Holiday Issue 2022 by Capital Region Living

LIP ISSU

FREE

L IP I S S U EF

GIVES BACK ISSUE |

LIP ISSU EF

CAPI TAL R EGI O N L I VI NG | crlmag.com

THE HEART OF THE EMPIRE STATE

Holiday BESTIE BALLOT INSIDE

8 PHOTOGRAPHERS CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS BY CHOOSING THEIR FAVORITE WINTERTIME SHOTS

HOLIDAY 2022

saratogaliving.com GIVES BACK ISSUE |

@crlmagazine | crlmag.com

SNAPSHOTS

HOLIDAY 2022

saratoga living |

CRL

CAPITAL REGION LIVING HOLIDAY 2022

CAPITAL REGION GIVES BACK MEET THE 2022 HONOREES: SHAUN EVANS JEFF YULE STARLETTA SMITH ANNA KUWABARA MIKE MCNARY

Wishing everyone a joyous and safe Holiday Season. Please consider shopping small and help support our Chamber Members. Be sure to visit each of these businesses throughout the Holiday season for a chance to win a Gift card.

"BEST COLUMBIA COUNTY RESTAURANT" HUDSON VALLEY MAGAZINE "BEST WEDDING VENUE" "BEST GOLF COURSE" COLUMBIA COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE visit our websites, sign up for our newsletter or follow us on social media for the latest on events & offerings

WWW.THEGREENSATCOPAKE.COM WWW.COPAKECOUNTRYCLUB.COM 518-325-0019 @COPAKECOUNTRYCLUB @COPAKEWEDDINGS

Make your New Years Resolution to join the Chamber, call 518-828-4417 to hear how the Chamber can work for you.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

The Plus Makes the Difference

329 Fairview Ave., Hudson (518) 828-3683 FurniturePlusHudson.com Store Hours: Monday-Saturday 10-6 PM

LDTK Home Decor & FurniTure co. 3012 Main Street | Valatie, NY 12184 W M FA R M E R A N D S O N S . C O M 20 SOUTH FRONT ST

•

518.828.1635

H U D S O N, N Y

518.229.5950

3x a week inside scoop on saratoga and beyond!

saratogaliving.substack.com

BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY RESERVATIONS NOW

THANK YOU!

VOTED BEST MEATBALLS AND TROY/RENSSELAER RESTAURANT For nearly 80 years, Verdile’s classic Italian-American restaurant has offered an expansive menu ranging from casual, family friendly traditional favorites to finer dining dishes, using only quality ingredients. Our cozy, nostalgic family run eatery has a full-service cocktail lounge and servers in tuxedos reminiscent of a golden era gone by.

572 Second Avenue • Troy 518.235.8879 • www.verdile.com

Creamy Butternut Squash and Apple Soup SERVES 6 Ingredients: 2 Tbsp. 1 small 1 clove 1 1 large 1/2 tsp. 1 leaf 1/4 tsp. 3 to 4 cups 2 cups 1/2 tsp. 1 tsp. 4 Tbsp.

Smooth and creamy savory soups are perfect for warming up on a chilly fall night. Best of all, this low-sodium and dairy-free dish packs flavor in every spoonful!

simply healthy

Hannaford Extra Virgin Olive Oil Yellow onion, peeled and chopped Garlic, chopped Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and chopped Butternut squash (2.5 pounds), peeled, seeded and chopped into 1-inch cubes McCormick® Thyme Leaves McCormick® Bay Leaves McCormick® Ground Nutmeg Water Silk® Plain Unsweet Almondmilk (or other Silk® dairy alternative) McCormick® Pure Ground Black Pepper McCormick® Sea Salt, to taste Fresh lemon juice Hannaford Sliced Almonds, toasted

Directions: 1. Heat a 5-quart soup pot over medium-low heat. Add the olive oil and heat for 1 minute. 2. Add the chopped onion and garlic, stirring to coat with oil. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes. 3. Add the apple, squash, thyme leaves, bay leaf and nutmeg. Add enough water to cover the ingredients. Increase the heat to medium-high. 4. Cook the soup for 15 to 18 minutes until the squash is tender, stirring occasionally. 5. Stir in the Silk® Unsweet almondmilk until heated through. Remove from heat. 6. Remove the bay leaf, and allow the soup to cool for 5 minutes. 7. In two to three batches, transfer the soup to a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy. 8. Return the soup to the pot. Add the nutmeg, lemon juice, pepper and salt, to taste. Stir to combine. Continue to cook until heated throughout. 9. Transfer soup to six bowls, topping each with toasted almonds. Serve immediately.

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. Thank you to our sponsors for partnering with Hannaford to offer free dietitian services. Visit hannaford.com/dietitians to learn more.

Nutritional Information Amount per serving: Calories 170; Total Fat 8 g; Saturated Fat 1 g; Carbohydrate 26 g; Protein 3 g; Sodium 55 mg; Fiber 5 g; Sugar 7 g; Added Sugar 0 g

Source: Recipe adapted from silk.com

inside

ES B E S TLI OT L B A E 43

PAG FO R G E T D O N ’T TE! T O VO

H OHOLIDAY L I D AY I S S U E ISSUE

COVER STORY

26 RECIPE

Into Winter

S H E R RY- G L A Z E D S E A B A S S

28 ON THE SCENE

Costuming Christmas By Jeff Dingler

P H OTO G R A P H Y BY N AT E S E I T E L M A N

21 THE CALENDAR BY C L A I R E B U R N E T T

W I T H S E A S M O K E WAT E R F R O N T G R I L L

GLENVILLE OKTOBERFEST P H OTO G R A P H Y BY C O N B R A D M E D I A

ADVERTISING SECTION

3 8 H O L I D AY G I F T G U I D E

BOOKENDS 10 NEW AND N OW

B E F O R E YO U G O B Y J O H N G R AY

32 THE EXPERTS

S TA R S : R A C H E L L E B O O T H M E N TA L H E A LT H : B E T H E H R I C H S , L M S W T R AV E L : L I S A A R C E L L A M U S I C : S LY F O X

B CAPITAL REGION GIVES BACK 44 B SHAUN EVANS (44) B JEFF YULE (46) B STARLETTA SMITH (47) B ANNA KUWABARA (48) B MIKE MCNARY (49)

ON THE COVER: Downtown Glens Falls photographed by Samantha Decker.

(12) BRIAN WOLFE; (44) KONRAD ODHIAMBO

Choose a Medicare plan with real advantages. MVP Health Care® (MVP) Medicare Advantage plans are designed to fit your life—with convenient access to care, extra coverage and value, and the support of a team of experts committed to helping you on your personal health journey.

Plans start at $0 a month! Call 1-833-368-4606 (TTY 711) Seven days a week, 8 am–8 pm Eastern Time

Visit morefrommvp.com MVP Health Plan, Inc. is an HMO-POS/PPO 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). Y0051_7600_M MVPad202208_GenMedicare_v1.indd 4

Capital Region Living 833-368-4606 morefrommvp.com 7.625 x 10.125” 11.11.2022

9/7/2022 11:46:11 AM

CAPITAL REGION LIVING

THE HEART OF THE EMPIRE STATE

Abby Tegnelia CEO

Will Levith Steve Teabout Natalie Moore Claire Burnett

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR ART DIRECTOR DIRECTOR OF CONTENT EDITORIAL INTERN

CONTRIBUTORS

Lisa Arcella, Karen Bjornland Rachelle Booth, Steve Caporizzo Francesco D’Amico, Samantha Decker Jeff Dingler, Beth Ehrichs, Dori Fitzpatrick Tracy Fluty, Sly Fox, Christine Graf John Gray, Audrey Knizek, David A. Kubikian Dustin Lanterman, T.R. Laz, Benjamin Lerner Konrad Odhiambo, Nate Seitelman Tara Buffa SALES MANAGER PUBLISHER, SARATOGA LIVING CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER SALES ASSISTANT EVENTS/DISTRIBUTION ASSISTANT

Annette Quarrier Tina Galante Tracy Momrow Anthony Jones

30 Riverside Drive, Saranac Lake, NY

CHAIR

Abby Tegnelia PRESIDENT/CEO

Tina Galante CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER

VOLUME 19, 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 1 yearly subscription: $39 2 year subscription: $59 FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA AT:

@capitalregionliving @crlmagazine TWITTER @crlmagazine

FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM

518-637-2524

518-891-5224

www.adkgreatcamps.com

EMPIRE MEDIA NETWORK, INC. Anthony R. Ianniello

Rhinebeck, NY

Info@adkgreatcamps.com

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2022 7PM DOORS 8PM SHOW EVENT CENTER

RiversCasino.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24 2PM–8PM ENJOY A THREE-COURSE SPECIALTY DINNER ON THANKSGIVING DAY! Advanced Reservations Required Call (518) 579-8850

YO U R T I M E TO U N WI N D T H I S HO L I DAY SE AS ON Book today at TheLandingHotelNY.com

RiversCasino.com 1 Rush Street | Schenectady, NY 12305

From The Editors

HIP, HIP HOLIDAYS

e have to admit, as brutal as winter can get here in the great white north, it’s pretty dang pretty. Whether you’re walking the streets of downtown Albany or in the middle of the woods in the Saratoga Spa State Park, everything—holiday decorations, especially—looks better draped in a fresh coat of snow. So, we asked some of our favorite Capital Region photographers to send in their best shots of winter in upstate New York, if only to mentally prepare us for the long, cold, beautiful season that lies ahead. See their selections on page 12, and some shots taken by yours truly—the CRL editorial team—to the left. We’re celebrating the holiday season elsewhere in this issue, too; check out our holly, jolly events calendar on page 21, our expert column on rediscovering the joy of the holidays on page 33, and the local costume company that outfits hundreds of Santa Clauses every year on page 16. And don’t forget to get acquainted with our Capital Region Gives Back honorees, who will be raising money for 10 utterly deserving charities, on page 44. We hope to see you at our annual Gives Back event on December 15. Until then, stay warm, Capital Region! S C A N F O R PA R T Y

The Lake George Ice Castles A wintery morning in Ballston Spa

Choosing the Right REALTOR® Makes All the Difference.

—The Editors

NEW NOW AND

Staying on the pulse of the Capital Region as we head into the holidays. BY NATALIE MOORE

(HALL)MARK YOUR CALENDAR

This holiday season, the Capital Region will get a brief moment in the spotlight—the Hallmark movie spotlight, that is. This past February, film crews converged on Troy’s DeFazio’s Pizzeria to shoot scenes for A Holiday Spectacular, a feel-good Christmas flick that follows a young woman who steals off to New York City to perform with the Rockettes, which will premiere November 27.

LISTEN IN

Amid so much hoopla, sometimes it’s easy to forget that the holidays can be a difficult time for many people. The Capital Region’s weekly Above Ground Podcast is doing its best to assist with that, with hosts Will Foley and Tim “TPP” Parent churning out holiday episodes all season long. They’ll cover mental health issues and topics ranging from addiction and exhaustion to loneliness and excessive stress.

10 | CAP I TAL R EGI O N L I V I N G | HOLIDAY 2022

TERMINAL LIST

Flying out of Albany just got even more convenient. In September, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that Albany International Airport will receive $60 million for a $100 million project to expand its terminal (so that lines don’t back up on the pedestrian bridge from the parking garage), security checkpoint and concessions. The expansion will also include a business center, children’s play zone, additional retail space and upgrades to the airport’s HVAC systems.

NEW NOW AND

PAGEANT PENDING

One RPI grad has made a name for herself in an unlikely field: pageantry. On October 17, Ph.D. student Lily K. Donaldson was crowned Miss United States in her hometown of Memphis, TN. Her mission? To use her year of service to promote STEM and arts education across the US.

BY THE BARREL

Get ready, Glenville residents: This fall, construction began on a new facility that will marry two aspects of the distilling process. Located in the former Riverside Maple Farms building on Route 5, the property will house Murry’s Fools Distilling Company, an Altona-based distillery, as well as Adirondack Barrel Cooperage, an Oneida County company that makes the barrels that actually store and age spirits. The idea: to create a destination where hard liquor–lovers can learn about the distilling process and taste the results.

BAKED BEGINNINGS

If you’ve been to the Cambridge Valley Farmers’ Market, you’ve surely seen (or maybe tried!) the delicious baked goods from Coffee And, a baking company owned by Ashley McCuin and Gordon McQuerrey. This fall, the duo announced they’d be opening a storefront in the up-and-coming town of Greenwich, where they’ll be able to get even more pastries, cookies, cakes and breads into happy Capital Region bellies.

HOLIDAY 2022 | CRL MAG.COM | 11

Frozen in Time EIGHT CAPITAL REGION PHOTOGRAPHERS CAPTURE THE EPHEMERAL BEAUTY OF UPSTATE NEW YORK IN THE WINTER.

Photographer: Brian Wolfe Location: Newburgh “Newburgh has one of the widest main streets in the state. It’s a beautiful place to showcase Christmas with the Hudson River and Highlands in the background.”

ON THE COVER

Photographer: Samantha Decker Location: Glens Falls “I love Capital Region in winter because the snow dazzles. Whether it’s covering the mountains or the trees in town, there’s always something to catch your eye and make a great photograph.”

Photographer: Francesco D’Amico Location: Woods Hollow Nature Preserve “This is my sweet girl Habibi who we lost last year at the age of 14. She hated having her picture taken but loved the snow! This photo was taken at our favorite place to walk.”

Photographer: Nate Seitelman Location: Lake George “What I love about Lake George is that it’s not beautiful only in the summertime—something that’s true of most of Upstate New York.”

ISSUE YEAR | CRLMAG.COM | 13

Photographer: Audrey Knizek Location: Verdile’s Restaurant “I love how creative businesses get during the winter. Just because it’s cold doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the weather and the cities around us. From ice castles and hot chocolate strolls to winter markets, skiing and ice bars, there’s always something to do!”

Photographer: William Adamczak Location: Saratoga Spa State Park “The beauty of winter is similar to that of fall to me. The ever-changing conditions lead to fleeting moments and surreal landscapes that cannot be seen any other time of year.”

Photographer: Hannah Lux Walsh Location: Mirror Lake Inn “Winter in upstate New York has always been special to me; not only does a fresh blanket of snow make everything feel and look like a Hallmark Christmas movie, but I’ve always felt that the holiday season slows us down and allows us to reflect on our year.”

Photographer: Matt Whalen Location: Albany “A little snow doesn’t keep Capital Region residents in their homes. With fun community events and countless cozy bars and restaurants in Albany, there’s always something to do.” ISSUE YEAR | CRL MAG.COM | 15

The Costumer owners Bonnie and Erik Johnsen; (opposite) The Costumer rents out more than 100 Santa suits a year and has two dozen suit styles available for purchase.

ostuming hristmas AT 105 YEARS OLD, THE COSTUMER IN SCHENECTADY HAS 150,000 COSTUMES— INCLUDING AN IMPRESSIVE SANTA SUIT COLLECTION— AND A PAIR OF OWNERS WHOSE DEDICATION TO THEIR CAUSE RUNS DEEPER THAN VELVET, BOWS AND SEQUINS.

BY JEFF DINGLER P H OTOG R AP H Y BY NATE SE IT E LM AN

anta Clauses flood our malls, parades and chimneys every December, but where are all these jolly Saint Nicks storing their bright red suits for the rest of the year? From decked-out, professional mall Santas to lowbudget, slightly tipsy, pub crawl Santas (and everything in between), if you see a Kris Kringle this holiday season, odds are his iconic red regalia came from one local business: The Costumer. “We like to say that we’ve been Santa’s tailor since 1917,” says Erik Johnsen, who co-owns the Schenectady company with his wife, Bonnie. It’s true—the local business has been providing the Capital Region with fine disguises and custom-made costumes since the early 20th century, with the Johnsens being The Costumer’s fourth owners. “Historically, we rent more than 100 Santa suits a year,” says Bonnie. “On the retail side, we carry close to two dozen Santa suit styles at a variety of price points.” That includes everything from affordable red suits for your casual SantaCon attendees all the way up to high-end, custom-made Saint Nick duds that can cost as much as $1,000. “We design the iconic, unique and bespoke costumes ourselves,” says Erik. “We’ll start with hand sketches and take that process all the way through our own patterning and on-site construction.” The Costumer even works with some long-standing clients who “half-own” their Santa suits, bringing in the outfits during the off-season to be cleaned and stored. But Mr. Claus isn’t the only client bringing in big business. The Costumer operates out of two locations in the Electric City: a rental warehouse at its downtown headquarters on Barrett Street and a brand-new, 7,100-square-foot retail space in Mohawk Harbor. Between those two locations, The

18 | CAP I TAL R EGI O N L I V I N G | HOLIDAY 2022

Costumer has an incredible 150,000 costumes for every occasion or celebration, and that number doesn’t include accoutrements such as props, hats, wigs, theatrical make-up and cosplay accessories. The inventory also comprises the complete costume sets or “plots” of more than 400 popular plays. We’re talking full wardrobes for big productions such as Beauty and the Beast, Frozen and Shrek the Musical, as well as such holiday classics as A Christmas Carol and Elf the Musical! While Halloween or the holidays might seem like the most hectic time for the Johnsens, things are actually craziest in March. That’s because, nationally, more theatrical events take place on the third weekend in March than at any other time. In fact, the bulk of The Costumer’s business is costuming scholastic theaters across the country—about 1,000 shows every year—including middle schools, high schools and community theaters. “Out of those 1,000 shows, just over 32,000 costumes will go out and come back to our headquarters in Schenectady,” says Erik. “And we’ll do a lot of things in the name of customer service that other costume shops won’t. For instance, for very small or large actors, we will pull all costumes by player and tailor them to that particular player. We’ll make that on the fly in order to have that actor be a part of that production.” Incredibly, the Johnsens had no costuming experience prior to taking over The Costumer in late 2016. Erik worked in corporate banking, and Bonnie was a market researcher for consumer magazines and then later a special education teaching assistant. “We have two sons, one of whom, Tyler, was a very shy, introverted middle-school kid,” says Bonnie. “He really found his voice in scholastic theater and went on to double major in theater and business.” Tyler served as the Johnsens’ inspiration to buy The Costumer, and now he even works for the family business.

“We came at it as stage parents,” says Erik. “We are deeply committed to The Costumer, having witnessed the positive impact that performing has made on our son’s life.” The Johnsens’ personal connection to the world of performing arts is more than apropos considering The Costumer’s rich theatrical history. The business was started more than a century ago by local dressmaker Anna White who initially bartered her costume creations for her daughter’s dance lessons. She later gained acclaim as a costumer on the vaudeville circuit, especially through Proctors Theatre, back when Schenectady was a hub for that kind of entertainment. According to Erik, silent film legend Lillian Gish even once stopped by The Costumer to fix a “wardrobe malfunction” before a performance in town. Over the decades, the Capital Region’s costuming fixture has grown and reached the stars: The shop has done costume work for KISS lead guitarist Ace Frehley, supplied medieval costumes for Bud Light’s early (and strangely catchy) “Dilly Dilly” commercials, and has even costumed for Saturday Night Live. (If you watched a hilarious Lion King audition skit from a few years ago, you were looking at the fine work of The Costumer.) The local company’s work also extends into film and TV, most recently appearing in Tell Me a Story, a dark, fairy tale–inspired series with Kim Cattrall portraying a costume shop owner. “It’s not even that they’re always getting worn,” says Erik about the outfits featured in Tell Me a Story. “Sometimes, like in that show, they’re just a stage prop.” This fall, the Johnsens celebrated six years at The Costumer, as well as the fact that business is finally picking up again after two years of Covid. “We acquired the business in October 2016, which is a pretty heady time to walk into such a seasonal business,” says Erik. “Fortunately, we had some wonderfully talented and patient team members to show us the ropes. In the end, it turned out to be a wonderful way to get immersed in the business and understand its seasonal dynamics.” And so the couple are ready for this hectic holiday season—Santa suits and all.

Fall

IN LOVE

NOW BOOKING 2023 WEDDINGS

LAURA HARRIS PHOTOGRAPHY

LIBERTYRIDGEFARMWEDDINGS.COM

Pause Gallery

501 Broadway, Suite 106 • Troy, NY 518-328-4877 • pausegallery.com

An inspiring and affordable selection of unique art, fine handmade crafts, and gifts for any occasion gallery hours:

wednesday-sunday 12-5pm or anytime by appointment.

#ItsHereInRensselaer

www.renscotourism.com

®I LOVE NEW YORK is a registered trademark and service mark of the New York State Department of Economic Development; used with permission.

Events Calendar

» Let your inner elf shine at these 13 Capital Region holiday happenings. «

BY CLAIRE BURNETT

Santa’s Magical Express

November 19

November 19-December 23

November 25-December 23

Schenectady Holiday Parade Downtown Schenectady

Wintertime Wonderland Via Port Rotterdam

Santa’s Magical Express Yankee Trails, Rensselaer

The 53rd annual Holiday Parade will light up downtown Schenectady November 19. Known far and wide as the largest nighttime parade in the northeast, this event marries dancers and marching bands with vehicles and floats bathed in bright holiday lights. This year’s theme is “Dream Big” and will celebrate holiday dreams (and dreamers!) of all kinds. Attracting up to 15,000 viewers, the pre-Thanksgiving parade helps kick off the holiday season in upstate New York. schenectadycounty.com/parade

Do your kids need a way to mail their letter to Santa? Are they curious to see his elves at work? Via Port Rotterdam’s Wintertime Wonderland has all their Christmas dreams covered with those holiday experiences and many more. Along with photo ops with Santa and Mrs. Claus, the interactive experience features a winding ice maze full of hidden treasures with an ice princess waiting to greet you at the end, plus crafts galore, vendors and a beautiful light show to top it off. wintertimewonderland.com

Oh no! Jack Frost has stolen Santa Claus’ hat, and it’s up to you to get it back! Join the motley crew of Mrs. Claus, Winky, Ebeneezer Scrouge and Frosty for the 90-minute theatrical activity that includes a ride on Santa’s Magical Express, capped off by a stop at Santa’s Workshop for the traditional pics with the big guy himself. Kids ride for free with the purchase of any adult ticket, and Santa fans of all ages will enjoy the livelihood of the actors and feel-good vibe of “saving Christmas.” santasmagicalexpress.com

HOLIDAY 2022 | CRLMAG.COM | 21

Troy Victorian Stroll November 26

Lite Up the Village Shepherd Park, Lake George

Cozy drinks and caroling around a big ol’ tree? Count us in! The annual Amsterdam Tree Lighting, featuring old-fashioned horse-drawn carriage rides and pictures will Santa, will return to Montgomery County the Friday after Thanksgiving. Bring your own ornament so it can be hung up on the city’s 25-foot Christmas tree for all to see. amsterdamny.gov

The Village of Lake George is lighting up to celebrate the holiday season November 26 in Shepherd Park. The festival will feature live music by Rich Ortiz and other local musicians, horse-drawn carriages, a parade of decorated fire trucks and fireworks, plus an ugly sweater contest with a $250 prize. The festivities begin at 4pm with the thousands of twinkling lights dramatically turning on at 6pm sharp. visitlakegeorge.com

Holiday Lighted Nights

November 25-December 30

Holiday Lighted Nights Washington County Fairgrounds While Washington Park may not be hosting its famous light show this season, the Washington County Fairgrounds’ is back for a second sparkling year. The lit-up drive-

22 | CAP I TAL R EGI O N L I V I N G | HOLIDAY 2022

through experience boasts nearly two miles of holiday light displays (including lighted tractors!). Belly-warming snacks such as hot cocoa and cider doughnuts will be available to make your cruise extra cozy. washingtoncountyfair.com

November 26-Deccember 18

Christmas Land Altamont Arrive hungry—Altamont’s Christmas Land serves Santa’s authentic cookies piping hot, straight from the elves’ kitchen.

(Victorian Stroll) SÉBASTIEN BARRÉ

November 25

Amsterdam Tree Lighting Festival Amsterdam

Events Calendar CONTINUED

Other holiday magic includes personal visits with Santa and portraits with him at Santa’s Workshop. And don’t forget to check out the delicious-sounding Gingerbread Town! christmaslandllc.com

December 1-4

Saratoga Victorian Streetwalk Downtown Saratoga Dancing ballerinas and visions of the Nutcracker will once again bring window displays alive in downtown Saratoga this December 1-4. On Thursday, a Christmas tree lighting at 7pm will kick off the weekend, which also features caroling, live music and more festivities. saratogaspringsdowntown.com

December 3

Winter Walk Warren Street, Hudson Back for its 26th year, the highly anticipated Winter Walk in Hudson is the best way to celebrate the season in Columbia County! Stroll down a mile-long length of Warren Street to witness festivities including performances, art installations, family-friendly attractions and fireworks. hudsonhall.org

December 3-23

Schenectady Festival of Trees Schenectady County Historical Society Walking through a makeshift forest of impeccably decorated Christmas trees never gets old! Return this year to Schenectady’s Festival of Trees to take in the beauty of dozens of lighted fir trees for a cause—all of the proceeds go to benefit the numerous programs and services provided by both the Schenectady County Historical Society and YWCA of Northeastern NY. schenectadyhistorical.org

December 3-4

Christmas in Warrensburg Warrensburg Christmas in Warrensburg is a typical holiday celebration—but with live reindeer! Head to exit 23 on December 3 and 4 for a festival of lights, caroling, face painting, wine

Events Calendar

Wishing everyone a Happy and Safe Holiday Season !

CONTINUED

294 N. Greenbush Road, Troy 518.286.2603 • alexisdiner.us

Alexis Diner gift cards make the best holiday gift.

OPEN 7AM-10PM 7 DAYS A WEEK

Christmas in Warrensburg tasting, open houses at local businesses, artisan demonstrations, a holiday craft fair, concerts, theater and a chance to meet Santa. warrensburgchamber.com December 4

Troy Victorian Stroll Downtown Troy Back in all its pre-pandemic glory, the Troy Victorian Stroll will celebrate its 40th anniversary on one day and one day only. Food trucks, shopping, a window-decorating contest for local businesses, arts and crafts, live music and, of course, festive Victorian garb will highlight one of the Capital Region’s favorite annual events. victorianstroll.com

December 18

Chanukah on Jay Jay Street, Schenectady One of the Capital Region’s biggest Chanukah celebrations, Chanukah on Jay, happening in front of City Hall in Schenectady, has something for revelers of all ages this season. Before the giant Menorah lighting, grab some hot doughnuts and cocoa to help keep you warm and cozy, and spend the afternoon eating, crafting, listening to music and playing games. chanukahonjay.com

December 31-January 1

Saratoga New Year’s Fest Downtown Saratoga Springs Saratoga’s annual New Year’s Eve music crawl is back and with a new name—New Year’s Fest! The two-day event will include family-friendly activities, more than a dozen music acts, fireworks and a New Year’s Day 5K road race. eventcreate.com/e/saratoga-new-year-fest

SERVING BREAKFAST ALL DAY LUNCH AND DINNER CATERING AVAILABLE

ALL ABOUT THAT BASS Try your hand at Sea Smoke Waterfront Grill’s sherry-glazed Chilean Sea Bass served with creamy fregola, blanc, and a tomato and frisée salad. For the creamy fregola:

Ingredients: ½ cup dried fregola 2 cups water 1 cup heavy cream 1 tbsp grated pecorino romano Kosher salt Black pepper

Directions: • Bring water to a boil in a medium tail pot. • Add the dried fregola and cook until al dente (approximately seven minutes). • Remove from the heat and strain, reserving the fregola. • Add reserved fregola and heavy cream to a small tail pot and bring to a simmer. • Simmer until the heavy cream is reduced by half. • Remove from the heat and add the grated pecorino romano, salt and pepper. For the sherry glaze:

Ingredients:

Directions:

1 tbsp shallots, brunoise ¼ cup sherry 1 tbsp sugar Salt

• Combine shallots, white wine and lemon juice in a medium tail pot over medium high heat. • Bring to a simmer and reduce until almost dry. • Add the heavy cream and reduce again until almost dry. • Remove from the heat and slowly whisk in the butter a little at a time, making sure to keep the emulsion. • Once all the butter has been added, adjust seasoning and keep warm.

• Mix all ingredients together right before plating.

Directions: • Place shallots and sherry in a small pan and bring to a simmer. • Once almost all the liquid has reduced, add the sugar and allow to dissolve. • Remove from the heat, and let cool. For the beurre blanc:

Ingredients: 1/3 cup white wine 1 tbsp lemon juice ½ tsp shallot, minced 1/4 lb butter 1/8 cup heavy cream Pinch of kosher salt

26 | CAP I TAL R EGI O N L I V I N G | HOLIDAY 2022

For the tomato-and-frisée salad:

Ingredients: 1 oz white frisée, washed and chopped 3 cherry tomatoes, split 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 ½ tsp lemon juice Kosher salt

To complete the dish: • Begin by searing an 8-ounce portion of Chilean sea bass in butter and cooking oil. • Once one side is golden brown, flip and place in the oven to cook. When it is ¾ of the way cooked, glaze with the sherry glaze and finish in oven until fully cooked. • In the center of a round plate, pile ½ cup to ¾ cup of the creamy fregola. • Place the piece of seared bass on the pile of fregola. • Drizzle with the remaining sherry glaze. • Spoon two tablespoons of the beurre blanc over the bass and around the plate. • Finish the dish by placing the salad gently CRL over the bass. And serve!

ON THE HORIZON

Art and Atmosphere in the Nineteenth Century November 19, 2022–February 12, 2023

PROMENADES ON PAPER

Eighteenth-Century French Drawings from the Bibliothèque nationale de France December 17, 2022–March 12, 2023

George Rowe, The Malvern Hills from the Summit of the Worcestershire Beacon (detail), c. 1832–52, color lithograph on wove paper. The Clark, 1976.40

WILLIAMSTOWN, MASSACHUSETTS CLARKART.EDU

Jean-Baptiste Hilair, The Orangerie in the Jardin des plantes (detail), 1794. Ink, watercolor and white highlights. Bibliothèque nationale de France

Glenville Oktoberfest PHOTOGAPHY BY CONBRAD MEDIA

n September 24, it was almost, almost possible to mistake Glenville’s Maalwyck Park for Munich, Germany, what with all the German flags flying high and steins of Spaten sloshing around. The park played host to the annual Glenville Oktoberfest, which featured live music, kids’ activities, a car show, a Wolf Hollow Biergarten, Disney princesses and the send-off for Capital Region resident Jim Thomas, who is kayaking to Florida to raise money and awareness for veterans in need of service dogs.

722 New Loudon Road, Route 9 • 518.785.3793 • Latham76diner.com

Where Good Friends Meet to Eat Well

SCAN ME

Thank You Capital Region! For voting us Best Bank in the Capital Region Living Magazines Besties Poll for the second year in a row!

Best Customer Service!

Best Bank 2-Years in a Row!

TrustcoBank Trustco_Bank_1902

TrustcoBank.com 1-800-670-3110

TrustcoBank Trustco_Bank

TWO MAGAZINES saratoga living saratogaliving.com

CAPITAL REGION LIVING crlmag.com

ONE MEDIA COMPANY

Empire Media Network

‘Tis the Season of Sustainability

From local vendors to bulk foods, Honest Weight Food Co-op makes the holidays easy on you—and the environment.

ypically, the holiday season is one of excess—we bake more cookies than our families can eat, wrap dozens of presents in paper we’ll end up throwing away, and spend money on gifts we know our mother-in-law will only pretend to like. One way to lower your environmental footprint (and stress level!) this year? Shop at Albany’s Honest Weight Food Co-op. “Given the state of our home planet, there is a greatly renewed interest in sustainable and zero-waste shopping today,” says Honest Weight’s Alex Mytelka. “We have the largest bulk department in the northeast, and perhaps even the entire east coast. Shopping in the bulk department not only saves packaging, but it also enables you to reuse your old packaging.” Shopping in bulk has other benefits, too. The co-op’s bulk aisle boasts more than 1,000 items, including hard-to-find herbs and spices, and you can buy as much or as little as you’d like. “When you pull out Great Grandma’s recipe that calls for something you don’t typically keep in your spice cupboard, you can buy just enough to complete your recipe,” Mytelka says. “That way, you don’t have a 3/4-full jar of, say, pumpkin pie spice clogging up your cupboard for the rest of the year.” That’s not even to mention the cost savings associated with buying in bulk—buying a tablespoon of tarragon is a lot cheaper than buying a whole container of the aromatic herb.

Even beyond the bulk aisle Honest Weight has sustainability in mind. “We pride ourselves on sourcing products locally from 285 farms and 319 producers, allowing us to carry more than 4,200 local products,” Mytelka says. “Buying local cuts down on fossil fuels, and supporting our farmers means supporting the local economy.” The best part: Some of those local products—such as Arris Wood Works cutting boards and handcrafted pottery pieces from Delmar’s Fieldstone Pottery—make great gifts as well. A tablespoon of tarragon? Forty cents. A hand-made cutting board? Forty-four dollars. Knocking [CRL] out your holiday food and gift shopping in one stop, and doing it sustainably? Priceless.

THE

Stars // Mental Health // Travel // Music

Experts What Will Your Star-studded Gifts Be in 2023?

Aries in the second house makes money matters easier), set your fiery, bold intentions for what you are growing in that area of your life for the next five months, when Jupiter will leave Aries and enter a new Zodiac sign— and act on them. One note of caution: As with all higher expressions of a planet, there are also lower expressions. Be careful not to be too rash, impulsive, arrogant or to overextend (all of the shadow qualities of Jupiter in Aries). This is a beautiful time to reflect on and appreciate how much you’ve grown during this last 12-year cycle. Jupiter was last in Aries in 2010-2011. You’ve grown quite a bit in all areas of life since then. Why not take the time to celebrate it? As long as you keep your balance, light the next several months on fire: Be bold and take some risks, and you will reap the rewards.

As Jupiter enters Aries this December, opportunities arise. BY RACHELLE BOOTH

upiter is the Santa Claus of the zodiac and he wants you to have it all. He’s the bringer of gifts, rewards, abundance, luck, opportunity, faith, growth and expansion. During this holiday season, we can’t help but be inspired by his deep belly laugh, optimism and generosity of spirit. Jupiter, who begins a new 12-year cycle on December 20, will re-enter Aries and thus encourage us to embrace our inner pioneer, believe in ourselves and triumph over challenge. The house in which he is transiting Aries in your chart determines where he delivers your star-studded gifts, opportunities and rewards. He will expand opportunities and attract luck through Aries

32 | CAP I TAL R EGI O N L I V I N G | HOLIDAY 2022

themes of: • Bold individuality and creativity • Fearless risk-taking • The courage and inner faith to act • Strong physical vitality Each person’s chart is different, and therefore the area of life affected by Jupiter between December 20, 2022 and May 16, 2023 will depend on the individual. Below is a chart illustrating which area Jupiter will be expanding, given the house you have Aries in. If you don’t know in which house(s) you have Aries, I’m happy to help you understand your Natal Chart, or you can find out for yourself on astro.com or the Co-Star app. Once you’ve identified your house(s) and the area of life Jupiter will be expanding (i.e.

Let me know what you’re celebrating by popping in my inbox at: shapeshift2wellness@ gmail.com. For your own personalized natal chart reading and other services, go to: rachelletrahancoaching.as.me/.

Personal Style

Intimacy, Commitment

Resources (inner and outer), 8 Finances, Self-confidence

Instincts, Sexual Bonding, Wounds, Metaphysical

Information Exchange, 9 Communication

Higher Education, Travel, Beliefs, Higher Truth

Home, Personal Roots, Inner Life

Profession, Reputation

Creativity, Self-Expression, Play, Pleasure

Long-term Goals, Allies, Strategies

Body, Wholistic Health, Skills, Service

Spirituality, Surrender/Release

Stars // Mental Health // Travel // Music

Rediscovering Holiday Magic

With a few mindset changes, you can recapture the childlike wonder of the holidays—as an adult. BY BETH EHRICHS, LMSW

hy were the holidays magical when you were a child? Probably largely because there were so many adults doing the work to make it magical. But why else? Did the magic come from the joyful anticipation of the little things? Christmas lights? Candle-lit Menorahs? Celebrating with family and friends? How can you re-engage with the joy and magic of the season and cut out the stress?

Check your expectations: When we expect things to go a certain way, we are essentially wanting to control the outcome. We are much more likely to have positive experiences if we relinquish control (easier said than done!), and accept that we often have limited control. Expectations are the backbone of disappointment.

Roll with reality: If you can learn to adapt and embrace the unexpected, the traffic jam that makes you late for the work holiday party can turn into a great time to

catch up with your partner or call that friend you’ve been meaning to call. Reframe a disaster into an opportunity.

Mind readers wanted: Although a spontaneous gesture is a glorious thing, most people suffer disappointment because their significant other doesn’t realize what they want (romantic dinner, special gift, etc.), and can’t read their mind. Take the guesswork out of it and tell him or her straight up what you’re hoping will happen. If that’s too unromantic, tell a friend or family member exactly what you want and have him or her suggest it to your partner.

Perfectionistas beware: Perfectionism is the kiss of death for peace and serenity. Torturing yourself to make everything perfect saps the fun out of a celebration and creates stress.

Cut some slack: Give everyone a break this holiday season, including yourself. If you mess up, learn from it and move on.

Channel your younger self: Look for joy in the little things. When we focus on the happy little things each day, we have less need for the big, huge experiences. Would you prefer a huge anniversary celebration once a year or daily reminders of how much your person adores you, such as snuggles, smiles, or a caress as he or she walks by? Create healthy boundaries: If you’re gathering with family members who you know upset you, create your game plan ahead of time. One thing you always have control over is how you allow others to affect you. No one is able to make you feel bad but you. Keep your power, neutralize your emotion, and carry on. Beth Ehrichs, LMSW is a private practice therapist specializing in anxiety, couple’s therapy and sex therapy. She guides people to remember how to enjoy life as they make meaningful change.

HOLIDAY 2022 | CRLMAG.COM | 33

THE

Experts Post-Holiday Bliss

Stars // Mental Health // Travel // Music

Make time this the hectic holiday season to book a well-deserved, post-holiday getaway at one of New York State’s famously cozy inns. BY LISA ARCELLA

fter the chaos of the holidays comes to a close, you deserve a recharge. And what better way than holing up in one of our state’s gorgeous inns? Experts say that short weekend escapes are important for our emotional and mental health, so no excuses—sit down to book that getaway right now. And since planning a trip is a stress you don’t need this time of year, we did the hard work for you. Here are some of the loveliest inns New York State has to offer, compiled into one neat little package. Simply pick one, book, and then get back to your holiday parties knowing that a relaxing, quiet January weekend awaits.

The Fox and The Grapes The Fox and The Grapes (thefoxandthegrapes.com) is in one of the prettiest spots in the Finger Lakes region, boasting stunning views of Seneca Lake. The main home that makes up the B&B radiates Victorian charm (it was built in 1885!) but has all the modern amenities. Taking its name from the Aesop fable, the inn is near some of the best wineries upstate, plus several breweries and distilleries. The friendly owners, Wendy and Russ, are always available, and anyone who has trouble sleeping should note—you can choose your room based on mattress preference.

Located in the beautiful Hudson Valley, The Maker (themaker.com) really has something for everyone. The décor is incredible (a perfect fit for artsy Hudson), down to the one-of-a-kind wallpaper, stained glass and bohemian style. Each of the 11 rooms is unique and adorned with impressive art. (The owners like to say that every room “has a story to tell.”) “The Gardener” has turn-of-the century charm with wrought iron accents, whereas “The Artist” looks a bit like a Parisian studio, and “The Apartment” has a mid-century modern vibe.

Inness from top:

The Maker’s Gardener room; Inness’ Farmhouse King Mini Suite; opposite clockwise from top right: Cedar Lake; The Point Resort’s Great Hall; The Lake House on Canandaigua; Mirror Lake Inn; Fox and Grapes.

34 | CAP I TAL R EGI O N L I V I N G | HOLIDAY 2022

Inness (inness.co) is an expansive property set on 220 acres in the Catskills, and all of that land is put to good use. Stay in one of 28 private cabins (those mountain views!) or set

The Maker (FRANCINE ZASLOW)

The Maker

up shop in one of the 12 charming farmhouse rooms. All accommodations are impeccably decorated with a high-end minimalist vibe, and there’s even a membership option to create a home-away-from-home that offers a lot of services for families. The on-site restaurant offers up delicious Mediterranean fare and craft cocktails, often sourcing ingredients from the inn’s own garden. Next year, there will also be a wellness retreat on the grounds, which

promises a world-class spa and gym. There’s already a golf course if your inevitable return trip is during warmer months.

The Lake House on Canandaigua More of a hotel, The Lake House (lakehousecanandaigua.com) still retains that cozy inn feeling, as if you have the stunning property all to yourself. Captivating views of Canandaigua Lake never get old, and neither do the timber barn and on-site

restaurants (yes, that’s plural). Rooms are a mix of luxury comfort and unique modern and antique furnishings. There’s also a great spa on site (its signature treatment is a private barrel sauna ritual) to take relaxation to a new level.

Cedar Lake Estate The stunning Cedar Lake Estate (cedarlakeestate.com) embraces winter, offering snowshoeing, bonfires and igloos that can be set up for spa treatments, private dinners or cocktail hours. Set on a whopping 500 acres in Orange County, accommodations are storybook cottages set in a winter wonderland, with “winter getaway” packages starting December 30.

Mirror Lake Inn There’s a reason this beautiful Lake Placid resort wins award after award. Mirror Lake Inn’s (mirrorlakein.com) stunning views of the glass-like lake, classic Adirondack décor, spa (with its indoor heated pool and saunas, you could easily spend the day there), library rooms in which to enjoy a cocktail or two, and over-the-top fine dining make for an escape you will never want to escape from.

The Great Hall (THE POINT) Lake House Canandaigua Sauna (CHRIS CHURCHILL)

The Point When you need that only-for-the-grown-ups getaway, The Point (thepointresort.com) on Upper Saranac Lake is all inclusive and just about perfect. The theme is high-end Adirondack “Great Camp,” of the Gilded Age era. The property in fact was built by the Rockefeller family as a retreat from the hectic life in New York City—you can even book the stunning “Mohawk” room in the main lodge, which was once the Rockefellers’ master bedroom. Surrounded by wide-open spaces, this Inn is pet friendly (remarkably with no additional charge!), offering bowls, treats and “Bowser beer” for your fur baby. Lisa Arcella is a travel writer and blogger whose work has been in People, The Wall Street Journal and Westchester magazine, and is a former editor at Rosie O’Donnell’s magazine. You can follow her at passportandticket.com.

HOLIDAY 2022 | CRL MAG.COM | 35

THE

Stars // Mental Health // Travel // Music

Experts Thank Goodness It’s Friday In time for the music-fueled holiday season, Nippertown’s Sly Fox chats with Super 400’s Lori Friday about her pure love of music. B Y S LY F OX

his holiday season, discover the joy of music with Nippertown’s Sly Fox, who sits down with Super 400’s Lori Friday before the band’s December 17 show at Saratoga’s Putnam Place.

S: What is the best piece of advice you have gotten from a musician? L: The night before we went on our first tour as a band overseas in ’97, we were very young and with our dear friend (and 518 musician!) Joe Mele. He said, “It’s going to be exciting over there and will go by fast, so make sure to take some time to go off by yourself and just be there when you’re there.” I took his advice, and it was a beautiful and wonderful experience.

Sly Fox: What first got you into music?-

Lori Friday: My dad

S: What was your first concert? L: My dad took me to see Hall & Oats at the Glens Falls Civic Center when I was 9 years old. I had never been to a space with thousands of people I didn’t know. Back then there wasn’t as much access to

36 | CAP I TAL R EGI O N L I V I N G | HOLIDAY 2022

S: What’s next for you and the band? L: This is the time of year we love to go bands as there is now—maybe a little on MTV—so to actually see the band moving in 3 dimensions was thrilling. After that show I knew I wanted to do music. I started a notebook of answers I would give to interviewers and mapped out the other instruments I wanted to be in a band with me.

S: What is your creative process like? L: These days inspiration comes to me in quiet times alone, such as driving and just

inward and spend time in our studio playing. We plan to clean our slate of songs that have been laying around so we can open up the next chapter! Sly Fox has been part of the 518 music scene for more than 20 years. He is the vocalist/ guitarist for his band Sly Fox and the Hustlers, and the general manager of the music venue Putnam Place in downtown Saratoga.

(Lori Friday BETH MICKALONIS)

was a real big fan of ‘50s rock ‘n’ roll: Buddy Holly, Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard– type stuff, and that’s the music I grew up with. I loved the sound of that left hand style of bass on the piano. When I hear it even now, it gets my heart pumping! One of my earliest memories is being 4 years old on the couch with my grandma’s Afghan blanket and stuffed animals, listening to this music on my dad’s big headphones with the coiled cord. I really just fell in love with the music.

before I fall asleep. Then I have to decide if it’s something so good I need to get up and start working on it, or at least hum it into the cell phone! As a band, we always do the music before the lyrics and often we will use a process where I write a verse in the notebook then give it to Joe [Daley], and he will take it for an hour and then come back and give it to Kenny [Hohman] to write one. And then we just continue passing it around in that circle. Everything we do is a total group effort.

Salami & Cheese & More...

Shop our online Italian Market - FortunaSausage.com

--� ® 7

�--�:;> �ttBORlGINA_L

tas

Salami - Sausage - Cheese - Pasta - Olives - Sauces Our family recipes passed down generation to generation for over 130 years!

Shop 24/7 - Online Today

www .FortunaSausage.con1

802-375-0200

EVERY SUNDAY

Latin Night with Free Salsa & Tango lessons by Tango Fusion Dance Company FOR TICKETS AND MORE INFORMATION

PUTNAMPLACE.COM

EVERY MONDAY

Family Tree 7-10pm with Sly Fox’s Open Mic Jam 10-12am

ADVERTISING SECTION

Holiday GIFT GUIDE

ROMANATION JEWELERS romanationjewelers.com 48 Third Street; Troy • 518.272.0643 Ruby Necklace | $1,195 This 14K white gold .28 ct Ruby necklace dazzles with antique-style filigree and .06 ct diamonds bezeled within the piece. It’s sure to be a showstopper this holiday season.

FORTUNA’S SAUSAGE fortunasausage.com 723 Stannards Road, Sandgate, VT • 802.375.0200 Various Gifts | Price Varies When it comes to the “mangia e bevi” type of holiday spreads, Fortuna’s Sausage has you covered. Pair its all-natural salami with your choice of Italian cheese, olives and taralli for the perfect gift.

TRULY RHE trulyrhe.com 1 Broadway, Troy • 518.273.1540 Smiley Face Gifts | $29-$68 Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the smiley face icon with a T-shirt, sweatshirt, purse, hat, scarf or pillowcase that’s sure to make anyone on your shopping list crack a smile.

SEGEL VIOLIN & GIFT GALLERY violinsdirect.com 44 3rd Street, Troy • 518.266.9732 Various Gifts | Price Varies Shop Segal Violin & Gift Gallery for violins, hand drums, singing bowls, ukuleles, gongs and sheet music, plus handmade jewelry, artwork and specialty gifts for musicians.

JOYELLES JEWELERS joyellesjewelers.com 318 Delaware Avenue; Delmar • 518.439.9993 Diamond Stud Flower Earrings | $2,340 These 14KW 1.10 CTW diamond stud flower earrings with marquis-cut diamonds will make the holidays truly sparkle for your special someone.

CROSS EYED OWL GIFT SHOP crosseyedowl.com 3143 U.S. 9, #8, Valatie • 518.758.6755 Cardinal and Cones Mason Jar Lanterns | $17.99 Brighten up your holiday season with these decorative, hand-painted mason jar lanterns featuring LED illumination that gives them a warm glow.

You’re Steps Away from Stellar Dining

dp An American Brasserie | Yono’s | 25 Chapel Street, Albany 518.436.7747 | www.dpBrasserie.com | www.Yonos.com

before you go...

CHRISTMAS TRAIN B Y J O H N G R AY

ou could set your watch by the little boy with red hair, freckles and the faded blue cap. Every Saturday, Billy and his grandpa waited for the toy store to open,

40 | CAP I TAL R EGI O N L I V I N G | HOLIDAY 2022

with Billy making a beeline for the Thomas the Train display. It was six feet by four, with a hundred cars. Billy, only 7 and what his parents called “on the spectrum,” could name every one. He had his favorites; Percy, Toby and, of course, Thomas, and was so animated when he played that customers would gather and smile. It was a weekly ritual of unbridled joy. Billy’s family wished they could buy him a train set, but sometimes money is as scarce as hope. After his fun, Billy and his grandpa would return to the Ocean View trailer park on the edge of town. The name was a false promise,

seeing as there wasn’t an ocean or seashell within miles—just clay, weeds and an old train depot that was boarded up long ago. Once home, Billy asked his grandpa for a penny and the boy dashed to the rusted old train tracks to lay the coin on the rail. “Maybe tonight?” he’d ask. The old man would fib, answering, “Maybe tonight, Billy.” Billy couldn’t see the train tracks from his bedroom, but he’d hear one if it came rumbling through, something that hadn’t happened in a decade. Still, he’d lay the copper on the track, sleep, and come Sunday morning return to find the coin intact. One chilly Saturday, Christmas Eve, Billy went to the toy store to play with the trains. After, he decided to wander the aisles, turned a corner and ran smack dab into Santa Claus himself. The man was no doubt a store employee, but with the large belly, real white beard and hearty laugh, he was pitch-perfect for the part. Santa got down on one knee and asked Billy what he wanted for Christmas, and he told him: his very own train set. Then he leaned in closer and whispered one thing more in Santa’s ear. As Billy and his grandpa went to leave, the store manager stopped them, handing Billy a wrapped gift from all the employees. He told the special boy’s grandfather that he wished it was a train, but Legos would have to do. Once home, Billy put his present under the Christmas tree and left his penny on the train tracks as always, before drifting off to sleep. Christmas morning, Billy tore open the gift, finding the face of Thomas the Train staring back. He then ran to the tracks, where he discovered the penny smooshed flat as a pancake. Santa kept his promises. Billy’s grandpa called the store and they assured him there were Legos under that wrapping paper, not a train. As for the flattened penny, they had no clue. When he asked about the man dressed as Santa, they said no such person worked for the store. Billy, holding his penny in one hand and Thomas the Train in the other, smiled at his flabbergasted grandfather and said, “Merry Christmas.”

20 ANSWERS MINIMUM • DEADLINE 1/7/2023

Family-Owned Restaurant

Distillery

Diner

Deli

Cupcakes

Comfort Food

Coffee

Cider Doughnuts

Chowder

Chocolate Shop/Candy Store

Chili

Chicken Wings

Cheesecake

Calamari

Cakes

Burger

Brewery

Breakfast/Brunch

Bread

Bloody Mary

Beverage Center

Best-Kept Secret

BBQ Joint

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:__________________________________

Fill out this ballot with your favorite local people, places and businesses. LOCAL ANSWERS ONLY! Answers that include chain stores/restaurants will not be printed.

Columbia Greene Fulton Montgomery Rensselaer Saratoga Schenectady Schoharie Washington Warren

Outdoor Dining Pasta Pasta Sauce Pies Pizza Pretzel with Pub Cheese Pub Ribs Romantic Dining Salads

CULTURE Art Gallery Children’s Museum Concert Venue County Fair Museum Outdoor Summer Venue Seasonal Event

Sliders Specialty Cocktail Spot (name the cocktail too!) Sports Bar Steakhouse Takeout Tapas / Small Plates Tea

Seafood

PEOPLE AND PLACES

Albany

Omelettes

Sandwiches/Subs

RESTAURANT BY LOCATION(COUNTY)

Polish

Mexican

Japanese / Sushi

Italian

Indian

Greek

Chinese

American

RESTAURANT BY CUISINE

New Restaurant (past 12 months)

Muffins

Meatballs

Martini

Margarita

Mac & Cheese

Lunch Spot

Late-Night Dining

Kid Friendly Dining

Ice Cream Stand

Hot Dog

Wine / Winery

Happy Hour

Waitstaff

Fried Chicken/Southern Wine List

Vegan Selection

Fish Fry Gluten-Free Selection

Vegetarian Selection

Fine Dining

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 Pet Store Shopping Center/Mall Sporting Goods Store Supermarket Tire Store Travel Agency

Animal Hospital

Appliance Store

Architecture Firm

Auto Service

Bank

Barbershop

Caterer

Credit Union

Customer Service

Day Spa

Dry Cleaner

Facial

Fitness Center

Florist

Furniture Store

Hair Salon

Health Care / HMO

Heating & Cooling

Home Builder

Home Healthcare

Hospital

Insurance Agency

Interior Designer

Landscaper

Golf Course (Public) Hiking Trail Inn (Local) Hotel / Resort Kids Birthday Venue Kids Camp Park 55+ Community Romantic Getaway Inn Ski Area

Artist (local) Author (local) Afternoon Anchor Band Bartender Beauty Professional Chef Chiropractor College Sports Team (local) Community Advocate

Marina

Massage

Med Spa

Paving / Sealing

Pet Services (Grooming/ Doggie Day Care, Trainer,

Dog Walker, Dog Sitter)

Pilates Studio

Tree Service

Yoga Studio

Wedding Venue

Golf Course (Private)

LOCAL PEOPLE AND MEDIA

Dog Friendly Spot

Day Trip

Campground

Assisted Living / Nursing Home

PLACES

Sportscaster

Solo Act (singer, comedian…)

Print Journalist

Real Estate Professional

Radio Personality

Photographer

News Radio

Music Radio

Meteorologist

Morning Team

Morning Anchor

Medical Specialist

Personal Trainer

Pediatrician

Hairdresser

General Practitioner

Event Planner

Evening Anchor

Educator

Dentist

Mani / Pedi

Law Firm

SHOPPING

SERVICES

8am-9pm Daily •

Thank you for voting us this year’s

www.HonestWeight.coop

Best Community Co-op and Best Health Food Store!

capital region

Gives Back W E ' R E H O N O R I N G F I V E C A P I TA L R E G I O N R E S I D E N T S W H O , S I M P LY P U T, A R E M A K I N G U P S TAT E N E W YO R K—A N D T H E WO R L D —A B E T T E R P L AC E AT O U R A N N U A L F U N D R A I S I N G EVENT ON DECEMBER 15.

Here are their stories. Scan for party info

➷

Shaun Evans

Sen i or Vi c e P resident of Edu cat i on Ai n sley ’ s An g el s

hen Shaun Evans found out that his son, Shamus, had Cerebral Palsy, he took the news in stride. Literally. Evans began pushing Shamus in a jogging chair while training for a marathon, and by the time Shamus was 7, the duo ran their first ultra-marathon together, covering 45 miles in six hours to win the race. Afterward, Shamus asked how far he and his dad could run if they ran that far every single day of his summer vacation. “Just as an exercise in mathematics, I helped him multiply it out,” Evans says. They discovered they could run 3,000 miles—about the width of the country. Shamus’ response? “Oh, we’ve got to do that.” Evans figured Shamus would forget about the idea, but he didn’t. “The night before Thanksgiving, I went to talk to him in bed,” Evans says. “He said, ‘Dad, when we run across America, can we give chairs to kids like me so they can feel what it’s like to go fast?’ So I stepped out of his room with a tear in my eye and a lump in my throat and said to my wife, ‘We’ve really got to try to make this happen.’” A year and a half later, in 2015, it happened. Evans and Shamus teamed up with Ainsley’s Angels, an organization that promotes inclusivity by providing families with adaptive equipment, to run 3,205 miles from Seattle to New York City in 60 days and to donate 35 chairs to kids with disabilities along the way. Now, the Evans family hosts an annual Ainsley’s Angels 5K in Galway, where runners can sign up as pushers and be paired with riders who can’t run the race themselves. And Evans just released Better Together, a memoir about his and Shamus’ journey. “His whole entire life,” Evans says, “whatever Shamus wants to do, we’ll figure out a way to make it happen.”

in the running “The mission of Ainsley’s Angels goes beyond the running chair,” says Shaun Evans, seen here with his son, Shamus. “It’s to promote inclusive communities and get kids involved, whether it be in athletics, dances, parties or games.” p h o t o g r a p h by

Konrad odhia mbo

yule’s ride Jeff Yule makes sure families dealing with health crises have financial help for costs beyond medical bills. He can empathize after having two critically ill babies and losing the second’s twin seven months into his wife’s pregnancy. p h o t o g r a p h by

Ko n r a d o dh i a m b o

Jeff Yule Ex ec u tiv e Dir ec tor Bu ildin g o n Love

eff Yule’s first experience in the world of helping families care for sick kids was as a parent of a sick kid. “Our son Patrick was born with an Apgar of 1 at Saratoga Hospital,” Yule says. “I almost lost both my wife and son during the delivery.” The couple stayed at Albany’s Ronald McDonald House while Patrick was in the NICU, and found themselves back there two years later when their daughter was born two months prematurely. After that, Yule joined the Ronald McDonald

⁄

46 saratoga living

⁄ HOLIDAY 2022

House Charities (RMHC) of the Capital Region’s board, and eventually became the organization’s executive director. It was at RMHC that Yule met Jerry and Diane Abdelnour, who were very active volunteers with the organization. The Abdelnours eventually formed their own charity called Building on Love, which provides direct financial support to families dealing with a long-term illness, whether it’s a child or parent who’s sick, by way of rent, mortgage or car payments, or gas cards. “At first we didn’t want to hand out gift cards,” says Yule, who’s served as Building on Love’s executive director for three years. “And now [given this past year’s inflated gas prices], families

are putting gas on their credit cards, so the gas is going to cost exponentially more because they don’t have the wherewithal to pay off their credit cards. It’s a devastating thing.” And this isn’t just a few gas tank fill-ups we’re talking. A child’s cancer treatment isn’t always local, usually takes years, and often requires a parent has to stop working— and therefore stop earning an income— to get through it. Currently, Building on Love, which is still a fairly new charity with limited resources, can provide up to $5,000 per family through its family grant program. “I dream that someday we can do $10,000,” Yule says. “Or someday, if you’re in the hospital for six months, we’ve got your mortgage covered.”

Starletta Smith Ex ec u tiv e Dir ec tor Y WCA o f the G r e at er Cap ital Reg ion

tarletta Smith brings a level of empathy and compassion to her role as executive director of the YWCA of the Greater Capital Region that is simply unparalleled. She found the organization via a community college internship and hasn’t looked back since—she was hired the next year, and took the helm 11 years later. But her unique perspective comes from her life before all of that. By the time Smith graduated high school, she had two sons and a physically abusive husband twice her age. After having her older son at just 14 (she herself still loved Mickey Mouse), she eventually found the alternative high school she graduated from—her teachers would meet her at her job, since her husband didn’t want her in school—and she got help securing a safe apartment away from her abuser. She hadn’t known those types of services existed. So now she gives back by spreading the word, while fighting racism and promoting the importance of therapy. “My passion comes from having been a teenage mom and a survivor of domestic violence,” Smith says. “I was too embarrassed to say that I needed help. My pride wouldn’t let me, and that kept me in a shell, suffering for longer. I understand what it’s like to feel alone and hopeless and want to now uplift women and give others hope.” Smith’s branch of the YWCA is the area’s largest provider of supportive housing for single homeless women and homeless mothers. It also runs a food pantry, and has mental health services, career counseling, addiction treatment—everything it can to make institutional change benefitting women of color. Nationwide, the YWCA, over its 150-year span, has helped more than 2 million women.

“That’s a testament to how strong we are collectively,” Smith says. “We must eliminate racism and empower women—we can’t do either without the other. No human being is disposable. So we have to stop looking at what divides us and bring people together for the greater community.”

mother’s love YWCA’s Starletta Smith credits her two sons for helping her break the cycle of “poverty and teenage parenthood—it was 15 years before I was doing it for myself. Now I work to give others hope.” p h o t o g r a p h by

Ko n r a d o dh i a m b o

⁄

saratogaliving.com 47

sound of music The arts are a way to feel less alone in a post-pandemic world, says Anna Kuwabara: “Music connects to your heart and soul, and connects you to others who are having the same experience.” p h o t o g r a p h by

Ko n r a d o dh ia m bo

Anna Kuwabara Ex ec u tiv e Dir ec tor Alban y Sy m ph on y Or c h est r a

or the everyday Capital Regionite, COVID seems like a nightmare that has come and mostly gone. But for Albany Symphony Orchestra’s executive director, Anna Kuwabara, recovering from its aftermath is still very much on the forefront, as the arts struggle to secure the sponsorships needed in a belt-tightening, post-pandemic world. But there is an enchanting, driving silver lining: the music. “The world needs more touches of magic, and music is something that connects to your heart and

⁄

48 saratoga living

⁄ HOLIDAY 2022

soul,” Kuwabara says. “Some people are still scared to leave their homes or maybe still feel uncomfortable around groups of people. There has to be a reason to take that step out to go and see other people—that’s what the arts can offer.” Kuwabara has been in the orchestra world for more than three decades and was drawn to Albany’s symphony (and its renowned music director David Allen Miller) because of its long history of throwing itself behind new music. When the performing arts industry as a whole started to focus on increasing diversity, Albany was ahead of the game. “We’re doing a lot of work on diversity, equity and inclusion now,” she says, pointing at a goose bump-

inducing opening night piece by Black composer Joel Thompson, which ended with (almost all of) the musicians standing up and singing to represent the unity and vulnerability needed in the world right now. “And after three decades of David and the orchestra’s commitment to new music, it feels like a natural extension of our work to find and amplify voices of all kinds.” Since COVID, the symphony has suffered a 25 percent drop in donations, which not only go to funding the concerts, but also its educational programs that ensure the local arts community is fostered in the next generation. “People,” Kuwabara says, “should have access to what makes life rich and beautiful.”

a husband’s love Mike McNary lost his wife to Huntington’s five years ago, and now his 28-year-old daughter has begun experiencing symptoms of the disease. p h o t o g r a p h by

F r a n c e s co D’ A m ico

Mike McNary Boar d M e m be r Huntington’s Disease Society of America, Albany Chapter

n 1996, Mike and Teresa McNary, a young and healthy couple with two children, got a call that would change their lives forever. Teresa’s estranged father, whom she hadn’t seen in 25 years, had died of a disease called Huntington’s. “We started researching what it is,” Mike says, “and said, ‘Oh, crap. This is not good.’” Huntington’s is an incurable, heredity brain disease that causes a deterioration in a person’s physical, mental and emotional abilities. Symptoms, which have been

described as having ALS, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s simultaneously, typically begin between the ages of 30 and 50 and worsen over the course of 10 to 25 years until, ultimately, the person dies. If a parent has it, there’s a 50/50 chance his or her child will have it. Teresa got tested, and she had it. “In 2001, some things started happening to her personality,” Mike says. “She got in some arguments at work and got fired. One of the biggest symptoms was her inability to understand what is right and wrong. Rules didn’t apply to her. We had to take her license away. It was like living with an ornery Alzheimer’s patient that still has the ability to fight and be really tough to deal with because they’re young.”

Caring for Teresa eventually became too much for Mike, and she moved to a Huntington’s-specific nursing home in Lee, MA in 2013. (Most regular nursing homes don’t accept Huntington’s patients because they’re too difficult to care for.) After four and a half years, she passed away, but the nightmare the McNary family had lived through wasn’t over: Both of Mike and Teresa’s children got tested and are positive for the Huntington’s gene. For the last 10 years or so, Mike has done the only thing he can do: serve on the board of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America’s Albany Chapter. “The mission, obviously, is just like the mission for cancer societies,” he says of the organization. “Find the cure.”

⁄

saratogaliving.com 49

ADVERTISING SECTION

Holiday GIFT GUIDE

liday

ADVERTISING SECTION

HoG I F T E GU

ROCKWELL VERMOUTH

CHIDO

LIVVY

rockwellvermouth.com For your martinis, Manhattans, or served straight over ice as an apéritif, Rockwell Vermouth goes down smooth and deliciously enhances your experience. This herbaceous and aromatic vermouth is worthy of modern American cocktail culture. Select from Classic Sweet or Extra Dry to suit your taste (pro tip: mix them together in a glass over ice.)

drinkchido.com The spirit of Chido is in more than just our tequila. Through constant inspiration and collaborations, we’ve got the goods to let you be you. An epic drink made with premium tequila is waiting for you to ring in the season in style. It’s a lifestyle that’s smooth and easy as we watch the temps change. CHIDO means “all good” and that’s what you’ll enjoy in every sip.

drinklivvy.com A premium hard seltzer made with a blend of mighty botanicals (ginger root, prickly pear, dandelion root, and licorice root extract) in every sip, only real fruit juice for real taste, and a premium grape wine base. This better-for-you beverage is a welcome alternative for healthconscious consumers, with clean ingredients and none of the fake stuff that fills other seltzers.

PUREWINE®

SUGAR PLUM GOURMET BUTTER SEASONING SET

HYDRALYTE

drinkpurewine.com The New Wine Charm that does so much more for your glass. We offer two unique filtration systems that eliminate histamines and sulfites, the culprits causing headaches and other wine sensitivities, without altering the flavor of your delicious reds and whites. Upgrading its everpopular individual filter, The Wand™, We’ve introduced four different Charm Wands.

uncommongoods.com Cheese, we’ll always love you, but there’s a whole new board in town and it’s making our mouths water. The butter board is a luscious trend that’s sweeping social media and will be making an appearance at your next gathering. All handmade in Pennsylvania by Neil Edley (co-founder of Sugar Plum Chocolates).

hydralyte.com A refreshing, non-GMO electrolyte mix precisely formulated to activate rapid hydration while increasing electrolyte absorption. Made in Switzerland with clean, vegan ingredients free of artificial colors, flavors and sweeteners, gluten, dairy and caffeine. All natural electrolyte powder sticks are formulated with the right balance of sodium and glucose for rapid rehydration!

Holid

ADVERTISING SECTION

GI GU FT ID E

VOLO BEAUTY

FRENCH KNOT

ORADINA

volobeauty.com The plush Hero Hair Towel, made of extra plush Nanoweave™ material, is a holiday gift with years of satisfaction built in! The towel won Allure’s Best of Beauty Award, the highest honor in the beauty industry. It gently absorbs water in wet hair (decreasing dry time by 50%) and features a unique snug strap to keep the towel secure to make you forget we’re wearing it.

frenchknot.com Timeless elegance, knitted and embroidered beautifully, around your hands, head, neck and body. French Knot is a luxurious, wool accessory line, every piece is hand dyed, spun and knitted by women artisans in Nepal, creating truly unique pieces. French Knot uses high-quality yarns to create lasting designs that can be passed down for generations as family heirlooms

oradina.com Coming from third generations jewelers, born in this decade. A stunning solid gold jewelry collection and long-standing roots in the industry. The current generation brings fresh exuberance to the brand, making it possible for jewelry lovers to buy directly. With years of experience supplying fine gold jewelry to the world, it was time for us to go straight to the consumer.

PRETTY RUGGED - ORIGINAL BLANKET

BELLISSIMO HATS

prettyruggedshop.com Have an outdoor activity planned yet the weather isn’t quite cooperating? Our blankets are perfect for all of your outdoor activities. Soft enough to keep you cozy, yet rugged enough to take on anything you throw its way from outdoor dining, a boat ride, to the fire pit! This award-winning versatile blanket features the brand’s faux fur and innovative waterproof, windproof, washable RuggedTex nylon.

bellissimohats.com From venture to provide well-made felt fedoras to Orthodox Jewish men in their Hasidic community, to the most sought-after fedora hats by Hollywood’s A-listers, Our hats are a must-have accessory for celebrities and everyday people alike. From the softest wool to the finest fur felts, these hats honor the unforgettable style of the 40s’ while satisfying your modern-day needs.

WALTON WOOD FARM’S: THE GENTLEMAN SOLID COLOGNE waltonwoodfarm.com Being a Gentleman never gets old with this light Citrus & Mahogany scented Solid Cologne, understated yet captivating – just like you. Made with a moisturizing blend of essential oils, including Sunflower Seed Oil Grape Seed, Beeswax and Vitamin E. It is also crueltyfree, alcohol-free, gluten-free, and made with sustainable ingredients.

liday

ADVERTISING SECTION

HoG I F T E GU

WHIRLY BOARD

MANTA SLEEP MASK

VUDECO UNICORN BLANKET

whirlyboard.com Stay active indoors with Whirly Board! This balance board keeps you moving. Join the movement to put the fun back into exercise! It allows you to spin 360˚ and engage all your body’s core muscles. It’s a great option for core training and home fitness without the need for bulky gym equipment that takes up space. If not using the stabilizer ring, make sure you use a Whirly Mat or carpet to prevent slipping on hard surfaces.

mantasleep.com The perfect gift to help mom or dad get a great nap or enjoy a night of deep sleep. The only mask designed, constructed and optimized for deepest-possible sleep in any environment. It provides 100% blackout for maximized sleep quality — so users feel 100%, all the time. Just a pinprick of light can disrupt REM and deep sleep, leading to post-sleep tiredness. That’s why Manta perfectly covers and conforms to the eyes to block 100% of light.

vudeco.life Made of extremely soft 100% polyester microfiber which has great quality and durability for long-lasting usage. Our plush unicorn blankets are made of fluffy & comfy soft texture, bring a sense of safety to your kid in the night. Our blankets for kids with cozy & tender tactile texture bring your kids the most comfort satisfaction. Great Glow Effect & Enduring - 10 minutes of exposure to the light source for 3 hours of luminous glow.

ROLLINK INC.

WHATEVER PARTY GAME

XOX! SHARE THE LOVE

rollink.com The world’s slimmest, collapsible suitcase that is trendy, durable (impact-resistant), and ohso-chic, Whether trekking out for a weekend getaway or a quick business trip, Rollink is right there with you to make the experience easy and practical. Upon returning home, simply collapse the bag and conveniently store it away for the next use without occupying a lot of closet or hotel room space (even under a bed)!

whateverpartygame.com A fun way to enjoy your time inside with friends! WHATEVER is a unique awkward and embarrassing party game. WHATEVER is easy to learn and quick to play with laughs a plenty. Boundaries will be tested! Challenge yourself to complete a task on your own or participate in a Showdown against other players. The first to complete five cards is the winner! For ages 17+ with adult themes.

xoxsharethelove.com Give it. Play it. Collect it. Love it. Is it a game or is it art? Yes! It’s XOX! Share the Love, the unique board game for adults that brings love of fun, love of art — and people — together. This collectible, modern-day heirloom, designed by artist, Lynn Herring, is the perfect gift for art lovers and a great gift to celebrate special relationships. (It’s an unforgettable gift for clients and business associates too).

Holid

ADVERTISING SECTION

GI GU FT ID E

SWEET READS’ TOP BOOK BOXES FOR FOODIES

ACAI EXOTIC

LITTLE UNICORN SAFARI SOCIAL QUILT

sweetreadsbox.com This monthly book subscription service is for book lovers, by book lovers. Sweet Reads Box is your chance to relax and enjoy a great read, a decadent sweet, and a carefully curated item that ties to your novel. You can select a monthly subscription, or choose from the line’s limited edition boxes or past boxes. The novel will be chosen by the Sweet Reads Team featuring a fantastic newly released novel.

acaiexotic.com Delivering a mouth-watering range of acai products, from ready-made bowls to pouches, to toppings, the brand is bringing the flavors of the Amazon right to your door! Enjoy the power of acai with Acai Exotic’s innovative, convenient, and totally refreshed recipes. Acai Exotic only uses the highest quality, sustainably sourced acai in its purest form. Adding delicious and nutrient-dense superfoods to your diet has never been easier than with Acai Exotic.

LIL NIPPER

OLD WORLD CHRISTMAS

COMOTOMO

lilnipper.com Give your toddler the gift of fun and independence with a task that is normally scary for them. Kids can now can safely trim their own nails using the Lil Nipper Child designed specifically for their little nails and curious minds. Parents can feel at peace. The Lil Nipper is a battery-operated nail trimmer that safely trims fingernails without harming surrounding skin.

oldworldchristmas.com This critter is the original tree-hugger, whose prehistoric ancestors were the size of an elephant! Although arboreal by design, sloths love to swim and are faster in the water than on land. Their rough fur is often covered in bugs & algae, both of which make fantastic camouflage. Let’s all climb a tree & take a nap! Ships in safe packaging with a keepsake box to store for years to come.

comotomo.com In designing our bottle, we sought out to resolve all existing problems with standard baby bottles. We placed smart, non-leaking dual air-vents to prevent colic, made a truly wide-neck design for easy cleaning, and used a hygienic silicone material so that you never have to worry about toxic chemicals. Designed to mimic breastfeeding to help babies easily transition back and forth from nursing to bottle feeding.

ittleunicorn.com Say hello to our Baby quilt, certain to be a favorite in your little one’s blanket collection. Composed of 100% rayon made from bamboo, this delicate fabric is silky-soft, right out of the box and extra gentle on baby’s sensitive skin. Perfectly sized for snuggles, tummy time or onthe-go in your favorite stroller or jogger. Printed on both sides with our signature artwork for a beautiful touch to any nursery.