HOLIDAY 2021
BESTIE BALLOT INSIDE
@crlmagazine | crlmag.com
CAPITAL REGION LIVING Free
FLIP Edition!
Our little slice of
HOLLYWOOD Wondering why so many big-name film crews have been shooting in the Capital Region recently? Will Levith investigates.
B Special Report
CAPITAL REGION GIVES BACK B CHRISTINA ARANGIO B WILLIAM TRIGG B RAINBOW DOEMEL B RON GARDNER B TAYLOR NICHOLS
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SCHUYLERVILLE: A WEEKEND-WORTHY TRIP OUR FAVORITE UPSTATE HOLIDAY TRADITIONS 11/1/21 8:20 AM
a legacy of innovation and impact
in the Capital Region Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute alumni have been changing the world since 1824. • Baking Powder Discoverer Eben N. Horsford, Class of 1838 • Brooklyn Bridge Engineer Washington A. Roebling, Class of 1857 • Ferris Wheel Designer George W.G. Ferris, Class of 1881 • Panama Canal Builder Harry H. Rousseau, Class of 1891 • Sunscreen Developer Howard P. Isermann, Class of 1942
• Real Estate Experts Joseph Nicolla, Class of 1979 Michael Uccellini, Class of 2002 • Tech Entrepreneur Daniel Pickett III, Class of 1990 • Video Game Visionary Karthik V. Bala, Class of 1997 • Mycelium Innovators Eben Bayer, Class of 2007 Gavin Reim McIntyre, Class of 2007
• Digital Camera Inventor Steven J. Sasson, Class of 1972, 1973G • Health Care Trailblazer John D. Bennett, M.D., Class of 1974 • Human Genome Mapper Claire M. Fraser, Ph.D., Class of 1977
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Enjoy Troy
HOLIDAY 2021 | CRLMAG.COM | 1
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inside
S B E S T I EO T BALL 43 PA G E R G E T FO D O N ’T V O T E ! TO
HOLIDAY ISSUE
10
Cover Story
Location, Location,
Location By Will Levith
18
ONE WONDERFUL WEEKEND: SCHUYLERVILLE BY WILL LEVITH
10
46
CAPITAL REGION GIVES BACK P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y F R A N C E S C O D ’A M I C O
42 BEFORE YOU GO: CANDIED YAMS WITH ALLIE B’S ADVERTISING SECTIONS
17 GIFT GUIDE 2 7 HOLIDAY DINING GUIDE 35 WELLNESS
18
24
BY RYAN GRENNAN
29
THE CALENDAR BY NATALIE MOORE
34
A BESTIEFEST TO REMEMBER PHOTOGRAPHY BY TR LAZ
46
9 NE W AND NOW 36
The Experts
TRAVEL: ALEXANDRA BAACKES SOUL: TRACY FLUTY B E A U T Y: A N D R E W S T E P H E N K E L LY
(10) CODY SIMMONS ; (46) FRANCESCO D’AMICO
BEHIND THE LENS
2 | CAPITAL REGION LIVING | HOLIDAY 2021
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Capital District, we’re on your team
KEN COUNTERMINE (LEFT) AND BILL ROSS (RIGHT)
M E E T YOU R N E W BUSINESS BANKERS
J E F F R E Y L E VY SVP, Regional Executive
RANKED #1 IN OUR REGION BY FORBES 4
G R EAT R E LATION S H I P S . G R EAT BA N K I NG . KEN COUNTERMINE SVP, Commercial Group Manager
ERIC MAGNANO VP, Commercial Banking Officer
SUSAN MCCARTHY VP, Commercial Banking Officer
At Community Bank, we learn as much as we can about you, your operations, your industry and your goals. No matter what your commercial banking needs may be, we’re here to craft a solution that works best for your business—from credit solutions and lines of credit to payroll and merchant processing services.
BY THE NUMBERS
$14.8+ billion in assets1
$3.2 billion in total commercial loans2
JOSHUA O’LEARY VP, Commercial Banking Officer
$782 million
in non-PPP commercial loans originated in 20203
PAUL WERSTEN VP, Commercial Banking Officer
Visit cbna.com/partners Contact SVP Regional Executive Jeffrey Levy at 518-903-8357 or Jeffrey.Levy@cbna.com
GLORIA PICKERING Commercial Banking Officer
Visit our new Loan Production Office at 422 Broadway, Unit 203, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
¹Total assets as of 6/30/21. 2Commercial loans as of 6/30/21. Includes Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. 3Dollars originated in 2020. 42020 ranking by growth, credit quality and profitability among the country’s 100 largest banks and thrifts. Our region includes NY, PA, VT and MA. Equal Housing Lender | Member FDIC
CBNA14861_Cmrcl_85x10375_Ad, Trim 8.5”w x 10.375”h, 4C SARATOGA MAGAZINE FOR PRINTING ON COATED STOCK
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lō-kəl / adjective
: grown or created closer to where we live Better for the Environment
Less transport emissions, preserves open space, increased air quality, less waste
Better for the Community
Improves local economy, supports local farms and makers, reflects the unique characteristics of the community
Better for the People
Homegrown mission-based community, endless educational opportunities, fresher food
20
21
Thank you for voting us this year’s Best Community Co-op and Best Health Food Store!
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CAPITAL REGION LIVING THE HEART OF THE EMPIRE STATE
Abby Tegnelia
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
CEO
Will Levith Steve Teabout DIRECTOR OF CONTENT Natalie Moore ART DIRECTOR
EDITORIAL INTERN
Madison Loomis CONTRIBUTORS
April Arnold, Manuel Astruc Alexandra Baackes, Karen Bjornland Rachelle Booth, Francesco D’Amico Samantha Decker, Carolyn Driscoll Dori Fitzpatrick, Tracy Fluty Chloe Knapp, Audrey Knizek Dustin Lanterman, Alex Marsal Konrad Odhiambo, Nan Windmueller Tara Buffa SALES MANAGER
PUBLISHER, SARATOGA LIVING
SALES ASSOCIATE
CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER SALES ASSISTANT
Annette Quarrier George Licata Tina Galante Tracy Momrow
EMPIRE MEDIA NETWORK, INC. Anthony R. Ianniello CHAIR
Abby Tegnelia PRESIDENT/CEO
Tina Galante CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER
VOLUME 18, NO.6
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 2003.
SUBSCRIPTIONS $35 per year (nonrefundable) FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA AT:
@capitalregionliving @crlmagazine TWITTER @crlmagazine
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SPECIAL SECTION
Wishing everyone a joyous and safe Holiday Season. The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce encourages you to shop small and help support these participating local Chamber members for the Holidays. Small Business Saturday, November 27th is a great day to start. Make your New Years Resolution to join the Chamber, call 518-828-4417 to learn how the Chamber can work for you.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:
Join Us
FOR HOLIDAY SHOPPING, DINING, AND CELEBRATING! Visit our website thegreensatcopake.com
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From The Editors
HOLLYWOOD’S NEW HQ Tasting Room Open 3074 Rte 9, Valatie NY harvestspirits.com
Filming for HBO’s The Gilded Age took place in Downtown Troy this past summer.
TROY BID
W
elcome to our final issue of the year! (Can you believe it’s already here?) If 2020 was defined by the pandemic and lockdown, 2021 was surely the Capital Region’s big comeback year—and it went by fast. Experiencing our favorite cities reemerging from isolation, with locals and tourists alike tiptoeing back out, was indescribable. Then summer and fall were an endless blur of fun, as we returned to all of our favorite restaurants, bars and entertainment venues. But all that fun didn’t keep us from bingeing our favorite TV shows and rewatching all our go-to movies on our “off days,” especially as the cold crept in. And if you looked closely (like we did), some of that channel surfing no doubt yielded some familiar scenery. It was hard to miss the Hollywood crews buzzing around the Capital Region this past year or so, filming some of our future favorite shows and movies, with some current heavyweights sprinkled in (looking at you, Succession). Flip to page 10 to find out why Hollywood is loving our small-town vibes. All blockbusters aside, we’d be remiss not to mention our next crop of local red carpet celebs: our latest Capital Region Gives Back honorees. These past two years have been ones filled with incredible acts of generosity, as many fortunate people out there have stepped up to help those most adversely affected by the pandemic. We’re celebrating five such givers starting on page 46, with another five on the saratoga living side. Take some time to read these heroes’ profiles—and if you want to join in on the do-gooding, you can do that, too (you’ll see what we mean when you get there). —The Editors
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Saratoga 60 West Avenue 518-886-0446 www.Wolberg.com
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NEW NOW AND
CRÊPE EXPECTATIONS
Skinny Pancake opened its first crêperie on the shores of Lake Champlain in Burlington, VT in 2007. Since then, it’s expanded across the Green Mountain State, serving up sweet and savory stuffed crêpes like the Johnny Crêpe (Vermont maple pulled pork, caramelized onions and Cabot cheddar), as well as sandwiches, salads and fries. Lucky for us, the franchise has crossed state lines, opening its first New York location just off of Pearl Street in Downtown Albany.
An NBA star, the Queen of Disco and a crêpe-maker walk into the Capital Region’s premier entertainment venue… BY NATALIE MOORE
BROADWAY’S BACK!
Been waiting to let your inner diva out all pandemic long? Wait no longer. Broadway returns to the Proctors stage for the first time in nearly two years this December with Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, a popular show featuring 20 of Donna Summer’s (a.k.a. the Queen of Disco’s) classic hits. The historic Electric City venue lands an eightshow run, December 7–12, and has more Broadway goodness on deck for 2022. Hot stuff, baby!
DEEP IMPACT
Halfmoon has welcomed the Impact Athletic Center, a 73,000-squarefoot, multimillion-dollar sports facility, most notably backed by NBA star Kevin Huerter, who graduated from Shenendehowa in 2016. It’s no offensive foul either; the facility boasts nine basketball courts, nine indoor volleyball courts, two sand volleyball courts, a 4,200-squarefoot performance training area and 1,000-square-foot physical therapy room. In other words, it’s a slam dunk.
(Times Union Center) MATT WADE
NEW NAME, WHO DIS?
First it was the Knickerbocker Arena, then it was the Pepsi Arena and since 2007, the Capital Region’s largest indoor venue, located in Downtown Albany, has been known as the Times Union Center. But that’ll be changing soon. This past fall, the publisher of Albany’s Times Union newspaper announced that he wouldn’t be renewing the venue’s naming rights agreement with Albany County. There’s no word yet on what company will gain control of the rights, but the Capital Region Living Center has a nice ring to it, no?
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LOCATION, LOCATION,
LOCATION! How the Capital Region became Hollywood’s go-to filming hub of the pandemic era.
BY WILL LEVITH PHOTOGRAPHY BY CODY SIMMONS
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PHILL CARUSO
(inset) Justin Theroux and Woody Harrelson on the set of upcoming HBO limited series The White House Plumbers. (main) Filming for the ‘70s-era drama required turning back the clock in Downtown Albany, including extras in retro attire and vintage cars.
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H
Downtown Troy was transformed into 1880s New York City for the filming of new HBO series The Gilded Age; (opposite from top) a Troy storefront showing 1880s aesthetic; Owen Wilson shooting Paint in Downtown Saratoga; a scene from Amazon Studios’ Modern Love, which filmed in Troy, Albany and Schenectady.
For all intents and purposes, this past summer, Troy was New York City, circa 1882. The Collar City’s transformation was not the result of an RPI quantum physicist unsticking the space-time continuum. It happened because HBO location scouts had first cased the city that previous winter, then marched in several months later with an army of producers, directors, grips, set/ costume designers and myriad others to begin filming portions of a new series called The Gilded Age, which was dreamed up by Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes. And his was not the only crew to descend upon the area in recent memory: The Capital Region enjoyed an impressive dose of A-list glam that nicely counter-balanced the dreariness of COVID’s lockdown. The required infrastructure was in place well before March 2020, however, with a solid financial framework that transcended quarantine-weary locals finding joy in sightings of actors Owen Wilson, Woody Harrelson or Justin Theroux (all three filmed in the area this year). But yes, COVID is the Dumbo-sized elephant in the room. While Wilson’s indie movie Paint certainly didn’t have the type of budget a blockbuster like Angelina Jolie’s blockbuster Salt, which shot in Albany more than a decade ago, did, Saratoga offered something much more valuable to contemporary film crews: peace of mind during a pandemic. Since the state locked down last spring, some film crews have been choosing upstate locales because of their distance from COVID hotspots. “Six months after everything locked down, I was getting a lot more inquiries from scouts, because filming was a lot harder down near [New York City], and there were a lot more restrictions,” says Annamaria Bellantoni, vice president of
DOWNTOWN TROY BID 2021
ad you been an out-of-towner visiting Downtown Troy this past May or June, you would’ve been met with quite the visual conundrum. The asphalt roads that normally branch off from the city’s triangular Monument Square were covered with a sizable layer of brownie-mix-colored dirt. The surrounding businesses—even vacant storefronts—looked odd as well, their façades featuring whimsically painted signage, their windows displaying sundries not normally sold there. Local jeweler Annick Designs, for instance, had been transformed into “Erlich,” a “seedsman and florist”; and the empty space at 9 Broadway and 2nd Street, most recently the pandemicshuttered Illium Cafe & Bistro, had become “Bloomingdale Brothers,” a clothier for the Chester A. Arthur set. Horse-drawn buggies were parked hither and yon, and if you were there at the right time of day, you might’ve even caught a glimpse of a mustachioed man in a close-fitting suit or woman in a lavish dress, milling about, waiting for, oh, the century to turn.
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(Owen Wilson) ALYSSA SALERNO; (storefront) DOWNTOWN TROY BID 2021; (Modern Love) AMAZON STUDIOS
of silver and small screen productions over tourism at the Saratoga County Chamber the past century—but in the past decade of Commerce, who helped scouts identify or so, film crews have made a habit of filming locations for Paint. Like The Gilded returning as early and as often to the area as Age in Troy, the presence of crews in possible. Case in point: Besides the Gilded Saratoga a handful of months prior meant Age shoot this past late-spring, HBO crews a boon for local hospitality businesses have also been stationed in Downtown and restaurants that had been struggling Albany since this past June, shooting the throughout COVID. For instance, 20-plus limited series The White House Plumbers, crew members stayed at the Pavilion Grand starring Hollywood heavyweights Harrelson Hotel for an entire month, says Bellantoni, and Theroux; and they’ve also been down in and producers even rented out the entire Hudson shooting Pretty Little Liars: Original Olde Bryan Inn for a day. Sin since August. Wilson’s indie film Paint This is no pop-up film location hotspot, did a four-week run of shooting in Saratoga however. While a few crews did come to the this past April, while another indie flick, Capital Region because of issues getting into Shoplifters of the World, spent time in Albany, Canada during COVID or wanting to avoid Troy, Niskayuna and Colonie in 2018. NYC, the fact that we seem to be noticing And the hits just keep on coming. In film crews more than normal these days is 2020, Amazon Studios’ mostly a sign of how little we episodic series Modern had vying for our attention Love filmed scenes for its during the early days of the Our region second season in Troy, pandemic. The uptick in is flush with Albany and Schenectady; Hollywood attention goes well-preserved in 2019, HBO’s Succession back further than March shot scenes in Albany and 2020, and over time, historic infrastructure was created neighborhoods, at Six Flags Great Escape in Queensbury; and in 2018, so that the Capital Region mansions, Netflix’s The Punisher was ready and able to step christened Albany part up to the plate during COVID. buildings, parks of the Marvel Cinematic In some ways, the area has and venues, Universe. Not to be outdone, been primed for more than all attractive The Place Beyond the Pines a century: Our region is locations to (2012), starring Eva Mendes, flush with well-preserved capture a specific Bradley Cooper and Ryan historic neighborhoods, Gosling, shot scenes in the mansions, buildings, parks era or aura. summer of 2011 all over and venues (like Saratoga Schenectady, as well as in Race Course), all attractive Niskayuna, Scotia, Latham and Albany; and locations to capture a specific era or aura. that Jolie vehicle, Salt, and Will Ferrell actionOur cinematic cities, towns and villages are comedy The Other Guys both filmed action also small enough to accommodate a weekssequences in Albany in 2009. or months-long shoot without disrupting the While it’s fun to get caught up in the local economy too severely. And the area’s hype, Tinseltown is very much a business, basically one big, year-round vacationland. and our appeal to its bigwigs comes Why wouldn’t a big-time filmmaker want to down mostly to the unsexy topic of taxes, hang out up here? says Debby Goedeke, Discover Albany’s And hang out here they have.By no means destination services manager and Albany’s is Fellowes the first creative mastermind to film commissioner. “We have very robust exploit Troy’s late-19th-century aesthetic. film tax credits here in New York State, Academy Award–winning director Martin especially in Upstate New York,” she says. Scorsese rolled in a battalion to film The Age What that means is filmmakers with projects of Innocence there in 1993, the city standing of a certain budgetary magnitude can get in for 1870s NYC. Nine years later, crews for up to a 25 percent tax credit for simply a remake of The Time Machine also turned filming in the state—and an additional 10 their clocks back in Troy. In fact, the Capital percent, if their budget is more than $500K, Region has played a starring role in a number
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Scenes for HBO series Succession were filmed in Albany and Queensbury.
Albany,” says Goedeke. “They were fabulous.” All of this filming equals a potential economic windfall for all involved, including the municipality. According to the Association of Film Commissioners International, the estimated daily cost for a big-budget feature film to shoot in a city like Albany is anywhere from $150,000$260,000. (That range goes down to $50K-$110K for an indie film like Paint but rockets up to $165K-$300K or more for a weekly TV show like Law & Order.) For Salt, even though that per-diem total didn’t include the six months crews were scouting all the locations beforehand, anyone having anything to do with the film who ventured to the Capital City was spending money on hotel rooms and meals, and just being a tourist, too. Through the first few weeks of September 2021, for instance, Goedeke says that film crews in the area had paid for more than 8,000 hotel rooms. “All of those productions utilize local crew, community services, location fees, rental fees, permits and police departments,” she says. So it’s truly not just the city that’s getting the big check, it’s the entire community. Filming can also be a major boon for local business owners. “I never say no to a request for people to shoot here,” says Vic Christopher, president of Clark House Hospitality, which
Woody Harrelson posing with Albany firefighter Rick Allen while shooting The White House Plumbers. owns a string of Troy restaurants and bars, including Little Pecks, Donna’s Italian and Lucas Confectionery. The latter, Christopher’s wine bar at 12 2nd Street, had the only façade in Downtown Troy that HBO’s set designers didn’t have to retrofit for The Gilded Age shoot because its signage had a periodappropriate aesthetic. “That that [sign] will live on in a potential hit show that could be an international success is very thrilling,” says Christopher. Though he does admit that the HBO shoot did negatively impact his top-producing business, the 22 Second Street Wine Company, because access to it was blocked off by film crews for weeks, on the flipside, HBO’s people pumped money into his restaurants and bars nearly every night they were there. Christopher even offered them space for production meetings
(Succession) HBO; (firefighter) RICK ALLEN/FACEBOOK
for shooting in Upstate New York. Blue Creek Pictures’ Richard J. Bosner, one of Paint’s executive producers, says that the State’s tax incentives were a big draw. (He’s originally from Rochester and loves shooting in Upstate New York whenever possible.) That, and a place like Saratoga offers a film director a fresh palette. “We’ve seen Los Angeles in a jillion different movies for the past 100 years,” says Bosner, “so it’s nice to see a new setting in someplace that’s unfamiliar.” There’s a lot less red tape, too. Green-lighting a shoot upstate is a heck of a lot easier for producers than, say, getting one done in a major metropolitan area, says Goedeke. “Really, for Albany County and a lot of our surrounding counties, there’s just one point of contact,” she says. For the Capital City, at least, that person is her. Though Goedeke got her first taste of upstate filming fever in 2008, when a crew shot the Japanese-language World War II film Battle Under Orion aboard the USS Slater in Albany, things really took off the following year with Salt. Goedeke remembers getting a call from Discover Albany’s president while she was on vacation. Producers for a movie starring Angelina Jolie wanted to meet with her. Needless to say, she cut short her time off. “We worked with them for about six months prior to them actually filming here in
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and catered those get-togethers. “The money is unimportant,” says Christopher. “That was an opportunity of a lifetime.” It may come as a surprise to some, but Hollywood is actually a bit like a small town itself, in that everybody knows everybody. “The location manager that we worked with on Salt was friends with the location manager for The Other Guys, and they needed a place to crash a car, and of course, he tells his buddy, ‘Go to Albany,’” says Goedeke. Those same location managers, she says, were friends with the ones for HBO’s White House Plumbers—and a member of that crew had worked with Goedeke on The Place Beyond the Pines. So it’s all one big game of telephone. Synergies not only exist between key members of the film crews, but also the Capital Region municipalities where they happen to be shooting. The thinking is, if one city lands a gig, that will mean a boost to the greater regional economy and could act as a “reference” for a location to land future work. “We have a group that we’re cementing called Film Upstate New York, which is a regional film commission,” says Goedeke. “We all work together: Rensselaer County, Saratoga County, Schenectady County, Albany County and the Adirondack Film Commission. It’s good for everybody. It’s good for the State; it creates jobs. Why wouldn’t you want to do that?” An example: After Troy secured The Gilded Age shoot, Goedeke pitched in by helping the Collar City locate crew members and free up hotel rooms in the area. She even drew up a guidebook of all the fun things in the area that crew members could do on their days off. Now, let’s pretend for a moment that some upstart RPI physicist did, in fact, zipper open space and time and invite us all to travel with her to the future. And let’s just say that, on the other side, we’re all gussied up, because it’s the night of the Emmy Awards in September 2022 or 2023, after multiple millions of viewers have streamed The Gilded Age on HBO Max, and all the major media outlets’ TV critics have fawned over the period drama. That night, the show pulls a Game of Thrones, turning into a statuette-printing machine. If any of that actually comes true, it could spell a Golden Age for Troy and the greater Capital Region. It will also likely mean that HBO crews will be back in the Collar City soon enough, shooting future future seasons of the show. It’s fun to daydream, but really, something similar could happen for any of the shows or movies filmed here recently. And the best part? The Capital Region—your home—becomes part of Hollywood history forever.
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Almond Brussels Sprout Salad with Probiotic Poppy Seed Dressing SERVES 4
Salad Ingredients: 3 cups 3 cups 1/2 cup
Chopped Brussels sprouts Fresh Express® Leafy Green Romaine Lettuce Mix Hannaford Sliced Almonds
Dressing Ingredients: 1/3 cup 2 Tbsp. 2 Tbsp. 1 Tbsp. 1/4 tsp. 1/2 Tbsp.
Stonyfield® Organic Low Fat Plain Yogurt Apple cider vinegar Honey Extra virgin olive oil Sea salt McCormick Gourmet™ Organic Poppy Seeds
Directions:
Looking to support gut health? Brussels sprouts are naturally low in calories and high in nutrients like fiber, vitamin K and antioxidants. Poppy seed dressing, made with probiotic yogurt, helps enhance the nutritional benefits of this autumn salad.
simply healthy
1. In a large bowl, toss together Brussels sprouts and lettuce mix. Divide among 4 plates and top with sliced almonds. 2. To prepare dressing, whisk ingredients together in a small bowl. Drizzle over salads. Leftovers can be covered and stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Dietitian’s Tip: Poppy seeds add a touch of elegance, texture and a slightly nutty flavor. One tablespoon of poppy seeds provides 10% of your daily value or more of manganese, copper and calcium.
from your Hannaford Dietitians
We’re committed to supporting your health and wellness goals. Our team of registered dietitians offer free nutritional services online and in-store. Visit hannaford.com/dietitians to learn more.
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Nutritional Information Amount per serving: Calories 260; Total Fat 18 g; Saturated Fat 2.5 g; Cholesterol 0 mg; Sodium 180 mg; Carbohydrate 24 g; Fiber 8 g; Sugar 13 g; Added Sugar 9 g; Protein 7 g
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ADVERTISING SECTION
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3:48 PM
Holiday Gift Guide
JOYELLES JEWELERS joyellesjewelers.com 318 Delaware Avenue; Delmar • 518.439.9993 This stunning December birthstone ring has a 4.36-carat blue zircon with a halo of .37-carat diamonds in a 14-karat white gold setting. $3,300
FORTUNA’S SAUSAGE
TRULY RHE
CHRISTMAS DAYS
fortunasausage.com 723 Stannards Road • Sandgate, VT 802.375.0200 Fortuna’s Sausage & Italian Market has been making the best all-natural salami for more than 100 years; pair it with Italian cheese, olives and taralli for the perfect gift. $119
trulyrhe.com 1 Broadway, Troy • 518.273.1540 It’s a scarf, it’s a shawl, it’s a multicolored, multifunctional woven accessory from Truly Rhe! $48
xmasdays.com 6279 VT Route 7A; Arlington, VT • 802.362.2516 Christmas Days is your go-to shop for all your holiday decorating needs. Make this Christmas a special one with this decorative Santa who’ll bring joy to your cozy home all season long. $185
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ONE WONDERFUL WEEKEND IN
SCHUYLERVILLE
Old Saratoga graduates from day trip spot to weekend getaway. BY WILL LEVITH
Saratoga National Historic Park; (opposite from top) Dovegate Inn; Kitchen at the Dovegate Inn.
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F R I D A Y
Need some fresh air before the holiday chaos? The next time you drive into the Spa City, just shoot right the heck out the other side along Route 29 into the quaint, pastoral lands known to some as Old Saratoga, and to everybody else, Schuylerville. Now, put the pedal to the metal. Your next wonderful weekend away awaits.
PHOTO CREDIT
FRIDAY
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Since this is a late fall/early winter weekend getaway, we’d suggest a soft landing at the Dovegate Inn (dovegateinn.com), which is located right on Schuylerville’s main drag, Broad Street. No need for dinner plans, because the inn has its own in-house restaurant, Kitchen at the Dovegate Inn, which offers up hearty, heartwarming homestyle meals that are perfect for brisk days (think Beef Stroganoff, brined/pan-fried game hen and chicken liver pâté). Each of the inn’s three rooms comes equipped with a warm and crackly fireplace, too, which will come in handy if you’re dealt a chillier hand the weekend you’re there.
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S A T U R D A Y
SATURDAY What Schuylerville lacks in size (population: ~1,500), it makes up for in historical importance. Schuylerville, along with nearby Stillwater, holds the key to the birth of our democracy. Just a three-minute drive from the inn is the Saratoga Monument, a 138-year-old, 155-foot stone obelisk commemorating British General John Burgoyne’s surrender to American General Horatio Gates in 1777. (The Battles of Saratoga have long been considered the turning point in the American Revolution.) If the structure is open, we’d suggest heading through the monument’s front door and hoofing it up the stairs to get a killer 360-degree view of the Hudson River Valley below. If it’s not, take a selfie outside of it, because ’merica. Want the full history lesson? Head over to the Saratoga National Historic Park (nps.org) in Stillwater (about 13 minutes away by car) to see where America actually fought its war for independence. Although its visitors center, indoor facilities and displays are closed through 2021, you can call 518665-8185 to access a smartphone/car tour, which takes you to 10 stops along the road inside the park. And depending on
what time of year you go there, you could also be in for some serious leaf-peeping opportunities. Assuming you got up early to get your dose of history, you should be ravenously hungry in time for lunch, and you have some options. For the every-day-is-fiesta-day set, Amigos Cantina (amigoscantina.net) serves up some of the best Mexican/Southwestern food in the area (we’d recommend the Street Corn Crab Cakes or the Street Tacos, which come with interesting fillings such as grilled salmon or fried avocado). More of a sandwich connoisseur? The Revolution Café (revolutioncafe.net) makes mean paninis, all of which sport historically relevant names like the General Burgoyne (roast beef, bacon, cheddar, tomato and Russian
dressing), and the 1777 (grilled chicken, fresh mozzarella, spinach, tomato and pesto mayo). Or if you’re the elevated pub fare type, Sweeney’s diner (facebook.com/ sweeney70) has a bounty of burgers (try the Mushroom Swiss) and delicious apps, such as Mozzarella Wedges (served with marinara or melba sauce, of course). If you grabbed-and-went with that 1777 from The Revolution, you’re more than welcome to chow down at a table inside Bound by Fate Brewing (boundbyfatebrewing.com), a familyowned-and-operated farm brewery, which serves up delicious brewskis such as Kegasus (a cream ale), Boat Bridge (an English-style brown ale), and Crumb’l (a sour, blackberry-flavored IPA).
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S U N D A Y
SUNDAY If you’re an early riser and didn’t choose Sweeney’s for lunch the previous day, it opens bright and early for breakfast at 7am. After filling yourself up there (we’d suggest the pancakes), make your way to town again for a little shopping before the main event (more on this in a second). Browse the bike-age at Adirondack Ultra Cycling (adkultracycling.com), and poke around Revibe Gifts & Wellness’ boutique and gift shop (facebook.com/revibeyourself). And now, cue drumroll, for the main event. Saratoga Apple (saratogaapple.com) is a full-on apple orchard and bustling farm market on the way out of town. Grab a bag of apples, some hard cider at the Orchard Taproom (or some to-go bottles) and a bagful of the market’s not-to-be-missed cider doughnuts for the road. If you still have a few left by the time you get back home, you have better selfcontrol than we do!
(clockwise from left) Saratoga National Historic Park; Saratoga Apple; Adirondack Ultra Cycling; Sweeney’s Diner; Revolution Café; Amigos Cantina.
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The Albany & Saratoga Centers for Pain Management is ready to help you reclaim your active lifestyle.
here’s pain that you feel when you hurt yourself—when you sprain your ankle or break your finger. And then there’s the chronic kind—pain that lasts for months on end and doesn’t have a clear cause. Injury-caused pain is relatively easy to treat, since its origin is obvious. Chronic pain, however, is anything but. “With chronic pain, you may not know why you are hurting, and it can impact every part of your life,” says Martin G. Ferrillo, D.O., of the Albany & Saratoga Centers for Pain Management (ASCPM). “The most common chronic pain syndromes are low back and neck pain, pain in the legs and arms, headaches and joint pain.” Sound familiar? If you’re experiencing chronic pain that has lasted longer than 3–6 months, Dr. Ferrillo, along with Dr. Edward Apicella (Medical Director) and Dr. Priti Vohra, recommend treating it with conservative measures like over-thecounter medications, rest, hot/cold applications, stretching, physicianguided exercises, chiropractic care or physical therapy. If none of these options significantly impacts your pain level, ASCPM can help. ASCPM’s treatment plan encompasses what is known as “interventional” pain management. Its physicians focus on diagnoses and treatment of pain through minimally invasive techniques that work to target pain at its origin. These include epidural steroid injections, facet joint injections, nerve blocks, peripheral nerve blocks and spinal cord stimulation, with the goal being
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to return patients to their daily activities without relying too heavily on medications. ASCPM is also at the forefront of regenerative medicine, a pain management approach that allows a patient’s body to heal itself through treatments such as Platelet-Rich Plasma. Patients treated with regenerative approaches tend to be those suffering from joint degeneration caused by osteoarthritis or recurring soft-tissue injuries. Chronic pain doesn’t have to keep you from doing the things you love to do. Visit ascpm.com to schedule an appointment today at one of ASCPM’s three locations in Albany, Saratoga and Queensbury.
Dr. Martin G. Ferrillo, D.O., of the Albany & Saratoga Centers for Pain Management
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[The Lens] BEHIND
THE GREAT MIGRATION How Rensselaer County photographer Ryan Grennan landed a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife shot, right in his own backyard. STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY RYAN GRENNAN
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iving in the Capital Region affords us many opportunities to connect with nature. The Hudson Valley, Catskills and Adirondacks are all just a short drive away, but sometimes it’s the places even closer to home where we are able to find the most magic. Reichards Lake, a small lake in Rensselaer County, is that place for me. One such occasion came in December 2017, when a flock of snow geese made a surprise visit during their annual migration south. On the evening of their arrival, my wife noticed a large number of geese flying in strange formations and landing on the lake after dark. We assumed they were Canada geese, which are very common locally. The next morning, just after sunrise, I looked at the lake as I was heading off to work. More than 1,000 snow geese had stayed the night, and were spread out over the half-frozen lake. I quickly pulled over, grabbed my camera and walked through the light snow to my neighbor’s dock, hoping not to spook the geese. I wasn’t dressed for the mid-teens temperatures of the morning, and the low light was less than ideal, but I realized this was most likely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I attempted to do the best I could with what I had. After settling in and watching the geese for more than a half hour, I noticed a “blue goose” (a.k.a. dark morph snow goose) near the front of the group. Fortunately, it decided to stand up, allowing me to focus on it with the rest of the white geese in the background and take a very memorable photograph. See more of Ryan’s photography at @rwgrennan on Instagram.
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PAIR YOUR WINS WITH A HOLIDAY DINNER THREE-COURSE SPECIALTY DINNER
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ADVERTISING SECTION
The Bermejo family, owners of El Mariachi, have been providing traditional Mexican and Spanish dishes to Capital Region diners for more than 25 years. Originally from the cultural epicenter of Puebla, Mexico, the Bermejos are dedicated to serving authentic cuisine—think outstanding specialties like Mole Poblano, Pipian and Gorditas Poblanas—with warmth and hospitality. CAPITAL REGION LIVING readers have recognized this by voting El Mariachi best Mexican restaurant in the Besties numerous times, including this year!
271 Lark Street (Serving Tapas Only!) • Albany • 518.465.2568 289 Hamilton Street • Albany • 518.432.7580 www.elmariachisrestaurant.com • www.elmariachitapas.com
Family owned and operated for 48 years, Latham ‘76 Diner takes pride in making sure customers have the best dining experience possible every time they walk through its doors. The Capital Region has come to expect great food at a reasonable price, served fast with a friendly smile—and customers have shown their satisfaction by voting for (and awarding!) Latham ‘76 Diner numerous Besties, year in and year out. At the diner, which is open 6am–10pm daily (except for Christmas Day), good food equals a good mood.
722 New Loudon Road, Rte. 9 • 518.785.3793 • latham76diner.com
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Holiday Dining Guide
The Towne Tavern invites guests to enjoy its award-winning food in a warm, cozy and comfortable renovated creek-side blacksmith shop dating back to the 1800s. Whether you’re in the mood for a relaxed drink with friends or a dinner with the whole family, there is something for everyone on the tavern’s menu, from barbeque specialties to home-style entrées. Check out the catering menu on thetownetavern.com for your next get-together.
2850 NY 43 • Averill Park • 518.674.3040 • thetownetavern.com
Pair your wins with dining and more at Rivers Casino & Resort this month! Celebrate ThanksWINNING on November 25 with Thanksgiving dinner at Dukes Chophouse from 2pm–8pm, or a Thanksgiving meal at Flipt from 11am–9pm! Taste buds aren’t the only thing winning this November: Rush Rewards members can participate in Rivers' $25,000 Slice of the Pie Progressive Payout! Earn entries for a chance to claim a share of $2,500 in CASH on Fridays in November! Any unclaimed slice of the pie will be added to the grand prize drawing on Friday, December 3rd! Visit RiversCasino.com to learn more.
1 Rush Street, Schenectady • 518.579.8800 • riverscasino.com
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Events Calendar BY NATALIE MOORE
November 20-21
Saratoga Comic Con Saratoga Springs City Center Comic Con swoops into to the Spa City for two days of game tournaments, panels, cosplay contests, cosfight fencing and celebrity appearances. Attendees will have a chance to hear from actors Kevin “Hercules” Sorbo of Hercules: the Legendary Journeys, Jeff Anderson (Randal Graves of Clerks) and more superheroes from comics-related industries. saratogacomiccon.com November 24
Kickin’ It Country Night Rivers Casino Special Olympics NY Lake George Polar Plunge
November 13
15th Annual Special Olympics NY Lake George Polar Plunge Shepard Park This November, when you plunge your goose-bumped body into the icy cold waters of Lake George, you’ll be freezin’ for a reason. The 15th annual polar plunge is a fundraiser for Special Olympics New York, which provides inclusive opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities and helps them unleash their inner-champion within. Form a team or bravely take the plunge alone. events.nyso.org November 13
CNYS Black Expo Albany Capital Center After the success of the inaugural 2018 and 2019 expos, the Capital of New
CNYS Black Expo
York State Black Expo returns to the Capital Center Albany this November for a full day of unification and cultural programming, workshops, business networking and celebrating the African-American experience. The theme of this year’s event is “small business and wellness,” and a gala will be held on the evening of the expo to honor and celebrate local changemakers and leaders. cnysblackexpo.org November 19
The Chapman Museum’s Wine & Chocolate Tasting Queensbury Hotel Wine. Chocolate. Enough said. The tasting event, which will serve as a fundraiser for the Chapman Museum, will feature wine and artisanal spirits by Adirondack Wine Merchants, plus chocolaty treats from a whole slew of local vendors including Barkeater Chocolates, Dancing Ewe Farm, Rock Hill Bakehouse and Saratoga Chocolate Co. chapmanmuseum.org
Need an excuse to get away from your overbearing family members the night before Turkey Day and hit the casino? Well now you have one! Rivers Casino’s Thanksgiving Eve party will feature live music by country acts The Vinny Michaels Band and David J and samples from Jack Daniel’s and other vendors, as well as a special $99 room for that night at The Landing Hotel. riverscasino.com November 25
Troy Turkey Trot Troy Atrium There are plenty of ways to burn some cals before sitting down to your Thanksgiving feast, but the Troy Turkey Trot, the nation’s
Troy Turkey Trot
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years old, the interactive event will feature games, a story time sing-along, a ballroom dance tutorial and, of course, everyone’s favorite Disney princesses. eventbrite.com
The McKrells
Albany Symphony’s The Magic of Christmas
December 18 12th oldest road race, is one of the area’s most famous. The races—there’s a 5K, 10K, mile run and mile walk—all begin at the Troy Atrium on 4th Street and end in Monument Square. troyturkeytrot.com November 26-28, Dec 11-12
20th Annual Holiday Open House The Shirt Factory The Shirt Factory in Glens Falls will unbutton itself for five days this holiday season for its annual open house, featuring artists, vendors and demonstrations that make for a one-of-a-kind holiday shopping experience. The unique, handmade gifts you’ll find are just an added bonus. facebook.com/shirtfactory December 4
Hudson Hall’s Winter Walk 25th Anniversary Downtown Hudson This December 4, thousands of holiday revelers will once again take to Hudson’s main drag to see stunning storefront displays, carolers, street performers, Mr. and Mrs. Claus and a fireworks display from the Hudson River. hudsonhall.org December 5
Albany Symphony’s ‘The Magic of Christmas’ Palace Theatre Dubbed “the Capital Region’s most beloved holiday spectacular” and slated
to be one of the Albany Symphony’s most popular shows of the season, The Magic of Christmas is sure to get you in the holly, jolly spirit. Music Director David Alan Miller will conduct the symphony’s sleigh-full of talent through Christmas carols, holiday favorites and more. albanysymphony.com December 9
Capital Region Gives Back Putnam Place We’d be remiss not to mention our own event, Capital Region Gives Back, on our calendar! Join CAPITAL REGION LIVING and saratoga living for a joint event to honor 10 local do-gooders and raise money for their respective charities. Meet the honorees and learn more about what they’re doing to make the Capital Region a better place on page 46. linktr.ee/SaratogaLiving December 12
Albany Holiday Princess Ball The Desmond Hotel Give your little princess a well deserved holiday afternoon at the Albany Holiday Princess Ball. Geared for kiddos 3–7
The McKrells Holiday Show The Egg Celebrated singer/songwriter Kevin McKrell, who’s been performing for Capital Region fans, both as part of the McKrells and a solo artist for more than 40 years, will lead his Celtic/folk/bluegrass band in an evening of original and traditional acoustic music—oh, and some holiday favorites, too. theegg.org December 31
Sebastian Maniscalco ‘Nobody Does This’ Tour Times Union Center Kick the new year off on a funny note with comedian Sebastian Maniscalco, whom the New York Times called “the hottest comic in America.” Maniscalco is known for his five television comedy specials, including Netflix’s Stay Hungry, and for his role alongside Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci in the Oscar-nominated film, The Irishman. timesunioncenteralbany.com
Sebastian Maniscalco
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ADVERTISEMENT
Easy Ways to Refresh Your Home for the Holidays
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There’s still time to make small changes that will have a big impact on your holiday entertaining.
t seems to happen every year: We envision remodeling a kitchen or bathroom in time for the holidays, but schedules get busy, unexpected expenses come up and life just gets in the way. As the holidays quickly approach, it may feel like it’s too late to create the holiday home you imagine, but you do still have time for small changes that can make a big difference for your visiting family members and friends. “You can create a welcoming holiday home with simple updates in high-touch spaces,” says Kate Piediscalzo, Showroom Project Manager for Frank Webb Home, which has showrooms in both Albany and Ballston Spa. “Simple updates like a new lighting fixture in your entryway or chandelier over your holiday dinner table can really make a big statement. Or dress up your bathroom vanity and kitchen cabinets with new decorative drawer pulls or cabinet knobs.” Bring a Spa-Like Feel to Your Bathroom Today’s modern bidets and washlets are becoming increasingly popular with their sleek designs and innovative features; however, you don’t have to replace your existing toilet to wow your holiday guests with the spa-like experience they offer. Bidet seats can be easily installed on most residential toilets. They can come complete with heated seats, warm air dryers and air deodorizers that can easily be controlled by a remote.
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Every Celebration Starts in the Kitchen Food is at the heart of every holiday celebration, and your kitchen sink and faucet are the focus of holiday food prep and cleanup. In fact, according to leading kitchen and bath associations, the average family uses the kitchen faucet more than 40 times a day. So make your holidays go more smoothly simply by replacing yours. Touchless kitchen faucet technology allows you to easily turn water on and off with the wave of a hand, and it can include other features like temperature-sensing LED displays and automatic waterfill functionality. There are plenty of ways to update your home to make life easier, cozier and more beautiful this holiday season. The key is to partner with an expert guide who can help you decide what works best for your home, budget and timeline. Visit frankwebb.com to schedule a consultation.
Simple updates such as a new lighting fixture can make a big statement. Pictured: Feiss Adelaide Bathroom Wall Sconce
Dress up your space with decorative cabinet knobs. Pictured: Chareau Knob in Polished Chrome from Top Knobs
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BestieFest Returns! The annual awards dinner honored 2021 Bestie winners from across the region.
PH OTO G R APH Y BY T R L AZ
The Animal Hospital team
After CAPITAL REGION LIVING was forced to cancel its 2020 BestieFest—an event honoring the winners of that year’s Bestie Awards—the annual party and awards show returned this past September 28 to The Century House to much fanfare. Representatives from more than two dozen Bestie-winning businesses came out to eat, drink and receive a plaque commemorating their accomplishment. The evening was even hosted by Bestie winner Chrissy Cavotta of WGNA’s Brian & Chrissy in the Morning. CAPITAL REGION LIVING would like to extend a special thank you to Chrissy, The Century House and Music Man Entertainment, which provided both the tunes and photobooth, as well as to TR Laz, another Bestie winner, who snapped the fun photos seen here.
Vanessa Mosher and Brianna Holser of Luizzi Asphalt Services
Verdile’s owner Rick Lembo
Deanna DeBonis and dad S.K. Deeb of Ted’s Fish Fry
The team from Breathe Massage
Good Karma Yoga Studio’s Kim Cardona and Jessica Lubin with emcee Chrissy Cavotta (at center)
The Coeymans Landing Marina contingent
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WELLNESS Advertising Section
Your Best Self These two local businesses have your wellness needs covered this holiday season. Capital Region Hearing
9 West Sand Lake Road, Wynantskill 518.326.1742; capitalregionhearing.com Capital Region Hearing is an independent audiology practice offering a personalized approach tailored to each individual’s needs. Staffed by doctors of audiology, Capital Region Hearing is a private practice that offers unbiased treatment recommendations to provide the best-suited hearing instruments to its patients.
The Spinney at Van Dyke
6 Parker Mathusa Place, Delmar 518.689.0162; thespinneyatvandyke.com Leaving your house does not mean you have to leave your privacy behind. The Spinney at Van Dyke offers a new approach to living for the “55 and better” community, allowing residents to move away from the burdens of owning their home while allowing a sense of privacy in a community setting. Each cottage at The Spinney features private entryways, back and front porches, as well as direct-access, attached garages. The Spinney lifestyle is the smoothest transition from owning a home to downsizing and renting. Schedule a visit today to see why!
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THE
Travel // Soul // Beauty
Experts Home for the Holidays, Capital Region–Style Our travel writer makes one last stop on her New York county-counting adventure: ‘home,’ a.k.a. Albany County. STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALEXANDRA BAACKES
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es, this is a travel column— and that’s why I’ve taken you all over New York State this past year, on a pandemic-safe adventure to as many of its 62 counties as possible. But there’s nothing
like going home for the holidays, and for me, that’s Albany County. I’ve spent many Christmases abroad, but there’s nowhere I’d rather be, this year or any, for that matter, than curled up in front of the fireplace at my childhood home in Menands. While I’m sure some of you are probably
itching to fly off to a warm, exotic place and put the winter behind you, there’s definitely a power in returning home to the traditions, gatherings and events you had to put on hold (or do virtually) last year. Here are six of my favorite holiday-themed activities in (or right outside of) Albany County.
(1) Capital Holiday Lights in the Park in Albany File this one under “Christmas traditions I can’t let go of.” I have such fond memories of childhood drives through Lights in the Park, the display of megawatt holiday cheer that takes over Washington Park, for the duration of the holiday season. (At press time, the coming winter’s 25th anniversary Lights in the Park was set to be the last, at least in the Albany park.) The best part, at least lately? It was socially distanced before that was even a thing, because you never leave the coziness of
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drawn sleigh rides on Saturdays and Sundays from November 27–December 19. Can’t make it in person? Christmas Land has gifted Santa a new quill and gotten him all set up on Zoom, so that the jolly old fellow can not only send out personalized letters, but also do virtual calls.
your car. Remember to bring along a thermos of hot cocoa and your favorite holiday playlist.
(2) Capital Region Christmas Concerts We are so lucky to be surrounded by a number of incredible performing arts centers in the Capital Region—and once again be able to enjoy the magic of a live performance together in the same room. My favorite venue of them all—perhaps because it’s all of eight minutes from the house I grew up in—is The Palace Theatre and its top-notch annual holiday-themed fare. This year, that includes The Magic of Christmas and The Nutcracker, both from the Albany Symphony, on December 5 and 11, respectively; and Trailer Park Boys 20th Anniversary Sunnyvale Xmas on December 17.
(5) The Victorian Stroll in Troy You don’t have to travel too far to go back in time. About a half-hour away from Altamont in Downtown Troy (i.e. Rensselaer County) is the site of the annual Troy Victorian Stroll, which was reimagined last year as “Stroll Season,” for a pandemic-safe, socially distanced community holiday celebration. While at press time, 2021’s plans have yet to be announced—though it will start up on December 5—the Collar City is guaranteed to be a beautiful and festive place to shop for locally crafted gifts, grab a bite and soak in the holiday hoopla.
(3) Festival of Trees in Schenectady Another festive must-do: Coast through charming Downtown Schenectady (and tick off Schenectady County!) for its Festival of Trees. Various local groups “adopt” and decorate trees with extravagant themes to raise money for the Schenectady County Historical Society and the YWCA NorthEastern NY. Make sure to have everyone in your group vote on his or her favorite, and let it be an inspiration to your own home décor!
(6) June Farms in West Sand Lake
(4) Christmas Land in Altamont Back in Albany County, a relatively new addition to the Capital Region holiday scene is Altamont’s Christmas Land, which has preemptively (and quite enthusiastically, I might add!) confirmed its 2021 season. Christmas Land offers an array of holiday treats, including photos with Santa and horse-
(from top) A ticket to a holiday show at The Palace Theatre; June Farms gets festive; Christmas tree at Albany’s Empire State Plaza; (opposite) Snapping photos at Capital Holiday Lights in the Park
If you haven’t made it out to June Farms in West Sand Lake (also in Rensselaer County), you are in for a real treat. Just a 20-minute drive from Downtown Troy, it’s quickly become one of my favorite places to celebrate every festive day of the year. While at press time, the farm hasn’t yet revealed its lineup of events for the holiday masses—be sure to check its Instagram page, @junefarms, for monthly updates—I can give you a snapshot of last year’s goings-on. The farm hosted a Christmas-themed local artisan market, complete with Santa for the kiddos and a gorgeous menu of seasonal cocktails, including fresh twists on mulled cider and spiked eggnog, for the grownups.
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THE
Travel // Soul // Beauty
Experts I’m Here With You
Grieving a loved one this holiday season? The Capital Region’s most revered intuitive medium shares the best ways to honor friends and family who have crossed over. BY TRACY FLUTY
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eath has shown me how precious and divine time is. For more than 20 years now, I have shared this with my clients as a professional intuitive medium, using my spiritual gift to connect those who are here with their loved ones who have crossed over by conveying messages. It’s an ability that began for me at an early age and became only stronger as I got older. The holidays are an especially poignant time during the grieving process. As the days inch us closer to festive events, some of you will struggle with finding joy in the absence of your loved one. Isn’t that what we are all told, through movies, marketing and music—that we should be experiencing during the holidays? The “joy” of creating memories? Yet some of you may feel you are just moving through time and space, left to redefine how to celebrate family occasions in the middle of extreme loss. There is no set timeframe for dealing with this absence, for “moving on.” Some of you will feel this loss in your very soul, this sense of separation that was once a touchable extension of the love you shared. Instead, you are called to make room for this absence in a bearable way so that you can continue here, on your journey. Love is eternal and can be expressed in many ways, even after a person dies. Here are six ways to find peace this holiday season by expressing unconditional love for those you miss so much:
SHARE THEIR BEAUTIFUL SMILE In many of my sessions, I will have those who have crossed over convey a message that they are aware their picture is on the visor of the car, in the living room or on the bedside table. Keeping a younger photo of an older person that has passed is appreciated as well, for this is how they come through in sessions: young and vibrant! (The aging of one’s body is only a physical aspect of being human.) A fun thing I am seeing a lot now, when people get married, is putting the wedding photos of their grandparents who have passed on display during cocktail hour! So make sure
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to display a smiling photo of your loved one as part of your holiday decorating.
memory, atop a mountain, or indirectly by way of a donation to the Arbor Foundation.
SHARE THEIR KINDNESS
FOLLOW THEIR STORY
Sometimes a connection with what they loved to do honors them as well! Do something that they believed in or were passionate about in order to feel closer to them over the holidays. I recently had a crossed-over loved one tell my client they were with them the day they did a cancer walk in their name, and saw their face was on a shirt worn by the group that was there!
I have had numerous crossed-over loved ones tell me that someone in the family is making a book about their ancestry and they are guiding them to then make them into gifts for the holidays.
PUT DOWN ROOTS There is something magical about planting a tree in honor of a loved one, whether it’s in your own yard as a
TRANSFORM THEIR THINGS An earrings become a ring, a ring becomes a necklace, a shirt becomes a teddy bear. In one reading, a widow’s husband told me to tell her he saw that his bathrobe was now a body pillow. She was brought to tears. Take their gift and make it into something that works for you!
ASK FOR A SIGN This happens all the time! Clients say, “they
don’t bring me signs that they are there with me; how do I know?” Pick a sign. Have a symbol in mind, and it must be specific. For example: a penny, heads up in a weird place like the shower or bed, a monarch during winter, a marble in your house. I have seen hundreds of unique symbols. Be patient and allow them to bring you this when you least expect it. You can also ask for a number you will see randomly, or a specific song. It works every time, I promise you! Choose your symbol and let them bring it to you. Tracy Fluty is a nationally certified intuitive medium. For more information or to book a private reading done via phone or in her Latham office, visit elementalmediums.com.
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THE
Travel // Soul // Beauty
Experts Aging Gracefully Into a New Year ‘Anti-aging’ is so last year. Here’s how to welcome in 2022 with a new, kinder skincare mindset—plus the best at-home and professional treatments for ensuring a post-holiday glow. B Y A N D R E W S T E P H E N K E L LY
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nstead of thinking of “anti-aging” or “reversing the signs of aging,” getting into the mindset of aging gracefully into the new year should be everyone’s 2022 resolution. Yes, the holidays are a special time when we get to connect with family and friends, but hosting parties and traveling can also be stressful. All of that takes a toll on skin and overall health, so it’s important to change your mindset before the chaos begins. During the cold-weather months, our skin is exposed to harsher temperatures and artificial indoor heat, which dries out the skin, so increasing your water and moisture levels is crucial. Incorporating a hydrating serum like DMK Beta Gel will help to plump, hydrate and soothe inflammation. And switch your moisturizer to a richer cream such as Skinbetter TRIO Moisture Rebalancing Treatment or EltaMD Barrier Renewal Complex. Holiday celebrations are a great time to let loose, but many of us don’t realize how all the boozy drinks, rich foods and sweet desserts affect our skin. All those delicious cocktails get broken down into acetaldehyde, which produces free radicals and damages the DNA structure, leading to skin inflammation, collagen breakdown, dryness, flushing and more pronounced wrinkles. Alcohol also affects your sleep cycle and can increase stress levels, both of which can wreak havoc on your skin. Personally, my favorite part of the holidays is
indulging in all of the sweet treats, but sadly, sugar is the kiss of death when it comes to having healthy glowing skin. If you can’t help yourself, make sure to use products such as Biologique Recherche Serum
A-Glyca or DMK Aminodine Mist, which contain Carnosine, an ingredient proven to help to help rebuild damaged protein molecules and can act as a preventative treatment as well. Managing stress and not getting enough sleep cause an elevation of cortisol, which I like to call the stress hormone because it leads to your body being in a constant state of stress. Excess cortisol can increase oil production, leading to breakouts, and also disrupts the skin’s natural barrier function, which can lead to excessive dryness, making lines and wrinkles more prominent. So it’s important to get seven to eight hours of sleep and let your body rest! When the holidays are over, make it a priority to schedule post-holiday
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professional treatments. For starters, the dead of winter is a great time to do a chemical peel, which will rejuvenate the skin during a time when it’s getting a break from intense sunlight. Peels come in a variety of strengths and combinations to target various skin conditions like acne, acne scarring, pore size and texture issues, hyperpigmentation and wrinkles, and can be customized to your needs. My personal favorite is The Perfect DermaPeel, which is available at my spa, Skin by ASK.” Microneedling, also known as collagen induction therapy, is one of the most
popular services at my spa because it helps rebuild the damaged proteins in our skin that keep it tight, firm and youthful. This procedure can help treat acne scarring, large pores, texture issues, hyperpigmentation and aging concerns. The results are permanent, so it is a great long-term investment. Radio Frequency is another popular modality we use at Skin by ASK. It uses a heat-based thermal energy treatment to contract and tighten the skin, and rebuilds collagen to help with premature aging. RF is a no-downtime, noninvasive treatment that
heats the skin up to a certain temperature to stimulate collagen synthesis. For anyone concerned with lines, wrinkles and skin laxity, this treatment is for you. Andrew Stephen Kelly is the founder of Latham’s Skin by ASK (skinbyask.com), which specializes in hyper-customized facial treatments that feature his signature techniques.
TLC Tips for Next-level Holiday Skincare 2
1. Double-cleanse at night, and use a micellar water to wipe off any makeup, sunscreen or debris from the skin.
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2. Exfoliate! I recommend Biologique Recherche Lotion P50, which comes in six versions and can be used daily. 3. Using a hydrating serum before you moisturize can help plump your skin and prevent winter skin dryness. 4. My favorite antioxidant serum is Skinbetter Alto Defense Serum, which combines vitamins C and E with 17 additional antioxidants to give you a luminous glow. 5. Everyone should be using a retinoid at night. My favorite is Skinbetter AlphaRet Overnight Cream for normal, dry and mature skin types, and Skinbetter AlphaRet Clearing Serum for more oily, congested and acne-prone skin types.
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6. Sunscreen is the best and most affordable product to help with aging concerns, because accumulated sun damage can be blamed for 80 percent of your skin’s premature aging. Make sure you are wearing your SPF daily, no matter the weather. I recommend sunscreens from EltaMD. 7. Incorporating a detoxyfying face mask twice a week is a great way to give yourself a treatment at home. My favorite is the iconic Biologique Recherche Masque Vivant, which I like to call your esthetician at home. 8. If you are someone who will commit to using a tool at home, microcurrent can be incredible in between professional treatments. My favorite device is the NuFace Trinity Pro, which you can buy only through licensed skin care providers.
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before you go...
CAN-DO CANDIED YAMS Kizzy Williams, chef and owner of Allie B’s Cozy Kitchen in Albany, serves up the ultimate holiday side dish. PHOTOGRA P HY BY AUDREY K N IZEK Ingredients: 3 lbs yams ½ tbsp nutmeg 1 tsp cinnamon 1 cup sugar 5 tbsp vanilla 2 sticks butter (unsalted or margarine, at room temperature)
Directions: • Clean each yam and peel completely. Rinse after peeling and then chop into cubes or 1/2-inch-thick slices. Pour into a deep 8x8” baking dish, and pour vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, sugar and one stick of butter on top of yams. Using your hands, mix together thoroughly so that the seasonings are spread evenly throughout. • Bake covered with foil at 375 degrees for 90 minutes or until all yams are tender. Upon removal from the oven, immediately add remaining stick of butter to yams. Mix in butter by using the “folding-over” technique so as not to break up or smash the yams. Serve and enjoy!
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Distillery
Diner
Deli
Cupcakes
Comfort Food
Cookies
Coffee
Chowder
Chili
Chicken Wings
Cider Donuts
Chocolate Shop/Candy Store
Cheesecake
Calamari
Cakes
Burger
Brewery
Breakfast/Brunch
Bread
Bistro
Bloody Mary
Beverage Center
Best Kept Secret (Restaurant)
BBQ
Bakery
Bagels
Appetizers
FOOD AND DRINK
NO PHOTOCOPIES ACCEPTED. ONLINE SURVEY: CRLMAG.COM 1 BALLOT PER EMAIL
MAIL TO: 6 Butler Place, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
EMAIL:____________________________________
NAME:__________________________________
20 ANSWERS MINIMUM • DEADLINE 1/7/2022
Fill out this ballot with your favorite local people, places and businesses and return it by the end of the year. Answers that include chain stores/restaurants will not be printed.
Vegan Selection Waitstaff Wine Selection Winery/Vineyard
Fine Dining Fish and Chips Fried Chicken Gluten-Free Friendly
American Cajun Caribbean Chinese German Greek Indian Italian Japanese Mediterranean Mexican Polish Thai Vietnamese
Hot Dog Ice Cream Kid-Friendly Dining Late-Night Dining Lunch Spot Mac & Cheese Margarita Martini Meatballs Muffins New Restaurant (within past 12 months) Omelets Outdoor Dining Pasta Sauce
RESTAURANT BY LOCATION Albany Ballston Spa Bethlehem Catskill Chatham/Old Chatham Clifton Park Colonie East/North Greenbush Guilderland Hudson Kinderhook/Valatie Lake George Latham
Pizza Pub Ribs Romantic Dining Sandwich/Sub Salads Seafood Sliders Sports Bar Steakhouse Sushi Takeout Tapas/Small Plates Tea
Pies
RESTAURANT BY CUISINE
Homemade Pasta
Happy Hour
Vegetarian Selection
Family-Owned Restaurant
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Afternoon Anchor Evening Anchor
Law Firm Manicure/Pedicure Marina Massage
Troy/Rensselaer
West Sand Lake/Averill Park
Adirondack Inn Assisted Living/Nursing Home Bed & Breakfast/Inn (within 3 hours) Campground Day Trip (within 3 hours-Name of Town) Dog-Friendly Spot
Tree Service Yoga Studio SHOPPING Apple Orchard Bookstore Bike Shop Bridal Shop CSA/Community Co-op Car Dealership Clothing Boutique Consignment Shop Farmers’ Market Garden Nursery Gift Shop Hardware Store Health Food Store Jeweler Liquor/Wine Store Menswear Shop Music Store Optical Center
Outdoor Summer Venue
Seasonal Event
SERVICES
Animal Hospital
Appliance Store
Auto Service
Bank (not credit union)
Caterer
Chef
Chiropractor
Credit Union
Customer Service
Day Spa
Dry Cleaner
Facial
Fitness Center
Florist
Furniture Store
Hair Salon
Health Care Plans/HMO
Heating and Cooling
Sporting Goods Store
PLACES
Real Estate Professional
Museum
Home Healtcare
Sportscaster
Pilates Studio
County Fair
Shopping Center/Mall
Print Journalist
Photographer
Concert Venue
Home Builder
Radio Personality
Pet Spa
Children’s Museum
Wedding Venue
Ski Area
Saratoga Inn
Romantic Getaway Inn
Retirement Community (55+)
Park
Kid’s Camp
Kid’s Birthday Venue
Hotel (in the Capital Region)
Hiking Trail
Golf Course (public)
Golf Course (private)
News Radio
Music Radio
Meteorologist
Morning Team
Paving/Sealcoating
Art Gallery
Morning Anchor
Medical Aesthetics
Travel Agency
CULTURE
PEOPLE AND PLACES
LOCAL PEOPLE AND MEDIA
Landscaper
Scotia/Glenville
Tire Store
Insurance Agency
Schenectady
Supermarket
Hospital
Saratoga Springs
TWO MAGAZINES saratoga living saratogaliving.com
CAPITAL REGION LIVING crlmag.com
ONE MEDIA COMPANY
Empire Media Network
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Meet Our 3rd Annual Capital Region Gives Back Honorees These five local do-gooders are making the Capital Region a better place. P H OTO G R A P H Y BY
FRANCESCO D’AMICO
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William Trigg CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northeast New York
merry wish-mas Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northeast New York CEO Bill Trigg with Kelly O’Brien, a former Wish Kid who now serves as a wish ambassador; (INSET) photos from O’Brien’s wish: meeting soccer superstar David Beckham.
Childhood diseases certainly didn’t disappear during the pandemic, and William Trigg’s drive to make sure that making sick kids’ dreams come true didn’t either—despite the obstacles. The CEO of Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northeast New York explains that yes, during the pandemic travel wishes were temporarily forced to a halt (up to 60 percent of local Wish Kids choose a trip to Disney World). But other wishes still trickled in, allowing the delivery of something sometimes in short supply during COVID: hope. “Hope doesn’t just happen; you have to create it,” Trigg says. “The impact of these wishes is helping these kids believe in possibilities beyond their immediate illness.” One misconception about MakeA-Wish is that all Wish Kids have terminal illnesses. But that isn’t true; in fact, 80 percent survive. And for children who are in and out of hospitals, a wish can change the course of their entire lives. One such teenager, for example, wanted to meet the developers of her favorite video game. Not only did they create a character for her for her wish, but she went on to Harvard and then landed an internship with the developers. “These wishes,” Trigg says, “are a life-changing experience.” Those popular Disney trips have recommenced, with Make-A-Wish now making up for lost time. An average fiscal year sees the Northeast New York chapter granting 85 to 95 wishes, while only about a third as many were granted in the first 15 months of the pandemic. (Successful mid-lockdown wishes included virtual shopping sprees and the building of a theme park– worthy tree house in a child’s backyard.) With little ability for in-person fundraising during COVID, many wishes (an average one costs $12,000) were individually funded. “You learn very quickly that you’re not just helping the kids; you’re helping the families,” Trigg says. “It even has a ripple effect of hope that goes through the whole community.” –A B BY T E G N E L I A
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higher ed NEWS10 ABC anchor Christina Arangio (at center) became involved with the Down Syndrome Aim High Resource Center’s education programs through her son, Luke (front and center in blue polo).
Christina Arangio D OW N S Y N D R O M E PA R E N T A DVO C AT E
Down Syndrome Aim High Resource Center
When NEWS10 ABC morning/noon anchor Christina Arangio became pregnant with her son, Luke, she had no idea that he would open her eyes to a whole world—one that she’d become an advocate for in record time. “He was diagnosed with Down Syndrome before he was born,” she says. “We had the tests done, and then I got the call in the newsroom. We were always full speed ahead, but I needed information about this world I was about to enter.” Arangio’s call to the Down Syndrome Aim High Resource Center was a game-changer. Before she even gave birth, she was visiting other parents of kids with Down Syndrome (DS) in their homes, and learning the importance of integrating Luke into mainstream education as soon as he started school. “He’s been mainstreamed with his typical peers since day one of preschool,” she says of Luke, now a 12-year-old sixth grader. “It’s not easy, but you have the support of the other parents.” Aim High’s programs help teachers with DS students in their classrooms, most crucially by creating ready-to-go modified lessons. This might include materials with fewer words and more visuals, or simplified versions of more complex subjects. “The kids with DS grasp the big idea from the lesson, and get to interact in the class with their peers,” Arangio says. “The law states that they have the right to be in the classroom, but teachers are slammed and might not have the know-how.” One young adult with DS who Arangio knows from the Aim High community got a job he wanted after a few failed attempts, because he ran into a former mainstream schoolmate working at the establishment who then recommended him. It’s stories like these that keep Arangio fighting for integrated education. “My goal is for Luke to have every opportunity to get married, go to college—do whatever he wants to do,” she says. “The future is so bright.” –A B BY T E G N E L I A
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Taylor Nichols
S u i c i d e S u r v i vo r
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
taylor’s swift Since becoming a personal trainer, Taylor Nichols has opened up about his mental health journey even more.
The night before you graduate from college is often one fraught with emotional ambiguity. For Taylor Nichols, that’s the night he tried to take his own life. Unbeknownst to his parents, Nichols had failed out, so he wouldn’t be walking with the rest of his class. Thankfully, that night, Nichols lived, as only one of every 25 people who attempt suicide do. After entering the hospital and a rehabilitation center, he began his long road back. For Nichols, the process of healing has taken some unexpected forms. “When I posted my first [Instagram] post about suicide,” says Nichols, “the amount of people who reached out about going through similar things or had attempted it, floored me.” (He’s been actively posting about his experience since 2019.) Another important step was becoming a personal trainer at Metabolic. “It gave me a platform to connect with clients,” he says. “And it triggered me to open up even more.” Nichols has also used his newfound power as a survivor to fundraise. For his last three birthdays, he has raised thousands of dollars on Facebook for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. “I’m realizing,” he says, “that not everyone opens up as freely as I do or expresses what they’re feeling as freely. I’m hoping that through telling my story, people with family members who don't open up will understand a bit better what they're going through.” –W I L L L E V I T H
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Ron Gardner
M E M B E R O F T H E B OA R D O F D I R E C T O R S
The Hamilton Hill Arts Center Ron Gardner had spent more than 30 years in business consulting and 15 years living in Schenectady, before he was approached by Mayor Gary McCarthy about filling the role of the city’s director of diversity and affirmative action in 2017. “I was shocked,” says Gardner, “because I wasn’t looking for anything. I was perfectly content with my business.” A dialogue opened up between the two men, and several months later, Gardner gave in. The mayor had offered him full support in boosting representation and opportunities throughout the Electric City for minority- and women-owned businesses, and he couldn’t say no. “It’s been a magnificent journey,” says Gardner of the role. “You really get an opportunity to change people’s lives.” One avenue Gardner sees to effect positive, systemic change in the community is through Schenectady’s youth—and the Hamilton Hill Arts Center, on whose board Gardner sits. A nonprofit promoting African/African-American arts and culture, the center primarily reaches children, many of whom grow up in low-income households and around poverty, violence, drugs and gang activity. Gardner has been personally invested in the center for years, with his kids and grandkids attending programs there. “It’s a very culturally rich facility,” says Gardner. But Gardner sees an opportunity for the center to grow beyond its current mission. “I want to see them get more involved on the educational component, like STEM, for example,” he says. “We need to have a vehicle where we can introduce our kids to science, technology, engineering and math—and really put an emphasis on that, because that’s the future.” –W I L L L E V I T H
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captain ron Through his work at The Hamilton Hill Arts Center, Ron Gardner is boosting representation and opportunities for minority- and women-owned businesses in Schenectady.
dream weaver Rainbow Doemel’s daughter, now 19, illustrated her dream of eliminating chronic pain when she was a 4-year-old arthritis patient.
Rainbow Doemel A S S O C I AT E E X E C U T I V E D I R E C T O R
Arthritis Foundation, Northeastern New York Rainbow Doemel’s journey to the Arthritis Foundation (AF) started with the most unlikely patient: her daughter Kolby, who was only 18 months old at the time. When the toddler presented with swollen fingers, Doemel and her husband became concerned, assuming that their active little one had injured herself around the house while unsteadily learning to scurry around. But the hand specialist they visited had some shocking news: Kolby had psoriatic arthritis. “My husband and I thought, ‘How is that even possible?’” Doemel says. “My first call was to the Arthritis Foundation for help and information. When they answered, I started to cry. I had a baby diagnosed with arthritis and I didn’t know what that meant.” Fast-forward 17 years, and Kolby is pre-med at Clemson University. Her mom? Doemel moved up the ranks from AF volunteer and a 10-year stint as the local chapter’s director of development, to the now–associate executive director for Northeastern New York.
The AF serves patients with more than 100 forms of arthritis, and Doemel worked hard to keep the various arthritis communities and patients connected during COVID. She says that seeing their isolation (many are immunocompromised, so are less likely to do a lot of in-person activities) and fear of drug shortages kept her driven during the toughest times. She is currently resurrecting AF’s crucial holiday fundraiser, the Jingle Bell Run, and encouraging sign-ups for VIM, a new (and free) pain management and community-building app. “The pandemic is certainly a challenge, but the mission in my heart has never changed,” she says. “Kolby thinks she’s gotten more from her arthritis than was ever taken, including life skills and learning how strong she is. I hope to inspire the local community to feel the same way.” –A B BY T E G N E L I A
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#2: At the grand opening of Old Friends at Cabin Creek in 2010, the farm’s JoAnn Pepper set up a winner’s circle for Zippy to stand in, but he threw a fit and kicked over the sign and had to be taken back to his paddock.
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#2: “I don’t think people realize that they have to learn how to become a horse after being a racehorse,” Pepper says about new Cabin Creek residents. “They have to learn to make up their own minds and to relax and understand that flies aren’t going to kill them.”
O L D F R I E N D S AT C A B I N C R E E K
zippy chippy
Old Friends at Cabin Creek
Lisa Mitzen
#1: Zippy Chippy is one of just 16 horses at Cabin Creek, each of which has acquired new fans in retirement.
Shelters of Saratoga Lois Celeste
Saratoga Senior Center #1: Adults over 50 can join Saratoga Senior Center for just $25 per year. #2: In spring 2020, construction will begin on a new 17,000-square-foot Senior Center located on the property of the Saratoga Regional YMCA’s Saratoga branch. #3: Celeste envisions the new center as a one-stop shop for Saratoga’s senior community, with a cafe, salon, on-site services and more.
#2: “What brings me joy is helping families in crisis,” Trigg says. “We’re focused on granting the heart-felt wish of that critically ill child or teenager, but we’re also mindful that the entire family is suffering and dealing with this dark period in the child’s life. And so we involve the entire immediate family.” #1: Make-A-Wish’s local chapter wasn't able to grant any wishes between early March 2020 and July 1, 2020.
Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northeast New York
#1: Shelters of Saratoga first opened a 19-bed, year-round shelter on Walworth Street in 1997. #2: Through the Business for Good foundation that they co-founded, Ed and Lisa Mitzen, who owned the historic 1 Franklin Square building in Saratoga, recently donated long-term use of it for affordable apartments to Shelters of Saratoga. #3: Lisa Mitzen wrote a popular online column for saratogaliving.com about her experiences volunteering at SOS, focusing each one on a different person she met through the shelter.
#3: In addition to granting wishes to critically ill children in 15 counties around the Capital Region, the Northeast New York chapter has also hosted Wish Kids from other chapters, including a Miami Springs child who had never seen snow.
Read up on the 10 charities our honorees are representing, then scan the QR code below to purchase tickets to our Capital Region Gives Back event on DECEMBER 9. At checkout, you’ll be able to choose which of the 10 you’d like to support with 50 percent of your ticket price.
#3: The life expectancy for people with DS has increased dramatically in recent decades—from 25 in 1983 to 60 today. Aim High offers services for all ages, from newborn on up. #2: “Giving back is one way I show my gratitude,” Arangio says. “I want people to know that life is so rich for people with DS. I can’t imagine my life without my son, Luke.” #1: Aim High was forced to cancel its reading program for kids with Down Syndrome (DS) due to lack of funds. “Being able to read,” laments Arangio, “is the key to the future.”
Down Syndrome Aim High Resource Center Christina Arangio
william trigg
N OW I T ’ S YOUR T U R N
MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION OF NORTHEAST NY • DOWN SYND
DROME AIM HIGH RESOURCE CENTER • NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE • HAMILTON HILL
Arthritis Foundation, Northeastern New York
#1: As part of Gardner’s role for the City of Schenectady, he heads up a community panel that has a say in whom the city hires to its police force.
#1: More than 300,000 children have juvenile arthritis in the US.
Hamilton Hill Arts Center
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline #1: The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255 and can be called 24 hours a day. #2: Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s most recent study, suicide was the 10th leading cause of death overall in the US, claiming over 47,500 lives every year.
#2: “I enjoy every day of it,” says Gardner of his role as Schenectady’s director of diversity and affirmative action, “because you really have a true opportunity to impact people’s lives in a variety of ways.”
#3: “[Working out] is a second chance at life,” says Nichols. “It keeps my head on straight, and it’s a place where you can zone out from something that haunts you.”
#3: The Hamilton Hill Arts Center was founded by Margaret Cunningham, an artist inspired by the Black pride and arts movements.
#2: “Giving back is doing something with your whole heart and expecting nothing in return,” Doemel says. “Connecting with families and helping them feel empowered is very moving for me.” #3: Doemel has a goal to sign up 50 new local people to the free VIM app by December 31. The pain management app allows users to report and record symptoms to report back to their physicians, set goals and network with other people with arthritis.
Read up on the 10 charities our honorees are representing, then scan the QR code below to purchase tickets to our Capital Region Gives Back event on DECEMBER 9. At checkout, you’ll be able to choose which of the 10 you’d like to support with 50 percent of your ticket price.
taylor nichols
ARTS CENTER • ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION, NORTHEASTERN NY
rainbow doemel ronald gardner
#1: Ten thousand new cancer cases are diagnosed in our area every year. #2: Abrahamson carries around a (fake) $10 million check made out to the Joy US Foundation, to represent what an angel donor might give her someday. #3: “I’ve always viewed my job as what I do to pay the bills,” Abrahamson says, “and my volunteer work as what I do to make a difference in the world.”
Joy US Foundation
Janet Abrahamson
#1: Presidential Inaugural Poet Richard Blanco will serve as the first visiting artist at the SPAC School of the Arts and a mentor for the 2022 Festival of Young Artists. #2: “We have programs where students can create and express themselves through music and then three weeks later they’ll have dance instruction and then three weeks after that they’ll have theater instruction,” Moench says of SOTA. ”It really highlights the idea that the arts are all interconnected.” #3: Many people know SPAC as a venue for pop, rock and country Live Nation shows. It is that, but it’s also a nonprofit organization that hosts a vibrant classical season and educates thousands of students in the arts each year.
SPAC Education dennis moench
NOW I T’S YOU R TURN J OY U S F O U N DAT I O N
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