SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Hospital’s 28th annual holiday ornament pays tribute to one of Saratoga’s most notable figures, Marylou Whitney.
Joseph Bell, M.D. designed the gold ornament, which is currently on sale for $25 at the hospital gift shop, Adirondack Trust branches, Impressions of Saratoga, Treasures Boutique, and Crafters Gallery. Proceeds will support the hospital’s Cancer Patient Fund.
In 2019, Whitney was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, just two weeks after she passed away at her home in Saratoga. Known as the “social queen of Saratoga,” Whitney was an influential presence in the Spa City, co-founding both the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) and the National Museum of Dance.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — As workers on cherry pickers adorned Broadway’s lamps with Christmas wreaths, the Salvation Army launched its annual Red Kettle campaign outside the Adirondack Trust main branch.
“The needs of our neighbors are present year-round, but most prevalently during the Christmas season,” said Salvation Army Lieutenant Michael Dow. “This is why the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle campaign is so important to those looking for help in the coming weeks.”
The Salvation Army of Saratoga Springs’ Christmas assistance program will benefit more than sixty local families, Dow said. The charity’s goal this season is to raise $100,000. The first $1,000 was donated by Adirondack Trust.
Contributions can be made online, at red kettles stationed in the city, or by texting “Saratoga” to 31333. This year, donations can also be made by tapping a phone or chip-enabled card on one of the dollar amounts attached to the red kettles.
The Red Kettle campaign launch was attended by Commissioner of Public Works Jason Golub, Adirondack Trust Company President and CEO Charles V. Wait Jr., and New York State Senator James Tedisco.
Red kettles will be at the following locations:
Market 32 – Ballston Ave in Saratoga
Market 32 – Route 50 in Wilton
Uncommon Grounds – Broadway in Saratoga
Adirondack Trust – Broadway in Saratoga
Walmart – Wilton
Walmart – Clifton Park
Market 32 – Plank Road in Clifton Park
Market 32 – Malta
To donate or learn more, visit easternusa.salvationarmy.org/empire/saratoga-springs/.
GALWAY — Waterwheel Village, a country store that specializes in aged cheddar cheese, is marking its 100th year in business.
Part of the current store was first constructed in 1839 as a foundry that made horse-drawn plows, according to Waterwheel’s manager Laurie Klamp. Klamp has been working at the store for more than forty years and has become its unofficial historian.
A member of the Fonda family (for whom the village of Fonda is named) began aging cheddar cheese at the location a century ago. “And we’ve been doing it the same way ever since,” Klamp said.
In 1923, the property became a mercantile store. The Fonda family owned it until 1971. After a series of brief takeovers, the Marvin family bought Waterwheel and have owned it for the last 51 years.
The shop sells craft soda and beer, candy, and baked goods. But its most popular items are its aged cheddars. “We actually have people who come in once a week to buy a pound of it to make homemade macaroni and cheese,” Klamp said. “It is delicious.”
Waterwheel is located at 2259 Route 29 in Galway. The store currently takes phone orders and may soon begin online sales. To learn more, visit waterwheelvillage.com.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —The New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA), Ageless Innovation, and the Saratoga Senior Center are hosting a “Reach Out and Play” event, an intergenerational game day, at the Saratoga Senior Center on November 17 from 10:30 a.m. to Noon.
Game play is fun for all generations. But the real wins are overcoming social isolation (a leading public health concern), encouraging engagement for older adults, and getting generations together so they can learn from one another (and combat ageism in the process).
Participants will be playing recently released and re-imagined classic board games from Ageless Innovation in partnership with Hasbro Toys. These reimagined classics are designed with age-inclusive components, such as easy-to-grasp game pieces, increased font size, and trivia and references that cater to players of all ages.
The Saratoga Senior Center is located at 290 West Ave., Ste 1, Saratoga Springs (attached to the YMCA). For questions about the event or to RSVP, call 518-584-1621.
Saratoga Springs — Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga (THS) has partnered with the American Legion Adirondack Post 70, Rosina Food Products, and The Bread Basket Bakery to offer Veterans a free Italian meal.
In recognition of our Veterans and their invaluable service to our country, the special dinner event will take place at The American Legion Adirondack Post 70 location on Thursday, Nov. 16 from 5-7 p.m. Veterans and their families are invited to enjoy a delicious Italian meal, provided by Rosina Food Products and complimented with salad and dessert platter from The Bread Basket Bakery.
The American Legion of Saratoga is located at 34 West Ave, Saratoga Springs.
This event is open to all Veterans and their families in our community. Reservations are required, and space is limited. To register visit thsaratoga.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/thsaratoga/eventRegistration.jsp?event=5&
Representatives from THS will be providing information regarding their free Equine Therapy services offered to service members and their families year-round.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —3,000 toys and $8,000. No, it’s not Santa’s workshop budget. These are the goals set for the 11th annual Toys for Toga holiday drive. Now through December 10, new and unwrapped toys can be donated to more than 80 participating businesses in Saratoga County. 100 percent of the donations will be split evenly between the Franklin Community Center, CAPTAIN Community Home Services, and the Mechanicville Area Community Services Center.
For participating locations, visit www.toysfortoga.com.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —The Veterans Business Council held its annual breakfast on November 1 in anticipation of Veterans Day. The keynote presentation was delivered by veteran Ryan Smithson. Smithson authored the memoir “Ghosts of War: The True Story of a 19-Year-Old GI.” Smithson is a SUNY Albany grad who spoke about the “transformative power of creativity.” More information about the VBC is available at www.saratoga.org.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — A century ago, Calvin Coolidge was president, the first pitch was thrown at Yankee Stadium, and a man named Charles “Jake” Jacobsen entered the rug business.
Jacobsen Rugs celebrates its 100th anniversary in November. According to President Frank Asef, a ribbon-cutting ceremony is in the works for the Jacobsen showroom at 543 Broadway in downtown Saratoga. The store’s entire inventory will be 35 percent off through December 16 to mark the occasion.
Asef said that Saratoga customers favor traditional over modern rugs, especially designs from India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Afghanistan. “We get a lot of customers from Lake George. We sell a lot of the big sized rugs.”
Although it’s been nearly 100 years since Jake Jacobsen founded the company, his memory still looms large over the current owners. “I love him,” Asef said of the company’s founder. “I didn’t get the chance to meet him but he is in my heart.”
According to Jacobsen Rugs, founder “Jake” Jacobsen served in World War I and met a superior officer who introduced him to Middle Eastern rugs. Upon returning home, Jake opened his first rug store in downtown Syracuse. Before long, duty called once again and he saw action in World War II. He fought in the Italian campaign, and was among the first Americans to enter liberated Rome.
He first purchased Turkish rugs abroad in 1932, then later journeyed across Europe and the Middle East to find more rugs to sell in the States. When abroad, he bought rugs directly from rugmakers.
Over the last century, more than 100,000 handwoven rugs have been sold by Jacobsen Rugs. In 1990, the Saratoga location opened and has been selling rugs from around the world ever since.
For more about Jacobsen Rugs visit jacobsenrugs.com.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — WSWHE BOCES, The Saratoga Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), and Employment Training for Adults has announced they will host an Upstate Job Fair & Career Expo on Wednesday, Nov. 8 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Saratoga City Center.
Over 45 business partners, colleges, educational pathway partners, and more will be there, according to a press release from WSWHE BOCES. No registration is required. On-the-spot interviews, free resume reviews and free professional headshots will be available.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Children’s Theatre (www.saratogachildrenstheatre.org) has announced that Stewart’s Shops has signed on to match individual donations up to $10,000, as SCT strives toward its goal of $23,000 to install air conditioning in the Nemer Black Box Theater at its Maple Avenue location.
“We are beyond grateful for the generosity and dedication to the arts that Stewart’s Shops has shown in their commitment to match donations made to SCT for the air conditioning install,” said Leigh Berenis, acting executive director, in a press release. “We moved into this space more than three years ago and have performed summer camps here ever since, where our loyal patrons brave the summer heat to cheer on our young performers. Installing this new AC system will not only dramatically improve the experience for our audience, it will for our staff and actors, as well.”
To date, SCT has raised $2,200 for the AC system installation, which brings the total to $4,400 with the Stewart’s Shops match, according to the release. The match program runs through the end of this year. Donations can be made by visiting SCT’s website.
Saratoga Children’s Theatre – 501c3 non-profit – started in 2008 to provide the youth of the greater Saratoga Region with an arts education program that fostered a love of theater and performance.
In November, SCT will perform ‘The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical.’ Show times on Nov. 10, 11, 12, 17 and 18, as well as ticket purchase information can be found on SCT’s website under shows. SCT will also perform an Ugly Sweater Cabaret on Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. and a Shakespeare Scene Festival on Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. The summer camp schedule for 2024 will also be available in early January.
