WILTON — Robert Porter, 75, passed away August 5, 2020 in Spring Hill, Florida. Calling hours are Friday, August 28, 2020 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. at Burke Funeral Home. Required health protocols will be followed, masks/face coverings must be worn. Memorial donations to Greenwich Lion’s Club, PO Box 172, Greenwich, NY 12831. Visit burkefuneralhome.com
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Vesta Marie Larkin, age 76 (long-time resident of Welch, WV) passed away August 19, 2020. Memorial service will be held in Welch, WV (TBD). Memorial donations to McDowell County Humane Society (109 Dogbone Drive, Superior, WV 24801) or the research of Dr. Harry Erba (Duke University). Visit burkefuneralhome.com
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Ramona Jean Cole passed away Friday June 26, 2020 at Saratoga Springs Hospital after a brief illness. Calling hours are August 30, 2020 from 1-2 p.m. at Burke Funeral Home. Celebration of life 3-5 p.m. at Saratoga Escape, Greenfield Center. Burial is 11 a.m. August 31, 2020 at Maplewood Cemetery. Visit burkefuneralhome.com
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Patricia “Patsy” Britten, 69, passed away on Tuesday, August 25 after a long illness surrounded by her husband and three sons at home. Services will be private along with private burial at Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery. Visit burkefunerlahome.com.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Mark Edward Banovic, born May 11, 1979 to Edward and Karen Banovic of Ballston Spa was diagnosed with leukemia (AML) on May 30, 2020. His treatment for the disease was unforgiving and he valiantly battled the disease until his passing on August 21, 2020. Services took place Tuesday, August 25. Visit burkefuneralhome.com.
ITHACA — Cornell University’s Milk Quality Improvement Program has awarded Stewart’s Dairy in Saratoga Springs top honors in New York state’s annual fluid milk competition, conducted on behalf of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.
The Cornell program serves as the state’s official judging group. Stewart’s, which also won for best-tasting chocolate milk, topped a field of 21 dairies from across the state; results were announced Aug. 25.
“Congratulations to our dairy processors and our dairy farmers behind these fantastic products,” said Richard Ball, commissioner for the Department of Agriculture and Markets. “We know New York produces some of the best milk there is, and I am honored to join Cornell in sharing these stories of success with all New Yorkers.”
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the awards were presented online rather than on the traditional Dairy Day at the New York State Fair.
“This annual milk competition is unique in that it considers the overall quality of fluid milk products throughout the entire time the product is on the market by assessing various characteristics, including – most importantly – milk flavor,” said Kathryn Boor, the Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Stewart’s won the competition five times previously, most recently in 2017, and has finished second twice. Garelick Farms of Rensselaer was the runner-up in the overall fluid milk category. The dairy won last year and in 2015.
Ithaca Milk of Interlaken won the top small-processor award for 2020; it won the same award in 2018.
Stoltzfus Family Dairy of Vernon Center won the flavored-milk category for its pasteurized, non-homogenized mocha and latte “cream line” milk.
Established in the early 1970s, Cornell’s Milk Quality Improvement Program (MQIP) is directed by Boor. It is funded by New York State dairy producers through the New York State Dairy Promotion Order Advisory Board, a group selected by the commissioner to promote New York milk and dairy product consumption.
In the last 12 months, the Voluntary Shelf-Life Program, part of the MQIP, received 362 pasteurized fluid-milk samples, performed more than 4,800 microbiological tests and 675 sensory evaluations on those samples, according to Nicole Martin, the MQIP’s associate director.
Samples are subjected to microbial analyses, freezing point tests, fat determination and sensory evaluation, according to Rob Ralyea, a senior extension associate in food science.
New York has nearly 4,000 dairy farms that produce nearly 15 billion pounds of milk annually, making it the nation’s fourth-largest dairy state, according to the Department of Agriculture and Markets. The dairy industry is the state’s largest agricultural sector, contributing nearly half of its total agricultural receipts.
New York is the only state to hold a regular milk-quality review for its dairy producers; it has done so since 1979.
Friday, August 28
11th Annual Adirondack Greek Festival
St. George Church, 55 Main St., South Glens Falls | Noon – 1 p.m.
We will be offering take-out only. Social distancing and face masks required. Come enjoy gyros, souvlaki, Greek salads, Greek fries, baklava and other delicious pastries. OPA! Take I87 to Exit 17 N to US-9N for 5.5 miles. For more information, call 518-792-2359 (parish hall) or check Facebook, Instagram, or www.sgforthodox.org.
Live Chamber Music Benefit
SPAC’s Pines Pavilion, 108 Avenue of the Pines, Saratoga Springs | 3 p.m.
Join the Saratoga Chamber Players for a LIVE chamber music experience at the Pines, SPAC’s new open-air, covered pavilion. The concert is a benefit in support of SCP’s musicians. Tickets are $50 and must be purchased in advance online at https://www.eventbrite.com/o/saratoga-chamber-players-25178185141 First come-first served. To provide an intimate musical experience, to offer shelter from the weather, and maintain appropriate social distancing, there will be a strict limit of 25 attendees at each performance. Repeated Sunday, August 30, 3 p.m. For more information visit, www.saratogachamberplayers.org.
Saturday, August 29
Walking Tours of Congress Park
Congress Park, 300 Broadway, Saratoga Springs | 11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Tour is limited to 20 participants. Cost is $20 per person, $15 for members. Tickets also include admission to Saratoga Springs History Museum. All guests must wear face masks at all times and adhere to social distancing regulations. Meet in front of the Canfield Casino by 10:15 a.m. Pre-paid reservations are strongly encouraged by calling 518-584-6920 ext. 102. Tickets can be purchased the day of the walk if any spots are available.
Sunday, August 30
Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation Summer Stroll: Post Time!
Nelson and Union Ave., Saratoga Springs | 10:30 a.m.
Georgia Horner explores the Saratoga Race Course area along Union Ave. featuring the Reading Rooms, National Museum of Racing, Oklahoma Track and Fasig-Tipton Humphrey S. Finney Sales Pavilion. Tickets must be purchased in advance.Space is limited.
Monday, August 31
Lunchtime Concert
The Downtowner, 413 Broadway, Saratoga Springs | Noon – 1 p.m.
Free music. This week’s featured artist is Olivia Quillio Trio.
International Overdose Awareness Day
The Spirit of Life Fountain, Congress Park, Saratoga Springs | 7 p.m.
At 5:30 p.m. there will be a free Narcan training, followed by a candlelight vigil. At 7 p.m. friends who have lost loved ones to overdose can participate in lighting a candle in remembrance. Participants are encouraged to bring a photo or token of their loved one to place on our memory board. All attendees will have an opportunity, should they choose, to share the name aloud of a loved one they would like to have remembered. At the conclusion of the vigil, there will be resources available on local addiction recovery services. The vigil will also be streamed on Facebook on the Healing Springs Recovery Center page at www.facebook.com/HealingSpringsRCOC, for those who cannot attend in person.
Tuesday, September 1
Meatloaf Dinner
Saratoga-Wilton Elks, 1 Elks Lane, Rt. 9, Saratoga Springs | 4:30 – 6 p.m.
For curbside pick up only. Menu: meatloaf, mashed potatoes, vegetable, salad, roll, gravy. Call Monday or Tuesday between 10 a.m. – noon to place an order, 518-584-2585. Dinner for two is $25 (cash only).
Wednesday, September 2
Chicken Parmigiana Dinner
Saratoga-Wilton Elks, 1 Elks Lane, Rt. 9, Saratoga Springs | 4:30 – 6 p.m.
For curbside pickup only, call Monday or Tuesday between 10 a.m. – noon, 518-584-2585. Menu: chicken parmigiana, penne pasta, tossed salad, garlic toast. Dinner for 2 is $25. Cash only.
Poetry Night
Live Stream from Café Lena: Facebook.com/CaffeLenaInc | 7 p.m.
The Caffe Lena Poetry Night Live Stream is recorded in the listening room and broadcast live for the community to enjoy. Picking up its regular slot on the first Wednesday of the month, Caffe Lena’s poetry night will feature our host, Carol Graser, and 3 writers: Bertha Rogers, Dan Curley and Bernadette Mayer.
Thursday, September 3
Dancing at SPAC- Free Class
SPAC Outdoor Pavilion | 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Free dance class for new comers. Co-directors Johnny Martinez and Diane Lachtrupp Martinez will be offering classes in Salsa, ChaCha, Bachata and other Latin dances. Classes are designed to work for a couple or single dancer. To register contact info@tangofusiondance.com. Safety measures will be in place to ensure a fun, energetic and safe experience. Online classes also available. www.tangorusiondance.com
Gala Raffle Tickets
Due to COVID-19, Ladies of Charity will not have the traditional Annual Health, History and Horses Charity Gala. We will be raffling off a Saratoga Race Course t-shirt quilt. Raffle tickets can be purchased at www.ladiesofcharitysaratoga.com or by calling Gail at 518-587-5392. Raffles will be drawn after the Garage/Bake & Plant Sale on Saturday, Sept. 12. Winner need not be present. Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5.
Annual Senior Picnic
The Saratoga County Office for the Aging is proud to present an All-American Salute to Seniors on Thursday, Sept. 10 at the Saratoga County Fairgrounds, Ballston Spa from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. This will be a car-hop style event complete with hotdogs, hamburgers, apple pie and other summer hits. This event is for Saratoga County Residents 60 and over. Lunch is served as you come in from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Parking will be available on site. For your safety, this event will look a bit different than prior years. Vehicles will be parked at a safe distance. We encourage you to bring a lawn chair or blanket to place in front of your vehicle or you may stay in your vehicle (drive-in style). Unfortunately, there will be no seating at the picnic tables under the pavilion. Staff will serve you at your parking space. There will be access to restrooms and golf carts to assist. A $4 advanced meal ticket is required. Please contact The Office for the Aging at 518-363-4020 for more information.
Tee Off for Ta-Ta’s
Join us on Saturday, Sept. 12 for our annual tee off for Ta-Ta’s charity golf tournament. Call 518- 882-9431 or email wineanddineonrt29@gmail.com.
26th Annual Town-Wide Garage & Craft Sale
September 12 & 13 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rain or shine. Numerous sales located throughout the Town of Greenfield (including Greenfield Center, Porter Corners, and Middle Grove – Saratoga County). Free maps of all of the garage sales will be available beginning Sept. 11 at the Stewart’s Shop in Greenfield and Middle Grove, the Post Offices at Middle Grove, Porter Corners and Greenfield Center, the Town Hall in Greenfield, the Greenfield Center Baptist Church, and the Greenfield Lions Information/Silent Auction Tent.
Pressure Canner Gauge Test
If you plan to do any pressure canning, it is time to get your pressure gauge tested. The USDA National Center for Home Food Preservation recommends testing gauges each year before use to ensure accuracy. Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga and Albany County offer this free service. Using a Presto Dial Gauge Testing Unit educators test your gauge against an annually calibrated gauge. Call to make an appointment: 518-885-8995.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame will reopen to the public on Saturday, Sept. 5. The Museum has been closed since January for the installation of a new state-of-the-art Hall of Fame experience as well as multiple new and updated exhibitions.
The Museum will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The new signature 16-minute film, “What It Takes: Journey to the Hall of Fame,” will initially be shown at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m., and 4 p.m. daily. Per New York State health policies, the Museum will open with a maximum of 24 visitors admitted every two hours. Enhanced safety protocols in response to the COVID-19 pandemic are in place. Guests are encouraged to purchase tickets online at www.racingmuseum.org beginning Aug. 31.
Along with the new signature film and interactive Hall of Fame experience, the Museum has made several other exciting new additions and updates. Some of those include: Race Day Gallery, Call the Race, The Jockey Club Gallery, the Paintings of Martin Stainforth, and others.
For more information about the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, including upcoming events, visit www.racingmuseum.org or call 518-584-0400.
