INTRODUCTION
How this book came to be
Hindsight’s 2020 … or in this case … 2020
MEET OUR FRONT COVER PHOTOGRAPHER
BSBPA volunteer Dana Womer captured indomitable
‘Spirit of Ballston Spa’ during first year of pandemic
PREFACE TO BALLSTON SPA REIMAGINED
Back to the Future & Putting the leaves back on our trees
HOW SWEET IT WAS (AND STILL IS!)
AT THE NEW OLD CHOCOLATE FACTORY
Rebuild it and they will come … to Ballston Spa
BALLSTON SPA REIMAGINED
Reflections on village life as it unfolded against coronavirus
pandemic backdrop through eyes of Mayor Larry Woolbright
HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL IN BALLSTON SPA
Sans Souci Spring waters flow again as officials raise
glasses in symbolic toast to village’s past and future
Stroll through history reveals one village block’s
commercial life began as spa resort destination
Brookside REIMAGINED
as Saratoga County History Center
Why Ballston Spa is perfect setting
for the National Bottle Museum
History has remained on tap at National Bottle Museum
despite challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic
EASING SUFFERING, LIFTING SPIRITS AT HEART
OF MANY INNOVATIVE COMMUNITY OUTREACH
INITIATIVES AND PASTORAL MINISTRIES IN VILLAGE
Multiple BSNB Drive-Thru Food Pantries aided in feeding the hungry during 2020
Villagers first began counting on BSNB services in 1838
Ballston Spa Rotarians continued to put Service Above Self during the pandemic
How Christ Episcopal Church answered call to be a light in times of darkness
Heart of First Baptist Church remained the same although pandemic limitations changed approach
O! WHAT A KNIGHT! Gallant Gorman on a noble quest to help ease the suffering of others
Ballston Spa’s Blue Heaven: Restorations to St. Mary’s completed against backdrop of pandemic
SLICES OF EARLY PANDEMIC LIFE SERIES OF Q&As
SHINE ADDED LIGHT ON HOW VILLAGE SAFELY
TRANSITIONED FROM OLD TO NEW NORMAL
BSBPA’s Ellen Mottola
Mayor Larry Woolbright.
Village Clerk Teri O’Connor
Librarian Andrea Simmons
Visionary volunteer Mark Blech
Police Chief David Bush
VILLAGE VIGNETTES
Meet Paul Monaco
Work from Home Reflections
Birds of a Feather
Home as a Sanctuary
Summer Simplicity
Autumn Leaves
PANDEMIC THROUGH THE EYES OF JOURNALISTS
LAUREN HALLIGAN AND CHRIS VALLONE BUSHEE
(With bonus feature about Ira Felix Thomas)
COLLECTION OF 2020 STORIES & PHOTO ESSAYS
CELEBRATE THE SPIRIT OF BALLSTON SPA
LaMarco’s innovative mask-making trio stitched love into protective facial coverings
The weekend that lasted three months at a grandmother’s home in the village
Children’s book illustrator Jody Wheeler quarantined with Elmo and Corduroy
Good Samaritan provided roadside rescue as State of Emergency was being declared
Canadian-born Glen Kaytar planted seeds of goodwill far and wide during pandemic
Leila Mae received priceless gift of presence during final days of life
Generous donation to Nomad Café helped to benefit First Responders
Lad’s 10th birthday party evolved into a village-wide celebration
Memorial Day reflections on holiday that passed without patriotic parade
Officer Cioccke went above & beyond the call of duty to save a wedding day
Reflections on 2020’s first public gathering and an exhibit of children’s rainbow artwork
Golden memories of unlikely love story whose first chapter was written in 1970
Marcus Yanagihara’s poignant tribute to the late father who inspired his life
Hole in WON-derful achieved at 8th annual Mark M. Rider Memorial Golf Tournament
Aiden & Ava’s remote learning adventures as the whole world became their classroom
Congratulations to BSHS Class of 2020! Official class portrait and senior parade
50th high school reunion plans put on hold but memories of 40th warmed alum’s hearts
GREAT SCOTT! Class of 1970’s Waring says deep village roots helped him sprout wings
When life hands you a pandemic… make lemonade was a life lesson for youngsters
No llamas in pajamas at Dakota Ridge Farm where multi-generational memories are made
Drilling down on dental images that made lasting impressions
Josie Uhlinger’s 80th birthday celebration answer to youngest daughter’s prayers
Celebrating a Class Act! Happy 95th to retired teacher Audrey Hauprich!
How 2020 became a banner year for Mary Lyall’s Center for HOPE
September 11 ceremony honored Ballston Spa’s First Responders
Meet the Front Line workers at OSJL who served with courage and dignity
Happy 6th Halloween Birthday, Jacob! No mask required for Grandpa Feathers
October pandemic reflections recall daily village life as it changed course
Cole’s musical soul REIMAGINED as piano part of jazz-rock ensemble
THE MAIL MUST GO THROUGH! The 12020 Post Office continued to deliver
Hometown Hospitality & Corporate Efficiency despite coronavirus challenges
PHOTO ALBUM COMMEMORATES THE VILLAGE’S
TRANSITION FROM OLD NORMAL TO NEW NORMAL
BONUS PHOTO-ESSAY: Ballston Spa’s 5,278 Points of Light
BEHIND-THE-SCENES AT BALLSTON SPA LIVING
Meet Editor Ann Hauprich
A Sister Act is Born … again!
Meet Page Designer & Publisher Mary Hauprich Reilly
Keeping COVID at bay in a stylish way
Meet Junior Photographer Aiden Irish
Meet Photo Contributor Michael Garland
Meet Photo Contributor Beth Smisloff
Meet Photo Contributor Izzy Audette
SPIRIT OF BALLSTON SPA
SPONSORS, BOOSTERS & FRIENDS
Village Photo
Times Union Local News First
The Saratogian
Champlain Area Trails
Saratoga TODAY
CdLS Foundation
Nourish Designs
The DeFilippo Family
Ballston Spa National Bank
BONUS WEB FEATURES
A few minutes with Andy Rooney: The late “60 Minutes” commentator shared a softer side when reminiscing about cherished boyhood memories of Ballston Spa and how his ancestors contributed to agriculture, athletics and social justice in the village (CLICK HERE)
A New Millennium Dad in a Father Knows Best world (CLICK HERE)
Albert and Helen Eisenhauer taught far more than the 3Rs to generations of Malta Avenue students (CLICK HERE)
Annual literacy award namesake Maurice “Christopher” Morley carved legacy of caring and sharing (CLICK HERE)
Celebrating the brief, but purpose-filled, life of Father Harry Monaco (CLICK HERE)
Happier by the Dozen: Memories of growing up in a home with 12 family members (CLICK HERE)
Lest We Forget How Memorial Day came to be –and why it remains so important (CLICK HERE)
Love story continues to touch hearts and lift spirits 50 years after its unlikely first chapter was written (CLICK HERE)
Schooling at Mother’s Knee: Lessons in life from A-Z (CLICK HERE)