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Lori Mahan
Sustainable Saratoga Recycling Day
[Photos by Camera Famosa Photography.]
On Saturday, Oct. 21, retired teachers Art and Julie Holmberg, with a committee of 6-8 people and the help of the environmental class at Saratoga High School taught by Jody Visconti, and the Honor Society, among many others, came together to create Saratoga Recycles Day.
From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., roughly 500 cars came through and donated everything from electronics, metals, bicycles, small appliances, and textiles such as hats, towels, clothes, and rags, in any condition. Some textiles were recycled and some were redistributed. They shared the proceeds with the Saratoga High School clubs.
Mayor Joanne Yepsen proclaimed it Recycling Day.
Upstitch, a company in Albany, collected crochet needles, yarn, fabrics, sewing notions and sewing baskets to help educate people in impoverished areas and help them learn those skills.
Starting late last winter, the committee began to volunteer their time and organize the event, which included the vendors JGL Recycling in Colonie, American Clothing Company in Glens Falls, Bike Toga in Saratoga and Upstitch.
“It began with reading an article about Bethlehem. Dan Rein was named recycler of the year and so I looked on the website and saw what they did and how much they gathered. We patterned this after the Bethlehem program that has been recycling and having a recycling day for the past four to five years,” Art Holmberg explained.
“This was a very cooperative effort with Saratoga Springs Central School District. It started off with just environmental classes lending a hand and turned into the Honor Society helping. The students primarily helped with textiles and unloading cars,” Holmberg said.
Skidmore College students developed a pamphlet that talked about all of the places you can bring your recycling products in the local area, listing what they accept, addresses, etc.
“In general I go to Weibel Avenue transfer station and see what people throw down into the landfill and I just shudder when I see what’s been thrown in there that could be recycled and reused,” Holmberg said.
“There’s so much in recycling and reusing that we need to do more of as Americans and particularly in Saratoga,” Julie Holmberg added.
One hundred backpacks were collected for Shelters of Saratoga; 11,500 pounds of clothes were collected, and 89 bicycles were collected with Levi Rogers arranging the bike station and doing some repairs on site.
Bike Toga took 25 bikes to repair and then redistribute to the people of the community at a very low cost, and seven people exchanged bikes on the spot.
The Backstretch Employee Service Team (B.E.S.T.) took 12 bikes to keep on hand for next season. They collected a great deal of textiles as well.
Statistically speaking, Americans generate about 84 pounds of clothing every year and 70 percent of that material goes into a landfill, taking years to break down.
The committee members have already planned the event for next year, to take place on Oct. 20, 2018.
“We were so encouraged by the community’s response, we were very thrilled,” Julie Holmberg said.
“Start packing things up for next year. Eventually, with enough help and support, we could do this twice a year. It was a shot in the dark, but we succeeded,” added her husband.
Saratoga CSD and Neighboring Schools in LockOut
A search is on in Wilton for a 16-year-old white boy wearing khaki pants, grey sweatshirt, and black sneakers, possibly with a handgun, according to the SaratogaCounty Sheriff's office.
Maple Ave Middle School and Dorothy Nolan Elementary School have been placed in precautionary LockOut, due to police activity in the area unrelated to the schools.
More than one dozen sheriff's units, as well as a helicopter, are in the vicinity of Route 9/ Maple Avenue, and Northern Pines Road, to help in the search.
Update: Skidmore College and SUNY Adirondack Wilton campus have also suspended classes as a precaution.
"Skidmore College has suspended classes as a precaution. Students have been informed to go immediately to their on-campus residences and to remain there until further notice. Staff and faculty have been informed to remain in place until further notice," said Diane O'Connor, Director of Campus and Media Relations of Skidmore College.
17th Annual Great Pumpkin Challenge
[Photos provided by Heather Varney.]
SARATOGA SPRINGS – On Saturday, Oct. 14 the 17th Annual Great Pumpkin Challenge took place to benefit Saratoga Bridges. Held in the Saratoga Spa State Park, over 1,300 runners, walkers, volunteers, and spectators partook this year. Over $18,000 was raised for Saratoga Bridges’ programs and services.
Saratoga Bridges is “one of the largest non-profit organizations in Saratoga County. Saratoga Bridges has been provided the highest level of services and programs to over 830 people with developmental disabilities and their families for more than 60 years,” said the official Saratoga Bridges website.
The overall 5K winners this year were Chase Baker from Saratoga Springs and Elizabeth Predmore from Ballston Lake. The overall 10K winners this year were Thijs Kolet from Saratoga Springs and Leigh Parker from Glenmont.
This event also included the popular Kids Fun Run for children 12 and under. Children, and some adults, dressed in costume. The costume contest was won by Scott LeFevre (adult, as the Beast from Beauty and the Beast); Christopher Mason (boys costume winner, Dwarf from Snow White), and Mackenzie LeFevre (girls costume winner, Beauty from Beauty and the Beast).
Fasig-Tipton Sales Wrap-Up
[All photos by Lori Mahan.]
SARATOGA SPRINGS – On Monday, Oct. 16 the Fasig-Tipton Fall Sale took place in the Humphrey S. Finney Pavilion in Saratoga Springs, NY. Out of 236 horses up for sale, 144 horses sold for an average of $22,674, the highest average sale price since 2012, after the sale was reconstituted from a 15-year hiatus. This sale featured a mix of mares, yearlings, and thoroughbreds that were born earlier this year.
Locally owned horses had a strong day. McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds in Saratoga Lake sold 18 horses for $273,000; Chip Landry, operator of Harry L. Landry Bloodstock in Saratoga Springs sold 11 thoroughbreds for $200,000; Christopher Shelli, owner of Fort Christopher’s Thoroughbreds in Fort Edward sold six horses for $199,000.
This sale continued what the August Fasig-Tipton started with an uprise in sales. The Saratoga Select Yearling in August saw an increase of 16.3.
The highest selling horse this year, for $170,000, was born to Into Mischief and Darling Mambo, and was bought by Mahoney Eden Manor & Classic Bloodstock.
Last year, the total for sales was $2,780,600 with the average being $16,955 and the median $8,500, with 164 horses sold. This year, with only 20 more horses sold than the previous year, the numbers were way up. Totaling $3,265,000, average sales were $22,674, and the median was $12,000. 17 horses sold for $1,000, which was the lowest sale price.
Monday’s sale marked a strong 2017 finish for the Fasig-Tipton sales in Saratoga Springs, NY.
JDRF Walk at Saratoga Race Course
[Photos provided by JDRF.]
SARATOGA SPRINGS – On Saturday, Oct. 14 the JDRF, formerly Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, One Walk raised $148,824 of their $153,800 goal for type I diabetes.
“JDRF One Walk has one goal: to create a world without type 1 diabetes (T1D),” said the official statement.
T1D is an autoimmune disease that strikes children and adults suddenly. It has nothing to with diet or lifestyle and it’s serious and stressful to manage. There is nothing you can do to prevent T1D and there is currently no cure.
More than 750 walkers, volunteers, and sponsors engaged in the One Walk at the Saratoga Race Course. 64 registered teams that represented local businesses, families, schools, and other organizations made up those teams, also included recently diagnosed T1D families.
Participants strolled 1.25 miles around the racetrack and then gathered for refreshments, music, entertainment, face painting, a photo booth, and family fun. While there was no registration fee, people were encouraged to raise $100 to receive their commemorative One Walk t-shirt.
Head of the Fish
[Graphic provided by www.SaratogaRowing.com]
SARATOGA SPRINGS – On Saturday, Oct. 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Head of the Fish Regatta will be taking place at Fish Creek. Tom Frost founded this regatta in 1986 and it is now in its 31st year.
This year there are approximately 2,300 entries.
“No regatta in history has ever done that and we’re crazy enough to try it,” said Chris Chase, Regatta Director.
This year it is approximated that roughly eight to 10 thousand people will be in attendance and if the weather holds up, could be as many as 12 thousand people spectating.
On Saturday, all college and adult level races will be taking place, equaling about seven to eight thousand athletes with four thousand junior athletes on Sunday. Chase estimates about 180 teams total.
“Over the course of the weekend we will have 102 busses, which are large, 110 trailers, 130 food tents which are 15x20 feet, so once you start narrowing down all that space, it gets crazy,” said Chase.
Saratoga Rowing Association is currently negotiating more space with Lee’s Park owner Leo Nosal.
“We’ve grown almost every year I’ve been in charge, since 1998,” Chase said.
“Leo is outstanding with also trying to maintain the integrity of the campgrounds and accommodate us. He’s been awesome. We’ve grown every year and every time we grow there has been a growing pain and those pains are usually Leo’s pains because we ask for more. So it’s been great that he’s been so open-minded about doing that given his own obligations to his customers as well,” Chase explained.
While the regatta is expected to bring in thousands, Chase warns that “locals better get their restaurant reservations in now because lines will be massive come that weekend.”
Go to www.SaratogaRowing.com to check out the maps and schedule of the event on Oct. 28 and 29.
Parent University
SARATOGA SPRINGS – Starting in September, the Saratoga Springs City School District (SSCSD) began its’ 2017-2018 Parent University Programs. In Sept., the district released their School Emergency Response Video. The video discussed the district’s emergency planning and a parent’s role in an emergency. The video also provided information for parent-student reunification and the explained the ongoing efforts to keep students safe. The video is available online all year for review.
In October, SSCSD presented four lectures all in the same line of thinking: “Mindfulness: Top 10 Reasons to Give it a Try,” presented by District School Psychologist Laurie Newcomer. The purpose was to learn how mindfulness can help in the everyday life. Anti-bullying and Bystander Empowerment for Parents also took place in Oct. and was presented by the Sweethearts and Heroes organization. This parent program focuses on defining bullying vs. conflict the principles of compassionate empathy (CE). Parents also learned the role that technology played into their children’s lives as well as the fundamentals of cyber-bullying. “It’s All in the Way You Say It: Communicating Effectively with Your Child’s Education,” this workshop highlights the essential elements of effective communication that is critical for positive home and school relationships. Participants learned practical steps for working with their child’s educational team to build effective communication skills.
On every other Wednesday in November (1, 15, 29) there will be another Parent University lecture.
On Nov. 1 “The Emotional and Developmental Challenges of Adolescence” present by Dr. Michael Prezioso will take place in the Maple Ave Large Group Instruction Room at 6:30 p.m. Prezioso will discuss the transition between childhood and adult life.
On Wednesday, Nov. 15, the District DASA Committee will present “What Does ‘Dignity’ for All Look Like in Saratoga. This lecture will be about the DASA law and its impact on school procedures. It will be in the MacFadden Administration Building at 6:30 p.m.
On Wednesday, Nov. 29 the “Finding Peace in a Frantic World” book discussion will take place in the Maple Ave Large Group Instruction Room at 6:30 p.m. Copies of the book are available for those interested, contact Maura Manny at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to get a copy.
On Wednesday, Dec. 5 The Prevention Council will present an interactive presentation called Hidden Mischief at 6:30 p.m. in the Saratoga Springs High School Library. Parents of high school students are invited to attend the PTSO meeting at 5:45 p.m. Hidden Mischief shows the clever ways teens are hiding drug and alcohol use and how to spot the signs and talk to them about it.
January will have three lectures. On Tuesday, Jan. 23, Sports Related Concussions for K-12 Families will be presented by Eric Deim, held at Caroline St. Elementary School at 6:30 p.m.
On Tuesday, Jan. 30, District Psychologist Laurie Newcomer at the Maple Ave Large Group Instruction Room will present The Real Happiness Challenge at 6:30 p.m.
On Wednesday, Jan. 31, Dr. Randy Cale will present Addicted to Electronics? Learn to Manage Technology, With Real Limits and Practical Solution. This program will take place at Dorothy Nolan Elementary School at 9:30 a.m.
February will have one lecture; on Wednesday, Feb. 28, Dr. Randy Cale will present Childhood Anxiety: How Children Needlessly Suffer and What Parents Can Do to Change This at Lake Ave. Elementary School at 6:00 p.m.
In March, two lectures will occur. On Wednesday, March 7, The Prevention Council will present Vaping: What You Need to Know. This program will at the Saratoga-Wilton Elks Lodge on 1 Elks Lane in Saratoga Springs at 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 28, Dr. Randy Cale will be back to present Motivating the “Unmotivated” Child: How to Think and Act Differently. This will be at the Geyser Road Elementary School at 9:30 a.m.
Monday, April 16 will be the final lecture in the Parent University Programs for the year. At 9:30 a.m. at the Caroline Street Elementary School Dr. Randy Cale will lecture on Managing Technology: Sensible Ways to Set Limits and Why You Must Do This Now.
“Parenting and educating our students is one of life’s most important and demanding pursuits. The SSCSD continues its community-focused mission of supporting our families and community members through Parent University, a series of free, informative programs,” said the official statement.
Blue Streaks Hall of Fame Inducts Seven New Members
[Photos Provided]
SARATOGA SPRINGS – This year, the Blue Streaks Hall of Fame has inducted seven new members. The Class of 2017 includes five athletes and two coaches, all of which have made great strides for the Blue Streaks in the past.
The Blue Streaks Hall of Fame was “established to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of outstanding athletes, coaches, administrators, and supporters,” said the official statement.
A committee composed of current and former coaches; high school administrators, community members and current and retired athletic directors review the nominations and select the nominees. A trophy case in the lobby of the blue gym holds plaques in honor of the Hall of Fame members.
This year the inductees were:
Jen Dryer (Pennell)
Dryer graduated in 1994 and participated in soccer, basketball, softball, and lacrosse. She played varsity soccer and varsity basketball as an eighth grader; she was named Suburban Council First Team All-Star multiple times for soccer, basketball, and lacrosse; she was part of Section II Division 1 Championship Lacrosse Team in 1991 and 1992; named First Team Saratoga Dream Team for basketball; finished basketball career with 1523 points, 325 assists, 348 steals, and 228 rebounds.
In college, Dryer attended West Virginia Wesleyan College from 1994-1998 on a full scholarship for Division 2 basketball program where she started as a point guard for all four years and her overall career included 775 points, 460 assists, 206 steals, and 297 rebounds.
“She may be the best ever all-around athlete to go through Saratoga Springs,” said Coach Rich Johns, Saratoga Springs tennis coach for 38 years.
Robert Guglielmo
Guglielmo was a longtime assistant coach from 1971 – 2011 and coached many different sports in the district, such as; freshmen football in 1971, varsity football from 1972-2010, JV wrestling from 1971-1974, varsity lacrosse from 1988-1993, JV lacrosse from 1994-2003 and in 2005, modified lacrosse from 2009-2011. During his 40 years of coaching football, he and his team had many accomplishments including 15 league championships, 22 sectional playoffs, 5 sectional runner-ups, and 5 championships. With his assistance, the lacrosse and wrestling teams also won multiple league and sectional championships.
Matthew Kuenzel
Kuenzel graduated in the class of 2002, where he participated in football, indoor and outdoor track and field. His accomplishments include: team captain for football in 2001 and track and field captain in 2002; named Section II All-Star Captain and Offensive Team Player of the Year for football in 2001; school record holder for the shot put since 2002; three-time NYS Meet Qualifier in discus (2001), shot put (indoor, 2002), shot put (outdoor, 2002); received the Clayton Chubb Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year Award and the NYS Sports Foundation Scholar Athlete Award in 2002; part of Suburban Council Boys Track and Field Championship Team; Yaddo Medal Award winner.
In college, at SUNY Geneseo, Kuenzel served as co-captain of the men’s indoor and outdoor track and field teams; NCAA SUNYAC Conference Sportsmanship Award Winner; 2006 Geneseo Male Contribution and Leadership Award; holds current Geneseo school record for indoor and outdoor shot put and discus; five-time SUNY Geneseo Student Athlete of the Week; one-time ECAC Field Athlete of the Week.
After graduating from SUNY Geneseo, Kuenzel went on to coach at the college level and teach middle school mathematics.
"This is a great honor and I am very humbled to be in the company of amazing athletes," Kuenzel said of his induction.
Landon Moore
43 – A.jpg Moore with his Biddy Basketball team. Photo provided.
Moore, who passed away in 2011, graduated from Saratoga Springs in 1970 and was dedicated to the youth in Saratoga Springs for over 43 years. He began his career as a camp counselor for the cities recreation department. At only 16-years-old, under the guiding eyes of the late Bennie Fasulo, Moore coached the All Star Frogs in Biddy Basketball. He also coached the Pop Warner football program, Little League baseball, a women’s softball league, Skidmore College softball and Saratoga Catholic Central High School football and baseball.
“I saw a man and a coach who had an attractive personality that motivated kids to learn basketball. It went as far as parents asking for their kids to be on my dad’s team,” said Moore’s son, Landon Moore, III.
“He just had a way with kids that made them want to play and motivate them. He helped kids understand teamwork, respect, and character, all fundamental things that are entailed in the game of basketball and they received that under my dads’ leadership at an early age and moving forward, they took those same core values into life. At an early age, my dad presented things to his players that parents couldn’t and he motivated them in a different way,” Moore continued.
Moore’s wife, Amy, was there to accept the award on his behalf; their daughter Phoebe and her husband Jim Hayes also came from South Carolina for the induction. Hayes played on Moore’s Biddy Basketball team when he was nine, long before he was his son-in-law.
“It was beautiful,” Amy Moore said of the ceremony.
Madalayne Smith
Smith graduated in 2010, she participated in indoor and outdoor track and field. Her accomplishments include: first in Section II history for the 100-meter hurdles; second in Section II history for the 100-meter dash; eleventh in Section II history for the long jump; State and Federation Champion in the 100-meter hurdles.
Smith attended the University of Connecticut and competed in indoor and outdoor track; she finished fourth in the outdoor track 100-meter hurdles at the Big East Championships and at the American Athletic Conference Championships in 2014; finished third in the indoor track 60-meter hurdles at the American Athletic Conference Championships and eighth in the ECAC Championships in 2013-2014; finished first in the indoor track 60-meter hurdles at the New England Championships in 2012-2013 with a meet record of 8.47.
Maureen Van Neste (Wickerham)
43 – B.jpg Van Neste and her son at the induction ceremony. Photo provided.
Van Neste graduated in 1994, she participated in basketball and outdoor track and field. Her accomplishments include: participated in varsity outdoor track and field for six years; 1993 NYSPHSAA discus state champion and 1994 NYSPHSAA discus runner-up; Section II Champion in the shot put and discus in 1994; Suburban Council Champion in the shot put and discus in 1994; co-captain of the varsity basketball team during the 1993-1994 season.
After graduating high school, Van Neste attended Syracuse University where she participated in indoor and outdoor track and field. She graduated Suma Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Policy Studies in 1997. Afterward, she continued her education and earned a Master of Public Administration from Syracuse University and a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University. Currently, she is a Professor at Boston College Law School.
“Certainly my fondest memories were working with the coaches, particularly on the track team, Linda and Art Kranick run a top-notch program,” Van Neste said.
“Ed Hall was my discus coach. He was wonderful as a coach and mentor to me. He is the one who recruited me, gave me all sorts of confidence, and had such an influence on my life,” Van Neste said nostalgically.
Jamie Welsh (Sweeney)
Welsh, graduated from Saratoga Springs High School in 2002, where she participated in cross country and indoor and outdoor track and field. Her high school accomplishments include: part of the girls cross country team to win the state, federation, and national title in 2001; named a Suburban Council All Star for cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field; ran a leg of the New York State and federation indoor and outdoor 4x800 relay team; named an All-American for the Steeplechase and Distance Medley Relay in 2002; and was listed in the “Who’s Who Among High School Students” and a finalist for the 2002 Sports Foundation Section 2 Scholar Athlete Award.
Following high school, Welsh attended the University of Rhode Island and participated in cross country, indoor and outdoor track. While there, she received the Rookie Performer of the Meet Award at the outdoor A-10 Championships in 2002 and placed twelfth in the Steeplechase at the New England Championship in 2005.
Hockey for Shelters of Saratoga
[Graphic provided by Rosemary Riedhammer]
SARATOGA SPRINGS – On Saturday, Oct. 14 at 7:00 p.m. join Adirondack Thunder at the Glens Falls Civic Center as they play to raise funds for the Shelters of Saratoga (SOS) organization. Tickets are $15 and $5 of each ticket sold will be donated to SOS. Adirondack Thunder will be playing Brampton Beast.
“The Civic Center actually approached us with a fundraiser they’re doing to support local non-profits and we had recently done a community resource day at the Civic Center and they approached us while we were there and we thought it would be nice to get involved,” said Rosemary Riedhammer, director of development and marketing at SOS.
SOS is asking their supporters to come out and support the shelter in a different way with a broader spectrum, therefore, getting more people involved. SOS’s typical events reach a very specific group, mostly adults, and the Adirondack Thunder game is a good way to involve whole families in a community service act that they can do together.
If SOS sells 100 tickets, they will be eligible for free ads at the arena for a year. To buy tickets for the event, visit www.coolinsuringarena.com and go to the events and tickets tab, once there, use the promo code SOSTHUNDER.
“We just hope people will come out and support us. Glens Falls is just a couple exits up the Northway and we hope to see everyone there,” Riedhammer said.
Fasig-Tipton Fall Sales
[Photo by www.PhotoAndGraphic.com]
SARATOGA SPRINGS – On Monday, Oct. 16 Fasig- Tipton will be hosting the annual Saratoga Fall Sale. The event will take place in the Humphrey S. Finney Pavilion beginning at 10:00 a.m. The sale will be featuring 298 horses on offer. The single sale will begin with hips 1-90 consisting of in-foal mares and racing/broodmare racing prospects, followed by hips 91-280 as weanling horses and hips 281-298 are all yearlings. The full calendar is available online at www.fasigtipton.com.
“We have good quality in this year’s catalog,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning.
“There are a number of mares in foal to leading national and regional sires that should draw significant interest. Additionally, this sale has developed into an excellent weanling market – we have nearly 190 weanlings cataloged this year – and the sire power is very good,” Browning said.
Anyone requesting further information is encouraged to contact Evan Ferraro at 859-225-1555.
