Photo provided by Ballston Spa Central School District.
BALLSTON SPA — The Ballston Spa Athletics Hall of Fame Committee honored the inductees into the 2020 Ballston Spa Athletic Hall of Fame after the ceremony was paused for three years due to the pandemic. The celebration of the 2020 inductees was held on Saturday, May 20 at the Ballston Spa High School.
Five individuals and two teams were inducted:
• Rosina Brooks (athlete)
• Steven Hart (athlete)
• Regan Johnson (athlete)
• Patrick Shaw (athlete)
• Mark Thomas (athlete)
1992 Men’s Soccer Team: Nick Alexander, Chris Brandt, Tom Cutbush, Gilbert DeLucia, Ted Gordon, Jason Gorman, Chris Hebbard, Scott Horner, Matt Kolesar, Zach Komon, Bryan Kozlowski, Tim Le, Tim Lucey, Josh McCann, Jason Miller, Dave Perez, Bill Powhida, Art Rastinehad, Aketza (Ace) Sabin*, Jeff Semanscin, Randy Simmons, Matt Ward, John Williams (Coach Wayne Akey)
SCHUYLERVILLE — The Foothills Council has released its softball All-Stars for 2023, with several members of the Schuylerville varsity team receiving honors.
Junior pitcher Sophia Wahl was named a Foothills All-Star, while sophomore outfielder Riley Keefer and junior shortstop Grace Kilburn were each named to the Foothills First Team.
Sophomore catcher/infielder Taylor Dennis and junior infielder Sophie Bodnar were named to the Foothills Second Team, while junior catcher Cat Carpenter was named an Honorable Mention.
The Black Horses finished the season with an 11-10 record, falling to Mechanicville in the Section 2 Class B Quarterfinals.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Springs girls’ lacrosse sophomore Janie Baringer was an impact player for the Blue Streaks this season, finishing as one of the team’s top scorers and helping them to the Section 2 Class A Championship.
Baringer played a major role in the Blue Streaks’ title-winning season, recording 41 goals and 45 assists on the year. Saratoga varsity head coach Jennifer Furze said Baringer is an “amazing” passer.
“Janie plays our low attack, and she plays behind the net,” said Furze. “She was instrumental in our attack.”
Baringer recorded a goal and an assist in the Section 2 Class A Championship, helping the Blue Streaks to an 8-5 win over Shaker on May 24. She scored two goals and added three assists in Saratoga’s 9-7 loss to Suffern (Sec.a 1) in the NYSPHSAA Regional Finals.
“(Janie is) a very dedicated lacrosse player,” Furze said. “She works hard in the offseason, and in-season, putting extra time and energy in after practices to become the best player that she can be.”
Baringer was named a Class of 2025 Girls Rising Star by US Club Lacrosse, and has twice participated in the Athletes Unlimited Futures games. She was also selected to participate on the New York Upstate team at the 2023 American Select Games in Milford, Delaware.
Baringer also routinely travels to Syracuse to play with her club team, the Salt City Snipers Pink.
“She’s got some really fun trick shots that we enjoy watching,” said Furze. “Because she is that position behind the net, she does a really nice job placing the ball into the eight (meter arc). … She came up really big on the field.”
Photo provided by Ballston Spa CSD Athletic Department.
MIDDLETOWN — Five local athletes capped off the outdoor track and field seasons in grand fashion on June 10, ending the spring season by earning NYSPHSAA State Championships in their respective events.
The Saratoga 4 x 800 relay team, consisting of Alycia Hart, McKinley Wheeler, Emily Bush, and Sheridan Wheeler, won the NYSPHSAA State Championship, while Ballston Spa’s Harriet Healey won the Division 1 State Championship in the 400-meter hurdles.
The Blue Streaks’ relay team combined for a time of 9:05.05, beating second-place Northport. Sheridan Wheeler also placed third in the 2,000-meter steeplechase (6:22.13), while Amelia McBain earned a second-place finish in the pole vault (12’ 3”).
Genevieve Duchaussee finished third in the pentathlon (3,218), while Emily Bush placed sixth in the 1,500-meters (4:29.94).
On the boys side, Joao Dos Anjos Neto finished sixth in the pole vault for the Blue Streaks (14’ 0”).
Ballston Spa junior Harriet Healey took home the NYSPHSAA Division 1 state title in the 400-meter hurdles, with a time of 1:02.01 besting Cornwall’s Caigan Leonard, who placed second. Gabrielle Bozeth also placed eighth in the 200-meter dash for the Scotties (25.64).
GALWAY — The Galway Central School District has announced the 2023 Inductees into the Golden Eagles Athletic Wall of Fame. Galway’s Golden Eagles Athletic Wall of Fame recognizes and honors student athletes, coaches, teams, and community members who have made significant contributions to the Galway athletic program. Individuals were nominated for their service, performance, dedication, and commitment to Galway Athletics by members of the Galway community. A selection committee then voted to induct the following athletes, community members, and teams into the Golden Eagles Athletic Wall of Fame.
The following individuals were honored at the Wall of Fame Ceremony on June 7, along with the 2022 inductees.
2023 INDUCTEES
• Kyle Leach, Class of 1998 • Harleigh Leach Chwastyk, Class of 1996 • Scott Beatty, Class of 1983 • Brittany Orminski, Class of 2015 • David Neahr (Legacy), Class of 1971 • Ed Palmer (Legacy), Class of 1953 • Brita Donovan, Ed.D. (Community)
2022 INDUCTEES
• Jodie Evans, Class of 1993 • Emily Orminski, Class of 2015 • Douglas DiCerbo, Class of 1987
2016 Volleyball Team
• Emily Smith • Hannah Bramer • Carlee Hortsmann • Emma Smith • Lindsey Zawisa • Sydney Crawford • Schuyler Arnold • Hannah Hofmann • Brittany Kenyon • Casey Dunleavy • Brooke Martin • Samantha Munchbach • Annelise Ostrowski • Abbie Pritchard • Samantha Grant • Anna Gardner • Paul Munchbach (Legacy), Class of 1971 • Robert Stangle (Legacy), Class of 1951
Photos provided by Saratoga Springs City School District.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Springs High School recently celebrated the following student-athletes for their commitment to compete at the collegiate level:
• Lauren LaFountain – SUNY Plattsburgh • Connor Baird – SUNY Geneseo • Mason Cartier – Clarkson University • Aidan Rosettie – Nazareth College • Maria Jackson – Johnson and Wales University – Charlotte Campus • Carly Fay – University of Rhode Island • Vincent Devito – Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences • Zaynah Aparece – Russell Sage College • Casey Everett – Clarkson University • Amelia Hurt – Hartwick College • Evan Rando – SUNY Plattsburgh • Emma Furze – SUNY Oneonta • Allie Shamberger – Roger Williams University • Orion Lansing – SUNY Brockport • Emma Landers – SUNY Geneseo • Andrew Walsh – Clarkson University • Angelina Rodriguez – Le Moyne College • Min-Syun Chen – Hartwick College • Anuhea Fuimaono – University of Albany
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Yoga in the Spa State Park program has returned this summer, offering a chance to participate in yoga classes, workshops, trainings, and more, all in the serene setting of the Saratoga Spa State Park.
Classes are held outdoors under the brick arches at the end of the administration building. In case of weather, indoor classes take place in the Roosevelt II Building. Outdoor summer classes will be held from June through August, while fall classes begin after Labor Day.
Amy DeLuca, a co-founder and co-coordinator of the program, said it is ultimately “a healing art in a healing location.”
“The Spa Park was built for healing,” DeLuca said. “It makes sense that we should be doing this.”
Classes cover a variety of yoga styles, and are led by DeLuca and fellow program co-coordinator Judy Pawlick, who are both 500-hour registered teachers, as well as other instructors including Anna Muench-Witt, Joe Dopp, Julie Coluccio, and Sara Martin.
DeLuca said that Yoga in the Spa State Park is “a studio without walls,” allowing participants to relax and decompress while accompanied by the sounds of nature.
“I love that idea, because I wasn’t doing yoga outside until I did this,” said DeLuca. “And there is a big difference.”
DeLuca said participants “really embrace” the outdoor setting, and said she enjoys seeing what it does for students.
“I say to beginners, ‘This will be like nothing you do, taking a yoga class,’” DeLuca said. “There’s a different vibe. … Yoga’s just an aspect of my life that I’m just really happy I have.”
Classes began in June, and are offered each day of the week, according to the released schedule. They are free to attend, with no registration required.
While donations are accepted, the group does not solicit or ask for specific amounts, DeLuca said.
“It is donation-based, and that has served us,” said DeLuca. “Our mission is simply to offer donation-based yoga classes both outside and inside in this iconic setting.”
The group also offers teaching opportunities, with three instructors certified to teach 200- and 300-hour teacher training, said DeLuca.
All classes are offered in the morning, with DeLuca adding that yoga can be an early activity for both local residents and visitors.
“So many people come to Saratoga year-round, especially in the summer,” DeLuca said. “If you want to go to the track at 1:00, you can take a class with us at 8:30 or 9:00.”
The program also has mats and blocks available for participants who do not have their own. DeLuca said classes typically range between six to ten people.
“I might show up and there will be one person there. I’ll still teach that class,” said DeLuca. “That’s just how I see yoga. … It is something I love.”
SARATOGA SPRINGS —Bassel & The Supernaturals are coming to Saratoga Springs for the first time to stage a performance at Caffe Lena on Sunday, June 26.
The touring band uses soulful melodies, funk-inspired rhythms and captivating lyrics to tell the story of Bassel Almadani’s experience as a first generation Syrian-America.
Bassel & The Supernaturals has performed in over 400 concerts and advocacy events between 2016-2023 on stages including SXSW, John F. Kennedy Center, The Cleveland Museum of Art, Summerfest, and Millennium Park, and supported internationally touring artists such as Youssou N’Dour, Aesop Rock, Emancipator, Brother Ali, The Dandy Warhols, Sinkane, and many others.
The band’s self-described bio points to their sound as echoing Stevie Wonder’s rhythm and blues, Jamiroquai’s social justice centered lyricism over jazz-infused funk, and Steely Dan’s seamless amalgam of American music.
Check out their official music video for “Lost” at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dx72R9f5Rq0. For more information about the show, and tickets, go to: caffelena.org.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —Every year Saratoga Arts sends out an Open Call to all artists across the Capital Region.
This is open to both members of Saratoga Arts as well as non-members and gives all artists the opportunity to showcase their work in a professional setting. Artists must reside in one of the 11 counties of the Capital Region (Albany, Saratoga, Rensselaer, Schoharie, Schenectady, Warren, Columbia, Washington, Greene, Montgomery, and Fulton counties) to be eligible to apply.
Entries are collected by Saratoga Arts and a jury of arts professionals from the area is put together to review all submissions and create five exhibitions per year, featuring four artists each.
For guidelines and applications, go to: https://www.saratoga-arts.org/Open-Calls.
The Volkswagen Light Bus. Photo: Saratoga Automobile Museum.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Automobile Museum welcomes the arrival of the iconic 1962 VW “Light” Bus exhibition, a symbol of the 1960s counterculture movement, at the upcoming Cars On Union event on June 17. The event coincides with the Dead & Company performance at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.
The “Light” Bus, renowned for its intricate psychedelic artwork, has become an emblem of the era’s artistic expression and a captivating symbol of the time.
The original bus: Robert Richard Hieronimus (AKA Dr. Bob) was commissioned to paint the Light Bus for his friends in the Baltimore-based rock band Light. Its first great journey was to the music festival at Woodstock in 1969.
A half-century after Woodstock, after an exhaustive search for the original turned up empty, the “Light” Bus was recreated.
Cars On Union will take place June 17 rain or shine. The event is open to the public to celebrate Super Cars, Rare Classics, Exotics and automotive culture and features vehicle displays, live entertainment and food vendors.
Later this summer, the Saratoga Automobile Museum hosts its 21st Anniversary “Blackjack” Gala. A highlight of the gala will be the keynote address delivered by Dr. Michael L. VanBlaricum, one of the founding members of the prestigious Ian Fleming Foundation (IFF).
The IFF is renowned for its dedication to the study and preservation of the history of Ian Fleming’s literary works, the James Bond phenomenon, and their profound impact on popular culture. The current “Bond in Motion” exhibit will serve as the perfect backdrop to the evening.
The gala takes place 7 – 11 p.m. on July 21 at the museum.
For more information, go to: https://www.saratogaautomuseum.org/.
