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.
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.
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
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.
Saratoga County District Attorney Brett Eby announced today that Stephen Bottino has pled guilty to Sexual Abuse in the First Degree (PL 130.65(3)), the sole felony charge for which he was arrested.
As part of the proceedings, the prosecution advocated for a state prison sentence in light of the seriousness of the offense and the impact on the victim. Despite that recommendation, the Court sentenced the defendant to one year in the Saratoga County Jail over the objection of the prosecution.
District Attorney Eby issued the following statement:
“While we respect the authority and discretion of the Court in sentencing matters, we are disappointed in the outcome of this case. Our office fought for the victim and believed that a state prison sentence was an appropriate and just result given the nature of the crime. We remain committed to advocating for victims and ensuring their voices are heard throughout the judicial process.”
The prosecution was led by Senior Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Pratt. The investigation was conducted by Investigator Samuel Speziale of the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office.
The Saratoga County District Attorney’s Office extends its appreciation to law enforcement and all those who assisted in bringing this case forward.
MADISON, NEW JERSEY – Burnt Hills High School sophomore Randi Morris (16) went 4-0 in the brown belt 63kg division to win a gold medal at the 15th annual Garden State Judo Classic, held on April 12 at Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Morris trains at the Jason Morris Judo Center in Glenville and is the daughter of Olympic Silver Medalist Jason Morris.
Juniper is a petite kitty who is a little over a year and half old. Her family made the very difficult decision to surrender her after realizing they could not properly provide for her while going through a difficult time. She may need some time to acclimate to new surroundings, but she is very sweet and receptive to pets and attention. She was recently spayed, is up to date on her rabies vaccine and has had her first distemper vaccination. She has tested negative for FIV and FeLV. Juniper is ready to find a loving home with people who will provide her with the care and affection she deserves.
The HOPE Pet Adoption Center is open to the public Tuesday, Friday and Saturday from 11-4 and by appointment. Online adoption applications can be found at our website www.hopeanimalrescue.org. For any questions give us a call at 518-450-7013.
The Saratoga County Department of Aging and Youth Services is seeking volunteers to deliver meals to homebound seniors who live in the greater Greenfield area. The department has an immediate need for volunteers who can pick up meals at Galway Town Hall and deliver to residents in the Town of Greenfield and surrounding area.
This essential program helps many seniors, age 60 and older, remain independent in their homes by providing them with a nutritious ready-to-eat lunch each weekday.
Volunteers can choose a flexible schedule that meets their availability, volunteering as little as once a week or as much as five days a week. Meals are picked up at 11AM and delivered until 1PM each weekday.
Becoming a volunteer is easy. Individuals simply fill out an application and provide references to the Saratoga County Department of Aging and Youth Services. Training and orientation are provided to all volunteers. Volunteers must have a valid driver’s license and their own vehicle.
Those interested in becoming a meal delivery volunteer should call the Saratoga County Department of Aging and Youth Services at 518-363-4020.
CORINTH, NY- Sonya Gail Isolda passed away quietly on March 22, 2026, at Washington Ctr. Argyle, NY. Born June 23, 1935, in Saratoga Springs NY, Sonya graduated from Saratoga Springs High School class of 1953. She worked for the Schenectady library system before retiring.
In her later years she enjoyed embroidery and scrapbooking.
She is survived by her daughter Nikki Zwijacz of Henderson, CO and her son Marc Zwijacz of Wilton, NY. Sonya had a total of three granddaughters and one grandson, plus a younger brother, Kelly Isolda. She also had a good number of nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life is planned for the family in the summer.
Arrangements are under the direction of William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes. Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.
SARATOGA SPRINGS – Barton Hugh Klion died peacefully in his sleep on April 7, 2026; he was born March 28, 1928, in Manhattan. He celebrated his 98th birthday with his children, daughter-in-law, and devoted granddaughter. Bart was fiercely independent, and he was still driving and only using a cane until recently. He was looking forward to his Academy for Lifelong Learning “international relations” discussion group and had just found a new chess partner with whom he played at a local coffee shop. He had a 518-day streak on Chess.com, where he played every day with one of his grandsons and others. A lifelong athlete, he skied until he was 82 and played tennis until he was 89.
After graduating from Rutgers University in 1948 and serving as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army (1948 – 1949), he began a successful career as a wallcovering sales and marketing executive, leading sales teams in metro NYC, while managing national accounts throughout the United States and Canada. Married to Barbara in 1955, Bruce and Lisa were born shortly after, and they moved to Hartsdale, NY, in 1960, where they remained until 2018, when they moved to Saratoga County. Bart and Barbara’s passion was travel, both in the U.S. and internationally, mostly on walking tours. The places and countries are too long to list but think of the song “Let’s Go Everywhere.”
Bart will mostly be remembered for his commitment to friends and family. Bruce and Lisa grew up with a slew of “Uncles,” some from the Manhattan neighborhood where he grew up, some from his years at Rutgers, where Bart was the president of the Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity chapter. He was an Ardsley Little League coach and a co-founder of the local touch-and-flag football program, as well as “Lassie League” softball. He taught his children to ski in New York, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Quebec, and to play tennis at the local swimming and tennis club. He regularly attended his grandchildren’s school and youth sports activities, even though they were not local, with one grandson noting, “I don’t recall any other grandparents watching their grandchildren play outdoor division 5 soccer in all weather.”
Other than seeing his two great-grandsons this spring, Bart was most looking forward to the annual Rutgers Living History Society meeting; RLHS and Rutgers Oral History Archive (now part of the Rutgers University History Department), gave him much meaning and purpose over the last 32 years, not just the absolute value of this worthy project, but the people he had met, interacted and formed relationships with. He served on the original operations committee, was President of RLHS for seven years, and remained active in the organization until last week. Bart entered Rutgers during WWII as a 16-year-old in 1944, and virtually all of his friends and fraternity brothers were returning combat veterans (as was his brother Stanley, RU class of 1942). Much of his devotion to ROHA was born of these relationships. Bart loved Rutgers University and was the true definition of a “loyal son.” Donations in honor of Barton Klion can be made here: https://give.rutgersfoundation.org/oral-history-archives/8689.html.
He was predeceased by his wife of 69 years, Barbara Kupsick Klion (b. 1933, d. 2024). Surviving him are his son, Bruce and daughter-in-law Linda Klion of Saratoga Springs, their children and spouses and grandsons, Bennett Klion and Rose Mendoza, their son Cillian of Brooklyn; Henry Klion and Nicole Cavallaro, their son Oliver of Brooklyn; his daughter Lisa (Klion) Wald of Wayne, NJ; her son Jason Wald and fiancée Annika Sundberg of Chicago; her daughter Samara Wald of Providence (his “favorite” granddaughter).
Bart was and will continue to be a role model of a life well lived, dedicated to friends and family.
A private graveside service with military honors took place at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Road, Schuylerville, NY.
Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.
