Governor Hochul today announced a $3.8 million new grant program to support and promote the history and achievements of African Americans and people of African descent throughout the State. The New York State African American Heritage Grant Program (NYS AAH) will provide grants to assist nonprofit organizations and local governments in documenting, interpreting, and preserving places and stories of historical and cultural importance to the African American experience in New York.

“At a time when crucial elements of public history are under assault from Washington, New York State is stepping up to the stories of all of our residents. This new grant program will help expand the ways we teach, preserve, and celebrate Black history in New York,” Governor Hochul said. “We look forward to working with community partners to foster a greater understanding of Black New Yorkers’ contributions to our state.”

Funded through a state appropriation to the Commission on African American History, the grant program was created to educate the public about sites and people connected to a broad spectrum of Black history across New York. All eligible projects must focus within the period from 1627, when the first enslaved Africans arrived in New Amsterdam, to 1975, the latter part of the Black Arts and Black Power movements.

There are two project categories in the grant program: education projects and capital projects. Up to $2.8 million will be available for education grants to support education, interpretation, programming, research, and/or documentation projects that highlight, uncover, uplift, and amplify the contributions and history of African Americans in New York State — with a maximum award of $150,000. Up to $1 million is available for capital grants that support pre-development planning and design, construction, or a combination of both for existing buildings, structures, or sites related to African American heritage– with a maximum award of $200,000. Detailed information about the grant program is available at parks.ny.gov/grants.

The New York State African American Heritage Grant Program is administered by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP), Division for Historic Preservation, in partnership with the New York State Commission on African American History (Commission) and the New York State Department of State (DOS).

Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park invites community members to experience the beauty of nature after dark during its upcoming series of Full Moon Hikes. The next hikes will take place on Monday, March 2, and Tuesday, March 3 at 6:00 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 to program participants thanks to the generous support of Brookfield Renewable N.A. 

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.

The Saratoga Springs High School Drama Club is proud to present Newsies, the high-energy Broadway musical inspired by the hit Disney film. Directed by Bob Berenis, the production features music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Jack Feldman, and a book by Harvey Fierstein.

Newsies tells the inspiring story of young newspaper sellers who band together to stand up for what’s right, bringing audiences an unforgettable performance filled with powerful music, dynamic choreography, and themes of courage, friendship, and determination.

Performances will take place in the Loewenberg Auditorium on:

• Thursday, March 12 at 7:00 p.m.

• Friday, March 13 at 7:30 p.m.

• Saturday, March 14 at 1:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors (65+).

The Ballston Spa High School Science Olympiad team placed 2nd at the Capital Region Science Olympiad Tournament which was recently held at Ballston Spa High School. Nineteen high school teams from throughout the Capital Region competed in the tournament.  

Ballston Spa students won medals in 19 out of 23 events including First Place in three of the events.  The first-place medal winners and their respective events include Lucas Guest and Sonja Mankes in “Astronomy”, William Hu in “Robot Tour” and Arnie Balajadia and Liam Brooks in “Bungee Drop”.  

The team’s successful finish qualifies them for the New York State competition at LeMoyne College on March 20th and 21st, 2026. The team is coached by high school science instructors Dede Koryto and Jim Poirier.

The Science Olympiad tournament is a rigorous, academic, interscholastic competition that consists of a series of individual and team events which the students prepare for throughout the year. 

The events are well-balanced between the various science disciplines of biology, earth science, chemistry, physics, computers and technology. The team of 15 students competed in 23 events which range from the construction of a rubber band propelled helicopter to college-level pen-and-paper assessments.  The regional tournament is organized by a team of professionals from throughout the region that are passionate about helping students explore their interests in Science and Technology beyond the classroom.

Beginning February 1, high school seniors attending private or public school within the Saratoga Springs City School District can apply for scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $20,000 from the Rotary Club of Saratoga Springs and the Saratoga Springs Rotary Education Foundation. 

Applicants must pursue a degree at an accredited 2- or 4-year college or post-secondary vocational educational institution. Students’ financial need, extracurricular and work activities, community service, and academic performance are all considered when reviewing applications. 

In 2025, the Foundation awarded scholarships totaling $101,000 to fifteen students. 

 “All eligible individuals are encouraged to apply,” said Beth Post, President of the Foundation. “The Foundation is proud to offer this opportunity to local students, who have demonstrated time and again their impressive commitment to improving themselves and their communities through school and service to others.”

Established in 1997, the Saratoga Springs Rotary Education Foundation raises funds to support the post-secondary education and vocational training of graduates from public and private high schools in the greater Saratoga community.

Scholarship applications must be uploaded to the Foundation’s website by the postmark deadline of April 1. Finalists will then be invited to interview with the Rotary Club’s scholarship committee.

Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park, in partnership with Saratoga PLAN, will offer a guided winter walk at the Ballston Creek Preserve on Tuesday, March 10, at 10:00 a.m.

Led by a Wilton Wildlife environmental educator, the walk will introduce participants to the history of the preserve and its ecological transformation from former agricultural fields into a diverse forest of mixed conifer and hardwood trees, including several mature trees.

If there is snow, the walk will take place on snowshoes. Free snowshoe rentals are available to program participants thanks to the generous support of Brookfield Renewable N.A. If there is no snow, the program will be a trail walk. 

Registration is required at least one business day in advance. 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. Winter programs may be cancelled due to inclement weather or unfavorable trail conditions.

Since 1990, the Saratoga Hospital Volunteer Guild has offered scholarships to high school seniors in the Saratoga County area interested in pursuing a career in healthcare. 

This year, the Guild is offering up to five $2000 scholarships. Eligible students must be accepted into college for September of 2026, have a grade average of 80 or higher, have a documented record of community service, especially in a healthcare environment, and submit the application with all required documents by the deadline. 

Applicants will be expected to submit an essay of approximately 500 words. 

Application deadline is March 31, 2026. Recipients will be personally contacted by Volunteer Guild Scholarship Chairperson, Irma Somich, upon decision of the Scholarship Committee. Recipients will be formally announced and honored at the May Guild Dinner, details to follow. 

Description, requirements, and application forms are available through local high school guidance offices and online at hltps://albanymed.org/saratoga/volunteering-saratoga-hospital/