WILTON — On Mondays – Aug. 14 and 28, at 10:30 a.m., Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park will be holding its bi-weekly Nature on the Move walks. 

These walks give participants an opportunity to get out on the trails with like-minded people. They are geared towards gentle exercise and the enjoyment of nature and are appropriate for adults at basic fitness levels. The group usually covers about 1.5 miles. Nature on the Move happens every other week, year-round.

Registration is required as space is limited. To register, visit wiltonpreserve.org to access the online registration form. For more information, contact the Wilton Wildlife office at 518-450-0321 or via email at info@wiltonpreserve.org.  

SARATOGA SPRINGS —  “What is the overall message of the bus?” Dr. Bob Hieronimus asked the crowd of a few dozen who had gathered at the Saratoga Automobile Museum Aug. 9 for a meet-and-greet. 

“We are one people. On one planet. And we’ve got to get ourselves back to the garden,” he said. 

Robert R. Hieronimus, Ph.D. – AKA “Dr. Bob” – artist, author, and radio host, hails from Baltimore where he has painted more than 40 symbolic murals and dozens of painted Artcars. 

In the late 1960s he traveled with several rock bands to share information about mysticism, and designed posters and album covers. His doctoral research on American symbolism has been used by the White House, State Department, and Department of the Interior, as well as being turned into popular books, Founding Fathers, Secret Societies and United Symbolism of America.

The “Light” Bus, renowned for its intricate symbolic artwork, holds a special place for music enthusiasts and history buffs as an emblem of the 1960s era, drawing a connection between music, culture, and automobiles. 

Dr. Bob was joined by Bob Grimm, as well as the bus itself, for the talk at the auto museum. Grimm was a member of the band “Light,” which the bus is named after, and made the pilgrimage to Woodstock in the Summer of 1969 where the story of the bus takes place.

SARATOGA SPRINGS   — A discussion of a unique historic train line – The Saratoga Limited – will be held 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17 at the Saratoga Springs History Museum.

See and hear about the Limited’s elegant coaches and parlor cars that were specially designed for the NYC-to-Saratoga service. Historian Richard Chait will discuss the facts on this piece of Saratoga and transportation history. 

This live program takes place in the parlor of the historic Canfield Casino. Admission is free for History Museum Members, and $10 for non-Members. For tickets and more details go online to  saratogahistory.org/events.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Paula Griffith, a resident of The Wesley Community’s Embury Apartments, celebrated her 109th birthday on Friday, July 28 with a party at the Embury Café. 

Griffith enjoyed lunch with family, friends and neighbors, and performed “Happy Birthday” on the Embury Café’s piano as part of the festivities. Saratoga Springs Mayor Ron Kim attended the celebration and read an official proclamation declaring her birthday as “Paula Griffith Day” in the City of Saratoga Springs.

Griffith has spent the last 11 years living independently at The Wesley Community’s Embury Apartments, a press release states.

“Paula is a truly remarkable person and an inspiration to our residents and staff,” said The Wesley Community CEO J. Brian Nealon in the release. “Her vibrant personality lights up the room and it’s a pleasure to ring in this milestone birthday with her and her family. We’re proud to help incredible people like Paula continue to lead active, independent lives.”

Griffith was born Paula Doris Hamilton in South Glens Falls on July 29, 1914, the release states. Valedictorian of her class and a gifted pianist and singer, Griffith performed for local dignitaries at Grant’s Cottage at a young age and was a member of the Glens Falls Theatre Company. She earned teaching and music degrees at Fredonia College in an era when few women pursued higher education.

She married Watcyn Griffith and raised two children, Vance and Nancy, in Cambridge while teaching piano lessons and serving as choir leader and organist at the Cambridge Baptist Church. Later in life, she worked as an assistant in the pathologist’s office at Mary McClellan Hospital.

Griffith divided her retirement years between Cambridge and Saratoga, the release states, enjoying time with her family, watching the New York Yankees, sewing, reading and baking.

“I’m happy to be here to celebrate with so many people,” said Griffith in the release. “All I can say is to take care of yourself and the rest will follow.”

SARATOGA SPRINGS — A project under consideration at the city’s Land Use Boards will see the demolition of a single-story building on Church Street to be replaced with a five-story building standing 61 feet tall that will house 23 condominium units and first-floor commercial space.

The existing brick structure at 78 Church St. currently houses the floor covering store Torrells Carpetland and was built between 1909 and 1926, according to the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation. SSPF last week sent a letter to the city to say it does not object to the building’s proposed demolition.   

The project applicant is SpringCity Development Group – a development arm of Bonacio Construction.

Palazzo Riggi Goes Up for Auction Next Month

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The 20,000-plus square foot mansion on North Broadway known as “Palazzo Riggi” will go up for auction on Sept. 8. The list price is $12 million, nearly $6 million less than the $17.9 million price when the 6-bedroom, 7-full and 6-half bath home first hit the market last September at $17.9 million.    

Owned by Michele Riggi, the mansion, built in 2003, includes two custom kitchens, four fireplaces, an elevator, home theater, personal fitness room with steam shower, and a bowling alley. There are 12 rooms in all regarding the Luxury Collection auction, as posted by listing agent Berkshire Hathaway Adirondack Premier Properties.