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Established 2003
There are so many wonder‐ful, positive themes to this month's issue of Capital Region Living Magazine, and many revolve around an idea. That idea is caring for yourself by building a support system and knowing your limits…in everything in life, and that includes family, hol‐idays and of course illnesses when they occur. Which brings me to the first comments I would like to share with you on a subject that has been with me for the last several months.
Some time ago I wrote about my person‐al struggle with melanoma. The article, pub‐lished in 2012, was called Just wear darker pol‐ish. Since those days, and after recovering from my first surgeries I went happily along my way feeling I was cancer‐free. In August, I noticed some changes to the toe where my melanoma had been and rushed to my derma‐tologist. It turns out that the melanoma was back in a big way with five positive biopsies for malignancy. Since that point, I have been deal‐ing with the illness and under the incredible care of the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. I tell you this for two reasons; I want you to be
aware of nail cancer and how secretly it can lurk in your body under the disguise of a bruise or a pigmentation. It is rare, it is unknown by many, and it is dangerous. Please refer to the 2012 article at crlmag.com/just‐wear‐darker‐polish. In upcoming issues, I will write more about the disease as I am on a personal mis‐sion to be a "guiding light" when it comes to sublingual melanoma. I remain convinced that it is not as rare as we may be led to believe but rather underdiagnosed by many.
My second reason for telling you this is because I want to brag, so please forgive me. You would have never known that the past few issues of Capital Region Living Magazine have been made entirely possible by my staff. They are my friends, my family and so extraordinari‐ly talented and devoted. There are no words that Dan and I can express to capture our grati‐tude to them. It may be my letter and my name, but it is the CRL crew that deserves the credit.
So, I have learned a lot about allowing others to help you at times of need and letting go of control.
Beth Kruger's story this month about Parkinson's disease is so touching, and it's all about the theme that I mention as well. These folks battling Parkinson's Disease, are so inspi‐rational. Parkinson's Disease affects many, and
while great strides are being made, it is a harsh diagnosis and one that requires compassion and assistance.
Now, believe it or not, we are on the brink of the holidays and preserving the quality of life whether sick or not is so important. If you could skim the surface of your holiday season prep and rid yourself of many tasks that keep you from really enjoying your family and friends, wouldn't you do it? Of course, you would. I hope we have given you some ideas on how you can do so in our article about Thanksgiving dinner. Lastly, our Bestie ballot is contained with‐in these pages and ready for your votes. We have many old and some excellent new cate‐gories. Please take time to vote, as this annual vote is counted on by many for guidance and direction when it comes to people, places, and food in our communities. Our readers always surprise and astound us with their choices. Still smart in their decisions and genuinely consci‐entious in their picks.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone, happy November. Be kind to yourself in the hectic season ahead.
Gratefully yours, Vikki Moran
Holidays shine bright
in area parades, strolls, and activities
TTBy Beth Krueger
he greater Capital Region knows how to ring in the holidays. Over the decades, Schenectady, Hudson, Saratoga Springs, Troy, and Lake Placid have created special events that have been musts on the holiday activities lists for generations of area residents and visitors. This year, enjoy a repeat visit or experience the magic for the first time. To ensure you don’t miss anything, check out the schedules of events in advance for each holiday venue.
Photo by Dave Bigler davebigler.com
Saratoga Victorian Streetwalk
Schenectady
Annual Holiday Parade
November 17; 5pm dailygazette.com/holiday-parade
When the Annual Holiday Parade steps off this year, marchers and watchers will be enjoying a 50‐year tradition with a new name – Fidelis Care Holiday Parade, as the title sponsor. This largest evening parade in the Northeast drew more than 15,000 people last year. The parade, on the theme of Golden Anniversary 1968‐2018, will feature musicians, dancers, floats, vehicles, and Santa, who has made an appearance for a half century. In celebration of this milestone, floats are expected to be bedecked in lots of gold and glitter. Kick‐off is at Schenectady County Community College, finishing at Franklin Street. An added feature will be a fun time for kids and families from 2‐5pm downtown, with clowns, face painters, bounce houses and more.
Saratoga Springs
Victorian Streetwalk and Tree-Lighting
November 29; 6 – 10pm saratogaspringsdowntown.com
On November 29, Broadway in downtown Saratoga Springs will close to traffic (5 – 10pm) and transform into the 32nd annual Victorian streetwalk where you will meet carolers and strollers in costume, pass by brightly decorated shop windows and visit 35 venues with music, dance, and other entertainment. The annual tree‐lighting ceremony will be held at 6pm. Don’t forget a visit to the Festival of Trees at the City Center, featuring more than 250 specially decorated trees, wreaths, and centerpieces. Santa not only participates in the Saratoga festivities, he also takes up residence in a little cottage on Broadway, a special treat for the kids, beginning on the 29th and through December (check his schedule). The streetwalk is presented by the Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association.
Photo by JD Urban
Seano the Clown entertains crowds at Winter Walk, Hudson’s beloved winter street festival on December 1.
Hudson
Winter Walk
December 1; 5 – 8pm
hudsonhall.org
Lively, colorful and clever. That’s how the Hudson Winter Walk has been described. Now in its 22nd year, the Winter Walk transforms the mile‐long main street, Warren Street, into a holiday wonderland and features Santa arriving at 5pm outside Hudson Hall, roaming carol‐ers, street performers, musicians, decorated storefronts, and fireworks at 8pm. Warren Street is closed to traffic from Front to Eighth streets during the Winter Walk, which attracts more than 20,000. Entertainment again will include “Rip the Nut,” a pantomime mash‐up of the Hudson Valley Rip Van Winkle tale with Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker Suite from the imagination of choreographer Adam H. Weinert. There will be three performances between 5:15 and 8:15pm at Hudson Hall. Explore Santa’s Village at the 7th Street Park and, in the Below 3rd district, see an eight‐foot‐tall traditional Ukrainian Winter Star sculpture installation by Ukrainian‐born, Hudson‐based artist Maryna Bilak.
Troy
Victorian Stroll
December 2; 11am – 5pm
victorianstroll.com
You never know what or who you are going to see at the 36th Annual Victorian Stroll – costumed strollers in Victorian costume (you may wish to dress up for the day, too), jugglers and other street enter‐tainers, musicians, artists, vendors, and even Father Christmas. This is the largest free holiday festival in the Northeast, attracting more than 30,000 people and featuring more than 100 live performances, crafters, decorated boutiques and restaurants throughout downtown. The community is invited to take part in a poster design contest and businesses participate in window decorating.
Lake Placid Holiday Village Stroll
Photo courtesy of LakePlacid ADK
Lake Placid
Holiday Village Stroll
December 7 – 9 (Friday, 5 – 7pm; Saturday, 8:30am – well into the evening; Sunday, 8:30am – noon)
holidayvillagestroll.com
A Lake Placid tradition, the Village Stroll is a family and couples weekend of entertain‐ment in a fairytale winter wonderland featur‐ing parties, dining specials, and shopping. The weekend includes lots of free kids’ activities. Santa will appear in several locations through‐out the weekend. The weekend includes a skating party at the 1932 arena (glide in the boot‐steps of past Olympians), a jingle bell run/walk, breakfast with Santa, story time for kids, the annual hunt for the Yule log (and lighting the log after it is found), tastings (beer, soup, chowder and more), cookie deco‐rating, craft‐making, sleigh rides, music, and more. Strollers also can enjoy dining specials and live entertainment at area businesses into the late evening.
Seasonal Happenings
10/27 – 12/19
COLONIE
Shaker Christmas Craft Fair; Shaker Meeting Site – Regional artisans feature handmade pottery, jewelry, foods, and much more. shakerheritage.org
11/10 – 12/23
FLY CREEK
Wassailing Weekend at the Fly Creek Cider Mill – Learn how to make this traditional celebratory beverage using savory spices and the mills’ cider. flycreekcidermill.com
11/15 – 11/18
LATHAM
Hudson Mohawk Weavers Guild 40th Annual Show & Sale – Visit this show to see how area artisans create their wares. Demonstrations and items for sale. hmwg.org
11/17
CANAJOHARIE
Holiday Fair at the Arkell Museum – Get your holiday shopping done early with vendors and crafters. visitmontgomerycountyny.com
11/23 – 1/2/19
ALBANY
Capital Holiday Lights in the Park – Don’t miss this Holiday tradition. Celebrating its’ 30th year,
Capital Lights will add some sparkle to the season. albanycapitalholidaylights.com
11/24
FORT JOHNSON
Holiday Open House at Old Fort Johnson –Come and enjoy live music, light refreshments and the decked halls of the historic site. oldfortjohnson.org
GLOVERSVILLE
2018 Gloversville Christmas Parade –Winding through downtown Gloversville from 7 – 8:30pm. Join in on this new tradition. fultoncountyareanews.com
KINGSTON
Sinterklaas! Send-off Celebration – A day of family-fun and celebration culminating with a parade to the waterfront. sinterklaashudsonvalley.com
MANCHESTER, VT
Community Tree Lighting – Kick off the holiday season with cookies, caroling and a visit from Santa. manchestervermont.com
11/30
JOHNSTOWN
Holiday Open House; Johnson Hall State Historic Site – This annual tradition includes horse-drawn wagon rides, shopping, period music, and chocolate making. 44lakes.com 12/1
RHINEBECK
Sinterklaas Festival Day – A full day of activities to put even the grinchiest of us all in the Holiday spirit. sinterklaashudsonvalley.com
WESTON, VT
Christmas in Weston – Horse-drawn sleigh rides, caroling, concerts, and shopping await in this picturesque village celebration. bennchamber.com
12/7 – 12/9
SHARON SPRINGS
Victorian Holiday Celebration – Join in on the fun with a weekend filled with caroling, shopping and strolling the bedecked downtown storefronts. sharonspringschamber.com
12/7 & 12/8
SCHENECTADY
Downtown Schenectady Holiday Bazaar – Get your holiday shopping finished with area vendors showcasing all of their wares. downtownschenectady.com
12/8
CANAJOHARIE
8th Annual Holiday Celebration at The Van Alstyne Homestead – Join in on the celebration with a pancake breakfast and museum tours. Find us on Facebook
COOPERSTOWN
Caroling at The Farmers’ Museum – From 3 –7pm, visit the museum aglow in candlelight and join in on caroling, visits with St. Nicholas, and tastes of wassail. farmersmuseum.com
MANCHESTER, VT
Lighted Tractor Parade – Join in on the celebration with this one of a kind parade with antique and modern tractors bedazzled in holiday splendor. manchestervermont.com
MAYFIELD
2018 Mayfield Christmas Parade – This new tradition kicks off an evening of celebration with the parade and culminating with a tree lighting. 44lakes.com
SCHENECTADY
Schenectady’s City Hall-iday and Chili Chowdown & Craft Brew Trail – Come shop, eat and enjoy an afternoon filled with family-friendly entertainment. downtownschenectady.com
VALATIE
WinterWalk & Winter Parade – Kicking off the festivities at 5pm with a parade down Main Street, join in the celebration after with music, and entertainment. veravalatie.com
12/15
HUDSON
Umoja Community Celebration – Come celebrate African–American culture and unity with arts and crafts, dancing and drumming. hudsonhall.org
12/15 & 12/16
MANCHESTER, VT
The Elf Express – Singing and dancing elves will entertain the young and young at heart with stories, hot chocolate, and cookies. Five departures daily. manchesterlionselftrain.com
12/21
HUDSON
The Orchestra Now; Beethoven & Mozart –Festive reverie abounds in this program of Corelli's Christmas Concerto, Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2. hudsonhall.org
Holiday gift guide
THE OPEN DOOR BOOK STORE opendoor-bookstore.com
Handbags, backpacks, clutches, and more from Joy Susan! These stylish, vegan bags come in a gorgeous variety of colors and styles. You will want one for yourself, too!
THE SPECKLED HEN Find us on Facebook
lanterns and Holiday decor available at an array of prices. The Speckled Hen specializes in primitive gifts, furnishings, and decorations for every season.
CROSS EYED OWL GIFT SHOP crosseyedowl.com
This Patchwork plush comforter is lined with an oh-so-soft luxurious faux shearling. They are just $29.99 each and come in 6 patterns including moose, bears and horses.
YE OLDE FARMHOUSE GIFT SHOPPE AT LAKESIDE FARMS lakesidefarmscidermill.com
This family-friendly company that has been handcrafting these unique gourds for over 20 years. The gourds are hand carved and hand painted with love.
TRULY RHE trulyrhe.com
Snuggle into this Cozy Reader wrap, and revel in its fleece feel. The wrap has two pockets plus an eyeglass pocket. Available in five colors. $64
BIKE BARN CYCLING & FITNESS bikebarncycles.com
Bicycles and accessories for kids of all ages. Come see why we are the areas top rated bike shop. 2019 bicycle models have arrived! Open year round.
ADIRONDACK STAINED GLASS WORKS
adirondackstainedglassworks.com
A superb selection of gift items including lamps, sun catchers, night lights, boxes, candle holders, garden items, etc. Stained glass at it's best!
JOYELLES JEWELERS
joyellesjewelers.com
Ornaments for your ears! Spectacular rose cut diamond earrings set in white gold, Flanked by Meira T yellow gold and diamond dangles and Dove's white gold composite lapis, mother of pearl and diamond earrings.
HEWITT'S GARDEN CENTERS hewitts.com
Glass bird feeders and bird baths make great gifts. Stop by and see our large selection of these unique, colorful pieces. Beautiful additions to any yard or patio.
SEGEL VIOLINS & GIFT GALLERY
viloinsdirect.com
We offer ukuleles, Irish drums, lovely singing bowls and gongs to enhance the yoga or meditation. We have whistles, recorders, Native and Shaman drums, and sheet music! Or a new bow, case, or set of strings for that violinist you love!
RIVERSIDE MAPLE FARMS
riversidemaple.com
Give the gift of maple! There is always something yummy and sweet going on at the farm. A variety of specialty gift boxes and gifts available at various pricing.
TEN THOUSAND VILLAGES
tenthousandvillages.com
The Snow Yeti Ornament is back! This year, he’s got a few new companions. Introducing the She-Yeti and Yeti Baby. Handcrafted in Nepal and available at Ten Thousand Villages’ Albany.
THE ARTISTRY OF FACE artistryofface.com
The ultimate in turning back the hands of time this holiday season. ZO SkinHealth’s four best selling products are tailor-made for achieving a youthful glow. Gift certificates are also available.
CHRISTMAS DAYS xmasdays.com
Made in the USA, these covered bridge ornaments are the perfect way to add a distinctive touch to your holiday decorations and remember a visit to Vermont. Available at Christmas Days.
ROMANATION JEWELERS
romanationjewelers.com
We now feature Nicole Bar, a sterling silver enamel line in the tradition of Faberge and Lalique. Lustrous enamel colors are fused by fire -- and will never change! $132.95. Matching earrings also available, $135.95
THE COMFY thecomfy.com
This is your solution to staying warm and cozy wherever you are – a sports game, picking out the family tree or just chilling at home! It's a blanket...it's a sweatshirt....it is just awesome and SO warm!
1MORE usa.1more.com
The 1MORE Bluetooth® triple driver headphones have arrived! These headphones provide superior sound with the ease of Bluetooth portability and environmental noice cancellation technology. Optimized for iOS, these headphones charge fast to get you back on the go!
CUISINART cuisinart.com
The Cuisinart Chef’s Style Tabletop Grill delivers the performance of a full sized grill with the convenience of portability. Featuring a stainless finish will look as good at your home as it will on the road.
STOCKING | STUFFERS
JOY ORGANICS joyorganics.com
Find targeted relief for joint pain and inflammation with the help of our CBD Salves. A balanced combination of phytocannabinoid-rich hemp oil, beeswax and aromatic essential oils helps soothe discomfort and support skin health.
DVANB FOODS
dvanbfoods.com
The Signature Blend from DVanB foods brings together the 'tried-and-true seasoning foundation' of salt and pepper, with savory and spicy notes. Add some smoky and tangy goodness to your winter menu!
FIRE DEPARTMENT COFFEE (FDC) firedeptcoffee.com
The Irish Whiskey-Infused Coffee is the newest addition to FDC's wildly popular spirit-infused coffee line. Created with FDC’s signature spirit-infusion process, the Coffee is a medium-bodied roast with flavors of toffee, butterscotch, and vanilla.
WOKEN COFFEE woken.coffee
100% compostable pods, compatible with home espresso machines and the environment, filled with wonderful blends varying in intensity, from South America to India and easy to make, drink, and dispose of. Sip more, waste less!
ZACA CHEWABLES zacalife.com
Zaca chewables are entirely natural tablets that blends herbs, antioxidants, and electrolytes! Zaca’s premium formula utilizes proven ingredients (like the ancient Japanese raisin) to promote health from the inside, out.
Ten easy steps to great holiday meals, so you can put family first
By Vikki Moran
Let's get the mindset change out of the way first. Your meal does NOT have to be perfect! Holiday perfection comes in family and friends sharing a meal and enjoy‐ing being together. Gratitude and joy is the goal, and perfect food won't get you there.
Now on to ten ideas to make your life eas‐ier so you can get back to enjoying your loved ones sooner.
1. Just like in business, you can out‐source or in some cases upsource (depending on your cooking skill) parts or all of your holi‐day meal. Many local, and frankly, wonderful Capital Region restaurants and caterers would love to do your turkey, ham, and any part of everything else that we affectionately refer to as "fixins."
2. If you love to fill your home with the smell of turkey and/or ham, cook then carve your meats early so that the clean up is accom‐plished and out of the way first. Once you have carved the meat, you can lay the slices in a large disposable pan with broth. You can then reheat on low and place meats on the platter. No one will taste the difference. If you want to
have the Norman Rockwell effect of the giant turkey carved at the table, then take an early ride to the Berkshires and go to the Norman Rockwell Museum and gaze until it is out of your system. We are talking about quick and easy here. (lol)
3. Research online, quick and easy recipes as options to the tried and true yet cumbersome side dishes you may have always used for years. Trust me; when family and friends are hungry, they will not notice that you did not make Grandmas sweet potatoes. Start every internet search with “quick” and “easy” and watch the many delicious alterna‐tives appear. I do it all the time.
4. Cut down on homemade desserts and turn to fun alternatives. A pumpkin or apple pie can easily be accompanied by ice cream and toppings. The ice cream bar is something you can prepare ahead with jarred toppings served in cute bowls. Ice cream also offers the à la mode for your pies, invented and first served in our neighboring Cambridge, New York.
I also think having a dessert cheese plat‐ter is incredible after a big meal. The kids will
love the ice cream display, but the adults will enjoy the cheese platter. Local cheesemongers will help you chose and pair with simple accompaniments like nuts and dried fruit. Now, this is easy!
5. Appetizers can be outsourced easily to your guests for sure, but if you want to make them yourself, these can be done ahead and frozen. Some of my favorite (show off) appe‐tizers like my friends' famous smoked gouda cheese puffs (that I now claim as mine) are made and frozen a month ahead. They taste amazing when thawed. Cheese, nuts, and fruit can also be a great appetizer as well as a dessert (don't do both).
6. Limit your cocktail choices. Wine of course for dinner and one or two house pre‐made drinks is all you need.
7. Borrow or dig out your old big coffee pot. I know that many of us use single serve coffee pots now, but when it comes to hosting a dinner, you do not want to be preparing and serving one cup at a time. A lovely old fashion multi‐cup pot is the way to go. Many local cof‐fee brewers can recommend a great blend to
have with dessert. Lay out your cups, cream, sugar, and a sugar substitute with some spoons and perhaps a cordial and call that task...done!
8. Pull out the game boards and card games beforehand, so there is no scrambling for things to do after the meal. For some, the many Bowl games will work for entertain‐ment, but not necessarily for everyone so be prepared. If you have an area where football viewing will be happening, stock that room early with snacks and drinks so you are not kept serving the couch potatoes.
9. Keep a list of dishes your guests are bringing. If someone asks, "what can I bring," be prepared with an answer. They will appre‐ciate the answer/decision, and you can cross something off your list.
10. The dreaded food allergy list. Ask, lis‐ten, then either outsource those requests to restaurants or caterers or merely ask the fam‐ily to bring their food item alternative. If you know what you are serving, you can quickly tell what allergy interaction there will be and can notify the person of what it is.
APPETIZERS
QUICK TIPS FOR EVERY COURSE
• Ask guests to bring an app to share
• Build a cheese board
• Dips are quick and easy options that can often be made a day ahead
• Buy frozen and reheat just before guests arrive – try a few before the big day and pick your favorites!
MAIN DISH
• Contact your favorite restaurant or grocer for amazing main dish options
• Does everyone at your table prefer white meat? Just roast a breast!
• Prepare your gravies ahead, then heat and serve
SIDES
• Many restaurants will be offering à la carte catering for the Holidays – see what they have to offer to complement your meal!
• Make a couple of vegetable casseroles that can be reheated or baked just before serving
• Blanch your veggies al dente the day before and then reheat and dress before you eat
DESSERT
• Consider thawing a frozen cheesecake before guests arrive
• Order your pies, cakes, and cookies from your favorite bakery and serve with whipped cream or ice cream
• Try creating a candy “antipasto”... Lay out an assortment of candies in your antipasto dishes for guests to pick from... This is a fun dish to shop for!
Flavorful cheese board
Some of the most beloved flavors are inspired during the fall, and there are few better ways to enjoy the season's best than with a group of friends and family. Get ready to wow guests with seasonal treats that invite everyone to indulge in fall flavors.
Even adults can enjoy getting hands‐on with their food when it comes to stacking up mouth‐watering ingredients, and a fall party is a great opportunity to explore new ways to appreciate the flavor of savory pumpkin.
This recipe combines rich, creamy cheese with prosciutto and pumpkin for a medley of fla‐vors and textures your guests will have a hard time believing are gluten‐free. The star is non‐GMO Crunchmaster Pumpkin Harvest Crackers, which combine real pumpkin and autumn spices with whole grains and flax seeds.
Serve these little delights on a cheese board and let guests mix and match the flavors as they wish. Then expand your offering with a dairy‐free, vegan alternative and introduce another fall favorite like apple butter.
Explore more tips and recipes to help celebrate fall at crunchmaster.com.
Apple pepita stackers
Ingredients
4 ounces apple butter
1 bag Crunchmaster Pumpkin Harvest Crackers
3 ounces toasted pepitas
12 slivers fresh sage
Directions
• Spread apple butter over one cracker and sprinkle with pinch of pepitas. Top with sage sliver.
• For serving, scoop apple butter into small crock or serving vessel.
• Place pepitas and sage in serving dishes.
• Place assembled stacker on platter with crackers.
• Add serving dishes, if space allows, or position around platter.
• Cut prosciutto into cracker-size pieces, about 1 1/2 inches in diameter.
• Pour vinegar into small carafe or dish with serving spoon.
• Layer gorgonzola, 1-2 pieces prosciutto and 1-2 pieces shaved Parmesan on one cracker. Drizzle lightly with vinegar.
• Place on wooden or slate serving platter to serve as inspiration to guests.
• Plate remaining prosciutto, gorgonzola, Parmesan and crackers on platter before serving and place vinegar nearby.
Pumpkin prosciutto stackers
Butcher's Butter Filet
Mignon Roast Garnish
1/4 cup salted butter
1/4 cup duck fat
1/2 teaspoon fresh rosemary, minced
1 teaspoon fresh thyme, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 anchovy filet, minced
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1 prepared Omaha Steaks Filet Mignon Roast
• In small saucepan, combine butter, duck fat, rosemary, thyme, garlic, anchovy filet and black pepper. Heat on low 3-5 minutes until fragrant. Remove from heat and serve over Filet Mignon Roast.
A host’s guide to holiday gatherings
Gearing up for a big crowd at your holiday festivities can provide moments of excitement, stress, fun and plenty of other emotions as the big dinner draws near. This year, avoid any nagging feel‐ings of doubt with this step‐by‐step guide to prepare for large gatherings.
Plan in advance. Even if you're typically the last‐minute type, the hectic holiday season is no time to wait until a few days ahead of the cel‐ebration to throw meals and more together. Instead, be sure to put together a guest list and send invites at least a few weeks out. Take inven‐tory of supplies like silverware, plates, serving dishes and any accessories you'd like to feature at the table. Make an outline of the food each guest is bringing, or, if you'll supply all the food, ensure there will be plenty for everyone ‐ don't forget to take into account special diets or allergies. Make a list. Planning only takes you so far if you don't write every‐thing down. Once the menu is determined, list out what you'll need to make the magic happen. Don't forget to jot down easily overlooked items that can be picked up the day of, such as ice.
Remember to thaw. One surefire way to make the big day a big dis‐
aster is to forget to thaw your main course. If you're planning to roast a turkey ‐ perhaps the most common centerpiece ‐ remember it takes around a day to thaw for every two pounds of meat. So, for example, it could take close to a week for a 14‐pound turkey to fully thaw prior to cooking.
Prep the day before. There are many tasks (big and small) that can be taken care of the day before guests arrive, making the holiday less stressful for hosts. From whipping up simple appetizers like dips to giv‐ing the house a thorough cleaning, there's plenty of pressure that can be taken off your shoulders 24 hours in advance.
Create a schedule. No matter how far in advance you plan or how much prep you complete prior to the festivities, there will always be day‐of work to be done. With guests coming in and out, it can be helpful to lay out what's known as a "fire list," which details times chronologically for when things need done, such as starting the oven to warm the turkey or simply remembering to lay out dessert following the meal.
Find more holiday hosting tips and meal solutions at omahasteaks.com.
Family Features
Roasted Grape
Gastrique
Ingredients
Roasted Grapes:
4 cups assorted grapes (picked, washed and dried)
1 tablespoon olive oil
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 cinnamon stick
nonstick cooking spray
Gastrique:
2 tablespoons water
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 4 tablespoons water
Directions
• To make Roasted Grapes:
Heat oven to 350 F.
• In bowl, combine grapes,
olive oil, salt, pepper and cinnamon stick.
• Lightly spray baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Pour grape mixture onto baking sheet. Bake 15 minutes. Remove from oven and pour into bowl.
• To make Gastrique: In small saucepan, combine water and sugar. Bring to boil over medium-high heat, 5-7 minutes, until sugar starts to brown.
• Remove from heat and slowly add vinegar. Return to heat and stir until combined. Add cornstarch and water mixture; bring to boil. Remove from heat.
• Pour Gastrique mixture over Roasted Grapes.
Whole Basted Turkey
Ingredients
1 Omaha Steaks Whole Basted Turkey (10 pounds)
Directions
• Thaw turkey completely in refrigerator 3-4 days or, keeping turkey in vacuum-sealed packaging, place in sink full of cold water 5-7 hours, changing water approximately every 30 minutes.
• Heat oven to 350 F. Remove turkey from vacuum-sealed
bag. Place turkey in bag provided; secure bag with twist tie. Place bag in deep roasting pan. Using fork, puncture 6-8 holes in top of bag. For extra browning or crispness, slit top of bag for final 20-30 minutes of roasting.
• Roast turkey 2 hours, 45 minutes- 3 hours. Turkey is done when internal temperature measured with kitchen thermometer reaches 165 F.
Getting ready for winter
Checklists for your vehicle and home
By Dani Testa – Sgueglia
Living in the Capital Region, we know all too well that winter can wreak havoc on our cars and homes and that once the snow starts flying, we could be in for a long run. Make sure that you are ready for any‐thing Old Man Winter throws at you this sea‐son by following these tips.
FOR YOUR CAR
q Check and change wiper blades
q Fill your washer fluid tank
q Check your tire treads, pressure and mount winter tires
q Have brakes checked
q Check your battery – consult your owners’ manual for the “How To” for your vehicle
q Change your oil to the right viscosity per your owners’ manual guidelines for the cooler temps ahead
q Check your radiator and heater hoses for cracks and brittleness
q Have your cooling system flushed if you haven’t in a while
q Lubricate locks with a door‐lock lubricant to prevent freeze‐ups and stock up with lock de‐icer (at work, in your purse or backpack, and your home)
q Pack your emergency kit
q Let it warm up!
If you are bringing your car to a trusted mechanic for winterization, make sure they check everything above AND belts, hoses, and spark plugs.
FOR YOUR HOME
q Bring in the outdoors: Bring in or cover plants, grills, patio furniture, and accessories
q Shut off and disconnect exterior hoses and water supplies
q Get out and check snowblowers, genera‐tors, and shovels
q Keep a can of gas and extension cords ready to go in the garage
q Stock up on ice melt and/or salt
q Clean gutters and downspouts and check for any damage
q Clean and cover exterior cooling condensers
q Remove and store all window air conditioners
q Check roof for damaged shingles and repair
q Keep the cold out: Check doors and win‐dows for drafts and use weather stripping or caulk to eliminate the problem
q Check around outlets and switchplates for drafts and caulk
q Replace filters in your furnace and schedule a seasonal inspection
q Stock up on canned goods and bottled water
q Schedule chimney cleaning and clean fireplace
q Stock up on firewood or wood pellets
q Schedule a fuel delivery for your heating system
q Test out your thermostat
q Clean your heating vents and make sure they are clear of any obstruction
q Check smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms
Living with Parkinson’s Disease
By Beth Krueger
His brother was catching up to him and then taking the lead in their regular runs. That just hadn’t been the experi‐ence on their enjoyable time exercising together. His gait also seemed off‐kilter – one of his feet would slap the ground. Fatigue? Aging? Arthritis? Over‐exertion? Something else? Something as simple as buttoning a shirt became a problem – not a simple matter at all.
For another Capital Region resident, get‐ting around was increasingly problematic, and she avoided social gatherings or leaving the house at all, if possible. Another hoped for understanding: A person off‐balance and slur‐ring words may well be living with Parkinson’s Disease.
The answer was the same for these indi‐viduals – Parkinson’s Disease. The symptoms, the pace at which problems appeared and the reasons behind them were much more com‐plex and varied. The important steps for all three were receiving a diagnosis, obtaining medical care that focuses on Parkinson’s and takes into consideration other conditions of the particular individual, and taking measures to promote the best quality of life and activity. Their medical and life plans would evolve as conditions presented.
We met physicians involved in a continu‐um of involvement in research and education to bring the latest learning and treatment opportunities to their patients. And we met Capital Region residents living with Parkinson’s Disease who are working with their medical team in treatment planning and integrative therapies of exercise, nutrition and more that can provide the best quality of life, as well as ensuring that they absorb as much information as possible to use in the present and to con‐sider for future planning. For the healthcare team and patients, it’s a partnership.
Parkinson’s Disease is a progressive neu‐rodegenerative disease, where there is a loss of cells in the brain or spinal cord. Parkinson’s impacts the dopamine‐producing neurons in the substantia nigra part of the brain. Dopamine is the neurotransmitter regulating movement and emotions. We may also find abnormal protein build‐up in this area of the brain in Parkinson’s patients.
Some visible symptoms may include tremors, stiff limbs, and slowness of movement (bradykinesia), shuffling gait or foot that seems stuck or frozen in one place, trouble with bal‐ance and slurring of words, but signs vary among patients in what symptoms show up
and at what point. There also are non‐motor symptoms beyond what the casual observer sees and comprehends – among them, sleep difficulties, cognitive impairment, loss of smell and swallowing, depression and apathy.
About 1 million people in the United States have Parkinson’s Disease, with approxi‐mately 60,000 new diagnoses annually. The average age is 50 – 60, but there are younger patients as well. The observations of James Parkinson 201 years ago led to the recognition of the disease. While the cause is not clearly understood, researchers have identified genetic and environmental conditions as con‐tributing to its onset.
In addition to medical treatment and research here in the Capital Region, the area is home to support groups and therapy programs with active communities of persons with Parkinson’s Disease.
Partnership of treatment and support
On a rainy night in October, a community room was filled with patients and their signifi‐cant others for an educational and networking gathering of the Capital District Parkinson’s Disease Support Group (cdparkinsons.org). On that evening, Eric Molho, MD, a neurologist and Director of the Movement Disorders and Parkinson’s Disease Center at Albany Medical Center (amc.edu), discussed the nature and treatment of the disease as well as the under‐taking of some research trials at AMC. Audience members had lots of questions and shared experiences, ranging from a newly diagnosed individual to a patient who has been seeing Dr. Molho for 20 years.
“Parkinson’s is a complicated disease,” Dr. Molho explains. The search goes on for the development of better biomarkers to indicate that Parkinson’s is present. The challenges in diagnosis include the variable nature of the disease and symptoms of other diseases that may seem like Parkinson’s but are not. The objective, he adds, is to improve opportunity for diagnosis and be able to diagnose as soon as possible so that treatment and lifestyle can be put in place that will aid the patient. Early diagnosis means action before more cell loss and degenerative effects. Research has advanced for more targeted treatments.
While the medication has been around for decades, methods have improved for the deliv‐ery of a more consistent response in attempt to
avoid the ups and downs. Monitoring and adjustment of medication are regular parts of treatment. One newly diagnosed patient in the community meeting wondered what the future might hold. “The progression of Parkinson’s Disease is highly variable among patients,” in terms of the pace of the disease and its symp‐toms. Dr. Molho explained.
Exercise: a critical element
Treatment planning also involves how the patient is living with Parkinson’s, including being engaged in integrative or complementa‐ry therapies, such as exercise programs devel‐oped specifically for persons with Parkinson’s Disease. “Lifestyle is very important,” Dr. Molho says, noting that sedentary, isolated persons will likely have more difficulty. There are a variety of Parkinson‐specific exercise pro‐grams in the Capital Region. Visit the area sup‐port group, cdparkinsons.org, to learn more. For example, yoga can help in balance, ability to walk and flexibility. Patients who have difficulty walking may be able to exercise by sta‐tionary cycling, to help with fitness and aid motor function. Area YMCAs (cdymca.org) offer instructed Pedaling for Parkinson’s programs for people ages 30–75. Research shows that this exercise may ease some symptoms. One cyclist had stopped leaving home but, now involved in cycling, looks forward to cycling sessions for both the social and fitness benefits. The trainers see not only an increase in stamina and a sense
of rejuvenation in their classes but more smiles and laughter among participants.
Non‐contact boxing, such as the Fight Parkinson’s sessions at Schott’s Boxing in Albany, can build strength, agility and mind‐body coordination. Equally important are the benefits of camaraderie and focus on the punch that takes the boxer to another place.
Then there is dancing, including regular sessions at the Rudy Ciccotti Family Recreational Center in Albany, led by a dance movement therapist and designed to promote balance, flexibility, coordination, and gait. Persons with Parkinson’s Disease are often joined by their spouses and partners. Not only is fitness achieved and balance improved, a regular dance attendee comments, but the sessions become “a room full of joy.” One indi‐vidual with Parkinson’s disclosed that he had never been a good dancer, but since these classes, he has given his wife the gift of being comfortable on the dance floor.
Deep brain stimulation
As Parkinson’s Disease progresses over time, some patients may find that they are not as responsive to medications, are intolerant to the side‐effects, and the disabling symptoms persist, even after the physician increases the dose to the optimum levels and monitors the
results. For certain cases, a patient who meets these and other criteria may be a candidate for a surgical procedure, Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), and may be referred by the physician to Julie Pilitsis, MD, Ph.D., at Albany Medical Center, Chair of the Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics and Professor of Neurosurgery, Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics. About 20 per‐cent of Parkinson’s Disease patients may be candidates for DBS, she explains, but notes that brain surgery is only when needed.
Usually, the patient has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s for five or six years when they are seeing Dr. Pilitsis. The procedure may be an option for appropriate candidates who are find‐ing that Parkinson’s is interfering with their lives in significant ways and cannot receive relief through medication. Deep Brain Stimulation, she says, has been described as a “pacemaker for the brain.” She explains that “being able to move is key to a patient with Parkinson’s Disease. It’s about quality of life.” The operation involves implanting electrodes, thin insulated wire or lead, within certain targeted areas of the brain that control movement. The elec‐trodes produce signals that regulate abnormal movement impulses. An extension wire placed under the skin connects the electrodes to an implanted pulse generator that transmits the
signals. There’s an opportunity to fine‐tune the placements for the patient. Dr. Pilitsis urges patient education about the disease and this procedure, its benefits and risks and talking with other patients who have had Deep Brain Stimulation performed.
Albany Medical Center, which is also an academic and research institution, has 30 years of experience in the process, Dr. Pilitsis notes, and performs about one such operation per week or 50 annually. Research continues to build the options to help patients, she reports. Currently, they are developing a noninvasive therapy using focused ultrasound‐producing beams to targeted areas of the brain.
Daily life
Patients and their caregivers offer these key steps in living with Parkinson’s: Accept the diagnosis. Be attentive to your treatment plan and work with your medical team. Listen and learn about Parkinson’s from your team and reliable resources (learn to filter out the flurry of information found on the internet and social media that is not evidence‐based). Include in that plan actions to maintain your quality of life – exercise, your daily routine, such as work or social gatherings. It will likely take more planning and time to do these everyday things, but it is well worth it.
SAFE CARE MOBILITY SERVICES
456 North Pearl Street, Albany
518.462.5923; safecaremobility.com
Safe Care Mobility was founded on the idea that compassion is key. We provide the best possible medical transportation and ambulette service that we can. We use modern vehicles, maintained by in-house mechanics and our drivers are trained professionals. That means we take every possible step to make your ride comfortable, safe, and on time—with a smile! Safe Care Mobility Services is located in Albany and serves the greater Capital Region. Call us today and find out how we can help.
ATTENTIVE CARE OF ALBANY
5 Computer Drive West, Albany
518.438.6271; attentivecareservices.com
Attentive Care is a highly trusted, locally owned and operated, licensed home care agency, with over 30 years of experience. Services are provided at home, hospitals, health facilities, and senior housing facilities on an hourly, daily, visit, or live-in basis. Our caregivers meet our high-quality standards. We employ nurses and certified home health and personal care aides. Our service gives relief to those family members responsible for important care-giving duties. Call us now to find out how we can help.
PINE HAVEN NURSING & REHABILITATION CENTER
201 Main Street, Philmont
518.672.7408; pinehavencarecenter.com
Pine Haven is a 120-bed sub-acute facility located in Philmont, offering a full continuum of care, from short-term rehabilitation to long-term nursing care, and a broad array of specialty programs. All therapies are tailored to meet the needs of each individual resident.
Recent renovations showcase a beautiful new interior, including a new expansive rehabilitation suite. Services include: physical, occupational, and speech therapy, music therapy, skilled nursing, IV antibiotics, IV hydration, PICC management, wound care, and more. For additional information visit our website pinehavencarecenter.com.
HOME OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD
Various locations homeofthegoodshepherd.com
The Home of the Good Shepherd assisted living facility offers residents superior, professional care in a warm home-like environment. Our size allows us to treat each resident as an individual, meeting his or her own needs and activity. With our licensure, we can provide a continuum of care while residents age in place with either our Enhanced or Memory Care services. Every resident has a personal care plan and individualized service plan. Delicious meals are served three times a day in our dining room. Therapeutic diets as ordered by the physician are also available. We offer a full calendar of in-house and outside activities.
The Furniture House has two great locations to serve you: our flagship store at 1254 Highway 9P on Saratoga Lake, 1060 Route 9, Queensbury.
As we get older, our family structure changes. We downsize our homes. We want comfort and convenience in a tiny package. We look for other ways to be space efficient. The Furniture House specializes in American-made, hard to find pieces to fill these needs. We have Murphy beds, coffee tables that turn to dining tables, lift recliners, Krypton fabrics and multi-purpose home furnishings offering additional storage. Our design staff can assist you in this process, and our delivery team is here for you! If you haven’t been to the Furniture House, where have you been? The Furniture House—the unusual as usual.
A New Approach to Community Living — Leaving your house does not
mean you have to leave your privacy behind. The Spinney at Van Dyke is a new approach to living for the “55 and better” community, allowing residents to move away from the burdens of owning their home while allowing a sense of privacy in a community setting. Each cottage at The Spinney features PRIVATE entryways, back, and front porches, as well as direct-access attached garages. The Spinney lifestyle is the smoothest transition from owning a home to downsizing and renting – come see why today!
ÁVILA INDEPENDENT RETIREMENT COMMUNITY
100 White Pines Drive, Albany avilaretirementcommunity.com
Ávila is the Capital Region’s premier retirement community for seniors seeking an active, independent lifestyle. Surrounded by the beauty of the Pine Bush, Ávila provides a safe and unique place to call home. Ávila’s aquatic center, spa, and state-of-theart fitness facilities cater to health-conscious seniors. Our beautiful community gardens, hobby studios, and entertainment rooms offer residents opportunities to socialize and pursue their passions. Our world-class dining program is the perfect way to start or end the day. Our all-inclusive monthly fee program, combined with our amenity-rich lifestyle approach to residential living, create a stress and maintenance-free environment. We truly understand and attend to our residents’ individual needs so they can enjoy the things that matter most!
Emphasizing family this holiday season
Most families I speak with are struggling with their schedules and the sense of being out of control. When asking about how they feel about their lives, it’s usually like this; ‘We are just too busy. It’s a constant rush from here to there…but what can you do? It’s life these days!’ And the holiday season seems to push many of us over the edge, as we add even more commitments to our lives.
Many of us grew up in a world where the schedule of academic work, extracurricular activities and practices were not as demanding as it is in today’s culture. In that ever‐increasing world of demands, we con‐stantly add more activities that compete with family time. Thus, through the absence of attention and action, the importance of family has been diminished in many homes. The same may be true this holiday season when we examine how we really spend our time.
DOES FAMILY TIME MATTER?
Clients, friends, and colleagues ask me whether there is clinical data to substantiate the conclusion that the loss of family time is harmful to children. The simple answer is a definitive yes.
Family time helps children cherish time with the family
This is just plain common sense: You teach what you value based upon where you put your time and energy. The more parental energies are scat‐tered among dozens of other activities, with little time devoted to family time and family activity, the more the message to your children becomes clear: family time is low on the priority list. The lesson has been taught.
There is ample research to support the conclusion that children will grow up to engage in adult patterns of living that are consistent with their childhood lives. If you want your kids to truly value time with the family and have pleasant memories of family activities, it is essential to commit time to these activities.
Family meals together are healthy for children
Research suggests that children who experience family meals together tend to have more positive outcomes when compared to chil‐dren who don't have those experiences.
Family meals are an opportunity to connect, share common inter‐ests, and support one another. In my opinion, this research simply reflects what we all fundamentally know to be true: It is good to share family time together because we share our caring, our wisdom and our advice.
Talking
openly about family history creates a sense of unity
Studies also suggest that discussions about family history and fami‐ly evolution seem to strengthen family relationships. Another study con‐cluded that sharing family stories produced a remarkably positive effect on middle schoolers and young adolescents: There is an enhanced sense of family unity and respect in the home, and this reflects in positive out‐comes for children.
Discussing positive and negative realities is beneficial to children
It is essential for children to experience parents who can talk about real life events. It is important not to pretend that painful events do not occur. Sharing both the positive and the negative benefits children. When there are positive events in the family or the world, focus on these and discuss them as a family. Ask children what they have learned from these events and ensure to ask probing questions that get your kids to explore what values they can pull from these events. While you can have opinions, make sure you remain curious and encourage effortful thinking with quality questions.
Likewise, when there are major negative events, discuss these with your children. Use these opportunities to teach children about resilience. They learn that many families experience tough times and that changes can occur in our society, and yet we get through it. I encourage you to emphasize repeatedly: We will get through this.
Family time gives us a chance to demonstrate our deepest values
What better time to teach the values we cherish, than in the time we spend with our children. If we care about family, we spend time with family. If we care about nature, we spend time there as a family. If we care about our community, we invest time there as a family. We do all this as a family because this is how we teach those deepest values we hold. We don’t do it by just talking about it.
Our children value what we have invested in
It’s clear that spending time together has a positive effect on chil‐dren and their futures. And it should come as no surprise that our chil‐dren will value what we have invested in with our time. How could they truly value something we rarely get around to doing?
The momentum of life can feel like a runaway train and thus feel out of control. We can choose, however, to throttle back that train at any time if we have the courage. For many, this will be the only way to bring the family to the forefront. In other words, something may have to go.
Today, many children value screen time over time with family. Sports is more important than family time. The list could go on.
All this comes with a consequence that many of us will be sad to witness, as the years unfold. And yes, the holiday season is a great time to pause, examine your family patterns, and decide if you want your family to be different. Who knows what a few simple adjustments could for your family next year?
Dr. Randy Cale offers practical guidance for a host of parenting concerns. For more information visit www.TerrificParenting.com.
Be cautious of target funds
As we enter the time of year when we begin to plan for the next, many are wise to turn their attention to their employer‐spon‐sored Defined Contribution Plan such as their 401k, 403b or 457 (NYS Deferred Compensation.) Today, 75% of American workers have to save for their retirement via one of these vehicles while only 25% are covered by a Defined Benefit Plan or one that guarantees a certain level of monthly income. This is a mirror image of twenty‐five years ago when nearly 75% of American workers were covered by Defined Benefit Pension Plan while only 25% saved for retirement via a Defined Contribution Plan.
Mutual funds that spread your investment over different asset classes based upon your time horizon, more commonly known as target, lifecycle or age‐based funds, are rapidly growing in popularity, especial‐ly in these plans. The offerings are easy to identify as many contain the “target” year in the name of the fund. Generally speaking, the target year should coincide with the year in which the investor expects to retire. For example, if you are age forty and you expect to retire at age sixty‐two, a Target Retirement 2040 Fund might be appropriate.
Given the above, it is wise to become familiar with the benefits of investing in these funds as well as what we believe are a couple of poten‐tial pitfalls.
Target funds appeal to the retail investor as they provide one‐stop shopping. The larger funds such as Vanguard, Fidelity and T. Rowe Price offer online questionnaires to aid in selecting the appropriate fund to meet your needs and conform to your risk tolerance.
Most target funds are “funds of funds” meaning that they invest in other mutual funds within the same fund family to, hopefully, achieve greater diversification as compared to investing in individual securities.
Target funds can also be separated into those that are either active or passively managed. Active refers to a strategy in which a professional money manager or team of managers select specific investments in accordance with the objective of the fund. Passive refers to a method of investing in which the underlying investments correspond with a specif‐ic market index.
One final benefit of investing in these funds is that as the investors approach his or her target date, the fund gradually becomes more con‐servative by automatically rebalancing or transitioning a larger percent‐age of the holdings within the fund to bonds as compared to stocks. Although capital appreciation becomes less likely, volatility and also the chance of loss also is reduced.
In our opinion, the major pitfall to investing in target funds pertains to the international equities contained within the fund as a percentage of the total assets of the underlying fund. According to the most recent‐ly published data from Morningstar, the international equities contained within the “2040” offering from Vanguard, Fidelity and T. Rowe Price are 33.4%, 29.6%, and 28.3%, respectively. The net result, of which the aver‐age investor may not be aware, is severe underperformance in relation to the S&P 500, this despite having more than eighty percent of fund assets in equities. As an example, the trailing year‐to‐date, one, three, five, and ten‐year returns of the Vanguard S&P 500 Index Fund (VFINX) are 9.40%, 15.10%, 15.44%, 13.44%, and 12.38% where the returns of the Vanguard Target Retirement 2040 Fund (VFORX) are 2.32%, 6.52%,
10.69%, 8.68%, and 9.56%, respectively. (Please note that returns more than one year are annualized.)
Another area that requires due diligence from the investor includes asset allocation. For example, the Vanguard Target Retirement 2020 Fund (VTWNX) has more than 50% of its assets in equities of which, 40% of that is invested in non‐U.S. stocks. Five years further out, the Vanguard Target Retirement 2025 Fund (VTTVX) has a little over sixty‐one percent invested in equities. Make certain that you consider this when allocating assets into target funds.
Please note that all data is for general information purposes only and not meant as specific recommendations. The opinions of the authors are not a recommendation to buy or sell the stock, bond market or any security contained therein. Securities contain risks and fluctuations in principal will occur. Please research any investment thoroughly prior to committing money or consult with your financial advisor. Please note that Fagan Associates, Inc. or related persons buy or sell for itself securi‐ties that it also recommends to clients. Consult with your financial advi‐sor prior to making any changes to your portfolio. To contact Fagan Associates, Please call 518‐279‐1044.
Sun sign forecast
Best Days November 2018: 7th, 11th, 14th, and 21st
Begin a diet on November 23rd.
Aries: (March 21 to April 20)
Changing values, a partner’s assets, and spiritual appreciation are examined for this month. After the 16th, you rethink a subject that you have learned in the past or begin a new study. Following the 23rd, your everyday envi‐ronment will affect your habits and how you communicate with others. You may reconsider a workshop or formal class.
Taurus: (April 21 to May 20)
A cooperative approach, forming relationships and being with others are studied for this month. Following the 16th, you will need to read any contracts carefully before you sign them. After the 23rd, you examine your spending and saving habits and will make changes if needed. There may also be changes in your financial dealings or your per‐sonal income.
Gemini: (May 21 to June 20)
Necessities of life, attention to one’s diet and solving problems are important for this month. After the 16th, you may want to explain difficulties in your personal relation‐ships. Following the 23rd, you can make subtle changes in your appearance through a new hairstyle or purchase some new clothes. Your personal habits may also change.
Cancer: (June 21 to July 22)
Innate affections, expressing oneself and joys of life are the highlights for this month. Following the 16th, you will take a renewed interest in your health care and diet. After the 23rd, you become interested in spiritual and psychic topics as you begin to expand your current beliefs. You may decide to attend a spiritual workshop or a weekend retreat.
Leo: (July 23 to August 22)
One’s family ties, home‐front activity and feeling secure are the focus for this month. After the 16th, you do not have to give all of your attention to work. Enjoy life as well. Following the 23rd, your hope and wishes begin to change. You will meet new friends who have the same ideals as yours, and you find that their group activities are interesting.
Virgo: (August 23 to September 22)
Everyday activities, sibling relationships, and all com‐munications are studied for this month. Following the 16th, this can be a time to examine your personal and domestic life. After the 23rd, you explore new career pos‐sibilities or the equivalent. It is possible that you change your aims in life or long‐term goals. You also may receive public recognition.
Libra: (September 23 to October 22)
Expanding resources, financial updates and use of assets are favored for this month. After the 16th, you are interested in intellectual studies, and you may reconsider a workshop or class. Following the 23rd, you take a renewed interest in such topics as the law, philosophy or spiritual studies. You may also want to learn more about foreign travel and cultures.
Scorpio: (October 23 to November 21)
Importance of appearance, one’s personality, and self‐expression are observed for this month. Following the 16th, you rethink your values, but use care when explaining them to others. After the 23rd, there can be changes in jointly held finances or properties. This is also a good time to pay off old debts and commitments to everyone’s satisfaction.
Sagittarius: (November 22 to December 21)
Spiritual rebirth, hidden talents and working for the needy are important for this month. After the 16th, it can be the time to express yourself to others but without insensi‐tivity. Following the 23rd, there may be changes in your one‐to‐one relationships as you gain a better understanding of others and through your compromising with partners.
Capricorn: (December 22 to January 19)
Forming friendships, creative projects and achieving goals are studied for this month. Following the 16th, this is the time to rethink and acknowledge your faults and virtues. After the 23rd, you take an interest in both your work and health. You begin a new course of study to increase your work skills and a new diet to improve your health.
Aquarius: (January 20 to February 18)
Setting priorities, career demands, and public image are important for this month. After the 16th, you may consider setting new goals and becoming involved with new groups. Following the 23rd, you want to enjoy yourself through spending time with your loved ones and children. This also rules romance and may bring in a new romantic partner.
Pisces: (February 19 to March 20)
Prophetic dreams, the search for knowledge and mental pursuits are examined for this month. Following the 16th, you will reconsider beginning new classes to increase your work skills. After the 23rd, there may be small changes in your home life and personal areas. You may also be able to resolve existing family matters to everyone’s satisfaction.
Arlene is an author, astrologer and para‐consultant and has studied and worked with astrology for more than 35 years.
ALBANY COUNTY
11/4
3PM
Harvest Hallelujah: A Choral Celebration – Join Calvary United Methodist Choir for an afternoon of performances by the CUMC Choir, The New Messengers, soloists and an instrumental ensemble. 518.785.5142 for questions
11/8
5 - 6:30PM
100 Women Who Care – Delmar Reformed Church, 386 Delaware Avenue, Delmar; Join in on the excitement that comes with pooling our resources to benefit community nonprofits. To date, we have donated over $133,000 for Capital District charities. Find us on Facebook for more information
COLUMBIA COUNTY
11/4
11AM – 4PM
Open Day, Equine Advocates – 3212 State Route 66, Chatham; Come and visit Equine Advocates and meet their rescued horses, ponies, donkeys, mules, and goats. equineadvocates.org or 518.245.1599 for more information
VOTED #1 CHICKEN WINGS
We invite you to come enjoy our award-winning food in the comfort of our renovated 1800s blacksmith shop creek-side in Averill Park. If you are stopping in for drink with friends or a family dinner, we have it all. Try our many barbeque entrees, slow cooked on premises, our award-winning pizza or one of our many home-style entrees. Our upstairs dining room features a private room for that perfect party!
GOOD FOOD ~ GOOD TIMES ~ GOOD FRIENDS
AND
for Pub, Ribs, W. Sand Lake/Averill Park Restaurant
A&E
11/11
3PM
Concerts in the Village – Kinderhook Reformed Church, 21 Broad Street, Kinderhook; Mozart: Sinfonia Concertante, Requiem, concertsinthevillage.org or 518.758.6401 for more information 11/23
8AM – 5PM
Basilica Hudson Farm and Flea Holiday Market – Basilica Hudson, 110 S. Front Street, Hudson, In Collaboration with Hudson River Exchange, the marketplace consists of a diverse group of makers, farmers, and vintage collectors. basilicahudson.org or 518.822.1050 for more information
FULTON COUNTY
11/4
8AM – 11AM
Pancake Breakfast to Benefit Regional Animal Shelter – Johnstown Community Center, 2 Prindle Court, Johnstown; Join neighbors for a pancake breakfast and raffles to benefit the Regional Animal Shelter. 518.821.3752 for more information
11/11
12 – 4PM
Johnstown Lion’s Club Holiday Vendor Fair –Patricia’s Bar & Restaurant, 32 S. Perry Street, Johnstown; Shop local at the Johnstown Lion’s Club First Annual Vendor fair. 518.762.4460 for more information
11/17
10AM – 2PM
Soup, Pie & Craft Sale – Frothingham Free Library, 28 W. Main Street, Fonda; Stop in for a homemade treat. Browse the crafts to kick start your holiday shopping. 518.853.3016 for more information
GREENE COUNTY
11/2 – 11/4
Ahimsa Yoga & Music Festival – Hunter
Mountain; Join in on this weekend of yoga, dance, music and hiking. Ahumsayogafestival.com for more information
11/3
Self Guided Tours at the Old Game Farm / Abandoned Zoo – 400 Game Farm Road, Catskill; Explore the closed amusement park to travel down memory lane, photograph the sites or just travel the 3.5 miles of paved walkways. This is the last open day of the season. theoldgamefarm.com for more information and to schedule your visit (required)
11/24
8PM
Windham Festival Chamber Orchestra –Doctorow Center for the Arts, 7971 Main Street, Hunter, Enjoy a program of Tchaikovsky, Elgar and Mozart featuring Anna Polonsky on piano and conducted by Robert Manno. catskillmtn.org for more information and tickets
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
11/2 – 11/3
8PM
Star Party – Landis Arboretum, 174 Lape Road, Esperance; Hosted by the Albany Area Astronomers Association, guests of all ages are welcome to stargaze. A talk (beginning around 8:15pm) will take you on that evenings constellations. 518.875.6935 for more information
11/9
5:30 – 7:30PM
Landis Arboretum NYS Wine Tasting –Grapevine Farms, 2373 Route 7, Cobleskill; Enjoy sampling NYS wines at vintners’ stations, and munching on delicious hors d’oeuvres. 518.875.6935 for more information
11/23
4 – 8PM
City of Amsterdam Tree-Lighting at the Mohawk Valley Gateway Overlook – 1 Bridge
CELEBRATING 45 YEARS!
Good Food = Good Mood
Street, Amsterdam; Join in with neighbors in kicking off the holiday season with the tree-lighting, pictures with Santa, horse carriage rides, food, music and lots of family-fun. 518.841.4369 for more information
12/1 4PM
Christmas Tea at Cranesville Reformed Church – 105 Craneshollow Road, Amsterdam. 518.843.1058 for questions
RENNSELAER COUNTY
11/8 – 11/10
100th Year Remembrance Ceremonies of WWI; Hoosick Falls Armory, Hoosick Falls – In recognition of soldiers that gave their lives during the war. Find us on Facebook for more information
11/10
10AM – 2PM
Open House at the Herman Melville House –2 114th Street, Troy, Come to the last open house of the year and visit the attic museum. Find us on Facebook for more information
11/22
102nd Annual Troy Turkey Trot – Join us in this annual Thanksgiving tradition. 5K, 10K, one-mile walk and the grade school mile. troyturkeytrot.com 11/29
6 – 8PM
Holiday Sparkle, The Arts Center of the Capital Region – An evening of sparkling cocktails, delicious hors-d'oeuvres, a Patty Tobin trunk show, and a sneak peek at The Holiday Shop and much more. artscenteronline.org
11/29 – 12/2
62nd Annual Greens Show at Hart-Cluett House, Troy – Holidays through a child’s eyes. Open 11/29, from noon – 8 pm, continues 11/30 – 12/2, from noon – 5 pm. Tickets on sale at the door, or online. rchsonline.org
SATURDAYS THROUGH 4/27
9AM – 2PM
Troy Waterfront Farmers Market, The Troy Atrium – Moving inside for the winter months. troymarket.org
SCHENECTADY COUNTY
11/3
Mystery Scavenger Hunt at MiSci – discoverschenectady.com
Young Musicians Forum, Wenting Yu, Piano –At the Niskayuna Branch Library, 2400 Nott Street East, Niskayuna. Featuring a French Suite by J.S.Bach, Beethoven’s Les Adieux Sonata and the Third Piano Sonata by Brahms. Free and open to the public
11/10 2:30PM
Musicians of Ma’alwyck presents To a Soldier: A Great Life Lost – First Reformed Church, Schenectady; Join the Musicians of Ma’alwyck as they honor the life of violinist David Hochstein. musiciansofmaalwyck.org
11/10
7:30 – 10PM
Britten’s War Requiem – Join the Albany Symphony, Albany Pro Musica and the Cathedral of All Saints Boychoir, conducted by David Alan Miller for their performance of this classic to commemorate the Centennial of the WWI Armistice. Mainstage at Proctors albanysymphony.com
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11/17
5PM
Fidelis Care Holiday Parade - downtownschenectady.org
11/18
3:30 – 5:30PM
Tellabration at Proctors: Sparks – Join us for an afternoon of contemporary and traditional stories revolving around our theme of “Sparks.” GE Theater at Proctors storycircleatproctors.org
WARREN COUNTY
11/3
6:30PM
The Benedicts November Dinner Dance – The Queensbury Hotel, Glens Falls; Join the Benedicts as they dance the evening away to the sounds of TS Ensemble. thebenedicts.info for questions and more information
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Jessie’s Thanksgiving
November was tough for Jessie as far as months go. She was nor‐mally a very happy person, but everyone who came into “The Empty Plate Diner” where she waitressed noticed a change in her once the leaves turned. Some wondered if it had something to do with her upbringing and the holidays. I guess you could say they were right on both counts.
Jessie wasn’t born here; she emerged late one morning from the doors of a Greyhound bus carrying everything she owned in two plastic Walmart bags. Lucky for her there was a “help wanted” sign hanging in the diner window and old man Johnson hired her on the spot. “Something about her smile,” he told people later. Her first question to him was about the diner’s silly name, “the empty plate” and he told her the food was so good that’s what you end up with if you come in for a meal. There was that smile again as Jessie nodded with approval.
Diners are a bit like a shrink’s office; strangers come in and with very little prompting spill out their problems like coffee in a cup. Jessie didn’t have an advanced degree in anything, she barely cleared high school, but she had a Ph.D. in compassion. She also gave great advice that usually ended with her telling whoever was having a bad day that tomorrow would be better if they’d just hang on for another sunrise.
Over the years the town folk got to know Jessie about as good as you could know a lake that’s a mile wide and an inch deep. She’d let them see the pretty stuff on the top surface, but nobody was getting a glimpse of the complicated stuff underneath. And she knew them of course, every customer, how they liked their eggs, who’s kid’s birthday was coming up, who got a promotion at work. The town grew to love this waitress with the greasy name tag that read, “Hi, I’m Jessie.”
I mentioned earlier that Jessie didn’t care much for the holidays. Perhaps that’s why she volunteered to work every Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve. “I’ve got nobody to kiss at midnight” she’d joke with her boss. Most holidays were quiet at the diner but not Thanksgiving. For some reason, people without family hate to sit alone on that particular day and need to be around strangers and that one familiar waitress. So the “empty plate” was never empty that fourth Thursday in November and Jessie was always there.
One year in early November a woman came in who was about Jessie’s age and called out to old man Johnson who was working the grill, “Can I get an order of eggs benedict without the eggs or the benedict.” Jessie, who was taking an order from a couple at the corner booth shot her head around with a big smile and said, “Sarah!”
Jessie asked her boss if she could take her break early because an old friend was here and since she never asked for anything, ever, the old man told her to take the rest of the morning off. The two women disap‐peared into the day as a cold November wind chased leaves down the sidewalk behind them.
Later that night as old man Johnson was about to lock up, the woman Jessie had called “Sarah” returned alone. She tapped on the glass, he let her in, and she handed Johnson a fancy business card saying, “If Jessie ever needs anything, please call me.” As the pretty woman in the expen‐sive coat and shoes turned to go, Johnson said, ”Why doesn’t she like hol‐idays? Why doesn’t she have a family? I’m sorry but..” Sarah took a seat at the counter and told him a truth he never expected to hear.
“Jessie and I grew up in an orphanage,” she began. “Her parents died in a car accident coming home one Thanksgiving night a long time ago. She was 13 years old in the back seat. Somehow she survived, but there was no family to go live with.” She explained that lots of families want babies, but it’s hard placing a teenager. She and Jessie became best friends. She also told him they ate oatmeal or cereal every day at the orphanage for five years so as a joke they’d order eggs benedict without the eggs or benedict. “That one always made Jessie laugh,” she said before giving Johnson a hug and going out the door.
The old man stared out the diner’s front window in silence, then hatched a plan on the spot. He told Jessie for the first time ever, the diner was closed Thanksgiving, but before she could say a word, he insisted she come to his house instead.
When the day arrived, Jessie walked into a party in her honor. All those lost souls she comforted over the years at the “empty plate” were there with hugs, food and presents for the waitress who so willingly shared her heart. Johnson raised a glass and said, “We are your family Jessie. Happy Thanksgiving.”
A few weeks later Jessie asked for New Year's Eve off because, in her words, “I met a boy.” Ah but that’s a story for another day...
John Gray is weekly columnist for the Troy Record and the Saratogian newspapers and news anchor at ABC 10 and FOX 23. He can be reached at johngray@fox23news.com.
