Daring to take ‘frigid’ new lake plunge
PLUS: Pint Sized isn't so pint sized anymore, a familiar face runs for Senate, and Joshua Redman is on his way!
Air temp: 30. Lake water: ‘frigid.’ Our intern’s first assignment? To take the plunge at the new Kos sauna.
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SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — Growing up on the Jersey Shore, Kate Butchart grew up riding her bike to the ocean every day long before she could drive. “When you live in an environment like that,” she says, “life just kind of revolves around the beach — even in the winter.”
In 2018, Butchart moved to Norway and discovered how effortlessly Norwegians embraced the cold, and cold water. While she was there, she found solace in regular visits to a sauna — especially in the winter, when she’d head straight from the sauna to walking out into the snow or even plunging into a frozen body of water.
Upon her return to the U.S., Butchart couldn’t let the practice go and introduces Kos (pronounced like cozy without the y) Sauna, which is tucked into the crook of
Saratoga Lake directly beside Lago by Druthers (stop by after for a new post-plunge
electrolyte beer).
I arrived for my initial “float” early in the morning.
It was absolutely frigid, so cold that I had to scrape the frost off my windshield before leaving home. Bundled up, I made my way over, shivering and unsure what to expect. My nerves were immediately assuaged as soon as I was welcomed by Butchart and her staff (there are also two co-founders, Tom Vargehese and Bjornar Haveland), who were not only pleasant but comforting. Stripping down to my bathing suit while the temp outside hovered around 30 degrees felt a little daring, but I kept an open mind.
Walking in, you’re immediately enveloped by an all-encompassing warmth, like a hug from the inside out. The scent of cedar wood and custom-blended essential oils fills the air as you set up your towel and get comfortable in the 15-person sauna. Through the large triple-paned windows, Saratoga Lake stretches out before you, and it does, in fact, feel as though you are floating. As I settled in, I watched the reflection of the water dancing on the walls of the sauna. I closed my eyes as my skin began to feel slick and tiny beads of sweat rolled away… my worries going with them.
After a while, I stepped outside into the crisp November sunlight, inhaling deeply. The air was sharp and invigorating but my body was still hot, and I was reminded of the Norwegian word I had learned: friluftsliv — the “fresh air life” meant it was time to dip myself into Saratoga Lake, which I had been told was a mere 45 degrees. As I plunged in, I could feel the steam rising from my still-hot body, and though my brain screamed “NOOO,” I kept going. Coming out of the lake, I felt awake and alive.
Stepping back into the heat of the sauna, I felt my muscles relax as my body returned to the perfect temperature, as a sense of well-being washed over me.
Leaving the dock, I couldn’t help but smile.
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Today’s Dispatch is brought to you by…
⭐ More than 400 tickets sold! ⭐
Opera Saratoga presents La boheme, a concert version of Puccini’s timeless masterpiece. Featuring local and national talent, this first-ever holiday production brings together the magic of Juilliard, The Metropolitan Opera, Skidmore Chorus and Excelsior Vocal Ensemble.
🎭 UPH | Friday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m.
🎟️ Tickets: atuph.org
Don’t say we didn’t warn you
UPH keeps selling out its shows (Pink Martini, Béla Fleck and Chris Botti, for starters), so I’m giving you some extra time to grab your tickets for the great saxophonist Joshua Redman, who arrives Dec. 4 to celebrate his new album, Words Fall Short. “I’m really excited for Joshua Redman,” says UPH director Teddy Foster. “That man was made for the saxophone. He is an amazing artist, an amazing performer — jazzy, funk, blues. It’s going to be a spectacular show.” He returns to Saratoga with a new quartet, too: pianist Paul Cornish, bassist Philip Norris, and drummer Nazir Ebo—”three rising stars who bring both sensitivity and fire to his latest set of original compositions.”
To grab your ticket, visit atuph.org.
SPAC: world’s ‘most beautiful amphitheater’
Grammy winner Mike Farris, who was in town as the co-headliner of “Heavyweights of Soul” with Sugaray Rayford, also sang high praises for SPAC, according to the Nov. 20 issue of Saratoga Today. While on stage at The Parting Glass Nov. 14, the singer said, “[The Saratoga Performing Arts Center] may be the most beautiful amphitheater in the country—in the world,” the paper’s Jonathon Norcross reports. (We agree, Mike!) Farris won the 2014 Grammy for Best Roots Gospel album.
Familiar face running for Senate (of KY)
Horse trainer Dale Romans — always a familiar face in town come track season — is running for Senate in his home state of Kentucky, also according to our friend Jonathon Norcross in today’s Saratoga Today. An independent Democrat, Romans is running to replace none other than Mitch McConnell, who’s set to retire. A Dem hasn’t held a U.S. senate seat in the state in more than 25 years. Primaries are in May.
Saratoga Dispatch: now on Facebook. Support independent, local journalism (for FREE!) by giving us a “Like”! And be sure to share this story with all your friends who love Saratoga Springs.
Not Pint Sized anymore
Midnight snacks, arcade games and a full bar: Pint Sized makes its Phila Street debut with a (much) larger space and expanded offerings.
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SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — Daily weekday promotional deals, three times the space, and smash burgers grilled to perfection: The new Pint Sized is officially open — and that corner of Phila and Putnam hasn’t been this lively in a long, long time.
And the hotspot is technically still in its soft opening, too.
While leaving its beloved basement spot is bittersweet, Pint Sized is thrilled about its new heart-of-downtown location. The original spot will continue to operate (for now) from 5 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday evenings to offer loyal customers a few final chances to enjoy a pint in the old space. Send-off events in December include live music, DJs, karaoke and a fake funeral service planned for Dec. 19, when guests are encouraged to wear mourning attire for a discount and to pay respects to the space that will be equipped with a casket and floral arrangements.
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Breakfast beer and pre-turkey pairings
“I will miss the old location,” says owner August Rosa. “The basement spot at 489 Broadway changed my life and I am forever grateful for the memories in the space. That being said, I am thrilled for our new opportunity and to be part of a wave of energy on Phila Street. This is one of my dream spots in Saratoga Springs and we are grounded here for the next decade. Our first week went very smooth and I can already tell people are stoked about the new spot. I am excited to see how the place evolves.”
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The bar is now fully equipped for a full liquor program with mixed drinks. (Prior to this expansion, liquor offerings were limited as ice was not previously available.) There’s also a wall of televisions, 10-foot projector screen, pool table, dart board, rotating pinball machine and half a dozen arcade cabinets offering customers 70 gaming options. Events like live music and karaoke will trickle in starting in February.
“With so much extra space our focus was on how to make the place as fun as possible,” Rose says. “I opted for games and ideas that would engage guests. I wanted to keep the space as open as possible, fostering the congregation that you would see in a classic pub.”
On top of all these improvements, Herbie’s Burgers is subleasing the kitchen area and has a counter space offering smash burgers, chicken sandwiches and tenders, fries and shakes from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily — a rare opportunity to enjoy food at a bar after midnight in Saratoga Springs.
A ribbon cutting is scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5 with the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce. Pint Sized is open from noon to 1 a.m. Mon. to Sat. and noon to 10 p.m. Sundays. For more info, follow @diveupstate on social media or visit diveupstate.com.
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ICYMI…
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Make your list, check it twice: Canopy is officially open!
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That sauna sounds amazing