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The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is on the Move: Winter Season Starts Nov. 6 at the Wilton Mall

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Food.

When there is no daylight left at 6 p.m. when Wednesday market vendors pack up their stands, and it’s too cold for Saturday market vendors to feel their hands when setting up in the early morning, we at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market gratefully know the indoor winter season is coming soon.

The first winter market returns to the Wilton Mall food court on Saturday, November 6, from 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., where it will take place weekly until the end of April. Over 50 local vendors will sell a full range of locally produced items, including fresh farm items, ready-to-eat foods, and artisanal products. Several holiday boutique vendors will be present as well, so you can get your holiday shopping started early this year.

Alongside many returning vendors, the winter market will also feature some new vendors and products, including alcohol-infused ice cream at Boozy Moo!, (house)plants at J. Adkins Cultivation, Scandinavian baked goods at Parchment, and several fan favorite vendors that were new at the markets this summer. This season, the market is also grateful to bring back several seasonal events and holiday celebrations like Maple March, family activities, and more.

The first holiday that will get the local treatment is Thanksgiving, which is just three markets away. Customers can preorder holiday meats, stock up on fresh produce for sides, and find plenty of dessert options at the next few weeks of markets.

While it’s hard to beat the excitement of outdoor markets at High Rock Park, there is something about the winter market season that brings out something even better: a closer sense of togetherness with our local community. When we spend more time indoors together during the holiday season, we queue our stovetops and ovens to heat our homes and hearts when we prepare homemade dishes stuffed with local market ingredients. There’s nothing quite like a warm plate prepared with quality ingredients over which to connect.

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market will be open on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. from November through April. The market will be in the Wilton Mall Food Court, accessible from the TrustCo mall entrance, across from BJs, or the mall interior. The CDTA’s routes 450 (from Schenectady) and 452 (from Skidmore College via downtown Saratoga) run to the Wilton Mall at least once an hour 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 to stay updated on the latest vendor and event news.

Market Vendors:

  • Ballston Lake Apiaries
  • Boozy Moo!
  • Daily Fresh
  • Elihu Farm
  • Euro Delicacies
  • Feathered Antler
  • Freddy’s Rockin’ Hummus
  • Giovanni Fresco
  • Gómez Veggie ville
  • Green Jeans Market Farm
  • Happy Things
  • Hebron Valley Veal
  • J. Adkins Cultivation
  • Junbucha
  • Kim Dolan Designed Jewelry
  • Kokinda Farm
  • Leaning Birch Farm
  • Longlesson Farm
  • Lovin’ Mama Farm
  • Mean Max Brew Works
  • Moon Cycle Seed Company
  • Moxie Ridge Farm
  • Mrs. Londons
  • Muddy Trail Jerky Co.
  • Mugzy’s Barkery
  • Native Farm Flowers
  • Nettle Meadow
  • Night Work Bread
  • Owl Wood Farm
  • Parchment
  • Petra Pocket Pies
  • Pleasant Valley Farm
  • Pork & Greens
  • Puckers Gourmet
  • R&G Cheese Makers
  • Ramble Creek Farm
  • Rishka’s on Broadway
  • Saratoga Apple
  • Saratoga Chocolate Co.
  • Saratoga Garlic Company
  • Saratoga Peanut Butter Co.
  • Saratoga Suds ‘n’ Stuff
  • Scotch Ridge Berry Farm
  • Slate Valley Farms
  • Something’s Brewing
  • Southy Sweets
  • Squash Villa Farm
  • The Food Florist
  • The Mushroom Shop
  • TogaNola Snack Company
  • Underwood’s Greenhouse/ Shushan Valley Hydro Farm
  • Vashti’s Kitchen Delights
  • Yankee Distillers

The Sacandaga River Steamboats

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in History.

It has been over 90 years since the Conklingville Dam was completed and the river that flowed through the Sacandaga Valley became the Great Sacandaga Reservoir. When visitors hear of this river that once ran through the area, they likely visualize it as a small meandering creek passing quietly past the picture-perfect farms and tiny settlements that dotted its shore. In reality, the river was wide and strong as it made its way past the long-lost communities of Osborn Bridge, Fish House, Batchellerville, and West Day. For over twenty miles it flowed through the Sacandaga Valley only narrowing when it encountered the Conklingville rapids. As it ran its way through the valley it had the power to carry thousands of logs each spring during the annual river drive to the Hudson River, as well as the depth to allow navigation by the steamboats that are the focus of this story.

In 1848, Albany County native Gurdon Conkling saw the commercial advantages of the Sacandaga Valley and established the Lynwood Tannery along the south shore of the river. This location soon came to be known as Conklingville. Along with numerous tannery buildings, Gurdon also constructed a hotel, stores, and homes on both sides of the river. At the same time as he was building his tannery, Conkling also built two wood-burning sidewheel steamers, the Whip Poor Will and the Colonel, to move lumber, wood, hemlock bark, and other goods to and from his new business interests.

The arrival in Batchellerville on October 30, 1848, of the first of these steamboats, was a day of celebration, with a crowd watching the progress of the plume of smoke off in the distance as the boat headed down river towards the hamlet. When the seventy-foot-long, 15-foot-wide steamboat came into sight it was greeted by a hearty cheer and the firing of a cannon. A few honored guests, feasting on oysters, fruit, and cake, had ridden downstream from the site at Fish House where the boat had been constructed. Soon additional passengers boarded, and the boat headed toward Edinburgh, where this maiden voyage was concluded. 

The Conklingville tannery changed hands in 1863 when it was purchased by leather merchants Henry Poor and Sons. As part of the sale, they also acquired the steamboat Whip Poor Will, the Colonel having been destroyed in 1855 when the steam boiler exploded. In the accident, the captain of the boat, Joseph Greenslete was killed. Don Bowman tells of hearing that the explosion was caused by logs used to fire the boiler that had been filled with gunpowder by disgruntled teamsters, whose teams had once hauled the hemlock bark that the steamboats carried.

Two years after Henry Poor took over the Conklingville tannery he also bought the Croweville tannery on Sand Creek, a tributary of the Sacandaga River in Hadley. With this purchase, the company added another steamboat to the fleet, the L. E. Wait. Named after the supervisor of the tannery, Lewis E. Wait, this boat was also used to move the hemlock bark on the Sacandaga River.

The Sacandaga River was an ideal path for the transportation of the tons of hemlock bark that was required for the tanning of raw leather. From May to August the bark was cut and after being allowed to dry, transported to the river from the surrounding forests and left in huge piles along the shore. In autumn the bark was loaded onto flat bottomed scows and towed by steamboat downstream to the tannery. In reminisces from those who lived in the valley during these early years, it was recalled that these loads were so immense that they resembled small houses being towed down the river.

Along with bark and supplies for the tannery, the steamboat carried products manufactured in the factories along the river. At Batchellerville, Sherman Batcheller loaded wooden measures, barrel covers, and wooden pegs onto the boats and the King-Snow Wooden Ware Company supplied wooded flour pails and buckets. This merchandise was carried to Hadley where it was shipped by rail and sold across the northeast.

Sacandaga River steamboats were also used for carrying passengers. In his memoirs, Ira Gray states that his mother remembered having boat rides in the 1860s on the Whip Poor Will piloted by Captain William Ellis Greenslete, older brother of Joseph Greenslete mentioned earlier. This is likely a reference to Autumn Sunday School trips where two barges were fastened together, and picnickers were taken upriver from Conkingville for an all-day picnic at a grove near West Day.

By the early 1880s, Henry Poor and Son closed their tanneries along the Sacandaga River due to a drastic drop in leather prices and a diminishing supply of hemlock bark in the region. The Whip Poor Will made its last trip in 1883. The L. E. Wait also operated on the Sacandaga River, until 1883, when it sunk in April of that year. While the passengers and crew all got safely to shore, 1,600 logs on barges bound for the woodenware works at Batchellerville were lost.

The 65-year-old Greenslete retired that same year after 35 years running steamboats on the river and passed away October 21, 1887, in Broadalbin, Fulton County, New York, and is buried in Union Mills Cemetery in the village.

Dave Waite is a resident of Blue Corners, Saratoga County and has written many articles on upstate New York history. When not researching or playing with his cat Gus, he and his wife Beth seek solitude on remote ponds in the Adirondack wilderness. Dave can be reached at davewaitefinearts@gmail.com

Thomas F. Guilianelli

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

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MECHANICVILLE — Thomas F. Guilianelli, son of Thomas A. and Diane F. Dwyer Guilianelli and brother of David P. “Hoover” Guilianelli, grandson of the late Thomas and Rose Canonica Guilianelli and the late Francis “Chick” and Eleanor Donnelly Dwyer passed away Wednesday, October 27, 2021 in the comfort of his lifelong home surrounded by his family and friends at the age of 54, after a courageous and hard fought 17-month battle with Glioblastoma.

Born May 10, 1967 at Leonard Hospital in Troy, Tom lived his whole life in Mechancville and was a graduate of Mechanicville High School, Class of 1985. He was a loyal and diehard Yankees and Buffalo Bills fan. Tom was employed by FedEx Express in Menands for the past 12 years, where he was well liked and well respected by not only his co-workers but his customers in the Loudonville/Corporate Woods area, which was the territory he covered for the past 5 years. Tom was previously employed by National Graphic Supply Corp., Katzenbach & Warren, and tended bar for numerous years in Albany.

In Tom`s spare time, you could find him listening to his favorite bands The Grateful Dead or The Dead. In his younger years Tom would take his vacation to coincide with their East Coast Stadium Tour and would travel with his best friends attending shows. Tom`s biggest regret was not being able to attend this summer`s show at SPAC due to his illness, but this did not prevent him from missing a show. He would listen and watch the shows on his I-pad from the comfort of his front porch with his best friend Bobby. When not listening to his favorite band, you could catch Tom participating in local cornhole leagues with friends and co-workers or most importantly spending time with family and friends, which were the most important part of his life. Tom found joy with having a good time surrounded by the ones he loved, you would be hard pressed to find someone who did not like Tom. He was a kind and gentle soul, who would put others before himself. Tom may have been a quiet and reserved guy, but once you got to know him, you realized what a big personality he had. Tom would be the life of the party. Tom was also into working out and exercise, and when not spending time enjoying life, he could be found in the gym. Tom was a longtime member of Gold’s/Vent Fitness in Clifton Park and previously of Downtown Fitness in Mechanicville.

In addition to his grandparents, Tom was predeceased by his uncle Alphonse “Fonzi” and aunt Lillian Canonica, who were like grandparents to Tom and his brother, aunt Anna and uncle Anthony “Bubbles” Cimino, aunt Nancy and uncle Julius “Fatty” Marcelle, uncle Anthony “Nookie” and aunt June Guilianelli and uncle Andrew Burke and aunt Colleen Dwyer Wong.

Tom was also survived by his beloved and loyal dog Maverick, who would lay alongside of Tom during his naps, his adored Aunt Nancy Burke, cousins Michele Burke and husband Kevin Sternberg, Kelly and David Gonnelly and their sons Aaron Gonnelly and Ryan Gonnelly and his wife Sabina, Wendy and Lee Smith and their children Hannah and Nathan, his best friends Tim and Sharon Kraszewski, their children Adam Kraszewski, Jade and Jason Kraft and their daughter Reagan, who affectionately referred to Tom as Uncle “TT,” Bob Kraszewski, Jeff Schwartz, Alicia Delafrange, Stacy Salvadore, Michele Izzo, Danny Ferris, Mike and Jess Hipwell and their children Cooper and Kacie. Tom was also survived by many aunts, uncles and friends too numerous to mention.

The family would like to thank the following: The Clifton Park/Halfmoon Ambulance Service, Mohawk Ambulance Service, who transported Tom on his final journey home, the nurses on the 5th floor Neuro ICU, 3rd floor Comfort Care, Dr. Benjamin Bernier and the Security Staff all of Albany Medical Center Hospital, Dr. Justin Juliano, Dr. Susan Weaver and her staff at NYOH at Albany Med and especially Dr. Stephen S. Sgambati, Jr. and his staff , Community Hospice of Saratoga and NYOH of Clifton Park.

A special thank you to Tom`s co-workers at Federal Express and David “Hoover,” co-workers at DeCrescente Distributing and the DeCrescente family for their kind words, messages of support, prayers and gifts they provided during Tom`s fight during his illness, and to his friends Paul and Michelle Mickalonis, who made sure to take care of Tom`s grooming needs while a patient at Albany Med. 

The family would like to extend their most heartfelt thanks to his caregivers Johna Farrell and Desiree Teft who provided exceptional care in Tom`s final hours and allowed Tom to return home and pass on his own terms.

Family and friends gathered to remember Tom on Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at the Chase-Smith Family Funeral Homes, 319 Park Ave, Mechanicville. 

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Wednesday, November 3, 2021 at All Saints on the Hudson South Church, (St. Paul’s), 121 N. Main St. Mechanicville. 

Memorials in Tom’s name may be made to NYOH of Clifton Park @ newyorkoncology.com or Community Hospice of Saratoga, 179 Lawrence Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/ Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes (518-584-5373) of 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com 

Michael Martin Mulholland

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Michael Martin Mulholland passed away on October 25, 2021.

Calling hours were held on Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at Burke Funeral Home, located at North Broadway, Saratoga Springs. Burial was private.

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com 

Frank Anthony Spensieri, Sr.

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our father, Frank Anthony Spensieri, Sr., 92, on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021. Calling hours and Mass of Christian burial took place Oct. 30, 2021 followed by burial at St. Peter’s Cemetery. Memorial donations to the Saratoga Senior Center (saratogaseniorcenter.org/donate/). www.burkefuneralhome.com 

October 30 – November 5, 2021

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Police Blotter.

COURT

Kurtis Patterson, 22, of Saratoga Springs, was sentenced Oct. 27 to 11 years incarceration and 20 years post-release supervision, after pleading to rape in the first-degree, in connection with charged dating to March 12, 2021 in Saratoga Springs. 

Zachary Q. Burger, 33, of Ellenburg, N.Y., was sentenced Oct. 27 to 4 years incarceration and 3 years post-release supervision, after pleading to felony criminal possession of a controlled substance, in connection with March 6, 2020 charges in Saratoga Springs. 

Robert S. Hedrick, 30, of Saratoga Springs, was sentenced to 1-1/2 to 3 years incarceration, after pleading to felony criminal contempt, in connection with Feb. 17, 2021 charges in Saratoga Springs. 

Christopher D. Barnes, 41, of Wilton, was sentenced to 1 to 3 years incarceration, after pleading to misdemeanor DWI and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, first charged April 27, 2021 in Saratoga Springs, and 1-1/2 to 3 years incarceration on felony criminal contempt and felony aggravated family offense charges in May and June 2021.   

Charles Garcia, 51, of Schenectady, was sentenced to 1 year incarceration, after pleading to attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance, in Wilton. 

David W. Lunt, 20, of South Glens Falls, was sentenced Oct. 27 to 10 years incarceration, after pleading to attempted rape in the first-degree, in connection with December 2018 charges in Moreau, and 2 to 6 years incarceration in connection with June 2020 charges. 

POLICE

Justice D. Locke, 19, of Indian Lake, was charged Oct. 28 with attempted murder in the second-degree, and burglary in the first-degree. The charges stem from an incident that allegedly occurred in the Village of Corinth. Locke is accused forcibly entering the apartment of an acquaintance and attacking him with a tomahawk. The victim was airlifted to Albany Medical Center with life threatening injuries. Locke was sent to the Saratoga County Correctional Facility without bail and is due back in the Corinth Town Court at a later date. 

Robin A. Iacobelli, 58, of Ballston Spa, was charged Oct. 26 with grand larceny in the third-degree. Following a two-year joint investigation by the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office and the New York State Police Financial Crimes Unit, Iacobelli was charged in connection with the theft of $36,036.29 from Kee To Independent Growth, a not-for-profit organization in the Town of Ballston, that occurred between 2016 and 2019, according to authorities. 

Cajun Decker, 20, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Oct. 18 with two felony counts robbery.

Shawn Davis, 36, of Rensselaer, was charged Oct. 19 in Saratoga Springs with the misdemeanors: Possession of burglar tools, criminal mischief, petit larceny, operating a motor vehicle with .08 of 1% alcohol of more in blood, aggravated unlicensed operation, reckless driving; failure to obey police officer, following vehicle too closely, speed not reasonable and prudent, passing a red light, failing to stop at a stop sign, improperly licensed vehicle, and criminal possession of stolen property, a felony.

Carianne Manning, 21, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Oct. 15 with misdemeanor DWI, misdemeanor aggravated DWI, making an improper turn, and driving on the sidewalk, after being involved in a property damage accident on Church Street. 

Alexandra Broadway, 25, of South Glens Falls, was charged Oct. 15 in Saratoga Springs with harassment, resisting arrest, and obstruct governmental official. 

Jarod Fields, 29, of Lake George, was charged Oct. 16 in Saratoga Springs with felony DWI as a second offense within 10 years, refusal to take a breath test, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, moving from lane unsafely, and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, after being involved in a property damage accident on North Street. 

Marcus Vandeusen, 19, of Glenville, was charged Oct. 16 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor assault, and misdemeanor making graffiti.   

Shortly before 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 27, the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office received 911 calls for a plane crash in the Town of Milton. The plane, a 1963 Beachcraft occupied by Justin L. Platt, 30, of Ballston, and Jesse R. Richardson, 35, of Fultonville, was returning to the Saratoga County Airport when it reportedly lost power and was brought down in a field west of the airport. The occupants were uninjured, and no one was injured on the ground, according to a statement issued by the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office. 

Ballston Spa Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting Dec. 3

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

BALSTON SPA — The Ballston Spa Business & Professional Association’s annual Ballston Spa Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting takes place Friday, Dec. 3. The parade step-off time is 6:30 p.m., proceeding on Milton Avenue and ending in Wiswall Park on Front Street with Santa lighting the village Christmas tree. 

The parade is a hometown-style holiday tradition, with fire trucks, floats, animals, kids and Santa parading down the main street of the village. The parade will spotlight the Toys for Tots campaign, in partnership with the Ballston Spa Community Emergency Corps, Saratoga County Sheriff Department and U.S. Marine Corps. Volunteers from these organizations will be on hand to collect donations of new, unwrapped toys from spectators along the parade route as well as at the tree lighting. 

New this year: parade entries will be judged this year in the following categories: Best Emergency Vehicle Entry, Best Ballston Spa Community Members Entry, Best Walking Entry and The Brightest Light Award. The brighter and more festive, the better. 

Organizations, groups or businesses interested in taking part in the parade, go to www.ballston.org to register. For more information, contact the BSBPA office at 518-885-2772 or info@ballston.org.

Lake George’s Festival of Lights: Nov. 27 to Dec. 31

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

GLENS FALLS — Holiday Festival of Lights takes place in Lake George Nov. 27 to Dec. 31. Visitors and locals alike can enjoy decorated storefronts on Canada Street and a huge light display in Shepard’s Park in Lake George. 

Live entertainment will take place Saturdays, Dec. 4, 11 and 18, in Shepard’s Park from 12-4 p.m. including family-friendly live music, dance performances, entertainment and more. The events are free to attend.

Royal Snow Sisters Holiday Princess Show: Saturday, Dec. 4. Familiar songs and holiday tunes. There will be time for photos and autographs, crafts, singing and dancing. Showtimes are at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn. Tickets: $15 per person.

Royal Snow Sisters Holiday Princess Dinner Theater and Meet & Greet: Saturday, Dec. 4. Performance, sing-along, and table-to-table exclusive meet-and-greet. There will be plenty of opportunities for photos and autographs and even a dance party. The ticket price includes an entree, dessert, and non-alcoholic beverage. The show starts promptly at 5:30 p.m. Tickets: $30 per person.

Ha-Ha-Holiday Comedy Show: Friday, Dec. 10. A hilarious line-up of comedians. For ages 18 and up, the comedy show takes place at the Marriott Hotel. Showtimes are at 7:30 and 9 p.m. Cost: $20.

Holiday Artisan Market: Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 18 and 19. Shop the holiday market at Fort William Henry Resort Carriage House, with more than 50 artisan vendors offering handmade items and beautiful and unique gifts. Sample delicious food, take a free picture with Santa, enjoy free arts and craft activities for kids provided by local nonprofits as well as live entertainment and more. There is a small fee to attend with proceeds benefiting local charitable organizations. 

Lake George’s popular Light up the Village Celebration is on Saturday, Nov. 27, in Shepard’s Park, starting at 3 p.m. with a live sing-along at 5 p.m. by Bobby Dick and Susie Q and lighting the village up at 6 p.m. This event serves as the kick-off for the Lake George Holiday Festival of Lights.

Tickets can be purchased and information can be found at www.eventstoat.net 

Annual Convoy for Tots to Run Nov. 7

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Over 100 vehicles from area businesses, civic organizations and Emergency Services agencies are expected to travel from Ballston Spa Middle School/High School Campus to the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (Route 50) starting at 10:45 a.m. on Sunday Nov. 7, as part of a convoy to help generate new, unwrapped toys for immediate distribution by Capital Region Toys for Tots this holiday season. 

Prior to the departure of the Convoy, a drive through toy drop off will be held on the campus of the Ballston Spa Middle School/High School (220 Ballston Ave., Ballston Spa) for members of the public who would like to donate from 9 a.m. 10:30. 

People are encouraged to view the Convoy along Route 50. For the 3rd year, World War II veteran Sir Ken Bailey will serve as the Grand Marshal. 

Convoy for Tots is held annually to support the mission of Capital Region Toys for Tots who serves over 160,000 children annually in the Capital Region. The seven previous convoys have yielded over 100,000 toys donated for distribution in the Capital Region.

Veteran’s Day

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.

We salute and honor all the Veterans, Active Military and those that gave their life in the service of our country, to keep the United States of America a free nation. Every Veteran and active military was and is very important no matter what they did in the service. Our military in all services are the best and most powerful in the world and has to be kept this way in order to keep the peace for our country. We must continue to keep our military strong and to let the world know this in a good way. We live in strange times. We also live in unsettled times worldwide. God Bless our Veterans, Active Military and God bless the United States of America. 

– Sid Gordon, WWII Veteran