SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Physical Therapy Associates (SPTA), which has locations in both Saratoga Springs and Malta, recently announced the addition of new staffers.  

Daniel Mackey, DPT, in Saratoga Springs, and Randy Baisy, DPT, in Malta, both of whom hold doctorates in physical therapy from The Sage Colleges, have joined the practice as junior partners and will assume the roles of clinical managers in their respective locations.  

Matthew Raco, PTA, a clinician with SPTA for 20 years, has also become a junior partner and assumed the position of practice manager, and will continue to deliver patient care. 

“Mackey, Baisy, and Raco are determined to help patients overcome challenges and improve their quality of life,” said Michael Cudahy, a founder of SPTA.  

Cudahy and his fellow senior partner Matthew O’Neil will continue to see patients, as well as focus on the growth, outreach, and operations of SPTA.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — 444 acres of wooded forestland within the Southern Palmertown Range in the towns of Wilton and Greenfield have been permanently protected, Saratoga PLAN (Preserving Land and Nature) recently announced.

Landowners Joanne and Thomas Klepetar, working in partnership with Saratoga PLAN, ensured that the forested property was protected from development.

“Being temporary stewards of this land has given us, along with our four children, the ability to roam it for the past four decades since acquiring the first parcel in 1988,” the Klepetars said. “Our future hope is to work with PLAN to help develop trails for public access.”

Forested parcels of this size are increasingly rare in Saratoga County, the second-fastest growing county in New York State.

“Growth is an important and inevitable part of Saratoga County’s future, but how and where that growth happens matters,” said Robert Davies, executive director of Saratoga PLAN. “When we work together as a community and plan strategically, protecting places like this helps guide smart growth, build more resilient communities, and maintain the character of the region. After all, we don’t want to lose the very reason people want to live, work, and play here.”

The recently conserved property is part of a larger initiative to protect remaining forestland in the Southern Palmertown Range area, a prioritized conservation area spanning 40,500 acres within the Southern Adirondack Foothills. The area provides a critical corridor for wildlife movement and the ability to adapt to changing climate conditions, said Saratoga PLAN.

The newly-protected, 444-acre property has the potential to play a connecting role in the future expansion of the Sarah B. Foulke Friendship Trails, an envisioned network of more than 50 miles of trails with a core trail running from Saratoga Spa State Park to Moreau Lake State Park.

ALBANY — Albany International Airport (ALB) announced last Friday that United Airlines will launch new, year-round nonstop service between Albany and Denver International Airport (DEN), beginning April 30, 2026. The new route will operate daily on a Boeing 737-800.

Denver is one of the nation’s key airline hubs, serving as a gateway to the Mountain West and West Coast.

The new service aligns with ALB’s ongoing Concourse A Revitalization Project, a $13.36 million investment to modernize the gates and passenger areas, which are primarily used by United Airlines.

United currently offers nonstop service from Albany to Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and Washington Dulles (IAD). The addition of Denver further expands United’s network at ALB.

The announcement follows a record-setting year for Albany International Airport. In 2025, just shy of 3.2 million travelers passed through the terminal, marking the busiest year in the airport’s history.

Tickets for United’s Albany–Denver service are available for purchase through united.com and the United mobile app.

BALLSTON SPA — The former Real McCoy Beer. Co. location in Ballston Spa will soon reopen as a Back Barn Brewing outpost, the company announced last Thursday.

The historic former home of Civil War General Abner Doubleday at 28 Washington Street will once again be the site of a brewery after the business’ six-year partnership with Real McCoy ended on Dec. 29.

“The connection we had when first meeting Mike and Bona Schaffer was immediate and positive with shared values, love for craft beer and history, and community relationships,” said Back Barn Brewing in its announcement. “The decision to bring Back Barn Brewing’s beer to Ballston Spa was an easy one. We are excited and look forward to becoming a part of Ballston Spa’s local community, and hopefully, you are as excited as we are! Stay tuned for opening dates and more.”

Back Barn is a farm brewery based out of a renovated barn in Delanson, a village in Schenectady County about 50 miles southwest of Saratoga.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Clay Arts Center recently announced the participating restaurants for its 13th Annual Chili Bowl Fundraiser, taking place Saturday, Jan. 31 at the Saratoga Springs City Center.

Five local restaurants will compete for the title of “Best Chili 2026,” with the winning chef receiving a handmade ceramic trophy crafted by artists from Saratoga Clay Arts Center. This year’s confirmed lineup includes: Thorn + Roots (returning 2025 Best Chili winner), 9 Miles East, Morrissey’s Restaurant, Noah’s Restaurant, and The Olde Bryan Inn.

The Chili Bowl Fundraiser typically draws more than 1,000 attendees for a day celebrating food, art, and community. Guests can enjoy chili tastings served in handmade ceramic bowls created by regional artists, as well as live music performed by CC Smokes.

Proceeds from the event will benefit three local organizations: Saratoga Clay Arts Center, supporting clay arts education and community programming; To Life!, providing education and support for those affected by breast cancer; and the Wilton Food Pantry, helping address food insecurity in the region.

Registration for the event is now open. Tickets may be purchased online at www.saratogaclayarts.org.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Founded in 2024, Saratoga Floral Design has recently undergone some significant changes, joining forces with Jan’s Florist and undergoing a five-month-long renovation.

The company officially merged with Jan’s in October of last year, opening a new storefront at 3 Marion Avenue in the Spa City. The transition brought together Jan Murphy’s decades of experience with a new vision for the shop under a new name. Murphy herself remains actively involved in the operation and continues to personally design floral arrangements alongside Saratoga Floral Design’s Paulina Hoag.

Originally from Poland, Hoag has been living in the United States for 17 years, building a life and career. Her design style is influenced by European floral traditions that emphasize natural movement, thoughtful composition, and refined simplicity.  

“After years of supporting and managing businesses behind the scenes, I felt inspired to create something of my own—something rooted in creativity, hard work, and community,” Hoag told Saratoga TODAY. “When the opportunity arose to continue a beloved local flower shop, it felt like a meaningful next chapter in my journey.”

In addition to custom floral arrangements, Saratoga Floral Design offers a curated selection of gifts for all occasions, including products from small businesses such as baby gifts, items for dog and cat lovers, and specialty treats. The shop also hosts flower-arranging workshops. 

“Above all, our goal is to be more than a flower shop—to be a place where people feel at home and part of the community,” Hoag said.

For more information, visit jans-florist.com.

Photos of Chelsey Lester and Susan Nixon provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Lemery Greisler LLC, a Capital Region business law firm with an office in Saratoga Springs, recently announced that Susan Nixon, Esq. has become a member. The firm also announced the promotion of Chelsey Lester, Esq. to principal attorney.

Nixon focuses her practice in the areas of real estate, economic development and project development, banking and commercial finance, trust formation and administration, estate planning and administration, and succession planning.

Lester concentrates her practice in a range of business law areas, including formation and governance of business entities, labor and employment matters, contract review and drafting, mergers and acquisitions, securities, and corporate finance. Lester also has experience enforcing creditors’ rights in commercial financing transactions.

Lemery Greisler LLC is a business law firm with offices in Saratoga Springs and Albany.