ALBANY — William Benjamin Griffin II, aged 36, unexpectedly departed this world on Monday, November 6, 2023, at his residence in Albany. In accordance with the family’s wishes, there will be no calling hours or service held at this time. Please feel free to express your condolences at www.compassionate funeralcare.com.
POUGHKEEPSIE —Theodore J. Zulkowski, 104, a longtime resident of Poughkeepsie, NY, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 1, 2023 at The Lutheran Care Center in Poughkeepsie. Mr. Zulkowski was an Associate Mechanical Engineer at IBM in Poughkeepsie for 26 years retiring in 1978.
Born on June 26, 1919 in Newark, NJ he was the son of the late John and Bertha (Krauze) Zulkowski. Mr. Zulkowski proudly served in the US Army Medical Corps. during World War II. On June 20, 1943 in Linden, NJ, he married Theresa Yeno who predeceased him on February 10, 2003.
Mr. Zulkowski was a member of the Radio Amateur Club for 67 years and the Hudson Valley Contesters & DX Club in Kingston, NY. He was also a member of the QSY Club in Wappingers Falls.
Mr. Zulkowski is survived by two daughters, Carol Kurto and her husband, Peter, of Saratoga Springs, NY and Teresa Sullivan of Amenia. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Anne Patrice Sullivan, Elizabeth Rowen, Peter M. (Molly) Kurto II, Jeffrey (Heather) Kurto and Kathryn (April) Kurto. He is also survived by ten great-grandchildren, Dusty Rowen, Synclaire Rowen, Max Kurto, Ella Kurto, Georgia Kurto, Peter. T. Kurto II, James Kurto, Tadeusz, Beatrice and Paxton Ruedakurto.
Calling hours will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. on Friday, November 10, 2023 at the Hufcut Funeral Home, 3159 Route 22, Dover Plains, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 11, 2023 at St. Charles Borromeo Church, 62 Mill St., Dover Plains, NY. Burial with military honors will follow at St. Charles Cemetery in Dover Plains. Memorial contributions may be made to: Hudson Valley Honor Flight, P.O. Box 375, Walden, NY 12584 or www.hvhonor-flight.com or the LaGrange Fire District Rescue Squad, 504 Freedom Plains Rd. Poughkeepsie, NY 12603. For directions or to send a condolence, please visit www.hufcutfuneralhome.com
SARATOGA SPRINGS —The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation recently kicked off the final stretch to raise the remaining $100,000 for its Revive 65 Campaign.
Matthew Veitch and Tara Gaston, Saratoga County Supervisors representing the city of Saratoga Springs, announced the county awarded the Foundation a $30,000 grant towards the rehabilitation of 65 Phila St.
In addition, the Carruth Foundation offered a $35,000 matching gift to encourage others to support reaching the goal.
The long-neglected 1851 Alexander A. Patterson House had been on the Foundation’s endangered list for over 20 years and threatened by demolition. In 2021, the Foundation purchased it with the intent to stabilize the Italianate building, execute environmental abatement, and complete an exterior restoration.
“As someone who was born and raised in Saratoga Springs, I understand the importance of preserving historic buildings. The building at 65 Phila Street was on the Foundation’s endangered list for a long time. While I was board president, it was always a strategic goal of mine to rehabilitate a building. I am glad to be able to provide this grant for the rehabilitation at 65 Phila Street and help further their mission,” said Supervisor Matthew Veitch, in a statement.
Since acquiring the house, work was done behind the scenes to plan the project and raise necessary funds. The grant helps the Foundation begin the final phase of the project. Over the upcoming months, contractors and volunteers will finish the porch restoration; install historic windows; complete siding repairs and painting; reinstall the historic front door; and develop a landscape plan. To accomplish these goals, the Foundation needs help to raise the remaining $100,000 by Dec.15 to underwrite the cost of the labor and materials.
Net proceeds from the sale of 65 Phila Street will go towards future community preservation projects. To learn more about this project and other initiatives from the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation, please visit saratogapreservation.org.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — A total of 241 vehicles attended Sustainable Saratoga’s annual Saratoga Recycles Day on Oct. 7, and two weeks later the organization collected 117 cubic yard boxes of paint from local residents and businesses during its annual Paint Collection Day.
Recycles Day allowed persons to drop off household items for reuse and recycling by one or more of the eight participating organizations, including JGS Recycling, eLot, Saratoga Springs Lions Club, Wellspring, We Are Instrumental, Saratoga Children’s Literacy League, RISE, and American Clothing Company. Sustainable Saratoga was joined by 19 volunteers who helped make the event a success.
Paint Collection Day on Oct. 21 drew 853 cars to the event to drop off paint for recycling. Recycling is a much more sustainable and environmentally responsible option than sending these products to the landfill where they pollute soil and groundwater. During the event, GreenSheen collected 85,586 lbs. of latex, acrylic, and water-based coatings and 9,300 lbs. of oil-based coatings.
Both Sustainable Saratoga events, Saratoga Recycles Day and Paint Collection Day, will continue to be offered annually. For more information visit https://sustainablesaratoga.org/projects/zero-waste/.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —Gov. Kathy Hochul on Oct. 31 announced the completion of a $5.7 million project that added a new sidewalk and bike lanes to Union Avenue in Saratoga Springs.
The project, which also included the resurfacing of Union Avenue, enhances safety and improves bicyclist and pedestrian access to Saratoga Race Course as well as the city’s downtown business district.
“The City of Saratoga Springs is one of Upstate New York’s must-see destinations and with these improvements we have made it easier for residents and visitors alike to explore its many charms without having to drive,” Hochul said, in a statement. “By expanding access for bicyclists and pedestrians across New York State, we can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions while also promoting healthier modes of travel and increased recreational opportunities and tourism, which benefits all of us.”
The project, completed ahead of the anticipated April 2024 completion date, was planned and constructed to fulfill the goals of the New York State Department of Transportation’s “Complete Streets” initiative to consider safe, convenient access and mobility for roadway users of all ages and abilities.
As part of the project, NYSDOT installed a new sidewalk compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act on the north side of Union Avenue to connect Polk Avenue and the New York Racing Association Gate 16 with East Avenue. Five-foot-wide bike lanes were painted in both directions between East Avenue and Henning Road.
An approximately three-mile stretch of Union Avenue between East Avenue and the bridge over Saratoga Lake was also resurfaced and new drainage structures added between East Avenue and Henning Road to improve storm water runoff. Construction began in April of 2023 and was halted during the summer racing season to minimize traffic disruptions.
BALLSTON LAKE — Melissa Millet of Ballston Lake passed away on Tuesday, October 17, 2023. At the family’s request there will be no calling hours or service at this time. For those who wish to offer online condolences, please visit www.compassionatefuneralcare.com.
GLOVERSVILLE —Richard A. Monroe passed away on October 24, 2023. Family and friends gathered to remember her on October 30, 2023, at Compassionate Funeral Care, located at 402 Maple Ave., Saratoga Springs, New York. Condolences may be shared at www.compassionatefuneralcare.com.
WILTON – Shirley Kelly, 80 years old, peacefully passed away on Monday, October 30, 2023, surrounded by her loving family at Wesley Health Care Center. In accordance with the family’s wishes, there will be no calling hours or service at this time. Condolences may be shared at www.compassionatefuneralcare.com.
BALLSTON SPA – A Revolutionary Run for Veterans 5K, coordinated by the Saratoga County Veterans Services Agency, takes place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 4 at Fort Hardy Park in Schuylerville with 18th century reenactors providing a cannon blast start.
Fort Hardy Park is the site of British General Burgoyne’s army decampment, where on Oct. 17, 1777, the British army laid down their arms in the surrender of the British to the Americans, known today as the Turning Point of the Revolution.
Runners can register for the Revolutionary Run at www.finishright.com. Registration is $40 and ends November 3rd.
All proceeds from the Revolutionary Run for Veterans will benefit the Saratoga County Veterans Trust and Agency Fund, which supports projects dedicated to the welfare of our veterans, including training, education, healthcare, housing, and essential services.
For more information contact the Saratoga County Veterans Services Agency at 518-884-4115 or veterans@saratogacountyny.gov
