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Author: Saratoga TODAY

AIM Thanks Essential DSPs During National Week of Recognition

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Sept. 13-19, 2020 is National Direct Support Professional (DSP) Recognition Week when the contributions of more than 4.5 million direct support professionals, direct care workers, personal care assistants, personal attendants, in-home support workers and paraprofessionals throughout the country who provide quality support to individuals with disabilities are celebrated. 

However, due to the on-going pandemic, most organized efforts are being conducted virtually or through individual acts of appreciation.

AIM Services, Inc., the area’s largest provider of services to individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities will be recognizing the more than 400 DSPs it employs through employee-gifts and incentive plans in addition to partnerships with local businesses to provide merchandise and services to DSPs at a discount. 

“This year’s DSP Week carries enormous importance.” said Christopher R. Lyons, Executive Director AIM Services, Inc. “During the COVID19 pandemic, Direct Support Professionals have served as a critical line of defense keeping the people we serve safe from the Corona virus.”

Any business or individual wishing to donate in support and honor of AIM Services’ DSPs, can contact Marissa Romero mromero@aimservicesinc.org. More about AIM Services and the AIM 2020 Annual Fund campaign, Keeping Their Dreams Alive, can be found on their web site: www.aimservicesinc.org. 

Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation Presents Autumn Strolls & Programs

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Join the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation for the first ever Autumn Strolls & Programs this fall. Following the tremendous success of the Summer Sunday Strolls and virtual programming, the Foundation is thrilled to present autumn programs.

Tour various neighborhoods in Saratoga Springs while remaining safe and socially distanced. On Sept. 20 10:30 a.m. Executive Director Samantha Bosshart will kick-off this series of tours with The Good Life:North Broadway. Learn about the architecture of the grand homes on this prominent street that were built by some of Saratoga Springs’ most notable figures such as Senator Brackett, William B. Gage, Frank Hathorn, and Lucy Skidmore Scribner. The tour meets at the northwest corner of North Broadway and Van Dam Street in front of Witt Construction.

Other tour topics this season highlight the Canfield Casino and Congress Park, Franklin Square, and the historic West Side. All Sunday morning tours last approximately 90 minutes and require walking and standing on varied terrain. Due to current restrictions in New York State, the Autumn Strolls will be limited to twenty guests, which currently is less than the maximum of 50 that is currently allowed, and tickets must be purchased in advance until otherwise noted. Everyone will be required to wear a mask and social distancing will be encouraged when possible. The cost per tour is $15 for SSPF members and $20 for non-members.  Members who have received complimentary Stroll passes will have those honored for their value of $10 and will be required to pay the difference of $5.

In addition to the Autumn Strolls & Programs, the Foundation is offering a bike tour of the Saratoga Spa State Park on Sunday, Sept. 29 which has already sold out and two virtual presentations in October.  “Hidden Histories” with Carol Godette will take place on Thursday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. Carol will unearth the history of several properties throughout Saratoga Springs including her own home, the site of Ben & Jerry’s, former Convention Hall, and 395 Broadway, today Fingerpaint Marketing.  On Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. Nancy Brown will present “Women’s Suffrage in Saratoga Springs.” Learn about the pivotal role Saratoga Springs played in the women’s suffrage movement and the history of women’s rights conventions. Both virtual programs will be free and streamed through Zoom and Facebook Live. Mark your calendar for the upcoming Twilight Cemetery Tour “Madness, Murder, Untimely Deaths, and Strange Coincidences,” on Friday, Oct. 30 at 5 p.m. for a rare opportunity to explore Greenridge Cemetery at dusk with tour leader Gloria May.

For additional information, to purchase tickets to any educational programs, and to review the Stroll Safety Plan please visit www.saratogapreservation.org, call the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation at 518-587-5030, or email Anne McDonough, Administrative Assistant, at admin@saratogapreservation.org.

CCE Equine Horse Farm Tour Attracts Over 700 People

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

STILLWATER ­— The last weekend of the 2020 Saratoga Track season offered beautiful weather, perfect for a successful Horse Farm Tour offered by CCE Equine of Saratoga County. On Sunday, Sept. 6 over 700 people came to enjoy Mill Creek Farm, a local Thoroughbred and Standardbred breeding farm in Saratoga County. 

The Horse Farm Tour offered a behind the scenes experience of what it takes to prepare a horse for life at a race track. Participants were able to listen to an audio recording of the farm owners explaining the challenges and joys of owning a breeding farm and growing a business in the equine industry. A scavenger hunt for youths and adults featured questions like “ what color is the skin of a gray horse” and “what is the difference between a filly and a colt?”. The answers were scattered throughout the farm. The tour provided a transparent educational experience of life on a horse farm. 

Brieanna Hughes, CCE Equine coordinator, said of the event; “we were excited to rally our staff and volunteers again to safely offer an experience that really highlights what Saratoga County is all about: Family farms, beautiful scenery, healthy horses, and a community happy to serve” 

CCE Equine is a division of Cornell Cooperative Extension in Saratoga County with a mission to provide equine education in the Capitol Region. For more information about this event, or youth animal science opportunities please contact Brieanna at BH548@cornell.edu or call the Cornell Cooperative Extension office at 518- 885-8995.

Saratoga County 4-H Kicks-Off Animal Show Series

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

BALLSTON SPA — Saratoga County 4-H Animal Show Series is a five week long series hosted at the Saratoga County 4-H Training Center on Middleline Rd. in Ballston Spa. The series was developed as a replacement to the Animal Shows typically featured at the County fairs in the summer.

Animal shows are an integral part of animal science and agricultural education. Providing youths an opportunity to present their animals to a judge allows owners to identify the strongest attributes of their animals, as well as any necessary improvements. 

The series will feature different animal species each Saturday. It launched this past Saturday, Sept. 12 with Rabbits and Cavies (aka guinea pigs). The next four weeks will have demonstrations with sheep, goats, dairy cows and horses, respectively. 

The first event has already been lauded a success. Participants were judged in three different categories; showmanship, breed classes, and fur classes. The competitors ranged in between five-years-old to 18-years-old. The most inspiring part of the day came from watching the older “veterans” guide and encourage the younger first-timers. 

Saratoga County 4-H Animal Show Series will continue next Saturday with a sheep show on Sept.19, followed by a Goat show on Sept. 26, Dairy Cattle Show on Oct. 3 and a Horse Show on Oct. 10. For more information about programs offered by Saratoga County 4-H please contact BH548@cornell.ediu or call 518-885-8995.

This Fall at the Washington County Fairgrounds

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.

Adirondack Wool and Arts Festival 

GREENWICH ­— Get your holiday shopping done early by supporting local artisans and farmers at the Adirondack Wool and Arts Festival.

The festival this year will be occurring at the Washington County Fairgrounds the weekend of Sept. 26 and 27 featuring local artisans, and craft food and beverage vendors. Whether you are looking for supplies to create or are looking for something completed, there is something for everyone. Vendors include fiber artisans, silversmiths, leatherworks, jewelry, woodcrafts, craft beverages, and foods. 

Complete spring cleaning by bringing any gently used fiber equipment and supplies to be sold at the silent auction. Items that are not sold on Saturday will be available for sale on Sunday. Please visit www.adkwoolandarts.com/equipment-auction for more information on how to bring your item for auction. 

In order to ensure everyone’s health and safety masks will be required for the event by all guests and vendors on the fairgrounds. Vendors will be spaced out throughout the fairgrounds to ensure ample spacing between people can be maintained. All buildings will have one way in and one way out access with multiple hand sanitizer and hand washing stations located throughout the grounds. 

The festival grounds are open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 262 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 27. Admission is $5.00 with children 13 and under are free. For information please visit the festival’s website at www.adkwoolandarts.com

Fantastic Food Truck Corral 

GREENWICH ­— Join the fair through Oct. 2 at the Washington County Fairgrounds for the final installment of the Fantastic Food Truck Corral on Fridays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Each Friday, the fairgrounds will be welcoming food vendors from around the area for an evening of good food and local music that can be enjoyed at one of the socially distanced picnic tables, your own chair or blanket, or take the food to go.

To ensure everyone’s safety masks are required to visit the food truck event as well as maintaining six-feet of social distancing from fellow food patrons and vendors. Hand washing stations with water and soap and hand sanitizer dispensers will be available throughout the corral for all to use throughout the event. 

These will be the final weekends for the Food Truck Corral.

September 12 – September 18, 2020

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Police Blotter.

COURT

Khylan L. Hunt, 34, of Ballston Spa, pleaded Sept. 10 to attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance, in connection with charges on March 14 in Saratoga Springs. Sentencing Oct. 30. 

Joseph W.  Harrington, 19, of Rock City Falls, pleaded Sept. 10 to sexual abuse in the first-degree, in connection with charges June 21, 2019 in Milton.  Sentencing Nov. 12. 

POLICE

Thomas J. Hunt, 31, of Ballston Lake, was charged Sept. 10 with criminal mischief in the second-degree as a hate crime. He is accused of spray painting a racial epithet on an employee’s vehicle.  The vehicle was located at a business in the Northway 10 Industrial Park, in the Town of Clifton Park. Hunt was processed and arraigned at Town of Halfmoon Court Justice and released on his own recognizance, according to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office. Hunt is scheduled to appear before the Town of Clifton Park court at a later, unspecified date. 

Sheri Nellis, 43, of Albany, was charged Sept. 11 in Saratoga Springs with stalking in the fourth-degree. 

Stephen Budesa, 62, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Sept. 12 with criminal trespass, a misdemeanor, and forgery – a felony. 

Gerardo Zelayagranados, 29, of Shaftsbury, Vermont, was charged Sept. 12 with misdemeanor DWI, and a license plate violation. 

Lisa Barbone, 30, of Queensbury, was charged Sept. 13 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI and misdemeanor aggravated unlicensed operation, driving without signal detectors and driving in the wrong direction on a one-way street. 

John Guerin, 41, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Sept. 13 with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and operating a motor vehicle without an inspection certificate. 

Edward Przydatek, 44, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Sept. 13 with menacing – a misdemeanor, and criminal possession of a weapon, and criminal mischief – both felonies. 

Jesse Skiff, 39, of Proctor, Vermont, was charged Sept. 14 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, operating a motor vehicle without signal detectors, and criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Nicole Rose, 42, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Sept. 14 with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, unlawful possession of marijuana, and a vehicle equipment violation. 

Victoria Palmer, 30, of Schenectady, was charged Sept. 14 in Saratoga Springs with mischief in the third-degree, a felony.   

Jeremy Zepf, 41, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Sept. 7 with criminal possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor. 

Brian Sullivan, 55, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Sept. 8 with petit larceny, a misdemeanor, resisiting arrest, a misdemeanor, and disorderly conduct. 

Jasper Graves, 23, of Clifton Park, was charged Sept. 8 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor assault. 

Sara Barnes, 33, of Wilton, was charged Sept. 9 at the Exit 15 off-ramp in Saratoga Springs with operating a motor vehicle impaired by drugs, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, aggravated DWI as a felony, criminal possession of a controlled substance, and a highway driving violation. 

Christopher Chase, 36, of Ballston, was charged Sept. 9 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, refusal to take a breath test, and three driving violations. 

Brian Sullivan, 55, of Ballston Spa, was charged Sept. 10 in Saratoga Springs with felony burglary, and criminal mischief – a misdemeanor. 

Julius Graves, 23, of Clifton Park, was charged Sept. 10 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor assault.

Edward Nelson Ramsey

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

RamseyEdward

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Edward Nelson Ramsey, 76, known to friends as “Sonny,” passed away on September 7, 2020 in his home. 

He was born on February 11, 1944 in Saratoga Springs to the late Edward and Ruth Ramsey. In 1964 Edward enlisted in the US Navy where he specialized in sheet metal work. During his naval career Edward received a National Defense Medal, and later transferred to the naval reserve manpower center in Bainbridge, Maryland. After the navy Edward worked as a heavy equipment operator and also became a certified security guard. Edward was an avid hunter and fisherman. He could often be found leaning on a tree in the woods, fast asleep. He had great pride in teaching his family his outdoorsman skills.

In addition to his parents, Edward was predeceased by all of his siblings, John Ramsey, Yvonne Dowen, Shirley Loya and Janice Brueckner, also his significant other of many years, Luella “LuLu” Jacques and baby Mark Edward Ramsey.

He is survived by his dog and best friend “Chewie,” several nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews, grandchildren from extended family and son Corey Ramsey.

A private service with military honors was held at the North Milton Cemetery on Thursday, September 17, 2020. Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs. 

Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com

Elizabeth Carroll 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

GRANVILLE — On Saturday, September 5, 2020, Elizabeth Carroll, loving wife, mother, sister, aunt and friend, passed away at the age of 62. A private celebration of life service will be held Saturday, October 3, 2020. Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com

Annette Lubochinski Sabino 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Annette Lubochinski Sabino, 72, passed peacefully September 12, 2020 at Saratoga Hospital with her family by her side. Graveside services took place September 15 at Greenridge Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your favorite animal rescue or Veteran’s organization in her memory. www.burkefuneralhome.com

George W. Gurtler Sr.

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — George W. Gurtler Sr., 91, passed away peacefully on September 7, 2020 at Wesley Community Care Center. Calling hours were September 13, 2020 at Burke Funeral Home. Interment with Military Honors was September 14 at The Gerald BH Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery. Visit burkefuneralhome.com