Saratoga Living - "I Do!" 2026

OLYMPIC REWIND: SPEED SKATER MOIRA D’ANDREA MARSHALL *{ this saratoga apartment is a work of art }

WINTER 2026

THE CITY. THE CULTURE. THE LIFE.

“I Do!” 2026

The results are in: our first-ever wedding photography contest

&

THE CASE FOR COURTHOUSE WEDDINGS YOUR FIRST DANCE, ELEVATED WHAT TO WEAR: WEDDING GUEST EDITION

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1863 Club at The Saratoga Race Course

Weddings with Mazzone Hospitality are truly one-of-akind, offering an experience that is unique, unforgettable, and timeless. Known for our impeccable service and attention to detail, we specialize in creating custom celebrations that reflect each couple’s personal style.

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What sets Mazzone Hospitality apart is our commitment to excellence in every aspect of wedding planning.

Our team of culinary and event professionals work together seamlessly to craft an experience that exceeds expectations. Our wedding menus are carefully curated with the freshest, locally sourced ingredients, offering both classic and contemporary dishes that will delight your guests and create lasting memories. Whether it’s an intimate gathering or a grand celebration, Mazzone ensures that every detail is executed to perfection, with food and service that truly shine.

The venues we offer are designed to complement any vision, from modern elegance to classic charm. Each location, including our signature spaces, provides a stunning backdrop for your big day, while our team’s expertise ensures your wedding is flawlessly coordinated.

We understand that your wedding day is one of the most important moments in your life, and we’re dedicated to making it an experience you and your guests will cherish forever.

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starting gate

contents | WINTER 2026 2026

“IW Do!” 30

Picture Perfect

THE RESULTS FROM OUR 2025 WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST • BEST OVERALL • ALL IN THE DETAILS • A MOMENT IN TIME • COUPLE GOALS

36

Meet Me at the Courthouse

BY SARA FOSS photography by

SYDNEY ANDREW

great hall Lauren and Matt Fiore at their October 25 wedding at the Hall of Springs, featuring florals by Surroundings Floral Studio and dress by Stella’s Bridal. photography by

DORI FITZPATRICK

50 Speed Skater Moira D’Andrea Marshall: Our Own Olympian

BY CL AY TON TRUTOR

starting gate contents | WINTER 2026

apartment therapy Lawrence Barisic in his Park Place apartment, which he has turned into his own personal art gallery. photography by MEGAN MUMFORD

OFF TRACK

18 From the Editor 20 The Team

52 saratoga living’s 7th ANNUAL CAPITAL REGION GIVES BACK

54 saratoga living’s 5th ANNUAL 23

23 CHIC PEEK: Good Karma Entertainment 24 HOME GROWN: Verns

HOME STRETCH

24 OVERHEARD: Around Town 25 FAQ: The Eclipse Awards

59 FIT CHECK: The Victorian Streetwalk

25 SAVE THE DATE: Ice Bars

62 SPACES: Lawrence Barisic

25 NEW GROOVE: Weddings at Pitney Meadows

64 WELLNESS: The Performance Sanctuary

27 LIVING THE LIFESTYLE: Wedding Guest Edition 29 PITCH IN: CAPTAIN’s Cheryl’s Lodge ADVERTISING SECTIONS 39 » W E D D I N G G U I D E 70 » F O O D & D R I N K G U I D E

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WHISKEY NIGHT IN SARATOGA plus 4 more Saratoga events

14 saratoga living

⁄ WINTER 2026

29

52

66 ARTS: Preview 68 RECIPE: Kindred’s Pork Belly

THE FINISH LINE

68

74 SARATOGIAN OF THE MONTH: Zack Hay

(68) KONRAD ODHIAMBO

FIRST TURN

@ CAROLI N EA ND M AIN

C AR O L I NEANDMAIN.CO M

Natalie Moore EDITOR IN CHIEF

CREATIVE DIRECTOR ASSOCIATE EDITOR DESIGNER SPORTS EDITOR FASHION EDITOR

ON THE COVER The Best Overall winner of our “I Do!” wedding photography contest, featuring Amarnie Lawas, photographed

by JP Elario at her September 27 Hall of Springs wedding in Saratoga Springs, NY.

EDITOR AT LARGE

Kathleen Gates Michael Hallisey Linda Gates Brien Bouyea Tiina Loite Susan Gates

WRITERS

Natalli Amato, Lisa Arcella, Maria McBride Bucciferro Chris Carola, Sarah Carpenter, Laura DaPolito Jeff Dingler, Danielle Epting, Sara Foss, Kelsey Fredricks Teresa Genaro, Carol Godette, Leigh Hornbeck Stacey Morris, Simon Murray, Tom Pedulla Nicole Russo, Clayton Trutor, Kathleen Willcox PHOTOGRAPHERS

Francesco D’Amico, Samantha Decker, Dori Fitzpatrick Elizabeth Haynes, G. Sonny Hughes, Shawn LaChapelle, Jess McNavich Megan Mumford, Konrad Odhiambo, Zack Skowronek, Fiona Stevens

saratoga living is published six times a year by Empire Media Network, Inc. subscriptions: one year for $45

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CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER

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DIRECTOR OF SALES, CAPITAL REGION LIVING SALES MANAGER, CAPITAL REGION LIVING

Tina Galante Teresa Frazer Tara Buffa

saratoga living 8 Butler Place Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 518.294.4390 Volume 28, No. 1 Winter 2026 Copyright © 2026 Empire Media Network, Inc. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reprinted or otherwise reproduced without written permission from Empire Media Network, Inc. All editorial queries should be directed to editorial@saratogaliving.com or sent to 8 Butler Place, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. saratoga living assumes no responsibility for unsolicited submissions.

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⁄ WINTER 2026

Anthony R. Ianniello, Esq. CHAIRMAN

Tina Galante

CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER

saratogaliving.com follow us on social media: @saratogaliving

454 Broadway, Saratoga Springs 518.587.7890 luciaboutique.com

from the editor

To Thirty

NATALIE MOORE

EDITOR @natalie_rae_moore / editorial@saratogaliving.com

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18 saratoga living

⁄ WINTER 2026

(Whiskey Night) ZACK SKOWRONEK; (Library) JESS McNAVICH; (Veteran’s Ball) BEST FRAME FORWARD; (Gives Back) FIONA STEVENS

B

y the time you read this, I will be 30. Hard to believe, I know.

“But Natalie,” you may be asking, “how do you maintain such a radiant, youthful glow?”

I’m kidding, obviously. I look 30, I feel 30, and Spotify Wrapped even correctly identified my listening age as 30 a whole month before my actual birthday, probably because I haven’t stopped playing Lorde’s Pure Heroine since 2013. Of course, that’s beside the point.

While I may not have any sort of (discernable) youthful glow, what I do have—and what some of my friends of similar ages lack—is a work-life drive that only comes with doing what you love every day. And I’ve been doing what I love every day for a long time. This year not only marks my 30th birthday, but also my 10th year at saratoga living, if you holiday spirits (from top) count the two summers I worked Natalie Moore with the saratoga as an intern. One-third of my life living and First Fill Spirits teams at Whiskey Night in Saratoga; with spent covering a city I barely the saratoga living Insiders Club knew, then called home, and now at the Saratoga Springs Public never want to leave.

Library’s Diamond Jubilee; with Historically, our annual “I Do!” Pete Konrad and Danny Nazzaro at Issue has never been my favorite.

The Veteran’s Ball; with the Empire But as I enter into that exciting yet Media Network team at Capital expensive time in your life when Region Gives Back; with Molly everyone around you seems to be Gallagher, Maddy Halverson, and getting engaged and married, I’ve Molly McCormack at Gives Back. found myself just a little bit more personally invested in what goes into saratoga living’s wedding edition. I simply must get invited to a wedding that incorporates an aerial first dance (p.23), I’m already considering having my own wedding at Pitney Meadows (p.25) or eloping at Saratoga City Hall (p.36), and I’ve started paying attention to all the details at the weddings I attend, many of which are made possible by the local vendors featured in the pages that follow.

As I head into my third decade, I’ve found that I’m living up to all the getting-older cliches I never thought would happen to me—drinking less alcohol and more tea, caring less about being everywhere and more about being where it counts. I’m appreciating the little things, like a cute kid in a dragon hat (p.61) and a taxidermized mouse on a stripper pole (p.74). As a vegan, I hope that mouse died of natural causes. As a Saratogian, I hope the next 10 years are as great as the last 10 were.

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the team

6 Contributors Who Made This Issue Happen Videography. “By the end of the night, I couldn’t feel my hands, and the cold had to be shaken off with a glass of whiskey,” he says of the Victorian Streetwalk. “But it didn’t matter—I would’ve gotten frostbite if it meant getting to work with Tiina and her husband, photographer Fred Conrad, on this segment of Fit Check.”

TIINA LOITE

Writer, “Fit Check: The Victorian Streetwalk” p.59

Tiina Loite had a long career as photo editor at The New York Times and she was the editor of the book Bill Cunningham On The Street: Five Decades of Iconic Photography. “It was frigid the night of the Streetwalk,” she says. “My pen froze. Then my backup pen froze. My face hurt.

And of course, some guy was walking around in shorts.”

Gazette, Adirondack Explorer, and other publications. “I love big weddings,” she says, “but interviewing couples who got married at city halls and courthouses really opened my eyes to the appeal of smaller and simpler ceremonies.”

year for his entire life. “The Winter Olympics are one of my favorite sporting events,” he says. “Moira D’Andrea Marshall’s story of perseverance will inspire athletes of all ages.”

NATALLI AMATO

Writer, “Peak Performance” p.64

CLAYTON TRUTOR

Writer, “Our Own Olympian” p.50

Clayton Trutor is a Burlington, VT–based teacher and writer whose top-selling sports books have been featured on ESPN, NPR, and in Sports Illustrated. He has visited Saratoga several times a

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20 saratoga living

ZACK SKOWRONEK

Photographer, “Fit Check: The Victorian Streetwalk” p.59

Zack Skowronek is a Saratogabased freelance photographer and owner of Collective Addiction Photography &

⁄ WINTER 2026

Natalli Amato is an awardwinning writer, poet, yoga teacher, Reiki healer, podcast host, and marriage and family therapist. “As a therapist and yoga teacher, I’m always seeking spaces that help us regulate and connect,” she says. “My afternoon at The Performance Sanctuary felt like a mini retreat, bringing the best of so many different healing modalities together.”

SARA FOSS

Writer, “Meet Me at the Courthouse” p.36

Sara Foss is a freelance journalist based in Albany.

She has written for The Daily

MEGAN MUMFORD Photographer, “Controlled Chaos” p.62

Megan Mumford is an upstate New York–based photographer specializing in authentic, connection-driven portraiture. “The world that Lawrence Barisic has created in his Saratoga apartment is like San Francisco hipster neighborhood meets MOMA,” she says, "with Lawrence himself being the coolest piece of artwork that lives within those walls.”

Still g n i k o Bo 2026!

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THE LAKE GEORGE AREA meetlakegeorge.com/weddings VIEW DIGITAL WEDDING GUIDE

Say “I Do” in the Lake George Area

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Picture Yourself in the Lake George Area

Planning made easy: •Trusted vendor & venue referrals •Ideas for guest activities Photo by: Matt Ramos Photography Venue: The Carriage House at Fort William Henry

Located in the heart of the Southern Adirondacks, the Lake George Area offers breathtaking backdrops, unique venues, and plenty for your guests to enjoy.

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first turn CHIC PEEK

Your First Dance, Elevated

Y

ou’ve never seen a first dance like this before. Good Karma Entertainment, born out of Albany’s Good Karma Studio, has been offering aerial performances for weddings and other events for years. (Services include cocktail hour performances, Champagne-pouring aerialists, and more.) But now, the Capital Region–based company is taking things up a notch—literally.

“The aerial first dance experience is a doubles routine that’s low to the ground and easy,” says Jess Lubin, owner of Good Karma Entertainment. “The couple comes in for 6–12 weeks to learn their routine, just like they’d go to a dance studio to learn a dance routine.”

The end result is a first dance that defies both gravity and age-old wedding norms. Good Karma also offers an optional add-on: an aerial photo booth in which your wedding guests can pose for pictures on the lyra hoop. Don’t worry—an onsite aerial attendant will be there for safety and posing guidance.

“This is probably not going to be for everybody,” Lubin says of the new offerings, “but it’s perfect for more adventurous types or those looking for something a little different on their wedding day.”

—NATALIE MOORE

it’s up in the air If you want an aerial

moment with your partner without the pressure of memorizing a whole routine, Good Karma Entertainment also offers aerial wedding photo shoots.

saratogaliving.com ⁄ 23

first turn groom service Growing a beard? McGivern says to start with exfoliation and nothing more. Hit the three-week itch, and beard oil becomes essential. When the scraggle arrives, shift to balm for shape and hold.

HOME GROWN

Your Beard Needs This

O

nline, Verns bills itself as made in the USA. If you want to get more specific, though, the all-natural, small-batch men’s grooming line

is made right here in a speakeasy-style barbershop in Saratoga Springs.

Dakota McGivern, the owner of Broadway’s Boiler Room Cut & Shave Company and mastermind behind Verns, got his start

in grooming young—he was a tinkering teenager who asked for a five-pound brick of beeswax for Christmas and experimented his way into early disaster.

“My first batch of lip balm was basically half beeswax, half Crisco,” he says. “It was horrendous. My parents had to throw out the pot.”

Barbering came later, giving him the hands-on understanding of what men’s hair and skin actually need, and what the market wasn’t delivering.

“Most stuff out there for your skin is junk,” he says. “It’s just loaded with chemicals.” On the other hand, Verns products, which include everything from aftershave and beard oil to solid cologne, are made from the cleanest ingredients McGivern can source: essential oils, jojoba from Texas, sunflower oil, vitamin E,

overheard

g “No one’s talkin ng di ar about kneebo anymore.”

around town

LL —REVOLUTION HA

lace “Meet me at the p brother.” ith your we got meatloaf—Bw LE AI Y’S

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24 saratoga living

and blends inspired by American landscapes and hardworking hands.

In an era when men are finally embracing skin health and small rituals, Verns feels like a return to the way things used to be— thoughtful, purposeful, and made by hand.

“Our stuff is all-natural, straight-from-the-earth ingredients,” McGivern says. “The focus is the health of your hair and skin, 100 percent.”

⁄ WINTER 2026

“I just wa something nt to do for that’s not a attention marathon.”

—SARATOG A YMCA

—MICHAEL HALLISEY

“I love tequila, but tequila doesn’t love me.”

—SCHENECTADY

SAVE THE DATE

Ice Is Nice

FAQ

Total Eclipse YOUR ECLIPSE AWARDS QUESTIONS, ANSWERED

What are the Eclipse Awards?

An annual initiative that honors American racing’s top performers of the year

(Pitney Meadows) DAWN HONSKY PHOTOGRAPHY

Why are they called the Eclipse Awards?

The divisional honors are named after the racehorse Eclipse, an undefeated colt from England who competed in the 18th century then became a breed-shaping sire.

What categories are honored?

There are currently 17 divisional Eclipse Awards along with the overall Horse of the Year selection. The Eclipse Awards honors horses by age (2, 3, and older) and has awards for both males and females and both dirt and turf horses, as well as steeplechasers. There are also awards for top jockey,

best in class The 2024 Horse of the Year, Thorpedo Anna, before the Breeders’ Cup Distaff

apprentice jockey, trainer, owner, and breeder.

Who determines the winners?

A group of voters from three sources: the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Daily Racing Form, and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters When do they take place?

This year’s Eclipse Awards, which will recognize the top horses and humans from the 2025 calendar year, will be held on January 22 in Palm Beach, FL. You can watch via live stream on ntra.com, americasbestracing.net, and more.

—BRIEN BOUYEA

On January 23–24 and 30–31, Lake George will come alive with not one but three open-to-the-public ice bars. First up is Adirondack Pub & Brewery, which will host the free, family-friendly Funky Ice Fest, the grooviest ice bar in the Northcountry, from 5–10pm on each Friday and Saturday. Over at Fort William Henry Hotel, the Polar Ice Bar will take over the Lakeside Restaurant & Lounge. And up in Bolton landing, The Sagamore Resort’s Glacier Ice Bar will serve up scenic photo ops, heated igloos, a chili and chowder lounge, and plenty of handcrafted cocktails. Tickets are required.

NEW GROOVE

Pitney Meadows Enters the Wedding Chat

W

hile Pitney Meadows has hosted several weddings over the years, it’s never billed itself as a wedding venue.

That is, until now. Saratoga’s beloved community farm has announced a partnership with Essex, NY–based Farmstead Catering that will allow the farm to host “seed-tocelebration” weddings and gatherings beginning in 2026.

Picture Pitney’s uber-popular Fire Feast fundraiser, except it’s your wedding.

If you’ve dreamed about a true farm-to-table wedding, this is it: For every celebration, ingredients will be grown or raised by

Farmstead Catering or Pitney Meadows, with supplemental ingredients sourced from within a defined local radius.

“Every time people gather, something special happens,” Farmstead Catering’s Dillon Klepetar says. “When we cook with ingredients grown here, the meal becomes part of that experience. It reflects the season, the people, and the landscape.”

The best part? Pitney Meadows is a nonprofit, meaning that the money you spend on your wedding there will go right back into making the community farm a resource for generations of Saratogians to come.

saratogaliving.com ⁄ 25

love story WHERE YOUR

MEETS HISTORY

scan for free planning consulting services

LET DISCOVER SARATOGA HELP YOU PLAN YOUR WEDDING! Plan your dream wedding in the timeless elegance of Saratoga Springs, NY. With world-class venues, charming downtown boutiques, award-winning spas, and accommodations, your perfect day starts here.

DiscoverSaratoga.org | 60 Railroad Place, Suite 301, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 | 518.584.1531

first turn LIVING THE LIFESTYLE

What Not to Wear: Wedding Guest Edition

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

A WE D D IN G IS ONE OF TH E RARE O C CAS IO N S WH EN EVERYONE D RE S S E S W ITH INTENTION. HE RE ’S HOW TO H ANDL E YOUR LOOK LIKE A PRO.

I

BY N ATA LIE M OORE

n the wide world of fashion, where so many different styles, colors, shapes, and vibes are vying for a coveted spot in your wardrobe, sometimes it’s easier to decide on an outfit by first ruling out what you shouldn’t wear. That’s especially true if you’re attending a wedding.

The most obvious no-no is white, off-white, or any variation of cream, ivory, or eggshell. Just don’t do it. If you’re unsure if a color classifies as white, it probably does. But the risk of upstaging the bride extends beyond showing up in her color.

“Weddings are personal celebrations where the spotlight belongs to the couple,” says Heidi Owen West, who owns Broadway boutiques Caroline and Main and Lifestyles of Saratoga. “Your role is to look fabulous, not steal the show. Save the drama—sequins, bold slits, avant-garde silhouettes—for a gala.”

Once you rule out anything too overthe-top, you can start thinking about practical matters. If the wedding is in a barn and you’ll be walking around on grass or gravel, stilettos probably aren’t the best idea. Remember that you’ll be sitting for a good portion of the wedding, so stay away from fabrics that wrinkle instantly (like linen), cling when you sit (like cheap satin), or crease across your

gown town When wedding dress shopping in Saratoga, consider Caroline and Main for trend-forward pieces and standout accessories, and Lifestyles for elevated silhouettes in satin, velvet, and refined fabrics. lap—those lines will show up in photos every time. And if you plan on hitting the dance floor, keep comfort in mind: You don’t want something too restricting holding you back from busting a move.

Even with those considerations in mind, you still have plenty of room to get creative and dress to impress.

Owen West recommends considering the vibe of the wedding you’re walking into. “Start with the tone of the event— the venue, time of day, and season,” she says. “An outdoor wedding calls for breathable fabrics. Ballrooms invite luxe fabrics like satin, silk, crepe, or

beadwork. Daytime means lighter colors and softer fabrics; evenings shine with jewel tones and sleeker silhouettes.”

Obviously, as the owner of two boutiques that regularly see customers on the hunt for wedding looks, Owen West knows a thing or two about what’s in style. In 2026, she says we can expect soft metallics, modern ballerina vibes, statement sleeves, elegant jumpsuits, luxe matching sets, and texture mixing.

When in doubt? “Silky, solid, and midi-length,” Owen West says, “It works for 99 percent of weddings on 99 percent of bodies in 99 percent of venues. It’s the wedding guest equivalent of ‘break glass in case of emergency.’”

saratogaliving.com ⁄ 27

when you shop.

Score big when you use your Adirondack Trust Debit Card to buy your next read at Northshire Books—or anywhere. Whenever you shop, you can earn rewards points for every dollar spent.

Get started at AdirondackTrust.com/Scorecard.

Member FDIC

first turn school’s out

Homework help is just one of the programs Cheryl’s Lodge offers.

PITCH H IN H

T

Where Homework Meets Hope INSI DE CAPTAIN’ S C H E RYL’S LO DGE

n

BY M I C H A E L H A LLI SE Y

ucked inside Halfmoon Heights outreach center has grown into Cheryl’s Mobile Home Park, Cheryl’s Lodge, a year-round hub (with no holes Lodge, CAPTAIN Community in the floor) where nearly 60 students Human Services’ community from grades 1–12 receive homework outreach center, hums with the sounds help, mentoring, enrichment activities, of kids laughing, backpacks hitting the and—just as important—a sense of floor, volunteers settling in beside them, belonging. Volunteers are the heartbeat and a staff that treats every student like of the program. And despite what many a story still being written. potential volunteers assume, you don’t CAPTAIN has been a lifeline for need to be fluent in Common Core decades. As Community Services math to make an impact.

Director Amanda Capozzi explains it, “It’s really about connection,” the community outreach center, once Capozzi says. “The kids don’t care called The Turf, was “a very small if you make mistakes—they love it, trailer with a hole in the floor.” It served actually. What matters is showing up.” a neighborhood of kids who had Capozzi shares a story about a nowhere to go after school, young man who started presented by and no adults waiting at home. with the program in The idea was simple: to give kindergarten, drifted during them a safe place to land. his senior year, and was From those modest gently nudged back by staff beginnings, the community who could see his slipping

grades. “We literally went to his house,” she says. He graduated, went to college, earned a degree, and is now working toward his bachelor’s.

It’s the village at work: a place where kids are seen, supported, and reminded—daily—that someone believes in their future.

For those looking to volunteer, Cheryl’s Lodge is always in need of helping hands. Community members interested in pitching in can visit captaincares.org, call 518.399.4624, or email bill@captaincares.org to learn more.

“It’s fulfilling,” Capozzi says of the work.

“And it truly makes a difference.”

This feature, brought to you by Adirondack Trust Company, is part of an ongoing series in which we highlight ways for Capital Regionites to get involved with local charities and make a difference in their communities.

saratogaliving.com ⁄ 29

2026

“I Do!”

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Picture Perfect This past fall, we put out a call for submissions for our first-ever wedding photography contest.

We received more than 100 submissions from photographers, brides, planners, and vendors; sorted them into three categories; and sent them off to our esteemed judges, who scored each photo blind—without any info on who took them or who was in them.

These are their top picks.

“I Do!” Issue PHOTO CONTEST

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CREDIT

presented by

Best Overall 1. Amarnie Lawas at the center of a parade of bridesmaids

Date: September 27, 2025 Photography: JP Elario Venue: Hall of Springs Event Planner: The Main Event

by Kelly Jeanmaire Hair: Julie Potter Makeup: Elizabeth Sommers Dress: The White Dress By The Shore Florals: Fleurtacious Designs

2. Kailee and Steve Eychner sharing sunset bliss during their cocktail hour Date: September 20, 2025 Photography: Matt Ramos Venue: Saratoga National Golf Club Hair/Makeup: True Beauty Company Dress: Lily Saratoga

3. Kiera Davis and Derek Montanye walking back down the aisle as husband and wife

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Date: September 13, 2025 Photography: Sarah Tether Venue: Fort William Henry Hair: Sydney Phoenix Makeup: Taylor Hayden Dress: Lily Saratoga Florals: The Plant Hatch

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All in the Details

1. Bride Cherry Tsai’s blue velvet shoes were her “something blue.”

Date: April 19, 2025 Photography: Hitlin Photography Inc.

2. Michelle and Lucas Frese’s wedding invitation Date: October 10, 2025 Photography: The One Eleven Collective Stationery: ScarletGracePrints Rings: Hannoush Jewelers

3. SJ Rosenfeld and Matt Russell’s garden-like table setting

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Date: September 27, 2025 Photography: Jason Hupe Venue: The Adelphi Hotel Florals: Samantha Nass Floral Design

A Moment in Time

1. Cherry Tsai and Travis Post dancing at their reception on a rainy evening Date: April 19, 2025 Photography: Hitlin Photography Inc. Venue: Pat’s Barn Dress: Jocelynn’s Bridal

2. A sprinkle-filled exit from Danielle Raleigh and Cody Carr’s wedding ceremony (she owns an ice cream shop) Date: September 13, 2025 Photography: Caitlin Miller Ceremony Location: St. Isaac Jocgues Church Beauty: Lipstick N Lashes Dress: Kleinfeld Bridal Florals: Finishing Touches Flowers

3. Amarnie Lawas and Sean Ryan, post-“I do” Date: September 27, 2025 Photography: JP Elario Venue: Hall of Springs Event Planner: The Main Event

by Kelly Jeanmaire Hair: Julie Potter Makeup: Elizabeth Sommers Dress: The White Dress Florals: Fleurtacious Designs

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CREDIT

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Couple Goals

1. Jordan and Franklin Spina find a quiet spot at The Lodge.

Date: May 24, 2025 Photography: Sydney Andrew Venue: The Lodge at Saratoga Casino Hotel Hair: Jennifer Lavender Makeup: Sarah Marquart Dress: Lily Saratoga

2. Bride Caitlyn Poleto’s veil is taken by a gust of wind as groom Jeff Kebart looks on.

Date: November 7, 2025 Photography: Hitlin Photography Inc. Venue: Franklin Plaza Hair/Makeup: Purity Hair Design Dress: Lily Saratoga Florals: Felthousen’s Florist & Greenhouse Men’s attire: Mr. Formal Wear

3. Sabrina and Nicholas Haines share an intimate moment on their wedding day.

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Date: April 27, 2025 Photography: Molli Hendrick Venue: Excelsior Springs Event Center Hair: Casey Ryzner Makeup: Elizabeth Sommers

The Judges Tiina Loite

FASHION EDITOR,

saratoga living MacKenzie Zarzycki VICE PRESIDENT, MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS, DISCOVER SARATOGA

Candice Hackett

CREDIT

OWNER, IVY & TWEED, a portrait and brand photography company

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Kathleen Gates

CREATIVE DIRECTOR,

saratoga living

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news worthy “I still got the white dress, flower bouquet, delicious cake, and amazing photographer, with half the stress that comes with planning,” says Kayla Kalanta, a 2024 Saratoga Springs City Hall bride seen here reading a custom-printed newspaper in Congress Park with her groom, Mike.

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2026

“I Do!”

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Meet Me at the Courthouse AT A TIME WHEN BIG WEDDINGS CAN C O S T A N O T-S O -S M A L L F O R T U N E , MORE AND MORE LOCAL COUPLES ARE EXPLORING THE ALTERNATIVE.

By Sara Foss photography by

SYDNEY ANDREW

Mike and Kayla Kalanta didn’t want a big, fancy wedding.

They wanted something simple and nice, with the people closest to them. This desire led them to Saratoga Springs City Hall, an impressive Italianate building that dates back to 1871.

“I was never someone who dreamed about a grand wedding,” says Kayla. “I usually don’t like being the center of attention, so the thought of 200-plus people looking at just me and my husband sounded like actual hell. We also didn’t want to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on it.”

Kayla and Mike got married on September 16, 2024—their second dating anniversary—with parents, siblings, brothersin-law, and Mike’s best friend from childhood in attendance.

They took photos in Congress Park before the wedding, and returned afterward for more shots with their families.

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Then they celebrated with dinner at The Hideaway.

“We chose Saratoga Springs City Hall because we liked the location, and we thought the architecture was beautiful,” Kayla says. “It was a very simple process. We got a list of judges who could officiate from the city clerk and just called.”

With wedding prices at an all-time high (the wedding planning platform The Knot estimates that in 2025 the average wedding cost $33,000) more couples are seeking an inexpensive alternative. According to Pinterest’s 2025 wedding trends report, searches for “civil ceremony photography” on the platform jumped 637% from 2023 to 2024, while searches for “registry office elopement” increased 190%.

There are reasons beyond money for choosing to wed in city halls and courthouses. There’s less planning, fewer guests to manage, and more freedom and flexibility for couples.

“It’s a big stress reducer for the couples and also for us,” says Altamont-based photographer Kristen Renee, who has shot weddings at the city halls in Albany and Schenectady. “We’re not beholden to the venue or the caterer or the wedding planner’s timeline. So, if the couple is like, ‘We’d really like to walk down the road over there,’ we’re like, ‘Yes, of course, we

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SHOTS BY SHERI

hall pass Taylor Washington and Donovan Canty got married at Albany City Hall in November. The afterparty consisted of Olive Garden, cake, and Champagne at their Airbnb.

have all the time in the world for whatever you want right now.’”

Industry insiders say the shift to smaller weddings and elopements began in 2020. In the early days of the pandemic, many weddings were canceled. When they resumed, limits on the number of guests forced people to scale back. This upheaval resulted in a lasting mindset shift.

“The pandemic disrupted the idea that anything has to be any kind of way,” says Albany-based wedding photographer Andrew Franciosa. “It got people to question whether they even want a big wedding. It was like, ‘Do you actually want this, or is this what you think you’re supposed to do?’”

Getting married at city hall requires two appointments: the first to obtain the marriage license and the second for the ceremony. (New York State requires a 24-hour waiting period before the ceremony can be performed.) In New York, weddings can be officiated by mayors, former mayors, city clerks, judges, justices, and others. You can have a small audience, but city halls and courthouses often limit the number of guests allowed at the ceremony.

In Saratoga Springs, weddings are performed in the courtroom on the second floor. Retired City Judge Douglas Mills serves as officiant at many of these ceremonies; he married the Kalantas.

“A lot of people get married in Saratoga Springs because it’s a destination, or they’re involved in racing, or they go to school here,” Mills says, adding that he enjoys officiating weddings because he gets to meet people from all over the world.

Joanne Yepsen, who served as mayor of Saratoga Springs between 2014 and 2017, officiated more than 200 weddings during her two terms. “I liked making it special for each couple,” she says. “I’d try to sit with them for a few minutes, find out about their families, their backgrounds. I remember sentimental stories. People would say they met in Saratoga Springs and wanted to come back.”

Albany residents Taylor Washington and Donovan Canty got married at Albany City Hall in November. Like the Kalantas, they didn’t want a big, expensive to-do.

Instead, they spent just six weeks planning their wedding.

They checked into an Airbnb near Albany City Hall the day before the wedding. On the day of the ceremony, Washington did her hair and make-up; Canty picked up his tux. After the ceremony and photo shoot, they returned to their Airbnb for food from Olive Garden, cake, and Champagne.

“We’re not really party people,” Washington says. “Maybe that’s lame to other people, but we had a good time.”

Kayla says she and Mike made their wedding as special as they wanted. “I still got the white dress, flower bouquet, delicious cake, and amazing photographer, with half the stress that comes with planning,” she says. “The only thing I’d do differently was maybe hire someone to do my hair—I’m absolutely terrible at styling it, and that was the biggest stress of the day.” If that was the biggest stressor, it sounds like the Kalantas’ Saratoga City Hall wedding was a success.

Weddings 2026 SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Here Come the Brides Six recent brides share the stories of their magical, memorable, Upstate weddings—and the local vendors that made them possible.

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40 BRIA & GARRETT Brought to you by MAZZONE HOSPITALITY

42 CIARA & PERRY Brought to you by FORT WILLIAM HENRY HOTEL

44 MEREDITH & TIMOTHY Brought to you by THE 408 EVENT & OCCASION

46 DANIELLE & CODY Brought to you by THE LODGE AT SCHROON LAKE

47 SHEALA & CHARLIER Brought to you by BLACKBURN PORTRAIT DESIGN

48 CASSANDRA & ANDREW Brought to you by THE QUEENSBURY HOTEL

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Weddings 2026 SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Brought to you by

MAZZONE HOSPITALITY

Bria & Garrett July 5, 2025

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t doesn’t get much more American than a wedding celebration on 4th of July weekend. And it doesn’t get much more Saratoga than a weekend-long wedding celebration that incorporates a stay at The Adelphi Hotel, a trip to Saratoga Race Course, a barbecue-style welcome party at Saratoga National Golf Club, and a ceremony overlooking the Reflecting Pool outside of the Hall of Springs. But this wasn’t any old wedding weekend.

“We were originally looking at destination wedding locations since Garrett’s family is from out of town, but we quickly realized the best ‘destination’ for us was Saratoga,” says Bria Davidson, who’s the daughter of homebuilder and New York State politician

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George Amedore. “Being from the Capital District, it’s easy to take Saratoga and all it has to offer for granted, but it was the perfect fit.”

Once the couple decided on a Spa City wedding weekend, their decision to work with Mazzone Hospitality, which operates Saratoga National's onsite restaurant, Prime, and is the exclusive catering partner of the Hall of Springs, was a no-brainer. “Mazzone has been an integral part of many family celebrations from years past, and we were so thankful they were available for our special weekend,” says Bria, whose family is known for its annual 4th of July celebrations. “We can’t wait to have them be a part of our celebrations for years to come as the Davidsons.”

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Weddings 2026 SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

PHOTOGRAPHY

Rachel Jane Photography

PLANNING & DESIGN

Kelly Strong Events

WELCOME PARTY

Saratoga National Golf Club RECEPTION VENUE

Hall of Springs CATERING

Mazzone Hospitality FLORALS

Renaissance Floral Design HAIR

Heart & Soul House of Beauty MAKEUP

Makeup by Erin H. DRESS

Boca Raton Bridal BRIDESMAID DRESSES

Lily Saratoga

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Weddings 2026 SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Brought to you by

FORT WILLIAM HENRY HOTEL

Ciara & Perry October 13, 2024

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ome couples choose to make use of multiple venues over the course of their wedding weekend. Others prefer a one-stop shop with all the amenities they and their guests could possibly need. Ciara and Perry West fall into the latter category. That’s why they decided to get married at Fort William Henry Hotel.

“We wanted somewhere where our friends and family from out of town could stay close and walk to and from the venue,” Ciara says. “Not to mention the amazing views!”

The couple’s big weekend kicked off with an intimate rehearsal dinner at the hotel’s onsite Fort Edward room, and the morning of

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the big day, the bridal party, flower girls, and mothers of the bride and groom all got ready in the bridal suite located in Fort William Henry’s Carriage House. When the weather refused to cooperate, what was planned as an outdoor, lakeside wedding was quickly transformed by the venue staff into an indoor wedding at the Carriage House which, from its higher vantage point, offers even better views of Lake George.

It takes a seasoned team to be able to switch gears at a moment’s notice and pull off a ceremony in a backup location.

But Ciara says, “Working with the Fort William Henry staff was seamless. The morning of the wedding, everything was prepared.

All we needed to do was show up!”

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Weddings 2026 SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

PHOTOGRAPHY

Walker Wedding Group VENUE

The Carriage House at Fort William Henry FLORALS

Market 32 HAIR

The Beauty Bungalow MAKEUP Good to Glow Aesthetics DRESS Something Bleu Bridal BRIDESMAID DRESSES

Lily Saratoga

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Weddings 2026 SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Brought to you by

THE 408 EVENT & OCCASION

Meredith & Timothy June 21, 2025

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t’s hard to resist the food at Cantina, which serves up a wide array of Mexican favorites for lunch and dinner all year long. But for recent bride Meredith Lynch, it’s the fare that’s provided one floor up that she’ll never forget.

Meredith, who’s from Missouri, married her college sweetheart, Timothy, who's from Poughquag, NY, at The 408 Event & Occasion, a wedding and events venue located above Cantina at (fittingly) 408 Broadway. They chose the space for its clean and elegant ambiance, because it was perfectly suited to their 70-person guest list, and for the food.

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“There were so many menu options, and we ended up choosing a buffet that included filet mignon, halibut, charred broccolini, mashed potatoes, and a few salads,” Meredith says. “The food was incredible. If I could go back and do it all over again, I would spend more time eating and enjoying the food!”

Another perk of hosting their wedding at The 408 was Maria Savino, the venue’s event manager. “Maria was so wonderful and easy to work with throughout the whole planning process, and she made everything so easy and stress-free the day of the wedding,” Meredith says. “She made our dream wedding come true!”

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Weddings 2026 SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

PHOTOGRAPHY

Lindsey Angus/ Heart Speak Visuals VENUE

The 408 Event & Occasion FLORALS:

Samantha Nass Floral Design & Market 32 HAIR & MAKEUP:

Sarah Signor/ The RX Beauty Salon DRESS Needle & Thread London WEDDING PLANNER

Maria Savino

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Weddings 2026 SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Brought to you by

THE LODGE AT SCHROON LAKE

Danielle & Cody September 13, 2025

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anielle and Cody Carr met when Cody and his friends booked Danielle’s Airbnb in Schroon Lake in 2022. So it was only natural that the couple, who now splits time between Staten Island and the Adirondack town, would get married at The Lodge at Schroon Lake.

The weekend began Friday morning with the boys golfing in Ticonderoga and the girls taking a yoga class at The Lodge overlooking the lake. That night, the couple held their rehearsal dinner in The Lodge’s Overlook Room and a welcome bonfire behind one of the resort’s chalets. The morning of the wedding, they got ready at The Lodge (Danielle highly recommends the crepe station) before having their PHOTOGRAPHY

Caitlin Miller Photography VENUE

The Lodge at Schroon Lake FLORALS

Finishing Touches EVENT PLANNING

Elle’s Events

WEDDING COORDINATOR

Crown Coordination HAIR & MAKEUP

Lipstick N Lashes DRESS

Kleinfeld Bridal

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intimate first look in a secluded area at the back of the property.

After getting married at St. Isaac Jocgues church in nearby Chestertown, they returned to The Lodge for cocktail hour on the Pavilion Lawn and the reception in the High Peaks Ballroom, dancing through until midnight. The next morning, it was back to the Ballroom for a farewell brunch. Then, the Carrs stuck around until Monday, enjoying their first married days together at the place where their love began.

“We truly can’t say enough wonderful things about working with The Lodge,” Danielle says.

“Even though the venue was still relatively new when we booked, any nervousness we had disappeared almost immediately once we got to know the team. If we could relive the weekend over and over again, we absolutely would.”

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Weddings 2026 SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Brought to you by

BLACKBURN PORTRAIT DESIGN

Sheala & Charlier June 14, 2025

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hey say a picture is worth a thousand words. If that’s the case, a wedding photo gallery must be worth millions.

Sheala and Charlier Paul, Northeasterners who met at Clemson University and now live in Georgia, first came across the work of photographer Susan Blackburn when touring their wedding venue, The Mansion of Saratoga, near Sheala’s hometown of Clifton Park. “Susan’s photography portfolio stood out to me as a longtime appreciator of art and photography,” Sheala says. “In the midst of the busyness of our wedding day, she patiently guided us through photos and was

very helpful in coordinating the different groups of people in the photos.”

Susan, who owns Blackburn Portrait Design, captured both posed portraits and candid moments throughout the day, from Sheala getting ready at The Mansion and the adorable flower girl to the couple’s first kiss as husband and wife and Charlier’s dramatic facepalm moment during one of the speeches.

In the end, not only did the newly minted Pauls have a day they’ll never forget—they have the photos to prove it. “The final photos came out beautifully,” Sheala says. “We greatly appreciate Susan’s attention to detail and the way she captured raw, genuine moments of our special day.”

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PHOTOGRAPHY Blackburn Portrait Design VENUE The Mansion of Saratoga FLORALS Rena’s Fine Flowers HAIR & MAKEUP Make Me Fab DRESSES Bridal Gallery by Yvonne

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Weddings 2026 SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Brought to you by

THE QUEENSBURY HOTEL

Cassandra & Andrew July 25, 2025

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hile life may take a couple out of upstate New York, you can’t take the upstate New York out of the couple. That’s certainly true in the case of Cassandra and Andrew Golden.

Hailing from Queensbury and Niskayuna, respectively, Cassandra and Andrew moved to White Plains when Andrew got a job in New York City. But when it came time to tie the knot, there was only place they wanted to be.

“We chose the Queensbury Hotel for its classic vibe—specifically the black checkered floors—and how the Crown Salon was directly in the hotel, which made my morning smooth and seamless,” Cassandra

says of her Glens Falls wedding venue. “Andrew loved how spacious the ballroom was and how we were able to get amazing photos with the piano and fireplace. The rooftop photo opportunity was also a huge selling point.”

The soon-to-be Goldens kicked off their wedding weekend with a rehearsal dinner at the nearby Bullpen Tavern, got ready at the hotel, took photos in the park across the street, hopped on a shuttle for the short drive over to the church for their ceremony, returned to the Queensbury Hotel for the main event, and stuck around after for drinks at Fenimore’s Pub, also in The Q, as it’s known by locals.

“It was all very convenient,” Cassandra says. “From start to finish, the Queensbury Hotel team was ready and eager to meet our needs, and the staff went above and beyond.”

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Sydney K Andrew VENUE The Queensbury Hotel FLORALS ADK Flower HAIR & MAKEUP

Anjel Monthie/ The Crown Salon DRESS Love Story

by Angela’s Bridal MENSWEAR

Mr. Formalwear

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Where authentic European design meets full-service floral luxury—from everyday arrangements to unforgettable, fabulously crafted wedding florals.

61 LAWRENCE STREET, SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY 518.886.9461 STUYVESANT PLAZA, 1475 WESTERN AVENUE, ALBANY, NY 518.599.5559 sam@snfloraldesign.com | snfloraldesign.com

I Our Own Olympian A S T H E 2026 M I L A N C O R T I N A O LYM P I C S APPROACH, WE LOOK BACK AT THE RACING CAREER OF LOCAL SPEED SKATING LEGEND

MOIRA D’ANDREA MARSHALL,

WHO IN THE 1980S AND ’90S CARRIED SARATOGA’S NAME AROUND THE WORLD.

By Clayton Trutor

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t was the promise of a Girl Scout patch that first introduced Moira D’Andrea—now three-time Olympian Moira D’Andrea Marshall—to the sport that would define her teenage and adult years.

Born to a large, tight-knit family in Saratoga Springs, D’Andrea Marshall grew up across from Saratoga Hospital on Church Street. Her father, Joseph, ran the restaurant D’Andrea’s on Broadway, and her mother, Mary Ellen, was a homemaker who led her daughter’s Girl Scout troop. When she saw an ad in the newspaper advertising free speed skating lessons at the Saratoga Winter Club, Mary Ellen signed the girls up. “We went because you could earn a skating patch,” says D’Andrea Marshall, who showed up to the rink with speed skates her family had procured from a neighbor’s garage sale. “After that lesson, they invited me to come to a real club practice, mostly because I’d brought speed skates with me.”

Whether it was the second-hand speed skates or the fact that the 8-year-old showed real promise on the ice, the coaches at Saratoga Winter Club made the right choice in inviting D’Andrea Marshall back. She fell in love with the sport immediately, and by age 14, was competing internationally, primarily as a long track speed skater, but occasionally on the short track as well. It was the Winter Club—an organization that since 1934 has produced more than a dozen Olympians including John Wurster, Pat Maxwell, Kristen Talbot, Dave Tamburrino, and 2010 men’s team pursuit silver medalist Trevor Marsicano—that proved to D’Andrea Marshall what was possible.

“You could see a direct pathway to becoming an elite skater, because there were so many people involved with the club that had been Olympians,” she says. Add in the fact that she was learning to skate less than two

hours away from Lake Placid—where US speed skater Eric Heiden won an unprecedented five gold medals in the 1980 Olympics—and the possibility of being an Olympian seemed attainable.

Indeed, as the 1988 games in Calgary approached, D’Andrea Marshall was a genuine contender for one of the coveted Team USA spots. Though she’d been training primarily as a long track skater, a short track opportunity knocked close to home. In February 1987, she participated in the short track speed skating Olympic trials, which were held in nearby Troy, and made the team as an alternate. (She tried out unsuccessfully for the long track team in December of ’87.) In the Calgary Games, she raced in a short track relay event for Team USA. At the time, short track was a demonstration sport.

Just 20 at the time of the ’88 Games, D’Andrea Marshall seemed poised to take the speed skating track by storm four years later. But as she prepared for the 1992 Winter Games in Albertville, France, she was severely injured in a car crash that kept her out of training for six months. Despite the setback, she made the American team for the ’92 games and finished 32nd in the 1000 meters.

In the years that followed, D’Andrea Marshall enjoyed her greatest international success, earning bronze medals in the 500 meters at both the 1995 and 1996 Speed Skating World Championships. And then, disaster struck again.

Shortly after the ’96 World Championships, D’Andrea Marshall was struck by a car while training on her bicycle. She broke her pelvis in three places and severed a tricep. Again, her career seemed to be over. Again, she persevered through rehab and recovery.

“I tried to imagine myself skating when I couldn’t skate,” she says. “I worked on my technique in my head. If you’re doing something in your mind, your body doesn’t really know that you’re not doing it. You can correct technique by doing it properly in your head before you can physically do it.”

skate aid After retiring following the 1998 Nagano Games, speed skater Moira D’Andrea Marshall didn’t leave the sport. Instead, she became one of Canada’s top coaches, leading the country’s national long track team to the Salt Lake City Olympics. Though she currently resides in Calgary, she returns to Saratoga in the summertime for extended visits with family; (opposite) D’Andrea Marshall at the 1998 Nagano Games.

That method proved effective. In the 1998 Nagano Games, D’Andrea Marshall enjoyed the best finishes of her Olympic career: ninth in the 1000 meters, 14th in the 1500 meters, and 19th in the 500 meters. Only then did she retire from international competition—on her own terms.

But D’Andrea Marshall didn’t leave the sport that had shaped most of her life. In 2002, the Saratoga native coached the Canadian national long track speed skating team at the Salt

Lake City Olympics, and for close to a quarter century has been one of Canada’s top speed skating coaches. In 2015, she was inducted into the United States Speed Skating Hall of Fame. She now lives in Calgary with her husband, Canadian speed skater Mike Marshall, with whom she has three children.

She spends her mornings working as a teacher’s aide, and her afternoons coaching speed skating for a Calgaryarea club team and the provincial Speed Skating Alberta.

“I have a lot of experience that I can share with them,” D’Andrea Marshall says of the young skaters she coaches. “I bring a bit of calmness when they’re not doing well.” As much as anything, she tries to impart the wisdom she received from her many great coaches—starting all those years ago at the Saratoga Winter Club.

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off track SARATOGA’S HOTTEST TIC KETS

12 Under 12 honorees Emily, Grayson, Stella, Lena, Joe, and Mackenzie

Megan Mumford, Paul Collins-Hackett, Abigail Williams

saratoga living and CAPITAL REGION LIVING’s

7th Annual Capital Region Gives Back Fundraiser

Teresa Frazer. Tina Galante, Annette Quarrier

Spencer Sherry, Lauren Leddy

Tom Denny, Victoria Furfaro

DEC E M BE R 9 • P U T N A M P LAC E p h oto g r aph y by F I O N A ST E V E N S

Alex Capo, Bo Goliber

Francesca LoPorto-Brandow, Lance Walley

Empanadas from West Ave Pizza

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fter a snowstorm that virtually shut down the Northway forced us to postpone our annual holiday soirée, Capital Region Gives Back returned a week later with a sell-out crowd. When guests arrived, they were treated to a complimentary glass of bubbly, courtesy of DeCrescente Distributing, and a buffet dinner, provided by Mazzone Hospitality and West Ave Pizza & Chicken. As musician Caity Gallagher performed on stage, attendees mixed, mingled, and snapped photos in the Music Man Entertainment photo booth. The program, hosted by Libby Adams from FLY 92.3, began with a brief ceremony honoring 2025’s 12 Under 12 honorees—kids who, despite their young age, have already shown a penchant for serving their community. (Each of the kids received free ice cream coupons donated by Stewart’s Shops and chocolate snowman lollipops donated by Krause’s Homemade Candy.) Then Libby got to the main event: recognizing our 2025 Capital Region Gives Back honorees, who this year helped saratoga living and CAPITAL REGION LIVING raise more than $8,000 for local nonprofits.

Libby Adams, Francesca Nastasi, Toni Nastasi, Matt Griffin, Paul Guay

Anthony and Hillary Gaeta

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Ben Morey, Erica Ziskin, Natalie Moore, Molly Gallagher, Pete Konrad, Maddy Halverson

Frances LaCivita, Diane Conroy-LaCivita, and Michael Conroy

Caity Gallagher

Max Oswald, Natalie Moore

Where Passion Meets Purpose.

Competitive pay, comprehensive benefits and flexible schedules.

HHHN.org/careers

PHOTO CREDIT: LakePlacid.com (ROOST)

off track SARATO GA’S H OTTEST TIC KETS

Saratoga Joinery’s Wine & Cheeseboards

NOV EM B ER 1 3 • SARATOGA JOINERY ph otograp hy by JESS TROISI

saratoga living

and First Fill Spirits’ Whiskey (and Chocolate!)

Night in Saratoga

NOVE M BE R 5 • P U T N A M PL AC E p h otogr a ph y by ZAC K S KOW R O N E K

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DESIGN/ BUILD/ REMODEL

Remodeling Saratoga & surrounding areas for more than 30 years

Kitchens, Baths & Whole House Remodels

Follow us on Instagram or call for more information.

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the Dawn of Muscle See the Famous Monkeemobile Pontiac: The Dawn of Muscle brings together Pontiac’s most iconic performance machines — from the original GTO that defined the genre, to the Firebird and Trans Am that carried its spirit for decades.

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On Exhibit Now-April 2026

off track SA RATOGA’S HOT T EST T ICKETS

Veterans & Community Housing Coalition’s Veterans’ Ball

NOV EMB ER 2 • H A L L OF SPRI NGS p h otog raph y by B EST FRA ME FORWA RD

The Saratoga Library’s Diamond Jubilee

O CTO BE R 2 4 SA R ATOGA S P RI N G S PUB L I C L I B R A RY photo gr a ph y by J E S S McNAV I C H

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Coat Room’s Masquerade Ball

NOV EMBE R 1 • COAT R O O M ph otog raphy by KE N ZIE MAZU LA

Award-winning Designs for the Modern Homebuyer Belmonte Builders Honored with Six CRBRA Best in Building Awards

Six Awards.

One Extraordinary Night.

Belmonte Builders celebrated a standout night at the 2025 CRBRA Best in Building Awards, earning six honors across innovation, design, and craftsmanship.

Three of our newest floor plans were recognized for excellence: • Best New Construction Floor Plan – Oak Hill Primary-Up • Best Aging-in-Place Design – Lincoln Ranch • Best New Twin Home/Townhome – Willow Primary-Up The Lincoln Ranch also had an exceptional night, earning three additional design awards: • Best New Kitchen - under $75,000 • Best New Primary Bath - under $50,000 • Best New Merchandised Model - 18 Dahlia Drive

Design-Forward. Thoughtfully Crafted.

Built for the Way People Live Today.

As a family-owned and operated business that has been building homes in the Capital Region for more than forty years, Belmonte Builders believes a home should feel personal, purposeful, and built to last. They partner closely with every homeowner to bring their vision to life with care and craftsmanship. These awards celebrate that ongoing commitment to creating homes that inspire, endure, and elevate everyday living.

Learn more about Belmonte Builders’ communities and award-winning floor plans at belmontebuilders.com In neighborhoods with a Homeowner's Association, Homeowners will be subject to all HOA covenants and design guidelines and will be required to pay HOA dues. For complete details see your sales representative.

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home stretch fit check :: SPACES :: WELLNESS :: ARTS :: RECIPE

Walking the Walk saratoga living’s

FAS HION E DITOR B RAV E D THE COL D I N S E A RCH OF TH E BEST— A N D M O ST PR ACTICALLY D RE S S E D—V ICTORI AN ST RE E TWA LKERS.

BY TIINA LOITE photography by Z ACK S KOW RONEK

H F I T CJ E C K EVENT:

THE VICTORIAN STREETWALK PLACE:

DOWNTOWN SARATOGA SPRINGS DATE:

DECEMBER 4

CHRISTIE KEISER

HOMEMAKER

You look so elegant, like a character in a Tolstoy novel.

“I can barely move my arms.

I have a fur hoodie under here and a turtleneck, overthe-knee boots…a hat.”

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home stretch fit check :: SPACES :: WELLNESS :: ARTS :: RECIPE

LOIS WALSH

SOPHIE PRATT

That’s quite a look!

It certainly works for tonight.

“We went to the Columbia outlet.

Because of the colors, nobody wanted it. It was supposed to cost around $350, but I got it for $80.”

I love those pants, but they don’t look warm.

“I’m willing to freeze because ‘look good, feel good.’ But I do always prep for the weather, so I am layered.

I’ve got two layers.

But the top layer is the most important.”

RETIRED RN

BRITT WADSWORTH & ALI FARRELL HORSE FARM OWNERS

PHOENIX IANNELLO

Do you wear your furs often, or is this a special night?

BW: “These are both my mother’s furs. She died four years ago. The last time she wore this coat was seven years ago at the Victorian Streetwalk.

AF: “I needed this jacket for warmth because I’m usually not here this time of year. I’m a snowbird.”

HOTEL RECEPTIONIST

What an eye-catching outfit for tonight’s event!

The purple is bright and wonderful!

“It’s a coat I had custommade just for fun.”

But it’s velvet…. it can’t be warm.

“It is warm! There are layers of warmth in it. It’s a serious coat.”

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KRISTIN TCHABAN

TV PRODUCER

I’m not usually a fan of camouflage, but this coat appeals to me.

“It’s a vintage coat. I got it at an Army-Navy store. But this is what I would call ‘cold chic.’

I’ve got five layers on: a sweater vest, jogger pants, long johns…

What else? Boots, because I had to buy snow boots when I moved up here, and my hat is from Lake Placid. Oh, and I have this backpack. It’s got a tiger on it, and I had to have it.”

LAURA ESTRADA

MEDICARE ADVISOR

I truly think you are a work of art. Your hair, the scarf...

What were your thoughts putting it together?

“Honestly I thought: warm and layers. I’m wearing four layers: a T-shirt, a hoodie from Ecuador that my dad got me, a long wool jacket, and my coat and scarf.”

HANNAH LATTA

PAT DADDIO

FOURTH GRADER

SALES MANAGER

Tell me about what you are wearing on your head.

“A ski mask and reindeer antlers.”

Are they warm?

“The ski mask is. The reindeer antlers are not.”

You look fashionably festive. That’s an excellent jacket.

“It’s from a store in Bethlehem, PA called Santa Claus USA. I just liked the way it looked. It was Santa-ish, but not too much.”

BECKETT LEWIS

SECOND GRADER

Your hat really stands out. Why did you choose that one tonight?

“Because it’s really cold out.”

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FIT CHECK :: spaces :: WELLNESS :: ARTS :: RECIPE

hat stands out about Lawrence Barisic’s labyrinthine Saratoga apartment isn’t the eclectic collection of artwork that covers every square inch of wall space—it’s the warmth with which he opens its doors to friends new and old. But the artwork—which he has painstakingly restored, researched, catalogued, and returned to its original frame—is pretty exceptional, too. In December, we caught up with the Wesley Community’s residential service coordinator to learn all about it.

This building, located at Saratoga’s Five Points intersection, is kind of iconic. Do you know any of its history?

It’s an old Victorian building. Currently it’s two stories, but in its day, it boasted three stories and a very crazy Victorian roof with angled slopes going in every direction. Rumor has it that someone left a candle lit on the third story and that it fell to fire. The other story I’ve heard, and which sounds much more realistic, was that the roof and third story had to be dismantled because ice and snow slides posed threats to the pedestrians below.

Cohesive Chaos

LAWRE N CE BARISIC’ S SOUTH SIDE A PA RT M E N T D O E S N ’T JU ST H AVE ART—IT I S ART. n BY N ATA LI E M O O R E photograp h y by MEGAN MU M F O R D

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How’d you wind up living here?

My parents are from the Bronx—that great melting pot. When I was 2, my mother moved here to raise my sister and me outside of the urban chaos. head way One doorway in Lawrence

Barisic’s apartment is surrounded by the Saratogian’s collection of Bossons heads, hand-painted chalkware heads originally made by W.H. Bossons Ltd. in Congleton, England between 1948 and 1996. “They're difficult to find without mars or chips,” he says. “They’re very delicate, but the detail is incredible.”

Saratoga’s Ski Shop When I was young, I couldn’t wait to leave Saratoga. I made my home in Manhattan and Miami. After the death of my husband, I returned to Saratoga in 2004.

Now, I can’t imagine living anywhere else in the world. The city is my heart.

Outfitting Fun Since 1941

sport shop

What’s the thought process behind your apartment’s décor?

My design aesthetic currently is cohesive chaos. There are 18th century lithographs juxtaposed with Japanese wood carvings and Warhol prints. I’ve returned to my Manhattan-style apartment where, with limited space, everything must go up.

How can you tell if a piece will fit into this so-called cohesive chaos?

All of my artwork has been collected piece by piece. I frequent thrift stores, antique stores, and estate sales. I’d like to say I’m driving this car, but the artwork speaks to me.

What’s your favorite piece in your collection?

There are two. One is a Tree of Life made by a Pakistani girl who volunteered for me. She gave it to me very humbly and said, “I know you have very expensive art, but I wanted to celebrate you; I know this doesn’t compare, but I hope you like it.” It is an incredibly beautiful piece with spirals of string to make the tree on a brilliant yellow backboard. The other piece that means the world to me is a 1922 caricature lithograph of Broadway actress Mary Nash. It was a gift from my father for my last birthday. When I opened it, my jaw dropped. I looked at him and said, “You really get me!”

You’ve created something of a gallery.

Is there a way for the public to see it?

I open my home for viewing to benefit the Saratoga Senior Center; check with them to see when the next tour will be.

For $20, you can see all of the artwork, and I’m here to answer questions. You can look through the catalogs, and there’s complementary wine and cheese.

The $20 benefits the Saratoga Senior Center’s arts programming.

Surprise yourself at Saratoga’s go-to store for all things winter.

Shop skis, boots, snowboards, cross-country gear, snowshoes, skiwear and more.

Get your ski gear tuned up by the experts at this full-service shop.

321 Clinton Street, Saratoga Springs \\ 518.584.6290 // alpinesportshop.com

home stretch FIT CHECK :: SPACES :: wellness :: ARTS :: RECIPE

Peak Performance AT B A LLSTON SPA’ S NEW PERFOR M A N C E SA N C T UA RY, M E N TA L, PH YSICAL, AND SPIRI TUA L WE LLN E SS A R E A LL TREATED EQUALLY. BY N ATA LLI A M ATO

in a world where we are told a story of chaos every time we open our social media feeds or turn on the news, and many are made to feel that accomplishing the ever-growing ‘to-do’ list is more important than tending to within—where are we to find sanctuary?

For those of us who call the Spa City home, we are fortunate to find refuge and safety in many facets of our community: in the mental health providers and holistic healers who show up and share their presence; in the medical spas, yoga studios, and fitness centers that nourish the physical body; and in the neighborly connections and conversations one makes around town.

But what if all of these resources didn’t have to be outsourced? What if we could heal the mind, body, and spirit all in one nourishing place?

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That was the question guiding Rachel Moore and Powell Cucchiella— a Ballston Spa couple who have each enjoyed careers as licensed therapists, helping clients heal trauma and wake into their fullest potential. Now, they’ve founded the Performance Sanctuary—a wellness center unlike anything this region has seen.

“We go to physical gyms,” says Cucchiella. “I believe the future is that we’ll go to gyms for the mind. That’s a piece of where this started.”

heatin’ up The Performance

Sanctuary’s infrared sauna domes; (below) from the frequencyinfused music to the plants in the therapy offices, everything at The Performance Sanctuary is designed to bring your nervous system into its optimal functioning range.

Located in Ballston Spa’s West Mill Complex (aka the factory building), The Performance Sanctuary fully embodies its name. Clients can come in for licensed therapy or performance coaching with Moore, Cucchiella, or staff members Katie Crager and Vincent Quinnan. But, just like a gym, clients (and day pass visitors) can come use the Performance Sanctuary’s amenities at their own pace and leisure, socializing with others as they go.

Of course, the gym analogy has its limitations. Walking through the rooms of the Performance Sanctuary, one would be hard-pressed to point to something that could also be found in your average gym—or spa, for that matter.

Instead, the space is home to a halotherapy salt booth, a red light therapy table, infrared sauna domes, PEMF mats, a controlled cold plunge tank, Korean massage beds, Normatec leg compression sleeves, and vibroacoustic meditation cushions.

(Plus, a cozy lounge area for sharing a cup of tea.)

“One of the things we hear all the time in therapy is how people lack community, and it really impacts mental health,” says Moore. “We wanted to create a space that combined mind, body, and soul, and had that communal layout. You’re not isolated doing any of the things here.”

Day passes are $59—and, if you bring a friend, you can each save $10 off your pass.

“Hopefully, we build that community piece,” says Moore. “And normalize taking care of yourself.”

Coming Soon

Phyllian’s Bluff & JW Hemingway Introducing JW Hemingway

This advertisement is not an offering. It is a solicitation of interest in the advertised property. No offering of the advertised units [for timeshares, state fractional interests] can be made and no deposits can be accepted, or reservations, binding or non-binding, can be made until an offering plan is filed with the New York State Department of Law. This advertisement is made pursuant to Cooperative Policy Statement #1, issued by the New York State Department of Law.

563 North Broadway, Suite 1 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 518.587.4113 wittconstruction.com Witt SaraLiving August 2025_ half page AD.indd 1

8/6/25 12:45 PM

SHOP OUR AWARD-WINNING BOURBON SELECTION Browse our expansive bourbon selection, packed with exceptional picks for every bourbon lover. Our knowledgeable staff can help you find your next favorite bottle!

70 Congress Street, Saratoga Springs

518-584-5400

www.purdyswine.com

home stretch FIT CHECK :: SPACES :: WELLNESS :: arts :: RECIPE

THE RETURN OF THE SARATOGA FILM SHOWCASE IS ONLY THE BEGINNING OF THIS WINTER’S CAN’T-MISS ARTS OFFERINGS. n BY MICHAEL HALLISEY

SIP & SING

UNION GABLES INN As part of an ongoing effort to make Opera Saratoga’s world-class programming available year-round, the Spa City company is presenting monthly Sip & Sings, at which attendees get bubbly, chef-crafted bites, and an evening of music by Opera Saratoga artists. operasaratoga.org

JANUARY 25

221B: A SHERLOCK HOLMES OPERA

JANUARY 23–24

pass the mic Director Victoria Diana speaking on a filmmaker panel at last year’s Saratoga Film Showcase.

SARATOGA FILM SHOWCASE

SARATOGA ARTS Following an uber-popular inaugural event in 2025, the Saratoga Film Showcase returns January 23–24 for a weekend that spotlights emerging filmmakers from the Capital Region and beyond. This year’s short films will once again be grouped into three categories: Art About Art, the back-by-popular-demand After Hours, and a to-be-announced block that will reveal itself to organizers as more films are submitted and selected.

“We’re so grateful to be able to bring the Saratoga Film Showcase back—this year with twice the number of films,” says Spencer Sherry, a local filmmaker and president of the 518 Film Network who organizes the showcase in partnership with Discover Saratoga and Saratoga Arts. “The reopening of the Saratoga Arts building following renovations and the installation of new theater equipment is an exciting addition to the weekend, with Putnam Place once again hosting our opening night shorts and party.” saratoga-arts.org

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Natasha Pickowicz will bring attendees on a guided tasting through the communal ritual of hot pot. Celebrate Lunar New Year with dumplings, scallion pancakes, and more than enough hot pot broth to go around. spac.org FEBRUARY 26

BADFISH: A TRIBUTE TO SUBLIME WITH BEACH FLY

PUTNAM PLACE Putnam Place turns up the heat on February 26 as Badfish brings its high-energy tribute to Sublime, pairing reggae-rock nostalgia with the band’s growing slate of original tracks. Beach Fly opens with breezy coastal rhythms. putnamplace.com

UNIVERSAL PRESERVATION HALL The game is afoot as the Schenectady-Saratoga Symphony Orchestra presents an afternoon opera by Artistic Director Glen Cortese that’ll lead audiences deep into the shadows of Baker Street. atuph.org FEBRUARY 1

LEE DEWYZE

CAFFÈ LENA Caffè Lena welcomes singer-songwriter and former American Idol winner Lee DeWyze for an intimate evening steeped in heartfelt vocals and close-room storytelling. Doors open at 6:30pm. caffelena.org FEBRUARY 5

EVERYONE HOT POT WITH NATASHA PICKOWICZ

SPAC Part of the CulinaryArts@ SPAC series, chef and author

FEBRUARY 27

BRANFORD MARSALIS

UNIVERSAL PRESERVATION HALL This winter, saxophonist Branford Marsalis will bring decades of award-winning jazz mastery to UPH. Whether interpreting Keith Jarrett, composing for film, or leading his celebrated quartet, Marsalis carries a rare artistic range that promises an evening of depth, improvisation, and New Orleans spirit. atuph.org

(Film Fest) FIONA STEVENS; (orchestra) KEVIN MONTANO; (Marsalis) ZACH SMITH

Lights, Camera…

JANUARY 22

s t i a w A c i g a M r e t n i W e k a L n o o r h c in S

On-Site Dining, Indoor Pool & Hot Tub, Outdoor Activities, Larger Than Life Light Displays, Holiday Happenings Every Weekend

LEARN MORE 210 Registration Way, Schroon Lake, NY | lodgeatschroonlake.com

home stretch FIT CHECK :: SPACES :: WELLNESS :: ARTS :: recipe

Raising the Bar

IN THE LAST YEAR, H ENRY STREET RE STAU R A N T A N D W IN E B A R KI NDRED H AS COME INTO I TS OWN AS O N E O F SA RATO GA FOODIES’ FAVORITE DI N N E R SP OTS. HE RE , CHE F ANDY PALMISANO SH ARE S T H E SE C R E T B E HIN D HIS MELT-IN-YOUR-MOUTH P O R K BE LLY. photo g r aphy by KONRAD ODH I AMBO

balancing act “This pork belly recipe is all about balance,” says Chef Andy Palmisano. “Slow cooking for tenderness, then finishing with high heat for texture. It’s a cold-weather dish that feels both familiar and elevated.”

3. In the same pot, sauté the onion, carrot, celery, and garlic until caramelized.

4. Add rosemary, thyme, bay leaves, cinnamon, and star anise. Toast spices briefly.

5. Deglaze with wine, scraping up the fond, and reduce slightly.

6. Add apple cider, stock, soy sauce, and maple syrup. Bring to a simmer.

7. Return the pork belly to the pot, fat side up (liquid should come halfway up the sides, not fully cover).

8. Cover and braise at 300°F for 2.5–3 hours, until tender but not falling apart.

CHILLING AND SEARING

Chef Andy Palmisano’s Fall Braised & Seared Pork Belly INGREDIENTS 2-3 lb pork belly slab, skin off 2 tbsp neutral oil 1 yellow onion, quartered 2 carrots, cut into chunks 2 celery stalks, cut into chunks 4 garlic cloves, smashed 2 sprigs rosemary 2 sprigs thyme 2 bay leaves 1 cinnamon stick 3-4 star anise 1 cup apple cider (or hard cider) 1 cup chicken stock (or pork stock)

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½ cup dry white wine 2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari 1 tbsp maple syrup chopped scallions whole grain mustard butter INSTRUCTIONS BRAISING

1. Pat the pork belly dry and season with salt and pepper.

2. Heat oil in a heavy Dutch oven.

Sear the pork belly on all sides until golden brown. Remove and set aside.

1. Cool the pork belly in the braising liquid.

2. Remove it from the liquid and strain out the vegetables and spices; reserve the liquid.

3. Refrigerate the pork belly overnight.

For uniform slabs, place a piece of parchment paper over the belly and a flat pan on top with evenly distributed weight to press it evenly.

4. Once firm, slice into neat squares or slabs.

5. Once braising liquid has completely cooled, the fat should have risen to the top and congealed. Remove the fat.

6. Pan-sear the pork belly slices until crisped.

7. Set aside seared pork belly and drain fat from pan.

8. Add some of the braising liquid to pan and reduce. Add butter, whole grain mustard, and chopped scallions.

9. Pour glaze over pork belly, top with any chosen accompaniments—like pickled red cabbage—and serve.

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Henry Street Taproom

Cantina

408 BROADWAY, SARATOGA SPRINGS cantinasaratoga.com • 518.587.5577

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86 HENRY STREET, SARATOGA SPRINGS henrystreettaproom.com • 518.886.8938

roadway dining hotspot ood food, lots Cantina has of beer, and an been serving up fresh atmosphere that’s Mexican dishes and the perfect mix of relaxed, signature margaritas in cozy, and chic? That’s what the heart of downtown you can expect at Henry Saratoga for the last Street Taproom, which has 18 years. Guests flock been serving local craft to the restaurant beers and ciders, inventive for its festive vibe, cocktails, and locally sourced, made-from-scratch food creative fare and craft since 2012. More than 13 years later, Henry Street is still cocktails—happy hour, anyone?! When the weather a go-to spot for locals who never tire of settling in on the gets cold, belly up to the bar or find a table for all your patio or cozying up to the fire when the winter weather south-of-the-border favorites, including burritos, rolls around. Open Tuesday-Friday 4-10pm; Saturday quesadillas, fajitas, and a nice, warm bowl of INK GU R smoked chicken tortilla soup. Open daily at noon.

2-10pm; Sunday 2-9pm.

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f you are a person who eats food, there’s something at Franklin Square Market for you. Part grocery store, part restaurant, Franklin Square has so much to offer: Monthly cooking classes, oyster events, custom cakes, a deli, hot and cold bars, $48 Gather & Go Meals that customers can order each week for Wednesday pickup, and, of course, the onsite Market Bar and Restaurant, which hosts a daily $5 happy hour. See website for hours.

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55 RAILROAD PLACE, SARATOGA SPRINGS franklinsqmarket.com • 518.430.2049

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Elsasser’s Beim 111

111 MAIN STREET, GREENWICH elsassers111.com • 518.531.4777

Did you know you can get authentic Alsatian food, which blends French and German culinary traditions, right in Washington County?

Elsasser’s Beim 111 is the brainchild of Manhattanite and Saratoga sommelier Christopher Bischoff, who has curated an impressive menu including Sauerbraten, Schnitzel, Spätzle, Cordon Bleu, and Flammkuchen.

Stop by the cozy dining room for dinner and a drink, or on your way home from skiing in Vermont. Bring your Epic or Ikon ski pass with you for 10 percent off food.

Open Wednesday 5–8; Thursday–Saturday 5–9pm.

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Kindred

The Wishing Well 745 SARATOGA ROAD, WILTON wishingwellrestaurant.com • 518.584.7640

84 HENRY STREET, SARATOGA SPRINGS kindredsaratoga.com • 518.886.1198

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ou know cornerstone and love of Saratoga's Kindred dining for its killer scene, The Wishing dinner and bar Well has welcomed menus. Now, guests since 1936 the Henry Street with its reputation restaurant is for excellence. The about to become your new favorite brunch hangout. On menu showcases Saturdays and Sundays from 10am–2pm, head to Kindred USDA Prime beef, for all your brunch faves—everything from breakfast live Maine lobsters, classics like eggs Benedict and omelets to flatbreads and and the freshest seasonal seafood, paired with an a fried chicken sandwich. At Kindred, brunch is a party— award-winning wine list. Looking to host a memorable wash down your meal with a mimosa, Bloody Mary, or, if event? From intimate dinners and private celebrations you’re in need a caffeine kick, toasted coconut espresso to a fully reserved restaurant, The Wishing Well martini. Open Saturday and Sunday 10am–2pm; promises an experience as special as your INK GU R Tuesday–Saturday 4pm–midnight. occasion. Open at 4pm Tuesday–Saturday.

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Panza’s Restaurant

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ou don’t have to be a guest of Hotel Brookmere & Arbor Spa to enjoy a world-class French-inspired dinner at Regent, the new resort’s onsite restaurant. The Regent at Hotel Brookmere & Arbor Spa makes every detail feel intentional yet never overdone. Featuring a refreshed bar menu with poutine, oysters, crispy duck wontons, beef tartare, salads, and more, plus happy hour specials and regular live music, Regent has become the kind of place that invites you to slow down and savor, whether you’re a local discovering your new favorite spot or a traveler in search of something authentic. Open starting at 8am for breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week, and for brunch on weekends.

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500 UNION AVENUE, SARATOGA SPRINGS hotelbrookmere.com • 518.241.4000

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129 SOUTH BROADWAY, SARATOGA SPRINGS panzasrestaurant.com • 518.584.6882

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reasured family recipes have kept Panza’s a Saratoga staple since 1938. Expect classic Italian food that meets modern American fare in a classic setting, an ever-evolving menu that keeps regulars coming back for new takes on their favorite dishes, and weekly live music at the intimate piano bar and on the Starlight Lounge stage. And don’t forget to stick around for dessert! The Panza’s team would like to thank all who helped vote the establishment Best Saratoga County Restaurant in the 2025 CAPITAL REGION LIVING Bestie Awards. See website for hours.

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Bringing ART to Kitchen Design Kitchens By Christina, Inc.

Call us today for our FREE one hour in-home kitchen consultation!

518-388-8685 (By appointment only) - kbcdesignstudio.com SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY - REXFORD, NY - ST. PETERSBURG, FL Photos by Meri Light Photography

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We are a woman-owned and women-led law firm providing services in the areas of: • Estate Planning • Trust and Estate Administration • Guardianship • Business Formation • Residential Real Estate

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COMPLIMENTARY WEBINAR

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The Brook Tavern thebrooktavern.com  518.871.1473 139 Union Avenue Saratoga Springs

Elsasser’s Beim 111 elsassers111.com  518.531.4777 111 Main Street, Greenwich

Franklin Square’s Market Bar & Restaurant franklinsqmarket.com  518.430.2049 55 Railroad Place, Saratoga Springs ITALIAN

Panza’s Restaurant panzasrestaurant.com  518.584.6882 129 South Broadway Saratoga Springs

Henry Street Taproom

henrystreettaproom.com  518.886.8938 86 Henry Street, Saratoga Springs

Kindred

kindredsaratoga.com  518.886.1198 84 Henry Street, Saratoga Springs

Regent

hotelbrookmere.com  518.241.4000 500 Union Avenue, Saratoga Springs

The Wishing Well

wishingwellrestaurant.com  518.584.7640 745 Saratoga Road, Gansevoort MEXICAN

The Design Issue

CAPITAL REGION LIVING Besties: People & Places AD DEADLINE: February 6

RELEASE DATE: Week of March 9

reserve today

Cantina

cantinasaratoga.com  518.587.5577 408 Broadway Saratoga Springs

8 BUTLER PLACE SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY 12866

the finish line of mice and men When some

friends from the restaurant industry gifted Zack this taxidermized mouse on a stripper pole, he was initially offended that they thought it was something he would like. “But then,” he says, “I realized I do really like it.”

stripper pole), I remember feeling like I’d known him forever.

Maybe there was something in the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School water, or maybe Zack is just a downto-earth, laid-back guy with a knack for making whoever bellies up to his bar feel comfortable. When I caught up with him at the new Pint Sized this past December, one of our mutual friends was there and confirmed my suspicion: It’s the latter.

Where’d the name North & South Dakotas come from?

I have no good story. It’s the longest, worst band name of all time. We’re competing with two of the 50 states in America for internet traffic.

SARATOGIAN OF THE MONTH

The People’s Bartender

EVE RYONE ’S A REGULA R WHEN ZACK H AY’S B EH I N D TH E BA R .

BY NATA LIE MOOR E it’s actually somewhat impressive that Zack Hay and I made it as long as we did without meeting. Our lives have run in parallel for the last 20-some years: He went to high school with my sister, I went to high school with his sister, his mom works at an elementary school with my high school best friend, we lived in the same Washington Street apartment building for three years, and, being Saratogians, we inevitably have many mutual friends. When our paths finally did cross, it was over a beer.

You may know Zack as the lead singer of The North & South Dakotas, a five-piece folk and bluegrass band

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that plays gigs all over Saratoga and beyond. Or maybe you know him from Pint Sized, where he’s been working behind the bar for eight years, having recently helped navigate the move from the watering hole’s original Broadway location to a much larger (Quart Sized, perhaps?) spot on the corner of Phila and Putnam streets.

It was at the OG Pint Sized location on a strangely quiet Friday afternoon last summer that I had my first real introduction to Zack, and though I don’t remember all the particulars of our conversation (save for the bit about his taxidermized mouse on a

What’s the best part about bartending at Pint Sized?

The community of people that I get to hang out with every day.

What’s something in Saratoga that doesn’t get enough credit?

The North Woods trails at Skidmore.

I walk those trails with my dog most mornings.

Is there anything you’ve carried with you since your Burnt Hills days?

A love of the outdoors, probably too much beer-drinking, and good friendships. Burnt Hills was a really nice place to grow up. I felt like our school was a little kinder than other places.

You’re from this area, left, and came back. Why? Boredom brought me to Asheville, NC, and what brought me back 15 years ago was music. I started a band with a buddy of mine from high school, and I’m still in that same band.

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Everything You Need to Know About New York’s Only Floating Sauna FI R ST LY, YE S, I T ’S LI T E R A LLY F LOAT I N G.

BY N ATA L IE MO O RE

by virtue of me being the one organizing our kos play KOS owner Saratoga Living Insiders Club meetup at the newly Kate Butchart chats opened KOS Sauna, I was on the receiving end of a with members of the lot of questions.

Saratoga Living Insiders What is it? Where is it? What do I wear on my feet?

Club in the sauna this What do I wear on my body? What do I bring? Where past November. do I park? How do I get to it? Wait, it’s also a cold plunge? Do you go in the lake? Do you have to go in the lake? How long is it?

And by virtue of me never actually having been to New York State’s first floating sauna, which opened this fall, I truly didn’t really know; I was just along for the ride.

But now that I’ve actually been to KOS, I can answer the aforementioned questions.

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Sweet Streams: Inside the ‘June Farms’ Series Premiere Party C RLIRL H E A DE D TO WE ST SA ND L AKE FOR TH E REL EAS E O F A N E W A M A ZO N P R I M E SERIES SET AT J UNE FARM S .

BY M I C H A E L H A LLI SE Y

what could go wrong?

That’s what I asked myself as I drove on five-year-old tires that barely passed inspection down pitch-black backroads on my way to West Sand Lake. I swear I’ve seen low-budget horror movies that have started in similar fashion, but when I arrived at June Farms’ warmly illuminated Pony Barn, all my fears subsided.

Why was I at June Farms, an agritourism mecca with a penchant for throwing some of the upper Hudson Valley’s most beautiful weddings, in what seemed like the dead of night—6pm on a Friday in November—in the first place? For the red-carpet premiere of June Farms, the Rensselaer County farm’s eponymous TV show that was released on Amazon Prime on November 17, of course. sweet release Matt At the center of the eight-episode series is Baumgartner (center) with Matt Baumgartner, a well-known Capital Region Tess Collins and producers restaurateur turned owner of June Farms. from June Farms at the Scan the code for the rest of the story.

show’s release party.

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