SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Hudson River Community Credit Union announced on Wednesday that it has made a $125,000 donation to the Saratoga Regional YMCA. The donation includes a $25,000 donation to the Corinth YMCA Annual Campaign and a $100,000 donation to the Glens Falls YMCA Capital Campaign.

The $25,000 donation for the Corinth YMCA will provide financial assistance to individuals and families in need, allowing them to access programs such as youth sports, childcare, and fitness classes. The $100,000 donation to the Glens Falls YMCA’s $6 million capital campaign will go towards upgrading the facility and help further expand programs that promote physical fitness, youth development, and social responsibility in the Glens Falls area.

“This $125,000 donation will create a lasting impact, helping us strengthen the Corinth Community through critical support for our Annual Campaign and transforming the Glens Falls YMCA with a $100,000 contribution to our Capital Campaign,” said Scott Clark, CEO of the Saratoga Regional YMCA, in a news release. “These gifts will enable us to expand access to essential programs and services, ensuring that individuals and families in our communities have the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.”

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The New York Racing Association (NYRA) announced this week that it will host a job fair on Thursday, February 13 for those interested in employment opportunities during the 2025 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival being held at the Saratoga Race Course.

The job fair will run from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the 1863 Club. Applicants should enter through the Wright Street entrance (Gate 8) with parking available in the 1863 Club lot.

Prospective workers will be able to meet with NYRA, Dyehard Fan Supply, Integrated Staffing, Levy Restaurants, Mazzone Hospitality, and Union Square Events, among others. Positions will include restaurant staff, mutuel clerks, cashiers, merchandise clerks, customer service, white caps. and parking attendants.

Applicants must be at least 15 years of age and have New York State Certified Working Papers. Prospective security guards, cashiers, and betting clerks must be at least 18 years of age to apply. Security guards must have a high school degree or GED. All applicants must present a photo ID and Social Security card or I-9 alternative.

BALLSTON SPA —The 2025 Ballston Spa Chocolate Fest, hosted by the Ballston Spa Business and Professional Association, will take place on Friday, Feb. 7 from 5– 9 p.m.

Stroll the Village of Ballston Spa for $2 chocolate tastings from over 20 chocolate chefs/ venues. Then, vote for your favorites in 3 categories: Dessert – Savory – Beverage. The event will also feature chocolatethemed activities, artist demos, special promotions and sales.

If your business is interested in participating in Chocolate Fest, visit www.ballston.org/ events/chocolate-fest to sumbit the application form. The entry fee is $20 for members and $40 for non-members, and will be paid by the business.

If you are an independent chef or a business that is looking for a chef, email the Chocolate Fest committee and they can help match you up: chocolatefest@ballston.org

If you are interested in being Chocolate Fest Sponsor, email the Chocolate Fest committee: chocolatefest@ballston.org.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — A Broadway store that used to house The Local Branch and Saratoga Coffee Traders has been taken over by the owners of Miss Scarlett Boutique, who plan to fully renovate the space.

447 Broadway will become Miss Scarlett’s second location, named Gilded, after the shop is given “a full face-lift” and “signature pink touch,” the business announced in a social media post last month. An opening date for the refurbished store has not yet been announced. Currently, a Miss Scarlett pop-up shop is located there until mid-January. 

Miss Scarlett Boutique is a women’s clothing store that first opened in August 2009 and celebrated its 15th anniversary last year. The company is known for its annual Racing and Rosé Fashion Show, hosted at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. The 2024 event featured TV personality Carson Kressley, best known for appearances on “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” and “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Stewart’s formally celebrated the opening of its new shop at the corner of Weibel and Lake avenues in Saratoga Springs two days after Christmas. The larger, recently built store replaced an older Stewart’s building at the same location. 

The opening was the culmination of a $2.9 million, five-year-long project. In a news release, Stewart said the lengthy process was “evidence that the wheels of government and development are not always fast.”

The project included a new entrance to the gas station and convenience store at the Weibel/Lake intersection, more parking spaces, a beer cave, an iced coffee bar, and a second bathroom.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Coach Rich Johns, a former Saratoga Springs teacher and tennis coach for nearly four decades, shared his “Act With Respect Always” message with an audience of more than 150 people as part of the winter Intro to Hoops program for K and 1st graders at the Saratoga Springs Recreation Center last month.

A record-setting 80 kids (known as “Frogs” in the program) registered this year. Coach Johns’ message to the Frogs emphasized kindness and empathy while introducing his “What’s your 99” concept. At the end of Johns’ presentation, the Frogs serenaded him with their chant: “We are the frogs, the mighty mighty frogs, ribbit!”

The hoops program, under the leadership of Head Coach Ron Lewis, now in his 13th year, has grown from 25 participants 10 years ago to now occupying the entire Recreation Center. The program’s focus is on fun and fundamentals.

WILTON — Operation Adopt a Soldier located in Wilton, delivered 122 Shoe Box Christmases to all the veterans in the Veterans Home in Holyoke, Massachusetts last week.

The Shoe Christmas were wrapped by volunteers of OAS and the boxes consisted of fruit, warm hat and gloves, small Christmas Tree, stuffed animal, and many other items.