SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Wesley Foundation’s “Share a Step For Seniors” virtual fundraiser raised more than $30,000 to support local seniors served by The Wesley Community, marking a record for the event since its inception in 2018.

Donations received via the virtual fundraiser, which invited community members to work towards a fitness-oriented goal while raising funds, will support The Wesley Community’s continued efforts to serve its residents and staff during the coronavirus global health pandemic. The Wesley Community is a non-profit senior living campus in Saratoga Springs with more than 700 residents.

The 2020 “Share A Step For Seniors” included 50 participants and more than 150 sponsors and donors. The annual event has now raised more than $41,000 and participants have traveled more than 4,200 miles since its inception.

“We are proud to announce a record-setting amount of more than $30,000 for this event, which will go a long way in helping to support the many seniors on our campus,” said J. Brian Nealon, CEO of The Wesley Community. “We are extremely grateful to all of the participants, sponsors and supporters of this event, who not only went above and beyond to help us raise record funds but also helped promote and improve the health and wellness of our community.”

The week-long fitness initiative, which began on June 19 and ran through June 26, offered participants the opportunity to raise funds for The Wesley Community while working towards a fitness-oriented goal. Members were asked to track their workouts, share their progress on social media and encourage friends and family to support their efforts via a donation.

Major sponsors included Stewart’s Shops and the Dake Family, Jim LaVigne and Mary Gavin, Mannix Marketing and Saratoga.com, CDPHP, Ruth Pouliot, Lisa Cardone-O’Connor – Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, Fingerpaint and T.C. Equipment. 

For more information visit www.thewesleycommunity.org.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — There may be over 100,000 “Little Free Libraries” in the world but Saratoga Springs may be the very first to host a “Jigsaw Puzzle Exchange Box.”

Located on North Street, the “Puzzle Exchange Box” houses puzzles on two shelves that keep them protected from the elements and accessible to neighbors. This one-of-a-kind creation was erected by local resident Lauren Granahan.

 “There are no real rules” says Lauren. “You can take a puzzle and leave a puzzle or just take a puzzle or drop one off.” 

So far there has been great turnaround and the puzzle box has stayed consistently stocked with a variety of puzzles for all levels of puzzle enthusiasts. Neighbors have been getting quite a kick out of it. Granahan is also known for putting up the dog treat and waste bag box for area puppies and their owners. 

Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization that inspires a love of reading, builds community, and sparks creativity by fostering neighborhood book exchanges around the world.

Through Little Free Library book exchanges, millions of books are exchanged each year, profoundly increasing access to books for readers of all ages and backgrounds. Their website can be reached at littlefreelibrary.org.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Feeding a horse correctly is a science and an art. Many experienced horsemen spend countless hours planning out specific nutrition plans for each horse. Horses are fed from two to five times a day depending on the horse. 

A horse’s digestive system is complicated and sensitive. They are prone to stomach issues such as ulcers and colic. Colic means that a horse is having abdominal pain, but typically in the horse world we use this term when the pain is severe enough that the horse’s gastrointestinal tract may be in danger of knotting and can even lead to death.

Therefore, we keep a close eye on our horses to make sure that the nutrition that we are giving them fits their specific needs.

Horse nutrition has three main components: foliage, grain, and water. Foliage is the hay and grass component of a horse’s diet and makes up 65-percent of their diet. We provide our horses with about 15 pounds of hay per horse every day.

One of the most complicated parts of a horse’s diet is the grain portion, which makes up 5-percent of the horse’s diet. In 24 hours, a horse can only digest four-pounds of grain, which sounds like a lot, but we tend to forget that these animals weigh around 1000 pounds. The equine grain market has an endless selection of grain and each company argues that they sell the “best” grain. Often horsemen have to know the work level of their horse and their medical needs. For example, if you have a high-performance horse like a racehorse, you increase the protein in their grain because they tend to burn off a lot of calories every day. Our ex-racehorses who come right off the track often have to be slowly brought down in grain intake so that their bodies are able to adjust to a more leisurely lifestyle without losing weight too fast because of less protein and exercise. 

Another important component in horses’ grain is fiber. This goes back to the concern of their body being able to process the amount of grain that they consume daily. Fiber helps their bodies work through the food and have healthy bowel movements. Fat is the third most important component in grain, as fat helps keep weight on our horses without having to increase their intake too much.

After you find the best grain for your horse, you can add supplements to their grain. In many cases, horses need help with their hoof health and supplements can be added to increase growth as well as stability.

Lastly, 30-percent of a horse’s diet is water. Unless specific needs are required, water should be available for horses at all times. A healthy horse on average drinks about 8-10 gallons of water. Just like people, the older the horse gets, the lower they are on water intake.

When you complete all horse nutrition steps carefully and correctly, you find yourself with a healthy horse.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — For more than a decade, Bob Nevins, Melody Squier and Janelle Huggard have been working together to successfully reveal the power of a horse-to-human interaction by providing transformative equine experiences for veterans living with the effects of trauma. Now, the crew has launched a new program called Alliance180, and they’re expanding their support to reach first responders and frontline workers while incorporating science-based research.

For years there have been increasing studies that demonstrate the negative effect that trauma can have on the autonomic nervous system. Because of a new collaboration with Alliance180, Dr. Stephen Porges, a Behavioral Neuroscientist, and his colleagues from Indiana University, the team will be able to successfully document and validate the effectiveness of their equine experience by incorporating and applying evidence of the Polyvagal Theory.   

Squier, Alliance180’s Co-Founder, has understood the positive effects horses have on humans, especially those experiencing trauma, for more than 30 years. When she joined forces with Nevins, the two were able to combine their relevant experience and passion for helping others, impacting more than 800 veterans through their past efforts. 

The purpose-driven programming of Alliance180 (A180) provides an effective three-day experience through peer-to-peer interaction, private accommodations and classroom training to learn the language of the horse, and a round-pen interaction with the horse as the culminating event. Through the lens of the horse, participants learn to communicate with another powerful but very different species, most often resulting in the emotional response being reawakened, leading to a heightened awareness and offering a renewed perspective and brighter outlook. 

Alliance180 plans to launch its first class by the end of August. Activities and classes will take place at the farm belonging to Song Hill Thoroughbreds LLC, and James and Tina Bond and Family. The Bonds said they are happy to be “teaming up” with A180’s experienced staff and are glad to offer access to their horses and facility for the organization’s crucial programming. 

For more information on Alliance180, its programming or to become a benefactor, please visit Alliance180.org or call 518-415-0206. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Automobile Museum has announced that it will host a drive-in consignment day at the Museum on Saturday, July 11 to promote the upcoming fourth annual Saratoga Motorcar Auction taking place this September.

From 9 a.m.-2 p.m., prospective consignors will have the opportunity to meet in-person with the auction team to discuss consigning their vehicle for the auction. Should the prospective consignor and the auction team decide the vehicle will be part of the auction, the team will work with the consignor to estimate an value range for the vehicle, take professional photographs on-site, and execute a consignment contract with the auction.

“Our drive-in consignment day is a great opportunity for prospective consignors to go through the consignment process in-person with our amazing team,” said Bill Windham, auction director of the Saratoga Motorcar Auction.

Appointments for the drive-in consignment day are not required but are encouraged by either e-mailing bill.windham@saratogaautomuseum.org or by calling 518-401-5180.

Additional dates include July 25, August 1 and August 15. The Saratoga Motorcar Auction, now in its fourth year, will take place Friday, Sept. 18 and Saturday, Sept. 19 on the stage of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. In the auction’s third year, nearly 300 vehicles were part of the event. This year, the auction will feature incredible rare and classic vehicles and automobilia. The Auction is the largest annual fundraiser for the Museum’s exhibit and educational programs.

Per New York State and CDC guidelines, facemasks and social distancing will be followed and required to ensure the safety of our attendees, staff and volunteers.

To consign, register to bid, or to learn more about the Saratoga Motorcar Auction, please visit saratogamotorcarauctions.org.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Each Saturday, weather permitting, July 11, 18 and 25, 2020, step back in time with us as we learn about the families that made homes in the majestic houses on Union Avenue. We will even have the opportunity to visit the first floors of two of the Grand Mansions.

We start at the corner of Regent & Union Avenue and learn about the house that was originally owned by the Rockwood family. As we continue down Union Avenue, we will visit inside Union Gables. Built in 1901 by an orphan who, through his personal drive, became one of the largest merchants in the village.

We then stroll further down Union Avenue toward the Track learning the history of each of the houses. Our last stop inside a mansion is at Saratoga Dreams built in the 1880’s. Hear how the house was originally designed and why the floor plans were changed before it was completed. 

The walking tours are ninety minutes, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The cost is $25 per-person and includes a copy of one of the books by your tour guide, author and Victorian Historian Hollis Palmer. 

Social distancing and face masks are required. Reservations must be made prior to the date via derbytours2014@gmail.com or 518-495-7012. During the pandemic, we will not be able to use bathrooms in the houses so please plan ahead.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Financial Services would like to thank everyone who came out on Saturday, June 27 to join them for their ninth annual shred event.

This year they partnered with ConfiData, the Saratoga Business Journal, Fingerpaint and the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce to make the event free for all community members to participate. 

The event had its largest turnout yet, bringing in more than 9,000 pounds of paper from the public to shred. All documents were securely destroyed at the event, and have since been baled and shipped to local paper mills to be recycled for reuse.

Saratoga Financial Services would also like to thank everyone for their generous donations to benefit the Act With Respect Always program. The local non-profit organization had its founder, Rich Johns, along with three student volunteers helping at the event. They raised $600, all of which is used to help spread the importance of respect in our schools, sports and lives.

Start a box to throw your old and unneeded documents in now and stay tuned for Saratoga Financial Services’ tenth annual Shred Event happening next spring of 2021.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Seventeen teens from across the Capital Region, including three Saratoga County 4-H members, completed the NSTOP Tractor Safety Program offered by the 4-H Youth Development Program. 

This intensive course requires youth to demonstrate knowledge and skills related to safely working within the agriculture industry. The certification that is earned is needed for youth ages 14-15 to operate certain types of machinery while being employed in the agricultural field. The 2020 Tractor Safety program had to adapt due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with much of the programming taking place in a virtual space. The youth participated in an online learning environment, and even had the opportunity to practice and demonstrate equipment operation while observing all necessary safety guidelines. 

Leland Bunting, 4-H Resource Educator with CCE of Saratoga County says, “The annual 4-H Tractor Safety program is a very important offering from our Capital District 4-H program. The skills that the youth learn go deeper than operation of equipment, and really make the participants aware of the many hazards that exist while working in agriculture. When we certify a youth, we feel confident that they possess the knowledge and skills necessary to learn and work safely in agriculture. This certification is very important for many of our youth, as it is commonly a requirement for summer employment. We hope that the skills learned in this program allow our youth to explore their passion for agriculture.” 

The 4-H Tractor Safety program is offered every spring through Cornell Cooperative Extension, and is open to all youth ages 14 and older. 

If you would like more information about the 2021 program, please contact Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County at 518-885-8995.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The residents at Prestwick Chase celebrated Father’s Day by hosting their own car show. John Rowe, director of marketing at Prestwick, said they invited individuals in the community to show off their cars to the residents at Prestwick. “It was a nice drive-in museum for the residents to come and take a look at,” Rowe said. To ensure social distancing, each car brought in was placed at minimum six-feet apart. They also hosted a golf shootout for the individuals who brought their car to the drive-in museum. Food and drinks were provided. “We wanted the residents to enjoy the cars and have a nice Father’s day,” Rowe said

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The community is invited to get active, stay safe and join together to take a slow roll bike ride.

Local biker Ian Klepetar developed the Social Distance Slow Roll bike ride through his own interest in bikes. He teamed up with two downtown Saratoga businesses to create this slow paced bike tour. The idea is to gather every last Sunday of the month and bike certain routes Klepetar has planned out.

“The ride will have a front leader and a rear leader. Any type of bikes are welcomed; electric bikes, road bikes, cruisers, anything,” Klepetar said. 

The Social Distance Slow Roll is co-hosted with The Palette Café and Impressions of Saratoga. Each ride will begin at 10 a.m. on the last Sunday of every month. Facemasks and helmets are required as everyone in the community is welcomed to join. Klepetar mentioned the riders averaged 10 mph on their last slow roll.

Each tour will finish at Humpty Dumpty Ice Cream & Subs. Klepetar mentioned riders can use a buy-one-get-one deal on the ice cream after the slow roll. The next slow roll will happen June 28.

“A lot of people want to keep it safe out there. Being out in the fresh air where there is more air circulating is great. We try to keep our distance and ask all participants to wear a mask,” Klepetar said. “We usually play music and everyone is welcome to attend.”

Klepetar wanted to host the slow roll after being inspired through his monthly “Bike Talk.” The talk features different experts in the world of biking, covering topics from bicycling safety and trail riding. Palette Café teamed up with Klepetar and Maddy Zanetti, co-owner of Impressions of Saratoga, to start the weekly “Bike Talk.” They began this past May as a way to educate and engage the community in all things bicycle related. 

“We hosted a slow roll at the end of last month as a celebration of the regular Bike Talks. The ride was such a success…we will continue doing the bike ride throughout the summer,” Klepetar said. 

Klepetar can be reached at ianklepetar@hotmail.com or 518-396-8376. Both Palette Café and Impressions of Saratoga are located on Broadway in downtown Saratoga.