Stephanie Sittnick - Director of Sales ( 860) 227-8199 advertising@518mag.com
CONTRIBUTORS
Carol St.Sauveur Ferris, Karen Richman, Rona Mann Chandler Stevens, Lawrence White, Susan Brink, Crystal Cobert Giddens, Chef Armand Vanderstigchel, Alan B. Richer, Kirsten Ferguson
Lisa Orr: Practical(ly) Extraordinary! pg. 8
The Birth of a Fashion Guitar: Jim Morahan pg. 18
Welcome to the December issue! It’s time to celebrate the holiday season. This month, enjoy baking cookies, watching festive movies, and decking the halls. It is also time to give back and visit your local holiday markets or shop at your local small businesses. Within these pages, you will find a variety of advertisers where you can find those spe cial gifts for your loved ones. SHOP LOCAL. Everyone here at 518 Profiles w ould like to thank our dedicated readers and a very special thank you to our wonderful and supportive advertisers. Happy Holidays!
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 cre ative people and interesting destinations. Enjoy!
Stephanie Sittnick Founder / Publisher
This Illustrator Paints With Her Heart Meet Leslie Peck, Lover of Beautiful Things pg. 26
North Country Natural: Sydney Worthley pg. 36
Lisa Orr: Practical(ly) Extraordinary!
By Carol St. Sauveur Ferris
When it comes to the fine arts, people are drawn to examine, enjoy, and collect what speaks to them. Be it color, texture, media, or an emotional quality that resonates, art is both personal and powerful. For the artist, the same holds true. Their art is an expression of many things. It can be who they are, what they’re feeling, what they believe, or what they see. For Lisa Orr, her clay art reflects what has spoken to her over the years. Beautifully embellished while practical, each piece she creates pays homage to the decorative arts from centuries ago.
Born in Texas and residing in Massachusetts since 2021, Lisa Orr has been fascinated by pottery since a very young age. As a typical child of the 60’s, she had to figure out what to do for fun. There were no devices filled with built-in activities and games like today. For Lisa, it was all about crafts. Drawing, embroidery, sewing, and printmaking, to name a few. Luckily, her parents kept her stocked with all sorts of craft kits, which kept her occupied, but there was one very special kit she saw in a Sears catalogue and really wanted. It was a pottery wheel for kids. After begging her parents for a while, they finally bought it for her, and as they say, the rest is history.
Like so many creatively inclined students, Lisa took many art classes in school, which led to her studies at the University of Texas at Austin, where she earned her BFA in 1983. Following graduation, she worked for other artists and ran her own pottery business. Seven years after that, she pursued postgraduate studies at several colleges, including the Southwest Craft Center in Texas, the University of Colorado, and the University of Minnesota.
She later attended the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, earning an MFA in 1992. Alfred University is known for its very strong Ceramics Program and its Ceramic Engineering Program, which require a thorough understanding of Glaze Chemistry, its history, color theory, and more. Together, they provided a student with a thorough and extensive background from which to begin their career. And for Lisa, it sparked her interest in different types of kilns and glazing methods,
which she continues to experiment with today. Following college, Lisa received a Fulbright Scholarship in 1992 to study in Bulgaria for two years. Many fellowships and awards fol lowed, including another Fulbright for Par ticipation in the Bienal de Asuncion in Asuncion, Paraguay. Bienal de Asuncion is an international art exhibition that showcases contemporary art with a focus on Caribbean and Latin American Works. In addition, she received numerous grants to research and fund the production of folk ceramic DVDs that
describe the history and making of Mexican village pottery. Her research was inspired by her love of their pottery after her parents brought back many beautiful pieces from their trips to Mexico.
More recently, and for the last five years, she has been teaching pottery via www.cohorts.art, an online course that mentors students in the art of metals or pottery, tailored to each mentee’s unique interests. The program begins in January and runs for 12) consecutive months. It includes (24) one-on-one Zoom meetings with her students, (12) class meetings, and (1) week-long in-person workshop as well. Stu dents get the benefit of learning from several instructors while being mentored by one with whom they spend time in person at their
workshop. It is an immersive experience for students and a fulfilling one for their mentors.
In addition to all of her aforementioned ac complishments, Lisa creates her own pot tery, which she exhibits and sells. Her pieces are exhibited in numerous galleries across the country and include teapots, mugs, dishes, platters, candleholders, pitchers, and bowls. They are whimsical, beautiful, and en gaging. It’s no surprise, then, that Lisa has a routine that enables her to focus on the many pottery-making tasks at hand while remaining mindful of future obligations. First, she creates a master list of all upcoming shows with due and exhibition dates that she is, or would like to, participate in, and uses it as her guide. From that list, she develops another list of all the pieces she must create over the upcoming 2-3 months. Lisa then begins work on
the larger, more complex pieces first, followed by the smaller, simpler pieces.
“I like to get up early and go to the studio to see what is under the plastic, what ex citing thing may have been made the day before that I can feast my eyes on again, and take it to the next step. I am more energetic in the morning, so I like to do the most creative work or thinking at
that time. Toward the end of the day, I’m doing things that just need doing, and I don’t have to think.”
Lisa uses two different methods to create her pieces. She either throws the pieces on a pottery wheel or presses them in clay molds that she has made. Once they are leather-hard —hard enough to handle —
she brushes them with an underglaze color. Next, she takes a pastry bag and applies low-relief-like florals and figures in colored liquid clay. She then adds handmade, low-relief appliques representing animals and patterns to the piece. When completed and fully dry, Lisa bathes them in liquid terra cotta clay, leaving a thin coating. The pieces are then fired in extremely high heat to make them very durable. Following
It should come as no surprise that over the years, her work has found a place in numerous public and private collections, including the Fine Arts Mu seum of San Francisco and the pe rmanent collection of WOCEF in Korea. When asked what her “why” is for doing this kind of art, she responded,
“I am obsessed with form and rich, jewel-tone color. I’m always chasing the idea that I can make one more gorgeous than the one I have before. Also, I do think of the profiles of pots as having very meaningful gestures, and I love the idea of exploring those movements and profiles, which are somewhat like dance or sculpture, but they are vessels that can be used and poured, be the centerpiece of a party, or brought to the lips. It’s art you can hold in your hand and use to deliver nutrients to your body. What other kind of art does that?”
the firing, she applies four or more runny, glossy glazes that flow around the low relief designs. They are fired again for a second time at a lower temperature. When the process is complete, each piece is ready to grace a dinner table. And as practical as they are beautiful, every dish, cup, saucer, and pot is lead-free, food-safe, and dishwasher-safe too.
If you haven’t noticed, beautiful color dominates all Lisa’s pieces, which are crafted into interesting organic shapes that, as previously men tioned, are as practical as they are beautiful. They are also steeped in history, which she studied in her spare time. Those studies intro duced her to the T’ang Dynasty and Sancai, which means “three colors” in Chinese. Typically, the T’ang Dynasty pieces were em bellished and colored in amber, green, and white, though some used blues and browns as well. The research led her to experiment with the application of different colors, and has become a vibrant trademark of her work today. Lisa also discovered and studied something very unique about herself and color. It turns out she has synesthesia, a hereditary condition in which your brain is hardwired to experience two senses at the same time. For example, a person can be experiencing sound as the trigger experience, like a doorbell, and simultaneously seeing a particular color that is always associated with that sound as the additional experience.
Truly fascinating. Turns out that Lisa has one of the most common forms called graphemecolor synesthesia. She sees numbers and letters in color. For example, the number 3 always appears in yellow, the number 5 is always red, and so on. Her profound sensitivity to color comes as no surprise, and it is what continues to distinguish her work. It also inspires her to continue researching and experimenting with color at every opportunity.
Lisa creates in her Northborough, MA studio, which is located in an old cinderblock apple barn near the main house. Inside, she has several separate areas. One area is designated for the kiln and firing, another for glazing, and a third accommodates four work tables, allowing others to join her and work as well. Outside the barn, there are many open areas where she hopes to plant a peach and apple orchard, like those that once stood before Highway 290 bi sected the property, separating the original orchards from the barn and house.
Lisa also takes commissions and works on side projects. In Austin, Texas, she was commissioned to cre ate a huge mural project in ce ramic, and it is still the largest public art mosaic in the city at 1200 sf. Among many side projects, she is currently working on the invention and creation of a small, smokeless wood-fired pottery kiln from upcy cled materials.
Hmm. Good question.
Be sure to visit Lisa’s website at www.lisaorr.com to see where she will be ex hibiting next, or view or perhaps pur chase a wonderful one of a kind piece at Vessel, Saratoga Springs, NY.
The Birth of a Fashion Guitar: Jim Morahan
by Alan B. Richer
While playing lead guitar for his alternative rock band of 28 years, Watchdog, Jim Mora han, a soft-spoken, clean-cut man, wanted his guitar to be noticed.
“I wanted my guitar to stand out. I wanted guys to ask “Dude, where did you get that guitar?” The ladies in the crowd would ask to have their picture taken with my guitar. I wanted my guitar to be so cool and unique that strangers would say “I don't know any thing about guitars, but that gui tar is unbelievable!” Guitar aficionados would nat urally flock to the stage to get a better look.”
Morahan first learned about building and repairing guitars while working in the for mer “Only Guitar Shop” in Clifton Park
(1982-1988). He sold guitars Monday through Friday and taught on Saturdays, while still gigging almost every weekend. The repairman at the shop was often busy, so Jim took the opportunity to learn how to repair guitars. People would bring in handme-downs and guitars purchased at garage sales. While the repairman would sometimes help, Morahan learned a lot firsthand and by studying books on building and repair.
“The King” was one of the first music icons to inspire Jim’s love of guitar building. Elvis Presley had an acoustic (non-electric) guitar fully covered in leather. After a fruitless search for a guitar encased in hand-tooled leather,Morahan’s passion for playing soon led to creating one-of-a kind works of art.“I thought it’d be really cool to have that
un less it is hand stitched. Oftentimes, the leather would be finished with a fine handpainted detail.
While buying leather locally was an option, Morahan experienced a material epiphany in New York City in the form of fashionable de signer garment bags. In one moment, he re alized repurposing high-end bags from the likes of Louis Vuitton and Gucci gave each cre ation the wow factor he was looking for.
Morahan began to play around with other cool materials like cow skin and fur. Each Morahan Custom would be accompanied by a matching strap. After spending almost 45 days to com plete the full creation - the strap was like wrapping the guitar with a bow, - the perfect finishing touch.
guitar, but nobody made that guitar. I couldn’t find one, so I thought I’d make it.”
Morahan’s quest to learn how to attach leather to a guitar began. He found a book on how to work with leather that included sections on stitching and cutting leather to apply to wood to make sad dles.Jim found special tools like a fork to punch holes.Using tricked out leather saddles (de signed for performing stunts on horseback) for inspiration, he experimented and eventually created a leather guitar cover that looked great. His skills as a luthier (a craftsman who specializes in making a nd repairing stringed instruments) en sured these works of art would play with uncompromised sound and playability.
Through the process, Morahan learned that the process to leather a guitar is very tedious. It takes approximately fourteen hours just to stitch the body.
While Morahan loves making a great looking guitar, he is most concerned that it plays and sounds even better. As an accomplished m usician, he understands not only the mechanics of sound, but knows what guitar players want and need to play better. Morahan Customs are not only appointed with a beautiful design but are set up for maximum playability. Some of the most common issues that affect the guitar playing experience (bridge position, pick-ups, and knobs) are often overlooked. The bridge is the anchor for the strings and primary point for transmitting their vibrations to the guitar's body. A pick-up is the metal piece that lies underneath the strings.Guitar knobs control the sound of the guitar by adjusting volume and tone. A simple fix of adjusting the bridge, choosing the right pick-up, and removing a knob that interrupts a strum (a sweeping motion of
Complex triple loop stitching requires a fifty-foot trail of leather to be pulled through tiny holes The leather needs to be cut and routed down so that it is flush with the borders of the guitar
Post Malone & John Mayer
the hand and arm across the strings with a pick or fingers to produce sound) are simple yet most effective ways to properly set up a guitar.
The important role pick-ups play was discovered at the onset of cre ating his first guitar. Morahan worried how adding material might
impact the sound of the guitar. After some trial and error, he soon realized finding the perfect pick up was the true key to delivering the right tone. It is a bit of a match game to find a pick-up that marries up with the wood of the body, wood of the neck (often times different than the body), and shape of the guitar. Fingerboards made of maple emit a bright sound while rosewoods and mahogany sound warmer. Having this knowledge sets his work apart from many others.
Musicians will deliver their beloved guitars for a ‘tune-up’ and pick them up marveling at their brand-new guitar. Morahan loves the challenge of adding those final finishes. He is a true master of his musical craft.
Once a few Morahan Customs were seen on stage, word got out. The first name in music to commission a Morahan Custom Guitar was Arlen Roth. While his name might not be as familiar as Elvis, he is a giant among guitarists having played/toured over five decades with an astonishing range of such luminary artists including Peter Seeger, Bob Dylan, Simon and Garfunkel, James Taylor, Vince Gill, the Bee Gees, Huey Lewis and the News, and John Sebastian. Roth is also one of the most influential modern guitar instructors of all time.
Roth met with Jim and relayed what he wanted for his custom original. Unbeknownst to Jim in 1998, Roth lost his
wife, Deborah and their first child, Gillian in a fatal auto accident on the Merritt Parkway in Connecticut. Gillian, an aspiring artist herself on the Disney Channel, was only 14 and Deborah was 47 at the time of the accident. After much deliberation, they decided on “Pennies from Heaven”, a guitar covered in nearly 200 pennies from 1983 (the year Gillian was born). On the back, Gillian’s actual signature from an art class project was transposed onto the guitar and perfectly outlined by more 1983 bright copper pennies, arranged in a heart-shaped design.
“It was a tribute to what I think she would’ve loved and would’ve liked to play.” The emotional presentation of the guitar to Roth by Jim was done during a weekend when Roth played two sold out shows at the famous Iridium Club in New York City for the release of his 2012 album, All Tricked Out!
Soon thereafter, Morahan started selling his guitars through a broker to Rudy’s Music in New York City. One of the first to be purchased was a Morahan Custom Louis Vuitton at Rudy’s by Post Malone. There is a video on YouTube of Post actually buying the guitar that can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UZsPK9GL4Y
Jim’s dream is for high-end fashion labels, like Louis Vuitton, to pur chase two or three guitars and loan them out to famous guitarists (think Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton or Keith Richards) to play for a year and subsequently be auctioned off with all the proceeds going to charity.
Just as a painter paints for the love of painting, Morahan builds for the love of building. Over the past 40 years, he has made 30 fashion guitars of which he has kept eight.Currently Jim is only building one or two guitars a year. It typically takes him between 50 to 55 hours to build a guitar from scratch. His guitars range in price from around $3,500 up to $10,000.
During regular business hours, this Massapequa native is a Senior Loan Officer at M&T Bank, of 38 years. He lives with his wife of 33 years, Lisa, and son Caden, a high school senior, in Gansevoort, NY. Caden is now learning to make and design guitars from his Dad.
While Morahan has been known for his guitar playing performance skills, he is now also known for his art in crafting aesthetically cuttingedge (pun intended) guitars by some of the bigger names in music.
Interested in creating your own one-of-a kind guitar? Contact Jim Morahan at lmorahan@nycap.rr.com.
This Illustrator Paints With Her Heart Meet Leslie Peck, Lover of Beautiful Things
by Rona Mann
You notice it almost the moment you hear her voice for the first time.
It’s a strong voice defined by a definite lilt, for here is a woman who radiates happiness, who seems completely at peace with who she is, where she’s been, and what she’s doing. Listening to Leslie Peck, whether she’s recounting her early upbringing in western New York, speaking lovingly of her mother who instilled so much good sense in her, or just chatting about her art to which she is passionately dedicated, you feel as though you’re speaking with an old friend because she makes the lis tener thoroughly comfortable.
Here is a proud woman, raised by another proud woman, a single mother who taught her children early on, “Don’t depend on anyone else,” and from the outset, Leslie took that good advice straight to heart. She has always known what she wanted, worked hard to get it, paved her own way, and never settled into complacency.
“I knew from a very young age that I wanted to be an illustrator, so I attended the famed Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City, where I studied fashion illustration.” But early on, Peck realized that was a very narrow portion of the illustration realm, and she needed to broaden her horizons if she were going to be successful. That decision was made even easier when she spent a semester abroad in Italy, where the city of Florence and all it had to offer a budding artist opened her eyes to an even wider world.
Leslie returned to the States, finished her education at FIT, earned a degree in Fine Arts, and also set her sights on earning a coveted internship with Pino, a worldfa mous fine artist originally from Bari, Italy who had come to the United States in his early 30s and was making his mark on the publishing industry as a very prolific illustrator with his impressionistic-inspired work.
“Green apples” 30 x 24 oil on Linen
He became the king of romance covers illustrating thousands of novels depicting sensual portrayals of voluptuous women as well as warm depictions of fam ily life. Pino also had studied in Italy at Milan’s Academy of Brera before coming to New York and quickly became sought after by a number of publishing companies to create their cover art. When young Leslie Peck finished her year in Florence, she apprenticed in Rome with a renowned illustrator before moving back to New York and firmly set her sights on getting an “in” with Pino. Using a combination of dogged persistence fueled by her ability to speak with him in his native Italian, she got it!
“I had to win him over, so I asked him to mentor me and told him that I, too had spent time in Italy illustrating and learning.” It worked, and Peck began illustrating romance novels in 1987, not stopping until 2004. “Publishers would give me a short synopsis of the story and tell me the colors they wanted, and I would take it from there. I’ve done Gothic illustrations, I’ve done prim and proper Jane Austin covers, and I’ve done steamy stuff for romance novels. I figure it amounted to more than 700 book covers during all of those years.”
Peck adds, “I always worked for everything I got,” and during her next chapter, she “got” married, moved to the Saratoga Springs area, and, from 1999 to 2003, “got” three children.
“Three children in four years, that was a lot,” she laughed. “A lot of diapers!”
Leslie also spent those years in the car with her kids, driving around the beautiful countryside in the lower Adirondack region. “I would drive by many farms, point out the cows and sheep to my children, and watch how fascinated they would
be. Like me.” So now, the artist turned from steamy romance illustrations to creating beautiful and very large oils of the farm animals they would see on their journeys. The animals seemed to stare into Leslie Peck’s very soul, and it became her objective to capture their stately expressions, the soulful eyes, and the proud posturing they offered.
“Patty’s Pride” 9 x 12 Oil on panel
“Chickens” 24 x 36 oil on canvas
“Meadow and Milk” 24 x 36 Oil on linen
There is really little difference between illustrating romance novels and painting farm animals in their beautiful and n atural surroundings. They are both about romance, at least the way Leslie Peck sees it. She gives her subjects the respect they command not merely by “being” in a painting of farmland, but by being front and center of that farmland and saying to those who stop to take it all in, “This is my home. I protect it. I am not just “in” this painting. I am at the heart of this painting.”
Peck’s animals jump straight from the canvas and into your heart, which is why she has developed such a loyal following of collectors. Leslie has not merely painted the farmland that surrounds her, but has invested herself in a true appreciation of those farmlands and a true re spect for the animals who inhabit and protect them. As the sheep and cows
and birds have stared at her, she has stared back, and a connection has been forged. The glance of a bovine and a sleepy donkey’s sweet face do not ever escape this artist’s notice.
Peck’s work has previously been featured in an exclusive show at The Greenwich Free Library and was an integral
“Tatonka” 30 x 40 oil on Linen
“Black Capped Chickadee” 8 x 10 oil on panel
“Freckles” 24 x 36 Oil on canvas
part of the Agricultural Stewardship Association’s “Landscape for Landsakes” show. This show has become the premier art show in the Washington and Saratoga region, empowering Leslie to donate a portion of the proceeds to support ASA’s farmland protection efforts. Additionally, she has do nated her work to raise funds for both Saratoga and Mary McClellan Hospitals as well as The Elisabeth Morrow School. She has also had many solo and group shows at The Laffer Gallery, Greylock Gallery, Spa Fine Art, The Valley Artisans Gallery, Southern Vermont Artisans, and more.
Leslie is presently represented by Spa Fine Art in Saratoga, Greylock Gallery in Williamstown, MA, the Laffer Gallery in Schuylerville,
and the Southern Vermont Arts Center in Manchester, where she is currently part of the Open Membership Show now through January.
Most of all, the artist and woman who is Leslie Peck is represented by beautiful things. Things in nature, things that make up delicious ro mance, things of color and beauty. She says, “Beauty is absolutely everything.”
Her Artist Statement differs from most because she makes her statement with a simplicity of words and does not try to forge a literary masterpiece. These words simply define who this artist is and what it is that motivates her. “Painting farm animals and still lifes of the products of our region is one of my great passions. Each animal has a noble purpose in this world, and I try to bring out the subtle beauty and simplicity of their nature. I have found the same eloquence in the vegetables, eggs, or even the bread that I try to portray in my oil paintings. The great philosopher, Rumi, put it well when he wrote, ‘Every object, every being, is a jar full of delight.’”
Every time Leslie Peck approaches a new canvas, she opens a new jar.
Contact: Facebook at Leslie-Peck-Art; Instagram @lpeckart email: lesliepeckart@gmail.com
SPECIAL HOLIDAY OPEN STUDIO TOURS!
Monday, December 1st 10AM-3 PM and Thursday, December 11th 2PM-7 PM 52 Salem Street (Rt. 29) Greenwich, NY
“The Swing” 16 x 20 oil on panel
“Clover Bunny” 10 x 10 Oil on panel
“Juliet and Romeo” 12 x 12 Oil and panel
North Country Natural: Sydney Worthley
by Lawrence White
“Natural talent harnesses what it has, and hard work unlocks what it doesn’t.”
...David Robinson, author
Sydney Worthley first showed her amazing talent at a very early age. Fortunately, she is from a family that recognized and nurtured it. Too often, young talent, particularly young women, is turned away from their muse because of career concerns. This was not the case with Syd ney. Her family has supported her from day one, and she has never slowed down or veered from her course since. She is a natural.
Born into a military family stationed in Idaho, Sydney was soon on the move with her parents to their home state of New York, where they ulti mately settled in Troy. Sydney lives in the New York Capital area now. She is relaxed and focused during our conversation and has quick, full an swers to my questions. It is clear from the start that her vision and intent are sharply focused. She is in constant motion.
I ask Sydney when she first discovered her interest in music, and she tells me, “As far back as I can remember, I have been fascinated with music and performers, particularly country music stars. I re ally wanted to learn how to play guitar, so on my 9th birthday, my parents gifted me a Luna 6string guitar and lessons. They still come to all of my shows. They are my number one supporters.”
I express interest in how Sydney’s lessons turned into performances of her own work. Reflectively, she responds, “I learned through Skype calls with a teacher in Nashville, and I started to gain confidence.”
“Our school held a benefit for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and I decided it was a good time to try to perform, so I chose a song by Taylor Swift, and it clicked. I was elated at the reactions, but sad that it was over, which concerned my mother. She responded by scouting out other opportunities. This included Saratoga Children’s Theatre, which at the time hosted an open mic for kids at Gaffney’s, where I would perform every month. This gave me enough confidence that by 13, I was starting to write my own material. My first song is titled ‘Wrong Way,’ written from an idea that my father gave me. He does that a lot,” Sydney finishes with a laugh.
Even though Sydney does not like to look back on her early work, it is very instructive for anyone who wants to know about the essence of this in dependent artist. The structure of “Wrong Way” is surprisingly complex yet immediately relatable. The dynamics of the various passages guide the lyrical content home effortlessly and with conviction. Yes, a 14-year-old young lady is singing the song, but it is obvious she has connected to a deep, soulful reservoir that extends well beyond her years. Although her voice is not fully developed, her tone and grasp of emotional delivery are powerful, convincing, and evocative as she draws on her innate talent.
Her talents became even more evident through time as she developed as a composer, performer,
and recording artist. Starting from that early highwater mark, Sydney has gone on to create a portfolio of recordings that is dazzling in scope and depth.
At 14, she wrote the intensely touching “Strong,” which is also the title of her first album. The song evokes the feelings and emotions of a young person experiencing grief. “I was trying to find a way to piece my family back together after the death of my grandmother.”
Hospitals took her fight away. The nurses they came They came to say It doesn’t look good. Not good at all
“When I sang it to my family, they were a wreck. The way that the emotional changes within myself so strongly affected others validated my efforts. I performed it at the next open mic. My brother and parents attended, and their support helped me perform something so personal at that age. It really drove me on.”
Indeed, it did. Sydney has released over 30 highly pol ished, intricately produced recordings, including albums and EPs (extended play recordings with more tracks than a single). The titles and lyricism go from the ironic, “Heart-Shaped Mess,” “How Soon is Now,” “Terrible Lighting,” to deeply personal and revealing, “Part of Me, “I Always Fall,” and “Don’t Deserve This.” The constant thread running throughout all of the ma terial is Sydney’s lovely, full-toned voice and her highly listenable compositions and arrangements.
Sydney’s knowledge of the recording studio is matched by her onstage savvy and dynamic performance. On stage, Sydney takes control of her ensemble in a way that assures the audience will experience something ex traordinary. The same feeling hits her followers whenever she releases a new recording.
It is said that a really great talent finds happiness in exe cution, in creation, and in process. That is certainly the case with Sydney, and it has been evident since the beginning. That brings me back to the title of this piece, “A North Country Natural.”
Many of us have natural talent but lack the drive, disci pline, or support to develop it fully. Yet, those are the exact assets that Sydney enjoys to the max. If you are unable to attend Sydney's live performances, her many videos on YouTube and songs on Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, and other outlets are available to listen to and purchase online.
Sydney also designed a line of merchandise available on her website, with more in the works. This is who Sydney is now. A full and dynamic artist in charge and in control of her music and career. But I remain fascinated by her very first recorded song, “Wrong Way.” The lyrics reveal a very mature and ironic viewpoint of relationships from the female perspective that connects easily with the lis tener. However, it is the composition and lush production that immediately catch you. From the initial guitar build to the bass introduction, then to her lovely voice, she gracefully brings the listener into the theme of the song and holds them there.
When you listen to that level of talent with the capability and access to the technology to capture it, you realize you are hearing something special. She is in total command of every facet, and yet she is nowhere near her zenith. Her career is on the rise.
Caffe Lena Booking Coordinator / Production Manager, Hannah Stirzaker, puts it this way, “Whether backed by her band or with just her voice and a guitar, Sydney’s songs leave a last ing impression that pairs with her honest lyricism and shimmering, pop melodies that stay with you long after the final note.”
As we end our conversation, I ask Sydney what advice she would give a young person who was just starting to consider a career in music, and she responds, “For young girls and women, the industry presents a very different battlefield. This will sound cliché, but it is true: you must trust your gut feeling. Music remains a male-dominated industry, so when you find people who make you feel comfortable, lean on those people. I am a firm believer that every occurrence leads to something better, and this is true in both your career and your personal life. If you stay positive, positive things will happen for you. It is only natural.”
https://sydneyworthley.com
I wasn’t your typical little girl growing up.
I certainly wasn’t a tomboy because I wasn’t “allowed” to get dirty, but I wasn’t a “girlie girl” either. I had some dolls, but I wasn’t attached to them like other little girls. I always preferred stuffed animals because I thought they were much more interesting, and I treated them as though they were real. But real animals “make you dirty,” according to my Mom, so my only pets were goldfish, and that was no fun.
I did, however, love trains and each birthday or Christmas I wished for a Lionel train set, but “trains were for little boys, not little girls” my Daddy said, so I had to be content with looking at the train sets my parents’ friends had for their kids. I’d look with wide-eyed excitement as those trains flew around the layouts, brimming over with more jealousy than a child should have.
One year when I was about eight, the holidays were coming, and I had resigned myself to the fact that, once again, there would be no model train set under the tree for me, but at school, my class was all abuzz with news. We were getting two new classmates. A family had just moved into the neighborhood from Puerto Rico, and they had eightyear-old twins who would be joining our class. I nervously wondered if they would be boys or girls? Did they speak English? Would they be friendly or not?
About two weeks before Christmas, Mr. Zweibel the principal, brought them into class and introduced them. They smiled nervously as he said, “These are your new classmates, Miguel and Michele Rivera. They have just moved here from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and I want you to give them a big Hazel Avenue School welcome, show them around, and help them in any way you can.”
“H-hello,” Miguel said shyly. “I am Michele,” the young girl said loudly with a big smile. They spoke English! I was so excited. Then, with a gentle push from our teacher, they began to tell us a little bit about Puerto Rico, how it was part of the United States, and that’s why they spoke English, but they spoke Spanish too with their abuelo and abuela (grandpa and grandma). Hey, I was learning another language!
Suddenly, all the classmates started shouting out questions at once, and our teacher, Mrs. Yeomans was trying to make us take turns, but to no avail. “What do you like to play?” Billy Felder asked, and as though in chorus Miguel and Michele said, “Trains.” I was in heaven!
“What kind of trains do you have?”
“Is it a Lionel?”
“What kind of layout?”
“Do you have whistles and lights?”
“Do all the cars match?”
The questions kept coming, fast and furious. Mrs. Yeomans had given up trying to quiet us down and just let us have at it.
Michele and Miguel promised to bring their train set to class during the next week which was the week just before the holidays, and as any teacher or school kid will tell you, NOTHING gets done then!
When the great day came, the twins carefully opened box after box, assembling tracks and cars, but, wait! Nothing matched! “Nosotros sabemos.” (We know) “Es desigual, como la gente. No es maravilloso?”
(It’s mismatched, like people. Isn’t that wonderful)? And then they at tached a blue car painted with a gold Star of David and plunked a little menorah (Hanukkah candle holder) in it. After that, came a big dining car with tamales and bananas and tacos painted on the side. The conductor smiling up front. Then there were cars with passengers from China and Japan in kimonos and satin robes. My class loved it all!
“That’s why we call it, ‘The Most Especial Holiday Train” because every car has a surprise and everyone is having a good time,” Michele added.
“But why do you call it ESPECIAL?” I asked. “The word is SPECIAL.”
“Not in Spanish,” corrected Miguel. “In Spanish, when words are translated from English that begin with an S, we put an ES before them. It’s just one of the cool things about our language.”
“Like outer espace?” David asked, and we all laughed. “Yes, esuper ,” Miguel said.
The Most Especial Holiday Train followed us throughout elementary school, and Michele and Miguel became great friends and a valued part of our class. Some of us stayed together through high school and middle school. Others were re-districted to other schools, and we lost touch, but now that we are all grown, I bet no one ever forgot what we learned one holiday season when The “Most Especial” Holiday Train roared down the track and into our lives bringing us joy and lifelong lessons.
The Beauty of Enough
By Crystal Cobert Giddens, LE
There’s a point in every December when it all starts to blur: the lists, the lights, the endless scroll of sales and should-dos. Somewhere between the gift wrapping and the group texts, the season that’s supposed to sparkle starts to feel a little…heavy.
A few mornings ago, I stepped outside before sunrise. The air was sharp and still, the kind of cold that makes you instantly awake. My neighbor’s chimney sent up a thin ribbon of smoke, and for a moment, everything was quiet enough to hear the crunch of snow under my boots. I thought, this is it. This is what I’ve been chasing all month ~ a moment of “enough.”
We talk a lot about abundance this time of year: abundance of joy, abundance of giving, abundance of things. But I think the real beauty of this season lives in the pause between all that noise. The moments when you catch your breath and realize you don’t need anything more than what’s right in front of you.
When I was a kid, the holidays looked a lot simpler. My mom baked gingerbread in an old Pyrex dish. We made ornaments out of cinnamon dough and twine or strung popcorn on a thread. There was always one gift that didn’t quite work ~ gloves that were too big or way too small, a flashlight or dancing ballerina with no batteries, the toy that had a piece missing…but we
Somewhere along the way, we started mistaking “more” for “meaning.” We filled our calendars until there was no room for stillness, no space for wonder. We forgot that connection doesn’t have a price tag, and that memories aren’t made from perfect plans but from imperfect moments.
This year, I’m practicing what I call the beauty of enough. It’s not about cutting back to prove a point. It’s about choosing the few things that actually make you feel good and letting the rest go.
Enough might look like skipping one holiday party to take a long walk downtown with a friend, mittens on, coffee in hand, admiring the windows you’ve seen a hundred times but never really noticed. The kind of simple mo ment that costs nothing yet fills you in all the ways that matter.
It might be bundling up for the Polar Plunge in Lake George, that icy shock that makes you laugh and swear and remember you’re alive. It might be buying one thoughtful gift from a local maker instead of five from a big-box or club store that will end up in a drawer, appreciated but unused and forgotten.
laughed anyway. Our pajamas didn’t match and we didn’t sit down to the perfect pancake breakfast. We weren’t trying to impress anyone; we were just present.
Enough could be participating in a coat drive at your local high school or volunteering to deliver meals to your elderly neighbors. The smile on someone’s face when you hand them something warm, or the quiet gratitude of an unexpected knock on the door, has a way of softening even the hardest days. Those small acts ripple outward, reminding us that generosity doesn’t have to be grand to be good.
Enough could even be an hour to yourself. A quiet ritual like a facial, a nap, or a long bath with the phone in another room. Maybe it’s light ing a candle, turning on music you love, or writing a few lines in a journal while the world spins on without you. Give yourself permission to slow the rhythm, to let the water run a little longer, to rest without earning it. Time that feels like a breath instead of a blur.
I see it in the treatment room all the time. When we slow down, the skin responds. It softens. It brightens. It reflects the way we treat our selves. Rushing never makes anyone glow; rhythm does.
Maybe this season isn’t about adding more sparkle, but protecting the light that’s already there.
If you’re looking for a way to ground yourself before the year ends, try creating a “ritual of enough.” Write down three things that truly nourished you this year…not accomplishments, but feelings. Maybe it was laughter. Maybe it was calm. Maybe it was courage. Then ask how you can invite those same feelings back, without needing a sin gle new thing.
Because here’s the quiet truth: beauty has never been about excess. It’s about presence. The warmth of a kitchen on a cold morning. The smile lines you’ve earned. The stillness between the chaos.
This December, may we give what’s real, receive what’s simple, and remember that enough, in all its humble, human glory, is already more than plenty.
“Rushing never makes anyone glow; rhythm does.”
Crystal Cobert Giddens is a licensed esthetician, educator, and founder of FACES of Saratoga™, an organic skin therapy studio, and The Skin Alchemist™ in Saratoga Springs, NY. Known for her gentle, ritual-based approach to skin resilience, she blends science, storytelling, and ceremony to help others find beauty in what’s real. Her work invites a return to presence, one face, one ritual, one sea son at a time.
The holidays of December are here, with many festivities and associated tasks on hand. As a professional chef, I cooked for hotel-chains, restau rants, catering facilities, Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, and Stew Leonard’s, amassing a knowledge on tackling the holidays efficient, stress-free, and completing the culinary task on hand.
I would like to share some tips on how to successfully accomplish a holi day gathering with great ease, offer some suggestions of local “Hall mark-movie” holiday locations for travel and shopping tips for in gredients for your gathering. As a bonus, also the inclusion of some behind the scene anecdotes as a chef cooking for the holidays!
In 2008 I was a research and development Chef for Stew Leonard’s of Connecticut. My task on hand was to synchronize prepared food recipes amongst the stores in the tri-state area and the development of new prod ucts such as fresh Soups, Dips, and Entrees. The top-selling Soups such as the New England Clam Chowder was cooked in 300-gallon kettles, sent to a blast cooler and with great hygiene packed, labeled and out in the massive store within a day.
The holidays were maddening at Stew Leonard’s and all managers had to assist in different holiday departments with long hours at hand and overnight local hotel stays to combat exhaustion. As example, you could be outside selling hundreds of Christmas trees shipped directly from Canada. I was tasked with helping customers pick-out a whole Filet Mignon tenderloin, bringing it back to the open meat-cutting room, trim ming it and expertly tying it ready for roast to the delight of the cus tomer. Thanksgiving was an almost 24-hour tour de force to prepare/complete 200-plus Turkey dinners with all the trimmings. In the same massive kettles, Corn Bread Stuffing, Sweet Potatoes, Gravy and Cranberry Sauce was prepared, cooled, and packaged as accomplices for the complete Turkey Dinners. The bakery department had massive 8-feet tall rotating ovens. At exactly midnight, we rolled massive racks featuring twenty-four spiced-rubbed Turkeys into the ovens, turned the timer on and returned to prepping the next batch. Those were fun and exciting days and a valuable lesson in big-holiday catering!
As the designated host of your holiday gathering, there are many options available on hand. Many restaurants and gourmet markets offer complete Holiday-meal packages to be picked up usually a day before the holiday. I would usually suggest, if possible, to pick it up 2-days before the holiday, to avoid lines, parking, and last-moment surprises. Reheating the dinner is easy-place the sides in a glass serving dish in the microwave, pour the gravy in a sauce-pan over low-heat and insert the roast in a roasting pan with a little water in the bottom, cover with foil and gently warm for an-hour at 325F.
The scenario I highly recommend, is to establish a pot-luck prerequisite in which every visiting guest brings an assigned, Soup, cold Salad, side- dish, or dessert to complete the gastronomic table of delights. The host is assigned to the roast be it Turkey, Roast Beef, or a Pork-Roast, cooked from scratch or purchased as described above. Upon arrival, the
table is set, the dishes re-heated with assistance of the contributors and placed on the table. My personal preference is following the European “a La Francaise” service in which all dishes are placed on a buffet table with serving utensils. Everyone takes a plate, fills it, and adjoins at the table, eliminating the “pass me” the Potatoes from the other side. A separate table will present the Desserts and fresh Fruit. Foldable banquet tables and festive coverings, if needed can be purchased at whole-sale clubs.
In terms of navigating towards the purchase of local culinary Holiday delights, I prefer holiday Hams from Oscars Smoke House in Warrensburg-I strongly recommend to order or visit to indulge in the storeshowcased delight of Cheese and Meats.
In terms of baked goods, Breads and Pies, I recommend Mrs. London’s Bakery, Putnam Market and Franklin Market in Saratoga Springs, Bella Napoli in Latham & Troy for Italian treats, Bakery Suzanne in Wilton, Night Work Bread in Ballston Spa and Rock Hill Bakehouse in Glens falls.
In terms of local holiday Travel Destinations, there are many exciting options.
Travel north and visit Lake Placid, a cheerful
winter-sport town with Alpine sceneries, cozy hotels, and upscale breweries and restaurants.
Travel into neighboring Vermont and experience the “Hallmark Movie”-like town of Woodstock with its historic Woodstock Inn with roaring fireplaces, fine holiday dining, and a covered bridge across the way for a cherished photo. In similar fashion head to Burlington, Vermont and enjoy the beautifully decorated downtown with great restaurant and lodging. Head a little south and enjoy the winter wonderland of Stowe Vermont with the famous Von Trapp Resort and Brewery, celebrating traditional Austrian Fare and brew.
Closer to home visit Bolton Landing and enjoy Lake George winter views while dining as a guest or visitor at the Sag amore Hotel & Resort. Finally enjoy the Victorian Streetwalk in downtown Saratoga Springs December 4th and the New Year’s celebration with fireworks! Happy Holidays!
Night Work Bread
Woodstock Inn & Resort
Mrs. London’s Bakery
Franklin Market
Bella Napoli
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The Magic Moon, Saratoga Springs
Cornina Oberai
Contemporary Jewelry, Ballston Spa
December 1-31 Saratoga Springs
Annual Small Works Show. Back by popular demand - and starting earlier than ever - Spa Fine Art’s Annual Small Works Show returns this November with a fresh and festive collection of original artwork, all 11x14 inches or smaller.
Opening November 7, well ahead of Black Friday, this year’s show gives art lovers and holiday shoppers even more time to ex plore and collect. The exhibition will feature hun dreds of small-scale works, each priced at $500 or less, created by a dynamic mix of estab lished and emerging artists. Expect a wide variety of styles, medi ums, and subjects — all beautifully framed and ready to hang. Whether you’re shopping for a thoughtful gift, start ing your collection, or just looking for something special, this show is filled with meaningful pieces in perfectly giftable sizes. Friday, November 7, 202510:00 AM Wednesday, December 31, 20255:30 PM. Spa Fine Art Gallery, 376 Broad way, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866
December 3 Albany
December 1 - January Clifton Park
The Blooming Artist Gallery & Ins truction is pleased to present ou r annual holiday show, Holiday Sa lon. This exhibit runs through Ja nuary, 2026. All are welcome to ex perience this diverse collection and celebrate this exhibition and o ur artists whose work comprises it on Friday, December 05th from 6-8pm. The Blooming Artist, 675 Grooms Rd Suite 101, Clifton Park, NY 12065 Phone: (518) 280-4928
N UTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet. Share t he joy of NUTRCACKER! M agical Christmas Ballet wi th family and friends. Gi ve the gift of a spectacular holiday experience fe aturing an international ca st, whimsical puppetry and opulent costumes and sets, hand-crafted by the finest artisans of Europe. Go back to a simpler time and make memories your family will cherish forever. Cel e brate the season with America's most beloved Nutcracker tradition! Tchaikovsky's timeless score sets the stage for a Christmas your family will never forget. Get tickets today! Dec 3, 2025·Wed, 7:00 PM. Palace Theatre, 19 Clinton Ave, Albany, NY
December 4 Saratoga 2025 Victorian Streetwalk in Saratoga Springs, NY. Celebrate the 39th Anniversary of the Victorian Streetwalk with an evening of ac tivities in Saratoga Springs! The 2025 Victorian Streetwalk will take place on December 4, from 6pm-9pm. Downtown Saratoga, Saratoga Springs, NY
DECEMBER EVENTS
December 4-7 Troy 69th Annual Holiday Greens Show. Join the Van Rensselaer Garden Club and the Hart Cluett Museum for the 69th Annual Greens Show, themed “Lights, Camera, Action – Celebra ting Holiday Movies.” Thirteen rooms of the historic Hart-Cluett House will be transformed into stunning holiday displays inspired by beloved seasonal films. Each design features fresh seasonal greens, flowers, and festive décor. Enjoy free admission on Community Night, Thursday, December 4, from 5–8 PM, and experience this Troy holiday tradition that blends history, artistry, and the spirit of the season. Thursday, Dec 4, 2025 until Sunday, Dec 7, 2025. Hart Cluett Museum, 57 2nd St Troy, NY
December 5 - 7 Glens Falls Adirondack Holiday Festival. Get into the holiday spirit in Glens Falls for the Adirondack Holiday Festival! A weekend filled with Christmas traditions starting with a parade, the lighting of the community tree, and greetings from Santa Claus on Friday. Find the perfect gift for your loved ones from local vendors who make handcrafted items, treats, and winter apparel. December 5, 2025 - December 7, 2025. Glens Falls City Park, Maple Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801
December 5 Ballston Spa 2025 Ballston Spa Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting. The holiday season comes al ive in the Village of Ballston Spa with the 2025 Ballston Spa Holiday Parade and Tree Lig hting, hosted by the Ballston Spa Business & Professional Association This cherished annual tradition transforms downtown Ballston Spa into a winter wonderland of lights, music, and community spirit. The parade steps off at 6:30 PM. The celebration continues in Wiswall Park, where Santa will arrive on an Eagle-Matt Lee Fire Company truck to light the village holiday tree. Friday, Dec 5, 2025 6:30 PM Ballston Spa,
December 5 - 7 Glens Falls
A Very FAIRy Christmas Vil lage. Celebrate the magic of the season at the first an nual A Very FAIRy Christmas Village, a festive holiday ex perience held over three weekends in December at the Altamont Fairgrounds. We have something for everyone! This free-admission event is open to the public and features a charming holiday market with handmade craft vendors, a country store, and a hot cocoa bar with snacks available for purchase. Families can enjoy a variety of optional holiday activities for a small fee, including horse and wagon rides, ornament making, cookie dec orating, s'more roasting, and visits with Santa Claus, complete with photo opportunities. Plus, we have free activities for the kids!
DECEMBER EVENTS
December 6 Albany
Hot Chocolate Stroll. Th e sixth Downtown Albany Hot Chocolate Stroll, presented by Pionee r takes place Saturday, December 6 from 11:00 AM-3:00 PM. The Hot Chocolate Stroll is held in conjunction with day three of the Deck The Hall-bany Holiday Market & Festival. Prereg istered tickets are $25, and door tickets will be $30. Palace Theatre 19 Clinton Ave, Albany, NY 12207
December 7 Albany
The 2025 Great Train Extra vaganza. The Great Train Extr avaganza is eastern New York’s largest model railroad and toy train hobby show. It’s held every year at the Empire State Convention Center in Albany, New York on the first Sunday in December. Our dozens of vendors offer new and used trains for sale, plus parts, clothing, memorabilia, photographs, and acces sories. We also feature numerous exhibitors showing off all kinds of pieces of railroad history and artifacts, and several operating model railroads in N, HO, and O gauges, LEGO, and larger. Bring the whole family and enjoy a day at the Plaza. Sunday, Dec 7, 2025. 10:00 AM4:00 PM. Empire State Plaza Convention Center, 279 Madison Ave Al bany, NY
December 9 Saratoga Springs
December 6-27 Schenectady Schenectady Festival of Trees. The 19th Annual Festival of Trees is the celebration of the season! During the festival, we welcome 3,000+ visitors to our historic house to enjoy decorated displays of shimmering fir trees. The Festival of Trees lights up Schenectady! Featur ing 70+ artistically decorated fir trees, the Festival glows with the spirit of Christmas and the Solstice. Local artists, businesses, and nonprofits have come together to turn the galleries of SCHS into a land of wintertide enchantment, and we warmly invite you to come stroll! When you stop in, be sure to vote for your top choices in 9 categories, including Cutest, Most Glamorous, and Most Creative trees. The Festival of Trees is a fundraiser for the Schenectady County Historical Society. Admission is $8 for adults 13+. You can purchase tickets here in advance or buy them at the front desk when you arrive. Saturday, Dec 6, 2025 until Saturday, Dec 27, 2025. Schenectady County Historical Society, 32 Washington Av enue Schenectady, NY
December 7 Glens Falls
Winter Arts Festival. Our well-established Winter Arts Festival is a juried art show featuring local and regional ar tisans who create handmade, unique products such as po t tery, fiber, jewelry, culinary items, wood, photography, and more. December 7th, 2025. 10am – 4pm. The Queensbury Hotel, Glens Falls NY
December 7 Troy
20 25 Troy Victorian Stroll. Celebrate the holidays at the 43rd Annual Troy Vic torian Stroll, which will take place on Sunday, December 7, 2025 in downtown Troy, NY. Join in the merriment as the community transforms into a magical stage offering a variety of attractions and activities, such as live music and entertainment, tours, artworks, food, and more at different venues. Downtown Troy, Troy
Pint 'N Print: Linocut Ornament with Christian Wechgelaer. Come enjoy a fun evening where you can try out printmaking! This event is an informal activity where you will the process of linocut. We will carve small blocks to print on paper and learn to fold into an ornament. Tuesday, December 9th, 2025 6:00-8:00 PM. All materials and tools will be provided for the class. This class is being hosted at Bookmakers at the Holiday Inn, 232 Broadway, Saratoga Springs. Must be 21+ to register.
December 13 Glens Falls
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. The Body Barre Adult Dance Team—home of The ADK Thunder’s Storm Squad Dance Team—cannot wait to share the magic of the holidays this December! On Saturday, December 13th, join us for an upbeat Holiday Dance Performance filled with feelgood choreography set to the season’s biggest holiday hits. From the first step to the final bow, it’s a night designed to lift spirits and spread cheer. And yes—cocktails will be available to make the celebration even brighter. The Park Theater, 14 Park Street, Glens Falls, NY
December 14 Saratoga Springs
Christmas Oratorio & Tea. Get ready for an even more spectacular season as we present Charles Weidman’s Christmas Oratorio, set to the exquisite music of Bach. This breathtaking modern dance classic will be elevated with even more live music and choral accompaniment, creating a truly immersive and unforgettable ex perience. Under the direction of Noah Palmer, an orchestra, choir, and opera soloists will bring this masterpiece to life like never before. To make the evening even more special, guests will have the option to take part in a delightful holiday tea before the performance, provided by Chocolate Is Self Care. Plus, you can decorate our festive dance tree, snap photos with our beautifully costumed cast, and celebrate the season in an interactive and joyful way. Don’t miss this enchanting evening of dance, music, and tradition. Sunday, December 14 12:00 PM TEA/1:00 PM PER FORMANCE AND 3:00PM TEA/4:00PM Performance Universal Preservation Hall, 25 Washington Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
