SARATOGA — Rite Aid and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), together with BioReference Laboratories, Inc., announced on Aug. 26 a ‘Back to School’ COVID-19 testing program offering students at New York State public schools the opportunity for free COVID-19 testing prior to or at the start of the 2021-2022 school year. Students will be tested using highly accurate RT-PCR laboratory-based COVID-19 tests.

To participate in New York’s ‘Back to School’ testing program, students must pre-register and schedule a COVID-19 test appointment at one of the 115 Rite Aid drive-thru locations throughout New York State prior to returning to the classroom. 

Testing appointments will become available prior to the start of the school year, and individuals are required to pre-register and schedule a time slot for testing at bioreferencelabs.bioreference.com/nyschooltesting. 

Students ages 4-17 must access testing with consent from a parent or legal guardian and be accompanied by a guardian at time of testing in the drive-thru.

The ‘Back to School’ program includes The Increasing Community Access to Testing (ICATT), which is a program that helps reduce disease spread in schools, ensures that schools are safe environments for learning, and supports the reopening of schools. 

Digital results will be delivered to parents for students to bring to school. COVID-19 testing is voluntary and will be provided at no cost to the student’s family or to the school district for this program.

For more information and Rite Aid locations, go to: www.riteaid.com. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — A variety of locations throughout Saratoga County will host free NARCAN trainings on Aug. 31, Saratoga Hospital announced this week. At most sites, appointments are not required. Trainings will be brief, and all participants leave with a complimentary NARCAN kit.

Note, masks must be worn appropriately at all times, regardless of vaccination status. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Revised plans of a long-anticipated east side fire/EMS station, and a Historic Review determination and subsequent possible demolition of a Washington Street structure adjacent to Starbucks are among the items under consideration this week by the Design Review Commission. 

The DRC meeting takes place 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1 at City Hall.    

SARATOGA SPRINGS — A weekly series of council workshops were held throughout August at City Hall to discuss the final draft of the city’s proposed Unified Development Ordinance, or UDO. 

The intent of the Ordinance is, among other things, to encourage “appropriate and orderly” physical development, designate and regulate the location and the use of buildings and land, address traffic congestion and safeguard the city’s heritage by preserving districts and landmarks. 

City Mayor Meg Kelly said she was pleased with the discussions that have taken place. 

“There will always be more enhancements to consider, especially as we start working with it, but I believe the UDO makes good on its promise to protect our city in the country,” Kelly said, during the council workshop Aug. 24. She generally cited increased energy and sustainability measures, conservation provisions which she called “robust,” and improvements of on-site development standards as some of the benefits of the UDO. 

The final version of the UDO is anticipated to be presented on Sept. 14 as part of a Special City Council meeting, followed by one month of public hearings, further review and comment. Adoption of the UDO is expected prior to the end of the calendar year. For more information about the project, go to the city website at: www.saratoga-springs.org.         

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, police agencies and STOP-DWI Coordinators will participate in special efforts to bring awareness to the dangers of impaired driving, county Sheriff Michael Zurlo announced. 

The statewide STOP-DWI High Visibility Engagement Campaign will be in effect through Monday, Sept. 6. 

New York State Police, County Sheriffs, municipal law enforcement agencies and local STOP-DWI Programs will collaborate across the state and will be out in force in this coordinated effort to reduce the number of impaired driving-related injuries and deaths.

The STOP-DWI Labor Day / End of Summer High Visibility Engagement Campaign is one of many statewide initiatives promoted by STOP-DWI NY and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee.  The Statewide STOP-DWI High Visibility Engagement Campaign also targets Memorial Day, July 4, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Holiday Season, Super Bowl weekend and St. Patrick’s Day.

Highly visible, highly publicized efforts like the STOP-DWI High Visibility Engagement Campaign aim to further reduce the incidence of drunk and impaired driving.

Download the mobile app – “Have a Plan” at www.stopdwi.org/mobileapp – and drivers will always be able to find a safe ride home .

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs City Council has adopted a resolution that requires all employees and visitors who are fully vaccinated, partially vaccinated, and unvaccinated to wear a face mask when entering City buildings, facilities and/or indoor events sponsored by the City.

In addition, the resolution requires all public facing employees to wear a mask, regardless of whether indoors or outdoors.

For the Recreation Facility only, the resolution took effect Monday, August 23; and further provides the following: 

Facemasks are to be worn appropriately (over the nose and mouth) at all times while indoors at the Recreation Facility unless players are unable to tolerate a face covering for physical activity (e.g. practicing, playing); provided, however, that coached, trainers, and other individuals who are not directly engaged in physical actively are required to wear a face covering. Upon leaving the activity area for any reason, the facemask must again be appropriately worn. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — A half-mile “race”  Run For Everyone will take place 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 11 at Pitney Meadows Community Farm, 223 West Ave. in Saratoga Springs. 

Proceeds will support food and housing for hundreds in the Saratoga community and benefit Shelters of Saratoga, and regional Habitat For Humanity. 

Organizers say no training, athletic ability or special apparel required and the event will be supplemented by live music, field games, lunch, and a visit of the farm. Registration is $10 – Adults, $5 – Kids under 16, pets, and includes one race entry. 

There will also be a pay-what-you can-lunch, with all sales donated to event charities. To register, go to: www.sheltersofsaratoga.org/events.  For information, email: info@sheltersofsaratoga.org. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Bridges’ 18th Annual J. Michael Fitzgibbons Memorial Golf Classic, held on Aug. 9, was the most successful tournament the agency has hosted. 

The event, which raised raised over $46,000 net, featured a record number of golfers – 148 -who played at the Edison Club in Rexford. 

The day included a scramble format, BBQ lunch, boxed meals for dinner, complimentary beverages courtesy of Saratoga Eagle, DIAGEO/Ketel One Botanicals and Hixny, a quarter-zip pullover sponsored by Performance Industrial, a golf towel sponsored by Cole’s Collison, goodie bags from Amsure and Stewart’s Shops and a Golf Ball Air Cannon Launcher made possible by the LaChance State Farm agency.  Prizes were also awarded in multiple golf categories.

A portion of the proceeds benefit the J. Michael Fitzgibbons Memorial Scholarship Fund.

REXFORD — The Saratoga Bridges’ 18th Annual J. Michael Fitzgibbons Memorial Golf Classic was the most successful tournament the agency has hosted, raising over $46,000 net. 

Held on Aug. 9, a record number of golfers played at the Edison Club in Rexford, NY. The day included a scramble format, BBQ lunch, boxed meals for dinner, complimentary beverages courtesy of Saratoga Eagle, DIAGEO/Ketel One Botanicals, and Hixny, a quarter-zip pullover sponsored by Performance Industrial, a golf towel sponsored by Cole’s Collison, goodie bags from Amsure and Stewart’s Shops, and a Golf Ball Air Cannon Launcher made possible by the LaChance State Farm Agency. 

A portion of the proceeds benefit the J. Michael Fitzgibbons Memorial Scholarship Fund. Annually, one of their staff members is awarded an education scholarship in Michael’s memory. The scholarship was established to honor their long-time Board Member who passed away unexpectedly in 2005. This year, one of their Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants, Courtney Jones, was the recipient. Courtney expressed her gratitude at the event for the financial assistance as she applied funds towards the tuition at SUNY Empire for a Bachelors in Allied Health. She aspires to obtain a master’s degree in Occupational Therapy with hopes of continuing to provide support for people with disabilities. Courtney’s dedication to the people they support was recognized as the agency encourages their staff to seek academic opportunities whereby, they can elevate and enrich their own service delivery skills. 

2021 Golf Sponsors 

Presenting Sponsor: DIAGEO/Ketel One Botanicals

Lead Sponsor: Carol Fitzgibbons, Saratoga National Bank and Trust Company 

Tournament Sponsors: Cole’s Collison, Tarella Financial Group

Apparel Sponsor: Performance Industrial 

Luncheon Sponsors: Colonial Mechanical Contractors, Kevin Hoffman, Michael A. Balboni, Esq. 

Hole/Tee Sponsors: The Appraisal Company, Fox Pest Control, Snyder, Kiley, Toohey, Corbett and Cox, LLP

Additional Sponsors: Amsure, Hixny, M&M Digital Printing – A division of Seeley Office Systems, MVP Health Care, Saratoga Eagle, Stewart’s Shops

2021 Season Sponsors

Premier Sponsor: Constance & Thomas D’Ambra 

Presenting Sponsor: Performance Industrial

Lead Sponsors: Adirondack Trust Company, Alera Group/Relph Benefit Advisors

Featured Sponsors: Stewart’s Shops/Dake Family

Associate Sponsors: Champlain Wealth Management, Coca Cola Northeast, Walter S. Borisenok Family Foundation, Northwestern Mutual/Erik Whittle 

Friend Sponsors: County Waste & Recycling, D.A. Collins Companies, GLOBALFOUNDRIES, MVP Health Care, OneGroup 

Silent Auction Donors: Buffalo Bills, Carol Fitzgibbons, David Fitzgibbons, Glens Falls Country Club, National Baseball Hall of Fame, New York Giants, Roohan Realty, Saratoga Golf & Polo Club, Saratoga National Golf Course, The Edison Club, The Sagamore Resort, Tri-City ValleyCats, Warren Tire Service Centers

For more information on Saratoga Bridges fundraising events or to become a sponsor, please contact Kelly Armer at karmer@saratogabridges.org or 518-587-0723 ext. 1266. 

Prizes were awarded to: 

1st Place (with a score of 55, which is the lowest round by any foursome in an Edison Club tournament)
Greg Coonley, Kevin McGinn, Adam VanDervoort, Kyle Velkind

2nd Place
Mikey Erbe, Tyson Gadja, Sean Macari, Adam McGuire 

3rd Place
Mandy D’Andrea, Diane Jorgeson, Rick Matteson, Mark Sopronowicz

Most Honest
Mary Chamberlain, Linda Miller, Denise Potenza, Ellen Richtol

Men’s Closest to The Pin on Hole #5
Nick Zarrelli 

Women’s Closest to The Pin on Hole #11
Ella Kellogg 

Women’s Closest to The Pin on Hole #23
Karen Hyman-Gentner 

Men’s Straightest Drive on Hole #4
Roger Leonbruno 

Women’s Straightest Drive on Hole #4
Mary Chamberlain 

Men’s Straightest Drive on Hole #14
Peter Rokeach 

Women’s Straightest Drive on Hole #14
Diane Jorgensen 

Men’s Straightest Drive on Hole #22
Jason Ward 

Women’s Straightest Drive on Hole #22
Jane Mastaitis

Saratoga Springs — Join Gloria May on Sunday, August 29 for Summer Sunday Stroll Women of Greenridge. Learn about the prominent and influential women, as well as the ordinary, who are buried in Greenridge Cemetery and whose life stories tell the history of Saratoga Springs. This tour will last approximately 2 hours due to the distance covered. Sponsored by LaBrake Memorials, the tour meets at the Sackett Gates entrance of Greenridge Cemetery located on Lincoln Avenue. Limited tickets remain – purchase online at saratogapreservation.org.

 Next Sunday, September 5, is the final Summer Sunday Stroll of the season, Queen Annes: Circular Street & Union Avenue. Tour the area of the former Skidmore College campus around Union Avenue and Circular Street with stroll leader Debbie Studwell. Due to the popularity of the Summer Sunday Strolls, the Foundation will continue its walking tours through the end of October as part of their Autumn Stroll Series.

In addition to the Summer Sunday Strolls, the Foundation will be offering bike tours of the Saratoga Spa State Park on Sunday, September 26 and Saturday, October 9.  Bike tours last approximately three hours and space is limited to twenty. For additional information or to purchase tickets to any of these upcoming tours visit www.saratogapreservation.org, call (518) 587-5030, or email Nicole Babie, Membership & Programs Director, at nbabie@saratogapreservation.org.

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

BALLSTON SPA — The Saratoga County History Center has announced the creation of an annual award to be presented to an individual or organization in the greater Saratoga region who engages in outstanding work in teaching, writing, cataloging, or preserving history.

The Herculean task of preserving the past rests on the tireless shoulders of our many history practitioners. The Saratoga County Public History Award seeks to raise awareness of their efforts and provide much-needed positive reinforcement to their selfless work. 

The first annual Public History Award will be selected by a committee of esteemed professionals, including Ronald Schorpp, social studies department chair at Saratoga Springs High School; Lisa Kissinger, social studies academic administrator for Shenendehowa CSD; Heather Mazurowski, social studies department chair at Ballston Spa High School; Heidi Hill, Historic Site Manager at the Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site; Samantha Bosshart, Executive Director of the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation; and Isobel Connell, trustee of the Saratoga County History Center.  The committee will be chaired by Michael Landis, Ph.D., trustee of the Saratoga County History Center.

Send all nominations (with explanation and contact information) to:  mlandis@brooksidemuseum.org.  Nominations must be submitted by the end of September 2021.  The committee will make a final decision in November, and the award will be presented at a public event at Brookside Museum in December.