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NOVEMBER 2026 Complimentary

CENTER STAGE

NOVEMBER 2026

Empire State Youth Orchestra Where Music Engages, Inspires and Empowers Youth

pg. 6 PUBLISHER / FOUNDER Stephanie Sittnick COPY EDITOR Elisabeth Allen

The “People’s Umbrella” of Glens Falls

WEBMASTER Tony Graveheart

A Tale of History, Redemption, and a Touch of Miller Magic

ADVERTISING SALES Stephanie Sittnick - Director of Sales ( 860) 227-8199 advertising@518mag.com

pg. 14

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

Saratoga Springs Friend and Patron of the Arts The Adirondack Trust Company pg. 22

Welcome to the November issue. As the leaves turn and the air gets crisper, we embrace the spirit of gratitude and cozy gatherings. November is here, bringing with it the warmth of Thanksgiving. We hope this issue inspires you to appreciate the little things and spark joy in your life and the lives of those around you. We dive into the vibrant crossroads of creativity that bring art, music, and theater together in a captivating embrace. As we explore this multifaceted world, we invite you to discover the intriguing narratives hidden within each story showcased here. From the brush strokes of a mesmerizing painting to the rhythm of the youth orchestra, every element contributes to a journey that awakens our senses.

The “Winningest” Trifecta in Saratoga pg. 32

We hope this issue ignites your imagination and encourages you to engage with these art forms in new and exciting ways. Thank you for being part of our artistic adventure!

ENCORE Stephanie Sittnick Founder / Publisher

Sweet Nostalgia Can You Smell the Memories?

pg. 40

LIFEspa

pg. 42

Living in Season

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Culinary Destinations: Local Holiday Shopping Tips November Events Events throughout the Capital Region

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Empire State Youth Orchestra Where Music Engages, Inspires and Empowers Youth By Carol St.Sauveur Ferris

If ever there was a universal language, music is it. Emotions such as love, grief, happiness, and sadness are beautifully conveyed through all genres using the essentials of melody, harmony, texture, rhythm, timbre, form, and dynamics. Together, these make up the structure of music’s language and create a wondrous, imaginative sensory bridge across the globe, connecting all races, ages, cultures, and creeds. At Empire State Youth Orchestra (ESYO), it also brings area youth together, challenging and inspiring them, while providing a place to grow and become in this great big world of ours. ESYO is located in Schenectady, New York, and was founded in 1979 by Barry Richman, president and owner of Pearl Grant Richmans. An Albany native, Barry has loved classical music and opera since childhood. He attended

New England Conservatory of Music, studied percussion with Vic Firth, a former tympanist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and later served as principal percussionist with the Albany Symphony Orchestra from 1964 to 1990. With that background, Barry made sure his children were exposed to music through lessons and concerts. One year, he sent them to a week-long music camp in the Berkshires and was awestruck by the camp’s concert the following week. That one concert was the inspiration for ESYO.

“I am happy to help bring multi-talented students together and be able to provide them with the opportunity to join professional or musical organizations. They are not always regarded the same way as popular basketball and football stars at school, but they’re special in a unique way. At ESYO, they have a social atmosphere and can talk with each other about like-minded things. It makes me happy to be a part of that.”

“I couldn’t believe that in one week these talented kids from all over the country put on a concert like that together. I watched in amazement and thought we could do this year-round in our community and mimic what goes on at music camp. The rest is history.” In addition to giving kids a chance to learn and play together, the goal was to put kids hoping to attend major music schools and universities on a path that let them compete nationally and gain entry into these top schools. Since then, ESYO has been instrumental in providing kids with exactly that. Lessons, community, opportunity, and now the imminent relocation to a new ESYO building and campus. Barry couldn’t be happier.

Barry Richman

Melodies of Christmas

Etienne Abelin Since its founding, ESYO has grown exponentially in both size and reputation. It now includes approximately 600 young musicians within a 2-hour radius of Schenectady. Today, it is a living, breathing musical organism that grows, becomes, and changes every day. The caliber and quality of the music they continue to create and perform, plus their integral role in shaping the world’s next musicians, is a tribute to the esteemed Music Directors ESYO has hired over the years. For the last five years, Etienne Abelin has served as Music Director and conductor.

Etienne was born in Bern, Switzerland, and studied at the Conservatory of Basel, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Master of Arts in Music Pedagogy, and at the University of St. Gallen, where he completed an Executive MBA. He also trained in baroque violin and jazz in the United States. He later earned a Master of Music in Orchestra Conducting from the University of Delaware and pursued doctoral studies in conducting at the Eastman School of Music. Currently, Etienne oversees fourteen performing ensembles, a chamber music program, and numerous workshops, staying actively engaged with the students while

guiding them on their individual and collective journeys. Under his direction and guidance, they have performed at Carnegie Hall, Proctors, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, Tanglewood, with the Albany Symphony, and the RPI Orchestra. He has also accompanied his students on tours in Europe. With Etienne as their guide, there seems to be no limit to what ESYO’s young musicians can do if they dare to dream, create, practice, and perform. “The thing that is important to me is how we do music in a particular way that really empowers them while they’re playing, to interact with each other and to lead together too. So, we have a vision of students being there and in the present, being expressive and knowing their emotions, connecting with each other and with the music, and becoming real storytellers in music while they play together. We call it embodied musicianship.” In addition to Barry and Etienne, ESYO’s programming and community outreach continue to grow and expand under the guidance of Executive Director Rebecca Calos. A Vermont native, she graduated from the University of Vermont with a BA in History and from the University of Albany

with an MA in History. She also studied Constitutional Studies at Georgetown University. After a 20-year teaching career, she served as Director of Education and Training for the Hawn Foundation before joining ESYO. Today, she oversees all administrative activities and serves as their primary fundraiser. Rebecca is dedicated to ESYO’s mission to engage, inspire, and empower young people through music.

acronym for Creating Harmony Inspiring Musical Empowerment, is a free after-school program that gives young students who otherwise wouldn't have the chance access to high-quality music opportunities that complement their existing programs. It provides instruments plus free private and ensemble instruction as well.

“I really enjoy being part of an impactful, meaningful, and mission-driven organization. My entire career has been youth-centered, and at ESYO I feel we offer youth incredible opportunities for creative expression.” According to Rebecca, students often hear about ESYO from their parents, teachers, or peers. They sign up to audition and are placed in one of several entry points, such as the wind orchestra, the string ensemble, or the symphony orchestra. The students then rehearse once a week for up to three hours. Currently, these entry points are in addition to their after-school programs in Schenectady City schools and will likely expand to include other districts within Schenectady County soon. Another entry point is ESYO's CHIME program that operates in partnership with the Schenectady City School District. CHIME, an

Rebecca Calos In addition to their current programming, ESYO has plans to host early childhood music classes at their new campus beginning in 2027. The idea is to introduce the joy of music and the wonder of making music to the little ones in fun and engaging ways. Hopefully, this will

Empire State Youth Orchestra Campus put them on a path to further their music education and perhaps join ESYO in later years. Today there is tremendous excitement in the air as the November 2026 opening of ESYO’s new and permanent facility draws near at the former St. Joseph’s Parish School in Scotia, New York. Shovels went into the ground in November 2025, and work has progressed at the expansive eight-acre campus. It will officially be called the Empire State Youth Orchestra Campus. The main attraction is a 20,000 square foot building, designed to be acoustically state-of-the-art, and housing a variety of spaces to support and encourage the creation of world class music. Within the building, the well-thought-out design includes a “purpose-built” rehearsal hall, flexible classrooms, a community room, meeting spaces, administrative offices, and more. In addition, there’s a lounge where parents can listen to rehearsals on headphones while waiting for their children. Dedicated spaces for ESYO’s free after-school CHIME program are also in the mix. “The orchestra is going to have a home where we will be able to support their musical development from cradle to career. We also want our students to be able to musically connect in the same way that

athletes connect - have a space where they can just get together and play. It’s the equivalent of a pickup basketball game except with an instrument.” To that end, ESYO’s new campus will have a place for students to hang out and jam if they want to while finding their voice through music. In turn, they will hopefully develop the confidence to pursue what they love in the coming years. Returning alums who sit on the board, advise, and teach are testimony to the power of their ESYO experience

Rehearsal Hall

Community Room

and look forward to taking part in the expanding opportunities it will provide.

Without a doubt, everyone looks forward to seeing all the young, aspiring musicians grow, blossom, and bloom in ESYO’s new forever home.

Today, everyone is looking forward to the official grand opening. According to Rebecca, it will be a block party taking place on May 1, 2027, and sure to be a great celebration. In the meantime, more beautiful music will be made and take root very soon, bringing joy and connection to those touched by it, and smiles to the faces of those who create and play it.

To learn more about this wonderful organization and what it offers, including instruction, concerts, and special events, visit their website at www.esyo.org or find them on Facebook at ESYO, Instagram @empirestateyo, and YouTube.

BirdsofaFeatherStudioGallery.com

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Birds of a Feather

Seeking additional exhibiting artist Studio Gallery gallery members A Community of 50 Artists & Artisans

Exhibits | Workshops

Thursday through Saturday 11 to 5 and by chance or appointment

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Marion Kratky • Paintings Bob Barry • Sculpture TWOsome Collaborations Curated by Susie Brandt & Betsy Brandt

The “People’s Umbrella” of Glens Falls - A Tale of History, Redemption, and a Touch of Miller Magic by Rona Mann There’s just something about an umbrella. At first glance, it's a necessary tool to throw in a closet, the trunk of an automobile, or a corner of the vestibule so it’s convenient to grab in a hurry when the rain comes. But there is another kind of umbrella, one far more overreaching in its coverage and mystery, that can keep you protected from more than getting wet. This is the story of such an umbrella. One that was purchased in 2015 and was hardly brand new, but one that had been rescued years earlier. This is the story of the very special umbrella that covers all the many spokes of Park Street Hospitality: a multi-generational, multi-use, multi-experience umbrella featuring dining, celebrating, and an entertainment center that has played a large part in the rebirth of the city of Glens Falls. So, come along, as we open this story and this remarkable umbrella together.

It is fitting that there’s something almost theatrical about opening an umbrella, almost whimsical, and that’s where this story begins. You press a button to snap the ribs open, and suddenly you’re holding a bright, floating circle above your head, protecting you, keeping you dry, allowing you to go forward with whatever you had planned. Umbrellas have always appeared in paintings and starred in dances and films. Who can forget Gene Kelly high-stepping through rain-soaked streets while “Singin’ in the Rain?” Or Mary Poppins floating over rooftops, her ever-present umbrella serving as a delightful parachute. Although she neither sang in the rain nor floated over rooftops, Elizabeth Miller opened an umbrella nearly 12 years ago, and by so doing, some very wonderful things happened for the city of

Glens Falls, its people, visitors, and those who dream and build and improve. Mrs. Miller was the wife of Myles Miller, who founded Miller Mechanical Services in 1988, an engineering and industrial fabrication company. The company was highly successful, and when Myles passed away in 2007, it was Elizabeth who took the reins, never missing a beat, growing it to the next level while maintaining its strong reputation for integrity and outstanding service. Elizabeth has always been top of mind about improvement, and the Park Theater, a 100+year-old building with a long history of drama, provided drama not always found onstage. First opened in 1911 as a place for moving pictures and vaudeville shows, it abruptly closed in 1935 after just a couple of decades. The area newspaper then purchased

it and used it primarily as a warehouse until it was scheduled for the wrecking ball. A local doctor, Harold Kirkpatrick, next bought the theater to save and preserve it, keeping the treasured edifice from such an ignominious fate. He used it as a rehearsal space for the community band of which he was the conductor and hosted a few public events with varying degrees of success. The building, however, was in a serious state of decay, and because the doctor did not have the means to properly renovate, it soon became evident that it could not be used for a ticketed event.

2015: Enter Elizabeth Miller. The theater was now in great disrepair, but she could tell it had good bones and was aching to be rescued again, and this time to be permanently saved, so she invested. She invested not only her money, but she invested in the future of Glens Falls, beginning with a complete renovation of this glorious historic palace, resplendent with magnificent architecture, ancient Corinthian columns, and what appeared to be the faces of Greek muses etched into those columns. The original floor, previously raked (arranged in a progressive upward slope with each row slightly higher than the one in front) for conventional theater seating, had already been flattened

Sydney K Andrew Photography.

The theater is now a unique venue rich in options for weddings and corporate events, with Park Street Hospitality working with bridal couples and business leaders to handle everything from configuring the theater to perfectly complement the size and scope of the event to catering. In addition to a ballroom that can be converted into almost any layout, there is a lower-level speakeasy-style lounge called Doc’s Bar and Lounge, a homage to Dr. Charcuterie Board by the newspaper company. Yet Elizabeth chose to leave it that way because it would make a wonderful banquet and dance floor, and plans were already swirling in her head. Along with her son Ben as Operations Manager and his wife, Anita MacDonald, as head of Marketing, the theater became the canopy, the very heart of what was to become a business umbrella company preserving, entertaining, celebrating, and feeding the appetites of the people of Glens Falls for a unified multi-purpose arts center.

Paul Saunders Photography

Duck Two-Ways à l’Orange

Kirkpatrick. It is used for wedding parties, cocktail hours, and meetings for receptions before the main event. As the hospitality company grew, Elizabeth and Ben sought to carve out a dedicated home for the Arts on Park Street. Hearkening back to the Theater’s origins, the Park Street Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit was established in 2020, sharing the theater space and producing year-round performances and community arts initiatives. Under an umbrella, wonderful things can happen. For the city of Glens Falls, they did indeed happen when Elizabeth Miller pressed the button on her umbrella, purchased a dying old theater, and gave it new life, snapping the umbrella’s ribs to thrust open a canopy of drama, romance, celebration, and possibility, adding a place to hold corporate events and romantic celebrations. It was followed by the creation of a restaurant Grilled Vegetable Stack

Steamed Littleneck Clams

Strawberry Salad

Doc’s Bar and Lounge right across the street, offering casual fine dining with a deli, bakery, and take-out grab-and-go meals right next door, providing people on their way to work with breakfast, takeout pastries, and a return for lunch, from subs to specials. Each time the Miller umbrella snapped open, another rib stretched to the shaft, fleshing out the colorful canopy and offering more and more to those who walk, play, and enjoy life under it. Mrs. Miller opened that first umbrella almost in defiance, because no one was going to let a wrecking ball touch that glorious old theater with its magnificent architecture, flowing columns, and muses—a place of great history and a place of future promise.

There is strength in that: not allowing the rain to come in, but using persistence to keep things safe and dry. Today it’s all there: the beautifully restored old theater for weddings, corporate banquets, state-of-the-art events, and entertainment; just across the street is a perfect place to find breakfast, lunch, or take out in the market and deli. Even more perfect right next door is Park & Elm, a popular restaurant for a laid-back evening meal with mouthwatering offerings. So, take a walk down Park Street and see what rebirth, history, hospitality, and love for a city are all about. See what a dynamic mother-and-son combo has accomplished, backed by the marketing expertise and ongoing support of Anita MacDonald. Time to open wide your own umbrella and see what Park Street Hospitality has done for Glens Falls as a major part of the city’s arts community. An initiative with a long, colorful history born of fierce determination and love, it will continue for decades. This is Park Street Hospitality, the people’s umbrella of Glens Falls, thanks to Elizabeth and Ben Miller. Come take a walk; you’re gonna love it. Just don’t forget to bring an umbrella. www.pshospitality.com (518) 792-1150 www.parkandelm.com (518) 480-3220 www.parktheatergf.com

Espresso Martini

Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta

Saratoga Springs Friend and Patron of the Arts The Adirondack Trust Company by Lawrence White

"If a patron buys from an artist who needs money, the patron then makes himself equal to the artist; he is building art into the world he creates." — Ezra Pound For many artists, there is a fine line between selling and selling out. The tenuous ability to live full-time as a creative person continually hovers between economic disaster and wondrous glory, with disaster being the most common. What must be understood is that art without risk will never be great. It may satisfy like a cool drink, but it lasts about that long as well. We love to witness risk fulfilled in glory, but we rarely wish to be part of the struggle. That is when the patron steps in. Their focus isn't on lovely artwork that pleases the eye.

Artist Noah Savett

They are not interested in controlling a vision or creative effort. They are dedicated to discovering an authentic talent that refuses to lose its spark despite the deluge of difficulties and unending rejection, and to continuing to create a body of work that is undeniable, powerful, and lasting. The patron supports that artist through sales, commissions, and grants, and society benefits from their collaboration for generations. Major cultural venues such as the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) inject an estimated $105 million annually into the regional economy.

Charles Wait Portrait Framed Photo by Lawrence White One of the most active patrons in the North Country is Adirondack Trust and Loan. They installed a gallery system in their main branch, featuring fine art ranging from sculpture and painting to large mural installations and printmaking. In addition, they sponsor regional events and festivals to stimulate and emphasize live music and theater in the area. Adirondack Trust partners with the

Artist Anne Diggory

Artist Catherine Wagner-Minnery but particularly in Saratoga Springs where visitors and locals enjoy it daily." Anne has built a remarkable career in Saratoga Springs through exhibitions and commissions that have sustained her well while gracing the North Country with her creative energy. She is a great example of what a relatively small investment in the arts can grow into for the patron, the artist, and the area's social assets.

Artist John Van Alstine Saratoga Performing Arts Center to present the enormously successful Adirondack Trust Company Festival of Young Artists, showcasing hundreds of local student visual artists, dancers, and musicians. In 2001, highly respected local fine artist Anne Diggory was commissioned to create two large murals for Adirondack Trust. She tells me, “A great example of the support of the arts by The Adirondack Trust was the decision to mark its 100th birthday with two commissions: a new piece of music and the creation of a large mural in the stairwell of their downtown building.” Anne recalls, "I worked on the 22-foot mural of the Flume of the Opalescent River with the enthusiastic support of Charles Wait and Tim Mabee. Over many years, the bank has collected the work by me and others that can be seen in their offices and meeting rooms. The support of the arts in our part of the country is outstanding,

Photo by Lawrence White

Over the years, in my conversations with the President/CEO of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, Todd Shimkus, he has made the importance of the arts and culture clear. “In Saratoga, we have a vibrant Artist Gary Zack arts community filled with world-class artisans, craftspeople, and performers. The arts are an economic driver for the community and local businesses and deserve the patronage they receive from several corporations in our area.” NY Governor Kathy Hochul recently stated,

Artist Boguslaw Lustyk

"Strengthening our creative sector increases tourism, boosts our economy, and enhances the rich heritage and cultural life of New York State. This helps ensure all who visit will continue to have wonderful experiences for years to come." Adirondack Trust President and CEO is an avid photographer and long-time fine art collector. His parents’ involvement in founding the Saratoga Performing Arts Center deepened his early study of the arts.

Charles tells me, “I remember with fondness the Phil-Art Quartet, all members of the Philadelphia Orchestra playing chamber music in our living room at our camp in Lake George. I was so fortunate to have had these experiences as a young man that I think it imperative we continue to support the very best art so that our young adults can have the same or similar experiences.”

Artist Catherine Wagner-Minnery Charles continues, “It is so important for us to remember that Saratoga Springs economy does not enjoy the presence of some natural advantage that propels our economic wellbeing. We don’t have a natural harbor like New York City or perfect weather like San Diego. In the early days, Saratoga’s main asset was its natural spring waters, which many believed benefited health. But this reliance on summer visitors ‘come for the cure’ condemned our little city to the ups and downs of a cyclical tourist industry. This reliance solely on Spring Waters and Horse racing nearly doomed Saratoga as the popularity of both waned.” “The addition of cultural tourism has helped to diversify our appeal to travelers but also to lengthen our season, both aspects of which have propelled the local economy by broadening our appeal.” I think that we are extraordinarily fortunate in Saratoga Springs, with a

Artist Lucy Cadou Kettlewell

Artist Anne Diggory population of only around 30,000 people, to have with us the Philadelphia Orchestra, the New York City Ballet, Yaddo, Café Lena, Preservation Hall, The Hyde Museum, the National Museum of Racing, Skidmore College, the Charles Wood Theatre, The Luzerne Music Festival, Capital Rep, the Capital Region Classical concert series at Union College, and many others far too numerous to mention, providing us with the highest quality arts and fullest lifestyle in this area.” “The important thing to remember is that there are no promises, and that the quality of life and the bustling economy we enjoy are not promised and not a given. Like all things worthwhile, our lively and diverse culture needs, like the rose garden at Yaddo, constant care, tender love and hard work to keep it going.

Artist Joan Duff-Bohrer

The promise, so to say, is ours to make or neglect. We must be certain that we don’t take it for granted.”

Major Corporate Patrons of the Arts • Albany Med Health System: Serving as the major presenting partner for SPAC's prominent Live Nation concert series. • GE Vernova: The multi-year lead corporate sponsor of the flagship Saratoga Jazz Festival. • The Adirondack Trust Company: A foundational local financial institution and long-term corporate visionary supporter. •Stewart’s Shops / Dake Family: Continues significant corporate and philanthropic backing for regional cultural programming.

Artist Lucy Cadou Kettlewell • Fingerpaint: A prominent regional marketing /creative firm listed as a corporate visionary contributor. • Social Radiant & Stewart’s Shops: Active corporate visionary members underwriting ongoing initiatives.

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saratoga souvenirs

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stationery

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gallery featuring local and equine art

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hats

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office supplies s w e at s h i rt s

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custom framing

greeting cards gifts

vinyl

• candy • toys • novelties • and so much more!!!

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fine art restoration

The “Winningest” Trifecta in Saratoga by Rona Mann

For maybe the six people who live in the horse-loving capital of New York State and don’t know its meaning, let’s define “trifecta.” In thoroughbred racing, a trifecta is placing a bet predicting the horses that will come in first, second, and third. There are all different kinds of trifecta bets, but we won’t get into that now. Just know that while it is challenging to select which horses will accomplish this feat, if you can do so, the payout is generally significant. But this is a story about a different kind of trifecta, although it does involve horses; “Upset”

how could it not? The story takes place in Saratoga, New York, where the motto of the city is, “Health, History, and Horses,” and you are about to hear of three of the most amazing horses who ever crossed the finish line at the historic Saratoga racetrack. “Upset” was an American colt owned by Harry Paine, a member of the prominent Whitney family, one of the most influential dynasties in the history of thoroughbred racing in America. In 1919, Upset was entered in the Sanford Memorial Stakes at Saratoga, the same race that Man O’War was entered in. Man O'War was undefeated in every race he had ever run

“Regret” and thus entered the Sanford Memorial Stakes as the heavy favorite. However, Upset, living up to his name, changed the course of history that afternoon when he beat Man O’ War at the finish line by a neck. “Jim Dandy” certainly lived up to his moniker as well! He has also been the subject of many a chapter in the history books of horse racing. In 1929, he ran nine times, winning only twice, but nothing could compare to August 16, 1930, when Jim Dandy faced Gallant Fox, the reigning Triple Crown winner, at The Travers Stakes, a race that also featured Whichone. Gallant Fox was the odds-on favorite at 1-2, and when the betting closed at the start of the race, Whichone was 7-5. Jim Dandy was nobody’s favorite; in fact, he was a 100-1 longshot. The race was even more challenging because heavy rain left the track awash in mud. As Gallant Fox and Whichone battled through the muck, Jim Dandy suddenly surged from behind and crossed the finish line by an unbelievable eight lengths! That win was so epic that it cemented Jim Dandy’s name in racing history, and now The Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga is a major prep for The Travers Stakes.

“Jim Dandy” first filly of three to do so. Throughout her career, Regret was never beaten by a female horse. Fast forward to 2018, when Maddy Zanetti, at the time co-owner with Marianne Barker of Impressions of Saratoga, a well-loved gift shop on Broadway and entirely devoted to Saratoga’s “Health, History, and Horses,” wrote a book about Upset. It was beautifully illustrated by local artist-illustrator Gretchen Tisch and published just as Zanetti opened their second Broadway store, The Dark Horse Mercantile. Both the new shop and the book were instant hits, so in 2020, Maddy

“Regret” is truly an unregrettable name, for it is defined as undeserving and not regretting. Certainly, owner Harry Payne Whitney, who had desperately wanted another young colt to train, had serious regrets when he got a female instead. Regret served as the first of only four horses to win all three Saratoga Race Course events for two-year-olds: the Saratoga Special Stakes, Sanford Stakes, and Hopeful Stakes. But that was nothing compared to what the filly did the following year when she went on to win the 1915 Kentucky Derby, the

First Upset book signing

and Gretchen Tisch collaborated once again, this time on a book about Jim Dandy. But this didn’t go so well. Covid reared its ugly head and beat any chance of Jim Dandy’s successful finish by well more than a nose. “We were very lucky during Covid and had tremendous community support. People could not come to the shops, so we did not have a launch or book signings; therefore, few people heard about the release of the new book,” Maddy reported ruefully. But once the pandemic was in the rearview and people started coming out again, the Jim Dandy book took off, and mail order became a popular option. People kept asking Maddy about another book, but her two stores were constantly packed with people, merchandise was burgeoning,

and she had her hands full with mail orders. But a writer can always be tempted, and this past June a book about Regret was published. Voila! Now, a trifecta! Everyone buys these books. It's for horse fans of all ages; it teaches great lessons. Maddy has been a frequent visitor to area schools to teach the lessons the horses and their books have left as a legacy and to recite some of the more popular quotes:

“When Upset lost, he did not get angry or mad, he’d congratulate the other horses on the great race they had. Then he would go home and work harder on his run, but always remembered to have some fun.” “Dark Horses come in many different forms, They are the ones defying the norms.” “Just then, Dandy came to the realization, Upset had only given him the motivation.” The books are $20. Each, but you can purchase a set of three for just $60, and the set includes a free plush “Upset” valued at $16.99. What a great present for anyone this holiday season.

UPSET. The 33 inch tall black miniature horse mascot for The Dark Horse. committed racehorses who didn’t believe what the newspapers wrote, didn’t believe all the negative chatter, and really never understood what odds were all about. They just ran...until they won. Upset. Jim Dandy. Regret. Not only about winning horses, but at the same time giving important life lessons. Not just books but road maps for living successful, rewarding, and happy lives.Those horses have taught us that when it is least likely you will triumph, the world still rewards those who keep running because greatness is not always visible. You should run to Broadway in Saratoga,, and at either Impressions of Saratoga or The Dark Horse Mercantile, you can find these books and more information on the history of these horses. The holidays are coming. Why not consider a set of books not just for the child or children in your life, but for the adults as well, since the stories and the horses who inspired them have given us powerful lessons. Others’ expectations do not define us. Persistence is what matters. The world we live in is far from predictable, so you always have a chance to succeed and reach the finish line first. Underdog victories restore a sense of fairness for us all, and always... always... always...root for the improbable, because success is not guaranteed to the favorites, especially in horse racing, where the greatest moments often come from the least expected contenders. The Smart Bet is Always the Dark Horse. “Wonderfully readable and inspiring.” They may be Maddy’s words, but they are the stories of three beautiful, determined, and

Impressions of Saratoga is located at 368 Broadway in downtown Saratoga Springs. (518) 587-0666 www.impressionssaratoga.com The Dark Horse Mercantile is just up the street at 445 Broadway (518) 587-0689 www.darkhorsesaratoga.com. Get your copies or call Maddy, and she will ship them, signed or unsigned, wherever you are in the world.

Can You Smell the Memories? By Karen Richman

of families and friends. The ones who like white and not dark meat, who have to have everything covered in gravy, or those who must have a separate place on their plate for every item, with nothing touching. Relatives who turn up their noses at fresh whole berry cranberry sauce, while Uncle Joe loudly announces, “If I can’t have my Ocean Spray in the can, I’m not coming this year.” The kitchen is Ground Zero, a battleground of competing philosophies and people who want to help even if you don’t ask. But it’s Thanksgiving; it only comes once a year, and in many cases so do they, for which you’re eternally grateful! But you love them anyway because they belong to you, so they belong at this table. A nostalgic Thanksgiving dinner is never just a meal; it’s a memory you can smell long before the turkey is carved, long before the pies are fully baked, and long before the friendly argument ensues over whether to call it stuffing or dressing. There’s always the great cranberry sauce debate: do you concoct the dish from fresh, whole cranberries boiled with water and a bit of sugar, or do you buy it in the can so you can listen to the telltale “schlup” as it comes out one end or the other? Even now, these memories all come flying back in a rush of gravy and pumpkin pie. Can you smell them? Whether you were hosting or perhaps fortunate enough to be a guest, it was the aromas of that day– that meal – the clatter of dishes, the familiar voices, a time when everything slowed down so you could enjoy the food and relish taking time to eat the meal. A time when no one had a cellphone at the table because no one had a cellphone, period. More than the food itself, the memories made the day special. Few holiday meals can compare with the Thanksgiving feast, but the work often starts weeks before the big day, when stained, worn cards are pulled from a stained, worn recipe box. Next comes the ladder needed to bring down the roasting pan, used only once a year but thoroughly washed, dried, and polished as though it were a cherished piece of silver. That roasting pan is indeed cherished, having held decades of turkeys of all sizes and, along with them, decades of memories

Once everyone is assembled, the house becomes a swirling ecosystem of relatives, each with their own likes, dislikes, and behaviors. Kids are running laps around the dining room table, the dog is underfoot, hoping to enjoy anything that’s dropped on the rug, and there is plenty that’s dropped on the rug and elsewhere. Then comes the moment everyone waits for: the turkey presentation. You carry it out proudly, the relatives gather around, someone pulls out their phone and takes a picture, and somewhere in the crowd you hear a whispered comment, “It looks a little dry, doesn’t it?” Carving the bird becomes a group project, with several people offering advice on exactly how to do it while others criticize it as not the right way to carve it. Someone finally wins out by saying, “I’ll do it. I always carve the rotisserie chicken we get from Costco.” After they do, it usually looks like a Costco rotisserie chicken, but no one cares. They smother it with mashed potatoes, stuffing (or dressing, if you’re a Southerner), and plenty of gravy. Two of the

children are scraping the fried onions off the green bean casserole, and they fall to the floor, making the dog happy. Uncle Max and Uncle Benny are already arguing politics, and Cousin Paul is eating as fast as he can so he can get back to the football game that’s been blaring from the living room. Finally, it’s dessert time. The dishes are collected in a rush to make room for the pies, and Aunt Harriet unveils a dessert she calls “Harvest Delight,” a mixture of whipped cream, marshmallows, and canned fruit cocktail. It is most definitely NOT a delight, though Harriet insists it’s an old family recipe. However, no one in the family can remember it. When it all comes down to it, Thanksgiving dinner is second only to the people around that table eating it. It’s about gathering to share, to argue about politics, sports, and the latest trends. It’s about the relative who arrives early “to help, dear” when you don’t want her help, and the one who always comes late with a dramatic excuse. But it’s Thanksgiving, and all of us at 518 Profiles hope you find many things to be grateful for this year, like health, happiness, and the crazy quilt of people around your table who belong to you and belong at that table.

Living in S e as on

By Crystal Cobert Giddens

By November, the landscape has changed. The leaves have surrendered. Darkness arrives before dinner. The furnace blasts on, windows close, and suddenly the air inside our homes feels very different from the air we were living in only a few weeks ago. Our lives change, too. Schedules fill with travel, gatherings, food, family and expectations. We sleep differently. We eat differently. We spend less time outdoors. We move from cold cars into heated buildings and back again. And yet, we often expect ourselves to feel exactly the same. We expect the same energy, the same routines, even the same skin. When something changes, our first instinct is often to correct it, fight it or wonder what has gone wrong. But what if nothing has? What if our bodies are simply doing what living things do: responding to the season we’re in? Our bodies notice change. Skin is particularly good at it. It notices when humidity drops and indoor heat comes on. It notices wind, cold and shorter days. It notices disrupted sleep, holiday stress and, yes, the extra glass of wine. It notices when our routines disappear and when we’re running on adrenaline instead of rest. We tend to think of “environment” as something outside of us: temperature, sunlight, pollution, humidity and weather. But not every environmental influence comes from outside the body. Stress matters. Sleep matters. Nourishment matters. Our habits, schedules and the way we move through difficult or demanding seasons matter, too. Skin doesn’t experience any of these things independently from the person living inside it. Our bodies are intelligent, especially our skin. Our skin is a responsive organ that continually adapts to the combined influences of climate, season, lifestyle, stress, sleep and the environments in which we live. That doesn’t mean every breakout can be blamed on a stressful Tuesday. If only it were that easy. It means caring for ourselves requires paying attention to more than what comes in a bottle. Sometimes the most intelligent response isn’t adding another product or trying harder. Sometimes it’s recognizing that the conditions have changed and we should allow our bodies to adapt to those changing conditions. The natural world seems to understand this instinctively. Trees release their leaves. Gardens go quiet. Animals change their behavior. Daylight retreats. Nothing in nature appears particularly concerned with maintaining July in November. Maybe we shouldn’t be either. Perhaps November doesn’t need another pre-holiday diet or an aggressive wellness reset. Maybe what our bodies need is something far less dramatic: warmer food, earlier evenings, more moisture in the air, a richer moisturizer on the nightstand, a walk while there is still daylight and permission to acknowledge that our energy may feel different than it did a few months ago. There is something surprisingly freeing about meeting ourselves where we actually are. And perhaps gratitude begins there, too. Not as another November assignment. Not five things we are supposed to write in a journal or a feeling we have to perform around a Thanksgiving table.

Just presence. Being here long enough to notice what this particular season still gives us. A November Nightcap. Consider this my little November gift to you. Make yourself something warm before bed. Chamomile or ginger tea are lovely choices. Add lemon or a little honey if you like. Nothing magical needs to happen in the mug. Lower the lights. Put the phone somewhere you can’t reach it without making an actual decision to get up. Wash your face slowly. Apply whatever your skin needs that evening. Then sit somewhere comfortable while you finish your drink. And ask yourself one question: What happened today that I would miss if I hadn’t noticed it? Maybe it was your dog asleep beside you. Someone holding the door. The smell of dinner cooking. A ridiculous text from a friend. The last stubborn flower in the garden. Five unexpected minutes of sunshine.That’s gratitude without the performance. And perhaps that’s what living in season really means: noticing where we are, accepting what has changed and responding with what we need now instead of insisting upon what worked three months ago. Our bodies are constantly adapting. Maybe we can make that a little easier by working with the season instead of fighting against it. So this November, care for your skin. Protect your sleep. Eat something warm. Step outside. Call someone you love. And let November be November. Gratitude doesn’t change the weather. But it may change the way we move through it. Crystal Cobert Giddens is a licensed esthetician, integrative nutrition coach, and the creator of Environmental Skin Intelligence At FACES | NEW YORK, her private Saratoga Springs studio, she brings science, intuition, and a lifetime of curiosity together to help people understand their skin - and November - a little differently.

Bella Napoli, Latham location

518 CULINARY DESTINATIONS:

Local Holiday Shopping Tips By Chef Armand Vanderstigchel The holidays are a time to come together with family and friends, celebrate traditions, and enjoy good food. Nonetheless, for many people, the holiday season can be taxing on where to find great products and catering options. This year, explore some of our tips to have a fun, while you are supporting our treasured local merchants in support of the holiday season. In this article we are here to help you- enjoy!

Lakeside Farm

During the Fall and Holiday season one will observe a packed parking lot of cars and tour busses on 336 Schauber Rd in Ballston Lake, NY. Lakeside Farm is a top destination for everything holiday Foods such as local produce, baked goods/ Pies, Apple Cider Donuts, prepared Salads, smoked Meats, Honey, Apple Butter and even a sizeable café to enjoy a hot homemade Soup, Breakfast and Deli-Sandwiches. You can also pre- order platters of Sandwiches, Salads and Desserts for large gatherings! History-wise, in 1948 Robert Pearce purchased an old barn featuring a massive 120-ton screw driven Cider press. Ingeniously the family started making and selling delicious Apple Cider. A small

retail store followed in 1958. The three-generation family-owned farm expanded once again with building a pavilion for large group meetings and craft fairs in 1998. With great assurance count in Pastry mecca Bella Napoli located in Latham and Troy, NY as another local Holiday stop with a longstanding history. Bella Napoli specializes in Italian breads, Pastries, Cookies, Biscotti, Donuts, Muffins, Danish, and Italian specialties including the complex-to-make Sfogliatelle, and Baba-an Italian sponge Cake soaked in Rum. Long-time 40 years of service manager and family member Theresa explained that holidays an extremely busy with all their holiday themed

45 Glens Falls has become a new Culinary epic center as described in our October issue. Park & Elm Gourmet Store on 19 Park Street is a hot- spot for locals and adjacent Hospital personnel. The market features local produce, Dairy, artisanal Meats, gourmet Cheeses, house-made Breads, Charcuterie, Pastries, Desserts, and imported specialty products. They feature an in-house butcher with an emphasis on organic and free-range Poultry, certified Angus Beef, premium Pork. They also feature fresh Seafood and grocery necessities to complete your shopping. The

Bella Napoli goods available. The Latham location features a sit-down area with breakfast and deli-sandwiches and an outstanding cup of Coffee. On a recent visit some distinguished elderly gentlemen were enjoying an expresso, conversating in native Italian, as if time stood still and they undoubtedly were customers from day one when John V. Mainella, an entrepreneurial spirited young man from Italy began the first Bella Napoli bake shop in 1957 in Troy, New York, from a vacant storefront on River Street, which continues to remain a successful bakery today. In 1982, Dominic Mainella, John’s eldest son, opened a second location, a 4000-square-foot shop, located at 672 New Loudon Road in Latham New York; named Bella Napoli Bakery, Sandwich and Coffee Café. In the nearby vicinity are some noteworthy mentions of specialty Food shopping. European specialty’s can be found at Dnipro Euro Deli on 898 Louden Road in Latham. The local Eastern European community loves it including

many Ukrainians seeking a taste and memories of home. We love the fresh Pickles, Sunflower Seed Bread from Brooklyn, smoked Fish and Bacon, Salads and imported cold-cuts. Stuffed Cabbage and Potato Pancakes are a holiday favorite. Nearby is the EuroDeli and Market which offers similar treats but more in the Polish tradition, especially if you crave Perogies. With locations in Clifton Park and New Scotland operating since 1979, Fred the Butcher has been offering locals specialty meats, house- smoked delicacies, Subs, Salads, Soups and gourmet groceries such as local breads and even-wild-caught fish-perfect for the holiday gatherings. In Guilderland, great holiday Fish selections can be purchased at FIN-your Fish Monger. Speaking of Bread and Pastries, don’t forget to also consider Nightworks Bakery in Ballston Spa, Leah Cakery in Round Lake, Susans Bakery in Wilton, Miss London’s Bakery in Saratoga Springs and Flour Child Bakery and Rock Hill Breads in Glens Falls! Heading north into Saratoga Springs, longtime gourmet store Putnam Market operated by sisters Catharine and Gloria Hamilton since 1995 is another source for one-stop holiday shopping be it Pies, Soups, catered foods and even exquisite artisanal Cheese from their “Cheese Cave”. We always enjoy their Coconut Cream pie whenever available since it sells out quickly.

Franklin Market market offers a prepared foods section including individual entrées and family-style meals to-go. Finally, a trip to Warrensburg, NY visiting Oscars Smokehouse will reward you with the best Holiday Smoked Ham money can buy!

We wish you Happy Holidays!

Across the street if you are looking to cater or purchase Hanukkah delicacies visit Saratoga’s Broadway Deli for Corned Beef, Pastrami, Knishes and Matzoh Ball Soup. For year-round Potato Latkes (Pancakes) visit up the street European Restaurant Brasserie Benelux for sit-down or take-out Potato Latkes and seasonal Beef Brisket as well catering packages. Walk up Division Street and find Franklin Market, another one-stop Holiday Shopping for holiday Catering, Breads, Pastries, Meats, Seafood, Produce and gourmet Groceries. I love their Zucchini Chocolate Chip Bread and Cheese selection. Putnam Market

Brasserie Benelux

47 Month of November - Glens Falls • “Illuminations” November 5 29. Reception Sat Nov. 7, 2-4pm. Members Only Special Exhibition at The Hyde Collection Rotunda, 161 Warren Street, Glens Falls

NOVEMBER EVENTS

• North Country Arts Gallery: “The Sweetheart Deal” Art for $99 or less, Nov.21-Jan.2, Reception Nov. 21, 5pm. #120, The Shirt Factory, 71 Lawrence St., Glens Falls (Gallery open Thurs.-Sat. 12-5) “The Art of Us” through Nov.14, with “Seeing Trees” Watercolors by Diane Swanson • NCA's 2nd Fl. Gallery: Fall Show: Through Jan.2nd. 2027, VIVIENDO EL SUENO - Acrylics by Miguel Cervantes, City Hall, 42 Ridge St, Glens Falls (Gallery Hours Mon.-Fri. 8:30-4:30) • NCA Mezzanine Gallery: “Autumn Show” NCA Members art exhibition through Jan. 2, 2027 at THE QUEENSBURY HOTEL, 88 Ridge St. Glens Falls (Open Daily) For more Info about events visit: northcountryarts.org

Month of November Hudson Falls 11/06 STYX-Foreigner By LEGACY 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM 11/07 Strange Magic NY - Music of Electric Light Orchestra 8:00 PM – 10:15 PM 11/13 Aquanett 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM 11/14 Emerson, Lake and Palmer Tribute with Manticore 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM 11/20 The BrokenHearted-Music of Tom Petty 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM 11/21 A Celebration Of Taylor Swift 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM 11/28 The 6th Annual Strand House Band Thanksgiving Spectacular 8:00 PM – 10:30 PM Billy Joel Tribute - Friday, October 30, 2026 8:00 PM 10:00 PM Visit www.mystrandtheater.org for the full list of events. Strand Theatre, 210 Main Street, Hudson Falls, NY, 12839. 518-832-3484

Month of November Schuylerville 11/1 "Family Tree" - Mixed Media Art + History Workshop with Kendra Farstad (artist) & Kristin Jorgensen (historian) 11/4 "Succulents Watercolors" - Intro to Drawing Materials with Watercolors Workshop with Virginia Fretto 11/14 "Magic Windows" - Abstract Acrylic Landscapes Workshop with Alaina Vooris 11/18 "Mushrooms" - Watercolor + Acrylic Painting Workshop with Betsy Olmsted of Betsy St. Clair 11/28: "SHOP SMALL ARTS - Mini Original Art Market" + All-Day DIY Giftable Art Workshop + OOAK Mini Original Art Pieces by Local Artists Link to sign up is https://www.theartclubshop.com/events: THE ART CLUB, 111 Green Street, Schuylerville, NY 12871

November 4 - 28 Chestertown Spirit of Place: Marion Kratky and Bob Barry. Marion Kratky uses oil and acrylic paints as tools for interpreting the spirit of woodlands, familiar farmlands, the Adirondacks...and beyond, creating wordless portraits of Nature to invite contemplation. Bob Barry's work reflects the beaches in Southern California where he surfed every day and learned to listen to the ocean’s rhythm, and now the woods behind his home in High Falls in the Hudson Valley. Artists’ Reception Saturday, November 7 • 4-6pm. Birds of a Feather Studio & Gallery, Main Street - 6375 Route 9 - Chestertown, NY 12817 Tuesday - Saturday 10 to 5 November 6 Canajoharie James Cheney II: The Little Falls Textile Strike. Friday, November 6 at 6:00 pm. Author and historian J.N. Cheney will discuss the events and significance of the Little Falls Textile Strike. An underappreciated piece of Mohawk Valley history that has historically been overshadowed by more well-known struggles, the strike in Little Falls is a pivotal moment in labor, state, and regional history. The Arkell Museum and Canajoharie Library. Canajoharie, NY 13317. 518-673 2314. www.AMandCL.org The Arkell Museum • 2 Erie Boulevard • Canajoharie, New York

November 7 - February 28 Glens Falls Scandinavian Home. An exhibition organized by the Frick Pittsburgh and hosted by The Hyde Collection featuring approximately fifty paintings, works on paper, metalwork, ceramics, and intricate decorative objects with Scandinavian origin from the years 1880 to 1920. This is the first exhibition to examine the entangled notions of home and homeland that were central to the art and material culture of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland in the second half of the nineteenth century. Nov 7, 2026 - Feb 28, 2027. Charles R. Wood Gallery. Hyde Collection, 161 Warren Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801 November 6 - December 12 Lake George Paintings by LAURA VON ROSK opens in Lake George The Lake George Arts Project’s Courthouse Gallery presents a solo exhibition of paintings by Laura Von Rosk, running from November 6 to December 12, with a reception for the artist on Saturday, November 7th, 2026, from 4 - 6 pm. Gallery hours during scheduled exhibition dates are Wed through Fri 12 – 5 pm, Sat 12 – 4 pm, or by appointment. Lake George Arts Project. Courthouse Gallery, 1 Amherst Street, Lake George, NY 12845

November 7 - December 20 Schuylerville Prints Charming : Art makes a great gift! Celebrate the season of giving with art prints that bring joy all year long. Support artists, shop small, and make every home a little happier. The “Prints Charming” exhibition features a wide variety of art prints — Silkscreen, Risograph, Letterpress, Giclée, and Offset — at prices for every budget! A fresh selection of brand-new prints, debuting just in time for the holidays! November 20, 2026 - January 17, 2027. Bear and Bird Boutique, 160 Jay Street , Schenectady, NY

NOVEMBER EVENTS November 7 - December 20 Schuylerville Harry Orlyk & Ronn T. Mattia. Of Land & Form. The Laffer Gallery, 96 Broad St, Schuylerville, NY 12871

November 13 Glens Falls Damn The Torpedoes - Tom Petty Concert Experience. Damn The Torpedoes delivers an authentic and electrifying tribute to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, capturing the signature riffs, harmonies, and essence of the music with precision. While staying true to the heart of Petty’s sound, the band also adds fresh, in-the-moment twists that make each performance unique. November 13, 2026. Doors: 7:00 PM - Show: 8:00 PM. The Park Theater 14 Park Street, Glens Falls, NY, 12801

November 13 Glens Falls Chapman Museum's Annual Wine & Chocolate Tasting. Join the Chapman at the Queensbury Hotel for the annual Wine & Chocolate event! Guests can look forward to over 150 fine wine and spirits to taste from 30 stations of wine vendors and distilleries, along with locally sourced artisan chocholate, cheese, desserts, and more to sample, plus door prizes and raffle items. Friday, Nov 13, 2026 5:30 PM 8:00 PM. Queensbury Hotel, 88 Ridge Street Glens Falls, NY

November 15 Saratoga Springs Saratoga Sports Card, Memorabilia & TCG Show. The Saratoga Show features 50 vendor booths of the finest vintage and modern sports cards and memorabilia. Sunday, Nov 15, 2026. Saratoga Springs City Center, 522 Broadway Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

November 15 Saratoga Springs Farah Siraj. Farah is joined by her trio for an evening of virtuosic vocals, flamenco guitar, percussion, storytelling and improvisation. Rather than simply placing Arabic and Spanish traditions side by side, the musicians allow them to speak to one another, creating a musical conversation that can shift from delicate and haunting to fiery and rhythmic. Sunday, November 15 Time 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street Saratoga Springs, NY

November 18 - January 30 Clifton Park Holiday Salon, Our annual show that closes this year and opens the next. At the threshold of the new year, this exhibit celebrates both continuity and change. This exhibit features the diverse works of all local artists. All are welcome.Opening Art Reception Friday, November 20 from 6-8pm. On Exhibit: November 18 2026 - January 30 2027 The Blooming Artist Gallery, 675 Grooms Rd, Clifton Park, NY, United States, 12065

November 21 Saratoga Springs Annie & the Hedonists bring vintage blues, jazz & Americana to life with soulful vocals, hot swing, and toe-tapping grooves. Beloved by Caffè Lena audiences, Annie & the Hedonists light up the stage with their spirited blend of vintage jazz, swing, blues, and roots Americana. With Annie Rosen’s captivating vocals leading the way, the Hedonists channel the soul of the great female blues artists of the 1920s–40s, Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, Memphis Minnie, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Ella Fitzgerald, and more, while adding their own joyful stamp. Saturday, November 21 Time 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm. Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street Saratoga Springs, NY

November 21-22 Canajoharie Intro to Pastels with Phyllis Lapi. Saturday and Sunday, November 21-22 at 12:30 pm. Join us for an Introduction to Pastel class with Regional Gallery artist Phyllis Lapi from 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm. This two-day class is for people new to pastels or with some experience. Phyllis will introduce you to the medium and help you create a work of art to take home. For adults and teens, $45 per person. All supplies included. Registration requested. Payment due on day of program. The Arkell Museum and Canajoharie Library. Canajoharie, NY 13317. 518-673-2314 www.AMandCL.org

November 21 - December 27 Cooperstown Glimmer Nights. Stroll through the Fenimore Farm historic village aglow with thousands of twinkling lights as we once again celebrate the holiday season with Glimmer Nights! Open Thursday through Sunday from 4:30 – 8:00 pm, Glimmer Nights offers families an immersive holiday light show spread throughout the Fenimore Farm property. Grab a cup of our famous hot chocolate and explore the wonder and amazement of Glimmer Nights. Click the link below to learn about our specialty themed nights, our Saturday Courtyard Bonfire Nights with a bar and food food trucks, and Santa Sundays. Tickets are required; ensure your time by booking online or tickets are available at the door, subject to availability. November 21 - December 27 @ 4:30 pm - 8:00 pm. FENIMORE FARM & COUNTRY VILLAGE & FENIMORE ART MUSEUM, 5775/5798 State Highway 80, Cooperstown, NY 13326

November 21 Schenectady Schenectady County's 57th Annual Holiday Parade. Ring in the holiday season in Downtown Schenectady at the 57th Annual Holiday Parade presented by the County and City of Schenectady. Enjoy the northeast's largest night-time holiday parade and usher in the holiday season with this storied holiday tradition. Experience the magic of the holidays with sparkling floats, glittering firetrucks, marching bands, dance troupes, and Santa Claus - fun for the whole family! Saturday, Nov 21, 2026 5:00 PM. Schenectady, NY

November 28 Saratoga Springs Jeffrey Gaines has been heralded for his soul-searching lyrics and his powerful live performances. With only his voice, guitar and considerable charisma, Gaines has captivated audiences around the world. Raised by soulmusic-loving parents, he has an irresistible “soul-folkie’s sexy growl” (MoJo). Over 30+ years of touring and recording, he has sold out theaters and clubs throughout North America and Europe, and has been featured as Special Guest on tours with Sting, Melissa Etheridge, and Tracy Chapman among others. He is just off a tour with a special guest spot on Roger Daltrey's recent tour. Saturday, November 28 Time 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm. Doors Open: 7:30 pm Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street Saratoga Springs,