A Saratogian in 'Time' magazine
PLUS: 60+ socializing. No Kings is back.
Saratoga is known as a friendly place — so why don’t we all know each other?
Today’s social focus: 60+. “I don’t want to leave the house — but I also want more friends.”
“You finally get this chance to do nothing. But then you stop and realize — welp — I’m a bit bored.”
Along those lines, we had planned a profile for you today on Monica Frydman, whom we met when she came to the Dispatch’s very first event in December. Her mission: create a livelier social calendar for her and her peers here in Saratoga.
Since we reported this story, we launched our first-ever Dispatch Dinner Club for April 8 that’s all about meeting new people — and she RSVP-ed.
✨ The universe is in sync.
— Abby
🫶 Love the Dispatch? Help spread the word by forwarding to a friend.
🍝 Join our Dinner Club (launch is April 8!): Say goodbye to awkward mingling. We do all the planning — you just show up (I’ll text you where to go the morning of the event) to meet new friends.
✈️ A Saratogian lands in Time magazine
We hope that Saratogian Lah-Tish Gilmore is home safe and sound — after a nightmare day at the airport with her teenage son and 4-year-old granddaugther.
It was so bad that her story landed her in Time magazine.
First, the homebound fam arrived at the Houston airport at the ungodly hour of 2:30 a.m. for their 6 a.m. trip. “It took the entire family 30 minutes to walk from the departure entrance to the end of the line,” writes the outlet. Then while they were in that monstrous line, Frontier Airlines emailed her to say that their terminal had been changed.
“I just broke down and cried, because I was like, there’s no way we’re making it to the other line over there,” she told the news magazine.
The next available flight wasn’t until 9 p.m. that night — “which,” writes the outlet, “left her family trapped at the airport for the rest of the day after getting past the security gate.”
We wish them a lot of naps and TV marathons at home.
🧘 Anyone else need a yoga class after just reading that?
Exciting things are happening at Saha Yoga in Ballston Spa, under the new ownership of Leanne Applin. Before takin over, the 30-year yogi taught at the ohm-led hotspot for five years and served as the Studio Manager.
Zumba and ecstatic dance are on the horizon, and a fresh paint job and décor have ushered in a breath of fresh air.
For more info (and to check out her new website), visit sahayogabspa.com.
📌 ICYMI…
Deep dive into What’s Going on Saratoga’s twinning Facebook groups
📰 IN BRIEF
Thousands of “No Kings” demonstrators are expected to line both sides of Broadway from Congress Park to Van Dam Street as part of two dozen rallies in the Capital Region and Hudson Valley, reports the Times Union…
…Teddy Foster and Garland Nelson led the boldfaced names at Monday night’s Eddies awards at UPH, which inducted Dominick Campana, Ernie Williams, Lee Shaw, Jim Furlong, Eddie Angel, Heavenly Echoes, and the owners of the Van Dyck Music Club in Schenectady into its Hall of Fame — check out the photos, also in the TU.
🍸 Happy hour, anyone?
I had a day today…maybe you did, too. Totally rando smattering of mid-week deals:
Familiar Creature’s charcuterie plate and a tiny ‘tini are calling my name.
Bibulous has the ‘tinis, too — plus deals on wine, cocktails and drafts.
A girl’s gotta eat — all-night Ladies Night at Standard Fare includes girl dinner and a tini ‘tini for $30.
Wednesday is also Flex Your Mussels at Morrisey’s — mussels (as the name suggests) and a draft beer or glass of white wine for $25 bucks, until 9:30 p.m.
Can’t commit to just one kind of snack? Kindred’s diverse $5-$10 small plates are on offer until 6 p.m.
🛍️ Looking to score?
Heidi Owen-West is bringing NYC sample sale culture to Saratoga. Shoppers looking for a deal will soon be able to head down the alley between Putnam Market and her store Union Hall, where all sale merch from her three stores (Caroline and Main and Lifestyles complete the trifecta) will be consolidated.
The brand promises (via Instagram comment) “more details soon” — but in the meantime, Around Saratoga Springs says, “This store is going to be a real score for sale shoppers.”
💪 Monica Frydman is making it count
By: Kathleen Willcox
Monica Frydman is used to being busy, having cut her teeth as the first full-time female assignment reporter working the news desk at Pix 11 in New York City, and then raising two children.
Now retired and living in Saratoga, sitting at home is not in the cards.
“I wish there was more to do!” she says. “I have always volunteered, and I still do a lot of volunteer work. But I miss intellectual engagement with likeminded people.”
She’s not alone. Finding projects and social events can be challenging for retirees, who were often very busy with kids and careers until one day they weren’t. It’s worth the effort though: A Yale University study published this month found that nearly half of adults 65+ improved their physical or mental health by maintaining active lifestyles and positive mindsets.
So Frydman has formed what she’s calling the Saratoga Social Club.
“It’s early days, but I’m very excited,” she says. “My first outreach was forming a Mahjong group, with lessons and classes, and the response has been huge. Saratoga Springs is such a nice place, with so much going on. But what it feels like it’s missing is a way for older people who still want to stay engaged and active, to meet each other.”
Want to talk to Monica about her Social Club? She’ll next be at the Dinner Club on April 8.
🫙 Crowdsourcing
Your support is a huge part of helping to keep this local newsy, community-building force going.
Never corporate, always local…
— Abby
 | A guest post by
|