SARATOGA SPRINGS — The numbers are in: 865 young runners, 362 adult runners, 1,227 total participants (an all-time record), $104,000 raised this year, and more than $1 million raised in the event’s lifetime. It’s safe to say that the 17th edition of the Cantina Kids Fun Run, which supports pediatric emergency services at Saratoga Hospital, was a success.
“We are so proud to support Saratoga Hospital and to see the community come together in huge numbers for pediatric emergency services,” said event co-creator and co-chair Heath Ames. “The energy of the kids, all decked out in their neon shirts, is the best part of this event every year.”
The Cantina Kids Fun Run is an athletic event for kids age 12 and under held each year in Congress Park in downtown Saratoga Springs.
A map depicting the restricted air space over Saratoga (Created by Aidan Cahill)
It’ll be clear skies over the race track this Saturday. Not because of the weather but due to temporary flight restrictions imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The restrictions were announced Jun. 1 by the FAA in a Notice to Airman. The restrictions are in place during the Belmont on Broadway festival and the race itself and only affect aircraft flying 1,200 feet above the ground or lower.
During Belmont on Broadway, flight restrictions were imposed on two separate areas in Saratoga Springs. The first area covered was a half-mile radius surrounding the intersection of Broadway and Ellsworth Jones Pl. It was only during effect during the Belmont on Broadway.
The second area, meanwhile, is a half-mile radius from a point in center of the Saratoga Racecourse. This area will also go into effect from 12 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. on Jun. 6 and from 11 a.m. Jun. 7 to 3 a.m. Jun. 8.
According to Saratoga Springs Police, the restriction was requested by police out of an abundance of caution to prevent drones from interfering with the events. Police said this was the first time they had received the restricted airspace and there are no plans to request it for future races.
In a city council meeting on Jun. 3, Commissioner of Public Safety Tim Coll said commercial operators can get approval from the police and fire departments to fly their drones during the event. According to the FAA, of the over 1 million drones registered in the US, 420,825 are commercial drones.
A similar restriction was put in place surrounding Super Bowl LIX according to an FAA press release from January.
The 1,200 feet restriction is less than the height of the Empire State Building at 1,250 feet. It’s well below the cruising altitudes of common aircraft such as the Boeing 737 at around 35,000 feet and Cessna Skyhawk which can fly as high as 14,000 feet.
In addition to the restrictions of drone flight, Nelson Street from Wright St to Crescent Ave will be closed on Friday and Saturday starting at 6:30 p.m. and will reopen at about 8 p.m. The ride share pickup point has been moved from near Siro’s on Lincoln Ave. to East Ave. near Potato Chip Lane.
Omakase Gets Outdoor Seating and Other Updates From the Design Review Board
A rendering of the proposed condominium on the corner of Park and Cottage Street. The Design Review Board asked for more information before giving information on the matter.
A rendering of the proposed RISE complex on Finley Street as viewed from the road. This rendering was submitted to the Design Review Board by the architect. (Saratoga Springs Design Review Board)
Saratoga Spring’s streetscape continues to take shape as nine items went before the Design Review Board in their most recent meeting.
The meeting took place in the Saratoga Springs City Council room on May 27. The Design Review Board is one of three Saratoga Springs bodies tasked with approving building, demolition and renovations in Saratoga Springs. Its responsibility lays in ensuring new buildings fit the city aesthetically.
Three projects received approval with no further discussion from the board. The Omakase Sushi & Grill received board approval to set up a sidewalk café at its location on 30 Lake Avenue in Saratoga Springs. Other projects approved were a rooftop solar array on Lake Street and a standby generator on Oakland Drive.
Several projects received conditional approval to move forward. The first of these was the installation of a retractable sunshade on a condo at 19 Washington Street. The approval came under the condition that the building homeowner’s association declared their sunshade to be the precedent for any subsequent sunshades. The project was approved by the board 6-1.
The next project was the approval for the replacement of a shed and renovation of a house on Regent Street. The demolition of the existing shed was approved with the board voting 4-2 with one member recusing themself — assuming certain conditions were met.
Under the conditions of the approval, certain design elements such as the doors and windows, had to be salvaged and incorporated into the new garage. Meanwhile, the removal of a previously made addition to the property and renovations to the façade were approved unanimously by the board.
It was a similar story with the 30-301/2 Caroline Building Expansion. The project seeks to surround the old site of Sperry’s Restaurant with a five story multi-use complex. Up for discussion during the May 27th meeting was the step-back and offset from the road.
The board approved one of the options presented by the architect but required him to come back to face concerns regarding materials and window placement on the building. The motion passed on a vote of 5-2.
Other projects received positive feedback from the board but required more information before decisions could be made. The first of these was the proposed RISE affordable housing complex at 3/26 Finley Street. The board found the existing body shop on the premises — which the project intends on demolishing — had no historic significance. However, they held off voting pending further assessment of the project.
A map showing the locations of the projects considered by the Design Review Board. Green dots indicate projects that received approval with no further discussion, yellow dots indicate projects with conditional approval and red dots indicate projects that are still under consideration as of June 6. (Created by Aidan Cahill)
Problems emerged in how the complex would interact with the neighborhood surrounding it. Residents along Spa Drive and Livingston Street expressed concern over the size and scope of the building.
They argued that the three-story building would tower over the rest of the neighborhood and make it impossible to ignore. In addition, the residents worried that the reduction in tree cover would cause property values to drop by 10-20%, make the neighborhood unsightly and reduce the health of the trees that remained.
In response to resident concerns, the Design Review Board requested the architect come back with further models which showed how the building would interact with the surrounding neighborhood — primarily looking at sightlines and locations of houses in relation to the building.
Another project that needed more information was a proposed three-story condominium on Cottage Street. The Design Review Board was asked by the Planning Board to review the project and provide an advisory opinion on it. The board was given a full presentation by the architect on the building and the context it has within the neighborhood.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, residents expressed multiple concerns. While residents liked the design of the building, there was concern regarding its height and size. Several of them said that it didn’t match the character of the neighborhood, was too big and was too close to other residents.
Because of these concerns, the Design Review Board asked the architect to come back and provide a height study and multiple pedestrian perspectives on the building.
The final item considered was a modification to a property on Nelson Ave. The builder was looking to install ductless air conditioning on the exterior of a residence, however, the board asked for a redesign of the system given how much it impacted the historic façade of the building.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, — A class of 24 local leaders graduated recently from the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Saratoga program.
Directed by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, this award-winning program is dedicated to the development of leaders who will serve their communities today and in the future.
The first Leadership Saratoga class graduated in 1986, and the program has since assisted in training and educating more than 700 leaders in the Saratoga community.
This year’s graduating class was honored at a recent ceremony, where Leadership Saratoga Alum Clifford Van Wagner, class of 1988, and Todd Shimkus, president of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, shared their guidance and insight with the graduates.
The Class of 2025:
Matt Becker of Arrow Financial Corporation
Shawn Bennett of NBT Bank
Amanda Capozzi of CAPTAIN Community Human Services
Sophia Constantine of Roohan Realty
Lisamarie Dapper of Phinney Design Group
Julie Delay of Skidmore College
Jon Dorflinger of Light It Up Media
Victoria Furfaro of RISE Housing and Support Services
Collin Gibson of Pioneer
John Howard of Stewart’s Shops
Marianna Hutcheson of Courtyard by Marriott / BBL Hospitality
Meredith Jenkins of Joseph E. Mastrianni, Inc.
Stephanie Lamphere of Clean Green Hauling & Removal LLC
Alyssa Mastrianni of JPMorgan Chase Bank
Chris McDaniel of NuScale
Sergio Quiroz-Mejia of Saratoga Casino Hotel
Joseph Miller of Saratoga Casino Hotel
Natalie Moore of Saratoga Living
Daniel Nazzaro of AIM Services
Sarah Smith of The Children’s Museum at Saratoga
Philip Spiezio of Stewart’s Shops
Kally Straus of The Wesley Community
Celia Vincek of Adirondack Trust Company
Amanda Vitullo of National Grid
Each year, members of the Leadership Saratoga class work on projects intended to create impact in Saratoga County. The 2025 class helped the American Cancer Society – Northeast Region, Ballston Area Community Center, Pitney Meadows Community Farm, and the Wilton Fire District. Leadership Saratoga Class of 2025 graduates will present the details of these inspiring projects at the upcoming Leadership Saratoga Alumni Annual Breakfast on June 18.
The purpose of the Leadership Saratoga program is to inform and educate members of the community who want to ensure Saratoga County’s success by giving of their time, talents, energy and expertise. This is often in a volunteer capacity such as serving on a board of an impact sector organization, a board of education, a land use board or becoming an elected official.
“We are very proud of the Leadership Saratoga Class of 2025,” says Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce President Todd Shimkus. “These graduates are poised to become influential leaders who will make a lasting difference in the Saratoga County community for years ahead.”
Anyone interested in learning more about Leadership Saratoga or considering applying to be a member of the next class can visit www.LeadershipSaratoga.org for additional information.
The League of Women Voters of Saratoga County is announcing the first of four scheduled sessions, “Profiles in Courage”, in response to growing concerns over the federal government actions.
League of Women Voters of Saratoga County member, Patricia Nugent, will present “Deeds, Not Words” on Wednesday, June 11 at 7pm at the Saratoga Springs Public Library. This program will focus on how the militant suffragists of the early 1900s, under Alice Paul’s leadership, finally took women’s suffrage over the finish line after a 75-year battle.
The sessions are designed to showcase what our community can learn from the resilience and determination of past political movements and aims to encourage attendees to customize their own plan for supporting the democratic principles of justice and inclusion.
Patricia Nugent is the author of the play “The Stone that Started the Ripple” about a modern-day reunion of suffragists and edited the nonfiction anthology “Before They Were Our Mothers: Voices of Women Born Before Rosie Started Riveting.” She designs and teaches a course in feminist history and founded the Women’s Rights Awareness Campaign in Saratoga County, which was instrumental in passing the NYS Equal Rights Amendment.
Dan Berggren, a tradition-based songsmith and award-winning educator and musician, will provide topical musical inspiration. The event is cosponsored by the New York Civil Liberties Union and the Saratoga Public Library. Registration is required at https://www.sspl.org/event/.
The second session to be held June 25 at 7pm at SUNY Adirondack will focus on the Red Scare during the Cold War. Two additional sessions will be held in September. For more information, visit www.lwvsaratoga.org
The League of Women Voters of Saratoga County will moderate a “Meet the Candidates” forum in advance of the primary election for the office of Supervisor of the Town of Greenfield. The forum will be held Tuesday June 10 from 7-8:00 p.m. at the Greenfield Community Center. All are welcome to attend.
Please get the word out about this in-person and recorded event! The LWVSC will post the recording of the forum on our website, lwvsaratoga.org, and our voter guide, VOTE411.org.
The public is encouraged to submit questions for candidates to: Lwvscquestions@gmail.com no later than Sunday June 8th. Please put “Greenfield” in the subject line of your email.
Questions will be reviewed by an impartial group of League members based on relevance to the office and topic/redundancy.
No questions will be taken at the event itself.
Questions should be clear, concise and appropriate to the office being sought.
Questions must be directed to all the candidates seeking the office, not just to
one candidate.
Questions should reflect the issues of greatest interest to the entire community and cover a broad range of topics.
Questions must not include or imply personal attacks on any candidate.
Voters registered with the Republican Party may vote in the election on Tuesday June 24. Early voting begins on June 14th.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — The Saratoga Lake Association (SLA) is calling on all municipalities within the Saratoga Lake watershed to adopt urgent measures to reduce road salt use, following the release of a new study that documents patterns of chloride pollution that could threaten the lake’s long-term health.
Conducted by a team of Environmental Science seniors and Faculty at Skidmore College and sponsored by the SLA, the comprehensive study of watershed-scale salinity patterns found that road salt runoff—primarily from urban areas such as Saratoga Springs and Malta—is significantly elevating chloride concentrations in tributaries feeding Saratoga Lake. The Saratoga Springs storm sewer outflow can exceed 4,000 parts per million (ppm) of chloride, while conductivity readings more than 10,000 µS/cm were recorded, indicating levels known to be toxic to aquatic life.
“This is a wake-up call,” said John Cashin, SLA Board Member. “The scientific evidence is now unequivocal: road salt is polluting our lake. Municipal leaders must act now to protect the health of our watershed.”
The study further revealed that there was an expected positive relationship between the amount of development in the watershed and both chloride and conductivity levels. Tributaries such as Spring Run and Geyser Creek—both flowing from the heart of Saratoga Springs and corresponding with the areas of highest road density—were identified as major contributors of salt pollution entering the lake.
SLA provided funding for ten state-of-the-art conductivity sensors that enabled continuous monitoring throughout the winter of 2024–2025. The study’s findings reinforce growing concerns across New York State about the ecological toll of winter deicing practices. Though Saratoga Lake has historically been considered a recreational and ecological gem, the data now show meaningful interventions, like those recommended by the Adirondack Road Salt Reduction Taskforce, should be considered by the municipalities in the Saratoga Lake Watershed.
Public sentiment appears to be ahead of policy. A community survey conducted alongside the study found that 94% of respondents support the use of alternative snow and ice removal methods, provided safety is maintained. “Residents are ready for change—they understand the stakes,” said Cashin. “What’s needed now is municipal leadership.”
The SLA is urging local governments to:
• Implement best practices in salt application, including calibrating equipment and using brine pre-treatment.
• Apply for DOT Grants for funding of road salt reduction initiatives.
• Reduce overall salt use in sensitive watershed areas.
• Increase public education around the environmental consequences of road salt.
• Partner with SLA and other stakeholders to expand monitoring and promote coordinated watershed management.
“We commend the Skidmore students for their rigorous, timely research and are proud to have supported their efforts,” Dr. James DeMasi the SLA President said. “Their work gives us the data—and the mandate—to move forward.”
The Saratoga Lake Association encourages all residents to read the full study and join in advocating for environmentally responsible winter maintenance practices. The future of Saratoga Lake depends on the collective action of our communities today.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The highly anticipated Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, taking place for the second year at the historic Saratoga Race Course, begins on Wednesday, June 4 and concludes on Sunday, June 8. The festival will include 27 stakes races with purses totaling $11,275,000, the richest purses and highest number of stakes offered since the launch of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival in 2014. To celebrate the festival, Saratoga Springs is hosting a variety of events throughout the week.
Tuesday, June 3
Embrace the Belmont II (5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.) brings the community together to learn basic handicapping and explore the 2025 Belmont Stakes field. The event is designed to help local business owners, professionals, and residents deepen their understanding of horse racing. Last year’s event at the National Museum of Racing sold out, so this year, Embrace the Belmont II is moving to a larger venue: the Universal Preservation Hall. The emcee is Donna Brothers, an NBC Sports analyst who just covered the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes.
Wednesday, June 4
Belmont on Broadway, a free concert on Broadway in downtown Saratoga Springs, is slated for June 4, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., with performances by Gin Blossoms and Uprooted. Broadway will be closed from Van Dam to City Hall most likely all day Wednesday starting early in the morning to install the stage.
The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame’s latest exhibits, “A Look Through the Eyes and Life of Charlotte C. Weber” and “Greg Montgomery: 40 Years of the Travers Poster,” will open to the public. In the Museum’s McBean Gallery, “A Look Through the Eyes and Life of Charlotte C. Weber” chronicles the legacy of Charlotte Weber, who established Live Oak Stud in Ocala, Florida. The exhibit also explores her passion for art, philanthropy, and business, as well her roles as a leader and trailblazer in various disciplines. The Museum’s von Stade Gallery will host “Greg Montgomery: 40 Years of the Travers Poster,” one of racing’s most iconic series of artwork. Montgomery began producing annual posters for Saratoga Race Course’s Travers Stakes in 1986.
Bradley Chance Hays Live Painting at the Spa Fine Art Gallery is a special live painting event featuring celebrated Western artist Bradley Chance Hays occurring from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. Chance will be in the gallery creating original work in real time—offering a rare glimpse into his expressive, high-energy process. Known for his bold depictions of horses and the American West, Hays brings a contemporary edge to a classic subject matter. The event is free and open to the public—stop by, meet the artist, and experience the creative spirit that kicks off Belmont Week.
Thursday, June 5
The Belmont Gala at the Canfield Casino will feature fine dining, live music, and a celebration of sportsmanship beginning at 7 p.m. The event will recognize the connections of 2024 Belmont Stakes winner Dornoch: owners Belmar Racing and Breeding LLC, Pine Racing Stables, R. A. Hill Stable, Two Eight Racing LLC, West Paces Racing LLC, trainer Danny Gargan, and jockey Luis Saez. Tickets can be purchased here: racingmuseum.org/events/belmont-gala.
Sports Illustrated’s Revel at the Races comes to the Belmont Stakes for the first time. In partnership with The New York Racing Association (NYRA), this event will be headlined by G-Eazy and take place at The Night Owl in downtown Saratoga beginning at 7 p.m. The event offers a high-energy night of live music, premium hospitality, and immersive brand activations that bring fans closer to the sports moments they love. Tickets are available at BelmontStakes.com/Revel.
Farm Brewery Tour & Tasting at Dancing Grain Brewery from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. includes a stroll through the scenic fields of Dancing Grain on a guided farm and brewery tour, a curated tasting of craft beers, and a farm-fresh lunch prepared by 9 Miles East. For more information, visit https://dancinggrain.com/.
Friday, June 6
Belmont Bites and Brews (6 p.m. to 8 p.m.) will be an open house event at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame featuring food trucks, local brews, and more. The event is free to attend. Participating vendors include Slidin’ Dirty, Screaming Eagle, Ted’s Fish Fry, and 80K Catering. New Scotland Spirits will also be on hand for a whiskey tasting.
“Famous Fillies” Preview Reception featuring Lisa Palombo at the Spa Fine Art Gallery from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The exhibition celebrates the most legendary female racehorses in history. Inspired by the 50th anniversary of the great Ruffian, this collection honors the spirit and power of champions like Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra—fillies who redefined excellence on the track. This event is open to the public and reservations are optional.
Horse of a Different Color: A Belmont Special with Live Music at Saratoga Paint N Sip celebrates the opening of the 2025 Saratoga Race Track and the Belmont Stakes with a colorful horse. No painting experience necessary. For more information, visit www.paintandsipstudios.com/.
Behind-the-scenes walking tour of the Saratoga Race Course at 9:30 a.m. offers a rare opportunity to explore the oldest and one of the most iconic sporting venues in the United States. Led by the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation’s Executive Director Samantha Bosshart, this special walking tour will take participants through both the public and lesser-known sides of the Saratoga Race Course. Highlights include iconic locations such as the Grandstand and Clubhouse, including the Oklahoma Training Track, as well as areas not usually open to the public—the original 1847 Race Course, and Horse Haven. Tours begin at the Whitney Viewing Stand at the Oklahoma Training Track. Reservations are required and space is limited. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.saratogapreservation.org or call (518) 587-5030.
Grand, Gilded and Glorious: A Saratoga Stroll from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. is a 90-minute guided walking tour designed to entertain and enlighten both visitors and residents with the famed stories of the Spa City. Saratoga Springs was the playground of the rich and famous during the 1800’s and provides the stories of this gilded period of history. For more information, visit www.discoversaratoga.org/saratoga-springs-visitor-center/.
Saturday, June 7
The Belmont Stakes Saturday Morning Social (9 a.m. to 11 a.m.) at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame will feature complimentary coffee and doughnuts (courtesy of Stewart’s Shops) and complimentary Saratoga Water. Admission to the Museum is free from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday Morning Social programming will include a special Belmont Stakes handicapping seminar with Mike Beer from Daily Racing Form at 10 a.m. Artist Greg Montgomery will also be on hand to sign copies of his 2025 Belmont Stakes and Travers Stakes posters (available for purchase).
Grand, Gilded and Glorious: A Saratoga Stroll from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. is a 90-minute guided walking tour designed to entertain and enlighten both visitors and residents with the famed stories of the Spa City. Saratoga Springs was the playground of the rich and famous during the 1800’s and provides the stories of this gilded period of history. For more information, visit www.discoversaratoga.org/saratoga-springs-visitor-center/.
Sunday, June 8
The Belmont Family Fun Fest (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame will include games, food, animals, and more in a vibrant open house setting. Highlights will include a bounce house and slides; complimentary ice cream, popcorn, and cotton candy; a hammer strike game with prizes; magical feats from the spectacular Mr. Twisty (at 11 a.m.); a towering rock-climbing wall; a menagerie of animals; a face painting station; and a bird show from the Silent Wings Raptor Rescue. The event is open to all ages and is free to attend.
Behind-the-scenes walking tour of the Saratoga Race Course at 9:30 a.m. offers a rare opportunity to explore the oldest and one of the most iconic sporting venues in the United States. Led by the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation’s Executive Director Samantha Bosshart, this special walking tour will take participants through both the public and lesser-known sides of the Saratoga Race Course. Highlights include iconic locations such as the Grandstand and Clubhouse, including the Oklahoma Training Track, as well as areas not usually open to the public—the original 1847 Race Course, and Horse Haven. Tours begin at the Whitney Viewing Stand at the Oklahoma Training Track. Reservations are required and space is limited. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.saratogapreservation.org or call (518) 587-5030.
Some additional Belmont Stakes Racing Festival items of interest:
• The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame satellite facility at the Saratoga Race Course’s Walk of Fame will be open daily during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily.
• The Past is Present, a mural by artist Celeste Susany in celebration of 75 years of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, will be complete and accessible for viewing on the Museum exterior on Ludlow Street.
• Contemporary Equine Art Display and Box Draw Art Sale (Monday, June 2 through Wednesday, June 4): In the spirit of the Belmont Stakes, the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame is hosting a display of original contemporary art created by five renowned equine artists: Robert Clark, Lisa Palombo, Jocelyn Russell, Steve Skipper, and Celeste Susany. Visit the Museum June 2 through June 4 to enter your intent to purchase one of these unique pieces. Proceeds from each piece of artwork are shared with the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame and the artist.
BALLSTON SPA — The Saratoga County Career Center in conjunction with the Greater Capital Region Career Centers will hold the following free virtual career workshops during the month of June:
June 4 at 10 a.m. and June 5 at 10:30 a.m.: Resume Development – This workshop presents the basics of a powerful and effective cover letter including formatting, tailoring it to match the job and getting through the online application process to land an interview. Please have a rough draft of your resume with you. Facilitated by Rensselaer & Columbia-Greene and Schenectady.
June 5 at 11 a.m. and June 18 at 1:30 p.m.: Transferable Skills – Transferable skills are qualities you have already acquired which can be used in a different job. Make it easy for employers to see the connection between your qualities and the skillset needed to do the job and market yourself as the solution to an employer’s problem. Learn ways to research the employer’s needs then identify and show them that you have these skills. Facilitated by Warren and Schenectady.
June 9 at 12 p.m.: Broadview Financial Well-Being – Your budget is a key that opens doors, guiding you to your money goals. Get ready to take control of your finances and your future! Find out how to organize what you make, spend, and save; set goals to save up, spend down, look ahead; harness the power of mindful spending; and identify budget tactics that work best for you. Facilitated by Broadview and Schenectady.
June 10 at 10:30 a.m.: Interview Preparation – Learn how to articulate your strengths, what questions to expect, how to address difficult topics, and ace the interviewing process. Facilitated by Schenectady.
June 11 at 10 a.m. and June 24 at 1:30 p.m.: Goal Setting – Goals are what take us forward in life. They are the first step in every journey we take. In this workshop we will explain how goal setting works, why goals are important, and take home more helpful resources to get you started. Remember: “if you aim for nothing, you’ll hit it every time.” Find out how to reach your dreams. Facilitated by Washington and Albany.
June 11 at 10:30 a.m.: Civil Service – Join us for a workshop on navigating the civil service system in local governments! This session will cover essential steps to secure a civil service job, focusing on the hiring process. Participants will learn about competitive examinations and local government positions and how to prepare for them. Facilitated by Schenectady.
June 17 at 10:30AM and June 18 at 11AM: Completing Job Applications – Statistics show approximately 50% of mid-sized companies and almost all large corporations use an applicant tracking system to screen candidates for job opportunities. Learn how to prepare your online application to get the most visibility from hiring managers. Facilitated by Schenectady. Facilitated by Warren and Washington.
June 20 at 10:30AM and June 25 at 10:30 a.m.: Networking – Networking is your strategic tool for cultivating lasting relationships, fostering professional growth, and unlocking opportunities. Join us for an approachable journey to understanding networking. Facilitated by Warren and Albany. Facilitated by Schenectady.
June 24 at 11 a.m.: Overcoming Barriers – Join an informal discussion about how to overcome potential stumbling blocks to finding a job. Whether you’re facing transportation needs, childcare needs, prior justice system involvement, inexperience, health concerns or more, this workshop will provide you with resources and strategies to help you meet your goals. Facilitated by Fulton-Montgomery-Schoharie.
June 26 at 1:30 p.m.: Social Media – Your social media presence can make or break your ability to find a job. Learn how to use social media to your advantage in searching for a job and marketing yourself to land the job or career you’ve always wanted. Facilitated by Schenectady.
Registration is required for all workshops. Visit www.saratogacountyny.gov/workforce to register or call the Saratoga County Career Center at (518) 884-4170 for more information. The workshops are offered as part of the Saratoga County Career Center’s WorkPays! workforce education campaign.
Saratoga Springs — The Wesley Community is celebrating one of its own after LeadingAge New York bestowed its highest honor on Wesley CEO J. Brian Nealon at a conference on Tuesday, May 20 at the Saratoga Springs City Center.
Nealon’s four-decade-long career at The Wesley Community began in 1985 when he assumed the role of Chief Financial Officer. In 2003, he was appointed to Chief Executive Officer and has continued at the helm of the continuum-of-care campus since that time. Nealon was enthusiastically nominated by staff and peers for the prestigious 2025 LeadingAge New York award.
The Lawrence E. Larson Memorial Award of Honor is a tribute to the late Lawrence E. Larson, the association’s first chairman, for his distinguished service, dedication and foresight in aging services. The annual award is given to a member who has made outstanding contributions to the field and is a recognized leader at the state and national level, with a reputation for humanitarian achievement and professional vision.
“I am absolutely humbled to be the recipient of this deeply meaningful award. To be recognized this way by colleagues, friends, staff and family members of Wesley residents is truly a highlight of my career,” Nealon said. “Lawrence Larson’s enduring legacy has been an inspiration to all of us who are privileged to do this work. I will be forever grateful for this special honor.”
Nealon, a native of Latham, NY, received an accounting degree from UAlbany in 1977. He initially worked as a Medicaid auditor examining the books of nursing homes. His career path led him to Teresian House, a nursing home in Albany, where he worked for six years prior to his arrival at Wesley in 1985.
LeadingAge New York is a member of the eponymous national association comprising 5,600 non-profit organizations dedicated to advancing policies and conducting research that supports, enables and empowers people to live fully as they age. It annually recognizes the extraordinary dedication and contributions of its members at different levels of leadership and service in the field of long-term health care.
“There is no one who more embodies personal leadership and commitment to the field of long- term care than Mr. Nealon. Not only has he successfully led The Wesley Community for over 40 years, he has done so through tumultuous times, times of uncertainty in the field, times of overwhelming challenges that would have defeated a lesser person,” said Christopher R. Lyons, Chief Executive Officer of Aim Services, Inc. “The Wesley Community would not be the leader in long-term care that it is in our community without Brian… Great Leaders are authentic, they walk with a clarity of purpose and character that is genuine; that’s Brian Nealon. I am honored to be his colleague and blessed to be his friend.”
“Brian speaks from the heart when speaking to the staff, and he means it. When talking, he makes it so we all understand what he is speaking about, and sometimes the conversations are not easy, but Brian does it with compassion and grace. It opens up the conversation so anyone feels they can ask a question. Not all CEOs can manage that. Brian does this every single time,” said Patricia Seber, Director of Independent Living, Woodlawn Commons at The Wesley Community.
“Brian’s leadership is characterized by a rare combination of vision, empathy and action. He is a tireless advocate for our residents, ensuring their well-being and dignity are always prioritized. He also fosters a positive and supportive work environment where every staff member feels valued and respected,” said Meghan Glowa, Director of Human Resources, The Wesley Community.
For more information about The Wesley Community visit www.thewesleycommunity.org/.
