Scott Pulver of Fort Edward was selected as the recipient of the first annual Friends of the Washington County Grasslands IBA Intern Scholarship for his outstanding service to Friends of the IBA and the endangered and at risk birds of the Washington County Grasslands Important Bird Area (IBA). 

Scott has served as a volunteer and Junior Board Member for the past two years; has gradually taken over more of the duties of webmaster and assisted with the IBA online E-Newsletter.  Scott has been invaluable in helping with Friends of the IBA events like Winter Raptor Fest and Raptor Rapture, as well as their Art Show and this year's conservation Field Day.

Scott graduated from Hudson Falls High School in June and will attend the College of Saint Rose as a Computer Information Systems major in the fall.  Friends of IBA enjoyed having Scott on their team and they wish him all the best!

Friends of the IBA is a 501(c)(3) grassroots nonprofit organization working to protect at-risk birds of the Washington County Grasslands Important Bird Area, or IBA.  Our goal is to conserve critical lands in the IBA and establish an eco-friendly nature center.  

If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering or becoming an intern for Friends of the IBA visit www.ibafriends.org , or call 692-9559 and leave a message.         

 

A record amount of $23,600 (NET) was raised at Saratoga Bridges’ 10^th Annual J. Michael Fitzgibbon Memorial Golf Classic presented by Relph Benefit Advisors on Monday, July 15.   88 Golfers played at the beautifully designed Edison Club, a private golf course in Rexford NY, which included an 18-hole scramble, BBQ lunch, awards ceremony & dinner, complimentary beverages, goodie bags with a Saratoga Bridges polo shirt, raffles, and a silent auction.  A portion of the proceeds benefits the J. Michael Fitzgibbons Memorial Scholarship Fund in honor of Michael who was a Board Member that passed away unexpectedly in 2005.

Professional Golfer and loyal Saratoga Bridges friend, Briana Vega, was one of our  special guests again this year.  A Pro since 2004, Briana qualified for the 2009 U.S. Women’s Open Championship and has won 4 other tournaments including The 2006 Big Break VI: Trump National series.  Andrew Catalon from WNYT News Channel 13 was the Master of Ceremonies at the Awards Ceremony and Bob Reed, former Minnesota Viking and committee member was also on hand to greet guests.

Prizes were awarded to:

·         Men’s Closest to the Pin – Chip Malone

·         Woman’s Closest to the Pin – Karin Hyman

·         Woman’s Longest Drive – Meghan Foley

·         Men’s Longest Drive – Brian McIlroy

·         1^st Place Low Gross – David Fitzgibbons, Jon Halpin, Jarod Katz

·         2^nd Place Low Gross – Andrew Ferrara, Scott Waterhouse, Bruce Cerone, Todd Duval

·         1^st Place Low Net – Tom Domery, John Purtell, Howard Ostrom, Vinnie Paolozzi

·         2^nd Place Low Net – Leo Dolan, Bill Egan, Ed Morrison

Saratoga Bridges is most grateful to the following 2013 Special Event, Tournament Sponsors and Golfers, for without their generosity the event would not be as successful: 

Saratoga Bridges is most grateful to the following to their 2013 Golf Classic Sponsors:

Presenting Sponsor:   Relph Benefit Advisors

Lead Sponsor:   The Fitzgibbons Family

Tournament Sponsor:  BHL

Cart Sponsors:  MMHayes and Philadelphia Insurance    

Luncheon Sponsors:  ADP, Colonie Mechanical, Royal Care/Omnicare, Saratoga National Bank & Trust Company and Tarella Financial Services 

Contest Sponsors:   John Carriero & Son, Inc., John Herrick and Tracey Road Equipment 

Registration Sponsors: DA Collins, NorthEast Testing and WB Mason

Tee Sponsors:  Joseph P. Mangione Inc.,  Andy & Susan Mesches, Napa Auto Parts, Northeast Show Promotors, Inc., Jay & Wendy Shupe and Staples

Beverage Sponsors: DeCresente and Coca-Cola provided beverages.

2013

Special Event Sponsors: The Adirondack Trust Company, Constance & Thomas D’Ambra, DIAGEO, Coca-Cola, Relph Benefit Advisors, The Bonadio Group, Stewart’s Shops, Champlain Wealth Management and Olsen Associates, Architects.

As one of the largest non-profit organizations in the county, Saratoga Bridges has been providing programs for people with developmental disabilities and their families for more than 55 years.  Throughout its’ history, family members, staff and volunteers have been committed to ensuring that the individuals they serve are able to realize their goals, hopes and dreams.  They remain steadfast in their ability to offer the highest level of lifetime services to 800 people, by promoting their abilities, contributions and achievements in every aspect of community life.  Saratoga Bridges’ philosophy is that every day is full of possibilities!

Congratulations to this year's winners!

 (left to right) Marion Bayly, Terry Hawthorne, Denise Hackert-Stoner

 

Friends of the IBA is pleased to announce the winners of our Third Annual Juried Art Show, co-sponsored by Glens Falls Friends of Photography. 

         Marion Bayly of Speculator took First Place in the "Life in the IBA" category with "Red-tail Lift Off."  This work beautifully captures the essence of Life in the Washington County Grasslands IBA!  Marion's first place entry won a "Raptor Encounter" donated by Adirondack Raptors, where she’ll be able to spend a day monitoring and banding wild hawks, falcons or owls.  The artist has generously offered to donate all proceeds from the sale of the work to Friends of the IBA for our work to protect state endangered Short-eared Owls and other at risk birds of the Washington County Grasslands Important Bird Area, or IBA.  Marion's entry also won "Best Photo" and a private Thoroughbred Farm Tour donated by Old Friends at Cabin Creek.

            Terry Hawthorne of Ballston Spa took First Place in "Best of Winter Raptor Fest" with her "Screech Owl" portrait, winning an overnight stay for two at Lant Hill Farm B & B in Argyle and a personal guided birding tour from Friends of the IBA.  She also won Best Photo and a My Muvie Family Cam donated by Ray Supply of Queensbury.

            Life in the IBA: Denise-Hackert Stoner of Loudonville took Second Place and a "Birders' Bounty" gift basket donated by Times Emporium of Whitehall with "Winter Bluebird". Tom Ryan of Queensbury took Third and a gift certificate from Clifford Oliver Photography of Greenwich with his intriguing watercolor titled "Osprey." 

            Best of Winter Raptor Fest: Ashley Meade of Queensbury took Second Place and a wine basket featuring locally produced wines from Oliva Vineyards for her portrait of a falcon titled "An Inquisitive Mind."  Stacy Bissell of Glens Falls took Third Place and a honey gift basket from Better Bee of Greenwich with an exciting photo of a free-flying hawk titled "Flight at Winter Raptor Fest."

            Go to www.ibafriends.org for more info, or call us at 518-692-9559.