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 

Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park is inviting its youngest adventurers to dive into the magic of winter during January’s Preschool Nature Time, held on Friday, January 9, at 10:00 a.m. This month’s theme, “Animal Tracks,” will teach children all about winter animals, their adaptations, and the tracks they leave behind in the snow!

Led by volunteer Lisa Cohen and a Wilton Wildlife environmental educator, preschoolers will embark on a brief stroll through Camp Saratoga, keeping their eyes out for tracks. After the walk, children and their caregivers will gather for a cozy lineup of animal-themed stories, hands-on activities, and a creative craft designed especially for ages 3-6.

This program is primarily held outdoors to celebrate the season, though activities will be moved indoors if the weather calls for it. An adult must accompany each child. Families can also look forward to upcoming Preschool Nature Time themes throughout the winter and early spring:

• February 13 – Owls

• March 13 – Getting Ready for Spring

Registration is required at least one day in advance, as space is limited. 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.

Get ready for a day of outdoor adventure and cozy fun! Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park invites community members of all ages to join them for a bonfire on Monday, January 19, from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM at the Town of Wilton’s Camp Saratoga. This event is perfect for parents looking for enriching winter activities for their kids, or individuals just looking to get outside!

A drop-in event: participants are invited to stop by the fire circle located next to the bathrooms at Camp Saratoga for hot cocoa and s’mores around the fire. 

Looking to hit the trails?

In addition to the bonfire, there will be a scavenger hunt that can be completed while walking, snowshoeing, or skiing the trails. Scavenger hunt sheets will be available at the Welcome Cabin located in Parking Lot #1 (90 Scout Road, Wilton) between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM. Return your sheet by 4:00 PM for a small prize! 

Winter rentals will also be available at the Welcome Cabin from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with all rented equipment needing to be returned by 3:30 p.m. Rentals are on a first-come, first-served basis. Adult and child sizes are available. Rentals are $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for children and students. Members of Wilton Wildlife have access to rental equipment at no cost. Additional Winter Fun Days will be held on Saturday, February 7, and Monday, February 16, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

No registration is required. 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.

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. 

This year’s theme is Dr. King’s quote, “Love is the greatest force in the universe; it is the heartbeat of the moral cosmos.”

This sentiment reflects Dr. King’s belief that unconditional, active love is the most powerful force for justice and human transformation. He taught that this transcendent love is not sentimental or weak, but a strong, practical, world-changing power capable of breaking cycles of hatred and turning enemies into friends. 

The line comes from a note he once wrote explaining the meaning of love, echoing themes from his 1963 book of sermons: Strength to Love, where he frames love as the foundation of nonviolent resistance. Ultimately, King saw love as the moral center of the universe and the essential path to a just and humane world.

Friday night, 1/16: 

• 5:30-7:30 p.m. MLK Saratoga and Skidmore College Present: The Inaugural MLK Weekend Celebration Student Arts Showcase. Dr. King-themed artwork from students in the Saratoga Area will be shown and performed live at Skidmore College’s Case Center. Will also feature crafts, face-painting, music and refreshments. All are welcome!  

Saturday, 1/17: 

• 11a.m.-12:30 p.m. Love is the Greatest Force: The Theory and Practice of Nonviolent Resistance. Local activists will present a workshop to demonstrate, teach and discuss non-violent resistance and protest. Will be held at the historic Frederick Allen Lodge on Beekman Street in Saratoga. The lodge was chartered in 1925 by Frederick Joseph Allen, the first Black employee in Saratoga’s Public Works Department.

• 2:00 p.m. The Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery at Skidmore College will hold a special Dr. King-themed Family Saturday, an event that helps foster multigenerational creative cooperation through looking at artwork, discussing it, and engaging in a hands-on art activity. 

• 8:00 p.m. Free concert at Caffè Lena: Hubby Jenkins of the Carolina Chocolate Drops. Jenkins is celebrated for his riveting performances that honor and illuminate the African American roots of old-time American music.

Sunday, 1/18

• 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. “Moral Cosmos” Morning Gospel Service at AME Zion Church in Saratoga Springs featuring the music of the Heavenly Echoes: a prominent, long-running Southern-style gospel group from the Capital District.

• 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Civil Minds Think Alike: Workshop led by Saratoga Springs High School students at the Frederick Allen Lodge in Saratoga Springs, exploring Dr. King’s values and how they connect with and inspire today’s youth.  

Monday, 1/19

• 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Dr. King Day of Service. Dr. King said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?” Honor Dr. King by participating at service projects ranging from collecting non-perishable food items to help those in our community facing food insecurity; blanket making and food collections for pets in local shelters; the Mooncatcher project to make renewable menstrual management kits for girls worldwide; repairing gently used books for donation to local children and schools, and more. Local community organizations will also be there sharing their stories and missions. Light lunch catered by Jackson Soul Catering following the service projects at 12 noon.  At the Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church. 

• 1 p.m.-2p.m. Dr. King Weekend Community Celebration. The highlight and culmination of our weekend. Featuring opening music by Soulist Garland Nelson, local speakers, and a keynote address by Minister Steven Boxley. 

Please visit the weekend website at https://www.mlksaratoga.org/2026-dr-king-celebration-weekend for event details and updates.

HVCC North, located in the Saratoga Technology + Energy Park (STEP) in Malta, NY, has been designated an official branch campus of Hudson Valley Community College by the New York State Education Department.

Consisting of two state-of-the-art buildings: TEC-SMART and the STEM Education Center, HVCC North will continue to offer students access to educational opportunities in the highly growing fields of healthcare, STEM and skilled trades in Saratoga County and throughout the North Country.

The branch campus will offer five complete degree programs on site as well as a variety of individual courses, non-credit study and student resources.

Coursework in the following programs can now be completed entirely at HVCC North:

• Clean Energy Management A.A.S.

• Electrical Engineering Technology – Electronics A.A.S.

• Electrical Construction and Maintenance A.O.S.

• Engineering Science A.S.

• Health Sciences Certificate

“The designation of HVCC North as a branch campus marks a very exciting chapter in our institution’s history,” said Hudson Valley Community College President Michael Brophy. “By extending our academic reach and offering select degree programs in full in Malta, NY, we are increasing access and creating new opportunities for learning in high-demand fields.”