunt, and Friend, has passed July 13, 2024. Calling hours and Mass were July 17 at All Saints on the Hudson South Church, Mechanicville. Memorial donations to Saratoga Hospital Foundation, Palliative Care Program (saratogahospitalfoundation.org). Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.

Laura Marie Greco

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —Laura Marie Greco passed away July 13, 2024. She was 49 years old.  Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 19 at the Church of St. Peter, 231 Broadway and burial will follow in St. Peter’s Cemetery.  Remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com

July 13 – 19, 2024

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Blotter.

Saratoga County Court 

Sara N. Babinski, 35, of Schuylerville, was sentenced to 3 months incarceration/ 5 years probation, after pleading to felony DWAI, charged January 2024 in Saratoga Springs. 

Thomas R. McCall, 35, of Rensselaer, pleaded to criminal possession of a weapon in the second-degree, in connection with a March 2024 incident in Saratoga Springs, when city police initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle on South Broadway and located a Magnum .357 revolver with ammunition underneath the driver’s seat, according to a statement by Saratoga County District Attorney Karen Heggen. Further investigation determined that the firearm belonged to the defendant, who also possessed heroin, fentanyl and crack cocaine on his person, Heggen said. McCall is slated to be sentenced July 30.    

Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office 

The Sheriff’s Office responded to a shots fired call at a residence on Centerline Road in the town of Providence. It is alleged that Ethan J. Chase, 34, who is reportedly homeless, forced entry into the residence of his father Earl W. Chase, III, 66,  who resides at the Centerline Road address. Ethan Chase had allegedly made threats to kill his father both prior to forcing entry to the residence and while inside the residence. There is an order of protection in effect protecting Earl Chase from Ethan Chase. Earl Chase had armed himself with a shotgun while his son was attempting to make entry to the residence. He discharged a round containing bird shot at his son inside the residence after the latter refused to leave and began approaching Earl Chase and his wife while making threats to kill them, police said. The round struck Ethan Chase to his left shoulder. Ethan Chase was taken into custody and was transported to Albany Medical Center for evaluation and treatment. 

The Sheriff’s Office responded to Blue Spruce Lane in the town of Malta for a report of a possible order of protection violation. Investigation into the complaint led to the arrest and charges against Donovan R. Grose, 54, of Malta of criminal contempt in the 1st degree (class E felony). Grose is accused of violating an order of protection by failing to stay away from the protected party. He was reportedly observed outside of the protected party’s residence at the time of call. The charge was upgraded to a felony due to a previous conviction for criminal contempt in the 2nd degree within the preceding 5 years. Grose was processed and released on an appearance ticket returnable to the Malta Town Court on a later date. 

The Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a burglary to the Stewart’s shop on Longkill Road in the town of Clifton Park. Investigation into the complaint led to the arrest and charged against Shaun A. Sheriff, 32, of Ballston Lake for burglary in the 3rd degree (class D felony) and petit larceny (class A misdemeanor). Sheriff is accused of entering and remaining unlawfully within a building with the intent to commit a crime therein. He is also charged with stealing cigarettes from the business. Sheriff was already incarcerated in the Saratoga County Jail on a separate burglary charge at the time of arrest. He is scheduled to appear in the Clifton Park Town Court on a later date for both cases.

The Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of an active domestic incident on Moe Road in the town of Clifton Park. Investigation into the complaint led to the arrest and charges of Rebecca A. Wheland-Kruger, 51, of Clifton Park for criminal contempt in the 1st degree and aggravated family offense (class E felonies. Wheland-Krugar is accused of violating an order of protection by being present in the residence of the protected party. The charge was upgraded to a felony due to a previous conviction for criminal contempt in the 2nd degree within the preceding 5 years. She is also charged with committing a “specified offense” under the statute having been convicted of a specified offense within the preceding 5 years. Wheland-Kruger was sent to the Saratoga County Jail in lieu of bail or bond pending further action in the matter.