Benita Kay Roberts
WILTON — Benita Kay Roberts died March 18. As per the family’s request, there were no calling hours or formal service. Condolences may be shared at www.compassionatefuneralcare.com
Author: Saratoga TODAY
Saratoga County Announces 7th Annual Yellow Ribbon Day Donation Drive Underway
BALLSTON SPA — For U.S. troops serving overseas, getting a care package can be a bright spot amid difficult conditions. To help the local Blue Star Mothers of America fill and ship boxes to deployed military members who call the Capital Region home, Saratoga County Clerk Craig A. Hayner announced the seventh annual Yellow Ribbon Day Donation Drive.
The collection of individual-size personal care items and snack foods will run through April 7 and will be donated to the Blue Star Mothers of America NY-2 to put together and send “Freedom Boxes” to local troops serving abroad.
The donation drive is held in conjunction with the annual celebration of New York State’s Yellow Ribbon Day, which takes place April 9 and is designated as a day to honor active-duty troops and their families.
Donations can include non-perishable items like cookie and cracker snack packages, microwavable soup cups, fruit snacks, granola bars, and beef jerky, as well as personal care items such as insect repellent wipes, body wash (small), lip balm, puzzle books, and more.
Donated goods can be dropped off at the following locations during regular business hours:
• DMV offices in Saratoga County (located in Ballston Spa, Clifton Park and Wilton)
• Saratoga County Clerk’s Office, 40 McMaster St., Ballston Spa
• Veterans Service Agency, 2144 Doubleday Ave., Suite 15, Ballston Spa
• Saratoga County Hannaford stores
• Various town and village offices in Saratoga County (Call to see if your local municipality has a collection box.)
Monetary donations are also accepted. As a reference, it costs $18 postage to send each “Freedom Box.” The cost to fill one box is about $45, so a $63 donation covers the cost of filling and sending one box. Checks can be made payable to Blue Star Mothers of America-NY 2 and sent to PO Box 243, Delmar, NY 12054. Write “In honor of Yellow Ribbon Day” in the memo section. To donate through PayPal, go to www.paypal.com/fundraiser/hub and search “Blue Star Mothers of America-NY2.”
All items collected during the drive will be presented to the Blue Star Mothers during a Yellow Ribbon Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 9, at the Veterans Memorial, 162 Route 236, Halfmoon.
Folklife Center Presents “Unveiled: A Revolutionary Life – Crystal Eastman”
GLENS FALLS — As Part of Women’s History Month, the Crandall Public Library and Folklife Center are hosting author and scholar Amy Aronson at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 25.
The presentation will focus on the extraordinary accomplishments of progressive leader, Crystal Eastman, and why she has been a hidden part of women’s history.
Aronson will discuss her book, “Crystal Eastman, A Revolutionary Life,” and why Eastman, one of the strongest advocates and women’s rights leader is considered the most non-credited despite her pioneering legislation and long-lasting political change. Other presenters will address our current ERA status, NY Legislative Bill and the need to vote this year.
Crandall Public Library Folklife Center is located at 251 Glen St., Glens Falls. More information can be found at Crandalllibrary.org. The event is free and open to the public.
Jobs: Carousel Worker
SARATOGA SPRINGS —The city is inviting applications for the position of Carousel Worker in Congress Park.
The typical shift is 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. and pay is $15 per hour.
Applicants must be at least 16 years of age to apply. No other minimum qualifications; however it should be noted that working weekends, some evenings, and holidays will be mandatory. Willing to work a flexible schedule. Name and date-of-birth of applicants will be checked through the DCJS Sex Offender Registry.
Applications are available on the third floor of City Hall at 474 Broadway, or online at: www.saratogasprings.org under Civil Service, or email civilservice@saratoga-springs.org to request one sent to you.
Ballston Spa Schools Beefing Up Cybersecurity
A slide from the 2025 Budget Development presentation delivered at the March 6 Ballston Spa Board of Education meeting shows anticipated IT support services budgets for 2024 and 2025. Image via the Board of Education livestream.
BALLSTON SPA — The Ballston Spa Central School District has $1.4 million budgeted for IT support services this year and anticipates spending another $1.5 million next year.
Much of this increase in funds is due to cyber security enhancements, said Clerk of the Board and Records Access Officer Brian Sirianni during a budget development presentation at the March 6 Board of Education meeting. “Cybersecurity is just top of the mind, every day, every way,” Sirianni said.
To help with cybersecurity issues, the district hires multiple outside consultants. “We rotate through various groups to get more information from various companies,” Sirianni said, “so that we’re not just hearing the same things.” The district has nearly 4,600 Chromebooks and more than 1,000 desktop computers to safeguard.
According to the Board of Education’s policy manual, the district is “committed to maintaining the security and privacy of student data and teacher and principal data and will follow all applicable laws and regulations for the handling and storage of this data in the district, and when disclosing or releasing it to others, including, but not limited to, third-party contractors.”
A November 2023 case study by the computer software company Faronics reported that the implementation of Deep Freeze, a software utility, resulted in an 80% reduction in software-related issues and system crashes across the district. Faronics called the Ballston Spa Central School District “a testament to strategic IT solutions’ power.”
Saratoga Science Bowl Teams Wins 1st Place
SARATOGA SPRINGS —The Maple Avenue Middle School Science Bowl team won the gravity-powered car competition at the New York State Capital District Middle School Regional Science Bowl earlier this month. They also finished 6th in the academic competition.
Ballston Spa Music Department Honored
BALLSTON SPA — Ballston Spa Central School District’s music program was formally recognized by the Board of Education at a meeting last Wednesday night. Students from across all grade levels attended the meeting to pose for photos and support one another.
“This evening, evidenced by the large gathering here,” said Board President Jason Fernau, “it is our pleasure to recognize what is clearly a very strong and vibrant music program.”
Brian Retersdorf, the district’s K-12 Music Coordinator, said that Ballston Spa’s music program is “one of the most supported districts, I firmly believe, in the Capital Region.”
Retersdorf said his student orchestra was now the largest in the Suburban Council. “31 students playing the professional-level books. Not regular books, professional level that Broadway musicians, people across the world are playing.”
“This, to me, is what success is,” Retersdorf said, “being able to recognize this many students who are achieving such incredible things.”
New Business Showcase & Job Fair Announced
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce is hosting a springtime Southern Saratoga County Business Showcase and Job Fair. This new event is scheduled for 4 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 11 at the Hilton Garden Inn at 30 Clifton Country Road in Clifton Park. The event is open to the public and advance registration is not required.
The showcase and job fair is designed for both the public and business professionals, providing a platform for networking, collaboration, and finding new career opportunities. Employers looking to fill roles are encouraged to participate.
Exhibit booth space is available starting at $200. The event is sponsored by Capital Bank and Saratoga National Bank. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting Andrea Cole at acole@saratoga.org. More information and online booth registration is available at www.saratoga.org.
Fred Astaire Dance Studios Announces Expansion
SARATOGA SPRINGS —Fred Astaire Dance Studios, a franchise with a location in Saratoga Springs, is expanding to the Washington D.C. area, and local studio owners Elizabeth and Sergiy “Grey” Masko will oversee the new openings.
“We’re planning in the next decade to open about ten studios in that area,” said Elizabeth Masko in a statement. “We will be in charge of the studios, but we won’t be running the day-to-day operations. We will be training the owners and helping them to grow and expand their business.”
It was after experiencing significant growth at their Saratoga location that the couple made the decision to purchase additional franchising rights. “We’ve been growing every year, and we decided to expand because it was the next logical step for us,” Elizabeth said.
In 2017, the Maskos opened a Fred Astaire Dance Studio on Maple Avenue in Saratoga. In 2020, they relocated to a larger space at 3257 Route 9.
