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Author: Saratoga TODAY

Henry Johnson, Sr.

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

HenryJohnson

 

Saratoga Springs — Henry Johnson, Sr. passed away peacefully at his home in Saratoga Springs, NY at the age of 92 with his family by his side.  He was born to parents Vaner (Nuppa) and Ina Johnson, on 17 December 1928 in Barnstable, MA. He lived a very rich and full life. The son of immigrant Finnish cranberry farmers from Cape Cod; Henry worked his way through Engineering school at Northeastern University in Boston and became the first in his family to attend and complete college. He was also one of the first graduates of the prestigious Co-op Engineering Program at NU and landed a position with General Electric upon graduation. He had a very successful 35 year career with GE; ending with positions as Manager of Manufacturing in Schenectady, NY and Plant Manager in Portland, Maine. His greatest success with GE; however, came when he met the love of his life Alexandra who worked with him at the GE plant in Philadelphia, PA. 

After retirement, he was on loan from GE to the State of NY Corrections as a manufacturing consultant where he was instrumental in having the department turn a profit for the first time. Later he was appointed Commissioner of Corrections. 

Henry was an excellent athlete and enjoyed sports throughout his life. He was a prolific “knuckleball” pitcher as a youth in the Cape Cod baseball league. At GE; he was a cagey paddleball opponent for anyone willing to take him on. Henry became involved in the harness horse racing business starting in the 1960’s. He and wife Sandy enjoyed this together for over 40 years and travelled throughout the northeast following their “stable.” He and Sandy were active in all aspects of the sport they loved. Over the years Henry owned, bred, trained, and drove Standardbred horses. Henry thoroughly enjoyed the characters and camaraderie of the horse business and made many friends; most importantly his long-time trainer Sean Campbell and wife Carolyn.   

Henry had many interests which included boating, gardening, travel, and his family. He and Sandy were also diehard Boston Red Sox fans. They often stayed up together to the wee hours watching the game and rooting for the desired outcome. The tone of the next day sometime hinged on how the Sox fared the night before! 

Henry is survived by his wife of 52 years and true soulmate Alexandra who supported him through difficult times until his passing. He is also survived by his daughter Cheryl and three sons; Robley, Henry, Jr., (wife Patricia), and Peter (wife Becky). He also leaves two grandsons Jacob and Kyle (wife Tuanny), a granddaughter Stephanie (partner Jose) and a great grandson Dylan. In addition, Henry leaves numerous nieces and nephews and their families. 

Funeral services were held for Henry on Monday, May 3, 2021at Christ The Savior Orthodox Church, Ballston Lake, NY. Visitation took place the following day at Wareham Village Funeral Home, Wareham, MA. Burial took place in Agawam Cemetery.

Memorial donation can me bade in honor of Henry to Christ The Savior Church, PO Box 1393, Ballston Lake, NY 12019.

Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com.

The 1921 Trial of District Attorney Charles Andrus

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in History.

On May 11, 1921, Saratoga County District Attorney Charles Andrus stood before Justice Henry Borst at the courthouse in Ballston Spa for the start of a criminal trial. It must have been a strange feeling that day for Andrus because unlike countless other times before the court, this time the District Attorney was seated at the defendant’s table. He had been indicted on charges of neglect of duty, bribery, and corruption. His trial would be extraordinary on many levels.

To begin with, Andrus was being prosecuted by Special Deputy Attorney General Wyman Bascom, appointed by Governor Alfred Smith. Bascom was assisted by former New York State Senator and longtime republican power broker in Saratoga, Edgar T. Brackett. Brackett had once been the attorney for the “Prince of the Gamblers,” Richard Canfield. He was now firmly in the anti- gambling camp and a bitter political enemy of Andrus.

Andrus was defended by attorney William Fallon. Known as “The Great Mouthpiece,” Fallon specialized in obtaining acquittals for his clients (usually through bribing jurors) and was the attorney for the notorious gangster Arnold Rothstein.

Among the witnesses against Andrus were low-level gamblers and associates of Arnold Rothstein, Cornelius Fellows and Benny Russell who both were partners of Rothstein in the gambling at the Arrowhead Inn near Saratoga Lake.

Fellows and Russell, along with a local man named Jules Formel and a New York City gambler named John Ward were partners in a gambling venture with Rachel Brown at 210 South Broadway in Saratoga Springs in July 1919. After spending the summer of 1919 gambling in Saratoga Springs, Rachel Brown headed over to Chicago and got mixed up in the notorious “Black Sox” Scandal in which several Rothstein associates, including Brown, were indicted for trying to fix the World Series.

On July 27, 1919, the game at 210 South Broadway had been raided by police. The following afternoon, Rachel Brown and his friends made a trip to the police station and stole the evidence from one of the jail cells with the help of police sergeant Edward Carroll. Three weeks later, police raided another game on Circular Street and seized back some of the evidence that had been stolen from them. Within six months, Sergeant Carroll was promoted to Chief of Police. All this prompted Governor Smith to appoint Bascom and his investigation led to the charges against Andrus who was apparently mixed up with the gamblers at 210 South Broadway.

During the trial of District Attorney Andrus, John Ward testified that he, Formel, and Russell had met with Andrus in the spring of 1919 and had received approval from the District Attorney to open up. He further stated that Andrus had been paid over $2500 in protection money for the gambling at 210 South Broadway during the summer of 1919 before the raids put an end to the operation.

Wyman Bascom attempted to introduce a ledger into evidence that showed the payoff for one night’s gambling at 210 South Broadway. Ward did not need the paper to explain the payoff system. The top line showed that twenty-five percent of the night’s take was to be given to “The Boss.” The remaining split of the profits was; thirty-three percent each to himself and Formel, fifteen percent to Rachel Brown, twelve percent to Russell and seven percent to Fellows.

Other witnesses testified that Andrus was upset that Formel had made $3800 in payoffs but still owed $4000 and therefore had orchestrated the raids in 1919 and that Brown once held up $4300 and yelled “This is for the District Attorney!” in a crowded gambling den. Andrus had negotiated a settlement between Russell and Formel when Russell backed out of the plan, and open gambling had been allowed by the District Attorney in no less than fifteen places throughout the city, including one practically next door to Andrus’ office on Broadway.

Andrus never took the stand to deny the specific allegations and his lawyers never bothered to deny them either. Rather, the defense merely claimed that it was the job of the police to make arrests, not the District Attorney, and that the whole investigation was politically motivated.

Despite all the evidence to the contrary, the jury returned the verdict on May 17, 1921. By a vote of 11-1, NOT GUILTY!

In response to the good news, some of Andrus’ supporters rioted in celebration. Racing up and down Broadway, pulling fire alarms, vandalizing the porches of citizens who supported the prosecution, and lighting a fire on the front lawn of Senator Brackett while breaking out the windows of his home. In true Saratoga fashion, seven months after his acquittal, Charles Andrus was re-elected to the office of District Attorney for Saratoga County.

Memoir of A Music Shop Owner: Saratoga Shop Owner Pens Story-Filled Memoir of the Shape of the Sounds Heard Around The World

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Walk past the shop on Phila Street that stands nestled alongside Hattie’s Restaurant and just beneath the legendary performance stage that is Caffe Lena. Here, standing behind the stenciled glass front windows of the woodwind shop that bears his name, there’s a good chance you will find Billy Cole, continuing to do the work just as he has over the past several decades. 

What Cole does is he restores wind instruments. Over the past 40-plus years, he figures he has worked on more than 50,000 of them, from the repair of the instruments of teenagers learning their craft in school orchestras, to the sonic sculpting of the musical tools heard atop some of the world’s grandest stages. Many of the stories are shared in his new book, “With The Band: Memoir of a music shop owner.” 

Cole opened his first shop in 1977. Today, he writes, “I could never comprehend what a wonderful life I would lead when I started out so many years ago.” 

The stories of his tune-filled life date to his earliest days – forging a long-lasting relationship with musician Nick Brignola that was initiated with the repair of a baritone sax, to an insider’s detail of friendships and alliances that includes a community of legendary Woodstock musicians, orchestra members playing with the New York City Ballet and the Philadelphia Orchestra, to Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson and an assortment of traveling luminaries who have graced the Saratoga Performing Arts stage.     

He recognized the importance of the work early on. “Pitch, resonance, and sometimes intentional resistance could be shaped within an instrument to enable the artists to express the emotion in their music,” he writes in a 423-page memoir, accompanied by images and poignant glimpses of his family life, “with the help of my lifelong love and confidant Mary Alice, we have raised our family along with our little shop.” 

After decades in the business, Cole eventually set-up shop in Saratoga Springs in 2004 to, first in a space overlooking Broadway then on to Phila Street, where Cole’s Woodwind Shop is presently located, and regional readers of his memoir will recognize many local names among the stories that shaped the life of this music shop owner.

Billy Cole, “With The Band: Memoir of a Music Shop Owner,” published by Shires Press, available at Northshire Bookstore Saratoga on Broadway, and online via northshire.com. 

New Home for Children’s Museum

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — After a 20-year-run on Caroline Street, the Children’s Museum at Saratoga will relocate to the Lincoln Bathhouse. 

“We moved here 20 years ago and have invested a lot of time and effort into maintaining the structure, so it’s a really well-taken-care-of building. We’re hoping to be able to use whatever monies comes from the proceeds of the sale to be re-invested in this next project,” said Sarah Smith, executive director at the Children’s Museum at Saratoga. 

The current building is located at 69 Caroline Street. Roohan Realty lists the 8,615 square-foot building and 25-vehicle adjacent parking lot as for sale at $2.25 million. 

The new location will be situated on two floors in the rear of the Lincoln Bathhouse. 

“We estimate construction will begin in August. We signed on with Bonacio Construction to do the work and right now our architect is finalizing the drawings,” Smith said. “It should take about one year so we’re hoping to open in May 2022.” 

The current museum location will remain open. Should the building be sold prior to the construction of the museum’s new location, programs may temporarily be held at local venues where partnerships have already been arranged, she said. 

Skidmore College: Controversy Continues

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — YAL backs ADF’s decision to take legal action against Skidmore College after denying student Hannah Davis to form a chapter of the organization on campus earlier this spring.

The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) sent a demand letter to Skidmore College last Friday (May 7), threatening litigation against the college if they do not immediately recognize Davis’s Young Americans for Liberty (YAL) chapter to assemble. 

ADF’s Center for Academic Freedom is a legal team dedicated to protecting students’ freedoms of speech and association. YAL is the nation’s most active libertarian youth organization, with nearly 5,200 members at more than 400 colleges and universities across the country. In response to ADF taking legal action, YAL is officially speaking out in support of Davis and ADF. 

“It’s a shame that Skidmore College has chosen to sacrifice the values of truth, civil discourse, and real tolerance in the name of social justice,” YAL’s Chief of Staff, Sean Themea, said in a statement. “YAL stands with Hannah Davis, applauding this swift legal action from Alliance Defending Freedom to uphold her right to speak freely.”

ADF’s demand letter addresses Skidmore College President, Marc C. Conner, and begins as follows: 

“We represent Hannah Davis and Young Americans for Liberty, a student organization that seeks official recognition from your College…Your College promises every student robust freedom of speech and freedom to associate and form organizations on campus. But you have denied Ms. Davis the ability to form a YAL chapter because the student government labels YAL as a hate group. This is false and is quintessential viewpoint discrimination that violates Skidmore’s promises to its students. We urge you to rectify this decision immediately to avoid unnecessary litigation.”

The letter continues on, addressing how the college’s policies and promises to protect students’ First Amendment rights, as listed in the college’s Student Bill of Rights and the SGA Constitution have been violated.  The letter also details the hostility that Davis has experienced from fellow peers. ADF states that by refusing to allow the chapter, the college is “engaging in deceptive trade practices and false advertising under the New York Consumer Protection Act.” 

Saratoga TODAY reached out to Skidmore College for a comment. The college responded that, at this time, they do not have anything to share regarding the letter. 

ADF has given the college a deadline of May 21, 2021 to allow Davis to form her student chapter before legal action is taken. 

Providing Cover: New Roof for Local Veteran as Part of Roof Deployment Project

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — A crew of workers descended this week upon the city’s east side, where U.S. Navy veteran Leslie Carroll received a new roof as part of the Owens Corning Roof Deployment Project. The collaborative effort included Pinnacle Roofing, Glens Falls Habitat for Humanity, and Owens Corning. 

“We appreciate what the veterans do for the country, so we like to help out and try to pay them back,” said Jeff Patrick, co-owner of Pinnacle Roofing, a Schenectady-based company that has been taking care of roofs for residential homes and commercial buildings in the Capital Region and Southern Vermont for over 15 years. 

The project was established in 2016 by Owens Corning Roofing and its network of independent roofing Platinum Contractors to identify, honor and help protect veterans by installing new roofs. In its first year, 23 roofs were installed for military families across 14 states. To date, more than 250 military members have received new roofs.

Carroll was selected and approved as the recipient for the roof replacement. “This is our second one this year. We did one earlier this year in Corinth for another veteran up there, and we do several a year usually,” Patrick said. 

A team of 10 worked to remove the existing roof as well as some plywood due to roof leakage. The work was anticipated to be completed in less than two days. 

Owens Corning – which develops, manufactures and markets insulation, roofing and fiberglass composites – runs the Roof Deployment Project. The company donated roofing materials and Pinnacle Roofing donating the labor. The Saratoga Springs project would have cost about $10,000 to $12,000, Patrick said. 

For more information on the Roof Deployment Project, or to learn more about getting involved, email roofdeployment@owenscorning.com.   

Washington County Fair: Tons of Fun in ‘21

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.

GREENWICH — The Washington County Fairground is opening the grounds and welcoming the community back to Old Schuylerville Road. This year they are bringing back some old favorites as well as new events to the community after a year of virtual communication.

Food Truck Fridays kick off Friday, May 7 with local band Kelly & Son. Food Truck Fridays will continue every Friday through the end of July. 

This spring will also host a delayed celebration of the newly completed Horse Arena with arena lighting made possible by the Glens Falls Foundation in 2020. To celebrate the arena’s completion, the Fairground will be hosting new equine events throughout the 2021 season. 

In conjunction with Food Truck Fridays, the second Friday of the month will star Gymkhana Under the Light, a Gymkhana series for all ages. 

On Sunday, May 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. will be the Horse Tack Swap Meet. Admission to the event is a pet food item for the Comfort Food Pantry. Throughout the day, enjoy demonstrations by the Draft Horse Club and The Tri-County Liberty Club.

These are just a few events coming to the Washington County Fairgrounds in 2021. For more details and information visit washingtoncountyfairgrounds.com

Saratoga Varsity Boys’ Lacrosse Season Opener

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.

DELMAR — Saratoga Springs Varsity Boys’ Lacrosse Team started their season against Bethlehem this past Tuesday. In a close away game for Saratoga, Bethlehem came away with the win, 11-8. 

For Saratoga, Thomas Bobear had 2 goals, Huck Patton had 3 goals and 2 assists, and Robby Fox had 1 goal and 5 assists. Will Kiernan and Graham Corcoran also scored 1 goal each 

For Bethlehem, Ben Cardinal had 2 goals and an assist, Tyler Richards had 4 goals and an assist, and Jackson Carrol had 1 goal and 2 assists. Jack Lucey and Greg Sanchez both recorded 1 goal and 1 assist. Nate Hussar and Jones Dane also scored 1 goal each. 

In goal for Saratoga, Owen Leary had 4 saves, allowing 7 goals, and Ian Whitcomb had 6 saves, allowing 4 goals. 

In goal for Bethlehem, Colin Novak had 6 saves and allowed 8 goals. 

Saratoga was originally scheduled to start off their season with a home game against Shaker, but that game has now been moved to June 4. 

American Pharoah, Todd Pletcher, and Jack Fisher Elected to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Triple Crown winner American Pharoah (KY), seven-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Todd Pletcher, and 13-time champion steeplechase trainer Jack Fisher comprise the National Museum of Racing’s 2021 Hall of Fame class. American Pharoah and Pletcher were elected in the contemporary category in their first year of eligibility, and Fisher was chosen by the Museum’s Steeplechase Review Committee, which meets once every four years. 

The class of 2021 will be enshrined along with the 2020 inductees – trainer Mark Casse, jockey Darrel McHargue, horses Tom Bowling and Wise Dan, and Pillars of the Turf Alice Headley Chandler, J. Keene Daingerfield, Jr., and George D. Widener, Jr. – on Friday, Aug 6., at the Fasig-Tipton sales pavilion in Saratoga Springs at 10:30 a.m. The ceremony will be broadcast live on the Museum website at www.racingmuseum.org. An announcement regarding public attendance at the ceremony will be made at a later date. 

For more information about the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, please visit www.racingmuseum.org.

Schuylerville Varsity Soccer Ends the Season with a Win

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.

SCHUYLERVILLE — Gloversville visited Schuylerville for the final game of the Fall 2 season. Schuylerville opened up the scoring 7 minutes in when Liam Armstrong sent a cross that Matt Stampfli finished for the early lead. The Horses would create some opportunities, but it was Gloversville who would find the equalizer when Doug Cook found the back of the net with 10 minutes remaining in the half. The second half was much like the first half, as Schuylerville’s Reid Rockhill sent a ball across the middle and Sam Tyler placed it past the keeper for a 2-1 lead. Schuylerville would see it out and come away with the 2-1 win. Both teams played a clean, great soccer game. Griffin Brophy had 2 saves for the Horses, and Justin Kemmet had 10 saves for Gloversville. The Horses saw 5 seniors play their last game and will be greatly missed – Cam Wian, Garrett Hutchinson, Troy Soriano, Matt Stampfli, and Nick O’Leary.