SARATOGA SPRINGS —Thirteen six-week courses are available for adults 55 and older, thanks to the Academy for Lifelong Learning.
The courses begin the week of Jan. 22 and cost $50 each. A course catalog is available at allsaratoga.org. Catalogs can also be found at local libraries, YMCA locations, and retirement communities.
The volunteer-led courses cover subjects such as literature, Italian, the Biology of Aging, writing, history, horse racing, space, and more. Courses can be attended on site, or via Zoom.
Registration is currently open by mail. For more info, visit allsaratoga.org, call 518-290-6988, or email jeff@allsaratoga.org.
SCHUYLERVILLE — All nine of the Schuylerville Central School District’s fall sports teams have been recognized by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association for their academic success. To earn recognition, a team’s average GPA for 75% of the roster must be 90 or above. The following teams met this criteria for academic success:
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame has launched a reading initiative called “Readers Up!” The free program allows teachers throughout the county to receive one of three books about horse racing. Once students have read the book, the Museum will offer either in-person or virtual presentations of museum artifacts.
“We recognize that some schools may lack the time or resources to visit us, so we’ve decided to bring elements of the Museum experience to them,” said museum educator Matt Reichel in a statement. “Readers Up! is a remarkable program that both encourages reading and connects students with our sport in new and unique ways.”
The three books included in the program are the illustrated children’s book “The Long Shot,” the novel “The Jockey and Her Horse,” and the biography “Ruffian: Burning from the Start.”
The program is sponsored by Stewart’s Shops.
To learn more about Readers Up!, visit racingmuseum.org/education/readers.
Dec. 9 marked the first graduating class under the new designation as Empire State University, formally SUNY Empire State College. Photo provided.
ALBANY — Empire State University celebrated the class of 2023 on Dec. 9 at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany, where 259 graduating students attended the event.
The event marks the first graduating class under the university’s new designation as Empire State University, formally SUNY Empire State College. President Lisa Vollendorf was in attendance.
Members of the SUNY Empire class of 2023 collectively live in 60 different New York state counties, in 27 U.S. states and territories, 27 countries around the world, and range from ages 19 to 76. Graduates traveled from across the state, country, and even the world to attend the ceremony, with four students traveling from the Dominican Republic to walk across the stage.
Empire State University was founded in 1971 as the innovative campus of the State University of New York. SUNY Empire’s 97,000 alumni are teachers, nurses, entrepreneurs, and leaders in their communities and their fields. Visit www.sunyempire.edu.
SARATOGA SPRINGS/ ALBUQUERQUE, NM — On November 19 the EQUUS Film & Arts Fest announced the winners of their 2023 WINNIE Awards in Albuquerque, NM. Two local children’s books, “Upset, The Original Dark Horse”, and “Jim Dandy, A Dark Horse on a Dark Day” were both granted WINNIE awards. Written by local author Maddy Zanetti and illustrated by local artist Gretchen Tisch the children’s books have been a fan favorite in the area.
EQUUS Film & Arts Fest was founded in 2013 by Lisa Diersen to highlight and reward creative efforts in film, music, advertising, and literature that pay homage to the horse.
Maddy Zanetti, co-owner of Impressions of Saratoga and The Dark Horse Mercantile with partner Marianne Barker own Upset, the miniature Dark Horse. Together they take him on the road and around Saratoga. The legend of Upset beating Man o’ War in 1919 is what inspired The Dark Horse brand and her stories.
Gretchen Louise Tisch is an Artist and owner of Feathered Antler, a boutique located on Broadway. Her shop is filled with her hand painted fashion and home decor that doubles as her Art Studio.
The original book, “Upset” won the WINNIE Award in Children’s Book category while “Jim Dandy” received an Honorable mention. “Upset” is based on the infamous thoroughbred aptly named Upset who beat the previously undefeated Man o’War in Saratoga in 1919. “Jim Dandy” tells the story of the 100-1 longshot that ran in the 1930 Travers Stakes against Gallant Fox. Though he had never won a race he never gave up, and with a little motivation from his friend, Upset, Jim Dandy learns that it is not just luck that gets him across the finish line. Each page is filled with vibrant works of art and a twist on the real story of Upset. Some creative license was taken to tell the stories. Upset teaches everyone to believe in themselves even if they are the longshot or the “Dark Horse.”
For more on the EQUUS Film & Arts Fest visit www.equusfilmfestival.net.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — $30,000 in scholarships is up for grabs, thanks to the Saratoga Springs Lions Club.
Applications for the 2024 Scholarship Program are available from the guidance counselors at Saratoga Springs High School and Saratoga Catholic High School. All graduating high school students in the Saratoga school district are eligible to apply.
There are several different categories of scholarships:
•$10,000 Lions Foundation Jack Berkowitz Memorial Award
•$5,000 and $2,500 Four-Year Academic Program Awards
•$2,500 Leos Club Member Scholarship Award
•$2,500 Two-Year Academic Program Award
•$2,500 Career Technology Education Award
Most of the scholarships pay out a portion of the award money on a yearly basis. The scholarships will be granted to students attending a two or four-year accredited institution or career technology education school. Applications are due by April 15, 2024.
BALLSTON SPA —The Ballston Spa Central School District will host a series of free winter concerts featuring local students in December and January.
Two upcoming performances will be held at the High School Auditorium at 220 Ballston Ave: the JV Winter Concert on Dec. 11 at 7:30 p.m. (featuring choir, orchestra, and jazz band), as well as the 6th Grade Middle School Winter Concert on Dec. 19 at 7 p.m.
The district’s elementary schools will host their own concerts. The performances will occur at the follow locations and times:
•Milton TerraceElementary School — December 12 at 7 p.m. in the Cafetorium at 200 Wood Rd.
•Gordon Creek Elementary School — December 14 at 7 p.m. in the Gymatorium at 50 Wood Rd.
•Wood Road Elementary School — January 9 at 7 p.m. in the Cafetorium at 300 Wood Rd.
•Malta Avenue Elementary School — January 11 at 7 p.m. in the Auditorium at 70 Malta Ave.
For additional information, check the events calendar at www.bscsd.org or call the school hosting the performance.
The Animal Menagerie Launch Party at Saratoga Arms. Photo provided
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Local author, Fran Dingeman, releases her first book, called The Animal Menagerie. The book was officially launched last week at a celebration for contributors, family, and friends at Saratoga Arts.
The Animal Menagerie, written by Francine Dingeman and illustrated by Marta Maszkiewicz, is an A to Z picture book for children ages 4-7. The characters are animals for each letter of the alphabet. The book is written to entertain and educate by introducing dozens of creative new words to a child’s vocabulary. The Animal Menagerie uses rhyme to help children remember animal names, learn new words, and teach their meanings through the use of imagery and animal tales.
“Writing a book was something I talked about doing for years,” said Dingeman. “In 2021, I decided to act on it. The Animal Menagerie was created with a goal of elevating a child’s vocabulary while entertaining them in the process. Fabian the Fly takes the young reader on a learning adventure to meet new animal friends and hear of their tales. Parents will enjoy sharing this book with their children and may even learn something new in the process.”
Dingeman continued, “I am grateful to so many who offered their guidance through the self-publishing process, and in particular to Saratoga Arts, who helped make this project financially possible through the Community Arts Regrant Program, funded by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.”
The Animal Menagerie retails for $21.99 plus tax and is available for purchase locally at Celtic Treasures (shop.celtictreasures.com), G. Willikers Toys (www.gwillikerstoys.com), and Saratoga Outdoors (saratogaoutdoors.com) in downtown Saratoga Springs, as well as at Allerdice in Malta (www.allerdice.com). In addition, books can be purchased through the author’s website www.francinedingeman.com, designed by Brand Science NY. The website includes a list of local events where Dingeman will be in-person throughout the holiday season with books for purchase including a reading at the Saratoga Springs Public Library on Saturday, Dec. 9 from 10-10:45 a.m.; A Local Author Fair at the Saratoga Farmer’s Market at the Wilton Mall on Saturday, Dec. 16 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; Nacre’s performance of the Nutcracker at the Egg in Albany on Saturday, Dec. 16, prior to the 7:30 performance; and Saratoga Outdoors, 490 Broadway, on Sunday, Dec.17, from 12-3 p.m.
About the Author: Francine Dingeman is a first-time author who passionately enjoys the art of rhyme and has a deep appreciation for the creative use of words. Fran is the owner of the event development/marketing company, Network Saratoga (learn more at www.networksaratoga.com), and General Manager of Loud Media (Star Radio 93.3FM and Lake George Radio 93.5FM).
Visit francinedingeman.com for more information. Follow The Animal Menagerie on Facebook.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —The Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex Board of Cooperative Educational Services (WSWHE BOCES) unveiled its “Future-Focused For All Students 2023-2026 Strategic Plan” earlier this month.
The WSWHE BOCES is responsible for “the oversight of curricular, financial, and other policy decisions,” according to the organization. WSWHE BOCES serves a total of 31 school districts, including Ballston Spa, Schuylerville, and Saratoga Springs.
Among its objectives, the plan seeks to:
•Increase enrollment capacity
•Offer students more work-based learning opportunities
•Celebrate diversity and equity
•Strengthen the Women In Trades initiative
•Enhance employee onboarding
•Provide staff with proper tools and training
•Address short-term facilities needs
•Analyze requirements for transitioning to electric buses
“This plan will be the backbone for what we do as an organization,” said WSWHE BOCES District Superintendent of Schools Dr. Turina Parker. “It will serve as a roadmap for our efforts to connect with each student and customer while enhancing our connections as an organization.”
The plan also states that its implementation will be “one of the largest, and most consequential, undertakings in our BOCES history. This 2023-26 Strategic Plan tasks us with, in essence, reevaluating every WSWHE BOCES decision and action, and ensuring they are in line with our community’s priorities and expectations.”
The plan is available online at: www.wswheboces.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=2036640&type=d&pREC_ID=2513275
