July 2009 Archives

It's not just hype: True greatness walks among us, and the ground thunders 'neath her mighty hooves.

At Chianti Il Ristorante, a piece of art has spurred a program called "Twelve" which gives back to the community that has supported the restaurant over the past 10 years.

The economic recession has been hard on many throughout the country, causing businesses big and small to stumble, consumer confidence to take a sharp nose dive south and state and local governments to tighten their purse strings.

For most people, winning a $10,000 nation-wide contest is about as likely as being struck by lightening. For Jennifer Bergerson (formerly Jennifer Joubert-Smith), it was a dream come true.

In a time when food pantries are emptying out before the shelves can be restocked, local businesses are doing their part to support Franklin Community Center.

And they're off!  
The Saratoga Race Course opened its gate to the public on Wednesday, July 29 with a bang, kicking off the official start of the 141st track season. Visitors from far and wide gathered outside as early as 6:00 a.m. to line up for the official opening at 11:00 a.m., helping to boost attendance from last year's opening significantly.

On Saturday, August 15th, the historic Lodge Restaurant on the grounds of Saratoga Gaming and Raceway will host the circus as Saratoga Bridges holds their 20th annual gala.

There are times when there is nothing like a big sit-down dinner at one of Saratoga's fine dining emporiums - it's the way to go to impress a date, a client or just have that singular experience of world-class cuisine. This article has nothing to do with any of this.

I was extremely happy when I heard the news that the accused kidnapper had been caught and will be facing justice. As always, good police work combined with a cooperative and observant witness led to his arrest.

I cannot fool my dog, Vida. She knows when I am sad, afraid, annoyed or angry, even before I know it myself.

The Ballston Spa Film Festival has been expanded in its 2nd year to include a third day (Thursday-Saturday August 6-8) and will now include a location in Malta as well as an outdoor venue in Ballston Spa's Wiswall Park. The public is encouraged to bring their lawn chairs to this free event, which has made "viewing cinema under the stars" de rigueur and a summer delight.

As the summer season in Saratoga Springs is upon the city, the police department has announced two new-hires on the force.

Equine Advocates will hold its eighth annual awards dinner and charity auction on Thursday, August 6 at Saratoga's Canfield Casino.

The opening weekend at Saratoga Race Course will feature the 18th annual Hat Contest on Sunday, August 2. This is an event which brings out creativity in a variety of categories, and has become a major highlight of the yearly "Hats Off to Saratoga" festival, a three-day event to mark the start of the Saratoga racing season.  

Officials from GlobalFoundries announced Wednesday that they have secured their first non-AMD related client.

I was on the road this past week spending time with dear friends deep in the heart of Chester County, Pennsylvania.

When the entire stable of trainer Bruce Levine's 41 horses at Monmouth were drug tested last year, it said a great deal more about the sport of Thoroughbred racing than it did about the man who's the leading trainer at the Garden State's most prominent racetrack.

While you're going to the races be sure to go down near the paddock and watch the horses being saddled - this is especially fun with the two-year-olds.

This will be the first time Charlie Sullivan performs in this market, the highlight being a 2-weekend residency at The Clubhouse (30 Caroline Street) so it would usually be traditional to ask that we here (in full tourist frenzy) to be gentle on her. Clearly, this will not be necessary as in fact we can only hope that this 6 foot tall Amazon takes it easy on us!

I'm having a little trouble getting kicked off with a story tonight. Maybe it's because so much attention has fallen to Rachel Alexandra that the opening weekend in Saratoga is paled by her leaving the SPA to race on the Jersey Shore.

Saratoga Springs - Pasquale (Patrick) Papero peacefully passed away Friday, July 24, 2009 at home with his family at his side. He was 90 years old

Saratoga Springs - Hugh Wanmer, 91, a resident of 174 Broad Street in Schuyler-ville, died Saturday, July 25, 2009 at the Wesley Health Care Center in Saratoga Springs.

For the first time in the history of Saratoga Polo, an all-women's tournament - the Veuve Clicquot Women's Challenge - will showcase the skills and talents of some of the best female polo players in the sport. Set to be held on Friday, July 31 and Sunday, August 2, four teams composed of players from around the world will compete in the single-elimination tournament at the polo grounds located at Bloomfield and Denton Roads.

Saratoga Springs - Paul Edward Suttle, Sr. of West Avenue passed away Friday, July 24, 2009 at Saratoga Hospital after a brief illness. He was 58

Portland, OR - David Plummer, formerly of Ballston Spa, passed away on Sunday, June 21, 2009 in Portland, Oregon.

Schuylerville - Gertrude B. Hall of 95 Green Street in Schuylerville, died peacefully at the home of her daughter on Friday, July 24, 2009. She was born Gertrude Estelle Brown on August 15, 1916 in the town of Stillwater, the only child of Gertrude and Emery Brown. 

This is one of golf's good news, bad news situations. The good news is the world's greatest golfer, Tiger Woods, will be playing in a one-day event on August 24 at the nearby Turning Stone Casino.    Tiger will be joined by Camilo Villegas, Mike Weir and Notah Begay III and playing in a skins game at the beautiful Atunyote Golf Club. They will be battling for $500,000 in available skins money.

Gansevoort - Donald E. Mercier passed away July 28, 2009 at his home in Gansevoort. Born in Fort Edward on September 28, 1917, he was the son of the late Edward and Mary Mercier.

There is a nagging question among those of us in the real world: that is, why is New York State the only state in the union that does not allow fourteen-year-old boys and girls to hunt big game?

Indianapolis, Indiana - Eileen E. Murtlow, formerly of Scotia, passed away on Friday, July 24, 2009 in Indiana. Born in Ballston Spa on January 1, 1923, Eileen was the daughter of the late Scott and Edith Brown.

Clifton Park - Robert J. Tesluk passed away on Saturday, July 25, 2009 at his home.

Saratoga Springs - Henry J. Bagnoli (Hank) passed away Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at his home with his loving family and sisters-in-law Theresa and Phyllis at his side. He was 84.

Saratoga Springs - Donald L. Luther, 85, passed away at Saratoga Hospital on Saturday, July 25, 2009 following a short illness.

This month, the opening of Putnam Den as a live music facility on the site of the former Backstreet Billiards at 63a Putnam Street, has the potential to make a major shifting of emphasis in an already thriving music market.

Commissioner of Public Safety Ron Kim announced on Wednesday, July 22 his intention to run on the Democratic ticket for mayor of Saratoga Springs during a press conference held at the South Side Recreation Field.

Tuesday evening's Saratoga Springs City Council meeting scorecard shows a great number of 5-0 votes, indicating incredible unanimity on a wide range of items.

While Saratoga County's history is rich with stories of the Revolutionary War, discovery of the springs and of course the racetrack, untold stories have been revealed that predate all of the commonly known historical milestones.

The Saratoga Race Course will open its gates to host the 29th Annual Open House. This year's Open House returns Sunday, July 26 to offer a full day of attractions, games and activities.

Sensational! Ravishing! Irresistible! Asiatic lilies are in full bloom right now and heads are turning to take in the show.

By the third week in August, the Saratoga Army Navy store on Broadway will call the Wilton Plaza their new home.

As jobs are still being lost across the United States and enrollment numbers in community colleges continue to rise, President Obama proposed a Community College Initiative on July 14.

This past Wednesday at the Farmers' Market we had the pleasure of watching Tony Shortway of Wheatfields Restaurant create a masterpiece for our Gourmet Meal for 2 at the Market*.

Three years ago I retired after 25 years of teaching anthropology courses at Skidmore College. At first I was pretty miserable without the teaching job I had always loved.

The Hats Off Festival commemorates hope and optimism. The start of a new race meet - fresh bankrolls, new faces by the thousands, and the feeling that anything is possible.

Sugar Hill recording artist Sarah Borges and The Broken Singles will be performing as part of the 2009 Saratoga Racecourse open house day festivities. Her performance will be at 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 26 at the Horseshoe Inn, corner of Gridley and Nelson Avenues in Saratoga
Sarah is currently a nominee for the Americana Music Association's Best New Artist award.

If you walk out the Union Avenue entrance to the Saratoga Race Course and go directly down East Avenue a few yards, you'll arrive at the newly-renovated and indescribably beautiful Fasig-Tipton sales grounds.

Paul H. Rothfuss is a man who loves horses. Period. Since the age of three, he passionately followed his father's lead.

The Bench Press/Dead Lift Championships were held on Saturday, July 18 at the YMCA of Saratoga's local branch. The competition had 20 participants and proceeds benefitted "We Build People," the YMCA of Saratoga's Annual Campaign Support Fund.

There is a new term that has crept into golf over the past few years and every time I see it, it scares the heck out of me.

Everywhere I turn every sports publication I read, every meeting concerning the outdoors that I attend, all I hear about is the shortage in the state's conservation fund.

Ballston Spa - Christina M. Wade of West High Street passed away Monday, July 20 at her home.

Schuylerville - Marjorie Jean (McCoubrey) Masten passed onto her next life peacefully while sleeping on Tuesday, July 21, 2009.

Ballston Spa - Jeffrey C. Melna of Ballston Spa passed away Saturday, July 18 at his home. Born in Saratoga Springs, September 19, 1972, he was the son of Marilyn Sirocco Campbell and John B. Melna.

Hudson Falls - Beatrice Jennette Constantineau O'Leary died peacefully in her sleep on Monday, July 20, 2009. She was 91

Schuylerville - Charles L. Irish, 83, a resident of Pearl Street, died Monday, July 20, 2009 at his home after a long illness with his extended family at his side.

Ballston Spa - Thomas Benedict Mangano, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away Monday, July 13, 2009 in Boston, MA. He was 57.

Saratoga Springs - Ellen Ann Schofield, 54, of Middle Grove, N.Y. and formerly of Vancouver, WA entered heaven on Tuesday morning, July 14, 2009, at Saratoga Hospital, surrounded by her loving family following a courageous eight-year battle with breast cancer.

On Tuesday, July 14, less than 15 months after its initial groundbreaking ceremony, Saratoga Hospital opened its doors to the brand new, state-of-the-art emergency department, welcoming members of the community to tour the facilities for the first time.

As the Saratoga tourist and racing season approaches in Saratoga, the backstretch of the Saratoga Race Track is filling up with seasonal workers, many of Latino origin who know little or no English.

This year has been one that Senior Pastor Rev. James A. Jaekel, of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Saratoga Springs will always remember. Beginning in April, Jaekel observed his twentieth year of service as Pastor at the Lake Avenue parish.

Executive Director A.C. Budd Mazurek of the Saratoga County Rural Preservation Company began pushing for the creation of new shelter dedicated solely to homeless female veterans nearly the moment he took office a little over a year ago.

Greenfield man indicted in stabbing

In 1853, a chef at Moon's Lake House in Saratoga Springs named George Crum came up with a snack food out of spite.

As Saratoga Springs City School District is gearing up for the new school year, Sponsor-A-Scholar is currently seeking mentors for the students enrolled in the program.

The chef from the New York State Governor's Mansion, Noah Sheetz, was cooking up some tasty delights for the Farmers' Market this past Wednesday. Noah made a delicious recipe using zucchini, squash and garlic scapes from the Market.

Like many bands, there is a genesis story of a kind, with personnel shifting in and around the music.

Like many bands, there is a genesis story of a kind, with personnel shifting in and around the music.

As exciting as it may be to see and hear animals in the wild, it is terribly important to enjoy them from a safe distance, leaving them to their own adaptive behaviors. 

It may be the 20th century but one Saratoga County native has chosen to live without water, power or plumbing for the entire summer.

The morning started like any other Saturday, enjoying a hot cup of coffee and working on projects with my son.

If it is necessary that I am a fisherman to be considered a true outdoorsman, then I'm a fraud. 

It's not often that I have the opportunity to play three great golf courses in a two-week span, but when it does, I'm all over it.

Kingsport, Tenn. - Levi S. Jenkins of Kingsport, Tenn. and formerly of Saratoga Springs, passed away on Thursday, July 9, 2009 in Norfolk, Va. He was 29.

Saratoga Springs - Ernest T. Hord passed away Monday, July 6, 2009 at Saratoga Hospital. He was 66.

Saratoga Springs - Bessie M. Robinson of Granite Street passed away Monday, July 13, 2009 at her residence. She was 78.

Ballston Spa - Shirley V. (Smith) Garnsey of Malta Avenue Extension passed away Saturday morning, July 11, 2009 at the North Carolina home of her daughter. She was 86.

Often things are so much more than what they appear upon first glance.  Anyone driving or walking past 53 Church Street in Saratoga Springs can't help but notice the shimmering display of rich jewel toned flowers in hanging baskets cascading from the fire escape on the front of the building owned by Beth and Marc Fecteau.

As a way to give back to the community, the Town of Wilton will be hosting the third-annual Parkfest at Gavin Park. Running from noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday, July 11, the event promises a day of fun for children and families of all ages, free of charge aside from rides and food.

All-American Celebration deemed a success

Commissioner of Finance Kenneth Ivins, Jr. announced on July 6 the winners of the 2nd Annual Saratoga's All-American Celebration contests and congratulated them in an awards ceremony at the Visitors Center.

A sure sign summer has arrived is the arrival of the annual Saratoga County Fair. This year's event kick off on Tuesday, July 14. The following are highlights throughout the six-day event:
Tuesday, July 14

Summer is officially here. And for many people, summer is synonymous with "vacation."

Because the city of Saratoga Springs and Saratoga County have undergone considerable change in recent years as  tourist destinations, a college town, a convention center and more, transportation, topics of parking and mobility continue to be issues of utmost importance.

The Friends and Neighbors of Ballston Spa, or FANS for short, have much to celebrate this week.

As the Downtown Saratoga Springs Marketing Initiative marks its one year anniversary, the group sponsored a hospitality/service seminar on Tuesday, June 7.

Maureen Winney, director of alumni and student relations at Empire State College, was inducted into the State University of New York Council for University Advancement (SUNYCUAD) Hall of Fame during the annual educational conference that took place June 10 through 12. She received this honor for her work at ESC and as a member of SUNYCUAD Board of Trustees.

The Wesley Health Community began serving seniors in the Saratoga Springs region nearly thirty seven years ago when they opened their first independent housing facilitity in the early 1970s.

By July we have exhausted the myriad of excuses as to why we haven't fully returned to our summer activities and sports. 

When we put the TV on for the kids, it's usually either PBS or videos we own. And on the whole, we're big fans of the classic Disney animated movies.

What child hasn't dreamed of running away and joining the circus at one point in their life?

In challenging economic times, many families and individuals are finding the health insurance coverage they assumed would always be there no longer a given.

Bruschetta is a wildly popular appetizer from Italy generally consisting of oil toasted garlic bread, topped with tomatoes, basil and cheese. 

This summer, as the nation celebrates the quadricentennial anniversary of Henry Hudson's 1609 voyage up the river that bears his name, the Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery at Skidmore College will present "Lives of the Hudson," an interdisciplinary exhibition celebrating the river's influence on art, history, and its impact on the environment and society.

Action begets action and nowhere will you find a finer example than at 454 Broadway in the studio/gallery of internationally acclaimed artist Boguslaw Lustyk. 

Note: When animals are found as strays, many people devote their time and energy to find the owners.  Animal control officers who work for local townships bring the animals to the shelter and an entire team of caring people swing into action. 

Celia D'Agostino may only be a sophomore at Saratoga Springs High School, but when she puts on her field hockey uniform and takes the forward position, the 15 year-old is a force to be reckoned with.

I don't usually get excited about golf tees, but there is a new tee you might want to consider for your golf bag.

Last week, I wrote about struggling with the issues concerning gun registration and of my recent experience in North Carolina where there seems to be little if any accountability.

Anthony "Tony" Smith died suddenly on Saturday, July 4, 2009 at Saratoga Hospital. He was 50.

Anita C. (Ryan) Phillips of West Fenlon St. passed away Friday, July 3, 2009 at her residence following a long battle with cancer. She was 77.

Jon D. Andreadakis, formerly of Saratoga Springs, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, June 18, 2009 at his apartment in New York City. He was 57.

Two-time Olympian Rene Capo passed away in Chicago on Monday, July 6 after a year-long battle with lung cancer at the age of 48.

 As CSEA union members in the Saratoga Springs City Hall and DPW units staged a demonstration over a contract impasse with the city on Tuesday afternoon, dark storm clouds gathered overhead adding drama to the day.

The anticipation is building with less than a month to go before the 141st season at the Saratoga Race Course commences on Wednesday, July 29.

Builder ordered to pay

At a time when national pride is needed more than ever, it seems as though history often takes a back seat to barbecues and beer on the Fourth of July.

As Brindisi's Restaurant prepares for their 10 year anniversary, owner Andy Brindisi is set to begin a new business venture.

Supporting local business plays a key role in a healthy regional economy.

With a little bit of thoughtful planning, the garden areas of a homeowner's property can become a sanctuary, a virtual retreat from the responsibilities of life that steer us off course.

Geoffrey Kothman, owner of Verity Water LLC in Ballston Lake has been providing residential customers with water filtration options for the past three years.

What do you do when you are relaxing in your air conditioned home on the hottest day of the summer and all of a sudden, the power goes out?

A dedication ceremony of the new pergola was held at a Yaddo garden reception on Sunday, June 28, for those who have contributed to the Pergola Restoration Fund.

If you want to celebrate all that is wonderful in American cuisine on this 4th of July, you should head down to your local farmers market and see what great American local farmers are producing. 

(Note: When animals are found as strays, many people devote their time and energy to find the owners. Animal control officers who work for local townships bring the animals to the shelter and an entire team of caring people swing into action. Shelter employees, in cooperation with volunteers, veterinarians, rescue groups like H.O.P.E. and Friends of the Saratoga County Animal Shelter take part in providing for the care and well being of the animals. Their goal is to engineer happy reunions with the owners or coordinate efforts until they find new forever homes for the strays.)

Golfing equipment has changed considerably since my days as a caddie during the late 1930's and early 40's in Brockton, Mass.

I find myself struggling with a couple of issues that are becoming increasingly emotional topics among my friends and fellow outdoorsmen.

Saratoga Springs - Patricia (Huckins) Castellitto passed away on Monday, June 29, 2009 at the Hospice Inn at St. Peter's Hospital in Albany.

Saratoga Springs - Rutherford W. Allen, Jr., 73, a resident of Northern Pines Road, passed away Monday, June 29, 2009 at the Glens Falls Hospital.

Saratoga Springs - Louise G. Barney of Jefferson Terrace passed away on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at her residence. She was four months from her 100th birthday.