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Author: Saratoga TODAY

12th Annual Convoy for Tots to Run Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

Over 100 vehicles from local businesses, civic organizations and emergency services agencies will participate in the 12th Annual Convoy for Tots this Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025. 

The event begins at 9:30 a.m. at the Ballston Spa Middle/High School where a drive-thru drop-off of new, unwrapped toys will take place. At 10:30 a.m. the convoy will travel north on state Route 50 to the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. 

Donations of new, unwrapped toys will also be accepted at SPAC until 12:00 p.m. Members of the public who wish to donate at either site are encouraged to participate. 

Sheriff Michael H. Zurlo welcomes 93-year-old Korean War veteran Paul O’Keefe as grand marshal this year. O’Keefe will ride with Zurlo for the convoy’s duration.

Radio personalities Quinn and Cantara will be on site to greet and thank donors. Spectators are invited to view the convoy along state Route 50.

Coordinated by the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office and supported mainly by Saratoga County first responders, the Convoy for Tots is held annually to assist Capital Region Toys for Tots, which serves over 160,000 children annually. The 10 previous convoys have collectively yielded toys valued at over $1,000,000 for distribution in the area.

Governor Hochul Announces $97 Million in Available Funds for Community-Centered, Active Transportation Projects Across New York State

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that $97.4 million in new funding is available for active transportation-related projects and programs that support the advancement of healthy lifestyles across New York State. 

Projects selected under this solicitation will support the Department of Transportation’s commitment to community-centered transportation by providing safe, reliable and resilient transportation systems. Selected projects, which include multi-use paths for pedestrians and bicyclists, will also connect communities, enhance the quality of life, protect the environment and support the economic well-being of New York State.

“By prioritizing community-centered transportation projects across the state, New York is setting a national example for transportation that is not just greener and healthier, but also boosts local economies,” Governor Hochul said. “These smart investments underscore our commitment to affordable transportation alternatives and enhanced quality of life for all New Yorkers, while protecting the environment in communities across the Empire State.”

Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funding is made available to the State through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and administered by the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT).

 “Through sensible policies that put a premium on all forms of transportation, Governor Hochul is providing New Yorkers with safe, community-centered ways to travel for work and everyday life, in the process enhancing the character and accessibility of localities,” New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said.  “These are direct investments in affordable transportation solutions that allow communities to invest in projects that enhance transportation mobility and safety.”

The following entities are eligible for funding:

• Local Governments (Counties, Towns, Cities and Villages)

• Transit Agencies

• Natural Resource or Public Land Agencies (NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, NYS Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, local fish and game or wildlife agencies)

• Tribal Governments

• Local or Regional Governmental Transportation or Recreational Trail Entity

The following entities may be eligible in partnership with entities listed above:

• School Districts

• Metropolitan Planning Organizations (serves an urbanized area with population of 200,000 or fewer)

• Regional Transportation Authorities

• Non-Governmental Organizations

Projects will be selected through a competitive solicitation process and rated based on established criteria that include public benefit, project type, eligible funding source, significance, cost-effectiveness, geographic balance and alignment with New York’s Climate Leadership & Community Protection Act. Projects must be related to the surface transportation system and provide full access to the public. The TAP project award shall be no less than $500,000 and no greater than $7.0 million for any single project.

NYSDOT will provide up to 80 percent of the total eligible project costs with a minimum 20 percent match provided by the project sponsor. Eligible project costs may include planning, design/engineering services, right-of-way acquisition, construction and construction inspection.

TAP funds a variety of transportation-related projects which increase options for non-vehicular transportation, including:

• Planning, design and construction of infrastructure-related projects to improve non-driver safety and access to public transportation and enhanced mobility.

• Construction of turnouts, overlooks and viewing areas

• Safe routes to school (enables and encourages children to walk or bike to school)

• Planning, design and construction of on-road and off-road facilities for pedestrians, bicyclists and non-motorized transportation users

• Conversion and use of abandoned railroad corridors for trails for pedestrians, bicyclists and non-motorized transportation users

• Planning, design and construction of boulevards and other roadways largely in the right-of-way of former divided highways

• Community improvement activities (inventory, control or removal of outdoor advertising, preservation of historic transportation facilities, vegetation management practices and archeological activities)

• Environmental mitigation activities

The New York State Department of Transportation will be accepting applications for this funding opportunity through March 12, 2026. The application, program guidance and workshop schedules are located at https://www.dot.ny.gov/tap-cmaq.

Local Harness Racer Competes in World Driving Championships

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.


Photo of Brett Beckwith via the Saratoga Casino Hotel.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Brett Beckwith, a Saratoga Springs High School graduate and Wilton resident, is currently representing the United States at the 2025 World Driving Championships in New Zealand. The championships include more than 20 heats run at five different racecourses across the country.

On Sunday, Beckwith earned a second-place finish from two drives at the Kaikoura Trotting Club, placing him fourth overall in the opening round of competition. He also finished third in a Nov. 2 race. As of Nov. 4, Beckwith was 7th in the championship standings with 28 total points.

“It’s been a blast so far,” Beckwith told Harness Racing New Zealand earlier this week after his second-place finish.

Beckwith launched his career as a driver at the Saratoga Casino Hotel’s harness track when he was only 18 years old. In 2021, he won 69 of 625 starts, earning the Johnny Page Driver Breakthrough award. In 2024, he was the leading driver at Saratoga with 306 wins. In his career thus far, Beckwith has accumulated at least 1,399 first-place finishes in 8,353 starts for a total purse of nearly $14 million.

The World Driving Championships will continue with additional race days scheduled for Nov. 7, 9, and 11. 

Saints Soccer Squad Wraps Up Season, Announces Award Winners

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.


The Spa Catholic girl’s soccer team poses for a team photo after defeating Germantown 2-1 at Skidmore College on Sept. 19. Photo provided by Assistant Coach Tony Nucera.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Central Catholic girl’s soccer team finished its 2025 fall season with an overall record of 7-10-1. The squad earned a 2-0 class D quarterfinal sectional win over Germantown before falling in the semis to Fort Ann.

The team was led by top scorers and captains Addison Quail and Allison Fuller, as well as defensive standouts Ava Brown (another captain), Emma Gilchrist, and Maggie Durfee. 

The Saints’ momentum shifted mid-season when Grace Schaefer began playing goal full time. During that stretch, the defense gave up 17 goals over their final 12 games and earned 4 shutouts.

Highlights of the season included nighttime wins at Skidmore College over Germantown and Gloversville, as well as a sectional win over Germantown at Saratoga Springs High School. The Saints earned the section’s 4th seed entering the postseason.

After starting 0-5-1 with a challenging early schedule that included games against Bolton, Berlin, and Cambridge, the Lady Saints piled up 7 wins in their last 12 games, which also included tough road losses to Whitehall (1-0 in double overtime) and Corinth (2-1, after leading 1-0 at halftime).

The team expects a breakout season in 2026 despite losing four seniors: Fuller, Brown, Isabella Hutter, and Anna Fitzpatrick. 13 players are set to return next year including a core group of talented starters in Schaefer, Quail, Lily Guidon, Jill Venn, and Sophia Ryan. 8th grade star Sophia Brunner, sophomore Julia Dejnozka, and juniors Ryan and Venn will work collectively to make up for the lost offensive production due to Fuller’s graduation.

The team also recently held its end-of-season banquet, and the following awards were presented:

• Team MVP: Addison Quail

• Coaches Award: Ava Brown

• Dan Cogan Award: Allison Fuller

• Most Improved: Lily Guidon

Head Coach Brian Venn and Assistant Coach Tony Nucera said they would like to thank the Lady Saints players for another “magical ride” in 2025, as well as the players’ parents for the “incredible support they provided to the team all season long.”

“Act With Respect Always” Movement Visits OESJ Elementary

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.


Coach Rich Johns, founder of “Act With Respect Always” (AWRA) and a former Saratoga Springs tennis coach, recently spent a day at the Oppenheim-Ephratah-St. Johnsville (OESJ)  Elementary School, delivering two presentations and recognizing a number of students and teachers with the AWRA Starfish Award. Pictured here are the students in Mrs. McNulty’s class, with Coach Johns, prior to signing the school banner. “Act With Respect Always” presentations are designed to build respect and leadership, teach positive and constructive behavior, and stop bullying before it starts. Photo provided by Rich Johns.

Skidmore Riding Team Wins Again

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.


Photo of Skidmore riding team junior captain Ani McIntyre via Eye Was Here Photography/Skidmore College Athletics.

GUILDERLAND — The Skidmore College equestrian team won their second show of the season, which was hosted by Siena University at Dutch Manor Stable on Nov. 1. Junior Captain Ani McIntyre rode away with the High Point Rider prize and was also awarded the Ride of the Day. The team added 5 blue ribbons to their tally for the Blue Ribbon Challenge.

The riders’ first blue ribbon of the day was won by Ian Guadio, in his Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) debut in the Intermediate Fences on Skidmore’s Stella. Penelope York also showed for the first time in the IHSA, winning her Limit Fences classes. McIntyre soon followed with another blue in the Limit Fences.

The Open riders were back to their winning ways for the second half of the day, with Isa Jensen winning her Open Flat on Skidmore’s Milan. McIntyre returned to win her Limit Flat class, earning her the High Point Rider honors. Sierra Wiser rode to second place in her first IHSA competition, and Catherine Epstein finished the day with a blue ribbon in the Introductory Equitation.

The team next competes in the Skidmore College Show doubleheader on Nov. 15 at the Van Lennep Riding Center.

Saratoga Rowers Win Big at Head of the Fish

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.


Hannah Paynter, winner of the Women’s Open 1x at the 2025 Head of the Fish regatta. Photo via ARION Rowing.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Athletes from the Saratoga-based ARION (Advanced Rowing Initiative of the Northeast) program excelled at the 2025 Head of the Fish regatta at the end of October, with Hannah Paynter winning the Women’s Open 1x and the team of Sophia Ortega and James Schmidt winning the Mixed Open 2x.

“ARION athletes raced hard, worked all over the regatta, and even put together some great costumes,” ARION said in a social media post. “Grateful for the [Saratoga Rowing] community and to all the competitors who came out.”

The ARION program has sent some of its athletes to the Olympics, including Kristi Wagner and Lauren O’Connor, who both finished ninth overall in their respective events at the 2024 games in Paris, France.

Head of the Fish is one of the largest regattas in the country, bringing more than 160 teams and 1,600 crews from across the northeast to compete in Saratoga Springs.

Opera Saratoga Celebrates 65th Anniversary, Announces “Next Chapter”

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.


Image provided by Opera Saratoga.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Opera Saratoga is celebrating its 65th anniversary with a “modern new minimalism that makes room for maximum drama,” the company announced last Friday.

“With a move towards the future, Opera Saratoga announces an upcoming season that is stripped down, up close, and unmistakably NOW,” said General and Artistic Director Mary Birnbaum in a news release. “The modern audience has made it clear that it wants to connect with art that has a level of realness and purity. So, we’re pushing imagination to take center stage with minimal scenery and maximum drama.”

After the company’s first-ever winter offering, a semi-staged “La bohème” at Universal Preservation Hall on Dec. 5, the company will produce a touring education opera, “Stone Soup,” by Mark Campbell and Joe Illick. This opera will tour over 30 schools and community venues throughout March.

In May, Opera Saratoga and the Glimmerglass Festival will partner to present Kurt Weill, Berthold Brecht, and Elizabeth Hauptmann’s “Happy End.” Censored after its second performance in Germany in 1929, “Happy End” is a satire of “big business and big religion.” The show will be music directed by Robert Ainsley, the artistic and general director of the Glimmerglass Festival, and it’ll feature Ana Karneža, who won the Kurt Weill Foundation’s Lotte Lenya competition in 2024. The performance will be directed by Birnbaum in collaboration with the Glimmerglass Festival dramaturg Kelley Rourke. The piece will tour venues all over the state, including two performances at Universal Preservation Hall on May 28 and 30.

“This is an exciting new model of producing opera where regional companies partner with each other to bring opera to individual communities rather than expecting them to travel to us,” Birnbaum said.

The Opera Saratoga Summer Festival season, which features 20 rising opera stars selected from a pool of 850, will continue with the following performances: 

Rodgers & Hammerstein concert at the Mansion of Saratoga on May 31; 

Festival Artist Portrait Concerts focused on what made the singers want to become artists at Saratoga Arts on May 20 & 27 and June 3 & 10; 

Fully staged productions from June 20-28 of Lerner and Loewe’s “My Fair Lady,” Donizetti’s “The Elixir of Love,” and a workshop of “Drift” from Opera Saratoga’s first ever mainstage commission from an all-female team, composer Alyssa Weinberg and librettist, J. Mae Barizo.

In addition to these programming announcements, Opera Saratoga also announced the appointment of pianist, coach, and educator Adam Nielsen to the company as the head of music staff and director of the festival artist program.

“Adam’s work on the music staff of the Metropolitan Opera, as a recitalist with major opera stars like Davòne Tines and Ryan Speedo Green, as well as his work as an educator at The Juilliard School, make him a perfect fit to lead the Festival Artist Program into the next era of Opera Saratoga,” Birnbaum said. “In addition, we are so lucky to have Laurie Rogers continuing to lead the company in a new role as director of artistic operations.”

For more information about Opera Saratoga, visit operasaratoga.org.

Tang Museum to Host Event Exploring Ancient Roman Religion

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery at Skidmore College announced on Tuesday the second Dunkerley Dialogue of the 2025-26 season, scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 13 at 6 p.m. and featuring artist Sheila Pepe in conversation with Brigitte Keslinke and Skidmore’s Gregory Spinner.

The three participants will discuss the cult of Mithras, a Roman mystery religion in which ritual meals played a central role. The talk will be followed by a re-creation of a Mithraic feast, featuring dishes (grilled meats, grains, bread, dried fruit, spiced olive oil, and wine) that are based on the archaeological record.

Admission to the event is free. For more information, contact the Tang Visitors Services Desk at 518-580-8080 or visit tang.skidmore.edu.

Local Artist’s Solo Exhibition Concludes Nov. 9

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.


Artwork by local artist Kate Edwards provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Spring Street Gallery will be hosting “Harvest to Horizon,” a solo exhibition of paintings by local artist Kate Edwards, until Nov. 9. Edwards’ work reflects on landscapes and still lifes, with familiar scenes from the Adirondack region.

“Overall, Edwards’ style is painterly in the truest sense: expressive, textured, and guided by an emotional response to her subject rather than rigid precision,” said Belinda Colón, curator and director, in a news release.

A multidisciplinary artist, Edwards also specializes in fine art framing and co-owns Kettlewell & Edwards at 13 Phila Street in downtown Saratoga.

Spring Street Gallery’s hours are Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; or by appointment by emailing springstreetgallerylist@gmail.com at least 24 hours in advance. The gallery is located at 110 Spring Street.