Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — This week mothers who are residents at Prestwick Chase will be donating 75 plastic Adirondack chairs to the Saratoga Springs High School. John Rowe, director of marketing at Prestwick, said they had many chairs left over from their Mothers Day event this year and wanted a way to help out the school district.
Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Franklin Community Center is honored to have the support of Stewart’s Shops and The Dake Family a fund of The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region. Franklin Community Center is the recipient of a $6,000 grant that will be used to modify the reception area in order to accommodate new COVID-19 safety protocols.
“When the pandemic hit we were forced to close our office down to the public at the exact moment when our services were needed most.” states Executive Director, Kari Cushing. “Fortunately, the weather at that time of year allowed us to continue serving our less fortunate neighbors safely.”
With the winter months quickly approaching and the requests for food only growing, the need to open the doors is getting closer and closer. “With this generous grant from Stewart’s Shops and The Dake Family we will be able to reconstruct our reception area to comply with social distancing requirements and keep our clients, volunteers and staff safe and healthy” said Board President, Jason Lynch.
The generosity and compassion Stewart’s Shops and The Dake Family have shown this community over the years is truly unparalleled. The strong moral compass and commitment to the community from which their company has been built upon speaks volumes to the character of the Dake family.
Franklin will continue to work hard to meet the needs as they change and exist in the community. For more information on the programs and services of Franklin Community Center please visit the website: www.franklincommunitycenter.org
Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Dr. Catelyn Halusic-Smith has joined Saratoga OB/GYN, the obstetrics-gynecology practice that is part of Saratoga Hospital Medical Group.
She is the latest addition to a growing team of physicians, certified nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners who provide comprehensive women’s health services to patients from adolescence through the post-menopause years. Along with Saratoga Hospital Medical Group – Midwifery & Women’s Health services, Saratoga OB/GYN supports Saratoga Hospital’s collaborative physician-midwife childbirth care model.
“Dr. Halusic-Smith shares our commitment to patient-centered care and our fundamental belief that we can make a difference, one patient at a time,” said Dr. Amos Cutler, chair, Saratoga Hospital OB/GYN Department. “She is an excellent addition to a practice that has long been at the forefront of women’s health services in our region.”
Saratoga OB/GYN has been meeting women’s healthcare needs for 40 years, adding services and providers to keep pace with a growing community. Four physicians have joined Saratoga OB/GYN since 2018. Two practice members recently earned accreditation as Surgeons of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynecology, earning Saratoga Hospital the distinction of being Northeastern New York’s only Center of Excellence in that specialty.
Halusic-Smith earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine in Westbury, New York. She completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Mount Sinai South Nassau in Oceanside, New York.
Halusic-Smith sees patients in Saratoga Springs and Malta. For an appointment, call 518-587-2400. To learn more, go to www.saratogaobgyn.org.
Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — In the interest of keeping the community safe, including pets, Wellspring is hosting their annual Pooch Parade virtually this year, on Oct. 16, 17, and 18.
This annual event raises awareness and funds for Wellspring’s Safe Pet Partnership Program, which assists victims of domestic violence by providing safe, temporary placement of family pets through a network of volunteer pet “foster homes” while our clients transition to safe housing.
Abusers often use the love victims have for their pets as a control tactic, or even directly abuse the pets. Sometimes, victims of domestic violence will stay in an abusive situation out of fear of what might happen to their pets if they leave them behind.
This year, instead of gathering to parade around Congress Park we are inviting community members and their pooches to register online with Wellspring and then plan a walk around their neighborhood, park, home on October 16, 17, or 18. For more information about how this year’s event will work and to register please visit www.wellspringcares.org/pooch-parade.
Wellspring sends a big thank you to this year’s presenting sponsor, Benson’s Pet Center and honorary sponsor Adirondack Veterinary Clinic for supporting Wellspring’s 2020 Virtual Pooch Parade.
All donations made by participants in the Pooch Parade during registration directly benefit Wellspring’s programs and services. Participants can also register by mailing a check, made out to Wellspring, to their address at 480 Broadway LL20 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.
Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.
SCHUYLERVILLE — The Salvation Army and The Washington County Fairgrounds are hosting movies in the Pumpkin Patch: three nights of drive-up family fun movies projected onto four of the world’s largest inflatable movie screens. All the fun will take place at the Washington County Fairgrounds parking area located at 392 Old Schuylerville Rd., Greenwich.
The movies will begin Columbus Day weekend starting at 7 p.m. each night. The fairground gates will open at 4:30 for interested parties. The showings include Jurassic Park on Friday, Oct. 9, Hotel Transylvania on Saturday, Oct. 10 and Ghostbusters on Sunday, Oct. 11.
Tickets are $20 per vehicle for general admission. Premium vehicle parking passes for first two rows from the screen along with discounts for multiple night parking passes are available at app.mobilecause.com/e/HlEh2A?vid=bc536 or on the Facebook page of The Salvation Army of Glens Falls or the Washington County Fair Grounds
Face masks will be required by all participants when not in vehicle or assigned vehicle space. The fairground parking area contains acres of open space and we have four enormous screens to show movies to allow ample room for safe distancing.
Vehicles will be parked more than six-feet from each other in each row, while each row separated by more than 14 feet. Movie-goers will be allowed the space to the driver’s side of their vehicle only for outdoor viewing. Every other row will be staggered so each vehicle will have unobstructed view of screen.
The event is the first one of its kind organized by the Salvation Army’s newly formed Doing the Most Good Events team. Event sponsors have the unique opportunity to partner with the Salvation Army to bring the community together in an event designed to offer a message of hope and unity during an unprecedented time. To help sponsor event please go to app.mobilecause.com/e/HlEh2A?vid=bc536 or contact leo.lloyd@use.salvationarmy.org.
Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.
WILTON — Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park is encouraging people to get out and enjoy the beautiful fall weather by hosting an Autumn Discovery Hike on Oct. 11 at 11 a.m. on the trails of the Neilmann Parcel.
On the nature walk participants will learn about the transformative autumn months and how plants and animals adapt and prepare for the winter season. The walk covers about a mile of gently rolling terrain and will not take place if there is rain. Interested parties will meet at the kiosk at Neilmann Parcel, located off of Ruggles Road. Face masks are expected to be worn for the duration of the entire program and registration is required.
Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park will also offer a new program for kids. Kids Yoga At Delegan Pond is a flow style yoga class geared towards children of elementary age and up. Hosted by certified instructor Lauren Winkler, this program is happening on Monday, Oct. 5 from 12 to 1 p.m. All you need to bring is your mat (or towel) and water. Adults are expected to attend with their children and are also welcome to participate with them.
Face masks are expected to be worn throughout the duration of the program. Participants should park in Parking Lot #1 located on Scout Road, town of Wilton. This parking lot is directly across from Delegan Pond where the program will be taking place.
For more information or to register for either programs, please contact the Preserve & Park office at 518-450-0321 or via email at info@wiltonpreserve.org. For up-to-date trail conditions or program information, please visit the Preserve & Park’s website at www.wiltonpreserve.org The Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park is a non-profit organization that conserves ecological systems and natural settings while providing opportunities for environmental education and outdoor recreation.
Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga (THS) welcomes Cut Me Loose, a 2017 Thoroughbred gelding from Hold Me Back and Quiet Honor. His bloodlines reach back to Giant’s Causeway, Danzig, and Secretariat. This gorgeous young horse is called Copper for his shining personality and color.
Copper developed EPM (Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis) at a very young age – a disease that attacks the central nervous system of the horse. Because Copper was so young when he developed this disease, it severely impacted his physical functioning, making him disoriented, agitated, and unable to race.
Founders of THS, Erin and Jim Sisk, set Copper up with intensive treatment from the veterinarian as well as condition training from Christine Schaszberger. With over a year of hard work and close monitoring, Copper has grown into a calm, affectionate, intelligent, and hard-working young horse. Despite his inability to race or be ridden more than trail riding, Copper has found an incredible new career as a therapy horse.
Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Police Blotter.
POLICE
A 20-year-old Greenfield man was charged with 10 counts of reckless endangerment in the first-degree, in connection with an alleged shooting incident in the village of Schuylerville Sunday afternoon, Sept. 13. According to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s department, Charles L. Bennifield is suspected of firing a shotgun at a residence on Washington Street, which was occupied by 10 people at the time. No one was injured in the incident. Bennifield was arraigned at Town of Saratoga Court, and sent to Saratoga County Jail, in lieu of $100,000 cash bail, $200,000 secured bond, or $1,000,000 partially secured insurance bond.
John J. Martino, 34, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Sept. 15 with menacing in the second-degree, robbery in the second-degree, petit larceny, and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child, in connection with an alleged incident that occurred in Wilton. According to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s office, Martino entered a vehicle on Sept. 9, displayed what appeared to be a handgun and demanded cash and drugs. It is alleged Martino physically took a vape pen from one victim’s hand and exited the vehicle. The victim’s minor children were present in the back seat of the vehicle during the incident. The handgun was later determined to be a BB gun. Martino was arraigned in the Wilton Town Court and released to pre-trial services.
Dean J. Atwell, 31, of Milton, was charged Sept. 16 with robbery in the third-degree, attempted robbery in the third-degree, burglary in the second-degree – all felonies; endangering the welfare of a child, criminal mischief , and resisting arrest – all misdemeanors, in connection with an alleged domestic incident at a residence in the town of Greenfield. Atwell is suspected to have forced entry into a home, causing damage to the doorway, and forcefully stealing property from one of the residents. The victim is a female acquaintance of the suspect. Atwell later attempted to steal additional property from the victim, in the presence of the female’s child, but the woman was able to fight him off, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Atwell was arraigned and is being held in lieu of $30,000 bail, $60,000 insured bond, or $300,000 unsecured bond, to return to court at a later date.
Christopher R. Swistak, 46, of Ballston Spa, was charged Sept. 10 with petit larceny, and grand larceny in the fourth-degree. He will appear in Milton Town Court at a later date.
Sharon Pratt, 76, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Sept. 14 with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and a suspended vehicle registration.
Kwame Pennick, 30, of Schenectady, was charged Sept. 14 in Saratoga Springs was charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and failure to keep right.
Anastasia Thrane, 24, of Stillwater, was charged Sept. 15 in Saratoga Springs with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and a speeding violation.
Christopher Anderson, 22, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Sept. 15 with misdemeanor DWI, and operating motor vehicle without signal/reflectors.
Kory Willis, 30, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Sept. 15 with assault in the third-degree, a misdemeanor.
Justin Harris, 32, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Sept. 16 with third degree assault, criminal possession of a weapon, and unauthorized use of a vehicle: without owner consent. All three charges are misdemeanors.
William Kelly, 35, of Clifton Park, was charged Sept. 16 in Saratoga Springs was charged with forcible touching, a misdemeanor.
David Lolik, 50, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Sept. 16 with criminal trespass, a misdemeanor.
Chad Lang, 46, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Sept. 17 with petit larceny and criminal trespass. Both charges are misdemeanors.
Kevin Clark, 31, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Sept. 18 with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and a speeding violation.
Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Joyce M. D’Andrea, 88, passed away September 20, 2020 at Wesley Health Care Center. The family will hold a private graveside service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be to the Wesley Health Care Center, 131 Lawrence St., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Visit burkefuneralhome.com
Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.
SARATOGA SPRINGS/GLEN COVE — Norman Bigman, 77, died September 17, 2020. Norman and his wife Ruth spent most of their married life in Glen Cove, NY where they raised their family until moving to Saratoga Springs in 2018. May his memory be a blessing. Services were private. Visit burkefuneralhome.com
