September 2007 Archives

Connor LaFrance wanted a motorcycle so bad that he was willing to sell rocks.

On Thursday, Sept. 27, Gordon Boyd announced he will continue to be a candidate for mayor in this November’s election.

Boyd had opposed Saratoga Springs Mayor Valerie Keehn in the recent Democratic primary. He received 609 votes, but lost by a margin of almost two to one.

Who’s who:

Evan Conway – bass and vocals

Anthony Lessard – guitar and vocals

Rob Morris – drums and vocals

Joe Slezak – guitar

There will be plenty of dancing all day long this Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 29 and 30, at the Saratoga Native American Festival. Just don’t count on any rain dances.

Last year more than 5,000 people attended the first day of the inaugural event, but the following day’s storms kept much of the crowds away. James Bruchac, director of the Ndakinna Education Center as well as the festival, said the weekend forecast looks pretty promising, and he’s hoping to attract roughly 8,000 guests.

It’s usually not pretty when the words “audit findings” and “news conference” appear in the same sentence.

With the glorious days of summer fresh in our minds, it is hard to imagine that soon we will be back into snow country begging for the arrival of spring.

One of my fondest childhood memories is my mother making an apple pie and setting aside a bit of dough and a few apples so that I could bake a little pie for my father.

More than 570 runners participated in the second annual Saratoga Palio Melanie Merola O’Donnell Memorial Half-Marathon and 5K on Sunday, Sept. 23.

Mike Ketchum of Mayfield won the 35-Lap Sportsmen feature main event on the final night of racing at the Albany Saratoga Speedway, last Friday night.

Earlier this year, I wrote about my friend Denny and told you he was dying.

You do not need to book a trip with Butterfield and Robins to experience picture perfect bike riding, splendors abound right here in Saratoga County.

There was a time not so long ago when New York Giants football was all about defense.

Lawrence Taylor, Harry Carson, George Martin and Carl Banks conjure up images of quarterback sacks, goal line stops and relentless pressure on the opposing offenses they faced.

Born in New York City and raised in Westchester County, Field Horne has resided in the same neighborhood in Saratoga Springs for almost 30 years. Though he’d prefer longer springs and summers, and milder winters, there’s no place Horne would rather be.

“Where else but in Saratoga Springs can I have the kind of environment to live in on a day to day basis that I have here?” he said. “What I like is a medium-sized city, not too large but not too small. So, basically the competition in my mind is Burlington and Ithaca, but this has become home.”

Approximately 70 members of the Downtown Business Association gathered at Gaffney’s on Wednesday night for the organization’s first meeting since before the track season. The popular local watering hole provided a comfortable setting for the group to take a look back as well as discuss plans for the future after their summer hiatus.

Twenty-four year old Christie Tolosky died suddenly on June 20, 2005. She was in good health, exercised, ran regularly and was active. Afterward, it was discovered Christie had Long QT Syndrome, a disturbance of the heart's electrical system which causes an abnormality of the heartbeat, or rhythm of the heart.

Did you notice my column wasn’t in last Friday’s edition of Saratoga TODAY?

Rob Skane

We here at Saratoga TODAY are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Connor LaFrance last Friday. We have come to enjoy reading his stories about all of his accomplishments and sharing them with our readers. Our thoughts and prayers are withConnor's family and friends.

- Saratoga TODAY staff

Richard Kane Ferguson’s career as a commercial and fine artist began shortly after his high school graduation.

Mike Ostrander of Ballston Spa narrowly took the victory in the 20-Lap Limited feature last Friday night at Albany Saratoga Speedway.

It was “Points Party and Barbeque Night” at the track with well over 100 trophies being handed out to the competitors who excelled at the Malta track, as well as its sister track, Devil’s Bowl Speedway.

The Saratoga Springs High School girls’ tennis team is going through the normal growing pains that many teams go through over the course of a season.

Evidence of the ups and downs is this week. On Monday, the Blue Streaks (4-2 Suburban Council, 5-2 overall) were dominant in a 9-0 victory over Mohonasen.

Well, stringing a bow is almost a thing of the past, unless, that is, you should still be using a long bow or a recurve bow.

Most of last week’s golf activity was centered around the McGregor Links Country Club where lots of exciting things were happening.

When I meet Cheryl Palma out for coffee her energy and enthusiasm is contagious, and it’s not from the latte she’s drinking.

There is a reason parents continue to impart the adage, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all” to their children; it is sound advice.

It’s been an up-and-down couple of weeks for the Ballston Spa High School boys’ soccer team, but coach Andy Menzie is far from worried at this early juncture of the season.

For most of this soccer season the Saratoga Springs girls varsity squad will play away games, even when they’re the home team.

On the second day of tryouts their field at the high school had to be closed for the entire season. Peter Sheehan, the school’s new athletic director, blamed its significant deterioration on an especially dry summer, as well as grub and water issues.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

- Margaret Mead

This past week has been an amazing one at the paper. Last week, we put a call out to all our readers to help Duncan, a dog who was abandoned, hit by a car and attacked by a porcupine all in one week. As each day came and went, envelopes poured in with well wishes and money to help fund Duncan’s surgery and his subsequent recovery. I want to say thank you to everyone who donated toward Duncan’s fund.

For the past 15 years, Kim Klopstock has catered weddings, dinners, parties and all kinds of events from Montreal to Florida. But for the last four years she’s been intent on finding a place to call home base.

Her search ended when 2128 Doubleday Avenue in Milton, which previously housed Sharp’s Pub and Leo’s Diner, became available. The Route 50 location is perfect for her needs; with three kitchens, easy access to the highway and a “ridiculous” amount of parking Klopstock can run Fifty South, a restaurant and bar, and do all her gourmet catering for The Lily and the Rose under one roof.

On the sixth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, fourth- and fifth-grade students at Geyser Road Elementary School sang patriotic tunes to a smiling crowd of faculty, family and members of the Board of Education.

I was with a group of women friends recently when the conversation turned to talk of obituaries and memorial services (sorry). Anyway, when I told them I wasn’t going to have an obituary in the paper, just an announcement, and no memorial service, one of my friends was quite upset. “But I wanted to say goodbye to you,” she said. She was quite taken aback by my response, “Oh, I was planning on you going first!”

I don’t know where I got this idea I am immortal. It’s very teenage of me, I know. But for years I’ve been acting as if I were, even while my body slowly wears out around me. I think it all started when a dentist told me my teeth would “outlast” me. I imagined myself turned to dust and crumbles and my almost-full set of crooked teeth somewhere clacking away by themselves. Since I still have real gold inlays, I hope they’re at least in a safety deposit box.

Shortly after 10 p.m. last Saturday night, the Lake George sky filled with the bright colors and loud thunder of a fireworks show.

About the artist:

O’Connor, a jazz and pop singer, has performed for roughly 25 years as a soloist and with a variety of groups, including the vocal trio String of Pearls, in New York City, the Capital Region and beyond.

As the season winds down, you are probably looking at your lawn and thinking, whew, the season is over, and I am done, with the exception of some mowing, unless of course your lawn went dormant with all our heat and dry weather.

According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men, other than skin cancer.

September is National Baby Safety month, which allows parents and caregivers to evaluate some of the finer points of childcare.Some of the safety tips below may seem obvious, but they would not be listed unless parents and caregivers continued to neglect these suggestions. These essential guidelines will help ensure a joyful and healthy first few years of a baby’s life.

Think of your favorite sport; chances are your vision plays an important part in that activity.

If you recently shipped your child off to college, you’ve likely thought about everything he or she needs: food, clothes, books, phone cards.

“But, have you thought about insurance?” asks the Professional Insurance Agents of New York State Inc., a trade association representing professional, independent insurance agencies throughout the state.

Eddie Fyvie, of Spa City Brazilian JiuJitsu, made quick work of his most recent opponent, winning via knockout in the first round.

Maria Izzo really loves practice this fall.

The veteran Saratoga Central Catholic High School girls’ volleyball coach has a deep squad with 12 players which doesn’t always happen at the smaller schools.

As the fall season starts to move into the Northeast and the sun disappears on the horizon sooner than we would like it to, more and more golfers put their clubs and away and that’s a shame.

Hello everyone,

Labor Day weekend came upon us a bit too fast this year.

Brett Hearn of Sussex, N.J. won the 35-lap battle last Friday at Albany Saratoga Speedway, but Ken Tremont won the war as he garnered his ninth track title.

Perhaps no Skidmore team was more successful last fall than the men’s soccer team, who set a program record with 15 wins in a season that saw them advance to the Liberty League Conference championship game.

Saratoga Springs Police Officer Adam Baker underwent emergency surgery Wednesday night at Albany Medical Center after having his neck slashed that afternoon. The 30-year-old patrolman was said to be in fair condition as of Thursday.

After city police received a call from Four Winds Hospital that an individual brought for treatment had fled the premises, a mental health pickup order was issued and officers began to conduct an area search in the vicinity of the hospital. At 2:52 p.m. Baker located the subject, Seth M. Dawson, at the corner of Jefferson St. and East Broadway, approximately a half mile from Four Winds. Officers John Kehoe and John Carey responded to the location to assist Baker.

Earlier this week, Gov. Eliot Spitzer recommended that the New York Racing Association (NYRA) continue to do what it’s done for more than 50 years—run thoroughbred racing at Saratoga Race Course, Belmont Park and Aqueduct.

The non-binding memorandum of understanding which NYRA signed with the state of New York on Tuesday, Sept. 4, would give the organization a 30-year franchise extension and forgive them of approximately $130 million of debt. In return, NYRA would relinquish all its land claims.

The good times are on the west side of town this weekend as the second annual West Side Celebration takes over Beekman and Oak Streets on Friday evening and Saturday.

The event celebrates the rich history of the neighborhood and its neighbors and honors those who have recently settled in the area. West Side Celebration Committee Chairwoman Lee Signor notes the event also fills a void that was left open when the long-running Feast of St. Michael’s was retired.

Last season wasn’t supposed to end the way it did for the Saratoga Springs High School varsity field hockey team.

Ranked No. 2 in the Section II, Class A tournament, the Blue Streaks were feeling pretty confident against the No. 7 seed in Guilderland, but a 1-0 upset ended things prematurely.

Student-athletes returning to Skidmore College this fall are poised and ready to make this season yet another successful one for the Thoroughbreds.

During the 2006 season, all seven fall sports teams quietly amassed winning records, together posting an incredible combined record of 82-39-5. Every fall athlete was granted the opportunity to compete in post-season play, with six teams earning trips to the Liberty League tournament and three teams advancing to NCAA tournament play.

To celebrate a birthday, people sometimes treat themselves to a special gift such as an article of clothing, a piece of jewelry or a concert ticket they would really like. Rena Zeppetelli is fond of flowers, so she bought herself a whole store full of them.

Zeppetelli, who turned 30 this year, is the owner of Rena’s Fine Flowers. For roughly a year, she’s run the business from her home, but its growth has necessitated additional space.

It’s always a pleasure at the Saratoga Farmer’s Market when private chef Dan Spitz comes to do a demo. Last week, Dan came and scoured the market for the freshest ingredients to make his dish-of-the-day. He picked up bread at Effie’s Bakery, heirloom tomatoes from Stevens and basil and arugula from Minglewood and Dennsion Farms. He combined these ingredients with Parmesan cheese and his homemade Vinaigrette dressing to make a delicious Panzanella Salad (or Italian Bread Salad). This salad is amazingly simple, but packs a robust flavor. Serve it as an appetizer to something off the grill or broiler. Here is the recipe for you to try at home.

Anne Nelson’s The Guys was written in just nine days. While born out of a horrendous event, it did not follow a fledgling play’s usually torturous path. It opened at Tribeca’s off-off-Broadway’s The Flea almost immediately. What’s more, it featured two high profile actors, Sigourney Weaver and Bill Murray, as the two characters. Weaver starred as Joan (a nom de plume for playwright Nelson), an Oklahoma-born reporter who, like many of us, felt powerless despite an overwhelming desire to help. Murray portrayed Nick, a NYFD captain who just happened to be off duty when his unit was called into the World Trade Center. Still unable to come to terms with that, Nick is asked to compose eight eulogies for his fallen men. Somehow, in the peculiar serendipity of those days, Joan and Nick are thrown together and find a kind of catharsis, the beginning of healing.

About the artist:

A celebrated musician on the club, college and festival circuits of North America since 1975, Michael Jerling has been a Saratoga Springs resident for the last 25 years. Born and raised in Illinois, Jerling typically performs solo, but for a local gig will sometimes play with bassist Tony Markellis and pianist Teresina Huxtable.

As per usual I was running late on Saturday, Sept. 1. When I finally arrived at the office, I had precious little time to get ready.

I tore holes in my clothes. I cut up my tie. I smeared ketchup all over the front and back of my shirt.

After grabbing a camera and a notebook I took off on foot toward Backstreet Billiards. I figured I’d never find a parking space downtown.

Whether you spent last weekend stocking up on spiral tablets and pencils or picking up vegetables at the farmer’s market, have you noticed that the number of items being imported into the house has increased substantially? From the paper whirlwind a child brings home from school to the 30 pounds of apples picked from the orchard, for many, autumn sparks the inclination to get organized.

It’s a familiar question that boggles almost everyone - What am I going to do with all of this stuff?

Looking for inspiration to remodel your kitchen and bathroom?

Aird Dorrance’s Ballston Spa showroom may be just what you’ve been looking for to spark the creative juices.

Unlike most artists and interior designers who work with color and unchanging surfaces, Eric Czerw works with a moving, living medium. Czerw’s paint brushes are fish and flora. His canvases are aquariums and vivariums.

Through his company, Bio-Fusion Designs, Czerw designs and builds custom aquariums, ponds, indoor and outdoor water features, terrariums and vivariums that fit unique dimensions, are made of unique materials and truly are pieces of art.

Several weeks ago we featured brief profiles of people in the community who have created a seamless and productive web between careers and retirement. Our readers enjoyed these profiles and asked for more. Once a month this column will feature a profile of an individual who has made an interesting and productive transition from career to retirement or semi-retirement. We hope you enjoy the profiles and welcome your suggestions of individuals who have a unique story to share with those of us who are curious, apprehensive and perhaps reluctant to transition.

Labor Day heralds the end of many things in our lovely Saratoga area. The track closes down for another season, vacation ends for our youngsters and area golfers will frequent the links less often.

However, this past weekend was a very active one at many of the area courses. They know that fall is on its way and they want to end the season in grand fashion.

The Saratoga Rugby Club co-hosted the ninth annual Saratoga Invitational Rugby Tournament with UAlbany on Aug. 25 as part of the Travers Festival.

Saratoga’s first match was against Berkshire. Saratoga dominated in the forwards play and their backs were too fast for Berkshire. The final score was 19-3.

Jimmy Cottrell of Rock City Falls led all 35 laps on the way to winning his first Modified feature last Friday night at the Albany Saratoga Speedway.

Cottrell, driving the Kendall Oil No. 8 in only his second season in the headline division, started on the front row along side Ron Proctor. When the initial Green Flag flew, Cottrell quickly opened up a sizeable lead.

On Saturday, Sept. 22, at the Old Saratoga Muzzle Loading Club in Stillwater, which is about half a mile from the Saratoga National Cemetery, our instructor team will be conducting a gun safety course for 50 people wanting to be certified to obtain their hunting license. Fifty!

On Sunday, Sept. 23, at the same location, we will be conducting the same course for certification to obtain a bow hunting license. This session is also scheduled to have 50 people in attendance and, as I write my column for this week, both courses are booked solid.