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Author: Saratoga TODAY

Academy for Lifelong Learning at Saratoga Springs Offering Over 40 Fall Courses

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Academy for Lifelong Learning (A.L.L.) continues its tradition of presenting educational and social opportunities for adults 55+ by offering 18 classroom/outdoor courses and 26 Zoom courses this fall term. Session one starts Sept. 13. Session two starts Oct. 18. Registration began by mail Aug. 9 for all courses. 

Course brochures are available at local libraries, YMCAs, and retirement communities, or by request at 518-587-2100 x2390 or jeff.shinaman@esc.edu or online at www.esc.edu/all. Registrations will be accepted throughout the term until full. Some courses will sell out. Annual membership is $75 and goes through June 30, 2022. Five-week courses are $50. 

Topics for these noncredit courses include music, literature mindfulness, poetry, solar system, sleep/dreams, climate change, Italian language, genealogy, local walking tours, supreme court, cooking, painting, life stories, environment, writing, hiking, fly casting, investing, iPhone photography, Chinese wisdom, speaker series, history, art, science, and more. Join A.L.L. locally for outdoor courses or from anywhere on Zoom options. 

Preschool Program on Monarchs and Fall Painting Workshops at Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

WILTON ­— Every month the Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park holds a Pre-K Nature Hour at Camp Saratoga. This monthly program is for children ages 3-6 years old. Children’s love of nature is used to teach simple concepts like counting, colors, textures, and opposites. 

Monarch butterflies is the theme for Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park’s September preschool discovery program. Taking place Monday, Sept. 13 at 10:30 a.m., the program will begin by going for a brief nature walk through the meadow of Camp Saratoga North. Participants will learn about the life cycle of the majestic Monarch butterfly. Following the walk the children will also be able to participate in a short nature craft. Adults are expected to attend with their child. This is an outdoor program so come dressed for the weather. Registration is required by Sept. 9. Space is limited. The next program is scheduled for Oct. 25.

Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park is also hosting free Painting in Nature workshops for participants older than 13.   

Watercolor Painting in Nature workshops will be Thursday, Sept. 23 and Saturday, Sept. 25 from 12 to 3 p.m. with local artist Catherine Wagner Minnery. Get outside, get some pointers from an artist, and combine your love of art and nature. Workshop size is limited to 12 participants. All supplies will be provided but if you prefer to use your own supplies, you can bring them. Registration is required by Sept. 18. Space is limited. 

Acrylic Painting in Nature workshops will be Thursday, Sept. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 2 from 12 to 3 p.m. with local artist Page Darrow. Workshop size is limited to 12 participants. All supplies will be provided but if you prefer to use your own supplies, you can bring them. Registration is required by Sept. 25.

For more information or to register, please call the Preserve & Park office at 518-450-0321 or email info@wiltonpreserve.org. Please provide your name, phone number, email address and the number of people attending within your party.  For up-to-date trail conditions or program information, visit www.wiltonpreserve.org 

Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park is a non-profit organization whose mission is to conserve ecological systems and natural settings while providing environmental education and outdoor recreation. 

It’s Always Time to Join Scouts!

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

SARATOGA — Summer may be ending soon, but the Scouting year never ends. From the July Bike Rodeo to racing cars at a January Pinewood Derby, elementary grade Cub Scouts have year-round fun with friends while learning a wide range of skills. 

Young men and women in Scouts BSA Troops also enjoy year-round experiences both indoors and outdoors throughout their middle school and high school years. There are a number of active Packs and Troops in the area. 

To learn more about a unit near you, go online to beascout.org or contact John Koch by emailing saratogascouter@kochny.com for more information. Adventure awaits – start your Scouting journey!

Youth² 6th Community Care Pop-UP Event

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Youth² is hosting their 6th Community Care Pop-UP Event to help increase home safety in our neighborhoods. They are assisting Rebuilding Together Saratoga (RTS) by holding an “Emergency & Safety Kits” collection of various items that RTS has requested – kitchen fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, CO2 detectors, nightlights, travel hand sanitizers, and first aid only kits. The items range from $1.59 to $20. RTS makes sure that safety kits are put together for each homeowner they work with. 

Youth² is thinking about many ways that the community can protect each other by keeping our neighborhoods safe, keeping good food on the table, keeping warm, maintaining good hygiene, and being able to have dependable transportation. Please consider working together with Youth², and drop off your item safely at the 112 Spring Street Parking Lot on Friday, Aug. 27 from 3 – 5 p.m. 

For more information visit www.youthsquared.org.

Union Fire Company Supporting 4-H Lead the Legacy Capital Campaign

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

BALLSTON SPA ­— Members from the Union Fire Company #2 have presented a $500 donation to the 4-H Lead the Legacy Capital Campaign. The generous contribution will go towards the construction of a new multi-functional facility at the Saratoga County 4-H training Center on Middleline Road, Ballston Spa. The expansion will include multimedia classrooms and fully ADA/family accessible restrooms with showers. The new 3,600 square foot classroom will be home for the growing 4-H Program, but will be open to community groups, service organizations, and others wanting to share in the beautiful 44-acre compound. 

The Lead the Legacy Campaign is ongoing, and 4-H needs your help! The fundraising is well underway through kind donations from Stewarts/Dake Family, Curtis Lumber, and many others, but there is still much work to be done. To learn more, go to ccesaratoga.org/4-h/lead-the-legacy. To make a donation, there is a direct PayPal link on the website or through the “Go Fund Me” link at www.gofund.me/440b11f2.

History Center Creates Annual Public History Award

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

BALLSTON SPA — The Saratoga County History Center has announced the creation of an annual award to be presented to an individual (or organization) in the greater Saratoga region who engages in outstanding work in teaching, writing, cataloging, or preserving history.

There are many individuals and associations in the greater Capital District who devote endless hours and dollars to the preservation or dissemination of local, regional, and national histories. The Saratoga County Public History Award seeks to raise awareness of their efforts and provide positive reinforcement to their selfless work. The Herculean task of preserving the past rests on the tireless shoulders of our many history practitioners, and it is high time we celebrate their achievements.

The first annual Public History Award will be selected by a committee of esteemed professionals, including Ronald Schorpp, social studies department chair at Saratoga Springs High School, Lisa Kissinger, social studies academic administrator for Shenendehowa CSD, Heather Mazurowski, social studies department chair at Ballston Spa High School, Heidi Hill, Historic Site Manager at the Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site, Samantha Bosshart, Executive Director of the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation, and Isobel Connell, trustee of the Saratoga County History Center.  The committee will be chaired by Michael Landis, Ph.D., trustee of the Saratoga County History Center.

Committee members are accepting nominations from the public. Send all nominations (with explanation and contact information) to mlandis@brooksidemuseum.org.  Nominations must be submitted by the end of September 2021.  The committee will make a final decision in November, and the award will be presented at a public event at Brookside Museum in December.

The Saratoga County History Center is dedicated to preserving and sharing the diverse histories of Saratoga County.  In addition to Brookside Museum, the History Center offers a wide variety of educational programming online, including the popular “Experts Next Door” virtual speaker series.  Visit the website at www.brooksidemuseum.org.

Property Transactions: August 14 – August 20, 2021

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Property Transactions.

BALLSTON

Richard Johnson sold property at 44 Woodside Dr to Edward Reynolds for $379,000.

Steven Whitman sold property at 68 Lakehill Rd to Jeremy Wood for $517,500.

Jason Smith sold property at 42 Cypress St to Michael Chrzan for $366,500.

Patrick Gross sold property at 1153 Rt 50 to Stefan Steciuk for $405,000.

Dennis Maher sold property at 632 Cindy Lane to Arianto Lawardi for $370,000.

Katz Excavating and Construction Inc sold property at 6 Middleline Rd to Mark Schaefer for $502,000.

Brookview Court Inc sold property at 5102 Stonebridge Dr to Thomas Weaver for $281,936.

Abbu Burchett sold property at 6 Conifer Dr to Amanda Mitchell for $440,000.

MALTA

Benjamin Greenberg sold property at 15 Marions Way to Nicholas Boccio for $230,000.

Christopher Dorr sold property at 1 Wooden Ct to Cailyn Locci for $440,000.

Robert Cowen sold property at 4 Little Dr to Daniel Polli for $590,000.

Christopher Dooling sold property at 4 Thimbleberry Dr to Micaela Foley for $260,000.

Columbia Malta 2539 LLC sold property at 2537 Route 9 to SEFCU for $3,800,000.

Michael Wilson sold property at 9 Pepperbush Pl to Kelly Kilventon for $210,000.

SARATOGA

Donnie Mezcal sold property at 1174 Rt 9P to Susan Bull for $2,425,000.

Gates to Victory LLC sold property at 50-52 Gates Ave to V Mills LLC for $355,000.

SARATOGA SPRINGS

Daniel LeCours sold property at 4 Tait Lane to Jake Delgenos for $430,000

Annabel Guevara sold property at 87 Railroad Pl Unit 403 to John Quijano for $496,000

William Ryan sold property at 2271 NYS Rt 50 to Bernice Moeller for $265,000.

Lisa Hobbs sold property at 103 Meadowbrook Rd to Mohamed Hassan for $331,500.

Frank Bailo sold property at 9 Larkspur Dr to Erin Freeh for $507,900.

Peter Sowizdrzal sold property at 2 Lamplighter Lane to Christopher Hawks for $328,000.

Robert Meyer sold property at 13 Winding Brook Dr to Richard Kahan for $1,275,000.

Terri Ann Mishoe sold property at 173 Church St to 173 Church St as trustee for $475,000.

Cassandra Reed sold property at 80 Brook Rd to Esquire Properties of Troy Inc for $279,900.

Michael Kocan sold property at 12 Bensonhurst Ave to Charles Jackson for $770,000.

James McAllister sold property at 1 Taylor St to 134 Crescent LLC for $510,000.

James McAllister sold property at 313 Jefferson St to John Famosi for $100,000.

David Bradley sold property at 6 Downtown Walk Lane to RAS Closing Services LLC for $210,000.

Meadowbrook Estates sold property at 27 Stony Brook Dr to Michael Leonard for $450,000.

Laura Fuchs sold property at 24 Challedon Dr to Erin Leonard for $445,000.

Andrew Sharp sold property at 70 Route 9 to Mark Koniezny for $230,000.

Kelly Perry sold property at 7 Roberts Ct to Erin Santspree for $540,000.

Mary Johnson sold property at 326 Gurn Springs Rd to Frederick Keller for $175,000.

Suellen Bolles sold property at 1 Lewis Dr to Jessica OBoyle for $499,550.

Sonoma Grove sold property at 6 Monterey Ct to Tillman Nechtman for $727,062.

Susan Peterson sold property at 369 Northern Pines Rd to Carolyn Low for $270,000.

William Morgan property at 6 Joseph Lane to Christa Mahoney for $335,000.

Galarneau Brothers sold property at 122 Cobble Hill Dr to James Rosa for $823,045

Arthur Willman property at 37 Dandelion Dr to Emre Kulali for $380,000.

Caruso Home Builders property at 1 Pine Bark Place to Lauren Allen for $615,162.

Forcivity Breaks Top 400 and Unveils New Logo Amid Merger

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

MANCHESTER, NH and SARTOGA SPRINGS — Forcivity has been named one of the fastest-growing private companies in America, breaking the top 400 on the Inc. 5000 list for the second year in a row. 

This exciting news is announced in tandem with Forcivity unveiling a new logo and branding, capping off the merger with Jolt Consulting Group out of Saratoga Springs that was announced in March 2021.

Forcivity worked with Pennsylvania-based marketing agency Uncommon Marketing Works to put together the
new branding. 

“We knew we needed a new look to celebrate the joining of these two powerful companies with storied histories,” said Molly McGee, Director of Marketing for Forcivity. 

The new brand incorporated elements from each company’s original identities, but with a modern 2021 twist. 

“We are excited for the change not just because of the visual aspects, but because of what the new brand represents for our future,” said Steve Baines, Forcivity President and Chief Growth Officer. “We have been able to deliver so much more for our customers and employees since merging, and this evolution signifies our ongoing commitment to that. We’ve got a lot planned for our future growth and opportunity at our company.” 

1st National Bank of Scotia Expands Commercial Department

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

SCOTIA — 1st National Bank of Scotia has announced the addition of William Faubion, Senior Vice President and Commercial Loan Officer, and Laura Siracuse, Vice President and Commercial Loan Officer. As members of the Commercial Lending Team, they will play an inte-gral role in cultivating new business and serving the bank’s existing commercial customers. 

Faubion, formerly a Senior Lender at NBT Bank, brings 41 years of commercial lending, cash management, and wealth management experience to the bank. 

Siracuse has 29 years of banking experience and previously served as a Senior Relation-ship Manager at M&T Bank. She specializes in relationship management, commercial lending, fi-nancial management and staff development, and played an integral role during the pandemic help-ing businesses obtain financing through the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Industry Disaster Loan.

CanCode Communities Announces Fall 2021 Schedule

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

CAPITAL REGION — On the heels of announcing its rebrand and the addition of four new affiliates, CanCode Communities has released its Fall 2021 course schedule for AlbanyCanCode and KingstonCanCode. Registration is now open for a mix of new, expanded, and popular courses designed to prepare individuals for technology careers while developing a tech talent pipeline to support businesses and fuel economic growth. 

Fall courses will be offered remotely in small classroom settings, with real-time instruction and hands-on learning. Classes will begin the week of Sept. 21, run for 12 weeks, and be conducted from 5:45 to 8:45 p.m. 

The newest course in the CanCode Communities catalogue, Software Development Lifecycle, will provide an overview of the software development process and methodologies for managing ideation, planning, and execution of software development projects. The course will use the Scrum methodology for development, and students will also learn about other Agile methodologies as they iteratively develop their projects. It will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 

A recently added course, Microsoft Azure & Cloud Computing, is being expanded to include additional instruction. Microsoft Azure is a cloud computing service that enables complex computing, analytics, storage, and networking needs. This course will introduce students to the core concepts of cloud computing and the different services offered within Azure. It is being offered in partnership with SUNY Ulster and being held on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The Front-End Web Development course, which teaches technical skills necessary for user interface (UI) development and wire framing, is an ideal starting point for individuals with basic computer skills that wish to take their first steps into the field of software development. It is being offered in partnership with Capital Region BOCES and will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 

And, classes will be offered in JavaScript Fundamentals, the dominant scripting tool for front-end web development. This course is intended for those who have taken Front-End Web Development in the past, or have experience in coding and wish to begin learning some of the most popular tools being used for web-based software. It is being offered in partnership with Capital Region BOCES and will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays. 

For more information and to register for Fall 2021 classes, visit www.albanycancode.org/for-students/courses/. Launched in 2016, CanCode Communities has produced more than 300 graduates that have secured tech jobs with leading employers – including Accenture, Goldman Sachs, New York State Office of Information Technology Services, MVP Healthcare, and Zones, among others – and seen average annual salary increases exceeding $18,000.