SARATOGA SPRINGS—– “Faces of Saratoga – Twenty People Who Have Shaped Our City,” is the title of a new book co-written by Saratoga Springs tour guides Joe Haedrich and Marcia Martin.

The book tells the story of the men and women instrumental in the growth and direction of Saratoga Springs, including the Mohawk Indians, Gideon Putnam, and Marylou Whitney.

“We have both been telling these stories for many years and decided to tie all these tales and narratives together to put them in book form” said Haedrich, who has given tours in the city for about 15 years.  

Martin, who has given history tours in Saratoga for more than a dozen years, previously taught in the Saratoga school system until her retirement 13 years ago.  

“I thoroughly loved the research, uncovering their back stories and understanding why they did, what they did,” Martin said.  

The book is available at Northshire Books and Impressions, both on Broadway in Saratoga Springs and in area gift shops.  

WASHINGTON, D.C.  —Imagery captured by Officer Jacqueline Abodeely from Saratoga Springs is featured among the works of 50 active and retired law enforcement officers from across the U.S. in The National Law Enforcement Museum’s inaugural art exhibition, “Officers as Artists: The Creative Expression of Those Who Serve.”

Hailed as a groundbreaking exhibit that spotlights the artistic talents and creativity of law enforcement officers across the country, the showcase highlights how art serves as a transformative and powerful outlet for those who navigate the complexities and challenges of their profession.

Jaqueline Abodeely of Saratoga Springs has been taking photographs since she was 12 years old. She was in the law-enforcement field with the New York State Park Police for approximately 15 years. Her initial position as dispatcher/hostler (mounted patrol horse caretaker) evolved to six months in the NYSPP Academy and becoming an officer stationed in the State Parks of New York City and the Capital- Saratoga region of New York State.  Eventually, she was forced to retire after suffering an on-duty injury.

“The creative expressions featured in this exhibit offer a unique and intimate glimpse into the lives of law enforcement officers,” said William Alexander, CEO of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, in a statement. “We hope that through this exhibit visitors will gain a deeper understanding of the multifaceted nature of those who serve, and the therapeutic role art can play in their lives.”

During her law enforcement career and especially during critical incidents, Abodeely says she experienced many moments of a feeling of “in between,” where time seemed to pause – as if the reality of the situation, and the work that needed to be done occurred on a different timeline than the civilian life lived every day. 

Photography provided a way to capture that feeling of a dual perspective, a line between worlds, and the ability to depict a place where the two visions may potentially come together as one.

In the Saratoga region, Abodeely served as mounted unit coordinator for many years, participating in parades, community events, and as active patrol at Saratoga Performing Arts Center for large-scale concerts. She also received certification as a general topics instructor and mounted police instructor,  assisting with training a multi-agency mounted police school, including members of the city of Saratoga Springs and Albany police departments.

The “Officers as Artists” exhibit recently opened to the general public in the DuPont Gallery in Washington, D.C.  and will run through Aug. 30, 2025. For more information, visit: https://nleomf.org/museum/officers-as-artists/

SARATOGA SPRINGS —An Opening and Talk featuring artist Michael Whitney will take place 6 – 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15 at Spring Street Gallery. 

Whitney was able to create a project titled: 33 Things, which is a collection of functional objects made using broken and discarded objects. 

The Artist talk on Friday will discuss how the project came about. In addition to the discussion, the gallery will also be open on Saturday and Sunday from 11-3 p.m. The exhibit is made possible due to a grant from Saratoga Arts.

Spring Street Gallery is located at 110 Spring St., Saratoga Springs. 

HUDSON FALLS —Progressive jam-fusion supergroup PAKT will perform at the Strand Theatre at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 19. 

The band features Percy Jones (Brand X, Brian Eno, David Sylvian, Suzanne Vega), Adam Holzman (Miles Davis, Steven Wilson, Marcus Miller, Lenny White0), Kenny Grohowski (John Zorn, Brand X, Imperial Triumphant, Hipster Assassins), and Tim Motzer (Bandit65, Jaki Liebezeit, David Sylvian, Jamaaladeen Tacuma).

PAKT is heralded as dwelling in the realms of progressive rock, electric jazz, experimental, ambient, psychedelic and beyond. 

Tickets are $25 general admission and available at the Strand Box Office; cash or check only or online at Brown Paper Tickets.  Doors into the lobby, coffee shop and box office open at 6 p.m. For more information go to: www.mystrandtheatre.org. The Strand Theatre is located at 210 Main St, Hudson Falls, NY.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —  Molly Burt-Westvig is Skidmore College’s 2024 resident for the competitive Work+Space program, which allows the Skidmore Art Department to bring an emerging artist to campus for three weeks. 

During the residency, Burt-Westvig will operate from a studio in Saisselin Art Building and engage with students through artist talks, one-and-one critiques, and more. The residency will also culminate in a public exhibition at Schick Art Gallery. 

The exhibition will open on Tuesday, Nov. 19, and run through Friday, Dec. 8, in Schick Art Gallery, on the second floor of Saisselin Art Building. An opening reception and gallery talk will take place from 5 to 6:30 p.m. (talk begins at 5:30 p.m.) on Tuesday, Nov. 19. All Schick Art Gallery exhibits and events are free and open to the public; visit the Schick Art Gallery website to learn more. 

HUDSON FALLS — Martin Barre, the legendary guitarist of the iconic rock band Jethro Tull, will perform “A Brief History of Tull” at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8, 2024 at the Strand Theatre in Hudson Falls. 

Barre, renowned for his formidable mastery of historic riffs, power chords and soaring melodic solos, celebrates the musical journey of Jethro Tull throughout the decades in his new show A Brief History of Tull.

The show will feature a special visual presentation that, together with the music, highlights the 50 years of Jethro Tull’s musical career.

Classic Tull hits played throughout the interactive performance include songs from legendary albums such as Thick As A Brick, Aqualung, Stand Up, Songs From The Wood, A Passion Play, Heavy Horses and many more. Barre will be bringing a spectacular show with his touring band, featuring Dan Crisp on vocals, Alan Thomson on bass and Darby Todd on drums.

Tix: $60/Orchestra Section, $50/lower level, $40/lower balcony, $30/upper balcony. $100 VIP Meet and Greet with Martin Barre and Dan Crisp. This is a ticketed event sold separately to the main show’s ticket and starts at 5:30 p.m. 

General admission tickets are available at the Strand Box Office or online at Brown Paper Tickets. VIP tickets are available online at Brown Paper Tickets. For more information and the ticketing links, visit www.mystrandtheatre.org.

The Strand Theatre is located at 210 Main St., Hudson Falls.