The Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Saratoga Springs held an event last week to celebrate the company’s expansion to the Washington D.C. area. Photo by Super Source Media.
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.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Roohan Realty announced last week that Kelly Waechter has joined the team as a Licensed Real Estate Salesperson.
Waechter has been an active real estate agent for more than eight years, and has represented clients throughout the Greater Capital Region. She has experience in residential resale, new construction, and rentals. She was born and raised in Saratoga Springs.
Kelly can be reached at 518.210.5632 or kelly@roohanrealty.com.
The OrangeTheory location at the Wilton Mall celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony last week. Photo by Jonathon Norcross.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —OrangeTheory, the popular fitness franchise based in Florida, has opened a new location at the Wilton Mall. The event was marked with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce last Friday.
Located at 3065 Route 50, OrangeTheory Saratoga Springs is currently offering discounted founding member rates.
SARATOGA COUNTY —Congressman Paul Tonko announced his office has opened the application for Fiscal Year 2025 Community Project Funding (CPF) requests.
“Over the past several years, I’ve been proud to facilitate the Community Project Funding process through which worthy local initiatives can apply for federal funding that supports our communities and helps to grow our regional economy,” Congressman Tonko said, in a statement. “I am honored today to announce that Capital Region organizations and local governments can once again apply for this federal funding. Over the coming weeks, my staff and I will work tirelessly to review eligible projects and advance the proposals that best match the criteria and that—most importantly—will deliver the most significant benefits to our region.”
Under the FY 2025 application process, each member of Congress is limited in the number of projects for which they can request funding. Community Project Funding is only available to state and local governments and nonprofit organizations. For-profit entities are not eligible to receive funding.
The application form, information on potential funding availability, and instructions on how to submit requests can all be found on the Congressman’s website at: https://tonko.house.gov/constituent-services/community-project-funding.htm.
Note that as full guidance for FY2025 CPF applicants has not yet been released, funding accounts and eligibility criteria are subject to change. While significant changes to last year’s guidelines are not expected, the Congressman and his staff will follow up with applicants regarding any changes to FY2025 guidance as soon as it is released.
Lauren Delaney, Fairperson of the Year. Photo provided.
SARATOGA COUNTY —Saratoga County Fair board member Lauren Delaney was named Fairperson of the Year by the New York State Showpeople Association – a 150-plus member not-for-profit organization comprised of people involved with the outdoor amusements business in New York State.
Delaney is the first person from Saratoga County named as award-winner since the organization began presenting the award in 1983.
“It was overwhelming, and a huge honor,” said Delaney, who lives in Greenfield Center with her husband Rob and their two dogs, Oliver and Grace. She has worked at the Saratoga Springs City Center since 2012.
Delaney began her love of fairs at the age of 18 months, she says, when she was the first complaint department in her highchair at the Saratoga County Fair. Summers growing up were spent traveling the tri-state area with her parents and visiting fairs. Her dad, Dick Rowland was the first general manager at the Saratoga County Fair. Delaney grew to become a chairperson of various committees, district director, and a vice president of New York State Association of Agricultural Fairs.
She has been a member of the board of directors at the Saratoga County Fair since 2009 and currently serves as the Concessions and Commercial Exhibits Chairperson and the Complimentary Ticket Coordinator. She also serves on the Safety & Security committee.
Delaney is currently the 1st Vice President of the NY State Association of Agricultural Fairs and has served as District 2 Director, Recording Secretary and Scholarship Chairperson and Coordinator. In addition to the Saratoga County Fair and the NY State Association of Agricultural Fairs, Lauren is involved in the Queensbury Walk to End Alzheimer’s committee as their Logistics/day of chairperson.
A tree tapping ceremony at Hop City Maple in Ballston Spa celebrated the beginning of New York’s maple season. Photo by Super Source Media Studios.
BALLSTON SPA — A tree tapping ceremony was held last week at Hop City Maple in Ballston Spa to celebrate the beginning of New York’s maple season. The event was hosted by the Upper Hudson Maple Producers Association. Maple apple pie and other treats were served to attendees, courtesy of Mourningkill Bake Shop.
Originally begun as a backyard hobby in 2013, Hop City Maple has evolved into a full-fledged business. Owners John and Emilia Medick have overseen the operation’s expansion, which now includes around 750 taps. The company was recently designated a New York Grown and Certified producer.
Malta Ave Elementary students pose with a trophy after competing in the 2024 Region 6 Odyssey of the Mind competition. Photo via the @MaltaAveElm X account.
GLENS FALLS — More than 100 students competed in the 2024 Region 6 Odyssey of the Mind competition last weekend in Glens Falls, and both Galway and Ballston Spa students will be advancing to the state tournament.
Two teams from Ballston Spa School District’s Malta Ave Elementary will head to states, and for the first time ever, Galway will have a team from every division competing.
Galway’s Division 3 team also won an Omer award, which is given in recognition of individuals or teams who demonstrate outstanding sportsmanship, exemplary behavior, or exceptional talent. This team represented Galway last year at the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals in Lansing, Michigan, earning first place for long-term problem, and fourth place overall.
Odyssey of the Mind is a problem-solving competition for students of all ages. At the beginning of the school year, teams are divided by grade level into several divisions and choose to perform one of five long-term problems, which they practice for months. This year’s problems were: Pirates & the Treasure, Because iCan, Classics…The Walls of Troy, Where’s the Structure, The Most Dramatic Problem Ever, and Dinos on Parade. On competition day, every team is asked to solve a secret spontaneous problem. Combined scores are tallied for each team and determine whether or not the teams will advance to the state tournament.
Listed below are the members of the Galway teams that will appear at the state competition in Syracuse on April 13.
Division 3: Shamus Evans, Simon Evans, Eben Perkins, Peregrine Perkins, Aidan Reekie-Mell, Taylor Germain
Division 2: Henry Pasieka, Avery Pasieka, Edmund Perkins, Mari Smith, Ailey Nelson
SARATOGA COUNTY — Alpine Sport Shop participated with Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce and celebrated Leap of Kindness Day 2024. Thanks to the generosity of their customers and the Saratoga Springs community, hats and socks will be donated to Captain Community Human Services. For every hat and pair of socks purchased at the Alpine Sport Shop the week of February 29, the ski shop matched it, and then some! Bill Lupin, volunteer and Community Engagement Manager for Captain Community Human Services received a filled basket from Cathy Hay, co-owner of the Alpine Sport Shop. Hats and socks will be shared with those who can use them. The items and the kindness are much appreciated! Thank you to an extended community… you gave back!
BALLSTON SPA, NY — The Saratoga County Career Center in conjunction with the Greater Capital Region Career Centers will hold the following free virtual career workshops in March:
March 15 at 10:30 a.m. Networking. Networking is your strategic tool for cultivating lasting relationships, fostering professional growth, and unlocking opportunities. Join us for an approachable journey to understanding networking. Facilitated by Warren and Albany.
March 21 at 11 a.m. Completing Job Applications. Statistics show approximately 50% of mid-sized companies and almost all large corporations use an applicant tracking system to screen candidates for job opportunities. Learn how to prepare your online application to get the most visibility from hiring managers. Facilitated by Warren and Washington.
March 26 at 11 a.m. Overcoming Barriers. Join an informal discussion about how to overcome potential stumbling blocks to finding a job. Whether you’re facing transportation needs, childcare needs, prior justice system involvement, inexperience, health concerns or more, this workshop will provide you with resources and strategies to help you meet your goals. Facilitated by Fulton-Montgomery-Schoharie.
March 26 at 1:30 p.m. Social Media. Your social media presence can make or break your ability to find a job. Learn how to use social media to your advantage in searching for a job and marketing yourself to land the job or career you’ve always wanted. Facilitated by Schenectady.
Registration is required for all workshops. Visit https://thejoblink.org/calendar/ to register or call the Saratoga County Career Center at 518-884-4170 for more information. The workshops are offered as part of the Saratoga County Career Center’s WorkPays! workforce education campaign.
