Skip to main content

Author: Saratoga TODAY

April 23 – April 29, 2021

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Local Briefs.

Brown Bread & Bake Sale 
Simpson United Methodist Church, 1089 Rock City Road, Rock City Falls (.4 mi south of Route 29) is hosting their famous Steamed Brown Bread and Bake Sale in time for Mother’s Day. Brown bread is a delicious, rich, and hearty treat loaded with molasses and raisins, that is steamed in coffee cans over a water bath. It freezes well and keeps great in the fridge. Place your order by calling 518-885-4794 before Monday, April 26, leaving your name, phone number and desired number of loaves ($6.50 each). Pick up dates are Friday May 7, from 4 – 6 p.m., and Saturday, May 8, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. with a bake sale during Saturday’s pickup. Any questions please call 518-885-4794.

Fly Casting Clinic
The Capital District Fly Fishers will be holding its annual Fly-Casting Clinic, Saturday May 1 at the Town of Halfmoon Park, with a rain date of Sunday, May 2. The park is located at 162 Rte. 236, Halfmoon, NY 12065. The clinic runs from 10 a.m. – 12 noon. Come learn to cast or get help to improve your casting skills. If you have a rod, bring it. If you do not one will be provided. There is a $20 fee to cover cost. For information: about the fly-casting clinic contact Rodney Priddle 518-421-6762, Paul at 518-885-8257 or cdflyfishers@nycap.rr.com. All Participants must wear a mask and have eye protection. To register send an e-mail to RodneyPriddle@gmail.com. Please include name(s), phone number, if you are an experienced caster or new to fly casting.

Horse Tack Swap Meet 
To celebrate the completion of the new Horse Arena, the Washington County Fairgrounds will be kicking off the 2021 season with a Horse Tack Swap Meet on Saturday, May 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Washington County Fairgrounds. Businesses and Non-Profits with equine-related business and services are welcome to apply for booth space as well. Booth Spaces are $10. for a 10×10 booth – set up a table or bring your horse trailer or truck to display your items for sale. Booth signs ups are available on the Washington County Fairground website or by calling the Fairgrounds at 518-692-2464. Throughout the day equine demonstrations on equine care and equine-related events presented by the Washington County Draft Animal Association and the Tri-State Liberty Club will be happening throughout the grounds. 

Bird Walk at Dionondehowa 
On Saturday, May 8 – World Migratory Bird Day – from 9 a.m. to Noon, Dionondehowa will offer its annual Bird Walk guided by bird enthusiast Nat Parke. Due to Covid protocols, registration is required at 518-854-7764 or dionondehowa@yahoo.com. Attention will be paid to distancing and masks are required. A donation is requested. Dionondehowa Wildlife Sanctuary & School is a nonprofit forever-wild land trust located near Shushan, NY, and bordering the Battenkill. The 2021 Newsletter can be found at www.dionondehowa.org.

Donations Wanted for Fundraiser Yard sale
The sale will take place on June 4, 5, & 6, from 9a.m. – 4 p.m. at Gateway House of Peace, located at 479 Rowland St., Ballston Spa. Items wanted: Household items, jewelry, toys, furniture, tools, etc. Donations can be dropped off May 1-June 1. Please call Elaine 518-587-5109 to set up donation drop off. All proceeds go to Gateway House of Peace. Gateway House is a donor driven End of life home that cares for local resident & families during loved one’s final days.

Perennial Plant and Garage Sale
The Southern Saratoga Garden Club will hold its annual perennial plant and garage sale on Friday, June 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event will be held in conjunction with the Sherwood Forest Neighborhood Garage Sale and will be located at 8 Berkshire Dr., Clifton Park. A wide selection of shade and sun perennials will be available, including a variety of specimen Hosta. In addition, experienced gardeners will be on hand to assist you in choosing plants suitable to your garden. Miscellaneous garden art and other garage sale items will also be on sale. Proceeds from the sale will fund the club’s scholarship to a graduating Shenendehowa student entering a horticultural-related field, the Wiawaka Center for Women in Lake George, and The Nature Conservancy. Masks and social distancing will be required. 

Craft Fair at Brookside
The Saratoga County History Center is thrilled to announce a county-wide craft fair. The family-friendly free event will be held at beautiful Brookside Museum, located at 6 Charlton St., Ballston Spa on Saturday, June 5 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Guests will be able to shop a wide variety of locally handcrafted collectibles, antiques, and farm products. Moreover, the event is juried, and vendors will be judged on their originality, creativity, and craftsmanship. No mass-produced or commercially made items will be permitted. Thus, this is a terrific opportunity for New Yorkers to sample and appreciate the best of upstate artisans, farmers, and culinarians. The event is free and open to the public and will be held rain or shine. For more information, visit www.brooksidemuseum.org. 

Saratoga Springs Youth Ballet Program
Saratoga Springs Youth Ballet will be holding a Young Children’s Summer Program for students ages 4 to 7 years old. The program will run two weeks July 12-16 and July 19- 23 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Each day will follow a different ballet theme and it will include a ballet lesson, crafts, stories, and related activities! We are located at 418 Geyser Rd. Suite 5, Ballston Spa. The program is in person and class size is limited. We will be following all CDC, state, and local Covid-19 prevention guidelines. Cost $200 for a week, $380 for two weeks. For more information and registration please visit www.saratogaspringsyouthballet.org or call 518-306-4037. 

April 17 – April 23, 2021

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Police Blotter.

COURT

Tyler J. Gaston, 26, of Clifton Park, pleaded April 14 to two counts sexual abuse in the first-degree, in connection with two incidents that occurred in Saratoga Springs and in Malta, respectively, last year. Gaston was charged in Saratoga Springs Oct. 2, 2020 with sexual abuse in the first-degree and assault in the second-degree, both felonies, and unlawful imprisonment in the second-degree, a misdemeanor, in connection with the Sept. 23 incident. On that date, officers from the Saratoga Springs Police Department were sent to the Maplewood Cemetery, at the intersection of Weibel Avenue and Louden Road, in response to a call from a 22-year-old woman who reported that she had been attacked by an unknown male while walking through the cemetery. During the incident, the victim was subject to sexual contact through forcible compulsion, according to police. She had also suffered minor physical injury but did not require emergency medical treatment. On Saturday, Sept. 26, the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office charged Gaston while investigating a similar incident in the Town of Malta. Investigators from the Sheriff’s Office were already aware of the open case in Saratoga Springs and contacted investigators from the Saratoga Springs Police Department. Sentencing is scheduled at Saratoga County Court on June 16. 

Robert Salisbury, Jr., 32, of Schenectady, was sentenced April 15 to 1 year in jail, after pleading to felony DWI, in Ballston. 

Daniel R. Deere, 49, of Gansevoort, pleaded April 15 to felony robbery, in connection with an incident in Wilton. Sentencing June 24. 

Bryan E. Gailor, 42, of Ballston Spa, was sentenced April 12 to 3-1/2 years in state prison, after pleading to attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance in connection with an incident in Malta. 

Shamika Penn, 30, of Buffalo, pleaded April 13 to felony grand larceny, in connection with an incident in Moreau. Sentencing June 15.

POLICE

Regina Wilson, 51, and Keith Wilson, 51, both of Saratoga Springs, were each charged April 13 with torturing or injuring animals/failure to provide sustenance, a misdemeanor. 

James Bernardoni, 50, of Green Island, was charged April 12 in Saratoga Springs with failure to pay service, a misdemeanor.

Felix Omoruyi, 34, of Desoto, TX, was charged April 16 in Saratoga Springs with criminal contempt, a misdemeanor. 

Michelle L. Iorio, 32, of Moreau, was charged April 15 with arson in the third degree – a felony, following an investigation into a fire in a residence in the Town of Moreau. Iorio is accused of intentionally lighting a fire inside her residence after having a dispute with other occupants of the household earlier in the day, according to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Department. At the time of the fire, she was the only occupant of the house, and no one was injured in the fire. 

Brendan F. Mitchell, AKA: “Dred,” 31, was charged April 15 with six felony counts criminal possession of a controlled substance, and one felony count criminal sale of a controlled substance. Mitchell is accused of distributing quantities of cocaine, crack cocaine and heroin throughout Saratoga County. 

Glen Riches, 32, of Saratoga Springs, was charged April 9 with unlawful imprisonment -a felony, and criminal obstruction of breathing, a misdemeanor. 

Joseph Deschenes, 50, of Saratoga Springs, was charged April 9 with criminal trespass as a misdemeanor. 

Heather Jurczak, 47, of Waterville, was charged April 8 in Saratoga Springs with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and failure to keep right. 

Derrick Finnegan, 22, of Queensbury, was charged April 9 in Saratoga Springs with felony DWI as a second offense within 10 years, felony aggravated DWI, felony unlicensed operation, the misdemeanors: reckless driving, obstruct governmental administration, resisting arrest, as well as speeding, improper passing, and failure to obey police officer. 

Karen Sitterly, 52, of Niskayuna, was charged April 9 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor assault, and felony vehicular assault. 

Erin Haegele, 34, of Saratoga Springs, was charged April 8 with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor
vehicle, and a vehicle equipment violation. 

Michael Bohm, 31, of Saratoga Springs, was charged April 11 with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and operating a motor vehicle without an inspection certificate.

Nathan Shreve, 41, of Saratoga Springs, was charged April 11 with criminal contempt in the second-degree, a misdemeanor. 

Russell Duffney, 54, of Saratoga Springs, was charged April 11 with two misdemeanor counts of petit larceny. 

Summer Pickleball League

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs Recreation Department’s Pickleball League is moving outside for the summer. 

All levels are welcome to participate, although there is limited space for Beginners. The league is 18+, and will play at East Side Rec on Wednesdays, 5:45–8:15 p.m., starting May 5 to June 23.

Early registration for city residents is open through Monday, April 26. Early registration for non-city residents is Monday, April 19 – Monday, April 26. Fees through April 26 are $45 for city residents and $65 for non-city residents. Fees after April 26 are $70 for city residents and $90 for non-city residents. 

The Pickleball League will follow a ladder-style system where players participate in a round robin with others of similar skill in a recreational setting. Players will need a mask, paddle, water, and sneakers. 

Register online at www.SaratogaRec.com or email questions to recreservations@saratoga-springs.org. Volunteer Coordinator is Larry Rose.

Sean Hudson: Athlete of the Week

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.

Congrats to this week’s Athlete of the Week – Sean Hudson!

Sean is a senior at Saratoga Springs High School. He is currently a quarterback and free safety on the Saratoga Springs Varsity Football Team. He had an outstanding game against Bethlehem this season. He threw for 5 touchdowns, rushed for 193 yards, and ran in another touchdown. He kicked 5 extra points and finished the game 11/16 for 231 yards. 

Sean also plays baseball for Saratoga Springs High School, and is primarily an outfielder. He also played summer ball on the Saratoga Lightning and Capital Renegades travel teams.

Academically, Sean has been on the High Honor Roll all semesters of high school. He has been accepted and will attend the University of Maryland in the Fall.

Berliner, Keeve, & Stout Named to Pan Am Judo Team

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.

GLENVILLE — Ari Berliner (22), Nate Keeve (25), and Nicole Stout (23) from the Glenville, NY based Jason Morris Judo Center (JMJC) have earned spots on USA Judo’s Pan American Championship team that will compete in Guadalajara, Mexico, April 16-17, 2021. The Pan Ams is an Olympic qualifying event where the results are weighed equally to winning a tour event. Berliner, who will compete at 66kg, will be going to his first Pan Ams. Keeve, whose father Damon was a 1992 and 1996 Olympian, will be headed to his third Pan Ams. Stout will also be competing in her third Pan Am Championship. The JMJC has now put a total of 44 athletes on the Pan Am Judo team in a remarkable run over its 20 years of operation. 

Saratoga Race Course To Open For Training on Saturday, April 17; Oklahoma to Re-open in May

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Race Course will open for spring training at 6 a.m. on Saturday, April 17. The barn area at the Oklahoma Training Track will open to horsemen on Thursday, April 15.

To accommodate the completion of a major renovation of the Oklahoma Training Track facility, training will begin on the main track at Saratoga Race Course, according to a statement issued by the New York Racing Association. 

When training resumes at the Oklahoma in early May, horses and riders will be met with a completely reconstructed track featuring a limestone base, renovated surface layer and modernized drainage systems. In addition, the training track has been widened by 10-14 feet in most areas to address the increasing population of horses training over the Oklahoma annually from April-October. 

Additionally, to enhance safety for exercise riders and jockeys, the inner rail at the Oklahoma has been replaced with a rider protection system designed by Horsemen’s Track and Equipment. The renovation of the Oklahoma Training Track was modeled after the work that was done to the Saratoga main track in 2020, which involved general improvements to the base and surface of the track, as well as a complete overhaul of the drainage system and installation of a new rider safety rail. 

In consultation with the New York State Gaming Commission as well as state and local public health officials, NYRA will maintain a number of health and safety protocols implemented at all NYRA properties to mitigate the potential spread of COVID-19 and reduce risk for employees, horsemen, backstretch workers and the community. Facial coverings and social distancing are mandatory at all times at Saratoga Race Course. 

Beginning on April 17, personnel working in support of training activities must provide a negative COVID-19 test or proof of full vaccination in order to access the property. This applies to both local personnel as well as those arriving from other regions. All personnel will be subject to a daily temperature check prior to entering the property.

The 40-day summer meet at historic Saratoga Race Course will open on Thursday, July 15. New York State COVID-19 protocols do not currently allow for spectators at racetracks. NYRA says is is working closely with New York State to secure the requisite approvals to welcome fans back to Belmont Park this spring and to Saratoga Race Course this summer.

OklahomaRaceCourseSSM

Photo: Work continues at Oklahoma Training Track earlier this month. Photo by SuperSource Media. 

Lake George Area Attraction Prepares for More Adventure

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.

Bolton Landing — Adirondack Extreme Adventure Course announced the addition of its “Low Rider Zip Tour,” an introductory zipline course designed for first-time, novice zipline adventurers as well as seasoned obstacle course veterans consisting of 12 ziplines and 9 walking bridges. “The difference between our zipline-only course and other traditional zip tours is its proximity to the ground,” said Adirondack Extreme Owner, Jamie Johnson. “It’s a low-level zipline tour multi-generational families can enjoy together.” Each of the ziplines in the “Low Rider Zip Tour” will be 75 to 550 feet in length and traverse over naturally occurring, picturesque landscape features such as Alder Brook. Adirondack Extreme’s 8 other adventure courses offer an additional 22 ziplines as part of an ensemble of obstacles and range in heights of 15 to 65 feet. Johnson said, ‘Low Rider Zip Tour’ guests will be zipping closer to the water and forest floor with maximum zipline heights of 10-30 ft.”

According to operations manager Jaime Delong, the “Low Rider Zip Tour” will be offered as a stand-alone tour for $48 as well as an add-on for as little as $10. Guests aged 9 and up who meet the reach requirement will have a chance to experience the “Low Rider Zip Tour” when it is debuted on April 17, 2021. “We always get a lot of people asking about our opening date each year,” Delong said, Adirondack Extreme officially opens for its 15th anniversary season on Saturday, April 10. 

Pro tip: If you’re afraid of heights, the “Low Rider Zip Tour” will quench your thirst for adventure without the threat of being too far off the ground. 

There will also be packages including parts of our adventure courses combined with the “Low Rider Zip Tour” available for general admission as well as groups: Adirondack Extreme hosts birthday parties, field trips, and corporate events — Johnson said, “after all, there’s nothing like the thrill of a treetop experience to re-connect and foster the togetherness we now hold so valuable.”

Note: if this has you wanting to spend every day here: Adirondack Extreme Adventure Course is hiring. The course is looking to fill seasonal positions. If you are interested, DeLong recommends you apply at www.adirondackextreme.com/employment

Where the Music Never Died

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — It wasn’t prompted by a premonition of a global shutdown of live music due to a deadly pandemic, but the fact that the timely, existential refurb of the venerable Caffè Lena included a better-than-needed(?) audio upgrade and multi-camera video installation was, nonetheless, prophetic. 

At this writing, fourteen months from the onset, we’re not out of the woods, but we have started to let small, pre-screened patrons into the rarified air, (literally), that has, even in the throes of COVID-19, continuously echoed with live music for more than 60 years.  The streaming, the suddenly commonplace connection that allowed our gregarious nature to find digital refuge, will continue. 

Purists may argue that the experience, the visceral, touchy/feely, sing-along, chocolate chip, in-person version is diminished by being teased out over the internet.  I prefer to think that the two, very unique, experiences form a complimentary new hybrid. 

Being physically present has layers of sensory stimuli that we are still unable to produce remotely; the natural sound, of course and the aromas and the lights, the clamor and the camaraderie, the exchange of energy between audience and performer, the afterglow and the merch… did I mention the cookies?  But the music, the words, the melody and harmony, the pluck of a string and beat of a drum, the poetic truth that stirs our souls and imaginations and taps our toes cannot complete its journey from thought to pen to paper until its performance reaches some ears, and the more ears, the better. 

From coast to coast, Canada to South America, Europe, Asia and Africa, Caffè Lena’s concert streams are broadening the outreach of the venue’s dedication to the art while expanding the fan base of some of the world’s finest musicians.  And…in a more perfect world…when it’s safe, perhaps some of those new, streamer fans in Brazil or Senegal or Kuala Lumpur will find their way to Phila St.  We have cookies.

Joel Moss is a Grammy Award-winning record producer, Saratoga Springs resident and the Caffè Lena streaming producer and archivist.