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Author: Saratoga TODAY

Opera Saratoga Announces New Board Members In Advance Of 2024 Season

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —Opera Saratoga has elected four new members to its Board in preparation of the 2024 summer season, and under the leadership of General and Artistic Director, Mary Birnbaum.

New board members include: Saratoga Springs Commissioner of Public Works, Jason Golub; Supervising Judge of the Supreme Court in the Third Judicial District, Hon. Christina Ryba; local business owner and musician Derek Stannard; and, president and CEO of Empire Media Network, Abby Tegnalia. 

“All community leaders in the Capital Region, each new member brings a valuable perspective and talent to our leadership team. I am looking forward to working with them as we continue to take Opera Saratoga forward,” board President Steve Rosenblum said in a statement.

Interested in learning more about Opera Saratoga’s 2024 season, its board, or wish to become involved, visit www.operasaratoga.org or contact Managing Director Amanda Robie at arobie@operasaratoga.org.

Deep Purple, Yes to Stage September Show at SPAC

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —Deep Purple returns to Saratoga Performing Arts Center Sept. 4 to celebrate over 50 years of Smoke On The Water with a repertoire that spans a half-century. 

Hit songs ‘Hush’, ‘Black Night’, ‘Speed King’ ‘Fireball’ and ‘Smoke On The Water’ helped define heavy rock, riffs and all. 

Selling over 100 million records and laying the ground for hard rock and metal, the band continue to tour arenas the world over and release hit albums.  Their last studio album, 2020’s ‘Whoosh!’ was their highest charting in 46 years, making Number 4 in UK Album charts.

Joining Deep Purple on their US tour is YES.

Tickets: go to livenation.com. 

Cover Me

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.

SCHENECTADY — This year’s Harbor Jam concerts will take place Saturday, July 20 and Sunday, July 21, Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady announced. 

The concerts will feature the music of the Bee Gees and the Eagles 

Headliners Night Fever – a tribute to the Bee Gees on Saturday night, and Hotel California – a tribute to the Eagles on Sunday night. Each night’s entertainment kicks off at 6 p.m. with a DJ (DJ MixItUp NY on Saturday and DJ Ketchup on Sunday), followed by the headliner performance at 7:30 p.m. The Sunday, July 21 concert will also be followed by a special fireworks show.

Food and beverages will be available for purchase. There are no age restrictions to attend, and concertgoers are welcome to bring chairs and blankets for seating. The free shows will take place at the Mohawk Harbor Amphitheater in Schenectady. 

More Birds in Schenectady:  A cover band called The Best of The Eagles will perform at Proctors on Sept. 28, in a Live Nation-presented show. 

Meanwhile, The Rumours of Fleetwood Mac – comprised of nine musicians who call themselves “the world’s finest ‘Fleetwood Mac tribute artists” embark on a North American summer tour that will stage at Proctors on Aug. 13, promoter LiveNation announced this week.    

• GLENS FALLS – At 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 4, The Park Theater Foundation presents ‘Rewind At The Park’ featuring Harvest & Rust – A Neil Young Experience. From the chart-topping Harvest material and the electric exploration of Rust Never Sleeps, to songs from Neil’s time in Crosby Stills Nash & Young and Buffalo Springfield. Tickets: Early Bird – $20, Day Of Show – $25.  The Park Theater is located at 14 Park St, Glens Falls. Go to: www.parktheatergf.com.

• SARATOGA SPRINGS – The music of The Beatles (Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles, July 17), Pink Floyd (Brit Floyd P-U-L-S-E Celebrating The 30th Anniversary of The Division Bell, July 21), and Queen (Killer Queen,  with Special Guest Journey cover band Voyage, Sept. 15), are scheduled to be performed at Saratoga Performing Arts Center this year. 

Bearly Dead (Grateful Dead tribute) appears at Putnam Place May 17. 

• HUDSON FALLS – Mr. Gone: The Headhunters Show-Weather Report Tribute (May 25), and AC/DC cover band Back In Black (May 26) are slated to appear at The Strand Theatre, at 210 Main St., Hudson Falls. 

Pitbull to Stage Show at SPAC in September

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —  Pitbull announced his Party After Dark Tour will hit over 25 cities across the U.S. and include a stop at Saratoga Performing Arts Center on Sunday, Sept. 8.

Pitbull’s recent musical releases include Trackhouse and Trackhouse: Daytona 500 Edition. The album titles are inspired by the NASCAR Cup Series team Trackhouse Racing, which he has been a co-owner of since 2021. The tracks feature special guests Dolly Parton, Tim McGraw, Nile Rodgers, T-Pain, Omar Courtz, and more.

Special guest T-Pain and openers SiriusXM Globalization DJ’S will also perform at Saratoga. Tickets: livenation.com.   

Iconic Albany Movie Theater Reopens, Under New Management of Scene One Entertainment

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.

ALBANY — Five weeks after re-opening the Wilton Mall cinema in its newly rebranded Scene One Entertainment form, company owner and CEO Joe Masher has reopened the Spectrum 8 Theaters in Albany, restoring the luster and soul of the iconic Albany cineplex back as an independent arthouse movie theater.

For decades, the Spectrum has been synonymous with independent, upscale programming of avant-garde, foreign, independent, and widely-released features. Originally a single-screen theater known as The Delaware Theater that opened in the early 1940s, the Spectrum has been a mainstay of the Delaware Avenue neighborhood.

“The overwhelming response to the theatre’s closing in March prompted me to move faster with the building’s owner to get the cinema reopened,” masher said. “The art gallery will be reactivated and the calendar that was published monthly will return.

The opening marks the third theater operating for Scene One Entertainment in Upstate New York, after Scene One Movieland in Schenectady and Scene One Wilton Mall Cinemas. Scene One Entertainment also operates Huck Finn’s Playland in Albany.

Tickets can be purchased at scene1ent.com or the Spectrum box office located on Delaware Avenue in Albany.

May 3 – 9, 2024

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Local Briefs.

Spring 2024 Famous Brown Bread and Bake Sale

Spring has sprung and our kitchen is, once again, steaming up just in time for Mothers’ Day!  Simpson United Methodist Church is having our semi-annual Brown Bread & Bake Sale.   The cost is still $8 per loaf.   Pick-up dates:  Friday, May 10 between 4 and 6 p.m. and Saturday, May 11 between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.  at 1089 Rock City Road, Rock City Falls.  The bake sale is on Saturday.  Call 518-885-4794 to place your order.  Please leave your name, telephone number and the number loaves you would like to reserve; and if possible, let us know if you will be picking up on Friday or Saturday.  A representative from Simpson will call back to confirm your order. 

4-H Fashion Revue

A great way to exhibit your skills, to have your projects evaluated, and to connect with 4-H’ers who have a “Passion for Fashion”. The goal of Fashion Revue is to develop an understanding of personal representation in public situations regarding clothing, accessories, and grooming. The Fashion Revue will be held on May 10 at Cornell Cooperative Extension Offices located at 50 W High Street, Ballston Spa from 4 – 8 p.m. More information about projects, evaluations and exhibiting is available on the 4-H Website at: https://ccesaratoga.org/4-h-youth-development/4-h-forms/4-h-fashion-revue. To sign-up, please call the 4-H office at 518.885.8995 or email Leland at glb76@cornell.edu

Seeking Crafters and Vendors

The Charlton Freehold Presbyterian Church seeks crafters and vendors for its Spring Festival to be held May 11, from 10 am to 3 pm, at 768 Charlton Rd.  For information or an application, email:  office@charltonfreehold.org or call 518-399-4831.

Annual Spring Auto Show

The Saratoga Automobile Museum is thrilled to announce the much-anticipated Spring Auto Show, set to take place amidst the breathtaking backdrop of Saratoga Spa State Park on May 11, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. From classic beauties to cutting-edge marvels, this event will showcase a stunning array of vehicles that will captivate and inspire attendees. Pre-Register your car, truck or motorcycle and receive two complementary one day tickets to the Saratoga Motorcar Auction, a $50 value. This is a great family event, we’ll have great food, amazing automobiles, and music! By participating in this event, attendees will contribute to the museum’s ongoing efforts to educate and inspire future generations. For more information and to pre-register your car, truck, or motorcycle, please visit www.saratogaautomuseum.org.

Annual Meeting of East Line Union Cemetery 

The annual meeting and election of Officers of the East Line Union Cemetery will be held Saturday May 11 at 10 a.m. at the Malta Community Center at 1 Bayberry Drive (corner of Bayberry & Rt. 9 – north of Town Hall).   The meeting is open to all lot owners and family members.   Donations to the cemetery for repairs and general upkeep are gladly accepted and can be sent to the East Line Union Cemetery, Inc. at P.O. Box 111, Round Lake NY  12151. For more information Email EastLineUnion@Gmail.com  or call Craig Tolosky, Sec.-Treas. at 518-888-4805.   

Historic Homes Tour

This highly anticipated event held on May 11 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. offers the rare opportunity to see the interiors of private historic homes and buildings in the North Broadway neighborhood of Saratoga Springs. Private residences on North Broadway, Greenfield Avenue, and Woodlawn Avenue will be featured. The tour will also include the former Masonic Lodge at 687 North Broadway as the “Rehabilitation-in-Progress.” The virtual tour features four buildings on North Broadway, three of which are on the in-person tour, as well as two other properties, including 65 Phila Street.  For information or to purchase tickets by May 8, please visit www.saratogapreservation.org or call 518-587-5030.

Lunch & Learn 

Join Carol Godette on May 11 for Lunch & Learn program “On This Spot: 628 North Broadway” where she will take a closer look at the history of the building. Learn how this 1887 Queen Anne, designed by prominent local architect R. Newton Brezee, went from being the residence of philanthropic, civic-minded leaders of Saratoga Springs to a well-respected funeral home. Program starts at Noon at William J. Burke & Sons / Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs. Space is limited for these educational programs and tickets must be purchased by Wednesday, May 8. Visit www.saratogapreservation.org to become a member to receive event ticket discounts and support preserving Saratoga Springs.

Armed Forces Day Parade

A special salute to the military will be held on Saturday May 18 and you are invited. The parade kicks off at 10 a.m. Portions of Route 9 from Route 9/9P south to Dunning Road, Malta

The 20th Annual Team Billy Ride and Walk for Research 

To raise funds for the Billy Grey Research Chair. Sunday, May 19 at the Farmers’ Market at High Rock Park, Saratoga Springs. Three rides of 50, 25 and 10 miles will begin at 8:30 a.m., with a three-mile walk through the historic district starting at 9 a.m. The rides follow some of the most beautiful sections of Saratoga County, with the 50-mile bike ride through the Saratoga National Historic Park. This local event and ongoing donations have made possible over $2,900,000 in research grants for brain tumor research. All donations are tax deductible and made payable to the National Brain Tumor Society. To register for the Ride for Research, to donate funds or volunteer, please go to www.teambilly.org Phone: Cherie Grey 518-587-7211, cjgrey1@juno.com.

Composting Workshop

Composting is an amazing, natural process that almost anyone can do at home. It’s also one of the best ways you can help fight climate change. Come to our composting workshop at Hudson Crossing Park Sunday, May 19 at 10 a.m. Bring the family and enjoy the gardens at the park. For information about Sustainable Saratoga visit https://sustainablesaratoga.org

Spring Gala for Home Made Theater

Please join us for brunch at the beautiful Mansion of Saratoga on Sunday, May 19 at 11:30 a.m. Our garden brunch gala will feature a full brunch menu of American and French favorites prepared by Chef Rick Bieber. Your ticket includes coffee or tea, juice, iced tea, lemonade, and one free cocktail. Other beverages will be available at a cash bar. There will be performances from the upcoming production of The Secret Garden as well as raffles, silent auction items and other activities. Honorary Committee: $200,  Garden Guest: $125. Deadline for purchases: Friday, May 3. The Mansion of Saratoga is located at 801 NY-29, Rock City Falls, NY 12863

23rd Annual Golf Classic

Hosted by the Saratoga County Cornell Cooperative Extension 4-H Leaders Association. This year’s event will take place on June 1, at the beautiful Fairways of Halfmoon Golf Course. We invite you to join us for a day of friendly competition and camaraderie with fellow golfers, all while supporting a great cause. 

Sponsorship opportunities range from $1200 to $130, and individual players can join for just $140. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to network, have fun, and make a difference in your community. To register, visit https://ccesaratoga.org/4-h-youth-development/4-h-annual-golf-classic 

The Yaddo Golf Invitational

Presented by NYRA – Hit the links on June 4 with 128 of the Capital Region’s golfers to benefit Yaddo’s legendary artist residency. Special guest and Honorary Chair, bestselling author and journalist, Steve Friedman. Golfers will enjoy 18-holes of golf, plus carts; lunch, fun contests, and admission to the post-play dinner and awards ceremony in the Mansion at Yaddo. Win the Hole-in-One contest, and take home a 2024 VW ID.4 Standard, courtesy of Nemer Auto Group! Tickets are on sale now.  Held at Saratoga National Golf Club, located at 458 Union Ave., Saratoga Springs from 1 – 9 p.m. Sponsorship is also available. Hole signs start at $300. To sign up, visit https://yaddo.org/event/the-2024-yaddo-golf-invitational/ FB event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/323060993574201 or contact for questions: Kat Trippany, Director of Donor Relations ktrippany@yaddo.org 518-584-0746

Mostly Modern Festival

Returning to Saratoga for its fifth season from June 6 – 21, at the Arthur Zankel Music Center on the Skidmore College campus. There are 11 orchestral, vocal, and chamber concerts by festival and guest ensembles of mostly new music. The festival also hosts the Mostly Modern Festival Institute, a three-week intensive with a distinguished 50-member faculty for up to 30 composers and 100 instrumentalists, vocalists, and conductors. The festival’s brand-new dramatic vocal works initiative celebrates living composers, librettists, and singers and is creativity-driven and composer-forward.  Audiences will witness riveting world premieres in each concert, written by upcoming and professional innovative composers. For concert and ticket details, visit www.mostlymodernfestival.org/concert

SAIL Fundraiser Garage Sale

Donations wanted for the annual Southern Adirondack Independent Living Garage Sale (SAIL). The sale will be held at the Queensbury location at 71 Glenwood Ave., June 13 – 15. This is a vital fundraiser, filling the gaps left by grant funding and allowing us to continue our mission of helping people live more independently. We’ll be eagerly accepting donations from community members starting Wednesday, May 1 at 8 a.m. at both our Wilton and Queensbury offices, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. for further inquiries call 518-792-3537, email at sail@sailhelps.org or visit sailhelps.org. 

Saratoga Naturally Photography Exhibit

The exhibition, displayed at Thirsty Owl Bistro, located at 184 S. Broadway, Saratoga Springs, features stunning nature photographs that capture both the unique beauty and the spirit of Saratoga’s natural wonders – parks and preserves, breathtaking landscapes, trails, wildflowers, trees, rare plants, and many of its most popular inhabitants. For more information, visit LouisdValentiPhotography.com.  The exhibit will be on display until June 15. 

Craft Fair at Brookside Museum – Vendors Wanted!

The Saratoga County History Center is seeking vendors of handmade crafts, antiques, and farm products for the annual craft fair on Saturday, June 22, 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 https://brooksidemuseum.org/event/2024-craft-antique-fair/ for more information, or contact Beth Silvestri at bsilvestri@brooksidemuseum.org.

Looking for Unique Vendors and Artisans

Ballston Area Seniors are gearing up for their Annual Bazaar Saturday, November 9, at the Town of Milton Community Center, located at 310 Northline Rd. Ballston Spa. What is your specialty? Pickles, Relishes, jams and jellies, or any handmade crafts are appreciated and welcome. We are looking for you to join us. Indoor spaces 8’Wx7’D are $ 30. indoor only are (first come, first serve basis and electrical outlets indoor are limited.) Outdoor spaces 12’Wx10’D are $ 25. To receive an Exhibit Contract and a Town of Milton agreement contact the Bazaar Vendor Coordinator Sue Heimburg we can e-mail out contracts. Sheim381@aol.com or Call—518-885-8037 / text message. 

Tuscan Treasures: Art, Food and Wine from Lucca to Florence

Academy for Lifelong Learning Announces Tour to Tuscany Tuscany, November 10 – 18, 2024,  is an enchanting medley of Renaissance cities, rolling hills and terraced vineyards. This very special region offers a quintessential Italian experience. From olive groves and cypress alleys to the romantic villages perched on rocky outcrops, the landscape here has become a symbol of the country as a whole. We will spend three nights in Lucca and four in Florence. Special features include wine tastings, lunch at a Tuscan farm, a cooking class preparing a three-course dinner, guided tour of the Uffizi Gallery and visit to the Accademia to view the renowned David. The double occupancy price for air and land is $5775. For additional information, contact goedventures@gmail.com.

May 3 – 9, 2024

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Calendar.

Friday, May 3

Welcome Back Spring Millers Backyard BBQ

Brookside Museum, 21 Fairground Avenue, Ballston Spa | 3 – 6 p.m.

There is a choice of a ½ chicken or ½ lb. of pulled pork dinner for $15, as well as beef brisket dinner for $20 (Brisket dinner is only available by pre-order).  All dinners come with baked potato, coleslaw, and corn bread.  An 8 oz. side order of mac & cheese is also available for $5.  Barbecue is take-out only with drive-through pick-up.  We encourage you to reserve in advance at www.brooksidemuseum.org or call 518-885-4000.  All proceeds will be used to fund public education and children’s programs.

First Friday

Downtown Ballston Spa | 4 – 7 p.m. Downtown Ballston Spa will come alive with the sights and sounds of local art displays and activities. The event is a collaboration between the BSBPA and the Ballston Spa Central School District. Visitors can expect to see artwork created by local students from pre-K to high school, on display in participating businesses throughout the downtown area. The Malta Ave Elementary School Odyssey of the Mind team will be holding an ice cream fundraiser in Wiswall Park from 4:30-7 p.m., with all proceeds going towards their trip to World Finals in Ames, Iowa at the end of May. In addition to the art displays, visitors can enjoy food and drink specials at participating shops as well as special promotions. A list of participating locations can be found at www.ballston.org.

Saturday, May 4

The Third Annual Women in War Symposium

Old Saratoga American Legion Post, 6 Clancy St. Schuylerville | 8:15 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. The Women in War Symposium features dynamic speakers who will present on topics related to the roles women played during the American Revolution. Whether patriot or loyalist, wealthy or impoverished, females were deeply affected by the war in all aspects of their lives. Additionally, exhibitors, book-signings, augmented reality demonstrations and more will be on display throughout the day. A Bus Tour of Historic Sites follows on Sunday, May 5 at 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Departing from the Saratoga National Historical Park Visitor Center, a curated tour with returning expert guide Pat Niles highlighting several lesser-known stories of women in the Saratoga Campaign. Those interested can register for both the symposium and tour or just one event by visiting the Saratoga250 website, www.saratoga250.com/events/annual-women-in-war-symposium

Big Truck Day

Spa State Park Parking Lots & SPAC Box Office Entrance, Rt 50, Saratoga Springs | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.  Vehicles of all shapes and sizes will be on display for children to explore, featuring classic trucks, buses, rescue vehicles, helicopters, cement mixers, big rigs and so much more. Presale tickets are $7. Day of event $8. 

2nd Annual Car Show Fundraiser

Cornell’s Used Auto Parts, 62 S Greenfield Rd., Greenfield Center | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. All makes and models are welcome to participate, and people can expect food, yard tours, trophies, and lots of cars! Take a tour of Cornell’s lot and see what goes into running their business. All the funds received during the event will be donated to the Double H Ranch, which provides specialized programs and year-round support for children and their families dealing with life-threatening illnesses.  For more information, please visit https://cornellsusedautoparts.com/

The Windbreak Planting 

Pitney Meadows Community Farm, 223 West Ave., Saratoga Springs | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Calling for the hands and the hearts of our community to come plant with us! We believe that our Windbreak Planting Project is not just a one-time event but a legacy project that will grow and flourish for years to come. By becoming a part of this initiative, you will have a profound and lasting impact on the ecology of Pitney Meadows and the surrounding community.

Ballston Spa Cemetery Association Annual Meeting

Ballston Spa Village Library Community Room, 21 Milton Ave., Ballston Spa |10:30 a.m.  Cemetery activities and financials during the past year will be presented, along with plans for the upcoming year. The public is invited to attend. Members of the Association are eligible to vote on issues related to the cemetery operations.

Introduction to Composting

Pitney Meadows Community Farm, 223 West Ave., Saratoga Springs | 11 a.m. – Noon. Confused about the best way to deal with the organic waste your household generates? Have you tried composting in the past and been frustrated by the result? The goal of this workshop is to demystify the process and help folks set up their own backyard composting system with minimum expense and (hopefully) maximum success. This workshop will be led by Jennifer Armstrong, Chair of Sustainable Saratoga’s Compost Committee. For more information, visit https://sustainablesaratoga.org/

Messages From Survivors: One Family’s Holocaust Legacy 

Galway Public Library, 2112 East Street, Galway | 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. A powerful new traveling exhibit about the Holocaust, survival, resiliency, and the importance of family and remembering during the month of May, which will include a presentation of “Dance: A Morale Booster.”  Hosted by the library working in partnership with The Memory Project Productions, Inc. and the Southern Adirondack Library System (SALS).  The library will also host related programs, activities, and displays during the month designed to educate and to spark conversation about the time period.

New Exhibits Opening Reception

Brookside Museum, 21 Fairground Ave., Ballston Spa | 2-4 p.m. The Saratoga County History Center will officially open three new exhibits for the 2024 season to complement our main exhibit, Saratoga County our Home which opened in 2023. Brookside Through the Years in the front hallway examines the people and businesses that have called Brookside home throughout its 232-year history. In the Long Room gallery, visitors can explore images of Broadway storefronts from Saratoga Springs in the late 1860s and discover the history of the early entrepreneurs and which modern businesses are housed in the surviving buildings.  Another new exhibit, Unmentionables, invites visitors to consider the history of undergarments and displays petticoats, hoop skirts, shirts, stockings, bustles, and corsets from the museum’s extensive textile collection.

Sunday, May 5

Celebrate with Music

Saratoga United Methodist Church, 175 Fifth Ave., Saratoga Springs | 3 p.m. Saratoga Chamber Players will honor the late Peter Schickele (1936-2024).  Schickele, known for his showmanship, his PDQ Bach recordings, but also for his serious compositions, wrote a rarely heard sextet to be performed by violinists Jill Levy and Lily Holgate, violists Sarah Adams and Caeli Smith, and cellists Eric Bartlett and Ashley Bathgate.  Also on the program are Haydn’s String Quartet in G Major, Op.33, no. 5 and Brahms’ Sextet in G Major, Op. 26, no.2. Tickets are $30 for adults, seniors $25, and students $20.  Full bios of the musicians and ticket purchase are at http://www.saratogachamberplayers.org.

Monday, May 6

Bacon Hill Cemetery Association Annual Meeting

Bacon Hill Reformed Church 560 Rt. 32 N, Schuylerville, 6:30 p.m.

Galway Preservation Society Program

Galway Town Hall, 5910 Sacandaga Road, Galway | Doors open at 6:45. We will have a brief business meeting at 7 p.m., followed by this month’s program on the history of Wolf Hollow by Michael Diana, Programs Manager, Historian and Director of Education for the Schenectady County Historical Society and the Mabee Farm Historic Site. This place once played host to a decisive battle that would change the course of local history.  Michael’s presentation will untangle the legends from the history of the enigmatic Wolf Hollow.  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. 

Tuesday, May 7

Networking Breakfast

Sterling Real Estate Group, 1487 Saratoga Road, Ballston Spa | 8 – 9:30 a.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring either canned or boxed food items or personal care products for both men and women. These donations will support the Veterans and Community Housing Coalition in Ballston Spa.  Cost for the breakfast is $10 —prepayment available at www.ballston.org or RSVP to info@ballston.org and pay at the door.  Non-reserved walk-ins that morning are welcome. Business and community members are welcome; you do not need to be a BSBPA member to attend this event.  Membership information will be available. 

Saratoga Area Retired Educators Luncheon 

The Ripe Tomato, 2721 US-9, Ballston Spa | Noon. All area retired K-12 public, parochial, private, BOCES teachers, librarians, teaching assistants and other school related personnel are welcome. For further information, call 518-584-1192.

The Catholic Daughters of the Americas Monthly Meeting

Knights of Columbus, 50 Pine Road, Saratoga Springs. (CDA), Court McLaughlin #422 members gather inside at 5:30 p.m. for the May Crowning ceremony that signifies Blessed Mary as the Queen of Heaven and Mother of God. This will be followed by recitation of the Rosary and refreshments until 6:30 p.m. when the meeting will begin. CDA is one of the oldest and largest organizations of Catholic women in the Americas. Please join us. Any questions? Contact our Regent Lucille Koch by phone or text at 516-319-4577.

2024 Public History Award Celebration

Brookside Museum, 21 Fairground Avenue, Ballston Spa | 6 – 8 p.m. Priscilla Edwards, Town of Edinburg Historian, and Pat Peck, founding member of Heritage Hunters of Saratoga County, have been named as 2024 winners of the Saratoga County History Center’s Public History Award. There will be a celebration in their honor on the porch followed by a program in the Museum’s Long Room. Members of the public are invited to join friends and relatives of Priscilla and Pat in the celebration by registering below. The event is free, donations are welcome.

Jigsaw Puzzle Challenge

Clifton Park Halfmoon Public Library, 475 Moe Rd., Clifton Park | 6:30 p.m.

Join a two-hour Jigsaw Puzzle competition to see which team can complete a 500-piece puzzle the fastest. The library will provide puzzles and prizes. Recommended for ages 12 and up. Registration required. 518-371-8622. www.cphlibrary.org

Wednesday, May 8

Roast Pork Dinner Take Out

Saratoga – Wilton Elks Club, 1 Elks Lane, Saratoga Springs | 4:30 – 6 p.m. Take out only. Call Monday or Tuesday between 10 a.m. – Noon to place an order, 518-584-2585. Menu: Roast pork, mashed potatoes, vegetable, stuffing, applesauce, gravy, roll, and tossed salad. Cost is $15 per dinner. Cash only.

Green Drinks

The Parting Glass, 40-42 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. Food, alcoholic, and non-alcoholic drinks are available for purchase. Green Drinks is held monthly. While this is a networking event, solicitation is not allowed.

Thursday, May 9

Sunnyside Garden Party Supporting Secret Garden Tour

345 A Church St., Saratoga Springs | 5 – 7 p.m. Socialize and shop for Mother’s Day and for yourself at the Secret Gardens Kick-Off Garden Party. This annual event is free and open to the public, featuring wine and nibbles courtesy of Sunnyside, a host of chock-full raffle baskets, and background music provided by Phil Drum. Sunnyside donates to Soroptimist International of Saratoga County a portion of proceeds from sales during the two-hour event, including the purchase of gift cards. Visit www.soroptimistsaratoga.org for more information and details. Email questions to.

Researching Your Historic Home

Ballston Spa Library, Community Room, 21 Milton Ave., Ballston Spa | 7 p.m. John Cromie will demonstrate how to research the age of your Ballston Spa house in this hands-on workshop using on-line historical and public resources. Along the way get to know your house’s history and those people who were a part of this Village community. Join us if you have an older home, live in the historic district, love history or are passionate about community character. Free admission and refreshments provided. Sponsored by the Ballston Spa Historic District Commission.

Ellen M Stiles-Calabrese

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

Ellen.jpg

MECHANICVILLE – Ellen M Stiles-Calabrese, 79, of Mechanicville passed away on April 21, 2024 after a courageous battle with cancer. She was a retired Rural Letter Carrier with the United States Postal Service out of Ballston Spa and then Malta Branch; after retirement she worked a few summers at the Saratoga Racetrack betting windows.

Born on September 17, 1944 in Saratoga Springs, she was the daughter of the late Stuart Stiles and Virginia White Stiles.

Ellen was a proud member of the Saratoga-Wilton Elks Lodge #161 for almost three years. Ellen was an Inner Guard, an appointed position, and was recently chosen as the “Officer of the Year” a well-earned honor. She loved being a member and was proud of the support and help the Elks gave our community. She was current President of the Saratoga-Wilton Elks Lodge #161 Ladies Auxiliary, as well as a member of the Principessa Elena Society and the Eagles Club of Saratoga Springs. In her leisure she enjoyed gardening, reading, and she cherished spending time with her family and her many girlfriends; often going out to lunch. She took pride in organizing many of her class reunions for Saratoga Springs High School Class of 1962. Prior to COVID she volunteered at the Saratoga Casino and the Military Museum both in Saratoga Springs. She was a past president of the Wa-Sa-Wa Association of Dowsing. Dowsing is a type of divination employed in attempts to locate ground water, buried metals, ores, or gemstones.

Ellen is predeceased by her husband Genarro Calabrese, brothers and sisters-in-law Edward (Pat), Stuart (Janet) and Robert Stiles and a sister Monica Lee; and her stepson Gerry Calabrese.

Survivors include her daughters Melissa Racine (Brian) of Scotia, and Jenna White of Wilton,  her sons, Michael Frasl (Paula) of Broadalbin, and Nick Dean (Kim) of Round Lake, a stepson, Peter Calabrese (Renee) of Hartsdale, NY, two step daughters, Christina Devaney (Tom) of Rensselaer, and Sherri Calabrese of Feura Bush, NY, brother Malcolm Stiles (LaVerne) of Wilton, and sister-in-law Orpha Stiles of Saratoga Springs. Grandchildren Grayson Racine (Ashton), Gavin Racine, Gage Wille, Aaron Dean, Kaitlyn Dean, Lucas McDermott (Lauren), Drew White, Gabriel Calabrese, Julien Calabrese, Jared Calabrese, Cooper Devaney and Violet Devaney; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Family and friends may call from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Monday May 13, 2024, at the Tunison Funeral Home 105 Lake Ave. Saratoga Springs, NY  12866. Saratoga-Wilton Elks Lodge will hold a memorial service at 11:30 a.m. followed by the Auxiliary’s Service. Elks will attend together at this hour. Graveside services will be held at 12:30 p.m. at Greenridge Cemetery in Saratoga Springs following the calling hours.

Ellen did request that people celebrate her life not, mourn her death, by wearing bright colors to her funeral.

In lieu of flowers please consider making donations to Cerebral Palsy of NY State; the Elks major fundraiser. Ellen was working on The Elks Spring Fundraiser for Cerebral Palsy at the time of her passing. Donations in Ellen’s name should be sent to CPNYS; 3 Cedar Street Extension, Suite 2; Cohoes, NY 12047. Phone: 518-235-1880

Gardening with Peter Bowden: May Garden

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Home & Garden.

Dig the hole wide but not too deep

inally spring has arrived!  This is a great time to get started on planting hardy trees and shrubs.  Sadly, in my line of work, I get to see a lot of dead shrubs and trees that have died within a few of years after being planted. 

I always like to look them over to see what went wrong.  A pattern has become apparent…most were simply planted too deep.  You can still see the dirt on the stem way above the crown of the plant. 

If the stem or trunk above ground is covered with soil or mulch, it hinders the plant’s ability to pass moisture and nutrients from the root system up through the bark to the branches and leaves above. It may take a year or three but it is usually fatal. 

Let me walk you through the process of planting a tree or shrub.

First, dig the planting hole a little bit wider than the plant’s root ball but only as deep as the root ball or the pot that contains the roots.  If you’ve dug the hole too deep, fill it in a bit.  Add compost or just the original soil to build up the bottom of the planting hole to insure that the stem isn’t buried too deeply.  This is also a good time to add Bio-Tone to the planting hole. Bio-Tone provides gentle organic nutrients for the tree.  Perhaps more important, Bio-Tone also adds beneficial soil microbes and several strains of Mycorrizal fungi. The spot on the tree trunk where the soil is in the pot or ball needs to still be visible after planting.

Next, place the tree or shrub into the hole and check again to make sure you’re at the proper planting depth.  The spot where the trunk of the tree meets the soil of its ball or pot should exactly match the level of the soil around your planting hole. The easiest way to check this is to lay a stick (the handle of your shovel works) across the planting hole and make sure that the top of the root ball is level with the ground.  This seems trivial, but it can make all the difference to the plant’s health and survival.

Once you’ve made sure that the crown of the plant is at the proper level, fill in the rest of the planting hole.  This is the point where inexperienced gardeners make another mistake. 

When you dig a hole, then fill it with a root ball, there’s going to be soil left over. What to do with it? Many will opt to pile it up around the trunk or stem. DON’T DO IT!  It will have the same negative effect as planting too deeply.  Use the extra soil to build a dish-shaped dike or berm out away from the stem of the plant. The dark soil where the stem met the soil in the pot should still be just visible near the trunk of the tree. You haven’t planted too deeply as long as you can see the original soil that the tree came in.  The berm will collect water and direct it down to the root system below. Finally, water heavily after planting to remove any air pockets from the soil.

You should also take care when applying bark and other mulches not to pile them up against the stems and trunks of plants. Remember: roots is roots and stems is stems. Bury the roots but let the stems be free to breathe.

Thanks for the read!

One Bite at a Time

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Food.

Hello  my Foodie Friends!   

As I am trying to maintain my New Year’s resolution of healthier eating, I realize a key piece is portion control.  Over the years, our society has reverted to larger serving sizes. Larger portion sizes and increased consumption have impacted the health of America and worldwide (foodinsight.com). 

Many of us grew up being told to “finish all of the food on your plate”.  I know that even today, I feel obligated to finishing a beverage or plate of food regardless of the portion size. Preparing food at home gives us a better consideration of portion size. Resizing our portions may seem a challenge. However, using portion control as a healthy-eating strategy can give us the ability to each more foods while normalizing our portions. Practices we can use are to use a smaller plate or use smaller cooking items as we make our recipes, and take one bite at a time by taking smaller bites. Ramekins are an item that can be used for a variety of dishes and can assist with cutting down serving sizes. A ramekin is also known as a souffle’ dish. It is a small bakeware vessel that is a small straight-sided ceramic dish used for preparing and serving individual portions. 

There are so many uses for a ramekin.Here are a few:

You can bake eggs in a ramekin.  Eggs have been put on the bad food list in the past, but the truth is that they are a good protein option for starting your day. The cholesterol in eggs is in the yokes, so if that’s a concern you can always use just egg whites. Use ramekins to bake eggs as an alternative to the typical fried or scrambled eggs. Just crack an egg into a ramekin coated in nonstick cooking spray, pour one tablespoon of low-fat milk over it and season as desired. Try adding shredded low-fat cheese or Canadian bacon. You can also put vegetables like spinach, tomatoes or diced peppers on the bottom of the ramekin before adding the egg. Place the ramekins on a baking sheet and bake for about 15 to 20 minutes at 375 degrees F. The temperature of the egg should reach 160 degrees F, according to safety guidelines from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Bread pudding is usually a decadent dessert, but you can fit into your healthy diet. Using your favorite bread pudding recipe and preparing it in ramekins allows you to have a small single serving, keeping calories under control. You can also experiment with swapping some of the ingredients to boost nutritional value. For example, use whole wheat bread and low-fat milk instead of white bread and heavy cream or whole milk. 

Mini pot pies and meatloaves: Portion control and attractive food presentation are both advantages you’ll get when preparing main dishes in ramekins. Serving a personal a pot pie or meatloaf to your family will likely be a hit, especially for kids. You can still prepare your recipes for these classics as usual and then divide the prepared food among the ramekins before baking. You may need to cut down the amount of your original recipe, however, if you plan to use only a few ramekins. If you’re concerned about grease filling up the ramekins when cooking mini meatloaves, try placing a piece of bread — preferably somewhat stale or toasted — in the bottom of the dish. The bread will absorb a large amount of the grease. It will also help to use leaner ground beef; try to use 90 to 93 percent lean.

Fruit desserts: Ramekins are ideal for many classic desserts, such as custards, mousses and even mini baked cheesecakes. They also work well for baking individual fruit desserts, such as crisps and cobblers. Crisps use a topping primarily made with dried oats while cobblers are flour based. An additional advantage to preparing desserts this way is that you can use a variety of fruits to prepare several different crisps or cobblers at once.

One of our favorite uses for ramekins is for single servings of mac n cheese.. Mac n cheese is down home comfort food and it makes you feel all warm and cozy. These little ramekins are ideal for individual servings of mac n cheese. I love the whole experience – I hold the ramekin as I scoop some out and I feel the warmth of it since it just came out of the oven. I scoop in and get a large spoonful of cheesy goodness. Along with the cheesy inside there is this crunchy and crumbly topping that might even be the best part of the dish. 

Stop by Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store located at 33 Railroad Place in Saratoga Springs to pick up an array of sizes of ramekins and cool tools to assist you with your culinary needs. Enjoy those ridiculously delicious single serving creations. Remember my Foodie Friends: “Life Happens in the Kitchen”. 

Take Care, John & Paula

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