Cover Story:
A perfect place to picnic
FamilyNow CAPITAL DISTRICT
Vol. 1 | June 2020 | FREE
GENERATIONS TOGETHER
Life in the unknown Remembering D-Day
Adoption in the age of Coronavirus
cdFamilyNow.com June 2020 — cdFamilyNow.com 1
2 Family Now — June 2020
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Editor’s desk
A publication for FamilyNow your family now CAPITAL DISTRICT
GENERATIONS TOGETHER
For every age and stage of family life.
June 2020
The Capital District family has changed, and so have we
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elcome to the very first edition of Family Now, a Capital District publication for every generation of family life! We admit that this might be a strange time to chart new territory by launching a publication amid a pandemic, but we are confident that our readers will see the value in what we are doing. Our decision to combine Capital District Parent Pages with Capital District Senior Spotlight into Family Now was in recognition of the way family life is more intergenerational than ever before — often with multiple generations living under the same roof. In our pages, you will find stories and articles that will appeal to every age and interest. In this issue, you’ll find your timely columns from local writers, including 24-Hour Shift, Triple Threat, A Patriot Remembers, Retiring Retirement and more. In future issues, we’ll be bringing back an events calendar, as well as the activities listings for local senior centers. Even more refinements are on the horizon as we get our feet under ourselves, along with the rest of the Capital District. We hope you enjoy this inaugural issue of Family Now, and we welcome your thoughts and suggestions. Thank you for reading Family Now. Check out our articles and resource listings at www.cdfamilynow.com and mail your story ideas and pictures to Capital District Family Now, P.O. Box 100, Delmar, NY 12054, or e-mail us at robertsk@ spotlightnews.com. Kristen Roberts Editor, Capital District Family Now
Features
Pick a picnic spot
14-15
Columnists 24-Hour Shift
4
Let’s Cook
7
Triple Threat
8
A Patriot Remembers
17
Social Security Corner
18
Retiring Retirement
19
What’s new Kids fun page Adults puzzle page
6 20
Resources Camp listings
10
publisher - John McIntyre editor - Kristen Roberts editor-at-large - Michael Hallisey advertising sales - Denice Mau art director - David Abbott graphic design - Martha Eriksen Engagement Coordinator - Kaitlin Lembo
Editor-at-Large Michael Hallisey shares some of the top local picnic spots on Pages 12-13. Albany’s Washington Park, pictured here, makes the list.
Capital District Family Now is a unit of Community Media Group LLC. Published monthly. Deadline for advertising and calendar events is the 5th of the month preceding publication. Display advertising rates are available on request. Capital District Family Now reserves the right to refuse advertising for any reason. We do not guarantee any of the information, services or products published in this or any issue. The opinions expressed by the contributors do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this paper. © Copyright Capital District Family Now. No portion of Capital District Family Now may be reproduced without written permission from Community Media Group LLC.
June 2020 — cdFamilyNow.com 3
The 24-hour shift
parenting is a full-time job
Adoption in uncertain times
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There may be pros and cons to the virtual tools used during the global health pandemic
ike many other families, foster/adoptive families have had to make drastic changes these past few months. They have had to navigate things like visitations, check-ins from the social worker and family court appearances – all within the confines of the changing Coronavirus restrictions. Many things, such as finalizing adoptions, have been done via video chat platforms. Social distancing is practiced and PPE is used when in-person meet-
ings are necessary. The difficulty in this approach is, of course, accessibility to appropriate devices and the Internet, in addition to keeping children’s and families’ rights at the forefront as much as possible.
children home. Again, all of this is being done in observance of protocols and laws for both countries.
by
There has been a lot of “rethinking” in our state. When this health crisis ends, where does fostering/ adoption go from here? Will these processes be changed as well? Is it possible that most of the fostering and adoption processes will remain on
Theresa Davis
Overseas adoptions have been greatly affected. Traveling while social distancing and travel bans have played havoc with finalizing adoptions and bringing
virtual platforms? Or are the old practices best? Is it possible to combine the two to make the fostering and adoption processes smoother? In the end, only time will tell, but for now it seems with everything else, we are still left with more questions than answers. Theresa Davis is a former early childhood educator and has worked in childcare centers for more than 15 years. She is also an adoptive mother, living and taking care of her family in the Capital District.
When this health crisis ends, where does fostering/adoption go from here? Will these processes be changed as well? Or are the old practices best? Is it possible to combine the two to make the fostering and adoption processes smoother? Toddler • Early Childhood • Elementary • Middle School
MAKE SURE THEY’RE IN THE RIGHT CAR SEAT
NHTSA.gov/TheRightSeat
Get the word out!
Engaging, educating and inspiring children ages 18 months to 14 years old
List your local event or meeting in our monthly calendar
Send calendar submissions by the 5th of the previous month to:
Apply Now for
Capital District Family Now, Attn: Calendar, P.O. Box 100, Delmar, N.Y. 12054 or Email: robertsk@spotlightnews.com
FALL 2020
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100 Montessori Place • North Greenbush 518.283.5400 • woodlandhill.org
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CAPITAL DISTRICT
GENERATIONS TOGETHER
picture books
On the Bookshelf
Colorful tales made in the shade ‘Everyone’s Awake’
‘The Nest That Wren Built’
By Colin Meloy;
By Randi Sonenshine;
illustrated by Shawn Harris In this house, when everyone stays awake at night, things get very strange, what with Mom on the roof, and Grandma playing cards with the ghost of long-dead Grandpa Paul, and even the dog and cat are acting weird. What will happen when morning finally comes? Chronicle Books
illustrated by Anne Hunter In the rhyming style of “The House That Jack Built,” this poem about the care and specificity that Carolina wrens put into building a nest is at once tender and true to life. Candlewick Press
‘Green on Green’ By Dianne White; Illustrated by Felicita Sala A child is on a colorful journey through the seasons, filled with yellow flowers and blue coral in spring and summer and orange pumpkins and green pine forests in fall and winter. All the while, there is another colorful change on the horizon: the birth of a new sibling. Simon & Schuster
To all of our
A Heartfelt Thank You!
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ESSENTIAL WORKERS
June 2020 — cdFamilyNow.com 5
n u F s d i K e g a P
CROSSWORD
ACROSS 1. In nature 5. Small amount 6. Sick 7. Small fight 9. Take delight in 10. Above South Dakota (abbr.) DOWN 1. Not in the house 2. Walking path 3. Done in the open 4. Recreation 8. Enjoyable
ACROSS: 1. Oudoors 5. Trace 6. Ill 7. Tiff 9. Enjoy 10. ND DOWN: 1. Outside 5. Trace 3. Overtly 4. Rec 8. Fun
Coloring Fun
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Let’s Cook! by
Jodie Fitz
Go bananas for this chill treat
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t’s nice to finally welcome sunny summer days and laid-back afternoons outside, but when the mercury starts to climb, a frosty snack hits the spot.
This recipe, which is fun for families to prepare together, packs a potassium bunch with its superstar ingredient – bananas. The recipe calls for frozen bananas, which are always handy to have in a pinch. Freezing bananas is also a good way to cut back on food waste – just pop your overripe bananas in the freezer to use later. Here are a couple of methods for freezing bananas. 1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and peel and slice the bananas before lying them flat on a baking sheet. Cover them with another piece of parchment paper and freeze. Once frozen, place the pieces in a bag and keep them in the freezer. 2. Can you freeze a whole banana? Yes, you can! Simply place a whole banana, peel and all, into the freezer. When you are ready to use it, let it thaw for a few minutes before peeling. Get more recipes from Jodie Fitz through the Price Chopper Kids Cooking Club at www.pricechopper.com. To learn more about her, visit www.jodiefitz.com.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream 3 frozen bananas ¼ cup peanut butter or nut-free alternative 2 tablespoons honey 1 teaspoon cocoa powder 1 teaspoon vanilla extract A pinch of cinnamon Freeze the bananas. In a separate bowl, stir the peanut butter or nut-free alternative, honey, cocoa powder, vanilla extract and a dash of cinnamon together. Place the bananas into a food processor or blender. Begin to blend the bananas. After the bananas are chopped up into small pieces, add the remaining ingredients into the blender or food
processor. Continue to blend until the mixture forms into a soft ice cream. Serve immediately. Suggested toppings: chocolate syrup, chocolate sprinkles, melted peanut butter, whipped topping, chopped nuts or chopped Reese’s candy.
I SHOULD PROBABLY GET A RIDE HOME. BUZZED DRIVING IS DRUNK DRIVING
We’re online!
FamilyNow CAPITAL DISTRICT
GENERATIONS TOGETHER
Be sure to visit our website…
cdFamilyNow.com
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Triple Threat
parenting triplets in the Capital District
What we don’t know ...
I
don’t know. I get so many questions every day from Olivia, Benjamin and Rebecca that I just don’t know the answer to because … you know, Coronavirus. When can we go to the park? When can I go over to my friend’s house? When can we go to synagogue? When? When? When?
Benjamin, Rebecca and Olivia are just kids, and they are going through something none of us were prepared to deal with and have never been through. This virus has hijacked so many people’s lives and stolen so many lives.
by
In the Steuer family, we value education. Going to school was priority one; it was their job. Now Rebecca, Olivia and Benjamin don’t go anywhere. Well, they go to the table where we eat and do school work, the kitchen, their beds, the playroom and their art studio. The last day of real school was March 13. Since then, they have learned how to
Jennifer Steuer
In light of the many Coronavirus-related restrictions, the Steuer trio has not been able to socialize with friends, classmates and clergy like they are used to.
I want to answer their questions with something other than I don’t know. I want answers, too. I don’t like this uncertainty any more than the parents, families, teachers, nurses, business owners, doctors, counselors and everyone else does. The anxiety and fear is overwhelming for us adults.
The staff at FamilyNow CAPITAL DISTRICT
GENERATIONS TOGETHER
wishes you a
8 Family Now — June 2020
Continued on Page 9
get into Google classroom, class chats and how to submit their work online. Zoom has helped my crew keep up with Hebrew School and the preparations for the B’nai Mitzvot. My kids haven’t seen any friends, classmates, clergy or teachers in real life in two months. Two months of no in-person social interactions. This is just 1 percent of their lives, but I see how it is affecting them. Twelve-year-olds should be around other kids and other people. Twelveyear-olds should be at school, the playground or at a friend’s house. There are six people in our house, and there are times we get tired of each other. When that happens, we have learned that a change of scenery is a good choice. My kids miss their friends, their teachers and the life they had up until March 13. “When can we go back to our normal life?” they ask. I don’t know. Going back to what was normal before this may not be possible, and I don’t know what a new normal will look like. I don’t know how to keep everyone safe and healthy after there are certain restrictions that are lifted. I don’t know. Life is simple right now. There are meals to be prepared, clothes still need to be washed, school work needs to be done, and there needs to be ways to just veg out. I don’t know the right balance. The family’s needs are my goals. I just don’t know how to keep everything pulled together. Even in a simple life, there can be conflicting appointments and needs that pull me in every direction.
We don’t go to the park. We don’t go to religious services. There are no lunch dates with Harlan. I can’t go with Harlan to his appointments. We don’t do what we used to do socially. We have been very lucky, so far. I don’t know if we will be lucky throughout this pandemic, but I will do anything I can to keep my family safe. Harlan was back in the hospital in April. I sat on my steps feeling pure panic as the ambulance doors closed with a hollow thud. The wheels started rolling and the lights came on as I panicked thinking I would never see my husband again. The father of my kids might not come home. Harlan had septicemia. After a week, Harlan walked out of the hospital. I don’t know how he was so lucky. Our hands are chapped and sore from washing and washing. We have done crafts. We cook and bake. We talk and tell stories. We laugh, cry, dream … and I feel guilty. I’m a Jewish mom, so I know guilt. I know that heavy feeling. I look at Olivia, Benjamin and Rebecca and I am so grateful that they are healthy. I watch the kids and see them changing. Physically they are healthy, but this pandemic will leave its mark. There is a never-ending prayer for healing simmering in my mind and on my lips. I pray for every family, because I believe that somehow that will help, but I don’t know. Jennifer Steuer is an Albany mom whose busy household includes her husband, Harlan, and 12-year-old triplets Olivia, Benjamin and Rebecca. Follow her on Instagram: jennifersteuer.
“When can we go back to our normal life?” they ask. I don’t know. Going back to what was normal before this may not be possible, and I don’t know what a new normal will look like.
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Give us a call today.
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I am grateful that my family is under one roof.
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n Triple Threat
518.377.2015
920 Albany St. • Schenectady
Ages 3-12
2020 Woodland Hill welcomes you to play, cook, create, and invent! Explore nature, tackle design challenges, play with clay, tap into your inner musician, become a reporter, launch rockets and more!
Space is limited. Register today!
June 22 - August 28 Woodland Hill Montessori School 100 Montessori Place • North Greenbush 518.283.5400 woodlandhill.org 112397_4
June 2020 — cdFamilyNow.com 9
2020 Summer Camps *In these uncertain times, please check with individual camp providers to see what’s still available. AFRIM’S Summer Camps Summer Action and Summer Soccer camps for ages 3-14. Full and half day. 636 Albany Shaker Road, Albany Call (518) 438-3131 or visit www.AfrimSports.com
Albany Academy Customized summer programs for students entering grades 3-8. Sports, arts, science and more. 135 Academy Road, Albany Call (518) 429-2300 or visit www.AlbanyAcademies.org
Albany Berkshire Ballet Dance camps and intensives for ages 4 to adult, beginner to professional. 25 Monroe St., Albany Call (518) 426-0660 or visit www.SchoolofABB.org
Capital District YMCA Nine convenient locations. From day camps to overnight camps to specialty camps, field trips and weekly themes, there is
1360 Albany St., Schenectady Call (518) 372-5282 or visit www.MerrittDanceCenter.com
something for everyone. Call (518) 869-3500 or visit www.CDYMCA.org
Ohav Shalom Nursery School
Circle of Friends Preschool Summer camp for ages 3-5 with locations in Delmar and Ravena. Delmar: (518) 478-0722 Ravena: (518) 756-3124 or visit www.CircleofFriendsPrek.com
Summer weekly themed camp for preschoolers ages 18 months to 5 years. Full or part-time availability. 113 New Krumkill Road, Albany Call Sheryl at (518) 489-4894 or visit www.OhavShalom.com/Early-Childhood
Drama Kids International Weekly full and half-day summer camps for ages 4-11. Call (518) 458-1313 or visit www.DramaKids.com
HVCC Kids on Campus Summer program with athletics, technology, Circus Theatricks, theater, summer academy and more. Visit www.HVCC.edu/kidscamps.com
Sylvan Robotics Camp For grades 2-6. Create and animate robots using Legos and WeDo software. Albany, (518) 869-6005: July 6-9 or Aug. 3-6 Clifton Park, (518) 373-7995: July 20-23 or Aug. 17-20
Temple Israel: Herman & Libbie Michaelson Early Childhood Education Center
Merritt Dance Center Dance camp from July 27 to Aug. 6 for dancers, acrobats and gymnasts.
600 New Scotland Ave., Albany Call Amie at (518) 438-7858, ext. 120, email AmieBloom@tialbany.org or visit www.tialbany.org
The Arts Center of the Capital Region Summer camps for kids ages 6-17 with cooking, pottery, stained glass, mixed media, photography and more Full or part-time. 265 River St., Troy. Call (518) 273-0552 or visit www.ArtsCenteronline.org
Woodland Hill Montessori Summer day camp for ages 3-12 with fun and creative play, music, arts, invent and exploration. 100 Montessori Place, North Greenbush Call (518) 283-5400 or visit www.WoodlandHill.org
Summer fun program for kids under 5 with creative play and activities.
HOW DO YOU STOP A MAN FROM HITTING HIS WIFE? TALK TO HIM WHEN HE’S 12.
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One in four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. You have the power to change that statistic. Teach the boys in your life how to have healthy relationships. Get conversation starters and tips at TeachEarly.org.
10 Family Now — June 2020
START THE CONVERSATION TODAY AT TEACHEARLY.ORG
F
A Father’s Day as unique as Dad
Holidays
ather’s Day, which is celebrated on the third Sunday in June, is rife with tradition in many households, but what do you give the dad who seemingly has it all? Maybe it’s time to think outside the box and look for some unique ways to honor your father this year. The following are some suggestions to get you started.
Highlight reel Do some covert digging through family photo albums to create a “This Is Your Life” highlight reel for Dad. Go back as far as possible, even looking through Dad’s baby photos if you can find them. This might be a collaborative effort, requiring the whole family to work together, but that can make for an enjoyable way for families to spend time together and see how Dad became the man he is today. Present the finished product at a family dinner on Father’s Day.
Make a list Another unique way to honor Dad is to compile a list of the many ways you are and will always be grateful for having him as a father. Adults honoring their fathers can cite specific examples they recall from childhood and young adulthood when Dad went above and beyond or served as a sounding board or shoulder to cry on. This is a great way to honor Dad and let him know all those sacrifices and special moments are still appreciated and will never be forgotten.
Participate in his hobby Dad likely has some favorite hobbies, such as playing a favorite
Start thinking of special ways to show Dad he deserves top billing. sport, boating, woodworking, or restoring a classic car. Asking to join in to learn the ropes of his favorite hobby can be an ideal way to spend time with Dad and show you care.
Tackle his chores Provide Dad a weekend off from his normal tasks around the house, if they are within your skill set. Volunteer to mow the lawn, weed the garden, run for groceries or get the car washed. You also may want to help him finish a project he
started but hasn’t yet completed.
Give him his space Dads often make sacrifices for their families, and this could mean compromising on his comfort and pleasure to ensure everyone else has what they need. Create a spot that is entirely his own. This may involve renovating the basement or garage for hobbies or hanging out. Even a free-standing shed in the backyard can be billed as a “Dad Zone,” giving your father a place to which he can retreat for some quiet. June 2020 — cdFamilyNow.com 11
On the Bookshelf
fiction
Pick up a summer page-turner ‘Saint X’
‘A Conspiracy of Bones’
By Alexis Schaitkin
By Kathy Reichs
When a brief but fateful encounter brings her together with one of the men originally suspected of killing her sister, Claire, hoping to gain his trust and learn the truth, forms an unlikely attachment with this man whose life is forever marked by the same tragedy. Celadon Books
It’s sweltering in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Temperance Brennan, still recovering from neurosurgery, is battling nightmares, migraines and what she thinks might be hallucinations when she receives a series of mysterious text messages, each containing a new picture of a corpse that is missing its face and hands. Scribner
‘The Night Watchman’ By Louise Erdrich This historical novel, based on the life of the author’s grandfather, traces the experiences of a Chippewa Council night watchman in mid19th-century rural North Dakota who fights Congress to enforce Native American treaty rights. Harper
FamilyNow CAPITAL DISTRICT
GENERATIONS TOGETHER
The Capital District family has changed -- and we are changing too. In recognition of the multi-generational nature of the modern household, we are merging Capital District Parent Pages with Senior Spotlight to create Family Now, a monthly publication with timely features for every age and stage of family life. With Family Now, readers will find all the great columns and features they already enjoy every month, plus so much more.
To advertise, please call Denice Mau at 518-439-4940 or email maud@spotlightnews.com. 112354_4
12 Family Now — June 2020
non-fiction
On the Bookshelf
Outdoors and more Gardening Your Front Yard: Projects and Ideas for Big and Small Spaces’
‘The Create-Your-Plate Diabetes Cookbook’
By Tara Nolan With her unique combination of DIY/ building savvy and gardening expertise, the author weaves you past the main pitfalls you may encounter when trying to fit a garden or gardens between your home and the street. Cool Springs Press
By Toby Amidor
‘Doghiker: Great Hikes with Dogs from the Adirondacks Through the Catskills’
This guide to planning effortless, diabetes-friend meals without counting, measuring, tracking or calculations shows how to build perfectly portioned meals to manage diabetes and support a healthy lifestyle. American Diabetes Association
By Alan Via A comprehensive guidebook that details 77 great hikes dog owners can take with their dogs, from the Adirondack Mountains through the Catskill Mountains, along with guidance on all aspects of dog ownership. Excelsior Editions
Add Your Event to our Monthly Calendar for Older Adults!
FamilyNow CAPITAL DISTRICT
GENERATIONS TOGETHER
Does your organization have an event of interest to older adults?
If so, we want to know about it! Events must be submitted via email to:
robertsk@spotlightnews.com
For more information, please email Kristen Roberts at robertsk@spotlightnews.com
CARE LINKS A program of CAPTAIN Community Human Services
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Deadline is the first of the month prior to publication. All listings must include date, time, location, contact information and any fees. Please do not exceed 90 words per item listing.
CARE LINKS VOLUNTEERS help drive senior citizens to medical appointments, grocery shopping, hair appointments, and fitness centers. Volunteers provide a friendly visit, help alleviate loneliness, and help seniors remain in their home as long as possible.
Call 518-399-4624 for more information. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED NOW IN CLIFTON PARK, HALFMOON, MECHANICVILLE, MALTA, AND BALLSTON.
June 2020 — cdFamilyNow.com 13
Picn
These five C a pleasant ba
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elcome to a summer like no other. As the Capital District slowly and cautiously opens for business, many of our traditional summer activities have been modified to promote the social distancing the CDC recommends to contain the spread of Coronavirus. But with the warm weather beckoning us outside and travel not on the radar for many, a change of scenery is always welcome. A good old-fashioned picnic is a great way to enjoy the weather and time with family or friends while minimizing exposure. Picnics also appeal to every generation. The kids can run around and stretch their legs while the grown-ups relax and catch up on some leisurely conversation.
by
Mich Hall
Sound like a plan? Then pack your picnic basket and head to one of the Capital District parks for a perfect afternoon.
Washington Park Think of the aspects of Washington Park that make it an attractive destination. The expansive green space inside greater Albany is one of the oldest urban parks in the country. It has lured production companies from Hollywood. In an ordinary year, it invites upcoming musicians each spring. Patrons of the arts can enjoy the Bard’s work from underneath the dark canopy of a summer’s night. And, it has inspired the composition of a contemporary orchestral work.
14 Family Now — June 2020
nic perfect
Capital District parks will provide ackdrop to your afternoon outing
y
Washington Park is tethered to the heartbeat of our Capital City. Festivals celebrating the family, the heritage and the humanity found here are aesthetically framed by some of the most beautiful architecture in the city. The Lark Street community that neighbors the park is so culturally diverse with its choice of eateries and beautiful brownstones dating back to the late 19th century, it has prompted some visitors to call it the “Greenwich Village of the Capital District.” Two state governors retired within this neighborhood, and many of the brownstones still maintain a luxurious look today.
hael lisey
Washington Park provides that rare marriage between natural seclusion and urban exploration. You can drop a blanket down on its green grass and expect as private a moment as with any of our area picnic spots. What makes it that more special is you can plan for this picnic by bringing your own food, or order a poke bowl and find a spot to eat. There is no wrong answer here.
Jerry Jennings Landing Some people scoffed at then-Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings’ idea to construct a footbridge that would allow Albanians to return to the Hudson River, but the idea worked. Home to the city’s annual free concert series Alive at Five and its burgeoning Dad Fest, this riverside park boasts a concrete amphitheater that faces both the river and an ever-changing Rensselaer city skyline.
Headlining musicians and our Grammy-Award winning Albany Symphony Orchestra have played here in the summer. When silent, it’s still the place for walkers, joggers and bicyclists to continue their jaunts on a trail that now connects New Scotland and Bethlehem to Albany, Cohoes and Rotterdam Junction. Jennings Landing is a popular spot for families, lovers and artists alike. It is not uncommon to catch fire dancers and hula hoop performers enjoying the juxtaposition of Albany’s cityscape with the trees flowing toand-fro to the summer breeze. There’s also ample parking, whether you choose to park your car on Broadway, on Sway Street or in the parking lot before Colonie Street.
William D. Chamberlain Riverfront Park Outsiders have called Troy by a lot of different names over the years, many of which haven’t been flattering. A real estate boom has lifted the downtown area to such a degree, it has drawn comparisons to a certain New York City borough. Kindhearted as the latter may be by some, it’s not welcomed: This is Troy. And, to be fair, you should be acquainted with
Continued on Page 14
OPPOSITE PAGE and TOP: Sunny days are made for picnics, and getting outside in the fresh air is good for the entire family. ABOVE and LEFT: Washington Park in Albany is a great mix of green space and urban architecture — and it’s dog friendly. Staff photos
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n Picnic Perfect continued from Page 15 what it has to offer. Troy took the best of Albany’s two exemplary parks and molded it into Riverfront Park. A concrete amphitheater faces west as the sun sets over the Hudson River. That’s usually when the city’s annual Rockin’ on the River concert series takes place. Crowds have rocked out to Moriah Formica, Skeeter Creek, Caroline Rose and more from this stage. On the flip side, it’s common enough to see yoga fanatics enjoying a more tranquil setting on Saturday mornings. Wedged between the Hudson River and Monument Square, Riverfront Park has a menagerie of sights surrounding your picnic spot. There are the various boats and yachts docked along the river side, of which the Collar City Bridge looms large and white as it spans across it. There are also
the brick facades of Victorian Age buildings that stand along River Street. That’s where you can find anything from a good mystery novel, a cup of coffee or a hard-to-find record album. You don’t always have to find yourself in the woods to enjoy a good picnic. And, if it rains, there’s a place up the river that serves good barbecue.
Albany Rural Cemetery This 400-acre cemetery was established more than a century ago as both a park and final resting place. And, a picnic here can allow you to boast that you were among Albany’s social elite — OK, maybe a little creepy. Joking aside, the cemetery is specifically designed for the leisurely visitor. It is renowned as one of the most beautiful of its kind, and does host prominent figures of our area’s past, including President Chester A. Arthur. In Arthur’s time, it was
Allison was bawling, she turned to me and said, ‘Mom, I got a D.’ It was the first time she called me ‘Mom.’
common for people to picnic at cemeteries. It was so prevalent, some communities considered law enforcement to step in to control the hordes of visitors. People may not be as inclined to pop a squat near a headstone and raise a toast to good health, but people do visit cemeteries as a pastime. Albany Rural Cemetery does not restrict it, but the attention to respect and cleanliness is expected. History buffs often visit to find the burial plots of some of the biggest names from our history. Visit albanyruralcemetery.org to learn more.
Central Park Rose Garden This month ushers in the roses, and there is no better place to stop and smell the flowers than at Central Park Rose Garden in Schenectady. It’s hard to believe, but this gem was nearly lost when the city’s parks department stopped maintaining
the park. It was nearly left in disrepair before the surrounding community took up the task in 1995. Today, it boasts 4,000 roses of more than 200 different varieties. These rose bushes surround a beautiful tiered fountain that is accompanied by a babbling brook and a spring pond that is often visited by songbirds. The Rose Garden is just a corner of a more expansive Central Park that includes the Music Haven stage. Though coronavirus-related shutdowns have eliminated live music events for the foreseeable future, Central Park has served as a place for recreation and entertainment for more than half a century. It’s also simple to see why this corner of the park has served as a backdrop to many wedding photos. It can be such a place for your family picnic, too. The writer is the former editor of Senior Spotlight and editorat-large for Family Now.
NO OUT-OF-POCKET Hearing Aids for
Empire Plan!
Lisa, adopted 16-year-old Allison
Robert J. LaCosta, BC-HIS
435-1250
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By appointment, please call:
Ear • Glenmont Plaza
Want to “draw“ more business online? To advertise on our website, call Denice Mau at 518-439-4949 Visit us at:
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16 Family Now — June 2020
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CAPITAL DISTRICT
A Patriot Remembers
D-Day revisited Someone was watching over Angelo Picarazzi
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Frank DeSorbo
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Angelo Picarazzi was 18 years old when he hit the shore of Normandy in 1944. He said he “ate a lot of sand that day,” but he survived to fight several more battles until wounded in village of Remagen. his “unit was so close to the enemy that they felt the bombs and trees falling.” On Dec. 23, 1944, he received his second shrapnel wound that kept him out of action for about 10 days. Then it was back to lines and into Germany as he crossed the Remagen Bridge before it collapsed. His group was fighting in the village when the bridge collapsed on U.S. engineers. On March 15, 1944 he was wounded in his leg. “I felt I was going to get hit that day, and that SOB in front of me wasn’t running fast enough.” The wound ended his combat duty. He spent eight months
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recovering, which left him with an “admiration for nurses.” His last two wounds occurred on two days before important holidays: Christmas and St. Patrick’s Day. I always felt his name Angelo was so appropriate because “he lived with the angels.” Every June 6, I have deephearted feelings for my friend, all veterans and that tragic and triumphant day of June 6, 1944. When I spoke for Angelo’s eulogy in June 2017, I ended it with “maybe you’ll see them in the next life.” The author is a Capital District resident and president of D-Day Revisited Association.
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orld War II the human body can do.” brought us milHis survival that day on lions of stories, Omaha Beach was the first of “The Greatest a 9-month journey through Generation” and memories France, that included the Hurtthat we must not let fade away. gen Forest and the Ardennes On June 4, 2011, I arranged a before his military service ended two-hour event to honor and with his third wound in the recognize our military veterans village of Remagen. During that who participated in the Norperiod, he saw action in major mandy Invasion – better known battles along the way. He told as D-Day of June 6, 1944. I me that the combat veterans produced booklets for the were the soldiers who first three years of the saw the enemy face event, and now I to face. by will create a book He fought of the events and in the Battle of my good friend St. Lo and the Angelo Picarazzi. Hedgerows, and He inspired he had a book that me to do many he used to pinpoint things, and some of a picture of the road his quotes still ring in he walked down. He said, my head. “many French people did not Angelo was in the 9th Infanlike the Americans and blamed try Division when he hit the us for ruining their town.” And shore on Day 3. Being a young he constantly reminded me, “I 18-year-old on the beach, he turned 19 years old in a foxhole said he “ate a lot of sand that during the Battle of St. Lo.” day.” He told me many times Then they walked from St. the driver of the Higgins Boat “was more afraid that we were.” Lo through the hedgerows and into Belgium. He received his When the gate dropped, he first wound on Aug. 4. He sunk with 75 pounds of gear. recovered and was sent back to He shed the gear and swam the lines and moved forward to the shore with nothing but into the Battle of the Bulge. He his clothes. He told me of the cursed our bombers because swim, “You’d be amazed what
KeepMovingWithStephanie.com June 2020 — cdFamilyNow.com 17
FamilyNow CAPITAL DISTRICT
GENERATIONS TOGETHER
UPCOMING
Monthly Deadlines July
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August
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Eligibility for spouse benefits Elizabeth Pivonka by
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ith more than 80 years of service, the Social Security Administration has helped secure today and tomorrow with financial benefits, information and tools that support you throughout life’s journey. Did you know that you may be able to receive benefits on your spouse’s record if you have not worked or do not have enough Social Security credits to qualify for your own benefits? To qualify for spouse’s benefits, you must be:
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• 62 years of age or older; or • Any age and care for a child who is younger than age 16 or who is disabled and entitled to receive benefits on your spouse’s record.
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Your full spouse’s benefit could be up to one-half the amount your spouse is entitled to receive at their full retirement age. If you choose to receive your spouse’s benefits before you reach full retirement age, you will get a permanently reduced benefit.
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If you wait until you reach full retirement age to receive benefits, you will receive your full spouse’s benefit amount – up to half the amount your spouse can receive. You will
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To advertise in one or more of these issues please call: Denice Mau at 518-439-4940 or email: maud@spotlightnews.com 18 Family Now — June 2020
Social Security Corner
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also get your full spouse’s benefit if you care for a child who is younger than age 16 or who has a disability and is entitled to receive benefits on your spouse’s record. If your benefits as a spouse are higher than your own retirement benefits, you will get a combination of benefits that equal the higher spouse benefit. For example, say Sandy qualifies for a retirement benefit of $250 and a spouse’s benefit of $400. At her full retirement age, she will receive her own $250 retirement benefit. We will add $150 from her spouse’s benefit, for a total of $400. Want to apply for either your or your spouse’s benefits? Are you at least 61 years and 8 months old? Visit www. ssa.gov/benefits/retirement to learn more about the process. Are you divorced, but your marriage lasted at least 10 years? You may be able to get benefits on your former spouse’s record. Explore more about your eligibility by visiting our Benefits Planner page at www.ssa.gov/planners/ retire/divspouse.html for more information. The author is with the Social Security Administration in Albany.
Want to apply for either your or your spouse’s benefits? Are you at least 61 years and 8 months old? Visit www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement to learn more about the process.
Retiring Retirement
A senior refined: Part 2 In Part I of this column, which ran in the March issue of Senior Spotlight, we learned that 66-year-old Fred Sumter’s background prepared him for the harsh realities that he faces in the eyes of angry and hurt young men at the New York State detention center, where he works as a Youth Development aide.
serves to elevate his expectancy for his retirement years.
stand from the comfort of their living rooms watching on flat screens the suffering of these “I’m looking ahead,” he lands,” he said. “It’s when you says. “I have more years behind me than ahead have your boots on the ground that you see the stark difference of me, so I don’t by have time to look between American society and no running water.” what I haven’t achieved. God Working within the correchas given me tional system has only reinhealth, resources, forced his desire to serve as a relationships and senior. experiences that can “The difference between fullpropel me toward the future, to do God’s will and to time work and retirement is the efinement.” It luxury of zeroing in on helping can come have a quality of life physion my terms both in task and with age. cally.” time,” he said. A good part of what speeds The compassion him past a retirement of leisure Robert J. LaCosta writes a and skill set that Fred Sumter is his experience from the mili- daily blog. Write him at norepcarried into detention work tary and mission trips. com@gmail.com or call (518) for the past two decades have 435-1250. distilled into a clarity that only “People can’t fully under-
Robert LaCosta
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Working within the correctional system has only reinforced Fred Sumter’s desire to continue serving people as a senior.
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Crossword Answers on page 22 Clues Down
1. Put fear into 2. Partner to corned beef 3. Interiors 1. __ fi (slang) 4. Anecdotes about a person 4. Agrees to a demand 5. No (Scottish) 7. Central Standard Time 6. __ Hess Corp. 10. Beverage receptacle 7. Ornamental molding 11. Football’s Newton 8. Garment 12. Be in debt 9. Electric car company 13. Tattles 13. Decimal digits in binary (abbr.) 15. Musician __ Lo 14. Gibbon 16. Arrange again 17. Sun up in New York 19. A binary compound of 18. __ the line carbon with a metal 20. A vale 21. Brazilian futbol great 22. Old Irish alphabet 23. Feared 27. A type of band 24. Annoy 28. A team’s best pitcher 25. Unit of heredity 29. Floor covering 26. Small freshwater fish 31. A __ in the machine 27. Muscular weaknesses 32. Supplement with difficulty 30. Fined 33. Prosecutors 34. One-time EU currency 37. Place in order 35. Egyptian unit of weight 38. Japanese lute 36. Winged horse 39. Mongolian city __ Bator 41. Increments 45. Abnormal rattling sound 40. Perceived 41. A cloth for washing dishes 46. Middle Eastern country 42. Chocolate cookie with white 47. A type of greeter cream filling 50. __ inning stretch 43. Grassy plain 54. Reaches 44. Barometer 55. More gray 47. Father 56. Football term 48. Of the ear 57. Swiss river 59. Ninth day before the ides 49. Thomas __, British dramatist l652-85 51. After eighth 60. Grow old 52. Where golfers begin 61. Don’t know when yet 62. College hoops tournament 53. Time units (abbr.) 63. Japanese monetary unit 58. Basics 64. Medical device 65. Antidiuretic hormone
CRYPTO F UN
Clues Across
Summer
WORD SEARCH
Solve the code to discover words related to THE BEACH. Each number corresponds to a letter. (Hint: 18 = a)
20 Family Now — June 2020
BBQ CAMPING ICE CREAM PICNIC POPSICLE SWING SUN BEACH FUN JUMP PLAY SAND SUNGLASSES VACATION HOT KITE POOL SUMMER SWIM
Cooking
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ariety is the spice to life, and having a goto selection of recipes at the ready can make everything from sit-down dinners to impromptu backyard barbecues that much easier.
When grilling for family and friends, mushroom and tofu burgers can be prepared specifically for vegan guests, but this versatile salad can be enjoyed by all and makes for a delicious side dish.
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Place chickpeas in a medium bowl. Coarsely mash with a potato masher, leaving some beans whole. Add celery, pickle and onion; stir to mix. Add mayonnaise and lemon juice; mix well. Taste and add 1/4 teaspoon salt or more, if desired. Sprinkle with pepper, if desired; mix well. Serve on bread with lettuce and tomato, if desired. Makes four servings. From “Vegan Cooking for Beginners.”
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FamilyNow CAPITAL DISTRICT
GENERATIONS TOGETHER
Email to: Kristen Roberts at robertsk@spotlightnews.com
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1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, rinsed and drained 1 stalk celery, chopped 1 dill pickle, chopped (about 1/2 cup) 1/4 cup finely chopped red or yellow onion 1/3 cup vegan mayonnaise 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1/4 teaspoon salt Black pepper Whole grain bread Lettuce and tomato slices
f you would like to showcase special events in our monthly publication, Please send them to us by the 5th of the month preceding publication.*
*Based on space availability
June 2020 — cdFamilyNow.com 21
Recreation
Spend your summer on water
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If you are new to kayaking, here are some tips to keep you safe
ayaking is a fun way to spend an afternoon, particularly in summertime. And it’s also a great activity that keeps you away from summer crowds. Kayaking is also accessible to outdoor enthusiasts of all ages – as long as you choose a body of water that is appropriate for your skill level and stamina.
and familiarize oneself with the nuances of paddling. Demeanor: Demeanor might not be a trait one normally associates with water, but looking at a body of water in this way can be a great way to determine if it’s the right place to start. If a body of water is raging, with choppy waters and rapid waves, then steer clear. If the water is calm, then it’s likely a safe spot for novices.
According to the Physical Activity Council, recreational kayaking is the most popular paddlesport in the United States, attracting more than 11 million participants each year. People who have never before been in a kayak may be tempted to follow the example set by millions of kayakers who take to the water every day when the weather permits, but safety should be a top priority for all kayakers, and especially for novices. A kayaking course can be a great way for novices to familiarize themselves with the basics of kayaking, including the best practices in regard to staying safe on the water. Local watersports retailers and recreational organizations that take watersports enthusiasts out on the water may offer safety
Traffic: New kayakers may be intimidated by crowds, but other kayakers can serve as something of a safety net for novices. Kayaking is a fun group activity, and novice paddlers should never go it alone. Variety: Steer clear of waters Kayaking is a popular activity that even novices can enjoy, especially when that allow power boats. Such they take certain measures to ensure their safety. courses, and these courses can be great resources while also helping people get their feet wet before paddling away. When kayaking for the first time, it’s important to choose the right type of water for your experience level. Rough, choppy waters can prove challenging to even the most skilled kayakers, and these same waters can be deadly
BRAINTEASERS ANSWERS
for novices. The following are some characteristics novice kayakers should look for in a body of water before pushing themselves and their kayakers into the current. Size: Avoid vast bodies of water, such as oceans, rivers or large lakes, until they gain more experience. Large ponds and small lakes can be great places to gain some experience
vessels can alter paddling conditions quickly, and that can put novices in potentially precarious positions. Stick to waters that allow only canoes or other boats that won’t affect water conditions.
Access: Until you are more comfortable in your kayak, stay close to shorelines so you have quick and simple access to land should they struggle to get acclimate to the water and being in a kayak.
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CRPYTO ANSWERS: A. beach B. sand C. tide D.coast
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24 Family Now — June 2020
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