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Positively Saratoga is brought to you by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce and Discover Saratoga. Read all of our good news stories about the Spa City here.

August in Saratoga was once again defined by the Saratoga Race Course, which concluded its 2025 season on a high note, Darryl Leggieri the president of Discover Saratoga wrote in a report to the community. For the 10th consecutive year, paid attendance surpassed one million fans, while all-sources wagering handle exceeded $790 million.

“The track remains a cornerstone of Saratoga’s summer economy and reinforces the city’s reputation as a premier destination,” the report says. “Its energy and appeal extend far beyond the grandstand, fueling strong demand for lodging, dining, and cultural experiences across Saratoga County.”

Sales for groups and meetings remain strong, the report says.

“56 groups signed contracts, adding more than 9,100 future room nights and $4.6 million in projected impact, while 18 groups were serviced on site, generating close to $2.2 million. These results represent a modest but important increase over 2024, reflecting Saratoga’s continued appeal as a meetings destination even in peak leisure months,” the report says.

August 2025 Lodging Trends

August continued Saratoga’s strong tourism momentum, with both Saratoga Springs and Saratoga County reporting notable gains in Average Daily Rate (the total rooms revenue divided by the number of rooms sold in August) and in Revenue Per Available Room (the ADR multiplied by the occupancy rate).

In Saratoga Springs, ADR rose 6% year-over-year while RevPAR jumped 6.5%, reflecting sustained demand at premium rates during the height of racing season.

Saratoga County saw its ADR rise 6% and RevPAR rise 4.4% over last year.

“These results reinforce the region’s reputation for delivering exceptional lodging performance and highlight Saratoga’s continued strength as a tourism destination,” the report says.

Short-term vacation rentals, which are generally homes rented for less than one month at a time and often for long weekends or a week, have gotten a strong foothold in the community.

Overall occupancy rates for STRs are lower than hotels because owners sometimes use the properties during track season themselves and the inventory can shift since a home is often a normal residence only rented during track season. STRs often garnered longer stays than hotels, the report says.

Airbnb units reached an estimated 24,500 paid room nights, with an average daily rate of $195, or roughly $4.78 million in taxable revenue for the month.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — Saratoga’s first-ever Poet Laureate — the great Joseph Bruchac — finishes his inaugural two-year term in January, and his successor has just been named. Jay Rogoff brings years of teaching experience and a complementary sensibility — where Bruchac’s work has long been anchored in nature, Rogoff has turned to inspirations such as baseball, immigration and classical ballet. “Joe is a deeply spiritual poet of the natural world,” Rogoff says. “I grew up in New York City, and my work tends more to be of the human-made world.”

Rogoff — whose wife, Penny Jolly is a renowned art historian — retired from Skidmore in 2018 after an incredible career teaching diverse literature and writing courses (think modern poetry, Shakespeare and film adaptation). He says he misses his college students — although in his new role, he’ll soon be working with new ones of all ages.

“Poetry is an urgent kind of virtual reality,” he says. “It puts us directly into the mind of another person through creating the impression that the human being on the page is speaking directly to us.”

The Dispatch: Tell me about your own writing.

Jay Rogoff: My first published book, The Cutoff, is set in the world of minor league baseball. Other books, or sections of books, have dealt with my family’s immigrant experience, dance as both art and metaphor, the relationship between love and mortality, and even, in a book-length sequence, Paris in 1870, the year of the Franco-Prussian War, the Siege of Paris, and the ballet Coppélia. I am also extremely interested in poetic form, and a good deal of my work attempts to negotiate between form and looser rhythms.

TD: Tell me about your origin story with poetry and how you fell in love with it.

JR: I wrote my first poem at 5, soon after my father first let me play around with his typewriter (a sturdy Smith Corona portable, with a rough, brown metal case that I loved). It was a rhyming narrative called “The Last of the Gacks”—my childish imitation of Dr. Seuss. I got serious about poetry, ironically, at the Bronx High School of Science, where my English teacher, Mr. Levy, helped instill a love of it and had us all write it. In addition to the usual classics, he introduced us to Sylvia Plath (this was only a few years after her death and the publication of Ariel), and I was knocked out by what poetry could do, the powerful emotional impact it could have.

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TD: What can you share about the sorts of programs you’d like to bring in during your two years?

JR: Since the 250th anniversaries of the Declaration of Independence and the Battles of Saratoga will fall during my term, I’d love to get young people thinking about the themes of freedom and of “turning points” —since the Saratoga conflicts are often called the turning point of the American Revolution — as topics for poetry.

I will give a handful of readings throughout my term, and I hope I can find some funding for other Saratoga area poets to join in them. I’d like to institute a Favorite Poem reading during April, National Poetry Month, where people can come read a poem that has special significance for them. Several area poets are skilled translators, and I’m thinking about a presentation called Found in Translation, where they can discuss the process of translating poetry from another language and share some of their work. And in addition to conducting poetry workshops, I’m toying with holding a series of Poetry Repair Shops, where I would make myself available for people to come show me a draft of a poem and see if I can help them think of ways of improving it.

This exciting Positively Saratoga news is brought to you by our friends at Discover Saratoga.

Spooky season wouldn’t be the same without a haunted ride through town with the Ghosts of Saratoga Trolley Tour, which kicks off this Thursday, October 2.

For four nights only — October 2, 9, 16 and 23 — amateur ghost hunters can get into the spirit with this 90-minute tour that makes Saratoga’s haunted history come alive with ghost stories starring our town’s most colorful former residents, urban legends (or are they real?), and even paranormal reports.

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“The Ghosts of Saratoga Trolley Tour is one of our most anticipated events of the year,” said James Parillo, Saratoga Springs History Museum Director, which collabbed with the Saratoga Springs Visitor Center for this event, in a statement. “It’s the perfect way to celebrate spooky season, while also uncovering Saratoga’s rich and haunted history.”

For a short preview of a Canfield Casino ghost story, click on the below video!

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Brave adults only should sign up for the 7 p.m. tours that meet at the Visitor Center (297 Broadway) or Saratoga Springs History Museum and include both an “eerie” trolley ride and “chilling walk through the Canfield Casino.” As guests ride along Saratoga’s most shadowy and storied streets, they’ll brush up on the Spa City’s haunted past — including every cold spot and tale of chilling encounter in town.

Tickets are $35 and advance reservations are required. For tickets and more information, visit: saratogahistory.org.

We at the Dispatch bring you good news stories through a partnership with the Saratoga County Chamber, and now with Discover Saratoga.

Feel free to forward this email to other people who might want to read some good news about Saratoga Springs.

We of course will have the latest news, info, fun and crazy on Monday, along with more Positively stories. Until then, make sure you’ve seen these good news stories, and use this moment as some Sunday morning Zen. To see all of our Positively Saratoga stories, click here. —Steve Thurston and Abby Tegnelia, Editors & Co-founders Saratoga Dispatch.

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Thank you for reading the Dispatch: the future of daily news from the Spa City. We exist because readers like you have taken paid subscriptions to get the latest news from our great city-in-the-woods. Please join now with a free seven-day trial and get access to all the content our site provides. Just $6 a month, or $50 annually. It’s a steal!

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Positively Saratoga is brought to you by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce and Discover Saratoga. Read all of our good news stories about the Spa City here.

This exciting Positively Saratoga news is brought to you by our friends at Discover Saratoga.

Discover Saratoga is proud to announce that Saratoga County has placed seventh out of ten destinations for “10 Best Spots in the US to visit this Fall” in USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. This recognition highlights the treasures of Saratoga County, such as the vibrant seasonal foliage, breathtaking boat tours and autumnal events that attract visitors year after year.

The list of 20 nominees was selected by an expert panel, and the final results were determined by public vote.

“We’re thrilled to have landed in the top 10 of best places to visit in the fall for the second year in a row,” said Darryl Leggieri, president of Discover Saratoga, Saratoga County’s official tourism promotion agency.

“This recognition demonstrates all that Saratoga County offers as an exceptional autumn getaway. Not only does the season make us think of outdoor beauty, but delicious flavors.

“Discover Saratoga is excited to support some tasty annual events in the coming months,” Leggieri said.

Visitors to Saratoga County have numerous fall-themed activities to enjoy, including soaking in the season’s colorful scenery at Mountain Airstrip Farm, picking apples and petting friendly animals at Bowman Orchards or taking a fall train ride on the Saratoga Corinth & Hudson Railway.

Click here for more information about visiting Saratoga County. You can find trip ideas, restaurants, hotels and more.

Select Upcoming Discover Saratoga Fall Events

8th Annual Wing-Off

Hosted by Discover Saratoga, Saratoga’s 8th Annual Wing-Off will take place on Oct. 18, with a portion of proceeds benefiting the American Cancer Society during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

20th annual Restaurant Week

The 20th Anniversary of Saratoga County’s Original Restaurant Week, will happen Nov. 3 through 9. Enjoy three-course dinners for $25 or $35 and lunch specials for $15 (plus tax & tip) at participating Saratoga County restaurants during Restaurant Week.

Click here for a full list of Discover Saratoga events.

This exciting Positively Saratoga news is brought to you by our friends at the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.

The Saratoga Giant Pumpkinfest, the annual fall festival that ushers in the autumn tourist season, is turning 10, with leveled-up hoopla going down this Saturday. Organizers are asking people to swing by downtown Saratoga Springs and marvel at giant pumpkins — some over 2,000 pounds — listen to music, eat food and shop at the farmer’s market.

“So being the 10th anniversary, we wanted to have a big splash with it,” says Andrea Mulholland, an organizer with the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce. “We get about 1,000 attendees every year, and we have some people traveling across state lines to see these competitions.”

In fact, people have traveled from as far as Ohio to compete or to see the pumpkins, she says.

It is a family fun event, and part of the 10th anniversary “big splash” includes more activities and vendors.

According to the chamber’s event page, the celebration will have live music performed by Mandolins Too; photo and petting opportunities with Upset, the Mini Dark Horse; and treats by Stewart’s, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Neighborhood Kitchen, Kings Dairy and Thorn + Roots. The regular Saratoga Farmer’s Market next door on High Rock Avenue will also include food vendors and special exhibits.

It’s also an Instagrammable opportunity to snap a picture of you or your kids with one of the jumbo pumpkins.

Ultimately, though, it’s a competition and will draw as many as 40 growers showing their huge pumpkins, their longest gourds and their heaviest watermelons.

Taking part are giant pumpkin growers from Saratoga County and around the Northeast, and representatives from the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth — a group that encourages giant pumpkin-growing and fair competition.

Grower Andy Wolf has been around since the beginning.

“It’s a great little contest,” he says of the Saratoga event. He lives near Buffalo and goes to many of these events each year.

“We moved it [to Saratoga] because we had had a contest in Cooperstown for 10 years,” but Cooperstown no longer wanted it, he says. “So we did it in Woodstock for a year and then moved it to Saratoga.”

Originally, it ran at Sunnyside Gardens in Saratoga, but it outgrew that space, too.

Wolf was inducted into the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth Hall of Fame in 2021. He has led presentations (one of which is 40 PowerPoint slides long) on giant pumpkin-growing from seed and soil to harvest. He entered the group’s 1,400 Pound Club in 2005 and the 2,400 Pound Club in 2022.

“It’s kind of an addiction,” he says, to grow a pumpkin each year and get it weighed. “There’s this drive to get bigger and heavier…every year.”

Plus, the fun is seeing the pumpkin grow at up to 60 pounds a day, which is a noticeable change day-to-day, he says, adding, “It’s kind of cool to see how visually big they are getting.”

Although it’s a competition and some money can be made by showing a prize-winning pumpkin, it’s still about fun and community, he says. Growers at the event will give away seeds to help people get started, or they’ll talk about best practices all in the spirit of camaraderie.

“It’s not some crazy secret society,” Wolf says. “If you can grow a good garden, you can grow big pumpkins.”

If you go:

When: The event runs this Saturday, Sept. 27, 11 a.m. to around 2 or 3 p.m., depending on how many pumpkins need to be weighed.

Where: Saratoga Springs City Center parking garage, lower level, High Rock Avenue. (Click here for the location.) Parking in the garage is available on the upper floors. Enter the parking garage through the Maple Avenue entrance.

Who helps: Festival vendors include Saratoga Wood and Honey, King Brothers Dairy, Thorn + Roots, Neighborhood Kitchen, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Saratoga Independent School and Northern Rivers Family of Services/Unlimited Potential. This event is presented by Stewart’s, ADKtechs and Hudson Valley Credit Union, with supporting sponsors Upset the Saratoga Miniature Dark Horse and Capital Bank.

The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce organizes the event.

We at the Dispatch bring you good news stories through a partnership with the Saratoga County Chamber, and now with Discover Saratoga.

Feel free to forward this email to other people who might want to read some good news about Saratoga Springs, click here to get a shareable link or to read this email in your browser.

We of course will have the latest news, info, fun and crazy on Monday, along with more Positively stories. Until then, make sure you’ve seen these good news stories, and use this moment as some Sunday morning Zen. To see all of our Positively Saratoga stories, click here. —Steve Thurston and Abby Tegnelia, Editors & Co-founders Saratoga Dispatch.

Subscribe now

Thank you for reading the Dispatch: the future of daily news from the Spa City. We exist because readers like you have taken paid subscriptions to get the latest news from our great city-in-the-woods. Please join now with a free seven-day trial and get access to all the content our site provides. Just $6 a month, or $50 annually. It’s a steal!

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Positively Saratoga is brought to you by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce and Discover Saratoga. Read all of our good news stories about the Spa City here.

This exciting Positively Saratoga news is brought to you by our friends at the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.

Two local organizations are partnering to present an event that brings indigenous language, culture and history to life.

Pitney Meadows Community Farm, in partnership with the Ndakinna Education Center, will host a special evening lecture titled “Art of Remembering: Indigenous Language Reclamation & Regional History” by renowned storyteller, musician, and language scholar Jesse Bruchac from 6 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2 at the farm, located at 223 West Ave. in Saratoga Springs.

The lecture is free and open to the public. Community members of all ages are welcome to attend.

This event offers a rare opportunity to hear directly from one of the leading voices in the revitalization of Algonquian languages. For more than four decades, Bruchac has worked to reclaim and strengthen Indigenous languages, teaching and preserving knowledge that spans generations. His journey has taken him from communities across the Northeast to projects across the U.S. and Canada, and into the world of film and television, where he has served as a language consultant for acclaimed productions such as Turn and Jamestown.

At Pitney Meadows, Bruchac will weave together personal stories, historical insight, and reflections from his lifelong work in education and cultural preservation. His lecture will explore how language is more than a tool of communication—it is a vessel of memory, identity, and resilience. Attendees will come away with a deeper understanding of the ties between Indigenous language reclamation and regional history, and how these connections shape both the past and present.

“Jesse Bruchac’s work reminds us that the land holds memory—that every plant, every word, every song is part of a living history,” Brooke McConnell, executive director of Pitney Meadows Community Farm, said in a press release. “It’s a privilege to partner with the Ndakinna Education Center to bring these offerings to our community, and to learn from Jesse’s knowledge, creativity, and deep-rooted connection to this place.”

Bruchac, a citizen of the Nulhegan Abenaki Nation, is the founder and director of The Abenaki Language School at Middlebury College and the Assistant Director of the Ndakinna Education Center. He has dedicated his life to teaching, sharing, and creating spaces for Indigenous knowledge systems to thrive. His work bridges generations and disciplines, whether through the classroom, the stage, or the screen, bringing both urgency and hope to the effort of cultural reclamation.

"Language reclamation is not just about the past, it is about the future,” Bruchac said in the release. “By revitalizing these words, we ensure that generations to come can inherit not only a language, but the worldview, values, and knowledge that it carries."

Click here for registration.

This exciting Positively Saratoga news is brought to you by our friends at Discover Saratoga.

The fields at Dancing Grain Farm Brewery are bursting into bloom as the brewery hosts its annual Sunflower Festival every weekend in September. This late-summer tradition pairs acres of sunflowers with farm-brewed beer, live music, food trucks, and family-friendly fun—one of the season’s most anticipated events in Saratoga County.

Festival Highlights

Wander through breathtaking sunflower fields, sip Dancing Grain’s signature brews, and browse a marketplace of local artisans and vendors. Families will find plenty for kids to do, while friends and couples can capture unforgettable photos among the blooms.

“This festival is more than just a day in the flowers—it’s about bringing people together,” said brewery founder Rachel McDermott. “We love seeing families, friends, and visitors from across the region come out to celebrate the beauty of the farm and the flavors of our beer.”

Event Schedule for the Remaining Days

• Sept. 21: Sunflower Mini Sessions with YTK Photography (golden-hour shoots; perfect for families, couples, grads).

• Sundays, Sept. 21 & 28, 12–6 p.m.: Sunflower-Themed Farm & Makers Market (handmade goods, local produce, art, and more).

• Wednesday, Sept. 24, 6–7:30 p.m.: Beer & Charcuterie Tasting with Adirondack Charcuterie and Dancing Grain (five beer pairings, artisan bites, sunflower-inspired treats).

• Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m., and Sundays, 11:00 a.m., all September: Sunflower Yoga with Yoga Mandali (flow among the blooms; post-class drink in the taproom).

Supporting Local Agriculture

Proceeds support the brewery’s commitment to sustainable farming and craft brewing. As a woman-owned farm brewery, Dancing Grain grows much of its own grain onsite—making the Sunflower Festival a true celebration of agriculture and artistry in brewing.

For tickets, booking links, and updates, visit dancinggrain.com.

This exciting Positively Saratoga news is brought to you by our friends at Discover Saratoga.

The Saratoga Automobile Museum’s premier fundraising event, the Saratoga Motorcar Auction, is back for its 9th year, September 18–21 on the grounds of the Saratoga Casino Hotel. To get a behind-the-scenes look, tune into the latest episode of the Destination Saratoga: All Access podcast, where Auction Director Bil Windham and Executive Director Megan Hennessey preview what makes this year’s event so special.

The episode is streaming now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.

This year’s auction features more than 250 rare and remarkable motorcars alongside 120+ pieces of automobilia and collectibles. Headliners include a Lamborghini Aventador SVJ, a Ferrari 458 Speciale, and a concours-restored 1964 Pontiac GTO.

Beyond the cars, bidders will find vintage gas pumps, neon signs, and memorabilia that celebrate automotive heritage.

A Weekend of Excitement

The event kicked off Thursday, September 18, with a public preview from noon to 5 p.m., followed by the Fast Lane VIP Concert featuring Soul Session from 6–9 p.m. Bidding begins Friday at 2 p.m. and continues Saturday at 10 a.m., with a post-auction sale on Sunday at 10 a.m.

Even if you’re not bidding, the auction is a can’t-miss experience. Visitors can explore hundreds of cars up close, browse automobilia displays, and enjoy food vendors—making it a family-friendly community celebration.

How to Bid:

• In person under the auction tent

• By phone with live support from the Museum team

• Online with pre-bidding now open on Proxibid

“With over 350 consignments this year, bidders have more ways than ever to participate,” said Hennessey. “Whether you’re here in Saratoga, on the phone, or online from your living room, the excitement is the same.”

Supporting the Museum

The Saratoga Motorcar Auction is more than a celebration of cars—it is also the Museum’s largest annual fundraiser. Proceeds support exhibitions and educational programs that highlight the innovation, history, and cultural impact of the automobile.

Event Schedule:

• Friday, Sept. 19: Auction Day 1 (2 p.m.)

• Saturday, Sept. 20: Auction Day 2 (10 a.m.)

• Sunday, Sept. 21: Post-Auction Sale (10 a.m.)

For tickets, bidder registration, or the full run list, visit saratogaautoauction.org.

This exciting Positively Saratoga news is brought to you by our friends at the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.

HMS Agency deepens local roots with acquisition of Debra LaMay Agency

By: Lauren Halligan Behan, Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce

A family-owned and operated, Saratoga County-based insurance agency is growing through an acquisition.

HMS Agency, which serves the entire Capital Region, recently announced its acquisition of the Debra LaMay Agency.

This change strengthens the agency’s presence in the region and reinforces its commitment to providing clients with the personal, relationship-focused service.

Debra LaMay, an insurance professional with nearly 50 years of experience, brings a loyal client base and a long-standing reputation for integrity and community service. She will remain with the agency in her current role, continuing to serve her clients with dedication and personal attention.

“Debbie has built a legacy around care, trust, and responsiveness, which are values that are at the heart of our mission at HMS,” said Bill Mather, Jr., Principal of HMS Agency, in a press release. “We’re honored to welcome her and her clients to the HMS family.”

As part of this acquisition, HMS Agency has relocated its Ballston Spa office to a new location at 2537 Route 9, Suite 200 in Malta.

Founded in 1997, HMS Agency, Inc. is full-service insurance agency offering expert advice and service spanning all lines of commercial and personal insurance and a full range of employee benefits. With a focus on building lasting relationships, HMS is committed to helping clients protect what matters most. HMS Agency is certified by the New York State Economic Development Corporation as a Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE).

Going forward, clients of both agencies can expect a seamless transition with no changes to the level of service and personalized attention they’ve come to rely on over the years.

This acquisition reflects HMS Agency's steady growth while staying true to its roots as a business built on trust, community, and exceptional client service.

More information on HMS Agency is available at hmsagency.com.

Keep Reading Positively Saratoga stories!

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We of course will have the latest news, info, fun and crazy on Monday, along with more Positively stories. Until then, make sure you’ve seen these good news stories, and use this moment as some Sunday morning Zen. To see all of our Positively Saratoga stories, click here. —Steve Thurston and Abby Tegnelia, Editors & Co-founders Saratoga Dispatch.

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This exciting Positively Saratoga news is brought to you by our friends at the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.

Local business TogaNola Snack Company, known for its tasty granola, is launching two new product lines for hungry shoppers to savor. Granola bars and granola bombs are both making debuts as part of the TogaNola lineup this season.

Owner Jessica Schwartzman is proud to introduce the new products, while still offering the traditional granola mixes that her customers love.

TogaNola’s soft and chewy Apricot, Almond, and Dark Chocolate granola bars have just enough subtle sweetness from the real honey and bright fruit balanced perfectly with the dark chocolate and crunchy almonds. Schwartzman suggests taking it on the road (or the trail) for an easy snack. New flavors are coming soon.

A TogaNola Granola Bomb is an energy-packed explosion of flavor. It’s “not quite a granola bar, a cookie, or a PB cup, but reminiscent of all three, while being packed with powerhouse ingredients to help fuel your busiest days and most exciting adventures,” according to the company. Current flavors include Dark Chocolate and Quinoa stuffed with Sunflower Seed Butter and Cherry, Flax, & Chia stuffed with Almond Butter.

TogaNola Snack Company will highlight these new products at the Second Sunday Market on Sept. 14 in Congress Park as well as Skidtoberfest next month at Skidmore College.

The new products are available at TogaNola’s website for retail and wholesale customers. The company aims to have these products in retail shops shortly as well.

As always, a portion of all TogaNola sales will go back to local nonprofits through the company’s 1% For the Planet membership.

Learn more about TogaNola Snack Company and its products at toganolasnackcompany.com.

Anyone with an eye out for employment opportunities will want to mark their calendars for the upcoming Saratoga Job Showcase.

The event - free and open to the public - will take place from 10 a.m. to noon on Friday, Sept. 12 at Empire State University, located at 113 West Ave. in Saratoga Springs.

The showcase will feature more than 50 area employers from diverse industries such as construction, manufacturing, energy, finance, banking, technology and more.

Job-seekers are invited to explore career opportunities while making real, in-person connections with recruiters.

Attendees can walk away with tools to help land their next role, including free professional headshots offered on site, along with LinkedIn tips from talent recruitment expert Christopher Thomas of Elite 9 Talent Solutions.

A collaborative effort, the Saratoga Job Showcase is presented by Empire State University, the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, the Veterans Business Council, Empire State University Veterans and Military Resource Center, New York State Department of Labor, Saratoga Economic Development Corporation, Saratoga County Workforce Development, Naval Support Facility – Saratoga Springs and The Fleet and Family Support Center.

“We are gathering dozens of the region’s top employers for the Saratoga Job Showcase and we invite the community to attend and explore the many opportunities available in our local job market," said Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce president Todd Shimkus. "This is a can’t-miss event for anyone looking to elevate their career.”

The morning will also include a special opportunity for the veteran and military community with a 9 a.m. Veteran & Military Meet and Greet networking reception prior to the event. Featuring coffee, snacks and connections, this complimentary networking hour is open to all veterans, active-duty military members and those who serve or support veterans.

“SUNY Empire is proud to honor our veterans and military members with a dedicated networking session before the Saratoga Job Showcase. This dedicated time is our way of honoring their service—providing them with meaningful opportunities to connect, share their experiences, and explore career possibilities with local employers,” said Anita DeCianni-Brown, director of Career & Experiential Learning Services at Empire State University.

“The Job Showcase and Veteran Networking events bring together community partners who are passionate about supporting veteran and military families in our region. This collaboration is dedicated to assisting those transitioning out of the military or seeking new employment opportunities,” added Desiree Drindak, director of the Veteran and Military Resource Center at Empire State University. “The Veteran Networking event provides an excellent opportunity for veterans and military members to connect with employers, advocates, and community resources that can support them throughout their transition and job search.”

More information, including a full list of participating employers, is available at www.saratoga.org/jobshowcase.

Feel free to forward this email to other people who might want to read some good news about Saratoga Springs, click here to get a shareable link or to read this email in your browser.

We of course will have the latest news, info, fun and crazy on Monday, along with more Positively stories. Until then, make sure you’ve seen these good news stories, and use this moment as some Sunday morning Zen. To see all of our Positively Saratoga stories, click here. —Steve Thurston and Abby Tegnelia, Editors & Co-founders Saratoga Dispatch.

Subscribe now

Thank you for reading the Dispatch: daily news from the Spa City. We exist because readers like you have taken paid subscriptions to get the latest news from our great city-in-the-woods. Please join now with a free seven-day trial and get access to all the content our site provides.

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This exciting Positively Saratoga news is brought to you by our friends at the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.

A Spa City company was named one of the fastest-growing companies in the country.

cb20 Managed IT and AV Services, headquartered on Broadway in Saratoga Springs, was included Inc. magazine’s annual ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in America, known as the Inc. 5000.

This marks cb20’s third straight year on the prestigious list, with the company achieving 135% revenue growth from 2021 to 2024, a reflection of the firm’s rapid and consistent growth trajectory.

With over 30 years of experience, cb20 provides managed IT and audio visual services to organizations including both large institutions and growing small businesses across New York, Massachusetts, and the greater New England region.

The Inc. 5000 list celebrates entrepreneurial success stories across the country, recognizing companies that combine innovation with sustained expansion. To qualify, businesses must meet revenue thresholds and demonstrate strong three-year growth performance.

cb20’s continued inclusion on the Inc. 5000 underscores the company’s momentum and growing market share, reflected in dozens of new hires and the acquisition of properties in the Capital Region and Greater Boston area to meet accelerating demand and expand its service footprint across the Northeast.

“This milestone underscores how cb20 is leading at the convergence of IT and AV,” said Chris Pickett, President and CEO of cb20, in a press release. “Organizations today are under pressure to modernize – to upgrade, optimize, and fully leverage technology that helps them thrive and outpace competitors. Our ability to unite secure IT environments with frictionless collaboration experiences is what sets cb20 apart, and this recognition reinforces the value we’re creating for clients across the Northeast.”

Across the public and private sectors, cb20 helps its clients design, deploy, and manage secure hybrid work through managed IT, cybersecurity, strategic staffing, video collaboration, conference room technology, and digital display solutions.

More information about cb20 and its services is available at cb20.com.

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This exciting Positively Saratoga news is brought to you by our friends at the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce. Lauren Behan works with the Chamber.

A Spa City building is marking its 200th birthday, and its inhabitants are thrilled to celebrate the occasion.

The folks at Country Corner Cafe recently hosted a 200th anniversary event for its beloved building set at the corner of Church Street and Woodlawn Avenue in downtown Saratoga Springs.

“My love for the building began before I even bought the business. I dined here as a customer and knew it was so special,” said owner Julee O’Callaghan, who was intrigued to discover the businesses at the site have been women-owned since 1939.

“This building holds so much rich history in Saratoga Springs and we are so lucky to call it the home of Country Corner Cafe,” O’Callaghan said.

The cafe’s previous owner Roseanne Hotaling along with Saratoga Springs Mayor John Safford and New York State Sen. Jim Tedisco all joined for the bicentennial celebration.

Samantha Bosshart, executive director of the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation, was in attendance as well, with lots of history to share about 25 Church St.

A foundation plaque on the 1825 building explains that the whole street is named after this structure, which was originally a Universalist Church, but for its bicentennial O’Callaghan and Bosshart dove a little deeper into its history.

“Not many would ever have guessed that the building had originally served as a church,” Bosshart said.

"Julee's enthusiasm to learn more about the history of the building that her business was located in was infectious,” she continued. “We were happy to assist her in learning more so she could share it with her customers.”

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After it’s short-lived time as a church, the building became a boarding house for “restorationists,” whose goal was to restore the original teachings of Christianity.

Its role as a commercial hotspot began in 1880 when a grocery and tobacco store opened. The year 1939 began the era of women-owned businesses at the property, including general store Kaye’s Newsroom run by Betty Kaye, then Anthony’s Country Kitchen operated by the Fitzgerald sisters, and finally Country Corner Cafe, founded by Hotaling in 1991.

Today, O’Callaghan is the woman whose entrepreneurial spirit occupies 25 Church St., and she is delighted to run her restaurant in such a beautiful, historical place.

The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation publicly thanked O’Callaghan for recognizing the building’s importance, and the owners, the Braim Family, for being good stewards of the building as “historic buildings make Saratoga Springs special and help to remind people of those who came before us."

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