saratoga living: Design Issue (2019)

*{exclusive! revealing horoscopes with robert risko’s amazing art!}

HONORS Ben Serotta Bicycles T HE CIT Y. THE CU LT U R E. T H E LIFE.

MARCH APRIL 2019

The

Design Issue

special collector’s edition

BY SIMON MURRAY

GraceMirabella Media

BY ROSIE CASE

Michael Fieldman Architecture

BY BEVERLY TRACY

JaneFonda Style

BY RICHARD PéREZ-FERIA

plus

Balenciaga Sonny Bonacio

The Kentucky Derby Jim Morrison Derek Hough Khymanyo Chianti

saratogaliving.com

#SLNY @saratogaliving

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inside

Gnome is where the heart is.

march | april 2019

HONORS 42 Ben Serotta, Bicycles BY

SIMON MU RRAY D O RI F I TZ PATRI CK

PH OTOG RAPHY BY

48 Jane Fonda, Style BY

RICHARD P ÉREZ- FERIA

52 Michael Fieldman, Architecture BY

BY

R OSIE CASE

LINNE A HA RRIS

64 My Saratoga Home 66 Balenciaga’s Beautiful Black Book BY

BILL HE NNING

70 Saratoga Style

BEVERLY TRACY

56 Grace Mirabella, Media BY

58 The Beauty Of Composting

P HOTOG R AP HY BY

BY M ITC H RUSTA D F R A NCE S CO D’A M I CO

74 Window Watcher BY

K A RE N BJO RNL A ND K AT IE DO BIE S

P H OTOG R AP H Y BY

I L LUSTRATI ON BY

R OBERT R I SKO

∂ 78 Water, Water Everywhere BY

WILL LEVIT H

82 The Ski Map Picasso BY

NATA LIE M O O RE

zen ben Ben Serotta is legendary for his custom creations are considered to be the “Lamborghini of bicycles.”

P HOTOG R AP HY BY

DO R I F I TZ PATR I C K

56 BRIDGE STREET

JOHNSONVILLE, NY 12094

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inside march | april 2019

12 Digital 16 MVP 18 From The Editor

74 21 Saratoga By The Numbers 21 #lovewhereyoulive 22 Saratoga Goes Hollywood: Crime Time 24 Skidmore Stars: Emily Lazar 25 Trend City: Succulents 26 Power Player: Sonny Bonacio 28 Hmm...

29 ’Toga Dogs On Insta 29 At The Gate 30 Retrospac: Jim Morrison 31 Today’s Special 70 32 Biz: Old Smoke Clothing, Co. 34 The Races!

35 Outside: Saratoga National Golf Club 36 Social: Insta Chic 38 Tube: Home Improvement TV 40 Decor: Chianti 108

86 Red-Hot Questions For Atlanta Rookie Phenom Kevin Huerter {exclusive} BY BRI EN BO U Y E A I L LUSTRATI ON BY

JO H N DALY

88 Mixed Results: Derby To Travers BY

BRIEN BOU Y E A

90 It’s Never Too Early To Have Triple Crown Dreams BY

MIKE WATCH M AK ER, DAILY RACING FORM

the back 99 Calendar 101 Horse Travel: The Belmont Stakes 104 Beautiful Design 106 Food: Max London’s 108 Drink: The Brook Tavern 110 Saratoga After Dark 127 Play: Crossword Puzzle

the end 128 *Saratogian Of The

Month: Elmer Santiago

(Brook Tavern) DORI FITZPATRICK; (Santiago and window) KATIE DOBIES; (Runway) LISA MILLER

the front

digital the only one saratoga living’ interviewed singersongwriter Melissa Etheridge before her gig at The Egg.

—MELISSA ETHERIDGE

“In 2014, I had a bike wreck in which I dislocated my left ring finger. As a bass player, you need that one.

So, the next night, we had to go to Saratoga Springs, and I was determined to get out ahead of this thing. I took my injured hand and ran it under one of the Saratoga Spa State

ICYMI: Exclusives On saratogaliving.com FIND OUT WHAT THE FAMOUS AND NOTABLE THINK ABOUT SARATOGA. it was a pretty magical experience, so every time I go back now, I try to find the magic again.”

Park’s springs for about ten minutes, and I swear to you, that if it wasn’t for that water, I wouldn’t have been able to play that show that night. For me,

THE NEW R E A D Y. S E T. B E T.

—MATT MANGANO OF ZAC BROWN BAND

“I brought my 15-piece jazz band to Saratoga to the Universal Preservation Hall in 2010.

It’s a great music city.”

—MAX WEINBERG OF BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN’S E STREET BAND

“I’ve been playing the Capital Region for a long time. It’s a lovely part of the country. I’ve always been up there during the spring and fall, which are such idyllic seasons in the area.”

—JEWEL “When I’m at Yaddo, I really have my nose to the grindstone, and I have to resist the siren call of Saratoga Springs so that I can make use of my work time there.”

—SUSAN ORLEAN

JOHN TSIAVIS

“Oh, I love Saratoga. I have a friend in Albany, and we finally went to Saratoga Lake last summer. We went tubing and got caught in a big ole rainstorm. It was really a blast, and it’s just gorgeous up there. I love that whole area.”

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518-371-8888 Criminal Law/ DWI • Residential & Commercial Real Estate • Land Use & Planning National Loss Mitigation & Title • Trusts & Estates • Family & Matrimonial Civil Litigation & Personal Injury • Business & Corporate Cyber Security & Data Privacy • Banking & Settlement Services Albany, NY

Saratoga Springs, NY

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8 Airline Drive, Suite 101 Albany, NY 12205

805 Route 146, Northway 9 Plaza Clifton Park, NY 12065

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Richard Pérez-Feria EDITOR IN CHIEF

ON THE COVER Ben Serotta was photographed by Dori Fitzpatrick exclusively for saratoga living. Shot on location at Putnam Place in Downtown Saratoga Springs.

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

MANAGING EDITOR

SENIOR EDITOR

SENIOR WRITER

DESIGNER

LUXURY EDITOR

SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR

SPORTS EDITOR

DESIGN EDITOR

ARTS EDITOR

SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER

EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

EDITORS AT LARGE

Kathleen Gates Will Levith Natalie Moore Anne Newgarden Jeff Dingler Linda Gates Marco Medrano Abby Tegnelia Brien Bouyea Beverly Tracy Bill Henning Dori Fitzpatrick Alex Cappelletti, Christy Ciota Linnea Harris, Natalie Jacobs Hannah Kotler, Mike Park Conor Pochna, Simone Teague Greg Calejo, Susan Gates, James Long

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Karen Bjornland, Tony Case, Colin Cowie, Kyan Douglas Kate Doyle Hooper, Teresa A. Genaro, Cornelia Guest, Simon Murray Octavio Roca, Kevin Sessums, Zachary Weiss WRITERS

Jonah Bayliss, Rosie Case, Jennifer Cook, Rebecca Hardiman Jacqueline Kuron, Jordan Levin, Sandy MacDonald, Joe Mastrianni Melissa Morreale, Maria McBride Bucciferro, Sarah Midani, Katie Navarra William Roach, Mitch Rustad, Michael Slezak, Joe “Woody” Wood

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saratoga living is published six times a year by Saratoga Living LLC. Subscriptions: Domestic, $19.95 per year; Canadian, $24.95 per year (non-refundable). Application to mail at periodicals’ postage rate is pending at Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 and at additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to saratoga living 422 Broadway, Suite 203 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 Volume 21, No. 2, March/April 2019 Copyright © 2019 Saratoga Living LLC All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reprinted or otherwise reproduced without written permission from Saratoga Living LLC. All editorial queries should be directed to editorial@saratogaliving.com; or sent to 422 Broadway, Suite 203, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. saratoga living assumes no responsibility for unsolicited submissions.

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mvp BEVERLY TRACY saratoga living DESIGN EDITOR

W

494 Broadway Saratoga Springs violetsofsaratoga.com

7 FOR ALL MANKIND BCBG BELLA DAHL CHARLES DAVID FREE PEOPLE FRENCH CONNECTION FRYE GAL MEETS GLAM HOBO HUDSON PAIGE RAILS SAM EDELMAN SEYCHELLES SPLENDID SUSANA MONACO VELVET YUMI KIM

hen I first arrived in Saratoga Springs nearly a decade and a half ago and realized I was surrounded by the reigning traditional aesthetic of ivy and tchotchkes, I knew that the conservative Saratoga design norm and my classic, with-a-modern-edge inclination was not, alas, a perfect match.

And so, ever so carefully, I set out to help modify Saratoga’s design modus operandi.

My aesthetic, coupled with my education and training (not to mention the fact that I’ve always been a rule breaker, due to my New York City roots, global travels or my stubborn nature) have confirmed that, yes, design is all around us, and it’s up to each of us to develop a relationship with it that works best for us.

The very nature of design is meant to seduce us, energize our minds and even help our bodies relax. And being a nonconformist interior designer as well as the design editor of this stunningly beautiful magazine, saratoga living, I now have the opportunity to share my design sensibility with all of you.

Saratoga has always been beautiful; I just want to nudge our gorgeous city ever so slightly into unchartered waters. Remember, some rules are meant to be broken.

from the editor

superhero ’ve always loved that word, “designer.” Even as a kid, the concept of someone being called a designer—be it for flower arranging, home interiors, fashion, gadgets—was such a wondrous concept. Think about it for a moment: By definition, someone who’s actually a designer quite literally is tasked with creating something that has never, ever existed before. They have to “design” it from a blank canvas.

To me, few things could be cooler than that.

Because I’m naturally drawn to creative people who unquestionably make the world a better, more colorful place—writers, architects, artists, musicians, photographers, interior designers, illustrators—my life is filled to the brim with dynamic, immensely talented standouts in myriad creative fields. And as creatives, they tend to see what’s in front of them just a little bit more fabulously than the majority of, you know, those left-brain folks. :22

the gates foundation Some of Kathleen Gates’ beautiful designs as Creative Director of saratoga living; (opposite) taking a break with Kath at Gates Sisters Studio.

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EXPERIENCE THE BRAND NEW Creating a magazine from scratch, Kath and I have the same feeling today as we did 25 years ago when we first collaborated on a publication. We get excited at the idea of what to do on the cover, deciding on the tone, the pacing, the thematic hooks that best illustrate the message the given issue is conveying. In a word, it’s fun. So. Much. Fun. I’d go as far as this: Together, Kath and I have created some of the most beautiful, compelling magazines any editor in chief/designer duo has ever created— magazines about everything from medical issues to luxury, from professional sports to architecture, from travel tomes to, yes, saratoga living. Kathleen Gates is absolutely the Robin to my Batman.

How lucky am I? Take a good, long look at the publication you’re holding in your hands. Glance at the cover and remember that, just a little while ago, that same cover was nothing but a blank page—this entire magazine was filled with nothing but blank pages—until a certain superhero put all the ingredients together just so. And here we are.

It didn’t seem right to devote an entire issue of a magazine to design achievement without acknowledging the designer who’s been front and center, hiding in plain sight all along. Well, no longer. Say hello to Kathleen Gates, a world-class designer and an even better friend.

She’s the only superhero I need.

David

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9

So, a quarter century ago, one of my favorite creative geniuses (truly), the legendary magazine and book designer, artist and author Jean-Claude (J.-C.) Suarès introduced me to Kathleen Gates, one of three Gates siblings (along with Linda and Susan Gates) who make up Gates Sisters Studio, a boutique magazine design firm in New York City.

It was love at first sight for Kath and me.

Since that very first day, Kath Gates has been my creative partner. And, as a visually geared editor in chief, I pride myself in helming magazines that astound by their beauty and are announced by the clever/arresting/ provocative/gorgeous covers Kath serves up time and time and time again. The woman can flat-out design.

But that’s just the reason why we work together so often. She’s one of my closest friends because of her real talent: how she helps illuminate and design what’s on the inside. Outward talent and inward passion make an intoxicating cocktail when wrapped in an often hilarious, self-aware, deeply caring human: Oh, yeah, I highly recommend you get yourself your own Kathleen Gates.

WIL

Richard Pérez-Feria

EDITOR IN CHIEF

@RPerezFeria

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the front

Your Inspiration Destination

#lovewhereyoulive

saratoga by the numbers

home sweet home

Batcheller Mansion Inn February 17, 2019, 1:30pm

264,800

Landscapes For Living Nursery & Garden Center

The median home value, in dollars, in Saratoga County

223,900

The median home value, in dollars, in the US

329,900

The median price of homes, in dollars, currently listed in Saratoga County

275,000

The median price of homes, in dollars, currently listed in the US

1.9

The percent increase in home values in Saratoga County over the past year

Landscape Design / Build Since 1990

Innovative designs on every aspect of outdoor living Quality installation & detailed craftsmanship is visible on all our projects

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average apartment size source: rentcafe.com; source for all other statistics: zillow.com

7.6

The percent increase in home values in the US over the past year

1639

The average cost, in dollars, of rent in Saratoga County

3415

The average cost, in dollars, of rent in New York City

983

The size, in square feet, of the average apartment in Saratoga Springs

703

The size, in square feet, of an average apartment in New York City

Through The Looking Glass

T

he entry vestibule of the Batcheller Mansion Inn in Saratoga Springs—a High Victorian Gothic home designed in 1873—with its indulgence of hardwood trim and paneling, is the kind of place that you might expect to find secret compartments, which, if they existed, might contain brittle letters from a forgotten 19th-century love affair. But I wasn’t there to poke at the molding. I was there to see its windows—and was welcomed inside quickly and led straight to them. On the southeast corner of the building, the three massive, single-pane windows stretch up a full two stories from the ground. They make up the majority of the exterior walls of the inn’s kitchen, flooding its orange-yellow interior and vibrant artwork with, on this occasion, a rare appearance of winter sunlight.

–KYLE ADAMS , PHOTOGRAPHER

EXPERT ADVICE FOR ALL YOUR GARDENING NEEDS

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saratogaliving.com 21

the front Located near I-87 Exit 15, off of Excelsior Avenue

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saratoga goes hollywood

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FROM LAW & ORDER TO CRIMINAL MINDS, TV DRAMAS LOVE OUR REGION.

BY CONOR POCHNA LAW AND ORDER: SVU (NBC) Shortly after the story of the Halfmoonbased NXIVM cult became national news last year, Law and Order: SVU ran a ripped-from-the-headlines episode, which featured a fictional cult with many similarities to NXIVM. NYPD BLUE (ABC) In a May 7, 2002 episode of NYPD Blue, a woman is caught unknowingly carrying drugs from New York City to “Glen Falls”.

CRIME STORY (NBC) Before Saratoga Springs native David Hyde Pierce won multiple Emmys for his role on hit sitcom Frasier, he appeared as NSA Agent Carruthers in a Season 2 episode of Crime Story (1987).

CSI: NY (CBS) Actor Scott Sheldon, who grew up in Saratoga and attended Siena College in Loudonville, played Lt. Bruce Jackson in a January 21, 2009 episode of CSI: NY.

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Emily Lazar Makes Grammy History

THE SKIDMORE GRAD IS THE FIRST WOMAN TO WIN A TOP ENGINEERING PRIZE.

BY J EF F DI N GLE R

C

reative Thought Matters.”

If there’s one thing that really resonated with me during my years at Skidmore College, it’s the school’s motto. Fellow Skidmore alum and Mastering Engineer, Emily Lazar, agrees. Lazar, who graduated in 1993, made history this past February when she became the first woman to win a Grammy in the Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical category for her work on musician Beck’s latest album, Colors. Lazar, who’s engineered for everyone from David Bowie and Madonna to Destiny’s Child, says, “Skidmore’s motto is an idea that remains in hyper focus both in the studio and out, and in everything that I do.”

Lazar’s Grammy win, her first, was not only a personal victory, but also one for women all over the world. “The historic engineering relevance of this win is marvel Skidmore hard to believe, as it’s grad Emily Lazar 2019,” says Lazar. “It’s won a Grammy been a long time coming.” for her sound This fellow proud engineering work on Skidmore graduate Beck’s latest album. couldn’t agree more.

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Saratoga’s Green Alert

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SUCCULENTS—YES, SUCCULENTS—ARE HAVING THEIR MOMENT IN THE SUN.

BECKY YEE/ AROUND DIGITAL MEDIA

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ove over, avocado toast—it’s all about succulents now! The latest trend among millennials—and anyone who wants to think they have a green thumb, really—is those petite, cactus-like plants you can find in homes, at garden conventions and particularly, on countless Instagram feeds and YouTube channels. Succulents have certainly taken root worldwide.

What separates succulents from the standard houseplant? For one, they’re perfect for anyone who wants to feel like they’re taking care of something, while not actually having to do much work.. Succulents’ drought-resistant properties have piqued the interest of 18-34 year olds, who, in 2016, accounted for 5 million of the 6 million Americans who took up gardening that year.

As of last year, millennials accounted for 29 percent of all home gardeners, largely thanks to the trendiness of indoor gardening.

As with most trends, Saratoga Springs and the Capital Region have taken notice. Demecia Lloyd, Co-Creator of Revibe, an alternative and holistic health center in Schuylerville, has seen an increase in succulent purchases in her shop “for everything

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BY HANNAH KOTLER

from wedding favors and wreaths, to terrariums and planters.” Deb Converse, Wedding Consultant for Dehn’s Flowers and Gifts of Saratoga, agrees. “We’ve definitely experienced an increase in sales,” she says.

“Succulents are fun and easy to grow and care for.

That translates into using them for different events.

Favors, displays, indoor gardens and more all are front-and-center now.” Even Saratoga Paint & Sip Studio is getting in on the fun with “Plant Nights,” at which guests can create their very own DIY succulent terrarium. It’s safe to say succulents are here to stay; after all, it is nearly impossible to kill them.

root cause As with most trends, succulents have taken root in Saratoga Springs.

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Sonny Days In Saratoga

S ON NY BONACIO H AS TRANSF O R M E D DOWN TOWN SA R ATOGA. ANY QUESTI ONS? n BY WI LL LE V I T H photography by KAT I E DO B I E S exclusively for saratoga living

I’m writing this story in right now— The Washington on Broadway—is a Bonacio original. In a little more than three decades, Bonacio Construction has developed more than 1.5 million square feet of real estate in Downtown Saratoga. Chew on that for a second.

Who’s the construction behemoth’s wizard behind the curtain? That would be its President, Sonny Bonacio, who, like me, is a Saratoga native—or, more specifically, “Saratoga Springs maternity ward class of 1967,” as he puts it. He also graduated from Saratoga Springs High School, and after earning a degree in Construction Management, set up shop here in

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“I feel that a community in Upstate New York that’s growing, increasing its employees and employers Downtown, is a success story.”

sonny & share Sonny Bonacio and his wife, Julie, the firm’s Vice President and Owner of the local powerhouse real estate brokerage firm, Julie & Co. Realty, wanted to change the mindset that Saratoga wasn’t cool.

S

aratoga Springs is much more my speed these days, thanks to Bonacio Construction.

Case in point: When I was 16, I had to borrow my parents’ Honda Accord to drive to Wilton to catch a movie. Nowadays, I can just take the 15-minute walk Downtown from my boyhood home on Second Street to do the same thing. Thanks to

Bonacio, which was instrumental in the development of the Railroad Place area (an eyesore for years), the city now has the sprawling Bow Tie Cinema.

The list of beautiful, beneficial Bonacio builds abounds. Noshed on chips and salsa at Cantina or imbibed a Gin-Gin Fizz at Hamlet & Ghost lately? Both spaces were renovated/remodeled

by Bonacio. Heck, even the building

1988. Back then, he tells me, “It wasn’t cool to stay in Saratoga after you graduated college.” But he and his wife, Julie, the firm’s Vice President and Owner of the local powerhouse real estate brokerage firm, Julie & Co. Realty, wanted to change that mindset, making Saratoga a place its residents never want to leave. This came not only in the form of commercial projects, such as the movie theater and the luxury apartments that flank it, but also the construction of private homes and historic renovations. Bonacio cites 46 Union Avenue—a new build, right down the street from Saratoga Race Course, on the site of an old Skidmore College dormitory, that was designed to fit right in with the towering Victorians around it—as the perfect example of this ethic. “We created a structure that looks like it’s been there for 150 years,” he says. Indeed, I, for one, have driven by the building every day for months and had no idea that it was a completely new build.

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if he builds it Bonacio at work; (top) Bonacio in front of Universal Preservation Hall, his firm's latest renovation project.

Look, sometimes I pine for the lessdeveloped Saratoga of my youth—and yes, Bonacio’s aware that he has critics out there who aren’t all stoked about how much the city has been developed over the past three decades. But he thinks it’s a two-way street: “I feel that a community in Upstate New York that’s growing, increasing its employees and employers Downtown, is a success story.” I can agree with that—especially the next time I’m shoveling popcorn down my gullet and enjoying the hell out of the latest flick on Saratoga’s newest Downtown silver screen.

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When Water Works HOW DID SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON MAKE HISTORY IN SARATOGA?

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BY SIMONE TEAGUE

to sir with love Members of the Mohawk tribe brought former soldier Sir William Johnson to be healed at High Rock Spring on what’s now High Rock Avenue in Saratoga Springs.

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n 1755, Sir William Johnson—a British soldier, the Superintendent of Indian Affairs in the Northeast Region and a soon-to-be French and Indian War hero—took a musket ball to the hip during the Battle of Lake George. A dozen years later, still in constant pain from the wound (the ball was never removed) and still ill, Johnson was carried to High Rock Spring (in what’s now High Rock Park on High Rock Avenue in Saratoga Springs) by members of the Mohawk tribe to treat the wound, making him the first-known non-native person to have an injury treated by the medicinal mineral waters of Saratoga.

Legend has it that after drinking the iron-rich water over the course of a few days, Johnson’s health improved greatly—so much so that he walked more than 30 miles to Johnstown after the treatment.

Healing waters indeed.

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Thirst Trap, Derby Style SO, HOW MANY MINT JULEPS ARE CONSUMED AT THE KENTUCKY DERBY?

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T @billy.francis518 AP R I L 22, 201 8 SAR ATOGA S PA STATE PAR K : D OG PAR K & K AR N E R B LU E S I TE

he traditional drink of choice at the Kentucky Derby is the bourbon-based mint julep. According to Churchill Downs, each year, 120,000 mint juleps are served and consumed during the 2-day period that includes the running of the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby.

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hile the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) has seen its fair share of rock superstars perform on its stage throughout the years, few have had as large a cult following as Jim Morrison, lead vocalist and lyricist of legendary band, The Doors. Morrison and The Doors closed the season at SPAC on September 1, 1968 and did so in classic, rowdy fashion. While many fans may remember the performance on stage that night, most don’t know what went on backstage.

While filming for the band’s self-produced documentary, Feast Of Friends, Director Paul Ferrara got footage of

light his fire Jim Morrison (right) performed with his band, The Doors, at SPAC on September 1, 1968 in classic, rowdy fashion.

retrospac

Jim Morrison, Unfiltered

TH E DO O R S’ R O C K GO D GE TS WI LD BACKSTAGE AT SPAC. n BY M I KE PA R K Morrison, playing a piano backstage, reciting a poem that would later be called “Ode To Friedrich Nietzsche.”

With fellow band members

Robby Krieger, Ray Manzarek and John Densmore hanging around, the video did well to portray Morrison as the slightly crazed mastermind

of the controversial and influential quartet, best known for songs such as “Light My Fire” and “Break On Through (To The Other Side).” Morrison’s artistic prowess is in full view, as the disorienting camera angles add an ominous flavor to the iconic lead singer.

The footage never actually made it into the documentary, but it did find its way onto YouTube. While The Doors and Morrison— even long after his death in 1971—reached global superstardom, this private moment will always be purely Saratoga’s.

today’s special

Ciao, Pizza!

HAMLET & GHOST’S EXECUTIVE CHEF IS ALL IN FOR TAVERNA NOVO.

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fire fest A Vegetariana pizza from the wood-fired oven at Taverna Novo on Beekman Street.

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Calling All Horse Racing Aficionados W H Y COLLE G E FRIENDS KURT ROSSNER A N D A D R IA N SZAMRETA L AUNCH ED O L D S M OKE CLOTH I NG CO.

BY RO S IE CAS E

W

hen I was growing up, my mother used to wear a white T-shirt with black velvet bubble letters on it that read, “Roses are red, violets are blue, I’m a schizophrenic and so am I.” She thought it was quite the knee-slapper. Though hardly PC, back then, the sight of her wearing it out in public always got a chuckle. T-shirts are the most basic, yet universally impactful, fashion statement. The ones you choose to wear give others

clothes horse Old Smoke Clothing Co. Founders and horse racing enthusiasts Adrian Szamreta and Kurt Rossner went after the casually-dressed fan.

clues about your personal style, sense of humor (in my mom’s case) and interests.

So when college buddies and Saratoga Springs horse-racing fanatics Kurt Rossner and Adrian Szamreta had the idea to create clothing for fellow racing junkies, it’s no wonder they settled on the beloved wardrobe staple as the backbone of their brand. At first, the friends determined to create high-end, designer duds suitable for a refined day at the track.

But a brainstorming session over some beers and a flurry of sketches on cocktail napkins changed their direction. “The idea was to create a brand that horseracing fans could relate to,” Rossner explains. “We thought it made sense to go after the lion’s share of racing attendees who weren’t dressed up!” And with that, Old Smoke Clothing Co. was born.

With the company, the pair sought to give a subtle creative nod to the history of horse racing rooted in Saratoga culture. Rossner and Szamreta are motivated by history and symbolism—so much so that the company’s name, Old Smoke, hat-tips the nickname of Saratoga Race Course’s Cofounder, John Morrissey.

Among the company’s most popular is their canoe shirt. “It’s such a great story, and 99 percent of people don’t know it,” says Rossner. Since 1962, it’s been the tradition to paint the canoe in the infield lake at Saratoga Race Course in the colors of the owner whose horse wins the Travers Stakes. “It’s such a cool graphic,” says Rossner. “And the history resonates.”

I’m sure my mother would love it.

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may not be much of a golfer, but I’ve always admired the beauty of golf courses. Saratoga County has more than a few—and one of the best looking examples is the Saratoga National Golf Club.

“It requires a huge amount of work and a lot of careful planning,” says Joe Lucas, Vice President of Greens and Grounds at Saratoga National, of golf course design.

The man behind Saratoga National is award-winning golf course architect, Roger Rulewich, who first broke ground on the project in June 1999 on a former horse farm.

Rulewich worked under legendary course architect Robert

club life Saratoga Race Course’s new 1863 Club will expand fans’ vantage point of the historic track.

Trent Jones—whose clients included President Dwight D. Eisenhower for a White House putting green—and has designed or redesigned more than 125 courses worldwide.

Rulewich’s golf courses have a handcrafted, naturalistic touch, and Saratoga National is no exception, featuring two dozen wooden bridges, six tranquil ponds and blue limestone retaining walls to shape the greens.

Since Saratoga National opened in 2001, it’s been annually ranked among the top public golf courses in the US. Even to this not-too-frequent-golfer, I can tell Saratoga National’s nothing short of a hole in one.

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green acres Award-winning golf course architect Roger Rulewich has designed or redesigned more than 125 courses, including Saratoga National.

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aratoga Race Course’s summer meet is still several months away, but there’s already a lot going on within its fences. I can’t help but be excited, even though there’s snow on the ground as I’m writing this: The New York Racing Association (NYRA) is further expanding fans’ vantage point at the track, this time, with the addition of the undeniably chic 1863 Club.

The club will encompass a three-story, climate-controlled luxury seating area.

The first floor will offer patrons a modern banquet space for private events; the second, an exclusive members-only club for Saratoga box holders; and the third, a battery of fully furnished luxury suites (available for weekly reservations beginning this summer).

“The 1863 Club will honor the history of Saratoga Race Course with design elements that are the result of years of planning, coordination and communication,” says Patrick McKenna, Director of Communications at NYRA. More air-conditioned rooms at the track? Count me in for sure.

Building The Perfect Course WHO’S THE ARCHITECT BEHIND SARATOGA NATIONAL GOLF CLUB?

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Home Improvement Gets Really Real HGTV, NETFLIX AND COUNTLESS OTHERS ARE ALL ABOUT THE HOME BETTERMENT CRAZE. n BY NATALIE MOORE

kondo living Tidying expert Marie Kondo (center) is the star of her own breakout hit Netflix show, Tidying Up With Marie Kondo, where she regularly “sparks joy.”

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rowing up, we didn’t have cable.

Up until about the tenth grade, I got by on a steady diet of Friends, Jeopardy! and Survivor. So it was always very exciting when my aunt would bring over episodes of TLC’s Trading Spaces, recorded on VHS tapes, that my mom and I could then binge-watch (early-2000s-style), three or four episodes at a time.

That was my first exposure to home improvement TV, and I just loved it. Over the next decade and a half, I’d go through many more phases—Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Flip Or Flop, Fixer Upper and, most recently, the Netflix series that’s sweeping the nation:

HGTV

tube

DENISE CREW/NETFLIX

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Tidying Up With Marie Kondo. Of course, I’m not alone in my desire to watch Fixer Upper’s Chip Gaines tear apart walls with his bare hands, or a tiny Japanese woman help people organize their houses in Tidying Up; the former is grossing, on average, 2.8 million viewers per episode in its final season, and the latter’s star, Marie Kondo, gained a whopping 350,000 Instagram followers in the week after her show’s airing.

Some fans of these shows happen to be home designers themselves.

“They’re entertaining,” says Michael Tuck of Saratoga Springs-based Balzer & Tuck Architecture. “I watch them with my daughter— she loves them.” (Tuck says

done on time. That’s a bad expectation to set. I’d rather see people put more thought into the planning side of it, take the appropriate amount of time to do it and then allow the various workers to get through their stuff.”

The moral of this story?

Just because Ty Pennington can make over a house in a week, doesn’t mean he should. And just because Marie Kondo can change the lives of her clients by tidying up their homes in a 40-minute episode, doesn’t mean that’s how long it really takes. Reinventing your home takes time.

Still, in between all that planning, tidying and renovating, it can’t hurt to take a break for some quality HGTV.

no pain, no gaines Joanna Gaines stars alongside her husband, Chip, in HGTV’s hit show, Fixer Upper.

Fixer Upper is his personal favorite.) In addition to the new construction of both residential and commercial buildings, Tuck and his business partner, Brett Balzer, do a lot of work on “adaptive reuse projects”— that is, ones where additions and alterations are made to existing spaces. Despite being a fan, Tuck also sees home improvement shows for what they are: entertaining but unrealistic.

Kitchen Showroom & Cabinet Shop

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“There’s always been a disconnect between the reality of time and money spent on projects and clients’ expectations, and those shows have really made things worse,” Tuck says. He cites Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, which during its nine-season run, flipped entire houses for families in just seven days. “There was one done locally, and people who worked on it just had to slap it together to get it to be

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Chianti’s Bright Light

THIS SA RATOGA I TAL I AN EATERY WOWS WI T H ITS CHIC, LIT BAR. n BY CH RISTY C I OTA

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it’s lit Chianti’s General Manager, Pietro Bordignon, serves up a cold one at the restaurant’s elegantly lit bar.

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t was hard to look away when I first laid my eyes on the bar at Chianti Il Ristorante. The lights dangling above the decorative racks, holding glasses over the bar, certainly caught my eye, but it was the bar’s glowing honey-amber-onyx countertop that was truly mesmerizing. Chianti Owner David Zecchini discovered the lighting technique two decades ago, and since then has worked to perfect the Downtown Saratoga Springs restaurant’s cozy and elegant ambiance. Only the to-die-for Italian classics prepared in the open kitchen, visible from the bar, and the exquisite cocktails, mixed up behind the bar, outshine the light that emanates from within it. What a place to celebrate a romantic anniversary, a big promotion or just a typical Wednesday night. For any occasion, Chianti lights the way.

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B

HO NO RS re-cycle The shuttering of Serotta Competition Bicycles in 2013 wasn’t the end for Founder Ben Serotta: He now considers himself “Designer-in-Chief” of the newly formed Serotta Design Studio.

BEN

SEROTTA’S

LATEST,

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RIDE

CREDIT

CREDIT

SARATOGA’S BICYCLE DESIGN LEGEND ISN’T DONE YET—NOT EVEN CLOSE. BY SIMON MURRAY photography by DORI FITZPATRICK exclusively for saratoga living

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winding, hilly roads of Saratoga and neighboring Greenfield.

Today, the office that he shares with his wife, Marcie, on the outskirts of town, is only two miles—or a short bike ride— from the eclectic hardware store his parents owned in the Collamer Building on Broadway, from which Serotta first started selling bikes. He eventually moved his bike-selling operation to the brick warehouse behind it, where it became a profit-generator in its own right. (Today, restaurant Farmers Hardware occupies the building.)

It was around this time that his mother, Caroline, who grew up in the Netherlands and attended Skidmore College, where she trained as a jewelry maker, first introduced her son to an oxy-acetylene torch. Immediately he was hooked, the glowing rosebud tip giving his precocious mind creative carte blanche to run wild. In the fall of 1971, having completed his high school credits six months early, Serotta somehow convinced his high school administration to grant him a leave of absence for the final semester of his senior year. The 17-year-old landed at Witcomb Lightweight Cycles in London, an artisanal shop specializing in custom, handmade steel bicycle frames. It was there, in a dimly lit, Dickensian workshop, that Serotta would learn the art of framebuilding.

Eventually returning home to Saratoga, Serotta set to work designing a classic highperformance racing bike—the first he’d ever build on his own. “The best size of any bike I’ve ever built is my own,” says Serotta, chuckling. A little sheepishly, Serotta opens up about his rapid ascension throughout the ’80s and ’90s, a stretch of time that would see his two daughters, Anna and Emily, born—a deciding factor in his decision to transition from successful solo builder to large-scale business owner focused on the mass production of custom-fit bikes. By the mid ’90s, the Serotta factory in Saratoga employed more than 50 craftsmen and built more than a dozen frames a day, some that would go on to be ridden in the Olympic Games and the Tour De France.

L

ooking back, Serotta admits he made some miscalculations in that business decision—a crucial one being when Serotta Competition Bicycles doubled down, becoming an almost exclusive custom-fit manufacturer.

JOSEPH DEUEL

B

ack in the days of my romantic, vagabond youth, I set myself a lofty goal: From the bottom point of Louisiana, I’d ride a Felt Z10 road bike, laden with panniers, to Northern Minnesota’s Lake Itasca. Looking at a map, it seemed possible—indeed, anything was possible back then. The plan was simple: follow the mighty Mississippi River from the delta to its headwaters like a modern-day Huck Finn in reverse. I bought the Felt from my friend Alex for a couple hundred dollars (“I wish I’d never gotten rid of it,” he told me recently) and set out on my adventure. I barely made it to Baton Rouge before I heard the news. My mom was sick with the unthinkable: stage 2 breast cancer. I canceled the trip, bought the first ticket home and never looked back.

Legendary framebuilder Ben Serotta knows all about being at a crossroads. As one of the preeminent road-bike framebuilders in the US, he’s had to reinvent himself and his brand several times throughout his four-decades-long career. Along the way, he’s had to make tough choices at critical junctures that, like my decision, were rooted in deeply personal rationales. His Mom is sick, get home was Can I provide a meaningful wage for my family brazing bike joints ten hours a day? For Serotta, what began as a passion for wielding a torch and working with his hands—one literally ignited by his mother—would become Serotta Competition Bicycles, a world-renowned business that, at its peak in 2002, was on its way to selling more than 50,000 high-end bicycles per year and generating annual revenues of more than $6 million.

At 65, the trim, congenial Saratoga Springs native is showing no signs of slowing down. That includes riding, which he does almost daily. As a longtime road cyclist, he’s keenly aware of the connection that forms between rider and bike. Some bikes he considers “functional art.” But that doesn’t mean he’s a sentimentalist. “Most people expect that I have a deep collection of bicycles that I’ve made through the ages,” he tells me. “I don’t think I’ve ever owned more than three at a time.” In that regard, Ben Serotta will always be a creator—always looking ahead to the next innovation, the upcoming project. Says Serotta: “I’m far more interested in what the next bike is going to be than the last one.”

But to understand where he’s going, you need to understand where he’s been. Serotta grew up riding bikes through the

By the mid ’90s, the Serotta factory in Saratoga employed more than 50 craftsmen and built more than a dozen frames a day, some that would go on to be ridden in the Olympics and the Tour De France.

The frames were also made in the USA at a time when, it seemed, all the American and EU bike manufacturers were outsourcing almost entirely to Asia. Serotta’s business model—relying on sales through an established dealer network, which caused long

next gen ben Serotta is working with multiple companies “on the cuttingedge of materials and technology,” he says, such as 3-D printing—way beyond the range of any of the companies in the bike manufacturing industry, as far as he’s aware; (opposite) Serotta (right) at the “Geyser Run” race held at the Spa State Park, circa 1974.

wait times between orders and delivery—also created cash flow problems. To compound the issue, an economic downturn was making high-end luxury items—such as $10,000 road bikes—unpalatable for even the most dedicated riders.

In 2013, about a decade following the company’s apex in the early aughts, Serotta parted ways with the company he’d worked so hard to found. Shortly afterwards, in what must’ve been of little consolation, the company shuttered.

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It shouldn’t make sense:

The pioneering

manufacturer of custom-fit road bikes, tailored to discerning individuals, partnering with a bike share company that caters its products to the masses.

(Especially when you consider that the average road-style bike is about 14 lbs., while the average urban bike share bike is about 50.) Then again, who better to put all their experience into personalizing a single bike for a wide range of body types than framebuilder extraordinaire Ben Serotta? After working briefly on NYC’s Citi Bikes, Serotta’s now linked up with Beryl, London’s bike share program. Once again working as a design consultant, Serotta kicked things off “much the same way I would start a single bike project,” he says. “We got to know a cross-section of the people who we were hoping would be riding these bikes.” Beryl’s program will launch in Bournemouth and Poole, both in England, this spring; by the summer of 2019, the company will have put more than 1000 bikes on the streets, with a plan to launch in Northeast London down the line. When asked what makes rideshare programs tick, Serotta says: “Riding’s a great way to start and finish a work day, getting a little bit of exercise and a little bit of freedom.”

– SIMON MURRAY

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B

ut as they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder.

In 2015, Serotta found himself reenergized when he was brought on as a consultant by New York City’s Citi Bike program. Then, in 2017, when he was splitting time between two workshops—owned by “Frank The Welder” Wadelton in Bellows Falls, VT, and Carl Schlemowitz in New Paltz, NY—he quietly but resolutely started building a new line of fully customized, made-to-order, steel-frame bikes, using everything he learned about weight and fit over the preceding decades. He named the line aModoMio, Italian for “My Way.” Since then, he’s withdrawn from the day-to-day— but only slightly. While the aModoMio C17 model was built by Serotta’s hands alone, “I thrive on the C18s and C19s have been getting out of constructed with the help of a familiar team: Wadelton and bed and not Schlemowitz. Serotta quips revisiting what that his position in the newly formed Serotta Design Studio I’ve already done, is “Designer-in-Chief.” but opening the At first glance, it would appear that Serotta’s come next doorway, full circle, but with one major doing something change: He’s not putting resources into a manufacturing a bit new and facility. Instead, he’s working a bit different.” with multiple companies “on the cutting-edge of materials and technology,” he says, such as 3-D printing—way beyond the range of any of the companies in the bike manufacturing industry, as far as he’s aware. One of the beneficiaries of this new process is the Duetti model, an aluminum bike in 11 sizes that he’s outsourced to an overseas factory. Up next, two new models that will be available in multiple specs: go-anywhere, adventure-ready road bikes with clearance for larger tires that are designed to handle whatever combinations the road throws at bikers: dirt, gravel or well-packed trail.

When I hear Serotta talking about such hardscrabble roadways, it’s difficult for me not to draw an analogy between them and his career. Life has thrown a hell of a lot of curves and combinations at him, but the Saratoga native just keeps his head down, methodically churning. “I thrive on getting out of bed and not revisiting what I’ve already done, but opening the next doorway, doing something a bit new and a bit different,” says Serotta.

Maybe I need to revisit that bike trip after all.

take a bike In 2017, Serotta started building a new line of fully customized, made-to-order, steel-frame bikes that he named aModoMio, Italian for “my way.”

ANNA RACHEL PHOTOGRAPHY

Lock, Stock and Beryl

What was once the Serotta factory has since been acquired by mcrobrewery Artisanal Brew Works. And no, he’s never had the urge to stop in for a pint and wax nostalgic about the old days. That’s not the Serotta way.

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T HE CIT Y. THE CU LT U R E. T H E LIFE.

HO NO RS

MARCH APRIL 2019

JaneFonda Doesn’t Need A Dress Rehearsal

BY RICHARD PÉREZ-FERIA

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CREDIT

How this Hollywood legend (and Emma Willard graduate) continues to slay her style.

jane’s reign Jane Fonda, striking a regal, confident pose, at the 2015 Cannes International Film Festival; (opposite) Fonda in her iconic role in the film Barbarella.

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CREDIT

CREDIT

citizen jane Jane Fonda has always been the seemingly accidental leader on numerous high-impact, cultural fronts, most notably in Hollywood.

(Jane and Ted Turner) ALAN LIGHT

he summer before my 12th birthday, I got to spend two months in New York City with my aunts, uncles, cousins and my paternal grandmother, Dulce—her name, which is Spanish for “sweet,” is an apt moniker for the kindest woman I’ve ever known.

Just prior to my Manhattan dream summer being over and having to return to Miami to the daunting task of entering seventh grade, my older cousin, Vivian, convinced me to watch an “old” movie, Barefoot In The Park, starring the very young duo of Jane Fonda and Robert Redford. I loved the movie, particularly all the NYC settings showcased, but, mostly, I remember not being able to take my eyes off this dazzling actress I had never heard of. Even then, I think I recognized the soft/hard, push/pull sexiness that has made Jane Fonda Hollywood’s most polarizing sex symbol-meets-talented actress for so many decades.

From Fonda’s mind-blowing role in Barbarella (her costumes are still being discussed at many not-so-polite brunches I’ve attended over the years in the Hamptons), to her current role in Netflix’s comedy-with-a-bite hit Grace And Frankie, where she portrays Grace, a monied, not-quite-retired businesswoman, Fonda has always been the seemingly accidental leader on numerous high-impact, cultural fronts: Hollywood royalty (her dad role model was the venerable movie (clockwise from god Henry Fonda); sex kitten top left) Jane Fonda (Barbarella); divisive political opposite Robert activist (the Vietnam War); Redford in 1967’s unrivaled exercise mogul Barefoot In The Park; (Jane Fonda’s Workout Fonda’s first husband, Book); perennial redfilm director Roger carpet “best-dressed list” Vadim and Fonda in icon (Cannes Film Festival, Rome in 1967; Fonda Academy Awards) and, finally, starring in the Netflix simply being the hottest hit comedy Grace And Frankie; Fonda with 81-year-old on the planet. husband and media But it’s her movies that mogul, Ted Turner; showcase Fonda’s knack for Fonda, starring finding excellence within her in 1971’s Klute. roles, as diverse as they are indelible—Klute, 9 To 5, Julia, On Golden Pond, Monster-In-Law. The two-time Oscar and four-time Golden Globe Award winner—who graduated in 1955 from Emma Willard School in Troy, NY, and would go on to Vassar College in Poughkeepsie—married (and divorced) three high-octane men: film director Roger Vadim, political activist Tom Hayden and media titan Ted Turner.

The fallout from a public, roller-coaster ride of a life? Jane Fonda, somehow, became the elegant, sartorially savvy Hollywood survivor we didn’t know we needed in our lives right now. Funny how life has a way of surprising even the most discerning among us.

So, accidental or not, Jane Fonda may still stop traffic on a dime on any red carpet in the world—there’s no controversy about that—but no dress alone can define this A-List actress’ incomparable style. Anytime, anywhere, I still can’t take my eyes off this living legend. Not even for a second.

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T HE CIT Y. THE CU LT U R E. T H E LIFE.

HO NO RS

MARCH APRIL 2019

The star architect (and Saratoga summer resident) has designed iconic structures, including his Spa City home.

Michael Fieldman’s

BY BEVERLY TRACY

RANDALL PERRY

CREDIT

Building Blocks ⁄

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home photography by

environmentally sound “What is of great importance, but often goes unmentioned, is the quality of our environment,” says architect Michael Fieldman; (opposite) Fieldman’s summer home seems better suited for the Hollywood hills than Saratoga Springs.

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CREDIT

deep space “The essence of architecture is that you see the space instead of the materials in it,” says architect Michael Fieldman.

CREDIT

s I drive past grazing horses and split-rail fences along the winding gravel road toward Michael Fieldman’s and his life partner, Carla Skodinski’s, summer house on the outskirts of Saratoga Springs, I feel a great sense of anticipation about the structure this accomplished architect has designed. It’s one challenge to design colossal, high-profile projects in the public and institutional sectors, as Fieldman has done countless times since founding his architectural firm, Michael Fieldman Architect (MFA), half a century ago; it’s a completely different one to create a true representation of your own personal beliefs and principles. Or, in other words, your home.

In 1969, after graduating from McGill University with degrees in advanced physics, mathematics, psychology and, yes, architecture, Fieldman founded MFA, a full-service architectural firm specializing in feasibility studies, facility and performance-based programming, urban design, land planning, master planning, architecture and interior design, in Montréal. Six years later, the firm relocated to Manhattan, and has

since broadened its reach to include projects in healthcare and academic buildings, campus planning and transportation from Massachusetts to Michigan. Fieldman’s clients include the New York City Police Academy, Massachusetts General Hospital, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, the New York City Department of Education, Newark Liberty International Airport, LaGuardia Airport and the Government of Canada, to design within name a few. His firm has won reach (clockwise various prestigious awards from top left) from the American Institute of Fieldman sees the Architects over the years, and outdoors as part of Fieldman himself originated the his home’s design; first architectural performanceParkside Community Complex, a school based building program system, in Windsor Terrace, a research and decisionBrooklyn, that Fieldman making process, which is today designed; Fieldman accepted as the professional worked on major standard. To sum it up, he’s a renovation projects big deal. And he’s ours—at least at Massachusetts for our Saratoga summers.

General Hospital; the I pull up to Fieldman’s home— Fieldman-designed a large, white, square structure New York City Police with oversized glass windows Training Academy and stone walls—a house that was the winning entry in an international would seem better suited for the competition for a Hollywood hills than Saratoga. new, state-of-the-art For this, his personal space, academic and training Fieldman has positioned the facility; the windows in building so that the living and Fieldman’s pool house dining rooms are south-facing, were dropped so you and therefore bathed in light. could see outside The house’s white walls have from pool level; no hardware and the floors Fieldman designed have no rugs. “There’s nothing this Manhattan in the house—no plants,” he public school. says. Instead, the landscape, seen through the home’s giant windows, becomes one with the home’s design. “What is of great importance, but often goes unmentioned, is the quality of our environment,” Fieldman says. “The landscape becomes part of what your life is, and you sit in the space with a feeling of relief. You’ve come home.” After a lifetime working on projects that serve others, Michael Fieldman truly does deserve to come home…to Saratoga.

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T HE CIT Y. THE CU LT U R E. T H E LIFE.

HO NO RS

MARCH APRIL 2019

How the iconic Vogue editor in chief and Skidmore graduate,

GRACE MIRABELLA,

Amazing Grace changed the American fashion landscape.

BY ROSIE CASE

illustration by

ROBERT RISKO exclusively for

CREDIT

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hen legendary fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld passed away in February, my thoughts naturally turned for a moment to the contemporary giants of fashion. Growing up on the Jersey Shore, I consumed fashion magazines ravenously, often attempting to recreate the edgy—and often ridiculous—1980s looks I found between the covers. Seventeen gave way to Glamour, which ultimately led me to Vogue. During those years, fellow Jersey girl Grace Mirabella helmed my favorite read. Indeed, the Skidmore College graduate would become one of the three most important forces in American fashion of the 20th century.

While her legendary predecessor, Diana Vreeland, was very much about fashion’s youth movement and its over-the-top fantasy, Mirabella was cover girls (clockwise from top) Beverly Johnson made history when she became the first African-American model to be on the cover of American Vogue during Grace Mirabella’s tenure as editor in chief; the first cover of Mirabella; the cover of Mirabella’s memoir, In And Out Of Vogue; (opposite) Grace Mirabella, captured by award-winning artist Robert Risko.

known for her more practical approach to fashion. Mirabella championed wearable US designers such as Geoffrey Beene, Donna Karan, Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren, and filled the pages of Vogue with clothing that made sense for women balancing family and career. I remember, even as a teenager, prancing off to social events in the kind of double-breasted suit dresses and belted layers I undoubtedly saw during Mirabella’s tenure at The Fashion Bible.

In 1988, when Condé Nast Chairman S.I. Newhouse famously fired Mirabella—she found out thirdhand, from her husband, who’d seen TV gossip columnist Liz Smith break the news on New York’s local Live At Five afternoon broadcast——and replaced her with current Editor in Chief Anna Wintour, she lost no sleep embarking on her next chapter. With the backing of Rupert Murdoch, her eponymous title, Mirabella, was created to appeal to smart, fashionforward, career-focused women in their 30s and 40s. Elaina Richardson, former Editor in Chief of Elle, and now President of Yaddo, the celebrated Saratoga

Springs artists’ colony, was the features editor at Mirabella for three years. She remembers her boss as a ’70s feminist with an understanding of working women and an eye for beauty. “Grace was a democratic force in fashion—she moved away from the notion of the elite,” says Richardson. “We were once at a black-tie event, and there was a woman in satin trousers and a denim shirt. Grace grabbed my arm and said, ‘She looks divine!’ She loved that high-low effect.”

Mirabella ultimately shut its doors in 2000, but the legacy of empowerment that Grace Mirabella championed lives on. “Grace believed that women should be able to move with energy and confidence—she didn’t like clothes that dragged you down,” recalls Richardson.

“She saw women as agents of change, not statues.” Pretty amazing, Grace.

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THE BEAU Terri-Ly nn P ell

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trash day Saratoga Springsbased photographer Terri-Lynn Pellegri hopes her art will challenge the way we put labels on things and transform what we consider to be “trash.”

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Title: Bagged Dimensions: 8 x 10 in.

Price: $85

Title: Circle #1 Dimensions: 8 x 10 in.

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Title: Simply Put Dimensions: 8 x 10 in.

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Title: Most Unlikely Dimensions: 8 x 10 in.

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W

hen I toss my banana peel and coffee grounds into the compost bin every morning, I tend to slam down the lid as quickly as possible. Saratoga Springs-based photographer (and saratoga living contributor) Terri-Lynn Pellegri does the exact opposite. Composting, or the process of recycling various organic materials (such as food waste) to produce a nutrient-rich soil conditioner, is the subject of Pellegri’s most recent photo project. Her Art Of Compost collection will be on display at Uncommon Grounds for the entire month of May—a bonus, given that International Compost Awareness Week (yes, there’s one of those) only stretches from May 5-11.

Pellegri’s photo project depicts mostly snaps of unaltered accumulations of her kitchen scraps, “which many people would consider garbage,” she says. “The soon-to-becomposted matter often seen as rotten, useless, decaying and valueless is viewed through a more open lens, a shifted perspective. Perhaps the photos will provide a

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page 60: Title: Touch Dimensions: 8 x 10 in.

Price: $85

page 61: Title: Sunday Morning Dimensions: 8 x 10 in.

Price: $85

above: Title: Rendered Slopes Dimensions: 8 x 10 in.

Price: $85

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thoughtful suggestion or stimulate conversation.”

It’s not lost on Pellegri that “presenting this collection in a food establishment”—one that participates in food composting itself—“will create an interesting dialogue of its own.” The photographer hopes that her art will challenge the way we put labels on things and transform what we consider to be “trash.”

Beautiful, provocative and important, Art Of Compost almost makes me want to open up my bin and take a closer look. Almost.

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MY SARATOGA HOME 31

Beauty and good taste are evident in many of these Saratoga residences. Thank you for participating in saratoga living’s first “My Saratoga Home” feature. For the full-size images and more, go to saratogaliving.com

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1. AMANDA JACKSON 2. KELLY HOLLIS 3. SCOTT RAJESKI photo: RANDALL PERRY 4. SUSAN DANIELS 5. JEANETTE BRUEN 6. ANDREA ZAPPONE photo: ELIZABETH HAYNES 7. CHRISTINE LAGUARDIA 8. ELLEN ENDRES 9. SCOT TRIFILO 10. SUE WALDRON 11. ERIN MADDEN 12. ERIN MURPHY 13. DANIELLE KINOWSKI photo: CEDARWOOD PHOTOGRAPHY 14. JIM AND KAREN COSTELLO 15. JERI JANNICELLI 16. LAURIE SCOTT 17. LARA WATRO 18. LAURA MORTON 19. LORETTA MARTIN 20. TANIKA WARDEN photo: RANDALL PERRY 21. DOUG KOTELLY 22. MATT AND PAMELA DARCANGELO 23. MAUREEN PARKER 24. ANGELA PACHAL 25. DANIELLE BURKE 26. MARGIE ROTCHFORD 27. CANDACE OSBORNE 28. CLAIRE ZAPPONE 29. NICK LAROSE 30. JIM LAVIGNE 31. MICHELE FUNICIELLO

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Balenciaga’s

Beautiful Black Book IN THE GIFTED HANDS OF FASHION INNOVATOR CRISTÓBAL BALENCIAGA, BLACK WAS ANYTHING BUT BASIC.

(evening coat) PIERRE ANDRÉ; (hat) HENRY CLARKE

By Bill Henning

black to the future “Evening coat in black faille, summer 1955;” (opposite) “Hat in black velvet and swansdown, 1953.”

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black tie “Evening gown in silk velvet and silk taffeta, 1965-66;” (opposite) the cover of Balenciaga In Black, featuring “Suit in black cloqué, 1951.”

(cover) HENRY CLARKE; (evening gown) © PIERRE EVEN

I

f you’re looking for the perfect frock to make a dramatic entrance in at this year’s American Cancer Society Gala of Hope in Saratoga Springs, Balenciaga’s the way to go.

Now, I’m not suggesting you whip out the platinum card and order up one of the ’80s-inspired, broad-shouldered jacket-dresses Balenciaga Creative Director Demna Gvasalia showed for Spring/Summer 2019 (although one of those would certainly do in a pinch). Instead, look to Cristóbal Balenciaga himself, the late founder of the legendary Parisian house in 1937, for your red-carpet inspiration.

Often called “the couturier’s couturier,” the Basque designer was revered by his peers for his sculptural shapes, boundless creativity and, above all else, impeccable workmanship. Speaking of Balenciaga, Coco Chanel once declared, “Only he is capable of cutting material, assembling a creation and sewing it by hand. The others are simply fashion designers.”

A fashion house will often have a signature hue—shocking pink for Schiaparelli, Valentino’s trademark red—and Balenciaga’s was no exception. But the master’s preferred “color” was no color at all. Describing a visit to his atelier on Avenue George V in August 1938, Harper’s Bazaar took note: “At [Balenciaga], the black is so black that it hits you like a blow. Thick Spanish black, almost velvety, a night without stars, which makes the ordinary black seem almost gray.” What attracted Balenciaga to this extraordinary shade? As Bazaar hinted, the root of his affinity was cultural. Balenciaga collected late 19th-century robes and collars for inspiration, and black had a long and deep association with Spain, from Catholic piety and traditional Spanish folk dress to the sober black finery favored

by Spain’s Habsburg rulers (and, thus, the entire court) since Charles V ascended the throne in 1516. It’s no coincidence

that black dominates the canvases of Spain’s Old Masters, Zurbarán, Velásquez and Goya.

It also provided the perfect palette for Balenciaga’s own unique artistry. Without the distraction of color, a Balenciaga design in black—whether an impeccably tailored bouclé suit, a baby-doll dress or a dazzling evening gown— first impresses with its architectural silhouette. Then, upon closer inspection, the eye is seduced by the rich, often contrasting textures and exquisite detail.

The master’s longstanding romance with the most elegant of shades is plumbed in Balenciaga In Black (Rizzoli Electa), the stunning book inspired by the museum exhibition that debuted at Paris’ Musée Bourdelle in 2017 and just finished a run at the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, TX, earlier this year. The book boasts contemporary photography by fashion’s heavy-hitters, including Irving Penn, Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Gordon Parks and Richard Avedon, as well as a wealth of material from the couture house’s archives.

Balenciaga’s technical wizardry is unmistakable in sketches that are not mere fashion illustrations but rather exactingly detailed blueprints for his designs. He would specify not just fabrics, but also the direction of the weave (or knit) of each piece, detailing each seam, dart and pleat: the type of stitch to be used and thread colors. Frequently, Balenciaga would even name both the seamstress he wanted to do the work and the fitting model.

The stunning results of all that attention to detail could be seen in the 100 Balenciaga pieces included in the traveling exhibition, 50 of which are featured in the book, gorgeously photographed on black mannequins against black backgrounds by Pierre Even. The photographer is best known for his black-and-white portraiture; he captures the exquisite detail of each dress, gown, jacket, suit, coat, cape, stole, hood, ruff, hat and necklace. Each is a symphony of black on black on black, highlighting contrasts in texture, layers of transparency and the sumptuous detail of lace, jet beading, paillettes, embroidery, brocade and quilted leather.

Whether black is your “signature” color or not, you’re sure to find plenty of fashion inspiration inside Balenciaga In Black. How can you not?.

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SARATOGA STYLE HOW KHYMANYO STUDIO LIGHTS UP THE RUNWAY STR AIGHT FROM BEEKMAN STREET.

BY MITCH RUSTAD photography by

FR ANCESCO D’AMICO saratoga living

e x c l u s i v e ly f o r

“Snarky and then a wink.”

If someone asked me to describe my sense of humor, that would be a very apt description. So when I asked prolific Saratoga Springs fashion designer Kim Vanyo how her personality informs her vast array of eye-popping creations, and that is how she answered, I was delighted: I’d found a kindred spirit.

wearable art “Be brave enough to wear something with a little artistic twist to it,” Saratoga-based fashion designer, Kim Vanyo says.

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MAGAZINES, BOOKS, NEWSPAPERS AND SOUVENIRS

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casa vanyo Vanyo at work in her Beekman Street studio; (opposite) two of Vanyo’s gowns from her Alphonse Mucha-inspired collection.

“There’s always a sense of fun in my designs,” says Vanyo, who’s owned and operated Khymanyo Studio on Beekman Street, in Saratoga’s Arts District, for more than three decades. “It’s like the garment is winking at you.”

Vanyo says her enduring passion for fashion—and preference for high-end fabrics such as silks and wools—has also been fueled by the simple joy of creating something beautiful: “When I come up with just the right fabric combination, I get that same euphoric feeling as when something’s hilarious.”

Whether it’s costuming for the Skidmore College dance department or creating custom designs for private clients, Vanyo’s vibrant creativity and artistic stamp loom large over Saratoga’s arts community.

She estimates that Skidmore’s dance department has “15 closets full of my work,” which could tally up to 3000 costumes she’s built specifically for the liberal arts college in the past 20-plus years. When I ask her if she has any idea of the total number of her creations—including her custom evening, bridal and special occasion designs—she goes silent. I throw out a number: 50,000?

“Could be!” she answers, without hesitation.

“I’m prolific,” she adds. “I don’t like to sit still.

I’m constantly creating things.”

One such creation is her own label, “Kimism”—a ready-to-wear collection of well-crafted separates with an artistic edge—available in her studio and small boutiques. “When I wear my own designs,

DOUG MITCHELL

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people often stop me and ask where I got them,” she says.

While she doesn’t expect to drastically alter the classic, traditional style sensibilities of Saratoga, Vanyo admits she often finds herself encouraging clients to “be brave enough to wear something with a little artistic twist to it,” without dramatically changing their personal style.

“I do have a sense of what’s going too far, but I try to encourage some little twist that makes them feel like, ‘Wow, I’ve never seen anything like this,’” says Vanyo.

Given her impressive, overwhelming body of work, I wondered if Vanyo ever imagined how her career would have fared had she entrenched herself in the New York City fashion scene. “No matter where you are, you could’ve made different decisions,” she says. “You can’t let that take you over.” But for Vanyo, keeping all doors open is part of the plan going forward. “I’ve been going to the city a lot in the last few years,” she says, explaining that she’s been taking classes at the Fashion Institute Of Technology (her alma mater) to keep up with her ever-evolving industry. “I’m meeting people who are my age in the city, and they’re kinda burned out and ready to leave,” she says. “I’m certainly not burned out, but I wanna make sure I’m not missing anything. I’m not that far from New York, so if something came up, I could be in both places.”

“I’ve been making beautiful things for 30 years,” she says, “so I can feel good about that.” And she’s been doing it in Saratoga, so we can feel good about it, too.

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Window Watcher World-renowned Tiffany windows abound in the Capital Region.

BY

Karen Bjornland PHOTOGRAPHY BY

Katie Dobies

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CREDIT

CREDIT

EXCLUSIVELY FOR saratoga living

glass act St. Luke’s Church in Cambridge, NY and Bethesda Episcopal Church in Downtown Saratoga Springs are two of the several locations in the Capital Region where vibrant Tiffany windows are on display.

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saw angels the other day. I promise you, I wasn’t hallucinating. With flowing robes and fluttering ivory wings, the three heavenly beings were hovering high above Washington Street in Saratoga Springs, near Starbucks.

I’m not the only one in Saratoga who’s seen them.

For 122 years, throngs of the faithful at Bethesda Episcopal Church, at 41 Washington Street, have caught a glimpse of the Saratoga seraphim perched in the Tiffany windows high above the church’s pews.

When I climbed the creaky, narrow wooden stairs to the choir loft to get a closer look, it was a sunny day, and the delicate stainedglass windows were bathed in golden light.

My heart leaped with joy. About six feet tall, in shimmering, pearly shades of pale blue, aqua and lavender, the images of the angels are not painted and flat as in most stained glass but constructed with colored glass that is layered and folded, imparting a visceral, three-dimensional depth. “It’s the hallmark of Tiffany windows,” says Ned Pratt, President of the Turpin Bannister chapter of the Society of Architectural Historians, who notes that they were all the rage during the Victorian Era. The “Tiffany” in “Tiffany windows” refers to world-renowned painter and designer Louis Comfort Tiffany, a New Yorker by birth, who was active in the art world from the 1870s through the 1920s and whose last name has become synonymous with the priceless stained-glass style.

Lucky for Capital Region residents, Tiffany glass is “pretty much everywhere,” says Pratt, its greatest presence being in Troy

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tiffany mass St. Luke’s Church has 15 total Tiffany windows, one of which is signed and in the church’s entryway.

and Albany. He numbers among the most exquisite examples the glass at St. John’s Episcopal Church and St. Paul’s Church, both in Troy, and that at the First Presbyterian Church of Albany.

Thankfully, Saratoga’s Tiffany bounty isn’t found only in Bethesda Episcopal Church. The Canfield Casino has two Tiffany windows, which, like about half of the artist’s work, are unsigned but still considered the real deal.

Then there’s Saratoga’s famous artists’ retreat, Yaddo, which has a large window in the main house, believed to be a Tiffany, depicting a female figure standing on tiptoe, her arms raised toward the sky. I’ve been fortunate enough to have seen the window twice— since it’s viewable by invitation only.

Then again, you don’t have to be a famous artist (or a journalist, for that matter) to enjoy many of Tiffany’s masterworks: There are more than 200 locations throughout the Empire State where his work is on display. One of the most popular ways, locally, to get a Tiffany fix? The annual guided walking/driving tour, Troy’s Tiffany Treasures, sponsored by the Hudson Mohawk Industrial Gateway in Troy, which this year takes place on September 21.

Three months earlier, just outside of Saratoga in Washington County, St. Luke’s Church will be offering Tiffany tours during the Cambridge Valley Balloon Festival (June 7-9). And, of course, Saratogians don’t need to stray far from town to see the angels of Bethesda. To me, that’s just more proof that Saratoga Springs is truly heaven on Earth.

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Water, Water Everywhere COHOES’ AQUATIC DEVELOPMENT GROUP OWNS THE WATERPARK DESIGN GAME. THE RESULT? AN

AQUATIC DEVELOPMENT GROUP

ENDLESS SUMMER.

BY WILL LEVITH surf’s down A waterpark-goer enjoying one of ADG’s coolest inventions, the FlowRider® wave simulator, where surfers can surf in place.

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M

the shape of water One of the many concept drawings ADG does before bringing one of its waterpark designs to life.

y folks used to drive my older brother and me from Saratoga Springs up to Lake George on summer weekends to my grandparents’ camp. It was on the car ride there that we’d pass Water Slide World. I remember begging them to go and getting turned down repeatedly. Why? My young mind had been forever altered by the waterpark’s infectious TV advertising jingle. (If you’re from this neck of the woods and of a certain age, you know it by heart.) In the years since, I’ve gone to my fair share of waterparks, but all have had one common denominator: They’ve been enjoyed, outdoors, during the summer— yet as soon as the fall’s first frost has bitten, it’s been goodbye fun.

The creative minds behind Cohoes-based Aquatic Development Group (ADG) don’t believe serious splish-splashing should be seasonal; in fact, they think that waterparks should be enjoyed year-round, even in the dead of a Siberia-grade Upstate New York winter. “How’s that possible?” you ask. Two words: indoor waterparks.

ADG, a family business founded in the 1960s by Albany native Herb Ellis, has been at the forefront of global waterpark design, equipment, construction and technology for nearly six decades. It was in the early ’80s that Herb’s son, Ken, who’s now ADG’s CEO and Owner, first remembers accompanying his father to Europe to investigate the indoor waterpark phenomenon. Enclosed waterparks would take another 20 years to catch on in the US, but ADG was already a step ahead of the competition in terms of strategy and execution. “What we found very quickly was that if you give people an opportunity to enjoy waterparks on a year-round basis, they’ll turn visits into mini-vacations,” says Ken. Since then, ADG has worked on one-third of America’s waterparks—both indoor and outdoor—for bigtime clients such as Disney, Hilton and Six Flags (its Lake George attraction, The Great Escape, has ADG to thank for

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AQUATIC DEVELOPMENT GROUP

parks and recreation (from top) ADG has worked on a number of waterpark projects, including H2OBX in Outer Banks, NC; Kentucky Kingdom and Hurricane Bay in Louisville, KY; and the Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark at Camelback Resort in Tannersville, PA, which is coowned by ADG’s CEO and Owner, Ken Ellis.

both its Splashwater Kingdom and Lodge’s indoor waterpark).

ADG takes a truly unique, all-encompassing approach to (indoor) waterpark design. As Ken describes it, ADG is not only building the park itself, but also creating its “environment.”

(More on that in a minute.) At the end of March, one such ADGled project will be opening twoand-a-half hours from Saratoga Springs in the Catskills. A short distance from the Resorts World Catskills casino and resort and its Monster Golf Course, The Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark in Monticello, NY, will be taking that environment-centric concept and running with it. ADG worked on both the luxury hotel and waterpark projects simultaneously, creating a flow between the two, so that patrons would feel like they were in a never-ending,

Jumanji-style adventure. And because the focus is on a luxe experience, the waterpark will have a bit more of an adultoriented vibe than your average family attraction. Some of the waterpark’s environmental features include an all-summerin-a-day, 80-degree indoor temperature, with real tropical vegetation hither and yon; a lazy river; five waterslides; and the ADG-invented FlowRider® wave simulator, in which surfers can hang ten in a stationary ocean-within-a-pool. The park will also feature a boomerangshaped mezzanine, positioned nearly 16 feet above all the action below, which will include an upscale bar and grill.

All this talk of vacationing got me thinking about Amazon’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, where a nice chunk of the current season’s action takes place at a summer retreat in the Catskills. Now, courtesy of ADG, all you upstart Mr. and Mrs. Maisels can enjoy a Catskills summer all winter long.

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map quest Nearly 200 of James Niehues’ handpainted ski resort maps will appear in his hardcover book, James Niehues: The Man Behind The Map.

THE

PICASSO All skiers have surely come across the singular genius of painter James Niehues. It's time to meet the true master of the mountains.

LINDSAY PIERCE MARTIN

B Y N ATA L I E M O O R E

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his past January, I went on a weekend ski trip with a group of friends to Sugarbush Resort in Warren, VT. While we were eating lunch—a classic spread of PB&Js, salt-and-vinegar chips and apples—my friend pointed out a name written between the trees on the mountain trail map hanging above our table. He said he’d heard somewhere that one guy hand-paints “like, all the ski maps.”

I was intrigued.

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with light on the outer extremities and formed an interesting canopy that I’ve tried to replicate with each painting.” He particularly enjoyed painting Vermont’s Jay Peak because of “the treatment of the terrain beyond the slopes.”

Niehues, though now semi-retired, is working on the map for Mt. Bachelor in Oregon, an exceptionally challenging project, given the fact that the resort’s trails cover the entire 360-degree span of the mountain. “They’ve always had more than two views to show all their terrain, but now I’ve included everything into one view,” he says.

Unsurprisingly, I’m not the only one fascinated by Niehues’ work. Skiers Todd Bennett and Ben Farrow had the same

LINDSAY PIERCE MARTIN

It turns out that my friend was right. Since 1988, Colorado-based artist James Niehues has painted nearly 200 aerial views of ski mountains on 5 continents, for resorts from Vail in Colorado and Thredbo in Australia to Windham and Hunter, both in New York’s Catskill Mountains. His work appears not only on large signs posted in ski lodges and at the top of ski lifts, but also in the fold-up maps nearly every skier picks up his or her first time at a mountain. And, yes, he does it all by hand, first sketching the mountain from self-shot aerial photos, then projecting that image onto his painting surface and tracing over it. “The sketch is probably the hardest step, but through the years, it has become second nature to me,” Niehues says. “I can envision the composition almost instantly, then sit down and start meticulously laying it out.”

Throughout the last five decades, just a few artists— including Hal Shelton in the ’70s and Bill Brown in the ’80s— have done what Niehues does. In the ’90s, ski resorts turned to computers to create their trail maps—Gary Milliken, for example, who invented the digital map system VistaMap, produced Gore Mountain’s map. Ironically, though, in recent years, resorts have gone back to favoring hand-painted maps, the likes of which, really, only Niehues can produce.

I ask Niehues about some of his most memorable projects.

“My favorite mountains to paint are in New Zealand,” he says. “They’re treeless in most cases, and I can airbrush the undulating slopes more effectively than on other mountains.”

He’s also a fan of painting ski mountains in our neck of the woods, though they’ve presented him with some issues.

“Mountains in the Northeast are very interesting to me—the deciduous trees are a challenge to show bare,” Niehues says.

“Early on, I’d seen them with a heavy frost; they were aglow

“aha!” moment I had when they spotted Niehues’ name on the map at Idaho’s Tamarack Resort in 2017. “I’m basically a fanboy,” says Bennett, who reached out to the artist soon after. “I told him that I’d like to buy his coffee-table book, and if he didn’t already have one, I’d like to make him one.” Niehues didn’t, but had always wanted a definitive catalogue of his work—and Bennett stuck to his word. Bennett and Farrow launched a Kickstarter campaign in November 2018 for a hardcover book project, entitled James Niehues: The Man Behind The Map, featuring nearly 200 pieces of Niehues’ work, information on the artist’s method and the history of ski map-making. Within 24 hours of the campaign launching,

killington softly Niehues’ original painting of Killington Resort from 1990; (opposite, from top) Niehues hand paints his maps from self-shot aerial photos; a sketch of Steamboat Resort from 1998.

they’d exceeded its goal 5 times over, and by its completion, had raised an astronomical sum, making it the No.1 art illustration Kickstarter campaign of all time.

The book is scheduled to ship in June 2019.

As I write this, I’m gearing up for my first-ever ski trip out West, with that same group of friends from Sugarbush.

We’re headed to the Canadian Rockies to ski at Revelstoke, and definitely going to need some help getting around.

Guess who painted the trail map?

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Red-Hot Questions For Atlanta Rookie Phenom

KEVIN HUERTER The Shenendehowa graduate is scoring big in the NBA.

BY BRIEN BOUYEA

When did you realize that you had a chance of playing in the NBA? After all, it’s only been a very short period of time since you were a high school and college student.

I started thinking it was possible after my freshman year in college, but I wasn’t thinking I would leave after two years. I haven’t had a lot of time to think about it, but yeah, it has been a lot of change in a short time. I still follow my high-school team when I can, and it’s crazy to think the players on it are not that much younger than I am.

sl exclusive

nly three years ago, Kevin Huerter’s opponents on the basketball court were high- schoolers from Saratoga Springs, Colonie and Bethlehem. These days, he’s facing the likes of LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Huerter, a 6'7" guard who grew up in Clifton Park and led Shenendehowa High School to a state championship as a junior, has shined in his rookie season with the Eastern Conference’s Atlanta Hawks.

I covered a few of Huerter’s high-school games back in the day and was impressed with his all-around skillset: He could shoot, handle the ball, get to the rim and set up teammates with precision passing. What stood out to me the most, though, was his cerebral approach to the game. And I assumed he’d bring those skills with him to the University of Maryland, where he’d flourish at the collegiate level. What I never imagined was that he’d leave college after just two years, get drafted in the first round of the NBA Draft and immediately become one of the top rookies in the league.

The 20-year-old star-in-the-making has already secured a spot in Atlanta’s starting lineup and scored in double figures 26 times in 54 games, including a 29-point effort in a victory against the Philadelphia 76ers. I recently caught up with Huerter to talk about his budding career and this year’s Hawks team.

When you initially declared for the NBA draft, you held off on hiring an agent and tested the waters at the draft combine before turning pro. Was it a difficult decision to leave college early, or had you already made up your mind that it was the right choice?

It was the hardest decision of my life, and I went back and forth on it a lot. When I

start to the season, you guys have shown some dramatic improvement.

What’s the excitement level in the organization with all the young and developing talent?

We definitely see it as a long road ahead, because we’re so young. But we’re getting better and developing, and even though we’re losing more than we’d like to, we are learning and moving forward. There’s definitely a lot of excitement for the future.

Your teammate Vince Carter was the NBA Rookie of the Year the year you were born, 1998. What’s it been like to have a potential futureHall of Famer on the roster for such a young team?

It’s definitely beneficial to have a guy like that around. He teaches us little things every day. He’s been through it all, and you try to learn as much as you can, because he’s been so successful.

It’s cool to have him in our locker room.

“We definitely see it as a long road ahead, because we’re so young...we’re learning and moving forward. There’s definitely a lot of excitement for the future.”

JOHN DALY saratoga living

i l l u s t r at i o n b y e x c l u s i v e ly f o r

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made the decision, I was confident it was the right one. After being drafted in the first round, I certainly have no regrets.

You’re almost 60 games into your first NBA season. How’s your body holding up to the physical demands of the job?

The coaches and veteran guys just stressed to me that it would be a long year and that it was important to take care of my body. You have to make the most of your days off from a recovery standpoint and do the right things for the long haul. It’s tough, but I feel good physically.

The Hawks’ roster features ten players age 25 or younger. After a tough

What’s been your favorite moment so far this season?

For me personally, the game where I scored 29 points in Philadelphia was my best as a pro so far, and it was a big road win. We had a pretty good twoweek stretch there, where we grinded out some big road wins.

Your red hair has led to some interesting nicknames: “Red Mamba,” “Red Dot,” for your shooting precision, and even “Red Velvet.” Do you have a favorite nickname?

I’m just kind of waiting for one of them to stick, but it doesn’t really matter to me.

I’m happy with whatever the fans come up with. I’m just having fun with it all.

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AD FROM THE THE RO KY DERBY TO N TU C T

KE RAVERS STAKE S T

MIXED RESULTS JUST HOW WELL DID KENTUCKY DERBY WINNERS FARE IN THE TRAVERS?

BY BRIEN BOUYEA

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(Whirlaway) NATIONAL MUSEUM OF RACING AND HALL OF FAME; (Sea Hero, Keen Ice) NYRA

YEAR HORSE

he first Saturday in May—the Kentucky Derby— is horse racing’s equivalent to the Super Bowl. Known as the Run for the Roses and the Greatest Two Minutes in Sports, the Derby has captured racing fans’ imagination since 1875—and mine since the late 1980s. What got me hooked? The trifecta of successive winners: Alysheba in 1987, Winning Colors in 1988 and Sunday Silence in 1989. The icing on the cake? Watching Super Saver win the 2010 Derby at Churchill Downs.

Immediately after a winner is crowned at the Derby, racing fans begin speculating about a possible Triple Crown run. Could the Derby winner take the Preakness Stakes?

The Belmont Stakes, even? For me, though, there’s a third question: What about the Travers Stakes? I’m always thinking ahead to that day in August— this year, it’ll be Saturday, August 24— which is Saratoga’s Super Bowl. What makes the Travers so unique is that the majority of Derby winners who’ve raced in it—16 of 26, to be exact—have lost it, contributing to Saratoga Race Course’s reputation as the “Graveyard of Champions.” Case in point: Aristides, who won that first Derby in 1875, came into the Travers a sure bet, only to lose to an obscure colt named D’Artagnan, who never won a race before or after. On a much grander scale, in 1930, Gallant Fox became the first Triple Crown winner to enter the Travers, but was soundly defeated by 100-1 long shot Jim Dandy.

winner winner (from top) Whirlaway, who won the Travers in 1941, is the lone Triple Crown winner to have ever won the Saratoga gem; Sea Hero, following his Travers win in 1993, which snapped a 51-year gap between Derby/Travers dualwinners; (opposite) Keen Ice beating out Triple Crown winner American Pharoah to win the 2015 Travers Stakes.

But Saratoga’s “graveyard” hasn’t always been the site of funerary proceedings. The first of ten Derby dandies to win the Travers was BadenBaden in 1877, and four years later, Hindoo won the Derby and Travers as part of an 18-race (!) win streak. Derby winners Twenty Grand (1931), Whirlaway (1941) and Shut Out (1942) all won the Travers, successively, with Whirlaway being the lone Triple Crown winner to have ever taken Saratoga’s gem.

Following Shut Out, there was a 51-year gap before another a dual victory, which Sea Hero snapped in 1993. Fastforward to the 21st century, and five Derby winners have shown up at the Travers, with only Street Sense able to accomplish the one-two punch in 2007.

HE

TRAVERS FINISH

1875 Aristides

3rd

1877 Baden-Baden

1st

1881 Hindoo

1st

1885 Joe Cotton

4th

1892 Azra

1st

1917

1st

Omar Khayyam

1918 Exterminator

4th

1928 Reigh Count

4th

1930 Gallant Fox

2nd

1931

1st

Twenty Grand

1941 Whirlaway

1st

1942 Shut Out

1st

1963 Chateaugay

3rd

1968 Forward Pass

2nd

1978 Affirmed

2nd

1981 Pleasant Colony

2nd

1982 Gato Del Sol

5th

1987 Alysheba

6th

1991 Strike the Gold

4th

1993 Sea Hero

1st

1995 Thunder Gulch

1st

2007 Street Sense

1st

2010 Super Saver

10th

2013 Orb

3rd

2015 American Pharoah

2nd

2017 Always Dreaming

9th

Luckily, this year’s Travers doesn’t need a Derby winner’s win to make it historic: It’ll be the 150th running of the race. But I’ll still be rooting for one—or another massive upset.

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crown molded DRF’s Mike Watchmaker has his eyes on Angelo’s Corner, seen here, among other early Triple Crown nominees who might have a chance at glory.

It’s Never Too Early To Have Triple Crown Dreams

H

BY MIKE WATCHMAKER,

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DAILY RACING FORM

CREDIT

A longer version of this column originally appeared in the Daily Racing Form.

CREDIT

orse racing was made for dreamers. One of the best places to find unbridled optimism in the sport? In the list of 362 threeyear-old Thoroughbreds whose connections met the January 26 deadline that made them early nominees for the 2019 Triple Crown. Of course, this wasn’t the lone opportunity to make three-year-olds eligible to run in the Kentucky Derby and/or the Preakness Stakes and/or the Belmont Stakes. There’s a late nominations stage that closes on April 1, and there’s also the opportunity to supplement a horse at entry time to either the Derby, Preakness or Belmont.

Some familiar names grace the early Triple Crown nominations list: Steve Asmussen trains 27 early nominees; and Bob Baffert, Chad Brown and Todd Pletcher train 17 each. There are also all the likely equine suspects you would expect on this early nominations list, such as Game Winner and Improbable. And then there are a slew of early Triple Crown nominees who, as of my writing this, haven’t even made their first career start. That’s OK. Last year, Justify didn’t make his debut until more than three weeks after the early nominations deadline—and we all know how that ended up for him. That said, there are three unraced horses nominated to the Triple Crown who haven’t even been named yet. There is, of course, a large group of raced maidens nominated (i.e., horses that haven’t won a race yet), which is typical for early Triple Crown nominees. And some of those raced maidens are just plain slow, which is also typical for the process.

But there’s also a handful of horses nominated by connections who are either dreaming bigger than big—or just getting a thrill out of being able to say their horse is a Triple Crown nominee. These include Brian’s Spirit, who’s made both his starts at Delta Downs, and after finishing a distant sixth in his debut, has blossomed; Tizprocess, who finished second in his debut last summer and returned for a win in February of this year; Angelo’s Corner, who made all five of his career starts on the New York Racing Association circuit last year, finally notching a win just before his third birthday; Trifor Gold, who was a quick winner last fall at Laurel Park but hasn’t been able to match the feat since; and Angelo’s Pride, a gelding who scored both a decisive victory and 33-1 upset at Golden Gate Fields.

At present, none of these horses would stand a chance of being competitive in a Triple Crown race. But there’s a world of difference between nominating the dreamiest of dreamer horses to a major event, and actually running a hopelessly overmatched long shot in the same. I’ll save my scorn for the latter, but I’ll smile along with the former in appreciation of the dream.

ADAM COGLIANESE

DRF ’s National Handicapper pores over 362 early Triple Crown nominees.

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One of five live-work studios Phinney designed at Saratoga artists’ community Yaddo.

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THE PROLIFIC ARCHITECTURE FIRM’S LATEST PROJECTS SOAR TO NEW HEIGHTS.

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or more than a decade and a half, Saratoga Springs-based Phinney Design Group and its Founding Principal Architect, Michael Phinney, have been known for stunning architectural projects that bridge the gap between the traditional and the future. You can see it in their five live-work studios at Saratoga artists’ community Yaddo, which manage to look both brand new and as if they’ve always been there; in their preservation of historic gems such as The Sagamore Resort and The Gideon Putnam; and in the firm’s unwavering dedication to green building and sustainable design.

So what does the future look like for this architecture, interior design and construction management firm that has already done so much to bring this region’s architecture into the 21st century and beyond? For starters, it’s opening up a second office on River Street in Downtown Troy this spring. “We’re really out of space in Saratoga,” Phinney says.

“We’ve kind of gotten to our maximum here—22 people—so we’re moving four or five people to Troy.” For Phinney, who spent six years living in Troy during and after his time as a student at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), the city was the obvious choice for a second office. “I’ve

BY JENNIFER COOK

basically lived in Troy and Saratoga, and I’ve always loved both cities,” he says.

One of Phinney Design Group’s biggest current undertakings also happens to be in the Collar City. The adaptive reuse project will take a 40,000-square-foot mill and transform it into a mixed-use space: The ground floor will be a second The Local Pub and Teahouse location (the first shares a building with Phinney Design’s Saratoga office), complete with a game area, room for live entertainment, a kru coffee café and a Common Roots Brewery and Bottle Shop; the second floor will be a business incubator space, with shared work space and some smaller private offices; and the third floor will be apartments.

Through all the company’s growth, it has still managed to maintain its dedication to the environment. In fact, this past November, Phinney was awarded the United States Green Building Council’s (USGBC’s) Kevin P. Stack Award for Sustainability for his design work on several USGBC-certified sustainable buildings, including the Bio Building at The Wild Center (formerly the Natural History Museum of the Adirondacks) in Tupper Lake, NY. “I’m the type of person who’s always focused on the task of the day and on what’s happening next, and sometimes I stop and look back at the body of work, and I’m really proud of how diverse it is,” Phinney says. “We’ve won historic

(FROM TOP) Phinney Design Group is working on a multimillion-dollar expansion of The Palace Theatre in Albany; Phinney Design provided planning and design assistance for a major renovation to the 126-year-old Sagamore Resort.

preservation awards and then we’ve won design awards for really modern buildings.”

It’s a design firm that can do both. Phinney Design will honor the Capital Region’s historic spaces while responsibly pushing its architecture into the future.

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financial future. Keep in mind, this information should not be considered personalized investment advice or recommendations. Because each situation varies, it’s important to review for your own particular situation.

Women may have a lengthier retirement. Women tend to outlive men by an average of five years, according to the National Center for Health in 2016. Though a longer retirement means more time to travel the world and spoil grandchildren, it also means women will have to save more money to last them through their longer lifespans.

TIP #1 Stocks are an important

part of most portfolios, even during retirement. Though you may want to gradually reduce your exposure as you get older, consider maintaining a portion of your savings in stock investments to help counteract the impact of inflation.

The ultimate goal is to make sure you have continued growth while not risking the money you need to live on.

Maureen Parker is an Independent Branch Leader and Financial Consultant at Charles Schwab in Saratoga Springs.

Women may have a more expensive retirement. Not only do women have to plan for more years in retirement, but they often have to anticipate higher expenses. Longer life expectancies can translate into increased medical expenses and a higher likelihood of entering a nursing home or assisted living community, or hiring formal home care, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars a year.

Four Financial Tips For Women

A

s a financial professional for over 20 years, I speak to many women about getting involved in saving and investing decisions for the family, especially those related to their own retirement. In fact, when I work with recently divorced or widowed women, I find many have

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M AU R EE N PARKE R

never before managed their own finances. While women face a unique set of circumstances when it comes to retirement planning, being more aware of these challenges is the first step to helping to overcome them.

At Schwab, we generally highlight four key considerations to help women prepare and be confident in their

TIP #2

STEPHANIE McCAULEY

presented by

Medicare benefits cover some medical costs during retirement, but consider signing up for supplemental insurance.

Women potentially have to save more to make up for earnings loss.

On average, women still earn lower

salaries than their male counterparts. In 2015, women still earned only 80 cents for every dollar men earned, according to U.S. Census Bureau’s data for full-time, year-round workers’ median earnings released in September 2016. Plus, over the course of their working years, women spend more time out of the workforce to care for their families, according to the AARP Public Policy Institute. To counteract the forces that are weighing on their ability to accumulate savings, women should focus on socking away as much as possible during the years they are working and earning an income.

The ultimate goal is to make sure you have continued growth while not risking the money you need to live on.

TIP #3

Your level of savings is the biggest factor in determining whether you will meet your retirement financial goals, so start early. But in case you procrastinate, there are ways to help catch up. Max out your 401(k) contributions and use an automatic deposit feature so you don’t even have to think about it. Each year after you turn 50, you can contribute up to $6,000 beyond the usual limit to your 401(k). You may also be able to annually contribute an extra $1,000 to your Traditional or Roth IRA to help bulk up your savings. Review your expenses periodically to look for ways to save more, and avoid carrying a balance on your credit card to limit costly interest payments.

Women may receive less in Social Security benefits. Lower salaries and fewer years in the workplace also put women at a disadvantage when it comes to Social Security benefits.

In fact, women earned on average about 20% less in Social Security than men in 2015, according to the Social Security Administration. While this may be difficult to accept, women who may become widows due their longer life expectancies should consider how they can maximize their Social Security survivor benefits.

TIP #4 Consider delaying the

start of your Social Security benefits.

If you choose to start cashing in your Social Security checks before your normal retirement age, your benefits are reduced. If you wait until some point between your normal retirement age and the age of 70, you’ll receive a higher monthly benefit. Use the Social Security Administration’s calculators to determine your breakeven age— the point at which you break even and begin to come out ahead if you delay Social Security.

W

hen it comes to planning for retirement, knowledge really is power. I get great satisfaction when I can provide women with the information they need to plan for their future, and being based in Saratoga Springs, one of the greatest (if I do say so myself) places to retire to, is just icing on the cake.

■ MAUREEN PARKER is an Independent Branch Leader and Financial Consultant at Charles Schwab with over 22 years of experience helping clients achieve their financial goals. Some content provided here has been compiled from previously published articles authored by various parties at Schwab.

Information presented is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as personalized investment advice as individual situations vary.

Where specific advice is necessary or appropriate, Schwab recommends consultation with a qualified professional.

Investing involves risk including the potential loss of principal.

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You can see more of Katie Cristo’s jewelry on Instagram @katiecristojewelry.

CUSTOM JEWELRY

THE SARATOGA-BASED DESIGNER CUSTOMIZES JEWELRY TO ORDER.

M

BY JENNIFER COOK

STEVEN BOUCHARD

ost people know 20-year Saratoga Springs resident Katie Cristo as a local realtor, mom and avid volunteer.

What they may not know is that she also runs her own custom jewelry business. saratoga living recently caught up with the designer to talk about that creative side, and how Katie Cristo Custom Jewelry came to be.

Katie, tell us, how did you first get into jewelry making?

Having just completed a major house renovation, my inner designer came tapping back to that door, like, “Hey you—what’s next?!” After some casual researching, I learned about chainmail weaving. What really caught my attention was how it had a modern take on jewelry but was curiously tied to the old world. Chainmail was used to make medieval armor, so it was created to be extremely strong. I taught myself the technique and started weaving a few chains by hand, right at my kitchen table. I did extensive research to make sure I found the highest quality material available. When I saw how it literally starts as just a pile of rings, but ends as this beautiful, intricately woven chain, I was completely hooked.

Is this when you made it a business?

Yes, but, at first, I thought I’d just make a few pieces and have them available for friends and family for holidays or special occasions. But the funniest thing would happen: I’d wear pieces out to a happy hour and come home with an empty wrist! They were selling off my hand. Then, people started calling me and saying “Hey, Katie, do you think you could do this color stone with that chain?” This was the start of my custom process.

What’s the best part about owning your own custom jewelry business?

I love sitting down with someone and customizing their piece so it’s exactly what they want. And then to see them wearing it a few weeks later when I randomly run into them makes me so happy. I think customers really appreciate when they know that something was created and exclusively made just for them.

Where can people buy your jewelry?

Everything I’ve made thus far is for sale on www.katiecristo.com. But the customization option will continue for all customers—even those who don’t live locally. Anyone interested should email me at katie@katiecristo.com or call me at 1-800-280-5207.

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the back Calendar ⁄

Derek Hough Busts A Move T HE DAN C I N G W I T H T HE STAR S C HAMPI ON SOAR S I N TO ALB AN Y.

BY R I C HAR D PÉ R E Z-F E R I A

L

APRIL 26

DEREK HOUGH AT THE PALACE THEATER

et’s get this out of the way: Yes, for what seems an eternity now, I’ve been watching Dancing With The Stars. OK, OK…have at it. Look, DWTS is one of the only television shows that I get to bond with my mother-inlaw about—how could we not?—and this Utah-bred, glistening-when-shirtless, towheaded wonder, six-time Mirror Ball Champion, slice of dreamy American pie, Derek Hough, is a huge reason why mom-in-law and I (and tens of millions of others) love this impossibly happy show, now entering its 28th season(!), so damn much. His aw-shucks humility mixed with his Wow! acrobatic dance moves make Hough the perfect object of post-millennium pop cultural fascination: sexy for a G-rated audience.

Serving currently as a judge (along with R&B singer Ne-Yo and superstar Executive Producer Jennifer Lopez) of NBC’s wildly popular World Of Dance, Hough has struck reality-competition-show gold once again. His chemistry with the ageless, stunning Lopez is palpable, yet clearly friendly (their partnership doesn’t tread anywhere near the smoldering Lady Gaga/Bradley Cooper zone).

And now, all of Hough’s cream cheese goodness wrapped in seriously mind-blowing dancing ability is heading to Albany’s Palace Theatre on Friday, April 26. Oh, yes, I’ve already called my motherin-law. Let the bonding begin!

pretty hough Derek Hough, currently a judge on NBC’s World Of Dance, will be bringing his pro dancing chops to Albany’s Palace Theatre on April 26.

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the back Calendar ⁄ APRIL 11

DARLINGSIDE

APRIL 25

ALAN CUMMING: LEGAL IMMIGRANT Life is a cabaret—and even more so if you’re award-winning Scottish writer, singer, actor and entertainer extraordinaire Alan Cumming. Speaking of cabaret, Cumming has become quite the aficionado: He won a Tony for his portrayal of the

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SPRING AUTO SHOW

four square Boston-based folk quartet Darlingside will be playing two sets on the same night at Caffè Lena on April 11.

Master of Ceremonies in the Broadway production based on the classic film, Cabaret, and he’s also toured the world with his own cabaret creations, I Bought A Blue Car Today and Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs. Cumming will be bringing his latest one-man show, Legal Immigrant, to the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall on April 25 at 7:30pm.

He wrote it as a reflection on his experiences as a UK citizen in the US over the last decade. The show will also feature Cumming performing a range of songs by his favorite artists, including Adele, Édith Piaf, Cole Porter and Stephen Sondheim.

it’s sure to sell out quickly when it swings through Schenectady’s Proctors Theatre May 14-19, so make sure you have the chance.

Written and composed by South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, along with Avenue Q cocreator Robert Lopez, this uproariously funny and undeniably naughty musical comedy follows two young, naïve Mormon missionaries as they attempt to convert African villagers preoccupied by auto zone The Spring Auto Show at the Saratoga Automobile Museum will take place on May 18.

Join the rev-olution. The Spring Auto Show kicks into high gear at the Saratoga Automobile Museum from 9am-3pm on Saturday, May 18 (with a rain date on May 19). Expect food, refreshments and more than 400 classic cars on display.

This year’s auto show was planned in conjunction with an upcoming exhibit at the museum, Wheels of Change: Cars and Culture of the 1960s, set to preview beginning on Saturday, March 30, at 10am (a grand opening reception will take place on Friday, April 5 from 6-8pm). At the auto show, look out for memorable rides such as a red 1960 Plymouth XNR Concept Car. Admission is free for spectators, and all cars are welcome, for $10 each. Want to register your vehicle? Visit saratogaautomuseum.org for more details.

How The Belmont Runs Through Manhattan T H E CARLY L E, L E B ERNARD IN AND A H ERM ÈS SAD D L E? W ELC O ME TO NYC, H O RS E LOVERS . n BY MARC O MED RANO

W

— JEFF DINGL ER

MAY 14-19

THE BOOK OF MORMON The hit Broadway musical, The Book of Mormon, which debuted in 2011 and swept the Tonys (winning nine), really must be seen (and heard) to be believed. And

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(Belmont) SUSIE RAISHER

Alan Cumming

MAY 18 (RAIN DATE, MAY 19)

(Darlingside) CAMERON GEE

The critically acclaimed, Boston-based folk quartet, Darlingside, is returning to Caffè Lena to play two sets, one at 6pm, the other at 8:30pm on April 11. They’ll be performing songs from their growing catalogue, including their latest album, 2018’s Extralife. The group’s members—Don Mitchell, Auyon Mukharji, Harris Paseltiner and David Senft (whose parents live in Saratoga Springs)—met as undergraduates at Williams College in Williamstown, MA. They’re known for their intricately layered four-part harmonies, stripped-down instrumentation and for performing around a single microphone, both in the studio and onstage.

Travel the back Horse ⁄

famine, the AIDS epidemic and a vicious warlord. Trust us; hilarity ensues.

ith its racing splendor dating back to 1867, you might hear an ole timer use the phrase “The Run for the Carnations” or “The Test of the Champions,” referring to the third leg of American horse racing’s Triple Crown series.

One thing that’s not a long shot is the verifiable, bankable excitement of this race that follows the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes: New York’s Belmont Stakes, taking place Saturday, June 8 and may be the site of a Triple Crown victory.

The Belmont is run annually in Elmont, on Long Island, some 40 minutes by car—or 8 minutes by helicopter—from New York City. So naturally, I suggest using Manhattan as your home base, and road-tripping from there. Of course, the Big Apple has no shortage of stellar, top-notch hotels, entertainment and dining venues, which makes a short list for this horse-centric road trip quite tricky. Nonetheless, I put together a list featuring classic institutions and enticingly refined NYC traditions that syncs up with our desired road-trip destination.

Let’s work backward. You’ll probably be taking Manhattan’s 59th Street

stakes house The Belmont Stakes, the oldest and final leg of American horse racing’s Triple Crown, will run on June 8; (top) Bar SixtyFive, located on the 65th floor of Rockefeller Plaza, offers up arguably the best views (and oysters) in New York City.

(Queensboro) Bridge en route to the race (assuming the helicopter’s not in your budget!), so we’d best check you in close by. A top choice is The Carlyle Hotel at 76th Street and Madison Avenue. This iconic, grand hotel has the best views of Central Park!

Bemelmans Bar, nestled within the hotel and featuring fantastically whimsical murals by Ludwig Bemelmans, author

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and illustrator of the beloved Madeline children’s books, is an absolute must, while a great spot for a classic coiffure is Yves Durif Salon on the third floor. And why not follow it up with

the Ace Hotel, W Hotel and The Plaza.

Elegant, relevant, sexy!

Cocktails! Let’s start with champagne at Ladurée. The Parisian implant has three locations in town: one in SoHo, another on Madison Avenue and yet another at The Plaza Hotel. The Plaza’s iconic Oak Room has been restored beautifully, its original splendor fully recaptured, and is also a great option. Of course, if you’re in the mood to step out and explore more, the skyline’s the limit!

If you’re limited by dietary restrictions, a simple Google search for the best vegan restaurants in NYC will produce buckets of good recommendations.

But as of late, the highest marks go to Trip Advisor’s Travelers’ Choice 2018 winner Spice Symphony, which has two NYC locations. If, conversely, you’re a meat lover, then the finest, buttery-aged porterhouse can be found at the world-famous Peter Luger Steakhouse in Brooklyn—which makes for a terrific detour on your way back

W e ar e a F UL L s e rv i ce r e a l e s tat e c o m pan y

from the track, before taking the nearby Williamsburg Bridge back over to Manhattan. And for fish? Even three decades after its launch in Manhattan, you’ll still need to pull some strings to get into Le Bernardin, unquestionably one of the best restaurants in the world, which consistently serves up the most exquisite seafood dishes on the planet. (And its still the only restaurant in Manhattan never to lose its four-star [highest] ranking from The New York Times, thanks to Co-Owners Maguy Le Coze and famed Executive Chef Eric Ripert.)

But never say never, I always say!

For brunch, you can’t get better than the Rainbow Room atop Rockefeller Center. This Gilded Age throwback hasn’t just been restored, it’s been completely reimagined beyond even its original grandeur. If it’s just drinks and impressive Manhattan skyline

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heavy metal Virginia Overton’s Untitled (Gem); 2018 is one of many outdoor metal sculptures in Queens’ Socrates Sculpture Park.

views you want, venture to the adjacent venue, Bar SixtyFive.

If you want to stay on script with equestrian-centric luxury, here's one great place to work into your schedule: The Wild Horses Of Sable Island Gallery, home to the most extravagant equine art. I wouldn’t miss this or artist Roberto Dutesco’s coffee table book of the same name. Socrates Sculpture Park, in Astoria, Queens, is pure New York City: hipster. Groovy. It’s. Right.

Now. The outdoor metal sculpture

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park is literally on the way to Belmont Park. Old Westbury Gardens is only ten minutes from the track and doesn’t disappoint. Tour the Westbury House, a King Charles II-style mansion, which touts that it’s “nestled amid 200 acres of formal gardens, landscaped grounds, woodlands, ponds and lakes.”

Also, check out BelmontStakes.com for premium hospitality packages, which put you in a luxe, air-conditioned, front-row seat at the racetrack. Need a one-of-a-kind saddle (yes!), racetrack scarf or satchel? Hermès doesn’t just accommodate, it excels beyond bespoke! I ain’t kidding.

There are a lot of fun things to do on the way to the track, people! It’s time to double down on the Belmont Stakes!

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ooh la la The chic Parisian tea room, Ladurée, has three locations in New York City.

an exquisite facial rejuvenation and skincare spree at the hotel’s famed Sisley-Paris Spa. (Yes, yes please!)

Keeping in step with elegance, another amazing pick for your stay is The Pierre Hotel on 61st Street and Fifth Avenue. Why? It, too, offers easy access to the Queensboro Bridge, just a few blocks away, drastically cutting down your “commute” to the big race. Plus, you’re mere steps from the Metropolitan Club (fab!), Barneys New York and Bergdorf Goodman, and can stroll right into Gotham’s famed “Museum Mile,” featuring the Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Guggenheim, The Frick and, yes, so much more.

If horsing ’round is up your alley, then Lower Midtown’s NoMad neighborhood is for you. The newer Phillippe Stark-designed Mondrian Park Avenue, at 30th Street and Park Avenue South, is one of the newest hot spots in town—a cross between

NICHOLAS KNIGHT STUDIO

Travel the back Horse ⁄

Where nature meets your imagination.

Design the back Beautiful ⁄

personalize your space and bring special photos to life with color, pattern and, well, joy.

From Ho-Hum To Home Run

A traditional room gets new life with the sparkle of a modern crystal chandelier, a fab polished-nickel tray and the straight lines of a transitional take on the timeworn wing chair. When combined with stately silk drapery, crisp white trim and dark-stained hardwood floors, this room boasts the tried and true as well as a bit of the unexpected, while breaking all the rules.

Create your own timepiece.

A traditional dining room gets a new look with the addition of a postmodern, polished-nickel bar cart, complete with unusual bottles, crystal barware and cocktail accoutrements.

Graced with lovely moldings from the early 1900s, this room’s elegance is only enhanced by its fanciful air.

Oak Ridge is a residential community offering custom homes built by J. Snyder Builders with an emphasis on design — and an appreciation for elegance and timeless architecture — amidst a natural setting of nearly 135 acres with walking and hiking trails and park areas. Only minutes away from all the major attractions of Saratoga Springs.

SPRUCE UP YOUR NEST WITH OUR DESIGN EDITOR’S INCREDIBLE TIPS. n BY BEVERLY TRACY

E

photography by TJ TRACY exclusively for saratoga living

arly on in my career, I came to the conclusion that, despite one’s best intentions and talents, “good taste” could become boring unless there was an element of the unexpected involved. This belief has defined much of who I am as a designer and has been inherent in everything I’ve done ever since (and not just in the design realm).

Mixing it up a bit comes naturally to me and has, in fact, become the core of my signature style. Here are five examples that illustrate how to bring your home from the expected to the spectacular.

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An otherwise ho-hum black-and-white family photo gallery gets a shot of fun and whimsy with colorful, custom-framed and -matted wrapping paper prints. Alternatively, you can frame kids’ art, meaningful quotes or small paintings.

It’s the perfect way to

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A home office gets a pop of excitement with a new take on color and pattern. A flat weave rug with an exaggerated herringbone pattern and bright colors makes an outof-left-field cameo in this traditional room alongside a mod-houndstooth-inspired ottoman and fur pillow.

Positioned beside classic linen flat-Roman shades and plush moldings, these fun furnishings inspire creativity and happy thoughts.

A large contemporary painting makes an unanticipated appearance in this traditional room, beside black-and-white wedding photos and atop a silver velvet transitional chair piped with tan silk.

Classic tailored drapery, pen-shell nesting tables and a modern wool rug complete the juxtaposition of old and new, to make the room delightfully stylish yet undeniably classic.

In a word, perfect.

PHASE II OF OAK RIDGE

A variety of lot sizes are now available, including the introduction of the “Carriage Homes of Oak Ridge.”

Saratoga Springs

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Saratoga Springs

We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers in obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex/gender, disability, familial status, national origin, or any other protected classes under state or local law.

Saratoga Springs

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the back Food ⁄

Improve your home’s efficiency with new Marvin Windows.

Enjoy unparalleled value with craftsman-quality construction, energy-efficient technology, and the industry’s most extensive selection of shapes, styles and options. The expert team at GNH Design Center will help you find the perfect solution.

Healthy Pudding? Oh, Yeah!

IS CH EF MAX LONDON’S C U LI N A RY C R E AT I O N T H E ‘SA R ATO GA B I T E ’? p h otog r aph y by T E R R I -LYN N P E LLE GR I

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Golden Milk Chia Pudding INGREDIENTS

4 c. Canned coconut milk, unsweetened (plus a bit more, if desired) 2 c. Almond milk, unsweetened 2 tsp. Dried ground turmeric 1/4 tsp. Dried ground ginger 1/4 tsp. Vanilla paste 3 Cinnamon sticks 2 Tbsp. Honey (plus a bit more, if desired) Zest of 1/2 orange 1 c. Chia seeds, preferably organic Raw pistachios Fresh berries Dried dates Dried coconut, unsweetened

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INSTRUCTIONS

Max London RESTAURANT: Max London’s SARATOGA BITE: Golden Milk Chia Pudding

EXECUTIVE CHEF:

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M

y 2018 New Year’s resolution was to eat less meat, which has led me to experiment with more plant-based ingredients. I love chia seeds, because they’re loaded with protein and healthy fatty acids and vitamins. I’ve now made a variety of chia puddings—we ran both a vanilla and chocolate version on our brunch menu last summer. This Golden Milk version definitely checks off the H for “Health” in Saratoga’s “Health, History and Horses” motto, which is why I chose it for my Saratoga Bite.

In a medium-sized pot, over low heat, combine the coconut milk, almond milk, turmeric, ginger, vanilla paste, cinnamon, honey and orange zest. Stir with a whisk and gently heat to allow the flavors to come together. When liquid is just warm to touch, pour in chia seeds. Mix together and remove pot from heat. Stir mixture with a rubber spatula for 3-5 minutes or until chia seeds begin to bloom and mixture starts to thicken like a pudding. Transfer pudding to a container and refrigerate overnight or until chilled. To serve, transfer some pudding to a cup or bowl. Top with pistachios, berries, dates, dried coconut, some additional coconut milk and a little drizzle of honey, if desired. The chia pudding can also be enjoyed by itself or with other toppings of your choice.

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the back Drink ⁄

wanted to add to the conversation about the “Next Great Saratoga Cocktail” with a crisp, subtly bold cocktail that pays homage to Saratoga Springs and our surrounding region. This inspired “The Yaddo”—a nod to the equally bold artists who stay at Saratoga’s famed artists’ retreat. Also, I think we can all appreciate the vast variety of apples and honey found in our region, so I created my own apple and spiced bitters and apple-honey simple syrup to give this cocktail the sweetness it deserved.

The Brook Tavern Serves Up ‘The Yaddo’ THE HISTO RI C SPOT GO E S BOLD FOR I TS “N E X T GREAT SARATOGA CO CKTA IL” ENTRY. photo g r a p h y by DO RI FITZ PATRICK

TheYaddo INGREDIENTS

2 oz. Barr Hill Vodka (or any floral gin) 1/2 oz. Elderflower liqueur 3-4 dashes Apple and spiced bitters* 1 oz. Apple-honey simple syrup** 1/2 oz. Fresh lemon juice INSTRUCTIONS

Combine vodka, elderflower liqueur, bitters, simple syrup and lemon juice in a shaker glass with ice. Shake and strain in a chilled stem glass of your choice.

Garnish with a lemon twist and enjoy!

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*THE BROOK TAVERN’S APPLE AND SPICED BITTERS RECIPE:

MIXOLOGIST:

Damian D’Arpino BAR:

The Brook Tavern

COCKTAIL:

The Yaddo

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8 oz. 100-proof vodka of choice 6 Apple peels 1 Cinnamon stick 4 Cloves 1 Lemon peel Let sit for 8-10 days. Then drain into a good reusable, sealable container. **THE BROOK TAVERN’S APPLE-HONEY SIMPLE SYRUP RECIPE:

1 Lemon peel 1 c. Local organic honey 1 c. Saratoga Natural Spring Water (flat) 4 oz. Organic apple concentrate Simmer to half volume.

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WASH, WASH, DRY, DRY, FOLD FOLD

(from left) Jennifer “Deb” Cook, Austin Bayliss

Spirits For Strength Celebrates In Schenectady

(from left) Rikki Trinci, Dante Gallucci, Glenn Gallucci, Teri Gallucci

SHELLSTRONG BRINGS ITS KID-CENTRIC MISSION TO PROCTORS. n BY NATALIE MOORE

(from left) Shawn Seagroatt, Scott Hoffman, Shawn Riccardi

(from left) Nick Caruso, Chris Silipigno, Tom Gurka

(from left) Jodie Gurka, Angie Silipigno, Terry Nawrot

(from left) Cory Dugan, Amy Rose, Kathi Snyder and Erin Musto of Maddie’s Mark Foundation group

Frank DeBlasi, Founder of Ballsfest, and other revelers at Adelphi

(from left) Frank DeBlasi, Dante Gallucci

Erica Ziskin

The Paper Plates rock out

Virgil Chevalier

Guests dancing to music by Jacob Shell’s band, The Paper Plates

Jarod Fields whips up a cocktail

PUT SOME

EXTREME IN YOUR

BALLSFEST’S UNIQUE FUNDRAISER MIXES FUN WITH ACTION.

BY LINNEA HARRIS n photography by KATIE DOBIES

f you noticed more than 100 pajama-wearing adults wandering around Broadway in Saratoga Springs during the late hours of February 9, you weren’t seeing things: Ballsfest Late Night Pajama Party was in full swing. Ballsfest, a nonprofit organization that raises money for local children battling cancer in Upstate New York founded by testicular cancer survivor Frank DeBlasi, rented out the entire Adelphi Hotel for its first event of 2019—a late-night pajama party. Saratoga’s first Ballsfest PJ party was a night of music, food and fun: “The energy that filled that room was contagious,” says Angie Silipigno, Executive Director of Ballsfest NY. “Adults in their comfy cozies and pajamas hitting the town for a night out to support a great cause lends itself to an unforgettable evening!” We couldn’t agree more.

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(from left) Jacob Shell, Matt Shell, Kim Shell, Hannah Shell

Ballsfest guests pose in the photo booth

Pajama Party Invades The Adelphi

I

O

(from left) Alice Corey, Kenny Ellis, Carrie Rowlands Johnson, Naomi Nicholson

GRACE ISAKSEN

A Ballsfest guest hugging Dante Gallucci, former Ballsfest recipient and cancer survivor

n February 2, the Shellstrong Foundation, a nonprofit whose simple mission is to help kids in need, hosted its 8th Annual Spirits For Strength Celebration at Key Hall at Schenectady’s Proctors. The Shellstrong Foundation began as an all-night walkathon in 2010 at Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School (BH-BL) to honor Jacob Shell, a ten-year-old BH-BL student who had been fighting a rare childhood cancer, and his family. Two months later, Jacob was declared cancer free, and the idea for a foundation was born. This year’s Spirits For Strength Celebration, at which an 18-year-old Jacob performed with his band, The Paper Plates, raised more than $50,000 for the Melodies Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders at Albany Medical Center, the Double H Ranch, local scholarships and families in need.

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BACKYARD MAKEOVER!

Tim Britt performing live

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(from left) Tripp Garinger, Meghan Mosch, Justin Morgan

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Hattie’s Mardi Gras Says ‘Au Revoir’

AFTER RAISING $1 MILLION OVER 18 YEARS, THE FABLED PARTY TAKES A BREAK. n BY SIMONE TEAGUE

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hen Beth and Jasper Alexander bought the Saratoga staple, Hattie’s Restaurant, from founder Hattie Gray

in 2001, they knew they weren’t just signing up to run a restaurant—they were taking on the essence of Hattie. “We felt strongly that Hattie needed to live on, not just in the

restaurant, but in charitable contributions,” Beth says.

And so, the annual Hattie’s Mardi Gras Soirée was born. “We certainly never expected it to grow into a gala, but we’re pretty proud of what it’s turned into.”

Eighteen years later, this past January, more than 600 guests attended the now iconic, and sadly, final, Mardi Gras Soirée at the Canfield Casino. The event benefited local nonprofit Jake’s Help From Heaven— which aids individuals suffering from multiple medical challenges and

Debby and Peter Copeletti

(from left) Emily Sears Russom, Matt Tallman, Christine McKee, Ryen VanHall Masked party-goers in the Mardi Gras photo booth Bob Stulmaker, Benita Zahn

HEATHER BOHM-TALLMAN

fun bunch The 2019 Hattie’s Mardi Gras crew.

disabilities—for a second time. Back in 2015, Hattie’s raised more than $100,000 for the nonprofit, and this time around, bested that sum with more than $150,000 raised. “One hundred percent of the proceeds go to the charity,” says Beth.

Throughout its nearly two-decade history, Hattie’s Mardi Gras Soirée ended up raising more than $1 million for local nonprofits.

Though it was the final year of the event, Beth tells saratoga living that Hattie’s isn’t done giving back. “Jasper and I just want to concentrate on the restaurant right now, but in a couple of years, we’ll see what I can come up with!”

We can’t wait to find out.

(from left) Judy Woodley, Wendy Lawrence, Heather Bohm-Tallman, Tonya Pellegrini-Lawrence, Samantha Nass, Katie Danz

(front row, from left) Brian Straughter, Sarena Straughter, Heather Straughter, Susana Hoffman, (back row, from left) Michael Hoffman, Ethan Straughter

Richard Roe, Hattie’s Co-owner Beth Alexander

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796 Burdeck Street Schenectady, NY 12306

specialty: Custom Homes, Apartment Communities, Development (518) 356-1435 WEBSITE: hodorowskigroup.com

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RANDALL PERRY PHOTOGRAPHY

HODOROWSKI GROUP

ith more than 40 years of experience, the Hodorowski Group is one of the premier real estate developers in the Capital Region, specializing not just in custom homes, but also apartment communities, residential and commercial construction and commercial development. “What makes us unique is our leadership,” says Hodorowski Group’s President and CEO Paul Hodorowski. “We’re a true family-owned business. My brother John Luke and I co-own J. Luke Construction, which develops all our infrastructure in-house and builds all our projects.” With a team of more than 100 skilled specialists and employees, the Hodorowski Group makes construction and development a breeze.

BELLA HOME BUILDERS

HODOROWSKI GROUP

HODOROWSKI GROUP

F

or more than three decades, Bella Home Builders has been remodeling and constructing award-winning, quality homes in the Capital Region. Every house is constructed with Bella Home’s impeccably high standards and unique, one-off designs, which are suited to each client’s needs. “I pride myself on quality,” says Founder and President David DePaulo, a third-generation builder. “It’s a real passion of mine to develop and design, and we never build the same house twice.” DePaulo believes in hard work and attention to detail, and with his incredible team of experts (with decades of combined experience), Bella Homes builds dream houses for families, couples, individuals and young professionals alike.

BELLA HOME BUILDERS, INC.

228 Church Street Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 Serving residents and businesses in Saratoga, Washington, Albany and surrounding counties.

(518) 583-1833 website: bellahomebuildersinc.com email: dave@bellahomebuildersinc.com

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BARBERA HOMES

CARUSO HOME BUILDERS

CARUSO HOME BUILDERS 19 Railroad Place, Suite 201 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

9 Avis Drive Latham, NY 12110

Serving residents in Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga and Schenectady Counties.

(518) 690-0777 email: miabarbera@barberahomes.com website: barberahomes.com facebook: facebook.com/BarberaHomes/

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arbera Homes is a second-generation, award-winning builder that designs houses with an eye towards the future. With its own in-house design studio and complimentary interior design services, Barbera makes it easier than ever to customize and make important decisions throughout the homebuilding process.

President Frank Barbera says: “With over 40 years collectively in the industry, our longevity is important, because it tells prospective customers that we are a builder that can adapt their designs, technologies and practices to meet evolving customer expectations.” For a comprehensive building experience that respects the customer’s budget and allows for affordable design variation, Barbera Homes is an industry leader.

BARBERA HOMES

BARBERA HOMES, INC.

specialty: Custom Home Builder / Land Developer

C

aruso Homes believes that, much like building a home, customer service starts from the ground up. Anthony Caruso founded Caruso Home Builders in 2009 with the vision of constructing the highest quality new and custom homes in the Capital Region, while also providing the smoothest experience. “I love seeing every phase of development and knowing that people are living in something that we poured our heart and time into,” says Caruso. Caruso broke ground this past fall on Phase II of Oak Ridge in Saratoga Springs. “I’m excited to be a part of Oak Ridge; the developer, Jeff Snyder, created a beautiful concept,” says Caruso.

Serving residents and businesses in Albany, Columbia, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Warren and Washington Counties.

(518) 478-8596 email: sales@carusohomebuilders.com website: carusohomebuilders.com facebook: @Carusohomes instagram: @Carusohomes

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TEAKWOOD BUILDERS, INC.

BELMONTE BUILDERS

BELMONTE BUILDERS 1743 US Route 9 Clifton Park, NY 12065

(518) 371-1000

specialty: Luxury Custom Home Building and Remodeling Serving Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Warren and Washington Counties.

(518) 587-2880 email: jsasko@teakwoodbuilders.com website: teakwoodbuilders.com

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Sales Centers located at: Alexandria in Halfmoon (518) 801-3202 Griffin’s Ridge in Round Lake (518) 410-4518 Sonoma Grove in Saratoga Springs (518) 275-3326

BELMONTE BUILDERS

75 Church Street Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

W

hat sets Teakwood Builders apart as the team you want to partner with? In a sentence, it is our humble yet firm belief—“If not Teakwood, then who?” We welcome the toughest challenges in the course of a project—be it in design, planning or crafting—as an opportunity to create an exceptional solution. Our team of designers, architect partners, seasoned craftspeople and skilled planners constitutes a unique ingenuity amongst our peers for assuring not only the quality of your custom project, but also the success of the experience in getting there. Be it the replication of a historic Victorian charmer or the polished finish of a contemporary glass cube with exposed timber and steel frame, our new homes set the standard for luxury. Our remodel projects tastefully incorporate unique features in your beloved home—features such as Tuscan wine cellars, media rooms that rock, relaxing spa-like bathrooms and gourmet kitchens. The Teakwood Touch is a recognizable mark of quality that graces all our projects—and the difference is the details.

“Whether you are planning to remodel or have high expectations for your new custom home, you need more than a contractor. It takes an artistic eye and a talented team of craftspeople to execute a vision.

We are committed to making this experience the best it can possibly be,” says Jim Sasko, Teakwood’s Owner.

SCOTT BERGMAN

TEAKWOOD BUILDERS, INC.

New Customized High-Quality Homes and Neighborhoods

B

elmonte Builders has been building high quality, new homes in the Capital Region for more than 40 years.

Belmonte takes pride in being personally involved through all phases of the construction process and works closely with customers to personalize their new homes to fit their unique needs. “We are always looking for ways to make the construction process easier,” says Owner Peter Belmonte. “This year we added a new Design Center, which provides our clients with a one-stop-shop for all their selections.” Belmonte Builders has won many awards over the years for their homes, including most recently “Best Floor Plan” at the 2018 Showcase of Homes.

City Square in Saratoga Springs (518) 527-4914

email: sales@belmontebuilders.com website: belmontebuilders.com facebook: facebook.com/BelmonteBuilder/ instagram: instagram.com/ belmontebuildersnewhomes/ twitter: twitter.com/BelmonteBuildrs

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2 Mountain Ledge Drive Gansevoort, NY 12831 (518) 701-2085 website: albanyentandallergy.com facebook: facebook.com/ albanyENTallergy/

A native of the Capital Region, Dr. John Gavin was happy to return home after his fellowship training in Pediatric Otolaryngology at Texas’ Children’s Hospital in Houston. As a fellowship-trained Pediatric ENT, Dr. John Gavin offers patients a unique level of expertise when treating all disorders of the ear, nose and throat. “One of the things I love about pediatric otolaryngology is that you’re not only working with patients but with families,” says Dr. Gavin. Since 2012, Dr. Gavin’s been serving the Capital Region at Albany ENT & Allergy Services and is excited to be expanding his practice with Albany ENT & Allergy’s new Saratoga County location.

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SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

star gazing Balance Is Key, Aries

BY MELISSA MORREAL E illustrations by ROBERT RI SKO exclusively for saratoga living

ARIES MARCH 21-APRIL 19

OK, Saratoga, I have to say, the full moon in Libra will shake things up in your relationship area. It may bring you the love of your life, your worst enemy...or both! Let’s get to the bottom of something you’re trying to heal from or hiding in your relationships. It’s not a good idea to become involved in a clandestine affair or anything secretive. Spring fever is rising, and your MO is to jump into relationships headlong and quickly, but then they burn out. Don’t forget compromise and balance are important. You’ve had a period of intense career activity, and the spring air may make you want to overindulge in food, drink and impulsive spending.

I know you want to break out after a long winter, but find grounding with friends, group activities and special causes.

You need the balance to bring you back to Earth, as you’ve been walking on air and a little too cloudy in your thinking.

LEO

SAGITTARIUS

JULY 23-AUGUST 22

NOVEMBER 22-DECEMBER 21

You’ll have lots of activity in your career.

You’re a star! All the more reason to take a tiny break and enjoy a little romance with your love. This is an ideal time for filling your heart with all things good.

Do something unique and unusual together!

VIRGO AUGUST 23-SEPTEMBER 22

Finances/income can be a little shaky during this period, and that unsettles you. Travel can also be disruptive. May I suggest you spend time at home, as it provides a sense of comfort to reassess all that has been on your mind?

LIBRA SEPTEMBER 23-OCTOBER 22

TAURUS APRIL 20-MAY 20

You’re an active and ambitious bunch this spring.

Your career will provide highly unusual and positive opportunities. Don’t miss out!

Your steady determination can benefit you greatly. I know you just want to dig your hands in and create something beautiful, but do be careful of accidents or injuries. I can’t wait to see the garden this year.

GEMINI MAY 21-JUNE 20

Aren’t you the lucky twins this spring, with both your career and love life positively highlighted?

You could meet and/or

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marry your ideal mate or “twin” flame. Watch for misunderstandings with workmates. What far off land is calling you, Gemini?

Travel is very beneficial at this time. Oh, the places you could go! Do it!

CANCER JUNE 21-JULY 22

Home life can be turbulent during this time, and nothing upsets you more. Chin up, dear. Know this too shall pass, and it isn’t worth dwelling on minor issues. Take your mind off of these things for a while and enroll in a health or fitness activity. Better yet, organize your work space.

It will do wonders!

⁄ MARCH-APRIL 2019

You’ll be singing “Love Is In The Air.” Oh, yes!

You may have a passionate whirlwind romance that puts you in another orbit. Take care of any health issues that may rear their heads, as they can be tricky to diagnose at this time.

SCORPIO OCTOBER 23-NOVEMBER 21

Money, baby.

Finances are extremely favorable for you at this time. Do what you can to invest wisely and plan your future security.

Arguments in relationships/ partnerships can be deterred by diverting your passion into intimate nights at home.

Prime At Saratoga National

Luck is on your side. You were born with a horseshoe...in certain places. Do not overindulge, or it could lead to major accidents or health issues.

Go for what you’ve always wanted. Doors are wide open for you now. You only need to walk through and light the way.

L

ocated on Union Avenue near Lake Lonely and Saratoga Lake’s north shore, and headed up by Angelo Mazzone, Prime at Saratoga National is one of Saratoga’s top upscale steakhouses. The restaurant, open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, as well as for jazz brunch on Sundays (think omelettes, pastas and carving stations), offers indoor and al fresco dining, overlooking the 18th hole of the beautiful Saratoga National golf course.

Besides regular daily seatings, Prime is also the perfect setting for weddings, anniversary parties, corporate events and galas, such as UPH’s annual Shaken & Stirred Celebrity Bartender Party; Red, White and Blue: American Cancer Society Party; NYS Laborers Golf Outing: Make-a-Wish Foundation; and Teresian House Gala.

CAPRICORN DECEMBER 22-JANUARY 19

OK, boss.

Finances, romance and your career are highlighted during this period. Extra income should flow your way. Lighten up a little, and your romantic life or creative pursuits could start sizzling. Pursue those dreams.

AQUARIUS JANUARY 20-FEBRUARY 18

Love, finances, social life, travel and higher learning are all activated during this period. Bring me a higher love! With everything seeming so smooth, I preach to avoid high risk with finances and investments. Be sure to check those statements.

PISCES FEBRUARY 19-MARCH 20

Time to shimmer and shine. You must take advantage of career opportunities that come your way. Mercury is in retrograde in your 1st house of selfexpression, so guard yourself from any miscommunications and misunderstandings.

458 UNION AVE, SARATOGA SPRINGS 518.583.4653

Max London’s

I

n its cozy yet sophisticated nook on Broadway, Max London’s sits beside its sister shop, Mrs. London’s Bakery, a local favorite known for its delicious pastries and baked goods. Max London’s uses locally sourced ingredients, including fresh-squeezed fruit juices in its cocktails and house-made mozzarella cheese, making it an appealing choice for those looking to support local farmers.

The menu contains several enticing items among its many culinary offerings, such as the “Devils on Horseback” appetizer (medjool dates stuffed with blue cheese and marcona almonds, accompanied by applewood smoked bacon and maple syrup), and there’s a separate (delicious) menu for weekend brunch.

466 BROADWAY, SARATOGA SPRINGS 518.587.0505

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SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

The Inn At Erlowest

T

he Inn At Erlowest, a Queen Anne-style stone castle on the western shore of southern Lake George, isn’t just a private residence turned award-winning luxury, tensuite hotel—it’s also a fine dining, farm-to-table restaurant destination for guests and the public alike. The inn serves an à la carte dinner menu in its dining room as well as a lighter fare menu of cocktails and appetizers at its Library Bar. Weekly specials made with seasonal foods ensure that each visit is a unique dining experience. Guests at the inn are also treated to a farm-fresh breakfast the morning after their stay. Check theinnaterlowest.com for seasonal dining hours and more information.

3178 LAKE SHORE DR, LAKE GEORGE 518.668.5928

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

Flatbread Social

N

ew from the owners of Henry Street Taproom is Flatbread Social, a wood-fired pizza, craft beer and cocktails joint, located right next to the Taproom on Henry Street. Flatbread Social officially opened its doors on December 31, 2018, and has since been serving starters, salads and pizzas in an inviting and, yes, social, atmosphere (you can even play shuffleboard with friends there after you eat). Flatbread offerings include “The Only Kind Of Pizza There Is,” topped with local sausage, garlic mushrooms, fire-roasted tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella; the “Kick In Your Pants Pie,” which features pickled banana peppers, spicy chorizo, fire-roasted tomato sauce and mozzarella; and a tiramisu dessert pizza.

84 HENRY ST, SARATOGA SPRINGS 518.886.1198

Gaffney’s

A

longtime Saratoga Springs staple, Gaffney’s is a local favorite for casual American dining and bar fare. Its Caroline Street location in the heart of Downtown Saratoga Springs solidifies its status as a go-to spot for late-night dining, drinking and dancing. Patrons can enjoy regular DJ and live music performances, as well as half-priced beers on Tuesdays beginning at 4pm. In addition to the burgers, wings, nachos and specials available on its dinner and late-night menus, Gaffney’s offers its brunch from 10am-3pm on Sundays, featuring eggs, sandwiches, pancakes, waffles and other griddle confections.

16 CAROLINE ST, SARATOGA SPRINGS 518.587.7359

S A U G M O M T A ER! R A S AD

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M AY 2 1 R E S E R VAT I O N : A P R I L 2 5 ON SALE:

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play

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

Osteria Danny

Fashion Show

BY N ATA L I E M O O R E

R

un by Executive Chef Danny Petrosino and his wife, Patti, Osteria Danny specializes in Italian-American cuisine with an emphasis on simplicity and creative development. As such, the menu is updated frequently to encompass new culinary concepts and locally sourced ingredients when they’re available. Although the menu is continuously evolving with the creative will of Chef Danny, original recipes remain a pivotal influence in the dishes that Osteria Danny produces. For example, there’s a simple dish called “Shrimp the way my father liked it” on the menu, which is accompanied by lemon risotto, butter garlic and “a bunch of other stuff,” and all pastas and desserts (mmm… pistachio cheesecake) are made by Danny himself.

ACROSS: 1. Drury, for one 5. Mamma __!

8. Texas metropolis 14. Meas. of skill 15. NC destination, on a bumper sticker 16. Men from Mars 17. Tyra Banks coaches beautiful people, for short 19. Former Governor Sarah and daughter Bristol 20. Lunchtime, perhaps 21. Contact after a bump in volleyball 22. Word after photo or special 23. __ In The Family 24. Driveway danger 25. Bringer of mail (abbr.)

29. Heidi Klum judges designers 32. Saratoga coffee locale 34. Caribou cousin 35. Protected body parts in soccer 36. Cigarette ingredient 37. Ailment treated with cranberry juice (abbr.)

38. Investigative journalist __ B. Wells 40. Thing posted on Insta 41. Phone case brand mascot 43. Hoopla 44. See 23-down 45. Stacy London and Clinton Kelly help people dress 49. Got rid of

26 HENRY ST, SARATOGA SPRINGS 518.423.7022

Saratoga Stadium

389 BROADWAY, SARATOGA SPRINGS 518.226.4437

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DORI FITZPATRICK

F

rom its Broadway locale, Saratoga Stadium is arguably the city’s finest sports bar, providing televised coverage of a range of top sporting events. Saratoga Stadium offers patrons a casual atmosphere, with a menu full of all the traditional favorites—burgers, nachos and wings—as well as an all-you-can-eat prime rib special available on Friday evenings after 5pm. Saratoga Stadium also offers a diverse range of seasonal drinks (such as spiced apple punch), wines by the glass and by the bottle and house-made sangria. To finish things off, the dessert menu displays some tempting treats: fried dough and the “Junior’s Giant Cheesecake for 2.”

50. 1979 film Norma __ 51. Catch 52. Combine 53. Elle King’s “Ex’s & __” 54. Jersey Shore network 57. What to do at Saratoga Race Course 61. Five gay men style straight men 63. One of the winners in a competition 64. Common exclamation during Saratoga winters 65. Guitar accessories 66. Anxiety 67. SFO to LAX, direct 68. Occupation that includes the name of a prominent person who was one

DOWN: 1.

Dallas Buyers Club actor Jared 2. Beauty product giant 3. Back of a neck 4. Type of tree lining Central Park’s “Mall” 5. Aircraft constructed by kids, perhaps 6. “I can imagine” 7. Rose of rock 8. Neatly dressed 9. “But unfortunately…”

10. Rapper prefix 11. Flower necklace 12. Curry of Today 13. Snake’s opinion 18. Norwegian capital 22. Tenth month, for short 23. With 44-across, an architectural style originating in France

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24. “Eww” 25. NE college located in Durham 26. Dora The Explorer antagonist 27. Alarm 28. Multinational food distribution company 29. Doorway to another dimension, perhaps 30. Peyton’s bro 31. Winner of the most medals in the 2016 Olympics 32. Stores

33. Prefix relating to disease 37. Ode On A Grecian __ 38. Altar words 39. Opposite of up there 42. Airport approx.

43. Feasted 44. Viral 2010s dance move 46. Calls the Chinese restaurant 47. Small amount 48. Relieve 52. Part of IPAs 53. Mine and yours

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54. Written message 55. Variety 56. Fishing attire 57. Giver of directions (abbr.)

58. ___-rock 59. Disfigure 60. Time before the year 1 61. People mentioned in the clue and answer for 30-down, for short 62. Knock ANSWERS ON

saratogaliving.com

on deck Saratoga Summer is almost here! saratoga living’s May/June 2019 issue, available everywhere May 21, will be a stunner, and you won’t want to miss out. Think jaw-dropping exclusives, can’t-miss photo galleries and the Spa City’s comprehensive summer entertainment guide.

Reserve by April 25 to be a part of it all.

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elmer stud “Knowing on those ‘busy’ days that I'm helping someone on their worst day makes me proud,” says Elmer Santiago.

The Fire Within

IT’S TIME TO GET TO KNOW AMSTERDAM FIREFIGHTER ELMER SANTIAGO.

BY RICHARD PÉREZ-FERIA PHOTOGRAPHY BY

I

KATIE DOBIES

EXCLUSIVELY FOR

saratoga living

n some ways, the Elmer Santiago story writes itself: Born and raised in Amsterdam, NY, this son of Puerto Rican farmers would go on to become a Senior Lieutenant firefighter and paramedic for the Amsterdam Fire Department, and a proud dad, and be widely known throughout the Capital Region as the nicest guy in town. But, as so many good tales worth telling reveal, Santiago’s life has been filled with the exciting peaks and devastating valleys now requisite of all superhero films. Still, without fail, you can find Santiago with an inviting grin on his face, ready to crack another not-quite-hilarious joke.

He’s just a sweet guy—not exactly the adjective his tough-as-nails job implies, but it’s true.

And who doesn’t crave some sweetness in their life?

I’m not exactly sure when I first met Elmer; his presence in my life just became a constant one day, and his relentless kindness, unquestioning generosity and natural paternal instincts pair well with his serious social skills—just try having a good time without him!

This Saratoga Springs resident is one of 14(!) children—can you even imagine?—yet Santiago treats his loved ones with a serenity of spirit and patience that would impress Job. To watch him around his youngest kids—Brody, 7, and Gavin, 3—is a master class in parenting: the perfect intersection where friend meets discipline. Santiago wears that look well.

Recently, I sat down with my favorite firefighting superhero and got him to open up just a little bit about himself. Let’s find out together what makes this superhero tick.

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What’s the feeling when you put on the uniform every morning?

Is it a rush, or are you always aware how inherently dangerous your chosen career is?

It’s not a rush as you said, Richard. It’s more a sense of pride. Not knowing what kind of day it’s going to be is the rush, but knowing on those “busy” days that I’m helping someone on their worst day makes me proud.

What’s the last heroic thing you did?

This isn’t a story that ends with sunshine and rainbows. A call came through as a structure fire, and when we arrived, we encountered heavy smoke, heavy fire. We fought this large fire in a hasty manner, working as a tight team in a coordinated effort.

Making our way to the second floor to rescue a female, I instructed my partner to search the room where we found her. Together, we carried her out to where the paramedics were eagerly waiting to do what they do best. They were giving her every possible chance to live, but unfortunately, life isn’t always fair. It’s not a great memory, and heroism typically seems to be viewed in a powerful, positive light. Unfortunately, this isn’t Hollywood, and it is what I signed up for. I was there to do my job and give this individual every chance to fight for her life. My job is a blessing and a curse. Big shout-out to all my brothers and sisters who answer the same calls I do.

Every time I’m with you, you seem to know half the people in any given room. Are you the unofficial Mayor of Saratoga Springs?

[Laughs] I guess I’ve put a fair amount of time in with my friends at some of my favorite places in town—Osteria Danny, Cantina, The Barrelhouse, The Adelphi Hotel, Hamlet & Ghost.

I don’t think I’m the unofficial Mayor, but I do consider myself a talkative “Happy Hour Hero.”

T H E H E A RT O F S A R ATO G A S P R I N G S 466 BROADWAY

@adammerrow @alexandriaeigo

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