TGIF, with frosting. A sneak peek worth getting in trouble for.
PLUS: UPH gets a show, sells out a show. Why parents' group chats are on fire.
The beauty of breaking news
About a minute after I pressed “send” on yesterday’s Dispatch, the exciting news came in: Caffè Lena’s TrueSongs event that had been close to selling out had officially moved to UPH to make room for more eager music fans. I updated it online, but email-only readers might be reading this for the first time. The event shines a light on six very special Capital Region nonprofits tomorrow night.
UPDATED STORY: ‘Giving thanks’ vibes Sat. with Caffè Lena
TGIF: Redefined
Thank Goodness It’s...Frosted? Stop by this brand-new (and cutest ever) bakery drop Friday afternoons to load up on decadent weekend treats.
As an entrepreneurship girlie (and bona fide foodie), this adorable business announcement caught my eye this morning. An Air Force finance officer with a penchant for baking, Mackenzie Grayson is turning her driveway into the cutest bakery “drop” I’ve ever seen — a “cottage” bake stand called Crooked Street Co. She’ll open her doors today at 4:30 p.m., so swing by her Ballston Lake home after work to kick off your weekend with decadent cinnamon rolls, muffins, cake pops, mini apple cakes or chocolate-covered strawberries.
“I’ll reopen Saturday mornings if I have anything left,” she told me earlier while in the throes of baking. The plan is to open every Friday with a rotation of homemade goodies perfect for lazy weekend mornings (she also has puppy chow and non-toxic personal care items such as body scrubs and candles). “I wanted to make a good variety for my first week, but after this I’ll make three different types of baked goods at a time,” she says. “For next week, I’m thinking gluten-free blondies, ‘strawberry shortcake’ strawberries (always a huge hit), and blueberry muffins.”
Simply head over and park on the street or in her driveway — and start shopping.
Crooked Street Co. opens today at 4:30 p.m. at 6 Crooked St. in Ballston Lake.
Got a business to promote, story to tell or event to share? Reach me at abby@saratogadispatch.com.
Best in class: Saratoga Hospital
Saratoga Hospital has achieved a “Straight A” rating for Fall 2025 from the Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit watchdog org. It was the only one of nine Saratoga-area hospitals to achieve the highest score. The breakdown of the other eight: two B’s, five C’s, one D. More info: hospitalsafetygrade.org.
Caroline St. Beat racehorse still worth a party
The guys on Saratoga Live — and announcer Frank Mirahmadi — had a field day when Steve Bouchey’s horse Caroline St. Beat broke his maiden right here at Saratoga Race Course. The Thoroughbred named after our favorite downtown party street (and Dispatch headquarters) raced today at Aqueduct…and placed. Something worth celebrating — congrats.
Keep reading: Party time: Local celeb wins with Caroline St. horse
Maple Ave. Middle principal out after weeks of parent chatter
Maple Ave. Middle School’s administration has been a hot topic for local parents for weeks, whether they have a child there or not. At last, the school announced this morning that its long-time principal, Scott Singer, had resigned. News Channel 13’s Mark Mulholland took to Facebook to quote Saratoga City Schools Superintendent Dr. Michael Patton’s statement that “the district became aware of concerns regarding Mr. Singer’s conduct in his role as an elected official of the Saratoga Springs Administrators Association.” But the lack of detail just raised more questions. (“The word ‘conduct’ and any school official’s name don’t belong in the same sentence,” one parent immediately texted me, which pretty much says it all.) Within hours, Singer had been charged by New York State Police with misdemeanor petit larceny, reported Mulholland, and then pleaded “guilty to a reduced charge of disorderly conduct which is a violation, and paid a $250 fine.” Expect the comments section (and your favorite parent group chat) to continue to heat up.
Sneak peek: catch him if you can!
Standard Fare artist Daniel Fairley’s last “hostess stand artwork” sold in just nine days — and its replacement goes up at the Phila Street restaurant tonight. If you want to grab a pic for the ‘gram, you’d better go quick. “This one was a blur because of the short sell time of the last one,” says Fairley, who now has a stash of horse sketches at the ready for painting his “wild” race horse acrylics that have become downtown’s newest status symbol. This one’s theme? “Let’s just say I stretched before I got started,” Fairley quips. Thad’s Pick on the Final Stretch (yes, a horse doing yoga) can be yours for $2,000, but you might not want to wait.
Lost? Keep reading: You didn’t believe me, did you? (Downtown’s newest status symbol)
IN PICTURES
Haney’s Automotive recently celebrated the grand opening of its new facility in Halfmoon during a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce. This celebration comes after its previous Mechanicville location was damaged in a 2023 fire. For more info, visit haneysautomotive.com.
Chris Botti: sold out
If you waited to buy your tickets to Chris Botti’s UPH show Nov. 30, you’re out of luck. The theater continues to sell out its concert series, including this popular Grammy-winning trumpeter. “I love Chris Botti,” says UPH’s director, Teddy Foster, who certainly knows her audience — she was adamant way back in September that his show would sell out. “He loves this venue,” she says. “He has told us he wants this to be his premier venue in this area. He loves singing here; he loves the space. He plays to the round. It will be standing room only.” If you did grab your ticket in time, you’re in for a treat. “It will be a spectacular show,” she says. “He’s going to have two other singers with him, too. I’m not going to say who because it’s a surprise. But it’s going to be so cool.”
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 baked goods.
ICYMI…
Thank you for being a…loyal viewer (Saratogians react to ‘Golden Girls’ 40th)
Saratoga foodies to toast ‘masterpiece’ of a book at SPAC on Saturday
Exclusive! Cult new dish alert, Noah’s update, Caroline St. lawsuit
‘Destination Saratoga’ podcast runs ‘wild.’ Northern Lights!
This sounds … amazing 😻