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Kickoff Winter at the Expanded Northeast Winter Expo

The 62nd annual Northeast Winter Expo is returning to Saratoga Springs October 24-25 at the Saratoga Springs City Cetner. Show hours are Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with free admission. 

Highlights include:

100 exhibitors and resorts, and 8,000 active attendees featuring gear and clothing sales, interactive demos, prizes, inspiring films, motivational speakers, and après ski food/drink.

At the booths, learn about club memberships, activities, events and races, and sign up for day, weekend, and weeklong alpine and cross-country ski trips from many clubs and organizations. 

Sign up for the free Ski & Ride Passport for any 3rd, 4th or 5th grader to enjoy winter at most NY resorts when accompanied by a paying adult. Learn more: iskiny.com.

With entry to the Expo, receive a prize ticket for entry to win one of 40 prizes. Prizes include lift tickets from alpine ski resorts, trail passes from cross-country ski resorts, season passes, a snowboard, ski/binding packages, snowshoes, and much more. Many ski resorts will also be offering special deals in their booths. Winners will be drawn after the show and notified directly by show organizers. Must be 18 or over to enter.

Saratoga Photobooth Company will offer a free souvenir photo from the Upstate Sports Winter Expo. 

Quality skier-friendly food and drink options available for purchase from local vendors, including local craft beer. 

There will be many hands-on fun and educational activities for kids and adults of all ages.

Call for Entries for Photography Show at Wilton Wildlife

For photographers who enjoy taking pictures of nature, entries for a photography show that will highlight the beauty and mission of Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park, are being sought. The entry deadline is November 2, 2026, and up to four entries will be accepted per person.  There will be prizes awarded for the following categories: Best in Show, Best Nature in Winter, Best Nature in Autumn, Best Featuring Education, Best Featuring Conservation, Best Featuring Recreation, Best Animal Shot, Best Wildflower Shot, Best Karner Blue Butterfly, and Best Under 13.

Entries should be submitted via email to info@wiltonpreserve.org with the following information: attached photograph files saved as jpeg, name, address, phone number, email, title of each submission, age if under 13. All work should be original and have been taken at the Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park.  This year, the selected photographs will be displayed virtually, through a virtual Photography Gallery in addition to an in-person gallery located at the Welcome Cabin (90 Scout Road, Wilton, NY).

For more information, contact Wilton Wildlife’s office at 518-450-0321 or via email at info@wiltonpreserve.org.  For up-to-date trail conditions or program information, please visit the website at  www.wiltonpreserve.org or on Facebook or Instagram @wiltonpreserve. For more information, call the Wilton Wildlife office at 518-450-0321 or email info@wiltonpreserve.org. Celebrating 30 years of providing environmental education and opportunities for outdoor recreation while supporting conservation of ecological systems and natural settings.

Meet Floki!! 

 Floki recently came to HOPE after his owner became homeless and was living out of her car. She loved him very much and knew that he needed more than she could give and she also needed to find help for herself. From the moment Floki entered the cat adoption center, he has been nothing but sweet. He loves to be talked to and may just chat back. He is a big boy, weighing a little over 13 pounds and is 6 years old. Floki is up to date on vaccines, tested negative for FIV and FeLV and is neutered. He is ready to settle in to a home where he can have meaningful conversations and receive lots of attention. 

The HOPE Cat Adoption Center is located in the Wilton Mall in Saratoga and is open to the public Tuesday, Friday and Saturday from 11-4 or by appointment. Online adoption applications may be found at our website www.hopeanimalrescue.org. 

*We are in desperate need of clumping kitty litter if you are able to donate-our website includes a Chewy and Amazon wish list if you would like to help the kitties. 

5th Annual Witch Walk in Saratoga Springs

 Saratoga Springs— The 4th Annual Witch Walk & Dance, an exciting community event blending fun, philanthropy, and Halloween spirit, returns to Saratoga Springs on Saturday, October 17. Hosted by Witch Walk SOSA (Southern Saratoga), this event will raise crucial funds to support local animal rescue efforts while offering participants a magical day filled with entertainment, costumes, and more.

Participants are encouraged to wear their best witch costumes and join the enchanting walk and dances through downtown Saratoga Springs. The festivities will begin at 37 High Rock Ave, lower-level parking garage and culminate in a lively celebration featuring local vendors, live performances, and Halloween-themed activities.

“This event has become one of our most anticipated fundraisers,” said Phaedra Stasyshyn, Head Witch of Witch Walk SOSA. “It brings the community together in a fun and creative way to support our mission of helping animals and their people in need across the Saratoga Springs area.”

Event Highlights Include:

• Witch Way Wanderer Dancers: Be mesmerized by live performances from our local witch dancers, and groups from far and wide adding a magical touch to the day’s festivities.

• Witch Way Market: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. in Congress Park, where local vendors will be selling unique, witch-themed crafts, jewelry, and other magical treasures. 

• Flash Tattoos 12 p.m. – 9 p.m. at Shark Tooth Tattoo Company 72 Henry Street. 

• Local Drink Specials

• Basket Raffle

Wristbands are $30 per person and can be purchased on the day of the event at the registration booth.

Whether you’re a local resident or a visitor, this year’s Witch Walk promises a spellbinding day of fun with plenty of opportunities to support a great cause. Don’t miss your chance to dress up, join the fun, and make a difference!

To inquire about participation, donations, or sponsorship opportunities, please visit https://www.discoversaratoga.org/witch-walk-sosa/ 

City of Saratoga Springs Arts Commission Launches Community Arts Survey

 The City of Saratoga Springs Arts Commission is inviting residents and community members to participate in a new community-wide survey designed to better understand how familiar the community is with local arts, cultural programs, and creative opportunities. 

The Saratoga Springs Arts Commission Survey will be available from October 15 through November 15, 2026, and is expected to take approximately 10 minutes to complete. 

The survey will help the Arts Commission better understand how residents currently engage with the arts in Saratoga Springs, what local arts resources they are familiar with, and where there may be opportunities to improve awareness, access, and participation. 

“We want to hear directly from the community about their experiences with and awareness of the arts in Saratoga Springs,” said Steve Rosenblum. “The survey will help us better understand what is working, where there are gaps, and how the city can support a vibrant and accessible arts community.” 

The survey is intended for a broad range of community members, including those who regularly participate in local arts and cultural activities as well as those who may not currently engage with the local arts community. 

Community members are encouraged to share the survey with friends, family, neighbors, and local organizations to help the Arts Commission gather a broad range of perspectives. 

The survey will be open October 15–November 15, 2026, and can be accessed at: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/g/dtZxvPj8bc 

The Arts Commission will use the survey results to inform future planning, programming, outreach, and initiatives related to arts and culture in Saratoga Springs. 

For more information about the City of Saratoga Springs Arts Commission, visit https://www.saratogaspringsny.gov/2219/Arts-Commission.

Artists Spotlight · Terry Forrester ·

Introducing Terry Forrester, Artist and Owner of The Grumpy Bear Den Art Studio. I’m local to Saratoga Springs artist living on Saratoga Lake.  The sunsets are spectacular so I lack no source for inspiration. I am 71 and have been painting for just six years, after first taking it up in 2020. My passion lies in creating landscape, animal portrait, and floral paintings using acrylic, pastel and oil paints. My goal through my work is to encourage others at any age to start something new. It is my mission to inspire others to CREATE!

Facebook

@the_grumpy_bear_den

Instagram

@the_grumpy_bear_den

Photo of the Week!

Favorite Jack-o’-lantern Photo!

Photo sent in by Ruth Anderson

One photo will be chosen each week. 

Email your photo to: Design@SaratogaPublishing.com

Meet Olivander! 

Olivander came to HOPE after his owners could no longer properly care for him. When he came to us, he was brought in a dirty cage covered in feces. He was promptly brought to the veterinarian where he was examined and updated on vaccinations and captured the hearts of the entire staff. Olivander is the type of cat that will put a spell on humans and make you fall in love with him. If you pet him then take your hand away, he will gently grab it so that you continue to pet him. He is approximately 6 years old, has tested negative for FIV and FeLV and is neutered. He is patiently waiting for his loving forever home where he will receive lots of attention-and pets, of course!

The HOPE Cat Adoption Center is located in the Wilton Mall in Saratoga and is open to the public Tuesday, Friday and Saturday from 11-4 or by appointment. Online adoption applications may be found on our website at www.hopeanimalrescue.org. For any questions give us a call at 518-450-7013.

Artists Spotlight: · Cindy Lassonde ·   

Painting Memories: 

Halfmoon Artist Turns Photographs Into Art

The Cabin, Northwest US
Cape Cod
Holiday Candles
Grandmother and Grandddaughter Sailing

A photograph of a beloved dog, a favorite vacation view, or a meaningful moment from one’s life can become the starting point for one of Cindy Lassonde’s unique oil paintings. Trained at the Alexander School of Art, Cindy accepts commissions, with a particular interest in painting pets and creating personalized scenes from vacations or everyday life. Her clients receive a beautiful original oil painting that captures a meaningful memory to display on the wall in their homes.A Halfmoon resident, Lassonde lives with her husband and enjoys time with her family. She also enjoys yoga and gardening. A retired professor at SUNY Oneonta, she now has more time to devote to her artwork.After a career in education, Cindy is enjoying a new chapter close to home, sharing her talent through artwork that brings treasured memories to life on canvas.

Contact Cindy!

cindylassonde1957@gmail.com

Paris Street in 1880s (done in art school)