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Author: Saratoga TODAY

Charles J. Haviland Sr.

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Charles J. Haviland Sr., a beloved husband, dad, and grandpa passed away on Monday, September 18, 2023, at the age of 80. He was born on August 10, 1943, in Saratoga Springs to Fred and Eva Haviland. He worked as a Therapy Aide for NYS DDSO for 15 years. Prior to that he worked at GF Blackmer’s as a truck driver. He is a member of Saint Clement’s Church in Saratoga Springs and a lifetime member of Fish Creek Rod and Gun Club. 

Charles was a loving husband, dad and grandpa who adored his family. He loved, hunting, fishing, watching car races, spending time at the camp, but most of all he loved spending time with family and friends. He was there for anyone that needed him whether it be day or night and always with a smile. He is an inspiration and hero for those who were lucky enough to know him. 

Charles is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Frances Welden Haviland of Saratoga Springs; his children Charlie Haviland Jr. of Schuylerville, Kimberly Haviland of Saratoga Springs and Thomas (Jennifer) Haviland of Wilton; grandchildren Makylee Haviland of Schuylerville, Henry Haviland of Wilton, and several grand dogs; his sisters Veronica (Richie) McFarland of Greenfield Center, Geraldine Evans of Saratoga Springs, and brother John (Starlene) Haviland of Albany; several nieces and nephews; and a very dear family friend Diann Vinson of Gadsden, Al. He was predeceased by his parents Fred and Eva Haviland; sisters: Edith Mabb, Anna Mabb, Rose Yakush and Ruth Harrington and brother George Haviland. 

We would especially like to thank Dr. Delmonte, Dr. Kuffs, Dr. Bourla, Dr. Knapp, all the nurses at the Saratoga Hospital including all of the staff in the ICU, Dr. Ruotsi, Dr. Pezzulo, Nurse Sue Harris, The Eddy Visiting Nurses and the Best Nurse in the world, Gina Alden and the best physical therapist Lori Vanderveer. He loved each and every one of you.

Relatives and friends are invited to call from 5 – 7 p.m. on Friday, September 22  and from 10 – 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 23, 2023 at the William J. Burke & Sons/ Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Home, 628 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 23, 2023 at St. Clement’s Church, 231 Lake Ave. Saratoga Springs, NY followed by a graveside service in St. Peter’s Cemetery, 150 West Ave. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Wilton Emergency Squad, The Eddy VNA or a charity of your choice. 

Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com

Kelly Ann Hartford(nee Pastor)

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —Kelly Ann Hartford (nee Pastor), 60, passed away with her kids by her side on August 12, 2023. Celebration of life 1 – 4 p.m., Saturday, September 30, 2023 at the Victoria Pool in Saratoga Spa State Park. Memorial donations to Albany Medical Center. Please visit www.burkefuneralhome.com

Annmarie Mastropietro Lescarbeau

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

MECHANICVILLE — Annmarie Mastropietro Lescarbeau, daughter of the late Carmine and Theresa Luca Mastropietro, entered into Heaven peacefully on Friday, September 8, 2023. Mass will be Saturday, September 23, 2023 at 11 a.m. at All Saints on the Hudson, North Main Street, Mechanicville. Burial is private. Visit   burkefuneralhome.com. 

Spa City Gunfight Indictment Dismissed

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

BALLSTON SPA — An eight-count indictment involving a Vermont Sheriff’s Deputy in connection with a downtown Saratoga Springs incident late last year was dismissed in Saratoga County Court on Sept. 20. 

The Nov. 20, 2022 incident allegedly involved an altercation between off-duty sheriff’s deputy Vito Caselnova of Glens Falls and three other men, and took place in the Caroline Street-Broadway downtown district. The event included a subsequent police response and resulted in an exchange of gunfire.

The indictment charged Caselnova with five felonies – including attempted murder in the second-degree, two misdemeanors, and one violation. Caselnova pleaded not guilty to the charges. 

In his concluding comments of this week’s 31-page ruling, Judge James Murphy wrote that the cumulative impact of the prosecutor’s improper tactics during the presentation of the defendant’s case to the grand jury sufficiently impaired the integrity of the proceedings so as to potentially prejudice the ultimate decision reached by the Grand Jury and warrants dismissal of the indictment.  

The case may be re-presented to a new grand jury. 

In a statement released following the decision, Saratoga County District Attorney Karen Heggen noted that the court’s decision dismissal of the indictment “raised issues with the way the case was presented – it does not absolve Mr. Caselnova of any wrongdoing. We will take our time to thoroughly review the court’s concerns and will move forward with the case.”   

Still standing are the charges filed against three other men allegedly involved in the incident. Alexander Colon, Darius A. Wright, and Christopher (AKA Christian) E. Castillo, were each charged with one count attempted assault in the third-degree, a misdemeanor, in connection with the incident. Each of the three men pleaded not guilty to the charges.   

I Run For Twilight 5k Walk/Run Sept. 23

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — A twilight run/walk will take place on the Pitney Meadows Community Farm trails Saturday, Sept. 23. Registration is at 5:30 p.m., and start time is 6:30. 

The course features a flat sandstone-packed surface that takes runners along the perimeter of the Pitney Meadows Community Farm. All levels welcome.

Post-run activities include live music, s’mores, and bonfires on the Pitney Meadows grounds. 

The event is inspired by Building on Love families. The idea is that participants can run/walk for someone special in their lives. Families can fundraise in honor of that special person leading up to the event. 

Register at: https://bit.ly/irunfor-twilight-5k

Autumn Stroll of Historic Franklin Square on Sunday

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

Franklin Tour on Sunday. Photo provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —Historic Franklin Square, Saratoga’s oldest residential neighborhood, will be the focus of an Autumn Sunday Stroll at 10:30 a.m., Sunday, Sept. 24. 

Current Assemblywoman, and former Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation Executive Director Carrie Woerner will act as stroll leader for the “Wealth & Wellness: Franklin Square” event, presented by Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation. 

 Next Sunday, Oct. 1, Madison Squires will lead the popular stroll “Mail Order Houses of Saratoga.” This tour features houses on East and Pinewood avenues and meets at the Northwest corner of Lake and East avenues.

The SSPF Sunday morning tours last approximately 90 minutes and require walking and standing on varied terrain. 

Tours are limited to 30 and tickets should be purchased in advance. If additional tickets remain, they can be purchased the day-of at the Tour meeting location. The cost per tour is $15 for SSPF members and $20 for non-members. Members with stroll passes need to contact the Foundation’s office to book their tour. 

For additional information or to purchase tickets to any of the upcoming strolls and events visit saratogapreservation.org, call 518-587-5030, or email Marcy Dreimiller, Administrative Assistant, at admin@saratogapreservation.org.

City Unveils Improvements to Waterfront Park

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

Uppermost entranceway to Waterfront Park on Sept. 14, 2023. 
Photo by Thomas Dimopoulos.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — A ribbon-cutting ceremony Sept. 14 celebrated the completion of improvements to Waterfront Park. 

The community will now be able to enjoy a new playground, handicap accessible ramps, and renovated bathrooms and gazebo. 

“Waterfront Park was made possible by preservation and land acquisitions in 2001 by the Open Space Advisory Committee,” said Saratoga Springs Mayor Ron Kim. “It remains to this day one of the only points of public access to Saratoga Lake.” 

The project was made possible by a collaboration between the Mayor’s Office/Recreation Department and the Department of Public Works, using funds that had lingered in the Mayor’s Office’s Capital Budget program since 2013. 

Waterfront Park is located at 622-630 Crescent Ave. 

“Improving the property and structures at Waterfront Park for our community has been a priority of mine since taking office,” DPW Commissioner Jason Golub said, whose public works department played a large role in the renovation. “The bathrooms are restored and operational for the first time in a year, and the gazebo has been updated and renovated as well.”

Saratoga County’s Honor Deceased Veterans Ceremony Recognizes David E. McDonald 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

Members of the McDonald family with Saratoga County officials and representatives from state and federal elected officials’ offices at the Saratoga County Honor Deceased Veterans Ceremony on Sept. 19, 2023, memorializing David E. McDonald of the Town of Charlton.

BALLSTON SPA —The Saratoga County Board of Supervisors and the Saratoga County Veterans Service Agency held its monthly Honor Deceased Veterans Program on Sept. 19, when it staged a ceremony honoring David E. McDonald of the Town of Charlton.

McDonald entered the US Army on Aug. 2, 1966 and served as a Field Artilleryman with 2nd Battalion, 10th Composite Artillery Battalion, 197th Infantry Regiment at Ft Benning, GEorgia – where he trained on 105- and 155-mm Howitzers, as well as “Honest John” rockets.

For his service he was awarded the National Defense Service medal and the Expert Rifle Badge. McDonald was honorably discharged on Aug. 1, 1968. McDonald married his soulmate, Shirleyan Shakan in 1966 and together they had four children.

After service McDonald worked for Sheet Metal Workers #83 as a superintendent, through MCD Mechanical. He was a member of the American Legion Post 234 in Ballston Spa and served as Commander for seven years. 

While serving as Post Commander, McDonald played an integral role in the Saratoga County Honor Deceased Veterans program. He was born March 9, 1947, and died at age 75 on Oct. 24, 2022.

 Established in 1999 by the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors, the Honor Deceased Veterans Program provides a way for county leadership and residents to show gratitude for the service of veterans past and present. The program honors a range of veterans and each ceremony – held at 2 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month – is dedicated to a different Saratoga County veteran. To date, more than 300 Saratoga County Veterans have been honored.

For more information about the Honor Deceased Veterans Ceremony, contact Saratoga County Veterans Service Agency at 518-884-4115.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

Photo provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Loughberry Road residents spent last Saturday morning, Sept. 16, eliminating invasive killer vines from trees and shrubbery along the entrance to the street. At the end of their efforts, over 25 large piles of the dead vines lined the road. The City Public Works employees remove the debris within hours.