Saratoga — The town of Saratoga will feature a new likeness of Revolutionary War American Gen. Philip Schuyler.
The framed portrait will find a new home in the prestigious Schuyler Room and marks a significant addition to the town of Saratoga’s collection, according to a statement by town historian Sean Kelleher.
The portrait is a digital photo reproduction of a painting from the New-York Historical Society. The painting was done in 1792 by John Trumbull, and it belonged to Schuyler’s daughter, Eliza Schuyler Hamilton. The portrait passed down in her family until it was donated to the NY Historical Society in 1915.
Saratoga Deputy Supervisor Ian Murray received a donation of General Schuyler’s portrait from Deb Peck Kelleher, President of the Old Saratoga Historical Association at Saratoga Town Hall, where the portrait was unveiled.
Ian Murray receiving a donation of General Schuyler’s portrait from Deb Peck Kelleher. Photo provided.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Summer Concert Series returns to Congress Park for the 2023 season, kicking off on Sunday, July 9 with Fenimore Blues. Gather friends and family, bring blankets and chairs, find a spot on the lawn, and enjoy area performers.
The Saratoga Summer Concert Series will take place Sundays in July and Tuesdays in August. Shows will begin at 7 p.m. at the War Memorial in Congress Park and each concert will be approximately 90 minutes.
The season kicks off July 9 with Fenimore Blues, featuring an eclectic mix of blues, R&B, and rock, and drawing on a notable music repertoire from Bonnie Raitt to Aretha Franklin, the Neville Brothers to the Allman Brothers, Linda Ronstadt to Etta James, Santana to Tedeschi Trucks
July 23 – Skippy and the Pistons; July 30 – Proudest Monkeys Band; Aug. 1 – MPThree; Aug. 8 – Betsy and the ByeGons; Aug. 15 – Rustic Spirit; Aug. 22 – Garland Nelson and Soul Session.
Saratoga Arts made this program possible through the Community Arts Regrant Program, funded by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. The free, family-friendly concert series is a program of the Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center in partnership with Discover Saratoga and the City of Saratoga Springs.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Fred Astaire Dance Studios (FADS) – Saratoga Springs is partnering with Alliance180, to host their summer showcase 1 – 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 15 at the studio, located at 3257 US-9, Suite 2, Saratoga Springs.
This year’s summer showcase theme is “From Bollywood to Hollywood.” Styles of dance to include everything from Waltz and Swing to Mongolian Folk Dance, and more. Students will be dancing alongside the studio’s professional instructors displaying months of hard work and dedication to the art of dance.
Tickets will be available at the door for $15. All ticket proceeds from the show will be donated to the nonprofit.
The studio can be reached at 518-587-0300. For more information about Fred Astaire Dance Studios – Saratoga Springs, visit online www.fredastaire.com/saratoga-springs.
A giant chess set on the outdoor patio at Cookies & Cream and Finishing Touches in Malta.
MALTA — Doug Dockendorf and Shelly Walker initially purchased the Wiggins-Collamer House in Malta in 2020 as the new location for Finishing Touches Home Decor, Walker’s interior design, home decor, and gift company.
They redeveloped part of the building to an ice cream shop called Cookies & Cream, serving customers outside through windows. The ice cream options were expanded the following year, and a coffee bar was added last May.
Now, they have expanded their offerings yet again, introducing a variety of gourmet fudge, truffle, and chocolate products from Chocolate Moonshine.
“There’s nothing like this anywhere around,” said Dockendorf. “We’ve got, pretty much, four businesses in one. We’ve got Finishing Touches, which is the gift store and interior design, we’ve got Cookies & Cream, which is the ice cream, we have the little coffee bar, and then we have now, all the truffles and fudge.”
Dockendorf described Chocolate Moonshine’s products as “a visual experience.”
“It is truly the finest chocolates in the world,” said Dockendorf. “And when I say that, I mean that. It’s just amazing.”
Chocolate Moonshine’s truffle bars are made with Belgian chocolate and a milk chocolate ganache inside, Dockendorf said, and hand-painted with cocoa butter. They also offer gourmet fudge, chocolate-covered turtles, pretzels, and more.
“They make great gifts, great presents,” Dockendorf said. Unless you buy them online, you can’t get them locally. So we added that in.”
Cookies and Cream’s chocolate is located inside across from the coffee bar. The coffee bar opened last year, offering a variety of products including lattes, cappuccinos, espressos, affogato, iced coffee, and organic tea.
“It was supposed to just be a little self-serve coffee station, and it turned into everything,” Walker said. “Which is good, because we sell a lot of lattes, cappuccinos, and espressos.”
The coffee bar also offers a selection of baked goods from The Sugar Fairy Bakes, which recently opened a location in Malta, with Dockendorf saying supporting other local businesses is “what we’re all about here.”
The historic Wiggins-Collamer House was built in 1835 and was formerly used as Malta’s Town Hall, according to information on the Town of Malta website.
The building borders Collamer Park, and features a large outdoor space and patio that Dockendorf and Walker are supplementing with improvements and additions such as a redone lawn, a tent, bathrooms, seating areas, and a variety of outdoor games.
“We put a chess set in, a big, outdoor chess set, which is awesome,” said Dockendorf. “Everybody’s out here every day playing it.”
Dockendorf emphasized his goal of creating a space where people can spend time outdoors, and said that the community response so far has been “unbelievable.”
“We’re trying to create something for the town, for Saratoga, and for the surrounding areas, to make it something special,” said Dockendorf. “Everyone is so excited about it. And we’re excited too, because we want them to come, and have fun with it. It’s not just about us. It’s about getting to know everybody in the town.”
“It’s not just a place people come, get ice cream, and then leave,” Walker added. “They can sit and hang out with their friends, and chat. The kids are going wild out there, running from one thing to the other.”
Dockendorf said he hopes for people to “spend time and hang out” in the park and its adjoining spaces. “I want them to come sit on that picnic table for a couple hours,” said Dockendorf. “Let them have fun. Let them enjoy the park. … I think it’s a wonderful place to spend time.”
Collamer Park also includes a basketball court that adjoins the property, and Dockendorf said he is planning to convert a large bush on the property into a ‘kids zone.’
“I saw a couple kids run in there one day,” Dockendorf said. “I looked in there, and it’s all these vines in there and stuff. So we’re going to make it a kids’ zone. We have lots of kids here, every day. It’s getting busier every day. We love it.”
Dockendorf said since opening, the interactions with the local community have been “the best part about it.”
“We’ve got some wonderful people that work for us,” Dockendorf said. “We’ve got great neighbors and great customers. It’s just amazing. For Shelly and I, it’s the best thing we’ve ever done.”
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Brilliant Group, owned by Annie & Andrew Brill, has acquired The Saratoga Winery, the group announced in a press release.
The Saratoga Winery is a winery, restaurant, event, and live music venue. It was formerly owned by Tara and Rich Nimmo.
“We are very excited to start this next chapter of our lives and of the business,” said Brilliant Group president Annie Brill in the release. “The Winery is an institution in Saratoga. We feel honored to be at the helm and to purchase a restaurant with such great notoriety and reputation.”
Ms. Brill is the general manager of The Saratoga Winery, and Mr. Brill is a sales manager at Mazzone Hospitality. They have a combined 35 years of industry experience, the release states.
“Saratoga has such a great restaurant scene with loyal customers who love to support great local businesses,” Brill said. “We already have a great thing going at The Winery. Andrew and I are not looking to reinvent the wheel here, but to elevate the food, drink, and overall customer experience. We are also excited to bring our extensive background in events to The Winery and offer even more public and private events to our customer base.”
This is the company’s first restaurant acquisition. The release states that The Brilliant Group’s mission statement is “to offer unique and exceptional hospitality experiences to a local audience.”
TROY — IBM and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have announced that RPI will become the first university in the world to house an IBM Quantum System One computer.
The IBM quantum computer is intended to be operational by January 2024, a press release states, and will serve as the foundation of a new IBM Quantum Computational Center in partnership with RPI.
The release states that RPI’s vision is to “enhance the educational experiences and research capabilities of students and researchers at RPI and other institutions, propel the Capital Region into a top location for talent, and accelerate New York’s growth as a technology epicenter.”
RPI is investing more than $150 million into research of applications for quantum computing, with philanthropic support from Curtis R. Priem, RPI Class of 1982 and vice chair of the RPI Board of Trustees. The new quantum computer will be part of RPI’s new Curtis Priem Quantum Constellation, a faculty-endowed center for collaborative research.
“We are grateful for Curtis Priem’s support. RPI is building upon our longstanding collaboration with IBM to harness state-of-the-art computing to find solutions to global challenges, while training the next-gen workforce in quantum,” said Marty A. Schmidt ‘81, Ph.D., President of RPI, in the release. “We look forward to working with our partners in the region to transform the Hudson River Valley into ‘Quantum Valley.’”
Quantum computers harness the laws of quantum mechanics to process information and may solve problems that are too complex for classical supercomputers, such as advancements in computational science research, artificial intelligence, and materials, the release states.
The agreement includes a commitment to provide an upgrade to the system installed at RPI in 2026.
“Today’s quantum computers are novel, scientific tools that can be used to model problems that are extremely difficult, and perhaps impossible, for classical systems, signaling that we are now entering a new phase of utility for quantum computing,” said Darío Gil, Senior Vice President and Director of IBM Research, in the release. “We expect this collaboration to continue to have tremendous impact for the area’s growth as a corridor of innovation, from New York City to the Capital Region.”
RPI is also home to the Artificial Intelligence Multiprocessing Optimized System (AiMOS), which is the most powerful private university-based supercomputer in the United States, the release states.
16-year-old Leo Quinn drowned just days before he was set to give a commencement speech as Valedictorian at St. Peter’s Academy in 1923. 100 years later, his great-nephew, also named Leo Quinn, read the speech at Saratoga Catholic’s 2023 Commencement Ceremony (Photo provided by Leo Quinn).
SARATOGA SPRINGS — In 1923, 16-year-old Leo Joseph Quinn was preparing for the next chapter of his life. Quinn was set to graduate as the class valedictorian at St. Peter’s Academy (now Saratoga Central Catholic School) and was set to give a speech at the commencement ceremony.
But he never received that opportunity. Just days before the commencement, the 16-year-old drowned in Saratoga Lake.
100 years later, Quinn’s speech has finally been read, by his great-nephew of the same name.
A 1986 graduate of Saratoga Catholic, Quinn was able to relay the speech to graduates at Saratoga Catholic’s 2023 commencement ceremony on June 23.
Quinn said he did not know much about his great-uncle growing up but became interested in the family history after finding old family possessions.
“I found a couple of my grandfather’s, Uncle Leo’s brother, found a couple of his journals from 1919 and 1920,” said Quinn. “I found out that my cousin Tracy had ‘21 and ‘22, so that sort of started my interest in that family’s history.”
Then, several years later, Quinn received more from his uncle’s things, which included a journal from his great-uncle Leo.
“It included a very old notebook with a sticker on the front that said, ‘Leo Quinn Physics,’” Quinn said. “I opened that up, and there were a bunch of old papers from his school and that one sheet of paper.”
On the back of the sheet, “Is this Leo’s speech?”, was written in pencil, Quinn said.
“I don’t know who wrote that or when it was written, but going through it, it certainly seemed like a valedictorian address,” said Quinn.
Quinn then found a pair of newspaper articles in The Saratogian, one covering his great-uncle’s death and one covering the 1923 commencement. He said all he knows of his great-uncle comes from “those two newspaper articles.”
“That’s all I know,” said Quinn. “My grandfather was the oldest of five kids. Leo was the youngest, and my grandfather was the oldest. Both their parents were dead. They had died in 1922 and 1923. My grandfather was in charge of things. When his brother died, I can only imagine the effect it has on him.”
A Saratogian article from June 21, 1923 states, “Although (Quinn) was but sixteen years old, he was president and valedictorian of this year’s class of St. Peter’s High school and was to have been graduated with his class at St. Peter’s Catholic church next Sunday morning.”
The article states that Quinn was an altar boy at St. Peter’s Church and was planning to attend Holy Cross University to study for the priesthood.
He was posthumously awarded with the St. Peter’s Alumni prize and the Scholarship Medal at St. Peter’s commencement ceremony, which occurred just four days after his death, according to an article in The Saratogian on June 25, 1923 covering the graduation.
Quinn said he initially pitched the idea to the school in January and followed up with Saratoga Catholic principal Christopher Signor in May.
“The principal loved the idea, thought the students would be moved by it,” said Quinn.
Quinn noted the “sad irony” of the speech, which partially discusses the prospect of being young with a full life ahead.
“Well, I just see the sad irony in it all, talking about a high school graduate not having really lived yet, and all this life to live,” said Quinn.
“The high school graduate is comparatively young in years. He has all his life before him,” part of the speech reads. “He has been getting ready for life during all the years of his past existence, but as yet, he has not really lived.”
Quinn said it was “great” to be able to read the speech, saying he knew “nothing about what happened after the graduation.”
“Did they find the speech? Did they think about delivering it?” Quinn said. “I knew nothing about that. I feel like I closed a long, open loop for Uncle Leo.”
“It is a fine thing to be alive, it is a fine thing to know you are alive, but it is a much finer thing to be able to contain the subtle essence of your aliveness, and put it to the highest possible use,” another part of the speech reads. “We intend to make the most of living in a religious and intellectual sense, with the aid of Him.”
At the commencement, Quinn noted the speech ends with a colon, saying to those in attendance, “I think he probably wasn’t quite finished with it yet.” However, he said this serves as a strong metaphor for current graduates.
“My cousin Tracy Quinn, here today, pointed out that the colon is a great metaphor for where you are right now,” Quinn said at the commencement. “Unfinished, could go anywhere, could do anything. And you have the opportunity that he did not. The opportunity to be men and women worthwhile. And I hope you use it well.”
SCHUYLERVILLE — Schuylerville High School held its 77th annual commencement ceremony on June 22, honoring the Class of 2023.
105 diplomas were awarded at graduation, with an additional diploma awarded to the family of former student Dan MacMillan, who passed away January 2, 2022.
The commencement ceremony wasa held at Black Horse Stadium on the Schuylerville CSD campus for the fourth consecutive year. Musical performances were given by the Schuylerville Vocal Ensemble under the direction of Jodi Ogburn, with assistance from Christopher Tucker.
“Graduates, please know that your school community is truly proud of you and wishes you the very best in your future endeavors,” said Schuylerville High School principal James Ducharme in a statement posted to the district website. “To the Class of 2023: your story continues to be written every day. You have a choice each day as to what you make of that day. I believe each of you possesses the tools and abilities to accomplish extraordinary achievements. Be motivated for your dreams. Your inner drive. It’s your most powerful tool. Find something you love to do, and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.”
Photos courtesy of Schuylerville CSD Communications Director Taryn Kane.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Ballston Spa High School honored 289 members of the Class of 2023 on June 23, hosting its annual commencement ceremony at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.
Student Government President Celina Beyer-Teal, Class of 2023 President Isabella Bennice, Valedictorian Mia Bedell, and Salutatorian Lee McKinley all spoke during the ceremony. BSHS interim principal Richard Murphy, Superintendent Dr. Gianleo Duca, and Board of Education president Jason Fernau also addressed those in attendance.
