The state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation has approved $1.75 million to rehabilitate and upgrade Saratoga Performing Arts Center’s amphitheater ramps, lighting and other high priority infrastructure as part of the recently approved state budget. 

The funds will be used to rejuvenate SPAC’s facilities for future generations, officials said.

“We celebrated SPAC’s landmark 50th anniversary in 2016 and now, as we embark on our vision for the next 50 years, we are committed to enhancing SPAC’s historic venue for 21st century audiences,” said Elizabeth Sobol, SPAC president and CEO.

Circus Smirkus, the international youth circus, returns to the outdoor soccer field at the Saratoga Casino Hotel for four performances this summer.

On July 9 and 10, families can gather as the Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs presents the Circus Smirkus 2018 Big Top Tour.

This theme of this year’s circus tour is “Vaudeville!” a celebration of the grand American tradition of variety entertainment. The show will include acrobats,  magicians,  jugglers and wirewalkers.

Thirty budding stars ages 10 to 18 perform in the circue. The 2018 performance troupe, comprised of 30 troupers, come from 14 states and Canada. The show is full of talent and spectacle, with aerials, acrobatics, wire walking, juggling, clowning, live music and an array of brilliant costumes.

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will proceed with construction of a permanent building at the site of the current At the Rail tent at Saratoga Race Course.

The group received approval April 30 from the New York State Franchise Oversight Board to go ahead with the project.

The building will replace the seasonal tent and trailers located immediately adjacent to the end of the Clubhouse. It will consist of a 36,000-square foot, three-story, climate-controlled building featuring differentiated hospitality options and modern amenities, NYRA officials said. In addition to the three floors of usable space for guests, a basement level will provide space for a kitchen to service the building.

By Joe Legault

The Gideon Putnam in Saratoga Springs reopened on May 1 after major renovations that took place after it closed back in mid-January due to a water main break that caused basement flooding and damage to some of the operational and electrical systems.

Saratoga PLAN has received two state Conservation Partnership Program grants totaling $64,000.

Saratoga PLAN will utilize one grant for making capital improvements to the 25-year-old Bog Meadow Brook Nature Trail, improving access and safety, enhancing protection of adjacent wetland habitat, and furthering the Saratoga Greenbelt Trail.

This project will be supported by $10,000 in matching funds from the City of Saratoga Springs, and by donations of expertise, labor, and materials.

John Munter of Munter Enterprises was one of the engineers who worked on the trail 25 years ago, and he is back to manage the current projects. PLAN is actively recruiting volunteers to supply the manpower for much of the work.

By Susan E. Campbell

TreePaad Fun Center has added some entertaining, family friendly, new features for kids of all ages, said Patti Garrand, one of the owners and founders of the local play and party center.

Located at 2381 Route 9 in Mechanicville, TreePaad is a destination for families all around the Capital District, she said. 

TreePaad now has 10 different activities under one roof.

“At many places and parks, the kids have to be 12 or older, or be of a certain height, to participate,” said Garrand. “TreePaad is designed for families to play together, no matter the age. If you can walk, you can play at TreePaad.”

The Saratoga County Citizens Committee for Mental Health (SCCCMH) 2018 Citizens of the Year are Lisa and Ed Mitzen.

Ed Mitzen is chief executive officer of Fingerpaint Marketing in Saratoga Springs. Among his volunteer activities, he is the vice chairman of the Double H Ranch board of directors. Double H Ranch is a camp for children with serious medical conditions and disabilities.

Lisa is active with Rebuilding Together, having served on the board of directors. Rebuilding Together Saratoga is committed to ensuring that our neighbors in need, especially those with disabilities, can live independently in safe, healthy, warm and dry homes.

Mannix Marketing, Inc., a leading digital marketing company, took home Best Social Media Campaign award at the Interactive Marketing Awards 2018 competition.

The award was earned for the agency’s work with New Way Lunch. 

It was presented to Amberly Rundell,  Mannix digital marketing and social media strategist in April at a celebratory gala dinner held at the Fort Lauderdale Convention Centre in Florida.

Rundell and senior digital marketing strategist Jessica Tracy were also short-listed finalists for Best Interactive Marketing – Retail/E-commerce, for an organic SEO campaign they conducted in tandem for Gettysburg Flag Works, while Tracy was also nominated for Best Interactive Marketing – B2B, for her efforts with American Heating Co.

MadGlory, a Saratoga Springs-based video company, was acquired in March by PUBG Corp., based in Seoul, South Korea.

The acquisition of online service developer, MadGlory, is part of PUBG Corp.’s continued effort to enhance the playing and viewing experiences for PUBG players, the company said in a new release..

As one of only a few independent studios that specializes in bespoke online features, MadGlory, now known as PUBG MadGlory, and PUBG Corp. will work together to help build a wide range of new features as well as a suite of tools that let community developers extend the in-game experience, officials said.