By GREG HITCHCOCK
Greg.Hitchcock@TheBallstonJournal.com

BALLSTON SPA – Kim Andersen of Mango Tree Imports and her Fair Trade associates are planning an awareness campaign during Halloween called Reverse Trick or Treating.

Reverse Trick or Treating is a Fair Trade program in which Fair Trade chocolate is given back to adults from trick- or-treaters along with an informational card to help raise awareness of social and economic injustices… [More]

By GREG HITCHCOCK
Greg.Hitchcock@TheBallstonJournal.com

BALLSTON – The Ballston Town Board scheduled a presentation on Saratoga Hospital’s proposed Exit 12 facility with a possible request for a water extension next Tuesday Sept. 7 at 7 pm.

Saratoga Hospital has plans to move its Urgent Care clinic from Route 9 to Exit 12 in Malta and it needs water.

Malta Town Supervisor Paul Sausville approached Ballston Town Supervisor Patti… [More]

By Jennifer Farnsworth
Jennifer@ballstonjournalnews.com

Twenty three of our 114 Southern Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce members are building design and construction companies, making them a large part of the local economy. The Chamber recently took note of that deciding to reach out to this business sector, asking how they have been fairing through the recession.

President and CEO of the Chamber, Peter Aust said one of the goals of… [More]

The Ballston Journal and Times Union partner for a 2nd year in schools

BY JENNIFER FARNSWORTH
Jennifer@theballstonjournal.com

As Karen VanAlstine, a 4th Grade Milton Terrace Elementary School Teacher, prepares for another school year, newspapers will again be on her wish list of classroom supplies. VanAlstine is a participant in the Newspapers and Classroom Enrichment Program, a program which she is able to incorporate in all areas of her… [More]

By SAM CAPUANO
sam@theballstonjournal.com

A few years ago, I was assigned to write a story about Brookside Museum’s annual Christmas ornament design. Brookside Executive Director Joy Houle told me the person behind the design was a young high schooler named Ashlie Busone. Her photograph of the Medbery Inn graced the ornament that year.

When I met Busone, it soon became apparent photography was far from her only activity. At that first… [More]

By JOHN PIEKARSKI
John@TheBallstonJournal.com

MALTA – You don’t have to be a large corporation to become a GlobalFoundries supplier. Plenty of small businesses are needed to provide goods and services for the semiconductor industry.

But you need to know what you’re doing.

To help, the New York Manufacturing Extension Partnership is holding two seminars next month on supply-chain opportunities in the semiconductor industry. While… [More]

BY SAM CAPUANO
sam@theballstonjournal.com

Come fly with me, let’s fly let’s fly away!
-Frank Sinatra

For the past 14 years I have lived just a few miles from the Saratoga County Airport in Milton. As such, there has been many a summer weekend day in which I have looked up and seen sailplanes being towed in the air by another plane, then eventually soaring on their own. I have often wondered what it’s like to be up there, as it has always… [More]

By Erika Tebbens
Erika@TheBallstonJournal.com

Shortly after Milton’s August town board meeting commenced, Boy Scout Phil Piombino spoke to the members about his upcoming Eagle Scout project. His plan is to clear a trail at Boice Family Park.

The park is off Rock City Falls Road, and Piombino wants to clear a trail from the parking lot to the Kayaderosseras Creek. The trail will be covered in wood chips and will have two benches; plus,… [More]

Offering a feast for the senses, the Malta League of Arts (MLA) holds its first fundraiser at the Round Lake Auditorium.

BY JENNIE GREY
jennie@theballstonjournal.com

MALTA—Vivid oil paintings of musicians caught the eye, while a live band brought jazz images to the ear. The MLA even served delectable food, with a showpiece of a cake. The August 5 Art Attitudes fundraiser presented art in every sense of the word.

The nonprofit MLA… [More]

By Mike Nolan
Mike@TheBallstonJournal.com

BALLSTON SPA — For a few hours last Saturday, Bath Street had a different type of vehicle coming down its hill.

Celebrating their 10th anniversary, the Rolling Roadsters event kicked off on top of the Bath Street hill in Ballston Spa. Similar to a soapbox derby, the event consisted of cars or “roadsters” solely powered by gravity, which raced down the haystack bordered course.

This year,… [More]

By JOHN PIEKARSKI and GREG HITCHCOCK
John@TheBallstonJournal.com
Greg.Hitchcock@TheBallstonJournal.com

CLIFTON PARK – Two World War II veterans from Ballston Spa were among 18 Saratoga County veterans honored by state Sen. Roy McDonald during a ceremony Saturday at the Clifton Park Elks Lodge.

Robert Lawrence and Maurice “Chris” Morley were among those presented with Liberty medals as Saratoga County’s veterans of the… [More]

WEQX DJ Jeff Morad warms up the Wiswall Park crowd Friday night, prior to Ballston Spa Film Festival. Photo by Sam Capuano.

See more in this week’s paper!… [More]

J.C. Carey and Ellie Dillon sell Ballston Spa Film Festival merchandise at Wiswall Park Friday night. Photo by Sam Capuano

See more in this week’s paper!… [More]

BY SAM CAPUANO
sam@theballstonjournal.com

BALLSTON SPA — The Ballston Spa Film Festival is back and better than even for 2010. The event, now in its third year, will take place the evenings of Aug. 6 and 7, with the first screening each night kicking off at 7pm. The movies will be shown at Wiswall Park and Ballston Spa High School. There is no cost to see the films.

The Festival was conceived three years ago as a Ballston Spa Business &… [More]

By ANN MARIE FRENCH
AnnMarie@TheBallstonJournal.com

BALLSTON — Ballston Spa National Bank’s second appearance before the town’s planning board did not go much better than the first. While the concept design of the proposed building had been completely overhauled, and garnered several compliments from board members, it still proved to be a building no one wanted in the town of Ballston.

Scott Lansing of Lansing Engineering presented… [More]

BY JENNIFER FARNSWORTH
Jennifer@theballstonjournal.com

BALLSTON SPA — While most high schools students are working summer jobs and sunning with friends, there are some extraordinary teens who are working hard to make a difference in the lives of those that are less fortunate. Recent Ballston Spa High graduate Carrie Sheeran traveled all the way to Nicaragua to lend a hand to strangers that she said was not only life changing to the people… [More]

By RICHARD HALLETT
richard@theballstonJournal.com

BALLSTON SPA — School’s out for summer, but the school board chugs along, doing what it always does—conducting regular business meetings on alternate Wednesdays, without interruption, all year long.

Its July 21 meeting was another two-part session, a common format in recent weeks.

Opening the evening was a facilities planning team update. The district, with the help of… [More]

By JOHN PIEKARSKI
John@TheBallstonJournal.com

MALTA – Buy local and hire local are themes on the GlobalFoundries construction site.

About 70 percent of the 670 tradesmen building the semiconductor manufacturing facility are from the area, said officials from both the company and from M+W U.S., the contractor overseeing construction.

Not only are the firms hiring local workers, but they are also hiring local suppliers.

“We’ve… [More]

By Jennie Grey
Jennie@TheBallstonJournal.com

MALTA—A delicious evening was had by all at Tuesday night’s Taste of Malta. Diners circulated throughout a large room at Hyatt Place, choosing among the offerings of 10 local restaurants. Balancing dishes, forks and napkins, the participants gathered around high tables to test each entrée and comment on the flavor.

“The bruschetta from the Ripe Tomato was really good,” said Lori… [More]

By ERIKA TEBBENS
Erika@TheBallstonJournal.com

Ethics Review Committee member Rose Nelson presented the new revision of the Code of Ethics draft at Milton’s July meeting. The changes reflect comments made by community member during a May public hearing based on the initial draft of the document.

There were several changes between drafts. Current town officers and employees who serve as committeepersons or who hold office in a political… [More]

BY RICHARD HALLETT
richard@theballstonjournal.com

BALLSTON SPA — The village board held it’s second of three outdoor summer meetings Monday night at the home of Annie and James Jurcsak at 196 Malta Ave.

Village Mayor John Romano, mindful of the recent heat wave and not wanting to subject attendees to the discomfort of being outside for an extended period of time, chose to keep the evening’s agenda brief.

As it turned out, it was… [More]

BY SAM CAPUANO
sam@theballstonjournal.com

BALLSTON SPA — The grand reopening of Mango Tree Imports last week was the highlight of a busy First Friday in downtown Ballston Spa last week.

The store, which sells unique Fair Trade products, (they only buy products from people who are FTF members, from 50 developing countries throughout the world) recently relocated from their former location on the north end of town, to 12 Washington St…. [More]

By RICHARD HALLETT
richard@theballstonJournal.com

BALLSTON SPA —Malta Ave. Elementary stays put and gets an extensive makeover, inside and out.

Milton Terrace South gets demolished, with a new building planned to take its place.

Wood Road and Milton Terrace North get major renovations, including new additions.

The District Office Building, now part of Malta Avenue Elementary, gets moved—most likely to the north end of the Wood… [More]

BY RICHARD HALLETT
richard@theballstonjournal.com

BALLSTON SPA — When you’re a father and your child looks you straight in the eye and says, “Dad, I want to be like you,” you can’t help but get goose bumps and feel good all over.

You just might get a lump in your throat, too.

So when young Colby Krogh let it be known he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps, Kevin Krogh, a volunteer firefighter, did want any good dad… [More]

BY RICHARD HALLETT
richard@theballstonjournal.com

BALLSTON SPA — At its meeting two weeks ago, the village board assembled beneath a row of pine trees behind Michael Morrissey’s house on 20 Chester St. It was the first of three outdoor meetings scheduled for the summer, a tradition the board has enjoyed for many years.

On Monday they conducted business back at their usual meeting place, inside the Village Office Building, where the… [More]

BY JENNIFER FARNSWORTH
Jennifer@theballstonjournal.com

BALLSTON SPA — It was not only devastating news, but it also came as a complete surprise to Angelica Textile employees when the closing of the Ballston Spa plant was announced on June 18. For the company’s 113 employees, it is unwelcome news in a shaky economy where the job market is filled with uncertainty.

Nationwide, Angelica Textile produces textile rental products and offers… [More]

By SAM CAPUANO
sam@theballstonjournal.com

BALLSTON SPA — When cars have lined the streets at the confluence of Charlton Road, Fairground Avenue and Front Street it can only mean another happening at Brookside Museum. Last Friday night’s event was a concert by the local band Gravity. It was the 16th annual fundraising concert for the museum.

As is the case with Brookside’s other fundraisers, including a 5k race and auction, proceeds from… [More]

By ERIKA TEBBENS
Erika@theballstonjournal.com

MILTON — On Monday, the Ballston Spa Elks Lodge, along with Boy Scout Troop 1, held a Flag Day ritual at the newly created Veterans’ Park near the Woods Hollow Preserve. Exalted Ruler of the Lodge Joseph Shaver led the ritual.

Flag Day is very sacred to the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks because they are responsible for creating the holiday. In 1907, the BPO Elks Grand… [More]

By JENNIFER FARNSWORTH
jennnifer@theballstonjournal.com

BALLSTON SPA — Sean O’Brien said he always knew he wanted to follow in his dad’s footsteps. At the age of eight he can remember sweeping the floors and stalking the shelves at the family’s pharmacy in the heart of the village. O’Brien Pharmacy is now celebrating 50 years of service to the residents of Ballston Spa, an accomplishment O’Brien tributes to staying true to … [More]

By ANN MARIE FRENCH
AnnMarie@theballstonjournal.com

BALLSTON — Funding has not allowed the government classes of Ballston Spa High School to travel to the capital is much as they might have in years past but it did result in getting Congressman Scott Murphy to show up Monday for a special question and answer session for the school’s seniors.

“We’ve been talking about these issues all year,” said teacher Dan Hornick. … [More]

By: COLLEEN PIERRE
The Ballston Journal

BALLSTON SPA – It was a beautiful Saturday morning and the streets of Milton Avenue were lined with families eagerly awaiting the start of the annual Memorial Day parade.

Marchers included various veteran organizations, firefighters, four marching bands, and a host of other community groups including Saratoga County 4-H, Boy Scouts, Church Mouse Nursery School and The Fresh Air Fund.  Congressman… [More]

MALTA — Elliot Masie, an internationally recognized technology expert based out of Saratoga Springs, was one of several speakers at the May 19 Saratoga Technology 2012 event.  He took the opportunity to encourage fluency in technology, transformation as a community, and appreciation for experimentation.

“There is nothing new about GlobalFoundries,” he said. “We have a history of being an early doctor of technology in this region.”… [More]

The Ballston Journal is YOUR weekly news source serving the Village of Ballston Spa, Town of Milton, Town of Malta, Town of Ballston and the surrounding communities of Rock City Falls, Round Lake, Galway and Ballston Lake.

Rich in history and heritage, the Ballston Journal was first published June 14, 1798 and was family owned and operated for four generations until April, 2009. New publisher, Angela McFarland, has an extensive background in… [More]