The "HOPE" Issue by Capital Region Living

THE HO P E ISSUE IN B LO O M

APRIL 2020

CA P ITA L R EG IO N LIV IN G

CRL

CAPITAL REGION LIVING @crlmagazine | crlmag.com

THE HEART OF THE EMPIRE STATE

A P R IL 2020

Hope The

SPOTLIG

& Hudson E

•P

5 PICTURESQUE TOWNS TO VISIT (WHEN YOU CAN)

BRIGHTEN YOUR HOME WITH WINDOWSILL HERB GARDENS & MORE

@crlmagazine

QUARANTINE QUESTION: WILL THE TULIPS STILL BLOOM?

CI T

Issue

E AT • S L E

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inside APRIL 2020

Cover Story

W ILL THE T ULI P S STIL L BLO O M? BY NATALIE MOORE LAURIE KNAPP

photography by

THE S ECRE TS O F T HE WAV E HILL PUBLI C GARD EN BY BARBARA PINCKNEY

NOT YO UR GARD EN VAR IET Y D EST I NAT I O NS BY BARBARA PINCKNEY

C IT Y S POT LI GHT: HUD SO N

BY WILL LEVITH

‘ THE DON’ AND DALÍ BY VIKKI MORAN The Grateful Traveler

8 U P FR O N T 5 (DAY ) D R E A MY ROAD T R I P DEST I N AT I O NS 10 CRL ’ S G U I D E T O SOCIAL DISTANCING

BY NATALIE MOORE

48 BEFORE YOU GO A DIFFERENT LOVE STORY BY JOHN GRAY

ADVERTISING SECTIONS

OUTDOORS: JOEY GRECO SOUL: SANDY MENZER LIFE: HEATHER JABLONSKI

15 WOMEN’S WELLNESS 30 HOME & GARDEN 42 SPRING GETAWAYS

The Experts 8

47 PLAY: CROSSWORD

ON THE COVER Albany Tulip Festival photographed by courtney v photography. Shot on location at Washington Park in Albany, NY.

Savory Springtime Breakfast

Packed with 10 g of protein with only 100 calories per serving!

Crustless Vegetable Quiche SERVES 6 Ingredients: 6

Large eggs

2 Tbsp. Hannaford 1% Lowfat Milk 2 Tbsp. Stonyfield® Organic 0% Fat Plain Greek Yogurt 1/4 tsp. McCormick® Coarse Ground Black Pepper 1/2 cup Cabot® Lite50 Sharp Cheddar, shredded 1/2 cup Fresh Express® Baby Spinach, chopped 1 cup

Asparagus (thin asparagus stalks work best)

Optional: 1/2 cup meatless grounds, such as Quorn™, Lightlife™ or Gardein™, cooked according to package directions. Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9-inch pie plate with cooking spray. 2. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, yogurt and pepper. 3. Stir in the cheese, chopped spinach and optional meatless grounds. Carefully pour the egg mixture into the pie plate.

Think veggies are tough to fit in at breakfast? Think again! This crustless quiche uses two vegetables – baby spinach and asparagus – and an optional plant-based protein source. Rich in flavor and packed with nutrients, this crustless quiche makes a healthy and savory springtime breakfast!

4. To prepare asparagus, bend each stalk until woody end naturally snaps. Discard the tough ends and chop remaining asparagus into 2-inch pieces. 5. Sprinkle asparagus pieces evenly over the top of the egg mixture. 6. Bake for 30 minutes, or until the center is set. Allow to cool 2 to 3 minutes before slicing. Enjoy!

simply healthy from your Hannaford Dietitians Have questions about your health? Our team of registered dietitians offer free nutritional services online and in-store. Visit hannaford.com/dietitians to find out more.

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Nutritional Information: (optional ingredient not included) Amount per serving: Calories 100; Fiber 1 g; Total Fat 6 g; Saturated Fat 2.5 g; Cholesterol 190 mg; Sodium 150 mg; Sugar 1 g; Protein 10 g; Carbohydrate 2 g

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APRIL 2020 | CRLMAG.COM | 5

From The Editors

Make Plans for April Break!

LOOKING AHEAD

SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR EXTENDED DAYS & HOURS

COURTNEY V PHOTOGRAPHY

o one could have predicted when we planned out this issue of CAPITAL REGION LIVING—touting so many carefree “spring getaways”—that it’d be coming out at such a trying, scary time. At press time, leisure travel is almost entirely forbidden, an impossible dream as we sit isolated in our homes. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the editorial team here at CRL had many (virtual) discussions about switching up the theme of the issue at the last minute, since many of the destinations featured couldn’t be enjoyed at the present moment. Could we find the right way to still celebrate all of these wonderful places, most right here in our Capital Region? We are a community full of magic, of beautiful places tended to by amazing people. So our team decided to go ahead and share and applaud all of those stories, even if experiencing them has been put on hold for now. When we get to the other side of this, it will be more important than ever to support the towns, villages, cities and their businesses featured in these pages. Save our stories on road trips (page 8), Hudson (page 26) and Florida’s Salvador Dalí Museum and Don CeSar hotel (page 40) for later. Got a green thumb? If (indoor) gardening is keeping your spirits up, find inspiration from Albany City Gardener Jessica Morgan (page 16) and plant a skincare-rejuvenating herb garden (page 46). While you’re stuck indoors social distancing, enjoy this issue, tend to your flock and, most importantly, plan for the day this is all over. The world will be waiting. —The Editors

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5 (Day) Dreamy Road Trip Destinations

CRL

UP FRONT

The COVID-19 Outbreak—And The ‘Social Distancing’ That Comes With It—Will Have To End Sometime. » When the pandemic’s over, celebrate with a visit to one of these picturesque towns. «

Burlington, VT

Vergennes, VT

BURLINGTON GREENWAY

BUTTON BAY STATE PARK

Burlington is Vermont’s largest city and home to some of the state’s hippest restaurants, bars, boutiques and cultural centers.

645 Pine St., Burlington Walk, bike or skate along the shore of beautiful Lake Champlain on this downtown path.

SHELBURNE MUSEUM

6000 Shelburne Rd., Shelburne View 150,000 eclectic pieces of Americana housed in unique buildings such as a 220-foot steamboat and an old schoolhouse.

MAGIC HAT BREWING COMPANY

5 Bartlett Bay Rd., South Burlington Top off your busy day of sightseeing with an ice-cold beer at Magic Hat Brewery.

BY MORGAN FECHTER

Forty minutes south of Burlington is Vergennes, a quaint New England town that has everything you need for a relaxing getaway.

5 Button Bay State Park, Vergennes Feeling outdoorsy? Pack a tent and spend the night at Button Bay State Park, or hike one of its many familyfriendly trails.

LU LU ICE CREAM

185 Main St., Vergennes Offering homemade artisan flavors such as White Chocolate Lavender and Lemon Verbena, Lu Lu Ice Cream is the perfect spot to cool off on a warm afternoon.

MOUNT PHILO

5425 Mt Philo Rd., Charlotte Make the short hike or drive to the

Mount Philo summit of Mount Philo to enjoy panoramic views of the Adirondacks and Champlain Valley.

Utica, NY

Just 90 minutes from the Capital Region, Utica offers a taste of good old-fashioned Mohawk Valley charm.

SARANAC BREWERY

830 Varick St., Utica Quench your thirst and brush up on American history at Saranac Brewery, the fourth-oldest family-owned brewery in the United States.

MUNSON-WILLIAMS-PROCTOR ARTS INSTITUTE

310 Genessee St., Utica Join the glut of visitors to this wonderful art museum, which has featured works by Jackson Pollock, Edward Hopper, Salvador Dalí and Pablo Picasso. Shelburne Museum

8 | CAPITAL REGION LIVING | APRIL 2020

UTICA ZOO

1 Utica Zoo Way, Utica Get up close and personal with dozens of animals, including African lions, camels and zebras.

Ithaca, NY

Ithaca is more than just a college town: The area’s vibrant cultural scene and natural beauty keep visitors venturing to it year round.

ITHACA FARMERS MARKET

Steamboat Landing, 545 3rd St., Ithaca Bring a reusable bag and stock up on fresh produce and artisan creations from Ithaca locals, all while enjoying the beautiful Cayuga Inlet waterfront.

BUTTERMILK FALLS STATE PARK

106 E Buttermilk Falls Rd., Ithaca Take a dip in the natural pool at the base of Buttermilk Falls, or enjoy a hike on one of the park’s five trails.

ITHACA FALLS

Pack a picnic and watch these impressive falls, located just outside Downtown Ithaca, cascade 150 feet to Cayuga Lake.

GAFFER DISTRICT

114 Pine St., Corning Stroll through the cultural center of Downtown Corning to learn more about the city of Corning’s rich history, or grab a bite to eat at one of the Gaffer District’s many restaurants.

THE ROCKWELL MUSEUM

111 Cedar Street, Corning Discover an array of works by significant American artists (Andy Warhol!) and view an extensive collection of Native American art and artifacts at this Smithsonian-affiliated museum.

Corning, NY

Affectionately known as the “Crystal City,” Corning proudly celebrates its history of glassmaking, attracting visitors with a charming mix of past and present.

CORNING MUSEUM OF GLASS

1 Museum Way, Corning View the world’s largest collection of glass, participate in a glassblowing demonstration and learn more about Corning’s most important industry at this one-of-a-kind museum.

(from top): Utica Zoo, The Rockwell Museum and Ithaca Falls.

APRIL 2020 | CRLMAG.COM | 9

Events Calendar » CRL’s

guide to staying busy while social distancing

In lieu of our traditional arts and entertainment calendar, we’re offering you a slew of opportunities to pass the time while you’re stuck at home.

BY NATALIE MOORE

each class, and all classes remain on Facebook, so that you can play them whenever you want to. For more info, search “Kids Live Cupcake Class—Every Wednesday at 10am” on Facebook.

OTSEGO COUNTY Many libraries across the region are calling attention to their e-book offerings in light of their closing, and the Village Library of Cooperstown is no exception. The library’s Download Zone is available 24/7 for library card holders and offers e-books and audiobooks downloadable to any smart device. For more info, visit libraries.4cls.org/cooperstown.

TAKE UP A HOBBY Stuck at home on the weekend with nothing to do because of the outbreak? It’s the perfect time to learn a new skill or return to an old hobby. A great place to start would be contributor Judi Stone’s recent story, “Got Paint? Breathe New Life Into Your Tired Furniture,” which published in CAPITAL REGION LIVING’s February 2020 issue. Go to crlmag.com to give it a read. Or try any number of the options below.

GET OUTSIDE On March 20, just before press time, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo ordered residents to stay home as much as possible, with the exception of “solitary exercise” outside. Here are a few ways to enjoy the great outdoors around the region.

ALBANY COUNTY Paint and sip from the comfort of your own home. The Latham Painting With A Twist studio is now offering “Twist at Home” kits, available for roadside pickup at the New Loudon Road location. Each kit comes with everything you need to make a beautiful piece of art—a canvas, paint, brushes, an apron and printed instructions—as well as a $5 gift certificate for use on another class. For more info, visit paintingwithatwist.com.

RENSSELAER COUNTY Just because you can’t leave your house, doesn’t mean you can’t look your best (or, at least learn how to look your best). Troy-based makeup artist Natalie Dekermendijian is offering a variety of makeup lessons, from full glamour sessions and one-on-one consultations to “Get Ready In 10”

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FULTON COUNTY tutorials and topic-specific mini sessions, all via live chat. Find her on Instagram at @dekedout_makeup or email her at dekedoutmakeup@gmail.com for more info.

SARATOGA COUNTY Learn to bake from a true master of the craft. Jennifer Gates, executive pastry chef, manager and cake designer at Clifton Park’s Dolce and Biscotti, is going live on Facebook every Wednesday at 10am for as long as kids are out of school, to offer free cupcake-baking demonstrations. She posts a list of ingredients and supplies needed before

Located just south of the Adirondack Park line in the town of Johnstown is Peck Hill State Forest, a nearly 3000acre property spanning miles of wetland. The 1.5-mile Willie Marsh Nature Trail is its main attraction, as its boardwalks traverse marshes and open water, and its viewing platform offers unparalleled views of a section of nature that would otherwise remain unseen by human eyes. For more info, visit dec.ny.gov.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY What better way to pass the time, by your lonesome, than fishing? Montgomery County is home to countless bountiful fishing spots, made more accessible

Events Calendar CONTINUED

by development around the Erie Canal. Check out the stretch of river from Lock 13 to Lock 16 for carp, perch and bass fishing, and Schoharie Creek above Lock 12 for bass and walleye fishing. For more info, visit montgomerycountyny.com.

THE BERKSHIRES Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is 1000-plus acres of forest, meadow and wetland located in Lenox, MA. Home to many beavers, whose dams, dens and lodges are visible from seven miles of walking trails, Pleasant Valley’s offerings include the 30- to 40-minute Pike’s Pond Trail Loop, the one-hour Beaver Lodge Trails Loop and the strenuous, twohour Trail of the Ledges Loop. While all Pleasant Valley buildings and programs are cancelled, visitors are still invited to walk the trails, as long as they keep a distance of at least six feet from others. For more info, visit massaudubon.org.

WWW.MACHAYDNTHEATRE.ORG FOR INFORMATION & TICKETS (518) 392-9292 1925 ROUTE 203, CHATHAM, NY

MAY 21–31

JUNE 4–14

JUNE 18–28

JULY 2–19

JULY 23–AUGUST 2

AUGUST 6–16

AUGUST 20–SEPTEMBER 6

SEPTEMBER 5, 12:00 PM

ORDER FOOD Many local restaurants are struggling after being forced to close their doors. Help support them by picking up takeout. Some might even deliver your food straight to your front door or gate. Be sure to tip.

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Events Calendar CONTINUED

SCHENECTADY COUNTY The Town of Glenville celebrated its first “Take Out Week” from March 22-29, with many local restaurants offering meals for $18.20 (in honor of the year the town was founded). But just because Take Out Week is over, doesn’t mean the restaurants don’t still need your support. Order takeout from restaurants including Glenville Queen Diner, TJ’s Flightline, Marcella’s Restaurant, Carm’s Restaurant, Pizza Works and many more. For more info, visit townofglenville.org.

COLUMBIA COUNTY While most regularly scheduled events throughout the region have been cancelled or postponed, the Hudson Flag Day Bar-B-Que is still on for Saturday, April 4. A $12 ticket, which must be purchased in advance, will get you half a chicken, a baked potato, corn, coleslaw and a roll, and dinners can be picked up at the Hudson Elks Lodge at 201 Harry Howard Ave. For more info, visit hudsonflagdayparade.org.

SEE A SHOW That’s right: Just because concert and performance venues are closed, it doesn’t mean you have to miss out on all the art and culture coming to the region—or that’s already here.

SARATOGA COUNTY Saratoga Springs’ Caffè Lena already had a live digital feed for its regular programming schedule. So, it was an easy transition to streaming in the era of COVID-19. The historic venue is now offering “Stay Home Sessions,” or livestreamed shows on its YouTube channel. At press time, Stay Home Sessions, with performers such as Warden & Co. and Let’s Be Leonard, were scheduled through March 27, with more show announcements on the way. For more info, visit caffelena.org.

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At SEFCU we believe that success, results, and progress happen when you become part of than yourself.

something bigger

Stay Home Session: The Useless Cans

SCHENECTADY COUNTY Schenectady’s Mopco Improv Theatre, often voted the Capital Region’s best comedy venue, is another hot spot making use of the web during the COVID-19 pandemic. While all intheater shows at the Jay Street space are cancelled, Mopco’s Owner/Artistic Director Michael Burns is hosting regular streaming shows on his YouTube Channel, Michael Burns Mopco. For more info, visit mopco.org.

JOIN US TODAY and be part of something big!

TAKE AN ONLINE FITNESS CLASS All gyms have been shuttered due to COVID-19, so many are offering digital means to stay mentally and physically healthy. Here are a few online classes you can take at home, offered by Capital Region fitness businesses.

800-727-3328 | sefcu.com

ALBANY COUNTY Colonie-based fitness instructor Liz Filippone of The Mindfully Fit Ninja is taking her classes, which include yoga, BarreFlow and cardio/strength and conditioning, digital. Those interested can pay $15 via Venmo for 30 days of classes and will be added to a Facebook group where Filippone will be live streaming one to two classes per day. All you need is Wi-Fi, a smart device and yoga mat. For more info, visit lizsfilippone.com.

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Events Calendar

RENSSELAER COUNTY Troy Dance Factory, a dance school located on River Street, has begun to live stream all its classes in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. Additionally,it launched a Social Distance Dance Series that beginner to expert dancers from all over the world can participate in, featuring improv dance classes accompanied by local musicians. Such acoustic improv

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classes are only $5, but attendees are encouraged to donate more, as 75 percent of donations go directly to the performers, many of whom have recently found themselves out of work. Visit troydancefactory.com for more info.

MULTIPLE LOCATIONS Other area gyms, including Vent Fitness

(Clifton Park/Guilderland/Latham/ Niskayuna), Metabolic Meltdown (Green Island/Colonie/Clifton Park), the YMCA (multiple locations), anatomie (Troy), Schenectady Crossfit (Schenectady), Anytime Fitness (various locations) and many more are also offering online classes or workout plans to members. Visit your gymâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website to learn more about its e-workout offerings.

WOMEN’S WELLNESS Advertising Section

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We Have An Announcement

WE HAD TO KNOW! SO WE ASKED ALBANY CITY GARDENER JESSICA MORGAN: IF EVERYTHING’S CANCELLED… WILL THE TULIPS STILL BLOOM? B Y N ATA L I E M O O R E

his spring is shaping up to be a doozy for Capital Region residents—and the world at large. With offices, schools and businesses closed, and major, longscheduled events (see: Coachella and

the Kentucky Derby) either cancelled or postponed, this season certainly isn’t providing warm weather wishers with much by way of joy and excitement.

Popping up amid all the doom and gloom? Tulips. At

press time, the highly anticipated 72nd Annual Albany Tulip Festival in Washington Park was still on for May 9 and 10, so

CAPITAL REGION LIVING caught up with one of the people most instrumental in making the Mother’s Day weekend event a success: Jessica Morgan, the Albany City Gardener. The best news? Morgan informed us that even if the Tulip Fest’s festivities are cancelled (we’re crossing our fingers that they aren’t), the flowers will still bloom. That’s right: All the tulips in Washington Park were planted last fall, so regardless of the status of the festival, they’ll be showing off their stunning petals in no time. If a tulip blooms in a park and no one is around to see it, is it still beautiful? Yes. Unequivocally, yes.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY

LAURIE KNAPP

Explain what you do as Albany City Gardener. I’m responsible for the care and maintenance of more than 200 gardens; a staff of 2 full-time, year-round employees; a city-owned and -operated greenhouse; and the planning and planting of more than 187,000 spring bulbs and 200,000 annual summer flowers; as well as the care of perennials, tropical plants and 300 hanging baskets. What’s the status of Albany’s 72nd Annual Tulip Fest, now that many events in the Capital Region have been either cancelled or postponed? Currently, everything is in limbo. Tulip Fest is still on but will be re-evaluated due to the state of the COVID-19 outbreak. When do you start preparing for Albany Tulip Festival? This will sound strange, I guess, but I start planning for the next year’s Tulip Festival while the current one is going on. I pay careful attention to which tulips are getting attention from festivalgoers. I’ll walk the grounds and make decisions on which varieties to bring back the following year, then research what’s new in the market and choose a few new varieties. When giving my tulip tours

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each spring I usually say, “Tulips are like fashion: One day you’re in and the next you’re out.” Often, a certain variety that’s been in the market for years as a staple can have a bad growing year and will be limited. That usually opens up new opportunities for us to try new bulbs. Where do the Tulip Fest tulips come from? The City of Albany gets its tulip bulbs straight from the Netherlands. Each October, all the bulbs are shipped by boat to ports in New York City or New Jersey, and then are shipped by truck up to us. We take about a week to sort them, label them, plan a bit and finally start planting. All of the bulbs that festival goers see each year—all 90,000 in Washington Park—were planted between mid-October and late November the previous year. There are roughly 40,000 muscari in the park and 90,000 tulips, plus a smattering of daffodils, hyacinths, species tulips, allium and fritillaria. None of the tulips in bloom are grown off site and transplanted for the festival. If a particular bed passes its prime, the stems are pruned, the leaves are left on, and we move on. We have several ways of planting this many bulbs, including,

when beds are in need of soil, laying out the 1500-2500 bulbs per bed and covering them with new soil. We can use up to 40 yards of topsoil a year. What’s the hardest part about making Tulip Fest happen? Honestly, the stress in the spring. I mean, planting is hard work, and we’re under pressure to get the bulbs in the ground in a certain amount of time, but that’s a known factor and part of the job. But the spring is when I really stress and start to worry about the weather and the spring thaw, as well as any damage that might’ve occurred over the winter or from the temperatures rising too quickly and pushing the tulips to grow and bloom earlier than normal. Are there any surprises coming to the festival this year? This year, if Tulip Fest happens, we have a few small surprises in store, including a garden where you can walk in and sit down in a chair, so that you can take a photo among the tulips, as well as some new varieties that are sure to catch the eye. We also have plans in store for the 75th anniversary, which is approaching quickly…it may involve an additional 50,000 tulips!

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The Secrets Of The Wave Hill Public Garden

homas Christopher was a student at the School of Professional Horticulture at the New York Botanical Garden when he first discovered Wave Hill in the Bronx. Once a private estate that hosted the likes of Theodore Roosevelt and Mark Twain, it had since been turned into a

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heavenly public garden. He recalls his amazement the first time he walked through its gate, hidden in a crowded residential neighborhood, and found himself in the middle of 28 acres of lush gardens with

BY BARBARA PINCKNEY

sweeping views of the Hudson River on one side and the striking Palisades on the other “It is really like you are merged into another world.” In the ensuing years, Christopher visited Wave Hill many times; it was often his first stop when hosting wide-eyed newcomers to the city. It also became a source of inspiration for his own work. Not only was it beautiful, but it was also daring and innovative, a labor of love that revolutionized American gardening and continues to break new ground more than 50 years after its opening in 1967. This is why Timber Press chose Christopher—who eventually developed a bad back and was making his living writing about gardens instead of growing them—to pen the definitive book about historical estates and botanical gardens. “They wanted someone who knew the garden and would write not just an appreciation of it, but also what you could learn from it,” he said. “I wanted to say what was relevant about Wave Hill.” Enter Nature into Art: The Gardens of Wave Hill, the result of Christopher and photographer Ngoc Minh Ngo spending 18 months with the gardeners of Wave Hill, learning their secrets as the property moved through the seasons. (Because Wave Hill is a public garden, it was planned to be appealing and interesting year round.) The book is at once instructional and inspirational, putting the ethereal beauty of Wave Hill within reach of the average gardener while preserving the sense of wonder that comes from a visit. To learn more about Christopher, listen to his podcast, Growing Greener, or visit thomaschristophergardens.com.

CREDIT FOR INSET HEADSHOT: OLIVIA DRAKE

‘Nature into Art’ explores one of New York City’s hidden (garden) gems.

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Visiting Olana is, quite deliberately, like entering into one of Frederic Church’s paintings.

Not Your Garden Variety Destinations

Olana and Yaddo are spring day trips that are all about the nature.

» BY BARBARA PINCKNEY «

f you believe nature is a form of artistry, it shouldn’t surprise you that two of the most beautiful places to enjoy Mother Nature’s handiwork in and around the Capital Region are closely tied to the world of art. Just outside of Hudson is the Olana State Historic Site, the home and creation of renowned landscape artist Frederic Church. An hour and change north, in Saratoga Springs, lies the Yaddo estate, an artists’ retreat with ten acres of gardens open to the public. Both are National Historic Landmarks dating back to the 1800s, and neither have lost their allure or ability to make visitors feel at peace and at one with nature. Let’s explore them together.

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ANDY WAINWRIGHT

Olana State Historic Site

Frederic Church, a central figure in the Hudson River School of American landscape painters, created Olana over the course of 40 years, turning 250 acres of farmland and swampland into one of his greatest masterpieces. He and his wife, Isabel, raised four children on what they called “The Farm.” “He reshaped this environment into his vision of Eden,” says Sean Sawyer, the Washburn and Susan Oberwager president of the Olana Partnership, the nonprofit organization that manages and preserves the estate in a public-private partnership with New York State. “He said he was ‘living at the center of the world 30 miles south of Albany.’” Visiting Olana is, quite deliberately, like entering into one of Church’s paintings. As you walk the five miles of carriage roads, which Church laid out as his last piece of work at Olana, Sawyer encourages you to keep in mind that they were designed by an artist and to “walk with his eyes,” thinking about the trees he planted, the rocks he blasted and the retaining walls he built along the 10acre lake he dug by hand. “He used the carriage roads to create [a path shaped] almost like a central nervous system to get you from point A to points B, C and D,” Sawyer says. “And all of those points are very carefully sculpted views that he planned up.” Church was known for creating panoramic views on canvas, and he did the same with Olana. From the top of the hill, for example, you can see as far as the Berkshires to the Green Mountains to the Catskills and down the Hudson River to the Hudson Highlands, taking in parts of three states. Another spot, in front of the Main House, looks down the Hudson river to the Hudson islands and allows you to see east and west at the same time—making it a perfect vantage point from which to take in either the sunrise or sunset. Just as inspiring are the more intimate views Church created. One of Sawyer’s favorite strolls is up the road from the old farmhouse the Churches first called home. You walk through trees, weaving

your way along a carefully plotted path until you come across a switchback that slopes gently upward to the top of the hill and the Main House. “It’s like playing pin-the-tail-on-thedonkey,” he says. “You are spinning around in the forest and all of a sudden your blindfold is removed, and you see the Main House, and it is really this wonderfully dramatic reveal.” This is something else for which Church was known. He was fond of pulling back the curtain to reveal his latest masterpiece to a stunned audience. “It was like performance art,” Sawyer says, “and that is what you get here, in 3-D, in your landscape walks.” The Churches built the Main House in 1872 after 18 months spent tracing the roots of Christianity in the Middle East. It’s a unique mixture of Victorian architectural elements and Middle Eastern decorative motifs, with some Mexican and Jewish symbolism thrown in. The name Olana, which first appeared written “Olâna,” as the heading of a letter written by Isabel, is said to be “the old Latin name for a place in Persia.” Before you get to the Main House, you pass through an English-style border garden maintained to bloom through the long season. “It is embedded in the entrance approach to the Main House, so you are intended by the Churches to see it as an object there, but it is hidden by a wonderful retaining wall that gives it that long season,” Sawyer says. “From the house, it preserves the view of all this natural wilderness. But when you are down there along the walk, you are able to go through these beautiful flower gardens.”

One of the most remarkable things about the flower garden is the hummingbirds. Olana is home to more than 140 species of birds, and it’s been called a birdwatcher’s paradise— although Sawyer says that the highlight is most definitely the plethora of hummingbirds. Speaking of hummingbirds, they’ll feature heavily in a major exhibition that is scheduled to run from May 9 through November 1 at both Olana and the Thomas Cole National Historic Site, which is located across the river in Catskill. As a young man, Church studied under Cole, who founded the Hudson River School of painting. The exhibition, entitled The Cross Pollination: Heade, Cole, Church, and Our Contemporary Moment, celebrates the two artists, along with Church’s friend Martin Johnson Heade, who was known for painting hummingbirds in their natural environment. Those paintings, called “The Gems of Brazil,” will be on display at both Olana and the Thomas Cole house. Visitors can cross the mile-long Hudson River Skywalk to get from one site to the other. Sawyer says that viewing the main exhibit requires a ticket, although visitors can wander the grounds of Olana and see works by contemporary artists for free. As a New York State park, Olana is open to the public 365 days a year from dawn to dusk. (At press time, state parks were still open, but Olana’s public tours and programs were suspended due to COVID-19.) You can also download a free digital tour to take on your own (don’t worry; the park has Wi-fi). The grounds aren’t only for art lovers; visitors are welcome to use the grounds to run, hike, cross-country ski, walk their dogs or otherwise enjoy themselves. Yoga classes are available from the spring through the fall, and “Mommy and Me” yoga and fitness hikes have just been introduced. Sawyer’s one piece of advice to visitors: If you want to visit the popular Main House, book your tour in advance to avoid disappointment. One recent Sunday saw 150 people turned away from the Main House because of overcrowding.

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Although the Yaddo mansion and a wide expanse of grounds are private and limited to its artist guests, the estate’s ten acres of gardens are free and open to the public year-round.

The Yaddo Gardens

Yaddo was the country estate of financier Spencer Trask and his wife, Katrina, a poet and playwright. The couple moved onto the property, formerly the site of a Revolutionary War-era tavern and gristmill, in 1881. When their home burned down a decade later, they rebuilt the Queen Anne Revival Mansion that stands on the grounds today. The Corporation of Yaddo was founded in 1900 when the Trasks, who had no heirs—their four children had all tragically passed away—bequeathed their fortune to the establishment of a residency program for artists. They wanted Yaddo to be a place of “rest and refreshment [for] authors, painters, sculptors, musicians and other artists

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both men and women, few in number but chosen for their creative gifts.” The first group of guests arrived in 1926. Today, Yaddo each year hosts more than 200 artists from all over the world. (It is currently temporary closed due to the COVID-19 crisis.) Notable residents have included James Baldwin, Leonard Bernstein, Truman Capote, Aaron Copland, Sylvia Plath and Saul Bellow. Although the Yaddo Mansion and a wide expanse of grounds are private and limited to its artist guests, the estate’s ten acres of gardens are free and open to the public year-round, just as the Trasks wanted. Spencer gave the gardens to Katrina as a gift in 1899. There are two distinct gardens, both unique in style and influence—and

designed completely by the Trasks. The couple based the Rose Garden on classical gardens they had seen on their trips to Europe. It has a central fountain and is overlooked by terraces, a balcony and a rose-covered pergola the length of a football field. On the balcony is a sundial on which is carved one of Katrina Trask’s better-known poems: Time is Too slow for those who wait Too swift for those who fear Too long for those who grieve Too short for those who rejoice But for those who Love Time is Eternity Visitors enter the Rose Garden through an iron grill gate bearing the Trasks’ initials. Once inside, they see four

PHOTOS COURTESY OF YADDO

asymmetrical beds of roses in a variety of colors. Along the garden’s eastern edge are Italian marble statues representing the four seasons. In a nearby clearing is another statue, sculpted in 1900 by William Ordway Partridge as a “memorial to the children of the house.” It portrays a youth in medieval attire, raising his arm toward the sky. The youth’s name, Christalan, combines the names of two of the Trask children, Christina and Alan, and was used for the hero of an epic poem Katrina had written. All four of the Trask children’s names are carved in the base of the statue, which is surrounded with white myrtle to symbolize innocence. “Spencer and Katrina Trask were great experimentalists, and though they integrated formal influences, the Rose Garden design is exceptionally original,” says Catherine Kelley, vice president of branding and strategic initiatives for the Corporation of Yaddo. “Katrina said the garden was not to be distinctly Italian nor French nor English. It was to be Yaddo.” The adjoining Rock Garden features a fountain and a woodland of trees

surrounded by blooming perennials and shade flowers. The overall landscape reflects the Japanese influences that were fashionable at the turn of the 20th century, although some statues represent figures from Greek mythology. The dolomite rocks came from Spencer Trask’s own quarry. There are two terraces within the Rock Garden—each with a pool and spray fountain— connected by a stream. Paths meander through both of the gardens and the surrounding woodland. “Together, the Rose Garden and Rock Garden combine the formal and the free, the poetic and the idyllic, human art and nature,” Kelley says. “Katrina wanted her garden to be a garden of delight, a garden of romance—perhaps an expression of her own life and ideals.” The gardens are maintained by the Yaddo Garden Association, an organization made up entirely of volunteers. The group was formed in 1991, to save the gardens from the effects of 100 years of Upstate New York weather, as well as incidents of vandalism and theft. Its efforts have

been highly successful. Today, the Yaddo Gardens are among the most popular attractions in Saratoga and receive more than 60,000 visitors annually. They’re open every day from dawn to dusk, except on Saratoga Race Course’s Travers Day in late August, as Yaddo is adjacent to the racetrack. Anyone is welcome to stroll the gardens on his or her own, at no charge, but those who want to join a tour—including ghost tours on fall evenings—must pay $10. Kelley describes the gardens as a “peaceful, beautiful place all year round.” She explains that winter brings “the quiet of a snow-filled landscape,” and the four marble statues representing the seasons are housed in transparent coverings so they can still be seen. Not surprisingly, however, most visitors come between April and October, with the peak blooming season of course being the summer months. The roses begin to bloom in midJune and reach their peak between about the third week of June and the end of July, and then again in mid-to-late August. The Rock Garden is in bloom from mid-June through mid-September.

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As soon as it’s safe out there again, rev up the local economy by hitting up The Friendly City’s top hotels, restaurants, clubs, bars and more.

BY WILL LEVITH

Throughout this year, CAPITAL REGION LIVING magazine will be focusing in on different cities in and around the Capital Region. We’ll take you on a tour of all the top restaurants, bars, clubs and hotels in town—as well as introduce you to some of the city’s most memorable residents. This month, we’re taking a closer look at The Friendly City, Hudson, NY.

STAY WM. FARMER AND SONS Wm. Farmer and Sons is basically its own tiny city within the City of Hudson, sporting a restaurant with full dinner menu that sides on the inventive (see: Snail Lasagna) and bar, which includes everything from cocktails and rum flights to an array of low/zero-proof drinks. But the true belle of the ball is Wm. Farmer and Sons’ hotel, divvied into three distinct sections: The Merchant House, which sports five rooms and a secluded back garden; the main building, a 1830s Mansard-style building, with seven guest rooms and suites directly above the restaurant and bar; and four annexed suites, which are roomier and perfect for extended stays (like, if you turned a three-day weekend into Hudson house-hunting).

RIVERTOWN LODGE For those interested in a cozy, retro vibe, The Rivertown Lodge, which served as a movie theater from 1928 to 1958 and then a motel, is just what the doctor ordered. Its 27 rooms, which range from about $200$500 per night, each come equipped with Papillionaire bikes to borrow for cruising around town. Social butterfly types can congregate in the Lodge’s open-plan lobby, and the hotel also includes an artisanal souvenir store; screened-in porches for cocktail hour; and a 24-hour pantry offering locally sourced snacks and beverages.

(opposite)Live Music Venue Club Helsinki Comfort Food Haven; (above) 225 Warren Bar & Grill

EAT SWOON KITCHENBAR

goods from Ghent, NY’s Bartlett House Bakery. If that weren’t enough, The Maker will be opening its own hotel in May.

There’s literally no way you’ll walk out of Swoon Kitchenbar without wanting to get down on one knee and propose marriage to its deep menu, packed to the hilt with skillfully prepared dishes made with farm-fresh veggies and grains, with standouts such as Crispy Sweetbreads and Grilled Bluefish. And now you can have a throuple: Swoon has a sister restaurant, Le Perche, which serves French fare and has a wood-burning bakery to boot. Très bon!

225 WARREN BAR & GRILL

THE MAKER

PLAY

Hudson is 2.5 hours from the bright lights of Manhattan—and 5-10 additional minutes, depending on traffic, from the trendy bits of Brooklyn—and The Maker, which sits on the city’s shopper’s-paradise main drag, Warren Street, captures the Big Apple vibe to a tee. It’s actually a four-inone deal: The Maker’s restaurant boasts a mouthwatering, four-dollar-sign menu of expertly crafted fare; its cocktail lounge, which sits inside a 19th-century carriage house, a menu of whimsically monikered concoctions and small plates; and its café, a battery of breakfast items, sandwiches and salads, as well as to-die-for baked

It should be a requirement that every city has at least one restaurant-bar where you can get comfort food—Reubens, French dips and BLTs—and a tall pint of beer, stiff drink or mocktail, if that’s what you prefer. 225 Warren Bar & Grill is that exact place for Hudson, and thankfully, it doesn’t have the usual sports bar aesthetic: It has a trendier look, so you’ll feel hip even if you’re drowning your sorrows in suds.

CLUB HELSINKI One of the top music venues north of New York City, Club Helsinki has made a name for itself booking the best in folk, alternative country and indie rock since the late 1990s. (Past masters have included everyone from Yo La Tengo and Ralph Stanley to late legends Levon Helm and Pete Seeger.) It’s not just about amps and guitars, though: Club Helsinki also has a restaurant, popular with couples; and an events space, if any of those couples decide to, in the sage words of Beyoncé, “put a ring on it.”

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With the craft beer industry booming up and down the East Coast, it makes sense that Hudson would have its own brewer extraordinaire. That would be Hudson Brewing Company, which features a rotating cast of beers in its taproom, including award winners such as the Tainted Senorita Coffee Stout and Wayward Woman Kolsch (the brewers also get dad-joke naming points for Orange You Glad It’s a Summer Ale). Did we mention it’s a live music venue, too?

LAWRENCE PARK Sing it with me, Capital Region: “Red, red wine…stay close to meeee.” (For those of you not old enough to get that reference, Google “UB40.”) While Lawrence Park has light bites (see: pretzels, pickles and deviled eggs), tapped beer and cocktails, it’s really best known around town for its

extensive wine list. Whether you get it by the glass, the bottle or from its taps—they aren’t just for brews— Lawrence Park lives up to its “oenophilic sanctuary” self-descriptor.

GET TO KNOW…

Hillary Zio, Author, Educator and Wine Expert

Hudson’s a happening city—this much we know. And before COVID-19 decided to creep in and muck everything up in New York State, it also had a black belt in wine. Who better to demystify the Hudson wine scene than Hillary D’Argenzio, an author (see: The Unfiltered Guide To Working In Wine), educator (she’s a certified sommelier) and all-around expert in all things (Hudson) vino. (She actually goes by Hillary Zio.) Zio got hooked on wine about 15 years ago, when she met her future father-inlaw, a winemaker at D’Argenzio Winery in California’s Sonoma wine region.

Hillary Zio, Hudson Wine Expert And after living in New York City for more than a decade and working in all manners of the culinary business—retail, wholesale, restaurant—she and her husband relocated to Hudson. “I was really impressed with the wine scene as far as restaurants and bars go,” says Zio. She rattles off a bunch of can’t-miss

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wine spots around the city: Hudson Wine Merchants, Lawrence Park (see above), Rivertown Lodge (ditto), The Maker (double ditto) and Backbar. As far as the greater Hudson Valley is concerned, Zio tends towards the wineries in the Newburgh/Marlboro, NY area, with her favorites being Fjord Vineyards, which has great dry Rieslings; Benmarl Winery, which makes a delicious Sauvignon Blanc; and Wild Arc Farm, known for its piquette, a magical elixir made from the leftover grapes used in the winemaking process. Until that wine’s flowing publicly again, we’d suggest following Zio on Instagram at @hillaryzio for wine/food porn galore.

GET TO KNOW…

Bob Lucke, Owner of The Cascades Restaurant

A little over 30 years ago, Bob Lucke (aptly pronounced “lucky”) started his cross-country trek from Seattle to Hudson with his wife (originally from

Westchester County) and newborn daughter. After settling there, and opening and closing a much bigger, busier restaurant, Lucke took another stab at the food biz and landed on perfection: The Cascades, a breakfastand-lunch-only spot on Warren Street, known for its soups and sandwiches and affable staff. (The restaurant also does catering.) Back then, though, it was a much different city than it’s become today. “It’s been a trickle effect; in the first 10-15 years, a lot of people moved up from the New York City area and opened up businesses,” he says. “Block by block, Hudson started to fill in, because when I opened up here in ’93, we were way downtown; there wasn’t much around me.” Lucke sees a lot of what makes Hudson known as “The Friendly City” come through his front door. “We’re right around the corner from the courthouse, so we always have a good mix of clientele,” he says, which includes locals

Warren Street’s The Cascades and day-trippers. All blips in the economy and worldwide pandemics aside, Lucke’s bullish on Hudson’s future. “We’ve survived enough mini-downturns in the market and scares, and I think we’ll get through this one, too,” he says. “We’ll end up on the upside when it’s all over, because there’s a lot of energy and talent in this town, and I see the future here being very bright.”

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Marcella’s Appliance Center is a family-owned appliance store with showrooms in Schenectady and Clifton Park. Since 1957 they have served customers throughout the Capital Region with the area’s best selection of appliances at the best prices, top-notch customer service, and a dedicated service and repair team. Their knowledge of the appliances they sell sets them apart from the competition. Visit the large showrooms for a wealth of ideas. Their knowledgeable staff will help you select the kitchen or laundry appliances of your dreams. With more than 30,000 square-feet of inventory for more than 60 product lines, they have appliances for every budget.

The company’s all natural tick repellent for yards is safe for your children, family and pets, as well as lawns, vegetation, shrubs, plants and gardens. The solution is made from natural Cedar Wood oil and kills ticks, fleas, ants, mosquitos and mites on contact. This solution is American made and can be applied monthly or as needed. Don’t let insects threaten your family with dangerous health risks such as Zika Virus, West Nile Virus and Lyme Disease! Call today for additional information.

Chamber of Commerce Agricultural Business of the Year award. Randall Implements Co., Inc. is located on State Highway 5S in the village of Fultonville, approximately 35 miles west of Albany. Founded in 1966 by Robert Freeman, Randall Implements has grown from a small single-line dealer to one of the area’s largest and most trusted full-service multi-line provider including Ferris, Husqvarna, Case IH, Claas, and Landpride dealerships. Technicians are certified and trained in the newest technologies available in the industry. Randall provides quality factory parts at competitive prices, with next-day availability on more than 100,000 parts.

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Bob’s Trees

1227 West Galway Road, Hagaman 518.627.4260; bobstrees.com Bob’s Trees nursery and garden center is family owned and operated and has been serving the greater Capital Region since 1942. They specialize in providing the perfect Christmas tree for the holiday season, but they offer so much more, including more than 275 acres of trees and shrubs to help you complete the look you want for your yard. They are dedicated to serving the local community with quality trees and shrubs that are well acclimated to our local climate. Looking forward to seeing you soon!

Nature’s Defense All Natural Tick & Flea Solutions

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518.479.1400; broweasphalt.com L. Browe Asphalt Services has served thousands of residential and commercial customers in the greater Hudson Valley. Their installations are built to last, with correct elevations and subtle detailing to ease the job into the land. Transitions are smooth with good, level flow and slight changes in elevation to provide proper water drainage. They mill the end of the drive so that it retains its thickness and is not subject to being lifted up by plow equipment. The end product is a true, level, aesthetically pleasing job with artistic curves and superior function that completes and enhances the entire property setting. Call or visit their website for more information and to request a free estimate.

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Hewitt’s Garden Centers, Inc. is a local company specializing in lawn–and garden–related products, service and information. With 50 years in the business and seven stores located in the 518 area code, they are the fifth largest independent retail garden center in the country—and here’s why: • Largest selection of hardy shrubs and trees • Hewitt’s Country Estate lawn food and grass seed • Largest selection of perennial and annual flowers and vegetable plants • Extensive selection of fruit trees, blueberries, raspberries and more • Plant food, mulch, soil and garden accessories • Experienced staff ready to assist you with your project

Randall Implements Co., Inc. 2991 NY-5S, Fultonville 518.853.4500; randallimpls.com

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Randall Implements is a Premier Kubota Dealer and was the 2016 recipient of the Fulton-Montgomery

Amsterdam Overhead Door

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HOME & GARDEN Advertising Section Company is proud to offer superior quality garage door systems that are professionally installed for residential, commercial, agricultural or industrial applications. They have proven expertise in every phase of garage door selection, installation, maintenance, service and repair. Getting the proper advice when buying a door is essential; after all, we buy only one or, at most, two garage doors throughout our lifetime. The Amsterdam Overhead Door Company is a family-owned business that was founded in 1924 and has an A+ rating through the Better Business Bureau.

J. Hunziker Paving, LLC

Wynantskill 518.858.7917; jhunzikerpavingllc.com When it comes to driveway paving, you need to work with seasoned driveway contractors who can ensure that your driveway is smooth and functional. Avoid the frustration and disappointment of dealing with unprofessional driveway paving contractors by doing business with J. Hunziker Paving, LLC, instead. Owner Jason Hunziker has 20 years of experience serving the residential and commercial paving needs of customers throughout Troy and the nearby areas, and he is committed to providing his customers with the best possible workmanship and service. When you need top-quality driveway paving for your home or place of business, he’s here to help. Turn to him for all your asphalt driveway paving needs.

Garden Time

Various Locations gardentimeinc.com Garden Time offers a wide selection of sheds, gazebos and outdoor furniture, as well as excellent customer service and a superior shopping experience to provide you with everything you need for a beautiful lawn and garden. Whether you are in the market for

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HOME & GARDEN Advertising Section a beautiful blooming plant for your porch, a screened-in gazebo for your backyard, fertilizer for your lawn or a storage solution for a little extra space, Garden Time invites you to shop their extensive selection online to explore what sets Garden Time apart from the rest. Then call one of their various locations.

Luizzi Asphalt Services

70 Tivoli Street, Albany 518.459.7325, luizziasphalt.com At Luizzi Asphalt Services, it is their mission to be the most trusted name in providing quality products and dependable service for homes and businesses across the Capital Region. Luizzi is a third-generation company that has provided services to thousands of customers over the years with great satisfaction. The Luizzi name has been in the Capital Region for more than 50 years, and they have built a reputation they are proud of! Call Luizzi Asphalt Sevices for skilled solutions to all of your asphalt maintenance and repair needs.

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HOME & GARDEN Advertising Section Consider starting with your kitchen for the biggest return on investment. Your dated kitchen can be transformed with minor renovation. Owner Judi Stone is a certified interior designer, artist and contractor who offers beautiful and practical updates to the heart of the home. Whether you are preparing your home to sell or want to stay where you are, consider preserving what you have and giving it a fresh new look. She gives your wood cabinets a second chance with paint, and add a new backsplash and countertop. Great change is possible without great expense.

The Furniture House

1254 Highway 9P, Saratoga Springs 518.587.9865 1060 Route 9, Queensbury; 518.798.0133 thefurniturehouseny.com Whether building a new home, downsizing or updating your current home, The Furniture House, in Queensbury and Saratoga Springs, is the place to come for your home furnishing needs. At TFH, you aren’t limited by someone else’s idea of style or the “same thing everyone else has, too”. The design staff in their stunning showrooms will help make your unique dreams a reality and allow your personality to shine through. They offer quality, one-of-a-kind pieces at a value you didn’t realize you could afford, and expertly match form with function. Small rooms? No problem. Specific needs? No problem. From basic home pieces to Murphy beds, custom builds, adjustable coffee tables, jewelry mirrors, conversation sofas and more, TFH’s delivery team will deliver anywhere in the continental US! Visit The Furniture House to see what all the buzz is about. The unusual as usual!

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2 Commerce Park Drive, Wilton 518.691.0428; redbuddevelopment.com Redbud Development, Inc., is a landscape construction company

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HOME & GARDEN Advertising Section specializing in the custom design and quality installation of residential improvement and development projects. With a creative and collaborative approach, they help clients imagine and build exterior environments that connect seamlessly with the interior and reflect their personality and lifestyle. Custom-designed pools, outdoor kitchens, stone patios and wooden structures are just samplings of features they can use to help you create a functional retreat to better enjoy your favorite pastime, whether that is entertaining friends, exercising, or just getting closer to nature. Call Redbud today to talk over some ideas or schedule your no-cost initial consultation.

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1 McCrea Hill Rd., Ballston Spa, 518.490.7550 17 Erie Blvd., Albany, 518.455.8833 frankwebb.com From simple faucet replacements to a complete remodel of your kitchen and every bathroom in the house, Frank Webb (in both Ballston Spa and Albany) is your go-to spot. Their elaborate showrooms boast working displays and (commission-free) salespeople who proudly have your best interests at heart. Shop for bath, lighting and kitchen needs at the highest level, including green technology options, hands-free appliances, the tech-iest bidets, plus faucets every type of spray on the market. Add in thousands of the very best in plumbing fixtures, vanities, mirrors and other accessories. Walk-ins are welcome, but call ahead to talk to an experienced professional who will tell you what you might want to bring in from home for more targeted, timeeffective shopping. Â

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This is the place for you. Imagine hundreds of exceptional bath, kitchen and lighting products from trusted brands, in settings that help you envision them in your own home. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find classic styles alongside the newest trends. A friendly, accessible staff offers guidance and detailed coordination to ensure that your project goes smoothly. Find details and hours for more than 40 showrooms at frankwebb.com.

BALLSTON SPA 1 McCrea Hill Road ALBANY 17 Erie Boulevard

‘The Don’ And Dalí The historic hotel and mesmerizing museum are notable neighbors in the St. Petersburg, FL area.

» BY VI KK I M ORAN, TH E GRATEFU L TRAV EL ER «

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PHOTO CREDIT THE DON CESAR. (MUSTACHE SCULPTURE) VIKKI MORAN

The Don CeSar is truly the crown jewel of Florida’s Gulf Coast; (opposite, from top) The Don CeSar opens to a vast and expansive beach; a gigantic mustache sculpture in the Salvador Dalí Museum’s “Avant-garden.”

vacation on the West Coast of Florida is a fabulous way to unwind and enjoy some of the best views of the tranquil Gulf of Mexico along the Atlantic coastline. And when home base is The Don CeSar, a luxury hotel in St. Pete Beach, with the magical Salvador Dalí Museum a mere 20-minute drive away in nearby St. Petersburg, it’s truly a gift from the tourism gods.

The Don CeSar

Incredibly, modern travelers might not have had the chance to stay at the Don CeSar had it not been for a group of concerned residents, who took it upon themselves to save the hotel from the wrecking ball in 1971. Today, the iconic resort is popular among tourists and opens to a vast and expansive beach that is hard to match. The consistently dramatic views from the hotel’s many vantage points solidify “The Don” as the crown jewel of Florida’s Gulf Coast. So, what does The Don have to offer besides sweeping beachfront vistas? Spa Oceana, a respite from the sun and those pesky beachside cocktails, stands at the ready for guests in need of trading one luxury for another. It’s also oceanside and only a short walk from the resort’s rooms and pools. The spa features 16 treatment rooms, a full-service salon and a stunning rooftop terrace overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. The food and beverage choices at The Don range from the awardwinning Maritana, a modern and stunning restaurant that serves Mediterranean fare, to the Sea Porche Café, The Rowe Bar and The Beachcomber Bar and Grill. All but the Maritana offer a more casual beach vibe. The newly remodeled lobby bar is my favorite place to sit and people watch. With my expertly made martini in hand, I relax and let my mind wander to the days of genteel cocktail hours and pianists providing the entertainment. The hotel rooms range from stunning views of the Gulf to lively

views of the manicured street and property surrounding the hotel. I dare you to find a room at The Don that you won’t swoon over.

The Salvador Dalí Museum

Just a short car ride from The Don is the waterfront Salvador Dalí Museum, an unparalleled collection of art by the famed Spanish surrealist. The museum displays expertly curated collections of Dalí’s work, and through its Dalí-inspired events, exhibitions and experiences, serves as an active resource in the cultural life of St. Petersburg and the world at large. At the museum, visitors can stroll, enjoy and contemplate one of the most celebrated artists of all time—and perhaps even argue (which Dalî would have loved) for or against the merit of the man and his prolific work. He is undoubtedly an artist and a character that provokes many emotions. More than 2400 Dalí works—including nearly 300 oil paintings, watercolors and drawings as well as more than 2100 prints, photographs, posters, textiles, sculptures and objets d’art, reside within the walls of the dramatic modern structure. Interactive opportunities are on hand, too, as a rare occasion to get personally involved with both the artist and his work. These can be an entertaining diversion for anyone— even reluctant museum-going family members that may be in tow. No trip to the Dalí Museum would be complete without spending some time in its funky “Avant-garden.” I believe Dalí would’ve enjoyed this whimsical tribute to Florida flora and modern art. The garden is innovative yet calming—and sits opposite the waterfront. There are benches to view Tampa Bay and even a wishing tree. And as it is the Dalí Museum, also taking center stage in the garden is a gigantic mustache sculpture–a fitting ode to the artist and a perfect place for a photo op. Editors’ note: At press time, the Dalí Museum was temporarily closed, and all non-essentials travelers were warned not to travel, per the CDC, because of the COVID-19 virus. Please check crlmag.com for more up-to-date information.

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SPRING GETAWAYS Advertising Section

Lake Champlain

LakeChamplainRegion.com The Lake Champlain Region of the Adirondacks is full of cool people and places: artists and adventurers, rolling hills, beautiful farmland, awesome farm-to-table food and some of the coolest historic sites in the whole state. And we’re not talking about stuffy places that will drive your kids to tears. We’re talking colonial cannon fire, scenic boat cruises and a chance to see how America was born. Overlooking the long expanse of Lake Champlain — a perfect spot for swimming, kayaking and fishing — Fort Ticonderoga is where history is celebrated and really comes alive. Dig in to interactive activities in the gardens, explore the fort, meet soldiers and craftsmen, and make your own special family history on a historic hike. For your next getaway, you don’t want to miss the chance to explore the Lake Champlain Region,

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a revolutionary destination. You’ll be warmly welcomed and enjoy a scenic adventure that you’ll treasure forever.

Buttermilk Falls Inn & Spa, and Henry’s at the Farm

220 North Road Milton NY 12547 845.795.1310 (inn); 845.795.4050 (spa); 845.795.1500 (restaurant) ButtermilkFallsInn.com Looking ahead to brighter days Buttermilk Falls (including its inn; spa; and on-site restaurant, Henry’s at the Farm) is now offering online gift certificates! The gift certificates can be used anywhere – Buttermilk Falls’ extraordinary 75-acre Hudson River Valley estate offers remarkable lodgings, an inventive farm-to-table restaurant, an organic kitchen garden and orchard, a world-class spa, gardens, trails and an animal sanctuary. Plus, there are numerous Hudson River Valley attractions close

by. Join us at Buttermilk Falls for the day, an evening, a weekend or a weeklong retreat…or for your next very special event. Simply use this link: https:// booking.buttermilkfallsinn.com/#/ giftcertificates. Buttermilk Inn’s 1764 Main House includes ten beautifully appointed rooms, as well as eight unique private cottages and guesthouses. In addition to the dazzling fare at Henry’s, the ecofriendly spa offers a menu of special treatments, plus geo-thermally heated sauna, steam room and indoor pool. Please join us, once we can be together again.

Howe Caverns/Howe Glassworks 255 Discovery Drive, Howes Cave 518.296.8900; howecaverns.com

Plan your next getaway to Howe Caverns, where you can experience the cool cave with a guided underground tour and boat ride

followed by heating things back up in the new glassblowing studio! Howe Caverns is the largest show cave in the Northeast US and the second most visited natural attraction in New York. The site is located in Schoharie County, on a beautiful mountainside with spectacular views overlooking the Helderberg Plateau and is conveniently located off Interstate 88 approximately 45 minutes from Albany. The cave tours are open all year with seasonal days and hours. A new adventure at Howe Caverns, Howe Glassworks Glassblowing Studio, is proud to offer workshops (no experience necessary!). Dorian Ordoyne, the Master Gaffer, helps guests create gorgeous bowls, vases, ornaments for all occasions, paperweights and the popular Ashes to Art memorials for beloved family and pets.

Putnam County visitputnam.org

There is no shortage of things to do in beautiful Putnam County! An easy destination by car or train, the hidden jewel provides visitors with an authentic country feel while remaining close to home. Spend the day strolling or biking on The Putnam Trailway, a paved bicycle/pedestrian path spanning 12 miles within the county – and make time to venture off the path to enjoy beautiful lake views and plenty of delicious dining choices. Spend an afternoon exploring Tilly Foster Farm, where kids of all ages enjoy visiting with the animals. Both the eastern and western borders of Putnam County are home to Audubonworthy birding spots, so if birding is your passion, The Great Swamp or Constitution Marsh are for you. Other options: the historic Boscobel and its lovely gardens, Magazzino Italian Art, lively farmer’s markets and eclectic antique shops. Or rent a boat, play a round of golf or enjoy an outdoor concert!

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THE

Outdoors // Soul // Life

Experts Get ‘Hooked’ On Fishing The Hudson BY JOEY GRECO

ere’s a little riddle for you: What’s massive, teeming with life, largely overlooked and flows right through the heart of the Capital Region… oh, and has been a world-class fishing destination for decades? That would be the one and only Hudson River and all of its tributaries. This 315-mile river that’s so historically significant to our region is also a freshwater fishing wonderland,

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rich with opportunities for anglers of all kinds. From spring’s migratory striped bass fishing to fall’s smallmouth bass bonanza, there’s always something willing to “stretch your line” when you’re fishing the Hudson. Nothing attracts anglers from all over the east coast like our spring striped bass run, which takes place during the months of April and May and into early June. The massive striped bass follow the herring into the river during spawning season and feed on them— and that’s where us anglers come into play. We can experience some success with a variety of fishing methods, but the most common techniques are “trolling,” when a baited fishing line is drawn through the water via a moving boat; or you just bait your line with live or dead herring cut into chunks. Usually by late April, the smaller males will be the first to arrive, and later in the spring, as the water warms, the larger females (a.k.a. “cows”) will start to appear. These are the big breeders and will generally be

larger, weighing as much as 60 pounds (!) in some cases. The potential for catching a 20- to 30-pound fish is not uncommon during this time of year—but practicing catch and release with these trophy fish is a good idea to ensure a healthy population for future anglers to enjoy. The striper run, although absolutely world-class, provides a relatively short window of action, and anglers need to learn to time the migration to experience the best fishing. If you miss out, fear not! The Hudson’s waters also play host to smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye and catfish. Smallmouth bass fishing is gaining popularity, and it’s no surprise why, as it’s become common for anglers to reel in these acrobatic “bronze backs,” which can weigh up to six pounds. The perfect set-up for action that will produce bass, walleye and an occasional pike is a simple jig and a spinning rod. Find a dam, spillway, rocky shoreline or even a deep swirling pool, and you will generally find fish in close proximity. For the business end of things, it’s going to be a game of jigs—jigs of many sizes and colors—that provide you with a very simple approach to fishing. I will typically start by running a quarterounce white lead jig head for a variety of applications. Tip this jig with a live minnow or a variety of plastics. I like Berkley Gulp! baits, paddle tail swim style baits and B Fish N Tackle Pulse-R Paddle Tails. Depending on depth and how fast the current is, you can try using a lighter or heavier jig to get a good feeling of what the bait is doing as you retrieve it. Make these adjustments until you can “feel” the jig skip over rocks and occasionally touch bottom on the retrieve. If you haven’t had the chance to get out and fish the Hudson, I’d highly recommend it. Whether you’re trolling for striped bass or another species, I’m sure there will be a fish or two nearby for the taking. Come enjoy more than 300 miles of breathtaking views, fantastic fishing and numerous public access points. I’m sure you’ll be “hooked” on fishing in no time.

Outdoors // Soul // Life

The Power Of (Unconditional) Love BY SANDY MENZER

his month, I put great thought into what to write about in this issue of CAPITAL REGION LIVING. I asked my spirit guides, mentors and angels, all of whom help me write these articles, to provide me with the right topic to help us all grow spiritually. Two days after my request to the Divine and my spirit guides, I received an answer in the form of an email shared with me from a good friend of mine, who has been a wonderful, wise mentor in my life. Along with it, she sent me a picture of her brother who, along with her dad, had since crossed over into the realm of the

spirit world and currently flies high with the angels. In the email, she was reminiscing about the happiness her dad and brother brought not only to her family, but also to the many others who were fortunate enough to have known them. Her dad loved children and dressed up as Santa at Christmas parties for many large groups throughout the years. The photo featured the two of them together at a holiday party, and Santa surrounded by many special people with big, joyful smiles. I learned that each one of the people in the photograph had special needs and disabilities, and they were all smiling from ear to ear in his presence.

What I find so fascinating about this particular group of happy souls is their ability to love unconditionally. Over the years, what I’ve learned from being around several people in my family who have dealt with great challenges, and being a volunteer at the Special Olympics, is that these souls are some of the most compassionate, loving people on Earth. I often ask the Divine Creator: “How can these souls be so happy and loving even with so many additional challenges and mountains to climb in their lifetime?” I’ve realized that each person we meet in this lifetime is brought here to teach us many different lessons. For some of us, it’s natural to be compassionate and loving beings, and for others, that’s not the case. I’ve learned that we all need to be grateful for and compassionate to people with special needs; they can teach us patience, unconditional love, perseverance and not to be judgmental of others’ appearance or disabilities. I believe each one of us has a disability of some kind—though it may not be noticeable in the world we live in. I also believe each of us is brought here with a special gift to share as part of our purpose. I’ve learned to understand that our goal here is to discover these gifts and use them to help and assist others. If we could all learn from these beautiful souls filled with unconditional love, what a peaceful world this would be. I believe compassion and gratitude are two of the best ways for each of us to be able to create an abundant life in all areas, whether it be in our relationships, work environment, families, health or any other area of life we would like to improve or find comfort in. The world right now is in a sad state of suffering, which is another reason why we need to learn how to be more compassionate (through our suffering). What have you done this week to help someone in need? Wishing you all a beautiful spring! May each of you find peace and joy in your world. Namaste.

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THE

Outdoors // Soul // Life

Experts Best Herbs For A Healthy Glow All Season Long BY HEATHER JABLONSKI

an you imagine having beautiful skin at a reasonable cost without the added toxic chemicals and unnecessary preservatives? This is all possible with an easy DIY windowsill garden, a project you can embark on even during these days of social distancing. Herbs have been used for centuries to treat skin problems and improve appearance, dating back to the times of Cleopatra, who was known for her exquisite beauty. In more modern times, major skincare brands have long toted the amazing benefits of these plant extracts, but investing in some often comes with a hefty price tag and nonbeneficial ingredients. So instead of hitting the cosmetics aisle, grab your gardening gloves and start your own beauty garden at home. Windowsill herb gardens are trendy and will brighten your kitchen, skin and perhaps even your mood in these uncertain times! There are many different ways to incorporate your new herbs into your beauty routine. Oil infusions are my favorite, as they easily penetrate into the skin for great results. In a small glass bottle, simply add your herbs and a carrier oil, such as grapeseed oil (good for oily skin), avocado oil (good for dry skin) or argan oil (good for normal/combination skin) and shake well before each use. A second great option is a DIY face mask. These fresh and natural masks are amazing for skin that is sensitive and prone to flare-ups. Just add your herbs to organic yogurt or honey and apply the mixture on your face for 20 to 30 minutes. Rinse off with warm water to reveal serious softness and nourished skin.

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Top herbs for your beauty arsenal: LAVENDER is great for all skin types, calming skin and increasing blood circulation. Its ability to balance oil production makes it a wonderful choice for combination skin, while its antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and anti-septic properties are helpful for those suffering with acne. Plus: It adds a pop of beautiful color to your kitchen. ROSEMARY is perfect for dry and congested skin. It has anti-bacterial properties that help clear blackheads and revive dull and lifeless skin. BASIL’s history doesn’t lie: It has been used for thousands of years as an antiaging remedy due to its high antioxidant content that prevents free radicals from damaging skin cells. It is best for mature, oily and acne-prone skin and is a wonderful skin tonic, too.

Windowsill herb gardens are trendy and will brighten your kitchen, skin and perhaps even your mood in these uncertain times! CHAMOMILE works wonders for dry and irritated skin. It has high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and is very soothing and calming for problematic skin. Its secret? It contains azulene (an antioxidant that shields and protects skin), which helps reduce puffiness and cleanses pores of impurities. Spring is a time of renewal, and nothing screams “springtime” more than a lovely windowsill garden and gorgeous glowing skin.

Play » FLOWER POWER «

ACROSS 1. Org. that oversees tobacco sales 4. Thing to bring to the grocery store 7. Impale 11. Prefix meaning sun 12. Body spray brand 13. Scrabble piece 14. To a great degree 17. Willis-Ekbom Disease, for short 18. Mined material 19. Synonym for interval or failure 22. Soils 26. Fall Out Boy’s genre 27. Late 29. Sleep, but not at night 30. 1/1000 of a bil. 31. Yahtzee piece 32. Airport officers, for short 33. Prefix meaning one 34. Loses one’s fur 36. ___ Rover 37. Alarm clock on a farm 39. Home 41. Belonging to you and me 42. “I found it!” 43. With The, a 1993 film set in England, or a what this puzzle’s circled letters represent 49. Laundry unit 50. ___ Lingus 51. Crystal ball, for one 52. Exclusively 53. Kissing at the mall, for short 54. Battery size DOWN 1. Sch. In Tallahassee 2. Crime boss’ title 3. Capital Region airport code 4. Dance with pliés and pirouettes 5. Graph component 6. Expression of mild surprise 7. Like the night sky

BY NATALIE MOORE 1

12 15

26 30

41 43

50 53

41 44

8. Autonomous region in Asia 9. The whole amount 10. “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)” singer, to fans 15. Triage locales, for short 16. Declared invalid 19. Striped-tailed primate 20. ___ acid 21. Disease Bill Gates hopes to eradicate 22. Less moist 23. Concl.’s counterpart 24. Made less severe 25. Black playing card

28. Stick 34. Solidly built 35. African desert 38. Region containing San Diego, for short 40. Lawyer’s exam 42. Older, as cheese 43. ___-mo 44. Division of geological time 45. Dance with shuffles and ball changes 46. Deceased when EMTs showed up 47. B-ball stat 48. B-ball org. Answers on crlmag.com. Search: crossword

Coming next issue:

Besties: Food & Drink! A P R I L 2 0 2 0 | C R L M A G . C O M | 47

A DIFFERENT LOVE STORY BY JOHN GRAY

f you’re reading this story while the COVID-19 pandemic is still going on, you’re no doubt sitting at home self-quarantining or social distancing. If you’re in the Capital Region, you’re probably sitting at just above sea level, having no trouble breathing or keeping warm. But usually in April, hundreds of people are 7400 miles away in a makeshift camp nestled in the mountains of Nepal, wondering if they’re about to achieve their lifelong dreams or instead lose their lives trying. I’m talking about Base Camp Everest, the place where hikers gather each April to plot their path to the top of the world—Mount Everest (except for this one; Everest’s climbing season has been cancelled due to COVID-19). At this moment some of you might be thinking, I don’t care about people who climb mountains, so I’m moving on from this essay, but I’d ask you to linger a bit longer, because I have a confession to make: I don’t really care about hiking either. What I do care about are people and love and the fact that something happened 24 years ago this month that some people still don’t know about. It’s a love story, times two, that deserves to be heard. Every year, adventure seekers spend $75,000 to travel to Nepal and attempt to climb Mount Everest. It used to be a rare feat, only challenged by the most expert climbers, but these days anyone with a hefty bank account can write a check and pay a team to drag him or her up the mountain—or die trying. Before Everest became a glorified theme park, it was a holy place that drew only the most serious people. In 1996, three teams of climbers traveled to Everest to attempt to summit the mountain, and disaster struck when a storm swept in, trapping the climbers too

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high up and taking eight lives. I promised you a love story, so let me get to it. At the top of Everest that April was one of the strongest climbers in the world, a man named Rob Hall. He was trying to lead a team of people up to the top of Everest, including a mailman from Washington State named Doug Hansen. When you climb Everest, you’re always in danger, but especially near the very top. Because the air is so thin, it has been dubbed the “death zone,” and climbers have a short window to reach the summit and get back down before collapsing due to lack of oxygen. In ’96, Doug was near the top but out of time, meaning he should’ve turned around. Rob knew what it meant to be Doug, so he stayed with him and helped him reach the summit and achieve his dream. On the way down Doug collapsed and could no longer move. As a storm moved in, the people down below told Rob over the radio that he needed to abandon Doug and save himself. Rob was married, with his first baby on the way, so he had every reason to heed their advice. Instead, he told them that he couldn’t just leave a person there to die. He then called his wife back home in New Zealand, told her he loved her, and the couple named their expected baby over the phone. That was the last anyone heard from Rob ever again. I think about that moment for him, freezing to death and having to choose between saving his own life or staying with a friend. How many of us would

choose to stay? Rob’s doing so was the ultimate act of love. Farther down the mountain, another man on Rob’s team was also dying; a man named Beck Weathers. He’d collapsed and was unable to move, having been trapped in the storm. And the others had left Beck behind to die. He laid on the side of that mountain for a day, a night and another day with barely a pulse until, against all odds, somehow opened his eyes and saw his wife and children. They weren’t there, of course; they were back home in Texas. He was hallucinating, but he saw them urging him to get up and to please come home. Those who were there that day, huddled in the safety of their tents and unable to see six inches in front of their faces because of the storm, couldn’t believe their eyes when Beck marched into camp like a frozen zombie. A helicopter rushed him to a hospital; frostbite cost him his nose and hands. Still, he was alive. Later, when Beck was asked how it was possible that he survived a storm that killed everyone else, he said simply, “love.” Love for his family. Love for his life, which he didn’t want to end. By now, you may be wondering what any of this has to do with you. To that I would ask, what mountain are you climbing? What dream are you chasing? And what price are you paying to pursue it? I’ve met people putting in 60 hours a week to get the next promotion at work, at the expense of their families. Beck Weathers will tell you Everest was his dream when his dream should’ve been his wife and kids, and it wasn’t a helicopter but love that ultimately got him home. As for Rob Hall, his body remains just 430 feet from the top of Mount Everest to this day. It’s fitting that a man who sacrificed his life for a friend would find eternal rest so close to the heavens.

PHOTO CREDIT: PAVEL NOVAK

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The "HOPE" Issue

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A DIFFERENT LOVE STORY

The Experts

CRL UP FRONT

Home & Garden

‘The Don’ And Dalí

City Spotlight: Hudson, NY

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