June

The Saratoga Battlefield Bus Tour will kick off the day’s activities from 10AM to 12PM. Participants will embark on a guided tour of the historic Saratoga Battlefield, a renowned site that witnessed crucial battles during the American Revolutionary War. Veterans and their families will have the unique opportunity to explore the hallowed grounds where our nation’s history was shaped, gaining a deeper understanding and appreciation for the sacrifices made by our brave servicemen and women.

Following the battlefield tour, the festivities will continue at Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga, where the BBQ event will take place from 1PM to 4PM. This family-friendly gathering will feature a delicious chicken BBQ, refreshing beverages, and a variety of outdoor activities for all to enjoy. All are invited to come together in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere that includes horse interactions, a tour of the farm, an ice cream truck, cornhole games, music, and more. Once the event is over, Veterans and their families will be bussed back to original parking location to retrieve their vehicles and head home.

“We are honored to host the Saratoga Battlefield Tour & BBQ event to express our gratitude and support for our local veterans,” says Frank McClement with the Saratoga County Veterans Service Agency. “It is fitting to host this day of remembrance and camaraderie where our nation’s first patriots fought for our freedom at the Battles of Saratoga. Combining our passion for our history and our unwavering support for those who have selflessly served our nation allows us to come together as a community and demonstrate what Saratoga County is all about.” The Saratoga County Veterans Service Agency encourages all veterans, their families, and community members to join in this special event.

For more information or to RSVP for the Saratoga Battlefield Tour & BBQ event, click HERE for the link to sign up. RSVP deadline is July 14th. Further details can also be found on our website www.veteranspeertopeer.org.

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July 7th: 11AM-12PM Malta Community Center, 1 Bayberry Dr, Ballston Spa
July 8th: 9AM-1PM Saratoga Springs Farmer’s Market, 112 High Rock Ave, Saratoga Springs
July 11th: 12-1PM Mechanicville Senior Center, 178 N. Main St., Mechanicville
July 12th: 12-1PM Moreau Community Center, 144 Main Street, South Glens Falls
July 13th: 12-1PM Milton Community Center, 310 Northline Rd, Ballston Spa
July 14th: 11AM-12:30PM Saratoga Senior Center, 5 Williams St, Saratoga Springs
July 17th: 11AM-12PM Clifton Park Senior Community Center, 6 Clifton Common Court, Clifton Park
July 18th: 11:30AM-12:30PM Waterford Senior Center, 125 Second St, Waterford
July 19th: 10AM-12PM Mechanicville Area Community Center, 6 S Main St, Mechanicville
July 19th: 3-5PM Saratoga Springs Farmer’s Market, 112 High Rock Ave, Saratoga Springs
July 20th: 11:30AM-1PM Galway Town Hall, 5910 Sacandaga Rd, Galway
July 24th: 2PM-5PM Clifton Park Farmer’s Market, 971 Route 146, Clifton Park
July 25th: 11AM-12PM Wilton Senior Center, 22 Travers Rd, Gansevoort
July 26th: 12-1PM Corinth Senior Center, 22 Hamilton Ave, Corinth
July 26th: 12-1PM Halfmoon Senior Center, 285 Lower Newtown Rd, Waterford
July 27th: 12-1PM Greenfield Community Center, 7 Wilton Rd, Greenfield Center
July 29th: 9AM-1PM Ballston Spa Farmer’s Market, Wiswall Park, Front St, Ballston Spa
August 2nd: 3-5PM Halfmoon Farmer’s Market, 2 Halfmoon Town Plaza, Halfmoon
August 5th: 9AM-1PM Saratoga Springs Farmer’s Market, 112 High Rock Ave, Saratoga Springs
August 14th: 2-5PM Cli􀅌on Park Farmer’s Market, 971 Route 146, Cli􀅌on Park
August 16th: 3-5PM Saratoga Springs Farmer’s Market, 112 High Rock Ave, Saratoga Springs

Coupon booklets include five $5 coupons ($25 value) that are good for fresh fruits and vegetables at local participating Farmer’s Market vendors.

Qualifications for Farmer’s Market Coupons:

Qualified individuals are those who are age 60 or older and earn a monthly income of no more than $2,248 per month for a one-person household or no more than $3,041 per month for two-person household. One coupon booklet is available per eligible individual.

Coupons can also be picked up at the Department of Aging and Youth Services at 152 West High Street in Ballston Spa from 9AM-5PM, Monday-Friday.

For more information, contact the Saratoga County Department of Aging and Youth Services at 518-884-4100.

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July 5 at 10AM: Resume Development: This workshop presents the basics of a powerful and effective cover letter including formatting, tailoring to the job, and getting through the online application process to land an interview. Please have a rough draft of your resume with you. Facilitated by Rensselaer & Columbia-Greene.

July 6 at 11AM: Transferable Skills. Transferable skills are qualities you have already acquired that can be used in a different job. Learn how to make employers see the connection between your qualities and the skillset needed to do the job and market yourself as the solution to an employer’s problem. Facilitated by Warren and Albany.

July 11 at 10:30AM: Interview Preparation. Learn how to articulate your strengths, what questions to expect, how to address difficult topics, and ace the interviewing process. Facilitated by Schenectady.

July 12 at 10AM: Goal Setting. This workshop explores how goal setting works, why goals are important, and provides helpful resources to get you started to reach your dreams. Facilitated by Washington and Albany.

July 20 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.

July 25 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 Saratoga and Fulton-Montgomery-Schoharie.

July 27 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.

The Saratoga County Department of Workforce Development provides comprehensive training and employment services to residents through its Career Center and works with local businesses to attract and retain the local workforce.

The Greater Capital Region Career Centers is a group of local county and city-based Career Centers and partners that coordinate services to address the workforce needs of the Greater Capital Region by providing a variety of career and workforce resources, training opportunities, and more. Members include Capital Region Workforce New York; Columbia-Green Workforce NY; City of Albany Career Center; L.E.A.P; Rensselaer County Career Center; Saratoga County Career Center; Schenectady County Connects; Warren County Career Center; Workforce Solutions System of Fulton, Montgomery, Schoharie Counties.

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Participants will learn how to recognize an opioid overdose and administer nasal Narcan, which takes approximately 10 minutes. Participants will receive a free Narcan rescue kit, which includes two doses of Narcan, a rescue breathing face shield, a certificate of training, a drug disposal system, and a mental health and substance use disorder resource guide.

Naloxone, sold under the brand name Narcan, is a safe medication that can save someone’s life by reversing the effects of an opioid overdose. It only works on opioids, such as heroin, prescription pain medications and fentanyl, but it is safe to use even if opioids are not present. 911 should always be called after administering Naloxone. New York State’s Good Samaritan Law allows people to call 911 without fear of arrest if they are having a drug overdose that requires emergency medical care or if they witness someone overdosing.

Residents who are unable to attend the distribution can request an overdose rescue kit and view upcoming training events at www.saratogacountyny.gov/narcan.

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Chairman of the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Theodore T. Kusnierz, Jr. said, “This contract with the Saratoga County United Public Services Employees Union, provides a fair and balanced contract that is beneficial for not only our employees, but also the taxpayers of Saratoga County. Equally as important, the agreement incorporates measures that will help our Sheriff’s Office recruit and retain qualified employees dedicated to serving our residents at both our County Jail and our Communications Center.”

Supervisor John Lant (Wilton), Chair of the Board of Supervisors’ Public Safety Committee, said, “The men and women who work for the Saratoga County Corrections Facility and 911 Communications Center have an important role in what the Sheriff’s Office does to keep our county safe. This contract agreement ensures our Corrections Officers, 911 Dispatchers, civil clerks and jail staff receive comprehensive benefits and represents the County’s unwavering and continued support of law enforcement.”

The three-year agreement provides union members a one year $4,000 wage increase retroactive to January 1, 2023, and incorporates a 2.95% wage increase in both 2024 and 2025. This will help the county attract and retain both corrections officers and 911 Dispatchers, for which the County has a critical fulfillment need.

As part of the agreement, all affected employees will increase their health care contribution and will pay increased copays for health insurance services.

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The series will feature 18th-century living historians who will be on hand to answer questions and provide demonstrations before the speaker program begins at 7pm. Children will have the opportunity to try out 18^th century toys and games, along with replica colonial clothing.

The first event will take place on June 27 at Halfmoon Lighthouse Park located at 597 Hudson River Road in Halfmoon, NY. Living historians from the His Majesty’s 24^th Regiment of Foot will be present, and the following speakers will provide insight into the revolutionary history of the area:

• Sean Kelleher, “Incident at Jones Mill”
• Don Carola, “Sanbun Ford: Forgotten Patriot Rediscovered”
• Rick Reynolds, “Joe Bettys: Patriot and Traitor”

The series will continue July 25 and August 1 at other locations along the Hudson River.

“This series offers a great opportunity for the public to enjoy the beauty of the Hudson River while learning about our revolutionary past,” said Lauren Roberts, Saratoga County Historian and Chair of the Saratoga County 250^th Commission. “It’s a great way to engage with local historians and hear about why our area played such an important role in the War for Independence.”

July 25^th at Stillwater Riverfront Park 1940 US Route 4, Stillwater with living historians from the 2nd Continental Artillery. Please note: There will be cannon firing as part of this demonstration. Speaker: David Pitlyk, “Revisiting the Battle of Bennington.”

August 1^st at Hudson Crossing Park County Road 42 Schuylerville with living historian Anne Clothier, Experiences of Loyalist Refugees. Speaker: Bruce Venter, “The Battle of Hubbardton: The Rear Guard Action that Saved America.”

Please bring your own chairs to the events. Admission is free, and donations are appreciated to support future events.

These events will take place outdoors. In case of inclement weather, the program will be cancelled.

America’s Turning Point is a multi-year celebration of Saratoga County’s pivotal role in the American Revolution culminating in 2027 with the 250th anniversary of the Battles of Saratoga.

For more information, visit saratoga250.com or contact the Saratoga County 250th Commission at Email or by phone at 518-884-4749.

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Together, the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Probation will utilize this funding to enforce the state program aimed at catching convicted drunk drivers who break the law by operating vehicles without ignition interlock devices or by circumventing or tampering with the devices to make them inoperable.

The program’s goal is to increase compliance with the state’s DWI laws, while helping law enforcement identify and arrest those individuals attempting to operate a motor vehicle without a court-ordered interlock device. The grant funds training as well as overtime costs for law enforcement, allowing agencies to conduct targeted sweeps aimed at catching offenders between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Interlock devices are installed on the ignition of a vehicle to prevent the operator from starting it if they’ve been drinking. An individual must first blow into the device, which can then prevent the vehicle from starting if the presence of alcohol is detected.

Individuals convicted of drunk driving must install an ignition interlock device installation on any vehicle they intend to operate as a result of Leandra’s Law, which also makes it a felony to drive drunk with a child under 16 in the vehicle. The law took effect in December 2009 and is named in memory of 11-year-old Leandra Rosado, a passenger in an SUV who died when the vehicle’s intoxicated driver crashed on the Henry Hudson Parkway in New York City.

Theodore T. Kusnierz, Jr., Chairman of the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors said, “In Saratoga County we are proud to support our law enforcement at all levels and commend our Sheriff’s Deputies and Probation Officers for the work they do each day that helps keep Saratoga County one of the safest counties in New York State. We are thankful to the Governor’s Safety Committee for providing this grant funding that will allow our Sheriff’s Office and Department of Probation to take dangerous drivers who circumvent New York’s DWI laws off our roads.”

Michael H. Zurlo, Saratoga County Sheriff said, “In Saratoga County we have zero tolerance for those who break the law. Yet, even with some of the toughest state DWI laws in the nation, there are still irresponsible individuals who try to circumvent using a court-ordered ignition inter-lock device, posing a threat to everyone who shares our roadways. We look forward working with the County Department of Probation to help make Saratoga County roadways safer.”

Susan Costanzo, Director of the Saratoga County Department of Probation said, “The Saratoga County Department of Probation works each day to build safer communities by supervising individuals on probation and to affect positive change in criminal offender behavior. When those convicted of DWI offences don’t abide by their court ordered use of an ignition interlock device, they must be held accountable. We look forward to working with the Sheriff’s Office on this important safety initiative.”

Under Leandra’s Law, judges are required to order all drivers convicted of misdemeanor or felony drunk driving charges to install and maintain ignition interlock devices on any vehicles they own or operate for at least six months at their own expense.

Individuals who attest under oath that they have sold or transferred title to their vehicles – and as a result aren’t ordered to install the device – still have the ignition interlock condition on their New York driver’s license and DMV license file. These individuals are still prohibited from driving a vehicle without an interlock, but some continue to do so in violation of Leandra’s Law.

The law also makes it illegal to tamper with or circumvent an ignition interlock device. Individuals may face jail time if convicted of any offense under the law. In addition, individuals on probation may be charged with a violation of their sentence if charged with an ignition interlock offense.

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