News & Notes
Book Now for ‘Arnold’s Navy’
Tickets are already on sale for Whitehall’s Naval Heritage Weekend – “Arnold’s Navy,” even though the two-day commemoration won’t take place until Oct. 2–3, 2026. Organizers say they hope to build early momentum for the 250th anniversary observance of Benedict Arnold’s naval campaign and its pivotal role in the Battle of Valcour Bay, while celebrating Whitehall’s legacy as the birthplace of the Continental Navy.
Friday, Oct. 2, will feature a Valcour Bay Heritage Tour curated by Dr. Bruce Venter, president of America’s History LLC, and Chris Sabick, executive director of the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum. The motorcoach tour will travel to sites near Valcour Island, include lunch at the Basin Harbor Resort and a boat excursion tracing the 1776 retreat route to Button Bay, with expert interpretation throughout. Seating is limited to 43 guests. Tickets are $195 per person and available at americashistoryllc.com. Inquiries about the tour can be directed to info@AmericasHistoryLLC.com or
1-703-785-4373.
Tour guests are expected to return to Whitehall between 4 and 5 p.m., when the public is invited to join them for refreshments and a talk by Whitehall Historical Society President Bob Mowatt.
Saturday, Oct. 3, will open with a panel of nationally recognized historians and authors discussing Arnold, the northern campaign and the Battle of Valcour Bay. Speakers, listed alphabetically, include Jack Kelly, author of “God Save Benedict Arnold: The True Story of America’s Most Hated Man” and “Valcour: The 1776 Campaign That Saved the Cause of Liberty”; Jim Nelson, author of “Benedict Arnold’s Navy: The Ragtag Fleet That Lost the Battle of Lake Champlain but Won the American Revolution”; and Sabick, a nautical archaeologist known for his research on Revolutionary War shipwrecks, including the gunboat Spitfire and Arnold’s flagship, the row galley Congress.
Admission to the morning program is free. A barbecue will follow, with details to be announced.
Saturday afternoon will feature family-friendly activities, educational programs, live entertainment, an awards ceremony and community presentations. Additional information will be released at washingtoncounty.fun/whitehall-naval-heritage-weekend/.
Though Arnold’s fleet was largely destroyed at Valcour Bay, historians note the battle delayed the British advance long enough to help set the stage for the American victory at Saratoga in 1777.
Casting Change
A casting change has been announced for the upcoming production of “Ripcord” at Fort Salem Theater.
Benita Zahn, who was originally slated to play the role of Abby, has withdrawn from the production due to health reasons. Theater officials said they will miss her in this run and wish her a smooth recovery, adding that they look forward to working with her again in the future.
Stepping into the role is Jackie DeGiorgis (pictured), who will make her Fort Salem Theater debut as Abby. DeGiorgis is known as a dynamic character actor praised for her sharp wit, bold choices and emotional depth. Her recent stage credits include Mrs. Johnson in “A Raisin in the Sun,” Loud Stone in “Eurydice,” Ethel Banks in “Barefoot in the Park,” Winifred Snow in “Into the Breeches,” Sue Bayliss in “All My Sons,” and Ida in “The Cemetery Club.” She has appeared with companies including Sand Lake Center for the Arts, Ghent Playhouse, Hubbard Hall, Town Players of Pittsfield, Mill City Productions, Harbinger Theater and Minerva Arts Center.
Written by David Lindsay-Abaire, “Ripcord” is a comedy set in a senior living facility. The story centers on Abby, a fiercely independent woman who prefers solitude, and her relentlessly cheerful new roommate, Marilyn, played by Siri Allison. What begins as a clash of personalities escalates into a high-stakes battle of pranks and dares, drawing in fellow residents and staff along the way.
Performances run March 6–15 on the Fort Salem Theater mainstage. Tickets range from $20 to $38. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact the box office at 518-854-9200 or FortSalem.com.
Caregiver Support Conversations
The upcoming caregiver support conversations in Greenwich will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 17; Thursday, March 19 and Tuesday, April 14. These caregiver gatherings meet at the Greenwich library from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM. For people who like to have extra social time - come anytime after 10 to visit while we get set up. They will have tea, coffee and cookies.
For those who are caregiving for someone with cognitive decline (it need not be diagnosed as dementia or Alzheimers) - there is another caregiver support group from 130 - 2:45PM. on the first Wednesday of every month, also at Greenwich Library.
UP-coming Events at UP Church
A “Winter Fun!!!” Story Time will be offered for 3 to 8-year-old children on February 28 at 10am in the “Upper Room” at Hebron United Presbyterian Church located at 3153 CR 30 in West Hebron. In the event of bad weather, check Hebron Facebook group for cancellation notice.
Puppets and musical instruments will be included in the program offered by Debi Craig and Dorothea Craig Casey, retired music teachers, along with Tara Smith, retired middle school reading teacher. A parent must stay with their child during the fun program.
Parents are encouraged to join in the fun as silly stories are read and sung, and songs highlight winter fun: snow, toboggans, and mittens. The interactive program will last approximately one hour. There is no charge for this program and all are welcome. This event is presented as a community mission of Hebron United Presbyterian Church.
Free Community Dinner on March 3
Hebron United Presbyterian Church will be hosting their monthly Community Dinner on Tuesday, March 3 from 4 to 6pm at 3153 Co. Rte. 30 in West Hebron. The free featured meal will be Ham and Scalloped Potatoes as well as salad, green beans and beverages. Guests are welcome to bring a favorite dessert to share.
Organizers ask the community to come alone, bring a friend, gather the family and kids with no need to bring anything else except your appetite! The organizers look forward to meeting you, seeing old friends, and sharing a delicious meal and social time. This event is free to all. Donations are gladly accepted For more information, call Rev. Dr. Bill Crawford at 518-854-3729.
The free community dinner will take place in the Fellowship Hall downstairs in the UP Church. Enter the building from the parking lot at the rear of the church. Handicapped accessible parking is available on the side of the church by the entrance driveway.
Local Pulitzer Winner Discussed
Heritage Hunters will meet Saturday, February 21st, at 1 pm at the Town of Saratoga Town Hall, 12 Spring St. in Schuylerville. Town of Malta historian, Tom Williams, will talk about Katherine Anne Porter, winner of a Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award. She was once an artist at Yaddo and owned a home in Malta. Porter was most famous for her novel Ship of Fools. Williams will follow up his presentation with a discussion on Malta resources available for research. The program is co-sponsored by the Saratoga County History Center and will be available on the Center’s YouTube channel. Public is welcome to the program. For info call 518-885-9309.
College Writers Wanted!
This newspaper may be eligible for a grant where we can hire 1-2 college journalism (or related major) students this coming summer for about 20 hours a week, at a pay above minimum wage. The student must be willing to travel within the Capital Region of Upstate New York for about 10 weeks. The student must attend a New York-based college and be a New York State resident.
If this person is you – or if you know of someone who fits the bill – contact editor@journalandpress.com right away.
Hires will be able to cover real stories and get real publication credits in a cool part of the country. We have one of the last remaining full-service newspaper groups in the area and were recently ranked No. 96 on Substack under the Rising News category!
And Now for the Comics … ‘Gasoline Alley’ by Jim Scancarelli
More tomorrow!
Exciting news about the college journalism student job! I hope you get the grant. And I wish I knew someone to recommend, but I bet you’ll find someone. I have faith in today’s youth!