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/