SARATOGA SPRINGS — Terry Ely Couch died Aug 10. A graveside service will be held at 12 noon on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023 at Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Rd., Schuylerville, NY 12871. Condolences may be shared at compassionatefuneralcare.com
BALLSTON SPA — Christopher B. Leyendecker died Aug 17. A funeral service will be held at 7 p.m. , Thursday, August 24, 2023 at Compassionate Funeral Care. Calling hours were held prior to the service at the funeral home. Condolences may be shared at compassionatefuneralcare.com
BALLSTON SPA — Mary Ann Hannon died August 15. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, August 26, 2023 at Compassionate Funeral Care. Calling hours will be held 12 to 2 p.m. prior to the service with Father Martin Fisher officiating. Condolences may be shared at compassionatefuneralcare.com
BALLSTON SPA — The Rotary Club of Ballston Spa, a longtime supporter of the Ballston Spa Central School District, recently donated a car load of school supplies to the district as the new school year approaches. Supplies will be distributed to local students/families in need. Families in the Ballston Spa schools who need assistance in obtaining school supplies for their students should contact Deb Dugan, 518-884-7195, ext. 1356 or ddugan@bscsd.org.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —Cardona’s Market unveiled a fundraiser in celebration of retired jockey and Saratoga Live TV personality Richard Migliore who frequented the Winner’s Circle throughout his career spanning nearly three decades. Migliore, known to fans as “The Mig,” was on hand Friday morning for the ceremonial first bite at Cardona’s Saratoga Market.
The event took place on the eve of the 39th running of the Grade 1, $500,000 Fourstardave Handicap at Saratoga Race Course, a race named in honor of the fan-favorite thoroughbred with whom Migliore is most often associated.
Cardona’s will donate a total of $2,500, or $1,250 each, to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF) and Thoroughbred Retirement Fund (TRF) from the sale of the celebrity sandwich now through Labor Day.
“I feel especially honored to have a Cardona’s sub named after me,” said Migliore. “I am a huge fan of Cardona’s and I always look forward to enjoying their incredible menu anytime I’m in the Capital District. I want to thank Cardona’s for making this sandwich double as a fundraiser for two charities that mean the world to me.”
Migliore’s 29-year racing career boasted 4,450 wins, including 362 stakes and 25 Grade 1 events. He was aboard Fourstardave for the thoroughbred’s final win at Saratoga in 1994.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Fernando Toro, who was officially inducted into the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame on Aug. 4, will be presented his Hall of Fame plaque and jacket in a special ceremony at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, California, on Saturday, Aug. 19.
Toro, 82, a resident of Carlsbad, Calif., was unable to attend the traditional induction ceremony in Saratoga Springs. He will be recognized at Del Mar after the running of the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks, a race Toro won twice during his outstanding career. Hall of Fame jockey Laffit Pincay, Jr. will present Toro with his plaque and jacket in the Del Mar winner’s circle. The event will include a tribute video featuring Toro’s career highlights.
“The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame would like to thank the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club for helping us recognize Fernando in such a special way at a track where he had so many of the moments that led to his election to the Hall of Fame,” Brien Bouyea, the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame and Communications Director said in a statement. “It will be wonderful to see Fernando presented his Hall of Fame plaque and jacket by the iconic Laffit Pincay, Jr. with so many of his family members and friends able to be there in person.”
A native of Santiago, Chile, Toro won 3,555 races with purse earnings of $56,299,765 during his North American riding career from 1966 through 1990.
SARATOGA COUNTY —The Saratoga County Capital Resource Corporation (SCCRC), a not for profit community development organization, recently launched a new grant program for not for profit organizations located in Saratoga County.
On Aug. 9, SCCRC announced the recipients of its first round of grants. They are: The Corinth Community Cupboard, The Veterans & Community Housing Coalition, Bikeatoga.org, and Operation Adopt A Soldier.
“These not for profit organizations provide important services that positively impact those for whom they serve,” said SCCRC Chairman Matthew Veitch. “Since launching our grant program in July we have been overwhelmed with requests, but our goal is to help as many organizations as we can.”
Organizations interested in submitting an application for the next round of grants may do so by downloading the grant application from the SCCRC’s website, saratogacapitaresource.org and submitting it by email to CEO Ray O’Conor at rayoconor5@gmail.com.
The SCCRC provides low cost tax-exempt financing to other not for profit organizations. Since its creation in 2012, SCCRC has served as the conduit or supported more than $250 million in tax exempt bonds.
August 10, 2023. Cynthia’s zest for life and her radiant presence touched everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her.
Born on March 30, 1955, in Longview, Texas to E. Taylor and Virginia (Cattlet) Spence, she is predeceased by her parents and brothers, Dale and Mike Spence. She is survived by her loving husband of 43 years, Guy Cervera of Malta, NY, her cherished daughter, Felicia Cervera of Charlton, NY, and her adored extended family.
Cynthia’s education began at Robert E. Lee High School in Tyler, Texas, and continued at Tyler Junior College. Following her graduation, Cynthia pursued a career in the advertising industry; she eventually became a traffic manager in radio television in Houston, Dallas, TX and Buffalo, NY. It was during her tenure in Beaumont, Texas, where she met the love of her life, Guy Cervera. Shortly after meeting, they embarked on their 43-year-long marriage of love, adventure and family.
For the past 35 years, she devoted herself to their computer software business, working alongside her husband with pride. Despite her professional accomplishments, Cynthia often stated that her most important job was being a mother to her daughter, Felicia.
Cynthia’s interests were as diverse and vibrant as her personality. She was a talented writer, and her beautiful poems were published. She enjoyed going to the Saratoga Race Course with her family and friends, she luckily lived less than 2 miles away. Over the years, she and Guy became friends with many horse trainers, jockeys, and track workers. Cynthia was known for her fashion style and bright personality that could truly light up any room.
Despite her Texan roots, Cynthia became quite the accomplished Italian cook, learning from Guy’s mother, Jean, and his grandmother, Marguerite. Cynthia and Guy’s love for travel and music provided many memorable moments, and Cynthia’s love for dancing will be remembered. She loved life intensely and surrounded herself with her favorite people as much as possible. Her favorite person was her daughter, Felicia, with whom she shared a remarkably close bond. Their love for restaurant dining and shopping provided many occasions for quality time together.
Cynthia A. Cervera’s life serves as a reminder to live life to its fullest. Her spirited nature, loving heart, and creative soul will be remembered and celebrated by all those who were fortunate enough to know her.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the DeMarco family at Glenville Funeral Home. Cynthia is laid to rest at Island Hill Cemetery in Buskirk, NY.
Condolences may be made at glenvillefuneralhome.com
CORINTH — Randy Akstull, died Monday, August 14. Calling hours are Friday, Aug 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. follow by a service at 8 p.m. at Compassionate Funeral Care. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on August 19, 2023 at Memory Gardens Cemetery, Albany, NY 12205. Condolences may be shared at compassionatefuneralcare.com
