AMSTERDAM — Two Saratoga Springs High School teammates with “big potential” have been signed by the Amsterdam Mohawks of the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League (PGCBL).
Colin Mack, a right-handed pitcher committed to Division 1 Northeastern University, and Brady Mills, a catcher committed to the College of William & Mary, will both join the 13-time PGCBL champs this summer.
Mack is 6’4” with a fastball that clocked in at 92 mph last year (the Mohawks said it’s reached as high as 94 mph). In their signing announcement, the Mohawks also said that Mack is “expected to garner some MLB draft interest.” As a sophomore two seasons ago, he finished with a 1.45 ERA, striking out 18 batters in just 9.2 innings.
The Mohawks described Mills as “a big, physical catcher with plus defensive skills and a big-time arm” who “shows big power potential at the plate” and is “another player projected to gain pro interest at some point.” As a junior last season at the plate, Mills earned a .792 OPS, recording 5 doubles and 27 RBI. Behind the plate, he finished with a .985 fielding percentage.
As Blue Streaks last season, both Mack and Mills helped their team capture its first-ever Section 2 Class AAA state title.
Photo via the Saratoga Springs City School District.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs varsity cheerleading team was crowned Suburban Council grand champions last Saturday.
Saratoga’s varsity cheer team has enjoyed much success in recent years, winning the Section 2 title three years in a row (2022-2024) and earning the No. 4 rank among all New York State teams in 2024.
“[Saratoga varsity cheerleading] is proof that dedication and hard work truly pay off,” the team wrote in a social media post after winning the council title. “Saratoga is filled with talented and passionate cheerleaders, and we’re lucky to be part of something so special.”
The Blue Streaks also recently celebrated the success of their All-League Athletes:
FIRST TEAM
Carmellamarie Dobson
Molly Jepson
Melissa McClune
Maria McClune
Adyson Murray
Aurora Murray
Ava Pecor
Cece Varughese
Jaelyn Wilcox
SECOND TEAM
Taylor Bussing
Elli Callender
Hailey Scalo
The Toga cheerleaders will next compete in sectionals at Troy High School on Feb. 28 at 2:40 p.m.
Stephen Thirolle performing at Active Ingredient Brewing Company in Malta in 2021. Photo via the artist.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Born in France, raised on classical music, reborn amongst rockers in New York City, and now settled into the soulful life of a singer-songwriter, Stephen Thirolle is far from your average tennis coach.
“They’re both ways for me to play, intellectually [and] physically,” Thirolle told Saratoga TODAY about his twin endeavors: playing tennis and playing guitars. “Cooperative play lives in both worlds and has freedom in both of these worlds. It’s a cool thing. I’ve only come to appreciate that in my adult life. As a kid, I didn’t really see them as two bridges to the same place. But now I kind of do.”
Thirolle is an assistant tennis coach at Skidmore College, where he serves as “the on-court guy,” playing and traveling with the team. He also has private clientele and runs summer tennis camps on Skidmore’s campus.
He was the recipient of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s Assistant Coach of the Year Award in 2018, and he won the United States Professional Tennis Association’s College Coach of the Year Award in 2019. Before all that, he was captain and MVP of his high school tennis squad, achievements that allowed him to continue playing the sport at Middlebury College.
But music reigns supreme as his greatest passion.
“I’m sure I’ll drop my tennis racket before I drop my guitar,” Thirolle said.
The tennis guru began studying classical piano at the tender age of five. An early teacher was Stanley Hummell, a revered concert pianist who lived most of his life in the Capital Region and performed at both Carnegie Hall and the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.
“He was 6’8’ with a shock of white hair, a real gentleman,” Thirolle recalled. “That was an amazing experience, having a Gandalf-like figure being my musical mentor.”
While he was learning to tickle the keys, Thirolle’s house was filled with the varied sounds of world music. Russian folk, Swiss yodeling, samba, Charlie Byrd, Stan Getz, Beethoven, and Bach were all part of the budding musician’s sonic diet. But he also engaged in a covert operation inside his bedroom, listening to pop music on the radio at a low volume, lest his superiors should hear. During this clandestine activity, Thirolle would be introduced to the cerebral folk-rock of Bob Dylan and the psychedelic, orchestral sounds of The Beatles. He eventually became hungry to add more instruments to his repertoire.
“I learned all those band instruments on my own after I was raised with classical piano,” he said. “It was easy for me to learn guitar. It was easy for me to play the drums. I was very fluid and learning super-fast.”
After college, Thirolle embarked on a 20-plus-year sojourn to New York City, where he said his adult self began to emerge. He fell in with some rockers, played in bands, and experimented with songwriting.
“In New York, I tried to write really hard rock,” Thirolle said. “I was very impressed with all my friends who were down at Don Hill’s and Brownies and CBGB. They were playing that hard rock, and I was like, ‘Oh, I can do that too.’ But that was never necessarily my bag. I think I wanted to write songs that could stand on their own and not have to have a band behind it. I think that everything I write now is a standalone song that has bones, structure. I can play it on my own. It satisfies. It hits.”
A journey from classical to pop to rock has resulted in the acoustic-driven, singer-songwriter sound of Thirolle’s latest EP, “The Waters and the Wild,” released in May 2025. With shades perhaps of John Lennon and Dave Matthews, the album’s vibe feels like it’s somewhere between breezy and pensive. Some of the tracks draw inspiration from sources as varied as the poet W.B. Yeats and the cities of London and Barcelona. Other songs, such as “In New York City” and “Darling Luna,” are directly inspired by Thirolle’s own life.
Although Thirolle has bounced around from France to the Capital Region to New York City to Europe, he ultimately chose to settle here in Saratoga Springs. The Skidmore tennis coach and moonlighting musician moved here with his wife to begin his “family phase.” His wife founded a local hair salon. His father-in-law plays bass in his band. His daughter probably isn’t old enough yet to play an instrument, but perhaps one day she will.
In the meantime, Thirolle is eager to keep recording, writing, and performing. He played at the Grateful Den in Glens Falls last month and is already booked for two more shows at Saratoga Winery later this year.
“The Waters and the Wild” is available on streaming platforms such as Spotify and Bandcamp.
For more info, visit Stephen’s website: stephenthirolle.com.
Pictured: Sean Argaman, regional vice president of Live Nation East, and Elizabeth Sobol, president & CEO of SPAC. Photos by Jonathon Norcross.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Although the leafy grounds of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) were shrouded by knee-deep snow, summer concert plans were nonetheless underway at a press conference hosted by Live Nation last Thursday afternoon.
The entertainment conglomerate announced that Albany Med Health System had become its new presenting partner for SPAC’s upcoming 60th season.
A press release from Albany Med stated that new fan benefits will be rolled out this summer, including free admission for kids at select shows, fast lane access for nurses, and a designated driver program that promotes safe travel to and from the venue.
“We are especially grateful to Albany Med for all you do to support the physical health of the Capital Region community, and also for recognizing the role live music plays in health and wellness,” said SPAC CEO Elizabeth Sobol. “Your support of Live Nation’s concert lineup helps make these shared experiences possible for so many people, not only here in our region, but very far beyond. And thank you to our terrific partners at Live Nation, bringing major touring artists to our beloved venue every single year and continuing to invest in specs, campus, and infrastructure. All of this keeps our region on the global stage, while strengthening our local economy. We are so incredibly thankful to be part of a community where organizations come together to support live music, connection, and the overall vitality of our region and communities. We are excited for summer 2026 and the seasons of collaboration to come.”
Shortly after the announcement, Live Nation’s SPAC social media accounts and concert announcements began featuring the Albany Med Health System name and logo.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — As probably every Saratogian knows, the 2026 Belmont Stakes will be the last iteration of the Triple Crown race to be held at the historic Saratoga Race Course. In 2027, the event will return home to the newly built Belmont Park.
When the New York Racing Association (NYRA) revealed its 2026 Belmont Stakes logo a couple weeks ago in a video posted to its social media accounts, it decided to highlight the storied legacy of the Spa. To aid in that endeavor, it contacted the Saratoga-based Pavoldi brothers, who are the keepers of a vintage letterpress that is nearly as old as the track itself.
“[NYRA] wanted to feature local guys with a local business, local craftsmen doing things in Saratoga that were really antique,” Nick Pavoldi told Saratoga TODAY. “Belmont [Park], apparently, is being renovated to be super futuristic, very clean and very modern. Whereas Saratoga has a real antique look. That’s its vibe. Its whole thing is this antique, Victorian style. The letterpress is from 1886, and it happens to fit right in the wheelhouse with what they were looking for.”
NYRA commissioned the creation of 300 fliers that featured its new Belmont logo. To fulfill the order, the Pavoldis had to have a special ink made to match Belmont’s distinct green color. The brothers then used their letterpress and hand-set hundreds of fliers. A NYRA film crew captured the process, and next thing they knew, the Pavoldis were being directed as if they were Vogue models.
“[The film crew was] like, ‘Oh, now we’re gonna get another beauty shot of you two doing this,’” Nick recalled. “Jim and I thought that was the funniest thing because this is kind of a hobby. It’s not really our day jobs. But it was super fun. We both really knew our process and what we were doing.”
The brothers’ interest in the niche hobby of letterpressing began when Nick, the owner of Bodywork Professionals, wanted to create some extra-fancy gift certificates for his massage business. He heard about the art of letterpressing, and then found an antique letterpress at the Architectural Parts Warehouse in Albany. He took a few lessons on how to operate the machine. Before long, he was making his own gift certificates. When the previous owner of the letterpress offered to sell it, Nick eagerly jumped at the opportunity.
“I was like, ‘Oh my god, this is a dream come true,’” Nick said. “At that point, I was just head over heels in love with the letterpress. I don’t know why. It just delights me and tickles me.”
Nick needed a place to stash his bulky new toy, and it ended up at a distillery that became Artisanal Brew Works. To help pay his rent, Nick started making liquor and beer labels for the craft brewery.
“[The letterpress] became a real feature of this distillery and Artisanal Brew Works,” he said. “People would see it down there and sometimes I’d give people tours. They’d want to see it and touch it.”
The letterpress then bounced around a bit, from the brewery to a garage to a storage space, before eventually finding a home on Maple Avenue. Although Nick now has his letterpress in a convenient location, the work of actually using it for bulk production is both time and labor intensive. Every gift certificate Nick makes has to be pressed several times. So, 1,000 gift certificates with one envelope apiece equals 5,000 separate prints. It’s tiring work, and it’s why Nick’s Saratoga Letterpress business doesn’t really seek out new clients.
“If NYRA wants me to do another one, I will,” Nick said. “If you’re a big, prestige organization and you want somebody to do this, then maybe we will. But for just regular odds and end jobs, it’s not really our thing.”
Though it may not be in constant use, the Pavoldis’ letterpress has already made its stylish mark on Saratoga Springs history.
Compadres Diner mother-daughter team Diana and Rosa Garcia with their chef, Sergio Felix. Photo by Jonathon Norcross.
GANSEVOORT — Horse racing brought them here, but family allowed them to thrive.
Compadres Diner, which recently celebrated its three-year anniversary, is owned and operated by the Garcia family. Dad Marino was an exercise rider for horse trainer Chad Brown. Mom Rosa practically runs the place. Daughter Diana, who graduated from Saratoga Springs High School just five years ago, handles all the paperwork. The youngest daughters lend a hand when they’re not in school, often giggling, dancing, and having fun while they work, according to Diana.
“We’re a little bit of a crazy family, but we always have a good team and we’re always together,” Rosa told Saratoga TODAY. “Some customers say they don’t see those things often because families go different ways, not together.”
The Garcias got their start by accumulating restaurant experience (Diana was a cashier at Hattie’s Chicken Shack and Rosa worked at the Route 50 Diner) and by selling street corn and tamales at St. Clements Church.
The family was interested in starting a business, but the pandemic derailed their plans. When they later saw the property at 666 Saratoga Road available, they took the leap.
Initially, the plan was to focus primarily on Mexican cuisine. But when the Garcias met Sergio Felix, a chef who was adept at making both Mexican and American dishes, they decided to create a blended Mexican-American menu. Today, some of their most popular offerings include amigos omelettes (which include chorizo, green peppers, and pepperjack cheese), breakfast burritos, and chorizo benedict (poached eggs with chorizo and avocado, covered in hollandaise). Compadres also has a loyal contingent of tamale addicts.
“People love the tamales here,” Diana said. “They’re like, ‘These tamales are just different from anyone else’s.’ We have regulars that come for just tamales once a week or twice a week. It’s a long process, it takes a little bit of work. But people say it’s the best tamales they’ve ever tried.”
The diner also boasts a couple Saratoga celebs among its fans. Chad Brown has held multiple events there, including an end-of-the-season celebration for backstretch workers. Pat Fleming, the host of the “Another Day, Another Diner” video series, told Saratoga TODAY that Compadres was “one of my favorite diners of all time.” Fleming has been to more than 100 diners, including many throughout the Capital Region.
Next up for Compadres: a Mother’s Day celebration featuring mariachi bands, and (hopefully) the addition of margaritas to the menu. Until then, the Garcias will continue running the place as a close-knit family business.
Photo of Front Street Deli in Ballston Spa by Jonathon Norcross.
BALLSTON SPA — Front Street Deli announced earlier this month that Kim Tribley would take over the business as its new owner.
The eatery had previously been owned for 21 years by Matt Hall and Chris Fignar. Jan. 30 was the duo’s last day as owners.
Tribley has owned the nearby Coffee Planet since 2018.
“This opportunity means so much to us, and we are truly honored to continue the legacy of such a well-loved local business,” Front Street Deli said in a Feb. 3 Facebook announcement. “We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Matt and Chris for their 20+ years of dedication, hard work, and success in building Front Street Deli into what it is today. Their commitment to the community has not gone unnoticed, and we are grateful for the strong foundation they have created.”
The announcement also stated that updates and reopening details would be forthcoming.
“This moment is filled with gratitude and reflection as we think about the many changes we’ve witnessed and the wonderful village we’ve had the privilege to grow alongside,” Hall and Fignar wrote on Jan. 29. “We have full confidence in the new owners and wish them nothing but success as they carry Front Street Delicatessen & Pizzeria forward. We know they will continue the tradition of care and quality that has defined this place.”
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The “Smooth” Santana and the “Takin’ it to the Streets” Doobie Brothers will join forces for a Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) show on July 1. Tickets go on sale to the public on Feb. 20 at 10 a.m.
The Doobies are frequent visitors to the Spa City, having played at SPAC 20 times, according to Setlist.fm. This places them within the top-five most frequent SPAC performers (Dave Matthews Band, Chicago, Phish, and the Allman Brothers Band round out the rest). The Doobies also played at SPAC last summer alongside their opener, Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band. The group is known for its yacht rock vibes and classic tunes “What a Fool Believes,” “Listen to the Music,” “Jesus is Just Alright,” and “China Grove,” among others.
Santana is no SPAC slacker either, having played here 14 times, most recently in 2019. Since then, the group has released two new studio albums: “Sentient” in 2025 and “Blessings and Miracles” in 2021. Santana’s signature Latin rock, jazz, and psychedelic-infused sound first reached national consciousness after a legendary performance at the Woodstock Festival in 1969. The band expanded its fame into the late 90s and early 2000s thanks to the album “Supernatural,” a massive commercial success that included the hits “Smooth” and “Maria Maria.”
Compton’s Restaurant at 457 Broadway in Saratoga Springs. Photo by Jonathon Norcross.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — In a series of recent Facebook posts, Compton’s Restaurant said that it’s being sued and threatened with eviction by its landlord.
The popular Broadway eatery that serves classic American breakfast and diner fare has been a Spa City institution for more than four decades, prompting supportive messages from many locals.
“Closing is not an option for us,” Compton’s stated in one post. “We love the business and the customers.”
The restaurant also vowed to “fight hard to continue to do what we have always done.”
Court records obtained by Saratoga TODAY showed that the building’s owner 457 Broadway LLC alleged that Shortorder Inc. (Compton’s co-owners William Maher, Sandra Compton, and Tina Maher) materially breached their lease, failed to allow the owner to enter the restaurant to perform work and make improvements, and failed to vacate pursuant to a termination notice.
457 Broadway also alleged that on July 1, 2025, Shortorder failed to pay its rent on time. (“We have provided proof that we have paid every month,” Compton’s said in one of its Facebook posts.)
As a result of these alleged breaches, 457 Broadway believes it’s entitled to a judgment of accelerated rent and additional rent owed in an amount exceeding $475,000 to be determined at trial, plus interest and attorney’s fees. (“If we lose, we are looking at eviction and around $500,000,” Compton’s said.)
According to the court documents, 457 Broadway LLC’s work on the building would result in the temporary removal of four restaurant tables. Shortorder sought compensation of $700 per day in exchange for removing the tables. After some back-and-forth that involved a lease amendment offered in exchange for a $700 per day rent credit, the two sides ultimately couldn’t reach an agreement. (In a Facebook post, Compton’s described the proposed lease amendment as “very unfavorable to us.”)
“We would not sign and just agreed to allow them to do the work with no compensation because we did not want to be evicted or sued,” Compton’s said. “At this time, they said [they] would not agree unless we signed the new lease. They decided we breached the lease.”
Compton’s also alleged that their restaurant has been dealing with frozen pipes, water leaks, dirt, fumes, and other issues as a result of construction work being done above them.
Compton’s called the whole affair “incredibly difficult, both emotionally and financially” and estimated that it could cost them more than $50,000 to fight their landlord.
“We were going back and forth for 6 months trying to figure out how we are going to handle it,” said Compton’s. “Deciding if we just wanted to relieve stress and not fight. Just look for a new location. The extra support we have felt over the last couple days made the decision easier for us. We are going to fight. We believe we have done nothing wrong. It will be a long battle and we are preparing for it.”
A GoFundMe campaign launched by William Maher in support of Compton’s had raised more than $2,400 as of Feb. 17. Presumably in an effort to raise more funds, the restaurant also announced that starting in March, it would be open seven days a week, from 6 a.m. until 2 p.m.
On Feb. 10, the Saratoga Springs High School girls and boys varsity Alpine Ski teams both captured Section 2 titles at Oak Mountain. The boys were victorious after soundly defeating Queensbury. The girls vanquished Shaker to claim their title. Photos via the Saratoga Springs City School District.
