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Author: Saratoga TODAY

Saratoga Student Named Among Science Scholars

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Society for Science announced the top 300 scholars in the Regeneron Science Talent Search 2021, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors. 

Each of the 300 scholars and their schools will be awarded $2,000 each, including Ava Herzog, 17, from Saratoga Springs High School, for her project titled “The Effect of the Retinal Degeneration Mutation rd1 on Circadian Locomotor Activity and Nesting Behavior in Mice.”

The Regeneron Science Talent Search scholars were selected from 1,760 applications received from 611 high schools across 45 states, Washington, DC, Puerto Rico and 10 countries. Scholars were chosen based on their exceptional research skills, commitment to academics, innovative thinking and promise as scientists.

The Regeneron Science Talent Search provides students with a national stage to present original research and celebrates the hard work and discoveries of young scientists who are bringing a fresh perspective to significant global challenges. Research projects cover topics from bioinformatics to public health and energy efficiency.

On Jan. 21, 40 of the 300 scholars will be named Regeneron Science Talent Search finalists. From March 10-17, all 40 finalists will compete for more than $1.8 million in awards provided by Regeneron.

The full list of scholars can be viewed at www.societyforscience.org/regeneron-sts/2021-scholars

Property Transactions: January 9 – January 15, 2021

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Property Transactions.

BALLSTON

Matthew Call sold property at 5 Frank St to Diane Gagliarrdi for $293,000.

Thomas Lowe sold property at Goode St to Farm Raised LLC for $177,000.

Thomas Lowe sold property at Goode St to Farm Raised LLC for $330,000.

Ryan Legere sold property at 59 Casey Pass to Margaret Chevalier for $258,500.

John Russell sold property at 15 Lakehill Rd to Dawn Hunt for $148,000.

Matthew Shambo sold property at 457 Devils Lane to Robert Lewis for $439,900.

CORINTH

Meredith Fiel sold property at 4880 Rt 9N to Jamaldine Oulacha for $128,000.

Luke Petteys sold property at 65 Locust Ridge Rd to Brett McMurray for $212,000.

Mark Lamkins sold property at 13 Fifth St to ET Corinth Properties LLC for $123,000.

Land Logic sold property at 222 Center St to ET Corinth Properties LLC for $162,000.

GREENFIELD

Jason Beach sold property at 3540 Boyhaven Rd to Michael Emery for $540,000.

Benjamin Tucker sold property at 273 South Greenfield Rd to Robert Campbell for $340,000.

MALTA

Marini Land II Inc  sold property at 118 Plum Poppy N to Richard Schuler for $440,200.

Martha Almgren sold property at 177 Arrowwood Pl to Sara Sweeney for $280,000

Farone Amedore LLC sold property at 63 Ordelia Lane to Susan Powell for $339,250.

Dean Stratis sold property at 21 Hillman Loop to Robert Rinken for $349,900.

Joan Keil as trustee sold property at 96 Wineberry Lane to James Tietz for $280,000

Elizabeth Deveno sold property at 2591 State Route 9 to Rhett Croteau for $365,000

Scott Walrath sold property at 47 Yachtsmans Way to Ron VanAlstyne for $645,000.

SARATOGA SPRINGS

Wallace Elton sold property at 36 Curt Blvd to James Wright, Jr. for $225,000.

146 Middle Ave LLC sold property at 8 Vanderbilt Ave to Louis Recchia for $415,000.

Patricia Izzo sold property at 202 Lake Ave to TradeWinds Holdings LLC  for $309,000.

Tyler Demarco sold property at 59 Curt Blvd to Erin Graney for $240,000.

Janet Equale sold property at 4 Beach Ct to Heidi Galli for $620,000.

Timothy Rapp sold property at 10 Bingham St to Maxamilian Abbott for $345,000.

Mark Young as trustee sold property at 20 Longwood Dr to Amy Rabanal for $450,000.

Joseph Devivo sold property at 7 Eastman Lane to Keith Johnston for $312,000

Samantha Schmitt sold property at 14 Hyde St to Christopher Shand for $600,000

Maureen Sager sold property at 154 Regent St to BAMF Realty Group LLC for $745,000.

WILTON

Jean Hoins sold property at 71 Traver Rd to Joseph Scalo for $285,000.

Gregory Taylor sold property at 31 Apple Tree Lane to Simon Radu for $410,000.

Sonoma Grove LLC sold property at 49 Berkeley Way to James Hanley IV for $566,288

Frank Gallo sold property at 16 Rose Terrace to Michael Mauriello for $930,000.

Jeffrey Mancini sold property at 25 Apple Tree Lane to Zachary Prodrick for $350,000.

Stewart’s Shops Expands: Fuel Distribution with Red-Kap Asset Purchase; Stewart’s Express Shops

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Stewart’s Shops have acquired the assets of Red-Kap, which include eight convenience stores, four car washes and their fuel distribution to more than 75 dealers.

Stewart’s Shops will maintain the branding of the Mobil, Citgo, and Sunoco stations and will convert two of the Red-Kap locations into traditional Stewart’s Shops. The remaining six locations will become ‘Stewart’s Express’ shops. These smaller shops will have limited product offerings and will not serve hand-scooped ice cream. 

 “Stewart’s Shops has always respected and admired the integrity of the family-owned Red-Kap organization. This is primarily a fuel distribution transaction, and we look forward to extending our support to the distributor and dealer network,” Stewart’s Shops president Gary Dake said in a statement.

The eight convenience stores are located in Albany, Baldwinsville, Berne, Hudson, Rensselaer, Saratoga Springs, Castleton, and Loudonville and are already undergoing conversions into Stewart’s Shops and ‘Stewart’s Express’ locations and will be completed in 2021. 

Founded in 1945, Stewart’s Shops is an employee and family-owned convenience store chain based in Saratoga Springs, with over 345 Stewart’s Shops located in 31 counties across upstate New York and southern Vermont. 

The Downtowner Closed for Winter and Undergo Renovations

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

SARATOGA SPRINGS ­­— The Downtowner, a reimagined mid-century motor lodge located on Broadway is closed for the winter to undergo extensive exterior renovations and an interior refresh. 

Saratoga-based architecture and design company, Phinney Design Group, will lead the $1.5 million exterior renovation project while Massachusetts-based creative studio Elder & Ash enhances the interiors. 

Since reopening after a redesign in 2018, The Downtowner has been operated by Lark Hotels, a hotel brand and operating company with properties on both the East and West Coasts. The Downtowner anticipates reopening in 2021.

 “In our view, there’s no better location, from which to experience all that Saratoga Springs has to offer than the corner of Broadway and Division streets, which is essentially the 50-yard line of Broadway,” said Lark Hotels CEO, Peter Twachtman, in a statement.  “We look forward to revealing the hotel’s new look, and reopening our doors to locals and visitors in the spring.”

Dr. Zachary Criswell Joins Saratoga Hospital’s Surgical Podiatry Practice

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Dr. Zachary Criswell, a fellowship-trained foot and ankle surgeon, has joined Saratoga Hospital Medical Group – Surgical Podiatry.

 Criswell comes to Saratoga Hospital from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, where he was a clinical instructor in the Department of Medicine. He also was an attending physician at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, a Rutgers clinical affiliate in Paramus, NJ.

Criswell earned his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree from Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine in Pennsylvania and completed an internship and residency at University Hospital in New Jersey. He went on to complete a surgical fellowship, with an emphasis on lower extremity sports medicine and arthroscopy, at Palo Alto Medical Foundation in California. Criswell is board certified by the American Board of Podiatric Medicine. He sees patients at Saratoga Hospital Medical Offices – Wilton Mall. 

Last week, Saratoga Hospital was designated a Center of Excellence for Antimicrobial Stewardship, in recognition of its best practices in prescribing antimicrobials and fighting drug resistance. It is the first in the region—and one of 109 organizations nationwide—to earn this designation from the Infectious Diseases Society of America. 

Saratoga Hospital Saratoga Hospital recently completed a $5 million expansion of its central sterile processing department to accommodate significant growth in complex surgical procedures at the hospital and its Saratoga Surgery Center in Wilton.

The renovations increased the central sterile processing space by about 80% and added the latest disinfection and sterilization equipment.

Assemblywoman Woerner: Priorities For 2021 Legislative Session

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, D-Round Lake, announced priorities for this year’s legislative session, continuing her efforts to support upstate families, businesses and communities. 

“While it’s a relief to finally put 2020 behind us, we certainly have our work cut out for us in 2021,” Woerner said, in a statement.  “As we enter a new year and new legislative session, I’m ready to hit the ground running to help our families rebuild from the unprecedented challenges we’ve faced in the last year and move toward a brighter future. From investing in small businesses to strengthening upstate broadband access, I’ll continue fighting for policies that help our region and state move forward.” 

 Measures in the 2021 legislative session specified by Woerner include: require that insurance coverage payment for telehealth services are reimbursed at the same rate as in-person appointments to help expand access to health care in underserved, and especially rural, communities across the state (A.9667 of 2020); provide equitable and sufficient school funding, as well as help districts control costs by permanently granting the waiver for small group insurance plans at schools; invest in broadband infrastructure and improve broadband access statewide (A.8823 of 2020); strengthen the state’s food supply chain, especially meat production, to reduce our dependence on national and international sources; establish the Clean Fuels Program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the state’s transportation sector (A.5262-A of 2020); ensure family members of individuals with developmental disabilities have the assistance they need to continue supporting and caring for the individual throughout adulthood (A.6658 of 2020); authorize mobile sports betting and support the state’s equine industry to ensure its breeding and racing remains an industry leader; and stand with our military service members by allowing them to digitally request and complete an absentee ballot (A.8780 of 2020) and enhancing veterans’ STAR exemption for career military members.

Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park Photography Show Winners

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

WILTON — Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park announced the winners of its ninth annual Photography Show. 

This year’s Best In Show was awarded to Valerie Roof for her image “Incredible Indigo.” Scott Stoner won Best featuring the endangered Karner blue butterfly for his photograph, “Karner Blue on Flower.” This year’s winner for Best Animal Shot was Wayne Jones for his delightful “Male Hooded Merganser on Delegan Pond.” Best Nature in Autumn was won by Laura Sterling for her photograph “Into the Forest at Opdahl Farm.” Best featuring Conservation was “Meadow,” taken by Sarice Olson, and Ronald Harrower won Best Wildflower shot for “Daisies Galore.”

Best Nature in Winter was awarded to longtime volunteer Richard Pine for “After the Ice Storm” and Hannah Ashdown was the winner of the Best featuring under-13 category for the beautiful “Pileated Woodpecker Party.” Judge’s Choice was won by Michael Winnek for his photograph “Fiddleheads.”

Eric Avery, a previous year’s Best in Show winner helped to judge the entries. There were 67 photographs selected taken by 27 photographers. All photographs were taken at Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park and highlight the amazing beauty and diversity of the natural world that is right in our own community.

For more information, contact the Preserve & Park Office at 518-450-0321 or via email at info@wiltonpreserve.org. 

Donors Needed for Saratoga Casino Hotel Blood Drive Jan. 18

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga community is invited to be the lifeline patients need this winter by donating blood with the American Red Cross at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Monday, Jan. 18, Noon-6 p.m. at 342 Jefferson St.

The Red Cross and the NFL are partnering this January, during National Blood Donor Month, to urge individuals – especially those who have recovered from COVID-19 – to give blood and to help tackle the national convalescent plasma shortage. Those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma in January 2021 will automatically be entered for a chance to win a getaway to the 2022 Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles as well as a chance to win a Big Game at Home package, which includes a 65-inch television and $500 gift card toward food and fun so their household can enjoy an awesome viewing experience safely at home. Terms apply; visit RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl for more information.

Over the past decade, Saratoga Casino Hotel blood drives have collected 1,100 pints of blood.

“We are extremely proud to continue our commitment to the American Red Cross with our annual blood drive,” said Alex Tucker, General Manager at Saratoga Casino Hotel. “Our team members and community always respond with tremendous support, and that is needed now more than ever during such a critical time.”

To protect the health and safety of Red Cross staff and donors, individuals who do not feel well or who believe they may be ill with COVID-19 should postpone their donation. 

Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control including temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.

To schedule an appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter sponsor code SARATOGACASINO or call 1-800-REDCROSS.

If you have questions please contact American Red Cross: Abigail Adams, 914-649-5606, abigail.adams@redcross.org or Saratoga Casino Hotel: Amy Brannigan, 518-581-5721, abrannigan@saratogacasino.com

Teen Animal Ambassadors Program Offered by Saratoga County 4-H

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

BALLSTON SPA — Saratoga County 4-H announces a new teen program to provide youth with skills in sciences, language arts, and creative thinking, all aligning with different aspects of animal industries and sciences.

The organization seeks dedicated teens looking to advance in the animal science field.

Meetings will be held once a month with opportunities to learn from professionals in the field and work on projects. Animal Ambassadors will complete one project in the course of a year, individually, as well as work as a team to prepare and run animal shows at the Saratoga County Fair. 

This program is designed to prepare teens for higher education and careers in the animal industries.  Applications are due by February 1, and are available on our website: ccesaratoga.org/4-h/animal-ambassadors. 

This spring, Saratoga County 4-H will be offering other Animal Science programs in addition to Animal Ambassadors. For more information on programs such as: Incubation and Embryology, Canine Training, Agriculture in the Classroom, and other animal science clubs call 518-885-8995 or email the Animal Science Educator at bh548@cornell.edu

Saratoga-Wilton Elks Lodge Helps Veterans in Our Community

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Over the past six weeks Saratoga-Wilton Lodge #161 Veterans Committee has been busy shopping and delivering winter coats, hats, gloves, boots, and other personal clothing items for 25 Veterans in our community under the Chairmanship of John Safford.

Due to COVID-19, the Lodge was not able to hold the “STAND DOWN” for the Veterans as originally planned with the Elks National Foundation Freedom Grant. Instead, the Lodge had the Veterans fill out a “Wish List Form” to better accommodate their needs. During the deliveries, the Volunteers found five children of the Veteran’s families that were also in need of winter outerwear. They all received jackets, boots, hats and mittens as well.

With the $2,500 from the Freedom Grant, and the donation of hygiene kits, long underwear, socks, and sweatshirts from the American Red Cross, the Lodge was able to fulfill all the Veteran’s needs.

Special thanks to the ten volunteer members of Saratoga-Wilton Lodge #161 and John Safford who helped to make a difference in the lives of these Veterans and their families.

To learn more about the Elks National Foundation and what we do as Elks, please visit www.elks.org