Simply Saratoga Holiday 2019

Simply...

SARATOGA ™

THE PEOPLE • THE PLACES • THE LIFESTYLE

Holiday 2019 Complimentary

Happy Holidays from our family to yours!

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Simply...

SARATOGA

™

THE PEOPLE • THE PLACES • THE LIFESTYLE

Owner/Publisher Chad Beatty General Manager Robin Mitchell Creative Director/ Managing Editor Chris Vallone Bushee Magazine Designer Marisa Scirocco Advertising Designer Morgan Rook Advertising Sales Jim Daley Cindy Durfey Contributing Writers

Samantha Bosshart Colleen Coleman Geraldine Freeman Jodi Fitz Carol Godette Himanee Guta-Carlson John R. Greenwood Mike Hare Ann Hauprich Jessica Holmes Charlie Kuenzel Meghan Lemery-Fritz Nicolina Foti Dr. Hollis Palmer Megin Potter John Reardon Jordanna Turcotte Robert J. Sofarelli Elise Stefanik Theresa St. John Ralph Vincent Maureen Werther Stewart White Diane Whitten

Intern

Olivia Carozza

Photographers

Susan Blackburn Photography Colleen Coleman Alice Corey Photography East & Lake Pattie Garrett Randall Perry Photography Megin Potter Theresa St. John Sue Johnson SuperSourceMedia.com Bill Weisenforth

Published by

Saratoga TODAY Newspaper Five Case Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 tel: (518) 581-2480 | fax: (518) 581-2487

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Simply Saratoga is brought to you by Saratoga TODAY Newspaper, Saratoga Publishing, LLC. Saratoga Publishing shall make every effort to avoid errors and omissions but disclaims any responsibility should they occur. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written consent of the publisher. Copyright © 2019, Saratoga TODAY Newspaper

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From The Editor

Chris Vallone Bushee Creative Director/ Managing Editor cBushee@SaratogaPublishing.com (518) 581-2480 ext.201 saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

For a girl who’s first job as a kid, was working on a neighbor’s farm in

Bacon Hill, having Dairy Farms (page 130), a new Christmas Tree farm (page 42) and goats (Yes, that would be the Beekman 1802 goats on page 84) all in the same issue is the perfect way to wrap up another year of doing what I love best…

Bringing you the people, the places and the lifestyle of Saratoga Springs!

Now on to some of the other good stuff we have in this issue…

Let’s hope you’re still doing some holiday shopping, because we have ideas at every turn! We are so lucky to live in an area that is teeming with such amazing local talent, unique shops, services, great ideas… I just love putting this issue together!

Our restaurant feature this month is everybody’s favorite “neighborhood” place… or is it the favorite place in everybody’s favorite neighborhood – lol – I’m sure you know who I’m talking about, and after shopping downtown, when you’re looking for a bite and drink to recharge, make sure you mention reading about Wheatfields on page 64.

Don’t forget to check out the organizations you want to donate your time and money to (page 15); and nail that holiday decorating (page 91).

Oooh... Saratoga Christmas Magazine, due out on November 27th – is the complete guide to everything happening downtown – pick it up!

I must close with a big Thank You to all our advertisers, without them, Saratoga TODAY couldn’t continue to offer these beautiful publications free of charge to the thousands that read them each issue.

Please mention us by name when visiting these businesses…

Simply Saratoga, the Saratoga TODAY magazine!

I wish you all a Happy Holiday and a Blessed New Year!

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Love, Chris

Cover Photo

by Randall Perry Photography See the feature on page 91.

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C O N T R I BU T O R S M E GHA M

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Maureen Werther is the owner of WriteForYou, a professional freelance writing service specializing in business writing, web and blog content, and creative non-fiction. Her articles, essays and white papers appear on the pages of businesses on the web and around the globe. She is also a regular contributor to numerous newspapers, magazines and journals throughout the Capital Region.

She is the author of “Them That Has, Gets,” the story of a 1790’s estate in Schroon Lake and the colorful history of its owners. Currently, she is working on a memoir detailing her adventures as owner of Pie ala Moe, a gourmet pie and tart company she started in 2008, in the midst of the recession.

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Stewart White, an avid weightlifter and a sports enthusiast is a Saratoga native and a graduate of the class of 1972.

He’s worked with 13-18 year old troubled boys & girls for the last 24 years. Stewart is an all-around great guy with a knack for storytelling and he’s thrilled to have this opportunity with Simply Saratoga Magazine to tell his story and make his mom & brother smile from the heavens above.

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Ralph Vincent is a creative writer enamored with the Spa City. As an enthusiastic contributor to Simply Saratoga Magazine, he enjoys writing about a variety of topics including home entertaining, cooking, and cocktail crafting. His body of work also includes articles on subjects of special significance to him such as his experiences as a pet parent, gardening, and Yaddo. He resides locally with his partner Steven and their adorable Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

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Theresa is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in Saratoga Springs. Even though history was not on her radar while in high school, she has a deep interest in all things historical now. She has been on assignment for several magazines and is published in both print and online venues. Last year she traveled to Ireland on assignment, which, she states " was a trip of a lifetime." She is the proud mom to two young men and Nonnie to six rescued dogs, two chinchillas, and a bird. Life is good, she says.

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Dr. Sofarelli is past president of the Capital District Veterinary Medical Society and served on the executive board of the NYS Veterinary Medical Society for 12 years. In 1999 he was elected president of the State Veterinary Society.

Devoting many hours to civic involvement, he says that he is one of the lucky ones, as he knew from the age of 9 that he wanted to be a Veterinarian. To this day, though semi-retired, he still enjoys practicing..

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Charlie Kuenzel is a native Saratogian who spent 36 years as a Science educator in the Saratoga School District before retiring 6 years ago. Charlie, along with Dave Patterson are the co-owners of Saratoga Tours LLC who for the past 16 years have educated and entertained thousands of visitors to the city with stories to tell the exciting history of our great city.

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When not writing magazine articles that warm hearts, lift spirits and tickle funny bones, Ann Hauprich keeps busy preserving the past and present for future generations at Legacies Unlimited in Ballston Spa. The historic upstate village where the author’s family settled half a century ago will be commemorated in her sixth book in 2020. To learn more, visit AnnHauprich.US and LegaciesUnlimited.com.

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Himanee Gupta-Carlson is a writer, farmer, avid fan of locally grown and raised foods, and a professor of Historical Studies at Empire State College. She is the author of Muncie, India(na): Middletown and Asian America, a book on the experiences of growing up as the daughter of Indian immigrants in middle America.

She is working on a new book on the connections between Hip Hop, small scale sustainable farming, and community building in 21st century America.

John Greenwood is a leftover Saratoga Springs milkman who loves capturing stories about the people and places that surround him. John and his wife Patricia have been holding hands since high school. The couple recently retired and are looking forward to having more time to enjoy the nooks and crannies of the surrounding area.

You can explore more of John’s writing at rainingiguanas. com, where you will find the glass half full and the weather mostly sunny.

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Born and raised in Saratoga Springs, Carol Godette’s fascination with neighborhood stores began at age 11 when she frequented Rowland’s. A passionate educator, Godette taught elementary school in the Saratoga School District for 31 years. Carol is a coowner of the local Ben & Jerry’s franchise. Godette and her husband live in her childhood home where they raised their two children. She welcomes your comments and stories/photos on neighborhood stores via email: saratoganeighborhoodstores@gmail.com

of 2004 and has enjoyed selling over 6,000 high quality cookware and cutlery items to his Foodie Friends ever since. His wife Paula - as well as being a college professor - helps out along with their son John and daughter Aubrey …and they fit right in to his Foodie Team! If you ask John or Aubrey to cook up a special dish, you’ll see a gleam in their eyes! John reminds us... “Life Happens in the Kitchen” and yes… “Anyone can cook!”

Jordana Turcotte is a lifelong New Yorker and a Saratoga County resident since graduating from RPI. After staying at home for a bit with her children (now 10 and 8), she decided on the “rest of her life job” as Professional Organizer. Starting Simply You in 2008 fulfills a passion for organizing. When she isn’t organizing, you’ll find her volunteering at her kids’ school, being Mommy chauffeur or hanging out with her two rescue dogs.

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Jodie Fitz is a wife, working mother of three and the creator of the Price Chopper Kids Cooking Club. She released two cookbooks in 2015; The Chaotic Kitchen; a collection of recipes to help make the lives of busy families just a little bit easier when it comes to mealtime & Cooking Up Fun; designed to get kids taste testing & experimenting with foods.

Megin is an expressive writer and artist with work published in books, newspapers, corporate communications and online. A resident of the region for over 20 years, she continues to discover anew the interesting people, places and products it has to offer.

As a mother to her active young son, she is inspired to explore even more.

R E AR D John Reardon purchased Compliments to the Chef in July

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Geraldine Freedman is a freelance writer and a former freelance flutist, who worked for several years in New York City. She's been in the area for almost twenty years first moving to Saratoga Springs, which reminded her of NYC's West Village. These days she lives in Ballston Spa with her two cats.

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Meghan is a native of the Glens Falls Saratoga region. Her passion is to provide her clients and readers with the tools necessary to live a life grounded in peace and emotional well-being. She is an author and writer for various publications in Upstate NY and State College, PA. She is also the co-host for a monthly radio segment focused on how to improve relationships.

She currently resides in State College, PA where she enjoys spending time with her husband and son.

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Colleen Coleman is the owner of CMC Design Studio LLC and is well noted by her clients for bringing high energy, attention to detail, organization and more to each project. Her collaborative efforts with clients, as well as others in the industry, translates to a comprehensive design to completion for her clients.

Her unique approach to defining each space matured into what she has coined as “Creating Environments for Life” - reach her at colleen@cmcdesignstudio.net.

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Samantha Bosshart joined the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation in 2008. As Executive Director, she advocates for the preservation of the unique architecture and rich heritage of Saratoga Springs. Samantha previously worked at Historic Albany Foundation and Galveston Historical Foundation. Samantha completed her coursework for a Master of Arts in Historic Preservation Planning from Cornell University and received a Bachelor of Arts in History from Indiana University.

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...Tis the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

15 It Feels Good to Give, and we have pages of suggestions!

22 If Heaven Had Christmas Trees 24 Untangling the December Dilemma of an Interfaith Family 25 Sixteen Pages of HOLIDAY SHOPPING Suggestions!

42 A Christmas Tree Story 45 Buy Local, to Meet the Makers

A GOOD READ 60 The Gift of a Lifetime 64 Our Restaurant Feature Will WOW! You… Wheatfields 68 Preserving Saratoga 79 Meghan Lemery advises…

How to deal with Toxic Family Members During the Holiday Season 84 Beekman 1802; Neighbors Helping Neighbors 110 The Compass that Guides us Home 122 For the Love of Animals 124 Fulfilling a Veteran’s Years-Long Wish

SAVE THE DATE! Pages 61 - 63

FASHION 73 Fashionable Gifts… for him, her or even yourself!

HOME & GARDEN 92 Architecturally Speaking 105 Adding Seasonal Warmth to your Holiday Décor 112 Our Big White Tree 114 Quilting provides… Pieces of Peace 116 In the Kitchen with John Reardon 118 Entertaining Made Easy with Jodi Fitz 120 Saratoga Farmers Market

HISTORY 125 Charlie Kuenzel 130 John Greenwood 132 Dr. Hollis Palmer 134 Carol Godette 136 Stewart White 140 Greenridge Cemetery 142 A Few More Memories of Marylou Whitney Photo by John Seymour 12 | SIMPLY SARATOGA | HOLIDAY 2019

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SARATOGA THE PEOPLE • THE PLACES • THE LIFESTYLE

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It Feels Good TO GIVE COMPLIED BY OLIVIA CAROZZA

HOLIDAY ASSISTANCE AT THE FRANKLIN COMMUNITY CENTER

When money is the main concern for families during one of the happiest times of the year, the Franklin Community Center is here to help. They take gift requests from children and parents and leave it to the citizens of Saratoga to help those in need and try to find a glimpse of happiness through these difficult times. Applications may be picked up between Monday and Thursday 9AM-4PM, or Friday from 9AM-2PM. These applications must be fully filled out and handed into the center by the dates posted, which can be found at FranklinCommunityCenter.org/programsservices/holiday-assistance or for further information please call 518-587-9826, or email ​lindsey@ franklincommunitycenter.org

THE OPEN DOOR MISSION

The Open Door is a Christian ministry dedicated to reaching out and serving the needs of the poor and homeless in the community. This is accomplished through the daily provision of hot, nutritious meals served in a friendly, welcoming environment and by providing shelter during the coldest nights of the year. You can locate them at their location of 226 Warren Street, Glens Falls that will be open by November 1st. For more information, call (518)-792-5900, email admin@ opendoor-ny.org​, or visit OpenDoor-NY.org

7TH ANNUAL TOYS FOR TOGA

Discover Saratoga, DeCrescente Distributing, Druthers Brewing and Death Wish Coffee have all partnered together to initiate the 7th Annual Toys for Toga campaign, which will start in conjunction with the 14th Annual Discover Saratoga Restaurant

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week and run through December 10th. During the campaign, participating businesses will place a cardboard box in or around their business, where community members can donate new, unwrapped toys. The boxes will be collected at the end of the campaign, during the week of December 10. The toys will be distributed to several service centers, including Saratoga Springs Franklin Community Center. For more information, contact John Vilca at j-vilca@ddcbev.com

THE EMPTY STOCKING PROJECT

Saratoga’s Children’s Committee’s largest project provides holiday gifts and necessities to approximately 1,000 children in Saratoga County each year. At the heart of the project are the “friends” who generously sponsor a child, fulfilling their holiday wishes. Gifs are collected, checked, and any last minute shopping is done before they are given to the referring agency. Please contact the Committee if you are interested in sponsoring a child or contributing to this endeavor.

For more information call (518)-484-1236 or visit SaratogaChildrensCommittee.org where you can fill out a contact form!

OPERATION ADOPT A SOLDIER

This operation collects supplies and gifts for packages that are then sent out to thousands of men and women serving overseas. Families of soldiers are also served with the help of the local community. For more information or to get involved email w ​ iseeagle1@yahoo.com​or operationadoptasoldierinc@gmail.com​, or visit OperationAdoptASoldier.org, or call (518)-260-9922, you can even visit them at their new location of 891 Saratoga Road, Gansevoort, Flip the page to see how OAS is doing since the fire…

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OPERATION ADOPT A SOLDIER is Fostering Support After Devastating Fire

WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER PHOTOS BY SUPERSOURCEMEDIA.COM

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n August, Cliff Seguin, founder of Operation Adopt a Soldier, got the call that there was a fire at their Wilton headquarters.

“When I got there, I couldn’t do anything. I had to just stand there and watch. We worked 17 years to get to where we are today and it was lost in minutes. It’s just overwhelming to see it go up in smoke,” said Seguin.

DEVASTATING TO SO MANY Run entirely by volunteers, Operation Adopt a Soldier collects donations from drop-off bins located all over the states of New York, Vermont and Massachusetts, and assembles them into care packages to send to soldiers stationed overseas.

“Can you imagine standing in line for mail and not getting any?” asked Seguin.

The fire, which broke out in the utility room, left the building completely destroyed, but Abby and Jose Gonzalez, their 2-year-old son, Harper, and their handicapped daughter, Natalie, were all able to get out of the building safely.

COPING WITH THE LOSS When the smoke cleared, Seguin sorted through the rubble and wondered what to do next.

“After the fire, we didn’t have anywhere to go,” said Seguin.

That’s when Rick Woodcock donated the empty Ferrell Oil Building on Saratoga Road in Wilton as a temporary new location.

As news of the fire spread, donations and assistance started pouring in. There is still a long way to go, however.

“We had to start from scratch,” said Seguin.

All of their office supplies and equipment, more than 200 packages, and scores of photos, letters, certificates, and thank you notes were destroyed in the fire.

In addition to replacing all the care packages that were lost, everything from copy paper to office furniture, had to be reacquired.

“We’ve gotten hundreds and hundreds of letters. Every time they receive a package from us, it puts them in a place where they want to be – it puts them in a good place,” said Seguin.

While scrambling to secure donations, and plan events to raise funds, it’s also important to the group that some of the special items that were salvaged, including smoke and water damaged cards from soldiers, are preserved.

The Route 50 multi-use building also housed the Saratoga Land Management Corporation office and the Gonzalez family residence.

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“Stuff like that really pulls at your heart – its worth more than money,” said Seguin. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

Local dinners, concerts, and the John Vincek Memorial Haunted Hayride in Gavin Park were held to help raise money. Operation Adopt a Soldier volunteers have appeared at the Saratoga Race Course, the Washington County Fair, the South Glens Falls Block Party, and the Fairways of Halfmoon Golf Club to raise awareness.

“It’s been very, very busy. The community has really come out in full force to support us. We’re trying to keep the word out there that Adopt a Solider is still here. We still have soldiers overseas 365 days a year and they need us,” said Seguin.

HOW TO GIVE:

• Donations are being collected at every branch of Saratoga National Bank and Glens Falls National Bank.

• Visit GoFundMe.com/f/operation-adopt-a-soldier-fire.

• A list of needed items can be found on their website at OperationAdoptASoldier.org/items-needed.

• Amazon will donate 0.5% of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases when you sign up online.

• Look for events and updates on Facebook.com/OperationAdoptaSoldierInc.

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REAPING THE RICHES OF WHAT ONE SOWS WRITTEN BY HIMANEE GUPTA-CARLSON PHOTOS BY SUE JOHNSON

A family in southwest Uganda showing a garden grown with Seeds for Peace seeds.

Potatoes growing in terraced gardens in Uganda.

Domingo Gomez Jr. of the Hornaday Community Garden project in the Bronx.

Johnson with Gloria Roman of a Seeds for Peace partner organization in the Bronx and Linda LeTendre of Seeds for Peace's board

Johnson with Seeds for Peace representatives from Kenya and Uganda.

Johnson at the Bugembe Women's Centre in Jinja, Uganda.

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aratoga resident Sue Johnson began collecting seeds in 1998 for community gardens around the world, after reading a story about a Bosnian village’s effort to recover from a decade of war.

Over the years, she has gathered seeds and sent them out from her tiny doorstep in Saratoga Springs to Bosnia, Haiti, inner-city schools in New York City, rural communities recovering from hurricanes in the southeast, and increasingly to many of the 54 countries that make up Africa, a place she dreamt as a child of someday visiting.

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Ugandan women living with HIV and AIDS who are growing vegetables grown from Seeds for Peace seeds to improve their overall health and nutrition.

She received letters, e-mails, and photographs of the gardens that the seeds created. And requests for more.

“At first, I wrote letters asking how I could help,” she says. “It snowballed from there.”

Her efforts grew into the non-profit group Seeds for Peace. It formed partnerships with churches, schools, food security groups, and community gardening groups throughout the world. Johnson’s handwritten letters evolved into exchanges via e-mail, blogs, Facebook, and other social media. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

“I no longer had to look for people; they found me,” she says.

Through it all, Johnson mostly remained in Saratoga raising her daughter and son, designing gardens for others, and working as a lifeguard at the Saratoga Y. She volunteered at sporting events and completed many long-distance swims. She traveled to Bosnia and Herzegovina to see the eight peace gardens she helped create with the American Friends Service Committee and to Waveland, Mississippi, where her seeds helped rebuild gardens ravaged by Hurricane Katrina.

Last summer, her dream of visiting Africa became a reality.

With help from the organizations with which Seeds for Peace had partnered in Uganda, Johnson put together a 14-day trip that involved visiting some of the gardens and communities that Seeds for Peace created.

She boarded a humanitarian flight with three suitcases containing seeds, school supplies, soap and other sanitation items. She landed in Entebbe, and then drove to Kampala and Jinja to meet Seed for Peace’s partners in Uganda and five other countries. Everywhere, she received a hero’s welcome: handshakes and hugs, gifts, and words of thanks. She was treated to Uganda’s celebratory foods and drinks and shown the country via the hiking and swimming that she adores.

Johnson’s story reflects how simple acts can generate global change.

From Charles Kinara, of Kenya: “We are working and supporting human lives – vulnerable persons, prisoners, orphans. We also help wildlife animals. We have worked with Seeds for Peace since 2010, and we have changed lots of lives. Widows now have enough food, and orphans, too. Prisoners have learned new farming skills and have reformed.”

From Johnson Kipesse of the Democratic Republic of Congo: “I’ve been in touch with Sue and Seeds for Peace since October 2016 for humanitarian needs. Today I call her Mama and am proud to be part of the Seeds for Peace team.”

And from John Bosco of Uganda: “Our Ikamiro Community Group was formed in November 2017, after an incidence of landslides and floods killed 17 people and destroyed houses, livestock, and crops. We came to know of Sue, and it was such a blessing to receive a number of vegetable seeds. We have grown the vegetables, which have greatly helped with food security, and kindly request more …”

As Johnson reflects on what Seeds of Peace has done, she also contemplates the organization’s next phase. It has grown too big for her to handle, and part of the value of the trip to Africa was the feedback she received on how to make it stronger under leadership of a future board.

“There will always be a need,” Johnson says. “And an opportunity to contribute.”

To donate, visit SeedsForPeace.org.

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HENRY STREET BARBERSHOP

So Much More Than a Flat-Top Specialist WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY THERESA ST. JOHN

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alking along the streets of Saratoga is interesting.

Storefront windows display all sorts of goods for sale, the items enticing shoppers to step through the doorway, looking for the best deal.

When a large chalkboard sign standing in front of a downtown barbershop spells out the words ‘Free haircuts for Veterans and Homeless today,’ you might stop short in your tracks for a moment – the same way I did – wondering why today, why the homeless and veterans?

Henry Street Barbershop’s door is open one Sunday afternoon as I pass by, out for a walk with my camera. A young man steps onto the sidewalk and invites me inside for coffee.

Instead of accepting his invitation, I stare at the sign and then look him in the eye. “What’s up with the sign?”

“I believe the more good we put out into the world, the better.

It comes back to us, in spades.”

“Come in and see for yourself.”

He holds open the door and lets me through.

The place is warm and inviting.

There’s a table covered with ~ Devin Wicks food and drink, provided by Longfellows Restaurant for this year’s annual event, set off to one side. Coffee, tea, water, and soft drinks are arranged on a smaller table nearby.

Every barber’s chair is in use that day.

Men are seated, their hair cut short by male and female volunteers who’ve come to help out during the event. I can hear quiet conversations and shared laughter between the buzz of an electric razor, the snip of scissors, the glide of the straightedge razor.

“Barbershops are more than a place to get your hair cut. You’ll find a close-knit community here. People come to catch up on the neighborhood news, sports, all kinds of stuff,” he tells me.

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During the middle ages, they also dressed wounds, performed surgical operations, even extracted teeth. Sometimes, they were called barber-surgeons.

Later that week I have the opportunity to visit with the married couple and owners of the shop, Devin and Teianha. My first thought is about how young they are, how they’re full of compassion for those in need. When I ask where the idea came from – to offer free cuts to the homeless and veterans, Devin smiles.

“These are good people,” he tells me.

“They’re just down on their luck. We shouldn’t be kicking dirt on them, rather lending our hand.”

Devin’s family has a military history, so he feels the need to help them. “People should be giving these guys their patriotic stripes while they’re still with us – not a folded-up flag after they die.”

Some men stop in on their way to a job interview. They leave hopeful, with a great hair cut, clean-shave, and a big side of self-esteem.

Long-term plans for the shop include a barber bus, a portable shop that will serve people who can’t make it into the Henry Street address for one reason or another.

“We’ll simply bring the shop to them.”

Devin points to a large jar where people can help out with that idea, contributing any amount they feel they can afford.

Although that business model may be a little way down the road, the first Sunday of every month isn’t. Instead, Henry Street Barber Shop’s doors open and the camaraderie of barbers, their desire to help others spilling out into the street, an open invitation, without question, to men and women in the neighborhood.

And that’s what counts, right now, this minute.

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I f H e av e n h a d

Christmas Trees...

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WRITTEN BY MAUREEN WERTHER PHOTOS BY BILL WEISENFORTH

hat if Heaven was transformed into a wintry Christmas wonderland every holiday season? Imagine trees in all shapes and sizes… long-needle pines, fragrant Balsams, Frasers, in shades from deeply hued forest green to silvery ice green. Now imagine shimmering beads, boughs, birds and clever ornaments and twinkling lights.

A Heavenly yuletide may have been what Bill Weisenforth was thinking about when he designed and decorated his tree for his home in Oak Brook Commons, Clifton Park.

Born and raised in nearby Watervliet, Bill grew up in a traditional Italian family. He credits his love of cooking to his mother and maternal grandmother's influence and his love of Sinatra, the Rat Pack and his Italian heritage to his parents.

When he lost his father last year to Alzheimer’s disease, he decided that he would dedicate his Christmas tree to his beloved parents, envisioning what a Christmas Tree in Heaven might look like. Bill's mother had died seven years earlier and, for Bill, designing and decorating a tree that he knew they would love was his gift to them.

This is not Bill's first rodeo when it comes to designing and decorating Christmas trees. In fact, when entering his stunningly appointed and spacious apartment, it's easy to see why people might be confused into thinking that Bill is a professional designer. His sense of color, form and style are the result of an innate talent that Bill has cultivated on his own.

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"I've decorated trees and designed the interiors of friend's homes from the studs up," explains Bill. Many people have suggested that he could easily earn a living as a decorator, but Bill enjoys his job working at Albany Molecular and keeps his designing and decorating for friends as a hobby.

In homage to his parents, Bill chose a theme of calm elegance and peaceful serenity. The glittering silver branches are festooned with gentle white doves and snow-covered tree boughs, shimmering gold and silver bows, and strung with tiny white lights that illuminate every branch. A benevolent angel rests atop the tree, overlooking the handiwork beneath her gaze.

Beneath the tree lay a profusion of gifts, carefully wrapped in shimmering silver and the same icy blue shade as the silk panels that frame the living room windows. The entire scene evokes the peace and tranquility Bill first imagined when planning his “Heavenly” tree.

While most people are wedded to the same theme and colors year after year, for Bill, every Christmas tree is another opportunity to express his creativity and create works of artistic symmetry and grace. No tree is ever the same, and Bill says it took the equivalent of about a week to purchase just the right decorations and place each one painstakingly to create perfect symmetry and balance. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

Looking around the beautifully appointed apartment, it is easy to pick out the same sense of color, form, balance and symmetry in each room. Christmas is present in every part of the house, with small and perfectly symmetrical trees placed on either side of the bedroom, in the cozy mahogany bar area and in the kitchen.

Bill jokes that his "OCD" is partially responsible for his need to achieve perfect balance throughout. The chef's cooking utensils are hung carefully above the kitchen counter, creating a culinary decoration of their own.

In the hall leading to the master bedroom are old sepia-toned photos of his parents and grandparents. He proudly points to one photo of his grandparents, who were married for 70 years. "You don't see that very often," he says with a smile.

While the Christmas tree may be just a temporary decorative addition, it's the lasting memories that line the walls of Bill's home and speak to the importance of family and tradition that endure.

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HOLIDAY 2019 | SIMPLY SARATOGA | 23

UNTANGLING

The December Dilemma

WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER PHOTOS PROVIDED

D

ecember is a time when we strive to shine light into the darkest days of winter. It is also a time when good intentions can lead to conflict as different religions and traditions collide.

During Hanukkah, there were daily gifts. Christmas day was seen as an opportunity to spend time with his family. At his grandmother’s home, a Hanukkah bush (decorated with blue lights and ornaments) was put on display.

Growing up in an interfaith home, George Morris experienced a unique blending of religious rituals.

Christmas was a time for Santa Claus, just as Easter meant the Easter Bunny would visit. December holidays in the Morris home were both joyous occasions, while combining Easter and Passover was a bit more complex.

UNIFYING THE DIFFERENCES George’s father, Craig, is Lutheran, and his mother, Sharon, is Jewish. George was baptized but he also attended Hebrew school in addition to regular school, attended synagogue with his grandfather and had a bar mitzvah celebration when he was 13 years old.

“In our household, we celebrated the commercial aspects of Easter and Christmas and the religious aspects of Passover and Hanukkah,” said George.

Inclusivity solved the December dilemma for the Morris family.

“Growing up, I didn’t really feel any different from my friends in single denomination homes. I, personally, never felt left out of anything. At school, my teacher had me bring in the menorah and tell the class about Hanukkah. I thought it was pretty cool that I could tell someone something they didn’t know about something that was a part of life for me,” said Morris.

CELEBRATION AND SYMBOLISM Often in the Morris household, George would light the menorah in front of the Christmas tree while Jewish music played in the background.

24 | SIMPLY SARATOGA | HOLIDAY 2019

“It was about the slavery of Jews in Egypt and the plagues.

I understood the wine symbolized the blood of the slaves and everything about Passover because of Hebrew school. I saw the gravity of the holiday, which could be very solemn, but that isn’t what I knew the holiday to be. I looked forward to Passover because of everyone getting together,” said George.

THE MOST IMPORTANT MEMORIES Now, at age 45, George Morris is again part of an interfaith home. Although his husband is Catholic, they set up the menorah, give Hanukkah presents, and recite prayers in Hebrew.

The holidays are a time to be cherished, regardless of how they are celebrated, because of the memories that are created.

“In thinking about what those holidays mean, I’m thankful because they allowed for an opportunity to be with my family. Whenever there’s an opportunity for family moments, it’s very important. Holidays are a chance to rekindle those memories,” said George.

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Holiday

Your

GIFT GUIDE

Great Suggestions From Some of our Advertisers COMPLIMENTS TO THE CHEF should be your first and last stop for everything in the Kitchen!

33 Railroad Place Suite 104, Saratoga Springs 518-226-4477 • SaratogaChef.com WUSTHOF KNIVES: The right knife for the right food! Give your favorite Chef the best tools to make their culinary masterpieces.

EPICUREAN CUTTING BOARDS: The finest cutting boards in the world are made right here in the USA! Paired with your Wusthof knives you have the best a Foodie Friend could ask for.

THE DARK HORSE MERCANTILE 445 Broadway Saratoga Springs 518-587-0689 • DarkHorseSaratoga.com BARBOUR BEADNELL JACKET Flawless Barbour styling takes form in one of this British company's most iconic jackets, the Beadnell. Thornproof waxed cotton sheds rain and mist while cozy pure cotton tartan lining keeps you warm on crisp days. The classic corduroy collar with signature Barbour trim on the underside has a detachable throat latch for even greater warmth. Handwarmer pockets are lined with moleskin; bellows pockets snap shut to keep phone or keys safe and dry; and an internal zip pocket keeps small valuables dry. Pair it with the many other Dark Horse Barbour pieces now available. $415

IMPRESSIONS OF SARATOGA 368 Broadway Saratoga Springs 518-587-0666 • ImpressionsSaratoga.com WESTERWALD SARATOGA MUG The perfect give for Saratogians near and far whether they love Saratoga Springs for the racers, the water, or the many other special reasons. Each mug is handcrafted in Pennsylvania by Westerwald Pottery. Not only is the beautiful pottery available in a variety of styles but it also available with many of Saratoga's neighboring towns! $34.99 & up

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HOLIDAY 2019 | SIMPLY SARATOGA | 25

Your

Holiday GIFT GUIDE

CELTIC TREASURES

456 Broadway, Saratoga Springs 800-583-9452 • CelticTreasures.com 2020 THE QUIET MAN CALENDAR A perennial best seller from the beloved John Wayne movie

SARATOGA OLIVE OIL COMPANY

484 Broadway, Saratoga Springs 518-681-6396 • SaratogaOliveOil.com DAILY DOUBLE GIFT BASKET Introducing our new, elegant wooden basket with decorative bow. Contains two 200ml bottles - Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar and two pour spouts. *Several flavor options available. $39.95.

Shop online SaratogaOliveOil.com or visit our shop on Braodway!

LEX AND CLEO

Inside the Sarataoga Marketplace 454 Broadway, Suite 2 • Saratoga Springs 518-587-0809 • LexAndCleo.com From holiday pajamas and outfits, to gifts, toys and books, Lex & Cleo is your must-stop destination for darling gifts for your little ones, ages newborn through 8Y.

Jojo Mama Bebe Reindeer Fair-Isle Dress - $58 Jojo Mama Bebe London Fair-Isle Sweater - $59 Baby Bling Ruby Velvet Bow Clip - $16 Maileg Mouse in a Box - $30 Little Mister Buffalo Plaid Bow-Tie - $20 Playforever Loretino Red Toy Car - $35 Winter Board Book - $9.95

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ALLERDICE ACE HARDWARE 2570 Rte. 9, Malta 518-899-6222 • Allerdice.com

PIT BARREL® COOKER CO. DRUM SMOKER - $299.

• “Hook and Hang” method cooks meat evenly from all sides • Includes eight stainless steel hooks and two steel hanging rods • Grill grate for added versatility • Uses regular charcoal (Turkey Hooks sold separately)

DEHN'S FLOWERS & GREENHOUSES, INC

180 Beekman St, Saratoga Springs 518.584.1880 • 800.932.0933

DEHN'S FLOWERS AND GIFTS

15 Trieble Ave., Milton 518-885-6222 • DehnsFlowersAndGifts.com

GIBSON & DEHN LUXURY SCENTED CANDLES Feature fine fragrances by master perfumers and exquisite natural wax blends. The artfully designed custom glass enhances any décor and the beautiful custom packaging makes it the perfect gift.

A luxury fragrance like no other!! Approx. burn time 50 – 60 hours.

Pricing ranges from $38.00 - $44.00

deJONGHE ORIGINAL JEWELRY 470 Broadway, Saratoga Springs 518-587-6422 • dJOriginals.com HANDCRAFTED EARRINGS in 14k yellow or white gold featuring diamonds. $595

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HOLIDAY 2019 | SIMPLY SARATOGA | 27

Your

Holiday GIFT GUIDE

TOGA HERITAGE 398 Broadway, Saratoga Springs 518-944-8951 • TOGAHERITAGE.com HOLIDAY TRADITIONS The TOGA HERITAGE Tartan mug is the perfect vessel for your Holiday Hot Chocolate.

Our recipe includes TOGA chocolates topped with perfectly melted marshmallows by local Baker Austin Bayliss. Cheers!

SILVERWOOD GALLERIES 398 Broadway, Saratoga Springs 518-583-3600 • SilverwoodGalleries.com

These silk velvet ponchos have been a perennial favorite and the color options just keep getting better! Gorgeous options for your holiday and winter parties.

Perfect for the table or kitchen, these unscented, refillable “Lifetime” candles create year-round ambiance virtually forever.

Nothing says “snuggle up” like these soft throws at Silverwood.

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Colleens ’ Picks

A carefully curated selection of HOME DÉCOR ITEMS WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY COLLEEN COLEMAN OF CMC DESIGN STUDIO LLC

As the Fall turns to cold,

I stress at my desk; “There is no time to finish these projects before the holidays!” I protest.

My clients are weary, the pressure is on; where do I turn for quick updates, before the celebrations and songs?

From outside I did hear, a noise familiar it seems; but one that is distinct, could this be a dream?

A large semitruck, with polished wheels and a driver to boot; stood outside my studio, “Let’s get moving!” he proclaimed with a toot!

Susan Blackburn Photography

Colleen Coleman is the Principal of CMC Design Studio LLC located at 6 Franklin Square in Saratoga Springs.

With certifications in Kitchen & Bath Design, Aging in Place and True Color Expert, her curated design extends into all areas of her field including new construction, historical and major renovations. Her passion is in designing & customizing hand-crafted cabinets for all areas of the residential market.

“But where are we going?” I countered with a sigh; “To local Saratoga stores and suppliers!” he replied.

Before I could grab my coffee, I was whisked off my feet; “To GRANITE & MARBLE WORKS, for natural stone and quartz…” What a treat!

We traveled the Northway, Exit 16 to be exact; A showroom of earthen miracles, this place was packed!

My eyes were drawn, to this wonderous site; “Fusion Quartzite” I shout, a perfect selection and delight!

Quarried in Brazil, the colors excite; Blues, greens and leathered browns, swirled in milky white.

GRANITE & MARBLE WORKS 8 Commerce Park Drive, Wilton GraniteAndMarbleWorks.com 518-584-2800

A hard stone that wears, in both polished and leathered; Perfect for countertops, bathrooms or accents … what a treasure!

Now something timeless, a marble it seems; White Beauty Marble, known as Connemara Green!

The drama…the splendor, greens, whites, blacks and grays; A slice of natural marvel, the choice will amaze!

Perfect for smaller areas, a vanity top or side table caps; One last selection to make, more contemporary perhaps!

London Sky Quartz, an engineered stone indeed; Appears much like marble, although worry free.

With a sleek installation, a waterfall edge may be in order; A full backsplash and countertop, with a pencil edge as a border!

FINISHING TOUCHES HOME DECOR INC 217 Ballard Rd, Wilton 518-584-1490 FinishingTouchesHD.com

My driver is beckoning, I see the twinkle in his eye; We drive off with our treasures, as we wave a good-bye.

With a blast of his horn, we fly down past the light; To FINISHING TOUCHES, with home goods and furniture just right!

As I walked through the shop, my heart filled with cheer; “A Doggie Bed for my puppy!” I had to get it here!

A choice of fabrics and sizes, made it easy to achieve; Now back to my projects, accessories I perceive!

I will fluff up that sofa, Assorted Pillows makes it a breeze; Geometrics…textures and some even have keys!

With a further search through the store, I thrilled in an Epicureanism pleaser; saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

HOLIDAY 2019 | SIMPLY SARATOGA | 29

Colleens ’ Picks

To display Slate Cheese Markers, “Here’s the Cabrales, the Il Truffelino or the Briscole al Barber!”

I do wish my driver, would take a quick break; For wine with these cheeses, but surely, I forsake!

Maybe not fully, I do spy a Wine & Cheese Cooler; To be filled with sweet memories, in lieu of a jeweler.

The satchels’ equipped, from cork to cheese board; Two wine glasses are sweet, a client gift I just scored!

FINISHING TOUCHES HOME DECOR INC 217 Ballard Rd, Wilton 518-584-1490 • FinishingTouchesHD.com

My chauffer does announce, “Now come let us fly; to THE FURNITURE HOUSE on the lake, before time flashes by!”

With a touch of his nose, I heard a hiss from below; Our wheels no longer visible, a jet don’t you know!

In a flash we were soaring, above our fairytale town; ‘til we came to a stop, my mind was profound.

No time to review, the moments just past; We scurried inside, in a Luxury Motion Chair he relaxed.

He plugged in his phone, a USB charger within; With an articulating headrest, he snored from his chin.

With a four-inch rear clearance, this jolly ole chap; Reclined in top grain leather, his hands in his lap.

THE FURNITURE HOUSE

1254 Route 9P, Saratoga Springs 518-587-9865 TheFurnitureHouseNY.com

After yawning awake, he sprung into shape; “EARL B. FEIDEN is next,” across the sky we escaped.

His clothes were quite musty, “The smell of reindeer?”; Not to worry a bit, we had nothing to fear.

Into the LG Styler, his jacket did go; While we shopped for that range, his wife needed so.

All in 48 inches, the Signature Kitchen Suite Range is good looking; A built-in Sous Vide, four gas burners and Induction for cooking!

With a steam oven below, the full range sat with glee; For each knob had a timer, he nearly fell to his knees!

Across the floor we did spy, an SKS 36” French Door Refrigerator; Boasting a wonderous spare drawer, now what could be grander!

For stocking up drinks, or grandma’s fine apple pie; With the touch of a button, now ice cream can reside!

This built-in model was splendid, a site to observe; It barely sat present, quick hide the hors d'oeuvres!

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EARL B. FEIDEN

11771 Route 9, Clifton Park 518-383-2215 • EarlBFeiden.com

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EARL B. FEIDEN

11771 Route 9, Clifton Park 518-383-2215 • EarlBFeiden.com

Now what is a party, without a fine selection; Of whites, reds and blends, you know my affection!

So let’s embrace another unit, the SKS Wine Column too; With two temperature zones, there’s room for a crew!

Wooden slides that extend, light & humidity are in check; My favorite wine on display, this is mine…oh yes heck!

So before we could leave, we retrieved my friend’s coat; No smell could be found, my words in my throat.

This Styler it seems, is a home steamer to please; Not a wrinkle was found, and odors gone in a breeze!

“Please make it two,” I declare “they’ll be sought!”; Wrinkled pants and kids sports gear, all concerns are for naught.

With our truck filling higher, we realized with glee; New cookware is in order, but where should we flee?

“COMPLIMENTS TO THE CHEF!” he declared, so off we did sail; “33 Railroad Place, a cook’s gem”, he did hail!

Upon our arrival, our eyes did appear; “Stainless Steel Cookware!”, he let out a cheer!

Best for sautéing, a rue for cream sauce; High heat they withstand, the culinary boss.

We chose a collection; large pots were packed too; Then off to 23rd & FOURTH, Excelsior Ave through the dew.

COMPLIMENTS TO THE CHEF

398 Broadway, Saratoga Springs 518-226-4477 • SaratogaChef.com

Oh, what fun we did have, with Large Dominos and Cards; Tic Tac Toe is my favorite, best stay on your guard!

We found such delight, Handmade Towel Trays for a guest; Cocktail Napkin Dispensers, a Matchstick Box that’s the best!

And who could resist, lovely Cutting Boards so bright; Food safe wax is a must, in wood blue and white.

23RD AND FOURTH

130 Excelsior Ave, Saratoga Springs 518-584-3700 • 23rdAndFourth.com

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HOLIDAY 2019 | SIMPLY SARATOGA | 31

Colleens ’ Picks With our wheels now intact, we drove down the street; Back to those projects, that I now need to complete!

CURTAIN & CARPET CONCEPTS, a fine shop all the way; For we needed some Wallpaper, an accent or entryway.

With fine prints and lush textures, The Imprint Collection; Offered linear patterns to snake skins, there’d be no objection!

Then across the showroom, our attention was captured; The assortment of rugs, I soon was enraptured!

CURTAIN & CARPET CONCEPTS 46 Marion Ave #7, Saratoga Springs 518-886-1389 CurtainToCarpet.com

A high-low Abstract Round Rug, we did find among the many; Handmade of New Zealand wool, our options were plenty!

Available in different sizes, colors and more!

It was time to find furnishings, a large sofa to adore.

Into town we did hustle, our load almost complete; Just past the theatre, 82 Church Street.

SARATOGA SIGNATURE INTERIORS, abounding with selections!

A Vanguard Table in quarter turned oak, wire brushed to perfection!

The length at 92, its width 43; Had a leaf at 18, the oval shape was the key.

With a selection of fine chairs, you could dine for the evening; Choose your seat back and fabrics, the wood finishes just gleaming!

But what of a sofa, there were plenty to choose; So, my jolly ole driver, sat down for snooze.

With all their selections, eight-way hand-tied a must; I ordered the Sherrill Sofa; in Joiner Spice Woven I trust.

Deep plums, greens and creams with a rust; The texture and colors fill of my senses robust.

With a slight curved back, it sat like a charm; I loved all the details, slight roll of the arm.

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SARATOGA SIGNATURE INTERIORS 182 Church Street, Saratoga Springs 518-581-0023 • SaratogaSignature.com

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SARATOGA SIGNATURE INTERIORS 182 Church Street, Saratoga Springs 518-581-0023 SaratogaSignature.com

Yet my attention distracted, as I looked further about; And spotted a Luxe Sectional, “Chaise seating!” I shout.

Crafted by Huntington House, it’s seat, a pure pleasure; In many fabrics and cushions, its sure to be a treasure.

PATTERSONVILLE FURNITURE

1664 Main Street / Rt. 5S, Pattersonville 518-887-2741 • PattersonvilleFurniture.net

One last trot we did take, we flew through the snow; A magical envoy, what little did I know.

We came to a stop, PATTERSONVILLE FURNITURE we arrived; We were so excited, our exhaustion revived.

What an amazing selection, Amish Crafted Furniture and more; I couldn’t choose one, I just had to explore.

From fine seating to dining, they have a wide range; Bedroom furnishings galore, it’s time to exchange.

So now that our carriage is bursting with finds; We set our course home, but where does HE reside?

I turn to ask this sweet gent, a question of wonder; I’m back to my studio, a spell I was under.

“You can have any wish,” he did say with a gleam; I looked at his face… and awoke from my dream!

At my laptop side, a small box with fine wrapping; I opened its contents; a sweet child is napping.

“A reminder that Christmas, is so much more than a gift; A Child was born, to be in our midst.”

As his words rested deeply, on my heart that long night; I awoke in the morn, with joy and delight!

For with each gift given, on this holiday season; Remember the child, the true Christmas reason.

Be kind to each other, smile sincere and pardon; For we are all blessed to share, a true living garden.

I do hope you all have, a wonderous season of Holidays; Remember to shop local, Saratoga boutiques will amaze.

Be sure to say hello, to all that you meet; And if you see my friendly fellow, give him a cookie or treat!

Merry Christmas my friends!

Colleen Coleman of CMC Design Studio LLC AKBD, CAPS & True Color Expert colleen@cmcdesignstudio.net “Creating Environments for Life” TM

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HOLIDAY 2019 | SIMPLY SARATOGA | 33

GIFTS FOR THE

Homesteader…

ALL GIFT IDEAS WERE SUBMITTED FROM THE STAFF AT CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION

DOES YOUR HOMESTEADER WORK WITH LIVESTOCK? Check out these items submitted by Nicolina Foti, Farm To School Grant Coordinator

When it comes to the animals on the homestead, this time of year coats are getting thicker, hay bellies are getting bigger, and in daybreak of early morning, you can catch the steamy breath of the livestock leaving bits of frost crystals on their noses. The days are getting shorter and the mornings are brisk. It’s the time of year to bask in the year's harvest - at least for a moment - and then button things up before the first snow.

In the northeast, it is guaranteed we will get snow and harsh cold weather, its just a matter of when. So if the homesteader can be prepared for the worst of winter, the rest of the season can be enjoyed…

Here is a list of holiday gift ideas to help your beloved homesteader enjoy the winter season.

CHORE MUCK BOOTS $49-$109

HEATED WATER BUCKETS $35-$65

REUSABLE HAND WARMERS $10-$50

You may be hard pressed to find a homesteader that doesn't already own a pair of muck boots, but if you do, you have hit gold among the best holiday gifts. Muck boots come in a variety of colors and styles; the one pictured is the primary Muck boot.

They do come insulated, especially for winter, but many people do not find they need the insulation.

This gift will be one your homesteader will be use long after the last snowfall.

Anyone who owns animals has lost sleep in the winter lying in bed thinking did I break the ice in the waters? How cold is it getting tonight? How long will the animals go without water if it freezes over? Heated water buckets come in a variety of sizes from 2.5 gallons to 16 gallons.

So if you want to help your homesteader sleep with peace of mind… this is a great gift!

As many homesteaders already know you are never sure what your day will have in store for you. A simple run out to do morning chores could end up being an all-morning event of fixing fences and herding up lost critters. Having a reusable hand warmer in your pocket can save your tired hands from frostbite.

The one pictured is a simple design that can be boiled it back to its reusable state once used. Others are battery-powered that are charged. This makes a great stocking stuffer.

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CARHARTT INSULATED OVERALLS $70-$120 On those brisk mornings, it can be hard to want to leave the comfort and warmth of your bed to feed the animals. But knowing you can slip into a pair of warm overalls makes the walk to the barn that much easier.

Available for men and women this is a gift your homesteader will never want to be without.

SOLAR POWERED MOTION SENSOR LIGHT $20-$50 While time change gives us an extra hour of sleep, the animals are not aware our clocks have been turned back.

So in the stillness of the dark the homesteader wanders to the barns to start the morning routine. Motion lights outside during this time of year are handy, but making them solar powered makes them even better. Not all barns have power and putting in wiring up for new lights can be costly. Solar power is the answer. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

GLOVES: $5-$15 Gloves are a great gift to give a gardener so their hands stay clean, and they can avoid getting cut with sharp leaves and thorns while being fashionable!

GARDEN TOTE: $30-$50 Every gardener needs a tote to carry around! These are handy to carry all of your small gardening tools around with you. You can easily fit a small trowel, pruners, knife, hoe, spade and more! You could even add a snack and water bottle to your tote!

CONTAINERS: $2-$100 Containers are one of the best gifts to give a gardener. They come in all different shapes, sizes, patterns and colors! You can purchase plastic, clay, ceramic, metal and even wood

IS YOUR HOMESTEADER A GARDENER? Check out these great ideas from Jessica Holmes, Master Gardener Program Coordinator-Warren County Horticulture Educator-Saratoga County

PLANT MARKERS: $5-$25

HAND PRUNERS: $10-20 Pruners are a great tool to add to every gardener’s collection.

Even if they currently have a set of pruners, it is always nice to receive a pair. They are convenient to trim small branches.

Gardeners go crazy and plant so many things in the spring, sometimes they forget what they planted. Plant markers will help them remember what they have in their garden, and help their friends learn!

GARDEN KNEELER: $30-50

Garden kneelers are perfect for gardeners who have a hard time getting up and down from the ground. You can kneel, sit or lean on them.

DOES YOUR HOMESTEADER PRESERVE THEIR BOUNTY? Diane Whitten, MS; Food & Nutrition Educator suggests these gifts…

For someone who has a large garden, berry bushes or fruit trees some home food preservation equipment would be a wonderful gift.

Canners are an essential piece of equipment for shelf stable preserving.

BOILING WATER CANNER – $22 -$35

STEAM CANNER - $20-$40

This traditional canner is used for canning high acid foods, such as fruit, tomatoes and pickled products. Enameled canners usually have a ridged bottom which works great on a gas stove. Flat bottom canners are better suited for electric stoves.

Steam canning was developed to use less water; it may be used in place of a water bath canner.

FOOD MILL – MANUAL $30-$60 OR ELECTRIC $115-$300+ A food mill is perfect for making sauces with tomatoes, apples or other produce for canning or freezing. The hand crank varieties come in aluminum or stainless steel; electric versions are a blessing when dealing with large quantities of produce.

PRESSURE CANNER – $40 - $289 Foods that are low acid, such as vegetables and meats, require a pressure canner. They come in a wide range of sizes accounting for the price range.

Two basic models to choose from are the weighted gauge canner or the dial gauge canner.

Which to choose is a matter of personal preference, but keep in mind that a dial gauge canner should be tested annually to be sure of its accuracy.

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DEHYDRATOR - $30-$300+ A dehydrator is used to dry fruits, vegetables, herbs, meats and more making them shelf stable, light weight and compact. The sizes vary greatly accounting for the price range, but shapes vary too, including round or rectangular. The rectangular ones are more versatile and all the larger, better models are this style. Look for a dehydrator that has a heat source, a fan, and temperature control; a built in timer isn’t necessary, but it’s a nice added feature.

HOLIDAY 2019 | SIMPLY SARATOGA | 35

OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOOD...

To Schuylerville

WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER PHOTO BY SUPERSOURCEMEDIA.COM

U

nder the clear blue winter sky, a day of holiday shopping awaits.

Do stop for a doll…like the ones you’ll find nestled among a wonderland of antiques, handmade furniture, candles, jams and gifts of all sorts at Stitches & Time in Schuylerville, just about 10 minutes from Saratoga Springs.

There’s so much to look at here in fact, that you’ll be pleased to find lunch at Just Meats after driving only a minute east on Route 29. Their hot sandwiches (made with select slices of meat carved by expert butchers!), paired with hearty soups and sides, are sure to refuel you as you head out to your next stop. … a top, just one of the many traditional wooden toys and stocking stuffers found at Old Saratoga Mercantile.

Modelled after an old-timey general store, this local market carries a curated collection of regional foods, gifts, and a generous selection of today’s hottest craft brews, CBD oil products and hemp-infused treats.

How the wind does blow…over the grounds of the Saratoga Apple Orchard at this time of year. Inside their farm store however, it is warm and filled with the heavenly scent of freshly-made apple cider donuts, local goods and pies for everyone.

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Hurrah for the fun! Next, be sure to stock-up on bottles of joy for the inevitable winter blizzard (or your lovely surprise holiday guests) at Olde Saratoga Wine & Spirits. Their large selection and ample parking means that a stop here will help you avoid more than one headache this season.

We stay as long as we can. Now that the shopping is done, reward yourself with dinner.

After a busy day, enjoy a nice, hearty, reasonably-priced dinner at Sweet Lou’s Bistro. Their dinner menu features a choice of chicken, beef, seafood, or pasta meals that you can eat-in or carry-out.

Every day (except for Monday) is Taco Tuesday inside the brightly painted walls of Amigo’s Cantina, voted Saratoga County’s best Mexican food. Here, it feels like the party never stops.

Rich Italian entrees and desserts make a dinner at Geppetos Restaurant a delightful choice. Pasta, seafood, veal, and beef dishes are served up in homemade sauces that warm the spirit.

The rippling riverside views at Clark’s Steakhouse, their wood-fired pizza and selection of comfort foods will put you in the mood for nestling down and extending your stay in Schuylerville for the holidays.

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HOLIDAY 2019 | SIMPLY SARATOGA | 37

THE NORTHSHIRE BOOK REPORT

BY EXCELLENT BOOKSELLER MIKE HARE

Convenience Store Woman,

by Sayaka Murata paperback fiction

How Not to Die Alone

by Richard Roper

Upheaval

by Jared Diamond

19th Century American History

hardcover fiction

hardcover, general history

The Civil War amendments were designed to bring racial equality until politics, prejudices, and society got in the way.

A grim premise is belied by waggish humor, a sunny tone, and knowledge that it's not the dying, but living, that counts.

How some countries facing upheavals succeeded, how some countries failed, and how their lessons resonate today.

Furious Hours

by Casey Cep

The Second Founding

by Eric Foner, hardcover

hardcover biography

Sometimes seeming to be normal is the delightfully strangest thing of all.

An engrossing true crime story landed in Harper Lee's lap, but writing the tale was something else altogether.

SHOP Ballston Spa

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Wild Man WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER PHOTOS PROVIDED

He’s suffered through blistered feet, been drenched by rainstorms, and navigated the perils of winter camping.

Erik Schlimmer has hiked more than 10,000 miles through the wilds of the Adirondack Park. He created the Trans Adirondack Route, a primitive pathway through the park that even the most experienced hikers can’t complete.

Yet, he says that’s not the most difficult thing he’s done.

“Writing can be more difficult than hiking,” he said.

This is because Schlimmer, the author of seven books, likes to do things a bit differently.

FORGING THE PATH Beginning in 1985, Schlimmer began venturing through the Adirondack Mountains. His treks were mostly alone, through the most untamed stretches of wilderness.

In 2010, he started at the northern border of the Adirondack Park and walked for 12 days through the vastness by connecting existing hiking trails, roads, and off-trail travel in one continuous journey.

“I had no intention of making it into anything but when I finished, I thought, ‘Wow! This is one of the greatest treks I’ve been on’, and said, ‘You know, I bet someone else would like to do it,’” said Schlimmer.

Although the Trans Adirondack Route was established in 2013, fewer than 20 people have completed it all the way

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through since then.

Recently, two "Triple Crowners" -- those who have hiked the 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail, 2,600-mile Pacific Crest Trail, and 3,000-mile Continental Divide Trail -attempted the route. They averaged a snail's pace, skipped the most rugged sections, and quit forty miles before the end, said Schlimmer.

ADVENTURE FOR THE CURIOUS MIND After Schlimmer’s first book, “Thru-Hiker’s Guide to America”, was published, he decided to continue his writing career by taking a different route.

“Blue Line to Blue Line: The Official Guide to the Trans Adirondack Route” was the first title published under the imprint Beechwood Books, which he founded in 2013.

The following year, he released “History Inside the Blue Line: Place Names of the Trans Adirondack Route” which explores why places and natural features were given their names.

His memoir, “My Adirondacks: Ten Stories from Twenty Years” was followed by two more titles utilizing his extensive toponym research; “Among the Cloud Splitters: Place Names of High Peaks Wilderness Area” and “Cradle of the Union: A Street by Street History of New York's Capital City”.

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UNCOMMON PERSEVERANCE Utilizing approximately 1,000 maps, books, and other sources for these books, Schlimmer has compiled fascinating histories and an unprecedented look into the lives of those who have come before us.

“It reveals history I was totally ignorant of. It adds a certain personality to a place. Behind every name is a story, and it’s usually a pretty good one,” said Schlimmer.

For example, in “Among the Cloud Splitters,” Schlimmer recounts the tale of Good Luck Lake in the Southern Adirondacks.

Here, surveyor Lawrence Vrooman led an expedition where his son-in-law, John Burgess, shot at a loon on the then-unnamed lake. The rifle exploded but Burgess was unharmed. His good fortune that day earned this body of water its name – Good Luck Lake.

A RARE LOOK Escape with Schlimmer into the secret spaces of backcountry bliss, in his latest book, “Color Remote: Bushwhacking the Adirondack Mountains”.

Renew your appreciation for the bounty of nature on a journey through Schlimmer’s 321 photographs, in what is the most expansive Adirondack photo book ever produced.

A limited-edition printing, this is a special look into the breathtaking views, serene beauty, and incredible simplicity of one of the world’s remaining wild places.

For more information, find him on Instagram @ erikschlimmer. To buy books online, go to TransADK.com

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S T A R E M E T S S T I OR R H Y C

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WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER PHOTOS PROVIDED

W

hen you dream of getting a Christmas tree, you likely picture a version of those idyllic snow-filled scenes on Christmas cards; the perfect tree stands out from within the lush forest, as if beckoning to you with the glow of the happiness it will bring to your holiday home.

For most people, the reality of getting a tree is very different. Their dream has been compromised, whittled down to searching through a scraggly assortment of trees, cut down en masse, and propped up in a parking lot.

For the majority, these pre-cut real trees are the overwhelmingly preferable choice compared to artificial ones, but in Upstate New York, we are fortunate enough to have the opportunity to have another choice.

We can experience the dream!

PINING FOR THE TREE TRADITION New York growers produce just 20 percent of the Christmas trees purchased within the state.

The biggest market in the world for Christmas trees is New York City, but their tree suppliers, like those of many of the big box stores closer to home, are typically based in Quebec or North Carolina.

Christmas tree farms provide the perfect carbon collection system because younger trees collect more carbon than older ones. Christmas trees are cut at their peak age of carbon collection. Once one is cut, another can be planted, ensuring a continuous stock of young trees. After the holiday, mulching that Christmas tree continues this natural cycle.

“A Christmas tree is 100 percent organic material.

Chip it up, make it into mulch and return it to the earth from whence it came to help feed other plants,” said Brooks.

BE ENCHANTED BY THE EXPERIENCE

Peter Brooks was like most people. He grew up in Connecticut and his family went to a parking lot vendor to buy a “I remember in college I drove Christmas tree.

“I remember in college I drove to a to a Christmas Christmas tree farm, cut down a tree farm, cut down tree and set it up in the dorm a tree and set it up in lounge. I always thought it the dorm lounge. was cool to be able to cutI always thought it was your-own,” he said. cool to be able to cut-your-own” This year, he’s opening

These vast empires are in a cutthroat competition to have their saw-wielding crews intensely harvest trees by the hundreds, if not the thousands, stack them in trucks like toothpicks in a box, and ship them to a retail location near you.

“Think about the process of cutting 5,000 trees.

How long a tree was sitting in the sun, the wind, and exposed to the elements before it was loaded up into the truck. You have no idea how much drying has taken place while it was being transported.

Yes, it’s a Christmas tree, it’s real, it’s green, but it’s already way down the road of drying out by the time you get it,” said Peter Brooks, President of the New York State Christmas Tree Farmers Association.

THE NATURAL PROCESS Wholesale tree farming does bring Christmas trees into more homes, but this big business seems to capitalize on a sacred celebration tradition for commercial gain.

“Forests are critically important to the planet because of the process of photosynthesis providing oxygen but also removing carbon that helps

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counteract all the effects of human activities. We must protect, preserve, and expand forests for that reason,” said Brooks.

Boulder Brook Farm.

The Commissioner of the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets will cut the ceremonial “first tree of the season” on Brooks’ 100-percent solar-powered 26-acre farm.

This year, there are cut-your-own Fraser Fir and Canaan Fir, greenery, honey, and maple syrup, along with gift items and ornaments for sale under the rustic hand-hewn wooden beams in the farm’s 200-year-old barn.

Boulder Brook Farm’s Grand Opening Celebration will be taking place beginning Friday, November 29th. There will be free hot cider, a chance to see a rescued hawk and/or owl up-close (with a DEC wildlife rehabilitator on hand to answer questions) and the festive sounds of live hammer dulcimer music.

“We’re not just selling a product to someone; we’re offering them an experience. We want them to be enchanted by it and never forget it,” said Brooks.

Boulder Brook Farm, 5186 Nelson Avenue Ext., Malta, is open throughout the holiday season Saturdays & Sundays 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. For more information, go to BoulderBrookFarm.com.

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Saratoga

BUYS LOCAL

BUY LOCAL TO MEET THE MAKERS WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER

you meet someone new, one of the inevitable W hen questions that comes up is, “Where are you from?”

Why do we ask this?

Because where we are, and where we have been, shapes us - while we shape it.

Our environment defines something about us.

The exact combination of food, weather, people and products that exists here, in this specific place, at this precise moment in time, isn’t available anywhere else.

We get to enjoy the exclusive privilege of living, working and shopping right here. Right now.

No two places are the same.

The memories that we make and the stories that we tell are inextricably linked to where we have been.

Today will not be like tomorrow. Change is inevitable.

Buying local is how you use your voice to influence what that change will be.

Plus, it’s fun.

On these pages, you’ll get to meet some of your neighbors and see some of what they make.

This is just a glimpse.

We’d like to promote all of your businesses and everything that you do, but even in this small town, there’s just so much going on that it would be impossible to do that.

What is possible, however, is that you check it out yourself.

Stop by that little shop you’ve passed by a hundred times but haven’t yet gone into.

Talk to who you meet there. They know their stuff, have great advice, and want to help you.

Take a stroll through an art studio, visit a farm, or have lunch someplace new. You’re welcome to.

Your next adventure is here. Waiting.

Be the change.

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MEET THE MAKER

DAVID KEENAN

WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER

O

n the spectrum of color, reds and oranges are fiery. They bring up heated emotions and contrast with the blue tones which have a cool, calming effect.

Place these colors together and you’ll get a glimpse into the energy driving artist David Keenan. Excited, yet withdrawn, he has created a thought-provoking portfolio of work that visually communicates volumes.

PICTURES THAT POP When another artist saw how Keenan painted, he told him he was doing it wrong.

“I stumbled on this technique. I can’t wait to toss the brush aside and use the palette knife,” explained Keenan.

During his time working as a military illustrator for the Army National Guard, Keenan was trained in the practical application of a visual vocabulary.

While studying commercial art at Sage College, he became skilled in the techniques that allowed him to merge into the world of art.

This dual education continues to inform his work today.

Using representational popular imagery, he communicates by using the power of contrast.

“Everything I’ve done kind-of carries me into the future.

I helped people communicate with information but there wasn’t a lot of room for creativity. Now, I only want to paint something that I’m going to be excited about,” he said.

RE-ENLIST YOUR IMAGINATION Approaching common and symbolic images from a new angle is a tough challenge but Keenan excels at it.

Working on large canvases, he matches the highs with the lows, finding the new in the familiar. He’s done this even with Saratoga’s famous calling cards, including equine art.

“I’m addicted to the track. I never missed a year since I was born, I think. I was going before taking kids was even popular, now it’s more family oriented,” said Keenan.

Recently, Keenan’s paintings have been of another of this city’s great loves – dance.

Keenan’s twin daughters both practiced dance throughout their childhood.

“You have to have real attitude to be a dancer,” he said.

Working from photos that have been reduced to only black and white tones, he paints emotion, often leaving the images partially incomplete.

“I leave them undone so the viewer can finish it themselves.

When it’s all done, they don’t have to think about it. This gives them the chance to fill in the blank spaces. I do things that excite me. When someone else can connect to it, too, that’s really something,” said Keenan.

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FIND IT: The next project that Keenan is excited about is again offering smaller, more affordable original paintings at AMP Galleries in the Saratoga Marketplace at 454 Broadway in Saratoga Springs.

His canvas prints (including his popular takes on Congress Park’s “Spit” and “Spat”) are for sale at Silverwood Home & Gallery, 398 Broadway in Saratoga Springs.

High-quality giclee reproductions are available at Gallery5one, 22 Clifton Country Rd, in Clifton Park and online at Gallery5one.com saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

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MEET THE MAKER

EDEN COMPTON

WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER

H

uman beings are inhabiting bodies made mostly of water, so to understand who we are, connecting to water is crucial.

To artist Eden Compton, the sound of a foghorn is welcoming, the rock of the boat – soothing.

Born in Texas and raised in Connecticut, Compton spent 20 years sailing and managing private charter boats in the Caribbean and throughout the U.S. before opening her Beekman Street studio in 2018.

A SENSE OF ONENESS The current of Compton’s time on the water flows through her paintings.

The swish of her brushstrokes swells with a vital harmony in her landscapes, cityscapes and portraits. Last year, she was awarded “Best Waterway Painting” at The Hyde Museum’s Plein Air Festival. She contributes to Landscapes for Landsake, as well as many other shows and exhibitions.

“I do enjoy landscape. I like very tenuous landscapes with a lot of mood to them and the light that comes very early in the morning, in the evening, on those rainy days,” said Compton.

An attraction to travel is something that Compton shares with her grandparents, artists Carl Benton Compton and Mildred Norris Compton. Regional Surrealist painters who worked alongside Mexican art world legends Diego Rivera and Freida Kahlo, the couple inspired Compton’s appreciation for the world’s culture and its people.

A CERTAIN CLOSENESS Alongside her own, the work of other established artists hangs in Compton’s gallery space. It also serves as the studio where she completes commissioned portraits and guides private instruction.

While her models sit, Compton uses charcoal and pencil, or an alla prima oil painting technique to quickly capture their likeness. She also works from photographs (especially for children’s portraits).

Compton says painting a portrait is much like having a conversation with her subject.

“Paintings capture the spirit of someone. They are a portrait of the person and of the artist painting them. It is much more of a soulful kind of communication,” she said.

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A WELL OF EXPERIENCE There’s something mysterious yet vivid and familiar about Compton and the portraits that she paints. Her private lessons and open studio time give every artist access to her prismatic style.

“When it’s just one-on-one, I can see exactly where they are.

Everything is tailored specifically to that person’s level and their needs as they complete their own projects,” said Compton.

Any artist who would like to join Compton during uninstructed open studio time is welcome to. Cost is $12/person and space is limited to 5 people. For more information, go to EdenComptonStudio.com Stop by the Eden Compton Studio & Gallery, 74 Beekman Street, Saratoga Springs, on November 30th for Small Business Saturday or throughout the season Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Visit online at EdenCompton.com saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

MEET THE CREATIVE THINKER

ELAINE NIGRINY

Parties in a Zip: Plant and Sip WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER

CREATIVE PARTIES ARE GETTING A MAKEOVER. “I’m an avid gardener, so I said, ‘You know what would be fun?

Instead of a paint and sip party, a plant and sip party.’ So, I tried it with fairy gardens and sold out 40 seats in two weeks.

It’s just taken off from there,” said Elaine Nigriny, founder of 2 Sips Planting Parties.

CELEBRATE THE SEASON BY HONORING THE EARTH This winter, get growing with a new kind of garden party.

“Planting a really nice, lush garden in the dead of winter is really refreshing,” said Nigriny.

Since 2017, 2 Sips Planting Parties has been hosting customizable year-round get-togethers. Guests plant a living masterpiece while enjoying good drinks, good food and good company.

Even in the winter months, the options are almost endless.

Play with pinecones, holly berries and poinsettias. Meditate on the beauty of a Zen garden or stick to the easy-to-care for cactus or succulent gardens. Add another artistic twist when you combine painting-your-own pot with a big, healthy houseplant.

In the spring and summer months grow the freshest salad you’ve ever had with an Italian mix container-garden full of basil and tomatoes. For fall, plant inside pumpkins for a centerpiece that makes a statement on your harvest table.

“It’s a taste-by-taste creative experience,” said Nigriny.

PLANTACULAR PARTIES Dinner, drinks, and a terrarium are a crowd-pleasing combination.

Attracting attention at wineries, breweries, corporate functions, and house parties, people are talking about how this is a party idea with panache.

“People are always telling me that this is such a great idea.

They love the concept of it. They say that it was such a great time and that it’s so much fun they can’t wait to do it again,” said Nigriny.

It’s pleasing while also being practically effortless for you, because Nigriny and her staff travel to the venue of your choice with all the supplies you’ll need for a new kind of garden party at an affordable price.

The venues often get creative and offer to hold drink and/or food specials, as well, she said, making it easy to get the word out and cross-promote the event through multiple advertising and social media channels.

January through May is 2 Sips Planting Parties busiest season, so to get your event on the calendar, go online and check out their website, Facebook, or Instagram pages @2SipsPlantingParties saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

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MEET THE MAKER

NANCY NIEFIELD

WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER

T

rees get special attention this time of year. We decorate and display them in our homes as a centerpiece of the holiday spirit.

For artists however, the tree has always been an important symbol. Trees represent wisdom and the natural life cycle.

They have an ancient knowledge -flowing from the stability of their roots, reaching through their branches, and up into the network of veins that exist within each leaf.

MYSTERY WITH MEANING Trees tell a story about growth and connection.

Nancy Niefield has explored trees as the powerful theme through many of her wood-fired stoneware clay pieces.

Her “Forest Series” is comprised of tree-like forms enclosed in, imposed on, or breaking free past the vessel’s walls. By using form, texture, and color, she is entangling meaning with mystery.

Hand-building the slabs and coils of clay, these pieces have different sides to encourage a sense of surprise.

“I am interested in the formal properties of gesture and spatial relationships in the complexity and randomness of nature,” she said.

QUESTIONING CONTAINMENT Throwing pottery since 1968, Niefield ran Two Spruce Pottery, her shop and studio space in Schenectady, for 22 years. She also taught ceramics at Union College for 15 years before retiring to work from her home studio in Charlton and then to Saratoga Springs in 2017.

“My studio is a space that is separate from everyday life and time. Making art is meditative,” said Niefield.

Mainly concerned with making functional pottery and the dependable nature of electric-fired glazes during previous years, Niefield now has the freedom to experiment with materials and explore the concept of containment.

In her current sculptural works, Niefeld utilizes wood and salt-fired surfaces to highlight the interplay of the inner and outer sides of a form.

“The process is an integral part of the product. It’s different every time,” she said.

After her pieces are carefully placed in a double-chamber kiln, it is the process of what’s going on outside (the stacking of the wood and the stoking to keep the fire going continuously for 5-6 days) that determines the fate of what is inside.

“There’s always the feeling of completing something to the best of my ability then leaving it to chance to add to it and make it whole. Usually it does that but not always. Still, I’ve always loved that element of chance,” said Niefield.

See more by visiting TwoSpruce.com

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MEET THE CREATIVE THINKER

Paint–N- Gogh

HEATHER HEIGL

WRITTEN BY GERALDINE FREEDMAN

C

reating memories and masterpieces is what Heather Heigl’s Paint-N-Gogh business is all about. It’s also a fulfillment of a dream.

“I always wanted to be an art teacher,” Heigl said.

As a kid, Heigl had sketched with pencil or oil and even took art lessons, but with few school openings for an art teacher position and without a master’s degree, Heigl joined the Navy and became a radio man, serving for four years. Subsequent vocational training and a business degree brought her to the Navy’s Milton Training Center where as a civilian she still works as a project analyst.

About a year and a half ago, she attended her first Paint-n-Sip and her dream to teach art was re-kindled.

“I thought of trying to find a job in a school, but then said no, I want my own business,” Heigl said.

She started looking for the ideal location last January and by April -and a day after she got her liquor license- she was ready to open.

The name for her business was especially important.

“I wanted to put the focus on the painting and not the sipping,” she said, adding that since Vincent Van Gogh’s work and life have always been an inspiration, using his last name in a play on words carried significance.

Her store’s walls testify to this connection. There are decaled quotes, and several of her own paintings are clearly influenced

by Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” painting. But Heigl paints on many subjects – all of which she makes into stencils for her customers, who can trace and then paint them. Heigl provides everything from the acrylic paint, brushes, 10” x 30” table easel and even the smock. She gives a two hour, step-by-step class on how to paint the picture. Or, people can send her a picture of their pet, which Heigl will stencil ready for when the customer comes in for Paint Your Pet night. There’s also Wine Glass Painting night.

Heigl does interesting designs in paper quilling, in which twisted colored paper could be the feathers of a peacock; or painted real horse shoes, which can be welded into various shapes. These as well as her own paintings, are for sale.

Although wine is available for the adults and soft drinks, juices and snacks are there for the kids’ classes, painting is the primary focus even if it’s the many birthday parties given. Heigl sometimes takes her show on the road to give painting classes at senior centers.

One of her biggest satisfactions is, however, when one of her customers discovers they actually have some talent!

“One woman didn’t want to come but her friend dragged her in,” Heigl said. “She found she had some good talent and loved it.

Now she comes in every few weeks.”

Classes are $25 for children; $35 for adults.

Paint-N-Gogh is located at 114 Milton Avenue.

518-879-6869; PaintNGoghBspa.com

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MEET THE MAKER

EDWARD LEHMAN

WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER

B

ehind the lens of his camera, Edward Lehman waits patiently. By himself in the green spaces of Saratoga County, he listens.

Suddenly, he sees a doe stomping her foot before charging straight at him.

Deer seem docile, but Lehman knows that when it comes to protecting their fawns, a doe will stop at nothing to keep their young safe.

He also recognizes this one in particular and knows she’s holding a grudge. She’d caught him taking pictures of her fawn in its hiding place before.

He slowly backs away, but not before getting a picture of a tender fawn nestled in the brush.

A SURPRISE EVERY TIME “I'm not a photographer as much as a naturalist with a camera,” said Edward Lehman.

He is a student of the natural world. Fascinated with animals, he spends all the time he can outdoors.

“It's obviously a matter of being in the right place at the right time, so the more I'm out there, the better my chances are.” he said.

Lehman familiarizes himself with the animal community. He learns how to decode their character traits and discovers their unique personalities.

“I call the groundhog at Peeble Island State Park “The Door Greeter” because it’s always there, popping up as soon as you start out on the trail,” he said.

All animals can be aggressive and unpredictable, so the inquisitive gazes and brief pauses of stillness that Lehman is capturing only last for a split second before the entire scene changes.

“I don't usually set out to find a particular animal. Every day is a new adventure.” said Lehman.

Edward Lehman’s photography has been displayed by Saratoga PLAN, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and in Saratoga Hospital.

A set of Wildlife of Saratoga County note cards featuring Lehman’s photography is for sale at Soave Faire, 449 Broadway, Saratoga Springs. Follow him on Instagram @saratogawildlifeguy

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MEET THE MAKER

Galway Rock Wines

KATE TAYLOR

WRITTEN BY GERALDINE FREEDMAN

D

id you know it takes several pounds of grapes to make one bottle of wine? Or that different kinds of grapes will each make a different tasting wine?

Those answers and many more are what Kate Taylor had to find out through experimentation and experience to create Galway Rock wines. Her husband Ryan is a horticulturist and oversees the business end of the winery.

A Latham native who received a biology degree from SUNY Albany, Kate had apprenticed and later managed a winery in Illinois. But the dream to create world class wines in the Adirondacks sparked when family bought an old farmhouse in Galway and several types of grapes were planted.

“By then we knew what grapes worked and what yeasts. There are thousands of yeasts and every yeast will impart a different smell and taste. Yeast eats up the sugar in the grape, so the sweeter the grape, the higher the alcohol content,” she said. “We started in our garage and began selling our wines at the Saratoga Springs farmers’ market. That was in 2014.”

They offered four types of wines including a rose, red table wine, white, and a merlot (a type of grape).

Business grew and the Taylors began purchasing grapes from Long Island and the Finger Lakes regions. Last year they sold 1,000 cases of wine and already this year that number has doubled.

But more space was needed and more mechanized equipment. White wine ferments in huge stainless steel vats and can be ready for bottling after six to eight months. Red wine, however, ages in oak barrels and takes at least a year. Bottling is done on a machine that is similar to several cows’ udders, but corking used to be done by hand, working a machine on an individual basis. Now, a machine compresses the cork to fit into the bottle just below its lip. A small colored plastic top is then inserted, which keeps insects out.

All this is now done at the winery’s new location which recently opened a spacious tasting room that is also suitable for parties. Among the wines now offered are the original four wines plus a Chardonnay; three sparkling wines under the Saratoga Sparkling Wine label, which Taylor said was very popular and is available as a small

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four pack; and the new Robinia Hill Wines, which include a white Riesling and a red Cabernet Franc that Taylor said were perfect for holiday.

But what about the weather? How has that affected her grapes?

“This is my tenth year doing this, and we’re on record to have a fabulous wine,” she said.

Galway Rock Winery is at 998 Saratoga Road, Ballston Lake For information: (518) 280-6554; GalwayRockWines. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

MEET THE MAKER

LANE AND CATHY PELLETIER

Adirondack Candle WRITTEN BY GERALDINE FREEDMAN

W

ho would think it would be difficult to make a decent candle. That’s what Lane and Cathy Pelletier thought 25 years ago when they decided to try making them instead of buying commercial candles.

“It’s not an exact science but it is a science and no one in the industry will tell you how to do it,” Lane said.

They started in their kitchen. They knew they wanted to work with paraffin and not beeswax and discovered that various wicks burned differently depending on their length and material. Commercial scents, too, each had their own properties and not all worked or burned well. After about six to eight months, Lane said, they had a product they could sell to family and friends.

Initially, they put their candles in Mason jars in two sizes.

Later, they moved to apothecary jars in three sizes with a flat top. Recently, they’ve been trying jars with a screw top.

Because they named their company Adirondack Candle, colors tend to be what’s found in nature, such as greens, light browns, muted reds and white. They also developed 61 different scents all with the Adirondack theme. They range from “46er,” which is their dark green “Christmas Balsam with comforting spices and a hint of smokiness” to off-white “Lodge Linens – did someone just hang fresh linens on the line?” to brown “Woodland – sandalwood.”

They discovered that what color was associated with which name created an imagery in a customer’s mind that had to apply.

“We had one named ‘Grapevine’ that wouldn’t sell. But when we changed that to a purple ‘Wine by the Lake’ it became a big seller,” Lane said. “If we made ‘Banana Nut Bread’ green, it probably would not sell.”

They also streamlined their manufacturing process so that it takes two days to create a candle that will burn well. They use liquid dyes and scents, cotton wicks and glass jars.

“The recipe we did on our own,” Lane said. “We did not buy it from anyone.”

But after about 18 years of working out of their house, Lane said, they got tired of “living in a candle factory.

Everything smelled. So we moved from Glenville up here six years ago.”

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Because much of their business is either wholesale/retail in shops throughout the Adirondacks or online, their store is open only on Saturday or by appointment. But here customers can find all kinds of Adirondack-themed objects from carved wooden bears atop a wine cork, moose figures, and note cards, to heating pouches filled with corn kernels that Cathy has sewn with Adirondack-themed flannel and holders for votives and melting chips that the Pelletiers make in all their colors and scents. There are also shelves of their many jars of candles. All these items are for sale only at this store.

Adirondack Candle Company is at 12 Main Street, Ballston Lake.

518-399-8831; AdirondackCandle.com

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MEET THE MAKER

MICHELLE MONTESANO

WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER

W

henever Michelle Montesano isn’t working with horses, she’s drawing them.

“I’ve always been obsessed with horses. I started taking riding lessons when I was four years old but had been begging my mom to do it for years before that. When I was a kid in school, all I did was draw horses. I still do it in my spare time now,” she said.

Montesano spends the majority of her time caring for horses at the harness track. In the paddocks along the backstretch, her custom artwork appears on everything from feed buckets to t-shirts.

“People at the track keep coming up with interesting things for me to do. When they tell me what they want, I say, ‘Ok, I’ll give it a shot.’ I’ll try anything,” she said.

BEHIND THE SCENES ON THE BACKSTRETCH Working so closely with horses gives Montesano a deep understanding of their form, coloring and personalities.

In addition to her hands-on experience, Montesano studies photographs of your horse for her detailed oil painting commissions to realistically capture each animal’s unique likeness.

Individually painted equine portrait ornaments, concrete jockey statues, plaques and more have been commissioned with a stable’s logo, colors and a horse’s distinct characteristics, making each piece truly special.

Editing photos and printing out decals with a Cricut die-cutting machine, Montesano is able to transfer a silhouette onto a variety of materials, making it possible to put your horse’s image on practically any surface imaginable.

“If they have a great photo that they can provide, that’s just perfect,” she said.

RACING TO THE GOAL Montesano is adventurous when it comes to her equine art but has a very strict window of availability.

Her goal is to give clients what they want, so she strives to squeeze her creative work into her already packed schedule.

She is able to take on artistic projects mainly in the months when the track closes in mid-December until foaling season begins in late February.

Evaluating each project on an individual basis, she often recommends giving the horse-lover in your life a gift certificate for Christmas to allow her enough time to complete the commissioned piece in the months after.

Don’t hesitate, get in on the action and get on Michelle Montesano’s custom equine art calendar now for a truly unique gift. Find her on Facebook @MichelleMontesano.

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MEET THE MAKER

JEN SAGER

Fiber Me This WRITTEN BY GERALDINE FREEDMAN

J

en Sager likes to dabble, especially if it’s something she doesn’t know how to do.

“I like to produce my own thing,” she said. “I’m a jack of all trades.”

That attitude is what inspired her four years ago to learn to dye yarn. It helped that she already knew how to work with fiber.

Jen Sager wearing her scarf/cowl with another shawl on the form and holding a selection of her yarns.

“I had the most unbelievable grandmother,” Sager said.

“She taught me how to knit, crochet and sew. . .how to live a happy life. She was awesome.”

After experimenting with Kool Aid colors and craft store dyes, she moved to professional acid dyes and produced a small batch of wool skeins for Common Thread, a yarn store in Saratoga Springs, in time for race season.

“It boomed,” Sager said. “It took off.”

She named her business Fiber Me This. Once working out of her garage, she now has a small dyeing studio in Ballston Spa where she experiments with up to 90 dyes to produce about 20 skeins of yarn every few months. Her business has also expanded.

Sager has always been a terrific knitter and now she’s offering shawls and wraps that she has designed with her yarns. Many come as kits. This year she’s introducing a small selection of lined, zippered project bags that she’s sewn and made with her own embroidered printed fabric.

And she designs and often makes her own tags.

Project bags made by Jen Sager.

“There’s a huge knitting community out there,” she said. “I like to bring a modern twist to it.”

While she’s willing to occasionally do custom orders, Sager likes to theme her dye choices. Recently she did a “Harry Potter” series that offered a burgundy named “Wizard’s Chess,” an orangey “Pumpkin Juice” and a mauve mufti “Remembrall.” Her husband names her yarns. Even the patterns in her shawls may have a theme: a knit/purl combination had some vertical purls that were to resemble Harry’s sword.

All these projects take time.

“It takes about four days from start to finish to put up 16 skeins,” she said. “This includes three or four baths to dye, then rinse to make sure the water runs clear, then spin and 24 hours to dry. I skein the yarns watching television.”

Depending on which dye she’s using also takes time.

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A selection of yarns made by Jen Sager.

“Black is the worst. It’s almost magnetic, all those fine particles. Green sets beautifully and I almost never dye yellow,” she said. “And I’ve had to learn to dye what I don’t like. Someone always wants a hot pink, light teal or coral. I’m a neutrals girl. There are a million reds, but I discovered a lollipop red that works. I love to play with colors.”

All Sager’s products can be found at Common Thread (512 Broadway) or on Instagram at fiber.me.this. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

BUY FAIR TRADE

...TO GIVE, DIVINE.

WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER

C

herish the pleasures of Christmas with fine chocolates so heavenly they are called Divine.

TASTE THE GOODNESS The smooth richness of Divine Chocolate’s collection of extraordinary signature flavors enchants the senses.

Give the treasure of Chocolate Coins wrapped in silver and gold.

Delight in the luscious tingle of Dark Chocolate Mint Thins.

Welcome the winter with limitededition bars that bring home the warm comforting taste of Dark Chocolate, Hazelnuts and Cranberries.

Melt away your worries with the light crisp of Cinnamon and Gingerbread spice as it mingles with Milk Chocolate in your mouth.

“It tastes like Christmas,” said Callie Yow, Divine Chocolate’s Communications and External Relations Coordinator.

DISCERNIBLY DIFFERENT For 20 years, Divine Chocolate has been redefining what chocolate can be.

A global effort to make chocolate differently, Divine Chocolate is produced in Germany - from cocoa beans harvested by a co-op of more than 85,000 farmers in the Kuapa Kokoo Farmers’ Cooperative in Ghana.

These farmers own 44-percent of this Fairtrade certified London-based company (which also operates from an office in the United States) dedicated to the mission of doing business as a way to do good.

“Fair trade is very important. Our mission focuses on women’s empowerment especially, and we encourage farmer members of the cooperative, both socially and economically in any way we can,” said Yow. Opening up a world of possibilities to women, Divine Chocolate is a threetime B Corp Best for the Community honoree that protects cocoa farmers

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from market fluctuations. They also offer resources and training programs that provide skills to reach beyond cocoa farming so that women can sustain their livelihoods and contribute to their villages year-round with secondary incomes.

HONOR THE EXTRAORDINARY Look closely and you’ll find traditional Ghanaian adinkra symbols on every package of Divine Chocolate.

Their unique central commitment to respecting people and nurturing the earth is seen within the ‘Akoma’ adinkra symbol in their company name.

Symbols also bring special significance to the joyous Divine Chocolate Advent Calendar. Honoring the importance of learning from the past, adaptability, and creativity, these symbols fill the festive, happy scene - inviting you to countdown to Christmas with numbered doors in the Dark Chocolate Advent Calendar that open to reveal animal figures with animal facts each day, and solid chocolate hearts with fun, interesting facts for children in the Milk Chocolate Advent Calendar.

Elevate your favorite holiday cookie and cake recipes, or try an extraordinary new one from the Divine Chocolate website (dark chocolate brioche twists – so fun!). Choose from their palm oil and GMO-free line of baking chocolate, and you’ll discover just what their exquisite melting point and delectable consistency can add to your holiday desserts.

“You’ll never go back once you taste the difference,” said Yow. Transcend the ordinary this holiday season by savoring the Divine Chocolate difference. These products, vegan dark chocolate, snack bars, hot chocolate and more are available at grocery stores locally including Hannaford, Price Chopper, Healthy Living Market, Fresh Market and Four Seasons Natural Foods; and online at DivineChocolate.com HOLIDAY 2019 | SIMPLY SARATOGA | 59

Lifetime…

THE GIFT OF A WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER

The best gifts are the ones that you can enjoy over and over again.

You may not realize it, but New York’s trees are a gift that we still have today largely because of the efforts of one man a century ago.

GIVING US TREES The U.S. Forest Service inventories the country’s trees. In 1630, it was estimated that forests made up approximately 46 percent of the country’s total land area.

By 1910, that total had declined to just 34 percent (mainly due to the rapid deforestation that had occurred in the 50 years prior).

Since then, the total area covered by forests has remained relatively stable, although the country’s population has more than tripled.

So, what happened to help save the trees? In 1898, Colonel William Freeman Fox proposed planting trees to replace the ones that were lost.

BECOMING THE FATHER OF FOREST RANGERS Demands on the tree population from agriculture, industrialization, and fires were at their peak during William Fox’s lifetime.

Born January 11, 1840 in Ballston Spa, Fox studied engineering at Union College before joining the Union Army in 1862 to fight in the Civil War. After being wounded several times on some of the war’s most infamous battlegrounds (including at the Battle of Antietman, considered the bloodiest day in U.S. history), Fox was discharged in 1864. Twenty years later, Fox was a fighter in a different kind of battle, he was in a war to protect the environment.

In 1885, Fox served as the Assistant Secretary of the New York Forest Commission, which oversaw the recently created New York Forest Preserve, an agency that would become part of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation by 1970. From 1888 until 1891, Fox held the position of Assistant Fire Warden and oversaw the group of men that bravely fought forest fires (the predecessors of today’s forest rangers).

PLANTING THE SEEDLINGS Seeing the environmental impact of burnt-over barren lands, in 1898, Fox’s plan for reforestation resulted in a need for trees, which eventually led to the establishment of one of the nation’s first tree nurseries.

Before his death on June 16, 1909, Fox planted a seed of the future to come. The Saratoga Tree Nursery opened in 1911, the same year the responsibilities of a forest ranger were officially recorded.

Since then, the nursery has grown 1.6 billion seedlings. This year, it was renamed the Colonel William F. Fox Memorial Saratoga Tree Nursery.

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November - December SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17

The Nutcracker Tea Hall of Springs, 108 Avenue of the Pines, Saratoga Springs, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

A battle between toy soldiers and mischievous mice, a blizzard of ballerinas, and a wonderful world of confection will come alive at SPAC’s popular “Nutcracker Tea,” slated for Sunday, November 17 at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. A Capital Region holiday tradition for families, both performances will feature excerpts from The Nutcracker by Northeast Ballet Company, a traditional English Christmas Tea, American Girl doll giveaways, boutique shopping, and a visit from Santa Claus. Held at the Hall of Springs, tickets are $75 for adults and $35 for children 15 and under and can be purchased online at spac.org

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23

7th Annual Holiday Lighted Tractor Parade Main and Washington, 6 Academy St., Greenwich 6 – 9 p.m.

We invite you to join us for this festive family outing watching our nationally (and internationally!) Famous Holiday Lighted Tractor Parade. Now in its 7th year, the town of Greenwich is transformed for the afternoon and evening as up to 60 gaily decorated tractors strut their stuff along Church and Main Street.

Come early, explore the many shops and eateries in town. Parking can be a challenge, so we encourage you to arrive early, parking along side streets. Dress warmly! These tractors are sure to catch your eye as each one must have a minimum of 1,000 lights! In addition, each tractor with a float/trailer must have a minimum of 2,000 lights. They will truly be a sight to see!

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24

The South Glens Falls Fire Company Holiday Parade Feeder Dam Rd and State Route 9, South Glens Falls The parade will travel north along Route 9 through the Village of South Glens Falls from Carriage Traders to The Peppermill. The parade will showcase dozens of entries, which include community groups, bands, floats, costumed characters, marchers and of course, an appearance by a very special guest: Santa Claus!

This fun event is also a charitable one! Attendees are asked to bring a non-perishable food item or a new, unwrapped toy. Food items will be donated to the Moreau Community Center and toys will benefit local children through our area Marine detachment's Toys for Girls and Boys program.

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28

Annual Christopher Dailey Turkey Trot Broadway, Saratoga Springs, 8:30 a.m.

Each year, on Thanksgiving morning, thousands of runners (and walkers) congregate in Saratoga Springs NY to race in the annual 5K Turkey Trot race, which benefits the Christopher Dailey Foundation. There is no day-of registration this year - you must register in advance.

Register online at ZippyReg.com. Online registration closes on November 26 at noon.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30

Saratoga Holiday Craft Marketplace Saratoga Springs City Center, 522 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

140 artisans will display and sell their handmade items at the Saratoga Springs City Center. How fitting these individual crafters are exhibiting on "Small Business Saturday" in a small city known for its unique boutiques and shops. Some of the handmade items for sale are home and holiday decor, blown and etched glass, fiber art, pottery, woodworking, food delicacies, photography, fashion wear, jewelry, repurposed/recycled items, and so many more unique unusual items. Open the holiday season in Saratoga Springs while 100% of your $5 admission fee benefits the mission of the Saratoga Center for the Family in its quest to prevent and cure child abuse, trauma and neglect.

Brookside Museum Artisans’ Market 6 Charlton St., Ballston Spa, Noon – 5 p.m.

Discover a variety of locally made items, perfect for gifts or for yourself! This is a wonderful opportunity to support local artisans as well as the Saratoga County Historical Society at Brookside Museum. Check BrooksideMuseum. org for updated hours during the market. Open November 30 - December 23. Free admission

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4

Saratoga Festival of Trees Preview Reception (Pick up your copy of Saratoga Christmas Magazine, for more information on this event!)

Saratoga Springs City Center, 522 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, 6 – 8 p.m.

Be the first to walk amid hundreds of beautifully twinkling trees, wreaths, centerpieces and other holiday items available for viewing and sale. Appetizers and wine provided

by Longfellows and Olde Bryan Inn. Cost is $75; $60 for guests under 35. Reservations required by calling 518-5875000. For general festival hours (through Sunday 12/8) visit SaratogaFestivalOfTrees.com for the 2019 schedule or find it on Facebook. Cost is $8 for adults; $5 for Seniors; $3 for children over 10; and free for children under 10.

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continued...

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5

Victorian Streetwalk Various Locations, Downtown Saratoga Springs, 6 – 10 p.m.

(Pick up your copy of Saratoga Christmas Magazine, for more information on this event!)

The celebration of the holiday season kicks off with the 33rd Annual Victorian Streetwalk, Saratoga's longestrunning Downtown Festival, presented by the Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association. Come visit the majestic City of Saratoga Springs, adorned in holiday splendor, as the local shops, boutiques and restaurants open their doors to welcome visitors and locals alike. Share the holiday spirit, amidst the Victorian charm of Downtown Saratoga Springs, where you can enjoy more than 30 live performances, the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting, and the Arrival of Santa in his horse drawn sleigh. Whether you're starting a family tradition or rekindling the warm memories of your own childhood, put it on your calendar to join us.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6

Ballston Spa Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting Downtown Ballston Spa, Milton Ave./Front St. The step off time is 6:30 pm, proceeding on Milton Avenue and ending in Wiswall Park on Front Street with Santa lighting the Christmas tree. The parade has become a hometown-style holiday tradition, with fire trucks, floats, animals, kids and Santa parading down the main street of the village. The parade will spotlight the Toys for Tots campaign, in partnership with the Ballston Spa Community Emergency Corps, Saratoga County Sheriff Department and U.S. Marine Corps. Volunteers from these organizations will be on hand to collect donations of new, unwrapped toys from spectators along the parade route as well as at the tree lighting. Ballston Spa High School singers and musicians and Union Fire Company band members perform carols on the street corners.

After lighting the tree, Santa Claus heads to Ballston Spa National Bank on Front Street where he visits with kids of all ages.

Tree Lighting and Holiday Fun at Gavin Park Gavin Park, 10 Lewis Dr., Wilton, 6:15 – 8:30 p.m.

Enjoy the magical lighting of our Colorado Blue Spruce Tree adorned with glittering lights. A variety of holiday decorations will adorn the park to create a special evening.

The local fire department will bring Santa to the park, so he can visit with the children and provide a holiday surprise. (while supplies last) The whole family will enjoy Costumed characters including Frosty, Rudolph, and magical elves.

The event is free for the entire family with live holiday music, light refreshments, movies, crafts and more. For additional information call 518-584-9455.

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Saratoga Springs History Museums Holiday Gala Canfield Casino, Congress Park, Saratoga Springs, 7 – 11 p.m.

The History Museum invites you to Saratoga’s premier holiday event. The Holiday Gala Saratoga features great music, great food and great shopping! All proceeds will support the museum’s ongoing educational projects, materials and events. The History Museum is one of the first stops in the City for schoolchildren, local families and tourists wanting to know more about our rich, unique history. For more information call 518-584-6920.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13

It’s a Wonderful Life Home Made Theater, Spa Little Theater, 19 Roosevelt Dr., Saratoga Springs, 7:30 p.m.

The saga of George Bailey, the Everyman from the small town of Bedford Falls, whose dreams of escape and adventure have been quashed by family obligation and civic duty. His guardian angel descends on Christmas Eve to save him from despair and to remind him—by showing him what the world would have been like had he never been born—that his has been, after all, a wonderful life. $19 Adults, $13 Children (age 12 and under). For more information and to purchase tickets visit HomeMadeTheater.org.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15

A Saratoga Christmas with the McKrells Home Made Theater at The Spa Little Theater, 19 Roosevelt Dr., Saratoga Springs, 7 p.m.

Join us for an evening of Christmas favorites, Kevin’s trademark sound, and their popular rendition of A Visit from St. Nick (‘Twas the Night Before Christmas). Tickets are $15.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31

First Night 2020 Downtown Saratoga Springs, 6 p.m. – 12 a.m.

(Pick up your copy of Saratoga Christmas Magazine, for more information on this event!)

As one of the oldest and largest First Night celebrations in the country, First Night is the most affordable, accessible, family-friendly, safe and exciting way to spend New Year's Eve in the region. Join over 15,000 revelers as Saratoga Arts hosts dozens of regional and touring performing groups in thirty venues throughout Historic Downtown Saratoga Springs. Starting with the 5K road race at Skidmore College, culminating with the fireworks in Congress Park at midnight, and packed full of live music, dance, comedy and magic in between, this event will be a highlight of your outgoing year.

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Wheatfields restaurant & bar from local fields to your plate WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY THERESA ST. JOHN

I think Tommy Lasorda said it best: “I was told to stay away from pasta and bread for two weeks.

Not eating pasta? That’ll kill me. Anything else, but why pasta?”

W

heatfields Restaurant and Bar couldn’t agree more, as they’ve been the place for homemade pasta for over 30 years.

Walking into Wheatfields feels like a warm welcome home where everything is familiar – from the cozy window-seating area, its four tables covered in gold, to a larger room with pieces of fine-art covering the walls, to the long wood bar offering plenty of seating in the back of the restaurant, there isn’t a space that’s not inviting.

“It feels like family here,” says Nicci Miller, general manager. “It’s so great to come out of my office to greet guests of the restaurant. Some of them I’ve known for years – we hug and spend a few minutes catching up with each other. Others are coming in for the first time. We want to be sure it’s an enjoyable experience for them as well.”

If you happen to spot a small sign on your table that reads “WOW,” Nicci will smile when you ask what it stands for. “It’s the idea behind the brand,” she’ll tell you. “We want people to feel special when they’re here, and we want them to say ‘wow’ when they leave!”

Tim and Colleen Holmes, owners of the WOW group of restaurants, met in Chicago when they both worked for the restaurant enterprise "Lettuce Entertain You.” They fell in love, came looking for a property in Saratoga – a place Tim’s family was familiar with – and the rest is history.

They purchased Wheatfields during a busy dinner in the spring of 2004. "They walked into the bank, signed the papers, crossed the street then carried on for dinner – as new owners – without skipping a beat. It was great!”

Nicci tells us, smiling through the whole conversation.

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Visit the restaurant on a gorgeous spring,summer, autumn, or early winter day and find seating outside under the awning. Try their seasonal cran-apple martini, made with Tito’s apple-pucker vodka, cranberry juice, and fresh cranberries for garnish while you watch people passing by with their dogs on leashes and their babies in carriages.

For anyone who tells you cranberries taste both bitter and sour, this cocktail begs to differ.

Rolling the drink around on the tongue brings out the tart flavors of apple, complimenting rather than submitting to the stronger flavor of cranberries.

Are you a sangria type? If yes, you will love the white sangria, dubbed ‘Legends’ Little Sister,’ after their red version, the year-round specialty. This is a seasonal drink, so don’t miss it! Made with Three Olives Raspberry, Bacardi Peach Red, plenty of fresh fruit, and Vino Blanco, it’s a super-smooth-not-toosweet, very refreshing drink. A sip or two lets you in on the secret of why it’s already a hit with the happy hour crowd.

Here in Saratoga, everyone loves food. Every day it seems like another new restaurant is opening its doors to clientele anxious to visit and try out items on the menu.

Wheatfield’s Restaurant and Bar is a staple, for sure, but that doesn’t stop the chef from adding or changing items on the extensive menu to accommodate the changing seasons.

For instance, their flatbread appetizer changes daily. Ours was made with fresh-ground sausage, roasted red peppers, fresh mozzarella cheese, arugula, and a savory white bean spread.

Served on a long wooden board, piping-hot, with the sausage still sizzling. The piquant flavor of arugula is so fresh you’ll taste the ‘nuttiness’ of its leaves.

“We cut and lay-out our herbs to dry seven days a week,” anyone working at the restaurant will say when asked. “It ensures they’re fresh-fresh-fresh when added to the dish for garnish.”

As we all know, eggplant can be bitter if not prepared properly.

At Wheatfields, the Eggplant Napoleon is perfection! Stacks of thickly-sliced, panko breadcrumbed, crispy eggplant – topped with ripe, juicy tomatoes, slabs of mozzarella cheese, homemade pesto, balsamic glaze drizzled over the top, a few pinched-off leaves of arugula to finish it off – mmm! Take one bite of all those flavors and you won’t need to wonder why the appetizer disappears so quickly.

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Theresa, our lovely, attentive – and knowledgeable - waitress, deftly explained our salad choices and when you ask which one is her favorite she’s willing to tell you.

Take her suggestions to heart and try the Arugula Salad, with tender-sweet roasted beets, fresh goat cheese, complimented by their homemade citrus vinegarette. We also had a second salad made with fresh spinach and kale, thinly-sliced crispy green apples, cubed Cabot cheddar cheese, walnuts, and dried cranberries tossed in a cider vinegarette – both were delicious and we could’ve stopped there. …but when you’re in a place known for it’s pasta, you carry on.

Another great thing about Wheatfields and the wait-staff; they encourage the pause between courses. To enjoy your drinks and great conversation, letting the magic of your surroundings sink in.

It’s a great venue to catch up with old friends. Picture the sun going down while you talk about kids and work and life in general. Time seems to stand still here, which is just what people need in an otherwise super-busy week filled with too many ‘to-do lists.’

Getting back to that fresh pasta…

The sausage and chicken Scarpetta entrée was phenomenal. Made with the freshest meats, marsala sauce, bell peppers, and perfectly cooked ziti, this meal spells ‘comfort.’

The ziti, soaked in marsala sauce, would make any Italian grandmother proud. Scarpetta – a much-loved and often-used word in Italian means “make the little shoe.”

The term refers to the small piece of bread used to mop up the last of the sauce on your plate. In this case, you may resort to asking for a few more because all of Wheatfields' sauces are prepared à la minute, so the marsala sauce is made to order.

One side note: ziti is only one of the nearly twenty shapes and flavors of pasta made in-house daily. Yes, you read that right. Daily.

“We still have our pasta machine,” Nicci will tell you. “We’ll never get rid of it - it’s part of our history. When people ask, we let them know that it’s in our Clifton Park location.”

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We’d hate to dispel their reputation as the place for pasta, but their steak was divine! We had the bone-in ribeye, also known as a Delmonico.

Because it’s highly-marbled, much of the rich flavor comes from the fat. It is melt-in-your-mouth-tender. Grilled to order, then served with creamy mashed potatoes, a subtle garlic demi-glaze, and fresh asparagus, the dish becomes a fast favorite of many.

On to our desserts…

In Italy, Tiramisu translates to ‘a pick me up.’ This rich treat blends bold flavors of cocoa and espresso with mascarpone cheese and wine, spread between layers of biscuits known as ladyfingers. It’s an after-dinner indulgence to satisfy any sweet tooth, a perfect ending to any meal.

Biting into their three-layer cake made of vanilla, raspberry, and chocolate heaven is a real surprise. Each stands on its own, for sure, but sampling the three together delivers a delightful wallop of flavor. Finish with a hot coffee and you’re good to go.

Here’s the thing – no matter what you choose from the menu, you’re bound to be pleased, and don’t be surprised if a warm smile and hug goodbye accompanies the doggie bag you take home at the evening’s end.

You may have entered as a stranger, but you’ll always leave as a friend.

Visit any one of their four locations: WHEATFIELDS RESTAURANT AND BAR 440 Broadway, Saratoga BWP 70 Weibel Ave, Saratoga 2 WEST BAR AND GRILL 2 West Ave, Saratoga WHEATFIELD’S BISTRO AND WINE BAR 54 Crossing Blvd M, Clifton Park.

Gift cards are honored at all locations.

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preserving

SARATOGA

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Just in Time for the Holidays:

115 CIRCULAR STREET WRITTEN BY SAMANTHA BOSSHART SARATOGA SPRINGS PRESERVATION FOUNDATION

PHOTOS BY ALICE COREY PHOTOGRAPHY

115 Circular Street featuring one of Mr. Levengston Jr.'s automobiles, "The Saratogian" 1907.

I

first met Dominick Trimarchi shortly after he had closed on the house at 115 Circular Street in October 2017. As he walked me through the house, he shared the long list of work – painting every room, installing new HVAC, restoring light fixtures, refinishing floors, installing new bathrooms, remodeling the kitchen, and building a master bedroom closet – that he wanted done by Christmas. I can’t lie – I thought he was crazy to think that everything would be completed in time for the holidays. Dominick proved me wrong – on December 15th he and his wife Patti moved into the house. Just in time to celebrate the holidays with their four children – Meaghan, Dominick, Lindsey, and Gillian.

Dominick and Patti moved to Saratoga Springs from Loudonville because they wanted to enjoy all that Saratoga Springs had to offer – a vibrant downtown with delicious restaurants and unique stores as well as the Saratoga Race Course. Dominick toured the house and immediately wanted to buy it. He could envision its potential. Patti, on the other hand, was a bit hesitant. All the changes seemed daunting to her.

However, she was most fearful of the surprises that often come with a historic house. “We were very fortunate. We encountered no hidden major repairs. It was all cosmetic,” said Dominick.

“I absolutely love it now,” smiled Patti. “I love the front porch, the beautiful woodwork, the high ceilings, and the big, wide staircase,” she continued. “Just look at it – you don’t see this kind of detail in houses today! I would have loved to have walked into this house the year it was built,” shared Dominick. The grand Colonial Revival style house with its decorative molding, coffered ceilings, delicate plasterwork, and original gas crystal chandelier and wall sconces that have since been converted to electric, was built by Mr. Harry M. Levengston Jr. in 1895.

The Saratoga Baths built by Mr. Levengston Jr., "The Saratogian" 1907.

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Mr. Levengston Jr. was described as “a gentleman of large means and valuable real estate holdings in Saratoga.” He was the builder and owner of The Saratoga Baths at 23-27 Phila Street. Opening in 1891, it was one of the first fully equipped bath houses, described as “the most luxurious institutions of the kind in the country, or in the world, for that matter.” The Saratoga Baths tubed water from the Putnam Spring to provide Russian mineral, Turkish and plain baths.

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Mr. Levengston Jr. was an avid hunter as well as a skilled automobilist and enthusiast, who was recognized as one of the pioneers and leaders of the sport in northern New York. He was known to spend many hours in his private garage on Lafayette Street that had exhaust vents and a car turntable, a rotating platform. The garage has since been subdivided from the property and adaptively reused as a single-family residence with the turntable still in operation.

Harry Levengston Jr. lived in the home with his sons, Harry – who was also referred to as Junior – and Thomas. Mr. Levengston Jr.’s son, Harry, died in 1912 from pneumonia at the age of 25 years old. His son, prior to his death left a will which was written on stationary from the Saratoga Club and left $10,000 to a dressmaker, Miss Caroline M. Finlay. Mr. Levengston Jr. successfully contested the will for not being properly executed; Harry not being of sound mind at the time of writing the will; and its execution being obtained by fraud and undue influence. Dr. Waldo H. Sanford testified that Harry “drank heavily, was ugly and unmanageable when under the influence of liquor, suffered from an exaggerated ego and was afflicted with precocious dementia.”

Upon closing on the house on October 1, 2017, Dominick, a financial advisor, served as the general contractor for the project. He hired Tom Asher, Caleb LaRue, Crisafulli Brothers Plumbing and Heating, Lance Plumbing, and Troy Cabinets to do work in the house.

He hired Joseph P. Mangione, a local locksmith who has been in business since 1885, to restore several of the locks which are believed to have been installed by the same business when the house was built. Two if by Sea Gallery cleaned and restored the original light

fixtures and All in Glass Studios Too repaired the delicate leaded glass in the front door. The following spring, Dominick had the exterior of the house painted and installed a pool. “It was a lot of fun to do. In fact, I would do it again,” shared Dominick. Unfortunately for Dominick, I’m not sure Patti is ready to take on another project.

As their family continues to grow, Patti and Dominick look forward to spending many more holiday seasons in their home.

In 1940, Mr. Levengston Jr., who had been divorced from his first wife Emma Pike for several years, married Mrs. Mary Van Schoonhaven Ludlow, the widow of Troy Record publisher Henry S. Ludlow. Shortly thereafter, they moved to 687 North Broadway, recently known as the Masonic Lodge.

He sold 115 Circular Street to Moses and Frances Stein in 1947. The Steins operated several rooming houses – 64, 66, 69, and 71 Caroline Street as well as 117 and 120 Circular Street. Following Moses’ death in 1952, Frances continued to operate the rooming houses until her death in 1976. The house then had seven different owners until 2005 when it was purchased by Rory Whalen, who sold the house to Dominick and Patti.

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It's time to shop!

FAS

WI

ER T N HION

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Alpine Sport Shop employees, Alex & Antonio, are wearing…

FLYLOW UNDERCOVER CAP $29.95

MICHI’S RABBIT HEADBAND $54.95

NEWLAND ROSELLA JACKET $299.95

NEWLAND NANCY "SNOW" SHIRT $119.95

SKI THE EAST FOUNDATION T $27.95 MARMOT RIDGEFIELD LONG SLEEVE FLEECE LINED FLANNEL $99.95

FLYLOW TOUGH GUY GLOVE $39.95

MICHI’S FOX FANNYPACK $258.95

FLYLOW DITCH PANT $79.95

ALP-N-ROCK GENEVA TECHNO PANT $207.95 FULL TILT APRÈS BOOTIE $59.95 BOS. & CO. HUDSON BOOTS $214.95

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ALPINE SPORT SHOP

Photo by SuperSourceMedia.com

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399 CLINTON STREET, SARATOGA SPRINGS • 518.584.6290 • ALPINESPORTSHOP.COM

CAROLINE AND MAIN 438 BROADWAY, SARATOGA SPRINGS 518.450.7350 • CAROLINEANDMAIN.COM Mama knows how to keep the family cozy and warm.

JOULES HAYFORD BLANKET SCARF

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BEACH LUNCH LOUNGE “MOMMY & ME” FLANNEL SHIRT

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LIFESTYLES

436 BROADWAY, SARATOGA SPRINGS 518.584.4665• LIFESTYLESOFSARATOGA.COM Catharine is all rock and ready to roll at The Night Owl in her Lifestyles of Saratoga outfit.

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From cocktail parties and date nights to cozy evenings at home and everyday essentials, Lucia is your must-shop destination this season for all of your holiday and winter wardrobe necessities.

FELT HAT IN BONE - $75 AV MAX FAIRY HOOPS IN ROSE GOLD - $32

ASTR SORBET SWEATER IN PETAL - $98

URBAN EXPRESSIONS KAIDEN BAG - $80

LUCIA

BLANK NYC NIGHT MANIA JEANS - $88

454 BROADWAY, SARATOGA SPRINGS • 518.587.7890 • LUCIABOUTIQUE.COM HOLIDAY 2019 | SIMPLY SARATOGA | 77

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MOUNTAINMAN

OUTDOOR SUPPLY COMPANY 490 BROADWAY, SARATOGA SPRINGS • 518.584.3500 • MOUNTAINMANOUTDOORS.COM

CORY

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PATAGONIA DESERT SKY BEANIE $45

MARMOT ANDERSON LIGHTWEIGHT FLANNEL $75

PRANA BRANDIE SWEATER $139

MARMOT AVANT FEATHERLESS HOODY $250

SMARTWOOL SMARTLOFT 120 SKIRT $120

PATAGONIA MICRO PUFF HOODY $299

PATAGONIA NANO PUFF VEST $149

FJALLRAVEN GREENLAND POCKET PURSE $65

PRANA BRIDGER JEAN $89

TOAD & CO RIBBED LEAP LEGGING $55

CHACO FIELDS CHELSEA WATERPROOF BOOT - $170

SMARTWOOL CABLE 2 SOCKS $16.95

DARN TOUGH MICRO CREW CUSHION SOCKS $23

RED WING HERITAGE IRON RANGER BOOTS $320

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SPOKEN 27 CHURCH STREET, SARATOGA SPRINGS 518.587.2772 • SPOKENSARATOGA.COM We’re ready for the holidays in one of our faves by Cino!

Cino is inspired by all things beautiful.....truly capturing the Holiday Season.

LUXURY FAUX FUR HAT & SCARF

BY METRIC

This spectacular piece is accented with fur by Metric.

Principle’s Coated Denim adds the finishing touch to this seasonal look. ...Making every woman feel beautifully empowered during the Holiday Season!

THIS FAUX LEATHER JACKET COMPLETES THE LOOK

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UNION HALL SUPPLY CO. 437 BROADWAY, SARATOGA SPRINGS • 518.584.4838 • UNIONHALLSUPPLYCO.COM Kyle & Keene know that comfort is key to making the most of life's little moments . . .

JOULES WELFORD NAVY CHECK CLASSIC FIT SHIRT

KEENE'S OWN JEAN JACKET

TYLER BÖE PLATED COTTON CASHMERE V-NECK SWEATER

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CABIN SOCKS BY WOVEN PEAR BORN CHUKKA BOOTS 80 | SIMPLY SARATOGA | HOLIDAY 2019

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VIOLET'S 494 BROADWAY, SARATOGA SPRINGS 518.584.4838 • VIOLETSOFSARATOGA.COM

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How to Deal with Toxic Family Members During the Holiday Season

I MEGHAN LEMERY FRITZ LCSW-R Meghan Fritz is a psychotherapist practicing in State College, PA. For more information visit ChangeYourStoryLLC.com and download the Relationship audio course today!

deally, the holidays are a time spent with family where good food, laughter and love are celebrated.

Unfortunately however, the reality is that most people have at least one or a few emotionally unsafe individuals in their family and this can cause major anxiety, depression and emotional distress making the season one of dread not joy.

An emotionally unsafe family member is someone who has very little emotional intelligence and no insight into their behavior. They are unsafe to confront on any level and they are rarely accountable for their actions.

Usually in a dynamic with an unsafe family member you have to behave a certain way in order for the relationship to work.

When you don’t engage in the dysfunctional dynamic they use manipulation, guilt and control to get you to engage.

Most of the time these individuals lack complete insight into their behavior so to confront them on their dysfunction and manipulation would create a situation where you are even more unsafe emotionally.

Confrontation works when you are dialoguing with a person who can participate in an insightful discussion and own their behavior and apologize in a way that makes you feel like the issue is resolved and the relationship can continue in a healthy way.

When you confront an emotionally unsafe family member they will put everything back on you, defend their behavior, take no accountability for their behavior and apologize in a way that rarely feels sincere or leads to resolution. For example, “I am sorry I upset you but…”

These are not individuals you want to confront in any way or be emotionally vulnerable with. The best way to handle a family member like this is to have a concrete strategy in place as to how you will interact with them.

You never want to “wing it” in a situation with an emotionally unsafe family member. Pick concrete times you will spend time with them and let them know your plan. For example, “We will be at your house around 3 for Christmas Eve and we will be leaving after dinner around 6pm, we’ll bring the fruit cake.”

Notice I didn’t say, “We will be leaving at 6pm because we need to go to Church, or get the kids to bed, or ….” Do not over explain why you are doing what works for you. You are an adult and have the right to choose what works for you.

It is not your job to cater to and please another adult.

Adults are responsible for their own well-being and care; that is NOT your job.

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Recognize when you are falling into people pleasing behaviors with unsafe family members. The more you attempt to placate them the more you lose your peace of mind and ability to care for yourself in a way that empowers you. If you leave it up to them or wing it, they will control the situation triggering your anxiety and you will feel as though you have no power.

The key is to remain factual and concrete. This will help you navigate the situation with a clear mind and confidence.

Often times when you are around a family member like this you may morph into the emotional age of an adolescent feeling like you have no power or voice. Even though you are an adult, you will unconsciously become the victim because that is the dynamic you are used to.

It’s important to remain grounded, conscious and factual at all times because this helps you hold your power and protect you from the emotional slime that you often feel in the presence of an unsafe family member. Have your strategy, present the plan factually and stick to the plan.

One of the biggest strategies an unsafe family member will use to manipulate you into doing what they want is to use guilt or passive aggressive pouting as a way to control you.

Do not take the bait! This is simply a tactic meant to disarm you and get you to bow down to their agenda.

Remember, you don’t have to over explain to anyone what you do or why you do it- just present the plan and shut down any discussion about it.

If the person tries to talk you into changing the plan let them know that is what you will be doing and change the subject or remove yourself from the room. Do NOT engage- remember, you are dealing with someone who has zero insight into their behavior so your attempts to explain anything will not be heard.

When you are in a setting with an unsafe family member, make sure you are with other people in the room. Do not allow yourself to be alone with the person for any length of time. If you do put yourself in a situation where you are alone, they will find a way to throw a dig at you or attempt to use guilt and manipulation to control you.

If you refuse to be alone with them you take yourself out of the situation completely. Share your plan and strategy with another family member that you feel safe with so that you have support.

As an adult you decide what works best for you and how you would like to spend your time. Do not let guilt motivate you to spend time with toxic people. Be prepared, stick to the plan and do not veer from the facts.

This will help you navigate the holidays from a place of power and strength instead of anxiety and dread.

Don’t waste your time trying to change toxic family members, the best way to change a situation is to change your response to it. Do what you need to do to arm yourself with the tools you need to respect and honor your peace of mind.

YOU ARE WORTH IT!

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NEIGHBORS Helping Neighbors

Dr. Brent Ridge (left) and Josh Kilmer-Purcell (right) pose in a Mister Rogers' inspired portrait for the Beekman 1802 Almanac.

The theme for their latest issue is the spirit of community and neighborhoods.

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WRITTEN BY

CAROL GODETTE

Josh and Brent could have chosen to relocate their corporate headquarters to Boston or NYC, but in keeping with their homey dynamic, they chose the new waterfront office space called Mohawk Harbor, on the banks of the Mohawk River, a mere 17 miles from Saratoga Springs.

PHOTOS BY

SUSAN BLACKBURN PHOTOGRAPHY AND CAROL GODETTE

“

We’ll never ever go wrong as long as we treat every single person like they’re our next-door neighbor,” believes Josh Kilmer-Purcell, cofounder of Beekman 1802.

For those unfamiliar with the brand and its skyrocketing success, Dr. Brent Ridge and his partner Josh Kilmer-Purcell began selling goat milk soaps and goat milk cheeses from their Beekman Farm in Sharon Springs in 2008. After competing in and winning CBS’s “The Amazing Race” in 2012, their popularity exploded, as well as the products they curated and created. From my perspective their living brand is on the scale of Chip and Joanna Gaines or Stonewall Kitchen.

The premise behind Beekman 1802 is literally neighbors helping neighbors. In Brent and Josh’s humble beginnings, Anthropologie placed a large order for their 9 oz goat milk soap bars. The boys were fearful they would never be able to put the order together in time, so they put out a call to friends and neighbors for help.

They expected 4 or 5 people to show up -instead over 100 neighbors worked long hours bagging the soaps to meet the shipping deadline. “Neighbors helping neighbors is not just a company saying; it's a mindset and a living brand,” exclaims Alan Edstrom, Events Manager.

Anna Finlay, Social Media Associate and Alan Edstrom, Events Planner greet Simply Saratoga at their nearby corporate office.

The desk area that the employees work at is called the hub.

Everything from the lightning bolt-shaped lights above the desks, to the touch-lights on the wall represent and encourage creativity and the sharing of creative ideas.

And as our neighbor, their influence is apparent employing local residents, supplying local vendors with unique merchandise and recently helping their friend Pat Freisen fundraise for her campaign for County Supervisor.

“Saratoga Springs has a certain sophistication level that fits in with the Beekman 1802 brand,” reflected longtime Saratoga Springs resident Alan Edstrom, recently hired event manager for the company.

Josh and Brent are frequently present at the casually chic corporate headquarters. Both were mindful of hiring a staff who represented the brand and they were careful to choose people they wanted to share their company journey with. Saratoga native Anna Finlay began in June as their Social Media Associate. “I’ve never had a job that lets me have the creative freedom I have here. This is my dream job and I found it in my backyard!” smiled Anna.

CEO Tomei Thomas and Alyssa Straub, HR Manager, both live in Saratoga Springs as well.

Photos on this page by Carol Godette

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Heidi Owen West, Owner of 3 retail stores in Saratoga Springs, with the holiday display of Beekman 1802 at her store Lifestyles.

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The limited edition scent Snow Forrest returns for the holidays. “It smells like alpine fir and freshly fallen snow. I’m obsessed with this perfect winter scent because it reminds me of walking through a Christmas tree farm,” said Anna.

Gifts for every neighbor on your list are available at Lifestyles in Saratoga. Whether it be a four pack of goat milk soaps or the Beekman 1802 seasonal scent, Snow Forest.

COLLABORATING… EXCITEMENT…SUPPORTING Collaboration “When someone else succeeds, we succeed,” Alan noted. For local stores stocking the brand, this is true. Heidi Owen West, owner of Lifestyles of Saratoga says, “Carrying the Beekman 1802 line checks a lot of boxes for me. How products are made and where they are made is important to me.

What makes my heart pitter patter is the design of the packaging- it really is artwork. The product is top notch, the quality is top notch.” Three years ago, the Beekman Boys even made a personal appearance in Downtown Saratoga coordinated

by Keeley Ardaman DeSalvo (Savory Pantry) and Heidi Owen West.

Photos above by Susan Blackburn Photography

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Best selling gift box of ten lip balms. The perfect pack to get you through the windy winter months.

Excitement

Photos above by Susan Blackburn Photography

Alan’s excitement about producing their next large event “The 24-Hour Holiday Marathon” is contagious. Carr-Hughes Productions, the award winning Saratoga Springs broadcasting team, will air 24 hours of live TV on YouTube, Beekman1802.com and Facebook Live on December 4 and 5th from the Sharon Springs Mercantile location.

Artists and artisans will showcase their work; employees will demonstrate various skills from gift wrapping tips to making charcuterie boards. New products will be shown and the ever popular “goat cams” will showcase the famous farm goats.

Anna enthusiastically described the upcoming Special Deliveries holiday theme. Beekman 1802 wants to help create a personal gift for your neighbor or friend, rather than giving a cookie cutter gift. “Adding personal touches like hand wrapping or a beautiful ribbon to our Beekman 1802 simple luxuries is a way to spark joy in everyone on your list,” explained Anna.

The office kitchen, site of tech free lunches that allow employees a chance to rest their eyes from screens and let the beauty of their surroundings sink in.

Supporting Simple concepts such as a no electronics lunch where everyone gathers for casual conversation is appreciated by employees.

“We have a unique space here. I feel it’s the way all businesses should run- supporting great ideas, supporting people in their dreams and helping neighbors,” concludes Alan.

Photo by Carol Godette

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H&G Randall Perry Photography

Flip the pages to see the rest of the house! saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

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Archite Randall Perry Photography

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cturally SPEAKING FOLLOW US AS WE EXPLORE SOME OF THE AREA'S UNIQUE SPACES...

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CHANGING FACE Stunning Condo on Broadway Undergoes Total Transformation WRITTEN BY THERESA ST. JOHN PHOTOS BY RANDALL PERRY PHOTOGRAPHY

Randall Perry Photography

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“Luxury is when it seems flawless - when you reach the right balance between all elements. Understated theatricality – that is what my luxury is all about.”

- Jean-Louis Deniot, French Interior Designer

J

anet Longe and her daughter Jamie Davies are co-owners of the local luxury residential interior design business, 23rd [and Fourth], on Excelsior Avenue.

“I’ve been involved in design – in one form or another – for a very long time,” Janet says. “My daughter comes from the business world. We’re both creative. It made sense for us to join forces and offer the community something we felt was lacking.”

Their current showroom allows 23rd [and Fourth] to display several substantial pieces of furniture, décor, fabric, customdesigned, even one-of-a-kind treasures.

“We wanted people to be able to come in, sit on the furniture, browse through our samples, make personal selections to help decorate their homes,” Janet states. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

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The condo renovation on Broadway began in the kitchen. The owners wanted a different, more contemporary style. The project was going to include new flooring, appliances, and lighting.

Randall Perry Photography

Other areas of the home were of a traditional flare.

Janet and Jamie had several conversations with the couple, asking questions that would give them an idea of what their clients wanted to change and what they wanted to keep the same.

During their walk-throughs, things began to evolve.

“You know how it is,” says Jamie. “One idea leads to another. And another. Before long, we were talking about walls coming down to the studs so we could start with a clean slate. We had a list of things we wanted to run by the owners, a plan, so-to-speak.

They were open to all of our ideas.

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In the kitchen, they used back-painted glass for the backsplash instead of the usual tiles others might choose. It wasn’t possible to see a sample of what it would look like finished, but Janet and Jamie didn’t doubt that it would be beautiful.

It was a soft, light color that tied other things together in the room.

“Now, when they stand in the kitchen they can see the reflection of the sun, the sky, the trees and the changing seasons.

It’s incredible.” The condo overlooks historic Congress Park, so the reflection of anything is beautiful. The room is sleek, from floor to counters, to appliances and lighting fixtures.

Chantilly Lace was the color of paint choice for most of the rooms in the condominium. Bright pops of color were pulled in, adding an element of surprise here and there.

Splashes of bright orange and black art hanging on walls in the dining room greet people ready to sit for a shared meal and conversation.

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Randall Perry Photography

Randall Perry Photography

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Randall Perry Photography

Janet and Jamie designed a gorgeous walnut bookcase for one of the spaces, hiring a local contractor to build it. Soft, supple leather became an integral part of each shelf.

The home had a fireplace, but not a three sided show stopper like this. This focal point is totally custom with a concrete base and steel clad walls. Converted to an ethanol-burning unit – the perfect choice for those who can’t access a true-vent or chimney.

The pair have worked on several different types of renovations. They can take a country farmhouse and create something ultra-modern if that is what the client wants. Contemporary, traditional, minimalist, urban, transitional, rustic-country, this duo is up for the challenge.

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“We take our client’s general idea and add pops of color and surprise,” Jamie states. “People don’t always know – exactly – how they want their home to look. They have a picture in their head. It’s our job to take that and build on it.”

Adding transom windows to different rooms in the condo allowed there to be glass, which lets light through. While keeping the air of privacy for their clients, the windows let in more natural light, a look the owners were partial to.

The designers found areas in the 3,000-foot home that worked well with cork wallpaper, zebrawood, floating cabinets, rift white oak flooring throughout – each well-thought-out touch, unique and welcoming.

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The powder room is impressive.

With walls painted dark grey and a lacy-texture wallcovering applied on the surface, stunning fixtures and flooring to match, it’s a conversation piece for sure.

Randall Perry Photography

The living room is large and open, with modern yet substantial furniture that makes a bold statement of luxury and comfort. The outdoor patio is an inviting space for peace and quiet, watching the hub-bub of downtown from a distance.

Janet comments on how happy they are with the contractors they work with. “They listen to what we want and they make sure it happens. In addition to purchasing one-of-a-kind pieces from vendors all over the country, we have many items custom made for our clients – that relationship is everything.”

The whole idea is to make the house a home – to make the home everything an owner might envision.

The property on Broadway took about a year, from start to finish. I can only imagine how beautiful it is year-round.

23rd [and Fourth] is busy working on their website and hope to have an online store available soon for clients to shop from as well.

“We feel incredibly blessed and honored to be the ones creating these living spaces for our clients,” Jamie tells me with a smile.

Her mother seconds the sentiment. “ It’s very satisfying to begin a project and take it to the end – watching it evolve from a simple idea to a reality – a space our clients love coming home to.”

I have a feeling their clients would agree, wholeheartedly.

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Adding Seasonal Warmth to your

Holiday Décor PHOTOS BY SUSAN BLACKBURN PHOTOGRAPHY

A

t 23rd [and Fourth] we spend the majority of our time interior designing for the first 11 months of the year, however, come December, we are in full holiday mode for some of our most valued clients.

Here’s a peek into one…

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Windows, especially bay windows can be overlooked areas when choosing where to accessorize for the holidays. If you don’t feel you have the perfect Santa or reindeer use real or faux poinsettias to jazz up the sill.

We used heirloom stockings and some of the client’s personal decorations to complete a look that appears it was curated over time

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Larger ornaments (think 8-10” round) nestled towards the trunk help achieve the fullness of the perfect tree. Red berries and burlap ribbon round out the entire holiday look.

Remember you can never have too many ornaments so when you think you’re done, add a bunch more!

The orange accents this room regularly has throughout the year prohibited the use of the traditional Christmas red. Simple greenery and gold bows give the space a more festive look without competing with the orange.

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Layering blankets, throws and pillows adds warmth and dimension to a space, especially around the holidays. A quick change out to seasonal throw pillows is an easy way to add holiday cheer to all your upholstered pieces.

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The Compass that GUIDES US HOME WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER PHOTOS BY SUSAN BLACKBURN PHOTOGRAPHY

The only way to come home, is first to leave it.

Home is more than a place, it’s a feeling. For everyone going through a struggle, facing an obstacle, or experiencing a loss, trying to find your way back home feels impossible.

“I’m very interested in the subject of loss – all of us are going to have loss in our lives – but it’s what happens afterwards that defines us,” said Maria Riccio Bryce.

NOT UNTIL WE ARE LOST, CAN WE BE FOUND As a young girl, Riccio Bryce first began to discover her musical gift as her fingers found their way around the piano keys in her childhood home in Amsterdam, NY. In early adulthood, she and her husband established and ran The Overground Theatre in London.

After its closure, Riccio Bryce found herself a bit lost. She was back in the town she’d left with three young children and was living in a house just five minutes from her childhood home.

That’s when she began to find herself again. For the last 25 years, her musical compositions “Mother, I’m Here” (commissioned by the YMCA for their 100th anniversary), “Hearts of Fire” (commemorating the 300th anniversary of the Schenectady massacre of 1690), “The Amsterdam Oratorio”, and “Swan Song” have addressed the theme of loss and the strength that is born from it.

“When you’re about to lose something, suddenly, as it’s fading away, you can see it in all its glory,” said Riccio Bryce.

FOLLOWING HER INNER COMPASS In addition to developing her musical compositions, Riccio Bryce has the experience, the glory, and the grace that comes from serving as the Music Director at St Luke’s Church in Schenectady for more than twenty years.

“One thing feeds into another. I’d been hither and yon but when the job became available, my mother insisted that I apply and it really has influenced a lot of my work,” she said.

Because she often incorporates her own life, the difficulties she’s encountered, and the lessons she’s learned in her work, Riccio Bryce considers her greatest

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triumphs to be the moments when the audience can recognize their own truths in the stories she has told in songs, and have found strength or joy in what they heard.

“Life is going to hurt, we’re going to lose, but there is an underlying thread of fortitude that I just find so beautiful,” said Riccio Bryce.

FINDING “HOME AGAIN” “What once was home is home again - My Amsterdam.”

These words are from the opening of Riccio Bryce’s ‘Amsterdam Oratorio,’ which premiered in Amsterdam in 2001. They are engraved on the large compass sculpture on the Mohawk Valley Gateway Overlook pedestrian bridge. Her words were chosen to encircle this symbolic marker because they are as true for the city’s revitalization efforts as they are for the people who exist within it.

Our connection to the past is fuel for our future.

Singing the songs of our shared existence, Riccio Bryce’s newest musical, “Home Again” will be performed on February 21st and 22nd at 7:30 p.m. and on Feb. 23rd at 3 p.m. in the Bert DeRose Theater, Amsterdam High School, 140 Saratoga Ave., Amsterdam. Proceeds to benefit the Amsterdam Free Library. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

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WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY

RALPH VINCENT

N

o two family Christmas trees are ever alike, owing to individual taste and the vast assortment of ornaments, lights, and other easily obtainable embellishments. Diversity in Christmas tree décor is heightened further by the availability of artificial trees in colors such as blue, red, pink and white. In our home the Christmas tree we display each year reflects these influences as well.

In some households Christmas trees are the object of such singular devotion they can be found in every room, including the bathrooms! I share the spirit and enthusiasm of those who favor a proliferation of holiday trees, but only to a certain extent. We bedeck our home with multiple trees but limit the display to three rooms. In our foyer a trio of chartreuse, silver, and purple trees sparkles beside by the staircase. In the dining room a small evergreen tree with traditional trimming sits on a side cabinet.

The centerpiece of our holiday décor is a nine-foot-tall white Christmas tree. Positioned in an open area beside the two-sided fireplace that divides the formal living and family rooms, the tree can be enjoyed from both areas.

Its large size and uncommon color allows the tree to hold its own, in the two-story high space.

Our approach to Christmas tree decoration is to combine tradition with the unexpected.

Included in our tree trimming assemblage are standard glass ornaments, but there are many others that represent something or someone special to us. Steven and I first met on Halloween so it is no surprise that Jack o’ Lanterns, ghosts and some classic movie monsters hang from the tree’s branches. Our beloved dogs are represented as well by abundant Cavalier King Charles Spaniel themed decorations, and a small framed picture of each pup past and present. Adornments that resemble roses, cocktail shakers, and even an outdoor grill reflect other personal interests like gardening and entertaining.

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We love our big white tree so much that it goes up early each year on the day before Thanksgiving. Assembling and decorating a tree this size is no small feat, and the process can take several hours. However, the result is worth all the effort!

First the tree contained in an enormous box, and multiple containers packed with holiday adornments are carried upstairs from the basement and placed in the living room. After the tree is removed from its box the central trunk is assembled. Following that every individual branch is painstakingly groomed to restore its shape and volume. Then one by one each branch is inserted into the central trunk.

Once the tree is finally assembled it is time to for the lights.

After ensuring that they are in working order Steve begins the time-consuming process. While standing on a ladder he wraps the tree with hundreds of blue and white lights.

After the lights are secured, we begin festooning the tree with our huge collection of ornaments. A ladder is necessary for this endeavor as well. We place each ornament carefully so the completed display will be balanced when viewed from either the family or living room.

Afterward the big tree box and storage containers are hauled back down into the basement. We tidy up the living room and double check that no hooks or other objects that could be dangerous to our pups have been missed. The tree’s base is covered with a tree skirt, and a nativity scene crafted by Steve’s artist mom Carmelita is placed under the tree.

At this point there is one last, and we think the most important task left on our “to do” list. We gather our pooches - and crowded together on the living room sofa experience the magic of our big beautiful white tree!

Our Big White Tree

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A quilt is a comfort and a treasure.

Quilting is a folk art, born from necessity hundreds of years ago, that more than 20 million people in the United States continue to practice today.

Something special happens when stitching pieces of fabric together; friendships are sewn and memories are preserved.

SEW MUCH LOVE

There weren’t any quilters in Georgie Pelkowski’s family, but she still wanted to learn how to do it, so she joined a class.

The first quilt she put together was made from a skirt she wore to a barn dance. Hand sewing and piecing evolved into machine stitching and adding embellishments including silk ribbon embroidery.

“When I started out, I was so enthusiastic. When you take the time to put together a quilt, it says a lot, and everybody loves it,” said Pelkowski.

Pieces of fabric carry memories of the past. Pelkowski saved a piece of her niece’s (Simply Saratoga’s own Chris Bushee) communion dress and sewed it into the quilt she gifted to her when she had her daughter, Allie.

“That’s why you make a quilt – to give it to the people you love. That’s the soul of it,” she said.

STITCHED TOGETHER Joining with groups of other quilters was an important part of Pelkowski’s life.

“That was how people got together. It was a social thing, like Stanley parties or Tupperware parties,” she said.

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By quilting together, everyone working on a square, before long a quilt was done and could be given as a gift or raffled off to raise money for a worthy cause.

“We could bounce ideas off one another.

Tips and tricks were shared and every once in a while, someone would tell you something great you didn’t know,” said Pelkowski.

When Angela Pachal moved to the area three years ago, she joined quilting groups as a way to meet people and as an opportunity to develop her sewing skills.

At first keeping to more traditional patterns, now she has been completing more artistic quilts as wall hangings.

“Quilts can be used to pull together the colors of a room or as a standout piece of art that is easy to change up from season to season,” said Pachal.

Using the fabric like her paint, she spent a year piecing together her award-winning 2’x3’ “Viking Barkley” quilt. She is now launching into a new project that will be double the size and will touch upon her Canadian roots with the peaceful image of Canadian geese.

An active online quilting community is allowing people to share their love of quilting no matter where they live. Pachal recently completed “Dancing in the Rain” for a secret rainbow quilt exchange.

“It’s a fun way to meet new people and make a surprise quilt that they may not make themselves,” she said.

Pachal is a member of the Quilt North Guild and Piecemakers. Find her quilts on Instagram @sew.angela and her home décor @yellow.door.decor JOIN A GROUP

The Quilt North Guild meets the 1st Monday of the month, Oct. – June at the Schenendehowa United Methodist Church, 971 Route 146, Clifton Park at 6:45 p.m. For more information, go to QuiltNorth.org Piecemakers meets in the Fellowship Hall of Clifton Park Center Baptist Church, 713 Clifton Park Center Road, Clifton Park each Wednesday from September – June at 9:30 AM (except for the 2nd Wednesday of each month). For more information, go to CliftonParkCenterBaptist.org/quilting-group.html Adirondack Quilts, 22 5th St, South Glens Falls, hosts three different quilting clubs. They each meet once a month. Find out more by stopping into their shop, or online at AdirondackQuilts.com.

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In the Kitchen WITH

JOHN REARDON

HELLO MY FOODIE FRIENDS! When I was a young boy the holiday season was my family’s favorite time of year. Of course my parents used it to its full potential to keep three boys and two girls in line. Our biggest thrill was the chance to go downtown and peek into the store front windows seeing the latest toys and letting Santa, Mom, and Dad know what we wanted under the tree. For myself and my brothers, it was especially hard to refrain from becoming the Three Stooges avoiding our usual antics and teasing of each other. If we didn’t get along then we risked getting nothing and my Dad was a man of his word. We also loved this time of year because Mom and Dad became a dynamic team and focused on our happiness instead of the day to day problems they faced with finance issues that were typical of the middle class back then. It seemed like Mom and Dad knew every shop owner by their first name and all the shop personnel always fussed over their children. Shopping downtown was a magical event for us. The snow covered trees, merchant’s store fronts decorated with animated figures, holiday lights, decorations, and music. Each of us would run free to pursue the treasures that we wanted from Santa. We loved every store. For us a clothing store was a place that kept us from the toys. However, the clothing store mom loved was located on the top floor of one of the downtown buildings and you needed an elevator to get to it. An ELEVATOR!!! Do any of you remember what the older style elevators were like? It was like a carnival ride. It even had an elevator operator (what I wanted to be when I grew up). Several of our downtown buildings in Saratoga Springs still have the old style elevators. At the end of our shopping day, we would have a wonderful meal as a family, leaving us full and exhausted, and filled with memories that would last a lifetime.

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Consider shopping local this season. Shopping locally helps you connect with the people in your community and learn more about what is going on around you. When people come in my store during the holidays they call out to me and exclaim; “Hello Mr. Reardon we are some of your Foodie Friends!” Economically, spending money locally, gives back to the community. Why not make holiday shopping a family event? Shopping should be an enjoyable experience with interactions that leave us feeling good versus feeling like we have to do a chore. I find that's far more likely to happen when I'm patronizing local independent businesses. Learn and experience product quality and durability, get expert advice without having to waste time doing your own research.

Aside from the experience, physical contact with an item makes people feel more certain about a purchase decision. When you go to a store, you know what you’re getting. The price is there.

There’s no shipping fee. You can see the item, hold the item, and get the instant gratification you desire from buying the item. Savor the sights, sounds and smells of the season while shopping. During the holidays the shops are filled with festive decorations, sounds and smells. When you step through the doors and hear “Jingle Bells” or “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” playing throughout the store, you can’t help singing along as you walk around.

Another great experience of shopping in your local shops is to spend time out shopping with the family. Your holiday tradition may involve shopping with your children, your spouse, or your friends. Maybe make the first Saturday of December (Small Business Saturday) an event to shop for gifts, then go to your favorite restaurant for lunch or dinner. This holiday season visit our beautiful city of Saratoga Springs and all the unique shops within the city for those special treasures. Make it an event where you actually spend time with people (and not your computer) to select those special gifts to give. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

Mustard-Crusted Prime Rib with Madeira Glaze Ingredients

1 bone-in beef rib roast (about 5 pounds) 1/2 cup stone-ground mustard 6 small garlic cloves, minced 1 tablespoon brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground pink peppercorns, optional VEGETABLES:

2 pounds medium Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into eighths (about 2-inch chunks) At Compliments to the Chef, we have really cool tools for your favorite foodie. Having the right tools to prepare your recipe is the key to making a pretty good dinner a great one. It’s much easier to cook when you are equipped with high-quality utensils that make your job as fun and easy as possible. We have some gadgets which can make your Thanksgiving and holiday prep and serve a little easier. Good tools are essential to good cooking just like good tools are helpful to a carpenter building a house. One tool I think a lot of foodies don’t have or know how to use is the thermometer. It is one of my must haves in a kitchen. Do not discount how much this tool means to not just you but your whole family. Our recommendation is a simple Bi-Metallic stemmed thermometer. There are others, such as digital but this is the simplest, easiest and most cost effective choice. It’s easy to calibrate and if you stop in to our place I’ll personally teach you how.

Another holiday cooking recommendation is an Open Roaster.

The one we recommend is the All-Clad 13”x16” Roaster with Rack. It is one of the jewels of our store. Roast meat, poultry, and vegetables to perfection with this versatile large roaster.

Holding up to a 20-lb. turkey, the heavy-duty stainless-steel roasting pan features tall, straight sides, which help prevent splatters and spills, while its upright handles ensure a secure hold when transporting the pan to and from the oven, even when wearing thick oven mitts. The roaster comes with a V-shaped nonstick roasting rack that elevates large cuts of meat to promote even cooking and is compatibility with all stovetops (except induction) Another cool tool is a Gravy/Fat separator. There are various sizes and styles of gravy separators. The gravy separator strains out fat, seasonings, and lumps for flavorful gravy, broth, soup stock, au jus, and sauce with lower fat and calories.

Paula and I look forward to the holidays every year with our children. Cherish your moments together and stop by and fulfill your holiday culinary needs at Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store located of 33 Railroad Place, Saratoga Springs. This holiday season; shop local and nab those ideal gifts for the ones you love.

Remember my Foodie Friends, “Life Happens in the Kitchen”.

Here is a delicious Holiday Recipe to serve during our chilly evenings this holiday season. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

4 medium carrots, halved lengthwise and cut into 2-inch pieces

1 medium red onion, cut into eighths (but with root end intact) 1 medium fennel bulb, cut into eighths 3 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar 1 teaspoon brown sugar 3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper MADEIRA GLAZE:

1 cup balsamic vinegar 1/2 cup Madeira wine

1 teaspoon brown sugar

Cracked pink peppercorns, optional Directions: • Let roast stand at room temperature for 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 450°. Combine mustard, garlic, brown sugar, salt and, if desired, peppercorns; brush evenly over top and sides of roast but not over bones (mixture may seem loose but will adhere). Place bone side down on a rack in a roasting pan. Place pan on middle oven rack; immediately reduce heat to 350°.

Roast 1 hour.

• Toss potatoes, carrots, onion and fennel with next 5 ingredients. Arrange vegetables in a single layer in a 15x10x1-in. baking pan on lowest rack of oven.

Roast meat and vegetables, stirring vegetables midway through baking, until meat reaches desired doneness (a thermometer should read 135° for medium-rare, 140° for medium and 145° for medium-well), about 1-1/2 hours. Cover roast loosely with foil during last 30 minutes to prevent overbrowning.

Let stand 15 minutes before carving.

• Meanwhile, for glaze, combine balsamic vinegar, Madeira wine and brown sugar in a small saucepan.

Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; cook until reduced to 1/2 cup, about 15 minutes. Let glaze cool to room temperature. Serve roast with vegetables and glaze and, if desired, pink peppercorns and fennel fronds.

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ENTERTAINING

Made Easy with Jodi Fitz!

Company coming? …

This dinner and dessert will dazzle your holiday guests!

BALSAMIC CHICKEN RECIPE 4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken 16.5 oz constellation variety tomatoes by Nature Sweet (grape tomato size) 1 large sweet onion 1 cup balsamic vinegar 1/4 cup olive oil

1 tablespoon rosemary (crushed) 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning blend 2 teaspoons onion powder 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon sea salt1/4 teaspoon black pepper TOPPINGS: fresh mozzarella, shaved parmesan cheese, fresh basil.

Remove the skin of the onion. Cut the onion in half and the cut it into thin wedge like slices. Note: make sure to separate the onion pieces.

Whisk the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, rosemary, Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper and sea salt together in a glass bowl.

Use 1/3 of the mixture to coat the tomatoes and onion slices. Use the remaining balsamic mixture to soak the boneless chicken for 30 minutes to an hour.

THE CHICKEN: You can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs or boneless, skinless chicken breasts that have been cut into thin filets.

COOKING THE CHICKEN: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Coat a large sheet pan with cooking spray or a light coating of olive oil. Simply pour all the ingredients; chicken, tomatoes, onions and sauce onto the sheet and bake it. Approximately 40 minutes, but the time will vary contingent on the size of your chicken pieces.

Top the chicken with the fresh mozzarella (one slice per piece) and let it melt the last 5 minutes of the cooking process. Add a few slices of fresh shaved parmesan cheese and fresh basil before serving.

WHAT’S ON THE SIDE? Try cubed oven roasted potatoes!

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INDIVIDUAL BLUEBERRY PEACH CRISPS WITH HONEY CREAM 8 fresh peaches (approximately 4 cups) 2 – 3 cups frozen fresh

blueberries, thawed 3 tablespoons water 2 ½ tablespoons honey 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon 1 cup old-fashioned

rolled oats ½ cup flour ½ cup brown sugar ½ cup butter Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees.

Wash, peel and dice the peaches (tossing the pits). Mix 2 tablespoons of water, 1 tablespoon of honey & 1 teaspoon of cinnamon together. Mix the peaches with the honey mixture. Fill 10 – 8 oz. canning jars three-quarters full of the peach mixture.

Mix 1 tablespoon of water with 1½ teaspoons of honey and ½ teaspoon of cinnamon. Mix the blueberries & any juice they release in the thawing process together with the honey mixture. Evenly distribute the blueberry mixture to the top of the peaches in the individual jars.

Mix the brown sugar, oats & flour together in a bowl with a fork. Using a pastry cutter (or a fork & knife) cut the butter into the mixture. Evenly distribute the topping to the individual jars.

Bake the jars on a baking sheet for approximately 30 minutes; until the topping is golden brown & the fruit mixture is bubbling.

Serve warm with my Honey Cream.

HONEY CREAM 1 ½ cups whipping cream (or heavy cream) ¼ cup honey 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ¼ teaspoon cinnamon

Using an electric mixer, whip all of the ingredients together until the cream has peaked/ thickened (which means it’s stiff when you pull up the ‘turned off’ electric mixer beaters straight up - it will bring the cream to a peaked point). saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

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HANGING OUT AT

the Mall

WITH FARMERS WRITTEN BY HIMANEE GUPTA-CARLSON PHOTOS BY PATTIE GARRETT

Greens from Gomez Veggie Ville

P

erhaps you (or your children) remember when life was all about the mall. Shopping, eating, watching movies, meeting up with friends.

The mall was where it was at from the 1970s through the late 1990s. Malls were a key focal point of public life.

Like downtowns across the United States, malls brought people together by offering us the things we love: food,

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entertainment, things to buy. They gave us space to walk, to sit, to read, to browse, to eat, and to shop.

Online shopping and Internet marketing changed our buying habits in the early years of the 21st century. Malls and their traditional retail anchors struggled as a result. The loss of two retail anchors – Sears and the Bon Ton – along with the closing of such popular stores as Forever 21 and Charlotte Russe at the Wilton Mall are signs of that struggle. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

Farmers markets meanwhile have proliferated, as Americans have begun to seek healthy foods grown, raised, and made locally. The crowds that throng High Rock Park on Saturdays in the summers for Saratoga’s oldest and most established farmers’ market are evidence of that.

Mrs. London's

Now, the market and the mall are joining forces.

During this holiday season and into the winter, the Wilton Mall will host the Saratoga Farmers’ Market for its indoor season. The market moves indoors on Saturday, November 2, and will operate at the mall from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. each Saturday through April.

The Chocolate Spoon

The partnership marks a transformation for both the market and the mall.

Pleasant Valley Farm

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market was established in 1978, as a summer outdoor market. It evolved into a year-round market in the late 1990s, and currently offers produce, meats, eggs, artisanal cheeses, milk, and a wide array of prepared foods and crafts throughout the winter.

But the market, like the mall, has had its share of struggles, particularly in establishing a home for its winter season. As Sandy Arnold of the market’s Pleasant Valley Farm recounts, the market began its winter season first at the Waldorf School, then the Salvation Army building in downtown Saratoga. It quickly outgrew the space at the Salvation Army and moved to the Division Street Elementary School in 2009. School rules prevented the market from staying at that locale, so it moved in the winter of 2013 to the Lincoln Baths Building at the Saratoga Spa State Park where it operated until last spring. Each of these locales presented challenges in terms of vendor space, accessibility, and parking.

The mall changes that.

“A bus travels twice an hour from downtown Saratoga, Skidmore, and points in between to the market entrance,” says Emily Meagher, market manager. “Entrances and restrooms all are handicapped accessible, and there’s free WI-FI provided by the mall, as well.”

The market stretches between the DMV to the reflecting pool near Bath & Body Works, with vendor stalls weaving in and out of such mall retailers as the Shoe Depot, American Eagle Outfitters, Kay Jewelers, and Balsam & Birch Adirondack Accessories. Hot dishes will be available for onsite eating or take-out from Euro Delicacies, Daily Fresh, Petra Pocket Pies, Giovanni Fresco, and many others.

Squashville Farm

Skylights bring natural light to the vendor tables. In between are chairs and tables, free Wi-Fi, and an opportunity to also shop at Healthy Living Market, which already offers products from many Saratoga farmers. Both the mall and the market are looking forward to creating joint activities with the market through the winter.

Mike Schaffer, manager of the Wilton Mall, noted that while malls and markets often appear quite different from one another, they also can be quite complementary. “The market board approached us because they needed space,” he said. “We have available space and are thrilled to have them here for the season.”

To visit the Saratoga Farmers’ Market during the holiday season, drive up Route 50 to the mall, or take the bus. Pull in or disembark near the main entrance.

From 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., you will find Christmas trees, wreaths, and kissing balls from Charles Holub of Scotch Ridge Farm arranged artfully on the lawn outside. Nearby will be Trish Nusbaum’s Food Florist truck and wood-fired pizza from a new vendor. Enter the doors and a bounty of fresh seasonal vegetables, eggs, meats, milk, prepared foods, and other locally grown, raised and made items await. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

Shushan Valley Hydro Farms

“It will be a different experience for the market and for our loyal base of customers,” says market board president Beth Trattel. “But it’s giving us the opportunity to work with the mall to repurpose community space and create something new.”

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FOR THE LOVE OF ANIMALS...

domestic and wild

WRITTEN BY ROBERT J. SOFARELLI PHOTOS PROVIDED

These are my last two Safari Animal Country stories.

The first involved a tiger named Hazel…

T

he workers at the park had noticed this female tiger being shunned by the other tigers and at times being physically bullied. She also wasn't eating and seemed to keep to herself-obviously something was seriously wrong. Hazel was sedated and brought to the animal hospital for a physical exam and blood work. The physical immediately showed that she was very thin, dehydrated and had severe cataracts. This rendered her almost completely blind. The blood tests revealed that she was a diabetic-thus the cataracts.

The only treatment for cataracts is surgical removal. Unfortunately, we could not find anyone willing to do this surgery, including two wellknown Veterinary Colleges in our area. At this time (about 45 years ago) the only other treatment was twice daily insulin injections. This was not possible, so other arrangements needed to be made. While the park worked on that, Hazel spent the next two to three weeks at our hospital. She stayed in one of our large indoor runs and was a very good cooperative patient. She was fed regularly with Zoopream, her normal diet. We also gave her things to play with, we could even, very carefully go into her run to clean and pet her.

After her stay Hazel returned to the park. They had made a separate, private enclosure for her where she did very well, gaining weight and becoming more active.

My final and favorite Safari Animal Country story…

One morning I received a call asking if I would come out to the park to pick up 2 two-day old lion cubs. The mother had already killed the other 2 cubs in the litter. This is not unusual for some wild animals in captivity-as it seems to be a way of protecting them. I drove out, picked up the cubs and brought them to our home. They would need constant care.

Along with the cubs, I brought a special formula home to get them started.

This initial care would mean feeding them every 3-4 hours and stimulating their genital and rectal areas with warm water to mimic mom and make sure they urinated and defecated; we were now the mother lion.

We set them up in our kitchen in our daughter's old play pen.

After 3 days, I called the park to talk about their plan for the cubs' future. To my shock and dismay, I discovered their phones had been disconnected! I immediately drove out to the park to find it had closed down and all the animals had been auctioned off to exotic animal dealers. They had left in the middle of the night leaving no forwarding information. Having no way of getting in touch with anyone, I drove back home to let my wife, Holly, know we were now the proud parents of 2 four-day old lion cubs. In the beginning it was just like having brand new identical twin babies. They certainly needed names, so right then and there they became Bob and John. And, just like human identical twins we were able to quickly determine who was who, primarily by personality. For the first 8-10 weeks things went well and the care became a little less demanding. They were well behaved, affectionate and fun to play with. Then one day Holly came home from grocery shopping, walked into the kitchen to find just one cub in the playpen. She quickly put the groceries down to go in search - John, the more adventurous of the two was halfway up the living room drapes.

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C That was the end of sharing our home with Bob and John. They were moved to my veterinary hospital.

Over the next 6-7 months we had one of the most wonderful experiences being a part of these incredible cubs’ lives, as they grew larger and stronger. We allowed them free range in our large treatment room twice a day, where we would play with them and watch as they interacted with each other. It was such fun watching them "practice" stalking. One would hide behind one of the large tubs, then pounce on his unsuspecting brother. Our 4-year-old daughter Jillian even became a playmate. They were never aggressive or rough, just very playful. During those first 3-4 months we even visited a few local schools.

As time went by and they grew larger, we knew we had to come up with a plan for them. Keeping them was definitely not in the mix. The costs and liability of having and feeding 2 full grown lions would have been impossible. And besides we wanted them to have a proper home. Our first attempt was to contact the "Born Free" program that was introducing young cubs back into the wild. Unfortunately, Bob and John were too old-nearly 8 months. Next, we contacted a number of zoos, but they had no interest as lions breed easily in captivity and they were definitely not interested in hand-raised cubs. Our last resort was to advertise with exotic animal dealer publications. After a few weeks, a gentleman from Pennsylvania contacted us. He was opening a park that would house animals in a more natural setting, much like where the cubs came from.

We were very fortunate and happy to find someone like this, who would provide that proper home. The day he came to pick them up was a very sad one for us. I sedated them for their long journey. With tears in our eyes we said good-bye to our two boys Bob and John. They had given us an experience of a lifetime, which we will always treasure.

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I

as

A st m i r h Gift

opened the Saratoga Veterinary Hospital on November 27, 1973.

Early on Christmas morning just a month later I received an emergency call from a concerned client. I told him to bring his dog right in and I would meet him at the hospital.

As I entered the driveway, I saw that a frightened, shivering female German Shepherd mix was tied to the front door.

I immediately brought her in to the hospital for some much-needed warmth, food and water, and waited for my client to arrive. He arrived a few minutes later, and fortunately there were no serious problems with his pet.

I then went to check on our unexpected visitor, to make sure she had no injuries or medical issues that required immediate attention. I put her in one of our oversized kennels with a blanket and water, with plans to return later.

Attempts to locate owners failed as she was obviously abandoned, so we decided to adopt her and named her Ethel and designated her our official canine blood donor.

Over the years she spent with us, she hastened the recovery and saved the lives of many patients.

During that time, we made sure she had plenty of attention, spending daily playtime out side with each of our employees and on occasion, she would sometimes go home with one of them for a change of scenery.

For sixteen years Ethel was an integral part of the Saratoga Veterinary Hospital.

She passed away on March 25, 1989.

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FULFILLING A VETERAN’S YEARS-LONG WISH Op-ed from Congresswoman Elise Stefanik

I

have the honor of representing more veterans in my district than any other district in New York State. With this honor comes a huge responsibility. Whether it is introducing and supporting legislation that will protect and serve them, or helping them resolve issues through veterans-focused casework – I am always looking for opportunities to serve our veterans and make a difference in their lives, as they have made an incalculable difference in each of our lives.

I want to share a truly heartwarming story with you that I was lucky enough to play a small part in. Mr. Henry “Chief” Bates Jr. is a 92-year-old World War II Veteran and former longtime Fire Chief in Cambridge, NY. Henry had been trying for three years to obtain a headstone for his friend Mr. Leo Vuori, who was also a World War II Veteran. Leo passed away after returning from the war and was buried in an unmarked grave in Woodlands Cemetery in Cambridge.

Leo has no relatives that Henry could find, and when he found out Leo was buried in an unmarked grave, he was deeply upset. Henry and Leo had been friends since their high school days in Cambridge, and Henry rightfully felt his friend’s legacy as a soldier and friend was not being properly honored in an unmarked grave.

Henry’s son, Timothy Bates, reached out to my office in January of this year asking for help in obtaining a headstone for his father’s friend. After three whole years of working their way through the system, they were discouraged and pessimistic that they would ever be able to honor Leo’s life. We immediately sent a Congressional Inquiry to the National Cemetery Administration (NCA) and asked them to review and expedite the application for a headstone.

NCA requested further information, so my office worked with the Washington County VSA, the Village Clerk of Cambridge, the Superintendent of Woodlands Cemetery, and Henry and Timothy to obtain all the relevant details needed.

If you are struggling with an issue that you think my office can help with, do not hesitate to reach out.

Glens Falls: 518-743-0964 Plattsburgh: 518-561-2324 Watertown: 315-782-3150 Washington, D.C.: 202-225-4611

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My office resubmitted the completed application to NCA on February 14, 2019. Just six days later, on February 20, we were notified that the application had been approved and the upright marble headstone for Leo would be delivered to Woodlands Cemetery within 45-60 days. After many long years, World War II Veteran Leo Vuori will finally receive the proper and long-overdue recognition that he deserves.

A 92-year-old World War II Veteran should not have to spend his time working through bureaucracy for three years just to get his fellow veteran and friend a proper gravesite. I was honored that Mr. Henry Bates Jr. and his son reached out to my office and gave us the opportunity to help him fulfill a long-time wish to honor his friend.

Speaking to Henry on the phone to notify him that we had secured a headstone for Leo was a powerful moment for the both of us. I am incredibly blessed to have a job that allows me to help veterans and change their lives for the better, because doing work like this also changes my life for the better. I look forward to continuing my commitment and advocacy for veterans across my district for many years to come. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

HISTORY

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WRITTEN BY CHARLIE KUENZEL PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE GEORGE BOLSTER COLLECTION

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CONGRESS PARK WRITTEN BY CHARLIE KUENZEL PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE GEORGE BOLSTER COLLECTION

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city’s beauty can be measured many ways, but a park is always a major factor in the desirability of a location, and Congress Park helps to define our city as a beautiful destination.

In the early years of the 19th century we were competing with Ballston Spa as the premier health resort in the country.

Saratoga Springs’ eventual success was helped in part by the beautiful Congress Park, as well as other well-defined green spaces and tree lined streets in the village. The concept to have a park in Saratoga Springs was first suggested by Gideon Putnam in 1802.

It is well documented that Gideon Putnam had a vision for the village in the early 1800s that utilized the mineral springs in the area. He understood that visitors would visit the city for the use of the mineral springs but needed accommodations and a comfortable environment to be successful. In 1802 Gideon Putnam and his wife, Doanda, built the first hotel in the village called Putnam’s Tavern and Boarding House. The Boarding House at that time, provided visitors with the only comfortable accommodations in the young village. At the same time as construction of his hotel, Gideon tubed the Congress Spring and made walkways near the spring to provide easy access to the asset that most visitors wanted during

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their health visits. The Congress Spring had been discovered in 1792 by Nicolas Gilman while on a hunting trip in the area.

He named the spring Congress in honor of his service as a member of the First Continental Congress representing New Hampshire.

The 32-acre Congress Park of today was named after the most well-known mineral spring of the 1800s; the Congress Spring.

It was so well known that the park was called Congress Spring Park for about 100 years and recently shortened to be called just Congress Park. In the 1800s, the majority of summer visitors to the village would take the waters in the morning before breakfast. Most of the time the morning spring of choice was the Congress. Visitors traditionally began drinking and strolling in Congress Park at 7 A.M. while a band played music to add to the ambiance of the event.

Today the park has so many interesting monuments, statues, springs and buildings that a tour of the park is a very interesting activity for residents and visitors alike. If you are interested in a brochure to guide you on that tour visit the Saratoga Visitor Center at 297 Broadway to receive a free copy of “Historic Congress Park”. The brochure has a map and short description of each location in the park. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

Here is a list of the major sites in Congress Park.

1. CONGRESS SPRING

Covered by a beautiful Greek Revival pavilion that is similar in design to the cover built in 1826 by then owner John Clarke. Clarke helped to increase the popularity of the spring by bottling, shipping and selling the water worldwide. This spring was so popular that in 1811 when Putnam started to build a second larger hotel, he named it Congress Hall because of the wide-spread knowledge of Congress Spring.

2. COLUMBIAN SPRING

Located near the Congress, the Columbian was discovered by Gideon Putnam in 1806. Today a contamination problem has caused the City of Saratoga to use municipal water at the spring instead of mineral water. The cover over the spring is a reduced size reproduction of the cover from the 1800s.

3. DEER PARK SPRING

Originally a freshwater spring, today the water is a mild mineral water with a slight iron content. The name Deer Park comes from the fact that in part of the 1800s, that southern section of the park was a “petting zoo” with mostly tame deer that visitors could feed.

4. THE RESERVOIR

This was once the water reservoir for the village. Built in 1820 when we had a much smaller population, the 20-foot diameter structure provided water to residence until a much larger Loughberry Lake was built in the later part of the century. The Department of Public Works did a wonderful job of recreating the reservoir using old photos from the George Bolster Collection of the original structure.

5. WAR MEMORIAL

This memorial sits on the site of the wooden Victorian bandstand that provided a spot for bands to play music in the morning as well as other times in the day for visitors in the park. Today’s structure was built in 1932 to honor the Veterans of World War I.

8.DAY AND NIGHT

These two beautiful vases were purchased by park owner John Clarke in the early 1800s. Designed by Danish sculptor Albert Thorvaldsen, these two vases have graced the park for the longest period of any item in the park today.

9. CIVIL WAR MONUMENT

This monument was dedicated in 1875 to honor the Union troops from the Saratoga Springs area that served in the 77th NYS Volunteers. Originally the group was assigned a lower regimental number they petitioned the army for the number 77 to honor the year of the battle of Saratoga. This regiment fought in most of the large engagements of the Civil War. The monument was originally located in the middle of Broadway near the entrance to the park but was moved into the park in the 1920s for safety reasons with new increased automobile traffic.

10. SPIRIT OF LIFE

The most beautiful statue in the city, the Spirit of Life was commissioned

by Katrina Trask to honor her late husband Spencer Trask. Designed by famous sculptor Daniel Chester French with the water feature designed by Henry Bacon. These two also collaborated on the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. to produce the statue of Lincoln and the reflecting pool near the memorial.

11. ITALIAN GARDENS

This section of the park was added in 1902 by Richard Canfield.

After speaking with longtime friend and President of Yale, Canfield was told to add a quiet spot to sit and reflect to draw different people to his casino. He responded to that suggestion by building the Italian Gardens after a visit to Italy. When he added the Italian Gardens, he also added the dining room on the end of the Casino for a combined price of $800,000 (An $8-10 million-dollar cost today). The area that grabs the most attention in those gardens are the statues of two water-shooting tritons nicknamed “Spit and Spat.” If you look closely at the two triton statues you will notice one looks a little younger and the other a little more mature with more muscular features. We use those features to determine who is Spit and who is Spat. Remember Spat is past tense and therefore older. Take a close look and you will see it.

6. MORRISSEY FOUNTAIN

This beautiful operating fountain was originally built by casino owner John Morrissey in 1870. Since gambling was never legal in the village, it has been said that a red ball was placed at the top of the fountain and allowed to spin in the spouting water to alert guests that gambling was occurring. Recent photos have shown that the fountain in 1870 had a wire basket at the top that helped to keep the ball spinning at the top of the fountain. That wire basket is not there today.

7.CANFIELD CASINO

The jewel of the city. Originally built by John Morrissey in 1870 it was later owned by Richard Canfield and therefore known as the Canfield Casino. Under the direction of both Canfield and Morrissey this was one of the top gambling spots in the country although its operation was never legal in the village of Saratoga Springs.

Eventually anti-gambling pressure closed the casino for good in 1911 and put it up for sale. The city would buy the building as well as the land on the north end of the present-day park for a mere $150,000. Today the building A visit to historic Congress Park is not only pleasant but educational. is the location for many social events and the permanent Take some time to enjoy one of the best assets of the city that has been enjoyed by visitors and residents for almost 200 years. home of the Saratoga History Museum since 1912. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

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Rarely Seen Photos of OLD SARATOGA Springs WRITTEN BY CHARLIE KUENZEL PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE GEORGE BOLSTER COLLECTION

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Monument Square 1907

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This image shows the area of Broadway directly across from the entrance to Congress Park (East Congress Street).

Notice the sign near the entrance to the park identifies it as Congress "Spring" Park because of the importance of the Congress Spring. The 77th NYS Volunteers Monument is located in the middle of Broadway and will be moved to Congress Park a few years later for safety reasons with the invention of the automobile.

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Grand Union Hotel Blizzard of ‘88

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This image was taken after the famous Blizzard of 1888 that dumped over three feet of snow on the Northeast.

This photo shows the depth of snow as well as the work needed to remove that snow -before the introduction of mechanical snow removal equipment.

The image shows Broadway with the Grand Union Hotel in the back.

Hamilton Spring Bath House The Hamilton Bath House was located on Spring Street near the present-day Carousel and was first opened by Gideon Putnam. At the time of this Hamilton Spring Bathhouse, Spring Street was called Bath Street. Years later the street would be moved a few feet north and renamed Spring Street.

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CHRISTMAS Came Early WRITTEN BY JOHN R. GREENWOOD PHOTOS PROVIDED

The Gift: Christmas came early this year. It showed up out of the blue, on a beautiful September afternoon. I had just left the Greenfield Town Hall after a meeting with Town Historian, Ron Feulner.

Moments earlier, we were talking about my recent piece in Simply Saratoga’s Fall issue titled "1963." The article told of my affection for Brookside Dairy and the fond memories that it provided. Coincidently, my route home passed the now vacant farm, so the story was firmly implanted in my mind as I approached the property.

Harold "Sonny" Hall and his wife Betty live on the corner across from the farm, he and his father, Harold L. Hall once owned. I never pass their home without looking to see if anyone is in the yard, always wanting to honk and wave hello.

This day was different.

Instead of driving past the old farm, my truck slowed for the intersection, took a sharp right, wheeled right up Sonny and Betty's driveway, and stopped abruptly in front of their garage. Divine intervention was clearly at play. It was insisting I do something I'd waited far too long to do. I needed to shake Sonny's hand and thank him for the memories. Before I even knocked on the breezeway door, I heard a familiar and welcoming voice.

Merely hearing, "Come on in," transported me back to 1963 in an instant.

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It didn't matter that decades had passed and that our ages seemed much closer now. The conversation kicked right in, and within minutes we were swapping stories about the farm.

For a man born in the 1930s, Sonny is as upbeat and sharp as anyone half his age. I could end this story here if I wanted to.

Reminiscing with Sonny about the family farm was a gift, but what he handed me moments later compounded it ten-fold.

He gave me a CD of an interview his father Harold L. Hall had done in 1991. The interviewer was Will Garrison of the Saratoga County Historical Society.

Sonny, without hesitation, said, "Here, take it. Keep it as long as you need." The anticipation of what that interview might hold was a gift beyond words.

The Interview: This was the first time I had heard Sonny's father's voice in over forty years. After the first sentence, I could see him sitting right in front of me. Listening to Mr. Hall recount his early days in the milk business was like reliving my own days at Price's Dairy. In his day, he was peddling milk door to door with a horse named "Molly."

In my day, I was delivering to Broadway restaurants in a GMC truck named "Jimmy." He was using a milk can and a dipper in the 1920s. I was swinging milk crates of paper half gallons in the 1980s. The trials and tribulations were similar, the hardships and challenges, miles apart.

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One of the stories Harold L. recounted spoke of another hardworking dairy farmer, Oscar Sundquist. After WWI, Oscar purchased a farm on Locust Grove Road in Greenfield.

Around 1924 he bought a farm in Stillwater, just east of Saratoga Lake. Harold helped Oscar and his wife drive their small herd of Guernsey's from Greenfield to Saratoga Springs, across Broadway, up Lake Avenue, and out to Saratoga Lake. The procession took all day with people helping at intersections, and rail crossings along the way.

When they arrived at the bridge by the lake, they were afraid the cows would get spooked and not cross. Anna Sundquist, Oscar's wife, had raised several of the heifers from birth, so when she yelled out to them from the opposite side of the bridge, the herd crossed without hesitation.

I was familiar with Mr. Horne, but we had never met.

After a brief phone introduction, Field said he thought his neighbor Phyllis Aldrich would enjoy speaking with me about the Brookside Dairy property. You see, Phyllis and her husband Alexander "Sam" Aldrich owned the Brookside Farm for many years following the Halls. When I called Phyllis the next morning, it only took a few minutes to establish a Brookside camaraderie. Her enthusiasm for talking about life on the farm rivaled my own. After a picturesque ping-pong of stories, we agreed to meet in the upcoming weeks to share even more. It appears harvest season at Brookside Dairy might exist… until the cows come home.

In another story, Harold, in farmer-fashion, described how they would use a horse-powered treadmill (horsemill) to saw firewood in the 1920s. The accompanying photograph shows them encouraging the farm's bull to have a try at the process. He also told of a smaller, dogpowered treadmill, his mother used to churn butter. This was not uncommon in the early 1900s.

He said his mother would use the family dog to make butter every Wednesday. The process worked fine until the dog began to sense a pattern. He said they finally had to start tying the dog up on Tuesday night, or he would be missing Wednesday morning. I broke into an audible smile, hearing that one.

This story had a personal connection I wasn't expecting.

The interviewer asked if Brookside Dairy delivered to any Saratoga restaurants? Mr. Hall responded that most of their customers were homes and stores, but there was one restaurant. It was the Tradewinds (Presently Panza's) on South Broadway in the 1960s.

Harold said the hardworking Caparonis family used the stone walls from Brookside Dairy in the construction of the restaurant as well as their home on Caroline Street. Hearing this created a time-warp back to my early teens when I would stand at the Tradewinds’ entrance peddling The Saratogian’s Pink Sheet.

There was something magical about that structure in the 1960s, and it remains that way today.

The saying, "The gift that keeps on giving," fits my discovery of Harold L. Hall's interview perfectly. As I was putting the final touches on this piece, I received a message from Managing Editor, Chris Bushee to call local historian, Field Horne.

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VICTORIAN CHRISTMASES WERE A TIME OF

PRESENCE RATHER THAN PRESENTS WRITTEN BY DR. HOLLIS PALMER PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE GEORGE BOLSTER COLLECTION

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he importance of holidays, and the way they are celebrated, varies from generation to generation. During the Victorian era, the holiday most universally celebrated by Americans was Independence Day (July 4th). The importance of Saratoga, in the social status of the country, is demonstrated by the fact that virtually all the generals in the Army of the Potomac were in Saratoga on July 4th, 1865.

The second most important holiday would have been Thanksgiving; however, until later in the century different states celebrated Thanksgiving on different days based on when their harvest was completed. Lacking a specific date, there was no national day for giving thanks.

Evolving from our Calvinistic start, for Victorians, Christmas was a family and religious day.

Regardless of religious affiliation, families attended a service on Christmas Eve, then shared a meal and celebrated quietly at home with bible readings and songs on Christmas day.

Starting out with simple strings of popcorn or cranberries, the volume of holiday decorations would increase dramatically over the course of the era. It is often believed that families decorated the tree with lighted candles. This may have happened on one night but longer burning candles were heavy and would have bent the boughs. Thin candles would allow the tree a more natural look but they would have burned fast enough that after a few carols, the wise family would begin blowing them out. Garland around the stair rail, wreaths on the door and mistletoe balls were a safe alternative, the later was very popular with the younger crowd.

Tree decorations grew astronomically after F.W. Woolworth bought the entire production of a colored glass factory in Germany and sold them for a nickel or dime in his stores. Suddenly, for under a dollar a family could have a colorful festive tree.

One Victorian tradition that families of all economic status enjoyed was caroling. Clubs, church groups or just neighbors would take to the streets going house to house singing. Unfortunately, sometimes later in the evening when the local tavern closed, their patrons would decide that sharing their loud voices would

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somehow be welcome.

Since most bars were exclusively male, those who went caroling after closing made Karaoke look like a good idea.

Gifts were simpler. For middle class families and those aspiring to become middle class, a child’s presents would fit in a single stocking. The few gifts were often handmade or practical. Lucky was the girl whose mother made a dress for her daughter’s doll after the kids went to sleep, while young boys dreamed that this would be the year they would get a pocket knife. The simplicity of giving is probably best exemplified by the 1875 editorial in The Saratogian, while the village was still recovering from the crash of 1873. “If our gifts are fewer and less intrinsic in value, let them be priceless in that they are outgivings of the heart.”

For Saratoga Springs, the home of America’s summer season, Christmas and New Years were in the off-season.

With the grand hotels closed, the holidays of winter offered a time for celebrations. Those who lived here enjoyed indoor and outdoor activities. There were toboggan runs near Loughberry reservoir and later out at Saratoga Lake. Toboggans offered an excuse for young males and females to get very close without too much concern from over protective parents.

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Ambitious local boys would pull your toboggan back to the top for a nickel.

Toward the end of the Victorian era, the ballroom at Congress Hall was being used as an indoor roller-skating rink.

New Years was a community event equivalent to Christmas as a family event. Hoping for a better year, many (maybe most) families would go to church on New Year’s Eve. At midnight, the church bells throughout the village would all toll and there would often be fireworks. It was a time for optimism.

The treats may have been simpler than at a formal tea but in Saratoga, as most villages, on New Year’s Day some of the most prominent families in the village would have calling hours or open houses. This allowed for shared optimism and allowed those less well-off to see the interiors of the finer homes. Each year The Saratogian would publish the names and the addresses of the families accepting “callers.”

Times change but the opportunity to express the value of friends and family are as important today as at any time.

Happy Holidays!

“Do your best to spend the holidays with those who matter the most." saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

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WRITTEN BY CAROL GODETTE PHOTO PROVIDED

ong before Lena Spencer opened her legendary performance cafe, Saratoga Springs was graced with “mom and pop” residents willing to invest their time and talents into establishments to provide us with quality entertainment. Residents newer to the area are unlikely to have a historical perspective on the now defunct Saratoga Bowl, Kaydeross Amusement Park, Rafters Bar, or the Community Theater, yet for nostalgic lifelong locals these establishments conjure up images of a simpler Saratoga. The last of this series will take a look at Saratoga’s beginnings of a current entertainment trend… cooking for fun!

In 1977 the descriptor “foodie” wasn’t in vogue, the Food Network hadn’t been created, and Cuisinarts were rarely found in the average Saratoga Springs kitchen. Yet Elizabeth and Mark Straus, owners of Mabou at 462 Broadway, recognized cooking as a form of entertainment. “My wife and I love food and we love trying new things. The cooking school was really an opportunity to bring together regional and national chefs in Saratoga Springs in a time when that didn’t exist. The experience was very intimate, and we would sit together at the end of the class and have food and wine together. It was entertainment!” explained Mark.

In 1971, unsatisfied with their chosen careers, the couple decided to start their own business. They designed their boutique Mabou, as a place to have fun.

Even the Native American word Mabou-which meant sparkling water-was fun. Mark and Betty were innovative and kept a pulse on current trends. Mabou always seemed to be on the cutting edge and was stocked with creative and interesting merchandise often not found in our area. Yet less than 20 percent of customers ever ventured to the second floor to shop the beautiful dishes and quality cookware. Mark knew he could lure people upstairs with the smell of fresh baked chocolate chip cookies and coffee brewed from freshly ground whole beans. They found an incredible recipe and sold the cookies for $1. The cooking school, aptly named “mabou COOKS” soon followed.

Mark, Betty and daughter Lucy Straus (now owner of Lucia) with the Mabou staff.

Chef David Chef David Rosengarten prepares Peking Duck.

Mabou employee Chris Toole, a self-proclaimed “food person," was the logical choice to run the school. “In this presocial media time, Chris put all her efforts into the school, arranging chefs and getting attendees. She found chefs were happy to promote what they were doing,” reflects Mark.

Chris’ meticulous handwritten recipes were distributed to the 15 class members at the beginning of class. “At times they were simple things like stuffed peppers, but once Michael London made phyllo dough -right in front of us!” said Chris.

Mark and Betty installed an overhead mirror so all participants could have a clear view of demonstrations.

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The class inspired attendees to expand their food repertoire but for Skidmore Theater professor David Rosengarten, the school changed his life and launched a new career.

“One day David came in to see our cookware and we began talking. He was born to be a chef and wanted to teach a class. He was a true Renaissance Man-making beurre blanc in 2 seconds,” said Chris. David became a regular at Mabou, even leading a class to Chinatown to explore the best dim sum. “Getting to know David was a highlight of my job in the cooking school,” reminisces Chris.

In 1983 David left Skidmore for a career in food. In addition to being a food & wine columnist at the New York Times and Gourmet Magazine, he also hosted the show “Taste” on the Food Network.

Clearly Mark and Betty Straus did more than design a fun place, they designed a place that changed lives.

“Saratoga in the ‘70s and ’80s was truly a time that the community came together and laid the foundations for Saratoga’s successes today,” concludes Mark.

Maureen’s Quiche Partially baked pastry shell ¼ lb. diced baked ham ½ cup finely chopped onions 1-2 Tbsp. butter ½ cup mushrooms (optional) 3 eggs 1 ½ cups heavy cream 1 tsp. salt ½ lb. shredded swiss cheese Dash nutmeg and cayenne pepper • Prebake pastry shell 7-10 min. at 425 degrees.

Meanwhile, sauté ham, onion (and mushrooms, if using) in butter. In a mixing bowl lightly beat the eggs and add the remaining ingredients.

Add the sautéed veggies to the egg mixture.

• Carefully pour combined mixture into pastry shell and bake 50 min. at 350 degrees.

Allow to cool 15 minutes before serving.

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SARATOGA’S BEST

KEPT SECRET

A Story of Thoroughbreds, Wealth, Relationships and The Black Men & Women Workers

At The Saratoga Reading Room AS TOLD BY STEWART WHITE

This is the true story of a little piece of American history.

It is the story of a private, but exclusive, members-only club that was inspired by wealthy men and their love of horse racing. It is a true story about a club that is one of the least talked about, yet one of the most prestigious clubs in the world. So prestigious, not just anyone could walk through these gates. It’s a private dwelling that hosts some of the wealthiest people in the country, let alone the entire world.

Last, but not least, it is a true story about a small group of black men and women thriving and surviving in a rich white man’s world. It’s a behind-the- scenes story of the workers who were the heart and soul of establishing the Saratoga Reading Room as one of the most historic and best kept secrets in Saratoga Race Course history.

Let the story continue…

Chapter 5: Changing Times During the early 80s, staff was continuing to transition.

After the success my cousin Sonny and I displayed at being a servers, the staff continued to become younger. More of the old guard didn’t return and again they were replaced by our friends. They were young local people who lived right here in Saratoga Springs.

Times were again changing at the Reading Room. Over the years, with Mack, Bill, and Hick not returning, for the first time, we decided to give some of our female friends a chance to become servers at the Reading Room.

Sandy Williams and Gina Webb, two very beautiful young black women, joined our wait staff. Again, we were all friends. Sandy had a brother named Chip, who was a great athlete and a really good friend of ours. Sandy was like the sister I never had. I looked out for her a lot. I remember covering for her on days she may have been out dancing the night away and couldn’t wake up on time. Gina was very tall. She stood about 5’10” and was really good friends with my cousin Carol, and I had known her a long time. They both fit in perfectly. Well, almost perfectly. For some reason, Frankie Johnson, I noticed, gave Gina a hard 136 | SIMPLY SARATOGA | HOLIDAY 2019

time. I think she had to get used to the idea of young women being a part of the wait staff for the first time. The men seemed to enjoy them. I’m not so sure about the women or the wives. Some of the younger male members would constantly vie for their attention. The ladies were asked on occasion to go out and maybe have a drink, or even to go out for dinner. There were three more additions to the wait staff that I have to mention, especially because they were mainstays during this time period at the Reading Room.

First there was my younger brother James, or J. White, as he was known to all his friends. James was a tall, 6’4”, very talented and athletic young man. He was known in town for his basketball exploits and everyone marveled at his windmill slam dunks. He would take care of members seated in the backyard. James loved horse racing. He particularly loved famous jockey Angel Cordero. He loved the history of the Reading Room and loved the members he would serve. He was so knowledgeable about the Reading Room. He remembered who the members were, where they lived, and how they made their money. He had built a lot of relationships with some of the members. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

A really nice lady named Mrs. Poutiatine, who was a Russian Princess, and her son Michael used to adore James. He was their guy when they were at the Reading Room. There was talk of James going to Charleston, SC, to continue working for her. He also had a very close relationship with Stanley Petter of Lexington, Kentucky, as well. They communicated for years after he left the Reading Room until his passing. James became good friends with his son Stanley Jr. too. Mr. Petter had encouraged both James and me for years to write down some of our Reading Room experiences and some of the relationships we had developed with some of the members over the years. James passed away on March 3, 2016, just days before his 60th birthday. James put up a great fight for four years before, but the Lord didn’t want him to fight any longer and brought him on Home.

I wish James was here to be part of this. I feel as if it’s his spirit that is inspiring me. It’s in his memory that I write this story!! He is so dearly missed, but he will always be in my heart.

The second person I need to mention was a young man named Nate Lewis. Nate was a smaller man in stature, but what he lacked in size he made up for in speed. Nate was an excellent basketball player, who we used to call “Nate the Skate” after the great NBA player, Nate Archibald.

He was just so fast with the ball. He was like a blur. He would join us on the porch as a server. Nate was very personable, and it didn’t take long for him to be a hit with the members. To this day, some of us reminisce of Nate spilling that Bloody Mary on a member’s white suit.

Maybe not at the time it happened, but later, we had a lot of laughs about it. Nowadays, Nate lives in Atlanta with his wife Andrea. He was like a little brother to us. I can still hear that crazy laugh he had. He used to call me S White and James, J White.

During the 80s, things were continuing to change. The Reading Room not only had female servers for the first time, but we also brought in a white person for the first time to be a server. She was a redhead named Jo Ann Walczak, whose family and ours were extremely close. That was saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

the first time the tradition of having an all-black staff was altered. She worked the tables inside the Reading Room.

Jo Ann fit right in and did a really good job. I believe she worked for a period of two years.

So now there were Sandy, Nate, Gina, and me on the front porch. Sonny and JoAnn were on the inside and J White, Fred, and Tom worked in the yard. We all helped each other out. We would go where we were needed. That made up the serving staff at the Reading Room. The staff in the kitchen included Helen from the old guard, Lou, who had come on board taking Lucille’s place, and Buster. Let me talk a little about Buster. As I had mentioned, we were a very athletic group. Buster was 6’ 2” and was also known for his basketball abilities. Boy, could he shoot. Buster and Sonny graduated the same year and the combination of them together on the court was one of the best around. Buster went on to play at Fulton Montgomery Community College. One year, they were the nation’s top Juco defensive team in the country. Buster would move from being a dishwasher to becoming the primary food prep in the kitchen. He lasted well in the 2000s at that same position.

He actually was the last of our group of black folks who worked at the Reading Room. That means a lot to him even to this day!! Buster now works as an employee for Global Foundries, a processor chip plant for IBM in Malta, NY. We also brought on a tiny young man from Ecuador by the name of Helanio Hernandez, who reminded us of the character from the hit show Fantasy Island named Tattoo. He looked just like him - so that is what we called him. He was a great addition as well. He was a good worker and we became and still are, great friends. I thought he was black when we first met. Tattoo lives in NYC with his wife, Annaly. We also brought in a kid named Mike Settles to help in the kitchen. Mike did it all and he fit right in with the rest of us. On May 24, 2015, Mike unexpectedly and sadly passed away at the age of 47 years old. We went through a couple of dishwashers during the 80s.

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1. Buster, Stew, Al and J. White 2. Ma White 3. Russell 4. Stew serving 5. J. White 6. Gina 7. Dave 8. Sandy 9. Buster 10. Larry 11. Scott W. 12. Stew at the Reading Room 13. Tattoo 14. Charlie 15. Timmy 16. Sonny, Dave, Stew and Eddie P. 17. Nate 18. Jo Ann 19. Andy

My man Dave Long, who was also like a brother to me, remained for a bunch of years. Dave was 6’5” with extremely bowed legs. He was one of the best basketball players in Saratoga. For a big man, he could really shoot.

Between him and his older brother Jimmy, they were a force on the basketball court. Mr. Petter used to call him “Skywalker.” Originally from New Rochelle, NY, our families became really close. He was a hard worker. We had my uncle Charles Dorsey, who also was part of our crew we hung out with. Charles, who we used to call NC, which was short for “Nigga Charlie” was best known for once putting Tide in the dishwasher instead of Cascade.

What a nightmare! He had suds pouring out the bottom of the dishwasher. He never was able to live that down.

Charlie was from downstate, Kingston, NY. He stayed a couple of years and was replaced by another of our close friends by the name of Andy Sephas, or Squid, as we used to call him. Don’t ask me where he got that nickname.

Andy was also like a little brother to James and me. We lived right next door to each other for many years. Andy is currently happily married to his lovely wife Heather and has two beautiful children. We hired another young local black kid by the name of Russell Duffney as a food prep.

We called him Duck. He fit right in with the crew and was a pleasant addition.

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We were definitely not an “all work and no play” group.

While the older staff was recovering from a long day at work, us youngsters were just getting started. After our shift was over, it was now time to party and party was what we did. There is nothing like Saratoga in the summer. It was indeed the August Place To Be and we took full advantage of it. We enjoyed being around each other, we did everything together. We were inseparable.

We would go on our breaks together, party hard together, and I mean party hard. It was nothing for us to get out of work, go hang out at our spot, the Golden Grill until 4-4:30am and be right back to work at 5am in the morning.

We were all young and energetic. That was our routine all summer. One thing for sure, no matter how much we partied, we knew the importance of making sure we were on top of our games for work. We had a lot of pride when it came to our jobs at the Reading Room. We used to cover for each other. When one person had a rough night, somebody would pick up the slack and cover for them. We were like a family. We felt that it was such a privilege to work at such an elite place. A lot of people were very envious of us. It was such a great paying job.

Sure, we would work our asses off, but it was so worth it.

We all had built relationships with some of the high-profile people who were members of the Reading Room, and that helped make it very profitable for all of us. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

I remember going down to the Breeder’s Cup in NYC in the late 80s. There was a busload of bartenders and waiters that were sent down by the Union. There was a huge cocktail party and I was supposed to take drink orders, as well as pick up hors d’oeuvres plates left on the tables. It was so crazy, that because of my affiliation with the Reading Room, all I did while there, was shake hands and converse with all my Reading Room people. I served one drink and mingled with people the entire cocktail party. I constantly was being asked, “Stewart, what are you doing down here?” I knew so many people there. It was because of my job as a server at the Reading Room. It was pretty cool that so many important people connected with me.

During the early 80s a new position materialized. They added a live-in valet. He stayed upstairs and was there for whatever a person who stayed upstairs needed. Larry Pender was a light skinned, smooth talking young man who had just returned from the military. Larry used to do a multitude of things. He would chauffeur members around in their cars, pick up dry cleaning, and run to the airport to pick up and drop off members. He was good at what he did. Larry was another one of the group, that was born and bred in Saratoga.

He was a close friend who fit right in with the rest of us.

Being that he was always there for the members, Larry developed an even closer relationship with a few members he cared for on a regular basis. In the summer of 1985, Larry even had his wedding ceremony done inside the Reading Room. Judge Labelle, our local City Court Judge, who was also a Reading Room member, officiated the ceremony. I don’t know if they have since had weddings there, but I would bet that Larry was the first and only black person ever to have his wedding at the Reading Room. To tell you the truth, we couldn’t believe it was happening. I am sure some of the Reading Room forefathers were rolling in their graves!! Larry currently is an addiction therapist and motivational speaker and consultant. He lives in Westchester County.

I had the privilege to also bring my mother, Mary White, aboard as a person who helped prepare and prep food in the kitchen. My mother was a hard-working mom of three boys and having the opportunity to get her a position in the Reading Room was great. Everyone was paid handsomely, and it was nice to give her a chance to make some of it. Her fondest memory was having a chance to meet Frank Perdue, owner of Perdue Chicken. She always used his chicken and was thrilled at the opportunity to meet him. Of all the prestigious people who came there, it was Mr. Perdue who got her most excited. Unfortunately, Ma White passed away in August of 2018 at the age of 88 years old. I try to keep her memory alive every chance I can. I miss her dearly.

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We were also able to hire a couple of young athletic black teenage boys to be our busboys. Scott Walczak, who was a high school senior and had a great high school football career at Saratoga High School, and Tim Parker, who went on to become Saratoga’s all-time leading scorer in basketball, surpassing Sonny, would at different times be added to our staff. When Scott left to pursue a career in electronics, Timmy took his place. Timmy would receive a full scholarship to take his basketball talents to Providence College. They both did great jobs and we noticed they took pride in their work. They enjoyed being part of the team and they loved the money they were making.

In the 80s, Sonny took a job at GE (General Electric), so his spot opened up. I started working in the school system at the Vo Tech Center. I became the middleman between students and administration. I handled daily discipline, attendance, and many other student affairs. The great thing for me was I continued to have my summers free and could continue at the Reading Room. Sonny wasn’t as fortunate.

He had a full-time job and even though he made appearances to help when needed, an opportunity was given to another close friend of ours by the name of Alvin Watson, or better known to us as Mutt.

Mutt didn’t have a lot of experience as a server. The fact was that he was our friend and we wanted to give him a chance.

Mutt picked things up quickly and soon was a very valuable part of our hard-working team. Mutt brought the fun level even higher.

He was amazed at the clientele who walked through the gates.

When we first started in the 70s, the servers made their own drinks for the members. During the 80s, an older gentleman named Al Beard started helping at the bar, making drinks for the servers. Al was a character. He used to love to laugh and joke. We loved Al. Eventually he would take over as our supervisor at the Reading Room. He would make sure the members were well taken care of and as always, did everything he could to make sure they were happy. One thing about Al was that he would really take care of his staff. He was known for putting aside cases of beer for us. He would say, “Those two cases of that beer right there, that’s for you and the fellas.”

So there it is, the Black Folk, that throughout the years, made up the working staff at the Reading Room. The cast of characters that made up this unique bunch were a combination of the old and the new. One thing we all had in common was the realization that we were carrying on decades of tradition of the black worker at the Saratoga Reading Room. We were very mindful of that. We were hard workers who loved our jobs, loved working and hanging together, while providing elite service at this prestigious club. We would need all that togetherness, because just when we started getting comfortable as a team, here it comes: Sales Week!!

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GREENRIDGE CEMETERY The Guardian of Saratoga’s Stories WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY THERESA ST. JOHN

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he Greenridge Cemetery was blessed and declared hallowed ground in June of 1844. It was made up of beautifully landscaped lawns, winding streets, and meandering pathways, quickly becoming the principal cemetery in the city of Saratoga Springs.

The original 11 acres, part of a farm owned by Mary Avery – widow of a Revolutionary War veteran, was on the outskirts of town at the time. It had ample space for 3,000 graves – a sure sign it should be more than adequate for the foreseeable future.

In less than forty years, however, that was no longer the case. Every available plot had been purchased by 1880 – the cemetery needed more acreage for the dead.

Greenridge Cemetery has expanded twice since then and is now the largest cemetery in the Spa City.

I’ve always loved wandering through graveyards and cemeteries, preferring the old weathered stones that were hard to read, rather than the newer ones from the 20th and 21st centuries.

In high school, I was considered a little odd because I could easily spend an entire afternoon writing down family names and dates of life and death in a notebook, researching their history afterward.

I was interested in learning about where people came from and what sort of footprint they left on the world when they passed to the other side. Some were inventors, lawyers, educators. Some deaths were from natural causes, while others were from homicide, tragic accidents, or disease.

There always seemed to be a ‘story within a story,’ and I wanted to be the one to discover it.

Greenridge Cemetery showcases many styles of gravestones and monuments. The remnants of cast-iron fences, rusted over time, surround many family plots. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, upper-class families found ornate mausoleums attractive. People wandering through the cemetery today will find several examples.

Of course, Greenridge also has racing notables. Hildreth, Veitch, Ensor, and Luther, to name a few. Marylou Whitney – known for her philanthropy and “reigning for decades as the social queen of the Saratoga and Lexington racing seasons,” was buried there this past summer, her life in the horse-world celebrated by all.

No matter where you venture once beyond the elaborate gates open from dawn till dusk, you’re bound to be moved by the beauty, the stories of life, love, and loss, that belong to Saratoga.

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A few symbols you might find on graves and the meaning behind them:

Eight interesting facts you might not know about Greenridge Cemetery

ANGELS ~ Angels are a symbol of innocence, often found on the graves of children.

1. The town’s very first settler, Alexander Bryan, is buried here.

ANCHORS ~ Anchors are a symbol of hope or can represent life spent as a sailor. An anchor that’s shown with a broken chain symbolizes a life that’s ended prematurely.

2. The Cemetery holds the burials of 20 Native Americans of the St. Regis Tribe, although they lie in unmarked graves, as was their custom.

CLASPED HANDS ~ Clasped hands signal a farewell to one’s earthly existence. It can also represent a life that’s ended, perhaps prematurely.

FERN FRONDS ~ Fern fronds refer to humility and sincerity. In New Zealand, graves of soldiers have carried this motif since WWI. WEEPING WILLOW ~ Weeping willow tree branches are a visual representation of grief, sorrow, mourning.

ROSES ~ The rose is a symbol of love. Roses with tight buds and broken stems found on children’s gravestones mean they passed at a young age. A rose in full bloom signifies a longer life span.

CROSSES ~ This is the most common and powerful symbol of Christianity, often carved into headstones.

Sometimes they are they entire grave marker.

GARLAND OR WREATH ~ The use of garlands and wreaths dates back to ancient Greek times. In Christianity, they symbolize the victory of the redemption.

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3. There is a section in the cemetery for indigent or homeless individuals who might not otherwise have a plot.

4. Until 1880, the cemetery covered only a few acres.

Today Greenridge Cemetery spans 35 acres.

5. People who enjoy wandering around cemeteries are known as ‘gravers.’

6. There’s a difference between cemeteries and graveyards. Namely, graveyards have a church on the property while cemeteries do not.

7. At one time cemeteries were like public parks.

Families often gathered to enjoy an afternoon near their loved ones. It was never considered morbid or strange.

8. The word ‘cemetery’ comes from the Old French ‘cimetiere,’ which means, well, cemetery. The French word originally comes from the Greek word ‘koimeterion,’ meaning ‘a sleeping place.’ It sounds like sweet poetry for such a beautiful space, Saratoga’s Greenridge Cemetery.

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Marylou Kept the

Spirit of Christmas Alive in Her Heart All Year Round

SECOND IN A TWO-PART SERIES WRITTEN BY ANN HAUPRICH PHOTOS PROVIDED

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lthough I never caught a glimpse of Marylou Whitney in a Mrs. Santa costume, visions of her adorned in candy-cane shaped diamond and ruby earrings danced in my head as I was preparing this tribute. Born on December 24, 1925, Marylou personified the Christmas spirit year-round. While her philanthropic contributions to myriad worthy causes often made national headlines, countless other acts of benevolence quietly unfolded behind-the-scenes.

No reporters were present, for example, the day the Queen of Saratoga made my youngest daughter feel like a princess when our paths happened to cross inside Saratoga Hospital shortly before Easter 2000. Curious to see the maternity ward where she’d drawn her first breath six years earlier, Kierie had been admiring an EGGS-ceptionally exquisite basket in the lobby that looked as if it had been created by Peter Cottontail himself. The expression on my tot’s face must have touched Marylou because before I had an opportunity to purchase a “chance” on the bountiful bunny-themed basket, a volunteer insisted Kierie accept an incredibly long roll of raffle tickets.

They were, we learned, a gift from Marylou. I was at a loss for words to express my gratitude and wished I had a better answer for Kierie when she later inquired about the identity of “the nice lady” who had showered her with “the chances.”

“Her name is Marylou Whitney,” I replied. “And I have a feeling that one day you’ll be telling your own kids about the day you met her inside the hospital where you were born.”

Though Kierie did NOT win the Saratoga Hospital draw in 2000, she won an even greater prize 16 years later when she bet on a horse named Bird Song at the Saratoga Race Course. The gambling decision was made after learning the Thoroughbred belonged to “the nice lady” who had bolstered a little girl’s odds of winning a dream basket of 142 | SIMPLY SARATOGA | HOLIDAY 2019

Easter goodies. Kierie not only got a healthy return on her July 24, 2016 bet, she also got to see Marylou’s smiling face on the grandstand monitor. Talk about Christmas in July!

In between these two events, Marylou moved mountains of sorts during a health crisis involving my eldest daughter – whose nickname is T-Bird. (That my firstborn’s moniker includes the word “bird” no doubt holds meaning for those familiar with some of Marylou’s champion Thoroughbreds, including Birdstone, Bird Town and Dear Birdie as well as the aforementioned Bird Song.) Marylou’s heart-rending intervention came in the form of a letter she penned after learning T-Bird had been hospitalized due to lifethreatening complications from a disease about which our family then knew nothing. Marylou, on the other hand, was a close friend of a celebrity spokesperson for the disorder’s national foundation: Mary Ann Mobley. Not long thereafter, an endearing voice with a hint of a southern accent came through on the phone lines linking the west and east coasts.

Communications between the now late glamorous movie star’s residence in the 90210 zip code and our 12020 address soon became routine as the former Miss America and Elvis co-star did everything in her power to empower T-Bird to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles and follow her dreams.

Marylou’s soft spot for youths was also clear as she rustled up funds at a 2001 Western Round-Up benefit during which I photographed her with husband John Hendrickson, Double H Ranch Executive Director & CEO Max Yurenda and board member Agnes Pompa. Marylou loved that actor Paul Newman and Great Escape creator Charles Wood had raised their glasses to “Health and Happiness” when they co-founded the upstate New York ranch for children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses a decade earlier. The late Hollywood icon, theme park pioneer and the youngsters

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with whom she cheerfully interacted would surely have agreed with Yurenda that the bonus gift of Marylou’s presence on occasions not witnessed by the media constituted a treasure beyond measure. “Marylou was one of those unique individuals who truly celebrated life every day and she shared this gift with everyone she would encounter on a daily basis. Her time with the children at the Double H Ranch was filled with gratitude, celebration and happiness. Marylou had an extraordinary way of connecting with children and they responded with open arms and delight in having the opportunity to meet this remarkable woman,” Yurenda reflected when contacted for this special Simply Saratoga magazine tribute.

The following vignettes shed added light on why Marylou, who passed away two weeks before her scheduled summer 2019 induction into the The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame as a Pillar of the Turf, will live on in hearts for generations to come.

JOCKEYING FOR AUTOGRAPHS Christmas in July might have passed Jockeying for Change author Ron Farra by in 1998. But the writer of the title honoring the legacy of Tommy Luther felt like a kid for whom every wish on Santa's list had been granted in August after Marylou Whitney entered the book signing pavilion where he and the Hall of Fame jockey were seated at the Saratoga Race Course. While book sales had progressed at a modest pace prior to Marylou’s arrival, her offer to pull up a chair and add her autograph to those of Farra and Luther transformed the literary event into a promotional Trifecta!

Summer 1998 racing fans were soon jockeying for position in the line leading to the author, the jockey and the Queen of Saratoga.

“Marylou had tremendous admiration and respect for Tommy, who was then 90 years old, because of all he had done in a bygone era to improve the working lives of jockeys,” recalls Farra.

“It impressed Marylou that during her youth in the 1930s (the era that inspired the blockbuster movie SEABISCUIT), Tommy had proposed an organization that later became the New England representative of the original Jockey Community Fund and Guild.”

Farra also credits Marylou with another intangible gift: Cherished memories of his first meeting with her at the home of Judge Larry LaBelle and wife Cheryl. “The LaBelles held a fabulous lawn party each year for the horsey set. Cheryl and I were friends through my role as principal of the elementary school her daughter attended in Saratoga Springs. When Marylou arrived and saw Tommy, she came right over to him and his wife Helen giving them both big hugs and kisses. They had introduced me as the author of the proposed Jockeying for Change biography. Marylou said, ‘That’s going to be a great story. I want the first copy. He’s my favorite jockey.’ From then on, every time I witnessed the Luthers (who had wed in 1928) and Marylou together, she never failed to say, “Oh, here’s my favorite jockey, Tommy Luther. How are you — and Helen?’”

Double H Round-Up 2001 John Hendrickson, Max Yurenda, Marylou Whitney & Agnes Pompa. Photo by Ann Hauprich.

Book signing trio Marylou Whitney, author Ron Farra and jockey Tommy Luther in August 1998.

EVERY HORSE WAS A WINNER The Elton blue and brown silks of Marylou Whitney Stables didn’t have to be the first to streak across racing finish lines in order for the jockeys sporting those colors to feel like winners in the eyes of their mount’s glamorous owner. “Marylou never had a bad day at the races. She always had a smile on her face in the paddock and afterwards — win or lose,” recalls Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens. Despite her larger than life persona, Stevens insists the internationally renowned Thoroughbred owner and philanthropist “was very down to earth and always made me feel saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

Marylou Whitney entrance to the Saratoga Race Course includes statues of jockeys sporting Elton blue and brown silks. Photo courtesy of NYRA. HOLIDAY 2019 | SIMPLY SARATOGA | 143

comfortable in her company.” Other qualities that contributed to the admiration and respect Stevens had for Marylou included her noble advocacy for the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act. Marylou and John had been among the courageous souls with humanitarian hearts who had joined Stevens (whose credits include winning critical acclaim for his portrayal of jockey George Woolf in SEABISCUIT) in supporting proposed legislation to stop the slaughter of American horses. “It was something we were all proud to be involved with and continue to advocate for. We are making huge strides against the slaughter of horses. Marylou’s attitude encouraged all of us to move forward,” insists Stevens.

PICTURE-PERFECT MOMENTS IN TIME Ever modest equine artist R.C. (Bob) Ewell insists he “just happened to be in the right place at the right time” when his camera lens captured a blissful moment in time on the backstretch between Thoroughbred owner Marylou Whitney and trainer Nick Screenshot of jockey Gary Stevens being interviewed on the Zito. Closer to the truth is that the self-taught painter’s habit of set of SEABISCUIT. rising with the sun to catch “the infinite variations in contrast, color and depth of the early morning light” as life gently unfolds along the Oklahoma training track bolstered his odds of such a pictureperfect find. “I’m always looking for an image that catches my eye and one morning back in 2004, I just happened to see Nick and Marylou over by the timer’s stand watching Birdstone work out with top rider Maxine Correa aboard. It was probably around 7 a.m. and chilly enough outdoors that Marylou was wearing heavy wool,” recalls the now 88-year-old watercolorist. “She looked so relaxed and so natural. I didn’t want to intrude, so I used my telephoto lens to preserve certain details of the encounter for a future watercolor.” Prior to the resulting masterpiece being displayed in an August 2019 equine art exhibit, Ewell invited Zito to preview it inside of his home-studio, which straddles the backstretch. This time Vickie Yanagihara captured the moment in time for posterity with her digital camera while Ewell shared memories of another picture-perfect Marylou encounter. The silver-haired artist had been experiencing problems with his camera in the vicinity of the paddock when Marylou offered these much-appreciated words of reassurance and encouragement: “Take your time.”

GRACE AND INTOXICATING ENERGY

Trainer Nick Zito and equine artist R.C. Ewell with painting of Zito and

When it comes being heralded as a voice of reason and integrity Marylou Whitney at the rail. Photo by Vickie Yanagihara. while keeping an eye on racing, Michael Veitch has long been a Triple Crown winner. Two years prior to being named the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame’s Historian in October 2019, Veitch had been inducted into the institution’s Joe Hirsch Media Roll of Honor in recognition of contributions that began with his long-running coverage of the Sport of Kings for The Saratogian (1979 -2017). From 1983 – 1994, Veitch simultaneously sat in the editor’s saddle at New York Thoroughbred magazine. He subsequently served with distinction for two decades on the NRM’s Board of Trustees. The NRM’s Historic Review Committee Chair is also an active member of both the NRM’s Contemporary Election Committee and the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame’s Selection Committee. Notable literary credits include being the author of Nineteenth Century Thoroughbred Racing in Saratoga Springs, Summit of Champions: Thoroughbred Racing in Saratoga Springs 1901-1955 and The Travers: 150 Years of Saratoga’s Greatest Race (co-authored with Brien Bouyea.) Little wonder Veitch and wife Gail, President of the Ladies of Charity, Diocese of Albany/Saratoga Vicariate and longtime Saratoga County Children’s Committee’s Empty Stocking Project volunteer found themselves on guest lists of events hosted or co-hosted Michael and Gail Veitch at a gala benefit in Saratoga County.

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by Marylou over the past 40 years. Fond memories shared by the parents of five now adult children range from dancing at elegant museum balls and Whitney Galas to barbeques at the old Paddock Pavilion at the track and on the grounds of Cady Hill. (The latter was also the setting for a Christmas party attended by the couple.)

Their poignant reflection on the Queen of Saratoga’s legacy follows: “Marylou brought people together in Saratoga Springs in many worthwhile causes for the betterment of the city. Her love for Saratoga Springs, for her horses, and for her home at Cady Hill, were obvious. Everything she did was marked by her grace and her intoxicating energy.”

PATRIOTIC ACTS & WHITNEY GALAS In the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on our nation, two Statues of Liberty were prominently displayed in between an American flag waving in the breeze on the grounds of Cady Hill. Learning of plans for a Salute to Patriotism publication that documented life in Saratoga County as it unfolded in the days following 9/11, Marylou and John offered sponsorship assistance. Greenfield Center photographer Antonio Bucca took the glorious picture of the statues that was published with the healing words Marylou and John had chosen to accompany it: GOD BLESS AMERICA. The couple’s generous patronage made it possible for complimentary copies of the patriotic keepsake to be given to members of the US Navy and their families as well as other military personnel who were stationed in this region.

But the story didn’t end there. When Kathleen Coleman, then Exhibit Curator at Brookside Museum in Ballston Spa, announced plans for a Tenth Anniversary of 9/11 exhibit in 2011, Marylou’s response went above and beyond the call of duty. She offered to have the statues delivered to the history museum so visitors of all ages could view them as they reflected upon the importance of remembering 9/11. Bucca’s other cherished photographic memories include being chosen to take souvenir photos for the Whitney Galas inside Congress Park’s Canfield Casino for several years. “Something I especially looked forward to at the photo set (always exquisitely arranged by Fine Affairs) was when John and Marylou came up. John would hold his wife as if he was carrying her across the threshold. At one point, we got a picture of Marylou with four gentlemen cradling her, with a sunbeam wide smile on her face!” Celebrations linked to Marylou’s beloved much-publicized Backstretch Workers Appreciation Program later replaced Whitney galas, recalls Tony, whose portfolio additionally includes many captivating images of Marylou and John at Saratoga Polo matches.

Birdstone wins Travers.

FINAL STAMP OF APPROVAL This heart-warming Post Script regarding Marylou’s Queen of Hearts legacy comes from Brian Cota whose United States Postal Service route between 2004 and 2008 included Cady Hill House, 40 Geyser Road, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Built in 1774 to accommodate guests who had arrived via stagecoach, the estate where Marylou would begin hosting elegant parties and gatherings two centuries later was very much an address where USPS carriers felt welcome. “What I most remember after passing through the security gate was stopping at the first building on the right, a short distance from the mansion on the opposite side of the grounds. Sometimes Marylou was inside when I made my deliveries and would extend a greeting. There was a kindness and gentleness about her that made a lasting impression,” smiles Cota, with a Christmas Eve star-like twinkle in his eye. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

The twin Statues of Liberty at Cady Hill as photographed in September 2001 by Antonio Bucca.

Marylou as Snow White surrounded by the Seven Dwarfs and fans on the grounds of a Whitney Gala. Photo provided by Cady Hill.

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