Saratoga County History Center at Brookside Museum is proud to present Andy Rooney: A Lucky Life, an upcoming program exploring the life and times of the broadcasting legend and his connections to Ballston Spa. On October 29, 2026, at 6:00 PM at Saratoga County History Center, Award-winning journalist and biographer Paul Grondahl will offer a presentation tracing the arc of a true American icon. 

In his newly published biography, “Andy Rooney: A Lucky Life,” Grondahl describes Rooney’s early family history in Ballston Spa and how a smart-aleck Albany boy and academic failure at Albany Academy came of age as a Stars and Stripes reporter during World War II and transformed himself into the nation’s most popular commentator with 20 million viewers waiting for the end of 60 Minutes each Sunday evening to hear “A Few Minutes with Andy Rooney” and the beloved curmudgeon’s cranky musings. Grondahl will pepper his talk with Rooney witticisms and Everyman sensibility, present rare photographs, and offer revelations never made public before. Peter Osnos, founder of PublicAffairs Books and Rooney’s editor, called Grondahl’s book “the biography Andy Rooney deserved. A great read.” 

The book draws on interviews with Rooney and his family members, childhood friends, and 60 Minutes colleagues, as well as archival research and abundant quotations of Rooney’s own words through unpublished writings, personal letters, and pieces beloved by his legion of fans. Along the way, Grondahl uncovers new truths about Rooney’s long-term extramarital affair, the extent of his academic failure, and how his boorish behavior alienated him from close friends. This dark side of Rooney’s personality, however, is balanced by examples of deep loyalty, acts of kindness, and encouragement of young journalists. Here is the extraordinary life story of a man who contained multitudes.

Paul Grondahl is Opalka Endowed Director of the New York State Writers Institute at the University at Albany, State University of New York. His previous books include Mayor Corning: Albany Icon, Albany Enigma, also published by SUNY Press, and I Rose Like a Rocket: The Political Education of Theodore Roosevelt. As a staff writer at the Albany Times Union from 1984 to 2017, he won numerous local, state, and national writing prizes. He lives in Guilderland, New York. This event is presented with the support of Adirondack Trust Company. 

This event is free with registration, although attendees can pre-order copies of Andy Rooney: A Lucky Life on our website www.brooksidemuseum.org. Additional copies of the book will be for sale at the event, and a book signing will follow immediately after the program. 

The New York State Division for Historic Preservation will open the doors of its Peebles Island headquarters to the public for the first time in more than 15 years during a three-day Open House — Thursday, October 15 – Saturday, October 17, 2026. Free and open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. each day, the Open House will offer a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how New York preserves, protects and shares its history.   

The special event will feature recent projects and ongoing work of the Division for Historic Preservation (DHP), part of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP). Visitors are invited to explore the buildings and grounds of the Peebles Island Resource Center, meet with staff, participate in hands-on activities, watch demonstrations, hear presentations, explore specialty projects, and tour spaces. Attendees of all ages are encouraged to bring their curiosity and questions as they interact with archaeologists, historians, conservators, curators, historic preservationists, environmentalists, designers and technical experts. 

“Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York is making historic investments in preserving our past and finding new ways to connect people with the stories that shaped our state,” said OPRHP Commissioner Kathy Moser. “Peebles Island is where so much of the behind-the-scenes work to preserve and share New York’s history happens. As we commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, there is no better time to open the doors at Peebles Island and give New Yorkers an insider’s look at the people, expertise and craftsmanship that bring our history to life.”   

The Peebles Island Resource Center is home to DHP, including the New York State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and the New York State Bureau of Historic Sites (BHS). SHPO administers programs such as the State and National Registers of Historic Places, historic rehabilitation tax credit programs, historic preservation technical assistance consultation and review, the Certified Local Government (CLG) program, archaeological expertise, historic preservation grants, resource surveys, education and outreach. The Bureau of Historic Sites provides museum and historic preservation technical support to New York’s state-owned parks and historic sites, including collections care, conservation of objects, preservation of historic buildings and landscapes, research, exhibitions, interpretive signage and educational resources.  

Located at 1 Delaware Avenue North, Cohoes, NY 12047, Peebles Island State Park sits at the confluence of the Hudson and Mohawk rivers. The park offers fishing, spectacular river and rapids views, and miles of trails through a gently rolling and wooded landscape.  

Parking is available at the park but may become limited during the event. Carpooling is encouraged.

Schuylerville Elementary School students, staff and Parents as Education Partners (PEP) celebrated the official opening of the school’s new multipurpose basketball hoop and recreational area with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The $40,607 project was fully funded through proceeds from the 2025 PEP Fun Run.

PEP gave special recognition to Silver Sponsor Stone Bridge Iron and Steel, Inc., whose generous contribution helped push the Fun Run fundraising total beyond the $40,000 mark. A plaque at the new recreational area recognizes PEP and the school community whose support helped make the project possible.

“Our students have already been putting this wonderful new hoop structure to non-stop use, and seeing our kids active, playing together, and filling the playground with laughter is what childhood is all about,” said Schuylerville Elementary School Principal, Marissa Macey. “Keeping our children moving and engaged is so vital to their health and growth, and we are deeply grateful to PEP and our generous community for giving them a space where they can play, thrive, and just be kids.”

PEP Co-President Christine Barbeau said the project represents exactly what the organization hopes to accomplish through its work.

“At the end of the day, this is what PEP is all about: coming together to make things happen for the kids,” said Barbeau.

Schuylerville Mayor Dan Carpenter joined the celebration and helped mark the official opening, pointing to the project as an example of what can happen when a community comes together behind the work of volunteers. Carpenter praised the group for raising more than $40,000 and said the new space will provide students with a great environment and countless hours of enjoyment. Superintendent Dr. Ryan Sherman also attended the ribbon cutting and praised the effort behind the project.

“Raising more than $40,000 is a remarkable undertaking and really speaks to the support our families and community have for our students,” said Dr. Sherman. “We’re incredibly grateful to PEP, its volunteers and everyone who contributed to making this project a reality.”

A Children’s Story Time & Craft

Saratoga County History Center is proud to announce Leaves and Trees: A Children’s Story Time & Craft, a special upcoming event designed for children and families from the Saratoga County Community. Taking place on October 18, 2026, at 2:00 PM at Saratoga County History Center, this engaging event celebrates the coming of fall with a read-aloud and fall-themed crafts. 

“We are excited to offer this event where children can explore, learn, and have fun together,” said Meaghan Dame, Education Manager at Saratoga County History Center. “Families can expect an afternoon filled with engaging read alouds, hands-on craft activities, and a chance to play in our History Hunters Hangout. It will be an afternoon of fall fun!”

Meaghan will be reading “Fletcher and the Falling Leaves” by Julia Rawlinson and “A Tree for All Seasons” by Robin Bernard. Afterwards, we invite families to try leaf painting or enjoy fall coloring pages. This program is aimed at children ages 3-8, and children are encouraged to wear clothes that can handle a little paint mess. This event is free; however, registration is encouraged at our website, brooksidemuseum.org. 

This program is offered with the support of a grant from the J.M. McDonald Foundation, and is inspired by our current temporary exhibition, Luther Forest: A Family, A Woodland, A Legacy. The rain date for this event is November 8. 

Saratoga Jewish Community Arts, supported by a generous grant from the Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York and the sponsorship of Temple Sinai, is joining with the Albany Institute of History & Art to present a screening and discussion of the award-winning documentary Ain’t No Back to a Merry-Go-Round, part of SJCA’s Social Justice series. The screening and discussion of the film, directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Ilana Trachtman, takes place Thursday, October 15, from 6 pm to 8:30 pm, at the Albany Institute of History & Art, 125 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12210.

Lead support for the program is generously provided by The Richer Team at Hanna Commercial Realtors. Additional program support is provided by the Capital District Jewish Holocaust Memorial for the reception, the Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York for accommodations, Rick D’Avino for travel, and Phyllis Wang, Saratoga Jewish Community Arts for communications.

An Untold Civil Rights Story

Ain’t No Back to a Merry-Go-Round tells the untold story of the first organized interracial civil rights protest in U.S. history. When five Howard University students sat down on a carousel at Maryland’s Glen Echo Amusement Park in 1960, their arrests made headlines. When the white community near the park joined the Black students in picketing, an extraordinary, history-making partnership was born.

The pickets attracted Nazis, a congressman, and a press avalanche. Picketing together over a sweltering summer led to partying together, and union organizers mentored student activists. Ten of the 1961 Freedom Riders, including Stokely Carmichael, were incubated on the Glen Echo picket line, and the carousel arrests were challenged in a case that reached the Supreme Court.

With never-before-seen footage and immersive storytelling by director Ilana Trachtman (Praying with Lior, Black in Latin America, The Pursuit), four living protesters help rescue this forgotten history, revealing the price — and the power — of heeding the impulse to activism. 

The film features voiceover performances by Jeffrey Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Bob Balaban, Lee Grant, Peter Gallagher, Dominique Thorne, Alysia Reiner, and Tracie Thoms.

To register, enter the URL address below in your browser:

For its exemplary record of leadership, service and efforts to improve the school and community, the National Honor Society NHS awarded Galway High School the Chapter of Distinction award.

NHS is supported by its parent organization, the National Principals Association (NPA), which also oversees the National Association of Student Councils.

The Galway National Honor Society chapter works closely with school and community partners to make a positive difference in the lives of others. The chapter supports the school’s Backpack Program, which provided food to 51 families last year. The members help prep backpacks and run an ongoing fundraiser which donates its profits to the program. The chapter also partners with Things of My Very Own, a nonprofit organization that provides intervention services to children. 

Each year, members participate in a chapter-wide service trip during the holiday season. The chapter has also partnered with the Galway Public Library to develop activities for the community.

“The NHS Chapter of Distinction Award celebrates chapters that truly embody what the National Honor Society stands for—students who don’t just excel academically but actively strengthen their communities,” said NPA CEO Ronn Nozoe. “The Galway chapter demonstrates how powerful it can be when young leaders channel their talents toward meaningful service and positive change.”

Chapter president Andrew Miller is excited about the recognition and sees it as a motivator for this year. At the chapter’s first meeting, he told members: “We want to build on our chapter of distinction and use our large group to do things that have an impact on something greater than us.”

The NHS Chapters of Distinction is a national recognition program created by NHS to honor chapters that demonstrate strong leadership, sound operations and a deep commitment to the pillars of the Honor Society. This distinction recognizes chapters that meet all Essential Standards and excel in key areas such as student governance and leadership development.

Saratoga Independent School is thrilled to welcome families from across the region to its annual Kite & Flight Family Festival, happening Saturday, October 3, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on the school’s scenic 60-acre campus located at 459 Lake Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY. 

This festival celebrates imagination, movement, community, and the many forms of flight. Admission is completely free. More information can be found on www.siskids.org/kite.

Visitors can enjoy hands-on craft tables led by Saratoga Independent School teachers, bounce around in a bounce house, explore a balloon globe, and get creative with face painting and other engaging activities. 

Food will be available for purchase from a variety of vendors. Attendees can grab lunch or a snack from Rollin in Gravy Food Truck, and a treat from Left Field Shave Ice.

The event also features interactive exhibits and hands-on activities presented by a range of local community partners. Representatives from SPAC School of the Arts, Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park, Third Space Saratoga, Wellspring, and Saratoga Springs Recreation Department will be on hand to engage visitors of all ages with educational experiences, demonstrations, and helpful resources.

“We look forward to inviting the community to SIS every year for this event. It’s a day of exploration, creativity, and fun,” said Betsy Boland, Director of Development at Saratoga Independent School. “It’s a wonderful reflection of our mission to inspire learning both inside and outside the classroom.”

The Kite & Flight Family Festival is made possible through the generous sponsorship as well as the enthusiastic support of SIS faculty, staff, family, and friends.

For more information on Saratoga Independent School’s commitment to exceptional education and student development, please contact Betsy Boland at bboland@siskids.org.