The Children’s Museum at Saratoga (CMAS) will mark a major milestone this month with the arrival of its first ever traveling exhibit , welcoming an immersive, storybook-inspired literacy experience on loan from the Minnesota Children’s Museum. The exhibit arrived Sunday, and is viewable this week. 

The approximately 500-square-foot exhibit represents a new chapter for CMAS, expanding how the museum brings fresh, engaging learning opportunities to families in the Capital Region. Designed to immerse children and caregivers in the worlds of classic children’s literature, the exhibit features environments inspired by The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter, The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats, and Where’s Spot? by Eric Hill. 

Through hands-on exploration and shared discovery, the exhibit encourages children to experience stories beyond the page. The spaces are intentionally designed to spark curiosity, conversation, and play—reinforcing that literacy develops through meaningful interactions long before formal reading begins. 

“This exhibit is incredibly special for us, not only because of its focus on early literacy, but because it represents the first time we’ve brought a traveling exhibit to the Children’s Museum at Saratoga,” said Sarah Smith, Executive Director of CMAS. “As we continue to listen to our community and respond to how families use and experience the museum, we’re committed to keeping our exhibits dynamic. That means growing our permanent exhibits while also exploring new traveling opportunities like this one, which allow us to introduce new themes, perspectives, and experiences for our visitors.” 

The exhibit’s arrival also coincides with the Children’s Museum at Saratoga’s partnership with United Way of the Greater Capital Region, the official local program partner for Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Together, these initiatives reflect a shared commitment to expanding access to books and reinforcing the importance of early literacy both inside and outside the museum’s walls. 

While the traveling exhibit invites families to experience stories through immersive play, the Imagination Library ensures that children can continue building that connection to reading at home, further strengthening the role of families and caregivers in a child’s literacy journey. 

The traveling exhibit reflects CMAS’s evolving approach to growth, balancing long-term investments in permanent installations with flexible, rotating exhibits that keep repeat visits engaging and relevant. It also opens the door for future partnerships with museums nationwide, expanding what CMAS can offer to the community it serves. 

The exhibit is currently open and viewable any time the Museum is open. 

For admission details, memberships, and hours, visit https://cmssny.org/ or stop by the Museum at 65 South Broadway, Saratoga Springs.

Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park invites community members of all ages to experience the beauty of nature after dark during its upcoming series of Full Moon Hikes. The next hike will take place on Saturday, January 31, at 5:00 p.m., offering participants a rare opportunity to explore the park’s serene winter landscape under the glow of the full moon.

Led by a knowledgeable environmental educator, each guided walk provides participants with insights into the unique habitats and wildlife that make Wilton Wildlife a regional treasure. The hikes will be held on the scenic trails of Camp Saratoga, located on Scout Road in the Town of Wilton.

These evening adventures offer a memorable and family-friendly way to appreciate the natural world in a peaceful, moonlit setting. Participants are encouraged to dress warmly and prepare for winter outdoor conditions.

Depending on weather conditions, the program will be conducted on snowshoes if snow is present; otherwise, attendees will enjoy a traditional trail walk. Free snowshoe rentals are available thanks to the generous support of Brookfield Renewable N.A. An additional Full Moon Hike is scheduled for Tuesday, March 3, at 6:00 p.m.

To register, please visit the website at www.wiltonpreserve.org. For more information, call the Wilton Wildlife office at 518-450-0321 or email info@wiltonpreserve.org.

 For up-to-date trail conditions or program information, please visit the Wilton Wildlife website at wiltonpreserve.org or follow on Facebook or Instagram @wiltonpreserve. Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park’s mission is to provide environmental education and opportunities for outdoor recreation while supporting conservation of ecological systems and natural settings.

Saratoga County Department of Aging and Youth Services has sponsorships available for residents ages 15 to 17 years old who would like to become lifeguards. The sponsorships will provide eligible residents with the opportunity to take the American Red Cross Lifeguard Training.

 Applications are available on the Saratoga County website at www.saratogacountyny.gov/DAYS.

 Those interested must participate in a pre-requisite swim at the Saratoga Springs YMCA (290 West Avenue, Saratoga Springs) on February 1st from 1-3pm. This requirement will take approximately two hours. Participants will take part in swimming 300 to 500 yards continuously (depending on pool or waterfront certification), treading water hands-free, and retrieving a weight, both under time limits. 

Participants will be eligible to apply for sponsorship upon completion of these components. The deadline for singing up for the pre-requisite swim is through January 30th.

 Classes for the water skills portion of the Lifeguard Training will take place from February through April. 

 Students will be certified in American Red Cross CPR, First Aid, AED and Water Rescue Skills. These classes will provide pool certification. Waterfront certification is available upon request and requires additional skills.

 The program is provided through funding from the New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

 For more information, please contact the Saratoga County Department of Aging and Youth Services at 518-884-4101 or visit www.saratogacountyny.gov/DAYS.

The Maple Avenue Musical Club is proud to announce its upcoming musical production of FROZEN, showcasing the exceptional talents of Saratoga Springs Middle School students in a captivating performance that promises to charm audiences of all ages. 

Performances: 

Friday, January 30 at 7pm Saturday, January 31 at 1pm + 7pm 

Friday, February 6 at 7pm Saturday, February 7 at 1pm + 7pm 

At Maple Avenue Middle School’s Trombley Auditorium 515 Maple Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY 

For the first time ever, audiences in our area will experience Frozen in its full musical glory—performed by an extraordinary cast of middle school talent. With performance rights newly released, our students are among the very first in the region to bring Elsa, Anna, Olaf, and the kingdom of Arendelle to life in the complete musical, featuring the show-stopping songs, sweeping story, and magical theatrical moments that captivated Broadway audiences. 

At the heart of Frozen is the powerful tale of two royal sisters—one wrestling with the growing force of her icy powers, the other determined to mend the bond that once held them together. When Elsa accidentally plunges their kingdom into an eternal winter, Anna sets out on a daring journey to save her sister and restore Arendelle, encountering rugged mountain men, charming reindeer, and warm-hearted snowmen along the way. 

This landmark production promises a thrilling, heart-filled event for families, theater lovers, and Frozen fans of all ages. 

The students have been diligently rehearsing under the guidance of Maple Avenue Musical Club Director, Candace Calvin, since November 2025 to bring this magical story to life. The musical features a talented cast and crew of 66 students, impressive musical numbers, and a theatrical design that will bring this beloved musical to life. 

“This ensemble has worked so hard over the past several months to put together an outstanding show,” said Candace Calvin, the director of the musical. “From vocals to costumes, props and sheer talent, we are so excited to share this performance with our community. Please come out and support this cast of young actors.” 

Ticket Information: Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students & children. Tickets can be purchased online or with the QR code. Tickets will also be available at the door. 

All proceeds from ticket sales go towards supporting Maple Avenue Musical Club’s future productions. 

Sponsorship and Donations: Individuals or businesses interested in supporting the production should feel free to contact Michaela Brown at: m_brown2@saratogaschools.org. Contributors will be listed in the program. 

We look forward to welcoming you to Frozen at Maple Ave! 

The Saratoga Springs City School District is seeking community input on candidates for the eleventh annual Hall of Distinction. The Saratoga Springs City School District Hall of Distinction provides a wonderful opportunity to honor and celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of the graduates of our school district.

The program was designed to instill in our students the concepts of achievement and excellence with the Hall of Distinction Inductees serving as exceptional role models. Their personal accomplishments, either to their individual fields of endeavor or to the broader community, exemplify what our students may attain through initiative and commitment. 

Potential candidates must have graduated from Saratoga Springs High School at least ten years ago and must exemplify our District’s educational philosophy through an outstanding social contribution to the broader community by making a difference in the lives of others; and/or outstanding professional contribution to, or achievement in, their field of endeavor.

A committee composed of community members, former and current high school administrators, and former and current high school teachers will review the nominations and select the honorees. Individuals will be recognized in the spring at Saratoga Springs High School which is tentatively scheduled for June 2, 2026.

An online Hall of Distinction Form is available at https://forms.office.com/r/cAtAnpG8Y3. All recommendation/application forms must be submitted by February 20, 2026. For more information about the Hall of Distinction, please visit the Saratoga Springs City School District’s website at saratogaschools.org.

The Ballston Spa Central School District will begin enrolling students for its Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program for the 2026-2027 school year on February 9, 2026. Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) is a state and federally funded program offered to families FREE of charge, regardless of income status. Children who have birth dates between December 2, 2021 and December 1, 2022, and are residents of the Ballston Spa Central School District are eligible to apply. A child who is age-eligible to attend kindergarten is not eligible for the UPK program. 

For additional information, visit the district’s Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program web page at https://www.bscsd.org/departments/curriculum-instruction/2026-2027-universal-pre-kindergarten-program. For questions about the registration process, please contact the District Registrar at registrar@bscsd.org or (518) 602-0256. 

For general UPK questions, please contact the Office of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment at upk@bscsd.org or (518) 884-7195, ext. 1374. The online registration link form will be available on the BSCSD UPK web page at https://www.bscsd.org/departments/curriculum-instruction/2026-2027-universal-pre-kindergarten-program at 8:00 am on February 9, 2026. The application deadline is March 27, 2026. 

For the 2026-2027 school year, agencies that will partner with the district to provide full-day Universal Pre-Kindergarten classrooms are Advanced Therapy, Ballston Area Community Center, Childtime (Ballston Spa and Mechanicville locations), LifeWorks Head Start, Little Achievers Child Care and Learning Center. Parents are provided the opportunity to indicate their preference regarding UPK sites, and the district makes efforts to match parent preference to placement determinations; however, parents are not guaranteed placement at the site they prefer. 

In the event that there are more applicants than available spaces, all complete applications will be included in a random lottery that will be conducted at the close of the enrollment period. Those applications not selected through the lottery process will be placed on a waiting list. All families who submit a timely application will be mailed acceptance/declination letters after the enrollment period has closed. Complete applications received after the March 27, 2026, deadline will have fewer options for placement and may be placed on a waitlist for programming if all current spots have been filled. 

Parents of potential 2026-2027 UPK students are invited to attend the BSCSD UPK Parent Information Night on January 21, 2026, from 6:30 pm-7:30 pm in the Milton Terrace/Wood Road Cafeteria, 100 Wood Road, Ballston Spa. Representatives from the school district and community-based sites will be present to answer questions and provide more information about the Ballston Spa CSD UPK program. Adults only please. 

If your child is age-eligible to attend kindergarten for the 2026-2027 school year, please contact registration@bscsd.org for information on registering.

Pitney Meadows Community Farm is pleased to announce a new chapter in its mission-driven work: beginning in 2026, the nonprofit Community Farm will begin hosting weddings and gatherings on its historic 166-acre property, in partnership with Farmstead Catering. This collaboration marks an intentional expansion into the agritourism sector, inviting couples, families, guests, and groups to gather and celebrate not only their special day but also the land that nourishes the community year-round. 

Bookings for the 2026 weddings and gatherings are now open. Couples and groups interested in learning more about offerings or beginning the planning process with Farmstead Catering are encouraged to reach out through our website: www.pitneymeadows.org/agritourism 

“A gathering on a working Community Farm is more than a venue choice, it’s a relationship with the land,” said Brooke McConnell, Executive Director of Pitney Meadows Community Farm. “As stewards of this land, we’re excited to invite guests into the rhythms of our farm, the seasons, and the food that grows here.”

At the heart of this partnership is a shared belief in place, community, and the power of truly local food. Farmstead Catering, created and led by Dillon Klepetar, has built a reputation across 

New York and New England for a culinary approach that honors both the land and the people who steward it. For every celebration, ingredients will be grown and raised primarily at Echo Farm, Farmstead Caterings’ home farm in the Adirondacks, and Pitney Meadows, with thoughtfully chosen supplemental sourcing from within a defined local radius. This collaboration is rooted in delivering one-of-a-kind experiences driven by professionals who are dedicated to farming as a source of community nourishment. Both Pitney Meadows and Echo Farm practice regenerative, pasture-based, and organic methods, ensuring that each plate is an expression of their shared values. It’s a partnership that reflects not only exceptional culinary craft but a commitment to supporting and uplifting our regional agricultural community. 

“Every time people gather, something special happens,” shared Dilon Klepetar of Farmstead Catering. “When we cook with ingredients grown here—at Echo Farm, at Pitney Meadows, and by our local farm community—the meal becomes part of that experience. It reflects the season, the people, and the landscape. That’s the heart of every celebration for us. Our clients don’t invest in a product, but an everbearing process.” 

Pitney Meadows’ expansion into weddings and gatherings reflects the farm’s broader vision for community-centered agritourism. Proceeds from wedding events directly support the nonprofit’s mission to promote food sovereignty, ecological stewardship, engaging educational programs and opportunities, and access to locally grown food in the Saratoga region. Guests who attend a wedding at Pitney Meadows become part of the farm’s larger story… one grounded in community, sustainability, and love for the land. 

“There’s something special about celebrating a wedding on a working Community Farm,” said Jori Wekin, Farmstead Catering’s Event Planner and Coordinator. “Guests will feel it the moment they arrive… the openness, the generosity of the land, the sense of connection. Together with Pitney Meadows, we’re able to offer couples a day that feels grounded and a shared reverent experience.” 

Bookings for the 2026 season are now open. Couples or groups interested in learning more about offerings, touring the farm, or beginning the planning process with Farmstead Catering are encouraged to reach out through our website www.pitneymeadows.org/agritourism or contact farmsteadcatering@gmail.com

Saratoga Jewish Community Arts, with a generous grant from the Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York and the sponsorship of Temple Sinai of Saratoga Springs, is pleased to present a panel discussion of the critically acclaimed film Hidden Figures, on Zoom, Wednesday, January 21 at 7 pm.

The film is part of SJCA’s Social Justice series. The film Hidden Figures is a 2016 American biographical drama, co-produced and directed by Theodore Melfi and Allison Schroeder. It is loosely based on the book Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly.

The film follows three actual African American women mathematicians – Katherine Goble Johnson, Dorothy Vaughn and Mary Jackson — who challenged stereotypes and racial barriers at NASA during the Space Race.

The National Board of Review chose Hidden Figures as one of the top ten films of 2016.

Johnson is hired at Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia in 1961. She becomes a pivotal figure among a small group of African American women colleagues, including Jackson and Vaughan. These talented women start out with two strikes against them: their race and their gender. They work in segregated facilities, are assigned menial mathematics calculations, and receive no respect from male colleagues.

Segregation shapes their daily experiences, particularly for Johnson. When her skills in analytic geometry are finally noticed, Johnson joins the Space Task Group that plots critical flight paths. Her white male engineers dismiss her contributions. However, when discrepancies arise in the IBM’s computer calculations, Johnson’s unparalleled mathematical skills become evident and indispensable. Her resolve, precision and diligence help ensure the success of the Friendship 7 mission with John Glenn aboard.

“Hidden Figures,” says Phyllis Wang, Coordinator of the SJCA series, “reveals the personalities and relationships among the three, presents their skills, and portrays continuing examples of their tough experiences, but never undercuts the broader fears and oppressions of this era.”

In real life, the three women continued to excel. Mary Jackson earned her engineering degree to become NASA’s first African American female engineer, while Dorothy Vaughn blazed trails as NASA’s first African American supervisor. Katherine Goble Johnson co-authored reports with the lead engineer and calculated crucial trajectories for the Apollo 11 and Space Shuttle missions.

In 2015, Johnson received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and in 2016, NASA honored her enduring legacy by naming the Computational Building at Langley Research Center for her, a testament to her profound influence in mathematics and beyond.

The following programs will be offered during the week of January 19-25. Details and registration information for each program can be found at www.cphlibrary.org or by calling 518-371-8622. 

Please Note: The Library will be closed January 19 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. 

Preschool Story Time & Craft – Wednesday, January 21 at 10:30 am (Ages 3-5, with an adult. Registration required.) 

Sensory Story Time – Wednesday, January 21 at 4 pm (Ages 5-10, with an adult. Registration required.) 

Music & Motion – Friday, January 16 at 10 am (Ages 0-6, with an adult.) 

Saturday Story Time – Saturday, January 17 at 10 am 

ZOOM: Virtual Author Talk with Julia Hotz – Tuesday, January 20 at 2 pm 

Journalist and author Julia Hotz will discuss her book The Connection Cure: The Prescriptive Power of Movement, Nature, Art, Service, and Belonging. Science shows that social prescribing is effective for treating symptoms of the modern world’s most common ailments. By integrating age-old medicines like art, nature, movement, and volunteer service into patients’ daily lives, social prescriptions are radically changing health and healthcare in more than 30 countries. Registration required. 518-371-8622. www.cphlibrary.org 

Therapy Dogs for Adults – Wednesday, January 21 at 10 am 

De-stress and pet a therapy dog! All participants will be assigned a time slot for their visit. Please meet in the Cafe Area near the Circulation Desk to be assigned a time. For adults only. 518-371-8622. www.cphlibrary.org 

Radiant Morning Yoga – Wednesdays at 10 am: January 21-February 11 

Get up and get moving with this refreshing and relaxing morning yoga class with certified yoga instructor Miki Vysohlid. Registration required. 518-371-8622. www.cphlibrary.org 

Read Digital Newspapers for Free – Thursday, January 22 at 1 pm 

Learn how to use library resources to access free newspaper articles from the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Daily Gazette, NY Post, and more. Registration required. 518-371-8622. www.cphlibrary.org 

Therapy Dogs for Teens – Thursday, January 22 at 4:30 pm 

De-stress and pet a therapy dog. Drop by the Teen Place to hang out with our furry friend, Sophie. Come alone or with a friend. For teens in grades 6-12 only. 518-371-8622. www.cphlibrary.org 

Silent Book Club (at MochaLisa’s Caffé, Clifton Park) – Thursday, January 22 at 6 pm 

Want to join a book club, but pick your own book? Then this book club is for you—come talk about your favorite books and read quietly in a group setting. 518-371-8622. www.cphlibrary.org 

Teen Nutrition: Healthy Smoothies – Friday, January 23 at 2 pm 

Have fun making your own smoothies with Brenna Kavakos from Saratoga County Cornell Cooperative Extension. Grades 6-12. Registration required. 518-371-8622. www.cphlibrary.org 

FOL Used Book Sale – 518-371-8622. www.cphlibrary.org 

Preview for Friends Members 

Friday, January 23: 11:45 am-12:45 pm 

General Public 

Friday, January 23: 1-5 pm 

Saturday, January 24: 10 am-4 pm 

Sunday, January 25: 12:15-4 pm