GANSEVOORT — Grab a broom and a beer, it’s spooky season.
The Dancing Grain Farm Brewery, known for their concerts and sunflowers, will host a moonlit movie night on Saturday, Oct. 25. The festivities begin at 5 p.m. and “Hocus Pocus,” the witchy Disney flick, will screen at 6:45.
No tickets are required, just a blanket (broomsticks are optional). Popcorn, warm cider, sweet treats, and Chubbed Chopped sandwiches will be served. The taproom will stay open until 9 p.m., allowing adults to imbibe a magic potion or two.
A former Sliders Food Mart in Clayton, New York rebranded with Stewart’s Shops signage. Photo via Stewart’s.
BALLSTON SPA — Stewart’s Shops has continued its expansion across Upstate New York, announcing on Monday that it has acquired three Sliders Food Mart convenience stores in two counties north of Syracuse.
Stewart’s new stores are located in Harrisville, Croghan, and Clayton, New York. Terms of the deal were not immediately disclosed.
With the acquisitions, Stewart’s said that it now operates more than 400 shops across New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire.
Sliders Food Mart was a locally-owned family business that advertised “fresh, made-to-order sandwiches, melts, wraps, subs, and pizza.” In September, the company confirmed it had entered into a contract with Stewart’s in a social media post.
“We did not make this decision without a great deal of consideration for both our employees and the communities in which we serve,” the post read. “The last eight years have allowed us to partner with you and share in both growth and success with levels we would never have imagined back in 2017 when we started on this adventure.”
The deal comes on the heels of Stewart’s purchase of the Jolley Associates convenience store chain roughly one year ago, which included 45 stores. In New York State alone, Stewart’s paid $9.6 million for former Jolley stores located in Clifton Park, Queensbury, Lake George, and Plattsburgh. Included in the deal were Jolley’s sister companies: S.B. Collins, a petroleum products company, and Clarence Brown, a heating fuel oil company.
Earlier this year, Stewart’s was directed by the Federal Trade Commission to relinquish control of several of its locations in areas of low competition. As a result, shops in Queensbury and Plattsburgh, among other locations, were sold off.
Chefs Armand and Tatiana Vanderstigchel outside their restaurant Brasserie Benelux on Broadway in downtown Saratoga Springs. Also pictured: former Mayor Ron Kim and Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce President Todd Shimkus. Photo provided.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Why contend with jet lag, weak air conditioning, and airplane seats lacking legroom when you can feast on European fare here at home?
Husband-wife duo Armand and Tatiana Vanderstigchel opened Brasserie Benelux in the Spa City in 2021 and have been working in tandem to celebrate traditional European beer cultures ever since.
Chef Armand is the author of three cookbooks and a noted Buffalo wing connoisseur (more on that later) while Tatiana is the eatery’s pastry chef, specializing in crepes and apple strudel (which Armand said “sells like crazy”). Together, they’ve crafted a menu that takes tastebuds across Europe, from Dutch Bitterballen and Scandinavian salmon to Swedish meatballs and Bavarian pretzels.
Unsurprisingly, Oktoberfest is kind of a big deal at Brasserie Benelux. This time of year, expect special menu items like Oktoberfest roast chicken, smoked pork chops Kasseler, goulash, German potato salads, and Black Forest veal schnitzel (the offerings change weekly). And, of course, there are European brews on tap to cleanse the palate.
As the diverse menu might suggest, it took some globe trotting to discover and cook such a diverse array of dishes. Chef Armand was born in the USA but spent 17 years in the Netherlands. His areas of focus include Belgian, Dutch, German, Austrian, Polish, Belarusian, Alsatian, Czech, and Scandinavian food culture.
Being an Upstater since the early 90s, Armand is also fond of the North Country, which inspired one of his tomes, the “Adirondack Cookbook.” He first ventured into the area at the invitation of some Long Island friends who worked at the Saratoga Race Course.
“Immediately, I felt a comfort and attraction to the town,” Armand said. “In my opinion, Saratoga is a gateway to the Adirondacks.”
Armand celebrated the release of his first cookbook with a party at the Inn at Saratoga and then bounced around town selling copies. It soon became his long-term ambition to save up enough money to open up a restaurant in the Spa City.
“One of the interesting things in life can be foresight and I can remember standing on Broadway; I was looking at the location where I am now, and I said, ‘There should really be a European restaurant here.’ So, look what happened,” Armand said chuckling. “You never know, right?”
Another of Armand’s books, “Chicken Wings Across America,” helped solidify him as a wing expert as well. He’s been a judge at the Buffalo Wing festival in Buffalo, New York and was inducted into the national Chicken Wing Hall of Fame.
In the interest of thorough investigative journalism, we at Saratoga TODAY had to uncover the truth from Chef Armand: Who in Saratoga makes the best wings? (In the interest of fairness, we won’t include his own Wing Fest Buffalo Wings, currently on the menu at Brasserie Benelux).
“[I’m] always very intrigued and enjoying the Buffalo wings at the Parting Glass,” Armand said. “That’s been around for a long time and it’s a fun place with a lot of history… Another place I like for the wings is Harvey’s, a lot of my staff goes there late at night.”
Take it from someone who has made a career of studying the great cuisines of the world: There’s plenty of excellent food just around the corner.
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 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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
