Jonathon Norcross
Cantina Raising Funds for Saratoga Bridges
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Cantina Restaurant in downtown Saratoga will be raising funds for Saratoga Bridges on January 17 from 4 to 8 p.m. During that time frame, 33% of customers’ bills will be donated. Reservations are encouraged and patrons interested in donating should tell their server.
According to its website, Saratoga Bridges’ mission is to “empower individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families to identify and pursue their life goals through knowledge, collaboration, experience.”
Cantina is located at 408 Broadway in Saratoga Springs.
Real Housewives Star Coming to Saratoga for Mardi Gras Fundraiser
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Dorinda Medley, star of the hit Bravo reality series “The Real Housewives of New York City,” will be a special guest at Hattie’s Mardi Gras fundraiser party at the Saratoga Springs City Center on Saturday, January 27.
The beneficiary of this year’s event is the SEAT Center Culinary Lab, an organization that trains young people for careers in the culinary and hospitality industries. Ed and Lisa Mitzen, co-founders of Business for Good, will host the party.
Hattie’s Mardi Gras will feature New Orleans-style food, as well as live music from DJ Fernando Bustamente and Garland Nelson with Soul Session.
“Hattie’s Mardi Gras is one of the biggest parties of the year and with Dorinda in the house, we know it will be a night to remember,” said Ed Mitzen.
Last year, more than $100,000 was raised for charity. Tickets for this year’s event can be purchased at eventbrite.com/e/mardi-gras-2024-tickets-770572401797.
Backstretch Nonprofit Names New Executive Director
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Backstretch Employee Service Team of New York (BEST) has named Nancy Underwood as its new executive director. Underwood previously directed BEST’s work at the Saratoga Race Course from 2014 until the end of 2023. Last year, BEST opened a health care clinic on the Oklahoma side of the track.
“BEST is successful because of the dedication of our staff, volunteers and healthcare providers,” said Underwood. “I am honored for the opportunity to lead this organization at a time when the future of thoroughbred racing in New York State is so bright.”
Underwood succeeds Paul Ruchames, who retired in December after serving as BEST’s executive director for 14 years.
According to its website, BEST is a nonprofit organization “devoted to resolving the health and social needs of the several thousand barn area (“backstretch”) workers of the Aqueduct, Belmont, and Saratoga racetracks by providing on-site counseling and primary healthcare services, access to health insurance, and case management assistance.”
Winslow’s Restaurant Sold to New Owners
WILTON — Winslow’s Restaurant in Wilton, first built in 1948, is entering a new era after 75 years of family ownership. Jeff Baker, grandson of the original owners, announced last week that he’s sold the business.
“Most of you know that I got hurt last winter, I’m still not fully recovered,” Winslow wrote in a Facebook post. “The opportunity popped up to sell the restaurant, so I felt it was probably the right thing to do. The new owners are going to keep it Winslows [and] add some new dimensions.”
Jeff Baker began working at the restaurant in 1984, according to Winslow’s website. He’s a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America. He purchased the restaurant from his grandmother in 1989.
“These past 40 years have been a real blast. There’s been a lot of ups and downs, but mostly ups,” Baker said. “I tried to keep the restaurant the way my grandparents did, and I met so many people along the way, both customers and employees, so many really good people.”
Winslow’s Restaurant is located at 801 Saratoga Road
in Wilton.
Hochul Mandate: Saratoga Schools Braces for Electric School Buses
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs City School District’s Transportation Department has until 2035 to convert its entire fleet to zero-emission vehicles. This electric bus requirement established by Gov. Kathy Hochul will require significant funds and may involve some logistical hurdles.
“It’s not just buying an electric vehicle, as you know, it’s the infrastructure and everything else that goes with it,” said Jerry Keenan, the district’s director of transportation, at a Board of Education meeting last month. “We have a lot of work to do in a very short period of time.”
According to an annual report delivered by Keenan, Saratoga’s 116-vehicle fleet includes 88 large buses, 21 small buses, 5 Chevrolet Suburbans, and 2 attendance officer vehicles.
Electric buses can cost as much as $400,000, nearly three-times the cost of a diesel or gasoline bus. But according to New York State’s Electric School Bus Roadmap report, “the total cost of ownership is expected to reach parity by 2027 due to advances in battery technology, increased supply chain outputs, as well as lower fuel and maintenance expenses.”
“Providing the tools for school districts to swap out diesel and gas school buses with zero-emission bus fleets will help students and their communities across the state breathe cleaner air and enjoy a healthier way of life,” Governor Kathy Hochul said when the Roadmap report was released in September.
Some state lawmakers have pushed back against the governor’s requirements. State Senator James Tedisco, who represents Saratoga County, co-signed a letter to Hochul written by State Senator Dan Stec, who represents part of the Capital District. In the letter published last month, Stec wrote that the “governor should either lift this mandate or allocate enough funding in next year’s budget to cover the $20 billion it’s expected to cost to convert the 45,000 school buses in operation statewide.”
Ballston Spa Education Board Approves Tax Exemption for Volunteer Firefighters
BALLSTON SPA — Ballston Spa Board of Education member Holly Barker-Flynn struggled to hold back tears as she spoke of the “sacrifices” made by volunteer firefighters, including her husband. “They put their lives on the line, lose sleep, and miss time with their families all without pay,” she said.
At a Board of Education meeting on January 3, Barker-Flynn abstained from voting on a resolution to provide property tax exemptions for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers because she would benefit from it. Moments later, the board approved the resolution to a round of applause from attendees.
For Ballston residents who have served as volunteer firefighters or ambulance workers for at least two years, the exemption has an estimated annual value of $389 for an average single-family home. As local fire companies struggle to find volunteers, the exemption is designed to entice more firefighters to sign up.
Ballston Spa Mayor Frank Rossi spoke in favor of the resolution during public comments. “We are with you essentially in this quest to make sure we’re doing what we can to benefit our firefighters, and we’re going to try to take every step we can,” Rossi said.
Ballston Spa Fire Chief Mike Bashore also supported the resolution. “Our volunteer firefighters are hardworking individuals that are dedicated to our community and provide an invaluable service for no personal financial gain,” Bashore said. “Getting individuals to dedicate their free time and volunteer in our community has become increasingly difficult over the past decade.” Bashore said that the exemption could help his department add and retain more firefighters.
Ballston Spa joined several other local school districts, such as Shenendehowa, Burnt Hills, and Mechanicville, in approving the exemption.
B-Spa Beats Blue Streaks in B-Ball Nailbiter
BALLSTON SPA — The Ballston Spa Scotties basketball team beat the Saratoga Springs Blue Streaks in a nailbiter finish last week. The Scotties were ahead by only one basket with 30 seconds left in the game, and they managed to keep the Blue Streaks at bay to win with a final score of 68 to 64. The victory marks BSpa’s first win of the new year.
“It seems like it always is [a nailbiter] with Saratoga,” said Scotties Head Varsity Coach Benjamin Eldridge. “I think the kids have fun with it.”
The neighboring school districts have developed something of a friendly rivalry, especially after Ballston Spa’s dramatic come-from-behind victory last year. “That was one of the more fun games I’ve been a part of,” Eldridge said. “Both groups of kids like to compete against each other and take away some sense of earned respect and pride.”
In last Wednesday’s game at home, Michael Pritchard led Ballston Spa with 17 points and Blaine Zoller contributed 14. Zoller “stepped up his intensity and physicality in the game and just really played hard the whole time,” Eldridge said.
Despite the win, Coach Eldridge said his team has more work to do. He anticipated that his team would have to improve as the year progresses, and play their best basketball towards the end of the season. “It’s taken time to start clicking on the same page and get the basketball skills up there but Wednesday night was a good night,” he said.
Eldridge said that the slower start to the season is partly the result of most of his players being multi-sport athletes transitioning out of football and baseball. “It’s a fun little puzzle to figure out,” he said. “I definitely had a vision coming in of what these guys would be most successful with and I don’t know if 100% buy-in is there yet but I think there was a good step towards it on Wednesday and hopefully we keep it going.”
The Coach maintains “relatively high expectations” for the rest of the season. “I’m looking forward to seeing how February looks,” he said.
Fast and “Fun” Spa Catholic Basketball Team Overcomes Hurdles
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Midway through its season, the Spa Catholic Saints basketball team is finding creative ways to overcome a serious disadvantage: height.
“We’ve played everybody in the league now and we are the smallest team height-wise, and it’s not really close,” said Coach Shea Bromirski. “We basically start five guards.”
The Saints’ strategy has been to speed up the pace of its games, and force opponents to play faster than they’d like. “To do that, you have to take care of the basketball,” Bromirski said. “If you play fast and turn it over all the time, that’s a recipe for disaster.”
The squad is also focused on grabbing more rebounds despite missed shots sometimes sailing over their heads. “We have to just swarm to the ball,” Bromirski said. “That’s a challenge for us but we’re getting better.”
On offense, the Saints use speed to their advantage by getting open looks from beyond the arc. The team has had multiple games with more than 10 three-pointers. All those threes have resulted in the Saints averaging nearly 62 points per game. “We’re a fun watch,” Bromirski said. “This has been one of my favorite seasons I’ve ever had.”
Less fun was guard Hunter Fales’ recent injury. The junior averaging 8 points per game broke his wrist at the end of December and will be out of action for 5 to 6 weeks.
Last year, the Saints finished 12-8 in the regular season and were the third seed in the Class C sectionals. Midway through this season, their record stood at 7-4.
Hannaford Raising Funds to Protect Saratoga Lake
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Hannaford supermarket on Weibel Avenue is raising funds throughout January for the Saratoga Lake Protection and Improvement District (SLPID). The SLPID will receive a $1 donation from every purchase of a $2.50 Hannaford Community Bag.
“SLPID is very grateful to be recognized and have the community’s support,” said Cristina Connolly, Executive Director of the organization. “This Program and its contribution will assist in our vital environmental programs and community outreach for the future protection of Saratoga Lake.”
To learn more about the SLPID, visit www.SLPIDny.gov.
Stewart’s Exec to Lead Commerce Chamber’s Board of Directors
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Chad Kiesow, the Chief Operating Officer of Stewart’s Shops, has been elected this year’s Chair of the Board of Directors of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce. He’ll take over the position from Amy Smith, owner of the Saratoga Arms Hotel. Smith will now become the Immediate Past Chair.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to lead the Saratoga County Chamber’s Board of Directors in 2024, a year that will undoubtedly be historic as our community prepares to host the Belmont Stakes this coming June,” Kiesow said in a statement. “While Saratoga’s economy has outperformed many other communities in Upstate New York, we realize that the number one challenge facing local employers across every sector is our historic labor shortage and that is why the Chamber will focus much of its time and resources in 2024 on talent recruitment via our online Job Zone and expansion of our Live Like You’re On Vacation talent recruitment campaign.”
The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors has 27 members. The Chamber has an annual budget of approximately $1.8 million.
