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Author: Saratoga TODAY

Hattie’s Mardi Gras 2023 Charity Fundraiser: Jan. 28

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —The annual Hattie’s Mardi Gras event will take place Saturday, Jan. 28 from 6-10 p.m. as the Canfield Casino will once again be transformed into the “New Orleans of the North.”

Savor your experience with the culinary expertise of Hattie’s Restaurant Chef Jasper Alexander, Chef Phil Fitzpatrick, and Chef Mark D. Graham. Dance the night away to the sounds of Soul Session and Garland Nelson and bid to win during the silent auction. Acclaimed CNN journalist Alisyn Camerota will be Emcee for the evening. Relaunching this event is a community effort; we encourage you to get involved.

The 2023 Hattie’s Mardi Gras beneficiary is the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York. The Food Bank works to alleviate hunger and eliminate waste by collecting large quantities of food and distributing it to 350,000 of our Capital Region neighbors in need, every month. 

The inaugural Hattie’s Mardi Gras began in 2001 and has donated over one million dollars to non-profits in our community. In 2021 Hattie’s Restaurant joined the Business for Good (BFG) family of companies and donates all profits to charity. BFG co-founders Ed and Lisa Mitzen will be hosting the upcoming event. 

For more details about the Hattie’s Mardi Gras event, tickets, donation and sponsorship information visit www.classy.org/event/hatties-mardi-gras/e436154

Saratoga Reptile Show

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The inaugural Saratoga Reptile Show will be hosted at the Saratoga City Center on Sunday, January 22 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. The Saratoga Reptile Show is all about love and passion for exotic animals. With access to hundreds of reptiles and all of the supplies you need to create a comfortable and healthy home habitat, attendees can browse almost any reptile-related you can think of in a family-friendly environment.

The Saratoga Reptile Show will offer attendees an in-person experience to meet with America’s top vendors and breeders. Buy discounted cages, supplies, feeder insects, frozen and live rodents. The Saratoga Reptile Show encourages responsible reptile ownership.

Cost is $5 children (7-13), $10 adults, children under 7 are free. Saratoga City Center is located at 522 Broadway. For more information visit saratogareptileshow.com

Anything Broken and Small Enough to Carry: Schuylerville Public Library Hosts Repair Café

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SCHUYLERVILLE — What do you do with a broken toaster? Or with a lamp that won’t work? Or with a favorite shirt that is ripped? Toss it? No way! Schuylerville Public Library is organizing its second Repair Café from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25.  

Various volunteer repair experts will be available to help make all possible repairs free of charge. Most tools and materials will also be on hand. 

People visiting the Repair Café will bring along their broken items from home. Limit of two items per person.  Small appliances, lamps, hair dryers, radios, clothes, toys… anything that is broken and small enough to carry is welcome and can more than likely be repaired. The Repair Café specialists almost always have the know-how.

Interested in volunteering for this event, as a repairer? Contact Caitlin Johnson at cjohnson@sals.edu.

The Repair Café concept arose in the Netherlands, in 2009, and was formulated by Martine Postma, at the time an Amsterdam-based journalist/publicist. In 2010, she started the Repair Café Foundation (see Repaircafe.org). This foundation provides support to local groups around the world wishing to start their own Repair Café. The foundation also supports the Repair Café in the Schuylerville Public Library.

“An Afternoon with Town Historian Rick Reynolds” – The History of Our Lady of Grace Church in the BH-BL Community

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

Photo provided.

BALLSTON LAKE — “An Afternoon with Town Historian Rick Reynolds” – The History of Our Lady of Grace Church in the BH-BL Community will take place Sunday, Jan. 22 at 2 p.m. at Our Lady of Grace. This event is part of a series celebrating the Parish Centennial.

From our beginnings in the pavilion at Forest Park to our first church on Edward Street, to today’s modern facility on Midline Road, Our Lady of Grace, its people and its leaders, have played an active role in local history. 

Join for an informative and interactive presentation by the Town of Ballston Historian Rick Reynolds as he shares about the roles Our Lady of Grace has played in the local community over its 100-year history. 

The public is invited to join the members of the parish for this event. Light refreshments will be served after the presentation. Our Lady of Grace, a Catholic Community is located at 73 Midline Rd., Ballston Lake. Cost: Free will donation. Contact Pat Parker at 518-441-2450 with questions.

Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park Annual Meeting on Jan. 23

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

WILTON — Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park will host its annual meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 23.

At the annual meeting, there will be a presentation giving an overview of the activities of the Preserve & Park in 2022, including educational activities and programs, conservation efforts, recreation and trail projects, volunteerism, fund development, and finances. 

New board members will be also elected to three-year terms. 

The meeting will take place on Zoom and everyone is welcome to attend. To receive the Zoom link, contact the Preserve & Park office at 518-450-0321 or via email at info@wiltonpreserve.org.  

January 14 – 20, 2023

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Blotter.

Saratoga Police

Tiana McGuire, 28, of Ballston Spa, was charged Jan. 8 with DWI, and two moving violations. 

Eric Parente, 21, of Ballston Spa, was charged Jan. 8 with harassment, and disorderly conduct. 

Danielle Wren, 36, of Greenwich, was charged Jan. 7 with DWI, and a motor vehicle violation. 

Megan Kron, 20, of Schoharie, was charged Jan. 7 with criminal impersonation. 

Abigail Kosier, 20, of Howes Cave, was charged Jan. 7 with possession forged instrument. 

Francesco Mazzella DiBosco, 47, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Jan. 6 with DWI, and a driving violation.  

James Price, 45, of Ballston Spa, was charged Jan. 6 with felony DWI – as a second offense within 10 years, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and moving from lane unsafely. 

Tanya Fowler, 42, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Jan. 4 with assault, criminal mischief, and criminal contempt. 

Terrance Rudes, 31 of Saratoga Springs, was charged Jan. 3 with petit larceny, and criminal possession stolen property. 

Ford Fafard, 23, of Greenfield Center, was charged Jan. 3 with aggravated unlicensed operation, and operating motor vehicle without stop lamps. 

Damon Beckerman, 28, was charged with aggravated family offense, aggravated criminal contempt, unlawful imprisonment, criminal possession weapon, menacing and two counts of assault. 

Jessica Stavropoulos, 44, of Pennsylvania, was charged with DWI, aggravated DWI, and failure to obey traffic control device. 

Lynn Vosko, 71, was charged with DWI. 

Joseph Viscusi, 66, was charged with criminal mischief. 

Kraig Sharka, 32, was charged with DWI, no motor vehicle license, vehicle equipment violation, and making an unsafe turn. 

Karen Ryan, 50, was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs, and two driving violations. 

William Bogdanowicz, 33, was charged with harassment. 

Timothy Duffy, 54, was charged with DWI, aggravated DWI, aggravated unlicensed operation, failure to keep right, and circumvent interlock. 

Tessa Murphy, 35, was charged with petit larceny. 

County Court

Benjamen J. Bullard, 35, of Saratoga Springs, was sentenced Jan. 10 to 5 years of probation, after pleading to attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third-degree, a felony. 

Neil J. Desposito, 44, of Menands, was sentenced to 1-1/3 to 4 years incarceration, after pleading to felony DWI, first charged July 2022 in Wilton. 

Jordan M. Sunkes, 31, of Saratoga Springs, was sentenced Jan. 9 to time served and 5 years of probation, after pleading to aggravated family offense, a felony. 

Eric S. Predential, 31, of Schenectady, was sentenced Jan. 9 to 1-1/2 to 3 years incarceration, after pleading to felony grand larceny, first charged May 2022 in Waterford. 

Jarred P. Lasorda, 29, of Clifton Park, pleaded Jan. 6 to criminal contempt in the first-degree. Sentencing March 10. 

Todd J. Whitcher, 43, of Mechanicville, pleaded Jan. 6 to felony DWI, first charged August 2022 in Saratoga Springs. Sentencing March 21.

Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office 

Cody J. Letourneau, 25, of Malta, was charged Jan. 4 with failing to change his address as required within 10 days due to his being a registered sex offender.  

Mother and son charged: on Jan. 9, members of the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Unit arrested Michael T. May, 27, and Tomassina May, 67, after a lengthy investigation into multiple complaints involving them both endangering minors in the towns of Wilton, Northumberland, Moreau, and the city of Saratoga Springs. It is alleged Michael T. May, over the course of the past several months, used social media to contact multiple underage juvenile females, engage them in conversation and set up sales of nicotine products, vapes, and other products to them. Tomassina May is suspected to have participated in these sales. Michael would offer to give these products to these juvenile victims if they would send him sexually explicit photos and videos via social media, and it is alleged that Michael did receive, and possess, some of these illicit pictures and videos. Michael T. May was charged with 5 counts of endangering the welfare of a child, 3 counts of unlawfully dealing with a child, 3 counts of promoting an obscene sexual performance by a child, and 2 counts of possessing an obscene sexual performance by a child. Tomassina May was charged with 3 counts of unlawfully dealing with a child.

Ellen Gilbert Leonard 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

Dear Ellen, how we will miss you, your warm beautiful smile, your incredible grace. Let me count the ways: musician, teacher, mentor, performer, collaborator, dancer, community organizer, leader, adventurer, dreamer, mother, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, and friend.

On November 29, 2022, Ellen Leonard 61, passed peacefully in her East Montpelier, VT home, held by her family and friends in love and song.

She was born in 1961 to Webb Leonard and Betty McGee in Belleville, NJ. The youngest of four children, she attended elementary and middle school in Saratoga Springs, and the Vershire School in Vermont. She graduated from Skidmore College. 

Throughout the 1980’s and 90’s, Ellen taught music, singing, and almost any instrument, in Central Vermont schools. Ellen also taught private music lessons and MusicTogether to families with children ages infants to 5 years.

In 1999 Ellen opened the AllTogetherNow! Preschool, now a five-star school. For over 30 years, AllTogetherNow! was a place of celebration and creative learning that planted the seeds of song and spirit in generations of Central Vermont children. 

Ellen always found a way to break free. There was a horse, then a motorcycle. When she turned 50, she traveled alone around Europe on a motorcycle and for the past 10 years, she has kept a sailboat moored ready to go on Lake Champlain. In 2016 she travelled to the Standing Rock Indian Reservation to participate in the Dakota Access Pipeline protests. Guided by her dreams, she worked for many decades with North of Eden Archetypal Dreamwork, co-facilitating workshops in this country and abroad.

She is survived by her children: Aaron Jones and partner Rachel Houseman, Santa Fe NM; Sophia LaPaglia and fiancé Andy Cofino, Los Angeles, CA; Aliza LaPaglia; her sister Dr. Randi Leonard Holmes and brother-in-law Dr. Doug Holmes, Raleigh, NC; sister Leigh Leonard Stallings, Saratoga Springs; brother Mark Leonard and sister-in-law Ginger Leonard, Princeton, NJ; her stepsisters, Heather Lund and Holly Ingersoll, St. Paul, MN, cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles across the country, and her beloved dog Lily.

She was predeceased by her birth parents, as well as her stepmother, Joan Leonard and stepfather, retired Skidmore professor, Dr. Philip West. She was also predeceased by her brother Justin. 

Relatives and friends gathered to remember Ellen on December 2 in East Calais, VT. She was laid to rest in the Robinson Cemetery. 

Roswell Arthur Whitcomb, Jr. 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Roswell Arthur Whitcomb, Jr. passed away peacefully January 4, 2023 at Saratoga Hospital. Roswell was born June 3, 1932 in Hillsboro, NH. He was predeceased by his wife of 37 years, Beverly, his son, Mark, and his parents, Doris and Roswell A. Whitcomb, Sr. He is survived by his daughter, Robin Whitcomb Macar, sister Melita Vonier (Bill), brother Lee Whitcomb (Hope), and three grandsons, Matthew Whitcomb Macar, Kevin Whitcomb Macar and Zachary Adams. 

Roswell was a graduate of Hillsboro High School, NH and completed one year at the University of New Hampshire. He served four years in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War prior to his 30-year career with the FAA as an air traffic controller, the majority of which he served at Albany Airport. 

After retiring, his avid interest in professional boxing led him to donate his time coaching youth and young adults at local boxing gyms, having boxed himself while in the Air Force. He also enjoyed Saratoga’s Thoroughbred Race Course and Harness Track, briefly co-owning a harness horse with his father in the mid-1960s. 

During his younger years, Roswell was a talented swimmer and high board diver, excelling at the swan dive and double back flip. Those who knew him well especially appreciated his colorful storytelling abilities and his unusual talent for recalling and reciting many lengthy monologues and soliloquies from Shakespeare and other major works of literature. 

His memorial and burial will be private. Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com/obituary/roswell-whitcomb-jr

John David Lynett

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —John David Lynett, 77, passed away unexpectedly on January 9. Calling hours were held on Thursday, Jan. 19, at Burke Funeral Home in Saratoga Springs.  Burial will be Friday, Jan. 20, at 10:30 a.m. in GBH Saratoga National Cemetery, Schuylerville.  Remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com

Vance Griffith 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Vance Griffith passed away peacefully at home on January 12, 2023 surrounded by his loving family. He was 82 years old. Funeral service was 1/19/2023 at Burke Funeral Home followed by burial in St. Peter’s Cemetery. Memorial donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org). burkefuneralhome.com