, Joseph Raucci, Adirondack Winer y, Cr ystal Cober t Giddens, Nellie Ackerman-Vellano
Th e h o l i d ay s e a s o n i s h
t a l g i a and festive aromas of sweet baked goods. It’s the time for gift giving and spending special time with our loved ones. Colored-light displays o f re d, g re e n , s i l ve r a n d g
t h roughout neighborhoods and our storefronts. Although there are to n s o f re a s o n s to l ove t h e h o l i d ays, i t ’s a l s o t h e t i m e to fo
ce lebrating family, friends and the little moments that bring you joy.
E a ch year I find myself feeling excited while preparing the D e cember issue I guess you would say it puts all of us here at 518 Profiles i n the holiday spirit We hope you feel the warmth within these pages, b u t , b e fo re yo u b e g i n re a d i n g
p l a ce s we’ve
v
i fe.
Th e wa r m e s t o f t h a n k yo u s to
to suppor t small businesses this holiday season. It is more important than ever to shop local and suppor t your communit y. We wish you a l l t
h
E n j oy !
Stephanie Sittnick Founder / Publisher
Rodney Allen Bentley – An Accidental Ar tist How Tragedy Bir thed the Soul of an Ar tist pg. 4
Ever ything Ever Done Here was an Ar t Form It ’s The Shir t Fac tor y…. Your Go -To Holiday Shopping Venue
pg. 12
The Delicious Candymakers of 518 Making Holidays, Memories, and Mouths Water All Year Long
pg. 20
Fill Your Canvas! Fuel Your Imagination! Arlene's Ar t Materials has Filled Theirs for 60 Years!
pg. 34
Rodney Allen Bentley – An Accidental Artist
How Tragedy Birthed the Soul of an Artist
by Carol St. Sauveur Ferris
Now, more than ever, the nightly news is filled with sadness a
thankfully, most stations attempt to end their program on a positive note Usually it’s a short segment that shines a light on the good deeds or amazing triumphs of everyday people across the country leaving us with feelings of hope
518 Profiles Magazine shines a light on the goodness of people who make a positive contribution to the world around us
T
amazing talent talent that is usually apparent at a very young age and matures later in life with practice and commitment But for a few, it seemingly comes out of nowhere Rodney Allen Bentley is one whose creativity suddenly appeared later in life and is nothing short of a miracle
One late spring day in May of 2011, Rodney was going about his morning routine at his home in Philadelphia. He was 45 years old and living the American dream. He had a great job, a home he took pride in and a lovely fiancé. That morning he was about to shower but somehow fell to the floor. Eight weeks later, he woke up in the ICU from a medically induced coma after sustaining a STBI (severe traumatic brain injury) with no memory of how or why he was there His chance of survival was a grim 30%
To make matters worse, Rodney had to undergo emergency surgery to correct an unrelated but dangerous case of cervical degeneration that went un-diagnosed for years until scans for his TBI revealed the condition The result of both the STBI and the spinal surgery was a cascade of problems, including temporary paralysis and aphasia, requiring weeks of intense occupational and physical therapy Rodney had to learn how to read, write, speak, and walk again Though he was a living miracle, a battery of neurocognitive tests also indicated he could no longer perform the tasks required of him in a corporate management position His cognitive abilities had been too severely affected The news was devastating Depression and self-medicating with alcohol soon followed.
On July 4, 2012, Rodney woke up in a Saratoga county jail, and once again, he had no idea how he got there. Turns out he had been arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated for the second time in three days. Family members hired an attorney and prepared to post bail for him, but surprisingly, R o d n e y d e c l i n e d H
including his fiancé, so the idea of his own one-room cell with b a r s f o r f o u r m o n t h s w a s a p p e
l i n g i n
e w a y H e f e l t it would give him a place to reflect, heal, and focus on nourishing his mind, body, and soul He was absolutely correct, and it is in prison where the miracles began to happen
Rodney was a model prisoner and spent much of his free time in his pod’s recreation room playing Scrabble by himself T h o u g h c h a l l e n g i n g , t h e g a m e h e l p e d w i t h l a n g u a g e a n d cognition problems caused by his STBI It wasn’t long before fellow inmates asked to join him, and soon there were 13 guys playing Scrabble on a regular basis One day, a huge, burly inmate nicknamed Tiny, came over to Rodney and sat down Tiny needed a birthday card for his 5-year-old grandson and
wanted him to draw one with a dragon on it Not about to say no to Tiny, Rodney got a piece of paper and a pencil from the guards, then began to d r a w Wi t h e a c h s t ro k e o f t h e p e n c i l , a d
a p peared on the paper No one was more surprised than Rodney Yes, he had taken art classes in high school And yes, even one in college, but he never ever thought of himself as an artist Not even close
Rodney’s unexplained artistic talent flowed and led him to drawing and even teaching some classes in the prison. His incarceration was a true blessing in disguise. And though given the opportunity to leave before his four months were up, Rodney chose to stay. His instincts told him
t h a t t h e s e f o u
s o b r i ety, so he remained in prison and did his time
At the end of his four-month sentence, Rodney felt more alive than ever before and was gratefully sober, one day at a time With that sobriety
came a newfound self-confidence and sense of purpose that had eluded him since his STBI And the creative and artistic ability? Well, how do you explain an unfortunate fall that led to a traumatic brain injury; which led to emergency spinal surgery; that led to prolonged rehabilitation and terrible loss; which led to depression and self-medicating with alcohol; that ultimately led to incarceration? You can’t And yet in the end, these tragedies revealed a whole new world to Rodney Was it just crazy luck, a medical miracle, or perhaps divine intervention? No one can know for sure
addiction program in Syracuse, New York which he successfully completed. He was also required to make one final court appearance before a judge. On that day, Rodney’s mother spoke on his behalf. Her words, coupled
“Adirondack Overlook” 11X14
“Meltdown” 16X20
“Winter Promenade” 16X20
with the fact that he had been a model prisoner who chose to stay and help his fellow inmates while helping himself, convinced the judge that Rodney was ready to go live his life He was a free man
Initially, Rodney moved in with his sister to begin his new life, contributing $150 00 a month from his Social Security disability check to “
c o r porate world because his cognitive skills were no longer strong, Rodney needed to find his worth With not a lot of money in his pocket he happened upon a great place called the Spot Coffee Bar in Glens Falls,
and a day-old muffin At the Spot, he could
became their ad hoc artist-in-residence and a friend to all Sitting at the same table everyday next to the same window, passersby watched him draw and often
h i m . His story of miracles that led to his
c a p t i vated people. Some of them even bought his pieces.
Word spread, and it wasn’t long before local mortgage lenders and realtors commissioned Rodney to create architectural renderings of houses they sold to their clients. They are done in charcoal and graphite with touches of color
R o d ney ’ s work also caught the eye of someone
a r chitectural piece of area historical buildings gifted to Saga, Japan, their sister city, by the Glens Falls Mayor ’ s Delegation in 2018
Rodney works with charcoal, graphite, pastels, and acrylics He even creates wonderful pieces using digital art on his iPad His portfolio is as diverse as the media he uses There are charcoal
p a i n t i n g of bright yellow flowers called Antoinette’s Flower Garden; a quiet acrylic painting of candlelight b y a window called Fenimore’s Window; a digitally painted bright r e d d o o r a n d e n t r y w a y c a l l e d M y s tery Castle; and another digital painting called Dobbins Lookout. In addition, there are some very cool portraits of Kid Rock, Bruce Springsteen, and one of Carlos Santana playing his guitar And somewhere o n t h
w
s o
r i c p r i v a t e re s idence in Glens Falls is a beautiful, hand painted Rodney Allen Bentley mural
While quarantined due to the pandemic, Rodney’s paintings have become more whimsical and surreal For example, Rodney’s COVID Surrealism #1 and COVID #5 depict undulating tree limbs with small leafed foliage on a 2color background A single butterfly flutters within the safety of the tree limbs And then there’s Flow, whose
“Into the Mystic” 30X40
delicate colors and sweet hummingbird lift the spirit Rodney explains that he
i s c u r re n t l y e x p l o r i n g n e w w a y s t o
c re ate balance during these difficult times His colorful, larger canvases
p a i n t e d w i t h f o r m s t h a t f l o w, a r e i n tended to bring about a sense of well-being and hope for the future
It’s truly hard to imagine how anyone ’ s
l i f e c o u l d c h a n g e s o d r a m a t i c a l l y
b e cause of a fall, but the brain has long been considered the last great frontier Overnight Rodney became an artistic
s a v a n t d u e t o h i s S T B I M o s t o f u s u n derstand the obvious physical changes and physical limitations an
STBI can cause. But the rest remains a mystery His journey is testimony to the human spirit and perhaps, the hands of God Birthing his creative soul was a painful process, but the making of this accidental artist, was who he was meant to be
Today, Rodney has a place of his own, a special lady in his life, and many commissions to keep him busy for a long time His work can be seen and purchased in local galleries, on Twitter and Instagram @thruhishands, at www fineartamereica com and at www savantartists art
And like always, Rodney can still be found in his favorite seat, sketching by the window, at Spot Coffee Bar almost every day. Stop by and say hello.
“Antionette’s Flower Garden” 16X20
“Enchantment” 30X40
“Serendipity” 18X24
“Dome Island” 30X40
Every Saturday, November 28th through December 19th, 12pm-4pm.
Featuring art and crafts from local vendors, perfect for holiday gift-giving!
FIRST Thursdays beginning December 3rd
To celebrate the arts, businesses and restaurants will host artists, performers, singers, musicians, drinks and food specials for a fun night out.
MEMBER SHOW!
runs daily through January 9th!
320 Broadway, Saratoga Springs
saragotaar ts.org
SARATOGA ARTS
Give the gift of membership and help make the arts accessible to all!
Everything Ever Done Here was an Art Form
It’s The Shirt Factory….Your Go-To Holiday Shopping Venue
by Chandler Stevens
Before you appreciate what’s there now, you have to appreciate what once was
The Shirt Factory in Glens Falls is a wonderful destination, not only for unique, fun, and safe holiday shopping, but also for the 118 years of history displayed throughout the building To embrace what it is now is to fully acknowledge the past
J R McMullen and Walter Leavens had worked themselves up to be board members of a local shirt and collar manufacturer in the 1890s When a fire destroyed that company in 1902, they took their share of the insurance proceeds and the relatively new attached shirt and collar portion of the business
7 1 Lawrence Street in Glens Falls They focused their efforts on carving out a premium brand name in men ’ s shirts under the McMullen & Leavens label.
In the Depression years looking to boost sales when high-end m e n ’ s s hirts were not in demand, a line of
women ’ s shirtwaist dresses was added This dress business took off after hiring a talented designer and McMullen dresses became known for style and quality
The dressmaking operation was moved out in 1976, but shirt making continued until 1996, when the present owner Eric Unkauf attended an auction at the building where much of the shirt making equipment was sold off. Unkauf already owned a building down the street and wanted to move his machine shop to the basement of the old shirt factory with plans of renting out the upper floors, so he began work to preserve the
property, finally purchasing it in 1999 and slowly beginning to rent it out Word spread quickly about the building with great natural light, high ceilings, and hardwood floors, and the 80,000 square foot building was eventually parceled out into 80 individual tenant spaces known as “The Shirt Factory.”
“At first, I had a few artists who took some of the units, but before long, I had a lot of artists
l
splitting spaces into studios and galleries for artists, and by 2001-2002, “ we had a lot of them in the building ” The Shirt Factory was rapidly growing in popularity, so in 2008, as Eric tells the story, “I got rid of the non-artists and focused strictly on artists and artisans.”
Fast forward to today, and The Shirt Factory is still humming, but not with the sounds of sewing machines Now the old bones of this multi-storied building hum with the sounds of a different kind of creation: it’s the swish of paintbrushes, the sound of wood being sawed, the sounds of hammers and blades and bezel ro l
metal being worked Today The Shirt Factory in
a c t i v e waiting list waiting to occupy one of its cherished spaces
It would take every page in this issue of 518 Profiles to list every unique and welcoming room, gallery, and space in The Shirt Factory b
p
s sible to browse, to gawk, to gaze, and to BUY for those you love, here’s a short list for your pleasure.
Tea has made a complete 180, and people are once again savoring it as a favorite beverage, s
Dolores Thomson Clay Concepts Studio
Dolores Thomson
Tom Myott
Tom Myott Gallery
Factory where loose leaf tea is king? Next, how about some delicious aromas at a place making and selling soaps of all kinds? While you ’ re engaging in aromas, you can also find aromatherapy at The Shirt Factory, along with herbal medicine, fitness, and healing arts
There’s so very much that’s w o n d e r f u l a b o u t U p s t
N ew York and it’s been captured in a store where you can only f
re gion; or perhaps your tastes run to antiques and all things vintage you’ll find that here as well If you love jewelry, you will marvel at the creativity of many finished pieces, along w i t h a p l a c e c h o c k a b l o c k w i t h stones, gems, crystals, and minerals.
It’s the holidays, so why not visit a space where you will be blown away with handcrafted wreaths? Better yet, if you ’ re a
DIY-type, they’ll sell you everything you need in order to create your own
P
p o t tery It’s all within this glorious old factory with a storied past, a vibrant present, and a guaranteed future
Artists of all stripes abound at The Shirt Factory, whether their medium is watercolor, glass, metal, or photography so stop by and find something wonderful for a gift, or perhaps give a gift to yourself. Hey, it’s Christmas!
i n s t r u ments... yes, all there in this incomparable place that came together by Unkauf ’ s hard work coupled with the vision of a myriad of artists, many of whom offer classes
The Sunflower Collection
The Stone Stash SensibiliTeas
Dawn Lettus
Adelaide Walsh Leibold
Betty O'Brien Watermedia
MC Huskie
All In Glass Studios Too
Stephen LeBlanc
Luckystone Feltworks Studio
G e t i n t o u c h w i t h y o u r i n n e r b e a u t y w i t h f i t ness classes, alternative healing, massage, hair, skincare, and meditation
If all of this weren’t enough, The Shirt Factory takes it even further with a Market and Food Truck Corral on Thursdays during the warmer months of the year. “We have both farm and craft vendors here,” says Eric, “ a petting zoo, live e n t e r t a i n m e n t , a n d g re a t f o o d . ” I t a l l b e g i n s i n mid-May and runs straight through midSeptember, and according to Unkauf, “this is t h e l a rg e s t w e e k l y g a t h e r i n g o f f o o d t r u c k s b e tween New York City and Montreal ”
All 80 spaces in The Shirt Factory are currently filled, but Eric holds an ever-growing waiting list Yes, he did lose some tenants due to the
pandemic, but for every one who left, even more came because they know The Shirt F a c t o r y i s n o t
b
t a breeding place for artists and artisans and a place that people wish to visit again and again for renewal, for fun, or to see what’s new and exciting
The old bones of the building both creak and sing because there is life once again within its walls And if you listen, really listen, you might just hear through the walls the sounds of the past - of sewing machines, all in perfect rows, making perfect stitches, creating the unique and the beautiful. Not unlike today where a
s h i r t factory of long ago, also creating the unique and the beautiful and knowing it has to be just right
And it is
Since 2002 the building has hosted annual “ open houses” in November and December as well as “ pop-up ” sales featuring not only works from tenants, some of whom open to the public only on these days, but also select guest vendors. The current details of these sales are available on the Shirt Factory’s Facebook page, and this is always a great time to explore the building and find great unique handcrafted
larly open to the public y
and it is best to
, t h e contact information for which can be found on the website at www ShirtFactorygf com
The Shirt Factory is located at 71 Lawrence Street & 21 Cooper Street in Glens Falls (518) 502-1450
“People love candy,” Tom Krause of Krause’s Homemade Candy in Albany says. “It doesn’t matter if there’s a Depression, Recession, or Pandemic, they need and want something sweet. It’s comfort food, and they’ll spend their last nickel on it.”
K
a p p r e n ticed as a candy maker before becoming a cook on a merchant marine vessel “He absolutely hated it,” Tom recounts, “ so he jumped ship in Australia, but they caught him and put him back on the ship Then he jumped shipped again in New York, but this time they didn’t catch him ”
Krause’s grandfather initially found from running a newsstand to main small gas
He made
s
lipops
w o u l d
e r them as a premium for free to customers who bought enough gas
“Then the Depression hit,” Tom said, “and my grandfather said people w o u l d s p e n d t h e i r
c h o c o l a t e r a t h e r t h a n b re a d o r m i l k
b e cause it was comfort food, a good depression business. His grandfathe opened a store in Long Island and
taught his son, Manfred (Tom’s father), how to make candy His father was an engineer and later relocated to Saugerties with the family, but nfortunately laid off Like his father before him, he verted back to candy making
I
k
tle, I started making candy myself ” Krause acknowledges nothing has really changed In bad
P eople rally around comfort food, and chocolate is the ultimate comfort food ”
Krause’s Homemade Candy is widely known for heir almond butter crunch in both milk and dark ; heir best-selling item. But Tom will also tell you, “Christmas and the holidays, in general, are huge, and we can never have enough chocolate Santas, snowmen, gift boxes, trays, baskets, Hanukkah coins and dreidels, and bars with menorahs carefully carved into the confections
Krause’s Homemade does a big online and mail-order business as well s o t h e y c a n k e
s e n d some of their best “comfort food” all over the country to future customers and fans
Krause’s Homemade Candy 1609 Central Avenue, Albany www krausescandy com (518) 869
Photo by Stephanie Sittnick
He was going to be a dentist, but life took a unique turn Now he sends people to the dentist!
It must be great to grow up just a half-mile down the road from where you will spend your life working at something you absolutely love.
G u i l d e r land (“our mailing address is Altamont”) got into the business
“
English class who worked there told me they were looking for someone to mop the floors I thought that would make a great part-time job, so I took it 47 years later I’m still mopping!
Pikcilingis is doing a whole lot more than just mopping these days, he owns the place! “My boss at the time, Loren Pratt, t h o u g h t I d i d a g o o d
o b m o p ping so he taught me to make candy “Sometimes he’d leave on errands and leave me there still stirring a kettle of chocolate caramels for a long time, but I fell in love with it.”
Loren Pratt was an excellent candy maker, according to Bob, but he eventually just burned out “I was an apprentice and eager, so I took a lot of notes and soon learned to make everything ” That meant fudge, nougats, jellies, and even marshmallows from scratch “We have a starch room in the basement where we make all t h e c e n
a p prentice, he bought the shop from Pratt
Pikcilingus also learned to do hard candies and what has become the specialty of the shop, ribbon candy Candy Kraft makes filled ribbon
, sassafras
As with every business, the pandemic took its toll, but now Candy Kraft is “just trying to maintain normalcy,” according to B o b “ I t w a s d i f f i c u l t g etting supplies and boxes for a while, but now he is ready for the holidays with all the wonderful homemade candies his shop has always been known for “Chocolate always fits, not like a sweater This shop’s been here since 1935, and we ’ re going nowhere any time soon since my son is now in it full time, and he has three boys It’s in our blood We’re going to be here for a long, long time It’s a very happy business There are no long faces People come in happy and leave even happier ”
And with that, the guy who started mopping floors just down the road from his home all those years ago, goes back to his candy kettle, a very happy candy maker Candy Kraft Candies 2575 Western Avenue, Guilderland, NY (518) 355-1860 candykraft.com
For the last 22 years, Dawn Oesch has been putting smiles on the faces of the locals and visitors to Saratoga The way she tells it, she never had a chance to do anything other than make sweets
“ I g
p a r ents owned, so from the start, I was doomed to never be a twig!” she laughs. When she was in high school Oesch drifted from the family bakery to a job at
a
l o v e . “My boss taught me how to make candies, and without a doubt, it became my favorite job
After two years studying Small Business Management at Dean C
a n d I still love marketing my business all over town,” says the woman who now delights in dressing up as a giant chocolate strawberry to promote The Candy Co
Oesch always figured that someday she’d own her own business, so f o l l o w i n g t h e d e a
t a l k ing about making something significant out of life while still here, he asked, “What was your favorite job?” Dawn immediately answered, “The candy store from high school,” so her father said, “Then your decision is right in front of you. ”
Dawn has never regretted that decision nor turned back although she adds, “There had to be a willingness to see it succeed, it could just as easily have failed ”
When asked if she has a large staff, Oesch laughed and said, “This is MY baby I have a few part-timers now and then, but it’s mostly me ” Then she laughed again and said, “I have control issues ” T
“ We have ribbon candy, chocolate lollipops, Rice Krispies Christmas trees, peanut brittle, and sugar plum truffles and purple gummy sugar plums. Everything to bring you back to your childhood. We even have penny candy, although now it’s a dime or a quarter, but still, where can you get a piece of candy these days that cheap?”
The Candy Co lovers also love Dawn’s fudge which this time of year even comes in eggnog and candy cane flavors And like Krause’s, they do a large mail- order business and online sales
“ C h o c o l a t e a d d s n o r m a l c y, ” O e s c h c o
a sweet business We put smiles on faces, even through masks ” Th 5 W Sa ww (51
Small Town Bakery Offers Big Hope for Individuals with Gluten Free Needs
By Nellie Ackerman-Vellano
While I was off to the side of the bakery with my camera, thinking I'm just here to photograph the gluten free foods, I could hear the owner, Robert Averill, interact with every single customer that walked into his shop He curiously asked each customer that he waited on if they were gluten free or why they were choosing gluten free foods I listened to their customers share how they had health issues, Celiac disease, or tell about dietary concerns that they had and how this was one of the very few places they could find and buy safe foods to eat.
I've never known what it's like to have to avoid gluten because it challenged my life. Most of us do not understand what it's like to have to be so aware of what you eat every single day of your life because eating to simply survive, could make you very sick
I have friends that are “gluten free,” some because it's a lifestyle choice for them Others choose a gluten free diet because it's a real health issue that has them alert and on guard anytime they eat out with family or friends
As I watched Robert listen to each of their s t o r i e s , a n d e m p a t h i z e a s t h e y s h a r e d i n formation about their personal illnesses, other customers in line joined in the different conversations They all expressed how grateful they were that a place like this existed for them and shared similar stories out loud with each other as they stood socially distant, united on opposite sides of the bakery.
a n other instant favorite of mine It's a blend of chicken, celery, green onions, craisins, and mayonnaise on their freshly baked bread It's so good, that o n e c u s t o m e r, A l l i S f ro m M a l t a , N e w York, shared with me that she drives over 30 minutes one way, at least two to three times per week just to get this chicken salad sandwich I completely understand why she does this. I could eat their chicken salad out of a bowl all by itself. The other secret t o t h e s u c cess of this desired sandwich is the gluten free bread used to make it.
Robert's mother, MaryAnna, started making her own homemade baked gluten free bread recipe that was sold at farmers markets for years before o p e n i n g t h i s re t a i l s
S h
I've personally tried a few gluten free foods here and there, but this was a whole new wonderful experience for me I enjoyed the freshly made Gluten free Buffalo Chicken Pizza This was a great small personal pizza with lots of delicious toppings and a tasty crust that I would be more that thrilled to serve to my own family for lunch
w a s d i agnosed with Celiac disease 20 years ago and wanted to make a gluten free bread that didn't taste like gluten free bread. Her desire was to make a gluten free multigrain bread taste good and have good texture, without sacrificing any of the nutrition Taking whole grains and brown rice as the base to produce a high protein and high fiber yield, she succeeded
Robert unselfishly credits his mother as the most integral part
w
h out her ” The majority of the recipes used today are his mothers original recipes, mixed in with some of his own recipes as well
Robert also credits Sarah Vasquez, their H e
f re e treats in this shop at all times, like their tasty Chocolate Whoopie Pies and Lemon Bars, as well as their Vegan Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Whoopie Pies and gluten free Pumpkin Rolls
Who knew that my experience here would help me gain a sincere appreciation for g l u t e n f re e f o o d s a n d w h y t h e y e x i s t f o r the people who choose to eat them? I hope I've shared that insight with you.
Also, when you visit, grab their Breakfast Sandwich with bacon, egg, and cheese with sharp Cabot cheddar on a freshly baked multigrain hard roll from their breakfast menu
You will find Saratoga Gluten Free Goods at 176 Broad St, Schuylerville, NY 12871 or visit www saratogaglutenfreegoods com
e n tive and creative person I've ever met.” Sarah contributes much of the creativity in creating their baked goods.
Happy Eating!
Nellie Ackerman-Vellano, Feed Me 518™
Instagram: @FeedMe518
FB: www facebook com/FeedMe518
Website: www FeedMe518 com
INSTINCTIVELY DIFFERENT>>
Arlene's Art Materials has Filled Theirs for 60 Years!
by Rona Mann
photos by Stephanie Sittnick
s u r prise, however, with parents like hers
Arlene and Mike started the business in a house on Madison Avenue, near the College of St Rose, in the early 1960s Originally the business was a ceramics studio with Arlene teaching classes and Mike making clay and pouring molds Because local students needed art supplies, they began to move away from ceramics and broaden their inventory They rented out the top floor and divided the lower level, putting their shop in two-thirds of the space, while the family lived in the smaller space in the back and turned the attic into the workshop to do custom framing. “It was so small that for a while my brother and I had to share a room, ” says Garramone.
Donna literally grew up in her parents’ store. “I was born, they put me in a bassinet, and put that bassinet right on the counter,” she laughed, and she was not kidding Immersed in this environment day in and day out, she rapidly learned the business By the time she was a teenager and looking to make money of her own, Donna started to work at Arlene’s Although admittedly not an artist herself, she allows, “My mother, father, and brother are all artistic Unfortunately I did not inherit that gene, but I did have a strong work ethic and a love of art an art supplies ”
They worked hard, the store flourished, and it was time to make a big decision. So in 1974 Arlene and Mike took a leap of faith and moved to a larger space. “They had confidence it would work, and it did so well that within the first year they added an additional 2000 square feet to t h
basement for a backstock of supplies,” Garramone said
R e m brandt’s Pub!
To d a y t h
c o n t i n ues to run it and has for “about 20 years ”
h o b b y ists - indeed the whole realm of the art world Nowhere within hundreds of miles will you find a better selection of art supplies than what is found at Arlene’s
The inventory is absolutely astounding Those who are serious f i n e a
c a n find acrylics, water colors, oils, brushes, easels, mediums, pencils, pads, paper, and pastels all discounted 20-50% every day, so you never have to wait for a sale at Arlene’s Canvases are also on sale every day at 40-50% off, so there’s no need to troll the aisles of the big box store When you ’ re ready to shop at Arlene’s, they’re ready to treat you right with some of the best prices anywhere in the Capital District.
How about framing services? With over 1000 frame samples and 150 different colored mats from which to choose, there is no need to go anywhere but Arlene’s! In addition, you’ll find archival mat boards, foam core, mighty core, non-glare, and UV Plexiglass, dry m o u n t i n g , s i n g l e a n d d o u b l e p re
m i r rors, needlepoint, cross stitch, and canvas stretching, museum mounting, shrink wrap, and lamination services
New customers to Arlene’s will find handmade art papers, beautiful journals, and lots of gifts and novelties throughout the spacious store
No, you don’t have to be an artist to appreciate the more than 40,000 items in stock; and if there’s something you want and don’t see, the staff will do their best to special order whatever it is that will color your world and make you happy
There’s even a kids’ section at Arlene’s Artist Supply to keep them happy and busy during these stressful times Calligraphy is making a comeback,
i n c l u d ing a bit of instruction! Drafting supplies, so very hard to find in the Capital District, can be found at Arlene’s, along with silkscreen supplies and anything and everything for the novice or professional sculptor
“We have a phenomenal number of greeting cards that are so beautiful, unique, and unusual that we have customers who come to us just for cards,” said Donna With the holidays upon us there is an entire selection of artistic and handmade gift items for yourself or just about everyone on your list Stop in and check out the art mugs, the umbrellas with famous artists on them, the wide variety of unique and whimsical journals, and puzzles, puzzles, and more puzzles!
Donna had several opportunities to open other stores and considered e a ch of them carefully, but her heart a n d a t t e n t i o n t o h e r c u s t o m e r s a l ways remained in the store her parents began so long ago, the one in which she grew up. So there will be no Arlene’s #2 because Garramone has put her dedication, sweat equity, and business acumen into the one and only Arlene’s Artist Supply in Albany, a n d t h a t i s w h e r e s h e w i l l r e m a i n ! H o w f o r tunate for her customers that she has this business sense and a strong and enduring loyalty to the people who helped build it
Garramone, the lady with her parents’ genes and that good head on her shoulders paused and then said quietly, “I’ve been working h e re s i n c e I w a s 1 4 y e a r s o l d I a t tribute our success to our staff, m o s t o f w h o m h a v e a f i n e a r t d e gree Without their hard work and dedication we would not be where we are today It’s wonderful t h a t t h e p l a c e m y m o t h e r a n d f a ther started more than 60 years ago is still here, and we ’ re still able to be a part of this community Life isn’t about how much money you ’ re making, it’s about doing what you love for people who love what you do ”
Go color someone’s world for the holidays with a gift card from Arlene’s ...it’ll always fit and be just right!
Arlene’s Artist Materials is located at 57 Fuller Road in Albany www arlenesartist com
Phone: (518) 482-8881 Hours are: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 10AM-6PM Open Thursday 10AM-7PM and Saturday 10AM-5PM. Closed Sunday so Donna and her staff can finally rest!
The Christmas That Wasn’t, Really Was
by Karen Richman
You know who he is .
The place was called Kings Mountain, North Carolina, not really a great spot at all to spend the Christmas holiday. Kings Mountain is situated in t h e f o o t h i l l s o f t h e B l u e R i d g e M o u n t a i n s b e t w e e n G re e n v i l l e , S o u t h C a r olina and Charlotte, North Carolina It sounds like it should have been an idyllic spot, but decades ago there wasn’t much going on there
We were on our way back North from a short vacation in New Orleans and had to be home by Christmas There would be a vibrant atmosphere there Relatives, food, lights, a beautifully decorated tree; and of course, presents We had to get there, had to get home, because at Christmas you just have to be home
Maybe we rushed too much I don’t know what it was, but suddenly our car left the road and went down a series of uneven and unpleasant dirt bumps until we were left in a rather large hole It was not really an accident, for no one was hurt, but there also appeared no easy way to get the car back out of the hole “There was no damn sign!” my father kept saying o v e r a n d o v e r, a n
f a u l t Daddy was a good driver and always kept us safe, but upon further examination we realized there had been a sign about construction and closure, but it had been knocked down...probably by the unfortunate soul who got there before us and no doubt suffered the same fate.
Well, we were mad! Christmas Eve, and we ’ re stuck in a hole in nowhere North Carolina. How would we get home in time to leave our lists and cookies and milk for Santa? How would we have Christmas?
While Daddy got out and walked around the car assessing the situation, Mom tried to calm us kids down, but it did little good By now the tears were flowing, the voices were whining, and no matter what she said, it just wasn’t going to work
It was Christmas Eve day and nobody seemed open until Daddy spied a Holiday Inn next to a gas station He told us to stay still, and he’d be back as soon as he could Then he proceeded to climb out of the ditch and head for the road It seemed like forever, but a while later Daddy returned with a m a n f ro m t h e g a s s t a t i o n w h i c h w a s j u s t c l o s i n g
situation, then gave us the bad news He could get us out easy enough, but the car needed repair before it would be roadworthy, so he’d get it to his station, but couldn’t fix it until the day AFTER Christmas
AFTER? AFTER? We all started howling again in the backseat, which Mom put an immediate end to with stern words and threatened action. So where w o u l d w e g o ? T h e g a s s t a t i o n m a n s u g g e s t e d w e t r y t h e H o l i d a y I n n , saying they weren’t that busy. Daddy thanked him, told us to stay in the car, now ensconced at the gas station, and he walked across the parking lot to the main entrance of the hotel. Several minutes later he was back with a weak smile on his face and an announcement. “Okay, gang, ” he began, “ we ’ re going to have to spend our Christmas here, but think of the
fun we’ll have being in a hotel They even have a swimming pool ” Big deal None of us had a bathing suit, and this wasn’t our home with our stockings hung with care, our dining room table with Mom’s pies, our tree, and most importantly, our presents under that tree!
N e v e r t h e l e s s , u n d e r s t e
b a c k packs from the trunk of the ailing car and trudged into the lobby of the Holiday Inn, with long faces and low growls emitting from our throats. Then a curious thing happened, we could smell the unmistakable, delicious aroma of evergreen! We looked around, and there in the lobby was a real tree, not an artificial one with plastic needles, but the real thing! It was tall and stately, had a bunch of twinkle lights, and the ornaments were all kids’ toys We stood there mesmerized, picking out a toy tractor here, a dolly over there, a wooden Pinocchio and other Disney characters And giant candy canes hung from the branches!
“Would you kids like a candy cane?” The voice came from the man behind the front desk We looked to Mom who nodded in relief, glad someone else was at least momentarily in charge of our spirits As Daddy checked us in, we checked out the lobby There was a fireplace with real logs glowing and s n a p p i n
w e l coming place “I understand you kids don’t have your swimsuits with you, ” the man behind the desk said in his southern drawl We nodded s a d l y “ We l l , I ’ v e g o t k i d s a t h o m
s w i m suits that I don’t think fit them anymore I get off work in an hour, so I’ll go home and get them, and be back in a jiffy ”
Wow! Suddenly, this Christmas might – just might – be looking up. We checked into our rooms and little more than an hour later, there was a knock at the door. There was the man with a whole array of bathing suits and a whole bunch of Christmas cookies. “My wife just baked them and made too many, ” he probably lied. But we didn’t care.
Dinner that night was in the dining room where they wouldn’t let us order o ff t h e m e n u B e c a u s e i t w a s C h r i s t m
A l though we turned our noses up at southern butter beans and collard greens, there were some chicken fingers and heaps of real mashed potatoes, lots of gravy, and pumpkin pie and chocolate pie for dessert
We slept well that night because we knew there was no rush to get up early o n C h r i s t m a s m o r n i n g W h e n M o
“ I think Santa found you anyway ” There are the foot of the beds were a bunch of candy bars (no doubt raided from the vending machines) and a special note for each of us saying Santa was proud of how good we were acting, and he’d leave our real presents at home for us
We spent Christmas Day in the pool in between watching holiday shows on TV and stuffing ourselves with candy The restaurant had a special feast that afternoon with a choice of roast beef, ham, or turkey and everything that went with it and there were more of those delicious pies We were beginning to like southern cooking!
The next day our Pontiac was repaired, and we bid goodbye to the man b e h i n d t h e f r o n t d e s k , t h e t r e e , t h e f i r e p l a c e , s w i m m i n g p o o l , a n d e v e r y thing else that the Holiday Inn offered. We were going home to a real Christmas! We made the trip uneventfully and settled into familiarity - our tree, our presents, and the food Mom hastily cooked, but somehow, it just w a s n ’
a d venture, the kindness of strangers, and a sense of wonder we had not previously known
To t h i s d a y, o u r f a v
b o r rowed swimsuits, a real tree, a real fireplace, and a real sense of what this holiday was all about
At Christmas you don’t just have to be home, your Christmas is where you are.
Healthy, Holiday Recipes
By: Crystal Cobert-Giddens
The holidays are here We may be celebrating a little differently this year, but one thing hasn’t changed This is the season for eating with family, friends, and co-workers It’s the season for baking treats for our children’s teachers and the neighbor across the street Focus on eating healthy foods, made with healthy ingredients Remember to limit the amount of hidden sweets in your diet by reading labels and don’t worry about those homemade cookies your favorite aunt makes every year It’s okay!
Here are three crazy good recipes that are easy to prepare, healthy and PERFECT for the holiday season
OLIVES, ORANGES, AND LEMONS
Olives have the same health benefits as olive oil, but they carry extra phytosterols, lutein, and vitamins A and E
Oranges and lemons have lots of vitamin C which have been shown to lower levels of cortisol, the aging stress hormone
SALAD
2 cups green olives
2 cups black olives
2 tsp grated orange rind
2 tsp grated lemon rind Fennel and cumin seeds as garnish Hot pepper flakes (optional)
DRESSING
4 TBS wine vinegar, not Balsamic
6 TBS extra virgin olive oil
2 TBS fresh squeezed orange juice
1 TBS fresh chopped parsley
1 TBS fresh squeezed lemon juice
t o gether until well blended
Take the fennel and cumin and toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat T h i s re l
everything together in a big bowl reserving the fennel, cumin, and hot pepper flakes Put the bowl in the refrigerator for two hours to let the flavors blend Remove the bowl from the refrigerator and let stand for one hour Sprinkle the fennel, cumin, and hot pepper flakes over the top of the oranges and lemons and serve
Makes 10-12 servings
CURLY ENDIVE AND WATERCRESS SALAD WITH PEACHES OR PEARS
C u r l y e n d i v e i s i n t h e c h i c o r
t
c r a v ings. It’s also a diuretic and helps the body shed unwanted fluid that can cause puffiness and bloating.
Watercress promotes detoxification and aids digestion It contains a large amount of folate which promotes skin renewal
SALAD
1 head organic curly endive
1 bunch organic watercress
2 firm, organic peaches or pears
2/3 organic chopped walnuts
DRESSING
4 TBS Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 tsp organic rice vinegar
1 tsp organic raw honey or maple syrup
1 pinch of freshly ground white pepper
Make the dressing by combining the olive oil, rice vinegar, raw honey/or maple syrup, and salt and pepper in a small bowl or glass measuring cup and whisk gently. Put aside.
Arrange the watercress and endive on a small platter. Cut each piece of fruit into thin wedges and arrange over the salad. Sprinkle with the walnuts and drizzle with dressing right before serving.
Serves 4 to 6
CITRUS ALMOND CAKE
Healthy cake?? OH YES!!
I g e t m u l t i p l e r e q u e s t s f o r t h i s c a k e a n d w i l l u s u a l l y s e r v e i t o n
S a t u r days at the spa from November through February. It’s Paleo, gluten free, dairy free and vegetarian. I use a 9 inch, round, ceramic cake pan and serve it in the pan. This cake is delicious anytime of the year, but I make many, many of these for the holidays.
1 1⁄2 cups blanched almond meal or almond flour
1⁄2 tsp baking soda
1⁄2 tsp salt
1⁄3 cup and 2 TBS raw organic honey or maple syrup
4 organic extra-large eggs at room temperature and separated
1⁄2 tsp vanilla or 1⁄2 seeds from an average sized vanilla pod
1⁄2 tsp cinnamon
Zest from 2 organic lemons or 2 organic oranges (I prefer oranges)
1⁄4 cup sliced blanched almonds
Pre-heat oven to 350 F
Separate the eggs, putting yolks into one bowl and the egg whites into the other Add 1⁄3 cup of the honey, zest, baking soda, salt, vanilla, and cinnamon to the 4 yolks and beat on medium speed until well combined Add the almond flour/meal to the egg yolk mixture and beat on low until fully mixed Using clean beaters, mix the egg whites on medium until very foamy, white, and doubled in volume but not so stiff that soft peaks begin to form - about 1 to 2 minutes. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the egg whites into the flour mixture until just combined. Do not over-mix! Pour the batter into your pan. Bake until golden and a toothpick comes out clean when placed in the center. This should take about 25 minutes.
Let cool for 10 minutes, then run a knife around the edge of the pan and remove to a serving platter I like to leave the cake in the pan, allow it to cool for another 20 minutes after I run the knife around the edges of the pan, then drizzle with the 2 TBS organic, raw honey on top of the cake and sprinkle with the sliced, blanched almonds Why wash another dish this season??
Slice, serve and enjoy!
Makes 6 -8 servings
Crystal Cobert Giddens , LE and owner of FACES on Beekman Street Organic Skin Therapy Studio
30 Beekman St, Saratoga Springs , NY www facesonbeekman com
For the first time ever, this authentic, Hasbro-produced classic is completely customized to celebrate our cherished city. Just like the original, you will enjoy buying, selling and building real estate, but this time with familiar and beloved businesses, destinations, and attractions you know so well. Discover the funny and quirky “Saratogaisms” as you marvel over the unique qualities that make our city world-class.
