SARATOGA SPRINGS — On Tuesday, July 11, the Saratoga Senior Center will be hosting a Brooks BBQ fundraiser from 3:30 to 6 p.m. The BBQ will be at the Center at 5 Williams St. in Saratoga Springs.
Patrons may order Rib and Chicken Dinners in advance and pick them up at the Center on July 11 at a drive-through in the front of the building. Pre-ordering is the best option, as day-of event ordering will be very limited. The dinners are $15 for Chicken and $20 for Ribs. Each dinner comes with a baked potato, cole slaw and a dinner roll. Purchase dinners by calling 518-584-1621.
NOTE: The Senior Center will deliver orders of 15 or more to a home or business. Just let them know you would like delivery when pre-ordering.
Brooks’ House of Bar-B-Q based in Oneonta, NY is an award-winning, world-famous BBQ.
The Saratoga Senior Center is a non-profit, non-residential community center located in downtown Saratoga Springs, open to adults aged 50 and up to participate in programs, trips & social activities tailored to adults and seniors.
SARATOGA COUNTY — The Saratoga County Veterans Service Agency hosts a Saratoga Battlefield Tour & BBQ event for veterans on Saturday, July 22. This event aims to honor and support local veterans while providing them with a day of camaraderie and entertainment.
The Saratoga Battlefield Bus Tour will kick off the day’s activities from 10 a.m. to noon. Participants will embark on a guided tour of the historic Saratoga Battlefield, a renowned site that witnessed crucial battles during the American Revolutionary War. Veterans and their families will have the opportunity to explore the grounds where the nation’s history was shaped.
Following the battlefield tour, the festivities will continue at Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga, where the BBQ event will take place from 1 – 4 p.m. Once the event is over, Veterans and their families will be bussed back to original parking location to retrieve their vehicles and head home.
For more information or to RSVP for the Saratoga Battlefield Tour & BBQ event, click veteranspeertopeer.org/events/ for the link to sign up. RSVP deadline is July 14.
SARATOGA — Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga, a leading organization dedicated to supporting retired racehorses through retraining for therapeutic programs, will host its inaugural fundraising gala 7- 11 p.m. on Saturday, July 15 at Sugar Plum Farm, 96 Gilbert Road.
The Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga Fundraising Gala aims to raise essential funds to further their mission of providing retired racehorses with second chances. These magnificent animals, once highly competitive on the racetrack, are now given the opportunity to shine in therapeutic programs that benefit individuals with cognitive and emotional challenges.
The event will be hosted by philanthropists Robin and Tony Malatino. Guests will enjoy a cocktail reception followed by a gourmet dinner and open bar, live entertainment and casino games.
Funds raised during the evening will directly support Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga’s vital initiatives, including the retraining and care of retired racehorses, as well as the expansion of therapeutic programs across the region.
For more information about Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga and the inaugural fundraising gala, visit thsaratoga.org/events/.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Fred Astaire Dance Studios (FADS) – Saratoga Springs is partnering with Alliance180, to host their summer showcase 1 – 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 15 at the studio, located at 3257 US-9, Suite 2, Saratoga Springs.
This year’s summer showcase theme is “From Bollywood to Hollywood.” Styles of dance to include everything from Waltz and Swing to Mongolian Folk Dance, and more. Students will be dancing alongside the studio’s professional instructors displaying months of hard work and dedication to the art of dance.
Tickets will be available at the door for $15. All ticket proceeds from the show will be donated to the nonprofit.
The studio can be reached at 518-587-0300. For more information about Fred Astaire Dance Studios – Saratoga Springs, visit online www.fredastaire.com/saratoga-springs.
Ed Mitzen crossing Broadway with the building that formerly sited Fingerpaint Marketing in the background. Photo: Fingerpaint.com.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —The red-brick building located on the southwest corner of Broadway and Division Street that housed Fingerpaint Marketing has been sold for $11 million to Prime Group Holdings – a private equity company owned by Robert Moser with offices on Railroad Place. The future status of the building is not known at this time.
Ed Mitzen founded Fingerpaint in 2008 and in 2018 purchased the building at 395 Broadway for $9 million. The building was originally developed in 2000 to house Borders Books & Music. Previously, the spot had sited the Red Barn restaurant, Pope’s Pizza, and the E-Z Laundromat earlier in the 20th century.
More recently, Mitzen and his wife, Lisa, formed Business for Good, a nonprofit that aims to achieve social change through business. They plan to use the profit from the sale of the building for Business for Good, according to published reports. The sale closing on June 30 was first reported by the Times-Union.
Fingerpaint employs 800 people across the globe with a good number based locally, but with an increasing number having begun to work remotely in recent years, the two-story brick-and-mortar venue on Broadway was underutilized, and the marketing company plans on maintaining a smaller office nearby.
“Admittedly I was a huge anti-proponent of working from home. I always felt if someone said they wanted to work from home they would be mowing their yard and watching ESPN, that they’re not committed, but now I’ve done a complete 180,” Mitzen told Saratoga TODAY in late 2020, when the effects of the pandemic, and people working remotely were in full effect.
“Our folks have been unbelievably productive – probably more productive than they’ve been in the office,” Mitzen said. “We’ve all learned different ways of doing things through all this.”
Congressman Paul Tonko, at Open House for new Saratoga Springs District Office on June 30, 2023. Photo by Thomas Dimopoulos.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — A series of connected rooms showcase the type of work that will go on here as well offering the comforts of a personal touch by those who will be working in its second-floor offices.
A spread of framed 8x10s cling to one wall, depicting the State Capitol following the soft drift of a winter’s snow. A large poster of Bobby Kennedy looks back from another. A bobble-head doll of Alan Chartrock and his West Highland Terrier Murray stands atop the desk of an aide, and a black-and-white portrait of Congressman Paul Tonko clings to the office wall of another.
“It only seemed natural to move forward and grow a district office here,” said the congressman, seated inside his own office, two stories up with windows that look out over Broadway.
Recent redistricting designated that all of Albany, Saratoga and Schenectady counties, as well as a portion of Rensselaer County, make up the 20th Congressional District.
“There was a sizable bit of redistricting that affected the district, so we thought: well, let’s reconfigure. As we added the 13 northernmost townships of Saratoga, it made sense to offer proximity for them and to offer another venue for southern Saratoga other than Albany.“
Tonko’s Saratoga Springs office – located on the second floor of 433 Broadway – and his office in Albany will serve as gathering points for those who live and work in the district.
“It’s important to have that interaction with the district that you represent,” Tonko said. “And I have to say: this is a very interactive district and a great one to represent, calling with ideas, solutions, requests – not pulling away from government but getting in the middle of it, which I think was intended as a republic.“
Democrats Kirsten Gillibrand and Scott Murphy, as well as Republicans Chris Gibson and Elise Stefanik each set up city offices on Broadway over the past two decades, but it’s been a few years since the city has sited one.
“This will be here for everyone in the district and beyond if you want to bring good ideas and opportunities for the 20th Congressional District,” Tonko said. “It’s that building of a connection that’s important and we base that public service on trust: being a good listener and then taking action on what you hear. That trust is about making sure you do all that you can to honor the request of the people that you serve.”
It is that communication from constituents that gets turned into action, Tonko explained. “If there is a struggle that a family or individual is going through, a business is going through, a not-for profit, a community – we want to be there,” he said. “This is about truly responding to those in government and making sure they hear the voices of the people in the 20th Congressional District… I think it’s a major part of the job to listen and understand people, whether that’s in written format or conversation, and achieve as much as we can on their behalf.”
The opening of the office was celebrated June 30 and included approximately three dozen supporters as well as area dignitaries, Todd Shimkus of the Saratoga County Chamber, Pete Bardunias of the Capital Region Chamber, city Mayor Ron Kim and Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner – both Democrats, and city Supervisor Matt Veitch, a Republican, among them.
“I pledge to continue to work in a bipartisan, bicameral way,” Tonko said. “It’s the way I think the Framers of our government saw this working best. So, to those of different faiths: thank you for the opportunity to build those bridges and to respond to constituents across the board… we’re in this together.”
Kristina Kruk, a locally based single mother who emigrated from Ukraine, spoke about the hurdles she and her young son faced during their relocation, issues that were resolved through the congressman’s office.
“When I arrived in this country I faced numerous challenges, including the denial of my son’s social security application,” Kruk said through interpreter Elizabeth O’Connor. “When I reached out to Congressman Tonko’s office, things started to change. They listened to my concerns and took immediate action. He looked into our case and reached out to the Social Security Administration. Thanks to his intervention the matter was expedited, and my son’s application was accepted,” she said. “I encourage all of you to reach out to his office if you ever need his assistance.”
Michelle Straight of the Veterans & Community Housing Coalition, Sheila Holman Foreverly House Committee, Ray O’Conor, and Cheryl Hage-Perez. Photo provided.
BALLSTON — A groundbreaking ceremony was held on June 27 for Foreverly House – a two-family home that will provide transitional housing for Veteran Moms and their children.
Foreverly House will be located at 1214 Saratoga Road in the town of Ballston and next to Guardian House, where the Veterans & Community Housing Coalition (VCHC) provides housing and services for homeless Veteran women. It is the first known facility of its kind.
A single Veteran Mom returning from service often chooses between giving up custody of her children to receive the support services she needs, or foregoing these essential services while making the transition back to civilian life. Without proper support, these women may continue to suffer from PTSD, sexual trauma, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders and homelessness.
A grassroots effort began three years ago to build Foreverly House. It was an idea born out of a conversation in a West Ave. eatery three years ago when Veterans Ball Honorary Chair Ray O’Conor, Tiffany Orner – a veteran of the Air Force, and Cheryl Hage-Perez – who had served as executive director of VCHC, shared a conversation during breakfast at Shirley’s Restaurant.
The name Foreverly House – is named after the song “Foreverly,” written by local singer-songwriter Jeff Brisbin.
Without funding from state or federal agency resources, Foreverly House became through the generosity of major donors such as Business For Good, Stewart’s Shoppes, The Saratoga Foundation, IUE-CWA Housing Corp., the American Legion, and the South Glens Falls High Marathon Dance, as well as donations from dozens of other businesses and hundreds of individuals who care deeply about our Veterans. Trinity Building and Construction Management Corp. is donating its services as the general contractor for the project. Several subcontractors and area suppliers are also donating or discounting their services or products.
Moms are still a rarity in the military. Women make up 16 percent of enlisted forces and 19 percent of the officer corps, and a minority of those women have children under 18, according to a November 2020 article “The ‘Gut Wrenching’ Sacrifice of Military Moms,” written by Jessica Grose and published in the New York Times.
The Veterans & Community Housing Coalition hopes to complete the project and move the first Veteran Moms and their kids into Foreverly House in November. For more information, go to: www.vchcny.org/foreverly-house.
Lifestyle of Saratoga, last year’s winner of the Celebrate Saratoga storefront window decorating contest, 2022. Photo provided.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Celebrate Saratoga, an event sponsored by the Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association, takes place 6-9 p.m. Thursday, July 13, celebrating Opening Day at Saratoga.
The event showcases downtown retailers, restaurants, and live music.
A performance by The Refrigerators will be staged at the Spa City Motor Lodge, 413 Broadway. The Coverups, and Dancers from The Dance Lab perform on the second stage, located at the Flat Rock Park and next to the Saratoga Springs City Center parking garage.
Other events: Meet “Kid Blast” – a retired racehorse and learn how equine therapy can help people heal from emotional difficulties through the help of Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga and take part in a raffle with a chance to win two tickets to the Breakfast & Breeding Tour later this month.
In combination with the Celebrate Saratoga event, storefront windows in the downtown area will be decorated as part of the celebration. Window decorations will be judged by popular WNYT NewsChannel 13 evening anchor Mark Mulholland, Saratoga’s top 25 Julie Bonacio, and Jockey Ramon A. Dominguez. The winners will be announced on the mainstage.
The Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association (DBA) was formed in the 1960s with a mission to market and promote the interest of commerce with a focus on businesses located in the downtown corridor.
For more information visit: saratogaspringsdowntown.com
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame will present special exhibitions celebrating the 50th anniversary of Secretariat’s 1973 Triple Crown and chronicling renowned photographer Bert Morgan’s career covering the racing and social scenes at Saratoga.
Both exhibits open July 13. A third special exhibition featuring several works by iconic artist Saul Steinberg is already open in the Museum’s Link Gallery.
A Tremendous Machine: Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Secretariat’s Triple Crown:
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Secretariat’s historic 1973 Triple Crown sweep — in which he set records that still stand in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes — the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame presents a special exhibition honoring the accomplishments and enduring legacy of the famed Meadow Stable colt.
A Tremendous Machine: Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Secretariat’s Triple Crown will be on exhibition in the Peter McBean Gallery, coinciding with opening day at Saratoga Race Course on July 13. The exhibit will feature Secretariat’s 1973 Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes, and Triple Crown trophies. A video component will take fans through Secretariat’s unique journey through the Triple Crown races, as well as tell the stories of the people who guided the horse through his remarkable career. In addition to the trophies and video components, the exhibit will include an extensive array of artwork, artifacts, photography, and pop culture items. On exhibition July 13 through December 2023
The Summer Place to Be: Bert Morgan’s Focus on Saratoga will be on exhibition July 13 through October 2023
At the Races with Saul Steinberg is on exhibition now through December 2023.
For more information about the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, including upcoming events, visit racingmuseum.org or call 518-584-0400.
The Friends of the Saratoga Springs Public Library opens its new coffee shop at the library next week. Photo provided.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —The Friends of the Saratoga Springs Public Library will cut the ribbon on its new Coffee Shop at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 12.
The Coffee Shop is on the first floor of the Saratoga Springs Public Library, located at 49 Henry St.
The Grand Opening celebration will run from noon to 5 p.m. and will feature a raffle and giveaways.
The Friends Coffee Shop will sell hot and cold beverages and a variety of snacks, as well as baked goods from The Bread Basket, a Saratoga-based member of the Business For Good family of companies, that donates all profits to charities fighting food insecurity and hunger.
The Coffee Shop is the newest retail establishment run by The Friends of the Saratoga Springs Public Library. The Friends Book Shop also is located on the library’s first floor. The Friends have supported the programs, staff, and facilities of the library since 1976 and fund such programs as Saratoga Reads and Summer Reads, helped secure a new van, funded a 3-D printer, and defrayed the costs of staff development and facility upgrades during the pandemic.
Community support is primarily generated through Friends membership and the Friends Book Shop, which was founded in 1994 to generate income while providing the community with affordable reading material and a convenient, meaningful way to upcycle used books.
