August 2009 Archives

Saratoga can boast of many things, but one of the most impressive statistics is that the Travers Stakes, at 140 years of age, is the oldest stakes race in American Thoroughbred racing.

Time is of the essence when treating a stroke victim, and Saratoga Hospital and Albany Medical Center have formed a partnership that will help improve stroke care.

Flu season is just around the corner, and one thing is on everyone's mind: the new H1N1 virus.

Susan Hamlin is an accountant turned interspecies communicator with a love for animals and a knack for understanding them.

How does a non-profit organization fill a budget in a tough economy without spending a fortune on an event? They tell you to stay at home.

These guys are younger than some of the bottles of wine advertised on the opposite page!
And none of them are old enough to drink any of them. But like a good wine, age is only one determinate of quality.

If I could have a tourist meet one Saratoga person during their vacation here, this smiley woman is it!

If you shake this man's hand with your eyes closed, you think you are in the grip of a 38 year-old.

After spending the past two years above Cantina Restaurant on Broadway, Select Sotheby's International Realty has relocated up the road to the new Park Place condominiums.

Melanie and Eugene Dallas got a surprise of their lifetime when they received a phone call in July.

The average teen is far more web-savvy than their parents, children these days are practically born mid-text and the new social arena is the World-Wide-Web; but, while all this cyber-communication has its benefits, there are many dangers that thrive online.

As kids head back to school pressure is taken off parents to find a nine-to-five babysitter for the summer months.

You know you are on to a good recipe when the farmer who raises the meat says "You have to try this!"

If you read "Sully Speaks Out" a couple of columns back, you know this cat of ours has an attitude, doesn't he?

When the seven equine soldiers march out onto the track on Saturday, August 29th, they will carry on their backs not only one jockey and tack--they will bring onto the field 140 years of history, tradition and some of the greatest names in Thoroughbred racing.

What if it's already spent?

Rachel Alexandra is at the top of the stack when it comes to discussions about gender and horse racing but she is far from being the only female star in her field.

If you're an avid golfer and you are looking for that unique golf experience, you need to look no further then the Turning Stone Casino in Verona.

The Backstretch Soccer League started their playoffs on Wednesday night, August 27. The league has 80 players, but according to Chaplaincy Council President, Nick Caras "there are always more people watching than playing."

Troy - Margaret (Peg) (Knox) Paeglow passed away on Sunday, August 23, 2009 after a courageous battle with liver cancer. She was predeceased by her parents, Edgar and Ethel Knox and a brother, Carlton.

Saratoga Springs - Bernard "Bernie" Witkop died Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009 after a courageous two year battle with cancer. He was 81.

Malta - Carol L. Nichols of Route 9P joined her beloved parents in Heaven on Friday,  August 14, 2009 at Saratoga Hospital, after a short illness. She was 63.

Corinth, NY - Jason Michael Hensleigh of Kings Road passed away Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2009. He was 25.

Schuylerville - Betty I. McCarthy, 84, of Schuylerville, passed away Tuesday, August 18, 2009, at the Saratoga Care Nursing Home.

For nine days surrounding the season's most anticipated event, the Spa City hosts the 14th annual Travers Festival to celebrate the countdown to one of North America's oldest stakes races.

On the national level Heath Care Reform is fiery topic, but for many Saratoga residents, the issue is more local than anything.

On the outside, Kaitlin Brower is just like any other four-year-old child. She laughs, plays and enjoys the beauty and wonder of the outside world. In April, her parents learned that she is not just like any other four-year-old.

People who ventured to the former entrance of Esperanto at 6 1¼2 Caroline Street last weekend were met by a sign that encouraged them 'not to panic' as their favorite early AM emporium had moved - but not too far.

D-Day, Tuesday July 28th has arrived and we are working by seven with a piece of fruit to sustain us until breakfast at 10:45. 

Fatal Accident on Route 9

Tommy Nicchi is extremely serious about the business of laughter, and the proprietor of The Comedy Works attends to all the little details to ensure that the people who come to his club will be carefree and ready to let loose and enjoy.

Where exactly is Broadway?
Is it about 200 miles south of here and centered around Times Square in some place called 'Manhattan'? Or perhaps is it 7 miles west of Saratoga's main street in the historic Mansion Inn in Rock City Falls?

It wasn't supposed to be this way for Joe Scalissi. But in many ways embodying the spirit of Dean Martin was a product of a surreal pre-ordination.

This week we salute the unsung heroes; those that are not necessarily visible to the general public, yet invaluable when it comes to making a particular operation go.

I am returning to my favorite cook book of the year published by North Country Radio called Stories, Food, Life.

After years of planning and waiting for the right time, Tim and Colleen Holmes will be opening their second location of Wheatfields Restaurant and Bar in October.

With the 2009/2010 school year on the way, it's time to start planning your child's extracurricular schedule.

Heading back to school is always a very hectic time of year, but that is no time to forget the importance of a nutritious lunch.

As Skidmore College's music program continues to grow each year, faculty, staff and students will be able to teach and learn in a state-of-the-art music center beginning in January 2010.

Induction into the (Thoroughbred) Racing Hall of Fame is the ultimate lifetime honor that can be bestowed on an individual, equine or human.

The Fasig-Tipton Selected Yearling Sales saw appreciable increases from last year and at the mid-way point both handle and attendance were up at the race meet.

All season we have been fantasizing that we might see the three winners of the Triple Crown races line up in the Midsummer Derby. But with just over a week remaining until the Shadwell Travers, questions are looming about each of them.

Why do people in the U.S. and Europe want exotic wild animals for pets? Why are they willing to pay hefty fees for them? Is it the drive to own something most people do not have? Is it a status symbol? If it is a status symbol, it is a very cruel one that is harmful to the animals, harmful to people and harmful to the environment.

This may have been the hottest week of the summer, but scorching heat didn't stop the Blue Streaks from starting their preseason workout.

By the time this article is published, August will have mostly slipped right out from under our feet, another track season will almost be over, back to school shopping will have been completed, summer gas prices should be coming down and local Saratogains will once again consider going downtown to shop and have dinner out.

Saratoga Springs - Clement (Cus) T. Neilen, 87, of Saratoga Springs passed away on Tuesday, August 18, 2009 at Albany Stratton VA Medical Center.

Saratoga Springs - Joseph E. Fuller, Jr., of Raymond Watkin Apartments, passed away on Friday, August 7, 2009 at Albany Medical Center surrounded by his loving family. He was 66.

Schuylerville - Rev. William F. Lemoyne, 85, Pastor Emeritus of Notre Dame-Visitation Parish in Schuylerville, died Saturday, August 15, 2009 at the Wesley Health Care Facility in Saratoga Springs.

Schuylerville - Aileen Cummings Flannery, of 30-30 Hobart St., Woodside, Long Island, died peacefully at home on August 13, 2009 surrounded by her family.

Hundreds admired the yearlings, the venue and the big money at Fasig-Tipton early this week, where outrageous bids brought record sales despite the troubled economy.

Summertime is an increasingly busy time for the Saratoga Springs Police Department, and these few months require the help of a different kind of officer.

Sheriff's deputy accused of sexual assault

Donald A. Harder III, 28, of Hadley was charged with a first-degree criminal sexual act after Harder, who works for the Saratoga Police Department as the sheriff's deputy, allegedly used his uniform to force a woman to perform a sexual act on him. The charge is a class-B felony.

The Independence Party is on the rise in Saratoga, endorsing a full slate of candidates for the upcoming city elections in November.

It is a yearly Saratoga phenomenon; when teems of local residents vacate their homes to rent to the summer crowds. 

John Walsh made a guest appearance in Saratoga this Wednesday to support community activists in their efforts to keep local children safe.

I know what you're thinking... we just had an outbreak of Dave Matthews 'tribute' bands in conjunction with his June appearances, and of course this Sunday we have the obligatory pre-and post Phishing's going on around town. Each with the implied promise (maybe) of a band member maybe showing up to chill with fans.

By the time you read this, The Fighting 86's, a Saratoga County based Celtic Crossover group with pedigree, will be enroute to the Charlotte Irish Festival.

Back to school symbolizes a new beginning for most, and at Schuylerville Central School District, there are many new beginnings that will embark at the beginning of the school year.

After more than two years of planning and construction, Park Place Condominiums was lit up with excitement - literally.

The Scott Varley Group has taken their business to the next level.
Joan M. Purtell, Peter Riposa and John Ferrera, the three newest members of The Scott Varley Group, have launched the Scott Varley Commercial Group.

As part of her 64-campus tour, the new Chancellor of the State University of New York made a stop at Empire State College's home base at 2 Union Ave on Wednesday, August 12.

Let me tell you about a magical vegetable! It is one I had never seen until it showed up at Steve's (Otrembiak) table at the Saratoga Farmers' Market last week.

As Hall of Fame Trainer, Leroy Jolley once said: "Who loves a horse more than a 13-year-old girl?" The insightful gentleman knows horses and the sport of racing them--and he knows that, in order to grow the fan base of racing, the sport must be marketed to the gender that comprises the majority of paid admissions, and which enjoys a natural, inborn relationship with the equine species.

For the first half of the last school year, Gabe wasn't old enough to not have to hold my hand when I brought Thomas to school, and Thomas needed my help taking off his coat and hanging it up with his backpack in his cubby, which made for an interesting scene: I had John in the sling (thank goodness for slings!!!), I was helping Thomas off with his coat and backpack with one hand, and crazy Gabe was doing all sorts of gymnastics and even dragging himself sometimes while holding onto my other hand. It was all I could do to keep my balance and my patience on those mornings!

Saratoga offers not only world-class horse racing for six weeks out of the year; they also have the Fasig-Tipton Sales. This week it was the Selected Yearlings, and if you wonder just how select, check out the prices they brought.

When I discovered Jill wrote a whole column about Vida, I was pur-r-r-r-turbed! Not only did she feature Vida, but she also made it sound like dogs study and read their owners while cats are too aloof to notice.

A new job training program in the greater Albany and Saratoga areas is expected to provide a significant economic boost to the community.

The horse sales have a very distinct fragrance, much different from a racing stable or show barn and totally indistinguishable from a barnyard. What is it?

With the beginning of another school year less than a month away comes the all- important decision of which backpack to buy.

Ballston Spa - Mildred L. Gagne of Church Avenue in Ballston Spa, went to be with her loving Savior peacefully, surrounded by her family on the afternoon of August 6, 2009.

After being closed for months due to renovations at their facility at 6 Care Lane, the Wellness Center of Saratoga Springs is set to reopen its doors to the public on Tuesday, September 1. The facility, which was previously only 10,000 square feet and one story high, has added a second story and a wide range of new equipment and programs to better serve its clientele.

Greenwich - K. Christine Budnikas of Greenwich died on Wednesday, August 5, 2009 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Gansevoort - Curtis Elton Petteys passed away Sunday, August 9, 2009 at Saratoga Hospital surrounded by his loving family, after a long courageous battle with Lymphoma. He was 64.

For bicycle enthusiasts in Saratoga Springs, the Blue Sky Bicycles shop and the Saratoga Mountain Bike Association (SMBA) provides riders with a summer line-up of weekly and special events to get together for some rigorous but fun exercise.

Wilton - Walter G. Bracy of Rt. 9 passed away suddenly Sunday, Aug. 9, 2009 at his residence. He was 76.

Saratoga Springs - Rosemary A. Miller passed away Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009 at the Hospice Inn at St. Peters' Hospital, Albany after a brief illness. She was 82.

Saratoga Springs - Cheryl M. Lesniak of Thoroughbred Drive passed away Tuesday, August 11, 2009 at her home surrounded by her family. She was 63.

After last weekend's win by Tiger Woods, there are those would be experts on golf still debating if he is the best golfer that ever played the game. Let's get with it! Of course he is! They compare him with Jack Nicklaus who certainly was a great golfer, but who played in an era when he had to compete against, at the most, ten players who could possibly defeat him. But only if they had a great day and Nicklaus was at his worst.

"Oh, my God! Did you see that?"

Bonacio Construction revealed the design of a six-story, multi-use building that will replace the existing Railroad Place Price Chopper.

• Attendance for the first five days of the 2009 meet was up 13.5 percent compared to 2008. Actual figures were 142,519 up from 125,617 for a daily average of 23,753 compared to 20,936 in 2008.

• On-track handle at Saratoga was $19,352,139, up from $18,429,950 in 2008, for a daily average of $3,225,357 compared to $3,071,658 in 2008.

"The 2009 Saratoga Meet is off to a very promising start both at the windows and on the track," said NYRA President and CEO Charles Hayward.  "Despite erratic weather which affects people's plans, and moving the Whitney Stakes to the second Saturday of the meet, attendance jumped substantially, while on-track and all-sources handle both increased, significantly ahead of all industry trends."

Director/Writer Katherine Brooks and Producer Sophie Watts will arrive in Saratoga on August 7 to scout locations for their feature film, "The Boys' Club." Brooks' latest feature, "Waking Madison," will be released in the fall of this year.

For many authors, the road to publication is long, bumpy, and takes a lifetime of trial and error, but for one Malta teen all it took was one day and one creative idea.

Boston based Ryan Montbleau and his Band are starting to become regulars in this area. And that's a great thing as far as they are concerned: "We always have a great time here. Our viola player (Lawrence Scudder) went to Skidmore, and we try to do something cultural. Last year we attended the races, and if we didn't have a music festival on Cape Cod on Saturday, we'd probably be there again."

Local firefighters deliver baby

Lake Avenue Firefighters were not expecting a baby on Monday morning, but they were certainly prepared for a delivery.

Ever since Kurt Nolan was a child, he knew he wanted to be a police officer; having a father who is a State Trooper only fueled that fire.

Racing season is upon us and the Gala season is in full swing. Beautiful socialites, dapper dudes and auction items galore are trademarks of these spectacular events.

A weekly salute to hospitality people who make our good times better.

A local teacher and two of her former students will be joining a group of 14 others who are headed to Tanzania Saturday, August 8 for humanitarian projects.

The idea of Creed playing in 2009 was recently so far-fetched that even leader Scott Stapp, let alone their fans would never believe it to be possible. But despite their sometimes worst past intentions, they begin a 41 city US tour on August 6th, with #4 being a one-nighter at SPAC.

As energy costs continue to climb and the environmental impact of our usage becomes more and more evident, there is perhaps no better time then the present to reconsider how much energy we use in our homes, and how much energy we could be saving with just a few simple upgrades.

It was quite a star-studded weekend for the National Museum of Dance and Hall of Fame!

I must be yearning for my southwestern days as once again I am going south of the border for my inspiration in the kitchen.Argentinean Squash in the oven or on the grill

Adopting a pet is a big commitment. The decision to do so should never be taken lightly.

I love two-year-old races and the prep races for the Triple Crown. I suppose it's because there is so much anticipation involved. But then I love the Classics and many other races too, but most of all I like to see old horses run. Not just four-year-olds and up - I mean 7, 8, 9 and 10 year-olds. It isn't just a matter of endurance and soundness that allows for horses to race on successfully; it's usually horses that are extremely well adapted to the racing climate. The old warriors generally have great mindsets and you can enjoy that they communicate how they want to be treated. The whole combination is very pleasing to me.

There exist 16 different species of snakes native to the State of New York, most of which are harmless to humans. But if threatened or provoked, these snakes can deliver a nasty bite to careless individuals, including a select number of species with a venomous bite.

Driveway maintenance can often be overlooked by homeowners, but regular upkeep is essential to ensure that your driveway is in tip-top shape, especially after a hardy New York winter.

When Macho Again takes to the field on Saturday for the Whitney, he's bringing his strong, long stride onto the Saratoga oval--and his June 13 victory in the Stephen Foster at Churchill Downs. It's a heady thing, to race a horse of Macho Again's caliber--but the partners in West Point Thoroughbred's stable of owners have come to expect quality horses and spectacular moments. West Point has built a reputation of cautious optimism, a conservatism in racing that is the hallmark of good judgment. This method, of watching before taking action--and then seizing the day--has made West Point one of the most popular racing stables among handicappers and bettors. If West Point has a horse entered in a race--odds are very good that that horse has a chance. West Point horses aren't hastily thrown into a race or inappropriately entered in a competition for which they're not prepared.

Middle Grove - Donald W. Wright of LeRoux Road in Middle Grove passed away on Saturday, August 1, 2009.

I love two-year-old races and the prep races for the Triple Crown. I suppose it's because there is so much anticipation involved. But then I love the Classics and many other races too, but most of all I like to see old horses run. Not just four-year-olds and up - I mean 7, 8, 9 and 10 year-olds. It isn't just a matter of endurance and soundness that allows for horses to race on successfully; it's usually horses that are extremely well adapted to the racing climate. The old warriors generally have great mindsets and you can enjoy that they communicate how they want to be treated. The whole combination is very pleasing to me.

Greenfield - Ethel Van Ness of Saratoga Blvd. passed away at her residence on Saturday, August 1, 2009. She was 89.

Malta - Leon J. Bechard passed away Saturday, August 1, at his home. Born in Champlain, NY, September 8, 1924, he was the son of the late Joseph and Elzema Bechard.

Ballston Spa - Margaret Mary Reynolds of Maplewood Manor in Ballston Spa died on Tuesday, August 4, 2009. She was 86.

Third time's the charm for 5K runner David Raucci

 

Under sunny skies and a beautiful Saratoga Springs morning, a fabulous group of 1,097 runners took to the streets for this year's annual Silks & Satins 5K Run. 

There have been festivals, fireworks, rock concerts and guided tours in its honor, but perhaps there is no better way to celebrate the 400^th anniversary of the discovery of the Hudson River than to actually travel down long and winding river itself.

This column is dedicated to our summer visitors who certainly make Saratoga a very interesting place for us local residents. Possibly I can offer some suggestions to make your visit more enjoyable particularly if you are a golfer of great skill or just a rank beginner. You are definitely off on the right foot as you sit quietly reading Saratoga Today - Saratoga Springs' fastest growing newspaper. It shows you are a person of good taste.

In 1943, seven young men, four of them brothers, decided to form a hunting club. Three years later in 1946, they built a small cabin on a tiny parcel of land on the edge of the Adirondack State Park. Some years later, they leased about 400 acres from one of the big paper companies. Today, that club still exists and I'm very pleased to report, is going strong.