BALLSTON SPA — Saratoga County 4-H Animal Show Series is a five week long series hosted at the Saratoga County 4-H Training Center on Middleline Rd. in Ballston Spa. The series was developed as a replacement to the Animal Shows typically featured at the County fairs in the summer.

Animal shows are an integral part of animal science and agricultural education. Providing youths an opportunity to present their animals to a judge allows owners to identify the strongest attributes of their animals, as well as any necessary improvements. 

The series will feature different animal species each Saturday. It launched this past Saturday, Sept. 12 with Rabbits and Cavies (aka guinea pigs). The next four weeks will have demonstrations with sheep, goats, dairy cows and horses, respectively. 

The first event has already been lauded a success. Participants were judged in three different categories; showmanship, breed classes, and fur classes. The competitors ranged in between five-years-old to 18-years-old. The most inspiring part of the day came from watching the older “veterans” guide and encourage the younger first-timers. 

Saratoga County 4-H Animal Show Series will continue next Saturday with a sheep show on Sept.19, followed by a Goat show on Sept. 26, Dairy Cattle Show on Oct. 3 and a Horse Show on Oct. 10. For more information about programs offered by Saratoga County 4-H please contact BH548@cornell.ediu or call 518-885-8995.

Sakthi Muthukrishnan. Photo provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS/Mobile, AL — On August 15, Sakthi Muthukrishnan was named the Distinguished Young Woman (DYW) of Saratoga Springs after participating in the DYW of New York at-large program, a statewide scholarship program for high school girls. 

Muthukrishnan will join high school senior girls from across the state of New York to compete to represent the state as the DYW of New York for 2021 on Oct. 17, 2020. At all levels of the program, participants are evaluated in the categories of scholastics which scores 25%, interview scores 25%, talent scores 20%, fitness 15% and self-expression scoring 15%. 

Throughout the next year, Muthukrishnan will represent the community at various public events and serve as a role model to young people by spreading the program’s national outreach message of “Be Your Best Self.” The outreach program is designed to encourage self-esteem and excellence in all young people through its five principles: be healthy, involved, studious, ambitious and responsible. 

Muthukrishnan is the daughter of Muthukrishnan Narasimhan and Selvarani Sangaran and is a rising senior at Saratoga Springs High School. 

The 64th national finals will take place June 24-26, 2021 in Mobile, AL. All 50 state representatives will travel to Mobile to participate in personal development activities and community service projects before competing for the opportunity to become the DYW of America for 2021. 

Founded in 1958, DYW’s mission is to empower young women by providing over $1 billion in scholarship opportunities, developing their self-confidence and participating in Life Skills Workshops that prepare them for success after high school. For more information about DYW, contact Tara Principe, National Headquarters Marketing and Communications Director, at 251-438-3621 or Tara@DistinguishedYW.org or visit www.DistinguishedYW.org. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Mindful of social distancing rules, members of the Saratoga Springs Lions Club held its first meeting of the new club year with a mask-to-mask gathering on Aug. 27 under the vacant pavilion on High Rock Avenue. About 25 Lions attended despite the heavy downpour and chilly weather. The hot boxed lunch was catered by Mama Mia’s restaurant where the Lions Club normally meets on Thursdays.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Rotary Club of Saratoga Springs is pleased to announce the opening of applications for its biennial Major Gifts Program. 

The Club has $40,000 to award this cycle. As in the past, the minimum application request is $5,000. The application deadline is Oct. 31, 2020. Winning applicants will be notified by Nov. 30.

The applicant must be a community-based organization and should have an IRS 501(c)(3) designation. Awards will not be made to individuals, to government entities or to religious organizations for religious purposes. 

The application must include a resolution passed by the organization’s governing board and signed by the Chair of the Board authorizing the application and confirming the validity of the project. 

A ceremonial check will be presented at a designated Rotary Club gathering, but the actual transfer of funds will be held until the applicant can provide proof of the project’s initiation or proof of purchase if the funds are for a specific piece of equipment.

Evaluation Criteria:

• The project should be community oriented and be generally visible, meaningful, and useable by the greater Saratoga Springs community or a reasonable sub-set of that community. The applicant should provide a description or statement of the benefits that will accrue to the community if this project is funded.

• The project should be a capital project. Funding for program supplies/payrolls do not qualify.

• If the application is for a portion of a larger project, the applicant should provide sufficient information on the sources of funds for the remainder of the project.

• If the application is for a portion or a component of a larger project, that portion or component should be easily identifiable or recognizable within the larger project.

• Project should be completed within a reasonable amount of time and must be initiated no later than 12 months from the date of the award.

• A permanent designation of the Saratoga Springs Rotary Club’s participation in the project (i.e., plaque, signage, etc.) will be required. The applicant should include a description of this recognition.

 Send Applications to: Rotary Club of Saratoga Springs. P.O. Box 1307, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Attn: Major Gifts. Emailed Applications may be sent to: Stephen Kyne at smk@sterlingmanorfinancial.com.

QUEENSBURY — West Mountain now offers a High Ropes Adventure pizza party package that is great for birthday parties, work outings, or with a group of friends or family members that are ages seven and older. Groups must consist of ten or more people and will cost $35 per person and includes two hours of Aerial Adventure High Ropes Course Fun. 

West Mountain staff recommend having an adult chaperone present in the park for children’s parties. For all groups they require a head count and full payment at the time of booking and a guaranteed head count at least 48 hours prior to arrival. West Mountain also requires a signed waiver from each participant. Book a party today by calling group sales at 518-636-3699, ext. 316 or email Shannon@westmountain.com

Masks will be required for loading and unloading the lift, when indoors for any reason and when social distancing cannot be maintained. For more information visit westmountain.com/aerial-adventure-pizza-parties.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — CCE Equine invites the public to experience one of Saratoga’s finest thoroughbred breeding farms with a free drive-through tour on Sunday, Sept. 6 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Mill Creek Farm.

Mill Creek Farm is opening its gates to allow the community to tour the farm from the safety of their car. This tour is a fun educational event enjoyed by all ages.

The equine industry is an essential part of Saratoga’s culture and economy. You can expect a delightful drive through a beautiful farm accompanied by an audio recording from Mill Creek’s owners, family, and staff. The audio recording will include farm history and what day-to-day life is like on the farm. You can find the recording and map on CCE Saratoga County’s website ccesaratoga.org in the weeks prior to this event which you can download or stream via a smart phone. A from-your-car scavenger hunt will also be available for kids to enjoy. 

This event will be a memorable family outing to conclude the track season. Mill Creek Farm is located on 1019 Co Rt 70, Stillwater, NY 12170. Those participating in the tour must enter north of the farm from the intersection of Neilson Rd and County Rd 70. Please note: you must stay in your car for the entire tour. Masks will be required to interact with staff and volunteers.   

For more information contact Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County at 518-885-8995 or visit ccesaratoga.org.

Q: Why did you become a H.O.P.E. volunteer? 
A: I wanted to be more involved with the community, and since I like animals, I thought volunteering with an animal rescue would be fun. I honestly don’t remember how I found H.O.P.E. 

Q: What do you do for H.O.P.E.? 
A: I help at H.O.P.E.’s Pet Adoption Center – anything from cleaning to playing with the cats to greeting visitors. I also help with H.O.P.E.’s Instagram Accounts. And I help gather photos of H.O.P.E. pets, volunteers and supporters to use in the slide shows they use for their Annual Gala and other events. 

Q: What is your favorite part about volunteering? 
A: I think it is super fun to see animals find a new home and to see the look on the adopters faces when they get that new pet. 

Q: Do you have a favorite adoption story? 
A: A Pit Bull Mix named Simba. He was so charming, at first I didn’t understand why he hadn’t been adopted. I found out his one fault was that he couldn’t live with cats, so he was with H.O.P.E. for a long time. Just when I least expected it, the perfect home was found for him. 

Q: What would you say to someone thinking about volunteering with H.O.P.E.? 
A: Definitely reach out and contact us. There are so many ways you can help us. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga-Wilton Elks #161 Member Karen Ellis and her son Ray Ellis delivered 20 bags filled with approximately 12 meals each worth of food to Stonequist Senior Apartments today from the Wilton Food Pantry.

Last time Ray Ellis delivered food, it was a family member’s wedding day and since he received such a great reaction from being dressed up… he did it again. It’s the little things that make people smile.

South Glens Falls ­— There are plenty of smiles under those masks as employees at the South Glens Falls Hannaford store present donations to Operation Adopt A Soldier (OAAS) to be used in free comfort kits sent to U.S. soldiers serving in areas of conflict. 

Shoppers at the South Glens Falls, Glens Falls, Queensbury and Hudson Falls Hannaford stores are invited to purchase and donate items to OAAS through the end of August as the non-profit marks one year since a devastating fire destroyed its Wilton headquarters.

An August 2019 fire that destroyed Operation Adopt A Soldier’s (OAAS) Wilton headquarters didn’t damage the all-volunteer group’s determination to restore its services to America’s soldiers.OAAS announced that four Hannaford stores in the southern Adirondacks are serving as collection sites for a month-long campaign to replenish OAAS’ inventory with donations from shoppers.

The collection bins are located behind the front-end cash registers. Shoppers can place their donations in the bins after checking out. A “wish list” of accepted items is posted on the bins.

The participating Hannaford locations are: 190 Quaker Road, Queensbury; 175 Broad St., Glens Falls; 3758 Burgoyne Ave., Hudson Falls; 27-41 Route 9, South Glens Falls.

“We are grateful to Hannaford for stepping up and assisting us in our mission to provide our brave soldiers with a little taste of home,” said Cliff Seguin, OAAS founder/co-chair. “OAAS only survives because of donations from our always-generous and caring public and business communities. It’s our never-ending mission to show everyone’s support for our military personnel serving in dangerous areas, far from home and family.”

The August 17, 2019 fire destroyed a multi-use structure on Route 50, Wilton, that included the OAAS office. Nearly all the group’s possessions – including 260 packed comfort kits awaiting Postal Service pickup – were destroyed. The structure has not been rebuilt.

Within days, OAAS relocated to a warehouse donated by Wilton businessman Richard Woodcock at 891 Saratoga Road (Route 9), Wilton. He’s also paying for the office utilities until OAAS finds a permanent home. Woodcock’s property is for sale or lease.

“Our volunteers were understandably shocked and devastated by the fire,” said Seguin. “But the public’s reaction to our misfortune was astounding and heartfelt. Donations poured in once everyone found out we had a temporary home, and we’ve been consistently sending the care packages ever since, except during the pandemic shutdown.”

OAAS accepts public donations at its Wilton office from 10 a.m. to noon each Thursday and Saturday, and by appointment for large-volume donations.

Meanwhile, the Chapman Museum at 348 Glen St., Glens Falls, continues to serve as an OAAS donation site while its reopening exhibit, “Let’s All Fight,” runs through Sept. 20. The exhibit honors the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II with a display of WWII-era propaganda posters that detail stateside efforts to support America’s soldiers serving overseas. Museum officials noted OAAS’ modern-day services form a bridge to America’s efforts during the 1940s.

OAAS, an all-volunteer, 501(c)3 non-profit, uses product and monetary donations to fill comfort kits that are shipped to U.S. military personnel serving in areas of conflict. The kits are free; each box costs $12 to ship.

Acceptable items include non-perishable food, snacks, candy/gum, toiletries, energy bars/drinks, CDs/DVDs, stationery, paperback books, games, puzzle books, sports gear, over-the-counter health products and phone cards. A detailed list of items is posted on www.operationadoptasoldier.com

OAAS cannot ship perishable/refrigerated foods, aerosols, cologne/perfume, hardcover books, used clothing and alcohol.

Useful donations that cannot be shipped or don’t fit in the boxes are donated to area charities.