Author: Saratoga TODAY

LAKE LUZERNE — The Double H Ranch announced the election of a new slate of officers to its Board of Directors following the Annual Meeting in August. The new appointments are Charlie Crew, Chairman; Lisa Moser and Kevin Johnson, Co-Vice Chairs, Charlene Wood, Secretary; and Michael F. Zovistoski, Treasurer. 

The Double H Ranch also welcomed Dr. Angela Antonikowski, Associate Dean of Professional Wellbeing at Albany Medical College and Albany Med’s Inaugural Chief Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Officer, to the Board of Directors. Dr. Antonikowski is trained as a Clinical Psychologist with a specialty in child and adolescent Health Psychology. 

ALBANY — Shepherd Communication & Security, a leading provider of advanced technology solutions for electronic and specialty security systems, and CSI Protect, the exclusive U.S. distributor of SelectaDNA forensic marketing and technology, has announced the first successful use of synthetic forensic technology as a crime-fighting tool in the Northeastern United States. 

Deploying innovative SelectaDNA technology, synthetic DNA evidence was captured following an April 23 larceny at Truman Jewelers at 71 North Pearl Street in downtown Albany. In that incident, a suspect made off with approximately $4,000 in merchandise. Unbeknownst to him, he was “misted” by a forensic Criminal Tagging System, which had been installed at the store by Shepherd Communication & Security as part of a pilot crime suppression initiative. 

The forensic marking, or synthetic DNA, is applied covertly using a water-based, non-toxic solution that is invisible and remains on a suspect’s skin or clothing for months after being misted, enabling authorities to scientifically and irrefutably identify them long after a crime is committed. In this case, after the alleged perpetrator was apprehended by Albany Police, forensic mist was detected on his person using a special frequency UV light. The evidence is now available to prosecutors as the case proceeds through the legal system. 

“As a downtown business owner for over three decades, I’m committed to creating a safe and secure environment in which my customers can shop and my staff can work with peace of mind,” said Paul Crabbe, Owner of Truman Jewelers. “This technology provides an added layer of protection and combined with our proactive policies and the professional work of our law enforcement agencies, ensures we can focus on doing business and contributing to our community.” 

Each unit of SelectaDNA contains a unique forensic code associated with a specific location, which can scientifically connect a criminal to a particular crime scene. The Criminal Tagging System can be activated in numerous ways, including a panic button, money clip, remote video monitoring, intrusion and access control systems and sensors. 

SelectaDNA forensic marketing technology has been used in more than 30 countries over the past decade, but only recently made its way to the United States. The system at Truman Jewelers is the first in the Northeast,, but is expected to be joined in short order by entities ranging from retailers to financial institutions seeking to elevate their safety and security protocols. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Julie & Co. Realty announced Courtney Shaner as the newest member of their brokerage in Schroon Lake. Courtney loves all aspects of real estate, especially helping her clients find one-of-a-kind unique homes. She prides herself on guiding her clients through the real estate buying and selling process from start to finish. 

For more information, call 518-350-SOLD (7653), email info@juliecorealty.com or visit www.JulieCoRealty.com. 

SCHUYLERVILLE — The ice cream flavor everyone has been asking about has finally made its way into the King Brothers Dairy dip cabinet and ice cream freezer! This delicious creation is packed with flavor and made with locally famous Hand Melons from Hand Melon Farm. Stop in today for a cone, or grab a quart to take home! 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) announced that the 1863 Club at Saratoga Race Course will for the first time be available for private events during the racing off-season. 

The 1863 Club, which debuted during the 2019 season, is a three-story, climate-controlled hospitality building located on the Clubhouse turn overlooking the historic main track at Saratoga Race Course. The building features hospitality options for a wide variety of uses and experiences, including weddings, fundraisers, reunions, and corporate dinners.

The first-floor banquet space, The Rail at the 1863 Club, features floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the main track and accommodates up to nearly 500 individuals. The second floor, presented by Resorts World, accommodates up to 300 guests. The third floor offers three luxury suites each welcoming between 30 to 45 guests for intimate gatherings. 

Mazzone Hospitality will oversee catering at the 1863 Club. To tour the spaces and learn more about holding events from September through June, call 518-690-0293 or email 1863Club@mazzonehospitality.com. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The judging is complete at the 54th annual World Dairy Expo, and once again Stewart’s Shops has some of the best dairy products in North America. The judging is based on flavor, body and texture, melting quality, appearance and color. 

Stewart’s Shops had a total of six winners at the competition, two first place winners, a second-place finish, as well as three third-place finishes. This year’s competition received over 1,400 submissions from dairy producers across North America. Stewart’s Shops officially has the best chocolate ice cream in North America – Stewart’s Chocolate Ice Cream was the winner in the Regular Chocolate Ice Cream category. Stewart’s Mango Dragon Fruit debuted as a seasonal flavor in 2020 and quickly became a customer favorite, as it was named The Best Sherbet in Show for the Open Class Sherbet category. Mango Dragon Fruit is now available in half gallons at all shops. 

The three third-place finishes were in the frozen dessert division: Mint Cookie Crumble in the Mint Ice Cream category, Peanut Butter Pandemonium in the Ice Cream with Peanut Butter category, and Milk Chocolate Gelato in the Gelato category.

Also notable, Stewart’s Milk was awarded second place in the Open Class Pasteurized Milk category. All of Stewart’s Shops dairy products are made fresh at their plant in Greenfield, NY with milk picked up from over 20 local family dairy farms. 

“We pride ourselves on offering high quality, fresh and local dairy products; our family has been making quality dairy products for over 100 years,” said Stewart’s Shops President, Gary Dake. “We are proud to have some of the best dairy products, not just in New York State, but in North America.”

Philly Vanilla, French Vanilla, and Crumbs Along the Mohawk have been honored at the World Dairy Expo in previous years. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Dance Factory, one of the most renowned performing arts studios in the Capital District, is celebrating the grand opening of their new studio space in the Wilton Mall this month. 

The Dance Factory held a ribbon cutting on Sept. 7 to formally celebrate the grand opening of their new studio after relocating inside the Wilton Mall to a larger space across from Bath & Body Works. The Dance Factory moved into the Wilton Mall in 2016, and the new studio is triple the size of their previous space at approximately 6,000 sq. ft. Classes will begin on Friday, Sept. 10.

The studio features two dance floors, a lounge for parents, a lounge for dancers, and a small boutique – “Tutu Perfect” – with leotards, dance dresses, and other dance accessories. Owner Dianne Sporko-Carola said that the space, formerly a Forever 21, is a perfect fit with the large windows for displays, ornamental shelving, and even chandeliers in the dressing rooms. 

“This isn’t your typical dance studio,” said Sporko-Carola. “I wanted this place to be sparkly and magical.” 

Sporko-Carola has done just that with her decorating, giving the studio a bright, positive atmosphere for dancers with personal mementos and motivational signs.

“Like one of my signs says, this is my happy place,” said Sporko-Carola. “I have spent my whole career doing this and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

Sporko-Carola is in her 44th season of her career. The Dance Factory offers classes in ballet, pointe, jazz, hip-hop, tap-dancing, and more. The studio puts on performances at least twice yearly in June and at Christmas. They teach dancers as young as three-years-old to seniors in high school. But there is really no age limit, as Sporko-Carola has a group of tap-dancing mothers and grandmothers and even a group of fathers who have been taking lessons from her for five years now. 

To this date, Sporko-Carola has seen up to three generations of dancers walk through the doors of her studio. Students who have graduated often come back to teach the younger ones and go on to have successful careers in dance, including her daughter Rachel who is a professional dancer. 

“They learn a lot of life lessons here like time management, teamwork, commitment, and dedication,” said Sporko-Carola. “They make lifelong friends here and grow up with each other.”

To learn more about The Dance Factory, visit them online at www.thedancefactoryofsaratoga.com, e-mail dancefactory7@aol.com, or call 518-253-1433.