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.”

Don’t hibernate all winter! Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are great ways to explore the trails during the snowy season. Starting on January 3, cross-country skis, snowshoes, and micro-spikes will be available to rent every Wednesday through Sunday, the last day being March 15, weather permitting. Rentals will also be available on Monday, January 19, and for the full February school vacation week, from February 16 to 20. Adult and child sizes are available, meaning the whole family can enjoy the winter trails at Wilton Wildlife!

The rentals will be located at the Welcome Cabin at Camp Saratoga, located in Parking Lot #1 at 90 Scout Road in the Town of Wilton. Rentals are $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for kids/students. Members of Wilton Wildlife have access to rental equipment at no cost. Rentals are available between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm, with all rented equipment needing to be returned by 3:30 pm. Rentals are on a first-come, first-served basis.

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, visit the Wilton Wildlife website at wiltonpreserve.org or follow us 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.

School districts across the county are celebrating successes on and off the field as the list of scholar athlete teams was announced. 

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) announced its list of scholar-athlete teams Dec. 11. To qualify for the list, 75% of a team roster must have a 90.0% average or higher across all their classes for the designated marking period. 

Across the 12 school districts and private high schools in Saratoga County, 114 teams met this threshold — equating to 1,305 student athletes. 

The Saratoga Springs High School had the most athletes with 219 student athletes scoring a 90 or above average across the 13 teams it fielded. Shenendehowa wasn’t far behind with 216 student athletes across 13 teams. 

“The Scholar-Athlete program remains one of the most meaningful recognitions we provide as an Association,” said Dr. Robert Zayas, NYSPHSAA Executive Director. “The dedication shown by these student-athletes, balancing rigorous academic responsibilities with their commitments to interscholastic athletics, is truly remarkable.” 

School Breakdown 

Ballston Spa- 137 athletes across 11 teams 

Burnt Hills- Ballston Lake- 172 athletes across 12 teams

Corinth- 62 athletes across 9 teams

Galway- 50 athletes across 5 teams

Mechanicville- 85 athletes across 8 teams

Saratoga Catholic- 50 athletes across 7 teams

Saratoga Springs- 219 athletes across 13 teams 

Schuylerville- 96 athletes across 9 teams. 

Shen- 216 athletes across 13 teams

South Glens Falls- 125 athletes across 12 teams

Stillwater- 51 athletes across 7 teams 

Waterford- 42 athletes across 8 teams 

WSWHE BOCES will host CTE Works! on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at the Saratoga Springs City Center. The one day interactive career exploration event will welcome students in grades eight through 12 from school districts across the WSWHE BOCES service area.

CTE Works! is designed to expose students to the world of work in the local region and highlight the wide range of career opportunities available close to home. Students will have the chance to explore high-demand industries, learn about career pathways and connect directly with employers and education partners.

Local employers will be on site to share information about their industries, demonstrate hands-on activities and discuss career pathways and workplace expectations.

“CTE Works! gives students the opportunity to explore real careers, talk directly with employers and begin to visualize their own future in the workforce,” said Michelle Maddalla, Principal for Innovative Programs. “This event helps bridge the gap between education and industry while showing students just how many opportunities exist right here in our region.”

Sponsors for the event include Albany Medical Health Systems, CSArch, DA Collins, Hollingsworth & Vose, Home of the Good Shepherd, Munter Enterprises Inc., Saratoga Honda, SEDC and TCT Federal Credit Union.

These sponsors, along with additional business partners, local colleges, career and technical education programs and educational pathway partners, will be in attendance representing a wide range of industries. Each organization will share information about career opportunities and employment pathways with students.

The snow date for the event is Friday, Dec. 19, 2025.

When school’s out, the fun is in full snowstorm at The Children’s Museum at Saratoga (CMAS)! From December 19 through January 2, the Museum is transforming into a Winter Wonderland, filled with hands-on science experiments, creative art projects, and cozy storytelling sessions, all perfect for families looking to stay active and inspired during the school break. 

“Winter is a wonderful time to explore and learn together,” said Sarah Smith, Executive Director of CMAS. “Our Winter Wonderland week turns frosty days into magical memories, with every project designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and connection.” 

From gingerbread engineering to snowflake science, and ice cube races to Shrinky Dink art, the Museum’s Winter Break programming offers something new each day. Visitors can create a gingerbread person, build a snowman that won’t melt, learn how animals survive the cold, and even countdown to 2026 during the Museum’s family-friendly “Noon Year’s Eve” fundraiser celebration on December 31. 

The annual Noon Years Eve Fundraiser event will feature two separate opportunities to “count down” to the new year from 10:00 a.m. to noon, and then again from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Children will hear Junkmusic with The Junk Man, who creates music with 100% recycled materials (or junk!), compliments of the NYS Council of the Arts. 

Winter Break Week Schedule Highlights Include: 

Friday, December 19 

• Science Explorers (9:30 & 1:30) 

• Make a Gingerbread Man (11:00) 

• Storybook Science: Three Billy Goats Gruff (12:00) 

• Engineer a Gingerbread Trap (3:00) 

Saturday, December 20 

• STEAM Saturday 

Sunday, December 21 

• Make It! (2:00–3:00) 

Monday, December 22 

• Mindful Moments (9:30 & 1:30) 

• Storybook Science: How to Catch a Star (12:00) 

• Shrinky Dink Winter Art (11:00 & 3:00) 

Tuesday, December 23 

• Tuesday for Tots (9:30 & 1:30) 

• Storybook Science: Swimmy (12:00) 

• Snowflake Science (11:00) 

• Snowflake Art (3:00) 

December 24–25 Museum will be Closed for the Holidays 

Friday, December 26 

• Science Explorers (9:30 & 1:30) 

• Storybook Science: Aliens Love Underpants (12:00) 

• Animals in Winter (11:00) 

• Hibernation & Migration (3:00) 

Saturday, December 27 

• STEAM Saturday 

Sunday, December 28 

• Make It! (2:00–3:00) 

Monday, December 29 

• Melting Snowman (9:30) 

• Storybook Science: The Cat in the Hat (12:00) 

• Do You Want to Build a Snowman? (1:30) 

• Go Big or Go Gnome! (11:00 & 3:00) 

Tuesday, December 30 

• Tuesday for Tots (9:30 & 1:30) 

• Ice Escapades (11:00) 

• Storybook Science: Hansel and Gretel (12:00) 

• Ice Cube Races (3:00) 

Wednesday, December 31 Noon Year’s Eve Celebration from 10-noon and 1-3 pm, featuring Music from The Junk Man 

January 1 Museum will be closed for New Year’s Day 

Friday, January 2 

• Science Explorers (9:30 & 1:30) 

• Storybook Science: Little Red Riding Hood (12:00) 

• Animal Spotlight (11:00 & 3:00) 

Families can drop in for a single session or spend the whole day exploring exhibits, discovering science, and making memories that will last all season long. 

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

The Empire State University Foundation has acquired the Clarke House, a historic 1832 Greek Revival property located at 46 Circular Street in Saratoga Springs, adjacent to the university’s 2 Union Avenue location. 

The Foundation purchased the property for $2.5 million, thanks in part to a $1.1 million gift from the property’s former owners, Cathy and Elliott Masie.  

The Clarke House will serve as a venue for donor cultivation, alumni gatherings, community engagement, and other official university functions. Situated on .85 acres in the heart of Saratoga Springs, the property features a beautifully preserved interior suitable for small receptions, a screened porch, landscaped gardens, and outdoor space for events. 

“This acquisition reflects the generosity of Cathy and Elliott Masie and the strategic vision of our Foundation board,” said Veronica Fitzgerald, vice president of advancement and executive director of the Foundation. “The Clarke House will allow us to deepen relationships with donors and community partners in ways that directly benefit our students through enhanced scholarship support and program funding.” 

The Foundation plans to begin renovations in early 2026, including HVAC upgrades, accessibility improvements, and historic preservation work. The property is expected to be operational by late summer 2026. 

“We are committed to preserving the historic character of this landmark property,” said Marian Conway, Ph.D., Chair of the Foundation Board. “We are working with the City of Saratoga Springs to ensure the Clarke House continues to be a treasured part of the community for generations to come.” 

The Empire State University Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that raises private funds to support student scholarships, academic programs, and university infrastructure.  

The Saratoga County History Center presents a special evening of sipping. strolling and shopping at our 25th Annual Artisan’s Market. 

This holiday event will be held on Friday, December 19 from 4:00 – 6:00PM. Shop the creations of local artisans while enjoying sparkling water, hot cocoa, or soft drinks, and treating yourself to some complimentary sweets. 

Enjoy the opportunity to meet some of our amazing artisans, complete your holiday shopping, and see historic Brookside Museum decorated for the holidays. 

Shop a wide variety of handmade goods, including ceramics, soaps, jewelry, knitwear, holiday ornaments, and more! Find something special for everyone on your list this holiday season, and savor this special night at Brookside! The 2025 Artisan Market hours are Tuesdays-Thursdays, 12pm-4pm, Fridays 12 pm-5pm, Saturdays & Sundays, 11am-5pm.