SARATOGA SPRINGS — Joanne Marie (Gray) Luciano passed away at the age of 64 on Sunday, November 26 surrounded by her loving family. Calling hours: 3-6 p.m., Sunday, 12/3/2023 at Burke Funeral Home, service immediately following. Graveside: 9 a.m., 12/4/2023 at St. Peter’s Cemetery. Memorial donations to Saratoga County Children’s Committee. burkefuneralhome.com
SARATOGA SPRINGS —A free Alzheimer’s caregiver conference will be held at the Saratoga Springs City Center on Tuesday, November 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will honor and support people who provide unpaid care to loved ones with dementia, according to a statement by the Alzheimer’s Association.
“This conference is one of our most popular offerings for new and returning families,” said Gwen Rowland, the outreach and program manager at the Alzheimer’s Association Northeastern New York chapter. “Knowing you are not alone and receiving support from others can be very cathartic.”
The event will include a variety of presentations and discussions, as well as lunch served courtesy of the CDPHP health insurance company.
To register for the conference, visit alz.org/crf or call 518-675-7214. To learn more about the Alzheimer’s Association, visit alz.org or call 800-272-3900.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner (D-Round Lake) is partnering with Toys for Toga to help spread cheer to children in the local community this holiday season.
Donations of new, unwrapped toys may be dropped off in the donation bin outside Woerner’s District Office at 112 Spring St. in Saratoga Springs.
Toys will be collected through Dec. 10 and delivered to local families via: Captain Community Human Services, Franklin Community Center and Mechanicville Area Community Servies Center.
“Please consider donating items for older children as well,” Assemblywoman Woerner said, in a statement. “Games, puzzles, crafts, building sets and sports items are fun for all ages.”
Toys for Toga is an annual toy collection spearheaded by DeCrescente Distributing Company and supported by a variety of local businesses, including Ball Manufacturing, Franklin Square Market and Quick Response Restoration.
ALBANY — The 12th season of Santa’s Magical Express, which opens to the public Nov. 24, announced Yankee Trails.
Those ready for holiday cheer will have an opportunity to help retrieve Santa’s hat from Jack Frost – and save Christmas! Along the way, children can write a letter to Santa, meet beloved characters like Frosty, Mrs. Claus, Ebenezer Scrooge, Sprinkle, Twinkle, & Santa’s Head Elf, Winky, with special appearances from Senator Schumer, Albany Mayor Sheehan, Lindsay Lohan, Darth Vader, and others.
Santa’s Magical Express runs through Dec. 23. The 100-minute shows are every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night with tickets available for varying times between 3 and 5 p.m. until 7:40 p.m. A full list of showtimes and tickets may be referenced online. Tickets range from $24 to $49 with select showtimes eligible for discounted tickets.
Back after popular demand, is the Live-On Tour version of Santa’s Magical Express that is just 60 minutes, designed for some of Santa’s younger elves. This show will perform two matinees on Dec. 9 and 16 at noon and 2 p.m. and departs from Crossgates Mall. Tickets for the Live-On Tour Santa’s Magical Express are $24 per person and also have discounts available.
For more information about Santa’s Magical Express, visit santasmagicalexpress.com.
BALLSTON SPA — The Saratoga County History Center at Brookside Museum announced the annual Artisan Market will be opening on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 25 and will run through Saturday, Dec. 24.
The 23rd annual market features only handmade/hand crafted products created by local artisans. Items include: soaps, lotions, ornaments, jewelry, syrups, scarves, ceramics, hats and more.
The Artisan Market is held at SCHC @ Brookside Museum, 21 Fairground Ave., Ballston Spa.
The 2023 hours are: Tuesday-Thursdays, 1–5 p.m.; Friday, Noon–5 p.m., and Saturday & Sunday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
BALLSTON SPA — The Village of Ballston Spa plays host to the annual Ballston Spa Business & Professional Association Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting on Friday, Dec. 1 on Milton Avenue.
A hometown-style tradition, this December favorite typically draws hundreds of spectators to Ballston Spa to watch the brightly decorated floats, fire trucks and community groups parading through the village.
The parade steps-off at 6:30 p.m. on the north side of Milton Avenue and proceeds to West High Street. Following the parade, Mr. and Mrs. Claus will arrive on the back of an Eagle-Matt Lee Fire Company truck to light the tree in Wiswall Park.
The event is free to spectators. To learn more about the Ballston Spa Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting, visit www.ballson.org.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation presents “Classic Bars of Yesterday” 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, with Carol Godette.
This virtual program will highlight popular establishments D’Andrea’s, The Hub, and The Rafters. Step back in time to the 1970s and 1980s when the three iconic bars shaped Saratoga Springs’ nightlife and what made these locations so memorable.
Carol Godette, a former schoolteacher and author, shares her memories of the places that brought people together not only for a drink, but also to connect, play games, and dance.
This virtual program will take place on Zoom for a suggested donation of $10 or more. For additional information or to register for the virtual program, visit www.saratogapreservation.org or call 518-587-5030. Everyone who pre-registers for this program will be emailed a Zoom link in advance and will receive a link to the recording.
In addition to the virtual program, The Brook Tavern, 139 Union Avenue, will be hosting their popular “Dine for a Cause” event to benefit the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation on Wednesday, Nov. 29. The Brook Tavern will donate 25% of all food sales that evening, both dine-in and takeout, as part of our Giving Tuesday celebration.
Founded in 1977, the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that promotes preservation and enhancement of the architectural, cultural, and landscaped heritage of Saratoga Springs.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Catholic Charities of Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties hosts their 28th annual fundraiser – The Festival of Trees – from Wednesday, Nov. 29, through Sunday, Dec. 3, at the Saratoga Springs City Center.
The festival returns with a showcase of decorated trees, wreaths and other holiday and gift items for purchase.
Tickets are $10 per person, $5 for Seniors, $5 for ages over 10 and free for anyone 10 and under, when accompanied by an adult. Special $5 admission pricing will be offered on Thursday the Victorian Streetwalk.
Festival proceeds will benefit the programs of Catholic Charities of Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties.
Event hours are as follows: Festival of Trees Preview Reception, Wednesday, Nov. 29, 6-8 p.m.; Festival of Trees, Thursday, Nov. 30, 4-9 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 1, 3-8 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 2, 11 a.m. -7 p.m, and Sunday, Dec 3, 11 a.m. -2 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased at the entrance to the festival. Preview Reception tickets can be purchased by calling 518-587-5000.
Additionally, there will be two Breakfasts with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 2 – at 8:30 a.m. and at 10 a.m. Sundaes with Santa follows from 11:30-1 p.m. Tickets are $10 each. Children 2 and under are free. Adults must accompany children. Tickets include either the breakfast or sundae, a tour of the Festival of Trees, a chat with Santa, and access to a variety of children’s activities for $1 per ticket. Tickets for these are sold in advance only and can be purchased by calling 518-587-5000.
The Festival of Trees is the biggest fundraiser and community event of the year for Catholic Charities.
