start falling and the holiday d e co rat i o n s w
u n packed to enjoy.
I n this issue our editor ial has bounced around New Yor k state from Troy a
h
way to N
meeting and experiencing each of them in person Ever yone here at 518 PROFILES hopes you enjoy this issue as much as we do
As always, our goal is to deliver authentic, and unique content about creative people and interesting places 518 PROFILES is the place to connec t with your favorite ar tisans and small businesses throughout New York and abroad
Enjoy!
Stephanie Sittnick Founder / Publisher
The “Pause” That Refreshes
Sofie Snitkoff Gives Lessons in Artistic Appreciation
by Rona Mann photos by Stephanie Sittnick
In 1929 Coca Cola introduced a new slogan, “the pause that refreshes ” It was catchy, positive, and served Coke well for a good number of years, drawing people to the intense enjoyment it provided. This is a story of another “ pause ” that refreshes. Take the time to read it; we think you’ll derive enjoyment as well.
To many, it’s all one in the same. Craftspeople and craft artisans. But there is a difference. A big difference, a decided difference Yet there a re c e r t a i n l y s i m i l a r i t i e s B o t h m a
i s t i c objects by hand, certainly an art to be admired; yet there are important differences, such as the level of the creativity involved
While both work in an artistic capacity, creating items with their hands, artisans tend to work on more unique projects that are designed for aesthetic appeal, w h
o f functional, mass-produced items. Craftsman often focus on replicating a piece to specifications exactly the same way, whereas artisans are professionals who have honed their hands-on artistic skills in a particular field or media They use select materials and tools, all the while utilizing a high level of creativity I
i n historic downtown Troy celebrates every d
dedicated to art and artifacts for modern living
To many, the word “gallery” means a sterile place where visitors speak in hushed tones, where small children are constantly admonished with the phrase, “don’t touch!,”, where adults are spoken to in the same tone, and where you look from afar, then move on to the next exhibit Cold Sterile
Well, Manager-Greeter, Sofie Snitkoff is having none of it at Pause Gallery not for a minute!
Greeter Sofie sitting with Lou and Gail Snitkoff
The place that has become her second home
i s a place she wishes to make yours as well. She therefore joyfully invites you in to meet
o w n e r s , G a i l a n d L o u , t o t a k e y o u r t i m e
w a l k ing around, stopping to ooh and aah and appreciate. Sofie urges you to definitely make some noise while you ’ re there because the
b e a u t i f u l , u n i q u e a r t a t P a u s e G a l l e r y i s
m o s t definitely something to shout about, to laugh a t , t o e x c l a i m , “ O o h , l o o k a t t h a t ! ”
S o f i e u n d e r s t a n d s t h a t w h i l e m u c h a r t i s
c re ated in quiet reflection and concentration, its appreciation should be viewed and savored with unbridled joy
She wants to introduce you to “the PAUSE that refreshes,” because when you think of it, what is more refreshing than spending an hour or more surrounded by beautiful, unique art, knowing that was lovingly and painstakingly fashioned by an artisan who has put all their talent and time into its creation? What is more refreshing than spending time with people who have devoted much of their lives to the appreciation of such work; and now in retirement from their lifetime careers, have chosen
o t h ers aware of the time, talent, and sacrifice that goes into the creation of each individual piece? And best of all, owners G a i l a n d L
all this while being fully
ing hard and
t h e country to bring original art to their gallery, some of which begins at just $15. for a beautifully handcrafted piece.
The Snitkoffs weren’t artists themselves, as gallery owners often are, they were scientists But they were also ardent appreciators and “collectors of contemporary American crafts,” says Gail, a former college professor in the f i e
p r i mary care physician who also served as Medical A
C a r e P h y s i cians and at Ellis Hospital in S c h e n e c t a d y G a i l
American crafts since she was a high school student in Bennington and went to her first American Crafts Council sponsored show in 1968...it was the first of many. When she m e t a n d
r t i s t s , re sulting in an enviable collection amassed over many decades “We wanted to support these artisans by buying a piece now and then,” Gail said “Most people just don’t think of crafts as an art form ”
C o l l e c t i o n s o o n g a v e w a y t o d re a m s o f t h e
f u t u re “ We a l w a y s s a i d , ‘ w o u l d n ’ t i t b e f u n
t o h a v e a g a l l e r y w h e n w e r e t i r e ? ’ ” G a i l
o f f e r e d . It was a dream that became reality
i n 2 0 1 8 , l e s s t h a n a y e a r a f t e r G a i l re t i re d , a n d Pause Gallery was born. The gallery has a v a s t a m o u n t o f a r t i s a n - c r a f t e d i t e m s
r a n g i n g f r o m p a i n t i n g s a n d p h o t o g r a p h y, t o ceramics, g l a s s , j e w e l r y, h a n d c r a f t e d
w o o d p u z z l e s , a n d o t h e r u n i q u e p i e c e s o f talented imagination
From the first, the Snitkoffs wanted a gallery with wide appeal for both taste and pocket-
b o o k “ We re a l l y d o h a v e b e a u t i f u l i t e m s that start as low as $15,” Gail says “We have e a r rings for $24 and up, and we have jewelry i n g l a s s , s i l v e r, a n d a n o d i z e d a l u m i n u m
T h e a n o d i z e d a l u m i n u m i s n o t s i l v e r –
i t ’ s a l l k i n d s o f f u n c o l ors! We also have jewelry that’s ce ramic and paper gorgeous pieces!”
E v e r y t h i n g a t P a u s e G a l l e r y, t h e only gallery of its kind in the Capital D i s trict, is handmade, with most artists represented coming from the Northeast to the Mid-Atlantic regions. Lou and Gail travel extensively to find these one-of-a-kind pieces of art since we find “most of our artists at nationally juried shows; and at this price, you ’ re getting the best of the best You’d have to travel far to find unique items like this Isn’t it nice to have something beautiful that makes you smile every time you look at it in your home?”
hand away from the person who made it, and you can feel the connection.”
Speak for even a short time with the Snitkoffs, and you’ll quickly find the abiding theme of their conversation is not just the love they have for this work, but the absolute respect t h e y h a v e f o r t h e a r t i s a n s w h o f a s h ion each piece “When it’s not mass-produced, you can feel the maker in each piece You’re just one
And then there’s the engaging Sofie Snitkoff who will personally greet you when you e n t e r P a u
a c company you around the space But if you prefer to venture into these delicious waters by yourself, simply pat her on the head and tell her to, “Go lie down,” for Sofie is not just the gallery greeter, she’s also Gail and Lou’s c o m p l i
So what are you waiting for? Go m eet Sofie, and while you ’ re at it, treat yourself to a piece of one-of-akind American artistry at the Pause that refreshes
Visit Pause Gallery at 501 Broadway in the heart of historic downtown Troy.
Y ou’ll find them right on the street level of The News Apartments; or visit them online at www.pausegallery.com (518) 203-1251
The Laffer Gallery
96 Broad Street Schuylerville, NY
Progressive Process
September 12 - October 18
Located just minutes from downtown Saratoga Springs. The Laffer Gallery is a contemporary fine art gallery and full-service custom frame shop. Exhibitions ranging from realism to abstraction rotate every 4 – 6 weeks, with opening receptions for each exhibit.
Featuring: Nick Patten | Leslie Peck | JoAnn Axford
Nick Patten
In This Place They Make Art
The Craft, Skill, & Sheer Mastery of Salem Art Works
by RONA MANN
photos by Stephanie Sittnick
Old Mac Cafrtiz had a farm
Ee i, ee i o
And on that farm he had some welders and sculptors and glassblowers and painters...
Ee i, ee i o
WAIT! WHAT?
T
possesses a rich Revolutionary War and Civil War history It is one of
w
town of wonder and covered bridges and history and art and exquisite natural beauty
And within this bucolic community of fewer than 2800 residents is
11 9 - acre property was previously a working dairy farm. Although the cows are now gone, the “working” part of it is not. This farm is constantly being worked by artists... artists of every stripe who come t o S a l e m A
t h e m selves in just about every artistic discipline there is It is, in essence, an art farm, and there is nothing else quite like it
The brains behind this, the “Old Mac Donald” of the farm is founder/director, Anthony Cafritz, who is a visionary of sorts, for it was with hard work and dogged determination that he has been able to make his inspiration and dreams into reality
photo by Salem Art Works
photo by Salem Art Works
Cafritz, who possesses an insatiable store of curiosity, never stops thinking, reimagining, and building So, what exactly is this place?
A t i t s m o s t b a s i c o f g r o u n d f l o o r d e f i n i t i o n , S a l e m A r t Wo r k s p ro vides a unique alternative arts environment for any artist of any age or ability It is a place for the most curious and reticent of young artists who wish to explore their talents and view the possibilities that may lie before them, as well as for those who are well established, w i l l i n g t o t e a c h a n d s h a re t h e i r e x p e r i e n c e , a n d p
rh
p s l e a r n s o m e thing new themselves along the way; and it is a place where visitors may bring their own curiosity to see just what’s going on here in the shadow of the glorious Adirondack Mountains
To b e g i n a
, a sculptor and painter who received his undergraduate degree at
Bennington College in Vermont and his Masters degree at SUNY P
C a r olina, an experimental institution that was founded in 1933, but closed in 1957 The school was fully committed to an interdisciplinary approach that prioritized art-making as a necessary component of education and thus attracted some of the best and brightest visual artists, designers, poets, and composers The model placed students
and educators equally on the same level plane, and the creation of art and the skill and craft of the artists was more important than official grades or degrees
A c c o r d i n g t o S a l e m A r t Wo r k s C o m munications Director, Benj Gleeksman, Cafritz transferred the best ideas from this model plus his own ideas and ideologies and opened in 2005. Salem Art Works
Founder/director, Anthony Cafritz
Nicholas Micros , 'Horseman and Other Rider' , 1996-2000 (installed 2018)
Anthony Cafritz’s work at North Main Gallery
i s a l l a t o n c e c o m m u n a l a s w e l l a s collaborative, p l a c i n g t h e u n i n i t i a t e d
o n t h e s a m e p l a n e w i t h w o r l d -
r e n o w n e d p r o f e s sionals where somehow it w o r k s s u c c e s s f u l l y a n d
h a s f o r t h e l a s t 15-plus years Salem
A r t Wo r k s i s c o m p o s e d o f t h r e e d i s tinct parts,” says Gleeksman “The first is our magnificent and expansive Sculpture Park, which is open to the public year ‘round ”
Cary Hill Sculpture Park occupies a
s p r a w l i n g a m o u n t o f l a n d a n d i s
t h u s accessible by either car or truck.
It f e a t u r e s a r o t a t i n g r o s t e r o f
s u p r e m e l y t a l e n t e d a n d n o t e w o r t h y
r e g i o n a l , n a t i o n a l , a n d w o r l d r e n o w n e d
i n t e r n a t i
a v e n u e f o r n o t o n l y e x h i b i t i o n s , b u t f o r
p e r formance events as well It is a place where visitors like to take their time to walk through art as they walk through nature, s t o p p i n g
u n b r i dled awe and perhaps snap some p h o t o
t
magnificent space is waiting for you to come d i s c o v e r a n
d i s tancing is not an issue as the sculpture park is spread out over the many acres
The second important component of what Salem Art Works is and does is workshops. “We run public workshops for a variety of
artistic disciplines,” says Gleeksman “We have glassblowing, welding, ceramics, plein air painting, blacksmithing, woodworking; there’s a wide selection of courses available and a wide range for every level of expertise, w
a c c o m plished artist. Anthony just wants artists of any discipline to come and use the
Mark di Suvero 'For Euler' 1997 (installed 2005)
Sophie Eisner, 'Organic Systematic No. 4’ (created at SAW and installed 2012)
Vivien Abrams Collens, 'Kenergy' , 2017 (created at SAW and installed 2017)
g e n erally run spring to fall, are most often taught by Salem Art Works’ studio directors who are artists in their own right.
A d d i n g t o t h
g l o r i ous place, artists-in-residence come to Salem Art Works and stay in either guest houses, tiny houses, or camp right on the property “Artists typically come for a sixweek period,” Benj offers “We run these for 12 weeks in the summer, and while here, they work on the property, utilizing our work-trade arrangement ”
The whole of Salem Art Works is open to the public nearly year ‘round, although winter months are reserved for the 12-person staff to work at the facility, constantly improving upon the obvious success they enjoy
G l e e k s m a n a d d s t h a t S a l e m A
p r e s ence on both Instagram and facebook and alerts the public to watch for an exciting online auction in the coming months Community oriented from the start, there are a number of events run each year Perhaps most notable among them is Music on the Hill, a free concert
s e r i e s w h e r e i n l o c a l b a n d s p e r f o r m o n t o p o f t h e h i l l a b o v e t h e s c u l p ture park, backed by the incomparable views of Washington County and Vermont’s Green Mountains. A much-anticipated event is Festival of Fire, a weekend-long party where art is made with fire by the artists who partake in workshops, guest lectures, and art-making sessions. If it requires heat, i. e. glass blowing, iron-pouring, welding, blacksmithing, or wood-fired ceramics, it’s part of the fun and wonder at Salem Art Works
The model first developed by those visionaries nearly 100 years ago
a t B l a c k M o
N e w Yo r
“ d a i r y farm,” making it a place of discovery, education, expression, and joy It is here that new artists are born, their talent awakened under
the watchful eye of those who have been in their shoes and are now firmly established Together they work shoulder to shoulder in wide open spaces that once served as pastures Cafritz is “happy, but always looking to grow, ” says Gleeksman. “He is always seeking something new to add, and we ’ re always open to everything.” T h i s
e v e n tual performing arts, and whatever else might pass through C a f r i t z ’ s i m a g i n a t i
i n t o a n h o m a g e t
programming is also offered with field trips during the school year and summer programs as well Next year, offerings will be available for teens who want to explore different media You will not find another v
w o r k shop under the tutelage of some of the best artists in the world and in the shadow of the Adirondacks
If you listen, you can hear the wind blowing through the grass, and if you look, you will see what happens when creativity and imagination meet, with art coming alive before your eyes
For more information on workshops , residencies , or a guided tour of the property, visit www.salemartworks .org
email: info@salemartworks .org
(518) 854-7674
We have a LARGE presence o n b o t h Fa c e b o o k a n d Instagram, so check us out
Bridget Beck 'Arthouse' 2017 (created at SAW and installed 2017)
Max Baynes, Marie Lemmond, and Joe Blocker 'Lighthouse' 2018 (created at SAW and installed 2018)
Bea r a nd Bi r d Boutique & Ga llery
“Where you’ll be curiouser and curiouser!”
by Carol St Sauveur Ferris
photos by Stephanie Sittnick
Perched on the edge of Schenectady’s downtown,
the sidewalk, you will find a colorful new shop
“
T
tric city” unique.
i n teresting merchandise and artwork that can be described as both cute and strange With a focus on illustration art, the space will feel familiar and appealing, while at the same time have your eyes darting around trying to take in the assortment of images and things you have never seen before
Established in 2007, the original Bear and Bird is
S o u t h Florida pop culture superstore It is still in operation there today People often ask how the name Bear and Bird came about While the use of “bird” has become a sort of shorthand for “cute indie business,” it was always part of Amanda’s subconscious It so happens that “Bear” and “Bird” are the nicknames that her parents always called each other What better way to capture the whimsical nature of the gallery and boutique, while paying homage to her parents and honoring the wonder of childhood?
Amanda Magnetta-Ottati
Amanda’s husband, Tate’s side of the family g o e s b a c k g e n e r a t i o n s i n t h e S c h e n e c t a d y a re a , but both he and Amanda are native Floridians… a few years ago they made the leap and moved to upstate New York with their two children, Rosemary and Wolfie. Amanda said fondly, “Schenectady has so much potential, we really wanted to be a part of that by opening a little shop downtown ”
h e c i
S t o c k a d e H i s t o r i c D i s t r i c t h a s c l e a r l y b e e n resurrected with love Note the original brick wall and 1900 wood flooring salvaged from a nearby Stockade Building, these details bring a sense of genuine history to the colorful space
Upon entering, you are greeted by a very handsome, eight-foot fiberglass bear “Barry,” as they’ve named him, was relocated from Magic Forest Amusement Park in Lake George Sculpted by Leo Nelson in the 1960s, Barry’s age was showing a bit when he moved in, so Tate and Amanda took the time to restore him back to his original glory
Every item in the shop is thoughtfully selected and personally tested by Amanda from the vegan lip balms in fun flavors, made by Atlanta-based C r a z y R u m o
h e g o r geous made-in-the-USA long cloak hoodie that looks like it belongs in a fairy tale.
You’ll find amusing and useful housewares like Nessie, a freestanding ladle that looks like the Loch Ness Monster is peeking up out of your soup tureen; Gracula, a vampire garlic crusher; and Jungle Spoon, a slotted spoon shaped like a tropical leaf, all waiting to be scooped up for your favorite cook The array o f u n
n c l u d e
c o n tain detailed art figures Themes are wide-ranging, from strange doll-like winter-costumed characters to keychains o
t s on super-detailed sushi
As you continue your exploration, you will discover an assortment of enamel pins, patches, and stickers Amanda thinks of t h
re ated by
- art masterpieces. They are
r sonality to your everyday
s p a r k a fun conversation with a stranger
u t i f u l , d a n gling earrings made from real butterfly wings; fun knit socks and warm hats with their graphic eye on you; and Flip and Tumble r
a
u s a b l
d
t h a
s i g n e d b y t w o f e male product d e s i g n e r s , w h o m e t i n school Amanda swears by these bags and has carried one with her for over 10 y e a r s , s o s h e c a n p e r sonally attest to their durability and usefulness. They are quick and easy to fold back into a fun ball shape and are strong, but light as a feather
While there is an endless variety of fun gifts, b o o k s , a n d c o l l e c t i b l e s , A m a n d a ’ s h e a r t b e longs to the original artwork and silkscreen prints featured at Bear and Bird She has a t r a i n e d e y e a n d a g r e a t a p p r e c i a t i o n f o r i l l u s trative art and shares that, “Illustration is everywhere You’ll see it 100 times a day, on cereal boxes, tattoos, t-shirts, magazine articles just to name a few but as an art, I feel it somewhat under-appreciated I love to change the context of illustration, as it’s commonly seen and present it in a gallery setting. I think
it feels both familiar and new at the same time ” Bear and Bird has an impressive collection of original vintage illustration artwork, which is truly affordable and always available for purchase in-store and online. The work is from the 1930’s through the 1980’s for the most part and features fun images such as a kitty cat in ‘80s workout gear or a family of long eyelashed bunnies from the 1960s out for a stroll
There is also a wide selection of colorful graphic silkscreen prints, whose beauty lies n o t o n l y i n t h e i r v i b r a n t c o l o r s , b u t a l s o i n t h e textures and sheen A quality that can be achieved only with a genuine hand-pulled screen print These prints are p e r f e c t i f y o u ’ r e s t a r t i n g a c ollection or can be an affordable anchor piece for a new g a l l e r y w all in your home I f you prefer s omething m o re classic, there’s a l s o a n a s sortment of fine art p o s t e r s i n c l u d i n g w o r k s b y M C Escher, o n e o f A m a n d a ’ s f a v o r i t e s , a n d Salvatore Dalí, a timeless surrealist genius.
“ C o l l e c t i n g o r i g i n a l a r t i s something you will not outgrow or get bored of. We want to help people see that anyone can start collecting art Art collating is such a positive thing that has f a r- re a c h i n g e ff e c t s , o u t s i d e of just making your home l o v e lier
B e c o m i n g a n a r t s p a tron and starting your own art collection, on any level, directly supports artists and galleries who are b r i n g i n g t h e w o r k i n t o t h e
c o m munity, making i t
p e o ple don’t decorate their bare walls with artwork is because they haven’t come across the work that speaks to them yet We hope to offer people an opportunity t o c o n n e c t w i t h a r t and artists on a level they feel comfortable w
m a k e s them feel as a human being.” With so many of us staying home more than ever, the idea of making the walls of our “safe spaces ” more reflective of our personal tastes, sounds very worthwhile.
Though not nearly as fun as visiting in person, much is available in their online webshop Curbside pickup and free local delivery are just a few ways this little shop is doing their b e s t t o m a k
p o s sible for people to shop small and support local businesses Plan a trip over soon or pop on their website to see for yourself that this very special shop can help you find the perfect something for that special someone who might just be you
Visit Bear and Bird Boutique & Gallery 107 State Street, Schenectady, NY, 12305
Hours: Wed – Sat, 11AM – 5PM Tel: 518. 227. 1145
Website: www.bearandbird.com
Contact: amanda@bearandbird.com
Music in the Time of Coronavirus
Sequestered in the Midwest, Christopher Peifer blasts out of lockdown with a bare-knuckle new album.
By Kirsten Ferguson
T h e c o r o n a v i r u s u p e n d e d l i f e f o r e v e r y o n e t h i s
s u m mer Christopher Peifer, a former Capital Region musician now living in New York City, found himself i n h i s I n d i a n a h o m e t o w n t a k i n g c a re o f f a m i l y. H i s c a reer as a sound designer and composer for theater productions in New York City and New England is completely on hold.
“100 percent of my work is audience dependent,” he says over the phone “If I were in New York, I’d just be hanging out in my apartment ”
But the major life disruption helped Peifer focus on a long-held goal: releasing his first full-length solo record, Suicide Mission, on August 15 “The music’s been keeping me sane, ” he says “I just wanted to do this record until it’s safe to play shows again We’re all in lockdown Creative people have to stay creative This is art and love in the time of coronavirus ”
Suicide Mission is the culmination of Peifer ’ s three decades in the music business writing, recording, t
c
orator,” says the bassist and guitarist “In 30 years, I’ve been in almost 20 bands.”
Most recently, Peifer made up one third of Blockhouses,
endary Saratoga Springs band the Figgs.
Peifer spent his formative years in the Capital Region in the 1990s, playing with then-local artists like Sandy McKnight, Stephen Clair and the Staziaks as well as
resident Albany musicians Michael Eck and Nick Bisanz (Peifer ’ s current guitarist for gigs) “It was an ideal time to be in Albany The music scene was really vibrant,” he says “Albany is an important place in my history a place I’d consider home.”
W h e n e m b a r k i n g o n S u i c i d e M i s s i o n , P e i f e r re alized he was tired of writing songs for bands only to have to scrap his songs when the bands eventually broke up. “A big part of me doing this album is having to start at square one all over again,” he says
P e i f e r r e c o r d e d t h e a l b u m a t R o o t s C e l l a r
S t u d i o i n C o l d S p r i n g , N e w Yo r k , i n a
b e a u t i ful-sounding converted barn owned by his long-time collaborator Todd Giudice
“The album was inspired by some favorite
t i m e - t e s t e d r e c o r d s , l i k e E l v i s C o s t e l l o ’ s
T a k i n g Liberties, with its two-to-three-minute c atchy power pop gems, ” Peifer says “ We wanted to make highly melodic and infectious
music Additional influences were T h e R e p l a c e m e n
H
s k e r D
, T h e Figgs, Nick Lowe, Big Star, Sloan and maybe a little tequila ”
The album’s title is meant to be tongue in cheek and stems in part from Peifer ’ s former band
The album kicks off with “Madrid,” a powerpop blast about an intoxicating honeymoon and the singer ’ s desire to awaken every day in Spain. “Throw You a Line” is an anthem and a call to arms: a tribute to Greta Thunberg and the next generation of kids stepping up. The melancholy “Poughkeepsie” is a heartfelt tune about pining over a long-lost love
Peifer wrote the nostalgic, 70’s-tinged “Stanton Drive” while driving from the Midwest back t o New York City to check on his apartment just days before recording the album’s final two songs The lyrics are especially poignant, a s P e i f e r ’ s f a t h e r d i e d o f C O V I D - 1 9 t h e f o l l o w ing week: “We were all together / Feeling so alive / Wish it could last forever / So high on Stanton Drive ”
For the recording, Peifer hit upon an unconventional recording style “I didn’t send Todd the songs in advance,” he says. “I would introduce t h e s o n g , d i v i n g i n a n d p l a y ing guitar and singing w h i l e To d d l e a r n e d t h e f o r m and created the drum part. It’s the first time I’ve approached recording like this Sometimes I finalized arrangements, or even finished lyrics on the Metro-North train, heading up the Hudson t o t h e s t u d i o I t w a s v e r y o r ganic I found I really worked well under that kind of self-imposed pressure ”
The Kowalskis. “We all had these silly stage names, ” he says “I was Kamikaze Kowalski ”
l i f e time in the music industry
“I’m of a certain age where, against all odds and good advice, I’m still playing music full f
t h e re ’ s a redemption It’s the possibility of that redemption or rock and roll glory that keeps me going I love playing rock music It’s what I do ”
Visit www chrispei com or download the album at chrispei bandcamp com
Putting a Spin on History Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum
by Carol St. Sauveur-Ferris
One of the familiar signs that a carnival or fair is in town, is the loud, happy music coming from the carrousel And that happy music is guaranteed to draw excited kids, parents, and grandparents through the gate While there are many other sights to see, the nostalgia brought on at the sight of a carrousel is special for the “big kids ” For the “littles,” it’s an absolute thrill But don’t wait for the carnival to come to town Take a ride to the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum in North Tonawanda, New York It’s an incredible opportunity to learn the history o f the carrousel, see woodcarvers at work in the carving shop, tour several other significant buildings, enjoy many educational programs
o ff e re d b y t h e m u s e u m
a
a c c o m panied by loud happy music from their authentic Wurlitzer band organ.
Riding a carrousel has always been an exciting rite of passage for most kids. Their anticipation is palpable, creating an air of excitement for everyone patiently waiting in line to pick their favorite horse or animal to ride In the Round H o u s e , w h e n
everyone is allowed to move onto the platform and look for their horse When mounted and safely strapped in, the excitement continues to
build as everyone waits for the loud, happy music to begin When it does, the carrousel starts to m o v e e v e r s o s l o w l y, t h e n f a s t e r a n d f a s t e r i t goes, while the horses move up and down, going round and round It’s a fun time for everyone!
B u t l o n g b e f o r e A l l a n H e r s c h e l
n u facturing carrousels in the United States, there was an unlikely evolution to what we now know as merry-go-rounds or carousels The origin of the carrousel dates back to the medieval days of knights and the Crusades It
h o r s e back played a very smelly game they called “Little Wars “in the 1100s Riding their horses in a circle at a full gallop, they would t
p e r fume at each other. If the soldier caught the ball he immediately threw it to another one. If the soldier was hit by the ball, it would break o
u n deniable evidence of his loss In spite of the used perfume, it was a rough game requiring great skill and horsemanship which was done to prepare them for actual combat
Allan Herschell
European soldiers brought the game back to their countries but made some changes. In Italy, the game was called “Garosello,” and in Spain, it was called “Carosella” The French version of the game, called “Le Carrousel” (notice the 2 Rs), involved far more pageantry, as the French are wont to do By the 17th century, the game became a competition for men on horseback who attempted to spear tiny brass rings hung on a tree located outside the circular area Soldiers and the aristocracy also trained for the game by riding in a circle on carved wooden horses and chariots, suspended from poles, so as n o t t o t i re t h e i r re a l h o r s e s b e f
f o r ward motion was provided by an unlucky commoner who had to literally push his assigned soldier round and round, so said soldier could practice and hone his skills Needless to say, while the real horses were very well-rested, the commoner was definitely not Eventually the commoners themselves began to play the game, and from there, carrousels began to pop up at fairgrounds across Europe
Early carrousels had no platform until the 19th century when they began to appear By the mid-19th century the first steam-powered carrousel with platforms, often called roundabouts, appeared in
Armitage-Herschell Chariot
England Meanwhile, in the US, a gentleman n a m e d A l l a n H e r s c h e l l p a r t n e r e d w i t h a n other gentleman named James Armitage, to create the Armitage Herschell Company
The company was known for its carved wooden carrousels that were simple in style and portable. Eventually Herschell left the company and created the Herschell Spillman Company with his in-laws, who were the Spillmans The new company carved and created carrousels in the traditional style and a number of elaborate ones that showcased a wide variety of animals By 1915 Herschell
moved on yet again He created the Allan Herschell Company, which s
i n cluding carrousels and other rides. His company produced over 3,000 rides that were all carved in wood then shipped to Canada, the United States, and around the world.
In 1915, the factory complex in North Tonawanda was purchased for the exclusive p
production of specialized rides for kids and also created thrill rides for adults like the Sky Wheel and Twister Sadly, the company moved to Buffalo in the ‘50s and then merged with a rival company in the ‘70s
It was during 1979 when a group of people c
c a r rousel to North Tonawanda Ironically, with all the carrousels made and shipped
f
a n y where in the area Before long, Allan Herschell, the namesake of the Allan Herschell Company joined the group in this endeavor. And after an all-out effort in creative fundraising, a trip to London, Ontario in 1982 yielded three U-Haul trucks filled with parts and pieces of an original Herschell carrousel. The parts and pieces were eventually repaired, painted, and assembled to bring the magic of the carrousel back to North Tonawanda Now located in the Round House where every carrousel ever made by Herschell was assembled and tested before shipping, it provides a wonderful opportunity for everyone to see and ride the “1916 Allan Herschell Number 1 Special,” an authentic and magical carrousel
Beyond the Round House, the ongoing work of the visionaries and
v
B u i l d ing was purchased, and through generous private donations,
To d a y, v i
i t i n g the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum (which you m
t h e Carving Floor, the Paint Shop and Storage Building, the Machine Shop, an Upholstery Shop, an Assembly and Testing Building, the Children’s Gallery, and the Loading Dock
There are a number of fascinating exhibits to enjoy along the way that reveal the whole story behind Herschell carrousels and rides And the Wurlitzer Music Roll Department is a must-see It houses more than 1600 hand-punched original master music rolls that create the music in band organs going back to the turn of the century If you ’ re lucky,
o p e r ating during your visit You can even purchase a music roll and d o
a m a z ing to see the level of detail and precision required to build a carrousel, engineer a band organ, and punch music rolls. In addition, there is a self-guided tour that informs you as you walk through the buildings, plus very knowledgeable volunteers who can answer your questions and add interesting details to your experience. And not to be overlooked, a stop outside at Kiddieland is guaranteed to bring smiles and laughter to the faces of the little ones
Besides the tours and rides, there are a number of programs offered to families, youth, and c h i l d r e n G i v e n t h e p a n d e m i c , a t - h o m e
p r o j ects are very popular Just Move Along is one of two at-home projects for elementary
school age children; Solar Oven is one of four at-home projects
f
children; while at-home projects
f
b e released soon There is a downloadable Education Guide for educators that lists available workshops for kids up to the ninth grade that will hopefully include field trips soon.
Surprisingly, today’s coding has roots in the band organ ’ s binary coding and to the network of circuits in a vintage carrousel A unique educational program demonstrates how the concept
p r o grams, the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum Education Department offers free, downloadable lesson plans for educators with a list of resources and the materials needed
e x amines in more detail, many of the artifacts in the museum ’ s collection and what makes them unique It’s fun and informative Very soon a downloadable coloring book will be available from this program
To
re strictions are lifted, which is welcome news. While there is a protocol that must be followed including wearing masks, social distancing, and using sanitizing stations, the museum is working very hard to make your experience a memorable one Please check their website for updates and perhaps plan a trip during this year ’ s foliage season What a beautiful car ride that would be!
H
l o cated at 180 Thompson Street in North Tonawanda, New York The museum can be reached at 716 693 1885 Or visit their website at www carrouselmuseum org
Wurlitzer Music Roll Department
The Jeanette E Jones Children’s Gallery
. . .
The HONOR System
By: Crystal Cobert-Giddens
I ’ m s o r t o f a “ f o o d i e ” o f s o r t s I l o v e a g o o d f a r m e r ’ s m a r k e t a n d
picking veggies in my garden is usually one of my favorite activities
I would love to have a garden this year but we moved and the previous
h o m e o w n e r s w e re n ’ t g a rd e n e r s I ’ d h a v e t o s t a r t f ro m s c r a t c h a n d
i t ’ s t o o l a t e i n t h e s e a s o n t o t r y a n d s t a r t n o w.
I t ’ s b e e n a w a r m s u m m e r, s o I t h i n k w e ’ re e a t i n g m o re f r u i t a n d
v e g e t a b l e s t h a n n o r m a l We s e e m t o r u n o u t o f s a l a d s t u f f b y
T h u r s d a y I d o n ’ t k n o w w h y, b u t w e h a v e r u n o u t e v e r y t h i n g
b y T h u r s d a y f o r t h e l a s t f o u r w e e k s i n a r o w N o l e t t u c e , n o
c u c u m b e r s , n o f e n n e l , t o m a t o e s o r p e p p e r s .
We ’ v e b e e n g o i n g t h ro u g h m u l t i p l e p i n t s o f b l u e b e r r i e s s i n c e e v e r y
w e e k , a n d I w a n t ( n o , I n e e d ) m o re b l u e b e r r i e s t o d a y, a s i n N O W. I f y o u h a v e n ’ t h a d t h e m i n y o u r s a l a d w i t h a l i t t l e g o a t , b u r r a t a o r f e t a cheese…yum. Anyway, I don’t want to buy blueberries that just rode in a truck for 4 days to get here I would rather have blueberries from one of the local farms in the area They’re in season and so sweet this y e a r ! W h e re d o y o u f i n d f re s h b l u e b e r r i e s i f t h e f a r m e r ’ s m a r k e t i s 3 d a y s a w a y a n d y o u re a l l y w a n t t h e m i n y o u r s a l a d ? R o a d s i d e s t a n d s , f a r m e r ’ s c a r t s a n d p i c k u p t ru c k s
Ta k e a n y w i n d i n g ro a d i n S a r a t o g a , B u r n t H i l l s o r S l i n g e r l a n d s a n d y o u ’ l l f i n d m u l t i p l e r o a d s i d e s t a n d s w i t h f r e s h c o r n , l e t t u c e ,
s u m m e r s q u a s h , b e r r i e s a n d l o t s o f e g g s Yo u ’ l l a l s o f i n d s t a n d s , p i c n i c t a b l e s o r p i c k u p t r u c k s w i t h l i t t l e h a n d p a i n t e d s i g n s a n d
b a s k e t s ( u s u a l l y w i t h m o n e y i n s i d e ) a s k i n g y o u t o p u t y o u r m o n e y
i n t h e j a r a n d f e e l f re e t o m a k e c h a n g e i f y o u n e e d t o b re a k a $ 5 0 0
S o m e o f t h e s i g n s re a d , “ H o n o r S y s t e m ” a n d t h a t ’ s i t O t h e r ’ s t e l l y o u t h e p r i c e a n d d i re c t y o u t o l e a v e t h a t c u t e l i t t l e b a s k e t a n d u s e the bag that’s sitting on the chair These farmers aren’t sitting around waiting for me to stop by on a Thursday They’re probably out in the f i e l d s o m e w h e re , t a k i n g c a re o f t h e i r c ro p s a n d m a k i n g s u re w e a l l h a v e e n o u g h v e g g i e s f o r t h e w e e k , s o t h e y u s e t h e h o n o r s y s t e m .
What exactly is the honor system? It’s an assumed agreement between y o u a n d t h e p e r s o n t h a t l e f t t h e i r g o o d s , o u t i n t h e o p e n , i n h o p e s y o u w i l l p u rc h a s e t h e m , f o r t h e a m o u n t p o s t e d o n t h e i r l i t t l e s i g n .
I t ’ s a p ro m i s e t h a t y o u w i l l p a y f o r w h a t e v e r y o u t a k e I t ’ s a s y s t e m based solely on honesty and trust and it’s all over the 518 countryside
M y m o m w a s j u s t t e l l i n g m e h o w s h e u s e d t o b u y o r a n g e s f ro m a
t ru c k p a r k e d i n f ro n t o f t h e e n t r a n c e o f a n o r a n g e g ro v e . T h e g u y
w a s n e v e r t h e re , b u t h e h a d a s i g n t h a t re a d “ O r a n g e s ~ 2 f o r $ 1 . 0 0 and 5 for $2.00 HONOR SYSTEM PLEASE” She said she used to stop b y a l l t h e t i m e a n d b u y e i t h e r 2 o r 5 o r a n g e
h a d t h e c o r re c t c h a n g e a n d w o u l d d u t i f u l l y l e a v e h e r $ 1 o r $ 2 d o l l a r bill. One day she only had a $5 dollar bill and really wanted oranges.
S h e d i d n ’ t w a n t t o b u y 1 2 o r a n g e s , b u t s h e d i d n ’ t h a v e t h e r i g h t
a m o u n t o f c h a n g e a n d t h e j a r w a s e m p t
o r a n g e s w i t h t h e f a r m e r s h o w e d u p , a s k i n g h e r i f s h e w a s p l a n n i n g
o n m a k i n g j u i c e o r s o m e t h i n g S h e t o l d h i m s h e o n l y w a n t e d 2
o r a n g e s , b u t d i d n ’ t h a v e a d o l l a r, s o s h e w a s b u y i n g 1 2 S h e s a i d h e
l a u g h e d s o h a rd , h e h a d t o t a k e o u t h i s h a n d k e rc h i e f t o w i p e h i s
brow He actually called her “little lady” and told her that he and his wife knew she came every week and that he knew she was an honest
w o m a n H e t o l d h e r t h a t i t w a s o k t o t a k e t h e 2 o r a n g e s a n d p u t a n
I O U i n t h e j a r S h e w a s s h o c k e d , b u t t o o k 2 o r a n g e s , w ro t e o u t a n
I O U , a n d t h a n k e d t h e f a r m e r a n d
l e f t T h e n e x t w e e k , s h e b ro u g h t
t h e c o r re c t c h a n g e a n d p u t a l i t t l e
n o t e i n t h e j a r, re m i n d i n g t h e
f a r m e r t h a t s h e w a s p a y i n g f o r
t h e 2 o r a n g e s t h e w e e k b e f o re ,
a n d t h e o r a n g e s f o r t o d a y T h e
f o l l o w i n g w e e k , t h e f a r m e r l e f t
m y m o m a n o t e t h a n k i n g h e r f o r re m e m b e r i n g t o p a y h e r I O U . M y
m o m b o u g h t o r a n g e s f ro m t h a t
f a r m e r u n t i l w e m o v e d a w a y.
I stopped at a farm stand today to get some blueberries and fresh corn
No one was there, but there was a
s i g n t h a t re a d “ H o n o r S y s t e m ” and a big pickle jar with money in
i t a n d a p r i c e l i s t n e a r b y I c h o s e
6 e a r s o f c o r n a n d s o m e o f t h e
b e s t b l u e b e r r i e s I h a v e t a s t e d t h i s s u m m e r I w a l k e d o v e r t o t h e
p i c k l e j a r t o p a y a n d f o u n d a n o t e s t i c k i n g o u t o f t h e t o p I t re a d ,
“ J o h n , h e re i s m y $ 5 f o r t h e c o r n t o d a y T h e e x t r a $ 5 i s f o r m y I O U
f o r t h e c o r n l a s t w e e k , M i k e ”
I c a l l e d m y m o m a s s o o n a s I g o t i n t h e c a r
Crystal Cobert-Giddens, LE and owner of FACES on Beekman Street O rg a n i c S k i n T h e r a p y S t u d i o 3 0 B e e k m a n S t re e t , S a r a t o g a S p r i n g s , N Y w w w f a c e s o n b e e k m a n c o m
C r y s t a l C o b e r t G i d d e n s , L E a n d ow n e r o f
FAC E S o n B e e k man Street ~ Organic Skin Therapy Studio 30 Beekman St, Saratoga Springs , NY www.facesonbeekman.com
INSTINCTIVELY DIFFERENT>>
Daddy Had a Chevy Bel Air
by Karen Richman
I remember when he drove it home for the first time It was shiny, long, and painted in gleaming turquoise and white colors I h a d n e v e r n o t i c e d b e f o re o n a n y
c a r. I t h o u g h t i t w a s t h e m o s t b e a u t i f u l t h i n g I had ever seen, and I was immediately filled with childish excitement.
The year was 1955, a banner year for General Motors with their new Chevy Bel Air, today thought by many classic car enthusiasts to be the most popular car ever made GM sold over three million of those beauties
t h a t y e a r, a n u n h e a rd o f n u m b e r b a c k t h e n i n t h e a u tomotive world The ‘55Bel Air sported not only a great look, but a powerful new V8 engine and a brand new body design, just absolutely loaded with chrome and trim, more than any other model on the road It also had “brand new ”
s t a t e - o f - t h e - a r t o p t i o n s like power steering and power brakes My father was in heaven driving this exceptional automobile, completely unaware that it would eventually go d o w n i n h i s t o r y a s a c l a s sic Ardent cinephiles may recall the screen d e b u t o f H a r r i s o n F o rd
i n t h e f i l m c l a s s i c , “ A m e r ican Graffiti,” in which the young actor drove a black 1955 Bel Air straight into immediate worldwide stardom for both of them
Alderney production line They gazed back at us, looking bored, and just kept chewing their cud while w
o u t side the new car.
D a d d y a n d I t r a v e l e d m a n y m i l e s i n t h a t B e l A i
hundreds of them with Mom, but there was a special something when it was just the two of us out for a drive, as though we were going on some mysterious adventure, even if it were only to the hardware store I had wonderful parents, but there’s something very special about the relationship of a father and his only daughter, that “Daddy’s little girl” thing you hear about Sometimes we took long rides, other times short ones, but always there was the gift of time that h e w o u
B u t t o a l i t t l e g i r l w h o k n e w n o t h i n g a b o u t w h a t c o n stituted a classic and what didn’t, nor had little k n o w l e d g e a n d e v e n l e s s i n t e
a u t o m o tive, I just knew one thing: my Daddy had bought us a beautiful new car, and I couldn’t wait to go for a ride in the turquoise and white beauty
“Hop in,” he announced with a big smile My mother wasn’t home at the time, so I was going to be the first in the family to be treated to its maiden voyage We drove what seemed like hundreds of miles to my childish way of thinking – time mixed with a healthy
A l d e r ney Dairy was only 19 miles northwest of our home It was a glorious working dairy farm that was one of the largest independent dairies in the United States at the time; but the real attraction, especially for kids, was that they had a creamery. Milkshakes and fresh ice cream were dispensed while you gazed at nearby cows who made up a significant part of the
undivided, and an ear t h a t w o u l d a l w a y s l i s ten to my childish chatter It wasn’t the turquoise and white Bel Air that made me feel special It was the short Polish man was the blonde hair and blue eyes, tiny mustache, and big heart that made me feel special.
Today whenever I see a “Cruise Night” with its array of vintage cars, I always have to stop and look at the selection, for many times there is a Bel Air among them, and more often than not, it’s turquoise and white It brings back such wonderful memories of those happy days filled with love and warm nights when we “put the top down” and felt free flying down the road Daddy’s Bel Air wasn’t a convertible, but we liked to pretend it was every time we took rides on beautiful, sunny days that melted into starry summer evenings Evenings when we’d open the windows wide, let the wind blow through out hair, and pretend we were rich and had a convertible I didn’t realize it then, but I do now We were indeed rich very, very rich
Sometimes Daddy would flip the chrome button on t h e r a d i o a n d t u r n t h e d i a l t o o n e o f o u r f a v o r i t e s t a tions that played all the great vocalists of the day: Frank Sinatra, Bill Haley & His Comets, Bobby Darin, the Four Aces, Fats Domino, Nat King Cole...there were so many we loved. Sometimes Paul Anka might be crooning, “Put Your Head on My Shoulder.”
And I would.
Rejoice! It’s the (other) Season!
By Roberto Cruz - Photos by Adirondack Winery
Nope, it’s not about horses, but it is that time of year again at New York state wineries
Grape harvest season is here, and for the thousands of employees who work New York’s roughly 11,000 vineyard acres, it’s the equivalent of the playoffs in sports All the marketing in the world couldn’t help a w
c o m p e t itive and thriving as New York’s wine scene, winemakers here take harvest season very seriously – and work a ton of hours to ensure they create the best wines possible
Keep reading to learn more about why grape harvest season is one of the best times of year to visit a New York winery.
What Is Grape Harvest Season?
Grape harvest season is exactly what it sounds like It’s the time of year when wineries harvest their grapes to begin the winemaking process In the Northern Hemisphere, grape harvest season is August to October (and in the Southern Hemisphere, it’s February through April) Its range varies because of different climates within the hemisphere and b e c a u s e s o m e g r a p e s
e x a m ple, grapes used in sparkling wines are often harvested early in the season when they have a higher acidity White wine grapes are typically harvested before red wine grapes; the latter of which usually require more time on the vine to mature
For those interested in the science behind the ripening, grapes typically transform from hard little green berries to the green or purple grapes we know (and love) at about 30 to 70 days (depending on the climate).
D
d e creasing the acidity in the grape as time goes on Sun and warmth can help hurry this process along
At the Vineyard
A vineyard is a piece of land where grapes are grown At each vineyard is a team that closely monitors the growth of the grapes and harvests them when they are ready Winemakers look for a few telltale signs that signal when a grape is prepared to begin its journey from vine to glass. From a simple taste test (when they’re a real expert!) to gauging sugars, acidity, and tannins (which create the drying sensation in your mouth when drinking wine), each winemaker has their own preferred process. Of course, Mother Nature also has her say, as it is common for winemakers to move harvesting grapes up or back due to heat, cold, or rain.
Large scale vineyards typically harvest grapes with a machine that will remove the bunches from the vines, or in some cases, the vineyard staff will hand cut the grapes from the vine using shears This often occurs very early in the day or even at night when it’s coolest The grapes are collected into large bins (sometimes half-ton bins!) to be transported to their winery or to other wineries that buy the grapes from the vineyard It is estimated that 2 5 pounds of grapes are needed to yield one bottle of wine
At the Winery
Contrary to popular belief, the winemaking process does not typically start with a group of wine elves stomping on piles of grapes. But the g
t y p i cally use machines known as de-stemmers and crushers to get this done (not too exciting on the naming front)!
Adirondack Winery in Lake George, New York, has their wines shipped to them from New York’s famed Finger Lakes wine region. Every year, t h e y h a v e o v
And even though crushing and de-stemming the grapes is done by a m
h e l p e r s to work long days for several weeks in a row The team is also responsible for sorting the grapes (separating the best grapes from the ones considered unfit for winemaking)
“The next steps vary based on which type of wine you are making,” said Brad Casacci, Associate Winemaker at Adirondack Winery
“White wine grapes are pressed to have their juices collected immediately after they have been crushed,” Casacci said “Red wines are fermented first (the process where yeast converts sugars t o a l c o h o l ) , t h e n p re s s e d , and that extra contact with the grape skins is what gives red wine its red color ”
Wines can be aged anywhere from a few months to a few years, and wines that have been aged longer are often held in more esteem.
At the onset of this article, it was mentioned that the grape harvest season can be one of the best times to visit a New York winery Yo u w o n ’ t f
e a c tivity at a winery than d
s
a son The hustle and bustle is really fascinating if you love seeing where your wine comes from Not to mention, the weather in New York really doesn’t get any better than late August through early October
HAPPY HARVEST SEASON!
Roberto Cruz, Adirondack Winery
TASTING ROOMS: 285 Canada Street, Lake George, NY 12845
4971 Lake Shore Drive, Suite 2, Bolton Landing , NY 12814
