Simply Saratoga Holiday by Saratoga TODAY

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November / December 2011

Contents

Cover Photo by ©stockstudiosphotography.com

Holiday Season

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Stewart’s Holiday Match

Digging Deep for 25 Years

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Holiday Gift Guide

The Region’s Best of the Season

A Family Christmas

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Things to Do 34 Holiday Recipes Readers share their favorites 46 Frozen Memories Step by Step Guide to Making a Backyard Ice Rink 54 Save the Date Holiday Happenings

60 Reviews

60 Seven Horse Pub Homemade Variety, Hearty Portions 80 Poet

Elaine Handley

Extraordinary Words Every Day

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Holiday Fashion

Our Best -Dressed Local Boutiques

The Bonacios Invite You Into Their Home

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68 Features

10 Setting the Holiday Scene Building “The Nutcracker” Locally For the World’s Stages 36 G. Willikers A Toy Story Comes To Life 68 Vermont’s Best-Kept Secret A Home Built in the Spirit of a Great American “Starchitect”

Departments 8 Tis the Season to be Grateful 52 Simple Truths Enjoying the Presence of the Season 66 Doctors’ Notes Opening the Doors with Speech-Language Therapy 82 Financial 10 Things Professional Women Should Know Simply Saratoga |5

Owner/Publisher Chad Beatty General Manager Robin Mitchell Art Director Tiffany Garland Editor Arthur Gonick Writers Kim Beatty Helen Edelman

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Yael Goldman Arthur Gonick Meghan Lemery Michael Okby Daniel Schechtman Saratoga Care/ Saratoga Hospital Advertising Jim Daley Cindy Durfey Graphic Designer Katy Holland Copy Proofreader Christina James Contributing Photographers MarkBolles.com

ÂŠStockStudiosPhotography.com Printing Fry Communications Published by Saratoga Publishing, LLC Five Case Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 tel: (518) 581-2480 â&#x20AC;˘ fax: (518) 581-2487 SaratogaPublishing.com

Simply Saratoga is brought to you by 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 (c) 2011, Saratoga Publishing, LLC

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” s e i r o m e M y a d i l o son for H

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owep by so sl re c to d e m e the days se remember I . y b n w o dchildren. has fl . n and gran e other year n re n o a d g il d h n is c a r r a g u o unce in r ye chin the eyes of keeps a bo eye anothe kly approa h o g n ic h u a u w f q ro o n th re k a so y n s d a y d a bli ent in gran The holida to see each now with e amazem wonderful re d th a n e e a n e , o se w g h d n y it n u k a o c w lu was y r his ideas en blessed alize how ly when I when I hea r, I have be parent I re a d e e n v y li ra a st g s la d e u m m o o As a pro hristmas c my letter fr n I insert magic of C remember e ’t h n T o . d e u to life whe y e o s e y m If y m o c in ic hite mag d a twinkle dition of W n ekend. The e re w st e g my step an b in ’s iv rld s Thanksg we get es. out the wo season start puter, but his little ey rosby belt y m a C o d c g li r o in o h B r e t e e did lay d le se th Recently, w ve a CD p e player an At our hou a . th h rs a in ’t e n e y o p d w ta I fe otes. st No cassette good the la ette tape. o many rem ss to so a e c g the holiday v a y in h d sa n e u so Yes, I did , but now w e tape isn’t Christmas. V and VCR T lthough th a e , e th n to fi r st e y ju r DVD pla er in the liv through life ryone gath hook up ou e v to id e r e o sa k b I a h w m ig no ,I er. get a ne are served adition. I k nother lett tr rs a e y r z il ti fo e m p to ic fa p p l a rd That is a to look forwa for a specia ing and the love it and omplaints, usic is play c ll m a d e n y a th e r g th e n ft li w o A ir grumb inside I kn despite the eep down d t u b gs they say , ing room, in la comp bers do thin d n m a e m le b y t? il m h they gru making fam ry year. Rig aditions is as I do eve tr h y r! c il u m m s fa a f it no , and think thers are fo tradition is art of the fu t grandmo p a y , h il ll famw a m r r is u fa e t r O ft a u . A what o nd silly …but th a g o n d le ri p e to d m t n n si o a w w y ditions it is anxiously they don’t 2, when m ke most tra re all now round 197 li a a , u ll to o e y k W c se . w a u o ic b s I kn ar. When I ing fantast e that date be someth andmade st ial little tre h c l e fu sp an emoti u a a d e ing it must n t! ut more in lace a b b es arou p , lv e e o g v w r admit tha sa re e u e n c tr I will neve r artisti of this o t l u p ily traditio a b to u , d is n v re O e a . tt little boy house. torn and ta rily use it in son was a to my son’s ing apart, . n’t necessa ll e it o fa is d m v I y to ll l, st a d la fu rl tu ti r ac au wo ou actualmeans the , the star is the term be ned during r not he is e n ld o p io to r p e it a e d h b th a t e a tr h th th le W g e. Tru but that litt he claims. t somethin tional usag at is what like much h you abou th it m e st w a se le ry t t o o n st A a hearing ss; cute It may less and le ney toward to share a r . o a n e e m k io h li e st e to th ld u t u g q u o serious dp the innin Now I w and instea nymore is with a very ears is beg a y m e e E d 3 th 4 si M a r f r o a e fo e d m h He was lled nt to y gifts My husban eal. OK?” quickly pu d doesn’t wa s not to bu t d u a n st a d th ju e n f r o o sk o a ti , rsa part Popaw less this conve . After all, ughter-in-l ut I am not ly hearing r a ts b a d , if e g h d id n is a sa to h n y d g d e in en y so what Dad uld be gett dson happ Anyway, m um, I heard that he wo . My gran d d -M n n m a a u w? sb o id M u a n “ h g it y ung man. earin bout to sa aid for my e a fine yo op-Pop a h hy worry a proceeded m P o e w c g H e in so . b e y , l c e u il g b fa ia he w ill bring. asn’t look on his of our marr ext year w his daddy ut that I w rs n e a o t e k a d y li h n 0 fi w st 4 s t Ju to ed firs re. now photo during the er? Who k quite reliev son anymo dd another e d e a d n m in to ra g re to it a g d le w e tt in n li ’t y liste n’t be my laus and fl g and I can Pop hadn’t of Santa C w it he wo tree toppin o r ’ a n d e k e y d I r d e u re th st fo o n tarAnd be still have a r annual ‘s ar will we lans for ou e p y g is in th k a r e m Aft ady is I am alre my mind. All I know memory in r e th o n a d n ma to the albu

hristmas. C y r r e M days and Happy Holi Mum-Mum

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Pictured Left to Right: Karen Ryan, Michael Hagen, Kadriye Sarman and Kevin Hagen stand behind a piece of scenery constructed for â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Nutcrackerâ&#x20AC;? 10 | Simply Saratoga

Setting the Holiday Scene Story by Daniel Schechtman Photos by MarkBolles.com Far off the beaten path – remote even by small-town South Glens Falls’ standards, a slim dirt road meanders off of Ferry Blvd. before opening up in front of a large and unassuming building. Tucked between a thick crop of trees and just far enough from the main road, the warehouse-like structure is easy to miss. Yet despite its low local profile, production companies the likes of the New York City Opera, Chicago Opera Theater, Opera Nationale Italiana, L’Opera de Montreal, Walt Disney Theatrical Productions, Los Angeles Music Center Opera, Houston Ballet, Radio City Music Hall and more have all come calling at one point or another. Here, right in our own backyard, sits a world-class scene painting studio, supplying opera houses, ballets and theaters across the globe with gorgeous backdrops and whimsical pieces of scenery. Call it South Glens Falls’ best-kept secret. “We moved down here in 1990,” said Michael Hagen, a native from Berlin, Germany, who spent nearly three decades in Canada’s Montreal before relocating to South Glens Falls. Hagen sits behind a modest office desk in his custom built paint shop, overlooking his small crew of three full-time artists as they work to finish set pieces for the Cincinnati Ballet’s version of “The Nutcracker.” The space inside the studio is huge, 135 by 100 feet of open floor space, uninterrupted by supporting columns or structural obstructions. High above the floor runs a narrow, white catwalk, overlooking huge swaths of partially painted cotton, grand yet unfinished wooden doors and the beginnings of a 25-foot-high cake. “When you want to build a paint shop, you can put up with almost anything,” said Hagen, “but the most essential part – no columns. Absolutely no columns. That’s what really makes it work well.” With such a wide open space at his disposal, Hagen is able to lay six standard theatrical backdrops side by side at one time, each measuring 60 feet wide by 30 feet tall. “This is probably one of the very few shops in this country that was built for the purpose of painting scenery,” said Hagen. Hagen and his crew have worked for hundreds of production companies over the last 40 years, building pieces for “Swan Lake,” Maurice Sendak’s “The Magic Flute” and “Where the Wild Things Are,” “Porgy and Bess,” Simply Saratoga |11

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Left: A bird’s-eye view of the giant Christmas Tree for the Cincinnati Ballet’s rendition of “The Nutcracker,” as seen from the paint shop’s catwalk. Below: Michael Hagen pours over the computer renderings used to construct the scenery.

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“The Lion King” and more. But one show the artist returns to again and again is Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker.” “We’ve stopped counting,” said Hagen. “We have way over 30! We were involved in three Nutcracker productions this year alone.” Karen Ryan, who has worked with Hagen for nearly 30 years, carefully paints the ballet’s giant Christmas tree, holding a rendering in one hand as her guide and a paintbrush in the other. In total, Ryan, Hagen, his son, Kevin, and artist Kadriye Sarman will work on nearly a dozen productions in one year, a small team of highly skilled artists with an impressive resume too long to print. “It’s not very common,” said Hagen, pointing to his small but dedicated crew, each of which have worked alongside Hagen for at least two decades. “We have been working on this principal for a long time now. I’d rather have a lot of space and a few people who really know what they’re doing than a little space and a lot of people who step on each other’s toes. That’s what we have here. Some companies in this position want to be huge and grow ever year. But I don’t want to be General Motors. That’s not my speed.” The Christmas tree, along with the rest of the scenery, will be shipped to the Cincinnati Ballet before the end

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Left: Computer Renderings provided to Michael Hagen Inc., used as guides to construct the scenery Right: Hagen examines a part of the 25 foot cake to be used in â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Nutcrackerâ&#x20AC;? production.

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of the year in time for their holiday production. With 29 Nutcracker productions behind him, Hagen promises that, as always, this production will be different from all the rest. It’s what keeps him coming back, what keeps the job fresh. “Every production is unique,” said Hagen. “After doing 30 productions of “The Nutcracker,” not one of them was like the other. There’s always something new and exciting. I mean, we probably wouldn’t be doing it otherwise; it would get boring.” Painting backdrops and working on scenery is a discipline unlike any other, combining fine arts such as painting, sculpture and carpentry with practical concerns, dictated by the size of the stage, requirements of the production, and even the transportation of such giant pieces of art. “Size is an issue whenever we’re going to build something – take that cake for example. It will be 25 feet high when each piece is stacked on top of the other. You can’t even fit that into the shop, which is only 21 feet high,” said Hagen. “The first thing you’re going to do when you get a rendering is, okay, how are we going to build this up so it fits in the truck? Something totally inartistic is involved, but otherwise you’d need the electric lights in the street taken down

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Top: Computer Renderings provided to Michael Hagen Inc., used as guides to construct the scenery Bottom: Warren M. Cicotte constructs one of two grand doors for the ballet. 16 | Simply Saratoga

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if you’re going to transport this thing!” Scene painting is both a highly technical and highly artistic endeavor, a clever bit of artistry where every disparate discipline must come together to make something whole, something magical. “It’s such an uproar of energies and artistic concepts having to be molded all into one thing,” said Hagen. “And once it finally goes on stage, ah-ha!” It’s at that moment, when the scenery finally reaches the stage, where the pieces Hagen and his crew have worked on for weeks begin to take shape, to find a purpose and meaning. “It’s a hard thing to achieve, you know? But that’s what makes it so attractive to me, when you can pull off that illusion. When people look at an architectural backdrop we’ve worked on, a two-dimensional painting and they see a threedimensional city, that’s when you know it’s working.” As a young boy growing up in Berlin, Hagen spent many afternoons and evenings at the local opera houses, theaters and

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concert halls, soaking in the music, the dancing, the stories and the culture. As a child, the shows enthralled Hagen, and captured his imagination in ways difficult to explain. Now, many years later, Hagen finds he can still be swept up by good theater, theater that transports him to another place and time. “I still love it,” said Hagen. “If it’s your production, one you happen to be involved with, you’re looking for everything. When it’s really stunning – and this does happen, is when I actually don’t recognize the set. That sounds crazy,” he said. “We’re working on this stuff. We know exactly what it looks like. But when the whole image transforms itself in a way that you don’t pay attention to those other things, then it’s just right. You actually forget about the stuff that you put onto the stage and you just let the whole thing, the music, the dancing, everything work on you. It comes together.” To learn more about Michael Hagen Inc. or to view samples of his company’s work, visit www.scenepainting.com.

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Digging Deep for 25 Years Story by Daniel Schechtman Photos by MarkBolles.com and Provided 2010 was a rough year – harder than most, and not just in the Capital Region. Across the country, unemployment rates hovered around 9.8 percent heading into the Christmas season, and that winter would go down in the record books as one of the coldest and snowiest in New York’s history. “It was a year where we didn’t know what to expect,” said Tom Mailey, the marketing director for Stewart’s Shops. “I mean, just look at last year’s economy.” For 23 years, Stewart’s Shops had relied on the generosity of its customers during the months of November and December, collecting donations at all of their locations for the Stewart’s Holiday Match Program. Time after time the company had managed to collect just a bit more than the previous season, matching their customers’ contributions with their own dollars to help fund a large group of local nonprofit organizations benefiting children 18 and under. Every year more 501c3 nonprofit organizations would submit applications for funding, and each year Stewart’s customers had answered the call. With approximately 1,400 different organizations looking for funding in 2010, the company held its breath, hoping the 24th year of the Stewart’s Holiday Match Program would once again live up to its tradition. Like all of its previous Holiday Match drives, Stewart’s began collecting donations in their shops on Thanksgiving Day. Across the Capital Region, the modest clear buckets sat patiently by the checkout counters, waiting and hoping for the metallic ping of a few spare coins to kindly drop. “It’s still a little old-fashioned,” said Amy Potter, Stewart’s Holiday Match program director, “Just cash or check. We’re not online with credit cards. Mostly it’s just individuals giving what they can – loose change being thrown in the buckets at the shops.” On Christmas Day the collection ended. Stewarts tallied the total, wondering and waiting for the season’s final numbers. “Last year was a record for us,” said Mailey. The grand total, including customer contributions and Stewart’s own financial match: “We were up to $1.28 million. We were through the roof,” said Mailey.

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“It seems like when times are tough, people really dig deep into their pockets to make sure other people have a good year,” said Potter. “It’s been a tough economy for several years now, and people just keep contributing and supporting the kids.” Now heading into its 25th year, the Stewart’s Holiday Match Program is looking to serve an even greater number of local organizations, hoping once again to have a record breaking year in collections. “Applications are in our stores and online for the nonprofit organizations to apply for funding,” said Potter. Organizations seeking assistance must be a certified 501c3 nonprofit organization, they must work to the benefit of children 18 and under, and they must be local. Beyond that, “We like to serve as many people as possible,” said Potter. “We like to keep it open.” In the Saratoga region alone, Stewart’s has worked to help organizations such as the YMCA, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, the Saratoga Public Library, the Children’s Museum at Saratoga, local schools, the Franklin Community Center and more. “Last year we reviewed over 1,400 applications in a couple of months, and then we allocated funds in March,” said Potter. “For the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts, for example, they might want to get some camping equipment. So we help them with the money to buy a tent so they can plan a camping trip every year. The Franklin Community Center needed tables and chairs for the kids, so we were able to do things like that for these organizations that needed a little extra help.” This year, Potter and Mailey expect the number of applications for funding to increase once again, estimating they will see over 1,500 requests. Out of the 1,500 who submit applications, Stewart’s responds to almost all of them. “The only time we can’t is if they’re not a qualified 501c3 organization, and then we help them in another way,” said Potter. “We try not to turn anyone away.” Because the program is run in-house, there are no administrative fees associated with the Holiday Match drive. One-hundred percent of the funds raised are given back to the local community, a decision that Mailey says reflects the character and culture of Stewart’s Shops at large. “We all work in the communities where we live, and it just makes sense. You know, we’re that neighborhood store. We’re probably ingrained in the neighborhoods more than most. And so it’s just the right thing to do, to be part of the community on all levels,” said Mailey. As always, Stewart’s will begin their Holiday Match Program on Thanksgiving Day, collecting donations from their customers through Christmas. To learn more about the Holiday Match Program, or to submit an application for funding on behalf of your organization, visit www.StewartsShops.com for more information.

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Holiday Gift Ideas

3 Vagabond House, Song Bird Cheese Stand, $309.95. Available at Pipits of Saratoga, 487 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, 587-2528 PipitsOfSaratoga.com

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Romeo Glass, Ribbed Juniper Moon Stemware by Minh Martin USA, $75/ea. Available at Pearl Grant Richmonds, Styvesant Plaza, Albany, 438-8409 PearlGrant.com

All-Clad Slow Cooker, $179.99. Available at Compliments to the Chef 488 Broadway Saratoga Springs, 226-4477 SaratogaChef.com

Gerson Large Cake Pedestal with Glass Dome, $269 Available at Wittâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s End Giftique. Parkwood Plaza, 1762 Route 9, Clifton Park, 371-9273 WittsEndGiftique.com

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Emily Henry Pizza Stone $49.95. Available at Spoon and Whisk, 1675 Route 9, Clifton Park, 371-4450 SpoonAnd Whisk.com

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Viking 5 qt. Stand Mixer $444.99 (sale 369.99) Available at Different Drummerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kitchen, Styvesant Plaza, 1475 Western Ave., Albany, 459-7990 DifferentDrummers Kitchen.com

Gerson 4 Gallon Beverage Dispenser, $399. Available at Wittâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s End Giftique. Parkwood Plaza, 1762 Route 9, Clifton Park, 371-9273 WittsEndGiftique.com

PGR Racu Bowl $200 Available at Pearl Grant Richmonds, Styvesant Plaza, Albany, 438-8409 PearlGrant.com

Two Bottle Wine Holder, $39. Available at Furniture Theatre. 2785 Route 9, Malta, 587-9420 Furniture Theatre.com

Nespresso Espresso Maker - starting at $199 Available at Different Drummers Kitchen, Styvesant Plaza, 1475 Western Ave., Albany, 459-7990 DifferentDrummers Kitchen.com

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4 Jeff Zimmerman Barbara Chair $2399. Available at The Furniture House, 1254 Route 9P on Saratoga Lake, Saratoga Springs, 587-9865 TheFurniture HouseNY.com

6 Burlington Hightop 3-1 Craps / Poker / Dining Table, w/6 chairs, Sale Price $3659. Available at The Furniture House, 1254 Route 9P on Saratoga Lake, Saratoga Springs. 587-9865 TheFurnitureHouseNY.com

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Kinzig Studio Lamp, Art Glass Bottom w/Hand Embroided Shade, $1295. Available at Pearl Grant Richmonds, Styvesant Plaza, Albany, 438-8409 PearlGrant.com

Murray Feiss Aris Single Tier Chandelier $725. 25 (retail) Available at Wolberg Lighting Design & Electrical Supply, 60 West Ave. Saratoga Springs, 886-0446 WolbergInc.com

Oriental Accent Box, $149.00 Available at Furniture Theatre, 2785 Route 9, Malta, 587-9420 FurnitureTheatre.com

Authentic Refurbished Factory Cart 50” wide x 28” deep x 16” high. $899. Available at DiSiena Furniture, 115 Round Lake Ave., Mechanicville 664-7385 and 80 Central Ave., Mechanicville, 664-8109 DiSienaFurniture.com

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Room Diffuser by Red Flower w/ Organic beech reeds & 13.5oz frangrance, $74.00. Available at Antara Home, 7 Spring St., Saratoga Springs, 587-8475 AntaraHome.com

Exquisite Horse Pillows, screened images on velvet with decorative trim, $85 $365. Available at Schuyler Pond, 727 Route 29 East, Saratoga Springs, 581-8422 SchuylerPond.com

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Dramatic transferware vases, prices range from $24 - $60. Available at Schuyler Pond, 727 Route 29 East, Saratoga Springs, 581-8422 SchuylerPond.com

Canoe Wine Center, $649.00. Available at Furniture Theatre, 2785 Route 9, Malta, 587-9420 FurnitureTheatre.com

Thomasville Pauline Sofa, Ernest Hemingway Collection, $2399. Available at DiSiena Furniture, 115 Round Lake Ave., Mechanicville, 664-7385 and 80 Central Ave., Mechanicville, 664-8109 DiSienaFurniture.com

Estate Lantern, 31â&#x20AC;?H x 15â&#x20AC;? W, $125.00. Real Wax Remote Control Candles, $19.5034.50. Available at Silverwood Galleries, 24 Caroline St., Saratoga Springs, 583-3600 SilverwoodGalleries.com

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“Christmas is all about family and friends and the good will we can bring to others.” - Julie Bonacio

Photo Provided

A Family Christmas

B The Bonacios invite you into their home this holiday season

When it comes to holiday spirit and Christmas cheer, this Saratoga native has been 'Crazy for Christmas' for years. With an eager smile stretching from ear to ear, local realtor and proud parent, Julie Bonacio, merrily exclaims "I absolutely adore Christmas and I have since I was a little girl...and I am finally rubbing off on my whole family!" For Julie, the Christmas season begins on November 1, when she has the guys over the house to decorate. "The house is always completely decorated by Thanksgiving Day, with lots of trees...17 in total" Julie added. The trees have been purchased through the years at the Catholic Charities Annual Festival of Trees, which Julie and husband Sonny are proud to support. Some of the favorite traditions for Julie and her family: • “After the Turkey Trot we host a breakfast at the house for any friends or family that have participated, complete with bloody marys.” • “Sonny and I traditionally always have Christmas dinner at our house with the complete family. Our home has officially been nicknamed ‘The North Pole.’” • “Watching all the holiday shows, specifically Chevy Chase’s Family Vacation.” • “On Christmas Day, Sonny will cook and prepare all day with his mom and dad.” Aside from Christmas Day itself, some other important dates enhance their holiday season: Christmas Eve is Sonny's mom's birthday and New Year’s Day is Sonny and Julie's wedding anniversary! This year, Julie cordially invites us all to step into her home for a sneak peak at the decorating that goes into a Bonacio family Christmas. - Chad Beatty

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Stuffed Mushrooms & Baked Onions

Pumpkin Bread Pudding

Desserts

Submitted by: Amy Bullock

Appetizers

Submitted by: Diane Gabriels

Stuffed Mushrooms

Pumpkin Bread Pudding

10 oz. pkg white or baby bella mushrooms, stems removed and reserved. 1 medium onion. 2 cloves of garlic. 1 stick of butter. 1 cup of dry breadcrumbs. 1/4 cup grated parmesan. 1 tablespoon oregano. 1 tablespoon of parsley.

Ingredients: 8 Oz French bread, torn into small pieces, about 5 cups 2 cups of half and half 3 large eggs 2/3 cup of sugar granular 2/3 cup of brown sugar 1 can of pumpkin purée (15 ounces) 3-4 tablespoons of melted butter 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon of ginger 1 teaspoon of vanilla Prep: Heat oven to 350 degrees, coat an 11x7 baking dish with butter. Place the bread pieces in a bowl with the half and half and cover. Set it aside. In another bowl, combine the eggs, sugar, pumpkin, melted butter and vanilla and blend together. Once blended, pour over the bread mixture. Place the bread mixture in your buttered baking dish. Bake in the oven for 45-60 minutes or until it is set and slightly browned on top.

Side Dishes

Using a food processor, chop mushroom stems, onion and garlic. Melt butter in a large frying pan over medium to high heat. Add onion and garlic. Sauté until softened. Add breadcrumbs, parmesan, oregano and parsley. Cool. Stuff mushroom caps. Broil until lightly browned. ENJOY!

Baked Onions 6 medium onions cut into bite-sized pieces. I use Vidalia onions. 1 cup milk. 1/2 cup butter. 1 can cream of chicken soup (undiluted) 3/4 lbs grated Swiss cheese French bread slices, buttered on one side. Grease 2 quart casserole dish. Melt 1/2 cup of butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and sauté until soft, about 10 minutes. Transfer onions to casserole dish. Mix together soup, milk, salt and pepper to taste, and Swiss. Pour over onions. Top with buttered bread slices. Bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Garnish with parsley and paprika. Yummy! 34 | Simply Saratoga

Topping for the bread pudding. Brown sugar and vanilla hard sauce Ingredients: 1/2 cup of brown sugar 1/4 cup of butter 1/2 cup of heavy cream 2 tablespoons of corn syrup (light) 1 1/2 teaspoon of French vanilla extract Put all ingredients in a sauce pan on medium heat and bring to a boil. Make sure to stir constantly so it does not burn. Reduce the heat to low and let boil for 5 more minutes then remove from heat and let stand to thicken as it cools. French vanilla ice cream to go with the bread pudding Ingredients: 2 large eggs 2 cups of heavy whipping cream 1 cup of milk 3/4 cup of sugar granulated 2 teaspoons of French vanilla extract Whisk the eggs in a mixing bowl until very light and fluffy, once eggs are light and fluffy slowly whisk in the sugar for about 1 minute. Pour in the heavy cream and milk- Whisk to blend. Place the mixture into your ice cream maker and run until it is ready to be placed into the freezer to set. Serve the bread pudding and hard sauce hot with a scoop or two of the homemade ice cream. SaratogaPublishing.com

Submitted by: Diane Carlson

Chicken Alfredo with Broccoli

Hearty Beef & Cheese Crescent Pie

Chicken Alfredo with broccoli Alfredo sauce 1 stick of butter 1 8oz package of cream cheese 1 cup of half and half 1/3 cup of parmesan cheese 1/3 cup of Romano cheese Prepare: Melt the butter in a sauce pan on medium heat. While the butter is melting, cut up the cream cheese into small pieces. Once the butter is melted, add the cream cheese to the butter and stir while melting together. Once the butter and the cream cheese are completely melted together, add the half and half and blend together. Once it has a sauce-like consistency, take the pan off the heat and let sit to thicken up. Stir every couple of minutes when cooling to help in the thickening process. Chicken: Take boneless chicken breast and cut into small pieces and sauté in a pan until done and cook the broccoli to the desired doneness and add them to the sauce with pasta of your choosing.

Submitted by: Sara Buschynski

Bread

Pumpkin Bread

Entrèe

Submitted by: Amy Bullock

Hearty Beef and Cheese Crescent Pie 1 1/4 lb. ground beef 1/2 cup chopped onion 1/4 cup chopped green pepper 1 cup cooked green beans 2 cup or 8 oz. shredded cheese Dash of pepper 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 egg beaten 1 8 oz. can tomato sauce 1 can Pillsbury rolls (Start oven at 375) Brown ground beef, onion and green pepper; drain liquid from pan. Add tomato sauce, green beans, garlic and salt, let simmer. Meanwhile, separate each roll then separate each roll into two pieces. Place rolls on bottom and sides of 9” glass casserole dish to form a crust. Combine egg and cheese mix and spread some of the mixture on the pie crust. Add meat mixture while hot and sprinkle with remaining cheese. You can bake as-is or take remaining rolls and lay across top of pie. Bake for 20 minutes or until top is golden brown at 370.

PUMPKIN BREAD 4 eggs 2/3 cup water 1 can pumpkin 3 cups sugar 1 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon nutmeg 1 cup vegetable oil 3 1/2 cup flour 2 teaspoon baking soda SaratogaPublishing.com

1 teaspoon cinnamon Pinch of cloves 1 cup walnuts or raisins (if desired) Beat eggs; add oil, water and pumpkin. Mix well. Sift dry ingredients together and add to egg mixture. Mix well. Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees F. Makes 2 large loaves. Simply Saratoga |35

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A Toy Story

Comes to

Life!

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The G. Willikers elves and wizards! Bottom row: Linda Ambrosino, Luke Burns, Jodi Burns Top: Tina Mendez, Linda Cumineli, JoAnn McGraw 38 | Simply Saratoga

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By Arthur Gonick Photos by MarkBolles.com and Provided

This store represents the epitome of what was envisioned when the concept of reviving downtown Saratoga Springs was formulated in the 1970s. G. Willikers is a unique specialty shop with committed local ownership, along with a knowledgeable, caring staff that offers a bright alternative to malls and big-boxes. They specialize in hand-selected items that express discernment and make the joy of gift-giving special and timeless. Simply put, G. Willikers has it all. Their niche – distinctive toys – dictates that they are “all about fun.” They have developed legions of devoted customers who wouldn’t think of going anywhere else. They’ve killed the “category killers” by offering a better alternative - a little bit of stimulating magic, if you will, which they are always happy to share with you. It was a completely different downtown when owner Linda Ambrosino first came here to visit friends in the 1970s. She quickly fell in love with the Victorian charm of the area and that helped to convince her to be a part of it. She worked as a server at the Old Firehouse Restaurant (now occupied by Stockade Imports at 543 Broadway) and attended Skidmore College as a theater major, graduating in 1981. “I took courses that turned out to be important in the development of G. Willikers,” she said. “Set design, which is significant given the emphasis we place on our window displays, and accounting – this was

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probably the most important of all, because no matter how much fun this is for everyone, it’s still a business.” But why this business? A bit of magic, perhaps. “Many people think I had toys in mind all along,” Linda said, “but actually, the only thing that I wanted for sure was to be out of the restaurant business. I made a list of things that were already here and nearby, and those that weren’t. I came up with a toy store somehow. I didn’t have a business plan, more of a feeling.” Did she ever! From that concept, G. Willikers first emerged on Broadway in 1988,

in a small space that currently houses Eugenio’s Café Gelato. When a larger location at the former Glickman’s department store became available at 461 Broadway, G. Willikers made the leap, at first splitting the space with another business and eventually occupying all of it with toys and games from over 250 manufacturers, and employing about nine “elves” year-round, each who have their own area of expertise. “We have the game expert, the doll expert, and so on.” Linda said. While choosing the category of toys for her store might have been a happenstance, you realize that it is also a deep-seated passion for

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Luke Burns and Ginger Tallman shop for the holidays...G. Willikers gives them plenty of choices!

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Linda and her employees. This comes into full-flower when she discusses toys and what they mean to her and the customers that are continuously delighted by what G. Willikers offers. “The biggest thrill I get is when people visit us for the first time and say, ‘this is just like I remember!’” Linda said. “We try to showcase a mix of the classics, such as Mille Bornes and Etch-a-Sketch, with today’s innovative items and of course, what we hope will be popular in the future.” She was glad to see that non-electronic games were surging in popularity over the past 3-4 years. “It’s a great antidote to all the technology we see in modern life – these games bring families and relatives face-to-face with each other again.” “People will sometimes come into our store and ask if we have educational toys, and we answer that they are all educational. That’s the common thread in the toys we offer; we are looking to stimulate a young person’s imagination – which is the most powerful thing. TV and video games are fine, but what’s in a child’s mind is ultimately stronger.” Linda noted. “That’s why Saratoga Springs is the perfect place for us. The community has always shown profound awareness of the creativity of children, and this gives us the perfect environment to thrive,” Linda said. Even though the pre-holiday period can be stressful when making buying decisions, it is definitely mitigated when your business is all about smiles. “I just spent several days just laughing with reps as we were reviewing the new items.” Linda said. And if you want to be a hero in the 2011 gift-giving season, Linda believes that anything from the Blue Orange eco-friendly game line is sure to be a winner when unwrapped. “One of their games called Spot It! has been a big hit with anyone from ages 5 to 95,” she noted. New items that should inspire young creative artists are Djeco mobile and 3-D wall ornament art kits from France. Her store manager, Tina Mendez, automatically picked Magnamobiles, wooden toy vehicles that are assembled with magnets, as a big

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item. Also, the Jellycat line of plush toys has been around awhile, but “because of their craftsmanship, we’ve had to expand what we have from a shelf to a section.” Of course, the best news is that even if a child has all these things already, the elves have thousands of choices still left for you.

Any story about G. Willikers would be incomplete without discussing the windows, which have become a signature local showpiece of any holiday season.

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“We start discussing ideas in the summer,” Linda noted. It’s a closely-guarded secret each year. A very valued customer overheard us talking about the 2010 windows (which had a “Winter Wonderland” theme) and asked us about it, but we wouldn’t tell them a thing!” The entire display is built off-premise by the team of elves with the support of her husband, Larry, who owns Ambrosino Design, a leading local advertising agency and under the auspices of “window wizard” Jodi Burns. These windows are conceived and built in secret, yet unlike Macy’s holiday

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windows, for instance, which are hidden from people behind curtains, the public is invited to watch as they are installed each year. This usually begins the week before Thanksgiving. A notice is posted on their website, www.gwillikerstoys.com, which is all that is needed, because that alone will attract hundreds of devotees. Over the years, it would not be a stretch to call this a mini-mania. “There are people who, year after year, make our window the backdrop for their holiday card! You see them out there with their cameras while we are working. I can’t think of anything more flattering.” Linda said. Suffice to say, it will all be up and running (yes, there is a mechanical component to it also) AND dazzling long before the 25th Victorian Streetwalk on December 1, when holiday shoppers will be greeted by Linda and her elves, along with Mrs.

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Claus, Mr. and Mrs. Bill and a surprise costume character or two. As far as the theme for 2011, well, let’s say I tried, folks, but they weren’t giving it up. They have the secret-keeping thing down pretty good by now. But isn’t the surprise a big part of the fun?

“When I first started, I looked at downtown shops like Mabou as a destination store and wanted to have one of my own,” Linda said. It’s nice to report that the people who make sure that you have the perfect gift for others, got what THEY really, truly wanted. §

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461 Broadway Saratoga Springs NY, 12866 (518) 587-2143 www.gwillikerstoys.com

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Frozen

Memories Building your own backyard ice skating rink Story by Chad Beatty Photos Provided Last winter I had a vision of a winter wonderland nestled in my wooded back yard. A place where the family could gather for fun-filled activities and create holiday memories worthy of a Hallmark card. The centerpiece of this vision was going to be a perfectly constructed backyard ice rink with all the trimmings. I could picture the roar of the crackling fire as kids created frozen memories skating away under the stars. That was my vision…but my reality was quite different. Being a stubborn male I began the project without any instructions, help or guidance. After all, how hard could it be to build a simple ice skating rink in the backyard?

It was a great project for my son and me

Finished backyard NiceRink ice skating rink. 46 | Simply Saratoga

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While the process of building the rink did turn out to be a great project for my son and me, the end project fell far short of the picture-perfect postcard. I have since tapped the ice experts and offer you advice from the pros at NiceRink. For more detailed information on the following tips or to learn about NiceRink products, visit them online at; www.nicerink.com.

Determining the best site for your ice rink There are just a few items of importance to consider when choosing the best site for your rink. To start, you want to locate your rink near an easily accessible water source. This will make it much easier when it’s time to flood and resurface your rink. Second to water, would be the distance away from the house. You want the rink to be close enough to enjoy having it in your backyard and not having to trudge across the field, although you want it far enough away from stray pucks in the case of any hockey being played. Next would be the pitch or levelness of your sight. The pitch may be more important if you (A) want a nice clean looking rink or (B) don’t want to end up filling your rink with 30,000 gallons of water. A site that has a pitch of 6 inches or less is best, as it will take less effort to install the side boards, will use less water and take less time to get your base ice going.

Perimeter material needs The perimeter of your rink can be constructed using a multi-

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tude of materials depending on your site, the time you have, how you want it to look and what kind of skating the rink will be used for. The easiest way to put up the sideboard system is utilizing the NiceRink brackets and thermoformed plastic boards. The brackets can be placed into UNFROZEN ground in less than half the time of the following construction method. The brackets will hold either 18 inches x 4 feet interlocking thermoformed plastic boards and/or any height piece of 3/4 inch plywood, making them very versatile for just about any rink site. If you plan on “building” the sideboard system, a board thickness of 1/2 inches, 5/8 inch, or 3/4 inch thick can be utilized. A sheet of CDX plywood is supplied in 4 feet x 8 feet sheets, which can be cut by either the lumberyard or yourself if you’re handy. A 3/4 inch x 4 feet x 8 feet sheet of “CDX” plywood can be bought for around $35, depending on your location, and then cut into strips of either 12 inches, 16 inches or 24 inches x 8 feet. I mention these sizes because they are all divisible by 48 inches, so there isn’t any wasted material left over. With all that in mind, a 3/4 inch sheet of plywood cut into four 12 inches x 8 feet strips would yield 32 lineal feet of boards for around $35, making a 36 feet x 66 feet rink, having a side board cost of around $225.00. Another reason to use plywood vs. 2-inch planks is that the amount of board on the ground is very small and will have very little effect on the grass underneath. The above is the favored method among rink building veterans, however, other items that can be used to make the job easier are the NiceRink brackets and thermoformed

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Photo provided by NiceRink

plastic boards as mentioned. Other items that may work for you are railroad ties, landscape timbers, 2 inches x 6 inches, 8 inches, 10 inches, 12 inchesâ&#x20AC;ŚPVC piping, telephone poles, old concrete forms or whatever you may have around that can be used to support and contain water. After you have selected your top choice location, put a stake in each of the four corners, and tie a heavyduty string line to each stake outlining the proposed perimeter of your rink. Now the pitch of the site must be determined so that the right height of boards can be utilized to contain your deeper water on the lower end of your site. There are a few ways of checking your pitch, the first and least expensive way is to purchase a line level from your local hardware store and follow the enclosed directions within the package. Basically, start at what you think is your highest point and adjust the string on that stake to 4 inches above ground level. We recommend a minimum of 4 inches of water/ice at the shallow end, so this will be your water height at this stake if it is in fact the highest point of your yard. Your pitch will determine the depths at the other corners of your rink. Pull the string as tight as possible and then raise or lower the low end of the string at the other three stakes until the line level reads level between each stake. After going from stake to stake all around, tie off the string at the height itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s at, and that is your estimated water/ice line. An easier and MORE ACCURATE way is with the new laser levels. The cost is about $20, but they are much more accurate and easier to use. When the pitch is determined, you can

Chad Beatty and his son during their first attempt at a backyard ice skating rink

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then measure the height of the boards you’ll need to contain your water. Your board heights must be over this line to contain the water.

Laying out & Filling the NiceRink liner When: The best answer for this is not a date, but rather the weather forecast. As a rule of thumb, I usually install my brackets and sideboards before the first freeze and lay out the liner the week or two after. By giving it a good week or two, it will also give the brackets and boards a chance to “freeze in” and let the grass go dormant. The nice cold nights are the trick! With a few cold nights in the low 20s you’ll be able to freeze 1-2 inches of water per night or more. With that kind of cold at night, combined with the reflective and water holding qualities of the NiceRink liners during the warmer part of the day, you should freeze up a rink, with 8 inches or less of pitch, to skateable in 4-7 days. Laying out the liner is pretty much the easiest part of the job. Place your liner on the outside center of one of the ends (width) of the perimeter. Carefully unwrap the outer wrapping and start to roll the liner up over the end board and down to the other end. If you have extra hanging over, leave it on! You can cut it off later when there’s water/ice holding it in place. When the liner is laid out and empty, it will seem as though you have a lot of extra liner material. Once the water/ice gets on top of the liner and weighs it down, it will take up much of the slack that seems like extra material. Do not PERMANENTLY attach your liner to the boards until the water is in. If you do and don’t leave enough slack, the weight of the water will pull the liner

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Photo provided by NiceRink

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down and tear your liner as it fills up where you have attached it. At this point, it’s wise to place some sort of weights on the liner, along the inside edge of the boards. I also like to spray water ALL OVER the liner, water weighs 7.5lbs. per Gallon, so a 10-15 spray could yield some serious water weight over the liner to help hold it in place. This is to temporarily hold the liner in place while it is filling with water. Put the hose in, turn it on, and let it run. DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT layer your ice using the NiceRink liner system. You will damage your liner if you try and “layer” your ice. The liners are used to purposely eliminate the time wasting, base layering process. Fill the liner until it’s at a level where as the shallowest point is filled to a recommended minimum of 3-4 inches of water, then turn it off. Don’t be too antsy to get skating on your rink. Make sure it’s frozen up good and solid. For the impatient skaters you can test your rink without getting on the ice by first, pressing on the ice with your hands to see how thick the ice is. If you can’t push it down very easily, then you can press one foot on the ice, if you hear crack-

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ing, STAY OFF, if not, you can put more pressure on the ice and then the other foot if it seems ok.

Maintaining the Ice There are several methods of maintaining the ice. There is the flood method, spray and squeegee method, sprayspray-spray-spray and the NiceIce resurfacer method. I’ll go through all of them in detail and you can make your own decisions for your rink, as you are the “rink manager.” The Flood: The flood method is simply that, flooding. To flood the rink you’ll need to have the availability of large hoses and above average water pressure. You’ll need to get the entire rink completely covered with water before any of it starts to freeze. Do not use the flood method on smooth ice, you’ll wreck it. Spray and Squeegee: Again, simply spray water onto the ice surface and squeegee it out to the spots that need the most attention. Do not try and squeegee areas that have started to freeze. You’ll end up with mounds of frozen slush,

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which will have to be chipped or scraped off later when they freeze. Spray-Spray-Spray: Spray-The name says it all! The trick to spray coating ice is “wet ice is done ice.” In other words, start spraying a spot on the rink until it’s glossy and move on. Put the layers of water on as thin as possible to get a “Nice” glass like finish and also to prevent cracking or “lifting”. This method is the most time consuming, but will give you the best ice surface without the use of the NiceIce resurfacer explained next. NiceIce Resurfacer: The NiceIce ice resurfacer is the best and most economical method of resurfacing any ice rink. My personal backyard rink is 44 feet x 88 feet and takes me a whole 12 minutes to put on a fresh coat of ice. It used to take me at least an hour to spray coat a new layer of ice and now, as mentioned, takes about 12 minutes or less, with less water and a much better ice surface to skate on when done. I usually put two coats on when I’m out and the second coat takes less time than the first and provides a surface that rivals indoor ice quality. While utilizing the patented NiceIce resurfacer, you will be laying down a very thin, fast-freezing layer of deoxygenated water that will then become your skating surface. You now have the same ice surface that is laid down on the indoor rinks and sometimes better as air temperatures determine outdoor ice quality.

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Simple Truths

Enjoying the Presense of the Season

he Holiday Season represents light in the midst of darkness, peace, redemption, forgiveness, community and gratiMeghan D. Lemery, tude. It is a time of year meant LCSW-R to inspire us to get back to center, spend time with our loved ones and show our appreciation through gift giving and celebration. While this is all warm and cozy in theory, the truth is, most people feel stressed, overwhelmed, irritated and burdened during the holidays. A season in which we are called to presence, becomes, instead, about the presents. This year, I encourage you to do something different. Tune in to the gifts of the season and allow yourself to actually IN-JOY the experience of the holidays fully present and engaged in the moment. I know you just groaned and secretly sent me your to do list that is miles long and includes buying gifs for Aunt Morticia and Cousin Ester, hosting the annual holiday party and cooking a gourmet meal for your family. The fact is, life is ALWAYS going to be busy. We will always have bills to pay, houses to organize, jobs to show up for and relationships to nurture. The problem is, however, that if we let all of the responsibilities of life weigh us down we stop having fun and become miserable, negative and dull. Our focus is constantly future-focused and we miss out on the gift of the present moment. Everything becomes about a schedule and making sure we are on time and ready for tomorrow. A season of celebration soon becomes centered around material possessions and over-committing yourself to attend every party on the block. Let’s get back to what really matters, and the simple truth of the season, PRESENCE. Living a life with presence means that you are tuned in, listening, feeling and enjoying the moment. You are completely immersed in the NOW, no past, no future, simply the NOW. Most people experience presence in highly emotional events such as your wedding day, completing a marathon, birth of a child or death of a loved one. In these highly emotional scenarios we are completely present in the moment feeling every emotion and allowing the present to simply BE what it is. It is as if time stops and the constant chatter in our neurotic minds ceases. The very experience of living in the present moment and allowing it to simply BE, leaves us feeling refreshed, connected, warm and highly tuned in to ourselves and others. People often 52 | Simply Saratoga

describe these experiences as spiritual in nature and we are left with a sense of deeper meaning and purpose to life. We feel more joy and compassion for ourselves and others. Why wait for the mountain top moments to experience the power of presence in your life? Let’s live in this power NOW. This season, rather than stress yourself out with the tasks at hand, STOP. Take a minute to smell the pine needles of your tree or admire the beautiful lights around the community. Instead of going to parties with people you don’t feel connected to, spend time with your family recalling funny stories and good times together. Allow yourself to experience each moment with gratitude and joy rather than stress and craziness. Let the gifts of the season remind you of what is truly important in life. The relationships we have with each other, our communities and our world. Let this season be rich with depth and presence. Allow the simplicity of living in the present moment revive you and add more color and sparkle to your life. Wishing you the gift of PRESENCE today and always! Happy Holidays! Ms. Lemery is a psychotherapist practicing in Glens Falls and Saratoga Springs, NY For more information on upcoming workshops and Ms. Lemery’s first novel, “Please Pass the Barbie Shoes,”visit meghanlemery.com.

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Festival of Trees

November

Savethe Date Holiday Happenings Saratoga Area Holiday Reindeer Open House Saratoga Springs Public Library, 49 Henry St. From 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, November 13, meet and greet Bob and Wendy Smith’s live reindeer, enjoy slides of author Bruce Hiscock’s caribou journey and draw a reindeer with Bruce’s help. For all ages- in the Dutcher Community Room. Nacre Dance Company Presents Christmas Oratorio Universal Preservation Hall, 25 Washington St. Saratoga Springs November 18, 19 and 20 at 8 p.m. Our production is based on Charles Weidman’s later version of Christmas Oratorio. In this rendition, Weidman focuses on emotions such as joy, compassion and friendship in this dance of rejoicing. Dancers move in wonderment and reverence and their hands are often clasped in prayer or raised in exultation.The combination of Bach’s passionate music and portrayals of biblical figures make this a moving and unforgettable experience.Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students and seniors. For tickets and more information, visit /nacredance.com. Saratoga Healthy Living Expo Saratoga City Center, Broadway On Saturday, November 19 and Sunday, November 20, the Saratoga Healthy Living Expo encompasses all areas of wellness, from traditional medicine to the

healing arts. $5 admission. For more information, visit www.adksports.com Turkey Trot Downtown Saratoga Springs On Thanksgiving morning, this 5K run/walk, which begins at 8:30 a.m., benefits the Christopher Dailey Foundation, which continues to raise funds for youth sports in Saratoga County. For more information, visit www.christopherdaileyfoundation.com/turkeytrot.htm. Craft Fair City Center, 522 Broadway, Saratoga Springs Saturday, November 26, 2011 From 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. this well-attended fair benefits Saratoga Center for the Family. All crafts are handmade. $2 admission. Downtown Saratoga Tree Lighting 435 Broadway On Wednesday, November 30, this annual event begins at 7 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive by horse and carriage to visit with the children. Free hot chocolate and cookies to keep you warm! Saratoga Springs Festival of Trees Saratoga Springs City Center, 522 Broadway, Saratoga Springs. From Wednesday, November 30 through Sunday, December 4, the festival transforms the City Center into a holiday wonderland. We’re noted in the region for our original, custom-crafted holiday décor – come early for the best selection! Decorated trees from six feet to two-foot tabletop trees, centerpieces, wreaths and lots of other holiday goodies! Saturday is Family Day with Santa’s Workshop, and Breakfast and Sundaes with Santa (reservations required for breakfast and sundaes.) For more information please visit saratogafestivaloftrees.com. Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors and children 10 and over $3. Victorian Streetwalk Downtown Saratoga On Thursday, December 1 from 6-10 p.m., join the community music, magic, gingerbread house display, Festival of Trees, choral groups,Victorian costumes, Santa and Mrs. Claus, live reindeer, lots of venues with entertainment, all free and open to the public.

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25th Annual

VictorianDecember Streetwalk 1, 2011

Photos by MarkBolles.com

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Candlelight House Tour On Friday, December 2, this tour, benefiting Saratoga Preservation, includes homes on Fifth Avenue and Phila Street.A reception at the Saratoga Golf and Polo Club follows.Tour tickets are $40 for members, $50 for nonmembers;Tour and reception tickets are $75 for members and $85 for non-members. Contact Sara Bovin at (518) 587-5030 or email sbovin@saratogapreservation.org or visit saratogapreservation.org. Restaurant Week From Friday, December 2 through Thursday, December 8, visit any of the participating restaurants and enjoy an appetizer or salad, a dinner entree, and a dessert from a pre-set menu, all for only $18.19 plus tax and tip! The $9.09 lunch specials are determined by the restaurant’s discretion. For more information, visit www.discoversaratoga.org. Malta Ballet – “The Nutcracker” The Egg, Albany On Friday, December 2 and Saturday, December 3, area youth will delight you with their wide array of talents and grandiose costumes all bright and new. You will marvel over gymnasts who magically come alive as dolls and rats, and soldiers who tap dance with spectacular sounds.The choir will sing joyous songs of the holiday season. Tickets are available at the Egg box office (518) 473-1845 or www.theegg.org through The Malta Ballet Company – (518) 899-6664. For more information, visit gingersdancetofit.com/maltaballet.htm. Winter Dance Concert Skidmore College, North Broadway, Saratoga Springs On Friday, December 2 and Saturday, December 3, enjoy an evening of dance with choreography by faculty and guest artists.Adults $10; students and senior citizens $5.Tickets are sold 45 minutes prior to each performance. Show times are 8 p.m. Friday and 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday in the Skidmore College Dance Theater. For more information, call (518) 580-5392. A Saratoga Christmas with The Mckrells Homemade Theater at Spa Little Theater, 19 Roosevelt Dr. Saratoga Springs On Saturday, December 3 at 7:30 p.m., join us for an evening of Christmas favorites.Tickets are $15 per person. Seating is general admission. For more information, contact HMT at (518) 587-4427 or info@homemadetheater.org or visit www.homemadetheater.org. Taylor Eigsti in Concert Skidmore College, North Broadway, Saratoga Springs This concert will begin at 8 p.m. on Friday, December 9 in the Arthur Zankel Music Center, Ladd Concert Hall Adults $12, Senior citizens $7, students $5. For ticket information, call (518) 580-5321 or visit www.skidmore.edu/Zankel. 56 | Simply Saratoga

“The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe” Home Made Theater at the Spa Little Theater, 19 Roosevelt Drive, Saratoga Springs Friday, December 9 - Sunday, December 18 This magical and mysterious tale of the great lion Aslan and his struggle against the White Witch is a classic. Follow the adventures of four children who emerge out of an old wardrobe into the exciting, never-to-beforgotten land of Narnia. This story of love, faith, courage and generosity, with its triumph of good over evil, is a true celebration of life. For more information, visit /www.homemadetheater.org. Christmas Concert St. Clement’s Catholic Church, 231 Lake Ave. Saratoga Springs Beginning at 7 p.m. on Saturday, December 10, join us for an evening of joyful music as we prepare for the birth of Jesus the Christ. Music will be provided by our choir and the NYS Catholic Chorale and Lifesong Band. Breakfast with Santa St. Clement’s School, 231 Lake Ave. Saratoga Springs This fun morning for the family will be held on Sunday, December 11 from 9 a.m.-noon. For more information and tickets, call the school at (518) 584-7350. First Night Saratoga This family-friendly night, complete with a 5K run, is a tradition in downtown Saratoga on New Year’s Eve. For more information, visit saratoga-arts.org/firstnight/index.php.

Ballston Spa Ballston Spa Holiday Weekend Downtown Ballston Spa The Ballston Spa Holiday Parade and Weekend Celebration takes place December 2- 4. The parade will be held Friday evening, December 2. Step-off time is 6:30 p.m., proceeding on Milton Avenue and ending in Wiswall Park on Front Street with Santa lighting the Christmas tree.The parade has become a hometownstyle holiday tradition, with fire trucks, floats, animals, kids and Santa parading down the main street of the village.This is a true community event so parade participants are welcome!

Albany Capital Holiday Lights in the Park Washington Park, Albany On November 25 through January 2, drive through a winter wonderland of lights along the weaving roadways of beautiful Washington Park.The Lake House at the end of the journey will feature crafts, refreshments and, on December 23, Santa Claus will hear the wishes of little ones! $15 per car; $25 per limousine or 15passenger van and $75 per bus, with all proceeds benefiting the work of Albany PAL. For more information, SaratogaPublishing.com

visit albanycapitalholidaylights.com/. Carriage rides through the lights will be available Thursday through Sunday evenings. For reservations or more information about a carriage ride, call Albany PAL at (518) 435-0392. Great Train Extravaganza On Sunday, December 4, from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Empire State Plaza. Bring the family for this amazing display. Cost is $5 for adults and children 12 and under are free. Nowell Sing We Clear St. John’s Lutheran Church 142 Maple Ave., Altamont On Saturday, December 10, John, Tony, Fred and Andy return at 3 p.m. with their delightful and spirited program of unusual songs, carols, stories and customs. $20 admission. For more information, visit www.oldsongs.org/concerts.html#december. Albany Last Run 5K The race, on December 17 at 5 p.m., is a great race for all ages, featuring a beautiful course through Capital Holiday Lights in Washington Park and beginning with a spectacular fireworks show! This year’s race includes a new course map with mile markers, beginning and ending on State Street, near the New York State Capitol. A post-race party for all registered runners takes place at the Empire State Plaza at the base of the Egg. For more information, visit www.albanyevents.org. Palace Theatre, 19 Clinton Ave., Albany Visit palacealbany.com for tickets and information on these events. Celtic Thunder Christmas On Saturday, November 26 at 7:30 p.m. the men of Celtic Thunder will be performing all of your favorite classic holiday songs and much more. Albany Symphony Orchestra: Magic of Christmas On Saturday, December 3 and Sunday, December 4, start a new holiday tradition with this festive afternoon. “It’s a Wonderful Life” On Friday, December 23 at 7 p.m., come enjoy an

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annual Holiday tradition at the Palace Theatre. Adults $5, children $3.

Schenectady Schenectady Holiday Parade This parade on Saturday, November 19 beginning on State St., is the largest evening parade in the area. Northeast Ballet “The Nutcracker” Proctors Theater, Schenectady December 9 at 10 a.m.; December 10 at 7 p.m.; and December 11 at 2 p.m. Please visit www.Proctors.org for more information.

Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Music Company Orchestra This free concert will take place on Tuesday, December 6 at Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School at 7 p.m. For more information, visit www.cliftonpark.org/mcomusic/.

Glens Falls T’was a Month Before Christmas The Hyde Collection, 161 Warren St. Glens Falls On Friday, November 25 from 1-3 p.m., tour the children’s book illustration exhibition “Draw Me a Story” with a museum educator, then meet at the Hyde’s Art Studio to create illustrated holiday lists for Santa and cards suitable for framing. For more information on this free event call (518) 792-1761 or email info@hydecollection.org.

Adirondack Repertory Dance Theatre Christmas Performance Charles R.Wood Theater, 207 Glen St. Glens Falls, NY Set aside Saturday, December 3 for this local holiday tradition, this is a unique, family-oriented event. For more information on this and other Christmas events please visit http://www.woodtheater.org. The Adirondack Ballet Theater Presents “The Nutcracker” Charles R.Wood Theater, 207 Glen St. Glens Falls On Saturday, December 10 and Sunday, December 11, The Adirondack Ballet Theater presents its annual production of the timeless classic “The Nutcracker.” For tickets and more information please call (518) 8740800 or visit http://www.woodtheater.org. Lake George Community Band Holiday Concert Charles R.Wood Theater, 207 Glen St. Glens Falls On Friday, December 16, the Lake George Community Band will entertain you with various holiday selections beginning at 8 pm. For more information please visit lakegeorgecommunityband.com.

Lake George Lake George Polar Bear Plunge Shepard Park Beach, Lake George From 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday, November 19, have fun and raise money for Special Olympics! Grab your friends and family and get a team together.

Tony DeSare “Home For the Holidays” Charles R.Wood Theater, 207 Glen St. Glens Falls Hudson Falls native Tony DeSare returns for his annual Wood Theater Fundraiser on Saturday, November 26 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, November 27 at 2 p.m.

Lite up the Village Lake George Village From 3-6 p.m. on Saturday, November 26, watch the village transform into a winter wonderland. Lights of the season will be strung and there will be activities for the kids, including a petting zoo and a visit from Santa. There will also be merchant open houses and caroling!

Glens Falls Tree Lighting The Christmas season kicks off with the tree lighting on Sunday, November 27 at 5 p.m. and continues all week, culminating with a visit from Santa on Saturday, December 3 in the afternoon.

Bolton’s Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Rogers Memorial Park, Bolton Landing Join us from 2 -4 p.m. on Sunday, December 4 for the lighting of our Christmas tree, caroling, Santa, hot dogs, hot chocolate and cider, and hayrides.

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Saratoga Trunk Amy is ready for Christmas cheer in her iconic Celtic gold scroll dress by THEIA, designer Don O'Neill. She carries the motif further with her embroidered beaded cuff by designer Peter Ciesla of Bazyli Studio, and tops this exquisite ensemble off with her feathered fascinator by Mona the Mad Hatter, milliner Marsha Drummond.

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Foodfor Thought

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Homemade Variety, Hearty Portions

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Story by Helen Susan Edelman Photos by ©stockstudiosphotography.com “One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating.” ~ Luciano Pavarotti Sinatra upstairs. Classic rock downstairs. Table linens upstairs. Gleaming wood tables with high stools downstairs. High-ceilinged, post-and-beam spaciousness in an illuminated upstairs that had been closed to the public for five decades before building owner Joe Mack refurbished the space. Cozy, all-Americanneighborhood informality downstairs. A showcase for the bird’s-eye maple bar that had been a centerpiece when the building housed 43 Phila Bistro, upstairs. A peek into the kitchen downstairs. Everywhere, exposed brick walls and shining wood, and original artwork from the 1940s by Greenwich Village artist Sy Wallick, who used to gallivant in Saratoga Springs among the rich and famous and draw their caricatures. (Those of you with a good memory and deep roots downtown may recall these drawings hanging in the circa1885 building at 43 Phila Street during its Mother Goldsmith’s incarnation.) And, one extensive menu of house-made items served both up and down at the Seven Horse Pub. Restaurateur Mack – of Horseshoe restaurant fame, known far and wide – has done a terrific job creating a welcoming place to share a meal, whether tête-à-tête or in a group of favorite 62 | Simply Saratoga

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friends. Open for only two years, the Seven Horse Pub already has a cadre of both yearround regulars and track-season customers who stop by almost every night they’re in town (and, of course, the location is perfect — off Broadway but not too far off). Before I even sat down, I knew one reason the eatery has such loyal patrons: the atmosphere is a key draw (I’ll get to the food in a minute). The Seven Horse Pub is a jubilant place. From the long, low-lit bar where you can enjoy a beverage while you watch bigscreen TV, to the tables along the walls – set for twosomes or up to six — there’s a sense of camaraderie. If you’re looking for a goodmood evening, you can expect low-buzz conversation, music to move to and prompt, friendly service at Seven Horse Pub. Now I’ll get to what’s what to eat: everything. Once Companion and I were settled at our table, our lovely, energetic server, Keira, was there with a suggestion. “Try the SeaHog

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chowder,” she said. What a good idea! Vegetables in a nontraditional, smoky, lobstery bisque topped with pulled pork and cornbread – like textured velvet on a spoon. You eat slowly, so that it will last a long time. Delicious. It is no wonder the Seven Horse Pub is a two-time winner of the Chowderfest (this year set for February 4, 2012). Then comes the trickier decision of what to eat for dinner. Patrons can first choose from appetizers like mozzarella sticks. jalapeno poppers, fried calamari, jumbo shrimp cocktail spinach-artichoke dip and onion rings. Burgers or larger entrees (steak, scallops, brisket, chicken, ribs,

shrimp…and more) come next, if you have room to spare after the generous starters. For those who want either lighter fare or extras for their heartier meals, there’s a wide choice from salads and pasta to gourmet pizza. There’s a selection of ice-cold beers on tap and a wines by the glass to complement any choice. The portions are generous and the prices are

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competitive with Saratoga Springs’ other high-caliber restaurants. Whether you choose quesadillas or fish ‘n chips in the casual pub, or seafood grill with fresh veggies in the comfortable, but more reserved dining room, there’s no wrong choice. It’s what you’re in the mood for – and there’s truly something to suit every palate, including dishes for vegetarians. The restaurant makes everything from scratch, even smoking the meats, proudly reports bar manager Lia Conti, and uses local foods, including those from the farmers’ market, whenever possible. Because the food is fresh, the menu changes with the season. “Fall and winter, you’ll see a lot of comfort foods on our menu,” Conti says. “Summer – amazing salads.” It shows in the result. Everything Companion and I taste-tested exceeded our expectations – no corners cut. And, there was plenty left over for lunch the next day. Conti has been at Seven Horse Pub since opening day – in fact, she has been in Mack’s orbit for many years, working with him at the Horseshoe, as did many of the staff – including the chef — who decided to stick with him when he opened the new venue. “We try to make this a dining experience, not just a meal,” she says. “We work hard but we have a lot of fun here – and great customers, who we get to know and who get to know each other.” Seven Horse Pub fosters the congeniality year-round. On the fourth of July, there’s a barbecue; and festive occasions such as the Super Bowl and St. Patrick’s Day get their due as well. While the bar area has become an ideal impromptu gathering spot, the upper level has been discovered as a great venue for luncheons, bridal or baby showers, wedding receptions, corporate parties and other events. Conti also touts Mack’s community spirit, which has translated into the restaurant participating in fundraisers for organizations such as the Arthritis Foundation, and supporting the Preservation Foundation in efforts such as refurbishing the iconic Spirit of Life statue in nearby Congress Park. Because I love it myself, I’ve saved the best for last. Keira came by with a final suggestion – and since her first one was spot-on, Companion and I agreed to try the Patty Cake – a creamy concoction in a graham crust with peanut butter, chocolate and vanilla flavors. “You won’t be disappointed,” Keira promised. I make the same promise to you. Seven Horse Pub 43 Phila Street Saratoga Springs, NY 12866-3211 518-581-0777 www.sevenhorsepub.com.

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Doctors’ Note’s

Opening Doors with Speech-Language Therapy Story by Jean Wisniewski, CCC-SLP, MS, and Jeanne K. M. Junjulas, CCC-SLP, MS

• Do you or a loved one have trouble communicating your wants and needs? • Does your child have trouble being understood by his or her friends? • Do you or a loved one have trouble thinking of words for things? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you may benefit from speech-language therapy from a licensed speech-language pathologist (SLP). People often associate speech-language services with children and adults who need articulation therapy. In fact, SLPs provide those services—and much more. According to the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA), SLPs are the only healthcare professionals who are specifically educated and prepared to evaluate and treat patients of all ages who have speech, language or swallowing problems. Correcting or reducing these problems can have a dramatic, positive impact on quality of life.

Improving communication skills Speech-language therapy helps people express what they want to say and understand what others are saying to them. These communication skills are the fundamental building blocks of success in personal, academic and professional relationships. People who can’t communicate can’t express their thoughts, feelings and ideas and often end up feeling isolated and depressed. For children, speech-language therapy can improve the ability to pronounce words correctly and to use language to express themselves. Speech therapy also can address reading and oral comprehension difficulty as well as speech problems such as stuttering. Adults often receive speech-language therapy to help them regain skills lost through illness or injury. For these patients, successful speech-language therapy can help restore independence and enable them to take a more active role in managing their medical care. Treating swallowing disorders SLPs play a primary role in evaluating and treating infants, children and adults who have swallowing and feeding disorders. Swallowing skills are essential to maintain proper nutrition and hydration and to enjoy the social pleasure of dining with others. For patients who have difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), that enjoyment is often replaced with worries about coughing or choking and the resulting embarrassment. Of even greater concern is the possibility of infection if food or liquid enters the patient’s airway during swallowing. This can result in aspiration-related pneumonia, a serious complication that must be addressed immediately. Where to turn for help Saratoga Hospital offers comprehensive speech-language therapy through its Regional Therapy Center. For more information, call The Regional Therapy Center at 583-8383 or go to www.saratogahospital.org. You can also learn more about speech-pathology services and the role of SLPs at www.asha.org. Jean Wisniewski and Jeanne K. M. Junjulas are New York State-licensed speech-language pathologists at the Regional Therapy Center of Saratoga Hospital. Both have earned ASHA certification, the internationally recognized credential for speech-language pathologists.

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Unique Places & Creative Spaces

Vermont’s Best-Kept Secret * starchitect [noun]: a standout architect whose reputation reaches celebrity, stardom Story by Yael Goldman Photos by ©stockstudiosphotography.com

arved into the bucolic hills of Hawk Mountain Resort in Plymouth, VT, is a geometric masterpiece – a home secretly built in the spirit of the greatest American *starchitect. With all its clean lines, vantage points and nature-inspired details, this contemporary home is reminiscent of Frank Lloyd Wright, an early 20th century architect with vision light years ahead of his time. In July 2010, precisely a century after Wright designed and created the famous Robie House, Michael Clarke, a man with a lifelong fascination with the starchitect’s vision, calmed excited nerves before beckoning his bride Annie to Hawk, where a 9,325square-foot, four-bedroom surprise was waiting for her. It took five years to build. “She almost fainted when we pulled in,” he said. “She was in a mild state of shock.” The story of how this couple arrived at that moment is, as Michael describes it, a tale of two emotions: “It’s a love story and a tale of passion.” When Michael purchased the 4.5 acre plot, he didn’t have any plans. He was simply

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drawn to Hawk. Years later, in 2005, he faced a decision: to sell or to build. At the time, Michael and Annie, who have now been married 10 years, were considering a second home, but couldn’t find anything that matched their taste. Michael, who has a background in risk management (he worked with “the biggest and best” architects and engineers), already owned the Hawk property and knew the location was perfect. So, he made the executive decision to build, and said not a word to Annie. “Love” is the why of this story: the home was a gift for his wife. But on the other hand is the “passion” behind what Michael decided to build: a prairie style home that paid tribute to the starchitect he’d so long admired. Frank Lloyd Wright designed houses as works of art, mixing elements of Japanese architecture, the prairie style and of nature. World-renowned homes like Fallingwater in Pennsylvania (1935), the Robie House in Chicago (1910) and the Martin House in Buffalo (1903), were meant to look as if they had appeared naturally, or had grown within their surroundings. This was accomplished with a unique “grammar,” a remarkable attention to detail that was disciplined in all aspects – in everything from the materials and furnishings to the way the client was meant to live inside. As defined in “The Natural House” by Frank Lloyd Wright, a text published in 1954 by Bramhall House, “Every house worth considering as a work of art must have a grammar of its own. ‘Grammar,’ in this sense, means the same in any construction – whether it be of words or of stone or wood. It is the shape-relationship between the various elements that enter into the constitution.” From this grammar, Wright’s lega-

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Unique Places & Creative Spaces cy grew beyond the structures he brought to life in the early 1900s to the designs of contemporary architects who find inspiration in his work. For Michael, building his dream house for his dream girl commanded a particular kind of a talent – an architect who could adopt Wright’s century-old vision, create a new grammar, and use it to tell a modern love story. He found a stellar design team: architect Daniel Pratt of Robert Carl Williams Associates, Hudson Falls interior designer Kendall McKernon of McKernon Design, and Rick Moore of Moore Construction among a handful of other talented players – contractors, artists, suppliers – all of whom were sworn to secrecy. Together, they created a home that is not a replica of any particular Wright structure, but a conglomeration of many elements and a reinvention of multiple themes. It meets all of the aesthetic and emotional criteria. The project commanded an unprecedented attention to detail, great research, presentation and revision. Every solid square inch of the property, even the airspace, was to be carefully programmed into Michael’s vision for Annie. “We spent equal time on everything. Every single area was thought about and nothing was left to chance,” McKernon said, explaining that the team worked harmoniously to make sure that every material, paint color and piece of furniture made sense together. Pratt, who has his own appreciation for Wright, visited a number of the starchitect’s homes to capture the emotion and to take measurements. He wanted the design and other elements, like sconces and windowpanes, to be as accurate as possible – not only in their proportions but in the way

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they contributed to the overall feel of the home. It’s a matter of listening to the client,” Pratt said. “There are so many subtleties in this design.” The “subtleties” are too detailed and varied to count, but they’re incredible and a significant part of what makes the Clarke home so special. Beautiful hardwood floors run throughout an open floor plan on the main floor, where natural light seeps in through skylights and floor-to-ceiling windows. A large foyer decorated with Wright-inspired sprites and local artwork, gives way to the main floor, where you’ll find the kitchen, dining room, master suite and a quiet sitting area. A mix of arts and crafts furniture, rustic elements and original artwork fit naturally into the space. As Annie describes, the pieces are well-done but not luxurious: “It’s beautiful furniture and it’s substantial but not overwhelming,” she said. “I am very pleased with it.” The details continue with built-in cabinets and shelves that line the hallways, and a cozy stone fireplace that stands proudly at the center of the main level. Together, the polished hardwoods, stone, furniture and sunlight make for a clean and inviting setting that feels natural and warm. And it’s all situated within an open floor plan that was designed to provoke clear-headedness: one can stand anywhere in house and see somewhere else. “No view is obstructed,” Pratt said. A blue glass staircase cascades through the core (a tribute to Wright’s Fallingwater), from the third-floor library loft down to the ground level, where the Clarke’s living space doubles. There are three nicknamed bedrooms with private bathrooms, a curiously expansive wine cellar and tasting room, a bar for entertaining that opens into a game room, and a large workout area equipped for a stationary pool.

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Unique Places & Creative Spaces Like the spaces above, the rooms on the ground floor are decorated with sturdy, natural pieces of furniture and somewhat rustic artwork. A multi-colored, stained concrete accent at the bottom of the stairs looks like an area rug, and secures a strong, stylistic connection between the downstairs spaces and the rest of the house. Out of the entire house, Michael said the ground-floor laundry room is Annie’s favorite, although I’m sure she’d beg to differ. It depends on the season, but Annie enjoys most of her time in the outdoor spaces: in a threeseason room, called “Annie’s Cozy” that is suspended over the pond, separately from the rest of the house. Michael designed it just for Annie; it’s her private space to read and relax. And, just above the cozy, is another preferred space: an expansive deck that extends from the living spaces on the

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Unique Places & Creative Spaces

main level, and accounts for 1,076 square feet of the more than 9,000-square-foot home. In the winter, Annie favors the quiet sitting area on the main floor and the library loft. She said she likes the views of the verdant surroundings. Every element of the Clarke house creates a strong connection between spaces. In every room, you’re aware of exactly where you are – there is no hideaway, or misfit space that feels like it belongs somewhere else. And just as every part of the home was designed to complete the whole, the house itself contributes to its surroundings. It cooperates with nature, welcomes conversation and encourages relaxation, and it seems like that’s Annie’s favorite part. As for Michael, one would assume that his favorite piece of the home is the story behind it. His eyes light up when he talks about the process and the big surprise. Michael went to great lengths to keep Annie out of the loop. For five years, he kept all emotion and discussion of the project within the confines of his team. He snuck away from work to make clandestine meetings in Vermont, hushed conversations even when Annie was miles away, and imagined 1,000 new ways, or little white lies, to avoid any suspicion. By July 2010, the intricate plot had thickened and Michael was ready for the unveiling. He brought Annie to Hawk under somewhat fictitious pretenses, luring her to the spot where she’d expect to find the same wooded plot she’d last seen years before. There, in place of what she remembered, was an artistic vision; she saw her husband’s passion for Wright, one that she’d grown into as well, translated into a fantastic structure that was all hers. A bright red bow on the door signaled ‘Honey, you’re home.’

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Poet

ElaineHandley:

B O O K M A R K

Extraordinary Words Every Day

“I want to speak of everyday occurrences:stirring soup, smelling snow before it comes, reveries of the dishpan,the heart-in-the-mouth plunge of a common crow.” - From “Weather”

Story by Helen Susan Edelman Photo Provided “People are afraid of poetry,” says Elaine Handley, who is not. “The genre is not embraced today like it was in the past when Edna St. Vincent Millay was a rock star. I think it’s perceived as being too intellectual, too vague, not accessible.” But Handley’s poetry is not merely accessible, it’s within reach, an enlightening destination. Her word images draw on familiar feelings and experiences, immersing the reader in a resonant phrase or idea that evokes a sense memory: “The mountains cradle the last morning mist between them, like parents who’ve brought the baby to bed.” - From “Silver Bay Lullaby” “I never know what’s going to come up,” says Handley. “Writing centers me. I base my work in the physical world because human beings are sensory creatures and we have to write concretely to communicate.” Indeed, what could be more concrete than the natural grandeur of the Adirondack Mountains, a frequent inspiration and setting for Handley’s work. Her moments in their rocks and grasses are personal, but the words she chooses to memorialize them invite readers to imagine it too; the pines are “stoic,” the loons “call out unanswered questions,” gardens “gloat” in their “bloomy need for tangles and chaos,” mountains “keep their distance,” insects “wake up groggy” in the spring, and 80 | Simply Saratoga

fireflies “extinguish their lights and go to bed.” “The power of poetry is to capture an emotion or a moment that connects someone to their own life,” says Handley. Sometimes a single idea or mental image begs to become a poem, sometimes, admits Handley, “a subject picks me. For example, on Christmas Day I saw Queen Anne’s Lace encrusted in ice and a poem about grief came out of it. And, I was moved to write, really affected, when I heard the weight of my father’s heart after his autopsy.” The themes of grief, disappointment or longing are not unusual in Handley’s work, which belies the wide-eyed, elegant, gentle, witty joy

ing than this verse from “October”? “My little boy makes small animal noises in his sleep and by day he’s restless with a longing he can’t speak. He plays in the leaves, comes to me crying and says “I don’t know why Mommy.” In fairness and in contrast, Handley writes about hope and resilience in such compelling lines as exist in “Mary Brown’s Refusal”: “The white clover recovers from footsteps crushing it, and the pond wears its silk sheath again when the storm passes.” Her brand of melancholy is not alienating, but comforting, keeping readers company in their own sorrows, whispering, “You are not alone.”

The Student Connection

Elaine Handley with her husband, writer Robert Miner of the woman’s presence. “I do worry that my poems are dark. But I think writing is the way I process those feelings, which everyone experiences. I try to force myself to try to write ‘lighter,’ but that’s not how it comes out. I am definitely not a depressed person.” (She lives, quite happily, on top of a steep hill on the edge of woods and gardens, with her husband, Bob Miner, who is also a writer.) What, for example, could be more heartbreak-

Handley, who is also a full-time professor at SUNY Empire State College — which serves primarily adult students who also have commitments to work, family and civic activities — has been mentoring students in writing since 1992, “encouraging them,” she says, “to express themselves in poetry, which is a wonderful genre. But it’s a hard sell.” One population she focuses on is veterans and others who have been affected by war. “War is unfathomable to me, a mixture of bravery and barbarism, where the best of people and the worst of people come out,” says Handley. She believes writing is a healing process, and has seen aching poetry and prose from her veteran students, leading her to contemplate big questions: “Why can’t we stop engaging in war – why do human beings keep repeating it? Is it possible to live peacefully? Are human beings inherently violent? I am coming to some scary conclusions.” “The world is confusing and chaotic, never more so than when we are at war,” Handley notes. Listening to returning veterans recount their experiences has led Handley to the realization that “literature has two functions: to serve as SaratogaPublishing.com

a mirror or to serve as a lamp. It can show us how we do live or it can show us how we might live. I want to explore the tension of these extremes, using war as a subject, visual art as the springboard and poetry as the medium of resolution.” She knows that being asked to write is a challenge for students whose relationship with the world has not been language driven, so Handley signed up for a watercolor painting class which, she says, “keeps me honest. I know how my students feel – frustrated in an unfamiliar medium.” “Students who have been to war are not the same as other students,” says Handley. “A student told me he had recently returned from Afghanistan, where he had been shot. He was very young, had spiked hair and did not look like someone who already had been to war. In fact, he looked like my teenage son. But he told me he felt very old and couldn’t imagine going to a college with his chronological peers. ‘I guess I’ve seen too much,’ he told me. Encounters like this fuel my interest. I don’t like the wars we are in, but my tax dollars do pay to fund them, and I have a responsibility to understand war and to help the warriors understand themselves.” Handley took up her own pen as a poet at age 12, in Portville, NY, a rural community of about 2,000 in the Appalachian foothills. “My English teacher believed in me,” recalls Handley, who has a B.A., three master’s degrees and a Doctor of Arts. “She talked to me about college, about graduate school. She is why I became a teacher.”

Dedication and Creativity Handley’s dedication and creativity has been broadly recognized within her professional community, where she has been honored with the prestigious SUNY system-level Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, and, at the college, the Outstanding Mentoring Award selection to be a Scholar Across the College, a highly selective program enabling chosen faculty members to share their work with colleagues at the college’s nine centers across the state, and abroad, where Empire State College also serves students; by publishers, in chapbooks, including “Tear of the Clouds,” “Three Poets on These of Love, Death and Sex, “Notes from the Fire Tower,” “Glacial Erratica,” “Winterberry, Pine,” and “Letters to My Migraine;” and by the New York State Council on the Arts, which gave her a grant to work on a novel. She was also the recipient in several years of prizes from the Adirondack Center for the Arts for “Best Book of Poetry.” Several of her prize-winning chapbooks were collaborations with local residents Marilyn McCabe and Mary Sanders Shartle. “Poems can articulate how extraordinary things, often another’s anguish or even death, are going on all about us as we are immersed in ordinary daily activities and taking no notice,” Handley remarks. “Poetry calls on both the imagination and critical skills, on both nuanced language and attention to detail.” Continually seeking to enrich and deepen her own inner consciousness as well as her public oeuvre, Handley integrates her discoveries along life’s pathway in poetry. Her own words, in “Dance of the Fishes,” best capture the direction of her journey: “We look at the sunset, pick up our pack, and walk on. Somewhere far into the mountains there is sweet music, and that’s where we head.”

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financial advisor

Things

Professional Women Should Know About Their Financial Future

Story by H. Michael Okby, first vice president, wealth advisor The Okby Group at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney

Anticipate that you are likely to live a long life, and plan accordingly. In fact, according to U.S. Census Bureau statistics, a woman who reaches age 50 today without serious health problems can anticipate celebrating her 92nd birthday. Women in the United States, on average, will live to reach 81.1 years of age, compared with men’s life expectancy of just 76.2. 1 So if you’ve always left money matters to your husband, start learning why you need to know how to manage on your own. Beware of being overly conservative in your investments. While there is a correlation between your age and the amount of risk you should assume when investing, being too conservative can seriously erode the value of a retirement account. You may need to rely on this money for 30 years or more. That’s why you should think of retirement as a long-term investment. Consider keeping a significant portion of your portfolio in stocks, as long as possible. Pay yourself first. Invest for your future now. By investing systematically over a period of time, you will be surprised how fast your nest egg can grow. Hypothetically, if at age 25 you began investing about $5,000 per year ($417 per month) and earned an 8% return, you could build a nest egg of about $1.3 million at age 65. Choose an IRA that’s right for you. Take advantage of complimentary IRA and pension calculators, or ask your financial advisor to run a calculator for you, to compare the projected results of contributing to different types of accounts, including transferring assets from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. Fund your IRA, 401(k) or other employer-sponsored program to the maximum. You can build up a good portion of your retirement savings if you contribute the maximum allowable amount into deferred income plans, such as a 401(k). You will you reduce your current taxable income, and the tax-deferred compounding feature of these plans allows you to accumulate more than you would in a comparable account that taxes earnings each year. Remember this special Social Security tip: Even if you are divorced, you are entitled to half of your ex-spouse’s Social Security benefits if you are 62 or older, were married for at least 10 years and have not remarried.2 A widow, as long as she doesn’t remarry before age 60, is entitled to at least 71.5% of her husband’s Social Security benefits. If she waits until full retirement age, she is entitled to 100%. For more information on your particular circumstances, call the Social Security Administration at 1-800772-1213. If you are employed and decide to switch jobs, check your complete benefits package, including the portability and vesting rules of your retirement plan. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that, on average, working women over age 25 switch jobs every 4.8 years.3 This job-change frequency often limits the growth of retirement plan assets due to vesting requirements typically set at five years. 82 | Simply Saratoga

Investigate your employer’s tuition reimbursement benefits. In the Employee Benefit Research Institute’s 2011 Retirement Confidence Survey, 74% of workers said they expected to work for pay in retirement.4 Going back to school to develop “secondary employment skills” or to learn a new field can be a tremendous benefit if you choose to make a career or job change at a later date. Consider long-term care health insurance. Since the cost of spending a year in a nursing home can exceed $100,000 in some parts of the country,5 and the average duration of care is about three years,6 you could face unplanned expenses of at least $300,000 in retirement. Plan ahead to make sure you don’t leave everything to Uncle Sam. If you expect to leave something to your heirs, establish an appropriate estate plan. Without proper planning, estate taxes, state taxes and income taxes on retirement plan distributions could reduce your estate substantially. Essentially, your heirs may receive only a fraction of what you’ve worked so hard to accumulate. Call your financial advisor to discuss your goals. To build a financial strategy that will help you achieve your ideal retirement, consult with your legal, tax and financial experts regularly.* Footnotes 1 The World Bank, life expectancy charts, http://search.worldbank.org/data?qterm=life%20expectancy&language=EN. 2 Age 60 if your ex-spouse is deceased, 50 if you are disabled. Dana Anspach, “Key Things to Know About the Social Security Spouse Benefit,” About.com, http://moneyover55.about.com/od/socialsecuritybenefits/a/socialsecuritys pousebenefit.htm. 3 Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor, “Number of Jobs Held, Labor Market Activity, and Earnings Growth Among the Youngest Baby Boomers: Results From a Longitudinal Survey,” Sept. 2010. PDF available at http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/nlsoy.pdf. 4 Retirement Confidence Survey, Employee Benefit Research Institute, 2011, http://www.ebri.org/publications/ib/index.cfm?fa=ibDisp&content_id=4772. 5 Genworth 2009 Cost of Care Survey, page 6. PDF available at http://www.genworth.com/content/genworth/us/en/products/ long_term_care/long_term_care/cost_of_care.html. 6 Ibid. * Bonus step. For More Information If you’d like to learn more, please contact H. Michael Okby at 518-583-5601.

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