By Susan Elise Campbell

Saratoga area mothers are getting fresh, natural baby food that is grown and prepared locally and sustainably, thanks to a company founded by a physician in the throes of the pandemic.

Dr. Jennifer Lefner is the dual board-certified neonatologist and pediatrician at Saratoga Hospital who started Seedlings to help solve two problems with one act of entrepreneurship.

For one, farmers were having to dump food despite increased demand for food assistance during the shutdown. The other was the apprehension and questions she knew working mothers would have about food transmission and safety.

“I live in farm country and having friends in the food industry, it was distressing to me,” said Lefner. “I thought, is there an outlet for the wasted food, and can I do something with it?”

While on maternity leave she had prepared baby food for her two children from her own kitchen.  Lefner said, “It seems like a good idea but making consistently fresh, nutritious food is a lot of work.”

Quality baby food starts with quality ingredients, and Lefner is collaborating with 9 Miles East Farm LLC in Northumberland. It also has a restaurant in Saratoga, and delivers ready-to-eat meals to clients around Saratoga, Albany, and as far as Boston and parts of Connecticut.

By Jennifer Farnsworth

Just as fans are back at Saratoga Race Course, fans of authentic Italian food are also back at the Dunning Street Station Bar and Grill in Malta.

After taking a break during the height of the coronavirus pandemic, the restaurant reopened late spring.

Owner Bob McKenna said the feedback from both the regular customers and new faces has been overwhelmingly positive.

“We want to be that local neighborhood bar and restaurant where everyone feels welcome when they walk through our doors. Everyone has been so supportive, and we really felt it from the community,” said McKenna.

McKenna said during the closure they decided to make some changes to the menu as well as some simple changes to the decor, like new table cloths. The menu is Italian casual fare.

Ed and Lisa Mitzen established The Business for Good Foundation, a nonprofit organization with a mission to build thriving communities by owning, accelerating, and assisting businesses in the greater Capital Region.

All profits from BFG Owned  businesses go directly to local, charitable causes.

Mitzen, a philanthropist and entrepreneur who successfully launched several independent, marketing agencies, including the healthcare agency Fingerpaint based in Saratoga Springs, and wife, Lisa Mitzen, a humanitarian with a strong background in mortgage lending, created Business for Good to give back to their community in an impactful and lasting way.

They hope the Business for Good Foundation will pioneer venture philanthropy in the Albany greater Capital Region.

Since the start of its official launch in October of 2020, BFG has donated $4.4 million in grants and resources across New York state.

Business for Good reimagines business as a seed for social change, with the power to change lives and shape communities. To fight the inequities of access to resources and support, Business for Good’s mission is to share resources, strategies and connections to help others build their dreams while giving back to their communities, said a statement released by the organization.

With a focus of healing the underserved and breaking cycles of food insecurity, housing instability and education inequity, BFG strives to open doors and opportunities where they haven’t been before.

By Susan Elise Campbell

Lyrical Ballad Bookstore, in the heart of Saratoga’s historic downtown, turns 50 this year with new ownership and the promise of keeping this used and rare book destination much the same as it was when John and Janice DeMarco founded it.

The transaction for the 7 Phila St. business was completed in June between Janice DeMarco and new co-owners Charlie Israel and Jason Zerrillo.

“Jan DeMarco was eager to keep the spirit of the shop alive,” said Israel. “She had worked in the store at 7 Phila Street for decades with her husband.”

Zerrillo had worked at Lyrical Ballad for 15 years when the opportunity came to join Israel as an equal partner in the business.

“Having Jay step in would help maintain the shop’s spirit,” said Israel. “He knows the place inside-out.”

Neither partner has owned a book store before. Israel is involved in historical preservation and his family has spent 40 years helping preserve the Franklin Square area, he said. 

“I worked in bookstores and also collected books since my late teens,” Zerrillo said. “When I moved to Saratoga to work for Borders, I of course discovered Lyrical Ballad and became friends with the DeMarcos. I used to spend my allowance there when I was a kid.”

The two became friends when they met eight years ago and discovered their mutual love of books and the legacy the DeMarcos built together.

The Tri-County United Way named Brian Bearor as its new leader, effective Sept. 7.

Bearor will succeed Duane Vaughn, prior executive director, and Peter Aust who has led the organization for the past 10 months as interim executive director during the strategic planning and search process.

Bearor will be responsible for leading the United Way’s strategic goals of inspiring hope, improving lives and creating opportunities for all of Warren, Washington, and northern Saratoga counties. He is also charged with building organizational capacity to support area nonprofits as well as identifying and addressing community issues.

“During our search for a new director, the diligent and dedicated members of the search committee spoke with exceptional candidates across the region. It was a difficult choice, but Brian stood out among the highly competitive field. His vision and clear passion for the Tri County United Way and our region is exactly what we were looking for in our new leader” said David Krogmann, president of the Tri County United Way board of directors.

“With Brian’s experience in community development and creating a mission-focused culture, we were convinced that the Tri County United Way will have engaging and innovative leadership for the years to come.”

Bearor has served as the CEO at the Family YMCA of the Glens Falls Area for 12 years and the Y Movement for 29 years. While there, he has driven significant growth in partnerships, supporting those most vulnerable, and philanthropic support. He launched new initiatives including expansion to serve the Southern Adirondacks by opening the YMCA Adirondack Center in Brant Lake as well as the YMCA Regional Wellness Center in Chestertown.

Back after a one-year hiatus, the Saratoga Balloon and BBQ Festival, will occupy the Saratoga County Fairgrounds on Aug. 27- 29. 

Due to COVID-19 concerns, the festival organizers moved from the traditional Father’s Day weekend to the new dates in late August.

Friday, Aug. 27, features the DareDevil Trained Dog Show, balloon launching at about 6:30 p.m.

Saturday is the longest day with more dog shows, tethered balloon rides, helicopter rides, and the evening balloon launch. On Sunday there are two new additions, a car show with 100 vehicles from 11 a.m.  to 3 p.m. and the New York Steak Cook Off with dozens of teams competing for prizes.

Thoughout the festival, the Kids Zone will be  in full swing with bounce houses, pony rides, a petting farm, face painting,  a magician, a balloon twister, and games.

There is live music daily in the music barn next to the beer garden serving craft beer, wines, and wine slushies.  There is a wide choice of food including four BBQ rigs and  an award-winning pit master from Ohio—the Smoke Shack—plus Jamaican jerk chicken,  brick oven wood-fired pizza, turkey legs, burgers, and more.

There is also a marketplace with  artists, artisans, specialty food makers, eclectic household items, wine and distilled spirits.

By Christine Graf

After being shut down for more than a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 4,800-seat Cool Insuring Arena in downtown Glens Falls reopened at limited capacity in April. At that time, event attendees were required to wear masks and present negative COVID test results. Those restrictions are no longer in place.

“In the middle of June of this year we were able to reopen normally which was a breath of fresh air,” said arena manager Jeff Mead. “As long as we have under 5,000 people in the building, there are no restrictions.”

Seventy-five percent of the arena’s staff have returned to work, and the rest are expected to return by the end of August, he said. Mead and his operations manager were the only two employees who remained working throughout the shutdown.

The arena hosted four dance events and three graduations during the month of June. Some occurred while the mask and testing mandates were still in effect.

“There were unfortunately a few people who weren’t the happiest of customers,” said Mead. “They either didn’t want to wear masks or didn’t think they should have to show a negative test. It was unfortunate, but I would say that 97 percent of people understood.”

Because of the pandemic, the arena was forced to cancel the 2020-2021 season for its East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) team, the Adirondack Thunder. An affiliate of the NHL’s New Jersey Devils, the team will play its home opener for the 2021-2022 season at the arena on Oct. 23.