Girls Upstate Founder ELEINA HINCH is leading the charge to facilitate real-life, in-person connection in an increasingly digital world. And she’s not alone.
BY SARA FOSS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MEGAN MUMFORD
It’s time to give your kitchen a new personality. Yours!
Discover the perfect appliance for your home at Marcella’s Appliance Center, where expert guidance meets the most extensive selection in the capital region. Elevate your kitchen with customizable options from Café, featuring unique hardware and stylish matte and glass finishes designed to reflect your personal taste. Whether you’re upgrading or renovating, our expert team is here for you with appliances that combine functionality with your unique style.
Kitchen dreams come true at Marcella’s. From sale to delivery to service and repair, you can count on Marcella’s for the ultimate appliance experience!
Shop in-store, by phone or online at marcellasappliance.com. Schenectady Showroom
Clifton Park Showroom
Everything You Need To Make Your Dream Home A Reality
The dream starts simply: a line drawn on paper, a sketch in your mind. At GNH Lumber & Home, we understand what it takes to turn your ideas into reality. We provide everything you need to transform that simple chalk drawing into a lasting place to call home. From lumber and tools to the perfect countertops, cabinetry, and exterior finishes, we are with you every step of the way. Stop dreaming —visit our experts today and let us help you start building so you can turn your vision into your home.
gnhlumber.com
Greenville | Windham | Latham
Wishing ev y e a j s and safe H iday Seas .
Please consider shopping small and help support our Chamber Members. Be sure to visit each of these businesses throughout the Holiday season for a chance to win a Gift card. Make your New Years Resolution to join the Chamber, call 518.828.4417 to hear how the Chamber can work for you.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
18
LEADERS WHO ARE MAKING OUR HOME A BETTER PLACE HILLARY GAETA / PAUL COLLINS-HACKETT FRANCESCA LOPORTO-BRANDOW / DIANE CONROY-LACIVITA / TOM STEBBINS
The Front
13 S TARTING LINEUP: HOLIDAY LIGHT SHOWS
12 UNDER 12: STELLA BURWELL
The Back
C ALENDAR: ’TIS THE SEASON TO BE OUT AND ABOUT... BY CIERRA ORLYK 42 RE CIPE: JUSTIN BURKE’S CITRUS BAKEWELL 44 HOROSCOPE: SIGNS OF THE TIME S BY CHANTAL MARIE
CROSSWORD: DECK THE HALLS BY NATALIE MOORE 50 BEFORE YOU GO: EIGHTY-EIGHT DOGS BY JOHN GRAY
ON THE COVER Girls Upstate Founder Eleina Hinch, photographed by Megan Mumford at Lucas Confectionery in Troy, NY.
THIS GIRL IS ON FIRE Hillary Gaeta, co-executive director of operations at Grafton’s Soul Fire Farm, is one of this year’s Capital Region Gives Back honorees.
CAPITAL REGION LIVING
Natalie Moore EDITOR
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Kathleen Gates
DESIGNER Linda Gates
CONTRIBUTORS
Natalli Amato, Lisa Arcella, Phat X. Chiem
Samantha Decker, Jeff Dingler, Sara Foss
Dakota Gilbert, John Gray, Teresa Genaro
Chantal Marie, Morgan Maschewski
Stacey Morris, Megan Mumford
Konrad Odhiambo, Kathleen Willcox
Teresa Frazer
DIRECTOR OF SALES
Tara Buffa
SALES MANAGER
DIRECTOR OF SALES, SARATOGA LIVING Annette Q uarrier
Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Many of the ads in this issue were created by Empire Media Network, Inc. and cannot be reproduced without permission from the publisher. ESTABLISHED 2003.
SUBSCRIPTIONS
$45 a year
To subscribe, visit empiremedianetwork.com/emn/subscribe
FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA AT: FACEBOOK @capitalregionliving INSTAGRAM @crlmagazine
THE FRONT
» your starting lineup «
THE CAPITAL REGION GETS LIT
1. SANTA’S PLAYLAND CHRISTMAS LIGHTS QUICK RESPONSE, ROUND LAKE NOVEMBER 15–JANUARY 4
What started with a few string lights and decorations 25 years ago has now become a Capital Region holiday staple. On Wednesdays–Sundays from 5–11pm during the holiday season, local restoration company Quick Response transforms its Route 9 property into a free, drive-through winter wonderland complete with gingerbread men, busy elves, a candy factory, and Santa’s sleigh. If staying cozy and warm is your vibe, you’re in luck: You don’t even need
to leave your car. Just tune in to 88.5 FM as you cruise through, and you might even hear from St. Nick himself. qrrestore.com
2. HOLIDAY LIGHTS AT NIGHT
WASHINGTON COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS, GREENWICH NOVEMBER 28–DECEMBER 28
Another light display that will keep you warm and toasty? Lights at Night at the Washington County Fairgrounds. With more than a mile of twinkling lights, this drivethrough tradition incorporates local vendors, radio stations, and even a certain man in red to bring
visitors holiday joy. Tickets are $25 per car. For some pre-Thanksgiving fun, check out the nearby Holiday Lighted Tractor Parade, which will roll through the Village of Greenwich on November 22. Featuring more than 70 festive tractors
THE FRONT
» your starting lineup «
3. LIGHTS ON WALDEN WALDEN CIRCLE, SARATOGA SPRINGS DATES TBA
In recent years, Capital Region homeowners have started getting into the light-up-the-night fun by inviting the public to drive by their expertly decorated homes, tune into a specific radio station, and watch as the synchronized lights on the house dance to their favorite holiday songs. Lights on Walden, which last year ran
November 28–January 2 and is returning this season, is one such private residence. Check out their Facebook page for a collection of similar shows around the region. facebook.com/lightsonwalden
4. CHRISTMAS AT ANIMAL LAND
ADIRONDACK ANIMAL LAND, GLOVERSVILLE
NOVEMBER 28–JANUARY 4
Christmas at Animal Land is two glittering experiences—one walkthrough, one drive-through—for the price of one. Going on every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 5–9pm beginning the day after Thanksgiving and ending the weekend after New Year’s Day, the light show features glimmering lights, live glass blowing, a real animal nativity, photos with Santa, and festive sweet treats. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for kids ages 2–12, and free for kids under 2. Cash only. adirondackanimalland.com
5. LITE UP THE VILLAGE SHEPARD PARK, LAKE GEORGE STARTING
NOVEMBER 29
Last year, the light displays from Albany’s now-defunct Capital 4
The Altamont Fairgrounds is switching things up this year. They’re swapping out the Magic of Lights display for a full-on Christmas village. Read more about A Very FAIRy Christmas—and 15 more holiday season events— beginning on page 37. 3
Holiday Lights in the Park were repurposed for a new display up in Lake George. While that isn’t happening again this year, there’ll still be plenty of twinkling sights to behold at Lite Up the Village, an annual block party that marks the lighting of more than 7,000 lights throughout town. After November 29, those lights aren’t going anywhere. Check out the main display at the corner of Canada Street and Beach Road and other displays around town before the holiday season comes to a close. visitlakegeorge.com
MAGIC, REIMAGINED
IT TAKES A VILLAGE Lake George’s Lite Up the Village; (left) a private residence in Saratoga; (below) Santa Claus at Christmas at Animal Land.
Indoor & outdoor spaces built for exploration & creativity
Strong continuum from toddler through middle school
12 UNDER 12
BANKING ON THE FUTURE
STELLA BURWELL
age: 9 hometown: COHOES school: HARMONY HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL community involvement: REAL KIDS WEAR PINK
You’ve heard of Real Men Wear Pink, the American Cancer Society’s annual initiative that encourages men to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research and patient support. But have you heard of Real Kids Wear Pink? Cohoes resident Stella Burwell certainly has. Stella has been involved in Real Kids Wear Pink, an annual fundraising effort and event, for four years—since she was 5. But this year, the three-sport athlete has really stepped up to raise more money for the cause, rallying her classmates and coming up with creative fundraising ideas. She even convinced her school’s principal to let his students pie him in the face to raise money. By the third week in October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, she’d already raised more than $1,000. As part of her fundraising effort, Stella posted a call for donations on her mom’s LinkedIn page. In the post she explained the “why” behind her involvement in Real Kids Wear Pink: “I want to raise money so people who are fighting cancer know they are not alone. Every dollar raised helps bring us closer to a world without cancer, and I believe even kids can make a big impact when we work together.”
presented by
THINK PINK Stella Burwell with Carli O’Hara, founder and president of Real Kids Wear Pink.
7th ANNUAL CAPITAL REGION GIVES BACK 2025
Each holiday season, we select 10 individuals from Saratoga Springs and the Capital Region who exemplify this area of the world’s unceasing dedication to making our community a better place. Meet five of this year’s honorees in the pages that follow, and the other five on the flip side of this issue on page 30.
BY NATALIE MOORE
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MEGAN MUMFORD
JOIN US AT OUR 7TH ANNUAL CAPITAL REGION GIVES BACK EVENT ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2!
Party info here
HILLARY GAETA
CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
SOUL FIRE FARM
HILLARY GAETA’S PATH to Grafton’s Soul Fire Farm began when her family moved from the Dominican Republic, where she grew up climbing trees to snack on mangoes and cherries, to Queens, NY, where her family relied on programs like SNAP, the US Department of Agriculture’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
“I was feeling disconnected from my land, from my language,” she says. “So even though I took a roundabout way to get to the food justice movement, I’ve always had a lived experience with this type of work.”
Now, Gaeta serves as the co-executive director of operations at Soul Fire Farm, an Afro-Indigenous centered community farm and training center that’s dedicated to “uprooting” racism and “seeding” food sovereignty. Soul Fire’s mission is four-fold: take care of the land, feed the community, equip the next generation of black and brown farmers, and mobilize the public to create a food system they feel a part of.
“The fact that we have communities that don’t have access to fresh, culturally appropriate food is what we mean when we talk about food apartheid,” Gaeta says. “You might have heard of a food desert, but a desert is naturally occurring, and this is definitely not. It’s something that’s a product of redlining and systemic racism—problems that have structured communities in such a way that your zip code can have an impact on your life expectancy because there’s not transportation to get to a supermarket.”
The founders of Soul Fire Farm recognized that there were communities in the 518 living under food apartheid and set out to do something about it. Now, Soul Fire uses Afro-indigenous farming practices to grow food that’s distributed back into the community, runs programs that teach future farmers ancestral techniques that will enable them to grow their own food, and spreads the word about food and land sovereignty in the community.
“We always say at the farm that we’re not trying to scale up, we’re trying to scale out,” Gaeta says. “People are coming here, they’re being equipped with these resources, and then they’re bringing them back into their own community.”
MAKING THE BEDS In addition to its work in Grafton, Soul Fire Farm runs Soul Fire in the City, a program that provides raised-bed gardens to community members and groups in the Albany, Schenectady, and Troy areas.
PAUL COLLINSHACKETT PRESIDENT TRU HEART, INC.
BOARD CERTIFIED Beyond The RED Bookshelf and Tru Heart, CollinsHackett serves on the boards of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region, Trinity Alliance, Lincoln Park Alliance, Albany Fund for Education, the Albany Community Police Review Board, and others.
IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO talk about Paul CollinsHackett’s involvement in one nonprofit without talking about all the other organizations he’s played a role in shaping. By day, he’s the executive director of The RED Bookshelf, an organization with the simple mission to inspire children to read. By night, he’s Batman, an underprivileged kid who grew up to save Gotham. Except in this case, Gotham is Albany, and Batman has a LinkedIn page.
“My father passed away when I was three, and my mother’s blind, so I grew up reliant on community services,” says Collins-Hackett, who often goes by Batman. “I benefited directly from people who cared about me when they didn’t have to.”
One such community member was Jim Snyder, the founder of Siena College’s Mentoring Program.
“Because I was in the Mentoring Program since I was 7, Jim literally watched me grow up,” Collins-Hackett says. “When I failed chemistry, he brought me into his office and was like, ‘Hackett, what the hell’s going on with chemistry?’ And when my car broke down, he was like, ‘What? Why didn’t you get your oil changed?’ But then he helped me find a new car.”
When Snyder passed away in 2014, Collins-Hackett teamed up with a few friends who’d also been through the Siena Mentoring Program to found Tru Heart, Inc. in his honor. The Tru Heart mission gets at the core of Collins-Hackett’s overarching life mission: to create opportunities for youth from marginalized communities. To date, Tru Heart has funded T-ball teams and community dinners, volunteered at the Schuyler Inn homeless shelter, teamed up with likeminded local nonprofits on dozens of different initiatives, and started its own mentorship program called the Titans.
“It’s not about the ‘Pew-pew’ and the aliens and the ‘Pow! Ker-splash!’” Collins-Hackett says of the Batman facade. “It’s about a guy who had an early childhood tragedy and turned it into a dedication to helping other people.”
And while Collins-Hackett doesn’t have superpowers, he has something even better. “Improvements to our city are not a matter of chance,” he says. “They’re a matter of will.”
WHEN FRANCESCA LOPORTO-BRANDOW’s father was battling cancer, her family put nearly 16,000 miles on their car driving to and from treatment.
“During that time, I couldn’t help but think, what do people do when they don’t have someone to drive them?” she says. “Do they give up? Do they just make do with what they have and not see a specialist? I couldn’t imagine not being able to not seek care at a time when you really need it the most.”
So, LoPorto-Brandow, a cancer survivor herself, took matters into her own hands. She spoke with local travel service Yankee Trails about running a bus a few days a week specifically for Capital Regionites seeking medical appointments with specialists in larger metropolitan areas. And with that, The Flutter Express was born.
The Flutter Express, a Yankee Trails tour bus, makes trips to New York City and Boston every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday that there’s a need, departing from Rensselaer and stopping in Albany (and Catskill, for NYC trips) on the way. Tickets are $79 for healthcare seekers, and $85 for companions. That’s cheaper than taking any other mode of transportation, but LoPortoBrandow found that there was still a financial barrier for some people. To help cover the costs, she partnered with other nonprofits, including the NYOH Community Cancer Foundation, which will pay for patients to take the Flutter Express. But those organizations specifically cover patients seeking treatment for cancer. For everyone else—individuals in need of an organ transplant, or the 18-month-old sister of two brothers that are receiving ongoing adrenal cancer care—there’s The Flutter Club.
In addition to covering the cost of rides for both patients and companions, The Flutter Club also provides Flutter Express passengers with curated care packages full of healthcare journey essentials like a pill case, travel pillow, and treatment hoodie (the arms zip open), as well as a host: LoPorto-Brandow and other volunteers actually ride the bus with the passengers.
“This isn’t just a bus,” LoPorto-Brandow says. “This is a service—it’s an experience. There’s a host that people can talk to that’s going to make sure you have what you need on your journey.”
HOSTESS WITH THE MOSTEST
In her role as a volunteer Flutter Express host, Francesca LoPorto-Brandow gives passengers their Flutter Kits, serves snacks, and even sometimes leads bus-wide bingo games.
DIANE CONROYLACIVITA
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COLONIE SENIOR SERVICE CENTERS
DEPARTMENT OF CONNECTIONS “What draws me to nonprofit work is the human connectivity,” says Diane Conroy-LaCivita, who, before CSSC, was co-proprietor of Harmony House Marketplace in Cohoes and worked for the International Center of the Capital Region.
IT’S NO SECRET that the US is in a housing crisis. A severe shortage of homes has made the cost of living skyrocket, and Americans of all ages are feeling the strain. But the lack of affordable housing is hitting seniors especially hard.
“We absolutely, positively do not have enough affordable housing,” says Diane Conroy-LaCivita, executive director of Colonie Senior Service Centers (CSSC), an organization with the simple mission to support older adults. “People who might be retiring with a small pension and social security cannot afford market rates right now.”
Case in point: All four of the affordable senior living communities CSSC operates have waiting lists. One facility’s is upwards of five years.
And the data backs up ConroyLaCivita’s anecdotal evidence: Nearly a third of households headed by seniors pay more than 30 percent of their income for housing, with half of that group paying more than 50 percent.
All this was exacerbated by the pandemic, during which ConroyLaCivita’s staff dropped from 62 to 11. “Those 11 of us were working seven days a week and we were doing 12-hour shifts,” she says. “But it opened our eyes. Things that were never on my radar came on my radar real quick.”
During that period, Conroy-LaCivita realized just how many Albany County seniors struggle to put food on the table and heat their home, and how such struggles disproportionately affect immigrants, refugees, and LGBTQ seniors. Those realizations informed how CSSC has operated ever since the pandemic: The nonprofit now has a line of affordable frozen soups and meals that seniors can stop in and pick up, hosts ESL classes twice a week, and has a program for LGBTQ seniors and allies called Aging with Pride. Add in CSSC’s Umbrella program, which provides affordable home maintenance that allows seniors to age in their homes; transportation services that keep seniors connected with their community even after they hand over their car keys; and a whole slate of arts, education, and fitness programming, and Conroy-LaCaivita is truly making the Capital Region a better place, one senior at a time.
LOTS OF PEOPLE work side jobs. Most side jobs, however, don’t involve raising millions of dollars for charity—sometimes in a single night.
One of the country’s foremost benefit auctioneers, Delmar resident Tom Stebbins specializes in the fine art of the paddle raise. He travels the country in a flashy suit jacket to attend charity fundraisers at which he asks attendees, who’ve already paid a pretty penny to be there, for more money. Some people would balk at the idea of flat-out asking those who’ve already supported an organization to give even more. Stebbins isn’t just willing to ask—he thinks it’d be a missed opportunity not to.
“The people who are at fundraising events are there for a reason,” he says. “Too often, charities spend time explaining to their audience the reason. If they’re there, they know. My job is to turn their emotion into donations.”
Over the years, Stebbins has developed a pragmatic approach to the business of fundraising events: Take the floor immediately following the most impactful part of the program, enthusiastically thank each donor to create an environment in which people feel left out if they don’t donate, and pull out a five-liter bottle of wine for the last person who donates in an effort to squeeze those last few dollars out of the crowd. But don’t think that this methodical approach to raising money makes him any less emotionally susceptible to the power of an impactful mission. Stebbins is especially moved by organizations that serve individuals with traumatic brain injury (his oldest brother was injured in a car accident that rendered him quadriplegic when he was 16) and has donated his auctioneering services to such organizations in the past. He also gives a significant discount to local charities, he says, “not just because it’s easier for me, but because it’s the community I live in.”
One local nonprofit that Stebbins is proud to support is the South End Children’s Café, an organization that provides underprivileged children in Albany’s South End with healthy, free meals as well as opportunities for physical exercise and creative expression.
“As much as I like the national charities and the big, million-dollar galas,” he says, “my favorite clients are my smaller clients, where raising an extra $30,000 or $50,000 really makes an impact.”
FRESH COAT Tom Stebbins has been known to throw in the jacket off his back to help drive donations during an auction or paddle raise.
THE CASE FOR COMMUNITY
IN THE ERA OF FACEBOOK GROUPS AND SNAPCHAT STREAKS, THESE CAPITAL REGIONITES ARE PUSHING BACK AGAINST THE RISE OF ONLINE COMMUNITIES AND DOUBLING DOWN ON FOSTERING REAL-LIFE, IN-PERSON CONNECTIONS. WON’T YOU JOIN THEM?
BY SARA FOSS | PHOTOGRAPH BY MEGAN MUMFORD
When Eleina Hinch was still in her teens, she built a YouTube beauty channel with 25,000 subscribers. But something was missing. Despite her big following and growing renown as an influencer, she often felt lonely. Things worsened during the pandemic, when her father and grandfather both died, and her mother underwent treatment for cancer. Her closest friends lived back in the Philippines, where she was born.
“That was probably the lowest time in my life,” says Hinch, who’s now 26. “I could only FaceTime my friends—they were in a different country. It’s not like they could just come over. I was desperate for any type of social connection.”
While Hinch’s generation—those born between 1997 and 2012 and commonly known as Gen Z—are able to connect with others quicker and easier than ever before thanks to social media, study after study has shown that today’s teens and 20-somethings are also lonelier than ever before. And it’s not just 13- to 28-year-olds who are feeling the effects of society’s shift to online life—in 2024, former US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy declared a national loneliness and social isolation epidemic, warning that about half of American adults are experiencing considerable levels of loneliness.
“We are so lonely—especially my demographic and younger,” Hinch says. “We live online, and it’s not real. I want to experience real connection. People need each other more than ever.”
Instead of sitting at home, tweeting about it, Hinch did something to change her situation: She started Girls Upstate, a wellness social group that organizes events and activities—everything from floral arranging classes to bestie speed dating, where the speed dating format is used to help women find new friends. The ultimate
FRIENDSHIP NEVER ENDS Girls Upstate’s Endless Summer Soirée, hosted at Stable Gate Winery in Castleton-on-Hudson this past September; (opposite) Girls Upstate founder Eleina Hinch at Troy’s Lucas Confectionery, where she has hosted events in the past.
“We are so lonely—especially my demographic and younger. We live online, and it’s not real. I want to experience real connection. People need each other more than ever.” —ELEINA HINCH, FOUNDER, GIRLS UPSTATE
“People need community and stuff to do. That’s what makes a city livable all those little things, those little points of light in your week.”
—MATT McGOWEN, FOUNDER, ALBANY SOCIAL CYCLING
goal? To create safe, inclusive spaces where women can open up, share their stories, and simply have fun.
The first Girls Upstate event was a potluck in the basement apartment of one of Hinch’s friends in the fall of 2022. Hinch cooked trays of pasta and meatballs and expected a small crowd for a night of cookie decorating. Forty women showed up. “I was like, ‘Well, this is a thing,’” she says.
While everyone loves to lament how hard it is to make friends as an adult, Hinch is one of a small-but-mighty contingent of local community leaders who are challenging that narrative by way of social groups that were created for the sole purpose of fostering in-person connections for adults of all ages. These groups often use social media to promote events, but their purpose is to get people off their phones and into real-world spaces. They don’t necessarily exclude alcohol, but the focus is typically on physical and mental well-being rather than drinking or partying, activities that have historically connected people but that have been on the decline in recent years.
One such group is Albany Social Cycling, which organizes weekly group bike rides in downtown Albany. Cyclists gather every Thursday at 6:30pm at the Washington Park Lakehouse, though the start time is earlier when the days get shorter, and the group usually takes a winter hiatus.
“Any pace is welcome,” says Matt McGowen, one of Albany Social Cycling’s founders and owner of Freewheel Bike Shop in Albany. “I wanted to give everyone who enjoys riding bikes a casual space to come together and do that.”
When Albany Social Cycling launched in 2022, rides attracted about a half dozen people. That small group has grown, with between 40–60 people showing up for rides that range from 7–17 miles. Volunteers help manage the rides, which use both bike paths and local roads. There’s a ride leader and a sweep to bring up the rear of the group, as well as other volunteers to ensure everyone makes it through intersections safely.
“Most people have never felt the feeling of riding a bike safely on the street,” McGowen says. “We are in a big enough group now that just having the numbers of people we do—it’s a huge buffer, and that makes it more fun because you’re just kind of cruising around.”
Rides sometimes stop at local bars— Albany’s Warehouse district is a popular destination—and there are also themed rides, such as trips to Indian Ladder Farms in Altamont or Radix Ecological Sustainability Center, an urban farm in Albany’s South End.
“People need community and stuff to do,” McGowen says. “That’s what makes a city
livable—all those little things, those little points of light in your week.”
Albany native Jenna Clark left the US when she was 25 to travel the world and work remotely. For four years, her home base was Puerto Escondido, a beach town on the west coast of Mexico, where she became part of a beach volleyball group. “It was a very welcoming vibe, and it wasn’t 100 percent about volleyball,” she says. People hung out, played games like frisbee, and simply enjoyed each other’s company.
Clark returned to the Capital Region two years ago and now lives in the Saratoga County town of Milton, where she hopes to cultivate the kind of community she experienced in Mexico. She purchased a house that she’s in the process of converting into a commercial property that will feature two volleyball courts, yard games, and a year-round cafe. Here, she intends to create Casa Volley, a volleyball social club where beginners can learn the sport and more
RIDE OR DIE Jenna Clark clearing her Milton property in order to put in two sand volleyball courts that will one day become the heart of Casa Volley; (opposite) the Albany Social Cycling crew outside Watervliet’s Mac’s Drive In.
“We wanted to show people that they can have fun without the hangover.”
—KYLE POSSON, COFOUNDER, THE UNDRUNK CLUB
skilled players can compete at a higher level. She is aiming for a soft opening in 2026 and a more formal opening in 2027.
“I see the word community thrown around a lot,” Clark says. “Builders use it. ‘Oh, there’s a new community we’re building here.’ But the true definition of community is people coming together on a regular basis. It’s almost like a religion. You have similar values
or connectedness, you learn from each other, you encourage each other to be better. You’re there for each other.”
Another group, the Undrunk Club, aims to create a safe, inclusive space for nondrinkers and sober-curious women. Founded two years ago by Stillwater resident Ashley Salvadore and Kyle
WHAT’S THE TEA? (from top) Undrunk Club founders Ashley Salvadore and Kyle Posson at their Mocktails and Macarons event at Albany’s Prince Tea House; Juliana Russell, Erin Rourke, Sarah Hutcherson, and Marcella Hammer at Palette; (opposite) Hinch’s expertise lies in utilizing social media to promote in-person connection.
Posson of Johnstown, the group’s activities include sober karaoke, music bingo, and outings to local establishments such as Prince Tea House in Albany and The Golden Monkey Lounge in Glens Falls. Mocktails are served, and women are encouraged to come meet their new “BFFs” (booze-free friends).
“We wanted to show people that they can have fun without the hangover,” Posson says.
The group’s first event, a get-together at The Delaware in Albany, drew about 50 women. “We were both pleasantly surprised, given that it was our first rodeo,” Posson says. “The response was, ‘When is the next one?’” That strong turnout demonstrated that there were many women like Posson and Salvadore—women who don’t drink but don’t want to miss out on the social connection so often found in spaces where alcohol is served, like bars.
“People are interested in health and fitness,” Posson says, “and alcohol doesn’t fit their health and fitness journey.”
At Palette, a coworking space in downtown Saratoga Springs, work and community are intertwined. The organization has about 200 members—a mix of small business entrepreneurs and professionals who work remotely—who turn to each other for business tips, life advice, workday company, and friendship. Members have access to workspace, meeting rooms, and offices, as well as a digital community, though inperson connection is the focus.
Palette is female-focused, but counts men among its members. “It’s 100 percent inclusive to everyone,” says Marcella Hammer, who helped found Palette in 2019. “Our two rules are to be kind to everyone, and collaboration first, not competition.”
Prior to Palette, Hammer owned a nail salon called Glitter. It was a solitary experience. “I was alone in a 2,000-squarefoot space and I learned that I needed
(Salvadore & Posson) ALENA DIANE
community,” she says. “I needed support, and I was too scared to ask for help.”
Palette taught Hammer that “you can’t go anywhere alone,” she says. “There are so many people out there who are willing to help you and have had experiences they want to share. By showing up to a place like Palette, you open yourself up to those relationships.”
While Hinch, McGowen, Posson, Salvadore, Clark, and Hammer have all gone out of their way to foster real-life, in-person communities, connection only happens when people step outside their comfort zone and actually show up for the first time.
“None of it will work unless people have the courage to show up,” Hammer says. “You have to be open to something new.” McGowen agrees that community doesn’t happen naturally. “It doesn’t just spring out of a crack in the ground,” he says. “If there’s not enough buy-in, social groups just kind of die on the vine.”
Luckily, in the Capital Region, people are buying in. Since Hinch’s 40-person potluck, Girls Upstate has grown into a community with some 10,000 followers, most of whom are based here in Upstate. The group hosts between four and six events per month, occasionally in partnership with local businesses. And real connections are being made at each and every meetup. But don’t take Hinch’s word for it.
“I’ve already signed up for more events,” one member of Girls Upstate wrote in an especially moving review on the community’s website. “Because for the first time in a long time, I finally have hope for finding some truly great new girlfriends.”
Thank You for Supporting Your Local Family-Owned & Operated Italian Restaurant
LEGACY
Long Live the Crandell Theatre
Following a $4.2 million renovation, the Jewel of Chatham’s Main Street is as relevant today as it was a century ago.
BY STACEY MORRIS
SCREEN TIME “There’s something different about seeing a film in the company of others,” says Mirissa Neff, the Crandell Theatre’s executive director. “You experience emotions together, and it’s palpable. You can’t replicate that in your living room, at a multiplex, or on a laptop”; (inset) a postcard depicting Chatham’s Main Street in the 1920s.
f you grew up in or around Chatham, you likely have fond memories of the Crandell Theatre. With its iconic marquee, thick curtains, and vintage soda machine that shot out water and syrup separately, the Crandell has been captivating movie-goers of all ages for the last century. And now, with a new executive director, a multi-million-dollar makeover, and a centennial celebration on the horizon, the Jewel of Main Street is poised to delight moviegoers—and arts patrons—for the next 100 years.
Designed in the Spanish Renaissance style by Glens Falls architect Louis L. Wetmore, the Crandell Theatre was the brainchild of Chatham native and civic leader Walter S. Crandell. It opened on Christmas Day of 1926 with a screening of the silent film Michael Strogoff; tickets were a whopping 30 cents. Three years later, equipment was added so “talkies” could be screened, and operations continued under various owners, including longtime operator Dayton LaPointe and later Anthony Quirino, a Chatham native whose first job was rewinding film reels at the Crandell in 1932 when he was 9 years old. After serving in WWII, Quirino returned to Chatham to be the theater’s projectionist, eventually purchasing the business in 1960. In 1985, his son, Anthony Quirino Jr., purchased the theater from his parents and ran it until his death in 2010.
For a time, the future of the theater was in limbo, but a community-led effort raised $600,000 to save the building. Six months later, the Crandell reopened as a 501(c)(3) theater; Quirino Sr., who outlived his son,
cut the ribbon at the grand reopening. In 2017, the year Quirino Sr. died, the Crandell Theatre was added to the State and National Register of Historic Places.
In November 2024, two years before its centennial, the theater closed to the public for some long-overdue cosmetic and structural improvements. Thanks to a successful $4.2 million capital campaign championed by
(Neff) JOHN SHEA
CRANDELL LIT (clockwise, from top left) Executive Director Mirissa Neff was hired in July of this year; new seats were part of the theater’s renovation; new footlights were also added; actor Walton Goggins (at right) was honored at the 2024 FilmColumbia festival; actor and filmmaker Brian Cox (at right) at a 2023 Q&A at the Crandell; (opposite, from top) the theater in the 1940s; the opening night poster from Christmas Day 1926.
actor Brian Cox, who plays Logan Roy on the acclaimed HBO series Succession and appeared at the Chatham theater for an onstage Q&A in 2023, the Crandell reopened this past October to much fanfare.
“It’s a thrilling time for the Crandell and for the village of Chatham as a whole to get its crown jewel back,” says Mirissa Neff, the theater’s executive director. The centerpiece of the renovation is a brand-new, retractable screen, which will allow the auditorium to serve as more of a multi-purpose space. “Movies and fostering a love for film will always be central to our mission,” Neff says. “But now we can do more.”
Neff’s involvement with the historic theater began shortly after she moved to Chatham in 2020. She and her partner were raising their then-3-year-old son, and Neff proposed the idea of a children’s film program to the Crandell’s then-director, Annie Brody. That suggestion led to “Kid Flicks,” a program that screens children’s movies on the fourth Saturday of the month from January–April. The $5 admission includes the movie as well as educational activities related to the film’s theme.
“I fell in love with the Crandell and wanted to get involved in a meaningful way and build community,” says Neff, who was eventually invited to be on the theater’s board of directors. She went on to become vice president of programming, and on July 1 of this year, was named the organization’s executive director.
At its October 15 grand reopening ribbon-cutting, the Crandell debuted not only its new retractable screen, but new seats, remodeled and expanded bathrooms, an improved sound system, a larger lobby space, and a new café, too. Two days later, FilmColumbia kicked off its 25th anniversary festival—10 days of national and international films, animated features, documentaries, and short films. Now, films are screened at the Crandell five days a week, including on Community Wednesdays, when members of the Chatham community can get in for just $6. This winter, Crandell Live!, a popular Q&A series featuring all sorts of luminaries, from actors and filmmakers to writers, will return.
But Neff is most excited about the theater’s expanded menu of programs and performances, including a collaboration
with PS21 Center for Contemporary Performance called “The Dark” that celebrates winter in innovative ways, both indoors and out. “To be able to offer all kinds of programming—literary, theatrical, and educational—is a dream,” she says.
All this is happening at a time when Chatham’s larger arts scene is seeing a collective rise in the tide. The Shaker Museum, which itself is celebrating 75 years, is building a new permanent location on Austerlitz Street that will open in 2028 and house the country’s most comprehensive collection of Shaker culture and archives.
And in 2026, Art Omi, the arts center in nearby Ghent, is planning to open Art Omi Pavilions @ Chatham, a 190-acre hilltop site
that will display stand-alone exhibitions of distinguished artists and collectors in 18 individual pavilions. Add in PS21, which also recently hired a new executive director, and the newly renovated Crandell, and Chatham is becoming a bona fide arts destination.
It’s also happening at a time when communities across the country are rallying to save the theaters at which generations of Americans grew up. Neff estimates there to be around 54 historic, single-screen movie theaters left in the US. While many have been demolished entirely or converted into multiplex monoliths, some, such as the State Theatre in Washington, IA (opened in 1893), the Plaza 1907 Cinema in Ottowa, KS (established in 1907), and the Music Box Theatre in Chicago (built in 1929), are thriving as community movie theaters. The Crandell undoubtedly falls into that list.
“Single-screen movie theaters play an important role in community pride, in the arts, and in architectural preservation,” Neff says. “They’re a dying breed, but people are becoming aware of their significance and are desperate to keep these theaters.”
Actor Brian Cox, whose directorial debut, Glenrothan, was featured in this year’s FilmColumbia festival at the Crandell, agrees. “It’s so necessary to a community that we maintain and keep these places going,” he said in a video promoting the theater’s recent capital campaign.
“They’re vital. They’re our lifeblood.”
THEY’VE GOT IT COVERED Even Woodstock’s covered Middle Bridge sparkles during the holiday season.
on the road
Road to Joy
Three New England towns to visit before the new year.
BY KATHLEEN WILLCOX
There’s nothing like being home for the holidays—but there’s certainly something to be said about getting away in the days leading up to the holidays. Whether you’re desperately searching for your inner holly-jolly or you’re already decked out in head-to-toe tinsel and chugging a peppermint latte 24/7, there’s no better way to get in the holiday spirit than with a yuletide visit to one of these quintessential New England towns.
WOODSTOCK, VERMONT
Woodstock is worth a visit any time of the year, but the holidays are when the town truly shines (literally).
DON’T MISS: Wassail Weekend, held December 12–14 this year, is the pinnacle of holiday fun, with historic homes decorated in full holiday regalia, twinkling light displays, horse-drawn carriage rides through town, Victorian-themed celebrations, open-air holiday markets, adult beverages, live music, a parade, and more.
BUT ALSO: Even if you don’t make it to Wassail Weekend, the entire holiday season in Woodstock offers a tapestry of festive activities. Shopping for unique Vermont gifts, arts and crafts, fine jewelry, and more is always on the table, and from December 20–January 4, you can travel to Christmases past with firepits, hot cocoa, cider doughnuts, farm animal meet-and-greets, a bedecked farmhouse, and outdoor activities like snowshoeing at Billings Farm & Museum.
an onsite spa, four distinct restaurants serving farm-driven cuisine and innovative cocktails, Nordic skiing trails, an indoor pool, and sumptuous accommodations that honor the Inn’s connection to Laurance Rockefeller.
STAY AWHILE: The centrally located and petfriendly Woodstock Inn & Resort boasts
Wassail Weekend
FREEPORT, MAINE
Freeport offers 37 miles of tidal coastline, inspiring galleries, more than 3,000 acres of preserved land for outdoor fun, craft beer, and outlet shopping galore.
DON’T MISS: The Sparkle Celebration has become one of Maine’s signature annual events, and this year’s festivities kick off on December 5 with a Parade of Lights. The evening concludes with Santa arriving just in time to animate the talking Christmas tree, and the celebration continues through the 14th.
BUT ALSO: Once you’ve chatted with enough elves and gotten your fill of hot cocoa, you’ll want to stock up on gifts at L.L. Bean’s flagship store (open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year), grab deals at outlet stores (like Ralph Lauren and Patagonia), and peruse some of Freeport’s top boutique apparel stores (check out Rustic Arrow for new additions to your winter wardrobe and Wilbur’s of Maine Chocolate Confections to satisfy your sweet tooth).
STAY AWHILE: The historic Harraseeket Inn feels like a destination unto itself, but it’s just a heartbeat away from downtown. There are 90plus rooms, suites, and townhouses to choose from, plus an indoor pool and an onsite
restaurant that showcases locally grown fare with global inspiration. It’s all well within walking distance of the town’s many shops, galleries, watering holes, and restaurants.
STOCKBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS
Nestled in the Berkshires, Stockbridge is known for many things, including top-notch cultural attractions that rival sophisticated urban centers, stunning trails for skiing and snowshoeing, historic homes, and—oh, yeah—a classic New England holiday festival.
DON’T MISS: Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas formally runs December 6–7, though its impact spills out on both ends of the action-packed weekend. The fun begins with a Historic Holiday Property Tour, followed by a holiday concert and group sing-along on Saturday. And on Sunday, the main event: Main Street is transformed into what Norman Rockwell saw when he painted the iconic work for
which the holiday celebration is named. There’ll be antique cars parked, festive activities, Victorian Carolers, food, and seasonal beverages.
BUT ALSO: Can’t get there that weekend? The joyful air of holiday cheer remains through the holidays; you’ll definitely want to visit the Norman Rockwell Museum, check out one of the many studios and galleries, or get an adult beverage at Berkshire Mountain Distillers.
STAY AWHILE: The Red Lion Inn offers rooms at the historic inn itself, plus guest cottage stays. And then there’s the inn’s self-guided art and history tours, seasonal live music events, heated outdoor pool and hot tub, spa, and one-off special events like magic shows and murder mystery weekends. Make sure to check out the afternoon tea service, and later, the Lion’s Den, a speakeasy under the inn with classic pub fare, local brews and hand-crafted cocktails. The inn also has a floristry and home boutique store as well as a shop with jewelry and accouterments for the home.
L.L.Bean
The Sparkle Celebration
Norman Rockwell Museum
Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas
’Tis the Season… to Be Out and About
16 ways to channel your inner holiday spirit in the Capital Region. BY
CIERRA ORLYK
NOVEMBER 22
Polar Plunge
SHEPARD PARK, LAKE GEORGE
Get a thrill—and chill—in the name of supporting those with intellectual disabilities at this fundraising event for Special Olympics New York. Register as an individual or with a team, school, or organization and come ready in your suit (with a change of clothes for after!).
Whether you dip in a toe or your whole body, you’re helping a great cause. lakegeorge.com
NOVEMBER 22
56th Annual Holiday Parade
DOWNTOWN SCHENECTADY
Ring in the holiday season with sparkling floats and glimmering firetrucks at Schenectady’s annual nighttime holiday parade. Complete with marching bands, dance troupes, and Santa Claus, the parade is the perfect occasion to bundle up with a warm beverage and watch the spirit of the season come to life. schenectadycountyny.gov
NOVEMBER 29
Downtown Community Tree Lighting
DOWNTOWN ALBANY
Marking the official start of the holiday season in Albany, the downtown tree lighting will bring together 518ers from near and far. Expect a celebration with music, hot cocoa, caroling, and a countdown to see the tree come to life. albanydowntown.com
We offer complete
and repair services, including oil changes, brake repairs, NYS inspections, tires, electrical repairs, tune ups and more.
Our superior and professional customer service is supported by high recommendations and repeat business.
FLOAT ON Schenectady’s annual holiday parade; (above) supporters of the Special Olympics make the Polar Plunge at Lake George’s Shepard Park.
NOVEMBER 30
Cirque Dreams Holidaze
PROCTORS, SCHENECTADY
A holiday spectacular for the whole family, Cirque Dreams Holidaze will soar into Proctors for one night only. Expect captivating characters, original music, and dazzling scenery from this production that blends Broadway style with contemporary circus arts. atproctors.org
DECEMBER 4
Victorian Streetwalk
DOWNTOWN SARATOGA SPRINGS
Broadway will close to traffic and transform into a world of holiday festivities at this annual Spa City tradition. Check out the Festival of Trees at the Saratoga Springs City Center, see Saratoga’s Christmas tree light up, visit Santa Claus, and enjoy live music, entertainment, and vendors at this iconic event. saratogaspringsdowntown.com
DECEMBER 5
Merry on the Mountain
WEST MOUNTAIN, QUEENSBURY
Head to the mountain for an evening of mingling and jingling featuring a tree-lighting ceremony, cookie decorating, ornament making, selfies with Santa, a s’mores bar, a bonfire, the opportunity to build your own bundle of greens, holiday music, and more. Adults will also have access to a cash bar featuring holiday cocktails like Hot Toddies and Jingle Juice. westmountain.com
DECEMBER
5
Christkindlmarkt on The Farm
WILLOW-MARSH FARM STORE, BALLSTON SPA
Europe will meet Saratoga County at this fourth annual event from Willow-Marsh Farm Store. With a theme of “Fun on the Farm,” the evening will feature unique gifts, food, and live music under festive lights. Be sure to check out the traveling bar, bonfire, and for those who are young (or young at heart), the tractor-pulled hayrides. willow-marshfarmstore.com
DECEMBER 5–7
Adirondack Holiday Festival
DOWNTOWN GLENS FALLS
Celebrate the holidays Adirondack-style at this weekend-long event, which kicks off on Friday with a parade, the lighting of the community tree, and visits from Santa Claus. Each day will feature vendors selling everything from cozy winter apparel to locally-made treats—perfect holiday gifts for the special ones in your life. glensfallscollaborative.com
DECEMBER 5–20
A Very FAIRY
Christmas Village
ALTAMONT FAIRGROUNDS
On Fridays and Saturdays leading up to Christmas, the Altamont Fairgrounds will transform into a Christmas village complete with local craftspeople and artisans. Admission is free, and activities are available à la carte, including s’mores roasting, photos with Santa, horse and wagon rides, a hot cocoa bar (with boozy options for those 21+), ornament making, and more. altamontfair.com
DECEMBER
6
GUS’S HOT DOGS
Proudly serving mini hot dogs and hamburgers with our famous meat sauce for over 70 years! Place your order online and have the iconic flavor of Gus’s delivered from our window to your door.
After last year’s uncertainty regarding the future of Hudson’s signature holiday season festival, Winter Walk is back for sure in 2025. Head to Warren Street for shopping, treats, fireworks, and street performers, and don’t forget to stop by Hudson Hall, which will offer a “sleigh-full” of art, music, and entertainment for the whole family. visithudsonny.com
DECEMBER
6
Holiday Makers Market
THE INNOVATION CENTER AT SARATOGA Saratoga County’s newest makerspace will usher in the holiday season with a festive market featuring handcrafted items and gifts, live demos, and workshops. A raffle of artisan items will also take place. Stop by, support local, and immerse yourself in some holiday cheer! innovationcentersaratoga.org
DECEMBER 6–27
DECEMBER 7
42nd Annual Troy Victorian Stroll
DOWNTOWN TROY
Step back in time to the Victorian era at this Troy holiday tradition, which will feature festive activities, entertainment, decorations, food, and hot drinks spread throughout the downtown area. There will truly be something for everyone—including the long-gone but never-forgotten Victorian visitors you may see joining in on the fun. victorianstroll.com
DECEMBER
7
Christmas by the River
RIVERSIDE PARK, COXSACKIE
Festival of Trees
SCHENECTADY HISTORICAL MUSEUM
Lighten up your holiday season by viewing 70-plus artistically decorated fir trees— each glowing with the Christmas spirit in its own unique way. Attendees will have the chance to vote for their top choices in nine categories, including cutest, most glamorous, and most creative tree. All proceeds support the Schenectady County Historical Society. schenectadyhistorical.org
The true spirit of Christmas will be on full display at Coxsackie’s Christmas by the River, an annual event complete with festive lights, photos with Santa, carolers, shopping, and food. Last year, local businesses in the quaint town joined in the holiday fun by decorating Christmas trees with a likeness to their business. greatnortherncatskills.com
DECEMBER 9
Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland
PALACE THEATRE, ALBANY
This all-new production blends world-class circus artistry with beloved holiday hits, resulting in an entrancing experience you’ll remember for many holiday seasons to come. Perfect for the whole family, Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland will transport you to another world and keep you on the edge of your seat with breathtaking feats. palacealbany.org
DECEMBER 17–20
Holiday Stockade Stroll
DOWNTOWN SCHENECTADY
Commencing at the Schenectady Historical Museum, this walking tour—offered on just four December evenings at 5:30pm—guides participants through the lights and festivities of the Stockade District. Guests can enjoy warm beverages while learning how past generations of residents celebrated the holiday season. schenectadyhistorical.org
calendar // horoscope // recipe // crossword
JUST DESSERTS Bakewell is a traditional British dessert that consists of a shortcrust base, jam, and a frangipane filling.
On December 4 from 6-9pm, WAMC’s Sarah LaDuke will be joined at SPAC by baker, LGBTQ+ activist, and TV personality Justin Burke for the latest event in the CulinaryArts@SPAC series: Potluck Desserts to Share with Pride. The evening will feature Champagne and cocktails, pastries by local chefs, and slab pies from Burke’s new cookbook, Potluck Desserts. Try your hand at this recipe from the cookbook, and get your tickets to Burke’s event before they’re gone.
CITRUS BAKEWELL SERVES 9-16
INGREDIENTS
for the crust
1⅔ cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon powdered sugar
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
1 egg yolk
½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
2-3 tablespoons water, ice cold
FOR THE FILLING
¾ cup granulated sugar zest of 1 orange zest of 1 lemon
1¼ cups unsalted butter, room temperature
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1½ cups almond flour
1½ cups marmalade
½ cup sliced almonds powdered sugar, for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Prepare the crust. Using a food processor, pulse together the flour, powdered sugar, and salt until just combined. Add the egg yolk and pulse to combine.
2. Add the cubed cold butter and pulse until the mixture is coarse, like wet beach sand. Add the cold water a tablespoon at a time and pulse a few times until the mixture barely comes together. The dough will be crumbly.
3. Lay out a piece of plastic wrap on the counter long enough to wrap the dough. Dump the dough in the center of the plastic wrap. Carefully pull each side of the plastic wrap, one side at a time over the dough, making a straight, clean edge (you’re trying to form the dough into a square). Once covered, gently press down on the dough with your hands to compress the dough together. Use your hands to mold the sides of the dough into a square. Chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour or overnight.
4. Preheat your oven to 350 °F, spray a 9-by-9inch (or 8-by-8-inch) pan with baking spray and line with parchment paper both ways so all four sides have an overhang. Set aside.
5. Remove the dough from the refrigerator and dust a clean surface with flour. With a floured rolling pin, gently roll out the dough to ¼ inch thick. Don’t worry if the dough cracks; you can use leftover dough to fill in the cracks. Cut a 10-by-10-inch square from the dough and carefully place in the prepared pan, folding the overhang up the side of the pan, making a little border around the edges. Prick the dough with a fork in several areas (this prevents it from rising too much) and blind bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the dough is lightly golden brown.
6. Meanwhile, prepare the frangipane filling. In a medium bowl, add the sugar, orange zest, and lemon zest. With your fingers, rub the zests and sugar together until combined to release the zests’ natural oils. The sugar will turn slightly orange. Add the butter, and with an electric hand mixer, cream together until light and fluffy, two to three minutes.
7. Stop the mixer and add the eggs and vanilla. Mix until combined, about one minute. With a rubber spatula, fold in the almond flour until evenly combined. Set aside.
8. Once the crust has blind baked, remove from the oven and spread the marmalade evenly over the bottom. Top the marmalade layer with the frangipane, spreading in an even layer. Bake for 30 minutes.
9. Remove from the oven and sprinkle almonds over the top; return to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes or until the top is golden brown and visibly dry. Cool completely on a wire rack.
10. Before serving, remove the Bakewell from the pan using the parchment overhangs and portion. Dust with powdered sugar.
Signs of the Times
BY CHANTAL MARIE
ILLUSTRATIONS BY ROBERT RISKO
SAGITTARIUS
NOVEMBER 22–DECEMBER 21
It’s your season, Sagittarius, and you’re shining bright. This is a time of expansion, connection, and dreaming big. Your social life may be buzzing with opportunities to connect with new people and communities that align with your vision for the future. You’re being encouraged to think about the bigger picture and how your dreams fit into the collective. At the same time, don’t forget to honor your inner world. Quiet reflection will keep you grounded while your spirit is soaring. Balance the adventure with moments of stillness, and you’ll thrive.
CAPRICORN
DECEMBER 22–JANUARY 19
Your ambitions are being spotlighted, Capricorn, and this is your time to step into greater visibility. Career, public image, and long-term goals are all highlighted, and you may feel more driven than ever to go after what you want. Just remember that it’s not all about climbing higher—it’s about making sure the ladder is leaning against the right wall. Relationships and friendships also come into focus now, showing you those who support your growth and those who may be holding you back. Move with clarity and trust your inner compass.
AQUARIUS
JANUARY 20–FEBRUARY 18
You’re craving expansion, Aquarius, and this season is bringing you opportunities to grow beyond your current limits. Whether through travel, study, or spiritual exploration, your world is opening up. This is a chance to step outside of your comfort zone and embrace new perspectives that inspire you. At the same time, your career and long-term goals are calling for attention, asking you to weave your newfound insights into practical plans. Big visions need strong foundations; don’t be afraid to dream, but stay grounded as you build.
PISCES
FEBRUARY 19–MARCH 20
ARIES
MARCH 21–APRIL 19
There’s no avoiding the spotlight now, Aries. All the work you’ve been doing behind the scenes is starting to show, and the world is ready to see you step into this next version of yourself. The drive to grow stronger and build something lasting is fueling you, and your confidence is magnetic. Relationships may also ask more of your attention. Partners, close friends, and collaborators are all mirrors right now, reflecting where you’ve grown and where there’s still work to be done. Allow the lessons to guide you, not discourage you. You’re becoming who you’ve always known you could be.
TAURUS
APRIL 20–MAY 20
It’s a season of deepening for you, Taurus, and it might feel like your inner world is lit up by a spotlight. The themes of healing, health, and self-care are front and center, and you’re being asked to truly honor your body and your energy. What needs more attention? What needs release? Beyond that, partnerships are calling your name too; love, collaboration, and commitments of all kinds are highlighted. You are learning how to balance your independence with intimacy. When you show up with authenticity, the right people show up for you in return.
GEMINI
MAY 21–JUNE 20
This season is full of sparks for you, sweet Gemini. Love, creativity, joy, and inspiration are flowing in abundance, and you’re being encouraged to soak it all in. Whether through romance, new hobbies, or rediscovering what makes you come alive, there’s magic all around you now. You’re also being asked to think about the balance between fun and responsibility, especially when it comes to work, health, and the day-to-day routines that keep your life steady. Find ways to bring joy into the ordinary and let your inner child lead the way.
Your heart is taking you deeper now, Pisces. This season brings themes of transformation, intimacy, and emotional truth. You may be releasing old fears and finding the courage to let others see you in a more vulnerable way. Money and shared resources may also be highlighted, asking you to trust more in the flow of give and take. At the same time, your soul is craving inspiration and expansion. Learning, travel, or new experiences could open doors to wisdom you didn’t even know you were seeking. Allow yourself to grow in both depth and breadth.
CANCER
JUNE 21-JULY 22
Your heart is guiding the way, Cancer, and right now it’s pointing you toward home, family, and your deepest sense of belonging. This is the time to nurture your foundations and reconnect with what makes you feel safe. You may also feel the urge to step into leadership or take bigger risks in your career; it’s about finding harmony between your inner world and your outer ambitions. Remember, the stronger your roots, the taller you grow. Trust yourself to build both the cozy nest and the grand vision.
SENATE MAJORITY Did you know that both New York State Senators are Sagittariuses? Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer will celebrate his 75th birthday on November 23, and Kirsten Gillibrand will turn 59 a couple of weeks later on December 9.
LEO
JULY 23–AUGUST 22
The winds of change are swirling around you, Leo, and your mind is lit up with possibilities. You’re being encouraged to seek out new perspectives, whether through learning, travel, or opening yourself up to fresh ideas. Communication plays a big role right now. What you say and how you say it carries more weight than usual, so choose your words wisely. At the same time, your home and family life may be asking for more of your energy. Big decisions might be on the horizon, but you don’t have to rush. Let clarity come naturally.
VIRGO
AUGUST 23–SEPTEMBER 22
Security is a theme for you right now, Virgo, both emotional and financial. You may be focusing more on money, stability, and resources, but this season is reminding you that true wealth is more than numbers: It’s also about your values and what truly matters to you. This is a powerful time to release old fears around not having enough and to trust that abundance flows when you’re aligned with your heart. Your voice also matters now, so speak your truth, share your ideas, and don’t hold back from conversations that matter.
LIBRA
SEPTEMBER 23–OCTOBER 22
All eyes are on you, Libra. This is a season of self-discovery and renewal as you step into a brighter, bolder version of yourself. You may feel pulled to focus more on your personal goals and identity, and that’s exactly what you should be doing. This is not selfishness. It’s alignment. At the same time, money and resources are also highlighted, so consider rethinking what you value and how you invest your time, energy, and finances. Don’t be afraid to claim what you’re worth. The universe is reminding you that you are more than enough.
SCORPIO
OCTOBER 23–NOVEMBER 21
This season feels quiet for you, Scorpio. Not in a stagnant way, but in a deeply healing way. You’re being asked to rest, to reflect, and to listen to your inner wisdom. Dreams may be especially vivid, and intuition is your most powerful tool now. Pay attention to the subtle signs and nudges. You’re preparing for a rebirth in the months ahead, and this cocooning time is part of the process. Trust that by honoring your rest, you’re actually setting yourself up for major growth. The future is waiting, but for now, your soul craves peace.
CHANTAL MARIE is a full-time astrologer, tarot reader, and life coach. Find her full list of services on her website: akashiccrystalhealing.com
Zappia & Fryer is a womenowned and operated business by two sisters, Drs. Kendra Zappia and Morgan Fryer. For the past 15 years, Drs. Zappia and Fryer have provided comprehensive dental treatment for patients of all ages. They believe in customized care in a relaxed and friendly environment. Warm hand mitts, massaging chairs, and their relaxation room are comforts offered while you receive excellent treatment with the most up to date dental technology.
Rosemary Sweet Potatoes
with Crispy Sage Garnish
Perfect for weeknights or festive gatherings, this cozy, colorful side dish celebrates the season’s best flavors – and it’s ready in just 30 minutes.
•1/4 to 1/2 cup So Delicious® Dairy Free Coconut Milk, Unsweetened
•1/8 tsp. freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
Dietitian’s Tip
Directions
1.Place sweet potatoes in a large saucepan; cover with cold water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover loosely, and gently boil until tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Drain and return to saucepan.
2.While sweet potatoes cook, prepare the sage. Line a plate with paper towels. In a small saucepan, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat until hot. Add sage leaves 2 to 3 at a time; cook until crispy, 3 to 4 seconds – they cook very quickly and can burn easily. Using a slotted spoon, remove from oil and place on paper towels. Sprinkle with 1/8 tsp. of the salt.
3. Add any remaining oil used to fry the sage to the sweet potatoes, along with rosemary, coconut milk, pepper and remaining 1/8 tsp. salt; mash until almost no lumps remain.
4. Transfer to a serving bowl, garnish with crispy sage leaves and serve.
These vegan mashed potatoes are flavored with herbs to create a low-sodium dish that adds fiber, beta carotene and more to your day.
Nutritional Information
Amount per serving: Calories 120; Total Fat 7 g; Saturated Fat 1 g; Cholesterol 0 mg; Sodium 110 mg; Carbohydrate 13 g; Dietary Fiber 2 g; Sugar 3 g; Added Sugar 0 g; Protein 1 g
We’re committed to supporting your health and wellness goals. Our team of registered dietitians offer free nutritional services online and in-store.
MAKES 8 SERVINGS
Thank you to our sponsors for partnering with Hannaford to offer free dietitian services. Visit hannaford.com/dietitians to learn more.
Deck the Halls
BY NATALIE MOORE
ACROSS
1. Abstain from eating
5. ___ Pulitzer (clothing company)
10. Belly-first dive
14. Renaissance era music-maker
15. Come up
16. 46-across concert, perhaps
17. First place?
18. Nonserious illnesses
19. Last word?
20. Singer known for her hair
21. Italian stratovolcano
22. Legal claims on a property
23. Many a radio tune, this time of year
27. What a peanut is not, oddly
28. Pool unit
29. Say moo, say
32. Stand the test of time
35. High School Musical heartthrob Zac
38. Like some ales
39. Panic! at the Disco’s Brendon
40. Cheerleader’s syllable
41. D oes 2+2
42. One of two in soccer
43. Buddhist leaders
45. No, to Stalin
46. Techno, for example (abbr.)
47. Cosmetic company
48. Boy
50. 23-Across hinted at by this clue’s shaded letters
56. Place of refuge
59. Garden tools
60. Be sick
61. Madonna, in pop culture
62. Company certified for social impact, for short
64. Woman’s name sometime spelled without the last letter
65. There are two in basketball
66. Code of dots and dashes
67. Frozen movie theater libation
68. It sets down roots
69. Word before circle or tube
70. Possible result of a fender bender
DOWN
1. S oft tissue
2. The A in AV
3. Great price
4. X, to Caesar
5. Produce milk
6 Figure of speech involving contradiction
7. Purple plant
8. It’ll take you on a trip
9. Say ___ to the Dress
10. Feeble
11. Dull
12. Let it cook
13. Writing utensils
21. Ending for siena. or sage.
22. Cut off, as a branch
24. Massive US tech corp., or what its microprocessors hold
25. Lilo’s greeting
26. Entered a race
29. Woman
30. Saratoga’s ___ Bryan Inn
31. Word before Elm or Virginia
32. Sliding sport
33. Former NYY slugger
34. Rensselaer’s Sri ___ Thai Restaurant
36. Extract oil, say
37. Aries symbol
38. Bamboo eater
43. Lake George’s ___ du Saint Sacrement
44. Espionage operative, maybe
47. Approximately half the population
49. O ohs and ___ 50. Closely
Thank you for your continued support
51. Rose’s defense
52. Man o’ War, for one
53. Spear-like weapon
54. Lightweight clothing material
55. Winter y precipitation
56. This is a ___
57. Maker of 13-Down and more
58. Cast a ballot
62. O besity indicator, for short
63. It’s not a pro
64. Assist
We would be honored if you nominated us this year to help us achieve our 10th consecutive BESTIE award!
Elsasser’s Beim 111
111 Main Street, Greenwich | 518.531.4777 | elsassers111.com
Did you know you can get authentic Alsatian food, which blends French and German culinary traditions, right in Washington County? Elsasser’s Beim 111 is the brainchild of Manhattanite and Saratoga sommelier Christopher Bischoff, who has curated an impressive menu including Sauerbraten, Schnitzel, Spätzle, Cordon Bleu, and Flammkuchen. Stop by the cozy dining room for dinner and a drink, or on your way home from skiing in Vermont. Bring your Epic or Ikon ski pass with you for 10 percent off food.
It doesn’t get much more local than bellying up to the bar at the New Scotland Spirits Tasting Room, a Prohibition Era–style whiskey lounge that serves up cocktails infused with the brand’s New York–made spirits, plus wine, beer, cider, and mead. Named for the largely Scottish region located west of Albany, New Scotland Spirits is a homegrown company with a statewide presence. Open Wednesday-Sunday.
FOOD & DRINK GUIDE
Shadow 66 Restaurant
Celadon Thai Restaurant
47 Old Post Road, Ghent | 518.320.8566 | @shadow66restaurant
Authentic, upscale French cuisine meets Columbia County charm at Shadow 66, Ghent’s go-to spot for a dining experience to remember. Your journey to France begins with a signature cocktail—try the Oil Change or the Citroen, named for the restaurant’s vintage auto museum vibe. Next up? Your choice of mouthwatering dishes, from Moroccan Couscous Royal and Croque Madame to Duck Confit and Jumbo Crab Salad. Then, finish things off with the pièce de resistance: Les Profiteroles, a French cream puff. Open Wednesday-Sunday.
Searching for authentic Thai food right here in the 518? Look no further than Celadon, home of the Capital Region’s best Thai cuisine. Offering a curated selection of favorites like Pad Thai, Drunken Noodles, Panang Curry, and Pad See Ew, Celadon has become known for its friendly staff, delicious food, and reasonable prices. With two locations in the Capital Region, Celadon is a no-brainer for takeout, delivery, or in-person dining for both lunch and dinner.
Park & Elm
19 Park Street, Glens Falls | 518.480.3220
parkandelm.com
Whether you need breakfast, lunch or dinner—or a handful of ingredients to make your own delicious meal—Park & Elm has you covered. Opened in late 2022, the Glens Falls establishment is a market, deli, and restaurant, all under one roof. In the market, you’ll find a foodie’s paradise stocked with locally sourced produce, frozen seafood, curated butcher offerings, house-baked bread and pastries, local and imported cheeses, and specialty goods, plus a deli counter at which you can order salads, sandwiches and pre-made meals. As for the restaurant, it boasts a contemporary American menu that showcases a melting pot of culinary influences, from French to Italian. (Red Wine Braised Lamb Shank? Yes, please!) And that’s not all: If you want the flavors of Park & Elm at your next event, catering packages are available, as are intimate rental spaces, perfect for your upcoming holiday party.
If you’re a pizza fanatic with a fried chicken addiction, we’ve found your newest obsession. Meet West Ave Pizza and West Ave Chicken, two neighboring restaurants on—you guessed it, West Avenue—that recently combined to create the ultimate Spa City foodie destination. Locals know West Ave serves up some of the best pizza in Saratoga (think pepperoni and hot honey, Long Island spinach white pizza, and a “Tie Dye” pie that comes with pesto, vodka, and marinara sauces), and Barstool Sports President Dave Portnoy agrees; in one of his infamous one-bite pizza reviews, he gave the spot a very respectable score of 7.3 out of 10.
But pizza is only the beginning of the story. Stop by West Ave on Thursdays for their Pasta Party special, on Wednesdays for the Sub-Sational steak or shrimp sub special; or any day of the week for other Italian entrees, wraps, hot and cold subs, calzones, strombolis, wings, salads, and appetizers. In the mood for something different? The West Ave Chicken menu is also available; don’t sleep on the sandwiches, including the Classico (fried chicken, pickles, house sauce), Cuban (ham, pork, pickles, Swiss cheese, mustard), and Buffalo (fried chicken, L.T.O., pickles, bleu cheese, buffalo sauce.)
In other words, whatever you’re craving, West Ave has it.
FOOD & DRINK GUIDE
JEIGHTY-EIGHT DOGS
BY JOHN GRAY
oshua was nearly 12 and didn’t believe in Santa, but that didn’t mean the holidays weren’t a big deal. I mean, who doesn’t like presents? That Christmas, though, this sweet boy would go on to teach an entire town the true spirit of giving.
Joshua’s mom worked part time at the animal shelter, and Joshua liked to tag along on Saturdays, helping fill the water dishes.
After his chores, he’d walk by the long line of cages and count the puppies and dogs who needed adoption. The number fluctuated, but a few days before Christmas, it was 88. Joshua liked to talk to the dogs, proclaiming that if he had the power, he would open the gates and set them free.
As a reward for helping his mom at the shelter, Joshua would get two dollars that he could take to the store to buy candy; peanut M&Ms were his favorite.
The drive home always took them the same way, and Joshua noticed that at one particular red light there was often the same man standing with a sign asking for money. He wore tattered pants, a floppy hat, and a green army jacket that was two sizes too big.
When Joshua asked his mom why she never rolled the window down to offer spare
change, she told him that the man would likely use the money to buy alcohol or something that wasn’t good for him.
Just beyond the stoplight was a small convenience store where Joshua’s mother would pull over, allowing him to get his candy.
On this day, much to his mother’s surprise, Joshua came back out of the store holding a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
“We have food at home,” she said, to which Joshua replied, “It’s not for me.”
well-dressed man with neatly combed hair, waiting by the front desk.
Joshua’s mother didn’t see it right away, but Joshua did.
His mother was stunned when her little boy walked down the block to that traffic light and introduced himself to the man holding the sign, handing him the sandwich. She was even more surprised when she saw Joshua chatting with the man like they were old friends, even laughing as Joshua pointed back down the road from where they had just come.
“Were you telling him your life story?” she asked, as Joshua got back in the car.
“No,” he replied. “I was just telling him how I help at the shelter and about the 88 dogs.”
On Christmas Eve, Joshua’s mother received a phone call and was told to come to the shelter and to be certain to bring her kind son. When they arrived, they saw a
“How was your sandwich?” he asked.
“It was wonderful,” the man responded, with a wide smile. It was the seemingly homeless man who they saw standing with that sign every Saturday. The man explained that he was actually quite wealthy and for many years lost his way in life. For his decades of avarice and selfishness, his selfimposed penance was to spend two hours each Saturday morning, putting himself in the shoes of the needy and donating the money he was given to charity.
He was so moved by Joshua’s kindness that he decided to come to the shelter and pay the adoption fees for all 88 dogs, plus money for their first vet visit—a total of nearly $50,000 dollars.
When word of his gift made the evening news, the shelter was flooded with applications, and each and every dog was adopted out by New Year’s Day. Eighty-eight dogs, all saved by a boy, a heart, and some peanut butter and jelly.
Smith & Gil Beanies
UNION HALL SUPPLY CO.
These cozy beanies are made for winter adventures. Choose the design that best fits the winter warrior in your life—playful skiers, cozy cabins, or retro snowflakes. $26 | unionhallsupplyco.com
Decorative Gourds
LAKESIDE FARMS
Handcrafted in Carlisle, PA, a gourd from Meadowbrook Gourds is the whimsical piece of home décor your loved ones didn’t know they needed
$50-$65 | lakesidefarmscidermill.com
Crystal Soy Candle
STONE CORNER MINERALS
Handmade with natural amethyst and cleansing clary sage, this Crystal Soy Candle is the perfect gift for peace and destressing. $20 | stonecornerminerals.com
Assorted Holiday Paintings
THE SPECKLED HEN
With all the warmth of a real candle, this painting is sure to light up the home of whomever you’re buying for. Bonus: They won’t have to remember to blow it out!
$34.98-$69.99 | facebook.com/thespeckledhenscotia
Assorted Jewelry
TRULY RHE
Give the gift that always fits: jewelry! These colorful, eclectic pieces were made for the woman who’s not afraid to wear her personality on her sleeve…or neck!
$15-$49 facebook.com/ TrulyRhe
Tequila Reposado
CURAMIA TEQUILA
Look for Curamia at your local liquor store, or shop online for this additivefree reposado with warm notes of vanilla and baked apples.
$47.99 curamiatequila.com
Assorted Candles
THE THOUGHTFUL GARDNER
The Thoughtful Gardener, located just south of Saratoga Springs, makes small-batch, hand-poured soy candles that come in jars and wooden bowls alike. Jars: $25 | Wooden Bowls: $5 | thoughtfulgardner.com
Italian Heritage Flavors
FORTUNA SAUSAGE
Whether buying for a born-and-bred Italian or simply an Italian food fanatic, you can’t go wrong with this collection of soppresata, marinara sauce, cured olives, and more. $112.95 | fortunasausage.com
Blue Topaz Desire Bracelet
JOYELLES JEWELERS
From the studio of luxury jewelry designer E.L. Designs: this sterling silver, 7mm faceted blue topaz bracelet with an easy-to-use hook closure. $520 | joyellesjewelers.com
Waxed
Amaryllis
Bulb
HEWITT’S GARDEN CENTERS
These vibrant plants need no dirt or water—aka, they make a great gift even for those without a green thumb! Just set the waxed bulb on a window sill and enjoy. $16.99-$19.99 hewitts.com
Modgy Origami Lanterns
CROSS EYED OWL
Light up your loved one’s holiday with a rechargeable origami lantern that emits a warm, dimmable light and comes in a variety of patterns, both for the holiday and the everyday. $35 | crosseyedowl.com
Find Me in Saratoga
A wise duck and a mischievous squirrel lead young readers around Saratoga Springs, NY in this new children’s book by Patrice Mastrianni. $16.99 findmeinsaratoga.com
