On Mondays, November 3 and 17, from 10:30 am to noon, Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park will hold its bi-weekly Nature on the Move walks. These walks are led by one of Wilton Wildlife’s volunteers, Linda Hovious, along with an Environmental Educator.
These walks enable participants to explore the trails with like-minded individuals and appreciate the beauty of nature as the seasons change. These walks are geared towards gentle exercise and are appropriate for adults at basic fitness levels.
The group usually covers about 1.5 miles of trails. Nature on the Move happens every other week, year-round.
Registration is required at least one business day in advance. To register, or for up-to-date trail conditions or program information, please visit the website at www.wiltonpreserve.org or on Facebook or Instagram @wiltonpreserve.
For more information, call the Wilton Wildlife office at 518-450-0321 or email info@wiltonpreserve.org. Wilton Wildlife’s mission is to provide environmental education and opportunities for outdoor recreation while supporting conservation of ecological systems and natural settings
Parents as Education Partners (PEP) raised $40,285 during its 2025 fundraising effort — a major step toward PEP’s goal of purchasing a new full-size basketball court with multipurpose hoops. This project, totaling $72,000, will provide students with an upgrade from the current half court and create new opportunities for school and community recreation.
PEP would like to give special recognition to its Silver Sponsor, Stone Bridge Iron and Steel, Inc. for their generous donation, a contribution that helped push this year’s fundraiser over the $40,000 mark.
“On behalf of the entire PEP board, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you for helping make this year’s Fun Run such a huge success!” said PEP President Christine Barbeau. “It was an incredible day filled with smiles, teamwork, and school spirit. The new format, with grades running together and families cheering from the sidelines, was so special.”
Barbeau added that the success of the Fun Run represents more than just dollars raised — it’s a reflection of the strong sense of connection within the school community.
“We’re so grateful for the time and effort that make days like this possible, fostering a positive, connected environment for our students,” she said.
This November, the Saratoga Automobile Museum will celebrate the legacy of American performance with Pontiac: The Dawn of Muscle, a major new exhibition showcasing sixteen of Pontiac’s most iconic performance machines.
Opening Wednesday, November 5, the exhibition traces the rise of the muscle car through Pontiac’s defining models—from the original GTO that started it all to the Firebird and Trans Am that carried its spirit for decades.
To mark the occasion, the Museum will host a special Exhibit Reception on Thursday, November 13, from 5 to 7 PM, where guests can enjoy light refreshments, mingle with fellow enthusiasts, and experience the exhibition up close.
At the heart of the show is a stunning lineup of Pontiac GTOs, including multiple examples of the legendary GTO Judge in its most striking factory colors: Liberty Blue, Carousel Red, Orbit Orange, Granada Gold, and Lucerne Blue. Visitors will encounter the 1964 Tempest GTO that sparked a movement, the refined 1967 model, and the show-stopping Judges of 1969 to 1971 that turned performance into pop culture.
Adding to the excitement, the Museum will feature the 1966 Pontiac GTO Monkeemobile, one of the most recognizable custom cars ever built for television. Created by customizer Dean Jeffries for The Monkees TV show, the Monkeemobile perfectly captures the playful energy and over-the-top creativity that defined the muscle car era.
The exhibition also explores how Pontiac’s image shaped a generation. In the Museum’s Orientation Theater, guests will find digital reproductions of more than 30 vintage Pontiac advertisements by Art Fitzpatrick and Van Kaufmann, courtesy of the GM Heritage Collection. These vivid, stylized scenes helped define Pontiac as more than a car—it was confidence, freedom, and attitude on wheels.
The Waldorf School recently held its annual Fall Festival (Courtesy of the Waldorf School)
Students, families, staff, and members of the community gathered together for the Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs’ annual Fall Festival on Saturday.
Attendees enjoyed a crisp autumn day filled with laughter and the simple joy of being together. The event included favorite activities such as sheep shearing, hands-on pottery, butter-making, gem mining, blacksmithing, and pumpkin decorating, as well as live music, delicious food, and a festive pie and cake auction.
Children delighted in the puppet show presented by the teachers, while parents and visitors had a chance to connect and experience the community spirit that defines the school.
The school would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the families, friends, and local businesses whose donations and support brought warmth and abundance to this year’s festival.
The Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs serves children and families from early preschool through 8th grade.
For more information, visit www.waldorfsaratoga.org or call 518-587-2224.
The Friends of the Saratoga Springs Public Library (FSSPL) will celebrate the Library’s 75th anniversary with a special after-hours “Diamond Jubilee” Dessert & Cocktail Reception on Friday, October 24, 2025, from 7:00–10:00 p.m. on the Library’s main floor. “We’re excited, humbled, and grateful to be celebrating the staff, trustees, and supporters who’ve made the past 75 years of library service to the Saratoga Springs community possible,” said Library Director Ike Pulver, “and we look forward to many decades of service to come.”
The week of October 19th is also National Friends of Libraries Week. “What better way to end the week than with a celebration of our Library’s 75th Anniversary,” said Jennifer Allen, Executive Director of FSSPL. “This after-hours celebration is our way of honoring the people and partners who make the Library thrive, and inviting everyone to support our next chapter.”
As part of National Friends of Libraries Week, and the Library’s 75th Anniversary, the Friends Annual Appeal will launch. Funds raised through the appeal and the 75th Anniversary event will help the Friends continue to fulfill their mission of supporting the Library’s programs and services – including beloved community initiatives such as Saratoga READS! and the Children’s Summer Reading Program – ensuring that the Library remains a vibrant resource for learning, creativity, and connection for generations to come.
What to Expect
• Library open after hours for a one-night-only celebration
• Live 50’s music throughout the evening
• Strolling magic by Magic Matt
• Dessert bar, candy bar, and a grazing station
• Cash bar by Little Lucy’s Mobile Bar (beer, wine, seltzer) + one free drink ticket for each attendee
• Raffle baskets and signature cocktail samples from Pick Six Vodka and One With Life Tequila
• 50’s attire encouraged; enter at Putnam Street entrance
Tickets & Information
• Visit friends.sspl.org/events for details, to purchase tickets online, and to support the Friends Annual Appeal
• Tickets can also be purchased in the Friends Book Shop
The Saratoga County History Center and the Village of Victory invite the public to a special presentation by Skidmore College student Nicholas Sisto on “The Company and its Town: Textile Production in Victory Mills and the Community Built Around It.” The program will be held on Tuesday, November 11, at 7 p.m. at the Village of Victory Hall, 23 Pine Street, Victory Mills, NY 12884.
Sisto’s presentation explores how industry shaped both the economy and identity of this small mill community along Fish Creek. Founded in 1846, the Victory Manufacturing Company transformed the landscape, employing hundreds and fostering a self-contained village of homes, schools, and gathering spaces. His research examines the factory’s rise, decline, and the lasting impact on local families whose stories remain woven into Saratoga County’s industrial heritage.
The talk offers a window into the social, economic, and environmental forces that defined 19th- and 20th-century life in upstate New York. The program is free and open to the public.
Students at Schuylerville Middle School raised over $12,000 and celebrated with a color run ( Courtesy of Schuylerville Central School District).
Students in grades 6-8 concluded a successful fundraising campaign in support of several student initiatives, including end-of-year field trips, free books for students at the spring book fair, and ongoing student-recognition prizes. The original goal of $12,000 was surpassed, with a total of $12,588 raised.
The fundraiser wrapped up with a celebration at the middle school’s annual Color Run, where students completed laps around the school grounds while being showered with bursts of colorful powder.
“This fundraiser highlights the enthusiasm, determination, and community spirit of our students,” said Schuylerville Middle School Principal Elsworth. “We are so proud of their efforts and grateful for the support of our families and staff who helped make this possible.”
The Saratoga County History Center will host noted local author Hollis Palmer for a look at life in the Gilded Age in Saratoga Springs on Thursday November 13 at 7 pm at Brookside Museum in Ballston Spa.
After retiring from a career in education, Palmer has devoted himself to writing and speaking on local history with a focus on Saratoga Springs at the height of its popularity among the nation’s rich and famous families.
“During the Gilded Age Saratoga Springs was considered the Queen of America’s Spas,” said Hollis. “We will explore what it must have been like to spend the season or even a day at the Spa.” Palmer will explore this experience for those who were guests of the village as well as for local residents working to support the resort’s hotels and gambling establishments.
Hollis Palmer has written 15 fiction and non-fiction books on local history. In addition to several true crime stories, he has written extensively about Saratoga Springs in the Victorian era. He is currently writing a fictionalized series on the Gilded Age in Saratoga Springs. Several of his books will be available for sale after the program.
The Ribbon is cut on the new outdoor learning center built over the summer at the elementary school (Aidan Cahill)
The Saratoga Springs School Central School District has unveiled a new Outdoor Learning Center at Geyser Road Elementary School.
The new structure was built as part of the city’s participatory budget project where the city solicits ideas for projects that need funding and helps see them through. The new Outdoor Learning Center consists of an outdoor pavilion on a concrete pad surrounded by the existing orchard.
An official ribbon cutting was held on Friday, Oct. 10. The existing area includes apple and pear trees, benches and a friendship rock garden. The area started its life in 2014 when Albert Pickens, a music teacher at the school, came up with the idea of having a space where students could learn about the natural world and where their food comes from.
During his remarks at the ribbon cutting, Pickens talked about how the idea grew from a few fruit trees to a fully fenced orchard with benches for learning. The orchard wasn’t without its challenges, however, as the pandemic brought about many challenges which threatened the orchard’s future.
“Five years ago, the pandemic hit and the orchard that was helping us, our partner orchard, closed down, and the future of the Geyser Road orchard seemed uncertain,” Pickens said. “That’s when I learned something powerful: A good idea, when rooted in a caring community, will grow beyond the seedlings of any one person’s imagination.”
Pickens also highlighted the continued work of staff members to preserve and expand the outdoor space. He specifically highlighted the work of Alex Fralish, the head custodian of Geyser Road Elementary School who keeps the fruit trees pruned and watered.
He also highlighted the work of Brooke Cannie, a speech and hearing teacher at the school, whose idea for a dedicated outdoor learning space inspired the new learning space.
Cannie said in her remarks that the idea for the learning center came while teaching a student outside near the playground. She said that the thought came to her that it would be amazing to have a quiet space in nature for outdoor learning without distraction. Cannie said the work of Pickens with the orchard inspired her to pursue the funding needed for the project.
She also highlighted the community’s effort to develop the outdoor space.
“This outdoor classroom is more than just a structure,” Cannie said. “It’s a symbol of community, of shared vision and what we can accomplish when we all come together for our students.”
Funding for the project came from the city’s participatory budget process. Under the process, proposals for improvements were sought by the city from citizens. After review, those proposals were voted on with the winners receiving the funds to complete the project.
The Geyser Road Elementary School Project was one of six projects to receive funding under the 2024 vote. Jeff Altamari said he was impressed by the work that went into the project and the care of those involved.
“I was just awed by the enthusiasm and passion that they had for converting this empty space out here into something beautiful for all of you to really use, for the community to use,” Altamari said.
Altamari said that the project showed that if you have an idea and are smart about it, you can accomplish anything.
In a joint effort to combat the growing deficit of financial literacy among young people, The Charlton School is pleased to announce an exciting and multifaceted partnership with Ballston Spa National Bank that will equip students with access to technology and educational resources to enhance essential money management skills.
The connection between The Charlton School and BSNB spans back several decades. This new partnership comes at a time where the therapeutic learning community is looking to strengthen its Corporate Partnership opportunities to create sustainable and strategic growth, while also offering its corporate supporters a chance to enhance their own community goals.
“At BSNB, we believe that strong communities are built by investing in the next generation,” Christopher Dowd, President & CEO of Ballston Spa National Bank said. “Partnering with the Charlton School on this multi-year investment enables us to advance our mission of financial wellness and support the health and resilience of these young women who will one day be leaders in our community.”
The $20,000 pledge from BSNB will begin before the end of this year and carry through 2028. The growing financial institution recently launched a financial wellness and education platform to offer resources that integrate real-world financial and life literacy into the classroom to supplement existing content.
In addition to supporting The Charlton School’s mission for young women with mental health concerns, this commitment allows students and educators an opportunity to offer feedback and insight regarding the new financial resources while continuing a purposeful connection between the two organizations.
“At the Charlton School, our goal is to nurture both the emotional well-being and the future readiness of our students,” Alex Capo, LMHC, Executive Director of The Charlton School said “This partnership with BSNB is especially meaningful because it recognized financial literacy is not just a skill, but a pathway to independence and long-term stability. We are grateful to BSNB for their investment in our young women and working together, we look forward to helping them take this next important step in life,”
The Charlton School and BSNB’s multi-year commitment ensures that students will have consistent access to tools that will build confidence, improve financial wellness, and provide a strong foundation for their next chapter.
“This partnership with BSNB has been fostered as both of our organizations are embarking on a time of strategic growth,” said Bo Goliber, Chief Strategy and Impact Officer at The Charlton School. “Each of us remains committed to the relationships that have gotten us to where we are today, and the mutual commitment to strengthening our communities is something we’ve always shared. It is a pleasure to continue our meaningful partnership while also opening opportunities for our students to learn from the professionals at BSNB about financial literacy.”
