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Author: Saratoga TODAY

Organization Provides Support for People with Eating Disorders

SARATOGA SPRINGS — A new nonprofit organization in Saratoga Springs aims to educate, support, advocate and fundraise for people affected by Eating Disorders.

Saratoga Springs residents Annalise and Cheryl Marron founded Flutters of Hope Inc. in Sept. 2019 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Annalise was diagnosed with this disease at 11-years-old and came to realize, she wanted to support others like herself and not let others suffer alone. 

Annalise Marron creates baskets of soothing supplies she calls “ButerflyWish Baskets,” along with a personal note with words of encouragement. Annalise has recently delivered four “ButterflyWish Baskets” to Albany Medical Center’s Comprehensive Care Center for Eating Disorders of Northeastern New York. Aware of the overwhelming costs associated with treating eating disorders, Annalise hopes to help offset the cost of treatment, travel, and counseling by creating a “ButterflyWish” Grant when more funds are raised.

Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental health disorder, yet many people never receive treatment, Cheryl Marron says. Residential treatment can cost around $30,000 or more a month. Counseling sessions cost roughly $250 per session.

Education, awareness, prevention and support are the key elements to fighting this disease. Recent studies have identified eating disorders as a genetic, neurological, and a biological disease intensified by social influences that increase the chances of suffering with an eating disorder. This disease can have a multitude of additional diagnoses, such as anxiety disorders, OCD, depression and bipolar disorder. 

Flutters of Hope Inc. seeks the community’s support to help Annalise Marron fulfill her wish to help others fight Eating Disorders. All donations will go to recipients of “ButterflyWish Baskets” and “ButterflyWish” Grants in the Capital Region. 

For more information on how to support, please visit fluttersofhopeinc.org or contact Cheryl Marron at hello@fluttersofhopeinc.org or 716-818-0170. Maggie Callesano can be reached at fundraising@fluttersofhopeinc.org.

July 18 – July 24, 2020

POLICE

Alexander Nikola, 40, of Saratoga Springs, was charged July 17 with criminal mischief. 

George Coleman, 32, of Amsterdam, was charged July 18 in Saratoga Springs with criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Matthew Matrazzo, 23, of Ballston Spa, was charged July 18 in Saratoga Springs with disorderly conduct: obscene language/gestures. 

Donald Principe, 31, of Queensbury, was charged July 18 in Saratoga Springs with criminal trespass  — misdemeanor. 

Aturo Cruz-Agustin, 35, of Saratoga Springs, was charged July 19 with misdemeanor DWI, aggravated DWI, and leaving the scene of a property damage accident, after being involved in an accident on South Broadway. 

Randall Alger, 47, of New York, was charged July 19 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor petit larceny. 

Robert McCall, 59, of Ballston Spa, was charged July 18 in Saratoga Springs with two counts aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and a violation for speeding.

Brendan Benequisto, 37, of Saratoga Springs, was charged July 20 with criminal mischief: intent to damage property, a misdemanor. 

Yhashin White, 33, of Brooklyn, was charged July 11 in Saratoga Springs with felony DWI, refusal to take a breath test, drinking alcohol in motor vehicle on a highway, and two driving/ equipment violations. 

Richard McKeel, 25, of Newport, Virginia, was charged July 11 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, aggravated DWI, refusal to take a breath test, and passing a red light. 

Daniel Brzywczy, 38, of Highland Falls, was charged July 13 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor assault, and criminal possession of a controlled substance. 

 William M. Biette, 44, of Latham, was charged July 15 with felony DWI, felony aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, assault in the third-degree, circumvention of an ignition interlock device, criminal contempt in the second-degree, reckless driving, and several vehicle and traffic infractions. According to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s office, Biette was driving eastbound on Route 67 when he crossed the center line and struck two vehicles traveling westbound.  One of those drivers were trapped in their vehicle and needed to be extricated by emergency personnel. They were subsequently treated at Saratoga Hospital with a chest injury.  The incident occurred July 15 in the town of Malta. Biette was sent to Saratoga County Jail in lieu of bail or bond.

New York State Police STOP DWI Campaign

The New York State Police announced July 21 that Troopers issued a total of 9,214 tickets statewide during the 4th of July STOP-DWI enforcement campaign. The special enforcement period began on Friday, July 3, and ended at 6 a.m. on Sunday, July 5.

During the 36-hour campaign, which was funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, State Police utilized sobriety checkpoints, additional DWI patrols, and ticketed distracted drivers who used handheld electronic devices.

Troopers arrested 180 people for DWI and investigated 456 crashes, including 99 personal injury crashes and one fatality, according to authorities. As part of the enforcement, Troopers also targeted speeding and aggressive drivers across the state. In the Capital Region specifically there were 20 DWI charges and 26 distracted driving charges. 

During last year’s 4th of July enforcement campaign, State Police issued 16,388 total tickets and arrested 255 people for DWI.

Additionally, State Police announced 85 tickets were issued for a host of violations, including speeding, use of a cell phone while driving, and failure to obey a flagger during two days of “Operation Hardhat” initiatives that took place on the Northway this month.

Motorists are urged to drive responsibly in work zones. They are reminded to move over a lane when safely possible, or slow down significantly, whenever encountering roadside vehicles displaying red, white, blue, amber or green lights, including maintenance and construction vehicles in work zones.

Emory Joseph “Joe” Boucher

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HOBE SOUND, FL — Emory Joseph “Joe” Boucher, 78, of Hobe Sound, Florida, passed away Tuesday, July 7, 2020.  He was born May 27, 1942 in Troy, New York to Emory and Doris (nee Fuller) Boucher. He attended Stillwater High School and St. Peter’s Academy in Saratoga Springs, where he graduated in 1960.

After high school Joe joined the United States Air Force. He served eight years as an Aircraft Engineer, including during the Vietnam War. He spoke little about his experience as a Veteran, but in later years he wrote that his job was to fix airplanes while in flight—often with bullets whizzing past—at least once dangling from a wing as he fixed the landing gear.

During his military career Joe was stationed in Texas, Massachusetts, Hawaii, and briefly, Japan and Germany (he returned to Germany several times in later years). After the military he moved with his former wife, Rose Marie (nee Natale) Boucher and their three daughters, Michelle, Sheri and Renee, to San Diego. The family spent many wonderful years in California where Joe worked as a contractor leading projects large and small, from award-winning condos in La Jolla to a ski resort atop Heavenly in Lake Tahoe. 

On the weekends Joe could be found with his daughters at the park or the beach, riding motorcycles, horses, picnicking, having fun. He was a wonderful father—loving, gentle and generous—dearly loved by his daughters and their friends, most who called him Dad.

Joe was great company, with a marvelous dry wit. He loved music, was an avid reader and a terrific storyteller. He was an incredible cook and enjoyed creating new dishes—bouillabaisse was a favorite—for friends and family. 

Joe spent the past 18 years in Hobe Sound, Florida, where he owned and operated a property management business.

Joe was predeceased by his father, Emory Boucher, Mother, Doris Boucher, his brothers Edward (Ann Marie) and Michael (Flo) Boucher and his former wife, Rose Marie Boucher.

He is survived by his daughters Michelle Hill, Sheri Loftis and Renee (Richard) Boucher Ferguson, of Saratoga Springs, his second wife, Sharon Weslowski of El Cajon, CA, and his partner of 20 years, Karin Ryan, also of Hobe Sound. He is survived by siblings Tim (Joanne) Boucher of Bradenton, FL, Patricia Boucher Flike of Bemis Heights, and Tom (Joanne) Boucher of Stillwater. He leaves behind  seven grandchildren, Nicole and Adam Hill of Queensbury, Cody Loftis of Hayden, ID, Waylon (Kandice) Loftis of El Cajon, CA, Liza Boucher Ferguson of Oxford, UK and Saratoga Springs and Cormac and Cole Ferguson also of Saratoga Springs, and seven great-grandchildren.

Emory Joe Boucher will be interred at the Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Earl J. Manning American Legion, Post 490, Stillwater, NY.

Patricia E. Miner

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SARATOGA SPRINGS — Patricia E. Miner, age 89, passed away at Wesley Health Care Center on Wednesday, July 15, 2020.

Pat was born on October 6, 1930, in Saratoga Springs. She was the daughter of the late, Beatrice (Glean) and Fred Hames. 

Pat graduated from Saratoga Springs High School and worked at the Van Raalte Co. as payroll supervisor for the Saratoga and Vermont plants.

She is the widow of Horace Miner who passed away in December of 2006. They celebrated over 58 years of happy marriage before his passing.

She was active in girl scouting and was also secretary for the Corinth P.T.S.A. In Greenfield, she belonged the Fire Co. Auxiliary and recently has been living at Prestwick Chase in Saratoga.

She is survived by a beloved daughter, Kim Foster and her husband David, and four very loved grandchildren, Lucy, Edie, Desi and Raphael Foster, all of Las Vegas; one sister-law Lois Miner of Schuylerville as well as several nieces and nephews. 

A private funeral service was held on Saturday, July 18, 2020 at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes of 628 North Broadway (518-584-5373).

Burial followed at the family plot in Greenridge Cemetery.

Donations in Pat’s name can be made to the Community Hospice of Saratoga, www.communityhospice.org/donate.

Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com.

Erin Sweeney Hogan 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — It is with great sadness that her four sons announce the passing of Erin Sweeney Hogan on July 18. Erin was recently predeceased by her husband John. Memorial mass for Erin and John will be Saturday, July 25, 2020, 10 a.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church. Visit burkefuneralhome.com. 

Jeanne C. Brooks

BALLSTON SPA — Jeanne C. Brooks passed on July 7, 2020 at Saratoga Center for Rehab and Skilled Nursing. A private service was held on July 16, 2020 at Compassionate Funeral Care in Saratoga Springs, followed by interment at St. Peter’s Cemetery. View obituary at www.compassionatecare.com.

Howard P. “Bud” Armbruster, Jr.

WILTON — Howard P. “Bud” Armbruster, Jr., passed away July 9, 2020 at his home in Wilton. A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, July 25, 2020 at Compassionate Funeral Care in Saratoga Springs. Calling hours from 1 to 3 p.m. prior to the service. View full obit at www.compassionatecare.com

Mary Anne Chylinski 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Mary Anne Chylinski passed away July 11, 2020. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Aug. 15, 2020 at Compassionate Funeral Care, 402 Maple Ave., Saratoga Springs. Family and friends may call from noon to 2 p.m. prior to the service. View full obit at www.compassionatecare.com

Olive Sandra Woodcock Dickinson

GANSEVOORT — Olive Sandra Woodcock Dickinson, age 75, passed away on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 at her home. A graveside service was held Wednesday, July 22, 2020 at Gansevoort Cemetery, Route 50, Gansevoort. View full obit at www.compassionatecare.com

John David Cornell, Sr.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — John David Cornell, Sr., passed away on July 15, 2020 at his home. A mass service was held July 20, 2020 at St. Clement’s Church. Interment with military honors was held at Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery. View obit at www.compassionatecare.com