SARATOGA SPRINGS — On Saturday, April 29, Sustainable Saratoga’s Urban Forestry Project will hold its 12th TREE TOGA tree planting event.
“This year’s Tree Toga is going to be a huge success, with 38 trees planted,” said Kelsey Trudell, Executive Director of Sustainable Saratoga, in a statement. “We’re still looking for volunteers to plant large-growing, native shade trees at locations throughout the city. Join us on April 29 to help us leave a green legacy for future generations in Saratoga Springs.”
Volunteer Tree Planters will check in at Pitney Meadows Community Farm at 9:30 a.m. on April 29 and get a lesson in tree planting before heading off in small teams to their assigned planting locations across the city. Once the trees are in the ground, the Tree Host homeowners and other volunteers provide the care that is critical to tree survival and the success of Sustainable Saratoga’s mission to preserve and expand Saratoga’s urban forest.
To get involved in the family-friendly community event, sign up at sustainablesaratoga.org/tree-toga/
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Need a raised bed to garden in? Saratoga Springs Community Garden at Wesley has planting beds that folks from the Saratoga community can come to garden in the space.
Make new friends in the garden and at monthly socials, grow healthy organic food and enjoy beautiful flowers.
If you are interested in applying for gardening space, please contact Susan Bokan for an application at susanbokan@gmail.com or 518-221-8142. For more information visit thewesleycommunity.org/about-wesley/extended-neighborhood/community-garden/
SARATOGA SPRINGS —The City of Saratoga Springs announced its upcoming Earth Day celebration on April 22 will include a call to action for local citizens to volunteer and help pick up garbage and litter from the front of their homes and the right-of-way areas, in honor of the 25th Anniversary of the “Keep America Beautiful” movement.
The event will culminate in a community cleanup event in Congress Park from noon to 2 p.m.
Commissioner of Accounts Dillon Moran and Commissioner of Public Works Jason Golub will be in attendance to support the event.
“Earth Day is an important opportunity to raise awareness about the critical need to protect our environment,” said Moran, in a statement. “By volunteering to pick up litter and garbage from our neighborhoods and public space, we can all do our part to create a cleaner and more sustainable future for our community.”
Bonacio Construction and Stewart’s Shops were recognized by Golub for their donation of time and resources to help clean downtown public parking garages, and Saratoga County Supervisor Matt Veitch added his appreciation for the Southwest Neighborhood Association’s commitment to the cause.
Additional information about this event will be posted at www.saratoga-springs.org and www.facebook.com/ssnygov.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —On Saturday, April 22, Youth2 will be hosting a Pop-UP, from 12-2 p.m. at the Mary Lou Whitney Pavilion at Gate 16 to benefit the backstretch workers of the Saratoga Race Course.
A new clinic at the Saratoga Race Course will open in May to assist backstretch workers and provide them with medical care and other necessities. Items requested and most utilized include band aids, sunscreen, bug repellant, antibiotic ointment, Qtips, hand sanitizer, chap stick, tick removers, Vaseline, hygiene items such as soap, toothbrushes, tooth paste, and deodorant, packaged snacks (granola bars, crackers, etc.) and whole first aid kits. Please ensure these items are not used.
Gate 16 is the first gate on the right after Henning Road or the last gate on the left coming from downtown, on Union Avenue. The Saratoga Race Course is across the street. There is a crosswalk at Gate 16. The pavilion will be right in front. Signs will be put out on Union Avenue to help show the way. The drop-off will be Covid-19 safe and outdoors, and Youth2 members will be there to assist with drop-off and receive the items.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Together with Palette, Sahm Reyes, a well-known local chef, founder of Caffeine-Queens LLC, and patent holder for the coffee brewer bottle, announces the launch of The Saratoga Night Market.
The Saratoga Night Market began quietly this winter, and will officially launch to the public in April. The focus is on female developed products and businesses. The Night Market is organized by Sahm Reyes, an inventor and entrepreneur. The Night Market event space is hosted at Palette Saratoga.
Starting in April, the Night Market will be open to the public on scheduled Friday and Saturday nights. Each market features a selection of locally based female makers, creators and business owners selling their products.
The market is located in The Palette Saratoga co-working space in the lower level of The Collamer Building, at 480 Broadway. The Night Market will be open to the public the following April dates; April 21, April 22, April 28 and April 29. The Night Market invites everyone taking a stroll up Broadway to pop in.
Each market will vary, with rotating vendors. Tourists, visitors and locals are encouraged to stop by and check out what is for sale. At a recent market, the vendors and products included a children’s book author, a fiber artist, candle makers, jewelry designers, artists, inventors, and a woodcrafter. Scheduled market sellers for April include; authors, makers, designers, artists and inventors.
Sahm Reyes said, “I am excited to be able to offer the Saratoga community and the greater Capital Region area access to these fantastic female entrepreneurs. Many of the local creators and makers at the Night Market are in start-up mode. As a recently launched full-time entrepreneur, myself, I know how hard it is to find local space to sell my products. I wanted to find somewhere around here that is affordable and safe. That is why I partnered with Palette in Saratoga. The Broadway location is beautiful and I am excited to share the launch of the Night Market with everyone. I hope to see a lot of people coming out to support us.”
Sahm is a chef who became a full-time entrepreneur focusing on her business, Caffeine-Queens, in 2023. She is an active member of the Palette Community. Palette membership includes 24/7 access to co-working spaces and support for business people who want to connect with other like minded individuals and be productive in a fun, inviting, and supportive environment.
Sahm spends a lot of time traveling to trade shows and expos and doing research for her growing business.
When Sahm is back in Saratoga, she enjoys meeting solo-preneurs, business owners and connecting with other members who are working out of Palette. That is how the Night Market was born, a simple conversation with other small business owners.
Marcella Hammer, COO of Palette added, “At Palette, we are here to support women-led small businesses, while helping to build community & commerce. We are hopeful for lots of foot traffic when the weather gets warmer, because Sahm has found lots of interested female creators and makers who are excited to be able to sell their products locally.”
Catherine Hover, Palette Founder and Owner of Saratoga Paint and Sip, said, “This is why I started Palette, I realized that as a Mom and business owner, I craved a place to go where I had the support of other women, who were trying to do ‘all the things’ like me. I am so excited to support Sahm and all the amazing members of Palette who are doing great things in our community and beyond. I was lucky to attend a March Night Market, and there was an impressive group of vendors and the space was buzzing with shoppers coming in from the street to check out what was going on. The energy of a Night Market is great.”
April Night Market Dates
Friday 5 to 8 p.m. April 21, 28
Saturday 4 to 8 p.m. April 22, 29
May Night Market Dates
Friday 5 to 8 p.m. May 5, 19, 26
Saturday 4 to 8 p.m. May 6, 20, 27
June Night Market Dates
Friday 5 to 8 p.m. June 2, 9, 23
Saturday 4 to 8 p.m. –
June 3, 10, 24
July Night Market Dates
Friday 5 to 8 p.m. July 7, 21, 28
Saturday 4 to 8 p.m. –
July 8, 22, 29
Other vendors include: House of Sjaye, Caffeine Queens, Little Norwegian Candles, The Good Morning Boo, Kara’s Shop of Pretty Things, Pellegrini Designs, Beauty Organics, Pillowtalk, Sparked Permanent Jewelry, Angelic Herbals, Herlove Co, What’s the Kitsch, and McKinley Belle Jewelry.
Willard Chamberlin, center, flanked by Saratoga Springs City Council members Ron Kim, Minita Sanghvi and Dillon Moran, along with members of the United Methodist Church of Saratoga, Habitat for Humanity of Warren Washington and Northern Saratoga Counties, at ceremonial groundbreaking on April 9. Photo: Taylor MacDougall).
SARATOGA SPRINGS – A local man was honored by the city this week for his generosity after donating a parcel of land in downtown Saratoga Springs to Habitat for Humanity.
The parcel of land on West Circular Street was donated by Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church leader and member Willard Chamberlin and is located, literally, in his backyard.
In collaboration with Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties, the construction of a new home on the land will benefit Brenda Meyre, a single mother of four children, according to the city proclamation, which designated April 18, 2023 as Willard Chamberlin Day.
Mickey Walczak (#42) during a game at West Virginia (Photo by West Virginia University Athletics Communications).
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Former Saratoga Springs High School star Mickey Walczak became one of the best athletes to emerge from the Capital Region, starring in both football and basketball before going on to play football at West Virginia University.
Walczak, one of the Blue Streaks’ most decorated athletes, passed away on March 28. Walczak was born and raised in Saratoga and captained both the Blue Streaks’ football and basketball teams to Foothills Council championships during his time in school.
He eventually played football for West Virginia from 1979 to 1982, where he was named Offensive MVP of the Mountaineers’ 26-6 upset win over Florida in the 1981 Peach Bowl.
Former Saratoga varsity boys’ basketball coach Damian Fantauzzi said Mickey was “one of the best athletes to ever come out of the area.”
“I mean, I can’t begin to tell you how athletic he was,” said Fantauzzi, who coached Walczak in basketball. “He’s the kind of kid, when he’s running, it looks like he’s walking, because he’s so smooth. And he’ll beat you.”
Walczak played three years of varsity basketball at Saratoga, and was captain of the team in 1977-78, his senior year, when the Blue Streaks finished the regular season undefeated and won the Foothills Council championship. Saratoga remained unbeaten until a 61-60 loss to Niskayuna in the Section 2 Class A Championship game, finishing with a 20-1 record.
“I think in a way, he knew how talented he was,” said former Saratoga varsity basketball assistant coach Rich Johns. “And he knew the others really watched him, because he was so gifted.”
“He led by example, really,” added Fantauzzi. “His game did all the talking for him, whatever game it was.”
Louisa Foye, a longtime friend of the Walczak family, spoke of memories watching Mickey play CYO basketball for St. Clement’s under longtime Saratoga Central Catholic coach Bob King.
“He was just already physically so far advanced from all these other little guys that were 10 to 12 years old,” said Foye.
And while Walczak’s football ability took him to West Virginia, he didn’t even begin playing the sport until his junior year of high school.
He ran for over 1,000 yards in both his junior and senior seasons, and was captain his senior year, helping lead the Blue Streaks to an undefeated regular season and a Foothills championship.
“He had so much power,” said Tim Doherty, former Saratoga football quarterback, noting Walczak was also a strong punter. “A couple times, like, ‘How can a human kick a ball that far?’”
“He was so strong, and it was natural,” Fantauzzi added. “He wasn’t like a weightlifter and all that stuff; he was just natural.”
Foye said that then-Saratoga football head coach Blase Iuliano “could put (Mickey) anywhere” on the field.
“Punt returner, punter, running back, wide receiver/wing like he was at West Virginia, and on defense,” said Foye. “He could do it all, and I think that’s what set him apart.”
Foye said after college, she returned to Saratoga Springs for a year, which also coincided with Walczak’s senior year at SSHS. When Walczak went off to college, Foye said she also would travel with Mickey’s mother, her own mother, and others to watch Mickey’s games at West Virginia.
“I was lucky that year, I was able to go to all of his basketball and football games,” Foye said. “I was grateful to be home, because they had really good teams.”
Walczak compiled 871 yards and nine touchdowns of total offense at West Virginia, including eight catches for 75 yards and a touchdown in the 1981 Peach Bowl victory. His 41 receptions ranked second on the team during the 1981 season.
Walczak was inducted into the Capital District Football Hall of Fame in 2017.
Doherty also recounted memories of growing up and playing sports together, including their first matchup in Little League baseball. Doherty was pitching and said his first pitch hit Walczak in the leg.
“I think the baseball was more damaged than Mickey. It was like hitting a telephone pole,” said Doherty. “We just laughed, you know?”
Doherty remembered time spent as kids playing basketball at the Walczak’s house, fishing in Yaddo, and more.
“We all hung out together. It was a really tight group,” Doherty said. “Mickey and I were in the same class, fifth and sixth grade at Caroline Street School. Then we went to junior high, we were the first class in the junior high at West Avenue. You grow up with guys, you spend a lot of time together. A lot of laughs.”
Doherty also said that Mickey’s son, Dillon, has also picked up the passion for fishing from his father.
Foye recounted seeing Walczak ride his bike throughout the city, often on his way to play a pickup game with friends.
“When he was a young boy right through teenage years, when other kids might be driving, he would ride his bike all over town,” added Foye. “And he never used his hands. He would be carrying a basketball, equipment, whatever, going from his house to East Side Rec or wherever. He would ride that bike all over town with no hands.”
Doherty said, “it was a tight-knit group of guys,” recounting memories of pickup games played throughout the city.
“You get on the kitchen telephone, and dial it up, ‘Where’s the baseball game today after school?’, or on a weekend, Saturday morning,” said Doherty. “Sandlot football, sandlot baseball. Just a lot of memories and good times.”
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame will present its annual Kentucky Derby preview program on Saturday, April 29 at 12 p.m. in the Museum’s Hall of Fame Gallery. Racing experts Tom Amello and Michael Veitch will be on hand to offer analysis and predictions for the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby and answer questions from the audience about the upcoming Triple Crown series. The program is open to the public and included with paid Museum admission. Following the Derby discussion, there will be a special presentation of the 33-minute documentary film Mill Reef: A Legacy of Heart.
Amello has produced the “Trackfacts” selection sheet at Saratoga Race Course since 1988. In April of 1992, he began production of a television version of Trackfacts for Capital OTB TV. He has also served on numerous panels at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, hosted various racing education seminars, and recently began an online series for America’s Best Racing about understating the odds board at the racetrack and betting strategies.
Veitch covered horse racing for The Saratogian and its racing supplement, The Pink Sheet, from 1979 through 2017. He serves as chairman of the Museum’s Hall of Fame Historic Review Committee. A former host of “Down the Stretch” on Capital OTB, Veitch’s writing has appeared in a variety of media outlets, including Daily Racing Form. He is the author of three books on Saratoga racing history: “Foundations of Fame: 19th Century Thoroughbred Racing in Saratoga Springs,” “Summit of Champions: Thoroughbred Racing in Saratoga Springs 1901-1955,” and “Legacy of Excellence: Thoroughbred Racing in Saratoga Springs 1956-2008.”
Mill Reef: A Legacy of Heart chronicles the legendary racehorse Mill Reef, who was named English and European Horse of the Year in 1971 when he won the Epsom Derby Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Eclipse Stakes, and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, among others. Mill Reef was bred in Virginia by Hall of Fame Pillar of the Turf Paul Mellon and campaigned by Mellon’s Rokeby Stables in Europe from 1970 through 1972. Overall, Mill Reef won 12 of 14 starts. He was trained by Ian Balding.
In 2020, the Oak Spring Garden Foundation, which is located in Upperville, Va., and was founded by Mellon’s late wife, Rachel “Bunny” Mellon, set out to create a film to chronicle the remarkable achievements of Mill Reef and tell the bigger story of Mellon’s passion and dedication to thoroughbred racing and breeding. The documentary, directed by Virginia native Cassidy Glascock, has previously been screened in Middleburg, Va., and at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, where Mellon was inducted as one of the institution’s inaugural Pillars of the Turf in 2013.
“This film was a true labor of love and teamwork, combining years of footage and photographs with the help of Brough Scott, Emma Balding, Oak Spring Garden Foundation staff, and collaboration with many museums and galleries,” said filmmaker Cassidy Glascock. “While I never met Mill Reef or Mr. Mellon, I hope that we have captured their essence and retold this story in a way that would make them proud.”
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Shredders, a local 501c3 nonprofit whose mission is to empower kids by getting them on mountain bikes, is hosting their second annual Bike Swap on Saturday, April 29 in the Saratoga Spa Park, Hawthorn Pavilion.
The Swap is an event to buy and sell gently-used bikes and cycling-related items – for kids and adults. There will be bikes, bike racks, cycling clothing, wheels, tools, and other cycling-related accessories. Swing by to drop off items to sell from 10 to 11 a.m., and then come shop from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Proceeds from the event will go toward getting more kids on bikes. Saratoga Shredders runs programming for kids on bikes in the Spring and Fall, with summer camps in the Summer. Program registration for Summer Camp is now open.
There are 4 different programs running this Spring between Albany and Queensbury – girls-only programs and coed programs for kids grades K-12. Their aim is to remove as many barriers to entry for the sport of mountain biking. They provide full program scholarships and bikes to kids in need.
To learn more about Saratoga Shredders and to register for mountain bike Summer Camp, visit saratogashredders.com.
