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Author: Jonathon Norcross

Lakefront Ice Cream Shop Has “Ugly” Opening

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Business.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — “This is a beautiful day to eat some Ugly Ice Cream,” quipped New York State Senator Jim Tedisco. 

With the sun shining and more than a few Saratoga Lake visitors getting an early start to the weekend, Ugly Ice Cream held a ribbon cutting ceremony last Friday with the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce to celebrate their new menu and recent opening. 

The shop at Brown’s Beach began dishing out cones earlier this month. Its menu includes Oboys, hot dogs, nachos, tater tots, and, of course, soft serve ice cream. 

Ugly Ice Cream is located at 511 NY-9P and is open every day from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Capital City Cycle Rolls Into Saratoga

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Business.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — As the Baha Men’s 2000 classic “Who Let the Dogs Out” blared, a 14-passenger, pedal-powered vehicle circled around the Ace Hardware parking lot to commemorate the launch of Capital City Cycle Co. in Saratoga Springs.

The company will be running two-hour tours of the city, with stops at Pint Sized, Kraverie, and The Barrelhouse. Tours begin and end in the Ace Hardware parking lot at 41 Walworth.

Owner Carson Stewart recently purchased the business from his uncle, who started the tours back in 2013. “I’ve kind of looked up to him my whole life,” Stewart said. “I’ve always thought he was a very successful businessman. The fact that he was willing to hand off his first-ever business to me, sell it to me, it really is a dream come true.”

Capital City Cycle has three vehicles total; one in Troy, one in Schenectady, and the third in Saratoga. Although drinks are prohibited on the tours themselves, customers can buy plenty of beverages in one (or all) of the tour’s three stops.

For more information or to book a tour, visit capitalcitybrewcycle.com.

Route 50 Diner in Ballston Spa Briefly Closed Due to Health Violation

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Business.

BALLSTON SPA — According to the New York State Department of Health, the Route 50 Diner in Ballston Spa was temporarily closed after an inspection on May 30 revealed an apparent, ongoing pest control issue.

The diner hired a pest control company to “mitigate the cockroach issue throughout the facility,” a health department report stated. 

In order to reopen, the diner needed to send the Glens Falls District Office a receipt showing that pest control services have been completed, a document from the pest control company stating that the diner is pest free, and a contract with the pest control company showing that maintenance will be performed for at least the next six months.

In a statement posted to social media, the company said it was doing the best it could to reopen. “The sad part is we are in a building with two other businesses that are not required to do anything,” the statement said. “As much as everybody wants to put us down and say negative things, we will rise up and we always do.”

The next day, the diner announced that it would be reopening on June 5. 

The Route 50 Diner, located at 2002 Doubleday Avenue, was also temporarily closed last year by the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance due to unpaid taxes.

SPACtacular Fundraiser Kicks Off Summer Season

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Business.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Just days before the start of Belmont festivities, The Saratoga Performing Arts Center’s “SPACtacular” summer fundraiser event kicked off what’s sure to be a busy and celebratory season in Saratoga Springs. 

Inside two large tents stationed on the SPAC grounds, guests enjoyed live music, a bevy of local food and drink options, fireworks, and a late-night dance party on the amphitheater stage.

Singer-songwriter Jes Hudak performed in the party tent (admission: $175), which featured bites from Druther’s Brewing, PDT Catering, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Wheatfield’s, and newcomer Sara’s Kitchen. The nearby glow lounge, housed in the open-air pavilion, had guests queued up for scalp massages, tarot card readings, and sound healings. 

In the VIP tent (admission: $400), Jonathan Greene and the Grand Boubousse played live jazz while guests enjoyed a three-course wine pairing.

Fireworks were launched around 9:15 p.m., and the night concluded with a two-hour dance party on the amphitheater stage emceed by DJs Eric & Dillon.

The Summer SPACtacular is SPAC’s largest fundraiser. Proceeds benefit both year-round programming and education initiatives.

Since taking over the Spa Little Theater two years ago, SPAC has used it to host more than 50 indoor events attended by around 17,000 guests. Last year, SPAC launched its “Access the Arts” program, which provides weekly dance, music, and improvisational theater classes to individuals enrolled in day habilitation programs.

In addition to its popular Live Nation events, SPAC this year is hosting the Saratoga Jazz Festival on June 29 and 30; the New York City Ballet from July 9 to 13; Yo-Yo Ma on August 16; and John Legend on August 7.

Schuylerville Girls Track and Field Team Wins Third-Straight Sectional Title

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Sports.

The Schuylerville varsity girls track and field team celebrates its third-straight sectional title at Broadalbin-Perth High School last week. Photo by John Schmitz.

BROADALBIN — The Schuylerville varsity girls track and field team captured its third-straight Section 2, Division 3 championship last week at Broadalbin-Perth High School, accumulating 122 total points.

Keira Rogan had a spectacular outing, winning the 800m, 1500m, 3000m, and the 2000m steeplechase. Nikki Stark won the 100m hurdles, setting a school record with a time of 15.24. Stark also took first place in the 400m hurdles.

Other strong performances at Broadalbin included Meaghan Lynch (3rd in the 100m and 200m, 2nd in the long jump and triple jump), Adeline Ballou (2nd in 1500m and 3rd in the 3000m), Ryan Stark (2nd in pole vault), Campbell Bailey (4th in the pentathlon long jump and shot put) and Taylor Brown (5th in the 800m). The girls 4×800 relay team also finished third.

The girls are scheduled to compete at the Section 2 state qualifier on May 30 and 31 at Guilderland High School. 

The Black Horses boys team finished seventh at sectionals, with a number of strong individual outings including James Lynch (2nd in 3000m steeplechase, 3rd in 1600m, 3rd in pole vault),

Levi Michaud (2nd in high jump), Tristan Stallone (4th in the 1500m), and Gavin Winacott (4th in 3200m).

Kellen Dean Q&A

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Sports.

Photo of Kellen Dean provided.

Saratoga Springs High School senior Kellen Dean advanced out of the U.S. Open local qualifier earlier this month at the Albany Country Club in Voorheesville. 

He finished second among all competitors, shooting a 2-under 70 to become one of five players that moved on to final qualifying. He’ll continue his journey to this year’s U.S. Open at Pinehurst Resort and Country Club on June 13-16.

Saratoga TODAY asked Dean about his performance in the local qualifier, as well as his future plans.

Q: How did you feel about your performance in the qualifier on May 13? Did you meet or exceed your expectations?

A: I was very happy with my performance at Albany Country Club. I was very happy with how I battled back after a double bogey on hole three. Going into the event my expectations were to qualify so I definitely met my expectations.

Q:  What parts of your game do you think are the strongest, and what areas are you working on?

A: I believe my strongest part of my game is my short game and wedging. I always feel like I have an advantage on the field when I am chipping or have a wedge in my hand. You can always work on your putting because it can always be better, but lately I have been working on hitting more fairways off the tee with my driver.

Q:  What are your goals for the future?

A: I have a lot of summer tournaments this year I still have to qualify for but my biggest goals going into this year is to qualify for the US Jr Championship and PGA Jr Championship this summer. Another goal for this year was for my golf game to be sharp heading into my freshman year in college at Xavier University, and to be able to make an instant impact for the team.

Underdog Blue Streaks Win Softball Sectionals

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

The Saratoga Springs varsity softball team poses after capturing the Section 2 Class AAA championship. Photo via Saratoga Athletics social media accounts.

MALTA — Against all odds, the underdog Saratoga Springs varsity softball team won the Section 2 Class AAA title last Thursday against Guilderland, 11 to 4. The victory came despite the Blue Streaks finishing with a 6-11 record on the season.

Saratoga began the month with a string of losses against Shaker, Vestal, and Camden. But a refusal to give up resulted in a pair of shutout victories against Colonie Central and Shenendehowa on May 16 and 21, respectively. Then on May 23, the Blue Streaks defied the odds against Guilderland, who had a 18-4 record on the year.

Coach Geoffrey Loiacono attributed the postseason success to a couple impactful seniors returning from injuries. “Olivia Tetreault and Sarah Decker, both seniors, were out for some time,” Loiacono told Saratoga TODAY. “Both of those players are big roles not only on defense but also offense and leadership.”

 

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In the game against Guilderland, Tetreault had 4 hits and 4 RBI. 

This year’s section title is the second the Blue Streaks have earned in the last three seasons. Their last Section 2 championship was in 2022. 

The Blue Streaks anticipated a tough year, thanks to their new AAA classification. “Our league,” Loiacono told Saratoga TODAY at the start of the season, “is a grind, day in and day out. There are no guaranteed games across the board.”

Saratoga’s next game, sure to be another challenge, will be a regional title game on Saturday, June 1 at 5 p.m.

Yoga in Spa State Park Begins Summer Classes

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Sports.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Sunlight reflecting off the water. The scent of pine trees. A light breeze carrying with it the rehearsals of a live orchestra. The most zen place in all of Saratoga Springs might be the Spa State Park, where summer yoga classes will be held June through August.

“When you’re outside, it’s this really beautiful alchemy of everything working all together, the way it should be, the way it was originally meant to be,” said Amy DeLuca, the founder and teacher coordinator of Yoga in Spa State Park. “One of the things that yoga does is it helps to get you into that parasympathetic nervous system where it’s more restful, and you need that. We need that right now.”

Yoga in Spa State Park launched in 2013, offering classes on the lawn in front of the reflecting pool. Years later, when the pandemic hit and yoga studios suddenly closed, the program grew rapidly. “It was a huge plus for everybody during a very challenging time,” DeLuca said.

The program now includes year-round classes held in the Roosevelt II Pavillion during the colder months. Summer classes take place under the brick arches of the Administration Building behind the Spa Little Theater. The classes are donation-based, with a suggested contribution of $15, but participants can pay what they wish. DeLuca said nobody is ever turned away. The only thing necessary for taking a class is a yoga mat. 

DeLuca has six teachers at the moment, some of whom are teaching three classes per week. They’re all “highly certified,” DeLuca said, with some having twenty years of experience. “What makes us unique is that these teachers, including myself, have a clear focus about what we feel yoga can be, the benefits that it offers.”

Beginners are more than welcome. “We as teachers, because we’re experienced, know how to do variations and modifications so that anybody, any size, in any condition can really benefit from the first class,” DeLuca said.

The program’s summer schedule begins on June 1, with at least one class occurring every day of the week. Classes include “Foundations of Flow,” “Intuitive Yoga Flow,” “Gentle Yoga,” and “Vinyasa Yoga.” No pre-registration is required. For more information, visit the Yoga in Spa State Park Facebook page at www.facebook.com/YogaInSpaStatePark.

Second Review Conducted of Saratoga Athletic Program

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Education.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — After an independent investigation earlier this year determined that the Saratoga Springs City School District investigated “most, but not all” complaints made against members of its athletic program, the district discussed the results of a second independent review at a May 22 Board of Education meeting.

The review, summarized at the meeting by Dr. Glenn Lungarini, executive director of the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference, praised what Lungarini called Saratoga’s “long-standing culture of excellence,” but also offered some recommendations for improvements.

• Lungarini said that while it’s not uncommon for athletic directors to have multiple roles, assigning too many responsibilities to the position can mean that “you’re resigning yourself to the idea that each of those is going to be done to the best of their ability part-time.”

• Lungarini suggested the district formalize athletic and coach handbooks, an idea previously raised by Superintendent Dr. Michael Patton, so that everyone involved in the athletic program is more aware of their roles and responsibilities.

• Lungarini said the district should be mindful of providing equal access to boys and girls sports, citing the example of the state of the baseball field compared to the softball field, which has a temporary fence.

• “Everybody talked about buses,” Lungarini said, referring to the district’s bus driver shortage. He suggested that parents be notified sooner if there are no buses available so that carpools and other methods of transportation can be arranged. 

The remarks about transportation issues came on the heels of voters approving the 2024-2025 budget, which cut two transportation department positions: a bus mechanic and a bus dispatcher. Both positions sometimes served as bus drivers as well.

Dr. Michael Patton said that the full report from the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference would be posted online so the public could review all of Lungarini’s recommendations.

Revamped Tinney’s Tavern Reopens

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Business.

Tinney’s Tavern co-owner Sean Willcoxon cuts a ribbon provided by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce in celebration of his restaurant’s reopening. Photo by Jonathon Norcross.

MIDDLE GROVE — Lake Desolation was not so desolate last Wednesday afternoon when a small crowd gathered to celebrate Tinney’s Tavern, the lakefront restaurant and bar that reopened after undergoing several renovations. On hand were local community members and the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.

“I just can’t tell you how much we appreciate the support that we got from the local community already. It’s really truly what a local community should be about,” said Tinney’s co-owner Sean Willcoxon while surrounded by his family. “Here in Greenfield, Middle Grove, and the local communities, it truly is supported by everyone and we take great pride in joining that.”

On tap were a variety of craft beers, including a refreshing Saranac Blueberry Blonde Ale enjoyed by at least one local reporter.

Tinney’s Tavern is now open for business at 498 Lake Desolation Road in Middle Grove.