Saratoga Springs ­—Saratoga’s Cornell Cooperative Extension Equine (CCE Equine) is offering horse shoe decorating kits as a fun family project for the holidays. Each kit includes a story, equine educational materials, a cleaned horse shoe and decorating supplies. 

Kits are $5 each and will be available for pick up during the week of Dec. 14 at the CCE Office, 50 West High Street, Ballston Spa. To order, call 518-885-8995 or email Nicolina Foti at Nvf5@cornell.edu. 

Cornell Cooperative Extension Equine (CCE Equine) was established in 2006. They offer equine education in Saratoga County and throughout the Capital Region. To learn more, visit ccesaratoga.org/agriculture/cce-equine.

Saratoga Springs — On Friday, Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation will host a virtual Holiday Homes Tour.  Since this year people will not be able to gather together for holiday parties, the Foundation is providing a unique way for people to get into the holiday spirit.  The inspiration for the event is the Candlelight House Tour, a tour of private houses decorated for the holidays that the Foundation hosted for 25 years until 2015. 

The virtual Holiday Homes Tour will feature the architecture and history of two private homes on Union Avenue, the George U. Gates House built in 1868 and the Ashabel & Elizabeth Moody House built in 1873.  The tour will offer a rare peek into the traditional and mid-century inspired interiors of these two historic homes while enjoying holiday music from local musicians the McKrells courtesy of Caffe Lena and singer/songwriter Cassandra Kubinski. 

“We are thrilled to offer cheer during this holiday season by offering an exclusive opportunity to learn about the architecture and history of two beautiful houses while enjoying holiday songs of local musicians.  We encourage people to support their favorite local restaurant by ordering take-out while having a festive cocktail in the comfort and warmth of their homes,” said Samantha Bosshart, Executive Director of the Foundation. 

The program will feature holiday music by The McKrells who are one of the Capital District’s most well-known Irish and bluegrass acts. Lead singer Kevin McKrell has performed in theaters, clubs and on festival stages across the United States, Canada, Ireland and the U.K. and has been the recipient of songwriter and entertainer of the year awards multiple times by publications throughout the northeast. Saratogian Cassandra Kubinski is a singer/songwriter who has performed internationally and collaborated with artists like Goo Goo Dolls, Chris Botti, and 10,000 Maniacs, among others. Her songs have been highlighted on numerous television shows. The Foundation is honored to be joined by these impressive artists during the Holiday Homes Tour.

This virtual program will be presented through Zoom. Tickets are $20 for Foundation members and $25 for non-members. Tickets must be purchased by 5 p.m. on Dec. 11 to receive a link to the live stream program. Visit www.saratogapreservation.org or call 518-587-5050 to purchase your ticket. 

This virtual program is supported, in part, by generous sponsors including Presenting Sponsors: Allerdice Building Supply, Andersen Windows & Doors, Burns Management, Mangino Buick GMC, and Minich MacGregor Wealth Management; and Supporting Sponsor Best Dressed Windows in Town.

Founded in 1977, the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that promotes preservation and enhancement of the architectural, cultural, and landscaped heritage of Saratoga Springs.

BALLSTON SPA — The Ballston Spa Business & Professional Association, in partnership with Curtis Lumber, honored business owners and residents whose renovation, restoration, and beautification efforts have enhanced the Ballston Spa community over the past year. 

The winners were chosen from nominations submitted by others in the community. In lieu of the awards ceremony this year, the presentations were made by members of the Beautification Awards Committee and members of the BSBPA Board of Directors. 

WINNERS: 

Best Residential New Build:
24 Galleon Drive, Malta Development Co – Patrick Rowan and Christopher Cavanaugh.

Best Residential Redevelopment:
54 Grove Street – High Rock Realty – Ron Murphy.

Best Residential Renovation: 
28 Chapman Street – Carrie McNeil and Scott Von Duhn.

Residential – Honorable Mention New Build:
7 Oakwood Court – Travis Fitzgerald.

Best Commercial Interior Renovation:
The Front Street Social Club, 52 Front Street – Jamie Fronk.

Best Commercial Exterior Renovation:
Amazing Finds Boutique, 53 Milton Avenue – Christine Jamison.

Best Commercial Complete Renovation:
Rilassare at 18 Front, 18 Front Street – Alicia TenEyck.

Commercial Renovation Honorable Mention (4):
dbTrends Boutique, 32 Front Street – Dayanis Bowie ; Inspire Hair Salon, 207 Milton Avenue – Dana Flinton ; Seraphina Devine Beauty, 437 Geyser Road – Autumn Wright; The Real McCoy Beer Co Ballston Spa, 28 Washington Street – Michael and Bona Schaffer. 

Best Community Renovation: 
St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, 167 Milton Avenue.

#518RainbowHunt Winner:
Saratoga County Historical Society at Brookside Museum, 6 Charlton Street.

The Ballston Spa Business and Professional Association, founded in 1983, is a non-profit organization committed to making the Village of Ballston Spa a better place to live, work and visit. To learn more, visit at www.ballston.org.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — For decades, the Flower and Fruit Mission has hosted a winter fundraiser called the Snow Ball, an annual event to kick off the holiday season and raise funds for Saratoga Hospital.  In years past, members would sell boxes of homemade cookies to raise additional funds for the hospital.  This year’s Snow Ball is cancelled due to the pandemic, but to keep the cookie tradition and continue to raise funds, the Mission is selling beautiful boxes of cookies baked by the Putnam Market. 

All orders must be placed by Dec. 4 and picked up Dec. 17-18. Supporters can buy cookies for themselves, as presents or donate them to local non-profits. To order cookies, go to:  the-flower-and-fruit-mission-of-saratoga-hospital-108936.square.site/s/shop.

The Flower and Fruit Mission was established in 1904 to raise funds for the William J. Hickey Woman’s Health Services of Saratoga Hospital.  Today, the Mission supports the hospital’s maternity unit and the general well-being of its staff and patients. 

Some recent contributions from the F&F Mission include a $30,000 donation to the Community Health Center to support the uninsured and underinsured of our community, the purchase of Noelle, a simulation program used to train doctors and nurses in crisis care of mothers and newborns, the purchase of new Billibeds, which allow treatment of jaundice babies. 

The Mission also supports nursing education through scholarships; The Philly Dake Memorial Award, given to a SSHS graduating senior pursuing a career in healthcare and The Mildred Rockwell Fund, $10,000 to pay for advanced educational opportunities for labor and delivery nurses at Saratoga Hospital.

The Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association and Stewart’s Shops are bringing Santa to the children of Saratoga Springs!

Catch a Glimpse of Santa in your Neighborhood as he travels through Saratoga Springs atop a tower ladder fire truck!

December 6 Starts @ 4 p.m. Geyser Crest Area
December 12 Starts @ 3 p.m. West Side Area
December 16 Starts @ 6 p.m. Woodlands & Meadowbrook Area
December 19 Starts @ 3 p.m. East Side Area
December 23 Starts @ 2 p.m. South Side, Jefferson St., Union Ave. South Area

Follow Santa Live on Facebook @DowntownSaratogaSprings

Learn more at saratogaspringssowntown.com

WILTON — On Saturday, November 21 the Wilton Rotary Club volunteered their services to the Wilton Food Pantry in handing out nearly 80 Thanksgiving Holiday Bags and pies to nearly 453 people within our Wilton Community.

On hand to assist the Wilton Food Pantry were Rotary Club President Bob Lounsbury with his daughter Diana, Past President Don Wildermuth, Sargent-At-Arms Warren Weil and Treasurer Deb June-Miller and her husband, Club Member Ray Miller. Along with volunteers from the pantry, they distributed food, produce, baked goods and other items to those in need.  The pantry provides this type of event on a regularly scheduled basis to those in our neighboring communities.

If you are interested in joining the Wilton Rotary Club or even learning about the club, please contact Don WIldermuth at 518-430-8670. Also, if you interested in joining the Wilton Food Pantry or even learning more about the pantry, please contact Peter Maynard at 518-350-4566.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The “Take Home Double H Raffle Pack” benefit at Alpine Sport Shop was an overwhelming success.  With generous donations Alpine Sport Shop will be making a contribution of $1,500 to Double H Ranch Winter Adaptive Program. The raffle gift giveaways included four pairs of Alpine skis, helmets, goggles and more…  there were many happy winners! 

Alpine Sport Shop appreciates the participation of the giveaways suppliers, including Smith, Nordica, Tubbs, Snoskins, Rossignol, Giro, Obermeyer, K2, & Volkl.  With much to be thankful for, The Alpine Sport Shop celebrates 80 years in business and serving the greater Saratoga Springs community. 

For more details about Apline Sport Shop visit www.alpinesportshop.com. For more on Double H Ranch Winter Adaptive Program visit www.doublehranch.org/programs/winter.

BALLSTON SPA —Saratoga County 4-H, the Youth Development Branch of Cornell Cooperative Extension, has always had a focus on community service, and 2020 hasn’t changed that. In fact, it has helped bring 4-H’s devotion to the community and the people who live here to the forefront.

One of the more concerted community service efforts of Saratoga County 4-H in the fall and winter months is the “4-H Holiday Mitten Tree” which partners with area libraries and community centers distribute winter weather clothing including gloves, hats and scarves to members of our community in need. Collected items are placed on the Mitten Tree, this year at the Saratoga Springs Public Library. Items are also donated to local organizations including the Saratoga County EOC and Salvation Army.

Members of Saratoga County 4-H Teen Council recently participated in a new community service opportunity. Working with a local non-profit, #HicksStrong of Clifton Park, 4-H Teen members painted “Hug Mugs” which are distributed to active duty military members and veterans as a way to show appreciation and support for their service. #HicksStrong also connects members of the military and veterans to mental health services. More information about #HicksStrong can be found at hicksstrong.og.

Part of the 4-H Pledge is for members and volunteers to dedicate their “…hands to larger service.” 4-H members in Saratoga County go above and beyond to stay true to this pledge. If 2020 has taught us anything it is that we are all members of a larger community, and it is our responsibility to help care for members of this community when they are in need. The lessons learned by 4-H youth through community service will carry on into their adult lives, and help to reach 4-H’s goal of helping members become “competent, caring and contributing members of society.”

4-H Youth Development actively involves youth in opportunities that help them learn to lead, build their communities, connect with Cornell University, and connect with each other.  For more information about 4-H Youth Development of Saratoga County visit www.ccesaratoga.org.

SARATOGA SPRINGS – More than 150 vehicles took part in the 7th Annual Convoy for Tots charity drive on Nov. 8. Vehicles from area businesses, civic organizations and Emergency Services agencies traveled from the Ballston Spa school campus to the Saratoga Performing Arts Center as part of a convoy to help generate new, unwrapped toys for immediate distribution by Capital Region Toys for Tots this holiday season.    

Coordinated by the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office and iHeart Media – Albany, largely supported by area First Responders, Convoy for Tots is held annually to support the mission of Capital Region Toys for Tots who serves over 160,000 children annually in the Capital Region. 

The Saratoga Builders Association presented checks totaling $10,000 to Rebuilding Together Saratoga County and Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties. 

This was accomplished with the help of donations from the public along with the support of r sponsors and builders, as there were no ticket sales this year, which normally make up the charitable contribution. 

The “live” 2020 Saratoga Showcase of Homes tour was cancelled due to health and safety concerns regarding the pandemic. This year’s edition of the Saratoga Showcase of Homes was a “re-imagined” event in the form of a one-hour TV Show Special. 

The 2021 Saratoga Showcase of Homes dates, celebrating 25 years of exceptional homes, has been scheduled for Sept. 18-19, 25-26 & Oct. 2-3. For more details on the homes, builders, or to watch the TV Special, visit the website at: www.saratogashowcaseofhomes.com. 

The Saratoga Builders Association has donated nearly $1.3 million dollars to local charities from the new home tour event. 

About the Showcase of Homes: 
This annual community event is only made possible with the generous support of our corporate and media sponsors. Proceeds benefited two local charities – Rebuilding Together Saratoga County and Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties. Please mark your calendars—The 2021 Saratoga Showcase of Homes dates, celebrating 25 years of exceptional homes, has been scheduled for September 18-19, 25-26 & October 2-3. For more details on the homes, builders, or to watch the TV Special, please visit the website at www.saratogashowcaseofhomes.com

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