UPCOMING CALENDAR

CHILDREN’S BALLET AUDITIONS: New York City Ballet will virtually audition area children to perform in the company’s production of Firebird by George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins during its summer residency at Saratoga Perfoming Arts Center from July 18 to 22. Casting for Firebird includes roles for 14 girls from 9-12 years old who are between 4 feet 7 inches and 5 feet tall. Understudies will also be cast. Applicants should have some ballet training; however, there is no dancing involved in these roles. The children who are selected will rehearse on Wednesday, July 19 and Thursday, July 20 from 4-6pm at the SPAC School of the Arts studios located behind the National Museum of Dance. The final rehearsal will take place on the afternoon of Friday, July 21 in the SPAC Amphitheater. Performances will be held at 7:30pm on July 21 and at 2pm on July 22. Selected children and accompanying adults must adhere to protocols imposed by Saratoga Performing Arts Center and New York City Ballet related to COVID-19. Scheduled for two performances on July 21 at 7:30 p.m. and July 22 at 2 p.m., Firebird will be featured as part of a program that also includes Balanchine’s Swan Lake and Robbins’ Fancy Free. Firebird illustrates an enchanting Russian fairytale and the fantastical creatures of its strange world with stunning sets and costumes designed by Marc Chagall. The children appear in the last wedding tableau. Video submissions must be included as part of the virtual audition form found online at https://spaceducation.wufoo.com/forms/z12gui1x0ytvhxs/. All audition submissions are due by March 31. Visit spac.org for more details.

GRIEF SHARE GROUP: A Grief Share group will begin Tuesday, March 14th at South Glens Falls United Methodist Church, located at 15 Maplewood Parkway in South Glens Falls. GriefShare seminars and support groups are meant to help you recover from your loss and look forward to rebuilding your life. You don’t have to go through the grieving process alone. We will meet on Tuesday, flexible times available. The group is for anyone who has lost a loved one and is grieving. We will meet for 13 weeks. For more information call Roberta at 518-338-3152.

BALLSTON SPA BIRDHOUSE PROGRAM: More than 1,000 birdhouses are ready to be decorated before adorning the streets of Ballston Spa this spring for the village’s fifth annual Birdhouse Program. Along with a large sculptural display in Wiswall Park and newly-created street banners, the overall display is a celebration of community spirit. Locals can request a free birdhouse by filling out a form online at www.askbspa.com. The birdhouses are picked up in a safe, nocontact procedure and must be returned by April 1 to be hung in time for spring. The Birdhouse Program is the centerpiece of the yearly arts initiative for the Village of Ballston Spa and is a favorite of children, families, seniors and the /intellectually-diverse community living in and around the area. Participants come from all over Saratoga County and the Capital Region to engage in this free community art project.

CLUB SEEKING VENDORS & ARTISANS: The Ballston Area Senior Citizens are gearing up for their Annual Bazaar Saturday, October 7, 2023 at the Milton Community Center, 310 Northline Road Ballston Spa, NY 12020. What is your specialty? Pickles & relishes, jams & jellies, or any handmade crafts are appreciated and welcome. We are looking for you to join us. Vendors of all kinds will be accepted on first come bases, for indoor spaces, until closing date October 2, 2023. Indoor spaces (8’W x 7’D) are $30 indoor only are first come, first serve basis and electrical outlets indoor are limited. Outdoor spaces (12’W x 10’D) are $25. To receive an Exhibit Contract and the Hold Harmless agreement and pay to reserve your space. Please contact Sue Heimburg with your Name and mailing address or email sheim381@aol.com or call/text 518-885-8037.

WOMEN’S DAY EVENT: All women are invited to attend an all day “Step by Step” springtime event, sponsored by Hope For A Woman’s Heart, at the Courtyard by Marriott in Lake George from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 29th. Participating activities will include: Dance numbers with husband and wife team Aaron & Christy Coulson; the Glorious Praise Dancers group; music by singer Tomi Jo Ball and a floral arrangement demonstration by Gina Whalen. Raffles and vendor shopping will also be available. Featured speakers Jillian Pelkey and Christy Coulson will give inspirational messages of Hope. Ticket cost is $60.00 per person ($50 with group of 10 or more). A Continental breakfast and Buffet lunch is inclusive. Registration and shopping begins at 8:30 a.m. For more information, visit the website at www.h4awh.com or call Debbie Geer, President of HFAWH, at 518-796-2895. * Reservation deadline is Friday, April 21. Hope For A Woman’s Heart is a nonprofit organization.

DONATIONS WANTED: Gateway House Thrift Shop is now open at 408 Geyser Rd. in Ballston Spa, and donations are wanted. We gratefully accept the following items in good condition: household items, Jewelry, Home decorations, Clean Toys, Small furniture, Lamps, Clean Kitchenware , Antiques/Collectables, Pictures/Art Work, Holiday items, Small Appliances, Purses and small tools. We do not accept TVs, Computers, Books, Upholstered Furniture, Children’s Car seats, Entertainment Centers, Large appliances, Mattresses, Medical Supplies Hutches/Armoires, Suitcases and clothes. Please call 518-306-4333 for drop off appointment All proceeds go to support Gateway House of Peace, a donor driven End of life home that cares for local residents and families during loved one’s final days at no charge to the family.

MARKET SEEKING VENDORS & VOLUNTEERS: The 2023 Ballston Spa Farmers’ Market, sponsored by the Ballston Spa Business and Professional Association (BSBPA), will run from June 10 through September 23, 2022. The markets will be held on Thursdays from 3-6 pm and Saturdays from 9 am-1 pm in Wiswall Park on Front Street, in the heart of downtown Ballston Spa. The markets have been serving the local community since 2003. Our mission is to bring together local farms and food/craft producers with consumers and to promote locally created products. The market is now accepting vendors for the 2023 season. New and returning vendors can apply online at https://www. ballston.org/category/farmers-market. The market bylaws are posted on the application page. Volunteer help will assure that the Ballston Spa Farmers’ Market will continue to be a presence in the village. Please contact nora@ballston.org to find out more.

SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY: High school seniors attending private or public school within the Saratoga Springs City School District can apply for scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $20,000 from the Saratoga Springs Rotary Education Foundation. Applicants must pursue a degree at an accredited 2- or 4-year college or post-secondary vocational educational institution. Students’ academic performance, extracurricular and work activities, community service and financial need are all considered when reviewing applications. Scholarship applications must be uploaded to the Foundation’s website by the postmark deadline of April 1. Finalists will then be invited to interview with the Foundation’s scholarship committee. For more information about the Foundation and how to apply for scholarships visit www.rotaryscholarships.org.

COMFORT FOR THOSE WHO MOURN: A six-week non-denominational Christian grief support group for all those grieving the death of a loved one. Wednesdays, Feb. 22- March 29 from 4:30 — 6:00 p.m. at St. Luke’s on the Hill, 40 McBride Rd. (located off Pruyn Hill Rd in the Town of Halfmoon), Mechanicville. To register email dcnlynne@gmail.com or call 518-664-4834.

UPK PROGRAM: The Ballston Spa Central School District will begin enrolling students for its Universal Prekindergarten Program for the 2023-2024 school year on March 1, 2023. An eligible child is a child who resides within the school district and who is four years of age on or before December 1, 2023. A child who is age-eligible to attend kindergarten is not eligible for the UPK program. The enrollment form will be available on the BSCSD website at https://www.bscsd.org/ Page/13474 beginning on March 1, 2023. The application deadline is March 31, 2023. In the event that there are more applicants than available spaces, a random lottery will be conducted at the close of the enrollment period. Those not selected in the lottery will be placed on a waiting list. All families who submit a timely application will be mailed acceptance/declination letters by April 10, 2023. Applications received after the March 31, 2023 deadline will be placed on a waiting list. For any questions regarding the UPK program, please contact the Ballston Spa Central School District’s Office of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment at upk@bscsd. org (518) 884-7195, ext. 1374. For additional information, visit the district’s Universal Prekindergarten Program webpage via https://www.bscsd.org/Page/13474.

SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY: The Saratoga Builders Association, Inc. is proud to announce their continued monetary commitment to education and will be awarding two student scholarships in 2023. One is the SBA $1000 Scholarship award and the other is the $1000 “Bob Best” Memorial Scholarship award. The organization makes these cash scholarships available annually to students who are planning to pursue a construction industry education. These scholarships are open to any high school senior or college undergraduate in Saratoga County who is planning to pursue a construction education at a 2 or 4-year accredited college or university or to students who would like to purchase tools and/or equipment for employment/career or to start a business in the construction industry. Students must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. They must demonstrate current or past involvement in the construction field, including classes taken in high school or college, to be eligible for these awards. Each applicant must also submit a high school or college transcript or list of construction classes taken plus a short essay describing why they are interested in a construction industry career and what events led to this decision. Applications for the Saratoga Builders Association Scholarship program must be postmarked on or before April 1, 2023. Only the first 25 completed applications will be accepted so please apply early. The winner and their school will be notified by June 1, 2023. To receive a scholarship application, please contact Barry Potoker, Executive Director at 518-3660946 or bpotoker@saratogabuilders.org.

BASIC WATERCOLOR SKILLS: Galway Public Library, 2112 East St., Galway, will host “Basic Watercolor Skills: Improving What You’re Capable of Doing” with local artist Ralph Caparulo. Five sessions, held every other Thursday, beginning on March 2, from 6:00 to 7:30. Participants will explore ideas and painting techniques with watercolor and gouache. Landscape painting exercises will be used to create images “en plein air” or from reference photographs. The free class is suitable for older high school students and adults. A list of materials to purchase will be provided. Participants must register at 518-882-6385. More information at www. galwaypubliclibrary.org.

LOCAL MAGICIANS MEETING: The local group of The Society of American Magicians, Assembly #24, meets regularly at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month at the S. W. Pitts Hose Co. of Latham, 226 Old Loudon Road, Latham. We welcome all persons, age 16 and older, with any interest in the art of magic whether it be: performance, history, collecting or purely entertainment to join us for a fun evening. For more information about our orga

nization, or for a link to a local magician, visit www.sam24.synthasite.com.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: The Saratoga County Department of Aging and Youth Services is seeking volunteers to drive seniors to and from medical appointments. The county provides the vehicle, gas, schedule, and directions to volunteers. Volunteer opportunities for drivers are immediately available. This important program is part of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), which helps to recruit volunteers age 55 or older for many opportunities throughout Saratoga County. Volunteering as a driver for the Saratoga County Department of Aging and Youth Services is a great opportunity for retired individuals who want to give back to their community. To become a volunteer, individuals must submit paperwork, including references, to the Saratoga County Department of Aging and Youth Services. Volunteers must have a valid driver license. Training and orientation are provided to all volunteers. Those interested in becoming a volunteer may call the Department of Aging and Youth Services at 518-884-4100 for details.

ART SHOW: The Clifton Park Senior Community Center Gallery, 6 Clifton Commons Ct., Tel. #: 518383-1343 and the Southern Saratoga Art Society will be hosting a show during the month of March featuring selected artwork of Shenendehowa High School students. There will be 30 pieces of artwork on display including a variety of media. If you need to lift your spirits, take a few minutes and see the world through the eyes of a teenager. For further information about the Southern Saratoga Art Society visit our website southernsaratogaartist.com or check us out on Facebook.

ART SHOW: The Mechanicville Library, 190 N. Main Street, Tel.#: 518664-4646 will feature artist Barbara Hurley a show during the month of March. Barbara has been painting most of her life. She paints in acrylics, oils and watercolors and has taken many classes with various artists. Her exhibit includes portraits in oils and some recent works in Acrylics. Barbara will donate any proceeds from sales to the Round Lake Methodist Church. For further information about the Southern Saratoga Art Society visit our website southernsaratogaartist.com or check us out on Facebook.

APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITY: The Roofers JAC of the Capital District, Local Union #241, will conduct a recruitment from Jan. 3, 2023 through Dec. 26, 2023 for 10 Roofer apprentices. Applications can be obtained and submitted at Local Union #241, 890 Third Street, Albany, NY, every Tuesday, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., excluding legal holidays, during the recruitment period. For further information, applicants should contact Roofers JAC of the Capital District, Local Union #241 at (518) 489-3919. Additional job search assistance can be obtained at your local New York State Department of Labor Career Center at dol. ny.gov/career-centers.

FISH FRY FRIDAYS: The Fish Creek Rod and Gun Club Friday Night Fish Fry will be back for 2023. Fish Fry Fridays will run through April 7. We will be serving from 4 to 7 p.m, eat in or take out. Various menu items are available from fried fish to chicken nuggets with French fries, cole slaw and chowder. The club is located at 123 Route 32 in Victory Mills. All are welcome. For more information call 518-695-3917.