Saratoga Living Holiday 2024 by saratogalivingmagazine

A TRIBUTE TO JOHN HENDRICKSON

*{ g. willikers plays dress up }

DREW STORY

Glens Falls native Drew FitzGerald went from designing album covers to changing the world. Now, he’s coming home.

BY NATALIE MOORE

Lakefront Luxury, Whitney Style Camp-on-a-Point

Nestled on the pristine shores of Little Tupper Lake within the William C. Whitney Wilderness Area, this 5,200-square-foot contemporary estate offers unmatched privacy and serenity just two hours from Saratoga. Set on 58 acres with an additional 71 submerged acres, the property features over 7,000 feet of shoreline, a sandy beach, and a two-slip boathouse. One of only two estates on the lake with motorized boat access, this five-bedroom home is flooded with natural light, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding lake and mountains. A rare opportunity to own an Adirondack retreat steeped in the legacy of the Whitney family, this property seamlessly blends luxury, nature, and exclusivity. Now offered at an improved price of $4,195,000.

SEASONED EXPERTISE. BESPOKE LUXURY DESIGN.

Nestled in the Southern Adirondacks of Upstate New York, the Lake George Area invites you to embark on a short drive that makes you feel a world away. The region seamlessly blends scenic landscapes with diverse venues, attractions and amenities, creating a group experience that inspires collaboration and productivity! Contact the Lake George Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau for complimentary venue ideas, accommodations and service referrals, group itineraries, and more. Get Your Digital Meeting Guide!

Location: Gore Mountain

IN THE LAKE GEORGE AREA

From nursing to administrative roles, there’s a position for you!

Enjoy a family-first, work-life balance culture, flexible work schedule and comprehensive benefits package. Full-time, part-time and per diem positions available at 25 locations. Apply today!

Ever since we first opened our doors in 1902, we have been committed to helping local families and businesses grow and prosper. They are more than simply our customers. They are also our neighbors, our friends…our community. We strongly believe that when we support our community — through shopping for holiday gifts locally, giving to area nonprofits, or even choosing to feed our families with produce grown nearby — we all win.

Thank you for being a part of this robust community. This holiday season, we hope you’ll consider reinvesting in the people and businesses that make our community your home.

We wish you and your loved ones joy and peace through all this winter's festivities.

Your friends at The Adirondack Trust Company

518-584-5844

Visit any of our convenient oﬃce locations AdirondackTrust.com

Discover Waite Meadows

Conveniently located oﬀ of Route 146 in Clifton Park, Waite Meadows is an exclusive 34-home new home community happily situated in a quiet, picturesque setting.

Large wooded lots, extensive green space and a dedicated community walking trail make it ideal for both young families wanting to move into the Shenendehowa School District and mature families looking to downsize.

• Close to great dining, shopping & the Northway

• Shenendehowa School System

• Standard gas-burning ﬁreplaces, and the option for gas ranges

• Three large estate lots, ranging from 5 to 8.7 acres, zoned for horses

• Variety of ﬂoor plans including ranch & primary down

• Pricing from the $700s

Contact Spencer Lewis: 518-512-9646

spencer@belmontebuilders.com

438 BROADWAY Ӏ SARATOGA SPRINGS

starting gate

STRETCH

ON THE COVER

Entrepreneur and Glens Falls native Drew FitzGerald, who after 25 years in LA and NYC is bringing his big ideas home. Read more on page 36.

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saratoga living 8 Butler Place Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 518.294.4390

Volume 26, No. 6

Holiday 2024

No part of this publication may be reprinted or otherwise reproduced without written permission from Empire Media Network, Inc.

All editorial queries should be directed to editorial@saratogaliving.com; or sent to 8 Butler Place, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

saratoga living assumes no responsibility for unsolicited submissions.

Natalie Moore EDITOR

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Kathleen Gates

DESIGNER Linda Gates

SPORTS EDITOR Brien Bouyea

EDITOR AT LARGE Susan Gates

EDITORIAL INTERN Morgan Maschewski

WRITERS

Vanessa Geneva Ahern, Natalli Amato

Lisa Arcella, Maria McBride Bucciferro, Chris Carola, Jeff Dingler

Sara Foss, Teresa Genaro, Tom Pedulla, Kathleen Willcox

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Morgan Campbell, Francesco D’Amico, Samantha Decker

Dori Fitzpatrick, Elizabeth Haynes, G. Sonny Hughes

Hannah Kuznia, Shawn LaChapelle, Rachel Lanzi, Jess McNavich

Megan Mumford, Konrad Odhiambo, Alex Zhang

Annette Quarrier DIRECTOR OF SALES

CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER Tina Galante

PUBLISHER, CAPITAL REGION LIVING Teresa Frazer

SALES DIRECTOR, CAPITAL REGION LIVING Tara Buffa

SALES ASSISTANT Tracy Momrow

SUBSCRIPTIONS MANAGER Rachael Rieck

Anthony R. Ianniello , Esq. CHAIRMAN

Tina Galante

CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER

from the editor

The Changemakers

Last winter, I went to a screening of UnCharitable, a feature-length documentary that offers a powerful critique of the traditional constraints placed on charities. Creator Dan Pallotta’s POV: that nonprofits are often held back by outdated beliefs related to overhead, risk-taking and compensation that limit their ability to scale and innovate the way for-profit businesses can. That evening, over drinks with serial entrepreneur Ken Rotondo (aka the most interesting man in Saratoga), I shared some of the thought-provoking arguments I’d learned in the film.

“Here’s another way to look at it,” Ken said, opening my narrow-yet-widening perspective even more. It was in that conversation that I first heard the name Drew FitzGerald.

Since then, I’ve received an entry-level education in the school of Drew—artist, storyteller, marketing guru, innovator, climate change activist and Glens Falls native. One of Drew’s schticks (of which there are many) is that with the right mindset and leadership team, for-profit companies can do just as much good as nonprofits can.

To read all the nuances of this argument, you’ll have to turn to our cover story on Drew on page 36. (You can also read more about Ken on page 16). But suffice it to say that my interest in the business of change-making was piqued.

Consider this magazine an exploration of what it means to make a difference. As you turn the pages, you’ll meet many Saratogians who are not only talking the talk, but also walking the walk. There’s Drew and Ken, but there’s also Lisa Morahan, Tom Denny, Matt Whitbeck, Rasi Harper and Diane Nazzaro—this year’s Saratoga Gives Back honorees (page 30)—plus the late, great John Hendrickson (page 46), and all those who attended one of this season’s charitable fundraisers (page 52). You too can get in on the action: We’ll be raising money for 10 local charities at our 6th annual Capital Region Gives Back event, coming to Putnam Place on December 11. Scan the QR code on page 30 for tickets.

When I asked Drew about where charitable giving fits in with his concept of for-profit “business for good,” he essentially relayed to me the arguments made in the film that started me down this rabbit hole in the first place. After he was done—I’ll be honest, I needed the refresher course—I said, “So, I assume you’ve seen UnCharitable.” Not only had he seen the film—he was an advisor on it. Did I mention Drew is moving back to upstate New York next year? Talk about a guy you want to have in your backyard.

NATALIE MOORE EDITOR

@natalie_rae_moore / editorial@saratogaliving.com

alumni game (clockwise, from top) Editor Natalie Moore with with Capital Region Gives Back alum Maggie Fronk, executive director of Wellspring, at a Leadership Saratoga session this fall; with saratoga living team members

Tina Galante and Annette Quarrier at the Friends of the Saratoga Springs Public Library’s Gossip Girl brunch (page 52); with G. Willikers owner Linda Ambrosino amd manager Caty Hogan after the photoshoot for the story on page 42.

Want to keep the conversation going? Our Substack newsletter, SARATOGA LIVING AFTER HOURS, keeps you in the know on all things Saratoga all year long. Sign up for free or as a paying subscriber for just $5 a month to access all past and future SLAH stories.

Celeb Shot: Ken Rotondo

SLAH SITS DOWN WITH THE MOST INTERESTING MAN IN SARATOGA.

be careful what you say to Ken Rotondo. When I sat down across from the former veterinarian, lecturer and serial entrepreneur at Morrissey’s on Thursday, I made a comment about UnCharitable, the documentary film about the nonprofit sector I had seen earlier that morning. “Here’s another way to look at it,” Ken said, launching into a soliloquy that touched on Will Smith, bioinformatics, climate change, the UN, Creative Artists Agency and Betamax. Six minutes later, against all odds, Ken made it back to his original point—that for-profit businesses like his can often do as much or even more good than nonprofit ones—and I had been given 10 additional interesting things to think about. Ken, I decided, is literally a walking TED Talk. Scan the code for the rest of the story.

behavior self After retiring from his veterinary career, Ken Rotondo founded Rehavior, a company that “scales behavioral economics” by “hyper-personalizing communication” in the healthcare space.

Elegant Gifts * Home Decor * Hand Bags * Jewelry

Children's Gift + Apparel Boutique

Boutique

Shop Local

California Closets

This holiday season, give yourself—or a loved one— the gift of organization. Whether it’s your closet, pantry or mudroom that needs a refresh, CALIFORNIA CLOSETS can help.

“Although our name suggests what we create, any kind of custom-designed storage for the home or commercial space is possible,” says Joy Rafferty, owner of California Closets’ Albany location. “We can build just about anything, but we’re often asked to create mudroom or entryway storage systems. Especially in the winter months, people are eager to have a space for all their boots, coats and hats.”

While California Closets was originally founded in Southern California in 1978, the Capital Region location has been locally owned by Rafferty and her husband for 21 years. Custom storage solutions are crafted by an all-local team that designs, manufactures and professionally installs their products in both residential homes and businesses. They service clients from the upper Hudson Valley, throughout upstate and central New York, as well as southern Vermont. While the products are made at the Albany facility, the showroom and design studio in Latham is many customers’ first stop.

“When a client comes to us, the first step is a

complimentary design consultation,” says Rafferty. “Most of the time that’s in the client’s home where we can measure the space, but for those who might be building or remodeling, we can also meet in our design studio or via Zoom on a virtual consultation.”

From initial consultation and the design process to the professional installation of the finished project, the Raffertys and their team of 40-plus employees are with their clients every step of the way. “Our manufacturing facility in Albany allows us full control of our quality, as well as the ability to make changes or additions quickly,” Rafferty says. Need to add an extra pole in your closet or another shelf in your pantry? Not a problem.

Post-pandemic, Rafferty says she’s seen a shift in how people think about and interact with their homes. “Homes have become more than just a place to sleep,” she says. “It’s where we live, work, study and spend time with family. We’ve found that people are investing in the spaces of their home that mean something special to them.” Visit californiaclosets.com or stop by the Latham showroom to pick up a gift certificate this holiday season.

952 TROY SCHENECTADY ROAD, LATHAM ● 518.785.5723 californiaclosets.com

Shop Local

Celtic Treasures

Love It Designs

Need some help getting your home holiday-ready? LOVE IT DESIGNS should be your first call. Owner Ann Murphy specializes in home staging, seasonal décor (not just Christmas!) and interior design, and has made it her mission to give her client a high-end look without them having to break the bank. Whether you’re a renter who wants to wow at your next holiday party, a homeowner looking for a total interior redesign or a businessowner hoping to better display your merchandise to increase sales, Murphy—a certified home stager who’s currently studying interior design at the New York Institute of Art and Design—can help. “I named the business Love It Designs because every time a project comes out well, my client says ‘love it,’” Murphy says. “The client’s happiness is my top priority.” Have someone in mind who could benefit from Murphy’s services? Love It Designs gift cards are available.

SARATOGA SPRINGS ● 518.920.3153 brand.page/loveitdesigns

Bella V Boutique

If you’re Irish, you probably already know about the unique selection of gifts CELTIC TREASURES has been selling for more than 30 years.

If you’re not Irish— well, it’s about time you found out about one of downtown Saratoga’s retail gems. Stop by the Broadway shop to pick up hand-knit sweaters, Celtic jewelry, novelty drinkware, Irish knickknacks, hard-to-find imported products, essential Irish groceries and a wide selection of Christmas ornaments and other decorations, brought in just in time for the holiday season.

456 BROADWAY, SARATOGA SPRINGS ● 518.583.9452 celtictreasures.com

Calling all girly girls! BELLA V BOUTIQUE is a onestop shop for those ladies who love to dress up in a unique outfit you won’t see just anywhere. Head to the Broadway boutique this season to shop for your next standout holiday party look, or to pick out the perfect gift—cozy sweaters and winter accessories are in high supply! Black Friday shopping, with savings of up to 50 percent and a free gift with purchase, begins at 8am. Free gift wrapping is available!

441 BROADWAY, SARATOGA SPRINGS 518.608.4199 ● bellavboutiqueandstyling.com

First Fill Spirits

When searching for the perfect gift for the whiskey-lover on your list, FIRST FILL SPIRITS should be your very first stop. Located just two blocks from Broadway, the whiskey and spirits shop is known for its global and specialty bottles of Bourbon, Rye, Scotch, Irish whiskey and new world whiskey, but also carries a carefully curated selection of rum, Cognac, tequila and more. You can shop First Fill’s products online, but if you’re able, don’t miss the opportunity to stop by in person. Not only are there more than 100 bottles open for you to sample, but you’ll also receive recommendations from owners Holly Seidewand and Charles Grabitzky, experts in all things whiskey and spirits. Not sure what the person you’re buying for would like? Gift cards and private tastings are also available.

firstfillspirits.com

Adirondack Balloon Company – The Balloon Bar

These aren’t your grandmother’s balloons! Bring your holiday party or event to the next level with a custom balloon creation by ADIRONDACK BALLOON COMPANY. If you can dream it, owner Elaine Shields can build it using her wide selection of foil, latex or biodegradable balloons. Want to get in on the action? Check out The Balloon Bar, a newly opened brick-and-mortar store offering custom bouquets and luxury balloon arrangements as well as at-home balloon garland kits for customers who want to DIY their next event.

Saratoga Candy Co.

SARATOGA CANDY CO., the Spa City’s longtime purveyor of all things sweet, is currently gearing up for its 26th Christmas season, and you won't want to miss out. Stop by the store, located below Salt & Char on Broadway, to see the cutest nostalgic displays of candies you grew up with, and to shop favorites like thin ribbon candy, gumdrops, chocolate Santas and, of course, the famous Peppermint Pig. Come be a kid again at Saratoga Candy Co. Online shipping and local delivery available.

353 BROADWAY, SARATOGA SPRINGS 518.580.0499 saratogasweets.com

Alpine Sport Shop

Surprise yourself at ALPINE SPORT SHOP, Saratoga’s go-to store for all things winter. Shop skis, ski boots, snowboards, cross-country gear, snowshoes, helmets, goggles, skiwear, hats, gloves and accessories, or get your ski gear tuned up by the experts at this full-service shop. There’s plenty for those who prefer to spend the cold-weather months strolling up and down Broadway, too—top-of-the-line winter clothing and accessories await in Alpine Sport Shop’s beautiful ski chalet–style building. Expect the unexpected!

321 CLINTON STREET, SARATOGA SPRINGS 518.584.6290 ● alpinesportshop.com

Bobbles & Lace

If you haven’t already checked out BOBBLES AND LACE, one of Broadway’s hottest new boutiques, it’s high time you pop in. The staff prides itself on making fashion fun, providing an empowering and inviting experience where every woman can have the confidence she deserves. They offer a carefully curated selection of shoes, accessories, jewelry, jeans, tops, jackets and dresses—including everything from workday wardrobe essentials and everyday basics to statement pieces for holiday parties and formal occasions.

322 BROADWAY, SARATOGA SPRINGS 518.932.1287 bobblesandlace.com

first turn

ANNIVERSARY

Rug of Choice

JACOBSEN RUGS HAS BEEN BRINGING COZY VIBES TO UPSTATE NEW YORK FOR 100 YEARS.

BY MORGAN MASCHEWSKI

photography by SHAWN L a CHAPELLE

When you drive by Jacobsen Rugs, the large brick building at the corner of Broadway and Van Dam Street, you may notice two things. One: the sign on the front above three stone archways that reads “Since

1924.” And two: the signage all around the outside of the building that says the store is moving.

Indeed, Jacobsen is celebrating its centennial in 2024, though it hasn’t been selling its handmade Oriental rugs in Saratoga Springs all those years. The business was first opened

oriental grading The Jacobsen team sources their rugs directly from the countries in which they’re made so they can buy the highest quality pieces at the lowest prices.

in downtown Syracuse in 1924 by WWI veteran Charles “Jake” Jacobsen, who, after finding success in the Oriental rug world, returned to combat in WWII. Some 83 years after opening in Syracuse, Jacobsen’s store expanded to a second location in Saratoga.

The stores are now run by Faramaz “Frank” Asef, who says it’s good service, reputation, wide selection and the right price that has kept Jacobsen in business for so long…plus a little bit of magic: “Some customers believe our rugs bring them good luck and happiness,” Asef says. Whether you buy that or not, you can’t deny that a giant, vibrant rug wouldn’t take the vibe of your home office from dull to dashing.

As for the signs out front? The store will be moving to the Market 32 plaza on Ballston Ave in the new year. That means, you have plenty of time to cash in on the store’s moving sale this holiday season: Jacobsen is one holiday shopping destination you certainly don’t want to sweep under the rug.

The Christmas tree that goes up outside Putnam Market is 27 feet tall and from Bob’s Trees.

The tree is secured with 4 guide wires to make sure it doesn’t fall over.

BY THE NUMBERS

Downtown Saratoga’s Holiday Décor

DRESSING BROADWAY UP FOR CHRISTMAS— AND HANUKKAH—IS NO SMALL FEAT.

This year, the Christmas tree will be decorated with more than 200 ornaments and 10,000 lights.

Last year, it took 3 people 5 hours to decorate the tree.

Santa’s house is 32 years old this year; it was restored by Bonacio Construction in 2022.

The wreath that gets hung on Adirondack Trust’s headquarters is 12 feet in diameter.

The lampposts on Broadway are decorated with 100 wreaths, 200 bows and 1,200 feet of garland.

The 4 strands of garland that are hung over Caroline and Phila streets are each 35 feet long.

City Hall is decorated with 9 wreaths created by Sunnyside Gardens.

The 7 lights on the menorah at the information booth outside of Congress Park are set on a timer to light each night of Hanukkah.

Decorating the city for the holidays takes employees from 6 different City crews: the beautification crew, the utility crew, the electricians, the City carpenter, the Congress Park team and the tree crew.

first turn

TRACK STAR

Redemption Arc

HOW FIERCENESS BOUNCED BACK FROM A DISAPPOINTING DERBY FINISH WITH A DAZZLING SUMMER IN SARATOGA.

BY BRIEN BOUYEA

Greatness was anticipated this year for Fierceness.

A bay son of City of Light out of the Stay Thirsty mare Nonna Bella, Fierceness announced his presence with authority when he broke his maiden at Saratoga in his career debut in August 2023. The Mike Repole–owned homebred solidified his reputation as a star by going on

to win the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita as well as the Eclipse Award for Champion 2-Year-Old Male. Expectations were through the roof entering 2024.

But Fierceness proved to be a bit of a puzzle for Hall of Famers Todd Pletcher and John Velazquez. He was surprisingly flat in finishing third in the Grade 3 Holy Bull in February at Gulfstream Park in Florida, then

three cheers In winning the Travers, Fierceness brought trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey John Velazaquez each of their third Midsummer Derby victories. The win also marked the 200th Grade 1 victory for Pletcher.

dazzled crowds with his performance in a 13½-length romp in the Grade 1 Florida Derby at the same track. Which version of Fierceness would show up in the Kentucky Derby? Unfortunately for his connections, Fierceness threw in a clunker at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May, finishing 15th as the Derby favorite.

Instead of continuing on the Triple Crown train, Pletcher decided to regroup with Fierceness and began preparing for a pair of later summer dates at the Spa: the Jim Dandy and Travers. A 14-time leading trainer at Saratoga, Pletcher had a plan that worked to perfection.

Freshened and back on top of his game, Fierceness rebounded from his Derby debacle with a one-length victory over the talented Sierra Leone in the Jim Dandy on July 27. A month later, he entered the gate for the 155th running of the Travers as the third choice in the betting. Fierceness took command of the Travers near the quarter pole and dug in to hold off a surging Thorpedo Anna in the stretch to win an absolute thriller and erase any doubts about his talents.

“Honestly, I was amazed the day after the Jim Dandy,” said Pletcher. “When he came out, he was full of himself. He had never given me so many positive signs [as he did] leading into [the Travers]. The way he was eating, his energy level, the way he was galloping… Everything was giving me confidence to run him back in four weeks.”

Fierceness was the second Travers winner for Repole, who also campaigned 2011 winner Stay Thirsty, Fierceness’ grandsire. “Fierceness is the best 3-year-old in the country right now,” Repole said after the victory. “I don’t think anyone can deny it. He’s pretty special.”

Destination: Samantha Nass Floral Design Shoppe

Head to the Lawrence Street shop for holiday gifting, crafting and giving.

When it comes to the holiday season in the Spa City, no one does it better than Samantha Nass Floral Design. The Shoppe, located on Saratoga’s West Side, is only steps away from the glittering lights and festive decorations that adorn Broadway businesses each year.

What makes the hidden gem a must-visit this holiday season? Well, for one, its wide array of gifts, from potted plants to a carefully curated selection of home décor items such as ceramics, pillows and candles. Stop by Tuesday through Saturday to shop in person, or head to snfloraldesign.com to browse the selection online—shipping is available! “One of my favorite things we offer at the Shoppe is our subscriptions,” says Samantha Nass, a wedding and events florist who opened her brick-and-mortar location in 2022. “It’s the gift that keeps on giving!” Indeed, customers can choose from four-, six- or 12-month floral/plant subscriptions that will brighten their loved one’s day long after the calendar turns.

To help you get your home in the holiday spirit, Nass also offers wreath-making and floral arranging socials in her Shoppe. She’ll provide everything you need to make a one-of-a-kind wreath,

During the holiday season, Samantha Nass Floral Design offers wreath-making and floral arranging socials complete with all the materials you’ll need to make your front door shine.

from wintry greens to ornaments and ribbons, plus light fare and refreshments. “These classes have been an absolute blast in past years,” Nass says. “It’s always so fun to see customers get creative and not only make something they’re proud of, but make a memory they’ll never forget.”

And mark your calendar: On December 11, the Shoppe will be open late for those looking to do some post-work shopping— and make a difference. “We’re thrilled to partner with Wellspring and Franklin Community Center once again to help raise funds for these essential nonprofits that benefit our community not just during the holidays, but 365 days a year,” Nass says of her “Support and Social” event. “When you stop in on the 11th, you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about the work done by both organizations, as well as make monetary donations. Every bit counts!” ■ 61 Lawrence Street, Saratoga Springs snfloraldesign.com Ι @snfd_shoppe

6TH

SARATOGA GIVES BACK 2024

CELEBRATING FIVE LOCAL LEADERS WHO ARE MAKING THE SPA CITY A BETTER PLACE. BY NATALIE MOORE

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MEGAN MUMFORD

Party info here

JOIN US AT OUR 6TH ANNUAL CAPITAL REGION GIVES BACK EVENT ON DECEMBER 11!

i have a dream “If I had a bucket list, I would love to see Floydwarriors planted in every community across the United States,” says Lisa Morahan.

LISA MORAHAN FOUNDER, FLOYDWARRIORS

It was Easter, and Kristen O’Dell was fighting a courageous battle with end-stage bladder and lung cancer. She knew that it would most likely be her last Easter with her son, Tavin, and while she wanted to make it special for him, all her energy was going toward fighting this terrible disease.

Thanks to the work of Saratoga-based nonprofit Floydwarriors, Kristen was able to give Tavin a proper Easter basket filled with toys, candy and a chocolate bunny. His mom may have been sick, but that morning, Tavin was just like any other kid.

Project Easter Bunny is just one of the many ways Floydwarriors helps families cope with cancer. “The day my surgeon told me I had cancer, he kept telling me I could go to a support group and share my struggles with others,” says founder Lisa Morahan, who was diagnosed with an eight-centimeter tumor a year and a half after giving birth to her own son. “But I needed practical help.”

Eighty days after Morahan’s diagnosis, Floydwarriors was up and running. The organization—which the cancer survivor says was divinely inspired—connects cancer patients who need help with those willing to give it, be it a home-cooked meal or an Easter basket. Floydwarriors will also pay to have cancer patients’ homes professionally cleaned.

“Most women can deal with a lot of things, but when I couldn’t do what I normally do, like be the home caregiver, that’s what was most depressing,” says Morahan. “With Floydwarriors, dinner is done, the dishes are clean and the kids are OK.”

TOM DENNY FOUNDER, SOBRO CONSERVANCY

For decades, South Broadway has been the, shall we say, less glamorous step sibling of bustling Broadway and picturesque North Broadway. But thanks to the work of one nascent nonprofit, a former eyesore at the corner of South Broadway and Ballston Ave is now a vibrant green space.

It’s all because of Tom Denny, former Skidmore music history professor turned avid conservationist. “It’s been an ugly, barren spot for about 25 years,” he says of the .2-acre parcel that was most recently a gas station. “I’m on the Open Space Advisory Committee, and seeing this parcel, I thought that maybe its owner would be willing to give it to a nonprofit.”

It turns out, the owner was willing, and SoBro Conservancy was born. Since incorporating in 2021, the organization has mobilized volunteers to enrich the parcel’s soil, prepared three flower beds and planted 600 pollinator-friendly plants.

“The whole web of life that depends on little insects is declining because of pesticide use, concrete and grass monoculture,” Denny says. “But small parcels scattered throughout a city actually have quite a bit of an impact.”

Now, dozens of species of butterflies, bees and other critters call the intersection of Routes 50 and 9 home.

This summer, SoBro volunteers re-greened about half of the parcel, and Denny plans to finish the job next summer. Then, the focus will shift to education—bringing attention to the need for this kind of “pocket park”—and, potentially, future parcels. “This one was given to us,” Denny says, laughing. “If anybody else wants to give us Saratoga property, great.”

trees, please Before starting SoBro Conservancy, Tom Denny was chair of Sustainable Saratoga’s Urban Forestry Project for 10 years.

smart house “Building is so much more complicated now,” Matt Whitbeck says.

“The anatomy of structures and the chemical applications of how many things have to go into building a modern house really require a different IQ than a house that was being built in the ’50s, ’60s or ’70s.”

MATT WHITBECK

VICE

PRESIDENT

OF THE BOARD, NORTHEAST CONSTRUCTION TRADES WORKFORCE COALITION

When Matt Whitbeck was in high school, a career in the trades wasn’t exactly something that was promoted to him. “It was almost the contrary, where it was somewhat discouraged,” he says. “At the time, vocational school was seen as a landing place for kids that are about to flunk out of school.”

Whitbeck, like many kids, ended up going to college, and eventually found himself in a career he didn’t love. It was only after working a few years as an engineer that he decided to make the switch to construction. Soon after, he and his brother started their own company: Whitbeck Construction.

Now, in addition to running a business that builds custom homes throughout upstate New York, Whitbeck sits on the board of the Northeast Construction Trades Workforce Coalition (NCTWC), an organization that aims to educate elementary, middle and high school students about career opportunities in the trades. The work NCTWC does is crucial: Everyone’s heard about the labor shortages that have resulted in project delays and higher building costs. “It’s not only a lack of people, but a lack of skilled people that’s an issue,” Whitbeck says of the current job shortage. “We run a high risk of devaluing communities if poor building practices happen.”

Luckily, NCTWC has seen an upswing in interest in the trades; BOCES programs now have waiting lists, meaning they can be more selective with the kids they admit. “We see some really good turnouts at our summer camps,” Whitbeck says. “There aren’t a lot of females in our industry, but it’s really nice when parents are willing to drop off their 10-year-old daughter to use power tools.”

horse sense “The horse racing industry needs to do a better job at celebrating the people that work behind the scenes,” says Rasi Harper. “This is hard work, and it’s not about money. These people are dedicated to these horses.”

RASI HARPER

SUPPORTER, BACKSTRETCH EMPLOYEE SERVICE TEAM

When Rasi Harper first heard tales of Saratoga Race Course from the trainers and jockeys who sat in his barber chair, it wasn’t the thrill of the races, the stakes of the bets or the social lives of horse racing’s elite that drew him in. It was the community of backstretch workers that makes all that other stuff possible.

“It was just their dedication to the animals—to a job that most people don’t want to do,” Harper says. “These people wake up every day at 3 in the morning and get it done.”

Harper was so inspired by the backstretch workers that, with no prior videography experience, he launched The Real Players Inside the Backstretch, a media company that shares the stories of the individuals who care for horses at Saratoga and beyond. The Real Players’ social media platforms currently boast more than 400,000 followers.

Through this work, Harper has seen first-hand the struggles many of the backstretch workers face—from injuries and illness to navigating confusing insurance policies and tax forms. He’s also seen first-hand the impact the Backstretch Employee Service Team (BEST) has on this community, from treating patients at its primary healthcare clinic and offering onsite counseling to translation and transportation services. BEST also hosts weekly dinners, bingo nights and other community events.

“BEST is boots on the ground,” Harper says. “They’ve known some of these guys since they were five years old, and now they’re grooming horses. It’s a real community.”

DIANE NAZZARO

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, VETERANS & COMMUNITY HOUSING COALITION

In America, 35,574 veterans are homeless, 1.25 million receive food stamps, and 1.7 million lack proper health care.

“The words homeless and veteran should never be used in the same sentence,” says Diane Nazzaro, the new executive director of the Ballston Spa–based Veterans & Community Housing Coalition. “People want to help veterans, but there aren’t as many services out there as you’d think.”

Nazzaro, whose father was in the Navy and whose uncle fought in Vietnam, came to VCHC this September after nearly a decade working at AIM Services. She inherited a dedicated team of staff and volunteers—some of whom are actually veterans VCHC helped get back on their feet—as well as several transitional and permanent housing facilities for veterans located throughout Saratoga County. (VCHC supports veterans in a total of seven counties.) She also inherited a behemoth yet crucial project: Foreverly House, a transitional home for female veterans and their children that, at press time, Nazzaro hoped to open in November.

“We’ve noticed that in transitional houses, traditionally children aren’t able to come,” Nazzaro says. In other words, in order to get the help they need, mothers have to leave their children with family members, or worse: in foster care. “We want to be able to support mothers and their children—and keep them together.”

So far, $750,000 has been raised for Foreverly House, but more fundraising is needed to run the facility. “This population isn’t going anywhere,” Nazzaro says. “Our biggest goal is providing person-centered supports to veterans on their terms. What do they want, and how can we help?”

partner up In her new role, Diane Nazzaro hopes to expand VCHC’s housing options and partner with other local organizations and agencies to better serve veterans in need of support.

Drew FitzGerald Knows How to Change the World

AFTER TWO DECADES SPENT REIMAGINING THE WAY CLEAN ENERGY INNOVATIONS ARE MARKETED, THE GLENS FALLS NATIVE KNOWS A THING OR TWO ABOUT HOW TO SOLVE

THE PROBLEMS OUR PLANET IS FACING TODAY. AFTER 25 YEARS IN NYC AND LA, HE’S BRINGING HIS BIG IDEAS BACK HOME.

BY NATALIE MOORE

Glens Falls native Drew FitzGerald has a running joke with a friend who’s the former head of the material science department at MIT.

“If I call him and say, ‘Hey, Jeff, what are you working on this week in the lab?’ he’ll tell me that he’s fabricating nanoscale desalinating graphene meshes,” FitzGerald says. “And I’ll say, ‘No you’re not—you’re reducing gender-based violence in the developing world because your lowcost solution allows women not to have to go out at night and forage for water, and if they’re not out foraging water, they can have access to education.’”

This is the way FitzGerald’s mind works: He takes a concept only a small number of people understand, and explains why it matters in terms everyone—even those of us without a PhD—can wrap our brains around.

FitzGerald is a storyteller, but not in the way C.S. Lewis and Stephen King are storytellers. The stories FitzGerald tells have real-life, future-of-thehuman-race-level implications. He tells stories about nuclear fusion, pollution, water insecurity and philanthropy to the planet’s wealthiest men and women, and a lot of times, they listen.

This knack for telling a convincing story has led FitzGerald, improbably, from art classes at Syracuse University to major music label studios, A-list celebrities’ homes, the White House and state-of-the-art labs at MIT and UCLA. He’s worked with innovators and organizations all around the globe, but has always kept one foot in upstate New York; not only does he still have many close friends here,

business insider “Most entrepreneurs, inherently, want to do well,” says Drew FitzGerald. “They want to build a company, they want to make money—but they’re empathetic.”

but his company JUST—more on that later—is based right in his hometown. Fresh off a few days at NYC Climate Week this past September, FitzGerald spoke at the Warren County Economic Development Corporation’s annual luncheon, and shared some big news. After 25 years in New York City and Los Angeles, he’s moving—with his wife and daughter—back to Glens Falls in 2025.

Of all the stories FitzGerald tells, his origin story is one of the best. After graduating with an MFA from Syracuse University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts, FitzGerald went to New York City feeling dreadfully underprepared for the dawning world of computer-aided art and design. So, he got a job at a Kinko’s-like store in SoHo that rented computers, and began teaching himself graphic design. The offices of hip hop/R&B recording label Def Jam were located above the store, and before long, art directors started coming down to ask FitzGerald for design help. His first paid gig as an artist (“I think I got $75”) was to create a globe for a Craig Mack album cover. He rode his new skills all the way to an art director position at MCA Records. At MCA, FitzGerald created album covers for Mary J. Blige, Bad Boy, B.B. King and Patti LaBelle, and went on to do work for Lionel Richie, Enrique Iglesias, Queen Latifa and Will Smith, with whom he developed a friendship.

just friends (from top) FitzGerald with Jaden Smith, his business partner in the Glens Falls–based bottled water company JUST; FitzGerald’s work in the for-profit water world inspired him to create a nonprofit called The Water Box that provides free, clean water to communities that need it; (opposite) "Water is not getting the attention that it needs from an innovation and an investment standpoint," FitzGerald says. "People take it for granted."

But it was a call from Chevrolet that set his career trajectory on a new path.

“After I had done everything from records to TV to movies, I got a little bit tired of just making stuff that was cool,” he says. When the opportunity to work on marketing the new Chevy Volt arose, FitzGerald dove in wholeheartedly. “I adhere to the mantra of, if you want to do a great job for a client, you have to understand the business almost better than the client themselves,” he says. “So I just fell in love with the concept of electric cars. I became this nerd for clean technology, and realized there was an area for me to occupy in that space: simplifying and communicating the values, benefits and impacts of new technologies. If left to their own devices, you would just have engineers talking about engineering stuff to other engineers.”

That, FitzGerald found, was exactly what was going on at the

Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Brilliant students and faculty members were working on potentially worldchanging technologies, but no one was telling said world about them. As a result, many of the projects would never get past the conceptual phase, due to a lack of funding. (This is something clean tech innovators call “the valley of death.”) Of the many innovations FitzGerald saw taking shape at MIT, two stood out: a fledgling project aimed at making nuclear fusion practical, scalable and commercially feasible, and a project led by then-graduate student

By way of a clarification to the US tax code, Kearney had found an ingenious way to use philanthropic capital (i.e., dollars from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation) to support early-stage, for-profit start-ups in the clean energy space.

For the fusion project, FitzGerald did some translational work—translating scientific findings into practical results that benefit humans—that helped raise $100 million. (Yes, one hundred million dollars.) Today, it’s grown into a forprofit company called Commonwealth Fusion Systems that’s the world’s

Sarah Kearney (née Wood).

largest commercial fusion energy company. And the other project? FitzGerald encouraged Will and Jada Smith to give Kearney an operational grant through their foundation that allowed her idea to come to fruition.

The first start-up her nonprofit, Prime Coalition, was able to support is called Quidnet, a company that, essentially, stores energy underground. Both Quidnet and Commonwealth Fusion Systems went on to be invested in by Bill Gates, by way of his billionaire investment firm Breakthrough Energy.

Around the time all that was happening, FitzGerald was doing some innovating of his own. Or, rather, with a kid you’ve probably heard of.

“I had been sort of mentoring Will and Jada’s kids, Jaden and Willow,” FitzGerald says. “They were young at the time—11 and 9—and they would go to their dad and say, ‘Why aren’t we powering the house with solar power?’ or ‘Dad, there’s a huge garbage patch of plastic in the Pacific.’ And he’d say, ‘Go talk to your mom.’ Jada would be more empathetic and would say, ‘I’m not indifferent to your concerns, kids, but maybe you should talk to somebody like Drew.’”

As an exercise, FitzGerald helped the kids come up with a company—a business that bottled water in plantbased cartons that were much more environmentally friendly than plastic bottles. When they presented their company project to Will and Jada, the Smiths liked the idea so much that they encouraged FitzGerald and his then-pint-sized business partner, Jaden, to make it into a real company. And with that, JUST was born.

Based in Glens Falls (FitzGerald “just” so happens to be from a town named for its abundant waters) JUST is a company founded on the ethos of “business for good.” The cartons themselves create 74 percent less carbon emissions than similarly sized plastic bottles, and the aluminum

bottles JUST’s sparkling products come in can be recycled infinitely. Then there’s the not-so-small matter of where the water actually comes from.

“We started looking at how we could purchase water from the City of Glens Falls at a fair and equitable rate,” FitzGerald says. “We didn’t want to come in and not pay anything for water, just because we’re creating jobs. That’s how big water works—a Nestlé plant or a Coca-Cola plant is creating all these jobs in the community, so they’ll negotiate to pay next to nothing for the water that they put in their bottles. But Grandma and Grandpa who live across from the plant pay so much more for their water.”

In the end, JUST and the City of Glens Falls agreed on a rate that’s six times more than that of the next highest water customer. Over the course of the last 10 years, FitzGerald estimates that JUST has contributed nearly $1 million back into the City of Glens Falls through this arrangement.

Unsurprisingly, JUST is a B Corp—a certification that indicates that a for-profit company meets rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency. (Other well-known B Corps include Patagonia and Ben & Jerry’s.) But FitzGerald’s for-profit company was also the launching pad for him to dive into the nonprofit water sector.

If you haven’t already noticed, FitzGerald doesn’t exactly half-ass stuff. Remember how invested in electric cars he became while working for Chevrolet? Now imagine that, but for a company he owns. Unsurprisingly, in the process of launching and running JUST, FitzGerald became obsessed with water—specifically, the problems the world is facing regarding water. Yes, the climate change–caused threat of rising sea levels and extreme weather (which FitzGerald identifies as one of the reasons he’s moving back to upstate New York), but most notably, the fact that not everyone in this country has access to clean drinking water.

So, naturally, he went to Flint. Four years after the city’s water source was found to be poisoning residents with high levels of lead, the State of Michigan ended bottled water distribution to Flint. When FitzGerald arrived in 2018, he found community organizations—like churches—had been left to do the job themselves. “They had their 60-, 70-, 80-year-old deacons out in the church parking lot on a cold day handing out cases of bottled water,” he says. “That comes at an expense. It’s back-breaking work. People would come and put two cases of water in their trunk. It wasn’t dignifying. So we were like, let’s engineer something.”

One of FitzGerald’s partners fabricated the first Water Box—a portable, four-stage filtration system that can deliver 10 gallons of clean, toxin-free water per minute, for free— and donated it to a church in Flint. Since then, more than 30 Water Boxes have been placed in water-insecure places across the country, including Jackson, MS; Newark, NJ; Skid Row in LA; and Puerto Rico. A smaller version called The Water Spot is providing safe drinking water at public schools in low-income communities. Both initiatives fall under FitzGerald’s nonprofit, The Water Genome.

back to the future “A really big part of why we’re coming back is for the community in Glens Falls and Saratoga,” says FitzGerald. “Myself, my wife, my daughter—we really are looking for that;” (opposite) throughout his career, FitzGerald has worked with big-name brands including Coca-Cola and GM through his company, Facet Creative.

Charitable work is in FitzGerald’s blood; his father served as president of the YMCA, and his mother was the director of the Tri-County United Way for 13 years. So while he’s dedicated much of his career to the for-profit impact sector, he knows just how vital the work done by nonprofits, like The Water Genome, can be.

These days, though, the for-profit world seems to be taking a page out of the nonprofit world’s book, and vice versa. “Philanthropy has really grown up over the last 10 years,” FitzGerald says. “Brighter, smarter people are pulling the nonprofit section of a for-profit company more towards the center, because investors want to know about it. Like Apple: The lithium that’s in your iPhone—where did it come from? Is it from the Congo? How do we recycle it? The impactoriented purview is becoming part of the corporate ethos. JUST Water is a B Corp. That wasn’t there before. There wasn’t 1% for the Planet. Impact and giving back has really taken a shining role in both start-ups and established companies.”

On the flipside, nonprofits are becoming more like for-profit companies in the ways they allocate resources to have the greatest impact. Previously, the tradition was to insist that as much of a charitable donation as possible—say, 99 percent—would go directly toward programming (i.e., doing good in the community), and only 1 percent would go to overhead costs (i.e., paying staff). “That’s not the right way to do it,” FitzGerald says.

“Because, let’s say some bright girl has two job offers on the table. She can go and make a quarter of a million dollars at JP Morgan. But she really cares about homelessness. If she wants to be a compensated employee at Habitat for Humanity, she’ll probably make $60,000. This is a very talented woman who could do amazing things for Habitat, but because of the overhead versus program dilemma, we’re not able to attract as much talent into the philanthropic sphere, even though that talent wants to be there.”

In recent years, that overhead-versusprogram paradigm has begun to shift, with philanthropists—and nonprofit boards of directors—recognizing that spending more money on overhead will actually allow nonprofits to scale their offerings and have a greater total impact.

In returning home to Glens Falls, FitzGerald will bring with him a renewed focus on a renewable resource upstate New York has had all along: water. For hundreds of years, this area’s waters have been attracting humans, from the indigenous peoples who believed our mineral waters were a gift from the gods, to the city folk who flocked to “take the waters” at Saratoga’s European-style spa resort,

to all of us who vacation on Lake George today. In the future, with what FitzGerald has planned, people may flock here for jobs related to water.

“I would like to make the 518 area an East Coast, if not global, home for the production of water innovations and clean tech innovations,” he says. One such innovation that could end up being produced here? FitzGerald’s own Drop sensor, a low-cost, realtime water quality monitor that can determine if the water that just came out of your sink is safe to drink. While contaminated drinking water isn’t something we really have to deal with in Saratoga Springs or Glens Falls, 77 million Americans—many of whom come from low-income and minority communities—get their drinking water from a system that reported violations of the Safe Drinking Water Standards. In other words, they can’t blindly trust that their tap water is safe to drink.

“We’re in a world where we can’t hide from problems as maybe some people did back in the day,” FitzGerald says. “We have honest-to-goodness challenges in front of us. We’re in an era where there is always great work to be done.” Luckily, we have people like FitzGerald who are ready and willing to do it.

A WINDOW on the WORLD

THE ICONIC HOLIDAY WINDOW DISPLAYS AT G. WILLIKERS TOYS & GAMES TEACH US A LITTLE SOMETHING ABOUT THE TRUE MEANING OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

By Natalli Amato

PORTRAITS BY SHAWN L a

CHAPELLE

product replacement “For our Christmas windows, we put very little product in them,” says G. Willikers owner Linda Ambrosino (at left). “They’re just there to celebrate us all getting together and enjoying a little bit of beauty.”

There is no shortage of ways to show love during the holiday season. After 37 years of owning G. Willikers Toys & Games, Linda Ambrosino knows this intimately—and knows that sharing the love in your heart often has nothing to do with buying a present.

“When I was little, there was a department store in the town that I grew up in,” she says. “It was just one of those things—no matter who you

were or how much money you had— you went down there at Christmastime and looked at their windows,” she says. “It’s a memory that I cherish.”

Whether you live in the Saratoga community or make visiting the Spa City a holiday season tradition, you’ve probably experienced a moment of childlike wonder yourself, walking by G. Willikers’ holiday window display. Drawing from the preciousness of her own holiday window-shopping memories, Ambrosino—and her team, and her husband—plan the famous window display out as early

as summertime, brainstorming what they want to bring to Broadway for the community. It’s no small feat: They never repeat a holiday window display.

“For our Christmas windows, we put very little product in them,” Ambrosino says. “They’re really there to celebrate the season, no matter if you’re Christian or Jewish or whatever. They’re just there to celebrate us all getting together and enjoying a little bit of beauty. You don’t have to come into the store and buy something.” She gives a light laugh. “Though we certainly like it if you do.” This year, expect G. Willikers’ holiday display to be up in time for the Victorian Streetwalk.

Outside of Saratoga, holiday window decorating isn't necessarily the norm. Ambrosino recalls a passerby once exclaiming, nobody does windows anymore! “We in Saratoga are so lucky—I mean, look at Caroline + Main,” she says of her across-the-street neighbor that also goes all out on its window displays. “It’s this community. This community lends itself to us wanting to give back because they are so generous to us downtown. They come downtown, they make the effort. They don’t sit down in front of the computer all the time and order from Amazon.”

In the age of Amazon Prime, big box store Black Friday sales and video games, operating a brick-and-

mortar toy store feels like a near-lost art—a small stand against the modern world of convenience and instant gratification. Ambrosino’s store is a bastion of community and connection. Whether it’s staff coming together as a creative force or sitting in meetings with toy reps (yes, Ambrosino still takes the time to meet with reps), those person-to-person relationships are the backbone of G. Willikers. The magic of it is strong enough to pull a person away from their phone screen.

“Yesterday I had three customers come in who I haven’t seen in a long time,” Ambrosino says. “Their kids are

growing, their grandkids are growing. And yet they came back in and we still had a connection. I feel very lucky.”

For Ambrosino, the community relationships have sustained her nearly 40 years in business, but so too has her love and reverence for toys. “They are so important,” she says. “I thought that years ago, and I think they’re even more important today. Toys teach you everything. They teach you how to solve problems. They teach you how to play with

others. They teach you how to play by yourself and figure things out.” This is why what you won’t find in the shop is just as important as what you will.

“I don’t sell a lot of lights and cameras and noise and action, for instance, because the world is like that,” Ambrosino says. “Kids don’t need that.”

And as for this year’s window display? It’ll be filled with those things we all need more of, children and adults alike. More magic. More connection. More wonder.

doll too well Some popular G. Willikers window displays from holiday seasons past, including one that placed dolls on a recreation of the Broadway streetscape.

IN MEMORIAM

John, Maureen, Marylou and Me

REMEMBERING JOHN HENDRICKSON THROUGH THE EYES OF THOSE WHO KNEW HIM BEST

By Maria McBride Bucciferro

On a bluebird day this past August, I ran into John Hendrickson, Marylou Whitney’s third husband, after several years of not seeing him. He was jogging down North Broadway with a little white poodle in a stroller; I was there for a Sunday Stroll tour of historic homes. He gave me a friendly hug and introduced Lu Lu, and I snapped a quick photo of them on my phone before he jogged on.

A week later, while on another tour— this one of Greenridge Cemetery—I sat down on one of the four curved, granite benches at the Whitney family plot. It’s a surprisingly welcoming space, with bronze headstones, a bronze angel as tall as me and a perimeter of rose bushes and hydrangeas. The gravesite was designed by Cornelius Vanderbilt “Sonny” Whitney, Marylou’s second husband, when they were both alive. Sonny and Marylou are buried there, along with their longtime friend, Ed Lewi, whose headstone is engraved with his mantra: “If it’s not fun, don’t do it.”

The next day—Monday, August 19, 2024— the Saratoga community was shocked and saddened to hear that John had died of cardiac arrest at the age of 59. He is now buried to the left of Marylou in that Greenridge Cemetery plot beneath a headstone that will bear a mantra of his own: “A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.”

John, an Alaska native, lit many candles during his time in Saratoga. In 2001, he and Marylou funded the $4.2 million WhitneyHendrickson Cardiac Catheterization Center at Saratoga Hospital. In 2017, he became chairman of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, where he spearheaded a $20 million capital campaign to develop the state-of-the-art Hall of Fame as well as the museum’s

popular online Foal Patrol project. And in 2023, he funded the construction of a free health clinic for backstretch workers. “He had the heart the size of a lion,” his brother, Ed, said in his eulogy.

But perhaps nearest and dearest to John’s heart was the backstretch appreciation program he and Marylou founded in 2008 that hosts dinners, bingo nights and other programs for members of the backstretch community and their families. Longtime track announcer Tom Durkin called out the bingo numbers back when the events were hosted in a tent; now they’re held—fittingly—in the Marylou Whitney Pavilion. Even after Marylou’s death in 2019, John never missed a Wednesday bingo night or Sunday family dinner.

“I saw him the day he died,” backstretch worker Enzo Martinez told BloodHorse reporter Teresa Genaro at the celebration of life held for John at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame on August 30. “He passed away on my birthday, and then two days later at the backstretch bingo game, I won a couple of prizes. I felt like it was him giving them to me.” Pointing to the sky, his eyes moist, he told Genaro: “I appreciate everything that Marylou and John did.”

In fact, bingo night was on John’s mind the day he died.

“Every morning he came to the house with Dunkin’ Donuts or a hot breakfast to walk the dogs,” says Maureen Lewi, the widow of public relations legend Ed Lewi and a longtime friend of John’s. The morning of August 19 was no different; Maureen and John talked about plans for John’s upcoming 60th birthday before he left to pick up money vouchers from the Saratoga Casino—prizes for that week’s bingo night. (In the early days of the

a life well lived (clockwise from above) John with Lu Lu the week before he passed away*; the Saratoga Backstretch Clinic John funded; John at the clinic’s ground-breaking; John and Marylou Whitney at 2008’s A Night in Hong Kong gala*; John served as chairman of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame since 2017; Maureen and Ed Lewi with John and Marylou on a cruise; the couple’s 2008 Christmas card was a spoof on a tabloid*; Marylou and John at the 2011 dedication of the Congress Park rose garden*; John’s longtime friends, Ed and Maureen, at the 2010 Whitney Gala*; Marylou and John; John at a backstretch bingo night; John at the ribbon cutting for the backstretch clinic; John at a backstretch event; (opposite) the couple at the 2012 Breakfast at Tiffany’s gala*. *Maria McBride Bucciferro photo

backstretch appreciation program, he and Ed would purchase TVs, bikes and other prizes; when lugging bikes around got old, they switched over to giving money as prizes instead.)

Later that day, Maureen got a call from the Cady Hill staff. John had been taken by ambulance to Saratoga Hospital. “I got to the emergency room, and they were doing chest compressions,” Maureen continues. “I held his hand and rubbed his arm and head. I knew he was gone.”

John and Maureen’s friendship dates back to when Marylou and John married in 1997. “The four of us went on lots of cruises together,” Maureen says. “Ed and I even went with them on their honeymoon.” In one of many zany Christmas cards John created while Marylou was alive, the four friends are seen at Florida’s Longboat Key Club wearing Rasta hats.

When Ed died in 2015, John was right there with Maureen, and they were both by Marylou’s side when she passed in 2019. “We’ve always been there for each other in good times and bad,” says Maureen. “I never thought he would go before me. His was a generous and wonderful life. I’m very blessed.”

He told us he had good news. “We’re expecting,” John said, with an impish grin. Jaws dropped and eyebrows were raised at the biology of it all. After a long pause, he clarified: “We just bought a new puppy.”

Their age difference never seemed to bother John. On a 1989 episode of Oprah that featured “Alaskan Men,” he introduced himself: “I’m John Hendrickson, and I’m looking for a woman who isn’t afraid to succeed.”

years of marriage, one memory sticks out. It was June 6, 2003, Whitney Stables’ Bird Town was competing in the Belmont Acorn Stakes, and it was my dad’s 80th birthday.

Bird Town was first to cross the finish line, and John and Marylou celebrated with Champagne in the Belmont Club House. I just followed the crowd.

I first met John at a Rotary Club meeting shortly after he and Marylou Whitney tied the knot on a mountaintop in Alaska. After getting engaged at Buckingham Palace and dining with the royal family, the luncheon at Joe Collins’ Restaurant on South Broadway must have been a let-down, especially if he ordered the meatloaf.

John was there with Marylou, who was receiving a community service award. Everyone always loved to see Marylou, but it was her new hubby, nearly 40 years her junior, that we all wanted to check out.

After Marylou graciously accepted her accolades, John got up to speak.

Six years later, he found her.

“She was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen,” John told a reporter about the first time he met Marylou. “I was driving [a] car and she was sitting in the backseat…I kept looking at her in the rear view mirror. I almost drove off the road a few times.”

When Marylou went on an expedition to the South Pole soon after, she wrote John two love letters a day. After a two-year courtship—”I’m a formal guy who wants to get down on one knee and buy that five-carat diamond I can’t afford,” he said—he popped the question.

Of my countless run-ins with the King and Queen of Saratoga over their 22

We often called my father “Bird Man,” because he loved feeding birds; I still have his custom-built, squirrel-proof feeder in my yard. During the postrace celebration, I asked Marylou if she’d wish my dad a happy birthday. “Mr. Bird?” she said with her patrician voice as she held my cell phone. After her birthday wish, she handed the phone to John, who handed it back to me. “He hung up,” John said. My father, a quiet, self-effacing man, must have been mortified that I’d asked them to call him, but maybe secretly pleased. That they were so willing to take a moment out of their own celebration to help celebrate someone else speaks volumes to the type of people John and Marylou were.

Maureen is still adjusting to life without her husband and dear friends. “How dare you guys go and leave me here!” she says, only halfjoking. She plans to join John, Marylou and Ed in the Whitney plot when her time comes: “I’ll be right next to Ed,” she says. Until then, she’ll remember the good times that were had. “John helped me with pretty much everything, from advice to making sure I ate wholesome dinners,” she says. “We frequented Morrissey’s often because we could bring our dogs.”

Speaking of Lu Lu, that white puffball I met on North Broadway now lives with Maureen. “John doesn’t have family here,” she says. But love makes a family, and John Hendrickson was certainly well-loved—by Maureen, by Marylou and by the people of the city he called home.

hospital general John Hendrickson, seen here with Jill Gottung, Dr. Joseph Bell, Michele Cameron and Maureen Lewi at the 2024 Saratoga Hospital Gala, was a major supporter of the hospital; the cardiac catheterization center bears his name.

Brookmere has Arrived

Bonacio Construction and Bonacio Development have completed the revitalization of Longfellows into Brookmere, which is accepting reservations for 2025.

Roll out the red carpet! After nearly two years of development, Brookmere is almost ready to open its doors. What used to be Longfellows, a decades-old Saratoga haunt for dining and events, has been completely transformed into the lavish Brookmere, which is already accepting reservations for 2025.

“We’re building a very different concept than the former restaurant and hotel,” says Julian Miller, the new hotel’s general manager. “Brookmere is going to offer luxurious amenities and approachable, genuine service.”

Bonacio Construction began a multi-million-dollar reimagining of the historic destination in 2023. The end result is a new resort dripping with style and pizazz, featuring 88 guest rooms exquisitely decorated with tasteful, modern décor and furnishings. “Each area of the hotel was carefully tied into the seasons or the seasons changing, and I think it’s a wonderful parallel with the tranquil setting on Union Avenue,” says Miller. Entering the lobby, the design elements beautifully mirror winter melting into spring. Moving through the lobby lounge, the décor blooms into full spring and onto long summer days and nights at the hotel’s Regent Restaurant and Bar.

Speaking of victuals, Regent will feature Spa City twists on classic dishes and sumptuous reinventions of longstanding traditions. A vibrant bar will offer a plethora of craft cocktails; libations from local distilleries, breweries and cideries; and wines from New York, California and France.

Although the kitchen’s not open quite yet, Executive Chef Chris Smith’s eyes are already bigger than his stomach. “Expect playful takes on French classics where you’ll be right at home dressed up for a special occasion or dressed down coming off the back nine at Saratoga National next door,” says Smith, who has two decades of hospitality/fine dining experience. “We look forward to becoming the new neighborhood gathering spot whether for burgers and beer or champagne and caviar.”

Brookmere is planning a soft opening in mid-December along with the unveiling of Regent and the hotel’s deliciously relaxing Arbor Spa (oh la la), both of which will be open to the public.

“While the design may not directly pay homage to Longfellows, we’re thrilled to invite the community back to this property and we know there’s growing excitement in town,” says Miller. “Having the ability to welcome our community back after almost two years of development is something we’re all looking forward to.” ■ 500 Union Avenue, Saratoga Springs І hotelbrookmere.com

SARATOGA’S HOTTEST TICKETS

saratoga living and the Friends of the Saratoga Springs Public Library’s Gossip Girl Brunch

OCTOBER 6 • UNIVERSAL PRESERVATION HALL

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JESS M c NAVICH

When we found out that Cecily von Ziegesar, author of the book series that inspired the Gossip Girl TV show, was coming to this year’s Saratoga Book Festival, the saratoga living team simply had to get involved. We teamed up with the Friends of the Saratoga Springs Public Library to host one of their inaugural “Beyond the Book” events—a boozy brunch party with the author at Universal Preservation Hall. On the morning of October 6, Gossip Girl fans fan-girled over Caroline + Main’s pop-up shop, DeCrescente Distributing’s signature Serena Spritz (served on “xoxo” cocktail napkins), Saratoga Tea and Honey’s hibiscus iced tea, Wandering Food Dude’s brunch spread, Franklin Square Market’s GG-themed cookies, Nothing Bundt Cakes’ bite-sized delicacies, and the over-the-top balloon arch constructed by Adirondack Balloon Co. Then it was time for the main event: a conversation between Palette CEO Marcella Hammer and von Ziegesar, creator of the characters we’ve all come to love…or hate.

Tina Galante, Stacey D’Andrea-Goodman, Heidi Owen West, Annette Quarrier, Natalie Moore

Sonia Sandoval and Jennery Pacheco

Saratoga Tea & Honey’s Julia Alotta

Cupcakes by Franklin Square Market

Ashley Richardson, Amanda MartiniHughes, Lauren Hatch and Jen Allen

Brunch by Wandering Food Dude

Gossip about attendees served as table décor

saratoga living Insiders Marcella Hammer, Samantha Reilly and Natalie Moore

Robyn Scotland, Lisa Schwartz and Jennifer Coffey

Riley Monaco and Brittni Toomey

Jessica Bauder and Jasmine Cuffee

DeCrescente Distributing Co.’s Serena Spritz

Maureen Roberts and Diane Denny

Petra Davenport and Rebecca Lynch

1 PRINT SUBSCRIPTION

Print subscriptions make a great gift for out-of-towners who love this area of the world, as well as for locals who don't want to have to search for a copy around town.

ONE YEAR: $45

TWO YEAR: $75

2 SARATOGA LIVING AFTER HOURS

Have a friend or family member who loves to be the first to know about, well, everything? Gift them a paid subscription to SARATOGA LIVING AFTER HOURS, our online newsletter that covers all things Saratoga all year long. It's just $5 a month or $50 a year.

3 SARATOGA LIVING INSIDERS CLUB

Would that friend enjoy even more access to what’s going on in the wide world of Saratoga Springs? Our INSIDERS CLUB is a no-brainer! Members get monthly perks at local businesses, access to exclusive Insiders events, a direct line to saratoga living’s editorial team, and a full SLAH subscription— all for $20 a month or $200 a year.

saratoga living’s Single in Saratoga

OCTOBER 18 • THE WILD HORSE

SARATOGA’S HOTTEST TICKETS

Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga’s Charity Benefit Concert

FEATURING The Bacon Brothers

OCTOBER 5 • THERAPEUTIC HORSES OF SARATOGA photography by CATHY DUFFY

Saratoga PLAN’s PLAN for the Future

photography by KONRAD ODHIAMBO

SEPTEMBER 12 • THE MANSION OF SARATOGA photography by IRONGLASS PRODUCTIONS

CATHY DUFFY

Welcome to BEVS

Formerly known as Minogues, Saratoga’s favorite beverage center is the same as it always was—only better.

In case you missed it, longtime local beverage center Minogue’s has been rebranded as BEVS, and there are a few things you should know as we head into the holiday season.

First, you can still get all your favorite beverages—beer, cider, seltzer and more—at the conveniently located stores in Saratoga, Wilton, Malta and Queensbury, each of which recently underwent a remodel. In addition to new floors and paint colors, the stores have been reorganized for an elevated and easier shopping experience. “We are proud of the improvements that set our brand apart from other stores,” says BEVS owner Jeff Vukelic. “We look forward to continuing to serve our returning customers and welcoming the next generation of BEVS shoppers.”

Second, you’ll probably—no, definitely—want to sign up for BEVS’ new loyalty program, BEVS Rewards. All they need is your phone number, and you’ll automatically begin earning coupons that will mean big savings when shopping for holiday get-togethers this

year. BEVS loyalty program members recently received $5 off a $20 purchase, and for every $500 they spend, they get a $10 reward.

Third, and perhaps most importantly, you should know that BEVS was and remains a family-owned business. The Vukelic family, owners of beverage distributor Saratoga Eagle Sales & Service, purchased the company from the Minogue family in 2021, and three years later, despite the name change, their dedication to their employees, customers and the community hasn’t wavered. Stop by to see for yourself. ■

16 West Avenue, Saratoga Springs І 2421 Route 9, Malta 624 Maple Avenue, Wilton І 266 Quaker Road, Queensbury bevsny.com І #WhatchaDrinkin

home stretch

fashion & style :: food & drink :: spa & beauty :: house & home

like a glove Astis Mittens come in two sizes, but the smaller size fits most women’s hands best.

The Cold Never Bothered Us Anyway

AT LEAST NOT IN THESE MITTENS.

we hate to break it to you, but it’s here: that dreaded time of year when you have to scrape ice off your car’s windshield before you can drive to work. The silver lining? You can do that, and any number of other wintertime activities— from skiing to Victorian strolling—in style. ❄ Enter: Astis, a brand of leather long-cuff mittens sold at Saratoga’s Alpine Sport Shop. Alpine carries nine styles of the mittens in suede, black and gray, each with a different beadwork pattern. They cost $269.95 a pair. ❄ “Astis mittens are beautiful, but they’re made to be worn,” says Alpine Sport Shop’s Terri-Lynn Pellegri. “Living in the Northeast, we need to keep warm. No matter what it is you’re doing outdoors, these mittens will become your favorite things.”

home stretch

fashion & style :: food & drink :: spa & beauty :: house & home

Familiar Faces

CHEF MICHELE HUNTER REJOINS THE HAMLET & GHOST TEAM TO OPEN FAMILIAR CREATURE , A NEW WINE BAR COMING TO PHILA STREET. | BY KATHLEEN WILLCOX

PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHAWN L a CHAPELLE

wine seems to inspire equal levels of passion and determined ignorance.

There are oenophiles who will wax poetic on the merits of ChambolleMusigny vs. Gevrey-Chambertin, and laypeople for whom the wine world’s exclusionary vibe makes them less, not more, curious about the intricacies of fermented grapes. And then there are those who seek to bring these two opposing camps together.

“We really want to take the stuffiness out of the idea of a ‘wine bar,’” says

Michele Hunter, the executive chef at Familiar Creature, a new—yes—wine bar that’s set to open on Phila Street this holiday season. “It will be the type of place you can go to in ripped jeans after work. It will be walk-in only—no reservations. You can stay for dinner, or not. It’s also set up to be an afterdinner place. What we most want to do is welcome people, offer a communal setting and group seating, and be able to teach people about wine, if they want to learn.”

hunter’s gathering Familiar Creature Sous Chef Alex Johnson, Executive Chef Michele Hunter and co-owner Brendan Dillon.

If Hunter seems like a familiar creature herself, tthat's because she is: She was the executive chef at Hamlet & Ghost until 2021. Hamlet & Ghost owners Brendan Dillon and Dennis Kiingati are in on Familiar Creature too, but whereas Hamlet has evolved into a special occasion restaurant with a serious menu, Familiar Creature’s menu will skew seriously casual. (Think build-your-own locally sourced meat and cheese plates with addons of homemade sausage, pâté and seafood dumplings, and simple but decadent roast chicken with perfectly crisped skin served with seasonal sides and frites.) There will be local beer on tap, a full and imaginatively stocked bar, a menu of spritzes and wine that—for you oenephiles—ranges from precious hipster natty to nononsense granny global.

Hunter, who has also worked at The Adelphi Hotel, Yono’s, Chez Nous Bistro and many other top regional establishments, returns to Saratoga because she shares a vision for what the food business should be with Dillon and Kiingati.

“When they approached me with the concept, I couldn’t resist,” Hunter says. “We share the same values. We want a work-life balance, we want our staff to have a living wage, we want to welcome and educate people and meet them where they are. We all have a passion for food and hospitality, and we value happiness.”

Regardless of your wine knowledge (or lack thereof), if you share those same values, Familiar Creature is for you. As Shakespeare wrote in Othello: “Come, come, good wine is a good familiar creature, if it be well used: Exclaim no more against it.”

home stretch

fashion & style :: food & drink :: spa & beauty :: house & home

WAIT FOR IT...

A Taste of France

COMING THIS DECEMBER: REGENT RESTAURANT & BAR , AN OPEN-TO-THEPUBLIC FRENCH BRASSERIE LOCATED IN THE BRAND-NEW BROOKMERE SARATOGA.

BY NATALIE MOORE

bland rebrand “There’s a stigma around hotel restaurants that they’re bland and not very interesting,” says Chef Christopher Smith (at right). “I fight constantly to break that stigma down.”

The final menu is still in the works, but foodies can expect quality French omelets for brunch and duck fat fries for—well, hopefully forever. The focal point of the small restaurant is going to be a large bar, at which craft cocktails will take center stage. There’ll also be some French beer and a wine list that mirrors New and Old World selections.

unless you’re in the market for a staycation, chances are, if you live in Saratoga you probably won’t be booking a room at the brand-new Brookmere Saratoga. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to be excited about when the former home of Longfellows opens this winter: namely, Regent Restaurant and Bar, an eatery Chef Christopher Smith describes as a New York interpretation of a French restaurant.

“I call it ‘choose your own adventure,’” says Chef Smith, who comes to Regent from boutique hotels in Washington and Oregon. “If you want to come out for a quick, light dinner, you can. If you want to celebrate a big occasion and pull out all the stops, we’re also going to be that spot for you.” In other words, if you just want a bowl of soup, great. If you want foie gras and Champagne, that’s great, too.

While Chef Smith doesn’t necessarily specialize in any one type of cuisine, he says his style of cooking takes the influence of an area—i.e., the agricultural bounty of upstate New York and the Hudson Valley—and puts a global spin on it. His vision for Regent: an upscale French brasserie that still feels true to the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains.

At press time, Chef Smith was living in the area part-time while he and his family figured out where exactly they wanted to set down roots. But he can’t wait to officially call this region home. “Saratoga has all the amenities of a larger city while having that really strong sense of community,” he says.

“Everyone I’ve met in this industry has just been like, ‘Here’s my cell number—call me if you need anything.’ It’s really amazing that there’s all this infrastructure and support. I really didn’t expect it in a place that has such a small-town feel.”

No Alcohol, No Problem

MOCKTAILS TAKE CENTER STAGE AT BROADWAY COFFEE CO. AFTER HOURS.

you’ve heard of SARATOGA LIVING AFTER HOURS…Now it’s time to check out Broadway Coffee Co. After Hours.

“In November we launched After Hours, featuring mocktails and desserts on Thursday and Friday nights from 6-9pm,” Broadway Coffee Co. owner Christine Hernandez says. “Our mocktails will be made with zero-proof spirits that contain nootropics and adaptogens.” For the uninitiated, nootropics are compounds that can impact cognitive performance, concentration and memory, and adaptogens are compounds found in plants and functional mushrooms that are said to help the body manage stress, anxiety and fatigue. “The goal of the adaptogens and nootropics in the drinks,” Hernandez continues, “is to recreate some of the positive aspects of drinking alcohol without the negative effects.”

The mocktails themselves will be made with zero-proof spirits by Philters, and include a “Rhum & Coke” made with Olipop Cola, a margarita made with “Mezkahl” and other seasonal drinks. As for the desserts, think affogatos, cannolis, cheesecake and make-your-own s’mores.

After Hours at Broadway Coffee Co. isn’t Hernandez’s first foray into the world of NA drinks. “We’ve done some mocktail events in the past, and they have gone over well,” she says. “Many people told us that they appreciate having the opportunity to go out for fun, fancy drinks that aren’t alcohol.”

home stretch

fashion & style :: food & drink :: spa & beauty :: house & home

There Goes the Sun

AT SARATOGA’S NEW AFTERGLOW SUNLESS TANS , THE END OF SUMMER DOESN’T MEAN THE END OF BEAUTIFUL, BRONZED SKIN.

BY NATALLI AMATO

who among us hasn’t known the feeling of looking in the mirror and seeing insecurities—things that we want to change about our appearance? As the owner of Afterglow Sunless Tans, Kristen Willis often finds herself holding space for others as they talk about these perceived “faults.” But for Willis, offering cosmetic spray tanning services isn’t about erasing faults and making bodies fit

a certain “look.” It’s about working with clients to give them an experience that empowers them.

In fact, helping others cultivate this confidence is Willis’ way of paying it forward. “I love what spray tanning did for me when I was a client,” she says. “I just felt like I could walk into a room a little bit more confident. So I love that aspect of it, because people come in and they

glow the distance (left) Afterglow owner Kristen Willis at the grand opening of her Saratoga studio; (right) Willis gives spray tans herself, rather than relying on a machine to do it.

hate looking in the mirror, and then when they leave, they love looking in the mirror. That is such a feelgood moment.”

After moving from Mayfield to Saratoga this past January, Willis celebrated the grand opening of her Spa City location in September. Located at 219 Broadway, the luxury salon offers spray tanning and teeth whitening services in a more customizable fashion than you might find in a traditional spray tanning setting, where it’s machines that do all the work. Willis is a Master Certified Spray Tan Artist: While this is actually not a requirement for spray tan practitioners in New York State, Willis holds herself to a higher bar—for herself and for the sake of her customers. “I personally wanted to know it inside and out,” she says, “just to be able to produce those flawless results based on what skin tones can handle.”

Part of ensuring flawless results is the products Willis chooses to work with. The active ingredient in spray tanning products is DHA—a chemical that reacts with your skin to create a tanning effect. Unfortunately, a lot of DHAs have formaldehyde

in them. As someone who values skin health above all else (skin cancer hits close to the heart for Willis), having such an ingredient in her products would be unacceptable. Therefore, Willis imports her product from Paris, where the DHA doesn’t have formaldehyde and all of the other ingredients in the formula are organic.

Willis also prides herself on offering an experience that tailors itself to all different comfort levels. Feeling anxious about undressing? You can pop in and buy premium products that you can use at home. Or, during your one-on-one pre-session consultation, you can decide where your level of comfort is, and Willis will honor that. In short, she says, “Everyone is welcome.”

home stretch

fashion & style :: food & drink :: spa & beauty :: house & home

The Showcase Home That Wasn’t

PEEK INSIDE THE MISSING HOUSE FROM THE SARATOGA SHOWCASE OF HOMES TOUR. | BY KATHLEEN WILLCOX

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MEGAN MUMFORD

when it comes to building a home, especially in this age of labor and material shortages, things don’t always go according to plan. That’s certainly true of “the Showcase home that wasn’t”—the DSG Construction home that didn’t quite come together in time for this year’s Saratoga Showcase of Homes. But it wasn’t for lack of trying.

“It was a knife-fight to the end to get everything done,” says Diane Meyer, senior interior designer at Interior

Designs Atelier (IDA), which handled the home’s interior design. “The builder had to pull out of the tour, but the good news is that they weren’t rushing to meet a deadline anymore.” In other words, both DSG and IDA were able to take their time and do things right— even if it meant switching things up to better suit the needs of their clients, Charlie and Lynne Goodridge.

“Initially, we were planning on a large home office for Lynne,” Meyer says. “But

great expectations The great room, featuring a custom-designed marble fireplace; (opposite, from top) the foyer, with a chair inspired by the clients' favorite flower—tulips; the powder room's wallpaper was designed by IDA in collaboration with local illustrator Lauren Magina.

we all realized that the room would be better as a second sitting room for the couple. There’s still ample space for her desk and working area, and privacy when she needs it, but having an additional area for them to enjoy quiet time together fits well with their lifestyle.” And that, of course, is the ultimate goal.

“It’s so important to us that we help create a home for a family that takes into account how they live,” says IDA owner Linda Gerace-Skinner. “We customdesign every inch of the home with them so they can feel good in every room, and have everything they need.”

The finished Circular Street home is elegant yet approachable, with floral

pops, clean lines, light oak floors to cover wear and tear, mixed metal finishes and a color palette driven by blues (peep the custom navy Saratoga wallpaper illustrated by local artist Lauren Magina in a powder room).

“We weren’t just picking out things from a book,” Charlie says. “They laid out fabrics, woods, tiles and paint swatches side by side, allowing us to see how everything would work together.”

Charlie’s wife, Lynne, jumps in. “Their eye for design and attention to detail were invaluable, and they turned our vision into a stunning reality,” she says of the IDA team. “We couldn’t have brought our dream home to life without them.”

Dunning Street Station

2853 STATE ROUTE 9, MALTA dunningstreetstation.com • 518.587.2000

Located less than 10 minutes from downtown Saratoga Springs just off Exit 13S, Dunning Street Station is known for its laidback environment and frontof-mind customer service. Chef Bruce Jacobsen, formerly of sister restaurant Lake Ridge, has curated an impressive menu that features many Italian-inspired classics with a twist, and the bar staff is ready to serve you a festive holiday cocktail. Dunning Street also hosts private events—book your holiday party today!—and offers gift certificates for holiday gifting. Open Tuesday–Saturday 3-9pm.

Stacy’s Scratch Kitchen

101 WEST MAIN STREET, BROADALBIN

518.752.6255

Stacy’s Scratch Kitchen on Facebook

SThe Hideaway

35 GRACE MOORE ROAD, SARATOGA SPRINGS hideawaysaratoga.com • 518.306.1900

It may be called “The Hideaway,” but it’s no secret that Saratoga Lake Golf Club’s onsite restaurant is one of the best places to enjoy drinks or dinner all year long. Whether you’re looking to cozy up to the bar for a light snack and a cocktail, sit by the big stone fireplace for an intimate dinner, or enjoy brunch with a view, The Hideaway has you covered. Check the restaurant’s Facebook page for daily specials, craft beer offerings, special events and more. Open Monday–Friday 11am-9pm; Saturday–Sunday 9am-9pm.

Henry Street

Taproom

86 HENRY STREET, SARATOGA SPRINGS henrystreettaproom.com • 518.886.8938

tacy’s Scratch Kitchen is on the fast track to Capital Region foodie fame. Now in a brick-andmortar location in Broadalbin, Stacy's snagged Best Fulton County Restaurant honors in both the 2023 and 2024 CAPITAL REGION LIVING Bestie Awards, and was featured on the YouTube show America’s Best Restaurants. Earlier this year, its owner, Stacy Tecler, was named a “Rising Star Chef” at the Albany Chef’s Food & Wine Festival. Is Stacy’s really the best? Well, you’ll just have to see—and taste—for yourself. Open Thursday–Saturday 4-9pm.

Good food, lots of beer and an atmosphere that’s the perfect mix of relaxed, cozy and chic? That’s what you can expect at Henry Street Taproom, which has been serving local craft beers and ciders, inventive cocktails and locally sourced, made-from-scratch food since 2012. Henry Street is still a go-to spot for locals who never tire of settling in on the patio or cozying up to the fire when the cold weather rolls around. Open Tuesday-Friday 4-10pm; Saturday 2-10pm; Sunday 2-9pm.

Cantina

408 BROADWAY, SARATOGA SP R INGS cantinasaratoga.com • 518.587.5577

Broadway dining hotspot Cantina has been serving up fresh Mexican dishes and signature margaritas in the heart of downtown Saratoga for the last 17 years. Guests flock to the restaurant for its festive vibe, creative and delicious fare, and craft cocktails—happy hour, anyone?! When the weather gets cold, belly up to the bar or find a table for all your south-of-the-border favorites. Need a venue for your private party? Look no further than The 408 Event & Occasion, an event space located on the restaurant’s second floor. Open Sunday–Thursday noon-9pm; Friday and Saturday noon-10pm.

Panza’s Restaurant

129 SOUTH BROADWAY, SARATOGA SPRINGS panzasrestaurant.com • 518.584.6882

TCoat Room

385 BROADWAY,SARATOGA SPRINGS the C oatroom.com • 518.306.4155

Located on the former site of the famed United States Hotel, Coat Room celebrates the grandeur of an era gone by. It’s hidden off the beaten track in what looks like a coat closet, and while the speakeasy-style restaurant is open to the public, it also offers a preferred guest program for those in search of exclusive perks and priority access. Boasting an amazing craft cocktail program and a scratch kitchen, Coat Room also offers private events, with some dates still open for holiday parties! See website for hours.

Kindred

84 HENRY STREET, SARATOGA SPRINGS kindredsaratoga.com • 518.886.1198

easured family recipes have kept Panza’s a Saratoga staple since 1938. Expect authentic Italian food, an ever-evolving menu and weekly live music at the intimate piano bar and on the Starlight Lounge stage. Make your holiday dinner reservations now, or plan to stop in for a seasonal cocktail with friends. The Panza’s team would like to thank all who helped vote the restaurant Best Romantic Dining, Best Italian Restaurant and Best Saratoga County Restaurant in this year’s CAPITAL REGION LIVING Bestie Awards. Open Wednesday–Monday 5-9pm.

From the owners of Henry Street Taproom, Kindred is a wood-fired restaurant and wine bar focused on great food, fun wine and good times. The owners’ goal is a simple one: Make wine fun again in a comfortable, chic atmosphere. On the food side, Kindred offers small plates (think pork schnitzel, Brussels sprouts, hog island clams and burrata toast), flatbreads (topped with buffalo burrata, prosciutto or lamb ragu), and select entrées (such as a butternut squash ravioli with ricotta, brown butter, sage and pepitas). Open Tuesday–Saturday 4pm-midnight.

The Brook Tavern

thebrooktavern.com

 518.871.1473

139 Union Avenue, Saratoga Springs

Coat Room

thecoatroom.com

 518.306.4155

385 Broadway, Saratoga Springs

Dunning Street

Station

dunningstreetstation.com

 518.587.2000

2853 State Route 9, Malta

Kindred

kindredsaratoga.com

 518.886.1198

84 Henry Street, Saratoga Springs

Henry Street Taproom

henrystreettaproom.com

 518.886.8938

86 Henry Street, Saratoga Springs

The Hideaway

hideawaysaratoga.com

 518.306.1900

35 Grace Moore Road, Saratoga Springs

Lake Ridge Restaurant

lake-ridge.com

 518.899.6000

35 Burlington Avenue, Round Lake

Park & Elm

parkandelm.com

 518.480.3220

19 Park Street, Glens Falls

Prime Restaurant

primeatsaratoganational.com

 518.583.4653

458 Union Avenue, Saratoga Springs

Stacy’s Scratch Kitchen

 518.752.6255

101 West Main Street, Broadalbin

The Wishing Well

wishingwellrestaurant.com

 518.584.7640

745 Saratoga Road, Gansevoort

Panza’s Restaurant

panzasrestaurant.com

 518.584.6882

129 South Broadway, Saratoga Springs

Elsasser’s Beim 111

elsassers111.com

 518.531.477

111 Main Street, Greenwich

Cantina

cantinasaratoga.com

 518.587.5577

408 Broadway, Saratoga Springs

First Pick

Purdy’s Discount Wine & Liquor has the perfect holiday gift for whiskey enthusiasts.

When you don’t know what to get someone for Christmas, liquor is always a good bet. But don’t just buy any old bottle—shop Purdy’s Discount Wine & Liquor’s selection of one-of-a-kind barrel pick whiskeys.

“A barrel pick is when we hand-select an entire barrel of whiskey, bourbon or spirit directly from the distillery,” explains Jaclyn Shyptycki, Purdy’s marketing and operations manager. “We sample different barrels and choose one with a unique flavor profile that becomes exclusive to our store.”

Typically, when whiskey is made, multiple barrels are blended together, resulting in a more uniform taste—like the Johnnie Walker you know and love. With a barrel pick, the taste will be subtly different, depending on variables including the barrel’s location in a warehouse and the characteristics of the wood from which it’s made.

“We have barrel picks from popular brands, which offer customers a chance to explore familiar favorites in a new way,” Shyptycki says. “For instance, we have exclusive barrels with Maker’s Mark, Bulleit and Knob Creek.” Purdy’s has barrel picks from local distillers, too, including Albany Distilling Company and Whistlepig, which is based in Vermont.

The best part about gifting a barrel pick? You’re not just giving someone whiskey— you’re giving them an experience.

TBT

A Royal Field Trip

BY NATALIE MOORE

photography by ANITA ZATZ

the finish line

In 1956, the marriage of actress Grace Kelly to Prince Rainier of Monaco—and the couple’s subsequent pregnancy announcement—was front-page news. Four thousand miles away, Saratoga Springs school kids read about the latest happenings with Philadelphia’s sweetheart in magazines like Life and Look, but never imagined they’d get a look at the princess in real life.

That is, until Saratoga social studies teacher Florence Hall took some of her 8th grade students on a field trip to West Point to watch the Army-Colgate football game in November 1956.

Also in attendance? The royal couple, pregnant with Princess Caroline.

“We didn’t know that they were going to be there,” says Shirley Shultz, a member of that 8th grade class—the last to attend 8th grade at Saratoga Springs High School before it switched over to grades 9-12. “I used to love going to the movies. One that stands out in my mind is To Catch a Thief. The movie was made in the French Riviera. Amazing that when Grace married Prince Rainier, she would be calling that place her home.”

On the day of the football game, Shultz’s classmate, Anita Figelman

(now Anita Zatz), happened to have a camera, and pulled it out just in time to snap this photo of Princess Grace walking by, only an arm’s length away.

West Point ended up winning the game 55-46, not that Shultz remembers that little detail. “I can still remember looking up at them on a balcony,” she says. “I didn’t even watch the game. I mainly kept looking for him and her. Mostly her.”

baby on board Though you can’t tell by the photo, Princess Grace of Monaco was pregnant at the time of the November 1956 football game; Princess Caroline was born on January 23 of the following year.

Assorted Winter Hats

ALPINE SPORT SHOP

At Alpine Sport Shop, winter is just an excuse to accessorize! You can’t go wrong with a one-size-fits-all beanie, available in a variety of colors and styles.

$41.95-$71.95 | alpinesportshop.com

Hand-painted Equestrian Drinkware

IMPRESSIONS OF SARATOGA

Buying for a wine, Champagne or martini lover? Impressions has horse racing–themed glasses, hand-painted by Vermont artist Trish Maeder, for each! $44.99 | impressionssaratoga.com

Sweet Water Décor Candle

PAPER DOLLS

Approximately three out of every four Paper Dolls customers comment on whatever scent is burning in the store, and oftentimes, they can’t resist buying one of these candles. $20-$30 | paperdollsofsaratoga.com

Peppermint Pig

SARATOGA CANDY CO.

Would it really be Christmas in Saratoga without a Peppermint Pig? Pick up one of these iconic novelty candy pigs as a hostess gift or stocking stuffer before they’re gone! $12.99-$29.99 | saratogasweets.com

Merino Sweater

CELTIC TREASURES

A great gift for anyone on your list! This single-button shawl collar merino sweater is available in charcoal, natural white or army green and size small through XXXL. $109 | celtictreasures.com

Emerson Knit

BOBBLES & LACE

Everyone loves a comfy sweater, and the Emerson Knit is a cozy as it gets. Pick one up for the lady in your life—a variety of colors are available. $69 | bobblesandlace.com

Assorted Necklaces

LUCIA BOUTIQUE

No outfit is complete without an understated piece of jewelry! Lucia Boutique carries a carefully curated selection of necklaces that any woman would love.

$35-$75 | luciaboutique.com

Woven Billybelt

UNION HALL SUPPLY CO

The best part about this woven belt from Union Hall (which recently opened a second location in Stuyvesant Plaza!), is that it’s elastic, so it adapts to all body shapes and can be adjusted easily. $44 | unionhallsupplyco.com

Unique Artistic Vase

INTO MISCHIEF BOUTIQUE

Into Mischief has become Saratoga shoppers’ go-to store for one-of-a-kind pieces like this vase, which comes in an array of colors. $86 | intomischiefboutique.com

Valentin Leflaive Extra Brut Blanc De Blancs

PURDY’S DISCOUNT WINE & LIQUOR

Fresh. Crisp. Elegant. Made from 100 percent Chardonnay, this Champagne is dry and refreshing, making it perfect for those who like their bubbles on the drier side. $89.99 | purdyswine.com

Silk Ties

SILVERWOOD HOME & GALLERY

Silverwood is Saratoga’s go-to store for more than just home goods—you can also shop accessories like these handfolded, hand-sewn, equestrian-themed silk ties. $68 | silverwoodgalleries.com

Diamond Drop Earrings

DEJONGHE ORIGINAL JEWELRY

If diamond’s are a girl’s best friend, these diamond drop earrings from deJonghe must be a girl’s best friend forever. The custom earrings are available in 14k yellow, white or rose gold.

$1,195 | djoriginals.com