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March 2009 Archives
Adelbert E. Winchell, Jr.
Rosena Lynn (Palmer) Vogel
Rev. Royal B. Fishbeck. Jr.
If you thought your obligation to vote was behind you after Nov. 4, think again, as residents from across the region and beyond will head back to the polls on Tuesday, March 31 to vote in a special election to determine who will fill Kirsten Gillibrand's 20th Congressional District seat.
When the Humphrey S. Finney Pavilion was built on East Avenue, it was a spectacular example of mid-century, modern architecture. Shiny and new, with all the latest in comfort and design, it was a monument to both a great man and an exhilarating industry.
Every child goes through the phase when they don't want to go to school for a myriad of reasons. In most cases, the child grows out of the phase and goes on to have a successful experience in school. Other cases don't turn out so well.
8,900 state workers
to be laid off
On Tuesday, Governor David Paterson announced that nearly 9,000 state workers would be
facing layoffs in an effort
to lower the state's budget deficit.
The road to building a new indoor recreation facility is nearing its end. On Wednesday, March 25, Judge Thomas Nolan threw out a case against the City Council after considering the three-claim lawsuit from the Friends of South Side Park.
Higher-education spearhead and innovator, scholar and chemist Alan R. Davis, Ph.D., was inaugurated as the third president of Empire State College of the State University of New York on Thursday, March 26.
One of the country's leading online broker firms has opened a new office in Saratoga Springs.
The name "omelet" is loosely used to describe a variety of egg dishes.
The Dubai World Cup is the richest collection of races on Earth, and Americans who love horse racing should be glued to their TVs from the very first minute of the action.
But I'm 10,000 miles away: how can I see the races?
The dream coming to birth in the Emirate of Dubai is yet another day of world class racing.
The opportunity for a musician to play their original music for an attentive crowd is rare, but if you go to Gaffney's on any given Thursday night you will get the opportunity to listen to regional and national artists perform their music live during the "Songwriter Showcase."
Students at Galway Central School District have a new title to add to their growing resumes: published authors.
It always makes me sad when I see a very overweight dog or cat lumbering along with labored breathing. I feel badly for them because, with few exceptions, their obesity is the direct result of their owner's failure to give them regular exercise, and at the same time, overfeeding them.
Correction:
In last week's edition of Saratoga TODAY, Gloria Woodbeck's address was incorrectly listed. Her actual address is Lot 32 Daniels Corners Trailer Park, Saratoga Springs, NY. She was arrested in May 2008 and charged with fifth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance.
Behind closed steel doors a class of athletes prepares to compete for glory.
This is a tough time of the year for me. No hunting... I'm not much into fishing... cold one minute and colder the next... ground still covered with snow in many places... mud in all the others... hiking sucks... black flies on the way... I'm just bummed out and I've got an itch to get out and get going and there's nothing around to scratch that itch.
A goalie on the Saratoga Springs boy's lacrosse team was recently chosen out of 16 goalies from across the Northeast to play in the Adidas All American National Lacrosse Classic.
It was more than just an anniversary party, but a definite celebration as the Saratoga Springs City Center recognized its 25th year in operation. On this occasion the City Center Authority and the Saratoga Springs City Council unveiled the "New Vision" and design of the City Center expansion project.
With a resolution passed by the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors, Saratoga County residents will be able to buy prescription drugs at a discounted price.
Since mixed martial arts (MMA) competitions were introduced to American audiences through the founding of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in 1993, it has become one of the fastest growing sports in the country. While it has captivated millions of Americans, many politicians have stood up in gross opposition to MMA events, claiming that it is too brutal a sport for American audiences. Now local assemblyman Bob Reilly (D-Loudonville) is taking the lead on ensuring MMA competitions remain illegal in New York State, while supporters of the sport have taken the fight outside the ring and to the state legislature.
Each year, about seven lives are lost area-wide to suicide. While this is a very serious topic, local school districts are learning the hard way how to talk about the issue without glorifying it, as well as dealing with the aftermath.
Mayor announces united effort to ensure future VLT revenue
Saratoga Springs Mayor Scott Johnson along with local business leaders and county officials have joined together to create a united voice in order to urge New York State officials to strike a deal that would bring video lottery terminals (VLT) to Aqueduct Racetrack.
The deal that has been in the making for eight years, recently fell through after the project's operator, Delaware North, was not able to secure the correct financing to bring in 4,500 VLT machines to the track.
The legacy of American socialism is our blighted inner cities, dysfunctional inner city schools and broken black families.
Anthony D. Medaglia, 36, of 182 DR Mobile Home Park, Halfmoon, was sentenced to five years probation after he pleaded guilty to a charge of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. He was arrested on June 17 in Halfmoon.
After four years, Dawn Oesch said goodbye to her post as President of the Downtown Business Association during Wednesday's meeting.
Students and staff at Saratoga Central Catholic now have another reason to be proud to call themselves the Saints.
Easter is near and that means Easter bonnets, Easter lilies and Easter bunnies. There are chocolate bunnies, plush stuffed-animal bunnies, and unfortunately for the animals, there are living breathing bunnies given as Easter gifts to young children for their short-term entertainment. Too often children handle these live baby rabbits roughly and as soon as the novelty wears off, they are "set free" only to become easy prey to hawks, foxes, coyotes and domestic cats or dogs. While only a little better than simply letting them loose in an open field to become "food," domestic rabbits also end up in animal shelters after the Easter celebrations are over. The worst part of this situation is that the children involved come away with the idea that pets are disposable, and it is ok to toss them aside when the newness wears off.
Carrots are part of almost every American's diet. They can be eaten in a myriad of ways. The simplest and most popular way is raw. Fresh raw carrots are sweet, juicy and crunchy and are enjoyed alone, with dips, or added to salads. Alternatively, carrots may be chopped and boiled, fried or steamed for use by themselves or in soups, stews, even baby food. No matter how the carrot is prepared, it is one of America's most loved vegetable.
Schuylerville - Edward Stillman Boyce, 87, a resident of Green St., died Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at his home after a brief illness. He was surrounded by his loving family. He left us to join his beloved wife "Sugar" on her birthday.
Saratoga Springs - Cornelia (Connie) Harrison-Hayward, 80, of Nissequogue, NY, passed away early Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 27, 2008 after a brief illness.
Saratoga Springs - Eugene Kenyon Bush passed away at Saratoga Hospital on March 7, 2009. He was 85.
Boca Raton, FL - Helen S. (Turnbull) Kittell, formerly of Clifton Park and Stillwater, NY, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 15, 2009 at Hospice of Palm Beach County, Delray Beach, FL, after a brief illness. She was 83.
I just finished reading two books. Well, that's not exactly true. Let me explain.
The Saratoga Blue Knight midget ice hockey team fell in the Northeastern Midget Hockey League (NEMHL) Division II final for the second straight year after losing to the Albany Jr. River Rats on Sunday, March 15 at the Vernon Rink.
Joel Goodman, like Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman's characters in "The Bucket List," has a list of life goals that he would like to accomplish before he leaves this world behind. Recently he completed one of those goals when he became only the second professional speaker in the world to have lectured on all seven continents after a recent trip to Antarctica.
The highly anticipated plans to expand the Saratoga Springs City Center by 22,000 square feet will be officially unveiled to a group of approximately 150 constituents, local business leaders and city officials on Monday.
For the past 11 years, the city of Saratoga Springs has rented recreation fields from the Police Benevolent Association (PBA) off Weibel Avenue for $1 -- until this year.
Disaster struck over one year ago on Grand Avenue in the beloved Arts District in Saratoga Springs. On Jan. 23, 2008, a fire sparked by a rogue cigarette left unattended on an enclosed porch burned the over 100-year-old apartment building at 153 Grand Ave. to the ground, leaving 10 tenants without a home. Helena Frost, owner of the building and herself an artist who enjoyed spending the summer months in the city, was left to deal with the ruins.
Rapist sentenced to 15 years
Morris R. Lewis, 52, of 246 Union Avenue, Dorm 126, Room 8 in Saratoga Springs, was sentenced to 15 years in a maximum security state prison by Saratoga Country Court Judge Jerry Scarano after pleading guilty to the crime of rape in the first degree. Lewis also pleaded guilty to sex abuse in the first degree and unlawful imprisonment. In addition, Lewis will face a mandatory 10 years of post release supervision after serving his 15 years in order to ensure the victim's safety.
A week ago, Saratoga TODAY publisher Chad Beatty used this space to say enough is enough. He gave voice to the many who feel as he does that if we continue to go negative we'll reap what we sow. Instead, he suggested that we align ourselves with the good things we have going on in our community and acknowledge that Saratoga, despite some of our challenges, has it better than most.
Wade J. Crowley, 49, of 5 Old Schuylerville Rd. in Saratoga Springs pleaded guilty to a charge of second-degree criminal possession of marijuana. He will return to court for sentencing on May 26 at 9:30 a.m. Crowley was arrested on Dec. 8, 2008 in Saratoga Springs.
Paul O'Donnell first opened Celtic Treasures on 456 Broadway in downtown Saratoga Springs in 1992, nearly 17 years ago. With the help of his wife, Antoinette, the O'Donnells have turned Celtic Treasures into the premiere Irish imports store in the region, not to mention one of the largest sellers of its kind on the east coast. For Paul O'Donnell, the reasons for initially opening such a store were simple.
Who is Wendy? I feel like I know her so well, yet I know so little about her. Where does she come from? Where has she been? And what has led her to a life on the road? I know none of these things, yet I feel like I just finished watching someone I have known all my life and that is what makes Wendy so intriguing and familiar to me.
Local radio show, The Community Café Music Hour, will celebrate its one year anniversary of supporting local music when they host their first ever Community Café LIVE, at the Hudson River Community Credit Union's Annual Meeting & Luncheon at the Queensbury Hotel from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 15.
As local boards of education are beginning to prepare for budget votes in May, the facilities and transportation department presented their accomplishments, goals and proposed budgets to the Saratoga Springs Board of Education Tuesday night.
With the stresses of daily life progressively increasing each day, it is no wonder that we are finding stress getting difficult to manage. Although we are readily equipped with the ability to deal with normal stresses of the day, we sometimes encounter a stressful situation that is overwhelming - an occurrence that can better be characterized as creating distress.
After nearly one year spent constructing the $30 million emergency department at Saratoga Hospital, the new facilities are on schedule and set to be opened to the public during the summer of this year.
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Don't let the cold weather fool you. Winter is on its way out, and with less than four months to go until school finishes for the season, children's summer camps are already beginning the enrollment process for their new programs. With so many options and places to choose from, finding the right camp for your child may seem like a daunting task. When looking at the various camps out there, it is important to keep several things in mind.
Here it is, Mom! Here's the money I'm going to make for Ireland!" Thomas said to me the other morning as he "worked" on his "laptop" (the VTech educational computer my brother and his wife got him for Christmas).
Do you own a box overflowing with a lifetime's worth of memories and photos, mementos and artifacts? In today's technological world, many are tempted to post their vacation, birthday, and even wedding pictures on social networking websites, such as Facebook, MySpace, or Flicker. But Cora Burns, co-owner of Saratoga's Paper Dolls store suggests taking a different route.
By Jill Sweet
J: What would you like our readers to know about the Saratoga County Animal Shelter?
S: First of all we want people in the community to realize we have a county animal shelter. So many folks don't seem to even know that the shelter is here and that there are lots of wonderful animals just waiting to be adopted. We hope the shelter will be their first option when adopting a new pet.
Sometimes people come to the Saratoga County Animal Shelter looking to adopt a cat, but are hesitant because they already have a dog. Other times it is just the opposite: they want to bring home a dog, but they already have a cat. The phrase, "they fought like cats and dogs" must have come from some reality in the domestic animal world. Nevertheless, there are millions of people who do not consider the family complete without a dog and a cat. Wasn't that the model in the early Dick and Jane books? Wasn't there a cat named Puff and a dog named Spot?
A vegan delight just in time for St. Patty's Day
Recently at the Saratoga Farmers' Market, I asked one of our younger food enthusiasts and a follower of Vegan eating habits to share a favorite recipe with us. Andrew Plotsky not only sent a recipe, he sent a fun loving masterpiece describing the important nuances of cooking mashed potatoes. Yes, mashed potatoes! We so often use the potato (especially in the mashed form) as a quick filler to our plate, that we forget the enjoyment that can be derived from cooking such a seemingly simple dish. Read on: Andrew's wit and appreciation of the nuances of cooking mashed potatoes will make you smile and never take this dish for granted again. Perhaps Andrew Plotsky is to the mashed potato what the Leprechaun is to the 4-leaf-clover. Happy St. Patty's Day everyone!
If you are a licensed driver and you have an accident, does everyone in your home town lose their right to drive? Does everyone have their vehicle taken away from them? Are you looked upon as if you have some sort of contagious disease? Are you considered a threat to society... even when you're not driving? Are you and all others who drive considered to be a killer... a demon... a predator? Do all of these issues determine who you are as a person even if all you did was drive a few miles over the speed limit?
Spirits were high on Saturday, March 7 during the Suburban Council Cheerleading Competition at Shenendehowa High School.
Killington, VT - Stratton Mountain School's Aspen Witt won Dual Moguls in the Eastern Championship Series at Killington, VT on Feb. 28 to March 1, 2009. Witt has taken first place in five other events this year.
Carolyn S. Ness passed away Sunday, March 1, 2009 surrounded by her family.
She was 59.
David Peter Moriarta died early Saturday morning, February 21, 2009 at Saratoga Hospital. He was 67 years old.
Dolores Bena Harran, devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-
grandmother, passed away Friday, March 6, 2009 at Saratoga Hospital, following a courageous battle with cancer. She was 77.
Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Robert Douglas Falkenbury, Jr., of Oakland Drive, entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at the Wesley Health Care Center on Lawrence Street in Saratoga. He was 89.
Rita H. (Dwyer) McCarthy, formerly of Walter Drive, passed away Friday, March 6, 2009 at the Wesley Health Care Center. She was 87.
The political excitement that we all thought was behind us after Nov. 4 was certainly back in the air on Tuesday as Scott Murphy and Jim Tedisco met for the first time to debate on such pertinent issues as health care, Social Security, energy and retirement security during the AARP Congressional Debate at the Saratoga Springs Public Library.
Students, teachers and staff at St. Clement's Regional Catholic School will be celebrating a milestone of the institution next weekend.
Nearly four months after the formation of the Sustainable Saratoga Task Force, the group is up and running and on its way to making Saratoga Springs a better place to live.
At Tuesday's Saratoga Springs City Council meeting both Mayor Scott Johnson and Commissioner of Public Safety Ron Kim discussed the future of stimulus funding for projects in Saratoga Springs.
Teen's death suspected to have been caused by overdose
The death of a 19-year-old man from Saratoga Springs found frozen near the dog park in Spa State Park early Tuesday morning is suspected to have been caused by a prescription drug overdose, officials said Wednesday.
Jack A. Locke, aka Neal T. Quick, 55, of 2615 N. Garden Dr., Apt. 2, Lake Worth, FL, was sentenced to one year in Saratoga County Jail after he pleaded guilty to a charge of fourth-degree grand larceny. He was arrested on Sept. 29 for an incident that occurred on August 29 in Clifton Park.
Jason M. Filkins, 32, of 33 Wilson St., Waterford, pleaded guilty to a charge of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. He was arrested on Jan. 31
Kyle A. Geertgens, 25, of 256 Pyramid Pines Estates, Wilton, was sentenced to six months in Saratoga County Jail and five years probation after he pleaded guilty to a charge of third-degree burglary. He was arrested on Dec. 22 in Wilton.
Michael T. Williams, 49, of A313 Mohawk Terrace Apartments, Clifton Park, was arrested and charged with three counts of driving while intoxicated and fourth-degree criminal mischief after a traffic stop. He was also charged with failure to keep right, failure to maintain lane, failure to signal, failure to provide proof of insurance and no seatbelt. He was remanded to Saratoga County Jail in lieu of $2,500 cash or $5,000 bond for the traffic charges and was also remanded in lieu of $1,500 cash or $3,000 bond for the criminal mischief charge. He will appear at Halfmoon Town Court on March 10.
Joseph C. Squilla, 30, of 193 Benson Ave., Albany, was arrested and charged with second-degree harassment. He was remanded to Saratoga County Jail in lieu of bail and will appear at Stillwater Town Court at a later date to answer to the charge.
Paul L. Terrio, 45, of 2083 State Route 4, Fort Edward, was arrested on a warrant from the Moreau Town Court and charged with second-degree aggravated harassment after he allegedly made a verbal threat over the phone to a third party. He will appear at Moreau Town Court at a later date to answer to the charges.
Lawrence D. Bell, 29, of 2061 Southgate Ave., Schenectady, was arrested on a warrant from 2007 and charged with petit larceny. He was arraigned in Halfmoon Town Court and remanded to Saratoga County Jail in lieu of bail. He will reappear at Halfmoon Town Court at a later date to answer to the charge.
Rickey Hagadorn, Jr., 40, of 1806 Route 32N, Gansevoort, was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated and having a blood alcohol content of more than .08 percent following a two-vehicle accident on Route 50 in Northumberland. He was also ticketed with following too closely which caused the accident. He will appear in Milton Town Court on March 10 to answer to the charges.
Tiffany M. Bessette, of 111 S. Lincoln Ave., Mechanicville, was arrested and charged with petit larceny after she allegedly stole from the Shoe Department in Clifton Park Center. She will appear at Clifton Park Town Court at a later date to answer to the charge.
Christopher Robenstein, 19, of Larkspur Dr., Saratoga Springs, and David Lyons, 17 of Rowley Rd., Ballston Spa, were arrested and charged with first-degree reckless endangerment and criminal possession of a weapon, both felonies. Robenstein was also charged with tampering of evidence.
Also,
Anthony Battista, 19, of Orenda Springs St., Saratoga Springs, was also charged with tampering of evidence.
The charged were brought about following an investigation by the Saratoga County Sheriff's Department and the New York State Police. Rebenstein and Lyons allegedly drove to a residence on Hemlock Drive in Greenfield on Feb. 22 and fired a round of gunshots at the house, striking it. They returned the next night and fired another round at the home and fled the area. The weapon was recovered by police and the three men were arraigned at Greenfield Town Court and remanded to Saratoga County Jail in lieu of bail. An investigation continues and anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Sheriff's Department at (518) 885-6761 or Wilton Police at (518) 583- 7000.
Joshua M. Casler, 24, of 34B Meyer Rd., Clifton Park, was sentenced to time served after he pleaded guilty to a charge of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. He was arrested on Sept. 7 in Clifton Park.
Christopher M. Willi, 49, of 3293 Galway Rd., Ballston Spa, was sentenced to four years in state prison and 10 years of post-release supervision after he pleaded guilty to a charge of third-degree rape. He was arrested on June 24, 2008 for an incident that occurred on Sept. 15, 2007 in Ballston Spa.
Mark Tyler, 44, of 411 Joseph St., Ballston Spa, was sentenced to two years in state prison and three years of post-release supervision after he pleaded guilty to fifth-degree attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance. He was arrested on May 27 in Saratoga Springs.
Tanya M. Roberts, 26, of 34 Goode St., Ballston Spa, pleaded guilty to a charge of fifth-degree attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance after being arrested on Sept. 20 in Ballston Spa. She will return to court on April 27 for sentencing.
Edward D. Smith, 58, of 104 Park Dr., South Glens Falls, pleaded guilty to the charges of driving while intoxicated and first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle after being arrested Sept. 17, 2007. He will return to court for sentencing on April 27.
-Compiled by Melissa Downer
When students leave academia and head out into the real world, what better way to prepare for a career than with hands-on, work-based learning is there?
During their formative years, it is critical for children to have positive role models to look up to. However, sometimes extenuating circumstances within the family and negative influences from media and other outlets can prevent children from getting the positive reinforcement they need.
Your grandmother used to use Shepherd's Pie as a way to use up leftovers and mask poorer quality meat. Not this recipe. Bypassed are the heavy cream, fatty meat and previously cooked vegetables of yesteryear. In their place are fresh local ingredients; farmers' market vegetables/herbs, local dairy milk and grass-fed top quality beef /lamb (or soy for our vegetarian followers). The result is a Shepherd's Pie rich in flavors and healthy to eat and still easy to make.
If you haven't heard, the economy is NOT good. The market continues to tumble, home prices have dropped, foreclosures are at an all-time high, credit is still hard to attain and consumer confidence is uncertain at best. Welcome to 2009.
Animals can make all the difference for an individual living with a disability. There are certified trained service dogs that guide the blind; bring out-of-reach objects to individuals in wheelchairs; and some intuitive service dogs can detect and warn an epileptic of a seizure, minutes before it actually occurs. But even pets without special training can help individuals suffering from conditions such as depression, dementia, multiple sclerosis, cancer, stroke, heart disease and other debilitating circumstances.
If you walk into one of the many coffee shops and cafes in Saratoga Springs, you often get the feeling that although there is great service, their product is limited to solely coffee. This is also true of their environment as well. It is rare to be able to feel as if you are sitting at home but that is not the case when it comes to Virgil's House. Located at 86 Henry Street, Virgil's House is not just a coffee shop, it's a place to call home. From the moment they opened their doors on June 15, 2007, owners Kathleen Quartararo and James Hahn wanted to create an environment that is calm, relaxing and replicates the feeling of being in one's living room.
If you are a regular reader of this column, you will know that my wife and I like to take road trips and usually they are for at least a couple of thousand miles. You would also know that before moving back to New York State, I lived in North Carolina for close to 30 years and consider it my second home.
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