SARATOGA SPRINGS — Join the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation on Monday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. for the virtual program “Urban Renewal: Through the Eyes of a Child with Joy King.” 

The program will highlight Urban Renewal in Saratoga Springs from 1962 to 1986, during what was one of the largest urban changes in the city’s history. 

The federal Urban Renewal program provided funding to clear “blighted” areas to allow for redevelopment and displaced the largely Black community from the West Side. 

Joy King, whose family has resided in Saratoga Springs for seven generations, will share her and her family’s memories. 

Additionally, there will be a screening of the documentary “Erasing Spaces and Faces: The Legacy of Urban Renewal in Saratoga Springs” from C.R.E.A.T.E. Community Studios, an organization that uses art to promote freedom, expression, personal growth, and community connection. A conversation will follow about the current initiatives that local organizations, artists, and community members are taking to foster social change. 

The program will take place on Zoom for a suggested donation of $10 or more. For additional information or to register for the virtual program visit www.saratogapreservation.org or call 518-587-5030. Everyone who pre-registers for this program will be emailed a Zoom link in advance and will receive a link to the recording.  

Greenfield — Brookhaven Winter Park, the Town of Greenfield’s cross-country skiing and snowshoeing park, is having a 5K Snowshoe Race on March 2 at 10 a.m. The cost is $25 and includes a long-sleeved athletic shirt and prizes and giveaways. The fun continues after the race at the View Restaurant at Brookhaven. 

Registration links are at greenfieldny.org and runreg.com. 

Brookhaven Winter Park is a free Nordic ski and snowshoe park, featuring 20K of trails. It is located at 333 Alpine Meadows Rd., just ten miles from Saratoga. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS —Taking advantage of comfortable conditions that saw thermometers at or around 60 degrees Fahrenheit, an estimated crowd of more than 40,000 eventgoers participated in the 25th annual Saratoga Chowderfest on Saturday, Feb. 10. 

Eighty-five vendors participated in the event, and a total of 116,383 bowls of chowder served, according to festival presenter Discover Saratoga (the Saratoga Convention & Tourism Bureau). 

Festival attendees sampled a variety of chowder from participating vendors and voted for their favorite and winners were chosen in eight different categories. 

The winners are:

• People’s Choice 500 bowls or less: Bentley’s Tavern

• People’s Choice 501-750 bowls: Ribbon Cafe

• People’s Choice 751-1,000 bowls: The Mill on Round Lake

• People’s Choice 1,001-1,500 bowls: Kindred

• People’s Choice 1,501- 2,000 bowls: Clancy’s Tavern

• People’s Choice 2,001-3,000 bowls: Rhea

• People’s Choice 3,001-4,000 bowls: West Ave Pizza

• People’s Choice 4,001+ bowls: Druthers Brewing Company

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Glass reflection of giant balloons spelling the word “Love” in the storefront window of Lifestyles of Saratoga on Broadway. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS  —The Hawley Foundation for Children is accepting funding requests for its Community Grants and Camp Awards.

Local organizations that assist youth in our community and best realize the Foundation’s mission of promoting the health, welfare and education of children in Saratoga County are invited to apply no later than March 1, 2024, at HawleyFoundation.org. Funding criteria includes but is not limited to: Organizations must serve disadvantaged children in Saratoga County; Organizations must have a 501(c)(3) non-profit status; Programs to be funded must demonstrate the ability and commitment to benefit, enhance and enrich the quality of life and well-being of children.

In 2023, The Hawley Foundation awarded over $150,000 to the Saratoga County community towards Community Grants, Camp Awards, College Grants to high school seniors who are college-bound or vocational-oriented, as well as returning college students, and as discretionary funds to assist children on a case-by-case basis who are in financial need and reside in Saratoga County. 

Applicants will be notified in early April and funds distributed at an Award Ceremony in May.  For more information, contact info@hawleyfoundation.org.  

MALTA — A collaboration between two local artists will take place Feb. 3 as a benefit for Gateway House of Peace – a comfort care home in Ballston Spa providing round-the-clock care to those at end-of-life at no charge.

Local author Patricia A. Nugent will present excerpts from her memoir, “They Live On: Saying Goodbye to Mom and Dad,” and original music performed by Michael Jerling.

A mini-expo with agencies offering free information and resources will be also held later that afternoon. The event is open to the public and runs 1-3:30 p.m. Tickets for the 90-minute benefit performance are available at GatewayHouseofPeace.org/eventsghp. For more information, email info@gatewayhouseofpeace.org. 

The event takes place at the Malta Ave. Elementary School’s auditorium at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 3.

SARATOGA — Stewart’s Shops is offering a buy one, get one free deal for a single scoop of its “Civility” ice cream flavor. The special runs through Feb. 4. The “Civility” flavor features  a salty caramel swirl and “no nuts.” 

“We brought back Civility ice cream as a reminder that we may think differently but we can still respect each other and maybe even share an extra scoop or a smile,” said Stewart’s Shops president Gary Dake in a statement.

BALLSTON SPA —The 2024 Ballston Spa Chocolate Fest, hosted by the Ballston Spa Business and Professional Association, will take place on Friday, Feb. 2 from 4– 8 p.m.  

Stroll the Village of Ballston Spa for $1 chocolate tastings from over 20 chocolate chefs/venues. Then, vote for your favorites in 3 categories: Dessert – Savory – Beverage. The event will also feature chocolate-themed 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.