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Author: Saratoga TODAY

The Art of the Charcuterie

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Food.

The charcuterie craze feels like it just took off a few years ago, but the art of the charcuterie has existed for hundreds of years dating back to the Greeks and Romans when they cured meats for long trips.  However, it was in France when this ‘graze craze’ really took hold dating back to the 15th century and the combination of cured meats*, specialty cheeses*, nuts and fruits* has stood the test of time and is still shared at gatherings today.

Our culture has taken this ancient art, and the definition of charcuterie, and have given it a modern spin with endless possibilities. The term charcuterie no longer just refers to cured meats at the center of a nibble platter (although it may to some), but now entertains the notion of foods brought together for people to gather around and nosh over good conversation. 

The Breakfast Charcuterie

The breakfast charcuterie can be simply done with baked goods*, fresh fruits*, jams* and yogurts*.  And yet, it can be taken to many various levels with pancakes, cooked meats*, waffles*, syrups*, honey* and other specialty items like skewed fruit, dips and other specialty foods.

The Dinner Charcuterie

The dinner charcuterie can pretty much embody any cooked meat with vegetables, sides and fixings.  I personally love some of the burger charcuteries with cooked burgers in the center surrounded by all of the toppings, fresh vegetables and salads to choose from all in one wonderful display.

The Dessert Charcuterie

Who doesn’t love a dessert charcuterie? Again, a platter to be easily themed! One of my personal favorites would be mini cakes at the center surrounded by various toppings; fruits, syrups, chopped candies, flavored whipped creams all so that each guest can create their own variation of flavor to enjoy.

Whatever your flare on the charcuterie happens to be, at the end of the day, it’s really about a memorable gathering of people enjoying fine foods together. And cured meats can be added to each of them if you’re holding on to the traditional definition of a charcuterie board (wink)

*Many items can be located at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market to create your charcuterie work of art.

The Saratoga Farmer’s Market is open on Wednesdays from 3- 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at High Rock Park in downtown Saratoga Springs. The Monday market at Clifton Park is open from 2-5 p.m. at the Shenendehowa Methodist Church on Route 146. The Thursday Market at Milton begins Thursday, July 11 through August 29 at the Burgess Kimball Memorial Park from 3-6 p.m. Find us online at www.saratogafarmersmarket.org, where you can sign up for our weekly newsletter, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @SaratogaFarmersMarket.

Saratoga Schools Education Foundation Announces $15K in Grant Recipients

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Schools Education Foundation (SSES) announced last week that it would fund three grant projects totaling $15,000 for the 2024-2025 school year.

Virtual Reality Headsets at Maple Avenue Middle School Library

This $4,500 grant will support the purchase of eight Virtual Reality headsets that will allow students to explore interactive 3D worlds. Students will have the ability to “travel” to places around the world or even inside the human body without ever leaving the library.

Adaptive Bikes for Secondary Physical Education Classes

This grant is jointly funded with $3,000 from SSES and $2,500 from Saratoga Shredders and the Dake Foundation for Children. The grant will support the purchase of specially equipped bicycles to allow middle and high school students in the unified physical education classes to participate in the Bikes in Schools PE curriculum at the Saratoga Springs City School District.

Math Unit Blocks at Lake Avenue & Division Street Elementary Schools

This $5,000 grant will support the purchase of wooden Unit Block Sets for the classroom to promote hands-on learning in mathematics for elementary students. The grant will also fund the purchase of a Unit Block curriculum to help teachers maximize the impact of these materials on cognitive growth and problem-solving skills for students.

Revamped Cardona’s Saratoga Market Reopens

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — After an extensive renovation project, the Italian food store and catering company Cardona’s Saratoga Market officially reopened earlier this week. The family-owned business has been serving the Capital Region since 1945. 

The renovation project included the addition of a 1,400 square-foot, full-service kitchen. As a result, the Saratoga market is now able to feature ready-to-serve hot food items such as penne alla vodka, tortellini alfredo, chicken marsala, chicken meatballs, arancini, stuffed shells, and more.

To commemorate its reopening, Cardona’s held a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Mayor John Safford and Saratoga Live TV personality Richard Migliore, who handed out samples of “The Mig,” a sandwich named after him. 

Salvation Army Welcomes New Leaders to Saratoga Springs

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Captains Aida and Oscar Rolon have been appointed to the Salvation Army Saratoga Springs office, it was announced last week. Lieutenants Cassidy and Michael Dow, who served in Saratoga for the past two years, have been reassigned to Oswego.

“It is an honor to continue our journey and mission of serving others in these new roles,” said Captain Aida Rolon in a statement. “As the cost of living continues to have a bigger and bigger impact on families and individuals in Saratoga Springs already struggling to put food on the table, and a roof over their heads, we are eager to build upon our predecessors’ work and want to provide a strong foundation for the future.”

The Rolons have been with The Salvation Army for 15 years. Before coming to New York, they were stationed at The Salvation Army Guayama Ray and Joan Kroc Center in Puerto Rico. They grew up in Loiza, Puerto Rico and have two young adult children together.

Druthers Brewing Launches Beer in Support of Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Druthers Brewing Company launched its latest special brew this week. HorsePlay, a blonde ale brewed with peach tea from The Whistling Kettle, was created in support of Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga. 

Each purchase of HorsePlay will directly contribute to funding the essential care and well-being of the horses involved in therapeutic programs. The can’s design was created by local artist Frankie Flores.

HorsePlay will be available at all five Druthers Brewing locations, at the Saratoga Race Course, and at a variety of local vendors including Price Choppers/Market 32s, Bevs Beverage Centers, and Eddy’s Beverage.

“We are deeply grateful for the support of Druthers Brewing Company and the launch of ‘HorsePlay’,” said Meg Koloskie, development manager at Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga, in a statement. “This initiative not only raises vital funds for our organization but also raises awareness about the transformative power of equine therapy. Together, we can make a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals in need.”

Saratoga Hospital Reportedly Planning Expansion

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Hospital is planning to build a new medical office building near its primary location at 211 Church Street, according to a request made to the Saratoga Springs Planning Board earlier this week. 

The hospital reportedly wants to demolish an existing building to build a new 60,000-square-foot facility. 

Saratoga TODAY will have more on this developing story in next week’s issue. 

Week of July 12 – July 18, 2024

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Property Transactions.

BALLSTON 

Lynn Joyce sold property at 88 Beacon St to Elizabeth Demuro for $400,000

Adrianne Abbruzzese sold property at 67 Cornerstone Dr to Marjorie Young for $366,000

US Bank Trust NA as Trust sold property at 56 Ballston Ave to Olivia Mannion for $325,000

Eastline Holdings LLC sold property at 8 Aspen Dr to TongCheng Chen for $536,069

American Estate and Trust sold property at 151 Kingsley Rd to Susan Messere for $200,000

Bernard Ingram sold property at 17 Everson Way to Michal Pastore for $549,000

CORINTH

Carey Mann sold property at 18 Pine St to William Freeman for $200,000

William Nikas sold property at 241 Hunt Lake Rd to Luke Nikas for $225,000

MALTA 

Thomas McDonough sold property at 192 Thimbleberry Rd to Alexander Ely for $360,000

838 Rentals LLC sold property at 29 Cedarwood Dr. to Matthew Jacques for $420,000

Jason Barry sold property at 40 Larkspur Dr to Elyn Schwartz for $400,000

MILTON

Oppertune Time LLC sold property at 1059 Middle Line Rd to Kaydeross Construction Company for $100,000

Richard Hammell sold property at 16 Glen St to Skyrock Properties LLC for $273,500

Heather Capuano sold property at 548 Acland Blvd to Michael Mistretta for $440,000

SARATOGA

Jennifer Pratt sold property at 247 Wilbur Rd to Michael Crook for $324,900

Jeffrey Daszewski sold property at 109 Chelsea Dr to Emmanuel Maillet for $575,000

SARATOGA SPRINGS

Darryl De Haas sold property at Lot 18 Walden Dr to Eric Chen for $217,500

Deanna Scannell sold property at 168 Clinton St to Laura Mullen for $645,000

Jeffrey Greenhouse sold property at 24 Tompion Lane to George Yund  for $315,000

Adelphi Owner II LLC sold property at 19 Washington St # 465 to Linda Pace for $1,500,000

Adelphi Owner II LLC sold property at 19 Washington St # 264 to Daniel Lill for $936,000

Adelphi Owner II LLC sold property at 19 Washington St # 463 to Adelphi Condo THR LLC for $900,000

James Fulmer sold property at 104 Van Dam St to Alexander Kendall for $420,000

Weng Jian Qin sold property at 135 Church St to Daniel Sullivan for $805,000

Andrew Yin sold property at 77 Van Dam St 202 to Michael Crislip for $386,000

Bolen Builders sold property at 372-376 Lake Ave to Herman Exterior Homes LLC for $720,000

Saratoga National Bank and Trust Co sold property at 91 West Ave to Stewart’s Shops Corp for $1,100,000

WILTON

Saratoga Wilton Group LLC sold property at 2,4,6,8,12,13,14-17 Eastpointe Dr to Pigliavento Assoc. LLC for $1,650,000.

Sean Belfry sold property at 12 Shuvee Lane to BGRS Relocation Inc for $505,000

BGRS Relocation sold property at 12 Shuvee Lane to Addison Schmidt for $505,000

James Parillo sold property at 847 Route 9 to Holy Moses Land Holdings LLC for $330,000

Walter Kozak sold property at 4288 Rt 50 to Church on 50 LLC for $228,000

Jason Marcello sold property at 10 Lakeview Dr to James Whalen for $515,000

Ronald Taylor sold property at 25 Foxhound run to Steven O’Brien for $2,050,000.

Nine Newest Members of The Saratoga Springs Police Department

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Officers Alexander, Cappiello, Hynes, Mandala, Martuscello, Michalowski, Rossi, Sakil, and Sterge successfully met or exceeded the expectations and requirements of the Zone 5 Regional Law Enforcement Academy and will now join the agency as they continue their law enforcement learning during Field Training

Flower Show July 20-21 in Schuylerville

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SCHUYLERVILLE — The Schuylerville Garden Club will present its annual National Garden Club Inc. Standard Flower Show entitled “A Little Bit Country” 1-5 p.m. on Saturday, July 20, and noon – 4 p.m. Sunday, July 21 at Saratoga Town Hall, 12 Spring St.  (corner of Spring & Broad) in Schuylerville, NY.

There will be Floral Design, Horticulture and Artistic Crafts competitions which will be judged by trained judges. A Photography division will be judged by the people attending the show. The public is invited to submit photos to the photo division and horticulture specimens to the horticulture division.  See the website for details.  All divisions reflect the “Country” theme.    

The Schuylerville Garden Club, established in 1938, has presented many annual Flower Shows and won numerous national and state garden club awards for the shows. 

Admission and refreshments are free.  For more information, visit: www.schuylervillegardenclub.org.

Saratoga County Board Awards $600K+ For Farmland and Open Space Grants

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

BALLSTON SPA —The towns of Moreau, Northumberland and Stillwater received a total of $604,306 in funding to Preserve Farmland and Open Space in Saratoga County, the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors announced July 2. The funding will preserve approximately 200 acres of open space and farmland this year. 

“The Saratoga County Board of Supervisors is proud of our efforts to preserve more than 6,000 acres of open space and farmland over the past 20 years allowing the exponential expansion of our parks and recreation network,” Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Chairman Phil Barrett said in a statement. “We have proactively invested in preserving a balance between our preservation efforts and economic development to ensure sustainable growth that nourishes both our economy and the environment.” 

Specifically, the 2024 award recipients are:

The Town of Moreau received a grant award of $38,203 for Open Space Preservation of the Kropp-Rowson Palmertown Ridge for the preservation of approximately 81-acres of mixed forest and meadowed property.

The Town of Northumberland received a grant award of $382,771 for Farmland Protection of the Butler Family Farm for the protection of approximately 75-acres of cropland.

The Town of Stillwater received a grant award of $183,332 for Farmland Protection of the Tanner Ridge Farm for the protection of approximately 47.10-acres of equestrian farmland.