BALLSTON SPA — Augie’s Family Style Italian Restaurant in Ballston Spa celebrated its 20th anniversary on Monday, offering patrons complimentary glasses of Prosecco and cannolis to celebrate the occasion.
“Twenty years ago, we moved from the New York City suburb of Larchmont to Ballston Spa,” Augie Vitiello wrote in an Instagram post. “We were embraced by the incredible community in upstate New York, which we are now so proud to call home!”
Born and raised in the Bronx, Vitiello learned home-style Italian cooking from his parents. He ran a restaurant in Larchmont for 13 years before relocating to the area.
Augie’s currently has two locations: a full-service restaurant in downtown Ballston Spa, and a take-out restaurant in Saratoga Springs across from the East Side Recreation Park on Lake Ave.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation held two sold-out tours of the Saratoga Race Course during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival on Friday, June 7 and Sunday, June 9.
The tours, led by the foundation’s Executive Director Samantha Bosshart, explored the history of the track, as well as its many renovations and expansions over the years. Bosshart also explained her foundation’s role in shaping the track’s appearance. Tour guests were allowed to enter the track before gates officially opened to the public.
For information on upcoming foundation tours and events, visit www.saratogapreservation.org/calendar/.
Flier image for the Saratoga Farm Showcase via the Saratoga PLAN website.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Over the last century, the number of farms in Saratoga County has decreased by 84%. As local farmers work hard to survive and thrive, the first-ever Farm Showcase on June 22 aims to give the community a taste (literally) of what the county’s farms have to offer.
More than twenty local farms, providing everything from ice cream to beer to fresh produce, will participate in the event, which is organized by Saratoga PLAN (Preserving Land and Nature), a nonprofit land trust.
Michelle Culbert, Saratoga PLAN’s associate director, said that local farmers are finding creative ways to market themselves directly to consumers. The Saratoga Farm Showcase is one way to do that.
“Attending these types of events, going right to the farm store and purchasing directly from the farm, is the best way to support local farmers,” Culbert said.
Farms are rapidly evaporating, primarily due to development and urban sprawl. Developers like farmland because it’s usually flat and cleared of trees. Although this loss of farmland is happening nationwide, it’s even more pronounced in Saratoga County, the second-fastest growing county in the state. “We’re feeling it here more than elsewhere in the state,” Culbert said.
Part of Saratoga PLAN’s mission includes farmland conservation, which the organization says is “important to the long-term health of the economy, the environment, and the social fabric of our community.”
Participants in the upcoming showcase include Hop City Maple, King Brothers Dairy, McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds, Arnold’s Farm Fresh Produce, City Goat Farm, Dancing Grain Farm Brewery, and Smith’s Orchard & Bake Shop, among others.
Culbert said the inaugural showcase’s success will be measured both by ticket sales and, more importantly, how much everyone involved enjoys the experience.
Tickets for adults cost $10. Kids are free. All tickets must be purchased by Thursday, June 20. There are no day-of ticket sales.
Included with a ticket comes a tour map with a list of participating farms and their special offerings and discounts, as well as an insulated cooler bag filled with farm goodies. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit https://saratoga-plan.snwbll.com/ticketing/saratoga-farm-showcase.
Fox Sports horse racing analyst Acacia Clement hosts the Belmont Draw Show at the Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs on Monday, June 3. Image via the New York Racing Association livestream of the event.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Belmont Stakes Draw Show was held at the Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs on Monday evening. The event, hosted by Fox Sports horse racing analyst Acacia Clement, was live streamed by the New York Racing Association (NYRA).
“This event serves as a kick off to a truly historic week in Saratoga Springs,” Clement said.
Post positions for the Belmont Stakes, in order of their announcement, were as follows:
2 – Resilience 1 – Seize the Grey 6 – Dornoch 9 – Sierra Leone 4 – The Wine Steward 5 – Antiquarian 7 – Protective 8 – Honor Marie 10 – Mindframe 3 – Mystik Dan
Photo via Saratoga Athletics social media accounts.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs varsity girls lacrosse team captured its second-straight Section 2, Class A sectional title last week against Colonie Central, 11 to 10.
The Blue Streaks had a come-from-behind victory, scoring four goals after being down 10 to 7.
“The girls definitely felt they had what it took to win sectionals again and used defending their title as their motivation,” Coach Jennifer Furze told Saratoga TODAY.
After capturing the sectional championships, Saratoga advanced to the regional finals, where they faced the Suffern Mounties last Saturday afternoon in Queensbury. Heading into the contest, Furze said her team was “confident, hungry” and eager to beat Suffern after losing to them last year.
“Strategic game play will be important against this team,” Furze said. “They love to drown the clock. They played keep-away for much of the second half on us last year. I would love to give them a taste of their own medicine.”
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In the anticipated matchup, Suffern scored four goals early, forcing the Blue Streaks to play catchup. Much like their victory in sectionals, Saratoga rallied late. But this time, it wasn’t enough. Suffern took the regional title, 10 to 8.
During the game, Saratoga senior Carly Wise netted her 300th career goal.
Coach Jennifer Furze said her team attributed its success this season to several different factors. “We focus on positives every day, ending each practice by listing three positive take-aways. We communicate well and keep composure during stressful game situations. We support one another and spend time taking care of our mental conditioning as well as our physical.”
It was a memorable and emotional season for the Blue Streaks lacrosse team. Last month, they paid tribute to Olivia Allen, a recent Saratoga grad who succumbed to leukemia in March. Coach Furze’s daughter was close friends with Allen.
“A team that fought to the very end,” read a message posted to the team’s social media account. “We are so proud of our [lacrosse] fam and honored to be called a Blue Streak. We had many victories this season and continue to stay united.”
Fox Sports racing analyst Maggie Wolfendale reports live from a paddock. Photo via Pottheiser Photo/New York Racing Association.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Fox Sports will be providing full coverage of this year’s Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at the Saratoga Race Course. The broadcast will be split across several channels, including Fox, FS1, and FS2. The action can also be streamed live on the Fox Sports app and FoxSports.com.
Frank Mirahmadi, who announces the annual summer meet at Saratoga, will call the Belmont Stakes. He’ll also announce all other races airing on Fox from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 8.
Thursday, June 6
Full coverage of the first day of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will air on FS2 from 12:30 p.m. until 6 p.m.
Friday, June 7
Coverage for day two will be split across two networks: FS2 and FS1. Tune in to FS2 for coverage from 12 p.m. until 6 p.m., then switch over to FS1 for additional coverage from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday, June 8
Belmont Stakes Day will be aired across three networks: FS1 (10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.), Fox (4 p.m. – 7 p.m.), and FS2 (7 p.m. – 8:10 p.m.)
Beginning at 4 p.m., Fox’s pre-race show will be anchored by Curt Menefee, multiple Grade 1-winning trainer Tom Amoss, and retired jockey Richard Migliore. Also providing coverage will be Fox Sports wagering expert Chris “The Bear” Fallica, handicapper Jonathon Kinchen, Emmy Award-winning reporter Tom Rinaldi, and racing analyst Maggie Wolfendale.
Sunday, June 9
The final day of the festival will be broadcast on FS2 from 12:30 p.m. until 3 p.m., then FS1 from 3 p.m. until 4 p.m. Coverage will conclude on FS2 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Flier image via 518 Softball social media accounts.
MALTA — The inaugural 518 Futures High School Softball Classic will take place on Sunday, June 9 at 4 p.m. at the Luther Forest Athletic Fields in Malta. The event will include an All Star game and a home run derby.
Participants from the Saratoga region include:
Saratoga Springs
Jackie Cutting – pitcher/outfielder Natalie Conroy – third base Olivia Tetreault – outfield Sarah Decker – catcher
Ballston Spa
Madelyn Perrone – first base Livia Wiltsie – pitcher/utility Carlie Koebbeman – outfield Calleigh Sisk – catcher
Schuylerville
Sophia Wahl – pitcher
For more information on the softball classic, or to purchase tickets, visit www.518softball.org.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — “This is a beautiful day to eat some Ugly Ice Cream,” quipped New York State Senator Jim Tedisco.
With the sun shining and more than a few Saratoga Lake visitors getting an early start to the weekend, Ugly Ice Cream held a ribbon cutting ceremony last Friday with the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce to celebrate their new menu and recent opening.
The shop at Brown’s Beach began dishing out cones earlier this month. Its menu includes Oboys, hot dogs, nachos, tater tots, and, of course, soft serve ice cream.
Ugly Ice Cream is located at 511 NY-9P and is open every day from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — As the Baha Men’s 2000 classic “Who Let the Dogs Out” blared, a 14-passenger, pedal-powered vehicle circled around the Ace Hardware parking lot to commemorate the launch of Capital City Cycle Co. in Saratoga Springs.
The company will be running two-hour tours of the city, with stops at Pint Sized, Kraverie, and The Barrelhouse. Tours begin and end in the Ace Hardware parking lot at 41 Walworth.
Owner Carson Stewart recently purchased the business from his uncle, who started the tours back in 2013. “I’ve kind of looked up to him my whole life,” Stewart said. “I’ve always thought he was a very successful businessman. The fact that he was willing to hand off his first-ever business to me, sell it to me, it really is a dream come true.”
Capital City Cycle has three vehicles total; one in Troy, one in Schenectady, and the third in Saratoga. Although drinks are prohibited on the tours themselves, customers can buy plenty of beverages in one (or all) of the tour’s three stops.
For more information or to book a tour, visit capitalcitybrewcycle.com.
BALLSTON SPA — According to the New York State Department of Health, the Route 50 Diner in Ballston Spa was temporarily closed after an inspection on May 30 revealed an apparent, ongoing pest control issue.
The diner hired a pest control company to “mitigate the cockroach issue throughout the facility,” a health department report stated.
In order to reopen, the diner needed to send the Glens Falls District Office a receipt showing that pest control services have been completed, a document from the pest control company stating that the diner is pest free, and a contract with the pest control company showing that maintenance will be performed for at least the next six months.
In a statement posted to social media, the company said it was doing the best it could to reopen. “The sad part is we are in a building with two other businesses that are not required to do anything,” the statement said. “As much as everybody wants to put us down and say negative things, we will rise up and we always do.”
The next day, the diner announced that it would be reopening on June 5.
The Route 50 Diner, located at 2002 Doubleday Avenue, was also temporarily closed last year by the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance due to unpaid taxes.
