JANUARY, 2023 - 518 PROFILES MAGAZINE

There is no cheer better than a festive cheer that brings together fri ends, families and even your furry favorites. With a new year brings new begin nings. It feels a little like opening a brand-new notebook for the first time – what story will you write?

My wish for 2023 is that you find within yourself the commitment and discipline to keep your passions alive. Within these pages you will find that everyone behind these stories does exactly that.

As we begin a new year, we wish you - our readers, well-wishers, our con tributors and to everyone associated with 518 PROFILES a cheerful festive New Year!

Cuddle up in your favorite chair and enjoy the January issue! As always, our goal at 518 PROFILES, is always to focus on the good, the beautiful and the positive by publishing stories with heart and soul. We strive each month to deliver authentic and unique content about creative people and inter esting destinations. Enjoy!

518 Profiles LLC All rights reserved. All content of this publication including but not limited to text, graphics, and photos may not be reprinted or reproduced without written consent f rom the publisher. 518 Profiles is not held responsible for graphics or images submitted for contribution to this publication. Every issue is printed using 100% Soy based ink. www.518PROFILES.com

Stephanie Sittnick Founder / Publisher

Stu Eichel Capturing Art, With A Twist

By Alan B. Richer - Photos by Stephanie Sittnick

Most people do not notice fire hydrants unless there is one by a space where they are trying to park a car. When Stu Eichel sees a fire hydrant, he sees a landscape with intrinsic character waiting to be painted.“They are literally landscape paintings besides fire hydrants. I do a lot of close-ups because the rust and everything are so interesting. They can be almost anywhere, not always sitting right smack in front of a house. What I found was if you get into a subject like fire hydrants, you will learn things that in a million years you wouldn’t have known.” Eichel explains.

Born in Brooklyn, Stu moved to Detroit when he was three years old. His mom was an artist who

From the ages of 19-22, Eichel served as an anti- aircraft member of the US Army in the Ko rean War. After the war under the GI Bill, Eichel enrolled at Pratt Institute which he considers to be the best art school in the country, At 23 years old, he met and married his future wife Greta, who was 18 and in the same classes as Stu for 3 ½ years.

Following graduation, Eichel worked as an art director for five advertising agencies in New York including work on ads for Carlton, the first filter-tip cigarette.

Ten years after he started working in NYC, his wife saw an ad in Ad Age for an art director to

Eichel next enrolled in the Fine Art program at the University of Tennessee and explains, “I never painted until I was 59 years old. I quit a great career in advertising where I was the boss of 40 people. I went back to college to learn how to paint since I had no idea how to

painted, so art has been in Eichel’s blood since he was a child. He has a twin brother who also possessed artistic talent, and when the pair was in kindergarten, their teacher chose the twins’ artwork to be hung on the classroom wall. As Eichel recalls, “It made us special right from the first day. Even back then I had a vague notion that I was special because I had artistic talent.”

Other than art, Eichel was a poor student who didn’t focus on academics but instead on art, yet he still did not stand out. He later attended Wayne State University for a short time where he again ignored academics, did not attend classes, and focused on drawing cartoons for the student newspaper. One cartoon had a Boy Scout leading a blind man over an open manhole. He was fired.

work for an agency in Knoxville, TN close to the Great Smoky Mountains. The job had a short fif teen-minute commute versus a three-hour roundtrip daily commute between Huntington, Long Island and NYC. Greta wrote the letter for her husband to sign and applied for the po sition. His only contribution was stating that his greatest weakness was strawberry shortcake.

Eichel flew to Knoxville for the interview. All they spoke about during the interview was what a great letter he (his wife) wrote. He was hired not as an art director, but as the creative director, and therefore spent the next 30 years in Knoxville, TN. Although Eichel spent 25 years in advertising, he had never held a job for more than 5 years—some jobs, 5 minutes. He was fired from three jobs for laughing (rolling on the floor) at his bosses.

do that. I was in classes where all the kids were coming straight out of high school. It wasn’t an easy experience.”

He explained that there is a crossover between graphic design and fine art. “If you learn how to do advertising and photographs, and work with type and headlines, there’s a feeling for design that I developed that was part of all I did.”

There was a five-year hiatus where Eichel dropped out of advertising to do pencil drawings To support Stu’s desire to draw, Greta took a full-time job as a publication designer at the University of Tennessee. Her steady salary and benefits allowed him to pursue his art and travel.

Eichel drew his subjects from photographs. He took at least 30 Polaroid photos for every single

drawing. Because it is impossible to properly price a single 16 x 20 inch drawing that takes three months to complete, Eichel made limitededition prints and traveled around the country to sell them, often being on the road ten hours per day. He would call upon art galleries in small towns and cities. The prints were displayed in more than 350 galleries and frame shops that spanned the whole country. Eichel recalls, “I always picked things like a flea market where the guy had fifty million items that he was selling from an old truck. Half the things that I

was drawing I didn’t even know what they were, but it was such a challenge to do that kind of thing. After I retired, I went into painting rather than pencil drawing because I wanted to sell some stuff worth more than a print.”

In Tennessee Eichel became “Artist of the Month” for a series of paintings he did with himself inserted with famous people. He describes it as “an amusement thing besides painting.” There’s one with him and Albert Einstein and another where he is standing at Yankee Stadium between Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth. In one he is being interviewed by Larry King. In another, he’s a t the Yalta Conference with FDR, Win ston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin. There’s a painting with

Frankenstein, one with Elvis on a black velvet background, one with artist Jackson Pollock, and another where he is one of Snow White’s Dwarfs

Eichel is always wearing a t-shirt with “Toes” (shorthand for stubbed toes) written on it to signify that he is a runner. At the age of 50, Stu began running in 10ks frequently winning his age group. He said that like pencil drawings, running is painful to do, but he liked the results and has run 20 marathons.

Eichel focuses his painting on categories of objects: “I work in what I call campaigns. There’s always a theme. I’ve had exhibits on cars, trucks, and tractors separately and then a show of the three combined. Next, I got into doing barns.

A recent thing I did was landscapes. I found out when I started doing them, that when you’re just depending on the trees, the grass, and the sky to do the job, instead of having what I call a hero -a beautiful car that’s all dented - it becomes another problem but I enjoy doing the landscapes too.”

Although he studied art history, he didn’t let anyone else influence his own style. “I don’t like to paint something that looks fully destroyed. Vehicles have one color. If they were painted another color at one time, when they age, the paint comes through or they rust. I love them. My art just rolls off my hand!” Eichel explains.

Eichel returned to doing cartoons like the doodles he has always done: “I went back to doodling funny faces which are straight from my head, into tiny little sketches that take me two minutes to do. Then I spend fifteen minutes on the cartoon.”

After thirty years in Knoxville, the couple moved to Saratoga Springs hoping for cooler weather. For the last twenty years, Eichel has been by his easel on street corners or on the side of country roads all over upstate New York painting local scenes including historic homes and buildings, many of which no longer exist. At 90, he now only paints in his basement studio from his pho tographs. Some of Eichel’s paintings are dis played at the John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum in Waterloo, Idaho.

“A talent picks you, instead of you picking it. Most artists sell an insignificant amount of their art. Art doesn’t feed you or clothe you, but it’s

part of living. Artists do it for love. If you have the arts in your life, you are just so fortunate. They’re going to bury me with a paintbrush in my hand.”

You can learn more about Eichel by reading one of the two love story books his wife wrote about him, Trashing Stu and Trashing Stu Two.

Magic Friends Magic Marker Doodles by StuEichel

“We’ve Got It Workin’ at Dunning Street Station” History + Staff Adds the Flavor

by Rona Mann photos by Stephanie Sittnick

This is a story you’ll want to tell over and over.

For the last six years, savvy diners in the Capital Region have indeed been telling it over and over to their friends, families, and business associates be cause it’s just one of those great success stories. It’s all about a restaurant that added a brand new significant dot on the Saratoga culinary map, but it’s also a bit different. It’s a story of geography, history, great people, and great flavors. So, wait are you waiting for? Come along!

In the early 1950s, Gus Dardas tore down the house where he was living in Malta and replaced it with a silver and blue dining car he acquired from New Jersey. From the first, it was a happening little local place because people came from miles around to enjoy Gus’ eggs and coffee

served all day and into the night along with home-cooked dinners in this unique dining car on Dunning Street. Thirty years later when Gus retired, the diner was reimagined as a popular Italian restaurant, then it closed, and reopened as a bistro. And on and on it went with a steady succession of new owners and new names and the diner never finding its true identity. That was until Bob McKenna and Scott Ringwood happened along.

These were and still are, the owners of the enormously successful Lake Ridge Restaurant in Round Lake where Scott was Head Chef, Bob was co-owner and the men had spoken for years of perhaps acquiring another property...but it had to be the right one. So they took their time carefully studying what needed to be done, and what needed to be done

Chef Scott Ringwood and Bob McKenna

was a good bit of restoration to re-establish its original retro look. Enormous windows providing diners with outstanding views of the four seasons in all kinds of weather were added giving the restaurant an open and welcoming feel. Hardwood flooring, bistro tables, a talented and caring waitstaff, and an experienced and inventive Chef, Bruce Jacobson, completed the picture. Ah, but then there’s the food!

While McKenna and Ringwood have been together at Lake Ridge for more than 20 years knowing what folks like and want in their dining experience and delivering it successfully, they made sure that Dunning St. Station had the delicious burgers, wings, and appetizers a neighborhood bar and grille cried out for, but they also gave the menu a gastronomic twist by having Chef Ja cobson create popular dishes with an Italian flare, much sought after by area diners. Here are just a few examples to whet your appetite, call some friends, and make some plans.

Love eggrolls? Well, these are not the Oriental variety, they’re Dunning St. Station-style incorporating sausage, spinach, and fontina cheese all placed in a fried wonton wrapper and serve with marinara. How about Caprese flat bread? Calamari? Or those delicious fried rice balls with tomato and mozzarella called Arancini?

Italian Eggrolls

The Italian Stallion

Got a big appetite? Well, Dunning Street’s got a big – really big- meatball! A one-pound beauty stuffed with burrata chese on a bed of linguini. They call it The Italian Stallion, and Bob McKenna says if you finish the whole thing, a beer’s on him! There’s also a Short Rib Bolognese

entree, both Chicken and Eggplant Parmesan, and even Italian poutine.

But if you’re not thinking Italian on your next journey to the Station, how about made-from-scratch redolent hearty French onion soup, a delicious made-to-yourorder salad, seafood or chicken entree, and have it in a beautifully clean, light, and airy restaurant served to you by a staff who genuinely loves their #1 job, which is to please you. Stuffy? Not one bit! Dunning Street, like Lake Ridge, makes sure every customer is satis fied, and makes sure the restaurant is always well-appointed and con sistent, but there’s never anything stuffy or untouchable about your experience.

“We’re a neighborhood bar and grille, and the neighbors love having us here,” says McKenna. “We’ve given them a place to come whether they want a casual night with a Guinness drawn from one of the only unique taps in the state, or a cocktail and a burger while chatting up the other locals at the bar or entertaining at a table with a great view in front of them, a great meal ahead of them, and finished with a white tablecloth and attentive service.

Caprese flatbread

French Onion Soup

Pork Chop Milanese

Dunning Street Station is open Tuesday through Saturday from 3 PM on. “We’re closed both Sunday and Monday,” McKenna remarks, “be cause many of our loyal employees have families, and we still be lieve Sunday is family day and they should have the time off to enjoy theirs.” That’s what makes for a great restaurant. It’s that loyalty and commitment to each other that keeps a staff consistent so the next time you come you’ll likely see the same people over and over. Know

what? They’ll also see you over and over, so when you take a seat at the bar the bartender, who might just be Manager, Maureen Faniff, could be shaking your martini the moment she spots you.

Dunning Street is open all year ‘round, and snow has never looked more beautiful than when you watch the flakes come down right in

Calamari

Eggplant Parmesan

Chicken and Sausage Tortellini

front of you as you settle into a cozy homemade meal that really feels and tastes like home.

Scott Ringwood and Bob McKenna have never rushed into anything, especially where the trust and loyalty and taste of customers come in. That’s why they waited 15 years after opening Lake Ridge to find, restore, and create the kind of restaurant they wanted for the neighborhood in Malta, for their customers in Saratoga, and throughout the Capital Region. Will there be a

third? McKenna is quick to answer. “No, our vision is to continue doing what we do best and that’s cook to order, serve great food, maintain a terrific staff…”

His voice trails off for a moment, then he adds brightly, “We’ve got it workin.’ Yes we’ve got it workin.’”

So there you have it. A wildly popular restaurant, perfectly situated on Rt. 9, near the Northway’s Exit 13, not far from the center of Saratoga offering plenty of free parking, a neighborhood 14-seat bar with a cozy, co mfortable vibe, meals made to each individual order, and owners, front of the house manager, and a staff that

hon estly and passionately care about making every meal an experience.

The geography is perfect, the history is fascinating, and the food fresh, delicious, and always made to your order and specification. Best of all, if the walls could talk, you might just hear old Gus Dardas saying, “It’s good. It’s very, very good.”

So wait are YOU waiting for? Come along!

Dunning Street Station is located at 2853 State highway 9 in Malta, Exit 13 off the Northway (518) 587-2000 www.dunningstreetstation.com

Manager - Maureen Faniff, Bob McKenna and Chef Bruce Jacobson

Jacquiline Simone Touba Sociologist/Artist with a Timeless Global Perspective

By Lawrence White

I meet with Jacquiline Simone Touba (Ph.D.) in her eclectic studio on the first floor of the Shi rt Factory in Glens Falls. She has just returned from visiting her daughter and grandchildren in Ore gon. It is immediately apparent that Jacquiline is anything but exhausted from the trip. Jacquiline is a highly knowledgeable cre ative spirit who remains in perpetual motion throughout my visit. Her hyperactive imagination is evident in every nook and cranny of the space. This includes unique batik paintings or paper, jewelry featuring stones and beads from all over the world, collages, sculptures, and wonderful coloring books featuring images from exotic cul tures, all created by her own hands with loving attention. Each separate piece has a story

with deep meanings and lessons that she happily expounds upon. In short, Jacquiline is a living library of creative thought and action with a keen per spective on international history, culture, and most of all, families and children.

Jacquiline was born in Syracuse and raised in North Troy where she was influenced by an artistic father. “I was also pretty good at social studies,” Jacquiline tells me as the soft afternoon light floods her studio. “I always created art, but my aunt had given me a book about people in different countries which sparked my interest in international affairs. In those days, women were not allowed in the foreign service so that is why I went on to study sociology. My feeling was that this would give me what I needed to be able to work in any country. When I went to college in the 1950’s I was really interested in foreign service and international

events and history so that is how I became fo cused on the study of sociology.”

I inquire how Jacquiline became such a prolific artist, and she responds, “I would create art for fun while I was teaching in Iran in the late 1960s and 1970s, and it became more important during my many travels. I spent a great deal of time sketching details of buildings, murals costumes, and dress then I would use ink and color once the drawing was complete. I create unique batik

“There are those who give with joy and that joy is their reward.”

...Kahlil Gibran

paintings on a paper that allows me to work with hot wax.” I can attest that the results are really quite stunning.

I ask Jacquiline to comment about her experiences in Iran and she recalls,” I began teaching in Iran in 1968 and remained there until six months after the hostage crisis in 1980. I was teaching in the sociology department at Tehran University during the revolution and researched families and women’s roles while I was there.” Jacquiline continues, “I have since discovered that many of the papers I wrote during that time are being researched by academics in the field today. An online website notifies me whenever my work is being cited so it is very satisfying professionally to know that the work I completed years ago is still being used today.”

Jacquiline describes what it was like to return to America after this expe rience. “I taught sociology at Skidmore as a guest professor for a year, but I was disappointed. It felt like the students were not tuned in and it became apparent that it was necessary to start teaching at an earlier age to broaden children’s minds. As a result, I started the International Arts and Culture Association. We held several large outdoor international fes tivals for 10 years in Glens Falls to allow local families to interact with various cultures.”

“This gave me the idea that children’s art could be used as a language, so we created the International Youth Arts Program and started with six coun tries where we developed contacts to curate children’s artwork to communicate ideas and interesting facets of their cultures. This became a very important collection and led to the eventual development of the World Awareness Children's Museum (WACM) which after a couple of

Silver pendant with turquoise from India and Indian. Silver, amethyst and turquoise beads

“Phoenix” 12” x 16” pen & ink, watercolor batik on Japanese ginwashi paper

“Japanese Dancer” 12” x 16” pen & ink, watercolor batik on Japanese ginwashi paper

moves is currently housed in the building that we own on Warren Street in Glens Falls.”

The WACM is a fun yet meaningful experience for children aged four through twelve. However, I personally found it to be highly interesting and educational and I am quite a bit older than that. The WACM teaches children about cultures and traditions from all over the world. Many of the displays and exhibits are interactive and im mersive so the kids feel like they are truly part of the experience instead of just sitting and viewing it.

“We use art as a form of communication,” Jacquiline explains about her inspiration. “It is an international art exchange. We started a pro gram with American schools so that the American chil dren would create art about the United States, and then we sent that material to schools abroad, so it became a real connection between cultures that remains vibrant and active at the museum today.”

“It is amazing what children do and how they express themselves and tell us things that we otherwise would not know about their cultures.”

WACM Executive Director, Bethanie Muska Lawrence has a background in music and general education. When I ask her impressions of working with Jacquiline she tells me, “She is the type of person you can never say ‘no’ to. She is passionate about everything she is involved in, and she cares deeply about what she started here. She is focused on her mission which is using art as communication and collecting children’s art internationally. This is incredibly important to her.”

“WACM is a unique project that not many had ever considered. Children’s artwork is not a prominent collection outside of what we do. There are maybe three of four smaller collections

in the USA, so it is a unique dynamic she started that was overlooked before. The public does not really consider children’s artwork to be meaningful,

“Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself… You may give them your love but not your thoughts, for they have their own thoughts. You may house their bodies but not their souls, for their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow.”

Kahlil Gibran

WACM Executive Director, Bethanie Muska

but Jacquiline saw the beauty in it and the educational and creative value, and she put all of her passions toward the collection and the museum.”

“The mission at WACM is very true to her concept of what the museum should be as she envisioned it and why it exists. The goal has always been to bring our diverse and complex world to children and to enrich their lives.”

I ask Jacquiline how it feels to have not only created the artwork collection that is evident in her studio but have also achieved such a dynamic entity as WACM. Without hesitation, she tells me, “I enjoy meeting people who visit my studio and collect my artwork and jewelry. It is always interesting to hear about their families and their lives and what the artwork will mean to them in their homes. Each piece I create has its own story and so do the people who decide to own a piece of my art. That energy exchange is nourishing for the soul.”

Come, fill the cup, and in the fire of Spring. Your Winter-garment of Re pentance fling. The Bird of Time has but a little way to flutter and the Bird is on the Wing

Omar Khayyam

Jacquiline Touba Studio is located at 118A, the Shirt Factory, 71 Lawrence St., Glens Falls. Hours: Thurs.-Sat. 2 to 5pm or by ap pointment - jstouba@verizon.net

World Awareness Children's Museum 89 Warren St, Glens Falls (518) 793-2773

Jacquiline Touba Upcoming Exhibitions

May 2023 Glens Falls City Hall, 42 Ridge Street July 2023 Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council 7 Lapham Place, Glens Falls, NY

“When she and her family moved back from Iran, nobody here seemed to be aware of how people lived overseas. Their perspective was what they heard in the evening news or read in newspapers. Jacquiline created a pathway of knowledge about universal human life to focus on the awareness that we are all very similar in many ways despite our different customs and our different backgrounds.”

Jacquiline then shifts the conversation to her feelings about WAMC. “I am very happy that I am still around to have seen it grow through the various stages to where it is now. It is always touch-and-go when things are starting and as they grow, but the wonderful manifestation that it represents now, and the staff who are carrying the cause forward, give me con fidence that it will go on for generations to come, and that is comforting.”

As she is speaking, Jacquiline turns to her studio worktable and starts to refine a new piece of artwork. Observing how joyously she is involved in the creative process, it is apparent that this is how she would wish to be remembered.

“This is Not Movie Night at the Retirement Home” The Legacy That is The Syracuse Cinephile Society

by Rona Mann

Leonard Maltin and Phil Serling

legacy?

Not a monetary one per se because money is generally just there for a short time, and then it’s gone. But a true legacy is one that endures throughout time, touches people, and becomes a part of history.

Phil Serling, a true Damon Runyon character, was a bundle of wildly diversified talents and contradictions all tied together in one quixotic package. He was a semi-pro boxer and had been honored by the In ternational Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York. He also was a much sought-after actor in community theatre productions. His day-to-day job lay completely at the other end of the spectrum as he worked 35 years for the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Department, Civil Division as a deputy sheriff. But perhaps his greatest love of all was movies, old movies. Serling revered them, respected both the art and science that went into making them and throughout his lifetime amassed an enviable collection of vintage movies and all the trivia that he could store along with them. He never made a penny from this lifelong love affair, but it never mattered. Serling’s satisfaction came from sharing his love and knowledge with anyone who would give him their ear, turning these people on to vintage movies and vintage actors, ultimately making cinephiles of them all. In fact, every Saturday night without need of an invitation, Phil would show old movies in the fin ished basement of his home. Sometimes a handful of people showed up; sometimes a boxcar of them. When there were no more chairs, they sat on the floor munching popcorn thoroughly immersed in whatever came out of Phil’s personal collection.

By definition, a cinephile is one who is passionate about movies and knows a lot about them; an educated film consumer with a tool kit to distinguish the average from the outstanding. Circa 1967, Serling was speaking of his intense love of the medium with an old friend, Syra cuse-area orthodontist, Sam Goldsman. The two decided that there may indeed be others who shared their passion, so together they rented

What does it mean to leave a

March of 1981. They had hoped to attract 75 attendees to cover their expenses; they didn’t need to worry as over 200 came to the weekend-long event!

Cinefest would continue for another 35 years attracting cinephiles from all over the United States, then all over the world. Suddenly, Serling and his merry band became travel agents of sorts, meeting planes and making hotel reservations. The hard-core aficionados came en mass because Cinefest would show films not found on the Turner Classic Channel, vintage movies that had been unearthed by film archives with whom Serling had partnered. The George Eastman House in Rochester, the American Film Institute, the Library of Congress, the British Film Institute, the Walt Disney Organization, and a myriad of work from personal collections all became part of this.

Sadly, in 2002 Phil Serling died of complications following an auto accident. Although a void was left in hundreds of hearts, the Syracuse Cinephile Society chose to go on to honor his work and his memory, and it flourished. Phil died just weeks before Cinefest 22 was to take place, but there was never any question that it would happen. With

one silent film and a projector neither knew how to op erate, secured the back room of a bar/restaurant, and put out the word. A small but appreciative audience shared that evening, and after a few more false starts, it took off. The Syracuse Cinephile Society was born, and instead of occasional screenings or monthly ones a firm schedule of Monday nights was established, meeting at various venues in the Syracuse area that ranged from restaurant back rooms to the Onondaga County Civic Center. It quickly became apparent that the latter was not workable, for this coterie of vintage film enthusiasts needed a place to convene, socialize, affirm and reaffirm their passion for this medium in a smaller venue. They subsequently found a restaurant that worked, and at tendance blossomed.

But the cinephiles were not content to let it go at that. They wanted more. They wanted bigger. In 1978 after hosting Cinecon, the annual convention for the National Society of Cinephiles, Serling wondered if they could now advance to holding a regional film convention on a regular basis. After conferring and brainstorming with his loyal staff of volunteers, “Cinefest” was born in

heavy hearts, cinephiles from all over the country and the world made the trek to snowy Syracuse. Television film critic, Leonard Maltin who loved Cinefest and held Phil in the highest regard, said it best, “I will be there, but it will be bittersweet.”

In 2007 the board unanimously elected a long-time Cinephile and Cinefest supporter, Gerry Orlando as its new president. Chief Digital Operator, Mark Philp wrote, “the best way to describe Gerry is as a master showman. He loves the razzle-dazzle of promotion, and had he been born in another century he may have well been another P.T. Barnum or Florenz Ziegfeld. It didn’t take us long to discover that unquestionably his biggest asset was his uncanny ability as a movie programmer.”

Yes, Phil Serling gave birth to the legacy, initially as a one-man band threading the projector, making the popcorn, doing the media interviews, and promoting the art of vintage movies, but it is Gerry Orlando who has perpetuated that legacy. He is quick to say, however, “Times have changed dramatically since Phil. In the early days of cinephile we attracted the hard-core folks who knew the classics. Now, we program to a more general audience.”

Nevertheless, “old movie” audiences today want Jimmy Stewart, James Cagney, and Bette Davis films, and that is precisely what Or lando delivers. He begins each Monday night’s Cinephile gather ing at The Spaghetti Warehouse in downtown Syracuse by asking the audience, “how many of you are seeing this for the first

The demographic has broadened

“curtain

time?”And while he admits, “it never used to be this way,” 75% of the hands go up. Regardless, Orlando and his very active staff con tinue to fulfill the mission statement that the Syracuse Cinephile Society had from the first: to keep vintage films and stars alive in people’s minds.”

to where Orlando is now giving his

speech” before each showing to students from nearby

Syracuse University as well as middle age and older patrons. “But this is not movie night at the retirement home,” he quickly adds. “We program to the audience, but I also give them a good backstory of facts regarding the stars and how each film was made.”

Old movies are now more available on Blue Ray and DVDs, but people still can’t get what Gerry Orlando and the Syracuse Cinephile Society can give them. “We always have a short and a short movie, and a few times a season we have a double feature, but it’s never a late night. When we have a double feature we run what’s called “programmers,” each film only 60-75 minutes in length.”

All the films come from Orlando’s vast collection, carefully protected in the temperature-controlled lower level of his home. “But we still pay the

rights to the studios every time we show them. Distributors have a way of finding out through internet websites who is showing what, so we want everything to be above board.”

The only “enemy” that Orlando has is...cell phones! “I am a pit bull about them. I stand in the back of the room when the films go on, my eyes are darting around constantly.” Now re tired, this is Gerry Orlando’s full-time job, and it’s well more than a hobby for him. “The longer I’m in it, the more I appreciate it.”

Does he have a favorite film genre? “I like them all, but I’m partial to comedies and the old-time musicals.” Yet his programming incorporates westerns, mystery, adventure, gangster, horror, war movies... if they’re classic, Syracuse Cinephile is showing them and for an astounding $4. ad mission! Those who are annual members ($5. for individuals and $12. for families) get a 50-cent reduction in admission price. Why so low? “Because I want as many people as possible to enjoy this so it never becomes a lost art. “It’s like a Monday night fraternity,” Orlando says. “Many co me early to have dinner, they love seeing their friends, people who are likeminded about old movies. They love the socialization...but when the lights go down, it’s always all about the movie.”

And that’s how you create a legacy that lasts, by remembering, “It’s always all about the movie.”

For more information about The Syracuse Cinephile Society, log onto: www.syracusecinephile.com

The Spring 2023 season starts in March. Pro grams begin promptly at 7:00 PM at The Spaghetti Warehouse, 689 North Clinton Street in the Franklin Square area. Free Parking. Fol low the Syracuse Cinephile Society group page on Facebook.

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“The cover, alone, of 518 Profiles draws me in, e v ery time. I always wait for a block of time be fore o pening it, so I can settle in a nd enjoy. The ar ticles are in-depth portraits o f a busi ness or of a person and the photos are b rilliant. Even the ad ver tisements are quite spectacular. I had looked for ward t o placing my own business ad, and finally have done so. Stephanie is easy to work with and I just love the ad that was created.”

'What a beautiful Magazine!! It’s a pleasure to display it in my shop... my customers love it! Stephanie is a delight to work with in all of the facets! I am very proud to be part of this publication which has not only brought me sales but has connected me with very loyal and devoted customers from all over our region!'

“Saratoga’s finest magazine! A magazine you pick up and keep for its quality, feel and content. I have done many ads in newspapers and magazines in my career, and we literally have people walking in with 518 Profiles in their hands looking for us. Advertising with the m agazine works well because the readers pay attention to the high quality and editorial.”

“Working with Stephanie and 518 Profiles has been a consistently exceptionally profes sional and positive experience. They are very easy to work with and have an un usual attention to detail that is ap pre ciated!

The award-winning publication i s beautiful... an d my customers look forward to picking up the new issue each month. We are proud to be among their advertisers!”

“My customers and I love 518 Profiles, the articles provide information about local artists, unique shops and things to do. The quality of the articles, im ages and publication val ues are hard to find anywhere else in the region. I am so pleased to be a part of the 518 Profiles family.”

Gail Snitkoff, Pause Gallery, Troy

“Love this magazine, down to earth articles about hometown folks and businesses, lots of great photos, well written.”

“A s a photographer, and the the advertising and mar keting director of The Alpine Sport Shop, a family owned business in Saratoga Springs, I appreciate the creative insight and thoughtful stories that 518 Profiles shares about local artists and businesses. The magazine is a quality resource and guide for its readers, on where to find what is interesting and unique in our area.”

“The Magic Moon is a small business that has grown with the community over the last 26 ye ars, and as such, we appreciate the efforts of 518 Profiles, a publication that consistently turns its spotlight on the le sser-known niche businesses in and around Saratoga Springs. From an advertiser's point of view, we're more than pleased with the personal attention we've received from the publisher, as well as the eye- catch ing presentation of the printed prod uct each month.”

“518 Profile has provided great exposure for our business. Each issue inspires its readers and contributors.”

Kathy Agneta M&P Gifts LLC / Merriman and Pfister’s Marketplace, Delmar

The Magic Moon, Saratoga Springs

Tom Clement Clement Frame Shop & Art Gallery, Troy

Saratoga Saddlery & International Boutique, Saratoga Springs

Terri-Lynn Pellegri Alpine Sports, Saratoga Springs

Bob Wheaton, Soave Faire, Saratoga Springs

DB TRENDS, Ballston Spa

Amanda Magnetta Bear and Bird Boutique + Gallery, Schenectady

Cornina Oberai

Corina Contemporary Jewelry, Ballston Spa

The Best-Selling Burps in the World

by Karen Richman

The 5th-grade teacher bellowed, startling all the rest of us.

“Don’t burp out loud, Mr. Bloom,” she chided Jonathan Bloom who liked to elicit a reaction from classmates, especially with obnoxious burps. “Gentlemen don’t do that,” Mrs. Taylor continued as some of us lowered our heads and giggled. “You will never get anywhere in life, never make money, never be successful with that sort of behavior.”

Jonathan pretended to be wounded, but he was the class clown and did anything and everything to get a laugh. It’s been a long time since Jonathan made the kids giggle, but even longer since Earl Tupper gave his first burp and made millions, proving Mrs. Taylor very, very wrong.

There was no doubt about it. It was “in,” it was a best-seller, it worked, and it led to many women in America leaving their dirty dishes in the sink, their unmade beds unmade, and going out into the work world with a new sense of personal fi nancial entitlement and freedom to have fun socializing while earning their own money.

It was Tupperware, that miraculous invention of New Englander Earl Silas Tupper who in 1946 developed plastic containers used in households to contain food and keep it airtight. What set Tup perware apart from manufacturers of other plastic containers was a patented “burping seal.” Earl had gotten the idea from the metal lids used on paint cans and designed a polyethylene bowl

with an airtight water cover. He patented the Tupper seal just three years later in 1949. Consumers were instructed to just lift the lid a little to “burp” out some air, then push down to seal. The burp was just the beginning of a whole lot of naughty fun.

In the years that followed WWII, Tupper designed plastics for the consumer mar ket, his first and most popular invention was what he called “the wonder bowl,” which House Beautiful Magazine called “fine art for 39 cents.”

That was the original cost of the bowl that has endured, and today wonder bowl sets cost upwards of $69. depending upon size; however, the way it was constructed and what it did has not changed.

But having a party changed everything! At the time, Stanley Home Products, a cleaning products company had a new method of selling their mer chandise directly to housewives. It was a way to buy from salespeople in the comfort of their own homes complemented by food, drink, and friends and not from a door-to-door salesman.

One of Stanley’s salespeople, Brownie Wise, saw this as a great opportunity to sell Tupperware, so she recruited her own sales staff and formed “Patio Parties” selling Tupperware products. Rather than fight Wise, Earl Tupper hired her in 1951 as his general sales manager, and the parties became fun and profitable. She’d throw plastic across the room to show it didn’t break, she in vented party games with prizes, and suddenly

suburbia was peppered with Tupperware parties filled with white, middle-class mothers who stepped away from being housewives for a few hours and learned to make money. Tupperware salespeople had a strict dress code: skirts and stockings, while the customers who attended the parties and sipped tea or punch and ate cookies dressed in similar fashion. Eventually, the dress code faded, and partygoers wore jeans, drank wine, or enjoyed cocktails. Feminism had reached new heights and took the Tupperware party right along with it!

Suddenly, silly little living room parties evolved into big business. Brownie Wise and Earl Tupper parted ways seven years later not amicably, then Tupper sold the company to Rexall, a drug store chain. It has had other corporate ownership since. The company became publicly traded and thrives more on the global market in 100 countries than here in the States. Parties are not as prevalent as they once were, but Tupperware continues to enjoy strong sales showing up at craft shows, bazaars, and for the first time ever has partnered with a store – Target. And of course, Tupperware now has a very extensive website.

Dixie Longate, a drag queen from south Florida and brilliant Tupperware salesperson, developed a hysterical comedy show, took her business on the road, and toured from Atlanta to Australia, selling Tupperware all along the way.

Are there still Tupperware parties? Few and far between, but sometimes a group of Baby Boomers who want to go retro, contact a Tupperware lady, mix up a batch of martinis, call some friends, and before long, plastic is being flung all over the liv ing room and someone’s making money with plenty of laughter and burping.

Just imagine if Earl Tupper had Mrs. Taylor as his 5th-grade teacher. If he followed her advice and didn’t burp in public he never would have made his life into a three billion dollar worldwide enter prise giving people permission to burp all they wanted in polite company.

I wonder what Jonathan Bloom is doing these days?

Earl Silas Tupper

Brownie Wise

Easy Wellness Rituals to Add to Your New Year

By Crystal Cobert Giddens, LE

Happy New Year! As a holistic esthetician, I’m often asked about wellness tips to help clients’ get their skin healthy and glowing. We often talk about double cleansing, temperature and humidity control, and the benefits of oils for your skin. Did you know that some of those same principles can help other areas of your body as well?

Here are a few of my favorite wellness rituals to try this year:

Ready to Get a Little Chilly?

I have done a lot of research lately on ice baths and hydrotherapies. Ice baths just sounded awful to me. There is strong evidence that there are

significant mental and physical benefits to cold water swimming, showering and closely monitored therapies where you expose your body too low temperatures.

The benefits include:

• Reducing cholesterol

• Boosting the immune system

• Reducing autoimmune inflammation

• Easing pain and speeding recovery from sports injuries

• Increasing insulin sensitivity while decreasing insulin concentrations

• Better mental health and brain development

I’ve tried the Cryo type therapy and I can tell you that it helped my inflammation in my joints and my SKIN. I can also tell you that I didn’t like having my entire body enclosed in the super cold capsule. I found it difficult to breathe.

I like the cold shower method so far. I take my normal shower, with normal temperatures because I know hot water is drying to the skin. Then I slowly turn the water temperature down to a point where I don’t gasp, and then turn the hot water completely off and stand there as long as I can stand it.

Treat Your Scalp Like Your Treat Your Skin

How you care for your hair and the products you use can make a big difference in the appearance of your hair and the health of your scalp.

Did you know that as you get older, your scalp pro duces less oil? You may not need to shampoo as often, but you still need to take care of the skin on your head. You should thoroughly double shampoo your scalp and leave the shampoo off the ends of your hair. Your ends will get clean as your rinse.

Pay close attention to the ingredients in your hair products. Your scalp absorbs chemicals just like your skin on your body and face. One of my favorites is Kevin Murphy. Their products are like skincare, for your hair.

Just like excessive heat can damage and dry out the skin on your face and body, you can damage your scalp when you constantly heat style your hair. Take a break when possible and give your scalp and hair a rest.

Lastly, be aware of any bumps, flakiness or anything that feels rough to the touch. Your dermatologist will usually look at your scalp when you have your yearly skin scan. (If you haven’t scheduled one, and you’re over 40 years old…it’s time.)

Oil Pulling and Tongue Scraping

There is concrete evidence that there is a correlation between our oral health and our overall well-being. Maintaining a healthy oral micro biome is important for our teeth and gum health (just like our skin and our gut). Our mouths host over 600 species of bacteria. Some

of this bacteria is really beneficial and helps to make up the microbiome in our mouths. The rest can be detrimental to our oral health and can cause issues like tooth decay, bad breath and bleeding gums.

One of the bacteria that causes tooth decay is streptococcus mutans, a type of microorganism in everyone’s mouth. Oil pulling helps reduce the amount of detrimental bacteria in the mouth. The process is actu ally fascinating: unicellular bacteria are “enclosed” by a lipid membrane which sticks to the lipid structure of the oil you use during this process. When you swish the oil around your mouth, these bac teria get detached from the soft tissues of your mouth, attach to the oil and eventually get expelled once you spit out the oil. This is very similar to how laundry detergent removes dirt molecules from clothes when they get washed.

Daily oil pulling will help eliminate the bad bacteria from your mouth, assisting in your body’s detoxification process. Oil pulling (along with

tongue scraping) helps to eliminate sulphur producing bacteria that thrive in the microscopic grooves on the tongue. Flushing out this type of bacteria helps to keep your breath fresh and clean.

Tongue scraping is an oral hygiene practice similar to brushing your tongue with a toothbrush but it’s much more effective. The benefits? Less gunk build up on your tongue, fresher breath and improved taste buds! Your food will actually taste better and you will notice a decrease in the need for excessive salt and other spices. I have had several clients tell me that it has also helped reduce their cravings for certain foods, especially those with lots of sugar.

I like to tongue scrape at night, after I have flossed (always floss BEFORE brushing). Rinse and swish well. Then brush, tongue scrape, rinse well, gargle and you’re done. Make sure to clean your tongue scraper every night after use and towel or air dry. The 2 best types are stainless steel and copper. You can order them online or find them in most wellness stores or natural food stores.

Cobert Giddens FACES of Saratoga www.facesofsaratoga.com

Crystal

Cryotherapy

The state of Vermont has in past years quickly ga rnered a reputation of a culinary and beer brewing wonderland for travelers across the world. The state’s lack of commercial manufacturing has spurred a creative growth of homegrown artisanal cottage industries, as a form of expression as well survival. From the famous Vermont Teddy Bear to the Green Mountain Coffee brand- and let us not forget Ben and Jerry ice-cream- the creative Vermonters have stolen our hearts and taste buds with their ideas and creativity.

For folks that enjoy a great micro-brew beer, there are breweries all over the map. Popular beers

Culinary Beer & Dining Travel Destinations Northern Vermont: Burlington Brew, Coffee & Dining in the

Green Mountain State

by Armand Vanderstigchel

from Vermont are Fiddlehead, Magic Hat, Harpoon, Trout River, and AlChemist to name few. The combination of clean water, cre ative labor and farm land have been instrumental to the growth of the beer culture. The existence of many colleges and universities is also a benefactor, since students love beer pubs and enjoy trying new experiences that include a local cultural feel intertwined with supporting local causes.

This year I decided to enjoy a short culinary winter tour of some areas of Vermont.

While heading north on Interstate 91N in Mas sachusetts via Interstate 90 from Albany, I checked the historic town of Deerfield exit. It is home of the flagship store of the famous Yankee Candle company which during winter seasons is decorated to the hilt, with a historic candle making shop and seminars. Steven Spielberg used candles from the historic sec tion of the store for his legendary 1997 movie AMISTAD. There is shopping featuring cooking equipment, local products, maple syrup and toys.

Driving further north, my destination Burlington, Vermont, immediately con firmed its reputation as the snow

capital of Vermont, as snow came down rap idly- no surprise it being rooted close to the Canadian border near Montreal and Quebec.

My first destination is the Church Street dis trict, in search for American Flatbread Hearth. After frantically in the cold filling the parking meter with quarters while barraged by falling snow, I quickly crossed the street in search for warmth and shelter.

This is the place for local brews and fabulous flatbreads topped with local, organic ingredients baked before your eyes in an open, wood-fired oven and home of Zero Gravity Craft Brewery. The beautiful igloo-shaped open fire pizza oven in the romantically lit restaurant is a treat to observe.

American Flatbread Hearth

The flatbreads are pizza-like round shaped and come in two sizes. They arrive quickly to the table and are super crispy. A flight of their homemade beer is strongly recommended!

For dessert head next door to their sister restaurant Monarch & the Milkweed for a hot cup of cappuccino paired with homemade desserts while overlooking the scenic park adorned by old fashioned street lanterns. Afterwards one can head down to Church Street to indulge in some shopping at local Vermont product stores such as the Vermont Flannel shop for authentic quality flannel clothes or pamper yourself with Vermont’s fa mous Ben & Jerry’s Ice-cream-Irresistible!

The following morning, I decided to explore some more of the downtown and enjoy a brisk walk along the historic harbor of the Lake Champlain waterway which during the revolutionary French- English war, was a vital part of ferrying troops and supplies. With brunch on my mind, The Farm House Tap & Grill is the recommended spot- famous for local food, “Best Bourbon Bar” award and Vermont’s finest beers presented on 30 taps.

They serve the best burgers in town infused with local Vermont Cheese and home-made frites! The House Charcuterie BoardPâté, Duck Rillettes and Chicken liver mousse, is highly rec ommended as well the Cheddar Grits & Eggs with sunnyside up Eggs, Bratwurst and Kale Chimichurri.

South of Burlington is Shelburne- home of Fiddlehead Brewery and The Vermont Teddy Bear Company. At the en trance, a gi gantic teddy bear is present to enhance your selfie moment. Check out the Village Wine and Coffee on Shelburne Road specializing in over 800 wines in stock. The coffee shop sells Fair Trade organic coffees and High Meadows Bakery pastries.

Bleu Northeast Seafood, located inside the downtown Burlington Marriott hotel, overlooking Lake Champlain

is a great dinner pick. Crispy Calamari with shaved Fennel and Harissa aioli arrives decoratively with an excellent dipping sauce. Swordfish Romesco and Cider glazed Salmon with Sweet Potato Hash have Ver mont hints intertwined. Brulee Cake with Blackberry puree and Meringue is exceptional.

The Hotel Vermont directly next door is a great place for an after-dinner drink at its restaurant Juniper - specializing in local cuisine with a great bar. This boutique hotel represents proudly its namesake in terms of decorations and local product practice. The lounge fireplace permeating that pleasing burning wood aroma is wonderful on cold snowy nights with a nice glass Bourbon slipped between your fingers, while enjoying snacks and Vermont Cheese boards.

After this late evening brief interlude of fire place bliss, I navigate the icy roads back to the hotel with another snow forecast in development in the overnight hours - to be continued in our February issue!

The Farm House Tap & Grill

Bleu Northeast Seafood

JANUARY EVENTS

January 1 - 29 Schenectady

Cozzzy. On exhibit through January 29, 2023 at Bear and Bird New York. A cozy collection of Vin tage Needlepoint Art alongside the Collage Work of Fran Waldman. Both Waldman’s original vintage paper doll collage art pieces and the original vintage needlecraft pieces will be on sale through the show. For more information on the show, visit https://www.bearandbird.com/currentny. 160 Jay Street M • Schenectady, New York 12305

January 1 Lake George

2023 New Year's Day Lake

George Polar Plung. Hundreds gather on the frosty shores of Lake George for a daring New Year's Day swim, known as the Polar Plunge. Typically, about 1,000 participants take part. Signup starts on New Year's Eve from 11am to 5pm, then again on New Year's Day starting at 10:30am at Duffy's Tavern. Sign up is $10, which benefits the Springfield Shriner's Hospital and Lake George Volunteer Fire Department. A long-sleeve Polar Plunge shirt will be available for $10. Waves of 400 people at a time will swim, with the first plunge going in at 1pm, the second plunge at 1:15pm, and the third plunge at 1:30pm.Be sure to stop by Duffy's Tavern between 2pm and 6pm to enjoy live music from Dirt Cheap and to celebrate 2023! For more info: 518.668.5323 or 518.361.2559. Shepard Park Beach, Lake George, NY 12845

January 1-8 Schuylerville

U P ST AT E A RT I ST S - 11th Annual Juried Group Show. Juried by Elizabeth Dubben, "Upstate Artists" features a diverse cross section of the Upstate New York arts community. Exhibited work was chosen from over 100 entries in response to an Open Call for Submissions to local artists. The Laffer Gallery, 96 Broad Street Schuylerville, NY 12871. (518) 695-3181 Gallery Hours: Thursday - Sunday 12pm - 5pm

January 6, 7 Tupper Lake Wild Light. Back for its third year, wander into an enchanting, illuminated, winter wonderland to explore the sights and sounds of Wild Lights, presented by Merrill L. Thomas, Inc. Thousands of lights transform the campus into a twinkling, family-friendly experience that is sure to become a holiday tradition for North Country families. Once the sun goes down, Wild Lights sets The Wild Center ablaze with thousands of twinkling lights, nearly double the amount of last year, turning the surrounding area into an illuminated paradise. Friday, Jan 6, 2023 until Saturday, Jan 7, 2023 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. New this year: a light tunnel across Rainbow

January 7 Saratoga Springs

Kate McDonnell and Her Right Hand Men. Kate McDonnell is an award-winning 518 songwriter with an extensive catalogue of thoughtfully written songs and a long performance history.

She has performed solo at the Newport Folk Festival, on the Mountain Stage radio show, on WXPN’s World Café, and at the Kennedy Center. Her award-winning songwriting has been singled out for praise by the Village Voice, Sing Out!, the Boston Globe and Dirty Linen. Kate's Right Hand Men are made up of James Gascoyne on bass and Sam Zucchini on percussion. Sat, January 7, 2023, 8:00 PM EST, Doors at 7:30 PM. Caffe Lena 47 Phila Street Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

January 10 Saratoga Springs

JAZZ at Caffe Lena: Chuck Lamb Trio with feature TBA. This continuing series is hosted by resident composer, pianist and jazz master, Chuck Lamb, with support from music producer Joel Moss. JAZZ at Caffe Lena features collaborations between Lamb and internationally touring jazz artists, as well as many of the Capital Region's best. Chuck Lamb, who has been a member of the Brubeck Brothers Quartet since 2002, is not only an exciting and emotive pianist in his own right, but also a prolific composer of jazz, fusion, classical and world music. Tue, January 10, 2023, 7:30 PM EST, Doors at 7:00 PM. Caffe Lena 47 Phila Street Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

January 14 Glens Falls

Hiroya Tsukamoto. Hiroya Tsukamoto is an innovative guitarist and composer who fuses folk, jazz, and world music. Born and raised in Japan, in 2000 he received a scholarship to Berklee College of music and came to the U.S. Tsukamoto’s instrumental abil ities are indeed breathtaking and astounding, but his performances are so much more than that. He has the unique capability of engaging an audience thru a personable and genuine approach that transfixes his audience and almost transcends his capabilities as a guitarist. Doors: 7:30pm | Showtime: 8pm. The Park Theater 14 Park Street, Glens Falls, NY

January 26-28 Albany

The 2023 Albany Chefs' Food and Wine Festival. Albany Wine and Dine for the Arts announces the 2023 Albany Chefs’ Food and Wine Festival presented by Bank of America. The three-day festival begins on Jan. 26 with the Mayor’s Re ception and Kickoff, followed by the Grand Tastings and Slider Slam on Jan. 27. The festivities will culminate on Jan. 28 with the Grand Gala dinner. Thursday, Jan 26, 2023 until Saturday, Jan 28, 2023 Albany Capital Center, 55 Eagle Street Albany, NY 12207

January 27 Glens Falls

Comedy After Dark: Caitlin Cook. Caitlin Cook is a LA-born, NYC-based comedian. Not your conventional stand-up, Caitlin Cook combines witty one-liners and scintillating storytelling with hilariously irreverent musical comedy and projected visuals.The show also includes additional performers, and a host to make up nearly 2 hours of comedy entertainment! Patrons are encouraged to buy tickets in advance to guarantee seating at the show. Lineup subject to change without notice. January 27, 2023 @ 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm $22 – $25. The Park Theater 14 Park Street, Glens Falls, NY

Bridge! The Wild Center, 45 Museum Drive Tupper Lake, NY 12986

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