SARATOGA SPRINGS — It’s time for spring planting. If you love to garden but don’t have your own space, join the Wesley campus community gardens.
Rent is $50 for a raised 4×8 foot box. For an application, contact: Susanbokan@gmail.com.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs City School District’s annual Bike Rodeo event will return on Thursday, May 8 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Kids are encouraged to bring their bicycles to the East Side Recreation Field’s track and in-field off of Caroline Street for an obstacle course, minor bike maintenance, safety course, helmet fitting station, games, and a relay race contest.
All kids participating in the event can fill out a raffle ticket for a chance to win a new bike from Trek Saratoga Bicycles. Free hot dogs and hamburgers will also be provided by the Saratoga Springs Police Department.
The event precedes Bike-to-School Day on May 16.
On Wednesday, April 16, bring the whole family to Geyser Creek Picnic Area for the free fish stocking event. In addition to the live trout release there will be demonstrations, activities and crafts. The truck is scheduled to arrive at 11:30 a.m. Call or text (518) 810-6906 for more information.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Kerry Flaherty, a Saratoga native and graduate of Saratoga Springs High School, recently broke the Catholic University women’s basketball single-season three-point record by draining 82 triples in one season.
She was only the fifth player in Landmark Conference history to make more than 70 threes in a season.
Flaherty officially broke the record during a 17-point performance against Goucher in February.
Flaherty, a graduate student, finished the season averaging 11.3 points per game, with a .418 three-point percentage. She started in all 28 games she played in.
Prior to joining Catholic for the 2023-24 season, Flaherty played two seasons at Holy Cross. At Saratoga Springs High School, she scored 1,400 career points and was a four-time Suburban Conference All-Star.
She is currently earning her master’s degree in World Politics, after getting a bachelor’s in International Relations.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — April marks the start of the Campus Out of the Darkness Walks season in the Capital Region, and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention invites you to support Skidmore College as they walk to help prevent suicide on April 27th.
These walks provide a meaningful way to not only raise funds but also connect with others and remind everyone they’re not alone—whether walking in memory of a loved one, to support others, or to honor their own mental health journey.
Check-in time for the event is 12:30 pm and the start time is 1:30 pm. To participate as a walker or make a donation, visit http://www.afsp.org/skidmore.
Schuylerville— The Old Saratoga Historical Association will award the Francis Ostrander Scholarship of $500 to a member of the senior class at Schuylerville Central High School who will be attending a two or four year college in the fall. A $350 scholarship will be awarded to the runner-up. Applicants must complete a 600-word essay.
Submit applications by May 15 to Patricia Peck, 178 Wagman’s Ridge, Saratoga Springs NY 12866. A short statement, on a separate piece of paper, with the name, address, and career plans of the applicant and the college that the applicant will attend should accompany the essay. Announcement of the scholarship recipients will be made at commencement.
For further information call 518-584-4129.
BALLSTON SPA — Ben Skillings, a senior at Ballston Spa High School, was one of only two students in New York State to be a delegate at the 63rd annual United States Senate Youth Program, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Gianleo Duca said during the district’s Mar. 19 school board meeting.
Duca said that Skillings met Senator Chuck Schumer, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, and several astronauts.
“It was a fantastic learning experience for Ben,” Duca said. “We’re very proud of him. I just wanted to recognize and congratulate him on that wonderful achievement.”
The U.S. Senate’s Youth Program is described as a week-long educational experience and scholarship for outstanding high school students who are interested in pursuing careers in public service.
According to the program’s Facebook page, this year’s schedule included stops at George Washington’s home Mount Vernon, the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, the Library of Congress, Capitol Hill, the National Archives, the State Department, NASA Headquarters, and the White House.
The 19th annual Adirondack Sports Summer Expo is back at the Saratoga Springs City Center on Saturday-Sunday, March 22-23 – beat cabin fever and get excited about spring and summer at the gathering of outdoor enthusiasts on the first weekend of spring!
The free admission, high energy show brings Adirondack Sports magazine – celebrating 25 years! – to life with 200 exhibitors covering running, biking, hiking, paddling, triathlon, recreation, health, fitness, and travel. We have all upstate regional destinations represented, including Capital-Saratoga, Adirondacks, Hudson Valley, Catskills, Central NY, 1000 Islands, Finger Lakes, and Western NY. We’ll also have custom canoe and kayak builders, camps and retreats, trails and sustainability, massage and recovery, and health and fitness pros.
Attendees can buy new clothing, gear, products, and services; enter to win $10,000 in prizes; enjoy in-booth demos; and bring the kids of all ages for educational, entertaining and fitness activities – including paddling, rowing, disc golf, get more kids on bikes indoor rides, go for a training run or scenic walk, and much more. Plus, we’ll have lunch, snack, and drink options from 9 Miles East Farm, Speckled Pig Brewing, and more.
The Summer Expo is a celebration of active, healthy living by like-minded people in an upbeat atmosphere. Expo-goers can speak with local club members and join, sign-up for races/events, set realistic health/fitness goals, and challenge yourself to try something new. Adults and families can plan their travel with our destination exhibitors representing beautiful lakes, mountains, communities, attractions, and events/races – including bicentennial of the Erie Canalway and their working lock. Come to plan your summer adventure.
The free admission Adirondack Sports Summer Expo runs Saturday, 10am-5pm and Sunday, 10am-4pm. Saratoga Springs City Center, 522 Broadway, Saratoga Springs. There’s plenty of parking in the City Center’s adjacent garage (at reasonable rates), and free on-street and garage parking. For more info and our updated list of exhibitors, visit: www.adksports.com/summer-expo. For details on the Summer Expo, follow or like: www.facebook.com/adksportsexpos – and www.instagram.com/adirondacksports.
Saratoga Springs — The annual fun-filled Community Purim Carnival will be held 10 a.m. to noon on Sunday, March 16.
The festivities, presented by Temple Sinai, will take place in the Coesa Room of the Roosevelt 2 Building at 37 Roosevelt Ave. in Saratoga Spa State Park. Families and children from the community are welcome to join the program for youngsters of all faiths.
Purim is a holiday celebrating a biblical story about overcoming racism and oppression. It’s traditionally celebrated with costume and revelry and has been called “the Jewish Mardi Gras.”
The local event will feature more than 15 interactive games and activities, including dance parties, a photo booth, crafts, face painting, wooden “pony” rides, snacks and carnival games with prizes.
Wristbands for unlimited games and activities are $10 each. Pita & hummus, popcorn, cotton candy, snacks, and beverages will be available for purchase. For further information about Temple Sinai’s Purim Carnival, contact Sylvia Bloom, Temple Sinai’s Director of Education at : educator@saratogasinai.org.
To celebrate Women’s History Month, the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation will present an evening virtual program “Sarah Smiley: From Mohonk to Saratoga” on Thursday, March 27 at 7pm, with Louisa Finn and Nell Boucher. Learn more about Sarah Smiley, a trailblazing 19th-century Quaker preacher and abolitionist, who was the most famous member of the Smiley family and built a seasonal residence at 166 Excelsior Avenue, a designated Local Landmark.
Sarah Smiley was an evangelist who made news across the country when in 1872 she spoke before a mixed congregation of men and women. She insisted that women could study and interpret the scriptures independently of men. Her preaching took her across the United States and Europe, and she authored three books. She also participated in conferences, including the prestigious Mohonk Conferences on International Arbitration, which sought to promote world peace. Presenter, Louisa Finn’s Smiley ancestors took stewardship of a ten-room inn on Mohonk Lake, 100 miles south of Saratoga Springs, in 1869. They enlarged the business to what is today a 262-room historic resort nestled in the Shawangunk Mountains near New Paltz, New York.
Louisa Finn is a fourth-generation Smiley family member. She grew up in the Hudson Valley, frequently visiting Mohonk where her grandmother lived. She is committed to preserving the land, philosophy, and ideals of her Smiley ancestors. She is a practicing speech/language pathologist, a reading tutor, and a published poet. Louisa will be talking about her great-great aunt, Sarah Frances Smiley, who arranged to build the cottage at 166 Excelsior Avenue in Saratoga Springs. She will be joined by Nell Boucher who is the in-house historian and archivist at Mohonk Mountain House who is knowledgeable about the history of Mohonk Mountain House, including its architecture, past events, and historical records. Nell plays a vital role in preserving and sharing the rich history of the Mohonk Mountain House.
“I’m excited to highlight Sarah Smiley’s history, especially with the help of her own family member. Their connection makes this program even more meaningful for everyone involved. It is our hope that this program raises awareness for the need to preserve this important landmark,” said Samantha Bosshart, Executive Director of the Foundation.
The virtual program will have a suggested donation of $10 and will be hosted via Zoom. To register, please visit www.saratogapreservation.org or call (518) 587-5030.
