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Author: Saratoga TODAY

This Week’s Events:  Apr. 17-23

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Calendar.

Friday, April 17 

Frog Watch with Saratoga Springs Public Library

Wilton Wildlife Preserve and Park, 80 Scout Rd., Wilton | 7 – 8 p.m. Learn how to identify frogs and toads by sight and sound. Walk with our educators around vernal pools and listen for their calls. To register, call the library at (518) 584-7860 ext. 305.

Saturday, April 18

Spring Paper Shredding Day

Halfmoon Highway Department, 322 Route 146, Halfmoon | 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Halfmoon residents are invited to bring documents such as bank statements, credit card records, tax documents, and other confidential papers for safe, secure, on-site shredding at no cost. There is a limit of three bags or boxes per household for this event.

Briggs Cemetery Association Annual Meeting

Briggs Cemetery, Brookline Road, Town of Ballston | 11 a.m. A business meeting and election of officers and trustees will be held. All lot owners and interested people are invited to attend. The spring cleanup starts at 9 a.m. prior to the meeting. Rain date is May 2. For more information email briggscemetery@myyahoo.com.

Heritage Hunters Genealogy and Local History

Town of Saratoga Town Hall, 12 Spring St., Schuylerville | 1 p.m. “The Knox Train” will be presented by David Peck, president of Heritage Hunters. Enjoy a trip to all the markers for Colonel Henry Knox’s 1776 artillery train from Ticonderoga toward Boston. Colonel Knox’s efforts doubled the weapons available to the Continental Army, made the victory at Dorchester Heights possible, and helped force the British out of Boston. Dave photographed all of it and recorded points of interest. Free and open to the public. Info at 518-885-9309.

Community Work Day 

Spa State Park Office Building, 19 Roosevelt Dr., Saratoga Springs | 1 – 3 p.m. Trash Pick Up or Invasive Species Removal. Trash Pick Up volunteers meet at 19 Roosevelt Dr., Invasive Species Removal meet at Hemlock Trail on Crescent Ave. (close to the Saratoga Casino side entrance). Registration is appreciated via our website: friendsofsaratogaspastatepark.org. Rain date: April 19, same times.

Lasagna Dinner

Old Saratoga Reformed Church, 48 Pearl St., Schuylerville | 3 – 6 p.m. Menu includes option of vegetarian or meat lasagna, salad, bread, and dessert. The cost is $17, take-out or dine-in available. Reservations are recommended, call Chris at 518-695-6638.

Chicken BBQ

American Legion Riders Post 490, 1 Legion Rd., Stillwater | 3:30 – 5 p.m. Cost is $15 for 1/2 chicken, macaroni salad, baked beans and roll. Pick up only. To pre-order, please call 518-258-0231. 

Drive-Thru Chicken and Biscuit Dinner

Simpson United Methodist Church, 1089 Rock City Road, Rock City Falls | 3:30 – 6:30 p.m.  Our dinner is made from scratch with chicken breast, country gravy, buttermilk biscuits, real mashed potatoes, a vegetable, cranberry sauce and two large homemade oatmeal raisin cookies.  Ticket prices: Adults – $13; Children under 12 – $9.  Call 518-885-4794 to make reservations. Leave your name, telephone number and the number of adult and/or children tickets you would like to reserve.  A representative from Simpson will call back to confirm your order.

Meatloaf and Macaroni & Cheese Dinner

Maplewood Parkway Methodist Church, 15 Maplewood Parkway, S. Glens Falls | 4:30 – 6 p.m. Menu: Meatloaf, macaroni and cheese, stewed tomatoes, veggies, cold slaw, and homemade dessert. Adults $12. Pre-orders are encouraged for pick-up and deliver dinners. For more information call 518-793-1152.

Trivia Night

624 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs | 6:30 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. Ready to test your general knowledge? Join UU Saratoga for an evening of friendly competition, facts — and prizes!  Participants will compete in teams of four.  Cost is $10 per person.  Soft drinks and snacks included. Wine and cookies are available for purchase. Sign up by emailing uusaratoga@gmail.com with “Trivia Night” in subject header.

Sunday, April 19

All You Can Eat Country Breakfast

Gansevoort Fire House, 1870 Route 32N, Gansevoort | 8 – 11 a.m. Menu includes: eggs cooked to order, omelets, pancakes, hash, French toast, home fries, biscuits with sausage gravy, orange juice, milk, and coffee. Donation: $12 adults, $10 Seniors 55+, Military and 1st Responders, $10 children age 6-12, children under 6 yrs. old are free.

Poets in the Museum

Tang Teaching Museum, Skidmore College, 815 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs | 3 p.m. Regional poets respond to works from the Tang collection on view in All These Growing Things. Organized by Saratoga Springs Poet Laureate Jay Rogoff, the presenting poets are Nicola Marae Allain, Peg Boyers, Joe Bruchac, Catherine Clarke, David Graham, Mary Kathryn Jablonski, Susan Jefts, Marilyn McCabe, Lucyna Prostko, Krista Rivera, Jay Rogoff, Mary Sanders Shartle, and Melora Wolff. For more information, visit tang.skidmore.edu.

Monday, April 20

The Thymly Herb Garden Group Meeting

4-H Training Center, 556 Middleline Rd., Ballston Spa |11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Guest speaker Theresa Mays will speak about the historical Importance of Shaker Gardens and their culinary uses. There will be a short Herb of the Month presentation by a member. Following, light refreshments and a meeting. If the Ballston Spa School District closes that day, we will not meet. Guests are welcome! Please RSVP to thymlyherbgroup1@gmail.com with questions or let us know you will be joining us.

Tuesday, April 21

Spring Fling with Live Music

Saratoga Senior Center, 290 West Ave., Saratoga Springs | 1 – 2:30 p.m. Celebrate the season at the Saratoga Senior Center’s Spring Fling, featuring live music from local favorite Jeff Brisbin, seasonal snacks provided by our friends at 9 Miles East, and plenty of time to relax and connect with friends. This upbeat afternoon is all about welcoming brighter days ahead and enjoying the simple joy of being together. Cost is $5. 

The Wildflower Bounty of Saratoga County

Saratoga Spa State Park Office, 19 Roosevelt Dr., Saratoga Springs | 6:30 – 8 p.m. A presentation by Jackie Donnelly. Jackie will talk about many species to be found in our area. You will learn what to be on the lookout for and when to see these plants. A resident of Saratoga Springs since 1970, Jackie Donnelly is a nature writer/photographer who chronicles her nature adventures throughout Saratoga County and beyond in her blog, Saratoga Woods and Waterways. www.saratogawoodswaters.blogspot.com. 

Town of Greenfield Historical Society Meeting

Community Center, 25 Wilton Rd., Greenfield Center | 7 p.m. Our speaker will be Stephen Williams with a presentation titled “Fixing Things — Arnold Rothstein in Saratoga”. Stephen will talk about Arnold Rothstein, reputed to have fixed the 1919 World Series and 1921 Travers Stakes, and owner of Brook Casino, a known mobster hangout in Saratoga. Please join us, all are welcome – admission is free.

Wednesday, April 22

Sliced Turkey Breast Dinner

Saratoga Wilton Elks Lodge, 1 Elks Lane, Saratoga Springs | 4:30 – 6 p.m. Curbside pickup only. Call Monday or Tuesday between 10 a.m. – Noon to place an order. 518-584-2585. Menu: sliced turkey breast, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, vegetable, gravy, tossed salad, dinner rolls. Dinner $15 (cash only).

Thursday, April 23

MS Support Group meeting

By Zoom or in person at SAIL, 51 Glenwood Ave, Queensbury | 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. For questions, please call Lou Ann 518-793-9506. 

Community Night

Saratoga Outdoors, 490 Broadway, Saratoga Springs | 5 – 9 p.m.  The evening will feature Friends of Saratoga Spa State Park, who will be on-site sharing more about their mission and impact. 30% of all sales during this event will be donated directly to Friends of Saratoga Spa State Park. Plus, don’t miss your chance to win a $100 Saratoga Outdoors gift card that will be raffled off. Come support their cause while shopping for quality outdoor gear!

Quiet Chapter Club

Ballston Spa Public Library, 21 Milton Ave., Ballston Spa | 6:30 – 7:45 p.m. A relaxed and welcoming take on the increasingly popular “silent book club” trend. Designed for adults ages 18+ who love reading but prefer a low-pressure, social environment. The Quiet Chapter Club offers a unique opportunity to connect with fellow book lovers—without the expectation of assigned reading or structured discussion. Participants are invited to bring their own book and enjoy an evening that blends quiet reading time with optional conversation. Light refreshments will be served. Please RSVP by calling 518-885-5022 or stopping in.

Saratoga Springs City School District to Host Drive-a-Bus Event on May 2

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

The Saratoga Springs City School District invites community members to attend a Drive-a-Bus Event on Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Maple Avenue Middle School.

This free, family-friendly event offers a unique opportunity for individuals to explore a career in student transportation. Attendees will have the chance to meet experienced school bus drivers, tour school buses, and ride or test drive a bus. District staff will be available to answer questions and provide information about employment opportunities within the transportation department.   The Saratoga Springs Police Department will also be on site offering free car seat safety checks for families.

The district offers competitive pay, with an hourly rate of $27.33 per hour effective July 1, 2026, along with a supportive team environment and flexible scheduling options. No CDL is required to get started. The district provides comprehensive, in-house training to support new drivers.

Community members who are unable to attend the event can still learn more about becoming a school bus driver by completing the Bus Driver Interest Form at: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/uq62pYUW1K

Comfort Food Community Launches Grow 2 Give: A Hands-On Volunteer Program Rooted in Farming, Education, and Community Impact

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

Comfort Food Community (CFC) is launching Grow 2 Give, a new, innovative program designed to expand access to fresh, nutritious produce through a cost-efficient, community-powered approach. Grow 2 Give will help to increase fresh food access across Washington, Warren, and Saratoga Counties by growing food from seed on donated land with the support of volunteers and funding from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

All produce harvested through Grow 2 Give will be distributed through CFC’s food access programs, directly supporting individuals and families experiencing food insecurity. 

Through the program, volunteers will select from six crops—tomatoes, winter squash, onions, garlic, potatoes, and carrots—and work in teams to help grow their chosen crop from seed to harvest. Participants will gain hands-on experience in essential farming practices including seeding, planting, pruning, harvesting, and post-harvest processing.

Grow 2 Give is made possible through a partnership with Thomas Christenfeld, owner of The Alleged Farm, who will provide land, guidance, and instruction alongside CFC staff throughout the growing seasons. 

In addition to fieldwork, volunteers will have access to a variety of educational opportunities focused on sustainable agriculture, nutrition, and food systems. Workshops throughout the season will include cooking with fresh produce, foraging, and sustainable growing practices. 

“Grow 2 Give brings people together around something tangible and lasting. It’s about learning by doing—getting your hands dirty, understanding the rhythms of the land, and contributing to something bigger than yourself,” said Christenfeld. “Watching volunteers take pride in what they’ve grown, knowing it will nourish their neighbors, is what makes this program so special.” 

Beyond growing food, Grow 2 Give aims to cultivate deeper connections between people, the land, and the food system for a stronger, more resilient community. 

An informational session will be held on April 20 at 5:30 p.m. via video call. Community members interested in participating can learn more and join the session by visiting CFC’s website: www.comfortfoodcommunity.org/event-details/grow-2-give-info-session

Philip Glotzbach at the Torch Club April 27:  “Finding Purpose in an Uncertain Future”

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

The Saratoga Torch Club will host a conversation Monday, April 27, with Philip A. Glotzbach, offering timely guidance for students and families navigating college and the rapidly changing world beyond it.

 Speaking on “Finding Purpose in an Uncertain Future,” Glotzbach will begin his presentation at 7 p.m. at the Saratoga Springs Holiday Inn. An optional dinner with cash bar will precede it, starting at 5:30 p.m.

 Glotzbach, who served as president of Skidmore College for 17 years, is the author of “Embrace Your Freedom: Winning Strategies to Succeed in College and Life.” Grown and Flown, a blog for parents with college-bound children, just spotlighted it as one the “Top 20 Books” to give a graduating high school senior.

 Drawing on decades of leadership in higher education, Glotzbach offers clear, practical advice on how students can make the most of their college years, emphasizing resilience, balance, responsible decision-making, and learning from failure.

 The conversation comes at a moment of growing uncertainty about the future of work. Today’s college graduates are entering a challenging job market, while rapid advances in artificial intelligence are raising new questions about which skills which profession will endure. Against that backdrop, Glotzbach offers a perspective grounded in experience and focused on long-term development.

 In Embrace Your Freedom, he challenges what he calls the “ATM model” of college, an increasingly common view of higher education as a transactional exchange in which tuition is paid and a credential received. While understandable in an era of rising costs and economic pressure, he argues that this approach risks missing the deeper purpose of college: not simply what students gain, but who they become. 

 That idea will anchor the April discussion. Families today are navigating a landscape shaped by economic anxiety, rising expectations, and the accelerating presence of technologies that can both empower and displace. At the same time, young people are being asked to define themselves in a world where the pathways to adulthood are less stable and less clearly defined than in previous generations.

 Glotzbach’s perspective avoids both nostalgia and alarmism. Rather than calling for a return to the past or deferring to technology as destiny, he emphasizes a more demanding understanding of freedom as “the capacity to do something meaningful.” That capacity, he argues, is developed through discipline, relationships, and a willingness to engage complexity.

At its core, the evening returns to one of Glotzbach’s central insights: that the college years represent a rare opportunity for self-discovery. It is a time when students can “test drive” the adults they are becoming, supported by a community that encourages growth while allowing room for missteps.

 Reservations for dinner at $40 may be made by writing Richard Lynch at torchman999@gmail.com by April 24. Menu options are seasoned chicken breast or spring primavera. Those opting to skip dinner are welcome to attend the 7 p.m. presentation for a suggested donation of $10. 

Saratoga County History Center Releases New Documentary

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.


A new documentary is being released by the Saratoga History Center on the history of Greenfield Center

The Saratoga County History Center at Brookside Museum has released the fourth film in its documentary series focused on Saratoga County communities, entitled The Town of Greenfield: A Forgotten Crossroads. Earlier films in the Forgotten Crossroads series explored the communities of Rock City Falls, Bacon Hill, and Vischer Ferry. 

 “By focusing on the entire Town of Greenfield, the History Center has taken on an ambitious project,” said film director Jim Richmond. This film is meant to display the diversity of history, memories and aspirations that make Greenfield a special place to live, and centers around conversations with twenty local residents ranging in age from 13 to 90. “The common theme of the film is their joy, which comes across in the film,” added Richmond.  

Greenfield is the largest town in Saratoga County, extending from the outskirts of Saratoga Springs to the foothills of the Adirondacks. Native Americans were familiar with this land long before settlers from New England arrived soon after the Revolution. “Settlements sprung up along the Kayaderosseras Creek,” said Town Historian Duane Cornell. “Early sawmills and gristmills were erected to meet the needs of the surrounding farms.” 

Today, descendants of those early families share the town with recent arrivals, seeking the experience of rural landscapes close to the more urban population centers of the county. “The energy of the residents comes across in their engagement in town activities,” said Jenn Zeisler, a recent arrival who heads Greenfield’s Recreation Department. This excitement is expressed in the town’s motto, “Better TOGether.” 

The film will be available for public viewing on Thursday, May 7 at 7pm at Brookside Museum in Ballston Spa and on Wednesday, May 20 at 7 pm at the Greenfield Fire Station #1 in Greenfield Center. Reservations for both events are available at brooksidemuseum.org. The Town of Greenfield: A Forgotten Crossroads was directed by Jim Richmond and filmed by David Waite.

“Haunted in New York” Experience Coming to Saratoga Springs

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — This summer, the mystical will meet the experiential in a daytime event designed to intrigue, inspire, and immerse. Evolve Today Events, founded by event curator and paranormal creative Shelley Pettit, will present “Haunted in New York: A Curated Paranormal and Metaphysical Experience” on Saturday, Aug. 15 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Saratoga City Center.

More than a traditional vendor market, Haunted in New York is an environment where guests step into a world of paranormal curiosity and metaphysical exploration. The event will feature intuitive readers, energy practitioners, handcrafted goods, immersive elements, and interactive experiences designed to engage attendees on both a personal and sensory level.

“My goal is to create events that feel like stepping into another world — but still grounded, safe, and welcoming,” Pettit said in a news release. “I want people to leave feeling like they truly experienced something, not just walked through another event.”

A highlight of the event is the Alchemist’s Market, a food and beverage experience designed to match the immersive tone of the event. This marketplace offers vendors the opportunity to present their offerings in a themed environment that encourages interaction, exploration, and customer engagement.

U.S. Air Force Career Center Opens in Malta

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.


Photo provided by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.


MALTA — The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce recently joined with representatives from the United States Air Force for the grand opening of its new career center at 2545 Rt. 9 in Malta. Locals interested in a career in the Air Force or Space Force can contact Technical Sergeant Jonathan Davis from the new recruitment office at jonathan.davis.25@us.af.mil or (518) 859-0297.

Owl Pen Books Reopens for 66th Season

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.


Photo via Owl Pen Books.

GREENWICH — Regarded as the oldest bookstore in the Capital Region, Owl Pen Books in Greenwich will reopen for its 66th season on Saturday, April 25 at 11 a.m. 

The opening date coincides with Independent Bookstore Day. Book and music lovers are encouraged to shop the inventory of nearly 100,000 used, rare, and antiquarian books, prints, and ephemera, as well as used LPs, CDs, and cassettes.

The book farm will host a number of events this season, including a multi-vendor vinyl record fair and the return of Hubbard Hall’s annual Shakespeare in the Park.

Originally opened in an old hog pen in 1960 by Barbara Probst, Owl Pen has since expanded into a large former chicken coop and welcomed tens of thousands of visitors to its unlikely location “on a back road off a back road.” In 1945, Probst stumbled on the then-abandoned property and decided to devote her life to restoring it. Current owners Eric Kufs and Sydney Nichols stumbled on the property for sale online in 2021 and purchased the bookstore and surrounding acres in 2022.

Owl Pen’s 66th season will run from April 25 through Nov. 1, Wednesdays through Sundays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The bookstore can be found online at www.OwlPenBooks.com and on Instagram and Facebook @owlpenbooks.

Week of April 17 – April 23, 2026

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Property Transactions.

BALLSTON

Catherine Callahan sold property at 4 Conifer Dr to Peter Volkmann for $470,000

Laura Conrad sold property at 124 Lakehill Rd to Laura Conrad for $200,000

Christopher Darragh sold property at 48 Timber Creek Dr to Janell Anderson for $720,000

Christopher Darragh sold property at 48 Timber Creek Dr to Michael Sheehan for $720,000

Matthew Gilmore sold property at 32 Buell Ave to Jennifer Messina for $3856,000

CHARLTON

Hoosier Properties III LLC sold property at 33 Western Ave to Michael Voytek for $320,000

GALWAY

Jacob Ogden sold property at 5623 Lake Rd to Benjamin Russom for $375,000

MALTA

Bruce Cramer sold property at 9 Willis Way  to David Monin for $549,000

Jing Nan sold property at 8 Candlewood Dr to Matthew Rimkunas for $535,000

Lee Vitas sold property at 55 Yachtsmans Way to Richard Chandler for $680,000

David Argoff sold property at 12 Century Dr to Nicole Mullen for $620,000

LFC Properties sold property at 41 Thimbleberry Rd to KJ Silk Rentals LLC for $310,000

MILTON

CHS Homebuyers LLC sold property at 63 Knickerbocker St to David Winchell for $242,500

SARATOGA

Stafford Bridge Inn LLC sold property at County Rd 68 to James Davis for $1,400,000

SARATOGA SPRINGS

Morris Strauss sold property at 230 West Ave to 230 West Ave Land LLC for $2,300,000

Christopher Derven sold property at 261 West Circular St to Christopher Shiley for $620,000

122 Regent St LLC sold property at 122 Regent St to Dawn McCollough for $2,357,641

Adelphi Owner II LLC sold property at 19 Washington St #259 to Robert Colangelo for $1,499,000

William Fuccillo sold property at 116 Crescent St to Brandon Himoff for $3,395,000

John Hartford sold property at 14 Wedgewood Dr to Laura Close for $275,000

Saratoga Quality Hardware sold property at 8,10,12 Gick Rd to 8 Gick Rd LLC for $350,000

Frank Parillo sold property at 50 West Ave to Cuperk Realty LLC for $1,700,000

Kevin Grogan sold property at 69 Outlook Ave to PLP Development LLC for $660,000

Michael Wink as trustee sold property at 119 Grand Ave to Russell Knight for $760,000

Blitman Saratoga LLC sold property at 11 Jane St to Christopher Yuknek for $975,000

Delores Grasso sold property at 10 Oak St to Ralph Grasso for $362,000

Danielle Palmer sold property at 450 Grand Ave to Conor Donohue for $120,000

WILTON

sold property at 7 Trolley Bed Lane to Katherine Klein for $310,500

Forest Grove LLC sold property at 2 Plumas Pl to Bruce Kuhn for $727,351

Devin Palmer sold property at 2 Norland Ct to Michael Renfroe for $425,000

Eric Tatko sold property at 15 Timbira Dr to Lynne Montano for $492,000

Saratoga 250 Presents The 5TH Annual Turning Point Symposium & Bus Tour

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

The Saratoga County 250th Commission announced tickets are on sale for the 5th Annual Turning Point Symposium. The event is May 2nd from 8:15AM to 3:30PM at the Old Saratoga American Legion Post, 6 Clancy St. in Schuylerville, NY. Additionally, a guided bus tour following the route of a British Raid on Ballston in October 1780 is offered on May 3rd from 10AM to 2PM.

General registration for the symposium is $75 and includes a light breakfast and deli lunch. The guided bus tour is $75 and includes a box lunch. Those interested can register for these events at Saratoga250.com.  

Lauren Roberts, Saratoga County Historian and Chair of the Saratoga County 250th Commission said, “As the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence approaches, we turn our attention to the ideas and actions of those who took part in the creation of this country. Symposiums like these remind us of how much we still have to learn from the people and events that took place two and a half centuries ago, and why their stories still matter today.”

Formerly known as the Women in War Symposium, the event features notable Revolutionary War era historians and authors presenting new scholarship to enhance our understanding of the War for American Independence.  This year, the topics focus on the upstate New York area and the impact felt by both combatants and residents throughout the war. Additionally, the event will include exhibitor displays, books, and cutting-edge augmented reality demonstrations.

Emceed by historian and author Dr. Bruce Venter, the symposium will feature five speakers with several presenters focusing on the varied roles women played in the American Revolution. Turning Point Symposium attendees will hear unfamiliar stories of loyalists and patriots, learn about the challenges (and opportunities) residents faced and discover how they navigated a very personalized and bloody conflict. An optional walking tour led by Town of Saratoga Historian Sean Kelleher explores the Schuyler Legacy concludes the day.

On Sunday May 3rd the weekend continues with the British Raid on Ballston Bus Tour, led by local historian Jim Richmond whose book War on the Middeline describes the settlement of Middeline Road in Ballston in the years leading up to the Revolution. The four-hour tour will include stops along the Sacandaga Reservoir and lunch at the Middle Grove Town Park.