Photo of Stella Cole via the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Stella Cole, a 26-year-old jazz singer, heaped praise onto the Spa City while performing here as part of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center’s “Sounds of the Season” series.
In between her renditions of jazz standards and Christmas tunes, the New York City-based Cole said she’d been to Saratoga before during the summer months. “I love Saratoga,” she said. “It’s the best.” But her Dec. 14 concert at Skidmore College’s Arthur Zankel Music Center marked her first time here outside of the busy tourist season. “Do you guys know you live in a Hallmark movie?” she asked the audience, gesturing towards the snowy trees seen through the stage window.
Cole has been a rapidly rising star after attracting attention on TikTok with her version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” She performed the song in Saratoga as well, somehow making one of the world’s most recognizable melodies sound fresh. Called a “powerhouse rivaling Judy Garland and Rosemary Clooney” by People, Cole has released a trio of albums since acquiring millions of social media followers. This year, she released “It’s Magic,” a record produced by Grammy winner Matt Pierson that features Cole’s signature blend of songs made famous by movies and entries from the Great American Songbook.
Cole’s performance took place at the Zankel Music Center due to the renovation of the Spa Little Theater, where SPAC typically holds its indoor concerts. “Christmas Dreaming with Stella Cole” was SPAC’s final show of 2025.
The Spa Little Theater interior as it appeared on Dec. 11, 2025. Photo by Jonathon Norcross.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — $12 million will be poured into the renovation of Spa Little Theater, which in recent years has hosted much of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center’s year-round programming.
To celebrate the project, an official groundbreaking ceremony was held last Thursday in one of the theater’s rooms, where paint was peeling off the walls and a noticeable hole in the ceiling offered proof that the venue built in 1935 could use a facelift.
“We are here to say that we stand on the threshold of the most ambitious and significant project SPAC has undertaken since it opened in 1966,” said Elizabeth Sobol, CEO of SPAC, at the groundbreaking ceremony. “The revitalized theater will expand artistic and educational and community experiences that connect people to the arts, to nature, and to one another year-round. Today’s groundbreaking represents far more than just the beginning of a construction project. It is a powerful investment in the future of SPAC and in the cultural vibrancy and economic health of this city, this county, and this region—transformation through restoration.”
A rendering of the Spa Little Theater interior as it’s expected to appear once renovations are completed. Image via Phinney Design Group/SPAC.
Since taking over operations of the 500-seat Spa Little Theater in 2022, SPAC has presented more than 100 events at the venue, welcomed more than 35,000 guests, and expanded the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center’s season to a year-round residency. Part of the goal of the theater’s renovation/restoration is to “really solidify ourselves as a year-round presenter,” said Christopher Shiley, president of SPAC.
More than 17,00 square feet of the building (which was originally designed to be a lecture hall, not a theater) will be renovated, including, among other things: a new bar/cafe, a new artist suite and dressing rooms, updated theater seats, a new stage floor, a new lobby layout with more restrooms, an updated box office, a multipurpose community room with an adjacent outdoor patio, and a new Spa State Park-inspired mural on the walls of the theater.
Despite all these changes, SPAC wants to preserve the theater’s “charm” and “wonderful intimacy,” said Shiley. The front facade of the building will appear mostly the same post-renovation, although the stone steps will be restored, and a redesigned accessible entryway will be added. Inside the theater, the original color palette of cream and burgundy will be reinstated, while the seating and balcony will remain mostly the same.
Nods to the venue’s past speak to the reverence many feel for a theater that’s hosted legendary performers such as Groucho and Chico Marx, Kevin Kline, Patti Lupone, Gloria Swanson, Shirley Booth, and Vivian Vance (rumors that Robin Williams also graced the stage appear to be unsubstantiated).
According to the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation’s Dec. 2 virtual presentation, “Healing Water to the Arts: The Story of the Spa Little Theater,” a number of performing arts groups have passed through the venue, including both theater companies (Abbey Theater of Ireland, the Circle Repertory Company, and the Empire State Youth Theater Institute) and dance companies (Jose Limon, Pilobolus, Ellen Sinopoli, and Mark Morris).
During World War II, the theater was partly used to entertain soldiers. After the war and throughout the 1950s, it became known as the Spa Summer Theater and hosted a number of the aforementioned legendary performers. In the 1960s, it staged Broadway musicals such as “The King and I,” “South Pacific,” “Finian’s Rainbow,” and “Show Boat.” In the 1970s, John Houseman, an Oscar winner who worked with Orson Welles, brought his City Center Acting Company to the theater, staging as many as four plays in six-week increments. From 1985 to 2020, the Home Made Theater called the venue home, producing more than 175 plays there.
“I’ve heard many memories from individuals who have been impacted by this [theater] one way or the other over its many decades in the park,” Shiley said. “It’s been a real treat for me personally to work in the Spa Little Theater for the last three years producing SPAC’s year-round programming and getting to know more about what this building and this space have meant to the community for so many years.”
The historic Spa Little Theater will enter its next phase sometime around the end of 2026, when renovation work is expected to be completed.
Photo via the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.
WILTON — The Saratoga Food & Dessert Bar recently opened at the Wilton Mall, adding a robust selection of cookies, cakes, ice cream, grilled cheeses, and breakfast items to the food court.
The bakery celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce on Dec. 16.
Although the business initially started out only offering dessert items, it has “naturally evolved,” it said, due to its food court location. Sourdough grilled cheese with scratch tomato soup has become one of the bar’s top-selling items.
The Saratoga Food & Dessert Bar is open Monday through Sunday. It also accepts online orders for pickup or delivery.
The Grinch and Santa Claus compete in an exhibition harness race on Dec. 14. Screenshot of the race via the Saratoga Casino Hotel.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — In an annual tradition that perhaps foretells whether this Christmas will be a jolly or mean one, Santa Claus and The Grinch aired their grievances with a feat of strength: a harness race at the Saratoga Casino Hotel.
The mile-long race on Dec. 14 circled several inches of packed snow. The Grinch opened up an early lead, bursting ahead of Claus at the start of the contest. Claus was stuck on the inside, trailing by about two-and-a-half lengths as the foes entered the backstretch. Santa kept his cool, biding his time for a comeback as children across Saratoga feared their presents might be stolen by a victorious Mean One. The anxiety heightened as The Grinch expanded his lead to three lengths. As the ill-tempered, pot-bellied Christmas ruiner passed the grandstands in the stretch, he seemed to be almost taunting those in attendance.
But then, The Grinch went wide on a turn, opening up space on the inside. Claus attempted to squeeze into the gap as if it was a chimney, but The Mean One kept him at bay. Still, St. Nick gained ground and cut his enemy’s lead to about two lengths. Sensing that his chance of victory was narrowing, Santa snapped the reins as he does every Christmas when beckoning his reindeer toward the heavens. With that, Santa’s horse came so close to the reclining Grinch that the Mean One could’ve kissed its nose.
But as they entered the final stretch, centuries of a milk-and-cookies diet seemed to slow down St. Nick. The mean Green One insulted Claus and all of polite society as he cruised across the finish line with a commanding four-length victory.
It was the second-straight year that The Grinch defeated Santa in Saratoga. In 2024, The Grinch won by an inch.
Saratoga Racers guard Juwan Malone in a Dec. 7 game against the Herkimer Originals in Mechanicville. Malone has emerged as one of Saratoga’s top scoring threats this season. Photo via the Saratoga Racers.
MECHANICVILLE — The Saratoga Racers entered their sophomore season with new ownership and a new home court, ready to capitalize on their 13-7 inaugural year that ended in the American Basketball Association’s (ABA) playoff semifinals.
On Dec. 7, the Racers put on a show at Mechanicville’s Riverside Center. It was their second regular season contest played at their new home base. In that game against the Herkimer Originals, whom the Racers previously defeated by just one point on Nov. 9, new standouts emerged amongst a roster populated with familiar faces.
Saratoga entered the contest 3-1, having won three straight after a season-opening loss to the New England Lightning in Rhode Island on Nov. 2. The first two stanzas were evenly matched, with the score tied 64 to 64 as the decisive second half began.
In a nod to the Saratoga Race Course, the third quarter started with a “call to post” bugle sound effect—and they were off. Guard Juwan Malone impressed early, draining a three before grabbing a quick steal and easy layup. His teammates followed suit, pressuring Herkimer relentlessly on defense and racking up a series of interceptions and quick buckets. The points soon piled on, with Saratoga taking an 84 to 71 lead with 8 minutes remaining in the quarter.
The Racers moved the ball efficiently on offense, creating open looks for practically everyone donning one of the team’s redesigned minimalist, red-and-white uniforms. With a healthy double-digit lead deep in the third quarter, Saratoga slowed down the game’s pace before erupting with two triples to end the stanza. After three, it was Racers 109, Herkimer 92. (Seemingly in a celebratory mood, a couple Racers danced to “Cotton-Eyed Joe” on the sideline prior to the fourth quarter).
In the final quarter, Saratoga steamrolled the opposition with a pretty swish from beyond the arc by forward John Ryals, who was one of the top scorers on last year’s squad. But Herkimer didn’t relent, narrowing the lead to just 8 points with around 9 minutes left in the game. Saratoga countered by doing what they did well throughout the contest: draining triples and forcing turnovers.
RJ Rosa, another returning standout, had a series of big moments in the closing minutes. Both last season and against Herkimer, Rosa consistently demonstrated high basketball IQ, making smart plays and getting open looks at the basket. Malone joined with Rosa to help seal the deal in the game’s final moments, hitting a big three-pointer to grow Saratoga’s lead back up to 13 points. As Herkimer scrambled for a last-minute comeback, Rosa and company remained disciplined, keeping Toga on top to secure a 147-136 victory. The win was Saratoga’s fourth in a row.
Malone led all Racers with 29 points, though six of his teammates finished with double digits: Donavan Williams (22), Rosa (21), Ryals (20), Cam Thomas (15), Isaiah Grandison (13) and Tyler Mithell (10). Forward Joey Harden led his squad in both rebounds (12) and assists (6). Rosa added 4 steals.
Malone, who has also played for the Albany Patroons, has emerged as one of Saratoga’s most lethal offensive weapons this season. In the Racers’ first game against Herkimer in November, he racked up 27 points. The team has also been bolstered by impressive offensive outputs from Tobias Holmes, Harden, and Rosa.
Collectively, Saratoga has excelled from beyond the arc, shooting 17 for 32 (53%) in the first game against Herkimer and hitting 19 of 44 triples (43%) against the Vermont Coyotes on Nov. 23.
The Racers will return to the Riverside Center in Mechanicville on Jan. 24, which will be the first of six straight games played at home.
Prior to the start of this season, former Racers owner Keith Harrington sold the team to an ownership group led by Frank Polsinello, a Mechanicville native who relocated the team from its former home court at Saratoga Central Catholic.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — New Yorkers for Harness Racing, a harness racing education and advocacy organization, recently announced the launch of its website, www.newyorkersforharnessracing.com.
The site highlights harness racing’s economic impact on New York State, which currently hosts seven racetracks, including the one at the Saratoga Casino Hotel.
According to the organization, harness racing supports thousands of jobs and a statewide network of more than 100 breeding farms, training centers, and boarding facilities. A 2024 economic impact study by the Empire State Harness Horse Alliance estimates that the harness racing industry generates more than $400 million in economic activity for New York State annually. Some of these funds, the organization said, flow into local communities and thus benefit the agriculture, farm equipment, construction, animal health services, and tourism industries.
The Saratoga Casino Hotel is currently in the midst of its 84th season of live harness racing.
Eddie Fazzone and Mario Cardenas. Photo via the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.
CLIFTON PARK — Sonny and Cher. Batman and Robin. Eddie and Mario.
On Monday, the eatery formerly known as Eddie F’s Clifton Park transformed into Eddie & Mario’s New England Seafood and Pizzeria, marking the official collaboration of two Saratoga stars: Mario Cardenas of West Ave Pizza and Chicken fame, and Eddie Fazzone, owner of Eddie F’s New England Seafood Restaurant.
“Eddie & Marios was created with a simple idea—bring together the comfort of handcrafted pizza and the freshness of quality seafood in one inviting place,” the business’ website states. “Our kitchen blends classic techniques with bold flavors, using fresh ingredients to craft dishes that feel both familiar and exciting. From oven-baked pizzas with crispy crusts to satisfying seafood favorites, every meal is made with care and passion.”
The restaurant’s new menu includes pizza slices and pies, subs (hot and cold), Italian entrees, wings, fish baskets, lobster rolls, and much more. The offerings are available for takeout, dine-in, and third-party delivery.
Although Eddie F’s in Clifton Park has undergone these changes, the Eddie F’s in Saratoga Springs will remain the same.
Eddie & Mario’s New England Seafood and Pizzeria is currently hiring for all positions.
For more information about the restaurant located at 1742 Route 9 in Clifton Park, visit www.eddieandmarios.com.
CLIFTON PARK — A new pickleball club will celebrate its grand opening in Clifton Park on Dec. 20 after opening festivities were postponed earlier this month.
Stephen Frye, a former math teacher and athletic director, founded the FryeGuys Pickleball Club as a space where people of all ages can enjoy the game, stay active, and connect socially. The club will feature three new indoor courts, and three instructors are already listed as staff members on the FryeGuys website.
According to the website Pickleheads, pickleball saw a 158.6% nationwide growth rate from 2020 to 2023, and has become “the fastest-growing sport in America.” There are now hundreds of places to play pickleball in New York State, with a number of them scattered throughout the Saratoga region.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Calling it “a total departure from our usual fare,” iTheatre Saratoga is preparing an upcoming holiday musical event titled “An Elemental Christmas.”
A band that includes Emmy-nominated composer Will Severin, Capital Region music veteran George Snyder, and 30-year Saratoga Springs High School music teacher Jeffrey Halstead will perform a selection of tunes ranging from the traditional (“Winter Wonderland”) to the decidedly unorthodox (“River” by Joni Mitchell and “Hounds of Winter” by Sting).
“It’s based on, to some degree, the elements: Fire, rain, that sort of thing,” iTheatre Saratoga Chairman Will Severin told Saratoga TODAY. “There’s going to be songs people know, there’ll be songs that people forgot they knew, and then there’ll be some songs that they’ve never heard before.”
These tunes will be thematically linked together via an original script written by iTheatre’s Artistic Director Mary Jane Hansen, who also wrote last month’s charming “Baker Street Adventuress.”
As if their holiday show wasn’t unpredictable enough, iTheatre also decided to toss in some surprise dance numbers, performed by the Saratoga-based Tango Fusion.
“We’ll probably have, towards the end of the night, one number where it’s basically audience participation,” Severin said.
Overall, the performance is aiming for a casual yet spirited experience that includes audience members seated around large tables, vendors selling last-minute Christmas gifts, and a concession stand stocked with craft beer from local breweries.
The “Elemental Christmas” show is the fourth installment of iTheatre’s annual holiday event. Past installments have included “A Colorful Christmas” (in which all the songs included a color in their titles) and “Cosmic Christmas” (featuring David Bowie’s “Space Odyssey” mixed with “What Star is This?”).
“Elemental Christmas” will be performed at the Saratoga Music Hall on Dec. 19 and 20. Tickets are available at www.itheatresaratoga.org.
Cover image of “River Time: Mindful Reflections from the Upper Hudson” provided by author Susan Meyer.
SCHUYLERVILLE — Susan Meyer, a Saratoga Springs native who now calls Schuylerville home, released last month a book that compiles roughly 15 years’ worth of stories, observations, reflections, and photographs of the Hudson River.
“River Time: Mindful Reflections from the Upper Hudson,” focuses on Meyer’s connection with a body of water that’s had a colossal impact on both the history of New York State and the nation. The Hudson has also been a source of inspiration to Meyer, who has experienced moments of profundity while kayaking upon it.
“I think it’s a great metaphor for life,” Meyer told Saratoga TODAY. “You never know what you’re going to encounter on the river of life.”
56 original stories and poems (accompanied by 73 full-color photographs) are drawn from Meyer’s journeys on the Hudson, where she contemplated existential ideas while encountering herons, ice formations, changing seasons, and even a Superfund dredging project.
“I get in my kayak, and it takes about one second before I’m in the zone,” Meyer said. “It’s this different perspective; all the usual mental chatter subsides and deeper insight becomes available.”
The book is organized into four thematic sections: “The More Than Human World,” “The Human World,” “Rhythms of the River,” and “The Inner River.” Each part presents a journey from the outer landscape to the inner mind.
One story in “The Human World” details Meyer’s interest in Saratoga County history, and how the remnants of hundreds of years of tumultuous events are still present today. After acquiring a copy of “Early Days in Eastern Saratoga County” by Grace VanDerwerker, Meyer brought the history book to an old local cemetery where soldiers from five different wars are buried. Meyer spent hours reading names from the gravestones and looking them up in her history book.
“The names and stories came alive there among the tombstones,” Meyer wrote. “I knew the gossip: who was highly respected, who were the doctors, the deacons, the soldiers, even who had been murdered. Somehow, I felt at home among all these personalities, as if I, too, am part of the long story of this land through which the river flows.”
Perhaps unsurprisingly, given that Meyer is a meditation teacher, “River Time” is also available as an unabridged visual audiobook that’s narrated by the author and accompanied by hundreds of still and moving images, as well as the occasional sound effect. The result is an immersive experience that is both soothing and pensive.
“I feel like the book is for nature lovers, people who have a mindfulness practice, or anyone who’s seeking peace and steadiness and sanctuary in daily life,” Meyer said. “I think of it like having a refuge that is bigger than whatever waves you’re experiencing, personally or collectively. A natural landscape that you can go to, and it can put things in perspective so that things don’t feel so big.”
“River Time” is available in both a premium full-color print edition and a visual audiobook edition at the author’s website, SusanTaraMeyer.com.
