The Holiday Issue (2019)

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NOVEMBER DECEMBER 2019

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Saratoga Gives Back Our First-Ever Giving Gift Guide 10 UNDER 40 The Present & Future Of Philanthropy Paul Newman’s Incredible Legacy: Double H Ranch

&

Bridie Farrell’s Fearless Fight Shared Work Spaces Downtown DUBAI, BABY! Horse Racing!

Architecture!

Eat, Drink, Shop!

person of the century MARYLOU WHITNEY We say thank you and farewell to our greatest champion.

#SLNY saratogaliving.com @saratogaliving

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60+ performances!

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inside november | december 2019

41 person of the century

MARYLOU WHITNEY: THE FAREWELL photograph by

ALE X I S ROD RÍ GUE Z-D UA RTE

Retirement planning

Saratoga

with no wrinkles

Gives Back 54

10 UNDER 40 photography by

D ORI FI TZPATRI CK

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INTO AFRICA by

LI SA MI TZE N

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saratoga living

GIVING GIFT GUIDE

NATALI E MOORE p h o t o g r a p h y b y FR A NCE SCO D ’A MI CO by

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PAUL NEWMAN: THE WORLD’S MOST GENEROUS HUNK by

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BRIDIE FARRELL: BREAKING THE ICE WI LL LE VI TH p h o t o g r a p h b y MONI CA MAY by

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inside november | december 2019

12 Spotlight 14 From The Editor 16 2020 Preview

the front

96

THE UNBELIEVABLE MASTERPIECES ‘SLEEPING’ IN GLENS FALLS by

JE F F D I NG L E R

102 DUBAI, BY DESIGN by

B EVER LY TR AC Y TJ TR AC Y

photography by

106 THE (HORSE) RACE IS

ON IN DUBAI! by

110

DREAMING OF DUBAI by

114

MA RCO M E D R A N O

THE (MOSTLY) TRUE LEGEND OF ‘DIAMOND JIM’ BRADY by

116

TO M P ED ULL A

B R I E N BO U Y E A

MULLING THE TOP TWO CANDIDATES FOR 2019’S ‘HORSE OF THE YEAR’ by

JAY P R I VM A N ,

d a i ly r a c i n g f o r m

19 #lovewhereyoulive 19 Ranked: Troy’s Farmers Market 20 Saratoga Goes Hollywood: Gabriella Pizzolo 22 Trend City: Coworking Spaces 24 HQ: Albany’s Pride Center 25 Retrospac: SPAC’s Top-Charting Titans 26 Skidmore Stars: Justin Henry 26 Saratoga, Inc.: The Buzz On Biz 27 Overheard 28 Zeitgeist: End Of An Era 34 Power Player: Megan Baker 36 Season: Saratoga Santa

the back 122 Calendar: First Night 126 Beautiful Design:

Saratoga’s Stunning Holiday Design

132

128 Food: Solevo Kitchen + Social 130 Drink: The Night Owl 132 Saratoga After Dark: Dorinda Loves Saratoga

140 Star Gazing:

Hey, Capricorn: 2020 Is For You!

143 Play: Crossword Puzzle 143 The List

the end 144 Saratogian

Of The Month: Kathie Gonzalez 144

(horse race) TJ TRACY; (Breaking Bad) URSULA COYOTE/AMC; (Kathie Gonzalez, After Dark) KATIE DOBIES

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the breathtakingly beautiful Shen Yun performance is at once exciting, moving, and inspiring— like nothing you’ve ever seen. The secret? Shen Yun’s works are steeped in a classical aesthetic and timeless virtues. Its art transcends the trends and tastes of our day. Shen Yun is your ticket to the world of classical Chinese culture that you don’t know.

Discover a new realm of divinely inspired beauty and artistic mastery.

Richard Pérez-Feria EDITOR IN CHIEF

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

MANAGING EDITOR

SENIOR WRITER

DESIGNER

LUXURY EDITOR

SPORTS EDITOR

DESIGN EDITOR

ARTS EDITOR

ASSISTANT EDITOR

SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER

EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS

ON THE COVER Marylou Whitney photographed

by Alexis Rodríguez-Duarte in collaboration with Tico Torres. Shot on location at the Vanderbilt mansion, The Breakers, in Newport, RI.

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

EDITORS AT LARGE

Kathleen Gates Will Levith Natalie Moore Jeff Dingler Linda Gates Marco Medrano Brien Bouyea Beverly Tracy Bill Henning Hannah Kotler Dori Fitzpatrick Olivia Mendlinger Hannah Sacks, Katja Valz Greg Calejo, Susan Gates James Long

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Karen Bjornland, Tony Case, Colin Cowie, Kyan Douglas Arthur Gerunda, Kate Doyle Hooper, Cornelia Guest Simon Murray, Octavio Roca, Kevin Sessums, Zachary Weiss

“A life-changing experience.

Entertainment of the highest order.”

—Stage Wispers

WRITERS

Jonah Bayliss, Rosie Case, Jennifer Cook, Zachary Gold Rebecca Hardiman, Nicole Ianniello, Jacqueline Kuron Sandy MacDonald, Maria McBride Bucciferro, Sarah Midani Lisa Mitzen, Melissa Morreale, Katie Navarra, Daniel Nester Tom Pedulla, Mitch Rustad, Joe “Woody” Wood

“There is a massive power in this that can embrace the world.

It brings great hope… It is truly a touch of heaven.”

ARTISTS / PHOTOGRAPHERS

Kyle Adams, Fahnon Bennett, Tracey Buyce, Noah Clark, David Cowles Francesco D’Amico, Katie Dobies, Eric Huss, Keiko Kimura, Billy Francis LeRoux Anna Murray, Konrad Odhiambo, Terri-Lynn Pellegri, Susie Raisher Robert Risko, Alexis Rodríguez-Duarte, Myrna Suárez, TJ Tracy saratoga living is published six times a year by Saratoga Living LLC. subscriptions: Domestic, $24.95 per year; Canadian, $44.95 per year (non-refundable). saratoga living 422 Broadway, Suite 203 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

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saratoga living assumes no responsibility for unsolicited submissions.

⁄

—Daniel Herman, former Minister of Culture of the Czech Republic

Abby Tegnelia

Volume 21, No. 6, November/December 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.

10 saratoga living

ALL NEW 2020 PROGRAM WITH LIVE ORCHESTRA

⁄ NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019

PUBLIC RELATIONS AGENCY OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

SUBSCRIPTIONS MANAGER

Teresa Frazer Tara Buffa, Carole Kilpatrick Tina Galante Rachael Rieck Baker Public Relations

—Brian May, CBE, Queen guitarist and songwriter

“It’s also a story of incredible hope and incredible spirit...

I’m deeply inspired and profoundly moved.”

Saratoga Living LLC

—Rita Cosby, Emmy Award-winning television anchor

Anthony Ianniello CHAIR

Richard Pérez-Feria PRESIDENT/CEO

Abby Tegnelia GROUP PUBLISHER

ENTIRELY NEW 2020 PRODUCTION WITH LIVE ORCHESTRA

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“Truly brilliant. There’s nothing like it. Everyone in the

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spotlight Alexis RodríguezDuarte: Master

photographic memory Star photographer Alexis RodríguezDuarte (right) with his husband and professional collaborator, Tico Torres, on their wedding day.

T H E LE GE N DA RY PH OTO G RAPH ER DE LI V E R S A C OVER PH OTO WO RT H Y O F A Q UEEN.

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MARLIS PUJOL

A

lexis Rodríguez-Duarte, the legendary, critically-acclaimed portrait photographer, is tough, in the best possible sense of that word. Knowing precisely what he wants from an assignment is one of several traits I share with the Manhattan-based artist (along with a Cuban heritage), and the end result of his work is always—always—flawless.

I first met Rodríguez-Duarte when I commissioned him to shoot the newly elected Mayor of Miami, Xavier Suárez (another Cuban) for the cover of a magazine I served as Editor in Chief for nearly three decades ago. That day—and that shoot—was epic, unforgettable for many reasons, not the least of which was the resulting arresting images he captured of the Harvard-educated politico. I, clearly, had hired the right guy.

So who exactly is Alexis RodríguezDuarte? When the Vanderbilt family held their family reunion at The Breakers, their legendary Newport mansion, RodríguezDuarte was chosen to document the occasion. When acclaimed artist Rachel Feinstein needed to create fantastical images of goddesses wearing the latest couture for Harper’s Bazaar, she commissioned the star lensman.

Rodríguez-Duarte’s work is, incredibly, in the permanent collection of the

Smithsonian Institution’s National Portrait Gallery and has been shown at the Annenberg Space for Photography, the Museum of American History in Washington, DC, Museum of the City of New York, LACMA and the Victoria & Albert Museum, among others. Currently, his work is in an exhibition at The Jewish Museum in New York City. Collaborating with his massively talented husband, Tico Torres, Rodríguez-Duarte has had his work displayed in numerous public and private collections and has been featured in the likes of Vanity Fair, The New Yorker, Vogue (France), Vogue (UK), Town & Country, Esquire and on and on.

Rodríguez-Duarte remembers his shoot with Marylou Whitney, Saratoga Springs’ brightest light, as nothing short of a lovefest. “We were in Newport at the Vanderbilt mansion, The Breakers, and Mrs. Whitney was standing outside the entrance mesmerized by all of the elegant horse-drawn carriages that were pulling up to the fabled structure for the Vanderbilts’ glamorous soirée. She was radiant, impossibly chic—I just knew we’d have a beautiful portrait as a result. And we did,” he says.

It’s deeply satisfying to know that it was the iconic Marylou Whitney who had a hand in reconnecting me with this masterful artist, my friend. All of us in Saratoga can now reap the benefits of this happy reunion by merely glancing at saratoga living’s indelible, timeless cover.

We did it again, Alexis.

30 Lake Avenue, Saratoga Springs | 518-539-3474

from the editor

don’t know, icky. For decades, I was happy to donate my time, money and passion to several organizations that I believed were serving a purpose in our society. So, as most of us who believe in philanthropy do, I devoted my energy to causes I felt connected to, most notably GLAAD. For the uninitiated, GLAAD is essentially the watchdog organization over all media and entertainment to ensure fair and inclusive representation for LGBTQ individuals.

As the former Editor in Chief at Time Inc.’s People en Español, the country’s largest Hispanic publication, I was proud to lead a magazine that won three consecutive GLAAD Media Awards for myriad stories impacting the LGBTQ community. I also served as Executive Producer of the GLAAD Media Award-winning film, East Side Story, directed by Carlos Portugal, and I capped off my run by receiving the organization’s first-ever “Visibility Award.” Fairness. Equality. Leveling the playing field. Those are ideas that are not only logical and indisputable, but also deeply matter to me, in all aspects of life—especially now.

As I enter my third year charged with leading saratoga living in all aspects of the company, I’ve made it my mission to get to know a number of selfless, generous, local heroes, who who run the world?

Happily surrounded by SPAC’s Junior Committee officers: (from left) Samantha, India, Amanda, Ashley, Caitlin and Katrina.

⁄

14 saratoga living

⁄ NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019

DORI FITZPATRICK

hose who know me well—and I’m lucky to say a lot of amazing people can easily make that claim—have invariably heard my go-to refrain whenever I’m asked to do something I’m not particularly excited about: “I give and I give and I give…” My quasi-comical aside is usually met with equal parts laughter and exaggerated eye rolls. But, as yet another holiday season rolls in, I couldn’t help but wonder (cue Carrie Bradshaw), if, in fact, I actually do give and give and give. And that’s precisely the moment my honest answer stopped me dead in my tracks.

For years and years, I knew I was a “giving” person because I won awards for it. Even writing that now sounds, I

walk among us and devote vast amounts of their time and treasure to causes they believe in most. From where I sit, few people anywhere are as eager to help their fellow man as Ed and Lisa Mitzen. The Mitzens are, of course, no strangers to saratoga living: Ed was the magazine’s inaugural “Person Of The Year” exactly a year ago, and Lisa has become one of saratogaliving.com’s most important and best-read contributors. We’re so thrilled to count Ed and Lisa Mitzen among the saratoga living family, largely because of their herculean efforts to help and, perhaps most importantly, humanize Saratoga’s growing homeless population. This Saratoga-based couple is indefatigable in their singlemindedness on this issue, and Lisa’s poignant, heartbreaking profiles of “people without homes,” as she puts it, persevering and ultimately finding selfrespect and triumph are absolute mustreads on our website.

The Mitzens, like the great Saratoga philanthropists who came before them— Marylou Whitney, our iconic cover subject, very much included—make it all too obvious that it’s now once again time for me to rethink what giving means to me. It’s going to be a tough question to fully answer because of the many worthy organizations I have to give back to in our beautiful Spa City. But, happily, I have the knowledge that it isn’t so much who you’re helping, but if you’re helping.

With love, kindness and charity front and center in this most generous of seasons, I hope you join me in digging deep and thinking about what giving means to you. Not the easiest question to confront head on perhaps, but, in the end, is there a more important question you should be answering? Exactly.

Happy holidays, Saratoga.

where casual meets extraordinary

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EDITOR IN CHIEF

@RPerezFeria

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preview

2020 Is Going To Be Awesome saratoga living ?

• WINTER | FEBRUARY: “I Do!” (Weddings) • SPRING | APRIL: All Things Design • SUMMER | JUNE: Saratoga Summer (The Arts) • “The Races!” Special | AUGUST: (Track/Horse Racing) • FALL | OCTOBER: The Best Of Everything, Fashion/Beauty • Holiday Special | DECEMBER: Person Of The Year Get ready, Saratoga. Next year is definitely gonna be epic!

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peach buzz Yellow peaches for sale at Troy's Waterfront Farmers Market last summer.

N

o need for a recount! A survey by the American Farmland Trust, an organization that works to save land for future generations by promoting eating local, concluded that Troy’s Waterfront Farmers Market was the top farmers market in the Northeast and won the people’s choice award for the entire country. This past summer, market-goers across the nation were asked to vote online and post photos of their favorite local market on social media with the hashtag #OnMyFork. Troy’s got the most votes and social media endorsements. The market, which has moved inside the Troy Atrium through April, is open Saturdays from 9am-2pm.

#lovewhereyoulive

The Holiday Horse ’ T IS T H E S EAS O N— EVE N F OR SAR ATOGA’ S E QU I N E LOVE R S.

I’d been trying to capture a Saratoga winter scene, and it wasn’t until the third week of January that we got a snowfall of any significance. One cold, snowy day, I found myself at the Saratoga Spa State Park and stumbled across this horse with a wreath around its neck, with snow falling and piling up around it.

I think it’s a perfect representation of the Saratoga holiday season.

– B ILLY F R AN C IS LERO UX, PHOTO GR APHER

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saratogaliving.com 19

the front Skidmore’s Streaming Superstars

a star is born Gabriella Pizzolo performs a duet of The NeverEnding Story’s theme song in the Season 3 finale of Netflix’s Stranger Things.

THESE FIVE ALUMS HAVE BEEN FEATURED AT THE BIG STREAMING SERVICES. ZAZIE BEETZ A recent

Skidmore grad, Zazie Beetz— who you might know from her Emmy-nominated role on FX series Atlanta or as Domino in 2018’s hit flick, Deadpool 2—has starred as Noelle in the Netflix series Easy since 2016.

MICHAEL ZEGEN Founder

of a sketch-comedy group on Skidmore’s campus, graduate Michael Zegen has been absolutely killing it opposite lead actress Rachel Brosnahan (Miriam “Midge” Maisel) as her now exhusband, Joel Maisel, in Amazon Prime Video’s Golden Globe-/Emmy-winning series, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

saratoga goes hollywood

Schenectady Native Gabriella Pizzolo Wows In Stranger Things

JACK MULHERN A 2017

Skidmore alum Jack Mulhern’s found a national audience starring as Grizz, a closeted high school student, on Netflix series The Society, which premiered this past May. He’s also appearing as Teddy in Hulu’s Wu-Tang: An American Saga.

IN A S M A LL , BUT EPIC ROL E, TH E AC T R E SS SI ZZLE S I N T H E HIT S HOW’ S SEASON 3 FI NALE. n BY J E F F DI N GLE R

young, rising Broadway star: future Stranger Things co-star Matarazzo.

“A lot of the kids on Broadway would meet up and hang out,” says Pizzolo.

“So he and I are great friends.” Flashforward just five years, and boom!

She’s stealing the hearts of dorks, the world over, opposite her pal.

Though not even three minutes long, that too-cute duet—which, at least in Stranger Things’ universe, helped save the world—has proven to be a fan favorite. And for those searching for clues about Season 4, Pizzolo says she’s not even sure if Suzie will get a curtain-call, but that she’d love to reprise the role. Hey, after helping save the world, I think she definitely deserves more screen time.

JON BERNTHAL After

dropping out of Skidmore to focus on acting, Jon Bernthal—who you’ll recognize from AMC’s The Walking Dead—went on to snag the lead role in Netflix’s The Punisher (he reprised the role on crossover series Daredevil, too).

LAKE BELL Longtime stage,

(Beetz, Bell) GAGE SKIDMORE

“Schenectady’s great, and I couldn’t think of a better place to grow up,” Pizzolo says. Like a lot of performers, she got her start in community theater, landing roles as part of the Schenectady Light Opera Company and Classic Theater Guild, also in the Electric City. She also credits a pair of local venues for helping spark her passion for theater. “I absolutely love Proctors and all its plays, and SPAC, too,” she says. Her breakout year came in 2013, when she debuted at SPAC with the New York City Ballet and then landed a major role on Broadway, starring as the titular character in the hit Broadway show Matilda The Musical. While in New York City, the Upstate New Yorker met another

NETFLIX

E

ver since its debut on Netflix in 2016, I’ve been nerding out over the supernatural series Stranger Things. One of my favorite scenes ever from the show’s three-season arc?

In the Season 3 finale, when main character Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) jumps on his walkie-talkie with new girlfriend Suzie (Gabriella Pizzolo) and shares a hilarious, note-perfect duet of The NeverEnding Story’s theme song with her.

Capital Region Upside Downers might be surprised to learn that the 16-year-old Pizzolo is a Schenectady native, who made a name for herself, locally, long before she ever sang a single note on the hit streaming show.

let’s do it again!

film and television actress Lake Bell, who attended Skidmore, has starred in Netflix’s prequel and sequel to cult classic film Wet Hot American Summer, and been a series regular (voice) on animated dramedy Bojack Horseman.

—HANNAH SACKS

winter 2020 issue

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20 saratoga living

⁄ NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019

RELEASE DATE:

FEBRUARY 6 |

AD RESERVATION:

JANUARY 17

the front

worker’s comp A private office space at The Worker’s Club in Franklin Square in Downtown Saratoga Springs.

trend city

Is Coworking The New Normal?

A

D OW N TOWN SARATOGA WELCOMES T WO M O R E I N N OVAT I V E S HA R E D WORK ESTABL I SH MENTS. n BY H A N N A H KOT LE R

s someone about to enter the workforce, I’m aware that the professional landscape has changed since my parents’ day: neither one could’ve ever imagined being able to work remotely for a living. The mobile workforce is growing—a recent Swiss study found that 70 percent of professionals work remotely at least one day per week— and right here in the Capital Region,

⁄

22 saratoga living

businesses are tapping into the latest, greatest trend: coworking spaces.

Coworking spaces have actually been around since 2005, but the company that put them on the map was WeWork, which leased its flagship coworking space in Manhattan’s SoHo neighborhood in 2010, offering shared, subdivided micro-offices for startups, remote permalancers and small businesses. WeWork offers its workforce everything from personal desk space to entire conference rooms that staffs

⁄ NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019

perfect palette Palette Cafe and Palette Upstairs Owner Catherine Hoover; (inset) a shared office space at Palette; (top) a sitting area at Palette Upstairs; (left) work stations at The Worker’s Club.

can rent out, along with amenities such as WiFi, HDMI cables and printers.

WeWork’s since gone global—and is said to be valued at $10 billion—but it has run into its share of financial issues recently and its longtime CEO is no longer at the company.

Never one to miss out, the Capital Region has already gone all in on the coworking trend, with Saratoga CoWorks and The Hub having opened in the Spa City, the Bull Moose Club in Albany and Troy Innovation Garage in the Collar City. Now, two new Saratoga businesses have entered the market: The Worker’s Club and Palette Upstairs.

Worker’s Club Owner Monika LaPlante wanted to cater to a younger, techdriven crowd. “We’re focused on the person who wants his or her own space but also wants to be around other people,” says LaPlante. “We’re curating a specific, cohesive, productive space for young professionals to create new projects, do new things and build new businesses.” With a slightly different target audience—but no less of an emphasis on community—Palette Upstairs, an offshoot of the Palette Cafe, which opened on Broadway in Downtown Saratoga Springs last June, has set out to provide women with a shared space to gather and work on professional and personal goals, and is offering workshops and programming specific to their needs. “We’re trying to make a creative coworking space in a fun and, hopefully, inspiring environment,” says Palette’s owner, Catherine Hoover.

“We’re looking to attract people who want more than a physical desk.”

Regardless of target audiences, both businesses’ owners are hip to the fact that remote workers require dedicated, reliable, collaborative and fun workspaces just as much as office drones do. Amen to that.

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the front Capital Region in Albany has been tirelessly working to build an inclusive community for people of all sexual orientations.

While the Pride Center might be based in the Capital City, it casts a much wider net, serving the LGBTQ community in 11 counties from Columbia all the way up to Warren County. It also offers a range of invaluable, potentially life-saving services such as youth drop-in locations—safe spaces for LGBTQ minors and at-risk youth—in Albany, Schenectady and Saratoga. In other words, the Pride Center’s fourperson, all-female staff regularly affects positive change. Tas Steiner, founder and president of Whispering Angels of Saratoga Springs, a nonprofit that works in support of at-risk and homeless LGBTQ youth, can attest. “We recently got a call from Mayor Meg Kelly of Saratoga, Shelters of Saratoga and Code Blue, asking if we could help a lesbian couple that had moved up here from a state down south,” says Steiner.

After plans to stay with a relative in Saratoga fell through, the couple had nowhere to go. Whispering Angels connected with the Pride Center, which helped the couple find temporary housing in Albany, even offering them a spot to stay at the center’s headquarters.

The Pride Center also serves as a cultural hub, helping to organize major events such as Albany’s annual Capital Pride Parade, one of the largest such celebrations in the state (last year’s parade broke attendance records with more than 35,000 participants).

“In the last three years, the parade’s gotten bigger and bigger,” says Martha Harvey, executive director and CEO of the center, who’s eagerly awaiting next year’s parade, as it will coincide with the Pride Center’s 50th anniversary.

“We’re hoping to top 40,000 next year.”

I know I’ll be there, celebrating the center’s historic day—and waving my rainbow flag high.

pride and (no) prejudice The Pride Center of the Capital Region, located on Hudson Avenue in Downtown Albany, serves the LGBTQ community in 11 counties from Columbia to Warren.

Queer Aye

A LBA N Y’S PR IDE CENTER R E A DIE S FO R I TS H ISTORIC 5 0TH A N N IV E RSARY.

BY JE FF DIN GL ER

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24 saratoga living

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his year marked the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in New York City, considered to be the catalyst for the modern LGBTQ rights movement. As someone who identifies as bisexual, I was particularly excited to learn that the Capital Region played an important role in the historic era. It turns out that America’s oldest, continuously operating LGBTQ community center is based in Albany. Since 1970, just a year after Stonewall, the Pride Center of the

⁄ NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019

(Springsteen) TAKAHIRO KYONO/FLICKR

Chart-Topping Titans At SPAC

THE BOSS, WHITNEY AND MORE HAVE BROUGHT NO.1 ALBUMS TO THE VENUE. n BY WILL LEVITH

T

his past summer, I crossed a big one off of my bucket list when I saw one of my favorite heavy

metal bands, Slipknot, absolutely slay in front of a massive crowd at Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC).

THE DOORS Waiting For The Sun

show who’s boss When Slipknot played SPAC last August, they were supporting their No.1 album, We Are Not Your Kind; (LEFT) Bruce Springsteen was riding high with his No.1 album Born In The U.S.A. when he played SPAC in 1984.

SEPTEMBER 1, 1968

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN Born In The U.S.A.

GUNS N’ ROSES Appetite For Destruction

July 27, 1984

AUGUST 6, 1988

WHITNEY HOUSTON Whitney

SLIPKNOT We Are Not Your Kind

SEPTEMBER 2, 1987

AUGUST 21, 2019

HOLLY NORTHROP

hq

retrospac

But their appearance here in Saratoga Springs on August 21 had greater significance than simply fulfilling this Saratogian’s rock-and-roll fantasy: Slipknot was performing at the venue in support of a No.1 album on the Billboard 200 chart. Here are five artists , including Slipknot, who’ve achieved the rare one-two punch of having a chart-topping album the week they played SPAC over the last five decades.

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

skidmore stars

took some time off from acting. He wound up attending Skidmore College, where he played lacrosse and earned his degree in psychology in 1993. Of his time at Skidmore, Henry told the New York Daily SKIDMORE ALUM JUSTIN HENRY WAS THE YOUNGEST PERSON News: “My college years had nothing to do with EVER NOMINATED FOR AN OSCAR. n BY WILL LEVITH acting. I deliberately he year I was born, 1979, was a Supporting Role, making him avoided studying big one at the movies. Theaters the youngest actor to ever drama or theater and were filled with films I’d end receive that honor (though stuff like that.” up worshipping throughout Melvyn Douglas beat him While Henry returned to my life, such as Alien, The out for the statuette). the silver screen, here and Jerk, Escape From Alcatraz and the In the years to there, between 1996 and 2014, it’s-so-bad-it’s-good James Bond flick, come, Henry went he’s mostly switched careers, Moonraker. One of the biggest box on to make some working in the digital marketing office hits that year—and winners at the notable cameos on and advertising space. And following year’s Academy Awards— Aaron Spelling/ABC he must’ve dug his time at was Kramer vs. Kramer, starring Dustin hit, Fantasy Island and Skidmore, because he’s Hoffman, Meryl Streep and eightin film, particularly John been an Alumni Admissions kid ’n’ play year-old newcomer, Justin Henry. The Hughes’ teen classic Contact there for a decade.

Justin Henry went young actor’s portrayal of Billy Kramer, Sixteen Candles. But Who needs an Oscar, to Skidmore College a son caught in the middle of his father after 1988’s Sweet Hearts anyway? Calling Saratoga long after his days as an Oscar-nominated and mother’s messy, emotionally Dance, which starred Don Springs home for four child actor. devastating divorce, garnered him an Johnson, Susan Sarandon years is a big enough prize Oscar nomination for Best Actor in a and Jeff Daniels, Henry for most of us.

overheard

Remember The Adorable Kid From Kramer vs. Kramer?

SOMETHIN’ TO TALK ABOUT...

“I got the idea from my hamster.”

T

–ALBANY MEDICAL “He knows COLLEGE that beer cheese is the only thing that makes me happy.”

–HARVEY’S RESTAURANT & BAR

“You don’t need a slice of ham when you’re looking at a book.”

–THE MERCANTILE KITCHEN & BAR

–PINT SIZED IN SARATOGA

The Buzz On Biz THIS FA LL WAS A BUSY S E AS ON FOR BUSINESSES I N SA RATO GA SPRINGS.

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On the floor above The Night Owl, Tatu Taco, a Lebanese-inspired Mexican restaurant that opened earlier this year, unveiled its new bar on October 1, which features one of the largest local selections of tequila and mezcal.

Finds Sample Sale, a designer sample and overstock boutique for women that

⁄ NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019

As of November 8, Amuse on Broadway, a Spanish/Moroccan/Turkish restaurant operated by veteran Saratoga chef Dominic Colose, began cohabitating the space where Saratoga’s Broadway Deli is located, Wednesday through Saturday from 5-9:30pm.

At press time, Fat Paulie’s, a new delicatessen that will be serving house-roasted meats and deli sandwiches, was set to open on Congress Street on November 23.

nice to meat you Cantina’s owners’ new venture, The 408 Event and Occasion private events space; (left) Jason Friedman, owner of the new Saratoga deli, Fat Paulie’s. was located in the Saratoga Marketplace, closed in late October. Lex & Cleo, a baby clothing, accessories and toy store, will take over the space as it expands to include items for older children.

NOVEMBER The brainchild of Cantina owners Jeff and Heath Ames, The 408 Event and Occasion private events space, located on the second floor of the Saratoga restaurant’s building, opened for business on November 1.

(Friedman) KEN BOURBEAU

saratoga, inc.

OCTOBER Filling the void—figuratively and literally— left by Sinclair Saratoga on Maple Avenue is The Night Owl, a dance club and cocktail lounge that opened on October 5.

–ADIRONDACK TRUST COMPANY

“How many rats tall do you think I am?”

SEPTEMBER After two years in business, R&R Kitchen + Bar, a fine dining restaurant located at 43 Phila Street, closed this past September.

Officially opening on the first floor of the Pavilion Grand Hotel on September 14, The Bistro at Pavilion Grand, coowned by husband-and-wife duo Zach and Shannon Cutler, is a chic breakfast and lunch spot, offering an array of sandwiches, salads and personal pizzas.

“I can’t do math, but I like the idea of math.”

DECEMBER At press time, Walt + Whitman, a combination cafe and taproom in the old Saratogian building, was scheduled to open the former on December 6 and the latter, later that week.

leaves of brass Walt + Whitman, a cafe/taproom, has opened in the old Saratogian building.

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Spotlight

RICHARD PÉREZ-FERIA EDITOR IN CHIEF

film Bridesmaids (2013) Still laughing: “It’s happening! It’s happening! It happened.”

The Wolf Of Wall Street (2013) Leonardo DiCaprio at his primal best—should’ve taken home the Oscar.

Moonlight (2016) Scorching, heartbreaking, unforgettable. tv Homeland (2011-present) The last episode of Season 1 is the finest hour of television I’ve ever witnessed. Period.

Veep (2012-19) Julia LouisDreyfus is the best comedic actress in recorded history.

Jane The Virgin (2014-19) Sweet, sad, bilingual, sappy, sexy, funny—perfect. theater The Book Of Mormon (2011) The South Park creators unleashed on Broadway? Yes!

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H zeitgeist

End Of An Era: The Very Best Of Pop Culture In The 2010s saratoga living TEAM MEMBERS REVEAL WHAT KEPT US GLUED TO OUR DEVICES—AND IN DARKENED THEATERS—THIS PAST DECADE.

Cabaret (2014) Alan Cumming scorches in the best musical revival of the decade.

Hamilton (2015) I mean, what is there left to say about the single greatest theatrical achievement ever? book Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (2011) It lands as softly as a feather and leaves us with characters we can’t let go of easily.

Becoming by Michelle Obama (2018) There are no words to explain how much I love this book, this woman and how

⁄ NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019

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sad I am she’s not running for anything in 2020.

Mama’s Boy by Dustin Lance Black (2019) The hero of Oscar-winning Milk screenwriter Dustin Lance Black’s memoir is his slightly homophobic, handicapable Mom, Anne—and I friggin’ love her. You will, too. album Lemonade (2016) by Beyoncé OK ladies: Are you in formation? Um, the don’t-messwith-Queen B album is as brilliant as it is a cautionary tale

theater Hello, Dolly! (2017) Bette Midler movies were my favorite as a kid, so when she joined Hello, Dolly! I got to NYC as soon as I could.

Dear Evan Hansen (2015) Since I do social media for a living, this one hit home.

Beautiful (2013) I was sad to hear it closed this fall; if you’re a Carole King lover and missed it, shame on you!

for all cheating men: Who rules the world? Girls. Duh. 1989 by Taylor Swift (2014) The sheer gorgeousness of the choruses and precision of the lyrics make this damn near a pop masterpiece.

25 by Adele (2015) Have more heart-wrenching words ever been sung more powerfully and convincingly?

ABBY TEGNELIA PUBLISHER

film Ex Machina (2014) The very first time I was truly haunted by the idea of AI—and how soon it would become a reality.

Spotlight (2015) Great story and great timing, just as people (including me) were wistful about the state of traditional media. And its Best Picture upset won me my Oscar pool.

Life Of Pi (2012) What really happened, though?

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book The Nightingale (2015) An epic tale of survival, this novel follows two sisters as they become very different types of heroes in World War II France.

Life After Life (2013) I’m a sucker for books about fate; this one’s many different endings morph into a think piece on whether lifechanging moments alter your ending, or just how you get there.

I’ll Be Gone In The Dark (2018) I’m obsessed with true crime and was living in California when it came out, so this masterfully written book (finished and published posthumously) about the Golden State Killer was a no-brainer pick for me.

HBO

veep veep “Julia Louis-Dreyfus is the best comedic actress in recorded history,” says Editor in Chief Richard PérezFeria about the Emmywinner’s performance in HBO’s hit show, Veep.

tv Orphan Black (2013-17) Tatiana Maslany’s characters are a sci-fi game of Whack-A-Mole in this clone-packed thrill ride, anchored by a powerful cast of supporting actors.

90 Day Fiancé (2014-present) There are, like, 18 spinoffs at this point, and I watch every single one of them.

Game Of Thrones (2011-19) I loved the books long before HBO announced its series, so throw in eight years of Sunday night viewing, and that’s one very long-term obsession.

album Uncaged by Zac Brown Band (2012) Americana at its romantic best, the album’s “The Wind” and “Goodbye In Her Eyes” are songs I can listen to over and over again.

In The Lonely Hour by Sam Smith (2014) His angelic voice and emotional depth deftly make the despair and heartbreak of one night

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Take I-87 Ex. 14, left on 9P /South, 1st Left on Gilbert.

Right on Rte 29, right on Bryant’s Bridge Rd, Right on Burgoyne, Left on Anthony

the front tv The Daily Show With Trevor Noah (2014-present) “Trump Twitter Library?” Brilliant.

Homeland (2011-present) A spy thriller with plots that hit dangerously close to, well, home.

The Crown (2016-present) Looking forward to this new sure-to-be-amazing season.

stands and cheating relatable to anyone. x by Ed Sheeran (2014) “Thinking Out Loud” was the ballad of the decade.

KATHLEEN GATES CREATIVE DIRECTOR

film Black Panther (2018)

I love all the Avengers…

Wakanda forever!

Amazing Grace (2019) This documentary about the recording of Aretha Franklin’s 1972 live album was finally brought to the big screen.

Birdman (2014) Michael Keaton in anything works for me, but this movie is beyond riveting.

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

film Skyfall (2012) A James Bond theme song by Adele, a Bond villain played by Javier Bardem and Bond himself, Daniel Craig, at peak badassery.

The Social Network (2010) A two-hour-long account of why Facebook Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO Mark Zuckerberg is a total creep.

Room 237 (2012) The ultimate The Shining fanboy documentary. Scary good.

theater Book Of Mormon (2011) Andrew. Rannells.

Hamilton (2015) A revolutionary play about a revolutionary man in a revolutionary time.

Harry Potter And The Cursed Child (2016) Two parts in one day. Two thumbs Wingardium Leviosa-ed. book A Constellation Of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra (2014) So vivid and heartwrenching. It gives you the sense of living in constant war

Stranger Things

WILL LEVITH

NETFLIX

Hamilton

album Homecoming: The Live Album by Beyoncé (2019) Lemonade by Beyoncé (2016) Beyoncé by Beyoncé (2013) All Beyoncé. All the time.

and turmoil. It’s difficult to read, but the writing is so good you can’t put the book down.

Between The World And Me

by Ta-Nehisi Coates (2015) A must read. Actually required reading for all parents.

The Signature Of All Things

by Elizabeth Gilbert (2013) Who knew botany could be so sexy?

tv Breaking Bad (2008-13) A truly epic TV series that will

never be bested.

Stranger Things (2016-present) Stranger Things: scary, funny and witty all at the same time—my TV Holy Trinity.

The Americans (2013-18) I took cello lessons at Skidmore College right after the guy who wrote the show’s score (i.e.

Nathan Barr). ’Nuff said.

hilarious, I saw it twice: once on Broadway, once at Proctors.

I loved every maggots-on-myscrotum minute of it.

Dear Evan Hansen (2015) Rarely have I ever sought out songs from a Broadway musical after the fact and relistened to them. Evan Hansen’s soundtrack is soo catchy.

theater Hamilton (2015) A longtime Brooklyn resident, I never got to see Hamilton on Broadway, but it was just as good as I always dreamed it would be at Proctors.

Book Of Mormon (2011) So

book Ten Percent Happier by Dan Harris (2014) Fellow journalist Dan Harris’ Ten Percent Happier changed my life. It comes highly recommended.

A Visit From The Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan (2011)

“I know, authoritatively, that thinking you can’t do it has absolutely nothing to do with what you actually can or can’t do,” responded Jennifer Egan, when I told her, during an interview, that this book made me think “I will never be able to write as good as this.”

Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life by William Finnegan (2016) Reading Barbarian Days and listening to The Beach Boys’ “Surfin’ Safari” will make anybody want to go surfing. album Golden Hour by Kacey Musgraves (2018) Top to bottom, Golden Hour is an absolute country-pop masterpiece.

Southeastern by Jason Isbell (2013) Its album-opener, “Cover Me Up,” is one of the greatest love songs ever written.

Get There by Minor Alps (2013) This album (and a lot of

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the front NATALIE MOORE MANAGING EDITOR

film Captain Fantastic (2016) So impactful I started reading Noam Chomsky, per Viggo Mortensen’s character’s recommendation.

Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011) A worthy finale to the epic series that defined my generation.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013) Better than the first and as good as the book, this sequel still makes my heart throb, more than six years later. tv Veep (2012-19) Every character in Veep would be my favorite

character in any other show.

Queer Eye (2018-present) I’m let down every time I go home and don’t have a new episode to watch. Also, JVN. Chernobyl (2019) Right on the heels of the Game Of Thrones Season 8 letdown, this miniseries restored my faith in HBO being the best in the biz. theater I literally went to zero plays in the 2010s—sue me. book Ready Player One by Ernest Cline (2011) Easy to read and hard to put down.

Theft By Finding: Diaries (1977-2002) by David Sedaris (2017) A genius stream of consciousness.

The Fault In Our Stars

by John Green (2012) This beautifully written book made me seriously question my 16-year-old life.

tv Rick And Morty (2013-19) Wubba lubba dub dub! This animated show about an eccentric (and blotto) mad scientist might just be one of the most brilliant and mindbending television comedies ever written.

Orange Is The New Black (2013-19) This Netflix show about a women’s correctional facility in Upstate New York simply has it all: riveting drama and great comedy, all while tackling real social issues.

Game Of Thrones (2011-19) OK, the last season was a letdown, but I still love rooting for the Mother of Dragons (pre-burning of King’s Landing, of course). Dracarys!

Chernobyl album Pure Heroine by Lorde (2013) Every song on Pure Heroine is totally different and still totally Lorde.

San Cisco by San Cisco (2012) Catchy, upbeat, can’t-stopyourself-from-smiling (-or-amI-crying?) music.

The Heist by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (2012) “Thrift Shop” was the soundtrack to my senior year of high school.

JEFF DINGLER SENIOR WRITER

film The Breadwinner (2017)

This film expertly weaves breathtaking animation and intricate storytelling into an incredible tale about an Afghani girl forced to disguise herself as a boy in order to earn money after her father is abducted by the Taliban.

Get Out (2017) As a horror movie, Get Out is one of the best in recent decades; as a statement on race in America, it’s absolutely timeless.

Coco (2017) A dazzlingly colorful Pixar movie based around the Mexican holiday of Día de los Muertos? What more could you ask for?

HBO

meditating) got me through a particularly tough time in my life. Ohm yeah!

theater Hamilton (2015) Yeah, this pick is obvious, but the music’s just too good, and as a history buff, I can never get enough of

our founding fathers rapping and bursting into song.

The Book Of Mormon (2011) Sure, it’s deeply irreverent (and vulgar), but The Book Of Mormon also has a catchy and equally funny soundtrack.

Ellen West (2019) This one’s actually an opera, but it’s an absolutely phenomenal and groundbreaking work probing one woman’s struggles with an eating disorder. And it had its world premiere this past summer at Opera Saratoga.

Wallace Lincoln, during the height of the Civil War.

Childish Gambino Laura Love Hardin (2018) This true story about an innocent man on death row in Alabama is one of the most harrowing books I’ve ever read and makes a compelling case against capital punishment.

Lincoln In The Bardo by George Saunders (2017) Only Syracuse professor George Saunders could’ve written such a bizarre and beautiful novel about the passing of our 16th president’s son, William

book The Thousand Autumns Of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell (2010) There’s no better contemporary fiction stylist than David Mitchell (Cloud Atlas), and this novel, set in 18th-century Japan, is simply a stunning, Zen-like literary masterpiece.

The Sun Does Shine by Anthony Ray Rinton and

album Matangi by M.I.A. (2013) Both lyrically and musically, this is the most complex and cuttingedge album by one of my alltime favorite hip-hop artists.

Traces Of You by Anoushka Shankar (2013) My sitar hero, Anoushka Shankar, and her half-sister, Norah Jones (who was one of the headliners at SPAC’s Saratoga Jazz Fest this past summer), teamed up to honor their late father, sitarist Ravi Shankar, with one incredible album fusing jazz, pop and Indian classical music.

“Awaken, My Love!” by Childish Gambino (2016) Even if this album contained only the smash hit single “Red Bone,” it would still be on my top three; Donald Glover (aka Childish Gambino) is just a genius!

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the front baker’s buzzin’ “I missed interacting with real people and telling their stories,” says Megan Baker, who opened Baker Public Relations in 2007 after spending nearly a decade in broadcast journalism.

on the “other side,” working as a broadcast journalist, including a two-and-a-half-year stint as an anchor/reporter at WBNG-TV in Binghamton and more than three years at Capital News 9 (now Spectrum News), where she was awarded a New York State Emmy. Following that feat, after having just re-signed a four-year contract with Capital News, Baker about-faced, deciding it was time for something new. “I’d covered two presidential visits; the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston; and countless breaking news, human interest

“PR is an easy transition for any journalist. It allows us to continue to do what we do best, just in a different capacity with more tools and resources.”

power player

Megan Baker’s No BS PR

W

THIS AL BANY-BASED PUBL I C R E LAT I O N S P OWE R H O U SE WI LL N OT B E STO P P ED.

BY JE FF D INGLER n p h otograp h y by F R A N C E SC O D’A M I C O exc l u si vely f o r saratoga living

hether I’m crafting a short story for a literary contest or reporting on a new restaurant opening for saratogaliving.com, I’ve come to realize that writing, no matter what the style, is about understanding an end goal and shaping the language to that purpose. Get the words just right, and

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you can make magic happen. Megan Baker, founder, CEO and president of Baker Public Relations in Albany, has had that on lockdown for more than a decade. “As a natural storyteller, it gives me great joy to help business leaders achieve their goals through creative and strategic communications,” says Baker, who founded the company in 2007. She and her team of communications specialists are

⁄ NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019

making both local clients (Phinney Design Group, Fingerpaint) and national ones (Lord + Taylor, American Red Cross) very happy indeed. Baker Public Relations’ client list even boasts some Fortune 500 and Global 500 companies. (saratoga living has also retained Baker PR’s services.)

Baker was honing those storytelling skills long before she ever mastered the Tao of PR. She spent almost a decade

and feature stories,” she says, noting that the Capital News gig didn’t afford her much free time. “I missed interacting with real people and telling their stories.”

Hence, the switch to PR, an industry that thrives on constant facetime with clients.

“It’s an easy transition for any journalist,” says Baker. “It allows us to continue to do what we do best, just in a different capacity with more tools and resources.”

A dozen years on, and the future’s bright at Baker. In addition to launching InfluenceHER earlier this year—a video podcast series on YouTube, iTunes and SoundCloud that features interviews with female “movers and shakers” such as Real Housewives Of New York City star (and our most recent saratoga living cover celebrity) Dorinda Medley—Baker also opened a satellite office on Pittsburgh’s South Side in October. “I took a few team members to Pittsburgh for a quick trip so they could learn to appreciate its charm and beauty,” says Baker, who grew up about an hour away in Butler, PA. “I just might have persuaded them to become Steelers football fans after we took in a home game at Heinz Field.” As a journalist who receives pitches from publicists all day and night, I can only imagine how persuasive she actually was.

the front season

Have You Been Naughty Or Nice, Saratoga?

F RED C L ARK H AS B EEN B R I G HT E N I N G T HE SPA C I T Y ’ S H O L IDAY S EAS O N F O R MOR E T HAN T WO DE CADE S.

BY H ANNAH KOT L ER p h otog ra p h y by F RANC ES C O D’AMI C O e xcl u s i v e ly f or saratoga living

rad santa Before finding his calling playing Santa Claus, Saratogian Fred Clark portrayed country star Kenny Rogers.

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icture this: You get a call from an unknown number and hesitantly pick up the phone. Who’s on the other line? Santa Claus. That’s the situation I found myself in this past November, when Fred Clark, known throughout town as “The Saratoga Santa,” called me to schedule a time to meet up.

With his thick white beard, charming red suit and heart as full as his belly, Clark’s been bringing Father Christmas to life in Saratoga Springs for more than two decades and, honestly, it’s hard to believe he isn’t actually from the North Pole. His at-home factory—a Christmas-themed office space, not a toy workshop—and Santa-mobile, complete with a custom Christmas vanity plate, Santa self-portrait car wrap and soon-to-be installed Christmas lights, only make him that much more believable as Kris Kringle himself.

But given how big those black boots are to fill, it shouldn’t be surprising that Clark hasn’t always played Santa. In fact, before growing out his beard, he portrayed country artist Kenny Rogers, winning several lookalike competitions, until his wife convinced him to answer a 1998 Hewitt’s Garden Center advertisement looking for someone to play Santa. For that first year, Clark had to glue on a fake beard and mustache to complete the look, but was hooked on the idea of making people’s wishes come true. Things snowballed from there, and nowadays, Clark’s booked every holiday season with private home visits, breakfasts, commercials and branding deals all over the Capital Region and Vermont. “Wherever I go, I get recognized,” he says. “When you’re Santa, people just want to talk.” I can’t help but wonder out loud if that ever gets annoying, but he assures me it’s the best part of the job. “I get to meet so many wonderful people,” he says. Now that’s a Santa I can believe in.

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PPING GUIDE

D OW N TOW N S A R ATO GA S P R IN G S

Saratoga Botanicals Organic Spa & Store 80 Henry Street, Saratoga Springs

Lola Saratoga 372 Broadway, Saratoga Springs

Saratoga Candy Co. 5 Washington Street, Saratoga Springs

Lucia Boutique 454 Broadway, Saratoga Springs

Saratoga Closet 38 Van Dam Street, Saratoga Springs

Feathered Antler 517 Broadway, Saratoga Springs

Luxe Salon/Spa 328 Broadway, Saratoga Springs

Saratoga Custom Engraving 81 Railroad Place, Saratoga Springs

Frankie Flores Art 454 Broadway, Saratoga Springs

Lyrical Ballad Bookstore 7 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs

The Saratoga Day Spa 376 Broadway #21A, Saratoga Springs

Francelise Dawkins 79 Beekman Street, Saratoga Springs

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Saratoga Debut Salon + Boutique 58 Church Street, Saratoga Springs

The Magic Moon 15 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs

Saratoga Olive Oil Co. 484 Broadway, Saratoga Springs

G. Willikers Toys & Games 461 Broadway, Saratoga Springs

Make Me Fabulous 30 Lake Avenue, Saratoga Springs

Gap 341 Broadway, Saratoga Springs

Mango Tree Imports 454 Broadway, Saratoga Springs

Saratoga Saddlery & International Boutiques 506 Broadway, Saratoga Springs

Gemset Of Saratoga 72 Henry Street, Saratoga Springs

Merle Norman Cosmetics 70 Beekman Street, Saratoga Springs

Green Conscience 33 Church Street, Saratoga Springs

Miss Scarlett Boutique 19 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs

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Mountainman Outdoor Supply Company 490 Broadway, Saratoga Springs

Adirondack Cigar Shoppe 63 Putnam Street, Saratoga Springs

Embrace The Race 327 Broadway, Saratoga Springs

Alexis Aida Boutique 437 Broadway, Saratoga Springs

Encounter 482 Broadway, Saratoga Springs

Allerdice ACE Hardware Lumber & Building Supplies 41 Walworth Street, Saratoga Springs

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B Banana Republic 331 Broadway, Saratoga Springs Bella & Lindy Saratoga’s Pet Boutique 454 Broadway, Saratoga Springs The Black Circle 79 Beekman Street, Saratoga Springs Blue Sky Bicycles 71 Church Street, Saratoga Springs

C Caroline & Main 438 Broadway, Saratoga Springs Carpetland 78 Church Street #1, Saratoga Springs Celeste Susany 454 Broadway, Saratoga Springs Celtic Treasures 456 Broadway, Saratoga Springs Chic Underneath 7 Spring Street, Saratoga Springs Chico’s 329 Broadway, Saratoga Springs

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Hamada Naturals 454 Broadway, Saratoga Springs Hatsational 510 Broadway, Saratoga Springs Homessence 439 Broadway, Saratoga Springs

I Impressions Of Saratoga 368 Broadway, Saratoga Springs iRun LOCAL 425 Broadway, Saratoga Springs

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Clare’s Embroidery 1 S Federal Street, Saratoga Springs

Jacobsen Oriental Rugs 543 Broadway, Saratoga Springs

Classical Concepts 323 Broadway, Saratoga Springs

James & Sons Tobacconists 360 Broadway, Saratoga Springs

Clothes Horse 396 Broadway, Saratoga Springs

Jos. A. Bank 358 Broadway, Suite 102, Saratoga Springs

Common Thread Saratoga 512 Broadway, Saratoga Springs Complexions Spa For Beauty & Wellness 268 Broadway, Saratoga Springs Compliments To The Chef 33 Railroad Place, Suite 104, Saratoga Springs Crafters Gallery 427 Broadway, Saratoga Springs

D Dark Horse Mercantile 445 Broadway, Saratoga Springs Dehn’s Flowers & Gifts 180 Beekman Street, Saratoga Springs deJonghe Original Jewelry 470 Broadway, Saratoga Springs

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K Kettlewell & Edwards 13 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs Kilwins 420 Broadway, Saratoga Springs Khymanyo Studio 60 Beekman Street, Saratoga Springs

L La Sartoria Of Saratoga 379 Broadway, Saratoga Springs Lex & Cleo 454 Broadway, Saratoga Springs

The Moxie On Maple Ave 19 Maple Avenue, Saratoga Springs

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Saratoga Signature Interiors 82 Church Street, Saratoga Springs Saratoga Tea & Honey Company 348 Broadway, Saratoga Springs Saratoga Trunk 493 Broadway, Saratoga Springs The Savory Pantry 486 Broadway, Saratoga Springs The Shoppe 370 Broadway, Saratoga Springs Silverado Jewelry Gallery 446 Broadway, Saratoga Springs

New Attitudes Salon + Spa 1 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs

Soave’ Faire 449 Broadway, Saratoga Springs

Northshire Bookstore 424 Broadway, Saratoga Springs

Something Bleu Bridal 75 Woodlawn Avenue, Saratoga Springs

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Spa Cascada 487 Broadway, Saratoga Springs

PaperDolls Of Saratoga 454 Broadway, Saratoga Springs The Pink Paddock 358 Broadway, Saratoga Springs Piper Boutique 441 Broadway, Saratoga Springs Plum & Crimson Fine Interior Design 51 Ash Street, Saratoga Springs Putnam Market 431 Broadway, Saratoga Springs

R Raina’s Jewelry 380 Broadway, Saratoga Springs Red Wolf 15 Springs Street, Saratoga Springs Rena’s Fine Flowers 51 Ash Street, Saratoga Springs Rockabella Boutique 10 Lake Avenue, Saratoga Springs

Lifestyles Of Saratoga 436 Broadway, Saratoga Springs

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Lily Saratoga 6 Franklin Square, Saratoga Springs

Samantha Nass Floral Design 57 Woodlawn Avenue, Saratoga Springs

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Saratoga Shoe Company 5 Spring Street, Saratoga Springs

n. Fox Jewelers 404 Broadway, Saratoga Springs

Pangea 454 Broadway, Saratoga Springs

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PPING GUIDE

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SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

The Loft Blow Dry Bar & Makeup Boutique 30 Beekman Street, Saratoga Springs

Eddie Bauer 338 Broadway, Saratoga Springs

AMP Gallery 454 Broadway, Saratoga Springs

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Sanctuary Spa 72 Railroad Place, Saratoga Springs

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A Silver Breeze 516 Broadway, Saratoga Springs

Antara Home 62 Church Street, Saratoga Springs

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Loft 315 Broadway, Saratoga Springs

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Amour New York 6 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs

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Spoken Boutique 27 Church Street, Saratoga Springs Sports 4 All 78 Church Street, Saratoga Springs

T Textile Studio 143 Grand Avenue, Saratoga Springs TOGA Heritage 398 Broadway, Saratoga Springs

Clothes Horse Boutique

Welcome to the new Clothes Horse Boutique, featuring a new owner, new look and new designers! In October 2017, Joni Collura, who had eight years of experience at Clothes Horse, became the new proprietor of the boutique. Her style embodies the classic and classy chic, with an artistic flare.

“My philosophy is that every woman deserves to look and feel absolutely beautiful,” she says. For the perfect outfit, accessory or gift, visit Joni and her staff this holiday season.

396 Broadway, Saratoga Springs 518.587.9667

Beck Furs

Beck Furs, located in Stuyvesant Plaza in Albany, is more than just fur coats: The 85-year-old store also carries a wide selection of garments, from coats made of cashmere, angora and superfine wool from Italy, to fur-trimmed ski jackets and Pajar boots. The one-stop shop for all your holiday shopping needs (yes, even for the man in your life!) is also gifting weekend getaways to customers who spend more than $2000 and longer trips to those who spend $3000 and up.

1475 Western Avenue, Albany 518.437.0412

DY T O B E B LO W N A E R AWA U O Y Y? ARE winter 2020 issue F E B R UA RY 6 R E S E R VAT I O N : J A N U A R Y 1 7

R E L E A S E D AT E :

AD

U Union Hall 437 Broadway, Saratoga Springs Up In Smoke Saratoga 40 Caroline Street

V The Vault 10 Caroline Street, Saratoga Springs Violet’s Of Saratoga 494 Broadway, Saratoga Springs

Y Yellow Boutique 491 Broadway, Saratoga Springs

everywhere anywhere saratogaliving.com

@saratogaliving

#SLNY

518.584.7500

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person of the century

Ianniello Anderson, P.C.

Marylou Whitney: The Farewell

Criminal Law/ DWI • Residential & Commercial Real Estate • Land Use & Planning National Loss Mitigation • Trusts & Estates • Family & Matrimonial Civil Litigation & Personal Injury • Business & Corporate • Banking & Settlement Services

capitalregionlawyers.com

The Queen Of Saratoga’s epic tale is once again the main attraction.

Photograph by Alexis Rodríguez-Duarte CREDIT

518-371-8888

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person of the century

Marylou Whitney

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By Maria McBride Bucciferro

arylou Whitney has been as comfortable with movie stars as she has with backstretch workers and bellhops; she’s at home in the foaling barn, on Alaskan dogsleds and at the Queen’s Palace. Her constant mantra of “I love Saratoga” has shined an international spotlight on this city and its racetrack, whose trajectories are intricately linked. She even coined the city’s best-known catchphrase, “Saratoga: the summer place to be,” and has rightfully earned the heady moniker “Queen of Saratoga.” Though not a Whitney by birth, she’s taken up the family’s racing and service mantle, extending the Whitney and Vanderbilt dynasties well beyond the turn of the century, and winning millions as the head of Marylou Whitney Stables. A mix of Lady Gaga, Grace Kelly and Gracie Allen—with a touch of Mother Teresa—Marylou Whitney is more than just Saratoga’s most famous face and name. She is Saratoga. Let me tell you the incredible story of how she singlehandedly saved this city and its racetrack from the brink of disaster.

It’s one every true Saratogian should know by heart.

and also within these pages. Sonny was 88 and Marylou 61 when I first visited them at Cady Hill, their 21-room, 135acre estate on Geyser Road in Saratoga. A financier of the company that would become Pan American World Airways and founder of the theme park Marineland of Florida, Sonny was a decorated veteran of World War I and II, having served as Assistant Secretary of the Air Force and Undersecretary of Commerce. He’d also helped finance film classics such as Rebecca and Gone With The Wind.

Marie Louise “Marylou” Schroeder was born on December 24, 1925, and grew up in Kansas City, MO. She attended the University of Iowa, but, at the tender age of 19, returned to Kansas City after the death of her father, taking a job at the local radio station where she hosted the popular broadcast, Private Smiles, for servicemen during World War II. (The show later earned her a Woman of the Year award from the USO, and one of Sonny’s horses was named Pvt. Smiles in her honor.) In 1948, Marylou wed her first husband, Frank Hosford, heir to the John Deere tractor fortune. The couple had four children—M’lou, Frank, Henry and Heather—but divorced, leaving Marylou to raise them by herself. “Marylou was beautiful,” says 88-year-old Fred Ryan, who was Superintendent of Service at The Gideon Putnam when he first met her veryone who’s ever called in ’58. “I had just brought their luggage Saratoga home is keenly up to their suite, and I remember that aware of the great impact she was wearing her blonde hair Marylou Whitney’s had on top of her head,” he tells me. “I on the city, but, in turn, remember her being so friendly—she hrh Marylou Whitney is more than that Saratoga wasn’t always the told me about her background and her just Saratoga’s most famous face and incomparable tourist destination it children.” When Sonny was married to name. She is Saratoga. is today. While most Saratogians his third wife, Eleanor Searle, Ryan tells can robotically recite the following, me that he worked as a bartender and decidedly dour historical footnotes, know that Marylou waiter at Cady Hill. “The next season, when I showed up for a actually lived them. “Everything at the time was dead here; party, Marylou remembered me from her visit at the Gideon the track was dead!” Marylou has said of Saratoga when she Putnam hotel,” says Ryan. “From that day on, every time I’d see first arrived here as a newlywed in 1958. “You could roll a her at the track, she’d nod and smile at me.” basketball down the center of town and not hit anyone.” Her husband, Cornelius “Sonny” Vanderbilt Whitney, encouraged uring a stint in New York City pursuing an acting his new bride to help save Saratoga Race Course and the career, Marylou befriended actress Audrey town itself, and thankfully, she agreed. “Sonny, with your Hepburn and author Truman Capote, a Yaddo fellow money and my enthusiasm and work, we can light up this who’s said to have used her and three others as a town!” said Marylou. And light it up she did. composite for the star of his Breakfast At Tiffany’s I first interviewed Marylou in 1987 for Adirondack Life novella, Holly Golightly (whom, ironically, Hepburn would later magazine and covered her on and off throughout the years for portray on the silver screen). With her acting career gaining Times Union, The Post-Star and The Saratogian newspapers, steam, the then Marylou Hosford—at the time, separated from

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arly in 2018, when the saratoga living editorial team hunkered down to discuss what stories we were going to place in our bestever “The Races!” (track) issue, I remember some of the longest conversations being about how to properly honor the “Queen of Saratoga,” Marylou Whitney. The thought was that if we were going to pull off a single-subject issue on Saratoga Springs’ historic horse races and racetrack—and everything else equine-related in between—Marylou Whitney needed to be given the pages afforded to our most important features, and our audience should get the comprehensive close-read that we knew it deserved. And, of course, we needed to find the perfect scribe to take on the mammoth task of spinning a story that was equal-parts love letter, historical treatise and gripping must-read—one who would, above all, be taken seriously by our elevated Saratoga readership.

We ultimately decided that former saratoga living Editor Maria McBride Bucciferro was the perfect person to tackle such a challenging and exhilarating assignment.

As we always seem to be in the magazine business, saratoga living was working on an extremely tight deadline leading up to “The Races!” issue, so we had precious little time to get the story right. I’ll never forget taking Maria’s draft with me on a short weekend getaway to Kayuta Lake (near Old Forge, NY), and waking up early to give the fascinating opus a close read and first edit. Predictably, the story got its well-deserved red-carpet rollout in the issue, shining like the bright sun that it was. By the end of the summer, it was nearly impossible to find a single copy of The Races! issue anywhere in the Capital Region, including our own Broadway headquarters. In effect, the issue had “sold out”—and our coverage of Marylou Whitney was a large reason why.

When we lost Marylou Whitney this July 19, her passing just happened to coincide with the release date of saratoga living’s 2019 “The Races!” issue, in which we’d inaugurated her as the first and only member of our Power List’s Hall Of Fame. On that exceedingly sad day, I was glued to saratogaliving.com, and later that afternoon, I noticed a New York Racing Association tweet announcing Marylou Whitney’s passing. That was almost immediately followed by a monumental, unprecedented spike in traffic to our website. Curious readers had not only found our fortuitous tribute to the Saratoga icon on our Power List, but had also rediscovered the comprehensive feature from 2018 on her as well. No one should be surprised that Marylou Whitney’s riveting life story, as written by Maria McBride Bucciferro, currently ranks as the most-read story in our website’s history.

For those who missed it the first time around, we’re happily reprinting the feature in the following pages. Read it with pride and profound love for a woman that has no equal in this city that she loved with everything she had.

—WILL LEVITH

marylou whitney Reprinted from saratoga living’s August 2018 issue of “The Races!”

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person of the century to Marylou, and proved gentle and supportive after her stroke in 2006, following back surgery. John has always joked about their 39-year age difference. With his irreverence at full tilt, he raised more than a few eyebrows at the Saratoga Springs Rotary Club when he announced, “We’re expecting.” I was relieved to learn that they’d just bought a new puppy.

While I could fill an entire issue of saratoga living listing Marylou’s charities, honors and philanthropic work— she’s been especially generous to Saratoga Hospital over the years—it’s always at her annual Opening Day luncheon at the track when she and her beloved city seem to come alive, with Marylou presiding as its Grande Dame over a Who’sWho of friends, politicians and local celebrities. Just like any international star, Marylou has a fan base—especially one in her adopted hometown. At her über-popular Whitney Gala, which came to an end in 2012, I watched throngs of wellwishers gather outside the Canfield Casino, saying hello to her as if only a few weeks had passed, saving the party favors she threw out into the crowd. Marylou fans will often paste tiny photos of her with plastic horses and fences to their hats for the track’s annual contest. She’s as close to Saratoga royalty as there’s ever been.

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f course, Marylou’s story has proven more than just an engrossing tale of historical intrigue from the upper echelons of society—a real-life Great Gatsby, without the unhappy ending. Her story’s also about saving Saratoga and mommy mia! Marylou Whitney had n 1992, five years after our first its greatest asset, the racetrack, which four children with her first husband, encounter, Sonny died at age 93, hits closest to home for us Saratogians.

Frank Hosford, and a fifth with Sonny and he’s buried at Greenridge But where to start? How about Pulitzer Vanderbilt Whitney.

Cemetery in Saratoga, the town Prize-winning sportswriter Walter he considered his real home—of “Red” Smith’s “directions” to Saratoga: his nine residences at the time. Three years later, the widowed “From New York City you drive north for about 175 miles, turn Marylou ventured to the South Pole on an expedition. Then left on Union Avenue and go back 100 years.” Whitneys and 71, Marylou fell for 32-year-old John Hendrickson, a former Vanderbilts, scions of racing and society, have been coming to tennis champion and aide to Alaska Governor Walter Hickel.

Saratoga since the days of John Morrissey, the bare-knuckle (The two had clearly been seeing each other beforehand, as boxer-turned-Congressman, who first brought Thoroughbred she confirmed during the ’96 Saratoga racetrack meet that racing here in 1863. The families have been entwined with she would be marrying him the following year.) John proposed the fate of Saratoga ever since, and have been part of its to Marylou, in style, at Buckingham Palace—at a reception for trajectory forward after both town and track were threatened Prince Philip, who joked that he wasn’t going to pay for their time and again with almost certain demise. Railroad baron impending nuptials. (He didn’t.) Governor Hickel presided over Cornelius Vanderbilt, Sonny’s namesake, and William Travers their marriage in ’97, and the couple later named a horse in his were among the track’s founders. Beset by corruption and honor. Irreverent and smart, John was the perfect complement shut down for the 1896 meet under Gottfried Walbaum, it

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was Sonny’s grandfather, William C. Whitney, Secretary of the Patricia Chapman. “I’m sorry we beat you,” she told Mrs. Navy under President Grover Cleveland and a descendant of Chapman, who graciously said the better horse had won. Her Eli Whitney of cotton gin fame, who bought the track in 1901 husband, John, called Birdstone “the little horse who could.” and remodeled it.

Fresh off his spoiler-maker victory at Belmont, Birdstone Generations of Whitneys and their spouses gradually came to Saratoga and won the Travers, crossing the finish line helped bring the track back, making it into the powerhouse as the dark sky opened with apocalyptic thunder, lightning it is today. Sonny’s C.V. Whitney Racing Stable bred or raised and pelting rain. Standing in the Winner’s Circle with other more than 450 stakes winners at its Lexington farm alone. reporters and photographers, I saw Marylou beaming, but Sonny began dispersing his family’s racing stock in his 80s, soaked—electric and energized. The successful bird-named so Marylou would be free to travel and not have to bother bloodline would continue its winning ways, with Birdstone’s with the business—a historically male-dominated one. After daughter, Stone Legacy, coming in second in The Kentucky Sonny’s death in ’92, Marylou ended up using a chunk of Oaks in 2009. That same year, Birdstone’s colts Mine That Bird his estimated $100 million estate to buy back the Whitney and Summer Bird won the Derby and Belmont, respectively. broodmares for a stable of her own.

She searched for and bought Dear n 2010, Marylou was honored Birdie, a foal by her nickname-sake with The Eclipse Award of Merit Hush Dear, for $50,000, just before “for a lifetime of outstanding the mare went up for auction at the achievement in Thoroughbred Keeneland yearling sale. Marylou’s racing.” I talked with Stella F. fledgling Blue Goose Stable—I Thayer, president-treasurer of the remember her blue cushions with a Tampa Bay Downs racecourse, who blue goose on the five wooden chairs first came to Saratoga in the 1970s in her clubhouse box near the finish with her husband. (She’s also served line, at the track—soon evolved into as the President of Saratoga’s racing Marylou Whitney Stables. At Marylou’s museum.) At that point, Saratoga Race Opening Day luncheon in 2001, her Course had reached a nadir, and a husband John told me he had high proposal had been made to shutter it. hopes for the new venture. (Ian Wilkes “They wanted to close the racetrack is its trainer today; Nick Zito held the at the time,” says Thayer. “Thank God position back then.) “We have 25 twothey didn’t do it. Now it’s the most year-olds in training,” said John. “With popular [racing] venue [in the country].”

Nick’s talent and Marylou’s money, we Speaking of the Whitneys, Thayer should have some luck.” As of July tells me: “Marylou does things with 2018, in 1431 starts, Marylou Whitney enthusiasm, grace and dazzle,” having Stables has 183 wins, 180 places and supported countless charities and the 191 shows. If you were at Saratoga last racing museum, first with Sonny, and crown jewel Sonny Vanderbilt Whitney summer, you’d have seen the Whitney then with John. (Marylou’s husband (center) and Marylou in the fall of 1967, Stables’ Quick Quick Quick come in is the current president of the racing the year nearly $200,000 of her jewelry second on August 6 and log a win museum, by the way.) “They’ve done was stolen from Cady Hill. on August 27. The Stables will no so much for Saratoga, both past and doubt have contenders at this year’s present, through thick and thin.”

Saratoga meet, and, as always, Marylou and John will be there Certainly, Governor Nelson Rockefeller’s construction of the to present the trophy at the $1.2 million Whitney Handicap Northway, which reached Saratoga in 1963, and the Saratoga on August 4, a race named in her family’s honor—and the Performing Arts Center (SPAC), which he supported, in 1966, second richest race at the meet (just behind the Travers). were keys to the city’s resurgence. Also, the latter wouldn’t Now, if a horse has a bird in its name, odds are good it’s a have been possible without Marylou and Sonny’s generosity; Dear Birdie foal. Marylou, a familiar face in the foaling shed, they were among the founders of SPAC and helped finance was there when Birdstone was born. (Birdstone, half sister the racing museum and the National Museum of Dance, Bird Town and their mother, Dear Birdie, reportedly recognize which has a Hall of Fame that bears their names. But the city Marylou’s voice and look for her in the barn.) and the track’s turnaround were still a long time coming in the In 2004 Birdstone smashed the hopes of Triple Crown 1970s. One positive result of the city’s neglect? The historic contender, Smarty Jones, at the Belmont Stakes. Marylou racetrack wasn’t torn down or redeveloped, but rather, stayed seemed more upset than Smarty Jones’ owners, Roy and the way it was, frozen in time. Oversized wooden Victorian

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NATIONAL MUSEUM OF RACING AND HALL OF FAME

Frank—met Sonny at a supper club in Phoenix, and he hired her to star with Brandon de Wilde and Lee Marvin in his film The Missouri Traveler, which hit the big screen in 1958. Marylou then traveled to Sonny’s 100,000-acre Adirondack estate—land that his grandfather consolidated for $1.50 an acre—to act in another film, The Healing Woods. Sparks flew between Marylou and Sonny, and the couple fell in love. Needless to say, the film never saw the light of day. “Sonny said the reason he never made the picture is that he married me instead, and he didn’t want his wife to be a movie star!” Marylou has said of the time.

Not skipping a beat, Sonny said, “I think I chose correctly.”

Marylou and Sonny honeymooned in far-flung Flin Flon, Manitoba, headquarters of the Hudson Bay Mining & Smelting Company, which he’d founded. “We traveled three days and three nights by dogsled,” Sonny said. “It was 60 below.” They lived for a year with Marylou’s four children at Camp Deerland in Long Lake, NY, then moved to Lexington to settle on the Whitney family’s 1000-acre horse farm.

(Sonny and Marylou had one child of their own, Cornelia, in 1959.) Sonny inherited his father’s racing stable, as well as his grandfather’s land, and named one of their broodmares Hush Dear, in Marylou’s honor. (It was one of his pet names for her, after she told him that saying “shut up” was too harsh.) As age 90 approached, Sonny told me: “I’m out of pictures, out of horses, out of mining.” He’d even considered selling Cady Hill, but Marylou had loved the old stagecoach house too much to give it up.

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person of the century

marylou whitney royal box Marylou, waving from her Clubhouse box, in 2012.

structures—old-fashioned firetraps with spires, uneven Their good friends, the late Ed Lewi, famed public relations floors, constricted Clubhouse boxes with creaky chairs— executive, and his wife, Maureen, come to mind. In the late certainly would’ve been replaced if the money were there. ’70s, LA County’s Santa Anita Park and NYRA were the only Surprisingly, it wouldn’t be until the 1980s that Saratoga Race racetrack associations to have marketing departments. NYRA Course finally started beating out its reached out to Ed Lewi Associates Downstate cousins, Belmont Park and for help. “Both the track and the Aqueduct Racetrack, on an annual city were very depressed when we basis. Saratoga attendance rates first came here in the ’70s,” says soared in 1983, and the lead soon Maureen Lewi, co-owner of the firm, widened. “Saratoga was bucking the which also did PR for SPAC, the 1980 trend when it took off in the 1980s and Winter Olympics in Lake Placid and 1990s,” Gary McKeon, NYRA President Coca Cola, among others. “Marylou from 1982 to 1994, has said. “No one was game for all of Ed’s ideas to else was growing, [and] Saratoga promote Saratoga. Saratoga became took off like a rocket.” As the Saratoga so ingrained in our hearts. It became meet was extended from 24 days in our (Sonny’s, Marylou’s, Ed’s and my) 1962, to 30 in 1991, to 34 in 1994, to mission in life to catapult Saratoga to 36 in 1997, to 40 in 2010, where it has fame, and Marylou was the star. The pas de deux Marylou and husband John stayed, the upward trend continued. media found her fascinating.”

Hendrickson arrive at the 2010 Breakfast At Ed came up with the phrase “the Tiffany’s-themed Whitney Gala. y 2017, Saratoga had a August place to be”—which Marylou total paid attendance tweaked to “the summer place to be,” of 1,117,838 for the meet. Saratoga’s handle when racing was extended into July. The Lewis’ plan was for all-source wagering hit a record-breaking simple: “to depict Saratoga as an experience; show that it $676,709,490. Marylou didn’t earn her honorary was more than a wonderful, historic racetrack; it was a place title, “Queen of Saratoga,” for standing by idle. That said, she for fun; a place to be seen,” Maureen says. “NBC Nightly and Sonny, (and later John) had a lot of help along the way: News came to spend two days shooting a racetrack story

and stayed for almost a week after they met Marylou,” she tells me. Vanity Fair, New York magazine and other national publications caught on and did stories, as did East Coast newspapers, and broadcast and cable TV networks. “Nothing was too much for Marylou to do for her beloved Saratoga. She invited celebrities to Cady Hill, hosted a grand ball, dazzled the crowds at myriad events and fundraisers and mingled with all the fans at the track. She rode in carriages, in a hot air balloon, on the back of an elephant and in Greta Garbo’s Duesenberg—all to put the spotlight on Saratoga,” Maureen says. “She certainly earned her title ‘Queen of Saratoga.’”

When Marylou was inducted into the Walk Of Fame at the track in August 2015, everyone from Hall of Fame jockeys Angel Cordero, Jr. and Jerry Bailey to longtime track announcer Tom Durkin and her former horse trainer Nick Zito, paid tribute to her. “You hear so much about people, and some of it is built up,” Zito said at the event. “This is the real deal. There’s no hype. There’s no build-up. Marylou Whitney is a pillar of the sport of racing, a pillar of our community in Saratoga and one of the great ladies that I’ve met in my entire life.” NYRA CEO and President Chris Kay says: “Her generosity is unparalleled. I’ve spoken to many people in Saratoga Springs. They all tell me the same thing. Marylou Whitney saved this town since the moment she arrived nearly seven decades ago.” That she did. And how.

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9 More Reasons To Love Marylou Whitney

2 In 1958, Marylou—billed as Mary Hosford— made her silver screen debut (her only appearance in a motion picture) as Anne Love Price in The Missouri Traveler. In one scene, seemingly stripped from her own headlines, she has a public argument with a dastardly man about where he’s tying up his horse.

From Gotham to Hollywood, Saratoga’s favorite daughter blazed an amazing trail. n the 1980s and ’90s, I defined the “good life” in Saratoga Springs as eating at Compton’s and PJ’s from time to time, occasionally getting treated to an ice cream sundae at Stewart’s and acquiring heaps of baseball cards at The Vault. (Like I said, life was good!) But let’s be real for a second: Just 15 minutes away from where I grew up on Second Street was the definition of what Robin Leach was really talking about. No Saratogian, no matter how big their North Broadway mansion is, will ever even approach the fabulous life the late Marylou Whitney lived in her 93 years on earth. Short of catching a glimpse of her at the track or making her grand entrance at the annual Whitney Gala, none of us mere mortals could ever imagine what it was like actually being Marylou. Throughout the years, though, we got more than our fair share of teases at her amazing life. What follows is a handy crib-sheet, featuring nine examples of Marylou Whitney’s wild, fascinating journey. There will never be another Marylou Whitney. Not now. Not ever.

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acting up In 1958, Marylou Whitney was billed as Mary Hosford in her lone bigscreen role in The Missouri Traveler.

1 When she was a single woman in New York City, Marylou once garnered the attention of gossip columnists when she rode a horse from Central Park to a nearby supper club, tying her steed to a sturdy fence before enjoying a night out with a friend.

LAWRENCE WHITE

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BY WILL LEVITH

Saratoga summer meet at Saratoga Race Course by riding in on an elephant.

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Whitney was a client of Canadian highfashion designer Arnold Scaasi, whose A-List clientele included everyone from First Lady Mamie Eisenhower and philanthropist/ socialite Brooke Astor to superstar singer and actress Barbra Streisand.

In a “postcard” to Women’s Wear Daily in 2003, Whitney wrote about a weekend in her life during track season in Saratoga. It included a private screening of Seabiscuit, lunch at the Meeting Room (a private club adjacent to the racetrack), dinner at the Wishing Well and an afterparty at her Saratoga estate, which took place inside a Comanche Indian-built teepee.

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Whitney owned more than 10 residences in her lifetime, including her main home, the 135acre Cady Hill house in Saratoga; a 550-acre farm in Lexington; swanky addresses on Fifth Avenue in New York City, in Palm Beach, FL and in Spain; as well as a 50,000-acre estate in the Adirondacks known as Whitney Park.

Whitney’s third husband, John Hendrickson, once claimed that it was his idea to sign a prenuptial agreement with her, because if anything happened, he didn’t “want Marylou to come after his tennis racquets.”

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Nodding to her proclivity for making a grand entrance in something other than a limousine, Whitney kicked off the 1988

double-decker bus, hot-air balloon and coronation coach.

At Whitney Galas held in different years in Saratoga, all at the Canfield Casino, Marylou Whitney made her entrance in a

9 One year, Whitney was making her big entrance at a Wizard Of Oz-themed Whitney Gala, when she lost a $250,000 emerald from her Glinda The Good Witch costume. A Saratoga construction worker later located it, returned it and got a $5000 finder’s fee, along with a seat in a private box at the racetrack.

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person of the century

marylou whitney

Remembering An Icon Marylou Whitney’s passion and generosity are memorialized by local VIPs.

ELIZ ABETH SOBOL PR E S I DE NT A ND CE O, SA R ATOG A PE R F OR MI NG A RTS CE NTE R ( S PAC)

“Everyone who’s ever called Saratoga home is keenly aware of the great impact Marylou Whitney has had on the city. Her extraordinary generosity and leadership have been key to the success and vitality of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center since its opening. We will sorely miss her presence in this place she loved so much.”

B Y J O N A H B AY L I S S i l l u s t r at i o n s b y

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

NOAH CL ARK saratoga living

his past summer, Saratoga Springs lost its brightest star and greatest champion, Marylou Whitney. And even though I’ve only lived here for two years, it’s quickly become clear to me that Marylou Whitney was Saratoga. The more I explore the Spa City, the more I learn about this remarkable human being— and the more I want to know. How could one person have had such an impact on a single city? I set out to ask some of the people who knew her best that exact question. Reading their responses, I find myself even more in awe of Marylou Whitney. Her legacy is undeniably extraordinary. I take it back; she’s not just our city’s brightest star; Marylou Whitney is nothing less than Saratoga’s supernova.

ANDREW M. CUOMO G OV E R N O R , STATE O F N E W YOR K

“The story of horse racing and the story of Marylou Whitney, the Queen of Saratoga, could not be more intertwined. Marylou was the heart, the spirit, the personality, the mystique, the beauty and the charisma that represents the best of New York’s horse racing industry. Marylou and her husband, John, were the drivers for the industry’s success. Marylou’s extraordinary talent, where everything she touched she just made better, is on full display here in Saratoga.”

EL AINA RICHARDSON

TODD PLETCHER AWA R D-WI NNI NG TH OROU GH BR E D T R AINER

“To say that Marylou Whitney is a Saratoga legend would be an obvious understatement.

What stood out to me, as I’m sure it did to many, was her kindness and generosity, and in particular, her work with the backstretch. Her under-the-radar contributions demonstrated that she gave for the sake of giving, an endearing quality that we should all aspire to.”

P R E S I DE N T, YA DDO

“Back in 2011, the Marylou Whitney rose was first introduced to the public at Yaddo Gardens. The rose that Marylou and her husband gifted is fragrant, delicately beautiful but resilient and made to stand the rigors of time and upstate life. The gift and the celebration were also, by design, for our whole community and the delight of those who visit Saratoga. She understood how to give in a way that would be enriching to many. That charming combination perfectly encapsulates how Marylou Whitney struck me.”

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SONNY AND JULIE BONACIO PR E S I DE NT A ND VI CE PR E S I DE NT, BONACIO CONST RUCT ION

“Marylou’s beauty, inside and out, and her exceptional kindness to people and giving ways have and will continue to leave a fingerprint on this gem of a community she loved and cared for so much.”

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person of the century

marylou whitney DAVID O’ROURKE

LINDA TOOHEY

PR E S I DE NT A ND CE O, NE W YOR K R ACI NG AS S OCI ATI ON ( NYR A )

FOUND ER, L E AD ERSHIP SAR ATOG A

“An avid horsewoman and true lover of the sport, Marylou Whitney was one of Thoroughbred racing’s greatest ambassadors. As a top breeder and committed supporter of the Thoroughbred industry, she delivered some of the most memorable moments in New York racing history. Yet, it seems that Marylou’s passion for racing was matched only by her love for the City of Saratoga Springs and her support for the backstretch community. Her generosity is evident by the endless list of her contributions. Saratoga wouldn’t be the destination it is today without her.”

ANGELO CALBONE PR E S I DE NT A ND CE O, SA R ATOG A H OS PI TA L

MEG KELLY M AYO R , C I TY O F SA R ATO G A S P R I N GS

“Marylou Whitney is synonymous with everything that is Saratoga Springs and was a tireless advocate of the city as a true summer tourism destination. Not only did Marylou Whitney provide funding for tangibles— buildings, programs, equipment and gardens—but she also injected Saratoga with an air of festivity, exuberance, vitality and sanguinity that now permeates our city and its culture of giving. Some people call Marylou Whitney the ‘Savior of Saratoga.’ Some consider her the ‘Queen of Saratoga.’ To family, friends and to me, she’ll always be the ‘Soul of Saratoga.’”

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“At Saratoga Hospital, we’re reminded of Marylou Whitney’s legacy every day.

She helped bring so many lifesaving healthcare services to our community, and we see the impact that her generosity has—and will continue to have—on virtually every patient we care for. Behind that generosity was an extraordinary energy and enthusiasm. With Marylou on your side, everything seemed possible— and a lot more fun. Her sense of purpose and passion helped transform our hospital and our community and inspires us to strive to do the same.”

“Besides the myriad improved places and organizations that Marylou made possible for future generations, she also set the bar high for others in the community thinking of making contributions of their time and treasure. She’ll be remembered for her generosity with a purpose, her view of the future while honoring the past, her glamour with a sense of passion and providing support for the community that will extend decades into the future.”

TAS STEINER FOUND ER AND P RESID ENT, WHISP ERING ANG EL S OF SAR ATOG A SP RING S

PAUL TONKO U S CONGR E S S MA N ( D-NY)

“Marylou Whitney was one of the rare people capable of making anybody smile. Her boundless energy and loving spirit were a treasure, and her incredible devotion to her community and lasting impact are evident at the entrance at the track and on the day of August 3, both aptly named after Marylou Whitney. She was a gift to all who met her, and she will be dearly missed.”

“Growing up locally—and as a longtime patron of Saratoga Springs’ racetrack, SPAC, restaurants and stores—I had the pleasure of seeing Marylou Whitney do what she did best from the 1970s through the 2010s.

She had an uncanny ability to bedazzle us all while simultaneously raising important funds for numerous charities and community support groups.

Marylou Whitney had the power to bring thousands together; her contributions to Saratoga were unparalleled; and her legacy in Saratoga will last for centuries to come.”

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person of the century

marylou whitney

“Marylou fell in love with Saratoga Springs because of

the people. Thank you for giving her a wonderful life.”

MARIA MCBRIDE BUCCIFERRO

– J O H N H E ND R I CKS O N

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10 under Saratoga

Gives Back

40 The Spa City’s future looks bright with these charitable professionals leading the way.

Photography by

DORI FITZPATRICK exclusively for saratoga living

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n Saratoga Springs, where charity galas pepper every calendar during every season, philanthropists rule the roost. Prominent do-gooders, such as Ron and Michele Riggi, Ed and Lisa Mitzen, Michael and Linda Toohey, Bill and Susan Dake, Neil and the late Jane Golub and, yes, saratoga living Chair Anthony Ianniello (among many others), have become local heroes for their significant and often game-changing charitable contributions. And how can we even bring up Saratoga generosity without invoking the names of the late, great Marylou Whitney and her husband, John Hendrickson, who’ve completely rewritten the book on what it means to give in the Spa City?

While we have nothing but the utmost respect for these OG givers, over time, there’ll need to be a changing of the guard; the philanthropists of today will be replaced by those of tomorrow. The following is a list of the 10 people (or groups of people) under the age of 40 that saratoga living believes will (and already has) taken up that selfless baton. These are individuals who are devoting their lives to giving and giving back, whether it be through personal donations, serving on charity boards or working in the nonprofit sector. They represent a genuine crosssection of the Capital Region, and we hope you’ll join us in celebrating each and every one of them.

—THE EDITORS

Aliza Pickering, 28 PITNEY MEADOWS COMMUNITY FARM CHARITY:

PHILANTHROPIC AFFILIATIONS:

Vegetable Manager, itney Meadows Community Farm A TIME SOMEONE SHOWED YOU COMPASSION: “When I came back

from college and started a CSA, I also worked on two other farms, once a week, to learn from them, and they let me pick their brain and helped show me the ropes.”

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Saratoga

Jahkeen Hoke, 31 CHARITY:

4TH FAMILY

PHILANTHROPIC AFFILIATIONS:

Gives Back

Carmine DeCrescente and Matt DeCrescente CHARITY:

ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION OF NORTHEASTERN NEW YORK

Co-Founder and Chief Development Officer, 4th Family; Treasurer, the Henry Johnson Foundation ONE THING YOU’D CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD:

“End racism—but from a prejudice perspective.

So we can all just see each other as equal human beings.”

Carmine DeCrescente, 37

Matt DeCrescente, 36

PHILANTHROPIC AFFILIATIONS:

PHILANTHROPIC AFFILIATIONS:

Committee Member, JDRF Gala; former Board Member, Red Cross; former Committee Member, Ronald McDonald House’s Masquerade Gala; 2017 Real Men Wear Pink Candidate, American Cancer Society

Committee Member, An Evening To End Alzheimer’s Gala ONE THING YOU’D CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD:

“I’d want people to be accepted for who they are.”

ONE THING YOU’D CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD:

“I’d solve world hunger.”

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Saratoga

Gives Back

Elizabeth Hunter, 30 AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY (ACS) OF THE CAPITAL REGION CHARITY:

PHILANTHROPIC AFFILIATIONS: Senior

Manager, Community Development, American Cancer Society, Inc. A TIME SOMEONE SHOWED YOU COMPASSION:

“The energy and support that I get from this community, along with my friends and family, has been the biggest inspiration and help to me. I’ve been extremely lucky to have many mentors who’ve helped me along the way.

One specific person that I credit so much of my success to is Jeanne Walsh. She’s so positive, full of energy and truly believes that the sky’s the limit. Whether I’m picking up the phone to call her or just asking myself, ‘What would Jeanne do in this situation?,’ she’s been a driving force for me since the very first day of my career. If I could make even half the impact that Jeanne Walsh has in this world, then I’d consider myself a success.”

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Saratoga

Gives Back

Dave and Stephanie Collins CHARITY:

WELLSPRING

Dave Collins, 39 PHILANTHROPIC AFFILIATIONS:

Wellspring; The Incredible Teddy Foundation; Jake’s Help From Heaven; Franklin Community Center; Saratoga Hospital Foundation; Saratoga Automobile Museum FIRST PHILANTHROPIC EXPERIENCE:

“I think it was the Empty Stocking Fund—and understanding, as a kid, the need to give back. My mother would explain that she was going to volunteer, and I got to come along with her. When you’re a little kid, you walk into this room full of toys and you’re like, ‘Oh, these are all for me!’ And then it sinks in. It was eye-opening to realize that there were so many people who do without and that it’s incumbent upon those who can to help those in need.”

Stephanie Collins, 38 PHILANTHROPIC AFFILIATIONS:

Wellspring; The Incredible Teddy Foundation; Jake’s Help From Heaven; Franklin Community Center; Saratoga Hospital Foundation; Saratoga Automobile Museum ONE THING YOU’D CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD:

“I’d say the lack of collaboration—instilling in people a sense of hearing both sides before you decide what you want to do.”

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Saratoga

Mark Duffy, 38 CHARITY:

Gives Back

SEFCU’S HOLIDAY SHARING PROGRAM PHILANTHROPIC AFFILIATIONS:

Community Engagement Leader, SEFCU; Planning Committee Chair, Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless’ A Taste of Albany; Leadership Team Member, American Heart Association’s CycleNation FIRST PHILANTHROPIC EXPERIENCE:

“The more I do and get involved, the more I realize that I was the recipient of so many services growing up. Especially now with Adopt A Family; oh my gosh, we were the family that was adopted. It’s all coming back.”

Amanda Vance, 29 NEW VOCATIONS RACEHORSE ADOPTION PROGRAM CHARITY:

Thoroughbred Trainer, New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program PHILANTHROPIC AFFILIATIONS:

ONE THING YOU’D CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD:

“Overall, I just wish this was a kinder place.”

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Saratoga

Gives Back

Krystle Nowhitney Hernandez, 34 SARATOGA COUNTY ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL (EOC) CHARITY:

PHILANTHROPIC AFFILIATIONS:

Deputy Director, EOC; Planning Committee Chair, EOC’s May Day and Visión fundraisers; Chair, Ballston Spa Farmers Market Committee; Board Member, Ballston Spa Business and Professionals Association; former Board Member, The Giving Circle.

FIRST PHILANTHROPIC EXPERIENCE:

“The first really big volunteer activity that I took part in was with Centro Cívico in Amsterdam, and I did HIV/AIDS outreach education work in the community through that organization. It was the first opportunity I had to work within the Latino community, which is something that I knew I wanted to do.”

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Saratoga

Gives Back

Meredith Woolford, 38 CHARITY:

SARATOGA HOSPITAL FOUNDATION

PHILANTHROPIC AFFILIATIONS:

Executive Director, Saratoga Hospital Foundation; former Board Member, Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation; Beyond My Battle FIRST PHILANTHROPIC EXPERIENCE:

“When I lived in New York City, I worked with an organization called New York Cares and was a mentor for children in the Bronx. I went up every other Saturday with a girlfriend, and we ran a program where we took kids from a children and women’s shelter on adventures, bringing them bowling and to pumpkin patches.”

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Saratoga

Gives Back

Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) Junior Committee Officers CHARITY:

SPAC’S EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING

India Adams, 30 PHILANTHROPIC AFFILIATIONS:

Samantha Kercull, 33 PHILANTHROPIC AFFILIATIONS:

Advisor, SPAC Junior Committee; Foundation Board Member, Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation A TIME SOMEONE SHOWED YOU COMPASSION: “Earlier this summer,

I broke my leg cycling, and two individuals came to my rescue—a nurse and an EMT. They were there to support me until the ambulance came.”

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Membership, SPAC Junior Committee; Committee Member, Saratoga Automobile Museum’s Summer Gala; Yaddo; The Hyde Collection; Make-A-Wish Foundation ONE THING YOU’D CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD: “I’d give everyone

a dose of empathy.”

Amanda Ettinger, 29

Ashley Budd, 34

PHILANTHROPIC AFFILIATIONS:

PHILANTHROPIC AFFILIATIONS:

Treasurer, SPAC Junior Committee; Committee Member, Kelly’s Angels’ 10 Years of Love Gala

Secretary, SPAC Junior Committee

FIRST PHILANTHROPIC EXPERIENCE: “My church

ago, I was in a place where I knew I needed to move home and take care of my father, who was sick. I had just started a new job and had this new, big, exciting career path laid out for myself, and I went to my employer and said, ‘Situations are changing at home; I’m an only child, and I need to go take care of my dad, and I need to know if I need to look for another job or if I can move back to Saratoga and work remotely.’

I’m still with that employer, Cornell University.”

always used to have the Christmas tree with the tags on it to provide different gifts to the community. My parents would always go in towards the end of the Christmas season and make sure that everyone was taken care of.”

A TIME SOMEONE SHOWED YOU COMPASSION: “About five years

Caitlin Goetz, 34 PHILANTHROPIC AFFILIATIONS:

President, SPAC Junior Committee FIRST PHILANTHROPIC EXPERIENCE:

“I’m a Penn Stater, and we have THON, which raises money for pediatric cancer and is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world. So my dance company had dancers dance for 46 hours to raise money for the kids.”

Katrina Railton, 38 PHILANTHROPIC AFFILIATIONS:

Vice President, SPAC Junior Committee; Double H Ranch; Ainsley’s Angels of America A TIME SOMEONE SHOWED YOU COMPASSION: “When I was a child,

we were living in Florida, and our house was destroyed by a tornado.

A lot of people in the community came and helped us clean up and rebuild so that we could get back in our home.”

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Saratoga

Gives Back

INTO AFRICA

Saratoga’s Mark and Kelly Bertrand exemplify what charity’s all about. Enter: Uganda.

T

BY LISA MITZEN

his past summer, I was able to see Saratoga Springs’ generosity on a global scale. Back in July, my husband and I traveled to Uganda, Africa, with a group of local volunteers led by Mark and Kelly Bertrand, co-founders of The Giving Circle (Aaron Gryder is its third co-founder). The Saratoga-based nonprofit pledges, among other things, to end poverty—a lofty goal, I realize, but not one that’s out of reach, as I learned firsthand. Once in Uganda, we were bussed to Kagoma Gate, one of the country’s poorest villages, and I’ll never forget, as we approached it, suddenly being surrounded by hundreds of excited children, many of whom were shoeless. Stepping off the bus, I was grateful to be wearing sunglasses, because I was completely overcome with emotion, seeing these beautiful children, all so happy despite the poverty that surrounded them. It was amazing interacting with them; some spoke English, while many of the younger kids only spoke Swahili. They found my smartphone fascinating and enjoyed looking through photographs of my farm animals, sunsets, the ocean and snow.

We were in Kagoma Gate for one week and spent every day with the children, playing soccer, making sock puppets and handing out the supplies we’d brought with us—everything from shoes and clothing to school supplies and soccer balls. One day, I taught back-to-back Zumba classes at the local school. The kids had a ball and, quite frankly, danced circles around me.

The experience provided instant perspective and made me realize how truly blessed I am to live in Saratoga and know Mark and Kelly Bertrand.

The Giving Circle story began three decades ago, when Mark met and fell in love with his future wife and co-founder, Kelly. The couple shared a passion for helping others in need, and one of Mark’s lifelong goals had been to make a difference in Africa. He promised Kelly that someday

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into the fray Author Lisa Mitzen snapped this photo in Kagoma Gate, Uganda, one of the country’s poorest villages, where she went with Saratoga nonprofit The Giving Circle; (inset) supplies that The Giving Circle brought to distribute.

Saratoga

she’d have an orphanage named after her there. Fast-forward to 2005, when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, and Mark and Kelly were driving home from vacation, trying to figure out a way to pitch in. They decided to launch a holiday-themed campaign, beginning with an email to everyone in their friend circle with two requests: send them a gift or gift card to give to children affected by the hurricane; and then forward the email on to their friends and so on. The campaign took off and gifts started pouring in to the Bertrands from across the country. Later, they loaded the gifts onto a tractor trailer, headed down to Louisiana and provided Christmas to more than 7000 children and families in need.

The following spring, the couple formally launched The Giving Circle, with Mark taking on the role of executive director, and Kelly, treasurer. The charity immediately began helping those in need, locally and nationally, but Mark’s desire to make a difference in Africa never wavered. Then, by chance, he received an email from a friend, who’d sent him photos from a recent trip to Africa: One photo featured a Ugandan orphan wearing a Ballston Spa High School football shirt. Mark, a Ballston Spa graduate, took it as a sign. So, in 2010, he traveled to Uganda to the very orphanage featured in the photo. The tiny orphanage and its school were being run by a gentleman named Moses. Mark agreed to help expand the orphanage and school and improve their overall conditions. Moses and Mark also ventured to the village of Kagoma Gater. The first thing he and Moses built there was a playground with swing sets. “Every child should be able to swing and play,” says Mark. He waited

meals per day for the students. There’s also a medical clinic.

“We had no deaths this year, and for a village [in Uganda] not to have a death from malaria is unheard of,” says Mark.

Also, that original orphanage is now known as the Koi Koi House. (Mark kept his promise to Kelly; “Koi Koi” is Kelly’s childhood nickname.) The building houses 21 children that Mark and Kelly have parental guardianship over, and Kelly’s known and adored widely as “Mama Koi Koi.” The building also houses deaf children and kids that live too far away to be able to attend the Busoga Junior School, located on the same property. The school’s population, which was originally just 25, has now ballooned to 400 students, and everyone— students and teachers alike—are taught sign language so that they can all communicate and play together. It’s truly one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen in my life.

Besides its work in Africa, The Giving Circle has assisted during ten national disasters; partnered with several local nonprofits to help people in need; and played an integral role in the opening of Shelters of Saratoga’s Code Blue Saratoga, a winter-weather homeless shelter first set up in Saratoga in 2013. The Giving Circle’s also expanded its international circle of life (from left) reach to Afghanistan, where Mark Bertrand (center), cofounder of The Giving Circle; it helped to establish an allstudents at the Busoga girls school, which now houses Junior School; a mother and 39 young women studying to her child in Kagoma Gate; become teachers.

Giving Circle Co-Founder Mark and Kelly’s dream was Kelly Bertrand with children to establish a charity with no at Busoga Junior School.

with great anticipation for the children’s reaction to their brandnew playground, but they all just stood there, staring. “Why aren’t they playing?” he asked Moses, and Moses responded, “Because they don’t know how to; they’ve never seen anything like this before.” So, Mark and Moses hopped on the swings and started swinging, and within seconds, the kids followed suit.

In just under a decade, The Giving Circle’s impact in Africa has been nothing short of extraordinary. In Kagoma Gate, volunteers have installed a water filtering system and latrines, a school with classrooms and a kitchen that prepares two

overhead, and initially, they were laughed at, but eventually proved the naysayers wrong. The now 13-year-old nonprofit has zero overhead, a volunteer board of directors, and not a single employee there is paid a salary. Every dollar donated to The Giving Circle goes directly to help those in need. “The biggest goal is self-sustainability, so that long after we’re gone, everything will be fine,” says Mark. “We’ve proved, as a charity, that this can be done. We’re an ever-expanding circle of compassion.” Did I mention that my husband and I will be returning to Africa in February?

Unique creations of modern and rustic design C O N C E PT n DES I G N n BU ILD

LISA MITZEN

Gives Back

BLACKFLY MOUNTAIN WOODWORKS is a small company of artisans that builds one of a kind, pieces for any room in your home or office.

Choose from one of our in stock creations or we can design and build to order 302 10th Street, Troy NY 12180 | 518-279-9663 | www.blackflymountain.com | info@blackflymountain.com MON–FRI 8:00am-4:30pm

SAT 9am–12pm

Conveniently located at the end of alternate Rt 7 in Troy at 302 10th St, the corner of Hoosick st and Oakwood Ave (Rt 40)

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WE SHIP ANYWHERE IN THE U.S.

Saratoga

Gives Back

joy scout Seven-year-old Jon David DeVaux at the Joy US Foundation’s Stronger Than Cancer Day in Downtown Saratoga Springs; (opposite) Code Blue Saratoga’s new temporary homeless shelter on Adelphi Street.

HAVE YOU

GIVEN YET? saratoga living PA R T N E R S W I T H L O C A L C H A R I T I E S

A N D N O N P R O F I T S F O R O U R F I R S T- E V E R G I F T G I V I N G G U I D E , MAKING IT E ASY OR YOU TO HELP THOSE MOST IN NEED. photography by

F R A N C E S C O D ’A M I C O saratoga living

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

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CREDIT

CREDIT

n last year’s Holiday Issue, saratoga living ran its first-ever Luxury Gift Guide, featuring over-the-top private chef dinners, hundred-thousand-dollar “must-have” accessories and, yes, a vacation in outer space. This year, we decided to switch gears in the spirit of the holidays (even though I’d still totally be down with someone buying me that $168,000 heliskiing trip to Alaska), and present our first-annual Giving Gift Guide, which highlights a dozen charities and nonprofit organizations in the Capital Region we’d like you to consider making a charitable donation to this season. saratoga living even sweetened the deal: If you make a donation to the following charities before February 1, and mention “saratoga living” you’ll receive a special bonus, whether it’s some branded swag, a dedicated “thank you” post on their social media or, my personal favorite, the opportunity to name a rescue pet at the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society. So, as you flip through the following pages, consider helping out a cause you might’ve not considered giving to in the past. After all, it is the holiday season. Let’s make it a happy one for as many people (and animals) as we can.

— N ATA L I E M O O R E

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Saratoga

Gives Back

saratoga living gift giving guide dreaming wig American Cancer Society’s wig room; (right) a scene from Joy US Foundation’s Stronger Than Cancer Day.

Joy US Foundation ABOUT THE CHARITY Founded

in February 2018, Joy US is a Saratoga Springs-based organization that provides cancer patients and survivors (and their friends and family members) access to outdoor experiences, including hiking, kayaking, fishing and organic gardening. Founder Janet Abrahamson’s vision for the foundation is to “restore joy and serenity in the lives of cancer survivors,” and to connect people affected by cancer by way of relaxed outdoor activities. Abrahamson hopes to develop a property in the Adirondacks that will be able to offer extended stays to cancer survivors and their families without financial burden.

WAYS TO DONATE

Donate online at secure. givelively.org/donate/joy-usfoundation-inc/saratoga-livinggiving-guide or type “saratoga living” in the “write a note” field when donating via PayPal at joyusfoundation.com/donate.

JOY US FOUNDATION

BY THE NUMBERS 50: Outdoor excursions Joy US has held in just a year and a half of the foundation’s existence 50: Cost, in dollars, for Joy US to take a family of four on a guided full moon hike with other families impacted by a cancer diagnosis 100: Cost, in dollars, for Joy US to provide a family of four with a night of snow tubing, a pizza party and s’mores by the fire with other families impacted by a cancer diagnosis

saratoga living bonus

American Cancer Society Of The Capital Region ABOUT THE CHARITY The

American Cancer Society (ACS), a nationwide health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer, has been funding breakthrough research and providing free lodging near treatment sites, free rides and a 24-hour helpline to cancer patients and survivors since its establishment in 1913. The local affiliate, American Cancer Society of the Capital Region, contributes to the national effort by way of monumental fundraising events and campaigns held throughout the year. This year, the Capital

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• Donate $100 or more and have a bouquet of daffodils delivered to a local cancer patient on your behalf and your name printed as a “saratoga living Gift Of Hope” donor in ACS’ printed Gala Of Hope program.

Region’s “Real Men Wear Pink” team, consisting of 26 local community leaders, business owners and volunteers, led the nation in donations, with more than $370,000 raised in the month of October, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

WAYS TO DONATE

Donate at charity.gofundme.com/o/en/ campaign/saratoga-livings-gift-of-hope or over the phone by calling Lizzie Hunter at (518) 220-6929 and mentioning “saratoga living.”

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY BY THE NUMBERS 4.9: Billions of dollars invested in cancer research via ACS since 1946

250: Cost, in dollars, for Joy US to provide a family of four with an overnight stay in the Adirondacks, kayaking and hiking.

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• Donate $50 and receive a Joy US water bottle.

• Donate $100 and receive a Joy US drawstring backpack.

• Donate $250 or more and receive a Joy US water bottle, drawstring backpack and can koozie.

915: Thousands of cancer screenings provided to underserved communities by ACS since 2011 1.3: Millions of calls answered by ACS of the Capital Region’s 24/7 helpline last year 2600: Members who benefited from support at ACS’ HopeClub of the Capital Region last year 340: Thousands of rides given to and from cancer treatment by ACS of the Capital Region last year 501: Thousands of nights of free or reduced-price lodging for cancer patients traveling for treatment provided by ACS of the Capital Region last year

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Gives Back

retirement savings Old Friends At Cabin Creek is the only Thoroughbred retirement farm located in Saratoga County; (opposite) Kip chews on a toy at Mohawk Hudson Humane Society’s animal care center in Menands.

Mohawk Hudson Humane Society ABOUT THE CHARITY Mohawk

Hudson Humane Society (MHHS), the oldest and largest animal protection organization in the Capital Region, has been serving Albany, Rensselaer and the surrounding counties for more than 130 years. With two facilities—an animal care center in Menands and a spay/neuter clinic in Saratoga Springs, in addition to the support of a large team of volunteers and charitable donations—the humane society is able to touch the lives of more than 7000 animals each year. It provides saratoga living shelter and care for stray, bonus abused and unwanted • Donate $100 or more and animals; low-cost spay/ you will get to name a cat or neuter and wellness dog at the Mohawk Hudson services; vaccinations; Humane Society and will dog training; a pet food receive a photograph of pantry; and humane the pet you named. education programming.

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WAYS TO DONATE

• Donate at mohawkhumane.org/donate and type “saratoga living,”along with the name you’d like to give a pet, in the “comments for MHHS staff” field.

MOHAWK HUDSON HUMANE SOCIETY BY THE NUMBERS 7000: Animals served by MHHS each year 3138: Pets adopted into loving families by MHHS in 2018 1049: Animals cared for in foster homes through MHHS in 2018 24,628: Hours dedicated by MHHS volunteers in 2018 3059: Low-cost surgeries provided to animals by MHHS in 2018 45,895: Meals provided through MHHS’ pet foot pantry

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Old Friends At Cabin Creek ABOUT THE CHARITY Old

Friends At Cabin Creek, the New York division of Old Friends—a Thoroughbred retirement facility headquartered in Georgetown, KY, and founded in 2003—has worked to provide a safe and loving home for retired race horses since it opened its doors in 2009. It’s the only retirement farm of its kind located in Saratoga County (Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation is based in the Spa City, but doesn’t operate a farm there), and also serves as a place for the public to meet real race horses at free open houses every Saturday afternoon throughout the winter.

Old Friends At Cabin Creek is staffed completely by volunteers and run entirely on donations, so the foundation relies heavily on the support of the city that owes its success to many of the horses Old Friends cares for.

WAYS TO DONATE

• Donate via PayPal at oldfriendsatcabincreek.com/ onetime-donation and type “saratoga living” in the “write a note field” or by enclosing a note that says “saratoga living” when donating by mail to: 483 Sand Hill Road Greenfield Center, NY 12833

OLD FRIENDS AT CABIN CREEK

BY THE NUMBERS

• Donate $50 or more and receive a four-pack of Old Friends At Cabin Creek thank you cards.

15: Cost, in dollars, to care for a horse at Old Friends At Cabin Creek for one day 100: Percentage of Old Friends At Cabin Creek staff members that are volunteers 15: Thoroughbreds currently residing at Old Friends At Cabin Creek 8,881,711: Total earnings, in dollars, of the 15 Thoroughbreds that live at Old Friends At Cabin Creek

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Gives Back

saratoga living gift giving guide building bridges Saratoga Bridges’ Creative Endeavors Art Center gives individuals a place to hone their creativity; (opposite, from top) Saratoga PLAN’s Glowegee Creek Trail, set to open to the public in spring 2020; a rug hooking class at Saratoga Senior Center.

Saratoga Senior Center ABOUT THE CHARITY The

Saratoga PLAN ABOUT THE CHARITY Saratoga

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Saratoga Bridges ABOUT THE CHARITY In

1956, a group of parents joined together to found Saratoga County ARC, a “rightful place in society” for their children living with disabilities. In 2006, the foundation was renamed Saratoga Bridges, and it’s now the third largest nonprofit human services agency in Saratoga County. Since then, the organization has been providing high-quality services—including in-home support, employment opportunities, rides to and from employment and programs, residential alternatives, clinical services and day programs—to hundreds of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. The Saratoga Bridges mission is to enrich, elevate, enhance and empower people’s lives in communities where they’re valued for their abilities and contributions.

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• Donate $49 or less and receive a Saratoga Bridges baseball hat.

• Donate $50-$149 and receive a Saratoga Bridges Yeti water bottle.

• Donate $150 or more and receive a Saratoga Bridges quarter-zip sweatshirt.

saratoga living PLAN, which stands for bonus “Preserving Land And • Donate $50 or Nature,” was formed in more and receive a 2003 when two grassroots packet of native, volunteer operations— sun-loving seeds.

Saratoga Springs Open Space Project and the Land Trust of the Saratoga Region—combined to create one efficient and sustainable land conservation organization to serve the Saratoga region.

More than a decade-and-a-half later, PLAN works tirelessly to preserve the rural character, natural habitats and scenic beauty of Saratoga County, so that future generations can continue to enjoy this beautiful place.

Donate online at saratogabridges.ejoinme. org/yearendgiving and type “saratoga living” in the “company” field or over the phone by calling (518) 587-0723 and mentioning “saratoga living.”

SARATOGA BRIDGES BY THE NUMBERS

SARATOGA PLAN BY THE NUMBERS

830: Individuals currently served by Saratoga Bridges

6: PLAN employees

450: Individuals transported to and from programs by Saratoga Bridges daily

250: Student interns and volunteers that help out at PLAN

307: Families currently receiving support services from Saratoga Bridges 115: People working in the community through Saratoga Bridges’ supported employee program, Alpha Career Options

WAYS TO DONATE

Click the “Donate Now” button on saratogaseniorcenter. org and type “saratoga living” in the “add special instructions to the seller” field (you can also indicate if you would prefer not to be mentioned on social media or in the newsletter in this field) or over the phone by calling (518) 584-1621 and mentioning “saratoga living.”

SARATOGA SENIOR CENTER BY THE NUMBERS 2000: Seniors served annually by the Saratoga Senior Center 150: Average daily attendance at the Saratoga Senior Center 50: Different programs offered each month by the Saratoga Senior Center 15,000: Volunteer hours donated per year on average

WAYS TO DONATE

• Donate online at saratogaplan.org/donate and type “saratoga living” in the “notes for donation” field; over the phone by calling (518) 587-5554 and mentioning “saratoga living;” or by enclosing a note that says “saratoga living” when donating by mail to: 112 Spring Street Room 202 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

WAYS TO DONATE

Saratoga Senior Center, a nonprofit, nonresidential community center in Downtown Saratoga Springs, offers Saratoga County people aged 50 or older a variety of free and subsidized social, recreational, wellness, educational, arts and cultural programming, year-round.

Additionally, it offers seniors supports services such as advocacy and referrals, support groups, transportation and food services. Established in 1955, the center’s mission is to empower seniors to achieve and maintain personal independence and individual well-being.

4985: Acres of conserved land managed by PLAN 22: Miles of trails maintained by PLAN 10: Nature preserves owned by PLAN 7000: Acres conserved by PLAN to date

saratoga living bonus • The first ten people who donate $50 or more will receive a hand-crafted piece of art created by members in Saratoga Senior Center art classes. Donate any amount of money and receive a shout out in Saratoga Senior Center’s newsletter and on its social media.

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Saratoga

Gives Back

saratoga living gift giving guide

Wellspring ABOUT THE CHARITY In

Code Blue Saratoga ABOUT THE CHARITY Shelters

of Saratoga’s Code Blue Saratoga provides homeless individuals with safe shelter, services and strategies to get out of their situation. Code Blue Saratoga’s new temporary, seasonal hub, open from November 15-April 1, is located on Adelphi Street. In previous years, new St. Peter’s Church and the Salvation Army have also hosted the shelter. Code Blue is funded in part by The Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance and in part by donations from the community.

WAYS TO DONATE

• Click the “Donate Today” button on codebluesaratoga. org/wordpress and type “saratoga living” in the “comment” field.

CODE BLUE SARATOGA

BY THE NUMBERS 261: People served by Code Blue Saratoga in the 2018-19 season 158: Nights Code Blue Saratoga was open during the 2018-19 season

saratoga living bonus • Donate $50 or more and receive a Shelters Of Saratoga #inclusivity bracelet.

79: Percentage of people served by Code Blue Saratoga during the 2018-19 season that were male 1070: Shifts worked by Code Blue Saratoga volunteers in the 2017-18 season

1982, a group of concerned community members formed the Task Force Against Domestic Violence, which, along with 20 volunteers, offered support, transportation, clothing and financial assistance to women and children fleeing domestic abuse. The organization grew into Wellspring, a domestic violence and sexual assault services resource that offers a slew of services, including crisis intervention and counseling, saratoga living advocacy and case bonus management, emergency • Donate $50 or shelter for victims of more and receive a domestic violence, longstick-on phone card term housing assistance and holder and shout financial support. out on Wellspring’s Facebook page.

WAYS TO DONATE

veteran’s day A veteran at VCHC’s fourth annual Veterans Ball at the Hall of Springs; (opposite, from top) Keith Hannah of Bonacio Construction works to finish the new Code Blue Saratoga facility; Maggie Fronk, executive director of Wellspring, at work in her office.

• Donate via PayPal at wellspringcares.org/ make-a-change/donate and type “saratoga living” in the “write a note” field. (You can also indicate if you’d prefer not to be mentioned on social media in this field.)

WELLSPRING BY THE NUMBERS 1500: New client calls answered by Wellspring in 2018 18,885: Nights of safe sleep provided by Wellspring in 2018 850: Survivors of abuse served by Wellspring in 2018 250: Thousands of dollars spent by Wellspring in 2018 on rent subsidies for its New View Housing Program 350: Miles of cab rides to family court, job interviews and services provided by Wellspring to clients each month 6500: People served by Wellspring’s education and awareness activities in 2018

Veterans & Community Housing Coalition ABOUT THE CHARITY On

any given day in the US, more than 50,000 veterans are homeless—600 of whom reside in the Capital Region. Incorporated in 1983, Veterans & Community Houseing Coalition (VCHC) aims to help homeless veterans obtain and maintain permanent housing, financial stability and health care. Located in Ballston Spa, VCHC offers a variety of housing programs for veterans, low-income families and other individuals experiencing homelessness.

WAYS TO DONATE

• Donate via PayPal at vchcny.org/how-can-you-help and type “saratoga living” in the “write a note” field (you can also indicate if you would prefer not to be mentioned

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on social media in this field); over the phone by calling (518) 885-0091 and mentioning “saratoga living;” or by enclosing a note that says “saratoga living” when donating by mail to: 20 Prospect St., Bldg. 2 saratoga living Suite 313 bonus Ballston Spa, NY 12020 • Donate $50 or more and receive a VCHC VETERANS & COMMUNITY pen and a shout out HOUSING COALITION on VCHC’s social

BY THE NUMBERS media pages.

600: Homeless veterans in the Capital Region

250: Veterans assisted by VCHC in 2018 300: Low-income and disabled Saratoga County families assisted by VCHC in 2018

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Gives Back

saratoga living gift giving guide

Saratoga Hospital Foundation ABOUT THE CHARITY As

the philanthropic arm of Saratoga Hospital, Saratoga Hospital Foundation secures, manages and distributes gifts to support the mission of the hospital.

Recently, donations to the foundation have helped bring to fruition projects such as the Saratoga Community Health Center, which provides health services to community members, regardless of their insurance status and ability to pay; and the Nursing Scholarship Program, which invests in some of the best area nurses.

WAYS TO DONATE

• Click the “Donate Now” button on saratogahospital foundation.org, choose “Designation: Other” and type “saratoga living” into the “other” field; donate over the phone by calling (518) 583-8340 and mentioning “saratoga living,” or mention “saratoga living” when donating in person at: 211 Church St. Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 SARATOGA HOSPITAL FOUNDATION BY THE NUMBERS 501,301: Amount raised, in dollars, at the 2019 Saratoga Hospital Gala 15: Millions of dollars in Saratoga Hospital's endowment fund sofa’s choice Habitat for Humanity’s Southern Adirondack ReStore, located in Fort Edward; (opposite) Saratoga Hospital’s Alfred Z. Solomon Emergency Center.

Habitat For Humanity Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties

WAYS TO DONATE

ABOUT THE CHARITY Habitat

350: Thousands of homes built by Habitat for Humanity International to date

For Humanity International is a nonprofit organization that works to provide affordable housing for the less fortunate through the help of volunteers and donations. The local arm, Habitat For Humanity Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties is chiefly run by volunteers, as is its ReStore, which accepts donations and sells home improvement items to the public for a fraction of their retail price. Proceeds of every sale at the Southern Adirondack ReStore, which is located in Fort Edward, go towards the work of Habitat For Humanity.

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24: Years Saratoga Hospital has been creating its collectible holiday ornaments

• Click the “Donate” button on glensfallshabitat.org/ support-habitat/donate and type “saratoga living” into the “Would you like to direct your donation?” field.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

BY THE NUMBERS

1.75: Millions of people who have been provided shelter by Habitat for Humanity International to date

saratoga living bonus • Donate $100 or more and receive a $25 gift card to Habitat for Humanity’s Southern Adirondack ReStore.

30: Homes built by Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties to date

saratoga living bonus • Donate $100 or more and receive Saratoga Hospital’s 2019 Collector’s Ornament, which this year honors Marylou Whitney. See the ornament here: saratogahospitalfoundation.org/make-agift/other-ways-to-help-holiday-ornaments.

Early Chills & Thrills

I

OUR ‘GRATEFUL’ PHOTOGRAPHER, IN HIS OWN WORDS.

t’s mid-November, and I’m looking at the sheets of ice glued to my driveway from last week’s storm. “What’s the temperature outside?” I ask Alexa. “It’s 16 degrees with a high of 30 degrees,” she responds. What the hell?!

My wife walks by, and I wonder aloud: “Shouldn’t we be having an Indian summer or something?” She tells me: “It’s November—you’re crazy!”

Maybe I should’ve been a little more diligent about cleaning up after that first autumn snowstorm, but I was sure it was going to get warm again, and I’d be out there in my shorts raking up the rest of the leaves in no time. As I’m wondering if I need to take a blowtorch to that one patch of ice right over there, my mind drifts and I think about the assignment I need to tackle today: SPAC’s Nutcracker Tea at the Hall of Springs. Little girls running around dressed as ballerinas; little boys in little bow ties, with their hair combed off to the side; smiling mothers everywhere, knowing they’re giving their children a dose of culture that will surely enrich their lives…suddenly, I’m feeling very grateful. I’ve photographed this event before. The colors are spectacular—the light, amazing.

The movement and gestures and smiles are all begging to be photographed. And I get to photograph them for saratoga living (go to saratogaliving.com to see the images).

My gratitude doesn’t stop there. I think back to only a few months ago—the height of the summer season. I was out on all kinds of assignments, photographing the New York City Ballet, Bolton Landing and Lake George, KISS in concert and majestic horses at local farms, frolicking in the rolling hills. I also had the opportunity to attend one of the most amazing events I’ve ever seen, let alone had the opportunity to photograph: Wynton Marsalis and members of the Jazz From Lincoln Center Orchestra playing for campers at the Double H Ranch. Imagine the most famous living jazz performer playing old New Orleans jazz to a couple hundred kids in a small recreation hall in the Adirondacks. Talk about life-enriching culture!

So yeah, it may be the season of ice and snow and bone-numbing cold, but it’s also the season of gratitude, and I’m indeed grateful.

If you want to see some more of my work, head over to my website, f-d-photography.com, or check me out on Instagram, @togalifestylephotog.

—FRANCESCO D’AMICO

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Gives Back

Could Corinth’s Dr. Magali Haas Be PTSD’s Game Changer?

BY WILL LEVITH photograph by FRANCESCO D’AMICO exclusively for

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saratoga living

(Schreiner) SSGT ROBERT TRUBIA

Cohen Veterans Bioscience, the nonprofit Haas founded, is making big strides.

ne of the most emotional interviews veteran, and my sister’s a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force,” I’ve ever conducted was with says Haas. And then there’s her friend Curt Schreiner, a retired Army Major and author former Olympic biathlete and Army National Guard reservist.

Marc Raciti, who’d served in An avid biathlete herself—that’s what brought Haas upstate multiple warzones as a physician’s in the first place—she became interested in her chosen path assistant. After only his first when Schreiner returned home from a deployment and deployment to Iraq, Raciti began developed multiple sclerosis (MS). Soon after, she founded suffering from what was later Orion Bionetworks, a nonprofit seeking an accelerated deemed to be undiagnosed postcure for the crippling disease. Then, in 2015, Orion secured traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), one major funding from billionaire hedge fund manager and that develops philanthropist Steven Cohen, chronically in certain individuals, rebranding to CVB and widening such as soldiers, who are exposed its focus to helping veterans to a continuous loop of shocking, suffering from other brain fear-inducing or dangerous disorders, including PTSD. events. Side-effects can include At present, CVB is conducting high stress, nightmares, off-thegroundbreaking research that rails anger or depression—and could someday lead to an might even cause someone objective PTSD diagnosis. In other to become suicidal. To make words, a way for doctors to figure matters worse, PTSD is often out, clinically, which soldiers are misdiagnosed, because any of most genetically and biologically those symptoms could be related susceptible to the chronic version to a number of equally virulent of the disorder before they disorders. Although Raciti did even set foot on the battlefield. contemplate suicide, thankfully, This past October, the nonprofit he sought out treatment, learned unveiled findings from what was ways to cope with PTSD through the largest PTSD genetics study therapy and medication, and to date, hinging on data from 60 ultimately published a book, I different institutions collected Just Want To See Trees, about his from 200,000 international test ongoing struggles with PTSD and subjects. Haas explains that her eventual recovery. group took those data, in the form But many veterans don’t have of DNA samples, and “connected that luxury, suffering in silence the dots.” until their symptoms become Why does a concrete diagnosis too unbearable to live with. And matter? Psychotherapy, which is the reality is nothing short of one of the most effective ways pushing through Curt Schreiner, a former shocking: According to the US to treat PTSD, only works for 50 Olympic biathlete and Army National Guard Department of Veterans Affairs, percent of patients—and that reservist, was Dr. Magali Haas’ original inspiration some 20 veterans commit suicide percentage is even smaller for for getting into veterans’ brain health research; every day. For Corinth-based veterans. Even with those horrific (opposite) Haas is the founder, CEO and neuroscientist, engineer and suicide stats bearing down on her, president of Cohen Veterans Bioscience. doctor, Magali Haas—who’s also Haas says she’s bullish about the the founder, CEO and president of Cohen Veterans Bioscience future. “I imagine a world where we, at the point of trauma— (CVB), a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing or the day after—do some kind of therapeutic intervention, veterans’ brain health—it was an easy decision devoting so that a veteran’s chronic PTSD diagnosis doesn’t happen,” her life to men and women in uniform. “My husband is a she says. “That’s prevention.”

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Gives Back

(Double H) DOUBLE H RANCH

newman’s own Paul Newman (center), co-founder of Double H Ranch, always enjoyed interacting with its campers; (opposite) the Oscar-winning Newman in 1963.

Paul Newman: The World’s Most Generous Hunk

Lake Luzerne’s Double H Ranch epitomizes the Hollywood icon’s giving heart.

BY KAREN BJORNLAND ⁄

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June to August, campers bunk in cottages at the one-of-akind Western-themed camp, which includes around-theclock pediatric, hematologic and oncologic care. And when the snow flies, children zoom down the camp’s private ski mountain with the help of adaptive equipment and under the watchful eyes of the camp’s countless caring volunteers.

Double H even has a “traveling camp” program that visits kids in hospitals across the state. And for more than a decade, when Newman was in his golden years, he’d regularly— oftentimes, secretly—fly into Warren County Airport via private jet to visit Double H. He’d eat chicken fingers in the dining hall and cheer as the kids tackled the high ropes course in the treetops. “He genuinely loved the people in this region,” says Max Yurenda, Double H’s CEO and executive director. “He loved Double H, and how we fulfilled his dream.”

The heartwarming tale of how Double H Ranch came to the region begins in 1988, when Newman opened The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, which has a similar ethos to Double H, in Ashford, CT. When Newman’s friend, Charles R. Wood, a businessman-philanthropist, who founded one of Lake George’s most iconic amusement parks, the Great Escape, heard about Hole in the Wall, he set out to found one of his own in the Lake George area. A determined, nose-to-the-grindstone kind of hellooo, newman Campers enjoying the allseasons Double H Ranch; (opposite, clockwise from top) a camper ziplining at Double H; Double H CEO and Executive Director Max Yurenda; Double H Co-Founders Paul Newman (left) and Charles R. Wood.

For more than a decade, when Newman was in his golden years, he’d regularly—oftentimes, secretly—fly into Warren County Airport via private jet to visit Double H. ⁄

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(zipline, Wood and Newman) DOUBLE H RANCH; (Yurenda) DAVE BIGLER

W

hen I was a young woman, my girlfriends and I had crushes on the Big Two—superstar actors Robert Redford and Paul Newman— and we always used to argue about which one was sexier. “Robert Redford is such a hunk,” one friend would say. “Oh, but Paul Newman’s eyes are so blue,” I’d respond. It’s Hollywood’s fault; film directors made it exceedingly difficult for us to choose, casting Redford and Newman together in classics such as Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid and The Sting.

Even if we couldn’t make up our minds, that didn’t stop us from worshipping the devilishly handsome duo.

Years later, imagine how surprised I was to learn that I lived a short ride away from a destination co-founded and envisioned by those dreamy blue eyes. Besides being an Oscarwinning actor, Newman was also an exceedingly generous philanthropist, and one of his greatest achievements was Double H Ranch, an all-seasons camp he co-founded that was custom built for children with lifethreatening illnesses and their families, just 30 minutes north of Saratoga Springs in the woodsy Adirondack village of Lake Luzerne. Every year, kids ages 6 to 16, dealing with debilitating illnesses such as cancer, blood disorders, HIV/AIDS and neuromuscular disorders flock to Double H to enjoy fun, activity-filled days, surrounded by new and old friends. From

DOUBLE H RANCH

Gives Back

guy, Wood bought a 320-acre dude ranch and convinced Newman to come on board as his partner. “Charley won Paul over,” says Yurenda. “They had absolute, deep respect for one another.” At the time, Newman wasn’t even planning on launching a second camp, but his friend’s enthusiasm for the project convinced Newman to expand on the concept. A year after Double H opened its doors in 1993, Newman founded Barretstown, another kids-in-need-centric camp in Ireland.

Today, Double H runs on an annual operating budget of $4.1 million—it’s free for kids, more than 70 percent of whom are from New York State—and is one of 30 like-minded camps and programs throughout the world, all of which are part of the Newman-founded SeriousFun Children’s Network.

“Since our inception, Double H Ranch has served more than 65,000 children and family members,” says Yurenda. While ten percent of that budget is paid for by Wood’s and Newman’s foundations, the Charles R. Wood Foundation and Newman’s

Own Foundation, respectively, the lion’s share comes courtesy of local support, per Yurenda. And that support isn’t just monetary; some 1800 people, 98 percent of whom are from the Capital Region, volunteer at the ranch every year.

More than a decade after the world lost Wood and Newman—in 2004 and 2008, respectively— their memories live on at Double H. Every camper gets to “meet” the two friends on their first night there, when costumed staffers reenact Double H’s history around a blazing campfire.

The co-founders are also memorialized as cowboys in a mural by Disney artist and designer Arto Monaco near the camp’s heated indoor pool. Wood and Newman are never far from Yurenda’s mind either: He thinks about them each day as he drives into work. “I always do a ‘thank you’ to Charley and Paul, and ask them to keep an eye on us,” he says. As for me, I now have a much deeper appreciation for Paul Newman. Now I know just how big a heart he had behind those blazin’ blue eyes.

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Saratoga

Gives Back {EX CLUSI V E}

Retired US speedskater—and sexual abuse survivor—Bridie Farrell takes her cause national.

Breaking The Ice

BY WILL LEVITH

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CREDIT

CREDIT

P h o t o g r a p h by M o n i c a M ay

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(testimony) MANUEL BALCE CENETA/AP

Gives Back

MARCIE RAVENS

have no hard feelings towards the education I received Olympic trials, it had nothing to do with her big comeback. at Saratoga Springs High School, but I do remember That February, while living in Milwaukee and training at the being stressed out most of the time I was there and city’s Pettit National Ice Center, Farrell finally went public feeling like there was nobody I could talk to about it. about Gabel’s abuse on the local NPR radio affiliate. “I came Besides all of the homework assignments and pop forward because of a girl at the speedskating rink where I quizzes and year-end tests, high school was a constant was practicing in Milwaukee,” says Farrell, who describes the struggle to fit in, make friends and be “cool.” youngster as simply someone she saw herself in. “I didn’t Unless you were Johnny Football Hero or Cheer think it would be a story.” Farrell was competing in Salt Lake Captain, my guess is you felt some, if not all, of those City, when the media tsunami hit, with coverage coming from feelings. Now, imagine that you’re dealing with those national outlets such as ESPN, Yahoo Sports and USA Today. academic rigors and social stressors while competing in That November, Marie Claire published a major feature, a fast-paced, year-round sport, training on weeknights focusing on Farrell and the national issue of sexual abuse in and weekends, with your Olympic-style sports. “I knew that sights set on going pro— I had no legal recourse, criminal and one of your coaches is or civil, and I just said to myself, if sexually abusing you.

I don’t say something, who will?”

That was 15-year-old Bridie says Farrell.

Farrell’s reality the summer The day after the news broke, before she entered the 10th in an interview with the Chicago grade at Saratoga High. A Tribune, Gabel apologized, record-breaking short-track admitting that he “displayed poor speedskating phenom, Farrell judgment in a brief, inappropriate was the third-fastest short-track relationship with a female speedskater in the country by the teammate,” going on to say that it time she was 12, and 3 years later, didn’t involve sexual intercourse had her sights set on making the and that he knew “what happened US national team—and someday, was wrong.” (Farrell told Marie team USA at the Olympics. That’s Claire that, while the relationship when 33-year-old Andy Gabel, didn’t include sex, Gabel did kiss an Olympic silver medalist—he her and put his fingers inside was the Apolo Ohno of the ’94 her; he also placed her hands Lillehammer games—moved on his genitals.) In the aftermath, to Saratoga to train for the ’98 a second woman came forward oliver’s twist HBO’s Last Week Tonight host Olympic trials with Farrell’s coach, with allegations about Gabel, but John Oliver and Bridie Farrell at a January 2018 Pat Maxwell, a legend in his own US Speedskating failed to void NY Loves Kids fundraiser. right. (Saratoga Springs has long Gabel’s membership or remove been a hub for speedskating.) him from the Hall of Fame. (Gabel Almost immediately, Gabel took an interest in Farrell. She was later relinquished his membership but still sits in the Hall.) a young, impressionable kid, who took the superstar skater’s Although Farrell ultimately didn’t qualify for the 2014 attention as nothing but well-intentioned. He helped Farrell Olympic team, she had another, much more important torch sharpen her skates and get to and from practice, informally to bear: That of a sexual abuse survivor. Just a handful of coaching her both on and off the ice. But soon after, he began years later, the #MeToo Movement launched on Twitter and sexually and psychologically abusing her, rending control of took the world by storm, helping to expose rampant sexual her young life. She felt trapped, not just while the abuse was abuse in all manner of professional settings, including taking place, but for years afterwards, with Gabel checking in Hollywood, the media business and, of course, the world to make sure she hadn’t told anybody. of sports. One particularly horrifying example was USA For 15 long years, Farrell lived with the secret, having told Gymnastics’ former doctor, Larry Nassar, who was found to just a few family members. Although she eventually made have abused more than 300 preteen and teenage girls— the US national team, her career was one marred by injury, including a number of Olympic champions. Nassar’s currently and she retired from the sport in 2006. In a last-ditch effort serving three consecutive 20-year prison sentences, not for to chase her Olympic dreams, Farrell came out of retirement the abuse but for child pornography. in 2013, competing as a long-track speedskater. And while Instead of slamming the door on the most traumatic she was in the headlines by the time she made it to the Sochi experience of her life, Farrell transformed it into her new

vocation. In 2017, she co-founded NY Loves Kids, a nonprofit Farrell’s looking to take the concept organization working to end child sexual abuse and get national. “We’re trying to launch America the Child Victims Act (CVA) passed in New York State. (She’s Loves Kids to be able to transcend state the organization’s President and CEO.) This past February, boundaries,” she says. She should have a lot the CVA was signed into law by New York Governor of support; according to the US Department of Andrew Cuomo, extending the statute of limitations for child Justice, 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused sexual abuse survivors in both before they turn 18. criminal and civil court cases.

Farrell sees child sexual abuse Whereas beforehand, survivors as a societal epidemic—one had just 5 years after their 18th that is solvable, if approached birthday to bring a civil lawsuit correctly. “If we can make strides against their abusers, the new to combat cancers and viruses law allows survivors to file claims and acts of terrorism—where the through the age of 55. It also nation can unite and get behind it offers victims a one-year window and say we are stronger than any to sue alleged abusers (based on of these forces and we’re going when the bill went into effect, that to overcome it—I don’t see why period ends next August). I ask we can’t do that for child sexual Farrell if she was able to celebrate abuse as well,” she says. the bill’s passage, despite it Something that strikes me coming more than two decades as profoundly heartbreaking after she was abused. “For me, it about Farrell’s story is that, to was awesome,” she says. “I think her, Saratoga—this wonderful the bill in New York State is a very city where I, too, was born solid one. There’s, of course, and raised—will forever be the always things that could be place where she was sexually stronger, but with all the forces at abused. “It’s still not that easy play, I was certainly happy when it going back,” she says. Her was signed into law.” What gives parents remain local, while her the New York law sharper teeth, five siblings dot the country.

Farrell says, is that it addresses On the other side of that coin, the issue of child sexual abuse though, Farrell’s been amazed by on not only a personal level, but the outpouring of support from also an institutional one. To that friends, family and even perfect end, you may’ve noticed multiple strangers when she’s ventured lawsuits being filed against entire home. She says she still enjoys diocese of the Catholic Church running in the Saratoga Spa in New York, which shielded State Park and going for 20-miletruth to power NY Loves Kids President and priests who’d sexually abused long bike rides, too—clearly CEO Bridie Farrell helped get a bill passed in children for decades. After she’ll always be a competitive Arizona that beefed up protections for child sexual abuse victims; (TOP) Farrell testifying before a US dozens of similar lawsuits were sportswoman at heart.

Senate Commerce subcommittee in 2018. filed against Rochester’s Catholic I can't help but ask her if she diocese in 2019, for instance, it has any advice for a high school filed for bankruptcy. athlete in the same, horrible Since the CVA was signed into law, Farrell has also been position she was in all those years ago. “What I would say working to expand her nonprofit’s reach beyond New York. to a Bridie Farrell is that it’s going to end, you’ll make “Bringing that message across New York State was really, it through it and as hard as it is, you should find someone really important,” she says. “But once we had success in who’s willing to help you,” she says. “In all seriousness, I New York, all of a sudden, folks started calling me, asking would put my phone number in the paper for any kid to me if I’d help out in other states.” Those have included New call me.” I hope that every parent who reads this story Jersey and Arizona, where similar bills have been signed understands that, with all the evil there is in the world today, into law. She also has her sights set on states such as there are that many more heroes like Bridie Farrell, who’ve Florida, home to many New York snowbirds. In other words, made it their goal in life to stamp it out.

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The Unbelievable Masterpieces ‘Sleeping’ In Glens Falls

BY JEFF DINGLER

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CREDIT

Get ready for Degas, Rembrandt and maybe even da Vinci to make unexpected appearances at The Hyde Collection.

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I

can’t believe my eyes; right in front of me, there’s a masterful pastel

by Degas, an exquisite etching by Rembrandt and stunning watercolors

by Cézanne and Winslow Homer.

No, I’m not at The Louvre in Paris or the Metropolitan Museum Of Art in Manhattan, but rather, in the off-limitsto-the-public vault at Glens Falls’ The Hyde Collection, just 25 minutes northeast of Saratoga Springs. The local art museum owns approximately 5000 pieces, including paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, textiles, books and furniture—with only around 500 ever on display at one time. The other 4500 sit “backstage,” held in the museum’s vault and archives.

Do these little-known treasures ever see the light of day? “Most of what’s in the vault is there, because it’s light-sensitive,” says Jonathan Canning, the Hyde Collection’s director of curatorial affairs and programming. “That includes textiles, photos and pastels.” The museum follows a strict protocol of displaying works such as the ones mentioned above for only three months every two to three years. The rest of that time, the pieces are in storage or “sleeping.”

Items might also be stored in the Hyde’s vault either because they’re duplicates—there’s a bevy of fine china collections and furniture sets—or have complicated provenance.

In other words, the Hyde can’t confirm the piece’s authenticity. Canning points Rembrandt van Rijn to a study of the famed (Dutch, 1606-1669), Mona Lisa purchased Portrait of the Artist’s years ago by the museum’s Mother, n.d., etching, 3¾ x 2¾ in., The Hyde founder, Charlotte Hyde.

Collection, Glens Falls, NY. “Recent thinking is that what Bequest of Charlotte you see on the surface Pruyn Hyde, 1971.83. isn’t Leonardo da Vinci,” PHOTOGRAPH BY JOSEPH LEVY says Canning of the sketch, which likely did come from Da Vinci’s workshop but was drawn over twice in the last century. Even so, it shares a striking resemblance to the original. And while I won’t be getting to Paris anytime soon, I couldn’t help but think that I saw the next best thing.

All this exquisite culture in Glens Falls. Now that’s something we all can be proud to possess.

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PAGE 96

ABOVE

Edgar Degas (French, 1834-1917), Dancer with Red Stockings, ca. 1884, pastel on pink laid paper, 297/8 x 231/8 in., The Hyde Collection, Glens Falls, NY. Gift of Charlotte Pruyn Hyde, 1971.65.

John Hampshire (American, b 1971), Labyrinth 265, 2010, Sharpie® pen on composition board, The Hyde Collection Purchase Award, 2011 Artists of the Mohawk Hudson Region, 2011.10 © 2010 John Hampshire.

PHOTOGRAPH BY MCLAUGHLINPHOTO.COM

PHOTOGRAPH BY TOM NELSON

PAGE 97

After Leonardo da Vinci (Italian, 1452-1519), Study of the Mona Lisa, ca. 1503, charcoal and graphite on laid paper, 247/8 x 101/8 in., The Hyde Collection, Glens Falls, NY. Gift of Charlotte Pruyn Hyde, 1971.71.

PHOTOGRAPH BY JOSEPH LEVY

LEFT

Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, (Italian, 1696-1770), The Christ Child, ca. 1767-1769, chalk on paper, 8 x 113/8 in., The Hyde Collection, Glens Falls, NY. Bequest of Charlotte Pruyn Hyde, 1971.80.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT

Henricus Antonius (Han) van Meegeren (Dutch 1889-1947), Girl with Blue Bow, ca. 1924, gelatin-glue medium and pigment over an obscured 17th century painting fragment, 127/8 x 97/8 in., The Hyde Collection, Glens Falls, NY. Gift of Charlotte Pruyn Hyde, 1971.56.

PHOTOGRAPH BY JOSEPH LEVY

Paulus Moreelse (Dutch, 1571-1638), Portrait of a Girl, ca.

1623-1629, oil on canvas, 463/8 x 331/4 in. (117.8 x 84.5 cm.), The Hyde Collection, Glens Falls, NY. Gift of Mary H. Beeman to the Pruyn Family Collection, 1995.3.2.

PHOTOGRAPH BY MCLAUGHLINPHOTO.COM

Douglass Crockwell, (American, 1904-1968), Paper Workers, Finch Pruyn & Co., Glens Falls, New York, 1934, oil on canvas, 48 x 36 in., The Hyde Collection, Glens Falls, NY. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel P. Hoopes Jr., 2009.3 OPPOSITE PAGE

Vincent van Gogh (Dutch, 1853-1890), Orchard with Arles in the Background, 1888, reed pen, pen and ink and graphite on laid paper, 21 x 153/8 in., The Hyde Collection, Glens Falls, NY. Bequest of Charlotte Pruyn Hyde, 1971.81.

PHOTOGRAPH BY JOSEPH LEVY

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saratoga living

H A S A F R O N T R O W S E AT

TO THE JEWEL OF THE UAE.

Dubai, By Design

BY BEVERLY TRACY photography by

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TJ TRACY exclusively for saratoga living

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glass ceiling Inside the Mall of the Emirates; (opposite) the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, a 5-star hotel on Dubai’s coast.

I

wasn’t prepared for the intoxicating love affair I’d have with Dubai. My sons and I had planned to vacation in the United Arab Emirates city, because it checked off every box for us: It had a warm climate, beautiful architecture, a famous racetrack (we’d be there for the opening of racing season) and was a place where we could have a real adventure. As we descended on Dubai, the iconic skyline emerging from the desert, it welcomed us like no other city had. Its sheer magic affirmed to me that Dubai has joined an elite club of worldwide luxury travel destinations.

A city built on deep-rooted traditions and a progressive vision of what cities of the future should/could look like, Dubai’s both welcoming and inspiring. We took a quick train ride from the airport into the city—an opportunity to experience its new fast transit system—and walked through the streets to our hotel. Large cranes, tall buildings and massive piles of building supplies, with construction barricades everywhere, dotted the streets as if to say, “Welcome! We’re building a city just for you.” Like a kid in a candy store, I obsessed over every detail: the modern lines in the architecture; the elegant houses of worship, with their glorious call-to-prayer echoing throughout the streets; the hum of luxury cars; and the beauty of the warm blue sky. All that, and the promise of the Arabian desert and its graceful sands beyond the city.

As if in a trance, we wandered around the world’s largest mall, saw the world’s largest building and experienced the world’s largest fountain. Wow! A visit to Burj Khalifa, the city’s 2717-foot tower, was first on the list. This majestic building commands the skyline like no other, and while it hosts apartments, restaurants, offices and viewing areas—

desert oasis The Metropolis’ skyline, seen from the Dubai Marina.

to infinity and beyond From the tallest building in the world, the 2712-foot Burj Khalifa (top), to streetside statues, Dubai has jawdropping architecture everywhere.

and has a spire made from more than 4000 tons of steel— it’s more than just a building: It’s an incredible, award-winning architectural masterpiece. And as if that wasn’t enough, at its base is the Dubai Fountain, providing a mesmerizing jetted light show, choreographed to music, which we were able to get a front-row seat for from the private balcony of the Burberry store. Talk about being at the right place at the right time.

Our next stop was Meydan Racecourse, Dubai’s premier horse racing venue. As proud Saratogians who’ve loved

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our historic Saratoga Race Course, it takes a lot to impress us. But with Meydan’s mile-long grandstand, with room to accommodate more than 60,000 spectators; elegant international crowd; and glorious horses, the experience simply took our breath away.

It was difficult to leave Dubai, its stunning architecture and cultural experiences—and its gracious people left an indelible, unforgettable impression on us. It’s a fabulous city. I know that someday I'll return to Dubai, and there’ll be a host of new buildings to see and beauty to discover.

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(Lavaspin) ERIKA RASMUSEN/DUBAI RACING CLUB; (Meydan) JOE SASSINE/SHADOW PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY

bird’s eye dubai To experience racing at its finest, you need to venture to the Dubai World Cup Carnival at Meydan Racecourse in the UAE; (opposite) Lavaspin and jockey Richard Mullen in the 2019 InsideOut Handicap at Meydan.

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The (Horse) Race Is On In Dubai!

M E Y DA N R AC E C O U R S E , THE SPORTING JEWEL OF THE UAE, RE ADIES FOR S U P E R S AT U R D AY.

BY TOM PEDULLA ⁄

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thunder highs Thunder snow and jockey Christophe Soumillon after winning the 2019 Dubai World Cup.

ERIKA RASMUSEN/DUBAI RACING CLUB

a night at the races A jockey at Meydan Racecourse in February 2019; (inset) Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, at the races at Meydan.

Baffert, a three-time World Cup winner, nodding to the speed-favoring nature of Meydan’s sandy surface. The Carnival consists of 11 racing dates spread over 3 months. All that leads up to Super Saturday—March 7, 2020—which offers more than $35 million in purses and culminates with the $12 million World Cup. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, has invested heavily in the sport—and built a powerhouse global racing and breeding operation under his own Godolphin stables.

In a statement provided by officials at Meydan, Sheikh Mohammed told saratoga living: “As Dubai’s home team, team Godolphin works hard to reflect the pioneering spirit of Dubai—

TJ TRACY

A

s someone who’s traveled all over the country writing about horse racing—I’ve covered every Triple Crown race since 1998—I occasionally consider stepping outside of my comfort zone and experiencing international racing.

I’ve been told that, to experience racing at its finest, you need to venture to the Dubai World Cup Carnival at Meydan Racecourse in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), at least once.

US-based trainers have been raving about the quality of the competition, facilities and hospitality in Dubai since the great Cigar, trained by Bill Mott, won the inaugural running of the Dubai World Cup in 1996. “You have to go with a really good horse that’s doing really well, and it’d better have some speed,” says Bob

constantly looking forward, relentlessly innovating—in everything we do.” That home-track advantage is profound: Godolphin dominated last year’s standings with 30 victories.

American trainer Ken McPeek, a fixture at Saratoga Race Course each summer, is a well-known risk-taker—so much so that he entered a longshot in the 2002 Belmont Stakes, pulling off the greatest upset in the race’s history. This past January, he rolled the dice on the Carnival, sending four horses to compete there. All went winless, and three were so ineffective that they were shipped home ahead of schedule. “There’s a learning curve that goes with taking these trips and making these adventures,” says McPeek. Talk about stepping out of your comfort zone.

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Dreaming Of Dubai

G O F O R H O R S E R A C I N G ’ S I N T E R N AT I O N A L W O R L D C U P, S TAY F O R T H E E X T R AVA G A N T L U X U R Y.

BY MARCO MEDRANO miraculous mirage At Al Maha Resort in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, what appears to be royal tented huts are really exquisite suite residences worthy of housing the remaining kings of the world—or you.

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ow. Dubai is a lot. An orgiastic, diamondencrusted platinum trough of extravagance and built-yesterday beauty.

Everywhere.

Yes, this desert-urban contradiction lays seaside on the Persian Gulf within the United Arab Emirates (UEA) and for Saratogians who relish the rush of celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Dubai World Cup in March 2020— not only the world’s richest horse race with a $12 million purse, but also its richest card, with a whopping $35 million in purses to go around— well, it’s time to pony up and schedule your trip right now.

Beyond the thrill of the horses, this international adventure is truly an epic trip of a lifetime. Trust me, upon landing, you’ll quickly see why Lonely Planet put Dubai on its “Top Ten Cities” list of mustsee destinations for 2020. But, what to do? There isn’t, of course, enough room in this story to detail the endless, luxurious, over-the-top places where you can eat, sleep and play in Dubai, but let’s hit some of the high notes.

If you’re worried about having to leave your children home, don’t. Hasn’t the kid in you always wanted to be Poseidon?

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uae vip (clockwise from bottom) Terraced pools at One&Only The Palm; a wildlife drive near Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa; The Palm Manor Premier Room at One&Only The Palm; the view from Bvlgari Resort & Yacht Club; the Al Majlis Board room at Al Maha.

The Palm Jumeirah, an artificial, treeshaped archipelago off the coast of the city, is home to more than a dozen luxury resorts, including my two favorites, One&Only The Palm and Atlantis The Palm. The former is an all-inclusive, opulent resort with an enormous footprint that’ll make it hard to leave.

The property is host to the magnificent

⁄ NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019

Guerlain Spa, where Arabian wellness nights meet French beauty and the most ornate Moroccan Hammam spa on the planet resides, alongside its chic adultsonly pool. Whether you choose a thismust-be-heaven, age-rewind facial or an all-day terraced wellness suite, you’ll feel new again—like a better version of you. Want to pump it up? The Palm Jumeirah’s ShuiQi Fitness Centre & Spa delivers. A food adventure? Go where Eurasia and the Middle East meet: ZEST, a Michelin star award-winning restaurant that boasts Moorish design and unforgettable delicacies. STAY, on the other hand, is the culinary experience where you should wear that perfect (expensive) outfit for the most elevated date night of your life, featuring French cuisine with an inventive twist. With a three-night booking, a complimentary two-day pass awaits for Aquaventure

(the Club Atlantis Waterpark on steroids), The Lost Chambers Aquarium and Shark Feeding Show. The Palm also hosts unforgettable excursions in the desert: from hot air Balloon Adventures Dubai, safaris and waterskiing to a first-rate escorted tour of A Day In Historical Dubai, whose amazing spice market and trade center is one of many stopovers.

Shaking up the wow factor is the nearby Bvlgari Resort & Yacht Club in Jumeira Bay—and it’s as classy and sleek as anything you can imagine. (This is Dubai, after all.)

It’s a fully inclusive resort with everything imaginable at your disposal—the rooms, suites and villas are next-level modern luxe. There are plenty of eats here, too.

Il Ristorante–Niko Romito does superb Italian and a separate à la carte and truffle (yum!) menu. Hōseki is a globally renowned Japanese jewel box where your evening’s menu is decided by the executive chef.

Just. Do. It. How about farm-to-massage table fresh? Bvlgari Spa offers an amazing deep detox massage, using Mediterranean plants such as myrtle, cypress, hyssop and juniper to smooth and refine your soul. Its iconic vitality pool resembles a true open air (all’aperto) Roman bath.

Ready for your next stop? Amidst the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve lies the Luxury Collection’s Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa, acknowledged as one of the best hotels in the world for its most untypical features. A cluster of what appears to be royal tented huts are really exquisite suite residences worthy of housing the remaining kings of the world. Or you. If you’re not staying there this trip, do drop in and take a look. Timeless Spa might make you want to replace your doctor, as its holistic, longevity-based Ayurveda is sublime. Dune dining on Persian carpets at Al Diwaan may be captured in your dreams forever, or you could just pop in to Hajar Terrace Bar for a sunset happy hour in the middle of the preserve. Al Maha is worthy of a day trip for falconry, horseback riding or camel trekking and, as always, a dip in the inviting pool.

Honestly, just add a few extra days onto your trip. You can see some of the finest, non-Saratoga racing of your life and have the trip of a lifetime. Of that, I’m sure.

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BY BRIEN BOUYEA

(Brady) NATIONAL MUSEUM OF RACING AND HALL OF FAME; (Brady and Redfern) KEENELAND LIBRARY HEMMENT COLLECTION

The (Mostly) True Legend Of ‘Diamond Jim’ Brady

B

esides all of its immortal horses, legendary jockeys and masterful trainers, what makes Saratoga Race Course a one-of-a-kind horse racing venue is the countless largerthan-life personalities—the owners and high-rollers—who’ve frequented its stands.

One such character is the legendary James Buchanan Brady, better known as “Diamond Jim.” When I first heard about Brady and the outlandish tales associated with him, I essentially pegged him as a fictitious character. While some of the stories of Brady’s excesses and exploits have been embellished or outright debunked, others have held water, providing authenticity to Diamond Jim’s iconic stature.

A true “rags to riches” story, Brady grew up poor, working as a telegraph messenger before acquiring his voracious appetite for the spoils of wealth. Born in New York City in 1856, Brady eventually secured work through the New York Central Railroad system. He went on to a lucrative career as a railroad-car builder and made shrewd moves on Wall Street that garnered him a fortune reported to be north of $12 million.

With that enormous wealth came a penchant for diamonds. According to some reports, he owned more than 27,000 of them, including 31 curated sets—one for each day of the month. “Them as has ’em wears ’em,” Brady was quoted as saying in the National Turf Digest.

Brady was even known to wear diamond-studded underwear!

Diamond Jim became a Saratoga Race Course regular in the 1890s. He owned a notable stable of racehorses, which included champions Gold Heels, who set a world record for 1¼ miles, and Accountant, the threeyear-old champion in 1906. Upon his arrival at Saratoga in the summer of 1896, Brady “rented three cottages,” with more than

two-dozen staffers, stocking his temporary homes with “hundreds of bottles of beer, wines and whiskies...along with huge quantities of such varied edibles as caviar and corned beef and cabbage,” noted Hugh Bradley in his 1940 book Such Was Saratoga.

Brady’s crowning achievement as a horse owner at Saratoga took place in 1906 with the aforementioned Accountant, a colt he purchased for $30,000. He was widely criticized for paying such a considerable sum for the horse, but Diamond Jim got the last laugh. That August, Accountant defeated Gallavant in the Saratoga Derby, a race described by the New York Times as the “biggest event of the Saratoga meeting for 3-year-olds.” From 1904-06, the Saratoga Derby was a richer race than the Travers Stakes, with a value to the winner of $9670 compared to $5800 for the Travers. Accountant earned Brady $81,925 for the year, prompting Diamond Jim to quip to his naysayers, “I didn’t know a thing, eh?”

I’m not the only writer that’s been mesmerized by Brady’s story. His life inspired the 1935 film Diamond Jim, which detailed his high-profile relationship with actress Lillian Russell, another Saratoga notable. Brady’s also long been considered the character “Big Jim” in the Bob Dylan song “Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts” from the 1975 album Blood On The Tracks. And author (and one-time General Electric Company publicist) Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. wrote Diamond Jim into his novel Jailbird, recounting a story about Brady winning a bet by eating four dozen oysters, four lobsters, four chickens, four squabs, four T-bone steaks, four pork chops and four lamb chops.

Brady died of a heart attack in 1917 at the age of 60—but not before leaving a giantsized legacy. He considered his Saratoga memories among his fondest. “Goin’ up to Saratoga,” Brady once said, “is a hell of a great way to spend a month in the summer.” I couldn’t agree more.

tough diamond “Diamond Jim” Brady (left) with jockey Arthur Redfern at Saratoga Race Course in 1905; (opposite) Brady stands out among all the larger-than-life personalities in horse racing.

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BY JAY PRIVMAN DAILY RACING FORM

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CHELSEA DURAND

THE ECLIPSE AWARDS TAKE PLACE THIS JANUARY AT GULFSTREAM PARK IN FLORIDA.

F

SUSIE RAISHER

Mulling The Top Two Candidates For 2019’s ‘Horse Of The Year’

or the last 5 years—and most of the nearly 50 years that the Eclipse Awards have existed— the racehorse crowned Horse of the Year has been either the outstanding 3-year-old from the Triple Crown races or the best older distance horse on dirt. But the results of this year’s major races in those divisions were chaotic, and instead, over the months since, two horses—Bricks and Mortar, a turf specialist, and Mitole, largely a sprinter—have emerged as the two best horses in the country. Their victories in separate Breeders’ Cup races at Santa Anita Park have stamped them as the best candidates to take home the golden trophy as 2019’s Horse of the Year at the Eclipse Awards on January 23 at Gulfstream Park.

Bricks and Mortar completed the season with a victory in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, which gave him a perfect record of six wins in six starts this year, with five of those victories

in Grade 1 races. He won at 6 different tracks, at distances ranging from 11/8 miles to 11/2. Mitole, on the other hand, won the Breeders’ Cup Sprint against a top-class field to finish off a year in which he won six times in seven starts, with four Grade 1 wins. He won at five different tracks at distances ranging from six furlongs to one mile. His only loss was in the Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap at Saratoga Race Course.

Bricks and Mortar has also led a poll put out by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), which compiles the votes of more than 3 dozen media members, and the final poll had Bricks and Mortar receiving 42 first-place votes compared to just 2 for Mitole, a shockingly lopsided margin.

Far more voters will submit ballots in early January, with the Eclipse Award electorate made up of members of the Daily Racing Form, the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters and a bloc from the NTRA, whose voters include racing secretaries and field personnel with Equibase. Both would be deserving

bricks or treat Bricks and Mortar (at left), who went a perfect six-for-six this year, is one of two horses vying for Horse of the Year; (opposite) Horse of the Year hopeful Mitole winning the Forego Stakes at Saratoga.

winners.

But while Bricks and Mortar is the acknowledged favorite, a deeper dive into their campaigns shows that the awards race should be closer. An argument could be made that the level of competition Mitole ran against was superior to that which Bricks and Mortar beat.

Regardless, Bricks and Mortar and Mitole are cinches to win divisional Eclipse Awards, many of which were decided at this year’s Breeders’ Cup. Bricks and Mortar is a slam-dunk as champion male turf horse, and Mitole will be the male sprint champ. Mitole also figures to get plenty of support for older dirt male, whose top candidates include Vino Rosso—winner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic, Gold Cup at Santa Anita and who was first across the wire in the Jockey Club Gold Cup— and Whitney winner McKinzie, who split his two head-to-head meetings with Vino Rosso.

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ADVERTISEMENT

Mohawk Honda Celebrates Its Centennial By Giving Back T H E G L E N V I L L E D E A L E R S H I P G I F T E D $ 1 2 5 K TO LO C A L N O N P R O F I T S A N D C H A R I T I E S . BY Z AC H A RY G O L D

MOHAWK SOCIAL MEDIA TEAM

N

ot many local car dealerships can say that they’ve been selling their wares for a century (remember, Henry Ford only introduced his automotive assembly line a little over a century ago in 1913). But that’s exactly what Mohawk Honda, founded in 1919, in Glenville has achieved. The dealer of new and used Hondas celebrated its centennial all year, first with a modest birthday cake for itself—and then a generous gift to the Capital Region, in the form of $100,000 ($1,000 per year) to local charities and nonprofits, plus an inaugural charity event that raised an additional $25,000.

“Our overall mission and goal has always been to ‘treat others the way you want to be treated,’” says Mohawk Honda President Jeff Haraden. “That goes for our customers and our employees; happy employees lead to happy customers, and those happy customers lead to our creating longlasting relationships with them.” In

that spirit, Mohawk Honda donated $10,000 each to ten local nonprofits and held an inaugural charity event, the Haraden Family Foundation Golf Tournament last March, which raised an additional $25,000 for the Lyme Action Network. Additionally, Mohawk Honda got its staff involved in the campaign, with employees pledging a cumulative 10,000 hours of volunteer time to a nonprofit of their choice.

“We have close to 200 employees, and they’re all part of the family,” says Haraden. “That’s not just a cliché; it’s how we run our business.”

Mohawk Honda’s giving spirit traces all the way back to Haraden’s grandfather, Joseph, who settled in Schenectady with his family after Thomas Edison recruited him to work as an engineer at the General Electric Company. Once in the Electric City, Haraden’s grandfather saw the rising demand for primitive automobiles—or what were then called “horseless carriages”—and he quickly established Mohawk Auto Sales in 1919. Haraden’s father carried on that same innovative spirit, and in 1971, he brought the first-

In addition to its recognition for giving back, Mohawk Honda is also a Honda Platinum level environmentally friendly dealer; (top) Mohawk Honda volunteers at the Special Olympics.

ever Honda dealership to the Capital Region, turning Mohawk Auto Sales into Mohawk Honda.

Since then, the dealership has become one of the region’s top auto traders, and it’s not done growing yet.

On November 19, Mohawk Honda announced a major expansion by purchasing Northstar Chevrolet in Clifton Park. Haraden says he plans to refurbish and rebrand the dealership as Mohawk Chevrolet. “This is exciting, because from 1919 until 1980, we were a Chevy dealership,” Haraden says. “We can’t wait to bring the same customer-friendly buying experience and our corporate culture to Mohawk Chevrolet.”

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Your Year-end Portfolio Check-up in 5 Crucial Steps As Saratoga Springs gears up for a new decade, here’s how to make sure your finances are finishing this one as merry and maximized as possible. BY M AU RE E N PA RK E R

STEPHANIE McCAULEY

B

efore Saratoga Springs rings to your target allocation and moving in the New Year (and new the proceeds to positions that have decade), it’s important to finish become underweight. The end of the this one with a few crucial checkyear is a good time to take a look at ins. Here at the Charles Schwab your portfolio allocation and make Independent Branch in sure it’s aligned to your Saratoga Springs, we goals and risk tolerance. want to help make sure This can be especially that everything you do is important for people maximizing your potential nearing or in retirement, earnings. Here are the who might not be able to top five things to do withstand sudden volatility. before toasting 2020.

The end of year is a 2. CONSIDER TAX good time for investors to LOSS HARVESTING: think about their portfolios Tax loss harvesting is and overall savings and an underappreciated investing approach. In investing strategy that Maureen Parker between your holiday investors should consider parties and family time, while rebalancing their you may want to consider a few steps portfolios. Investors generally don’t that could help minimize your tax liability want to sell anything at a loss, but for the current tax year, and position there can be a significant advantage your portfolio for the coming year: if you have gains to offset. Tax loss harvesting can also serve as a 1. REBALANCE YOUR PORTFOLIO: motivation to sell underperforming According to Schwab’s 2019 Modern investments or re-diversify overlyWealth Survey, less than 50 percent concentrated stock positions. Consult of investors have rebalanced their a tax professional to determine what portfolio in the last year. Amid the strategy works best for your situation. increased market volatility this year, it’s possible investment portfolios have 3. MAX OUT RETIREMENT SAVINGS strayed from their original target asset (IF YOU CAN): According to Schwab’s allocation.

Modern Wealth Index, just 15 percent Over time, assets that have gained of investors max out their 401(k) in value will account for more of savings. End of year is a good time your portfolio, while those that have to evaluate your overall savings and declined will account for less. This determine if you can bump up what can leave you exposed to unintended you’re putting away for retirement. For risk if the market environment should 2019, the maximum 401(k) contribution suddenly change, turning former is 19,000. It’s a good idea to take “winners” into underperformers. full advantage of your employee Rebalancing means selling positions retirement plan, at least to the point of that have become overweight in relation any employer match. You can also use

lump sums, like an annual bonus, to give your savings a boost.

4. CONSIDER A HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT (HSA): It’s open enrollment season, and if your employer offers a HSA—and you qualify to contribute to one— it can serve as a stealth retirement savings account in addition to a 401(k) or an Individual Retirement Account. If you’re able to contribute to a HSA and leave it alone, it can be used to cover healthcare expenses in retirement without tapping into other savings, and after age 65, money in an HSA can be used for any expense without penalty.

5. CHARITABLE GIVING: End of year is a time when many people think about charitable giving. As with other aspects of your finances, it’s important for charitable giving to be part of a broader financial plan. One consideration, particularly for older investors, is donating a portion of your retirement income that you don’t need for living expenses, as you can deduct contributions to qualified organizations.

If you’re 70½ or older, you could also consider donating directly to a charity from your retirement account, using a qualified charitable distribution (QCD). A QCD allows you to meet the required minimum distribution and has the added benefit of not being included in your taxable income. The sooner you start working on a QCD the better because, depending on where your IRA is and how long it takes to process, you may need two to three weeks to get it done and December 31 is the deadline. You’ll want to check with your IRA custodian on the proper process since it will be different than a typical distribution.

MAUREEN PARKER is an Independent Branch Leader and Financial Consultant at Charles Schwab with over 20 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. 1119-9G0S

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SHOWCASING OUR NEW

Winter Jewelry Collection These earrings and more designs available for purchase this holiday season at dJoriginals.com/holiday2019 Available in 14k white and yellow gold featuring diamonds $595

deJonghe Original Jewelry 470 Broadway, Saratoga Springs 518-587-6422 dJoriginals.com

First Night, Great Night

© 2019

deJonghe_2019 Winter Collection_ SL.indd 1

T HE ANNUA L N EW YEAR’S EVE EVEN T I S R E ADY TO R O C K YOU R WORLD, SARATO GA.

BY JE FF DIN GL ER P H OTO GRA PHY BY KATI E DOBIES

A

lthough I was raised in Alabama, I grew up hearing horror stories about dreadful snowstorms and subzero temperatures up north from my Michigander mother.

When I moved to Saratoga Springs three years ago, I knew I was in real trouble. Luckily, that first winter I found out about First Night Saratoga, the city’s spectacular New Year’s Eve celebration, and I got to see firsthand

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just how Saratogians deal with the cold: by having the time of their lives!

Not only is First Night Saratoga one of the biggest one-day events in the Spa City (last year’s First Night drew around 15,000 people from more than 25 states and Canada), it’s actually the largest New Year’s celebration between New York City and Montréal.

“It’s huge for us in a million different ways,” says Tanya Tobias, associate director of Saratoga Arts, which has been hosting First Night since 2010, when the organization took over the

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event from the Saratoga Regional YMCA. “We’re directly fulfilling our mission at Saratoga Arts by making all kinds of performance arts available to anyone who wants to participate.”

In that spirit, First Night Saratoga 2020 is going to be jam-packed with live performances and entertainment.

This year’s event will kick off with its annual First Night 5K run, beginning at Skidmore College at 5:30pm.

Immediately following the run, from 6pm-midnight, there will be a deluge of entertainment options—about 60

night shift (from top) Big Fez & The Surfmatics; the First Night festivities will kick off with a 5K run at 5:30pm; a group of friends enjoys First Night 2019; Sawyer Fredricks performs at last year’s event; (opposite) a First Night reveler on Broadway.

acts in all, comprised of more than 600 performers. We’re talking lots of live music (jazz, rock, folk and bluegrass); comedy; performance art; festive dances; and, new this year, a skateboard demonstration at Saratoga’s Recreation Center. And, of course, no First Night would be complete without a midnight fireworks extravaganza in Congress Park.

I can’t wait to break out my oven-warm down jacket and have some real Saratoga fun in the cold. I’ll see you there.

10/14/19 11:50 AM

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DECEMBER 14

ALBANY SYMPHONY’S THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS THE PALACE THEATRE, ALBANY

Gather ’round and bring your Christmas cheer! The Albany Symphony will be filling the Palace Theatre with sounds and songs of the season from 3-5pm on Saturday, December 14. Tickets start at $30 and group discounts are available. And one last holiday treat: The Palace and the Symphony will be welcoming a special visitor who’s made his list and checked it twice. We have no idea who it might be.

DECEMBER 14-15

WINTER WONDERLAND WITH THE KING dandy mandy Catch actor and singer Mandy Patinkin in concert at Proctors in Schenectady January 31.

SARATOGA SPRINGS CITY CENTER, SARATOGA SPRINGS

We know of one building Elvis won’t be leaving this holiday season. Ten award-winning Elvis tribute artists will be descending on the Saratoga

Springs City Center to bring you the King’s greatest hits in all their lipcurling greatness. (Thank you very much…) General admission seating is $90-$100, and local Elvis wannabes can participate in an impersonator competition, which features cash prizes for fifth through first places ($150-$750). Don’t forget to swing back for the Sunday morning gospel show, where all in attendance will have nothing short of a religious experience. All hail The King!

JANUARY 30

GRACE POTTER THE EGG, ALBANY

Critically acclaimed singer-songwriter Grace Potter stops by Albany’s The Egg on Thursday, January 30 to deliver a performance featuring music from her latest album, Daylight. While

bada king (from left) Sylvain LeDuc is just one of the Elvis impersonators who will compete for first prize at Winter Wonderland With The King in Saratoga this December; Grace Potter will perform at The Egg on January 31.

JANUARY 31

MANDY PATINKIN IN CONCERT: DIARIES PROCTORS, SCHENECTADY

an early, VIP event, as well as the main performance, have long been sold out, at press time, Potter fans could still grab tickets to her shows at the House of Blues Boston (January 31) and the Beacon Theatre in New York City (February 1).

Hey, rent a car and make a weekend vacation out of it. Sweet!

Tony- and Emmy-award winning actor Mandy Patinkin (Homeland)— who’s also an accomplished singer— will grace the main stage at Proctors on Friday, January 31 to perform a range of original songs, as well as his favorites from songwriting heavyweights such as Stephen Sondheim, Randy Newman and Rufus Wainwright. Tickets range from $30-$80.

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Design the back Beautiful ⁄

Saratoga’s Stunning Holiday Designs IS THE RE A MORE BEAUTIFUL SI GH T T H A N A SN OW-C OV E R E D BROA DWAY TH IS TI ME OF YEAR? n BY B E V E R LY T R ACY

T

he holidays are all about tradition for my family. Having spent 15 years—the majority of my sons’ lives—in Saratoga Springs, but recently moving to Beverly Hills, our best holiday memories are all tied to this sweet, oftsnow-covered community. To us, the holidays in Saratoga meant bustling crowds of holiday shoppers along Broadway, the sparkling lights that line the streets and the promise of the fun, seasonal festivities that await.

To me, nothing said “the holidays in Saratoga” more than the larger-than-life, glorious holiday wreath that hangs from the Adirondack Trust Company building each year. I recall eagerly awaiting the day when—and watching with glee as—the wreath took its place on the building’s stately, alabaster façade, a sure sign that the holidays were right around the corner.

Another, equally special, albeit newer tradition that I looked forward

to with every passing year was the elegance, beauty and sophistication of The Adelphi Hotel’s luxurious holiday decor—whether I was taking it in downstairs at Morrissey’s or just gawking at it from street level. And then, of course, there were the glitzy decorations that adorned the many spectacular houses in the city. Some homes were completely decked out in lights from their chimneys to their foundations, while others had white, twinkling lights ever so perfectly placed. Every year, my kids would pick the perfect, flurry-touched night, and I’d fill up the car with hot chocolate jugs, warm cookies and eager boys, and we’d drive around Saratoga, enjoying our neighbors’ most spectacular holiday displays.

While it was always a joy picking out

count the days ’til Santa and his reindeer would arrive there—the night of the Victorian Streetwalk—and although the line would be long, we’d look forward to that moment when we were able to patiently enter Santa’s abode and deliver our wishlists directly to him. Imagine the sheer joy of the occasion!

Now that I’m bicoastal, there are many things that I miss about living in Saratoga year round, but none so much as this magical time of bank on it The hanging of the oversized wreath year. Saratogians should truly on the Adirondack Trust Company building is a sure feel fortunate to have these sign that the holidays are right around the corner; beautiful traditions, and as I (OPPOSITE) The Adelphi Hotel dressed for the holidays. walk beneath the palm trees our favorites, the most important under a clear blue sky, I find myself house in town was always Santa’s, dreaming about our special time in which magically appeared on Saratoga and asking quietly to no Broadway each November. Once it one in particular: What’s your favorite was in place, my boys and I would Saratoga holiday tradition?

Discover Spencer’s Landing in Saratoga Springs A New Home Community by Belmonte Builders

Minutes from Saratoga Springs, these twenty-two wooded home sites are walking distance from Saratoga Lake and connect to a larger, well-established neighborhood giving home owners an immediate sense of community as well as easy access to local water sports.

Water’s Edge HOA - clubhouse, private beach, tennis courts, swimming pools, fitness center and more Quick access to the Northway Saratoga Springs Schools Close to Saratoga National Golf Pricing from the $500’s Stop by our fully Decorated Sales Center/Model Home: Learn more at www.BelmonteBuilders.com 43 Julian’s Way, Saratoga Springs, NY Open Saturday - Monday 12pm – 5pm or by appointment Contact: Sharon Byrne: 518-527-4914 | sharon@belmontebuilders.com In neighborhoods with a Homeowner's Association, Homeowners will be subject to all HOA covenants and design guidelines and will be required to pay HOA dues. For complete details see your sales representative.

the back Food ⁄

Solevo’s Saratoga Secret Sauce TH E SPA CITY’ S WAT E R I S TH E KEY TO AN UNFO R GE T TA B LE VEGETABLE PANZA N E LLA . p h otograp h y by TERRI-LYNN PEL LE GR I

Ronnie Solevo RESTAURANT: Solevo Kitchen + Social CHEF:

SARATOGA BITE:

Winter Vegetable Panzanella with Focaccia and Apple Cider Vinaigrette

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F

or my Saratoga Bite, I wanted to highlight Saratoga Springs’ namesake: its water.

The minerality in Saratoga’s water gives our housemade breads and pastas a distinct flavor, and our focaccia (get the recipe on saratogaliving.com) is an expression of that. This is a great “beginner’s bread” for those wary of yeast baking…use quality ingredients and you can’t go wrong. Then, you can dress it up, like in this to-die-for vegetable panzanella.

Winter Vegetable Panzanella with Focaccia and Apple Cider Vinaigrette

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1 c. Honey nut squash 1 c. Red beets Salt Pepper 2 Sprigs thyme 5 Sage leaves Olive oil 1 c. Brussels sprouts 1½ c. Solevo Focaccia, cut into cubes *Apple cider vinaigrette 1½ tbsp. Toasted pine nuts 4 oz. Burrata

for up to 5 minutes, or until they just begin to brown.

• Toast cubed focaccia on a dry baking sheet until just brown and crisp. If you’re using day-old bread, there’s no need to toast. You want the bread slightly dry so that it soaks up the dressing.

• In a large mixing bowl, combine beets, squash, Brussel sprouts, toasted pine nuts and focaccia. Add just enough apple cider vinaigrette to coat.

• Stack panzanella high on a flat plate.

Cut burrata into quarters, taking care to leave the creamy inner “stracciatella” intact. Nestle burrata into the panzanella and spoon over additional cider vinaigrette to taste.

INSTRUCTIONS

**APPLE CIDER VINAIGRETTE RECIPE

INGREDIENTS

• Preheat oven to 400° F. Peel and dice squash and beets into ½-inch cubes. Keeping them separate, season with salt, pepper, thyme sprigs, whole sage leaves and olive oil. Roast squash for 2530 minutes and beets for 35-40 minutes until both are soft and caramelized but still al dente.

Remove thyme and sage.

• Cut the stems off of the Brussels sprouts and peel back individual leaves. Season leaves with salt, pepper and olive oil and roast

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the back Drink ⁄

Supporting Saratoga “I love Saratoga and it was easy to partner with the Community Foundation to create a fund to support the place I call home.

The Night Owl’s Apple-tastic Cocktail Has Its Eyes On The Prize

As a past board member of the Foundation, I trust their expert staff to support my philanthropic goals.”

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INGREDIENTS

1.25 oz. Saint Lawrence Spirits Captain’s Flask Bourbon Whiskey 1.25 oz. Laird’s Apple Brandy *0.5 oz. Chinese five-spice apple cider syrup* 0.5 oz. Pellegrino Amaro 1 Orange

The Night Owl COCKTAIL: The (Saratoga) Apple Of My Eye MIXOLOGIST: Maddie Pascale

INSTRUCTIONS

BAR:

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⁄ NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019

ENTERTAINMENT. LIGHTING. PHOTOBOOTH.

Stir ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass. Garnish with a flamed orange disk (a half-dollar-sized cut of skin from a fresh orange, squeezed skin side out near a lit match or lighter). Drop disk into drink and serve, or enjoy yourself! *RECIPE FOR CHINESE FIVE-SPICE APPLE CIDER SYRUP: INGREDIENTS

s a native Saratogian, I’ve always loved going to area apple orchards in the fall to pick apples—both as a kid and an adult. The inspiration for this cocktail came from the classic pairing of whiskey and brandy/cognac in drinks such as the Vieux Carré. Swapping out the traditional cognac for an American-made apple brandy, I tied it together with Saratoga Apple cider and our house-made Chinese five-spice syrup, along with a touch of Pellegrino Amaro, stirred and garnished with a flamed orange.

8 oz. Saratoga Apple cider 8 oz. Sugar 15 g. Chinese five-spice powder INSTRUCTIONS

Blend to incorporate. Refrigerate for 24 hours and strain through an extrafine cheesecloth or coffee filter. Keep refrigerated for up to three weeks.

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Dorinda Medley signing a blowup of our Best Of Everything Issue cover.

brava! RHONY star Dorinda Medley and saratoga living Publisher Abby Tegnelia are all smiles; (inset) a group of ladies modeling at The Harris Company’s photo station.

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Dorinda Loves Saratoga!

t’s not every day that Dorinda booths by Prime, Harvey’s Medley, star of Bravo’s The Restaurant and Bar, Palette TH E RE A L H O U SE WI V E S O F N E W YO R K Real Housewives Of New Café, Mama Mia’s Pizza & Café, C I TY STA R WOWS AT SP E C TAC U LA R York City (RHONY), comes to Bare, Death Wish Coffee, One saratoga living SO I R É E .

Saratoga Springs. And so, to Sweet Delivery and Whole commemorate the momentous Harvest. Ianniello Anderson,

BY N ATA LI E M O O R E occasion, saratoga living Gnome Serum, Young Living P H OTO G R A P H Y BY K AT I E D O B I E S teamed up with Prime at essential oils, Complexions E XC LU S I V E LY F O R saratoga living Saratoga National, presenting Spa For Beauty & Wellness sponsor Falcon Club and and Amazingly Ageless also cosponsors Julie & Co., Ianniello had busy, interactive booths, Anderson and Gnome Serum and Sandy Tiernan Menzer and to host the event of the season, Chrissy Manolakis provided a boozy brunch to celebrate tarot card readings. the release of the Best Of At 1pm, Commissioner of Everything Issue, with Dorinda Finance and Interim Mayor as the guest of honor.

Michele Madigan read a Dorinda and her entourage proclamation, officially declaring arrived at Prime at Saratoga October 6 “Dorinda Medley Day” National from the beautiful in Saratoga. Medley, a native of Pavilion Grand Hotel, the host the Berkshires, spoke about her resort for Dorinda and her friends and family, via car service lifelong love for Saratoga, and then baritone Garrett Obrycki

by Falcon Club, promptly at 10:30am to field multiple press of Opera Saratoga serenaded her with “The Way You Look queries on the red carpet. VIP guests began rolling in shortly Tonight,” one of her favorite timeless tunes. The afternoon afterwards, and lined up by the dozens for an exclusive dissolved into a flurry of selfies, laughter and endless fun, meet-and-greet with the RHONY standout. with Bravo television crews capturing every moment for the At 11:30am, the party opened up to general admission hit show. Stay tuned for news about when the saratoga ticket-holders, who were directed to Prime’s party tent living party segment will air on RHONY next spring! for music by DJ Anthony B, a signature sangria cocktail saratoga living donated a portion of ticket sales to made with Arias Wine and a dine-around, which included SPAC’s educational programming.

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Harvey’s Restaurant and Bar served tacos at its booth.

Anna Kintz working the Gnome Serum booth.

Maggie Doherty sipping complimentary Whispering Angel rosé.

Erica Ferlazzo, Dorinda Medley, Dori Fitzpatrick

The swag bags available to VIP guests.

Baritone Garrett Obrycki of Opera Saratoga.

Sydney Guss at the Complexions booth.

The event also featured complimentary Mionetto Prosecco.

Richard Pérez-Feria, Austin Bayliss

Jonah Bayliss, Austin Bayliss

Molly Gallagher, Erica Ziskin, Natalie Moore

Taylor Rao from Two Buttons Deep

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n the first weekend in October, the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) hosted its annual Saratoga Wine & Food Festival, which this year got a complete redesign. “We really needed to redefine the event to truly reflect what SPAC is and what our mission is,” SPAC President and CEO Elizabeth Sobol told saratoga living earlier this year. “I’ve always had my eye on moving in this direction, where we’re really celebrating the culinary and cultural bounty of the region. We took away all the elements that didn’t match up with our vision, presence and community, and went forward to really celebrating the arts.”

Besides being held a month later than usual, the main difference between this year’s event and past events was the brand-new farm-to-table Harvest Dinner on Friday night. The dinner, which had a “forest magic” theme, featured renowned regional chefs working alongside chefs from New York City and the UK; a sculpture garden curated by The Hyde Collection; music provided

by Caffè Lena; and a photography exhibit by saratoga living contributing photographer Terri-Lynn Pellegri, which explored food waste in Saratoga. This year, SPAC also introduced the Cultivate Series, which presented free public events exploring sustainable agriculture, health and environmental justice through partnerships with Pitney Meadows and Skidmore College in the week leading up to the festival.

bounty hunter “I've always had my eye on moving in this direction, where we’re really celebrating the culinary and cultural bounty of the region,” says SPAC President and CEO Elizabeth Sobol about this year’s Saratoga Wine & Food Festival; (opposite) scenes from the reimagined festival.

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Radial Arts’ Masquerade Ball Stuns

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ocus Pocus! On Thursday, October 3, Radial Arts (formerly known as SaratogaArtsFest) hosted its annual All Hallows’ Eve Masquerade Ball, an immersive, costume-filled theatrical event, which this year featured a spooky witchcraft theme. The Canfield Casino was transformed into a fantasy wonderland, which included an elegant sit-down dinner, catered by Lily and the Rose and an open bar offering signature cocktails, specially brewed for the event. Guests were entertained by pop-up performances throughout the evening, and all proceeds raised during the live auction went to support Radial Arts’ 2019-20 free arts events, which introduce new audiences to the Capital Region’s artistic and cultural organizations and promote visibility of the arts in Saratoga.

witches be crazy The theme of this year’s All Hallow’s Eve Masquerade Ball was witchcraft; (opposite far left) Demetra Zorbas was one of many actors and actresses who participated in pop-up performances throughout the evening; Masquerade Ball revelers and actors.

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Scenes from the Homes for Orphaned Pets Exist Gala.

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FROM BUBBLES & BRUNCH TO GIRLFRIENDS HELPING GIRLFRIENDS, THE PARTIES CONTINUE ALL OVER TOWN.

BY OLIVIA MENDLINGER

T

he giving didn’t stop when the horses returned to their stables!

This fall, Saratoga Springs saw a slew of fundraising galas, from a bubbly brunch to a salute to veterans. First up, and sharing a day with saratoga living’s Best Of Everything party, was the Saratoga Automobile Museum’s Bubbles & Brunch on Broadway at The Adelphi Hotel. Next up was Rebuilding Together Saratoga’s annual gala on October 24, which raised more than $100,000 for renovating and revitalizing homes for Saratoga homeowners; the Veterans & Community Housing Coalition’s fourth annual Veterans Ball, which raised money to build homes for veteran mothers on November 4; Wellspring’s Girlfriends Helping Girlfriends event at Longfellows on Nobember 7; and the Homes for Orphaned Pets Exist (HOPE) gala on November 8 at Prime at Saratoga National. Bring on the holidays!

(HOPE Gala) LAWRENCE WHITE; (Bubbles & Brunch, Girlfriends Helping Girlfriends) CATHLEEN DUFFY

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best vets The honorees at the Veterans & Community Housing Coalition’s Veterans Ball; (top) LaSalle Institute ROTC cadets greeting Veterans Ball guests.

Scenes from the Saratoga Automobile Museum’s Bubbles & Brunch on Broadway.

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Scenes from Wellspring’s Girlfriends Helping Girlfriends event.

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star gazing

Hey, Capricorn: 2020 Is For You! SA RATO GA IS TH E IDEAL SPOT TO MAKE YO U R D R E A M S A REAL I TY. BY MELISSA MORREALE illustrations by ROBERT RISKO exclusively for saratoga living

CAPRICORN DECEMBER 22-JANUARY 19

Welcome to 2020—new year, new decade, new Capricorn. Let’s face it: This is the most incredible, lifechanging, profound period of your life. You can feel it in your bones. Ride the momentum. This year’s sure to be filled with luck, opportunity and power. With that combo, there’s no end to what you can accomplish. Saratoga Springs is the perfect place to make all of your dreams come true. You’ve worked hard to build a stable and secure life. It’s time to live a little! Take some chances. Pursue that pie-in-the-sky dream of yours. It may just come true.

AQUARIUS

ARIES

JANUARY 20-FEBRUARY 18

MARCH 21-APRIL 19

Yes, Aquarius, that’s you everyone’s looking at.

Get your head out of the clouds—you’re shining!

There’s a lot to accomplish with philanthropic groups and activities during this festive time of the year. No one’s better at putting his or her finger on the pulse of humanity than you are.

PISCES FEBRUARY 19-MARCH 20

Social functions are keeping you very busy, and will continue to into 2020.

Your career’s highlighted, and there’s good potential for advancement. Guard against becoming drained and unfocused.

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Your focus throughout the year should be on career, career, career.

A little romance may come down the chimney this holiday season. This isn’t the time to gamble with finances or investments—but feel free to pursue higher education.

TAURUS

GEMINI MAY 21-JUNE 20

These last few years have been quite difficult for you, easygoing Gemini. Legal matters may have had you tied up. You need a break to travel, learn new things, delve into a creative project and feed your soul. Keep focused on the positive and be sure to avoid quarrels.

CANCER JUNE 21-JULY 22

You may have found that perfect someone to make your life complete.

If you haven’t, look a little harder; he or she might be walking the streets of Saratoga right beside you!

Life is just so sweet for you, Cancer. But do keep your health in check: You may encounter some bumps and bruises.

LEO JULY 23-AUGUST 22

Love and romance will warm you during the cold winter nights that usher in 2020. Enjoy a hot chocolate at a ski lodge or stroll around historic Saratoga. Sign up for that exercise class: It will benefit you tremendously and keep your energy levels high.

APRIL 20-MAY 20

The calm, cool and collected bull seems to be experiencing some unusual and earth-shaking events in life that are making you look at things in a new way. A sizzling attraction to someone at work or while traveling abroad may pop up in the next month.

⁄ NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019

VIRGO AUGUST 23-SEPTEMBER 22

The new year is looking lovely for Virgo, as the stars are in beautiful alignment all year. Your creative juices are flowing, romantic relationships are filled with fun and frolic and your health is

The Inn At Erlowest

optimal. Home’s a place of activity, and it could possibly undergo a renovation, but don’t forget to get out and enjoy some Saratoga festivities.

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, ten-suite 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 and outdoor patio nightly from 5-8:30pm, 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.

LIBRA SEPTEMBER 23-OCTOBER 22

It’s not like you, Libra, to want to stay home and hide under warm covers, but your home fires are what you’re all about right now. Keep them burning for your loved ones and make everything comfortable and cozy.

Everyone needs time to rest and rejuvenate. Winter's perfect for family time.

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SCORPIO OCTOBER 23-NOVEMBER 21

Scorpios may find themselves drawn to mysterious and unusual people in 2020. A quick engagement and marriage may evolve from these encounters. Activity is surrounding your siblings; they have a lot to say about certain matters. Invite them to visit Saratoga for some old-fashioned family time during the holidays.

SAGITTARIUS NOVEMBER 22-DECEMBER 21

As we enter 2020, refrain from making rash decisions. You may find you’re a bit accident prone, so slow down a bit. Keep from being too headstrong and argumentative on issues that’ll easily blow over. Compromise will work wonders. Focus intensely on your investments, as luck’s on your side.

The Barnsider

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he Barnsider is an upscale steakhouse that delivers a delicate balance of superior food, service and atmosphere. Located on Sand Creek Road in Albany, The Barnsider’s menu offers a wide variety of exceptional cuts of beef, carefully aged for a minimum of 28 days in a temperatureand humidity-controlled environment and are then expertly cut and trimmed in an onsite butcher shop, ensuring each cut is lean, tender and incredibly flavorful. The restaurant’s award-winning chefs use only the freshest ingredients to make sure your dinner, holiday party or wedding shower is the absolute best it can be.

480 SAND CREEK RD, ALBANY 518.869.2448

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SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

play

Flatbread Social

Holiday Surprise

F

rom the owners of Henry Street Taproom is Flatbread Social, a lively bar, serving craft beer and cocktails, and restaurant, whose specialty is wood-fired pizza, located right next to the Taproom on Henry Street. Flatbread Social officially opened its doors in December 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 homemade ice cream.

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The circled letters in the third row of the grid correspond with the letters in squares 32 through 36, in order from left to right. Green and red squares should be treated the same as black ones.

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7. Org. for adults in school 10. British bathroom 11. Saratoga side street 13. Give guns to, or another name for gun 14. “___ Your Records On” 15. What the image in green and red represents 17. Swipe a credit card 18. A 15-across for 32-across 20. What you must do to 32-across, by way of the circled letters 22. Response to being hit in the stomach 23. Unreturned serve 24. Thing that is 30down 27. Luxury car models 31. “The Father of Our National Park System” John 32. The best 15-across, for animal lovers 37. Home of Pearl Harbor 38. USC rival 39. Bad sign 40. What you might say before you 20-across the 32-across 48. Former Fox News host Bill 49. Form of “is” 52. Was sun-kissed 53. Academic writing style, for short 56. Horrified

58. Notable wizard 60. Hideout 61. First paragraph of an essay (abbr.)

65. “___ No Mountain High Enough” 66. Have a meal 67. “Rudolph The [64-down]-___ Reindeer” 68. ___ The Wild 69. First multipart question on an exam, perhaps 70. Steepness 71. Atomic number 10 on the periodic table

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1. Mountain in Switzerland 2. Not quiet 3. “Africa” band 4. Protein powder ingredient 5. German word for “ice,” which sounds exactly like its English translation 6. Cordon ___ 7. Mama’s husband 8. Capture 9. Comedian Schumer 11. Teacher at a univ.

12. Faris of Scary Movie 15. Employee benefit, for short 16. TV giant purchased in 2016, for short 19. Run and get 21. Reserve a hotel room again 24. Porn synonym 25. Response to a stubbed toe

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ACROSS:

84 HENRY ST, SARATOGA SPRINGS 518.886.1198

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26. Biblical river of blood 28. Papi’s wife 29. One of the five Ws 30. Past participle of sing 32. [First circled letter] 33. [Second circled letter] 34. [Third circled letter] 35. [Fourth circled letter] 36. [Fifth circled letter] 41. ___ and aahs 42. Midnight Cowboy (1969) had this

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43. Homemade bomb, for short 44. One-named “Chandelier” singer 45. Three-piece sammie 46. Pie concoction allegedly dreamed up in Cambridge, NY 47. Baseball’s Sandberg 49. Elusive character of children’s books 50. Kenneth Branagh film Dead ___

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51. Give out light 53. Skirt type 54. Burrito bean 55. Yelchin of Star Trek 57. Vicinity 59. Part of the water cycle 62. “Neither this ___ that” 63. Airport authority, for short 64. “Rudolph The ___-[67-across] Reindeer”

ANSWERS ON saratogaliving.com SEARCH: CROSSWORD

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saratogaliving.com 143

the comeback kid “I left Saratoga at 18 and thought I'd never return, but now that I’m back with my own family, I appreciate all the city has to offer,” says PR executive Kathie Gonzalez.

Kathie Gonzalez’s Full Circle Voyage THE SA RATOGA NATI VE—AND TRAV E L P U B LI C R E LAT I O N S EXPERT—REAL LY DOES H AV E I T A LL.

Y

BY RICH ARD PÉREZ-F E R I A

PHOTOGRAPHY BY

KATIE DOBIES

EXCLUSIVELY FOR

saratoga living

ou sense it instantly. Kathie Gonzalez, the whip-smart, striking dynamo standing in front of you, is one of those people; you know, the type who does everything well—very well—to the inevitable annoyance of everyone in their orbit. But somehow, remarkably, the longtime travel public relations virtuoso instead elicits the opposite reaction: devotion.

In a word, Kathie Gonzalez is a boss.

I became friends with the Saratoga Springs native—she was born in Saratoga Hospital—shortly after I met her husband, Alexander Gonzalez (Alex and I share a Cuban heritage and a love for the Miami Dolphins). As Kathie and I got to know each other over time, I kept thinking how congenial, engaging, attractive, professional and funny she was and I wanted to make sure as many people got to know her as possible.

Gonzalez received a Bachelor of Arts from Carnegie Mellon University and a Master’s from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She lives on a picturesque farm in Saratoga with Alex; her children, Sean, 14, and Chloe, 9; and her beloved “adopted rottie,” Tobey. Every time you run into her out on the town or out grabbing a quick cup of coffee, the result is the same: You’re greeted with a huge smile and instant engagement.

The best people always make you feel as if you’re the most important person in the world. Mrs. Gonzalez has this particular skill down to a science. And she wears it well.

I caught up with the busy executive—current clients include New Orleans & Company, Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, Williamsburg Tourism Council and many more—and asked her a few questions I wanted answers to. She, predictably, didn’t disappoint.

Kathie Gonzalez is indeed one of those people. Lucky for us, she’s ours once again.

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⁄ NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019

Are people confused by what exactly public relations entails?

One hundred percent! It’s often said that the business of public relations has a public relations problem. Many confuse PR with advertising or marketing—not the same thing—so when someone asks me what I do, I’ve learned to simply tell them I make my clients look good by coordinating interviews and providing information about them to the media.

That usually works. And then they ask me for travel advice.

Did you go through any sort of cultural adjustment when you met Alex’s Cuban family?

Yes and no. I love to travel and learn about other cultures, and have always been intrigued by Cuba, so I was excited to meet his family and learn how to cook authentic Cuban food! I always said I had the perfect relationship with my in-laws: Alex’s mom spoke very little English, I spoke very little Spanish! [Laughs] You love Saratoga because...

It’s home! I left at 18 and thought I’d never return, but now that I’m back with my own family, I appreciate all the city has to offer—and, it’s a great place to raise kids.

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Saratoga has an amazing variety of restaurants, but I’d love to see Cuban food added to the culinary landscape.

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There’s never a dull moment. The very best thing about working with clients in the travel industry is the actual travel. The perks of my job are pretty fantastic.

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