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Author: Saratoga TODAY

Daniel Joseph Van Buskirk

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY- Daniel Joseph Van Buskirk, 56, passed away Tuesday, February 17, 2026, surrounded by loved ones. He was born February 8, 1970, in Troy, NY, to Raymond E. and Eileen Van Buskirk.  Daniel was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend who will be remembered for his quick wit, generous heart, and strong work ethic. He had a natural way of making people laugh, lighting up a room with his humor and storytelling. Those who knew him will carry forward his perseverance and the faith that guided his life.

Daniel was a true master of his craft. A skilled carpenter, electrician, and handyman, he built a career defined by precision, creativity, and pride in every detail. From early work running communication lines through local businesses to completing custom cabinetry in extraordinary homes, Daniel left his mark through the things he built with his hands. He finished his career at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Saratoga, where he took great pride in maintaining and improving a place dedicated to excellence. He was known as the person family called when something needed to be fixed and he was always willing to help.

Outside of work, Daniel embraced life fully. He cherished time with friends and family, loved a good laugh, and rarely missed a chance to celebrate the moment. He was a passionate fan of the San Francisco 49ers, proudly cheering them on with his signature “Bang Bang.” He was also a man of strong convictions and spoke openly about what he believed in.

Above all, Daniel’s faith was central to who he was. He openly shared his belief that Jesus was his Savior, and he found comfort, strength, and hope in that faith throughout his life. Those who loved him take peace in knowing that faith carried him home.

Daniel is survived by his daughters Amanda (Jason) McMillen, Mariah (Zachary) Fanning, Emily (James) Braun, and their mother Carmen Emerich-Dennison; his father Raymond E. (Celia) Van Buskirk; his grandchildren Jason McMillen, and Olivia and Emily Fanning; his sister Lori (Daniel) Meguin; and his nieces and nephew. He was preceded in death by his mother, Eileen Van Buskirk, and his brother, Raymond C. Van Buskirk.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, February 28 from 1 to 4 pm at Mama Mia’s in Saratoga. All friends and family are welcome.

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com. 

Alene Mericle-Cobb

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

GLENVILLE, NY- Alene Mericle-Cobb, 84, went to be with her Lord and Savior on February 21, 2026.  She was born on September 14, 1941, to the late Mildred “Millie” and LeRoy Mericle.  A private family memorial will be held at a later time to honor Alene’s life. Please visit www.burkefuneralhome.com.

Helen Butler

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

PORT ST. LUCIE, FL- Helen Butler, 98, passed away peacefully Tuesday morning, February 17, 2026.

Calling hour 11 am – 12 pm, Friday February 27, at St. Clements Church. Mass at 12 pm. Burial following at Saratoga National Cemetery. Celebration of life 4 – 6 pm, Holiday Inn Saratoga. Please visit www.burkefuneralhome.com. “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Nickolas “Nick” Daniel Capone

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – Nickolas “Nick” Daniel Capone, 86, passed away peacefully on the morning of Friday, February 20, 2026. Calling hours were 2/25/2026 at Burke funeral home, followed by burial in St. Peter’s Cemetery. Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com

Donna Mary Parisi Etkin

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

ANGUILLA – Donna Mary Parisi Etkin, 69, passed away on January 29, 2026, in Anguilla, a place she loved deeply and where she was living the life she had long dreamed of. Funeral services were held at St. Clement’s Catholic Church on February 26, 2026. Please visit www.burkefuneralhome.com.

Beers & Gears Car Show at Dancing Grain Farm Brewery to Benefit Veterans Business Council of Saratoga

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

Dancing Grain Farm Brewery invites the community to gather on the farm for Beers & Gears, a family-friendly car show and fundraiser benefiting the Veterans Business Council of Saratoga County, on Sunday, May 31, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

Set against the scenic backdrop of the working farm brewery, Beers & Gears celebrates automotive passion and local pride while supporting veterans across the region. The event will showcase a diverse lineup of classic cars and trucks, modern builds, and sports models alongside New York State farm-brewed beer, local food offerings, and a welcoming atmosphere for all ages.

Car owners are invited to register their vehicles for a $20 entry fee, with $15 from every registration directly donated to the Veterans Business Council. Vehicles will be peer-judged by fellow participants, with Top 10 trophies and recognition ribbons awarded.

Guests attending as spectators can enjoy coffee, breakfast, and lunch options on site, explore the vehicle displays, and relax with Dancing Grain’s farm-brewed beer. Admission for guests is free, making the event an accessible way for families, neighbors, and veteran supporters to gather and give back together.

Proceeds from vehicle registrations and a 50/50 raffle will help the Veterans Business Council continue its mission of connecting veterans and their families with business development resources, employment pathways, and entrepreneurial training throughout Saratoga County and beyond.

A Legacy of Leadership and a Vision for Tomorrow: CAPTAIN CHS Honors Andy Gilpin for His Years of Service and Welcomes Scott DeMarco as Executive Director

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

CAPTAIN Community Human Services (CAPTAIN CHS) hosted a special evening honoring its past and celebrating its future on Thursday, February 26, from 5:00pm to 8:00pm at the Van Patten Golf Club (924 Main Street, Clifton Park, NY 12065). 

The event honored outgoing Executive Director Andy Gilpin for more than two decades of service and welcomed Scott DeMarco as he stepped into the role. Guests enjoyed a light dinner, cash bar, and live musical quartet while gathering in recognition of the compassion and commitment that power CAPTAIN CHS’s mission. 

Since becoming Executive Director in January 2021, Gilpin has guided CAPTAIN CHS through a period of meaningful growth. Under his leadership, the organization strengthened homelessness prevention efforts, expanded family support programming, enhanced services for homeless and runaway youth, and deepened partnerships throughout Saratoga, Fulton, and Montgomery Counties. 

During this time, CAPTAIN CHS has helped hundreds of households remain safely housed, provided thousands of hours of volunteer-powered support, assisted countless families in achieving greater financial stability, and ensured children and seniors had access to food, shelter, and critical services when they needed them most. 

“Serving this community through CAPTAIN CHS has been one of the greatest privileges of my life,” said Gilpin. “This work has always been about people: neighbors helping neighbors. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built together and deeply grateful for the dedication of our staff, volunteers, and supporters.” 

DeMarco, who assumed the role earlier this year, brings a collaborative leadership style and a commitment to advancing the organization’s impact. 

“I’m honored to follow in Andy’s footsteps,” said DeMarco. “CAPTAIN CHS has built a culture rooted in dignity, compassion, and action. My focus is on strengthening that foundation: listening to our community and ensuring that every person who turns to us feels supported and empowered.” 

The evening included reflections on CAPTAIN CHS’s journey, recognition of Gilpin’s leadership, and looking ahead at the organization’s strategic priorities, including its current capital campaign, Building Brighter Futures.

“This is more than a leadership transition,” added Gilpin. “It’s a moment to celebrate the resilience of our community and the shared belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive.”   

Governor Hochul Announces $3.8 Million New York State African American Heritage Grant Program

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

Governor Hochul today announced a $3.8 million new grant program to support and promote the history and achievements of African Americans and people of African descent throughout the State. The New York State African American Heritage Grant Program (NYS AAH) will provide grants to assist nonprofit organizations and local governments in documenting, interpreting, and preserving places and stories of historical and cultural importance to the African American experience in New York.

“At a time when crucial elements of public history are under assault from Washington, New York State is stepping up to the stories of all of our residents. This new grant program will help expand the ways we teach, preserve, and celebrate Black history in New York,” Governor Hochul said. “We look forward to working with community partners to foster a greater understanding of Black New Yorkers’ contributions to our state.”

Funded through a state appropriation to the Commission on African American History, the grant program was created to educate the public about sites and people connected to a broad spectrum of Black history across New York. All eligible projects must focus within the period from 1627, when the first enslaved Africans arrived in New Amsterdam, to 1975, the latter part of the Black Arts and Black Power movements.

There are two project categories in the grant program: education projects and capital projects. Up to $2.8 million will be available for education grants to support education, interpretation, programming, research, and/or documentation projects that highlight, uncover, uplift, and amplify the contributions and history of African Americans in New York State — with a maximum award of $150,000. Up to $1 million is available for capital grants that support pre-development planning and design, construction, or a combination of both for existing buildings, structures, or sites related to African American heritage– with a maximum award of $200,000. Detailed information about the grant program is available at parks.ny.gov/grants.

The New York State African American Heritage Grant Program is administered by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP), Division for Historic Preservation, in partnership with the New York State Commission on African American History (Commission) and the New York State Department of State (DOS).

March Full Moon Hikes at Wilton Wildlife

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park invites community members to experience the beauty of nature after dark during its upcoming series of Full Moon Hikes. The next hikes will take place on Monday, March 2, and Tuesday, March 3 at 6:00 p.m., offering participants a rare opportunity to explore the park’s serene winter landscape under the glow of the full moon.

Led by a knowledgeable environmental educator, each guided walk provides participants with insights into the unique habitats and wildlife that make Wilton Wildlife a regional treasure. The hikes will be held on the scenic trails of Camp Saratoga, located on Scout Road in the Town of Wilton.

These evening adventures offer a memorable and family-friendly way to appreciate the natural world in a peaceful, moonlit setting. Participants are encouraged to dress warmly and prepare for winter outdoor conditions.

Depending on weather conditions, the program will be conducted on snowshoes if snow is present; otherwise, attendees will enjoy a traditional trail walk. Free snowshoe rentals are available to program participants thanks to the generous support of Brookfield Renewable N.A. 

To register, please visit the website at www.wiltonpreserve.org. For more information, call the Wilton Wildlife office at 518-450-0321 or email info@wiltonpreserve.org.

SSHS Drama Club Presents “Newsies”

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

The Saratoga Springs High School Drama Club is proud to present Newsies, the high-energy Broadway musical inspired by the hit Disney film. Directed by Bob Berenis, the production features music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Jack Feldman, and a book by Harvey Fierstein.

Newsies tells the inspiring story of young newspaper sellers who band together to stand up for what’s right, bringing audiences an unforgettable performance filled with powerful music, dynamic choreography, and themes of courage, friendship, and determination.

Performances will take place in the Loewenberg Auditorium on:

• Thursday, March 12 at 7:00 p.m.

• Friday, March 13 at 7:30 p.m.

• Saturday, March 14 at 1:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors (65+).