SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Spring Water, the increasingly popular water brand founded in Saratoga Springs in 1872, announced on Monday that WNBA and Unrivaled basketball star Skylar Diggins would be the face of its newest advertising campaign.

The first chapter of the campaign will run across TV, digital, and print media nationwide starting this week, Primo Brands announced in a press release.

“Our new campaign with Skylar, and the chapters to come later in the year, reflect Saratoga’s expansion into a broader cultural space,” said Kheri Tillman, CMO of Primo Brands. “Skylar is extraordinary on and off the court, and an ascendant figure in culture. If you could capture a perfect storm in a bottle – of talent, energy, strength and style – she’s it.”

“Saratoga is my go-to for staying hydrated while I’m on the go, and I love how that comes to life in the campaign,” Diggins said.

Following Monday’s debut of the campaign, Diggins will attend the Golden Globes, where Saratoga will return as the “official water” of the show.

In her college career, Diggins led Notre Dame to two consecutive NCAA championship appearances. She’s a 7-time WNBA All-Star, receiving the honor as recently as 2025. She also plays in Unrivaled, a three-on-three women’s basketball league created in 2023.

In March 2025, Saratoga Water went viral thanks to a social media video created by fitness influencer Ashton Hall. In the short video, Hall repeatedly dunks his face into a large bowl filled with icy Saratoga Water.

Saratoga Spring Water Co. maintains a bottling plant on Geyser Road in Saratoga Springs.

CLIFTON PARK — Mazzone Hospitality, a catering and hospitality services company based in Saratoga County, recently announced a partnership with Lake House Guest Cottages of the Berkshires, owned by builder and entrepreneur Eric Taylor. Mazzone will be the exclusive caterer and managing partner of the luxury retreat and wedding venue located in Lanesborough, Massachusetts.

“The Lake House is a one-of-a-kind, four-season retreat and wedding venue and we couldn’t be more excited to partner with Eric Taylor, a highly respected local builder and developer, to help grow this destination property,” said Vice President of Mazzone Hospitality Tim Vennard. “Having previously catered an event at the Lake House Cottages, we have always been interested in returning to the Berkshires to serve local clientele.”

Taylor built the Lake House Guest Cottages of the Berkshires in 2015-2016. The resort today largely serves as a premier weekend wedding destination for guests from across the United States and as far away as Europe, Asia, and Australia.

“My goal has been to expand our current capabilities and to elevate this beloved property into more of a year-round destination. Once I started to research Mazzone Hospitality, I was immediately impressed with their own evolution,” said Taylor. “Mazzone has built a stellar reputation for serving premier guests and properties, and I firmly believe they will be great stewards of the Lake House and a welcome addition to the local community.”

Located one hour from Albany, two hours from Boston, and minutes from Tanglewood, the all-season cottage resort is situated on Pontoosuc Lake in the foothills of the Berkshires with Mount Greylock, the highest peak in the state, as a prominent backdrop to the west. Its lodging features seven cottages, ranging from two to four bedrooms.

Mazzone Hospitality currently serves numerous venues in Saratoga Springs, including the Saratoga National Golf Club, the Hall of Springs, and the 1863 Club at Saratoga Race Course.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — With the support of a record 125 Saratoga County businesses, Toys for Toga donated an estimated 5,500 toys to three Saratoga County nonprofit human services organizations on Dec. 17.

Included in this year’s donation was $18,000 in gifts and technology specifically designated for teenagers—an age group that often has the greatest unmet needs during the holiday season. These donations were made possible through sponsor support and the community fundraising efforts that have been the foundation of Toys for Toga since its inception. Items included video game consoles, tablets, headphones, scooters, bikes, clothing, and other wish-list items requested for specific children.

Toys for Toga donations are split evenly between the Franklin Community Center, CAPTAIN Community Human Services, and the Mechanicville Area Community Services Center.

The donations were delivered to beneficiary organizations following a press conference held at DeCrescente Distributing Company in Mechanicville. 

According to the recipient organizations, an estimated 1,700 children across Saratoga County will benefit from this year’s donations.

Toys were collected at local restaurants, hotels, bars, retail stores, schools, clubs, and other community locations from Nov. 3 through Dec. 13.

“Toys for Toga was founded on community partnership and a common goal of making the holidays special for the kids in need right here in our community,” said Toys for Toga Founder Max Oswald. “We really saw that spirit come to life this year, with the most toys we’ve ever collected at a time when they are needed the most. Thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s program a huge success.”

Other fundraising efforts in this year’s Toys for Toga campaign included:

• Death Wish Coffee gave away free coffee for toys at their downtown Saratoga Springs offices.

• Druthers Brewing Company made four packs and kegs of its Toys for Toga Winter Ale, distributed by DeCrescente Distributing Company, that benefited the program.

• Sponsors DeCrescente Distributing Company, Death Wish Coffee, Sun Cruiser Iced Tea Vodka, Saratoga Water, Holiday Inn Saratoga Springs, and more, returned this year.

• New supporters Green River Distillery and New Country Toyota.

• Fundraising/toy collection events at Saratoga Tattoo Company, Cantina Restaurant, Kings Tavern, the Victorian Street Walk, Quick Response Restoration and more.

Founded in 2013, Toys for Toga is a locally-run community partnership and fundraiser that collects toys and raises money to give local kids happy holidays.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The former Brick At 2 West location on the west side of Saratoga has reopened as The Divot, a golf-themed bar and grill run by the previous owners’ daughter.

Erika Schreifels and a silent partner/golf enthusiast rebranded the eatery with the aim of both appealing to sports fans and making their mark (or “divot”) on the Spa City.

“It’s definitely not just like The Bunker,” Schreifels told Saratoga TODAY, referring to the popular spot downtown that has seven golf simulator bays. “It’s more of a family restaurant. We like to do events and catering.”

The Divot’s menu is expansive, offering everything from chicken wings to pizzas and burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, tacos, and salads. It also serves brunch every day, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.

One special menu item is The Glizzy, which The Divot describes as a four-ounce Duroc and Wagyu hot dog stuffed with cheese, wrapped in cocoa rubbed bacon, topped with warm beer cheese, and finished with a “bright snap” of spicy pickles. The Glizzy’s ingredients are something of a nod to horse racing. The Duroc pig is said to be named after a racehorse called Duroc (who was, in turn, named after Géraud Duroc, a close friend of Napoleon Bonaparte).

Schreifels, who previously served as the general manager of Brick At 2 West for 15 years, also said that a putting green simulator was due to arrive at The Divot around mid-February.

The Divot is open Monday through Sunday. The kitchen is open from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m. and the bar serves drinks from 9 a.m. until 11 p.m.

CLIFTON PARK — Kyle Rogers has been named senior vice president, public relations manager for M&T Bank’s Western New York and Upstate Regions. Rogers will succeed Thea Pecht, who was promoted to the role of head of Western New York strategic initiatives in the office of Regional President and Chief Administrative Officer Tracy Woodrow.

Before joining M&T, Rogers worked at Highmark Health, where he led corporate communication strategies for the $29 billion healthcare company across its New York market.

At M&T, Rogers will serve as spokesperson and oversee all external communications and public and media relations for the bank’s Western New York and Upstate New York regions. This includes 180 branch locations surrounding Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Utica, Albany, Watertown, Elmira, and Binghamton.

M&T is a financial holding company headquartered in Buffalo. It has a branch in Clifton Park.

HALFMOON — Capital District Cannabis & Wellness recently opened its newest location at 1508 US-9 in Halfmoon, marking the occasion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Dec. 4.

“We’re proud to continue growing within the community and look forward to new opportunities, partnerships, and ways to better serve our customers,” the business said. “Thank you for supporting us as we expand and continue to make a positive impact in the Capital District.”

The business, which also has outposts in Albany and Schenectady, bills itself as New York State’s first majority woman-owned dispensary. Its Halfmoon location is the dispensary’s first in Saratoga County.