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SS Preservation Foundation Kicks Off 2023 Summer Sunday Stroll Season This Weekend

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation has announced that this year’s strolls start on Sunday, June 11. 

Historic walking tours will be offered every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. through Labor Day in various neighborhoods throughout the city. Tours highlight the Gut neighborhood, mail-order houses on the east side, architecture of the Saratoga Spa State Park, the diverse history of the historic West Side, mansions of North Broadway, and more. 

 The first of 13 tours of historic Saratoga Springs kicks off with “Down In The Valley: Exploring The Gut” on Sunday, June 11 at 10:30 a.m. Alexandra Morgan will explore the area behind Broadway known as “The Gut,” which was home to many working class and Jewish families who provided important contributions to the community. This tour meets at the northwest corner of Putnam and Spring streets at the Hathorn Spring. 

Upcoming this month: 

-Sunday, June 18 – Historic Madison & Fifth Avenues. Deborah Studwell will lead a tour of residential streets which are lined with elegant Victorian and Craftsman houses near the Saratoga Race Course. Meet at: NE corner of Nelson and Fifth avenues.

-Sunday, June 25 – Historic Congress Park. Join Charlie Kuenzel for an entertaining and educational stroll through historic Congress Park. Meet at: Outside of the Canfield Casino

Tours will be limited to 30 and tickets must be purchased in advance.  The cost per tour is $15 for SSPF members and $20 for non-members. For additional information visit www.saratogapreservation.org, call 518-587-5030, or email Nicole Babie, Membership & Programs Director, at nbabie@saratogapreservation.org.

 Founded in 1977, the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that promotes preservation and enhancement of the architectural, cultural, and landscaped heritage of Saratoga Springs.

Saratoga County Career Center Announces June Virtual Workshops 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

BALLSTON SPA — The Saratoga County Career Center in conjunction with the Greater Capital Region Career Centers will hold the following free virtual career workshops in June:

June 13 at 10:30 a.m.: Interview Preparation. Learn how to articulate your strengths, what questions to expect, how to address difficult topics, and ace the interviewing process. Facilitated by Schenectady.

June 17 at 10 a.m.: Goal Setting. This workshop explores how goal setting works, why goals are important, and provides helpful resources to get you started to reach your dreams.  Facilitated by Washington and Albany.

June 15 at 11 a.m.: Completing Job Applications. Statistics show approximately 50% of mid-sized companies and almost all large corporations use an applicant tracking system to screen candidates for job opportunities. Learn how to prepare your online application to get the most visibility from hiring managers. Facilitated by Warren and Washington.

June 22 at 1:30 p.m.: Social Media. Your social media presence can make or break your ability to find a job. Learn how to use social media to your advantage in searching for a job and marketing yourself to land the job or career you’ve always wanted. Facilitated by Schenectady.

June 27 at 11 a.m.: Overcoming Barriers. Join an informal discussion about how to overcome potential stumbling blocks to finding a job. Whether you’re facing transportation needs, childcare needs, prior justice system involvement, inexperience, health concerns or more, this workshop will provide you with resources and strategies to help you meet your goals. Facilitated by Saratoga and Fulton-Montgomery-Schoharie.

Registration is required for all workshops. Visit https://thejoblink.org/calendar/ to register or call the Saratoga County Career Center at 518-884-4170 for more information.  The workshops are offered as part of the Saratoga County Career Center’s WorkPays! workforce education campaign. 

The Saratoga County Department of Workforce Development provides comprehensive training and employment services to residents through its Career Center and works with local businesses to attract and retain the local workforce.

SO LONG, LONGFELLOWS – Plans For The New Brookmere Resort Make Progress at Former Longfellows Site

Written by Thomas Dimopoulos on . Posted in Featured, News.

Longfellows, at 500 Union Ave. in Saratoga Springs on June 5, 2023. Photo by Thomas Dimopoulos.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — So long, Longfellows. Say hello to Brookmere. 

The parking lot is empty now. The buildings, trimmed in green and topped in clay hues, vacant. A large roadside sign that stands in front of the compound that has played host to so many the past quarter-century reads Thanks For The Memories, underscored by a promise: Stay Tuned For What’s Next.   

The approval of plans to convert the former Longfellows Hotel and Restaurant into the Brookmere Hotel are advancing through the city’s Land Use Boards. Construction is anticipated to commence this month. An opening has been targeted for fall 2024.  

Plans include the demolition of specific select structures – including the removal of an entry canopy, a covered entrance (porte cochere), and the existing Longfellows restaurant and banquet facility.

In its place, the transformed resort, renamed Brookmere, will house an 88-room hotel, a 200-seat ballroom, a Spa, and a 65-seat restaurant open to both spa and hotel guests, as well as the general public.  

Overall, the site’s footprint will expand from 65,000 square feet to 90,000 square feet.   

The project was first introduced in January to the Saratoga Springs Planning Board. The select structures have since been deemed to not have architectural or historic significance and the Design Review Board approved demolition of those select structures in May. 

Post-demolition, a new addition will be constructed that will connect the existing 18-room inn to the 32-room hotel. The existing inn and hotel will also be renovated.  Additional plans include a new entryway and lobby, lounge, restaurant/bar and ballroom. Offices will be added to the basement section of the addition and guest rooms added to the second and third floors, bringing the total room count to 88. 

The development is a collaborative effort between many entities: Bonacio Construction, Spring City Development – formed in 2021 as a restructuring of the real estate development arm of Bonacio Construction, the Atlanta, Georgia-based interior design firm Sims Patrick Studio, as well as the local design firms Balzer & Tuck Architecture, and the LA Group. Hay Creek Hotels, which is headquartered in New Hampshire will manage the resort.  

Longfellows, a popular local restaurant and hotel complex at 500 Union Ave., closed its doors in January, shortly after co-owner Steve Sullivan announcing its pending closure and the acceptance of an offer from a group of investors/operators to purchase the property. The property sold for $4.9 million, according to county deed records recorded on Jan. 13. 

“It’s been a great 26-year run,” Sullivan said at the time. Over its 26 years in business, Longfellows accommodated thousands of hotel guests and hosted over 2,400 weddings and countless catering events.

New Start for City Council Meetings: 6 p.m.

Written by Thomas Dimopoulos on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — City Mayor Ron Kim announced that starting with its meeting Tuesday, City Council meetings will begin at 6 p.m. 

The meetings will proceed in this way: Call to order at 6 p.m. and continue onto Consent agenda, Presentations (if any), Executive sessions (if any), and Supervisors’ reports. Public hearings (on specific items) and the (general) public comment period will begin at 7. Continue with regular order of meeting – Mayor’s Department, Accounts Department, Finance Department, Department of Public Works, and Department of Public Safety. A second public comment period follows.

Supervisor Candidate Calls on County Leadership to Amend Emergency Declaration on Immigrants and Asylum Seekers

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

BALLSTON SPA ­— Saratoga Springs County Supervisor candidate Gordon Boyd delivered a letter to Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Chair Theodore Kusnierz detailing what Boyd calls problems with the county’s unilateral Emergency Declaration and Order regarding immigrants and asylum seekers.

On May 19, Chairman Kusnierz, declared a State of Emergency in response to the possible relocation and arrival of a large number of migrants and asylum seekers from New York City. 

Boyd argued that thousands of backstretch workers, many of Latino or Hispanic background, will soon be coming to Saratoga to stable and train horses for the Thoroughbred meet and that their safety and wellbeing may be detrimentally affected by the county’s sweeping order. 

“It’s a waste of taxpayer dollars,” wrote Boyd. “The county’s statement that we are about to experience ‘an extraordinary increase in the number’ of people coming to the county, and that the county ‘would be especially sensitive to further change in population’ strains credulity. We welcome tens of thousands of visitors every day all summer long. The difference now involves the reason people are coming here, not the number of them.” 

Three candidates – Boyd, a Democrat, Democrat candidate Michele Madigan, and incumbent Republican supervisor Matt Veitch will be vying for two available to represent the city of Saratoga Springs seats at the county level on Election Say in November.   

Free June Events at Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

WILTON — Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park is a non-profit organization that conserves ecological systems and natural settings while providing opportunities for environmental education and outdoor recreation. They also offer free environmental education events weekly. See the calendar below for upcoming events or visit wiltonpreserve.org.

June 3, 8, and 10 – Painting Workshops: There will be four painting workshops offered by Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park at Camp Saratoga in the town of Wilton. The workshops are scheduled to enjoy the display of beautiful wildflowers in the meadow, such as the wild blue lupine. There will be two workshops for watercolor paints and two for acrylic paints. The watercolor workshops are scheduled for Thursday, June 1 from 12 to 3 p.m. and Saturday, June 3 from 12 to 3 p.m. with local artist Catherine Wagner-Minnery. The acrylic workshops are scheduled for Thursday, June 8 from 12 to 3 p.m. and Saturday, June 10 from 12 to 3 p.m. with local artist Page Darrow.

June 3 – Moonlight Hike: Are you interested in traversing the trails of Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park at night? View nature in a new light as you walk the trails under the light of the full, Strawberry Moon. The walk covers approximately 1.5 miles of trail. The program is scheduled for Saturday June 3 beginning at 8:30 p.m. This is a free program guided by an environmental educator.

June 7 – Karner Blue Butterfly Weekly Walks: These walks celebrate the endangered Karner blue butterfly and walk around its habitat. They will take place on Wednesdays starting on May 31 and continue through June 28. The walks begin at 1:30 p.m. and leave from the parking area for the Old Gick Farm on Route 50, which is just under 4 miles past Wilton Mall. The walks last about an hour and cover a mile of gently rolling terrain. There is also a walk scheduled on Saturday, June 10 at 1:30 p.m. The walks will not take place if there is rain. Please dress appropriately for weather and insects. 

June 9 – Campfire Chats: On Friday, June 9 at 7:30 p.m., the Campfire Chat at Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park will focus on the endangered Karner blue butterfly. In addition to the discussion, participants will enjoy hanging out around the fire for cocoa and s’mores. This is a free, all-ages program and will take place at the Town of Wilton’s Camp Saratoga.

June 10 – Invasive Species Training: Join a training webinar hosted by PRISM (Partnership for Regional Species Management) to learn about iMap Invasives and some common invasive species to look for as you walk and hike in our region and beyond. The online training will take place on Tuesday, June 6 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. After registering, the link for the program will be emailed. After attending the webinar, join PRISM and educators from Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park on Saturday, June 10, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. to go on a guided walk to use iMap Invasives hands on and look for invasive species in real time.

Registration is required. Space is limited. To register please visit wiltonpreserve.org, and click on the ‘Public Programs’ tab, then ‘Calendar of Events’ to access the online registration form. 

For more information, please contact the Preserve & Park office at 518-450-0321 or via email at info@wiltonpreserve.org. 

Saratoga Springs: June Special Events

Written by Thomas Dimopoulos on . Posted in News.


Flag Day Parade 2019. Photo by Francesco D’Amico.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — City Accounts Commissioner Dillon Moran announced that the following special events will take place in Saratoga Springs:

Saturday, June 3, 2023 –TUFF eNUFF Mud Run – Prevention Council fundraiser obstacle courses (kids course and teen/adult course) at the BOCES facility on Henning Road.

Saturday, June 3, 2023 – Whitman Brewfest fundraiser for Saratoga Pride. This is a ticketed event with samples from local area breweries, food, music, and vendors.

Sunday, June 4, 2023 – Cantina Kids Fun Run fundraiser for Saratoga Hospital Pediatric Emergency Services to be held at Congress Park.

Saturday, June 10, 2023 – Annual Flag Day Parade hosted by the Saratoga–Wilton Elks Lodge.

Saturday, June 10, 2023 – Grace Fellowship Outreach event for Grace Fellowship Church.

Sunday, June 11, 2023 – Beekman Street Art Fair with fine art, craft show, street performers, live music, and food trucks.

Saturday, June 17, 2023 – 2nd Annual Cars on Union car show hosted by the Saratoga Auto Museum.

Monday, June 19, 2023 – Symbolic two-and-a-half block walk concluding at the Frederick Allen Lodge.

Sunday, June 25, 2023 – Saratoga Pride Festival celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride at High Rock Park.

Iron Chef Saratoga Event Raises More Than $32K for Wellspring

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

Iron Chef champs 30 Lake. Photo provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Chefs from three prominent area restaurants and bartenders from two popular local bars competed at Airosmith Development’s third annual Iron Chef Saratoga event last week to raise funds for Wellspring, the county’s domestic violence and sexual assault resource agency. 

All proceeds from ticket sales – over $32,000 – will go toward the agency’s mission to support survivors and engage the community to end relationship and sexual abuse. 

As in the classic Iron Chef culinary game show, chefs were given a secret ingredient and each round was timed. The competing chefs, from well-known Saratoga restaurants 30 Lake, Osteria Danny, and Salt & Char, were a new addition to this year’s Iron Chef. Previous events had featured notable community members cooking and competing, including the event’s creator herself, Margaret Smith-Cassier, founder and CEO of Airosmith Development and longtime member of Wellspring’s Board of Directors. This year’s event also featured a new specialty cocktail competition between bartenders from Spa City Tap and Barrel and Lucy’s Bar.

In addition to the specialty cocktails, the 150 guests in attendance were treated to two rounds of appetizers prepared by each restaurant’s chefs as well as hors d’oeuvres, desserts, a prosecco bar, live music, and the excitement of watching the chefs prepare each dish. 

Attendees voted to choose the winners of the evening. Spa City Tap and Barrel was selected as the cocktail competition winner, and 30 Lake was crowned this year’s Iron Chef, taking home a sizable trophy and bragging rights.

Wellspring is the domestic violence and sexual assault services resource for Saratoga County residents and the sexual assault resource for Washington County. Wellspring’s mission is to support survivors and engage the community to end relationship and sexual abuse. Wellspring provides emergency shelter, a 24-hour phone hotline, counseling, legal advocacy, housing assistance, innovative programs, and more. All services are free, non-judgmental, and confidential.   

Facelift? Plans Submitted for Downtown Chipotle

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Featured, News.

City Development: A proposed 2,343 sq. ft. restaurant was recently
submitted to the city’s Planning Board at 12 Ballston Ave. pictured above.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The city stages regularly scheduled meetings by three Land Use Boards that review development activities within city boundaries. Those boards are typically where new development projects, or alterations to existing developments are discussed.   

The Saratoga Springs Planning Board is a 7-member citizen board that has jurisdiction over the development of most new multi-family, commercial, institutional and industrial projects. 

The Saratoga Springs Design Review Board is a 7-member citizen board which reviews development activities within city boundaries – Historic Review, and Architectural Review.

The Saratoga Springs Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) is a quasi-judicial 7-member citizen board that reviews requests for waivers from existing regulations in the zoning ordinance. 

Multiple workshops and meetings are held monthly related to all three boards. The meetings are open to the public. For a specific schedule of meetings and agenda items, visit the city website at: Saratoga-springs.org. 

Play It Again, Sam! Sam the Bugler: Back at Belmont. Once more, with feeling

Written by M.E. Altieri on . Posted in Featured, News.


Photo by George Adams

Fans of horse racing who attend this year’s Belmont Stakes will find many things that are familiar, and comforting.  Post-Pandemic Life still is rife with many uncertainties:  to take a day off, and experience things as we knew them before Covid, is a gift.  At Beautiful Belmont Park, Canada geese still soar the skies, landing on their Infield Pond with ballet-like beauty, and grace.  The neighing of thousands of horses in the barns greet fans as they arrive, soothing with their ancient song.

Race fans, especially New Yorkers, are particularly proud of Big Sandy, Belmont’s  magnificent dirt track.  The geese’s Infield is enormous:  large enough to land a 747.  The track itself is deeper than most tracks, due to NYRA’s proprietary recipe:  more sand in its mix (with clay and silt) than other tracks = more of a challenge to runners.  (That recipe makes Big Sandy deep-enough to unnerve horses and jockeys who’ve never experienced it before.)  

Big Sandy is the quicksand over which Secretariat flew with otherworldly speed, 50 years ago this month.  Big Red, stared Big Sandy in the eye, and didn’t blink.

This year’s Belmont Stakes will offer familiar, comforting sounds both to those on-track, and to the millions worldwide who’ll see the race on their TVs, computers and smartphones.  On June 10th,  the legendary Sam Grossman – Sam the Bugler – will grace his Belmont winner’s circle once again. 

In 2022, he stepped back a bit to tend to personal matters.  These days, he’s channeling his tremendous talents and energies into teaching music in a public school, north of Miami – sharing his wealth of knowledge and passion with a new generation of young musicians.  (Sam’s fans won’t be surprised by this information; he has a long reputation for generosity of spirit.)

He doesn’t dismiss the idea of playing occasionally at Saratoga, of course, and he’ll play other NYRA special occasions.  But as of this writing, June 10th is the chance for  race fans to witness the master’s joyous return to his home turf, playing his song.  And – bonus! – this year, Sam will play First Call (Call to the Post) with his twin brother, Irv Grossman and his close friend, Bethann Dixon.  The dynamic trio brings special magic to those 34 notes, notes that have set hearts and imaginations afire at tracks all over the world since at least the late 1850s.  On June 10th, on-track or virtually, fans can request: 

“Play it again, Sam.”  Once more, with feeling.