BALLSTON SPA — James Richmond – founder and coordinator of the Saratoga County History Roundtable, and Carol Godette – a former educator and freelance writer, were announce as winners of the inaugural annual Saratoga County Public History Award.

The Saratoga County Public History Award seeks to raise awareness of the efforts of individuals and associations in the greater Capital District who devote endless hours and dollars to the preservation or dissemination of local, regional, and national histories. 

Richmond is the founder and coordinator of the Saratoga County History Roundtable, a group dedicated to investigating and discussing local history. 

Godette is a former educator and freelance writer. Her dozens of essays in Simply Saratoga Magazine have ranged in topic from architecture to fashion to popular personalities. 

The recipients were selected by a committee that included: Ronald Schorpp, social studies department chair at Saratoga Springs High School; Lisa Kissinger, social studies academic administrator for Shenendehowa CSD; Heather Mazurowski, social studies department chair at Ballston Spa High School; Heidi Hill, Historic Site Manager at the Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site; Samantha Bosshart, Executive Director of the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation; and Saratoga County History Center Trustee Isobel Connell, and Center Chairperson Michael Landis. 

An award ceremony will be held at Brookside Museum at 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 21 and will be shown via a live Zoom and Facebook broadcast.

SARATOGA COUNTY — The Stewart’s Holiday Match Program customer donations have reached over $258,983 as of Thursday, Dec. 2. That’s over $516,000 with the Stewart’s match so far, and there’s over three weeks left to collect.

The Stewart’s Holiday Match Program has no administrative fees and donates 100% of donations received to charities in their market areas. Stewart’s Shops matches each donation penny for penny and dollar for dollar and has been doing so for the past 35 years, raising over $32 million for local charities.

These donations stay local and support local nonprofits; funding may go to a little league team, a local food pantry or an arts program at the library. Each week, a different Holiday Match recipient is highlighted; this week, Crossroads Center for Children, a nonprofit school serving children diagnosed with autism is featured.

While many other fundraising efforts spend 30% or more on overhead expenses, Stewart’s has no administrative fees and covers all the expenses. This means 100 percent goes to local nonprofits.

Holiday Match funds are collected from Thanksgiving to Christmas Day in each of the 354 shops. Local children’s organizations are encouraged to apply for funding online. The deadline for submission is January 31, 2022. All groups applying must be locally based, benefit children under 18, and be a qualified, charitable 501c3 organization. To apply and to view a listing of all the local organizations that received funds last season visit www.stewartsshops.com/holiday-match/holiday-match-overview.

WILTON — Are you interested in traversing the trails of Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park at night? View nature in a new light, or lack thereof, as we walk the trails under the full moon. 

The group will cover approximately 1.5 miles of trail. The December Moonlight Hikes are scheduled for Friday and Saturday, Dec. 17-18, both beginning promptly at 5:30 p.m. This is a free program guided by an environmental educator. 

Registration is required. Space is limited. To register please visit wiltonpreserve.org and click on the “Public Programs.” For more information, please contact the Preserve & Park office at 518-450-0321 or via email at info@wiltonpreserve.org. 

MILTON — Fred Dreher is celebrating his 80th birthday. Dreher is in his 57th year of much appreciated service to the community throughout his careers and has been on the job as the Court Officer at the Milton Town Court since the late 90s. 

Born on Nov. 26, 1941, Dreher is a lifelong resident of Ballston Spa. He graduated from Ballston Spa High School in 1959 and enlisted in the Marine Corps. From the Marine Corps to Court Officer, all of Dreher’s roles show his dedication to serving the community. 

In 1965, he began working as a Patrolman with the Ballston Spa Police Department, while simultaneously being employed full-time by General Foods in Saratoga, and helping his wife, April, raise four children. 

Part of the duties of a Patrolman were providing security when court was in session. Dreher grew to enjoy work in the court and continued to sign up for the duty, becoming a “regular” there. 

When Dreher retired from General Foods, he maintained his part-time position as a patrolman and doing court sessions until 1995. Dreher, always a hard worker, also added another role as a Code Enforcement Officer for the Town of Milton.

It was in the fall of 1998, that Village Justice Timothy Thomas was elected to Milton Town Justice. Thomas naturally asked Dreher to continue in the Milton Town Court as his Court Officer, and he has been there ever since. 

Fred during his patrol days with the Ballston Spa Police Department. Photo provided by Timothy Brown.

Milton Town Justice, Timothy Brown, planned a small birthday party for family, close friends, and coworkers to recognize Dreher and highlight all the milestones he has achieved. Dreher will also soon be celebrating his 60th wedding anniversary with his wife in April of next year.

“As one of the Town Judges here in Milton, I could not ask for a better man on the job,” said Brown. “He is excellent with people, treats everyone with dignity and respect, and has also become a dear friend.” 

Brown has personally known Fred and his family for most of his life. Brown vividly recalls waving to Dreher as a child when he drove by in his police car. In addition to the police force, Dreher also served the Ballston Spa Fire Department at the Eagle Matt Lee Fire Company #1 for over 50 years. 

“He is a dedicated community servant and has made Ballston Spa a better place by his efforts. He coached all of his children in sports and life. His friendship extends well beyond the town court,” added Brown. “Fred is a remarkable person and I join my co-judge John Cromie in the sentiment that we feel fortunate to have him as court officer.” 

When asked what advice he has upon turning 80, Dreher says to “always stay busy”. Sound advice that he lives by himself, as he still enjoys getting outside and doing his own yard work. 

We wish you a Happy 80th Birthday Fred! 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Casino Hotel celebrated ‘Giving Tuesday’ by donating $110,000 to 11 Capital Region non-profit organizations during their ‘Make A Difference’ holiday luncheon at the casino’s Vapor venue this week.

The following 11 organizations each received a $10,000 donation:  The Donna M. Crandall Memorial Foundation; Franklin Community Center; Jake’s Help from Heaven; LifePath Supportive Services for Older Adults; The Joseph C. and Anne T. Palamountain Scholarship Fund; Saratoga Community Health Center; Saratoga Performing Arts Center; Saratoga Sponsor-A-Scholar; SNACpack Program (Saratoga Nutrition Assistance for Children); Wellspring; The
Wesley Foundation.

“It was a natural fit to align our annual ‘Make A Difference’ event with ‘Giving Tuesday’,” said Skip Carlson, Vice President of External Affairs at Saratoga Casino Hotel. “We’re so fortunate to have these organizations in our community and we’re happy to provide them with some assistance so they can continue to make a difference every day to so many.”

“For Jake’s Help From Heaven, receiving a ‘Make A Difference’ grant from Saratoga Casino Hotel truly does make a difference – especially now,” said Heather Straughter, President of Jake’s Help From Heaven. “Over the last 20 months, the need for support of our families has increased tremendously yet our ability to fundraise has decreased. We are preparing for our final Board of Directors meeting of 2021 and this grant will allow us to continue to come from a “place of yes” when we review applications. The generosity of Saratoga Casino Hotel really does make a difference for so many in our area and we are grateful for their support.”

Over the last 16 years, Saratoga Casino Hotel has donated over $3 million to different charitable groups in the Capital Region. Their ‘Make a Difference’ initiative that started in 2004 has since been their main charitable event to honor and provide funding to local non-profit organizations.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center has commenced their annual Mitten Tree Program. Now through Friday, December 31, members of the local community are invited to contribute warm winter wear to the Visitor Center Mitten Tree located at 297 Broadway in Saratoga Springs. All donations will benefit the following organizations: CAPTAIN Community Human Services, Franklin Community Center, and Shelters of Saratoga.

“As the holiday season approaches, we’re reminded how important it is to give back,” said Karen Verrigni, director of the Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center. “This annual tradition provides hundreds of pieces of winter wear to those in need during the cold winter months. The kindness and generosity of our region is heartwarming.”

 Instead of ornaments or lights, the tree is decorated with warm winter items such as hats, scarves, gloves, and of course, mittens. If you’d like to donate, the Visitor Center asks that you hang new or handmade items upon the tree. Visitor Center hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, visit www.discoversaratoga.org/saratoga-springs-visitor-center.

BALLSTON SPA — All across the country on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, generous individuals donate their time, efforts, and finances to different non-profit organizations.

On this year’s Giving Tuesday, Nov. 30, Cornell Cooperative Extensions of Saratoga County is asking for help with their Lead the Legacy Capital Campaign to benefit the expansion of the 4-H Training Center on Middleline Rd. in Ballston Spa. The 44-acre property already includes many unique attractions including a fishing pond, garden, indoor arena, outdoor arena, classroom, meeting space, and a kitchen. The facility has hosted educational series like Canine Obedience, equine events like the Horse Symposium, youth activities like the Halloween Extravaganza, and more. The attendance rate of all these events and the growing number of 4-H members has shown a need for a larger and more encompassing building. The proposed project will provide three state-of-the-art classrooms and ADA accessible restrooms with shower units. This expansion will have exponential possibilities for 4-H, CCE Equine, CCE Saratoga, and the general public.

Visit ccesaratoga.org/4-h/lead-the-legacy for a complete overview of the project, sponsorship descriptions, and a link to PayPal where you can contribute securely online. Donations are also accepted via cash or check made payable to Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County and dropped off or mailed to the office at 50 West High St, Ballston Spa.

Please contact 518-885-8995 with any questions, Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga’s Star Radio is bringing back The Talk Live with Santa Show. For five evenings in December, parents can register their children to talk to Santa on Saratoga’s Star Radio. The program will air December 6,8, 9, 14, 16 from 6-8 p.m. 

The Talk Live with Santa Show can be heard locally on 93.3FM, as well as globally via a mobile app and online stream at starsaratoga.com. Parents are asked to register their children for the specialty programming by going to StarSaratoga.com. Parents will then be contacted prior to the broadcast. 

Saratoga’s Star Radio offers a mix of music, local and national news updates and relevant information to listeners living in the Saratoga region.

For more information, please contact Fran Dingeman at fran@loudmedia.com 

SARATOGA SPRINGS —In honor of Giving Tuesday – an internationally recognized day of philanthropy that takes place on Nov. 30, join the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation for “A Taste of Saratoga: The Gut” with Carol Godette and Amy Godine. 

Godette and Godine will highlight the restaurants and stores, both past and present, located in the historic “Gut” neighborhood. 

Featured businesses include Hattie’s, Mother Goldsmiths, Tannenbaum’s, and more! This virtual program takes place 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 30 through Zoom for a suggested donation of $10 or more.

For more information or to pre-register go online to: www.saratogapreservation.org.

SCHUYLERVILLE — The historic Marshall House, Witness to History in Schuylerville will hold a special open house on Thanksgiving Saturday, Nov. 27. 

The house played an important role in the area’s Revolutionary War history, serving as a field hospital for the British troops and the German soldiers who fought with them in the Saratoga campaign. The family of the German General Friedrich Riedesel had accompanied Burgoyne to the battlefront.

The Baroness Frederika Riedesel (as portrayed by Debbie Bailey) will greet visitors and tell the story of how she with her three children endured bombardment at the Marshall House during the American siege during the Battles of Saratoga in 1777. The Baroness will also describe how she introduced the custom of the Christmas tree to North America, and docents will explain details of the historic house. 

The Marshall House is located just north of downtown Schuylerville, 136 Route 4 North. 

Visitors will be welcomed in groups of 15 at 1, 2, and 3 p.m. There will be valet parking at the house. A donation of $10 per person is requested to further the educational outreach of The Marshall House. 

Pre-register online at www.themarshallhouse.org. On the home page, click on Special Event Saturday, Nov. 27.