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2025 Saratoga Showcase of Homes Dates Announced: October 4-5 & October 11-12!

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The 2025 Saratoga Showcase of Homes Committee has begun planning for this year’s edition of the area’s premiere new home tour. Celebrating its 29th year, this annual community tradition has contributed over $1.6 million dollars to our local charities.

The 2025 Saratoga Showcase of Homes event will be held on 4 days over two spectacular weekends this fall on October 4-5 & October 11-12 featuring the regions’ finest, award-winning builders showcasing their new construction.

The Showcase of Homes Committee will have an extensive marketing and promotional campaign, which will include official media sponsors in newspapers, magazines, television, online, social media and more! If you are interested in entering a new home in the event or becoming a showcase sponsor, please contact Barry Potoker, Executive Director at 518.366.0946 or bpotoker@saratogabuilders.org. 

The 2025 Saratoga Showcase of Homes event will benefit Rebuilding Together Saratoga County and Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties. Last year $60,000 was raised for these two important organizations. Through this event, the Saratoga Builders Association has now contributed over $1.6 million to our local charities. For more information, please visit www.saratogashowcaseofhomes.com. 

Empire State University President Named to Saratoga Chamber Board of Directors

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Lisa Vollendorf, the president of Empire State University, has been named to the 2025 Board of Directors of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce for a one-year appointment.

“I am honored to serve on the board of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce,” Vollendorf said in a statement. “Collaboration with community leaders fosters innovation and growth, and I look forward to working to drive workforce and economic development across Saratoga County.”

The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce’s Board has a total of nearly 30 members. In addition to Vollendorf, new members include Leslie Coleman-Smith of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Elizabeth Stauderman of Skidmore College, Kim Tribley of Coffee Planet, and Jon Hitchcock of WNYT.

Happy Birthday

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

On February 27th, Ms. Addie Borlang will turn 99 years young! Born Addie Warren in 1926 in Ticonderoga, NY, she was the oldest of eight children. She was raised and went to school in Putnam. When her mother died young, she took on the task of helping to raise her younger siblings while her father, John Wesley Warren, worked on the railroad. 

Addie met William S. Bailey and married him on December 20, 1947. They had two girls, Linda and Deborah and lived in South Glens Falls. Addie worked at the South Glens Falls Laundromat. They moved to Glens Falls and she worked for Neisners for several years. Unfortunately, her husband passed during this time. Later she worked for several other establishments, including Woolworths. 

In 1974, Addie remarried Olai Borlang and resided with him in Hudson Falls. They spent many summers at their beautiful camp on Green Pond in Hebron. Olai passed in 2015. 

Addie moved to Wilton after his death and now resides at the Wilton Commons where she enjoys spending her time talking and doing puzzles with the other residents. She now has five grandchildren, eight Great Grandchildren, and one Great Great Grandchild. 

When asked about her age, Addie laughs and says she’s not old. She’s definitely still young at heart. 

New Entertainment Featured at the Saratoga Rotary Home & Lifestyle Show

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Rotary Home Show returns to the Saratoga Springs City Center Saturday, March 1 and Sunday, March 2.

New events this year include two workshops by Saratoga Joinery on Sunday, March 2.  From 10 a.m. -1 p.m. kids of all ages can create a wooden craft they can take home with them.  From noon – 3 p.m. Logan Simms will demonstrate hand tool woodworking, including hand cut dovetails, mortise and tenon and dados. 

Saratoga Joinery, a non-profit community woodworking shop with a mission to make woodworking accessible to all, is located at 69 Caroline St. 

Also new this year is Witch Walk SOSA.  Witch Walk SOSA was established in 2005 and created as a fundraiser. All funds raised support various animal organizations including animal shelters, wildlife rescue groups and more. They will be at the Home Show on Saturday, March 1, with two performances: 1:30 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. 

Another new event by Earthbeat Music, will feature a drum circle from 11:30 a.m.  – 12:15 p.m. on Sunday, March 2.  There will be drums for participants to try drumming.  All are welcome.  

For more information, go to www.rotaryhomeshow.com/

Credit Union Donates $125,000 to Saratoga Regional YMCA

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.


A $100,000 check is presented to the Saratoga YMCA Glens Falls. Photo provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Hudson River Community Credit Union announced on Wednesday that it has made a $125,000 donation to the Saratoga Regional YMCA. The donation includes a $25,000 donation to the Corinth YMCA Annual Campaign and a $100,000 donation to the Glens Falls YMCA Capital Campaign.

The $25,000 donation for the Corinth YMCA will provide financial assistance to individuals and families in need, allowing them to access programs such as youth sports, childcare, and fitness classes. The $100,000 donation to the Glens Falls YMCA’s $6 million capital campaign will go towards upgrading the facility and help further expand programs that promote physical fitness, youth development, and social responsibility in the Glens Falls area.

“This $125,000 donation will create a lasting impact, helping us strengthen the Corinth Community through critical support for our Annual Campaign and transforming the Glens Falls YMCA with a $100,000 contribution to our Capital Campaign,” said Scott Clark, CEO of the Saratoga Regional YMCA, in a news release. “These gifts will enable us to expand access to essential programs and services, ensuring that individuals and families in our communities have the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.”

Belmont Job Fair Coming Soon

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The New York Racing Association (NYRA) announced this week that it will host a job fair on Thursday, February 13 for those interested in employment opportunities during the 2025 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival being held at the Saratoga Race Course.

The job fair will run from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the 1863 Club. Applicants should enter through the Wright Street entrance (Gate 8) with parking available in the 1863 Club lot.

Prospective workers will be able to meet with NYRA, Dyehard Fan Supply, Integrated Staffing, Levy Restaurants, Mazzone Hospitality, and Union Square Events, among others. Positions will include restaurant staff, mutuel clerks, cashiers, merchandise clerks, customer service, white caps. and parking attendants.

Applicants must be at least 15 years of age and have New York State Certified Working Papers. Prospective security guards, cashiers, and betting clerks must be at least 18 years of age to apply. Security guards must have a high school degree or GED. All applicants must present a photo ID and Social Security card or I-9 alternative.

2025 Ballston Spa Chocolate Fest

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

BALLSTON SPA —The 2025 Ballston Spa Chocolate Fest, hosted by the Ballston Spa Business and Professional Association, will take place on Friday, Feb. 7 from 5– 9 p.m.

Stroll the Village of Ballston Spa for $2 chocolate tastings from over 20 chocolate chefs/ venues. Then, vote for your favorites in 3 categories: Dessert – Savory – Beverage. The event will also feature chocolatethemed activities, artist demos, special promotions and sales.

If your business is interested in participating in Chocolate Fest, visit www.ballston.org/ events/chocolate-fest to sumbit the application form. The entry fee is $20 for members and $40 for non-members, and will be paid by the business.

If you are an independent chef or a business that is looking for a chef, email the Chocolate Fest committee and they can help match you up: chocolatefest@ballston.org

If you are interested in being Chocolate Fest Sponsor, email the Chocolate Fest committee: chocolatefest@ballston.org.

Popular Clothing Store Opening Second Location on Broadway

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.


Photo of the 447 Broadway storefront via Miss Scarlett Boutique.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — A Broadway store that used to house The Local Branch and Saratoga Coffee Traders has been taken over by the owners of Miss Scarlett Boutique, who plan to fully renovate the space.

447 Broadway will become Miss Scarlett’s second location, named Gilded, after the shop is given “a full face-lift” and “signature pink touch,” the business announced in a social media post last month. An opening date for the refurbished store has not yet been announced. Currently, a Miss Scarlett pop-up shop is located there until mid-January. 

Miss Scarlett Boutique is a women’s clothing store that first opened in August 2009 and celebrated its 15th anniversary last year. The company is known for its annual Racing and Rosé Fashion Show, hosted at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. The 2024 event featured TV personality Carson Kressley, best known for appearances on “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” and “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”

Stewart’s Celebrates Opening of New Shop on Weibel Ave

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Stewart’s formally celebrated the opening of its new shop at the corner of Weibel and Lake avenues in Saratoga Springs two days after Christmas. The larger, recently built store replaced an older Stewart’s building at the same location. 

The opening was the culmination of a $2.9 million, five-year-long project. In a news release, Stewart said the lengthy process was “evidence that the wheels of government and development are not always fast.”

The project included a new entrance to the gas station and convenience store at the Weibel/Lake intersection, more parking spaces, a beer cave, an iced coffee bar, and a second bathroom.

Message to Frogs: Act With Respect Always!

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.


Photo provided by the City of Saratoga Springs Recreation Department.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Coach Rich Johns, a former Saratoga Springs teacher and tennis coach for nearly four decades, shared his “Act With Respect Always” message with an audience of more than 150 people as part of the winter Intro to Hoops program for K and 1st graders at the Saratoga Springs Recreation Center last month.

A record-setting 80 kids (known as “Frogs” in the program) registered this year. Coach Johns’ message to the Frogs emphasized kindness and empathy while introducing his “What’s your 99” concept. At the end of Johns’ presentation, the Frogs serenaded him with their chant: “We are the frogs, the mighty mighty frogs, ribbit!”

The hoops program, under the leadership of Head Coach Ron Lewis, now in his 13th year, has grown from 25 participants 10 years ago to now occupying the entire Recreation Center. The program’s focus is on fun and fundamentals.