Charlie Voelker

Those that have to toggle from one streaming service to the next to follow their favorite New York sports teams, cannot wait for more networks to provide Direct-To-Customer streams, known as DTC's. That means you don't have to subscribe to cable or any other streaming provider in order to watch your favorite team's games. Yankees fans, your day is coming!

New York State has some of the greatest varieties of fishing opportunities in the country. From world class fly fishing for trout to floating a worm off of a lake dock for crappie, the Empire State has plenty of cool places to drop-a-line! The Department of Environmental Conservation announced "Free Fishing Days" for 2023. The free days are sure to provide the awesome experience of being a New York State angler.

There are a lot of different animals in New York. I use the term "animal" literally and figuratively. However, one species has been missing from the vast terrain of the upper regions since the early 1900's, the wolf. The DEC notes that there are wolves in Wisconsin and Michigan but not in New York. Populations of the species do exist north of the empire state border in Canada.

On Monday, the New York Times announced that it had purchased the free word game that has become a daily obsession for millions. The specific price was not disclosed but it is understood to be in the low seven figures. That's a nice price for Josh Wardle, the Brooklyn software engineer that invented the game.

Monday was a big day for sports wagerers that reside in the State of New York. After watching the New York Racing Association successfully launch their mobile app and seeing their fellow enthusiasts in other states being able to bet on NFL games right from their phones, New Yorkers can finally join the party. On Monday New York State Gaming Commission gave the OK for 9 operators to launch mobile sports betting sites for the state.

Many of us go through our days looking to just get through the work hours. When they're over, it's on to the next few to call our own. What we do with those precious minutes often differs amongst most. Some focus on work goals, others personal accomplishments. The elite and the bold, at times the foolish, take on feats that have yet to be accomplished. It is amazing what people can do when they set their minds to something. What's even more amazing, is when people are able to physically conquer terrain faster than anyone else has. That's what Katherine Spector of Kent Cliffs in Putnam County, NY did on October 16th.

My perspective may be tainted from working in mid-major Division I college athletics for a long time. I do believe in free enterprise. However isn't high school, even more than college is about educating our youth enabling them to be better adults? Should we have a 14 year old thinking about making a profit on his or her basketball skills or using those abilities to help make their team better? I'm not sure there is a right or wrong answer with this one. I just know it begs a question.

I have to admit, naked anywhere except in my house isn't in weekend plans. Things could change, however, at this stage in the game, I doubt it. Now, some people have different plans for their weekend nakedness. According to Wendy Liberatore of the Times Union, hundreds plan to head to Howe Caverns for a naked romp beneath the earth on Saturday.

As you get deeper into August, the weekends get bigger at Saratoga Race Course. This weekend is no exception. Friday looks to be a terrific day at the Spa highlighted by the 8th running of the Tale of The Cat handicap. Saturday will feature two big stakes races, the 116th running of the Saratoga Special and the main event on Saturday, the Fourstardave Handicap. Chad Brown's Raging Bull will be the horse to beat in that one and Sunday is the first giveaway of the year featuring the Saratoga Cooler Bag. Giveaways are limited, so come early.

The Tampa Bay Lightning came ready to play. The New York Islanders let them. It was a blow out from the start as the Bolts Captain Steven Stamkos scored his first goal of the series just :45 seconds into the game. Tampa Bay stormed out to a 3-0 lead in the first period and never looked back. The Islanders had their chances to make it 3-1 but Andrei Vasileskiy was his amazing self and stifled any of New York’s attempts.