The Village of Ballston Spa will play host to a public presentation July 18.
BALLSTON SPA— For the first time in decades, the Village of Ballston Spa Zoning Advisory Committee is in the process of updating their Zoning Code and is seeking public input.
In advance of the village’s Rezoning Workshop, planned to take place in early October, a public informational presentation on zoning basics will be presented 7 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 18 and again on Thursday, Aug. 15 at the Cornell Cooperative Extension Auditorium, 50 West High St.
The presentation builds on the 2023 Comprehensive Plan and the discussions of the Zoning Advisory Committee, or ZAC, an 11-member committee charged with updating zoning recommendations for Village Board consideration with the primary goal of preserving the village character, enhancing its quality of life, and promoting economic growth as per the village Comprehensive Plan.
The meeting space is accessible and there is ample parking on site. Attendees unable to meet in person can participate through a Zoom link posted to the village website at: ballstonspa.gov.
Grasso’s Italian Ice, photo capture via Grasso’s Italian Ice Facebook.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The truck is currently in storage in an undisclosed location, the near century-old recipe a secret, known only to a select few.
To this day, generations of Saratogians react with a hint of a smile or an expression of emotional delight in their memories of glimpsing that white 1954 International Harvester truck rolling down their street.
In a place where nostalgia melts inside recollections of the warm summer days of childhood, descendants of the family who created a local 20th century tradition have undertaken an effort to preserve a tradition and potentially create new memories in the future by placing that 1954 truck back on the road.
To that point, the Grasso Family has initiated a crowdfunding effort on the Gofundme platform titled: “Help Revive Saratoga’s Iconic Grasso’s Italian Ice Truck.”
The story’s origins trace back to the 1920’s when Ralph Grasso emigrated from his native Tufino, Italy and settled in Brooklyn with his brother, landing in Saratoga Springs a few years later. Grasso worked in the construction and masonry trades and began making lemon ice which he sold on his off-days and weekends as a side business.
“My great-grandfather, Ralph Sr., got the original recipe from a friend in Brooklyn when he came over from Italy,” says Sophia Grasso. “He would hand-crank the ice. Obviously, there weren’t premade flavors back then, so he squeezed fresh lemons and oranges.”
After an accident at work left Grasso seeking other areas of employment, the side-business became a full-time venture. By the late 1930’s, he dispatched with the pull wagon from which he operated his ice business and purchased his first truck.
The white 1954 Metro International truck would later follow.
“Their lemon ice was always part of our time at St. Michael’s back in the 1950’s. It was always part of our play time at St. Peter’s Academy,” says Mary Ann Fitzgerald, who grew up on the city’s west side and today serves as Saratoga Springs City Historian. “He used to pull up at the corner by Williams and Hamilton and park right there. We would be playing in the playground and always make sure we had five cents with us to go get lemon ice.”
For several decades, the ice cream truck was an iconic fixture in the city, and while the frame of the truck is intact, years of wear and tear have left it in desperate need of restoration. Enter The Grasso Family and the gofundme effort.
The Plan: Things like the brake system will be completely overhauled, with a 6V system changed to a 12V system, making possible better lighting options. The same motor will be rebuilt. The body will have all the dents removed and painted the colors that it has had for 50 years – red, white and blue. As far as the freezers, compressor, storage areas – things needed to make it fully operational – they will be incorporated into the project.
The cost of the project is $28,300. Just over $2,000 has been raised toward that goal.Renovation is anticipated to start in the fall with the truck ready to roll in time for the 2025 season.
The Grassos used to make spumoni and ice cream sandwiches mostly from scratch in earlier days. The plan moving forward does not currently include serving ice cream, although the ice will return as per Ralph Grasso’s secret recipe.
“He perfected the recipe and it’s the same one we’ve been using in our family ever since,” says Sophia Grasso. “Only a few of us even know the recipe and those people are my father, Ralph the 3rd, my grandfather, Ralph Jr., and myself. It will be the only recipe we use.”
Ralphy Grasso Sr. passed away on Christmas Eve in 1985 at the age of 86, and was still making and vending the ‘lemon ice’ the previous summer. Today, it is his grandchildren and great-grandchildren continuing to carry on the family tradition.
“When we went to the football game, we could count on it being there. When we went to the baseball game, we could count on it. Lemon ice,” recalls Fitzgerald, whose 1999 interview with Ralph Grasso, Jr. is preserved as valued source material as part of the West Side Oral Narrative Project, and housed at the Saratoga Springs Public Library.
Fitzgerald recounted a more recent event that occurred while the truck was still on the road.
“I was going up Lake Avenue and saw the truck for the first time after many years. It was parked outside the East Side Rec and I just pulled right over. I got two lemon ices to go, for my husband and I. I could not just go by the truck,” she says. “If you see lemon ice you pull over! That’s just what you do.”
For more information about the gofundme project to revive Saratoga’s Iconic Grasso’s Italian Ice Truck, GO HERE. .
Rower Christian Penny poses with his dad Chris after winning a silver medal at the USRowing Youth National Championships in Sarasota, Florida this month. Photo provided by Chris Penny.
Homeschooler Wins Silver Medal
SARASOTA, FLORIDA — Despite not having the advantages of a public school athletic program, Mohawk Homeschool Rowing Association’s Christian Penny captured a silver medal in the Men’s U17 1x at the USRowing Youth National Championships in Florida earlier this month.
Christian, who lives in Saratoga Springs, was coached by his father Chris Penny at the event.
“Based on his times,” Chris said, “we were pretty confident or hopeful that he would make it to the grand finals.”
In the finals, Christian finished with a time of 07:38.46, about 7 seconds behind first.
Chris, who is also board president of the Mohawk Homeschool Rowing Association, said it’s important for homeschoolers to “have an athletic outlet that isn’t just recreation, where you can compete at a pretty high level.”
The association doesn’t have the funding or resources of public school rowing teams, and thus subsists on dues and private fundraising efforts.
“Homeschoolers are sort of a different breed,” Chris said. “Our resources are relatively limited.”
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But none of that has stopped Christian from becoming a successful rower. He took up the sport in fifth grade and hopes to continue through college. He placed first in the Men’s U17 Single event at the New York State Rowing Championships, which allowed him to qualify for the Youth National Championships in Florida.
Girls and Boys Teams Successful
The Saratoga Rowing Association (SRA) also competed at nationals, with six teams qualifying for the event in Florida.
“After having watched the group qualify in person at the State Championships, I can attest that this group was on a clear mission to not only achieve top results with the most senior boats, but qualify and contend with a strong deep program,” SRA’s Co-Executive Director Eric Catalano told Saratoga TODAY.
The U16 girls team finished 9th in the country in the eights division.
Team members included Emilia Acquavella (coxswain), Sophie Sampanthar (seat 8/stroke), Caroline Jackson (seat 7), Isabella “Pisa” Bonitatibus (seat 6), Meghan Kempf (seat 5), Sabrina Maglienti (seat 4), Rylie Sheldon (seat 3) Katie Oke (seat 2), and Catherine Fedoroff (seat 1/bow).
The team is coached by Ronnie Cantrell, who recently accepted an offer to become the men’s freshman rowing coach at the University of Virginia.
Other SRA achievements included top 10 finishes with the senior boys eight and the senior girls eight.
“We, the greater community, are so proud of the work and effort the youth rowers put into this sport, and were thrilled to see those efforts rewarded with strong performances at the national level,” Catalano said.
Saratoga Springs and Ballston Spa High Schools celebrated their 2024 commencement ceremonies this week at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC). Photos via the SPAC live stream.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Springs and Ballston Spa High Schools both celebrated their Class of 2024 commencement ceremonies at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) this week, with the Scotties gracing the SPAC grounds on Tuesday afternoon and the Blue Streaks following suit on Wednesday morning.
Speakers at both events praised graduates for persevering through the COVID-19 pandemic and for giving back to the community.
Ballston Spa
The Ballston Spa commencement ceremony opened with the high school ensemble performing an orchestral rendition of the Coldplay song “Clocks,” perhaps a nod to the young adults reflecting on the passage of time.
In a speech, Student Government President Catherine Miller praised her class for its open-mindedness. “The ability to question and appreciate the opinions and ideas of others made for a strong and respectful learning community,” Miller said.
“The changes coming will not be easy,” Miller added. “There will be days when you want to give up, but you won’t.”
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Valedictorian Brooke Cearley echoed Miller’s comments about challenging but exciting times ahead for her classmates. “It’s time to be uncomfortable and face change and walk into the unexpected,” Cearley said.
After all the diplomas were handed out to the Ballston Spa graduates, air horns and golden confetti filled the air in celebration.
Saratoga Springs
Saratoga Springs showcased its talented musicians and singers as attendees filled the SPAC amphitheater on Wednesday morning. 448 students gathered for the 151st high school commencement ceremony.
Speakers emphasized the Class of 2024’s commitment to bettering their community. The graduating class donated more than 180 pints of blood to the Red Cross; and on Seniors Giveback Day, more than 600 hours of time was donated to local nonprofits.
“Your school spirit and care for each other are what define you as a group of students,” said High School Principal Michelle Tsao.
Before diplomas were handed out, some students received special recognition. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michael Patton honored the six graduates who will go on to serve in the armed forces. Principal Tsao also awarded the 113th annual Yaddo Medal, which she called “the most prestigious award given by our school district,” to students Carlie Friedman and Adam Brown.
A moment of silence was observed for Anthony Stefanacci, a student who tragically passed away last month. Anthony’s tearful parents went up on stage to receive his diploma, as well as a medal honoring his civic engagement.
After being presented with their diplomas, the graduating class tossed their caps into the air in celebration of their achievements.
The “conceptual plan” for the proposed, mixed-use Camber Ridge development in Malta, which would replace the Albany-Saratoga Speedway. Image via the development’s website.
MALTA — A plan to build retail stores and hundreds of residential units on the current site of the Albany-Saratoga Speedway was met with resistance at a Malta Town Board meeting earlier this month.
During the June 3 meeting, representatives from Five Corners Development and The NRP Group delivered a lengthy presentation about their proposed mixed-use Camber Ridge development during the public comment period, which is usually reserved for town residents to make three-minute statements. The NRP Group’s Jonathan Gertman said he hoped the presentation would “shock and delight” the town.
After the presentation went on for about 20 minutes, Councilperson Barbara Conner interrupted to say that she had no idea the presentation was going to happen and that discussion of the Camber Ridge development wasn’t on the agenda. “I don’t know anything about this and I feel a little blindsided,” Conner said. “I’m looking at some of our friends and neighbors out there who have things to say to us and I don’t think this is the right time, and I would’ve appreciated knowing we were going to have this kind of presentation.”
A meeting attendee blasted the developers’ presentation, calling it “totally inappropriate” and “absolutely ridiculous.” The presentation had interrupted many Malta residents who wanted to speak about a proposed State Police barracks in the town’s Luther Forest neighborhood.
The nearly 50-acre Camber Ridge development is set to include “some element of senior housing, some element of multifamily housing across mixed incomes, as well as the potential for affordable home ownership,” according to the June 3 presentation.
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A conceptual plan showed buildings that would house a brewery, commercial space, apartments, townhomes, green space, and a courtyard/amenity area.
“This multiphase mixed-use project aims to transform the recreational site into a vibrant community consisting of housing, retail, community amenities, and walking trails,” said a statement on the Camber Ridge website.
The development would replace the Albany-Saratoga Speedway, where racing may no longer occur after the 2025 season. The developers said they planned to keep the track’s legacy alive to “appease race fan enthusiasts.”
It will be some time before the project can be fully approved by the town. The developers are making a formal proposal this summer and hope to reach the site plan approval process by the end of next year.
July 4 Celebration in Saratoga Springs features live music, Flag Day parade, and a fireworks display.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga’s All-American Celebration is back on July 4 in downtown Saratoga Springs.
The day will include the annual Firecracker4 Road Race, the Saratoga-Wilton Elks’ 55th annual Flag Day parade, a family-friendly concert featuring Tops of Trees and a spectacular fireworks display. All events are free and open to the public.
This year will also feature the Saratoga-Wilton Elks Flag Day parade, rescheduled due to June’s Belmont Stakes Racing Festival.
Schedule of events:
– Firecracker Road Race 4 begins at 9 a.m. at the Saratoga Springs City Center
– Saratoga-Wilton Elks’ 55th annual Flag Day parade steps off at 5 p.m. on Broadway
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– Tops of Trees performs from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on Ellsworth Jones Place stage
– Fireworks display starts shortly after 9 p.m. from the top level of the Saratoga Springs City Center Garage
The event is organized by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce. Saratoga’s All-American Celebration draws thousands of attendees each year.
The Ballston Spa girls relay team of Gabrielle Bozeth, Harriet Healey, Tatiana McCray, and Petrina Zborovszky pose in front of Franklin Field at the University of Pennsylvania. Photo via Assistant Coach Matt Germann’s @CoachGermann X account.
BALLSTON SPA — The Ballston Spa High School girls track and field team put together an impressive showing at the New Balance Nationals Outdoor 2024 meet at the University of Pennsylvania’s Franklin Field in Philadelphia last weekend.
The relay team of Gabrielle Bozeth, Harriet Healey, Tatiana McCray, and Petrina Zborovszky finished 14th in the 1600 sprint medley, 18th in the 4×200, and 23rd in the 4×100. According toAssistant Coach Matt Germann, the results included two new school records. “These four continue to amaze me,” Germann wrote after the event.
Ballston Spa runners also made appearances in elite boys events at the Adidas Track Nationals in Greensboro, North Carolina last weekend.
Devin Hemraj placed 20th in the 110m hurdles prelims. Kala’i Makanani was 50th in the 400m dash finals, and 106th in the 200m dash prelims. Michael Stamper also finished 128th in the 100m dash prelims.
Augie Vitiello poses with a halibut in the Augie’s Family Style Italian Restaurant kitchen. Photo via the restaurant’s Facebook page.
BALLSTON SPA — When he was a kid growing up in the Bronx, Augie Vitiello was surrounded by homemade food cooked by his “100%” Italian family. Now, decades later, that same atmosphere survives at Augie’s Family Style Italian Restaurant in Ballston Spa, which celebrated its twentieth anniversary earlier this month.
“The core of what we do is an old-fashioned red sauce joint,” Vitiello said. “I didn’t want to be this highfalutin, snobby restaurant.”
Vitiello officially got started in the restaurant business at age 13, when he started as a dishwasher and worked his way up to peeling potatoes and cutting vegetables. But his cooking education really began at home.
Vitiello still has potent memories of the dishes his Italian-born relatives would prepare: eggplant parm, roasted chicken, pickled vegetables from the garden, even homemade wine.
“Every day there was something on the fire cooking, from the Sunday sauce to a simple stew,” Vitiello said. “You couldn’t run away from it.”
By the time he was 17, Vitiello was roasting prime ribs and whipping up shrimp scampi. He spent one semester in college, but knew right away that the only kind of education he wanted was culinary. So he enrolled in the New York Restaurant School in Manhattan.
“It was all focused towards opening up my own business,” Vitiello said. “That was always in the forefront.”
When he turned 24, an opportunity to open an eatery presented itself. “I was young, I was dumb. I knew how to cook but I didn’t know how to run a business,” Vitiello said.
Despite his inexperience, Vitiello plowed forward and made a career for himself. He ran his own restaurant in Larchmont, New York for 13 years before deciding to relocate to the Capital Region. “As much as we knew the Saratoga area was a special place, it far exceeded our wildest dreams,” he said.
In June 2004, Augie’s Family Style Italian Restaurant first opened its doors in Ballston Spa. In 2017, Vitiello opened a second “to-go” location across from the East Side Recreation Park in Saratoga Springs. Both businesses are still going strong.
“I’ve been very fortunate and very blessed to have the energy and the enthusiasm to still want to do it,” Vitiello said. “But without my employees, there’d be nothing. That’s the most important thing.”
A lifetime surrounded by Italian food hasn’t lessened Vitiello’s enthusiasm for it. He said his favorite meal is a simple chicken parmesan with a side of penne alla vodka. “To me, that’s a marriage made in heaven,” he said.
Work underway on pay station on Monday, June 17, 2024 at the Woodlawn Parking Garage regarding Saratoga Springs’ new paid parking scheme. Photo by Thomas Dimopoulos.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —The installation of pay stations towards the implementation of a city garage parking program got underway this week.
In its inaugural year, the seasonal program will run through Labor Day and in effect in three city owned parking garages – Walton/Woodlawn Parking Garage, Woodlawn Ave. Parking Garage, and Putnam St. Parking Garage, and three city surface parking lots – specifically located at Woodlawn Ave., Spring Street, and High Rock.
To park in any of the six facilities, fees up to $2 per hour will be charged. An online portal where city residents and downtown business owners could apply for permits to park for free was created earlier this year.
The City Council unanimously approved the plan in April, and the city anticipates nearly $1.6 million as first-year estimated revenue, with about $450,000 in expenses.
