Saratoga summer is Saratoga summering, so my time here today is short.

We’re lucky to live in a wonderful city that shows up for its readers, writers and indie bookstores.

“Cheers” to you, a reader for whom I’m so grateful, and to the fantastic Saratoga author whose book I’m buried in right now.

And … Northshire is turning 50. Keep reading to find out what they have planned.

— Abby

Irad Ortiz, Jr. is — at last — headed for Saratoga Race Course, and DRF has the details.

After an exciting repeat win in the Suburban Stakes on the 4th, 6-year-old Phileas Fogg is under consideration for the Whitney, reports the Paulick Report.

By Kathleen Willcox

I’m here to confess that I’m obsessed with Upside, a cashback app that rewards users for purchases at participating gas stations, restaurants, convenience stores and grocery stores. (Spoiler alert: not everyone is as enamored). 

I mean … it’s free money right? And as gas, restaurant and grocery store bills continue to rise, the idea of getting discounts on essential items you’ll buy anyway seems like the kind of no-brainer. 

The answer was more layered that I expected.

Stephen Repsher, a Tesla-driving lawyer (and my ex-husband), for example, was less convinced than I was. “Why would I download an app for gas?” he asked.  

Presenting my case before the judge and jury, I countered: “Don’t you go to Fresh Market? Market32? You can get up to 33% off groceries there.”

Circling back, a few months later, his review was mixed. (And to be fair, I agree with his points).  

“It has come in handy for groceries,” Stephen admits. “But my experience with getting credit for the offers I claim has been a little spotty. On the plus side, their customer service is very responsive.”

Here’s the deal, for the un-initiated: You download Upside, and once you agree to have your location tracked while on the app (a deal-breaker for many, I’m sure), offers will roll in. Typically, you will have to upload a receipt, which gets reviewed and credited. Or not. But, as Stephen says, the customer service team is responsive if you really want that $2.98. 

Early adapters we are not. In addition to the economy being a factor, Saratogians seem to also require an IRL-friend to vouch for it — and that journey took its time winding its way up here. Upside launched in 2016, started getting popular here a few years ago, and began to dominate certain group chats in 2026.

“I have been hearing ads for Upside for years, and always assumed it would be too good to be true,” says Saratoga Springs-based entrepreneur Laura Tilton. “I caved six months ago after getting a referral from a friend who vouched for it, and I have been really pleased. I do find that it will influence which of the local stories I hit on that trip, based on the offer I see in the app.”

Tilton has joined me in the ranks of unofficial Upside ambassadors. Recently, she converted a friend of hers in Boston, who used to drive from South Boston to Cambridge to save 10 cents a gallon, but couldn’t be bothered to download Upside — until Tilton peer-pressured him into downloading the app. 

“I had to put on the hard sell,” she admits.

My mom, meanwhile, remains stubbornly unconvinced of Upside’s upside. 

“I don’t have time for all of the apps you want me to download,” she says, reminding me that she “has a life. Who has time for this crap?”

Depends on who you ask. 

Northshire opened in 1976 in Manchester Center, Vermont — which means it has a special 50th birthday to celebrate! Here in Saratoga, there will be a full day of free, family-friendly festivities on August 8 (and keep your eye out for limited-edition merch before then).