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Round Lake Girl Scout Expands Access to Musical Theater through Gold Award Project
A Round Lake teen has expanded access to musical theater for elementary school students through a Girl Scout Gold Award project that established a sustainable performing arts program at Chango Elementary School.
Molly H. created the Chango Musical Club after recognizing a need for more consistent musical theater opportunities at the school, which is part of the Shenendehowa Central School District.
Working in partnership with the school’s PTA through its March Clubs program, Molly developed and launched an after-school club designed to introduce students to musical theater while building confidence, collaboration and performance skills.
In its first year, the Chango Musical Club engaged 23 students, who learned and performed a selection from “Matilda the Musical” for classmates, friends and family members. In its second year, participation grew to 40 students, culminating in another performance before a large community audience.
To ensure the club’s long-term success, Molly established a sustainability plan that allows high school students to take on leadership roles and help guide future performances.
Through her project, Molly created a lasting opportunity for students to explore the performing arts while fostering creativity, teamwork, and self-confidence.
“Molly saw an opportunity to create something meaningful for younger students and took action,” said Brenda Episcopo, CEO of Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York. “Through her leadership, students at Chango Elementary gained access to an enriching musical theater experience that builds confidence, creativity and teamwork. Her project demonstrates how Girl Scouts identify community needs and create lasting solutions that continue to benefit others long after the project is complete.”
Molly completed the project as part of Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York’s Highest Awards program. Her project was one of just four selected to receive the Gold Award, the highest honor in Girl Scouting. The Gold Award recognizes girls who identify community needs and develop sustainable solutions through leadership and service.
For more information about Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York, visit www.girlscoutsneny.org.
iRun Saratoga is Bringing a Half Marathon Back to the Spa City
The inaugural iRun Half Marathon is fast approaching; the starting gun is set to fire at 8 a.m. in Congress Park Sunday, September 20th. The 13.1-mile course will take runners by Saratoga Race Course, around the Casino, and through the State Park via Spring Run Trail, Railroad Run, Beekman Street, Nelson Ave, Fifth Ave, and ending at High Rock Park.
Jamie Mastroianni and her husband Anthony founded iRun Local in 2014 to foster a community of runners in Saratoga. After the Saratoga Palio Half Marathon was discontinued in 2020, the Mastroiannis wanted to fill the void for a half marathon in Saratoga.
“Being at the store and also working alongside our race director, Jessica Hoppridge, who’s well connected in the running community, there’s been this longing for a half marathon in Saratoga,” said Jamie Mastroianni.
The half marathon is USA Track and Field certified and will be tracked using ARE Event Production allowing personal timing for each runner.
The top three male and female runners from each age group will be honored at the award ceremony at 10 a.m. The age group are as follows: 14-U, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80+. All half marathon finishers will receive a medal at the finish line.
After the race, participants can make their way to Druthers on Broadway for a beer included with registration.
A portion of the proceeds will go towards the BPM Heart Foundation, which provides financial assistance to patients and family members dealing with cancer treatment. The foundation was created in honor of Druthers founder, Brian Martell, who passed away from leukemia last year.
The race is still looking for volunteers to help facilitate the race. There are also sponsorship opportunities available. For more information, to view the course map, and to register for the race go to, https://irunlocal.com/content/irun-saratoga-half-marathon.
New Park Honoring Roy McDonald and Veterans Opens in Wilton
Driving through northern Wilton, it’s easy to get lost in the natural beauty of the area.
The area is filled with nature preserves, forests and parks which allow residents to escape the cities and enjoy the southern end of the Adirondacks.
This already beautiful area just got an upgrade as a new park honoring longtime supervisor Roy McDonald and Veterans who served in the US military officially opened this week in the Town of Wilton, giving residents a new place to fish and relax in nature.
The new park is located on Northern Pines Road, just next to Wilton Developmental Center Cemetery and south of the Ace Hardware Warehouse. It features a half mile long multi use trail and a deck overlooking the Snook Kill River, allowing anglers of all ages to fish for trout from the river.
The new park, called the Roy McDonald Veterans Fishing Park, is named in honor of longtime Wilton Supervisor and former legislator Roy McDonald as well as U.S. military veterans.
The new park was officially opened on August 25 with the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce holding a ribbon cutting ceremony.
“The town of Wilton is proud to dedicate this new park to all who have served in the military,” Wilton Town Board Councilman Ray O’Conor said “However, we want to specifically honor former town supervisor Roy McDonald today.”
McDonald had a long career serving Saratoga County. Born and raised just over the river in the Lansingburgh neighborhood of Troy, McDonald’s service to the country began back in 1969 when he served in the US Army’s 1st Cavalry Division. That service saw McDonald being sent to Vietnam in 1970 and 71 as a forward observer, seeing action along the Cambodian border and in Cambodia itself.
After his service in the Army, he served as the Wilton Town Supervisor for 23 years and at one point chaired the Saratoga Board of Supervisors. In 2003, McDonald was elected to the New York State Assembly and later served in the New York State Assembly from 2009 to 2013. Recently, the Friends of the New York State Military Museum named him their 2025 Veteran of the Year.
“It was during Roy’s tenure that Gavin Park and the Wilton Wildlife Preserve and Park were created,” O’Conor said. “Many important economic development projects, critical to our town’s success and creating 1000s of Wilton jobs, were undertaken under Roy’s leadership.”
McDonald was on hand during the ceremony and was seen smiling throughout the event.
The new park is open year-round, dawn to dusk and offers access to a bend in Snook Kill River which is stocked with trout yearly by the Department of Environmental Conservation.
O’Conor said the placement of the park was intentional as it is within easy reach of many of Wilton’s residential subdivisions, something made evident by several families who were seen biking the newly installed path.
“It looks like it’s from a Pixar movie”: The Story Behind the Post Office’s New Trucks
Driving around Saratoga County, you may have noticed a new addition to the paved landscape: a boxy truck bearing the logos and color scheme of the US Postal Service.
Officially called the Next Generation Delivery Vehicle, these new trucks have certainly turned heads with some, like our boss, calling them ugly, while others thinking they’re adorable and comparing them to cartoon characters.
While the design may look like something out of Pixar the truth is more nuanced and can be traced through government reports, proposals and press releases which tell a story of a vehicle made to fit the specific needs of one of America’s oldest institutions.
Here is the story of the new mail trucks and their unique design.
“I feel the need—the need for [slow and interrupted] speed!”
Before getting into the history of the Next Generation Delivery Vehicle, it’s important to understand the story of its predecessor — the Grumman Long Life Vehicle (LLV). If the name Grumman sounds familiar, it should as they made the F-14 made famous in the movie Top Gun.
In the 1980s, the Post Office was looking for a new right hand drive vehicle to replace the jeeps they had been using for mounted delivery since the 1960s, according to an article from the Smithsonian. Instead of going with an off-the-shelf vehicle, however, the Post Office requested a vehicle built from the ground up to meet their needs.
After a long series of tests, a Grumman body on a GM frame and engine won the contract with the LLV first being manufactured in 1985 with the last one being made in 1994. Close to 100,000 were ordered and purchased by the Post Office.
While the LLV served its purpose, changing needs of the Postal Service, rising maintenance and fuel costs, design flaws, and a desire to make the machines more bearable for their operator made it clear to the Postal Service by 2014 that a long-term replacement was needed.
The Next Generation Delivery Vehicle
In October 2015, after a few delays, the Postal Service put out its first request for proposals for what would become the Next Generation Delivery vehicle. The RFP looked at the LLV’s shortcomings and focused on making a vehicle that could fix them.
According to an Inspector General Report published in 2020, while the Postal Service had considered off the shelf vehicles like most fleets do, the decision was made to custom build a truck due to the unique needs of the organization and sheer size of it.
So why does it look that way? Because the Postal Service needed a vehicle that was low enough to allow the driver to stay seated and deliver mail to most mailboxes while allowing the same driver to fully stand up to grab parcels from the back. This gives it its low to the ground floor and high ceiling.
Beyond just being able to accomplish two different needs, the new vehicle had to be bigger than the LLV, to accommodate packages, meet modern safety standards and not catch on fire like the LLV, have full climate control features, and accommodate individuals in the bottom five percent of women (a height of 4’ 11”) and in the top five percent of men (a height of 6’ 2”) equally.
As for powertrains, originally the Postal Service wanted mostly electric vehicles to replace their aging and inefficient fleet; however, over the course of the project this fluctuated, with around 50% of the new vehicles being electric.
While six manufacturers took part in the contest and built 44 prototypes, ultimately, it was an Oshkosh Corporation built truck on a Ford powertrain that won the contest. Again, if the name Oshkosh sounds familiar, it should as the Wisconsin-based manufacturer is known for making trucks for the military — including the HUMVEE replacement which was awarded in 2018. The contract was announced in 2021. Manufacturing began in 2023 and the first models hit the American streets in 2024.
What you guys thought.
Prior to publication, Saratoga TODAY posted on Facebook that we were planning on writing about the trucks and asked for thoughts. Afterall, the prompt for the story was our boss sending the reporters an email calling the trucks ugly after he saw one on the road with an office straw poll unanimously backing him up.
With 87 comments at the time of writing, our readers didn’t disappoint. A common theme was comparing the trucks to cartoons and animals, including the car from Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Perry the Platypus, ducks, a stormtrooper, a dog, and Tow Mater from Cars among many others.
Some said the vehicle made them laugh, and others followed the example of our boss and said they were ugly. Among the more serious comments came from those postal workers and others who praised the fact they were more ergonomic than the LLV thanks to the design.
Others criticized the height of the vehicles, saying it interfered with existing structures, trees, and basketball hoops. Another complaint was with the noise of the vehicle, with readers commenting that the vehicles didn’t allow them to hear when the trucks drove through their neighborhoods.
Whether you think they’re ugly or adorable, the new trucks will continue to carry out the 250-year mission of the Postal Service — ensuring that your jury duty summons arrives safely or Lego set arrives safely and efficiently.
Step Into Fall Feeling Better: How Proper Foot Support Can Make a Difference
As summer winds down and schedules start filling back up, many of us find ourselves spending more time on our feet. Whether it’s heading back to work, getting the kids ready for school, enjoying the final weeks of summer, or simply staying active, foot comfort can have an impact on how we move through the day.
That’s where The Good Feet Store comes in.
With locations in Clifton Park and Colonie Center, The Good Feet Store helps customers explore personalized arch support solutions designed around their feet, shoes and daily activities.
Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, customers can visit the store for a personalized fitting and learn more about the different types of arch supports available.
For someone who spends long hours standing at work, an active golfer or walker, or someone simply looking for more support throughout the day, finding the right fit can be an important part of staying comfortable and active.
The experience starts with taking the time to understand each customer’s individual needs. From there, a Good Feet specialist can help identify options that work with different shoes and activities.
And with a newer location now serving the Clifton Park community, local residents don’t have to travel far to learn more.
As fall approaches, it may be a good time to think about something we often overlook: our feet carry us everywhere. Taking care of them can be an important part of keeping ourselves moving.
Stop into The Good Feet Store in Clifton Park or Colonie Center to learn more and experience a personalized fitting.
The Good Feet Store
Clifton Park
22 Clifton Country Road
Clifton Park, NY 12065
Colonie Center
131 Colonie Center
Albany, NY 12205
Saratoga Tennis Coach Rich Johns Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award by Intercollegiate Tennis Association
Fifty-four years after graduating from SUNY Potsdam, Rich Johns is recognized by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) as a Legacy All-American for his achievements on and off the court. Johns coached both the Saratoga boys’ and girls’ tennis programs for a combined 38 years before retiring in 2010.
During his tenure as head coach, Johns led the Girl’s Varsity program to 17 league titles, nine section two team titles, and a record 85 game win streak for Class AA.
A Legacy All-American adds to his long list of accolades. Johns is the recipient of the highest honors given to alumnus from SUNY Potsdam and SUNY Adirondack, the Minerva Award (1997) and the Trailblazer Society (2018) respectively. Also, the USTA National Starfish Award (2009), given in recognition of his “no-cut” tennis program, Racquet Sports Industry as their National High School Coach of the Year (2010), and the Saratoga Springs Rotary Education Foundation Award (2010) for his distinguished-exceptional leadership and commitment to education and community service.
As a freshman at SUNY Adirondack in 1968 (Named Adirondack Community College in his day), Johns was the Northeast Collegiate College Singles Champion, secured the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 3 Championship, and got to the third round of the NJCAA National Championship.
He transferred to SUNY Potsdam after one year at SUNY Adirondack, and his on-court success followed.
Johns was runner-up at the State University of New York Athletic Association (SUNYAC) Conference Tennis Title in 1971. He captured the SUNYAC Singles Championship in his final year of college, the first and only Tennis player from SUNY Potsdam to achieve a State Championship.
Johns never lost a conference match in his collegiate career.
Despite earning a spot in the NCAA Tennis Championships in 1972, fiscal irresponsibility and a subsequent budget freeze from Governor Rockefeller prevented him from traveling to California for the competition.
Johns spends his days in retirement spreading his message, Act with Respect Always, a pay it forward movement. He travels around the region preaching 8 core character traits: Responsibility, honesty and fairness, civility, self-discipline, no excuses, courage, and respect.
After Decades of Caring for Horses, Couple Protects the Land that Makes It All Possible
(Courtesy of Saratoga PLAN)
Suzann and Peter Bobley have spent more than four decades caring for Thoroughbred racehorses. Now, the couple has taken a step to support the horses they love by permanently protecting the land that has become their home in retirement.
The Bobleys have partnered with Saratoga PLAN (Preserving Land and Nature), a nonprofit conservation organization, to permanently protect their 75-acre farm in the Town of Northumberland through a conservation easement funded by the Saratoga County Farmland and Open Space Grant Program.
The couple first came to the Saratoga region in 1983 to race Thoroughbreds. After starting on a small property on Long Island, they gradually expanded to larger farms before building 18 Karat Farm in 2006. They settled just outside Saratoga Springs, near the historic Rojan Farm and minutes from Saratoga Race Course.
“We found the land and the people of Saratoga and everything about this place beautiful,” Suzann Bobley said.
Saratoga PLAN worked with the Bobleys throughout the conservation process to establish a customized easement, which permanently limits future development while allowing the property to remain a working horse farm for generations to come. Today, the farm is home to 13 retired Thoroughbreds, including three horses from the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF), and their farm now serves as a TRF Sanctuary Farm.
“Protected farmland is essential to the future of Thoroughbred aftercare, it’s an investment in the lifelong welfare of the horses who have given so much to us. We are deeply grateful to the Bobleys for their continued support of our mission and deep commitment to conserving farmland. Strong partnerships that support both farmland conservation and equine aftercare help ensure a sustainable future of dignified lifetime care for Thoroughbreds beyond the racetrack,” said Maggie Sweet, executive director of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.
Having watched rapid growth reshape many of the rural landscapes on Long Island, Suzann and Peter understood how quickly farmland and open space can disappear. They knew they wanted a different future for the farm they built in Saratoga County, especially as development pressure increased around the property.
In 2021, when an adjacent 28-acre tract of forested wetlands was listed for sale, the Bobleys and several neighbors hoped it could be protected from development. Rather than risk losing the woods, the Bobleys purchased the property themselves, preserving open space next to their farm.
The protected property also contains wetlands that filter water and provide wildlife habitat. The parcel lies within a mile of protected lands that support Blanding’s turtles, a threatened species. According to the New York Natural Heritage Program, habitat loss and the degradation of private wetlands surrounding known populations are among the greatest threats to Blanding’s turtles. The conservation easement permanently protects these wetlands and the wildlife habitat they provide.
“The Saratoga region offers so much to the people who live here and to those who come to visit. The land and natural resources around us are a big part of what makes that possible. Protecting them is a shared effort and takes all of us. The Bobleys are a great example of how dedicated landowners can work with Saratoga PLAN to preserve the landscapes that define our region and the quality of life we all value for generations to come. We are grateful for our strong partnership with Saratoga County and its integral role in making this project happen,” said Saratoga PLAN Executive Director Jamie Brown.
Saratoga PLAN has helped conserve over 14,000 acres of land in Saratoga County. PLAN helps landowners conserve farmland, woodlands, and natural habitats, and connects people to nature through an extensive trail network, including 13 public nature preserves open for hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and nature study.
City Council Rundown: Capital Budget Proposed, and Mayor lays out case for changed UDO.
It was a late night in Saratoga Springs as the City held its regularly scheduled City Council meeting.
On the agenda was a public hearing on the city’s nearly $25 million capital budget and a discussion of proposed changes to the Unified Development Ordinance.
Here is a rundown of what happened at the Saratoga Springs City Council meeting.
Mayor lays out case for UDO.
The mayor’s proposed changes to the UDO were once again a hot topic of conversation this week as Deputy Mayor Lisa Shields presented multiple slides regarding the changes and progress made on a final draft since changes were first proposed in April.
Shields made the presentation during both the preliminary meeting on the morning of August 17 and the City Council meeting on the evening of August 18. In the preliminary meeting, Shields answered questions from City Council members.
Among the key issues facing the proposal is regarding the city’s architectural review district, which covers the city’s “gateways” along Route 9, Route 50, Lake Avenue, West Avenue, Union Avenue, Washington Street, and Van Dam Street — among other areas.
The architectural district is one of two districts in the UDO under the purview of the Design Review Board — the other being the historic district, which often overlaps the architectural review district in several areas such as Union Avenue and Broadway.
While several of the amendments in the June draft have received favorable opinions by the State Historic Preservation Office, DRB, and Planning Board, a key area of concern is demolition in the architectural review district.
Under the current UDO, the DRB can make determinations regarding historic significance in the architectural review district and raise the threshold for demolition of structures deemed historic.
The mayor has sought to change this and argued that the DRB has been too broad in applying historic standards. He said that a house could be in the architectural review district and after a vote of the DRB, the house could have historic standards applied to it.
Under the proposed changes, if the DRB finds historic significance of a structure, they would be required to make a recommendation to the City Council to designate the structure as a landmark or part of a historic district.
Both the DRB and Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation have pushed back against this change. In their advisory opinion, the DRB argued that the changes would threaten the historic buildings in the district and are “too far-reaching.”
Samantha Bosshart, President of the Saratoga Springs Foundation spoke at the August 18 meeting. She questioned the urgency of the amendments and argued that the changes go too far.
“There may be provisions that need clarification and processes to be improved, but improvement is different than weakening preservation provisions and protections afforded in our historic buildings,” Bosshart said. “Once a significant building is demolished, it’s gone forever. No later comprehensive plan, no ordinance or amendment can bring it back.”
There have been no scheduled hearings on the proposed changes as of the time of publication.
City unveils Capital Budget.
The other main talking point during the meeting was the proposal for the 2027 capital budget. The budget, which is just a proposal covering capital projects, was presented by Shields during a public hearing before the meeting began.
The capital budget is separate from the operating budget, which will be proposed at a later time. In total, 24, projects were recommended, with an additional 12 projects shifted to 2028.
Among the proposed projects is a new police station set to cost the city over $14,000,000. The new station would replace the current station, which sits in the basement of City Hall and has served the city for over 150 years
Mayor Safford said that the project is set to be funded through the sale of unused city properties and could be combined with a DPW garage that would replace the current facility on Van Rensselaer Street.