SPRING 2021
@crlmagazine | crlmag.com
CAPITAL REGION LIVING Free
FLIP Edition!
s e i t s e B E L P PEO&CES PLA BRIAN CODY AND CHRISSY CAVOTTA
BRIAN & CHRISSY IN THE MORNING AND OTHER BESTIE WINNERS!
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WEEKEND GETAWAYS: DELMAR AND SUFFOLK COUNTY
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AMERICA’S NEXT TOP (DOG) MODEL
1111 Troy Schenectady Road, Route 7, Latham, NY www.keeler.com • (518) 785-4197
Thank You, Capital Region!
For voting SEFCU “BEST CREDIT UNION” Not a member yet? Almost anyone can join. Visit sefcu.com/JoinToday!
sefcu.com • 800-727-3328
Our Employees Make St. Peter’s Hospital
THE BEST
Thank you Capital Region Living readers for selecting us as the Best Hospital of the Capital Region.
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A heart surgery program ranked among the country’s most renowned institutions. A nationally accredited bariatric program and cancer center. The region’s only Center of Excellence in minimally invasive surgery. Specialized care for women and babies. Experienced professionals working together as a team - dedicated to creating a culture of excellence. We are truly grateful and honored by this award. Thank you for choosing St. Peter’s Hospital when you and your family need us most.
Find A Physician SPHP.COM/Find-A-Physician Join Our Team SPHP.COM/Employment
SAMARITAN HOSPITAL | ST. PETER’S HOSPITAL ST. PETER’S HEALTH PARTNERS MEDICAL ASSOCIATES | SUNNYVIEW REHABILITATION HOSPITAL | THE EDDY ALL DEDICATED TO DELIVERING HIGH-QUALITY, INTEGRATED CARE FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
Voted by you
Best Wedding Venue in the Capital Region
Thank you for voting for us! old daley on crooked lake 2339 NY- 43, Averill Park, NY 12018 (518) 674-3132 | olddaley.com
Voted by you
Best Caterer
in the Capital Region
Thank you for voting for us!
old daley custom catering 2 Northern Drive, Troy, NY 12182 (518) 235-2656 | olddaley.com
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After what has been a very long year, there is good news: Spring has NOT been cancelled! As the sun shines and the days get longer, local farms are starting to come alive, reminding us that light always follows the darkness. Things are looking so much brighter around here. With this rebirth, comes a renewed sense of hope. When all is said and done, it’s all about the people in our lives. We feel so grateful to be a part of an extraordinary and extensive community of local farmers, producers, makers, doers, and givers. We weathered the storm together — and together, we’re moving toward the sunshine. Let’s share this hope and keep taking care of each other. Say hello to someone you see everyday on the street, visit your favorite local restaurant, buy a farm share for the upcoming season, and shop for all of the great local stuff at your favorite co-op. Spread the love, spend local.
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Thank you for voting us this year’s Best Community Co-op and Best Health Food Store!
www.HonestWeight.coop
inside SPRING ISSUE 2021
The Besties 14
BRIAN & CHRISSY IN THE MORNING 16
PEOPLE & PLACES WINNERS 17
SCOTIA CINEMA 19
POST-LOCKDOWN PAMPERING 20
JUST THE ESSENTIALS 28
THACHER PARK 28
(Winners include Honest Weight Food Co-op, shown above)
32
PE T SP OT LI G H T: GEO RGI E 37
ONE WONDERFUL WEEKEND: DELMAR BY NATALIE MOORE 32
44
The Experts
TRAVEL: ALEXANDRA BAACKES WELLNESS: APRIL ARNOLD, BS, BA , MSW, LCSW
44
12 NE W AND NOW 48 BEFORE YOU GO: WILLIE & G. BY JOHN GRAY
ADVERTISING SECTIONS
31 PETS 34 HOME & GARDEN 42 WELLNESS 46 GETAWAYS
ON THE COVER: Brian Cody and Chrissy Cavotta, cohosts of WGNA’s Brian & Chrissy in the Morning, photographed by Sue MacDonald at the show’s Townsquare Media studio in Schenectady, NY.
(dog) BLUE IRIS PHOTOGRAPHY; (Thacher Park) DOUG KERR
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Shortcut Mushroom Spinach Risotto SERVES 2 Ingredients: 1 small
Onion, diced
2 cloves Garlic, minced 2 Tbsp. Hannaford Extra Virgin Olive Oil 1 cup
Mushrooms, chopped
1/2 cup Kitchen Basics® Unsalted Vegetable Stock 1 Tbsp.
Hannaford Reduced Sodium Soy Sauce
2 cups
Brown rice, cooked
1/2 cup Cedar’s® Original Hommus 1 (5 oz.) Bag Fresh Express® Baby Spinach 2 Tbsp. Hannaford Chopped Walnuts 2 tsp.
Fresh thyme leaves or 1/4 tsp. McCormick® Dried Thyme Leaves
Optional:
Cabot® Garlic & Dill Cheddar Cheese or parmesan cheese, shredded for garnish
Directions: 1. In a large saucepan, sauté onion and garlic in olive oil over low to medium heat. When onions are translucent, add mushrooms.
Risotto doesn’t have to be time-consuming and calorie-dense. Cut down on time and calories with this savory shortcut version that uses hommus to give the dish its classic creamy texture.
2. Add vegetable broth, soy sauce and cooked rice. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes and remove from heat. 3. Stir in hommus, baby spinach, chopped walnuts and thyme. When spinach has wilted, spoon into bowls and top with shredded cheese. Enjoy. Source: Recipe adapted from cedarsfoods.com
simply healthy from your Hannaford Dietitians Have questions about your health? Our team of registered dietitians offer free nutritional services online and in-store. Visit hannaford.com/dietitians to learn more.
2021_HL_CRL_March_7.625x10.125_2nd.indd 1
Nutritional Information: (optional ingredients not included) Amount per serving: Calories 560; Total Fat 29 g; Saturated Fat 3.5 g; Cholesterol 0 mg; Sodium 580 mg; Carbohydrate 65 g; Fiber 9 g; Protein 13 g; Total Sugar 6 g
2/19/21 12:13 PM
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THANK YOU!
CAPITAL REGION LIVING THE HEART OF THE EMPIRE STATE
Abby Tegnelia CEO
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Will Levith Steve Teabout MANAGING EDITOR Natalie Moore ART DIRECTOR
EDITORIAL INTERN
Max Weissman CONTRIBUTORS
April Arnold, Alexandra Baackes Jennifer Bannigan, Rachelle Booth Karen Bjornland, Alexx Bradley Mallory Bulman, Diane Chappell Francesco D’Amico, Carolyn Driscoll Dori Fitzpatrick, Diane Foster, John Gray Joey Greco, Kelly Heffernan Dustin Lanterman, Sue MacDonald Alex Marsal, Sandy Menzer Konrad Odhiambo, Barbara Pinckney Tara Buffa SALES MANAGER
PUBLISHER, SARATOGA LIVING
CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER SALES ASSISTANT
Annette Quarrier Tina Galante Tracy Momrow
EMPIRE MEDIA NETWORK, INC. Anthony R. Ianniello CHAIR
Abby Tegnelia PRESIDENT/CEO
Our members are THE BEST. We appreciate the recognition. Providing solutions that support your financial well-being is why we’re here. Know that we are committed to being the best we can be as we advocate for you. Bank where you matter most.TM
Tina Galante CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER
VOLUME 18, NO.2
422 Broadway, Suite 203 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 PHONE: 518.294.4390 FIND US ONLINE AT crlmag.com Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Many of the ads in this issue were created by Empire Media Network, Inc. and cannot be reproduced without permission from the publisher. ESTABLISHED 2003.
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From The Editors
I
THE BESTIES ARE BACK IN TOWN!
f this issue’s cover didn’t give it away— though we’re pretty sure it did—it’s Besties time! Welcome to the People & Places issue, the first of our two Besties issues in 2021, and the one in which we honor the Capital Region’s top shops, services, museums, media personalities and more, voted on by you. Enjoy thumbing through the current crop of stellar Besties winners and runners up (keep the issue for reference!). Plus: This year, we also handpicked standouts to spotlight in greater detail. Check out our features on WGNA’s Brian & Chrissy in the Morning (p. 14), John Boyd Thacher State Park (page 28), Scotia Cinema (p. 17), post-lockdown pampering picks (p. 19) and the essential businesses that have kept the Capital Region ticking throughout the pandemic (p. 20). Also in this issue find a jam-packed weekend itinerary for Delmar (p. 37), our travel writer’s most recent column exploring Suffolk County (p. 44), exclusive pet pics by Blue Iris Photography (p. 32) and, of course, John Gray (p. 48). Happy reading! —The Editors
(clockwise from top left) Bestie winners NEWS10 ABC’s Christina Arangio; Old Daley Custom Catering; The Animal Hospital.
S P R I N G 2 0 2 1 | C R L M A G . C O M | 11
NEW NOW AND
Kristen Wiig and Guy Fieri make star appearances in our latest roundup of the newest and now-est happenings in the Capital Region. BY WILL LEVITH
LAUGHS ON-DEMAND
Saratogian/Hollywood director Josh Greenbaum has released his first big-budget film, Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar, to a video-on-demand platform near you. Co-written by and starring Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumulo, who also gifted the world with the Oscar-nominated Bridesmaids, the film follows bosom buddies Barb and Star as they leave the comfort of their Midwestern homes for the first time ever. (Of course, hilarity ensues.)
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(Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar) CATE CAMERON
BARE IF YOU DARE
Nothing says “spring” like an early morning jog—and a delicious, rejuvenating smoothie afterwards. Clifton Park residents now have a new running destination: BARE Blends, a Capital Region–born franchise that has expanded from a single location in Stuyvesant Plaza to a second in Clifton Park’s Village Plaza (Latham and Saratoga locations are also imminent). Besides smoothies, BARE offers an array of smoothie bowls, wellness shots and fresh-pressed juices. Yum!
NEW NOW AND
BUILDING BLOCKS IN A BOX
COVID-safe couples retreat, anyone? Albany business partners Dr. Corey Jamison and Julie Bush have launched their well-timed DIY Marriage Retreat in a Box (diy-retreats.com), which starts at $119. What’s in each kit? Everything couples need to reaffirm their vows through exercises and conversation cards. Because even though you’ve only really spent about a year indoors with your significant other, it feels like 10,000 lifetimes.
WELCOME TO FLAVORTOWN
(food) GUY FIERI’S FLAVORTOWN KITCHEN; (inset) FOOD NETWORK
Say what you will about Food Network star Guy Fieri, but he’s been crushing it during COVID: The celeb chef has raised more than $20 million for out-of-work food and hospitality industry employees. And now he’s offering the Capital Region a one-way ticket to Flavortown with the opening of his delivery-only Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Kitchen, which is operating out of Buca di Beppo on Wolf Road in Colonie. Order cholesterol-filled favorites like the Bacon Mac N’ Cheese Burger and Bourbon Brown Sugar BBQ Wings.
S P R I N G 2 0 2 1 | C R L M A G . C O M | 13
Morning Masters
BESTIE-WINNING DUO BRIAN CODY AND CHRISSY CAVOTTA, COHOSTS OF WGNA’S BRIAN & CHRISSY IN THE MORNING, ARE JUST AS LIKABLE OFF THE AIR AS THEY ARE ON IT. Brian Cody and Chrissy Cavotta in the WGNA recording studio; (top left) the pair with country star Kane Brown; (bottom right) Brian and Chrissy have been cohosting a morning show together for nearly 15 years.
BY NATALIE MOORE
W
hen you listen to them on the radio, Brian Cody and Chrissy Cavotta, cohosts of WGNA’s Brian & Chrissy in the Morning, seem like people you’d like to be friends with. And when you meet them in person? Let’s just say that after less than two hours together, the three of us already had an inside joke. Brian, who was born and raised in Albany, knew he wanted to be in radio early on and got his degree from the Capital City’s New School Center for Media. He worked at a small radio station for a few months before being hired as a night host at pop station Fly 92.3 in 1993. The same year, Chrissy, a Mechanicville native with a teaching degree, accepted her first full-time radio job on Long Island. Over the next decade and a half, she’d work at radio stations in West Palm Beach, FL, Buffalo and Portland, ME, before returning home to the Capital Region to host Fly 92’s morning show in 2007. Brian was then moved from the station’s afternoon slot to co-anchor the newly minted Brian & Chrissy in the Morning. “And the rest is history,” says Chrissy, at the exact same time Brian says, “And here we are.” (They do that—in addition to finishing each another’s sentences—a lot). After becoming Capital Region household names at Fly 92, the pair made the jump to country music station 107.7 WGNA in March 2017. But while the station they work for may have changed, their partnership has only gotten stronger. “When you grow up together—when you get older together— you go through ups and downs,” Brian says. “You start to figure out what’s really important. [We’ve become] a better team, because we don’t put as much pressure on each other. We’re just kind of like…” “…it is what it is,” Chrissy says. “It is what it is,” Brian echoes. “But we still come to work every day with the intention to entertain first and then inform. That has never changed.” “A huge part of why our show works is because we are who we are on air,” Chrissy says. “We always have been. And there’s a trust there, even after switching stations.” That trust has carried on throughout the pandemic, too. When the world was turned on its head last March, Capital Region listeners knew that every morning, day in and day out, they could tune in to 107.7 and listen to two people, whom they might’ve never met before, but could, undoubtedly, consider friends.
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Go to crlmag.com to read CAPITAL REGION LIVING’s full interview with Brian and Chrissy.
➺
Besties CAPITAL REGION LIVING
PEOPLE & PLACES
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CULTURE ART GALLERY The Clark
225 South Street, Williamstown, MA (413) 458-2303 clarkart.edu The Hyde Collection 161 Warren Street, Glens Falls (518) 792-1761 hydecollection.org Art Omi 1505 County Route 22, Ghent (518) 392-4747 artomi.org
CHILDREN’S MUSEUM miSci
15 Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady (518) 382-7890 misci.org The Children’s Museum at Saratoga 69 Caroline Street, Saratoga Springs (518) 584-5540 cmssny.org CMOST 250 Jordan Road, Troy (518) 235-2120 cmost.org
CONCERT HALL
MUSEUM
SEASONAL EVENT
SPAC
New York State Museum
Howe Caverns Haunted Cave Tour
Albany Institute of History & Art 125 Washington Avenue, Albany (518) 463-4478 albanyinstitute.org
Saratoga Racing Season 267 Union Avenue, Saratoga Springs (718) 641-4700 nyra.com
Palace Theatre 19 Clinton Avenue, Albany (518) 465-4663 palacealbany.org
Saratoga Automobile Museum 110 Avenue of the Pines, Saratoga Springs (518) 587-1935 saratogaautomuseum.org
Troy Victorian Stroll Downtown Troy (518) 274-7020 victorianstroll.com
MOVIE THEATER p.17
OUTDOOR SUMMER VENUE
108 Avenue of the Pines, Saratoga Springs (518) 584-9330 spac.org Troy Savings Bank Music Hall 30 Second Street, Troy (518) 273-0038 troymusichall.org
Scotia Cinema
117 Mohawk Avenue, Scotia (518) 346-5055 scotiacinema.net Crandell Theatre 48 Main Street, Chatham (518) 392-3331 crandelltheatre.org The Madison Theatre 1036 Madison Avenue, Albany (518) 621-7122 themadisontheatre.com
RED Denotes Winner | BLACK Denotes Finalist 16 | C A P I T A L R E G I O N L I V I N G | S P R I N G 2 0 2 1
222 Madison Avenue, Albany (518) 474-5877 nysm.nysed.gov
SPAC
108 Avenue of the Pines, Saratoga Springs (518) 584-9330 spac.org Park Playhouse at Washington Park Madison Avenue & New Scotland Avenue, Albany (518) 434-0776 playhousestage.org Saratoga Race Course 267 Union Avenue, Saratoga Springs (718) 641-4700 nyra.com
255 Discovery Drive, Howes Cave (518) 296-8900 howecaverns.com
SERVICES ANIMAL HOSPITAL The Animal Hospital
2 Rocking Horse Lane, Slingerlands (518) 456-0852 theanimalhospital.com The Village Animal Clinic 70 School Road, Voorheesville (518) 765-0111 thevillageanimalclinic.com Delmar Animal Hospital 910 Delaware Avenue, Delmar (518) 439-9361 delmaranimalhospital.com
Besties | People and Places
Scotia Cinema: One-Screen Wonder BY WILL LEVITH
DOUG KERR
A
pparently, size does matter. The locally owned and operated Scotia Cinema, which boasts just a single screen and movie per run, wins this year’s Bestie for top movie theater. Just what makes this Lilliputian lark such a sensation in the dark? For our Bestie voters, it’s all about the experience. First opened in 1929 as the Ritz Theater and going through a number of iterations over the following decades, Scotia Cinema, located just west of Schenectady, eventually landed in the hands of current owner Richard Adams in 1981. Although it has since been updated with digital projection and sound, it still features an old-fashioned balcony and about 300 seats—though COVID restrictions have temporarily whittled max viewership down to 50. Because of the one-screen formula, expect to find films there for a range of audiences—you’ll have to look elsewhere for slashers and salaciousness. And you really can’t beat the prices: adults get in for just $9, while children and seniors pass the velvet rope for $6. If you’re an early bird, matinee tickets, purchased prior to 4:30pm, cost $6, while Tuesdays get the $6 treatment all day long. Throw in the ample legroom, parking and freshly popped popcorn topped with real butter, and you have yourself a Bestie-in-class afternoon or night at the movies.
S P R I N G 2 0 2 1 | C R L M A G . C O M | 17
APPLIANCE STORE Marcella’s Appliance Center 15 Park Avenue, Clifton Park (518) 952-7700 560 Broadway, Schenectady (518) 381-1957 marcellasappliance.com Green’s 1207 Central Avenue, Albany (518) 458-7994 greenshasgonegreen.com Cocca’s Appliances (tie) 158 Railroad Avenue, Albany (518) 453-6100 coccasappliancestv.com Earl B. Feiden Appliance (tie) Multiple Locations earlbfeiden.com
AUTO SERVICE S Foley Garage
5859 Depot Road, Altamont (518) 861-8321 s-foley-garage.edan.io Bethlehem Auto Service 62 Hannay Lane, Glenmont (518) 426-8414 bethlehemautoservice.com Precision Volvo Sale & Service 99 Cordell Road, Colonie (518) 346-5581 precisionalbany.com
BANK
Trustco Bank
Multiple locations trustcobank.com Pioneer Bank Multiple locations pioneerny.com Bank of Greene County Multiple locations thebankofgreenecounty.com
CATERER Old Daley Custom Catering (518) 235-2656 olddaley.com
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Mazzone Hospitality 743 Pierce Road, Clifton Park (518) 690-0293 mazzonehospitality.com
CAP COM Multiple locations (800) 634-2340 capcomfcu.org
Saati Deli and Catering 586 New Loudon Road, Latham (518) 783-1600 saatideliandcatering.com
Sunmark Multiple locations (866) 786-6275 sunmark.org
CHEF
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Marc Yanni
Worksite Benefits
Yanni’s Too 16 Marina Drive, Coeymans (518) 756-7033 yannisrestaurants.com Jaime Ortiz 677 Prime 677 Broadway, Albany (518) 427-7463 677prime.com TORO Cantina 111 Wolf Road, Albany (518) 949-2211 torocantina.com Nicholas Meola Annabel’s Pizza Company 108 State Street, Schenectady (518) 553-0400 annabelspizzaco.com
CHIROPRACTOR Delmar Chiropractic
204 Delaware Avenue, Delmar (518) 439-7644 delmarchiropractic.com Van Der Veer Chiropractic Care 1134 Troy Schenectady Road, Latham (518) 783-1908 albanychirocare.com Enlighten Chiropractic 2 Tower Place, Albany (518) 313-6470 enlightenalbany.com
CREDIT UNION SEFCU
Multiple locations (800) 727-3328 sefcu.com
3991 NY-2, Cropseyville (518) 326-3939 worksitebenefits.biz SEFCU Multiple locations (800) 727-3328 sefcu.com Family Danz Heating & Cooling 404 North Pearl Street, Albany (518) 203-5035 familydanz.com
DAY SPA Complexions Spa for Beauty and Wellness
221 Wolf Road, Albany (518) 489-5231 268 Broadway, Saratoga Springs (518) 306-5502 complexions.com Kimberley’s A Day Spa 982 New Loudon Road, Latham (518) 785-5868 kimberleysadayspa.com Breathe Massage Therapy 48 Hudson Avenue, Delmar (518) 621-7979 breathemassagedelmar.com
DRY CLEANERS Stena Dry Cleaning
451 Albany Shaker Road, Albany (518) 459-5944 Best Cleaners Multiple locations bestcleanersny.com
7 Cleaners 952 Troy Schenectady Road, Latham (518) 783-0328
FACIAL Complexions Spa for Beauty and Wellness
221 Wolf Road, Albany (518) 489-5231 268 Broadway, Saratoga Springs (518) 306-5502 complexions.com Breathe Massage Therapy 48 Hudson Avenue, Delmar (518) 621-7979 breathemassagedelmar.com Kimberley’s A Day Spa 982 New Loudon Road, Latham (518) 785-5868 kimberleysadayspa.com
FITNESS CENTER Vent Fitness
Multiple Locations ventfitness.com YMCA Multiple locations cdymca.org The Hot Yoga Spot Multiple locations (518) 944-8534 thehotyogaspot.com
FLORIST Samantha Nass Floral & Event Design 75 Woodlawn Avenue, Saratoga Springs (518) 886-9461 snfloraldesign.com
Emil J. Nagengast Florist 169 Ontario Street, Albany Stuyvesant Plaza, Albany (518) 434-1125 nagengast.com Flowers by Pesha 501 Broadway, Troy (518) 272-1980 flowersbypesha.net
Post-lockdown Pampering You handed Besties to beauty meccas that helped us feel like ourselves again.
W
hen spas were given the green light to reopen last year, the backlog of appointments and rush to grab any available time slots revealed what we already knew: There was a lot of jonesing for post-lockdown pampering. After months of clumsily doing their own nails and root touchups, TLC lovers flocked to their Capital Region favorites, starting with Complexions Spa for Beauty and Wellness, whose Albany and Saratoga locations almost swept the Services category. Tireless owner Denise Dubois and her team of outstanding beauty professionals scooped up Besties for Day Spa, Facial and Mani/Pedi, wowing voters with strict safety measures that never distracted from the calming, eco-friendly experience and luxurious treatments. And Delmar beauty businesses proved to be quite the hot spots, with Laberge Massage Therapy and nearby Choices Hair Studio winning Besties for Massage and Hair Studio, respectively).
FURNITURE STORE Mooradian’s Furniture
800 Central Avenue, Albany (518) 489-2529 1758A Route 9 Parkwood Plaza, Clifton Park (518) 694-8452 mooradians.com Old Brick Furniture 33-37 Warehouse Row, Albany (518) 213-2686 2910 Campbell Road, Schenectady (518) 213-3194 oldbrickfurniture.com Taft Furniture 1960 Central Avenue, Albany (518) 456-3361 121 Ballston Avenue, Saratoga Springs (518) 886-0990 taftfurniture.com
HAIR SALON Choices Hair Studio
180 Delaware Avenue, Delmar (518) 439-4619 choiceshairstudio.com
Complexions Spa for Beauty and Wellness 221 Wolf Road, Albany (518) 489-5231 268 Broadway, Saratoga Springs (518) 306-5502 complexions.com Ambiance Salon 579 Troy Schenectady Road, Latham (518) 782-7560 ambiancesalon.com
HEALTH CARE/ HMO CDPHP
500 Patroon Creek Boulevard, Albany (518) 641-3140 cdphp.com MVP Health Care 625 State Street, Schenectady (518) 370-4793 mvphealthcare.com
Complexions Spa for Beauty and Wellness
Crisafulli Bros. 25 Industrial Park Road, Albany (518) 302-2947 crisbro.com
SEFCU Insurance Agency 469 State Street, Schenectady (518) 786-9905 sefcuinsuranceagency.com
Adams Heating & Cooling Co. 2088 Curry Road, Schenectady (518) 356-4730 adamshvac.net
Murray Group 1807 Western Avenue, Albany (518) 456-6688 murraygrp.com
HOSPITAL
LANDSCAPER
315 South Manning Boulevard, Albany (518) 525-1550 sphp.com
240 Wade Road Extension, Latham (518) 785-4210 georges-market.com
St. Peter’s Hospital
Albany Medical Center 43 New Scotland Avenue, Albany (518) 262-3125 amc.edu
The Empire Plan (877) 776-7447 empireblue.com
Saratoga Hospital 211 Church Street, Saratoga Springs (518) 587-3222 saratogahospital.org
HEATING & COOLING
INSURANCE AGENCY
404 North Pearl Street, Albany (518) 203-5035 familydanz.com
3991 NY-2, Cropseyville (518) 326-3939 worksitebenefits.biz
Family Danz Heating & Cooling
Worksite Benefits
George’s Market & Nursery
Traditional Landscaping & Design 16 Van Rensselaer Road, Albany (518) 860-3596 traditionallandscapingllc.com Faddegon’s Nursery 1140 Troy Schenectady Road, Latham (518) 785-6726 faddegons.com
LAW FIRM
Girvin & Ferlazzo
20 Corporate Woods Boulevard, Albany (518) 462-0300 girvinlaw.com
S P R I N G 2 0 2 1 | C R L M A G . C O M | 19
Besties | People and Places Martin, Harding & Mazzotti 111 Washington Avenue, Albany (800) 529-1010 1800law1010.com
City Nail & Spa (tie) 98 Wolf Road #2, Albany (518) 435-1115 citynailandspa.com
Breathe Massage Therapy 48 Hudson Avenue, Delmar (518) 621-7979 breathemassagedelmar.com
Luizzi Asphalt Services 70 Tivoli Street, Albany (518) 459-7325 luizziasphalt.com
E. Stewart Jones, Hacker, Murphy 29 2nd Street, Troy (518) 730-7270 joneshacker.com
MARINA
MEDICAL ESTHETICS
20 Marina Drive, Coeymans (518) 756-6111 coeymanslandingmarina.com
15 Old Loudon Road, Latham (518) 328-3330 rockmoreplasticsurgery.com
L. Browe Asphalt Services East Greenbush (518) 479-1400 broweasphalt.com
MANI/PEDI Complexions Spa for Beauty and Wellness
221 Wolf Road, Albany (518) 489-5231 268 Broadway, Saratoga Springs (518) 306-5502 complexions.com L Perfect Nail & Spa (tie) 400 Feura Bush Road, Glenmont (518) 432-4037 @Lperfectnailglenmont on Facebook Kimberley’s A Day Spa (tie) 982 New Loudon Road, Latham (518) 785-5868 kimberleysadayspa.com
Coeymans Landing Marina
Chic’s Marina 4782 Lakeshore Drive, Bolton Landing (518) 644-2170 chicsmarina.com
MASSAGE
Laberge Massage Therapy
204 Delaware Avenue, Delmar (518) 577-5488 labergemassagetherapy.com Complexions Spa for Beauty and Wellness 221 Wolf Road, Albany (518) 489-5231 268 Broadway, Saratoga Springs (518) 306-5502 complexions.com
Rockmore Plastic Surgery
Lucie Capek, MD Plastic Surgery & Medspa 713 Troy Schenectady Road # 308, Latham (518) 786-1700 capekplasticsurgery.com The Rejuva Center at Williams 1072 Troy Schenectady Road # 102, Latham (518) 786-7004 rejuvacenters.com
PAVING/SEALCOATING Salisbury Pro Sealers
PET SPA Village Animal Clinic
70 School Road, Voorheesville (518) 765-0111 thevillageanimalclinic.com Pet Styles 1886 New Scotland Road, Slingerlands (518) 439-3670 petstyles.biz Pet Spas & Suites 1 Cerone Commercial Drive, Colonie (518) 783-5506 petspasandsuites.com
195B Kenwood Avenue, Delmar (518) 475-9772 salisburyprosealersny.com
The Year of Essential Businesses These businesses kept us going when we needed them the most.
T
here is no getting around that this year’s Besties carried an added responsibility: that of thanking the essential businesses that were there for us during the pandemic. A special shout-out goes to CDPHP and Albany’s St. Peter’s Hospital (Bestie winners for Health Care/ HMO and Hospital, respectively) for ensuring our care during the crisis, and The Sentinel of Amsterdam (winner, Assisted Living/Nursing Home) and Niskayuna’s Glen Eddy (winner, 55+ Retirement Community) for protecting our most vulnerable loved ones. Since making delicious home-cooked meals and obsessing over new hobbies like bread-baking helped wile away our time in quarantine, thank you to everyone who sold us the ingredients we needed at grocery stores such as Price Chopper/Market 32 (winner, Supermarket), and Honest Weight Food Co-op in Albany, a double-winner that scooped up wins for Health Food Store and CSA/ Community Co-op categories. And don’t forget Albany’s Empire Wine (winner, Liquor/Wine)–because let’s face it, vino and “quarantinis” helped keep us sane. Animal shelters across the Capital Region enjoyed a record number of adoptions last year—who didn’t want a cute, furry quarantine companion?—and the kind people at The Animal Hospital in Slingerlands (winner, Animal Hospital) navigated safety protocols to keep everyone’s fur babies, new and old, happy and healthy. Alas, there are too many essential business winners to name them all here, but we hope you’ll read through these pages and thank them later, however you can. After all, during this generation’s toughest crisis, The Sentinel of Amsterdam our public health and safety depended on them.
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We think you’re the bestie too. We’re truly honored that you voted Price Chopper and Market 32 the Best Supermarket in the Capital District region. We’re even more honored to have helped you feed and care for yourselves and your families for the last 89 years. Thank you for your loyalty, especially over the last year. As a community we have all come together to make everyone’s collective safety and well-being the top priority. We have served our neighbors for generations and our commitment to continue our proud tradition of supporting the communities that we work and live in, is stronger than ever.
PHOTOGRAPHER T.R. Laz
125 Wolf Road, Albany (518) 458-7008 trlaz.com Hitlin Photography 48 Columbia Street, Albany (518) 336-5370 hitlinphoto.com Elario Photography (518) 438-0989 elariophotography.com
PILATES STUDIO
Free Movement Pilates
500 Kenwood Avenue, Delmar (518) 275-2644 freemovementpilates.com Pilates Principle 578 Loudon Road, Latham (518) 783-1678 lathampilates.com
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REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL
Anthony M. Gucciardo, Gucciardo Real Estate Group 1074 Troy Schenectady Road, Latham (518) 331-3785 anthonygucciardo.com Christopher Marney, Julie & Co. Realty 18 Division Street #314, Saratoga Springs (518) 348-9358 juliecorealty.com Kyle Durni, Howard Hanna (tie) 231 Delaware Avenue, Delmar (518) 439-2888 howardhanna.com Marcia Murray, Marcia Murray & Associates Realty (tie) 63 Putnam Street #202, Saratoga Springs 24 Mallard Cove, Ballston Lake (518) 925-7115 marciamurray.com
TREE SERVICE
KT Tree Services, Inc. (518) 588-5490 kttreesinc.com
Advantage Tree Service 772 Delaware Avenue, Delmar (518) 944-5172 advantagetreeny.com Mark’s Tree Service Albany (518) 489-1196 Voorheesville (518) 861-8566 markstrees.com
YOGA STUDIO
The Hot Yoga Spot Multiple locations thehotyogaspot.com
Good Karma Studio 12 Walker Way, Albany (518) 512-9929 thegoodkarmastudio.com
Heartspace Yoga & Healing Arts 747 Madison Avenue, Albany 10 2nd Street, Troy (518) 512-3390 heartspacealbany.com
SHOPPING APPLE ORCHARD
Indian Ladder Farms 342 Altamont Road, Altamont (518) 765-2956 indianladderfarms.com Golden Harvest Farms 3074 Route 9, Valatie (518) 758-7683 goldenharvestfarms.com Samascott Orchards 5 Sunset Avenue, Kinderhook (518) 758-7224 samascott.com
Besties | People and Places
BIKE SHOP Mad Dog Bicycles
561 Delaware Avenue, Delmar (518) 439-3669 maddogbicycles.com Steiner’s Sports Multiple locations steinersskibike.com Downtube Bicycle Works 466 Madison Avenue, Albany (518) 434-1711 downtubebicycleworks.com
BOOKSTORE Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza 1475 Western Avenue, Albany (518) 489-4761 bhny.com I Love Books 380 Delaware Avenue, Delmar (518) 478-0715 ilovebooksdelmar.com
Market Block Books 290 River Street, Troy (518) 328-0045 bhny.com
Niskayuna Co-op 2227 Nott Street, Niskayuna (518) 374-1362 niskayunaco-op.com
BRIDAL SHOP
Roxbury Farm CSA PO Box 338, Kinderhook (518) 758-8558 roxburyfarm.com
Angela’s Bridal
501 Broadway #107, Troy (518) 869-1848 angelasbridal.net
CAR DEALER
CLOTHING BOUTIQUE Truly Rhe
1 Broadway, Troy (518) 273-1540 trulyrhe.com Circle’s Stuyvesant Plaza, Albany (518) 482-2554 circles-shop.com
Azalea (tie) 3770 Carman Road # 6C, Schenectady (518) 952-6727 azaleadresses.com
Keeler Motor Car Company
Lea’s (tie) 33 Hudson Avenue, Chatham (518) 491-5353 leaschatham.com
Lily Saratoga (tie) 6 Franklin Square, Saratoga Springs (518) 587-5017 lilysaratoga.com
DePaula Auto Group (tie) 785/799 Central Avenue, Albany depaulaautogroup.com
Evoke Style (tie) Stuyvesant Plaza, Albany (518) 512-5240 evokestyle.com
CSA/COMMUNITY CO-OP Honest Weight
100 Watervliet Avenue, Albany (518) 482-2667 honestweight.coop
1111 Troy Schenectady Road, Latham (888) 600-3013 keeler.com
Lia Auto Group (tie) Multiple locations (855) 212-7985 liacars.com
CONSIGNMENT SHOP
Something Olde, Something New 1969 New Scotland Road, Slingerlands (518) 474-0663 somethingoldenew.com
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The Attic 3027 Main Street, Valatie (518) 758-1274 @TheAtticValatie on Facebook
Schenectady Greenmarket City Hall, Schenectady (May-October) Proctors, Schenectady (November-April) schenectadygreenmarket.com
Pearl Grant Richmans Stuyvesant Plaza, Albany (518) 438-8409 pearlgrant.com
Fifi’s Frocks & Frills 1811 Western Avenue, Albany fifisalbany.com (518) 869-1677
GARDEN NURSERY
Wit’s End 1762 Route 9, Clifton Park (518) 371-9273 witsendgiftique.com
FARMERS’ MARKET Troy Waterfront Farmers’ Market Monument Square, Troy (April-October) 865 2nd Avenue, Troy (November-March) (518) 708-4216 troymarket.org
Delmar Farmers’ Market 332 Kenwood Avenue, Delmar Elm Avenue Park (May-October) Bethlehem Central Middle School (November-December) delmarmarket.org
Faddegon’s Nursery
1140 Troy Schenectady Road, Latham (518) 785-6726 faddegons.com Hewitt’s Garden Center Multiple locations hewitts.com Gade Farm 2479 Western Avenue, Altamont (518) 869-8019 gadefarm.com
GIFT SHOP
Cross Eyed Owl
3143 US Highway 9 #8, Valatie (518) 758-6755 crosseyedowl.com
True Value Phillip’s Hardware 6495 Route 158, Altamont (518) 861-5364 235 Delaware Avenue, Delmar (518) 439-9943 shopphillips.com
HEALTH FOOD STORE Honest Weight
HARDWARE STORE Robinson’s Ace Hardware
1874 Western Avenue, Guilderland (518) 456-7383 1900 New Scotland Road, Slingerlands (518) 475-9483 robinsonshardware.com Hatchet Hardware Multiple locations hatchethardware.com
100 Watervliet Avenue, Albany (518) 482-2667 honestweight.coop Uncle Sam’s Health Foods 77 4th Street, Troy (518) 271-7299 646 New Loudon Road, Latham (518) 782-5233 unclesamshealthfood.com Four Seasons Natural Food Store 120 Henry Street, Saratoga Springs (518) 584-4670 fourseasonsnaturalfoods.com
Now Open for our 23rd Season! Yanni’s by Car…Yanni’s by Bike… Yannis by Boat!
Thank you for voting Chef/Owner Marc Yanni best in the Capital Region! Thank you to all of our loyal patrons and our amazing Staff as we rolled with all the punches of this past year. Things may be different but we still maintain the same food quality and customer service. Come join us in our spacious dining room and on our 2 Large outdoor patios overlooking the majestic Hudson River. Wednesday through Sunday Lunch & Dinner. Dine-in, Take out & Curbside Like us on Facebook and look for daily specials!
Yanni’s Too Restaurant 20 Marina Drive • Coeymans 518.756.7033 • YannisRestaurants.com 24 | C A P I T A L R E G I O N L I V I N G | S P R I N G 2 0 2 1
Besties | People and Places
JEWELER
Joyelles Jewelers
318 Delaware Avenue, Delmar (518) 439-9993 joyellesjewelers.com Hannoush Jewelers 112 Wolf Road, Albany (518) 715-8759 1750 Route 9, Clifton Park (518) 616-9806 hannoushny.com Northeastern Fine Jewelry Multiple locations nefj.com
LIQUOR/WINE Empire Wine
1440 Central Avenue, Albany (518) 694-8503 empirewine.com Exit 9 Wine & Liquor Warehouse 9 Halfmoon Crossing, Clifton Park (518) 688-0153 exit9wineandliquor.com
All Star Wine & Spirits 579 Troy Schenectady Road, Latham (518) 220-9463 allstarwine.com
Parkway Music (tie) 1777 Route 9, Clifton Park (518) 383-0300 parkwaymusic.com
Hughes Opticians 411 Kenwood Avenue, Delmar (518) 439-4971 hughesopticians.com
MENSWEAR
The River Street Beat Shop 197 River Street, Troy (518) 272-0433 recordstoreday.com
DiNapoli Opticians Multiple locations dinapoliopt.com
Mark Thomas Men’s Apparel 5 Metro Park Road, Albany (518) 438-7887 markthomasmensapparel.com Britches of Troy 216 River Street, Troy (518) 279-2752 britchesoftroy.com Union Hall Supply Co. 437 Broadway, Saratoga Springs (518) 450-7025 unionhallsupplyco.com
MUSIC STORE Drome Sound Music Store (tie) 1875 State Street, Schenectady (518) 370-3701 dromesound.com
John Keal Music 819 Livingston Avenue, Albany (518) 482-4405 1758 Parkwood Plaza, Clifton Park (518) 371-4455 johnkealmusic.com
OPTICAL CENTER Brass Eye Center
1783 Route 9 #106, Clifton Park 713 Troy Schenectady Road #135, Latham (518) 782-7827 brasseyecenter.com
SHOPPING MALL/CENTER Colonie Center
131 Colonie Center, Albany (518) 252-0215 shopatcoloniecenter.com Stuyvesant Plaza 1475 Western Avenue, Albany (518) 482-8986 stuyvesantplaza.com Crossgates Mall 1 Crossgates Mall Road, Albany (518) 869-3522 shopcrossgates.com
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SPORTING GOODS STORE
TIRE STORE
Blue Skies Travel 2 Pittsfield Avenue, East Greenbush (518) 477-4700 blueskiestravel.com
Steiner’s Sports
Adirondack Tire
Multiple locations steinersskibike.com
Multiple locations adirondacktire.com
Play It Again Sports 952 Troy Schenectady Road, Latham (518) 785-6587 playitagainsports.com
Grand Premier Tires & Custom Wheels 591 Columbia Turnpike, East Greenbush (518) 477-4753 3361 South Thompson, Schenectady (518) 630-5055 grandpremiertire.com
SUPERMARKET Price Chopper/Market 32 Multiple locations pricechopper.com Hannaford Multiple locations hannaford.com ShopRite Multiple locations shoprite.com
LaBarge’s Tire & Auto Service 52 Route 9W, Glenmont (518) 436-8473 labargestireautocenter.com
TRAVEL AGENCY AAA Travel
Multiple locations hudsonvalley.aaa.com
LOCAL PEOPLE & MEDIA AFTERNOON ANCHOR Christina Arangio, WTEN/NEWS 10 ABC
EVENING ANCHOR John Gray, WTEN/NEWS10 ABC
MORNING ANCHOR Christina Arangio, WTEN/NEWS 10 ABC
MORNING TEAM WNYT/NewsChannel 13 Team
METEOROLOGIST Steve Caporizzo, WTEN/NEWS10 ABC
MUSIC RADIO 107.7 WGNA
NEWS RADIO 90.3 WAMC
LOCAL RADIO PERSONALITY Brian Cody and Chrissy Cavotta of WGNA’s Brian & Chrissy in the Morning
LOCAL PRINT JOURNALIST John Gray
SPORTSCASTER Rodger Wyland, WNYT/ NewsChannel 13; 104.5 The Team ESPN Radio
VOTED BEST DAY SPA ALSO VOTED BEST FACIAL AND MANI/PEDI
Mention this ad and receive a COMPLIMENTARY Collagen eye treatment or Shea butter enhancement!
ALBANY 221 Wolf Road 518.489.5231 26 | C A P I T A L R E G I O N L I V I N G | S P R I N G 2 0 2 1
complexions.com
SARATOGA 268 Broadway 518.306.5502
Besties | People and Places
PLACES ADIRONDACK INN Mirror Lake Inn
77 Mirror Lake Drive, Lake Placid (518) 523-2544 mirrorlakeinn.com The Sagamore Resort 110 Sagamore Road, Bolton Landing (518) 644-9400 thesagamore.com ADK Trail Inn 11757 State Route 9N, Upper Jay (518) 527-1155 adktrailinn.com
Eddy Village Green 421 W. Columbia Street, Cohoes (518) 237-5630 sphp.com
Lake George RV Park (tie) 74 State Route 149, Lake George (518) 792-3775 lakegeorgervpark.com
Albany Country Club 300 Wormer Road, Voorheesville (518) 765-2851 albanycc.cc
Pine Haven Nursing & Rehabilitation Center 201 Main Street, Philmont (518) 672-7408 pinehavencarecenter.com
Blackthorne Resort (tie) 348 Sunside Road, East Durham (518) 634-2541 blackthorneresort.com
GOLF COURSE (PUBLIC)
B&B (within 3 hours) Reluctant Panther
39 West Road, Manchester Village, VT (802) 362-2568 Gardner Farm Inn 59 Brunswick Road, Troy (917) 509-5110
ASSISTED LIVING/ NURSING HOME
CAMPGROUND
The Sentinel of Amsterdam
78 Heath Road, Corinth (518) 654-6260 rvonthego.com
10 Market Street, Amsterdam (518) 896-0010 sentinelalf.com
THANK YOU
COLONIE CENTER
Alpine Lake RV Resort (tie)
DAY TRIP (within 3 hrs) Lake Placid
Town of Colonie Golf Course
418 Consaul Road, Schenectady (518) 374-4181 colonie.org Orchard Creek Golf Club 6700 Dunnsville Road, Altamont (518) 861-5000 orchardcreek.com
Lake George Manchester, VT
GOLF COURSE (PRIVATE) Wolferts Roost Country Club
120 Van Rensselaer Boulevard, Albany (518) 449-3223 wolfertsroost.com The Country Club of Troy 100 Troy Country Club Road, Troy (518) 274-1000 countrycluboftroy.com
Normanside Country Club 150 Salisbury Road, Delmar (518) 439-4505 normanside.com p. HIKING TRAIL 28
John Boyd Thacher State Park
830 Thacher Park Road, Voorheesville (518) 872-1237 parks.ny.gov
#COMETOGETHER
THANK YOU FOR VOTING COLONIE CENTER THE BEST SHOPPING CENTER! Visit Colonie Center for an unparalleled shopping experience. Bringing the Capital Region so many stores that are unique to the market-from L.L. Bean, Barnes and Noble, Nordstrom Rack, and P.F. Changs. Colonie Center also offers one-of-a-kind events for the whole family. Visit our website to plan your next shopping trip, www.shopatcoloniecenter.com.
Thank you for trusting us to protect your family and the things you love.
888-250-6689
sefcuinsuranceagency.com
Auto • Home • Life • Student Benefits Boat/RV • Personal Umbrella • Motorcycle S P R I N G 2 0 2 1 | C R L M A G . C O M | 27
Natural Beauty Awaits at John Boyd Thacher State Park Come for the vistas, stay for the hiking and camping. BY WILL LEVITH
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MICHELLE JOHNSTON
J
ohn Boyd Thacher State Park is a 2,155-acre natural wonderland located just outside of Albany, near Voorheesville, along what is known as the Helderberg Escarpment (just a big, scary word meaning “long, steep slope”). The titular Boyd, who served as a state senator and mayor of Albany twice in the late 1800s, and his wife, Emma, were eco warriors long before that was even a thing; the couple bought up untouched land in the region to save it from development. Five years after John’s death in 1914, Emma bequeathed the state a sizable chunk of that land in his name, and, soon after, it became Thacher State Park. It was later expanded upon, and nowadays, park-goers can find countless miles of well-kept, year-round hiking trails; a multitude of verdant, picturesque picnicking and grilling spots; playgrounds, playing fields and a nature center; and postcard-worthy vistas that have helped it win three Besties this year in the Park, Hiking Trail and Picnic Spot categories. Whether you’re enjoying a hike on the historic Indian Ladder Trail or snapping selfies at Thacher State Park’s jaw-dropping overlook, the park has a little bit of everything for everyone. Plus, if you’re the type that enjoys roughing it in the elements, the park also has a 140-site campground, opening in May, at Thompson’s Lake, which features a sun-and-fun beach, volleyball court, horseshoe pits, swing sets and nature trails, among other amenities.
Besties | People and Places Albany Pine Bush Preserve (tie) 195 New Karner Road, Albany (518) 456-0655 albanypinebush.org Peebles Island State Park (tie) 1 Delaware Avenue North, Cohoes (518) 268-2188 parks.ny.gov
HOTEL The Desmond
660 Albany Shaker Road, Albany (518) 869-8100 desmondhotelsalbany.com The Renaissance Albany Hotel 144 State Street, Albany (518) 992-2500 marriott.com The Adelphi Hotel 365 Broadway, Saratoga Springs (518) 678-6000 theadelphihotel.com
KIDS BIRTHDAY VENUE Good Karma Studio
12 Walker Way 1A, Albany (518) 512-9929 thegoodkarmastudio.com
Camp Fowler 152 Pelcher Road, Lake Pleasant (518) 548-6524 campfowler.org
PARK p.28
KJ’s Gymnastics 3143 Route 9, Valatie (518) 758-2554 kjsgymnasticsny.com
John Boyd Thacher State Park
Indian Ladder Farms 342 Altamont Road, Altamont (518) 765-2956 indianladderfarms.com
The Crossings of Colonie 580 Albany Shaker Road, Loudonville (518) 783-2760 colonie.org
KIDS CAMP
Saratoga Spa State Park 19 Roosevelt Drive, Saratoga Springs (518) 584-2535 parks.ny.gov
YMCA Adventure Camp
1 Camp Nassau Lane, Guilderland (518) 640-1988 cdymca.org Camp Chingachgook 1872 Pilot Knob Road, Kattskill Bay (518) 656-9462 camp.cdymca.org
830 Thacher Park Road, Voorheesville (518) 872-1237 parks.ny.gov
PICNIC SPOT p.28 John Boyd Thacher State Park
830 Thacher Park Road, Voorheesville (518) 872-1237 parks.ny.gov
Saratoga Spa State Park 19 Roosevelt Drive, Saratoga Springs (518) 584-2535 parks.ny.gov Grafton Lakes State Park 254 Grafton Lakes State Park Way, Grafton (518) 279-1155 parks.ny.gov
55+ RETIREMENT COMMUNITY Glen Eddy
1 Glen Eddy Drive, Niskayuna (518) 280-8385 eddyseniorliving.com The Spinney 6 Parker Mathusa Place, Delmar (518) 689-0162 2490 Pond View, Castleton-On-Hudson (518) 479-0800 thespinneygroup.com
When it comes to your health, you deserve the best. Thank you to readers of Capital Region Living for ® naming CDPHP the area’s best health plan. Best Health Care/HMO #1 www.cdphp.com/need
Capital District Physicians’ Health Plan, Inc. S P R I N G 2 0 2 1 | C R L M A G . C O M | 29
Shaker Pointe at Carondelet One Bell Tower Drive, Watervliet (518) 250-4890 shakerpointe.org
The Adelphi Hotel 365 Broadway, Saratoga Springs (518) 678-6000 theadelphihotel.com
ROMANTIC GETAWAY INN
The Gideon Putnam 24 Gideon Putnam Road, Saratoga Springs (866) 890-1171 gideonputnam.com
Mirror Lake Inn (tie)
77 Mirror Lake Drive, Lake Placid (518) 523-2544 mirrorlakeinn.com
The Sagamore Resort (tie)
110 Sagamore Road, Bolton Landing (518) 644-9400 thesagamore.com Belhurst Castle & Winery 4069 West Lake Road, Geneva (315) 781-0201 belhurst.com
SARATOGA INN/HOTEL Longfellows Hotel & Restaurant 500 Union Avenue, Saratoga Springs (518) 587-0108 longfellows.com
SKI AREA Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort 37 Corey Road, Hancock, MA (413) 738-5500 jiminypeak.com
Stowe Mountain Resort 5781 Mountain Road, Stowe, VT (802) 253-3000 stowe.com Gore Mountain 793 Peaceful Valley Road, North Creek (518) 251-2411 goremountain.com
John Boyd Thacher State Park and Thompson’s Lake State Park would like to say thanks for voting us #1 for Best Park, Best Trail, Best Picnic Spot! They look forward to a fantastic 2021 season of giving you more of the “best”!
518.872.1237 • Friendsofthacherpark.org 30 | C A P I T A L R E G I O N L I V I N G | S P R I N G 2 0 2 1
VERMONT INN The Equinox
3567 Main Street, Manchester Village (802) 362-4700 equinoxresort.com The Dorset Inn (tie) 8 Church Street, Dorset (802) 867-5500 dorsetinn.com Grey Fox Inn & Resort (tie) 990 Mountain Road, Stowe (802) 253-8921 greyfoxinn.com
WEDDING VENUE Old Daley on Crooked Lake 2339 NY-43, Averill Park (518) 674-3132 olddaley.com
The Appel Inn (tie) 590 State Route 146, Altamont (518) 861-6557 appelinn.com
Franklin Plaza (tie) 4 4th Street, Troy (518) 270-9622 franklinplaza.com
THANK YOU
to our readers for your participation! 20
21
PETS Advertising Section
Because Your Pet Deserves It These local businesses are always there for your furry friend.
Chow Bella
have looked to the Albany company for their pet grooming, daycare and boarding needs since 1990!
Does your four-legged friend need a more active social life? Sign him or her up for a membership at Chow Bella, Saratoga’s only doggy social club. The West Avenue location features an indoor dog park, “pet spa” dog-washing station and store, which carries everything from dog food and leashes to puppy parkas. There’s even a small cafe for two-legged guests!
Benson’s Pet Center
50 West Ave., Saratoga Springs 518.516.1006; chowbella.store
Pet Spas & Suites
1 Cerone Commercial Dr., Albany 518.783.5506; petspasandsuites.com Pet Spas & Suites has been proudly serving the Capital Region for 30 years. Its commitment to providing quality pet care and passion for animals drives the dedicated team to assess each pet’s needs and provide the best experience possible during his or her visit. Pet Spa & Suites sends out a special thank you to its loyal customers who
Multiple locations 518.373.1007; bensonspet.com With locations in Clifton Park, Colonie, Johnstown, Queensbury, Wilton and Pittsfield, MA (plus a fish-focused store in Ballston Spa), Benson’s Pet Center has been serving the Capital Region since 1992. The small, independent chain has always strived to be a place where petlovers can shop for their furry, feathery or scaly friends, and a place where animals and customers come first.
Lucky’s Adventures Book Series by Elizabeth Macy luckysadventures.net
The Lucky’s Adventures children’s book series all started when author Elizabeth Macy’s own dog, a Yorkie-Affenpinscher mix named Lucky Charms, got lost in
Saratoga. Macy can’t be sure what Lucky did for the four days she was missing, but her first book, Lucky’s Adventure in Saratoga, takes a stab at it. Macy has since published two more Lucky’s Adventure books, and all three are available for purchase at luckysadventures.net.
The Animal Hospital
2 Rocking Horse Ln., Slingerlands 518.456.0852; theanimalhospital.com Staffers at The Animal Hospital have dedicated their lives to the practice and their patients. The serene veterinary office is warm and inviting for you and your companion. The team prides itself on getting to know you and your pet. Every patient benefits from the staff’s commitment to being at the forefront in veterinary medicine. The staff’s philosophy at The Animal Hospital is to treat every patient as if he or she were their own family member. Now accepting a limited number of new patients.
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Georgie’s Big Break This soon-to-be-local pup, who won a photo session with Blue Iris Photography in CAPITAL REGION LIVING’s February silent auction, was born to be in the spotlight.
» P HOTO GRAP H Y BY L INDA P ELU S O, BLU E IRIS P HOTOGRAP HY «
About Georgie BREED: Labrador retriever, pit bull and shar-pei mix AGE: 2½ years old OWNER: Patrick MacWilliams HOMETOWN: Leeds, MA, but moving to Saratoga Springs this spring LIKES: Meeting other people and dogs, walking around Saratoga, and hiking and swimming in Lake George (which he was named after) DISLIKES: When Patrick works late FAVORITE TOY: It’s not really a “toy,” it’s his life vest. When he puts it on, he knows he’s going for a swim or boat ride.
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HOME & GARDEN Advertising Section
April Showers Bring...Home Improvement Projects Spring is the time to get your home and garden looking their best. These local companies are here to help. J. Hunziker Paving, LLC
25 Corellis Dr., Rensselaer 518.858.7917; jhunzikerpavingllc.com When it comes to driveway paving, work only with seasoned driveway contractors who can ensure that your driveway is smooth and functional. Avoid the frustration and disappointment of dealing with unprofessional driveway paving contractors by doing business with J. Hunziker Paving, LLC, instead. Owner Jason Hunziker has 20 years of experience serving the residential and commercial paving needs of customers throughout Troy and the surrounding areas, and he is committed to providing his customers with the best possible workmanship and service. When you need top-quality driveway paving for
your home or place of business, Jason will be there to help—turn to him for all your asphalt driveway paving needs.
Ghent Wood Products
1262 NY-66, Ghent 518.828.5684; ghentwoodproducts.com Spring means warmth, longer days and new beginnings, and with it comes the excitement of spring projects. Ghent Wood Products is ready to help you get started on everything from preparing your garden (got mulch?) to that muchanticipated home enhancement. Many of Ghent Wood’s friends and clients have kept themselves busy during COVID with home improvement projects using its lumber and stone, including remodeling kitchens and bathrooms, putting down new hardwood flooring, and building
live-edge tables and side tables (to name just a few). Whatever your next home improvement undertaking is, turn to Ghent Wood for your wood, stone and mulch needs to make your next project oh so special! Visit online or in person today.
Luizzi Asphalt Services
70 Tivoli St., Albany 518.459.7325; luizziasphalt.com Luizzi Asphalt Services’ mission is to be the most trusted name in quality products and dependable service for homes and businesses across the Capital Region. Luizzi is a thirdgeneration company that has provided services to thousands of satisfied customers over the years. The Luizzi name has been in the Capital Region for more than 50 years, and the family has
new project? Let’s get started!
Photo: Erik Price
custom millwork • flooring • kiln dried softwoods, hardwoods & exotics • mulch & wood chips • paneling • reclaimed wood • rough cut pine & hemlock • siding • stones • tabletops & glue-ups • trusses
Ghent wood products
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(518) 828-5684 • 1262 Rte 66, Ghent, NY www.ghentwoodproducts.com
built a reputation it is proud of! Call Luizzi Asphalt Services for skilled solutions to all of your asphalt maintenance and repair needs.
Salisbury Pro Sealers
195 Kenwood Ave, Delmar 518.475.9772; www.salisburyprosealersny.com Perhaps your lawnmower’s engine failed? Or you’re ready to toss out a broken generator? Salisbury Pro Sealers provides all types of small engine repairs in Albany and the surrounding areas, so rely on its team of specialists to diagnose your engine’s problem and fix it fast. Save money by having a professional get it to run like new again! Salisbury also specializes in sealcoating for all sized jobs. Sealcoating is applied to asphalt to protect against quick deterioration and cracks from environmental elements such as sunlight, gasoline and moisture. Call now to book your appointment to have your driveway done before summer.
ONE WONDERFUL WEEKEND IN
The Delmar Farmers’ Market is open Saturdays May-December; (inset, from left) one of McCarroll’s The Village Butcher and Deli’s famous breakfast sandwiches; a toy display at I Love Books.
DELMAR Albany’s little sister has so much to offer.
BY NATALIE MOORE
F R I D A Y
Three dishes from Shogun Sushi & Sake Bar.
While the COVID-19 vaccination rate may be on the up and up, at press time, the virus is still a risk. So, while some maybe starting to hop on planes, a Capital Region “staycation” let’s us all celebrate our closer-to-home hot spots. Need some Upstate New York travel inspiration? Check out our One Wonderful Weekend series, in which we highlight the best-ofthe-best food, drinks and activities in the area’s most happening small towns. Our latest stop? Delmar!
I
f you aren’t yet ready to start planning a cross-country trip to the sunny beaches of Del Mar, CA, set your sights on Capital Region residents can set their sights on a closer-to-home destination: Delmar, NY, the small hamlet in Bethlehem located just 15 minutes from the hustle and bustle of Downtown Albany. But don’t worry: Spring in Upstate New York may be little more than a dreary
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continuation of the already-too-long winter, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t more than enough action to fill one wonderful weekend in the suburban oasis that is Delmar.
FRIDAY Get your weekend rolling with a sushi roll from Shogun Sushi & Sake Bar (shogunofdelmar.com). The Shogun team recommends the Golden Dream Roll— made with spicy and crunchy tuna and avocado and topped with tempura shrimp and special sauces—or the Delmar Roll, featuring salmon, eel and avocado wrapped in soy paper and finished with special sauces. If raw fish isn’t your shtick, the menu also boasts plenty of other Japanese (and some Thai) classics, too, such as tempura, teriyaki and Pad Thai. Then, keep the ball rolling (sorry, we couldn’t resist!) at Del Lanes (bowldel.com), which offers cosmic bowling Friday and Saturday nights from 9pm-11pm.
S A T U R D A Y
SATURDAY Some Saturdays are great for sleeping in; your Saturday in Delmar shouldn’t be one of them. Rise, shine and head directly to McCarroll’s The Village Butcher and Deli in the Delmar Marketplace (delmarmarketplace.com) for one of its legendary breakfast sandwiches on a hard roll. At 10am, head across the street to I Love Books (ilovebooksdelmar.com), which not only carries hard and softcover classics, but also toys, greeting cards, jewelry and other quirky items. It has something for everyone—even people who don’t necessarily love books (which is hard for us to imagine). And if you can wait until May, make sure to spend some time perusing the Delmar Farmers’ Market (delmarmarket.org), which is open every Saturday, rain or shine, at Elm Avenue Park (May-October) and in Bethlehem Central Middle School (November-December). It’s lunchtime, and the Jack Burger from Swifty’s Restaurant & Pub (swiftyspub.com), topped with homemade bourbon sauce, applewood smoked bacon, onion strings and sharp cheddar cheese, is just what you need to fuel the rest of your weekend. Spend your afternoon exploring some of Delmar’s nature preserves, such as the Touhey Family Preserve (mohawkhudson.org) or Five Rivers (dec.ny.gov), which offers weekly COVIDsafe environmental programming. Back in town, happy hour should be going strong at The Warbler Brewery (warblerbrewery.com), which just opened this past November. Then, keep the beer flowing at another local brewery, The Real McCoy Beer Co. (therealmccoybeerco.com). And if you’re in need of a late afternoon snack—i.e. dinner—at press time, The Real McCoy was partnering with Clifton Park– based catering company Suburban Kitchen (suburbankitchenny.com) to offer up pork ramen and bao buns. Finish off your evening at the iconic Jim’s Tastee Freez (jimstasteefreez.com), which has been serving Delmar residents shakes, splits and sundaes for nearly 60 years.
The Jack Burger from Swifty’s Restaurant & Pub; (from top) The Warbler Brewery; The Real McCoy Beer Co.; Jim’s Tastee Freez.
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S U N D A Y
SUNDAY
Balance Massage & Healing Arts Studio; (right) Brewtus Roasting.
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It may be your last day in Delmar, but there’s no room for the Sunday Scaries. Pick up a cup of something strong at Brewtus Roasting’s Roastery and Tasting Room (brewtusroasting.com), and then walk off all of last night’s beer and ice cream on the Helderberg–Hudson Rail Trail (albanycounty.com). The walkable suburban hike stretches nine miles from the Port of Albany to Voorheesville, and the Delmar portion goes right past Bliss (blissdelmar.com), a smoothie shop you’re going to want to swing by. A massage is most definitely in the cards for your final day of staycation, too, so head to Balance Massage & Healing Arts Studio (balancemassageandhealingartsstudio.com) for a Swedish, Deep Tissue or Hot Stone massage, before treating yourself to a second caffeine kick and pastry—it’s
what’s for lunch!—at Perfect Blend Café and Bakery (perfectblendcafe.com). Then, get in some shopping next door at Merriman & Pfister Artisans’ Marketplace (merrimanpfister.com), which carries a wide variety of accessories and home décor made by local artisans. Your time in Delmar is coming to a end, but you won’t be leaving empty handed. At the moment, Twisted Vine Wine & Tap (twistedvinedelmar.com) is open for takeout only, so grab your Sunday dinner—we’d go with the pretzel sticks with beer cheese, seared scallops and flourless chocolate cake—to go. Luckily, you won’t have a long drive home.
(clockwise from top left) Merriman & Pfister Artisans’ Marketplace; a pastry from Perfect Blend Café and Bakery; pretzel sticks with beer cheese from Twisted Vine Wine & Tap.
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WELLNESS Advertising Section
Your Wellbeing, Handled These four local companies have you and your loved ones covered.
The Spinney at Van Dyke
The Sentinel of Amsterdam
Fagan Associates
Leaving your house does not mean you have to leave your privacy behind. The Spinney at Van Dyke offers a new approach to living for the “55 and better” community, allowing residents to move away from the burdens of owning their home while allowing a sense of privacy in a community setting. Each cottage at The Spinney features private entryways, back and front porches, as well as direct access, attached garages. The Spinney lifestyle is the smoothest transition from owning a home to downsizing and renting. Schedule a visit today to see why!
The Sentinel was created with a vision centered on providing individualized care in a home-like setting for seniors. Family owned and operated, The Sentinel offers decades of experience in providing quality care to its residents. The Sentinel’s philosophy focuses on taking a positive approach to senior living, and its goal is to provide seniors with an active and full life during their retirement years. The Sentinel takes great pride in its dedicated, caring and professional staff. Each staff member is carefully chosen for his or her courtesy and commitment to The Sentinel’s residents.
As an independent financial advisor for more than 30 years, the Fagan Associates team takes personal pride in handling the individual needs of all its clients. Specializing in investments, wealth management and retirement planning, Fagan currently manages more than $500 million in assets, and all portfolios are managed separately. Fagan is a fiduciary investment advisor that is fee-based, meaning there is no conflict of interest that comes with compensation-based commissions. At Fagan Associates, it’s your money—and they know that.
6 Parker Mathusa Pl., Delmar 518.689.0162; thespinneyatvandyke.com
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10 Market St., Amsterdam 518.896.0010; sentinelalf.com
767 Hoosick Rd., Troy 518.279.1044; faganasset.com
Pine Haven Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
201 Main St., Philmont 518.672.7408; pinehavencarecenter.com “Caring for adults who need around-theclock nursing care is both rewarding and challenging. In 2020, the global pandemic made caring for our residents even more challenging. I would like to publicly thank our staff, residents, family members, partners in care and the community at large for all they have done for Pine Haven. Thank you for the cards, letters, supplies, parades, food and numerous acts of physical and emotional support you have provided. All your thoughts, prayers and deeds of selfless giving have helped our facility and its residents get through a very difficult year. We are blessed to have you in our lives. Thank you!” –Elizabeth Groat, RN, Pine Haven Director of Admissions
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THE
Experts An Island-Hopping Adventure…Right Here in the Empire State!
CRL travel writer Alexandra Baackes takes you on a weekend jaunt to Long Island’s Suffolk County and the North Fork wine region. BY ALEXANDRA BAACKES
F
or years, I associated Long Island with a select few destinations known as playgrounds for the well-known and well-to-do: The Hamptons, Montauk, Fire Island. While I was fascinated by the idea of rubbing elbows with the rich and famous, I never did quite make the trip down south from the Capital Region. Thankfully, it turned out eaux Vineyards. boho-chic Crot that my first foray into Suffolk m fro sip to es Sampl County—while crossing off studying vineyard maps and ferry another one of New York’s 62 schedules in an attempt to plan my safe counties, all of which I’ve resolved to travel regional getaway, essentially makes up to this year—was much more my (and the entire eastern half of Long Island. The hopefully, your!) speed. Enter: the 30-mile peninsula runs roughly parallel North Fork. to another one known, aptly, as the South Travelers driving (or Amtrak-ing it) down Fork, where the previously mentioned Long from Albany have several options when Island hotspots are located. Clearly, I’d been it comes to getting to the North Fork. It’s looking in the wrong place the entire time. about 2.5 hours by car from Albany to Not that the North Fork is all that Bridgeport or New London, CT, where you “hidden” of a gem; Greenport, its de facto can hop on a ferry and literally sail there. Or, headquarters, is a wildly popular tourist spot if you prefer to stick to land, you can simply and charming base from which to explore. drive through New York City, which takes Loyalists call it the laid-back alternative to about 3.5 hours and could increase from the flashier escapes to the south. Roads there depending on traffic. up and down the fork are dotted with farm The area is well known for its wineries, stands and family-owned vineyards, and and Suffolk County, as I learned while
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Travel // Wellness the tiny town that makes up the heart of it is lined with vintage shops, nautical fixings and tempting restaurants. A seasonal spot, Greenport comes to life each year in the spring, gearing up for its busy and bustling summer months. Those who arrive early enough in the season not only beat the crowds, but also encounter friendlier locals who are eager to lend a helping hand with directions before being consumed by the true tourist season. After careful consideration, I checked into The Menhaden, a modern and minimalist boutique hotel with an inviting roof deck, which was perfectly located, allowing me to ditch my car for the weekend and venture everywhere by foot. Setting off on a mission to orient myself down Front Street, I quickly clocked a few of my favorite new boutiques in town for window shopping: Tea and Tchotchkes, full of modern gifts, hip T-shirts and locally crafted greeting cards; Lido, a globallyinspired, bohemian shop; and The Times Vintage, a funky place to browse for blasts from the past. As I mentioned above, you can’t talk about the North Fork without mentioning wine—after all, it’s one of New York State’s four primary wine regions. With 40 vineyards to choose from, the options can be a bit overwhelming. But each has its own flavor. Boho-chic Croteaux Vineyards features rosés, while Sparkling Pointe serves up (you guessed it) lots of bubbles. Lenz feels bougie and upscale, while Duck Walk is unpretentious and laid back. And Jason’s Vineyard? They have alpacas. Imagine that. The North Fork is not all about wine, though. Greenport Harbor Brewing Co. serves up artisanal brews in a renovated 1860s firehouse next to the town’s historic jail. Spirits fans will be delighted by Greenport Distilling or Matchbook Distilling Company, where you can book a $100 MYO
place for enjoying the great outdoors—a travel trend from 2020 that has A retro beachy vibe reigns certainly carried over at Greenport’s waterfront to this year. A favorite Silver Sands Motel. getaway-within-mygetaway was to grab one of The Menhaden’s complimentary beach cruisers and hop (make-your-own!) gin experience. When it’s on the eight-minute South Ferry to Shelter over, you’ll walk out with your own full-size Island. At $3 for a round-trip ticket, it was a proprietary botanical blend. great bargain and opened up a whole new And the area’s farms aren’t just growing world of adventures. The island, nestled grapes: For something different, head to between the North and South Forks, has a Lavender by the Bay farm, known for its population of 2,500 that swells to 15,000 fields of the fragrant flower. While it officially by summer and is known as the “Unopens for the season in the springtime, most Hamptons.” I rented a bike and rode all the travelers with a passion for purple tend to way to the Mashomack Preserve, passing arrive there in the summer months to catch quaint Victorian-style homes and brightly lavender’s peak blooming season. Shoot for painted flower stands lined with honor jars. June, but you might get lucky earlier—and On arrival there, I ditched my wheels and you can always just swing by the farm to wandered the well-marked trails of the shop, regardless of how brightly hued the scenic preserve. fields might be. At North Fork’s furthest point sits Orient Besides wine-sipping and lavenderBeach State Park, a pebbly beach that’s peeping, Suffolk County is also a wonderful
home to four lighthouses and endless views of glassy Gardiner’s Bay. While the stand-up paddleboard, kayak and canoe rentals don’t open until Memorial Day and the lifeguards don’t take their posts until June, the park is open from 8am-4pm daily, even in the depths of winter, and there are plenty of beautiful walking/biking trails and scenic beach picnics to enjoy as spring comes into its own. Plus, during the offseason, you won’t have to pay the $8-$10 vehicle fee. Like much of New York, not every business in Greenport has reopened, and that has given me a reason to return someday soon. And I will. Whenever the North Fork Yoga Shala gets back to offering sweaty classes in its converted church studio, Leaves in a Bowl Tea House once again serves up its onsite tea meditations and Greenport Village Cinema flings open its doors to theater lovers again, I plan on being there. While COVID has kept most of us from taking part in much international travel, exploring our own backyard has been a surprisingly satisfying substitute.
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GETAWAYS Advertising Section
Let’s Go!
Two day-trips for local adventurers.
Howe Caverns
255 Discovery Dr., Howes Cave 518.296.8900; howecaverns.com Howe Caverns nabbed an impressive Bestie for Seasonal Event after hosting its first ever totally immersive haunted cave tour. The experience turned its beautiful show cave into The Underworld at Howe Caverns last fall, leading up to Halloween. Only the bravest entered a world of creatures, monsters, and demons 156 feet below the Earth’s surface. The Underworld at Howe Caverns exceeded expectations in its first year, with sold out evenings and rave reviews. Now, the caverns’ award-winning creative production team is already hard at work on the 2021 Underworld, which will run weekends in the month of October. Of course, Howe Caverns offers Traditional Cave Tours all year long, along with its state-of-the-art escape room, Howe To Escape! New for 2021: an easy online ticketing system that enables guests to purchase tickets at their convenience, bypassing busy phone lines. Visit the attraction’s website for event updates and to purchase tickets.
Apple Barrel Store + Cafe
115 State Rt. 30A, Schoharie 518.295.7179; shopapplebarrel.com Originally opened as a farm stand after the end of WWII, Apple Barrel Store + Cafe has become one of Upstate New York’s premier destinations. Today, the store and awardwinning cafe encapsulate nearly 6,000 square feet and feature the best in home décor, gifts, fashion and gourmet food products. Whether you want to shop, eat or simply spend a few hours browsing and being inspired, The Apple Barrel comes together at the intersection of rural and urban, exemplifying the upstate lifestyle and making it the perfect excursion for your next rainy day or sunny afternoon—patio will be open for spring!
THE
Travel // Wellness
Experts Demystifying Telehealth The world of psychotherapy has been at the forefront of the virtual revolution. BY APRIL ARNOLD, BS, BA , MSW, LCSW
N
ot all byproducts of the pandemic have been bad. Case in point: the proliferation of “telehealth,” or the ability for patients to see healthcare professionals from the comfort of their own
homes via safe, secure, HIPAA-compliant systems, not unlike Zoom—or simply, via their smartphone. What used to be a long, drawn-out headache of a process for patients, which included appointment cards and waiting rooms, has quickly become the height of convenience. And April Arnold, a
licensed psychotherapist, has been enjoying it for quite awhile: It was part of her practice long before COVID hit in 2020. Most importantly, telehealth has become the great democratizer, allowing patients to be seen at all times—sometimes within a moment’s notice. Though Arnold’s main psychotherapy practice is based in Naples, FL, she’s planning to open a practice in Saratoga Springs in the near future. We asked Arnold to key us in on the telehealth phenomenon and help us demystify it for prospective patients, who might be unfamiliar with the format. Telehealth Is Old Hat for Therapists I’ve been doing virtual sessions for about four or five years now. I do have an office where I was seeing clients in person, pre-COVID, but because our board actually states that patients have to be masked for in-office visits now—and not all of them want to do that—virtual offers them another option. Virtual sessions offer more confidentiality, too. And they’re a time-saver. I’ve seen people, virtually, in their garages and cars. Therapists Can Now See Patients at the Point of Crisis I’ve had patients pull off on the side of the road and text me, “April, I need you. Are you available?” In those emergency situations, I think it’s the best. My child clients, ages 6 and up, will text me that they’re under their bed and want to talk. And if I have a minute, I will stop what I’m doing and call. Especially when it comes to children, sometimes I feel like they just need someone. Even if it’s for 15 minutes. What Newbies Should Know About Making Telehealth Appointments If you’re looking to do psychotherapy for the first time via telehealth, find a therapist who is comfortable with the format, and someone, obviously, who is qualified. I do an initial free consultation. Some people feel comfortable with me and some don’t. And that’s fine. I often refer patients to another therapist if it doesn’t work out. Why Telehealth Is Here to Stay I think that more people are willing to get counseling now because of telehealth; that’s just my sense. It’s easier to pick up the phone.
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before you go...
WILLIE & G. BY JOHN GRAY
F
ifty-something-year-old Giovanni heard his wife’s voice before even trying to open his eyes. They’d been closed for so long that the light from the hospital room stabbed them like a knife when he was finally able to coax them apart. After a hug from his wife and daughter and an encouraging word from the doctor, Giovanni looked around the room and asked, “Where is she?” The other people in the room looked confused, so he added, “The nurse with the green eyes— the superhero.” Nobody had an answer for Giovanni; maybe this was the talk of a man who was still dreaming or hadn’t yet realized that his nightmare was over. His brush with death, courtesy of the COVID-19 virus, was behind him now; he was off the machines that kept him breathing. He was going to make it. Still, Giovanni insisted to all who were gathered in the room that they needed to find the nurse he saw right before the lights went out 10 days earlier. The doctor urged his patient to rest and encouraged the others to let him do so. Everyone left the room then except Giovanni’s young daughter, who said, “What are you talking about, Daddy? Who is a superhero?” Giovanni patted the bed, directing her to sit, then told her the following story. “When I was a little boy, the kids in the neighborhood made fun of my name. It was so long and sounded strange to them.” His daughter listened and nodded, as he continued. “So, I shortened it, and everybody started calling me ‘G.’” She smiled then and asked, “Like, gee, I wish I had a more boring name?” Giovanni laughed, and replied, “Exactly.” He continued: “On the next street over, there was a girl with an odd name like mine—Wilhelmina—and she had the same problem with people mispronouncing her
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name or teasing her about it.” Giovanni’s daughter asked, “So did you become friends?” “We did; fast friends, best friends for a few years. I called her ‘Willie,’ and she called me ‘G.’” His daughter then interrupted him. “That’s nice, Daddy, but what does that have to do with someone being a superhero?”
He then explained to her that “Willie always wanted to grow up to be a superhero, and her favorites were the Lone Ranger and Batman. She liked them, because they wore masks, and nobody could question if a girl could be a superhero if she were behind the mask. Do you know what I mean?” His daughter smiled. “I think I do.” He continued: “Every Halloween she’d dress up like them, and she’d run around pretending to save the day.” Giovanni was smiling now at the memory and reached over to take a sip of the orange juice next to his hospital bed. He looked lost in thought, and so his daughter said, “Where are you, Daddy? You drifted off.” Giovanni replied, “I was just thinking that it’s terrible how we make these amazing friends as children and then let them slip away. I hadn’t talked to Willie or even thought about her in decades.” Giovanni then squeezed his daughter’s hand and said, “Until I got to this hospital and I couldn’t breathe. I was crashing. I use that
term because I heard them yelling at each other: ‘HE’S CRASHING, HE’S CRASHING.’” He met his daughter’s eyes and said, “I was so scared. Then someone touched my arm and got right down in my face and said, “Shh...I’ve got you now. It’s going to be all right.” His daughter then said, “And that’s the superhero you mentioned with the green eyes?” Giovanni smiled and said, “Yes, but I don’t think you’re understanding what I’m saying.” Just then there was a light knock on the door of the hospital room, and a nurse in her 50s slowly approached Giovanni’s bed. He locked eyes with her and instantly began to cry. “Daddy, what’s the matter?” his daughter said. “It’s going to be okay.” She then turned to look at the nurse standing at the foot of the bed and realized behind the mask and protective plastic shield, all you could really make out were her piercing eyes. They were emerald green and danced in the light. Giovanni’s daughter saw the way this nurse was looking at her father and finally understood. She whispered to the nurse, “Are you Willie?” The nurse’s eyes filled with tears as she looked at her patient, and said, “I am. And this is G.” G. reached out to take her hand and said, “I knew it was you by your eyes. You’re a nurse?” Willie just smiled and nodded. G. wiped his tears away and added: “You got your wish, Willie. You grew up to be a superhero.” The nurse smiled under all her protective equipment and said, “And I got to wear a mask. Although this is not exactly what I had in mind.” As the two old friends stared at each other in silence, Willie’s eyes suddenly looked sad. G. asked her, “What’s wrong?” She replied, “When we were little and played superhero, everyone got saved.” He nodded, as the ICU nurse said, “G., I couldn’t save everyone.” The man in the hospital bed reached out to hug his daughter and said, “But you did save me. Thank you.” Willie then said, “Can I tell you a secret?” “Sure,” said G. “I don’t want to have to wear a mask anymore,” she said. G. then said, “Can I tell you a secret?” Willie nodded. “You don’t need to,” he said. “You nurses and doctors were heroes all along.”
