SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Automobile Museum, located in the Spa State Park, announced this week the Saratoga Motorcar Auctions, now in its fifth year, will take place on Friday, Sept. 24 and Saturday, Sept. 25, starting at 10 a.m. The Fall Auto Show will be held 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Sept. 26. On Sunday, Oct. 3, the museum will host a Corvette Car Show, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. For more information, go to: www.saratogaautomuseum.org.
SCHENECTADY — Classic hard rockers Great White, Slaughter, and Kip Winger, the funk rock hits of Sly & The Family Stone with The Family Stone, and a night of progressive pop-rock classics with The Orchestra – starring former members of the Electric Light Orchestra – will be staged at the Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady Event Center this fall.
Great White, Slaughter, and Kip Winger will hit the Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady Event center stage, the night before Halloween – Saturday, Oct. 30. Doors open at 7 p.m., the concert starts at 8 p.m. and tickets start at $32 plus taxes and fees.
On Friday, Nov. 5, Sly & The Family Stone founding member Jerry Martini and Phunne Stone – daughter of Sylvester “Sly Stone” Stewart and Cynthia Robinson, front The Family Stone, who will perform a slew of Sly & The Family Stone classics from “I Want to Take You Higher,” and “Everyday People,” to “Dance To The Music. ” Doors open at 7 p.m. and the fun starts at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $20 plus taxes and fees.
The next night, Saturday, Nov. 6: Symphonic rock fans will be treated to an evening when The Orchestra takes the stage to perform The Electric Light Orchestra’s deep catalog of classic rock hits. The Orchestra features former members of ELO. Memorable songs will include “Strange Magic,” “Do Ya,” “Don’t Bring Me Down,” “Evil Woman,” and more. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $35 plus taxes and fees.
Tickets are on sale at www.riverscasino.com/schenectady.
ALBANY — The UAlbany Performing Arts Center has announce its guest artists for the 2021-22 season. The Prime Performances schedule features unique pairings of dance, music, theatre, literature, film and visual art by regional, national and international touring artists.
The schedule of Prime Performances delves into the genres of visual art and music, film, dance, science, theater and literature.
Tickets and subscriptions for these Prime Performances will be available starting Sept. 7 by phone (518-442-3997); email (tickets@albany.edu); mail (UAlbany Performing Arts Center, PAC 266, Albany, NY 12222) or in person at the box office located in the main lobby of the UAlbany Performing Arts Center. Further details on all performances can be found on the UAlbany Performing Arts Center web site (www.albany.edu/pac) under Prime Performances.
MALTA — Performances and workshops celebrating the cultural diversity of Malta and surrounding communities will take place 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18 at the Malta Community Center, One Bayberry Drive.
Events include: Golfstrom- Music and Dances from Old Russia and Europe; 3Smart Studio- Paintings of Indian Classical Dancing; Jordan Taylor Hill- Intro to West African Drumming and Dance; World Awareness Children’s Museum – Clothing from Around the World; Nathanalaya School of the Arts –Dances from India; Jesse Bowman Bruchac –Native American Storytelling with music; Reggie Harris -Music and stories of the Underground Railroad.
For more information, go to: www.maltaparksrec.com, or call 518-899-4411.
BALLSTON SPA — Boho Chic Boutique will host a Meet & Greet featuring a silent auction and live music to benefit the short film “LAURINA” on Sept 13 from 4-9 p.m.
The film is based on the true story of Laurina Ecobelli, a beloved Ballston Spa resident and longtime owner of Ecobelli’s Tam O’Shanter Inn. As a teen in the 1920’s, she was involved in a sensational trial after she was abused by her stepfather and left traumatized and pregnant.
Her courageous testimony helped to convict her abuser and resulted in a landmark judgment. She used her experience and strength to subsequently help generations of silent victims.
“Laurina” is based on the journals of Laurina (Laura) Ecobelli.
The Meet & Greet with members of the film team and silent auction on Sept. 13 will raise funds to go directly to support the film.
Boho Chic Boutique is located at 90 Front St., Ballston Spa. Guests are encouraged to wear a mask and take proper precautions relative to Covid-19.
The film will be produced by Laurina Film Partners and DolGer Films with executive producers Chris Gaunt and Michalina Scorzelli. Screenplay by Ballston Spa natives and grandchildren of Laurina, Lora Lee and Tom Ecobelli. The director is Emmy award winner Sylvia Caminer, who has just completed the feature length psychological thriller “Follow Her,” and Adriana Camposano – a regular on the hit Netflix Television show Orange Is The New Black – will portray the young Laurina.
For more information on LAURINA, go to: www.aquabelll.wixsite.com/website.
BALLSTON SPA — Michael Charles and His Band will perform at Nanola Sept. 10, in a concert billed as a guitar-driven journey through 37 years and 37 releases of original music.
Charles’ musical pilgrimage started over five decades ago in his Melbourne, Australia birthplace. While enjoying a successful musical crusade of touring, recording, and numerous television and radio appearances in his homeland, he received an invitation from Buddy Guy’s management to appear at the infamous Legends in Chicago. After making that long initial trek and taking the stage with Buddy Guy, subsequent trips and eventual relocation to his new American home , Charles worked the entire Chicago blues circuit, performing with the likes of Phil Guy, James Cotton, Eddy Clearwater, Junior Wells, George Baze, as well as touring with blues legend, Jimmy Dawkins.
A nine-time Grammy elected artist, Charles will perform at free local concert 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10 at Nanola, located at 2639 Route 9, Ballston Spa.
LAKE GEORGE — The Lake George Arts Project’s annual three-day jazz festival will take place at Shepard Park Sept. 17-19. The organization’s previous Executive Director John Strong (1984–2020), and Paul Pines, Jazz Weekend Artistic Director (1983–2018), first planned the inaugural Lake George Jazz Weekend over 35 years ago.
For more information on this year’s slate of artists and stage times, go to: www.lakegeorgearts.org/lake-george-jazz-weekend.
Friday, September 3
Congress Park Walking Tours
Saratoga Springs Visitor Center | 297 Broadway, Saratoga Springs | 10:30 a.m. – Noon
Learn about the fascinating history of “The Queen of Spas” with a leisurely walk through Congress Park. Our experienced guides will tell you the stories of How Saratoga became the “Queen of Spas” in the 19th Century. The tragic story behind the Trask Family and the Spirit of Life statue. The history of the Saratoga City Museum and it’s notorious reputation as the highest rolling gambling casino in the US. How the city rallied to restore the historic Spit and Spat statues. Tours are given Tuesday – Saturday through October. Cost is $20.
Free Movie in the Park
Wiswall Park, Front St., Ballston Spa | 8 – 10 p.m.
Showing The Secret Life of Pets 2. Free. Bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on. We will follow any continuing guidelines for safe public gatherings that may be in effect at the time of the event. These may include social distancing measures, face masks and limited capacity in the park for movie viewers. Rain dates are the next Saturday evening.
Saturday, September 4
Cars & Coffee
Middle Grove Town Park | 430 Middle Grove Rd., Middle Grove | 8 – 11 a.m.
The event is free to the public. Cars, trucks and motorcycles are welcome, including daily drivers. There will be door prizes, a 50-50 raffle and the Lions Club will be serving up fresh breakfast sandwiches and donuts. Bryan’s Brew is one of our sponsors for this event. For more information, contact Lion Bill Marzano at 518-461-9784.
Congress Park Walking Tours
Saratoga Springs visitor’s Center | 297 Broadway, Saratoga Springs | 10:30 a.m. – Noon
Learn about the fascinating history of “The Queen of Spas” with a leisurely walk thru Congress Park. Our experienced guides will tell you the stories of: How Saratoga became the “Queen of Spas” in the 19th Century. The tragic story behind the Trask Family and the Spirit of Life statue. The history of the Saratoga City Museum and it’s notorious reputation as the highest rolling gambling casino in the US. How the city rallied to restore the historic Spit and Spat statues. Tours are given Tue-Sat from June-October. Cost is $20.
Tunnels to Towers Foundation Benefit
2117 Barrett Rd., Ballston Spa
Comedy, music and food. The event will honor the sacrifice of firefighter Stephen Siller who laid down his life to save others on September 11, 2001. We will also honor military and first responders who continue to make the supreme sacrifice of life and limb for our great country. Comedy by Colin Quinn and Friends, 50/50 Raffle, Silent Auction with donations from local businesses. For more information or to donate to this cause, call Dillon at 518-871-3772 or Chris at 518-542-3731. You can email to murpdill@aol.com or candmwagner@msn.com. All proceeds from the freedom festival go to The Tunnel to Towers organization.
Sunday, September 5
Summer Stroll: Queen Annes
SW Corner of Spring & Circular Streets, Saratoga Springs | 10:30 a.m. – Noon
Debbie Studwell will tour the area formerly home to the Young Women’s Industrial Club of Saratoga, which would later become Skidmore College. Tours will be limited to thirty and tickets must be purchased in advance. The cost per tour is $15 for SSPF members and $20 for non-members. Members who have received complimentary Stroll passes will have those honored for their value of $10 and will be required to pay the difference of $5. Visit our website at saratogapreservation.org or call 518-587-5030 to purchase tickets in advance!
Monday, September 6
Closing Day at the Track
Saratoga Race Course | 267 Union Ave., Saratoga Springs
The 2021 meet will come to a close with the traditional final feature race, the Grade 1, $300,000 Hopeful for 2-year-olds, which affords racing fans a preview of potential standouts in next year’s Triple Crown series and Runhappy Travers.
Tuesday, September 7
Gardener’s Gold: Making Compost All Year
Pitney Meadows Community Farm | West Ave., Saratoga Springs | 6 p.m.
Gardeners are too often overwhelmed, confused, and discouraged by the “rules” of composting. Faced with an array of bins and barrels, we search for The One that will produce our coveted gardener’s gold. This workshop will present suggestions for cheap, easy, and effective compost strategies for the home gardener, and hopefully eliminate the frustration that so often stalls the quest for an abundance of perfect compost. Registration required: events.constantcontact.com/register/event.
Time to Sing – Saratoga Voices
O’Rourke Middle School, 173 Lake Hill Rd., Burnt Hills | 7 p.m.
Saratoga Voices, formerly known as the Burnt Hills Oratorio Society, invites all singers to join them for their first performance of the 2021-22 season. The opening concert is Handel’s Judas Maccabeus, to be performed on November 19, 7:30 p.m. at the newly renovated Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs. To take advantage of the hall’s unique theater in the round, the performance will have an interesting twist – a semi-staged concert version of this well-known choral masterpiece. Rehearsals are held Tuesday nights, 7 p.m., at the and start September 7. Singers are asked to complete a vocal placement interview beforehand and must be vaccinated. Go to the saratogavoices.org website and click on the “Participate” menu for more details and to sign up for a vocal placement interview. Further questions email info@saratogavoices.org or call 518-416-4060.
Wednesday, September 8
Baked Ham Dinner
Saratoga Wilton Elks Lodge, 1 Elks Lane, Saratoga Springs
4:30 – 6 p.m. | For curbside pickup only. Call Monday or Tuesday Between 10 a.m. – noon to place an order. 518-584-2585. Menu: Baked ham, Au Gratin potatoes, vegetable, applesauce, roll, tossed salad. Dinner for 2 is $25.00 cash only.
Thursday, September 9
The Gangsters of Saratoga
Saratoga Springs History Museum, 1 E. Congress St., Canfield Casino, Congress Park, Saratoga Springs | 7 – 8 p.m.
Retired Chief of Police Greg Veitch will tell some of the most fascinating stories of Saratoga’s nefarious past from his two books, All the Law in the World Won’t Stop Them and A Gangster’s Paradise. From murder and bootlegging to gambling and fixed horse races, these stories are sure to entertain anyone interested in the notorious side of the history of the Spa City.
Art Exhibits
Artists and members of Southern Saratoga Art Society will be exhibiting at various venues. Stop in and view these free exhibits and support the arts. Frank Coletta, featuring landscapes in pen, ink and colored pencils will be at Clifton Park Halfmoon Library, 475 Moe Rd, Clifton Park and Mechanicville Public Library, 190 N. Main St, Mechanicville featuring drawings mostly of the Round Lake Nature Preserve. Also, two life-long area artists will be featured during September in the Gallery of the Clifton Park Senior Community Center, 6 Clifton Common Blvd, Clifton Park. Rebecca Jenkins – photographs of interesting sights throughout the area and while traveling. Patricia Wade – Watercolorist, paints an eclectic variety of items. For more information, visit www.southernsaratogaartist.com.
Annual Rummage Sale
West Charlton United Presbyterian Church (Scotch Church), 1331 Sacandaga Rd, Amsterdam (corner of Route 147 and 67) will hold its annual rummage sale on Friday, Sept. 10 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday, Sept. 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The sale will include clothing, books, household items, children’s toys, and many other items. Those who have not been vaccinated, please wear a mask.
Bass Fishing Tournament
The tournament will be held on Saturday, Sept. 11 at Fish Creek from 9P bridge to last barrier before the Hudson River. A $15 early fee per person. 100% payback: 1st – 40%, 2nd – 20%, 3rd – 10%, Lunker – 30%. Prizes will be determined based on number of entries. Fish must be weighed in at the Fish Creek Rod and Gun Club no later than 2 p.m. Drinks, hot dogs, burgers and fries may be purchased from the club. A fish fry will be held at the club after the weigh-in. For info call Art Thivierge at 518-796-9900.
27th Annual Town of Greenfield, Town-Wide Garage & Craft Sale
There will be numerous sales located throughout the Town of Greenfield (including Greenfield Center, Porter Corners, and Middle Grove) on Sept. 11 and 12 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., rain or shine. Tons of stuff to browse and buy. Free maps of all the garage sales will be available beginning Sept. 10 at the Stewart’s Shop in Greenfield and Middle Grove, the Post Offices at Middle Grove, Porter Corners and Greenfield Center, the Town Hall in Greenfield, the Greenfield Center Baptist Church, and the Greenfield Lions Information/Silent Auction Tent.
Continental Beakfast
Public welcome on Sept. 11 for the Milton Grange Continental Breakfast at Old Stone Church, 159 Stone Church Rd., Ballston Spa at 8 a.m. Speaker will be Dr. Ken Slentz, Ballston Spa School Superintendent. Please RSVP to Mary Ann Becker at 518-885-6606.
5th Annual Tailgate Party
The party will benefit Veterans VFW Post 420 at 190 Excelsior Ave., Saratoga Springs. The event will be held on Sunday, Sept. 12 at 11:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. Cash bar, beer, wine, cocktails, beverages, food trucks, vendors, raffles, and games. Music includes Jacksland, Northern Borne, Rich Clements and the Porch Rockers, George Fletcher Blues Band, Deena Chappell Trio, The Mr. E. Band, 18 Strings of Trouble, Jenny Dahnke and Elastic Endeavors. Donation $15. For more information call 518-584-9686.
Drive-In Movie Night
Hosted at the Malta Drive-In. On Sunday, Sept. 12 the public is invited to enjoy one or two movies: Charlotte’s Web for the families and Farmland, a documentary for the more mature crowd. Gates open at 6 p.m. Films will show simultaneously at approximately 7:20. Cost is $15 per carload. Can be purchased in advance by calling 518-885-8995 or at the venue on the day of the event. All proceeds will go to the Argicultural Promotion Committee Scholarship Fund.
Summer’s End Luncheon
You are invited to our “Summer’s End” luncheon on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 12 – 2 p.m. $20 cash, inclusive. Circa’ 21 Restaurant at McGregor Country Club, 359 Northern Pines Rd., Wilton. Our special feature is Kathy Handy, our favorite retired IT teacher from Saratoga Library who will speak on the “other 90% of the fun and useful things our cell phones provide that we do not know how to use.” She will have flyers available to take home. Speaker, Cherie Lasher from Wells will speak on “Known, Accepted & Restored.” Reservations necessary by Sept. 9. Call Ellie at 518-584-3779 or Anita at 518-583-4043. Menu includes gourmet mac and cheese (meat and vegetable choices), green salad, dessert, and beverages. Presented by Saratoga Christian Women’s Connection.
Sheep Shearing Clinic
Saratoga County 4-H is offering a Sheep Shearing Clinic this fall to youth ages 10 and older. The event will take place at the 4-H Training Center on Middleline Rd in Ballston Spa on Sept. 16 at 5 p.m. This clinic will exhibit the art of sheep shearing and preparing wool breeds for show. Participants will be provided a hands-on learning experience from professional shearer Siri Swanson. Siri along with shearing partner Colin Siegmund, strive to maintain animal comfort and top-quality clipping. Space is limited. $5/family is required at entry or prior to the clinic. The event is free of charge for 4-H members and their families. For additional information or to register call 518-885-8995 or email our Livestock Educator at rjl287@cornell.edu.
“Murder for Hire” Presentation
The Saratoga County History Roundtable will offer a presentation by Russ VanDervoort, Waterford Town Historian, at Brookside Museum in Ballston Spa on Thursday, September 16 at 7 p.m. Russ will tell the story of a 150-year-old murder for hire plot that a newspaper called “The Most Damnable Murder Plot Ever Ventilated!” an event that unfolded in 1870-1871 that involved participants from throughout Saratoga County. Preregistration required for the presentation at the Museum by email to Jim Richmond at saratogacohisotryroundtable@gmail.com. The program will also be available live at 7:15 p.m. on facebook.com/brooksidemuseum
1st Annual Charity Golf Scramble
The Rotary Club of Saratoga Spring 1st Annual Charity Golf Scramble, sponsored by Saratoga Financial Services and The Adirondack Trust Company, is September 17 at McGregor Links Golf Club in Saratoga. Entry fee of $100 per person ($400 per team) includes 18 holes, cart, lunch, raffle prizes, 50/50 and a chance at hole-in-one-prizes. Registration is at 9 a.m. with a shotgun start at 10 a.m. Entry forms are available through email at saratogarotarygolf@gmail.com or contact Nathan Towne at 802-734-5154. Return completed forms with payment information via email, or with checks made payable to Rotary Club of Saratoga Springs to Rotary Club of Saratoga Springs, P.O. Box 1307, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.
Swing for Music 2021 Golf Outing
During the pandemic we suspended our school program where children learn the connection between story and sound and create their own music to play and sing. Please help us continue offering the school program and this wonderful live music by supporting our golf fundraiser. It will take place on September 17 – Shotgun start at 3:30 p.m. at Airway Meadows Golf Club, located at 262 Brownville Rd., Gansevoort. If you’re not a golfer, you may want to sponsor a hole for $75 or offer a prize for players. To register visit www.eventbrite.com/e/golf-outing-2021-tickets-156261693933 For questions, contact: info.saratoga chamberplayers@gmail.com.
Milton Democrats Host Family Picnic Day
The Town of Milton Democratic Committee is pleased to announce an afternoon of family-fun on Saturday, Sept. 18, 12 – 3 p.m., at Burgess Kimball Memorial Park, 358 Rowland St., Ballston Spa. All are welcome to gather in neighborly camaraderie for games, grilled food, ice pops, music, and good humor. Local office holders and leaders, including Milton Town Supervisor Benny Zlotnick, will be there to meet voters, talk about what’s going on in local government, and, of course, have some fun. The Burgess Kimball Memorial Park features an expansive playground for kids. Everyone is welcome, and the event is free. Any questions should be directed to Martha Iacolucci, Chairperson, Town of Milton Democrats: miltondemocratsny@gmail.com; 518-885-8196.
Indoor Craft & Garage Sale
On Sunday, September 19, from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. the popular Elks Ladies Auxiliary Indoor Craft and Garage Sale at the Saratoga-Wilton Elks Club on Elks Lane will resume. Admission is free with over 40 vendors; parking is great, bargains galore, and lunch. We offer household items, sports equipment, hand-made items, clothing, fabrics, jewelry, party vendors, pet supplies, food treats, and just about anything you can imagine may be found here. New vendors are signing up every month. All proceeds go to our local charities. An 8-food table and chairs are just $15. Call Linda at 518-289-5470 for information or to sign up for a table(s). Masks should be worn by everyone.
48th Annual Adirondack Balloon Festival
The festival takes place Thursday to Sunday, September 23 – 26, in multiple locations. The event is free. Festival merchandise, one of the event’s biggest fundraisers, will be for sale at select events. This year, the festival cannot allow vendors, children’s activities, or the Open Door breakfast. Pilots can’t take paid passengers this year. At the airport, you can attend a drive-through moonglow to observe 40 tethered balloons on display, lit up from within. There will also be a live band, 8-10 balloons, and possibly fireworks display at the East Field. Balloon launches are subject to weather conditions. Contact the Adirondack Balloon Festival, a registered 501(c)3, to sponsor this free event for the community and make a tax-deductible contribution to keep the festival going. For more information, visit www.adirondackballoonfest.org or follow @adirondackballoonfest on Facebook for breaking updates.
Tour Belgium and Holland with Saratoga Arts
In April, join Saratoga Arts in an art and history-filled visit to Belgium and Holland April 20-29, 2022. Stay in Brussels and Amsterdam with excursions to nearby treasures and plan to taste as many gourmet chocolates as ten days permit. We will waffle or way through Belgium, learn about the history of the medieval Belgian tapestries, travel to Bruges, Delft and Amsterdam for romantic waterways, revel in the beauty of the Dutch Masters and Van Gogh, and admire the colorful blooms of the seven million bulb flowers of the Keukenhof Gardens. To receive a detailed itinerary of this small group tour, contact: goedventures@gmail.com.
Hello my Foodie Friends!
The summer went by so quickly! September is a beautiful month. Not only does it mark cooler days and evenings, it is also a harvest month. Seeing the ripening apples on the trees reminds me that it’s Back-to-School time. Who doesn’t like a crisp sweet apple in the Fall? So many delicious apples are grown in this region. Many of you may already know this, but the apple is New York’s state fruit. Another fun fact is New York is the second-largest apple producing state in the United States, averaging 25 million bushels of production annually with varieties that include; McIntosh, Empire, Red Delicious, Cortland, Golden Delicious, Rome, Crispin, Gala, Fuji, and many others.
Did you recently go apple picking and now don’t know what to do with all those apples? Sure it’s great to eat an apple as a snack on its own (or maybe dunked in salted caramel sauce), but you are probably in need of some apple recipes so they do not go to waste. I swear, apples sometimes multiply in the bags after picking them… that, or I just don’t realize how many apples I’ll truly end up with when I pick a bushel. Making desserts and dishes with apples is endless. There are so many ways to prepare apples like; Apple sauce, apple butter, apple pie, poached apples, caramel apples, apple cake, apple muffins, apple cider donuts (yum), apple chutney, or even apples in a Sangria.
When we get our bushel of apples home, well, first we eat some of them raw – delicious! Then we get creative and make lots of tasty creations with our apple picks. And of course, we use the best tools.
There are cool culinary tools available to help you with your apple creations, At Compliments to the Chef, Your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store, we have apple peeling machines, apple slicers, mandolins, and even cookie cutters. Cookie cutters are a fun way to dress up a dessert, or get kids involved and eating new foods. Cutting apples into stars, hearts, or even letters is tedious but a fun surprise to include in their school lunch for special occasions. A mandolin lets you cut apples into different widths or with crimped edges. It’s great for making the base of an apple sandwich and can also dress up any snack plate. If you want to secure the apple, but get rid of the core, use an apple corer. This distinctive tool easily removes the core and makes disposal quick and effortless. The unique leveler splits in half for easy release after you twist or push the corer through the apple.
So, how do you like them apples? Have a wonderful time with your family and friends. Enjoy the harvest moon while listening to Neil Young’s “Harvest Moon” (one of our favorite songs). Remember my Foodie Friends, “Life Happens in the Kitchen” under the harvest moon.
Take Care,
John & Paula
