Jonathon Norcross
Adelphi Hotel Previews New Luxury Condos
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Adelphi Hotel previewed its new luxury condominium residences last Wednesday, which are priced from $800,000 to $4 million. Some of the 79 units have already sold, and the hope is that new residents will be living at the Adelphi by the start of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival on June 6.
The condos, which range from 800 to 2,500 square feet, feature European-style kitchens, Wolf and Miele appliances, Kohler fixtures, Silestone Quartz countertops, and plank-wood floors. Residents will have their own private entrance on Washington Street, and can enjoy the hotel’s various amenities, including in-room dining courtesy of Morrissey’s and Salt & Char.
According to AJ Bodden from the Shannon McCarthy Team at eXp Realty, buyers thus far “are from all over the place; plenty of local, snowbird types with second homes, but also a handful of primary residences.” Bodden said that everyone who has toured the condos have either stayed at the Adelphi or eaten at one of the hotel’s restaurants. Most of his prospective clients include Skidmore College parents, horse racing fans, frequent Saratoga visitors, and locals.
“Saratoga Springs is a highly sought out location,” said developer and co-owner Larry Roth in a statement. “With this project, we have created the most luxurious five-star hotel residence in the region and further cemented The Adelphi as a destination point for people coming from places such as New York City, Boston, Montreal, or Buffalo.”
Many of the Adelphi’s condos are still under construction. It’s estimated that work will be completed by the end of the year. Interested buyers can visit www.adelphiresidences.com.
Spa Catholic Supports Grad on Life Support
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Central Catholic School is encouraging its community to support 2017 graduate Mari Shaw, who, as of press time, was on life support at a hospital in Orlando, Florida. According to her alma mater, Shaw needs a liver transplant and doesn’t have health insurance. A GoFundMe was created last week by Karen McIntosh to raise funds for Shaw. “Please if there is anything you can do to help,” McIntosh wrote on GoFundMe, “even if it is not monetary, please just send prayers.”
According to McIntosh, they are waiting for a bed to open up at Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Florida, where a transplant can take place. Once a bed is available, Shaw will be airlifted to the hospital. To learn more or donate to the fundraiser, visit www.gofundme.com/f/a-miracle-for-mari.
Saratoga Grad Named New Defensive Coordinator of the Miami Dolphins
SARATOGA SPRINGS/MIAMA — Anthony Weaver, a former Saratoga Springs High School football player and member of the Blue Streaks Hall of Fame, has been named the new defensive coordinator of the Miami Dolphins. Weaver had attracted interest from a number of teams for vacant positions, including head coach of the Atlanta Falcons and head coach of the Washington Commanders.
In a statement, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said he was “excited to add Anthony to our staff, not only for what he will bring to the Dolphins as a teacher and coach, but even more so who he is as a leader of men.”
Prior to being hired by Miami, Weaver was the assistant head coach and defensive line coach for the Baltimore Ravens. He also had coaching stints with the New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, and Houston Texans. Prior to coaching, he was a defensive end for the Ravens and Texans. He was a second-round pick in the 2002 NFL Draft.
Skidmore Baseball Holds First Team Practice
SARATOGA SPRINGS —It may not feel like it if you step outside, but spring is in the air (spring sports, at least). The Skidmore College baseball team held its first full-team practice of the season last Wednesday. Pitchers and catchers reported three days prior.
The Thoroughbreds’ season will kick off on the afternoon of Saturday March 2 at Baruch College. A series of away games will follow against St. Joseph’s University Brooklyn and SUNY Oneonta, before the Gene Cusic Classic in Fort Myers, Florida begins on March 10.
Skidmore’s first home game will be on Friday, March 22 at 3 p.m. versus Bard College.
Perfect Season: Adirondack United Finishes Undefeated 14-0
CHAZY — The Adirondack United girls’ hockey team defeated Beekmantown at the Scotts’ Memorial Rink last Friday, 3-1. The victory was the team’s final game of the regular season. The United finished 14-0 on the year, and will now begin their postseason journey at the Glens Falls Recreation Center on Thursday, February 8.
Against Beekmantown, Tekla Fine-Lease kicked off the night with a power play goal. Lillian Willis added two more goals. Emerson Lochner-Fehl, Bayley Duffy, and Emily Macaulay all tallied assists. Goalie Ava Reynolds made 12 saves to earn the victory.
At the start of the season, Coach Jeff Willis said his team had its sights set on a state championship. After 14 straight victories, the United are now poised to enter the postseason as favorites to capture the title.
Harness Racing Season Kicks Off at Saratoga Casino Hotel
SARATOGA SPRINGS — If the Saratoga Race Course is akin to a ritzy cocktail bar, harness racing at the Saratoga Casino Hotel is more like a friendly neighborhood pub. Not everyone there knows each other, but it feels like they do. Security guards are on a first-name basis with drivers. Groups of friends crowd around tables to drink and chat while a slot machine symphony rings in the background. Inside, there’s the familiar scent of beer. Outside, a hint of cigar smoke floats through the chilly air. By the time the first race begins, the place is packed.
The 83rd season of harness racing kicked off last Saturday, continuing a tradition that began in 1941, when the Saratoga Raceway hosted its first opening night. This year’s schedule will include 150 racing programs through mid-Decemeber, with more than $17 million in purses. Two notable events happening this year are the New York Sire Stakes in June, which feature New York-bred horses racing for over $1 million in purses, and the 15th annual Joe Gerrity Jr. Memorial Pace on July 20.
“We are looking forward to a tremendous season of racing here at Saratoga Casino Hotel,” said Race Secretary Peter Iovino in a statement. “Our purses will attract a quality product for our racing fans.”
This season will feature a variety of promotions, including:
• Up to 15% bonuses on all winning wagers for SaratogaBets account holders
• On Sunday, February 18, the first 400 customers will receive long-sleeve t-shirts
• A chance to spin a prize wheel to win a $25-$100 free bet on Presidents’ Day
The winter, spring, and fall schedules will include matinee racing on Sundays, Mondays, and select Tuesdays. The summer schedule will feature racing on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturday evenings, with a post time of 5 p.m. Throughout the season, track announcer Mike Sardella will be posting his race picks and writing a biweekly column on saratogacasino.com.
Aside from harness racing, the Saratoga Casino Hotel also features slot machines, electronic game tables, the Vapor nightclub, a Morton’s steakhouse, and full-service bars. Simulcast wagering is also available.
Saratoga Girls Basketball Player Nets 1,000 Points
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Springs High School girls basketball player Carly Wise has netted 1,000 total points in her career with the Blue Streaks. Wise, a senior, is a two-sport athlete and will play lacrosse next year for Clemson University.
Local Pitcher Signs with Yankees
Broadalbin — Left-handed relief pitcher Matt Gage has been picked up by the New York Yankees after he was placed on waivers by the Houston Astros. Gage is an upstate New York native who attended Broadalbin-Perth High School, about 30 minutes west of Saratoga Springs. For three years, he pitched for Siena College in Loudonville, before being drafted by the San Francisco Giants. In a post on his X account, Gage said he was “very blessed for every new opportunity to Chase the Dream!” In the majors, Gage has pitched for both the Astros and the Toronto Blue Jays for a combined 19.2 innings and 1.83 ERA.
Gage joins East Greenbush native Kevin Smith as the second player with local roots to be signed by the New York Yankees this off-season.
Make-A-Wish Unveils Saratoga Springs Facility
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northeast New York unveiled its Dr. J. Peter McPartlon Wishing Space in downtown Saratoga Springs last Sunday. The ribbon-cutting ceremony featured remarks from Mayor John Safford, State Senator James Tedisco, and Star Wars droid R2-D2.
Jamie Hathaway, President and CEO of Make-A-Wish Northeast New York, showed off some of the facility’s features, including an “immersive” 180-degree movie theater that screens short animated films explaining the Make-A-Wish process to children. The lobby featured large stuffed animals, Legos, and a Pac-Man arcade game. All of these elements are designed to “remind children and to tell children that they have agency over something in their lives,” Hathaway said. “When you have a critical illness, sometimes you feel that it’s only happening to you. You feel very alone in the process, and so what Make-A-Wish does and what this space does is they create community around families in crisis.”
The facility is named in honor of Dr. J. Peter McPartlon, who passed away in 2020. Members of his family said in a statement that they were “honored to be part of this incredible project that embodies the spirit of our father. He believed in the power of wishes to bring joy and healing to children and families in crisis. This Wishing Space is a tribute to his memory and a celebration of the hope that Make-A-Wish instills in the hearts of wish kids and their families.”
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Mayor John Safford said that Saratoga Springs “is thrilled to have this in our city, and we look forward to all the wonderful things this organization is going to continue to do for our region.”
When asked for comment, R2-D2 beeped and whirled its head.
The Dr. J. Peter McPartlon Wishing Space is now open to the public at 92 Congress Street, next to Fat Paulie’s Delicatessen. For more information, visit www.wish.org/neny.
Adelphi Hotel Hosts Chevy Chase
SARATOGA SPRINGS —The Adelphi Hotel in downtown Saratoga Springs hosted actor Chevy Chase last weekend. Chase and his wife Jayni celebrated their daughter Caley’s birthday at the hotel. Chase called the experience a “wonderful weekend in Saratoga Springs” in an Instagram post.
Chase is currently filming the holiday movie “The Christmas Letter” in various locations across upstate and central New York. The film will see him reunite with “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” co-stars Randy Quaid and Brian Doyle-Murray.
