FEBRUARY, 2024 - 518 PROFILES MAGAZINE

FEBRUARY 2024 Complimentary

CENTER STAGE

FEBRUARY 2024

From Inspiration to Expression Anne Diggory, Painter

pg. 8 PUBLISHER / FOUNDER Stephanie Sittnick COPY EDITOR Elisabeth Allen WEBMASTER Tony Graveheart

Patricia Finally Got Her Own Room!

“Celebrating Art, Design, the Elegant, and the Unique Since 1996”

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

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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

Donald Glennon, Potter Just a guy who plays with clay! pg. 28

COVER Terri-Lynn Pellegri "Earthly Elegance” - 24”x32” Digital photograph A COMPOSiTion created for LOVE COMPOST Saratoga Collaborative

Did January feel like an eternity for you too? Here we are moving into February. This is the shortest month of the year but always seems to be the longest. Let's hope it doesn't linger or at least maybe we'll get some sort of a break from this wintery weather.

What’s the Name of the Game?

Calling all Gamers and Hobbyists to Flights2

If this cold weather has got you down and you are looking for some indoor fun, read about Donald Glennon, a talented potter who offers small pottery classes right at his shop, or visit Flights2 Game Store & Hobbies where there is something for everyone. The above and much more await inside these pages!

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 52

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ENCORE Sweet Nostalgia That Big Yellow Box of Delicious Mystery

pg. 42

LIFEspa Food is Love

pg. 44

Culinary Destinations: Maine- Portland Culinary Capital - Part 2

pg. 46

February Events Events throughout the Capital Region

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Give the gift of art 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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The Laffer Gallery Fine Art |Design Consulting |Custom Framing

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.

valentine’s day chocolate covered strawberries

As many of you know, The Laffer Gallery closes for the months of January and February so we can plan for the upcoming year and spend quality time with our family.

We will reopen on Saturday, March 2nd at 5pm with a new exhibit and opening reception.

NOTE: We will be available by appointment during this time and we will do our best to accomodate any requests.

THELAFFERGALLERY.COM

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t e e w S Be reats T e v i G Selection to bring you in…

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LATHAM (518)783-0196 TROY (518)274-8277

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Winter Hiatus | January 8 - March 1

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From Inspiration to Expression Anne Diggory, Painter

by Lawrence White

“Anne’s artwork challenges the expectations that define landscape painting.” ...Erin Coe, Hyde Museum Director 2015 – 2017

Anne Diggory is a rebel in the purest sense of the term. She is driven by an unquenchable urge to create, and she is fearless in her quest to do so. Anne mastered her unique style of painting, which can involve photography and digital manipulation while living in Saratoga Springs for the past 47 years and enjoying proximity to the six-million-acre Adirondack National Park.

I met Anne in her Circular Street Victorianstyle home that she transformed into a large studio space with an adjoining gallery room

displaying her current work. The studio space is awash in light from the overcast-sky that filters into the room through the southern exposure windows and is enhanced by the installed artificial lighting over her painting area.

The first things I noticed about Anne are her youthful posture, her relaxed attire meant for movement and comfort, and her hyperactive, yet totally controlled imagination. She moves through the space quickly and assuredly and is very aware of the exact location of every facet of her creative process in the workspace. As we converse, it is apparent that Anne’s assured demeanor and sharp wit are rooted in her deep knowledge base and years of experience.

First artwork sold in 1973

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“Moose River Flow” 9 x 19 Acrylic On Canvas I asked Anne about her childhood and how it influenced her creative talents.

Anne responds, “I started out at West Point where my father was a Major General and instructor, but we moved often. I enjoyed drawing from things in front of me rather than invented scenes.

In elementary school, I learned about color and shape while doing numerous jigsaw puzzles with my older brothers pointing out the variations in the pieces. I attended art classes along the way, but my first thorough education was during senior year at Punahou in Hawaii. A study in art was required to graduate so I learned about close observation, light, and composition, and developed a real passion for art."

art. I was hooked on the magic of making marks that created form and compositions that wove space and volume. My first art sales were prints of the college courtyard and were made at graduation time with my parents watching. My father was very relieved that a career in art could actually be profitable."

With that in mind, I inquired as to how Anne started her professional career. She recalled, "My first art jobs were during college. One summer I created background murals of animal and dinosaur habitats for a nature center in Virginia. Then I worked summers for the Panama branch of the “Diggory Freeze Frame” 24x24 Smithsonian Institution near where my father was stationed in the Panama Canal Zone. I created "Later, when I attended Yale as a math major, I quickly discovered that I drawings of microscopic detail of crab legs and flower parts for scientific didn’t share my fellow students’ passion for math and switched to a articles, as well as animated movies of lizards as they communicated drawing class. There I met my first mentor, William Bailey. He shared his passion through his teaching skills and also shared the idea that the whole world existed so that artists could make

“Surface Tension” 24x36 acrylic on canvas

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“Morning Delight” 10 x 7.75 with other lizards – to show to other lizards and study their response!

Meanwhile, I was making paintings of tropical landscapes.”

“After college, I continued to work for the Smithsonian for a short while and then went with an artist girlfriend to live and travel in Spain and other parts of Europe for five months. We made art and sketched copiously at museums and in the landscapes, developing our own sensibilities and preferences.”

“Upon my return, I visited a friend at Indiana University in Bloomington who was dropping out of the MFA program for personal reasons and encouraged me to apply. I had my slides

“Crane Point” 24x24 hybrid on canvas and sketches with me, applied on the spot, and was accepted. The two years there with other fine painters as students and faculty gave me confidence as a painter. One faculty member encouraged private paintings that you showed no one, to try out very personal work. Others helped push me to use the paint expressively and experiment with different subject matter. I started with paintings of abstracted cornfields and ended up with similarly complex paintings of invented crowds.”

“During the following year in New Haven, I continued with landscapes and invented crowds in the landscape. I taught watercolor in a Yale seminar and taught drawing at the University of New Haven.”

“When we moved to Saratoga Springs in 1977, I worked in the gallery at Skidmore and taught for three semesters. For inspiration, I suddenly had real crowds to paint at the Saratoga Racetrack and The Saratoga Performing Arts Center. For eight summers, those venues provided inspiration. Then in 1986, I made a conscious decision to redirect my summer energies to landscape, interiors, and family imagery.”

“Rainy Start” 10.5x13 Watercolor

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“Adirondack Fireworks” Acrylic On Canvas

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Ann speaking at Spring Street Gallery Anne has an impressive list of exhibitions including over 40 solo exhibitions and 80 group exhibitions. Her first major exhibition was in 1995 in the Albany Center Gallery, and now she regularly exhibits in the Blue Mountain Gallery in New York City.

Anne will have a one-artist exhibition there in December of 2024. Anne recently had a solo exhibition at The Hyde Collection in Glens Falls and the Albany Institute of History and Art. Major commissions include an Adirondack scene for the Upstate Cancer Center in Syracuse and several very large murals for the Adirondack Trust Company in Saratoga Springs and Milton.

The inspiration for her 22-foot high “Flume of the Opalescent” in the stairway of the bank’s downtown branch was inspired by a 19thcentury painting by Alexander Wyant.

Anne has extended her interest in understanding the dynamics of artistic vision by researching and writing about 19th-century painters and the locations that inspired them. Her writings have appeared in the Adirondack Almanac and the Metropolitan Museum Journal. Public artworks include a collaborative commission of artwork for the Saratoga Springs Train Station and a large interactive artwork series for the Albany Institute of History and Art.

Adirondacks. Anne told me, “The Adirondacks provide an amazing variety of motifs seen under constantly changing and challenging weather patterns and lighting. After painting in the area for several decades, the familiarity of the forms makes it easy to feel at home and make a personal statement with the work. I am partial to the fascinating structures of the cliff forms that can set up wonderful rhythmical structures with light or snow and reveal the forces of nature."

"The locations that I have painted the most are ones that are readily accessible with a load of art supplies, either on a day trip from Saratoga Springs or near Saranac Lake. What inspires me is not the location on its own, but the way that the light on that particular day is intriguing or the way that the passing clouds dance with the other elements in view."

At that point, Anne turned and glanced out her studio window as the clouds parted and bright sunlight beamed into the space. "Looks like it is going to be a good day to paint," she exclaimed. Then, with a broad smile, Anne added," But any day is a good day to paint." www.diggory.com Studio open by appointment diggoryanne@gmail.com 518-225-9915

While witnessing Anne speak to a large Adirondack Trust Company mural with Charles Wait gathering at the Spring Street Gallery during her current highly successful Near and Far UPCOMING EVENTS -Sunday, Jan 28 2-4 PM exhibition, it became apparent how impassioned she is about her work.

- Gallery talk and reception - Spring Street Gallery, 110 Spring Street For that reason, I asked about the obvious excitement and harmony she Saturday, Feb 3 2-4PM Artist Open Studio 10-2 173 Circular Street experiences while painting, particularly in the natural environment of the Saturday, Feb 10 2-4PM , Artist Open Studio 10-2 173 Circular Street

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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

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greeting cards gifts

vinyl

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

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fine art restoration

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Patricia Finally Got Her Own Room!

“Celebrating Art, Design, the Elegant, and the Unique Since 1996”

by Rona Mann photos by Stephanie Sittnick

When you’ve moved around a lot especially during childhood you quickly develop an appreciation for those things that are constants in your life like old-fashioned values and good parents who can make even the simplest of everyday things seem special.

Patricia Greenwood was born in the Midwest, one of seven children, so there was always sibling pandemonium, and privacy was a muchcherished but rare occurrence. Greenwood’s father was a journalist with a job that had the family constantly moving all around the United States.

“He was a ghostwriter for politicians, a press secretary at one time for a senator, and because of that, my brothers and sisters and I got to see a lot of the country, but we never stayed in one place long enough to make friends.”

Even though her father’s profession would appear at first blush to seem lucrative when there’s a family of nine to feed and clothe money is always tight. Fortunately, Patricia’s mother was resourceful and also instinctively talented. She would buy inexpensive used furniture from the second-hand store down the road then dress it up by antiquing it. “My mother never knew what modern was, but it never mattered. I was always interested in what she was doing because that’s how I grew up. I didn’t resent it, I liked having special things, things my friends at school didn’t have, and because my mother created them, it was special indeed.”

One of those “special things” was a Madame Alexander doll that Patricia received one Christmas. Madame Alexander came from a company of collectible dolls founded way back in 1923, and Greenwood loved everything about her new treasure, but when she brought the doll into school to show off to the other girls, they made fun of her because it wasn’t brand new

or a Barbie. Still, these incidents didn’t sting Patricia; she loved all the gifts her mother made because of the time and talent it took and because they were unique and one-ofa-kind.

Greenwood wasn’t sure what she wanted to do with her life... so she happily did a whole bunch of things, learning about a myriad of subjects throughout her growing-up years and soaking up knowledge whenever and wherever she could. When the family lived at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia, it brought out the young girl’s spirit of adventure and discovery. “The woods were our backyard, and I love

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categorizing all things in nature that I found outdoors in my wanderings. At one point I even thought I might like to be a botanist when I grew up. I loved animals as well and devoured encyclopedia volumes about cats, dogs, and horses all before I turned 12.”

Following graduation from high school, Patricia first pursued accounting and secretarial work, then in 1977 she was given an opportunity to go to Washington, D.C. and lived on Capitol Hill. This gave the curious young woman access to some of the best museums in the country. “Every Saturday I would walk to the Smithsonian or other museums and spend hours there. I also went to acting school at night and took dance. In 1979 she moved to New York State and entered SUNY Brockport (“sight unseen”) where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in theatre. “I did a lot of set work, and it was there I found myself. Building, decorating, art, and design, That’s what makes me tick.”

A subsequent move to the Capital District of New York and Greenwood secured a job in the library at Union College where she subsequently attained a Master’s in English. Now the young woman was turning her interests toward her DNA, to the things she grew up with, the art of collecting and restoring beautiful things as her mother had done, first piquing her interest so many years ago. Greenwood started putting things together: vintage, antique, even retro. What defines these terms can differ according to authorities on the subject, but most agree that “antique” refers to a work of art, pieces of furniture, or a decorative object with an age of at least 100 years, while Merriam-Webster defines “vintage” as 20 years older or more and specifically belonging to the era in which it was made. “Retro” is a term largely thrown around and applies to almost any object out of style or outdated but one that has been “much-loved.”

Greenwood first began selling at local flea markets, then she morphed into plying

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her wares at outdoor shows before moving to a multidealer center. It is here that Patricia found what she had been searching for most of her life, and for the last 28 years, her shop called Patricia’s Room in the Jay Street Marketplace in Schenectady reflects what her life’s experience, her interests, and her passion have been. It is a culmination of the little girl in Iowa proudly displaying her Madame Alexander doll, the “discoveries” in the

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woods at the Blue Ridge foothills, the art of acting and dance married with the desire to write. Patricia Greenwood is a multi-faceted woman who never stops researching and learning, whose shop is a reflection of her life’s experience.

Although she has her own space, Pat is not there every day. “I don’t want to sit around waiting for people to come in. I prefer they make appointments online so I know what they’re looking for specifically. There’s a link to my store on Chairish and I also display vintage jewelry on Etsy.

Not everything is expensive. Yes, I have fine art, collectibles, and furniture, but the number one thing for me is it has to be different and of high quality.”

Patricia Greenwood’s come a long way from the little girl in Iowa sharing a bedroom with her sisters, but she has learned so much along the way. And now, after 28 years of showcasing what she loves, she invites you to make an appointment for an adventure, and come along and see what’s in Patricia’s Room. It’s an homage to the past when furniture, jewelry, and clothing were crafted more carefully and lasted a lot longer. When we didn’t have a throwaway society who would keep something for a season or two and then move on. Patricia’s Room is a true celebration: a celebration of art, design, the elegant, and the unique, and has remained that way for 28 years, reflecting the passion, the energy, and the talent of the woman who built it. It is an homage of appreciation for beautiful and unique things of the past and for people like Patricia who know the worth and joy of a Madame Alexander doll that’s been lovingly restored to its original charm.

As Peter Allen and Carole Bayer Sager penned in 1974

“Don’t throw the past away You might need it some other rainy day Dreams can come true again When everything old is new again.”

Contact Patricia Greenwood by phone or email: (518) 396-7512; patriciasroom398@gmail.com

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Golem, 2022, Screenprinted Installation

Nathan Meltz The Utopia Machine January 24 - February 24. 2024 Artist’s Reception: Saturday, January 27th, 4:00 - 6:00 PM 1 Lower Amherst Street Lake George, NY 12845 518-668-2616 www.lakegeorgearts.org

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FEBRUARY HIGHLIGHTS

ALEKSI CAMPAGNE

BRIGHT SERIES: JOY CLARK

DAN BERN

CRYS MATTHEWS BHM TOUR

MARK & JILL WITH ERIN HARPE COUNTRY BLUES DUO

CHRISTINE LAVIN

JONATHAN GREENE HEATHER PIERSON ALBUM RELEASE TRIO

THE GIBSON BROTHERS BAND

MARY FAHL

EMILIO SOLLA AND ANTONIO LIZANA

LARRY & JOE

ALEXIS P. SUTER BAND

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 23

LIVE MUSIC • OPEN MICS • WORKSHOPS/JAMS SCHOOL OF MUSIC • LIVE STREAMING FOLK BLUEGRASS AMERICANA JAZZ ROOTS BLUES INSTRUMENTAL ROCK CELTIC SINGER/SONGWRITER CLASSICAL 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs NY caffelena.org | 518.583.0022

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Why the Everson?

With a collection of over 10,000 works of art, classes and activities for all ages, and events that engage and inspire, there is something at the Everson for everyone!

Learn more at everson.org.

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Donald Glennon, Potter Just a guy who plays with clay!

by Carol St.Sauveur Ferris photos by Stephanie Sittnick Retirement is a time many people look forward to but are often ill-prepared for. Financial security aside, the loss of fulfilling work and endless time on your hands can make it a challenge to find purpose again. Fortunately, that is not the case for retiree, Donald Glennon whose accidental second career is thriving. In fact, he is busier than ever these days creating beautiful pottery and teaching others how to play with clay.

Glennon was born and raised on Van Vranken Avenue in Schenectady, New York. He attended Yates Elementary, Oneida Middle, and Schenectady High School. He was an artistic child who excelled in drawing and painting, probably inheriting some of that talent from his father who could draw really well. Although he had a serious interest in agriculture and religion, a high school teacher encouraged him to pursue the arts which he did.

Following high school, Glennon attended the Art Institute of Boston, a three-year diploma school that prepared its students for many of the professional art trades including illustration, graphic design, and fashion. He soaked it up taking classes in sculpting, painting, and interior design. He graduated in 1969, and at the age of 23, headed to Brooklyn, New York rather than back to Schenectady because a cousin lived there. He thought it might be a bit of an adventure and

it was. An adventure that lasted 30-plus years!

Glennon quickly landed his first job with Federated Department Stores at Abraham and Straus in Brooklyn and later worked at their Queens store as well. He rose through the ranks, building a long and rewarding career as a decorator and store planner, eventually leading a great team of 42 talented people responsible for all interior store decor and seasonal window displays. He’s especially proud of the fact that their spectacular Christmas window displays were often photographed and appeared in industry and market publications.

According to Glennon, he absolutely loved his job. “I loved going to work. When it was Friday I couldn’t wait for Monday!”

Unfortunately, life abruptly changed for Glennon in 1993. His father's health was declining and his parents desperately needed his help.

He requested a transfer to a Jordan Marsh store closer to their home, which was also owned by Federated Department Stores, so he could continue working while helping them. It was a long wait, and he had to take a pay cut, but the transfer finally came through - just not in time for

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his father who passed away three days before Glennon was set to move back to Schenectady.

He moved back anyway because his mother’s health was also declining and sadly, within two years, she passed away as well.

Now with his life completely uprooted and going in a direction that was never planned, Glennon began looking for something else to do besides being a store decorator and remembered the portfolio of one of his Jordan Marsh Christmas hires from years ago. It showcased the individual's beautiful pottery and left a

lasting impression on him. He decided that now was a good time to pursue a new dream and just go for it.

To that end, he signed up for pottery classes at Skidmore College, and by 2004, Glennon took an early retirement from Federated and never regretted the decision. Bitten by the ‘clay bug’ as he describes it, he then took classes at Hudson Valley Community College and many more classes over a period of six years at Northeast Ceramics under the direction of Barbara Reeley in Troy, New York.

Today he owns Dragonfly Pottery where he creates his signature Art Nouveau-styled pieces and sells them in the old storefront on the first floor of his childhood home

where he still lives. The building on Van Vranken Avenue literally has a sweet past, once housed an ice cream shop owned by his grandfather and later a bakery owned by his mother. Sadly, the space sat empty for many years until Glennon began to display and sell his pottery from some of the old display cases. Now it also houses a small studio that holds four potters’ wheels, a kiln, and all the supplies needed for him to teach small-sized pottery classes and workshops which he loves to do. And if that wasn’t enough, this septuagenarian teaches pottery classes at The Blooming Artist in Clifton Park, New York every Tuesday and Thursday.

So what exactly inspires his work, and how does he approach each piece he creates? According to Glennon, he is inspired by the earth and nature

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in general. When he sees something that captures his attention, he will photograph it for future reference. If it is a botanical, for instance, he will shoot it up close and from many angles to record all the details.

Back in the studio, he will draw a design on paper from his reference photographs, working out all the nuances that will come into play for the final piece while adding in details and eliminating some as he sees fit. Next,

he transfers that design to a sheet of clear plastic by tracing it with a magic marker.

Once traced, he lays the plastic over the clay that he has already shaped into the approximate size of a vase or vessel, then punches holes

through the plastic into the clay with a special needle-like tool. The punched holes create a dotted outline of the design directly on the piece.

He then lightly drags the same needle-like tool through the marks and connects the dots.

And now with the outline clearly drawn, Glennon begins to sculpt the clay by very carefully carving

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and removing it bit by bit to reveal his delicate design. If he removes too much by mistake, the clay is very forgiving and allows him to add some back and resculpt as needed. But despite it being forgiving, it is a painstaking process and often a very tiring one, especially for a potter’s arms and back which need a break. When he feels the fatigue creeping, Glennon will simply spray the piece with water, cover it with plastic and a cloth so it won’t dry out, and return to it the next day.

Once the carving is completed, which takes 1820 hours on average, Glennon then covers it loosely with plastic and lets it dry very slowly to avoid cracking, and when thoroughly dry, he sands it lightly with a scrubby before placing it in his kiln to fire for at least eight hours. After firing, the piece must cool for at least a day then Glennon applies different glazes to add color and details. When satisfied with the glaze application, he carefully places the piece back in the kiln for another 12-14 hours then lets it cool down slowly to avoid crazing and cracking.

Once cool, it is finished and ready for sale although sometimes he might burnish it with gold or silver to highlight some more delicate details.

So why the name Dragonfly Pottery? To start, as a child Glennon loved to draw dragonflies but not your everyday dragonfly. His had tentacles, strange wings, multiple antennae growing out of their heads, and any other appendage he could think of. Now, fast forward 50 years or so, and one day a dragonfly suddenly zips through a classroom window where Glennon is taking a pottery class and literally lands right on the bowl he was sculpting at the time. Not only does the insect land on it, but its body and wings completely stick to the surface of the wet clay making it impossible for it to move. Glennon knew there was no chance he could remove the dragonfly and save it, so he took it as a sign that his life had come full circle, and it was meant to be there. Thankfully the insect succumbed pretty quickly and after firing in the kiln, its imprint was left perfectly intact and forever on that bowl, thus inspiring the name - Dragonfly Pottery.

Today, Glennon still sculpts a few items with the dragonfly as part of the design which sells out very quickly. His special mugs feature a dragonfly forming the handle with its wings embracing the rim of the mug, and his bowls often feature one delicately perched on the outside surface.

Once a year Glennon does a show in Troy, New York sponsored by the Clay Guild. Forty to fifty potters participate. He used to do more shows

but they are labor intensive, not just to create all the pieces for sale, but they’re lots of work to set up as well. Glennon simply can’t do what he used to do nor does he want to anymore, but he loves clay and looks forward to getting up every day to teach and create.

“I’m very happy where I am, and who knows what’s next to come?”

We can’t wait to see but hope there’ll be a few more dragonflies too!

To view and purchase Donald Glennon’s pottery or attend his classes, visit his studio at 1847 Van Vranken Avenue in Schenectady, New York, Wednesday through Saturday from 1-6:30 PM or call (518) 377-7812 to schedule an appointment. His pottery can also be purchased at The Blooming Artist in Clifton Park, New York.

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American Art at the Arkell Museum &SJF #PVMFWBSE $BOBKPIBSJF /: t t BSLFMMNVTFVN PSH t .JOVUFT GSPN /:4 5ISVXBZ * FYJU

Winslow Homer, Watching the Breakers – A High Sea, 1896

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What’s the Name of the Game?

Calling all Gamers and Hobbyists to Flights2

By Rona Mann Photos by Stephanie Sittnick Remember that ABBA song, “”What’s the Name of the Game?” It hit the ground running in 1977 and shortly thereafter, hit the top of the charts where it remained for a long time.

Dave Sheedy was born in 1976 and likewise hit the ground running. It wasn’t long before he too was destined to hit the top of the charts with the Capital District’s top game and hobby store, and he hasn’t relinquished that spot yet. Chances are slim it will ever happen. This is his story.

Little Dave Sheedy did not start off in life with dreams of running a successful business. While his friends talked about becoming sports stars, rock singers, or astronauts, Sheedy had but one goal: he wanted to run a backhoe tractor! From his earliest years, he was simply motivated by nearly everything he saw, touched, or attempted, and thus wound up in the unique position of being “a jack-of-all-trades and master of a few,” he laughs.

The one constant in Dave Sheedy’s life was wisdom garnered from his father who told him, “You can do anything you want in life if you just put your mind to it.” So from the time Dave was in school, he wouldn’t rest until he got what he wanted, and he did that by learning all he could, persevering, and ultimately coming out a victor on the other end.

The neighborhood kids had radio-controlled cars, and Sheedy wanted one desperately. He hounded his parents until they challenged him by having him earn it with monetary rewards for grades: so much for an A, so much for a B, and so on. Although Dave wasn’t thrilled with the first one he was afforded at Radio Shack, his eyes were set on more sophisticated, “professional-level” vehicles in the future.

Next on Sheedy’s “growth chart” came the Boy Scouts, an experience he quickly describes as “teaching me more in life than any school ever

did.” Dave worked hard acquiring skills finally attaining the coveted Eagle Scout rank, the highest achievement in Boy Scouts of America, one that only 4% of scouts ever earn. “It was at Boy Scouts that I met a new friend playing BattleTech, a board game with giant robots in armored combat. Dave eagerly learned the rules of the game and was quickly hooked by this fascinating game of strategy and luck. This was soon followed by his total immersion in Lord of the Rings and Dungeons and Dragons. “I was an avid reader as a kid,” Dave says, “and devoured every fantasy novel I could get my hands on.”

Now a teenager, Sheedy wanted to make money of his own and found opportunity as a “Boy Friday” for a man who collected and sold baseball cards at mall shows. “I helped him organize the cards, unload his vehicle, bring everything into the mall, set it up, and it was there I found I had a really good head for business.” So good, in fact, that his grandmother joked, “Dave could sell a raincoat and rubber boots to a duck in a rainstorm.” In truth, it wasn’t all that much of a joke. Sheedy not only excelled at sales but also the interactions with people. Perhaps that was the beginning, but

first came Boy Scout camp and the unearthing of a whole new talent.

It was during a summer spent at Rotary Scout Reservation, the BSA camp in Averill Park when the adult director of the commissary threw up his hands and walked out amid the pressure of cooking and delivering to so many.

Dave merely stepped up and told those in authority, “I can do this, give me a shot.” The administration had little to lose so they took the then-15-year-old at his word, and suddenly a whole reservation of hungry young men were being fed and fed well. That led later in

Store mascot, “BobToo”

life to becoming assistant manager of a Subway franchise while still in school and while still working the malls for the baseball card guy, then serving for nearly three decades in area restaurants and country clubs.

All this “achieving” made Sheedy money and allowed him to explore and perfect talents of which he was not even aware, but one he knew he had was gaming. In 2017, he rekindled his old interest in games and hobbies and returned to Flights of Fantasy as an adult after having played there religiously 20 years ago. Owner, Maria Terry was still at the helm, and they

happily renewed an old friendship. He and his friends had always enjoyed the atmosphere, inventory, and selection at this popular store which had been part of the Capital District landscape for nearly 30 years. Dave had worked there for a time, knew Maria well, and knew she was looking to retire, as he had ideas of his own for improving business. He found a “silent partner” in one of his close friends, and together they decided that they would pool their resources and buy the store and everything in it... including the store mascot, “BobToo,” the cat. Then came the pandemic which put things to a halt for a bit but post-

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pandemic Dave and his partner made Maria an offer and immediately changed the focus and primary retail drive to “Magic: The Gathering Card Game.”

but Tuesday, and you can check their website, Instagram, or Facebook for more details.

The partners spent the time completely remodeling the store specifically moving most of the retail to the back of the store, freeing up the front for game playing ranging from traditional card and board games to role-playing as well as creating space for the very popular tournaments.

In short, the newly named Flights2 Games and Hobbies is all about an active in-store “community,” and that, Sheedy says, “is what makes us the last remaining hobby shop with the best collection in a 1000-mile radius of Albany… that’s been confirmed.”

“We are not a store that you come to and browse for a few minutes. We are truly a destination,” Sheedy says. “People come here to shop then stay for the smiles, laughs, and camaraderie. “

He’s scratching a pretty big surface, but when asked what Flights2 has in-store for that happy community, he bursts forth with “No video games, but lots of MTG, Tabletop, Trading Cards, Drones, Helicopters, Radio-Controlled Cars and trucks in all sizes, Pokemon, Vintage Windup Toys, Tonka Trucks, and Transformers, Cabbage Patch and Barbie dolls, and nightly fun and upcoming tournaments.” Flights2 is open every day

The man, Dave Sheedy has together with his partner, reinvented a vibrant, popular business for the Capital District. But the young boy in Dave Sheedy, the 47-year-old Peter Pan who no doubt will still be playing games till he rolls his last “1” on a D20 is doing just fine, thank you. His business is a serious one, but never does he forget that his customers who are all his friends, care first and foremost about kicking back and having fun.

Certified chef, Boy Friday, construction worker, restaurant manager and chef, restoration worker of historic homes, snowboard instructor, well-known gamer, and well-liked local guy who’s still looking for a duck in a rainstorm or that backhoe tractor he never had a chance to run.

Dave Sheedy’s still flyin’...and he invites everyone to c’mon along and join in at a place where you can use your imagination and find great games, friends, and adventures.

Flights2 Game Store & Hobbies, 381 Sand Creek Road, Albany (518) 435-9337 www.flights2gamestore.com

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43

That Big Yellow Box of Delicious Mystery

by Karen Richman

Ah, February. What is there to do? It’s gray outside, it’s cold. I’m bored!

“I want to do something!”

You could hear my wailing all over the house for nearly the whole month even during midweek vacation. In those years there was no Disney to visit like every other family, and even if there had been, my folks didn’t have that kind of money, so even vacation week joined the rest of what I deemed a miserable month.

aahing over the two-aunt onion dip collaboration. So we two naughty cousins ferried the box into another room and started switching candies. Mac pretended he was playing checkers and would “jump” some of the pieces. I didn’t have a strategic plan other than switch ‘em around to where I thought they looked good. The boredom disappeared, the fun had begun! We not only managed to get the box back into the room and place it on the dining room table with the other goodies but now let the games begin!

Right smack in the middle of winter after the holiday bills and letdown of January but too early to even lie about maybe seeing a crocus, here comes February. You might have blizzards or there could be a warming trend. You never know. February toys with us, tearing at our heartstrings and making promises, and seems to enjoy the activity of it all. Oh sure, there’s Presidents’ Day (used to be two holidays off from school, now just one) and Valentine’s Day, but we knew that a week before Christmas the big box stores would start loading in those big red satin hearts full of candy. They ranged from 10 oz. if you only like her a little, to 36 oz. if you were madly in love enough to drive her to the dentist after all the nougats, molasses chews, caramels, and nuts.

What my parents finally came up with and proposed to the other relatives was to have a small party on a Sunday afternoon in February.

Everyone would bring something, usually leftover fruitcake they had received for Christmas that hadn’t even been opened yet. There was no rhyme or reason to the menu. Some brought a bag of pretzels and that was that. Aunt Frieda brought a box of Lipton Onion Soup and told Aunt Carla, the other miserly spinster to bring sour cream, and they’d make a dip for the chips. Yippee. But there was one bright light in this whole basket of DNA that were my relatives, Uncle Freddy.

Freddy was a bachelor who never had a problem spending money; the only problem was he never made much money. But his trademark contribution to what eventually became an annual rite of “wild partying” on a Sunday afternoon in February was always a big Whitman’s Sampler... more than two pounds of delicious exploration. The box was designed like a sampler with outdated-looking faux cross-stitching no high-dollar bean-to-bar chocolate affair like today, but in those years, the Whitman’s Sampler was the pinnacle of giftable sweets that took the market by storm when it made its debut in 1912. Even during the Great Depression the company never cut back on what was considered to be the best-selling candy in America, even surviving rationing during the world wars. To date, more than one billion Samplers have been sold and it still remains the biggest seller in most drugstores. Forrest Gump said in that famous movie, “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get.” That was in 1994, but the Whitman folks were well ahead of their time...that is until my cousin Mac and I teamed up.

Seems that those who purchased he Whitman’s Sampler always knew what they were going to get because an index of its flavors was printed under the lid with an illustrated flavor key, so you could literally “map” your way to your favorite.

Mac was as bored as I was by these family parties, so one year we put our heads together, and the moment the cellophane came off the Sampler, we went to work. None of the grownups noticed because they were too busy talking about whomever wasn’t there and oohing and

“Hey, “said my Uncle George. “This is supposed to be raspberry cream, but it’s a hard caramel with nuts, and it’s loosening my dentures!”

“Know what?” one of the aunts added, “I just chose what it says is a peanut cluster, but it’s buttercream! Freddy, did you get this box at discount because it’s all wrong?” Uncle Freddy was crushed. He always prided himself on buying first-class retail, no knock-offs. Then a strange thing happened. The other relatives put down what they were eating and headed for the box, each wanting to take his or her turn to see what “treasure” they might uncover. There was laughter and fun as this boring family suddenly came alive!

Each year thereafter until we went off to college, the parties continued, and each year we somehow managed to do our “thing” without anyone catching on. Each year they believed that Uncle Freddy had a place where he bought knock-offs to save money. Yes, it was a mystery to everyone but Mac and me who knew that like a box of chocolates, with families, you never know what you’re going to get.

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45 I’m all about the food on Valentine’s Day. Chocolate covered strawberries mid-day…delivered or hand carried to the studio. A few hours later I’m ready for a little champagne, slightly warmed brie with a fruit chutney, some crusty, homemade bread and some expertly seasoned broccoli rabe, a full bodied cabernet or Super Tuscan, followed by a perfectly cut and grilled steak. Yummmm. Then dessert. Something creamy, decadent and wonderful like creme brûlée or one of my favorites…Sweetheart’s Tart.

I’m not the only person that’s all about the food. Food and Love have been a thing since ancient times. Like many holidays, the origins of the day we set aside to celebrate love are cloudy. Some historians believe the day is named after a Roman saint named Valentine. One legend says Valentine was a physician who fell in love with one of his patients, the blind daughter of an emperor. The emperor called for his execution (due his religious beliefs), so he sent a note to the girl and signed it “Your Valentine.”

The story goes that the blind girl was miraculously healed and read Valentine’s letter, after he died.

There’s another legend that is a much better story about the patron saint of beekeepers, Saint Valentine. Bees = Honey so there’s the food connection.

What about herbs? Basil, lavender, and rosemary are the three herbs most associated with Valentine’s Day. Basil is a traditional symbol of fertility and was often worn by women to signal they were single. The scent of lavender is not only relaxing, it is said to be an aphrodisiac. Rosemary has long been a symbol of love, and was frequently used in wedding bouquets during the Middle Ages.

Do you love wine? That “warm” feeling you get after drinking a glass of wine has been compared to the euphoria you feel when you’re in love.

Strawberries are known aphrodisiacs. Strawberries were considered the symbol of Venus (the goddess of love) because of their bright red color and enticing taste.

Honey has been a symbol of love and affection since ancient times. In ancient Greece, honey was considered a symbol of happiness. It was customary to present a jar of honey to a loved one as a gift to express love and affection. The tradition of giving honey as a gift has continued through the ages, and even today, honey is still a popular gift for Valentine’s Day. The tradition of giving honey as a gift has a rich history and is steeped in symbolism. In ancient times, honey was a rare and valuable commodity, and it was considered a luxurious gift. The sweet and golden color of honey is compared to the warmth and light of love. The gift of honey was seen as a way of wishing good health, happiness, and long life to a loved one.

Here’s the better story about Saint Valentine: It is believed that St. Valentine performed secret marriages to help Christian couples escape the persecutions of the Roman Empire. St. Valentine was also said to be a protector of beekeepers, and it was believed that he could bring good luck to the hives and ensure a good honey harvest.

Do you know where the word “Honeymoon” originated? In Babylon, newlyweds were given a month’s worth of honey to help facilitate their happiness and fertility. As a matter of fact, the word “Honeymoon” originated from the fact that newlyweds would drink mead, a sweet alcoholic beverage made from honey, for a month after their wedding. The honeymoon was seen as a time for the couple to celebrate their love and start their life together, and it was believed that the honey would help to sweeten their marriage and bring them good luck.

Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to celebrate love and affection with the sweet and symbol-rich gift of honey. Take it up a few notches and make your Valentine’s Day celebration even sweeter by trying this delicious FACES of Saratoga, 55 Beekman Street, Saratoga Springs, NY www.triLift.com www.facesofsaratoga.com

Recipe for Sweetheart’s Tart: • • • • • • • • • • •

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and diced 1 egg yolk 2 tablespoons ice water 1/2 cup honey 1/2 cup heavy cream 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 3/4 cup raspberries 1/4 cup powdered sugar for dusting

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt.

2. Add the diced butter to the bowl and use a pastry cutter to cut it into the flour mixture until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

3. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk and ice water.

Add the mixture to the flour mixture and stir until the dough just comes together.

4. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface and transfer it to a 9-inch tart pan. Trim the edges and prick the bottom of the crust with a fork.

5. In a small saucepan, heat the honey, heavy cream and vanilla extract over low heat until well combined. Pour the mixture into the prepared crust.

6. Arrange the raspberries on top of the honey mixture.

7. Bake the tart at 375°F for 30-35 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is set.

8. Allow the tart to cool completely and dust with powdered sugar. Slice and enjoy.

46

CULINARY DESTINATIONS: Maine - Portland Culinary Capital - Part 2

By Chef Armand Vanderstigchel

In my previous 518 Profiles article, I described my summer journey to the coast of Maine. Contently, I scheduled another trip for the early winter months to focus on Maine encompassing the off-season, since it rewards the adventurous traveler with lower lodging fares and shorter waits at restaurants.

Entering the southern tier on Maine, is the town of Wells, conveniently near the popular towns of Ogunquit and Kennebunkport.

resides in Maine, we head to Portland, Maine to explore the city ranked as one of the top food cities in America. The prestigious James Beard awards have been putting Portland, Maine on the map, awarding Portland’s rising star chefs for decades.

In 2018, Bon Appétit awarded Portland the best restaurant city in the USA. The abundance of local Clams, Oysters, Mussels, Fish, and Lobster, arriving fresh off the boats daily to supply locally owned restaurants, induce first-hand quality for the chef operators. Local farms, breweries and fabulous coffee shops/bakeries tie into the big picture forming this cohesive pact of support and charm to attract locals and visitors alike.

Our first stop is on Middle Street to visit Miccucci Grocery, a fantastic little Italian market famous for their “Sicilian Slab” pizza, loved by Pizza critic and Saratoga resident Dave Portnoy. It has a great selection of everything Italian and hard to find Sicilian wines.

I initially was very interested in visiting the popular restaurant Duckfat across the street, known for its Belgian Duck-fat cooked Fries, but the small venue was packed. Down the street is Oyster bar Eventide.

This popular venue underscores

Lafayette Oceanfront resort A great value is to be had, lodging at the Lafayette Oceanfront resort, a motor-inn offering rooms with direct views and access to the beach.

During off-seasons an ocean-front room only runs around $100 a night. I found the rooms very clean, convenient, and efficient. The soothing sound of the ocean waves at night directly under the balcony were relaxing and a sleep curative after a long drive.

The following morning, after a delightful evening of a traditional New England style Thanksgiving dinner cooked by Scott Varley’s Mom, who “Sicilian Slab”

Micucci pizza crew

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Oyster selections

Eventide Oyster Co. on the original. House smoked Mussels – a daily special-was another great choice of buttery Mussels, lightly smoked with a Remoulade sauce.

House Smoked Mussels Via Vecchia is another great find on Dana Street.

The Italian inspired restaurant is in an iconic brick and Ivy covered building overlooking cobble stone streets and very popular by locals and visitors. The large wrap around bar surrounded by luxurious velvet booths was our final stop of the evening. The extensive cocktail program here is impressively executed. For appetizers we ordered the Pizzette “Central Street," adorned with Italian Sausage, Pickled hot pepper, Mozzarella, and whipped Ricotta.

A skillet of house-made meatballs alongside the

For entrees the Casco Bay Battered Pollock was super Tuna Crudo New England Clam Chowder crispy with a velvety flaky inside, straight from what the Portland restaurant scene is all about the local boats and deliciously dipped in housein terms of farm to table and a sustainable made Tartar Sauce. A dinner approach. The seats on the Oyster bar were -sized bowl of New England available and we decided on an assortment of Clam chowder featuring local Oysters embedded on ice with interesting classic Salt Pork, ingeniously names such as Pink Stripe, Mere PT, Love Pt added strips of Nori Seaand Eros. weed and homemade Saltine Crackers wafers summed The extreme Oyster freshness accompanied by up the brilliance of elevating chopped Horseradish Root was mesmerizing to this classic. the palate. A cocktail of choice was a Twisted Tea-Hanger One Mandarin Orange Blossom, Walking through Portland, black Tea infused Vodka, Lemonade. We folone awaits a treasure-trove lowed with an array of appetizers such as of so many unique artisanal Bluefin Tuna Crudo businesses housed in the with Ginger -Scallion anno 1786 brick buildingsconfit, and a mini– one needs a full week to Lobster Bun with Yuzo explore it all! A recomKosho Mayo. The mended stop visiting is the freshness of the Tuna Holy Donut bakery – one Via Vecchia was delightful and for the bucket list! Famous complimented by the for long lines and unique flavors such refreshing chopped as Pomegranate, Maple Bacon, and Ginger and Scallions. even gluten-free offerings, founder The mini-Lobster bun Leigh Kellis developed a from scratch was succulent and donut made with riced Potatoes in her accented with fresh home kitchen and soon local coffee Lime-a unique twist shops carried her product and the growth turned into her own Demeter location. Indeed, the Donuts are tender, large, and not overly sweet indulgences Casino Imperial upon trying them. Our next Scallops stop was at the Hilton Canopy Hotel situated along the artfully presented Sour Dough bread board waterfront. The Luna Rooftop Bar with house butters was a perfect appetizer share upstairs, offers you a bird’s eye view that hit the spot. of the working waterfront while enjoying an appetizer or a cocktail Before departing Portland, also visit the open such as the Den Mother-Bimini Gin, fired grill “Fore Street Restaurant”-a James Ginger Liqueur, Rosemary, Cranberry Beard winner, recommended and next on my and Lime. list of Portland’s coastal culinary gems!

Luna Rooftop Bar

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49 Month of February Glens Falls

FEBRUARY EVENTS

• NCA Gallery "Imagine" Feb 1-24, art in all media by regional artists. Gallery hours: Thurs. Sat. 12-5pm. info: northcountryarts.org #120, The Shirt Factory, 71 Lawrence St., Glens Falls • NCA's 2nd Fl. Gallery “ Show 1” paintings by Hannah Williams and Anthony Richichi. Exhibited through March, Gallery Hours Mon.-Fri. 8:30-4:30 at City Hall, 42 Ridge St, Glens Falls info: northcountryarts.org • NCA's Member's show at LARAC's Mountain Gallery, Feb.1 - 14 gallery hours: Wed. - Sat. 10-3. LARAC's Mountain Gallery, 21 Bay St. Glens Falls (entrance on Maple St.) • NCA AT THE QUEENSBURY HOTEL Mezzanine Gallery. Feb 1 to March 30, 2024, Winter Exhibition of members art works. 88 Ridge St, Glens Falls, NY. info: northcountryarts.org

February 2 Saratoga Springs Yonder Mountain String Band. Bluegrass music is currently experiencing widespread popularity among mainstream audiences but transforming the vintage sound into music that could gain popular appeal didn’t happen overnight. At 25 years old, Yonder Mountain String Band continues to exist at the forefront of the progressive bluegrass scene as undeniable innovators and pioneers of the modern jam-grass movement.

Friday, February 02, 7:30pm 2024. Universal Preservation Hall, 25 Washington St Saratoga Springs, NY

February 2, 9 & 29 Saratoga Springs Feb 1 -March 2 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

Month of February Cohoes Local award-winning artist Ken Wilson will be hosting palette knife painting workshops at his new studio located in Cohoes, NY, every Thursday, from Jan 11th forward. Zooms are 2nd and third Tuesdays each month. You will learn to paint with palette knife (also brushes) to create dynamic paintings with lots of energy and movement. Ken is also available for private in-person, individual instruction.

To register, please contact Ken at artbyken.kw@gmail.com, or call 518-419-9290. Ken Wilson Studio, 60 Remsen Street, Cohoes, NY!

February 1 - April 18 Queensbury Bruno LaVerdiere. An opening reception with a special presentation by Bruno's son, Julian, will be held on Thursday, February 1st from 5 to 7 p.m. Rites of Passage chronicles LaVerdiere’s career, beginning with his time as an artist-monk in the 1950s and ’60s, following his career to artist-bohemian, artistarchaeologian and, finally, artist-mystic. Featuring dozens of works of art, the exhibition highlights sculpture, drawing and print. The Visual Arts Gallery Dearlove Hall, SUNY Adirondack, 640 Bay Road Queensbury, NY 12804

Bright Series: Joy Clark: Friday February 2, 8 p.m. Rooted in Americana and folk pop, and not afraid to let it rock, singer/songwriter Joy Clark’s music is warm, heartfelt, intimate & hopeful.

Tickets: https://bit.ly/3vo7x3Y Crys Matthews - Black History Month Tour. Friday February 9, 8 p.m.

Activist/singer songwriter Crys Matthews is a “drum major for justice,” tackling heavy topics with powerful lyrics and inspirational music.

Tickets: https://bit.ly/3TVG7Nm Larry & Joe. Thursday February 29, 7 p.m.

Venezuelan-born Llanera musician Larry Bellorín & NC native Joe Troop of the “latingrass” band Che Apalache perform a distinct blend of folk.

Tickets: https://bit.ly/3TU6weu Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs, 47 Phila St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 www.caffelena.org

February 3 - 24 Saratoga Springs Stained Glass Window taught by Kim O'Rourke. You will learn how to design and create a 4" x 6" organic, abstract stained glass window that includes healing stones and crystals. Bring gardening gloves, safety glasses, and wear closed toe shoes. All other materials and tools will be provided for the class. 4 session class, Saturdays, February 3rd24th, 2024 10:00 AM-1:00 PM. $230 member/$266 non-member. 320 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY. 518.584.4132

February 2 Saratoga Springs Uptown: A Celebration of Motown & Soul. With the class of the young Temptations, moves like the Jackson 5 and the energy of Bruno Mars…everyone’s going Uptown! From New York City, the epicenter of contemporary Pop and Soul music, Uptown is a group of men who combine the smooth stylings of R&B with the fresh hits of today. The perfect mix of Bruno Mars caliber stage presence with the vocals of Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye, you have never seen anything like Uptown! Saturday, February 3 2024 at 7:30 PM. Universal Preservation Hall, 25 Washington St Saratoga Springs, NY

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FEBRUARY EVENTS February 3, 9 Albany February Boasts Two Distinct Dance in Albany Performances. The performing arts centers at The Egg and the University at Albany, which jointly present Dance in Albany, are proud to present the next two offerings in the series which will both take place in early February. Monica Bill Barnes & Company will be in the Capital Region for a week-long residency leading up to a performance of The Running Show on Saturday, February 3, 2024 at the UAlbany Performing Arts Center on the uptown University at Albany campus. Italy’s NoGravity Theatre will make its Capital Region debut at The Egg at the Empire State Plaza in downtown Albany on Friday, February 9, 2024 at 8pm. The Running Show is a live, physical documentary about the life of a dancer. The cast, which includes Skidmore students plus other locals for the UAlbany performance, learns choreography and participates in audio-only interviews during the residency. Advance tickets for MBB&Co’s The Running Show are $15 for the general public and $10 for students, seniors and UAlbany faculty-staff. Tickets purchased on the day of the show are $20 for the general public and $15 for students, seniors and UAlbany faculty-staff. UAlbany Performing Arts Center, 1400 Washington Ave, Albany, NY February 7 & 21 Saratoga Springs Art Quilt Techniques with Susan Rivers.

Each class a different subject. $40 per person includes supplies and refreshments. Wednesday evenings 5 - 8 PM 2/7, 2/21, 3/6 - Scan to register.

The Beekman Street Art Space. Available for meetings, classes and exhibits. 79 Beekman Street, Garden Entrance.

Private area in historic building amid artist studios. visit SaratogaArtDistrict.com

February 13 - March 15 Albany Albany Center Gallery (ACG) presents “Bloom”.

This exhibit features the works of several regional artists (stay tuned for artists reveal). From February 13 - March 15, 2024 An Artists’ Reception will be held on Friday, February 16, 2024 from 5 - 8 p.m. “Bloom” is free and open to the public; Tuesday - Saturday, Noon - 5 p.m. Albany Center Gallery, 488 Broadway #107, Albany, NY

February 14 Glens Falls Park Street Hospitality presents “L'amour Provençal - Exploring the Food & Wine of Southern France & the Rhône Valley” at The Park Theater on February 14th, 2024! Join us for a special Valentine's Day wine dinner featuring a 5-course prix fixe menu and handselected wine pairings. Take a culinary journey through Southern France and the Rhône Valley with an extraordinary prix fixe menu curated by executive chef, Matthew J. Delos. Exploring the rich and decadent flavors of the region, this menu is the perfect romantic dining experience! *Prix Fixe Menu & Wine Pairings TBA*Price: $120.00 (+ service fee) Doors: 6pm. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the website or phone the box office at 518-792-1150. The Park Theater, 14 Park Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801 518-792-1150 February 17 - March 16 Ballston Spa "Building Art through Collage" February 17 thru March 16. Entry deadline February 10. This show is open to all forms of collage, any size or materials. Up to 4 pieces per artist. Entry fee $25 per artist *watch for announcement of a special event during this show. National Bottle Museum, 76 Milton Ave, Ballston Spa, NY

February 15 Ballston Spa The Saratoga County History Center at Brookside Museum announces 18th Century Tavern Night. On Thursday February 15 at 6 PM, Brookside Museum is hosting an immersive evening of food, music, and stories. The event, A Night at Aldridge House: An Evening Tavern Experience will encourage participants to step back into the late 18th century.

Opening in 1792, the building that now houses the museum was a hotel that hosted guests to Ballston Spa for over 50 years. Ticket holders will enjoy a night of hearty stew, crusty bread, refreshing cider, and jaunty music. In the spirit of the upcoming holidays, we will hear about George Washington’s visits to our area from local author John Oliver, who will also discuss a secret real estate mission that led our first president to the region. Meals will be served by historical interpreters in 18th century clothing. Tickets are $25 per person, $20 for SCHC members. Tickets are limited and pre-registration is required. www.BrooksideMuseum.org. Friday, February 16 is the snow date for this event. Brookside Museum is located at 21 Fairground Avenue in Ballston Spa February 23 Glens Falls Comedy After Dark. Mike Lebovitz. Mike Lebovitz began his comedy career at the age of six with clowning classes at the local JCC. He's been delighting crowds with his intoxicating brand of wild-eyed humor ever since. Lebo’s irreverent bar-stool philosophy careens from topic to topic like a runaway freight train with dubious couplings.

Audiences have described the experience as “spontaneous,” “joyful’ and “slightly terrifying.”

Fri, February 23, 2024. 18 and over Showtime: 8:00 PM. The Park Theater, 14 Park Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801 518-792-1150 February 26 - March 23 Saratoga Springs Weaving Open Studio. Studio time will be available for students with weaving experience (i.e. can thread a loom and work on their own). Registration covers the sole use of a loom for a 5 week period. Thereafter, if the project is not complete the work will need to be removed from the loom. Limit: 8 students. Open Studio Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00am- 5:00pm Saturdays 12:00-4:00pm. $50 member/ $62.50 nonmember. If you need to purchase yarn, $15 cash can be given to Nancy Sharples. Saratoga Arts, 320 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY. 518.584.4132

February 27 Albany Photographer William Wegman announced as next guest in creative live series. The producers of The Creative Life: A Conversation Series at UAlbany are pleased to announce that artist William Wegman, best known for his portraits of his Weimaraner dogs, will be the next guest in the series on Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at 7pm at the UAlbany Performing Arts Center on the uptown University at Albany campus located at 1400 Washington Avenue. The event is free and open to the public. More information can be obtained by contacting the UAlbany Performing Arts Center at (518) 442-3995 or pac@albany.edu.

February 29 Saratoga Springs Bird in a Barn Sculpture. taught by Cheryl Bielli. Bird in a Barn is a mixed-media relief sculpture involving modeling a bird form from a plant-based compound and assembling a rustic, barnlike framework in which the bird will nestle. Painting and staining are also a part of the process. All materials and tools will be provided for the class. 1 session class, Thursday, February 29th, 2024 10:00 AM-12:00 PM. $45 member/$51 non-member.

Saratoga Arts, 320 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY. 518.584.4132