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.
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.
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.
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).
Photo of Sorrentino’s Halfmoon location via the company.
HALFMOON — Sorrentino’s Delicatessen & Market is closing its location in Halfmoon on Oct. 5 after three decades in business. The store’s second location in South Glens Falls will remain open.
“Between myself and my staff, we have made some great friends and loyal customers over the years, for which we are grateful,” said owner Rich Sorrentino in a Facebook announcement. “This was not an easy decision to make, but it’s necessary for health reasons to start slowing down.”
Sorrentino’s is a family owned and operated deli and grocery market with a meat department, fresh produce, prepared meals, and catering. The soon-to-be-shuttered Halfmoon location is at 241 Grooms Road. The still-open second location is at 40 Main Street in South Glens Falls.
MALTA — Nanola—a restaurant, bar, and live music venue located on Route 9 in Malta—closed its doors on Tuesday, Sept. 30 after a dozen years in business.
“From the very beginning, Nanola has been more than just a business, it has been a gathering place filled with laughter, friendships, and countless memories,” the company wrote in a Facebook announcement. “None of it would have been possible without our loyal customers and staff that have become family. We are deeply grateful to every band that rocked our stage, every guest who celebrated life’s milestones with us, and every person who simply stopped in for a meal, a drink, or a good time. You’ve all been part of what made Nanola so special. While this chapter is coming to a close, the memories will live, and we are beyond thankful for the ride we’ve shared with you.”
In its announcement, the restaurant added that its volleyball program would continue and be back “bigger and better than ever.”
Community members and patrons responded to the announcement by expressing appreciation and sharing memories. One married couple said they met at Nanola. One woman thanked the restaurant for allowing her and her husband to celebrate their anniversary there during the pandemic. A GlobalFoundries employee said Nanola was one of his “all-time favorite places to go.”
Local businesses also chimed in with their farewells. The Hideaway Restaurant at the Saratoga Lake Golf Club wrote that “Nanola will always hold a special place in the hearts of everyone here at The Hideaway.” The Ballston Lakeview Tavern added: “All three owners here have worked for and learned a lot from you and your family for years. On to bigger and better things. You will be missed.”
Nanola billed itself as a casual eatery with New Orleans influences, an extensive draft and beer list, and a menu with southern favorites. It hosted many performers over the years, especially live rock bands playing everything from original compositions to time-tested classics. Recent shows included a pre- and post-Phish concert performance by Hilltop; a benefit for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention; two nights of Arch3type (featuring members of Big Gigantic and Twiddle); the DJ Williams Band with Ben Atkind (formerly of Goose); and a variety of Grateful Dead cover bands.
In February, Slidin’ Dirty, a popular Capital Region slider restaurant, took over Nanola’s kitchen operations and debuted a new menu.
Photo of Ira Thomas from the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, LC-DIG-ppmsca-13545 (digital file from original print), public domain.
BALLSTON SPA — Postseason baseball is nearly upon us.
The New York Yankees clinched a playoff berth with a walkoff win against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night. As of press time, the New York Mets, despite swiping Juan Soto from their crosstown rivals, were still desperately grasping for a wild-card spot.
But whatever happens this October, it’s unlikely that the Capital Region will be as well represented in the World Series as it was more than 100 years ago, when Ballston Spa native Ira Thomas won three rings with the Athletics.
Thomas is probably the most significant baseball figure to emerge from Saratoga County, although Ian Anderson (who won a World Series with the Atlanta Braves in 2021) and Margaret Russo (who was a two-time All Star in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League) are both notable in their own right.
Thomas may not receive the recognition he deserves in part due to the looming shadow of Abner Doubleday, the Civil War general from Ballston Spa who was famously credited with inventing the game of baseball (for the record, he didn’t).
Thomas was not just lucky enough to be on the right rosters at the right times. He was, especially during the 1908 and 1910 seasons, an exceptional ballplayer. In 1908 with the Detroit Tigers, Thomas had a .307/.346/.317 slash line for an OPS+ of 113 (for reference, an OPS+ of 100 is the league average). In 1910 with the Athletics (then based in Philadelphia), Thomas had a slash line of .278/.301/.361 for an OPS+ of 107. And in the 1910 World Series, he earned 3 hits, 4 walks, 2 runs, and an RBI to help the Athletics win their first-ever title, 4 games to 1.
He was less productive when the Athletics won a second consecutive championship in 1911; in that series, he managed just 1 hit, 1 walk, and 1 RBI. He was again on the Athletics roster when they took the World Series in 1913, though he didn’t play in any title games. In 1908 with the Tigers, he played in two World Series contests, smacking a pair of hits (including a double) and driving in a run. The Tigers, however, fell to the Chicago Cubs, 4 games to 1.
In his ten-year career, in which he played in 484 games, Thomas tallied 327 hits, 46 doubles, 17 triples, 155 RBI, and 20 stolen bases (he was only caught stealing once). In 1911, he placed eighth in MVP votes, not far behind legendary players such as Ty Cobb, Eddie Collins, and “Shoeless” Joe Jackson. He was the Athletics’ starting catcher in both 1910 and 1911, when they won their consecutive titles. Following his playing career, Thomas became a coach and scout for the Athletics until the team departed Philadelphia in 1955.
Long before that, Ira Thomas was born on January 22, 1881, in Ballston Spa, in a home that was reportedly just a mile away from the Abner Doubleday house (now the site of The Real McCoy Beer Co.). According to the Saratoga County history journal “The Gristmill,” Thomas and his older brother Alphonse played for a local team called the Monitors. Alphone was a pitcher and his little bro caught him.
The Thomas family moved to Connecticut sometime prior to 1900, and it was there that Ira launched his baseball career, playing in the Class D Connecticut League, where he soon became the organization’s top catcher.
Ira would return to the State of New York in 1905, when he was purchased by the New York Highlanders, the team now known across the globe as the New York Yankees. Ira played for the Highlanders in 1906 and 1907, though he struggled at the plate, in part due to an injury he suffered in 1905. He would depart the team after New York nabbed catching prospect Walter Blair. He was then picked up by Detroit, with whom he would appear in a World Series before finding success with the Athletics from 1909 to 1915. He would rejoin the Highlanders/Yankees, as part of their scouting staff, in 1956. This would be his last job in baseball before his retirement.
Ira passed away on Oct. 11, 1958 at the age of 77 and was buried at the Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Cheltenham, Pennsylvania near his long-time friend and mentor, the legendary Connie Mack.
