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Author: Saratoga TODAY

2nd Annual Fall Festivities October 23-24 & October 30-31

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —The Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association’s Fall Festivities will take place over TWO weekends this year: Oct. 23-24 & 30-31. The event is free and open to the public.

 The Fall Festivities weekends are a celebration of autumn and Halloween. Downtown store windows will be decorated with festive themes and a variety of restaurants will be participating in a receipt raffle.  In addition, families can take part in a self-guided Great Saratoga Pumpkin Hunt and search a variety of downtown shops for pumpkins decorated with scenes of historic Saratoga landmarks, painted by local artist, Cathi Anne Cameron. If you find all 10 pumpkins (which will be visible from the outdoors) and identify the store where you find each, you will be eligible to win a prize! Participation forms are available in downtown shops and businesses as well as online at saratogaspringsdowntown.com. Forms must be dropped off by 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 31 at either Impressions of Saratoga or Kilwins Saratoga to be entered to win one of two Downtown Saratoga Springs Gift Baskets valued at $200 each. Winners will be notified Nov. 1.

Fall Festivities kicks off with a festive costume-friendly Fun Run co-presented with iRun Local. Participants are invited to meet at iRun Local, 425 Broadway, at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 23 to begin the Great Saratoga Pumpkin Hunt Scavenger Run for your chance to win prizes! Participants are invited to dress in costume! 

Bring the kids for Paint Your Own Pumpkins at Scallions, 44 Lake Av., on Oct. 23, 24 and 30. Each child will receive a pumpkin and materials to paint their own pumpkin to bring home for the family. Pre-registration is required. Participants are asked to pre-register by calling Scallions at 518-584-0192 during restaurant hours. Masks are required for this activity.

Coral & Blue Children’s Stationery will be at PaperDolls of Saratoga offering a Gratitude Cards and Crafts Table where children can get creative while expressing their appreciation for teachers, coaches, family and friends as we head into the holiday season.

Two nights of virtual ghostly stories focused on Saratoga’s past will be hosted by author of Haunted Saratoga, Joe Haedrich. Joe will be Live on Facebook on Saturday, Oct. 23 at 6:30 p.m., with “A Haunted Adelphi Hotel.” On Saturday, Oct. 30 at 6:30 p.m., he will tell “Ghostly Tales of Hattie’s.”

Don’t miss the performers who will be traveling throughout downtown Saratoga on Broadway, including Mr. Twisty, Crazy Christine Balloons, Sparkles the Juggler, Sean “The Prankster” Magician and others!  Visit www.saratogaspringsdowntown.com/fallfestivities to see a full list of performers and performance times. There will be a costume contest for all ages at the Spa City Motor Lodge parking lot where On The Spot Photos will be set up all four days of the event for picture-taking. All entries will be entered to win a $100 DBA Gift Certificate.

Downtown restaurants will also be participating in the two-weekend event. Dine at any participating restaurant, turn in your receipt with your name and phone number on it, and be entered to win a $100 DBA Gift Certificate. This Restaurant Receipt Raffle continues Oct. 23-31. See a list of participating restaurants on the Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association website www.saratogaspringsdowntown.com 

This unique Halloween Celebration encourages families to have safe, leisurely weekend fun together, enjoying the hospitality of the Saratoga Springs businesses and the great spirit of the community.  A full list of events is available on the Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association website at www.saratogaspringsdowntown.com as well as on Facebook.

Fall Festivities weekends is presented by the Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association and supported by the generosity of Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association Member Businesses. For more visit www.saratogaspringsdowntown.com 

October 22 – October 28, 2021

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Local Briefs.

Southern Saratoga Art Society Exhibits
SSAS members will be exhibiting throughout the area. October – Carol Winterton, Town of Clifton Park, 1 Town Hall Plaza. – Watercolors, oil, and acrylics. November/December – Valerie Wolf – Mechanicville Library, 190 N. Main St. flo.abstract and realistic pieces. November/December – Cheryl Birmingham, Carol Winterton, Rita Helie and Jack Morgan – The Zion Lutheran Church, 153 Nott Terrace, Schenectady. November/December – the Gallery of the Clifton Park Senior Community Center, 6 Clifton Common Blvd., Themed Show “Nature”.  Visit these venues and support the arts in Southern Saratoga County.  For more information about SSAS, visit www.southernsaratogaartist.com 

Baskets for Ben
Celebrating a Decade of Service. Helping local children in need. Friday, October 29 at 4 p.m. Live auction begins at 6:30 p.m. Queensbury VFW Post #6196, 132 Luzerne Rd., Queensbury. Tickets are $20, includes appetizers, desserts, gift baskets, door prizes, auction, entertainment and more. To purchase tickets, call 518-792-4514 or benosbornfund@gmail.com. Visit benosbornfund.org. The Ben Osborn Memorial Fund is a 501(c)3 organization. 100% of the proceeds are donated to help local children in Warren, Washington, Saratoga, and Essex Counties. For more information visit www.benosbornfund.org. 

Turkey Dinner Take Out
Trinity United Methodist Church, 155 Ballard Road, Gansevoort, will hold a take-out only Turkey Dinner October 30, from 4-6 p.m.  Price is $12 per adult, $6 per child. Dinner by pre-order only.  To place an order, please call 518-683-8195 between 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Cut-off date for orders is October 27. On 10/30, please arrive at Trinity UMC, remain in your car, wear a mask and have exact payment.  A Trinity UMC volunteer will take your payment and bring you your dinners.

Saratoga Area Retired Teachers Meeting
Monday, November 1, at noon at Longfellows Restaurant, 500 Union Ave. (Rte 9P), Saratoga Springs.  For membership and luncheon information, please call 518-587-5356.

Holiday Shopping Day
The Adirondack Folk School, located at 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, will host an on-site Holiday Shopping Day on Saturday, Nov. 6, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. A selection of ornaments, icicles, cards, soaps, advent calendars, wooden boxes, scarves, hats, frames, jewelry, candles, wreaths nightlights, quilted items, and other sweet things. This will largely be held indoors and on the porch, with well-spaced, masked inside visits as needed.  Hot chocolate will be served! And there may be a surprise or two, just for fun!

October 22 – October 28, 2021

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Calendar.

Friday, October 22  

Congress Park Walking Tours 
Saratoga Springs Visitors Center
297 Broadway, Saratoga Springs | 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Learn about the fascinating history of “The Queen of Spas” with a leisurely walk thru Congress Park.  Our experienced guides will tell you the story of what journalist Nellie Bly called “The wickedest city in America”. You’ll hear about our “magic water”, the tragic story of the Trask Family and the history of the Saratoga City Museum. Tours are given Thursday – Saturday at 10:30 a.m. thru the end of October.  Tickets are $20 adults, $10 children.  Book online at www.walkingsaratoga.com 

Trivia Fun
Italian American War Veterans, Post 35
247 Grand Ave., Saratoga Springs | 5 – 8 p.m.
One of the area’s largest basket raffles. Something for everyone. Have a hot ziti and meatball dinner for a $10 donation, followed by a fun night of trivia with Mark Hersh starting at 6:30 p.m. doors open at 5 p.m. for dinner and basket viewing. Drawings at 8 p.m. (need not be present to win). Come help support local veterans and their families.

Saturday, October 23

Autumn Family Fun
Moreau Lake State Park
605 Old Saratoga Rd., Gansevoort | 12 – 3 p.m. 
Join us for a couple hours of discovery and fun! We’ll have Red Spruce performing their acoustic bluegrass and folk, pumpkin painting, a self-guided walk with things to discover and games. There will be no food or beverages available so please bring your own. This event is free and there is no park admission. Rain cancels event, 518-793-0511.

Saratoga County Stories
Brookside Museum, 6 Charlton St., Ballston Spa
2 – 5 p.m.  | A major achievement for the History Center and the Roundtable, comprised of fifty-eight short articles, the collection is a veritable who-what-where-when-and-why of Saratoga County history.  Contributing authors include familiar names of local historians, as well as many regional “history buffs.”  The second in-person events will be on Sunday, November 7, 2-4 p.m. at Historic Grooms Tavern in Clifton Park.  The public will be able to meet contributing authors and the editorial team, purchase copies of the book, and have their editions signed.  For more information, or to pre-order books, go to www.brooksidemuseum.org or email Jim Richmond of the Saratoga County History Roundtable: saratogacohistoryroundtable@gmail.com. 

Roast Beef Drive Thru Dinner
South Glens Falls United Methodist Church
15 Maplewood Parkway, S. Glens Falls | 4:30 – 6 p.m.
This dinner will be a drive-thru/pick-up dinner. We will not be serving sit down meals inside. Dinners will be bagged and delivered to your car. We will have the full meal available with French Onion Soup and apple pie. We will not be able to take special requests.  We will be taking pre-orders & dinners will be $12. We are also offering delivery service. Our phone # is 518-793-1152.

Sunday, October 24

Malta 2K, 3K, 5K Trail Race
100 Acre Woods Trail system, 30 Rocket Way, Malta
8:30 – 10:30 a.m. | The Malta 5k Trail Racecourse begin at the soccer fields and quickly enters some of the best maintained trails in the area at 100 Acre Woods.  Most of the course is covered in stone dust and 6’ wide. Other sections are on soft ground that feels like you are immersed in nature.  This course is for everyone that loves to run or hike on trails with beautiful scenery the whole way!  #Malta5kTrailRace. Volunteers from Roundabout Runners Club maintain these trails. 100% of proceeds from the event go to activities that support the club efforts to keep these trails in great shape!

Monday, October 25

Pre-K Nature Hour
Camp Saratoga North, Parking Lot #1, Scout Rd., Wilton
10:30 – 11:30 a.m. | This program is for our youngest explorers (ages 3-6) where we use children’s love of nature to teach simple concepts. We will go on a short walk followed by a fun nature-based craft! This season’s topics will include Monarch butterflies, fall foliage, and more! Registration is required at least one business day in advance. Space is limited.  Our outdoor programs are weather-dependent and may be cancelled during bad weather. For more information or to register for the program, please contact the Preserve & Park office at 518-450-0321 or via email at info@wiltonpreserve.org. Please provide your name, phone number, email address and the number of people within your party.

Tuesday, October 26

Lease Your Farmland to a Solar Energy Company
556 Middleline Rd., Ballston Spa | 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Join Cornell Cooperative Extension Saratoga County at an in-person meeting for farmers and rural landowners to get answers to your solar leasing questions. This program will feature several live webinars presented by industry experts to help you navigate the solar development process, make informed decisions, and negotiate solar lease agreements. Cost is $12 per person (includes lunch). Call 518-885-8995 or email Nicolina at nvf5@cornell.edu to register. 

Senior Day Fall Festival
Saratoga Regional YMCA, 290 West Ave., Saratoga Springs
10 a.m. – 1 p.m. | The Saratoga Senior Center and the Saratoga YMCA invite you for a Celebration of Seniors. The day will include Live music with Garland Nelson, dancing, outdoor games & Fall activities, free BBQ lunch, cider & donuts, Pitney Meadow Farm. Please call the Center at 518-584-1621 to reserve your spot! Free admission.

Fall 2021 Dancing Through Time Virtual: The Golden Age of Hollywood
Zoom Presentation | 1 – 2:15 p.m. A unique six-week series on Tuesdays through November 16. Each 75-minute class begins with a virtual tour with film clips by Hollywood poster collector Mike Kaplan followed by a 55-minute thematic movement class for all level participants. Cost is $10 per class. October 26 class is Exotic Leading Ladies with Jessica Lennon. Registration is now open at www.dancealliance.org/dancing-through-time-registration 

After the Fire Monthly Meeting
Eagle Matt Lee Firehouse
Washington St., Ballston Spa | 7 p.m.
After the Fire is a non-profit organization that helps Saratoga County Residents who have suffered a loss due to fire.  Families are provided with gift cards, a night’s stay at a participating hotel/motel, Red Cross referral, informational material, emotional support. etc. Meetings are held on the 4th Tuesday of the month. Anyone interested in learning more about After the Fire, or becoming a member, may attend a meeting, visit us on Facebook at www.afterthefire.org, or leave a message on voicemail at 518-435-4571.

Wednesday, October 27

Galway Photography Club 
Galway Public Library
2112 East Street, Village of Galway | 6 p.m.
These monthly meetings provide a safe, relaxed, and friendly atmosphere for those interested in photography to share their photographs and learn how to improve their technical and artistic skills. This month club members Jason Cromie & Dave Waite will be offering practical tips for creating family holiday greeting cards from taking the photos to how to order cards online. Following CDC guidelines, masks and social distancing are required in the library building. For more information contact: Dave Waite, davewaitefinearts@gmail.com

Octoberfest Dinner
Saratoga Wilton Elks, 1 Elks Lane, Saratoga Springs
4:30 – 6 p.m.  | For curbside pickup only. Call Monday and Tuesday between 10 a.m. – Noon to place an order, 518-584-2585. Menu: Bratwurst, Knockwurst, sauerkraut, German potato salad, pumpernickel bread.  Dinner for 2, $25. Cash only. 

BINGO 
Knights of Columbus #246
50 Pine Road, Saratoga Springs | 4:30 p.m.
Due to the ongoing concerns regarding Covid, masks must be worn, temperatures will be taken at the door for all workers and patrons, and only the larger room will be open for players. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m., food service will start at 5:30 p.m., bingo cards will be sold at 6 p.m., and the first game will be at 7 p.m. There will be a limited food menu available.

Hallow “Wine” Happy Hour
The Parting Glass (Dart Room)
40-42 Lake Ave., Saratoga Springs | 5 – 7 p.m.
Join the Saratoga Springs Rotary Club. Come learn about all the opportunities to get involved in the community, as well as celebrating Halloween early with $5 beer and wine specials, $10 for pizza and wings and a “Hallo-wine” raffle. 

Thursday, October 28

Art With Heart and Hope
Universal Preservation Hall
25 Washington St., Saratoga Springs | 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Join us for an evening full of inspiration, awareness, and community partnered with food, drink, live music, and lots of exciting raffles. “Art with Heart & Hope” is an annual fundraiser and showcase of artworks of local patients and caregivers. All proceeds benefit Beyond My Battle, a Saratoga-based nonprofit helping people reduce the stress of serious illness, rare disease, and disability. Tickets can be purchased on Beyond My Battle’s website (beyondmybattle.org) Donation $48 online or $50 at the door. 

“Stop Loafing Around!”

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Food.

Hello my Foodie Friends! 

How many of us foodies have cookware, baking products, or cooking gadgets that have been handed down over the generations? As our children have grown and moved out of the house, we have also moved much of our cookware and cooking gadgets with them. Some of the items have been handed down from prior generations. Recently, my wife found a loaf pan that was her grandmothers. It brought back memories of various items that both her grandmother and mother made in that pan.  The loaf pan is a cool kitchen tool and often overlooked for its plain design. It is definitely an indispensable item in the kitchen.  Every kitchen should have a loaf pan to bake a variety of sweet or savory recipes – from meatloaf and lasagne to ice-cream and baked delicacies. A loaf pan is in the shape of a narrow rectangle, a convenient form which enables uniform slicing. 

A loaf pan is great to use when you’re looking to bake a smaller portion of a recipe or are cooking for one or two. This versatile pan is excellent for baking bread loaves, loaf cakes, and zucchini bread. You don’t have to make your own bread, or even bake, to love the loaf pan. Despite their specialized name, these rectangular pans are extremely adaptable to cooking, freezing, desserts, and more. And with all the creative ways you can use them, loaf pans are anything but idle in the kitchen. 

There a many uses for loaf pans. These pans are the ideal shape for the ultimate comfort food, meatloaf. Marinate meats. Keep more of each steak, chicken breast, tofu slice, or veggie skewer in contact with the marinade you made by placing the foods in a loaf pan, then pouring the marinade on top. Cover with plastic wrap, and slip the loaf pan into your fridge for the allotted time. If you have a bit of meat or a few sides of the skewers sticking out, use tongs to rotate them in the marinade for full coverage.

Rectangular pans are perfect for lasagna or baked ziti, especially if you’re only serving a few people. If you cut recipes in half, a square baking dish may be too big. Use a loaf pan instead. Savory pies like shepherd’s pie or chicken pot pie don’t have to be round just because that’s convention. You can bake them in a loaf pan and still have a hearty one-dish meal.

At Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutler store located at 33 Railroad Place, we carry several different size loaf pans. Make some memories with the heirlooms that you have collected over the years. Remember my Foodie Friends: “Life Happens in the Kitchen.” 

Take Care,
John & Paula

REARDON FrozenPBandChocTerrine 

The Mushroom Shop: Fungi for Every Season

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Food.

Saratoga’s Wednesday farmers’ market, which concludes its 2021 season at the end of October, is a gem for finding less conventional varieties of fresh, local produce. This season, a crowd favorite has been the diverse offering of seasonal mushrooms by The Mushroom Shop, a new vendor.

Partners Jacob Howard and Elise Olsen have always enjoyed gardening, growing vegetables and flowers, and keeping houseplants. About six years ago, they decided to try growing something new, one of their favorite ingredients to cook with: mushrooms. That hobby turned more serious this past winter when a local farmer offered a part of their land in Salem to build a proper mushroom farm. Thus The Mushroom Shop began.

The past year has been full of learning curves for the young farmers. Through the seasons, weather affects how mushrooms grow – even in a controlled environment. To provide fresh, quality products, they don’t sell mushrooms cut more than three days before markets, so preparing the crop for harvest close to market days can be challenging.

The unpredictability of the crop also makes for happy surprises. This summer, Howard and Olsen changed the recipe for the medium they use to grow their fungi. The lion’s mane variety took very well to this change – just four of the mushrooms weighed over 15 pounds!

An abundance of lion’s mane wasn’t a problem for the couple since it’s their favorite variety to cook. 

“It’s so versatile. Its tender, meaty texture makes for a great seafood substitute, perfect for recipes like lion’s mane “crab” cakes, “shrimp” scampi, or hearty chowder. Or cook it like steak by searing thick slabs in a cast-iron skillet or on the grill,” says Howard.

The Mushroom Shop offers a variety of seasonal mushrooms, both farm-grown and foraged during the couple’s woods walks in Salem. Their products also include dried mushrooms, mushroom seasonings, and grow kits.

This November, The Mushroom Shop will join the Saratoga Farmers’ Market’s winter season at the Wilton Mall with 50 other local vendors. Howard and Olsen look forward to sharing their enthusiasm for all things fungi with market customers, who can expect to see several new cold-weather varieties at their stand this winter, like enoki, beech, black pearl oysters, king trumpets, and nameko.

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Wednesdays from 3 to 6 p.m. at High Rock Park. Find us online at www.saratogafarmersmarket.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

FM ChickenSpinachSalad

Marc Conner Inaugurated as 8th President of Skidmore College

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Skidmore College celebrated the inauguration of Marc C. Conner as the College’s eighth president on Saturday, Oct. 16 at the Arthur Zankel Music Center. A combination of in-person and virtual events were held to mark this time-honored tradition that recognizes the College’s profound academic mission, proud history, and exciting future. 

Marc C. Conner became the eighth president of Skidmore College on July 1, 2020. Conner came to Skidmore following 24 years at Washington and Lee University in Virginia. 

Camp Stomping Grounds Hosts Community Fall Festival

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

MIDDLE GROVE — Camp Stomping Ground, a new summer camp located on the old Boyhaven property, will host a fall festival to officially commemorate its doors opening to the larger Saratoga community. The campground is located on Middle Grove Rd and Route 29, and they operate 8 weeks each summer with hundreds of campers and staff. The organization partnered with local businessman John Munter to acquire the property and renovate the existing infrastructure. 

“For the past six years Stomping Ground had to rent a facility to run our summer program. Now we are thrilled to be in Saratoga Springs, settled into our permanent home. This area is a perfect fit with such a vibrant community and purpose,” said Executive Director and Co-Founder Laura Kriegel. “We want to invite our neighbors and local partners to see what camp is all about.” 

Previous owner John Munter, Founder of Munter Construction, bought the property from the Boy Scouts of America after the town’s plan to buy the land fell through. Camp Stomping Ground acquired 70 of the 300 acres and transformed the antiquated buildings and grounds with new infrastructure, vibrant paint jobs, and extensive landscaping. The camp is now looking towards another season of programming, with registrations already booming for the summer of 2022. 

“This past year had its challenges that we were able to surpass with great dedication from our year-round team,” said Kriegel. “To balance the maintenance of a new 70-acre property with a global pandemic, we have had to be more flexible and innovative than ever.” 

But Camp Stomping Ground persisted, and the work shows. While losing opportunities to host work weekends and large crews due to COVID-19, their year-round team and small volunteer force were able to transform the grounds, unused since 2015, into a facility that will host over 750 campers over the course of a summer. The camp received significant support from several local Capital Region natives to make this possible including the Munter family, the Dake family, and (former Boyhaven Alumni) William Byrnes and his wife Lisa. 

After wrapping up a successful first summer at the Saratoga Springs property, Kriegel and her team will host “Fall Fest,” an event that will welcome local families, neighbors, and partners to see the site and venture through the campgrounds. There will be pumpkin carving, hayrides, face painting, food, and live music happening from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 30. 

Admission to the event is free for all who wish to attend, but folks are reminded to bring money with them for food and beverage vendors. 

“We are so grateful to the warm welcome and vast support we have received since opening in Saratoga Springs,” said Kriegel. “We want to invite everyone to visit camp for the day and have some fall fun with us.” 

Kriegel and her team have also announced that 25% of camper slots are being reserved for local families and partnerships with discounts available as well. To find out more about Camp Stomping Ground and program offerings, visit www.campstompingground.org and follow along on their Facebook and Instagram pages. 

Attention Parents: Saratoga Seeking Members to Join the District Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Schools district is seeking four additional parents/community members to join the District Diversity, Equity & Inclusion committee.  Parents and community members are required to be residents of the school district.

Parents and community members who are interested are encouraged to apply by filling out the SSCSD Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee Interest Form by October 29.  Volunteers are expected to attend a monthly virtual meeting and participate on one of several subcommittees.

The District Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee will meet virtually every month and will be held via WebEx. The meeting can be viewed by all community members. The WebEx link for each meeting may be found on the district website calendar.

For more information visit www.saratogaschools.org 

SSCSD Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion BOE Workshop

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Board of Education will be holding a Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) workshop on Tuesday, Oct. 26 at 6 p.m. The workshop, which is open to the public, will update board members and community members of the work the District Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee has been doing and how it aligns with the NYS Board of Regents Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Framework. 

What is Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion? The district describes the work their committee is doing that will be shared with the BOE on Tuesday in the following statement on their website: 

“The District Equity & Inclusion Committee supports our district’s Pathways Vision and ongoing work in creating a more equitable, inclusive, safe, and welcoming environment for all students, staff, and community members. The committee has been engaged in conversation and is developing action plans to recommend policies and implement practices designed to promote diversity, facilitate growth in becoming a culturally competent school community, and improve access, opportunity, and outcomes for all students.” 

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michael Patton stresses that the district’s DEI policy has never been discussed as, and is different from, Critical Race Theory.

However, some local parents feel the policy is just another name for CRT. 

“Why are whites supposedly automatically racist, and why are minorities supposedly victims,” said Brian B. of Saratoga Springs. “I’ve known plenty of blacks and Latinos who were downright brilliant. These systems hold everyone back. My family is mixed race and these policies make me sick.” 

Another concerned parent was surprised when his son came home and said that the principal at Maple Avenue Middle School had made an announcement that students should wear an orange t-shirt next week to support the district’s commitment to DEI. 

“DEI is just a kinder, gentler way of saying CRT,” stated Ed S. “When you use a term like ‘marginalized students,’ which is a broad label applied to minority students, and the policy is to uplift the marginalized students by having the non-marginalized student realize they are privileged, and because of their privileged status, yield to marginalized students, how is that any different from CRT?” 

Ed added, “When I look at the members of the committee putting this together, it doesn’t seem like a fair representation of conservatives and progressives. I am just looking for it to be a conversation or series of conversations with other concerned parents to share our thoughts collectively on this topic.” 

Want to learn more about the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion policy and get involved in the discussion? Stay tuned to the district website events calendar at www.saratogaschools.org for links and further information on how to attend the workshop and future District Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion meetings.

Debt is Not a Four-Letter Word

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

With so much recent focus on this country’s all-too-regular debt ceiling drama, I want to spend a moment to make a proclamation: debt is not a bad thing. The caveat (as I will tell my son with his Halloween candy) is some is good, but too much can be very bad. I will even take it a step further and say, when used correctly, debt can be a very powerful tool to maximize one’s wealth. It gets a bad rap from the media and famous financial authors because it is very easy to misuse, but let’s examine with a practical lens what exactly debt represents and how it can help or hurt.

In the financial world, the word “leverage” is sometimes used to describe the amount of debt that a person or company has. Looking at the base of that word, we can see the primary use for debt: using a little to move a lot. The easiest example is taking out a mortgage to buy a house. With $40,000 of cash, assuming the standard 20% down-payment, you can purchase a $200,000 asset by signing a few pieces of paper promising to pay it back. Of course, you must pay interest on the amount borrowed, but the instantaneous increase on the asset side of your balance sheet is the effect of leverage. This can be seen in all areas of our economy. From residential housing to small business loans to government bonds – borrowed money is the lifeblood of our economic system. It allows us to take risks and companies to innovate.

Continuing with the example of the mortgage, a very common question arises in our line of work: “should I pay down my mortgage faster?” As we like to say around here, “it depends.” By paying a mortgage down faster or selecting a 15-year instead of a 30-year, you are limiting your options and potentially incurring an opportunity cost with that money. Some people sleep better at night knowing they won’t have a monthly auto-draft from their checking account, but that mentality does have its costs. For one, as you put extra money towards your house, the equity you build is not exactly liquid, meaning if an immediate need arose, good luck getting the bank to rush that home equity loan to pull some money out. Secondly, money that gets used to repay the bank could be deployed elsewhere into  even a modest investment strategy. With interest rates being so low, the rate of return “hurdle” to clear is barely off the ground. 

Lest we go too far with what may seem like a love of borrowing money, let’s snap back to reality and realize the sobering fact that it is far too easy to get carried away and borrow more than is affordable. The wounds of the housing bubble are still fresh almost fifteen years later. Credit card revenues are built on people spending money they don’t have and those balances can balloon in the blink of an eye. How can this be avoided? Approach your finances with the eye of a credit bureau. Look at not only the total amount of debt you carry, but also the monthly payments it takes to service that debt. Cash flow and household balance sheets go hand in hand. Another way to efficiently manage debt is to focus on productive assets with your debt. A house that should appreciate in price over the life of the mortgage = good. The all-inclusive vacation with the unlimited drink package that gets put on the plastic = not great. Car loans would be a gray area because a car is a rapidly depreciating asset, but interest rates are at a level where a loan would be palatable.

Many of these money decisions don’t have a right or wrong answer. Everything exists on a continuum. Personal finance can be an emotional topic and debt can magnify those emotions. During our process, we examine the entirety of your financial situation and make suggestions from an objective viewpoint. So what do you think? Is your debt working for you or against? If you’d like to talk to us about it, reach out and let’s dive into the nuances together.

David Rath, CFA is the Director of Portfolio Strategies at Continuum Wealth Advisors in Saratoga Springs. For more information, visit www.contwealth.com