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Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park’s 2024 Annual Earth Day Essay Contest Winners – Event June 2

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

WILTON—Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park announced this year’s Annual Earth Day Essay Contest winners, in a contest that promotes increased environmental consciousness, community participation, and protection of the planet worldwide. 

Over 150 entries were received from schools in the region. There will be a ceremony for the winners at the Annual Wildlife Festival at noon on Sunday, June 2, when contest winners from each of the categories will receive their $50 cash prize. 

Upper Elementary School winner Owen Rogan, of Lake Avenue Elementary School, Grade 5, wrote, in part: “Every year, eight million metric tons of plastic waste enters our oceans. We, as a group, need to put a stop to this. Animals are dying because of all the waste entering the oceans and getting dumped or lost in the wilderness. By 2050, there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean. Even though plastic has been particularly useful to humankind, we need to find a better alternative for plastic, fast…” 

Additional winning essays were submitted by: Rory Boggan, Ballard Rd Elementary School, Grade 2; Prateek Chinni, Menands UFSD, Grade 7, and Cameron Stockwell, Homeschool, Grade 10. 

The mission of Wilton Wildlife includes environmental education as a priority, and Earth Day is the perfect opportunity to engage youth in important environmental conversations. The Earth Day Essay Contest was initiated to give school-aged children a chance to research and engage in climate issues and actively seek out solutions to protect the future resources of this planet and to bring their thoughts and solutions to the climate crisis. 

For more information, call the Wilton Wildlife office at 518-450-0321 or email info@wiltonpreserve.org, or visit the Wilton Wildlife website at wiltonpreserve.org. 

Greenfield Appoints New Historian

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

GREENFIELD – The Town of Greenfield has appointed resident Duane Cornell to the position of historian. 

The part-time position of historian includes the role of interpreting the past, teaching and writing about history, advocating for historic preservation and helping promote historic anniversaries. The role had been held for the past ten years by Ron Feulner, who died earlier this year.

Cornell held numerous positions at Curtis Lumber for 27 years until he retired in 2023. He is a past member of the Greenfield Fire Department, serving as lieutenant and captain.

Cornell is a fifth-generation resident of Greenfield. He said his love of history was born in the historic home he was raised in on Old Stone Church Road. The home and his family trace back to the 1800s in Greenfield. After many years in Saratoga, Luzerne and Corinth, he returned to his hometown five years ago purchasing property in Porter Corners.

The Town of Greenfield is home to 8,200 residents in Greenfield, Porter Corners, Middle Grove, Lake Desolation and Maple Ave. It spans more than 41,000 acres of land bordering the Adirondacks and is the largest town in Saratoga County, by square mile. 

Saratoga Springs Rotary Awards Jean Fei Senior Citizen of the Year

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —The Rotary Club selected Jean Fei as its Senior Citizen of the Year, and awarded $1,000 to her charity of choice – Seven Dancers Coalition. 

Fei’s involvement in the community has included programs with organizations SEAD, Saratogians for Equality and Acceptance of Diversity, Annual Diversity Day Celebration for Saratoga, Respecting Difference Writing Contest for 8th and 9th Grade Students, Saratoga Day of Giving Thanks Celebration, Terrace Kids in Action, and others. 

At age 17, Fei moved to Saratoga to attend Skidmore College, and her earliest jobs included waitressing at Caffe Lena’s when Lena Spencer was in charge. 

“I lived in Seattle, Washington where I was born, and grew up in Beirut, Lebanon, Dhaka, Bangladesh, Paris, France, Monrovia Liberia, Madison, Wisconsin and Chevy Chase, Maryland,” Fei said, in a statement. “I settled here and have never left.”

Saratoga Springs Rotary Members and Fei’s friends and family gathered earlier this month at The Wishing Well Restaurant to honor Fei as Rotary’s 2024 Senior Citizen of the Year.

Suburban Propane Collaborates with Operation Adopt A Soldier in Saratoga to Provide More than 500 Care Packages for Troops

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Featured, News.

Representatives from Suburban Propane’s Fort Edward, location assembled care packages at Operation Adopt A Soldier in Saratoga. Photo provided.

WHIPPANY, NEW JERSEY — More than 500 care packages were assembled for local troops serving overseas. The event involved a collaboration between Suburban Propane Partners and Operation Adopt A Soldier and included letters written by Suburban Propane employees from across the region, snacks, games, and other necessities that will serve as a reminder of home and a symbol of gratitude for their service. 

“Operation Adopt A Soldier is an all-volunteer, not for profit 501c3 organization with a goal to raise and maintain awareness to the American people of the day to day sacrifices our military men and women and their families make to protect our freedoms,” Cliff Seguin, Founder and Chairman, Operation Adopt A Soldier, said in a statement.  “In 2023, we mailed over 6,300 boxes to our troops and are so grateful to Suburban Propane for their support so that we can be as successful this year.”

 

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Operation Adopt A Soldier, Inc. was founded in 2003 by Cliff Seguin and Dominick Commisso at the Mt. McGregor Correctional Facility in Wilton. 

“As a veteran employer, Suburban Propane is honored to join Operation Adopt A Soldier in their mission to support our troops, who selflessly serve this country every day to protect our freedoms,” said Nandini Sankara, of Suburban Propane. 

The company is a nationwide distributor of propane, renewable propane, renewable natural gas, fuel oil and related products and services, as well as a marketer of natural gas and electricity and investor in low carbon fuel alternatives. 

Greenfield Girl Scout Saves Toddler From Drowning, Awarded Medals

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in News.

GREENFIELD — 12-year-old Amelia Juracka, a camper at Hidden Lake Girl Scout Camp, knew something was wrong when her two-year-old cousin wandered into the deep end of a swimming pool. Thanks to her water safety training, Juracka sprang into action and pulled her little cousin out of the water. 

For her heroics, Juracka became one of only 27 girl scouts nationwide to receive the Girl Scout Medal of Honor. Last week, she was also awarded the New York State Senate Liberty Medal, the Senate’s highest honor. Juracka is one of the youngest people in state history to receive the award.

“I am proud to present the Senate’s highest honor, the Liberty Medal, to Amelia for truly exemplifying the spirit of heroism and compassion and the best of New York,” said Senator Tedisco in a statement.

Tedisco presented Juracka with the award at the Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York office in Queensbury.

May 24-31 At Moreau Lake State Park

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

 

MOREAU — Moreau Lake State Park located at 605 Old Saratoga Road, Gansevoort. Phone: 518-793-0511

Fridays, May 24, 31 @ 9:30am Wiggly Wanderers. 

Wiggly Wanderers is a casual and fun 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. This event does not have sign ups, please come if you can.  We meet at the nature center parking lot. $1 per child. For any questions call 518-793-0511.

Saturday, May 25 Earth Friendly Camping 11 am – 2pm.

Drop in to learn tips and tricks to stay ethical in the outdoors. We will teach you how to pre-plan for a more environmentally friendly camping trip! This program is free and does not require registration, but you can call for any questions at 518-793-0511. 

Sunday May 26 Beginner Bird Walk 8:30am.

Calling all beginner birders. Join us on a guided hike to search for birds! Feel free to bring binoculars. The hike will be a start and stop walk for less than two miles. Class fees waved with food donations. Please Reserve your spot at 518-793-0511. 

Sunday, May 26 Reptile Profile 11am.

Join an educator in the nature center to meet our resident reptiles! We at Moreau take care of six New York native turtles and two snakes that cannot be released into the wild and are wonderful little educators. Learn about their exciting lives, what they like to eat, and what they use for shell-ter at the Nature Center. This program is for all ages. The cost is $5 for adults, $1 for children (cash or check) at the office upon arrival. Please register at least 24 hours in advance at 518-793-0511. 

Tuesday May 28 Beginner Bird Walk 8:30am.

Calling all beginner birders. Join us on a guided hike to search for birds! Feel free to bring binoculars. The hike will be a start and stop walk for less than two miles. Class fees waved with food donations. Please Reserve your spot at 518-793-0511.

Tuesday, May 28 Beaver Hike 10:00 pm. 

Did you know that MLSP is home to a thriving population of North America’s largest rodent? We will walk along the Wetlands Walk trail where we can view our beaver’s dam and lodges while we learn all about how they live, love, and learn. This program is for people of all ages, it’s an easy-moderate hike. Pay $1 per child and $5 per adult (cash or check) at the office upon arrival. Please register in advance by calling 518-793-0511. 

Wednesday, May 29 1pm Porcupine Adventure.

The park educator will be leading this moderate hike up to a lesser known trail in the park and showing you some areas that the porcupines like to hang out.  Porcupines are cool creatures who love to take naps and we will be searching high and low to spot a porkie having a sunny naps.  This program is $5 for adults and $1 for children, spots are limited. Please call to reserve your spot 518-793-0511. 

Public Event May 29 to Celebrate New Exhibits, Extensive Upgrades to Battlefield Tour Road

Written by Kelly Schoonbeck on . Posted in News.

STILLWATER — One of the most historic landscapes in the country has recently seen the completion of the $6 million Battlefield Tour Road Improvement Project.

The large-scale construction project in Saratoga National Historical Park, funded by the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) Legacy Restoration Fund, focused on making upgrades and increasing accessibility of parking areas, trailheads, walkways, seating, signage, exhibits and viewing areas along the popular 10-mile-long route.

A celebration to mark the project’s completion will take place at Tour Stop 2 (Neilson’s Farm) at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 29. 

The public is invited to join partners, people and stakeholders who made this project possible. The ceremony will be followed by opportunities to explore the battlefield and speak with park staff at Tour Stop 2, Tour Stop 6 (Freeman’s Farm) and Tour Stop 10 (Return to Saratoga).

 As the country approaches the upcoming 250th anniversary commemorations of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026 and of the Battles of Saratoga in 2027, the improvements will provide visitors with a better understanding of the battles and their vital role in securing American independence. Prior to the project, the Tour Road and its 10 tour stops, which are the primary way that most people visit the historic battlefield grounds, had been largely unchanged for nearly 50 years. 

Autonomous Regions Meeting

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

 

While splitting the State of New York into separate states is preferable, autonomous regions should be easier to achieve. By forming Regions, not a new state, or moving counties between states, Congress can be legally bypassed.

Tue May 28, 2024 at 6:30PM in Malta NY at The Ripe Tomato an American Grill, 2721 US Rte 9, Ballston Spa, NY 12020. Ask for Divide NYS Group

Animal Protective Foundation to Hold 3rd Annual WOOFSTOCK June 2

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

GLENVILLE — The Animal Protective Foundation (APF) announced the return of the Woofstock Music Festival to the Mohawk Harbor Amphitheater in Schenectady on Sunday, June 2. 

All proceeds of all-day pet-friendly music festival will go towards the APF’s ongoing mission to provide medical care, housing, food, and lifesaving support for companion animals in need.

The day kicks off at 9 a.m. with an optional 5K run/Walk-a-thon (includes free admission to Woofstock), followed by live music at 11 a.m. with local favorites 20 Ninety Six (2096) and the Donna Tritico Band. 

Over 40 vendors will also be on-site with pet-friendly and focused shopping, food and drink.

To purchase Woofstock Music Festival tickets, and/or to register for the 5K Run/Walk-a-Thon, go to: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/animalprotectivefoundation/event/2024woofstockmusicfestival/. 

Early bird pricing is available now with tickets t $20 for adults, $10 for children, and free for kids under 5 and pets (of course!). 

The Animal Protective Foundation – www.animalprotective.org – is a private nonprofit 501(c)(3) full-service humane society providing services to Schenectady County and the greater Capital Region.