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Author: Saratoga TODAY

For Saratoga County Candidates on The Ballot Nov. 7

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —Saratoga TODAY is accepting letters from candidates in Saratoga County running for office and on the Nov. 7 ballot. 

Submissions should be limited to 300 words and explain how your background, experience, or expertise for office makes you the best candidate for the job.   

Letters must include name, political office sought and municipality in which it is located. Letters may appear in print or online. 

Send to cbeatty@saratogapublishing.com. Deadline for submissions: Oct. 25.  Please include Candidate Submission in the subject line.   

Community Leaders Gather in Spa City for Inaugural Impact Sector Summit

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —More than 100 community leaders gathered in Saratoga Springs Oct. 10 for the inaugural Impact Sector Summit.  

The premise? How do you solve significant community issues, such as lack of affordable housing, homelessness, opioid use, food deserts, and health care gaps? 

Stephanie Norling, of Baldrige’s Communities of Excellence 2026, described the Communities of Excellence model and its transformative work in in helping communities across the nation thrive in the health, economic vitality, education and quality of life sectors. 

Dr. Renee Rodriguez-Goodemote of the Saratoga Community Health Center has lead the Saratoga County Communities of Excellence initiative since 2021. Rodriguez-Goodemote described the innovative community work unfolding in Saratoga County where key leaders have been developing a sustainable framework where all residents can live well, be well and thrive. 

A panel presentation representing stakeholders from the worlds of law enforcement, the medical field and the faith community and impact sector, presented four unique cross-sector collaborations. The panelists addressed access to health care, housing for single mothers, supporting individuals struggling with substance use disorder, and barriers to health care for those facing homelessness. 

The theme of the summit was developing partnerships that utilize the resources of diverse partners, and working collaboratively to create innovative interventions that address community needs affecting the health and vitality of all people in Saratoga County. 

For more information, visit www.saratogahospital.org/classes/community-of-excellence.

Saratoga Springs History Museum to Host Native American Educational Workshops

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs History Museum will present two special educational programs focused on treasured aspects of the Native American heritage of the region. 

The events have been planned in tandem with the History Museum’s recently opened exhibit “First Saratogians: The Indigenous Peoples of the Saratoga Springs Region.”

“Animal Tracks, Trails and Lore with James Bruchac”- Saturday, Oct. 28, 1 – 2:30 p.m. In this workshop, wildlife educator, storyteller, and Ndakinna Education Center Director James Bruchac, author of the popular Falcon pocket guide Scats & Tracks of the Northeast, will include track-based information on such regional mammals as fox, raccoon, deer, black bear, coyote, bobcat, moose and more. Along the way he will also share a few traditional Native legends pertaining to the animals. Through the use of his vast collection of plaster casts of various animal tracks and more, participants will greatly increase their chances of identifying the tracks of some of our area’s most prevalent and exciting creatures.

“Native Language Workshop: Abenaki, with Jesse Bruchac” – Saturday, Nov. 11, 1 – 2:30 p.m. Led by Jesse Bowman Bruchac, Language Director at Ndakinna Education Center and, like his brother James, a citizen of the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation. This transformative program introduces foundational intricacies of Algonquian languages alongside original songs written to enhance accessibility and memorability. Participants will also learn how our perceptions of self and the surrounding world are molded by linguistic constructs. Jesse teaches at Middlebury College and the University of Southern Maine, and he has consulted on series such as AMC’s “Turn: Washington’s Spies” and PBS’s “Jamestown.” 

Participation fee for both workshops is $10 for History Museum Members, and $15 for non-Members, available at saratogahistory.org/events. Workshop size is limited to 30. 

The Saratoga Springs History Museum, founded in 1883, has been located since 1911 in the Canfield Casino in Congress Park. 

Winners of the Saratoga Wing Off 2023

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Discover Saratoga and Bailey’s Saratoga have announced the winners of the 6th Annual Saratoga Wing Off, held Saturday, Oct. 14, when eventgoers sampled a variety of wings from 26 participating Saratoga County restaurants for $2 each and voted for their favorite. 

The 2023 Saratoga Wing Off winners are:

•People’s Choice: 

The Mill at Round Lake

•Wildest Wing: 

Ribbon Café   

In connection with the event, $4,000 was raised for the American Cancer Society.

October 14 – 20, 2023

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Blotter.

Saratoga Springs Police

SARATOGA SPRINGS —
A 34-year-old Vermont man is facing multiple drug charges in connection with the police seizure of psilocybin mushrooms and cannabis at a west side city apartment in June.   

Shortly before 9:30 a.m. on June 25, Saratoga Springs Police were dispatched to Elm Street for a report of an audible alarm coming from a residence. Officers Camarro and McDonough arrived at the scene, heard a fire alarm activation and notified the Saratoga Springs Fire Department. 

When checking the residence, members of the fire department and the officers discovered large quantities of psilocybin mushrooms and marijuana in plain view, police said. Following the execution of a search warrant on the residence, 589 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, 170 pounds of cannabis and 75 pounds of concentrated cannabis were seized. 

The tenant of the Elm Street residence, 34-year-old Daniel P. Mooney of Vermont was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance (Hallucinogen) in the second-degree, Criminal Possession of Cannabis in the first-degree, and Criminal Possession of Cannabis (Concentrated) in the first-degree. All three charges are felonies. Police said Mooney turned himself in, was charged, and released. No other information was immediately available. 

Jannifer Carollo, 23, of Troy, was charged Oct. 16 with stalking.

Gregory Sokol, 47, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Oct. 16 with DWI, aggravated DWI, refusal to take a breath test, and several vehicle-related violations. 

Timothy Smith, 62, of Schenectady, was charged Oct. 16 with criminal mischief and harassment. 

Ashanti Burch, 43, of Albany, was charged Oct. 12 with petit larceny. 

Joseph Castro-Serrano, 36, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Oct. 12 with assault, criminal obstruction of breathing, and unlawful imprisonment. 

Matthew Gallagher, 40, of Rocky Point, NY, was charged Oct. 12 with grand larceny and scheme to defraud.   

Saratoga

 County Court 

William C. Maguire, 28, of Vorheesville, was sentenced Oct. 5 to 14 years’ incarceration/15 years’ post-release supervision, after pleading to attempted rape, and attempted criminal sexual act, charged January 2023 in the town of Providence. 

Kenneth Quinn, 29, of New Windsor, N., pleaded Oct. 5 to criminal contempt in the first-degree, charged July 2023 in Mechanicville. Sentencing Dec. 5.

Jessica L. Jordan, 33, of Amsterdam, pleaded Oct. 10 to aggravated DWI with a child, charged January 2023 in Halfmoon. Sentencing Dec. 6. 

Michael A. McCleary, 36, of Milton, pleaded Oct. 11 to two felony counts of failure to register as a sex offender, charged in Malta. Sentencing Dec. 18. 

Jake B. Sweeney, 35, of Clermont, NH, was sentenced Oct. 12 to 5-1/2 years incarceration/5 years post-release supervision, after pleading to felony criminal possession of a weapon, charged January 2020 in Malta. 

Seth A. Labarbera, 23, of Ballston Lake, pleaded Oct. 12 to felony attempted criminal possession of a weapon, charged July 2023 in Saratoga Springs. Sentencing Jan. 4, 2024.  

Saratoga County

 Sheriff’s Office

Alexis L. Hagadorn-Garmley, 27, of Ballston Spa, was charged Oct. 11 with allegedly violating section 353 of the New York State Agriculture and Markets Law – “overdriving, torturing and injuring animals; failure to provide proper sustenance” – a misdemeanor.  Hagadorn-Garmley is accused of failing to provide proper sustenance to three canines over a period of time. The case originated as a “dog-at-large” complaint received by the Town of Milton A.C.O. Dave Drozinski on Sept. 26. Following the Sheriff’s Office’s investigation, the animals were found in a severe state of malnutrition. Hagadorn-Garmley was released on an appearance ticket returnable to the Milton Town Court. The animals are in the custody of the Saratoga County Animal Shelter where they are receiving appropriate medical care. 

Devin M. Wyman, 30, of Hadley, was charged Oct. 12 with two felony counts of burglary, and two misdemeanor counts of petit larceny. Wyman is accused of entering and remaining unlawfully in a dwelling in Hadley on Oct. 2 with intent to commit a crime. He was also charged with the same offense from an incident in the village of Corinth that occurred in September, according to police. 

2023 Blue Streak Athletic Hall Of Fame Members Announced

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —The Saratoga Springs City School District has announced it will honor six individuals for their contributions to athletics during the 2023 Blue Streak Athletic Hall of Fame Ceremony on Friday, Oct. 20 at 5 p.m. 

The 2023 inductees are Kerri Burgess (Clark), Doranne Mullan (Kelly), Jay Mulligan, Jay Navin, Joey Santamoor, and Mickey Walczak. The ceremony will be held in the Meade Teaching Auditorium at Saratoga Springs High School, according to a release from the district.

A committee composed of current and former coaches; high school administrators, community members, and current and retired athletic directors reviewed the nominations and selected the honorees. A trophy case in the lobby of the blue gym will hold plaques in honor of the Hall of Fame members.

More details on the accomplishments of the 2023 inductees is available in the online edition of this story at saratogatodaynewspaper.com.

Adirondack Thunder Announce Training Camp Schedule

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.

Photo provided.

GLENS FALLS —The Adirondack Thunder has announced the start of its training camp for the 2023-24 season at Cool Insuring Arena.

Training Camp is open to all fans free of charge, a press release states. See below for upcoming dates and times:

• Monday, Oct. 16 (10 a.m.): On-Ice Practice

•Tuesday, Oct. 17 (10 a.m.): On-Ice Practice

•Wednesday, Oct. 18 (10 a.m.): On-Ice Practice

•Thursday, Oct. 19 (10 a.m.): On-Ice Practice

•Friday, Oct. 20 (10 a.m.): On-Ice Practice

The Thunder will host the Maine Mariners in the team’s home opener at Cool Insuring Arena on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 7 p.m. The first 1,000 kids 14 years of age and younger will receive a free youth jersey presented by Glens Falls Hospital, and the first 3,000 fans will receive glow sticks courtesy of SkyZone, the release states.

View the 2023-24 schedule at echlthunder.com/#schedule. For more information on ticket packages, call the front office at 518-480-3355 or visit echlthunder.com/tickets.

2023 Saratoga Springs Fire & Police Holiday Hockey Classic Nov. 18

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —The Saratoga Springs Professional Firefighters I.A.F.F. Local 343 will be hosting the Saratoga Springs Police PBA in the 2023 Saratoga Springs Fire & Police Holiday Hockey Classic on Saturday, Nov. 18 at the Saratoga Springs Weibel Ice Rink. 

The game will begin at approximately 7 p.m., after the conclusion of the Skidmore College versus New England College men’s hockey game. Admission to the Holiday Hockey Classic is free with the donation of a new unwrapped toy, a press release states.

The Holiday Hockey Classic is played to benefit the Franklin Community Center’s Holiday Assistance Program. The Holiday Assistance Program has the goal of providing the opportunity for every child in the Saratoga Springs area to wake up Christmas morning with a gift for them, the release states.

The toy collection associated with the hockey game will begin the week of October 10. Toy collection boxes will be placed at multiple locations throughout Saratoga Springs until November 17. The toy collection boxes will be located at both Saratoga Springs firehouses, the Saratoga Springs Police Department and Kings Tavern on Union Avenue.

This will be the fifth time both teams have played in the Holiday Hockey Classic, with each year seeing larger crowds and an increase in donations, according to the release. During the game, an in-game raffle is conducted to raise additional funds that will be included with the toy donation to the Franklin Community Center. 

Last year, the teams raised over $1,000 and collected over 700 toys from the support they received from the community, the release states. Saratoga Springs firefighters and police will deliver the toys collected to the Franklin Community Center during the first week of December.

Tenzin Choegyal: One of The World’s Finest Musicians in the Tibetan Tradition Performs Free Concert Saturday

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.

Tenzin Choegyal, live in Saratoga Springs this weekend.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —Tibetan artist, composer, activist, musical director, and cultural ambassador Tenzin Choegyal performs with Attacca Quartet in a free concert 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14. 

The event takes place at the Zankel Music Center, on the campus of Skidmore College.  

Choegyal plays lingbu (bamboo flute) and dranyen (3-stringed Tibetan lute) and is best known for his extraordinary vocal ability and performance of droklu, the nomadic music of his parents. As a child, Tenzin would listen to his mother singing in the nomadic lineage, often noting her as an early influence of his passion for singing. 

Recent events include the Tibet House Annual Benefit Concert – billed as Philip Glass and Friends, and GRAMMY nominated album “Songs from the Bardo” with Laurie Anderson, and Jesse Paris Smith – daughter of Patti Smith.  

As a son of Tibetan nomads, Choegyal holds a particular connection to the music of the high Himalayan plateau. Forced into exile in India as his family fled the repression in Tibet, he now resides in Australia.

Artist Reimagines Tang Mezzanine: Installation Centered on Earth, Air, Water, Fire, and The Cosmos

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.


Yvette Molina, Elements of Care (Earth), 2023, fabric,
machine-stitched and hand-embroidered thread, fabric adhesive,
45 x 24 inches, collection of the artist.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —A new exhibition, Yvette Molina: A Promise to the Leaves, opens at The Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery at Skidmore College Oct. 21. 

Molina, an artist who works across media and disciplines with an emphasis on care and social justice, will make all new work for the exhibition, including a rug, a bench, textile artworks, papier mâché sculpture, and papier mâché furniture to be created in collaboration with Skidmore College students. 

Molina is the fifth artist to transform the Tang Mezzanine into a community hangout space, breaking down traditional barriers between visitors and museums by inviting tactile engagement with the art and the use of the gallery for conversation and contemplation. 

Over the course of the display for two years, Molina’s site-specific installation will evolve while remaining centered around the four elements—earth, air, water, fire—and a fifth constituent, the cosmos. 

Molina’s exhibition will also include work by invited artists, bringing together multiple perspectives.

The exhibition will open on Saturday, October 21, at 10:30 a.m., with One Only Earth: A Grounding Ritual. The public event will include a ritual ceremony in the exhibition before moving outside to welcome the elements and create a sacred space.

 Admission to the Tang is free. For more information, contact the Visitors Services Desk at 518-580-8080 or visit https://tang.skidmore.edu.