Photos by SuperSource Media.
Beekman Street celebrated its 20th anniversary as an Arts District last weekend. The three-block mixed-use neighborhood just west of Broadway serves as a meeting place where neighbors and visitors may come to meet artists and view and purchase artwork they created.
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This summer Brookside opened an exhibit: “Century of Ice Cream! The Dake Family and Stewart’s.” One might wonder why this successful business, with almost 350 convenience stores is named “Stewarts” and not “Dake’s” Actually, the original founder of Stewarts had a strong reputation for high-quality dairy products, long before the Dake family purchased the business.
Technically, Donald K. Stewart was not a Saratoga County native. He was born in Austin, Minnesota on May 26, 1897. However, he lived most of his life in the Ballston Spa area, where his father, Thomas F. Stewart, was in the grocery business. Stewart’s grandfather, A. B. Stewart was a farmer in the Town of Ballston, per the 1880 census. So, the Stewarts’ had been in Saratoga County for a while. The father of Donald’s mother, Lizzie, was from Minnesota, so Lizzie likely went there to be with her parents during her pregnancy.
Donald, at age 18, was already working as a retailer. The 1915 state census gave his occupation as “Salesman, Tea and Coffee Wagon.” Details of this business can be gleaned from an ad in the Saratogian in September, 1915: “Wanted: Man to take the tea and coffee business of D. K. Stewart, covering Galway, Milton and Greenfield.” Another ad, placed by Stewart, offered for sale a “kind and gentle” horse—perhaps the steed that had hauled him around.
Thomas had left the grocery business by this time. A notice in the Troy Times of October 15, 1912 said that he’d moved from Ballston Spa to a farm west of the village. Ill health had induced him to seek an outdoor occupation. Probably his son gave up his tea and coffee route and went to help with the farm. The 1920 census listed the occupation of Thomas as “farmer,” and Donald, living in his father’s Town of Ballston household, was a “milk dealer.” He had been at this for a while, because a 1919 article about increased milk prices mentioned several dairies, including D. K. Stewart’s. In March 1920, his firm, the Milk Depot, had a telephone installed at the store on Bath Street.
About this time, Thomas sold his farm, and moved into the village. The Stewarts, in Ballston Spa, mostly seem to have lived in the Ballston Avenue/McMaster Street neighborhood. Donald earnestly pursued the business of selling dairy products. The 1930 census showed him and his wife, Pearl, in Ballston Spa, with his occupation given as “retail merchant, milk and cream.” Stewart had married Pearl Jones at her parents’ home in Rock City Falls. Their honeymoon plans included touring the Adirondacks.
Cleanliness was important at the Stewart dairy business. The “Kleen Kaps” on the bottles were touted in advertisements, and customers could join the “Kleen Kap Klub.” Reliability of delivery was also a priority: a 1929 ad promised bottles would arrive on porches “regardless of the weather.” In 1932, the firm received an award from a state agency. Stewart’s milk scored high on aspects such as bacteria content, flavor, sediment, odor, butter fat, and temperature.
The year 1934 was eventful. Stewart was appointed justice of the peace, and he also purchased the Westcott garage on Church Avenue, and converted it to “one of the most modern milk dealer’s plants in this vicinity.” This was the first Stewarts shop (though the Milk Depot had been operating for quite a while before this). The site still is the location of a Stewarts store.
Stewart apparently kept up with developments in the dairy trade, as, in 1936 he graduated from a program at the Massachusetts Agricultural College. This interest in improved techniques for managing a dairy firm characterized his concern for his business. He made a modest expansion by opening a store in Saratoga Springs: an ad from 1944 warned customers that the Stewarts Ice Cream store on Church Street would be closing for an indefinite period. Pearl Stewart was identified as the proprietor. It seems there were just the two shops then.
That year, a trade publication noted P. W. and C. V. Dake, of Saratoga Springs had acquired Stewart’s milk and ice cream business. It stated that he’d started the firm in 1917, and had run it for 27 years. The Schenectady Gazette of October 4, 1944 specified that the Ballston Spa and Saratoga Stewarts stores had been purchased by the Dake brothers, but that Stewart would stay on for a short time as an advisor.
His time as an advisor may have been quite short, since in mid-October, employees gave him a surprise farewell party at the Church Avenue shop. Two days after the party, employees visited Donald at his Ballston Avenue home and expressed regret at his departure. But there were refreshments and games, so it was not totally a sad occasion. The Dakes started expanding the business, adding new stores over the years, eventually becoming the chain we know so well today.
After parting ways with the business. Donald took an interest in the Ballston Spa Village Cemetery, which was not far from his house. He was a sales agent for Temple Brothers, Inc. of Rutland, Vermont, who were. “builders and designers of cemetery memorials.” In the 1950s and 1960s, he was a director of the nearby cemetery.
Stewart died on October 31, 1971, while visiting his son, Donald K. Stewart, Jr. in Florida. Pearl died the following year, also in Florida. Both are buried in the Village Cemetery, as are their son and daughter-in-law.
BALLSTON SPA – The Ballston Spa Country Club will host the second annual Golf For Fun Tournament to benefit The Dake Foundation for Children. The event will begin at 9 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 24 with registration starting at 8 a.m. It is a four-person scramble format with games, prizes, and more surprises along the course. Registration fee includes breakfast, lunch, greens fees, and cart; sponsorship details vary by level. Pre-registration is available online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/golf-for-fun-2021-registration-165272559675.
Among the volunteers for this year’s tournament will be Abigail, who was a past recipient of the foundation’s bike grant. Abigail grew out of being able to receive grants but continued to be involved with the foundation through volunteering at events. Once she grew out of the bike program, she donated the bikes back to the foundation to support their new Adapt Bike Loaner Program. Stewart’s Shop President, Gary Dake, will be at the event to meet Abigail and hear her story.
All proceeds from the tournament will go directly to grants that will be used for adaptive equipment and financial assistance for children with physical disabilities. The event was started in 2020 as a new way to raise money during the pandemic and due to its success the foundation has made it a permanent fundraising fixture.
The Dake Foundation for Children was established in 2009 to help children with disabilities have access to the tools they need to become as independent as possible. The foundation emphasizes fun while providing children with equipment and services to help them reach their fullest potential. Typically, the foundation grants over $70,000 each year to kids and has helped over 250 kids.
Grant recipient Abigail pictured with her bike. Abigail and her father biked from Albany to Buffalo with her bike from The Dake Foundation. Photo provided.
Dave Matthews Band returned to Saratoga Performing Arts Center where they staged a pair of shows on Sept. 17-18, 2021.
Photos by: Mathew Tucciarone
Music, Portrait, Editorial and Tour Photographer
www.mathewtucciarone.com
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Wesley Community will honor the memory of U.S. Army Specialist Abigail Jenkins in partnership with her mother during an art exhibit throughout September at the Wesley Health Care Center in Saratoga Springs.
The exhibit, which is curated by Abigail Jenks’ mother and Wesley Health Care Center licensed practical nurse (LPN), Mary Jenks, will feature more than 70 pieces of artwork showcasing the fallen service member’s passion for drawing. Due to current health and safety precautions, the art exhibit is available to Wesley Health Care Center residents only and is not open to the general public. A virtual exhibit is available at thewesleycommunity.org.
Abigail Jenks was a paratrooper with the U.S. Army who was killed during a training exercise on April 19 while stationed in Front Bragg, NC. The 20-year-old was a 2018 graduate of Saratoga Springs High School and a resident of Saratoga County prior to joining the military.
Created by Mary Jenks as an opportunity to showcase another side of Abigail’s life, the exhibit features numerous themes and subjects, including a variety of animals and mythical creatures, as well as several Spa City favorites such as horses and ballerinas. Jenks hopes that the artwork will spark memories for Wesley’s senior residents and inspire conversations about their lives during the presentations she will guide throughout the month.
“The presentation for the residents is hearing about a veteran’s art from a mother’s heart,” said Jenks. “It is a form of healing from the young to the old, as I explain the life of Abigail and highlight some of her most beloved pieces.”
GREENWICH — Willard Mountain Ski and Snow Sports Club of New York will host their inaugural Hall of Fame ceremony to induct Dave Vanderzee Sr., Patti Piper, Jim Smiley, and Mike Annette into the Hall of Fame on Saturday, Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. at Willard Mountain. Doug Lewis, 2x Olympian and World Champion, will be Master of Ceremonies. Tickets are $75.
The event will feature cocktails and foods from local farms, entertainment, as well as the Induction Ceremony. The inductees and their accomplishments include: Dave Vanderzee Sr., founder of Willard Mtn. who created the family-run ski area; Patti Piper, decorated athlete with unparalleled contribution to alpine skiing; Jim Smiley, 3 generations of unprecedented dedication to the program; Mike Annette who has put more people on the US Ski Team than any other coach.
“In recognition of our storied past, we will be creating a Hall of Fame “Seat” Wall that will serve as our podium to celebrate our past and our future,” said Dan Spigner, Program Director and Head Coach of the Willard Mountain Ski and Snow Sports Club. “Over 60 athletes participate annually, we are home to five high school alpine ski programs, have been part of the United Ski and Snow Board Association (USSA) for 51 years, and are currently part of the Vermont Alpine Racing Associate (VARA).”
Each year individuals are selected to become members of the Hall of Fame by an induction committee made up of the original members of the Hall of Fame and important names in ski and snow sports.
Tickets are available at eventbrite.com. To learn more about the Willard Mountain Ski and Snow Club, visit www.willardmountain.com
CANTON — The Saint Lawrence University Classic is a weekend tournament that brings numerous college tennis teams from New York State together to compete. Former Saratoga Springs tennis standout Nick Grosso won the “C” Flight Singles Championship playing for Hobart College.
Grosso impressed in his college debut, winning 8-1 to move to the quarterfinals, an 8-3 win in the quarterfinals, an 8-4 win in the semifinals, and 8-2 win in the championship match.
BALLSTON SPA — Camp Abilities Saratoga is inviting the public to join them and learn more about adaptive sports for the blind and visually impaired youth during an open house on Sept. 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the “Lion’s Den” at the Saratoga County Fairgrounds (162 Prospect Street, Ballston Spa).
Camp Abilities Saratoga (CAS) is a one-week educational sports camp for youth who are blind, visually impaired, and deafblind, and is a service project of the Saratoga Springs Lions Club. The Camp Director and specialists will be demonstrating adaptive sports equipment that is used throughout the camp with an opportunity to try it firsthand.
CAS’s first camp was in 2014 and has been held every year since. Due to COVID, they dedicated themselves to continue to hold camps in 2020 and 2021 to provide services and continue a sense of family/normalcy by holding virtual camps. Virtual Camp and Virtual Mini Camps are held via Zoom. They are prepared to hold in-person camps in 2022. CAS camps are held at Skidmore College.
For more information visit: www.CampAbilitesSaratoga.org. Learn more about the new, virtual CAS Mini Camps at www.campabilitessaratoga.org/apply/vcas-mini-camp-sessions
WAYNE, NJ — Athletes from the Glenville-based Jason Morris Judo Center won eight total medals at the Garden State Judo Classic Championships on Sept. 12.
Melissa Myers (25) continued her success winning a gold in the 70kg women’s elite division. The JMJC athletes made a clean sweep of the men’s 60kg category with Julien Crisostomo (18) taking the gold, Zach Judy (28) winning silver, and Kyle Tran (16) coming in third. Kyle won a gold in his regular division, Cadet 60kg (under 18). Ari Berliner (23) won a silver in the men’s 66kg division while his brother Kell (27) picked up a bronze in the 90kg men’s elite weight class. Will van den Broeck (28) also won a bronze in the 90kg division. Burnt Hills High School junior, Thomas Pawlinga (16) played well in his first event, winning a bronze in the Cadet (under 18) 66kg category. Burnt Hills 6th grader, Dani Morris (11), was a double medalist, winning a gold in the 11-12 yrs. heavyweights; then moved up a division but still managed a bronze medal in the 13-14 yrs. heavyweight category. Dani’s twin sister and Burnt Hills 6th grader, Randi Morris, picked up a silver in the 11-12 yrs. middleweight division. Burnt Hills High School graduate, Victoria Ferrante (24), took a silver in the women’s brown belt 57kg category and picked up a bronze in the 57kg women’s elite to close out the JMJC medal count.
