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Power Player: NYRA President and CEO David O’Rourke

Brien Bouyea
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Power Player: NYRA President and CEO David O’Rourke

When the New York Racing Association (NYRA) announced at the end of April that Saratoga Race Course would likely weather an entire summer season without spectators, it was really the organization’s only play. NYRA’s President and CEO David O’Rourke had no other choice but to acquiesce to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s statewide ban of large crowds at so-called “attractive nuisances.” By mid-May, the governor had announced that New York’s racetracks could open on June 1, without fans, and O’Rourke immediately sprang into action. NYRA, which oversees Saratoga, Belmont Park and Aqueduct Racetrack, began offering COVID tests to all of its employees and backstretch workers and putting into place a battery of health and safety protocols. Belmont Park opened days later without a hitch.

With Belmont’s four-week meet now complete, O’Rourke has the mammoth task of doing it all over again in Saratoga, beginning on July 16. And the stakes here couldn’t be higher. While some racing fans may have already written this off as Saratoga’s lost summer, O’Rourke is still holding out hope that fans, most likely in a limited capacity, will be able to attend the races at Saratoga. “We have to see how the health situation trends and of course, we will be following the direction of the governor and the state,” O’Rourke says. “But we’re not completely ruling out the possibility of fans attending.” 

That should be music to Saratogians’ ears. And O’Rourke knows, maybe better than anyone else at NYRA, what a win, however small, at Saratoga could mean for his organization and the city. O’Rourke first became familiar with NYRA as an outsider, helping guide the organization through Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2006. At the time, NYRA had a prickly relationship with New York State, contending that the long-delayed casino project at Aqueduct, which needed state approval, had driven the company towards insolvency. Less than two years later, NYRA emerged from bankruptcy and had a new agreement with the state as the operator of the triumvirate of racetracks through 2033. Although it didn’t make big headlines, NYRA also hired O’Rourke as its director of financial planning. 

Fast forward a little more than a decade, and O’Rourke is just over a year into his tenure as president and CEO, having worked his way up through NYRA’s ranks, first landing the role on an interim basis in January 2019 and having officially been appointed two months later. “I came onboard at NYRA from the financial side of the business, and it fascinated me,” he says. “Racing is unique in the way the sport is tied to the gambling enterprise. I wanted to develop an understanding of how every aspect of the business and sport fit into and related to the much larger package. But I also got into the game and absolutely loved it. The sport captivated me. I got to Saratoga and didn’t want to leave. There’s nothing like it.”

Although racing has had its challenges—especially now, amidst the pandemic—O’Rourke believes NYRA has a prosperous future ahead of it. “You can’t stand still in an entertainment industry,” O’Rourke says. “You constantly have to be developing all aspects of your product and making sure you are delivering something your customers want and that you can grow.” To that point, NYRA has amassed an enviable footprint on TV, with national coverage on Fox and NBC Sports. So even if only dribs and drabs of fans end up experiencing live racing at Saratoga this summer, a potentially historic audience could find the track on TV. “We’ve positioned ourselves well,” says O’Rourke. “With the times we are in, it becomes even more essential to have a top television presence.”

Just how many fans might squeak through the turnstiles at Saratoga this summer is still very much up in the air. But at least there’s a chance. “We obviously want fans at our races, especially at Saratoga, because it’s the best racing in the country,” says O’Rourke. “So hopefully things continue to trend in the right direction.”   

Saratogians of the Month: Impressions of Saratoga’s Co-owners Marianne Barker and Maddy Zanetti

Natalie Moore
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Saratogians of the Month: Impressions of Saratoga’s Co-owners Marianne Barker and Maddy Zanetti

When the pandemic forced Saratoga businesses to temporarily close their doors back in March, it didn’t take long for Marianne Barker and Maddy Zanetti, co-owners of Impressions of Saratoga, to jump into action. Just days after closing their Broadway gift shop, the pair put together their first two Porch Packages—linen bags filled with assorted goodies from the store that customers could have delivered directly to the porch of their choice. 

Flash forward to mid-June, and there is now a total of 27 Porch Package options, with themes that range from “Graduation” and “Snack Attack” to “Coffee Lover” and “Breakfast in Bed,” listed on impressionssaratoga.com. (While each package comes with a set list of items, all are customizable.) Barker and Zanetti are even offering a “Saratoga Morning Workout” package, complete with everything you’d need for a morning at the Oklahoma Training Track—even though the Oklahoma isn’t open to the public this summer—and plan on putting one together with Saratoga Race Course merchandise for the potentially fan-less track season. 

While the clever Porch Packages ensured that Impressions had a steady source of income throughout the pandemic—so far, Barker and Zanetti have hand-delivered or mailed out hundreds of them—they had an even greater impact on lifting the community’s spirits.

Saratoga Living caught up with Impressions’ two owners to learn just how much their new venture did for their business and customers.

Marianne, tell us about what goes into the Porch Packages?
We discovered a whole bunch of new products—local ones—that we didn’t know about prior to this. And the community really stepped up to support us, because it was a product that they were like, “This is kind of cool—I’m supporting local.” 

What was it like selling these special, customizable packages without seeing customers in the store?
You’re on the phone one on one, and it creates such an amazing connection. It’s exhausting; it’s just been Maddy and me for most of that time, and honestly, I went home so tired every day. But you just have this great feeling, like, “Wow, I really feel like
I helped somebody today.”

Maddy, any favorite Porch Package delivery stories?
We have one customer who called and ordered Porch Packages and would say, “Just deliver them randomly around town.” One of the houses that we left one at, I [later] ran into [the woman who lives there] and she was like, “I can’t believe you guys left that Porch Package.” The day that we left it, she was having an awful day—she had just been diagnosed with breast cancer. She went out on her porch, and there was this random package sitting there, and she was like, “It was like you guys knew to put it on my porch.”  

A Ride Along With Saratoga Springs’ Mounted Police Patrol

Katie Navarra
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A Ride Along With Saratoga Springs’ Mounted Police Patrol

I don’t know about you, but seeing a mounted police officer directing traffic outside of Saratoga Race Course or holding court along Broadway in the summer is something that could easily make my day—anyone’s for that matter. So, when Saratoga Living approached me about doing its next “Ride Along,” with a Saratoga Springs Mounted Patrol unit officer, my first reaction was, “Of course! I’m a rider myself.” 

But I really didn’t know what exactly mounted police officers do. Could they make arrests just like their car-bound colleagues? Did they wield the same power as a Canadian Mountie? Or were they an elaborate PR stunt for the police department in a horse town? 

It turns out that Saratoga’s mounted officers are, in fact, sworn officers of the law, who can make arrests, although, logistically, it’s difficult to do so on horseback. The mounted unit is used particularly for crowd control, and being on horseback gives officers a unique vantage point for spotting potential trouble before it happens—that an officer on foot might not be able to see. The unit consists of five officers, who, when not riding a horse, are either on foot or in a patrol car. The police rent stable space for their horses from a private horse owner on Ruggles Road in Saratoga—but they’ve been on the lookout for a permanent home where they can someday host public tours, educational activities and training sessions for other mounted patrol units.

Now, because we’re still in the middle of a pandemic—and mounted police officers don’t really have a “set” schedule—I wasn’t able to ride along on an actual police horse. But I was invited to the unit’s stables and barn for a personal introduction to horses King Tut and Apollo.

Meeting Officer Barrett • 11am

The first thing I did upon meeting Officer Glenn Barrett was offer him my hand to shake, which he abruptly, and rightfully, declined. Admittedly, it’s been months since I’ve reported a story in person, and it was a reminder of how COVID-19 has changed things. Officer Barrett slid open the back barn door and explained to me that King Tut, a gigantic, 20-year-old Percheron—a breed of draft horse—was rescued by a family in Utica, who later donated him to the Saratoga Springs Mounted Patrol unit. Apollo, on the other hand, is a retired Standardbred racehorse, thriving in a second career.

Officer Glenn Barrett is one of five Saratoga Springs Police Officers who’s been assigned to the Mounted Patrol Unit. (Katie Navarra)

Snack Time • 11:15am

Off-duty officer Caitlin Freshwater arrives with five pounds of carrots. The five officers in the unit share daily responsibilities for feeding, watering and caring for the two horses. The officers have specific shifts, but the horses don’t follow set schedules. King Tut and Apollo might start with an officer when the 4pm shift begins, or they might not be called on until hours later. They might work twice in the same day or have a few days off in between. The decision to deploy a mounted officer depends on the time of year, types of activities going on in town and crowd sizes. 

TLC Time • 11:30am

Care for the animals is a priority. Both horses’ hooves are painted with a conditioning polish for protection. The officers have a full traveling medical kit should the horses need treatment while on duty. The horses are groomed, saddled at the barn and loaded into a trailer when duty calls. Hay, grain and water are packed for breaks. 

A Moment’s Notice • 12pm

The horses have ample time to rest in between shifts, so they are ready to go at a moment’s notice. Every shift is different. Officers pick a starting point based on reports from the day and the need. This spring, patrols were sent along city streets and neighborhoods to bring joy to local residents who had been stuck at home due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. During recent trips, kids have exchanged “air high-fives” with officers, and an elderly resident told Officer Freshwater that seeing her and the horses was the first time she’d seen anyone in two weeks.

Best Thing I Saw: Even though King Tut and Apollo have an important job to do, they are spoiled just like my own horse, Bella, is. They enjoy plenty of treats and frequent visits from the officers to make sure they are healthy and happy.

Worst Thing I Saw: Nothing. These beautiful horses are probably the best PR the police force could ask for, especially when stopping traffic on Broadway so Saratoga’s other beloved summertime animals, the ducks, can safely cross. 

The Bottom Line: Even though most of the mounted police officers had never ridden a horse before joining the unit, one thing was apparent: They’ve all come to love the animals. How couldn’t they?     

Racing City Brewing Is Making Sure This Saratoga Summer Stays on Track

Morgan Fechter
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Racing City Brewing Is Making Sure This Saratoga Summer Stays on Track

It’s hard to imagine a Saratoga summer without long days spent at Saratoga Race Course. The New York Racing Association’s (NYRA’s) announcement that Saratoga’s racing season will likely be held without fans in attendance (we’re still crossing our fingers for a miracle!) was a tough blow for the Spa City, but all hope for a fun summer season isn’t lost: Area bars and restaurants are stepping up to replace the track as the new “it” gathering place.

One such establishment is Racing City Brewing Co., whose name gives away just how deeply ingrained horse racing is in the family-owned venture. Owners Tony and Debreen Oliva originally started coming to Saratoga on Travers weekend with their kids, but that turned into a full week the next year, and a month the year after that. “By the fourth year, we owned a house right in town,” says Debreen. “We couldn’t get enough of it.” It’s that same sense of loyalty that the Olivas are hoping will continue bringing fans back to Racing City Brewing this summer. 

The brewery, which has been located just outside Downtown Saratoga on Excelsior Avenue since its opening in 2018, is the perfect venue to generate a core group of regulars for socially distanced viewings of the races. With a large outdoor space and a 23×14-foot TV screen, guests will be able to enjoy the electric race day atmosphere and watch their favorite horses on the big screen, making bets from their smartphones. Racing City Brewing will, of course, have its full selection of house-made beers (numbered and color-coded like racehorses) available, as well as wine, cocktails and nonalcoholic beverages, which can be ordered online and picked up at the bar—no contact necessary. At press time, the kitchen was closed, but the Olivas were hoping to establish relationships with local restaurants, so guests could have food delivered there. The brewery is also already accepting table reservations via Square for major stakes weekends. 

Debreen says she’s thankful for the resounding support from the community during the COVID-19 crisis, and is looking forward to Racing City’s chance to bring the races to fans despite this nontraditional Saratoga summer: “We obviously want to do our part to give back, and also provide what we provide best, which is great beer, good wine and a fun time.”  

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Horseshoes

Katie Navarra
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Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Horseshoes

All athletes swear by their own particular performance-boosting sneaker. Take LeBron James, Mike Trout or Serena Williams: They wouldn’t dream of lacing up for the basketball court, baseball diamond or tennis court without their signature pair. So would it surprise you to learn that Thoroughbred racehorses are also massive shoe-heads?

The most popular horseshoes are called “plates,” which attach directly to the horses’ hooves (or “feet”)—and the most popular plates are the lightweight aluminum kind. Certain horseshoe manufacturers such as Victory, Kerckhaert and Thoro’Bred are the go-to brands for trainers, with their logos stamped into the edge of each shoe (some even carry as much prestige as the Nike swoosh does on its sneakers). Shoe manufacturers sell plates in traditional horseshoe shapes, but it’s up to experts, or “platers,” to bend and shape the shoes to a horse’s specific needs, creating the ultimate custom fit. 

Just like human athletes, horses can also sometimes have injuries or conditions that require a shoe with more support. After Triple Crown winner American Pharoah bruised his left front foot, for example, a half-plate was used to protect the injured part of one of his hooves.

Here’s a look at the different types of shoes racehorses wear to win.

Barefoot

Horses can sometimes go barefoot, although most racehorses wear shoes to protect their hooves from being worn down.
Foot Facts: Lexington’s Keeneland Race Course used a kinder-on-the-feet synthetic Polytrack surface for eight years, leading to many shoeless horse victories.

A combination aluminum and polyurethane horseshoe offers its wearer extra cushion on the heels. (Curtis Burns/No Anvil LLC)

Aluminum Plates

Nearly all flat track racehorses within the last 40-50 years have worn aluminum plates. Aluminum is one-third the weight of steel, and the lighter metal shoe causes less fatigue on its wearers’ feet.
Foot Facts: In 2019, Code of Honor won the Travers Stakes wearing aluminum shoes.

Plastic Shoes

Metal shoes are nailed onto a horse’s hooves, whereas plastic shoes, made of polyurethane, are glued on.
Foot Facts: Mucho Macho Man won the 2013 Breeders’ Cup wearing plastic shoes.

Shock Absorbers

Both aluminum and steel shoes can include synthetic pads to provide extra cushion and support to equine athletes. (Fun fact: Curtis Burns of No Anvil, LLC developed the Polyflex plastic shoe locally, in the garage of his Saratoga home.) For horses with a heel injury, a blended poly/aluminum shoe offers its wearer more cushioning.
Foot Facts: Sarasota County is one Thoroughbred that prefers this type of shoe, because he has the horse’s equivalent of athlete’s foot. Due to the added hoof structure, he has pulled off wins in several races at Gulfstream Park.

Traction Controllers

Some tracks allow “turn downs,” where the heels of the horse’s shoe are bent downward for more grip; most tracks, however, have banned calks, which provide traction, because when used incorrectly, they can lead to injuries.
Foot Facts: The weather determines what, if any, traction control is used. Rain can make tracks muddy, so platers will add “stickers” to give better traction. Race track officials often announce the usage, so bettors can use that information when wagering.

Save That Date: July 15 Is National ‘I Love Horses Day’

Victoria Mangelli
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Save That Date: July 15 Is National ‘I Love Horses Day’

National “I Love Horses Day” is coming up on July 15, and sure, you could run around Saratoga proclaiming your love for all things horses, but we’d suggest trying something a bit different this year. On the eve of what will likely be the first spectator-less Saratoga Race Course season in recent history—amidst a global pandemic, no less—there are a bunch of great equine aftercare charities in need of your help. So, break open that piggybank, Saratogians!

ACTT Naturally, Greenwich

acttnaturally.org
ACTT Naturally—the acronym stands for Aftercare Continued Thoroughbred Training—helps former racehorses transition into productive new careers, bonding with veterans, first responders and teenagers.

Equine Advocates, Chatham

equineadvocates.org

Equine Advocates rescues equines that are headed for slaughter or are living in abusive situations and lets them live out their lives in peace. 

Heading for Home Racehorse Retraining/Adoption Center, Inc., Saratoga Springs

headingforhomeadoptionhorses.org

Heading for Home helps retired racehorses transition into a viable second career in eventing, polo and dressage.

New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program, Gansevoort

newvocations.org

New Vocations offers former racehorses rehabilitation services, transitional training and placement into a loving home.

Old Friends at Cabin Creek, Greenfield Center

oldfriendsatcabincreek.com

Old Friends strives to provide a dignified retirement and peaceful, nurturing forever home to all retired racehorses.

Saratoga WarHorse, Saratoga Springs

saratogawarhorse.org

Saratoga WarHorse assists veterans struggling with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder through unique experiences with retired Thoroughbreds.

It’s True (We Think): The Travers Stakes Has to Be the Oldest…Something

Natalie Moore
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It’s True (We Think): The Travers Stakes Has to Be the Oldest…Something

In horse racing, an industry in which being the best could net you millions of dollars in purse money and eventually, stud fees, it only makes sense that the competition to be the best would extend beyond the actual flat track itself. And for some, including Saratogians, “the best” is synonymous with “having been around the longest.”

A quick Google search of “oldest stakes race in America” turns up several different answers. The Belmont is the oldest of the Triple Crown races, dating back to 1867, but the Kentucky Derby, which came about eight years later, is the oldest continuously run race
in the US. The Phoenix Stakes is older than both but has had some significant gaps in its history. Canada’s Queens Plate is the oldest continuously running race in North America, dating back to 1860. A few sources, including Affirmed: The Last Triple Crown Winner, a book by Lou Sahadi, claim that the Travers is the oldest continuously run stakes race in the country. And a search result from saratogaracetrack.com, a website run by Mannix Marketing, which is not affiliated with the New York Racing Association or Saratoga Race Course, claims the Travers is the oldest major Thoroughbred horse race in America, period.

A little bit of homework, however, reveals that neither of these “facts” about the Travers is exactly true. There were several years around the turn of the 20th century when the race didn’t run, and the Phoenix—though it may not be as “major” as the Travers—is certainly older, having been run for the first time in 1831 (the first Travers wasn’t until 1864). But—and this is the biggest but for anyone looking to claim Saratoga’s famed Travers is the best—the Phoenix is for horses three years and older. The Travers, on the other hand, according to Brien Bouyea, the communications director for the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame and Saratoga Living’s sports editor, is indeed the oldest stakes race in the country specifically for 3-year-olds. 

So, there you have it: The Travers is, unequivocally, the best.  

Mind Genomics Survey: 71 Percent of Participants ‘Very Likely’ to Visit Saratoga County in Next Six Months

Natalie Moore
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Mind Genomics Survey: 71 Percent of Participants ‘Very Likely’ to Visit Saratoga County in Next Six Months

When the New York Racing Association (NYRA) announced that Saratoga Race Course would likely be closed to fans this summer, there was talk around town about what it would mean for the businesses that rely on the influx of tourists during the summer months. (In short, it wasn’t good.) Tack on the fact that Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC), the city’s other major tourism driver, wouldn’t be hosting its classical season or most Live Nation concerts, and all signs were pointing toward a tough summer for Saratoga’s economy.

But Todd Shimkus, president of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, and Ken Rotondo, president of Mind Genomics Advisors, a Saratoga-based company that uses machine learning to identify consumer preferences for clients such as IBM, MasterCard and Amazon, thought that didn’t quite add up: Saratoga County has much more to offer than just the racetrack and SPAC. So, in partnership with Discover Saratoga, the Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership, the Downtown Business Association, the Saratoga Economic Development Corporation and the Saratoga Springs City Center, as well as local organizations like SPAC, Universal Preservation Hall, Saratoga Arms and the Saratoga Casino Hotel, the chamber and Mind Genomics set out to determine just what makes Saratoga County attractive to tourists.

Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce President Todd Shimkus speaking at the press conference. (Francesco D’Amico)

“What was important for this study, and what this group recognized very early on, is that people come to Saratoga normally to gather in crowds,” Rotondo says. “SPAC is a gathering of a crowd, the racetrack is a gathering of a crowd, Saturday night—or every weeknight—on Caroline Street, in and out of the bars, is. So we’ve now trained all these people to say ‘don’t do that.’ So now, what’s gonna bring them back?”

To find the answer, Mind Genomics and the partnership of Saratoga organizations sent out a survey to nearly 100,000 people that evaluated how likely people were to visit Saratoga County in the future, what safety measures taken by businesses would make people most comfortable here and what specifically would drive people to the region. More than 3,000 participants took the survey, with 80 percent of those people living between the Capital Region and Hudson Valley, in New York City or on Long Island. Ninety percent of the respondents have visited Saratoga County multiple times in the past.

The results of the survey, which were laid out in a press conference outside Saratoga Arms on the morning of Wednesday, July 8, showed that an impressive 71 percent of respondents were “very likely” to visit Saratoga County in the next six months, while 86 percent were likely to visit when all COVID-19 restrictions were lifted. What’s deterring the remaining respondents from planning a trip here? The results of the survey showed that it’s lack of trust in venues enforcing proper safety guidelines, a desire to avoid crowds and the lack of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Mind Genomics was also able to identify three major mindsets held by survey participants. The first, held by 50 percent of the respondents, is that they are extremely interested in visiting Saratoga County regardless of the messaging used, but respond especially positively to messages about dining, the outdoors and horse racing. The second group, made up of 25 percent of the respondents, is motivated by outdoor recreation, health and wellness, as well as arts, culture and history. And the third group, made up of 25 percent of respondents, is motivated by the “quintessential” Saratoga experience, which  includes arts, culture, history, dining, shopping and racing.

With the data from the survey, the chamber, along with the Saratoga County Reopening Advisory Group, has put together a digital ad campaign called “Feel The Freedom,” as well as a TV ad campaign showcasing all the county has to offer. “We incorporated a lot of the messaging and the motivation that came out of Ken and his team’s study from Mind Genomics,” Shimkus said in the press conference. “We’re showcasing our outdoor adventure—the lakes, the mountains, the parks, outdoor dining. With no fans at the track, no SPAC [and] no Live Nation, we are so thankful that we have so many other amenities here in Saratoga County that we know can help us attract visitors.”

It remains to be seen whether the 71 percent of respondents will, in fact, visit Saratoga County this year, and just how greatly the absence of tourists here for the track and SPAC will influence the local economy. (The estimated influx of revenue last year was some $237 million.) Seventy-one percent is a promising number, though. “I was surprised that so many people said ‘I plan on coming back to Saratoga again in six months,'” Rotondo says. “In the face of all this! You’re polling people that don’t even want to get out of their house, so that was pretty surprising.” If you need to get out of your house, it seems, Saratoga County is a pretty great place to go.

Capital Region Restaurants Temporarily Halt Dine-in Operations Due to New COVID-19 Concerns (Updated)

Natalie Moore
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Capital Region Restaurants Temporarily Halt Dine-in Operations Due to New COVID-19 Concerns (Updated)

After just a few weeks of offering outdoor and limited indoor dining, at least three Capital Region establishments have chosen to voluntarily close their doors due to renewed COVID-19 concerns. Wolff’s Biergarten, which has locations in Albany, Troy, Schenectady and Syracuse, was the first, posting a message from owner Matthew Baumgartner on social media on July 4, and Romo’s Pizza in Glenmont and Crave Burgers & Frozen Yogurt in Albany followed suit the next day. The announcements came just days after two Albany County restaurants—Philly’s Bar and Lounge and Delmonico’s Italian Steakhouse’s Latham location—closed temporarily because employees tested positive for the virus.

“The reason for closing temporarily is that bars do not feel safe right now,” Baumgartner wrote in his letter. “Its defining characteristic was as a fun, close social atmosphere, with people packed together and cheering for their favorite teams. That’s not possible now.” Each of the four Biergarten locations are known for long tables at which customers sit shoulder to shoulder. Baumgartner denied Saratoga Living‘s request for comment.

In similar fashion, Romo’s Pizza posted to its Facebook page on Sunday with this message: “After some serious thought and consideration, with the numbers beginning to rise again, like many other restaurants around the area, we also have decided that we will be putting a halt to our outdoor and indoor dining. We think this is what is best for our staff and patrons at this time.” Romo’s will continue to offer takeout, as it has been throughout the pandemic. “Obviously, with the other few restaurants coming out with employees testing positive for the coronavirus, we just thought that might become a trend throughout the area,” Romo’s owner Anthony Berhela told Saratoga Living. “In the end, we’d rather be safe than sorry and just do what we can do to make sure that everybody was safe inside and out until things slow down a bit.”

While New York is not seeing the rise in COVID-19 cases that states such as Florida and Arizona have experienced over the last couple of weeks, Albany County did see its largest single-day spike since June 4 on Thursday, when 14 new cases were reported. The spikes in other states have been partially attributed to communities lifting lockdown restrictions, and there is growing speculation that even though New York saw a massive surge of cases earlier in the pandemic, lifted restrictions could cause a second wave of infections.

Both the Biergarten and Romo’s social media posts were met with widespread support from the community. “Thank you for taking the health and safety of your staff and patrons seriously,” Facebook user Monica Shimkus Borden wrote on the Biergarten post. “I know that it would be much more profitable to stay open, but I appreciate your stance. We promise to frequent your establishment, once this passes and we are all safe – please do not give up on us!”

As of Monday afternoon, no Saratoga Springs restaurants have publicly announced that they’ll be closing for indoor or outdoor dining, though the pressures of keeping patrons socially distanced is being felt throughout the restaurant industry. “It’s definitely hard to keep people under control,” says Bailey’s co-owner Matthew Beecher. “Drunk people forget because it’s not second nature. Most people listen. You literally have to babysit, though.” Baumgartner agrees. “Within the last few weeks of being open, it is clear that many people just don’t follow the rules,” he wrote in his letter. “We’ve tried asking nicely and even firmly, but when people get excited and have been drinking, they either forget to follow the rules or they don’t care.”

HGTV Reveals the Town ‘Home Town Takeover’ Will Be Focused On…and It’s Not in Upstate New York

Will Levith
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HGTV Reveals the Town ‘Home Town Takeover’ Will Be Focused On…and It’s Not in Upstate New York

Unfortunately, Upstate New York, your small towns and villages just aren’t camera-ready enough for their reality TV debut. On July 2 (today), HGTV announced, after a months-long process, that it had chosen Wetumpka, AL, as the focus of its upcoming six-part Home Town spinoff series, Home Town Takeover.

To jog your memory, more than a dozen towns and villages in Upstate New York, including a number in the Capital Region, created videos and microsites to attempt to woo the producers of the popular cable channel to pick them. The New York towns/villages included: Albany County’s Ravena; Rensselaer County’s Hoosick Falls; Washington County’s Whitehall, Fort Edward, Cambridge and Salem; Fulton County’s Gloversville and Johnstown; Broome County’s Endicott; Erie County’s Angola and Evans; Delaware County’s Deposit; St. Lawrence County’s Massena; Cattaraugus County’s Franklinville; Franklin County’s Malone; Madison County’s Oneida; Chemung County’s Elmira; Oneida County’s Boonville; Orleans County’s Albion; Dutchess County’s Wappingers Falls; Ulster County’s Ellenville; and Herkimer County’s Little Falls.

The upcoming six-part spinoff series, which is set to air in 2021, will feature Home Town co-hosts Ben and Erin Napier, along with some special guests, making over the Alabama town. Wetumpka, which has a population of just 8,278, is in dire need of a proper makeover, and the Napiers are up to the task. “Ben and I often speak about our love of small town living and what that lifestyle means to people who live in one,” says Erin. “The people of Wetumpka know they have a small town worth saving, and now the world will see why this tight-knit community deserves a fresh start.” During the six-part spinoff, the Napiers will be renovating private residences, a public gathering space and several buildings that house small businesses in the town.

Wetumpka was chosen from among 500,000 photo and video submissions, which represent more than 2,600 towns across the United States. The Alabama town, located on the scenic Coosa River and known as “a city of natural beauty,” attracts tourists to its annual whitewater festival and to the Wetumpka Impact Crater, a six-mile-wide crater caused by an asteroid hit some 85 million years ago. Why Wetumpka? According to an HGTV rep, “Wetumpka’s submission successfully showcased the community’s collective desire to champion revitalization, highlighted the work they had already done to improve the town and telegraphed a collective spirit of excitement and optimism.”

Can’t wait for 2021? You’ll get to see Wetumpka residents receiving the good news in tonight’s HGTV special, Home Town: Small Town Salute, set to air at 8pm ET.

It’s unclear how the COVID-19 pandemic will affect the show’s filming—if at all. (It may have already occurred.) Per the latest data numbers, Alabama has nearly 40,000 COVID cases, with a total of 985 deaths. In recent weeks, following the state’s reopening, daily cases have skyrocketed.

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