SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Yoga in the Spa State Park program has returned this summer, offering a chance to participate in yoga classes, workshops, trainings, and more, all in the serene setting of the Saratoga Spa State Park.

Classes are held outdoors under the brick arches at the end of the administration building. In case of weather, indoor classes take place in the Roosevelt II Building. Outdoor summer classes will be held from June through August, while fall classes begin after Labor Day.

Amy DeLuca, a co-founder and co-coordinator of the program, said it is ultimately “a healing art in a healing location.”

“The Spa Park was built for healing,” DeLuca said. “It makes sense that we should be doing this.”

Classes cover a variety of yoga styles, and are led by DeLuca and fellow program co-coordinator Judy Pawlick, who are both 500-hour registered teachers, as well as other instructors including Anna Muench-Witt, Joe Dopp, Julie Coluccio, and Sara Martin.

DeLuca said that Yoga in the Spa State Park is “a studio without walls,” allowing participants to relax and decompress while accompanied by the sounds of nature.

“I love that idea, because I wasn’t doing yoga outside until I did this,” said DeLuca. “And there is a big difference.”

DeLuca said participants “really embrace” the outdoor setting, and said she enjoys seeing what it does for students.

“I say to beginners, ‘This will be like nothing you do, taking a yoga class,’” DeLuca said. “There’s a different vibe. … Yoga’s just an aspect of my life that I’m just really happy I have.”

Classes began in June, and are offered each day of the week, according to the released schedule. They are free to attend, with no registration required.

While donations are accepted, the group does not solicit or ask for specific amounts, DeLuca said.

“It is donation-based, and that has served us,” said DeLuca. “Our mission is simply to offer donation-based yoga classes both outside and inside in this iconic setting.”

The group also offers teaching opportunities, with three instructors certified to teach 200- and 300-hour teacher training, said DeLuca.

All classes are offered in the morning, with DeLuca adding that yoga can be an early activity for both local residents and visitors.

“So many people come to Saratoga year-round, especially in the summer,” DeLuca said. “If you want to go to the track at 1:00, you can take a class with us at 8:30 or 9:00.”

The program also has mats and blocks available for participants who do not have their own. DeLuca said classes typically range between six to ten people.

“I might show up and there will be one person there. I’ll still teach that class,” said DeLuca. “That’s just how I see yoga. … It is something I love.”

BALLSTON SPA — Six graduating student-athletes from Ballston Spa High School officially signed letters of intent to play Division I and II collegiate sports at a ceremony on Thursday.

Four seniors on the varsity boys lacrosse team will be competing in college. Sean Dwyer, Dominick Zichelli, and Troy Gottmann each committed to The College of St. Rose, while Charlie Burmaster committed to Franklin Pierce University.

Shane Slezak is committed to The College of St. Rose for baseball, while Jacob Armer is committed to St. Bonaventure University for track and field.

Dwyer said the trio of St. Rose lacrosse commits are “super close,” noting that they have played together from a young age.

“I think the chemistry is going to be off the charts there, because I’ve been playing with them for so long,” said Dwyer.

“Yeah, we already know how each other plays, so it’s going to be a lot easier to develop chemistry, like he said,” added Zichelli.

Zichelli said he is excited to spend four more years with his teammates, while Gottmann added the three players are like “a family.”

“They’ve got my back, I’ve got theirs,” said Gottmann. “It’s always been like that, and it’s not going to stop in college.”

Burmaster, who will play lacrosse at Franklin Pierce, said the Ravens’ coaching staff stood out in his decision, and offered thanks to his teammates and coaches for their support.

“They’ve really helped me grow as a player and a person, on and off the field,” Burmaster said. “I really give them credit for giving me the opportunity to be able to look at and go to a good college like this.”

Franklin Pierce and St. Rose are each members of the Northeast-10 Conference, with Burmaster adding that he is looking forward to facing his high school teammates.

Slezak, committed to St. Rose for baseball, said the school is “a perfect fit” for him.

“They have a very good business program, and that’s what I’d like to pursue,” said Slezak. “Everything just all added up for the decision to go there.”

He said his time with the Scotties’ varsity baseball team “meant a lot.”

“I learned a bunch from Coach Nobles,” Slezak said. “My teammates, I’ve played with them all since I was very young. So being able to go out there and compete with all of them, it was a very good time.”

Armer, committed to St. Bonaventure for track and field, said the campus felt like a “second home already” upon his first visit. 

“It feels great,” said Armer of his commitment. “My coaches supported me, my teammates supported me, my family. The drives to practice, the meets, everything.”

Armer said he is looking forward to competing with his new team.

“Just seeing where my new coaches and my team can take me, what I can do with myself and the hard work that I put in,” Armer said.

See below for a full list of Ballston Spa student-athletes who signed letters of intent to Division I and II schools on Thursday:

• Jacob Armer (St. Bonaventure University, Track and Field)

• Charlie Burmaster (Franklin Pierce University, Lacrosse)

• Sean Dwyer (The College of St. Rose, Lacrosse)

• Troy Gottmann (The College of St. Rose, Lacrosse)

• Shane Slezak (The College of St. Rose, Baseball)

• Dominick Zichelli (The College of St. Rose, Lacrosse)

CLIFTON PARK — Each year, the SAANYS Region 6 Board holds its annual Leadership Breakfast in order to recognize leadership in all of its forms in schools. The breakfast, held at the Van Patten Golf Club in Clifton Park, recognized student leaders (in grades 5-12), senior scholarship winners, and leaders among their administrative colleagues. 

Coach Rich Johns received the Excelsior Award for his leadership and continued work in the field of education through his Act With Respect Always message. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS —The 9th annual Saratoga Little league Challenger baseball game took place with a big crowd in attendance.  

32 players are enrolled in the program, ages 5-18 years old.  Stewarts Shop sponsors one of the teams and provides free ice cream to the players, families and friends that attend the game.  

Fitzpatricks is another sponsor for the team and she has been a sponsor for the little league for over 25 years and provides jackets to the 12 year olds playing little league baseball.

Among the fans in cheering on the players were family, school staff, special education teachers, speech therapists, occupational therapists and social workers.

PORTER CORNERS — Brookhaven Golf Course Head PGA Professional Anthony Therrien has received an award from the Northeastern New York PGA. The Roland Stafford Award is presented to a “PGA professional who exemplifies the qualities in honor of the true traditions of the game of golf such as integrity, honesty, and sportsmanship.” 

Brookhaven Golf Course, located at 333 Alpine Meadows Rd, is a municipal golf course owned and operated by the Town of Greenfield. The award will be presented at a NENY PGA special awards banquet in November.

Therrien joined Brookhaven in 2019. The course has grown significantly in recent years and is well known for its historic connection to LPGA golfing champion and television broadcaster Dottie Pepper, who started learning the game of golf at Brookhaven as a youth. The course was voted best golf course in Saratoga Today’s “Best of Saratoga Awards” for 2023.

“We are extremely proud of all that Anthony has contributed to the golf course in the past four years,” said Town Supervisor Kevin Veitch. “Brookhaven Park & Golf Course is a treasure for golfers and nongolfers alike.”

Therrien runs PGA Junior League Learn to Golf sessions, private lessons, and a robust weekly league and summer tournament schedule. For more information about events and to book tee times, visit www.brookhavengolfcourse.com.

BALLSTON SPA — The Ballston Spa Central School District recently hosted the annual Scotties Stampede 5k Run/Walk as part of the district’s Wellness Day 2023. The event followed a highly popular Kids Color Run with close to 300 students enjoying a run around the campus amidst clouds of color chalk. 

The top three finishers of the Scotties 5k were Andrew Wade in first place, Ari Bishop in second place and Robert Diamond in third place. Complete results are available via the ARE events website.

The Gold Level Sponsors of the event were Empire BlueCross and Blue Shield. Silver Level Sponsors included Roundabout Runners Club, CDPHP, Adirondack Cabling, Inc., New York State Sheriffs’ Association, NYSSA – C-Pass, Ballston Spa National Bank and Speckled Pig Brewing Co. Bronze Level Sponsors were High Rock Realty, Inc., John W Danforth Company, Leonard Bus Sales Inc., Adirondack Trust Company, Elliott Property Services and T-Shirt Graphics. The Community Level Supporter was Harold R Clune, Inc.

The Wellness Expo once again offered information from community organizations, a free bike raffle, live demonstrations and plenty of great giveaways during the event. The goal is to bring the school community together for a fun-filled day and encourage students and families to participate in healthy and active lifestyles.

As in year’s past, proceeds from the event will support the district’s Ballston Spa Partnership for Innovation in Education Fund, a component fund of the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region. Call the Office of Community Relations and Program Support at 518-884-7195 x1369 or contact Kelly Delaney-Elliott at kelliott@bscsd.org for more information.