DECEMBER, 2023 - 518 PROFILES MAGAZINE

DECEMBER 2023 Complimentary

CENTER STAGE

DECEMBER 2023

David Francis, Artist From Rocker to Draftsman to Whimsical Pastelist

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

She Has Flour in Her DNA This Authentic Baker’s One Smart Cookie!

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ADVERTISING SALES Stephanie Sittnick - Director of Sales ( 860) 227-8199 advertising@518mag.com CONTRIBUTORS Carol St.Sauveur Ferris, Karen Richman, Rona Mann Chandler Stevens, Lawrence White, Kirsten Ferguson, Alan B. Richer, Crystal Cobert Giddens, Nellie Ackerman-Vellano, Kristina Watrobski Chef Armand Vanderstigchel

A Month of Holidays…

And the artists who paint them. pg. 26

COVER “"Mouse Trap the Game” by Artist David Francis I’ve always loved this time of year: the decorations, baking of sweet treats, and festivities. There is something magical and good-for-thesoul about gathering with loved ones, especially during the holidays.

Familiar faces, delicious aromas and dear friends round out the joy of this time of year. While festive songs accompany us down the back roads, it’s family traditions that carry us through the front door.

She “Got Mad” So Others Could Learn How One Woman Taught the World to Read

Welcome to the December issue. This month we’ve gathered festive, holiday stories and sprinkled a touch of nostalgia on the top. Take some time to sit back, relax and immerse yourself in the inspiring stories of some amazing and incredible creatives.

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On Page 34 you will find Ruth Colvin’s story. Ruth’s birthday will be on December 16th. You might want to remember that date; she’ll be 107!

As always, our goal at 518 PROFILES, is always to focus on the good, the beautiful and the positive by publishing stories with heart and soul.

We strive each month to deliver authentic and unique content about creative people and interesting destinations. Enjoy!

Stephanie Sittnick Founder / Publisher

518 PROFILES 587 Grand Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 518 Profiles LLC All rights reserved. All content of this publication including but not limited to text, graphics, and photos may not be reprinted or reproduced without written consent from the publisher. 518 Profiles is not held responsible for graphics or images submitted for contribution to this publication. Every issue is printed using 100% Soy based ink.

www.518PROFILES.com Vol 5 Issue 51

ENCORE Sweet Nostalgia Chrismukah and the Stained Stockings

pg. 40

LIFEspa Have Yourself a DIY Christmas…

pg. 42

Culinary Destinations: Mohawk Valley Region - Cooperstown Part 2

pg. 44

December Events Events throughout the Capital Region

pg. 47

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The Laffer Gallery

Upstate Artists December 2 - January 7

96 Broad Street Schuylerville, NY | OPEN Thursday - Sunday 12pm - 5pm

THELAFFERGALLERY.COM

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Give the gift of art This holiday season, explore the largest variety of unique, hand-crafted, and one-of-a-kind gifts in the Capital Region.

pearl grant richmans Stuyvesant Plaza, Albany 518-438-8409 Shop online at pearlgrant.com

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David Francis, Artist From Rocker to Draftsman to Whimsical Pastelist

by Carol St.Sauveur Ferris When the average person thinks of fine art paintings, most think of oils, acrylics, or watercolors. The idea that a person can paint with pastels is probably not on their radar. And when asked, many don’t have a clue what pastels really are. They typically think of them as pale versions of primary colors that are soft and feminine.

Meeting David Francis and seeing his incredible fine art pieces dispels any notion that pastel art is any of the above. Francis “The Dancing Clown” 16.00" x 20.00" was born in Glens Falls, New York and raised in Hartford, New York. Because it was a small farming town, there was no formal art program in the school system nor at home, as neither parent had an art background even though his mother was a talented embroiderer. Despite that, Francis loved to draw and his childhood masterpieces regularly made it to the refrigerator door and the school walls.

After graduating from Hartford Central High School, he attended Adirondack Community College, now known as SUNY Adirondack where he majored in drafting and design. It was the 60s, and Francis was also a rocker. In fact, he played the guitar and was the lead singer in a band called Rainbow’s End. Throughout his college years and beyond, the group did the club tour in Lake George and enjoyed a good run, but Francis soon realized after marrying the love of his life after college, that he needed a full-time job to pay the bills. It was then that he put the guitar pic down, picked up the drafting pencil, and went to work at Albany Engineering Systems (AES).

The precision of drafting at AES was fulfilling, but Francis wanted something more creative to do in his free time. Quite by chance, he discovered it while walking through the local mall one day. There was a business expo going on, and an artist was there teaching a class on the web similar to Bob Ross, the iconic painter he remembered from TV. Francis signed up and spent the next six years studying oil painting with this artist. Although he loved painting, he disliked the clean-up requirements of oils and solvents.

It wasn’t until he happened upon a place called Artworks in Glens Falls where a fellow artist named Ron Peer was teaching a class in pastels, that he found both his mentor and passion.

When asked why pastels he responded, “Their immediacy of color, no mixing large amounts of paint, in my case, to get the right color. And the fact that I can leave them for a couple of weeks and they’re ready to go whenever I come back to them.”

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"Still Life with Alice, Bendy and Boris" 18 x 24, pastel on Ampersand Pastelbord

"Portals I", subtitled "Witches, Wizards, Heroes and Villains" He began his career as a landscape painter but found that his work was not getting the attention he had hoped for, so he took a still-life workshop and made the switch. But his still-lifes are not at all what you would expect. Rather than the more serious or formal subject matter, they are lively and fun, and filled with toys from bygone years.

“A Smurfy Day” 12.00" x 16.00"

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“It’s a medium that if you want to stay clean, it’s not for you. And it’s a medium that artists either love or hate.”

When applying color, Francis uses mostly pencil pastels which are handmade and offer a large selection of hardness and hues. Unlike other media, pastels cannot be mixed in

a cup and saved for later. So unless there is a pastel that is a perfect match, a desired color is achieved by layering one over another, or strategically placing them next to each other to create an optical illusion. It’s a skill that takes considerable time and patience and comes after years of experience.

“I like people to look at my work and smile. I call my paintings non-traditional still life because I don’t do vases of flowers. Part of my personality is that I'm a collector. I started with comic books and baseball cards but now I collect old toys and board games. I have a huge collection of Smurf figures which have made an appearance in several paintings.”

Because of his huge collection of Smurfs and other fun characters, Francis can work out all the details of his still life compositions in real time at his studio. “I tend to plan out my paintings, mainly because they are very involved. I start collecting elements for a still life about a week and a half before I actually work on it and I set up the still life myself. Then I draw and sketch from that. It allows me to control the lighting and get exactly the right shadows that I want. I usually start with a graphite drawing on Bristol board. And I do the drawing the same size as my painting is going to be.”

Francis then transfers his drawing to a 1” thick Masonite panel coated in gesso and marble dust. His transfer process is old school. Unlike some artists who will use projectors and project their final composition onto a canvas or panel for tracing, Francis will first lay tracing paper over his drawing and literally trace it out with pencil onto the paper. He then turns the tracing paper over and draws it in again, following the visible pencil lines with charcoal. Next, he lays the charcoal side of the tracing paper onto the panel and retraces the entire composition so that faint charcoal lines transfer directly to the panel. With that done, the piece is ready for color work to begin.

The Masonite panels are medium gray in color and have an 800 - 900 grit sandpaper-like surface. The grit is what grabs and holds the pastels to the surface but invariably some of it falls away and can make quite a mess. To mitigate the mess, Francis tilts his panel slightly forward at the top which allows the pastel dust to drop away and land in a trough he makes with Bristol board and inserts at the bottom of his easel.

"Plucky Duck" 24 x 18 pastel and pastel pencil on Ampersand Pastelbord

10 These days you will find Francis hard at work on his manyyears-old drafting board from AES that he bought after retirement. He is a dedicated artist who prides himself on being in the studio every day from 7:30 AM to 12 noon. He believes that you can’t wait for inspiration to strike, THEN go to work. “You have to get up and go to your studio so that when inspiration does hit, you're equipped to go.”

His process is both measured and methodical. When asked if he is a patient person he responds that most times he is but, “There are times when you know, I’m three-quarters of the way through a painting and my mind is going - just finish it! So, I try to maintain a certain pace but that comes with getting older.”

Also with getting older, there are unexpected health issues that happen more frequently. For Francis, it came in the form of arthritis in his hands that gave him problems in the midst of a painting. It was a huge flare-up that forced him to change how he held the pastel pencil which affected contouring and line quality. Ironically, that piece plus another done with those painful hands were accepted into a national pastel show in Harvard and won an award!

“Tavern Under the Bridge” 11.00" x 14.00" Most pastel artists, especially those on a national level like Francis, will collect hundreds of pastel colors so that layering is not always necessary. But it’s a medium where the artist really has to know what they are doing because pastels are not cheap.

They range from $280 for a 48-stick set to a 650stick set by Henri Roche retailing for an incredible $10,000! Thank goodness the life expectancy of pastels is just as good as oils, if not better, so the investment is well worth it.

Now given the subject matter for his still lifes, it should come as no surprise that Francis is also a fan of Comic-Con, a comic book and toy collector's little slice of heaven. Attending their conventions inspired him to try his hand at pen and ink illustrations which depict a fantasy world of his own creation. The result was THE REALM which grew into 80 individual illustrations during the endless empty hours at his studio during the pandemic. They eventually appeared in an art show and did very well for him so there could be more to come.

“The Coastal Castle” 14.00" x 11.00"

“City of Fahsahd” 14.00" x 11.00"

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"The Last Great Aeronauts Race" Pastel on Ampersand Pastelbord Francis was thrilled and thought, “Okay, maybe we’re onto something!” Then he hurt his shoulder doing a home renovation and couldn’t raise his hand. Unfazed, he simply lowered his work surfaces and was able to keep painting. It should come as no surprise that at 73, aging has clarified a lot of things for him.

“Aging has a way of straightening you out and makes you focus on stuff that you know, is a kind of a yawn, that you took for granted. But it also inspires ingenuity and change if you don’t quit.”

“The One Ring” 12.00" x 16.00" It is because of his obvious talent and perseverance that Francis has been recognized and placed in the top tier of pastelists. In 2003, he was elected to the Pastel Society of America (PSA) as a Signature Artist. In 2014, he was recognized as one of 110 Master Pastelists by the PSA, and in 2016, he received Master Circle Pastelist Status with the International Association of Pastel Societies.

"Flights of Imagination" Thankfully, there’s no sign that David Francis will be quitting any time soon, so he looks forward to sharing his whimsical paintings with the world.

To view and purchase his paintings, visit www.defrancispastels.com or call Francis directly at (518) 817-1839.

"Guardians of the Corks" 16 x 20, Pastel & Pastel Pencil on Ampersand Pastelbord

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She Has Flour in Her DNA This Authentic Baker’s One Smart Cookie!

By Rona Mann The story is a familiar one.

How it unfolds is not.

Photos by Stephanie Sittnick

Eileen Caliva’s father was Italian, born to a mother who as a young girl dreamed of being a nun. Then she met Grandpa, fell in love, and

Come into the kitchen, the life, and the sheer joy that exudes from Eileen Caliva, baker of handmade biscotti and cookies, all made one at a time using all-natural ingredients and no added preservatives. All made with love.

“My grandmother was not one who added a pinch of this, a pinch of that,” began Eileen. “She baked as a science with strict measurements and wrote everything down on recipe cards.

First, they were handed down to my Mom, then to me. I inherited both the recipes and those cards. I treasure them although they are faded and hard to read now.”

Think you’ve heard that before? Well, this is different. As different as biting into a Caliva cookie or dunking a delicious handmade biscotti into a cup of coffee, because these cookies and this baker are the real deal.

Yes, the recipes are all born of love, but also born of a history and a deep relationship between a little girl and her cookie-baking grandma that started decades ago. Imagine, if you will, a wide-eyed toddler looking up at a grandma she adored who was busy making magic.

Adding ingredients, rolling dough, cutting slices just-so, then decorating, baking, and finally when her morning’s labor of love was complete, letting that little girl sample them all.

restaurant and diving deep into the joy of Italian cooking, but at holiday time the little girl watched wide-eyed as both her beloved grandmother and her mother turned out batch after batch of cookies, creating holiday trays, and giving them as holiday gifts to friends and family.

Eileen and Grandma Eva they had five children. Eileen’s mother was English with a mother who fell in love with baking. Mom wound up managing an Italian

But the flour is in Caliva’s DNA, as is the sugar, butter, and all the wonderful natural ingredients she uses to create a taste unlike any other. Eileen calls herself “a serial entrepreneur” as she had previously started other businesses and even worked in the corporate world. She also had lived in Central New York before finally settling in Ballston Lake with her

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family. “I had spent a lot of time taking care of other family members, so when we moved here, I decided it was finally time to do something for me.”

people who cook and bake special items think they can just make them, turn them out, and sell them.

That is not generally met with success. But Eileen equipped herself. “I found that SUNY Adirondack had exactly what I had been looking for that other schools didn’t offer - a program in Management, Marketing, and Entrepreneurship. Even better, it was taught on their Wilton campus in Saratoga, so it was closer to where I lived in Ballston Lake.”

Being a smart cookie she had a well-conceived plan, indeed her own blueprint for success. Many

Caliva learned everything about the startup of a business and even took

specialty classes designed to teach students how to create their own successful website...which is exactly what Eileen did! She dotted all the I’s, crossed all the T’s, sprinkled all the sugar and nuts, and got her kitchen fully certified by the state of New York, launching Caliva Cookies in 2021. Almost from the first batch, her cookies and biscotti caught on, making a big splash on social media where she does a good bit of her marketing. Eileen also created videos that she shot herself. “I taught myself how to do it, bought the right equipment. I don’t like to sit still very long.” Understatement!

Caliva Cookies may also be found at Buckley Farms in Ballston Lake, the Italian Market of Manchester,

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“Best bakery items I have eaten, I’m a customer for life.”...FL “Cannot stop eating them. I feel like the Cookie Monster.”...VA Biscotti gift platter VT, the Mohawk Valley Welcome Center, Finishing Touches Home Decor, Inc in Malta, Christmas Land in Altamont, online (they ship nationwide), and hopefully on your holiday table and your holiday gift list. In addition to trays, Eileen also offers cookie packages. Now, here’s a great idea... cookie and biscotti subscriptions!

You can have a different biscotti or cookie package sent monthly, quarterly, or for birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays throughout the year. You select the varieties and give Eileen the Biscotti Wedding Favors dates, and it’s done...including shipping. What a delicious way to gift an individual, family, or employees. And, Eileen also specializes in biscotti wedding favors.

It seems impossible, but whether you have a small order or you’re shipping to a whole list of lucky recipients, each individual piece is hand-baked, one cookie at a time. We checked the website, and here’s just some of the feedback from near and far:

“I love the intense, infused flavors, combined with just the ultimate crunch of toasted almonds. I may need to subscribe to a monthly cookie subscription because I just can’t stop eating one!” ... PA “I just tried the Limoncello Biscottis, and I can say in all sincerity that biscotti was the best I’ve ever had.”... Professional Custom Cake Designer

“You cannot go wrong trying any of the flavors, most excellent to dip in hot coffee or tea.”... NY Christmas biscotti tray

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You’ll find many more online, but now let’s tempt you with flavors! Cookies in a box include:

Anise Cookies Chocolate Chip M & M Cookies Chocolate Fudge Walnut Celebration Cookies Lemon Drop Cookies Cookie packages come with 2 bonus cookies... Twelve in all!

And here comes the positively inventive and scrumptious selection of biscotti:

Almond Cranberry Chocolate Chip Chocolate Almond Chocolate Almond Espresso Orange Pistachio Maple Bourbon Walnut Toasted Almond Anise Lemon Cranberry Choose a flavor of the month or get an entire assortment of 12 plus a bonus of 2.

Fourteen in all!

SPOILER ALERT! Special for the Holidays this Year: Chocolate Candy Cane Biscotti and Gingerbread Biscotti...let Eileen package and send them, and you can take care of just about everyone on your list, wherever they live!

Eileen asks if you’re going to ship, you must call in your orders NO LATER THAN the 15th!

So, does the legacy of sugar, flour, butter, and all-natural flavors continue? “My son is a great chef, but a chef by hobby only,” Caliva laughs.

And my daughter makes amazing pies. That’s her talent.”

In addition to giving a big nod to the lessons of her English grandmother, Eileen continues to honor her Italian heritage and its importance on the family. I always made dinner every night, and we always sat down as a family and enjoyed the food and each other. I still make dinners every night...and no cell phones at the table! I wished every family could do that. It’s so wonderful.”

That’s the same kind of sentiment that goes into Eileen’s baking. Tradition. History. Respecting the recipes. And always, always settling for nothing less than the finest, freshest, all-natural ingredients. That’s what makes Caliva Cookies a hit in the Capital Region and now spreading in taste and reputation throughout the country; as Eileen would say, “One cookie at a time.”

Christmas Cookies

Okay, time to get paper and pen and that list of people you love and respect and honor. Time to pass on some of the memories Eileen cherishes.

Time to start making your own memories with a little help of a much-loved grandma and the family to which she gifted those faded recipe cards.

Just think, somewhere in that treasure trove of happy memories, Grandma is nodding her head, looking to a little girl, and saying, “You are my legacy. Treat it well.”

She has.

For more information or to custom-design an order log onto: www.calivacookies.com (518) 350-9491

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A Month of Holidays…

And the artists who paint them.

by Carol St.Sauveur Ferris

The last month of the calendar year in the United States is filled with excitement and the anticipation of three amazing holidays: Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Christmas.

This year Hanukkah begins at sundown on Thursday, December 7th and ends Friday evening, December 15th. Kwanzaa is observed for seven days beginning Tuesday, December 26th and ending on Monday, January 1st.

And Christmas? Well, it is officially just one day in the month but unofficially, as soon as the Thanksgiving dishes are done, the festivities begin in earnest culminating on Christmas Day, Monday, December 25th.

Each one of these three holidays is rich with its own history, traditions, and symbols, and each has been commemorated by artists, sculptors, and craftsmen worldwide. The earliest known holiday paintings were found in tombs and sarcophagi during archaeological digs while others can still be found on the walls of temples, churches, and historical sites. Most of these early works are in the form of frescos and murals depicting The Nativity from biblical times.

As the world expanded making room for a wide variety of unique cultures, artists continued to paint, sculpt, and craft the evolving, beautiful symbols representing their respective holidays, and there are many, both solemn and whimsical.

On that list is beloved artist, Norman Rockwell (1894-1978), known for his quintessential illustrations of the traditional American Christmas with a little whimsy thrown in for good measure. Rockwell painted his first Santa at the age of 19 for the 1913 cover of Boys Life

“Santa in Snow with Scouts”

by Norman Rockwell where he served as Art Director for the Boy Scouts of America magazine. It is titled, “Santa in Snow with Scouts” and was one of many holiday-themed covers he illustrated and painted for other publications as well. He is often credited with helping Santa shed his skinny physique and scraggly beard turning him into a more robust, jolly man by the 1920’s.

But centuries before Rockwell and Santa were on the scene, religious works of Christmas art were painted by many other famous artists.

For example, in the 16th and early 17th century, there was Caravaggio (1571-1610), an artist who painted a famous piece titled, “Nativity with St. Francis and St. Lawrence.” It features St. Francis and St. Lawrence, of course, gazing at the Madonna and Child with Joseph standing by.

Sadly, though it hung in the Oratory of Saint

“Nativity with St. Francis and St. Lawrence” Caravaggio Lawrence in Palermo, Italy until 1969, it simply vanished and hasn’t been seen since. Valued at 20 million dollars, it is now on the FBI's list of 10 Top Art Crimes!

There are many paintings of the Nativity by legendary artists that exist throughout history, but with the arrival of the 19th and 20th centuries, artists began painting non-religious pieces that featured traditional family gatherings and wintry scenes. Beloved painter Grandma Moses (1860-1961) is one such artist whose work embodied family. In her 1946 painting titled “Christmas at Home,” many of her favorite Christmas traditions can be seen including caroling and gift-giving with Santa tucked in by the Christmas tree. Years later in her 1958 piece titled “Christmas,” she painted families happily doing their farm chores while playing in the snow. And believe it or not, she was 98 years old at the time and still painting!

Another well-known artist, Henri Matisse (1869-1954), was initially trained as a lawyer but went on to be a painter, sculptor, and graphic designer. He is known for his use of bright colors in all his work including the spectacularly colorful 1952 Maquette (scale model) for “Nuit de Noel.” It is a joyful stained glass window symbolizing Christmas and was commissioned for the Time-Life building in New York City.

“The Christmas Coach” by Norman Rockwell

“World of Charles Dickens” Norman Rockwell

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"Christmas at Home" Grandma Moses But sometimes the unconventional plays a part in Christmas as well. Take Hallmark for instance.

They have always been synonymous with tradition, but there was a time when artist Salvatore Dali (1904-1989) was commissioned to do a series of illustrations for them. His collection included a surreal portrayal of Santa seated in the snow with drawers containing Dali’s signature melting clocks and a bunny protruding from his jolly belly. It was pure Dali but considered a bit too avant-garde for Hallmark at the time.

Though relegated to a storage closet for many Christmases to come, it now hangs prominently on the company’s walls.

And who knew that pop artist, Andy Warhol (1928-1987) was a big fan of the Christmas holidays? While working for Tiffany & Co. in 1956 as an illustrator, they commissioned him to design a Christmas card. The card was so successful they commissioned him to create one every year until 1962 when his soup cans became famous.

Examples of his Christmas artwork include an unexpectedly delicate “Christmas Wreath with Roses” in 1956 and a gold and black lithograph called “Christmas Tree” in 1957.

“Nuit de Noël” Henri Matisse

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Salvatore Dali

"I Lit All My Candles" Hanukkah Menorah Hildegard Rath For those celebrating Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, the menorah is a cherished symbol. Sadly there are very few Hanukkah-specific works of art from centuries ago, however, some pieces and their artists have been identified, collected, and exhibited.

One painting of note that highlights a Hanukkah celebration was done by Marie Vorobieff (1892-1984), also known as Marevna.

She was a Russian-born painter and credited with being the first female Cubist. Her 1970 piece titled “Hasidic Dance During the Hanukkah Celebration” captures a group of men happily dancing in the center of a room as women and children look on. A menorah is included in the painting.

Then, of course, there is well-known Russian -French painter Marc Chagall (1887-1985) who was a Modernist creating works of art in many mediums. Unknown to many, he “Christmas-Wreath with Roses” Andy Warhol

was also a book illustrator, set designer, ceramicist, and stained-glass designer. And all of his work featured bright color and symbolism which is evident in his stunning stained-glass windows hanging in churches and cathedrals around the world. One especially beautiful series hangs at The Art Institute of Chicago and features a beautiful gold menorah symbolizing Hanukkah, Artist Hildegard Rath (1909-1994) was an Expressionist known for painting and illustration. She was also a lecturer and teacher.

Her 1950s painting, “I Lit all My Candles” Hanukkah Menorah is a beautiful oil on canvas of a young woman looking out from behind a beautiful gold menorah. It captures a quiet moment of observance and reflection at Hanukkah.

And artist Elena Flerova (1943-2020) was a Realist and known for her Judaica art and

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“Kwanzaa Elements” Marcella Muhammad

“Hasidic Dance During the Hanukkah Celebration” Marie Vorobieff

“Ujamaa Family Tree of Life” Joseph Singombe

“Maquette for a Hanukkah Lamp” David Weinrib

31 first to create Kwanzaa art, she was commissioned by the United States Postal Service to paint the first Kwanzaa stamp in 1966. It was a bold and modern composition featuring three people in vibrant dress and bearing gifts from the harvest. Fifty years later in 2016, Saint James was commissioned yet again to design a Kwanzaa Forever stamp. Equally colorful as her first, the stamp features a woman in vibrant dress carrying the fruits of the harvest. To date, there are nine stamps commemorating Kwanzaa.

Narrative artist, Marcella Muhammad, whose career also emerged in the 1960s, has painted Kwanzaa pieces. She was inspired by Pablo Picasso but unlike his angular lines, she softens edges with curves. Muhammad’s elegant oil on canvas painting, “Kwanzaa Elements,” captures all seven elements of the holiday in a gracefully composed piece that is filled with movement and color. It speaks beautifully to her style and the holiday.

Finally, Joseph Singombe, a renowned Makonde Artist, is well-known for his imaginative and graceful sculptures. Many of his pieces embrace the principles of Kwanzaa including his ebony wood sculpture titled “Ujamaa Family Tree of Life.” It is the embodiment of the family living and working together as one.

While just scratching the surface of amazing artwork for the holidays, it is abundantly clear that December is filled with joy-filled celebrations for many. Uniquely symbolic meals, decor, festivities, and services mark each treasured holiday while the unifying theme of love and gratitude prevails above all.

And that is as it should be.

“Dreidel 1” Elena Flerova paintings of children. Her sweet painting, “Dreidel 1” shows three little boys happily playing with a dreidel while a young girl looks on. The history of the dreidel does vary a bit but the fun children have playing the game and winning chocolate coins is timeless. It has been a Hanukkah tradition for years.

In contrast to the more serious representations of Hanukkah found in many works of art, American visual artist, David Weinrib (1924-2016), was a multi-talented artist who worked as a painter, ceramicist, sculptor, and photographer. One of his fascinating sculptures was a ceremonial piece he created for a temple in New York City in 1989. It is titled “Maquette for a Hanukkah Lamp” and has nine coiled, spring-like bases for candles mounted on wood. It is whimsical and modern and definitely a pop-art menorah!

The last of the three major December celebrations is Kwanzaa, a Pan-American and African-American holiday. It was created by American author and professor, Maulana Karenga as an alternative to Christmas in 1966, to give people of color the opportunity to celebrate their history, family, and community.

The name Kwanzaa is derived from the Swahili phrase “matunda ya kwanzaa” which means first fruits of the harvest. It is based on seven principles with seven celebratory symbols. The seven principles are Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-determination), Ujima (Collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nis (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith). The seven symbols appearing in many works of art include a candle holder (Kinara), the seven candles (Mishumaa Sabaa), the unity cup (Kikombe cha Umojai), crops (Mazao), corn (Muhindi), placemat (Mkeka), and gifts (Zawadi). Because of its more recent history, the artists who create Kwanzaa artwork are still emerging and slowly gaining recognition as the holiday is embraced.

One well-known and multicultural, visual artist is Synthia Saint James (1949- ) whose work is bold and colorful. In addition to being one of the

Wishing you a Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, and a Happy Kwanza. Peace.

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She “Got Mad” So Others Could Learn How One Woman Taught the World to Read

by Rona Mann

“Our past lays the foundation for our future, and writing this book (My Life Through Life, Love, and Literacy) has helped me put my past in perspective to see what the foundations were for what became my future and what is now my history.”

One of the first things she said when she answered the phone was if we had called a day earlier, we would not have found her home.

Ruth then went on to say that she was at her private golf club, the Onondaga Golf and Country Club, teaching a friend how to putt better because in her words, “A 5-10” putt executed straight counts as much as a 200-yard drive.”

Ruth’s been a member of that club for years, so she calls ahead when she’s coming and is always welcomed with a waiting cart and plenty of attention.

Ruth’s story, however, is not about golf.

Rather it’s about what happens when Ruth Colvin gets mad and reacts with dogged determination. It’s about wanting to get things accomplished and researching and learning every angle until she achieves her goal her way. Ruth Johnson grew up in Chicago, the eldest of five children; however, when she was just 12 years old, her father died suddenly at age 38 leaving her mother with five young children to raise. She turned to Ruth for help which was willingly received, but it came at a sacrifice. Ruth had to grow up fast... and did.

Ruth Colvin in Chicago, IL, 1927

The only thing the young girl wanted was to go to college when she graduated high school. Her father had died intestate (without a will), so her uncle took charge of the estate. The first thing Ruth did upon graduation was go see her uncle along with her mother and announce she was now ready to enter the University of Illinois, but the unexpected reply came swiftly and stung. “He told me the money was being saved for the boys in the family, not for me since I’d probably just get married, have babies, and stay home. I got mad! I had $50. of my own saved so I went to the local school, Thornton Junior College and asked them to take me, which they did; but I only could get a twoyear degree.”

However, as the saying goes, that was then, this is now.

Now, Ruth Johnson Colvin holds a 4-year degree from Syracuse University that she achieved at age 40 plus 9 Honorary PhDs from colleges Bob and Ruth Colvin's wedding photo in Chicago, IL, 1940

Ruth Johnson, 1937, Northwestern

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throughout the nation. Why? How? Because of that same sense of determination and will to get things done, especially when she gets mad.

Ruth Johnson did marry Robert Colvin (“the love of my life”)when she attended classes at Northwestern University in Evanston, and not long after, her husband’s profession in sales and consulting for an industrial chemical company led them to Seattle for a year and a half and then to Syracuse, a city neither of them even knew existed! But within a very

short time, Ruth learned all she needed to know about Syracuse, and soon after that, Syracuse learned about a young woman of resolve named Ruth Johnson Colvin who was about to make her mark on the city!

It began one day in 1960 while reading the local newspaper when Ruth learned that according to the recent census, 11,055 citizens

living in the Greater Syracuse area were functionally illiterate. “How could that be?” Ruth wondered.

“Why couldn’t they read? What was being done to help them? We have to change it! I’m going to do something about it!” She had no idea what to do so she called the local Board of Education, expressed her concern, told them something had to be done, and to come to her house for a meeting. Miraculously, they did. “They were all men, heads of Rotary clubs and non-profits.

Remember, I lived in a man’s world.”

There was only one woman present, but when she was done talking, they pledged their support!

Ruth quickly determined that traditional classroom methods were not working, so after taking necessary training and receiving advice from Syracuse University PhDs and other professionals, she focused on the development of community networks that ultimately would empower adult learners.

Colvin went on to found Literacy Volunteers of America which in 2002

Two-Day Leaders' seminar Literacy Volunteers Inc - Ruth, Myra Eadie, Mrs. Raasch, Lois Matheson, Mrs. Byers, 1968

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Sometimes if you don’t see a clear path ahead, you have to forge one yourself. “I wasn’t qualified, so I had to make myself qualified.

I was scared to death because I felt I didn’t have enough degrees, but if you don’t do anything, you don’t make mistakes. But if you do things, you do make mistakes but you learn from them,” says the woman who has since been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Presidential Medal of Volunteer Action, and is the oldest member enshrined in the National Women’s Hall of Fame.

Colvin is considered to be the “Mother of Adult Literacy” throughout the world as well as here at home. Because of her efforts and her determination in never settling for anything

merged with Laubach Literacy International to form ProLiteracy Worldwide. Currently, there are nearly 1,000 chapters of ProLiteracy in the USA and in more than 60 countries worldwide. Colvin herself has taught in 26 developing countries with an interpreter at her side. “They invited me to come, and they paid for it. I did my homework before we got

there so that way I always made sure that when my plane landed and I was met at the airport in a strange country, I knew how to greet them in their own language,” said this very clever woman who really wasn’t all that sure of herself in the beginning. Did she ever make mistakes along the way?

Ruth Colvin with a group of people she worked with in her literacy program

Ruth Colvin at Kitaki, a camp in Nebraska

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Christmas at the White House less, hundreds of thousands of adults worldwide can now read a book, a newspaper, or this magazine, and that is a remarkable feat.

“I always began by asking, ‘What are your problems?’When they would speak to me I immediately would point out all the good they had, all the positives. That would usually win them over, and it opened the door to teach and learn.”

Ruth and Bob had two children, Bob passed away in 2014, yet Ruth continues to live independently in the house they shared for 60 years. “I have nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Ruth Colvin receiving the Medal of Freedom from President George W. Bush in December 2004

Ruth and Bob Colvin with their family at Medal of Honor ceremony in Washington DC

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Ruth Colvin, inducted into The National Women's Hall of Fame Almost all of them live in California, but we stay in close contact, and they visit often.”

Getting back to golf, Ruth ended our conversation by proudly telling us she indeed showed that woman (“who’s younger than my daughter”)

how to straighten out her putt, and it vastly improved her game. She further added that sometimes when playing 9 holes she has to sit down for a bit after a couple of holes. That also makes her mad, but she just keeps on playing. And Ruth Colvin at the White House with Ronald Reagan. June 1987 writing. A few years ago she finished her 12th book, My philosophies of “Don’t give up” and “Help each Travels Through Life, Love, and Literacy, A other. Continue to read, it’s learning that keeps Journey Over 100 Years in the Making, and has you going.” yet another one in the works. She maintains her active life through the practice of four things: Oh yes, one last thing: Ruth’s birthday will be physical fitness, mental fitness, emotional fitness, in just a couple of weeks on December 16th, and spiritual fitness.

You might want to remember that date; she’ll be 107 and is still learning and teaching; and “I’ve been driving since I was 16 and never had if it means she can get her way about somean accident, but earlier this year my children thing in order to effect change for the better, convinced me to give it up. I was embarrassed she’ll probably get mad first. at first to ask anyone for a ride, but now people at my church, Pebble Hill Presbyterian, have It’s what empowers her! formed a little group of drivers who are happy to do so. Each one serves for a month, and it rotates.” It fits perfectly with her three-word

Ruth Colvin, then and now, still uses a refrigerator to store books

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41

Chrismukah and the Stained Stockings

by Karen Richman

I can’t actually remember what Christmas it was.

I just remember I was about 13 or 14 and filled with childish anticipation of the oncoming holiday. So was my friend, Gail, who was in the same grade at junior high. We were in English and history classes together and often compared notes, studied for tests together, and shared the same teenage angst about upcoming exams and ongoing relationships with boys.

Gail was Jewish, so she didn’t celebrate Christmas, but always came to my house during the holidays to help decorate the tree with us, test three or four or seven (!) of the freshly baked and decorated cookies, and hang the jingle bells on the front door. We laughed together, shared secrets, and even sang together in the school glee club. So Gail knew all the words to all the holiday songs I loved, but this particular year I asked if there were any Hanukkah songs. When she replied excitedly there were, I asked how I could learn to sing them. “Come with me next week to Sunday School, and you can learn all about Hanukkah if it’s okay with your parents.”

It was okay, so the next week, not knowing what to expect, I went to the Sunday School at Gail’s temple and was welcomed by both the teacher and the kids in the class, all of them anxious to teach me all about Hanukkah. I found out that it is always celebrated on the 25th of the Hebrew month of Kislev, but the date varies slightly every year as Jews follow a lunisolar calendar dependent on both the sun and moon.

Still, it’s always on the 25th, just like Christmas! They taught me to play with a dreidel, which is like a top that you spin, and together we sang the Hanukkah song, about dreidels:

“I have a little dreidel, I made it out of clay, And when it’s dry and ready, Then dreidel I shall play.”

I also learned that the reason the menorah is lit for eight days each year is because back in 164 BCE there was only to be enough oil to last one night at the re-dedication of the temple, but a miracle occurred, and it burned for eight nights which is why there are eight candles on a menorah plus one in the middle to light them. “Wow,” I thought. “That’s great!”

But what I liked the best was that on Hanukkah it is symbolic to eat fried foods like doughnuts or “latkes.”

“What’s a latke?” I asked Gail. When we got back to her house for lunch, her mother showed me by making delicious crunchy potato pancakes.

I was getting into Hanukkah in a big way.

Over the next week, I began to think about all this. Since both our holidays involved the 25th of the month and were happy times with great food and presents, we weren’t that different. Religion didn’t separate us, it brought us together so we should celebrate it together.

I decided then and there to surprise Gail and her whole family.

I easily enlisted my mother’s help when I told her of my plan. She thought it was great, so we carefully checked to find out exactly when Hanukkah would be starting, and then we found a simple recipe in one of Mom’s cookbooks for potato pancakes. We were in business! We went out and bought four long blue stockings since there were four in Gail’s family, and Mom embroidered a white Jewish star on each stocking.

Then the best part began...we made latkes, and boy, were they great! We had them for dinner and asked Dad if we should tweak the recipe to

make it better. His response delighted us, “Don’t do anything different.

Just make them again, and this time, make more of ‘em!”

The timing could not have been better because Gail told me the first night of Hanukkah there would be a big celebration at the temple, and her whole family would be going. Perfect! I knew Gail’s Mom always left the back door unlocked because in those days you could, so Mom and I made a batch of latkes, grabbed the newly adorned Hanukkah stockings, and went to their house. We made quick work of attaching the stockings to the mantle and put a cooled-off latke in each one, leaving just the tiniest grease stain in the bottom. Then we wrote a note saying the rest were in their fridge, and we quickly took our leave. What a joyous phone call we got a few hours later filled with warmth and laughter. “Thank you for our Chrismukah stockings!” Gail shouted.

“Even with the little stain at the bottom from the oil it was just the best.

We’re going to launder the stockings and keep them forever.”

Thus, a new tradition was born. Each Hanukkah from then on, Mom and I would fry up the latkes and make sure to find stockings we could use over and over because the original ones were now keepsakes for Gail’s family.

The years went by, we graduated high school, and went on to college, careers, and marriage, but at the holidays we always kept in touch, and along with the Christmas cards in the mail, there was always one that held a stained stocking and was signed, “Happy Chrismukah. Love Gail.”

Easy Chrismukah Latkes Ingredients: 1lb Russet Potatoes 1 medium onion 1 large egg 2 tbsp. Matzo meal, dry breadcrumbs, or flour 1 tsp. Kosher salt 1/8 tsp. Ground black pepper 1 cup of canola oil...or for more flavor, ½ cup canola, ½ cup chicken fat Applesauce and sour cream for serving Grate potatoes in food processor; even better, on a box grater Grate onion Using a cheesecloth or clean dish towel squeeze as much liquid as you can from the potatoes and onion Add eggs, matzo meal, salt, and pepper to the onions and potatoes and mix Let batter rest a few minutes Heat the oil in a large (preferably cast iron) skillet Form latkes one at a time, drop into oil, and flatten with a spatula Cook till golden brown, 5 min. per side Drain on paper towels

Enjoy!

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Have Yourself a DIY Christmas…

Crystal Cobert-Giddens, LE Gift giving is one of my favorite activities during the holiday season. I love watching the people I care about open their gifts! The wrapping paper, the look on their faces…the lights, the music in the background! But how do you decide what to give as a gift?

Your friend or loved one can keep this highway survival kit in the car in case they break down or get stranded.

I usually ask myself these questions when preparing for gift giving season: Do they NEED this? Do they WANT this? Will they ENJOY this? Seems simple, right? Unfortunately the process of thinking about gifts, shopping for gifts, and wrapping those gifts can be a little overwhelming and stressful.

It’s hard knowing what people want or need these days. Most people buy what they want or really need so I like to focus on the ENJOY and sometimes, the PRACTICAL. Will this gift make them smile or give them comfort? Will it bring them joy? Is this something they don’t know they need?

I think some of the best gifts you can give are ones that you make yourself.

So, instead of caving under the pressure to buy that “perfect gift” for everyone on your list, give yourself permission to think differently. Try something new. Maybe this is the year you try some DIY ideas.

Do It Yourself gifts can mean more to the person receiving them than a present from a store or boutique. I’m not saying that presents from a store aren’t meaningful, they are, but everyone loves knowing that someone spent time making a gift especially for them.

AND if you despise shopping or are a classic procrastinator like my husband (Dan ~ are you reading this?) you may find that you enjoy the process of making gifts this season. I guarantee that you will be beaming on the inside when you gift your friends and family something you created with your own two hands.

Not sure where to start? Here are 3 easy and affordable DIY gifts you can make yourself and give to almost everyone on your list.

How about an all natural gift that smells like Christmas? This potpourri recipe uses cranberries, an orange, cinnamon sticks, and assorted spices. It’s easy to make and all ages can help put it together. This makes a lovely hostess gift, teacher gift, or gift for your neighbors.

SUPPLY LIST 1 small orange or clementine 1 cup fresh cranberries 3 cinnamon sticks 1 tablespoon whole cloves 1 sprig fresh evergreen or 1 sprig/stick fresh rosemary 1 medium cellophane bag or a large mason jar with a lid 1 piece of holiday ribbon 1 printable “recipe” card, label or a small card to hand write your instructions Here’s How to Do It: Put the orange and spices in the cellophane bag or the mason jar. Seal it with ribbon and give your person the recipe on a recipe card or you can even print the directions on a label and adhere it to the jar.

To use the potpourri, the gift receiver just slices the orange and then adds the orange slices and the rest of the ingredients from the bag/jar into a pot with 3 cups of simmering water or put 2 1/2 cups of water into a crockpot, add the ingredients, simmer and enjoy!

Ready for something practical? Make a highway survival kit.

Last time I checked, we live in Upstate New York. Unfortunately, most people are not prepared for delays, storms or breakdowns. Most people (me…I used to be most people) do not have supplies in their car should they get stuck on the interstate due to an accident or a snow storm.

SUPPLY LIST: 1 small, but warm blanket 2 sets of hand warmers 1 small, USB rechargeable flashlight or lantern 1 hand held ice scraper 2 roadside glow sticks 1 travel box of tissue 1 USA road map ~ if you can find one because phone batteries die and GPS doesn’t always work 3 granola bars ~ homemade or store bought. I like the hard, crunchy ones for this kit because they last forever 1 small bag of almonds or travel size package of peanut or almond butter 3 fruit roll ups ~ quick energy and long shelf life 2 12-16 oz water bottles 1 container to hold everything. It could be a small backpack, a tool box, tackle box or even an insulated tote bag with a zipper.

Here’s How to Do It: Put all the supplies inside the tote or box and show your college kid, mom/dad or your best friend how much they mean to you.

Give a taste of your town! If you’ll be visiting family or friends that live far away, this is a creative way to bring some of your town’s specialties to them.

Supply List: Anything you want! Really, the only limit here is your imagination and your budget.

Here’s How to Do It: Set a budget because shopping like this is fun but it’s easy to over spend. Go around your town and gather up sweet, savory or fun treats that represent your region. Honey, maple syrup, wine, chocolates and local cheese work well. Make sure you throw in some fun touristy items like a postcard, keychain, baseball cap or coffee mug. Put everything in a decorative box, put a bow on it and you’re good to go!

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CULINARY DESTINATIONS: Mohawk Valley Region - Cooperstown Part 2

By Chef Armand Vanderstigchel After visiting the Turning Stone resort in Verona, next is the historic village of Cooperstown.

Located in the foothills of the Catskills, Cooperstown is a famous for its numerous museums, including the National Baseball Hall of Fame, which opened in 1939 with the induction of Babe Ruth and other baseball legends. The Farmer’s Museum is an outdoor living history museum, showcasing rural life in 1845 in its village of historic trade and craft shops.

The Fenimore House Museum features premier folk art collections. Other noteworthy attractions include the Glimmerglass Opera and New York State Historical Association.

Cooperstown’s beautiful Main Street entices visitors with gift shops, charming bed-and-breakfast inns, and many restaurants. A trolley system features five old-fashioned trolleys that shuttle visitors to Main Street and the museums in town.

My first stop is the Otesaga Hotel, the gracious bedrock of Cooperstown which was built in 1909. The hotel is now listed in the National Register of Historic Places of America. Fully restored keeping its historic integrity, it has 137 rooms and a patio overlooking the lake.

Upon entry in the statuesque foyer is the Mohican Room - a small coffee shop selling gifts and delicious pastries to enjoy while seated in a rocking chair on the veranda overlooking the lake. The upside-down Cherry Cake

Mohican Room

Otesaga Hotel

sourced from the local “Brimstone Bakery” is delicious and high-quality Coffee is served. Downstairs is the Hawk-Eye Grill - a perfect spot for lunch/dinner featuring a continental variety of crowd pleasers. The stone-fired thin crust Pizza here is well executed! I enjoyed the crispy Margherita version with fresh Mozzarella and strands of fresh Basil. You can grab a drink from the bar and walk outside onto the patio to sit around the large fire-pit during chilly evenings. Upstairs is “1909”- an intimate lakeside dining restaurant only open on Friday & Saturday night featuring elevated local inspired cuisine as listed on the hotel’s website in terms of local food producers and sources.

Cooperstown Distillery is a successful producer of wonderful spirits such as Bourbon, Whiskey, Rum, and Gin. The distillery has a complimentary tasting room adjacent to the distillery where you can relax, purchase spirits, or get a glimpse of the production area where locals grains and malted Barley from Bavaria, New York are processed in the copper distiller from Germany or the Bourbon distiller from Missouri under watchful eye of Mike and his team. Downtown on Main Street is another location known as the Cooperstown Beverage Exchange featuring a full bar and gift shop alike the location in Saratoga Springs on Broadway.

Across the street is “Toscana”- a charming family owned and highly

45 The food menu is diversified and thick hand-cut French Frites here are fantastic and accompanied by different sauces in a Belgian style paper Frites-cone. I ordered one of the delicious Burgers accompanied by the Frites which were so good, an additional side-order was purchased! Poutine is a popular appetizer of Frites smothered in demi-glace and local Cheese Curds with Green Onion.

The Brewers Board of Charcuterie, Cheese, Grapes, Caraway Mustard, and Figs served in a Pretzel is a great choice with a flight of Beers!

Cooperstown Distillery

Cooperstown Distillery tasting room

As a friendly gesture by management, I was given an exclusive tour of the production facility

by Brew manager Justin, who explained the process of the Mill House where malt is milled for the next Brew cycle and humongous fermenters are closing the deal. Aside from packaging within the premise, Ommegang has a lab where all products are tested for quality and safety.

rated Italian restaurant, where I enjoyed one of the best Eggplant Parmigiana dinners and Crème brûlée accompanied by excellent attentive service. Reservations are recommended especially on weekends.

During the summer months, a large fire pit is ablaze each Friday behind the brewery and concerts/events are on a regular basis.

Behind the restaurant is “Stage Coach Coffee”- a highly suggested coffee shop featuring delicious sweets such as the home-made Carrot Cake and the Blueberry Bread pudding Soufflé which I both enjoyed. A large roaster graces the backroom, ensuring daily freshly roasted coffee.

In closing, Cooperstown will astonish a visitor as seemingly quaint town in the middle of nowhere yet hosting a whirlwind of attractions, beckoning a desire to return for more explorations!

A short ride outside of town is the famous “Ommegang Brewery.” Belgian breweries Duvel, Affligem, and Scaldis joined with entrepreneurs Don Feinberg and Wendy Littlefield and constructed an authentic Belgian-style farmstead brewery in Cooperstown, housing a Tap House with a 20-tap bar, café, and kitchen, covered patio and gift shop. The exterior design reminds one of a large monastery in typical Belgian fashion. As a connoisseur of Belgian style beer, it is exhilarating in my opinion to have a such a high-level local brewery of this format operating in New York State!

The Tap House is spacious and one can enjoy a flight of beers to try seasonal and year-round options. Ommegang “WITTE” is a typical Belgian “white” beer - yeasty, cloudy, and fruity and one of my favorites.

THREE PHILOSOPHERS is another favorite - a Belgian quadruple ale brewed with Liefmans Kriek Ale.

Blueberry Bread Pudding Soufflé

Brewer Manager Justin

French Frites

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47 December 1 - February 10 Saratoga Springs Anne Diggory: Near and Far. Near and Far presents recent Adirondack paintings and hybrid works along with paintings of Southern France. In a celebration of seeing and painting, she focuses on the magical and sometimes confusing juxtapositions of clarity and mystery in spaces that include the near and the far. An Opening Reception will be held on Friday, December 1st from 6:30 - 8 pm with an Artist Talk on Friday, December 15th at 7 pm. Spring Street Gallery, 110 Spring Street, Saratoga Springs, NY

December 1-24 Ballston Spa Brookside Museum Holiday Market Opening for the Season. This is the 23rd annual market and features only hand made/ hand crafted products created by local artisans. Items include: soaps, lotions, ornaments, jewelry, syrups, scarves, ceramics, hats and much more! “We are very excited to celebrate our 23rd year! This one-ofa-kind shopping experience offers a variety of unique items, making holiday shopping simple. Plus, each item sold supports both SCHC at Brookside Museum and local artisans!” remarked Beth Silvestri, Museum Retail Manager. The Artisan Market is held at SCHC @ Brookside Museum, 21 Fairground Ave., Ballston Spa, NY 12020. www.brooksidemuseum.org/news December 1 Glens Falls Saints in the City. A Bruce Springsteen Tribute Band. Saints In The City was founded in 2014 by Tom Visconti (drums) and Christopher Duval (sax & keyboards) stemming from their love for Springsteen's music. The focus of the band was to recreate the music and bring to life some of the most memorable live versions that Bruce fans have come to appreciate! With the dynamic lead vocals of Robert Santa, we will surely please Bruce fans everywhere! In addition, the Saints are musicians who have a wealth of live & touring experience, that includes bassist Johnny Pisano (Willie Nile, Blushing Brides), & keyboardist Matt Kutner.Fri, December 1, 2023. The Park Theater, 14 Park Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801. 518-792-1150 December 1 Saratoga Springs Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy Present: A Celtic Family Christmas. Friday, December 01, 2023. Christmas is where the whole concept started, and we are very excited to be traveling as a family again” says Donnell Leahy. “Its a perfect time to travel with the children and bring light and happiness to families and fans across the country.” Award-winning fiddle virtuosos Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy celebrate the holidays with an unforgettable evening of music, dance, and storytelling for the young and the young at heart. Join Natalie, Donnell, and the MacMaster-Leahy kids as they take to the stage for “A Celtic Family Christmas,” their beloved show where they share their favorite holiday music and traditions with audiences. Universal Preservation Hall, 25 Washington Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 December 1-January 14 Clifton Park The Blooming Artist presents Candor, an exhibition featuring a diverse collection of paintings, sculptures, and mixed media works. Experience an eye-catching showcase of creative expression with each work a unique manifesto of the human spirit– both the personal and the universal. Tour the thoughts, emotions, and very essence found within the frames or contained within the forms, and find yourself connected through a way made only possible through visual art. The Blooming Artist, 675 Grooms Rd, Clifton Park, NY 12065

DECEMBER EVENTS December 2 - January 7 Schuylerville We are excited to officially announce the featured artists for our 12th annual juried group show entitled "Upstate Artists" for the 2023 Holiday Season. "Upstate Artists" will run from December 2, 2023 through January 7th, 2024. "Upstate Artists" features a diverse cross section of the Upstate New York arts community. Exhibited work was chosen from 130 entries in response to an Open Call for Submissions to local artists. Please join The Laffer Gallery and our selected artists for an opening reception on Saturday, December 2nd from 5pm until 8pm for an opportunity to meet the artists and view their amazing work. Juror’s Awards: Three Artists will be selected by juror Robert Gullie for a group exhibition at The Laffer Gallery during the 2024 season.

The Laffer Gallery, 96 Broad St, Schuylerville, NY December 2 Saratoga Springs The 2nd Annual Artisans Christmas Market presented

by Ladylily’s Place. Shop local and step into the magic of the season at an Artisans Christmas Pop-Up Market in Saratoga Springs scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will include shopping, complimentary coffee and cocoa, cookies and photos with Mrs. Claus, and custom photo cookie ornaments! **Snow Date: Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.** Ladylily’s Place, located at 4300 NY-50 Suite 106 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, will be beautifully decorated for the holidays at this festive event featuring some of the area’s top artisans.

December 3 Troy Grand Opening of J. Gernon Picture Framing & Fine Art, LLC during The Troy Victorian Stroll on December 3 from 11am - 5pm. The artists we will have represented and exhibiting in the gallery are: Robert Moylan, Diane Savino, Sarah Blakeman, Steven Hazard, Susan Story, Michael Broad, Julie Branch, Charles Steckler, Brian Cirmo, Michael Bergt, Spring Hofeldt and others. J. Gernon Picture Framing & Fine Art, LLC, 182 River Street, Troy, NY 12180. 518.312.1564 Email: jgernonframing@gmail.com www.jgernonframing.com December 3 Glens Falls WINTER ARTS FESTIVAL. Our well established holiday shopping Winter Arts Festival is a juried arts show featuring local and regional artisans making handmade unique products such as pottery, fiber, jewelry, culinary items, wood, photography, plus much more. Sunday, December 3rd, 2023.

The Arts Festival is free and open to the public. 10am – 5pm. The Queensbury Hotel, Glens Falls NY. For more information, contact LARAC Director, Phil Casabona, festivals@larac.org, 518-798-1144 ext.2 December 3 Troy 2023 Troy Victorian Stroll. Celebrate the holidays at the 41st Annual Troy Victorian Stroll in downtown Troy on December 3, 2023. The Troy Victorian Stroll typically features people dressed in Victorian period attire, live musical performances, shopping discounts, and more family fun.

It has long been a heartwarming tradition for thousands of local families and visitors from all over the region. This year, the event will be held on December 3, 2023, from 11:00am-5:00pm. In addition to festive attractions and activities throughout the community

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DECEMBER EVENTS December 3, 16, 23 Saratoga Springs CAFFÈ LENA PRESENTS: Darlingside at Spa Little Theater with opener Field Guide. Sunday December 3, 7 p.m. Spa Little Theater. Known for layered harmonies and intelligent songwriting, Darlingside combines classical, baroque folk-pop & rock into a dynamic live show.

An Evening with Caitlin Canty. Saturday December 16, 8 p.m. Caffè Lena Singer /songwriter Caitlin Canty carves a line through folk, blues, and country, with songs NPR describes as having a “haunting urgency.”

Nefesh Mountain. Saturday December 23, 8 p.m. Caffè Lena “A Masterclass in string music, A Powerhouse Unit” – Rolling Stone Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 All tickets at: https://www.caffelena.org/live-events/

December 4,5,11,12,18,19 Glens Falls Art Classes at the Tom Myott Gallery. Observational Drawing for Beginners (18 and older) 12/4 7:30-9:00 pm, 12/11 6:00-7:30 pm, 12/18 6:00-7:30 pm Acrylic Painting for Beginners (18 and older) 12/5, 12/12, 12/19 6:00-8:00pm.

Location: Shirt Factory Suite 102 - 71 Lawrence St. Glens Falls, NY 12801.

Registration and class info at www.tmyottart.com December 6 - January 28 Schenectady Bear and Bird Gallery Carve and Repeat: A selection of block prints. A variety of beautiful and interesting block prints have been selected for this exhibition, which range in price and are excellent for gift giving. Featuring work from Heartell Press, Brian Reedy, Rani Ban, Horse and Hare, Katharine Watson and Burdock & Bramble.

Subject matter includes pop culture, whimsical and botanical images. On exhibit December 6 January 28, 2023. Bear and Bird Gallery, 160 Jay St M, Schenectady, NY 12305.

Call or Text: 518-227-1145 December 7 Albany Meet & Greet Vincent Management Group. Join us for Happy Hour and meet CEO, Anita Vincent. Dr Vincent is a Nationally Recognized Speaker, Consultant and Author.

December 7th 4:00pm - 6:00pm. Recently featured in 518 Profiles, and Lifestyles Magazine, Vincent Management Group is a licensed employment agency and healthcare staffing agency with locations throughout the United States.

RSVP Required 518-424-9070 69 State Street, Albany, NY

December 8 Saratoga Springs Winter Wonderland Weekend Art Market. Come see and shop at our Winter Wonderland Weekend Art Market where we will have live music, art workshops, hot chocolate and mulled cider, and more! Friday, December 8th from 4pm-8 pm. Saratoga Arts, 320 Broadway Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

December 8 Saratoga Springs 2023 Tang Holiday Bazaar. The Tang Student Advisory Council invites you to the annual Tang Holiday Bazaar on Friday, December 8, from 3:30 to 5:30 pm. Dozens of Skidmore students will be selling a variety of wares, including art, jewelry, clothing, pottery, and more! If you are a Skidmore student interested in selling at the Bazaar, apply via this Google form. Contact Dinah Luomanen dluomanen@skidmore.edu, Tang Bazaar Coordinator, for more information.

December 8, 3:30 PM. Location: Atrium and Payne Room. This event is free and open to the public.Tang Teaching Museum & Art Gallery, 815 N Broadway Saratoga Springs, NY December 9 Saratoga Springs 8th MIND BODY SOUL EXPO. Come Celebrate the New Moon with us!! Healing and Meditation Room, Essential oils, Crystals, Handcrafted jewelry with healing properties, Holistic Practitioners, Organic/Vegan products, Skincare, Weight management, Reiki, Live Music, Spirituality, Fitness, Nutrition, Psychics, Mediums, Tarot readers, Local Artisans, Live performances , Local Saratoga businesses, Free samples and much much more!! Saturday, December 9, 2023 Mind Body Soul Expo, 10a-6p Saratoga Springs City Center

December 10 Saratoga Springs Christmas Oratorio Tea. Join Nacre Dance Group at the Universal Preservation Hall Sunday, December 10 for a holiday tea with treats provided by Chocolate is Self-Care. Artistic Director, Beth Fecteau will greet the audience, along with some dancers, with a preperformance demonstration as you dine! Sunday, December 10, 2023. 1 p.m. performance – Tea Time begins at 12 p.m. 5 p.m. performance – Tea Time begins 4 p.m. Universal Preservation Hall, 25 Washington Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 December 14 Glens Falls Caity & The Gallaghers. An indie folk singer songwriter based in Albany, NY, Caity Gallagher’s rootsy compositions and lilting vocal lines serve to showcase intimate lyrics that tell universally relatable stories. Likened to a modern combination of The Cranberries and Jackson Browne, Caity elevates melodic, lyrical, and emotional expression in her music, with each song aiming to map the endless meandering paths of the human experience.Thu, December 14, Showtime 7:30 PM The Park Theater, 14 Park Street, Glens Falls, NY December 16 Saratoga Springs Saratoga SantaCON 2023. It’s the Capital District’s largest pub crawl .

We are a bunch of Festively Dress Pub Crawlers that make are way through Downtown Saratoga Springs spreading cheer and Christmas spirit. Although Saratoga SantaCON is a fun time, Our goal is to raise funds for the Franklin Community Center. Saturday, December 16th – Registration is at 1:00- 3:00pm Location: The Soundbar (6 Caroline Street, Saratoga Springs NY) or Harvey's Bar & Restaurant (14 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs NY December 28 Cohoes START MAKING SENSE: A TRIBUTE TO TALKING HEADS: If David Byrne is one of the geniuses of modern times, then Start Making Sense is a tribute to genius. The musicians in this 7-10 piece Talking Heads Tribute take pride in faithfully recreating the music of Talking Heads entire career. Together they bring much of the Heads unique live show to the stage, with front man Jon Braun as a spot-on David Byrne, giving you a "once in a lifetime" experience. Prepare yourself for a rockin', funkin', danceable celebration of the new-wave art punk you loved from the 80's !!! Thursday, December 28, 2023. 8:00 PM 11:00 PM. 58 Remsen St., Cohoes NY 12047. 518-434-0776 info@playhousestage.org

TRUST IS MORE THAN OUR NAME. IT'S OUR PROMISE. Ever since we first opened our doors in 1902, we have been committed to helping local families and businesses grow and prosper. They are more than simply our customers. They are also our neighbors, our friends…our community. We strongly believe that when we support our community — through shopping for holiday gifts locally, giving to area nonprofits, or even choosing to feed our families with produce grown nearby — we all win.

Thank you for being a part of this robust community. This holiday season, we hope you’ll consider reinvesting in the people and businesses that make our community your home.

We wish you and your loved ones joy and peace through all this winter's festivities.

Your friends at The Adirondack Trust Company

AdirondackTrust.com

© Adirondack Trust Company Member FDIC

INVESTMENT AND INSURANCE PRODUCTS ARE: NOT FDIC INSURED, NOT A DEPOSIT, NOT BANK GUARANTEED, NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL OR STATE GOVERNMENT AGENCY, MAY GO DOWN IN VALUE.

The Laf f er Gallery Open: Thursday - Sunday 12pm - 5pm | 96 Broad St Schuylerville, NY 12871 | 518 - 695 - 3181

Design Consulting

Contemporary Fine Art

Custom Framing

The Laffer Gallery specializes in providing art consulting services to private and corporate clients of all sizes. Owner and director Erik Laffer designs and executes sophisticated and individualized art programs that enhance the physical environments and reflect our clients’ goals.

The Laffer Gallery is a contemporary fine art gallery and custom framing studio showcasing nationally and regionally recognized contemporary artists. Exhibitions ranging from realism to abstraction rotate every 4 to 6 weeks, with opening receptions for each exhibit.

The Laffer Gallery is dedicated to providing our clients and customers with superior quality and service. Located just minutes from downtown Saratoga Springs, NY, and the Saratoga Race Track, we provide services customized to the framing needs of private and corporate clients.

REPRESENTING MORE THAN 100 ARTISTS