Author Archives: Express Weekly

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Aspiring Actors Audition for iTheatrics – by Christine Barton

Schaghticoke-Seven Hoosic Valley students had the unique opportunity to audition for iTheatrics in New York City. iTheatrics adapts Broadway musicals for elementary, middle and high school performances. Ms. LaCourse has been the director for the elementary school play and the Pleasant House Players, for several years now. When she came across the information that iTheatrics was accepting nominations for auditions she nominated seven students who are actively involved in theatre at Hoosic Valley. “I would have been happy just that they did it,” says Ms. LaCourse, who was very proud when she found out that “they all made it.”

Christopher Smith, Braden Jarosz, Ellie Carlson-McNally, Sarah Carlson-McNally, Woodrow Miller, Marlee Peterson and Logan Seymour made the trip to New York City for their first Broadway audition. Prior to their audition, Ms. LaCourse held a workshop to help the students practice. 600 students auditioned for iTheatrics and 250 were chosen. All seven of the Hoosic Valley students who auditioned made the cut. “We all came out smiling because we were the best school there, said Logan. ”

Entire article in the April 3 edition of the Express.

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Malta Town Board’s Anticipated Agenda – by Harold Wessell

TOWN OF MALTA, March 31 The Town Board is expected to vote adoptioni of the Stewart's Shop  #315 Planned Development District, to be located near the access road to Luther Forest Technology Campus in Maltaville,

The Town may soon be home to an aquatic center, as Board members on Monday offered their encouragement to partners Laura Davis, Tara Sullivan, and Kara Haraden.

Town Supervisor Paul Sausville related that he, Town  Parks  and Recreation Director Audrey Ball and Building and Planning Coordinator Anthony Tozzi recently had the opportunity to sit down with them about their interest in establishing The Adirondack Aquatic Center in the Town.

Entire article in the April 3 issue of the Express.

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MACSC Has Big Chance to Win by Jennifer Dugan

The Mechanicville Area Community Services Center is collecting food as part of the Feinstein Foundation’s $1 Million Giveaway to Fight Hunger. This challenge provides a unique opportunity for the MACSC Food Pantry to receive a share of the giveaway, while still keeping the food local to help those who need it most within our own community.

Mechanicville Area Community Services Center Executive Director Megan Quillinan says that she came across this exciting opportunity by happy accident. “It was total chance. I had heard about it in the past and I came across the foundation again while I was looking for grants,” she said. “It seemed like a brilliant way to raise money. I wanted to make people aware of it, I thought it was good fit for us.”

Read the entire article in the April 3 issue of the Express.

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Alyssa Moore’s “Life Changing Experience” by Sandy McBride

It was just eight days in her young life, but for Alyssa Moore those eight days were a “life-changing experience”.  In early January, Alyssa traveled to the Dominican Republic with a team of medical people and fellow students from Clarkson University to set up a clinic and provide care to villagers who do not routinely receive any medical care at all.

Alyssa, the daughter of Bob and Valerie Moore, grew up in Mechanicville along with kid sister Aubrey.  Graduating from Mechanicville High School fifth in her class in 2006, she was a National Honor Society member who had been honored as a Top Six student each year of junior high and high school.  Alyssa was the catcher on Mechanicville’s 2005 New York State Class C Champion softball team, and was presented with the Sportsmanship Award for the state tournament. In her senior year, she played again in the state finals.  For her prowess as an athlete, she received the Heismann Award for high school students.

Read the full article in the April 4th edition of the Express.

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Gateway House of Peace Announces Ribbon Cutting for Official Opening

BALLSTON SPA, NY – The time has finally come for the ribbon cutting ceremonies which will recognize the official opening of Gateway House of Peace, a local charitable hospice dedicated to serving terminally ill residents of Saratoga County who are diagnosed with three months or less to live and can no longer safely remain in their homes.  The home will provide around the clock care in a home-like setting to individuals who need a safe and comfortable place to spend their final days.

There will be two separate ribbon cutting ceremonies: the first will take place with the Ballston Spa Business Association on April 1 at 1 p.m. The second ceremony will be with the Southern Saratoga Chamber on April 8 at 11 a.m. Both cutting ceremonies will take place at the Gateway House of Peace, located at 479 Rowland Street in Ballston Spa. Members of the media are welcome to cover either or both of the ceremonies.

The Gateway House’s first resident will be moving into the home on April 16th.

Though the home is finally open, Gateway House is still operating an appeal campaign in an attempt to raise awareness and funds to staff the home, which has been completely renovated through generous donations and volunteer work.  Funding to continue operating the home will rely heavily upon community donations, with opportunities ranging from sponsoring a resident or a room, to having the house named after the donor.

For more information on the ribbon cutting ceremony or to make a donation to Gateway House of Peace, please visit  HYPERLINK "http://www.gatewayhouseofpeace.org" www.gatewayhouseofpeace.org.

 

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H.O.P.E. Pets for Adoption

1700Rocco

Rocco is a sweet boxer/bulldog mix (DNA test) who weighs ~ 50 pounds. He’s 8 years old, neutered, completely vetted, and micro-chipped. Rocco loves to curl up on the couch and enjoys when his human is nearby. He is generally low key; in fact, he can seem a bit aloof at first, but only because he needs time to trust that you will not give up on him. Rocco is housebroken and will let you know when he needs a potty break. When necessary he can easily be crated, although he has not been left alone for extended amounts of time. A fenced-in yard is a must because Rocco deserves to run and play outside. Rocco should be an only pet - he needs to be with a family that focuses solely on him. In fact a one-on-one situation or an older couple might be best for him. He is smart and affectionate and will be devoted to you if you give him a chance.

To learn more about Rocco, please call his foster mom at 518.681.1700

1767Lucy

Lucy is an affectionate 5-year old declawed cat. She prefers a quiet home as an only pet or with mellow kitty companion.

Lucy is spayed and up to date on her shots.

For more information, please contact H.O.P.E. at 518.428.2994

 

1543Marcy

Marcy is a 3-year old, gray long-haired spayed female who is up to date on her shots. Marcy is small for her age, causing many to consider her a kitten. She gets along with everybody and can fit in, in any environment. Marcy has a very small tail that seems to be only half as long as it should be. She loves attention and will just curl up in your lap and hang out with you. For the last few years, Marcy had been living outside in an abandoned barn with a colony of other cats. She welcomed the chance to come inside and be fed and cared for by her foster family. Please give Miss Marcy the great life she deserves.

 

Visit H.O.P.E. online at www.hopeanimalrescue.org for more adoptable pets, low cost spay/neuter info. and volunteer/career opportunities!

“Let Them Know There Is H.O.P.E.'”

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Saratoga Gets 1st County-Wide Ec. Development Plan – by Harold Wessell

BALLSTON SPA, March 18: The Saratoga County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to adopt its first truly whole-County-embracing Economic Development Strategic Plan.?   The unanimously adopted 127-page proposal prepared by consultant TIP Strategies of Austin, TX, calls for creation of a Local Development Corporation, a quasi-autonomous body with board of directors, an executive committee and three-person staff of executive director, program coordinator and administrative assistant, to carry out the organization's mission to oversee business development across the County.

Full story in the March 27th issue of the Express.

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Charlies Brown Performed at Mechanicville HS – by Sandy McBride

Exploring the timeless trials of being a kid, as those trials were depicted for many years in the comic strips of the late, great Charles M. Schulz, the Mechanicville Junior/Senior High School Drama Club entertained their audiences last weekend at four performances of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown!”

With snappy dialogue, song and dance in the format of a fast-paced series of vignettes, these students brought to life the beloved Schulz characters Charlie Brown, Linus, Snoopy, Lucy, Schroeder, Sally, Woodstock and Peppermint Patty.

Full Story in the March 27th issue of the Express.