Saratoga Springs— Over 500 guests packed into the esteemed halls of the Yaddo estate for the nonprofit’s annual summer benefit last Thursday. This was the last summer benefit for the program’s long-term president, Elaina Richardson, who is set to step down after 26 years with Yaddo. 

Yaddo is a 400-acre estate off Union Ave in Saratoga Springs. It welcomes artists from around the world to stay on site for the sole purpose of creating art. Artists from all disciplines are invited and all their expenses are paid by the nonprofit for the duration of their stay.

Local philanthropists were treated to drinks and appetizers as they bid on a silent auction which included items like tickets to the NY Giants and Kentucky Derby, a trip to Cannes, France, and even a church pew. Then guests filed into the cover of a large tent on the front lawn as intermittent rain refused to ruin the occasion. 

Mike Aldo hosted the culmination of the night along with performances by Yaddo artists. Sylver Wallace was the first act of the night, instantly captivating the audience with her velvety vocals. Audery Corsa and Max Roll followed with a playful theatrical skit. Joseph Keckler ended the night with a unique storytelling-musical performance of Yaddo. 

Richardson reflected on her tenure at Yaddo and the importance of its mission for society. 

“Now, after a quarter century of living here, unpeeling the onion of history, I have a more nuanced answer that maybe taps into the original psychology behind the Trask’s vision. Along with great wealth and privilege, they faced unimaginable sorrows. I think their belief in individual artists is tied to this knowledge of suffering, and the comfort that came to them, from books and painting, music and new ideas.”

Spencer and Katrina Trask bought the estate in Saratoga after the death of their first-born child in 1881 as a retreat for their mourning. This would be a tragically recurring event, as all four of the Trask’s children would not live beyond childhood. The original structure on the property burned down in 1891, and the mansion that stands today was constructed in 1893. In 1900, the childless Trasks co-authored a joint testimony agreement which outlined their vision for Yaddo.

“We desire to found here a permanent home to which may come from time to time for rest and refreshment authors, painters, sculptures, musicians, and other artists both men and women few in number and chosen for creative gifts and besides and not less for the power and the [will] and purpose to make these gifts useful to the world.” Neither Trask would live to see their dream come to fruition. 

On Thursday, the summer benefit raised over 200,000 dollars in support of the continuation of Yaddo’s ambitions.

“Yaddo, never indifferent, always at the heart of important issues and conversations of the day, remains just that, doubling down decade after decade, on the belief that a world without art is a world without hope,” said Richardson. 

The Saratoga Springs History Museum is inviting visitors to step out of the summer sun and into the shadows with the return of its Summer Ghost Tours of the Canfield Casino, running Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from July 1 through August 31.

Presented inside the Canfield Casino in Congress Park, the 90-minute guided tours explore the eerie legends, mysterious encounters, and haunted history connected to one of Saratoga Springs’ most iconic landmarks. Tours will start at 11:00 a.m.

Once the glittering heart of Saratoga’s Gilded Age social scene, the Canfield Casino welcomed gamblers, socialites, politicians, performers, and visitors from around the world. Today, the building is known not only for its rich history and stunning architecture, but also for the ghostly stories and unexplained happenings that have become part of its legacy.

“This tour is a fun and memorable way for visitors to experience the Canfield Casino from a completely different perspective,” said a representative of the Saratoga Springs History Museum. “It combines real Saratoga history with the ghostly legends and mysterious stories that continue to capture people’s imaginations.”

Led by museum storytellers, the Summer Ghost Tours offer a blend of history, local lore, and spooky storytelling designed for history lovers, ghost story fans, curious visitors, families, and brave summer adventurers. Guests will explore the historic rooms and halls of the Canfield Casino while hearing tales of its glamorous past, mysterious reputation, and stories that refuse to rest.

Tickets for this event can be purchased online at https://www.saratogahistory.org/events/summer-ghost-tours-of-the-canfield-casino.

Saratoga Springs— Led by Georgia Horner, “Post Time!” explores the area surrounding the Saratoga Race Course. On Sunday, June 28 at 10:30AM, uncover the stories of the exclusive Reading Rooms, the personalities who shaped racing culture, and the spaces where the sport’s history continues to unfold. From the National Museum of Racing & Hall of Fame to the Oklahoma Track and the Fasig-Tipton Sales Pavilion, this tour reveals the traditions, rivalries, and rituals that define Saratoga’s racing scene. This walking tour will give you a fresh perspective on Saratoga’s world of racing—beyond the grandstands and finish lines.

This tour does not enter the Saratoga Race Course, including the Oklahoma Track, or the National Racing Museum and Hall of Fame. This tour, which meets at the southeast corner of Nelson and Union Avenues, is sponsored by Olde Bryan Inn.

 On Sunday, July 5 at 10:30AM, Alexandra Morgan leads “Down in the Valley: Exploring the Gut.” This walking tour explores the area behind Broadway known as “The Gut,” which was home to many working-class and Jewish families who made important contributions to the community. Wander the same streets where grocers sold kosher meats beside oyster houses, where bathhouses promised cures for everything from insomnia to indigestion, and where summer boarders came seeking both mineral waters and a welcoming community. Thia tour is also sponsored by Olde Bryan Inn.

The Foundation is grateful for the generous support of the 2026 Summer Series Sponsor, Druthers Brewing Company. All Sunday morning tours begin at 10:30AM, last approximately 90 minutes, and require walking and standing on varied terrain. Tours are limited to thirty participants, and tickets must be purchased in advance. The cost per tour is $15 for SSPF members and $20 for non-members.

 For additional information on Sunday Strolls or to purchase tickets, call (518) 587-5030, email Dianne Winter, Development Director, at dwinter@saratogapreservation.org, or visit our website, saratogapreservation.org.

Connie Hochman is holding a screening of her new film, “In Balanchine’s Classroom,” in the Dutcher community room at the Saratoga Public Library on Wednesday, July 1 at 6 p.m. George Balanchine was one of the most influential ballet choreographers of the 20th century. His “Midsummer Night’s Dream” was performed during NYC Ballet’s SPAC debut in 1966. 

Hochman was a professional ballet dancer with the Philadelphia Ballet where she performed many of Balanchine’s masterworks. In 2007, Connie began a series of in-depth interviews with former Balanchine dancers to explore the phenomenon of Balanchine’s classroom. Their remembrances of his unorthodox methods and transformative teaching form the basis of “In Balanchine’s Classroom.”

The event is free, but registration is required, visit:  https://sspl.libcal.com/event/16208219?f=h to sign up.