GANSEVOORT — The following events are scheduled to take place at Moreau Lake State Park, located at 605 Old Saratoga Road, Gansevoort. 

Friday, April 18 – Radical Rabbits 11a.m. – Join a Nature Center educator for a presentation on rabbit diets, ranges, behaviors and more. Free and open to all ages. Please register in advance by calling 518-793-0511.

Saturday, April 19 – Phragmites Basket Weaving 10 a.m. – noon. Join our nature center employees in a tutorial on weaving your own mini baskets for Easter, May Day, or to use as a catch-all. Free and open to all ages. Please register in advance by calling 518-793-0511.

Sunday, April 20 – Nature Trail Walk 11 a.m. Join an educator on an easy short 1.5 mile walk around the back pond. We will be starting the hike down at the beach. Please be prepared for muddy trail conditions. This hike is not stroller friendly, but well-behaved dogs on a 6-ft. or shorter leash are welcome. Free and open to all ages. Please register in advance by calling 518-793-0511.

Monday, April 21- Stonewall Hike 10 a.m. This is a guided hike on a lesser-known moderate trail along the Hudson River with the added interest of logging history and old foundations. This 3.5-mile hike has some steeper parts. We will meet at the park office and will caravan to the trailhead about 20 minutes away. Please dress appropriately for muddy conditions. Hiking poles, gaiters and waterproof boots are recommended. Free and geared toward ages 13+. Please register in advance by calling 518-793-0511.

Upcoming: Wednesday, April 23 – Beginner Birding 8:30 a.m.; Saturday, April 27 Celebrating Earth Day-Hike at Lake Bonita at 9 a.m. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Dake Foundation for Children has announced six nonprofit organizations that have been selected as recipients of the most recent funding round for their Community Grant program. 

Founded by Gary Dake, President of Stewart’s Shops, the Foundation has provided grants to local children with disabilities since 2009 with a focus on inclusion, independence, and fun. In addition to the individual support the organization provides, the Community Grant program offers assistance to local 501c3 nonprofit organizations seeking to make their spaces or programming more accessible and inclusive.

Program recipients are: All Abilities Productions, Queensbury, NY – Funding will support inclusive youth theater programming; Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Southern Adirondacks, Glens Falls, NY – Funding will support individuals with disabilities participating in their Group Mentoring program; Breakthrough T1D, Albany, NY – Funding will support their Connections program, providing education and community for children and young adults navigating Type 1 diabetes; Double H Ranch, Lake Luzerne, NY – Funding will support their Adaptive Winter Sports program, providing safe skiing and snowboarding opportunities for children with disabling conditions; Epilepsy Foundation of Northeastern NY, Albany, NY – Funding will provide socialization and community support for children and young adults diagnosed with epilepsy; STRIDE Adaptive Sports, West Sand Lake, NY – Funding will support their Learn to Bowl program, allowing children with disabilities to participate in the sport safely with their peers. 

The Dake Foundation for Children funds grants by holding events open to the public throughout the year. The next event is “Boots & Bourbon,” and takes place on May 18 on the grounds of Saratoga Performing Arts Center. Sponsorships are currently being accepted, the funds from which will provide opportunities for local children with disabilities to enjoy more independence, inclusion, and fun.

 For more information, go to:  http://www.dakefoundation.org.

SCHUYLERVILLE — The New York State Department of Transportation will host a public open house on Wednesday April 23, to discuss plans to replace the U.S. Route 4 bridge over the Hudson River. The bridge connects the towns of Northumberland, Saratoga County and Greenwich, Washington County, with a new structure at the same location designed to enhance safety and mobility for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists. 

The open house will take place 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Champlain Canal Gateway Region Visitor Center, 30 Ferry St., Schuylerville. Attendees will have an opportunity to speak with NYSDOT Engineers and view plans, which include removing and replacing the bridge, and reconfiguring the intersection of Routes 4 and 32.

The bridge will be replaced with a new structure built to modern design standards with an expected lifespan of at least 75 years. Safety enhancements on the bridge include widening travel lanes from nine feet to 11 feet to facilitate the safe flow of traffic and adding five-foot shoulders in each direction to provide safer crossings for pedestrians and bicyclists. The project will also expand emergency access and enhance safety at the intersection by improving sight distance and adding turn lanes on Route 32.

The new structure will be built parallel to the existing bridge, which will remain open to traffic during construction, other than a brief period of transition to the new bridge, which will require a detour utilizing State Routes 32, 197 and 4. The project is expected to begin in 2028 and be completed in 2030.

Additionally, last week DOT announced the start of a $3.8 million project to replace the bridge carrying State Route 22 over White Creek in the Town of White Creek, Washington County. 

The project will enhance safety and improve mobility along an important travel route that provides access to the Adirondack Region and is a vital conduit for the flow of agricultural products from the area. 

State Route 22 is the longest north-south state route in New York, stretching along the eastern border from New York City to Clinton County, near the Canadian border. The project will replace the existing, 98-year-old structure that serves approximately 5,000 vehicles a day.

Saratoga Springs Police Department Chief Tyler McIntosh released the following statement regarding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities in the city April 15:  

We acknowledge the uncertainty and confusion pertaining to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities in the city, so I would like to offer some information in an effort to clarify today’s incident and the policies and practices of the Saratoga Springs Police Department.

On April 15, 2025 at 6:15 a.m., our police department communications center was contacted by ICE to notify us they were in the city conducting surveillance of a particular location. The ICE representative did not request assistance from our department and none was provided. 

At 7:57 a.m., our communications center was again contacted by ICE and notified that agents made an arrest of an individual on Broadway near Gardner Lane and that they were leaving the city. A review of city camera video confirmed that no members of the Saratoga Springs Police Department were present or involved in this arrest. 

The highest priority of the Saratoga Springs Police Department is to uphold the Constitutional rights of all individuals and to treat everyone we encounter with the utmost dignity and respect. Our mission is to serve and protect all residents and visitors of Saratoga Springs, regardless of their immigration status. 

We believe there should be no barriers for anyone who wishes to report a crime or to contact a police officer for any reason. Therefore, the Saratoga Springs Police Department does not require or encourage officers to investigate the immigration status of victims or witnesses. The reporting of a crime or cooperation with an investigation will not automatically lead to an immigration inquiry. 

Immigration enforcement is not a priority of the Saratoga Springs Police Department. SSPD members are not trained to enforce immigration laws under the federal program referred to as 287(g) certification nor do we plan to train our officers through this program. 

However, should a federal law enforcement agency request assistance from the SSPD, we will provide assistance consistent with our policies and procedures, as we would for any other law enforcement organization needing assistance within the city. Probable examples are assisting an agency with traffic control and officer safety concerns.

Again, it is important to emphasize that immigration violations are not a priority of the Saratoga Springs Police Department. As evidenced today, we remain committed to following our policies which are drafted based on the Constitution, legislation, case law, and established best practices. 

I recognize that immigration enforcement is a deeply complex and often sensitive topic that affects individuals, families, and communities in profound ways across the country. Our approach in SSPD is rooted in a commitment to equal enforcement of the law and serving and protecting all individuals in the City of Saratoga Springs with the utmost honor, integrity, and respect. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Shaken & Stirred is back for its 10th anniversary. The event brings together talented local business teams to step behind the bar to shake, stir, and serve up friendly competition and community spirit – in support of the Collaborative School of the Arts at Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs. 

The event invites attendees to support arts education by tipping their favorite bartending team. It begins at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 15, at Saratoga National Golf Course. 

Last year, the event raised more than $72,000. 

“This event isn’t just about great drinks and friendly competition – it’s about supporting the next generation of artists,” Teddy Foster, director of UPH said in a statement. “The funds raised go directly to the Collaborative School of the Arts, providing young performers, designers and technicians with the resources and training they need to grow and thrive in the arts.” 

The CSOA offers a wide range of educational opportunities across the Capital Region, including workshops, master classes and performance-based programs, helping students of all ages develop their artistic skills and build confidence in a supportive environment. Specifically, at UPH, CSOA brings Rock Camp to the Great Hall, giving young musicians the ultimate band experience, from rehearsals to a live performance. 

Admission to Shaken and Stirred: 10th Anniversary Edition is free, no cover charge. For more information, visit atuph.org or follow UPH on social media. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Secret Gardens kick-off Garden Party will take place on Thursday, May 8 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Sunnyside Gardens, 345 Church St.

This annual event – billed as a day to socialize and shop for Mother’s Day, and for yourself – is free and open to the public, featuring wine and nibbles courtesy of Sunnyside, raffle baskets, and live background music by Phil Drum. 

The party celebrates and supports Soroptimists of Saratoga County’s upcoming 30th Secret Gardens Tour, which will feature nine gardens in Saratoga Springs on Sunday, June 29. Tour tickets will be available for purchase in May.

Sunnyside donates to Soroptimists a portion of proceeds from sales, including gift cards, during the May 8 event.

Soroptimist International of Saratoga County, founded in 1979, is part of a more than 100-year-old global volunteer non-profit organization that strives to improve the lives of women and girls. Beneficiaries include Wellspring, the organization dedicated to preventing sexual abuse and assisting victims in Saratoga County; a program to develop confidence, leadership skills and open doors for local high school girls; and awards to women heads of household overcoming adversity and furthering their education. 

Visit www.soroptimistsaratoga.org for more information. Email questions to secretgardesninfo@gmail.com

HADLEY — Sweet Spring Fun will be celebrated with maple goodies for everyone at the 24th annual Maple in April Festival, Saturday, April 26, in Hadley.  

The outdoor, one day, family-fun festival begins with the Scholarship Breakfast featuring French Toast with real maple syrup at 7:30 a.m. 

Throughout the day e-food vendors will offer maple enhanced products, including maple cotton candy, maple cheesecakes, and maple popcorn. 

Events include the Lil’ sugar dust-off Car, Truck and antique Tractor Show, the horse drawn wagon ride through town to the craft and food vendors along Rockwell Street, bounce-houses, dance lessons and caricature portraits. 

For more information, go to: https://www.hadleynybusiness.org/.