– The 23rd annual show will take place on Sunday Oct. 12 in Ballston Spa (Courtesy of the BSBPA) Over 400 entries typically grace the streets of Ballston Spa
Downtown Ballston Spa will once again rev up with the return of the 23rd Annual “The Way We Were” Car Show on Sunday, October 12, 2025, from 9 AM to 4 PM.
Presented by the Ballston Spa Business & Professional Association (BSBPA), this beloved community event will transform Front Street into a display of automotive history, featuring hundreds of classic cars, trucks, and—new this year—a limited number of motorcycles.
Each year, the car show attracts more than 400 entries and thousands of visitors to the village, making it one of the region’s most popular fall events. Guests can stroll the show route to admire beautifully restored vehicles, enjoy live music, visit local food, and merchandise vendors, and check out the Kids’ Zone at Old Iron Spring Park. The day will conclude with a trophy presentation recognizing outstanding entries.
“We’re so proud to be bringing this event back for its 23rd year,” said Christine Kernochan, Chairperson of the Car Show Committee. “It’s a day that celebrates not only a love for classic cars, but also the incredible community spirit that makes Ballston Spa such a special place. The show continues to grow every year, thanks to our volunteers, sponsors, and the support of local businesses,”
Day-of registration for show cars will be available for $25 cash, while motorcycles must pre-register at www.ballston.org by Thursday, October 9 due to limited space. The event is free for spectators, with a rain date scheduled for Sunday, October 19.
This year’s Checkered Flag Sponsors are Mangino Chevrolet Buick GMC, Michael’s Automotive, Ballston Spa National Bank, MJP Heating and Cooling, Pompa Bros, Morris Ford, and Friend of the BSBPA.
For more information about the 23rd Annual “The Way We Were” Car Show, including registration details and event updates, please visit www.ballston.org.
While Saratoga residents have had to deal with smoke from the north this past summer, a much closer threat caused concern for state officials leading to a state-wide burn ban.
The ban came after much of the state saw the fire risk in much of the state raised to high — the third highest wildfire alert level in the state. By Oct. 8, however, this risk had dropped to moderate. The ban also comes at a time when much of New York is under a drought watch with some regions seeing drought warnings.
Under the ban, brush and debris clearing fires as well as uncontained camp and cooking fires were banned, however contained campfires less than three feet in height and four feet in length are allowed.
“The ongoing nice weather is great for watching fall foliage or gathering with friends, but it also presents a higher risk for fires that put homes, businesses and our brave first responders at risk,” New York Governor Cathy Hochul said. “Many regions are already in a drought watch or warning due to the dry conditions, and with the fire risk rising in some parts of the state, it is important to keep everyone safe by implementing this temporary burn ban.”
In comparison to other states, New York doesn’t see many wildfires. In 2024, New York saw 125 fires resulting in 6,496 acres burned, according to the National Inter Agency Fire Center. This accounted for less than 1 percent of the 64,897 fires in the United States and much less than that in terms of the proportion of acres burned in the US.
Of the 125 New York fires, only three were caused by lightning, resulting in only an acre being burned, with the rest being caused by humans.
While fires out west tend to occur in the summer months, wild and brush fires in the northeast tend to occur in the spring and fall, according to the National Wildfire Coordination Group.
Back in March, a state of emergency was declared in New York due to fires on Long Island which burned 600 acres. Those fires were reportedly caused by someone trying to make smores in their backyard.
As for current conditions, the governor’s office said in a statement that since August there have been 64 wildfires in New York.
A Saratoga County Business Leader has been arrested by the FBI after he allegedly tried to solicit sex from someone he believed was a 15-year-old girl.
Peter Bardunias, 59 of Clifton Park was arrested and charged by federal prosecutors with attempted enticement of a minor, according to court documents filed on Oct. 7.
Bardunias was charged after an investigation conducted by the FBI showed that he repeatedly messaged the supposed 15-year-old with violent sexual fantasies and traveled to Warrensburg to meet with the girl.
Instead of meeting with the girl, however, Bardunias was arrested Oct. 6 by FBI agents who he had been unknowingly communicating with from the start. The investigation began in late September when an FBI agent posing as the 15-year-old first made contact with Bardunias in a private chat room.
According to court documents, despite learning the age of the supposed girl, he continued to converse with the supposed girl and expressed his desire to meet with her and told her that he wanted to “strangle” and “torture” the girl — among other sexually charged and violent messages.
“I want to see you scream and be in pain, I want you to struggle but its too late and cant get free….nobody will ever find you, Princess,” Bardunias is alleged to have said in one of the messages.
While Bardunias tried to claim to agents that he had no intention of carrying out the acts, court documents claim the evidence says otherwise.
“Based on my training and experience, I know that individuals who travel long distances to meet with someone they believe to be a minor often claim under questioning that they were not serious about their sexual desires, even when those desires have been previously expressed in writing,” an FBI agent wrote in the federal complaint.
In addition to the messages, agents found a candy bar he allegedly planned to give to the 15-year-old as well as other items he allegedly said he would bring to the meeting. A later search of his home found items consistent with the message he had sent the undercover agent including items to build a “torture chamber,” which included restraints and a knife.
According to the complaint, Bardunias admitted these items were his.
“As alleged in the federal criminal complaint filed today, Peter Bardunias attempted to engage in what can only be described as heinous, unspeakable, and violent actions against a minor,” Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III said. “I am thankful that the FBI intervened to ensure that he was unable to follow through in any of this horrific activity with a real minor, and our community is safer tonight because Bardunias is behind bars.”
Pamela Bondi, current U.S. Attorney General said the case highlighted the need for parents to be vigilant regarding what their kids do online.
“Parents need to be hyper-aware of conversations their children are having via text or online — predators often lurk behind screens,” Attorney General Pamela Bondi said. “This man’s alleged crimes are shocking, and our prosecutors will ensure he faces severe consequences for his evil conduct towards an innocent child.”
Bardunias is local businesses leader in the Capital Region. Prior to his arrest he served as Senior Vice President for Community Advancement with the Capital Region Chamber of Commerce — an organization he’d been with for over five years, according to his LinkedIn profile. Prior to that, he served as president of one of its affiliate organizations, the Chamber of Southern Saratoga County for over 8 years.
In response to his arrest, the Chamber put out a statement to media acknowledging it and offering no further comment.
“The Capital Region Chamber is aware that Peter Bardinuas has been taken into custody. He has been placed on unpaid suspension pending investigation,” the statement read “At this time the Chamber will not be making any additional comments on this investigation.”
If convicted, Bardunias potentially faces life in prison with a minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a supervised release period of at least five years.
Bocage Champagne Bar is proud to present Purely Pendenza, an unprecedented tasting event hosted by Pendenza Wine founder Megan Anderson, a former colleague of Bocage co-owner Zac Denham from NYC’s Casa Dani. This one-day-only experience offers wine lovers the rare opportunity to explore Pendenza’s groundbreaking portfolio — featuring 15 remarkable wines from Slovenia, Lebanon, Syria and beyond — many of which are debuting in the United States for the very first time.
“Be the first to try some of these special wines,” says Anderson, Pendenza’s co-founder. “I’ve traveled to most of these countries myself and chosen fantastic fine wines from family-owned vineyards that have never been served in the States.”
Among the most special? A wine by Domaine de Bargylus, in war-torn Syria. Raved about in USA Today (“Amid bombs in bullets in Syria, a vineyard blooms”), and all the rage in Michelin-starred restaurants in Europe, the fine wine is now being served in the U.S. for the first time, in Houston, and Anderson is bringing it to upstate New York for the very first time.
“This is an extraordinary chance for our community to taste selections from markets rarely seen stateside,” says Denham. “This event marks a major milestone in Bocage’s tradition of bringing the world’s most distinctive wines to Saratoga Springs.”
Reserve your spot now: https://www.bocagechampagnebar.com/store/events/
Sustainable Saratoga is hosting its 9th annual Saratoga Recycles Day sponsored by Adirondack Trust Company. This year’s event is being held on Saturday, October 18, from 9 am – 12 pm in the SPAC overflow parking lot on the west side of Route 50.
Saratoga Recycles Day, a key event of Sustainable Saratoga’s Zero Waste Committee, is an opportunity for the community to actively participate in minimizing household waste.
“This event, along with our very successful Paint Collection Day held earlier this month, provides us the forum to partner with other local organizations to collect household waste for reuse or recycling,” Kelsey Trudell, Sustainable Saratoga’s Executive Director, said. “We view this as a great service to the community and our environment.”
Sustainable Saratoga and its partners will accept many household items, including children’s & adult books, textbooks, DVDs & CDs, video games, clothing & textiles, scrapmetal, eyeglasses, hearing aids, musical instruments, cell phones and chargers, adult
bicycles, refrigerants, small appliances, and electronics.
There will be an additional $20 recycling fee per TV.
Just eight months after a severe knee injury, Saratoga native Kevin Roohan wins the race, sets the new course record, and finds redemption at one of Colorado’s fastest-growing endurance events.
Nothing motivates Kevin Roohan more than telling him something is impossible.
On September 27, at age 37, he won the demanding Elevation Everest, an event held at Winter Park Resort in Colorado, with an elevation gain similar to climbing Mount Everest.
Now an endurance athlete, Roohan played soccer and lacrosse before graduating from Saratoga Springs High School in 2005. He didn’t discover his passion for extreme rock climbing, ski mountaineering, and marathon racing until he moved west, in his twenties.
“Part of what I love about it is the unexpected challenges and the mystery of not knowing what’s going to happen up there,” said Kevin. “You have to push yourself further than you ever have before.”
Climbing into the Unknown
When Kevin moved out west 17 years ago, he didn’t know much about the sports that now move him to compete. He just wanted to ski.
Skiing led to rock climbing and ski mountaineering. He discovered a knack for running and ultrarunning in his thirties, after sustaining injuries that prevented him from climbing. A decade ago, he moved to Utah and his desire to compete in endurance events grew. He started competing in ultramarathons, ranging from 50 kilometers up to 80 miles.
“I had a good mentality for it. It was an avenue that I could excel at. I have the mental fortitude and mental capacity to compete. I’ve never been the fastest or the strongest, and when I was growing up, I never felt particularly gifted physically. My strength lies more in being able to work through adversity,” he said. “I stay positive, stay focused, and stay with it when others fall apart. I tend to just hang in there. I endure and try hard and am able to withstand. When others give up, I look for a way through.”
Whether skiing a technically challenging alpine descent or scaling a total elevation gain of 30,000+ feet like he did this fall, Kevin enjoys challenges that test the limits of what any human body can endure.
“It’s never too late to find your passion and what you’re good at,” he said.
Hitting the Roadblock that Propelled Him Forward
Last summer, while running along an 80-mile trail at night with nothing but a headlamp to illuminate his path, Kevin began hallucinating, imaging the shadows cast by trees and rocks in the desolate landscape were something (or someone!) they were not.
Nothing has scared him more, however, than tearing his knee’s ACL muscle this winter. While working hard to recover, conversations about professional representation dried up, trips were cancelled, and plans to team up with other athletes disintegrated.
“People were letting me know that I was no longer of interest to them,” said Roohan. “I think that served as the greatest motivation for me in recovery – people thinking I wasn’t capable of doing something.”
Extreme (But Within Reason)
Kevin made it his goal to bounce back quicker than the doctors told him was possible. He hit the gym but needed a goal to aim for. That’s when his friend told him about Elevation Everest, a unique uphill-only challenge held in a controlled resort setting that reduces isolation and the severe risks present in other extreme competitions.
The Full Everest, that Kevn signed up to compete in, consists of a 2.2-mile lap up the mountain, followed by an eight-minute gondola ride down, repeated 19 times. Last year, only one person completed in the 17.5 hours allotted.
“It’s really not for the faint of heart. It’s the real deal,” said the race director when Roohan inquired about signing up.
Race Day Strategy
An hour before the race, Roohan ate a bowl of oatmeal with peanut butter, banana, and mixed berries. He loaded up on electrolytes and lots of coffee. It was his usual routine, but that day, he was feeling nauseous.
Roohan’s strategy was to win. He picked out the leader among the 385 racers that day (a man roughly a decade younger) and rode his heels up the mountain. His early climbs averaged 32-35 minutes through lap five.
He stood or paced during the gondola ride down to resist his legs freezing up and called down to his partner, Andy, at base camp, to ready supplies; sports gel, drink mix, water, a sunshirt, hat, glasses, etc. as they were needed.
Running the Distance
The chaotic chase continued but this unforgiving pace was unsustainable, and something had to give. Roohan’s legs felt heavy, it was the heat of the day, and he was beginning to question if he could maintain when he overheard the race leader tell reporters that “He felt like dirt.”
The comment blew wind into Roohan’s exhausted sails. “I could taste the blood in the water,” he said. His nausea subsided, the sun slipped behind the clouds, and his legs felt fresh again. Mid-race, he settled into a 37–41-minute lap average.
“I’ve done enough of these to know that the way you feel is always changing and things can change in an instant. I know feelings are not permanent,” he said. “When the adrenaline kicks in, pain is the new normal. I’ve heard people refer to it as existing in the ‘pain cave’. It’s when everything hurts and things feel really grim. What it all boils down to is how you react in these moments. You have to find comfort in the uncomfortable, move well, and think positive. It’s mental gymnastics,” he said.
Roohan pushed the pace, gained the lead, and achieved a commanding 15:27:55 first place finish, setting the new course record by almost two hours.
“There was a flood of relief. I had done it faster than anyone else. It felt like a slice of redemption for me. I feel proud I can still hang. This story isn’t over for me,” he said.
Since Roohan missed most of last season on the slopes, he’s looking forward to strapping on his skis this winter, summitting and skiing some of the hardest peaks in the world while enjoying a newfound appreciation for the sport. Unsure of what his next will be, he will continue building on his fitness across various disciplines and stay ready for the next challenge that comes his way.
A new National Park Service report shows that 116,537 visitors to Saratoga National Historical Park in 2024 spent $8,200,000 in communities near the park. That spending had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $10,383,000.
“People come to Saratoga National Historical Park to enjoy and explore the historic landscapes where the pivotal Battles of Saratoga and the resulting first surrender of a British army took place and end up supporting the US and local economies along the way,” said Superintendent Leslie Morlock. “We’re proud that Saratoga National Historical Park generates $10.4 million in revenue to communities near the park.”
The National Park Service report, 2024 National Park Visitor Spending Effects, finds that visitors spent $29 billion in communities near national parks. This spending provided $18.8 billion in labor income and $56.3 in economic output to the U.S. economy. The lodging sector had the highest direct contributions with $11.1 billion in economic output. Restaurants received the next greatest direct contributions with $5.7 billion in economic output.
An interactive tool is available to explore visitor spending, labor income, and total economic contribution by sector for national, state and local economies. Users can also view year-by-year trend data. The interactive tool and report are available on the NPS website.
To learn more about national parks in New York and how the National Park Service works with New York communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to www.nps.gov/newyork.
The area’s premiere new home tour, the 2025 Saratoga Showcase of Homes, opens its doors this weekend!
Showcase tickets are available now online at www.saratogashowcaseofhomes.com or at Adirondack Trust branches, Arrow Bank on South Broadway in Saratoga Springs, Curtis Lumber in Ballston Spa & Queensbury, Roohan Realty in Saratoga Springs, Rebuilding Together ReShop in Ballston Spa and Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Fort Edward.
Showcase tickets are always conveniently available at any showcase home during tour hours of 10:00AM – 4:00PM. As in previous years, each showcase ticket holder will receive a FREE commemorative shoe/tote bag at the first home visited, while supplies last!
The 2025 Saratoga Showcase of Homes is being proudly presented over two fall weekends this year on October 4-5 and October 11-12. Tickets are $25 and this year’s edition has 12 locations from 10 award-winning builders in Saratoga County on display.
Participating builders in this year’s event; Abele Homes, Beechwood Homes, Bella Home Builders, Belmonte Builders, DeGraff Bloom Custom Builders, Green Springs Companies, Heritage Custom Builders, Kodiak Construction, Urvalek Builders and Witt Construction. To view an interactive map and to scan a QR Code of the home locations, directions and much more, please visit the mobile friendly website.
This year’s showcase will also be featuring a “Boards to Blooms” build exhibition on Saturday, October 4th from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM at the Witt Construction Showcase home #5.
Local middle school students will be building wooden box planters led by Whitbeck Construction. It’s all part of spotlighting work in the trades by the Northeast Construction Trades Workforce Coalition.
In addition, a CTE Construction Trades/BOCES Adirondack cabin-style “Tiny House” will be on display all four days of the event at the DeGraff Bloom Custom Builders Showcase home #10.
This annual community event has contributed over $1.6 million dollars to our local charities. Proceeds from the Saratoga Showcase of Homes benefit Rebuilding Together Saratoga County (www.rtsaratoga.org) and Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties (www.glensfallshabitat.org)
For more details on the 2025 Saratoga Showcase of Homes event, please visit www.saratogashowcaseofhomes.com. Check us out on Facebook & Instagram and follow all the updates on this year’s event
An explosion on Starks Knob Road in Northumberland sent two people to the hospital — one severely injured enough to require transport to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse.
The explosion occurred the night of Saturday Sept. 27 around 8:41 p.m., according to the Saratoga County Sherriff’s Office.
The explosion occurred at a bonfire. According to the Sherriff’s Office, a metal drum containing a combustible material exploded causing the injuries. Investigations have thus far shown that the drum and its contents were not known to the hosts of the fire.
The two victims were driven by personal vehicle to Saratoga Hospital with a subsequent transfer of one victim to the Clark Burn Treatment Center at Upstate University Hospital by EMS.
The investigation into the explosion is still ongoing.
The New York State Restaurant Association (NYSRA) and Discover Saratoga are proud to announce a new collaborative partnership aimed at bolstering the restaurant and hospitality industries in the county. This strategic initiative will offer dual membership opportunities, making it easier than ever for industry professionals to connect, collaborate, and grow.
As part of this partnership, NYSRA is offering special discounted membership rates for Discover Saratoga hospitality members who are not currently NYSRA members:
• $90 Membership Rate: Available to Discover Saratoga members who join NYSRA’s Workers’ Compensation Safety Group. To qualify, businesses must allow NYSRA to provide a workers’ compensation insurance quote and, if eligible and the quote is commercially reasonable, switch their policy to NYSRA’s group plan.
• $250 Membership Rate: For Discover Saratoga members not eligible for the Workers’ Compensation Safety Group, NYSRA is offering a discounted first-year membership rate of $250. Standard annual dues will apply in subsequent years.
“This partnership represents a significant step toward uniting and strengthening our region’s hospitality community,” said Melissa Fleischut, President and CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association. “As long-time supporters of the Capital Region, we recognize the incredible momentum building in Saratoga’s restaurant, hospitality, and tourism sectors. By lowering the barrier to entry, we hope to provide more businesses with access to essential tools, training, and advocacy that drive long-term success for both of our organizations.”
“Discover Saratoga is thrilled to partner with the New York State Restaurant Association to support the growth and success of our local hospitality community,” said Darryl Leggieri, President of Discover Saratoga. “Our organizations complement each other in meaningful ways—NYSRA provides statewide advocacy, training, and cost-saving programs, while Discover Saratoga drives visitation and economic impact here in Saratoga County. By offering these discounted dual memberships, we’re making it easier for restaurants and hospitality businesses to benefit from both networks, maximize their resources, and thrive in today’s competitive marketplace.”
As two organizations dedicated to the success of New York’s tourism and hospitality sectors, this partnership creates an exciting opportunity for local businesses to access expanded resources, cost-saving programs, and a statewide network of support.
