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Quick Response to Open Santa’s Playland Christmas Lights

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

Final preparations are under way as Quick Response will soon welcome visitors to Santa’s Playland Christmas Lights beginning Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, at 2077 Route 9 in Round Lake. The free, drive-through holiday attraction will run through Sunday, Jan. 3, 2027, offering visitors a chance to enjoy Christmas lights and wave to Santa from their vehicles.

The display will be open Wednesdays through Sundays from 5 to 11 p.m., rain or shine, with Santa available to wave to visitors from 5 to 9 p.m. The attraction will also be open on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Please note that the event is closed to the general public on Mondays and Tuesdays, as those nights are reserved for private events.

Daily $100 Visa gift card giveaways will take place Wednesdays through Sundays from Nov. 14 through Jan. 3. The event will also feature Capital Region Toys for Tots collection nights on Friday, Dec. 4, and Saturday, Dec. 5, and Toys for Toga collection nights on Friday, Dec. 11, and Saturday, Dec. 12. All toy collection nights will run from 5 to 9 p.m.

Preparation began in August, with more than 20 employees pitching in on the effort and a lighting specialist flying in from Ohio to help build the displays. Also, to better accommodate the more than 20,000 cars expected, Quick Response has resurfaced the entire roadway this year. With the Nov. 14 start date, this year also marks the longest schedule for the drive-through lights. 

Meet Otis

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

We have had our fair share of amazing black adoptable kitties at HOPE within the past few months and Otis is no exception. He stumbled upon a home on a cold, rainy night and was promptly rescued. He had multiple ticks embedded in his skin and was so dirty and thin from living a life outside. After a few days of decompressing and a health check with a veterinarian, it was obvious he was starved for attention and was in search of a warm home with a loving lap to sit on. He is so thankful to be out of the harsh elements and has been staying in a foster home. Otis is ready to live a life of luxury with someone who can spend a lot of time with him and give him the attention he so desperately craves. He is a medium haired neutered cat and is estimated to be a little over a year old. He has tested negative for FIV and FeLV and is up to date on vaccines. We are unsure how he feels about other cats or dogs, but he is such a calm kitty that he may  do just fine with proper, slow introductions. Otis joined HOPE on a few recent events and enjoyed all of the attention he received.  He is still residing in his foster home and a meet and greet will be scheduled for approved adopters. 

Online applications may be found on our website at www.hopeanimalrescue.org. The Cat Adoption Center is located in the Wilton Mall and visits may be scheduled by calling us at 518-450-7013 or sending us an email at hope.homes.for.orphaned.pets.exist@gmail.com.

Photo of the Week

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.


Into the Morning Mist Golden sunlight breaks through the fog on a quiet morning in Round Lake, transforming an ordinary road into something extraordinary. A reminder that beauty often waits in the most unexpected places.


Photo by Michael Ladd www.michaelladdphotography.com

One photo will be chosen each week. 

Email your photo to: 

Design@SaratogaPublishing.com

NATURE

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.


Thank you to our local artist Tina Marie DeVincenzo, for this stunning image from her recent trip to the Galapagos Islands.

Artist Spotlight: Marisa Benoit

Written by Marisa Benoit on . Posted in Featured, Neighborhood Buzz.

Marisa Benoit is a multidisciplinary artist and designer whose work explores the relationship between humanity, nature, and the unseen. With a background in graphic design and mentorship under visionary artist Alex Grey, she rediscovered her passion for oil painting while living in Brazil. Her narrative-driven paintings feature expressive landscapes, portraiture, and symbolic imagery, often using light to evoke wonder, transformation, and reflection.

Her exhibition, Gathering Light, featuring her original oil paintings, is on display at Mabee Farm Historic Site, 1100 Main Street, Rotterdam Junction, NY 12150, through December 2026. The exhibit can be viewed during regular visitor hours, Tues, Thursday – Saturday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.It is recommended to call ahead at 518-374-0263 to confirm access to the exhibition space before making a special trip.

Visit her website – www.marisalynnbenoit.com


The Lion of Judah, 
Oil on Canvas, 30×24”


Steadfast, Oil on Canvas, 24×30”

Moon Enchantress, 
Oil on Canvas, 12×16”

Shadow of Your Smile, 
Oil on Canvas, 18×24”

Photo of the Week

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

“Our Little Pumpkin”

Picture taken by Katelynne Cavert

One photo will be chosen each week. 

Email your photo to: Design@SaratogaPublishing.com

Meet Shadow!!!

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

Shadow is such a sweet and loving kitty. He is estimated to be about 6 years old and was found by another rescue as a stray this summer. He had been living in a foster home with multiple cats for some time but it seemed as though he wanted to be the only pet in the household. Shadow tested positive for FIV so it was determined that it would be best to change his environment and let him enjoy life without other cats constantly interrupting his cool vibe. Shadow loves being around people and is always rubbing against a leg or hand to receive as many pets as possible. From a life on the streets, to a life in foster with multiple cats, to our Cat Adoption Center; it is time for Shadow to land once more in a loving forever home of his very own. Shadow is up to date on vaccines, is neutered and tested negative for FeLV. He is an absolute sweetheart and seeing him blossom here is just about the cutest thing we’ve seen-and we’ve seen a lot of cuteness!

The Cat Adoption Center is located in Wilton Mall in Saratoga. Please check our website www.hopeanimalrescue.org for our upcoming hours of operation or to fill out an online adoption application. If you have any questions call us at 518-450-7013 or email us at hope.homes.for.orphaned.pets.exist@gmail.com.

Artists Spotlight · Louis Valenti ·

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

A Wild Orange Lily found at the Saratoga Tree Nursery
The towering Douglas Firs of Saratoga Spa State Park
Autumn on Saratoga Lake

Louis Valenti is an American nature photographer currently residing in Saratoga Springs, NY. Through his photography, Louis Valenti attempts to inspire an appreciation and deeper understanding of the beauty of nature and the uniqueness of places such as the Albany Pine Bush Preserve, The Berkshires, Jersey Shore Beaches, Cape Cod Massachusetts, and Saratoga New York’s parks, trails, and wilderness areas, while promoting the preservation of wild places everywhere.In addition to his collection of photographic art featuring these American places of interest, he has recently published his latest photography book titled, Saratoga Naturally: Photographic Images of Saratoga’s Most Beautiful Parks & Trails. Saratoga Naturally is a breathtakingly beautiful nature photography book that captures the serene and picturesque wonders of Saratoga, New York.Louis Valenti is celebrated for his breathtaking landscapes and wildlife photography, and his photographs are widely recognized in the Capital Region of New York. Through Louis Valenti Photography, nature lovers can purchase fine art prints, framed photographs, matted prints, and photography cards.Explore the collection and learn more by visiting LouisValentiPhotography.com or connecting on Facebook.


LouisValentiPhotography.com

Photo of the Week

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

 “Going for a little paddle on Lake Champlain”

Photo by Robert Marvin

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.” – Mark Twain

“Tutaonana baadae!” (Swahili for “see you later.”)

One photo will be chosen each week. 

Email your photo to: Design@SaratogaPublishing.com

Meet Danny!!

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

Name: Danny

Breed: Hound/Collie Mix

Age: 15 months

Sex: Male

Size: 40 lbs

Personality:

Traits: Sweet, affectionate, smart, eager to learn

Danny spent much of his early life isolated from the world, and he’s now navigating life in a home for the first time. He’s a sweet, affectionate boy who bonds quickly with his person, but he’s still learning how to feel safe and confident in unfamiliar situations.

Danny can struggle when new people enter his home, where he may feel the need to protect his space. He also finds being alone difficult and can become very attached to his person. He needs an experienced, patient caregiver who can help him build confidence through gradual, positive exposure to new people and experiences, while teaching him that he doesn’t have to take on the responsibility of keeping everyone safe.

Danny is a smart boy who is eager to please, and with the right guidance, consistency, and understanding, he has so much potential. HOPE will continue to support Danny while he’s in foster care, even as he works toward being ready for permanent adoption.

We’re looking for a qualified foster or adopter who can offer Danny the structure, patience, and reassurance he needs to keep growing. Could you help this deserving boy discover a world that feels safe?

Health: None

Housing restrictions: Unknown how Danny does with cats.  Other dogs should be done as a meet and greet.  Recommend he not be placed with small children.

H.O.P.E. Information

If you would like more information or to arrange to meet one of our pets, check out our Events page for adoption events to attend, contact us via email at hope.homes.for.orphaned.pets.exist@gmail.com or call 518-450-7013. We look forward to matching you with a new furry best friend.

Adoption fee for dogs is $250 and up. H.O.P.E has a senior to senior program.  If eligible, adoption fees will be waived. All applicants must be 21 years or older to qualify for adoption.