During the Victorian era it was common for the “first families” to host open houses on New Year’s Day. Members of the community were invited to visit the various homes sharing friendship, seasonal cheer and probably even some gossip.

This year Mrs. Catharine Phillips Batcheller (a.k.a. Sandra Graff) will reinstate this Victorian tradition. She is inviting all of her friends, neighbors and people who are yet to become friends to visit her at the Batcheller Mansion Inn for tea on New Year’s Day. She will have three teas one at 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00. Those who attend will not only visit this grand manor but learn about the Batcheller family and the etiquette of a Victorian tea. As was the tradition, Mr. George Sherman Batcheller will be in attendance (mostly as a prop) so women are encouraged to bring along their significant others.

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December 17, 2009

Paul F. Maratto, President, Principessa Elena’s Men’s Society presented checks totaling $3800 to eight local charitable organizations in recognition of their extensive services to individuals and families in the community. The organizations receiving contributions were Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council, Franklin Community Center, Catholic Charities, The Salvation Army, Saratoga Center for the Family, Saratoga County Children’s Committee, Saratoga Springs Police Benevolent Association, and the Saratoga Springs Fire Fighters Local 343.

Mr. Maratto explained that when the founding fathers established the Principessa Elena Men’s Society 109 years ago, one of its primary purposes was community benevolence. Several times each year, as part of this legacy, the Society presents monetary awards to the local organizations or groups that help to make a difference in the community.

The club’s president said that the Charitable Giving Committee at this time of year selects [...]

Saratoga Springs, NY – (December 7, 2009) – Orthopaedic Associates of Saratoga, 5 Care Lane, has been awarded accreditation in extremity MRI by the American College of Radiology. ACR awards accreditation to recognize the achievement of high practice standards. An MRI is a medical imaging technique that makes it possible to visualize the soft tissues of the body.

Orthopaedic Associates of Saratoga is the regional comprehensive musculoskeletal Center of Excellence, dedicated to patient education and the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of conditions of the bones and joints, caused by illness and injury. Areas of expertise include arthritis, osteoporosis, sports medicine, foot/ankle and hand. Physicians in the practice include Lawrence H. Fein, MD; William T. Byrt, MD; William W. O’Connor, MD; George E. Silver, Jr.; Joseph M. LaRosa, MD; Bruce H. Dick, MD; Kevin E. Rosas, MD; and Justin M. Ferrara, MD.

The practice operates at [...]

Saratoga Springs, NY (December 8, 2009) – Saratoga Gaming and Raceway donated a total of $100,000 to twenty-one local charities at the 5th Annual Make a Difference Charity Event on Tuesday, December 8th. The event included a check presentation ceremony and remarks by Saratoga Gaming and Raceway management as well as the Chairman of the Saratoga Gaming and Raceway Foundation and Supervisor of the City of Saratoga Springs, Matthew Veitch.

This year, Saratoga Gaming and Raceway increased their monetary support by $20,000 and selected twenty-one organizations to receive donations as part of the 2009 Make a Difference Charity Event. The organizations selected by Saratoga Gaming and Raceway are:

• American Red Cross Adirondack Saratoga Chapter
• CAPTAIN Youth & Family Services
• Center for Disability Services Foundation
• Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Services of
• Saratoga County

• Franklin Community Center Inc.
• Friends of Recreation
• Habitat [...]
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Saratoga Springs, N.Y. — (December 2, 2009) – Mimosa Gallery of art for home and wear has opened a retail shop in the lower level of The Downstreet Marketplace, 454 Broadway. This is the second location for Mimosa, which has been operating on Beekman Street in the arts district since 2005. The store is a well-known destination for contemporary, handcrafted pottery, ceramics, jewelry, fiber accessories, glass, fine art, handbags, lotions and soaps by recognized and emerging national and regional artists.

“There was so much interest in our unique, one-of-a-kind merchandise that I decided to make the store more accessible to pedestrians and visitors from out of town who come to Saratoga Springs to shop,” said owner Michelle LaLonde, who also handcrafts the exclusive handbags. “The store is a good fit with the other retailers in The Downstreet Marketplace, which sell gifts, clothing, estate jewelry and housewares. The [...]

Saratoga Springs, NY (December 3, 2009) – Saratoga Gaming and Raceway will donate a total of $100,000 to twenty-one local charities at the 5th Annual Make a Difference Charity Event on Tuesday, December 8 at 5:30p.m in the Vapor Night Club.

The event will include a check presentation ceremony and comments by: Jamie Hartman, Saratoga Gaming and Raceway’s Executive VP and Chief Operating Officer, Skip Carlson, VP of External Affairs and Matthew Veitch, Chairman of the Saratoga Gaming and Raceway Foundation and Supervisor of the city of Saratoga Springs.

CHERISH THE LADIES to perform at The Egg, Dec. 8th at 7:30pm. The band releases their new Christmas CD,
‘A STAR IN THE EAST’.

“A Star in the East will shine at any Christmas gathering”,
-Gwen Orel, Irish Music Magazine

Cherish the Ladies are the 2009 Irish Music Award Winners of the Top North American Celtic Act!

When describing Cherish the Ladies, the critics say it best. “It is simply impossible to imagine an audience that wouldn’t enjoy what they do”, the Boston Globe. Taking their name from a traditional Irish jig, the group initially won recognition as the first and only traditional Irish music all woman band. In a relatively short time they established themselves as musicians and performers without peer and have won many thousands of fans of their music.

Now, following their [...]

Saratoga Specialties Company is capturing national media attention.

Saratoga Springs own, Moon Brand Original Saratoga Chips™ set to be featured on the Emmy Award winning Rachel Ray Show.

Saratoga Springs, New York, (Thursday, December 03, 2009): Saratoga Specialties Company is excited to announce that their Moon Brand Original Saratoga Chips™ are being featured on the Emmy Award winning, nationally syndicated Rachel Ray Show as the “Snack of the day” in an episode that was taped Wednesday, October 14, 2009 and is set to air on Monday, December 7, 2009 at 3:00 PM eastern standard time.

This exciting announcement comes on the heals of recently being featured in The New York Times and after having received an incredible review from an exclusive and well respected gourmet specialty food ezine called “The Nibble”. Additionally, The Nibble also just recognized Saratoga Specialties Company as one of the “Best Gourmet [...]

Saratoga Springs, NY – On Wednesday, December 2, 2009, the annual Saratoga Springs Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony takes place on Broadway in front of Putnam Market (across from Caroline Street) in downtown Saratoga Springs beginning at 6:30 pm., brought to you by the Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association.

Approximately 200 Girl Scouts from the local area begin the event with their singing. The Honorable Mayor Scott Johnson lights the tree at 7:00 p.m. Santa & Mrs. Claus arrive by horse drawn carriage at approximately 7:05 p.m. to ring in the official start of the Holiday Season. Santa and Clara Claus visit with the children and pass out candy canes.

Star 101.3 plays music from 6:00 to 8:00 for the crowds, hot chocolate and cookies will be free and served to the crowds at the cottage. Our special Downtown Business Association sponsors are John Baker from Gaffney’s, Steve Wells from The Hungry Spot, [...]