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Author: Saratoga TODAY

March 13 – March 19, 2026

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Local Briefs.

Upcoming Events

Saratoga Men’s Baseball League Seeking Players

The Saratoga Men’s Baseball League is looking for players age 28 and over for the upcoming season. The season runs from May through August. For more information, call or text 518-470-7894 by March 20.

A Fun Night of Line Dancing

Join us Friday, March 20 from 6-9 pm for a fun night of line dancing at Murray’s Fools Distilling Company, 7152 Amsterdam-Glenville Road, Glenville, in support of Gateway House of Peace. Dance the night and winter blahs away with Allison Drapeau, Board Vice President of Gateway House of Peace and line dancing instructor, as she leads beginner-friendly lessons followed by open dancing—NO experience needed. We’ll also have a 50/50 raffle and themed baskets. Food will be available for separate purchase. $10 cover charge with 50% of all cover proceeds will automatically be donated directly to Gateway House. Come dance to donate and give back to this incredible mission. We can’t wait to see you there. Dance your winter blahs away and have a lot of fun.

Genealogy and Local History

Heritage Hunters will meet Saturday, March 21, at 1 p.m. at the Town of Saratoga Town Hall, 12 Spring St. in Schuylerville. Town of Waterford Historian, Russ VanDervoort will discuss his adventures in unearthing his family’s surname story. A shotgun wedding, Civil War Service, a nasty court case, and a maverick family member telling his family’s story, all influenced the evolution of his family name. Russ had been told several versions of his ancestors’ stories. He will explain the process that helped him determine the truths of how the changes took place. Russ has held many positions in Waterford and has written several local history books. For information, call 518-885-9309. 

Seed Starting Lesson and Workshop

Join the enthusiastic and knowledgeable Madison Blodgett for an exciting hands-on workshop where you’ll discover the essential skills needed to start seeds indoors. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to cultivate your green thumb while embracing sustainability and environmental stewardship. Join us and become part of a vibrant community of local residents passionate about gardening and healthy living—register today. Cost of event is $25, pre-payment and registration required, all funds go to the Unlimited Garden Fundraiser. Pre-registration can be made by emailing Jessica Luse at jmh452@cornell.edu. Registration deadline is March 13.

The Windermere Children

Saratoga Jewish Community Arts, with a generous grant from the Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York and the sponsorship of Temple Sinai of Saratoga Springs, presents a panel discussion of the PBS drama, The Windermere Children. The program is scheduled for Tuesday, March 24 at 7 p.m. on Zoom. Several books and films have chronicled the 10,000 children rescued out of Europe during World War II on what became known as Kindertransport, the trains that carried the children to safety in Great Britain. Lesser known is the smaller, post-war British mission to rescue Jewish orphans who survived the concentration camps and give them a chance to reclaim their lives. Pre-registration is required. To register, https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/kVG1OUi/WindemereChildren

Saratoga Rec Department Hosts Inaugural Theater Program – Spring 2026

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

The City of Saratoga Springs Recreation Department is excited to announce its inaugural youth theater program, launching April 14, 2026.

The program will be directed by Anna Bonner, a senior at Saratoga Springs High School with years of drama experience and a deep passion for the performing arts. She’ll be joined by fellow high school drama club volunteers Finley Armstrong (Stage Manager) and Dante DePaulo (Choreographer). Together, they aim to create a supportive and inspiring space where local youth can step into the spotlight, build confidence, and discover more about themselves through theater.

The program’s first production will be Beauty and the Beast.

“Theater has always been an important part of my life, and I fell in love with it through a Rec Center program,” says Anna Bonner, Saratoga Rec Theater Director. “I want to give kids that same chance to fall in love with theater the way I did — in a healthy, supportive environment — while also coming full circle in my own love for the arts.”

The addition of a theater program marks an exciting expansion for the Rec Center. While the department has traditionally focused on sports programming, this new offering opens the door to creative arts opportunities and welcomes a broader group of participants.

The program is open to youth ages 8–14, and no prior theater experience is required. City and non-city residents are welcome, and every participant will receive a role. Auditions will take place on the first day in a low-stress, fun format that includes theater games and reading lines from favorite characters.

“We’ve been wanting to expand our offerings beyond sports for years,” says John Hirliman, Recreation Department Director. “We were waiting to find the right person to lead it, and Anna came in with both a plan and a purpose. She’s working closely with Hannah Hertik, our newest Program Coordinator and Camp Saradac Director, to get this program off the ground. With the two of them leading the way, it’s sure to be a program the community will remember for years to come.”

Event Details

Date: Tues & Thurs, April 14 – May 15 

Time: 4:00-6:00PM

Show Dates: Thursday, May 14 & Friday, May15 (participants will meet 4:00-8:00pm on show days)

*There will be a Tech Week 5/11-5/15 to prepare for the shows at the end of the week. 

Location: Saratoga Rec Center, 15 Vanderbilt Avenue

Skidmore College Dining Services named “Best Choice Restaurant” by Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

Skidmore College Executive Chef Michael Hinrichs prepares a meal. Courtesy of Skidmore College.

Skidmore College Dining Services has been named a “Best Choice Restaurant,” by the  Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch, becoming the first collegiate dining program in the country to join the Best Choice Restaurant Program and be recognized for its commitment to sourcing and serving sustainable seafood. 

 The recognition reflects Skidmore’s ongoing commitment to responsible action toward environmental sustainability and climate stewardship. 

 “Skidmore aims to lead by doing,” said Tarah Rowse, director of sustainability and environmental initiatives. “We are demonstrating our leadership and legitimately advancing our sustainability performance. We hope our efforts to be change agents ourselves can inspire others, within and beyond higher education, to support and accelerate a transition to a just and sustainable world.” 

 Through this partnership, Seafood Watch will guide sustainable sourcing efforts and work with Dining leadership to improve purchasing practices and ensure vendors meet responsible standards. Skidmore will label qualifying menu items with the Seafood Watch “Best Choice” mark to identify dishes that meet the program’s highest sustainability standards.

 “When we choose sustainable seafood, we’re protecting the ocean and people who depend on it. Ordering a Best Choice marked item on the menu is an easy, delicious way to help protect the ocean and support environmentally conscious restaurants,” says Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Vice President of Global Ocean Conservation, Jennifer Dianto Kemmerly. “The Best Choice Restaurant Program will have tremendous impact because chefs and restaurateurs create culinary experiences that shape diners’ food tastes and their cooking at home, driving demand for sustainable products beyond commercial kitchens.”

 Aligning with Foundation Five of Skidmore’s Strategic Plan, the program supports the College’s commitment to sustainable food practices, climate action, waste reduction, and environmental stewardship. 

 “Sustainability is not a single initiative for us — it’s embedded in how we think about menus, vendors, and student engagement,” said Michael Hinrichs, executive chef of Skidmore Dining. “This recognition reflects years of intentional work around sourcing, education, and culinary standards.” 

 Beyond sourcing, the partnership advances the College’s goal of building sustainability literacy. In collaboration with the Office of Sustainability, Dining Services will engage students, faculty, and staff with educational material, including pocket guides, that empower students, faculty, and staff to make informed seafood choices. 

 By earning this designation, Skidmore joins a select group of respected organizations and food industry leaders, including establishments such as The Market Place in Asheville, N.C., and restaurants at Four Seasons properties.

“Colleges have a unique opportunity to influence food culture at scale, and this designation affirms that institutional dining can lead to responsible, value-driven purchasing,” said Hinrichs. 

Wilton Wildlife Accepting Entries for Annual Earth Day Essay Contest

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park is seeking submissions for their 11th Annual Earth Day Essay Contest. Earth Day, celebrated on April 22 since 1970, brings environmental awareness to the forefront. Earth Day promotes increased environmental consciousness, community participation, and protection of the planet worldwide. 

The mission of Wilton Wildlife includes environmental education as a priority, and for more than a decade, the Essay Contest has given school-aged children in the community a chance to express their views, do research, and engage in ecological topics related to the climate crisis.

The theme for 2026 is “We Are One”. Students are invited to write their essays on the Earth being the home that all living things share, and how people can come together to share the valuable resources the Earth provides. Students can write about what they can do to help their communities protect the planet in any capacity. We may be different, living in different countries and cultures, but we are all here together, along with all living things that depend on clean soil, water, and air. We are all together, living on our one planet, Earth.

A panel of judges from Wilton Wildlife will review the essays and select winners in lower elementary, upper elementary, middle school, and high school levels to receive a cash prize and recognition. Runner-up and judges’ choice categories will also be chosen. High school entries must be no longer than 650 words; middle school entries must be no longer than 500 words; and elementary school entries must be at least 10 sentences. Accompanying illustrations are also encouraged. The contest winner from each of the four grade categories will receive a $50 cash prize!

The deadline for entries is on Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22, 2026. Winners will be announced in May, and prizes will be awarded at the Annual Wildlife Festival on Sunday, May 31. Submissions may be mailed to Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park at 80 Scout Road, Wilton, NY 12831, or emailed to info@wiltonpreserve.org by the deadline. Please include the student’s name, the name of the school, the student’s grade, and their teacher’s name. In addition, please include an email and a phone number, with each student’s entry.

The Annual Earth Day Essay Contest was initiated in 2016 by Wilton Wildlife with the support of two local educators, Betty McCanty and Jane Adams Wait, who helped serve as judges and who funded the prizes for the first years of the contest.

For more information, please visit the Wilton Wildlife website at wiltonpreserve.org, email info@wiltonpreserve.org, or call (518) 450-0321. Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park’s mission is to provide environmental education and opportunities for outdoor recreation while supporting conservation of ecological systems and natural settings.

Wesley Community Appoints New Board Members

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.


Photos of Alison Abbey and Aura Englese provided by the Wesley Community.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Wesley Community recently announced that Alison Abbey and Aura Englese have been appointed to the Board of Directors of The Wesley Community.

Abbey is vice president of personnel at Stewart’s Shops and brings 20 years of human resources leadership experience to her role. She oversees a human resources team responsible for payroll and benefits administration for more than 5,500 partners across New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire. Additionally, Abbey works closely with shop operations to address personnel matters, analyze workforce trends, and develop strategies designed to strengthen partner retention and engagement.

Englese serves as the director of human resources and corporate compliance officer at AIM Services, a nonprofit that provides residential and community-based services and care for individuals with disabilities and traumatic brain injuries in Saratoga, Warren, and Washington counties.

Englese provides leadership in human resources, corporate compliance, quality assurance and agency operations. She plays an important role in guiding organizational initiatives, strengthening operational effectiveness, and ensuring regulatory integrity across the agency in close collaboration with the executive team.

“We are pleased to welcome Alison and Aura to The Wesley Community Board of Directors,” said J. Brian Nealon, CEO of The Wesley Community. “Their leadership roles and individual strengths will be great assets to our community. Both are seasoned professionals with strong backgrounds in Human Resources and will be instrumental in helping Wesley develop new and innovative ways to offer the best services to our residents.”

Rock Doc About Saratoga-Based Group Screening at Putnam Place

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.

Movie poster provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — A documentary about Blotto, a rock band with its origins at Saratoga’s 17 Maple Ave nightspot (later the Metro, now the Night Owl), will screen at Putnam Place on March 19.

The award-winning “Hello, My Name Is Blotto: The Movie” is described as an inside look at the “curious arc of the beloved laugh-rock band Blotto,” whose story serves as a case study in the highs and lows of the music business.

Blotto’s hits included “Metal Head,” “Goodbye Mr. Bond,” “My Baby’s the Star of a Drivers Ed Movie,” and “I Wanna Be a Lifeguard.” The band’s live shows celebrated “the feelgood vibe of the 80’s music and party scene,” according to a press release.

The screening is scheduled for 7 p.m. Band members and the film’s director will be in attendance. A warmup mix-meet-mingle hour is hosted by acoustic Americana trio Lost Radio Rounders, which includes Bowtie Blotto. Admission is $20 at the door or $10 in advance via the Putnam Place website.

Audiologic Solutions Opens in Spa City

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

Audiologic Solutions celebrated the grand opening of its new hearing center at 125 High Rock Ave. in Saratoga Springs during a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce. Audiologic Solutions provides personalized hearing and healthcare services designed to ensure that each person’s unique hearing needs are met with precision and empathy. More information is available at www.audiologicsolutions.net. Photo provided by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.

Upcoming Author Events at Northshire

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Ithaca-based writer Christopher Gonzales will read from and discuss his new memoir, “Return of the Lost Son: Memories of a Wayward Father” at the Northshire Bookstore on Thursday, March 19 at 6 p.m. The event, moderated by Saratoga Springs Poet Laureate Jay Rogoff, is free and open to the public. A book signing will follow.

Gonzales’ book seeks to discover and understand his father, who left his Mexican-American family and strove to make his life a work of art. The memoir recalls Gonzales’ early memories, before the early onset of Alzheimer’s disease erased much of his father’s memory. 

Gonzales recounts his travels to Texas, Mexico, and elsewhere, as well as his research into reconstructing this mysterious man’s surprising biography. Along the way, he makes discoveries about his father, his family, his ethnic heritage, and himself.

Gonzales, who grew up outside of Saratoga Springs, said that “A key theme of my book is carving out a Latino identity in Saratoga Springs. Nearly half of the chapters include some aspect of this theme, and several of my sources and literary influences also have ties to Saratoga. And, of course, a major thrust of the book is understanding my father’s life and why he chose to move to this area.”

Also coming soon to Northshire: Eileen Flanagan, who will be speaking at the bookstore on April 15 while on a national tour for her new book, “Common Ground: How the Crisis of the Earth is Saving Us from Our Illusion of Separation.”

One of the stories included in “Common Ground” is about how New York State achieved one of the strictest climate laws in the country, partly spurred by coalition building that occurred after Hurricane Sandy. Another story is about the protection of the Adirondack Park in the late nineteenth century, which includes lessons that could be relevant to readers today.

Flanagan is a Philadelphia-based author whose daughter graduated from Skidmore College.

For more information about these and other Northshire events, visit www.northshire.com/upcoming-events.

Woodworkers Showcase Returns to City Center

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

Photo provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The 33rd annual Northeast Woodworkers Association (NWA) Woodworkers Showcase will return to the Saratoga Springs City Center on March 28 and 29.

The showcase will feature over 500 exhibits highlighting the artistry of woodworking. Attendees can expect to see an array of displays, including fine furniture, intricate turnings, carvings, intarsia, scroll work, sculptures, toys, and accessories, as well as musical instruments.

Exhibitors, ranging from amateurs to seasoned professionals, will vie for NWA award ribbons in various categories, including Best of Show and People’s Choice.

Throughout the two-day event, attendees can participate in lectures and demonstrations highlighted by nationally known master craftsmen Logan Wittmer, Tom McLaughlin, and Libby Schrum, among others.

In addition to the exhibits, numerous national and regional trade vendors will be on-site, offering a diverse selection of wood and woodworking tools and accessories for all skill levels.

Sunday is Family Day, where children can learn about woodworking at the Toy Factory, and can build a toy to take home with the help of NWA members. Additionally, children and parents can try their hand at turning and creating a pen on a lathe, guided by NWA members.

Part of the Woodworkers Showcase is the Totally Turning Symposium, dedicated to the art of turning wood on a lathe. This symposium requires a separate registration fee, and all attendees must pre-register. The turned creations of the artisans will be on display as part of the overall show.

For additional information or tickets, visit www.woodworker.org.

Schick Art Gallery at Skidmore College Unveils New Ceramic Exhibition

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.

Shoko Teruyama, “Flower Bowl.” Photo provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Schick Art Gallery will unveil “Earthbound,” an exhibition of ceramic work by 11 contemporary artists, with an opening reception from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 19.

An artists’ talk will take place at 5:30 p.m., and the exhibition will remain on view through April 19.

The full list of artists includes Bekah Bliss, Pattie Chalmers, Judy Fox, Brett Freund, Arthur Gonzalez, Brian Harper, Benjie Heu, Kyle Johns, Linda Lopez, Chris Staley, and Shoko Teruyama. Fox and Heu will visit campus to participate in the artists’ talk.

The Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery is concurrently featuring the work of ceramics artist Kathy Butterly through July 26.

All Schick Art Gallery exhibitions and events are free and open to the public. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday.