SARATOGA SPRINGS — Several hundred people attended Saratoga Springs’ 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony, staged on a blue-sky Wednesday morning at High Rock Park.
The park has since 2012 served as the location for the city’s annual ceremony and serves as the permanent site of the 25-foot-tall sculpture created from 9/11 steel by artists John van Alstine and Noah Savett.
“We will always mark this horrific day,” said Saratoga Springs Mayor John Safford, reciting the numbers counted of those who were killed, and the numbers immeasurable of the families affected, and humans physically and emotionally distressed in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.
“But being here today gives us hope, a future where we can look forward, to peace, sometimes through strength, sometimes through love, but we will continue to have hope for the future,” Mayor Safford said.
The event included several speakers and presentations, military and religious traditions, and was highlighted by local musician Jeff Brisbin’s poignant rendition of Bruce Springsteen’s “You’re Missing,” providing a moment that was every part heartbreaking as it was beautiful.
Gateway House of Peace celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Photo via gatewayhouseof peace.org.
BALLSTON SPA — A decade ago, Gateway House of Peace opened the doors of its two-bed resident home with a dedication to provide a safe, comfortable, caring residence for terminally ill patients in need of a home during their final days.
For residents, it is a peaceful, healing place where people and their families are provided compassionate and dignified care that supports the natural processes that occur in the final days of life. For those who work at the home, spending time with a person in the final days of their natural lives inspires life lessons of their own to carry onward.
“It’s not something to be afraid of,” said Kathleen Graham, a volunteer member of the care staff. After becoming caregiver to her husband, who passed away six years ago, Graham says, “I felt like I was called to do this kind of work. And I’ve learned just to love people. Just to be there for them. To help them understand what is going on and to let them know I’m there to help them and love them and be with them.”
To Teresa Kessler, a licensed practical nurse of 20 years, it is a place where healing takes on an expanded definition.
“For those with experience in working to help heal people, it is a different kind of healing involved,” Kessler says. “When you’re a nurse, the idea of healing means recovery. To get people better. Success is when someone is well, and they go home. With hospice that definition is kind of turned on its head. We aren’t looking any longer at the body recovering, but the healing still happens, and it happens for family members,” she says.
“This idea of tending to the person – it’s not about the machines, it’s not about the paperwork or rules-and-regulations per se, it’s more about: What does this person need as far as care, and how do we best give that to this person in this particular time in their life?”
Gateway House of Peace was founded by Joni Hanchett who incorporated the community support home for end-of-life care following her life’s desire to serve those in need, and after dedicating many years of volunteer work in hospice care. The Ballston Spa home was remodeled to offer ample space for families and friends to gather, a fully equipped kitchen for home cooked meals, and bedrooms designed with both privacy and accessibility in mind.
“I think my own formation happened in grade school and high school – I went to Catholic schools that influenced me to seek performing service in the community; to have a vocation not just a job,” Kessler says. “Those of us who work in hospice have come to an understanding that’s a little outside the mainstream. For myself, I tend towards a Buddhist philosophy – the idea of the acceptance of suffering, and understanding what that is. It very much normalizes the process of what death is. And in the journey to that, being available for people to have a safe place to talk about some of these things that are very difficult should they want to. We get to know them. We get to know their family. It’s a privilege.”
Gateway House of Peace does not receive any funding from the government or insurance reimbursements, relying solely on the grace of the community through donations, memorials, fundraising, grant writing, bequests and gifts. The organization’s 2024 Butterfly Ball held earlier this year raised more than $70,000 to support the mission of the home. The organization also stresses that volunteers are the heart of the home, and that anyone interested in seeking volunteer opportunities or other information may do so via their website at: https://www.gatewayhouseofpeace.org/.
“I have a really strong feeling to be able to help people,” Graham said, “to help them pass peacefully and to be there for the families also.”
“My intention is to provide an environment for someone to be their true self and have an accepting place of whatever it is they need and whatever it is they’re going through,” Kessler says, adding a quote by the late spiritual teacher, psychologist and writer Ram Dass.
“One of my favorite quotes by him is: ‘We are all just walking each other home.’ And I think that sums it up quite beautifully,” Kessler explains. “We’re walking with this person, and we’re just walking them home.”
SARATOGA SPRINGS —The 6th Annual Labor of Love Breast Cancer Benefit will take place 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28.
The event, to benefit the Saratoga Hospital Foundation Mollie Wilmot Radiation Oncology Center, will be held at Fraternal Order of Eagles, 373 Crescent Ave. in Saratoga Springs.
Activities include: Basket Raffle 50-50 Raffle Vendors Food and refreshments available for purchase Cornhole Tournament – $25 per person To register before the event, email chrtob@msn.com.
WILTON — “How to Sponsor a Refugee” will be the subject of a panel discussion at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 20, at the Wilton Branch of the Saratoga Regional YMCA, 20 Old Gick Road.
Panelists will describe how individuals or groups in the Saratoga region and Greater Capital District can sponsor refugees, and what types of support are available to assist in their integration into the community.
With the recent dramatic increase in the displacement of populations worldwide, and the numbers seeking refuge in the United States, the federal government has looked beyond the traditional network of resettlement agencies to ensure an orderly and humane process for meeting the need. Private sponsors can apply to welcome individuals already known to them, or they can be matched with individuals seeking sponsors through programs such as the WelcomeCorps.
Terry Diggory, panel moderator, is co-coordinator of the Saratoga Immigration Coalition. Panelists include Yasmeen Isaaq – who was born in Afghanistan and first came to the U.S. in 2008 , and Jennifer Moak – Director of Resettlement for North America for Ukraine.
The program is free and open to the public and is organized by the Saratoga Immigration Coalition and offered in observance of YMCA Welcoming Week and Saratoga Peace Week.
Questions may be directed to saratogaimmigration@gmail.com; 518-306-1313.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The City Council on Sept. 3 unanimously approved revising the rules of its public comment segment that takes place during council meetings.
Each speaker may address the council as a whole body (and not as individuals) once during the segment for a maximum of three minutes.
The overall time allotted for public comment was extended from 30 minutes to 60 minutes during each city council meeting.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —The following Support Groups will be held at the Saratoga Senior Center, located at 290 West Ave. in Saratoga Springs, and are open to the public.
Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group–2nd Friday of every month | 11 am – 12:30 pm. Being a caregiver can present exhausting challenges and take a significant toll on your health. Support groups bring together people who are going through or have gone through similar experiences. This support group provides an opportunity for caregivers to share personal experiences and feelings, coping strategies, or firsthand information about this disease.
Parkinsons Support & Discussion Group–3rd Monday of every month | 11 am – 12:30 pm. This is a community of people impacted by Parkinson’s designed to help you make meaningful connections, engage in important dialogue, find useful resources and build long-lasting relationships.
Greif & Loss Support & Discussion Group–2nd & 4th Tuesday of every month | 2pm – 3pm. Whatever type of loss you’ve suffered, there’s no right or wrong way to grieve. Often, the pain of loss can feel overwhelming. Any loss can cause grief. The purpose of this group is to provide friendship, understanding, and hope.
Chit Chat– Every Monday | 1 pm. This is a community of people impacted by Parkinson’s designed to help you make meaningful connections, engage in important dialogue, find useful resources and build long-lasting relationships.
BALLSTON SPA —The Saratoga County Career Center in conjunction with the Greater Capital Region Career Centers will hold the following free virtual career workshops during September:
September 19 at 11AM: Completing Job Applications – Statistics show approximately 50% of mid-sized companies and almost all large corporations use an applicant tracking system to screen candidates for job opportunities. Learn how to prepare your online application to get the most visibility from hiring managers. Facilitated by Warren and Washington.
September 20 at 10:30AM: Networking – Networking is your strategic tool for cultivating lasting relationships, fostering professional growth, and unlocking opportunities. Join us for an approachable journey to understanding networking. Facilitated by Warren and Albany.
September 24 at 11AM: Overcoming Barriers – Join an informal discussion about how to overcome potential stumbling blocks to finding a job. Whether you’re facing transportation needs, childcare needs, prior justice system involvement, inexperience, health concerns or more, this workshop will provide you with resources and strategies to help you meet your goals. Facilitated by Fulton-Montgomery-Schoharie.
September 24 at 1:30PM: Social Media – Your social media presence can make or break your ability to find a job. Learn how to use social media to your advantage in searching for a job and marketing yourself to land the job or career you’ve always wanted. Facilitated by Schenectady.
Registration is required for all workshops. Visit https://thejoblink.org/calendar/ to register or call the Saratoga County Career Center at (518) 884-4170 for more information. The workshops are offered as part of the Saratoga County Career Center’s WorkPays! workforce education campaign.
Saratoga Spa State Park. Photo by Thomas Dimopoulos.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —The International Spa Heritage Festival will take place Oct. 9-10 at Saratoga Spa State Park.
The festival celebrates Saratoga as an international destination for health and wellness and will include representatives from some European spa towns.
The International Spa Heritage Festival, part of the Centennial Celebration for the 100-year anniversary of the New York State Park System, was announced by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. The event will be open to the public and feature a conference with guest speakers, a community festival, and an international health and wellness travel expo.
The international delegation includes European officials, mayors, and tourism leaders from more than 11 countries, including Italy, Spain, Croatia, Germany, and France.
Established in 1909 to protect the waters from commercial exploitation, Saratoga Spa State Park became a renowned spa destination for bathing and drinking mineral water for health benefits. The park is known for its waters, classical architecture, and natural beauty. In 1935, extensive development championed by Franklin D. Roosevelt created the iconic architecture that the park is known for today, much of which was directly modeled after the great spas of Europe.
The two-day celebration will include a Guest Speaker Series and Conference and a family-friendly Community Festival on Wednesday, Oct. 9, and a Health & Wellness Expo & European Spa Town Showcase and a Bathrobe Walk – during which members of the European Historic Thermal Towns Association (EHTTA) will be featured in the signature closing event, including a leisurely stroll through Saratoga Spa State Park in their bathrobes.
For more information about the International Spa Heritage Festival, and a full schedule of events during the two-day event, go to: https://historicthermaltowns.com/.
SARATOGA SPRINGS— The Saratoga Springs History Museum hosts an Opening Reception for the “Frank Leslie Buys Women’s Votes” exhibit at 6 p.m. on Sept. 26 at the Saratoga Springs History Museum, in Congress Park.
The event will honor the life and legacy of Miriam Leslie, famously known as Frank Leslie, and her transformative impact on journalism and women’s suffrage.
Exhibit Highlights: Discover how Miriam Leslie, after inheriting her husband’s publishing empire and adopting his name, leveraged her media influence to champion the women’s suffrage movement. Her $2 million donation to Carrie Chapman Catt was instrumental in securing the passage of the 19th Amendment.
Also, explore Leslie’s personal and social evolution in Saratoga, learn about Leslie’s pioneering role in journalism, and delve into Leslie’s final act of philanthropy through her will, which provided crucial support to the suffrage campaign and played a key role in the passage of the 19th Amendment.
The evening will feature hors d’oeuvres, with admission including food and drinks. Tickets are $30 for History Museum members and $40 for non-members. Call the Saratoga Springs History Museum at 518-584-6920, visit at saratogahistory.org, or email info@saratogahistory.org.
Saratoga Bridges hosts its 24th Annual Great Pumpkin Challenge 5K, 10k and Kids Fun Run on Sept. 28. Photo provided.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Bridges hosts its 24th Annual Great Pumpkin Challenge 5K, 10k and Kids Fun Run at the Columbia Pavilion at the Saratoga Spa State Park on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 9:30 a.m.
This is a family-friendly and wheel-friendly event for all ghosts and ghouls, and registration is open for $25 per runner ($10 for the Kids’ Fun Run). On Sept. 16, registration increases to $30 per runner and online registration closes on Sept. 24. To register go to: www.saratogabridges.org and click on fundraising events, then click on Great Pumpkin Challenge.
The first 1,200 registrants will receive a moisture-wicking long sleeve t-shirt and first dibs on the delicious baked goods, fruits, and treats, donated by local businesses and our very own residential houses. The day will also include costumes, a pumpkin decorating contest, prizes, and an award ceremony for the overall winners and the top runners in each age group.
The 5K and 10K races will begin at 9:30. Following the race, there will be a pumpkin decorating contest, a Kids Fun Run, and an awards ceremony featuring the overall winner and top runners in each age group.
The Great Pumpkin Challenge is the last of Saratoga Bridges’ four annual fundraising events. Funds raised from the run will directly benefit Saratoga Bridges’ Family Support Services for individuals with developmental disabilities being cared for by family members in Saratoga County. Sign up for our emails at: www.saratogabridges.org/email-list/. For more information on the Great Pumpkin Challenge, contact Saratoga Bridges at 518-587-0723 or via email at info@saratogabridges.org.
