Simply Saratoga Spring 2025

Simply SARATOGA

OWNER/PUBLISHER

Chad Beatty

CREATIVE DIRECTOR/ MANAGING EDITOR

Chris Vallone Bushee

MAGAZINE DESIGNER

Kacie Cotter-Harrigan

ADVERTISING DESIGNER

Kelly Schoonbeck

ADVERTISING

Jim Daley

Cindy Durfey

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Madison Blodgett

Samantha Bosshart

Colleen Coleman

John R. Greenwood

Carol Godette

George Hanstein

Wendy Hobday Haugh

Robert C. Lawrence

Patty Older

Bill Orzell

Megin Potter

John Reardon

Theresa St. John

Ralph Vincent

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Susan Blackburn Photography

George S. Bolster Collection

Terry DelliQuadri

Mike Grittani

George Hanstein

Elizabeth Haynes Photography

Wendy Hobday Haugh

Laurinda Minke

Patty Older

Staci Oswald Creative

Randall Perry Photography

Paul Valovic

Stephen Webster, Hideout Inc.

PUBLISHED

2254 Route 50 South

Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

518-581-2480

saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

SimplySaratoga.com

contributors

MADISON BLODGETT

Madison Blodgett is the Community Horticulture Educator at Cornell Cooperative Extension Saratoga County. She has found her passion in art amongst the natural world and ties her background as a freelance artist into each facet of her life. Her love of gardening blossomed when she settled into her rural home in Greenfield with her partner and two daughters. This love grew deeper as she worked with Daisies and Dahlias LLC before beginning her career with the Master Gardeners in Saratoga County.

SAMANTHA BOSSHART

Samantha Bosshart joined the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation in 2008. As Executive Director, she advocates for the preservation of the unique architecture and rich heritage of Saratoga Springs. Samantha previously worked at Historic Albany Foundation and Galveston Historical Foundation. Samantha completed her coursework for a Master of Arts in Historic Preservation Planning from Cornell University and received a Bachelor of Arts in History from Indiana University.

COLLEEN COLEMAN

Colleen Coleman is the owner of CMC Design Studio LLC and is well noted by her clients for bringing high energy, attention to detail, organization and more to each project. Her collaborative efforts with clients, as well as others in the industry, translates to a comprehensive design to completion for her clients. Her unique approach to defining each space matured into what she has coined as “Creating Environments for Life” - reach her at colleen@cmcdesignstudio.net.

JOHN GREENWOOD

John Greenwood is a leftover Saratoga Springs milkman who loves capturing stories about the people and places that surround him. John and his wife Patricia have been holding hands since high school. The couple recently retired and are looking forward to having more time to enjoy the nooks and crannies of the surrounding area. You can explore more of John’s writing at rainingiguanas.com, where you will find the glass half full and the weather mostly sunny.

CAROL GODETTE

Born and raised in Saratoga Springs, Carol Godette’s fascination with neighborhood stores began at age 11 when she frequented Rowland’s. A passionate educator, Godette taught elementary school in the Saratoga School District for 31 years. Carol is a co-owner of the local Ben & Jerry’s franchise. Godette and her husband live in her childhood home where they raised their two children. She welcomes your comments and stories/photos on neighborhood stores via email: saratoganeighborhoodstores@gmail.com

GEORGE HANSTEIN

George Hanstein was a photographer in New York City and New Jersey for 20 years. He decided that he had enough of city life and built a small house in the Adirondacks near The Great Sacandaga Lake, in pursuit of a quieter life. He worked in a local school district there, teaching photography to High School Seniors. Since retiring, he has filled his days spending time with his Golden Retrievers, doing photography, taking road trips and writing about things that spark his interest.

WENDY HOBDAY HAUGH

Northville freelancer Wendy Hobday Haugh’s short stories, articles, and poetry have appeared in dozens of national and regional publications, including Woman’s World Weekly, Highlights for Children, and WritersWeekly.com. Her stories have appeared in 15 different Chicken Soup for the Soul anthologies. To learn more, visit wendyhobdayhaugh.com.

ROBERT LAWRENCE

Robert Lawrence, a retired elementary, middle, and college educator, authored What's With Those Adirondack Mountain Names? (The Troy Book Makers), which describes over one hundred mountain place name origins. Bob, a Saratoga County resident, enjoys many outdoor activities with his wife, Carol Ann, and their wire-haired Dachshund, Adi (Adirondack). Contact: adkmountainnames@gmail.com

PATTY OLDER

Patty Older and her partners-in-crime, Bonnie & Clyde, live in Middle Grove. She was in journalism for more than 30 years before leaving the news business behind in 2021. Widowed in 2020 after 29 years of marriage, she is navigating a new life trying new adventures to take her out of her comfort zone. Her articles will follow these adventures in her new journey.

BILL ORZELL

Bill Orzell is a retired Geographic Field Analyst and Airframe & Powerplant Mechanic. A fervent sportsman, who resides in DeRuyter, New York, he has a lifelong appreciation of the economic, political, social, and sports history of the Empire State, with a special appreciation of the unique equine, human and geographic narrative which defines the Spa as the place to be.

MEGIN POTTER

Megin is an expressive writer and artist with work published in books, newspapers, corporate communications and online. A resident of the region for over 20 years, she continues to discover anew the interesting people, places and products it has to offer. As a mother to her active young son, she is inspired to explore even more.

JOHN REARDON

John Reardon purchased Compliments to the Chef in July of 2004 and has enjoyed selling over 6,000 high quality cookware and cutlery items to his Foodie Friends ever since. His wife Paula - as well as being a college professor - helps out along with their son John and daughter Aubrey … and they fit right in to his Foodie Team! If you ask John or Aubrey to cook up a special dish, you’ll see a gleam in their eyes! John reminds us... “Life Happens in the Kitchen” and yes… “Anyone can cook!”

THERESA ST. JOHN

Theresa is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in Saratoga Springs. Even though history was not on her radar while in high school, she has a deep interest in all things historical now. She has been on assignment for several magazines and is published in both print and online venues. She is the proud mom to two young men and Nonnie to six rescued dogs, two chinchillas, and a bird. Life is good, she says.

RALPH VINCENT

Ralph Vincent is a lifestyle writer enamored with the Spa City. As an enthusiastic contributor to Simply Saratoga Magazine, he enjoys writing about a variety of topics including home entertaining, cooking, and cocktail crafting. His body of work also includes articles on subjects of special significance to him such as his experiences as a pet parent, gardening, and Yaddo. He resides locally with his partner Steven and their adorable Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

courtesy of John Martucci

See this Feature on page 32! NEVER MISS AN ISSUE!

from the editor-in-chief

Chris Vallone Bushee

Creative Director/ Managing Editor

cBushee@SaratogaPublishing.com 518-581-2480 ext. 201 SimplySaratoga.com saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

Hello Everyone,

Our SPRING issue is always about people and earlier this year, Saratoga TODAY unexpectantly lost two fantastic people, not just employees, but friends: Craig Morris and Anne Proulx. As hard as it is to say “Goodbye,” I’m so glad I had a chance to get to know these two over the last (almost!) twenty years! They were two of the nicest people to be around! Neither one of them needed to work for us - as they were both happily retired - yet both were a ray of sunshine. I hope they enjoyed their time with us, as much as we enjoyed our time with them.

We no longer do the Healthy Saratoga magazine, but I still get story ideas involving health and well-being, so I gathered them all up for this issue, and incorporated them into this FIRST issue of the year- and how appropriate that it’s coming out in early Spring, when we’re all feeling ambitious and READY for a new season! (PS… This may be our FIRST Simply Saratoga, but it’s our THIRD magazine of the year.) We hope you enjoyed our (Award-Winning!) Welcome Home and the beautifully informative Saratoga Home & Lifestyle.

Speaking of which…

If you stopped by to visit during the Saratoga Home & Lifestyle Show –

Simply Saratoga

Saratoga TODAY Newspaper

Saratoga Bride

Saratoga Home & Lifestyle

Welcome Home

Equicurean

Saratoga Christmas

Gonna miss you guys!

Thank You! I love meeting you all and hearing how much you enjoy our publications. Keep those story ideas coming - such as this issue’s awesome feature on the fishing trip of a lifetime from a fellow parishioner at Our Lady of Grace.

As always… I must close with a big THANK YOU! to our advertisers, without them, Saratoga TODAY couldn’t continue to offer these beautiful publications free of charge to the thousands that read them. Please mention us by name when visiting these businesses… Simply Saratoga, the Saratoga TODAY magazine!

I wish everyone a blessed year filled with good health, great times, and purpose!

PS… Look for Simply Saratoga H&G and Equicurean – The Belmont Stakes Edition, out in May!

GOOD READ

Preserving Saratoga

Restaurant Feature… Buona Sera

Name that Mountain

A New Journey Begins

John Greenwood ARTIST SPOTLIGHTS

The Barret – Price – Wong Family

Rhea Haggart Costello

Jean Ellen Sotansky of @Loves.Color BUCKET-LIST EXCURSIONS 30 Crazy Horse Memorial, South Dakota

Labrador, Canada

Erin Fortin 46 Dr. Harry Lindman 48 Amy Eldredge

Sandra Gazdecki

Jessica Hill 53 Greg Hitchcock 54 Dr. Gregory

16 pages of MUST HAVES! for Your SPRING Wardrobe

Caroline and Main, Dark Horse Mercantile, Impressions of Saratoga, Lifestyles, Mia’s Fashion & Home Boutique, Pink Paddock, Saratoga Outdoors, Union Hall Supply Co. & Violet's of Saratoga!

BOOKS! BOOKS! BOOKS!

Farial English’s Debut Picture Book… Charlie and Sophie’s Great Escape

CAMPS

Fun Starts Here! …The Summer Camp Directory

Colleen’s Picks

In the Kitchen with John

Entertaining with Ralph Vincent

SARATO GA

Fpreserving CAROLINE BURKE

WRITTEN BY SAMANTHA BOSSHART, SARATOGA SPRINGS PRESERVATION FOUNDATION

PHOTOS BY ELIZABETH HAYNES PHOTOGRAPHY (UNLESS NOTED)

rom a young age, Caroline Burke has always been enamored with historic buildings and their interiors.

Growing up in Gloucester, Massachusetts, her favorite place to visit was Beauport, the 1907 Sleeper McCann House, where children could visit for free. Caroline regularly explored the mansion overlooking Gloucester Harbor alone. She was intrigued by the forty rooms designed by Henry Davis Sleeper, one of the United States’ first professional interior designers. Each room of Beauport is

uniquely distinguished by a historical or literary figure, theme, color, shape, or object. She also loved to visit the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, not so much for its art collection but for its architecture and interiors. In high school, rather than working in a restaurant or store, Caroline chose to be a tour guide at the Cape Ann Museum, where galleries and art spaces were in historic buildings. So, it should be no surprise that she ultimately became an interior designer who has an affinity for historic buildings.

However, interior design is not what first brought Caroline to Saratoga Springs. She moved to Saratoga Springs to study English at Skidmore College. While at Skidmore, she took Professor James Kettlewell’s “History of American Interiors” and “History of American Architecture” courses, continuing her interests in interior design and architecture. It was on the polo field that she met her husband, Stowe Burke, who lived in a small cottage on a 110acre property in Saratoga Springs that had been in his family for decades.

After graduating with a degree in English and a minor in art history, Caroline took a job with a local publishing company, where she was responsible for managing production details. She soon found that she yearned for a more creative career and decided to seek a master’s degree in interior design from the University of Florida's College of Design, Construction, and Planning while Stowe attended veterinary school at Tufts University. After graduating, Stowe, coming from a family with a rich equine history, took a job in Ocala, Florida, where he began his equine veterinary career in earnest.

For more than a decade, the small cottage in Saratoga Springs remained Caroline and Stowe’s home base, regularly returning for racing season. Prior to receiving her graduate degree, Caroline worked for a summer at Phinney Design Group, a multi-disciplinary architecture, interior design, and green building consulting firm based in Saratoga Springs. When she returned to Florida, she continued to work remotely for Phinney Design Group, where she had her first opportunity to work on a significant historic property, the Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, New York. “It was such an honor to contribute to a place like that,” Caroline shared.

Wanting to provide design, architectural drafting, project management, and decorating services all in one entity, Caroline ventured off on her own and formed Top Rail Interiors in 2011. Three years later, Caroline, Stowe, and their two children, Minnie and Henry, returned to Stowe’s family property in Saratoga Springs full-time. It was that same year that Stowe opened Burke Equine, where he works with the nation’s top trainers’ horses, providing veterinary services, post-surgery care, and conditioning.

Since Caroline’s return to Saratoga Springs, she has worked on a variety of projects. “When I work with clients who own historic properties, I make every effort to honor the property and do what is right for the house,” Caroline responded when asked about her design approach.

That can be seen in her work at 795 North Broadway, 1886 Red Stone Villa. “It truly was a full circle moment to have the special opportunity to work on one of the mansions on North Broadway that I had so long admired as a Skidmore student,” she shared. “After visiting and being inspired by Edith Wharton’s fabled home, The Mount, in Lenox, Massachusetts, I collaborated with the homeowners to create interiors at Red Stone Villa which both embraced the needs of modern living and honored the architectural history of the property,” Caroline continued. This is reflected in careful decoration of the main house as well as the planning and detailing of the newly constructed carriage house designed by Frost Hurff Architects. “The owners and I wanted a sense of cohesion between the original home and the carriage house, so the same quality of detail and material were used throughout the project,” said Caroline. Since that time, she has worked on several other beautiful homes on North Broadway.

CARRIAGE HOUSE

Caroline also did work at 214 Woodlawn Avenue, the former carriage house of 687 North Broadway, the 1903 Henry S. Ludlow House. “It was great to be able to do interior design work in a carriage house that local retired architect Tom Frost took such care to retain and creatively incorporate many of the original features, such as original stable doors and ironwork, when transforming it into a single-family residence in 1988. His approach is similar to my approach when doing a project in a historic building, creatively incorporating original historic details,” commented Caroline.

THE 1863 CLUB CADY HILL

Photo: Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation

Photo: Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation

Photo: New York Racing Association

Photo: Julie & Co. Realty

Recently, she did interior design work at Cady Hill, which has an air of secrecy for so many. “It was exciting to walk into the home of Marylou Whitney for the first time, especially as a fan of horse racing,” shared Caroline. Following Marylou’s death, her husband John Hendrickson wanted to update several rooms in the house. “When making changes it was important to John, and me, to respect the house and Marylou’s legacy,” she continued.

Caroline also has had the opportunity to complete several different projects at Saratoga Race Course. Prior to attending Skidmore College, the only race course she had visited was Rockingham Park in New Hampshire. When Stowe took her to Saratoga Race Course for the first time when attending Skidmore, she knew it was “special.” “I have always been a fan of racing and horses, so to experience the sport at such a beautiful, venerable property was thrilling,” said Caroline. Decades later, she was fortunate to be the interior designer for The 1863 Club, Post Bar, and the former Horsemen’s Lounge. At The 1863 Club, she made a point to showcase many historic artifacts that had been in storage for decades, blending the new with old. “I think it is important for the New York Racing Association to continue to retain the historic character that gives most people the sense of awe when they first visit, making them lifelong racing fans,” said Caroline. When asked about the importance of preserving Saratoga Springs, Caroline responded,

I recognize that historic properties have value and provide a unique sense of place. Without those properties, places can be Anywhere, USA. Visitors and my seasonal clients who have second homes in Saratoga Springs, appreciate our city because of its architecture and history, not because of new, generic five-and six-story, mixed-use buildings. It is important that Saratoga Springs is preserved and protected.

Recognizing that, she served on the board of directors of the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation from 2016 - 2020. “The Foundation plays such an important role in preserving our community, including the Saratoga Race Course, through advocacy, educational programs, technical assistance, and restoration projects. However, many do not realize

that their role is only advisory, and it is the city’s zoning ordinance and the land use review boards that ultimately determine the future of Saratoga Springs,” shared Caroline. She continued, “Developers are hungry to monetize every square foot of our gorgeous city. Without mindful zoning and preservation policies, we run the risk of losing the charm and history that makes Saratoga Springs so unique.”

To support the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation’s efforts to preserve and enhance the architectural, cultural, and landscaped heritage of Saratoga Springs and have the rare opportunity to see Caroline's interior design at 795 North Broadway and 214 Woodlawn Avenue, attend the upcoming Historic Home Tour on Saturday, May 10th. To learn more and purchase tickets, please visit www.saratogapreservation.org. SS

Buona Sera

Finds

ST. JOHN

BLACKBURN PHOTOGRAPHY

The soft opening may have been in July 2024, but owners Jimmy Hartwyk and his wife Danielle took over the operation months prior and spent countless hours renovating the charming space to make it all happen.

The Adirondack feel welcomes you as you enter the restaurant, and Chris, Susan, and I loved it! From the warm, wood floors and paneled walls to the bar area with shelves chock-full of spirits, the wide-open spaces (with seating up to 165) and picturesque views of Saratoga Lake create a feeling of being in a dreamy watercolor landscape! We were all impressed by the spacious yet cozy feeling, we felt like we were the only ones there, yet when we left we realized it was a full house – on a Tuesday no less!

“When it came to the location,” Danielle states when I ask what made them decide to open a restaurant on Saratoga Lake, after having others in Lake George, she goes on to say… “We loved the fact it was on the water and realized it was a fantastic opportunity to enter the market here, filling the void left behind by Panza’s and Mangino’s exit.”

We wander around for a few minutes, and I’m instantly drawn to the original artwork throughout the rooms. Danielle, a petite woman with bright eyes and a cheerful smile, laughs. She knows what I’m going to ask and answers the question I haven’t yet voiced. She tells us, “I’ve always collected art and antiques, I began to concentrate on artwork when I realized I had no more room for furniture! Besides that, art is so much easier to move around.” We all grin over that statement. The pieces are joyful and make the place feel very homey. Danielle shares that she’s happy to see them daily and hopes others enjoy them, too.

We sit at a table near the bank of windows and settle in for what proves to be an excellent meal. We start with a few appetizers and refreshing drinks that usher in springtime. The Carm is a drink made with Stoli Orange Vodka, Chambord, and pineapple juice. It’s a light and citrusy singsong to warmer weather. The Kiss is presented in a fluted glass, made with Prosecco, Peach Schnapps, and cranberry juice, and the Rose Sangria has the expected stone fruits, juices, wine, and liqueurs, but here on the lake, it tastes even better. Our personalities gravitate to one in particular; we claim it and are good to go!

Their Pan-Seared U-10 Scallops are to die for, seriously! I’ve never heard the term before, but I’m impressed to learn it means there are no more than 10 scallops per pound. Talk about colossal! These are set atop grilled bread and cooked with roasted red peppers, pancetta, and red onions in a light cream sauce. Not only did the scallops have a perfect balance of sweet and briny flavors, but they were also tender and clung to the smooth, creamy sauce they’d been smothered in. When the second appetizer arrives, our eyes grow wide. Pan-fried Homemade Mozzarella served over fresh, in-house marinara. Yes, you read that correctly, HOMEMADE Mozzarella! We learn that Jimmy has been making this since he lived in Savannah, Georgia. He was 23 at the time and worked in an Italian restaurant, and we are so happy this continues today.

“The marinara sauce is also homemade – as are all the other sauces served here at Buona Sera,” Jimmy tells us when he arrives at our table to say hello and listens to us go on and on about the cheese. “My dad is Irish, and my mom is Italian,” he tells us. “I’ve always wanted to be a chef and started cooking when I was 18. I spent time working with French, modern American, and Italian cuisines, Italian being my favorite.”

He returns to the kitchen; the tables are now filled with families, couples, girlfriends, and co-workers – a nice mixture of clientele, of all ages! Before he walks away, Jimmy invites us to look up and watch a short video about the mozzarella he makes that’s posted on their Instagram account. Oh, don’t you worry, Jimmy, we’ll check it out!

For our salad, we share their Beef Carpaccio, which is comprised of thin slices of beef topped with arugula, pine nuts, yummy fried goat cheese, and roasted tomatoes, with a healthy drizzle of sherry vinaigrette. The mix of warm and cold ingredients offer a subtle flavor, and the dressing didn’t need to work hard to draw them all together.

The Roasted Half Chicken looks like a work of art arranged on a plate with fresh asparagus and roasted potatoes. The demi glaze, made of roasted tomatoes and herbs, is a perfect blast of savory flavor for this tender and supermoist entree. When we wonder about their favorite dishes, Danielle tells us this is hers. Jimmy prefers the Chicken Francese.

The Bolognese is a hearty dish, and you taste all three meats in every bite; tender veal, the freshest pork, and ground beef mingling in a splash of heavy cream. It’s served with Pappardelle pasta –which I hadn’t tried before. They’re long, flat, broad ribbons of egg pasta originating in Tuscany. It’s the perfect noodle, as its large surface area and rough texture complements heavier ragus. My favorite dish had to be their Shrimp Scampi. Not only were the shrimp perfectly cooked, but they came over a bed of roasted garlic and basil risotto and fresh grilled asparagus. The flavorful sauce was thick and creamy, and there was more than enough to dip the shrimp in and have with a forkful of the risotto. Oh, my, gosh, I’ll be sure to order this on a return visit!

Between courses, we catch up on life and things that have happened in our orbits since our last visit. I love times like these; they are slow and drawn out over a few hours. We get to talk, listen, and laugh over a great cocktail and plenty of gastro delights. It’s the best way to share our friendship, that’s for sure!

We lean back in our seats, stretching. Moaning, really. We’re so full! But here comes dessert, along with decaf. Danielle personally makes four of the desserts on their menu, while the others are ordered locally. We have her Tiramisu and Carrot Cake. We also share the locally made Sfogliatelle – a crispy layered Italian pastry with whipped cream. Again, we all have favorites, and mine is the Carrot Cake - it’s just beautiful! The cake layers are dense and moist, the cream cheese frosting is perfection and the portion is generous. I think part of any good restaurant experience is the ambiance, another part is the food, but the best part is how you… just don’t want it to end.

Buona Sera means ‘Good Evening’ in Italian. I think I speak for the three of us when I say this… from the moment we walked in to the moment we left, our evening was excellent, made special by both Jimmy and Danielle. I have no doubt we’ll be back to share it with others. SS

One Innovative Family Makes Music Wherever They Are

WRITTEN BY

WENDY

HOBDAY HAUGH | PHOTOS PROVIDED (UNLESS NOTED)

FFor more than 50 years, musical programs have sprung up in multiple communities in multiple states, thanks to the BarrettPrice-Wong family’s passion for teaching, performing, and promoting the arts.

If you’re familiar with the Caroga Arts Music Festival, you’ve undoubtedly heard of festival founder, Kyle Barrett Price. The festival began in 2012 when Kyle, then an undergraduate cellist at the Cleveland Institute of Music, invited a handful of musician friends to spend a week at his grandmother’s Caroga Lake home to put on a chamber music concert at the local Chapel.

“My whole family participated in the event,” Kyle recalls. “My sister and mom played viola, Aunt Connie played cello, and my grandma opened her home to everyone involved.”

From its humble beginnings, the festival has grown exponentially. In 2024, over 150 artists performed for more than 8,000 attendees. Aided by family and a supersupportive Caroga community, Kyle went on to found the Caroga Arts Collective (CAC), a not-for-profit organization designed “to reimagine the Adirondack experience through the power of the arts.” As Artistic & Executive Director, Kyle spends summers and holidays on-site, working remotely at other times from his Illinois home. Kyle’s wife, flutist Hinano Price, is CAC’s Executive Advisor and Artistic Producer at Ravinia, a SPAC-like venue in Highland Park, IL.

Kyle Barrett Price, Founder, Artistic & Executive Director of Caroga Arts Collective

Stephanie Price-Wong, Associate Executive Director of Caroga Arts Collective

Deborah Barrett Price, Artistic Advisor of Caroga Arts

“Ravinia is the oldest music festival in North America and summer home of the Chicago Symphony,” Kyle explains. “I feel so lucky to be continually learning from Hinano and her team and applying what I’ve learned to Caroga Arts.”

In 2017, Caroga Arts Collective hosted a series of concerts and events aimed at reviving the town’s historic Sherman’s Amusement Park. Two years later, owner George Abdella generously donated the Sherman property to the organization. Caroga Arts is thriving today thanks to its inspired Board of Directors, Advisory Council, sixteen staff members, and dozens of community volunteers.

Kyle credits his entrepreneurial family for much of his success. In 1992, his mother, violist Deborah Barrett Price, founded the Chamber Music Connection, a nonprofit organization in Worthington, Ohio, designed to provide “education, service and performance opportunities to students of all ages and skill levels.” Awarded the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Award for Extraordinary Service to Chamber Music in 2018, Debbie returns to Caroga Lake each summer to collaborate with her kids and serve as Artistic Advisor.

Equally innovative, violist Stephanie Price-Wong, Kyle’s older sister, is a founding resident artist of the Caroga Lake Music Festival and a founding member, along with Kyle, of the award-winning KASA Quartet. Since 2006, Stephanie has taught students of all levels, and for a decade she served as Artistic Director and Fellowship Program Director for her mother’s Chamber Music Connection. Recently, as Caroga Arts’ Associate Executive Director and Director of Education and Community Engagement, Stephanie developed the String Project & Arts Collaborative Education, an inspired and much needed program aimed at bringing string instruments back into Fulton and Montgomery County schools. Since January 2024, Stephanie and her husband, YouTube “Rock Star” violinist David Wong, have provided afterschool string instruction to 40+ eager students in numerous local schools.

“Stephanie has done an amazing job of conceptualizing this program and putting it in action,” says Kyle. “Growing up, we definitely learned how to multi-task. Our mom involved us in her Chamber Music Connection, asking our opinions and having us help organize performance groups and programs. There were entrepreneurs on my father’s side, too, so by the time we went out on our own, tapping into that entrepreneurial spirit was easier because we’d grown up around it.”

Locally, the family’s innovative musical legacy actually began in 1968 when Kyle’s maternal grandparents—the Reverend Richard E. Barrett and his wife, Joyce Skinner Barrett—arrived at Calvary Episcopal Church, Burnt Hills, with youngsters Geoffrey, Connie, and Debbie. During his 24-year tenure, Father Barrett tirelessly promoted community outreach and inclusiveness, even cofounding Community Human Services. An accomplished musician, he coordinated classical fundraising concerts in 1973 to refurbish Calvary’s historic tracker action pipe organ and, later, founded the highly popular Community Concert Series.

“Rock Star” violinist David Wong has garnered over 6.8 million YouTube views.

A musical evening at idyllic Caroga Lake

The award-winning KASA Quartet features Aaron Schwartz and Andy Liang, violin, Kyle Price, cello, and Stephanie Price-Wong, viola.

Photo by Mike Grittani.

Kyle’s aunt, Dr. Constance Barrett, was a cellist, teacher, and orchestra director at Greenwich Middle School, CT. Connie was thrilled to participate in Caroga Lake Music Festival’s inaugural season but, sadly, passed away the following year. And Kyle’s grandmother— affectionately called ‘Grandma Joyce’ by festival musicians —has been an active participant since day one. She not only hosted that very first group of musicians in 2012 but, subsequently, had an addition built on her home to better accommodate her many summer guests.

“At one point, people were sleeping in every possible bed, plus a recliner—and even the floor!”

Joyce fondly recalls. “At times, we’d have 20-30 people eating here. But everything worked out, and we had a lot of fun. I have wonderful, wonderful memories of those times.”

The matriarch’s musical roots go deep. “In college, our nursing school chorus sang with Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra. Years later, Dick and I were thrilled to sing with Eugene Ormandy at SPAC with Albany’s Capitol Hill Chorale Society. We’ve always been a musical family. Our son, Geof, enjoys improvising on the flute. He and his wife, Karen, are professional Bridge players, living in South Dakota.”

Joyce gives a big shout-out to her son-in-law, Tim. “Tim isn’t a musician, but he’s absolutely wonderful, always helping out with everything. One of my favorite family photographs shows Debbie, Stephanie, and David holding their instruments— with Tim holding a radio.”

The Reverend Richard Barrett once wrote, “We are a Parish filled with talent. All the gifts of the Spirit are to be found among us, and we need to release them. When we live for ourselves, we are getting ready to die by ourselves. We need to reach out beyond ourselves to the uttermost parts of the earth.”

The Reverend’s family has surely taken his words to heart. The Barrett-Price-Wong families may live in three different states now, but every summer they come together to share their love of music on the idyllic shores of Caroga Lake. Perhaps Grandma Joyce sums it up best when she says, “My family lives to play. They live and breathe music.”

• To learn more about Caroga Arts Collective and the Caroga Lake Music Festival, visit www.carogaarts.org

• Check out the KASA Quartet, at kasaquartet.com/index.php/videos

• Watch David Wong in action on YouTube or visit www.davidwongviolin.com

Joyce Barrett, aka Grandma Joyce, whose gracious hospitality made everything possible.

The Reverend Richard E. Barrett, Calvary Episcopal Church, Burnt Hills, NY

In 2024, Joyce Barrett was awarded the George & Ruth Abdella Prize for extraordinary service to the Caroga Arts Collective. Shown with daughter Debbie and grandson, Kyle. Photo by Paul Valovic.

In this favorite family photo, David, Stephanie, and Debbie play their instruments while Tim plays the radio. Photo by Stephen Webster, Hideout Inc.

Sherman's Amusement Park in its heyday.

Distinction Abounds in RHEA HAGGART COSTELLO’S

Paintings & Pottery

“BUTTERMILK GLIMMER” by Rhea Haggart Costello

Fine artist Rhea Haggart Costello of Gloversville is well-known for capturing the beauty of Nature and the Adirondacks in her meticulously detailed and dynamic oil paintings. Through the masterful interplay of light, shadow, color, and composition, this gifted artist imbues each painting with such stunning realism that viewers feel like they are right there, immersed in a verdant forest or standing beside a shimmering lake or stream.

Rhea spent most of her formative years under the open skies of northern California. Largely self-taught, she credits her parents for nurturing her love of artistic expression early in life. Her mother filled Rhea’s preschool years with diverse art projects, and Rhea’s engineer father was forever doodling detailed ideas or playing his jovial ragtime music on the piano, banjo, accordion or harmonica. Inspiring art teachers also helped foster the youth’s creativity. With each passing year, Rhea knew she was destined to become an artist. But after taking art classes in her first year of college, and realizing the proposed curriculum didn’t meet her needs, Rhea decided to leave school and chart her own artistic path. Intrigued by the work of renowned oil painters Maxfield Parrish and Robert Bateman, Rhea was determined to develop her own distinctive style of painting.

“In my twenties, I took a number of group art classes with Nancy Jung in Gloversville to learn how to mix and apply oil paints,” she recalls. “Before Nancy moved away, she asked me to take over her classes. I taught for seven years and really enjoyed it.”

Rhea’s students encouraged her to bring her paintings to a gallery, and in 2001—after seriously pursuing painting for more than a decade—her first painting was accepted at the Adirondack Rustics Gallery in Schroon Lake. “It sold very quickly,” she recalls, “which definitely boosted my confidence. After that, I went on to do a number of shows.”

For 17 years, Rhea was active at the Adirondack Experience Museum in Blue Mountain Lake as an artistin-residence and participant in the annual Rustic Fair, a show spotlighting classic and contemporary handcrafted Adirondack furniture, furnishings, and paintings. Impressed by the talented woodworkers she met there, Rhea began commissioning different ones to create unique rustic frames for her paintings. “My son, Larry Costello, made quite a few frames for me. They’re my favorites,” she adds proudly. “Larry worked with custom furniture maker Jonathan Sweet for many years and now works with Teakwood Builders.”

A contemporary frame made by Rhea’s son, Larry Costello.

During her career, Rhea has been invited to do numerous residencies at the Lake Placid Lodge. “I started a cabin collection for them years ago, portraying a painting of each of their lakeside cabins and, then, making prints available for sale. I haven’t finished them all, but I’ve done quite a few. I’ve begun similar collections for The Point in Saranac Lake and Twin Farms in Barnard, VT.”

In 2013, Rhea Haggart Costello’s career took a dramatic and unexpected turn. “I’d been considering making decals of my artwork and putting the prints on dinnerware. But after failing to locate anyone to work with, I wondered if I could make the pottery myself. I signed up with a potter and took a few lessons. After the second lesson, the teacher said, ‘I know you say you’ve never done this before, but it’s like you’ve been doing it for a long time.’

“I’d never had any interest in pottery before,” Rhea insists, “so this was a total surprise. But the very first cup I made felt like magic in my hands. I loved it! Abandoning my decal idea, I purchased a wheel and kiln and dove right in.”

Oil painter Rhea Haggart Costello participates in Saratoga’s Art in the Park.

For Rhea Haggart Costello, making pottery is pure magic!

Potter Rhea Haggart Costello's signature leather-strapping and embellishments.

From the start, Rhea knew her pottery needed to be distinctive. “Recalling the old saying, ‘paint what you know,’ I started thinking about my love of hiking and horses, embracing the feel of my Jack Leadley packbasket straps as I hike and the feel of a horse’s reins in my hands. That’s when I came up with my leather-strapping idea and the different embellishments that I do. It’s all ceramic, but people often think the leather, grommets, and stitching is real. All the stitching is hand-drawn. But some impressions are drawn with actual grommets, bolts, nuts, or screws, and many of them have multi-impressions within the grommet.”

Despite the steep learning curve involved in mastering the technical aspects of pottery-making, Rhea took right to it, savoring its physicality and the speed with which a piece could be created. “Working with clay is very freeing because it involves a lot of movement. With painting, I’m sitting still for long stretches because my work is so detailed. I can make a mug or even a larger piece like a pitcher much more quickly than a painting, and since I need to make several pieces to fill the kiln before firing, I enjoy the feeling of creating a body of work.

“If I accidentally put a hole in a painting,” she muses, “it’s heartbreaking because I’ve spent so much time creating it, and it can’t be repaired. If a vase breaks—even a $500 piece like the one that danced off a shelf during a concert in a gallery!—it’s not great either, but it’s not 60-100 hours’ worth of work.”

Since the pandemic, Rhea hasn’t been pursuing painting and pottery quite as vigorously as before. “My mother has some health issues, so I’ve been traveling between New York and California more frequently these past few years. And since the birth of my first grandchild three years ago,” she adds, beaming, “I’ve been happily involved in his life, enjoying this special time with him. I have my materials all ready to go. But, for now, I work when time allows.”

To honor the vibrant part Rhea’s parents have played in her life, she signs all her work either Rhea or Rhea Haggart. The artist’s distinctive oil paintings and leather-strapped pottery can be seen at the William Coffey Gallery in Northville, the L. Post Rustic Gallery in Lake Placid, and online at facebook.com/rheacostelloart.

Contact the artist at rheacostelloart@gmail.com

The artist enjoys some plein air painting with her yellow lab, Ash.

The Thrill of a Lifetime

Standing Beside CRAZY HORSE

WRITTEN & PHOTOGRAPHED BY WENDY HOBDAY HAUGH

I was a young mother herding three active little boys when I first read about Korczak Ziolkowski (Kor-chock Jewel-kuff-ski), the sculptor who dedicated half his life to carving the Crazy Horse Memorial in South Dakota. Fascinated by the story of the late Polish-American pioneer, humanitarian, and world-renowned sculptor, I vowed to visit the Black Hills one day and see this amazing site for myself.

In 1939, Lakota Chief Henry Standing Bear and a group of Native American elders invited the Connecticut sculptor to carve a mountain memorial honoring their revered leader, Crazy Horse. They couldn’t offer Korczak any monetary compensation or equipment. Legally, they couldn’t even offer him the mountain they’d chosen overlooking the Black Hills, sacred lands of their people. Korczak would need to purchase the mountain and equipment, clear and create nearly six miles of rough road, build himself a home, and fashion 741 wooden steps from the base of the 600-foot mountain to its peak at 6,740 feet above sea level. All this in addition to designing, engineering, and transforming a mountain into a 3D sculpture of Crazy Horse mounted on his steed, pointing to the sacred lands “where (his) people lie buried.”

Korczak considered the intriguing request for years as he finished commissioned sculptures, enlisted in the Army, and served overseas in World War II. He finally accepted the challenge and moved to South Dakota on May 3, 1947. From the start, Korczak visualized the project as a non-profit humanitarian undertaking with three distinct goals: the carving of the mountain, the creation of a comprehensive museum honoring the history and traditions of Native Americans, and the creation of a University and Medical Training Center for Native American students. A firm believer in the merits of free enterprise, the sculptor steadfastly refused to accept any State or Federal funding, even years later when millions of dollars were offered.

Chuck, Wendy, and Henry atop Thunderhead Mountain.

After two backbreaking years spent taming the land, finally—at age 40, with just $174 to his name—Korczak began work on the peak he’d christened Thunderhead Mountain. Knowing the project would never be completed in his lifetime, he also began penning three thick volumes detailing the sculpture’s long-range execution, a plan his family still follows today with some modifications.

Korczak encountered many obstacles during his 36 years on the mountain, but his commitment never wavered. “I would do it all over again,” he said. “The treatment of the American Indian is the blackest mark on the escutcheon of our nation’s history. By carving Crazy Horse, if I can give back to the Indian some of his pride and create the means to keep alive his culture and heritage, my life will have been worthwhile.” Having always considered himself “a storyteller in stone,” he felt the story of the Native American people was “truly an epic tale that needs telling.”

By the time of his death on October 20, 1982, the 74-year-old sculptor had constructed 61buildings on the property and chiseled and blasted away 7,200,000 tons of rock. He had also raised a family of 10 children with his wife and steadfast workmate, Ruth, built a dairy, hauled in an old one-room schoolhouse, and hired an onsite teacher for their kids.

After first learning about Crazy Horse in the mid-1980s, my desire to visit persisted for 25 years. Finally, in May of 2010, my husband, Chuck, and I spent an extraordinary day with relatives perusing the museums, touring Korczak’s rustic log home and studio, and admiring his many stone and wood carvings. Later that day, I was thrilled to learn that, for an additional charge, we could visit the top of the mountain and see the sculpture up close. Exhausted from an already full day, we vowed to return later in the week. But somehow, with so many other amazing South Dakota sights to see, we never made it back.

Dogged by regret, the urge to stand on that mountaintop persisted until May of 2024 when, at the suggestion of our eldest son, Henry, the three of us traveled to South Dakota. I will never forget the glorious evening we spent standing beside Crazy Horse as daylight eased and cool breezes whispered around us. Awed by the majestic sculpture and the sweeping mountaintop vistas, I couldn’t help but think about the extraordinary man who had embraced the bonds of brotherhood and labored faithfully, year after year, to honor a noble people.

Inevitably, visitors ask when Crazy Horse will be completed, often comparing it to nearby Mt. Rushmore which was carved in 14 years. But Korczak’s grandson, Caleb Ziolkowski, who works on the mountain, points out that the scale of the two sculptures differs dramatically. Mt. Rushmore was carved in high-relief, the presidential busts only partially protruding from stone, whereas Crazy Horse will be a massive 3D sculpture depicting a warrior astride his horse. In fact, all four presidential heads could fit inside Crazy Horse’s 90-foot-tall head. Additionally, Mt. Rushmore’s 10,000 square feet of rock were carved at a rate of 714 square feet per year. Yet if Crazy Horse proceeded at that lowly pace, the sculpture would take 404 years to complete!

“We’re moving about seven times as fast as they were moving at Mt. Rushmore,” Caleb explains. “I can’t guarantee when the memorial is going to be done, but I can guarantee that people are not going to be disappointed in the progress they see going forward.”

Opportunities to stand beside Crazy Horse on Thunderhead Mountain are dwindling fast. If predictions hold, within another five to eight years the sculpture will be too far along to allow any more topside visitors. As I stood there last May, savoring the mountain’s mystical aura, I couldn’t help but think... maybe, just maybe, we’ll return one more time.

To learn more, visit crazyhorsememorial.org.

Korczak carved this marble replica to show visitors what the finished mountain will look like. His lengthy tribute, left, will also be included.

Upon arriving in 1947, Korczak immediately began clearing wilderness to build an access road.

The Crazy Horse memorial beckons in the distance.

Henry studies the detailed left thumb.

Korczak Kiolkowski, visionary sculptor. Korczak labored with minimal equipment and none of today's required safety gear.

Hooking a legend while fishing for world-class brook trout on a retreat to one of our last GREAT FRONTIERS.

LANDING THE BIG ONE.

WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER | PHOTOS PROVIDED

For first-rate brook trout, two long-time fishing buddies, John Martucci and Paul Maitoza, who travel the continent throwing their lines into its finest waters, fulfilled a BIG bucket list item. They adventured to Labrador, Canada - the land of the big fish - an unbelievable landscape where they netted unforgettable catches every day.

In mid-2023, Paul contacted Three Rivers Lodge asking to be added to their wait list - noting he and John were over-70 and avid fly fishermen. Then, in October, they received the news that they would finally have the opportunity to fish Canada’s Woods River System, an angler’s paradise so remote it can only be accessed by float plane.

Few fly fishermen are permitted into this almost untouched wilderness of water (open just 10 weeks a year, from mid-June to late-August). It’s a stunning landscape 800 miles north of Montreal populated with an endless expanse of rushing rapids and pristine pools.

On August 14th, 2024 they boarded a twin-prop regional jet in Montreal for a smooth flight to the small remote town of Wabush, on the western tip of Labrador.

Early the next morning, after the fog cleared, they piled into a vintage de Havilland Otter float plane. John scored the co-pilot’s chair for the hour flight to the Crossroads Lake camp, reassuring their 15-year veteran search and rescue pilot that he wouldn’t touch any of the switches on the old aircraft while they glided above the treetops.

The sight of the Three Rivers Lodge perched on a peninsula jutting out into the spectacular landscape was breathtaking, said John. Guests completed licensing at the lodge (whose owners have been granted exclusive rights to fish this extraordinary environment) while snacking on meats and cheeses as pots of hot perked coffee brewed atop the roaring wood stove.

Hopping aboard the Hudson Bay Freighter canoe with their guide, after approximately 30-40 minutes they reached the low, cool, calm waters of Vezina where they both hooked fish. Paul was the first to land one, a nice pike patrolling for an easy meal.

On day two, they flew out to Marco Two where the plane taxied in three-foot waters while John, Paul, and their guide waded to shore. It was almost spawning season at the run. The trout were wild and ready for a fight, but John quickly caught a 16-inch brook trout with an intensely red-orange belly.

There was a shout and news that Paul had hooked a big, beautiful, five-pound brookie from the pool below. It was a vicious strike with a mouse pattern fly. This Incredible feat was followed by one catch after another with small white gurglers and even a red popper. John wondered “Is this nirvana?”

“If I had to leave that day, I would have been satisfied,” he wrote in his journal.

Five days of fishing remained. In the warm air of the Lower Ricks, the mosquitos and blackflies were a bit of a nuisance. In the deceptively quiet but challenging terrain, they came upon a surreal field of fluffy white caribou moss carpeting the forest floor, no longer vulnerable to the caribou and wolves that once roamed here. At an even more remote camp, the men braved the howling winds of the Third and Fifth Rapids for fish that fought like bulldogs in the rocky waters.

Back in Vezina, John felt the elusive tug of a beast on the nymph fly that the young guide tied. It was the big one, a 7 to 9-year-old legend named “Old Walter” who’d evaded fishing lines all season. The guide scooped the fish into the lid of the boat’s 40 hp Honda outboard motor (because he had forgotten the landing net that day) to survey his distinctive front fin markings before releasing him back into his deep pool. Upon their return to the lodge, the news of their amazing catch echoed through this land, where the water is so pure you can dip in your cup and drink straight from the river. SS

NAME THAT MOUNTAIN

TR Mountain

While kayaking on beautiful Lake Durant near Blue Mountain Lake, NY, one June day, my wife Carol Ann asked, "Where does Blue Mountain get its name?" So we visited the nearby Adirondack Museum at Blue Mountain Lake to buy a place names book. But there was no such publication. So... I wrote What's With Those Adirondack Mountain Names?

WRITTEN BY ROBERT C. LAWRENCE

Part of the "WHAT'S WITH THOSE ADIRONDACK MOUNTAIN NAMES?" Series

"In the spring, when the thickets are green ... One of our sweetest, loudest songsters is the [Western] meadowlark; this I could hardly get used to at first, for it looks exactly like the Eastern meadowlark which utters nothing but a harsh disagreeable chatter. But the plains air seems to give it a voice, and it will perch on top of a bush or tree and sing for hours in rich, bubbling tones." TR, a renowned ornithologist, adored all birds but was particularly fascinated by the meadowlark he described above.

TR, who grew up on New York's Long Island, was a bird watcher from a very young age and observed birds wherever he went. He spent three summers in the Adirondacks studying birds with his Harvard University classmate, Henry Davis Minot. They co-authored The Summer Birds of the Adirondacks in Franklin County, N.Y., in 1877.

Throughout his career, TR maintained friendships with ornithologists and often took bird-watching trips as part of his official duties. By the end of his official duties, he had publicly opposed killing birds for fashionable hats and established several national protected areas to serve as bird refuges. You probably know TR better as Teddy or Theodore Roosevelt. Theodore Roosevelt is best known for much more, like leading the Rough Riders up San Juan Hill in Cuba during the Spanish-American War, as governor of New York State and vice-president of the United States under President William McKinley, and especially for his Adirondack midnight ride to the presidency.

TR Mountain from Phelps with Colden in the background (Essex County, Town of Keene).

Photo Credit: Terry DelliQuadri, courtesy of Peakbagger.com

On September 6, 1901, an anarchist shot President McKinley in Buffalo, New York, while he was attending the Pan-American Exposition. At the time, Theodore Roosevelt was vacationing with his family in the Adirondacks and learned of the attempted assassination. Fearing the worst, Roosevelt immediately traveled to Buffalo. He stayed with McKinley until he was out of danger before returning to the Adirondacks to spend time with his family at the Tahawus Club, a remote hunting and fishing preserve.

While there, Roosevelt climbed New York's highest mountain, Mount Marcy, on September 13 but descended after fifteen minutes due to a rainstorm. While having lunch at Lake Tear of the Clouds, he received news that McKinley's condition had worsened and was dying. Roosevelt and his party quickly returned to the Tahawus Club, where they learned at 11:00 PM that McKinley's condition was dire.

In an open buckboard, Roosevelt began his journey to the North Creek train station. The ride was dark and uncomfortable, requiring three drivers and their teams of horses. At 2:15 AM on September 14, McKinley passed away. At that time, Theodore Roosevelt was at Aiden Lair Lodge waiting for a change of horses and a new driver, John Cronin. Cronin suggested that Roosevelt stay overnight, but TR insisted on continuing his journey.

The image left shows Joe Weigand portraying Theodore Roosevelt as he engages with the audience during the annual TR Weekend in Newcomb, NY.

Photo Credit: Laurinda Minke

Newcomb is hosting an annual three-day weekend to celebrate Theodore Roosevelt (TR) becoming President while he was in Newcomb. The weekend will feature a variety of events, including wagon rides to the Great Camp Santanoni, a Timber Sports competition between SUNY ESF and Paul Smith's College, and many more, with TR participating in all activities. On Saturday night, TR will discuss a significant event from his life. This year, he will focus on his time as Governor of New York State, his brief tenure as Vice President, and his rise to the presidency of the United States. This celebration marks the lead-up to Newcomb's 2026 event commemorating the 125th anniversary of TR becoming President. This year's TR Weekend is Sept 12 - 14. All are welcome.

In the early morning, Cronin and Roosevelt arrived in North Creek, where Secretary of State John Hay's telegram confirmed that he had become the 26th President of the United States. He then traveled to Buffalo to be officially sworn in.

In the polls of the most famous American presidents, Theodore Roosevelt is almost always in the top five. Roosevelt's sculptured face and George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Thomas Jefferson make up Mount Rushmore National Memorial in Black Hills National Forest in South Dakota.

In September 1999, in Newcomb, New York, Governor George Pataki renamed Indian Falls Peak TR Mountain for Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919) during the yearly Teddy Roosevelt Days.

Author's Note: Thanks to Margie Amodeo, Coordinator, at the Kelly Adirondack Center (Union College) for her contributions and photos for this article and many others for Simply Saratoga.

What's With Those Adirondack Mountain Names?

(The Troy Book Makers) is available at the following retail locations: Market Block Books (Troy), The Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza (Albany), Open Door Bookstore (Schenectady), Northshire Bookstore, Saratoga Outdoors (Saratoga), Adirondack Country Store (Northville), St. Andrews Ace Hardware (Queensbury) in many retail establishments in the Adirondack Park and on Amazon.com.

The Summer Birds of the Adirondacks in Franklin County, NY. Courtesy of the Adirondack Research Library of Union College, and Protect the Adirondacks!, Inc.

New A Journey Begins

WRITTEN & PHOTOGRAPHED BY PATTY OLDER

Years ago, my husband and I wanted to get away for a couple weeks. We both needed a vacation and one that didn’t encompass a visit to distant relatives masked as a “vacation.” While those are lovely and we did our fair share, those particular kinds of vacations are riddled with deadlines and commitments. You need a vacation to recover from the vacation.

With our children grown and on their own, I suggested we look to go to a place we had never been before and somewhere we could include our dogs.

I suggested a road trip.

We looked at one another and my husband said, “Let’s head West little Lady.” And so we did.

With very little planning, just a road map and a general idea of what we wanted to see over the next two weeks, we loaded our Jeep and headed West with three of our four dogs.

We did not make hotel reservations or have a destination in mind. We planned each day as it was happening.

While a pretty significant snowstorm clipped us as we headed out of New York on Friday, the 13th of April, the weather gods were with us and the 5,200-mile road trip turned out to be one of the best times in our lives. We found ourselves in love again. In love with life and in love with one another.

We knew certain hotel chains were petfriendly and used our cell phones to look ahead at our options each afternoon. We stopped often, took side roads and let the days take on a breezy, carefree atmosphere.

When we were a few days into the trip, I realized we had not played the radio a single time in those four days. Whether we chatted about the local landscape, people we met, or our own lives, there was no need for the distraction, and it remained that way for the next 10 days.

When we arrived in Moab, Utah, we were hooked – a Jeep loving haven of trails, history and a spirituality embedded in the landscape – and we decided to stay there for a week before heading back East.

The memories of those days still bring me joy.

I remember when we would head out on a local trail in the early morning light, dawn’s sun peeking over the canyon walls in shades of red and pink. We would have a cooler full of sandwiches, snacks and water and not return to the hotel until dusk’s shadow had fallen across the landscape. We witnessed the West in ways many do not get to experience. There was the time our Border Collie, Abel, bailed from the back of the Jeep to herd an enormous jackrabbit, his paws tearing through the protected landscape in his pursuit and our frantic pleas for him to stop before a ranger saw the unlawful infraction; the battle of two eagles, talons locked, as they fell to the earth and I naively instructed my husband to go check on the one still grounded - it was fine - and we watched in awe as it rose from the ground on a six-foot wingspan, gracefully gliding in front of us before dipping down into the canyon towards the Green River hundreds of feet below; and we explored switchbacks, one notably near Dead Horse Canyon - named for a reason - and a wind storm over took us and covered everything in a blanket of desert dust as we desperately tried to put the top up

to protect the pups. We saw petroglyphs etched in stone walls, rode past crushed vehicles at the bottom of trails and traveled in canyons formed by glaciers hundreds of thousands of years ago, while staying acutely aware of potential rainstorms that could produce deadly flash floods. We laughed at the absurdity of cows freely roaming the streets of towns in Indian reservations, felt sadness at the poverty of Native Americans forced to curtail their culture and lives, and marveled at the landscape our forefathers rode across to reach the Pacific. The West is truly humbling. There is something to be said about the spontaneity of a road trip with only a direction in mind. While I am convinced that the nomad lifestyle is embedded in my soul, I am not sure it was in my husband’s. But, looking back, he always indulged in my wanderlust with love. I didn’t recognize then what I realize now. I was and still am, so blessed.

I absolutely love heading out without a definitive plan because it frees me from deadlines. I don’t have an agenda that says I have to drive a certain number of miles and arrive at a destination by a particular time. It frees me to explore more back roads, stop more often in places that appeal to me and linger a little longer when the beauty of this country stops me in my tracks. For me, those types of road trips heal me. There is a peace I can find nowhere else.

I need another road trip. SS

A stroke survivor who’s sharing her story

Meet...

Erin FORTIN

WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER | PHOTOS PROVIDED

Every 40 seconds, an American suffers a heart attack, according to the American Heart Association (AHA) but the average age of a first heart attack for men is 65 years old; for women, 72. Erin Fortin was just 37 when she had a stroke.

From the outside, she seemed like the pinnacle of health. Erin, the founder of Erin Fortin Photography (EFP), is a successful bicoastal businesswoman, with studios in her former hometown of Portland, OR and in Saratoga Springs. She is also a mother of two, a non-smoker, and a lifelong runner who eats a nutritious diet.

On July 26, 2024, she went out for a run with her husband, Brian, and had a stroke.

EVERYTHING INSTANTLY WENT BLACK

Both Erin and Brian are competitive long-distance runners. Five minutes into their run, Erin suddenly lost her ability to see. Within minutes, Erin, a regular migraine sufferer, thought she was having the worst headache of her life.

Brian carried her home. Erin took her migraine medicine and tried to nap when she began vomiting and experiencing unexplained confusion. This was the final red-flag for Brian. He drove Erin to the emergency room where her work-up confirmed that she’d had a stroke due to a congenital ASDPFO heart defect.

“There was a glaring, giant hole in my heart,” said Erin. The hole had allowed a blood clot to reach her brain. It’s a condition every 1 in 4 people are born with, she learned, and while the majority close up on their own, hers had not.

SET-UP FOR SUCCESS

To close the hole in her heart, two different cardiologists attempted two different minimally-invasive procedures. Both were unsuccessful and Erin was scheduled for open heart surgery.

Both Erin and Brian have doctorate degrees in chemistry and took a straightforward, clinical approach to explaining her condition to their young children, friends, and family. To set herself up for success, Erin learned what to expect through virtual classes offered by the Cleveland Clinic. After her stroke and before heart surgery, she stopped running and closely monitored her symptoms (having one stroke greatly increases the risk of having another).

Like with any other major life-threatening operation, she signed an advance directive. Going into surgery, Erin felt nervous but confident and well-supported, she said. Because of her healthy lifestyle, her doctors expected a slam-dunk.

THEN IT ALL CHANGED

After her successful heart surgery, Erin spent 24 hours in the Cleveland Clinic’s ICU and five days in a recovery room. Her surgery had gone flawlessly but for Erin, everything had changed.

“I had to relearn how to swallow, to walk, to lift my hands above my waist,” she said. She was embarrassed by her brain fog and short-term memory loss but by following her doctor’s orders, she took resting seriously and managed her pain, allowing her body to heal.

Recovering next to other survivors twice her age was a humbling experience, said Erin.

“I looked like myself; my friends and family said I sounded like myself; but I didn’t feel like myself,” she said.

After a month, Erin was well enough to drive to the gas station but didn’t have enough strength in her hand to hold the lever on the gas pump. Even grocery shopping was too exhausting for her weakened body.

“It was a humbling reminder to be kind because there are so many people walking around with invisible disabilities that we aren’t aware of,” she said.

THE RESILIENT HUMAN SPIRIT

Every day was hard but Erin persisted with cardiac rehab therapy in Saratoga and within three months, she was back to normal (she had been told it could take up to a year to feel 100% again).

“Be stubborn in the pursuit of healing”, a friend had said. Erin kept that mantra in mind as recovery was not linear.

In February, Erin enthusiastically returned to her EFP Saratoga clients and studio on Broadway. Thanks to her close family, friends, and the legendary EFP Portland team in Oregon, she felt extremely geographically and emotionally supported. “My priorities became crystal clear,” she said.

In addition to focusing on her family, health, and business, Erin also advocates that everyone protects their heart with preventative screenings.

Ask her anything about her experience and follow her journey on Instagram @erinfortinphoto

Spot a Stroke:

Every minute counts once you’ve had a stroke. Watch for warning signs and “BE FAST”!

Balance: Loss of balance, headache, or dizziness.

Eyes: Sudden loss of vision, double vision, or blurriness.

Face: One side of the mouth droops.

Arms: Sudden loss of coordination, numbness, or weakness.

Speech: Slurred speech, difficulty speaking or swallowing, unexplained confusion.

Time: If experiencing symptoms, call 911 immediately and note the time they began so this information can be given to emergency personnel.

WRITTEN & PHOTOGRAPHED

BY GEORGE HANSTEIN

A Primary Care Physician who operates a unique Solo Practice in Saratoga Springs, NY.

DR. HARRY Meet... LINDMAN

One of the many things that makes Dr. Lindman unique is that he operates a completely solo practice in a system dominated by large groups and big bureaucracies.

That’s right, no receptionist, nurse, or staff of any kind. Dr. Lindman is dedicated to his patients’ care and well-being, as shown in the relationships he builds with them. When a person contacts Dr. Lindman’s office, they will be dealing directly with… Dr. Lindman. Not a receptionist or an assistant. When a patient arrives for the visit, the patient is greeted by… Dr. Lindman. He

handles every aspect of the visit. He does the intake, takes the patient’s vitals, does the examination, and answers any questions that the patient might have. Dr. Lindman feels that this additional time allows him to get to know his patients better and fully understand any issues they might be having. This type of care is a throwback to an earlier time. Although Dr. Lindman develops relationships with his patients the way doctors did in the past, he is completely on board with modern technology in diagnosing, treating, and keeping accurate electronic medical records. Dr. Lindman also uses telemedicine in his practice when appropriate.

Dr. Lindman decided to become a doctor at a very early age. He knew that was his path when he was just 11 years old. He said that he realized that although everyone appeared different on the outside, it intrigued him that everyone looked pretty much the same on the inside. Although, as a young man and throughout his college and medical school years he worked many different jobs, he was laser-focused on becoming a doctor and knew that was his destiny. Dr. Lindman enjoys solving problems. When a patient has an issue, he immerses himself in finding a solution. Patients are often pleasantly surprised to find that there is little to no waiting time when they arrive for an appointment. He is a stickler for time; therefore, his patients don’t have long waits that have become the norm with many doctors today. His efficiency and attention to detail allow him to operate a solo practice successfully to benefit his patients. Dr Lindman relies heavily on technology to maintain an open line of communication with his patients.

Operating a solo medical practice means hard work and long days and he likes it that way. He is quite driven and loves challenges. Being a perfectionist, he has found a way to make it all work and his patients are glad he has.

Dr. Lindman has been practicing medicine for 30 years and has worked in group practices in the past. That experience has made him realize that what patients want from their primary care physician is good communication, a personal relationship, and a doctor who truly cares and is attentive to their needs. He has found that his solo practice is the way to attain these goals.

Dr. Lindman doesn’t get much time off, but when he does, he enjoys his 1957 Chevy, taking trips to the beach, and snowmobiling. As hard as he works, I think he certainly deserves it.

If you find yourself in need of a dedicated primary care physician, Dr. Lindman can be reached at (518) 290-1195 or DrHarryLindman.com. SS

Meet...

Amy ELDREDGE

WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER | PHOTOS PROVIDED

An Ayurvedic Health Counselor who’s making people healthy through Holistic and Integrative Healthcare that eyes the root cause of dis-ease.

Ayurvedic wellness leaves you feeling physically energized, emotionally connected, mentally focused, and spiritually aligned.

“When you see people as whole, you can help them see themselves as whole, improving their health, habits, and awareness,” said Amy Eldredge, an Ayurvedic Health Counselor with 20+ years of experience as a Family Nurse Practitioner.

The Ayurvedic tradition is one of humanity’s longest continuouslypracticed systems of medicine. My practice is a bridge between this indigenous healing system and conventional Western techniques, she said.

“Conventional medicine does a lot of good. It was my desire to heal, that brought me to that work. After some time, I picked up my head and said, “I’m in a system that’s broken.”

By spending more time with her patients, she is able to help them develop customized self-care routines, examine food choices, and consider herb integration. When combined with meditation and movement practices, these changes facilitate optimum energy flow through the body, leading to improved health, vitality, mental clarity, emotional stability, and confidence. Now, Amy devotes almost all her time to holistic and integrative healthcare. She offers one-on-one consultations to develop ayurvedic wellness plans, ayurvedic body work known as Abhyanga, Yogasana classes, meditation, postpartum care, and seasonal cleansing packages to individuals and groups in her downtown office. She also speaks at events and holds intensive workshops.

Amy wanted more time with her patients - to delve in, and address the root of the problem - rather than simply treating the symptoms of acute and chronic illnesses.

“Pharmaceuticals can be helpful (and life-saving in certain cases). They can also derange the body further,” said Amy. “I’d prefer not to target one thing to improve a symptom but could potentially cause a cascade of other imbalances when it’s not absolutely needed.”

Ayurvedic techniques balance the elements of earth, water, fire, air, and ether for a harmonized mind, body, and spirit. A consultation begins with identifying patterns from your complete lifelong personal and medical history, including important experiences, emotional traumas, nutrition, and digestion. During a thorough physical examination, Amy notes your body type, takes your pulse, observes your skin, joints, tongue, and nails.

Ayurvedic wellness plans include recipes for nourishing meals that are patient-specific, with the patient’s preferred foods and flavor profile, often incorporating whole grains, legumes, and vegetables most appropriate for their body type, imbalances, and time of life.

“The right food can be potent healing medicine for each person. Because we are all unique, it’s not the same for everyone.”

To ensure alternative care is available to everyone (regardless of financial privilege) scholarships and discounts on all services are available.

Appointments with Amy Eldredge are held virtually and in-person at 526 Maple Ave in Saratoga Springs. For more information, visit www.amyeldredge.com

Beans and Vegetables

Add a dash of digestive flavor to this comforting soup, with asafoetida aka hing, in this easy-to-eat ayurvedic recipe.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup dry yellow-eyed beans

• 1 medium onion, diced

• 2-3 garlic cloves, diced

• 2 cups of fresh mushrooms (I used lions’ mane, white, and cremini)

• 1 tsp each dried oregano and thyme

• a handful of fresh parsley, chopped

• 2 bay leaves

• salt and black pepper to taste

• 8 celery stalks, chopped

• 5 carrots, chopped

• 1 parsnip

• 1 sweet potato

• 1 large can of whole tomatoes

• juice of 1/2 lemon

• 3 tbsp olive oil or ghee (clarified butter)

DIRECTIONS:

1. *Rinse and soak dry beans overnight or in boiled water for 4 hours.

2. +Pre-cook the beans separately and set aside.

3. Sauté onion and garlic in oil or ghee until soft and translucent.

4. Add mushrooms, celery, carrots, oregano, thyme, parsley (save a little for garnish with serving), salt and pepper, and sauté 3-5 minutes more on low heat.

5. Add remaining ingredients and simmer on low heat for at least an hour (or until all vegetables are cooked through). The ingredients will liberate enough water to make this juicy. If not, you can add some vegetable or chicken stock. Bone broth would make it even more hearty. The starchiness of the beans thickens the liquid.

6. Add lemon juice to finish and garnish topped with parsley. This is great served with a warm crusty sourdough.

Enjoy!

*Soaking beans with of a pinch hing aka asofetida and a small piece of seaweed called kombu makes them more digestible and their nutrients more bio-available. I remove the kombhu after soaking. A little hing in this recipe would be delicious. It has a yummy garlicy flavor.

+Cook on the stove top for about an hour (or in a pressure cooker if short on time). For convenience, sometimes I do this ahead and stick them in the fridge until I’m ready to cook the rest of the dish. SS

A

Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional with

a proactive approach to improving your mental and emotional health

Sandra GAZDECKI

WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER

PHOTOS BY STACI OSWALD CREATIVE

When fighting to manage your health, complementary alternative medicine techniques empower you to feel better fast. Train your brain and tap into your body with researchbacked therapies that break through energetic blockages to relieve stress, depression, anxiety, and other conditions.

“Mental issues are a really difficult thing to go through. They are invisible and a lot of people suffer silently. With anxiety or depression, for instance, getting out of bed everyday is a fight, feeding yourself and your family is a battle - and it can really feel like you’re fighting with yourself,” said Sandra Gazdecki, a therapist at Osika & Scarano Psychological Services, licensed clinical social worker, and certified integrative mental health professional.

With simple, sustainable, easily-accessible techniques including breathwork, meditation, EFT tapping, bilateral stimulation (visual, auditory, or tactile movements that occur in a rhythmic left-right pattern), and progressive muscle relaxation techniques, she empowers the warrior within.

With the SandiGaz Wellness Journal, Webinar, New Mama Survival Guide, and other tools, Sandi guides you how to direct your energy to where it needs to be.

Managing your emotions (or teaching kids to manage theirs) doesn’t have to be complicated or involve intense measures, said Sandi.

Instead, prioritize wellness - connect the body and the mind through self-awareness.

For more information, visit www.sandigazwellness.com.

The Way of the WarriorThe SandiGaz Wellness Journal (2023)

The Way of the Warrior -

The SandiGaz Wellness Journal (2023) invites you to cultivate mindfulness with guided reflective writing prompts. When done in the morning, this quick daily check-in is an opportunity to set intentions for the day. It provides space to acknowledge gratitude for the good days - and if it was a tough oneexplore why, then brainstorm ways to find relief.

EFT Tapping: An Easy, Effective Tool

EFT Tapping: An Easy, Effective Tool

Much in the same way blood flows through the arteries and veins, energy flows through the body along defined pathways. Activate energetic healing with Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) Tapping.

“EFT Tapping is really cool because it is foolproof –you really can’t mess it up,” said health and wellness professional Sandi Gazdecki.

EFT Tapping exists at the place where ancient Chinese principles meet modern psychology. By identifying and activating the body’s acupressure points with gentle tapping, the parasympathetic nervous system is activated and sends calming signals to the brain, indicating it’s safe to relax.

Points on the head, temples, eyebrows; under the eyes, nose, and mouth; on the chin, the collarbone, the side of body and hand, target this network of nerves responsible for the “rest and digest” response, resulting in positive effects. EFT Tapping slows heartrate, relaxes muscles, and quiets the mind. You’ll feel less stress and anxiety immediately. Long-term benefits include better-quality sleep, weight loss, improved mood, and pain relief.

Get started with EFT Tapping Today: Download the SandiGaz Wellness EFT Tapping Script for mantras to use while tapping that build a bridge between your mind and body. www.sandigazwellness.com/shop/p/eft-tapping-script

Jessica Hill Meet...

Founder

of The Parent Collective, The UK-inspired education series that creates connections before the baby arrives.

WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER

PHOTOS PROVIDED

With so much to do during those crucial weeks leading up to the birth of a baby, sorting through all the information out there can be overwhelming.

While she was pregnant abroad, having the United Kingdom’s National Childbirth Trust (NCT) support network helped Jessica Hill. When she returned to America, she adapted the NCT framework, which organizes expectant parents by neighborhood and due date, and launched The Parent Collective in 2017. CONNECTION.

The Parent Collective APRIL SERIES

The Parent Collective April Series will be held Mondays, 6:30pm, at Broadway Coffee Co., 493 Broadway, Saratoga Springs. The Prenatal Yoga Spring Series, held Saturdays, April 1st- May 6th, at 6pm, is designed to be a nurturing and empowering class for moms-to-be in all stages of pregnancy. The New Moms Coffee Club, featuring guest experts, and other activities fostering community and connection at the coffee shop, can be found by visiting www.broadwaycoffee.co/events

Through the years, The Parent Collective has expanded from Fairfield, CT into 15 locations including Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, and Houston.

Today, Jessica’s children are 14 and 16 years old, and the relationships she formed with other parents along the way have proven invaluable.

“What my experience with NCT ingrained in me was the importance of prioritizing relationships with people in the same phase of life,” said Jessica. “I became friends with my best friend through this experience. What it really infused in me was that, at every stage of parenting, there are new challenges and worries, so having someone else there that you can talk to builds confidence and alleviates a lot of stress.”

COMRADERIE.

When the baby comes, you want to know what to do, and feel agency in the process, said Jessica, but sterile, outdated hospital classes aren’t your only option. “They are often unedited, so a class can be six hours in one sitting. You leave feeling bleary-eyed and overwhelmed – and are more anxious as a result,” she said.

The Parent Collective’s prenatal classes however, are hosted by certified nurses or midwives. Since 2021, Christine Hernandez, owner of the Broadway Coffee Co. who is also a birth and post-partum doula, and a mom of two, has been hosting The Parent Collective at the downtown shop. Christine creates a welcoming and familiar environment for small events by swapping out the coffee shop’s tables for cozy armchairs, lighting candles, and offering tea - thereby transforming the space into a warm, intimate setting for expectant parents to connect, learn, and feel supported. This hyperlocal connection can be strengthened outside of class by joining a What’s App group chat.

CONFIDENCE.

Although participants are primarily first-time parents wondering what to expect, those with children already at home are also invited to attend The Parent Collective.

“Sometimes the first time around can feel like a fever dream, or you may not have found friends with children at the same stage. If you’re looking for a different labor experience, or struggled with breastfeeding before, we have the tools for your toolbox that will help you slip back into the role of being new parents again,” said Jessica.

Mindful to emphasize the partner’s role in the process, The Parent Collection answers questions about how to be supportive while mom is breastfeeding or acting as a gatekeeper (by managing visits from family and friends excited to see the baby). They also help to build both parents’ confidence with handson diapering demonstrations, soothing, and swaddling techniques.

For more information, go to www.theparentcollective.com SS

Greg Hitchcock Meet...

Author of Silencing Stigmas: Survivorsʼ Stories

WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER | PHOTOS PROVIDED

To unravel the secrets fueling society’s stigmas, seasoned journalist Greg Hitchcock raises a mirror - reporting on those, who, like himself, live with mental illness. By capturing the captivating stories of the downtrodden (those struggling with mental illnesses, traumas, substance abuse, and physical disabilities) and their ability to overcome, he shines a light on every individual’s infinite resilience.

“We’re all dealing with some sort of crisis, in one way or another. We’re not different. We’re all in the same boat,” he said.

In his second book, “Stories of Stigma: How to Overcome Shame to Live a Healthy Life” (October 2024), Greg shares empathetic insights and actionable solutions for sufferers that help foster hope and silence doubt.

AN IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE

In the mid-80s, while serving in the U.S. Army, Greg was diagnosed with schizophrenia. Not only were the symptoms of the disease lifechanging, but he also fell victim to cultural stigmas surrounding disabilities and their side effects. So often, the stereotype in books, films, and other media perpetrates the idea that a person with a mental illness is dangerous, criminal even, and certainly, not to be trusted.

Which is why Greg often doesn’t mention it, and lets people wonder why he might seem a bit “off.”

“When I do disclose my disability, I’m treated differently,” he said. “I’m given menial jobs because people are worried that I’ll mess things up,” said Greg. Instead, he said, he hopes his books help people see why being rewarded on merit is so valuable. “I believe that what you put in, you get out. I want to be recognized, like anyone else, instead of being shoved aside.”

In addition to living with schizophrenia for forty years, Greg began his media career reporting on New York State government and politics for the Empire State Report. He is the founder of Pegasus Digital Media, former editor of the Montana-based Sidney Herald, and has produced short films chronicling climate change in the Adirondack mountains, equine therapy for veterans, and the violence endured by Native American populations.

After six years of serving on the Board of Directors for the Mental Health Association of Fulton and Montgomery Counties, Greg discovered how those diagnosed with mental health disorders are also disproportionately affected by poverty and food insecurity.

Learn more about author and freelance journalist Greg Hitchcock’s in-depth reporting and find his latest book, "Stories of Stigma: How to Overcome Shame to Live a Healthy Life" by visiting www.pegasusdigitalmedia.com

1 2 3

3 Tips for Improved Mental Health

After years of being treated differently because of his mental illness (and learning about others like him in the region), author Greg Hitchcock, diagnosed with schizophrenia, said there’s one thing he wants everyone to know.

“You are valuable. Your illness is not all you are. You have talents and gifts that are important.”

In addition, he urges everyone who needs it to seek counseling and provided three tips to achieve a healthier mental state:

Be Creative. Find ways to express yourself by working with what you have. Greg’s pastel drawings are in several regional galleries.

You’re Helped When You Help Others. “There’s nothing more valuable than working together toward the common good,” he said.

Try out an Adaptive Sport.

By playing golf with fellow veterans at area courses, Greg exercises his body with a habit that’s also good for the mind.

Greg Hitchcock in the U.S. Army in Denver, 1986

DR. A. NEAL GREGORY, MD.

And his team of experienced practitioners as they open their 6th location of Upstate Dermatology in Saratoga Springs

WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER | PHOTOS PROVIDED

Skin issues can seriously impact your life. An estimated 35 percent of patients visiting primary care offices are concerned about their skin but only one percent of American doctors are dermatologists, said Upstate Dermatology’s Dr. A. Neal Gregory, MD.

In 1991, he established the first Upstate Dermatology office in Chatham. Through the years, Upstate Dermatology expanded, and in October, their sixth location opened at One West Avenue, Suite 315, in Saratoga Springs.

“The celebration was us opening our doors and having patients coming in and thanking us for being here and being available,” said Dr. Gregory.

THE TIME IS NOW

The skin is the body’s largest organ, so if you have concerns about its health or appearance, then it’s a good time to visit Upstate Dermatology, said Dr. Gregory. Their knowledgeable and skilled staff provide expert assessments of your skin, general and surgical skin care, cosmetic procedures, and personalized treatments for patients of all ages – from those still in the cradle, to those more than 100 years old.

In addition to treating all sorts of day-to-day dilemmas including acne, eczema, and rashes, Upstate Dermatology provides treatments for life-threatening carcinomas. Dr. Gregory, a Board Certified, American Academy of Dermatology, Mohs Micrographic Surgeon, saves precious time identifying dangerous skin conditions with exacting mole mapping and advanced AI-driven solutions that catalogue the progression of moles so that suspicious melanomas can be evaluated quickly.

Dr. Gregory performs precise skin cancer removal procedures onsite, then provides a microscopic examination of tumors (and the underlying diseased tissue) to ensure it is completely removed, significantly lowering its chance at regrowth, and improving the protentional for new, healthy skin to develop in its place.

TO LIVE CLEARER, LONGER

The Upstate Dermatology medical team also includes plastic surgeon Dr. Richard Karpinski, Betsy C. Morales, NP, Lauren Rokjer, FNP, Nina Komarov, Natural Pathic Doctor, and Dr. Albert Huho, MD, a molecular pathologist whose up-to-the-minute advances have transformed the lives of those suffering from skin allergies. His rigorous breakout patch testing identifies even subtle triggers from among 80 different chemicals commonly found in the American environment. By treating chronic inflammatory skin conditions with FDA-approved noninvasive laser light treatments, Upstate Dermatology can slow and even reverse the growth of persistent psoriasis and eczema.

Upstate Dermatology’s collection of recommended products relieves and soothes your skin woes even after you leave the office. By combining prescribed medicines and specially-made formulas this ensures your skin is healthier and clearer, longer.

“We treat problem skin – from your toes to your hair and everywhere in between, and we recommend you use these products because we’ve recommended them for years and know they work,” said Dr. Gregory.

UNMATCHED PERFORMANCE

Although dermatology is fascinating work that inspires him every day, Dr. Gregory said that moving to Saratoga comes with another unique perk, as an accomplished competitive Western horseback rider, he is excited to explore Saratoga’s equestrian lifestyle.

Dr. Gregory is also proud to say that he has maintained the same philosophy today as he had on day one – “If you need to be seen, you need to be seen soon. We’ll always get you in, and you can always be confident with any doctor you see here.”

To request an appointment at Upstate Dermatology, visit upstatederm.com

Left to right: Dr. Gregory, Lauren Rokjer, FNP, Betsy C. Morales, NP and Nina Komarov, Medical Associate

Follow Two Frisky Dogs on a Fabulous Adventure!

WRITTEN BY WENDY HOBDAY HAUGH PHOTOS COURTESY OF FARIAL ENGLISH

Farial English’s debut picture book, Charlie and Sophie’s Great Escape, follows two spirited Border Collies as they break away from their human companion and joyfully explore the woodland beyond their home. Adventures abound—until a worrisome encounter makes them realize that HOME is exactly where they want to be! Whimsically written by English, of Galway, and beautifully illustrated by Italian watercolor artist, Patrizia Donaera, the story invites youngsters to tune in to the wonders of the natural world. English had long envisioned writing a book. Years ago, while raising her family, she’d read hundreds of library books to her three sons. And she read dozens more during the eighteen months she spent writing about her real-life dogs, Charlie and Sophie!

“My husband and I adopted Charlie and Sophie in 2015 after our longtime dog passed away,” she explains. “Our sons were grown and gone, and the house seemed really empty. We’d always rescued older dogs, but this time I decided I wanted a Border Collie puppy because I knew the breed was extremely intelligent and active, and we’re outdoorsy people.”

Eager to learn all she could about the breed before adopting, English began volunteering once a week at the Glen Highland Border Collie Rescue, then located two hours away in Morris, NY.

While volunteering, English carefully observed how the Rescue staff treated and trained the dogs. When two puppies from different litters became available, Glen Highland founder Lillie Goodrich asked English if she’d consider adopting them. Having a buddy, Goodrich insisted, would benefit both pups.

“We had plenty of property for them to run and play and plenty of time to devote to raising and training them,” English says, “so I agreed to adopt the pair. From the start, they were so much fun—just like little kids! Always on the go, full of energy, impulsive, and curious about the world. I took plenty of notes, pictures, and videos, knowing that ‘puppyhood’ would soon pass. But in the back of my mind, I was always thinking . . . someday I will write about this.”

In 2024, Farial English accomplished her dream. “Since my book’s launch last October, I’ve had such fun visiting schools and sharing my story. I just love reading to kids! And I hope my book inspires them to be curious, like Charlie and Sophie, and to go outside more and explore the natural world around them.”

Contact the author at fsenglish@gmail.com.

Charlie and Sophie’s Great Escape (Miriam Laundry Publishing Company) can be ordered online at Barnes & Noble, Target, Walmart, and Amazon ($7.99 Kindle, $14.99 Paperback, $24.99 Hardcover). SS

The Galway author with her Border Collies, Sophie and Charlie.

Summer Camp

Greenfield

Summer Camp Packs in Outdoor Adventure Accessible to All

When school is out, the kids need entertaining, socialization and time outside. The pressure is on for parents to provide it as affordably as we can.

The Town of Greenfield’s summer day camp is a perfect solution, with its morning-only format and a full array of traditional camp activities that kids will love. The camp is held at Greenfield Elementary School at 3180 Route 9N.

Sign up for all five weeks or those that work for your schedule. Daily drop off is at 8:30 a.m. and pick up is at 12:30 every day but Thursday. New this year, Thursdays are extended days for field trips, with pick up at 2:30 p.m.

Activities include obstacle courses, hiking, gardening, Taekwondo, arts, crafts, as well as organized games and sports clinics to play and learn soccer, flag football, kickball and more. Weekly visitors bring excitement like live wild animal encounters, giant water slides, food trucks along with basketball, yoga and dance instructors. Field trips include train rides, Sky Zone, the Saratoga County Fair, Liberty Ridge and more. There are weekly camp values and awards for things like honesty, inclusion, sharing and helpfulness. Every day ends with a free lunch program and many weeks end with a sweet ice cream treat.

“We pride ourselves on giving these often electronics-focused kids an action-packed morning touching grass with their peers,” said Town of Greenfield Recreation Director Jennifer Zeisler. “We bring adventure to every age group all while bringing back a focus on important values like kindness, honesty and friendship. I think we have perfected the idea of a community camp with many of the bells and whistles of a faraway camp for a fraction of the cost to parents.”

Students in Kindergarten through ninth grade are welcome and will be supervised with a 2:10 counselor/camper ratio. The camp features 30 trained camp counselors, most of whom once attended this camp themselves. Parents can choose early drop off for an additional cost. Signups open March 3 to Town of Greenfield residents, and March 12 to the public. Scholarships are available.

REGISTRATION

JUNE 30 - AUGUST 1

Monday-Friday

8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., extended days on Thursday (early 8:00 a.m. drop off and transportation available)

LOCATION:

Greenfield Elementary School 3180 Route 9N

Greenfield Center, NY

The bright, engaging work of Jean Ellen Sotansky encourages excitement. Since 2021, when she founded Loves Colors LLC, Jean Ellen has been transforming walls into conversation pieces and labels into centerpieces.

Jean Ellen has turned the Druthers Brewing Company beer can into her canvas. She’s designed more than 50 labels for the brand but because she was often given a lot of creative freedom, these cool cans, with their layers of geometric shapes and rich color palette, carry Jean Ellen’s signature style.

After earning her Bachelors of Arts Degree from Purchase College in printmaking and painting, Jean Ellen, a Saratoga Springs High School alum, returned to the area and has been making her mark here since. Her murals grace many local hotspots including Hattie’s Chicken Shack, Osteria Danny, Broadway Druthers, and more. The energetic Lago by Druthers mural, at 550 Lake Avenue, was painted at a record pace. It features a dazzling sunset so saturated with color that it can perk-up even the cloudiest of days.

Jean Ellen Sotansky

With her Vibrant Paintings Popping up all over Saratoga, she is… Making Her Mark!

While working with the national Organic Valley brand, Jean Ellen painted a mural on the wall of D’Andrea’s Pizza depicting a bucolic scene and native wildlife. Flowers are front and center in her Malta Ave Elementary School mural, and Jean Ellen returned to Maple Ave Middle School for a cool cafeteria mural that promotes a transformative idea, “When you can be anything, be the kind one,” she said.

Positivity flows through Jean Ellen’s body of work. Growing up in a family of seven, she was given the freedom to follow her bliss, explore her own interests, and do whatever makes her happy, she said.

Within her inspiring home studio, Jean Ellen layers oils and collage on top of an acrylic base to make patterned pieces that explore the chaos of life and living during this tumultuous time. Her group and solo exhibitions have been displayed on the walls of Uncommon Grounds, as well as the Hub Gallery at the Shirt Factory in Glens Falls.

Jean Ellen’s current collection of digital drawings and high-contrast paintings is a homage to the wonderful women in her life. “I have been lucky enough to have had multiple role models shape me into the woman I am today,” she said. “For any piece I create, I hope people see it and get from it a feeling of happiness, that the colors bring them joy, and a smile. I want them to be a reminder of how beautiful life can be.”

Jean Ellen Sotansky also hosts painting events and completes commissioned portraits, wedding invitation, paintings of puppies, houses, and more. Creating art to preserve your memories. For more information, follow her on Instagram @loves.colors and visit www.lovescolors.com

WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER | PHOTOS PROVIDED

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Randall Perry Photography

Architecturally

Follow us as we explore some of the area's unique spaces...

Architecturally SPEAKING

Randall Perry Photography

GLORY DAYS

Connecting to a bygone era in a dream garage.

MEGIN

WRITTEN BY

POTTER | PHOTOS BY RANDALL PERRY PHOTOGRAPHY

This garage fuels Dave DePaulo’s creativity. The 8,000 sq. ft. structure features a massive showroom, shop, custom kitchen, lounge area, bathroom, and an impressive collection of automobile memorabilia.

It is a sleek mini-museum (and party palace!) where car enthusiasts congregate to bask in their admiration of the automobile.

PRESERVING TOKENS OF LOST DAYS

This garage is a slice of automotive heritage that tells Dave DePaulo’s own racing story within it. "My dad was a successful Drag Racer and I loved hanging out in the garage with him."

Today, he loves all makes and models. In addition to preserving and sharing what he knows, Dave loves driving, and has raced cars for more than twenty years. “My best year was my last year,” he said.

During his career, Dave scored six wins on the dirt track at the Albany-Saratoga Speedway, as well as in Oswego, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina. He was slingshot division points champion and now, he’s Chairman of the Board at the Saratoga Automobile Museum. He is also crafting a museum-level display space in his own backyard. Showcased here are his trophies, uniform, and 10 of his original racing car hoods. There’s also Dave’s favorite item – a framed Gater Racing News article featuring a photo of him and an eight-year-old fan. “That boy would just stand at the chain link fence and gaze through it at the Winner’s Circle and dream. So, after one of my wins I brought him to the Winner’s Circle so he could celebrate and have his picture taken with us,” said Dave.

A MODERN MUSCLE CAR MINI-MUSEUM

This fantasy garage is a next-level man cave, with slick 2’x 4’ large-format Italian porcelain radiant tile flooring, and 100 LED adjustable pot lights creating a runway strip in the 25’ vaulted ceiling. Within one of the two copperroofed cupolas, the front half of a plane (salvaged from the Saratoga County Airport) is positioned at an angle so it appears as if its fully-costumed pilot is coming in for a landing. The eye-opening appeal of natural light pours through the garage’s 48 Anderson windows and four matching oversized glass doors, giving it a jaw-dropping, mid-century modern sleekness.

To balance the contemporary exterior with a showstopping retro-themed space inside (that was large enough to house his entire collection, which currently consists of 27 vehicles), Dave, the founder of Bella Home Builders, had eight 30’ Douglas fir trees planted within the property’s professional landscaping, integrating the garage seamlessly with its surroundings. The shiny cars in Dave’s collection aren’t just for show. There’s a circular driveway so he can take out any car, at any time, for a joyride.

Randall Perry Photography

Randall Perry Photography

BURNING FOR ADVENTURE

As much as Dave loves cars, he may love to cook and entertain more. The garage’s full kitchen features custom-built self-locking metal cabinetry, original neon advertising signs, and a vintage Coke machine next to a one-of-a-kind bar that was a particularly challenging build, said Dave. Constructed from a salvaged Ford F150 pickup bed, it required precise framing for a smooth latch when opening and closing (that doesn’t joggle the fully illuminated glass bottles above).

Dave and his wife, Margaret, have hosted parties for more than 140 people in this space, including a sock-hop style celebration for Dave’s mother, Kathleen’s, 80th birthday.

Even the couple’s three teenage children appreciate the oldschool fun here. There’s a foosball table, an antique 1930 dime slot machine, and a pinball machine (plus, the cornhole comes out when the weather’s nice). The built-in entertainment center delivers an awesome experience in surround sound. Custom shelving houses Dave’s racing memorabilia and a collection of 36 limited-edition classic car-shaped liquor decanters given to him by his very generous friends and clients; Lou and Lynn Ruggerio. The three oversized heated leather lounge chairs have cupholders in the arm rests, lights, and removable side tables for the ultimate in viewing.

Randall Perry Photography

Randall Perry Photography

Randall Perry Photography

TALKING SHOP

Behind the custom-trimmed doors is the shop where these vehicles are kept in tip-top shape. While the brand-new Corvette zo6 is a rocket right from the start, other cars on display here, like the cherry red 1967 Pontiac Firebird (similar to Dave’s first car) have been painstakingly restored.

While Dave loves muscle cars, he also respects highperformance vehicles, daily drivers, and the charm of classic cars. Scattered around the room are several motorcycles and an ultra-rare pink 1950s Vespa from Italy.

The garage’s eight restored gas pumps (one a massive 12’ Gulf pump from the 1920s) are remnants of a bygone era. Dave likes cars that are fun to drive, even today’s electric models, he said, like the Tesla Model S Plaid he had that went from 0 to 60 mph in two seconds - making it the fastest car on the road. Currently, he’s driving an Audi e-tron GT, for its unsurpassed comfort, performance, and beautiful styling.

While Dave is gazing at a blue 1941 Ford pickup, the driving force behind his collection moves him. He points to the truck’s pristine wormy maple wooden bed, with its supersmooth finish, hand-crafted metal stripping, and countersunk screws, and says, “Now, this is art that you just can’t buy.” SS

Randall Perry Photography

Randall Perry Photography

Coleman is the Principal of

LLC

in

Springs. With certifications in Kitchen & Bath Design, Aging in Place and True Color Expert, her curated design extends into all areas of her field including new construction, historical and major renovations. Her passion is in designing & customizing hand-crafted cabinets for all areas of the residential market.

Colleen's Picks

A Carefully Curated Selection of HOME DÉCOR ITEMS

WRITTEN BY COLLEEN COLEMAN OF CMC DESIGN STUDIO LLC

Well... We all made it to Spring!!

With a tough winter behind us, we have so much to look forward to as the sun warms our world! I was fortunate enough to catch a beautiful day to peruse some of our local shops and take in this warmer weather! I love walking downtown and seeing everyone, don’t you? With that… I’m excited to share with you my new finds for Spring! Come…Walk with me!

Let’s start right at the corner of Phila and Broadway where we find IMPRESSIONS OF SARATOGA. They always seem to have just the right SaratogaThemed goodies I need to brighten my home and add a nod of our historic town to any room! Take for instance this Watercolor Jockey Silks Glass Cutting Board detailed with colors of yellow, blue, green and a variety of red hues. Perfectly suited for a bar, indoor or out, or a small charcuterie board for festive Saratoga gatherings. I’d even rest it up against a backsplash layered with a rustic natural wood cutting board to add a colorful Spring pop in any kitchen! Need a new travel mug for hot or cold beverages? The 12 oz. Thermal Watercolor Jockey Silks Travel Mug is perfectly suited for taking your favorite beverage to your front porch for a morning sip or tagging along at work to keep you hydrated. Whichever your fancy, this colorful mug is sure to bring smiles as you know our track season is just ahead with warmer days! And one of my fav’s is the artwork by Emily MacDougall depicting our local Historical Saratoga Springs (frame not included) which brought travelers from all over the world to find healing. Here, Emily used historic photographs and illustrations to showcase our local pavilions of architectural antiquity; none of which are in existence today. This print is a stunning peak into our past and just may entice your guests to visit each current site and experience the waters of old for themselves!

IMPRESSIONS OF SARATOGA

368 Broadway, Saratoga Springs ImpressionsSaratoga.com | 518-587-0666

Colleen

CMC Design Studio

located

Saratoga

Continuing up Broadway, you’ll find CELTIC TREASURES, one of the largest importers of Irish Gifts in Upstate NY! They have a spectacular assortment of glassware for all your special moments, including this Galway Irish Crystal Gift Set. Inside the beautifully crafted oak box is a neat collection for any celebration including two cut glass whiskey tumblers and slate coasters, eight granite “ice-cubes” which will never dilute your whiskey, only chill it to perfection, an oak tray to conveniently freeze your cubes and tongs. A fabulous gift for a bachelor or a birthday gift for that friend who’s hard to shop for.

Across the street, THE DARK HORSE MERCANTILE has some new goodies worth bragging about! For the junior shoppers, this Equestrian Baby Blanket is a perfect wrap crafted of 100% cotton. Its jockey motif is adorable, cantering amid the woven threads. A perfect complement to any Saratoga baby carriage! Now for the more adult consumer…Be on the lookout for a new brand of coffee by Saratoga Cool Beans! Always crafted in Binghamton NY, the home and resting place of 1918 Kentucky Derby Winner; Exterminator! With beans sourced from the world’s finest regions, your sure to find one (if not more!) favorite flavors to brew daily! My pick is Top Of The Stretch crafted from Tanzanian beans from the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro…a trifecta of flavor pairing black tea, grapefruit and papaya…a winning combination! For the cigar loving individual in your life, pick up this distinguished Glencairn Saratoga Cigar/Bourbon Set. Let him, or her, sip & puff the night away in style… on the porch, around a firepit or by the lake. New to bourbon? Here’s a tip...The Glencairn glass is shaped to enhance “the nose” and your ability to smell the aroma. Don’t rush the experience, savor it!

Speaking of cigars and bourbon, I want to give a shout out to the Bourbon Room Saratoga, located at 8 Caroline Street. They just hosted their first bi-annual Bourbon and Cigar Pairing Event which was a huge success! Follow them on Facebook to keep up with all the details on their fall event before it’s sold out!

CELTIC TREASURES

456 Broadway, Saratoga Springs CelticTreasures.com | 518-583-9452

445 Broadway, Saratoga Springs ImpressionsSaratoga.com | 518-587-0689

DARK HORSE MERCANTILE

ACCENTS AT ALLERDICE

2570 U.S. 9, Malta

THE FURNITURE HOUSE

1254 NY-9P, Saratoga Springs TheFurnitureHouseNY.com | 518-587-9865

Let’s head into Malta where we find ACCENTS AT ALLERDICE! A gem of a stop tucked into the rear of Allerdice Hardware …just follow the footsteps as you enter the store! There are the most delightful, whimsical finds here, like this 12” Grass Cut Bunny. Such a sweet addition to any Spring décor which adds a rustic texture juxtaposed by an adorable expression. Pair him with these 8 ct. Jute Colorful Eggs in a variety of colors to brighten an Easter Basket or table centerpiece. And what would Spring be without a few Metal Chicks to liven up your day. Available in white, yellow and black (not shown), these playful peeps would bring a smile to anyone’s face!

Heading to the lake is always a picturesque drive, where I love to stop in at THE FURNITURE HOUSE this time of year to search for new options in outdoor furniture. Now is the time to order your furniture so it arrives in time for your Memorial Day Celebration! Take a look at the new Summer Classics Como Collection. With inspiration from the 1960’s minimalist European designs, the lines are clean and functional. Crafted from their N-Dura™ resin wicker, each piece stands sturdy with aluminum frames and offers true comfort with or without cushions. If you’re looking to add a few sitting chairs or updating your dining area, try looking at the new Summer Classics Bari Arm Chair. Another N-Dura™ resin wicker collection with intricately woven chevron texture, adding a sense of sophistication to your outdoor vignettes. These too can be used with or without cushions. Don’t delay ordering… Now is the time!

SUMMER CLASSICS BARI ARM CHAIR

SUMMER CLASSICS COMO COLLECTION

EARL B. FEIDEN APPLIANCE

1771 U.S. 9, Clifton Park | 518-383-2215

785 U.S. 9, Latham | 518-785-8555

And wait ‘til you see the 36" Hestan Outdoor Deluxe Grill with Double Side Burner at EARL B. FEIDEN’S for all your grilling! Where do I start…The design is spectacular and finally breaks the mold of a rectangular box! Notice the fabulous color? That can be changed out easily to offer different décor schemes in your yard or just for the seasons…pick from 12 different hues including this Bora Bora option! The exterior doesn’t stop there… be sure to check out their commercial-grade end caps of their Marquise Accented™ control panel and hood handle…Cooking outdoors never looked so good! So, let’s talk grilling with this beauty. Hestan is world renowned for their cookware and has brought their expertise to the outdoor market. Some of the top features include their heavy-duty Horizon Hood™ which opens easily with spring-assisted hinges and holds the hood in place at a desired height for easy access. DiamondCut™ grates create a superior grilling surface with greater heat distribution while high-performance variable ceramic infrared sear burners offer 25,000 BTUs each! Having a party? Hestan’s grill offers 647 square inches for grilling and 236 square inches for a warming surface including a concealed whisper-quiet rotisserie motor system. Looks like Hestan has done it again!!

I’m so excited for this Spring Season… The warmth of the sun, opening the pool and seeing all my flowers pop up after a long winter’s nap. Downtown, we begin to see signs as well with Congress Park bursting of blossoms, the fountains spouting in joy and patios appearing once again in front of our cafés and eateries. Ahhh…Saratoga in Spring…What a spectacular place to call home!!

Until next time my friends,

of

Certified Kitchen & Bath Designer

Certified Aging in Place

True Color Expert

SS

Contributing Interior Design Editor, Saratoga Publishing

National Award Winning Designs colleen@cmcdesignstudio.net @cmcdesignstudiollc

“Creating Environments for Life” TM

Colleen Coleman

CMC Design Studio LLC

In the Kitchen

JOHN REARDON WITH

Hello my Foodie Friends!

Food has always been a central part of my life. All of my happy childhood memories center around food, whether gathering, cooking, or eating. I can close my eyes and see my mother kneeling in her vegetable garden smiling wearing her garden-tool patterned gloves. She would gather her vegetables, taking pride in the zucchini, squash, vine tomatoes, and strawberries grown. I loved to watch her garden and would get into the thick of it, eating ripened tomatoes from the vine. She would call out for me to stop as I pulled every ripe strawberry, to drop them from my greedy hands. The only way this request would work was the promise of strawberry-rhubarb pies, one of my favorite pies to this day.

Springtime, with its blooming flowers, warmer weather, and longer days, is often associated with new beginnings and fresh starts. It can be a time of setting new intentions. Perhaps start that vegetable garden you have been talking about, or purging your house of items you no longer use. Cooking is a creative form of labor, whether you are preparing a rigorous recipe or a quick snack. Consumers are continuing to focus on quality items to cook with, and prioritizing fresh, minimally processed ingredients like locally sourced produce, whole grains, high-quality cuts of meat, fresh herbs and spices, and responsibly sourced seafood, avoiding excessive additives, preservatives, and artificial flavors; essentially, and opting for ingredients that retain their natural flavor and nutritional value. Along with quality products, comes the shift towards using the best items to prepare our food.

Cooking has long been the cornerstone of many cultures — and it’s not hard to see why: there is something so satisfying about transforming raw ingredients into a delicious meal. The process can be seen as both an art and a science. Of course, in order to truly master the craft of cooking, you need the right equipment. Whether you’re a home cook or a professional chef, having the best cooking equipment within reach will make all the difference when it comes to giving your recipes that ‘wow-factor.’

If the dining table is the heart of every home, then kitchens are the vessels that keep it running. By putting more thought into how to choose your cookware and cooking utensils, you are not just making your kitchen reliable—you are piecing it together to last a long time. Many of our customers are remodeling kitchens or reevaluating the current cookware and knives they use while looking at revamping and moving towards new quality items. Kitchens are complex wonderlands. These are places where the best concoctions and recipes were made and discovered. But before all that sumptuous food gets in your stomach, processes come along with cooking—which requires the best kitchen utensils. Cooking equipment can make meal preparation easier by providing the right tools needed to prepare a variety of meals. From pots and pans to blenders and whisks, these tools can greatly increase the variety and scope of recipes you can create. For instance, oven mitts and pot holders help protect hands against hot surfaces in the kitchen. Skillets and pans provide a stable surface for your food while being heated on the stovetop. They are made of heavy gauge materials like stainless steel and cast iron to ensure even heat distribution throughout your cookware. Thermometers can help ensure that foods have reached a safe internal temperature and make food safety fool-proof.

Digital thermometers provide accurate readings on the spot to guarantee that your meals are cooked properly every time. A timer helps in keeping track of how long foods have been in the oven or on the stovetop to avoid burning. Choosing a great knife for cooking is crucial because a high-quality blade is significantly sharper, more precise, and easier to control, leading to safer and more efficient food preparation, allowing for clean cuts, minimizing damage to ingredients, and reducing hand fatigue compared to a dull or poorly made knife; essentially, a good knife enhances your cooking experience and can significantly improve the quality of your dishes. This is a small list of tools that can make a difference in your kitchen.

Springtime is a good time for cleaning and decluttering your kitchen. Additionally, outdoor cooking becomes more popular as the weather gets warmer, so restocking your kitchen with grilling tools and supplies can be a good idea. This Spring, stop into Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store located at 33 Railroad Place. Pick up the tools you need to help you make a difference in your meal preparation.

Remember my Foodie Friends: “Life Happens in the Kitchen.”

Take Care, John & Paula

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

INGREDIENTS

• 1 double-crust pie crust

• 2 1/2 cups rhubarb chopped into 1/2-inch pieces

• 2 1/2 cups strawberries washed, hulled and cut into pieces about the same size as the chopped rhubarb

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 3 Tablespoons minute tapioca

• 1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour

• 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest

• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 3 Tablespoons salted butter

• 1 beaten egg

• 1 teaspoon water

• Extra sugar for sprinkling on top of crust

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Using a double crust (recipe or purchased), roll out one half of the crust and cover the bottom of a pie dish, while reserving the other half of the dough for the top crust.

2. Mix the rhubarb, strawberries, sugar, tapioca, flour, lemon zest and juice, cinnamon, and vanilla together in a large bowl and pour out into prepared crust.

3. Slice the butter into small chunks and place them around the top of the strawberry rhubarb filling.

4. Roll out the remaining half of the pie crust and gently place it over the filling, either as a solid crust with slits cut into it for ventilation or by cutting into strips and laying them out in a lattice pattern. Crimp to seal edges.

5. Make an egg wash by beating an egg with 1 teaspoon of water in a small bowl, then brush it over the top of the pie with a pastry brush and sprinkle the top of the pie with a teaspoon or two of sugar.

6. Loosely cover the edges of the pie with foil and bake at 425 degrees F for 15 minutes. Decrease temperature to 375 degrees F and bake for an additional 45 to 50 minutes, or until the filling is bubbling and the crust is golden brown.

7. Let the pie cool for at least 2 hours before cutting and serving.

Recipe courtesy of House of Nash Eats at houseofnasheats.com

Photo by Randall Perry Photography

Entertaining

RALPH VINCENT WITH

Ideas for relaxed entertaining your guests will love… and you will too!

Time to Lighten Up!

I think spring is the most awesome time of year. The season is full of new beginnings and positive changes, which makes it a great time to add some lighter recipes to your home entertaining repertoire! Believe me, you can still "wow" your guests with treats that are not only delectable, but healthier as well.

The Fruit, Cheese and Nut "Uncharcuterie" Board

This is kind of like a charcuterie board sans meat. There really is no specific recipe, just use the fruits, nuts and cheeses you prefer. The amount of each to use depends on how many ingredients you incorporate and the size of your board. The idea is to arrange everything in a visually pleasing, maybe somewhat decorative manner, but don't stress over this either! It can be as easy as placing a bowl of nuts in the center of your board and surrounding it with alternating mounds of fruit and cheeses.

For this edition I have put together some of my lighter (but still DELISH!!) recipes. To begin with is my take on the popular Charcuterie Board. In my version I have replaced the meat with fruit, nuts, and cheese. Next up is Avocado Silk - creamy avocados blend deliciously with lemon and fresh dill in this light but sooo rich tasting dip. And you’re gonna love my Cuke Cups with Garbanzo and Feta Salad.

If you are looking for a "Springy" mega-yummy cocktail check out my Hibiscus Citrus Margarita. I know, I know ...cocktails are not what comes to mind when you think of healthy drinks, but as they say, everything in moderation!

I hope you enjoy these recipes. Have fun in your kitchen cooking (and making drinks for the people you love, and remember...

it doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to taste good!

I frequently arrange fruit slices into an "S" shaped pattern down the length of the board I am using, and fill in the curved areas with other fruits, nuts and cheese and crackers. Sometimes I do the same thing in a large curve and fill it in. Be sure to drain juicy fruits like pineapple and citrus on paper towels for a few minutes to keep things tidy, and sprinkle sliced apples with a little lemon juice to prevent discoloration. Small bowls keep nuts and smaller fruits like grapes from rolling away. As far as fruits go, sliced or whole strawberries, and green or purple seedless grapes are some of my favorites to use, but I also add dried fruits such as apricots or dates for contrast.

I like to use milder soft cheeses like Buratta or Brie, along with more strongly flavored firm varieties such as Roquefort and Gruyere. My favorite nuts are almonds, cashews and walnuts. But use what you like, that pairs well according to your taste.

Avocado Silk

• 3 ripe Hass avocados peeled, and pit removed

• 1/2 cup of reduced fat or fat free sour cream

• 2 teaspoons of fresh lemon juice

• 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh dill

• 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt

DIRECTIONS: Place all the ingredients into a food processor bowl fitted with the blade attachment. Process until smooth and silky, scraping down the processor bowl a few times. Transfer to a serving dish, add more salt or lemon juice if needed. Refrigerate until time to serve.

Cuke Cups with Garbanzo & Feta Salad

• 2 large cucumbers. I usually use European or English cukes as they do not require peeling.

• One 15 ounce can of Garbanzo beans (aka chick peas), drained and rinsed

• 1/4 cup of minced fresh parsley

• 1/2 cup of crumbled reduced fat or fat-free feta cheese

• 1/2 cup of minced kalamata olives

• 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice

• 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil

• 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt.

• a pinch of black pepper.

DIRECTIONS: Wash the cucumbers, peel if desired and cut across into 1/2-inch-thick wheels. With a teaspoon hollow out the center a bit to form a cup. Place the cups on plates lined with paper towels to drain.

Place the Garbanzos in a medium bowl and mash into a chunky consistently. Stir in the next six ingredients. Season with additional lemon juice, salt and pepper as needed. Depending on the size of your cucumbers, scoop a tablespoon or more into each cucumber cup, mounding the mixture on top. Refrigerate until you are ready to serve. If you feel like it, sprinkle more minced parsley and crumbled feta cheese onto each cuke cup to garnish. But either way they will be delish!

Hibiscus Citrus Margarita

• 2 ounces of tequila blanco... I prefer Lalo or Tequila Mi Campo

• 1/2 ounce of orange liqueur such as Gran Gala or Torres Magdala

• 1 ounce of fresh lime juice

• 1 ounce of hibiscus syrup. You can make your own, but there are some nice brands available locally.

DIRECTIONS: Measure the ingredients into an ice filled shaker, secure the lid and shake it like crazy. Strain into an ice filled "rocks" glass. Garnish if you like with a slice of lime, and or a preserved hibiscus blossom which are available jarred like maraschino cherries. Cheers!

THOUGHTS TO PAPER: A Gardener’s Guide

WRITTEN BY MADISON BLODGETT, COMMUNITY HORTICULTURE EDUCATOR AT CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SARATOGA COUNTY

While I gaze out my second story window at the frozen ground below, my mind is already buzzing with ideas for my gardens this year. I reach for my pencil and paper- they are as essential to my gardening daydreams as coffee is to my mornings.

PLAN TO SUCCEED

Planning your layout before the growing season begins will help you maximize the functionality and aesthetics of your garden. Your drawing can be as simple as shapes described with a key. Whether you grow perennials or vegetables, there are many factors to consider. My goal is to send you into the year armed with knowledge and confidence!

SURVEY YOUR LANDSCAPE

Does your space receive full sun, shade, or a mixture of both? Consider sun mapping with pictures- spend a day taking pictures of your garden space hourly, from the same point of view. Watch how the shadows move through to get an understanding of the sun exposure your plantings will receive. Understanding this will help you choose plants that will succeed in your conditions. Are there bodies of water, paving, or other obstacles to work around? What is the proximity to a watering source or gardening tools? Indicate these features in your drawing.

GET TO KNOW YOUR SOIL

Good soil equals happy plants. Taking samples from the exact places that you plan to grow them will give you the best understanding of what you’re working with. Samples can be dropped off at our CCE office right here in downtown Ballston Spa for pH evaluation. Check out our website for additional details on how to submit your sample. You can then choose to either amend your soil or find plants that will flourish in your existing soil.

SET THE SCENE FOR THE ENTIRE SEASON

Reference the back of your seed packets, plant tags, or catalogs to accurately map out how much room they’ll need in your garden. This will help you avoid overcrowding them later in the season when they fill out. Plan to trellis vining plants, such as squash, to save valuable space in your gardens.

KNOW YOUR LIMITATIONS

If you aren’t keen on kneeling and bending over a garden all season, don’t plant in the ground. Raised beds lessen physical strain and could be built in vertical tiers to maximize limited space. Soil compaction from foot traffic is also avoided with raised beds, which means happier and healthier roots!

ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR MICROCLIMATE

For a perennial garden, think about your microclimate. A microclimate is a local set of conditions that differ from those in the surrounding areas. In my neck of the woods, snow is dumped and lingers in my yard much longer than even 5 minutes down the road. This means I have a colder, wetter climate than my neighbors. Knowing this helps me have realistic expectations on which plants will thrive. Saratoga county encompasses hardiness Zones 4b-6a. You can search your zip code on the Plant Hardiness Zone Map on the USDA’s website and use this, along with your own observations, to help make informed decisions when picking out perennials this spring.

TAKE IT SLOW

No matter the type of garden, always start small! As you plan, be realistic about the amount of time and effort it will take to maintain. It’s easy to get discouraged mid-season when your garden has grown outside your means. Working your way up to bigger, fuller gardens each year will help you feel empowered instead of totally in over your head.

The process of sitting down and mapping out your gardens ahead of time is so rewarding! Gardens are evolving. Make your plans but be adaptable to change and the unexpected. The fun lies in learning something new each time you step into your green world.

Happy gardening, friends!

DOCTOR'S OFFICE OBSERVATIONS

WRITTEN BY JOHN R. GREENWOOD | PHOTO PROVIDED

I've spent more than my share of hours in waiting rooms. In my 20s and 30s, it was the kids. In my 40s and 50s, it was my parents. From there on out, it was for Mrs. G. and me. The longer I hang around, the more acquainted I get with the process. Several years ago, I began jotting down my waiting room observations to pass the time. I wanted to share a few of them with you. Many of these have a little age on them, but they do stand the test of time. You might even be reading these while waiting for your name to be called. They are bullet-pointed for clarity and in no particular order.

• In the seat across the lobby, meticulous man sits upright and soldier ready, waiting for the call to come. "Mr. Jackson, the doctor will see you now." His paperwork neatly packaged, alphabetically, chronologically, by size and importance.

• Two seats north and at right angles are mother and daughter. Two-forone perms of curly gray and grayer yet, sit quietly clutching suitcase-size pocketbooks filled with Kleenex and pill bottles. Small talk of, Did you hear about? Did you see the news? go on and on.

The conversation was familiar and predictable. I'm sure the weather forecast also found its way in there. I smiled on the inside and suddenly missed my father and his nightly news commentary. Commentary that I'm proud to say skipped at least one generation. Generally, I support the President and governor, whomever they might be.

• I'm back in Albany for a routine eye exam. It's a quiet office with more canes and walkers than fish in the fish tank. Comfortable shoes abound. Squeaky voices and grey-haired adult children ease the concerns of their shaking parents with mouth-to-ear whispers. This phenomenon circles the room like a wave. My eyelids gain five pounds within minutes. My head bobs like a Cape Cod buoy. The next words I hear are, "Mr. Greenwood?"

• One man enters the lobby and heads directly to the complimentary coffee center. He has this down pat. He must be a regular.

• Two men, obviously old friends, who have me beat by at least a decade, sit and compare notes. It goes like this for at least twenty minutes:

Vince- "Hey, how ya doin'? I haven't seen you in a while. Do you still live on such-and-such Street? Dominick- "Yup, still there. The house needs some work, but I need a lot more."

And so the repertoire continued its ping pong of short questions and shorter answers. There was an occasional dig about our President and our governor.

• Another yearly eye exam. It's quieter than usual today. The waiting room has one well-behaved senior who appears to be waiting for another senior who may be filed away in one of the remote examination rooms.

• These visits are lighter and more entertaining than the ones I experienced with Dad when I was his medical transport technician. Those events were stressful and always seemed to come when I was overtired. I've become adept at waiting room survival techniques. I find simple ways to self-entertain. My biggest challenge is not dozing off. Mrs G. finds it disturbing when she returns from her exam to find me asleep, with my head tilted back like a Popeye Pez Dispenser, drooling on my shirt, and snoring like a black lab next to a warm stove. I smile at her disapproval as she grabs my hand and whisks me off to the parking lot.

These observations are 99% accurate and are meant to take the edge off those ever-increasing waits we seem to dread so much.

Be well. May your test results be negative and your copays be waived. SS

HISTORY

MONUMENT SQUARE 1907

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE GEORGE S. BOLSTER COLLECTION

Preservation Of Spirit

Action for keeping things as they are, especially items created by previous generations, protecting and preventing decay, and the narrative which describes their existence is preservation. In Saratoga Springs there is a strong spirit of preservation and steadfast action to carry this out, which is a major component of the community’s charm. This dedication, spirit and action began long ago, with the municipal creation of the City Historian position, and the first to fill that role, Evelyn Barrett Britten.

Evelyn Barrett Britten was the daughter of Mary Lloyd Kirby and Simon Wells Barrett, born in Saratoga Springs in 1891. Miss Evelyn M. Barrett was valedictorian at the Saratoga High School, class of 1909. Her family was communicants at St. Peter’s and she had been editor of The Recorder, the school newspaper. The young reporter was also on the staff of the Saratoga Sun before graduation, preparing herself for her life’s career with the Saratogian. When a society column was established she took the pen name Jean McGregor, writing under that nom-de-plume during her employment by the Saratogian. Evelyn had a sister Irene, who was two years her senior, and demonstrated to her younger sibling the capabilities of a young woman in the working world, establishing the Business and Professional Women's Club.

WRITTEN BY BILL ORZELL

Evelyn Britten would have relied on the most up-to-date technology of her time, a pad, pencil and typewriter, and her research would have had no electronic/digital assistance, all while meeting the daily deadline which we all can identify with. Saratogian December 30, 1958.

The youthful reporter had a firm grip of local events, and the interrelated matters leading up to them.

The youthful reporter had a firm grip of local events, and the interrelated matters leading up to them. In 1922

Mayor James McNulty appointed Evelyn the first City Historian of Saratoga Springs. It seems comical presently to read the official records; her salary was $100 per year.

In 1926 Mayor Clarence Knapp appointed postmaster John Corey City Historian, a post he held for twenty years. In Such Was Saratoga by Hugh Bradley (1940), the author states that the former postmaster's middle name was Morrissey, and he was descended from Saratoga Race Course founder John Morrissey, and that his recollections are a major part of Mr. Bradley's book.

In the late 1920’s Evelyn Barrett advocated for a War Memorial in Congress Park. Architect Samuel Adams Clark had an interesting connection with Saratoga Springs. He lived and practiced in Manhattan, and his wife Gertrude and cousin Winston Churchill were the grandchildren of Leonard Jerome, who had established the Jockey Club and three race tracks and was recently elected to the NMR’s Hall of Fame. Gertrude’s father, J. Henry Alexandre was a member of the syndicate which William C. Whitney and Richard T. Wilson assembled to purchase the Saratoga Race Course in 1900. Mr. Alexandre purchased property on Church Street, part of which became the Saratoga Golf and Polo Club. Architect Clark designed the race track recreation center and also the enlargement of the Clubhouse into its present Turf Terrace configuration in 1928, and began work on the War Memorial. Miss Barrett was fond of writing about the Clark’s. On June 29, 1928 she wrote,

“In a conversation with Mr. Clark before he left the city, he told me this morning, that he plans to erect a summer home for his family on property of The Saratoga Golf Club of which he is the owner. Mr. Clark, you will recall, recently sold the summer home, Cady Hill, which he and Mrs. Clark and family occupied for so many seasons at The Geysers to Harry Payne Whitney."

As the purveyors of the thoroughbreds could recite the pedigrees of the swift performers on the track, reporter Evelyn Barrett tracked down the pedigrees of the Spa’s visitors.

In 1937 she reported about herself as Secretary of the Saratoga Historical Society, receiving a letter from Congressman Harold Cluett advising that he had introduced a bill to provide for the creation of the Saratoga National Historic Park. The Society had made this request to preserve the historic Battlefield, the lynchpin of American independence, for a grateful posterity.

Congress Park, showing War Memorial and Historical Society building and museum, Saratoga Springs NY - c. 1930. Photo: digitalcommonwealth.org

c. 1930-1945

Walter A. Britten was born in 1888 near Bemis Heights and had athletic ability as a youngster, and his talents gave him the opportunity to play professional minor league baseball. When his diamond skills deserted him, he became a typesetter on the Ballston Journal’s news press. In 1907 he married Margaret J. McCarthy, and the couple had two children, John and Agnes. Margaret died in 1920 and soon after Walter joined the Saratogian staff, beginning a 27 year career with the daily. Evelyn and Walter violated that old rule “never get your honey where you make your bread & butter,” and married. She moved to the Britten home on Church Street with her husband, while her two step-children were already treading the paths they had chosen into their future. Agnes Britten became a teacher, attending the Arizona State Normal School, where she met Lee Patton from Texas, whom she married in 1929.

Mrs. Britten, as Jean McGregor, had a regular feature called Tea Table Chat with the subtitle; “Social Affairs, Personals, Women’s Interests,” which noted many distinguished personages arriving to “take the cure.” Also, the entire world of celebrity would make an annual August pilgrimage to the famous Spa for track season. Even the Great Depression did not stop the excitement each summer. Mrs. Britten had a clubhouse pass and a guaranteed seat at the table, whether that might be restaurant, ball room or roulette table. For decades she detailed the intrigues of those visiting Saratoga Springs, the resident population, and the societal interface of a global resort destination. This side of news was mostly uplifting, with the comings and goings of the important

and famous, business successes, and racing’s inbred horsey set. In her slightly condescending style, her readers learned of the many parties and social gatherings they had not been invited to. She also identified the sick and infirm, and the eventual fate which awaits us all. Occasionally she included items which must have broken her heart, such as reporting the March 1937 death of her 3-day-old infant grand-daughter in the Appalachian ridges of West Virginia.

World War II was an epic global struggle which fostered many depravities, and cost enormously in lives and treasure. The difficulties on the home-front were many across the country, and Saratoga Springs was separated from the unique benefits derived by thoroughbred competition. Racing was conducted during the War, but downstate during 1943-45, as Saratoga was considered too distant. Grass and weeds grew wild on the Saratoga track as the facility was used as a collection and storage area for military equipment. Mrs. Britten’s step-son John, who had started his own family, served in the US Navy during the conflict.

Atomic weapons would preclude the invasion of Japan and force the conclusion of World War II in August of 1945. Racing’s return to Saratoga would wait until the summer of 1946 to be re-inaugurated, and Mrs. Britten as Jean McGregor could not wait to get back into the swing at the Spa. Many articles told her readers then, and those interested now, who was coming to Saratoga, and where they stayed, being a hotel or rental cottage, and what they did at the track and the Lakehouses afterward.

Coming down the home stretch at Saratoga Race Track, Saratoga Springs, NY

Photo: digitalcommonwealth.org

Walter Britten was a bastion of the Ballston Spa fire company for decades, and active in the County Republican Party. He supported and was part of his spouse’s quasi-professional/ personal interests in the Red Cross, P.T.A., D.A.R., the Saratoga Historical Association, American Legion Auxiliary, and the Katrina Trask Garden Club. When she was once again appointed City Historian by Mayor Addison Mallery in 1946, perhaps confined by the precepts of an earlier era, she was very comfortable as identifying as Mrs. Walter A. Britten.

In September of 1946, the City Historian announced she was collecting copies of books written by Saratogians, and books that had to do with the history of the city and county, which would be placed in the public library when that facility become an actuality, in a section devoted to the history of the community. The SSPL’s Saratoga Room has become a fabulous resource.

In 1948 Mrs. Britten began presenting a weekly newspaper story of early times, titled the Saratoga Chronicles, and she also pioneered a 15 minute Sunday radio show, detailing interesting items from the community’s remarkable past. In the final months of the War, son-in-law Lee Patton accepted a position at West Virginia University, which would make him an assistant football coach, and head basketball coach of the Mountaineers. He and his wife and daughters would frequently visit Mr. and Mrs. Walter Britten, often using their Church Street home as a base, from which the coach attended basketball conferences in the northeast. On Valentine’s Day 1950, the Mountaineers basketball team was making its way from Morgantown to State College, for a matchup with the Penn State Nittany Lions. Coach Patton was well-liked by his players, who labeled him “Worry-bird,” for his habit of considering all sporting contingencies. The WVU team was proceeding in an automobile caravan, with publicity director Forest Crane driving one car, while Coach Patton in the passenger seat discussed strategy with three players in the back seat. On the Pennsylvania Turnpike, near Bedford, a car traveling in the opposite direction lost control and jumped the median and crashed head-on into the basketball team. The driver of the out-ofcontrol vehicle was killed, and Mr. Crane and Coach Patton received serious injuries; however, the players were able to leave the hospital after treatment. Coach Patton managed to return to his Morgantown home in early March, apparently recovering, but he succumbed to his injuries on March 8.

Because of a heart ailment, Mrs. Britten retired in 1952 from daily duties at the Saratogian, although she continued contributing many articles written under her name as the City Historian. It was very disappointing in the autumn of 1954 for the City Historian to bear witness to the work of vandals that damaged historic holdings at Canfield Casino.

In 1957 Mrs. Evelyn Barrett Britten derided Governor Harriman with what she perceived as a change of heart on historic monuments, with regards to a proposed hotel in Congress Park. She also mentioned some of the prominent racing people of that time who disapproved of a Park hotel. One was Humphrey Finney, president of Fasig-Tipton Sale Co. who advised “Don’t ruin your Park.” That autumn, Walter A. Britten died at his home 99A Church St, of a coronary ailment.

On July 17, 1959 the Saratogian reported about her book, “written by Mrs. Walter A. Britten, city historian of Saratoga Springs, is being privately published at her own expense. She said she has felt for a long time since the publication of her first book by The Saratogian in 1947, that the research material and the stories of early Saratoga Springs history she has unearthed, should be preserved in book form, and so has undertaken that task” Mrs. Britten was disappointed that others did not feel the same way about some of the buildings she cherished in Saratoga Springs, one of these being Convention Hall, which opened in 1893 but by 1965 was considered obsolete. Her efforts to preserve this structure became moot later that year when teenagers smoking in the derelict Columbian Hotel on Broadway set that structure ablaze. High winds blew flaming brands across the street, igniting the roof of Convention Hall, and the building could not be saved. Her work at the Walworth Museum and Canfield Casino continued with greater emphasis after witnessing ash and ruin on Broadway.

Evelyn Barrett Britten died July 12, 1969 and her funeral was held at St. Peter’s a few days later on July 16. She was laid to rest in the church cemetery. The final line on her tombstone demonstrates the pride she took in her hometown and the position she fulfilled to the last; it reads “City Historian.” My copy of Chronicles of Saratoga is autographed by the author, where she wishes some purchaser in posterity, “the best of luck.”

The doyenne of the Saratoga Springs preservation movement was Evelyn Britten, in an era when historic conservancy was not fully appreciated. Present Saratoga Springs City Historian Mary Ann Fitzgerald commented on her predecessor in that position, “Evelyn Barrett Britten's work was her life.” Courtesy of Saratoga Room, Saratoga Springs Public Library.

The Saratogian reported that “a section devoted to the history of the community in the public library” was planned.

This Women who changed our World On SPOT.

WRITTEN BY CAROL GODETTE | PHOTOS PROVIDED

Ilove seeing our town's entrance sign proudly proclaiming our city slogan, "Health, History, Horses."

Consequently, for Women's History Month, I wanted to honor three women who uniquely contributed to our health and well-being. My list of potential honoraries was long, so I narrowed it down to women who are no longer with us but were alive during my lifetime, giving me a firsthand perspective of their impact.

SHARON DALRYMPLE

8/19/47 - 12/17/02

On the cold morning of February 1, 1966, with the temperature at 6°, high school senior Sharon Dalrymple woke up and reached into her closet at 70 Outlook Ave. It was her first day back to school after recovering from strep throat. As she thought about her mile long walk to the newly opened high school campus on West Avenue, she boldly selected a pair of navy-blue wool slacks from her closet. The Texasdesigned campus had five separate, unconnected buildings, meaning students often had to endure chilly outdoor walks between them.

Before long, Principal Onody spotted her in the hallway and sent her home for violating the unwritten policy of no pants for girls. On February 4, my mother, Barabra Stone, while working for the Post Star, reported, "Mr. Onody said he believes in a 'wholesome and showcase look' at the school." School attorney Ted Grey described her actions as "an open rebellion against school authority."

A six-week-long heated legal debate ensued. Sharon and her parents appealed to New York State Education Commissioner James Allen for an injunction to allow her to return to school and wear pants. It was granted. For at least a month, this case became a topic of dinner conversation in our house. My older sister was Sharon's classmate at the newly constructed campus, and my mother wrote seven articles for the Post Star detailing various aspects of this landmark case. Each evening, our family discussed several questions: Was it wise to have a Texas architect design a school for our upstate New York climate? Did our all-male Board of Education understand that most girls wore knee socks with their skirts, exposing bare skin to the cold? Should a school expel a student for not following their dress code? And are girls' pants just for "recreational purposes?"

Newspapers as far away as Anchorage, Alaska, featured articles about the landmark "Dalrymple vs. the Board of Education" case.

Mr. and Mrs. Dalrymple believed it was their right as parents to dictate what Sharon wore to school. The Board of Education believed their authority was in question.

On March 15, 1966, Commissioner Allen decided that school authorities had no right to threaten expulsion if a pupil wore slacks. However, he also stated that local authorities can make reasonable rules regarding the dress code.

I applaud the late Sharon Dalrymple Weigle for her bravery. She paved the way for future girls like me to wear pants to school on cold winter mornings in upstate New York.

Photo provided

Sharon’s 1966 Yearbook photo

The Dalrymple house at 70 Outlook Avenue. Sharon chose to wear pants for the one mile walk from this house to the high school campus on February 1, 1966. Decision

Dalrymple appeal.

Artist rendering of the new five building Saratoga High campus from the 1966 Recorder Yearbook.

BEATRICE SWEENEY

6/17/1915 - 5/16/20

Beatrice Sweeney prioritized her family above all else. Living across the street from her 203 Union Avenue home in the early 1960s, I witnessed firsthand her maternal devotion. Whether it was her careful attention to her children's needs or the grace with which she balanced family and civic responsibilities, Bea exuded warmth and quiet strength.

Aesthetically pleasing surroundings were important to her. When her family moved to 34 Lefferts Street in 1962, she furnished their new home with a discerning eye, creating an antique-filled living room in soft creams and powder blue—so refined it could have graced the pages of Better Homes and Gardens. But her attention to beauty didn't stop at home. She extended her talents outward, ensuring that her family lived in a city that honored its architectural heritage.

In 1968, her life was a whirlwind of responsibilities. As the wife of a New York State Supreme Court Judge, the mother of Kevin—a high school senior bound for Williams College—and Maureen, a bright seventh-grader, Bea had little free time. The following year, she took on another significant role: city historian. "She had Super Woman powers," recalls her daughter Reney. "It was as if she had a magical way of finding more than 24 hours in a day."

Despite her packed schedule, Bea was deeply committed to causes she believed in—especially the Canfield Casino and Congress Park, which she saw as the heart of Saratoga Springs. When a developer secured approval to lease four acres of Congress Park for a 150room hotel addition to the historic Casino, she was outraged.

In 1968, from a small office she had carved out in the basement of her Lefferts Street home, she secretly typed a letter to New York Times architectural critic Ada Louise Huxtable. Bea's plea was urgent: help stop a proposed 150-room hotel addition to the historic Canfield Casino and the loss of 4 acres of Congress Park.

Bea's plan worked. Huxtable's March 10, 1968 column "Saratoga's Losing Race” said, "Saratoga's news is a little more interesting than most because it is a little more outrageous. The city will hold a public auction on March 19 to lease over four acres of Congress Park for a 150-room hotel. Turning a park into real estate is a barbaric betrayal of public trust anywhere, but in Saratoga, it has particularly interesting cultural connotations."

Sweeney's plan was brilliant. Huxtable's piece brought outrage and national attention to the hotel addition. Soon after, the developers withdrew their proposal.

Sweeney continued to work strategically, using her voice in ways that carried weight. After becoming City Historian in 1969, she wanted to ensure the protection of our historic buildings. She completed applications for the Casino, the Drink Hall, and other local landmarks to be on the National Register of Historic Places. Her list of accomplishments is exhaustive: professionalizing the Saratoga Springs Historical Society, advocating for the establishment of the Preservation Foundation, and serving on the board of Yaddo, Skidmore, and the Katrina Trask Garden Club are just a few examples of how she improved the health and well-being of our community.

Beatrice Sweeney created an office in the basement of this home where she wrote a letter that would save Congress Park from development.

JANE WAIT

3/30/1922 - 5/19/22

Like Beatrice Sweeney, Jane Wait was a woman of boundless energy. As the wife of Adirondack Trust Company president Newman E. Wait Jr., she had numerous social obligations. As the mother of four children, she balanced the demands of family life. Yet she still found time to enhance Saratoga's well-being through education, the arts, and gardening.

Mrs. Wait was my seventh-grade science teacher, and although science was never my favorite subject, I eagerly anticipated her class on life sciences. She made the subject come alive, inspiring me to memorize the name of every bone in the human body. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and each 40-minute class seemed to fly by.

Beyond the classroom, Jane Wait's impact on the community was far-reaching, especially when she founded the Yaddo Garden Association in 1991 to revitalize the deteriorating 10-acre garden, the only part of Yaddo open to the public. She volunteered thousands of hours, ensuring the garden once again became a place of peace and solitude. In recognition of her tireless efforts, a special rose was commissioned in her honor in 2012.

Her passing in May 2022 was a profound loss. The New York State Assembly honored her legacy with a three-page resolution, acknowledging her lifelong dedication to civic endeavors that enhanced the quality of life in Saratoga Springs and beyond.

Each of these women, in her own way, enhanced our community's health and wellbeing, proving that individuals have the power to shape history.

A note of thanks to Michelle Isopo at the Saratoga Room in the library for her research help.

Jane’s efforts in restoring the Yaddo Gardens have brought enjoyment and well-being to countless visitors and Saratoga residents.

Thanks to the efforts of Jane Wait, locals like Rita Forbush enjoys Yaddo’s now thriving rose garden.

WRITTEN & PHOTOGRAPHED BY GEORGE HANSTEIN

Have you ever noticed how guys congregate around pickup trucks in the Adirondacks?  I call it "pickup truck meetings.” Every guy has his own way of leaning on a pickup. Some do the two-arm-lean on the bed rails. Some guys do the one elbow lean; then there is the foot on the bumper. I myself prefer two arms on the hood (especially in winter if the engine is warm). If you get enough guys at a "pickup truck meeting,” sooner or later, the hood of the truck will get raised. At that point, all the guys will stand around looking at the engine. I have never understood why we do this. You can have five guys who know absolutely nothing about engines, standing around staring at one. I have seen and attended my share of these "pickup truck meetings.” Meeting uniforms are quite diverse and consist of, flannel,  denim, anything made by Carhartt, tee shirts in warmer weather, (sleeves optional,) and pretty much anything comfortable and rugged (any fashion sense is completely prohibited.) Often one or more attendees will have an

adult beverage in hand. The subject of conversation at meetings is limited, by mutual unspoken agreement, to a limited number of subjects: hunting, fishing (lies are perfectly acceptable here), guns, chores that need to be done (that will probably never get done), trucks (of course), women (of course), and plans for additional adult beverages. These meetings often include rather long periods of silence and engine staring.

I moved to the Adirondacks 34 years ago. Before that, I don't think I ever witnessed one of these meetings and know for sure that I never attended one.

I don't know if "pickup truck meetings" are exclusive to the Adirondacks, but I like to think that they are used by most rural residents everywhere.

Well, I have to go to the store for the newspaper. Odds are I will attend a pickup truck meeting before I get home. I better wear my Carhartt jacket. I want to be appropriately dressed. SS