Ticks carry the risk for more than just Lyme disease. 

There are actually at least 18 known tickborne illnesses resulting from tick bites. Incidences of the lesser-known ones, including anaplasmosis, are on the rise in New York State. 

“Over the last several years there has been an increase in our area. It’s unclear whether that’s a reflection of an increase in the number of ticks, or a change in our behavior,” said Dr. Brian McDermott, an infectious disease specialist at Saratoga Hospital.

While there is still debate about whether the spike is caused by climate changing to enable these tiny parasites to survive longer, or if the soar is because more people are getting outdoors, counties across the state are warning residents to be cautious. 

Important Differences

Even with the surge, in Saratoga County, reports of Lyme disease remain approximately ten times more prevalent than those of anaplasmosis. 

One of the biggest concerns however, is that people with anaplasmosis often don’t know they have it. Unlike with Lyme disease, there is no tell-tale red bullseye when a person is bitten by a tick infected with anaplasmosis. 

Another difference is that for a person to contract Lyme disease, the tick must stay attached for 24 to 48 hours to give the bacteria enough time to be transmitted through the body’s bloodstream. There is no indication that ticks with anaplasmosis must engorge themselves for a prolonged period of time – meaning that even a brief exposure could cause an infection. 

Unexplained Symptoms

Symptoms of anaplasmosis typically appear within a week or two after you’ve been bitten and may include a significantly high fever (103 degrees or more), chills, dry heaves, head and muscle aches, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. 

“Doctors often can’t distinguish it from any other viral infection you might have until a test is done specifically for it,” said Dr. McDermott. 

Left undetected, severe life-threatening complications, especially for those people with compromised immune systems, can result. 

Treatment 

Once anaplasmosis is diagnosed, it is treated with the antibiotic doxycycline (the same thing used to treat Lyme disease). 

Because anaplasmosis is a viral infection, the human body doesn’t produce protective antibodies, so it is possible that you can contract it more than once. 

In New York, there is also an increase in incidences of Babesiosis, a tick-borne disease similar to malaria. 

The way to prevent Lyme, anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, or any of the other diseases contracted through ticks, is to protect yourself and your pets from exposure. 

Prevention Tips

• Treat clothing and gear with products containing permethrin. 

• Avoid high grassy areas and walk in the center of trails.

• Use an insect repellent containing DEET, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, or other EPA-approved product.

• Take a shower soon after coming indoors and do full-body checks of yourself, your pets, and your gear.

For more information from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about tickborne diseases including anaplasmosis, go to www.cdc.gov.

SARATOGA COUNTY — Delays in the procurement of materials, labor shortages, and general supply chain issues have combined to cause a delay in meeting a previously anticipated September completion of the Ashdown Road bridge project, according to a statement released this week by Saratoga Deputy County Administrator Ridge Harris. 

Clifton Park Supervisor Phil Barrett, who serves as Chairman of the County’s Public Works committee visited the Ashdown Road bridge construction site July 26 to receive a briefing on the project’s status.

“The delays are disappointing, but the county is committed to this important investment and will continue to work with the engineers and contractors to ensure the project is complete and the road is reopened as quickly and as safely as possible,” Barrett said, in a statement. “When completed, this project will bring enhanced safety to the many residents who utilize Ashdown Road.”

Construction began in late spring. The new estimated project timeline has not been finalized. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — “The American Rescue Plan has rescued an American music treasure,” according to Caffe Lena Executive Director Sarah Craig. The historic Saratoga Springs venue announced receipt of an award of $255,000 in the form of a Shuttered Venues Operators Grant. 

“The funds give us security during a very unpredictable time,” said Craig. The 110 seat venue on Phila Street is planning to return to full capacity on July 30 with a two-show night featuring the indie folk band Darlingside. 

A nationwide grassroots push to include assistance for  performing arts in the American Rescue Plan was facilitated by Senator Chuck Schumer. Schumer was a major force in securing $16 billion for live performance venues and cultural organizations.

Caffe Lena joins Capital Region arts organizations Proctors, SPAC and The Palace in winning funds to make up for 2020 losses and assist with the cost of returning to normal operations.

To learn more about Caffè Lena’s wide-ranging programs, visit www.caffelena.org. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The official opening of The Pines@SPAC was staged at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center this week. 

The $9.5 million renovation project “is going to be a game-changer for this facility,” said Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, who spoke during the event. 

The $9.5 million project was funded primarily by pop concert promoter Live Nation and by New York State – the latter of which provided $1.5 million in grants from Empire State Development and State Parks, awarded through the Governor’s Regional Economic Development Council initiative.

“What began in 2017 as a conversation about how best to upgrade aging concessions and bathroom facilities and address safety and security issues quickly expanded into a much bigger discussion about how to create a campus to align with SPAC’s broader evolving mission,” said SPAC President and CEO Elizabeth Sobol. “In short what you see is a world-class center for the arts; a major international destination for tourists poised to enrich the region both economically and culturally, for decades to come.” 

The Pines – a new multi-story building – offers sightlines from the Route 50 gate to the Victoria Pool, and features a second-story year-round event space, called the Nancy DiCresce Education Room, to accommodate education programming. 

The exterior facade of the upper level includes a glass and aluminum storefront design, allowing guests to walk out onto a rooftop terrace facing the amphitheater during outdoor performances. There are also new and expanded restrooms and concessions areas, and spaces for gathering outside of the amphitheater at the new Julie Bonacio Family Pavilion. Upgraded pedestrian walkways improve access between the amphitheater lawn and the main plaza and provide easier paths for travel throughout the venue.

Under NY Parks 2020, more than $18 million has been invested in Saratoga Spa State Park, including modernizing the Peerless Pool bathhouse, a one-mile paved accessible walking trail loop, a new disc golf course, a sensory pollinator garden and accessible, colorful and engaging playground. Other projects include opening the new Creekside Classroom environmental education facility, preserving the park’s historic campus buildings and adding new pavilions, trails and playgrounds.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — City Council workshops this month will discuss board advisory opinions and determine final changes to the UDO Draft Document.

Workshops are scheduled to take place in the Council Room at City Hall and will be livestreamed and recorded.

Workshop dates are as follows: 

August 3 at 5 p.m. (followed by the regular City Council meeting).

August 10 at 6 p.m.

August 17 at 5 p.m. (followed by the regular City Council meeting)

August 24 at 3 p.m.

A Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) is a tool which combines traditional zoning and subdivision regulations, along with other development standards for items such as design guidelines, storm water management, signs and street standards into one, easy-to-read reference document. It is intended to eliminate redundant or conflicting code provisions, help to streamline the review and approval process and clarify the steps and requirements with clear illustrations and language.

Advisory opinions from the DRC, City Planning Board and County Planning Board can be found on the city website, along with other UDO draft documents and maps. Go to: saratoga-springs. org. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The popular State Seal water fountains in the Saratoga Spa State Park were temporarily closed last week “out of an abundance of caution and for the safety of our patrons,” the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation announced. 

“We test the waters regularly and we just saw some traces of things we shouldn’t be seeing, so we just have to take a look at it,” said Erik Kulleseid, office of parks commissioner, after attending a ribbon cutting event at SPAC on July 27. 

Asked what those traces were, Kulleseid replied: “I don’t want to speculate. (But) as soon as we determine what the issue is, we’ll address it, and get it open again.”

BALLSTON SPA – On July 28, Saratoga County hit 4.6% positivity rate for COVID tests over a 7-day average, the second highest of all NY State’s 62 counties, and the first time to reach that high a weekly measure since Jan. 29.

Saratoga County Public Health Services announced July 29 it will be returning to providing daily COVID number updates after going to once-a-week posting schedule in late June. Since that time, local and regional numbers have multiplied in each of the past successive weeks. On its July 6, the county reported 7 people had tested positive for the virus in the previous 7 days, and a positive test rate of 0.30%. This week, the state reported 167 people tested positive with a positive test rate of 4.6% over a 7-day period.  

County Board of Supervisors Chairman Todd Kusnierz also announced the formation of the Saratoga Health and Readiness Planning (SHARP) Task Force in anticipation of continued changes to COVID guidelines from the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“The recent increase in infections rates in Saratoga County is concerning, and with the formation of the SHARP Task Force, our county leadership will be able to quickly analyze any new guidance issued by New York State Department of Health and the CDC and make recommendations that make sense for our community,” Kusnierz said, in a statement, on July 29.

The SHARP Task Force will be reviewing guidance issued by other governmental entities, reviewing relevant local data, and providing recommendations and guidance to the Saratoga County community.

SHARP Task Force members include: Chairman Todd Kusnierz; Clifton Park Supervisor Jonathan Schopf, Vice Chairman of the Board; Malta Town Supervisor Darren O’Connor, Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee; County Administrator Steve Bulger; Dr. Dan Kuhles, Commissioner of the Saratoga County Department of Public Health Services; Scot Chamberlain, Saratoga County Director of Human Resources; Pete Bardunias, Senior Vice President of Community Advancement with the Capital Region Chamber; and Anita Murphy, Capital Region BOCES District Superintendent.

According to the county, 65.4% – or just over 150,000 of the county population has completed the vaccine series. Saratoga Springs Supervisor Tara Gaston reported this week via the supervisor’s social media channels there have been a total of 174 “breakthrough” cases in Saratoga County – that is, 174 of the 150,000 who have been fully vaccinated had tested positive for COVID. Overall, more than 15,600 county residents have tested positive for COVID-19, and there have been 168 cumulative deaths.

(Note, this article has been updated to reflect stats released July 29) 

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SARATOGA SPRINGS — Sam the Bugler Grossman makes the first Call to the Post of the first race on Opening Day at Saratoga Race Course on July 15, 2021. 

Opening Day marked the first time in nearly two years, general public attendance was allowed at Saratoga, which had operated last summer with no fans allowed, due to COVID-19 restrictions. 

Opening Day attendance was 27,760.

Photos provided.
Picture 1: Cliff Oliver, Debbie Craig and Renee Moore.

Confucius said, “True wisdom is knowing what you don’t know.” 

Despite growing up in Saratoga’s west side, when Renee Moore was dining downtown, people didn’t know she actually lived here, they assumed she was just visiting. The reason why was the color of her skin. 

Experiences like this were just part of the reason why she founded Solomon Northup Day in 1999. 

An Extraordinary Story

Today, the population of Saratoga is nearly 92% white, according to the latest census data, so you might not know the extent to which African-Americans and other people of color lived and worked throughout the community, or how their history has shaped the city we know today. 

Much of this history has been lost, but thanks to Renee Moore’s dedication, the story of Solomon Northup lives on. 

Solomon Northup was born free in Minerva. While living and working in Saratoga Springs in 1841, he was illegally sold into slavery. After being rescued, he shared the ordeal that he (and others under the yoke of slavery) experienced in his autobiography, Twelve Years a Slave. 

Stronger Together

Moore first heard Northup’s story told in a 1984 docudrama based on his book. Thus began her quest to recognize Northup in a way that would bring the community closer together.

“No one was talking about African-American history in the city and it was not embraced in the early years. Not only did I have very little support, but I did every aspect of it myself,” said Moore.

Eventually, she was joined by several “very special souls” who helped her make July’s Solomon Northup Day a reality. 

Celebrated on the Big Screen

In April 2013, PLAN B/Searchlight Pictures contacted Moore for background information and help reaching out to Northup’s descendants for a film they were producing. The movie, also called 12 Years a Slave, was that year’s Oscar award winner. 

Interest peaked and Skidmore College (Moore’s alma mater) hosted a flurry of talks and other events in town. A historical marker for Northup now stands near the intersection of Broadway and Congress Streets by the Saratoga Springs Visitor Center. Inside, you can see a placard and pick-up a handout with more information. 

Their Story is OUR story

To further discover and explore the history of people of color in the city, a walking tour and a free OURstory Treasure Hunt Map, published by MLK Saratoga, is available. 

Points of interest include Mouzon House, Hattie’s Chicken Shack, and High Rock Park’s Tree of Peace, among others. 

The OURstory Treasure Hunt was conceived by diversity advocate/trainer Jean Fei, with help from author Carol Daggs, into a 10-site adventure as an inclusive, family-oriented activity.

“We cannot truly know ourselves and how we have arrived where we are today until we re-weave the very fabric of OUR shared story — a much more colorful, vibrant and extraordinary tapestry of Humanity than our history books, classrooms, and memories have represented over the centuries,” said Lezlie Dana, President and Co-Chair of MLK Saratoga.

Find it at the Visitor Center or online at www.mlksaratoga.org/treasure-hunt

Injustice Today

If you don’t know these stories, you may struggle with understanding why divisions and unrest remain today. 

“Every single life is important. You have to look at the whole picture,” said Moore.

Turbulence around race has erupted in recent years, and the number of people taking to the streets to protest has increased. Saratoga is not immune, as demonstrations like last week’s “Take Back the Narrative,” which resulted in five arrests, illustrates.

“Everyone suffers when our country is at odds with itself,” said Moore.

“There are no winners in the continued dialogue of ‘us against them’ that robs us from dealing with the real crisis’ we must face together as one country united.”

What Solomon Would Say

Widely-debated and controversial topics such as mass incarceration and qualified immunity show that despite how far we’ve come as a country, there are still changes to be made. 

“It’s my guess that if Solomon Northup were alive today, he might be disappointed with our lack of progress toward freedom and justice so many years later. Right now, regardless of our skin color, we as Americans are watching a chipping away of our one guaranteed freedom; the Right to Vote.  This is not solely a black issue, however, but an issue that affects us all as Americans,” said Moore. 

Be in the Conversation

A free Solomon Northup Day program with re-enactor Clifford Oliver Mealy and the dedication of a Solomon Northup Highway Marker will be held at the Town of Minerva Community Center, 5 Morse Memorial Hwy, Minerva, on July 27 from 5:45- 8:30 p.m.