Friday, July 14, 21 and 28 – 9:30 a.m. Wiggly Wanderers

Wiggly Wanderers is a weekly (every Friday) program that is offered to walking toddlers, carriable babies and their caregivers. This will be a beginner’s hike/wander series for toddlers who are ready to move and caregivers who are willing and able to baby wear and/or carry their toddler if their legs get too tired. We will not plan too much distance walking and we will rely on teachable moments to carry us through these experiences. Strollers will not work for these programs. While you do not need to attend each week, we will continue to build our toddlers’ hiking skills as well as their caregivers’ confidence taking the children into the woods to explore. This program is a drop-in program, please be on time as we will be starting our hike at 9:35 a.m.

Saturday, July 15 – 9 a.m. Moreau Lake Kayak Trip

Join an educator on a peaceful morning paddle around Moreau Lake. Limited rentals are available or bring your own kayak. This program is for people aged 18 and older. The cost is $5 or $15 including kayak rental. Check in and pay (cash or check) at the office upon arrival. Registration is required at least 24 hours in advance; text 518-917-2174.

Saturday, July 15 – 8 p.m. Moreau After Dark

Come see a different side of Moreau – fun for families and people of all ages.  We’ll have some entertaining activities on the beach. Weather permitting there will be an astronomy program. The Friends of Moreau Lake State Park will be serving up their famous grilled hot dogs! Reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance. The cost is $5 for adults (18+) and $1 per child, payable by cash or check at the office upon your arrival. To reserve your spot text 518-917-2174.

Sunday, July 16 – 1 p.m. Family Hike

Family hikes are slower-paced, easy-going walks intended to comfortably bring people together in nature. All ages and abilities are welcome to join in. The pace and path will be determined by the group at the time of the hike. At this time our trails are not able to accommodate strollers, however, we can stay to the roads making the hike more accessible. If this is something your party requires, please let us know when you sign up. Reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance. The cost is $5 for adults (18+) and $1 per child, payable by cash or check at the office upon your arrival. To reserve your spot, text 518-917-2174.

Tuesday, July 18 – 9 a.m. Knee-high Naturalist

Geared toward children aged 2-5, (siblings welcome) Knee-high Naturalist is a fun introduction to nature. We meet in the Nature Center where we begin by reading a nature-themed book or two and then take a short walk together outdoors, keeping our eyes open for animal tracks, shells, feathers and other signs of the natural world around us. Dress for the weather. Reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance. The cost is $1 per child, payable by cash or check at the office upon your arrival. To reserve your spot, text 518-917-2174.

Thursday, July 20 – 9 a.m. Moreau Lake Kayak – Join an educator on a morning paddle around Moreau Lake. Limited rentals are available or bring your own kayak. This program is for people aged 18 and older. The cost is $5 or $15 including kayak rental. Check in and pay at the office upon arrival. Registration is required at least 24 hours in advance; text 518-917-2174.

Upcoming: Saturday, July 22 8 p.m. Bug Program.; Sunday, July 23 1 p.m. Family Hike; Monday, July 24 9 a.m. Lake Bonita Hike; Tuesday, July 25 9 a.m. Knee-high Naturalist; Thursday, July 27 9 a.m. Lake Ann Hike. To reserve your spot to events, text 518-917-2174.

SARATOGA — The Saratoga Lake Protection and Improvement District (SLPID), the governing body that supervises, manages, and controls Saratoga Lake for public benefit, has released a statement regarding initiatives. 

 Those initiatives include:   

• Lake Steward Program – Lake Stewards monitor the introduction of invasive species by encouraging watercraft sanitation practices and educating boaters and fishermen on the importance of cleaning, draining, and drying all watercraft and equipment. 

• Harvesting program. Weed harvesters manage aquatic vegetation for deep water access. 

• Educational Programs – educational presentations and tabling events throughout the Saratoga region promoting public awareness of SLPID and sustainable ecological practices and prevention measures against environmental decline. Floating classrooms for the public on lake quality, stormwater prevention, aquatic invasive species, and wildlife habitat. 

• “Take the Pledge,” – an erosion and stormwater prevention program for property owners on best management practices of lake living. 

• Property analysis – property owner consultations on nature-based solutions on waterfront-friendly practices. 

• Water testing – In lake and stream monitoring, Citizen Statewide Lake Assessment Program (CSLAP), a volunteer lake monitoring and education program that is managed cooperatively by DEC and New York State Federation of Lake Associations (NYSFOLA), Harmful algal bloom (HAB) monitoring.

 • Lake assessments –  yearly assessments on aquatic vegetation, aquatic invasive species, annual boat counts, and water quality reports. 

• Aquatic invasive species management – Herbicide applications to manage aquatic invasive species and regular hand and mechanical harvesting. 

• Support Marine Patrol 

• Buoys – navigation and water testing buoys

•Lake levels – liaison to the dam for maintaining summer water levels.

All questions about the health, management, and programs of Saratoga Lake should be directed to SLPID at 518-223-3252, cconnolly@slpidny.gov, or visit the website at slpidny.gov.  

SARATOGA COUNTY — Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, D-Round Lake, gathered area thought leaders from schools, churches, higher education, hospitals, veterans’ organizations and non-profits as well as state and county offices last week during a two-hour listening session to share information about suicide prevention. 

“After learning that the rate of suicide in rural communities is rising significantly and knowing my district is primarily made up of rural communities, I decided to hold a meeting with local mental health experts to begin a dialogue around this growing problem,” Woerner said in a statement. “In order to gain a better understanding of any situation, I think it’s best to listen to a variety of perspectives. Suicide prevention is very complicated and multi-faceted. One big take away from this meeting- we need to meet again…at our next meeting, we’ll take the conversation to the next level.”

Statistics shared: 54% of firearm deaths are from suicide; Suicide is the third leading cause of death in ages 10-24; More females attempt suicide than males, but males use more lethal means. 

In Saratoga County, 3 out of 4 suicides are male and the male dominated industries, such as constructions, corrections, etc., many with access to guns, see a much higher rate of suicide. And rural communities have the highest rate of death per 100,000 people, according to statistics shared by Woerner.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — On Tuesday, July 11, the Saratoga Senior Center will be hosting a Brooks BBQ fundraiser from 3:30 to 6 p.m. The BBQ will be at the Center at 5 Williams St. in Saratoga Springs.

Patrons may order Rib and Chicken Dinners in advance and pick them up at the Center on July 11 at a drive-through in the front of the building. Pre-ordering is the best option, as day-of event ordering will be very limited. The dinners are $15 for Chicken and $20 for Ribs. Each dinner comes with a baked potato, cole slaw and a dinner roll. Purchase dinners by calling 518-584-1621.

NOTE: The Senior Center will deliver orders of 15 or more to a home or business. Just let them know you would like delivery when pre-ordering.

Brooks’ House of Bar-B-Q based in Oneonta, NY is an award-winning, world-famous BBQ. 

The Saratoga Senior Center is a non-profit, non-residential community center located in downtown Saratoga Springs, open to adults aged 50 and up to participate in programs, trips & social activities tailored to adults and seniors. 

SARATOGA COUNTY — The Saratoga County Veterans Service Agency hosts a Saratoga Battlefield Tour & BBQ event for veterans on Saturday, July 22. This event aims to honor and support local veterans while providing them with a day of camaraderie and entertainment.

The Saratoga Battlefield Bus Tour will kick off the day’s activities from 10 a.m. to noon. Participants will embark on a guided tour of the historic Saratoga Battlefield, a renowned site that witnessed crucial battles during the American Revolutionary War. Veterans and their families will have the opportunity to explore the grounds where the nation’s history was shaped.

Following the battlefield tour, the festivities will continue at Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga, where the BBQ event will take place from 1 – 4 p.m. Once the event is over, Veterans and their families will be bussed back to original parking location to retrieve their vehicles and head home.

For more information or to RSVP for the Saratoga Battlefield Tour & BBQ event, click veteranspeertopeer.org/events/ for the link to sign up. RSVP deadline is July 14. 

SARATOGA — Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga, a leading organization dedicated to supporting retired racehorses through retraining for therapeutic programs, will host its inaugural fundraising gala 7- 11 p.m. on Saturday, July 15 at Sugar Plum Farm, 96 Gilbert Road. 

The Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga Fundraising Gala aims to raise essential funds to further their mission of providing retired racehorses with second chances. These magnificent animals, once highly competitive on the racetrack, are now given the opportunity to shine in therapeutic programs that benefit individuals with cognitive and emotional challenges.

The event will be hosted by philanthropists Robin and Tony Malatino. Guests will enjoy a cocktail reception followed by a gourmet dinner and open bar, live entertainment and casino games.

Funds raised during the evening will directly support Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga’s vital initiatives, including the retraining and care of retired racehorses, as well as the expansion of therapeutic programs across the region. 

For more information about Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga and the inaugural fundraising gala, visit thsaratoga.org/events/.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Fred Astaire Dance Studios (FADS) – Saratoga Springs is partnering with Alliance180, to host their summer showcase 1 – 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 15 at the studio, located at 3257 US-9, Suite 2, Saratoga Springs. 

This year’s summer showcase theme is “From Bollywood to Hollywood.” Styles of dance to include everything from Waltz and Swing to Mongolian Folk Dance, and more. Students will be dancing alongside the studio’s professional instructors displaying months of hard work and dedication to the art of dance.

Tickets will be available at the door for $15. All ticket proceeds from the show will be donated to the nonprofit. 

The studio can be reached at 518-587-0300. For more information about Fred Astaire Dance Studios – Saratoga Springs, visit online www.fredastaire.com/saratoga-springs.