BALLSTON SPA — The diner formerly known as Route 50 has officially opened under new ownership with a new name: Doubleday.

The business revamped its interior and exterior ahead of a Sept. 6 grand opening. The menu includes plenty of diner staples, such as omelets, pancakes, waffles, soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers, and wraps. The restaurant is open seven days a week, from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Doubleday gets its name from its address (2002 Doubleday Ave. in Ballston Spa), which in turn is named after Abner Doubleday, a Union major general in the Civil War whose purported birthplace in Ballston Spa still stands and is now the home of the Real McCoy Beer Co.

The restaurant formerly known as the Route 50 Diner faced a number of issues under its previous owners, including a temporary closure following a health inspection on May 30, 2024 that revealed an apparent, ongoing pest control issue. The diner was also temporarily closed in 2023 by the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance due to alleged unpaid taxes.

BALLSTON SPA — New businesses, especially ones that require renovations of existing structures, tend to have their planned openings delayed more often than not. But the folks at Speckled Pig Brewing in Ballston Spa have bucked the trend with plans to have their new, next-door distillery serving drinks in time for a Sept. 20 Oktoberfest block party.

The occasion marks the three-year anniversary of the popular downtown brewery. Among the many activities during Oktoberfest will be free commemorative mugs for the first 150 attendees, a stein-holding competition, a dunk tank, live music, tea cup pigs, yard games, Bavarian pretzels, and pizza specials.

The new distillery, called The Still at Speckled Pig, is housed in the former home of Jim’s Garage. It will feature a modern design, outdoor patio with fire pits, and an interior glass wall revealing liquor-makers and bottlers at work. Oktoberfest revelers are invited to stop by for some craft cocktails and a sneak peek of the distillery.

MALTA — On Tuesday, Sept. 9, Allerdice Building Supply donated $5,585 to Kelly’s Angels, a local nonprofit supporting children who have lost a parent or sibling to cancer or illness. This was the second consecutive year of support, bringing Allerdice’s total donations to Kelly’s Angels to $10,560.

A check presentation took place at Allerdice Ace Hardware at 2570 Route 9 in Malta. Kelly’s Angels Founder Mark Mulholland, along with representatives from Allerdice Building Supply, attended the event.

MOREAU — Saratoga PLAN (Preserving Land and Nature), a local land trust, recently announced the permanent protection of 81 acres of forestland in the Town of Moreau through a conservation easement with private landowners Jan Kropp and Chuck Rowson.

The property serves as a wooded and scenic buffer to Moreau Lake State Park. Its protection expands connected forestland in the area to 5,445 acres, supporting rare and endangered species, wildlife corridors, clean water, and scenic views.

Jan and her husband Chuck both grew up in the Midwest and later met while living in Florida. During a visit to the Hialeah Racetrack, a friend suggested they visit Saratoga Springs. They quickly fell in love with the region and discovered the property on Old Saratoga Road while taking a scenic drive through Moreau.

“It didn’t take us 20 minutes to know this was where we wanted to be,” Jan recalled. “Chuck and I had 27 good years here, and we wanted the land to always be as good as it can be. Knowing it will be protected feels great.”

The couple had long discussed the idea of conserving their land but found that larger national organizations were not focused on smaller parcels. A referral from Retirement Planning Group in Malta led them to Saratoga PLAN. “PLAN was the only group that really took the time to talk with us about protecting our land,” Jan said. “They understood what mattered to us.”

The project is part of a larger effort to protect the remaining forestland in the Southern Palmertown Range area, a prioritized conservation area spanning 40,500 acres within the Southern Adirondack Foothills in Saratoga County. The area encompasses more than 9,000 acres of already-protected land, including key recreational hubs like Moreau Lake State Park, Lincoln Mountain and Daniels Road State Forests, and Graphite Range Community Forest. Portions of eight watersheds, including the headwaters of several rivers, are located within the Southern Palmertown Range.

One of the project’s central goals is to identify ecologically important areas that can better adapt to a changing climate, and work with municipalities and landowners like Jan and Chuck to ensure their permanent protection.

“Every property we help conserve is a piece of a larger picture,” said PLAN’s Executive Director Robert K. Davies. “Thanks to Jan and Chuck’s foresight, that picture comes more in focus as this land will continue to provide clean water, crucial wildlife habitat, and forest connectivity forever.”

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Job Showcase—an event featuring more than 50 employers representing the construction, manufacturing, energy, finance, banking, and technology industries—is scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon on Friday, Sept. 12 at Empire State University (113 West Ave. in Saratoga Springs). The showcase is open to the public and admission is free. Attendees are encouraged to bring copies of their current resume.

Along with the chance to make in-person connections with recruiters, free professional headshots will be offered on site, along with LinkedIn tips from talent recruitment expert Chistopher Thomas of Elite 9 Talent Solutions.

The morning will also include a 9 a.m. Veteran & Military Meet and Greet networking reception prior to the event. Featuring coffee, snacks, and connections, this complimentary networking hour is open to all veterans, active-duty military members, and those who serve or support veterans.

More information, including a full list of participating employers, is available at www.saratoga.org/jobshowcase.