Besties - People and Places by Capital Region Living

SPRING 2022

CRL

CAPITAL REGION LIVING @crlmagazine | crlmag.com

THE HEART OF THE EMPIRE STATE

Free

FLIP Edition!

BESTIES

CLEAN SWEEP BY CHANNEL 10

33 YEARS WITH STEVE CAPORIZZO WAKING UP WITH CHRISTINA ARANGIO, RYAN PETERSON AND JILL SZWED CRL'S OWN JOHN GRAY AND INTRODUCING STEPHANIE RIVAS

CAN YOU FEEL THE LOVE, CAPITAL REGION? HOW APPS AND COVID CHANGED DATING FOR EVER READER-SUBMITTED RED FLAGS

PLUS

ESTATE PLANNING LESSONS FROM BETTY WHITE HUNTER MOUNTAIN

SCHENECTADY 560 Broadway Schenectady, NY 12305 (518) 381-1957 Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat 9am-5pm, Sunday 12pm-4pm

www.marcellasappliance.com

CLIFTON PARK at Shoppers World 15 Park Avenue Clifton Park, NY 12065 (518) 952-7700 Mon-Fri 10a-6p, Sat 10a-5p, Sunday Closed

Exceptional From the Inside Out The ALL-NEW Fully-Connected Freedom ® Refrigeration Collection, Featuring Premium-Grade Stainless Steel Interiors.

Over 900 ways to out-peronsalize the ordinary with the exclusive Thermador Refrigeration Collection designed around the way you live.

FULL PAGE PAGE TRIM SIZE: 8.375 X 10.875”

THE ULTIMATE CULINARY ARTIST

THE EXCEPTIONAL ENTERTAINER

THE COCKTAIL CONNOISSEUR

LIVE AREA 7.625” X 10”

THE EVERYDAY ADVENTURER

THE CONTEMPORARY FAMILY

THE UPTOWNER

View the Collection at

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S P R I N G 2022 | CRL MAG.COM | 1

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WEDNESDAYS

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GUESTS 55+ CAN ENJOY EXCLUSIVE OFFERS ON WEDNESDAYS! LIVE ENTERTAINMENT SECOND AND LAST WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH 2PM–5PM

FISH & CHIPS Beer-Battered Cod Fillet served with Fries and Coleslaw finished with a Sweet Pickle Aioli

SHAMROCK SHAKE Mint-Flavored Shamrock Shake topped with Whipped Cream and Crumbled Mint Cookies

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RIVERS_NY_85341-1_CapitalRegionLivingMagazine_SpringEdition_PrintAd_7-625x10.indd 1

2/11/22 7:23 PM

Voted Best Car Dealer In The Capital Region by Capital Region Living

Schedule a test drive! Keeler Motor Car Company is the proud home of the Capital Region’s most exceptional automobile’s

Route 7, Latham, NY • (518) 785-4197 • www.keeler.com

Legendary Places Explore and relax! Nestled between Adirondack peaks and glittering lakes, the open spaces of the Lake Champlain Region glow golden. Witness storied forts, bustling towns, and rolling hills of farm-fresh foods. Spend your day watching migratory birds flutter through the heart of the Champlain Valley, or find your perfect hike on boundless Champlain Area Trails. Flow down winding roads by car or bike, and travel along one of the largest lakes in North America. However you choose to spend this spring, the Lake Champlain Region will make your getaway legendary.

www.LakeChamplainRegion.com

Nutty Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal SERVES 4

Ingredients: 4 cups 2 cups 1/4 tsp. 1

1 tsp. 1 (5.3 oz.) container 2 oz.

Water Hannaford Old Fashioned Oats Salt Medium EnvyTM apple, cored and cut into 1/2-inch pieces McCormick® Ground Cinnamon Two Good® Vanilla Greek Yogurt Planters® NUT-rition Heart Healthy Mix, roughly chopped

Directions: 1. Pour water, oats and salt into a medium-sized pot. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. 2. In a medium bowl, stir apple pieces to coat with cinnamon. Add to oats and continue to cook on low heat until mixture is thickened, about 5 to 7 minutes. 3. Divide oatmeal among four bowls. Top with yogurt and chopped nuts.

Dietitian’s Tips: To reduce cook time, swap Hannaford Old Fashioned Oats with Hannaford Quick Oats. For an extra serving of fiber, add 1 tsp. ground flax seeds and/or 1 tsp. chia seeds.

Nutritional Information

Go ahead, have an apple (or two) a day! Research shows that a healthy stomach is one that is thriving with good bacteria. Pectin, the soluble fiber found primarily in the apple peel, acts as a prebiotic to help feed the good bacteria in your gut.

simply healthy from your Hannaford Dietitians

Amount per serving: Calories 430; Total Fat 14 g; Saturated Fat 2 g; Sodium 330 mg; Total Carbohydrate 62 g; Sugar 6 g; Added Sugar 0 g; Dietary Fiber 11 g; Protein 19 g

We’re committed to supporting your health and wellness goals. Our team of registered dietitians offer free nutritional services online and in-store. Thank you to our sponsors for partnering with Hannaford to offer free dietitian services. Visit hannaford.com/dietitians to learn more.

inside SPRING ISSUE

CHANNEL 10’S CLEAN SWEEP

Cover Story

The Weather Man

PHOTOGRAPHY BY FRANCESCO D’AMICO

The Besties PEOPLE & PLACES

By Natalie Moore

P H OTO G R A P H Y BY F R A N C E S C O D’A M I C O

BEHIND THE LENS

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

13 NE W AND NOW ADVERTISING SECTIONS

36 WELLNESS 40 HOME AND GARDEN 45 PETS 5 1 S P R I N G G E TAWAY S

BY A LYS SA SA L E R N O 19

RECIPE

PROSCIUTTO-WRAPPED SHRIMP W I T H C H E F M A R C YA N N I

The Experts

Inn at Erlowest

L AW : D AV I D A . K U B I K I A N , E S Q . S TA R S : R A C H E L L E B O O T H T R AV E L : A L E X A N D R A B A A C K E S

ON THE COVER: NEWS10 ABC Chief Meteorologist Steve Caporizzo, wearing a jacket and pocket square provided by Mark Thomas Men’s Apparel, photographed by Francesco D’Amico exclusively for CAPITAL REGION LIVING. Shot on location at the NEWS10 ABC studio in Albany.

: grown or created closer to where we live Better for the Community

Keeps money circulating in the community, supports local farmers and makers, reﬂects the unique characteristics of the shared space we call home

Better for the Environment Less transportation emissions, increased air quality, less waste, preserves open space

Better for the People

Fresher food, cultivates community, endless educational and collaborative opportunities

Thank you for voting us this year’s

Best Community Co-op and Best Health Food Store!

DeliveredThank to you for voting us this

Your Doo r Best Community Co-op year’s

Find us on: and Best Health Food Store!

www.HonestWeight.coop

CAPITAL REGION LIVING

THE HEART OF THE EMPIRE STATE

Abby Tegnelia CEO EDITORIAL DIRECTOR ART DIRECTOR DIRECTOR OF CONTENT

Will Levith Steve Teabout Natalie Moore

CONTRIBUTORS

Lisa Arcella, Alexandra Baackes Karen Bjornland, Rachelle Booth Francesco D’Amico, Samantha Decker Dori Fitzpatrick, Tracy Fluty John Gray, Audrey Knizek David A. Kubikian, Dustin Lanterman Konrad Odhiambo Tara Buffa SALES MANAGER PUBLISHER, SARATOGA LIVING CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER SALES ASSISTANT

Annette Quarrier Tina Galante Tracy Momrow

EMPIRE MEDIA NETWORK, INC. Anthony R. Ianniello CHAIR

Abby Tegnelia PRESIDENT/CEO

Tina Galante CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER

VOLUME 19, NO.2

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

FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM

S P R I N G 2022 | CRLMAG.COM | 9

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From The Editors

A WHOLE NEWS WORLD

(clockwise, from above) CRL Director of Content Natalie Moore interviewing Lydia Kulbida of the Bestie-winning evening team; the Bestie-winning morning team—Christina Arangio, Ryan Peterson, Jill Szwed and Stephanie Rivas—reliving the time a camera in the station’s top-secret new studio accidentally went live on air; individual Bestie winners Arangio (Best Morning Anchor) and Rivas (Best Afternoon Anchor) being photobombed by Best Meteorologist winner Steve Caporizzo; CRL CEO Abby Tegnelia, Bestie-winning CRL columnist and NEWS10 evening anchor John Gray, Kulbida and Moore.

irst things first: If you live in the Capital Region and didn’t recognize the face on the front of this issue the second you saw it, put the magazine down, get yourself to the nearest TV, and turn on Channel 10. Watch until the face—that of 33-year NEWS10 ABC meteorologist Steve Caporizzo—pops up on the screen. Only then can you call yourself a true Capital Regionite. Steve and the rest of Channel 10’s anchors have pretty much become synonymous with Capital Region news and weather (and pets!). So, naturally, CRL readers awarded them wins in almost all of this year’s broadcast news Besties. The Bestie-winning NEWS10 lineup is a star-studded array of longtime local anchors and fresh, promising blood—get to know their off-screen personas on page 14. And of course, we buried the lede: The Besties are back! Read the complete list of People & Places winners—and check to see if your favorite businesses won—on page 19. This issue also has news of the newly named MVP Arena’s new restaurant (page 13); an estate-planning lesson from the late, great Betty White (page 46); our travel writer’s Hunter Mountain swan song (page 48); and of course, CRL’s own Bestie winner—NEWS10 ABC anchor John Gray—to close the magazine out on a high note. —The Editors S P R I N G 2022 | CRL MAG.COM | 11

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NEW NOW AND

Not feeling in-the-know as we emerge from winter? Spring into the thick of things with these three Capital Region happenings. BY NATALIE MOORE

STADIUM SEATING

Albany’s newly named MVP Arena has a new MVP of its own. After a soft launch in midJanuary, Albany Stadium Restaurant & Bar, located inside the Capital Region’s largest indoor arena, celebrated its ribbon cutting and grand opening on Tuesday, February 8. The two-story sports bar is open for lunch Monday−Friday and dinner Monday−Saturday, as well as for any MVP Arena events and private events, including those on Sundays. As for the food, Chef Jennifer Hewes, formerly of Madison Ave hotspot The Point, has pulled out all the classic sports bar stops: burgers, apps, sandwiches, mac and cheese and other entrées, plus a comprehensive gourmet grilled cheese menu. (Think: lobster grilled cheese, ghost pepper grilled cheese and French onion grilled cheese.) “We want to be an active participant in downtown life,” says co-owner James Anilowski, who also co-owns an Albany marketing and IT firm. “We have two businesses here, and we are vested in the community.” Albany Stadium’s lobster mac and cheese

NEW YEAR, NEW CREW

Last year, it seemed like all anybody in the Capital Region could talk about was the myriad of film crews taking over Downtown Troy (HBO’s The Gilded Age), Albany (HBO’s The White House Plumbers) and Saratoga Springs (Owen Wilson’s indie film Paint). CRL even devoted an entire issue to the phenomenon, discovering that it’s a mix of well-preserved historic neighborhoods, hefty tax credits, and the Tinseltown grapevine that brings movie-makers to our little corner of the country. Well, film/TV junkies, the set-spotting fun isn’t over yet: In late January, The Daily Gazette reported that an HBO Max reboot of 2010s teen drama/mystery/thriller Pretty Little Liars is set to film around the Capital Region and use the Schenectady Armory as a sound stage. The new series from Riverdale creator Roberto AguirreSacas will be called Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin and feature a brand-new cast. Filming is slated to start in good ol’ Upstate New York this August.

The Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin cast

(lobster mac) NATE SEITELMAN

POTTERY BARN RAISING

The modern farmhouse living room from Pottery Barn’s Spring Look Book

Beware, Capital Region home décor shopaholics: Your newest guilty pleasure has arrived. On February 4, Stuyvesant Plaza welcomed Pottery Barn to its ranks, and since then the store has been satisfying happy customers with the chicest furniture, bedding, bath products, rugs, window treatments, lighting and accessories for don’t-tell-a-soul-how-much-you-spent prices. But who cares? You deserve the fair trade Folsom Round Nesting Coffee Tables and certified nontoxic Dream Square Arm Upholstered Modular Sofa CRL Chaise Sectional from the Spring Look Book, girl.

S P R I N G 2022 | CRLMAG.COM | 13

The

WEATHER Man

BELOVED NEWS10 ABC METEOROLOGIST AND BESTIE WINNER STEVE CAPORIZZO TALKS 33 YEARS IN THE CAPITAL REGION, WEATHER ACCURACY AND HIS $2-A-DAY SIDE HUSTLE.

BY NATALIE MOORE 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

N N

EWS10 ABC Meteorologist Steve Caporizzo got his big break in 1980 when he was a sophomore in college…though “big” is a strong word. “I wanted to do weather professionally—not just on the college radio station,” says the Lyndon State grad. “A small radio station in Brattleboro, VT—WTSA— decided to take a chance on me.” The station paid Caporizzo just $2 per day, but the job kickstarted a four-decade career in meteorology, which brought him to Bangor, ME; Springfield, MA; and finally Channel 10 in Albany, where he’s now worked for 33 years. While his job has remained the same for 40-plus years, the way he gets it done has certainly changed with the times. “In Bangor I was making maps with magic markers on the wall,” the Georgetown, MA native says. Today, in addition to having much more advanced technology to actually relay the weather on the news, Steve and other meteorologists also now have forecasting technology—computer modeling, satellite pictures and doppler radar—that allows them to predict the weather more accurately than ever before. And no, the iPhone weather app is not one of those technologies. “My forecast is better than any app,” Caporizzo says. “I’ve never even looked at a weather app, to be honest with you.” Speaking of cynics, what does Caporizzo (his colleagues call him “Cap”) make of the people who claim meteorologists have such an easy job, since they can be wrong half the time? “You always remember the wrong forecasts—you don’t remember the right ones,” he says. “If you’re forecasting a snowstorm and it ends up raining, of course people are going to remember that. It sticks in your mind. But nobody remembers today, where four days ago we said partly sunny, windy and cold with a high of 18. And guess what today is? I can say with high confidence the accuracy on a 24-hour forecast is around 80 percent, which is amazing, because it’s a difficult area—you’ve got mountains, you’ve got valleys and you’re close to the ocean.” In terms of meteorologists, it’s pretty safe to say that “Cap” has officially made it; he’s had a long, successful career in a market that adores him. Even if you don’t watch the news, if you’ve lived in the Capital Region over the last three decades, you know who Steve Caporizzo is. And if you do watch the Channel 10 news, he’s there in your living room giving the weather evening after evening. (And that’s not even to mention Pet Connection, the weekday pet segment Steve launched in 1980 that to date has helped more than 30,000 homeless pets find homes— that’s a whole other story.) But regardless of all that he’s achieved, Caporizzo has never taken it for granted. “I said to the news director at the Brattleboro radio station, ‘Thank you—I will always do this until you say you don’t want me.’” he says. “That was 42 years ago, and I still do their weather to this day. I make $2 a day doing it, but it reminds me where I came from.” (from top) Steve Caporizzo giving a weather forecast in 1981; with Rue, a rescue dog he adopted from New York City; giving the forecast in the old Channel 10 studio; (opposite) Caporizzo says that as he nears retirement, he wants to focus more on helping homeless pets. JACKET AND POCKET SQUARE PROVIDED BY MARK THOMAS MEN’S APPAREL.

CHANNEL 10’S CLEAN SWEEP WHEN IT COMES TO LOCAL NEWS, THE CAPITAL REGION HAS SPOKEN: MEET THE CHANNEL 10 JOURNALISTS WHO SWEPT UP BESTIE WINS IN ALMOST EVERY SINGLE TV CATEGORY.

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

Christina Arangio, Ryan Peterson, Jill Szwed and Stephanie Rivas

Best Morning Team

CHRISTINA ARANGIO, RYAN PETERSON, JILL SZWED AND STEPHANIE RIVAS

Since Bestie voting took place, popular (and Bestie-winning!) midday reporter Stephanie Rivas has come aboard NEWS10 ABC’s morning team, joining journalism heavyweights Christina Arangio and Ryan Peterson and

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meteorologist Jill Szwed in waking up the Capital Region. And, by the sounds of it, Rivas is in for a treat. “We once had a toilet flush live on the air,” says Peterson. “The meteorologist at the time went into the bathroom with his mic.” Szwed jumps in: “It was not me; it was not me!” Another time, the station was getting ready to unveil a brand-new news studio but was keeping it a secret. “This was a top-secret thing,” Arangio says. “You do

not show this new studio.” Says Peterson: “And all of a sudden, one of the cameras in the new studio went hot while we were on the air. And then it finally cut back to us and we were like—” (Cue expression of horror.) Do laughs like these make up for the morning crew’s ungodly 3:30am start time? We hope so, because the Capital Region wouldn’t be the same without these friendly faces to wake up to.

THE CHANNEL 10 TEAM’S BESTIES WE ASKED THE NEWS10 ANCHORS ABOUT THEIR FAVORITE CAPITAL REGION BUSINESSES.

STEPHANIE’S PICK: STEWART’S SHOPS

“Stewart’s ice cream straight from the box is life changing. I’ll never go back.”

John Gray and Lydia Kulbida

Best Morning Anchor

CHRISTINA ARANGIO

While Arangio is part of the morning team, she also stays later than the rest, impressively broadcasting the 12 o’clock news solo (she’s won numerous awards for her breaking news coverage in particular). “I’m running in last-minute and everybody knows it,” she says of the time just before the morning broadcast begins. “I’m here right before air, but I also work the longest shift and I’m just horrendously bad at being here early.”

Best Afternoon Anchor

STEPHANIE RIVAS

This Bestie cycle Rivas pulled off a pretty amazing feat—she won Best Afternoon Anchor without actually being an afternoon anchor. Before moving to the morning news in February, Rivas was actually a reporter who often filled in for midday anchors. So, in other words, Bestie-voters: close enough. “One of the stories that has stuck with me is a round table we set up with Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans,” says Rivas about a favorite story she’s reported. “Hearing their

perspectives on what we can do better as community members and how their lives have been colored by their sacrifice is something I’ll never forget.”

Best Evening Team

JOHN GRAY AND LYDIA KULBIDA

John Gray and Lydia Kulbida, who as a team won first and second place, respectively, for Best Evening Anchor, have actually been working together for more than 10 years, though not all of those years were at Channel 10. “I left Channel 13 and then she left and we both ended up here,” says Gray, who also pens a column in CAPITAL REGION LIVING and scooped up the Bestie for Print Journalist. When asked what viewers don’t realize about their job, Kulbida says, “They think it’s very glamorous. They think we walk in here and somebody’s doing makeup, somebody’s doing hair, somebody’s got a wardrobe set for us. They don’t realize how many hours we put in on the phone, setting up stories and getting ready before we actually go on air.” Adds Gray: “A lot of the work happens before we’re on the air. The fun part is when we get to CRL go live to do the news.”

JILL’S PICK: DOWNTOWN SARATOGA SPRINGS “I love walking along Broadway on a warm afternoon. It’s fun to pop into the shops—you can find things that you won’t find anywhere else.”

JOHN’S PICK: THE INN AT ERLOWEST

“I love the Inn at Erlowest on Lake George because that’s where I asked my wife to marry me.”

RYAN’S PICK: DEATH WISH COFFEE

“Mike Brown and his team have turned Death Wish into a global brand. It’s pretty remarkable. Some of the folks over there have become my good friends.”

STEVE’S PICK: CURTIS LUMBER & THE ANIMAL HOSPITAL

“They are two very long–time supporters of Pet Connection and do so much to help pets in need.”

For more from your favorite Channel 10 newscasters, visit CRLmag.com. S P R I N G 2022 | CRL MAG.COM | 17

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

TrustcoBank

TrustcoBank.com 1-800-670-3110

When it comes to your health, you deserve the best. Thank you to readers of Capital Region Living for naming CDPHP® the area’s best health plan. #1 for Best Health Care/HMO www.cdphp.com/need

Capital District Physicians’ Health Plan, Inc.

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Trustco_Bank_1902 TrustcoBank Trustco_Bank

Besties CAPITAL REGION LIVING

PEOPLE AND PLACES CULTURE

ART GALLERY ALBANY CENTER GALLERY (TIE) 488 Broadway, Albany (518 462-4775 albanycentergallery.org

THE CLARK (TIE)

225 South Street, Williamstown, MA (413) 458-2303 clarkart.edu Albany Institute of History and Art 125 Washington Avenue, Albany (518) 463-4478 albanyinstitute.org Collar Works 621 River Street, Troy (518) 285-0765 collarworks.org

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM MISCI 15 Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady (518) 382-7890 misci.org The Children’s Museum at Saratoga (Temporarily closed) cmssny.org Children’s Museum of Science + Technology (CMOST) 250 Jordan Road, Troy (518) 235-2120 cmost.org

CONCERT VENUE SPAC 108 Avenue of the Pines, Saratoga Springs (518) 584-9330 spac.org

Palace Theatre 19 Clinton Avenue, Albany (518) 465-4663 palacealbany.org Troy Savings Bank Music Hall 30 Second Street, Troy (518) 273-0038 troymusichall.org

COUNTY FAIR ALTAMONT FAIR

NY-146 and Arlington Street, Guilderland (518) 861-6671 altamontfair.com Saratoga County Fair 162 Prospect Street, Ballston Spa (518) 885-9701 saratogacountyfair.org Washington County Fair 392 Old Schuylerville Road, Greenwich (518) 692-2464 washingtoncountyfair.com

MUSEUM NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 222 Madison Avenue, Albany (518) 474-5877 nysm.nysed.gov

miSci 15 Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady (518) 382-7890 misci.org Albany Institute of History & Art 125 Washington Avenue, Albany (518) 463-4478 albanyinstitute.org

OUTDOOR SUMMER VENUE SPAC

108 Avenue of the Pines, Saratoga Springs (518) 584-9330 spac.org Saratoga Race Course 267 Union Avenue, Saratoga Springs (718) 641-4700 nyra.com Tanglewood 297 West Street, Lenox, MA (413) 637-5180 bso.org

SEASONAL EVENT HOWE CAVERNS HAUNTED CAVE TOUR 255 Discovery Drive, Howes Cave (518) 296-8900 howecaverns.com

Capital Holiday Lights in the Park Washington Park, Albany (518) 435-0392 pallights.com

S P R I N G 2022 | CRLMAG.COM | 19

Saratoga Racing Season 267 Union Avenue, Saratoga Springs (718) 641-4700 nyra.com

SERVICES ANIMAL HOSPITAL THE ANIMAL HOSPITAL

2 Rocking Horse Lane, Slingerlands (518) 456-0852 theanimalhospital.com Miller Animal Hospital (tie) 380 North Greenbush Road, Troy (518) 283-1166 millerah.com Sand Creek Animal Hospital (tie) 130 Wolf Road, Albany (518) 446-9171 sandcreekanimalhospital.com Delmar Animal Hospital 910 Delaware Avenue, Delmar (518) 439-9361 delmaranimalhospital.com

APPLIANCE STORE MARCELLA’S APPLIANCE CENTER 560 Broadway, Schenectady (518) 381-1957 15 Park Avenue, Clifton Park (518) 952-7700 marcellasappliance.com

Earl B. Feiden Appliance Multiple Locations earlbfeiden.com Green’s 1207 Central Avenue, Albany (518) 458-7994 greenshasgonegreen.com

AUTO SERVICE GIL’S GARAGE

817 Saratoga Road, Burnt Hills (518) 306-1651 gilsgarage.com 219 Guideboard Road, Clifton Park (518) 631-6700 gilshalfmoon.com Bethlehem Auto Service 62 Hannay Lane, Glenmont (518) 426-8414 bethlehemautoservice.com Eagle Auto Repair 19729 Route 9W, West Coxsackie (518) 756-9797 eagleautorepairny.com

BANK TRUSTCO BANK

Multiple Locations trustcobank.com Pioneer Bank Multiple Locations pioneerny.com Bank of Greene County Multiple Locations thebankofgreenecounty.com

CATERER OLD DALEY CATERING (518) 235-2656 olddaley.com

Happy Birthday!

This year, Marcella’s Appliance Center turns the big 6-5, having provided the Capital Region with all manner of home appliances since before dishwashers even became a household necessity. Today, the Bestie winner for Appliance Store is owned by John D. Marcella (grandson of the original founder), who expanded the business to a second location in Clifton Park in 2016.

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Mazzone Hospitality 743 Pierce Road, Clifton Park (518) 690-0293 mazzonehospitality.com Saati Deli and Catering (tie) 586 New Loudon Road, Latham (518) 783-1600 saatideliandcatering.com Yanni’s Too (tie) 16 Marina Drive, Coeymans (518)756-7033 yannisrestaurants.com

CHEF MARC YANNI

Yanni’s Too 16 Marina Drive, Coeymans (518)756-7033 yannisrestaurants.com Jeff Michael Old Daley Custom Catering (518) 235-2656 olddaley.com Michael Cohen Chez Mike 596 Columbia Turnpike, East Greenbush (518) 479-4730 chezmikerestaurant.com

CHIROPRACTOR DELMAR CHIROPRACTIC

204 Delaware Avenue, Delmar (518) 439-7644 delmarchiropractic.com Keith Donato 70 Railroad Place, Saratoga Springs (518) 538-8200 donatochiro.com Shannon Chiropractic Wellness LLC 397 Kenwood Avenue, Delmar (518) 439-1916 shannonchiropractic.com

CREDIT UNION CAP COM Multiple Locations (800) 634-2340 capcomfcu.org SEFCU Multiple Locations (800) 727-3328 sefcu.com Sunmark Multiple Locations (866) SUNMARK sunmark.org

CUSTOMER SERVICE WORKSITE BENEFITS 3991 NY-2, Cropseyville (518) 326-3939 worksitebenefits.biz CAP COM Multiple Locations (800) 634-2340 capcomfcu.org

S P R I N G 2022 | C RL MAG.COM | 21

Flower Power

The Capital Region really is divided on the best florist in the area—this year’s Besties saw not only a tie for first place in the category, but also a three-way tie for third! Congrats to Flowers by Pesha and Renaissance Floral, as well as runners up Chatham Flowers, Frank Gallo & Son Florist and Fleurtacious Designs. Trustco Bank Multiple Locations trustcobank.com

DAY SPA COMPLEXIONS SPA FOR BEAUTY AND WELLNESS 221 Wolf Road, Albany (518) 595-4845 268 Broadway, Saratoga Springs (518) 309-7107 complexions.com Kimberley’s A Day Spa 982 New Loudon Road, Latham (518) 785-5868 kimberleysadayspa.com Spa Mirbeau 1 Crossgates Mall Road, Albany (518) 647-2328 spamirbeau.com

DRY CLEANER BEST CLEANERS Multiple Locations bestcleanersny.com

Stena Dry Cleaning 451 Albany Shaker Road, Albany (518) 459-5944

2910 Campbell Road, Schenectady (518) 213-3194 oldbrickfurniture.com Mooradian’s Furniture 800 Central Avenue, Albany (518) 489-2529 1758A Route 9 Parkwood Plaza, Clifton Park (518) 694-8452 mooradians.com

Breathe Massage Therapy 48 Hudson Avenue, Delmar (518) 521-7979 breathemassagedelmar.com

Taft (now Raymour & Flanigan) Furniture 1960 Central Avenue, Albany (518) 456-3361 121 Ballston Avenue, Saratoga Springs (518) 886-0990 taftfurniture.com

FITNESS CENTER GOOD KARMA STUDIO

HAIR SALON CHOICES HAIR STUDIO

Vent Fitness Multiple Locations ventfitness.com

BLUSH Salon 211 Old Loudon Road, Latham (518) 608-1481 @blushsalon211 on Facebook

12 Walker Way, Albany (518) 512-9929 thegoodkarmastudio.com

Focusmaster Fitness 828 Hoosick Road, Troy (518) 326-4758 focusmaster.com

FLORIST FLOWERS BY PESHA (TIE) 501 Broadway, Troy (518) 272-1980 flowersbypesha.net

RENAISSANCE FLORAL DESIGN (TIE) 1561 Western Avenue, Albany (518) 464-6002 rfdny.com

180 Delaware Avenue, Delmar (518) 439-4619 choiceshairstudio.com

Pure Elements Salon (tie) 1728 Western Avenue, Albany (518) 608-5405 pure-elements-salon.com Genesis Hair Studio (tie) 1658 Central Avenue, Albany (518) 869-9696 @GenesisHairStudioAlbany on Facebook

HEALTH CARE/HMO CDPHP

500 Patroon Creek Boulevard, Albany (518) 641-3140 cdphp.com

Silvestri Dry Cleaners 145 Vly Road, Schenectady (518) 456-2800

Chatham Flowers (tie) 2117 Route 203, Chatham (855) 299-0342 chathamflowersandgifts.com

MVP Health Care 625 State Street, Schenectady (518) 370-4793 mvphealthcare.com

FACIAL COMPLEXIONS SPA FOR BEAUTY AND WELLNESS

Frank Gallo & Son Florist (tie) 1601 State Street, Schenectady (518) 346-6171 frankgallo.com

The Empire Plan (877) 776-7447 empireblue.com

Fleurtacious Designs (tie) 492 Troy Schenectady Road, Latham (518) 608-5618 fleurtaciousdesigns.com

HEATING & COOLING FAMILY DANZ HEATING & COOLING

221 Wolf Road, Albany (518) 595-4845 268 Broadway, Saratoga Springs (518) 309-7107 complexions.com Choices Hair Studio 180 Delaware Avenue, Delmar (518) 439-4619 choiceshairstudio.com

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FURNITURE STORE OLD BRICK FURNITURE 33-37 Warehouse Row, Albany (518) 213-2686

404 North Pearl Street, Albany (518) 203-5035 familydanz.com Adams Heating & Cooling Co. 2088 Curry Road, Schenectady (518) 356-4730 adamshvac.net

S P R I N G 2022 | C RLMAG.COM | 23

Crisafulli Bros. 25 Industrial Park Road, Albany (518) 302-2947 crisbro.com

SEFCU Insurance Agency 469 State Street, Schenectady (518) 786-9905 sefcuinsuranceagency.com

HOME BUILDER BELMONTE BUILDERS

Anatriello Agency 130 Main Street, Ravena (518) 756-2877 anatrielloagency.com

1743 Route 9, Clifton Park (518) 371-1000 belmontebuilders.com

Hanifin Home Builders 420 Kenwood Avenue, Delmar (518) 439-9033 hanifinbuilders.com

LANDSCAPER FADDEGON’S LANDSCAPING

1140 Troy Schenectady Road, Latham (518) 785-6726 faddegonslandscape.com

Amedore Homes (tie) 1900 Western Avenue, Albany (518) 456-1010 amedorehomes.com

Troy’s Landscape Supply 1266 New Loudon Road, Cohoes (518) 785-1526 troyslandscapesupply.com

Hodorowski Homes (tie) 796 Burdeck Street, Schenectady (518) 356-1435 hodorowskihomes.com

Green Fields Lawn & Landscaping (518) 527-9340 greenfieldsny.com

HOME HEALTHCARE MARQUIS CERTIFIED HOME CARE 1762 Central Avenue, Albany (518) 216-0100 marquishc.com

Eddy Visiting Nurse and Rehab Association 433 River Street, Troy (518) 274-6200 sphp.com Kingsway Community 323 Kings Road, Schenectady (518) 393-8800 kingswaycommunity.com

HOSPITAL ALBANY MEDICAL CENTER

43 New Scotland Avenue, Albany (518) 262-3125 amc.edu St. Peter’s Hospital 315 South Manning Boulevard, Albany (518) 525-1550 sphp.com Saratoga Hospital 211 Church Street, Saratoga Springs (518) 587-3222 saratogahospital.org

INSURANCE AGENCY WORKSITE BENEFITS 3991 NY-2, Cropseyville (518) 326-3939 worksitebenefits.biz

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LAW FIRM MARTIN, HARDING & MAZZOTTI 111 Washington Avenue, Albany (800) 529-1010 1800law1010.com Mack & Associates, PLLC 270 Mount Hope Drive, Albany (518) 465-1451 mack-associates.com Cioffi, Slezak and Wildgrube P.C. 1473 Erie Boulevard, Schenectady (518) 377-6700 cswlawfirm.com

MANI/PEDI COMPLEXIONS SPA FOR BEAUTY AND WELLNESS 221 Wolf Road, Albany (518) 595-4845 268 Broadway, Saratoga Springs (518) 309-7107 complexions.com Passion Nail Spa and Lashes 351 Southern Boulevard, Albany (518) 445-8000 passionnailsandbrowalbany.com Happy Nails 2050 Western Avenue, Guilderland (518) 452-6060

MARINA COEYMANS LANDING MARINA (TIE) 20 Marina Drive, Coeymans

(518) 756-6111 coeymanslandingmarina.com

CASTAWAY MARINA (TIE)

2546 Route 9L, Queensbury (518) 547-1427 castawaymarina.com Donovan’s Shady Harbor Marina 70 Shady Harbor Drive, New Baltimore (518) 756-8001 shadyharbormarina.com Troy Downtown Marina 401 River Street, Troy (518) 201-6333 troymarina.com

MASSAGE LABERGE MASSAGE THERAPY 204 Delaware Avenue, Delmar (518) 577-5488 labergemassagetherapy.com Breathe Massage Therapy 48 Hudson Avenue, Delmar (518) 521-7979 breathemassagedelmar.com Complexions Spa for Beauty and Wellness 221 Wolf Road, Albany (518) 595-4845 268 Broadway, Saratoga Springs (518) 309-7107 complexions.com

MEDICAL ESTHETICS THE PLASTIC SURGERY GROUP 455 Patroon Creek Boulevard, Albany (518) 438-0505 theplasticsurgerygroup.net

The Rejuva Center at Williams 1072 Troy Schenectady Road #102, Latham (518) 786-7004 rejuvacenters.com Complexions Spa for Beauty and Wellness 221 Wolf Road, Albany (518) 595-4845 268 Broadway, Saratoga Springs (518) 309-7107 complexions.com

PAVING/SEALCOATING L. BROWE ASPHALT SERVICES 19 Sun Oil Road, Rensselaer (518) 479-1400 broweasphalt.com Cobleskill Stone Products (518) 234-0221 cobleskillstoneproducts.com

See It. Touch It. Take It Home.

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BIKE SHOP FREEMAN’S BRIDGE SPORTS

Luizzi Asphalt Services 70 Tivoli Street, Albany (518) 459-7325 luizziasphalt.com

Leanne Royer, CM Fox Real Estate (tie) 2390 Western Avenue, Guilderland (518) 265-2203 cmfoxrealestate.com

PET SPA PET SPAS & SUITES

Anthony M. Gucciardo, Gucciardo Real Estate Group (tie) 1074 Troy Schenectady Road, Latham (518) 331-3785 anthonygucciardo.com

Mad Dog Bicycles 561 Delaware Avenue, Delmar (518) 439-3669 maddogbicycles.com

Shampoodle 266 Delaware Avenue, Delmar (518) 368-3260 shampoodledogwash.com

TREE SERVICE DAVEY TREE

Steiner’s Sports Multiple Locations steinersskibike.com

1 Cerone Commercial Drive, Colonie (518) 783-5506 petspasandsuites.com

LA Pet Salon and Spa 2443 Route 9, Malta (518) 400-8013 lapetsalonandspa.com

PHOTOGRAPHER ALYSSA SALERNO alyssumphoto.pixieset.com Leann Fyvie fyviefilms.com T.R. Laz (518) 458-7008 trlaz.com

PILATES STUDIO CORE PILATES 4 Palisades Drive, Albany (518) 727-0271 corepilatesalbany.com

Free Movement Pilates 500 Kenwood Avenue, Delmar (518) 275-2644 freemovementpilates.com Pilates Principle 578 Loudon Road, Latham (518) 783-1678 lathampilates.com

REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL MARCIA MURRAY, MARCIA MURRAY & ASSOCIATES REALTY

63 Putnam Street #202, Saratoga Springs 24 Mallard Cove, Ballston Lake (518) 925-7115 marciamurray.com Nina Sher, Hunt Real Estate 1365 New Scotland Road, Slingerlands (518) 368-5578 huntrealestate.com

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1 Runway Avenue, Latham (866) 207-2031 davey.com Advantage Tree Service (tie) 772 Delaware Avenue, Delmar (518) 944-5172 advantagetreeny.com Wade’s Tree Service (tie) (518)384-7285 wadestreeservice.com

YOGA STUDIO GOOD KARMA STUDIO 12 Walker Way, Albany (518) 512-9929 thegoodkarmastudio.com The Hot Yoga Spot Multiple Locations thehotyogaspot.com Heartspace Yoga & Healing Arts 747 Madison Avenue, Albany 10 2nd Street, Troy (518) 512-3390 heartspacealbany.com

SHOPPING APPLE ORCHARD INDIAN LADDER FARMS 342 Altamont Road, Altamont (518) 765-2956 indianladderfarms.com Golden Harvest Farms 3074 Route 9, Valatie (518) 758-7683 goldenharvestfarms.com Bowman Orchards 147 Sugarhill Road, Rexford (518) 371-2042 bowmanorchards.com

38 Freemans Bridge Road, Scotia (518) 382-0593 freemansbridgesports.com

BOOKSTORE MARKET BLOCK BOOKS 290 River Street, Troy (518) 328-0045 bhny.com

I Love Books (tie) 380 Delaware Avenue, Delmar (518) 478-0715 ilovebooksdelmar.com Open Door Bookstore (tie) 128 Jay Street, Schenectady (518) 346-2719 opendoor-bookstore.com

BRIDAL SHOP ANGELA’S BRIDAL 188 River Street, Troy (518) 869-1848 angelasbridal.net

DeAnna’s Boutique 3991 Route 43, West Sand Lake (518) 283-6252 deannasgiftsandclothing.com Lily Saratoga 6 Franklin Square, Saratoga Springs (518) 587-5017 lilysaratoga.com

CSA/COMMUNITY CO-OP HONEST WEIGHT FOOD CO-OP 100 Watervliet Avenue, Albany (518) 482-2667 honestweight.coop Niskayuna Co-op 2227 Nott Street, Niskayuna (518) 374-1362 niskayunaco-op.com Denison Farm 333 Buttermilk Falls Road, Schaghticoke (518) 664-2510 denisonfarm.com

THANK YOU! #1 Best Credit Union #2 Best Customer Service

As your financial advocate, we believe YOU are the best. So, your vote of approval makes winning extra sweet. If you don’t already bank with CAP COM, come over to experience the difference we can make in your life.

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CONSIGNMENT SHOP WORTH REPEATING 123 Saratoga Road, Glenville (518) 384-0946 worthrepeating123.com

Something Olde, Something New (tie) 1969 New Scotland Road, Slingerlands (518) 474-0663 somethingoldenew.com

Troy Story

Notice a bit of a theme among the winners of this year’s shopping categories? Troy shops took home a whole handful of wins in these categories: Best Bookstore (the quaint Market Block Books), Bridal Shop (the luxurious Angela’s Bridal), Clothing Boutique (the whimsical Truly Rhe), Music Store (the retro River Street Beat Shop), and, of course, Farmers’ Market, for the Collar City’s hoppin’ Waterfront Farmers Market.

CAR DEALER KEELER MOTOR CAR COMPANY

1111 Troy Schenectady Road, Latham (888) 600-3013 keeler.com

The Closet Shop (tie) 337 Delaware Avenue, Delmar (518) 439-5722 theclosetshopdelmar.com

FARMERS’ MARKET TROY WATERFRONT FARMERS’ MARKET Monument Square, Troy (April-October) 865 2nd Avenue, Troy (November-March) (518) 708-4216 troymarket.org Delmar Farmers’ Market 332 Kenwood Avenue, Delmar delmarmarket.com Schenectady Greenmarket 105 Jay Street - City Hall, Schenectady (May-October) 432 State Street - Proctors, Schenectady (November-April) schenectadygreenmarket.com

GARDEN NURSERY HEWITT’S GARDEN CENTER Multiple Locations hewitts.com

Lia Auto Group Multiple Locations (855) 212-7985 liacars.com

Faddegon’s Nursery 1140 Troy Schenectady Road, Latham (518) 785-6726 faddegons.com

Goldstein Auto Group 1671 Central Avenue, Albany goldsteinauto.com

Troy’s Landscape Supply 1266 New Loudon Road, Cohoes (518) 785-1526 troyslandscapesupply.com

CLOTHING BOUTIQUE TRULY RHE 1 Broadway, Troy (518) 273-1540 trulyrhe.com

Circles Stuyvesant Plaza, Albany (518) 482-2554 circles-shop.com Violet’s of Saratoga 494 Broadway, Saratoga Springs (518) 584-4838 violetsofsaratoga.com

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GIFT SHOP CROSS EYED OWL

3143 US Highway 9 #8, Valatie (518) 758-6755 crosseyedowl.com Wit’s End 1762 Route 9, Clifton Park (518) 371-9273 witsendgiftique.com 5th Corner Goods and Gifts 395 Kenwood Avenue, Delmar 5thcornergoods.com

HARDWARE STORE ROBINSON’S ACE HARDWARE

1874 Western Avenue, Guilderland (518) 456-7383 1900 New Scotland Road, Slingerlands (518) 475-9483 robinsonshardware.com Phillip’s Hardware 6495 Route 158, Altamont (518) 861-5364 235 Delaware Avenue, Delmar (518) 439-9943 shopphillips.com Hatchet Hardware Multiple Locations hatchethardware.com

HEALTH FOOD STORE HONEST WEIGHT FOOD CO-OP 100 Watervliet Avenue, Albany (518) 482-2667 honestweight.coop Uncle Sam’s Health Foods 77 4th Street, Troy (518) 271-7299 646 New Loudon Road, Latham (518) 782-5233 unclesamshealthfood.com Healthy Living Market & Cafe 3065 NY-50, Saratoga Springs (518) 306-4900 healthylivingmarket.com

JEWELER JOYELLES JEWELERS

318 Delaware Avenue, Delmar (518) 439-9993 joyellesjewelers.com Northeastern Fine Jewelry Multiple Locations nefj.com Hannoush Jewelers 112 Wolf Road, Albany (518) 715-8759 1750 Route 9, Clifton Park (518) 616-9806 hannoushny.com

LIQUOR/WINE EMPIRE WINE

1440 Central Avenue, Albany (518) 694-8503 empirewine.com All Star Wine & Spirits 579 Troy Schenectady Road, Latham (518) 220-9463 allstarwine.com

Menswear, Everywhere

This past December, Mark Thomas Men’s Apparel, which has long been Albany’s go-to spot for formalwear for the fashion-forward man, opened a second location on Broadway in Downtown Saratoga Springs. Oh yeah, and you can check out some of Mark Thomas’ stuff on the very cover of this magazine—the Menswear Bestie winner dressed and styled cover subject Steve Caporizzo! Exit 9 Wine & Liquor Warehouse 9 Halfmoon Crossing, Clifton Park (518) 688-0153 exit9wineandliquor.com

MENSWEAR MARK THOMAS MEN’S APPAREL

5 Metro Park Road, Albany (518) 438-7887 385 Broadway Suite 2, Saratoga Springs (518) 871-1293 markthomasmensapparel.com Britches of Troy 216 River Street, Troy (518) 279-2752 britchesoftroy.com Amore Clothing 595 Loudon Road, Latham (518) 785-4184 amoreclothing.com

MUSIC STORE THE RIVER STREET BEAT SHOP

197 River Street, Troy (518) 272-0433 @riverstreet.beatshop.1 on Facebook John Keal Music 819 Livingston Avenue, Albany (518) 482-4405 1758 Parkwood Plaza, Clifton Park (518) 371-4455 johnkealmusic.com Drome Sound Music Store (tie) 1875 State Street, Schenectady (518) 370-3701 dromesound.com

(518) 782-7827 brasseyecenter.com DiNapoli Opticians Multiple Locations dinapoliopt.com Buenau’s Opticians 228 Delaware Avenue, Delmar (518) 439-7012 buenaus.com

SHOPPING MALL/CENTER COLONIE CENTER 131 Colonie Center, Albany (518) 252-0215 shopatcoloniecenter.com

Crossgates Mall 1 Crossgates Mall Road, Albany (518) 869-3522 shopcrossgates.com Stuyvesant Plaza 1475 Western Avenue, Albany (518) 482-8986 stuyvesantplaza.com

SPORTING GOODS STORE MOUNTAINMAN OUTDOOR SUPPLY COMPANY

490 Broadway, Saratoga Springs (518) 584-3500 mountainmanoutdoors.com Bullseye Jim’s Archery 517 Columbia Turnpike, East Greenbush (518) 477-2697 bullseyejimsarchery.com

Parkway Music (tie) 1777 Route 9, Clifton Park (518) 383-0300 parkwaymusic.com

Steiner’s Sports Multiple Locations steinersskibike.com

OPTICAL CENTER BRASS EYE CENTER

SUPERMARKET HANNAFORD

1783 Route 9 #106, Clifton Park 713 Troy Schenectady Road #135, Latham

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Multiple Locations hannaford.com

Price Chopper/Market 32 Multiple Locations pricechopper.com ShopRite Multiple Locations shoprite.com

TIRE STORE WARREN TIRE Multiple Locations warrentiresvc.com

LaBarge’s Tire and Auto Service (tie) 52 Route 9W, Glenmont (518) 436-8473 labargestireautocenter.com Grand Premier Tires & Custom Wheels (tie) 591 Columbia Turnpike, East Greenbush (518) 477-4753 3361 South Thompson, Schenectady (518) 630-5055 grandpremiertire.com KisKis Tire (tie) 978 Albany Shaker Road, Latham (518) 785-5516 kiskistire.com

TRAVEL AGENCY AAA TRAVEL Multiple Locations hudsonvalley.aaa.com

Blue Skies Travel 2 Pittsfield Avenue, East Greenbush (518) 477-4700 blueskiestravel.com Fort Orange Travel 9 Woods Way, Clifton Park (518) 472-8171 fortorangetravel.com

PEOPLE & MEDIA AFTERNOON ANCHOR STEPHANIE RIVAS, NEWS10 ABC EVENING ANCHOR JOHN GRAY, NEWS10 ABC Lydia Kulbida, NEWS10 ABC

MORNING ANCHOR CHRISTINA ARANGIO, NEWS10 ABC

Proudly at our best when you need us most. Thank you for voting Albany Med as “Best Hospital” in this year’s Besties. Discover more at amc.edu.

@albanymed amc.edu

Dalini Balli and her daughter, Sofia Bhola, of Schenectady, are grateful each day for the leukemia treatment Sofia receives at The Melodies Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders at Albany Med.

S P R I N G 2022 | CRLMAG.COM | 31

MORNING TEAM NEWS10 ABC TEAM

Rodger That

Congrats to NewsChannel 13 Sports Director Rodger Wyland, who in winning the Sportscaster category prevented NEWS10 ABC from completely clean-sweeping the broadcast news categories. It’s really no surprise Wyland took the title—he’s been with the station since 1986. We can hear it now...”And I’m Rodger Wyland on Sports. This is NewChannel 13.”

METEOROLOGIST STEVE CAPORIZZO, NEWS10 ABC MUSIC RADIO WGNA NEWS RADIO WAMC RADIO PERSONALITY PAUL VANDENBURGH, TALK 1300AM & 98.7FM WGDJ PRINT JOURNALIST JOHN GRAY, CAPITAL REGION LIVING SPORTSCASTER RODGER WYLAND, NEWSCHANNEL 13

PLACES ADIRONDACK INN MIRROR LAKE INN

77 Mirror Lake Drive, Lake Placid (518) 523-2544 mirrorlakeinn.com Whiteface Lodge 7 Whiteface Inn Lane, Lake Placid (518) 523-0505 thewhitefacelodge.com

ASSISTED LIVING/ NURSING HOME KINGSWAY COMMUNITY 323 Kings Road, Schenectady (518) 393-8800 kingswaycommunity.com The Sentinel of Amsterdam 10 Market Street, Amsterdam (518) 896-1010 sentinelalf.com Teresian House (tie) 200 Washington Avenue Ext., Albany (518) 456-2000 teresianhouse.org Van Rensselaer Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation (tie) 85 Bloomingrove Drive, Troy (518) 283-2000 vanrensselaermanor.com

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B&B (within 3 hours) GARDNER FARM INN 59 Brunswick Road, Troy (917) 509-5110 gardnerfarminn.com

The Inn at Erlowest 3178 Lake Shore Drive, Lake George (518) 668-5928 theinnaterlowest.com

CAMPGROUND ADVENTURE BOUND DEER RUN CAMPGROUND (TIE)

200 Deer Run Drive, Schaghticoke (518) 664-2804 abcamping.com

MOREAU LAKE STATE PARK (TIE)

605 Old Saratoga Road, Gansevoort (518) 793-0511 parks.ny.gov Moffit Beach Campground 205 Page Street, Lake Pleasant (518) 548-7102 dec.ny.gov

DAY TRIP (within 3 hours) LAKE GEORGE visitlakegeorge.com Lake Placid lakeplacid.com Cooperstown thisiscooperstown.com

DOG FRIENDLY SPOT THE CROSSINGS OF COLONIE 580 Albany Shaker Road, Loudonville (518) 783-2760 colonie.org Bye-i Brewing (tie) 122 Remsen Street, Cohoes (518) 244-3924 byeibrewing.com

Capital Hills at Albany Golf Course (tie) 65 O’Neil Road, Albany (518) 438-2208 caphills.com Elm Avenue Park (tie) 261 Elm Avenue. Delmar (518) 439-4955 townofbethlehem.com

GOLF COURSE (PRIVATE) THE COUNTRY CLUB OF TROY 100 Troy Country Club Road, Troy (518) 274-1000 countrycluboftroy.com

Wolferts Roost Country Club (tie) 120 Van Rensselaer Boulevard, Albany (518) 449-3223 wolfertsroost.com Colonie Golf and Country Club (tie) 13 Country Club Lane, Voorheesville (518) 765-4100 coloniegcc.com

GOLF COURSE (PUBLIC) SARATOGA NATIONAL GOLF CLUB 458 Union Avenue, Saratoga Springs (518) 583-4653 golfsaratoga.com Saratoga Spa Golf Course 60 Roosevelt Drive, Saratoga Springs (518) 584-2773 saratogaspagolf.com Frear Park Municipal Golf Course 2701 Lavin Court, Troy (518) 270-4553 troyny.gov

HIKING TRAIL JOHN BOYD THACHER STATE PARK

830 Thacher Park Road, Voorheesville (518) 872-1237 parks.ny.gov

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Five Rivers 56 Game Farm Road, Delmar (518) 475-0291 dec.ny.gov Vroman’s Nose Hiking Trail (tie) 264 Mill Valley Road, Middleburgh cnyhiking.com Grafton Lakes State Park (tie) 254 Grafton Lakes State Park Way, Grafton (518) 279-1155 parks.ny.gov

HOTEL (CAPITAL REGION) CROWN PLAZA ALBANY - THE DESMOND 660 Albany Shaker Road, Albany (518) 869-8100 desmondhotelsalbany.com Renaissance Albany Hotel 144 State Street, Albany (518) 992-2500 marriott.com The Adelphi Hotel 365 Broadway, Saratoga Springs (518) 678-6000 theadelphihotel.com

KIDS BIRTHDAY VENUE GOOD KARMA STUDIO 12 Walker Way 1A, Albany (518) 512-9929 thegoodkarmastudio.com KJ’s Gymnastics 3143 Route 9, Valatie (518) 758-2554 kjsgymnasticsny.com FunPlex Fun Park 589 Columbia Turnpike, East Greenbush (518) 477-2651 funplexfunpark.com

PARK JOHN BOYD THACHER STATE PARK

830 Thacher Park Road, Voorheesville (518) 872-1237 parks.ny.gov The Crossings of Colonie 580 Albany Shaker Road, Loudonville (518) 783-2760 colonie.org Saratoga Spa State Park 19 Roosevelt Drive, Saratoga Springs (518) 584-2535 parks.ny.gov

55+ RETIREMENT COMMUNITY BEVERWYCK (TIE) 40 Autumn Drive, Slingerlands (518) 280-8385 eddyseniorliving.com

THE SPINNEY AT VAN DYKE (TIE)

6 Parker Mathusa Place, Delmar (518) 689-0162 The Spinney at Pond View 2490 Pond View, Castleton-On-Hudson (518) 479-0800 thespinneygroup.com Kingsway Community 323 Kings Road, Schenectady (518) 393-8800 kingswaycommunity.com

ROMANTIC GETAWAY INN THE INN AT ERLOWEST

3178 Lake Shore Drive, Lake George (518) 668-5928 theinnaterlowest.com

Inn Style

This year’s Bestie survey saw four historic inns—Lake George’s Inn at Erlowest, Troy’s Gardner Farm Inn, Lake Placid’s Mirror Lake Inn, and The Inn at Saratoga—beat out modern hotels to win their respective categories. The Inn at Saratoga, the oldest of the four, is celebrating its 175th anniversary this year.

Longfellows Hotel & Restaurant 500 Union Avenue, Saratoga Springs (518) 587-0108 longfellows.com The Adelphi Hotel 365 Broadway, Saratoga Springs (518) 678-6000 theadelphihotel.com

SKI AREA GORE MOUNTAIN

793 Peaceful Valley Road, North Creek (518) 251-2411 goremountain.com

The Sagamore Resort (tie) 110 Sagamore Road, Bolton Landing (518) 644-9400 thesagamore.com

Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort 37 Corey Road, Hancock, MA (413) 738-5500 jiminypeak.com

152 Pelcher Road, Lake Pleasant (518) 548-6524 campfowler.org

The Reluctant Panther (tie) 39 West Road, Manchester Village, VT (802) 362-2568 reluctantpanther.com

WEDDING VENUE OLD DALEY ON CROOKED LAKE

Good Karma Studio 12 Walker Way 1A, Albany (518) 512-9929 thegoodkarmastudio.com

The Adelphi Hotel (tie) 365 Broadway, Saratoga Springs (518) 678-6000 theadelphihotel.com

YMCA Adventure Camp 1 Camp Nassau Lane, Guilderland (518) 640-1988 cdymca.org

SARATOGA INN/HOTEL THE INN AT SARATOGA

KIDS CAMP CAMP FOWLER

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231 Broadway, Saratoga Springs (518) 583-1890 theinnatsaratoga.com

2339 NY-43, Averill Park (518) 674-3132 olddaley.com Franklin Plaza 4 Fourth Street, Troy (518) 270-9622 franklinplaza.com

Pat’s Barn 110 Defreest Drive, Troy (518) 283-7102 patsbarn.com CRL

Thank You

for choosing Belmonte Builders

as your “Best New Home Builder”

A family-run business, Belmonte Builders has been building high quality, new homes in the Capital Region for more than 40 years. We take pride in building vibrant neighborhoods and oversee every step of the construction process to ensure that we build a home that exceeds our customers expectations!

Belmonte Builders is located and builds in the Capital Cities Region. Saratoga Springs: Sonoma Grove – high $500’s Regatta View – high $500’s City Square – from $1.3m Meadowbrook - from $1.2m

Halfmoon/Clifton Park: Alexandria - high $400's Windsor Woods – high $400’s Round Lake: Griﬃn’s Ridge – high $400’s

Coming in 2022: Forest Gove: Saratoga Springs Waite Meadows: Clifton Park

Stop by our model home in Griﬃn’s Ridge to learn more: 50 Village Circle North Round Lake, NY 12151 Open Daily 12pm - 5pm Tuesdays 10am – 2pm Closed Mondays Contact: Spencer Lewis 518-410-4158 spencer@belmontebuilders.com

Learn more about Belmonte Builders and our new home communities at www.BelmonteBuilders.com In neighborhoods with a Homeowner's Association, Homeowners will be subject to all HOA covenants and design guidelines and will be required to pay HOA dues. For complete details see your sales representative.

A Tasteful Way To Save

S P R I N G 2022 | C RLMAG.COM | 35

WELLNESS

Advertising Section

Becoming the Best You

These six local businesses are here to help you level up your life this spring. Capital Region Hearing

9 West Sand Lake Rd., 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.

Fagan Associates

767 Hoosick Rd., Troy 518.279.1044; faganasset.com Fagan Associates is a family-owned and-operated wealth management company with more than $600 million in assets under its management. The team believes that investing is about

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more than just money—it’s about the people behind the numbers. They understand that every client has different needs and goals, and partner with them to help them reach their future aspirations.

Breathe Massage

48 Hudson Ave., Delmar 518. 621.7979; breathemassagedelmar.com In today’s economy, we can’t allow ourselves many luxuries. Although massage does feel luxurious, it’s the beneficial results at the end of the session, including the reduction of stress and anxiety, that make the routine one we should not go without. At Delmar’s Breathe Massage, those end results are front of mind in every treatment its experienced therapists provide. Each therapist loves what she does, and lets that show through her work. Head to Breathe’s website to schedule an appointment.

Worksite Benefits

32 Tamarac Rd., Cropseyville 518.326.3939; worksitebenefits.biz At Worksite Benefits, this year’s Bestie winner for the Insurance Agency and Customer Service categories, agents understand that benefits are not one size fits all. The independent agency’s trusted team provides you with detailed coverage options and works with you to customize the package that provides the best plan for you. After all, you know better than anyone what’s best for you and your employees.

Delmar Chiropractic

204 Delaware Ave., Delmar 518.439.7644; delmarchiropractic.com The leading health professionals at Delmar Chiropractic are dedicated to helping you achieve your wellness

objectives by combining skill and expertise that span the entire chiropractic wellness spectrum. Unlike conventional medicine, which focuses on attempting to treat disease once it occurs, Delmar Chiropractic emphasizes improving your health in an effort to reduce the risk of pain and illness in the first place.

POLY Go Clear

3 Depot St., Hudson Falls 800.882.4683; mypolyled.com/shop Beautiful, younger-looking skin anytime—anywhere. The cordless POLY Go Clear handheld wand boasts medical grade power and output, and can be used in the comfort of your own home. The device, made by Hudson Falls’ Medtek Skin Care, has two interchangeable heads: the blue light, which is FDA cleared for moderate to severe acne, and a red light for reducing wrinkles and skin

rejuvenation. The wand, which is just $299 for both lights (shipping is free), is gentle and effective, and can be used anywhere on the body.

The Spinney at Van Dyke

6 Parker Mathusa Pl., 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!

WE HAVE EVERYTHING TO GET YOU THERE THANK YOU FOR VOTING FOR US! castawaymarina.com

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See Beauty in a Whole New Light A local company’s FDA-cleared device harnesses the gentle, non-invasive power of red light wavelengths to help rejuvenate the skin. BY JER RY DEV EN EY

BEFORE

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AFTER

POLY Pro Rejuv Red Light Therapy Device • 1,820 high performance LED lights [633 nm, 60mW/cm2]. • Safe, gentle and effective for all skin types • Five-section, contouring head panel for maximum body coverage • Adjustable, articulating arm • Portable, moves easily from room to room • Contact-free operation • Touch screen timer and monitor that records all usage • 15-minute session time • 120V operation, plugs into any standard three-prong outlet • LEDs rated for 50,000 hours of use or 200,000 sessions • Commercial-grade construction • Industry-leading three-year warranty

n the 1980’s NASA began testing the use of red light wavelengths to help grow plants and as a way to provide sustainable food sources for extended voyages into space. During their research, NASA also discovered that red light wavelengths could be used safely and effectively for alleviating pain, healing wounds and rejuvenating the skin. This remarkable discovery has led to the development of a new category of derma-wellness devices, led by the Hudson Falls-based company Medtek Skin Care/UVBioTek, creator of POLY LED. POLY’s devices (POLY is short for polychromatic light therapy system and represents the “many” conditions that red light can treat) utilize red light energy to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, treat acne and blemishes, rejuvenate the skin, and energize the entire body by naturally stimulating the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which provides the energy for many processes in living cells. Accelerating the popularity of this phenomenon, as well as creating lucrative new business opportunities, is the fact that the FDA has granted its coveted

510K OTC (over-the-counter) Clearance for Medtek Skin Care’s POLY Pro Rejuv Red-Light Therapy (RLT) System. “This is a significant development for our company and the entire skincare industry,” says Medtek President Gary Richardson. “We invested a tremendous amount of time, research and financial resources in obtaining our FDA 510K OTC Clearance. The visible results experienced by our customers prove that our investment was well worth the effort.” This is but the latest accomplishment for the Hudson Falls company, which has been a pioneer in the field of light therapy for more than 25 years. Already popular among leading dermatologists and medical practices due to its acne-fighting blue light, the company is also now experiencing tremendous demand for its POLY RLT units (primarily indicated for reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles) from day spas, med spas, tanning salons, beauty salons, health clubs and massage and wellness centers. POLY wands for home use, available in both blue and red light, are also an affordable option. Individual results may vary, but Sharon Butto of The Spa Studio Adirondacks in Queensbury, utilizes POLYs flexible design to cover hard-to-treat areas and has seen great results. “The nice thing about the POLY Pro is that you can open it up and do a whole region,” she says. “One person had [skin issues] on the shoulder going up the neck. I put the POLY PRO over the whole thing.” While Medtek is a proud Capital Region company, its products are popular across the country. “We have 29 day spas located in Texas, Louisiana and Georgia offering the POLY RLT systems,” says Jason Loving, of the Glo Sun Spa chain. “POLY is one of our most popular spa services. It delivers beautiful results and features contactfree operation.”

each cell in your body requires energy in the form of the aforementioned ATP, which is manufactured and stored within cellular structures called mitochondria. Exposing the skin to red light energy helps to safely and naturally stimulate the production of ATP. This, in turn, promotes skin regeneration via the production of collagen and elastin at the cellular level. As we age, the mitochondria become less able to efficiently produce ATP. After the age of 21, it is estimated that our collagen production decreases about 1 percent each year. The increase in ATP stimulates the production of collagen fibers and collagen density. As collagen density increases, it helps to rejuvenate the skin and reduce fine lines and wrinkles, while also creating a more youthful appearance. “POLY RLT has been a wonderful addition to our business,” says Adrienne Aaron, owner of Electrik Image Spas of Michigan. “It allows us to safely treat all skin types and it has become a robust profit center for our four locations.” Adds Michelle Fry, of Blush and Glow Skincare and Waxing Boutique in Glen Ellyn, IL: “POLY delivers incredible results. We also use POLY to enhance the results of our skin treatment services. My clients just love POLY!”

Hot Topic: the Production of Collagen

To view the entire line of POLY Light Therapy Systems for your business or home, visit www.mypolyled.com. For a free Red-Light Therapy Science & Business Report, contact Medtek Skin Care at jerry.deveney@outlook.com.

“Collagen” is one of the hottest buzz words in the beauty and skin care industry, and red light is right in the thick of the conversation. To function,

Effective Red Light Energy It’s important to note that for a red light device to work effectively, the light emitted must be within a specific wavelength (nm) and it must also generate sufficient power to stimulate results. This is critical, as some RLT devices on the market lack FDA Clearance and may emit no more power than the decorative lights on a Christmas Tree. Think of it this way: Which would be more effective—a capsule with 6 milligrams of Vitamin C or one with 600 milligrams of Vitamin C?

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HOME & GARDEN

Advertising Section

Spring Into Home Renovations Your next great house project starts right here, with these top five local companies. Luizzi Asphalt Services

70 Tivoli St., Albany 518.459.7325; luizziasphalt.com Luizzi Asphalt Services’ mission is to be the most trusted name in quality products and dependable service for homes and businesses across the Capital Region. Luizzi is a thirdgeneration company that has provided services to thousands of satisfied customers over the years. The Luizzi name has been in the Capital Region for more than 50 years, and the family has built a reputation it is proud of! Call Luizzi Asphalt Services for skilled solutions to all of your asphalt maintenance and repair needs.

Wolberg Lighting Design & Electrical Supply Multiple locations wolbergelectric.com

Are you looking to renovate this

THANK YOU

COLONIE CENTER

spring? Remember to include a lighting layout plan to take your renovation to the next level. A good lighting plan integrates comfort, control and energy efficiency to create a healthy and safe home environment. Begin by assessing the activities that take place in each room. Most rooms are in need of layered lighting to address different needs—for instance, task lighting in the kitchen or bath, or ambient light in the living room. Talk to the lighting experts at the Albany, Schenectady or Saratoga lighting showroom for the best guidance in lighting terminology, types of lighting and choosing the right LED bulbs.

J. Hunziker Paving, LLC

25 Corellis Dr., Rensselaer 518.858.7917; jhunzikerpavingllc.com When it comes to driveway paving, work only with seasoned driveway contractors who can ensure that

#COMETOGETHER

THANK YOU FOR VOTING COLONIE CENTER THE BEST SHOPPING CENTER! Visit Colonie Center for an unparalleled shopping experience. Bringing the Capital Region so many stores that are unique to the market-from L.L. Bean, Barnes and Noble, Nordstrom Rack, and P.F. Changs. Colonie Center also offers one-of-a-kind events for the whole family. Visit our website to plan your next shopping trip, www.shopatcoloniecenter.com.

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your driveway is smooth and functional. Avoid the frustration and disappointment of dealing with unprofessional driveway paving contractors by doing business with J. Hunziker Paving, LLC, instead. Owner Jason Hunziker has 20 years of experience serving the residential and commercial paving needs of customers throughout Troy and the surrounding areas, and he is committed to providing his customers with the best possible workmanship and service. When you need topquality driveway paving for your home or place of business, Jason will be there to help. Turn to him for all your asphalt driveway paving needs.

CR Gas Logs & Fireplaces, Inc. 15 Drywall Ln., Voorheesville 518.765.4279; crgaslogs.com

CR Gas Logs & Fireplaces has been a leader in the hearth and patio industry

in the greater Capital Region for more than 30 years. Employees pride themselves on providing each customer with high-quality service and advice, whether he or she is looking for a cozy interior fireplace or an elaborate, custom outdoor kitchen. Whatever you’re thinking, CR Gas Logs’ staff will help educate you on the right choice for your home. CR Gas Logs’ goal is for all its customers to leave feeling like they had a positive shopping experience, whether they made a purchase or not.

L. Browe Asphalt Services

19 Sun Oil Rd., Rensselaer 518.479.1400; broweasphalt.com The L. Browe Asphalt Services has served thousands of residential and commercial customers in the greater Hudson Valley. Their installations are built to last, with correct elevations and subtle detailing to ease the job into the land. Transitions are smooth with good, level flow and slight changes in elevation to provide proper water drainage. L. Browe mills the end of the drive so that it retains its thickness and is not subject to being lifted up by plowing equipment. The end product is a true, level, aesthetically pleasing job with artistic curves and superior function that completes and enhances the entire property.

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[The Lens] BEHIND

GREATEST OF EASE Capturing that perfect mid-performance shot is tricky, as the fearless athletes at Good Karma Studio rarely stop moving. S TO R Y A N D P H O TO G R A P H Y B Y A LYS S A S A L E R N O

Alyssa Salerno’s work snapping the athletes at Good Karma Studio, Bestie winner for Best Yoga Studio and Best Kids Birthday Venue, helped her snag a Bestie for Best Photographer. So we asked her to submit her favorite shot, and tell us how it was captured. alyssumphoto.mypixieset.com

hotographing the talented women from Albany’s Good Karma Studio is always an adventure. I’ve photographed the aerialists five times, and each time I’ve learned something new about shooting action photography. This image was taken during the studio’s student showcase at Putnam Place in Downtown Saratoga. We planned a practice shoot during their recital a few days prior; there, we dialed in the look and feel of the images, color lighting and overall space. This image was tricky due to low lighting and a fast-moving target. The low light that adds drama to their performances is counterintuitive to action photography when it comes to camera settings. So I had to get creative and come up with a happy medium. We decided to use spotlighting on both the ground and aerial levels to help illuminate the performers. To be sure we could capture the beauty of the students’ hard work, we prepared the perfect shot for each gymnast; we went over what their poses would look like, how long they would be in that pose, and what position I would need to be in to capture the photo. Ultimately, the images from the showcase came down to planning, communication, trust and a go-for-it attitude from both myself and the amazing athletes from Good Karma Studio.

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VOTED BEST CHIROPRACTOR

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SHRIMP TOO

Bestie-winning chef Marc Yanni of Yanni’s Too in Coeymans whips up an easy-to-make, prosciutto-wrapped shrimp appetizer.

Ingredients: Jumbo peeled & deveined shrimp Prosciutto di Parma, thinly sliced Fresh baby spinach Fresh chopped garlic Lemon juice Pecorino Romano cheese, thinly sliced Extra virgin olive oil Salt and pepper Red pepper flakes (optional)

Directions: • Toss your shrimp in extra virgin olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper. Wrap a slice of your Prosciutto around your seasoned shrimp. We use four jumbo shrimp for an appetizer, but make as many as your heart tells you is right! Get your sauté pan hot with a little olive oil and sear your wrapped shrimp on both sides until the Prosciutto is lightly crisp and the shrimp are pink, just a couple minutes on each side. • Next, heat a sauté pan with olive oil and fresh garlic (add some red pepper flakes if you like some spice!). Add about two cups of fresh baby spinach to the pan—it will cook way down, so add more than you think you need. Once the spinach starts to wilt, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and the Romano cheese. When the cheese is melted, remove. Place the wrapped shrimp on a bed of the cooked CRL spinach, top with melted cheese, and serve.

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PETS

Advertising Section

A Sure Pet These two pet-centric businesses will keep your furry friend happy and healthy this spring. The Animal Hospital

2 Rocking Horse Ln., Slingerlands 518.456.0852; theanimalhospital.com The staff at The Animal Hospital have dedicated their lives and this practice to their patients. The serene veterinary office is warm and inviting for you and your companion. By choice, it has remained a small hospital, allowing all of the staff to know you and your pet, giving whatever time is necessary to meet your needs. Every patient benefits from the staff’s commitment to being at the forefront in veterinary medicine. The Animal Hospital teams philosophy is to treat each patient as they would their own family members.

Pet Spas & Suites

1 Cerone Commercial Dr., Albany 518.783.5506; petspasandsuites.com Pet Spas & Suites has been proudly serving the Capital Region for 30 years. Its commitment to providing quality pet care and passion for animals drives the dedicated team to assess each pet’s needs and provide him or her with the best experience possible during each visit. Pet Spa & Suites sends out a special thank you to its loyal customers for entrusting their furry family members with grooming, daycare and boarding needs since 1990!

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THE

Law // Stars // Travel

Experts Thank You for Being a Friend

The late, great Betty White (and her character on The Golden Girls) teaches us a real-life lesson about where our money can go after we’re gone. BY DAV I D A . K U B IK IA N , E S Q.

his past New Year’s Eve, while the world welcomed in a new year, it also lost one of its most beloved TV icons. Betty White, entertainment royalty, passed away just 17 days shy of her 100th birthday. With a career that spanned eight (that’s correct, eight!) decades across television and film, White was a comedic trailblazer who kept her proverbial comedy “fastball” well into her nineties. Off-screen she was just as tireless as an advocate for animal welfare and racial justice. When celebrities pass away, there is typically a wave of information about their net worth and their estates. Who got what? Who got snubbed? We expect the rich and famous to have their sizable affairs in order, and when they don’t, the stuff that is nobody’s business quickly becomes everyone’s business. White’s estate plans, meanwhile, provide some lessons (from both life and screen) about the importance of considering leaving money to charitable causes, and her beloved Rose Nyland character on The Golden Girls shows us what’s possible when your friends are your family. Betty White did not have any biological

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children. She was a widow for the final 40+ years of her life; however, she did have a close relationship with three stepchildren and their families. Under the laws of New York (note that White lived in California), those stepchildren were not White’s “distributees” (a legal term of art meaning those who would inherit when someone dies without a will). Accordingly, if the famous actress’ estate plan included a desire to leave assets to her stepchildren, she would have needed to be proactive via a Last Will & Testament or a Living Trust stating that. Similarly, Rose Nyland, who spent all those years cohabitating with Dorothy, Blanche and Sophia, would have needed

to create an estate plan to leave assets to her dear friends. Rose could have created a plan that not only left money to the other Golden Girls, but could have even specified that, if Sophia went back to the “Shady Pines” nursing home, the money destined to her would instead be split evenly among the others. Estate planning documents can be as straightforward or complicated as you wish, even including provisions that hold money in trust for young beneficiaries, beneficiaries with special needs, or those who may need long-term care. There are already stories about White’s charitable beneficiaries being an array of animal welfare and rescue organizations. When my clients desire to leave money to charities, planning becomes even more important to make sure that those good causes receive assets based on the wishes of the decedent. Decisions have to be made regarding whether beneficiaries get a percentage of the pie or a fixed amount. When celebrities pass, it reminds us of our ability to make an impact on those around us—our family, our friends and in White’s case, a lot of worthwhile organizations. The Golden Girl’s posthumous charitable contributions have only reinforced the fact that she will continue making the world a better place long after her death. David A. Kubikian is a partner at Herzog Law Firm, P.C. and specializes in elder law, estate planning and estate administration. Offices are located in Albany, Saratoga Springs, Clifton Park and Kingston. Webinars about estate planning are available at herzoglaw.com.

Law // Stars // Travel

Becoming Your Best(ie) Self

How to use the energies of the season to take your life to the next level. BY RAC H E L L E B O OT H

fter a long road through the pandemic, many of us are ready to take our lives to the next level. And we’re in luck, because spring is the

season to do it. How do we ignite the energy to get fired up? Inspiration comes when we turn our attention to our heroes and heroines: Simone Biles, Tom Brady and the other greats of the world. We love them for their fiery, enthusiastic and enterprising natures; they inspire us to set bold goals, and to actualize our highest potentials. The attraction, though, lies at the heart of our own light. We see reflected in

them a vision of our own greatness. They remind us that we, too, have this fire (Aries) energy inside of us and the capacity to be our best selves. Sure, some days we fight, deny and shrink when we are challenged by our inner spark. But on other days, an invisible force (Aries energy) seems to urge us to rise up and meet it. Cue the Rocky theme.

How can you align best with the cosmic energies of this season? Use the highly dreamy and visionary Piscean energy in early- to mid-March to get creative. Use this time to decide: What do I desire? Who do I want to be?

A cheat sheet for aligning in the cosmic energies: Sun in Pisces (ends 3/20): Dream it Sun in Aries (ends 4/19): Evoke powerful emotion and ignite your drive Sun in Taurus (ends 5/20): Ground it with practical action

What does my best next-level self and life look like? Paint a bold new picture. Once the sun moves into Aries on March 20 (which also happens to be the start of spring), evoke and apply powerful emotion to the dream. Get fired up. Ignite passion and life force. Connect to your boldest self. Raise your confidence, so when it’s time to plant your seeds, you will do what it takes in order to take action. You must be courageous enough to tend to those seeds, even when you can’t see the growth occurring underground. Your newly ignited fire will fortify you so you can compete with any forces (i.e., fear and doubt) that will try to destroy or extinguish the dream. Next, you will ground in the energy of the dream with Taurean earth energy once the sun enters Taurus on April 20. You will apply grounded practical action in order to manifest a passionate dream into physical form. The evolution of your best, next-level self will be further supported by the new moon solar eclipse on April 30, which will bring with it an extra dose of initiating, powerful, advancement energy. So bring your boldest passions, inspirations and dreams forward, and become the best YOU of all time. Congrats to all of the Bestie winners and runners-up featured in this issue. Thank you for modeling the highest CRL potential for all of us. To learn more about your personal astrology and apply it to your life practically, or to boost your confidence, sign up at: rachelletrahancoaching. as.me.

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THE

Law // Stars // Travel

Experts All Good Things

CRL’s travel columnist says goodbye—after one last magical trip, to Hunter Mountain. STO RY A N D PH OTOGRA P HY BY A LE XA N DRA BAACKES

y years as a professional travel blogger and women’s retreat company founder have brought me around the world—but my time

here at CAPITAL REGION LIVING got me to explore my own backyard. For that, I’m forever grateful. While my year and change as a regular columnist here is coming to a close, I know that from time to time I’ll return, as I do to all of my favorite destinations. For now, I’m ending on a high note— literally—with a story about my recent trip to Greene County’s Hunter Mountain in the Great Northern Catskills.

CREDIT

rowing up in Albany, I had a pretty significant obstacle to overcome: I hated winter. As soon as I was able, I moved to warmer climates. A few years ago, however, my life unexpectedly brought me back to the land of four

seasons for awhile. After a brutal stretch bracing against reality, I finally started to warm up (no, not literally) to the idea that my Capital Region neighbors had been sharing with me my whole life: To survive winter, you must embrace a winter sport. I grew up skiing, and while I wasn’t very good to begin with, I certainly got rusty after 10 years of swapping snow for sand. So, I vowed to go skiing at least once a season. This pledge brought me to several area slopes— Jiminy Peak right across the border in Massachusetts, and West Mountain due north in Queensbury, to start. Next on my list? Hunter Mountain. Since dipping my boot back into the ski world, I learned that Hunter is the mountain for New York City residents escaping north. From Albany, it’s

less than an hour’s venture south. Scribner’s Lodge was long on my bucket list of places to stay in the Empire State. A true four-seasons destination, I was drawn to its particularly winterfocused offerings, which include an outdoor barrel sauna, an onsite skating rink and numerous fire pits strewn about the property. Each unique room is a sanctuary; some have fireplaces, others balconies or cozy indoor seating areas. Upon arriving for a long girls weekend with my friend Jess, we were welcomed with a bottle of wine, s’mores kit, hand-illustrated map of the area, and charming hand-written note. As a result of a check-in snafu, the genuinely apologetic Scribner’s staff treated us to Sunday-evening dinner and delicious cocktails at Prospect, the hotel’s Brooklyn-esque onsite restaurant. The Howling Sun cocktail, featuring pear eau de vie, Dolin dry vermouth, Cocchi Americano, Asian pear, Verjus and absinthe, was a particular treat. It was, I hoped, an omen for a bluebird ski day to follow. Mondays and Tuesdays are sleepy on the mountain, as

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one Prospect bartender had warned me. They are the nights Prospect is closed, though the lodge hosts pop-ups of other local restaurants in its place— on our trip, hot spot Hyphen was serving delicious chili and elevated tater tots. There’s plenty to explore beyond the hotel, of course. Fellow Café, a serene bakery serving breakfast, lunch and grocery items, is a standout in Hunter, as are Elevated Wine and Spirits and Hunter Mountain Brewery if you want to stock up on wine or brews to sip by your very own fireplace. More options are available in Tannersville, the slightly (emphasis on slightly) bigger and buzzier town 10 minutes down the road. Tannersville

is reminiscent of a quainter Woodstock, with a cute yoga studio, a chic home design store, and plenty of charm. Lovers of green juices and hearty salads, usually adrift in a ski town, will be thrilled by Maggie’s Crooked Café, a must-visit for small-town smiles and healthy hits. Most winter visitors are fueling up for one main reason: hitting the slopes at Hunter Mountain. From the picturesque snow on the trees to the dramatic icicles dripping from the mountain, I felt like I was in an arcticthemed screensaver. While our early-in-the-season visit and limited skills meant we had a narrow list of slopes to hit, I can see why Hunter is so beloved by New Yorkers from all corners of the state. Skiing may be a winter classic, but back at Scribner’s, we tried something fresh: glice skating, an alleged ecoalternative to ice skating that doesn’t require water or energy to freeze said water. While we both agreed nothing compares to the real thing, at $5 per skate rental, it’s worth it for the novelty—and the amazing sunset views. Those itching to hit a trifecta of winter activities should also set their sites on nearby Kaaterskill Falls, the highest cascading waterfall in the state, dropping more than 260 feet over two tiers. From the Lauren House trailhead, it’s just over 1.5 miles round trip to wander to a dramatic overlook before circling down to the base of the falls. The icicles dripping from the falls made for a dramatic sendoff, and a reminder that there is indeed wonder in the winter. It’s been an honor sharing a few of my favorite corners of New York, in all seasons, with you. Bon voyage, and I’m sure I’ll see many of you on my return visits home to the Empire State.

This doesn’t have to be goodbye! Follow the international adventures of Alexandra Baackes on her award-winning blog, Alex in Wanderland (alexinwanderland.com), where women can also peruse her diving and yoga retreats held in far-flung locales around the world.

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ADVERTISING SECTION

Pack Your Bags, Capital Region! From Lake Placid to the Finger Lakes, here are six must-see Upstate New York locales you should plan a trip to visit right now. cave’s underground lake, and is perfect for explorers of all ages. Tickets for the tour must be purchased online in advance. The Howe Caverns team would like to thank everyone who voted for their Halloween Haunt as the best seasonal event in the Capital Region for the second year in a row.

Lake Champlain

LakeChamplainRegion.com Explore and relax! Nestled between Adirondack peaks and glittering lakes, the open spaces of the Lake Champlain Region glow golden. Witness storied forts, towns and picturesque rolling hills. Spend your day watching migratory birds flutter through the heart of the Champlain Valley, or find your perfect hike on boundless Champlain area trails. Cruise down winding roads by car or bike, and travel along one of the largest lakes in North America. However you choose to spend this spring, the Lake Champlain region will make your getaway legendary.

Howe Caverns

255 Discovery Dr., Howes Cave 518.296.8900; howecaverns.com This spring, visit the largest show cave in the Northeast and the secondmost visited attraction in all of New York State. Located just off Interstate 88 (just 45 minutes from Albany!), Howe Caverns offers its traditional 90-minute cave tour all year round. The tour includes a mile-and-a-quarter walk and quarter-mile boat ride on the

The Lake House on Canandaigua

770 S Main St., Canandaigua 800.228.2801; lakehousecanandaigua.com What if we told you you could get a Scandanivian spa treatment, a Frenchinspired dining experience and a Colorado-caliber ski vacation, all smack dab in the middle of New York’s wine country? Oh yeah, and on the shores of a gorgeous freshwater lake, no less? That’s exactly what The Lake House on Canandaigua, a new resort on the north shore of the fourth largest Finger Lake, has to offer. This spring, make the three-hour drive due west to experience all The Lake House has to offer, including the onsite Willowbrook Spa and renowned Rose Tavern, and explore the surrounding region—dozens of wineries, breweries and distilleries, plus spring skiing at Bristol Mountain, await.

John Boyd Thacher State Park

830 Thacher Park Rd., Voorheesville Consistently voted one of the best parks and picnic spots in CRL’s Bestie awards, Thacher Park really is all it’s cracked up to be. Situated along the Helderberg Escarpment, Thacher is home to six miles of limestone cliff face, rock-strewn slopes, woodland and open fields, plus it offers unparalleled panoramic views of the Hudson-Mohawk Valleys and the Adirondack and Green Mountains. Add in volleyball courts, playgrounds, ball fields and picnic areas, and Thacher Park just might be your go-to spring day staycation.

The Cove at Sylvan Beach

750 Pioneer Ave., Sylvan Beach 315.356.1840; covesylvanbeach.com Looking for the perfect getaway? The Cove at Sylvan Beach, a new lakeside vacation rental destination on Oneida Lake, offers space and activities for the whole family. A pontoon boat is included with each of The Cove’s 70 beautifully appointed two- and threebedroom lakeside cottage rentals, so you can enjoy carefree days on the water fishing, cruising and just soaking up lake life. Sylvan Beach Supply Co., The Cove’s flagship store, will also offer rentals for bicycles, paddleboards, kayaks, canoes and more for exploring the area during your stay.

Steuben County

corningfingerlakes.com More than any other season, spring is the one we anticipate most. Trees bud. Flowers push up through the soil and blossom in vibrant color. The air fills once again with birdsong laughter, and streams flow with wild abandon as the world comes alive. Our spirits soar as we get outside, move again, explore. Such is spring, the season of new beginnings. Savor this spirit of spring by visiting Steuben’s exciting craft distillers—mad scientists and culinary wizards creating exceptional gin, vodka, whiskey and moonshine. Discover for yourself the latest ways the area’s creative tastemakers tantalize the tongue. This spring, Explore Steuben!

S P R I N G 2022 | CRL MAG.COM | 51

before you go...

WHEN THE WORST THING IS THE BEST THING B Y J O H N G R AY

henever Jeremy Conroy needed to think, he’d walk in the park. There was a pond, a small amphitheater where they held concerts in the summer, and benches on which to sit and watch the pigeons. Mostly it was quiet, perfect for the 13-year-old to work. Jeremy’s teacher said the local magazine had just published its Best Of edition, where readers voted on their favorite places to shop, eat and be entertained. Inspired, the teacher decided to make that the eighth grade class’ weekend homework assignment: The students would have to come up with a list of their own favorite things. Jeremy immediately thought of his dog, Potter, the waffle house where he loved to get breakfast, and the big amusement park a dozen exits up the highway.

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After taking a seat at the park, Jeremy noticed an old man in a jet-black fedora hat on the bench opposite him. He was a kind-looking soul who tipped that hat and asked Jeremy what he was writing in the notepad in his lap. Jeremy didn’t normally talk to strangers but, seeing how harmless the gentleman looked, he took a chance and explained his teacher’s assignment. The man took off the hat, placing it on the bench beside him, and said, “If you ask me, son, I’ve found in life that quite often the worst thing is the best thing.” Jeremy pretended to understand and then politely went back to his notes to continue his own list. “I’m sorry,” the nice man said. “That probably didn’t make sense. Let me explain.” Jeremy put the pen back down and waited for an education from his new octogenarian friend. “My favorite restaurant is DiCaprio’s,” the man began, “because that’s where I asked Marcia Whitmore to marry me.” Jeremy smiled and replied, “And she said yes?” The man laughed, “Heavens no, she turned me down flat. Left me with her veal parm and the $40 check.” When it was clear Jeremy was confused, the man continued: “She wasn’t the right one, you see. Had she said yes, we both would have been miserable, and I wouldn’t have met my beautiful Margaret whom I was with for 56 wonderful years.” The old man went on, “My favorite college is RIT” Jeremy asked, “What did you

study there?” Again, the man smiled. And then said, “I didn’t. Despite having perfect grades, they rejected me, and I ended up at the University of Buffalo where I got a degree in engineering.” “And that was better?” Jeremy asked. The man took crackers from his pocket and tossed them to the patient pigeons, answering, “Oh yes, much better. My roommate became my best friend, I loved my teachers. Buffalo was right for me even if I didn’t know it.” He pressed on: “My favorite doctor was a man named Herbert Morton. He’s long gone now, but guess why he was my favorite doctor.” Jeremy was the one smiling now and answered, “I don’t know. Because he cured cancer or something?” “No sir,” he replied. “Because he kicked me out of his office when I turned 40 and refused to quit smoking and drinking.” Jeremy was trying to understand, when the man added, “He said, ‘I like you, Frank, and I don’t want a front row seat when you die, and that’s what’s going to happen. You won’t listen to me, so get out.’” “What happened?” Jeremy asked. “He scared me is what happened,” he replied. “So I did straighten myself out.” The old man rose and picked up his hat. “My point is, son, that life is a mystery that reveals itself to us in its own good time,” he said. “And when things don’t go your way, remember–“ Jeremy interrupted man to excitedly say, “Sometimes the worst thing is the best thing.” The kind man nodded, then placed the remaining crackers in Jeremy’s small hand and said, “Finish this for me, would you please?” Jeremy tossed the crackers to the pavement to the delight of the birds. By the time he raised his eyes to say thank you, the old man was gone. The boy pondered his own life, both the triumphs and missteps, and when he handed in his homework, Jeremy’s teacher said it was the strangest yet CRL loveliest thing she’d ever read.

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