For one glorious spring weekend, Saratoga cooperated and saved the rain for mid-week.

Yesterday’s Sing in the Streets was so reenergizing, wasn’t it?

— Abby

Good vibes all the time!

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Alaturco sets us straight

My go-to lazy day delivery spot is Ballston Spa’s Alaturco, so I was thrilled to hear that they were doing so well they were about to expand into Schenectady.

Apparently, the good news also ignited the rumor mill.

“Okay… We Need To Clear This Up,” the restaurant posted to Facebook this morning, the dramatic Title Case catching my attention. “We’ve been getting SO many messages, calls, and questions lately asking if we’re closing our Ballston Spa location or leaving the farmers markets.”

I’m happy to report that the Mediterranean hotspot is remaining firmly in both Ballston Spa and at the farmers’ markets.

Mercifully, I’m one frequent diner who received both the panic and the all-clear in the same Facebook post. So I wanted to make sure no one else on our side of the Capital Region thought we were losing this special family restaurant.

Opera Saratoga sells out on tour

Opera Saratoga (OS) has joined forces with the esteemed Glimmerglass Festival for a touring production of Kurt Weill’s provocative musical comedy Happy End. And I just got the good news that ahead of its Saratoga stop (May 28 and 30), it’s already sold out two performances: the May 9 show at the Clark Art Institute, and one of the Glimmerglass July dates.

“I was totally surprised by just how funny it is,” says Saratoga’s Steve Rosenblum, who made his way to the Clark to catch the tour’s first sold-out performance — and immediately pointed out any bias he might have as OS’s President of the Board. “At times, I found myself laughing out loud — perhaps to the dismay of those around me!”

Bias or not, Rosenblum knows his opera, so who better to give the Dispatch a little review?

“The amazing Ana Karneža combines her sultry, silky voice with a sharp wit, and as the star-crossed lovers, Christine Taylor Price and Gregory Feldmann strike just the right balance of angst without ever becoming sappy,” he says. “I was not sure how the staging would work, given that the production will be performed in seven or eight different venues, but the set is terrific and cleverly designed to look permanent while still being easily transportable (well, with a fair amount of labor, I hear).

“I found myself completely transported and smiling throughout the entire show.”

The 75-minute Happy End will be at UPH May 28 and 30. To grab your ticket before Saratoga’s dates sell out, visit atuph.org.

Saratoga shows up to sing in the street

By Kathleen Willcox

It felt like the kickoff to the summer season.

Twenty-three performers, 10 stages, one day of festive fun in Saratoga Springs. On Sunday, hordes of people danced, walked, sang, sashayed, ate and drank on the streets for Caffè Lena’s annual free community event, Sing in the Streets.

The show(s) went on at stages across Phila, Broadway, Putnam and Lake Avenue, with attendees soaking up the good vibes and music — but also clearly flexing their outside-in-the-sun socializing muscles after a long winter, chilly spring, and eagerly anticipated bout of rain-free weekend time!

The day was magical, the vibe was great. But after sampling songs from every stage, I had to wedge myself in a chair under a high-rise table at Putnam Place to avoid the over-eager ministrations of the sun. With a range of $6 cans on ice, and other patches of shade, I had plenty of company.

Is it too early in the season to start complaining about the heat?

How to see SPAC’s new art exhibit

There’s a certain magic to live anything — symphony, opera, ballet, theater, bands, bigger concerts. And that special something was captured beautifully in the photographs now on display as part of SPAC’s touching new art exhibit, This Place Loves You Back.

Many of the archival photos — to celebrate SPAC’s 60th anniversary — were taken by local photogs whose names you’ll recognize. Then the dreamy images were given the Whitney Browne treatment to make one cohesive show.

Anyone with fond memories of taking in live shows there (that’s all of us, right?) will really enjoy it — I gave myself a tour last week when I stopped by the Pines to check in on Live Nation. And you can, too! All ticket-holders during the classical season can stop in.

For more detail — including more from Whitney Browne, visit spac.org.

Local winery founder named top in state

Sasha Pardy, co-owner and president of Adirondack Winery and Extreme Heights Cidery and owner of Adirondack Festivals, has been named one of the New York State Restaurant Association’s “10 Women to Watch” in Hospitality for 2026, the hotspot announced today.

Pardy will be recognized during the 2026 Women in Hospitality Conference, presented in partnership with Google, June 2 in New York City.

📰 IN BRIEF

Walt Whitman, the writer

Over the weekend, Kathleen brought you the inside scoop about the lovely person, Katie Crager, behind Whitman Brewing’s Wellness Series (think early-morning meditation, for starters) — including a May 20 panel on mental health. Crager also wrote something about it that I wanted to share, because she dove deep into Walt Whitman, the writer.

In the piece, she’s chosen seven of Whitman’s most famous quotes, and writes how they affect us today.

For more on Wednesday’s panel and to read ‘I contain multitudes,’ visit Crager’s Substack.

Saratoga Joinery among local hotspots named by Philly ‘Inquirer’

Saratoga Joinery, the Bluebird Spa City Motor Lodge and Familiar Creature were some of the local hotspots recommended by the Philadelphia Inquirer in a recent “Field Trip” travel piece.

Read the article for free at msn.com.

📌 ICYMI…

Once-in-a-lifetime tour. Mental health at the brewery.

Heads up: A dose of magic June 4 — plus the May 14-20 Events Calendar

Victory, at last! A 2-year treasure hunt

Short-term rental 411. ✌️ 2 new local TV shows.

🍷 Uncork a taste of Napa Wine Country without boarding a plane

🙌 Support the Dispatch

The Dispatch is FREE to read — and only possible because of our paid subscribers. Support the cause if you can.

Local and real, and never corporate.

— Abby

Support the Dispatch!

TVs are being moved outside for the Preakness all over town. Hallelujah.

But first … has anyone else noticed the unique programming at my office-away-from home, Walt Cafe/Whitman Brewing Company? A little guided meditation here, a feel-good eco-warrior meet-up there … I asked Kathleen to investigate, and she met the person behind it all.

Happy Saturday.

— Abby

Good vibes all the time!

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Connect and heal — at the brewery

By Kathleen Willcox

Everyone knows we’ve landed in an era of disconnection, when it’s possible to work, shop, visit the doctor and hold meetings with friends and colleagues from the comforts of home, alone.

Thank goodness for people like Katie Crager, a Reiki practitioner, LMSW, at Performance Sanctuary, who is doing what she can to bring members of the community back together again.

In honor of Mental Health Month, Crager, whose family owns Whitman Brewing Company, will moderate a panel of other experts and healers from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on May 20 at Whitman Brewing Company.

She realizes that a brewery may not be the first place that springs to mind when it comes to “an open, supportive conversation about mental health, guided by themes of self-compassion, nature, and humanity,” but Crager believes it’s actually ideal.

“I try to infuse some of my healing work into community spaces to make it accessible,” Crager says. Plus, she adds, the event is inspired by Walt Whitman himself.

The panel brings together a diverse group of local wellness practitioners and mental health professionals who will share insights, experiences and tools for healing and resilience.

“We aim to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and foster a deeper understanding of mental health,” Crager says, “while drawing inspiration from Whitman’s enduring message of compassion and shared human experience.”

Come, connect, listen. IRL. There’s nothing like it.

The best part is, you can extend the healing and conversation after with Whitman’s stellar beer and pizza.

You love Kathleen

After a stranger saw the success of the Dispatch and started a @saratogadispatch Instagram account in January without my knowledge or consent, I at last launched one (give us a follow at @Saratogadispatch518) — even though my focus will always be delivering the news straight to your email.

My posting has gotten off to a slow start, but I did manage to throw up a lovely Mother’s Day post to Kathleen, who does so much for the Dispatch and me (including writing the above story).

And no less than 80 of her fans shared it.

Not left a comment or thumbed a quick like — shared it to their own followers.

Before I moved to Saratoga, I spent a few years writing almost exclusively about travel and wine, which is how Kathleen and I met. I can assure you from first-hand experience that she is revered in the wine world. In the past few weeks alone, she’s been to Champagne and Peru — all while filing stories to outlets such as the Dispatch.

Check out her wine Substack, Good + Tasty!

Not sure what to do with all of this sunshine? We have some ideas!

Weekend Events Calendar!

Thank you for your service

Starting today, Armed Forces Day, the Tang Museum at Skidmore College will provide free admission to active-duty U.S. military personnel. The 2026 program, which ends on Labor Day, is part of the Blue Star Museums program.

To learn more and find a full list of participating museums, visit arts.gov/BlueStarMuseums.

The heart behind the walk

Earlier this week I received an email from a grieving widow wanting me to spread awareness ahead of tomorrow’s Capital Region’s Brain Tumor Walk for a Cure, which starts at 9 a.m. in Saratoga State Park.

Adding it to yesterday’s Events Calendar just wasn’t enough to convey what these walks mean to people with first-hand experiences.

Here’s Julie Rappleyea Audia in her own words:

“My husband, Peter, was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma in August, 2024. He had his craniotomy at Albany Med on August 26, 2024 and died from the GBM beast on March 26, 2026, exactly 19 months later. Peter also had Crohn’s disease, a complication that added to his suffering.

He outlived the median survival rate of 12-18 months.

My family and I started Team Audia to fundraise in honor of Peter last May. This year, we walk in his memory. So far, we are again the leading fundraisers.”

Cheer on Team Audia or join in the walk at Brain Tumor Walk for a Cure.

📸 IN PICTURES

Ballston Spa National Bank celebrates the reopening of its original home office (87 Front St., Ballston Spa) following a historic renovation.

After a razzle-dazzle soft opening around the holidays, Canopy Saratoga (697 Saratoga Rd., Wilton) celebrates its official grand opening — including a newly built facility with a garden center, café and home goods shop under one roof.

More info, visit canopysaratoga.com.

Song Hill Thoroughbreds opens farm gates for public walking tour experience

By Lauren Behan

STILLWATER — It’s the day of the Preakness! Which means the final jewel, our last Belatoga, is right around the corner. And Song Hill Thoroughbreds LLC has a once-in-a-lifetime, behind-the-scenes tour planned for the historic weekend.

The 90-minute tour is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, June 5 at the farm’s Saratoga County location (290 County Road 75, Stillwater). Doors open at 9:45 a.m., and free parking will be available onsite.

Guests will tour the farm grounds (comfy footwear highly recommended!), visit barns, and meet broodmares and foals while learning about the daily operations of a professional Thoroughbred breeding and racing facility. The event is designed for both longtime racing enthusiasts and newcomers interested in learning more about the sport and the care involved in raising elite equine athletes.

“This tour gives people a chance to experience the heart of Thoroughbred racing up close,” says Grace Bond of H. James Bond Racing Stables. “We’re excited to share the work, dedication and passion that go into developing racehorses from the very beginning.”

For tickets and additional information, visit Eventbrite.

This story was brought to you by…

📌 ICYMI…

Heads up: A dose of magic June 4 — plus the May 14-20 Events Calendar

Victory, at last! A 2-year treasure hunt

Short-term rental 411. ✌️ 2 new local TV shows.

Were you seen by Seen in Saratoga Weds night?

A French rosé with 400 years of history.

---

🙌 Support the Dispatch

The Dispatch is FREE to read — and only possible because of our paid subscribers. Tip if you can!

Always local, never corporate.

— Abby

Support the Dispatch!

With a glorious weekend of sun in the forecast?

Break out your summer wardrobe — looks like Mother Nature has been reading our group chats.

— Abby

Finders keepers

Nothing was going to stop Ashley Salvadore from finding a Saratoga Hidden Horseshoe.

When Saratoga Hidden Horseshoes launched in 2023, it immediately sparked a legion of bounty hunters eager to find one of the 300 (per year) treasures. But Ashley Salvadore? She was blissfully unaware until the next year — and then became addicted. “It’s a needle in a haystack!” she says. “If you think about how big Congress Park is, to find a horseshoe…”

And that’s the idea. The nonprofit hides “authentic racehorse shoes collected from the Backstretch of Saratoga Racecourse each season; 30 of which are decorated by local artists,” says founder Jenn Claeson. Even though each is numbered and has a QR code for registering — and she says most people do register theirs as soon as they find one — she remained coy about how many are still out there.

But she did say that — spoiler alert — Salvadore’s find was more than a year old, which backs up their claim that “there are always shoes out at all five locations!”

For those five locations and for info about the 2026 hunt, visit SaratogaHiddenHorseshoes.com.

Q: Two years … you’ve really been searching for one of Saratoga’s Hidden Horseshoes for two years?

Two summers, feverishly. I’ve gotten on my hands and knees in the mud. I’ve sprinted at trash. I’ve dragged my mini Aussie, Grace, through thorn bushes chasing a glint of silver that turned out to be a Stewart’s cup. Meanwhile an 8-year-old wanders into Congress Park and finds one in 30 seconds.

Q: How did this even start?

At the Logan Strong Gala, two years ago. I sat next to an older gentleman — Sigi— who casually said, “Ever heard of the Saratoga Hidden Horseshoes? It’s basically a year-long Easter egg hunt.” I was in. Plot twist: I ran into Sigi again on opening day this year at Spring Run Trail. We hugged.

Q: Worst park to search?

Bog Meadow. I have been to the Amazon, and I saw more snakes at Bog Meadow. I don’t think they’re on the list anymore.

Q: How dramatic was your actual find (congrats!) this month?

First bush at Waterfront Park, five seconds out of the car — half-buried in mud. An older horseshoe, no less. And on Kentucky Derby day, the day the first female trainer ever won. It felt cosmic. I’m getting it framed.

Live Nation debuts new food and — gasp! — digital VIP tickets

Semi-organized tickets in stacks of folders (don’t even think of knocking them off the counter) are a rite of passage for box-holders at the track and SPAC. But as of yesterday, Live Nation is done.

Stepping into the future, of course, doesn’t come without some trepidation, but last night’s private reception at The Pines seemed to quell everyone’s fears over an all-digital ticketing universe. (Yes you can transfer tickets, yes the electronic tickets come with a parking pass.)

Also on the table: the VIP club’s new food options. Think cucumber salad, Churrasco beef sliders, bone-in wings — Kim McConchie gave them a thumb’s up — and an updated dip platter.

Oh, and chicken empanadas. Because Live Nation remains very on trend.

Speaking of empanadas

I can’t let that pass by. Saratoga has at last discovered the empanada, one of my favorite tasty (and convenient, easy-to-eat-in-public) treats. The Nuchas truck at the track helped for awhile, and Boca Bistro and Cantina have lovely options. But then Seneca added a mouthwatering pepperoni and braised leeks variety, and Viva Empanada (hooray!) is coming soon to the CVS shopping center.

And now Live Nation is serving them in VIP all summer long.

Foodies, we have made it.

Vitamin D for a cause

Monday’s weather is supposed to be gorgeous — perfect day for getting your hands dirty in Congress Park.

Join the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation for its Landscape Cleanup Day at the Spirit of Life from 3 to 6 p.m. (Think weeding and spreading mulch.)

Some gloves and tools will be on hand, but you are encouraged to bring your own.

To sign up, visit the Preservation Foundation.

Good vibes all the time!

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Expansion time

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the protection of 79 acres to expand Saratoga Spa State Park. The acquisition by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) will preserve wetlands, forest and open space.

“New York State is focused on conserving open space and providing first-class recreational opportunities,” she said as part of her announcement.

Face for TV

Capital Region Lifestyle is already expanding — and it doesn’t even launch until June 1. Jené Sena is coming onboard to “produce content that resonates with local women and moms,” NewsChannel 13 announced.

At NEWS10 ABC, Upstate Living’s Billy Floyd is getting a partner-in-crime. The mystery (female) cohost will be announced tomorrow.

Amtrak

Improvements to Amtrak’s modest Saratoga Springs stop are moving right along — and are scheduled to debut on time (next summer, in 2027).

On the list, announced Amtrak: a new boarding platform featuring an integrated snow melt system and accessible paths; LED light fixtures that provide full coverage lighting at the platform; new signage; and a new speaker system for the ticket counter.

📰 IN BRIEF

TU edition

The threat of a backstretch work stoppage looms over this historic third and last Belatoga, and the Times Union has all the details.

The TU also caught up with Albany-raised Jason R. Moore, who stars in The Punisher: One Last Kill, which was released yesterday on Disney+.

And finally, since I will never look at Chick-fil-A the same after its dominance over What’s Going on Saratoga during Covid (IYKYK) … the Latham outpost opens tomorrow, and there’s going to be free food — if you embrace the theme. Cheers to TU journo Shannon Fromma who got to start a news story with “Cow print is about to pay off.”

📌 ICYMI…

Short-term rental 411. ✌️ 2 new local TV shows.

Were you seen by Seen in Saratoga Weds night?

A French rosé with 400 years of history.

There’s no denying it now — Saratoga summer is almost here.

Rest up, Dispatchers: Life is about to get a little messy.

In the best way.

— Abby

Good vibes all the time!

Want to reach 5300+ local subscribers in an authentic, creative way?

Partner with us!

What do I really need to know about short-term rentals right now?

Together with:

Last Friday morning, a business meeting I was at wrapped up the moment a stunning real estate agent floated in and was greeted like a visiting dignitary.

And that’s when I clocked that this already-wild racing season is also our first since the new Local Law No. 5 — the one that dominated the news last year — took effect.

Like those eager homeowners looking to rent, I needed some info. Fast.

I called my go-to, Allison Bradley of Four Seasons by Sotheby’s, to fill me in on the new law — and everything else happening with short-term rentals in Saratoga.

The 150-Day Hard Cap: No property can be rented for more than 150 days per year. If you self-manage and — oops — “waste” 20 of those days on low-value mid-week bookings in May, Bradley says, “you’ve permanently lost the ability to sell those nights during the peak track season or October wedding surge.”

ADR Insight: A professional manager uses dynamic pricing to ensure the 150-day window is filled only with the highest-possible ADR (Average Daily Rate) guests.

The Compliance Wall: In 2026, the city registry portal allows only owners to apply for the initial $750 non-primary license. “An agent’s value is taking over the second step,” says Bradley: coordinating the mandatory Saratoga Springs Fire Dept (SSFD) inspection and serving as the “Local Contact” who must respond to the 24/7 city noise hotline within 50 miles.

Mid-Term Rentals: In Saratoga, stays over 30 days are exempt from the 150-day cap and the $750 STR license fee. “A professional agent can find a single, high-profile racing family for 31-plus days,” says Bradley, for more profit and less regulatory headache than going for the weekend warrior party crowd.

For more info, contact Allison Bradley, Four Seasons by Sotheby’s.

House an artist. Be part of the magic.

Opera Saratoga needs three more housing hosts — and this is your chance to be on the inside.

“It’s a unique experience, as behind-the-scenes as you can get,” says the company’s executive director, Amanda Robie. “Plus, you have the opportunity to get to know one of the very talented artists who will take the stage all season at UPH.”

Dates: Monday, May 18 to Monday, June 29, 2026

Requirements: Private bedroom, kitchen privileges, access to laundry facilities, if they are available, WiFi access, no more than 30 minutes from downtown Saratoga Springs, non-smoking household.

Note: Hosts are NOT expected to provide food or transportation to their guests.

If you’ve been waiting for an excuse to step up from being a spectator (it’s the Saratoga way) — this is it.

For more info: info@operasaratoga.org 518-584-6018

📺 ON THE SMALL SCREEN

Friendly competition?

It’s official: Two new local “positive vibes” (maybe the Dispatch is onto something!) TV shows are debuting the first week of June.

NEWS10 ABC’s Upstate Living (10 a.m.) will be hosted by none other than Billy Floyd, who told me he’s so “pumped” and “very ready to dive right in.” Expect high energy, exclusive interviews and super-fun lifestyle content.

Then flip the channel — at 11 a.m., NewsChannel 13 wades in with CRL. Co-hosted by Chris Onorato and Caitlin Irla, Capital Region Lifestyle promises to highlight “local people, local businesses, the things that make the Capital Region so great.”

📸 IN PICTURES

Earn those points

The beautiful Hotel Brookmere (500 Union Ave.) just celebrated its transition into a Marriott Hotels property during a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce. Hopefully, this doesn’t affect that bread basket (IYKYK) at the Regent. Meet you there for happy hour to find out?

For more info, visit hotelbrookmere.com.

📰 IN BRIEF

For more info…

After last week’s “highly contentious” City Council debate regarding the mayor’s proposed changes to Saratoga’s infamous preservation rules, a public information meeting about it all has been confirmed for this evening (double-check that I’m reading this right; it’s been a long day). According to the Times Union, it will take place at 6:30 at Spring Street Gallery. For more on what went down May 5 at the meeting, visit Saratoga Civic Pulse.

Preakness draw

Just 18 minutes ago, the Preakness field became official. Here’s what you need to know about the draw, from Yahoo! Sports.

📌 ICYMI…

Were you seen by Seen in Saratoga Weds night?

Derby 🏇🌹DeVaux: local tears, reactions

This week was a doozy!

Thanks for being along for the (really fun, jet-lagged-for-me) ride.

TGIF, everybody.

— Abby

Wednesday night report: Were you seen by Seen in Saratoga?

Photos by Seen in Saratoga

Huge thanks to the more than 50 fun, local A-listers who came out Wednesday night for the second Dispatch Dinner Club! And oh, boy, things got a little spicy…

Since the event series’ launch, there have been multiple table reunions, a poetry reading, boozy friend dates, a love match, and so much more … And about Wednesday night? Reading the post-event reviews (my lips are sealed) required 🍿.

And while all of these fun connections were being made, we filled tables at Familiar Creature, Omakase, Chianti, Seneca, Brasserie Benelux and The Market.

Special thanks to The Misfit, which threw us a KILLER after-party!

All photos by Seen in Saratoga

On June 17, we’ll do it all again — with new people, some new restaurants, new people at your table for returning diners, post-dinner reunions, and more … Join us!

I want a seat at a table!

Saratogian returns to the big leagues

Pitcher Jack Anderson, who I’ve been told summers in Saratoga, is back in the Red Sox bullpen tonight. Fingers crossed they put him in! For more on the sportsball of it all, you’ll have to check out an outlet such as CBS Sports or Mass Live.

Wild Horse re-opens its doors

I popped into Wild Horse, my neighbor down Caroline Street that just reopened after closing for the winter for renovations, to have a peek around. Soon, the stunning back room is going to open as the Kashmir Lounge, a Wednesday night piano bar and weekend live music venue. Until then, stop in for a casual drink at the friendly front bar (hi, Grace!), a customized cheese plate, or a delicious sit-down dinner of small plates such as Nashville Hot Bao Buns or Spanish traditions such as patatas bravas or lamb meatballs with pistachio and mint.

Potions and lotions at Petal + Hive

You’re invited to Petal + Hive (510 Broadway) on May 17, to embrace your mad scientist energy and create two custom small-batch serums using professional cosmetic chemistry equipment — including overhead mixers and a homogenizer.

Join cosmetic chemist (and the store’s amazing owner) Jillian Ehrenberg at the lab bench to see what it’s actually like to formulate skincare from scratch. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll watch the formulas come together in real time while learning why certain ingredients are chosen, how textures and skin feel are adjusted, and what separates a thoughtfully formulated product from a generic one.

At the end of the workshop, bottle up your work — you’ll take home full-size, ready-to-use skincare products.

To grab your seat, visit petalandhive.com.

Sign up today for Sunday’s Kelly’s Angels Mother-Lovin’ 5k Walk-Run

The 14th annual event serves as the main annual fundraiser for Kelly’s Angels’ mission to help families who have lost loved ones to cancer or other illness or are battling life-threatening conditions. The activities step off at 8:45 a.m. with a free Kids’ Fun Run in which children ages 9 and under race toward the finish line with moms and dads rooting them on or running alongside.

The Mother-Lovin’ 5K begins Mother’s Day morning at Spa State Park at 9:15 a.m. Register now!

Local Derby winner will skip the Preakness

Remember Wednesday when I wrote that my gut was telling me it’d be great if I could hold off writing about Kentucky Derby winner Cherie DeVaux and the Preakness? Alas, the history-making trainer from Saratoga announced that she was skipping the race not 20 minutes later.

But the Dispatch Dinner Club waits for no one!

Rest up, Golden Tempo — I hope to see you in Saratoga at the Belmont.

📌 ICYMI…

Mad scientist 👩‍🔬 energy. Mother-Lovin’ 5k

Will 🏇 Golden Tempo run?

Derby 🏇🌹DeVaux: local tears, reactions

A weekend off for 🙋‍♀️ Mom — or 🙋‍♂️ Dad

Summer hasn’t even started yet, and I already need a nap.

And if the worlds align, a bigger hat for June 6.

— Abby

What I missed

I scoured the internet Monday looking for that perfect A-list reaction to Saratoga’s Cherie DeVaux’s historic Kentucky Derby win. Somehow, Mike Repole’s heartfelt personal video (despite his Renegade coming in second to Golden Tempo) didn’t punch its way through my algorithm until this morning.

“Being the first woman trainer to win the Kentucky Derby is amazing,” he says during the five-minute tribute to DeVaux and team. “Everyone knows I have a 10-year-old daughter, Gioia. I always tell Gioia, ‘Think big, dream bigger.’ Cherie, you exemplify that.”

Sob.

Click on the embed to watch the vid in its entirety. 👇

Since we’re getting emotional…

After I sent out Monday’s Dispatch, José Ortiz shared this video of Golden Tempo’s groom, José Hernandez, after their big win.

Who run the world

If Golden Tempo wins the Preakness and is up for a Triple Crown (the first ever for a female trainer) on June 6, The Spa’s final Belmont would be insane. As Repole said above, let’s dream big.

What we’re waiting on

DeVaux has said in multiple interviews that she’ll most likely announce her Golden Tempo/Preakness decision tomorrow.

What’s she doing today?

After making the media rounds on virtually no sleep, DeVaux told Pat McAfee that today was the big Decision Day, when the entire team would have “an informed conversation with everyone’s input.”

The rockstar trainer was clear about the most important thing: All eyes will be on Golden Tempo.

“Golden Tempo,” she said, “will dictate the decision.”

What we’re up against:

Golden Tempo came in from dead last place to win the Derby by a nose; the Preakness is a shorter race.

Our guy had six weeks of rest before winning the Derby. But there are only 14 days between it and the Preakness.

“Golden Tempo has never won a race with fewer than four weeks of rest,” confirms CBS Sports. “Most of the rest of the field skipped The Run for the Roses and will have much more rest time.”

DeVaux told Pat McAfee, “We’re gonna talk about whether we think a cut back in distance off two weeks’ rest is really what’s best for him,” adding, “He just might need a little bit more time to get back into feeling himself.”

In pictures

Watching a race in the Hall of Fame is an electrifying experience — and the crowd that assembled last Saturday to watch a Saratoga native become the first female to win the Kentucky Derby basically caught lightning in a bottle.

And today the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame announced it will host a free Preakness Watch Party from 5 to 7 p.m. A food truck from Ted’s Fish Fry will be on hand for the purchase of snacks, and there will be a cash bar.

Walk-ins welcome for the May 16 party, but it’s always helpful to register ahead of time. To do so, visit Preakness Watch Party.

In memory

Tom and Mary Barker — who spent their last five summers in Saratoga — are one of those couples whose kindness you feel the moment you meet them. Tom passed away April 19, and Mary is celebrating his life near their home in Texas next Thursday.

And their love for Saratoga shines through, as Mary is inviting everyone to wear racetrack-inspired attire.

“Tom loved horse racing and everything that came with it,” she says. So in lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for memorial donations to the New York Racetrack Chaplaincy.

N.Y Racetrack Chaplaincy, PO Box 37191, Elmont, New York, 11003. nyrtca.org.

Local ties: Cherie talks a bit about hot walking in Saratoga

📌 ICYMI…

Derby 🏇🌹DeVaux: local tears, reactions

A weekend off for 🙋‍♀️ Mom — or 🙋‍♂️ Dad

Hello, neighbor. Party pics.

Human connection in an AI world

So where were we all on Saturday evening while one of our own was making history in front of 25 million viewers?

The build-up, the reactions, the chills, the tears…

Cherie DeVaux, the Saratoga native with the bear hugs, who so lovingly nursed Lady Eli back to health … we knew you when.

— Abby

🚨 Cut-off for Wednesday’s Dinner Club is 6:30 p.m. TODAY. 🚨

I hope to meet you there! I’ll be waiting at The Misfit after dinner to hear alllll the gossip. And Seen in Saratoga will be with me, snapping happy pictures.

last 5 hours to join the fun!

Saratoga pride

The electric build-up, the pro athlete who cried, and all the local reactions as Cherie DeVaux becomes the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby.

The buildup

NBC’s Donna Brothers — legendary jockey and half-time Saratoga resident — does her very last Kentucky Derby walkover (after previously announcing her retirement) with trainer Cherie DeVaux, whose horse Golden Tempo enters the race with 23-1 odds and José Ortiz aboard. “I’m hoping you become the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby,” Brothers tells Saratoga native DeVaux.

In place for the big race, DeVaux gives her surrounding friends and family a huge hug as she settles down to watch the 152nd Run for the Roses, sporting a confident red jacket and custom Golden Tempo sneakers. “I might pee my pants,” she tells America’s Best Racing, which has her mic’d up for the race.

Just three days after being called up to MLB, new Yankees pitcher Elmer Rodriguez tunes in to the Kentucky Derby to root for his cousins, who are none other than star jockeys José Ortiz and Irad Ortiz Jr (José was piloting for DeVaux; Irad was aboard the favorite, Renegade). Watching alone, Rodriguez was “more nervous” than during his own debut with the Yankees, he would tell the New York Post. “I don’t know why. I started crying.”

Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga’s Kimberly Weir — on a flight from Phoenix to San Diego — struggles with the plane’s Wi-Fi, but the delay caused by Great White’s scratch kept her from missing the most exciting two minutes in sports. “Moments after we landed, I was cheering with my random seatmate,” she says. “I turned up the volume and played it for the whole plane to hear!”

“Electric energy,” Emily Mopsik calls the mood at the Sponsor-a-Scholar Derby Party at The Lodge.

The history-making race

Golden Tempo is so far in last place for the first part of the Derby that he isn’t even on the tracking screen — leaving DeVaux struggling to keep her eye on him. “They have little chiclets [with the horses’] numbers,” DeVaux says on the Today show this morning. “And he wasn’t even on that screen, which is pretty hard to do.”

Irad, aboard Renegade, “[feels] like a winner…for a second” after following Tyler Gaffalione around the final turn and taking the lead.

As José passes his big brother on the right, Irad — he tells Maggie Wolfendale the next day — calls out his brother’s name.

As DeVaux sees Golden Tempo making his run for it at the top of the stretch, she starts pounding the wooden barrier between her and the track. “Come on, José!” is all she gets out — screaming her battle cry exactly 10 consecutive times.

As José crosses the finish line for his first Kentucky Derby win, he and Irad — who finish 1-2 — briefly grasp wrists in a beautiful show of brotherhood that sweeps the internet.

DeVaux’s now-famous bear hugs cause her mic to go in and out. “Oh my god” can still be heard a whopping 17 times until, at last, out of breath, the first-ever female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby heads to the Winner’s Circle.

Reactions

“When she won?” says Saratogian Becca Beers, who watched with other locals on the Hall of Fame’s oversized screens. “All women felt the power shift. And then the Saratoga pride…It was pretty epic.”

“I am so excited she won and that I got to know her when I was shooting the races!” says veteran photographer Cathy Duffy. “Lady Eli was a horse that was very special to her, and it means a lot to me that I got to photograph them together.”

“She was always an extremely hard worker,” Chad Brown — for whom Devaux was an assistant for eight years — told Daily Racing Form. “She has carefully managed that horse, he’s been consistent. She made an equipment change a couple of races ago and the horse has maintained a consistent pattern and that’s the sign of a well-managed horse. Well deserved to her and her team, they work hard.”

“HERStory made at the Kentucky Derby,,,” reads a post to X by non-local Flavor Flav, who made headlines for inviting the female Olympic hockey team to Vegas. “Congratulationz Cherie Devaux on making history and earning yourself an invite to Flavor Flav’s SHE Weekend in Las Vegas so the world can celebrate you,!!!”

“If I wasn’t in the race I would have rooted for her,” Mike Repole, owner of Renegade, told the Lexington Herald Leader.

“Loyalty with Cherie,” José said when asked after the race how he chose to ride Golden Tempo. “Working with her all winter at Fair Grounds. We always knew we sort of have a lot of ability … she has been very loyal to me, so I feel like I should give that back. And I knew always Golden Tempo was going to be my mount.”

Congratulations, Cherie!

I’m taking my annual spring brain break this week. Covering this year’s Saratoga Summer — our final Belmont, plus a staggering 51 days of racing, for starters — is going to take everything I’ve got.

So I’m breathing in some crisp mountain air to re-center and recharge.

Luckily, since Saratoga stops for no one, our own Kathleen Willcox jumped in to keep you in the loop.

— Abby

🫶 May 6 Dinner Club: Take the quiz, get paired with 5 neighbors, receive your restaurant invite the morning of May 6, and enjoy your meal as you make new friends. Then head to The Misfit to reunite with the whole group — 41 and counting! — for a nightcap to gossip about how it all went down.

Dispatch Dinner Club: the only Saratoga supper club that supports our beloved local restaurants (last month’s booked tables at Rhea, Kindred, Coat Room, Standard Fare, Omakase, The Market and Chianti) while we make real connections. See you there!

I want a seat at a table!

🤝 MEET THY NEIGHBOR (🚨 new section alert!)

Hello, neighbor: Creating kindness in an increasingly polarizing world

By Kathleen Willcox

Have you also found it getting harder and harder to discuss anything? From youth sports to a love of steak, even the most innocent enthusiasm or topic of conversation feels fraught with peril.

Saratogian Molly O’Gorman, the director of narrative and engagement for the Service Employees International Union — the second-largest union in the country, with 2.1 million workers — has seen the increasing alienation and uncomfortable silences creep into her professional and personal life.

And has developed some ways to tackle it. (Maybe that’s why she always seems to be smiling.)

Instead of throwing her hands up in defeat, O’Gorman says she has become “determined to build community in a different way.”

In Saratoga, that means tackling it on two fronts: what to do during everyday life such as grabbing groceries, and getting involved and volunteering for political and social organizations that resonate with her personally and politically.

“Saratoga is a bellwether county,” O’Gorman says. “What we do, and how we vote, matters. The school board matters. The stances they’ve been taking on trans rights and critical race theory have an impact here, and beyond.”

But it also involves a mental shift during the day-to-day.

“It’s funny because when I run into someone, generally a stranger, on the street, in the grocery store, or in my neighborhood and they do something polite or kind for me, I have no way of knowing what church they go to, what their politics are, or how they feel about anything really,” she says.

“As a mental exercise,” she continues, “I’ve been trying to pretend that they are as different from me as possible. It helps me see everyone as potentially kind and community-minded in an increasingly polarized world.”

🎟️ SOLD OUT

Lola’s early screening of ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’

On Thursday, Lola Saratoga will present an early screening of the new Devil Wears Prada 2 film starring Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Stanley Tucci and Emily Blunt — and congrats to the fashionistas for selling out!

Those that grabbed their tickets in time will enjoy red carpet treatment, a raffle, and an early viewing of the season’s “it” movie! And 100% of the profits will be donated to Girls Inc.

📸 PARTY PICS

Opera Saratoga takes on NYC

Photos by Bill Lynch

Last Thursday, Opera Saratoga threw a Spring Soirée at the gorgeous home of Karen Brooks (LEFT) and Robert Schroeder — and the great Bill Lynch was on the scene for the Dispatch. The Capital Region’s only professional opera company drew an A-list arts crowd including author A.M. Holmes (CENTER, above right), and bold-faced names from the Met Opera and New Music USA.

OS has a huge line-up for its spring season at UPH, including My Fair Lady and The Elixir of Love. Visit atuph.org.

👉 Send us your party pics! abby@saratogadispatch.com.

🍺 Brewseum ferments a sell-out

By Kathleen Willcox

For the fifth year in a row, the annual Night at the Brewseum at the gorgeous Canfield Casino completely sold out its boozy event, featuring about 50 local brewers, cideries, wineries, and restaurants.

“People want to support a good cause,” says John McDonald, a vice president at the Saratoga Springs Lion’s Club — all of the ticket proceeds benefit the Lions’ Mission Goals in Sight, Hearing, Diabetes, Youth and Community. “And it’s a great night of food and drinks.”

“I loved that there was a nice healthy sampling of Pilsners and lagers,” says local community booster and beer enthusiast Laura Tilton. Her faves? “The German Pils at Common Roots and the Alchemy Pilsner, which I found bright and refreshing.”

Another experienced party-goer — who insisted on using only his first name — gave the event high marks.

“I enjoyed the variety of light beer,” Bill says. “I usually don’t enjoy beer events because there is a focus on IPA’s. I also appreciate the limited number of tickets. There was a lot of people, but it didn’t feel overcrowded.”

Standard Fare’s spring menu brings in fresh newbies, old faves

“I wasn’t sure, but now that I’ve tasted it, holy sh*t! In a good way.” — overheard at Standard Fare’s spring menu preview last week.

I was dining at the bar (and meeting Molly O’Gorman, see above), digging into tempura fried squash blossoms — which were stuffed with shrimp mousse. Any initial pause was immediately forgotten, thanks to the outstanding crispiness of the thin tempura batter, and the firm, shrimp (but not shrimp-y if yaknowwhatimean) mousse.

Other hits: homemade rosemary focaccia and taleggio butter and yellowfin tuna loin carpaccio with crunchy garlic.

Thankfully, tried and true hits like the meatloaf, pork chop, and the “doesn’t taste vegan or gluten-free” zucchini lasagna make their bow on the full menu as well.

“We want to reflect seasonality,” says Clark Gale, Standard Fare’s co-owner, “but still provide a few anchor items that our regulars get attached to.”

📌 ICYMI…

Human connection in an AI world

EXCLUSIVE: 🏇 Tom Durkin’s fave Saratoga moment

Saratoga’s real 💧 water story

Ever wonder why I write these borderline-cringey little notes?

Yup, because I want you to know it’s me. Abby. A real person.

The Dispatch is about community and connection — and so is Jillian Ehrenberg of Petal + Hive.

So … we connected. Enjoy her interview!

— Abby

After that intro, you knew this was coming…

The next Dispatch Dinner Club is May 6. Book now to join the 33 of your neighbors who have already signed up! You’ll be matched with five of ‘em for dinner at restaurants all over town — then we’ll all meet up for a nightcap at The Misfit to gossip about how it all went down.

I want a seat at a table!

No awkward mingling, like-minds only. Connect and support local!

Human connection in an AI world

I want a world where the flex is not to be on your phone. Until then…we need more entrepreneurs like Jillian Ehrenberg, the owner of Broadway’s clean beauty shop Petal + Hive. A cosmetic chemist who last year moved her business from Ballston Spa to Saratoga, Ehrenberg has also been building something she calls the Wellness Connection Project and using her larger new space to host workshops, events and walk-in conversations.

Why focus on human connection, and why now?

“We’re in a time when we’re lacking connection more than ever. It’s not just being on the phone — it’s being inside your own news stream, your own bubble. You can be friends online with people you’ll never actually meet. But we’re wired for connection, and not everybody knows how to practice it.”

Why move the shop to Saratoga?

“I wanted room to host events without people feeling squished, and my old space was tiny. Now I have people reaching out twice a week asking if we can host or co-host something. I don’t know how they’re all finding me, but I’m like: Bring it.”

Tell me about your skincare workshops.

“I’m a cosmetic chemist, so I have my own skincare line. At a ‘Sip and Blend,’ I bring out the professional equipment and we make a product from scratch. Everyone leaves with some. Along the way, we talk about ingredients — how to read a label, what to avoid if your skin is sensitive. But mostly, people just talk. It’s great.”

You’ve said the walk-in conversations at the store can get pretty deep.

“People come in with really heavy things. A lot of folks say, ‘I need to switch to clean products because I just got a cancer diagnosis,’ or something similar. Everybody’s dealing with a lot. I want this to be a place where you walk in and feel like you can breathe.”

To learn more about Petal + Hive’s upcoming events, visit petalandhive.com. (And you must go shopping, too!)

Crystals and healing

Saratoga’s Molly Brindle — author, Reiki master and inspiring local celeb — is joining forces with Complexions for an Evening of Crystals & Spiritual Healing on May 13. The event is already almost sold out, so if you’re interested in learning about crystals (and making a bracelet personalized with your own intention to take home!) and trying out Reiki, book your ticket now.

“Energy is everywhere, in your cells, in the earth, in the air — and in the crystals we wear as jewelry!” says Brindle, who adds that her private Reiki energy sessions she’ll be doing during the event “calm and balance your chakras and energy field.”

To grab one of the last tickets, visit complexions.com.

🎥 Saratoga in the limelight

A look into Saratoga’s track season — and the culture surrounding it — just earned director Samuel Centore a win in the documentary short category award at the 2026 Sarasota Film Festival.

The doc, 40 Days in Saratoga, took home its prize on April 17, says Dan DeFedericis of the Saratoga Report.

💃 Tales from downtown Albany

Anyone else a sucker for pop culture moments? Both the ones that cement a moment in time, and those that inexplicably seem to have a mind of their own … like the “Steamed Hams” sketch from The Simpsons.

A few weeks ago, I previewed a Steamed Hams event going down at Druthers — the man, the myth, the legend Bill Oakley was coming to Albany.

For the very first time.

Even though one of his most famous Simpsons moments — a Meme of the Year winner — was literally about Albany. (The memorable double-down dig, anyway.)

And Saratogian Laura Tilton — who claims to weave Simpsons references into 72% of conversations and “essentially” think in Simpsons lines — not only went, but she wrote all about it.

To have a read (it’s fun!), see He does Steam a good ham.

🍎 School report

Saratoga Report’s Dan DeFedericis made an impassioned plea on behalf of his daughter’s school, Spa Catholic. See what he has to say!

Speaking of education…

The Saratoga Torch Club will host a conversation with Skidmore College President Emeritus Philip A. Glotzbach, “offering timely guidance for students and families navigating college and the rapidly changing world beyond it.”

The talk — 7 p.m. on Monday, April 27 — is free to attend, and no reservation is required. To attend the group’s dinner (at 5:30, before the event), a reservation must be made by Friday afternoon. (Email torchman999@gmail.com.)

For more info, visit Civic Conversations.

….and the little guys

Malta’s Skool of Fish preschool (100 Saratoga Village Blvd., Suite 52) celebrated its grand opening during a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce. Congrats!

For more info, visit skool-of-fish.weebly.com.

📌 ICYMI…

UPH outdoes itself

Trinity Mouzon Wofford’s first-ever Saratoga event

EXCLUSIVE: 🏇 Tom Durkin’s fave Saratoga moment

Saratoga’s real 💧 water story

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Saratoga Springs — free.

Real stories, local secrets, and everything worth knowing about the city you love — straight from a human journalist who calls it home.

Never corporate. Always local. Every donation helps!

— Abby

Support the Dispatch!

Allison Bradley, Four Seasons by Sotheby’s.

Happy Monday, Dispatchers!

Anyone else freezing?

— Abby

Dispatch Dinner Club announcement ahead! Save your seat for May 6:

Grabbing my spot!

🍝 DINNER CLUB

May 6 after-party announcement!

If I had to pick a place that screamed “nightcap,” it would be The Misfit.

And they said, “YES!”

We’re so excited that the Dispatch Dinner Club May 6’s after-party venue will be at this spacious cocktail emporium. An informal survey yielded the following excitement:

• “Seating!”

• “Michelle’s the best.”

• “Two words: espresso martinis.”

Join the 29 of your neighbors who have already signed up to support local — and meet locals — on Wednesday, May 6.

1. Take the short quiz.

2. Get matched up with neighbors who think like you, helping to fill up tables across town at small-group dinners.

3. Meet up at The Misfit after to gossip about how it all went down.

Grabbing my seat at a table!

Keep reading!

Were you seen by Seen in Saratoga?

Dispatch Dinner Club dish: how it all went down

🎟️ HEADS UP

A Sure Bet

Saratoga's Prohibition-era underbelly gets a night of its own on Thursday, May 21, when the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, the Holiday Inn and the Saratoga Springs History Museum team up for Bridles and Bootleggers: The 2026 Trifecta Tour.

From 6 to 9 p.m., a complimentary trolley shuttles guests between all three venues for expert-led talks on the gangsters, Thoroughbreds and speakeasies that defined Saratoga in the 1920s — with snacks and drinks at every stop.

To grab your ticket, visit racingmuseum.org.

UPH trifecta

Some weekends, UPH outdoes itself. This is one of those weekends.

Friday April 24, 7 p.m.: The Collingsworth Family Classics & Hymns

“We've never had this genre in here before,” says UPH Director Teddy Foster, “even though we look like a church.” This evening of family worship and Southern Gospel promises “excitement, spiritual anointing, family emphasis and musical excellence.”

atuph.org

Saturday, April 25, 7:30 p.m.: The Music of Sam Cooke starring Bradd Marquis

“I would follow Bradd Marquis anywhere,” Foster says of the star who’s bringing the music of soul icon Sam Cooke (“You Send Me,” “Twistin’ the Night Away”) to UPH on Saturday.

atuph.org

Sunday, April 26, 7:30 p.m.: Soul Asylum Acoustic

Foster calls Soul Asylum’s Sunday night show “a huge deal.” Better grab your ticket fast — the main floor is almost completely sold out. The evening offers a rare chance to see Dave Pirner and Ryan Smith perform an intimate, one-of-a-kind acoustic set. Says Foster, “This is a big, big, big show for us.”

atuph.org

📨 DEAR DISPATCH

“Will interest rates fall again?”

By Allison Bradley, Four Seasons by Sotheby’s Realty

The sub-3% frenzy of the post-pandemic housing market is recent enough that I understand the impulse to wait and see if today’s 6.5% rate drifts back below 6. It probably won’t. So instead of waiting, here’s a tool worth wrapping your brain around.

The 2-1 buy-down: making 6.5% feel like 4.5%

A 2-1 buy-down temporarily lowers your interest rate for the first two years of your loan, giving you breathing room while you settle into your new house.

• Year 1: you pay as if your rate is 4.5%

• Year 2: you pay as if your rate is 5.5%

• Year 3 and beyond: you pay the full 6.5%

If rates stay where they are, you’ve had two years of cheaper payments. If rates fall, you refinance. And unlike rent, a portion of every payment is building equity in a home that’s yours.

What the savings look like: On a $500,000 home with a 20% down payment, a 2-1 buy-down saves about $9,000 in cash flow over the first 24 months.

Why sellers say yes: For a few reasons, in a stable market many sellers would rather give you a $15,000 credit toward a buy-down than drop their asking price by $30,000.

(Temporary buy-downs are a recognized product under Fannie Mae’s Selling Guide, section B3-4.1-02.)

💃 LAST CHANCE

Heartland Masala: Indian Cooking from an American Kitchen

with Jyoti and Auyon Mukharji

April 23, 2026 | 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

The Darlingside, Kansas-born musician Auyon Mukharji collaborated with his mother, the Indian-born Jyoti Mukharjo, on a book that showcases 99 recipes from across India, with a special focus on Punjabi and Bengali cuisine.

It’s going to be quite a feast!

“We draw inspiration from across India,” Mukharji says. “It’s both lightness and darkness. And it’s not just a cookbook.”

Tickets are $125 and are available at spac.org.

🥶 SPIRIT ANIMAL

Ashley Salvadore putting on a puffer coat this morning to walk the dog is all of us.

ICYMI…

Trinity Mouzon Wofford’s first-ever Saratoga event

🗓️ Poetic Echoes 🎻 and more, Events Calendar: April 16-22

EXCLUSIVE: 🏇 Tom Durkin’s fave Saratoga moment

Saratoga’s real 💧 water story

The author of The Hunting Wives book was extra-dishy.

Ever thought about who would play all of us on Netflix?

— Abby

Saratoga welcomes home Trinity Mouzon Wofford for her very first local event

In her new cookbook Eating at Home, Trinity Mouzon Wofford — yes, that Mouzon, from the storied house along High Rock Park — a fourth-generation Saratogian and founder of the acclaimed wellness brand Golde (I’ve been addicted for years, since I first met the entrepreneur) shares the recipes and rituals that anchor her family’s kitchen.

Raised in Saratoga Springs and now based in Chatham with her husband, Issey Kobori, and their young daughters, Ruby and Maya, she traces her love of food back to her grandmother, a Skidmore graduate who kept almond butter, sourdough and canned sardines on hand long before any of it was fashionable.

(Abby) We’re so excited for your Northshire book event on Wednesday. (Trinity) This will be my very first time doing something in Saratoga, so I’m really looking forward to it.

What inspired you to write your cookbook? The journey started four years ago when an agent reached out. I was pregnant with my first daughter and hesitant — I’m not a professional chef. But over a year of writing the proposal, I realized that what I cared most about wasn’t which superfoods to eat. It was the commitment to mealtime itself. Even as a wellness entrepreneur, I’d found that cooking, grocery shopping and sitting down to eat were the most foundational parts of my practice.

How did you choose what to include? The book is largely a collection of mine and Issey’s home recipes. The first chapter is called Component Cooking — the idea that on a slower day you make stock, cook a pot of beans, blanch some vegetables, and tuck them away so weeknight meals become assembly rather than a headache. So much of life is mundane, but there’s loveliness to be found in it.

Anything new with Golde? We’ve been rolling out a new look for the brand — we just launched a new website, with new packaging rolling out through this year. It’s been really fun to get back into that real creative space with the business and think about how we want it to continue to evolve.

Trinity Mouzon Wofford will sit down with Edible editor Jenn Taber VanDerwerken at 6 p.m. at Northshire this Wednesday, April 22. For more info and to order Eating at Home ahead of time, visit northshire.com.

Hive After Hours

Petal + Hive, the clean beauty and skincare store that last fall moved from Ballston Spa to downtown Saratoga, has an impressive series of evening events built on hands-on creativity.

Monday:

👩‍🔬 Skincare Blend & Sip: Cosmetic Chemistry Lab Workshop | 6-8 p.m.

Step into the role of cosmetic chemist and experience how professional skincare is formulated in a fun, hands-on setting. Guided by cosmetic chemist and Acta Beauty founder Jillian Ehrenberg, you’ll participate in creating a small-batch serum or cream using professional mixing equipment. The night’s take-home product: Modern Hippie Cream Cleanser

Register now for April 23:

🎨 Art "Therapy" Workshop | 6-7 p.m.

The Art Club owner and artist, Virginia Fretto, will guide all participants through a variety of inspiring prompts to quiet the mind and open creative expression. No prior art experience needed.

🏇 Journalism races at Oaklawn Handicap

Some of the horses you fell in love with last season are racing today, at the Oaklawn Handicap. Post time: 7:20 p.m.

The star-studded lineup includes Sovereignty, White Abarrio and Publisher.

But my money — as always — is on Journalism.

Journalism (variations on a theme here) adds lore to on-the-market downtown building

Your favorite neighborhood journalism nerd (🙋‍♀️) enjoyed finding out that the historic, on-the-market building that’s home to the Wine Bar was once lit up by Saratoga’s very first newspaper (The Saratoga Sentinel, founded in 1818).

Represented by Dan Roohan and Kelly DMichele, the 6,000-square-foot property is listed for $3,700,000 and houses the Wine Bar (first and lower levels) and three upper-floor residential apartments. The restaurant — which boasts two working fireplaces, a full bar, and a fully outfitted food and beverage setup — will remain open until the building sells. While the furniture, fixtures and equipment are included in the sale, the business itself is not; select items, including the cigar humidor, cigar locker, baby grand piano, selected artwork and cigar lounge license will not transfer.

Another fun fact: Made of brick at a time when its neighbors were constructed of wood, the three-story, mixed-used stunner was one of the few structures to survive a devastating fire in the 1830s.

Happy 420 Weekend to those who celebrate.

Head straight to High Peaks, where the brand pop-ups and deals start at 11 a.m. today — plus an HPC prize wheel, and Dave’s Garage Sale, which is going on all weekend.

Today’s pop-up: PAX engraving 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. “They are in store offering the free engraving of a Pax device,” says High Peaks owner Roger Sharp. “They have their own brand of battery that their pods only work with.” Specials: Sticky’s prerolls and eighths

Sunday: Pop-up: Mad Hatter Tea Party by Circle Hill 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.; Specials: Circle Hill rosin

Monday: Battenkill Buds 1-4 p.m.; EQX: 3-5 p.m.; Florist Farms: 5 p.m.; Specials: NYCE, OMO, MVP

🙌 SUPPORT YOUR DISPATCH TODAY

Your Dispatch is FREE to read — and only possible because of our paid subscribers. Just $20 bucks goes a long way in helping to keep us going.

Never corporate, always local and written by me, a human.

— Abby

Support the Dispatch!

iTheatre brings pub theatre to Harvey’s

Saratoga’s own iTheatre continues its unique free play reading series with All I Had by Ellen Clarkson, 5 p.m. April 25 and 26 at Harvey’s Restaurant and Bar (14 Phila Street). “Buy a drink or two while you’re at it and pay-what-you-will to support our continued Pub Theatre tradition,” says founder Will Severin. “Our play readings always focus on un-produced original works and pop up in various venues in the Spa City. This one is about the American Dream of fame, fortune and status as defined by a 70-year-old who gets sick, watches the accolades fade — and then joins forces with his Haitian home health aide to make both their dreams come true.”

A $5 reservation guarantees you a seat. Reserve at itheatresaratoga.

📌 ICYMI…

Were you seen by 📸 Seen in Saratoga? (Dispatch Dinner Club launch!)

🗓️ Poetic Echoes 🎻 and more, Events Calendar: April 16-22

EXCLUSIVE: 🏇 Tom Durkin’s fave Saratoga moment

Saratoga’s real 💧 water story

At some point, a Manhattan editor nodded gravely, concurring that our racetrack is shorthand for moral collapse.

Meet you at the bottom of the moral ladder in just seven weeks.

— Abby

Dispatch Dinner Club party pics ahead! Save your seat for the next one, May 6:

Fix my FOMO now!

🥘 DINING

Back in action

After a quick change of hands, revered hotspot 15 Church is re-opened for business. The new menu kicked off at 4 p.m. yesterday, boasting an expanded raw bar menu (tuna carpaccio, vertical bay scallops, a raw bar flight and even a Bocage-style caviar bump).

There’s now a Snacks menu, too — think potato croquettes, house-made pickles and Vidalia onion rings.

Crowd favorites such as the ricotta gnocchi à la Bolognese, sea bass with bok choy, and the street noodle entrée have stayed firmly put.

⚾ SPORTSBALL

Red Sox call up a familiar face

If you’re watching the Red Sox/Twins game right now (I won’t tell), keep your eyes peeled for pitcher Jack Anderson. The 26-year-old righty had a huge day yesterday, reports MLB.com. He woke up in Nashville — where his AAA team (Worcester) was playing — and then was called up (to Major League Baseball!!) and flown to Minneapolis, where he made it in time to join the game.

For more on the actual baseball of it all, check out that MLB article. My job is to tell you that a source tells me that Anderson spends his summers right here in Saratoga.

VOLUNTEERING

Drivers in need for senior meal delivery

The Saratoga County Department of Aging and Youth Services has an immediate need for volunteers to deliver meals to homebound seniors who live in the greater Greenfield area; meals are picked up at Galway Town Hall and delivered to residents.

Schedules are flexible, with a minimum commitment of only once a week. Meals are picked up at 11 a.m. and delivered until 1 p.m. each weekday.

The program helps seniors (age 60 and older) remain independent and in their own homes, by providing them with a nutritious and ready-to-eat lunch.

To volunteer for this essential program, call 518-363-4020 today.

📰 IN BRIEF

Feeling it

New Yorkers’ consumer confidence is at its “lowest point in years — and the future looks even shakier,” says an Ish Bulletin report on the findings of a new Siena poll. The poll was taken in early March, pre gas prices hike. Ouch.

That incident yesterday

I try to stay away from crime, but this deadly fight was all anyone was talking about yesterday. An arrest was made, reports the Times Union, which ran a synopsis of the whole day’s sad events.

Spring is here, Dispatchers

And your pets are ready to step into warmer weather — now that it’s finally decided to show up — in style. The Pampered Pooch and Pals has skipped the corporate vibe for a more relaxed, Ballston Spa feel.

Whether you’re troubleshooting a picky eater or hunting for a harness that can actually handle a hike, they take the time to really listen and help you find a fix that works — plus, their shelves are packed with high-end food and small-batch treats.

The real heart of the shop is their hands-on care. Doggie Daycare is a low-stress hangout where social pups can just be dogs, and the Grooming suite is all about turning scruffy adventurers into the best-looking pups on the block.

I want my pup feeling springy!

Together with our friends at Pampered Pooch!

🍸 Thank you, Coat Room

I can’t believe it’s already been a week since the Dispatch Dinner Club launch! Special thanks to Coat Room, who hosted our after-party. We packed the place (wall to wall!), ordering Snowbirds (IYKYK) and gossiping about having dinner with strangers.

Keep reading!

Dispatch Dinner Club dish: how it all went down

📸 Were you seen by Seen in Saratoga?

First, we dined…at 7 restaurants all over town.

Then we reunited at Coat Room — to have a nightcap and gossip about how it all went down.

Event sponsor: Allison Bradley, Four Reasons Sotheby’s Realty

Restaurants: Coat Room (2 tables), Rhea, Chianti (2 tables), Omakase (2 tables), Standard Fare, The Market, Kindred

Join us next time, May 6!

Save my seat!

📌 ICYMI…

EXCLUSIVE: 🏇 Tom Durkin’s fave Saratoga moment

A bikini-clad 👙 horse hits downtown

Saratoga’s real 💧 water story

Day Trip from Saratoga: Indulge in Kinderhook

Cheers.

— Abby

🫶 Love the Dispatch? Help spread the word by forwarding to a friend.

👉 The Dispatch Dinner Club is looking for a sponsor and after-party venue for the next event on May 6!

I’d love to sponsor, network and get my name/brand/business in front of 5,000 in-the-know locals.

I’m interested in three weeks of promotion for my venue and a packed bar on a Wednesday night as host of the after-party.

EXCLUSIVE: Tom Durkin’s fave Saratoga moment

We chatted about travel, wine, the opera, and — of course — the day’s races. But Tom Durkin had beckoned me over to a quiet table at the private Principessa Elena Society to talk about his upcoming book.

And I’ve been holding out on you.

The legendary race caller’s autobiography, A Life’s Calling, drops May 28. And if you love this town — which I hope all 5,000+ of you do! — you’ll buy it on pre-order right now.

Written with veteran horse racing scribes Paul Volponi and Lenny Shulman, the book is a “riveting” behind-the-scenes racing memoir. It covers highlights — such as what went down at an A-list after-party with Frank Sinatra and Elizabeth Taylor — and his decision to step away, when it all become too much.

Durkin is characteristically self-deprecating about the whole thing (”it was Paul and Lenny’s idea, not mine”) — and says he hopes readers take away a lesson about careers and old-fashioned luck.

“There’s no such thing as a self-made man,” he told me as soon as we sat down. “My story involved genetics, birth order, being Irish, having parents who believed in education... and the fact that a friend of mine was hitchhiking down Highway 41 in 1971 and got picked up by a guy running county fair races in Wisconsin.” That chance encounter (and a well-timed white lie about his résumé) launched his entire career.

As for The Spa? “There’s a lot of Saratoga in it,” Durking promises. His favorite part? The day he retired: Sunday, August 31, 2014. “Thirty-eight thousand people showed up that day in the driving rain,” he says of his iconic retirement ceremony in the winner’s circle. “It just gives me goosebumps thinking about it. People were crying.”

Book signings are in the works — including one at the track. (And probably at the Racing museum, too.) Stay tuned!

Pre-order now at amazon.com.

Keep reading!

EXCLUSIVE: 🏇 Tom Durkin’s unofficial start to racing season

✍️ LOCALS CORNER

Empty storefronts, ‘Seinfeld’…and an adult bounce house?

No one’s out and about in Saratoga as much as Saratoga Report’s Dan De Federicis. And lucky for us, he’s newly devoted to his monthly (I’m manifesting) “Column As I See ‘Em.” His stream of little notes makes for an addicting read.

Saratogian super-star harness driver hospitalized, out ‘for sometime’

Saratogian Brett Beckwith — a fourth-generation harness driver who is currently the second-leading driver in North America — has been hospitalized following an accident at the Racino yesterday, reports Daily Racing Form.

“Beckwith was driving One More Bet for his mother, trainer Melissa Beckwith, when the horse fell behind the starting gate and was scratched,” writes the outlet, which quotes a Facebook message from Melissa for the medical update: “He is stable and his vitals have been great throughout the entire day. He unfortunately broke his wrist and jaw…He does have a minor brain bleed. The neurosurgeon described it to us as if your brain has bruises on it. He is very optimistic that it will heal on its own and requires no type of surgery at this time. To be safe, Brett will receive regular CT scans.” She said that her 22-year-old son was “alert” and “upset” that he’ll be sidelined “for sometime” — but she of course is “thankful that he is ok.” Speedy recovery, Brett.

🍔 LAST CALL

It’s an Albany expression

There are officially only a very “few tickets left” (thank you, Eventbrite) for the Steamed Hams event tomorrow night at the Albany Druthers (1053 Broadway, Albany). The writer behind the viral Simpsons “it’s an Albany expression” episode has never (!) been to Albany — so let’s pack the place and show him an Upstate welcome.

Did I mention that he trademarked “Steamed Hams” burgers and will be serving them tomorrow night for the very first time? Plus, themed Simpsons cocktails (The Marge or The Lisa, anyone?)...

Grab one of the last tickets on eventbrite.com.

Keep reading!

Bill Oakley, the writer behind “it’s an Albany expression,” heads to the Capital Region — for his very first time.

Birthday soup

Old Friends at Cabin Creek (483 Sand Hill Road, Greenfield Center) will host its 16th Annual Birthday Party for the Horses on Saturday. Originally held on or about January 1 — when Thoroughbred horses celebrate their birthdays — this event was moved to April in 2021.

Per tradition, guests sip on donated soups as they stroll the grounds to visit the 14 retired Thoroughbred racehorses (and one quarter horse!) that call the idyllic spot home.

The soups:

The Olde Bryan Inn (Roasted Ham and White Bean Vegetable); PDT Maison (Tuscan Kale and Sausage), Triangle Diner (Thanksgiving Chowder); Village Pizzeria and Ristorante (Pasta e Fagioli); and John Manganelli; (Manhattan Clam Chowder).

Admission is free; a $10 donation is suggested. For more info, call 518-698-2377 or visit oldfriendsatcabincreek.com.

📚 HEADS UP

Home-grown talent

Trinity Mouzon Wofford — yes, that Mouzon — is coming home to Saratoga for a 6 p.m. cookbook party at Northshire next Wednesday. Read up ahead of time (85 recipes!) by purchasing Eating at Home starting tomorrow. Mouzon Wofford is the entrepreneur behind Golde wellness products (I’m addicted to her vanilla cream Collagen Boost myself), and is sitting down with me later this week to give us the inside scoop. Amazon.com

🍷 VINO

Winning wines

Keuka Spring Vineyards — which now has a stunning new tasting room on Spring Street — won over L.A. and returned home from the 2026 Los Angeles International Wine Competition with an armful of Oscar-level wins.

Seven gold medals.

Three Best of Class awards.

And the Best Late Harvest in the entire competition—one of only seven Best of Division honors awarded.

“Keuka Spring Vineyards didn’t just show up — we dominated,” says Autumn Manning, the brand’s East NY Region Manager. “Finger Lakes wines are competing at the highest level—and winning!”

Two of the wines are not yet released, but are available for a preview taste at the tasting room.

📌 ICYMI…

Dispatch Dinner Club launch recap

A bikini-clad 👙 horse hits downtown

Saratoga’s real 💧 water story

Day Trip from Saratoga: Indulge in Kinderhook

🙌 SUPPORT YOUR DISPATCH

Your Dispatch is FREE to read — and only possible because of our paid subscribers. Contribute to the cause if you can!

Never corporate, always local.

— Abby

Support the Dispatch!

For the very first time.

Read on,

— Abby

Bill Oakley, the writer behind “it’s an Albany expression,” heads to the Capital Region — for his very first time.

And you’re invited!

Q: How did “Steamed Hams” come about?

Bill Oakley: I was writing a segment for the episode 22 Short Films About Springfield — everyone got to pick a favorite character and write a short piece. I chose Principal Skinner, who comes as a set with Superintendent Chalmers. They already had this dynamic where Skinner would tell a preposterous lie and Chalmers would eventually let it go. I thought, what if one time he didn’t let it go? What if he kept pressing, forcing Skinner into more and more ridiculous lies? The boss-coming-to-dinner premise is a comedy staple, so I needed a very familiar setting. Then I landed on two rhyming foods — “steamed clams” and “steamed hams” — and it kind of wrote itself from there.

Q: Why Albany?

BO: Albany was already a go-to comedy reference city on The Simpsons — there were references to it before I even got there. When Skinner needed a regional excuse for calling hamburgers “steamed hams,” Albany was just our go-to city. Chalmers pushed back, Skinner dug in, and it got more and more preposterous from there.

Q: You didn’t hear anything about it for 20 years?

BO: Not a word. Then in 2014 people started messaging me on Twitter saying Australians were prank-calling Woolworths grocery stores asking for steamed hams. Woolworths actually leaned into it — signs appeared in stores, they made a Facebook video. That seemed to kickstart this momentum, and then it crossed the Pacific. There are at least 10,000 remixes on YouTube, and it was named Internet Meme of the Year in 2018.

Q: Is it still a thing?

BO: Yes — the wave has crashed but it never died. Some of the best remixes have actually appeared in the last two years, mostly from one incredibly talented Canadian guy. It’s become like a shorthand, the way I Love Lucy fans know the chocolate factory scene or Brady Bunch fans know Marcia getting hit by the football. It’s one of those things everybody just knows.

Q: You’ve never actually been to Albany?

BO: Never. That’s part of why I wanted to do this event there — it felt like the only appropriate place. And I’m hoping the ticket sales at least cover the trip!

Q: Ironically, now you do real food writing.

BO: About 70% of my work these days is food. I’m a regular panelist on the History Channel’s The Food That Built America, and for the past year and a half I’ve been doing ticketed dinners around the country where I serve unusual American foods and tell funny stories. I actually trademarked “Steamed Hams” for hamburgers — Fox wasn’t paying attention — so at these events we’re literally serving Bill Oakley-trademarked Steamed Hams burgers. First time ever.

Bill Oakley will perform two one-hour showings (6 p.m. and 8 p.m.) at Druthers (1053 Broadway, Albany) next Tuesday, April 14 — which is the famous episode’s 30th anniversary.

To the day.

“Bill will be talking about the making of the iconic ‘Steamed Hams’ episode, which famously references Albany,” says Druthers’ Lexi Cunniff. “He is taking the audience through the journey of how the show was made and the cultural impact it had after airing.”

To grab one of the last tickets (including an optional VIP meet-and-greet), visit eventbrite.com.

🚗 HEADS UP

Get your parking ticket waived — but you’d better hop to it

The Saratoga Springs Department of Public Safety’s Parking Violation Late Fee Amnesty Program begins Monday — during this period, individuals with outstanding parking tickets will have the opportunity to resolve their violations and have all associated late fees waived.

You read that right.

To handle the inevitable influx of downtown drivers, the Parking Violations Office’s hours will be extended to 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the following Saturdays: April 18 and April 25. Inquiries can be made by contacting the Parking Violations Office at 518-587-3550 ext. 2513.

Don’t delay — this amnesty period ends after the second elongated Saturday, April 25.

And then the City has warned that it will begin referring unpaid parking violations to a collections agency.

Saratoga County DA announces guilty plea, sentencing in sexual abuse case

Saratoga County District Attorney Brett Eby announced today that Stephen Bottino has pled guilty to Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, the sole felony charge for which he was arrested.

The Court sentenced the defendant to one year in the Saratoga County Jail over the objection of the prosecution, who advocated for a state prison sentence.

“Our office fought for the victim and believed that a state prison sentence was an appropriate and just result given the nature of the crime,” Eby said in a statement. “We remain committed to advocating for victims and ensuring their voices are heard throughout the judicial process.”

Tomorrow night: Elliot Lurie with ‘Yacht Rock Gold’

A nostalgia-driven production built around the soft rock canon of the late ’70s and early ’80s, Yacht Rock Gold aims squarely at an audience that values familiarity and musicianship over reinvention. Anchored by Elliot Lurie, the show leans into legacy appeal, blending tribute performance with firsthand connection to the era it recreates.

“This is way before your time,” says UPH’s executive director, Teddy Foster, who knows that flattery will get you everywhere. “But Elliot Laurie had a song, ‘Brandy (You're a Fine Girl).’ We sell out on Yacht Rock all the time, because everybody comes, they sing, they dance. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Expect familiar tunes from the likes of Steely Dan, the Doobies, Little River Band and Fleetwood Mac.

To grab your last-minute ticket, visit atuph.org.

📰 IN BRIEF

The Bunker is expanding — again

Capital Region hotspot The Bunker — Saratoga’s outpost of the popular sports bar and golf simulator is at the corner of Congress and Broadway — is expanding, reports Sam Raudins in the Albany Business Review. The new location is near Turning Stone Resort Casino and proceeds the owner’s plan to “aggressively” seek franchise opportunities, writes the outlet.

Ballston Area Community Center recovering after flooding forced closure

By Lauren Behan

BALLSTON SPA - While spring has certainly sprung, Ballston Area Community Center is still recovering from a rough winter.

In early February, a frozen pipe caused catastrophic flooding that forced the beloved center’s facility, located at 20 Malta Ave. in Ballston Spa, to close for seven weeks.

This impacted a total of 200 local families who rely on the center for Universal Pre-K and childcare.

During the temporary closure, classrooms, floors, walls and materials all needed to be replaced.

“Thanks to our incredible staff, school district, vendors, and community, we are officially back open as of March 23,” a statement from nonprofit’s board read. “Kids are learning, playing, and back where they belong.”

BACC has been operating as a vital part of the community since 1981, providing essential community services, programs, support and projects that enhance the social, emotional and recreational development of youth and families of the Ballston Area.

As BACC resumes its regular childcare, pre-kindergarten, teen, and community programs — all offered at no cost or low-cost — it is seeking donations to help the organization continue its mission.

“If this center has impacted your family or you believe in supporting spaces like this, please consider donating,” the nonprofit asked. “Every dollar helps us continue providing a safe and enriching environment for our kids.”

Donations can be made online at ballstonareacc.org.

📌 ICYMI…

Events 🗓️ calendar launch! (And Dispatch Dinner Club launch recap)

EXCLUSIVE: 🏇 Tom Durkin’s unofficial start to racing season

A bikini-clad 👙 horse hits downtown

Saratoga’s real 💧 water story

Day Trip from Saratoga: Indulge in Kinderhook

---

🙌 SUPPORT YOUR DISPATCH

Your Dispatch is FREE to read — and only possible because of our paid subscribers. Contribute to the cause if you can!

Never corporate, always local.

— Abby

Support the Dispatch!

Hurrah.

I’m also so tired from last night’s Dispatch Dinner Club premiere that your first weekly listing runs only through Sunday, instead of the whole week.

I’ll make it up to you.

— Abby

Next dinner: Wednesday, May 6 at 6:30 p.m. | After Party: 8 p.m. (location TBD)

Save my seat!

🎉 Dish Saratoga — Dispatch Dinner Club launch

Last night was amaaaaaaaaaaazing!

After dining at 10 tables across 7 restaurants, almost all of the 54 diners then descended on Coat Room for the after-party.

And that’s where I got to meet everyone — and hear their stories.

9:49 AM: After remaining in suspense all morning, Dinner Club diners receive their restaurant reservations based on a fun quiz they took at sign-up. One couple — who had signed up separately to try to meet new people — find that they were seated at the same table. The algorithm was algorithming…

Around 6 PM: Our one set of twins arrives. The diner is new to town and brought along her sister, who was visiting.

6:12 PM: The Market welcomes its Dining Club table with lamb pops on the house. “So good.”

7:06 PM: A young couple at the bar at Rhea flags down the Dispatch event photographer to confess their FOMO. “My mother-in-law is doing this tonight and said it’d be fun,” says the woman, who promises to come next time. (May 6!)

7:12 PM: The last diner shows up, to his table at Coat Room. "Can we do this a little later next time?” Sure! The next one starts at 6:30.

7:39 PM: The Market table arrives to start the afterparty.

8:11 PM: The last table arrives, from Chianti. “We were having too much fun to leave!”

9:02 PM: I’m asked if I can call the next one “Dinner Roulette.”

9:31 PM: I overhear someone brag, “I know how to spot the paparazzi” after one of the event’s photogs snapped a candid.

9:52 PM: The last stragglers slow clap as I head out.

Oh, what a night…

Thank you

Event sponsor: Allison Bradley, Four Reasons Sotheby’s Realty

Restaurants: Coat Room (2 tables), Rhea, Chianti (2 tables), Omakase (2 tables), Standard Fare, The Market, Kindred

After-party: Coat Room

The Dispatch Dinner Club is looking for a sponsor and after-party venue for the next event on May 6!

I’d love to sponsor, network and get my name/brand/business in front of 5,000 in-the-know locals.

I’m interested in three weeks of promotion for my venue and a packed bar on a Wednesday night as host of the after-party.

🗓️ Featured Event

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN SLEPT HERE

An April 14 event in Benjamin Franklin’s honor filled up in days — so Town of Saratoga’s historian, Sean Kelleher, has added two additional dates (April 12 and April 15, at Spa State park and the Champlain Canal Region Gateway Visitors Center, respectively).

“Benjamin Franklin is one of the most interesting men in all of American History and to think he spent 7 days in what is now Schuylerville is just amazing,” he says of his inspiration for his program. Join Saratoga 250 and Kelleher as they revisit Franklin’s travels of 1776, when he “passed quietly through the Saratoga region. There were no crowds, no ceremony—only a difficult road north and a mission already shadowed by uncertainty.”

Free and open to the public, but donations are appreciated: Saturday April 12 (Roosevelt II Building, Spa State Park). Free and open to the public but registration is required: Wednesday, April 15 (Champlain Canal Region Gateway Visitors Center, 30 Ferry Street, Schuylerville).

Submit your event!

Tonight, April 9

Prime Rib Night — Morrissey’s Lounge & Bistro
A traditional dining staple positioned as a weekly anchor, appealing to an audience drawn to consistency and classic presentation.

Launch night alert: Saratoga Film Forum Weekly Screening — Saratoga Arts
A curated screening series that signals a more intentional film audience, favoring independent and community-oriented programming over mainstream release cycles.

Momentum Series: Ellen Pieroni & the Encyclopedia of Soul (EoS) — Caffè Lena

Smooth-infused soul jazz. Ellen Pieroni is a soul jazz saxophone player and multi-instrumentalist from Buffalo, NY.

Inclusible Adult Games — Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library
Structured as a low-barrier social environment, this program leans into connection through play, designed to be accessible across abilities and experience levels. A quiet but intentional approach to community-building.

Cinema Club: Earth (2007) — Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library
Part of an Earth Month framing, the screening positions film as both education and reflection, with a global narrative that broadens the scope of a typical library program. A communal viewing with thematic weight.

Friday, April 10

lespecial: Tentacle Difficulties Tour w/ Peak — Putnam Place
A touring act positioned within the jam and experimental circuit, drawing a niche but dedicated audience attuned to musicianship and live improvisation.

Natalie Cressman and Ian Faquini — Caffè Lena

Together, Natalie Cressman and Ian Faquini create a richly expressive musical world that blends jazz, Brazilian song, impressionistic harmony and sophisticated pop songwriting.

Opening Reception: Intercut Realities — Saratoga Arts
An exhibition opening that frames the gallery as a social and intellectual gathering point, where audience and artist intersect at the start of a show’s lifecycle.

Saturday, April 11

The Nashville Nights Band: The Ultimate ’90s Country Experience — Putnam Place
A nostalgia-forward production aimed at audiences tied to a specific era, where recognition and shared memory drive turnout.

We Brew the Funny Comedy Show — Artisanal Brew Works
A brewery-hosted comedy format that reflects the continued pairing of stand-up with casual, social venues. The tone favors accessibility over edge.

Sinister Spring: A Mystery Author Event — Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library
A multi-author gathering anchored by a recognizable name in the genre, signaling both scale and audience interest in crime fiction. The format blends panel-style conversation with literary access, drawing readers into the mechanics behind the page.

Adirondack Thunder Pride Night Out — Cool Insuring Arena
A themed game night that positions minor league hockey as a platform for community visibility and inclusion, extending the audience beyond traditional sports demographics. The partnership with local advocacy groups signals an intentional effort to blend entertainment with civic presence.

Yacht Rock Gold Experience with Elliot Lurie — Universal Preservation Hall
A nostalgia-driven production built around the soft rock canon of the late ’70s and early ’80s, aimed squarely at an audience that values familiarity and musicianship over reinvention. Anchored by Elliot Lurie, the show leans into legacy appeal, blending tribute performance with firsthand connection to the era it recreates.

Sunday, April 12

Benjamin Franklin Slept Here — Roosevelt II building Spa State Park

Added date after the first sold out! Historian Sean Kelleher presents Franklin’s week-long visit to Saratoga as part of his failed attempt to add a 14^th colony. Free and open to the public; donations are appreciated.

DRAG SHOW BRUNCH: Never Done This Before, So Let’s Do It Now! — Seven Bistro
A high-energy brunch format that blends performance with daytime social culture, signaling a growing appetite for entertainment-driven dining experiences.

Live Music: Triple Trouble & Special Guests — Artisanal Brew Works
A recurring Sunday showcase that leans into ensemble performance, offering a rotating experience within a consistent framework.

Sparkling Sunday Brunch — Adirondack Winery
A lifestyle-oriented brunch built around presentation and pairing, targeting a leisure-focused audience closing out the weekend.

The Brunch Experience — Adelphi Hotel
A hospitality-driven brunch that signals a higher-end audience expectation, where setting and service carry equal weight to the menu.

Virtues & Music — Saratoga Springs Recreation Center
A community-centered program that blends performance with civic intent, reflecting a quieter but steady cultural offering within the city’s weekly rhythm.

Submit your event!

— Abby

💃 TALES FROM DOWNTOWN THE ARTS DISTRICT

Tom Durkin’s unofficial start to racing season

It was too chilly and rainy to open the backyard, but Saturday’s grumpy weather didn’t stop the die-hard racing fans at the private Principessa Elena Society from watching the evening’s lineup of prep races. Holding court at the corner of the bar? TRF’s Fran LaBelle and legendary caller Tom Durkin.

“People here in Saratoga think that ‘Oh, maybe we’ll have the Belmont here all the time,’” Durkin told me between sips of an Italian red and good-natured ribbing from friends about his recent star turn in UPH’s recent Finnegan’s Farewell (he played the priest). “They’re stark raving mad. That is just not going to happen — as much as you want to rent your house, okay? Unless the new Belmont Park burns down. It worked well, and it was unique…but the race needs to be a mile and a half, not a mile and a quarter. But it was fun.”

The party — think pizza, hot wings and cake — was the last such gathering until the Kentucky Derby, and served as an unofficial preview of the 2026 season. An exciting one, as it turned out.

After all, what beats witnessing Durkin casually say mid-Gazelle, “I wouldn’t hate it if the 2 won” and then watching the 2 rally as if summoned by the racing icon himself? “Come on baby, come on baby,” Durkin called before muttering under his breath, “rat bastard” when it looked like it wasn’t happening…And then: a win. “Drinks on the house!” he joked, packing up his things. “Going home to watch the Wood on the big screen.”

Aboard the winning horse? Saratoga’s own Dylan Davis — a little more than a successful month into his post-injury comeback.

Keep reading!

NYRA Sets Opening Dates for Oklahoma Training Track

🍦 Dispatch scoop (I’ll take two)

Last August 2 (we were less than six weeks on the scene!) the Dispatch broke an incredible story that showcased the generosity of the people who make Saratoga tick: a fast-paced auction at a historic Hospital Gala that yielded not just one but two $50,000 bids — that’s $100k raised in less than 60 seconds. The item? A once-in-a-lifetime chance to name a Stewart’s ice cream flavor.

It was our highest-read story for a long, long time.

Before the holidays, Carmine DeCrescente named his: Carmine’s Holiday Spumonte.

And now? Get your spoons ready — the second limited time flavor to have its moment in the spotlight has been released: Dake’s Passion, “a vanilla ice cream with blueberry and raspberry swirls, sprinkled with an oatmeal cinnamon crumble to add a little texture and crunch.” The generous souls behind the ice cream? Mike and Linda Toohey.

Keep reading!

Hospital Gala auction best ‘since Marylou and Michele’

🐶 PAMPERED POOCH

Spring is here, Dispatchers

And your pets are ready to step into warmer weather — whenever it decides to show up — in style. The Pampered Pooch and Pals has skipped the corporate vibe for a more relaxed, Ballston Spa feel. (They’re the kind of neighbors who actually want to hear about your pup’s weird habits or their latest trail mishap!)

Whether you’re troubleshooting a picky eater or hunting for a harness that can actually handle a hike, they take the time to really listen and help you find a fix that works — plus, their shelves are packed with high-end food, small-batch treats, and gear that actually lasts.

The real heart of the shop is their hands-on care. Doggie Daycare is a low-stress hangout where social pups can just be dogs, and the Grooming suite is all about turning scruffy adventurers into the best-looking pups on the block. From a quick, no-fuss Express Pet Bath to finding that one toy they won’t immediately destroy, Pampered Pooch has made it their mission to keep things easy, honest and entirely focused on your pet.

I want my pup feeling springy!

[Together with our friends at Pampered Pooch!]

🎬 Film Forum’s triumphant return

Saratoga Arts is bringing back the Saratoga Film Forum, which will celebrate its triumphant return Thursday night with the showing of Sorry, Baby. (It’s excellent.) The 12-week series focuses on indies, docs and foreign films — after Sorry, Baby will be It Was Just An Accident and Blue Moon. Expect fresh popcorn, a run-in with the likes of Amy Godine or Field Horne, and perhaps a lively post-movie chat or two.

“A lot of people see a film and would love to talk about it right away while it’s fresh in their heads, and that conversation can happen here,” says Tiina Loite, who’s leading the programming committee. “We would love for people to hang out and discuss, and if they argue, so be it.” Movies play Thursday nights at 7 p.m. in the Dee Sarno Theater at Saratoga Arts.

Tickets are $10 per screening, with a $100 pass available for the full 12-week series. To purchase your ticket, visit saratoga-arts.org or buy at the door.

🫶 Eco-warriors happy hour

Sustainable Saratoga invites anyone passionate about “environmental stewardship, conservation, and sustainability” to join them for a Green Drinks happy hour at Whitman Brewing tomorrow from 5 to 7 p.m.

“Whether you work in the field, volunteer, or simply care about protecting our planet,” they write, “this is a great opportunity to connect with like-minded people in the community.”

For more info, visit sustainblesaratoga.org.

☀️ Good timing

We’re all in need of a little Vitamin D, and TogaNola is here for us. Today they announced a sunshine-y new flavor of granola bars, available now online and at the Sunday Farmers Market April 19.

“Antioxidant rich blueberry and bright cheery lemon are ready to help usher in the warm weather,” they announced. “With today’s snow, I think we can all agree we need it!” Amen.

To order, visit toganolasnackcompany.com.

🙌 SUPPORT YOUR DISPATCH

Your Dispatch is FREE to read — and only possible because of our paid subscribers. Tip if you can!

Never corporate, always local.

— Abby

Support the Dispatch!

📌 ICYMI…

A bikini-clad 👙 horse hits downtown

Saratoga’s real 💧 water story

Day Trip from Saratoga: Indulge in Kinderhook

Prime reveals new menu & new NAME

Opera Saratoga party pics! PLUS: Saratoga Report turns 6

So now’s your chance!

Book now to join 52 of your neighbors who are already signed up.

52 diners, 9 tables. Who’s filling Table 10?

Nightcap at Coat Room after to gossip about how it all went down.

Can’t wait to meet everyone!
— Abby

LET'S EAT!

💃 TALES FROM DOWNTOWN

I promised I would tell you why this bikini-clad gem is named…Abby

Standard Fare (21 Phila Street) has another new horse painting hanging at check-in. And if you look closely, you’ll see a familiar name.

Yup, the irreverent horse lounging in a teeny bikini is named…Abby’s Pick.

“It’s always fun to portray another resident of my home here in Saratoga Springs,” artist Daniel Fairley deadpanned when I asked him to explain his inspiration.

Argh.

“And who is the resident you are portraying?” I asked, since your favorite middle-aged writer was most certainly not the model.

“You duh.”

Artists

So I’ll tell you the story instead. Fairley, who works the analytical side of his brain at his day job in IT, once asked me about my day job, SEO writing to improve a web site’s views. “So what gets clicks?” he asked.

“Bikinis,” I joked.

And a star was born.

Go check her out at Standard Fare — I’ll be there for Easter brunch — before she’s purchased and moved to her new home.

And for the uninitiated…the series of “deranged” horses has become somewhat of a status symbol, with fans buying them right off the restaurant wall as fast as Fairley can paint them.

Keep reading!

Evolution of a status symbol

🏇 REMINDER

Saratoga’s own Dylan Davis races today in the Gazelle, at Aqueduct (post time: 5:56 p.m.) — followed by the Wood Memorial at 6:34 p.m.

📰 IN BRIEF

The horror

The protagonist in an upcoming book adaptation of the Hitchcock thriller Psycho is from — you guessed it — the Spa City. “Although only a relatively small percentage of the novel takes place in Saratoga, the city looms large in the story, right up until the final sentences,” writes Jonathon Norcross in Saratoga Today. In real life, the author, Norcross reports, splits her time between Brooklyn and the Catskills. Marion by Leah Rowan will be out in June and is available for pre-order.

🎟️ HEADS UP

‘Music of the American Revolution: Celebrating 1776’

Tickets are on sale for a special concert program dedicated to the music that soundtracked the birth of the United States — yup, in celebration of this summer’s 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. The acclaimed chamber ensemble Musicians of Ma’alwyck will perform a program curated to highlight the diversity of musical life in early America — featuring works by renowned composers Stamitz, Handel and Scarlatti — which were popular in concert settings of the era. A major highlight will be the world premiere of Echoes, a new composition by Max Caplan that is based on a fuguing tune by American composer Lewis Edson.

To purchase tickets to Music of the American Revolution: Celebrating 1776, which will be performed at 7 p.m. on April 24 at Bethesda Episcopal Church (26 Washington Street), please visit musiciansofmaalwyck.org.

📌 ICYMI…

Saratoga’s real 💧 water story: The photo, the parent reactions, and the $395 filter worth buying.

Prime reveals new menu & new NAME

Opera Saratoga party pics! PLUS: Saratoga Report turns 6

A Saratogian in ‘Time’ magazine

Gaffney’s update!

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🙌 Support the Dispatch

The Dispatch is FREE to read — and only possible because of our paid subscribers. Tip if you can!

Never corporate, always local.

— Abby

Support the Dispatch!

TGIF.

— Abby

🫶 Love the Dispatch? Help spread the word by forwarding to a friend.

🍝 Join the 50 people who have already signed up for April 8’s exciting launch of the Dispatch Dinner Club. Every 6 signups means another 6-top reservation at a local restaurant. (You find out which res is yours the morning of the event.)

We just filled table 8. Who will fill No. 9?

Saratoga’s real 💧 water story

While the politicians get to work, what’s really happening inside Saratoga homes right now when it comes to our water?

By Kathleen Willcox

It’s certainly been a different kind of water chatter for us here in Saratoga.

The crisis? Water that’s sometimes milky (see above) and can smell like “a faucet on your Clorox bottle!!!!,” according to one poster on Nextdoor.

And for now, any filtration systems have to be purchased at the owner’s expense.

“We are paying the town of Saratoga for acceptable water and not receiving this,” wrote one poster on Nextdoor.

“Yet another expense,” agreed another, in response to expensive filtration ideas.

By now, most of us — but certainly not all, which is yet another concern — have received two letters from the Saratoga Springs Department of Public Works regarding elevated levels of Trihalomethanes (THMs) in the city’s water supply. The first one (in January) alerted us; the second (last week) claimed that the elevated levels were “caused by disturbing the bottom of the lake as a result of the Loughberry Lake dam construction activity just a few hours before that specific sample was taken.”

“Not an emergency,” they assure us.

Are the residents who received this notice appeased? Not by a long shot.

Seeking answers, many a group chat turned to Google. And yikes: Chronic exposure to high levels of THMs have potential health risks from different forms of cancer, plus negative impacts on the liver, kidney and nervous system, according to a 2025 systematic review published in Science of the Total Environment.

“I have a filter on my showerhead, and all our drinking water comes from the springs in the park,” says Saratoga resident Laura Tilton. “But my son loves eating ice, so that worries me. I also found the city handling of it to be very non-transparent and confusing. Only some people got the notice?” (Abby and I can confirm: We didn’t get one.)

“This is NOT a little thing,” agreed a second poster on Nextdoor. “The fact that the bill came earlier than normal so the water contamination flyer would be enclosed is a red flag.”

A concerned mother myself, I began my mission for a budget-friendly filtration system…here’s what I found.

Can’t afford a whole-house filtration? Here’s the $395 version worth buying

If, like me, you don’t have the budget to install a whole-house water filtration system (which often costs thousands), there are options.

I have 13-year-old twins, and the idea of giving them water loaded with THMs filled me with panic — and yet, I didn’t have the financial bandwidth or time to purchase, research and install a vast water filtration program.

After a few hours of light internet research, I discovered the Berkey. For less than $400, it filters out a wide range of contaminants — including THMs, plus heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, VOCs, rust and silt. Beneficial minerals remain.

In and in.

If only it were that easy, however…

When it arrived, I excitedly opened the box only to discover a (to me) daunting multiplicity of essential components. I washed everything, attempted to assemble it, failed, cried, watched a video or 23, and tried again. There were more tears because I’m lame and don’t like assembling things.

After multiple tries, and a little assistance, I got it together — myself mentally, then the Berkey — and after a few weeks of treating it like a weird spaceship that landed on our counter, my kids now faithfully use it for their drinking water, and I use it for my drinking and their cooking water.

We don’t brush our teeth using Berkey water, and we still have besmirched shower water.

Until we get better answers, I’m glad I have my Berkey.

— Kathleen

🏇 HEADS UP

Now that FanDuel TV is phasing out, NYRA is scrambling to fill the gap by expanding its FOX Sports programming and exploring a new RedZone-style digital channel covering races seven days a week, reports BloodHorse.

New York is not yet among the 26 states that have rolled out DraftKings Racing — the integrated horse racing product embedded directly inside the DraftKings Sportsbook app — with Delaware, New Mexico, and Rhode Island being the three most recent additions, according to iGaming Europe.

Saratoga’s own Dylan Davis is scheduled to ride in the Gazelle tomorrow, a little more than a month before his comeback from injury. Then the road to the Kentucky Derby continues with the Wood Memorial Stakes. It all goes down at Aqueduct.

📰 IN BRIEF

Trout season has officially started all across New York State — but conditions vary, and Adirondack Explorer has the details.

Bonacio has plans to build 25 condos on a just-purchased property, reports Albany Business Review.

📌 ICYMI…

Bonus 🐰 foodie Easter edition!

Prime reveals new menu & new NAME

Opera Saratoga party pics! PLUS: Saratoga Report turns 6

A Saratogian in ‘Time’ magazine

Gaffney’s update!

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I must be hungry — you’re getting two foodie features in a row.

Friday’s deep-dive will be quite a departure.

So dig in while you can.

But first, some news.

— Abby

🫶 Love the Dispatch? Help spread the word by forwarding to a friend.

🔥 The group chat is on fire! Join the 43 people who have already signed up for April 8’s exciting launch of the Dispatch Dinner Club. Every 6 signups means another 6-top reservation at a local restaurant. (You find out which res is yours the morning of the event.)

We just booked table 7. Who’s filling table 8?

🍕 One Slice, Everybody Knows the Rules: New Saratoga Slice Fest to Feature “Pizza Stakes”

Pizza slices with the scent of sulphur? Only in Saratoga, reports saratoga.com.**

(Or do they?)

**April Fools’! That’s the spirit, saratoga.com. 👏👏 (If you skipped clicking on the story the first time, here’s where you scroll right back up and read. It’s hilarious.)

⛳ New name, who dis?

When the restaurant at Saratoga National re-opens its doors for the season tomorrow, it’ll be under a brand-new name. Heritage at Saratoga National (Prime is so last year) ushers in an exciting new season — including an expanded bar and lounge area and a dramatic floor-to-ceiling curtain that provides intimacy in the dining room, among other renovations.

Check out the new menu!

🐰🐐🐷 Baby Animal Days

Bring the littles to Indian Ladder on Friday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. for the season’s first Baby Animal Day — think baby bunnies, chicks, ducklings, goslings, lambs, goat kids, piglets and a calf, for starters. At 6 p.m. the adults step in — register now for the adult Easter Egg Hunt.

📰 IN BRIEF

On call

When the Chamber put on a business panel discussion in February, no company was brought up more often than GlobalFoundries. Now the namedrop-of-the-hour is hosting a conference call to go over its first quarter earnings — registration is open now for the May 5 event. (Thanks to Saratoga Report for the tip.)

Change of hands

Not long after all the hoopla around its new menu, 15 Church has sold— and is closed for business. Don’t worry: It reopens April 14, and everybody’s talking about it, including the Albany Business Review and the Times Union.

🎉 Support the Dispatch

The Dispatch is FREE to read — and only possible because of our paid subscribers. Tip if you can!

Never corporate, always local.

— Abby

A taste of the world

By Kathleen Willcox

I’ll start with our tourism board-approved given about Saratoga’s food scene: We have some of the best farm-to-table cuisine in the world.

But then I must say the quiet part out loud:

For a more diverse and authentic world cuisine not filtered through the fussy, spice-fearing lens of the typical American diet? Buckle up, you’re gonna have to go for a drive.

While President/CEO Elizabeth Sobol would be far too polite to say that, she does admit that part of the inspiration for SPAC’s vibrant, tasty Culinary Arts programming is to “bring international culture and cuisine to Saratoga.”

Sobol, who has spent her career nurturing some of the world’s most noted artists (including Joshua Bell) at Universal Music Classics and IMG Artists, spent more than 40 decades in New York City — which is, outside of Asia, Africa, Europe, South America, Central America, et al, the best place on the planet to get Asian, African, European, South and Central American cuisine.

So after relocating to Saratoga, what Sobol, like many New York City expats (including this one), missed most about the gleaming metropolis was … the takeout.

The premise of her resultant CulinaryArts@SPAC initiative — which is currently selling tickets to its April 23 Heartland Masala event — is simple: a special drink and/or wine and snacks during cocktail hour, and then a family-style meal. “After mingling and eating together, the guest speaks and is interviewed for future broadcast on WAMC’s The Roundtable,” Sobol says. “Then, everyone gets coffee and dessert.”

And while SPAC is most celebrated for its world-class live music, it’s the Culinary Arts programming that brings in the highest number of newbies.

“It’s astounding, but the Culinary Arts program has served as an incredible funnel for other programs,” Sobol says. “People come here having never been to anything at SPAC before, and then they end up coming back.”

Next up:

Heartland Masala: Indian Cooking from an American Kitchen

with Jyoti and Auyon Mukharji
April 23, 2026 | 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

The Darlingside, Kansas-born musician Auyon Mukharji collaborated with his mother, the Indian-born Jyoti Mukharjo, on a book that showcases 99 recipes from across India, with a special focus on Punjabi and Bengali cuisine.

“I would never call it an authentic Indian cookbook,” Mukharji says. “We draw inspiration from across India, and share recipes that can be tied to famine and colonization. It’s both lightness and darkness. And it’s not just a cookbook.”

Tickets are $125 and are available at spac.org.

AND

A Kitchen on Goose Cove with Devin Finigan

May 21, 2026| 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Experience the rugged beauty and culinary magic of coastal Maine with chef Devin Finigan, owner of Aragosta—recognized as one of Food & Wine’s best restaurants in both 2024 and 2025. In conversation with WAMC’s Joe Donahue, Finigan will share stories from her debut cookbook A Kitchen on Goose Cove, a love letter to Maine’s pristine seafood, seasonal produce, and the rhythms of life along its storied coastline.

Tickets are $125 and currently sold out. Add your name to the waitlist at spac.org.

📌 ICYMI…

Bonus 🐰 foodie Easter edition!

Season’s first 📸 party pics (Opera Saratoga)! PLUS: Saratoga Report turns 6

When the guy at the top steps in: high alert for real estate in Saratoga County

A Saratogian in ‘Time’ magazine

Gaffney’s update!

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Ideas for this 🐰 weekend, incoming.

— Abby

🫶 Love the Dispatch? Help spread the word by forwarding to a friend.

🍝 Join the 40 people who have already signed up for the April 8 Dinner Club: Every 6 signups means another reservation at a local restaurant. We just booked table 6. Who’s filling table 7?

How to celebrate Easter at home — but have someone else do the cooking

By Kathleen Willcox

Saratoga Springs abounds with Easter and Passover takeout options for families who want to enjoy themselves at home, without requiring any hopping to it in the kitchen.

Put all of your Easter eggs in one basket with these pros:

Augie’s Family Style Italian: Always a hit with all ages, you can order the Sunday special (Penne Vodka To-Go with Salad and Bread for $23.95, or Ziti Marinara To Go with Salad & Garlic Bread for $16.95), which will feed 2-4 people each, or order family-style platters of appetizers, soups & salads, pasta, and house specialities for pickup or delivery.

Bread Basket Bakery & Cakeshop: A variety of sweet treats are available for pickup, from an Easter Egg Cake, to Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes, Hot Cross Buns, Italian Easter Bread and more. (Pre-order by 3 p.m. April 2; pick up Saturday.)

Putnam Market: Order a range of soups (like matzo ball and chicken noodle), sandwiches, prepared food (from Hickory Chicken Salad to Maple Chipotle Meatballs), and Easter desserts — but you have to order by EOD today.

Franklin Square Market: Franklin Square Market is offering multiple packages for pickup on April 4 or 5, from the Glazed Spiral Ham Package (serves 8-10, and includes salad, grilled asparagus, Dauphinoise potatoes, rainbow carrots, Challah rolls, Easter ricotta ham pie, cassata cannoli cake, carrot cake roll, $260) to the Prime Rib Roast Package (serves 8-10, and includes salad, grilled asparagus, rainbow carrots, Challah rolls, Easter ricotta ham pie, cassata cannoli cake, carrot cake roll, $495).

Where to wine and dine on Easter Sunday

By Kathleen Willcox

Great food, no hosting or cooking required!

Hop on over to these foodie magnets on Sunday, April 5:

Chez Pierre Restaurant: From 3 to 8 p.m., Chez Pierre is offering a prix fixe menu with a choice of entree (we’ll take the grilled rack of lamb), dessert (hot fudge sundae please), plus a choice of soup or salad. Reservations recommended.

Thirsty Owl Saratoga: Thirsty Owl is serving up an Easter Brunch buffet menu (seatings are 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.), including baked honey ham, sliced sirloin, French toast, smoked salmon, tortellini Alfredo, and so much more. ($55 per person, $20 12 and under). The Easter Dinner menu includes a range of appetizers (from smoked salmon crostinis to deviled eggs) and entrees priced à la carte. Dinner service starts at 5:30 p.m. (Both menus.)

The Wishing Well: From 12 to 6 p.m., The Wishing Well is offering an à la carte feast of salads and starters like chilled Duxbury oysters, spring lettuces with soft Brie, and entrees like center cut filet mignon and slow roasted half duck in a raspberry glaze. There will also be shareable sides (don’t miss the Gruyere Mac and cheese) and desserts (the chocolate ganache is always a win).

Benelux Brasserie: Benelux’s Easter Sunday specials run from 11 am to 8:30 pm, with multiple a la carte offerings, from lamb bolognese to a spring veggie bowl!

Wanna get away? Keep reading!

Brunch & Bunnies in Schroon Lake

Inside peek: 🌷 High Peaks Resort

💸 FOR SALE

After years of construction, my neighbor with the bright red coat of paint — 79 Henry Street — is on the market. Nestled on the historic site of Nemec’s Feed Store, the eye-catching property dazzles on a block anchored by hotspots The Parting Glass, Kindred and Henry Street Taproom.

The three-story, mixed-use building boasts interior details and materials that pay homage to its history, while also having been kitted out with modern infrastructure. Ready to buy? The property is listed for $4,250,000 by Roohan Realty’s Dan Roohan, Associate Real Estate Broker.

📰 IN BRIEF

Three Vines took to Facebook (above) to say goodbye.

Ballston Spa seeks to override the New York state property-tax cap again, reports Melanie Snyder in the Daily Gazette.

Saratoga’s Zoning Board approved multiple variances for a new single-story building for the nonprofit Saratoga Center for the Family (359 Ballston Avenue), according to Saratoga Civic Pulse.

Dan De Federicis broke a ton of exclusive details on the new Viva Empanada coming into Congress Plaza, published on his Saratoga Report.

📌 ICYMI…

Season’s first 📸 party pics (Opera Saratoga)! PLUS: Saratoga Report turns 6

When the guy at the top steps in: high alert for real estate in Saratoga County

A Saratogian in ‘Time’ magazine

Gaffney’s update!

Same name, different story: what’s going on with the twinning What’s Going on Saratoga Facebook groups?

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