Once-in-a-lifetime tour. Mental health at the brewery.
PLUS: When joining a fundraising walk means everything.
Warmth. Sun. On a weekend.
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
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!
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.
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Heads up: A dose of magic June 4 — plus the May 14-20 Events Calendar
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.
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— Abby
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