QUEENSBURY —The Queensbury Walk to End Alzheimer’s returns on Oct. 14, offering a chance for community members to come together, raising money and awareness for the Alzheimer’s Association.

The event is meaningful to many, but especially to families such as the Davies.

Chris Davies, Jr. was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s in 2019. Joan Davies, his mother, was also diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2022. While they are aware of the disease’s progression, the family is remaining positive, and said they are trying to take advantage of each day.

“Well, the one thing I generally talk about with people is that I’m not in pain, I’m not physically limited in any way. It’s just frustrating from time to time,” Chris Jr. said. “I’m not blind to what’s going to happen eventually. But if I walk into a room and can’t remember what I was getting, it doesn’t bother me.”

“But, you know, it’s always kind of somewhere there in the back of your mind, how long am I going to be at this level, or he’s going to be at his level?” said Joan Davies. “And we know that there are probably going to be changes that aren’t for the better.”

Cheri Davies, Chris Jr.’s wife, works as a licensed clinical social worker, and said they received a care consultation with the Alzheimer’s Association after Chris Jr.’s diagnosis. Because of their experience, she was quickly prepared after Joan was diagnosed.

“When Joan got her diagnosis, I think within a week, Cheri came to the house with a big bag with her folders, and a notebook, and a list of things to do,” Chris Davies Sr. said.

Joan and Chris Sr. also took advantage of the Association’s services, attending a series of meetings for patients and caregivers. 

“And that was very helpful, to see whoever the speaker was, whether it was on legal issues, support issues, or neurology issues,” said Chris Sr. “And then to sit with the other caregivers and be able to honestly discuss what we’re seeing with our patient, our loved one, and how it’s affecting us.”

Joan added that it has been “eye-opening” to realize how many people the disease affects, and said it is meaningful to have the support of the Alzheimer’s Association and other groups. Cheri pointed out that social connections can be crucial for people with Alzheimer’s.

“In Chris’ case, he is doing much better for going into year five than he really should be,” Cheri said. “And so much of that is attributed to social connections, keeping active, good diet, physically active, those kinds of things.”

In addition to his family, Chris Jr. also has a strong support system in the Hudson Valley region, where he worked as a police officer. In 2022, Chris Jr. and Cheri attended the Poughkeepsie Walk to End Alzheimer’s, saying a group of nearly 50 people participated with Chris’ walk team, ‘Chris 287.’

Chris Sr. said the family is looking to “take every day,” a message he said was passed along at one of the meetings.

“Enjoy every day, find something positive, and just hold onto that,” Chris Sr. said. “And then the next day, do the same thing.”

The Queensbury Walk to End Alzheimer’s will be held at SUNY Adirondack, with registration opening at 9 a.m., according to the Alzheimer’s Association website. Registration for the Walk is free, although participants are encouraged to fundraise.

The Queensbury walk has a fundraising goal of $195,000, according to the event website. Kym Hance, a member of the Walk’s Executive Leadership Committee, said funds support free services provided by the Alzheimer’s Association regionally, including care consultations, support groups, and educational programs, services that families such as the Davies have been able to take advantage of at no cost.

The event also holds strong meaning to the Shimkus family. Todd Shimkus, a member of the Alzheimer’s Association of Northeast New York Board of Directors and the president of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, said he first attended the Walk in 2018 in support of his mother, Amy Shimkus, who died of Alzheimer’s in 2022.

Shimkus said that for his mother and the rest of the family, the Walk was “a way to fight.”

“It was a way to end this miserable disease. She felt like she was doing something that would help, hopefully, stop this disease from ever harming people in the future,” said Shimkus. “There was little else she could control, but she could walk, and she could raise money. And that’s what she did. And that’s what we continue to do today.”

Shimkus and his sister, Tracy, formed the ‘Amy’s Army’ team, which walks and fundraises each year in both Queensbury and Reston, Virginia. Between the two locations, they raised around $17,000 last year, Shimkus said, and hope to reach $20,000 this year. Shimkus also published a book in March, ‘I’m Not Ready For This,’ and said he is donating all of its proceeds to the ‘Amy’s Army’ walk team.

“It is the story of what I went through with my mom with Alzheimer’s, particularly during COVID, as well as my role in the community as the President of the Chamber,” Shimkus said. “So it’s what I learned about Alzheimer’s, being a caregiver, being a community leader, and resilience.”

Hance noted the theme for this year’s Walk is ‘Fighting for a Different Future,’ one where an Alzheimer’s diagnosis is not necessarily terminal.

“That’s what we’re really fighting for,” said Hance. “We’re fighting for that cure, we’re fighting for those medications that really can help people hold on much longer than they would have, even a year ago.”

Hance also noted that numerous sponsors will have tables set up prior to the Walk with information on resources and services for those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, as well as caretakers, friends, and families.

“It’s nice to have somebody kind of guiding you along and know that you can reach out for help to quite a few different people or organizations,” said Joan Davies.

“Really, again, it’s just about connecting,” Hance said. “That’s one of the things that I love most about (the) walk.”

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs varsity football team picked up a big win on Friday, celebrating its homecoming night with a 56-0 win over Schenectady.

Jack Rigabar threw three touchdown passes, and Rodell Evans ran for three touchdowns on the ground as the Blue Streaks cruised to their third victory of the season.

Saratoga took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter on a 39-yard touchdown run by Christian Mello and extended the lead to 14-0 on a three-yard run by Evans. A 22-yard pass from Rigabar to Tucker Zeh extended the lead to 21-0, and Rigabar, then found Brady Mills for a six-yard score to make it 28-0. Evans’ second touchdown run gave the Blue Streaks a 35-0 lead entering halftime.

Evans ran in his third touchdown of the game, this one from 12 yards out, in the third quarter to extend the lead to 42-0. Saratoga added another third-quarter score when Rigabar found Zeh for an 18-yard TD pass. David Newell scored the Blue Streaks’ final touchdown on an 18-yard run in the fourth, sending the game to its final score of 56-0.

Rigabar was 19 of 24 passing for 241 yards and three touchdowns in the victory. Evans had 85 yards rushing and three TDs on 11 carries, while Newell had 56 yards and a score on seven carries. Mello added a 39-yard TD run and caught seven passes for 105 yards.

Zeh had 58 yards receiving and two TDs on five catches, with Mills adding 55 yards and a touchdown on three catches. Caleb Casey caught two passes for 14 yards, with Josh Simon catching two passes for nine yards, according to stats posted by the team on Hudl.

With the win, Saratoga improves to 3-2 overall (2-1 in Suburban Council Class AA). The Blue Streaks will travel to face Shaker (3-2 overall, 1-2 Suburban) on Friday.

CALGARY, Alberta — Nate Keeve and Hannah Martin from the Glenville-based Jason Morris Judo Center put together fantastic performances and earned bronze medals in the Pan Am/Oceania Judo Championships, Sept. 15-16 at the Calgary Olympic Park.

The win was Martin’s fourth 63 kg medal at Pan Ams in her career, having won bronzes in 2013, 2017, and 2019. Martin’s only loss was an overtime thriller to eventual champ, Katharina Haecker, in the semifinal. Martin also had a big win against longtime rival and two-time Pan Am Champ, Maylin Del Toro Carvajal, to tie up their head-to-head series 2-2. Martin gained valuable points on the Olympic qualifying list, moving up 8 spots to #32.

Keeve scored his second 100 kg overall bronze at the Pan Ams, finishing his run off with a significant first time win over Rafael Buzacarini in the bronze medal match. Keeve jumps 20 slots to #39 to qualify for the Paris Olympic Games.

Both Keeve and Martin are on remarkable comebacks. Keeve missed a year having to repair a torn ACL in August 2021, and Martin had a baby girl, Zoey, in May 2021.

Alex Knauf placed fifth at 90 kg and Ari Berliner took seventh for the JMJC at 66 kg to earn valuable world ranking points. Berliner is also on a successful comeback from ACL surgery he had in August 2022. Kell Berliner, Melissa Myers, and Nicole Stout all fought well but were eliminated in the first round to close out the JMJC participation at this year’s Pan Ams. 

Athletes from the Jason Morris Judo Center have now won 26 Pan Am medals in its 23-year history, as well as having now placed at least one athlete on the Pan Am team for 20 straight years. The JMJC has placed four athletes on the team 7 times and had three athletes 5 times. Ari Berliner, Keeve, Knauf & Martin also represent the New York Athletic Club. 

“All the kids performed well under high level pressure and I couldn’t be prouder of them” said four-time Olympian & JMJC Owner Jason Morris in a press release. Morris is also a long time member of the NYAC.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Registration is going on now for winter programs at the Saratoga Springs Recreation Department, and includes programs such as basketball, boxing, curling, ice skating and figure skating lessons, and volleyball.

Visit saratogarec.com for complete information and a registration link. Contact the Recreation Department at 518-587-3550,  ext. 2300 or recreservations@saratoga-springs.org with questions.

Pickleball Workshops

The Saratoga Springs Recreation Department hosts pickleball workshops throughout the year for a variety of interests and expertise. Everyone aged 18+ is welcome to participate. Visit SaratogaRec.com and click Programs, Pickleball Workshops for complete information and to register.

Begin Your Ice Skating Journey with the Saratoga Springs Recreation Department

Intro to Ice Skating introduces skaters age 3 to adults to the world of ice skating, and prepares a skater for advancement to figure skating, hockey, or speed skating. 

Begin Your Figure Skating Journey with the Saratoga Springs Recreation Department

Fundamentals of Figure Skating introduces skaters to the athleticism and artistry of figure skating, and prepares a skater for advancement to various figure skating disciplines. 

Visit SaratogaRec.com and click Programs, Ice Skating lessons for complete information and to register.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Regional YMCA has announced that through its financial assistance program, over $80,000 was raised for youths attending the YMCA’s day camps throughout the summer.

Over 250 children attended the YMCA’s summer camps each week during the summer, according to a press release from the Y. The release thanks the YMCA’s donors for their support.

“The Y is happy to welcome children of all backgrounds into our summer camp and give them a sense of community and lighthearted fun with their peers. It is the most gratifying thing we can do,” said Scott Clark, CEO of the Saratoga Regional YMCA, in the release. “This is our mission–being a safe haven for all, regardless of their ability to pay. The diversity of our Y makes us healthier and stronger as a community and I’m so grateful to all our generous benefactors who are the ones who make this possible.”

In addition to the financial assistance program, the YMCA also partners with organizations including the Saratoga County Department of Social Services, the New York Race Track Chaplaincy, and the Franklin Community Center, the release states.

“We are so grateful for the ongoing partnership with the Saratoga Regional YMCA. The Y recognizes that the backstretch families are a vital part of the Saratoga community.” said Nick Caras, Program Director of the New York Race Track Chaplaincy, in the release. “This partnership provides our kids with a fun and new experience while spending their summer upstate. I cannot say enough about the Y and how they make our families feel welcome and included in not only their organization, but the greater community.”

The YMCA stated in the release it expects to give over $800,000 in financial assistance this year for a variety of services and programs. To learn more about its financial assistance program, visit srymca.org or call 518-583-9622.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — 45 years later, one of the best teams from Saratoga Springs High School to take the hardwood reunited.

A reunion of the 1977-78 Saratoga varsity boys basketball team was held Sept. 2, with several players and coaches gathering from the team that captured the Foothills Council Championship, and went unbeaten until a one-point loss to Niskayuna in the Section 2 Class A Championship game.

“What a wonderful group of men,” said then-Saratoga varsity assistant coach Rich Johns of the reunion in a Facebook post. “A ton of laughs and a closeness that can’t be matched. Thank you all for the great memories.”

BURNT HILLS — Early on a Sunday morning, the fields at Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School were packed, a result of the growth seen by the Mohawk Youth Field Hockey League since its inception in 2011.

Sponsored by the Mohawk Field Hockey Club, the Mohawk Youth League was started by Saratoga varsity field hockey head coach Jo-Anne Hostig, BH-BL varsity coach Kelly Vrooman, and then-Shenendehowa varsity coach Jeanne Frevola. Over a decade after its beginnings, the league has grown tremendously, providing more opportunities in the sport for athletes across the area.

“It is awesome,” said Hostig at the Play Day hosted by BH-BL. “It’s getting the sticks into their hands sooner, and it’s getting them to have fun, and getting them to learn about working as a team. It’s been a nice thing.”

The youth league is hosting four ‘Play Days’ throughout the fall, each hosted by a different school district. Saratoga Springs, Shenendehowa, and Johnstown also have hosted or will host a ‘Play Day’ this year. 

The days are exactly what the name suggests, providing numerous opportunities for athletes and teams to compete in scrimmages. The Mohawk Youth League’s ‘Play Days’ offers a division for fifth and sixth-graders, and a division for third and fourth grade.

In its initial year, the youth league had 11 teams, said Hostig. This year, there are nearly 40 teams from a variety of area schools. In addition to Saratoga Springs, BH-BL, Shen, and Johnstown, the youth league also includes teams from districts such as Bethlehem, Shaker, Guilderland, Hoosick Falls, South Glens Falls, Scotia-Glenville, Gloversville, and more.

The fifth/sixth division played on the turf at BH-BL’s Centennial Field, while the younger division played on the adjacent grass fields. Each team plays four 20-minute games during a ‘Play Day’, Hostig said.

“Most teams probably have, like, ten (players) on a team,” Hostig said. “So they sub in and out for the 20 minutes.”

Hostig said the upper division had over 20 teams, and the lower division had 18. The Saratoga program brought five teams to the ‘Play Day’ at Burnt Hills, with Hostig noting the league has had a strong impact on area varsity programs, including the Blue Streaks.

“So for the youth coming into it, it used to be that they were kind of beginning. Now, it’s like they’re continuing on,” Hostig said. “Almost all the teams that are here, their impact for their school program is helping them tremendously. It’s already having the sticks in their hands, it’s already knowing what patterns are, what offense and defense is. It’s helping our field hockey program in the area, in general.”

The SSHS field hockey program is strong in numbers, with nearly 50 players in total. The program currently has two modified teams, with Hostig saying that likely over half of the players on each of those teams came through the youth league.

“It definitely is helping us,” said Hostig. “It’s transferring now into it. They’re staying with our sport.”

She also noted that many athletes from the various high schools also assist with the Play Days, including serving as referees for the scrimmages.

“We’re trying to have them give back and learn, and make our sport grow more,” said Hostig.

Another impactful aspect for Hostig is watching her former players grow through the years, and advance to the next level. This includes Lindsey Frank, who Hostig said played in the youth league’s inaugural season, and is currently playing at Northwestern University.

Frank transferred to Northwestern after four years at the University of Richmond, where she twice led the team in points, according to the Northwestern Athletics site. Hostig also taught Frank in elementary school, she said.

“I knew she was just an athlete,” Hostig said. “She got into fourth grade, and I’m like, ‘OK, I’m starting a youth program and you’re in.’ … Now she’s in her last year, and I’m thinking, ‘Wow, we’ve come a long way since then.’”

Another such player is Kelsey Briddell, who played at UAlbany and eventually joined the U.S. National Women’s Field Hockey team.

Hostig said the field hockey community is tight-knit, noting many area teams have shown support for Saratoga field hockey alum Olivia Allen, a 2023 graduate who was diagnosed with cancer in June, according to a GoFundMe page in support of Allen and her family. Several area teams have given gifts, while other teams have worn ribbons in their hair during a game in support, Hostig said.

“It’s been really nice to see that,” said Hostig.

Burnt Hills’ Play Day also included a stand raising money for a ‘Stick It to Cancer’ fundraiser with the American Cancer Society. Saratoga will host its annual ‘Pink Game’ on Oct. 6 against Shenendehowa, with this year’s game raising money in support of Allen, said Hostig.

Again emphasizing the community connection around the sport, Hostig also mentioned that several of her former players have eventually returned to help with the program, including JV head coach Marissa Folts, varsity assistant Sara Marshall, JV volunteer coach Kylie Folts, and modified volunteer coach Jen Allen.

“We all know each other,” said Hostig of the area field hockey community. “It’s a sense of family, and a sense of community, that we’re building and encouraging.”