BALLSTON SPA — In recognition of the summer solstice, The Saratoga County History Center Board will host a program about sundials from ancient times to today, at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 25, at Brookside Museum, 21 Fairground Ave.
Jere Blackwelder, former History Center Board President, will explore how civilizations have viewed time since the beginnings of agriculture to the modern age, with sundials as the common element.
Blackwelder, who has had a lifelong fascination with the ancient timepiece, will use his own homemade replica of the oldest known sundial as well as an astrolabe, a small pocket universal dial and a simplified garden style dial to illustrate how time is measured.
Visitors of all ages engage in art-making activities during the 2023 Frances Day community open at the Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery at Skidmore College. This year’s Frances Day is July 20. Photo by Megan Mumford.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery at Skidmore College announces a summer full of family-friendly activities, including Skidmore College’s inaugural Juneteenth Celebration, Family Saturdays, Frances Day, and Crafts on the Grass.
From noon to 3 pm on Saturday, June 22, Skidmore College’s Juneteenth Celebration will feature freedom- and Juneteenth-themed arts and crafts, storytelling, food, and performances, with ongoing activities and timed events inside and outside the Museum. Timed activities include Skidmore faculty and staff reading children’s books from noon to 3 pm, with a new book every fifteen minutes.
Family Saturdays will take place Saturdays, July 6, Aug. 3, and Aug. 17, from 2 to 3:30 pm. The programs are suitable for children ages 5 and older, accompanied by their adult companions. No registration required; supplies provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
Crafts on the Grass. Before each Upbeat on the Roof concert, Tang museum educators will offer Crafts on the Grass, art-making kits for kids starting at 5:30 pm. All projects are suitable for children aged 5 and up, with adult supervision. Materials will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Thursdays, July 11 to Aug. 15, 5:30 pm.
Frances Day: Saturday, July 20, 2 to 6:30 pm. Details of Frances Day—including tours, art-making activities, and musical guests—will be announced soon and listed on the Tang website.
All events are free and open to the public. Art-making activities are geared toward children 5 and older, with an adult companion.The Museum, on the campus of Skidmore College, is open to the public Tuesday–Sunday, noon–5 pm, with extended hours until 9 pm Thursday. Visitors can find ample parking in a lot adjacent to the Museum.
For the latest information, contact the Tang Visitors Services Desk at 518-580-8080 or visit https://tang.skidmore.edu.
GREENFIELD — The Town of Greenfield Recreation Department has revamped its local farmers’ market, which will be held Thursday evenings at Middle Grove Park.
The market features more than 20 vendors, rotating food trucks and weekly entertainment throughout its season, which runs June 20-Sept. 19.
The market is held 4-7 p.m. to Thursdays at Middle Grove Park, 428 Middle Grove Road.
Visitors will find local vendors selling everything from baked goods to eggs, fresh cut flowers, jams/jellies, maple syrup products, pickles, pierogies, apparel, and more. There is also a lot of artisan merchandise like woodwork, glassware, homemade soaps, jewelry, candles and handbags. Visitors can also enjoy Thursday evening dinner (onsite or take-home) with local food trucks.
Local musicians will perform each week and the Saratoga Springs Public Outreach Library’s Mobile Van will be present with books to borrow, story times and crafts.
Other planned specialty entertainment includes family yoga and meditation with Jilly Sansone on June 27. A family hoedown with line dancing instruction by the County Liners of Broadalbin will take place July 25.
Plenty of parking is available. Vendor applications and weekly updates can be found at www.greenfieldny.org.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Lifestyles of Saratoga was named winner of the “Belmont on Broadway” Window Decorating Contest.
Winner Crafter’s Gallery was awarded 2nd Place, Hatsational 3rd Place, and the Honorable Mention went to G. Willikers.
Additional participants of the event included: National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, Saratoga Arts, Impressions of Saratoga, N. Fox Jewelers, Caroline & Main, Celtic Treasures, Menges & Curtis, Violet’s of Saratoga, Saratoga Springs City Center, Samantha Nass Floral, The Dark Horse Mercantile, Union Hall Supply Co., Saratoga Candy Co., Saratoga Olive Oil, Berkshire Hathaway, HomeServices Blake, REALTORS.
Saratoga Automobile Museum presents Cars on Union Sunday.
SARATOGA SPRINGS— The Saratoga Automobile Museum presents the second annual “Cars on Union,” from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Sunday, June 16.
The event will take place between Nelson Avenue and East Avenue, and the organization says it will feature: amazing automobiles, great food, music an exciting day out for the entire family.
Admission is free for the general public. Spectator Parking is $10 and located at the main entrance to the Race Course (Gate 4 and Gate 8).
SARATOGA SPRINGS – The city’s Municipal Civil Service Commission this week announced an open competitive exam for potential police officers will be held Sept. 28.
Among some of the details announced:
SALARY: 2024 Academy Pay $49,058. 2024 Starting Pay is $54,233 and Year 5 pay is $77,051. For 2025:Academy Pay $50,039, 2025 Starting Pay $55,318 and Year 5 Pay $78,592.
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT: Saratoga County, Albany County, Schenectady County, Fulton County, Hamilton County, Montgomery County, Rensselaer County, Warren County and Washington County (established permanent residence one month immediately preceding the date of the written examination of Sept. 28, 2024). Candidates will be required to submit proof of residency when requested.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma or a comparable diploma as described in Section 58 of NYS Civil Service Law with successful completion of at least 60 semester credit hours from a New York State accredited or registered college or university, OR Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma or a comparable diploma as described in Section 58 of the Civil Service Law with at least three (3) years of Active Military Service, possessing an honorable discharge and DD214, OR At least three (3) years of full time paid non probationary permanent civil service employment as a certified police officer in the State of New York (not including State Trooper).
Must be a citizen of the United States, possess a valid NYS Driver’s License, and at least 19 years of age on or before the examination date to be admitted to the written exam. Eligibility for appointments as a police officer begins when the candidate reaches age 20.
An Agility Examination, Background Check, Medical Examination, and Psychological Examination will be conducted.
Applications are available on the 3rd floor of City Hall at 474 Broadway, or online www.saratoga-springs.org under Civil Service, or email civilservice@saratoga-springs.org to request one sent.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —Kathryn Starbuck, a Saratoga Springs resident born in 1887, was an organizer and leader in the local suffrage movement throughout her life, delivering speeches,organizing events and galvanizing women across Saratoga County into the 20th century.
In 1914, Starbuck became one of the first women to graduate from Albany Law School. She would later work as a professor of law at Skidmore College, serve as president of the Saratoga Springs Board of Education and become the first chairperson of the Saratoga County League of Woman Voters, according to the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, who in 2022 erected a historical marker in front of the Fifth Avenue residence in Saratoga Springs where the leader in Saratoga County women’s suffrage events made her home.
On June 23, the Saratoga Springs Democratic Committee will host the Kathryn Starbuck Legacy Luncheon in memory and honor of Kathryn Starbuck.
Sasha Neha Ahuja, Campaign Director for New Yorkers for Equal Rights, will serve as principal speaker, and the 2024 Kathryn Starbuck Lifetime Achievement Award will be received Barbara Thomas, best known as a volunteer leader supporting the NY Equal Rights Amendment, League of Women Voters of Saratoga and NYS.
“The Starbuck Luncheon rises above politics to acknowledge our shared belief in equal rights for all.said Otis Maxwell, Chair of the SSDC. “Kathryn Starbuck’s life and legacy have inspired us for decades.”
Patricia Nugent, author, advocate, and chair of the Women’s Rights Awareness Campaign for Saratoga County LWV and member of the NY ERA Task Force, Robin Chappelle Golston, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Empire State Acts, and former Executive Deputy Secretary in Governor Kathy Hochul’s administration will also be recognized. Additionally, two students from Saratoga Springs High School will receive Kathryn Starbuck Future Leaders awards.
The event takes place from noon – 2 p.m. Sunday, June 23 at the Gideon Putnam Hotel in the Saratoga Spa State Park. Tickets are available at:https://secure.actblue.com/donate/starbuck2024.
STILLWATER —Saratoga National Historical continues its special events season in June with the following offerings:
Summer Equinox Natural History Walk – Thursday, June 20, 9 – 11 a.m. Meet at Visitor Center. Join Biological Technician Linda White for a walk through a lesser visited part of the park. Explore a field of ferns, native plants and pollinators, old growth trees, glacial activity, and talk about the families that called the area home. Meet at the Visitor Center and drive to Tour Stop 8.
Silent Wings: Raptor Rehab and Education – Saturday, June 22, 1 p.m. Visitor Center Patio. The Wildlife Institute of Eastern New York return to the park to present, “Silent Wings: Raptor Rehab and Education.” The program is designed for all ages to see live birds of prey up-close and to learn about their impressive adaptations and behaviors.
Who Messed Up? Unravelling British plans to crush America’s Revolution in 1777 – Sunday, June 30, 2 p.m. Visitor Center. The British had two major plans to crush the new United States in 1777 – one was to capture Philadelphia, and the other, Albany. The first succeeded brilliantly, while the other failed so spectacularly that it resulted in the surrender of the first British Army in world history. British politicians and generals pointed fingers and blamed each other for the spectacular surrender at Saratoga. So, who messed up? Was it King George? General Howe? General Burgoyne? You decide!
A complete listing of events is maintained at go.nps.gov/saraevents.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — This month, the city implemented new procedures designed to enhance security throughout City Hall.
Beginning with the City Council meeting on June 4, members of the public were subject to search and wanding prior to entering meetings, and a metal detection system sited on the building’s first floor, just outside council meeting chambers.
The change follows a Department of Public Safety review of security options and the recommendation of the city’s Insurance Carrier, NYMIR, to install a metal detection system prior to entering the City Council Meetings. At this time, the procedures will only be in place at City Council meetings.
Some of the specifics: all members of the public entering the City Council meetings will be subject to search and wanding, with all bags, packages, containers and property items subject to search. If any prohibited items are found on a person or in their belongings, they will not be allowed entry, according to the city.
Among prohibited items: firearms, alcohol, noxious materials (including Pepper Spray and Mace), edged weapons (these could be utility, pocket or Swiss army knives, and scissors), “nuisance” devices (such as bullhorns and whistles), stun guns, and a variety of other items deemed to be a security risk or disruptive to governmental activities, at the discretion of Saratoga Springs Police Department. Note, there will be no storage facilities at City Hall, such as lockers, to store any personal belongings.
The council is in general agreement that the first-level council chambers, with a maximum allowable capacity of 49, offers a superior locale for meetings, compared to the much larger capacity music hall on the third floor where occasional meetings have been staged in the past.
“We’re going to always try to meet in this room,” city Mayor John Safford said.
