The Dating Issue

WINTER 2022

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FALLING FOR NIAGARA 5 TIPS FOR FINDING THE ONE

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CAN YOU FEEL THE LOVE, CAPITAL REGION? HOW APPS AND COVID CHANGED DATING FOR EVER

READER-SUBMITTED RED FLAGS

Care-Free Corn Chowder SERVES 6 Ingredients: 1 Tbsp.

1 cup 1 stalk 2 1 clove 4 cups 1 cup 2 cups 2 med.

1 1/4 tsp.

1

Hannaford Extra Virgin Olive Oil Leeks, finely diced Celery, finely diced Shallots, minced Garlic, minced Silk® Plain Unsweet Almondmilk Nature’s Promise® Organic Low Sodium Vegetable Broth Hannaford Frozen Corn Potatoes, peeled and diced into half-inch pieces Bay leaf McCormick® Thyme Leaves Nature’s Promise Pink Himalayan Sea Salt, to taste Red bell pepper, seeded and finely diced McCormick® Coarse Ground Black Pepper, to taste Nature’s Promise Organic Scallions, chopped for garnish

Directions:

By using vegetables as a thickener and replacing heavy cream with unsweetened almondmilk, you can make this better-for-you corn chowder, a plant-based option that easily fits into your weekly meal lineup.

simply healthy 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.

1. Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add leeks, celery, shallots and garlic and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until translucent.

2. Add almondmilk, vegetable broth, corn, potatoes, bay leaf, thyme and salt. Bring mixture to a boil, then simmer until potatoes are tender, 5 to 7 minutes.

3. Remove one cup of the vegetable mixture and half cup of the liquid. Carefully puree in a blender or food processor until smooth, then return to soup pot.

4. Add the bell pepper (saving a quarter of it for garnish) and simmer another 2 minutes. Season to taste with ground black pepper and garnish with chopped scallion and remaining bell pepper.

Nutritional Information Amount per serving: Calories 170; Fat 4.5 g; Saturated Fat 0 g; Cholesterol 0 mg; Sodium 125 mg; Carbohydrate 29 g; Fiber 4 g; Sugar 5 g; Added Sugar 0 g; Protein 4 g

Thank you to our sponsors for partnering with Hannaford to offer free dietitian services.

Visit hannaford.com/dietitians to learn more.

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Source: Recipe adapted from silk.com

inside WINTER ISSUE

8

Cover Story

The Dating Game

By Natalie Moore

14

50 FIRST DATE IDEAS

BY LISA ARCELLA

14

22

WINTER IN LAKE PLACID

8

B Y N ATA L I E M O O R E

35

The Experts

6 NE W AND N OW

S TA R S : R A C H E L L E B O O T H BEAUTY: DENISE DUBOIS P E T S : K A R A C O N WAY L O V E T R AV E L : A L E X A N D R A B A A C K E S 22

30

BEHIND THE LENS (8) KONRAD ODHIAMBO

THE EGG

WITH TONY COLASURDO

31

ADVERTISING SECTIONS

20 HOME IMPROVEMENT 2 8 L O C A L LY O W N E D BUSINESSES 32 WEDDINGS

RED BEET FORROTO

RECIPE

42 B E F O R E YO U G O : FINDING LOVE

WITH CHEF FREDDIE DUMLAO

B Y J O H N G R AY

ON THE COVER: Albany’s Toro Cantina, photographed by Konrad Odhiambo exclusively for CAPITAL REGION LIVING.

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From The Editors

H

LOVE IS IN THE AIR

appy Valentine’s Day, CRL readers! Have you noticed that as we emerged from the pandemic (and then re-submerged, sadly) the only thing people seem to be talking about is dating? Whether it’s dating apps (what is up with these new voice prompts?), virtual dates (better than nothing), or just a general frustration with the entire concept of dating itself (we feel you!), the singles of the Capital Region are ready and eager to talk about being single. (And those in relationships that weathered the pandemic seem to want all the scoop!) Maybe it’s a sign of a new era in finding love—what Match calls “the grown-up glow up”—where singles know what they want out of a relationship and are willing to make it known. Whatever it is, we’re here for it.

Winter rom ance in Sa We explore that very phenomenon, plus how dating in the Capital Region ranac Lake differs from dating elsewhere, in our cover story on p. 8. And there’s more where that came from. Check out advice from a dating coach on how to find your person (p. 11), our readersubmitted Capital Region “red flags” (p. 13), and CRL’s ultimate list of 50 local first date ideas (p. 14). Even The Experts are getting in on the match-making fun. They offer advice on looking to the stars for love (p. 35), skincare date prep (p. 36), and vacationing at New York State’s most romantic landmark: Niagara Falls (p. 40). To top it all off, columnist John Gray returns to this issue’s last page with a love story for the ages (p.42). We hope you—and your special someone!—enjoy.

—The Editors

W I N T E R 2022 | CRL MAG.COM | 5

NEW NOW AND

What was going on in the Capital Region’s little corner of the world at the turn of 2022.

BY NATALIE MOORE

HOMETOWN HERO

When you tune into the 2022 Recording Academy Grammy Awards on Monday, January 31, listen for the Best Dance/Electronic Recording category. Not your type of music? Tune in anyway: The Brooklyn-based vocalist on the song “Hero” by Afrojack and David Guetta is a bona fide Capital Region native. Though you may not hear her name called on TV—the song is technically by the two famed European DJs—Luxtides, a.k.a. Danni Bouchard, a.k.a. star 2008 Shenendehowa High School grad, belongs to the voice you hear throughout the track. “It’s a difficult song to sing right,” Afrojack told electric dance music site edm.com. “There’s very difficult melodies to sing. And Luxtides just killed it.”

Nothing says Upstate New York—or wonderfully cheesy winter rom com!—like an outdoor ice skating rink. And now, as of December 10, Schenectady has one of its own. The new rink, located next to Druthers at Mohawk Harbor, was created by Discover Schenectady in partnership with other local organizations and offers skate rentals, entertainment, a heated hospitality tent and themed kiosks. It’ll be open MondaysThursdays from 3-9pm, Fridays from 3-10pm, Saturdays from 10am-10pm and Sundays from 10am-8pm through the end of February.

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(skating) CONNOR BRADY

SKATERS GONNA SKATE

NEW NOW AND

THIS IS JEOPARDY!

The Capital Region got a much-appreciated shoutout on America’s most popular trivia show this past December 1. In a category titled “The Mid-Atlantic States,” the $400 clue was this: “Alphabetically, it’s New York’s first county, followed by Allegany & Bronx.” If you were anywhere near the state capital at around 7:35pm that night, and listened very closely, you could almost hear the sound of hundreds of Jeopardy! fans yelling “ALBANY!” at their TV screens.

SMOKE ON THE WATER

The restaurant empire of Capital Region culinary powerhouse Jaime Ortiz (677 Prime, Toro Cantina, Prime Burger and Shakehouse) just got a little bit bigger. In December, the celebrated chef opened Sea Smoke Waterfront Grill, a Mediterranean-inspired seafood joint with under-the-sea vibes, on the Hudson River in Green Island. In addition to its impressive wine list, vegetarian/vegan offerings, raw bar and shareable appetizers, Sea Smoke boasts mains from land and sea alike, such as Phyllo Wrapped Jumbo Shrimp, Crab Stuffed Broiled Maine Lobster and a tried-and-true fried chicken sandwich. Even a rockstar restaurateur like Ortiz knows not to mess with a classic.

NOBEL PRIZE

In mid-December, Siena College received the best early Christmas present of its 85-year history. It came in the form of cold hard cash— $35 million of it—donated by 2006 alum Das Nobel and his wife, Nipa, co-founders of the tech firm MTX. The money, the largest single gift in Siena’s history, will fully fund a 40,000-square-foot expansion of the school’s science center with a building called Nobel Hall, which will feature specialized labs and a designated space for collaborative learning. In all, the new facility will benefit more than 40 percent of Siena’s student body.

TAVERN TALK

When Carney’s Tavern and Villago Pizzeria, two Ballston Lake foodie staples, closed last year, the future looked bleak for those Burnt Hill-ians looking for a local night out. But they needn’t have worried for long—Carney’s owners Matt and Stephanie Finnigan quickly announced they’d be taking over Villago’s location to open Finnigan’s on the Lake, a new Irish/American tavern. The couple celebrated their new gig’s grand opening in December, and since then have been serving up soups, salads, burgers, pizza, sandwiches and entrees (get CRL the chicken parm) overlooking Ballston Lake.

W I N T E R 2022 | CRL MAG.COM | 7

Dating Game The

DATING APPS HAVE FOREVER CHANGED HOW SINGLES LOOK FOR LOVE IN THE CAPITAL REGION AND BEYOND. BUT HOW HAS THE PANDEMIC CHANGED THE DATING APPS?

BY NATALIE MOORE

P H O T O G R A P H BY K O N R A D O D H I A M B O

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Wolf Road’s Toro Cantina is a chic spot to grab tacos and bubbly on date night.

W I N T E R 2022 | CRLMAG.COM | 9

n a gorgeous spring day last May, the Capital Region dating world felt a monumental shift. After more than a year spent locked up in their homes, and after almost a decade spent swiping on superficial Tinder profiles, 60 singles converged—in person—on Wolf Hollow Brewing in Schenectady for the first face-to-face gathering of Capital Heart Connection, a social club founded to help Upstate New Yorkers meet their person IRL. And these days, that’s rare.

When talking about dating in the 21st century, dating apps are where the conversation starts—and, for many, ends. Swiping on apps such as Tinder, Bumble and Grindr (a dating app for the LGBTQ+ community) has in many cases replaced the act of trying to meet people in person, for better or worse. “Dating apps take the humanity out of dating,” says Becky Daniels, a Schenectady native who co-founded Capital Heart Connection with her friend, Gabby Fisher, in February 2021. ”That’s one area that Gabby and I are really trying to focus on, because it’s so easy to just keep swiping and not give people a chance. We don’t see people as people on there—we see them as profiles.” And, when you do give someone a chance, they may not be who you thought they were, says Lizzy Sagar. “When I was on an app and someone would be perfectly my type, I’d be like, ‘Wow, I bet this is going to be a great date,” the Albany resident says. “But I went on a bunch of first dates where I was like, ‘Oh, this person is not anything like I expected them to be.’ They put up a persona online and it’s not actually who they are in person.”

The list of complaints that Capital Regionites have about dating apps goes on and on. There’s the fact that people hiding behind a screen can be rude or at times downright mean. There’s the

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In the Capital Region, hiking photos like this one of Albany resident Lizzy Sagar on Indian Head in the Adirondacks are very common on dating app profiles.

fact that people are more inclined to leave a relationship—or walk out on a date—over one small thing, because it’s so easy to meet someone else (or several someone elses) online. There’s the fact that being successful on dating apps actually takes a lot of time and effort. And then there’s the fact that sometimes, you accidentally weed out a perfectly good partner based on an arbitrary factor like height. “Dating apps and websites have made dating far too similar to the fast food industry,” says Schenectadian Joe Billetdoux, Jr., who runs the “518 Singles and Social” Facebook group. “You can log in, list your criteria, and even though you seem to be fine-tuning your search, you’re actually removing options. None of us knows what that X factor is that will make two people into a couple.”

But regardless of their flaws, dating apps do work; Daniels and Sagar both met their current partners on apps.

According to research firm Apptopia, engagement on the 10 most popular dating apps reached an all-time high of 15.3 million this past July and, per a Pew Research Center study, onethird of all singles in the US had used a dating site or app as of February 2020.

That number has likely spiked since then, given that the COVID pandemic annihilated virtually all chances of meeting someone in person.

Speaking of COVID, it’s probably the biggest thing to happen to dating in the last 10 years, besides the emergence

of apps. On the one hand, COVID made dating harder—a lot harder. “Dating for older singles is super tough, especially during the pandemic,” one local Facebook user lamented in a September post in the “What’s Going On Saratoga?”

Facebook group. “Pre-pandemic there was the art scene and programs at a number of local places, but they are all idle now.” On the other hand, COVID also introduced virtual dating—i.e. meeting up with a date on FaceTime or Zoom—and, as no one was going out to bars or other social gatherings, made using dating apps even more socially acceptable than they already were.

The pandemic has even changed people’s mindsets about dating. In its 2020 Singles in America report, Match found that 58 percent of singles using dating apps shifted toward more intentional dating since the pandemic began and 69 percent were being more honest with potential partners.

Match’s 2021 report only solidified the finding that COVID forever altered dating. “While many expected the pandemic to cause a deluge of posttraumatic stress (and rightfully so),” the November report reads, “we actually found the opposite within the single population: ‘post-traumatic growth.’

Or what we like to call ‘The Grown-Up Glow Up.’ Men and women of all ages matured more, improved their health and reset their sexual, romantic and life priorities.” The 2021 report also found that only 78 percent of singles want a

Five Ways to BoostYour Dating Mindset The Capital Region’s dating guru is here to say that finding good dates starts with you.

BY BECKY DANIELS

M

any of us have spent the last year and a half reflecting on so many aspects of our lives: Who am I? What am I meant to do? What do I want in a long-term relationship? Even though we vowed to never take anything for granted again, it’s turned out that it’s incredibly easy to get pulled back into some of our pre-COVID ruts. If dating is one of those ruts for you, here are a few ways to up your dating game by changing your outlook on dating.

1. Stop treating dating like work. The longer you’re on the market, the more your dates start to blend together—the same questions, the same places and even the same type of person.

I’m here to remind you that dating should actually be fun. In addition to finding new places to meet, take some time to get ready before your dates. This means ditching your work clothes and putting on something with a bit more flair (this goes for men and women!). And change up your questions! Asking someone what they would do if they received a million dollars tomorrow can give you a lot of insight into who they are and is way more fun than asking someone to recount their day.

2. Fail fast and move on. One of the biggest mistakes I see people make time and again on apps is waiting too long to meet.

When you strike up an interesting conversation, make a date to meet in person (or at least on video) within two to three days.

Once scheduled, slow down with the texting and messaging.

When you invest time and emotional energy in a conversation for days, weeks (or months!) before you meet, it’s unlikely that this person will live up to the version of them you create in your mind.

So meet quickly to determine if this person is someone you want to spend more time with. (And, if he or she continuously puts off committing to a date with you, chances are that person is not seriously looking to date).

3. Focus on quality over quantity. We’ve been socialized to think that dating is a numbers game and more is better.

This is exhausting you. For dating to be fun, you must enjoy the company of the people you spend time with. When you encounter someone in real life that you have an enjoyable exchange with—ask them out! If you’re dating online, incorporate must-haves and deal-breakers into your profile so folks can weed themselves out. Can’t tolerate a gamer? Say it.

Never want to hike? Let them know. Looking for a committed, long-term relationship? State it clearly. You may get fewer matches overall—but you’ll be happier with who you talk to.

4. Get your head out of your apps. Apps are not the only place to meet someone! Our beautiful region is so full of incredible places to go to and people to meet. Commit to trying one new place or activity a week. Hit up a new concert venue, bar or restaurant, or take a chance on a different activity (axe throwing, anyone?). Put yourself in new situations and you’ll begin to see the possibilities all around you. And—I can’t stress this enough—when you meet someone you’re interested in, ask them out. It’s not that scary!

5. Take care of you. It’s difficult to create a healthy relationship with someone else if you’re not in a great place with yourself. Take time every day to do things that make you the best version of you. Move your body, get outside, go to therapy, meditate (regular meditation is life-changing!). When you feel good, you not only look good, but your confidence soars. This gives you a boost that might just help you ask someone out. Start these rituals while you’re single, because when you add another person into your life, it only gets harder to create new routines.

Becky Daniels is a dating mindset coach, co-founder of Capital Heart Connection (a local organization helping singles meet off the apps and in real life) and co-host of The Micropolitan Matchmakers podcast. Follow her on Instagram at @beckyjodaniels or email her CRL at hello.beckyjodaniels@gmail.com.

W I N T E R 2022 | CRL MAG.COM | 11

partner who’s physically attractive, a 12 percent decrease since 2020. In other words, as we navigate COVID, looks matter less than ever. And apps like Hinge are especially popular because they allow you to add more information about yourself in your bio than Tinder, where bios have a 500-character limit. It’s almost as if dating apps, this generation’s answer to websites like Match, eharmony and OkCupid, which are now thought to be only for older singles, are actually becoming more like those sites. Those websites, on the other hand, all now have apps of their own.

If nothing else, Daniels says, COVID created “this huge swell in need and desire for human contact and to meet new people, even if it wasn’t on a romantic level.” That’s where Capital Heart Connection comes in. That first Wolf Hollow get-together yielded several dates and plenty of friendships, and more events held throughout the Capital Region at Troy’s River Street Market, Schenectady’s Centre Street Pub and a Tri-City ValleyCats game have as well. Daniels and Fisher have also since launched The Micropolitan Matchmakers, a podcast about dating in a small- to medium-sized city.

“Dating here gets

a bad rap because there are less people, so the dating pool is smaller,” Daniels says. “But there are still a ton of people in our region. Even though we might not be the size of a New York City or a Chicago, it’s actually easier to break into certain activities. If you have an interest and you’re in a bigger city, it might be a larger expense or just overwhelming to find social groups or clubs to break into to meet new people.”

Sagar, who lived in Washington, DC, prior to moving to the Capital Region for physician assistant school at Albany Medical College (AMC), says dating here is indeed very different than dating in a big city. “In DC, when you go on dating apps, you’ll never run out of people to swipe on,” she says. “When I came up here and would go on dating apps, it would refresh and be like, ‘You got through everyone in your area.’” The smaller population also had real-life implications for Sagar’s dating life. After matching with an AMC med student she’d never met before, she saw him walking around Downtown Albany. “I was like, ‘Are you Grant?’” she says. “That would never happen in DC.” The flip side of that? “Prior to my relationship, there were a few people I would see at the gym or something and I’d be like, ‘Oh, I really hope they’re on Bumble,’” she says. “And I’d go and try to find them and I would, because it’s such a small place and you can get through everyone on dating apps so fast.”

Even Sagar’s current boyfriend is someone

Sagar returned to Indian Head with her boyfriend, whom she first met on Bumble; (inset) Capital Heart Connection recently launched a membership platform and app.

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she matched with on an app first, and ended up working with at Albany Med. Around here, that phenomenon—a long-term relationship forming from some combination of in-person/online connections—actually happens pretty frequently. I personally know someone who matched with an acquaintance of her sister’s, someone who joined a gym where her Tinder crush was a trainer, and someone who reconnected with a high school classmate on an app, some seven years after graduation. All of those connections resulted in serious relationships. “Everyone that I went on a date with, even if I had matched with them on some sort of dating app, I had seen in person,” Sagar says. “Somehow I knew who they were, so it wasn’t like I was going into a blind date.”

Other Capital Region–specific dating phenomena, Sagar tells me, include the fact that while it’s very easy to ghost someone in DC, it’s not here. “When you go out on the weekends, there aren’t many bars in Albany,” she says. “I’ve definitely run into an ex at Lionheart.”

And then there are the Upstate New York dating app cliches. “There are so many hiking and outdoor opportunities locally that there’s the stereotype of the man on top of a mountain or holding a fish,” Daniels says. “There are so many men holding fish!” And for female Capital Region singles? “A lot of girls, myself included, love to dress up for a track day,” says Daniels, who still sees many dating profiles through her work as a dating and mindset coach. “This is definitely an area where you’ll see women in big hats and fascinators on their profile.”

And so, as we approach Capital Heart Connection’s one-year anniversary this winter, what’s in store for the social club’s future? Well, Daniels and Fisher just launched a membership platform, which gets users access to dating tips, group discussions and members-only events, and allows them to connect with other members they might have met at an in-person event. And where does that membership platform live? On an CRL app, of course.

Doesn’t like chocolate

Is a crazy hiker

Hates cats

Tells his/her friend (of the opposite sex) “I love you”

In Red Flags We Trust

KEY

- Meh - Pretty bad - Head for the hills

Is holding a fish in his/her dating profile

Doesn’t ski, snowboard, mountain bike, enjoy live music or go outside

Calls him/herself the Mayor of Saratoga

Calls it I-87

Schedules a date for 7pm but doesn’t want to order dinner

All his/her dating profile pictures are from the track or the Horseshoe with alcohol

“I’ve never gotten free wings on my birthday”

Thinks Stewart’s is just a gas station

“Perhaps I could persuade you…”

Only podcast he/she listens to is The Joe Rogan Experience

Has bathroom selfies on his/her dating profile

As anyone who’s taken the plunge into the local dating pool knows, finding a match isn’t necessarily a walk in Thacher Park. Sometimes a person does or says something that sets off a red flag in your mind, letting you know that he or she is not your person. (Whether you heed those signs is up to you.) Here are 23 dating red flags that would make (or have made!) Capital Regionites say, in the wise words of Ariana Grande, CRL “Thank you, next.”

Likes Dunkin’ better than Stewart’s

Needs to know where you are at all times

“Catskills>Adirondacks”

All his/her friends are people he/she has slept with

Goes out in Saratoga every single weekend

Has no headboard on his/her bed

Asks you for your Snapchat, not your phone number

Doesn’t know every word to the Water Slide World theme song

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50 t s r i F es t a D

Looking to impress a (potential) special someone this Valentine’s Day season?

Here are 50 top spots around the Capital Region that will make any romantic first date outing extra special.

BY LISA ARCELLA

hot spot is regularly voted one of the most romantic restaurants in Albany, and the fresh Greek dishes are to die for. athosrestaurant.com

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hold conversation through a whole sit-down meal? Go to Bard & Baker, the Capital District’s first board game café, which serves up coffee, sandwiches, cocktails and—’90s kids take note—pizza bagels (!) with a side of Scrabble/Monopoly/Chess at its Troy and Albany locations. bardandbaker.com

3 Escape to the Mediterranean Athos

Restaurant will get you there without ever having to go through customs. The

4 Take a mini Hamilton tour Want to

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impress your date with your intimate knowledge of every song on the Hamilton soundtrack? Don't throw away your shot: Take him or her to the Schuyler Mansion.

The historic estate that belonged to Alexander Hamilton’s father-in-law, Gen. Philip Schuyler, is a National Historic Landmark and a local treasure. What comes next? If it goes well, you can check out Scuyler’s country home in Stillwater on the second date! parks. ny.gov/historic-sites/schuylermansion

5 Brunch goals If a brunch date is in the cards, check out the popular (with reason) Iron Gate Café, nestled in a gated garden. Hitting this Albany hot spot on a weekend? Be sure to call ahead. Then settle in to a dream breakfast menu of scrambles, hashes, Benedicts and sweet treats, plus a hefty vegan menu. Or opt for lunch items such as a Kickin’ Chicken fried chicken sandwich or one of its signature bowls. irongatecafe.com 6 Brunch goals again Speaking of fried chicken, no one does it better than the chefs at chic, newish brunch hotspot The Nest in Schenectady. (You can even get your half-bird on a waffle with bourbon maple syrup, honey butter and honey hot sauce.) Other to-die-for offerings include carrot cake pancakes, shrimp and grits and buttermilk biscuit sammies. thenest518.com

sure your interests align with a potential love interest’s, take him or her to a themed trivia night at Rare Form Brewing Co. in Troy; recent Wednesday evening themes include Christmas Vacation, Gilmore Girls and Halloween movies. facebook.com/RFtrivia

9 Pursue the clue One really fun way

to get to know each other quickly is to try to find a way out of an escape room together. Teaming up to answer puzzles may offer a clue as to what kind of team you might be in real life, too. escaperoom.com/venue/pursue-theclue-albany-ny-usa

10 Bravo! The Egg

q

q

2 Game on Stressed about having to

abundance of great spaces showcasing the works of local and international artists throughout Albany and beyond. One little known gem is the Albany Barn, which also offers live performances. albanybarn.org

8 Trivia pursuit If you want to make

1 Museum mode The Albany area has

some world-class museums that are worth spending an afternoon checking out. One of the best is The New York State Museum on the south side of the Empire State Plaza. Pro tip: Don’t miss the stunning antique carousel on the fourth floor. nysm.nysed.gov

7 Take an art gallery tour Theres an

Performing Arts Center at Empire State Plaza features great performances from artists across the spectrum. (Hot winter tickets range from stand-up comic Wanda Sykes and Bruce Dickinson on his spoken word tour, to tours such as Abba Mania and New York Theatre Ballet.) Your date will certainly appreciate your sophistication and style after spending an evening here. theegg.org

11 A one-horse open sleigh The

Capital Region might as well be Canada during the winter months, so make the

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That old adage is true: You get only one chance to make a first impression. So we’ve put together the ultimate list of Capital Region first date ideas that will leave your brand-new love interest wanting to come back to see what you’ve got up your sleeve for date No. 2!

W I N T E R 2022 | CRL MAG.COM | 15

most of it with a cozy horse-drawn sleigh ride. Make the journey up to Exit 25 of the Northway for a romantic ride for two at Chestertown's Circle B Ranch. circlebranchny.com

at which to grab a coffee together before or after the show. Their play Fly is based on the true events of the first AfricanAmerican Air Corp fighters fighting for our country, and runs January 28-February 20. capitalrep.org

adventure, with the farm’s adorable goats as your guides. intothewoodsfarmny.com

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14 A rare find Albany's Black and Blue Steak and Crab is well known for great service and inspired cuisine. A cozy booth for two is the way to go, then fall into a meal of lobster toast with caviar and a juicy, wet-aged, black angus steak. blackandbluesteakandcrab.com/albany 15 Through the woods, with a goat Yes, a goat. Who is likely to forget that time they wandered through the woods with Baaab and a few of his four-legged friends? At Into the Woods Farm in Middle Grove (just outside of Saratoga) you can book a private snowshoe

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12 Another beer, dear? The C. H. Evans Brewing Co. at the Albany Pump Station is a date-time showstopper. The huge, beautiful building (which was, yes, formerly a pump station) was meant for hanging out and trying an assortment of new beers, over good conversation. evansale.com

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16 Axe and you shall receive The

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hottest new date night activity is indisputably axe-throwing, and the Capital Region hasn't been left out of the craze. Check out Colonie's Generation Axe for a blood-pumping activity that'll pit you and your date against one another in a friendly competition, all while allowing you to let out your past dating-life frustrations. Did we mention they serve beer, wine and seltzer? generationaxethrowing.com

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13 Standing ovation Thought

you couldn’t find great theater upstate in the dead of winter? Think again. The Capital Repertory Theater is a professional regional theater with a lovely cafe

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17 Turn it up old school When was the last time you went roller-skating? Have a blast during a trip back in time at

Rollarama in Schenectady. There are even adult-only nights you can book ahead of time. rollarama.com

18 Revolutionary romance Set in a

beautiful building that pre-dates the Revolutionary War, some locals think the Olde Bryan Inn in Saratoga might be haunted. But who cares when there’s delicious food, a fireplace and great company? oldebryaninn.com

19 Take flight It's always good to have something right in front of you to talk about on a date, like, say, a beer flight.

For a hoppin' good time, check out Active Ingredient, one of the Capital Region's newer breweries located in Malta, which also serves food to soak up all those suds. activeingredientbrewing.com

at americanitalianmuseum.org, and Irish Americans can explore irish-us.org.

22 Room with a view Take in the spectacular views of Albany and well beyond from the top of the 42nd-floor Corning Tower Observation Deck. The building was dedicated to Erastus Corning 2nd, a long-time mayor of Albany. empirestateplaza.ny.gov/ corning-tower-observation-deck 23 Take a hike The 3,500-plus-acre Albany Pine Bush Preserve is home to an endangered blue butterfly and has dozens of trails and educational programs. Not sure of your navigational skills? The preserve will send you out with a guide, but be sure to call ahead. albanypinebush.org

20 Green machine Troy Beer Garden's recent makeover turned it from a peanuts-and-beer sports bar into a chic jungle of luscious plants that just so happens to serve killer cocktails and a largely plant-based menu. In other words, date night done right. thetroybeergarden.com 21 Get in touch with your roots Albany is a great place to bond with a special someone over the exploration of your roots. The city has put together a Black history itinerary (see albany.org/ things-to-do/tours-and-itineraries/ black-history-and-culture/), the Italian immigrant experience can be discovered

27 A classic experience The famed Sagamore Resort is open year round for great dining, five-star spa treatments and all kinds of seasonal activities. But its greatest charm may be its incredible views of Lake George. In the winter months, bundle up and sit around a fire under the stars—or plan your visit around its renowned Glacier Ice Bar and Lounge, which is open this year January 21-22 and 28–29. thesagamore.com 28 Must love dogs You both want your dogs to get to know each other, too? The Plotter Kill Preserve in Rotterdam outside of Schenectady has three waterfalls and welcomes pups of all sizes on its trails, making it the perfect spot for a dog—and human—date. discoverschenectady.com/directory/ plotter-kill-preserve

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performed here, and this winter’s range includes Bluesky Bluegrass, comedian Jim Gaffigan and a pre-Valentine’s Day Tchaikovsky program from the Albany Symphony. But just getting to soak in the ornate 90-year-old Austrian Baroque architecture is worth the price of admission. palacealbany.org

24 Steak night Beautiful décor and the finest fare make Albany’s 677 Prime the crème de la crème of any “top date spot” list. The steakhouse is so special that if the date goes well, it will make a stellar anniversary celebration, too.

677prime.com 25 Beacon calls Beacon (located about 90 minutes south of Albany) is sometimes called the Brooklyn of the North because it’s become a haven for creative types and hip shops and restaurants. Rummage through the flea markets and farmers' market before settling in for a cocktail or two. beaconny.gov

26 Show time Sure, you can catch a great performance at the Palace Theatre—everyone from Bruce Springsteen to Jerry Seinfeld has

29 Small and worldly There are just 15 tables at the award-winning, four-star restaurant Yono's in Albany, so conversation won’t get lost in the din of a crowd. And the yummy Indonesian and continental dishes are world class. yonos.com o

34 Wish her well Cozy up to one of the

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30 A bit of history, a lot of fun The Kingston Stockade District (about an hour south of Albany) features lots of lovely shops and restaurants in the midst of a historic little village, and is a fantastic little day trip for a budding romance. Main Street is a must-see. kingston-ny.gov

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31 Go back in time Yes, oysters are always a plus when it comes to romance, but the elegant Jack’s Oyster House, established in 1913, is also an Albany legend that's guaranteed to make a good first impression. jacksoysterhouse.com 32 Bird lovers welcome If the two of you share a passion for nature and bird watching, a visit to the Vischer Ferry Nature & Historic Preserve in Rexford is in order. The dedicated 700-acre conservation area, which more than 200 species call home, is open year round; winter activities include snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and (yup!) birdwatching. cliftonparkopenspaces. org/locations/vischersferry 33 Support local Called the best

farmers' market in the region, the Troy Waterfront Farmers’ Market moves to the Troy Atrium during the winter months and is a great way to spend a Saturday morning. Wander leisurely and grab some tasty snacks, knowing you’re supporting local and getting to know your date. troymarket.org

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four fireplaces and enjoy a delicious meal at the lovely Wishing Well Restaurant in Gansevoort just a little north of Saratoga Springs. wishingwellrestaurant.com

35 Cheers to us If your

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new sweetie likes vino, impress her with a trip to the lovely Galway Rock Winery in Ballston Lake. The beautiful tasting room is the perfect setting for a flight of wine and a shared charcuterie box, and a lazy afternoon of wine-sipping and getting-to-know-you chats and laughs. galwayrockwines.com

36 It’s all happening in Hudson Interesting galleries, unique shops, fun restaurants and coffeehouses—Hudson has it! You and your date could easily spend an entire day exploring the easy charms of this great little town. And as your relationship progresses, return for a weekend trip to check out its famous bed and breakfasts. visithudsonny.com

38 Tap into your inner Van Gogh q

Food and a few cocktails will help you to unleash the artist within you both at Canvas, Corks & Forks in Troy.

Hopefully, some romance will be conjured up, too. canvascorksandforks.com

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39 For art’s sake The Hyde Collection

in Glens Falls houses a collection of paintings and sculptures from artists such as Rembrandt and Picasso. But the grand Italian-style villa, just outside of the town center, is also a work of art of its own. hydecollection.org

40 Hit the trail If your date is the sporty

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37 Just like mama used to make... If

Mama made amazing homemade pasta like Chef Brian Bowden does at Radici Kitchen & Bar in Glens Falls, that is.

Radici also serves amazing seafood dishes, steaks and distinctive cocktails.

The indulgent tasting menu might be just right for your special night. radicikitchen.com

type, you may want to consider biking or walking part of the 97-mile MohawkHudson Bike-Hike Trail that stretches from Albany to Rotterdam Junction. The paved trail runs along the scenic Mohawk Valley. mhbht.org

41 Late-night vibes If you seek a place

where you'll both feel immediately relaxed and welcomed, look no further than Next Door Kitchen & Bar in Ballston Spa, where the vibe is local and friendly

exercise and teamwork. The Edge Halfmoon is one of the area’s premier rock climbing gyms, and will give you the opportunity to see just how much you trust your potential partner, when they’re the one belaying you from below! theedgehalfmoon.com

47 Skiing under the stars Brave the cold and take your could-be lover night skiing at Queensbury’s West Mountain.

Afterwards, grab a bite (and a hot toddy!) at the lodge’s on-site bar and restaurant.

If skiing isn’t your thing, West also offers snow tubing on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. westmountain.com

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and the food is the best around. Date going well, and a nightcap is in order?

Simply head across the street to The Front Street Social Club, which boasts fun cocktails such as the Freddie Mercury (gin, vermouth, pineapple juice and fresh rosemary). nextdoorkitchenandbar.com frontstreetsocialclub.com

42 Vegan options, please One

romantic vegan and vegetarian bistro that’s perfect for a date night is Albany’s New World Bistro Bar. Plus, it’s worth coming just to see the Art Deco mahogany bar, originally from the 1939 World’s Fair. newworldbistrobar.com

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43 That’s Amore! It’s delicious

Northern Italian fare at the romantic Chianti in Saratoga Springs. The yummy pasta dishes are easy to share, and the delicious red wine (it’s an impressive list) will warm your bellies on a winter’s night. chiantiristorante.com

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44 Ghostbusters If your idea of a good

time is to get the bejesus scared out of you, sign up for the Ghost Tour of Albany.

A private guide can take you on a late night tour of some of some of the spots where doomed lovers or gangsters met an untimely end. ghostsofalbany.com

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45 A taste of the grape The cozy

Adirondack Winery in Lake George is open year round, and you can book a private tasting (in fact, reservations are recommended) for you and your date. Cheers to that! adirondackwinery.com

48 Say cheese If you and your Tinder crush have been bonding over your shared love of cheese, take your relationship to the next level by building a charcuterie board together. We’d recommend sourcing ingredients at Hudson Falls’ Argyle Cheese Farmer, which carries blocks, curds, dips and more. cheesefarmer.com 49 Cinema and cinnamon Yes, movie theaters are still a thing! If you’re taking your date to the movies (at this point, it’ll probably be almost nostalgic) we’d recommend Schenectady’s Bowtie Cinema for one reason and for one reason only: Afterwards, you can go across the street to get a cinnamon rugolah, cannoli and rainbow cookie at Villa Italia Bakery. villaitaliabakery.com 50 Sports center If both parties involved in this upcoming date are sports fans, check out a Union College hockey home game. The Division 1 Dutchman, winners of the 2014 NCAA Men’s Hockey Championship, provide for some of the best live sports-watching in the CRL area. unionathletics.com

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46 It’s the climb Get those endorphins

flowin’ with a first date that combines

W I N T E R 2022 | CRLMAG.COM | 19

HOME IMPROVEMENT

Advertising Section

There’s No Place Like Home…

…and these local companies are ready to help you love yours even more.

Ghent Wood Products

1262 NY-66, Ghent 518.828.5684; ghentwoodproducts.com

The Ghent Wood team is excited to help customers kick-start the New Year with fresh and exciting projects, from live-edge slab tables, kitchen countertops and unique fireplace mantles to fun home improvement projects like new hardwood flooring and siding for your house. If you love where you live, why not work on your dream home and put your signature touches on it in the new year? The Ghent Wood team is excited to help customers bring incredible projects to fruition in 2022.

GNH Lumber

898 New Loudon Road, Latham 518.313.1229; gnhlumber.com

GNH Lumber’s expert kitchen and bath team, led by the esteemed Jacqueline Newell, is ready to make your dream home vision a reality. Take advantage of Newell’s 20 years of rich

experience helping clients visualize each layer of their kitchen and bath design, from floor plan to finish. A true visionary with an acute sense of space, she brings in the perfect surfaces, textures, colors and lighting to deliver a beautiful and functional kitchen or bath design, helping homeowners reach their home’s optimum value. Visit the GNH Lumber showroom, or call today to schedule a free virtual consultation.

Albany Community Action Partnership 333 Sheridan Avenue, Albany 518.463.3175; albanycap.org

The Weatherization Assistance Program available through ACAP allows households to become more energy efficient. Each year, families pay thousands of dollars in unneeded heating and energy costs because their homes are not properly weatherized.

The ACAP team wants to improve your health, safety and the overall comfort of your home. Household energy-use

reductions can result in cost savings averaging more than 20 percent. Visit ACAP online to see if you’re eligible; their certified weatherization crew can help you if you are a homeowner or a tenant, or are living in a house, apartment or mobile home.

California Closets

952 Troy Schenectady Rd., Latham 518.240.8622; californiaclosets.com

California Closets creates custom storage solutions for any room in your house! In addition to closets of all shapes and sizes, its team designs home offices, mudrooms, pantries, garages, media centers, built-ins and more. Locally owned and operated, California Closets of Albany manufactures its custom-designed products right in the Capital City, making it truly a full-service company with local employees doing it all. It begins with a complimentary design consultation in the client’s home, at the Latham design studio or virtually.

www.GNHshowroom.com

Make Your Home Your Own with an Updated Kitchen Remodeling your kitchen adds style, functionality and many years of enjoyment. So, why wait?

The experts at the GNH Design Showroom will help you bring your vision to life. Choose from a range of beautiful Omega cabinetry and durable Marvin windows to create your one-of-a-kind kitchen. Get started today!

Visit our Latham showroom for your FREE kitchen design consultation.

898 New Loudon Rd, Latham, NY | 518-313-1229 SHOWROOM HOURS: Mon-Fri: 9-5 | Sat: by appointment only

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a space as unique as you

The Art of Building

custom millwork • flooring • kiln dried softwoods, hardwoods & exotics • mulch & wood chips • paneling • reclaimed wood • rough cut pine & hemlock • siding • stones • tabletops & glue-ups • trusses

Ghent wood products

(518) 828-5684 • 1262 Rte 66, Ghent, NY ghentwoodproducts.com

30 Riverside Drive, Saranac Lake, NY

Rhinebeck, NY 518-637-2524

518-891-5224

www.adkgreatcamps.com

Info@adkgreatcamps.com

We create so much more than closets.

Get organized for the new year with our beautiful storage systems, custom designed specifically to you and the way you live.

Free in-home or virtual design consultation

L ATHAM Peter Harris Plaza, Rt 7 518.785.5723 californiaclosets.com ©2021 California Closet Company, Inc. All rights reserved.

Franchises independently owned and operated.

NY144_CapRegion_Craft_7.6x4.7_1221.indd 1

W I N T E R 2022 | C RL MAG.COM 12/1/21 3:21| PM 21

WHERE

Winter

WORKS

THE FREEZING TEMPS TAKE A BACKSEAT TO ALL THE SNOWY SEASON FUN THAT AWAITS IN LAKE PLACID.

STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY NATALIE MOORE

Come mid-winter, Mirror Lake will be frozen solid, allowing for all sorts of ice-top activities like skating, dog sledding and tobogganing.

T

ypically, a town with “lake” in its name makes a great summer-season destination. And Lake Placid is no exception.

But winter—winter is when the village, home of only the most famous US sports moment of all time, really comes alive.

While the 1980 winter Olympics may have been what put Lake Placid on the map (if you don’t know what we’re talking about, Google “Miracle on Ice” immediately), the village of just over 2,000 people has taken the fame it garnered more than 40 years ago and run with it. In a typical year, visitors can get the full Olympic experience—skating on Herb Brooks Arena and the Olympic Speed Skating Oval, cross-country skiing and bobsledding at Mount Van Hoevenberg, downhill skiing at Whiteface Mountain, venturing to the top of the iconic Olympic Jumping Complex, and getting a dose of US sporting history at the Olympic Museum. At press time, some of these facilities were closed due to construction ahead of the Winter World University Games, which are coming to Lake Placid in January 2023. Visit lakeplacidlegacysites.com for more info on what’ll be open in winter 2022.

The Lake Placid Horse Shows complex welcomes visitors to the village; (top) at press time, the Herb Brooks Arena was closed due to construction.

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But don’t let a little construction (signs featuring a moose in a hard hat and face mask posted around town read “Pardon the dust, perfection in progress”) get in the way of your ultimate Lake Placid winter getaway. Before you drive north until they start speaking French on the radio, book your stay at one of the area’s many hotels or Airbnbs. The Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa (mirrorlakeinn.com) and Whiteface Lodge (thewhitefacelodge.com) are widely regarded as the town’s crown jewels, with the former located right on the shore of Mirror Lake and the latter on a private plot just outside of downtown.

Another convenient option is the High Peaks Resort (highpeaksresort.com), whose three hotels offer luxury lodging to rival the aforementioned resorts as well as more affordable (and dog-friendly) rooms.

High Peaks boasts four pools—two indoor, two outdoor—for full-year family fun; free, rentable outdoor recreation equipment (including skates, skis and sleds); the coziest lobby imaginable (fireplace, chess boards, home-baked cookies and all); an onsite spa and salon; and Dancing Bears, a rustic-chic restaurant and bar (get the fried Oreos).

While you could eat each and every meal at Dancing Bears—it’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily—you’ll probably want to expand your culinary horizons beyond the hotel. For coffee creations, eggs Benedicts and more boozy, brunchy cocktails than you’d be able to fit into a whole week of breakfasts, check out The Breakfast Club (thebcetc.com), which just so happens to be a short jaunt across Main Street from High Peaks. For beer flights and the appropriately named “Those Pretzel Bites Though,” check out the ski lodge-esque Big Slide Brewery (bigslidebrewery.com). Pro tip: make sure you check and join the “waitlist” on the Yelp app before you show up.

For the best BBQ in the North Country, hit up Main Street mainstay Smoke Signals (smokesignalsq.com). And for a sports bar vibe with a side of bowling, go to The Other Side Lounge, located at the charming, and charmingly named, Bowlwinkles (bowlwinkles.net).

Speaking of family-friendly fun (the

(clockwise from top) Jay Mountain in nearby Jay is a gorgeous ridge hike with sweeping views of the Adirondacks; the view of Whiteface from Jay Mountain; Where’d You Get That Hat? is one of Downtown Lake Placid’s many shops.

W I N T E R 2022 | C RLMAG.COM | 25

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

Lake Hopping The Regional Office for Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) takes us 15 minutes west of Lake Placid to beautiful Saranac Lake.

Envision yourself in a serene, snow-covered pine forest.

Songbirds flit among the trees, and snowy peaks rise all around you. This is the place to get away from it all, to get outside, to breathe in and enjoy fresh mountain air. This is Saranac Lake, where authentic Adirondack experiences abound. By day, float over a stunningly snowy landscape at a Nordic ski center, or an enchanting network of groomed snowshoe trails. By evening, relax by the fire at a farm-totable restaurant and nestle into an historic hotel. This winter, Saranac Lake’s fresh living awaits.

For more information on your next North Country getaway, visit roostadk.com.

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The Breakfast Club is just across Main Street from the High Peaks Resort.

bowling, not so much the cocktails), Lake Placid has it in high supply. Just make sure you bring your mittens…and hat, and scarf, and fuzzy socks and the absolute warmest coat you can get your hands on. Trust us—any notion you may have had of looking fashionable on your vacay will fly out the door as soon as you open it. When Mirror Lake freezes, you can hop on a real dogsled pulled by a team of huskies at Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort (golden-arrow.com), or a toboggan that’ll shoot you down a chute and across the ice. About 45 minutes away, Ausable Chasm (ausablechasm.com), which has been dubbed the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks, is a wonderland in winter; and in nearby Tupper Lake, The Wild Center (wildcenter.org) offers all-day animal viewing Friday-Sunday, and the Adirondack Sky Center and Observatory (adirondackskycenter.org) provides

some of the best stargazing opportunities in the East.

Adventurous vacationers can also check out (adirondackwayfinder.com) for all sorts of outdoorsy opportunities (snowshoeing, cross country skiing, ice fishing and more), and for those who fall more squarely in the “city folk” category, downtown is home to plenty of adorable shops. Be sure to check out Imagination Station (imaginationstationlp.com), Where’d You Get That Hat? (wygthat.com) and Adirondack Popcorn Co. (adirondackpopcorn.com) for hours of browsing. Oh, and while you’re on your shopping spree, you’ll just have to stop at the USA Hockey Store (facebook. com/usahstorelp), where you’ll find all manner of Miracle on Ice apparel.

Because, after all, even if you’re not a hockey fan at home, in Lake Placid, CRL everyone’s a hockey fan.

ADVERTISING SECTION

LOCALLY OWNED

BUSINESS Behind the Biz

MEET FOUR CAPITAL REGION BUSINESS OWNERS DOING BIG THINGS. CAPITAL REGION HEARING 9 West Sand Lake Rd., Wynantskill • 4 Palisades Dr., Albany 518.326.1742; capitalregionhearing.com Describe your business in three words.

Caring, knowledgeable, honest Do you have any new offerings or expansions in the works?

We opened our second location in December 2021 at 4 Palisades Drive in Albany. It uses the most advanced technology available to evaluate and diagnose patients.

What’s the best compliment you’ve ever gotten from a customer?

That they referred their own mother to me for care.

Patrick Bergmann of Capital Region Hearing THE CROSS EYED OWL GIFT SHOP 3143 US 9, #8, Valatie 518.758.6755; crosseyedowl.com Describe your business in three words.

My happy place. I love coming to work each day and creating a relaxing and cheerful environment for those who shop with us.

What has been the highlight of running the business?

The people I meet and getting to know everyone who walks through our doors. Helping them find just the right gift, no matter the occasion, is why we’re here.

Patricia Varga of The Cross Eyed Owl

Do you have any new offerings in the works?

In 2021, we upgraded our POS system, and we have a whole new online ordering website set to launch in January. Our product mix has changed so much due to the pandemic, and we look forward to more changes and improvements for 2022.

WITT CONSTRUCTION, INC. 563 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs 518.587.4113; wittconstruction.com

John Witt of Witt Construction, Inc.

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What has been the highlight of running the business?

Producing homes that become part of the beautiful Saratoga Springs history for generations to come.

What do you have coming up that you’re most excited about?

We have many new projects coming in 2022, including JW Hemmingway, a 12-lot subdivision next to Saratoga Race Course, and Cedar Bluff, a 111-acre conservation subdivision above Saratoga Lake.

LOCALLY OWNED

BUSINESS What’s the best compliment you’ve ever gotten from a customer?

The greatest reward is walking into clients’ homes years later and seeing that the house has stood the test of time. The best compliment is when homeowners come back to build with us again.

Mary Vail of Joyelles Jewelers JOYELLES JEWELERS 318 Delaware Ave., Suite 12, Delmar 518.439.9993; joyellesjewelers.com Describe your business.

My business is retail jewelry, with an emphasis on design work done in store.

How did you come to own this business?

I was working at Kelly’s Jewelers and the opportunity to buy this business was presented. I was a newly single parent and the flexibility, as well as the room for growth, made it especially appealing.

What has been the highlight of running the business?

The connection with customers and the Capital Region community. Many people have been with us 25-31 years. We see their families grow.

W I N T E R 2022 | C RLMAG.COM | 29

[The Lens] BEHIND

A GOOD EGG Albany’s most famous building looks even more striking under a fresh coat of snow.

STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY TONY COLASURDO

O

ne thing I love about Albany is its architecture, the crown jewel of which is The Egg. I’ve photographed this Capital City oddity countless times, but before this shot, never under a blanket of fresh snow. After the first snowfall of the year one winter, I drove down to the Empire State Plaza, which was nothing short of a winter wonderland. There’s no right or wrong way to photograph a building as unique as The Egg, but I chose this composition because of the layers of chains and cement blocks—larger in the foreground and getting smaller as you get closer to the building—that draw you into the focus of the image. For my fellow photography geeks (that’s a compliment, not an insult!), I shot this photo with a Canon Eos R paired with a Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L V2, and was at 70mm to be sure I isolated The Egg from the other buildings around the plaza. I think the final product does Albany’s most famous building—and the beauty of winter in Upstate New York—justice.

See more of Tony’s photography at @tcolasurdo on Instagram.

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THE ULTIMATE VALENTINE’S DINNER IN Chef Freddie Dumlao of The Greens at Copake Country Club shares the recipe for his romantic Red Beet Farroto with Truffle Mascarpone Cream.

Ingredients: For the beets 2 medium-large red beets Juice of 1 lemon 1 cup salt 2 quarts water For the farro 2 cups farro 3 tbsp olive oil 2 garlic cloves, sliced 2 cups red wine (use a wine you’d drink!)

2 1/2 cups cold water 1 cup parmesan Salt and pepper to taste For the truffle mascarpone cream 2 cups heavy cream 2 tbsp butter 1/4 cup mascarpone

2 tbsp grated parmesan Black pepper 1 tbsp truffle oil 1 tbsp black truffle, drained and chopped (optional)

Directions: • Bring two quarts of salted, acidulated water to a boil and then add the beets.

Cook for 20-40 minutes, until the beets are soft yet still “beet” red. Remove the beets, let them cool, and peel them. Be sure to save the water they cooked in.

• Meanwhile, heat oil in a pot over medium heat and add the farro. Toast it lightly, add sliced garlic and cook until that too is toasted. Add red wine and reduce to a dry state. Add two and a half cups of cold, lightly salted water and bring to a simmer. Let simmer for 20 minutes, until water has been

absorbed and farro is al dente.

• Add the beets and beet water to the farro and cook for another 20 minutes, until farro is soft and has absorbed most of the color from the wine and beets. Add the parmesan, folding it into the cooked farro.

• Then, simmer the heavy cream in a small pot on medium heat for several minutes. Scrape the sides with a spatula. Turn off the heat and, using a hand immersion blender, buzz in the butter, mascarpone, parmesan, truffle oil, salt and pepper. This will give the cream a foamy consistency. Add black truffles if you’d like.

• Plate your farro/beet mixture, and top it with the mascarpone cream. For this dish, I folded in a little extra mascarpone and some chiffonade kale and topped it CRL with some microgreens.

W I N T E R 2022 | CRLMAG.COM | 31

WEDDINGS

Advertising Section

Big Day, Big Moves

Four ways to make your wedding dreams come true.

The Greens at Copake Country Club

44 Golf Course Road, Copake Lake 518.325.0019; thegreensatcopake.com

The Greens Restaurant at Copake Country Club and The Barn at Copake Lake are must-see venues for those seeking a laid-back wedding weekend surrounded by nature. With amazing views and indoor décor that’s rustic chic, the feel of both properties will instantly set the tone for a unique, memorable experience. Personalized service with an on-site coordinator, catering by a CIA-trained chef, beautiful spaces and options to customize your entire event make this a popular choice for couples wishing to create a one-ofa-kind celebration.

Wolferts Roost Country Club

120 Van Rensselaer Boulevard, Albany 518.449.3223; wolfertsroost.com Create memories that will last a lifetime! Located just minutes from

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historic Downtown Albany, Wolferts Roost Country Club has more than 100 years of wedding experience and boasts breathtaking views of the Berkshire Mountains. The ballroom, which features a 15-foot vaulted ceiling, accommodates up to 350 guests and includes a private bar, dance floor, bridal suite and an outdoor covered terrace for a cocktail hour overlooking Wolferts’ award-winning, pictureperfect golf course.

Old Daley Catering 2 Northern Drive, Troy

Old Daley On Crooked Lake 518.235.2656; olddaley.com

Daley Hospitality Group has a number of great wedding locations and catering options to choose from. Voted “Best Wedding Venue,” Old Daley on Crooked Lake, located just 30 minutes from Downtown Albany, is a one-of-a-kind craftsman-inspired lake house with

multiple rooms, hardwood floors throughout and the ability to host inside and lakeside events. In nearby Schenectady, Daley’s on Yates is a mid-century modern, award-winning restaurant that hosts “out of the box” Sunday weddings.

Music Man Entertainment 518.842.4065 or 518.210.5940 musicmanentertainment.com

High-energy, fun and classy are terms often used to describe the style of Music Man Entertainment!

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Stars // Beauty // Pets // Travel

Experts Follow Your Heart’s Desire Venus’ current transit is a wonderful opportunity to learn exactly what your love life needs.

BY RAC H E L L E B O OT H

D

o you know what you’re looking for in your love life? Venus’ Retrograde in Capricorn, which comes to an end January 29, is shining a light and refining matters of love for all of us. So now is a great time to take a look at what you truly seek.

Whether you are currently dating or partnered, Venus transits are prime times for evaluating matters of love, relationships, value and worth. Her evolutionary intent is for each of you to form bonds and relationships with people who help develop certain aspects of your personality. So this retrograde movement

of hers is a wonderful time to reflect, reevaluate and reprioritize who/what you love (including yourself), so you can align with your best and highest potentials.

While finding the recipe for love is complex and unique to each person, the recipe for who/what you crave in a partner is simple…if you know your natal Venus sign. (Don’t know it? Visit cafeastrology.com/whats-my-venussign.html and enter your birth date, time and place.) Your Venus sign in your natal charts reveals certain love life needs. It also reconnects you with what you value in a relationship and reveals what makes you feel your most attractive! Let’s look at yours.

Now that you know your Natal Venus SIgn (NVS), use it to design your personal vibe and aesthetic so you feel more attractive and magnetic.

And then relax and enjoy the love in the air this season, as Venus leaves an imprint on our hearts.

Each planet represents one feature in a chart, and no feature should be considered separately from the rest. To learn more about your chart, or receive more guidance on your chart or life personality, sign up at, rachelletrahancoaching.as.me.

CRL

Natal Venus Sign What You’re Looking For in a Love Match Aries Passion, activity, excitement, partners who help develop courage, confidence and will Taurus Romanticism, security, sensuality, comfort, partners who help develop lasting bonds that help one maintain calm, simplicity and easy connection

Gemini Communication, intellectual stimulation, discussion of ideas, feelings, plans, variety, spontaneity, partners who help develop open-mindedness and the ability to perceive without judgment

Cancer Security, commitment, emotional union, loyalty, intimacy, domesticity, partners who are gentle and nurturing Leo Passion, over-the-top gestures, admiration, loyalty, partners who help you learn about joy, spontaneity and celebration of Self as a path to growth

Virgo Practicality, stability, character, active mutual helpfulness, partners who help you focus on growth Libra Mirror image, balance, peace, beauty, partners who help develop the ability to relate in sophisticated, romantic, courteous ways, with a focus on reciprocal empathy

Scorpio Intensity, passion, intimacy, partners who catalyze one’s ability to be deeply vulnerable to each other in nonjudgmental spaces for healing and catharsis

Sagittarius Excitement, adventure, spontaneity, new experiences, partners who feed your freedom, help widen your perspective on the world, restore broken faith and delight in love

Capricorn Aquarius Pisces

Commitment, longevity, consistency, partners who support your ambitions Intellectual connection, nontraditional ways, partners who support individuality and guarantee personal freedom Spirituality, creativity, partners who stir emotion yet ground you in practicality

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THE

Experts Skin in the Game

From professional treatments to at-home tips, here’s the best treatment plan to create the glowing skin a first date deserves.

BY D E N I S E D U B O IS

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Stars // Beauty // Pets // Travel

I

have always enjoyed the extra planning and prepping that goes into a special night out.

Whether it’s a black tie affair or a more casual first date, glowing and radiant skin is always a top priority. Your skin is a reflection of what’s going on internally, so treating it truly goes beyond what we use topically and extends to the foods we eat and the lifestyle we live. The days leading up to your big night are just as important as your day-of routine.

My top lifestyle tips for glowing skin include getting plenty of rest and eating whole, clean foods. Staying hydrated with lemon water is also wonderful to help detox and eliminate bloating and puffiness in the face. Get moving with exercise and enjoy plenty of fresh outdoor air to increase circulation, which will oxygenate and nourish the skin on the inside. All of these things help your skin repair, rebuild and look its absolute best.

A few days before my big night out I love to perform some mild exfoliation with a facial scrub or enzyme. I suggest applying the enzyme before stepping into the shower, as the moist heat will increase the enzyme activity and eat away at the dead surface cells to smooth texture and improve the appearance of pores. If you can get to the spa, I would strongly recommend a dermaplaning treatment, which works even deeper to smooth skin’s texture while removing any tiny vellus hairs, a.k.a. the “peach fuzz” that can interfere with a flawless makeup application. You’ll be left with soft, supple skin. Another benefit of dermaplaning is that any hydrating or active ingredients that you apply after your treatment will absorb even deeper and work more effectively.

(Dubois) DORI FITZPATRICK

Another favorite professional skin care procedure is a microcurrent treatment.

Microcurrent is one of the most natural and safe non-invasive modalities to rejuvenate the skin with immediate results. It’s like a non-surgical facelift that instantly tones, lifts, firms and helps “re-educate” the facial muscles.

Microcurrent uses low-current energy that stimulates cells to produce collagen and elastin, while lifting and toning the skin. When this is done in conjunction with a facial, it also assists in product penetration, which means your skin will absorb more nutrients at the cellular level, resulting in a younger and healthier appearance. Additionally, microcurrent can help reduce acne flare-ups, calm rosacea and redness, reduce

inflammation, and lift the jowls and eyebrows. Incorporating microcurrent into a facial with dermaplaning is a fantastic option and tops my list for predate treatments.

A spray tan is another quick and easy option to achieve glowing, sunkissedlooking skin. It’s perfect for tops that expose your shoulders and arms, or dresses that bare your legs. See a professional for a beautiful tan, or use quality at-home self tanning products.

Whichever you opt for, definitely stay away from tanning beds, which are far worse and more damaging than even a tan from the sun.

The night before your big date, be sure to get to bed early and aim for seven to eight hours of beauty sleep. The day

of the event, perform a light exfoliation with a physical buffing cream. A buffing cream is very gentle, and smooths skin and removes dead skin build-up.

This ensures that your makeup will apply smoothly and help avoid any dry patches. Don’t forget the lips! Use a lip polish to gently exfoliate and prep for lipstick. Your lips will be left extra soft and plump!

After you’ve gently exfoliated, relax with a hydrating mask. Choose a mask that addresses your skin condition; whether it brightens, controls oil or calms redness or acneic skin. This will give your skin an immediate boost!

Once removed, apply a hyaluronic acid hydrating serum followed by a moisturizing cream and makeup primer.

This will provide the perfect base for your makeup application. Cosmetics will float on the skin’s surface and last longer throughout the evening.

When applying makeup, choose a foundation that not only matches your skin tone but is also appropriate for your skin condition. Layering with a moist makeup sponge and setting with a light powder will ensure makeup stays where you put it and boosts the longevity of the colors applied. Throughout the evening, you can refresh your makeup with a powder foundation and mist with a setting spray to avoid an overly powdered look. Look for a purse-sized lipstick, mascara and blush for ease of use and a compact for easy carrying and effortless touch-ups.

Now go on out and have a fantastic evening, knowing you have prepped for your special night. Remember, nothing CRL looks better than a great smile!

Denise Dubois is the founder and owner of Complexions Spa for Beauty & Wellness, which has locations in Albany and Saratoga Springs.

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THE

Stars // Beauty // Pets // Travel

Experts America’s Next Top (Canine) Model Turn your fur baby into a social media star.

BY K A R A C O N WAY LOV E

Y

ou love your dog so much that you just want to share him or her with the world, right? There’s nothing wrong with that.

But if there comes a point in your social media life when the majority of the content you’re sharing is pics of your pup, it might be time to reevaluate. Because that, my friends, is the telltale sign that it’s time to take the next step in your dog-dad or dog-mom journey: creating a social media account for your furry friend.

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Many pet owners start an Instagram account, TikTok page, YouTube channel or other social media account for their dog because they don’t want to annoy their followers by constantly posting pictures of him or her on their personal account. And before they know it, their doggo has followers from all over the world. What started as a fun and creative outlet can quickly turn into a side hustle or real business opportunity as the manager of a canine influencer, actor or model.

Whether you launched your dog’s Insta for fun or set out with the intention to create the next Doug the Pug, here are a few tips to follow when building your best friend’s brand.

Deciding on a niche is one of the most important ways to attract followers who are interested in the same things that you are. Ask yourself: What do you want your dog’s account to be known for?

Maybe your dog is an allergy alert dog, special needs dog, Korean meat trade rescue, fashionista, senior dog, sock thief or your hiking companion. There’s a lot of competition in the canine social media industry, so don’t be afraid to stand out from the pack.

It’s also important to consistently share high-quality content to keep your followers barking for more. Post clear pictures and videos with good lighting to get people to stop scrolling and engage with your content. You can inspire your followers to interact with your posts by asking questions and deliver value to them by offering up solutions to

their problems.

Lastly, at Dog Like Me, we encourage people to get out from behind their brand to build relationships with their followers. Let’s face it, everyone knows your dog can’t type, and by showing your face with your dog on social media, your dog becomes more relatable.

People really do want to know the human behind the canine star, so don’t be afraid to share a little bit about yourself on your dog’s social media, or use his or her platform to spread awareness for a CRL cause you are passionate about.

Saratogian Kara Conway Love is a lawyer and former adjunct college professor.

She is a dog mom-turned-Instagram strategist who developed Dog Like Me, a media brand that connects and inspires dog lovers. Kara helps canine influencers and dog businesses and nonprofits develop their niche and grow their brand on social media. Follow her and Walter the Australian Cobberdog on Instagram at @walterduffydog and @dog.like.me.

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THE

Stars // Beauty // Pets // Travel

Experts Falling for Niagara

A history of honeymoons adds a dose of romance to Niagara Falls, a nostalgic getaway boasting some modern new amenities.

STO RY A N D PH OTOGRA P HY BY A LE XA N DRA BAACKES

I

t’s been called the Honeymoon Capital of the World—and no, I’m not talking French Polynesia or The Maldives. I’ve got my eye on a storied getaway right in our own backyard.

Niagara Falls, which straddles the border between Niagara County in New York and the Canadian province of Ontario, has a long, romance-drenched history that’s fun to soak in before trekking there yourself. For starters, in 1801, future US Vice President Aaron Burr’s daughter Theodosia and her new husband, the future governor of South Carolina, traveled to Niagara Falls from Albany via packhorse, with several servants.

Today getting to the falls is a quickin-comparison, five-hour journey by car from the state capital—and most visitors travel without household staff. But you can still feel the love, thanks to the highprofile visits of the past that carved out a long tradition of honeymoons there, including in my own family’s. (My maternal grandmother and grandfather traveled from Illinois to see the famed falls as their post-nuptials getaway.)

Today, visitors find a modernized iteration of the iconic destination that previous generations fell for. In business since 1846, the Maid of the Mist is without question the most famous way to visit the falls themselves. The half-hour trip starts from Prospect Point, glides past both American falls, and then comes eye to eye with the roaring Canadian falls.

But with eyes on the future, The Maid of the Mist is now fully electric, boasting two

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new zero-emission vessels.

The first part of the boat ride is scenic and calm, allowing mistees to take in the beauty of the American falls and Bridal Veil Falls from a respectable distance. It doesn’t, however, give the Canadian Horseshoe Falls the same respect for personal space. As the boat pulls deeper into the dense mist that the vessel was named for, the leisurely sightseeing cruise becomes a balance-knocking, hair-soaking, shriek-inducing adrenaline ride—as immortalized in the Jim and Pam wedding episode on The Office.

Back on dry land, the Canadian side of Niagara (you can cross the border on foot if you packed your passport) is full of cheesy family fun—bowling, haunted houses and fair games vie for attention alongside hotels luring guests with heartshaped hot tubs.

On the US side of the border, somewhat counterintuitively, the vibe is distinctively more low-key. You’ll have to come back in the spring to hike in Niagara Falls State Park, but the famed Artpark, like the falls, is open year round.

Explore the sprawling outdoor gallery and event space that features an impressive collection of large-scale pieces and installations. One temporary exhibit that made (sound) waves this year was Sonic Trails, a series of guided audio experiences that gave visitors a unique new geological and historic perspective on the area as they explored it by foot.

The park is also home to permanent exhibitions such as the re-installation of color field painting Niagara 1979 by

Gene Davis. In the summer of ’79, Davis created this work that was made up of 60 two-foot-wide-by-364-foot-long lines rolled in nine different colors. The 43,000-square-foot work was, at the time, the world’s largest painting, drawing in thousands of art lovers each year. A community Kickstarter campaign in 2017 funded the restoration of the work back to

its former glory.

It’s easy to see where Davis might have gotten his inspiration. Those with a splurge budget should consider Rainbow Air’s 10-minute, $135 flight over the falls. The name is more than just a moniker—I learned about the aerial offering from a friend who showed me her own photos from the air, with a colorful arch accentuating the dramatic outline of the falls.

Hungry yet? Top of the Falls is the only restaurant overlooking Niagara Falls, offering a truly memorable meal.

For those able to pull their attention

off the view and towards their plate, the restaurant partners with Taste NY to support locally made food and beverages, highlighting our state’s rich agricultural traditions.

While you’re at it, don’t miss the dozen wineries in Niagara County that make up the first stretch of the Niagara Wine Trail, several of which line the coast of Lake Ontario. There’s no better way to toast a trip to Niagara—or your very own Jim CRL and Pam-worthy “I do’s.”

For more adventures, visit alexinwanderland.com.

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before you go...

FINDING LOVE B Y J O H N G R AY

H

er name was Francella, and she looked every bit as Italian as that moniker suggested, with tan skin, thick, dark hair and deep, brown eyes.

Despite that, everyone called her Frenchie, a nickname she picked up in the fourth grade when she memorized the message written on the tablet the Statue of Liberty held and recited it flawlessly, in French, for all her classmates to hear.

A social worker by day, she spent three nights a week as the maître d’ at a posh restaurant downtown; extra money to make ends meet.

Tuesday nights were slow at the restaurant, so Frenchie couldn’t miss a woman with red hair in a ponytail as she wandered in from the cold, searching for heat and something to quiet her noisy tummy. She was well dressed, with a Louis Vuitton tote slung over her right shoulder, dark eye-liner and those false eyelashes that always looked like they itched after a long hard day.

Frenchie sat her at a table away from the chilly window and then returned to her station by the front. She watched the waiter approach, ask the woman if she was alone and then clear away half the dishes and glasses on the table.

A sadness seemed to fall over the woman’s face when the waiter took so many pretty things away.

What happened next surprised even Frenchie, since she was the one who did it.

“Don’t you hate that part?” Frenchie said, taking a seat, without asking, directly across from the woman.

Before she could answer, Frenchie explained, “You just want to eat alone and it’s like some punishment, taking away all the place settings for the person who isn’t there.”

The woman looked at the empty table where the glasses were a moment ago,

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smiled and said, “It does feel like that, doesn’t it?”

A hand crossed the table and then, “I’m Frenchie.”

The redhead smiled, shaking her hand. “Sandra.”

Frenchie learned Sandra was a lawyer specializing in copyright infringement and every bit as single as she looked on this cold winter night.

“Tell you a secret?” Frenchie whispered. “Better to be alone than with the wrong person. “This time of year with Christmas and Valentine’s Day, people feel pressured to be with someone. I say to wait for the right one.”

Sandra smiled and replied, “I agree, but where are all the good ones?”

Frenchie looked around as if she were about to share a secret, then said, “Apparently working and eating in fancy restaurants by themselves.”

The joke made Sandra laugh.

“Can I tell you a secret about love?

Something I’ve learned working here these past few years?” Frenchie continued.

Sandra took a sip of the merlot the waiter brought her, leaned back comfortably in the oversized chair, then said, “Educate me.”

Frenchie pointed around the halfempty restaurant, “Two kinds of couples come into a place like this. There are those celebrating something, a birthday or anniversary. Or the other kind, where the guy is trying to impress the lady.”

Sandra listened and replied, “Go on.”

“They’ll spend ridiculous amounts of money on limos and dresses and food,” Frenchie continued. “So much of it is a show, like something you’d see on social media.”

Sandra thought a moment and didn’t speak.

“When right over there,” Frenchie said, pointing toward the window that faced the street, “in that park across the boulevard…That’s where the real

romance is happening.”

Sandra spoke up: “What do you mean, real?”

Frenchie stood up now, answering, “Couples having picnics. Couples sitting under a tree reading a book together.

Couples who don’t have two nickels to rub together, holding hands and walking and talking.”

As Sandra conjured an image of all those happy couples in her mind, Frenchie snapped her fingers at the waiter and called out, “Bring me a plate and silverware, I’m taking my dinner break and eating with my new friend.”

The waiter ran over and, with a sheepish expression, said under his breath, “I don’t think that’s allowed.”

Frenchie locked eyes with him and in a firm tone, replied, “It is tonight.”

The two strangers, now friends, split an order of calamari and lobster ravioli, before Frenchie took the bill from the waiter’s tray, tucking it up the sleeve of her dress.

“And just like that, it’s gone,” Frenchie said with a wink.

As Sandra rose to leave, she inquired, “I never asked, are you single?”

Frenchie replied, “I am. I don’t settle.”

Sandra nodded, adding, “Waiting for Mr. Right, huh?”

Frenchie giggled, “More like, Mrs. Right.”

Sandra blushed, “Oh, I missed that.

Good for you.” She then added, “It’s Mr. Right for me, if he’s out there.”

When the two reached the door, Sandra turned and said, “Thank you for this. I mean it.”

Frenchie gave her new friend a hug and said, “Love is coming for you. I feel it.” few weeks after their unexpected meeting, Frenchie worked the dayshift at the restaurant. As she greeted and seated the busy lunch crowd, she found herself looking out the window at the pretty park across the way.

A gentle snow was drifting down among the benches and cobblestone walk when she saw her. It was Sandra, holding hands with a man in a long dark cashmere coat. Their fingers locked tight, her pretty red hair peaking out from under a beige wool cap.

Frenchie could only smile and whisper CRL to herself, “I told ya.”

A

valentine’s day chocolate covered strawberries cakes

t e e w S Be reats Give T Selection to bring you in…

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