The Ladies Auxiliary of the Saratoga/Wilton Elks Lodge #161 recently presented their Community Service Scholarships.

Pictured left to right: Elior Moskowicz, Kelsey Powell, President and Scholarship Chair Judith Tirelli, Daniel Rittenhouse and Kristi Krulcik.

Congratulations and every success in your future endeavors!

Saratoga Sponsor-A-Scholar's 4th annual Bowling-for-Scholars/Gutterball Bash took place June 2. The event, which included a day of half-priced bowling at The Saratoga Strike Zone and a fundraising cocktail party in the evening, raised $80,130 for the organization.

From left: Blayne Turner (junior), SSAS volunteer Executive Director Jim LaVigne, Mataya Clark (graduating senior, attending the College of St. Rose in the fall of 2012), Camarin Ellis, (sophomore) Kayla Carero, (junior) and Rich Sheldon, Strike Zone partner.



Saratoga Sponsor-A-Scholar is a not-for-profit organization that helps financially disadvantaged students at Saratoga Springs High School excel in high school and succeed in college. The organization will induct its fifth class of students this June. For more information, visit www.saratogasponsorascholar.org or contact Executive Director Jim LaVigne at 587-2472 or jclavigne@aol.com.

The Classical Kids program, which was first introduced in 1993, serves approximately 5,000 children in grades five through seven at 11 school districts in and around the Capital Region. The program, which is generously sponsored by Union College, follows a unique curriculum that combinse classroom study, lectures and demonstrations by professional dancers and musicans, and attendance at SPAC performances. The program's interactive approach has been widely praised by teachers, students and parents. Students who complete the program receive two SPAC season lawn passes for classical performances until they graduate from high school.

(Dancers Marcus Rogers and Kerry Piaggione demonstrate a promenade to a student from Greenwich Elementary School)



(Rogers teaching a dance technique to students)

 For more information on Classical Kids visit http://www.spac.org/.

Provided by: Richard Smith, Saratoga County

Friday, June 1, Miss Molly Pokrzywka was crowned the 43^rd Saratoga County Dairy Princess. This year marked a new chairperson of the pageant; Mrs. Julie McBath.  The pageant was a wonderful night filled with excitement, recognition, and ceremony worthy of royalty. The program is no small function but under Mrs. McBath’s organization skills and the many volunteers it went off without a hitch.

     Miss Katie Donnan, a former Saratoga County Dairy Princess, served as master of ceremonies. She started the evening off by recognizing the efforts of the Saratoga County Dairy Promotion Committee who all work tirelessly along side the Princess and her court promoting the dairy industry throughout the year.  Just prior to the usual outstanding buffet being served, Miss. Donnan introduced the upcoming 2012 Saratoga County Dairy Princess Court. As the young ladies were proudly escorted by their fathers and in one case her grandfather to the front of the stage, each girl’s accomplishments and credits were read aloud.  The Dairy Ambassadors who will represent the county in the upcoming year are, Janet Hanehan, Stephanie McBath, Racheal Sherman, Maria Shorkey, Haley Curtiss, and Allyson Block.  

     After dinner the candidates took turns giving presentations of what it would mean to be Saratoga County’s Dairy Princess and used various forms to highlight meaningful points about the benefits of dairy products and good daily nutrition.  Hannah Curtiss gave a presentation concerning her desire to serve the dairy industry. Hannah ended her presentation with a survey that contestants had to pick from drinks which one had the most nutritious daily ingredients. Milk clearly was the winner by all contestants. Molly Pokrzywka gave a fact filled power point presentation citing the qualities of milk and the Dairy Industry’s commitment to that quality.

    Miss Donnan questioned each candidate with an impromptu question which was given to her by the judges.  After the heart felted response of the candidates the judges retired to make their final decision of the night.  During the judges absents the reigning New York State Dairy Princess Emma Andrews gave a very uplifting and encouraging address where she compassionately thanked the state’s farmers for the privilege to serve them as their spokesperson and how rewarding it has been.

     The retiring Saratoga County Dairy Princess, Ms. Kayla Marios gave an emotional tribute to her Saratoga County Dairy Princess Court and all they had done to assist her this year as the Saratoga County Dairy Princess.  She mentioned with genuine pride the story of granting a young lady her “make a wish” wish come true.  What a wonderful and heart touching story.  Kayla ended by thanking many, but most importantly thanking her mother and dad who like any parent of a Dairy Princess knows it is very time consuming.  I know from personal experience and have never heard any parent complain. 

     The highlight and ending of the night was when retiring Dairy Princess Kayla Marios and New York State Princess Emma Andrews installed the 2012 court and crowned Molly Pokrzywka, Saratoga County Dairy Princess and Ms. Hannah Curtiss, Saratoga County Alternate Dairy Princess.  Congratulations to Molly, her alternate Hannah, their court and good luck for a successful year. 

Last month,  Friday, May 11, the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation held their 10th Annual Spirit of Preservation Celebration. Each year the celebration is held to honor select locals for their work in preservation and rehabilitation throughout Saratoga Springs. The evening is one of the Foundation's largest fundraisers of the year and is attended by members of the community, for the community.  The night saw close to 200 guests, such as presenters  Lindy Toohey, Joe Dalton, Jr., co-chairs Julie Stokes and Rich Martin, the honorees, their spouses, family, friends and other community guests included Charles Wait, Jr., his wife Natalie, Tom and Kristie Roohan, Susan Dake, Dee Sarno, and two of last year's winners, Jeff Pfeil and Bill Grande.

The evening kicked off at the Saratoga Automobile Museum, where close to 200 guests viewed the museum's current exhibit, Porsche: Sixty Years of Speed and Style in North America- which also served as a backdrop for celebrating the night's honorees: Nick Palmetto, Randy Martin and Barbara Glaser.  Guests enjoyed cocktails, refreshments and gourmet food prepared by Kim Klopstick's The Lily & The Rose.

"Following the cocktail hour, guests attended the awards ceremony, with opening remark by executive director Samantha Bosshart who talked about her experience in historic Galveston and its similar history to Saratoga Springs. Joe Dalton, Jr., then introduced the "two peas in a pod," Nick Palmetto and Randy Martin, who were honored for their efforts in preserving places like the Downstreet Market Place, the Blackmer building, and the Community Theater. Through their dedication and willingness to take on smaller projects, they helped preserve Saratoga Springs as we know it today. In addition, Barbara Glaser, introduced by Linda Toohey, was recognized for her legacy of vision and reinvestment in the community that has helped to preserve the unique character of Saratoga Springs. Toohey commented that Barbara had "woven together a tapestry" through her preservation effort, in her restoration of the School No. 4 building, the Chapel, and her dedication to open spaces throughout the city. The president of the Foundation, Christopher Armer, wrapped up the evening by congratulating the honorees on behalf of the Foundation Board and thanked executive director Samantha Bosshart for her good work and dedication to preserving the historical integrity of our great city. The Foundation also held a raffle during the evening which featured VIP box seats to the Saratoga Race Course and a two-night stay at the Mirror Lake Inn, Lake Placid."

SSPF Executive Director with Honorees Nick Palmetto, Barbara Glaser, Randy Martin

 Go to the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation website/blog for more photos: http://saratogapreservation.org/

Last month, Marion Snyder Hazard celebrated her 90th birthday surrounded by countless friends and family, including her three generations of children, grand-children and great-grandchildren.

Hazard was born in New York City, but moved to Saratoga as a child. She attended Saratoga High and pursued her undergraduate degree in Home Economics at SUNY Plattsburgh. After college Hazard married Saratoga sports-star Victor Hazard and together they raised their family.  

The festivities took place at Saratoga National with a ladies luncheon. The party continued at the Holiday Inn where a toast was made to Jim and Maryjo Hazard, who recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.  

The next day brought the group together again, where Saratoga Mayor Scott Johnson regaled stories of Hazard, officially proclaiming the day, "Marion Hazard Day."  Hazard ended her official day with a cheeseburger social and bonfire, where all were sent home "tired, happy and full of great memories."

Happy Birthday/Happy Marion Hazard Day, Marion!