From the Saratoga Springs chapter of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick: Treasurer Jack Parrish, Vice President Steven Rowland, President Patrick Fleming, Secretary Michael Mitchell, and Past President and Keeper of the Shillelagh Mark Phillips. Photo provided.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs chapter of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with their 74th annual dinner on March 17 at the Holiday Inn on Broadway.
The group is a fraternal organization that meets once each year on St. Patrick’s Day to honor the patron saint of Ireland and to raise money for local Catholic charitable organizations.
Last year, the organization had 122 dinner attendees and raised $5,000 for local Catholic charities.
The 2026 officers for the dinner are President Patrick Fleming, Vice President Stephen Rowland, Treasurer Jack Parrish, Secretary Michael Mitchell, and Past President and Keeper of the Shillelagh Mark Phillips.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Familiar Creature, a Montreal-inspired wine bar on Phila Street, recently won a Best Short List award (a wine list with fewer than 200 listings) from the Star Wine List.
Familiar Creature was one of only four establishments across the globe to receive the Short List honor.
“We were among some amazing wine bars from Brazil to Canada for the finals,” Familiar Creature stated in a social media announcement. “Just a little wine bar in Upstate New York that’s got a lot of heart! Just in time for our one-year anniversary.”
Star Wine List bills itself as the “Michelin guide of wine,” bestowing various honors upon restaurants and wine bars throughout the world. Familiar Creature is a “white star venue,” which means its wine offerings have been vetted and approved by Star Wine List.
Familiar Creature opened its doors in February 2025 and is owned by the team behind Hamlet & Ghost. Miles Merton is the bar’s wine director.
BALLSTON SPA — The Innovation Center at Saratoga recently announced the launch of “Entrepreneurship is Everyone’s Business,” a program designed to strengthen the local economy by helping small businesses start, grow, and succeed.
“One of the great strengths of any community is the success of its small businesses,” said Beth Moeller, founder of the Innovation Center. “This program is designed to support the businesses that shape our region’s identity and vitality—the local shops, restaurants, consultancies, and creative makers and artists that make our community special.”
“Entrepreneurship is Everyone’s Business” is tailored to support main street, hospitality, business consultancies, and creatives (including visual artists, photographers, jewelry designers, and more). Other business types are welcome, and the program is open to both early-stage businesses and ventures that haven’t launched yet.
Unlike a traditional business boot camp, the Innovation Center emphasizes continued coaching, mentorship, and community accountability over time. The program is structured in four phases:
1) Learn (February through April) with six core business classes and then two elective tracks of three classes each serving the needs of artists and creatives, as well as the more traditional business.
2) Guide (May), where class participants are paired with mentors from SCORE or Saratoga Arts to help refine their business plan and model.
3) Pitch (June), where participants present their finalized business plans and concepts to key regional funding sources, including banks, development groups, and government sources.
4) Support (July through December): This phase focuses on building peer-to-peer support networks and a community of entrepreneurs balancing work, life, and startup growth. The program culminates in Everyone’s Business Demo Day, a public showcase where graduates can gain exposure and present to community leaders, potential customers, and investors as they take the next step toward expansion.
“What sets this program apart is that we don’t just teach you and send you off,” Moeller said. “We pair you with a mentor, we bring you together with other entrepreneurs facing the same challenges, and we stay with you for the full year. That’s the kind of support our local business owners deserve.”
Program details and registration information are available at innovationcentersaratoga.org/entrepreneur.
2026 Saratoga County Economic Outlook panelists David DeMarco, Martin Shields, Benjamin Chuckrow, and Charlie Wait, Jr. Photo by Jonathon Norcross.
CLIFTON PARK — Realm Artesian Water, which has a bottling facility in Clifton Park, announced on Monday that it has received its New York State Department of Health certification and will thus begin full-scale production of its Adirondacks-sourced water.
From inception, Realm was designed as a fully closed-loop, vertically integrated water company. Realm owns and controls its artesian source, operates its own bottling facility, and manages its distribution network end-to-end. Realm’s water is transported directly from the source to the bottling facility, where it is bottled on site using stainless steel piping, advanced filtration, and “rigorous” quality control systems. The facility’s cleaning and sanitation processes use Realm’s own artesian water, helping to reduce exposure to outside contaminants.
“This level of integration is uncommon, particularly in the premium water category,” said Todd Kletter, CEO of Realm. “But it’s essential if you want to deliver a product with true integrity. The only thing inside our bottle is genuine Realm Artesian Water — nothing added, nothing compromised.”
With production now underway, Realm’s initial offering will feature a 475 mL (16 oz) still water, followed by a 750 mL hospitality format designed for fine dining and luxury service environments. A sparkling water line is scheduled to launch in Q2 2026.
An extensive sampling and placement program will begin in late February, with early distribution focused on high-end and boutique hotels, fashion houses, professional offices, wellness destinations, and premium hospitality venues.
Realm bottles exclusively in glass to preserve flavor, mineral balance, and overall quality, while reinforcing its sustainability commitments.
“We often ask a simple question — do you know where your water comes from?” Kletter said. “We can answer that with absolute certainty.”
Pre-orders are available at www.drinkrealm.com, with shipping scheduled to begin on March 1.
2026 Saratoga County Economic Outlook panelists David DeMarco, Martin Shields, Benjamin Chuckrow, and Charlie Wait, Jr. Photo by Jonathon Norcross.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Four executives representing the local institutions Arrow Bank, Adirondack Trust Company, Bouchey Financial Group, and Stifel convened last Thursday at the Excelsior Springs Event Center for an economic outlook panel.
Hosted by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, the event aimed to provide timely analysis and projections on economic conditions affecting local businesses and stakeholders, including perspectives on national and global trends and their implications for Saratoga County’s economic climate.
“I’m bullish on our local economy,” said Charlie Wait, Jr., the president and CEO of Adirondack Trust. “I think we have a lot of resilience here, more resilience than we used to have. I think we’re not just a tourist economy anymore. I think we have some light manufacturing. We have GlobalFoundries, so we have the technology piece, and I think that bodes well for the economy.”
“I can’t see how this area can’t grow, but also grow its tax base because the [GlobalFoundries] employees that are going to be coming to this area are going to be higher salaried employees,” noted Ben Chuckrow, a senior vice president at Stifel. “The other good thing is we’re going to have lots of jobs for these kids who are graduating from our great local community colleges. So I couldn’t be more optimistic about the growth of Saratoga.”
David DeMarco, president and CEO of Arrow Bank, said he agreed with the panel’s optimistic assessment but also had concerns about housing costs.
“Not to get political, I’m not going to talk about affordability, but it’s a big impact,” DeMarco said. “It’s having an impact on our communities. The cost of housing rates are coming down, but…the 10-year yield curve, the longer end, is going up. We’re never going to see the 3% interest rates we saw in mortgages…and that’s going to have a negative impact.”
“I wish there was a little bit more transportation up here so people weren’t so worried about having to buy a house so close to downtown Saratoga; that they could go out and move to areas where the houses were much cheaper,” said Chuckrow. “But people aren’t able to buy those houses because they don’t know how they’re going to get to work because they have to have a car and everything else. Growth is a very good thing, but growth is only really good if it’s anticipated and handled properly.”
Martin Shields, chief wealth advisor of the Bouchey Financial Group, said the topic of affordability was a real concern among his clients, but he also noted that median house prices in the Capital Region were significantly lower than median prices nationally and downstate.
“I think even from an affordability perspective, we’re in a good spot,” Shields said. “We do have one of the highest levels of college graduates compared to other upstate cities and even across the U.S. and New York State. So, [with] all these factors, it’s really hard not to be positive about this area. I think the big element too, is we don’t see the low lows and we don’t see the high highs. Living in that spot, it’s really beneficial.”
“I worry about the affordability that’s happening right now,” Wait said. “I worry about money coming out of the banking system, going to places like private credit, because that credit is opaque and so there could be a crisis building in there… But even in 2008, this area fared much better than other areas. I think because we don’t experience the high highs, but we also don’t experience the low lows. I think just keeping that steady growth is one of the benefits that we have in this area, and that’s what makes it such a great place to be.”
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Local land trust Saratoga PLAN (Preserving Land and Nature) announced last Friday that Executive Director Robert K. Davies will retire in June 2026, following more than four years of leading the organization. As a result, Saratoga PLAN has launched a search for its next executive director, with an anticipated start date in May 2026.
“Rob’s leadership has defined PLAN’s vision for the future,” said Jessica Schwartzman, chair of Saratoga PLAN’s board of directors. “His integrity, dedication, and deep respect for landowners and local communities have built an organization that is trusted, effective, and poised for the future. We are grateful for his service and proud of the legacy he leaves behind.”
Under Davies’ leadership, the organization will have permanently protected more than 2,350 acres of farmland, forests, wildlife habitat, and scenic landscapes across Saratoga County.
Davies focused on building partnerships with private landowners, municipalities, conservation allies, and community members. These partnerships led to the opening of the new 127-acre Curtis Preserve in the Town of Corinth, the permanent protection of Snake Hill on Saratoga Lake, and the creation of the Graphite Range Community Forest as part of the larger Palmertown Initiative.
Reflecting on his time at PLAN, Davies said, “It has been a privilege to work alongside landowners, staff, board members, volunteers, and partners who care deeply about this region and are committed to keeping it a place where people want to live, work, visit and play. Together, we’ve protected lands that will continue to define the Saratoga region for generations. I am confident Saratoga PLAN is well-positioned for its next chapter.”
PLAN’s board is seeking a mission-driven, collaborative leader with strong strategic, fundraising, and organizational management skills. More information is available at saratogaplan.org/executivedirector.
Photo of Ben Knapp via the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Joinery, a nonprofit community woodworking shop, recently announced the promotion of Ben Knapp to director of shop operations and education, a newly-created, full-time position.
In his expanded role, Knapp will oversee all aspects of Saratoga Joinery’s educational programming, developing and implementing a comprehensive curriculum strategy that serves woodworkers at every skill level. His responsibilities include partnering with instructors to ensure continuity and excellence across all classes, while developing and teaching his own courses.
“Ben’s promotion represents a significant milestone for our organization,” said Tori Colarusso, executive director of Saratoga Joinery. “His vision for accessible, high-quality woodworking education aligns perfectly with our mission. We’re incredibly fortunate to have someone of Ben’s caliber leading our educational programs as we continue to grow and serve our community.”
In his new role, Knapp will serve as the primary liaison between Saratoga Joinery’s leadership and its instructors. He will also continue to manage day-to-day shop operations while expanding the organization’s class offerings to meet the diverse interests of its nearly 150 members.
Knapp’s promotion comes as Saratoga Joinery continues to expand its programming and membership base. Members can look forward to enhanced curriculum development, expanded class options, and strengthened instructor support under Knapp’s leadership, Saratoga Joinery said in a press release.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga recently announced a new partnership with The Dake Foundation for Children that will provide equine-assisted psychotherapy sessions for children and young adults up to age 21 who face financial barriers to accessing mental health care.
The partnership will allow participants to engage in equine-assisted psychotherapy alongside a licensed clinician from ECS Psychological Services, P.C. The program is modeled after Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga’s Freedom Rein Project, which provides equine-assisted psychotherapy to veterans and service members.
Founded by Gary Dake, president of Stewart’s Shops, The Dake Foundation for Children has supported local children with disabilities since 2009. In addition to providing individual support to children and families, the foundation’s Community Grant Program assists local nonprofit organizations in expanding access to inclusive and accessible spaces and programming. Through the latest round of community grants, Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga was selected as one of the nonprofit recipients.
In a press release, Therapeutic Horses said that its new program will maintain a strong focus on transparency, documentation, and measurable impact. The number of children and young adults treated will be a key indicator of success, helping to ensure that every contribution directly supports accessible and effective mental health care.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Nil Ghoshal, president and CEO of Polyset, has been elected the 2026 chair of the board of directors of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.
Ghoshal assumed the role on Jan. 1 after Tom Bellhouse of West Point Thoroughbreds completed 2025 as chair of the board. Bellhouse stepped in mid-year to fill a vacancy as chair, extending his term of service on the board to a seventh year in 2026 as he now becomes the immediate past chair.
“I am honored and excited to serve as the chair of the board for 2026, which promises to be a prosperous year for the Saratoga County Chamber and our local economy,” Ghoshal said. “This year the Chamber has already reintroduced Health & Wellness Week for the first time since 2020 and will return to hosting monthly networking mixers in partnership with our members throughout the county. We also look forward to marking the 40th anniversary of our Leadership Saratoga program, advocating for state funds to revitalize Mechanicville through the NY Forward program and welcoming the final Belmont Stakes Racing Festival to Saratoga Race Course with an incredible Belmont on Broadway celebration in Saratoga Springs.”
The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce’s board has a total of nearly 30 volunteer members. New directors include Mike Gestwick of Bonacio Construction, Ryan McFadden of Henry Street Taproom, and Melissa Gleason of Nothing Bundt Cakes, who are all serving one-year appointments, as well as Michael Billok of Bond, Schoeneck & King; Jon Hitchcock of WNYT; Chris Lyons of AIM Services; Terri Stripling of Ten80 Education, Inc.; Najja Thompson of New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc.; Amanda Vitullo of National Grid; and Lisa Vollendorf of Empire State University.
Additional members serving on the Board in 2026 include Heath Ames of Cantina; Sue Commanda of Hudson River Community Credit Union; Matt Cudemo of Saratoga Casino Hotel; Maggie Fronk of Wellspring; Dan Graham of SM2 Development; Matt Gutch of Stewart’s Shops; Alexandra Gutelius of Clifton Park Halfmoon Library; Eric Hennessey of UHY Advisors; Dennis Kiingati of Hamlet & Ghost; Michael O’Connell of Adirondack Trust Company; David Rosenberg of Brix Wine & and Liquor; Bob Serafini of Quick Response; Elizabeth Stauderman of Skidmore College; Kim Tribley of Coffee Planet; Jill VanKuren of Saratoga Hospital; Melissa Ward of New Ward Development; and Andy Wise of Arrow Bank.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Bikeatoga—a nonprofit dedicated to making functional cycling more inclusive, accessible, and safe—announced Monday that it had surpassed two of its records and added a pair of new names to its board.
The group’s volunteer mechanics refurbish used bikes in the basement of St. Peter’s Church and send them back out to the community on a “pay what you can” basis. In 2025, local residents “adopted” a record total of 775 bikes. According to shop manager Brad Beal, that’s more than double the number of bikes adopted five years ago.
The group’s annual Saratoga Foliage Ride also set a record in 2025, bringing in 208 riders from 14 states and Canada. Ride director Ed Lindner noted that nearly 60% of those riders came from either out-of-state or more than 100 miles away within New York State.
“Saratoga Springs is a natural bike tourism destination,” Lindner said. “We’re using the Foliage Ride to get the word out.”
Bikeatoga also announced the addition of two new board members at its annual January meeting: Tina Carton and Pamela DelSignore.
Carton is a grant development manager at ChargePoint, where she works on fostering the growth of clean transportation infrastructure in the U.S. and Canada. She was previously the director of sustainability for Saratoga Springs, where she oversaw the development of numerous green transportation projects including the Downtown Connector multi-use path, the Missing Links sidewalk program, and the Henry Street Bike Pilot.
Carton said she was “excited to join the Bikeatoga board as advocacy co‐chair” and was “looking forward to helping strengthen the local community by promoting safe, accessible, sustainable transportation networks that better connect neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, and Saratoga Springs’ vibrant downtown.”
DelSignore is the finance and administration manager at the Southern Adirondack Library System, where her duties include client support services, project management, and finance. DelSignore said she looks forward to helping grow Saratoga’s biking community.
