Embrace the cold 🧊 or warm up inside tomorrow? We have options.
BUT FIRST: Savor this inspiring author interview with a mass shooting survivor; she talks gun violence, trauma and sharing her story (and she's speaking in town tomorrow!)
From “night terrors” to healing: Kristen Renaud — author of Moon, Milkweed, and Myth — shares her mass shooting survival story at Saratoga Arts tomorrow morning.
After surviving a terrifying shooting, Kristen Renaud turned to the writings of others who had experienced trauma and grief as her “guiding light.” Resiliency, she learned, was the common thread. “Surviving a shooting and experiencing PTSD,” she says, “felt like being dumped in the wilderness with a completely blank map as my only guide out.” As she made her way, she started to write — and won the 2025 winner of the prestigious Saratoga Arts Individual Artist grant to share her story. “While no one can chart someone else’s recovery path,” she says, “we can leave landmarks and reference points on a map.”
At 11 a.m. tomorrow, Renaud will read an excerpt from her book — Moon, Milkweed, and Myth: Reflections on Surviving and Healing from Gun Violence — and answer questions at a free event at Saratoga Arts.
AT: What is the “myth” part of your book?
KR: The book begins with an account of my own experience during the shooting — that’s the heaviest section and explains how my PTSD symptoms, such as night terrors, led me to develop a healing relationship with the symbology associated with the moon. In Part II, I explore the Greek myth of the abduction of Persephone and detail my own symbolic Underworld journey of finding hope in the darkness.
AT: How did sharing your story help you heal?
KR: A story of survival and healing is necessary in a society that demands we remain silent about the daily struggle of gun violence and trauma. I wanted to see more stories of healing, hope and resiliency, so I contributed one to the world. The last section, Art and Beyond, explores my relationship with art as a healing modality, and the cathartic experience of writing this project.
AT: Why is your story especially timely now?
KR: I have three dire statistics from everytown.org:
Americans are 26 times more likely to be shot and killed than others in high-income countries.
Since 2017, guns are the leading cause of death of children in the United States.
In 2025, for the seventh consecutive year, the number of mass shootings outnumbered the days in the year.
But we can do something about this. There was a time in history before gun
violence, and there will be a time after. So I plant the seeds I can now.
This free reading and reception is Saturday, Jan. 31 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Saratoga Arts, 320 Broadway at Spring St.
Got a story to share, event to promote or business to advertise? Simply respond to this email, or reach me directly at abby@saratogadispatch.com.
Season premiere
Sunday kicks off both February and the 85th season of Saratoga’s live harness racing. And thanks to Saratoga Casino’s partnership with the Saratoga Harness Horseperson’s Association, the month will have some exciting promotions: The first 400 customers on Valentine’s Day will grab a free (long-sleeve) shirt, for starters. There’s also a wheel spin drawing on Saturday, Feb. 7 and Sunday, Feb. 15, when everyone in attendance can enter for a chance to spin the prize wheel to win a $25-$100 free bet. Winter and spring hours include matinee racing on Saturday, Sundays, Mondays and select Tuesdays, with a 12 p.m. post time.
For more info, visit saratogacasino.com.
Retirement goals at Saratoga PLAN
Saratoga PLAN’s executive director Robert K. Davies has announced that he’ll retire in June after four years at the helm. The local land trust has already launched its executive talent search with the hopes of hiring someone before Davies’s departure.
“We are grateful,” said Jessica Schwartzman, chair of Saratoga PLAN’s Board of Directors, “for his service and proud of the legacy he leaves behind.” Under his leadership, the organization will have permanently protected more than 2,350 acres of farmland, forests, wildlife habitat and scenic landscapes across Saratoga County. The partnerships he’s forged while ED led to the recent opening of the 127-acre Curtis Preserve in the Town of Corinth, among other projects.
For more info or to apply, visit saratogaplan.org.
Funky Ice Fest extended
Lake George’s Adirondack Pub & Brewery is taking advantage of this long (so long) cold snap. It’s so frigid (in their words, “Mother Nature is keeping it cool”) that its annual Funky Ice Fest has been extended for a third weekend. They’re even making the very last day longer. Tomorrow’s hours will remain the same: 4 to 10 p.m. Can’t make it? Next Friday (4 to 10 p.m.) and Saturday (1 to 10 p.m.) are now an option.
Baby, it’s cold outside
So warm up your belly with chili tastings by your favorite local spots (think Olde Bryan Inn and 9 Miles East to name a few) served in handmade ceramic bowls. Tomorrow’s Chili Bowl Fundraiser at the City Center could not have been planned for a better weekend.
To grab your ticket, visit Saratoga Clay Arts.