Intro to Ice Skating 

Build your skills! From your first steps on the ice through advanced moves, the Intro to Ice Skating Program will prepare you for more specialized forms of ice skating. 

The program is for ages 3 and up. Early fall dates are Tuesdays starting Oct. 5 through Nov. 9 from 4:45 to 6:15 p.m. Fall dates from Nov. 16 through Dec. 21 (no Nov. 27) are – choose one – Tuesdays from 4:45 to 6:15 p.m. or Saturdays from 11:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. 

Intro to Ice Skating will be held at the Vernon and Weibel Ice Rinks (30 Weibel Avenue). You will need: snow or fleece pants; warm jacket; mittens or gloves; bike, ski, or hockey helmet (required for all). A responsible adult must accompany beginning skaters on the ice to assist with instruction. Adults do not need skates. 

Fees before Sept. 27 are $65 for City residents and $85 for non-City residents. Fees after Sept. 27 are $90 for City residents and $110 for non-City residents. Skate rental fees per class are $5, and a punch card (good for current session only) is $25. 

Coordinator is Jill Ramos, USFS Quadruple Gold Medalist with over 25 years of experience. Instructors are: Amanda Shelburne, Regional and National Coach and PSA Master Rated with over 40 years of experience; Pat Kenkel, Regional and National Coach with over 35 years of experience; Kelsey Clechenko, with over seven years of experience; Gwen Craig, with over 6 years of experience; and Mary Magnus, US Speed Skating Coach and Nationally Ranked Speed Skater. 

Field Hockey 

Drive up your skills! The Field Hockey League is geared towards the individual looking to learn the sport through drills and team play. Tuesday’s session will focus on skill development and Saturday’s sessions will focus on team play. 

The Field Hockey League is for ages 8 to 14. The league will run from Sept. 14 to Oct. 23 on Tuesdays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 12 to 2 p.m. at the Rec. Center Field (15 Vanderbilt Ave). Players will need a water, stick, shin guards, and mouth guard; the Rec. Department will supply each participant with the necessary equipment if they do not own it. 

Fees before Sept. 6 are $55 for City residents and $65 for non-City residents. Fees after Sept. 6 are $80 for City residents and $90 for non-City residents.

Coordinator is Jenna Cappezutti, Elmira College 4-year starter and former Scotia-Glenville coach. 

Volleyball

Serve up your best! The Volleyball Program focuses on skill development and the teaching of rules and strategy in order to become a better volleyball player. Two sessions will be offered, one for 8 to 12 year-olds and another for 13 to 16 year-olds. 

The Volleyball Program will run from Sept. 15 to Oct. 20 at the Rec. Center (15 Vanderbilt Ave). Ages 8-12 will play on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and ages 13-16 will also play on Wednesdays from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. Participants will need a water and sneakers. 

Fees before Sept. 6 are $55 for City residents and $65 for non-City residents. Fees after Sept. 6 are $80 for City residents and $90 for non-City residents. 

Contact the Recreation Department at 518-587-3550 x2300 or recreservations@saratoga-springs.org with questions. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Led by the Belmont Stakes and Jim Dandy winner Essential Quality, the nation’s top 3-year-olds will soon meet at the Spa for the marquee race of the summer season – the Grade 1, $1.25 million Runhappy Travers. 

Sponsored by Runhappy, a champion sprinter currently standing at the Claiborne Farm, the Runhappy Travers will be run for the 152nd time on Saturday, Aug. 28 at the Saratoga Race Course. 

General admission tickets are $15 when purchased in advance. The walk-up price on Runhappy Travers Day is $20. Tickets may be purchased in-person at the NYRA Box Office by Gate A or online at NYRA.com/Travers (service fees apply online). 

A limited number of Clubhouse admission tickets are available for $25. There are no Clubhouse upgrades on Runhappy Travers Day. 

Gates open at 7 a.m. with a first post time of 11:35 a.m. Breakfast and tram atours are not offered on Runhappy Travers Day. 

For the third consecutive year, FOX will air the Runhappy Travers as the centerpiece of a 90-minute telecast beginning at 5 p.m. The networks of FOX and FOX Sports will air 7.5 total hours of live racing and analysis on Runhappy Travers Day, with coverage scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m. on FS1. 

The Runhappy Travers is the centerpiece of a card featuring seven stakes and six Grade 1s, offering $4.6 million in total purse money. The Runhappy Travers is the oldest stakes race for 3-year-olds in the United States. The inaugural edition took place on Aug. 2, 1864, as the first race ever held at the present-day Saratoga Race Course and was named for track co-founder William R. Travers. 

The 2021 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course runs through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 6. Racing is conducted five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays, with the exception of the final week, when the meet concludes on Labor Day. 

ALBANY — With a little more than a month to go until the 43rd Freihofer’s Run for Women (Saturday, Sept. 25 at 9 a.m.), event organizers are seeking volunteers for a variety of positions both on race day and during the week leading up to the prestigious all-women road race. 

Some of the roles available for the 5K include event set up and tear down, course/finish line water stops, refreshments, and packet pick-up/registration. Support is also needed for both of the Freihofer’s Run for Women’s companion events, the Freihofer’s Junior 3K and Freihofer’s Kids’ Run, which are offered to children ages three to 14. Tasks include organizing runners at the start and finish of each event, guiding and directing runners out on the course, assisting at the finish line, as well as handing out awards. 

“It takes about 600 volunteers to make all three events run smoothly,” said Freihofer’s Run for Women Volunteer Coordinator Rachel Gershon Rourke. “Whether you have a few hours or more to spare, we’d appreciate your support to ensure this event remains the Capital Region’s premier running event.”

The Freihofer’s Run for Women also needs individuals on Wednesday, Sept. 22 to break down and organize pallets of donated food. Assistance is also sought to help vendors locate and set up their booths and interface with runners at the Freihofer’s Health & Fitness Expo, which runs Thursday, Sept. 23 from 4 to 8 p.m. and Friday, Sept. 24 from noon to 7 p.m. at The Amory at Russell Sage College on New Scotland Ave. 

To learn more and register, please visit www.runsignup.com/Race/Volunteer/NY/Albany/FreihofersRunforWomen. For specific questions, please email gershonrourke@nycap.rr.com or call 518-506-3208. 

For additional information about the 43rd annual Freihofer’s® Run for Women, 33rd annual Kids’ Run and 11th annual Freihofer’s® Junior 3K Run, visit freihofersrun.com. From the homepages, you can also link to the event’s Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube pages. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga County Public Health Department has confirmed that the county is experiencing a high level of COVID-19 community transmission, fueled by the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus. It is the responsibility of every government and every citizen to make a determined effort to combat the spread of the virus. 

As a result of the high transmission level and the spread of the Delta variant, the City Council has adopted a resolution that requires all employees and visitors, whether fully vaccinated, partially vaccinated, or unvaccinated, to wear a mask when entering City buildings and facilities, and/or indoor events sponsored by the City. 

For recreation facilities (i.e. the Recreation Center and Ice Rinks), the following shall apply: 

Facemasks are to be worn appropriately (over the nose and mouth) at all times while inside a recreation facility unless players are unable to tolerate a face covering for physical activity (e.g. practicing, playing); provided, however, that coaches, trainers, and other individuals who are not directly engaged in physical activity are required to wear a face covering. Upon leaving the activity area for any reason, the facemask must again be appropriately worn. 

This resolution took effect Monday, Aug. 23. Your cooperation is appreciated. 

Programs for Young Children 

These programs are designed for a caregiver and child to engage in together, socialize, learn, and meet new friends. 

Roc-N-Tots and Baby Jamboree: Fun music and movement classes. Roc-N-Tots is Wednesdays from 11 to 11:30 a.m. for ages 18 months to 2 yrs. and 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. for ages 2-5 yrs. Baby Jamboree is Thursday from 9:45 to 10:15 a.m. 

Outdoor Story Time: A new class that combines a story time with activities and an art project. Thursdays from 10 to 10:30 a.m. for toddlers and 10:45 to 11:30 a.m. for preschoolers. 

Toddler Sensory Play Group: A new outdoor play group where children can explore fun and messy sensory activities. Tuesdays from 10 to 10:30 a.m. for ages 18 months to 3 years. 

Dance Classes 

Tiny Tutus: Children learn the basics of ballet in this beginner class for ages 3-5 yrs. Tuesdays from 5:30 to 6:10 p.m., Saturdays from 10:10 to 10:55 a.m. or 11:05 to 11:50 a.m. 

Twinkle Toes: Ballet and tap classes are combined in this class for ages 4- 6 yrs. Tuesdays from 6:15 to 7 p.m. or Saturdays from 12:05 to 1:05 p.m. 

Youth Sports Leagues

Soccer: A developmental league that combines practice and game time in one session. Volunteer parent coaches are needed. Saturdays from 9:45 to 10:30 a.m. for ages 3-4 yrs. and 10:40 to 11:15 a.m. for ages 4-6 yrs.

T-ball and Baseball: These leagues combine practice and skills building with a game at the end. Volunteer parent coaches are needed. T-ball (4-6 yrs.) on Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Baseball (6-8 yrs.) on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. or 12 to 2 p.m. Start time for leagues will alternate based on the game schedule. 

Sports Skills and Drills

Little Rookies: This class introduces a different sport every week for children ages 3-5 yrs. Tuesdays from 12:30 to 1 p.m. or Saturdays from 9 to 9:30 a.m. 

Basketball: Classes for all ages and skill levels. Mondays: ages 4-5 yrs. from 4:15 to 4:45 p.m., ages 6-7 yrs. from 4:50 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays: ages 8-10 yrs. from 4:15 p.m. to 5 p.m., and Beyond the Basics (ages 10-14 yrs.) from 6 to 7 p.m. Saturdays: girls’ basketball ages 6-9 yrs. from 9 to 9:50 a.m., girls’ basketball ages 10-12 yrs. from 9:50 to 10:30 a.m. 

Volleyball: Learn the fundamentals of volleyball in this coed class for ages 10-15 yrs. Wednesdays from 4:15 to 5 p.m. 

Archery 

Youth Intro: Teaches the fundamentals of archery, safety, and equipment use for ages 8-13 yrs. Saturdays from 2 to 3 p.m. or Sundays from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. 

Teen and Adult Intro: Introductory class for ages 14+. Wednesdays from 6 to 7 p.m. 

Longshots Club: This program teaches archery skills and introduces competition in a fun team environment for ages 10-16 yrs. Saturdays from 3 to 4 p.m. 

Teen Leadership Club

Leaders club provides participants grades 8-12 with opportunities for leadership training, personal growth, service to others, and social development. Held on the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month from 6 to 7 p.m. For more information contact Kristi Savage at Kristi.savage@srymca.org or 518-583-9622 ext. 123. 

The Saratoga YMCA has programs for everyone from toddler and parent classes to youth sports, to teen and adult archery. Check out everything the Y has to offer to keep your family healthy, active, and learning. Registration is open! Classes run Sept. 13 to Oct. 31. For more information visit www.srymca.org 

SARATOGA COUNTY — Saratoga County 4-H will be hosting a Fishing Derby for youth of military families on Saturday, Sept. 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The free event will take place at the 4-H Training Center on Middleline Rd. in Ballston Spa. Youth participants will receive a free fishing pole, and youth and families will receive t-shirts. Lunch will also be provided to all participants. 

Space is limited to 50 youth plus their families. You must pre-register. If you have any questions or to register, please contact the 4-H at CCE Saratoga at 518-885-8995. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Rotary Club of Saratoga Springs 1st Annual Charity Golf Scramble, sponsored by Saratoga Financial Services and The Adirondack Trust Company will take place Sept. 17 at McGregor Links Golf Club in Saratoga. 

Entry fee of $100 per person ($400 per team) includes 18 holes, cart, lunch, raffle prizes, 50/50, and a chance at hole-in-one prizes. Registration is at 9 a.m. with a shotgun start at 10 a.m. Entry forms are available through email at saratogarotarygolf@gmail.com or contact Nathan Towne (802-734-5154). Return completed forms with payment information via email, or with checks made payable to Rotary Club of Saratoga Springs, P.O. Box 1307, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Skateboarding has made its debut in the Toyko Olympics and is an increasingly popular sport here in Saratoga. The skatepark at East Side Rec is used year-round, and is in need of a modern upgrade. Saratoga’s City Council has committed to allocate $265,000 towards the construction of a new, state-of-the-art concrete skatepark at the complex. But the goal is to get that number closer to $350,000 to break ground, and that will require community support. 

Skate Jam is a grassroots fundraising event to take place on Friday, Aug. 27 at the East Side Rec. skatepark from 4:30-8:30 p.m. The event is free to attend, and there will be food, music, and prizes. An age 30+ senior shred trick competition will be held, alongside the return of the worst trick demo. 

Show support for skateboarding in Saratoga or donate to the new skatepark construction fund through PayPal, at www.ondecksaratoga.org, or through Venmo @ondecksaratoga. 

CAPITAL REGION — Siena Men’s Basketball teamed up with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Capital Area last week to teach the sport at their summer camps. 

On Friday, Aug. 13 the Siena Men’s Basketball Team continued their longstanding tradition of being active and giving back to the local community by visiting with campers at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Albany and Troy. 

“We take pride in giving back to the community and to the Boys & Girls Clubs,” said Siena Men’s Basketball Head Coach Carmen Maciariello. “In times like these, it was a great opportunity to show the kids some positive energy and enthusiasm, and to meet the guys.” 

The players and coaches taught the youth the skills of the game through interactive basketball drills and playing other basketball-related games. They also shared their experiences as collegiate athletes, discussed the importance of working hard on and off the court, and answered any questions that the campers had; Siena players Javion Ogunyemi and Elijah Burns are former Club members.

“It is always great to see college athletes sharing their journey with our kiddos,” said Patrick Doyle, Chief Operating Officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Capital Area. “Seeing how the team members are not much older than some of our youth, it gives them a real look at how hard work can pay off.”

“The Siena Basketball visit came as an inspiration to our students,” added Lurvin Calix, EZRA Clubhouse and Community Program Manager. “Spiking their interests, they are asking questions, those who play basketball are practicing more, and did I mention it boosts the topic of conversation about going to college!”

The team gives back to their community in the off-season in other ways too. They participate in school supply and backpack giveaways, read at elementary schools, and become pen pals with students who write them letters. 

The 2021-2022 Siena Men’s Basketball season will tip off with the return of the Br. Ed Coughlin Franciscan Cup on Tuesday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. at St. Bonaventure. The Saints will return to the Times Union Center for their 2021-2022 home opener on Saturday, Nov. 13. 

Siena Basketball season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at www.sienasaints.com/tickets, by email at sienatickets2@siena.edu, or by contacting the Siena Fan Relations Management Center during traditional business hours Monday-Friday by phone at 518-487-2202.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Westminster winner, Wasabi, made a special appearance at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame last Friday for a meet and greet.

Wasabi, a three-year-old Pekingese, won the “Best in Show” title at the 145th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show back in June of this year. He is bred, owned, and handled by David Fitzpatrick and co-owned by Fitzpatrick, Iris Love, Sandra Middlebrooks, and Peggy Steinman; Steinman is a Saratoga Springs summer resident and museum board member. 

To learn more about Wasabi and his accolades, visit:  www.pequest.com/portfolio-items/westminster-2021.