After 40 years serving slices to Saratoga’s faithful, Pope’s Italian Restaurant is set to close its doors. Customers have a little less than a month to quench their Pope’s pizza appetite, their final day of business will be on Saturday, September 12th.

An announcement on Facebook informed the community about their closure. 

“40 years ago, a man and his wife took a risk on creating a business to support his family. Since then, Pope’s Italian Restaurant has gone on an incredible journey to building a community & becoming a staple in the Saratoga area. From our start on Broadway to our current location on Washington Street, we couldn’t have done it without you. With all good things, this journey has come to an end,” the post reads. 

The owners cited family reasons as to why they came to their decision.

“We’re ready to take a step back and focus on family— the thing that started this all. We hope you all know that though this may come as a shock to some, this isn’t a decision we made lightly, and with bittersweet hearts, we’re ready for a new chapter.”

The post has over 100 comments from customers reminiscing on memories made throughout the years: from late-night slices on Broadway, to their trusted familiarity, it is clear that Pope’s will be missed. 

Marc Holliday, a Thoroughbred owner, breeder and chairman of The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA), and his wife Sheree, an avid and competitive equestrian, were honored Wednesday, August 12, with the John Hendrickson and Marylou Whitney Award for their generous support of the New York backstretch community at the New York Race Track Chaplaincy’s 19th Annual Fundraising Brunch at the Saratoga National Golf Club in Saratoga Springs, NY.

“The backstretch community is the lifeblood of any racetrack and Sheree and I are proud to support the vital work of the New York Race Track Chaplaincy,” Marc Holliday said. “We are extremely honored to be recognized at this year’s brunch.”

As is the custom, the Hollidays were presented with a framed racing scene created by equine artist Tom Chapman from the New York Race Track Chaplaincy. On hand to assist with the award presentation was Marylou Whitney’s daughter, Heather Mabee.

Together, Marc and Sheree have been avid supporters of various NY Race Track Chaplaincy programs, especially its weekly food pantry, which benefited immensely from their generosity throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Most recently, they organized and sponsored a visit to SL Green’s SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, the world’s most immersive observatory experience with 360-degree views of New York City and beyond, for more than 85 children and family members of the backstretch community. 

Marc and his team at SL Green also formed the Food1st Foundation in 2020, which has raised nearly $9 million to deliver nearly 1.1 million meals to the vulnerable and first responders across New York.

Previous honorees at the brunch have included Johnny and Leona Velazquez, Len Green, Tracy and Todd Pletcher, Andy Serling, Irad Ortiz Jr., Anne Campbell, Edgar Prado, Michael Dubb, Fay and David Donk, Marylou Whitney and John Hendrickson, Letty and Kiaran McLaughlin, Lisa and Kenny Troutt, Debbie and Terry Finley and the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association.

During Wednesday’s brunch, Terry Finley, the chairman of the New York Race Track Chaplaincy, announced that the organization’s graduate support program has been officially named the Len and Lois Green Stride Program. The Greens provided seed funding for the effort, which begins in ninth grade and provides high school students and their families a consistent source of guidance and encouragement throughout high school and prepares them for college. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS— Saratoga Physical Therapy Associates (SPTA) is pleased to announce that Reagan O’Sullivan, DPT, has joined the clinical team at its Saratoga office, located at 5 Care Lane.

Dr. O’Sullivan is a 2026 graduate of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Russell Sage College. She brings a diverse range of clinical experiences and a strong foundation in evidence-based physical therapy practice to her new position. 

Reagan previously completed a clinical education experience at SPTA’s Malta office, where she gained experience providing evidence-based care to orthopedic and postoperative patients. Her additional clinical training included inpatient physical therapy at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany and pediatric rehabilitation with Breakthrough Physical Therapy in Cary, North Carolina. 

“We are very pleased to welcome Reagan back to Saratoga Physical Therapy Associates as a member of our professional team,” said Matthew Raco, PTA, practice manager at SPTA. “Having previously worked with Reagan during her clinical education, we saw firsthand her professionalism, clinical abilities, and commitment to her patients. Her patient-centered approach and familiarity with our practice make her an excellent addition to our Saratoga office.” 

Reagan believes in partnering with each patient to develop an individualized treatment plan that supports the person’s unique needs and goals. She is passionate about helping patients restore mobility, improve function, build confidence, and return to the activities that matter most to them.

In addition to her clinical accomplishments, Reagan held several leadership positions during her education, including president and secretary of the Doctor of Physical Therapy Student Association. Her doctoral capstone research explored the importance of belonging and community within physical therapy education programs and was presented at the Graduate Research Symposium in May 2025.

Saratoga Springs— Earlier this summer, Nate and Tonya Robinson purchased the building for their business, Max Level Fitness & Athletics. 

Tonya started her career in public relations; when she moved to Saratoga to be closer to her family, she started attending boxing classes at Raw Fitness. After a while she began coaching some classes there. 

At that time Nate was earning his Exercise Science degree from Skidmore College. Athletics has been a foundation in Nate’s upbringing; he was a year-round athlete at Saratoga Springs High School. 

“It was kind of the only thing that kept me out of trouble. Having sports to play and a team to be dedicated to kept me from being a knucklehead.”

The Robinsons wed in Congress Park in 2017. The pair met in downtown Saratoga when Tonya was home from graduate school. 

But the duo connected over their shared interest in fitness. 

“We definitely have shaped our lives together for the better. We like to travel and work out. I feel like our kids see it, too,” said Tonya.

Right before the Covid pandemic, the Robinsons opened Max Level Fitness & Athletics.

At the time there was a partition down the middle of the space; the other half was Saratoga Fit, which succumbed to financial pressure from the pandemic. 

“We had to make a decision: let another business come in, or do we double our rent and expand,” Nate told Saratoga TODAY. 

That leap of faith paid off. 

Tonya’s zoom workout classes, coupled with the extra space to social distance in the gym, helped their business survive the pandemic. 

Now the gym is bustling with athletes of all ages striving to reach their max level.

Nate and Tonya offer classes fit for a range of goals and experiences, from 30-minute-high intensity workouts to personalized strength training, to middle and high school athletes training for their upcoming season. 

“I always remember the kind of coaches that connected with me, and I always think about that with our athletes,” Nate said. “I want to be the coach that I needed back in the day.”

Every quarter, Max Level hosts an Athlete Sponsorship Fund Workout to give local youth athletes the opportunity to train at Max Level. Their goal is to provide five deserving athletes with 3 months of sponsored training completely free of charge.

For more information about the classes offered at Max Level, or the Athlete Sponsorship Program, visit: www.yourmaxlevel.com.

Glenn Harris was born and raised in the Lake George area; he grew up hunting, fishing, exploring, and seeking adventure of all sorts. Starting at the age of 16, he worked in the construction field building log cabins, stick built homes, and remodeling.

For the last 20 years, Glenn, his wife, Dayna, and their two dogs (Moose & Bear) have been doing voluntary disaster relief work down in the southern states anywhere between Louisiana and Florida. He says it has been a very enjoyable and satisfying life assisting others in their greatest time of need.

In 2018, he decided that it was time to settle down and moved back home to the Adirondacks, currently living in his home in Bolton Landing where he enjoys hiking, camping, kayaking and even ice fishing in the wintertime.

Now, Harris joins Julie & Co. Realty to provide clients with an exemplary experience, with the utmost attention to detail.