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Author: Saratoga TODAY

Car Parade of Gratitude Staged at Wesley

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Caregivers, volunteers and Alzheimer’s Association staff members showcased decorated vehicles and colorful signs in support the of staff at The Wesley Community during a “hooray for our heroes” car parade on May 21, 2020. 

The Alzheimer’s Association, Northeastern New York arranged the car parade in recognition of nurses and staff during the stay-at-home order. 

Individuals living in nursing homes and senior living facilities are extremely vulnerable to COVID-19 due to the community nature of these settings. In addition, the large majority of individuals living in these settings are older with underlying chronic conditions that put them at higher risk for COVID-19. Yet during these challenging and frequently heartbreaking times, nurses at these facilities have stepped up in the face of this pandemic.

The Wesley Community hosts a caregiver support group for the Alzheimer’s Association and is one of the top fundraisers for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Queensbury.

Property Transactions: May 23 – May 29, 2020

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Property Transactions.

 

BALLSTON SPA

101 Scotch Bush Rd., $245,000.
Ajmal Khosbin sold property to Ryan Foster.

43 Kasey Pass, Unit 43, $253,279.
Brookview Court Inc./ Pigliavento Builders DBA sold property to Joanne Mare.

160 East High St., $210,820.
Ashley Gardner sold property to Charlotte Bailey.

1451 Saratoga Rd., $165,000.
Cheryl and Donald Stevenson, Sr. sold property to Briscoe Property Ventures LLC. 

CLIFTON PARK

17 Trice Dr., $264,000.
David Edwards sold property to John Turner.

15 Cheviot Court, $410,000.
Christian and Suzy Ballantyne sold property to Dennis Walpole.

8 Wall Street, Unit 414, $174,000.
Clifton Park Senior Living LLC sold property to Linda Balenski.

998 Hatlee Rd., $410,000.
Mark Johnson (by Atty) and Kevin Johnson (Ind and as Atty) sold property to Lisa Carey and Lawrence Sweet.

92 Gloucester St., $310,000.
Julie Parsons sold property to Steven and Sarah Metz. 

27 Denhelder Dr., $440,000.
Sharon Tennant sold property to Manuel and Tracy Santos.

18 Stratford Dr., $335,000.
Susan Rosko Fogarty sold property to Alexandra and Joseph Penrose, III. 

1 Kain Terrace, $322,500.
Joan Ostrow sold property to Heidi Leblanc Cooper and Craig Cooper.

CORINTH

43 Gabriel Rd., $95,000.
James Hamm sold property to Damon Anderson.

GALWAY

2333 Hermance Rd., $200,000.
Geoffrey and Amy Bullock sold property to Joseph Medick.

HALFMOON

23 Hidden Farm Lane, $470,000.
Daniel and Margaret McNamara sold property to John and Dena Rich.

42 Stone Crest Dr., $405,000.
Anthony and Lisa Ditroia sold property to Eric and Ashley Soroka.

20 Whitney Dr., $383,500.
John and Joyce Miller sold property to Edward and Mary Ellen Gasparovic.

8C Macoun Dr., $290,880.
Malta Land Company LLC sold property to Elmerinda and Luigi Fabbri.

608 Hudson River Rd., $167,500.
Robert and Marjorie Gordon sold property to Hansons Halfmoon MHC LLC. 

13 Dormie Ave., $340,000.
Anthony Zimdars sold property to Rebecca Ross and Matthew Dailey. 

56 Cooks Court, $229,500.
Matthew Roberts sold property to Marjorie Russell.

2 New Netherland Way, $282,500.
Kyle Parker and Erika Thompson sold property to Ariel Tucci. 

MALTA

43 Vettura Court, $85,000.
Lecmor Residential LLC sold property to DeGraff Bloom Custom Builders Inc. 

426 Route 67, $252,350.
Sharon Sweeney sold property to Jaclyn Shyptycki and Bryce Bachus.

339 Brownell Rd., $475,000.
David Bardsley (Ind and as Trustee) and Roseanne Bardsley (Ind and as Trustee) sold property to Donald and Angela Kinne.

18 Ordelia Lane, $345,290.
Farone Amedore LLC sold property to Sunny Ra.

7 Maiden Circle, $405,000.
Melissa Manzer and Linda Larsen sold propertyto Cerri Banks.

MOREAU

27 Grand Blvd., $169,500.
Secretary of Veterans Affairs sold property to Shannell Smith.

TOWN OF SARATOGA

3 Ranger Rd., $174,900.
Ryan and Jami Walker sold property to Monica Barton and Matthew McNally. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS

180 Old Schuylerville Rd., $755,000.
BGRS LLC sold property to Courtney and Kristian Rhein. 

21 Conver Dr., $465,000. 
Mark and Sandra Beaubriand sold property to Arthur Gallagher, Jr.

122 Hathorn Blvd., $162,968.
Richard Lofink (by Exec sold property to John and Tracey Bucher.

36 Friar Tuck Way, $420,000.
Lois Celeste sold property to Jordan and Melissa Daviero. 

7 Deerleap Place, $258,000.
Steven Floch sold property to David Knittel.

STILLWATER

9 Grace Moore Rd., $100,000.
CSB Service Corp. sold property to Michael and Crystal Peculis.

WATERFORD

61 Saratoga Ave. $115,000.
Lisa and Mark Ricci sold property to ET Waterford Properties LLC. 

WILTON

6 West Lane, $140,000.
Kenneth West sold property to Rachel and Chase Martindale. 

3 Parnil Dr., $249,900.
Ralph Salem, Jr. and Cynthia Mosscrop sold property to KC Bianco. 

9 Licardo Lane, $379,000.
Daniel Russell sold property to Mark and Marissa Russell. 

49 Davidson Dr., $125,000.
Roberta McGee (by Atty) sold property to Erika and Herman Brunelle, Jr.

Alternate Projects Planned to Replace Cancelled Beekman Street Art Fair

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The 8th annual Beekman Street Art Fair (BSAF) scheduled for Sunday, June 14, 2020 has been cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, fair goers will still get to browse and purchase a variety of fine art and craft. 

The Fair is coordinated by members of the non-profit Saratoga Springs Arts District Inc.  Project managers are working with grantor Saratoga Arts to use the funds awarded for the fair on some alternate events later in the summer that will follow city and state guidelines for public safety.

The first event planned is an online auction featuring the work of artists who would have participated in this year’s fair.  The auction goes live on June 7 and runs for two weeks. It may be accessed through the Beekman Street Arts District website at SaratogaArtDistrict.com.   

The project team is also planning to host three late summer Second Sunday Pop-Up Art events on the lawns, porches, and interiors of the Arts District shops. If deemed safe to do so, these would be held on the second Sundays of each month – July 12, Aug. 9, and Sept. 13.

“When we realized it would be unlikely that we could hold our family friendly event, we started brainstorming some alternate venues to showcase our visual artists,” fair project manager Susan Rivers said in a statement. 

The Beekman Street Art Fair alternate projects feature the creation of a virtual art show via an on-line auction, and potentially mini pop up art events later in the summer.  “Since we will not be able to hold the traditional fair which brings in thousands of guests, we look forward to engaging with the community in innovative ways,” Rivers said. 

For more information, go to: www.saratogaartdistrict.com.

Northshire Bookstore Presents: Live Virtual Events Programs through June

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Northshire Bookstore, which sites stores in Saratoga Springs and Manchester Center, Vermont, is taking its motto of building community one book at a time to heart in this time of pandemic. 

Northshire hosts a series of virtual community gatherings for book lovers anchored around a standing Thursday 5 p.m. Northshire Live virtual event, with weekly authors and guests via Zoom. All events are password protected. Information on how to access each event is available at northshire.com. Beginning in June, all Northshire Live events will be ticketed – most on a “pay-what-you-can” basis.

The month kicks off with two events this week. 

• Tuesday, June 2 at 7 p.m.
Chris Bohjalian presenting The Red Lotus – in conversation with Rebecca Makkai. Beloved Vermont author and dear friend of the bookstore Chris Bohjalian will discuss his latest, The Red Lotus, a global thriller set amidst the adrenaline-fueled world of the emergency room. In this special ticketed virtual event, Chris will be joined by Rebecca Makkai–the New York Times bestselling author of the acclaimed novel The Great Believers. Go to: www.northshire.com/event/northshire-live-chris-bohjalian

• Thursday, June 4 at 5 p.m.
Amy Meyerson, author of The Imperfects, and Alli Frank and Asha Youmans, coauthors of Tiny Imperfections. Meyerson is the author of the Northshire staff favorites The Bookshop of Yesterdays and The Imperfects, and Alli Frank & Asha Youmans are co-authors of the delightful debut comedy Tiny Imperfections. This event is ticketed on a pay-what-you-can basis. Go to: www.northshire.com/event/northshire-live-guest-authors-amy-meyerson-alli-frank-and-asha-youmans

Additional events in June include live author events featuring acclaimed science journalist and New York Times bestselling author Wendy Williams, internationally acclaimed Dominican American writer Julia Alvarez – in conversation with Northshire co-founder Barbara Morrow, the annual James Joyce Bloomsday  celebration on June 16, and many other events. 

For more information on these or other events, email events@northshire.com, or visit www.northshire.com.

New Principal Appointed in Ballston Spa

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

BSpaPincipal SarahJohnsonSarah Johnson. Photo provided.

BALLTSON SPA — The Ballston Spa Central School District has selected Sarah Johnson as its new Malta Avenue Elementary School Principal. 

Johnson was appointed by the Board of Education at its May 20, 2020 meeting with a July 1, 2020 start date. She currently serves as the assistant principal for K-8 schools at Schuylerville CSD.

“I am incredibly excited to begin my role as Malta Avenue Elementary School Principal. It is truly an honor to join this excellent community,” Johnson said. “I share wholeheartedly in the district’s commitment to the well-being of our students and to provide all students with an excellent education. In the coming weeks and months, I am looking forward to getting to know the Malta Avenue students, teachers, parents and community members.”

Her current responsibilities include planning, coordinating, and facilitating curriculum development and curriculum mapping for all grade levels and departments, K-8. She co-planned and co-facilitated the school’s Curriculum Review Committee. She also planned, coordinated, and facilitated professional development for all staff members, K-8, on Next Generation Learning Standards. Additionally, she has led professional development for special education and general education teachers on standards-based IEPs, research-based literacy instruction, accommodations and modifications, Response to Intervention, and
progress monitoring.

Ms. Johnson was previously a Special Education Academic Administrator at the Shenendehowa Central School District. Prior to becoming an administrator, she was a ninth grade special education teacher, spent time as an intervention and data coordinator and served as a learning specialist at a high-achieving public middle school in California.

She earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Development from Cornell University, a Master of Education/Special Education degree from Sonoma State University and a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Leadership from the College of Saint Rose.

At the culmination of a two month search process, she was selected as the next principal for Malta Avenue Elementary School. The process involved the review of over seventy applications, four rounds of interviews including a presentation to the Board of Education, and finally a discussion with the building advisory committee who made the unanimous choice.

“Despite the daunting economic and budgetary times that we are in, this is certainly a highlight for us as we are all genuinely excited for Sarah to join our team,” indicated Ken Slentz, Superintendent of Ballston Spa CSD.

WSWHE BOCES Educator Earns National Recognition

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — CoSN and EdScoop announced the edtech professionals selected for the 2020 NextGen: Emerging EdTech Leaders Program on May 19.

The program annually recognizes rising technology leaders in K-12 school districts across the United States who have embraced technological innovation to improve education outcomes. WSWHE BOCES is pleased to announce that Assistant Coordinator for Model Schools, Laurie Guyon, was among five educators chosen from a highly accomplished group of finalists nationwide based on their personal essays and the diversity of the populations they serve, among other criteria.

“The 2020 NextGen Program cohort consists of a remarkable set of emerging leaders with the hands-on experience and vision needed to ensure that technology makes a profound difference in education,” said Keith Krueger, CEO of CoSN. “We congratulate each of the winners, as well as all of the applicants, on their accomplishments. This is a new generation of leaders that will help us create a new learning reality.” 

The 2020 NextGen Leaders were honored virtually during the CoSN Annual Conference. 

The award comes at a pivotal time in remote learning. WSWHE BOCES has been supporting teachers with many aspects of this transition. It began with the WSWHE Model Schools team designing a resource website and continues with daily webinars and newsletters. 

Guyon has been helping teachers learn new ways to teach in an online environment.  It started with daily office hours to get teachers up to speed with EdTech tools.  The main goal was to help teachers with Google Classroom and Google Meet. Teachers have the opportunity to schedule individual time with her and many do daily. She and the model schools team shifted to offering daily technology-based webinars. 

“I love what I do,” says Guyon. “It’s a privilege every day to support educators in the creative learning experience. I am honored that CoSN chose me as an Emerging EdTech Leader for 2020.”

Since March 16, 1000 teachers attended at least one of the 100 training hours offered. The Model Schools program has hosted over 70 workshops. They have trained teachers on best practices on all aspects of the G Suite and a multitude of edtech tools.  The daily newsletters offer one location for access to important information. They get hundreds of hits daily. 

“It’s the teachers who come to my training, my workshops, and my webinars that inspire me.  We all want our students to be lifelong learners and our teachers are modeling this every day.”

“Laurie is a true leader in the area of educational technology. Her knowledge of various ed tech tools, combined with over a decade of classroom teaching experience allow her to connect with teachers and inspire them to explore new instructional possibilities. We are thrilled that her talents have been acknowledged on the national level by CoSN,” says David Ashdown, Assistant Director, Instructional Technology Programs at WSWHE BOCES.

Saratoga Builders Association Awards Two $1000 Student Scholarships!

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Builders Association, Inc. is proud to announce that they have awarded two $1000 scholarships this year. One is the annual SBA Scholarship and the other is the annual “Bob Best” Memorial Scholarship.

Congratulations to Patrick Egan of Saratoga Springs. Patrick is a senior at Saratoga Springs High School and will be attending SUNY Oswego to study Construction Management. Congratulations to Sean Kempf of Saratoga Springs. Sean is also a senior at Saratoga Springs High School and will be attending Alfred State College to study Construction Management. 

The Saratoga Builders Association makes these student scholarship awards available annually to high school seniors or college students who are planning to pursue a career in the construction industry. 

Ball Corporation Donates $10,000 to Bewnited for “Local Experiences” Fundraiser

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

QUEENSBURY —  Brewnited announced the latest collaboration fundraiser for local service and hospitality workers: an ongoing raffle series featuring exclusive experiences from local restaurants and attractions, funded in part by a donation from Ball Corporation.

“Ball Corporation believes supporting the communities where we operate is part of who we are and it is one of our sustainability pillars. As we see our society face the hardships imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, we want to provide our employees with the opportunity to help others in our local communities by directing local giving to help those in need. Brewnited is exactly the type of organization that can have locally the biggest impact by our donation,” said Andrea Miele, Ball Corporation.

On Friday May 15, 2020 at Northway Brewing Co., Andrea Miele of Ball Corporation presented Brewnited with a check for $10,000.00. With their generous donation, Brewnited will host a number of auctions featuring exclusive experiences from local restaurants and attractions including a virtual beer tasting with the NYS Brewers Association, a private brunch for two at Bailey’s Saratoga, and more. All proceeds from the auctions will go to Brewnited’s tipped workers’ fund.

“Ball Corporation’s generous contribution will allow Brewnited to continue production and sell Negative Input beer with all profits being distributed locally while allowing Brewnited to expand through the Local Experience program. This will be a direct benefit to local restaurants and attractions while continuing to support local hospitality workers affected by COVID-19,” said Max Oswald, spokesperson for Brewnited.

Starting Friday, May 22, supporters will be able to bid on the Flatbread Social experience: take-out dinner for four from Saratoga’s Flatbread Social.

New experiences will be added to www.wearebrewnited.com every Friday, with bidding open for one week. Visit www.wearebrewnited.com to bid, apply for assistance, or contribute to the fund.

Vote411 Named Best Government & Civil Innovation Website

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The League of Women Voters US Education Fund announced that VOTE411.org, its one-stop-shop for election information, has been named Best Government & Civil Innovation Website in the 24th Annual Webby People’s Voice Awards (May 2020).

Since 2006, VOTE411 has provided registration deadlines and tools, absentee and early voting information, polling place locations, voting hours, candidate information, and more. Late last year, the League of Women Voters launched the newly redesigned VOTE411.org, with the mission to serve every voter in America with critical election information in 2020.

The League of Women Voters of Saratoga County regularly helps local candidates post information on the VOTE411 website, so that area residents can compare candidates based on their qualifications and their position on issues the School Board Election Guide will be available on May 26 and voters can enter their address to find out who is running for School Board in Saratoga County in the June 9 elections. Information for the June Democratic Primary is available now.

Hailed as the Internet’s “highest honor” by The New York Times, The Webby Awards, presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, is the leading international awards organization honoring excellence on the Internet.

“The coronavirus pandemic has had a major impact on elections, but it’s never been more important for voters to make sure their voices are heard at the ballot box” said Jeanette Senecal, Senior Director of Mission Impact for the League of Woimn Voters Education Fund. “In this critical election year, VOTE411 is expected to reach one in five people in the United States before November 3. This award is a testament to the time and dedication our league volunteers around the country put into making sure voters have accurate election information.”

Quad/Graphics Wins Tax Incentives for $45 Million Saratoga Expansion

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Quad/Graphics was awarded a $1.05 million tax incentive package Tuesday as the magazine and catalog printing giant prepares to invest $45 million installing new presses at its Saratoga Springs plant.

The Saratoga County Industrial Development Agency approved an incentive package last week that will save Quad $211,000 in sales tax on equipment. The IDA also approved a 10-year payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement that freezes Quad’s property assessment, saving the company $105,000 a year in property tax.

Munter Enterprises general contracting firm of Middle Grove has been hired to renovate a 60,000-square-foot section of Quad’s 1,011,000-square-foot plant at the W.J. Grande Industrial Park. Construction costs are expected to total $6 million. Renovations will make room for the installation of two Manroland 8-unit auto transfer presses, driving the price tag of the project to $45 million.

The project is expected to reduce scrap and utility costs at the 36-year-old plant, while giving Quad the ability to take on more magazine, catalog and retail advertising insert jobs ranging from a few thousand pages to millions.

The machines will be the first color presses of their kind at Quad to include an auto transfer feature, allowing them to switch to a new job in 30 seconds, a process than can take between 20 and 40 minutes on other presses.

Quad employs 668 people in Saratoga and the new presses are expected to create 74 additional jobs within the next two years with an average salary of $52,500, plus $13,500 in benefits. The project also is expected to receive $6 million in tax credits from the state and $2.25 million in assistance through utility company National Grid.