Beekman Atelier celebrates its second anniversary with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce. Photo via the Chamber.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Beekman Atelier celebrated its second anniversary with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce on March 20.
The business began in 2023 as a design studio with a European concept in mind. Beekman designs, drapes, patterns, and sews one-of-a-kind products. They also offer unique goods and creations from local artisans in the Saratoga region.
Owner Caroline Haladjian graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Otis College of Art & Design in Los Angeles. Born in Paris and raised in Texas, Haladjian has lived in LA, Philadelphia, and New York City. She now calls Saratoga Springs home, along with her husband and two daughters. After spending fifteen years as a fashion designer for large clothing companies, Haladjian said she is thrilled to be pursuing her passion for art and design at Beekman Atelier.
Lyla was living in horrible conditions in a neighboring county when another rescue was able to save her. They contacted us to see if we had space for her and her three 6 week old kittens. We were told this is Lyla’s 4th litter and she is estimated to be 2 years old. She is just about the sweetest girl and such a good mother. It is now her time to find an amazing family who will spoil her with love and attention. Her former owners never even name her. She is currently in a foster home with her kittens and is receiving all the love that she was never given at her previous residence. Lyla loves attention and has such a nice personality according to her foster parents. She has been spayed, is up to date on vaccines and now available for adoption. Online foster and adoption applications can be found on the HOPE website at www.hopeanimalrescue.org. For any questions give us a call at 518-450-7013.
Damian Snyder (13) with coach Dan Ladd after winning his weight class in the New York Wrestling Association for Youth (NYWAY) wrestling championships last weekend in Syracuse. Their Alliance Saratoga Wrestling Club (ASWC) boasted two state finalists, with half a dozen competitors earning All-State status (top 6). Damian, their first state wrestling champion, is also an accomplished Alliance Jiu-Jitsu yellow belt and a 2025 World Champion Muay Thai fighter. Their wrestling club trains primarily out of Saratoga Academy of Elite Martial Arts in Greenfield Center. Photo provided by James Bruchac.
Homes for Orphaned Pets (HOPE) is providing a courtesy post for these cute kitties on behalf of their owner.
Luna and Leo are a loving brother-and-sister duo looking for a new home together.
Luna is a beautiful Siamese and tabby mix who is almost 9 years old. She’s incredibly affectionate and loves spending time close to her people. Luna enjoys making biscuits, relaxing during a good brushing session, and gently headbutting to ask for attention. She’s also known to be very intuitive and seems to sense when someone could use a little extra comfort.
Her brother Leo, also almost 9, is a sleek black cat with part Siamese heritage and a personality that keeps things entertaining. Leo is affectionate and playful, often showing off his silly side. He enjoys playtime, attention, and staying close to the people he loves.
These two have been together their whole lives and are deeply bonded, so they’re hoping to find a home where they can stay side by side. They are both spayed/neutered and up to date on vaccines. They are being rehomed due to a severe allergy in their current home.
If you think Luna and Leo could be the perfect companions for your household, reaching out to learn more is the first step. To inquire about adopting them, please contact Gina at (518) 878-5820 or grecogm7@gmail.com.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Honorary Committee tickets for the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame’s 2026 Belmont Bash are now available and may be purchased here: https://1049a.blackbaudhosting.com/1049a/Belmont-Bash.
The event takes place at the Canfield Casino in Congress Park on Thursday, June 4 at 7 p.m. The museum fundraiser will include an open bar featuring specialty cocktails, a buffet-style dinner catered by Mazzone Hospitality, entertainment from Garland Nelson and Soul Session, and an exclusive silent auction.
The Belmont Bash will honor the connections of 2025 Belmont Stakes winner Sovereignty, including Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, jockey Junior Alvarado, and owner Godolphin. Cocktails begin at 7 p.m. with dinner at 8 p.m. Valet parking will be available.
With the Belmont Stakes returning downstate to the new Belmont Park in 2027, this year’s Belmont Bash will mark the third and final time the event is held in Saratoga Springs. All proceeds from this fundraiser will benefit the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.
Businesses or individuals interested in becoming a sponsor should contact Maureen Pasco at (518) 584-0400 ext. 109 or mpasco@racingmuseum.net. General event tickets will be available at the end of March.
Wall-E is a very affectionate 16 pound “lovebug” who thrives on human attention. He has high energy and especially enjoys playing with springs and running on a cat wheel. He is currently being fostered by the Small Animal Science students at BOCES, where he receives plenty of interaction.
Wall-E can be a bully toward submissive cats. His previous family noted that while he did well with female cats, he antagonized an older male cat in the home. For this reason, he would do best in a home without submissive or older male cats to ensure a safe environment for everyone. He is a bit shy at first but as soon as you pick him up or start petting he just melts and wants to be loved. He would do best in a home without young children.
Wall-E is neutered, up to date on his vaccines, and has tested negative for both FIV and FeLV.
The HOPE Pet Adoption Center is open to the public Tuesday, Friday and Saturday from 11-4 and by appointment. Online adoption applications can be found at our website www.hopeanimalrescue.org.
Insect scientists will swarm Saratoga Springs this month for the 96th Annual Meeting of the Eastern Branch of the Entomological Society of America, and they’ll also host a free public expo for kids and parents. “It’s a Bug’s World” will take place on Sunday, March 15, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Saratoga Springs City Center.
The 2026 “It’s a Bug’s World” Expo in Saratoga Springs will feature interactive displays, demonstrations, and artwork, including:
• Lots of live animals, including Siena University’s “An Anty View of the World,” bug-loving raptors from Silent Wings, and a mini zoo from Uncharted Wild
• Bees and pollinators from Southern Adirondack Beekeepers Association and the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
• Insect Origami Challenge, Crafting Insect Stories, and make and take your own insect with Build-a-Bug
• Insect Conservation Center and the Karner Blue and other rare butterflies, Albany Bush Pine Preserve Commission
• Bugs in the Military, Public Health Command East
• Native Plants: Bugs’ Best Friend, Home Earth Alliance and book signing by Front Stoop Gardens
• Roving House’s “Bug Box” and wearable insects, along with a Flea Market of gently used items donated by real entomologists.
• Nature’s Narrative: Bugs, Balance and IPM, Cornell Integrated Pest Management
• Silent Spinners, Saratoga Springs Children’s Museum
• Learn how to be on the lookout for the invasive insects, NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets
• A special appearance by Fran Tick, and much more.
The Entomological Society of America’s Eastern Branch scientific meeting sessions will take place March 14-17 at the Saratoga Hilton and Saratoga Springs City Center. The three-day meeting will draw over 270 entomologists from northeastern and mid-Atlantic states and several Canadian provinces who will attend symposia on insects as tiny vectors of disease, climate impacts on pollinator communities, insects in mythology and culture, and several other topics. In addition, the meeting will feature submitted paper and poster presentations and student competitions.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Pitney Meadows Community Farm, in partnership with Sustainable Saratoga, recently announced the return of the Saratoga Springs Community Compost Program for a second season.
What began as a resident-supported initiative through Saratoga Springs’ Participatory Budgeting process has grown into an example of community-led climate action, following a successful pilot year. Registration is now open for the 2026 season, welcoming up to 150 households into a shared, hands-on effort to reduce waste, restore soil, and strengthen the local food system.
In its first season, the Saratoga Springs Community Compost Program served 107 households (equivalent to 268 community members) and diverted more than five tons (over 10,000 pounds) of food scraps from the landfill.
That compost is used directly on Pitney Meadows’ Community Garden and agricultural fields, where food is grown for public programming, local families, food pantries, senior centers, and shelters, creating a closed-loop system that connects daily household habits to tangible community outcomes.
More than 160 people expressed interest in the 2025 pilot program, exceeding the program’s initial capacity. Multiple onboarding phases welcomed new participants, each including required compost training, system tours, and educational sessions.
Throughout the season, the program extended beyond food scrap collection. Educational offerings included a backyard composting workshop, school and student tours, professional development visits, tabling at community events, and the creation of a public-facing educational video about this program. The season concluded with a community Pumpkin Smash, a hands-on event designed to divert seasonal waste while inviting families to engage directly with the composting process.
Based on participant feedback and operational success, the 2026 program includes:
• Expanded capacity: Up to 150 households
•Extended season: mid-April to mid-November
• Home food scrap collection bin provided to every household
• Expanded accepted materials: Meat and dairy now included
• Flexible drop-off hours: Tuesday–Saturday, dawn to dusk
• Annual registration fee: $80 per household
• Free scholarships available to ensure accessibility
• Participation is open to all, regardless of city residency
All participants are required to attend a compost training at the start of the season, covering accepted materials, home collection tips, and the environmental impact of composting.
Registration for the 2026 Saratoga Springs Community Compost Program is now open and will remain available until all 150 spots are filled.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Caffè Lena recently announced that Eric Gordon has stepped into the role of president of its board of directors, helping guide the next chapter for the historic listening room and nonprofit arts organization.
Gordon has been part of the Caffè Lena board since 2020, offering guidance and leadership during a period of growth. He brings more than 30 years of experience from a career in finance and nonprofit service.
Gordon steps into the role following the leadership of Kira Karbocus, former CFO/COO of Newport Festivals Foundation, who served as board president from 2021 through 2025. Karbocus has been part of the Lena board for more than 10 years and will continue in a key role as vice chair, working closely with Gordon
As board president, Gordon will work with staff and board leadership to support Caffè Lena’s long-term vision, deepen community engagement, and help support one of America’s longest-running folk music venues.
Are you looking for a companion that wants to sit on your lap and watch tv with you? A cat who will be your best friend, your reading companion, your movie buddy? We have the cat for you. Valentino came to us this month from a man who was caring for him in his heated garage. He would curl up next to the wood fireplace and sit on this man’s lap for as long as he could. Unfortunately, they have 6 cats and realized they could not take on another kitty at this time. He started out shy for the first 12 hours and after that has been a favorite at the adoption center. He is roughly 3 years old, newly neutered so has the big male cat face and has tested negative for Feline Leukemia but positive for FIV. This means that he is immunocompromised and will need prompt veterinary care if he has signs of an infection. Other than that, he can live a long, healthy life. FIV can be transmitted between cats from deep bite wounds. We are not sure how he would do with other cats or dogs. He prefers adults or older children because they have bigger laps to sit on.
The HOPE Pet Adoption Center is open to the public Tuesday, Friday and Saturday from 11-4 and by appointment. Online adoption applications can be found at our website www.hopeanimalrescue.org.
