Month: October 2025

By Paul Post

 Industry leaders call it a two apple season.

“The color and flavor this year are phenomenal, where if you have one apple it’s so good you immediately reach for another one,” said Cynthia Haskins, New York Apple Association president. “If you haven’t tried a new crop apple yet, go out and buy some. They really are good.”

New York is the nation’s second-leading apple producer, surpassed only by Washington state; a $2.1 billion industry that supports nearly 12,000 jobs, a Cornell study says.

The impact is especially important to rural small towns and hamlets where farms are located, as there are 150 you-pick destinations that draw huge crowds on autumn weekends. Visitors quite often patronize other small business, too, such as retail shops and convenience stores during fun family outings.

A recent Warrensburg Apple Festival gave a variety of local vendors a chance to market their products in this Adirondack town.

Saratoga resident and author, Patrice Mastrianni, has released “Find Me in Saratoga, Inspired by the Early History, Mystery, and Folklore of Saratoga Springs, NY.” The book was written for children ages ten and up but also receives rave reviews from adults. “Find Me in Saratoga” explains how Native residents shared their sacred mineral springs with European settlers in the 1700’s. This prompted early explorers and many of America’s founding fathers to visit the area. The old-style illustrations by artist David F. Globerson, paint a picture of how spring water and grand hotels attracted thousands of visitors to what would become the world’s most popular health resort. 

The author employs two endearing residents of beautiful Congress Park to share the story of Saratoga Springs. A mallard duck named Henry provides historical “facts” while a sassy squirrel named Miles, adds colorful tales of folklore, untimely deaths, and ghosts! 

Just as early resort visitors sipped and bathed in the mineral waters of Saratoga, readers can soak up the past while looking for historical sites using the “Find Me in Saratoga” map located at the back of the book. Waddling from springs to statues to graveyards makes this book a real learning adventure.

Eric and Amanda Stockholm, parents of two and longtime Clifton Park residents, recently held a grand opening celebration for The Little Gym of Clifton Park, a franchise under the Unleashed Brands umbrella.

The couple, both passionate about education, athletics, and family, turned their shared interests into a business designed to help children grow through movement and music. The Little Gym offers gymnastics-based programs for children ages four months to 12 years, focused on physical development, confidence building, and parent-child bonding.

“Gymnastics was my first love,” said Amanda, a former Division I tennis player and academic advisor. “As a working mom, I wanted something structured that both my child and I could look forward to—and I found that in The Little Gym.”

Eric, a Shenendehowa graduate with a master’s in teaching, said their combined backgrounds in coaching, education, and athletics made the venture a natural fit. “With my experience in youth sports and Amanda’s in gymnastics and academics, it felt like the perfect blend of our passions,” he said.

Allerdice Building Supply proudly presented a donation of $5,585.00 to Kelly’s Angels, an organization dedicated to helping children who have lost a parent or sibling to cancer or other illness. This generous donation, representing 100% of the proceeds from Allerdice Building Supply’s annual golf outing, was presented during a check ceremony at Allerdice Ace Hardware’s Malta location.

This marks the second consecutive year that Allerdice has supported Kelly’s Angels, bringing the two-year total raised to $10,560.00 in donations to the nonprofit.

The check was accepted by Mark Mulholland, founder of Kelly’s Angels, who created the organization in honor of his late wife, Kelly. The nonprofit provides financial assistance and unique “Fun Grants” to children who have lost a parent or sibling, allowing them to experience moments of joy during difficult times.

“We are deeply honored to support Kelly’s Angels,” said Don Cox, Outside Sales Associate for Allerdice Ace Building Supply. “Our annual golf outing is a tradition that not only brings our community together but also allows us to give back in a meaningful way. We believe in the incredible work that Kelly’s Angels is doing and are proud to contribute to their mission.”

By Paul Post

 Wayne Seelow expects to get up to $1.50 per pound for the three giant pumpkins he raised, weighing more than 1,000 pounds each.

That’s a pretty good return, but his real payoff is the smiles they put on children’s faces.

“We have an open house every year,” said Seelow, of Edinburg, Saratoga County. “I do it for the kids. They love it.”

He was among the growers from New York, Vermont, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania taking part in the 10th annual Saratoga Giant Pumpkinfest on Saturday, Sept. 27. Hundreds of people turned out on the unseasonably mild, early autumn day to join the fun and watch entries tip the scales.

“It can get pretty dramatic when the last few are weighed,” said Andy Wolf, New York State Giant Pumpkin Growers Association president. “This is very entertaining, especially when it comes down to the last few pumpkins that are separated by not very much.”

Minor editorial corrections made on October 29, 2025.

By Susan Elise Campbell

Five years in the making, The Innovation Center at Saratoga is now open and filling a gap in the market for workspace and collaboration opportunities for entrepreneurs, artists, inventors, and hobbyists, according to Beth Moeller, the non-profit’s president and founder.

“They all work in silos,” she said. “But working together, ideas come out and good things happen.”

Moeller, an entrepreneur and media consultant for 30 years, conceived the idea of a resource for developing businesses and creative expressions. It allows members to use its makerspace, or open community work areas, and equipment that Moeller and her volunteers have been very successful in acquiring, she said. 

As important, it is a place to share ideas. Moeller is the owner of Interactive Media Consulting, helping artists and entrepreneurs learn through collaboration to develop ideas and reach their goals. She has also coached for Odyssey of the Mind, working with students to solve problems and teaching them how to use equipment to do a project.

“You can teach someone to use a saw, but you can’t cut the wood,” she said.