SARATOGA COUNTY — Fish Creek Rod and Gun Club is currently accepting new members. 

The Rod and Gun Club offers pistol, rifle, shotgun, and bow shooting. As well, they hold a monthly breakfast, horseshoe league, clam steam, and fish fry. They provide camping sites on their property for members (with electric). Their 100 plus acres of property is available for hiking, trail riding, or hunting. Fish Creek runs along the western boundary and can be fished or used for boating. The club house/pavilion can accommodate up to 400 people. 

To become a member, visit the clubhouse and pick up an application (call 518-695-3917 before stopping in to make sure someone is there). You must fill out the application and answer all the questions. You will need a current member of at least one year and in good standing to be your sponsor. When you turn in your application you are required to pay one year of dues and the initiation fee, which is currently $55 and non-refundable. Your membership will be read at the following meeting and tabled for one month. After that one month you and your sponsor will need to attend the next meeting to be voted on.

For questions or other information contact Mark at 518-260-9933. If there is no answer, please leave a voicemail. 

Congrats to Athlete of the Week – Zoey Goodness!

Zoey is a senior at Saratoga Springs High School and rows with the SRA (Saratoga Rowing Association). Some of her rowing accomplishments include placing third nationally at SRAA’s in the Women’s 2V8+ category as a sophomore in 2019, racing at the Head of the Charles in 2018 and 2019, and in 2020 receiving the Service Award from her rowing club, SRA. 

“I am extremely grateful for having the opportunity to train and work with highly experienced coaches, including elite rowers who have competed at World Championships for the United States and those who will compete, or train in hopes to compete, at the Olympic level,” said Zoey.

Zoey has been an active member of Best Buddies at the high school for four years, and a Best Buddies Officer for the past three years. She is also involved in several other clubs in school that spread the same message and include people with IDD’s (Intellectual Developmental Disabilities) such as Unified Sports and Lions Club. 

“Being inclusive is a big part of who I am,” said Zoey. “Whether that be at rowing, school, or wherever I may be.” 

All four years of high school she has been on the High Honor Roll, and her junior and senior year she has been a part of the National Honor Society. Zoey will be attending and rowing lightweight for Boston University while studying chemistry on a pre-med track.

“To be able to continue my rowing journey in college is a dream come true,” said Zoey. “Even now I hope to push my rowing abilities past college and possibly row at the elite level.” 

GUADALAJARA, MEXICO — Nate Keeve (25) from New York’s Jason Morris Judo Center took a Bronze medal at the Pan Am Championships at 100kg in Mexico this past weekend. Keeve had a huge win over Leo Goncalves from Brazil in the quarter final. The Brazilian had won their previous encounter last November in Budapest. Keeve lost to eventual champ Kyle Reyes in the semis but then came back to defeat long time American rival, LA Smith, for his first ever Pan Am medal. Keeve jumped to a career high #53, up from #67, on the World ranking list. 

Ari Berliner (22) went 2-2 and took 5th place in the 66kg weight class. Berliner lost to the #1 seed William Lima (Brazil) in the quarters but not before a major controversial call occurred. Berliner appeared to score Ippon (instant victory) when he countered the Brazilian but after the video review the officials determined it was not to be scored and Berliner ended up losing the bout in overtime. Berliner rose to a career high of #88 on the World ranking list, up from #129. 

Nicole Stout (23) went 0-2 in her third Pan Ams to close out the JMJC athletes’ participation in the Pan Ams. The following day (April 17), Stout competed in the Mexican Open taking a Bronze in 78kg. Stout earned 50 points on the World ranking list and jumped up 20 spots to #84.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Springs Youth Ballet will be holding a Young Children’s Summer Program for students ages 4 to 7-years-old

The program will run for two weeks, July 12–16 and July 1 –23 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Each day will follow a different ballet theme, and will include a ballet lesson, crafts, stories, and related activities. The cost is $200 for one week and $380 for two weeks. The program is in-person and class size is limited; all CDC, state, and local COVID-19 prevention guidelines will be followed. 

The schedule for Week One is as follows: July 12 – Coppelia, July 13 – Swan Lake, July 14 – La Fille Mal Gardee, July 15 – Circus Polka, July 16 – Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. 

The schedule for Week Two is as follows: July 19 – Don Quixote, July 20 – The Nutcracker, July 21 – The Firebird, July 22 – Cinderella, July 23 – The Sleeping Beauty. 

Saratoga Springs Youth Ballet is located at 418 Geyser Rd Suite 5, Ballston Spa. For more information and to register visit www.saratogspringsyouthballet.org or call 518-306-4037.

Three local travel ice hockey teams are beating the odds. 

Troy Albany Ice Cats 

The Troy Albany Ice Cats, a local girls’ travel ice hockey team, took second in the Northern Region Sectionals, losing 2-1 to Canton who would end up taking second place in the state championship behind Amherst. However, they also headed to Buffalo for the New York State Hockey Championships where they had one win, lost in overtime, and had a seven-round shutout loss – just missing the final four. 

“It was huge to have the support for the program,” said Coach Derrek Tuthill. “It kept the girls focused on the goal they set to get to Buffalo. Now we are working on achieving more and more goals.”

Two girls from Saratoga, Chiara Tuthill, a sixth grader, and Ursula Obstarczyk, a fifth grader, play on the team alongside girls from surrounding counties. Rich Scammell started the program back in 1993, and Coach Tuthill says that it is a great program for any girls, regardless of area, looking to play hockey. 

Adirondack NorthStars

The Adirondack Northstars Girls 16U Hockey Team won the NYS Championship, and will be heading out to Denver, CO at the end of this month to compete in the USA Hockey National Championships. 

“In a season so out of the ordinary, the girls were able to accomplish so much,” said Renee Lochner, team director/president. 

The girls on the team are all local – 4 from Saratoga Springs and 15 others from across Saratoga and Warren county. 

A fundraiser has been set up on Go Fund Me to help send the team to Nationals in Denver. They have raised over $8,000 so far, but have not yet reached their goal. To donate please visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/send-the-16u-northstars-girls-hockey-to-nationals.

CP Dynamo 08

CP Dynamo 08 will be heading to Buffalo for the NYS Hockey Championships for Tier 1 Hockey this weekend. 

The team is made up of boys who live in a 2-hour radius of Saratoga. Their dedication is unmatched – traveling four-hour round trips to Utica just for practices back in July when no hockey rinks in the area were open. 

From back, left to right: Clara Corbin, Derrek Tuthill, Chris Obstarczyk, Jason Hunt, Elaina DelRio. Middle row Caitlynn McGlothlin, Ursula Obstarczyk (Saratoga County), Katie LeBoeuf (Saratoga County), Chiara Tuthill (Saratoga County), Reese Hunt (Washington County), Alaina Winther front row Nicole Stipe, Taber Hunt(Washington County), Giada Barna, Miriam Felton (Washington County), Malia Kesick. Missing is Shea Thompson. This picture is edited with each player and coach standing by themself then edited to resemble a team photo due to Covid 19.
Photo provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs Recreation Department’s Pickleball League is moving outside for the summer. 

All levels are welcome to participate, although there is limited space for Beginners. The league is 18+, and will play at East Side Rec on Wednesdays, 5:45–8:15 p.m., starting May 5 to June 23.

Early registration for city residents is open through Monday, April 26. Early registration for non-city residents is Monday, April 19 – Monday, April 26. Fees through April 26 are $45 for city residents and $65 for non-city residents. Fees after April 26 are $70 for city residents and $90 for non-city residents. 

The Pickleball League will follow a ladder-style system where players participate in a round robin with others of similar skill in a recreational setting. Players will need a mask, paddle, water, and sneakers. 

Register online at www.SaratogaRec.com or email questions to recreservations@saratoga-springs.org. Volunteer Coordinator is Larry Rose.

Congrats to this week’s Athlete of the Week – Sean Hudson!

Sean is a senior at Saratoga Springs High School. He is currently a quarterback and free safety on the Saratoga Springs Varsity Football Team. He had an outstanding game against Bethlehem this season. He threw for 5 touchdowns, rushed for 193 yards, and ran in another touchdown. He kicked 5 extra points and finished the game 11/16 for 231 yards. 

Sean also plays baseball for Saratoga Springs High School, and is primarily an outfielder. He also played summer ball on the Saratoga Lightning and Capital Renegades travel teams.

Academically, Sean has been on the High Honor Roll all semesters of high school. He has been accepted and will attend the University of Maryland in the Fall.

GLENVILLE — Ari Berliner (22), Nate Keeve (25), and Nicole Stout (23) from the Glenville, NY based Jason Morris Judo Center (JMJC) have earned spots on USA Judo’s Pan American Championship team that will compete in Guadalajara, Mexico, April 16-17, 2021. The Pan Ams is an Olympic qualifying event where the results are weighed equally to winning a tour event. Berliner, who will compete at 66kg, will be going to his first Pan Ams. Keeve, whose father Damon was a 1992 and 1996 Olympian, will be headed to his third Pan Ams. Stout will also be competing in her third Pan Am Championship. The JMJC has now put a total of 44 athletes on the Pan Am Judo team in a remarkable run over its 20 years of operation. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Race Course will open for spring training at 6 a.m. on Saturday, April 17. The barn area at the Oklahoma Training Track will open to horsemen on Thursday, April 15.

To accommodate the completion of a major renovation of the Oklahoma Training Track facility, training will begin on the main track at Saratoga Race Course, according to a statement issued by the New York Racing Association. 

When training resumes at the Oklahoma in early May, horses and riders will be met with a completely reconstructed track featuring a limestone base, renovated surface layer and modernized drainage systems. In addition, the training track has been widened by 10-14 feet in most areas to address the increasing population of horses training over the Oklahoma annually from April-October. 

Additionally, to enhance safety for exercise riders and jockeys, the inner rail at the Oklahoma has been replaced with a rider protection system designed by Horsemen’s Track and Equipment. The renovation of the Oklahoma Training Track was modeled after the work that was done to the Saratoga main track in 2020, which involved general improvements to the base and surface of the track, as well as a complete overhaul of the drainage system and installation of a new rider safety rail. 

In consultation with the New York State Gaming Commission as well as state and local public health officials, NYRA will maintain a number of health and safety protocols implemented at all NYRA properties to mitigate the potential spread of COVID-19 and reduce risk for employees, horsemen, backstretch workers and the community. Facial coverings and social distancing are mandatory at all times at Saratoga Race Course. 

Beginning on April 17, personnel working in support of training activities must provide a negative COVID-19 test or proof of full vaccination in order to access the property. This applies to both local personnel as well as those arriving from other regions. All personnel will be subject to a daily temperature check prior to entering the property.

The 40-day summer meet at historic Saratoga Race Course will open on Thursday, July 15. New York State COVID-19 protocols do not currently allow for spectators at racetracks. NYRA says is is working closely with New York State to secure the requisite approvals to welcome fans back to Belmont Park this spring and to Saratoga Race Course this summer.

Photo: Work continues at Oklahoma Training Track earlier this month. Photo by SuperSource Media. 

Bolton Landing — Adirondack Extreme Adventure Course announced the addition of its “Low Rider Zip Tour,” an introductory zipline course designed for first-time, novice zipline adventurers as well as seasoned obstacle course veterans consisting of 12 ziplines and 9 walking bridges. “The difference between our zipline-only course and other traditional zip tours is its proximity to the ground,” said Adirondack Extreme Owner, Jamie Johnson. “It’s a low-level zipline tour multi-generational families can enjoy together.” Each of the ziplines in the “Low Rider Zip Tour” will be 75 to 550 feet in length and traverse over naturally occurring, picturesque landscape features such as Alder Brook. Adirondack Extreme’s 8 other adventure courses offer an additional 22 ziplines as part of an ensemble of obstacles and range in heights of 15 to 65 feet. Johnson said, ‘Low Rider Zip Tour’ guests will be zipping closer to the water and forest floor with maximum zipline heights of 10-30 ft.”

According to operations manager Jaime Delong, the “Low Rider Zip Tour” will be offered as a stand-alone tour for $48 as well as an add-on for as little as $10. Guests aged 9 and up who meet the reach requirement will have a chance to experience the “Low Rider Zip Tour” when it is debuted on April 17, 2021. “We always get a lot of people asking about our opening date each year,” Delong said, Adirondack Extreme officially opens for its 15th anniversary season on Saturday, April 10. 

Pro tip: If you’re afraid of heights, the “Low Rider Zip Tour” will quench your thirst for adventure without the threat of being too far off the ground. 

There will also be packages including parts of our adventure courses combined with the “Low Rider Zip Tour” available for general admission as well as groups: Adirondack Extreme hosts birthday parties, field trips, and corporate events — Johnson said, “after all, there’s nothing like the thrill of a treetop experience to re-connect and foster the togetherness we now hold so valuable.”

Note: if this has you wanting to spend every day here: Adirondack Extreme Adventure Course is hiring. The course is looking to fill seasonal positions. If you are interested, DeLong recommends you apply at www.adirondackextreme.com/employment