It is unbelievable but last week neighborhood kids raised $430 for the Saratoga County Animal Shelter selling lemonade for $1 per cup! You can do the math and appreciate how hard these kids worked!

GRANVILLE — On Saturday, July 10, the Slate Valley Museum will welcome Saratoga County History Center Director of Education Anne Clothier to present, Looking History in the Eye: A Brief Overview of 19th Century Photography, a program exploring nineteenth-century photography. 

Clothier, a trained museum professional and historian, has a lifelong interest in historic objects and photography and has spent over two decades exploring, researching, and honing her own skills in reading and identifying historical photographs. During this program, she will show attendees how to examine real daguerreotypes, tintypes, ambrotypes, cartes de visite, stereoviews, cabinet cards and other photographs and how to identify early photographic methods. She will also teach techniques for interpreting images, as well as ways to narrow down the date of an image.

This is a hands-on, discussion-filled program. Participants are welcomed to bring a magnifying glass and any early photographs or family albums that they may have at home.

The program will take place 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 10. It will be offered both on-site at the Museum and it will be online for people to stream live in their homes. 

The price for in-person attendance is $10, or free for Museum members. Pre-registration is recommended as space is limited. Those who wish to attend can RSVP by calling 518-642-1417 or by emailing associate@slatevalleymuseum.org. Given the ongoing pandemic, program attendees should come prepared to wear masks. 

The program will be streamed live online for free to all. Pre-registration information for the virtual event will be available on the Museum’s website and Facebook pages.

The Slate Valley Museum is located at 17 Water St. in Granville. More information is available at  www.SlateValleyMuseum.org.

CORINTH — Adirondack Center Stage (ACS) will be having a car wash and bake sale from 8 a.m.- 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 10 at the Cleveland Brothers parking lot at the corner of West Mechanic St. and Saratoga Avenue in Corinth. All proceeds will benefit their 2021 Summer Theatre Workshop. 

The Summer Theatre Workshop is an intensive theater program for youth ages 8-18, bringing a high-quality production to Northern Saratoga County on the last weekend in July. The program is open to children of all abilities, background, and experience levels. More information can be found online at: www.adkcenterstage.org. 

Saratoga Arts made this program possible with a Community Arts grant funded by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. Performances of “Seussical” will be held on Friday and Saturday, July 30 and 31 at 7 p.m. and on Sunday, Aug. 1 at 2 p.m. at the Corinth Central School auditorium, 105 Oak St. For more information call 518-744-7396. 

Saratoga Springs — The 2021 Saratoga Showcase of Homes Committee announced a change to this year’s originally scheduled tour dates.  Celebrating 25 years of exceptional homes, this annual tradition will now be presented over five beautiful fall days on October 9, 10, 11 and October 16, 17.  This yeat’s event features a spectacular line-up of 13 locations from our region’s finest builders for the area’s premiere new home tour event.

Saratoga Builders Association’s Executive Director Barry Potoker commented,  “Unfortunately due to material shortages, longer lead times on supplies and labor issues, the Showcase Committee along with input from the builders has determined that the tour dates need to be moved out in order to have a successful event. We need to be flexible and are confident this extra time will allow all builders to completely finish their new homes so they can safely open to the public. In addition, the tour has been shortened to two weekends beginning in October and includes the Monday, Columbus Day holiday.”

The Saratoga Builders Association hopes that these necessary changes to the traditional schedule will meet the challenges of the current situation. Thank you to all generous sponsors and the twelve award-winning builders committed to this year’s event; BDC Group, Beechwood Homes, Bella Home Builders, Belmonte Builders, Bonacio Construction, Caruso Homes, Kodiak Construction, McPadden Builders, R & M Builders, Trojanski Builders and Witt Construction. 

Over the past 24 years, this community event has contributed over $1.3 MILLION dollars to two local charities. Proceeds from the Showcase of Homes benefit Rebuilding Together Saratoga County www.rebuildingtogethersaratoga.org and Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties www.glensfallshabitat.org.

For more details on the 2021 Saratoga Showcase of Homes event, please visit www.saratogashowcaseofhomes.com. Follow on Facebook for all the updates!

About Saratoga Builders Association

The Saratoga Builders Association, Inc. (SBA) is a specialized professional trade association representing an industry basic to the well-being and economy of the people of Saratoga County. Its membership includes residential and commercial builders, developers, remodelers, building material suppliers, sub-contractors, financial institutions, architects, engineers, realtors, attorneys and other industry professionals. SBA is committed to the continued growth, prosperity and quality of life in Saratoga County. For more information, please visit www.saratogabuilders.org. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS —Franklin Community Center (FCC), a Saratoga Springs-based organization that provides vital programs and services to individuals and families, recently received a donation of 60 pre-assembled bicycles, complete with bicycle helmets and locks for distribution to students within their Project Lift program.  This donation was made possible by the generosity of Cummins SOFC in Malta, in collaboration with the United Way of the Greater Capital Region. 

“We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the team at Cummins Inc. who purchased the bicycle kits, assembled them, and attached a bicycle helmet and cable lock to each bike,” says Mary Beth McGarrahan, Development Director at Franklin Community Center. “Our Project Lifters will be able to start the summer off riding on the right path.”

“The support from our amazing community partners allows these children the ability to engage in safe, healthy, outdoor activities like bike riding. It’s important to their growth and we are delighted to be able to provide that opportunity to so many children in our community with their support,” said Colleen O’Connor-Potter, Project Lift Director. 

For more information regarding Project Lift or any of the programs and services of Franklin Community Center, please visit our website at www.franklincommunitycenter.org. 

Local couple John (Jack) and Joyce Robertson celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on June 18. They met in 1951 at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and were married that year in a simple ceremony at the bride’s home in Salisbury, NC. Jack, 98, and Joyce, 91, spent over 60 years in the Syracuse area. Jack practiced architecture and was a principal partner at the firm Robertson, Strong, Apgar. Joyce was involved in music education, local theater, the Girls Scouts, and church activities. For many years they maintained a home in Dewitt and raised four daughters: Gina, Kay, Nancy, and Susan. Today they live in Saratoga Springs, close to family.

Saratoga County — ReShop for the Good is hosting their 4th Annual Anniversary Celebration, which will take place on Saturday, July 10 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at 132 Milton Avenue in Ballston Spa. 

Planned events for the anniversary celebration include live music from Bobby Dick and Susie Q from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., free hot dog and sodas (while supplies last) starting at 12 p.m., and free ice cream from Stewart’s Shops (while supplies last) from 1 -3 p.m. 

ReShop for the Good is also hosting anniversary promotions:

July 8: Take 15% off

July 9: Take 20% off

July 10: Take 25% off and 

enjoy additional deals

ReShop for the Good sells new and gently-used furniture, household goods, and decor, and the proceeds support Rebuilding Together Saratoga County’s work to provide critical repairs and accessibility modifications for low-income homeowners in our community.  ReShop for the Good originally opened in 2017 and has continued to see increased business year-over-year. 

“We are thrilled to celebrate ReShop for the Good’s 4th Anniversary! Every item you donate and every dollar you spend at the ReShop helps our neighbors in need live in safe, healthy, warm, dry, and affordable homes,” said Michelle Larkin, Executive Director of Rebuilding Together Saratoga County.

Rebuilding Together Saratoga County is a volunteer-driven, registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a mission of “Repairing homes, revitalizing communities, rebuilding lives.”  In the 18 years since our founding, we have repaired 1,379 homes, improved 103 nonprofit centers and community spaces, and replaced 20 substandard manufactured homes with the help of 10,672 volunteers who have dedicated 81,847 hours of their time.

For more information about ReShop for the Good, please visit their website at www.reshopforthegood.com.

BALLSTON SPA — The long-running interactive “Sheep to Shawl” program at Brookside Museum is making its return with a special Family Day as part of the weekend’s celebration of the museum’s grand reopening.

Sheep, lambs, farmers, herders, and shearers will assemble on Brookside’s lush front lawn to demonstrate every facet of sheep husbandry, shearing, and weaving to produce the wool clothing that was so ubiquitous in colonial America. The event takes place noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 27. 

Sheep to Shawl is an interactive, family-friendly event.  Young and the young-at-heart will have fun petting the sheep, meeting farmers, and participating in demonstrations.  The event is free and open to the public. 

Debuting in 1979, Sheep to Shawl quickly became a staple of area school field trips.  As soon as public health policy permits, History Center staff will once again offer the unique learning experience for school groups.  “I hope that people of all ages who have memories of past Sheep to Shawl programs will return to Brookside to join us again,” notes Director of Education Anne Clothier, in a statement.  “And we look forward to welcoming new folks who want to make new memories.”

Brookside Museum is located at the west end of Front Street in historic Ballston Spa.  Admission is free, though donations are appreciated.  For more information telephone 518-885-4000, visit www.brooksidemuseum.org, or follow on social media: Twitter, @SaratogaCoHist; Instagram, SaratogaCountyHistory.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —The 15th Annual Firecracker 4 Road Race will take place Sunday, July 4, the Firecracker 4, Inc. committee announced this week.  The race will start and end at the Saratoga Springs City Center.

The Firecracker 4 is a competitive, yet fun race. As one of the largest Independence Day road races in the Northeast, it includes a thundering start down Broadway. Runners pound the pavement while receiving cheers from the historic city neighborhoods with an inspiring finish under the United States Flag. Runners enjoy a spirited run, entertainment on the course, a festive finish with food, music, and activities.

“We are pleased to bring back the Firecracker 4 Road Race to what we hope will be 3,000 runners,” said Peter Goutos, Race Director, in a statement. 

Proceeds from the Firecracker 4 benefit local nonprofits and causes, according to the organization. For more information and to register, visit: www.firecracker4.com. Runners are encouraged to register at either the Fleet Feet store in Albany or Malta. Doing so will get a $5 off and a $5 coupon to Fleet Feet. The presenting sponsor of this year’s race is Fleet Feet Albany – Malta and their vendor partner ACISIS.

FC4 Inc, a designated 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, manages the Firecracker 4, and is committed to local athletes, the wellness of the community, and the continued development of infrastructure that makes Saratoga Springs a destination for runners, walkers, bikers and, recreationists.

ALBANY — Walkers and runners participated in the 2021 Capital Region Heart Walk and Run, a digital event earlier this month that continued the fight against heart disease and stroke, that raised more than $489,000. People can donate until June 30 at CapitalRegionHeartWalk.org. 

“The pandemic created the exact kind of situations that exacerbate heart disease and stroke – many of us were more sedentary, we may have gained a little weight, and we faced new stresses as we combined working from home with supervising our children’s schooling,” said Jennifer Corcoran Conway, mother of 9-year-old Heart Hero Aedan Conway and chair of the Capital Region Board of Directors of the American Heart Association. “Today, we literally took steps to improve our own health, and by investing in the work of the American Heart Association, we invested in the health of our entire community.” 

Aedan Conway of Delmar, the Heart Hero for this year’s Capital Region Heart Walk and Run, was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, which, in his case, meant that one of his heart ventricles didn’t develop properly. Aedan has had three open-heart surgeries. 

In Clifton Park, Braden Russom and his family walked at Clifton Park Commons in Clifton Park. Russom, 40, is the Stroke Ambassador to the Capital Region Heart Walk and Run this year. He has had four strokes since he was in college. Last year, he had surgery to repair the hole in his heart suspected of causing the strokes. Russom’s wife and daughters, who are 4 and 7, live with Long QT Syndrome. 

The American Heart Association funds research and education about heart disease and stroke; advocates for policies that make the healthy choice the easy choice; and is committed to ending systemic racism and providing equitable health for all. 

For more information about the event, go to: CapitalRegionHeartWalk.org. To learn more about the American Heart Association or to get involved, call 1-800-AHA-USA1, visit heart.org or call any of the organization’s offices around the country.