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Author: Jonathon Norcross

Saratoga Field Hockey Team Continues Honoring Former Player’s Memory

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Sports.


Photo via the Saratoga Field Hockey X account.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The memory of Olivia Allen, a Saratoga Springs High School grad who succumbed to leukemia in March 2024, continues to reverberate across the community and beyond.

Allen played for the field hockey team, which recently posted a photo of socks they wear in her honor. “Live Like Liv,” the words written on those socks, has become both a charitable foundation and a motto designed to memorialize Allen and draw inspiration from her life.

In May of last year, the Saratoga lacrosse team raised $10,000 for the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation’s LaCROSSe Out Cancer campaign. They repeated the feat in May of this year, this time raising $16,000 in support of childhood cancer research.

In July, Kelly’s Angels gave two $1,500 “Live Like Liv” scholarships to local students Katelyn Hogan and Charlotte Grobarcik.

“Liv will forever be remembered for her radiant spirit and the positive impact that she made,” writes the Live Like Liv Foundation on its website. “Above all, Olivia is known for her ability to love which knew no bounds, and her family’s love for her was equally boundless. To her friends and family, Olivia was known for her infectious smile and genuine kindness. She was fun, determined and empathetic. Her ability to brighten even the darkest of days will be remembered fondly by those who were fortunate enough to know and love her. Liv’s legacy will endure through the memories, lessons, and love she shared with the world. She leaves behind a profound impact on all who knew her, a legacy of bravery, compassion, and courageousness that will continue to inspire us all.”

Allen graduated from Saratoga Springs High School in 2023 and planned to attend Florida State University to study nursing. She played for the Blue Streaks field hockey and gymnastic teams.

Saratoga Rower Finishes 10th at World Championships

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Featured, Sports.


Photo of Lauren O’Connor via U.S. Rowing.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Lauren O’Connor, a 2024 Olympian and member of the Saratoga Rowing Association, placed 10th overall at the World Rowing Championships last month in Shanghai, China with a time of 7:42.99. She earned the top-10 finish after placing 4th in the B Final.

In the 2024 Paris Olympics, O’Connor competed in the quadruple sculls B final, finishing third with a time of 6:31.71. Her quad team placed ninth overall. Following the games, she visited the White House alongside the rest of the Olympic and Paralympic teams.

“We sat and watched men’s gymnastics with Simone [Biles] and Jordan Chiles and they were explaining men’s gymnastics to us,” O’Connor said about her Olympic experience during an event at the Saratoga Springs Public Library last year. “[We sat] with the entire women’s rugby team as they’re just watching their sport being played. It was very cool to get that information from the person that is literally the best in the world at it.”

The Gold Standard: Ballston Spa Native Makes USA Softball Team

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Sports.


Ana Gold plays for the Blaze of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League; photo via the AUSL.

BALLSTON SPA — She’s one of the best softball players in the world and she’s from Ballston Spa.

Ana Gold’s professional accolades include earning Rookie of the Year honors from the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL), which wrapped up its inaugural season earlier this summer. She was also named to the league’s All-Defensive Team as a corner infielder. Gold led all rookies and was tied for fifth among all players in the AUSL with a .373 batting average. She also finished fourth in the league in slugging percentage (.667).

In college, her career slash line was .306/.408/.614. She smacked 54 homers, 7 triples, and 29 doubles for the Duke University Blue Devils. She also stole 53 bases and totaled 204 hits in 666 at-bats. She set a number of Duke softball records, including smashing two grand slams in one game and knocking in 8 runs in a single game. She also set the program’s all-time career home run record.

At Ballston Spa High School, she was ranked the No. 39 prospect in the country (according to Extra Innings Softball), was named three times to the Suburban Council’s First Team, and was a two-time Second Team All-Stater. She batted .411 with 12 home runs and 33 RBI as a freshman before improving to .418 with nine home runs and 34 RBI as a sophomore.

And now, she’s been named to the USA Softball Women’s National Team roster. 

The squad is set to compete in a series of exhibition games against the Australian Women’s National Team, the Aussie Spirit, from Dec. 31 through Jan. 3 in Brisbane, Australia. The games aim to promote the sport of softball as both nations advocate for its inclusion in the Brisbane 2032 Olympic program.

The 16-player roster features five newcomers, including Gold, who will make their debut alongside 11 returning veterans, including seven members of the 2025 World Games gold medal squad.

Leading Team USA in Australia will be Head Coach Patty Gasso, accompanied by assistant coaches John Bargfeldt, Trisha Ford, and Lincoln Martin.

“I am extremely excited to bring a strong group of young athletes, along with some experienced veterans, to Australia,” Gasso said in a press release. “This opportunity will allow them to showcase their talents and promote the sport of softball in front of fans and officials in Australia. With Australia hosting the Olympics in 2032, it’s crucial to put on a great show for the audience… We need to ensure that softball remains an important part of the 2032 Olympics!”

With sights set on inclusion in the Brisbane 2032 Olympic program, Team USA will take on Australia in a series of exhibition games beginning Dec. 31 at Redlands Softball Park in Ormiston, Queensland. The trip marks the Red, White and Blue’s first visit “down under” since the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, where Team USA captured gold.

Siro’s Stays Open During October, Unveils New Autumn Menu

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Business.


The entrance of Siro’s, located at 168 Lincoln Ave next to the Saratoga Race Course. Photo by Jonathon Norcross.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — After uncharacteristically remaining open throughout September, Siro’s has decided to extend the party by staying open through October as well.

Typically, the restaurant closes near the conclusion of the Saratoga Race Course summer meet, which wrapped up on Labor Day this year. But thanks to the forthcoming Noah’s Italian Chophouse, which Siro’s has called its “sister restaurant,” Siro’s has decided to extend its stay in the Spa City. Its dining room will be open for business Thursdays through Saturdays, from 5:30 p.m. until 10 p.m.

In addition to its elongated schedule, the popular restaurant located across from the track has unveiled a new autumn menu. Appetizers include chicory salad, butternut squash bisque, French onion soup dumplings, pan-seared foie gras, and roasted bone marrow. Entrees include breaded veal chop, brick chicken pimentos, beef short rib, Chilean sea bass, and truffle cavatelli.

The executive chef of Siro’s, Noah Frese, is behind Noah’s Italian, which will be located at 43 Phila Street in downtown Saratoga Springs.  

Skidmore Dedicates New Turf Baseball Field

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Sports.

Photo of Skidmore College’s new Ferrari Field by Jonathon Norcross.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Skidmore College’s new turf baseball field, first announced in Feb. 2024, was dedicated last weekend in honor of alum Matt Ferrari.

Named Ferrari Field, the diamond is located at 205 Daniels Road, the former site of the Saratoga-Wilton Soccer Club. 

Matt Ferrari was part of the 2005 Skidmore baseball team that was inducted into the school’s hall of fame in 2011. The squad was credited with ushering in “a new era in Skidmore baseball,” earning the program’s first winning record (28-14), highest number of wins, and highest winning percentage (.667%). The team captured the 2005 Liberty League regular season title and Tournament Championship. They were also the first Skidmore baseball team to play in the NCAA Division III tournament. They entered the NCAA New York Regional Tournament as the No. 2 seed, garnered two victories, and ultimately placed third. The team was recognized as one of the top 30 baseball teams in the country by the American Baseball Coaches Association. 

This year’s Thoroughbreds finished with a 21-17-2 record, ending their season on May 10 with a 14-3 loss to Rensselaer in a Liberty League Tournament elimination game.

In addition to supporting the construction of the new baseball field, Ferrari also summited Mount Everest earlier this year, posing at the top of the mighty mountain with a Skidmore baseball banner.

Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country Sells Out Putnam Place

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Entertainment.

Photo of Daniel Donato’s sold-out performance at Putnam Place on Sept. 25 by his tour photographer Ant Braaten. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Daniel Donato’s unique psychedelic country experience came to Saratoga last week, delivering a sold-out show at Putnam Place.

Donato’s “cosmic country” group performed a total of 19 songs (13 originals and 6 covers) across two sets and an encore in front of a crowd of enthusiastic jam band lovers, many of whom donned Grateful Dead apparel for the occasion. 

The band demonstrated the breadth and versatility of its catalogue by putting its own spin on classics like the Elvis Presely rockabilly tune “Mystery Train,” Merle Haggard’s blue-collar anthem “Workin’ Man Blues,” and the immortal Bob Dylan’s oft-covered “Quinn the Eskimo.”

Prior to the concert, Donato told Saratoga TODAY that he enjoys introducing his audience to country songs they may have never previously heard. “We’re getting to reveal a tapestry of influence and deliver people an experience of discovery, which is such a righteous gift,” he said.

Donato, of course, didn’t sidestep his own material, with “Along the Trail” (from his new album “Horizons”), “Lose Your Mind,” “Sweet Tasting Tennessee,” and “Gotta Get Southbound” being among the standouts.

“Yeehaw, Saratoga Springs,” wrote Donato in a social media post. “Thank you for a SOLD OUT evening of high-frequency space and time transcendence through the blessed vessel that is Music.”

The show was Donato’s second in Saratoga Springs, following a co-headlining performance with the Kitchen Dwellers at Putnam in 2022. 

Ebony Hillbillies Bring Singular Sound to Spa State Park

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Entertainment.

The Ebony Hillbillies perform on the lawn outside the Victorian Pool at Saratoga Spa State Park on Sept. 28. Photo by Jonathon Norcross.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Ebony Hillbillies are a difficult band to categorize.

Nearly everything about the group is unexpected. They’re a string band of “hillbillies,” yet they emerged from New York City. They play old-school blues standards like “Wang Dang Doodle” but they do it with a banjo. They’re traditional Americana yet they touch upon topical issues in songs like “Another Man Done Gone.”

The idiosyncratic group played a free show on the lawn outside the Victorian Pool at Saratoga Spa State Park last Sunday, drawing a sizable crowd of spectators who lounged on the grass during an unexpectedly warm autumn day.

Prior to an hour-long set, the Hillbillies hosted a “children’s hour” in which they helped local kids better understand America’s musical roots.

The event was the final part of the New York State Parks’ Solomon Northup “Hope Out of Darkness” sculpture program series. The 13-foot bronze Northup statue is currently on display in front of the Lincoln Bathhouse at the Spa State Park until Oct. 19.

Spin Doctors Deliver the Medicine for Therapeutic Horses

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Entertainment.

The Spin Doctors perform at the Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga 2025 Charity Benefit Concert on Sept. 27. Photo by Jonathon Norcross.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — One should never fail to appreciate a well-organized event.

At Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga’s charity benefit concert last Saturday night, everything from the food vendors to the venue layout to the sound quality was exceptional, especially considering it was all temporarily plopped onto a horse farm. As the evening wore on, tiki torches dotted across the property emitted a warm glow that both provided practical light and set the mood for what was to come.

Culinary offerings included Taquero tacos, Fierro’s pizza, Druthers beer, and Old Tavern Farm wine and spirits. The entertainment launched with Rich Ortiz, an acoustic singer-songwriter who has previously opened for Chicago, REO Speedwagon, KC and the Sunshine Band, and many other well-known acts. He was followed by the Wallies featuring Gianna Robustiano, who belted out women-written anthems by Alanis Morissette and Miley Cyrus, among others.

The main event was the Spin Doctors, a Gen X alt rock group best known for hits like “Two Princes,” “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong,” and “Jimmy Olsen’s Blues.” The band has an interesting history stretching back to their earliest days playing with John Popper, who would later become known as the frontman for Blues Traveler, the group that headlined Belmont on Broadway in downtown Saratoga in 2024. Both bands emerged from New York City’s late 80s/early 90s jam band scene, which was documented in Mike Ayers’ recent oral history book “Sharing in the Groove.” (Saratoga TODAY interviewed Ayers about his tome and Saratoga’s place in music history for our Aug. 1 issue.)

At the Therapeutic Horses farm, the Doctors delivered a dose of medicine that got many spectators up and grooving (perhaps after they’d enjoyed a few offerings from Druthers and Old Tavern). A highlight of the performance, especially for those invested in the local music scene, came when bass player Jack Daley’s brother Joe (a resident of Troy, New York) came out to play drums on a couple tracks. Joe is a longtime member of Super 400, a band that blends 60s-70s heavy rock with contemporary melodic pop and has played at many Capital Region venues.

In a video message shared prior to the event, Spin Doctors lead singer Chris Barron (who impressed the crowd with his acrobatic kicks) called Therapeutic Horses’ mission to utilize retired racehorses in support of mental wellness “incredible.” It was an apt description of the event as well.

Special Taylor Swift Film to Screen This Weekend at Malta Drive-In

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Entertainment.

Poster image via the Internet Movie Database (IMDb).

MALTA — The Town of Malta may want to brace itself. Swifties will descend upon it this weekend for screenings of “Taylor Swift: The Official Release Party of a Showgirl” on Oct. 3, 4, and 5.

The 89-minute film presents a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Swift’s new album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” which is scheduled to be released on Oct. 3. According to Hollywood trade publication Variety, included in the flick will be the premiere of “The Fate of Ophelia,” the first music video from the new album; footage shot behind the scenes at the “Ophelia” video shoot; lyric videos for other songs on the album; and Swift’s never-before-seen personal reflections about those new songs.

For tickets or more information, visit www.maltadrivein.com.

Ted’s Fish Fry Ballston Spa Location Finishing Renovations, Hiring

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Business.

The forthcoming Ted’s Fish Fry location at 2013 Doubleday Avenue in Ballston Spa. Photo by Jonathon Norcross.

BALLSTON SPA — The old Pizza Hut on Doubleday Avenue in Ballston Spa has slowly but surely been transforming into Ted’s Fish Fry’s newest location. And now, the company is looking for employees as renovations wrap up.

Interested candidates can apply online at www.tedsfishfry.com/employment or stop into any Fish Fry location for an application. According to the company’s website, benefits include: 4% 401K match, an employee meal plan, generous PTO, an employee bonus program, flexible hours, and management opportunities.

An exact opening date for the B-Spa restaurant has not been announced, and previous estimates haven’t come to fruition (in March, it was reported that the location would open in late spring or early summer).