Photos provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — If you’re looking to begin your July 4th festivities in an invigorating fashion, register now for the 12th annual Firecracker4, a fourmile road race through Saratoga Springs that celebrates and honors America’s history. The first 3,700 registrants to sign up at firecracker4.com will receive a commemorative men’s and women’s cut tech shirt and swag bag.  Other perks include chip timing with live results, text/email alerts, finisher certificates, $7,000 in cash prizes, 186 award categories and prizes, a large vendor village located at the start/finish area, and 20 bands along the course to keep runners moving. Those looking to support local veterans during registration can also purchase a Firecracker4 Twill running hat. Fifty one percent of the profit will be donated to the Saratoga County Veterans Service Agency.  The Firecracker4 entry free from June 16 to July 1 is $35, and then $40 through race day. For more registration information, please visit the website.

“This event continues to grow steadily each year because we offer runners a friendly course that starts and finishes at the Saratoga Springs City Center and we are supporting some great local charity groups,” said Race Director Patrick Lynskey.

“We also provide a fun morning out that the whole family can enjoy before heading off to other family activities, or they can stick around downtown Saratoga Springs for all of the festivities,” Lynskey continued.

The Firecracker4, which is a USATF Team Championship- and USATF/Saratoga Stryders Grand Prix- sanctioned event, gets underway at 9 a.m. and will be followed at 10 a.m. by an awards ceremony. The third annual Firecracker Sparkler Kids’ Run, a half-mile fun run down Broadway for more than 500 kids of all ages and abilities presented by the Saratoga Children’s Museum, will then begin at 10:55 a.m. right before the July 4th parade.  All participants will receive a commemorative finisher’s medal and refreshments, and parents are invited to run with their children. The Firecracker Sparkler Kids’ Run entry fee is $5, and you can register online through July 2 at midnight at firecracker4.com. Participants can also sign up in person at registration/packet pick up held at the City Center on July 3 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and July 4 from 7 to 8:45 a.m.

“In keeping with the patriotic spirit of the day, we plan to have the Veterans Business Council formation run again this year,” said Lynskey, noting that the Firecracker4 plans to issue all runners with a flag-shaped bib, as well as hand out flag-shaped age group medals this year.

“Area veterans will form up and run to the start line, post the colors and then run the race in formation with the flag. Re-enactors from New York 2nd Continental Artillery will also help start the race with muskets.  Their presence adds something extra special to the event,” he stated.

Runners are encouraged to form male/female/co-ed teams, including open, USATF Adirondack clubs, military, public safety, scholastic and Run Your Colors. The Run Your Colors team with the most registered runners will win a $1,000 first place team award donated to the not-forprofit of its choice.  The second and third place teams will receive $500 and $250 respectively to donate to a charity of their choosing. Organizers will also hand out awards in five-year increments, as well as a special award category for military and public safety (police/ fire/EMS) competitors. After finishing their runs, participants and spectators are invited to wander through the event’s vendor village featuring an array of food, apparel and running/fitness/health vendors.  A partial vendor list includes: Bodywork Professionals Saratoga, Orangetheory Fitness, Grasso’s Italian Ice, Camp Abilities Saratoga, Power House Athletics, 9 Miles East Farm, Army National Guard, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, and SPoT Coffee. They can also listen to Funk Evolution, one of the Capital Region’s hottest horn-fueled funk/ R&B bands, perform on the main stage located at the City Center from 8:45 to 11 a.m.

“Farmers Hardware Saratoga and Gaffney’s will also provide finishers with one free adult beverage, while supplies last, as well as offer food and drink specials and entertainment all night near the finish line,” Lynskey added.

Participants and spectators are invited to stay in town to enjoy the city’s festive All-American Celebration featuring a parade, sidewalk sale, BBQ, classic car show, fireworks at dusk in Congress Park and much more. A full event schedule can be found at: www.saratogajuly4th.com. Those interested in running the Firecracker4 course before race day are invited to head to The Barrelhouse (68 Beekman Street in Saratoga) and Farmers Hardware (35 Maple Ave., Saratoga Springs) on June 12, 19 and 26 at 6 p.m.  The practice sessions, presented by Fleet Feet Sports, will enable participants to run the course as a preview for race day before meeting back at Farmers Hardware.  For more information or to register, please visit firecracker4. com or call 518-587-1571. 

Photo provided.

Article by Youth2 student Amalia Culpepper-Wehr

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Youth2 – Youth Helping Youth 15th Anniversary Gala is around the corner, coming up this July 30.  Youth2- Youth Helping Youth located in Saratoga Springs is a Field of Interest Fund of the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region run by an Advisory Board of students and adults. The charity is celebrating this momentous occasion with a summertime gathering. The gala will include a silent auction, a social action mission auction, as well as dinner and desserts donated by Lily and the Rose and the Bread Basket Bakery, respectively. Annie and the Hedonists, Jonathan Greene, Mira Van Patten and Elyssa King will provide music. Set upon the hilltop housing gorgeous Anne’s Washington Inn, the festivities are open from 6 to 9 pm. to all those in pursuit of supporting youth social action.

Youth2 has a long and rich history of connecting young people to community service and teaching leadership skills. The organization seeks to transform young people by giving them the opportunity to participate in meaningful philanthropic work.  Most uniquely, Youth2’s mission gives strong guidance and financial support to social action projects that are proposed, approved and led by young people. Youth2 has given 41 grants to assist youth locally, nationally, and globally throughout its existence. Students in Youth2 learn about the work of nonprofits and their own power to do good. The Book of Good Deeds, published by the organization, has over 100 opportunities for youth to participate locally to improve the community. The Trailblazing Volunteer Training, a three-and-a-half-hour workshop,
encourages young people to think about issues that they care about and turn their dreams into realities. Youth are recognized for their exemplary volunteering with the Community Service Incentive Award, given out at the end of each school year to two deserving seniors from high schools in Saratoga Springs. Fourteen years ago, Hallie Gibson McKinnon wanted to share her love of theatre with other kids in her community. Feeling that young people in her neighborhood had little to look forward to over the summer holidays, her creative expression turned into a mission. With her Youth2 grant, Hallie hired an acting teacher to create Theatre Thursdays, a weekly program that built community identity and friendships through theatre games and rehearsals. The youth’s hard work culminated in a performance for the neighborhood atthe end of the summer. Hallie’s idea and execution filled the summer months with a productive and fun activity, which every kid could enjoy. This is just one of the many creative visions held by past grant recipients.

In preparation for this event, Youth2 would like to thank the generosity of its many sponsors and the honorary committee listed on our website. Due to the kindness of local donors providing food, location, and entertainment, all proceeds from the event will directly enable Youth2’s continued work in the community. The Youth2 Fifteenth Anniversary Charity Gala will be held on 111 South Broadway at the Anne’s Washington Inn. The event will be from 6 to 9 pm. on Monday, July 30. Tickets can be purchased on youthsquared. org or brownpapertickets.com/ event/3416926. Admission is $25 for 22 and under; $50 for adults; $125 for a family of 4 or more. “Pay what you can” tickets are also available. Contact Beverly Lazar-Davis at 518281-9130 or youthsquared@yahoo. com with any questions.

Photos provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Joseph Bokan, an 18-year-old, recent graduate from Saratoga Springs Central School District has his sights set on Fordham University in the fall, which is a different view for him after spending the last six and half years rowing through Saratoga Rowing Association (SRA).

“A mutual friend of my fathers’, Jordan, brought me to the boathouse for the first time. I got shown around, I met a few kids who I’m still friends with, from then it just grew on me. Then I joined as a varsity rower,” Bokan said, explaining how he got involved with SRA.

His parents were happy to jump on board when he decided to join after finding out how many opportunities the sport presented to him; “we found out how you really become friends with your buddies in your boat for so long, and she was all for it as well,” he said.

Spring and fall are the main racing seasons with winter training indoors and summer training out on the water.

“In the summer, it’s a bit less competitive but it’s more so to keep fit throughout the summer and have some fun. For the most part, it’s pretty much a year-round sport. I think spring is our most competitive with the fall being a bit less competitive,” he explained.

As a kid, Bokan played the typical sports: basketball, baseball, and soccer. Once he joined rowing, he lost the excess time to devote to any other sport.

“It’s so important to be there for every practice and it’s basically a year-round sport, I really didn’t have time to play any other sports, but I’m happy I just rowed because it was hard enough and there was so much time committed to it that it just worked out anyways,” he stated.

Since Bokan is so aware of the time commitment it takes to succeed on the water, he has elected not to pursue the rowing club at Fordham his freshmen year, “because rowing ended on such a great note this spring,” to mainly focus on his academics.

Bokan cannot declare a major until his sophomore year but he is looking to major in finance with a minor in economics.

Though he does realize, “at any point I can join the team at Fordham if I end up missing it too much and there’s a good chance I will end up doing it,” he laughed.

“Over the past four years I have made it to Scholastic Nationals. In my freshman and junior year, we ended up winning nationals. Freshman year was in a two-person boat and in junior year I won in a four-person boat, and this last year we ended up not winning, but it was just so great to get to Scholastic Nationals for the fourth time, especially the seniors, since it’s so competitive in senior events. It really just ended on a high note because I was still with all my friends and it was kind of a last hoorah for all of us before we go off to college,” Bokan reminisced.

SRA has the Head of the Fish and the Tail of the Fish Regattas each year and Bokan prefers the Head of the Fish because it is “a much larger regatta than the Tail of the Fish, and I think it was the largest high school junior rowing regatta in the entire U.S. It’s just such a great time because I’ve met a lot of people from other crews that are from Seattle or Los Angeles that are coming to this regatta from all the way across the U.S. and it’s just a great time to meet new people. Just the magnitude of the regatta itself, it’s like a parade practically,” he explained.

Bokan credits both of his parents for being the most supportive in his rowing career. His mom would work the regattas and make sure everything went smoothly behind the scenes while his dad always volunteered his time in the boathouse if there were ever any maintenance issues.

“At every single one of my races, they were there supporting me over the bridge, rooting for my boat,” he explained.

Rowing is clearly near to Bokan’s heart, he describes it as a great sport with amazing opportunities attached and the opportunity to make life- long friendships.

SARATOGA-WILTON YOUTH BASEBALL (SWYB) LEAGUE WRAP-UP

Pitch Hit & Run Sectional Competition
SARATOGA SPRINGS - In May, SWYB hosted approximately 100 families from the area to participate in the MLB Pitch Hit & Run.  Although none of their home players advanced to the next round at Yankee Stadium this year, it was a great rain-soaked afternoon for those who qualified to come here from their local competitions.
Said SWYB President, Joe Rigabar “It’s really an honor for our league to host folks from all over the NorthEast on behalf of Major League Baseball.  We had a great group of volunteers who pulled off a successful event for these youth athletes in pretty horrendous conditions."

Spring Rec Ball Championships
SARATOGA SPRINGS - SWYB completed their most successful Spring Rec season yet with over 500 kids participating at all age groups.  Teams played a regular season of 12 games before entering a bracket style playoff run.  On Saturday, June 16, the Championship Games were held at Gavin Park.
In the 12u Majors Division, Ben & Jerry’s coached by Richard Oliver-Goodwin beat out Logistics One by a score of 9 - 7.
In the 10u Minors Division, Coach Erik Geckler and the boys of Mirabito Energy edged out Saratoga Spring Water by a score of 6 - 5.

Steve Arpey Sportsmanship Award Winners
SARATOGA SPRINGS - Presented to players who exemplify our ideas of sportsmanship, leadership, and teamwork in honor of Coach Arpey’s passion for baseball and dedication to our League. 
Players honored with this award included Rodell Evans, Addison Sperry, Ethan Ford, Jordan Garafalo, Macallan Gange, Kihl Kelly, Jack Lowery, Jesse Dunn, Daniel Hancock, Daniel Romei, Justin Mullis, Luke Manuel & Tyler Kaste.

Summer All Stars
SARATOGA SPRINGS - SWYB is sending six SWYB Blue Sox teams to the Cal Ripken All Star District Tournaments this summer, from ages 8u to 12u.  
From June 28 - July 1, they will host the 9u District Tournament at East Side Rec with teams from Clifton Park, Ballston Spa, Burnt Hills & Queensbury as well as our own Blue Sox.  
They will also be hosting the NENY State Championships here at East Side starting on July 5th.

SARATOGA SPRINGS LITTLE LEAGUE
SECOND ANNUAL ADIRONDACK CUP

SARATOGA SPRINGS - Minors AAA team, Gateway Dermatology, defeated the Glens Falls team, Talk of the Town, 7 to 6 in extra innings.  Our team (Gateway) was down 6-2 in the bottom of the sixth inning, and they rallied to score four runs to tie the game and send it into extra innings.  Big hits from Jackson Covell, Colin Mack and Conner Macaluso led our rally in the sixth inning.  After a quick top of the seventh inning, their offense went right back to work by scoring the game winning run on an RBI single by Jackson Covell.
 

SARATOGA STRIKE ZONE FOOTBOWL

SARATOGA SPRINGS - WHEN IT RAINS IT POURS, JAGUARS REMAIN WINLESS:
On a stormy Monday night, thunder struck for Rick Bogholtz as he fired 257,235,246 for the high series of the night with a 738. The Dolphins were electrified as they stormed through the Jaguars leaving them winless on the season at 0-6. Colin Tschantret bowled his new high score of a 216 and Kevin Ngo threw the ever popular 276 in his first game of the evening. The league will have a make-up on Thursday, July 21, so be prepared for double the news next week! 
Other high scores for the night were:
Gus Pakatar 234,277,206 =717
Ryan Seymour 237,223,258= 718
Chris Smith 248,211,256 = 715
Steve Hall 220,236,241 = 697
Joe Gatzendorfer 188,256,246 = 690
Chaz Senecal 243,209,237 = 689
Christian Baitinger 221,232,227 = 680
Press release contributed by Chaz Senecal.

Photos provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga PLAN (Preserving Land and Nature) is back this summer and fall with their Yoga Along the Trail event. Pre-registration is required, class size is limited, and it is $15 per class. Only sneakers and stretching clothing is required, no yoga mat needed.

“We thought maybe yoga would be a good one to try because our trails lend itself well to it and the activity of using nature as an inspiration for either poses or just natural processes that you might witness out there can be used for some of the getting unstuck or getting rejuvenated,” explained Maria Trabka, Executive Director at Saratoga PLAN.

Trabka thought of the idea after attending yoga at the YMCA with a, “really great instructor. I just had the idea that it would be a fun way to introduce people to our trails and also our preserves that are open to the public,” she said.

Dana, a Saratoga PLAN employee, is also a yoga instructor, so she was able to help with the planning and instructor search.

“It’s fun for the teachers as well to get out and use a different space. You don’t bring a mat or anything like that... This is really just utilizing the spaces out there along the trail,” Trabka said.

Classes take place Saturdays and Sundays, times vary, beginning in April and ending October 21. To pre-register or for more information, contact Dana at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 518-587-5554.

“This is for people of all ages and abilities. You don’t have to feel like an expert or anything like that. If you’re interested in seeing a new place or having a new experience along the way, it’s just quite a nice experience for people,” Trabka said.

Trabka stated they have considered doing a self-guided yoga tour, in which they create stations along the trail with a yoga pose and suggested meditation on a sign.

“It’s just nice to have air and sounds and breezes and all of those things that if you slow down a little bit, a lot of times I think people use the trails and maybe don’t take the time to really observe and slow down, but more like march down that trail and get it done and check it off your list,” Trabka said.

Photo provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — As part of its popular ongoing farm tour series, the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame will present special tours of Old Tavern Farm and McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds. The tour of Old Tavern Farm will take place on Saturday, June 30 at 11 a.m. and the McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds tour will take place on Tuesday, July 10 at 11 a.m. The tours cost $25 each for Museum members and $30 each for non-members. A catered lunch is served on both tours. The tours will cover the grounds and facilities and provide an opportunity to meet the resident thoroughbreds and foals at the farms. Transportation is not included with these tours. Reservations are required for these events and space is limited. Please call the Museum’s tour line at 518584-0400 ext. 120 to reserve your spot or 518-584-0400 ext. 118 for additional information.

Following lunch at the McMahon tour, participants can choose to visit the Museum for a guided tour for $5 per person or receive a free pass to visit at their convenience. Everyone in attendance for the Old Tavern Tour will be given a free pass to the Museum to be used at their convenience. Old Tavern Farm is located at 45 Brown Rd., Saratoga Springs, while McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds is at 180 Fitch Rd., Saratoga Springs. To learn more about the farms, please visit: oldtavernfarms.com and mcmahonthoroughbreds.com.  For more information about the Museum, including special events and program offerings, please call 518-584-0400 or visit our website at www.racingmuseum.org.

Photos provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Lynn O’Rourke, the K-2 reading teacher at Lake Avenue School, has been integrating therapy dogs into her curriculum for over 10 years, ending each year with a celebration.

“I actually started it earlier than 10 years ago when I worked at Caroline Street School and then when I went to Lake Ave, I brought it with me, so, it’s just been something that I’ve done every year to congratulate the kids on all of their reading efforts,” O’Rourke explained.

When she first started, after an inquiry many years ago from a student’s parent who had a certified dog she wanted to bring to the classroom, O’Rourke only had the one therapy dog, so she only ran the program once a week. This last school year, at least four to six therapy dogs sat in with the second graders at least four times a week. O’Rourke strives to run the program at the end of every day in her classroom. The reaction has always been extremely positive with the kids. At the end of the year, students are asked to recall their events from the past year and the majority of them always say that reading with the dogs is the best part of second grade.

“Sometimes I’ll reach out to other grade levels because the upper grade level students miss it so much and the younger kids see it happening, so if the second graders can’t do it that day I usually try and tap into one of the other grades,” O’Rourke said.

While O’Rourke and her husband do not have any dogs personally, due to traveling commitments, she loves running the program.

“The kids always want to read with the dogs. They become attached, they see the dogs in the hallway. One of the dogs actually spent the last two weeks in the library so when the kids came to the library, all k-5 students, got to read with the dogs,” she said.

On Friday, June 15, O’Rourke brought in all of the therapy dogs for a big celebration, with sundaes provided by Stewart’s. Students were required to bring in a book and a towel, they were then broken up into nine groups, designated by bookmarks, and they spent several minutes discussing each of their books. O’Rourke then gave a short speech about the program and then everyone dug into a sundae while playing with the dogs. O’Rourke’s program is always looking for new dogs and can be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. All dogs need to be certified through Therapy Dogs International (TDI).

Photos provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Katelyn Ginley, a Saratoga Springs High School junior, has a set of different extra curriculars than most 17-year-old girls. Ginley has been singing for seniors longer than she can remember and is sometimes accompanied by her 14-year-old sister Jane, 12-year-old sister Ava, and 8-year-old sister Ryann.

“Since my great-grandparents were in senior homes, I’ve been singing in senior homes and performing for them and I have continued that since my greatgrandmother’s death in 2014. I go almost every week to either the Home of the Good Shepherd or other nursing homes in the area,” Ginley explained.

Ginley’s program, Sisters for Smiles, started at The Wesley Community, a nursing home in Saratoga Springs, migrating to the Home of the Good Shepherd when it opened near her home. While entertaining, Ginley plays her acoustic guitar and sings a wide range: everything from John Denver to Johnny Cash to recent radio hits, depending on her audience. When Ginley plays at children events, she learns all of the Disney songs for them.

“She plays a crazy amount of variety,” said Jennifer Ginley, Katelyn’s proud mom.

“I also play for special needs children and at Double H Ranch. I also play shows, I played in Caffe Lena last summer, and I did the Victorian Street Walk,” Ginley elaborated.

Though Ginley has taken guitar lessons since second grade, singing has always come naturally to her. Now, however, she is taking singing lessons to perfect her talent.

“I’ve always loved singing since I was a baby. I sing constantly, and I think it started from my love of princesses. I just would watch the movies,” Ginley explained.

“From years of visiting grandparents, I have learned that you can never visit often enough or stay long enough. An unplanned visit from kids coupled with a song or two can really brighten someone’s day,” Ginley said.

Though it will be an extremely busy summer for Ginley, she will be looking at several colleges and managing her families’ parking lot by Kings Tavern for track season. She also works part-time at American Eagle Outfitters. Ginley plans to perform as much as she can.

“I’m going to focus on the music whenever I can, as much as I can, hopefully every week,” she said.

Ginley hopes to pursue a biology or science-related field with a minor in music once she graduates from Saratoga Springs High in 2019.

“I will definitely find time in college to continue my community service,” she said defiantly.

“She’s looking for more gigs this summer,” her mom laughed.

“If any of the readers are interested in having me play, I’d love to,” Ginley continued.

To schedule a musical visit from Ginley, organizations may call 518-893-0686.

Photos provided.

Saratoga Strike Zone Bowling Scores - Monday, 6/11
SARATOGA SPRINGS — COMPANION FIRES 814, RAMS STAY UNDEFEATED Monday night proved to be one for the books as Kenny Companion Jr shot 279,289 and 246 for an 814 triple. A solid bowling night for him helped his rams stay undefeated. The Bills were the only other team with a perfect record but that ended
Monday night when they tied the Steelers.
Other great scores for the night include:
Larry Hayes: 258,278,257 =793
Bob Forbes: 268,216,269 = 753
Ross Boone Jr.: 243,258,244 = 745
Neil Gahl: 258,227,235 = 720
Justin Young fired a 280 on his last game

Saratoga Regional YMCA Basketball Playoffs  [ OVER 25-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE ]:
TEAM LOMBARDO 78 – TEAM REED 59
In the first quarter of the final play-off game, Alex Ventre exploded for a game high 41 points, teammates Dwayne Hazel 18 points and Ryan Ventre 10 points also helped in the win. Team Reed got 12 points apiece from Joe McLaughlin and Garris Ramsdell in the loss.

TEAM SIKORA 64 – TEAM EMERY 55
In the second game of the play-offs the feisty play of team captain Renny Sikora who was all over the court playing defense, grabbing rebounds, diving for loose balls and scoring seven points contributed to an upset win for Team Sikora over Team Emery by the score of 64 to 55. Camdon Spenser led his team in scoring with 17 points, along with 15 points from Rick Sicari, Kevin Lindsey and Zach Manrique each contributed 12 points in the victory. Andrew Armstrong scored 20 points, Travis Ramsey 17 points and Blake Rizzi had 14 points in the loss.

Saratoga Honda Donates to SRYMCA Summer Basketball League
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Honda has donated to the SRYMCA summer basketball league again.  “We partnered up when I first came back to the Y in 2015. I had left and when I returned, I came right to Tim, the owner of Saratoga Honda, and asked him if he would help sponsor the league and he kindly donated. Tim was really kind and he said, ‘yeah sure!’ I didn’t even have to give him a big spiel,” Mike Laudicina, basketball league coordinator, laughed. “Without sponsors, we would obviously have to raise the priceand that’s hard especially for the folks on scholarship,” said Andrew Bobbitt, CEO of SRYMCA.
“It’s nice to find partners in the community that will help kids and this league,” Laudicina stated.