Author: Veronica Zabala

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Having exceeded its phase-one fundraising goal of $175,000, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Saratoga Springs (UU Saratoga) is stepping up its effort to establish a new home.

“We’ve reached a point in our development where we feel it’s time to move to a larger space that better reflects our spiritual openness and commitment to environmental sustainability,” said Sue Bender, chair of UU Saratoga’s Capital Campaign Committee.

Increasingly cramped on its current campus at 624 North Broadway, UU Saratoga now seeks a property of approximately three acres to accommodate a sanctuary that seats at least 150 and will serve many more families with children through its religious exploration programs. The site also should allow parking for at least 70 cars.

“We have looked at several locations that may meet our needs but are continuing to explore other possibilities,” said Bender. She noted that a property owner who donates a site or grants one at a reduced cost to UU Saratoga, a tax-exempt organization, would be eligible for a substantial tax credit.

Founded in 1998, UU Saratoga purchased its current building in 2001 from a congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The sale of this building – which occupies one-third of an acre of prime real estate on North Broadway — will generate additional funds for the construction of a new meeting house.

“We’re especially appreciative of a foundational gift made early in the project by UU Saratoga members Eric and Beverly Lawson,” Bender noted. “Since last summer, more than 70 member households have contributed an additional $197,000 in capital funds, bringing the purchase of a new property within range.” 

While membership in most religious denominations has declined in recent years, many Unitarian Universalist congregations are expanding. The denomination grew nationally by 15.8 percent from 2000 to 2010, according to the Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. UU Saratoga has been attracting new members under the leadership of the Rev. Joseph Cleveland, whom the congregation called in 2014.

“We think our open-minded faith has a bright future in our community,” said Pam Collins, president of the UU Saratoga Board of Trustees. “Instead of a common theology, we have a set of common values that start with the worth and dignity of every human being and support a free and responsible search for truth and meaning. We’re individuals finding our own path and we’re doing it in community.”

A retreat aimed at engaging all UU Saratoga members in the process of visioning and planning a new home has been set for Saturday, May 2. All who may be interested in the congregation are invited to learn more at www.uusaratoga.org. 

BALLSTON SPA — Seven members were added to the Saratoga County Historical Society’s Board of Trustees at its first meeting of 2020 on Jan. 21. These individuals came forward as part of the outpouring of support for the society and Brookside Museum in Ballston Spa after the announcement last October that the institution had run out of funds. To date, a campaign mounted to raise $100,000 by March 31, 2020, to provide the Society with funding as it reorganizes, has reached 85% of its goal.

The new members of the Saratoga County History Society Board of Trustees are:

Jere Blackwelder, a native of Georgia, the Director of Byran, TX’s Habitat for Humanity “Restore” Operation before retiring to the Town of Ballston in 2011. He has taken leadership positions in the Rotary and Ballston Spa Business and Profession Assn. His focus is public relations and communications, skills which he will bring to the forefront in his new role.

Mark Blech, a painter and sculptor, and the organizer of Ballston Spa’s annual Holiday Displays and Bird House competitions. In 2019, he designed the exterior chicken exhibit at Brookside Museum. Prior to relocating to Ballston Spa in 2014, he designed and fabricated props for the movie and ad industries in Los Angeles and Atlanta. He earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of California at Irvine and undergraduate degree in Ceramics from Alfred University. He hopes to make the arts and arts education integral to the mission of the Museum.

Isobel Connell, of Clifton Park, who earned her PhD in Theoretical Mechanics from the University of Nottingham, England and came to this country in 1986 and was an engineer at GE for over 25 years. She has been active in youth activities, a founder of the Sherwood Forest Civic Assoc., and a Brookside Museum volunteer.

John Cromie, the Historical Society’s first paid employee in the museum’s early days. He served as President of the Society’s board from 1982-83. A local attorney and historian, he has also holds a Master in Public Administration from the Maxwell School, and has been on numerous local and regional non-profit boards.

Michael Landis, who holds a PhD in History from George Washington University and has taught at colleges in Connecticut, Texas, and New York. Specializing in the Antebellum and Civil War periods, he is the author of Northern Men with Southern Loyalties, a Choice Magazine selection for Outstanding Academic Title. A resident of the Town of Milton, he hopes to tie Historical Society’s programs to college curricula.

Nora Osuchowski, the Executive Director of the Ballston Area Recreation Commission, where she works with parents to provide programs in athletics, education, and the arts for area youth. Prior to her position at BARC, she directed and coordinated services for individuals with disabilities.

Maureen Walsh, a Milton resident since 2000, is an Enrolled Agent and Associate Financial Advisor at Canty Financial Management, Inc.  She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in History/Geography from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. She has more 30 years experience in the tax industry including 18 years in the Financial Services Industry focusing on Investment Advisory.

“The goal of the Board of Trustees is to reevaluate the operations of the Historical Society and integrate its resources with the needs of Saratoga County residents, as a way of assuring its future economic viability,” noted K. Michelle Arthur, Executive Director at the Brookside Museum. “I am looking forward to working with this expanded Board of Trustees to reach our immediate funding goal—and to launching new, exciting, and meaningful programs that serve our community.”

The Brookside Museum, located at 6 Charlton Street in Ballston Spa, has a mission to keep history alive through interactive educational programs and innovative exhibits that engage the community. Recent exhibits have highlighted unsung parts of the community, notably, last summer’s CHICKEN! exhibit, which drew a record number of families to the Museum, and told the story of Saratoga County poultry farms.

Dining with Diabetes, an educational program for people with diabetes or prediabetes and their family members is being offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension at the St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Tuesdays, February 25th, March 3rd and 10th, 10:00 am-12:00 pm. Pre-registration is required: call 518-885-8995. This free program is sponsored by the Schuylerville Lions Club.

Participants will learn how to fit carbohydrates into a healthy menu, effectively use food labels, choose meals at a restaurant and adopt other healthy habits to help manage diabetes through healthy eating. Recipe demonstration and samples provided. For program details call Diane Whitten at Cornell Cooperative Extension, 518-885-8995.