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Author: Saratoga TODAY

“Tomato, Tomoto, Tomorrow”

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Youth2 – Youth Helping Youth has teamed up with Stewart’s Shops, Dehn’s Flowers & Gifts, Sunnyside Gardens, and Ballston Spa Agway to give away 100 potted cherry tomato plants to people in our community.   The event “Tomato, Tomoto, Tomorrow!” is Youth2’s fourth Pop-UP. 

Free cherry tomato plants will be given away to all interested people on Wednesday, June 2 from 4-6 p.m. at the Jefferson Terrace Housing Maintenance Parking Lot.  A second giveaway time will be on Saturday, June 5 from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. outside the Soup Kitchen on 24 Circular Street.  These events will take place rain or shine and follow COVID-safe protocols.

This is a fun way to provide a bit of food to families, providing people with fresh cherry tomatoes all summer long.

Youth2 is a Saratoga-based organization made up of both youth and adults working together to improve the lives of people around the world. Youth2 provides financial support to youth and helps them turn their volunteering ideas into an impactful reality, both locally and globally. To find out more information or to volunteer in your community visit www.youthsquared.org.

Glens Falls Farmers’ Market Awarded Double Up Food Bucks, A Win for Consumers and Farmers

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

GLENS FALLS — Glens Falls Farmers’ Market announced they have been awarded $20,000 in Double Up Food Bucks from Field & Fork Network’s Double Up NY for the 2021 Market Season from July 1 to Oct. 31. This program doubles the value of federal nutrition assistance dollars spent at the market, helping people bring home more locally grown fruits and vegetables. 

The wins are three-fold: low-income consumers eat more healthy foods, local farmers gain new customers and make more money, and more food dollars stay in the local economy.

Steps for using Double Up Food Bucks: Go to the Market before or after you shop to sign up for the program. Staff is trained to help; Swipe your EBT/SNAP benefits card to pay for your purchases; Match your EBT dollars $1 for $1 with your Double Up Food Bucks Loyalty Card. (Qualifying items may vary); Shop for fresh produce with your Double Up Food Bucks. 

To learn more visit: www.glensfallsfarmersmarket.com.

Friends of the New York State Military Museum Receives Donation from Stewart’s

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Stewart’s Holiday Match program has donated $1,850 to the Friends of the New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center. 

“Stewart’s is a tremendously supportive organization, donating to non-profit organizations in the Capital Region and beyond,” said former state Sen. Roy McDonald, president of the Friends of the New York State Military Museum, in a statement. “We are grateful to receive this donation,” McDonald said. The state Military Museum is located at 61 Lake Avenue in Saratoga Springs in a historic National Guard Armory.

The Friends of the New York State Military Museum is a non-profit organization created in 1991 to support and assist with educational programs and new exhibits at the museum. The donation from Stewart’s will be used for an upcoming speakers’ series planned late this year and next year focusing on attracting young people and families to the museum. 

Since 1986 Stewart’s Shops in upstate New York and southwestern Vermont have collected and matched donations in their 337 shops from Thanksgiving until Christmas each year. This past holiday season Stewart’s received 1,752 applications requesting nearly $5 million in support while the Holiday Match program had just over $1.88 million to donate.

The museum has been closed to the public since March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The state Division of Military and Naval Affairs will determine when the museum opens again. For more information visit the museum website: museum.dmna.ny.gov or the Friends website: friendsofthenysmilitarymuseum.com

Tonko Announces $143 Million for Capital Region College & University Students

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Congressman Paul Tonko announced $143,240,822 in COVID-19 relief for colleges, universities and students in the Capital Region to help institutions with the financial fallout from the pandemic and continue serving their students safely. At least half of the funding each institution receives will be distributed in the form of emergency cash assistance grants to students who are facing hunger, homelessness, and other hardship.

The American Rescue Plan provides $36 billion for nearly 3,500 public and private, nonprofit colleges and universities nationwide.

Funding for Capital Region colleges, universities, public and nonprofit institutions include: $44,253,101 to State University of New York at Albany, $1,135,556 to Albany Schoharie Schenectady Saratoga BOCES: $9,324,647 to College of Saint Rose; $14,846,000 to SUNY Empire State College; $18,397,446 to Hudson Valley Community College; $13,642,165 to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; $4,953,656 to Russell Sage College; $6,901,679 to Siena College, and $4,175,642 to Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs. 

“A strong investment in our students is a strong investment in our future,” Congressman Tonko said, in a statement. “Our colleges and universities have been hit hard by COVID-19, and our nation cannot hope to recover without federal support to these institutions. I am proud our American Rescue Plan is continuing to deliver that critical support. I will continue to work alongside the Biden Administration to ensure that our federal response meets the needs of our students and higher education institutions across the Capital Region, New York State and America.”

May 15 – May 21, 2021

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Police Blotter.

POLICE

SARATOGA SPRINGS — A 19-year-old city man reportedly “attacking cars” while standing in the roadway of West Avenue last Friday afternoon is facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges. Police say at approximately 4:30 p.m. on May 7, they received multiple calls regarding the incident. After arriving at the scene, officers attempted to converse with the man, who did not engage with the officers and instead began to run, jumping into the open passenger window of an occupied vehicle and attempting to force the driver out of the car, according to police. The driver, a 48-year-old woman, was removed from the car and officers subsequently took the man into custody. The man, identified as Colby C. Flood, 19, of Saratoga Springs, was charged with attempted robbery in the second-degree/motor vehicle, and unlawful imprisonment in the first-degree – both felonies, and the misdemeanors: resisting arrest, obstruct governmental administration, reckless endangerment property, and disorderly conduct: obstructing traffic. Flood was arraigned and sent to Saratoga County Jail on bail, police said. The 48-year-old driver was the only occupant of the vehicle and suffered some minor injuries from the incident. No weapons were believed to be involved.

Daniel Ortega, 29, of Saratoga Springs, was charged May 12 with criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminal possession of a narcotic. Both charges are felonies. 

Christon Barnes, 41, of Wilton, was charged May 12 in Saratoga Springs with criminal contempt, and aggravated family offense. Both charges are felonies. 

Marcus Young, 35, of Saratoga Springs, was charged May 14 with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, speeding, and having no motor vehicle license.

Christina M. Flores, 41, and Shawn P. Flores, 42 – both of Malta, were each charged with cruelty towards animals – a misdemeanor under the New York State Agriculture and Markets Law. They are accused of failing to provide sustenance to the animals and of keeping them in unsafe and unsanitary living conditions. The animals – two pit bulls – are currently receiving care at the Saratoga County Animal Shelter.

Timothy J. Quinlan, 40, of Rochester, was charged May 10 with felony burglary, in connection with an incident that occurred May 3. Quinlan is accused of forcibly gaining entry into the Saratoga Central Catholic High School on Monday, May 3 sometime during the overnight hours. Police said he was gone from the school prior to staff and students arriving. 

Raymond Darrah, 44, of Ballston Spa was charged May 3 in Saratoga Springs with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor.

Koran Jeffers, 43, of Schenectady, was charged May 4 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, moving from lane unsafely, driving motor vehicle on/across a sidewalk, having a suspended registration and no inspection certificate. 

Kaylee Dulmaine, 24, of Vernon, was charged May 6 in Saratoga Springs on a warrant with criminal tampering the third-degree, a misdemeanor. 

Jose Madera, 39, of Saratoga Springs, was charged May 8 with assault in the second-degree, and resisting arrest. 

Sarah Filmer, 25, of Fort Plain, was charged May 9 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, refusal to take a breath test, moving from lane unsafely, failure to notify DMV of address change. 

Kayla Kelsey, 27, of Saratoga Springs, was charged May 9 with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and registration suspended. 

Carissa Robbins, 23, of Saratoga Springs, was charged May 9 with criminal mischief, a misdemeanor. 

Alex J. Ryle, 18, of Ballston Spa, was charged May 14 with one count felony rape and one misdemeanor count sexual misconduct. Ryle is suspected of engaging in sexual intercourse with a person under the age of 15, while he was over the age of 18, as well as engaging in sexual intercourse with another person who was 16 years of age at the time, according to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s office. The acts are said to have occurred between February and April 2021 in the Town of Milton. He was sent to Saratoga County Jail in lieu of $500 cash, $5,000 insured bond, or $40,000 partially secure bond. Orders of Protection have been issued by the court for the victims.

Betty F. Hodges-Folks

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

MYRTLE BEACH, SC — Betty F. Hodges-Folks died Sunday, February 16, 2020 at Pruitt Health in Conway, SC.

Mrs. Folks was born in Saratoga Springs. She was the daughter of the late Harry L. and Loretta
Oak Hodges.

Mrs. Folks attended high school in Saratoga Springs. She also attended Boston University and New York University. She took many graduate classes at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. 

Betty retired from the executive staff-Public Relations Department of the C&P Telephone Co. (now known as Verizon Corporation), spending 38 years with the Bell System. 

Betty was an avid golfer; she and her late husband Arnold were long time members of the Country Club of Fairfax in Virginia and Deer Track Golf Resort. She is a former member of the National Office Management Association and the George Washington Club in Washington, DC. She spent many volunteer hours with the Cancer Society and the Heart Association in Washington and Northern Virginia area. She was also a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America.

Betty is survived by one niece, Marjorie Hodges Haas of Summerville, SC.

There will be no local services. Interment will be at a later date in the family plot in St. Peter’s Cemetery, West Avenue, Saratoga Springs.

Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church Building Fund, 1001 Fifth Ave., Conway, SC 29526.

Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes of 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs (518-584-5373).

Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com 

Fredrick W. Chase Jr.

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

WHITEHALL — Fredrick W. Chase Jr., 73, passed away on Monday, May 17, 2021.

Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes of 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs (518-584-5373).

Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com 

Robert Badaszewski

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

BALLSTON SPA — The family of Robert Badaszewski, 85, announces his passing Sunday, May 19, 2021. Calling hours 4-7 p.m. May 21, 2021 at Burke Funeral Home. Knights of Columbus service 6 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial 10:30 a.m. May 24, 2021, St. Mary’s Church (Ballston Spa). Burial with military honors: 12:30 p.m. Saratoga National. www.burkefuneralhome.com

Rev. Charles Finney Preston of Galway: Presbyterian Missionary to Canton, China

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in History.

The Reverend Charles Preston arrived at the port of Hong Kong on May 12, 1854 after a voyage of 160 days from New York City – his final destination the city of Canton, China – where the Presbyterian Missionary Board had established a base of operation that included a school, hospital and chapel. There he would engage in his life’s work: conversion of the Chinese to Christianity.

Charles Finney Preston was born in Antwerp, NY on July 26, 1829, the first child of Dr. and Mrs. Calvin Preston. His middle name was selected as a tribute to Charles Grandison Finney, a social activist and leader of the Second Great Awakening, a religious revival based on a vision of the second coming of Jesus Christ.

The Prestons moved to Galway in 1830, attracted to the village by a family connection and the potential for a thriving medical practice. They settled in the village on East St. where they built a six bedroom home and raised a large family.

In Galway, Charles’ mother groomed him for missionary service to China, a priority of the Presbyterian Church. Charles Preston studied at the Galway Academy under the guidance of the Reverend Gilbert Morgan, becoming a member of the Galway Presbyterian Church at the age of fourteen. He next attended Union College, graduating in 1850, and then Princeton Theological Seminary, where he completed a three-year course. He was commissioned missionary to China by the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions in 1853 and left by sailing merchant ship, the Horatio, departing from New York for Canton in November of that year.

His plan was to preach to the Chinese in their native language was side-tracked by an assignment to teach English in the Mission School, an approach to religious conversion that he opposed on philosophical grounds. This put Charles at odds with a well-connected leader of the China Mission and ultimately led to his death. He was rescued from this educational endeavor by the outbreak of the Second Opium War, a conflict primarily between Great Britain and the Qing dynasty over the insistence of the English to freely distribute opium to the Chinese. This was in turn driven by a massive trade in-balance associated with English consumption of tea from China. Rev. Preston relocated to Macau where he developed the language skills necessary to preach in the Cantonese dialect.

At the end of the War, Rev. Preston returned to Canton where he built a chapel with his own and donated funds. There he preached for many years returning to the United States only once, leaving a son to be educated in Windham, Connecticut schools. He would never see him again.

After 23 years of missionary service his health began to decline, probably due to chronic dysentery. His doctor recommended return to the United States, but Rev. Preston’s plea for transfer on medical grounds was turned down due to “insufficient funds in the Mission treasury,” or equally likely in retribution for his advocacy of preaching in the native language. In a desperate attempt to save his life his doctor sent him to Hong Kong to recover. He died six days later at the home of a missionary with his wife and six children at his side. He was buried in the Happy Valley cemetery in Hong Kong; an obelisk monument provided by his three brothers marks the grave with the inscription “I am only resting.”

His wife and family returned to America where Charles’ brothers William and Platt, wealthy mill owners in Waitsburg, Washington, came to their rescue.

A tribute to Rev. Preston in the Union College Archives concludes with: “He learned the Chinese language as few foreigners learn it. He became the most effective preacher among our missionaries and filled Canton with his Gospel.”

Alan Maddaus is the author of The Prestons of East Street – the Story of an 19th Century American Family, available at Amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com and other outlets. He can be reached at admaddaus@aol.com

Expanding Passenger Rail Service is a Priority

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Here’s something to look forward to in 2022. We will all be able to take an Amtrak train from Saratoga Springs to Burlington, VT, and back, of course. The ride itself will take a little over three hours. This will all be possible because the State of Vermont is investing in the infrastructure to extend passenger rail service from Rutland to Burlington.

According to Cathy Davis, the President of the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber, in Burlington, the late US Senator Jim Jeffords worked hard to bring resources from Washington D.C. to make this a reality. During a recent event at the Saratoga Springs train station, Cathy said: “This investment will create great opportunities for both of our regions. We both enjoy vibrant and walkabout downtowns. When connected by rail, there will be even more commerce between Saratoga and Burlington. This will allow visitors to more easily reach our destinations. I look forward to seeing Todd Shimkus hop off the train next year in Burlington.”

I also look forward to Cathy hopping off the train here in Saratoga. Our two chambers of commerce have already begun talking about what we can do to make this connection work for our hospitality sectors. One likely project will involve us putting together travel packages from Burlington to Saratoga County that Cathy and her team will promote to their members and their employees. Likewise, they will organize travel packages for Saratoga residents to visit Burlington that we will promote. 

When Cathy spoke about expanding commerce, the talk quickly turned to GlobalFoundries. The company’s headquarters is now in Malta. A significant percentage of their 3,000 employees live in Saratoga County. The company also has operations in Burlington. This means their employees here and there often travel between our two communities. This is a commute that now must be done by car.

“GlobalFoundries has semiconductor manufacturing facilities located near both Saratoga Springs, New York, and Burlington, Vermont, which will be well served by the restart of the Ethan Allen train line and extension into Burlington,” said Laurie Kelly, Vice President, Global Communications, GlobalFoundries. “We support the efforts of the Empire State Passenger Association, the Saratoga County Chamber and Lake Champlain Chamber, and are excited that our GF employees will soon have the opportunity to travel easily by passenger rail between our sites.”

Besides the work being done by the State of Vermont, we hope that the State of New York will also invest more in rail service to and from Saratoga. For instance, the extension of the Empire Service to Saratoga Springs could allow a train to be heading south from our City much earlier in the morning. 

According to the Empire State Passenger Service, a train leaving Saratoga at 7:12 a.m. would arrive in Schenectady 36 minutes later. The same train would be at the Albany/Rensselaer Train station by 8:10 a.m. That’s less than one hour to Albany. The travel time of this train is very similar to the time it takes a commuter to travel from Saratoga to Schenectady by car or bus. 

With train service already heading back to Saratoga from these two cities after 5:00 p.m., it’s possible to create a “commuter rail option” for people who live here but work in Albany, Schenectady or Troy. Given a little flexibility with schedules, we could also use passenger rail to attract talent from these three cities within our region to Saratoga. 

As now structured, Amtrak is a contract service provider for passenger rail service to the State of New York. If New York invests is willing to pay Amtrak to extend service, they are more than willing to do so. So our ability to make this happen rests with the New York State Department of Transportation. 

During our recent event to talk about expanding rail services, we were joined by Senators Daphne Jordan and Jim Tedisco as well as Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner. Each spoke positively about these two investments and the economic opportunity they represent. We look forward to working with them in the coming weeks and months as we seek to start a new dialogue with the State of New York. One that is focused on making us stronger together by connecting Troy, Albany, Schenectady, Saratoga Springs, Rutland and Burlington by passenger rail. All aboard!