SARATOGA SPRINGS — At its July 15 meeting, the Saratoga Springs Democratic Committee considered – but rejected – a motion to rescind its endorsement of Public Safety Commissioner James Montagnino for re-election.
The committee instead voted to issue a Letter of Concern over actions that have “caused unnecessary ill will,” said city Democratic Committee chairperson Otis Maxwell. “These are real concerns, and we hope the Commissioner takes them to heart. We had a frank discussion and listened to the serious issues our members had raised, then we took a vote. The result is an example of democracy at work, and I think our committee is stronger and more united after going through this debate.”
The Letter of Concern sent to Montagnino specifically cited “the aggressive way you have handled confrontations with members of Black Lives Matter in Saratoga Springs and with other members of the City Council,” in causing “unnecessary ill will” and running counter to SSDC’s mission of promoting “open and inclusive governance,” according to the Democratic Committee’s letter.
LAKE GEORGE — Step back in time to celebrate Wiawaka Center for Women’s 120th year with the “History of Fashion Show.”
Re-enactors portraying Wiawaka founders Katrina Trask (1853-1922) and Mary Fuller (1862-1943) will welcome guests from 2 to 4 p.m. July 23 to celebrate the evolution of women’s fashions from the philanthropists’ era.
Spend the afternoon at the newly renovated Fort William Henry Carriage House, mingling with actresses portraying Trask, Fuller, iconic artist Georgia O’Keeffe (1887-1986), intrepid journalist Nellie Bly (1864-1922), abolitionist Harriet Tubman (1822-1913), education activist Emma Willard (1787-1870) and several of their peers — all dressed in the fashion of their time.
Victorian jewelry will be available for purchase, with 10 percent of proceeds benefiting Wiawaka. Wiawaka Center for Women is located at 3778 Route 9L.
Tickets — which are $65 and include a luncheon of light sandwiches, scones, sweets and iced tea, lemonade, and a special signature drink. Tickets are available at wiawaka.org or by calling 518-668-9690. For more information, contact Executive Director Doreen Kelly at wiawakadirector@gmail.com.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Casino Hotel is teaming up with the American Red Cross to host a blood drive 12 to 6 p.m. on Monday, July 24 inside the hotel ballroom.
Schedule an appointment to give blood by using the Red Cross Blood Donor app, visiting RedCrossBlood.org and enter sponsor code SARATOACASINO, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — A 90-minute guided walking tour, designed to entertain and enlighten both visitors and residents alike, takes place Tuesday through Saturdays, from 10:30 a.m. – noon.
The tour will guide participants from the Saratoga Springs Visitor Center to Congress Park and will conclude with a complete tour of the Canfield Casino, and includes stories of the Spa City’s gilded period of the 1800’s when it served as the playground of the rich and famous.
Cost is $20 per person. For reservations, call the Saratoga Heritage Area Visitor Center at: 518-587-3241.
The tours will run til October and run rain or shine. Tours begin on Broadway at the Saratoga Heritage Area Visitor Center, 297 Broadway, and ends with a visit inside the Canfield Casino.
BALLSTON SPA — The Saratoga County Board of Supervisors on July 18 held their monthly meeting at the county complex in Ballston Spa.
The meeting began with an observed moment of silence in memory of longtime town of Saratoga Supervisor Tom Wood, who died on July 10. Ian Murray, previously deputy supervisor, was welcomed by the Board to complete Wood’s term as town supervisor.
Among the resolutions approved by the Board:
• The Board approved the acceptance of nearly $700,000 in grant funding from the State Department of Health to upgrade the county’s public health care system over a five-year period.
The grant in the amount of $136,944 per year, is effective Dec. 1, 2022, through Nov. 30, 2027 and totals $684,720 in all, to “create a stronger, more resilient public health care system that is prepared to respond to future health care crises.”
The funding, according to the county Board resolution, is to be used in strengthening public health infrastructure, workforce and data systems.
With the acceptance of the state funding, the Board approved amending the 2023 Saratoga County Budget to allow the $136,944 increase this calendar year and to increase a variety of appropriations, including: Furniture and Furnishings – $15,000; Office Equipment – $5,000; Personal Computers – $18,900; Building Components – $8,000; Other Capital Expenses – $31,169; Other Professional Services – $40,000; Misc. Dept. Expense – $5,500; Conference Fees $3,000; Software $9,850; Minor IT Equipment $525.
• The Saratoga County Board of Supervisors additionally approved the acceptance of $231,894 in grant funding from the state DOH to be used for Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program activities for the period of July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. No further details were provided with the resolution.
• Cassandra M. Bagramian was appointed Commissioner of Elections for Saratoga County, in according with a Board resolution July 18. Bagramian’s appointment, at a salary of $91,800, takes effect Sept. 15 and concludes Dec. 31, 2024, fulfilling the remaining term of William Fruci, who is retiring. The appointment of Bagramian, a Democrat, comes via recommendation of the Saratoga County Democratic Committee. Roger J. Schiera, a Republican, is the other Commissioner of Elections for Saratoga County.
The Hiker, monument dedicated in 1923 to honor local Spanish–American War veterans. Photo provided.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs History Museum will host a discussion of the many fascinating symbols found in historic Greenridge Cemetery, as well as early burial, mourning and funeral customs.
This illustrated talk takes place at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 27, 2023, and is presented by Jacqueline Bunge, the History Museum’s Education Director.
Consecrated on June 8, 1844, Greenridge was influenced by the Rural Cemetery Movement popular in the first half of the 19th century. Laid out in park-like fashion, paths and roadways meander through forested rolling hills, creating pleasant vistas. The idea was to create a place of beauty to help ease the pain of mourning.
Symbols such as weeping willows, inverted torches and broken columns tell unique stories when found on gravestones, mausoleums and other memorials. Notable grave markers to be discussed include: locomotive engineer Willoby McMillan, pianist Obed Coleman, poet sisters Lucretia and Margaret Davidson, the Batcheller family and inventor Ransom Cook.
Also to be explored in the talk: Unique areas of the cemetery including the Mary L. Sackett Memorial Gates, the Civil War Memorial and “The Hiker” Spanish–American War Memorial.
The live program takes place in the parlor of the historic Canfield Casino. Admission is free for History Museum Members, and $10 for non-Members. Tickets and more details at www.saratogahistory.org/events.
SARATOGA COUNTY — A pair of Revolution Along the Hudson River programs are scheduled to take place July 25 at Stillwater’s Riverfront Park and Aug. 1 at Hudson Crossing Park in Schuylerville.
The summer speaker series, Revolution on the Hudson, is an event series created and presented by America’s Turning Point, that will engage the community and honor the rich history of the region.
The programs were announced during a recent meeting of the towns of Saratoga and Stillwater 250th American Revolution Committee. During the meeting, the committee discussed recent accomplishments and future plans for commemorative events.
America’s Turning Point Pathways through History weekend, slated for Oct. 7-8, will take place at the Stillwater Blockhouse, Saratoga Battlefield, and Schuyler House, providing visitors with a unique glimpse into the struggles and triumphs of the American Revolution in the local area. This is part of the Town’s partnership with the Saratoga County 250th Commission, America’s Turning Point, and the Saratoga National Historical Park.
The meeting also addressed the need to identify an appropriate location for the 2027 Battles Commemorations and a smaller event planned for 2024.
The next committee meeting is scheduled to take place Sept. 13. For more information about the upcoming events, contact the Towns of Saratoga and Stillwater 250th American Revolution Committee through Mackenzie Macey, Historian Town of Stillwater mmacey@stillwaterny.org.
A section of Saratoga County depicted in themost current edition of Discovery Map.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — “Even after 17 years, I’m still in a honeymoon period with Saratoga,” says Dan De Federicis. “It’s just a wonderful place to be in any stage of your life.”
The retired State Trooper relocated from his native Buffalo to Albany in 2001 after being elected president of the NYS Troopers PBA. “Each successive year, I found myself coming to Saratoga Springs more and more. It was 4th of July holiday weekend in 2005 when I drove to Saratoga from Albany four times! That’s when I said, ‘That’s it. I’m moving to Saratoga Springs.’”
These days, De Federicis operates Saratoga Report – a local news aggregator website that collects and displays links to Saratoga-related stories.
“It’s funny, for my website, Saratoga Report, I do all these searches every morning – anything to do with Saratoga – and I came across this sale offer,” he says. “I made some calls.”
The calls led him to Charlie McCabe, handler of the estate of his dad Matt McCabe – a much loved Saratoga Springs businessman, musician and a former city commissioner. Notably, Matt McCabe operated Saratoga Guitar for more than a quarter-century until his untimely passing in January 2021 due to complications of COVID-19.
In October 2020, McCabe had purchased a franchise in Discovery Map of Saratoga. The Discovery Map International brand was founded in 1981 and features hand-drawn maps of more than 130 largely tourism destinations with more than 90 franchisees.
The maps, which are free, provide travelers a resource to find local lodging, dining, shopping, services and fun things to do in their focused locations. Overall, more than 16 million maps are printed annually, according to the company.
Focus areas range from Santa Monica, California to the Berkshires and Hyannis in Massachusetts. Eight municipalities are showcased by Discovery Map in New York State alone – East Hampton, South Hampton, Lake George, Lake Placid and Saratoga Springs, among them.
“As much as we rely on our smartphones, people still prefer printed-out maps,” McCabe said at the time of his franchise purchase. “The maps are truly like works of art and reveal the character of an area… and there is a lot of that in Saratoga Springs and the surrounding areas.”
“I did my due diligence, looked into the company, called other franchisees around the country and learned they’re really good to work with,” says De Federicis. “I saw it as an opportunity, and that it was Matt McCabe who had previously owned it, only added to it. I feel honored to follow in his footsteps.”
Paper maps have made a resurgence in recent years, with maps and atlases selling 1.8 million units last year, up 20% over 2021, according to the NPD Group, an international agency that measures business data and analytics.
The Discovery Map of Saratoga covers all of Saratoga County. It is colorful, two-sided, measures about 18 inches by 14 inches and is bordered by thumb-sized adverts. It folds neatly into quarters and depicts a large segment of Saratoga County on one side, and a close-up of downtown Saratoga Springs on the other.
De Federicis found a business opportunity as well as something close to his heart.
“There is so much going on in Saratoga, there is a lot of opportunity to grow this. I not only wanted to work in Saratoga, but I wanted my work to be about Saratoga,” he says. “What I’m doing now, I love doing. It doesn’t even seem like work to me.”
The franchise term is for 10 years, and the maps are updated and printed annually. De Federicis said his plan is to secure advert sales from those who want their establishments depicted on the map for next year’s edition through this calendar year and go to print on the 2024 issue in January. Interested parties can contact Dan De Federicis at: dand@discoverymap.com.
“The support (from Discovery Map) is incredible. For instance, let’s say I sign up a new restaurant. Well then, their staff adds the building to the map. And they’re not just going to draw a dot or a square, the building will look like the building it’s representing.”
The maps are folded to a convenient 8.5-inch by 11-inch size and available free of charge up and down Broadway and all-around town, as well as across the county in local stores, restaurants, hotels and tourist attractions, among other places.
While the maps will be updated annually, one characteristic will be preserved, De Federicis says.
“On the map itself there is a caricature of Matt McCabe with his guitar. As soon as I saw that, I told Charlie that his father’s caricature will stay on there for as long as I own this map.”
SARATOGA SPRINGS — There will be new parking rules in effect on public streets in proximity to Saratoga Springs High School this fall that are anticipated to affect neighborhood residents and student drivers alike.
Citing public safety hazards and disruptions caused by Saratoga Springs High School students parking vehicles on residential streets near the school, a group of affected residents took their grievances to the City Council this week.
The residents, led by speaker Melissa Thompson-Flynn, provided a presentation that they said illustrated issues created due to the number, and in some cases the manner, in which students park their vehicles on streets neighboring the school during the semester. The issues stated include: allowing little parking for residents or delivery vehicles, blocking residents’ access to their homes, difficulties for other vehicles to navigate, and insufficient clearance for emergency vehicles.
Thirty-five signatures from 21 households were presented to the council on behalf of signees supporting the implementation of two-hour parking restrictions on five streets. The presentation, a Public Hearing and council discussion and eventual vote were held at City Hall July 18.
Ultimately, the City Council, by a unanimous 5-0 vote, approved an ordinance to implement the “Time Limit Parking” on Willow Lane and Ash, Hyde, Birch, and Joseph streets.
While students may continue to park on the streets come fall, they must now move their vehicles every two hours.
The council said it anticipates – with no further action – that this will likely create similar problematic scenarios on other neighboring streets as students will seek a place to park their vehicles a few blocks further from the school. As such, they noted they were approving the ordinance with the acknowledgement that “this now puts pressure on us” as a council, as well as the school and potentially other stakeholders, to find a long-term solution.
SARATOGA — Lifelong town of Saratoga resident, former town historian and longtime county Supervisor Tom Wood passed away this week.
“Even though we knew it was coming it’s still very sad news: Supervisor Wood passed away this morning after a long courageous battle with cancer,“ said newly-minted Supervisor Ian Murray at Town Hall in Saratoga on a rainy-gray Monday – the Board’s monthly meeting coming coincidentally on the day of Wood’s passing.
“Tom was a gentle caring person to everyone he met and a valued public servant throughout his life – from teacher to supervisor, always serving,” Murray continued. “God bless Tom and his family.”
County Board Of Supervisors Chairman Theodore Kusnierz said he was saddened to learn of the passing of the longtime Supervisor of the town of Saratoga.
“Tom was a distinguished member of the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors, a staunch advocate for his constituents, and a steward for the preservation of our County’s historic lands,” Kusnierz said, in a statement.
“To honor Supervisor Wood and his nearly two decades of service to the people of Saratoga County, all County flags will fly at half-staff for one week. My colleagues on the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors and I send strength and support to his family during this difficult time.”
