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Author: Saratoga TODAY

Shop Local at the Farmers’ Market this Holiday Season

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Food.

Supporting small businesses is always a must in our eyes, and this year it’s as important as ever. Not only does it give our local economy a boost, but you’re more likely to find unique gifts for your loved ones. 

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market offers a spacious shopping environment featuring 50+ local businesses. The variety of vendors is sure to rekindle your excitement for shopping and finding the perfect gifts – all in one place.

J. Adkins Cultivation is a local, organic grower of classic and hard-to-find organic vegetables, herbs, fruits, perennials, and annuals. For the holidays, they have beautiful poinsettia arrangements as well as numerous giftable plants. 

Saratoga Suds ‘n’ Stuff makes soap the “old fashioned” way – “by hand, in small batches, using fat and lye and some essential oils to scent it.” For the holidays, find soaps in the shape of gingerbread men, Christmas trees, and other fun seasonal shapes alongside their traditional soaps.

Scotch Ridge Berry & Tree Farm has handmade wreaths, kissing balls, holiday swag, and tabletop Christmas trees all this month. Gorgeous greenery makes a memorable and personal gift, and even more so when it’s locally made.

For the spirits connoisseur on your list, Yankee Distillers proudly to stands out as an NYS Farm Distillery, where they use 100% unmalted New York State Grain to produce outstanding bourbon, rye, and vodka. For the beer enthusiast, Mean Max Brew Works makes distinctive craft-brewed ales and lagers fermented naturally without additives. 

Sweet treats are undeniably a part of the holiday season, and Saratoga Chocolate Co. specializes in gourmet craft chocolate bars, handmade truffles, unique chocolate confections, and chocolate tastings and pairings. Their gift sets, hot chocolate mix, and chocolate Santas make perfect stocking stuffers.

Kim Dolan Designed and Feathered Antler have a giftable wearable art selection, from handmade jewelry to custom clothing. Kim Dolan Designed makes unique tie-dyed shirts and jewelry made from gold, silver, and gemstones. Feathered Antler creates jewelry, knitwear, customized flannels, and more.

Many holiday season vendors offer pre-order for easy pickup as well as online ordering. Find their website and ‘like’ them on social media to stay up-to-date on their products and specials. 

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in the Wilton Mall Food Court. CDTA’s routes 450 (from Schenectady) and 452 (from Skidmore College via downtown Saratoga) run to the Wilton Mall on Saturday mornings. Find us online at www.saratogafarmersmarket.org, where you can sign up for our weekly newsletter, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @SaratogaFarmersMarket.

FM ShepsPie

Transitions Announces First-Ever Camp Experience

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

MAYFIELD — Transitions, a premier program designed to advance college and career success for young adults with autism spectrum disorders and other learning differences, announces its first-ever day camp at the program’s new Downtown Albany location. Camp is being held on Saturday, Dec. 4 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and allows individuals with autism between ages 15 and 27 to see if the program is a good fit. 

Students are guaranteed to have fun and grow while learning valuable skills and applying them in real-world situations. Transition camps are filled with activities that bring students closer together in a carefully structured, nurturing, and supportive environment designed to help them create lasting friendships with like-minded peers. 

As part of the day camp, students will experience a full range of activities focused on Transitions core curriculum, enrichment classes, and extracurricular activities. Skill building is woven into all activities, and peer mentors are fully trained and vetted to provide students with a safe and transformative experience. Lunch and dinner are included. 

“Our camps give a glimpse of our full year program,” said Penny Rivenburg, Senior Director, Transitions. “If you join us, you will experience Transitions, you will meet current students and mentors, and learn tools that will help you in your future. Best of all, you will have fun.” 

Transitions was founded in 2015, with its main campus in Mayfield, NY. The program opened its second location in Albany in September of this year. 

The Downtown Albany campus is in partnership with Mildred Elley and allows students to access local colleges and universities while benefiting from the supports offered under the Transitions model. The new campus hosts full year programs and can accommodate both residential and day students. 

The day camp costs $65 per student. To register, email admissions@transitionsusa.org or call 518-775-5384 or 518-661-6617. 

Local Schools Winter Concert Schedule

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

Saratoga Springs Central School District 

Dec. 1 – Concert Band at 6:30 p.m. (Loewenberg Auditorium)

Dec. 1 – Jazz Band at 7:15 p.m. (Teaching Auditorium)

Dec. 1 – Symphonic Band at 8 p.m. (Loewenberg Auditorium) 

Dec. 8 – Concert Orchestra at 7 p.m. (Loewenberg Auditorium) 

Dec. 8 – Symphonic Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. (Loewenberg Auditorium)

Dec. 8 – Chamber Orchestra at 8 p.m. (Loewenberg Auditorium)

Dec. 15 – Chorus at 7 p.m. (Loewenberg Auditorium)

Dec. 15 – Choraliers at 7:30 p.m. (Loewenberg Auditorium)

Dec. 20 – Orchestra 7 at 6 p.m. (Maple Ave, Trombley Auditorium) 

Dec. 20 – Orchestra 8 at 6:30 p.m. (Maple Ave, Trombley Auditorium) 

Dec. 20 – Band 7 at 7 p.m. (Maple Ave, Trombley Auditorium) 

Dec. 20 – Band 8 at 7:30 p.m. (Maple Ave, Trombley Auditorium) 

Ballston Spa Central School District 

Middle School and High School Concerts:

Dec. 9 – 7:30 p.m. Special Concert featuring the 7th Grade Band, Concert Band, and Wind Ensemble 

Dec. 13 – 7:30 p.m. JV Concert with Concert Jazz, Concert Choir, and Concert Orchestra

Dec. 14 –7 p.m. 7th Grade Choir and Orchestra

Dec. 16 –7:30 p.m. Varsity Concert with High School Jazz, Festival Choir, and Symphonic Orchestra

Dec. 21 –7 p.m. 6th Grade Orchestra, Choir, and Band 

All Elementary School Concerts: 
All the BSCSD Elementary winter concerts have been rescheduled to March 2022 and relocated to the High School Auditorium.

March 1 at 7 p.m. – Milton Terrace Elementary School 

March 3 at 7 p.m. – Gordon Creek Elementary School 

March 8 at 7 p.m. – Wood Road Elementary School 

March 10 at 7 p.m. – Malta Avenue Elementary School 

Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Central School District 

Dec.6 – O’Rourke Winter Concert #1 (Orchestra 7/8, Band 8, & Chorus 8) at 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 7 – O’Rourke Winter Concert #2 (MS Jazz Band, Band 7, & Chorus 7) at 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 9 – HS Winter Concert #1 (Symphonic Band, Mixed Chorus, & Orchestra) at 7:30 p.m. 

Stillwater Central School District 

Dec. 2 – HS Winter Concert at 7 p.m. 

Dec. 7 – ES Winter Concert at 7 p.m. 

Dec. 9 – MS Winter Concert at 7 p.m. 

Corinth Central School District 

Dec. 7 – HS Winter Concert at 7 p.m. 

Dec. 9 – Elementary Winter Chorus Concert at 6:30 p.m.

Dec. 16 – Grades 5 & 6 Winter Concert at 7 p.m. 

South Glens Falls Central School District 

Dec. 7 – Moreau Winter Concert at 6:30 p.m. 

Dec. 9 – Ballard Winter Concert at 6:30 p.m. 

Dec. 13 – Grades Choir Concert at 7 p.m. 

Dec. 14 – Harrison Ave. Winter Concert at 6:30 p.m. 

Dec. 15 – Grades Band Concert at 7 p.m. 

Death Wish Coffee Co. Launches Trading Card Collection

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Death Wish Coffee Co., the makers of the World’s Strongest Coffee, has announced the launch of Caffeine Critters, the brand’s first rendition of trading cards inspired by the reviews of Death Wish products from the brand’s wildly caffeinated fans. 

Immortalizing the craziest and funniest reviews from their fans, Death Wish Coffee Co. is bringing real feedback left by real consumers to life through the artwork of Spinning Yarn Illustration Company. The artwork embodies everything from a skeleton riding the morning coffee wave to a unicorn over the ready-to-drink latte, keeping the brand’s playful spirit alive. The initial launch will feature three new playing cards with names, photos, and reviews from some of the brand’s biggest supporters, recognizing those who drink the extra cup of Death Wish Coffee. 

All consumers who purchase any of the core coffee products on Nov. 18, including the Dark and Medium roasts, will receive one pack of Caffeine Critters trading cards with their purchase, while supplies last. 

“We’re excited to dive into the nostalgia of trading cards for our devoted Death Wish Coffee drinkers,” said Mike Pilkington, President of Death Wish Coffee Co. “Caffeine Critters is the perfect way to celebrate our die-hard fans and show our appreciation for them leaving such creative reviews on products they love so much.” 

The launch of Caffeine Critters is the latest in Death Wish Coffee’s celebrations of its community of loyal fans, who flock to the brand’s highly caffeinated and boldly flavored roasts and ready-to-drink lattes. Additionally, on Black Friday, Nov. 26, Death Wish Coffee will offer 30% off all bagged coffee with mug giveaways and ongoing merch deals.

For more information about Death Wish Coffee Co. and Caffeine Critters, visit www.deathwishcoffee.com. 

Property Transactions: November 20 – November 24, 2021

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Property Transactions.

BALLSTON

Eastline Holdings LLC sold property at 14 Timber Creek Dr to Bradley Gregg for $492,676.

Manoj Irala sold property at 11 Timber Creek Dr.to Kumar Padala for $535,000.

Charles Schewe sold property at 119 Ballston Ave to 838 Rentals LLC for $175,000.

Volney Larowe sold property at 3 Lakehill Dr to Michael Cyrus for $195,000.

CORINTH

Sean Homes Excavating LLC sold property at 504 main St.to Anthony Villano for $190,000.

GALWAY

Thomas Shippey sold property at 5999 Greens Corner Rd to Laura Mancini for $405,000

GREENFIELD

Valerie Bellon sold property at 70 Sand Hill Rd to Lauren Halligan for $150,000.

Peerless Grove LLC sold property at 540 Locust Grove Rd to Jeffrey Cannizzo for $500,000.

James Lambert sold property at 253 North Greenfield Rd to Karen Miller for $310,000.

MALTA

Brandon Vedder sold property at 344 Eastline Rd to Dean Doin for $130,000.

MT Minogue Inc sold property at 2421 Rt 9 to Eagle Associates of Niagara Frontier Inc for $2,770,000.

Lindsey and Marion Chilson sold property at 22 Teaberry Pl to Henry Cabral for $350,000.

Abele Builders Inc sold property at 37 Cooper Ridge Dr to Abele Homes LLC for $115,000.

Abele Builders LLC sold property at 37 Cooper Ridge Dr to Marie Aufiero for $421,265.

Timothy Busch sold property at 49 Maiden Circle to Michael O’Brien for $555,000.

Farone Amedore LLC sold property at 43 Ordelia Lane to Michael Kelly for $354,555.

Adam Smisloff sold property at 156 Thimbleberry Rd to Edward Futterer for $255,000

Todd Boice sold property at 223 Thimbleberry Rd to Dylan Gove for $200,000.

SARATOGA

Karen Bellhouse sold property at 1340 NYS Rt 9P to Claude Eldaye for $860,000.

Mary Lee Fassett sold property at 110 Brown Point Lane to Erik Johanson for $400,000

SARATOGA SPRINGS

Michael Zehler sold property at 50 Waterbury St to Bruce Johnson for $415,000

Bonacio Construction Inc sold property at 113 Madison St to Robert Claydon for $250,000

Kaydeross Partners 2013 LLC sold property at 2 Ohonte Dr to Cavallo LLC for $210,000.

Terrill Brown sold property at 6 Stony Brook Dr to R S Realty Holdings for $1,500,000

Andrew Rettew sold property at 29 Lakewood Dr to Dean Williams for $530,000.

45 Glen Cove Scott LLC sold property at 1 Spring ST #306 to Mark O’Keefe for $275,000.

MT Minogue Inc sold property at 16 West Ave to Eagle Associates of Niagara Frontier Inc for $2,210,000.

Excelsior Park LLC sold property at 4 Whistler Ct to Michael Galluscio for $457,087.

Marie Hoenings sold property at 5 Sundance Dr to Roy Kline for $555,000.

Lorraine Prunier sold property at 7 David Lane to Matthew Gorfein for $367,900.

Spencers Landing LLC sold property at 20 Arrowhead Rd to Evelyn Valentin for $840,316.

Katherine Raymond sold property at 424 Grand Ave to Leigh Morgan for $379,000.

Ellsworth Square LLC sold property at 106B Division St to 106B Division St LLC for $1,097,700.

Joseph Calvanese sold property at 8 Van Dorn St to Caroline Welles for $550,000.

Michael Lewis sold property at 13 Summerfield Lane to Brian Mumford for $750,000.

Mark Holowach sold property at 268 Broadway to Joseph Abed for $765,000.

WILTON

MT Minogue Inc sold property at 624 Route 9 to Eagle Associates of Niagara Frontier Inc for $1,440,000.

David Aronson sold property at 19 Berkeley Way to Terrill Brown for $619,000.

Daniel Frazier sold property at 8 Connors Way to Pegg Beeche for $925,000.

‘Tis The Season

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

Saratoga Springs DPW crews hoisted wreaths atop city streets this week in anticipation of the holiday season.

Ballston Spa Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee Seeks Additional Members

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

BALLSTON SPA — The Village of Ballston Spa is looking to update its Comprehensive Plan to best define the needs of this evolving community and articulate a vision that will guide decisions affecting physical development and redevelopment within the village.  The Comprehensive Plan is expected to focus most significantly on effects of IT and climate change, buildings and village character, non-conforming land uses, village infrastructure, quality of life, & local and regional economics. 

A steering committee has been formed to work in conjunction with a professional planning consultant to identify and study several topics over the course of the next year in order to create a final plan for approval by the Village board of trustees. 

The committee is currently looking for additional members from the Ballston Spa community who would be interested in contributing their knowledge, skills and ideas.  Meetings will be held twice a month, on the first and third Thursdays, at 7 pm at the Saratoga County Office building at 50 West High St.  All meetings are open to the public and will be Zoom accessible. Interested persons can contact steering committee chairperson Karen Martell at karenmartell27@gmail.com or the Village Office at 518-885-5711, villageclerk@villageofballstonspa.org.

Santa Returns to Saratoga’s Star Radio

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga’s Star Radio is bringing back The Talk Live with Santa Show. For five evenings in December, parents can register their children to talk to Santa on Saratoga’s Star Radio. The program will air December 6,8, 9, 14, 16 from 6-8 p.m. 

The Talk Live with Santa Show can be heard locally on 93.3FM, as well as globally via a mobile app and online stream at starsaratoga.com. Parents are asked to register their children for the specialty programming by going to StarSaratoga.com. Parents will then be contacted prior to the broadcast. 

Saratoga’s Star Radio offers a mix of music, local and national news updates and relevant information to listeners living in the Saratoga region.

For more information, please contact Fran Dingeman at fran@loudmedia.com 

Jacob Weakland

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

Weakland

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Jacob Weakland, age 36, passed away on Sunday, November 14, 2021 at his home in Saratoga Springs. He was born on September 5, 1985 in Albany, NY, the son of James E. Weakland and Marcia Funke Weakland. He grew up in Round Lake, NY. 

Jacob will be remembered as a mystic of our times. An angel rarity in human form who found beauty and richness in the smallest, simplest and darkest of times. He turned tragedy into teachings and wore his heart on his sleeve. He spoke rawly from that heart and left his words unfiltered. His beautifully mad brilliance was ahead of his time, and he used it to inspire and bring hope to the lives of so many. Many people have said they owe their lives to Jacob, for he was there to guide them, to love them, to remind them of their worth in their darkest of days. He was a lover of food and used it to create art and delight for those he cooked for. He had an uncanny passion and talent for photography, writing and motivational speaking. He loved animals and sunrises and found extravagance in the mundane. He cherished his family and found the greatest pride in being an older brother to his younger twin siblings. He was a deeply sensitive family man who made it his mission to plant seeds of love and hope with everyone he met. A true gardener of the heart, that’s what he called connection: planting seeds. 

Jacob is survived by his parents, James and Marcia Funke Weakland; daughter, Kara Elizabeth Rucinski; brother, Joshua Weakland; sister, Jenna Weakland; countless friends and family who loved and cherished him dearly. 

A funeral service was held on Sunday, November 21, 2021 at Compassionate Funeral Care, 402 Maple Ave., Saratoga Springs, NY followed by a celebration of life in Jake’s honor at the Saratoga-Wilton Elks Lodge #161.

A graveside service was held on Monday, November 22, 2021 at East Union Cemetery for family and close friends. 

For online condolences, visit compassionatefuneralcare.com

Mary K. McCarthy

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —Mary K. McCarthy, “Little Momma,” 101, passed 11/16/2021 with her loving family at her side. Graveside Service 12:30 p.m. Saturday 11/27/2021 at St. Peter’s Cemetery. Memorial donations to The Community Hospice of Saratoga Springs, The Wesley Health Care Center or to a local animal shelter. Visit burkefuneralhome.com