Skip to main content

Author: Saratoga TODAY

Upcoming Events

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Calendar.

Saratoga Sustainability Fair 

Sustainable Saratoga and Skidmore College invite you to join us for the Saratoga Sustainability Fair on Saturday, April 11, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Skidmore’s Center Intramural Gym. The Sustainability Fair is a free community event celebrating sustainability awareness and opportunities. https://sustainablesaratoga.org/saratoga-sustainability-fair/. 

Special Exhibit: America 250 Tapestry Project

The Van Schaick Mansion, located at 1 Van Schaick Ave., Cohoes, will welcome visitors on Saturday, April 11, from 1- 4 p.m. This event marks the final opportunity to view the New York State panel, beautifully stitched by the Capital District Embroiderer’s Guild of America as part of the America 250 Tapestry Project, before it departs for Williamsburg, Virginia. Meet the talented stitchers and witness firsthand the intricate work they have created. Admission to the mansion grounds and cemetery is free. Guided tours of the historic mansion are scheduled for 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. Guests are encouraged to join a tour for a $5 donation, which supports the preservation of this important site.

Adk Scent Work Club Fundraiser 

Please join us on Sunday, April 12 for an afternoon of fun, competition, and community spirit at KPA Family Fun Center in South Glens Falls, from 1 – 4 p.m. Includes 2 hours of bowling, dog and handlers scent work demonstrations, a 50-50, basket raffle, and lots of fun! Proceeds support Adk Scent Work Club which is a dedicated group committed to advancing the skills and abilities of dogs and handlers in the sport of scent detection. Come and join the fun and see what this Club is all about! Entrance fee is $20 pp and walks in accepted. Call 518-744-2763 for information or to reserve a lane. 

Spring Chicken BBQ Fundraiser

Gateway House of Peace will be holding their Spring chicken BBQ fundraiser on Wednesday, April 15 from 4-6 pm at the House at 479 Rowland Street, Ballston Spa. Enjoy a delicious meal prepared by Big Tony’s BBQ. Each meal includes half a chicken, baked potato, a side, and a roll. Preorders are required. Meals will not be available to buy on site. Cost is $17 per meal. Gatewayhouseofpeace.org.

Saratoga Center for the Family 50th Anniversary Celebration Gala: Gathering for Gratitude

Thursday, April 16, 6 – 10 p.m. at Universal Preservation Hall, Saratoga Springs. Young Professional (35 and below)-$150; General-$200; Honorary Committee-$250. Gathering for Gratitude marks Saratoga Center for the Family’s 50th Anniversary with an unforgettable evening of celebration and thanks. This fundraising event features a reception hosted by our very own Food and Mood group, dinner catered by Mazzone Hospitality, a historical walking tour, auctions and a true story with an original song, presented in partnership with Caffé Lena.  Proceeds go towards child abuse and trauma advocacy, education and prevention services. For more information, visit saratogacff.org or call 518-587-8008, ext. 309.

Marine Corps League Dinner Dance Fundraiser

April 18, from 5 – 10 p.m. at the VFW Banquet Hall, located at 190 Excelsior Ave., Saratoga Springs. Dinner, cash bar, 50/50 raffle, dancing. Cost is $47. Please make your reservation by April 10. For more information, contact Marla Swanson at swanrico@hotmail.com. The mission of the Marine Corps League is to promote the interest and to preserve traditions of the United States Marine Corps; strengthen the fraternity of Marines and their families; serve Marines and FMF Navy Personnel who wear or who have worn the Eagle, Globe and Anchor; and foster the ideals of Americanism and patriotic volunteerism. Detachment #641 meets on the 4th Wednesday of every month at 1800 (6 p.m.) at Gurtler Bros. VFW Post. For information on joining, email USMCLSARATOGA@Outlook.com. 

Call for Volunteers for Tree Toga

On Saturday, April 25, Sustainable Saratoga’s Urban Forestry Project will hold its 15th TREE TOGA planting event, adding 40 large-growing shade trees to the Saratoga Springs urban forest and bringing the total number of trees planted to nearly 500. Volunteer Tree Planters are needed from 9 am – noon. This fun, family-friendly event is open to all. Tree Planters check in at Pitney Meadows Community Farm from 9 – 9:30 a.m. and get a lesson in tree planting before heading off in small teams to their assigned locations across the city. Grab friends, family, colleagues, or come solo and make new friends. Sign up here: https://sustainablesaratoga.org/projects/urban-forestry-project/tree-toga.

Bus Trips with The Olde Saratoga Seniors

The Olde Saratoga Seniors are hosting two bus trips.  First trip is April 30 to West Point for a tour and lunch.  Cost is $85 per person for non-members. Second trip is June 15 to Log Cabin in Holyoke, MA to see tribute to John Denver with a lobster luncheon.  Cost is $125 per person for non-members. If interested. For more information and to sign up contact Pat Temple, 518-338-2329 or email patty61349@yahoo.com

Craft Fair at Brookside – Vendors Wanted!

The Saratoga County History Center, located at 21 Fairground Ave., Ballston Spa, is seeking vendors of handmade crafts, antiques and farm products for the annual craft fair on Saturday, June 20, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.  No mass-produced or commercially made items will be permitted. Spaces are available outdoors, with limited spaces available indoors.  This is a rain or shine event. Visit www./brooksidemuseum.org for more information, or contact Beth Silvestri at bsilvestri@brooksidemuseum.org.

Week of April 3  – April 9, 2026

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Calendar.

Friday, April 3

Haddock Fish Dinner Drive Thru

Halfmoon Senior Center, 287 Lower Newtown Road, Waterford | 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. Offering a quick and easy way for families to enjoy a ready-made Friday night dinner—no shopping, cooking, or cleanup required! Each dinner includes a classic Haddock Fish Dinner – baked or fried – with French fries and coleslaw, all for just $15, with proceeds supporting Halfmoon’s Character Counts program, which promotes positive values and leadership among local youth. Tickets are available now at the Halfmoon Senior Center or Halfmoon Town Clerk’s Office, and residents are encouraged to purchase in advance to ensure availability. 

Saturday, April 4

4th Annual Adirondack Retro Nerdfest 

SUNY Adirondack’s Northwest Bay Conference Center, Adirondack Hall | 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. What was once nerdy is cool again at Adirondack Retro Nerdfest. This celebration of old-school pop culture is sponsored by Adirondack Broadcast Association and includes a full day of fun featuring free-play arcade games and pinball, and deejays spinning vinyl. Vendors will offer such wares as records, comic books, cards, collectibles, fan art and more. SUNY Adirondack’s Gaming Club will host a “Super Smash Brothers” tournament. The college’s Theater Club will offer a cosplay costume contest. The Culinary Arts Club will offer delicious snacks. Admission is $5 for the public and free for SUNY Adirondack students with ID.

Sunday, April 5

Monday, April 6

Galway Preservation Society Meeting

Galway Town Hall, 5910 Sacandaga Road, Galway |Doors open at 6:45 p.m., followed by the program at 7 p.m. This month’s program will be presented by Robert Wemple, Providence Town Historian.  Robert will share with us and read to the audience excerpts from some of the 56 letters that George Packer of Barkersville sent home during his service with the 77th NY infantry in the Civil War. The meeting will be held at the Our programs are always open to the public, free of charge.  If you choose, annual family or household memberships are available for $10 per year.  Please join us for some fun and to learn more about our history.  

Tuesday, April 7

Catholic Daughters of America Meeting

Knights of Columbus, 50 Pine Road, Saratoga Springs | 5:45 p.m. Members will gather at 5:45 p.m. for recitation of the Rosary, followed by refreshments and fellowship.  Business meeting will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m.  All members and those interested in joining are invited to attend.  Questions? please contact our Regent, Dawn Weber 518-226-5641 or by email CDA422Saratoga@gmail.com.

Wednesday, April 8

Manicotti Dinner

Saratoga Wilton Elks Lodge, 1 Elks Lane, Saratoga Springs | 4:30 – 6 p.m. Curbside pickup only. Call Monday or Tuesday between 10 a.m. – Noon to place an order. 518-584-2585. Menu: manicotti with meatballs, sweet Italian sausage, tossed salad, garlic toast. Dinner $15 (cash only).

Green Drinks

Whitman Brewing Company, 20 Lake Ave, Saratoga Springs | 5 – 7 p.m. Green Drinks! A “green gathering” for those who work, volunteer, or have a passion for promoting the environment, conservation, and sustainability. https://sustainablesaratoga.org/event/green-drinks-28/

Soroptimist Dinner Meeting

Holiday Inn, 232 Broadway, Saratoga Springs | 6:30 p.m. Soroptimist means Best for Women. Please join us where members and guests come together to advance our shared mission of empowering women and girls. Enjoy a meal while networking with passionate individuals, participating in meaningful discussions, and learning about upcoming community service projects. Our organization offers a wonderful opportunity to connect, collaborate, and make a difference in the lives of others. Please RSVP to connectsisc@gmail.com by April 6.

Thursday, April 9

Brown Bag Lunch Lecture: The Universality of Katrina Trask

Saratoga Springs Public Library, Dutcher Community Room, 49 Henry St., Saratoga Springs | 12 – 1 p.m. Join Rumara Jewett and Lezlie Dana, portraying Katrina Trask, for a compelling look at Trask’s vision for her home, Yaddo, as an artist residency. During this special program marking the 100th anniversary of the first artists arriving at Yaddo in 1926, attendees will gain insight into Trask’s personal interests, spiritual journey, and dedication to supporting the arts. Through her words and legacy, this presentation highlights the lasting impact of one of Saratoga Springs’ most influential cultural figures. Advanced registration is required. Register online at https://www.sspl.org to or in person. 

Dunkerley Dialogue

Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery, Payne Room, Skidmore College | 6 p.m. The public is invited to a Dunkerley Dialogue with sculptor Kathy Butterly, painter Elena Sisto, and Matthew Wilt, Robert Davison Chair in Art and Associate Professor of Ceramics at Skidmore College. Butterly into conversation with Sisto and Wilt, two artists whose practices offer distinct perspectives on form, surface, and expression. Together, they will explore the possibilities of material, process, and artistic exchange across disciplines. This event is free and open to the public and will include ASL interpretation. For more information, visit tang.skidmore.edu or call the Tang Visitors Services Desk at 518-580-8080.

Experts Next Door: Iroquoia: Haudenosaunee Life and Culture, 1630-1783 

Live on Zoom, 7 – 8 p.m. Kelly Hopkins is an Assistant Professor of early American history at the University of Houston. Her book, Iroquoia: Haudenosaunee Life and Culture, 1630-1783 (Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 2025), highlights the innovative strategies of Haudenosaunee men and women to retain their culture, sovereignty, and control of their homelands through more than seven generations of unprecedented social and environmental change that followed European contact and the settler invasion. Register at brooksidemuseum.org. 

SSHS Students Lead the Way Through Participatory Budgeting

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

Saratoga Springs High School is transforming civic learning through an innovative Participatory Budgeting (PB) process that empowers students to take an active role in shaping their school community. Through this authentic experience, students identify needs within the school, design capital improvement proposals, and make real decisions about how funding is allocated.

Participatory Budgeting focuses on civic engagement, giving students a real-world connection to how decisions are made in a community. As future voters, students learn how to evaluate spending, work together, and share their voices through a structured voting process.

Throughout the PB cycle, students engage in hands-on learning by identifying school needs, developing ideas for improvement, and working collaboratively with school leaders and staff to refine proposals, assess feasibility, and create detailed plans that include budgets, timelines, and long-term sustainability. Students also take on leadership roles in organizing the process, from developing proposals and creating ballots to communicating ideas and encouraging peer participation, fostering critical thinking, collaboration, problem-solving skills, and a strong sense of student voice.

The 2026 final projects included on the ballot consist of privacy upgrades in restrooms, the addition of an outdoor water source, a grill for the cafeteria, feminine product dispensers in bathrooms, and the addition of bocce courts to support Unified Sports programs.

On March 24 and 25, high school students cast their votes during social studies classes to determine which projects would move forward. A total of 1,645 students, nearly 90% of the entire student body, participated in the election. Students selected a grill for the high school cafeteria as the winning project, with bathroom privacy upgrades receiving the second-highest number of votes.  Students were also given the opportunity to “pitch” future ballot ideas on a Post-it note board as they exited the polling location. Students will now play a role in supporting the purchase and installation of the project as it comes to life in their school.

Macey to Lead Schuylerville Elementary

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.


Marissa Macey has been announced as the next principal at Schuylerville Elementary
( Courtesy of Schuylerville Central School District)

The Schuylerville Central School District Board of Education plans to appoint Mrs. Marissa Macey as the new principal of Schuylerville Elementary School at its April 13 meeting. Macey currently serves as elementary principal of Kensington Road School in the Glens Falls City School District, where she has served since July of 2024. A 15-member search committee interviewed eight candidates and unanimously recommended Macey as the sole finalist for Board of Education consideration.

“Throughout her time spent with the Board, Mrs. Macey demonstrated a clear, student-centered vision for the elementary school, and a strong commitment to fostering a positive school culture,” said Board of Education President Bernie Buff. “She has an energetic and collaborative approach to leadership and her passion for educating students and creating a place where they can truly thrive was evident in every aspect of her interview.”

Macey brings more than a decade of experience in education to Schuylerville, including prior leadership and classroom roles. Before becoming principal at Kensington Road School, she served as assistant principal at Sanford Street Elementary through WSWHE BOCES, where she supported student interventions, coordinated with families and outside agencies, and helped strengthen academic and behavioral systems. Earlier in her career, Macey was an elementary classroom teacher in the South Glens Falls Central School District for nine years, teaching multiple grade levels and serving as a district-wide instructional teacher leader. Within that role, Macey mentored colleagues, led professional development sessions on foundational literacy strategies, and piloted innovative curriculum approaches adopted district-wide. She began her career as a third grade teacher in the Minerva Central School District.

“I am deeply honored to be joining Schuylerville Elementary School and becoming part of a community with such a proud tradition of excellence,” said Macey. “The warmth and dedication I have already experienced reflect what makes this school and district truly special. I look forward to working alongside staff, families, and students to continue that tradition and build upon it together.”

Macey earned a Bachelor of Science in Childhood Education from the State University of New York College at Oneonta, as well as a Master of Science in Literacy B-6 and Special Education 1-6, from the University at Albany. She also holds a Certificate of Advanced Study in School Building Leadership (SBL). Macey lives in South Glens Falls with her husband and two daughters, ages 7 and 4. She will begin at Schuylerville on or about July 1.

“We are very proud to welcome Mrs. Macey to Schuylerville,” said Superintendent Dr. Ryan Sherman. “The search committee’s unanimous recommendation speaks volumes about her leadership, experience, and the impression she made throughout the process. We are confident she will be a tremendous addition to our team and look forward to the positive impact she will have on our school community.”

Upcoming Events at Wilton Wildlife

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

Here are some of the events upcoming at Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park

Wilton Wildlife Hosts FrogWatch with Saratoga Springs Public Library

On Friday, April 17, at 7:00 p.m., Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park will host an engaging FrogWatch program in collaboration with Saratoga Springs Public Library, which will take place on the trails of Camp Saratoga on Scout Road in the Town of Wilton.

This program invites participants to immerse themselves in frog identification by learning to identify frogs and toads by sight and sound. Children will have the opportunity to view a brief film about local frogs, then take a walk with Wilton Wildlife educators around vernal pools, listen to frogs, and learn about their adaptations. This program is designed for young explorers, aged kindergarten and up, and promises to be a memorable experience filled with exploration.

Participants are encouraged to dress for the weather and bring their own flashlight as this is a nighttime program.

To register for FrogWatch, please visit Saratoga Springs Public Library’s website, sspl.org, or call the Children’s Room at 518 584-7860, ext. 305.

Historic Cornell Fire Tower Opens for the Season 

Climb an authentic fire tower without having to climb a mountain! Get a gorgeous treetop view of Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park and visit a re-created fire ranger cabin complete with a vegetable garden. The Historic Cornell Hill Fire Tower will be open on the weekend of Saturday, April 18, and Sunday, April 19, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

If there is inclement weather, the tower will close. Parking can be found in Parking Lot #3 on Scout Road. Children under the age of five are not permitted to climb the fire tower. The Historic Cornell Hill Fire Tower is owned and maintained by the Town of Wilton and is staffed by volunteers on behalf of the Town. 

Additional upcoming dates this spring include the weekends of May 16 and 17, May 31 (during the Annual Wildlife Festival), and June 21 and 22.

For up-to-date trail conditions or program information, please visit the Wilton Wildlife website at wiltonpreserve.org or follow on Facebook or Instagram @wiltonpreserve. Wilton Wildlife’s mission is to provide environmental education and opportunities for outdoor recreation while supporting conservation of ecological systems and natural settings. 

Saratoga 250 Marks 250th Anniversary of Franklin’s Journey North

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

A 70-year-old Benjamin Franklin passed through the Saratoga region in the spring of 1776 on a mission that failed in the moment but helped shape the American Revolution. Saratoga 250 will commemorate the 250th anniversary of that journey on Tuesday, April 14 at 7 p.m. at the Champlain Canal Region Gateway Visitors Center.

The presentation, “Benjamin Franklin Slept Here,” will be delivered by Town of Saratoga Historian Sean Kelleher. It explores Franklin’s attempt to persuade Canada to join the revolutionary cause and examines why the effort failed. Traveling north in poor health, Franklin faced harsh conditions, limited support, and political resistance, ultimately returning without achieving his objective.

Kelleher emphasizes Franklin’s age and experience at the time. At 70, he was one of the oldest figures in the revolutionary leadership, bringing decades of diplomatic skill but also confronting the physical limits of travel in wartime. Historians note that the failure of the Canadian mission influenced Franklin’s later success in France, where he secured the alliance that proved critical to American independence.

The talk also connects Franklin’s journey to the Saratoga region’s later significance during the Battles of Saratoga, which helped convince France to support the American cause.

The program is part of Saratoga 250’s broader effort to prepare for the Semi quincentennial through heritage tourism and public history programming. The event is free and open to the public.  Registration is required, details are at https://saratoga250.brightrtravel.com/s/event/benjamin-franklin-slept-here

“Love Our Locals” Participants Celebrated by Chamber

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.


The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce recently honored several members that participated in its Love Our Locals $20.25 campaign, an initiative designed to support local businesses and nonprofits, during a March event in Saratoga Springs. The campaign will return later this year as Love Our Locals $20.26. Some of last year’s participants seen here include: Thorn + Roots, Impressions of Saratoga, Curtis Lumber, Olde Bryan Inn, Treasures Boutique & Thrift Shop, Old World Gourmet Market, The Local Pub & Teahouse, and Purdy’s. Photo provided by the Chamber of Commerce.

Celebrity Bartender Fundraiser Coming to UPH

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

Image provided by the Universal Preservation Hall (UPH).

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Shaken & Stirred Celebrity Bartender Party is an annual fundraiser for the Universal Preservation Hall (UPH). Local business teams compete against each other, bartending for the most tips, all of which go to support UPH. The team that raises the most during their shift wins the competition. All proceeds from Shaken and Stirred go directly to UPH and help bring family programming to the stages through the Collaborative School of the Arts.

The vision of the Collaborative School of the Arts is to provide performing arts opportunities with instruction by regional and national professionals. Its programs aim to inspire and cultivate career paths for students in creative fields, while developing and welcoming a diverse palette of artists. Tuition assistance ensures student accessibility across Proctors Collaborative, including UPH’s summer program Rock Camp.

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased in advance or at the door. When purchasing a ticket, buyers can choose which team they want to support.

This year’s teams include: Bocage Champagne Bar, Bonadio Group, DeCrescente Distributing Co., Fingerpaint, Hideaway at Saratoga Lake, MLB Construction, Saratoga Living, Sunmark Credit Union, and the Universal Preservation Hall.

For tickets, visit secure.proctorscollaborative.org/overview/shaken-stirred-2026.

B-Spa Networking Breakfast Coming April 7

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.


Image via the Ballston Spa Business & Professional Association.

BALLSTON SPA — The Ballston Spa Business & Professional Association (BSBPA) will hold a networking breakfast at Iron Roost on Tuesday, April 7 at 8 a.m.

This month’s breakfast is hosted by SLIC Fiber, which is billed as Northern New York’s fastest-growing internet provider, and now has an office in B-Spa. 

The event includes a light breakfast and fresh coffee courtesy of Iron Roost. Cost is $10 with advance RSVP to info@ballston.org, or guests can pay at the door. The event is open to all. BSBPA membership is not required to attend.

Pre-register online (www.ballston.org/2026/03/18/april-networking-breakfast-slic-fiber-at-iron-roost/) or email dana@ballston.org and pay at the door (cash, check or card).

Proctors Names New Board Chair

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Proctors Collaborative, which operates the Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs, recently announced the appointment of Melissa Zambri, Esq. as chair of its Board of Directors. Her appointment, Proctors said, reflects both her dedication to the organization and her passion for ensuring access to high-quality performing arts experiences for the community.

Zambri, managing director of the Albany office of Barclay Damon LLP, serves as co-leader of the firm’s Health Care Practice Group and co-leader of its Health Care and Health & Human Services Providers Teams. A leader in health care law and regulatory compliance, she brings decades of governance, strategic oversight, and organizational leadership experience to her new role at Proctors.

“Melissa has been an invaluable member of our board, serving most recently as Vice-Chair,” said Philip Morris, CEO of Proctors. “Her thoughtful leadership, strategic perspective, and deep commitment to our mission make her exceptionally well-suited to guide Proctors into its next chapter.”

In her legal practice, Zambri focuses on enterprise development and regulatory guidance for a wide range of health care providers and institutions, including hospitals, clinics, assisted-living facilities, and organizations serving individuals with developmental disabilities. She advises clients on compliance programs, audits, investigations, HIPAA matters, certificate-of-need applications, and complex transactions. Her work frequently involves counseling executive leadership teams and boards of directors.

Beyond her practice, Zambri is an adjunct professor at Albany Law School, where she teaches Health Care Compliance and HIPAA Compliance for its Online Graduate Programs, and at Clarkson University, where she teaches Legal Aspects of Health Care. She is also a member of Barclay Damon’s Management Committee and has held numerous leadership roles within professional associations, including the Health Law Section of the New York State Bar Association.

Zambri is a graduate of Albany Law School (J.D., cum laude), Union College (M.B.A.), and Siena College (B.S., summa cum laude). Her honors include recognition in “The Best Lawyers in America”  for Health Care Law, and designation as Albany “Lawyer of the Year” for Health Care Law in 2026.

As board chair, Zambri will help lead Proctors in advancing its mission through the performing arts while ensuring strong governance and long-term sustainability. For more information about Proctors and its Board of Directors, visit atproctors.org.