The Adirondack Trust Company Community Fund is accepting grant applications from eligible nonprofit charities headquartered in the Saratoga, Warren and Washington County. The grant window is open until August 31, 2026, according to Phil Klein, Chair of the Community Fund’s independent advisory committee. Grants are to be used during calendar year 2027.

Grant information and application form may be obtained from the Adirondack Trust Company Community Fund website at atccf.org/Grants/Lend-A-Hand-Grant-Application. 

The Adirondack Trust Company Community Fund was established in 2009 to build an endowment that acts as a perpetual source of funding for the broad array of nonprofit organizations that improve the quality of life in the community. The Fund assists them in addressing issues of common concern and also seeks to foster a community spirit of giving by providing donors with unique and flexible ways to manage charitable donations. 

In 2025, the Community Fund gave $97,150 in Lend-A-Hand Grant Awards to 37 local, nonprofit organizations, supporting programs in such diverse areas as veteran’s outreach, food insecurity, summer lunch programs, wildlife education, homelessness prevention, youth services, and the arts.

2026 Grant awards recipients will be announced by the independent advisory committee in December 2026. To learn about past Lend-A-Hand Grant recipients, visit ATCCF.org.

The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame and Amplify Horse Racing are once again partnering for the Winner’s Circle Summer Camp, an immersive four-day experience introducing high school students to the thrilling world of thoroughbred racing.

Taking place Tuesday, July 28 through Friday, July 31, in Saratoga Springs, the Winner’s Circle Summer Camp will give participants access to some of the sport’s most iconic locations and career opportunities. The four-day camp, which was introduced in 2025, combines classroom-style learning at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame with exclusive behind-the-scenes tours at Saratoga Race Course. The Winner’s Circle Summer Camp is made possible through support of industry partners, including the New York Racing Association, New York Thoroughbred Breeders, and the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association.

From learning how a racetrack operates and exploring veterinary science to visiting the backstretch, students will discover how their personal skills and interests can connect to a wide variety of career paths in the thoroughbred industry.

“Once again, the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame is proud to partner with Amplify Horse Racing to offer this unique four-day immersive learning experience,” said Eric Ross, the Museum’s educator. “This is a great opportunity for young people interested in the thoroughbred industry, and we are proud to work with the New York Racing Association and our local industry partners to provide space to foster the next generation of thoroughbred enthusiasts.”

“Amplify’s goal is to help young people connect with horses and the many career opportunities that surround them, regardless of whether they have ever been around horses before,” said Annise Montplaisir, Amplify’s executive director. “The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame is a natural educational partner in that mission, and this camp provides a wonderful opportunity for youth to learn about horses and develop an interest in the sport of thoroughbred racing.”

Winner’s Circle Summer Camp Overview

July 28: Introduction to Thoroughbred Racing

• Explore the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame

• Learn how the thoroughbred industry works

• Discover different career pathways in racing

• Test your skills on a horse racing simulator

• Participate in an interactive equine science experience

July 29: Behind the Scenes at the Racetrack

• Visit Saratoga’s historic training grounds

• Tour a working thoroughbred training barn

• Learn how racetracks are designed and maintained

• Explore the science behind racing surfaces

July 30: Equine Health and Veterinary Science

• Learn horse anatomy and biosecurity practices

• Visit an equine veterinary hospital

• Explore how horses are cared for throughout their careers

• Participate in hands-on activities focused on equine health and the economic impact of the horse industry

July 31: Horse Care and Life After Racing

• Visit an aftercare organization that helps retired racehorses transition to new careers

• Participate in hands-on horse care activities, including grooming and horse handling based on comfort level

• Learn about careers in horse care, retraining, and equine welfare

Optional afternoon at Saratoga Race Course available for participants and families.

The camp is open to rising 9th through 12th graders. Enrollment is limited to 15 students, with a registration fee of $50 per student ($40 for National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame members and Amplify mentees or mentee graduates). 

To learn more or register, visit: https://1049a.blackbaudhosting.com/1049a/The-Winners-Circle-Summer-Camp-2026

– The Saratoga County Historian’s Office seeks proposals from qualified companies to develop and create an interactive exhibit titled Voices from Saratoga.  

Proposals will be accepted until 5PM on Friday, July 17, 2026. The project is funded by a $30,000 grant through the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership.  

The exhibit will consist of four interpretive panels focused on the experiences of people in the Saratoga area during the fall of 1777, when British General John Burgoyne’s army surrendered to General Horatio Gates. Known for over a century as the Turning Point of the American Revolution, this American victory would help secure the French Alliance, which made possible the victory at Yorktown.  

The Voices of Saratoga Exhibit will use primary sources to highlight the thoughts and experiences of those who were directly affected by these events including soldiers, local residents, children and people of color. The interpretive panels will be enhanced by an interactive digital experience.  

“There is such a treasure trove of accounts from the Saratoga Campaign, and the receipt of this Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership grant gives us the opportunity to highlight some of the lesser-known stories,” said Saratoga County Historian and Chair of the Saratoga250 Commission Lauren Roberts. “We are grateful for this opportunity and look forward to enhancing public education of our revolutionary past, including stories of the people who were directly affected by the 1777 Campaign.” 

The Voices of Saratoga Exhibit will be in the Saratoga Revolutionary Experience Center, which is currently under construction with plans to open in October. Located in the lower level of the Champlain Canal Region Gateway Visitor Center at 30 Ferry Street in the Village of Schuylerville, this space will host engaging interactive exhibits and serve as a hub directing visitors not only to historic sites, but to hospitality assets and recreational opportunities as well. 

Those interested in responding to the Request for Proposal (RFP) should contact the County’s purchasing department at (518) 885-2210 or Lauren Roberts, County Historian at (518)-884-4749 or by email at lroberts@saratogacountyny.gov.  

Leadership Saratoga alumni spanning four decades recently gathered to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the program’s first graduating class in 1986.

With more than 725 graduates to date, Leadership Saratoga is a community leadership development program sponsored by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.

During the celebration held on June 16 at The Pines at Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Libby Clark, Class of 2009, was recognized as the 2026 Lisa A. Niles Distinguished Alumni Award winner. This prestigious honor for community leadership is awarded by former recipients. The evening featured a video tribute to Clark’s long history of community service, preceded by an introduction of Libby’s accomplishments from past recipient Tara Anne Pleat.

Outgoing Alumni Association President Shawna Jenks served as emcee and was recognized in appreciation of her leadership.

Leadership Saratoga was founded by Linda Toohey during her tenure with the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce. Toohey, along with her husband Mike, former Program Director Kathleen Fyfe, and several members of the original Leadership Saratoga Class of 1986, were in attendance for the celebration of the program’s long history.

A video tribute created by Light It Up Media featuring archival footage of Leadership Saratoga participants capped off the evening’s program.

More information about Leadership Saratoga is available at www.leadershipsaratoga.org.

Roohan Realty announced Teri Kleinmann as an Associate Real Estate Broker this week. A lifelong Capital Region resident, Teri has been helping buyers and sellers navigate the real estate market since 2008. Combining nearly two decades of real estate experience with a distinguished legal career, she offers clients a rare blend of market knowledge, strategic guidance, and skilled advocacy. 

As a New York State licensed attorney since 1989, she has practiced law in Chicago, New York City, and Albany, and served as counsel in the New York State Assembly. She is a graduate of Northwestern University School of Law, Wellesley College, and the Academy of the Holy Names.

Teri lives in Malta with husband, Joel Howard, a construction attorney, and their beloved cat, Casper. Giving back has always been an important part of Teri’s life, from serving on the boards of the St. Margaret’s Center Foundation and St. Anne Institute Foundation, to leading fundraising efforts for the Center for Disability Services and other local nonprofit organizations.

Whether working with first-time buyers, longtime homeowners, or clients relocating to the area, Teri takes the time to listen, understand each client’s goals, and provide thoughtful guidance every step of the way.

Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) and Tickets for Good, a platform that provides free and discounted tickets to teachers, healthcare workers, and nonprofit employees, have renewed their partnership for a third consecutive year, helping community workers across the Capital Region experience world-class performances at little or no cost.

The partnership will once again provide access to a range of SPAC events throughout the summer season, including performances by New York City Ballet and The Philadelphia Orchestra.

“At SPAC, we believe that the arts play a vital role in fostering well-being, connection, and community. We are proud to partner with Tickets for Good to provide healthcare workers, teachers, and nonprofit employees with access to world-class performances, creating opportunities to experience the joy and inspiration of live music and dance,” said Elizabeth Sobol, Chief Executive Officer of SPAC. 

Since first working together, SPAC and Tickets for Good have connected more than 300 community workers with live arts experiences, helping ensure that the people who spend their lives supporting others can also enjoy the cultural life of the region.

“We believe that live events have the power to bring people together, create lasting memories, and strengthen communities. The partnership comes at a time when many Americans are feeling increasingly squeezed by the rising cost of everyday life, with arts and cultural experiences often becoming harder to access despite the proven benefits they bring to well-being, connection, and community,” said Steve Rimmer, CEO and Cofounder of Tickets for Good.