BALLSTON LAKE — JMP Interiors of Ballston Lake has won a “Best Of Houzz” award for Service on Houzz®, the leading platform for home renovation and design. The 20 years of experience Julie Maleski Putzel has, and her impecable portfolio was chosen by the millions of homeowners that comprise the Houzz community from among more than 2.5 million active home building, remodeling and design industry professionals.

The Best Of Houzz badge is awarded annually in three categories: Design, Customer Service and Photography. Design awards honor professionals whose work was the most popular among the Houzz community. Customer Service honors are based on a pro’s overall rating on Houzz and client reviews submitted in 2020. Architecture and interior design photographers whose images were most popular are recognized with the Photography award.

“I am honored to be a multiple recipient of this award. To think, my small local company is able to stand out among the sea of options out there. Our area has great talent and I am honored to be named this year’s Best of Houzz award winner,” said Putzel.

“The Best Of Houzz awards are an emblem of trust and credibility for home professionals across the U.S. and around the world, and we are excited to celebrate this year’s winners,” said Liza Hausman, vice president of Industry Marketing for Houzz. “The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical need for people to feel comfortable before inviting pros into and around their homes, and the Best Of Houzz badge is a powerful way for pros to communicate the trust that homeowners have in their business. It’s just one of many tools on the Houzz platform that help pros to communicate their unique expertise, and homeowners to find the right professionals for their projects.” 

You can see more of JMP Interior’s work on Houzz at: www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/jmp-interiors-pfvwus-pf~438305506.

BALLSTON SPA — This week, a group of volunteers convened at the warehouse of Living Water Services to unload a “filled to the brim” van full of food donations for the New York Race Track Chaplaincy. 

The food is part of a larger donation to the chaplaincy at Belmont to support the backstretch community at Belmont & Aqueduct racetracks, and which was sent to Saratoga to support the 34 families of the backstretch community who live and work in the Saratoga area year-round. 

The food will be stored locally, and families will come, one-by-one, over the weeks ahead to “shop” from the available supplies. 

To donate visit www.rtcany.org.

SARATOGA COUNTY — One industry, too-often sidelined but absolutely crucial in our modern-day economy, has been significantly impacted by COVID-19: child care. Child care programs provide a place for parents to send their children so they can participate in the workforce, provide for their families, and contribute to the economy. Additionally, child care programs are an integral part of the social and emotional development of our nation’s children. 

As more parents are returning to work compared to the onset of the pandemic months ago, a study released in October by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce shows childcare remains a barrier for parents who want to return to work.

The Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership, Saratoga County Employment & Training, Warren County Employment & Training, Brightside Up, and the Southern Adirondack Child Care Network are conducting a survey to assess the marketplace for future child care needs. 

To take part in the survey, go to: www.surveymonkey.com/r/GRLFBCQ. Data collected will be aggregated and your individual responses will remain confidential.

WILTON — The U.S. Grant Cottage has been approved as a National Historic Landmark by U.S. Secretary of the Interior David Berndardt, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik announced this week. 

Ulysses S. Grant completed the second volume of his memoirs at the cottage, just days before his death in 1885. 

“After a six-year application effort, the place where the ‘Man who saved the Union’ died after completing his Civil War memoirs finally puts the Cottage on the national historic tourism map,” Tim Welch, Chair of the Friends of Grant Cottage Board of Trustees, said in a prepared statement. 

National Historic Landmarks (NHLs) are historic places that hold national significance. The Secretary of the Interior designates these places as exceptional because of their abilities to illustrate U.S. heritage. Grant Cottage becomes one of 274 NHLs in New York State, and nearly  2,600 in the United States. 

Grant Cottage had previously been named the 24th New York State Literary Landmark by United for Libraries and the Empire State Center for the Book. It is closed during the winter months and slated to re-open in April. For more information, go to: www.grantcottage.org. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Soroptimist International of Saratoga County (SISC), a chapter of Soroptimist International of the Americas (SIA), has commenced a ten-month community awareness campaign in celebration of the national club’s 100-year anniversary. 

Soroptimist means “best for women.” The global volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training needed to achieve economic empowerment. In Saratoga, SISC has been active since 1979.

The 100-year anniversary theme, “Bright Past, Brilliant Future,” captures the respect for and memory of incredible women who had the foresight and courage to become Soroptimists and pursue the best for women, and those who carry on the tradition today. Drawing attention to the club’s impact, SISC will showcase its work locally and globally – with the intent of strengthening bonds with our community’s businesses, professionals, and those who can benefit from our programming. 

In January, SISC presents “This is Us: Soroptimist,” showcasing the history of the organization in our local community – from the roots of the club in 1979. SISC’s first president, Sondra Silverhart, said in a prepared statement: “Our first goal was to set up a two-bedroom apartment for women experiencing domestic violence. As a newly formed group of motivated women, we raised $2,500, a lot of money in those days. Assisting women experiencing domestic violence remains a goal today in this Chapter.” For more information, go to: www.soroptimistsaratoga.org; Facebook: @SoroptimistofSaratogaCounty; Instagram: @SoroptimistSaratoga; soroptimistsaratoga@gmail.com. 

WILTON — Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park announced the winners of its ninth annual Photography Show. 

This year’s Best In Show was awarded to Valerie Roof for her image “Incredible Indigo.” Scott Stoner won Best featuring the endangered Karner blue butterfly for his photograph, “Karner Blue on Flower.” This year’s winner for Best Animal Shot was Wayne Jones for his delightful “Male Hooded Merganser on Delegan Pond.” Best Nature in Autumn was won by Laura Sterling for her photograph “Into the Forest at Opdahl Farm.” Best featuring Conservation was “Meadow,” taken by Sarice Olson, and Ronald Harrower won Best Wildflower shot for “Daisies Galore.”

Best Nature in Winter was awarded to longtime volunteer Richard Pine for “After the Ice Storm” and Hannah Ashdown was the winner of the Best featuring under-13 category for the beautiful “Pileated Woodpecker Party.” Judge’s Choice was won by Michael Winnek for his photograph “Fiddleheads.”

Eric Avery, a previous year’s Best in Show winner helped to judge the entries. There were 67 photographs selected taken by 27 photographers. All photographs were taken at Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park and highlight the amazing beauty and diversity of the natural world that is right in our own community.

For more information, contact the Preserve & Park Office at 518-450-0321 or via email at info@wiltonpreserve.org. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga community is invited to be the lifeline patients need this winter by donating blood with the American Red Cross at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Monday, Jan. 18, Noon-6 p.m. at 342 Jefferson St.

The Red Cross and the NFL are partnering this January, during National Blood Donor Month, to urge individuals – especially those who have recovered from COVID-19 – to give blood and to help tackle the national convalescent plasma shortage. Those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma in January 2021 will automatically be entered for a chance to win a getaway to the 2022 Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles as well as a chance to win a Big Game at Home package, which includes a 65-inch television and $500 gift card toward food and fun so their household can enjoy an awesome viewing experience safely at home. Terms apply; visit RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl for more information.

Over the past decade, Saratoga Casino Hotel blood drives have collected 1,100 pints of blood.

“We are extremely proud to continue our commitment to the American Red Cross with our annual blood drive,” said Alex Tucker, General Manager at Saratoga Casino Hotel. “Our team members and community always respond with tremendous support, and that is needed now more than ever during such a critical time.”

To protect the health and safety of Red Cross staff and donors, individuals who do not feel well or who believe they may be ill with COVID-19 should postpone their donation. 

Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control including temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.

To schedule an appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter sponsor code SARATOGACASINO or call 1-800-REDCROSS.

If you have questions please contact American Red Cross: Abigail Adams, 914-649-5606, abigail.adams@redcross.org or Saratoga Casino Hotel: Amy Brannigan, 518-581-5721, abrannigan@saratogacasino.com

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Over the past six weeks Saratoga-Wilton Lodge #161 Veterans Committee has been busy shopping and delivering winter coats, hats, gloves, boots, and other personal clothing items for 25 Veterans in our community under the Chairmanship of John Safford.

Due to COVID-19, the Lodge was not able to hold the “STAND DOWN” for the Veterans as originally planned with the Elks National Foundation Freedom Grant. Instead, the Lodge had the Veterans fill out a “Wish List Form” to better accommodate their needs. During the deliveries, the Volunteers found five children of the Veteran’s families that were also in need of winter outerwear. They all received jackets, boots, hats and mittens as well.

With the $2,500 from the Freedom Grant, and the donation of hygiene kits, long underwear, socks, and sweatshirts from the American Red Cross, the Lodge was able to fulfill all the Veteran’s needs.

Special thanks to the ten volunteer members of Saratoga-Wilton Lodge #161 and John Safford who helped to make a difference in the lives of these Veterans and their families.

To learn more about the Elks National Foundation and what we do as Elks, please visit www.elks.org

WILTON — During the Holiday week, Wilton Rotary Club President Robert Lounsbury presented Krystle Nowhitney Hernandez, Deputy Director of the Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council (SCEOC), Peter Maynard, Director of The Wilton Food Pantry and Dee Whitten, Member of the Board of Directors of the Schuylerville Area Food and Emergency Relief (S.A.F.E.R.) with assorted gift cards with a combined value of $3,000 for their organizations.  Each gift card has a value of $50 and will be utilized for those of need in our local communities.   

 In an effort to help save our local businesses and encourage others to buy local, the Wilton Rotary Club purchased gift cards from the following local businesses: Hewitt’s Garden Center, KIng’s Dairy, Quality Hardware, Primal – Your Local Butcher, and Benson’s Pet Center.  The Club then donated these gift cards to SCEOC, The Wilton Food Pantry and S.A.F.E.R. to share with our neighbors in need during this holiday season.

If you are interested in learning more about the Wilton Rotary Club, please contact Don Wildermuth at 518-430-8670. Also, if you are interested in volunteering for the SCEOC or learning more about it, please contact Krystle at 518-288-3206, ext 112. If you are interested in volunteering for The Wilton Food Pantry or learning more about it, please contact Peter at 518-350-4456. If you are interested in volunteering for S.A.F.E.R. or learning more about it, please contact Dee Whitten at 518-507-6043.

SARATOGA — Mangino Buick GMC participated in the official presentation of Sergeant Eddie Ryan’s smart home presented by the Tunnels to Towers Foundation on Dec. 23. 

 For those that don’t know the Tunnels to Towers Foundation provides wounded and disabled veterans opportunities to be awarded smart homes that help them live day to day after injuries that occurred during service. Mangino GMC is part of the upstate GMC dealer group that donated a check for $25,000 in partnership with GMC to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.  There is no more deserving than the men and women who are severely wounded risking the ultimate sacrifice to serve for our Armed Forces. #tunnelstotowers #tunnelstotowersfoundation