SARATOGA SPRINGS — Last week, the Saratoga Springs Professional Firefighters hockey team played against the Troy Firefighters IAFF Local 86 in a benefit game to raise funds for the family of Schenectady Fire Department Lieutenant Mark Barkyoumb. According to Saratoga firefighter Chris Stewart, over $15,000 was raised for Barkyoumb’s family. The Saratoga and Troy hockey teams will face off again on March 21 at the Weibel Ice Rink at 6 p.m.

Barkyoumb passed away unexpectedly last month while off duty. He was 38 years old, and a married father of four. Barkyoumb most recently served as the Lieutenant of Rescue One on the 2nd Platoon of the Schenectady Fire Department.

Three players on the Saratoga Fire hockey team worked with Barkyoumb as members of the Schenectady Fire Department.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The X-Files Preservation Collection announced last Friday that it will now offer live, guided virtual tours for those unable to visit the museum in person. The tours will be hosted on Zoom, last for one hour, and cost $25. 

According to the museum’s website, virtual tours are available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Once connected via Zoom, a guide will provide an interactive tour of the museum, in which virtual visitors will be able to ask questions and direct the guide around the exhibits. 

For more details, or to purchase tickets, visit xfilespreservationcollection.com.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Phinney Design Group has purchased the neoclassical stone building at 1 Franklin Square in downtown Saratoga Springs. The structure, built in the 1830s, will serve as the company’s construction management office, according to Cira Masters, Phinney’s Director of Marketing & Business Development. 

Phinney’s primary office is located in the Beekman Street Arts District. The company also opened a location in Lake Placid last month. Phinney hopes to have its new office at 1 Franklin Square opened by March. 

COLONIE — At the grand opening of the Legacy Dispensary in Colonie last Friday, company founder & CEO Matthew Robinson said the process of launching his business had been a long and difficult road. “Been through a lot,” Robinson said. “Now, we’re past it. We’re in a new stage.”

Robinson tried to hold back tears as he thanked his family for their support. “My family is there for everything,” he said. “I could call anybody, any time of night and they’re going to come. I thank them for that.”

Legacy is the latest in a series of cannabis dispensaries opening up across the Capital Region. Among the organizations represented at the dispensary’s ribbon-cutting ceremony was the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce. 

“Matt, hearing your story, it’s so inspirational of what you did to get here today,” said Andrea Cole, the chamber’s Vice President of Events & Marketing. “I definitely think your tribulations that you’ve gone through, the hardship that you’ve gone through, really have paid off for you to open up this amazing space.”

Robinson is a member of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce. “We’re visible and vocal for our members,” Cole said. “So if it’s down here in Albany County, or Schenectady County, or Saratoga County, we’re always going to be there for support.”

Saratoga Springs itself is poised to open three cannabis dispensaries, a fact highlighted by Mayor John Safford in his 2024 State of the City Address last week. The budding businesses are expected to open shop at 75 Weibel Ave, 95 West Ave, and 1 Kaydeross Avenue West.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Adelphi Hotel previewed its new luxury condominium residences last Wednesday, which are priced from $800,000 to $4 million. Some of the 79 units have already sold, and the hope is that new residents will be living at the Adelphi by the start of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival on June 6.

The condos, which range from 800 to 2,500 square feet, feature European-style kitchens, Wolf and Miele appliances, Kohler fixtures, Silestone Quartz countertops, and plank-wood floors. Residents will have their own private entrance on Washington Street, and can enjoy the hotel’s various amenities, including in-room dining courtesy of Morrissey’s and Salt & Char.

According to AJ Bodden from the Shannon McCarthy Team at eXp Realty, buyers thus far “are from all over the place; plenty of local, snowbird types with second homes, but also a handful of primary residences.” Bodden said that everyone who has toured the condos have either stayed at the Adelphi or eaten at one of the hotel’s restaurants. Most of his prospective clients include Skidmore College parents, horse racing fans, frequent Saratoga visitors, and locals.

“Saratoga Springs is a highly sought out location,” said developer and co-owner Larry Roth in a statement. “With this project, we have created the most luxurious five-star hotel residence in the region and further cemented The Adelphi as a destination point for people coming from places such as New York City, Boston, Montreal, or Buffalo.”

Many of the Adelphi’s condos are still under construction. It’s estimated that work will be completed by the end of the year. Interested buyers can visit www.adelphiresidences.com.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Central Catholic School is encouraging its community to support 2017 graduate Mari Shaw, who, as of press time, was on life support at a hospital in Orlando, Florida. According to her alma mater, Shaw needs a liver transplant and doesn’t have health insurance. A GoFundMe was created last week by Karen McIntosh to raise funds for Shaw. “Please if there is anything you can do to help,” McIntosh wrote on GoFundMe, “even if it is not monetary, please just send prayers.” 

According to McIntosh, they are waiting for a bed to open up at Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Florida, where a transplant can take place. Once a bed is available, Shaw will be airlifted to the hospital. To learn more or donate to the fundraiser, visit www.gofundme.com/f/a-miracle-for-mari.

SARATOGA SPRINGS/MIAMA — Anthony Weaver, a former Saratoga Springs High School football player and member of the Blue Streaks Hall of Fame, has been named the new defensive coordinator of the Miami Dolphins. Weaver had attracted interest from a number of teams for vacant positions, including head coach of the Atlanta Falcons and head coach of the Washington Commanders.

In a statement, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said he was “excited to add Anthony to our staff, not only for what he will bring to the Dolphins as a teacher and coach, but even more so who he is as a leader of men.”

Prior to being hired by Miami, Weaver was the assistant head coach and defensive line coach for the Baltimore Ravens. He also had coaching stints with the New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, and Houston Texans. Prior to coaching, he was a defensive end for the Ravens and Texans. He was a second-round pick in the 2002 NFL Draft.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —It may not feel like it if you step outside, but spring is in the air (spring sports, at least). The Skidmore College baseball team held its first full-team practice of the season last Wednesday. Pitchers and catchers reported three days prior. 

The Thoroughbreds’ season will kick off on the afternoon of Saturday March 2 at Baruch College. A series of away games will follow against St. Joseph’s University Brooklyn and SUNY Oneonta, before the Gene Cusic Classic in Fort Myers, Florida begins on March 10. 

Skidmore’s first home game will be on Friday, March 22 at 3 p.m. versus Bard College.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — If the Saratoga Race Course is akin to a ritzy cocktail bar, harness racing at the Saratoga Casino Hotel is more like a friendly neighborhood pub. Not everyone there knows each other, but it feels like they do. Security guards are on a first-name basis with drivers. Groups of friends crowd around tables to drink and chat while a slot machine symphony rings in the background. Inside, there’s the familiar scent of beer. Outside, a hint of cigar smoke floats through the chilly air. By the time the first race begins, the place is packed.

The 83rd season of harness racing kicked off last Saturday, continuing a tradition that began in 1941, when the Saratoga Raceway hosted its first opening night. This year’s schedule will include 150 racing programs through mid-Decemeber, with more than $17 million in purses. Two notable events happening this year are the New York Sire Stakes in June, which feature New York-bred horses racing for over $1 million in purses, and the 15th annual Joe Gerrity Jr. Memorial Pace on July 20. 

“We are looking forward to a tremendous season of racing here at Saratoga Casino Hotel,” said Race Secretary Peter Iovino in a statement. “Our purses will attract a quality product for our racing fans.”

This season will feature a variety of promotions, including:

• Up to 15% bonuses on all winning wagers for SaratogaBets account holders
• On Sunday, February 18, the first 400 customers will receive long-sleeve t-shirts
• A chance to spin a prize wheel to win a $25-$100 free bet on Presidents’ Day

The winter, spring, and fall schedules will include matinee racing on Sundays, Mondays, and select Tuesdays. The summer schedule will feature racing on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturday evenings, with a post time of 5 p.m. Throughout the season, track announcer Mike Sardella will be posting his race picks and writing a biweekly column on saratogacasino.com. 

Aside from harness racing, the Saratoga Casino Hotel also features slot machines, electronic game tables, the Vapor nightclub, a Morton’s steakhouse, and full-service bars. Simulcast wagering is also available.