FALL 2022 CAPITALCRLREGION LIVING THE HEART OF THE EMPIRE STATE @crlmagazine | crlmag.com FLIP ISSUE FLIP EUSSIPILFEUSSI PILF ISSUEFREE HOMEGROWN LOCAL ECO-WARRIOR EBEN BAYER'S START-UP NOT ONLY GROWS ENVIRONMENT-SAVING MATERIALS OUT OF MUSHROOMS—IT'S CREATED A BRAND-NEW FIELD OF SCIENCE. THACHER PARK IN ALL ITS FALL GLORY SEARCH FOR STARS: LOCALS ON THE BIGGEST TV TALENT SHOWS OKTOBERFESTS TO RAISE YOUR STEIN TO. PROST! Plus 12
2 tsp. McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract
PuddingBreakfastQuinoaNut
2 tsp. McCormick® Ground Cinnamon
Directions: 1. Pour 1 cup almondmilk into blender with maple syrup, cinnamon, vanilla and salt; process on low speed for about 5 seconds, until well combined. Add 1 1/2 cups cooked quinoa and process on medium-low for 5-10 seconds, until creamy but rustic. Be careful to avoid over-blending.
2. In a saucepan over medium-low heat, pour in the remaining almondmilk. Add blended quinoa mixture and remaining cooked quinoa; stir for 6-8 minutes until mixture thickens to desired consistency. NOTE: Take pudding off heat as soon as liquid has been absorbed and pudding is still loose. It will thicken further if left to sit.
Maple
3. Stir in sliced bananas and nuts. 4. Serve topped with a small drizzle of maple syrup, chopped nuts and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Nutritional Information Amount per serving: Calories 270; Total Fat 9 g; Saturated Fat 1 g; Sodium 75 mg; Carbohydrate 42 g; Fiber 5 g; Total Sugar 14 g; Added Sugar 8 g; Protein 7 g We’re committed to supporting your health and wellness goals. Our team of registered dietitians offer free nutritional services online and in-store. Thank you to our sponsors for partnering with Hannaford to offer free dietitian services. Visit hannaford.com/dietitians to learn more.
As summer days turn into crisp fall mornings, bring the comfort of a warm breakfast back with this hearty plant-based breakfast pudding. Full of fiber and protein, it will fuel you through one of New York’s favorite times of the year.
simply healthy from your Hannaford Dietitians Source: Recipe adapted from silk.com
Pinch Pink Himalayan Sea Salt (optional)
2 Medium ripe bananas, sliced 1/2 cup Planters® NUT-rition Wholesome Nut Mix, chopped
SERVES 6 Ingredients: 2 cups Silk® Unsweet Almondmilk, divided 1/4 cup Maple syrup
3 cups Cooked quinoa (soft but not mushy)
Plans start at $0 a month! Call 1-833-368-4606 (TTY 711) Monday–Friday, 8 am–8 pm Eastern Time Visit morefrommvp.com Capital Region Living 833-368-4606 morefrommvp.com 7.625 x 10.125” 8-Jun MVP Health Plan, Inc. is an HMO-POS/PPO/MSA organization with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in MVP Health Plan depends on contract renewal. For accommodations of persons with special needs at meetings call, 1-800-324-3899 (TTY 711). MVP virtual care services through Gia are available at no cost-share for most members. In-person visits and referrals are subject to cost-share per plan. Y0051_7232_M Choose a partner. Choose MVP. When you’re ready for Medicare, get coverage to fit your life. Like $0 primary care visits, virtual care services, and select prescriptions. Plus extras like preventive dental benefits, eyewear coverage, over-the-counter allowances, access to care away from home, and more. Speak with an MVP Medicare Advisor for guidance and advice every step of the way.
®I LOVE NEW YORK is a registered trademark and service mark of the New York State Department of Economic Development; used with permission. www.renscotourism.com #ItsHereInRensselaer EXPERIENCE CALL 518.240.1000 TO BOOK TODAY COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT ALBANY TROY/WATERFRONT 515 River Street Troy, NY marriott.com/albty12180 VISIT THE LIBERTYRIDGEFARMNY.COMAREA'SOPEN FOR THREE SEASONS OF FUN FESTIVALS · WEDDINGS · PARTIES FUNFUNFAMILYFAMILYFARM!FARM! Pause Gallery 501 Broadway, Suite 106 • Troy, NY 518-328-4877 • pausegallery.com gallery hours: wednesday sunday 12-5pm or anytime by appointment. An inspiring and affordable selection of unique art, fine handmade crafts, and gifts for any occasion
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ON THE COVER: Ecovative and MyForest Foods cofounder and CEO Eben Bayer, photographed by Dori Fitzpatrick exclusively for CAPITAL REGION LIVING inside FALL ISSUE 44 THE EXPERTS STARS: RACHELLE BOOTH EDUCATION: DR. DEAN SKARLIS TRAVEL: NATALIE MOORE BOOKENDS 12 NEW AND NOW BEFORE58YOU GO BY JOHN GRAY 14 COVER STORY MushroomTheManByNatalieMoore 20 BEHIND THE LENS BY MICHELLE CAMEOPPORTUNITY22JOHNSTONKNOCKINGINBURDENLAKEBYJEFFDINGLER CAPITALTHE26REGION’SGOTTALENTBYCHRISTINEGRAF33THECALENDAROKTOBERFESTSBYHELENABARTLETT40PUMPKINGINGERPUDDINGCAKESWITHDALEY’SONYATES42GALLERYNIPPERFESTINCENTRALPARK ADVERTISING SECTIONS 36 MEDICAL PROFILES 49 LOCALLY BUSINESSESOWNED 50 FALL GETAWAYS 53 HOME IMPROVEMENT 56 WEDDINGS 14 22 FITZPATRICKDORI(14)
www.HonestWeight.coop Find us on: Delivered to Your Door : grown or created closer to where we live Better for the Community Keeps money circulating in the community, supports local farmers and makers, reflects the unique characteristics of the shared space we call home Better for the Environment Less transportation emissions, increased air quality, less waste, preserves open space Better for the People Fresher food, cultivates community, endless educational and collaborative opportunities Thank you for voting us this year’s Best Community Co-op and Best Health Food Store!
FALL 202 2 | CRL MAG.COM | 9 www.adkgreatcamps.com Info@adkgreatcamps.com 30 Riverside Drive, Saranac Lake, NY 518-891-5224 Rhinebeck, NY 518-637-2524 Abby Tegnelia CEO EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Will Levith ART DIRECTOR Steve Teabout DIRECTOR OF CONTENT Natalie Moore EDITORIAL INTERN Helena Bartlett CONTRIBUTORS Lisa Arcella, Karen Bjornland Rachelle Booth, Steve Caporizzo Brad Cranston, Francesco D’Amico Samantha Decker, Jeff Dingler Dori Fitzpatrick, Tracy Fluty, Christine Graf John Gray, Audrey Knizek, David A. Kubikian Dustin Lanterman, T.R. Laz Benjamin Lerner, Konrad Odhiambo Nate Seitelman, Dean Skarlis Tara Buffa SALES MANAGER PUBLISHER, SARATOGA LIVING Annette Q uarrier CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER Tina Galante SALES ASSISTANT Tracy Momrow EMPIRE MEDIA NETWORK, INC. Anthony R. Ianniello CHAIR Abby Tegnelia PRESIDENT/CEO Tina Galante CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER VOLUME 19, NO.5 6 Butler Place Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 PHONE: 518.294.4390 FIND US ONLINE AT crlmag.com Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Many of the ads in this issue were created by Empire Media Network, Inc. and cannot be reproduced without permission from the publisher. ESTABLISHED SUBSCRIPTIONS2003. 1 yearly subscription: $39 2 year subscription: $59 FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA AT: FACEBOOK @capitalregionliving INSTAGRAM @crlmagazine TWITTER @crlmagazine CAPITAL REGION LIVING THE HEART OF THE EMPIRE STATE
10 | CAPITAL REGION LIVING | FALL 2022
Director of Content Natalie Moore and photographer Dori Fitzpatrick heading for a tour of Ecovative’s AirMycelium farm at the ribbon cutting of Swersey Silos.
FALL 202 2 | CRL MAG.COM | 11 2021 Thank You Capital Region! For voting us Best Bank in the Capital Region Living Magazines Besties Poll for the second year in a row! TrustcoBank.com 1-800-670-3110 TrustcoBank Trustco_Bank_1902 TrustcoBank Trustco_Bank Best Bank 2-Years in a Row! Best Customer Service! FITZPATRICKDORI Happy fall, y’all! To our new readers, welcome. To our longtime readers, welcome back, and we hope you enjoy a few updates we’ve given to the CRL you know and love. First, we’ve revamped our advertising sections to better highlight (with gorgeous new photos) the amazing local businesses that make our community (and this very magazine!) tick. Check out our “business marketplace”—which this issue features local leaders in the home improvement and wedding industries, as well as the best fall getaways in the northeast—on page 49. You may also notice a beefed-up feature well (magazine lingo for the longform stories you’ll find at the center of this publication). There’s so much going on in the Capital Region, and in the future we want to continue highlighting the people, companies and places that make this area such an amazing place to live. Be sure to read our cover story on Eben Bayer, co-founder and CEO of Ecovative, the Green Island–based company that grows materials out of mushrooms, on page 14; the tale of how two New Jersians became the proud owners of a behemoth fixer-upper on Averill Park’s Burden Lake (and what they did with the property) on page 22; and a roundup of the local performers who made it to the big leagues of TV talent shows in recent years, including this summer’s standout star, Burnt Hills resident Kieran Rhodes, on page 26.
From
While this issue is “in with the new,” that doesn’t mean “out with the old.” Favorite sections like New And Now (page 12), Behind the Lens (page 20) and John Gray’s popular column (page 58) are here to stay. And we hope you are, too. Thank you, readers, for your support—it’s a somewhat tough clime for local media outlets right now, but we have you to thank for making it all worth it.
—The Editors The PRESENTATION
Editors FEATURE
NEW
STIMULUS CHECK
Amsterdam-based custom printing company Sticker Mule recently unveiled its own social media network, which is centered around giveaways—the very thing that many social media platforms work hard to get its users to avoid. On Stimulus, brands or individuals earn attention by attaching giveaways to their posts, which users can win by liking, replying and/or sharing the post.
Seven things to know about as we head into a cool, calm Capital Region fall.
THE SKIN YOU’RE IN
SEASON GREETING
In August, the People InvestigatesMagazine TV series visited our neck of the woods to look deeper into the disturbing case of Gloversville native Ally Lamont, who was reported missing in October 2019. The story doesn’t have a happy ending, but by the end of the episode, justice has been served—and by your watching it, Ally will have one more person who remembers her courageous story. “Gone in the Night” is streaming now on Discovery+.
Dermatologist Andrew Kelly, owner of SkinByAsk, is moving his Albany practice to downtown Saratoga, with a target open date of October 1. The 29 Church Street storefront will be a solo practice, where he’ll continue his signature services (such as PIXLE8 RF Microneedling and The Perfect Dermapeel) and run his beauty boutique, an exclusive provider of Biologique Recharche with an array of additional products from Skinbetter, DMK and AnteAGE.
12 | CAPITAL REGION LIVING | FALL 2022
BY NATALIE MOORENOW
TACO THE TOWN
This summer, owner Dave Swift of the uber-popular Swifty’s Restaurant & Pub announced he was wading into Mexican fare with his impending opening of FoCo Taco. The new to-go taco joint is taking over the I Love Pizza building—across the street from his Delmar location—at the town’s Four Corners intersection (hence the name “FoCo”) sometime this fall.
PEOPLE IN OUR PLACES
AND
On Saturday, October 8, the Albany Symphony returns to the Palace Theatre to kick off another sure-to-bespectacular season. After an opening weekend performance of Tchaikovsky’s Fifth, season highlights include a Holiday Classics show at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall in December, a performance with Dame Evelyn Glennie in January, and a rousing spring performance (with a chorus!) of Beethoven’s Ninth.
NEW NOW
AND GO CAN CRAZY
FALL 202 2 | CRL MAG.COM | 13
Canned wine is all the rage, and in the world of canned wine, Delmar native Zoe McGuire is all the rage. One of the Brooklyn-based artist’s oil paintings was recently selected by national brand Nomadica to be featured on the cans for its Pinot Gris. CRL
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BYE-BYE, BOB This fall, the world of Capital Region broadcast news will lose an icon. NewsChannel 13 Chief Meteorologist Bob Kovachick announced in an emotional segment that he’ll be retiring this fall after a 40-plus year career with the station. His voice broke a few times as he told his fans, “I don’t know what to say; I don’t know how to say it. I’m leaving Channel 13. I’m retiring.” Kovachick’s last day on air will be October 3.
Multi-disciplinary 518-943-4220
ROOMROOMMUSHTHEMANTHEMUSHMAN
HOW RPI GRAD EBEN BAYER HARNESSED THE POWER OF MYCELIUM TO CREATE A BRAND-NEW FIELD OF SCIENCE THAT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CHANGE THE WORLD.
PHOTO BY DORI FITZPATRICK
BY NATALIE MOORE
Ecovative cofounder and CEO Eben Bayer at the grand opening of Swersey Silos, two storage facilities named after Bayer’s RPI professor and mentor, the late Burt Swersey.
T
16 | CAPITAL REGION LIVING | FALL 2022
Ecovative cofounders Gavin McIntyre and Eben Bayer; (inset) McIntyre and Bayer in the early days of Ecovative.
“I was literally born on the floor of a farmhouse,” says Bayer, a native Vermonter. “I cut my teeth raising pigs, chickens and cows and making maple syrup on a real working farm.” One of his chores was to load waste wood chips into a wood gas generator, a job made more difficult by mycelium, a naturally occurring, filamentous fungal web that caused the wood chips to clump together. “It was a giant annoyance to me as a kid because it slowed me down,” Bayer says. “But I was also like, ‘Wow, this stuff is really strong and interesting,’ and it sort of went into the back of my head.” Mycelium, which is often described as the root structure of mushrooms, stayed in the back of Bayer’s head until 2006, when he took an “Inventor’s Studio” course with Professor Burt Swersey at RPI. “Burt was really pushing me to invent something meaningful,” Bayer says. “Some of the problems I was working on were how to make a better insulator, and how to bind materials together not using a plastic glue, plastic foam or formaldehyde. How would you make an insulation that was structural and not made out of plastic?” The answer: mycelium. Bayer grew his first palm-sized puck of mycelium material under the bed in his dorm room. He showed it to Professor Swersey, who encouraged his student to pursue the idea and take his course again the following semester with classmate Gavin McIntyre. “Burt’s belief was that inventions come from individuals, but it takes teams to commercialize them,” Bayer says. “So Gavin and I became a team.”That was the beginning of Ecovative, an eco-friendly materials company founded in Green Island that recently celebrated the grand opening of Swersey Silos, which will store feedstock for the world’s largest mycelium farm. After first considering the practicality of mycelium as an insulation and construction material, CEO Bayer and CCO McIntyre turned their attention to the packaging industry, where Styrofoam, which takes some 450 years to decompose, was the norm. Using the power of mycelium and a bit of feedstock (agricultural waste such as hemp hurd, seed hulls and corn husks, or forestry byproducts like sawdust and woodchips), Bayer and McIntyre were able to literally grow MycoComposite, a light, durable, fireand water-resistant, fully compostable Styrofoam alternative, into any shape they wanted. (In 2013, they grew a tiny house, and a few years later launched grow-it-yourself kits so anyone can wield the power of mycelium.) In 2011, Ecovative partnered with Dell (yes, MycoComposite is strong enough to protect precious cargo like laptops), and several years later collaborated with IKEA. Today, if you order items such as Keap Candles, Treaty CBD extracts and Loli skincare products, they’ll arrive at your doorstep in mushroom packaging. To put this development into
he story of how Eben Bayer created a brand-new field of science, built two companies that are at the forefront of bioengineering technology, and forced the packaging, beauty, fashion and food industries to rethink the way things have always been done—all in just 15 years’ time—begins on a farm.
FALL 202 2 | CRL MAG.COM | 17 perspective, no one else was doing anything remotely like it at the time. “We actually created the field of mycelium material science,” Bayer says. “We were able to get super-broad patents because of that in our early days. And now it has become a real field. Universities around the world have people doing research on mycelium.”Buteven before the rest of the world could catch up, Bayer and McIntyre made another groundbreaking discovery: They figured out how to grow materials made purely of mycelium— no feedstock mixed in. Typically mycelium grows around the substrate (an underlying substance, such as feedstock), producing a reinforced, hard material. The new discovery allowed them to grow mycelium above the substrate, producing large sheets of squishy, mushroom-y material they called AirMycelium. Since then, Ecovative has used AirMycelium technology to create high-performance foam, beauty products, leather and, perhaps most notably, food. In 2020, Bayer and McIntyre founded the company now known as MyForest Foods. Its flagship product: mycelium bacon, a.k.a. MyBacon. “Bacon is the No. 1 food that meateaters say they can’t give up,” Bayer said this past July at the Swersey Silos ribbon-cutting. “And it’s one of the most underrepresented categories in the entire plant-based sector.” (It goes without saying that a slab of plant-based “bacon” grown in two weeks’ time has but a tiny fraction of the environmental impact regular pork bacon has; animal agriculture is one of the leading causes of climate change, per a recent study by the University of Oxford.) When a MyBacon slab, grown (clockwise from top) Mycelium in its natural form; a staircase made from MycoComposite material; mushroom packaging; slippers made from mushroom foam.
FALL 2022 in Green Island, arrives at MyForest Foods in Albany, it’s called a mush belly, because it looks like a pork belly but is, obviously, made of mushrooms. At that point, MyForest chef Nick Ruscitto, formerly of Troy’s Peck’s Arcade and Donna’s Italian Restaurant, slices, brines and roasts the mush belly, using only a total of six ingredients in the process. The end result tastes like real bacon. Seriously. “My hope is that we will have a mushroom for every type of meat people eat in 15 years,” Bayer says. “You’ll be able to buy them under the MyForest brand—MyFish, MyChicken, MyBeef.” But for now, MyForest is busy scaling its first product; at press time, MyBacon was available only in Albany’s Honest Weight Food Co-op (where in its first several weeks on shelves it sold out) and two natural food stores in Massachusetts. A new 60,000-squarefoot production facility in Saratoga, which is being built right now, will help get MyBacon into more markets across the region and eventually, the country.
If you’re wondering why you’re just hearing about these groundbreaking home-grown companies now, there are a couple of reasons. For one, Ecovative was a true start-up, funded by sustainable business competition prize money and investors. While Bayer says he loves being based in the Capital Region and says we have a talent pool that’s underappreciated outside the area, there is one downfall when it comes to launching a start-up here.
Another reason it’s taken 15 years for Ecovative to finally be able to scale its world-changing products? “I don’t think culture wanted them [yet]—it wasn’t ready for them when we started,” Bayer says. “We created the packaging product in 2012 and had success, but not the global domination I had hoped would get rid of Styrofoam. But over the last four or five years, that business exploded. And it was totally driven by people saying, ‘No, I don’t want Styrofoam in my mailbox anymore.’ The same is true for the meatless meat space.” Essentially, the world wants products like MyBacon, and it wants them now At the Swersey Silos ribbon-cutting, Bayer talked at length about one of Professor Swersey’s final thoughts before his passing in 2015: that the goal of a new innovation should be to significantly benefit a billion people.
“Most of the funders are in New York City, Boston or San Francisco,” he says.
18 | CAPITAL REGION LIVING |
Feedstock Ecovative uses to grow mycelium; a package of MyBacon; MyBacon before it has been brined and roasted.
Building a world beyond plastics and animal products—one that uses biology as technology and looks to Mother Earth to solve the very problems threatening Mother Earth? Yep, that’ll benefit a billion people—and then some. CRL (from top)
“Many of them, until recently, didn’t want to get on a plane and come see us.”
FALL 202 2 | CRL MAG.COM | 19 Salami & Cheese & More... Shop our online Italian Market - FortunaSausage.com �--�:;> �ttBORlGINA_L --� 7tas® W Salami - Sausage - Cheese - Pasta - Olives - Sauces - Our family recipes passed down generation to generation for over 130 years! Shop 24/7 Online Today 802-375-0200 www .FortunaSausage.con1
Iwork at John Boyd Thacher State Park, which is alive with great photo opportunities. I will go there in any weather to get a good shot! I love arriving at sunrise. This photo was taken on an especially magical morning, right as the sun was appearing in all of its pink glory. I walked down to the fence line in front of the Visitor Center and just walked along, taking photos. I was also enjoying being nearly enveloped in the morning light—everything was literally glowing. Thacher is magical in any season, but fall is when it really shines.
Find more of Johnston’s work on Instagram at @mleajohnston
Here C mes SUNthe
Arriving before the sun—no matter how chilly the morning—is a surefire way to capture fall’s foliage in all its colorful glory.
TheBEHINDLens[ ]
STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHELLE JOHNSTON
Updating your lighting is effortless with easy-to-love styles. From cutting-edge contemporary to nature inspired Farmhouse designs, find the fixture that fits your home perfectly. Come SEE, TOUCH and TAKE HOME area’s finest lighting designs arriving daily at Wolberg Lighting! See It. Touch It. Take It Home. Celebrating Over Incredible Years! Since 1925 97 97 Albany 35 Industrial Park Road 518-489-8451 Kingston 1221 Ulster Avenue 845-802-5600 Saratoga 60 West Avenue 518-886-0446 Schenectady 152 Erie Boulevard 518-381-9231 (Electrical Supplies Only) www.Wolberg.com Ask about our Lighting Design Service “ ”
Prior to March 2021, this lake house was a rundown log cabin, but extensive renovations have transformed the property, the site of an old YMCA camp into one couple’s dream home.
OPPORTUNITY
BY JEFF DINGLER NELSON AND
WHEN AUSTIN
CHRIS WOODYARD BOUGHT A MONSTER FIXER-UPPER ON BURDEN LAKE, IT OPENED A DOOR TO THE UPSTATE LAKE HOUSE OF THEIR DREAMS.
OPPORTUNITYCAMEKNOCKING
on his iPad to build most of the floor plans that he would then hand off to Rich, who made those plans a reality by bringing in everything from small details like fixtures and appliances to the big stuff, such as tiling and replacement log siding.
“Teenagers used to have parties there when it was just a shell of a house,” says Nelson. Before then, the land had belonged to an old YMCA camp. Some neighboring lots even still have old bathhouses and other camp structures with names of old campers etched on the walls. “We didn’t realize what a big undertaking it would be because we’d never really renovated a home before.”
In fact, Woodyard and Nelson had never even owned a house before. In spite of this, and the major TLC that would be required, the couple bought the lakefront fixer-upper in March 2021 with the intention of doing a fullhome renovation and redesign. “I was originally attracted to the log cabin feel of the house and the lakeside location,” Woodyard says. “Being around water was important; it’s very calming for me to sit and stare off into the water.”
24 | CAPITAL REGION LIVING | FALL 2022 ever underestimate the power of a mindless Internet search to change your life—or your location. Interior design enthusiast Austin Nelson learned that recently. The recruiting operations executive lives with his partner, Chris Woodyard, in Hoboken, NJ, but has lately been spending more and more time here in the Capital Region. Early last year, bored and stuck in pandemic lockdown mode, the couple were itching to shake things up. “At the time, Chris worked for a mortgage company, and he loves real estate,” says Nelson. “When we sit around the TV at night, he’s on Zillow mapping out stuff.” Through this seemingly harmless latenight real estate browsing, Woodyard spotted a real gem: a gorgeous fourbedroom and four-bath home, almost 7,000 square feet, with a once-in-alifetime view of Burden Lake in Averill Park (about a three-hour drive from Hoboken, which sits on the Hudson River right across from Manhattan). “Chris found it, and he was like, ‘I see it—I want it,’” laughs Nelson. So Woodyard and Nelson traveled up to the Capital Region to see the lakefront property for themselves. But the home was not in good shape, having been unoccupied and under sporadic construction for nearly two decades.
As for Nelson, he dove into his passion for decorating in order to transform the Burden Lake piece of real estate, leaning on one of his favorite designers, Fixer Upper host Joanna Gaines. “I definitely was able to use some of her design aesthetic,” he says. “We tried to do it somewhat on a budget but also with the help of family.” For example, Woodyard’s aunt and uncle were downsizing their home and getting rid of a pool table, so Nelson decided to design an entire classic pool room based on this beautiful family piece.
In addition to the physical challenges demanded of such an extensive renovation, as the project dragged on, it also tested the new homeowners’ connection with each other. “We almost thought we were going to get a divorce,” jokes Nelson, who’d been dating Woodyard for more than six years. “The redesign allowed us to use different creative parts in ourselves, but it also challenged our relationship.” A big part of that strain was the stress created by Covid’s effect on the supply chain, postponing getting basic materials that continually delayed the project.
Thankfully, shortages didn’t permanently halt the renovations: Last Christmas, Nelson and Woodyard hosted both of their families for the holidays for the first time
Theever.romantic strain proved only temporary as well—Woodyard proposed to Nelson this past Valentine’s Day at Rockefeller Plaza. “I had originally considered proposing to Austin at the lake house,” says Woodyard, who eventually opted for a more public location. “We would frequently make trips to the house during construction and it felt incredible seeing walls, tiling, trim, and general spaces like the kitchen coming together. We’re nearing the finish line and finally stepping back we can see how much work we really put into the property. It’s been a labor of love.”
In order to turn the barebones “shell” into the cozy, getaway lake house of their dreams, Nelson and Woodyard worked with local developer Rich Kelly of Development,FieldCrest who led the charge on remodeling the huge anyEvenand-bathfour-bed-structure.withoutexperience,Woodyard,who’squitethehandymanaccordingtoNelsonandapparentlysomewhatofanamateurarchitectaswell,usedsoftware
N
An airplane view of the property from when it was a YMCA camp
Labor of love is right. A year-and-a-half after closing on the house, its makeover is complete with a new modern-meetsvintage minimalist style showing off lots of natural textures and tones, such as stone, wood and leather, with shiplap walls, sliding barn doors, slate laminate floors, and natural wood beams on the ceilings (not to mention a brand new wooden deck). The master bathroom features a walk-in shower covered in immaculate white subway tile with an indulgent three showerheads. But most impressive is the grand room with its great stone fireplace, cozy rockers, armchairs and colorful Moroccan rugs, plus wall-to-ceiling windows displaying stunning views of Burden Lake below. And the men, along with their dog, Goose, are making most of the lake itself as well—donning ice-skates last winter and standup paddleboarding and boating all summer. “It’s beautiful and very surreal looking out because you see the lake and trees and even a bald eagle that lives on the lake,” says Nelson about the view from the grand room. “When we host, I’ll turn off all the lights in the house so you can see the stars and the fireflies. It’s almost like our own terrarium.” Now that the renovations are finished at last, the Garden State couple has not only been enjoying their New York getaway, but they’ve also begun renting it. “Austin created the Airbnb listing for the house shortly after we purchased it,” says Woodyard. “And we started to see requests come in, even with the house still under construction.” Now nearly every weekend the Burden Lake house is booked up, and the engaged couple are even getting requests for weddings and other events. “But that’s TBD,” Nelson quickly adds. “We really love the area. We’ve been used to city life, but it’s been cool seeing that Albany is very much a city in and of itself.” For now, Nelson and Woodyard are trying to enjoy the home more themselves, spending time up here whenever they can. Plus, they too have a wedding to plan soon. Who knows? They might already have the perfect location for a rehearsal dinner or a day-after send-off breakfast. CRL
FALL 202 2 | CRLMAG.COM | 25
BY CHRISTINE GRAF Following this summer’s debuts of Burnt Hills native Kieran Rhodes on ‘America’s Got Talent’ and Saratoga Springs High School teacher Josh Johnson on ‘Dancing with Myself,’ CRL looks back at local stars who made it big on prime time silver screen talent shows. TALENTGOTREGION’S
THE CAPITAL
American Idol contestant Madison VanDenburg is a working singer here in the Capital Region.
KIERAN RHODES AMERICA’S GOT TALENT, SEASON 17
“It’s just so crazy to walk out and know that millions of people are watching you,” she says. “I had stage fright every single time, and it didn’t really get easier. For me, it got worse and worse. If I didn’t have people pushing and encouraging me, I don’t think I could have been able to do Sinceit.” returning home and graduating from high school, VanDenburg has devoted herself full-time to her music. Although the COVID pandemic interfered with her career, the singer-songwriter made the most of her down time. “It gave me a chance,” she says, “to figure out who I am as an artist.” Now back performing in front of live audiences, VanDenburg recently opened for legendary rocker Pat Benatar, documented the recording of her single “Game Changer” in Nashville in a three-part television series called Game Changers, and strives to appreciate each and every step in her musical career.
“When I was on American Idol, I learned to appreciate being in the moment,” she says. “It’s so fast paced—you are sucked up in this whirlwind and then it’s gone. I try to take the time to appreciate America's Got Talent contestant Kieran Rhodes wowed the judges. The video of his audition has almost 5 million views on YouTube, but he was cut before the live shows.
MADISON VANDENBURG AMERICAN IDOL, SEASON 17 Just 16 years old at the time of her 2019 American Idol debut, Cohoes resident Madison VanDenburg thought she blew her chance when her voice cracked in the middle of her audition. “In my head, I thought it was over,” she recalls. “I thought I had screwed up.” When her performance rendered Lionel Richie speechless, gave Katy Perry and Luke Bryan goosebumps, and elicited comparisons to Kelly Clarkson, she was stunned, and remained stunned all the way through the hit show’s finale, in which she finished a disappointing-in-the-moment but ultimately insanely impressive third.
The Voice, making the 16-year-old the show’s youngest male winner at the time. The following year, magician Steven Brundage, who got his start performing card tricks on the streets of Saratoga, made it to the semifinals of America’s Got Talent for his unique Rubik’s Cube magic. Then, in 2019 came Madison VanDenburg, the Shaker High junior who made it all the way to the American Idol finale, eliciting comparisons to Idol royalty Kelly Clarkson in the process, before finishing in third place. And this year the Capital Region enjoyed the national spotlight again, on two different prime time shows. In honor of the occasion, CRL caught up with local stars of TV talent shows past and present to learn more about their local roots, how they made it to the big leagues, and if there really is, something in that crystal clear Upstate water.
If you missed 20-year-old Burnt Hills native Kieran Rhodes’ America’s Got Talent audition, which aired this past June, go directly to YouTube and watch the moving video that at press time had almost 5 million views. After his rendition of Billy Joel’s “She’s Got a Way” was interrupted by Simon Cowell, the self-taught pianist and vocalist switched to a chills-inducing original song called “Disengage,” which he wrote during his fall 2021 semester at Berklee School of Music. “I was in a [bad] place that whole semester,” he says. “When I wrote ‘Disengage,’ it was my way of trying to understand what was going on in my head.”Rhodes’ road to AGT was a strange one. A standout second baseman as a kid, Rhodes had plans of playing college baseball until life threw him a curve ball during his freshman year of high school. “Right as things were getting super serious with baseball, music poked its head into my life,” he says. “I had this sudden urge to play piano, so I sat down and taught myself how to play. I also started to sing and write songs. It was so strange and so out of nowhere, but it felt so Thatright.”revelation led him to apply to one college and one college only: Berklee, even though he found the other students, most of whom had been training for most of their lives, intimidating. There, in early 2022, he performed on campus for a panel of visitors, one of whom was AGT producer Courtney Harrell. “She told me that she was blown away and loved my stuff,” he says. “Then she said, ‘I’m a producer on America’s Got Talent, and I want to tell you that you are on Season 17.’” Unfortunately, after the judges were forced to whittle down their list of contestants, Rhodes didn't make it to the live shows. But he doesn’t have any regrets. “I feel like I already won,” he says. “I’m just so grateful for all of this.”
FALL 202 2 | CRL MAG.COM | 27 In 2015, the Capital Region was living through a period of Sawyer-mania. Longhaired, wonhad,SawyerFultonvillehome-schooledfarmboyFredericksagainstallodds,NBC’s
the moment, love it for what it is, and be happy with everything.”
SAWYER FREDERICKS
The Voice winner Sawyer Fredericks, who is back home in the Capital Region after a 25-show national tour.
THE VOICE, SEASON 8 When a talent scout invited Sawyer Fredericks to audition for NBC’s The Voice, the then–15-year-old almost turned down the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. “I was a bit of an introvert and wasn’t sure if I wanted to go through doing interviews and being on camera, but I decided to try it out,” says Fredericks, who had been performing his unique style of contemporary folk music at Capital Region farmers’ markets up until that point. “I wasn’t very nervous for the performances, but I was very nervous for the interviews and was stumbling over all of my Duringwords.”his2015 audition, he wowed coaches Christina Aguilera, Adam Levine, Blake Shelton and Pharrell Williams, all of whom turned their chairs around almost immediately after he began singing. (At auditions for The Voice, the judges face the live studio audience, pushing a button to turn their chair around and see the singer for the first time if they’d like to have him or her on their “team.”) Fredericks was so surprised, he missed a few notes on his guitar. “It was crazy,” he says. “I didn’t know if my kind of music was something they would want on the show.” With his pick of the A-list coaches, Fredericks went with Pharrell Williams, who guided him all the way to the top of Season 8. After winning the show, the self-taught artist released his debut album with Republic Records, before parting ways with the label and producing two independent albums, 2018’s Hide Your Ghosts and 2020’s Flowers For You. Last fall, he crisscrossed the country for a 25-show run with his band, and the 23-year-old continues creating his one-of-a-kind brand of “free range folk.”
FALL 202 2 | CRL MAG.COM | 29 www.GNHshowroom.com Remodeling your kitchen adds style, functionality and many years of enjoyment. So, why wait? The experts at the GNH Design Showroom will help you bring your vision to life. Choose from a range of beautiful Omega cabinetry and durable Marvin windows to create your one-of-a-kind kitchen. Get started today! Visit our Latham showroom for your FREE kitchen design consultation. 898 New Loudon Rd, Latham, NY | 518-313-1229 SHOWROOM HOURS: Mon-Fri: 9-5 | Sat: by appointment only Make Your Home Your Own with an Updated Kitchen
Another local star who found fame on the silver screen this past summer is Josh Johnson, a Saratoga Springs High School English teacher who moonlights as a dancing Instagrammer. After switching his profile to public a few years ago, Johnson, a self-taught freestyle dancer with an old-school style, had a video go viral, and was selected as a contestant on Dancing With Myself, a brand-new show created by Shakira that pits everyday people with a passion for dance against one another in a series of viral trend–inspired dance challenges.WhenJohnson got the call from an NBC casting director, he thought it was his sister playing a joke on him. It wasn’t, and soon enough Johnson was performing in front of a live audience in Atlanta. But he wasn’t nervous. “I’m a teacher,” he says. “I’m in front of a studio audience every day.” (In fact, Mr. Johnson is known to occasionally “bust out” in the lunch room or during study hall, and some of his most delightful Instagram videos take place at school.) Unlike other TV talent shows, Dancing With Myself crowns a winner each episode, so Johnson’s moment in the spotlight was one night only. He was eliminated after four rounds, but it actually came as a bit of a relief. “Luckily I didn’t make it to Round 5, which was Shakira’s dance with a lot of hips and belly rolls,” he says. “I’m glad I didn’t have to do that in front of her and embarrass myself.” Back home in the Spa City, Mr. Johnson has been enjoying his celebrity status. “They’re excited for me,” he says of his students. “If anyone thinks I’m an old dork, they don’t say it to my face, so that’s cool.”
STEVEN BRUNDAGE AMERICA’S GOT TALENT, SEASON 11
JOSH JOHNSON DANCING WITH MYSELF, SEASON 1
It was a routine 2014 traffic stop in Scotia that changed magician Steven Brundage’s life. After being pulled over for speeding, he mentioned to theDancing With Myself contestant Josh Johnson got his start dancing in front of his Saratoga Springs High School students.
After America's Got Talent, magician Steven Brundage became a sought-after entertainer for private and corporate events. police officers that he was a magician. When they asked him to show them a trick, Brundage obliged, asking one of the men to record the impromptu “performance” on his cell phone. Brundage amazed the officers with his Rubik’s Cube sleight of hand, and instead of being issued a speeding ticket, he received what he referred to as his “golden ticket”—a cell phone video. The video racked up millions of views on social media, and just one day later Brundage was on the set of Good Morning America performing his Rubik’s Cube magic. Appearances on The Steve Harvey Show, Penn and Teller: Fool Us and, eventually, America’s Got Talent, followed. In his first two performances on AGT, Brundage performed tricks he had perfected during his many years of street performing in Saratoga. “I wasn’t nervous at all because I had put thousands of hours into those tricks,” he says. “But for the last two episodes”—Brundage made it to the show’s semifinals—”I performed tricks that I had never actually done. That’s where it got pretty intense. It was a lot of pressure, but it was a really fantastic experience.” After AGT, Brundage performed shows in India, China, Saudi Arabia, Europe and in almost every single US state, before the pandemic brought his touring career to a halt. During his down time, the Schenectady Christian School grad focused on another one of his talents: making large mosaics. His medium of choice? The Rubik’s Cube, of course. CRL
FALL 202 2 | CRL MAG.COM | 31
32 | CAPITAL REGION LIVING | FALL 2022 SYMBOLS, SKELETONS, AND CLOSESSATIREOCTOBER 10 WILLIAMSTOWN, MASSACHUSETTS MajorCLARKART.EDUfundingfor Meander is provided by Agnes Gund and Katherine and Frank Martucci, with additional support from Thomas and Lily Beischer, and Margaret and Richard Kronenberg. José Guadalupe Posada, Calavera Catrina (detail), c. 1890–1913. Relief print. Amon Carter Museum of American Art, Fort Worth, Texas, 1978.384.11. Tauba Auerbach, Heat Current VII (detail), 2022. Enhanced infrared photo printed on wallpaper. Courtesy of the artist and Paula Cooper Gallery, New York. © Tauba Auerbach [photo: Steven Probert]; Yuji Agematsu, zip: 08.01.21 . . 08.31.21, 2021 (detail: 08.31.21). Mixed media in cigarette pack cellophane wrapper. Private collection, Zurich. © Yuji Agematsu [photo: Stephen Faught] TAUBA AUERBACH YUJIAND CLOSESMEANDERAGEMATSU:OCTOBER16 SEE TWO SHOWS!GREAT WOLFERTS ROOST COUNTRY CLUB NOW BOOKING FOR 2022 & WEDDINGS!2023 sales @ wolfertsroost.com ( 518 ) 449 3223 www.wolfertsroost.com NOW BOOKING FOR 2023 & WEDDINGS!2024 sales@wolfertsroost.com 518.449.3223 www.wolferstroost.com
(from top) Glenville Oktoberfest; Wolf Hollow Brewing Company’s Oktoberfest beer
September 10
Kick off the Oktoberfest season with Wolf Hollow, which on September 10 will host its annual Oktoberfest—featuring food trucks, games, music and cold pints of the brewery’s Fall Tree Oktboberfest beer—from noon to 9pm. Limited edition half-liter WHBC mugs will be on sale while supplies last. wolfhollowbrewing.com
Wolf Hollow Brewing Oktoberfest
Join SingleCut North & Side Stage Tap Room for its annual Bavarian bash on September 17. Stop by the Clifton Park brewery from 1 to 6pm for a sandwich from the Two For The Road food truck, barbecue from Tikkun BBQ, and plenty of beer served in limited edition steins. Compete in the stein-hoisting competition, or sit back and listen to live music all day long. singlecut.com
September 24 Glenville Oktoberfest Celebrate the start of fall September 24 at Glenville’s family-friendly Oktoberfest, held in beautiful Maalwyck Park. Enjoy Bavarian food, beer and live music from Gregory and The Brauhaus Band, Herbie and His Accord-a-Tones, and The Bratwurst Boys. glenvilleoktoberfest.com
Events Calendar » Próst, beer drinkers! You’ve got at least 12 Upstate Oktoberfests to cheers to this fall. « B Y HELENA BARTLETT
September 17 SingleCut Oktoberfest
Bridge Street’s German-themed block party is back! Enjoy a day of games, German food, beer specials, vendors and live music, plus yodeling and steinhoisting competitions. amsterdamny.gov
October 15
Lake George Village Oktoberfest
Return to beautiful Lake George for another can’t-miss Oktoberfest celebration during peak fall foliage season. What can you expect? Nonstop polka music, an Adirondack Brewery beer garden, bratwurst, keg-tossing, stein-hoisting, potato pancakes, cornhole and samples from local craft breweries, wineries and cideries. lakegeorgeoktoberfest.com
October 22 Northway Brewing Oktoberfest Strap on your lederhosen and dirndls and head up to Northway Brewing, where dozens of local breweries converge for the ultimate upstate beersampling event, featuring live music, food and games. northwaybrewingco.com
October 7-9
October 8 Amsterdam OktoberFest
Whiteface Mountain Oktoberfest
Wolff’s Biergarten Oktoberfest
FROGtoberfestBrewing
October 1 and 2
FROGtoberfest, which always features fun surprises and terrific fall-worthy brews, returns again this year to great fanfare. Head to Schenectady brewery Frog Alley on the first day of October for an afternoon of beer and live music
October 1
September 24
Chatham’s annual OctoberFeast harvest celebration returns to Columbia County this October 8. Stay tuned for details, but get pumped for tons of food and activities that appeal to the whole family, plus plenty of beer-centric treats for the adults. visitchathamny.com
34 | CAPITAL REGION LIVING | FALL 2022
Adirondack Brewery Oktoberfest
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Wolff’s Biergarten Oktoberfest Wolff’s Biergarten is holding its 12th annual Oktoberfest Block Party! Join the Albany bar on Broadway from 11am to 6pm for food trucks, dachshund races, boot-chugging and stein-holding competitions, and a live polka band. Presale tickets are $25 and include a one-liter commemorative stein. Admission at the door is $30. wolffsbiergarten.com
Mixed Breed Brewing Oktoberfest
Guilderland Center Brewery Mixed Breed will host its second annual Oktoberfest this September 24, and you’re invited! Stay tuned for more details, but expect one thing: plenty of craft beer. mixedbreedbrewing.com
October 8 Chatham OctoberFeast
Kick off the month of October with a trek up the Northway to Whiteface Mountain’s two-day Bavarian-style celebration featuring live oompah music, dancing and food (two orders of spätzle, please!). Enjoy a stein of German beer and take a scenic gondola ride for some of the best leaf-peeping in the state. whiteface.com STAFF PICK ��
by Jimmie Allen, Alana Springsteen, Skeeter Creek and more, beginning at 3:30pm. frogalleybrewing.com
October 1 Frog Alley
Celebrate the long Indigenous Peoples’ Day Weekend the right way at Lake George Village’s annual Oktoberfest and Fall Festival. This free three-day event will feature nonstop German and Polka music, traditional dancers, an Adirondack Brewery beer garden, local wine, carnival rides and bratwurst aplenty! lakegeorgeoktoberfest.com
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This Ballston Lake general dentistry office focuses on improving the oral health of Capital Region families. The team is dedicated to giving you the best dental care in the most comfortable and professional environment, ensuring that you have the best experience possible. Dr. Rachel Hargraves practices conservative dentistry using state-of-the-art technology, and her treatment recommendations always consider your long-term dental health and wellbeing.
Dr. Hargraves graduated summa cum laude in the top 10 percent of her class from the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. Following graduation, she relocated to Miami to pursue rigorous postgraduate training at the Miami Veterans Hospital. A fan of warm sun and bright smiles, she stayed in
Dr. Joslin joined the practice over a year ago and has brought a great energy with her. Also a native to the Capital Region, Dr. Joslin grew up in Mechanicville. She received her DDS from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Joslin completed an advanced training residency at Ellis Hospital, treating complex dental needs. She is also fluent in Spanish.
›› GENERAL DENTISTRY ‹‹
Dr. Hargraves and Dr. Joslin are committed to providing high quality care and are focused on the patient experience. They take a special interest in helping patients who have had a difficult past experience at the dentist and making them feel comfortable again.
CONTACT INFORMATION: 30 Round Lake Road Ballston drhargraves.com518.899.2252Lake
Dr. Rachel Hargraves DDS, PLLC and Dr. Aliah Joslin, DDS
Florida for several years to practice dentistry in private practice in Pompano Beach, before returning to her New York roots to practice dentistry in the Capital Region.
CONTACT INFORMATION: 157 Lake Avenue Saratoga alfredhollisdds.com518.584.1400Springs
FALL 202 2 | CRL MAG.COM | 37 Alfred W. Hollis, DDS
Dr. Tejas R. Pandya, DPM, FACFAS
CAPITAL DISTRICT PODIATRY, PLLC
›› GENERAL DENTISTRY ‹‹ When you enter Dr. Hollis’ Saratoga Springs boutique dental office, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, the library greets you as the first part of your warm welcome. “What differentiates our office is that we really are focused on building relationships with our patients,” says Dr. Hollis, a third-generation dentist. “We get the chance to know our patients and we spend time coming up with plans for optimizing their dental health together.” Looking over photographs and x-rays, and discussing treatment options with patients is an important part of what he refers to as co-diagnosis, without all the confusing medical jargon. “People can see with their own eyes what needs to be done.” Born in Glens Falls, Dr. Hollis completed his general practice residency at St. Clare’s Hospital and worked in Saratoga and Clifton Park before opening his practice in downtown Saratoga Springs. When he is not caring for patients, Dr. Hollis enjoys spending time with his wife and three children in the Adirondacks and on Lake George.
›› PODIATRY ‹‹ Dr. Tejas R. Pandya sees patients who are suffering daily from foot pain. His podiatry practice offers simple solutions to help address your foot problems, because no one should have to live with pain. A board-certified podiatrist specializing in the treatment of simple and complex foot conditions, he sees patients of all ages, from infants to the elderly, for conditions such as ingrown toenails, fungal toenails, heel pain, bone spurs, bunions, hammertoes, foot tumors, fractures and neuromas, as well as for diabetic foot care. Dr. Pandya graduated from Siena College in Loudonville and went on to study Podiatry Medicine and Surgery at New York College of Podiatric Medicine in Manhattan. He then completed a surgical residency in foot surgery at Little Falls Hospital in Little Falls. He has served as vice president and president of New York State Podiatry Association - Northeast Chapter and is a Diplomat of the American Board of Podiatry Surgery and American Board of Multiple Specialties in Podiatry and is Hyperbaric Medicine Certified. He also serves as chairman for the department of Podiatry at Samaritan Hospital.
CONTACT INFORMATION: 763 Hoosick Road, Troy 855 Route 146 Bldg. B, Clifton Park capitaldistrictpodiatry.com518.273.0053
BRANDING LOGO Andrew T. Frank, DMD 1816 Western Avenue, Albany NY 12203 518.456.3551 albanysmiles.com CALL TO SCHEDULE YOUR COMPLIMENTARY COSMETIC CONSULT TODAY! IS WEDDINGYOURDAYREADY? Smile J. Craig Alexander, DMD ›› GENERAL DENTISTRY ‹‹ Enjoy eating again! Smile with confidence! Dr. Alexander is one of only a few dentists in the Capital Region who both places and restores dental implants, so your entire treatment can be done in one office. Dr. Alexander’s résumé includes: • More than 30 years providing comprehensive quality dental care • Dartmouth College graduate: summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa • University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, 1982 graduate, first in his class • Harvard School of Dental Medicine and the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston: two years of medical and surgical training • Master of the Academy of General Dentistry • Fellow of the International Academy of Mini Dental Implants • Diplomat of the International Dental Implant Association Dr. Alexander treats treat all patients as friends and neighbors. Watch the doctor on YouTube! CONTACT INFORMATION: 739 Columbia Turnpike East jcraigalexanderdmd.com518.477.1008Greenbush
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• Invert Bundt pans onto a sheet pan, tapping on the back of the pan to release the cakes.
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Yields about six mini Bundt cakes
• While your cakes are cooling, whip your heavy cream with the powdered sugar until stiff peaks form. Fold your vanilla extract into your whipped cream.
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• S erve your delicious cakes with whipped cream and toppings. Enjoy! CRL
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• Add your fresh grated ginger, molasses and baking soda into your cup of hot water. Stir and set aside to cool.
Ingredients: 4 tbsp unsalted butter at room temperature (plus extra for greasing pans) 2 oz fresh ginger, peeled and grated ½ cup dark molasses ½ tsp baking soda • ½ cup hot water • 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
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PUMPKIN TO TALK ABOUT DALEY’S ON YATES’ PUMPKIN GINGER PUDDING CAKES ARE THE ULTIMATE FALL TREAT.
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Directions: • Heat oven to 350 degrees. Using a pastry brush, butter the interior of your mini Bundt pans. Set aside.
• Grab your food processor for this next part. Add your flour, salt, ground ginger, cinnamon, candied ginger, cloves and baking powder mixture to your food processor and process until fully incorporated (no large chunks of candied ginger). ¼ tsp salt • 1 tsp ground ginger • ¼ tsp cinnamon • ¼ cup candied ginger Pinch of cloves • 1 ½ tsp baking powder • ½ cup packed light brown sugar • 1 large egg ¾ cup pumpkin purée 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 cup heavy cream 2-3 tbsp powdered sugar • ½ tsp vanilla extract Candied ginger (optional)
• In an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat your 4 tablespoons of butter and brown sugar together on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about five minutes. Then add your egg, and beat until fluffy, another five minutes. Reduce your mixer speed to low and add your pumpkin puree, mixing until just incorporated. Alternately add your dry ingredients and the molasses mixture, starting and ending with your dry ingredients. Mix on low speed, scraping the bowl after each addition until fully incorporated.
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• Fresh Mint (optional)
• Transfer your mixture to your prebuttered Bundt pan. Bake uncovered until golden brown and firm to the touch. (15- 20 minutes).
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FALL 202 2 | CRL MAG.COM | 41 The History of Power & Power of History Blenheim-Gilboa Visitors Center & Lansing Manor • Fun, Interactive Exhibits at Visitors Center, Open Year-Round • Early American Life at Historic Lansing Manor, Open May — Oct • Free Events & Activities For the Whole Family, Year-Round Blenheim-Gilboa Power Project Visitors Center 1378 State Route 30 North Blenheim NY 12131 Info nypa.gov/BGVisitorsCenter1-800-724-0309 Scan for Details FREE ADMISSION & PARKING Calendar of Sep2022Events17 Wildlife Festival Oct 22 Festival of Frights Nov 6, 13, 20, 27 Sunday Movies Dec 3 Holly Jolly Party John Boyd Thacher State Park and Thompson’s Lake State Park would like to say thanks for voting us #1 for Best Park, Best Hiking Trail! We look forward to a fantastic 2022 season of giving you more of the “best”! 518.872.1237 • Friendsofthacherpark.org
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42 | CAPITAL REGION LIVING | FALL 2022 Nipperfest 2022
NIPPERTOWN FOUNDER
JULY 23 - THE MUSIC HAVEN STAGE Mid-heatwave, CRL joined Schnectady’s music die-hards for Nippertown’s first annual NipperFest, at the town’s gorgeous Music Haven Stage in Central Park on July 23. Our magazine to feature our “Schenectady Rising” story, which details the hard work that went into making the city the hotspot that it is today, on the cover—which was a hit among the locals (as one might imagine). We caught awesome afternoon sets by Side-B, Josh Casano and Angelina Valente. Later that evening, Putnam Place’s Sly Fox announced the headliner Super 400, a band that featured one member’s daughter on drums during a Led Zeppelin song. She nailed it.
NANCY
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ExpertsTHE Stars // Education // Travel
Open, invite, allow and surrender to change. It’s best to frame change as positive, useful and working to support you on your highest path. Fighting, resisting and contracting creates enormous unwanted amounts of tension in your body.
hange is inevitable, and autumn knows this all too well. Have you been feeling a bit shaken and stirred as summer transitions into fall? August, which this year had a strong Uranian influence, brought a particularly intense month full of bumps and new developments. But heck, we’ve been no strangers to personal and collective change since 2020, and we’re not done yet. This electrifying energy will continue to work with us intimately through the beginning of 2023. The shift that Uranus brings can be felt in numerous ways, but ultimately serves our highest paths.
Falling Away From the Old Self
Affirmation: I am relaxing into the unknown and inviting positive change on my highest path. Keep an open mind. Our brains have a tendency to create negative thought forms and expect the worst. Keep your mind open to other, more constructive possibilities by asking yourself: “What else could be true?”
Where have you feared or resisted necessary change? That is where the ongoing energy of the Saturn and Uranus square will continue to apply tension and force you to adapt to new situations.
The revolutionary Uranus will be retrograde and squaring Saturn during the entire fall season, challenging us to break free from the rigid and outdated structures of our lives. To embrace change and make the most of it over the next four months, take time to process the paradigm shifts and sudden changes that have taken place in your life over the past two years. Determine what is no longer working, what new structures you are inspired to create, and what new pathways you want to follow.
4 tips for working with Uranian energy:
This fall’s Uranian energy will challenge us with unexpected—yet necessary—change.
BY RACHELLE BOOTH
44 | CAPITAL REGION LIVING | FALL 2022
Use tools to regulate your nervous system. Regularly take care of your nervous system. Uranian energy is intense and you will need to counterbalance. Some ideas include breathing practices, affirmations, calming essential oils, meditation, being in nature and grounding visualizations. Enlist support. When we feel a sense of shock, we can become immobilized. Enlist support from trusted friends or professionals (coaches, guides or therapists) to make sense of what you are experiencing and learn how to move forward proactively. I personally love using tarot and astrology for times of transition and change. Holding you as powerful and wishing you the best during these transitions. CRL Rachelle Booth is a spiritual guide reclamation,journeyyourlifetransformationalandcoach.Toigniteself-discoveryandfemininevisit as.me/rachelletrahancoaching.
C
This square is creating a breakthrough in consciousness—a shift both from the old, outdated ways of being and to newly aligned ways. This revolutionary energy can bring with it upsetting, sudden and unexpected events as it creates the necessary shifts for our newly aligned and authentic paths. Even though Uranus applies its breakthroughs where we need it most, this kind of sudden change can be a shock to the system. Here’s how to best navigate the unexpected over the next several months.
Most schools (about 70%) are now test optional. That doesn’t mean, however, that your child should not take them.
This criterion is by far the most important: College admissions professionals want to know which students can succeed at their school. If a student has taken Advanced Placement (AP) and honors courses in high school, and has done well, he or she will be more likely to succeed in college. The more selective a college, the more likely its a college essay comes in. For most students, this is a difficult process. That’s why it’s important to spend time crafting a quality essay, whether it’s a standard “tell us about yourself” essay or something more esoteric, such as “What advice would a wisdom tooth have?” College essays have become their own genre of writing, and admissions coaches like myself can teach students how to make the most of theirs.
Extracurricular Involvement
Demonstrated Interest Colleges have seen huge increases in their applicant pools, so many try to hedge their bets on who will attend if admitted. That means showing that you’re interested in a given college goes a long way. Students should also open emails (something that admissions departments can—and do—track) and letters from colleges, and initiate contact with admissions staffs as often as possible.
BY DR. DEAN SKARLIS T
FALL 202 2 | CRL MAG.COM | 45 Stars // Education // Travel
admissions team is to prefer a rigorous course load and a strong GPA.
Teacher Recommendations
Contrary to popular belief, colleges aren’t necessarily looking for students who have participated in 15 different activities. They prefer quality over quantity. Most schools simply want to see busy students who do well academically. Dr. Dean Skarlis is the president/owner of The College Advisor of New York, an allassistanceandadmissionscompanyAlbany-basedthatprovidescoachingfinancialstrategiestostudentsovertheworld.Formore information, visit CollegeAdvisorNy.com
Most colleges require at least one teacher recommendation, but many ask for more. Students should ask teachers who know them well, and preferably who teach core academic subjects (math, science, English), to write on their behalf.
How to Ace a College Application Help your favorite high school student get college-ready with this guide to what college admissions teams look for in an application.
SAT/ACT Scores
I recommend that most students take one of these exams at least twice, perhaps three times. (The tests are very different, and many schools will accept either.) Scoring well will not only boost your child’s application, but it will also improve his or her chances of being awarded a merit scholarship. If a student does not submit a standardized test, his or her GPA and college essay become even more important. College Essays Colleges want to learn something about a student that is not depicted in his or her transcript. That’s where here’s a great deal of regardingmisinformationexactly what’s important—and what’s not—when it comes time for high school students to apply to college. The following is a definitive list, in order of importance, of what you already know colleges consider when making admissions decisions—but with the most up-to-date insider info you need to know this year
Good Grades in Rigorous Courses
Turnkey Tripping
STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY NATALIE MOORE
46 | CAPITAL REGION LIVING | FALL 2022 ExpertsTHE Stars // Education // Travel
on the islands of Lake George. For me, it was the best week of the year, full of boating, swimming and s’more-making. For my parents, it was more than a little work: the boat always broke, the cooler always needed more ice and it always—always—rained. Now that I’m years into camping on my own as an adult, I understand the effort that goes into a successful camping trip. Yet, I still crave getaways to our region’s beautiful lakes. Enter Oneida Lake’s brand-new vacation destination, The Cove at Sylvan Beach, an unbelievably effortless lake getaway. For starters, the lakeside cottage community, which celebrated its grand opening this spring and whose season goes as far into October as the weather allows, is a two-hours-flat drive from Albany and only about 15 minutes off exit 33 of the Thruway. Before you arrive, a door code is texted to you, so you can head right into your two- or three-bedroom cottage (they sleep six and 10, respectively) when you arrive. Inside, there’s a kitchen stocked with any cooking and serving supplies you’ll need, beach and bath towels, and a washer and dryer. (The cottages also have central air…The Cove: 1, camping: 0.) Outside, there’s a gas grill with a propane tank, a fire pit with Adirondack chairs and your very own pontoon boat in a private slip labeled with your cottage number. (Safety first: You do have to take an online boater safety course in order to take the boat out.) Just down the cove (yes, The Cove is located in a cove) is Sylvan Beach Supply Co., an open-to-the-public convenience store/ice cream parlor/candy shop/ watersports equipment rental shop/ café all under one modernly beachy roof. You can charge your purchases right to your room, and the staff will even deliver bags of ice and bundles of firewood to your cottage for you. Oh, and there’s
G
campingwerevacationsfamilyup,rowingmy
Just two hours from the Capital Region, The Cove at Sylvan Beach offers amenity-packed lakeside fun that slides naturally into early fall.
Noplaygroundrustic-looking-but-brand-spankin’-newaandheatedcommunitypool.biggie.WhileTheCoveimplementsa minimum week-long stay throughout the summer months, come September, two-night stays are permitted. That’s how long I was there on a recent trip, and honestly, I wished I’d had more time. We spent our one full day out on the water, nearly traversing the 20-mile-long lake (Oneida is the largest lake that’s completely in New York State; you can’t quite see from one end to the other). On our way back, we docked at Oneida Lake Brew Haus for a couple of beers and a basket of soft pretzels before returning home (it really did feel like home!) to change out of our swimsuits. Dinner was at The Lake House at Sylvan Beach, which is located literally on Sylvan Beach itself, right next to a small, amusementboardwalk-stylepark,andhasacasinorightinthelobby.Weskippedtheslotsandheadedstraightfortherestaurant,whosevibeandmenucouldalmost convince you that you’re on the ocean, not a Whilelake.you could surely spend a week boating and cooking in your squeakyclean kitchen, there’s plenty more to do in and around Sylvan Beach. Some things I look forward to trying next time: nearby Turning Stone’s award winning Skaná Spa, which is The Cove’s sister property and incorporates American Indian practices into its modern treatments; Verona Beach State Park, which boasts a “woods and wetland” nature trail; Saturday morning beach yoga, which is put on by Simply Grow Yoga; and The Daily Grind, the cutest turquoise blue walk-up coffee/smoothie window. The best part about The Cove though, at least for this dog mom, is that pups under 50 pounds are welcome; you don’t even need to find a boarder for your furry friend. Easy-peasy, indeed. CRL
FALL 202 2 | CRL MAG.COM | 47
(clockwise from left)
The Cove’s fleet of pontoon boats, which come with cottage rentals; the heated community pool; Sylvan Beach Supply Co.; a cottage with four two-bedroom rentals; the fish and chips from The Lake House; (opposite) guests and the public can rent kayaks, paddleboards and waterbikes like this one at Sylvan Beach Supply Co.
48 | CAPITAL REGION LIVING | FALL 2022 custom millwork • flooring • kiln dried softwoods, hardwoods & exotics • mulch & wood chips • paneling • reclaimed wood • rough cut pine & hemlock • siding • stones • tabletops & glue-ups • trusses Ghent wood products a space as unique as you The Art of Building (518) 828-5684 • 1262 Rte 66, Ghent, NY ghentwoodproducts.com
| CROSSEYEDOWL.COM 318 DELAWARE AVENUE, DELMAR |
I opened the shop back on October 1, 1993 to sell my own floral designs and other local handcrafted items. I never imagined that I’d still be doing it 29 years later. The Cross Eyed Owl Gift Shop is an extension of who I am and all the things I love. Having grown up in a retail environment I probably should have seen it coming!
My goal in the future is to continue providing great customer service and building new customer relationships that will keep them coming back for all of their jewelry needs. I hope to keep up with all the trends and always have a little bit of something for everyone. 518.758.6755 518.439.9993
What’s the most rewarding part of running your own business?
Do you have anything new going on that your customers should know about?
Joyelles Jewelers 3143 US 9, #8, VALATIE |
| JOYELLESJEWELERS.COM Mary Vail of Joyelles Jewelers
We look forward to adding in-store events to our calendar in 2023! For now we continue to host live shopping events weekly on our Facebook page (@CrossEyedOwl) to show what’s new in the shop!
It’s very rewarding to be a part of people’s special celebrations. I love helping customers choose the perfect gift or engagement ring, or repairing family heirlooms that are very special to them and have been in their family for generations. I especially love when customers come in with stories of how they received a special piece, showing us pictures and allowing us to work with them for years to come.
Getting to know the folks that walk through my door. Employees, customers and all the other people that it takes to run a business—we’re all one big family at the Cross Eyed Owl.
The Cross Eyed Owl Gift Shop
FALL 202 2 | CRL MAG.COM | 49 LOCALLY OWNED BUSINESS
Patricia Varga of The Cross Eyed Owl
I have enjoyed working with metal and gemstones ever since I took my first jewelry course at Skidmore College. I knew I wanted a career in the creative and artistic field, and I purchased Joyelles in 1990. When I had my daughter I knew that I wanted the freedom to bring her to work and grow a company that hopefully she takes over one day. What’s the most rewarding part of running Joyelles?
Do you have anything new going on that your customers should know about?
What inspired you to open your own gift shop?
Why did you want to open a jewelry store?
Browse Wayfinder to explore curated road trip trails that highlight hidden gems and must-see destinations, link communities and share the experience of life in the Adirondacks. Motorcycle enthusiasts will find a range of routes that put their interests at the forefront (hello, sweeping views!), while families can find trips that suit their multi-generational interests, from ice cream stands to the chance to get up close and personal with an owl.
Adirondack Wayfinder’s online travel planner is the easiest way to plan your dream Adirondack adventure this fall.
Visit AdirondackWayfinder.com today.
While you browse trails, you get to choose your adventure: Remove stops, add on useful options such as dining and lodging, and set your home address as the starting point. Wayfinder automatically reroutes to show exactly how to get from home to vacation bliss. Best of all, easily share the route to your phone via Google Maps.
Whether your idea of an Adirondack getaway is hiking waterfalls or sampling award-winning craft beer (there’s plenty!), learning to ski or simply making incredible memories, Adirondack Wayfinder can help make it all a reality.
Adirondack Bliss
One of New York’s most stunningly gorgeous places, the Adirondacks are filled with mountains that soar into the sky; tranquil lakes that go on for miles; vast, fragrant wilderness areas; and charming small towns. To travel in such a big place, you should have big vacation dreams.
It’s a lot to take in and a lot to plan. Fortunately, Adirondack Wayfinder can help take a lot of the guesswork and stress out of whatever your dream adventure entails. An easy-to-use online travel planner, Adirondack Wayfinder is like having your own travel agent, restaurant guru and Adirondack expert in your own home, on your computer or in your car.
Amid all the natural beauty, there are activities galore for adventurers of all speeds, all ages and all abilities. Hike the highest mountains in the state or enjoy a wheelchair-accessible nature trail. Dip your paddle into whitewater or flatwater, where the loons make for awe-inspiring companions. And oh, don’t forget that you want to shop, dine out and visit unique attractions and historic sites, too.
Food and drink are a big part of life anywhere you go, and the Adirondacks are no exception. Farm-to-table dining abounds, and our Cuisine Trails highlight locally-owned and operated farms where you can pick up everything from a snack to wine to ingredients for a stunning dinner. This is a place where food is savored and celebrated.
FALL GETAWAYS | ADVERTISING SECTION
Columbia County columbiacountytourism.org
Nestled between the Catskills and the Berkshires, beautiful Columbia County invites you to pay a visit. Home to everything from family farms and a thriving arts and entertainment culture, to world-class restaurants featuring choices from around the globe, this beautiful area beckons. This fall, hit up the county’s top golf courses, hiking trails and motor racing events. And check the calendar for yearly fall events, such as Cider Week and the Hillsdale Pumpkin Festival.
NY Power Blenheim-GilboaAuthority’s 397 Power Plant Access Road, Gilboa 800.724.0309; nypa.gov/BGVisitorsCenter
The Southern Finger Lakes provides plenty of lodging options. For a stress-free trip, sign up for a vacation package with themes such as wine-tasting or glass-blowing. This fall, explore Steuben! Rensselaer County’s brimming apple orchards make this area an idyllic fall getaway. It’s a special place where rural charm meets urban delights, and where cultural opportunities and pastoral pastimes happily coexist. From its thousands of acres of parks and miles of trails, to more than 500 lakes and ponds and its championship golf courses, there’s something for everyone. When it’s time to stop and refuel, there are more than 40 craft breweries, ale houses and bars to choose from. Dining options are an embarrassment of riches, covering any type of food you could find yourself craving after a busy day in RensCo.
FALL 202 2 | CRL MAG.COM | 51 rensco.com corningfingerlakes.com
The visitor experience at Blenheim-Gilboa is a triple play. The science of electricity and hydropower is on exhibit at the Visitors Center. Right beside it, history is preserved at Lansing Manor, a 19th century home. And it’s all surrounded by trails, boating, fishing and other outdoor recreation. Additional events are held throughout the year at the Schoharie County hydroelectric plant, and admission to the Lansing Manor and Visitors Center is always free, as are year-round events.
Steuben CountyRensselaer County
Savor the change in seasons by visiting Steuben County— nothing says fall like the beautiful panoramic views of the Finger Lakes region. While you’re there, visit the area’s wineries, top restaurants and exciting craft distillers—mad scientists and culinary wizards creating exceptional gin, vodka, whiskey and moonshine. Spending the night? From charming B&Bs tucked away in the surrounding towns and villages, to accommodations that allow you to stay within a stone’s throw of all the action—
225 South Street, Williamstown, MA 413.458.2303; clarkart.edu
52 | CAPITAL REGION LIVING | FALL 2022
COLUMBIACOUNTYTOURISM.ORG
Thacher State Park 830 Thacher Park Road, Voorheesville 518.872.1237; parks.ny.gov
John Boyd Thacher State Park is situated along the Helderberg Escarpment, one of the richest fossil-bearing formations in the world. Even as it safeguards six miles of limestone cliff-face, rock-strewn slopes, woodland and open fields, the park provides a marvelous panorama of the Hudson-Mohawk Valleys and the Adirondack and Green Mountains. The entire area famously comes alive with color this time of year. See for yourself this fall!
MCPEAK)(ERINparkThacher FALL GETAWAYS | ADVERTISING SECTION
® NYSDED
Clark Art Institute
The beautiful Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, MA is one of the world’s most loved and respected art museums. The Clark, as it is affectionately referred to, features world-class exhibits and a packed schedule of activities. The Bershires are stunning in the fall—save time to meander through the museum’s 140 acres of meadows, woodlands and mountain vistas.
Autumn is prime time to work on that last-minute project before the snow starts falling, whether it’s installing that stone patio, building a “man cave” or swapping your bartop for a live-edge slab. Regardless of your project, Ghent Wood Products is here to help. They have both traditional and not-so-traditional products, and their knowledgeable staff are available to help you make your vision a reality! Hunzinker 518.858.7917;Wynantskill
When it comes to driveway paving, you need to work with seasoned driveway contractors who can ensure that your driveway is smooth and functional. J. Hunziker has 20 years of experience serving the residential and commercial paving needs of customers throughout Troy and the nearby areas, and is committed to providing his customers with the best possible workmanship and service.
FALL 202 2 | CRL MAG.COM | 53
Wolberg Lighting Design Electrical Supply
All Seasons Equipment, Inc. is a family-owned and operated business located in Scotia that can provide you with the latest and best in outdoor power products to make your outdoor living more enjoyable. The staff are happy to help you find the perfect outdoor power equipment, service or parts you’ve been looking for, from brands including Ariens, Honda Power Equipment, Scag, STIHL and Toro.
Multiple wolbergelectric.comLocations
&
All Seasons Equipment
Paving
J.
Are you looking to renovate this fall? Remember to include a lighting layout plan that integrates comfort, control and energy efficiency to take your renovation to the next level. Talk to the lighting experts at the Albany, Schenectady or Saratoga lighting showrooms for the best guidance in lighting terminology, types of lighting and choosing the right LED bulbs.
Wood Products
HOME IMPROVEMENT | ADVERTISING SECTION
Ghent 1262 Route 66, Ghent 518.828.5684; ghentwoodproducts.com
jhunzikerpavingllc.com
60 Freeman’s Bridge Road, Scotia 518.372.5611; allseasonsequipinc.com
From its office in the foothills of the Hudson Valley region, Conklin Architecture designs truly one-off custom homes and commercial spaces throughout New York State, from New York City to the Adirondack region. Conklin takes pride in finding a harmonious balance of its client’s needs and wants to design a project with a unique, well thought-through design. Gas Logs 15 Drywall Lane, Voorheesville 518.765.4279; crgaslogs.com
HOME IMPROVEMENT | ADVERTISING SECTION KENDALL)(CHRISArchitectureConklin L. Browe Asphalt Services
& Fireplaces
Conklin Architecture 3 Fyke Road, 518.943.4220;Catskillconklinarchitecture.com
54 | CAPITAL REGION LIVING | FALL 2022 GNH Lumber 898 New Loudon Road, Latham 518.313.1229; gnhlumber.com
CR
CR Gas Logs & Fireplaces has been a leader in the hearth and patio industry in the greater Capital Region for more than 30 years. Whatever you’re thinking, CR Gas Logs’ staff will help educate you on the right choice for your home. CR Gas Logs’ goal is to have every customer, no matter if he or she makes a purchase or not, leave with a positive shopping experience. 518.479.1400;Rensselaer broweasphalt.com L. Browe Asphalt Services has served thousands of residential and commercial customers in the greater Hudson Valley with installations that are built to last, with correct elevations and subtle detailing to ease the job into the land. The end product is a true, level, aesthetically pleasing job with artistic curves and superior function that completes and enhances the entire property setting.
GNH Lumber’s expert kitchen and bath team, led by the esteemed Jacqueline Newell, is ready to make your dream home vision a reality. Take advantage of Newell’s 20 years of rich experience helping clients visualize each layer of their kitchen and bath design, from floor plan to finish. Visit the GNH Lumber showroom, or call today to schedule a free consultation.
Redbud Development is a landscape construction company specializing in the custom design and quality installation of residential improvement and development projects. With a creative and collaborative approach, Redbud helps clients imagine and build exterior environments that connect seamlessly with their interiors to reflect a homeowner’s personality and lifestyle. Call today to schedule your no-cost initial consultation.
Redbud Development
Albany Community Action Partnership 333 Sheridan Avenue, Albany 518.463.3175; albanycap.org
HOME IMPROVEMENT | ADVERTISING SECTION
Luizzi Asphalt Services’ mission is to be the most trusted name in quality products and dependable service for homes and businesses across the Capital Region. Luizzi is a thirdgeneration company that has provided services to thousands of satisfied customers over its years. Call Luizzi Asphalt Services for skilled solutions to all of your asphalt maintenance and repair needs.
FALL 202 2 | CRL MAG.COM | 55
70 Tivoli Street, Albany 518.459.7325; luizziasphalt.com
Claverack Pump Service 8960 NY-22, 518.828.6267;Hillsdaleclaverackpumpservice.com
2 Commerce Park Drive, Wilton 518.691.0428; redbuddevelopment.com
Each year families pay thousands of dollars for unneeded heating and energy costs because their homes are not properly weatherized. The Weatherization Assistance Program available through ACAP allows households to become more energy efficient, resulting in cost savings averaging more than 20 percent. Visit ACAP online to see if you’re eligible.
Luizzi Asphalt Services
Clean, healthy water isn’t a luxury; it’s an absolute necessity and essential to your health and home. That’s why Claverack Pump Service, LLC has been providing quality water solutions (water well drilling, water pumps and more) to New York homes and businesses since 1946. Don’t trust just any business to handle your water needs. Turn to Claverack Pump for the best possible service.
WEDDINGS | ADVERTISING SECTION
A respected wedding photographer in the Capital Region for more than 40 years, T.R. Laz has shot more than 3,500 events— including CAPITAL REGION LIVING’s yearly BestieFest awards night. The experienced photographer covers all styles, including traditional, creative and journalistic. The romance! The passion! The excitement! Trust Albany’s T.R. Laz to photograph your next romantic wedding or big event. 44 Golf Course Road, Craryville 518.325.0019; thegreensatcopake.com
(P.S.EVENTS518)ManMusic
High-energy, fun and classy are terms often used to describe the style of Music Man Entertainment! The DJ service, which has received more than 1,100 five-star reviews, offers DJ services, Magic Mirror Me photo booths, up-lighting, custom monograms, light-up letters and video presentations, plus everything from event coordination to playing the hottest hits. They’ll get your guests on their feet and onto the dance floor by playing the right music at the right time, all the time.
Always be ready for life’s biggest moments. Dr. Capek and her team of licensed professionals will have you looking and feeling your best with a full range of cosmetic surgery and MedSpa services. Plan ahead to get Dr. Capek’s signature natural-looking surgical transformations. Even last-minute skincare appointments can make a big difference. Dr. Capek will work with you to create an individualized plan to achieve your aesthetic goals, which will have you glowing with confidence. The Capek team has you covered from head to toe, from Signature HydraFacial and LASER packages to injectable treatments and CoolSculpting. Treat yourself or someone special.
The Greens Restaurant at Copake Country Club and The Barn at Copake Lake are must-see venues for those seeking a laid-back wedding weekend surrounded by nature. With rustic-chic indoor décor and amazing views, the feel of both properties will instantly set the tone for a unique, memorable experience. Personalized service with an onsite coordinator, catering by a CIA-trained chef, beautiful spaces and options to customize your entire event make this a popular choice for couples wishing to create a oneof-a-kind celebration.
56 | CAPITAL REGION LIVING | FALL 2022 T.R. Laz trlaz.comAlbany Lucie Capek 713 Troy Schenectady Road #308, Latham 518.786.1700; capekplasticsurgery.com The Greens at Copake Country Club Music Man Entertainment 518.842.4065 or musicmanentertainment.com518.210.5940
WEDDINGS | ADVERTISING SECTION
general dentistry, his passions have led him to more complex and rewarding cosmetic and reconstructive cases. Changing people’s lives through dentistry with a complete smile makeover “never gets old,” according to Dr. Frank, who has worked with many brides and grooms before their big day. “Today, we have the ability to accomplish so much more than we had in the past. We actually have the ability to provide a completely toothless individual with a ‘third set of teeth’ through the use of implant dentistry. It is so exciting!”
FALL 202 2 | CRL MAG.COM | 57
Dr. Andrew T. Frank maintains a very friendly and caring boutique dental practice that always provides the highest quality continuesneeds.forcompletelydentistry—andofisavailablepre-weddingAlthoughhetopractice
Dr. Andrew Frank 1816 Western Avenue, Albany 518.456.3551; albanysmiles.com
Wolferts Roost
120 Van Rensselaer Boulevard, Albany 518.449.3223; wolfertsroost.com Create memories that will last a lifetime! Located just minutes from historic Downtown Albany, Wolferts Roost Country Club has more than 100 years of wedding experience and boasts breathtaking views of the Berkshire Mountains, a combination sure to make your special day one to remember. The ballroom, which features a 15-foot vaulted ceiling, accommodates up to 350 guests and includes a private bar, dance floor, bridal suite and an outdoor covered terrace for a cocktail hour overlooking Wolferts’ award-winning golf course—the picture-perfect backdrop to your wedding day.
ecause hand with his right, a picnic basket with his left, and the two would set out on an adventure. Itwasfalland the large maple trees were showing off with brightly colored leaves of red, orange and all the colors in between. As ducks quacked and swam in the pond nearby, Tristan’s eyes scanned the park, determined to surprise his mother with the perfect fall Asleaf. Tristan would soon learn, that task was near impossible. Unlike snowflakes, which always looked perfect floating through the sky, fall leaves, pretty as they are, were less so. Tristan would kick up a pile, focus his gaze, point and say, “You’re Thenperfect!” he’draise it up and examine every inch like Indiana Jones choosing the Holy Grail, only to spot a tiny tear or flaw and release it back to the pile with a hearty sigh. His mother watched him for a while before asking Tristan what was wrong. When he revealed the secret mission to his mom, she gently tapped the seat on the bench beside her, and Tristan put his search for perfection on “Nothinghold. is perfect, before you go...
“Me too,” Mary replied, rising from the bench to collect the red checkered blanket waiting under the tree.
Her smile quickly turned into a tear, and Mary wrapped her arms around her son, holding him tighter than any mother ever hugged a boy. She then explained that we all fall from God’s good grace now and then, but there were two lessons Tristan should take to heart.
Tristan, remembering his mother’s words from barely a moment before, rose from the bench and placed the leaf down with the rest that were now scattered around their feet.
A pair of ducks approached, hoping there might be some Pringles chips left in the tall red can, and Tristan crunched several chips up before tossing them in the dewy “Theygrass. look like a
Tristan studied the birds as they nibbled the broken chips and said, “No. I think they just love each other.”
TRISTAN’S PERFECT FALL
wouldmonth,firstthanCongressSaratoga’sParkisprettierapostcard,ontheSaturdayofeach7-year-oldTristangrasphismother’s
His mother noticed his gaze lingering on the leaf in his hand, then asked, “Did you find it? Your perfect fall leaf?”
His mother smiled broadly and said, “Yes, when we can, sweetheart.”
As she stored it away with the remnants of lunch in the large wicker basket, Tristan leaned back on the bench, put his face toward the sky and closed his eyes, enjoying the For reasons even he could not hisTristansomethingexplain,toldtoopeneyes,justas a bright orange leaf branchhighestfromreleasedtheof the tree and slowly drifted down, resting gently in his lap. Tristan raised it up, studied it a moment and realized, unlike the hundred others he had looked at today, this leaf was indeed perfect. Not a single flaw
“First, when we do make a mistake, it is seldom too late to correct it or at least apologize for it,” she Tristanbegan. bithis bottom lip, something he did unconsciously when he was thinking hard, then raised his warm brown eyes and replied, “And the second “Second,”thing?” his mother continued, “and most important: When someone wrongs us, hard as it may be, we should try to be Tristanforgiving.” thought on that second part a good long while before answering, “So, let ‘em off the hook?”
couple,” he commented to his adoring mother. “Yes, they do,” she said. “Do you think they look for imperfection in each other, the way you did with the leaves?”
“They’re all perfect, in their own way,” Tristan answered, before taking his mother’s hand, squeezing tight and leading her home. CRL sweetheart; you know that, right?” sheTristanbegan. begged to differ: “Not true! You’re perfect, Mommy.”
BY JOHN GRAY B
FALL 202 2 | CRL MAG.COM | 59 Choosing the Right REALTOR® Makes All the Di erence.
