June 2009 Archives

At a press conference held in Malta on Wednesday, NYSDOT Regional Public Information Officer Peter Van Keuren, Malta Town Supervisor Paul Sausville and Captain John McCarthy of the New York State Police announced that changes have been made to one of five roundabouts at the intersection of State Routes 9 and 67 in the Town of Malta, Saratoga County.

Within two weeks Saratoga Springs, Wilton and Moreau have seen 11 crack-cocaine dealers and two large-scale marijuana dealers arrested and taken off the streets

As a member of the Commission of Forensic Science, District Attorney James A. Murphy, III has helped open doors in criminal investigations.

Gavin Park celebrates opening of new athletic fields

Coming on board at Saratoga Today is really the fulfillment of a dream I've had as long as I can remember.

Note: This is the first of three stories that will look at three historical figures who helped shape our region leading up to Saratoga's All-American Celebration: Valor, Victory and Voyages, set for July 3-5 in the city of Saratoga Springs.

Hard work and dedication have paid off for graduating seniors and it will all be realized in the coming weeks at commencement ceremonies across the county.

Last Friday was a memorable day for Greenfield students when hundreds of residents, faculty and family members and representatives of the business community gathered in front of the Greenfield Elementary School to join in a Flag Day celebration.

In November of 2007 local businesses and community members in Greenfield saw the need to come together to encourage community involvement.

This is a wonderful easy way to enjoy a light dinner that is healthy, tasty and delicious. 

Three decades before Andy Warhol immortalized the Campbell's Soup can, Eduardo Paolozzi (1924-2005) was crowding childhood scrapbooks with images of American popular culture he found in old magazines, newspapers, and comic strips.

The Saratoga Phillies NYCBL baseball team is looking to rebound after Tuesday's 0-6 loss against Amsterdam as they travel back to their home field at the East Side Recreation Field for a rematch this Thursday.

In past articles, I have written about how fortunate we are to have such vast recreational resources and natural beauty available to us right in our back yard.

Golf activity was highlighted by the Saratoga County Amateur Championship hosted by the McGregor Links Country Club. Over the past weekend, 80 of the most proficient golfers who are residents of Saratoga County competed for the coveted title.

Saratoga Springs - Col. William J. (Wild Bill) Boyle (Retired), 91, of Michael Drive, died Friday, June 12, 2009 at the Wesley Health Care Center, surrounded by his family

Saratoga Springs - Marlene A. Reardon died following a courageous battle with ALS on Thursday, June 11, 2009 at the Willows Health Care Center in Worcester, MA. She was 75.

Lansingburgh - Mary Elizabeth Kitzrow (nee Kapsis), loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and cousin passed away on Monday, June 15, 2009, at Northwoods Nursing Facility in Lansingburgh, NY. She was 85

Saratoga Springs is taking flight in the effort to raise money for Medical Missions for Children (MMFC), a not-for-profit organization that provides free medical services and procedures for underprivileged children and young adults in developing countries.

Writing a check to support a cause is one way to help fundraising efforts. Riding 1,200 miles across Massachusetts is the road less taken, and a Saratoga County resident will be doing just that to support cancer research.

Nearly three years after officials from Advanced Micro Devices, now GlobalFoundries, announced their intentions to build a computer microchip fabrication plant at Luther Forest Technology Campus in Malta, company officials issued a formal letter of commitment to the state of New York on Tuesday that will clear the way for GlobalFoundries to build the $4.2 billion facility.

Saratoga seeks $2 million for new police station

Newly elected U.S. Representative Scott Murphy is requesting $2 million in federal funds from the Homeland Security Department to build a new police station in Saratoga Springs.  

It has been more than a year since I joined Saratoga TODAY and in that time I have had a lot of great experiences covering the city as a reporter and getting to know the community. However, there comes a time when all good things must come to an end and that time has arrived for me at Saratoga TODAY.
 

To some people, their work is just something to do to pay the bills. To others, it is their life's passion and reason to exist. For Dr. Gerald Benjamin, the "art" of dentistry is his life.

Many families are plagued with diseases and tragedies that can change the lives of everyone involved. A junior at Saratoga Springs High School is refusing to take what life has handed her sisters and is taking strides to make a difference.

When a president of a small college or a president of an entire nation owns a dog, he seems a little more approachable, a little more down-to-earth, and a little more like the rest of us. Ironically, it is the dog that makes the man (or woman) more human.  Perhaps this is why there is so much public interest in the dog that becomes a "first dog." Only a few weeks ago, there was media frenzy when President Barack Obama and first lady, Michelle Obama finally decided on the dog they would bring into the White House. I had never heard of a Portuguese Water Dog before, but now at least I know what one looks like. After viewing the television showing the first family and Bo, the new puppy, I thought President Obama looked a bit uncomfortable interacting with the animal. Perhaps President Obama did not grow up with dogs and is not comfortable with them.  Nevertheless, he delivered on his promise of a dog for his girls anyway. Could it also be that these days U.S. Presidents are expected to get a dog?



 

Strawberry season is finally here in Saratoga and there's no better stage for strawberries to shine than this scrumptious, all fresh strawberry shortcake.

Greenfield resident Michael Spiak is one of many who remember that Greenfield was always a great place to grow up. Life on the working farms that seemed to connect the town like large squares sewn closely together on a patchwork quilt was full of good memories. Now that he is a family man himself, he is representative of many who would like to see that way of life preserved. Spiak and his wife Kelly, who are the parents of young children, have been working on weekends and in the evenings to be a part of reinvigorating the community's agricultural heritage with a creative twist that is bound to generate universal appeal. With the help of family, childhood friend, Andrew Conant, and co-worker Jerry Schmidt, Spiak has been actively attempting to develop vineyards of "tester" cold hardy grape varieties that will hopefully prove suitable for developing fine red and white wines after a painstaking process of research and problem solving.

Located between Exits 20 and 21 of I-87 along Route 9, Magic Forest Amusement Park in Queensbury has excited and delighted children for the over 46 years.  Magic Forest offers a unique experience designed specifically for a younger audience, the child's alternative to larger parks such as the Great Escape.    

Millions of people suffer from low back pain each day. Most are between the ages of 30 and 50, and many endure not only back pain, but also severe pain or numbness running into one or both legs. The result:  loss of activity, inability to work and inability to participate in the activities we enjoy most. It is estimated that some 80 to 90 percent of Americans will suffer from back pain during their lifetime, about 50 percent of which will have more than one episode. Often times, you will hear the name "Sciatica" associated with this pain, and rightly so.  

A visit to Doc Peacock's Greenfield Country Medicine is said by many to be a comforting return to family medicine as it was practiced prior to the advent of HMOs and before the patient became a faceless fifteen-minute time slot on the office calendar.

Have I written here before about wumpas? As in the name my darling husband's given to all manner of unknown and imaginary beasties that make our boys shriek in delighted terror?

The 17th century English poet John Milton must have been thinking of me when, in 1669, he wrote Paradise Lost. And then he wrote its sequel, Paradise Regained, in 1671. That is exactly how I felt after playing the Ocean Edge Golf Club, the only Nicklaus-designed course on Cape Cod.

Back packing is not for everyone!

Brett Hearn romped to his fourth win of the season last Friday night at Albany Saratoga Speedway. Possibly still angered by a late race call last week that placed him third instead of second, the "New Jersey Jet" drove like someone with a point to prove. Starting 12th on the grid, Hearn was slicing through traffic and quickly put himself into the Top Five by Lap 5. One lap later, Hearn made a daring move between Don Ronca and Vince Quenneville that put him second just as the Yellow Flag waved for last week's winner, Jeff Trombley, who spun out in the first turn. On the restart, Hearn was now sitting next to Elmo Reckner who had paced the field up to this point. Reckner got the jump on Hearn when the Green came out but a slight miscue by Reckner in the fourth turn on Lap 7 was all Hearn needed as he flew by and pulled away. The race was now for second. Reckner gave up second to Matt DeLorenzo on Lap 10 but, just five laps later, Ken Tremont, Jr. blasted by DeLorenzo where he would stay for the remaining 15 laps.

We have all seen images of death and destruction resulting from attacks by terrorist organizations on the news. Those images of violence that are etched in our minds and make us thankful that we had been given the good fortune to be born in a country that stands against such hateful acts. However, as Americans, we cannot fully comprehend the madness that characterizes these ruthless killers. That is until we see it through the eyes of someone who has experienced their wrath first-hand.

Some people live for adventure, but two girls from Saratoga Springs are taking it to an extreme.

Crowds of sign-waving public safety employees and their supporters gathered outside of the Saratoga Springs City Hall Tuesday to protest the possible loss of more than 30 police and fire fighter jobs prior to the City Council meeting.

New autism legislation to be introduced

Legislators across New York State are working to introduce measures at the county, state and federal levels to have insurance companies provide more comprehensive coverage for children with autism. Several state senators and assemblymen, including Republican Sen.
Roy McDonald from Saratoga, are working to pass bills S-2366 and A-6001 dealing with the issue, which would require insurance companies to cover diagnosis, medical treatments, and therapy for children afflicted with the condition. Currently Autism is considered as more of a psychiatric condition as opposed to a medical condition by many insurance companies, which means most families are forced to pay out of pocket for the treatments.

A local barbecue pit has been named one of the nation's best by viewers of "Live with Regis and Kelly."

On Sunday, June 14, Literacy NENY will host their first annual Read Run 5K in Saratoga Springs.

Bourguignonne is a French-derived term, referring to meat braised in Burgundy (red wine) and garnished with mushroom and onion. This recipe variation is unique in its fresh local flavors that one can only get from the amazing products obtained from Saratoga Farmers' Market vendors. Start with Eilhu Lamb (which is back now with full product line on both Wednesdays and Saturdays), braise the lamb in Colebrook's Black Raspberry Merlot, compliment it with Minglewood's organic mushrooms, fresh market scallions and serve over Sheldon potatoes in a fresh Argyle Yogurt Sauce and, voile!, you have Lamb Bourguignonne like you never had before and will never forget. Enjoy every bite as this meal also meets all the requirements of healthy eating!

Bruce Jordan is bringing it home.

Taking a dip in the pool on a hot summer's day is a great way to cool off and enjoy the wonderful weather. But if you happen to be a pool owner with young children around, making sure your pool is safe and childproofed should be your first priority. Drowning may be the number one cause of death in the United States for children under the age of five, but there are several simple precautions pool owners can take to ensure that their pool is secure, safe and fun.

Finding the right contractors to redesign your property, whether it be landscaping work, adding or fixing up an old patio, or creating a new deck for your pool can be a time consuming and difficult task. Some contractors only deal with landscaping, while a second or third contractor is needed for the stone and concrete work. But thanks to Hardscape Solutions Inc., your one stop shop for all your landscaping and construction needs, the search has just become that much simpler.

Amanda Crames wasn't the first to come across the old mortis-and-tenon barn. Built in 1849, the bright red building along Route 29 in Eastern Saratoga Springs was once a diary farm, complete with a small carriage house and a corncrib in the back. Overlooking Vermont's beautiful Green Mountains, Crames has kept the barn's chestnut floors, hardwood beams and as much of the original structure intact as possible. For the last nine years the old barn has been repurposed (like much of the merchandise inside), and is now the home of Schuyler Pond Home and Garden store, owned by Crames.

Jeff Trombley led wire-to-wire in winning last Friday night's 35-Lap Modified feature at Albany Saratoga Speedway. Starting positions were at a premium after three days of rain made for an unusually tacky racing surface. Altamont's Jeff Trombley took full advantage of his pole starting position, pulling away from the pack and opening up a half track lead by the time he started lapping cars. Behind Trombley, Ronnie Johnson was cutting through traffic with Brett Hearn on his back bumper. While Trombley made his way through heavy lapped traffic, Hearn made his way past Ronnie Johnson on Lap 12. Without the benefit of Caution Flags, it took Hearn until Lap 21 to get by Todd Stone for second place and by then Trombley was long gone. As the cars took the White Flag, a slowing car prompted a Checkered/Yellow Flag finish, while on the Final Lap Hearn cut down a right rear tire allowing Stone to get back by for second place prompting Hearn to exit his car on the front stretch after the race to protest being passed while the Yellow Flag was out. Trombley celebrated his first win of the year and fifth of his career. In doing so he picked up the recently announced $500 bonus for beating Hearn. Stone was declared second place finisher and Hearn would have to settle for third, followed by Ronnie Johnson and Ken Tremont, Jr.

Calvin Borel rode Mine That Bird to victory in the Kentucky Derby on May 2. Two weeks later he rode the filly Rachel Alexandra in her triumph in the Preakness. With Rachel Alexandra skipping the Belmont, Borel will ride Mine That Bird in the Belmont Stakes.


  

Saratoga Springs - Daniel John Canary passed away on Monday, June 1, 2009. He was 27.
Born on March 16, 1982 in Schenectady, NY, he was the son of James Canary and the late Darlene Duffney Canary.

Porter Corners, NY - Arthur Lee Jackson died Thursday, May 21, 2009 at Albany Medical Center. He was 41.

Born September 12, 1967 in Jackson, Mississippi, he was the son of the late Albert G. Coleman and the late Margaret Graderan Jackson.

Relatives and friends gathered on Monday, June 1, 2009 at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes in Saratoga Springs.

Burial will be in Good Hope Cemetery, Jackson, Mississippi at the convenience of the family.

Ballston Spa - Rudy Ruiz of Paisley Road died Monday June 1, 2009 at Saratoga Hospital. He was 53.

Saratoga Springs - On Sunday, May 31, 2009, Natalia Caroline Fox Hogan, a shining star in so many lives, flickered out.

Kenmore, NY - John E. Cantillon died at home on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 among family after a lengthy illness. He was 88.