Saratoga Builders Association scholarship winners Amy Grumbling and Jude Leight are presented with their $1,000 awards. Photo provided by Barry Potoker.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Builders Association awarded two students $1,000 cash scholarships: Amy Grumbling of Amsterdam and Jude Leight of Ballston Spa.
Grumbling is currently attending Russell Sage College pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Interior and Spatial Design. She also works for Teakwood Builders.
Leight is a senior at Ballston Spa High School and will be attending Hudson Valley Community College to pursue a degree in Construction Tech and Management.
The Saratoga Builders Association makes these student scholarship awards available annually to high school seniors or college students who are planning to pursue a career in the construction industry.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs City School District held a reception last week to honor its 2023-2024 retirees. Each retiree will have a personalized brick added to the Pathway to Innovation at Saratoga Springs High School.
The following staff members were honored at the event:
• Cathey Accettella, Elementary Teacher at Dorothy Nolan Elementary
• Amy Austin, Grade 6 Teacher at Maple Avenue Middle School
• Eileen Battle, Teaching Assistant at Saratoga Springs High School
• Kristen Bobear, Elementary Teacher at Greenfield Elementary
• James Canary, Transportation Mechanic at Transportation
• Kimberly Clifton, Elementary Teacher at Maple Avenue Middle School
• Yvonne Delli Veneri, School Nurse at Greenfield Elementary
• Susan Demick, Library Media Specialist at Geyser Road Elementary
• David Fudger, School Bus Driver at Transportation
• Mary Goliber, Elementary Teacher at Lake Avenue Elementary
• Karen Grauel, Keyboard Specialist, Saratoga Springs High School
• Suzanne Grennon, Teacher Aide at Division Street Elementary School
• Lillian Hamel, Occupational Therapist at Dorothy Nolan Elementary
• Gerard Ketcham, Custodian at Division Street Elementary
• Julia Kirkland, Teaching Assistant at Saratoga Springs High School
• Andrew Kleinfelder, Head Custodian at Caroline Street Elementary
• Michelle Knight, Elementary Teacher at Dorothy Nolan Elementary
• Lori Lambalot, Teacher Aide, Geyser Road Elementary
• Cathy Lamontain, School Bus Driver at Transportation
• Nancy Lovaglio, Clerk at Saratoga Springs High School
• Amelia Mergendahl, Teacher Aide at Geyser Road Elementary
• Kristina Meys, Special Education Teacher at Saratoga Springs High School
• Greer Miller-Dienst, Elementary Principal at Division Street Elementary
• Lucia Nicholas, School Psychologist at Saratoga Springs High School
• Brian Oligny, Building Maintenance Worker at Facilities and Operations
• Lynn O’Rourke, Reading Specialist at Lake Avenue Elementary
• Marc Roggen, School Bus Driver at Transportation
• Mary Ann Rudolph, School Bus Driver at Transportation
• Kathleen Salaway, Special Education Teacher at Maple Avenue Middle School
• Jeanne Schultz, Teacher Aide at Geyser Road Elementary
• David Shippee, Elementary Teacher at Greenfield Elementary
• Karen Singerle, Keyboard Specialist at Maple Avenue Middle School
• Barbara Stomieroski, Keyboard Specialist at Maple Avenue Middle School
• Amy Totino, Assistant Principal at Maple Avenue Middle School
• David Wilsey, Cleaner at Maple Avenue Middle School
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Springs High School will induct two of its graduates into the Hall of Distinction at a ceremony on Tuesday, June 4: Heidi Owen West and Harvey R. Fox.
The Hall of Distinction recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of outstanding graduates who have made exceptional contributions and excelled in their chosen fields.
Heidi Owen West graduated from Saratoga Springs High School in 1984. Upon graduation, she moved to New York City to begin her studies at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). After honing her craft, she returned to the Capitol Region to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a minor in Fine Arts. In 1991, West partnered with her mother, Kay Owen, to open a series of downtown businesses including Indulgence Café, Nostalgia, The Bunny Patch, and the women’s fashion boutique Lifestyles of Saratoga. In 2016, she launched Caroline & Main, a women’s clothing store. In 2019, she launched Union Hall Supply Co.
She currently serves as the Vice President of Saratoga’s Downtown Business Association. She’s also a Board Member for Saratoga County Capital Resource Corporation (SCCRC). She previously held roles with SPAC Action Council, Gateway House of Peace, Saratoga Rowing Association, and Double H Ranch. In 2022, Heidi was awarded the Saratoga County Woman of Influence award for her dedication and service to the community.
Harvey R. Fox graduated from Saratoga Springs High School in 1971. Born in Saratoga Hospital, he is a lifelong resident who graduated from Eisenhower College in Seneca Falls with a liberal arts degree. After traveling to Peru and throughout the Western U.S., he returned to Saratoga Springs. His parents, Norman and Eva Fox, owned N. Fox, a popular general merchandise business on Broadway. In 1978, Fox purchased the business from his father. In 1981, he married Cassie, a recent Skidmore graduate, and together they began building their business, as well as raising their family.
Fox has held leadership positions on the Zoning Board of Appeals, the Saratoga YMCA, the Special Assessment District, and the Downtown Business Association. He is a major contributor to The Wesley Foundation, Skidmore College, and Saratoga Hospital.
Students from the Ballston Spa School District pose at the entrance to Iowa State University, where they competed in the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals last week. Photo via @SharonSloomis X account.
AMES, IOWA — Two teams from the Ballston Spa Central School District competed in the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals at Iowa State University in Ames last week. The Middle School team (Division 2) took 17th place in problem 4, and the Malta Ave team (Division 1) finished 12th.
It was the first time in more than 30 years that two Ballston Spa school district teams made it to the finals. The teams earned the trip to Iowa by winning second-place trophies in their divisions at the state finals in Syracuse earlier this year.
Odyssey of the Mind is an international competitive program. Teams choose from a list of open-ended problems and solve one of them through a combination of an original theatrical sketch performance and engineering solutions using only inexpensive or recycled materials. Each team must also solve a second spontaneous problem.
Eventgoers play cornhole at the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce’s Veterans Business Council (VBC) 2024 Jamboree fundraiser on May 23 in Saratoga Springs. The VBC’s mission is to facilitate opportunities for military veterans residing in Saratoga County. Photo provided by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —Saratoga Jewish Community Arts and the Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York present a special showing of the new documentary “Children of Peace” on Sunday, June 2 at Temple Sinai at 7 p.m.
Israeli Director Maayan Schwarz will join a discussion after the film.
Maayan and his family grew up in Israel in the only community in the world where Palestinians and Israelis have chosen to live together. The village is called Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam, “oasis of peace,” a social experiment that became reality.
The film explores the lives of children who grew up as best friends – but as adults, became aware of and lived with the daily, ongoing conflict around them between Israelis and Palestinians. This documentary was made before the crisis of Oct. 7 but is more relevant as people discuss the future of this complex place.
Maayan is the cousin of Temple Sinai members Lollie Abramson, Mickey Stark, and Peri and Kevin Allen. Maayan will be previewing the documentary for the first time in New York City at the Israeli Film Festival. He has offered SJCA this special showing of the film while he visits family in Saratoga.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Salvation Army of Saratoga Springs is once again partnering with the New York Racing Association to bring the iconic Red Kettles to Saratoga Race Course this summer.
Salvation Army Red Kettles will be out at the Race Course, Wednesdays through Saturdays, from July 1 to Sept. 2. Donations collected will help fund local Salvation Army programs and services including a food pantry, youth programming, and anti-human trafficking services.
“We have seen a steady increase in families and individuals coming to The Salvation Army for assistance as the cost of living continues to have the biggest impact on those already struggling to put food on the table,” said Lieutenant Michael Dow of The Salvation Army of Saratoga Springs, in a statement. “These donations will help us to continue our vital programs and services to help those most in need in our community.”
For 136 years, The Salvation Army of Saratoga Springs has provided support to those in need. Throughout the year, The Salvation Army of Saratoga Springs helps more than 7,500 families and individuals.
Outside the Saratoga Springs City Center on Broadway May 29, 2024.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — A week-long festival marking the first appearance of the Belmont Stakes in Saratoga Springs will take place in the Spa City.
Nicknamed “Belmont On Broadway” and billed as a locally based multifaceted celebration, the 2024 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival is slated to take place June 4 -9 and will feature a free outdoor concert and other events complimentary to the June 6-9 four-day meet at Saratoga Race Course.
The signature kick-off event to the week will be a free outdoor concert on Broadway in front of the Saratoga Springs City Center on Wednesday, June 5. The concert will begin at 6 p.m. with Tops of Trees, a Saratoga-based original eight-piece rock and soul ensemble, followed by the Virginia-based Pat McGee Band taking the stage at 7 p.m.
The headlining act will be Blues Traveler. The popular band is anticipated to take the stage shortly after 8 p.m.
The staging area is expected to be situated on Broadway itself and in close proximity to the City Center. The performing bands will face south, towards Lake Avenue. Much of upper Broadway will be closed to vehicle traffic during the event, allowing music fans to watch from the paved roadway. Individuals who require a seat are asked to bring a folding chair that is not inside of a bag.
What NOT to bring. NO: coolers, backpacks, large bags, strollers, pets, glass bottles, alcohol or weapons of any kind. Leaving a bar or restaurant with alcohol will not be permitted. No smoking.
The Concert
The free concert takes place 6 to 10 p.m. on Wednesday, June 5 on Broadway. The stage will be installed adjacent to the front of the Saratoga Springs City Center.
6-6:45 p.m. – Tops of Trees. Saratoga-based original eight-piece rock and soul ensemble. Performed at the pre-fireworks performance Saratoga New Year’s Fest and recently earned a 2024 Capital Region Thomas Edison Award (Eddie) nomination for Jam Band of The Year.
7-8 p.m. – Pat McGee Band. Hailing from Virginia, the band features an upbeat party vibe. McGee has performed at Caffe Lena as well as previously performing as an opening act for Blues Traveler. The group’s most recent reunion album, Sugar Packet, was released in 2020.
8:30 -10 p.m. – Blues Traveler.
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Street Closures
Broadway will be closed to vehicles between Van Dam Street and Lake Avenue beginning approximately 5 a.m. on Wednesday to 2 a.m. on Thursday, for the concert event.
Additionally, roughly between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. Wednesday, off-shoot streets extending east and west of Broadway – as well as Broadway itself between Lake Avenue and Washington Street – will be closed to vehicles starting shortly before the start of the concert and lasting for about an hour following its conclusion.
City Public Safety Commissioner Tim Coll said his department has been preparing for the Belmont Festival for several months and working collaboratively with federal, state, and local partners.
On April 17, 15 agencies, including the Saratoga Springs Police Department) and the Saratoga Springs Fire Departments, NYRA, FBI, NYS Police and the Saratoga County Sheriff, participated in a joint Table Top Exercise led by the FBI’s Critical Incident Respond Group out of Washington D.C. and including various hypothetical scenarios and encouraged discussion and communication between agencies,” Coll said.
Getting There
Complimentary shuttle transportation will be provided by CDTA from 3 to 11 p.m. from two remote parking locations.
One bus will run between Route 50 Lot at Saratoga Performing Arts Center and the bus stop on Broadway at Congress Park.
One bus will run between the Wilton Mall bus stop and the corner of High Rock Avenue and Lake Avenue.
The buses will visit the two locations approximately every 20 minutes.
Note for those driving: The City Center Parking Garage WILL be open. The parking facility, located between Maple and High Rock Avenues, has secure covered parking for more than 600 vehicles., and features a pay per park system.
June 4 – 9, Belmont On Broadway Is a Six-Day Celebration
Officials expect hosting the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga will serve as a significant boost for local businesses. The estimated economic impact of the Belmont on the nine-county region is more than $50 million in 2024.
That $50 million projection comes from applying a mathematical formula that takes the overall economic activity of the annual 40-day summer meet at Saratoga and assigning it to the number of days of the upcoming Belmont festival. That overall 40-day meet figure, was detailed in a study commissioned by the Saratoga County Industrial Development Agency and released in 2023.
How Did The Belmont Land in Saratoga?
With a massive $455 million renovation project slated to take place at Long Island’s Belmont Park, the New York Racing Association decided to stage the high-profile Belmont Stakes at Saratoga.
That temporary relocation of the Belmont Stakes – a race which traditionally sites the third and final leg of the Triple Crown – will also see Saratoga serve as host site in June 2025. The Belmont’s normal Long Island home venue is currently anticipated to be ready for a downstate return in 2026.
Additional Happenings
The Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association will host a themed window decorating contest featuring 17 decorated storefronts. The displays will be graded on a point system according to how well each window meets the Fun Factor, Creativity, and Visual Impact criteria. Winners will be announced June 5 and prizes include two Clubhouse Reserved seats (winner), two Grandstand Reserved seats (runner-up), and two Grandstand Admission tickets (third place) for Belmont Stakes Day at Saratoga Race Course.
A number of other local events are either being specially staged, or otherwise linked to the Belmont. Specific information about many of those events may be found at: discoversaratoga.org.
The Belmont on Broadway concert is sponsored by Death Wish Coffee, NYRA Bets, Saratoga County, the City of Saratoga Springs, Druthers Brewing Company, Adirondack Trust Company, D. A. Collins Companies, UHY Advisors, and Saratoga Casino Hotel.
The organizing committee is comprised of leaders from the Saratoga County Economic Development Corporation, Saratoga Springs City Center, Discover Saratoga, Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association, and Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —City residents can apply for free permits in the city owned parking garages and surface lots.
The registration portal will request resident information, vehicle information, and proof of residency, which is considered an official record with resident name and City of Saratoga Springs address.
Proof of residency can include drivers’ licenses, utility bills, or tax records which clearly demonstrate resident name and address. Any outstanding parking tickets must be paid prior to the permit’s issuance.
Downtown business employee permits will be issued through a different process, which will be announced directly to the downtown business organizations.
And Saratoga Springs Library Permits will be issued by the library, at the library.
On-street parking remains status quo free for all, that is: fingers-crossed for luck, first-come, first-served.
Seasonal paid parking is scheduled to go into effect following the Belmont Stakes weekend, the week of June 10, 2024.
Residents who are unable to or have difficulty registering online can call the Department of Public Works for assistance at 518-587-3550 ext. 2555.
