STEADfast IT, based in Saratoga Springs, has opened a new office in downtown Hartford, Ct.

The new office is located at 100 Pearl St. on the 14th floor.

Craig Skevington, CEO and president of STEADfast said Hartford “is the perfect fit for the IT support services we offer. We are incredibly proud of our expansion and our clients feedback that attest to our unique ‘white glove end user support’ that allows businesses to focus on running their business while we focus on providing responsive, remote service with full capability.”

STEADfast focuses on providing end user support, virtual CIO, systems assessment, server support, network management, remote IT support, mobile device support, device monitoring, anti-virus protection, off-site backup and strategic consultant services.

Saratoga Casino Hotel honored the exceptional performance of four top team members during an annual awards banquet on Feb. 26 in the hotel ballroom.

Over 100 were in attendance for this year’s event.

Awards were presented to: Bob Ketcham, executive sous chef, Leader of Distinction; Anthony DiDonato, restaurant manager, Supervisor of the Year; Cassandra Dano, senior accountant, and Sara Bender, booth cashier, Team Members of the Year.

“The success of our company depends on the hard work and dedication of our hundreds of team members,” said Skip Carlson, vice president of external affairs and the evening’s emcee. “The honorees we celebrated represent the best of our company, and I’m proud to work with them each day.”

Saratoga Raceway’s 77th season of harness racing is underway.

“We’re very excited to welcome fans back for the 77th year of harness racing,” said John Matarazzo, director of racing operations at Saratoga Casino Hotel. “A strong lineup of stakes and marquee races will allow us to continue our tradition of exciting and quality racing here at the historic Spa Oval.”

As always, parking and admission are free.

Track officials said a top highlight of the racing season will be the 10th annual Joe Gerrity Jr. Memorial Pace, which will feature one dash for $260,000 on July 21.

Also set to attract top talent to Saratoga Raceway are the eight divisions of the New York Sire Stakes program that will be contested throughout the summer, culminating in the Excelsior Finals on Sept. 23. Collectively, horsemen will be competing for over $15 million in purses.

The Indigo Girls rock band will perform at Skidmore College this spring as part of the second annual Stewart’s Signature Series.

The May 12 performance at the Arthur Zankel Music Center’s Ladd Hall will begin at 8 p.m.

Shelley Joyce, managing director of the Arthur Zankel Music Center, said, “We are thrilled to host the Indigo Girls at Zankel, and to receive support from the Stewart’s Shops and the Dake Family to make Stewart’s Signature Series performances possible at Skidmore. Additionally, we are very pleased to collaborate with promotional sponsor WEXT, 97.7 FM, to share this exciting news with music fans in our community.”

With a legacy of releases and countless U.S. and international tours behind them, the Indigo Girls have forged their own way in the music business. They’ve released 14 albums, received six Grammy nominations. The their latest release is “Beauty Queen Sister,” on IG Recordings, distributed by Vanguard Records.

By Liz Witbeck

Shmaltz Brewing Co. in Clifton Park is expanding this year, with plans in the works to establish an official tasting room in Troy, as well as create new beer brands.

Jeremy Cowan started the company in San Francisco. In 1996, he was driving around in his grandmother’s car in Northern California, delivering cases of beer. The company has come a long way since then. Cowan moved to New York City and established the Clifton Park brewery in 2013.

“Our goal is to make high-end beers that are fun, based on a concept, and that don’t fit into traditional beer styles,” said Cowan.

Shmaltz Brewing is best known for its He’brew beer, the line first created by Cowan. Today, He’brew is sold in 35 states across the country, in 5,000 retail locations, according to the company.

The company is known for its beer names, inspired by Jewish themes, as well as unique flavors. Customers can choose from the Hop Manna IPA; the Messiah nut brown ale; the Jewbelation anniversary ale; a Pastrami Pilsner, brewed with kosher salt, cracked pepper, natural horseradish and mustard seed; and Chanukah golden ale, brewed with cocoa nibs.

The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 100th anniversary in January  by announcing the creation of the Joseph Dalton Community Service Award and by presenting this first-ever award to Steve “Sully” Sullivan, the owner of the Olde Bryan Inn and Longfellows Inn & Conference Center.

The event was attended by 950 people.

Joe Dalton was the president of the Chamber for 40-years, from 1970 to 2010. The Chamber, during Dalton’s tenure, was instrumental in creating and implementing the City of Saratoga Springs’ Plan of Action that has revitalized downtown Saratoga Springs, officials said.

Dalton worked closely with Ed Lewi Associates and NYRA to rebuild interest and hike attendance numbers at Saratoga Race Course. The Chamber also played key roles in the creation of the Saratoga Economic Development Corp., the Luther Forest Tech Park and the Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau. The Chamber also offered a free weekend respite to first-responders and their families after 9/11.

Sullivan first came to Saratoga Springs from Boston in 1974 to attend Skidmore College. To get himself through college, he waited tables at Lillian’s restaurant, tended bar at Harold J’s, and washed dishes at other restaurants. After college during a visit back to the city, he was hired to wait tables at the Olde Bryan Inn, rising to partner in 1981.

The Saratoga Home & Lifestyle Show, the Saratoga Springs Rotary Club’s largest annual fundraiser since 1973, will take place March 2-4 at the Saratoga Springs City Center.

Admission is free of charge, courtesy of the show’s major sponsor, Adirondack Trust Co.

The Rotary Club will be accepting voluntary cash and coin donations to benefit Franklin Community Center, a local non-profit organization.

The show will be open Friday, March 2, 5-9 p.m.; Saturday, March 3, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, March 4, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The home show, now in its 45th year, features 120 regional exhibitors showcasing a wide range of home improvement services, décor and furnishings, energy-saving products, outdoor living and landscaping, family recreation, and lifestyle products and services, as well as prizes.

On the center’s second floor, a fine arts and crafts event showcases artisans such painters, photographers, wood crafters, jewelers, and a winery, all with items for sale. Also on display will be artwork from Saratoga Springs High School students.

The new chairman of the Chamber of Southern Saratoga County board of directors says the organization is moving forward with initiatives to train local entrepreneurs, spur business growth, energize area events, connect local businesses, and support regional development.

Chris Meyer, an attorney with Whiteman, Osterman & Hanna, succeeds Jenifer Marten as board chairman.

“The Chamber board is committed to continuing its long history of serving our members and making sure member needs come first,” said Meyer. “Our Chamber’s strength remains its ability to connect members in innovative ways, and to support our community through hands on contributions.”

In 2017, working with the Saratoga Community Development Foundation, the Chamber assisted the city of Mechanicville in building a new gazebo in Tallmadge Park. Chamber volunteers kept Historic Lock 19 in Vischer Ferry ready for tourists and developed a downtown map for Schuylerville businesses.