A Saratoga TODAY Publication
SARATOGA
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THE PEOPLE • THE PLACES • THE LIFESTYLE
Complimentary January/February 2015
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From The Editor SARATOGA
first time. I would love to hear your ideas (and include them in our “tourist guide” next summer!) Send them to me at cBushee@SaratogaPublishing.com
W INT E R 2 015
I just loved putting this issue together. The stories in our feature this month (starting on page 56) are of amazing people that are living the life they were intended to live. Some of these people I’ve known personally for years, others I was just introduced to. I am intrigued by how they are ALL making a difference in this world. I’ve often wondered if I’m “doing enough” with my life, I mean after all… being a magazine editor seems so frivolous, in the scheme of things, but being able to tell these stories, help people promote their businesses and knowing you’ve made a difference in someone’s day seems just right for now : )
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THE PEOPLE • THE PLACES • THE LIFESTYLE
Happy New Year everyone! Yes, we have all the requisite articles on health, organization and enjoying the season, but the first issue of 2015 also brings us THE COVER GIRL (hmmm… I wonder if we’ll ever have a COVER GUY?!) If you are curious as to how Zoe Alexander wound up on our cover, please see page 80. Another new addition this year is the return of Jenna Burger of SAS Interiors as a regular contributor (see page 46) you may remember her from when we featured her work on a NATIONAL cover last year! When I read Arthur ’s piece on “The Two Todds” (page 25) I had to wonder… what our readers would recommend as their “just one thing” for visitors to do upon arriving in Saratoga for the
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Thank you Chad for letting me do what I was intended to do! As always, I have to close with a big THANK YOU to all of our readers and advertisers, without them, we couldn’t continue to offer these beautiful publications free of charge to the thousands that read them each month – please mention us when visiting these businesses. Happy reading, Chris
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SARATOGA
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THE PEOPLE • THE PLACES • THE LIFESTYLE
Owner/Publisher Chad Beatty General Manager Robin Mitchell Managing Editor Chris Vallone Bushee Creative Director Jessica Kane Advertising Jim Daley Cindy Durfey Graphic DesignERS Amy Gifford Jessica Kane Shawn Lockwood Writers Peter Bowden Jenna Burger Helen Edelman Arthur Gonick Charlie Kuenzel Stephanie Hale Lopez Chelsea Hoopes Silver Carissa Kumlander Meghan Lemery Fritz Dave Patterson Megin Potter Carrie Rowlands Johnson Jordana Turcotte Photographers Mark Bolles Nicole DeHaven for Lilac & Fern Photography Andrzej Pilarczyk Tom Stock Published by Saratoga TODAY Newspaper Five Case Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 tel: (518) 581-2480 fax: (518) 581-2487 saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com Simply Saratoga is brought to you by Saratoga TODAY Newspaper, Saratoga Publishing, LLC. Saratoga Publishing shall make every effort to avoid errors and omissions but disclaims any responsibility should they occur. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written consent of the publisher. Copyright © 2015, Saratoga TODAY Newspaper.
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SARATOGA
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THE PEOPLE • THE PLACES • THE LIFESTYLE
WINTER 2015
CONTENT 82
A GOOD READ 16 Restaurant Feature - Pennell’s 22 Artist Spotlight - Noah Savette 25 Arthur chats with The Two Todds 28 Non-Profit Spotlight
HEALTH & WELLNESS 30 Meghan Lemery Fritz 32 Dan’s Fit Tips
50
34
HISTORY & LORE 34 The Lost Mineral Springs 36 What Time is it?
HOME & GARDEN 38 Carriage House Chronicles 46 The Beautifully Imperfect Home 48 To Save or to Shred 50 Peter Bowden
38
INSPIRATION
46 16
22
56 Patti Schwartz 58 Denise James 60 Melissa Ward 62 Paula Gretzinger 64 Lisa Morahan 66 Nanci Beryl 68 Laura McDonald 70 Sherie Grinter 72 Donna Roaner 74 Dr. Edwin Williams
SAVE THE DATE Pages 76 - 79
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COVER CREDIT: Se e page 80!
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THE PEOPLE • THE PLACES • THE LIFESTYLE
WINTER 2015
CONTRIBUTORS Peter Bowden
Peter has been the region's go-to garden guy for over 35 years. His knack for practical and concise explanations has served him well during his 20-year tenure as WRGB’s garden guy. He is an artist and avid photographer whose images have appeared in textbooks, magazines and travel guides. Peter lives with his wife, Sharon and their pets in an old house in the country.
JENNA BURGER
Jenna Burger is a local Interior Designer, Blogger, Bargain Hunter, and avid DIYer who strives to inspire and empower others with her high-end look for less design approach. She shares daily inspiration and DIY projects on her blog, and delivers smart, stylish, and sophisticated design solutions to fit the needs and visions for each client’s space. Visit Jenna at www.jennaburger.com
Chelsea Hoopes Silver
Chelsea Silver owns Silverwood Home & Gallery in downtown Saratoga Springs with her mother, Charlene. She began writing her blog, The Carriage House Chronicles, in 2012, loving the new opportunity to virtually connect with other design-oriented folks amateur and professional, local and afar. With degrees in English and American Fine and Decorative Arts, she is very happy to be combining these two passions in her new endeavor writing for Simply Saratoga.
CARISSA KUMLANDER
Carissa is currently interning for Simply Saratoga Magazine. She is a senior at Saratoga Springs High School and plans on going to college next year for journalism. Carissa has been working closely with our managing editor, Chris Bushee. Besides working at the magazine, Carissa is also a part of the Saratoga Rowing team.
Meghan Lemery FRITZ
Meghan began her career in Boston where she spent five years counseling cancer patients at Dana Farber Cancer Institute. She returned to the Saratoga area and started in private psychotherapy practice. She currently has an office in Saratoga Springs and Glens Falls. She is also the author of her first published book, titled “Please Pass the Barbie Shoes” which was published in Spring of 2011.
Helen Edelman
Megin Potter
Arthur Gonick
Carrie ROWLANDS JOHNSON
Helen writes about other writers, which can be a daunting task. She also writes about education, health care, the arts, and profiles of important and intriguing people she has met along the way. Edelman has been living in Saratoga Springs since 1970, when she arrived as a Skidmore freshman. She is the mother of four children and the extravagently proud grandmother of Cyra Friedlander, a chattering 2-year old who brings out the brightest stars with her smile.
Arthur recently passed his fifth anniversary at Saratoga TODAY, although both he and the publisher agree (for different reasons) that it feels like it’s been a lot longer! His New Year’s resolution to continue composing original, semisnarky contributor bio blurbs in each issue of Simply Saratoga remains intact.
STEPHANIE HALE-LOPEZ
Stephanie is a bilingual journalist with more than four years of experience in the news industry in both broadcast and print. A former TV reporter, Stephanie joined the Saratoga TODAY team in July of 2014. She and her husband moved to New York from Idaho with their dog, Mia, and are happy to call Saratoga their new home.
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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.
Carrie Rowlands Johnson is a former TV News reporter for Fox News. She is a freelance writer and blogger. Read more of her work at Carowlands.wix.com/ carrie-rowlands
JORDANA TURCOTTE
Jordana Turcotte is a lifelong New Yorker and a Saratoga County resident since graduating from RPI. After staying at home for a bit with her children (now 10 and 8), she decided on the “rest of her life job” as Professional Organizer. Starting Simply You in 2008 fulfills a passion for organizing. When she isn’t organizing, you’ll find her volunteering at her kids’ school, being Mommy chauffeur or hanging out with her two rescue dogs.
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Saratoga... By The Numbers
30,000 six 844 Amount of Chowderfest restaurants that will be catering to your dog.
The amount of people expected at this year’s Chowderfest Most bowls served EVER during Chowderfest – Druthers, 2014
6,982 bowls
(in Downtown Saratoga)
222,133
Amount of places to go cross country skiing or snowshoeing in Saratoga.
13
Square miles of Saratoga County
Population of Saratoga County
6
The number of places to ski within a two hour drive from Saratoga.
$4.00
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75
Average daily temperature in the Alpine month of February Sport Shop’s
35
o
The cost to rent ice skates at the Indoor Ice Skating Rink, on Weibel Ave.
th
anniversary next year
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Pennell’s ...like coming home!
By Helen Edelman, Photos by Stockstudiosphotography.com 16 | Simply Saratoga | January/FEBRUARY 2015
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Before you leave the house, make room in the refrigerator, because when you return from dinner at Pennell’s – where the food is delicious and the portions are large – you’ll have a package to put in there, your dinner for another day.
I was the lucky one – maddening Simply Saratoga publisher Chad Beatty and his infinitely tolerant wife, Kim, were busy, so I got to treat a friend, D.C., to dinner. He is brand new in town and was delighted that Pennell’s was one of his first stops. In another stroke of good luck, our waitperson was none other than Sage Cerone, the daughter of owner Bruce Cerone, so we had front row seats to a little bit of history and a whole lot of excellent good humor and affection for the establishment. Pennell’s is a Saratoga Springs icon, even though it’s on the edge of town (but very
easy to find, just a left onto Lincoln and a right onto Jefferson when you’re headed south on Broadway). Still, everybody’s heard of it and most have been there, because it’s a landmark of the Saratoga dining experience. It was clear from watching the interaction of patrons with each other and with wait staff that the restaurant is a second home for regulars. Indeed, Sage confirmed that many of the long-timers spend every Friday or every Saturday night at their favorite table and don’t even need a menu to order. (Specials are explained tableside by the waitperson.) Too, the place is packed during racing season. (There’s plenty of parking.) Both the restaurant and the bar are magnets for those who want both a
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comfortable environment and great food at dinner. Tables are separated for privacy and ease of conversation, the room is lit just enough so you don’t have to squint at the menu – but you don’t have to squint at bright light, either, and someone’s done something very smart about sound – that is, the acoustics are perfect, there’s the pleasant, happy buzz of people gathered for a good time, but there’s enough sound insulation so you can’t hear what they’re saying. I am particularly sensitive to this, as I don’t like to be in a place where you can’t have a normal conversation without raising your voice, a problem that seems to arise too frequently in some venues. But I digress…
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Serving classic Italian-American food since 1922, Pennell’s is a family business. Parents, siblings and cousins work the floor, in the kitchen, at the bar and in management. Everyone pitches in, everyone loves it. D.C. and I sunk into the unmistakable, permeating family atmosphere the moment we sat down. Though I had asked around, when the menu came, it still took some time to peruse and make choices, because the reports I got from friends were, “Best steak around!” “Oldie but goodie.” “Awesome penne with seafood.” “My new favorite for lasagna.” “I was surprised at how much I liked the fish.” “You’ll never taste better marinara sauce.”
– a light limoncella cake and Tartuffo, an ice cream concoction that must be tried to be properly appreciated. I suggest you try it even tonight, if possible. All dinner entrees are served with a fresh garden salad and the patron’s choice of a homemade dressing: Famous House Dressing (Italian vinaigrette with a hint of crumbled bleu cheese), Garlic Ranch, Creamy Bleu Cheese or Russian. I went for the house dressing – it was a great decision, the bleu cheese is subtle but definite, and I happen to be a fan of bleu cheese. D.C. went for Ranch, and loved it. There was nary a morsel
remaining in our respective bowls. Okay – so maybe it was a little much. Maybe that’s why we had some to bring home. But, hey – we were taste testing for YOU! So you should thank us for diving in head first on your behalf. We’re the ones who have to do sit-ups now to make up for it. Let’s talk about some other things on the menu that D.C. and I didn’t get to (Hey, Chad! Let’s talk – it’s possible that I need to eat at a restaurant several times before I can write about it and I have other friends who want to go out for dinner!)
What to do? How in the world to choose? I started with Clams Bianco ($15.95) (steamed Long Island Littlenecks finished in a zesty white wine butter sauce, served with garlic bread for dipping) in to-die-for broth at the suggestion of Sage, who clearly knew what she was talking about, and D.C. started with Greek Scampi ($14.95) (a most-popular selection featuring three jumbo shrimp sautéed scampi style, served on garlic toast, then topped with melted feta and herb cheese) – which he was polite and generous enough to share – or maybe I speared it with some excuse about it being part of my job description. For the entrée, I was able to satisfy my soft spot for eggplant -- fortunately it was the special that night, baked with spinach and cheese and covered (but not too much) with a marinara and pesto sauce over linguini. D.C. was torn, but finally settled on Chicken Parmigiana ($21.95) (boneless breast of chicken, handbreaded in seasoned breadcrumbs, baked with Cappiello mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce, served with linguine) – he had considered experimenting, but kept returning to an old favorite for comfort food his first night in a new home. We both had salads (plenty, fresh and excellent dressing, just the right consistency) and shared desserts saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com
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• Chicken, Broccoli, Garlic & Olive Oil ($21.95) - A healthy combination of chicken, broccoli, garlic and olive oil tossed with penne pasta, chicken stock and Parmesan. • Veal Marsala ($24.95) - Medallions of veal sautéed with shallots, mushrooms and the best Marsala Sauce in the area. Served with linguine. • NY Strip Steak ($29.95) - A 16-ounce, hand-trimmed New York strip steak topped with Montreal seasoning, then chargrilled to order. Served with potato and vegetable du jour. • Shrimp and Scallop Marinara ($26.95) - Fresh sea scallops and jumbo shrimp sautéed in house-made zesty marinara, served over linguine. • Haddock Francais ($23.95) - Fresh haddock filet lightly egg-battered and sautéed. Finished with a shallot white wine butter sauce. Served with potato and vegetable du jour. • Cheese Ravioli ($16.95) - Large ravioli filled with Cappiello ricotta cheese, topped with Pennell’s famous tomato sauce. Please remember, this is a very small sampling of a substantial menu. And don’t forget the authentic meatballs and hot sausage selections and sides that make Pennell’s a happy place for those drawn to straightforward Italian fare. There’s also a fine wine list, which should satisfy whether you’re after a single glass or a bottle to share. And what’s an Italian dinner without red wine? Is it even official?
It would be derelict to not talk about Pennell’s vast, on-site garden, in which many of their vegetables and herbs are grown in season. The garden is really a Cerone labor of love and it translates directly into fresh food for diners. Bonus! 20 | Simply Saratoga | January/FEBRUARY 2015
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D.C. and I were at a table and did not mosey up to the bar, but it was easy for me to see and I did pause to check it out on the way in and the way out. This is a warm and friendly spot – definitely a place for meeting friends to recount the day’s events or speculate about tomorrow’s. The bar isn’t big and intimidating, it’s cozy and welcoming. Nobody’s throwing an elbow to get to the bartender – it’s actually kind of jovial in there, not loud, just a genial and sociable sound, you know a stranger is going to smile at you. I’m glad Chad chose Pennell’s, sorta glad he bugged out so I could share the experience with a new neighbor, but sorry to miss our spirited conversation, which always rivals the food for my attention. Next time. Meanwhile, you’ll have to excuse me. Dinner is waiting.
Pennell’s Restaurant 284 Jefferson Street • Saratoga Springs, NY • 12866 518-583-2423 • pennellsrestaurant.com Hours: Monday and Tuesday – closed; Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday, 5—9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 5—10 p.m.
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Tempered
byMemory
MASTERING THE
Materials By Carissa Kumlander, photos provided
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The city of Saratoga Springs can be called unique for a countless number of reasons, one of them includes the various pieces of artwork scattered throughout. Noah Savett, a sculptor with a studio on the west side of Saratoga, is one of those that can be thanked for this. Although he is very enthusiastic about his work now, Savett did not always feel this way about the art world. “My parents used to drag me to art museums as a child, and I’d go, kicking and screaming all the way!” Later in life, when it came time for college, art was still not in the plan. “I attended Antioch College, and I wanted to be a social worker.” After obtaining a degree, he moved back to the northeast, where he grew up, and began to dabble in the sculpting world. The Creative Process Mr. Savett does not create his pieces at random, and in fact, he has a very specific process in which he builds his sculptures.
“I draw several thumbnail sketches each year, somewhere around 500. I choose around 50 to become final drawings, and then usually only five to ten become actual sculptures.” Using what are thought to be tough and edgy materials, predominantly steel, bronze and wood, Savett changes them into beautiful pieces of art, inspired by many different factors. “People that make a serious living off of art usually focus on one type of piece or idea. I am able to make pieces based on whatever current social issues I want to. I don’t have a specific style or anything, so not any one word can describe my art.” One of Savett’s most distinguished sculptures, Tempered by Memory, is permanently installed in High Rock Park, on Saratoga’s East Side. This 25-foot sculpture was created in 2010 from steel, his most used material, but, this time the steel was different. The materials in this piece were derived from steel in the 9/11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. Savett collaborated with John
Van Alstine to create this piece specifically for the city of Saratoga Springs. Besides “Tempered by Memory,” Savett has another sculpture on display in Saratoga Springs and one on the campus of SUNY Plattsburgh. “Center of the Universe,” is located in front of the Saratoga County Arts Center and Congress Park, on the corner of Spring Street and Broadway. This particular piece was created using steel and bronze. “Chaplinesque Totem” can be found in the SUNY Plattsburgh Sculpture Park. It is made solely from steel. Savett is currently working on a piece to show the effects of technology in the modern world. Besides his publicly viewed art, private group and solo showings are available. For more information regarding Noah Savett, and his work, please visit NoahSavettArtStudio.com
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Two Todds with one
Big
Mission
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A Discussion About Saratoga’s Economic Engine
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arthur talks with…
THE TWO TODDS By Arthur Gonick, Photos by Mark Bolles
The first thing you notice is that one of the hallmarks of Saratoga’s success is the lack of any turf wars. There’s too much important work to do and cooperation and coordination is the way things get done. Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce President Todd Shimkus and Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau President Todd Garofano each assumed their current roles in 2010 – yet their impact would indicate that they have occupied these positions for much longer. Each leads a small but mighty, dedicated staff that not only enhances cherished events each year (such as Chowderfest and Hats Off,) they find time to develop diverse and exciting new events that celebrate the gamut from Health and Wellness to Craft Beer. And of course, they participated in key roles that helped to attract businesses as large as GlobalFoundries, but just as importantly, developing the overall quality of life reputation for this area that makes it attractive to firms and convention groups of any size, and has grown to be the envy of municipalities anywhere. When we sat down, that spirit of cooperation was apparent. Arthur: How often do you two interact in a given week? Todd G: The issue at hand drives that. For instance, when the casino issue was prominent, we spoke every day, multiple times a day. Todd S: The time of year can be a factor as well. Our conversations hit their peak in July. We are reviewing Racecourse and SPAC attendance figures, hotel occupancy and a host of other stats. We are in meetings a lot together. We make a point to meet with Mark Baker (President of the Saratoga Springs City Center) and Tim Holmes (President of the Saratoga
Springs Downtown Business Association) on a regular basis to review issues that are relevant to them. Todd G: And we worked together with SEDC (Saratoga Economic Development Corp.) to bring tech conferences here. A notable event will happen in May, as the World Semiconductor Conference will return here for the second year in a row. That hasn’t happened anywhere before in 20 years. Todd S: Overall, It’s a process of sharing experiences that makes it work. There’s always something to discuss – in this case, the City Center garage and the Comprehensive Plan are at the forefront now. Todd G: We also travel together often. We make an annual trip to the “I Love NY” offices for instance. Arthur: Both of you came into your positions in 2010. Where were you previously? Todd S: I was with the Adirondack Regional Chamber up in Glens Falls. Todd G: A firm called Hospitality Sales Force. Arthur: People might be surprised at how many members your organizations have, particularly in light of the number of employees… Todd G: Yes, both our staffs are key to our success. We have 500 members and 8 employees. Todd S: Agreed. 2,500 members; 11 employees. Arthur: Some great events were here when you arrived. How do you keep them fresh and exciting? Todd S: One of the best parts about Saratoga is that you are encouraged to be creative by a community that is vital and creative. That inspires you to grow on your successes.
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Todd G: In the case of Chowderfest, we certainly expanded our geographic marketing. It’s all about “heads and beds” – hotel occupancy and attendance. We grew to 86 chowder outlets last year, which will be ambitious to grow upon, but I never underestimate my people. For instance, I know we are going to have six doggie chowder locations – amazing. Arthur: But both of you have several new events that have been added to the calendar recently. The Chamber’s Inaugural Health and Wellness Week just took place this month (From Jan. 5-11)… Todd S: We were excited with the response, but it was the result of some great planning that actually began in 2013. We put together a committee of about 15 volunteers from the community – a health and wellness council that looked into ways to promote Healthy Saratoga as a cornerstone concept. Once the event was announced, in April of that year, other organizations asked to join in. Even up to the event week we were adding things, and overall we had over 60 different events listed. Arthur: … And shortly, we will have the second go-round for the Pond Hockey Tournament (on February 6-8)… Todd G: Yes, this one is near and dear to my heart, because I have played in these throughout the Northeast and in Canada. We moved the date this year so as not to conflict with another one going on, but the potential is huge for it to grow. There’s one in the Buffalo area that has 140 teams! We started looking into this about three years ago. Bringing Saratoga Eagle and Labatt’s on board was a key element, as was finding the right location (behind the Gideon Putnam Hotel in Spa State Park.) We had a great first year, with 42 teams coming from as far as Queens and Canada, 400 players
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and over 1, 000 spectators. A great start, but we are looking to enhance everything. We have a goal of 60 participating teams this year, more food and seating options. We also will have a performance by the Refrigerators, the locally popular music group that we’re calling ‘The Freezers’ for this event. Arthur: What are some of the common key indices that determine that an event is successful. Todd G: Two things we look at are hotel room occupancy and the feedback we get from our members. Todd S: We also look at visitors: our main stat is “How many people are we bringing into Saratoga County?” Arthur: In general, the economic picture is robust here and we weathered the downturn in recent years better than most. What factors do you see on the horizon that are challenging?
that keeps the desirability of all properties high. Couple that with some of the most highly involved organizations, such as the DBA. We can both pick up the phone and reach a number of people in this community that see the value of working together. Arthur: What’s in the pipeline now that people should look forward to? Todd S: In March, we hope to build on the success of Health and Wellness Week by having a 64-team “Saratoga H.O.R.S.E Basketball Tournament at the Saratoga YMCA. Each organization will have a representative and there will be a “Pick 64 Contest” similar to a bracket challenge with proceeds benefitting our Healthy Saratoga initiative.
Todd G: I’d say that we have to be aware of the coming Albany Convention Center and a new casino property in our area as two of the biggest factors…
Beyond that, we are looking forward to some possible showdowns between two banks, insurance companies, etc. We’ll be encouraging goodnatured trash talk in social media of course (smiles.)
Todd S: We’ll also have just over 750 new hotel rooms scheduled to come on line over the next three years – that’s 182,000 more room nights/year. It’s a matter of constant promotion and awareness that every other city is coming after us to some extent – and those places might currently have some advantages that will help them, such as lower rents and real estate values. So you can never be complacent.
Todd G: Some exciting new events that are coming are the Masters cross-country 5K in the State Park, which is sanctioned by the US Track and Field Association. This will take place next October.
On the other hand, we still get visits from area’s all over the country – from Rochester to Hot Springs, Arkansas and others with less vibrant downtowns wanting to learn more about what we have.
Also, the Empire State Senior Games will be here in the fall of 2016; and it was just announced that the Orchard Project will be moving here this summer from Downstate and should have an ongoing impact on our cultural scene.
Arthur: What we have is a county with a lot of assets. Which of them in your mind are essential to our success story? Todd G: A big asset is our growing market diversity: we are a desirable location for many types of events – from weddings to meetings to sports and more. And some very well run hotels, with more coming like the new Embassy Suites. Todd S: I’d cite the owners of Downtown properties that wait for the right tenants rather than just filling space; in the long run
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Todd S: Recently, my daughters had visitors in from Belgium, and the first thing I had them do was a tasting at the various springs. This is something unique to our area and a foundation of what we are. Todd G: I take people to the Racecourse backstretch. They are amazed to see how it all operates and it really is a world apart –you don’t see it in many places, particularly in communities the size of ours. I was glad to get these two to sit down together, as it confirmed what I had been seeing play out in the market for some time. For the past five years, the Two Todd’s stewardship of their organizations’ courses and, by extension, the County’s economic direction, is also one of those rare assets that make this area a standout.
Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau President Todd Garofano
Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce President Todd Shimkus
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A spotlight on LOCAL
Non Profits By Carissa Kumlander, photo provided
The Ancient Order of Hibernians is the largest Catholic, Irish fraternal organization in the United States. Commonly known as the AOH. Founded in New York City in 1836, The Ancient Order of Hibernians is the largest Catholic, Irish fraternal organization in the United States. Commonly known as the AOH, divisions of this organization are located all over the country, including in our very own Saratoga Springs. This specific chapter of the AOH is called the Commodore John Barry Division, and currently boasts around 100 members. This division, along with all of the others in America work diligently to comply with their motto, “Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity”. These goals are completed by providing companionship for Irish Americans, joining together to defend Irish rights and causes, and raising money for Irish and Catholic charities in the United States.
after its hiatus, with the help of former organization president, Chris Millis. Although he is currently not actively attending meetings for the organization and is instead pursuing a career in writing and film, Millis dedicated several years of his life to making the Commodore John Barry Division of the AOH truly a success. “One of the things that I was really proud of was that after 9/11, the community came together with another program to bring cops, firemen and other emergency workers who were involved with the rescue and cleanup to Saratoga for a vacation with their families. So we (the Hibernians) got involved and had a big fundraiser at the Parting Glass. We raised a good amount of money to donate to the program.”
In 1999, the Saratoga division of the Ancient Order of the Hibernians was reincarnated
Fifteen years after its establishment, the organization regularly participates in
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fundraisers and other activities in the community including food drives, running and walking races, parades and even the group’s annual array of Family Festivals, held in March. Members of this organization must be males, 16 years of age or older, practicing Roman Catholics, of Irish birth or decent and American citizens. “There is a female version of the AOH which is called the LAOH, or the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians. They are not an auxiliary, where it is a female version of the overarching club. It is its own organization, for Catholic, Irish Women.” The LAOH is currently accepting applications for a Saratoga division, being started right now. For more information on the AOH and LAOH, please visit http://www.saratogaaoh.com.
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HEALTH & WELLNESS Meghan Lemery FRITZ,
LCSWR
A New Year A New You!
Making SMART & Healthy Changes
ALL YEAR You
You can always tell the start of the New Year based on the number of weight loss commercials you see on TV and the deals you can get on a new gym membership. It’s a time of year when most of us take stock and think about the changes we want to make to better our everyday lives, mental state of mind, physical and spiritual wellness or financial stability. Research shows that most new year’s resolutions only last about a month, if that. Why is it so hard to make lasting healthy changes? Why do most of us crash and burn far short of our goals?
The year was 1986, New Year’s Day. My father entered my three siblings and myself in a 5K New Year’s Day race because he thought it would be fun to wake up early on a windy below zero day and ring in the New Year with a release of endorphins and enthusiasm. He had encouraged us to train but as a star athlete on the field hockey team I felt no reason to train for such a short race. That morning I watched people stretching and warming up for the race; why waste my time stretching when I could sample the frosted donuts with the pretty rainbow sprinkles! After all, every athlete knows a good breakfast is the key to a strong performance. When the gun was fired to kick off the race I blew past
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everyone certain I would be in the top ten to come through the finish line. I laughed at how slow everyone was and thanked God for blessing me with the gift of being able to run like the wind. Five minutes into the race I got a cramp. The people I was making fun of for being so slow were now starting to pass me. After shaking off the cramp I started to feel sick to my stomach. Perhaps the donut and blue Gatorade weren’t the fuel I needed to win the race. The last mile I was huffing and puffing and turning a shade of purple that wasn’t exactly in my color wheel. As I crossed the finish line I threw up and started crying. The EMT people escorted me to the tent where I proceeded to dry heave for the next ten minutes. The 1986 5k race STILL gets brought up most holidays and I haven’t had a rainbow sprinkled donut since. This experience has always been a reminder in my life that the crash and burn method NEVER seeks to bring us the outcome we want. When setting healthy goals for yourself, keep a few things in mind.
BE CLEAR! When you identify the changes you want to make, be specific and write your goal down. Have a picture, inspirational quote, or prop that makes you feel enthusiastic about pursuing your
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goal daily. Have fun with the process and resist the urge to put fear and pressure into your pursuit of your goal. This will only cause you to feel discouraged and stressed out.
BE REALISTIC! If the goal is to lose weight and have more energy, be realistic and specific about how you will go about honoring that goal daily. Setting an intention to go to the gym every day for an hour and drink green smoothies all day is not realistic if you work full time and have a busy life. Start small and set goals that you can achieve every day. A fifteen minute walk daily and stretching is far more achievable than boot camp every day. Our minds and bodies need to ease into change slowly and safely. (See above example for the result of crash and burn!)
GET PEACE! Research shows that when we take a little time every day to meditate and visualize our goals, dreams and desires we are more likely to not only reach our goals, but have a more positive, peaceful outlook in everyday life. You don’t have to buy a yoga mat and some sage incense to in order to meditate daily. Start with 60 seconds of closing your eyes, putting your hand over your heart and focusing on your breathing. This simple exercise is like hitting the control, alt, delete button on your brain and can help clear your mind of stress and negative thoughts. Start the New Year off with this practice and watch how things slowly begin to shift in your life.
TALK IT OUT! If you are struggling to make positive changes in your life or find yourself continually self-sabotaging healthy choices, take the time you need to sort out the root of the problem. Get into counseling so that you can gain insight into the pattern you keep creating in your life. We don’t know what we know until we know it. Sometimes talking to an outside party can bring you the clarity and insight you need to break through to the other side of health and wellness. As we ring in 2015, take the time you need to sort out what you really want out of this year. Have a plan, take your time and resist the hype of making unrealistic resolutions that will only lead to discouragement. Remember, change is a process that requires a little daily effort and a lot of patience! You can do it! Wishing you a healthy, happy 2015 full of peace and hope! Meghan Lemery Fritz is a psychotherapist practicing at Sunpointe Health. For more information visit meghanlemery.com or email Meghanlemery@yahoo.com saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com
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HEALTH & WELLNESS Dan Romand CPT & YOGA INSTRUCTOR
DAN’S FITNESS TIPS for GETTING STARTED
ON A NEW WORK OUT
ROUTINE We’ve all been there. We resolve to get fit, lose weight and work out more. Many of us, especially around the New Year, will join the local gym. We buy some new workout clothes, fill our water bottles and head off to start our fitness journey. For some it will become a daily part of their life but for most (over 90%) it will be a very short journey. Resolutions are very easy to make; the challenging part is sticking to them. As someone who has been in gyms for over 30 years, it’s an annual routine. The first couple weeks of January, the gym is packed. As the month wears on many of those resolutioners (as they are known in the industry) start to disappear. Studies have shown that by the end of January about a third of those who resolved to get to the gym no longer go. In my experience by the end of February less than 20% of new folks still show up on a regular basis. Why? Let’s be honest with ourselves for most of us getting in shape is not enjoyable. It’s called a workout, not a “funout” for a reason. Not many of us want to get up at 5:30 am on a freezing cold January morning to head to the gym or head there after a long day of working only to endure the crowds and wait 15,
20 or even 30 minutes to get a piece of equipment. Add to it the aches and pains that set in from overdoing it especially for those who haven’t been to the gym or are returning after a long time away and it’s easy to understand why so many quit after just a few short weeks. Here are 7 tips & tricks that I have found can help you stick with it and achieve your fitness dreams.
1. Make exercise an appointment and stick to it. Set aside specific days and times for exercise and put them on your calendar. Choose times that work for you. If you’re an early riser, a 5 am workout may be just the thing. If you’re a night owl, there’s nothing wrong with working out later in the evening. Most people like to go right after work but keep in mind if that you are one of many that do that, peak time in most gyms is 5-7pm so if you can avoid those times you’ll be able to avoid the crowds.
2. Have a plan – and a backup. For many folks they go to them gym with no idea what they are going to do when they get there. When I work with my clients we put together a program so they know what workout they are going to do before
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they head to the gym. We also have a 2nd workout ready in case the equipment they need isn’t available.
3. Change it up: One of the most common themes I hear from people is they are bored. They do the exact same workout every single time. For some they just get on the elliptical for 30 minutes at the same settings and stare at the TV or wall. Others just go and lift the same weights over and over. By adding different types of workouts not only will you fight boredom but your body won’t be able to adapt and you’ll get faster and better results as a bonus. Don’t be afraid to try new things. If all you do is cardio, work in some resistance training. Maybe try a new class like Zumba ®, Yoga or even a boot camp. Also don’t be afraid to get outside of the gym: sign up for a 5k, join a softball league, or take a dance class. You might find something you really love doing and you’ll be more likely to stick to it.
4. Challenge Yourself: This is one I myself use to keep me motivated. It might be as simple as running a little farther or a little faster than last time. If you can run a mile in 12 minutes set your goal to get it down to 11 min. If you can do 10 squats try to do 11 the saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com
next time. The key is to set realistic goals. Expecting that you’ll go from bench pressing 20 lbs. to 100 lbs. overnight isn’t going to happen.
5. Use the Buddy System: Having the support of a friend, co-worker or group makes exercise a lot more fun. Having that social support makes it much harder to skip workouts. Most of the clients in my fitness classes say this is their biggest motivator. Knowing that they are coming not just to work out but to see their friends keeps them motivated especially on those days when it would be all too easy to say I don’t want to work out. Fear of disappointing your buddy is powerful indeed.
from getting bored. Finally and perhaps most importantly, they will show you the proper way to exercise so that you don’t get injured, another issue commonly seen with people just starting to work out. Incorporating some or all of these tips can go a long way toward helping you keep your resolution to get fit. Why not give them a try and become one of the 10% that succeed!
Dan Romand is a certified personal trainer and Yoga instructor as well as co-owner with his wife Laurie of Full Circle FitnessNY. The staff at FCFNY believe that anyone can improve their fitness level and make their daily life more enjoyable. They specialize in working with the morbidly obese and showing them through lifestyle changes how to not just lose weight safely and effectively but keep it off.
6. Make it your “me” time Instead of looking at it as exercise, look at it as time set aside for yourself. For that half hour or hour, focus on you. Crank the tunes, or put on a good audio book and turn off your mind from whatever stresses you are feeling. Not only will you feel more refreshed but you’ll be able to cope with life much better. This is one of the best ways to turn exercising from a chore into something you look forward to. And when you think about quitting think about the reasons you started and how you want to improve your life
7. Hire a Personal Trainer A personal trainer is one of the best investments you can make in yourself and a quality trainer will help you with all of the above. Contrary to what you see on TV, trainers are not going to scream and yell at you (unless you want that). They will be your partner and provide the support and guidance to keep you going. A good trainer will work with you to design a plan and hold you accountable to following it. They’ll help you set realistic goals that will challenge you while at the same time being attainable. They’ll enlist exercises and workouts from many different disciplines to prevent you saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com
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HISTORY & LORE
The Lost Mineral Springs of Saratoga Springs Part Two
By Charlie Kuenzel and Dave Patterson
Photos courtesy of Saratoga Springs History Museum In the first part of this two-part series we discussed the Lost Mineral Springs in the High Rock Park area. This article serves to describe other “lost springs” in a variety of areas of the City of Saratoga Springs. All of these mineral springs are lost from sight but not from history. As the 20th century was ushered in, the nutrition and medical needs of the average person began to change and so did their demand for our many varieties of mineral waters. Many mineral springs were capped and their location disappeared from sight. Today we enjoy about 17 mineral springs in the Saratoga Springs area. The following is a listing of a few mineral springs lost from use in the city.
Hamilton Spring This spring was located near the intersection of Putnam Street and Spring Street, just west of the present day Carousel in Congress Park. In the 1800’s, Putnam Street continued
into what is now Congress Park and ended at East Congress Street, which is still there today. The Hamilton Spring was very important to early Saratoga Springs since it was discovered and made popular by Gideon Putnam, both as a spring and a bathhouse. This spring and bathhouse helped serve visitors to Putnam’s Tavern and Boardinghouse on the northwest corner of Broadway and Congress Street. Gideon Putnam promoted the idea to visitors to come to Saratoga Springs and take the “Kur,” a regiment of mineral spring treatments to provide for renewed health.
Patterson Spring The Patterson Spring was located on the south side of Phila Street near the present day restaurant, Harvey’s and the parking garage. The spring was found in 1886 on the property owned by Mr. Patterson who was an architect. A large drink hall was constructed to dispense the mineral water to large numbers of guests to the site. The
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Patterson water was also bottled and advertisements at the time claimed it cured many diseases and ailments. The Patterson Spring was found to have been very radioactive and was eventually closed.
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Strong’s Spring Dr. Strong’s Sanatorium was located on the eastside of Circular Street between Spring Street and Phila Street. Dr. Strong operated a sanatorium and heavily used a mineral spring that had been drilled on that site. The high use of the Strong Spring during the season caused the Hathorn #1 at the bottom of Spring Street to reduce in volume. Henry Hathorn, owner of the Hathorn #1, brought a lawsuit against Dr. Strong for his excessive pumping of his spring because it was interfering with the flow of the Hathorn. The resulting court case became one of the first decisions of how overuse of one resource could impact another site of the same resource. Eventually the sanatorium was closed and the mineral spring capped.
Favorite Spring Possibly one of the most interesting stories associated with a Saratoga Springs mineral spring is found with the spring called the Favorite. The Favorite was located on the site of the present day Visitor’s Center on the southwest corner of Congress Street and Broadway. The property and the spring were owned by Seymour Ainsworth, who built a three story building on the site in 1888. The name may have been genius. Can you imagine a new visitor to the Saratoga scene, asking a concierge at one of the large hotels for a list of mineral springs near the hotel? The concierge responds with the names, Hathorn, the Congress, the Columbian or the Favorite. What a great marketing tool. Of course you would seek out the “Favorite.” The name Favorite might have been needed for marketing more than we think. The story goes that Ainsworth was unable to hit true mineral water on that site and simply passed water through canisters of salts and minerals in the basement before it exited from the fountain on the first floor, as a manufactured mineral spring. The spring was short lived since the building burned in 1899.
Emperor Spring The Emperor Spring was located in the High Rock Park area approximately where the present day pavilion stands that covers the fountains of the Governor and Peerless springs. The Emperor was very well respected water that attracted many guests to drink it daily. The Emperor was one of a few mineral springs in Saratoga Springs that followed a practice of placing the fountain in a low position in an attempt to build more gas pressure. (See image of Emperor). By the year 1911 the Emperor had a diminished flow due to the inflow of ground water. A project to re-tube and restore the spring was completed in April of 1912, and highly mineralized water with a flow rate of 6 quarts/minute was reported. The consensus among people who drank the Emperor was that the water was similar in taste to the original High Rock Spring.
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HISTORY & LORE
Does Anybody Really Know What Time It is? By Charlie Kuenzel and Dave Patterson, Photos courtesy of Saratoga Springs History Museum
Up until the late 19th century, most Americans could have used this 1969 Chicago song as an everyday question. People based the time of day on the location of the sun in the sky, so while people in Chicago believed it was 12 noon, the people of Saratoga Springs believed it was closer to 1 pm. This caused tremendous confusion especially for railway travel and railroad deliveries. The problem was solved by the creation of Standard Time, a formula derived in large part from the work of Saratogian Dr. Charles Ferdinand Dowd. Charles Dowd was born and raised in Connecticut and graduated from Yale in 1853. He went on to serve as a mathematics teacher, principal and
superintendent of schools in various places before arriving in Saratoga Springs in 1868. He and his wife, Harriet North Dowd, opened the Temple Grove Seminary on the site of what today is Skidmore Apartments on Circular Street. Temple Grove was a school for girls that was extremely progressive for its time. Girls were instructed in biology, social sciences, mathematics, English literature, and foreign language. It was here that Dowd, a man who valued order over chaos, first developed his plans for standard time. It is likely that among the first to hear his ideas on standard time were the female students he instructed. Saratoga Springs was booming by the
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mid-19th century. It was among the most popular tourist destinations in America and it was very dependent on railroads to deliver goods and people to the village. The problem was that since the time of day varied so much around the country it was difficult to map out arrival and departure times for trains with any real accuracy. Dowd addressed this problem with his 1870 publication entitled, “National Railroad Time.” He divided the country into four time zones based on longitude and he used Washington, DC as his center point. In order to keep railroad time consistent with local times his formula called for a different time zone every fifteenth meridian from DC. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com
Dr. Dowd headed the Temple Grove Seminary for thirty five years. He was never paid for his contribution to the development of standard time except for free railway passes. At his fiftieth reunion at Yale, Dowd was hailed as Father Time. A plaque behind the Adirondack Trust Bank on Broadway commemorates what Dowd achieved. On November 12, 1904, the seventy-nine-year-old Dr. Dowd walked up toward North Broadway to visit a relative. On his way home he was struck and killed by the Delaware and Hudson #6 train. The man who had put the railroads on a time schedule had his time cut short by a train.
Washington time is taken as the standard for the Atlantic states. One hour slower than Washington time for Mississippi Valley states Two hours slower for the Rocky Mountain states and Three hours slower for the Pacific states This system was proposed by Dowd at national railroad conventions in both Boston and New York City. His proposal was generally well received; Mr. Dowd’s plan of systematizing the difference of time and standards for railway time is based upon correct scientific principles and is recommended to the attention of railway managers. Much debate over Dowd’s formula followed and some people believed that the adoption of Standard Time was the adoption of “the devil’s time.” Cornelius Durkee recounted in his local history book that a South Carolina pamphlet feared that “dire calamity” would result if Charleston, S.C. adopted standard time. When an earthquake struck that region three years later the man was quick to point out how prophetic his warning had been. Dr. Dowd’s plan was put into effect on November 18, 1883 and was made law in the 1918 Standard Law Act. Charles Ferdinand Dowd played a role in the startup of Skidmore College. When Lucy Skidmore Scribner went to the Presbyterian Church for assistance in establishing the Young Women’s Industrial Club, it was church elder Charles Dowd who made arrangements for her to secure rooms in the church’s former parsonage on Spring Street. Later, in 1903, he sold Scribner the Temple Grove Seminary for $43,000. In 1922 when Skidmore College was officially formed, that building became a central part of the downtown campus. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com
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HOME & GARDEN
Carriage House Chronicles The
Story by Chelsea Hoopes Silver, Photos by ©StockStudiosPhotography.com This story was previously run in our March/April 2013 issue.
Devil’s Hop
Farm
Hi, I’m Chelsea Hoopes Silver... And as some of you may know, I have a blog called The Carriage House Chronicles, where I feature various design, architecture, lifestyle, and art inspirations I find while living in the beautiful and historically rich city of Saratoga Springs. I come by my love of collecting and house obsession honestly—my parents have been flipping and building houses since I was five-years-old and my grandfather traveled the world collecting art and antiques. I also love a nice, “raw canvas” and I would probably never buy a “turn-key” home. My first and current homes were both big renovations and even my store (Silverwood, Home & Gallery; which I own with my mother), was a total renovation. Although I can certainly see the appeal of buying something that is done, I just love a good project! Now I’ve got a new “project”— adapting my blog into a series for the award-winning Simply Saratoga!
And the artwork of Jennifer Lanne
Jennifer Lanne
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Owned by Jennifer and Dick Lanne, the “carriage house” is technically a 200 yearold barn in Ballston Spa that is now an artist’s studio, working barn, and squirrel sanctuary (more on that later), but I’m sure there was a carriage in there at some point! About nine years ago, the Lanne’s bought “Devil’s Hop Farm”, named after Scottish ex-patriot Angus McDearmid who saw a “demon apparition” on the property sometime in the 1780’s (I kid you not- it’s written on the historical marker in their front yard). The house is a rustic collector’s dream, as Jennifer has a curator’s eye for all things unusual and rusty. Everywhere you turn, in the house or in her barn studio, there are little vignettes and collections of her whimsical and beautiful flea market and antique finds.
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Even the little “nests” she’s built in the barn for their rescued, orphan squirrel, Archer (who comes and goes as she pleases, but prefers her cozy barn digs), has touches of Jennifer in it- little pieces of ribbon and greenery here, an antique doll house there... Jennifer is a painter and her interior decor instincts meld with her “day job” seamlessly. Her glossy, vibrant, and primitive paintings (largely florals, farm animals, and some landscapes) are truly unique- there’s no mistaking a Lanne original. They are often embellished with vintage- looking glass glitter and antique velvet ribbon, small adornments that make all the difference. In the 10 years she’s been painting, Jennifer has gained a huge following throughout the United States and beyond, showing her work at galleries from here to California and as a regular exhibitor at the renowned Country Living Fairs, sometimes sharing a booth with celebrity picker Cari Cucksey. I’ve been working with Jennifer for several years now, but I was still so pleased when she granted me access into her studio and home, which is apparently on several magazine editors and book author’s “short lists” already (and for good reason- it’s a photographer’s dream!). On a cold, dark day in February (some time we’ll come back when it’s warmer for the breathtaking gardens), we walked the property and discussed her own 40 | Simply Saratoga | January/FEBRUARY 2015
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“
I would say my
style has evolved
organically. When I first started painting I tried to emulate vintage florals and landscapes...and somehow my style emerged.
”
Throughout the barn and house, Jennifer’s vignettes give every space such a sense of charm and history.
[
...There’s no mistaking a Lanne original.
] Inside Jennifer’s studio she has created a cozy corner to retreat to, surrounded by her paintings and pretty creations.
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love of collecting, art, design, and architecture. CS: How did your unique style of painting evolve? JL: I would say my style has evolved organically. When I first started painting I tried to emulate vintage florals and landscapes...and somehow my style emerged. I have a few great art books on Victorian Paintings as well as Hudson River Paintings [and] I love to look to them as inspiration. CS: There are tiny, antique cows in every corner, intriguing little shadow boxes hung from every wall, and fluffy angel’s wings suspended above your studio sofa... Everywhere I look, it’s like there is a story being told. What things influence your interior design? JL: Antiques, vintage items. It doesn’t so much matter what it is. I am usually drawn to color....and [I] love things that are imperfect. I love pairing a formal fancy piece with something primitive... they help temper each other. CS: I’m sure people would love to know where you find such unusual, authentic pieces. Do you have any favorite antiques shows or fairs? What are your local go-to sources for antiques?
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The stonework in much of the barn (including here on the exterior wall) looks like it’s original to the 200+ year-old structure, but it was actually hand-layed by Jennifer and Dick to replace old rotting walls.
They are a lot of great local antique shows and fairs. Washington County, Round Lake, Schoharie Antiques Show... Ballston Spa also has a lot of great antique shops I like to frequent, or for a day trip, Hudson is loaded with goods. CS: Do you shop online at all? JL: I do love to check out EBay from time to time ...always good for a quick fix.
The 1810 house ledger framed by Lanne. 44 | Simply Saratoga | January/FEBRUARY 2015
CS: Of all your unique, antique finds, what are your three favorites?
JL: [It is] difficult to pick just three! I get very attached to pieces....not just because I like them, but because of the memory of acquiring the piece....that’s’ the problem with antiques! One [of my favorites] would have to be an amazing, old painting that was a gift from a friend. The other is the old house ledger [from 1810, which a previous owner found in the home], as that is irreplaceable. CS: I know I am always scheming and dreaming (to my husband’s dismay) of new home improvement saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com
projects I’d like to do. Do you have any dream renovations or projects for the house or studio that you have not tackled yet?
[
...It is a lot of upkeep, but a labor of love.
]
JL: Every time I say “no more projects” I will surely think of one. When Spring/Summer hits I am sure my wheels will be spinning for an outdoor project…maybe a stone addition at some point down the road. CS: Is there a particular renovations/project in the house or studio you were most excited to tackle?
Some of Jennifer’s work is available at Silverwood Home & Gallery’s Saratoga location.
JL: Any project that gives instant visual gratification is my favorite. Also, renovating the barn was a huge undertaking (still underway), but the results were so gratifying. CS: What’s your favorite part of owning an old home? JL: It is just riddled with character. Even the creakiness becomes a sound that is quaint. CS: What’s your least favorite? JL: It is a lot of upkeep, but a labor of love. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com
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HOME & GARDEN
Embracing
The B eautifully Imperfect Home
Story and photos by Jenna Burger of SAS Interiors
When decorating a home, it can often be difficult to accept the now because of the constant striving for better or more so, the striving for perfection. There is no such thing as the perfect home, the perfect furniture, or the perfectly decorated walls. A home is more than the roof above and the 4 walls that surround us, it’s a place memories are made with unpredictably messy moments and a place we should embrace today. In our Pinterest-perfect world, it can often be debilitating to do your own thing because the bar has been set so high with the best holiday crafts, the gorgeous room makeovers, and the looks-to-go-to-eat desserts. The reality is though on any given day in my home, no room is magazine-ready or perfect for Pinterest. There are dishes in the sink, crumbs on the floor, and those pictures I’ve been wanting to hang are still sitting in the corner. A home shouldn’t be about striving for the ideal or the perfect, but instead should truly be filled with what
is most meaningful and decorated how YOU want, which in turn will bring the most acceptance, happiness, and joy. Admittedly as a Designer, I often feel it’s expected that my home look perfect, showroom ready when someone comes through the door, but the reality is like most, I live in a chaotic, busy home of 5, and perfect is impossible. As I’ve gotten older (and a little wiser), I have learned (and am still learning) to let go of every room looking photo-ready at all times. As much as I want my home to look perfect, it already IS perfect and that is beauty. The imperfections and the lived-in feel are what make a home beautiful and meaningful. Even though I have a list of changes and updates, I accept and embrace the NOW which means slowing down and enjoying what we have today. This is our life; the home we’ve created. For others, it means accepting the imperfect, unfinished space instead of putting off doing things because perfect is too hard or too much work. Letting go of the Pinterest-perfect
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ideal will open up the opportunity to take risks to create a home that’s always been desired. Like the old saying, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” I recently received the book, It Doesn’t Have to be Perfect to be Beautiful by MyQuillyn Smith and cover to cover, it was eye-opening saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com
and freeing. Even though I live and breathe design every day, it allowed me to accept our now home and confirmed that embracing what I already have created, is beautiful. Photo-ready with everything picture-perfect isn’t welcoming and it isn’t relatable. What is inviting about not being able to put a coffee cup on a table or move a pillow to sit on the sofa?
“
We all have different styles and there is no one size fits all. Decorating a home is a process that is ever-evolving and what’s most meaningful is the intangible beauty that resonates with love and laughter. A perfect home is what you make of it and its beauty is already there. A home is most meaningful when it is unique, personal, and authentic. And that is beautiful.
We are naturally influenced by our surroundings - what we see & what others have – but what matters is how we embrace those influences into our lives.
”
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HOME & GARDEN
To Shred..
To Save...
By Jordana Turcotte
Happy New Year! With the New Year well started, most think of getting things in order and tax prep. Then most wonder, “What can I let go of?” and “What do I need to shred?” February is the best time to do your tax prep. All those tax papers (from employment, investments, mortgages, etc) have finally come in the mail and now you can start to pull it all together. The earlier you start with tax prep, the less stress associated with the process. April 15th comes sooner than we all like. The first step is the gathering stage. You can’t figure out totals and file until you have all of the receipts and documentation. Ideally, all year long you have been placing tax items in the “tax folder,” but if not, it is now a game
of hunt and find. Make a quick list of all the things you need to find and deduct: medical receipts, tax receipts, child care fees, car expenses if you deduct that, donation slips, and more. If you have had changes the past year or wonder on anything, call your tax preparer first so you grab the appropriate items. This gives you a clear list of what to pull and what to let go of, shred or file. This is a great time to let go of unneeded papers and get things in order as mentioned earlier. Grab a medium-sized box or bin to place it all in. This is your tax project bin! You can also
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turn this into the 2015 tax paper collection when done. The second step is the sorting stage. Now that you have found all those items you need from your list, this is the time to dump out the box and sort like with like; medical together, donations together and so on. Binder-clip or create labeled folders for all these groupings. These can then be used each year. Next, do your totals! Grab your calculator and total up these categories and put a post-it or slip of paper on the top of each pile with this total. That way when you hand saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com
over your info or start filling online, you can just grab each pile and put the data in. Make sure you pull last years’ return as that will be referenced throughout. Make your tax appointment on the earlier side so you have time if something is missing. Tax prep time is also a good time to let go of what you don’t need. And with that, shred what needs to be shredded. • Check out what the IRS has to say; google “IRS what to keep” and you can find what they say.
and the like, but anything else may be best to shred. Your financial expert/tax preparer is only a call away; ask them to be sure. Or bundle up the papers in question with a rubber band, take it out of the active folders and create a box of unsure items. Be sure to put a date on it when you put it in there. If you don’t need in a year or two, you can then shred. Shredding is a simple step that goes a long way toward securing your information.
Yearly culling and shredding with tax prep is a good habit; it sets you up for a successful tax prep as well as simplified paper system to use throughout the year. Good luck!
• You must keep 7 years of tax returns and their supporting papers. After that, you only have to keep the actual tax return, not all the supporting paperwork. • Consumables, like groceries, utilities, car payments – unless you use for deductions on your taxes are not needed. You can’t ask for a return on your water can you? And in general, most companies can run you a year history if you ever needed it. The digital age is great for having online access to all your accounts; your info is literally at your fingertips! It is at your comfort level for what you keep in these categories on hand that aren’t used for taxes. Now that you have a pile of all the stuff you can let go of (I hope it is a pile!); should you shred? Shredding protects identity theft from those that steal from your garbage. Your info is out there digitally but shredding ensures it doesn’t get into their hands by just opening your trash can. It does happen. Shredding daily with a decent cross-cut shredder is a great habit, but if you have a backlog bring it into OfficeMax or a local shredding business and just pay to have it all done. Local free shredding events work out great too if you can store it until then and get there that day. What do you shred? This is mostly a personal decision, some rip off their name/address on everything as well as what is listed below and shred it all. Most stick with the sensitive information: anything with your signature, your social security number, financial records of any sort (bills, bank info, older unneeded financial statements, pay stubs), any old ID’s, obsolete legal documents, credit card offers (someone can get one in your name). I suggest not letting go of any medical papers with critical info; test results, info on surgeries, medical images
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January/FEBRUARY 2015 | Simply Saratoga | 49
HOME & GARDEN
GARDENING with
PETER BOWDEN Photos provided
THE MANY FACES OF
ICE
I’m lucky to live in the country so a walk will take me through meadow and forest, past stream and pond. I’ve learned to always bring the camera since you never know what you’ll see.
In warmer times it may be a stunning wildflower or gentle newt. It would seem that the colder months would have little to offer the photographer. A closer look sets that notion to rest. The world of ice has a delicate beauty all its own. 50 | Simply Saratoga | January/FEBRUARY 2015
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Feather frost When the temperature drops very rapidly and there is a warm pond nearby, you can get feather frost...very delicate. I’ve only seen this a couple of times.
Snowflakes Snowflakes are common enough but we usually don’t take time to notice their beauty.
Freezing Rain The most dangerous form of ice, freezing rain coats everything it touches. It can drag down trees and power lines and leave us in the dark for days. Still, it has a beauty all its own.
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Stream Danglers Stream danglers form as the water level drops but splashes up onto the ice or branches above the stream.
Window Frost Window frost is possibly the most beautiful form of ice. It is also the easiest to photograph since you can do it indoors. This frost forms on the inside of the windows of an unheated porch.
Icicles Icicles, the stalactites of winter 52  |  Simply Saratoga | January/FEBRUARY 2015
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Frost. Pause and take a closer look, and you’ll notice that ice displays a beguiling array of elegant forms. The first one we encounter in fall is frost. Frost grows from moisture in the air freezing on cold objects on the ground. It likes to grow on the edges of things like these rose petals.
Stream Ice Stream ice forms when the surface freezes as the water is dropping. There are infinite forms that are determined by the temperature, humidity and a host of other factors. Here’s the stream with an enticing display of ice. Knee high Muck Boots make shooting possible in the stream. Shooting ice is chilly work.
Keep your camera handy while you’re out for your winter stroll. Even the humblest puddle or twig can display one of the many beautiful faces of ice.
Thanks for the read! saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com
An early spring spider on the thin layer of water over bubbles trapped in the ice below.
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DOING THE RIGHT THING
54 | Simply Saratoga 2015 Photo by Nicole DeHaven| January/FEBRUARY of Lilac & Fern Photography
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Welcome 2015! The holidays have come and gone, the ball has dropped, and many of us have already broken our New Year resolutions. But don’t despair, it is never too late, or too early, to start again. I for one have my list of goals, hopes and aspirations, and will keep chipping away at them. The problem many of us face is keeping the focus and motivation as the weeks pass us by. Well I think we have the solution….
Let us look to others..
for inspiration.
On the following pages you will read about regular people who love, laugh and give as much as they can to make the world a better place. If life throws them lemons, they make lemonade. These people are most definitely “paying it forward.” Whether it is overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds, harnessing the power of love, or helping victims of domestic violence regain their dignity, these people are doing the right thing. We hope you enjoy meeting these people… learn what makes them tick and take something from their stories. Now set your goals and achieve something great in 2015! “Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every New Year find you a better person.” - Benjamin Franklin
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St. Clement’s Communicants
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Connecting through Christ
By Stephanie Hale-Lopez, photos provided
The most important idea behind any project is what you can do for others.
Of all seven sacraments, the Holy Communion is the most central and important to Catholicism. A child’s First Holy Communion, like their Baptism, is a big occasion and one that is filled with family, friends and of course, God. Girls typically wear white gowns, veils and gloves, while boys wear their Sunday best or new suits and ties bought for the occasion; but after the ceremony and the
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celebration that follows, what happens to the First Communion clothing? Typically it’s hung in the back of the closet, or folded and stored in a bottom drawer somewhere, easily forgotten. However, a program at St. Clement’s Roman Catholic Parish in Saratoga Springs is giving new life to the dresses by donating them to children in a developing country, who are also looking to make their First Holy Communion.
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Every June for the last seven years, the parish takes dresses from girls willing to donate them in what organizers call an act of kindness to honor Jesus Christ and to celebrate children who are receiving their Holy Communion. Patti Schwartz, catechetical leader at Shrine Church of Our Lady of the Americas in Albany, then delivers the dresses to the children of Santa Maria del Mar Parish and school in Costa del Sol, El Salvador. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com
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When I arrive with those dresses, it’s as if Santa came
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“The most important idea behind any project is what you can do for others,” said Schwartz. “We realize that the white dress is so special for the children, but we want to teach them that it’s not the dress that’s important. You’re accepting Jesus into your heart and that’s what’s important. What Jesus wants us to do, as his disciples, is to go and serve others.” First Communion ceremonies are typically held in the spring, but are also held in December in many Latin American countries. “When I arrive with those dresses, it’s as if Santa came,” said Schwartz. “The children and their families could never afford anything like that; and on Christmas Day, around 40-50 children take their First Communion in the dresses donated by St. Clement’s.” Once the children in El Salvador finish their First Communion, the nuns collect the dresses and pass them down for other children to use the following year, in addition to the new donations. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com
Schwartz says when the First Communicants at St. Clement’s learn where their dress is going and how it will benefit other children, they get excited and wish they could do even more to help. When Schwartz returns from El Salvador, she visits the children at St. Clement’s and shares photos of her trip. Organizers and donors say the unifying theme behind the project is to serve others. “When the children in El Salvador receive the clothing, they can’t believe how children from so far away can care so much for them,” said Schwartz. “It’s beautiful because in a way, it’s like the children are connected even though they’re thousands of miles apart.” If you have attire fitting for a First Communion that you would like to donate, contact Patti Schwartz at pschwartz63@ gmail.com or Denise Salage at salage.d@scpny.org.
January/FEBRUARY 2015 | Simply Saratoga | 57
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When there’s a challenge, I go by my gut, my heart and my intuition. I’m led by a higher source and all of a sudden, it becomes easier
“Animals have voices too, we just need to listen” t-shirt available on Let’s Talk Animals shop at Etsy.com
Assemblyman Jim Tedisco, Denise James with her rescue Chihuahua Fernando, and News 10 ABC meteorologist Steve Caporizzo at Animal Advocacy Day 2014
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Denise James
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On the Same Wavelength By Megin Potter, photos provided
Those that do love their animals treat them like an equal. They are our equals except they walk around on four legs... not two, and they don’t speak our language, but they do speak.
When she was a little girl, Denise James could play with frogs for hours, she was fascinated by bugs, and a stray turtle could find a welcome home in her canvas swimming pool.
white Afghan breed from Nowzad Dogs, an animal shelter that rescues stray and abandoned dogs in Afghanistan.
“My passion is my animals,” said James. Today, she has 13 dogs, a parrot, a cat and a horse. She opens her home to the animals that find their way to her, she said, and opens her heart to help so many others.
Outspoken about all kinds of animal abuse driven by greed and a lack of education; from horrific living conditions, to animal testing, to their use in the fashion industry, James works passionately to inspire, inform and bring awareness to what seems like a never-ending problem.
This sometimes means connecting across the country, or even the world. James’ newest adoption is Adiya, a 3-year-old
“Everything worries me. Every animal I see on the road, and I don’t quite know how to get over that. I see that and I get myself in
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a state and cry and worry and worry,” she said. James’ help takes many forms; from getting out of the car to buy a dozen hamburgers for the stray dogs she sees, to fundraisers, and days spent on the phone making calls. “Animals have taught me to be calmer, more patient and to find solutions when there doesn’t seem to be any. There’s always a way. Expect nothing, but hope for everything,” said James. Through her radio segments; Let’s Talk saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com
Animals, airing on 101.3 The Jockey, Sundays at 8:30 and 10:35 a.m. after the news and weather, James interviews celebrity guests and shares tips on things we all can do to help. Whether it’s converting to a vegetarian diet, using natural cleansers or taking your dog out for a 10-minute run, creating a healthy world for animals, benefits everyone. “Those that do love their animals treat them like an equal. They are our equals except they walk around on four legs, not two, and they don’t speak our language, but they do speak,” said James. James is always listening and focusing on the bigger picture. While recovering from a broken wrist caused by tripping over a dog gate, James said the pain was made more bearable by keeping in mind all the animals that are suffering through much worse. A technique she recalls teaching to her own children. “If they got a cut on their finger, I’d say, ‘You put on your bandaid and pray for those people that have bigger boo-boos than you’,” she said. It is a resilience that can be seen in their successes today. Together with her husband John James, famous for his role as Jeff Colby on the television series Dynasty, they raised two children; daughter Laura James, winner of America’s Next Top Model (Cycle 19) and son Phillip James, a USAF Air Traffic Controller. “When there’s a challenge, I go by my gut, my heart and my intuition. I’m led by a higher source and all of a sudden, it becomes easier,” said James. To learn more, listen to her show or find out what you can do to help go to http://www.letstalkanimalswithdenisejames.com/ Denise James with Adiya, adopted from war-ravaged streets of Afganistan
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January/FEBRUARY 2015 | Simply Saratoga | 59
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volunteering is a way of life.
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MELISSA WARD
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A Way of Life
By Carissa Kumlander, Photos Provided
Little things count.... it can be something as simple as donating a computer or taking time to read to those in nursing homes. It’s the little things that really matter. In 2002, the Twin Bridges Rotary Club of Southern Saratoga Springs gained a key member: Melissa Ward. Although many rotaries have been in the area for a number of years, the Southern Saratoga sector was just getting started when
Melissa found out about it from a friend. “At first I was a little hesitant because from my high school days, I remembered rotary as a bunch of old men around a table. But when I showed up to my first meeting, it was filled with people that I networked with and men
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and women all pretty much around my age.” She continued to attend the meetings, and became a regular member of the club. Melissa has been with the Twin Bridges Rotary club now for thirteen years, was
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formerly the District Governor for all of the Rotary Clubs in the Capital Region and has participated in a countless number of projects to benefit the local population. “Every year we partner with Salty’s and set up a free Thanksgiving dinner for anyone who would otherwise be alone. If people cannot be with their families during the holiday season, we invite them to come and hangout with our family. This past year I think we did about 400 dinners. I also love going down to the Ronald McDonald house and cooking dinner. The families are going through such hard times and the impact that you have on them by doing something simple like cooking a meal or just hanging out and being available to talk to, it’s wild.” Besides helping those in need locally, Ward has been on a mission trip to Zimbabwe, as well as taken trips to places such as Bangkok, Lisbon, and New Orleans for international Rotary Club conventions. “I went to Zimbabwe for 2 weeks in 2004 to help build a school. We did everything from pouring cement floors to setting up new
blackboards to building desks and benches. To be able to spend a couple of weeks there and really live with the people there was just indescribable.” Melissa is hopeful that she will get to travel back to Zimbabwe one day and continue her efforts to help the people. “This work is truly eye opening.”
count. It doesn’t always have to be things such as big trips; it can be something as simple as donating a computer or taking time to read to those in nursing homes. It’s the little things that really matter.”
Even though Ward owns her own website design and social media marketing company, she still manages to find time to volunteer as much as her heart desires. “As a business owner, I get to play with my own schedule. It’s really about how you prioritize as opposed to how many hours in the day there are. I go to my rotary lunch every Wednesday. It’s just a part of my week.” While some people may describe the work Melissa Ward does as volunteering, she thinks of it as a way of life. She attempts to incorporate the Rotary Club values into her daily life, and always tries to encourage people to do the same. “Little things Photo by Mark Bolles
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January/FEBRUARY 2015 | Simply Saratoga | 61
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It’s not about me, it’s about the message...
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Paula Gretzinger
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Promoting Positivity
By Megin Potter, photos provided
Every day I wake up happy and I spread it to everyone I meet. It’s not about glory; it’s about bringing attention to the platform and really helping people. “In every negative situation, there’s something positive,” said Paula Gretzinger, host of Parentology with Paula, a positive parenting cable television program that began in 2010 and will soon be available streaming live online. Her interviews with parents and parenting experts providing health, nutrition and advice focus on the positive solutions that parents are looking for. “It’s amazing the things you learn, listening to people and talking to people,” said
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Gretzinger. At home, as a single working mother raising three children: Jerry III, 11, Nicole, 10, and Isabella, 8, she implements some of the ideas her guests have discussed. These include organizational tips from other busy mothers and adopting their successful positivity practices as well. “Be positive, don’t scream and don’t yell, it’s not going to work. Yelling doesn’t work,” said Gretzinger.
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Creating a strong sense of self-esteem in both parents and their children is very valuable and what she focuses on, she said. As a contestant in the 2014 Crowns of Inspiration National Ms. Northeast pageant, Gretzinger represented the Capital Region and promoted her family first platform. With help from sponsor Peter Sotiak, a Parentology viewer from Poughkeepsie, Gretzinger was able to join other women with a mission and bring attention to her cause. As part of the pageant, she planned, saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com
organized and hosted seven community events raising money and awareness for the Autism Society and approximately $13,000 for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. She used the experience as a tool to demonstrate gratitude and kindness to her own children as well, she said. “Every day I wake up happy and I spread it to everyone I meet. It’s not about glory; it’s about bringing attention to the platform and really helping people.” At the three-day National Ms. pageant event, Gretzinger was judged not only on her community service and speaking abilities but also on her merits in talent, evening gown and fitness competition. Throughout the process, Gretzinger said she knew she was making the right choices, such as choosing not to have any of her photos filtered or retouched, because she was able to love and stay true to herself. “It’s not about me, it’s about the message,” she said. “Self-esteem is very, very valuable. You have to love yourself no matter what. Don’t be a victim. Live in the now; life is too short, you need to be happy with yourself.”
To nominate a parent you know and to find out more information go to http://www.parentologywithpaula.com.
With her children in attendance, Gretzinger was awarded the bronze as second runnerup. Even at that exciting moment, she saw an opportunity to promote her positive parenting platform.
“My kids were my true supporters and they were sad I didn’t win first. I said, ‘Yes we did! We won! This is what mom’s always telling you about; it’s about the feeling and being in it.’” Planning to compete in the pageant again this year isn’t stopping Gretzinger from putting on the Third Annual Parent of the Year Awards again this March. It is an opportunity for parents to meet and talk to each other while receiving recognition for their parenting skills (a job that many times goes unrewarded). saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com
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Top Left: Project Easter Bunny Baskets 2014 (290 were made). Top right: Lisa proudly holds one of the baskets. Bottom left: Rainbows surrounded Lisa at the beginning of treatment and she wasn’t sure how or why. Lisa came to learn in the Bible they represent “God’s Promise”. Bottom right: Husband Jim Morahan, son Caden and Lisa
Lisa Morahan
The Hope Hero
By Megin Potter, photos provided
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...Cancer allowed me to empty myself out and left room for the work to be done.
Heroes come in and save the day, that’s what they do, but to become a hero, one must first surrender. In the face of fear and seemingly insurmountable odds, the hero surrenders to faith in order to get them through the fight. That’s how one local hero sees it. For Lisa Morahan, the battle has been against breast cancer. Like any villain, this one is complex, bringing blessings, strangely enough, along with its burdens. The blessing
recruited to fight on the front lines; but it’s what she did next that was extraordinary.
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that breast cancer brought to Morahan was that it showed her she had the bravery to fight for herself, her family and to help others while she was doing it. For 12 years, Morahan watched her mother Irene fight, until October 2008 when she died from the final stages of breast cancer. Just eight weeks later, Morahan listened as she was given the news that she too had breast cancer. As the doctor described the 8-centimeter tumor inside her body as a landmine, Morahan knew she had been
64 | Simply Saratoga | January/FEBRUARY 2015
She allowed her diagnosis to be the catalyst for the creation of a charity called Floyd’s Warriors, finding many parallels between the songs of Pink Floyd and the battle against breast cancer. Morahan took it on as her mission to help families cope with cancer one household at a time and together, they worked to help each other not take cancer lying down, but looking up. Undergoing daily radiation treatments left Morahan struggling with how to physically take care of the small child she had at home. She knew that there were others like her facing the same difficulties, also. Floyd’s saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com
Top left: Amber Zapp (Seeking Sitters), Lisa and patient – mom of 10 month old and 2 yr old no family/ friends to help her- Yahaira Santiago. Top right: Lynn and Carolyn from Crafter’s Gallery. Bottom left: patient Renee Covell from Ballston Spa, son Antoine and Lisa. Bottom right: Patient Renee Covell and Lisa. Warriors is an army of help storming in to confront this issue head on. A group of willing volunteers and the donations they receive make sure that dinner is done, the dishes are clean and the kids are okay. The help they offer is specific to the needs of each family and have included everything from cooking meals, to cleaning and ride services, to providing back-to-school clothes for the children of cancer survivors who often have to balance health-care costs with a reduced income. Through fundraisers such as Bows on Broadway, where large pink ribbons are tied to trees along Broadway in Saratoga Springs by sponsors, and grants from local businesses, Floyd’s Warriors has helped hundreds of families in the region. Along the way, Morahan has saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com
become the poster child for hope. “When treatments were over and I found out my cancer didn’t spread I said, ‘O.k. Lord, use me. I’ll do your work.’ Cancer allowed me to empty myself out and left room for the work to be done.” “I didn’t know that kind of peace before. It was brighter and brighter each day I woke up. God places things in our path that are purposeful and intentional. If you just get yourself out of the way, let go of your fears and insecurity and let it flow, see what happens. It’s a bigger hope than can be bottled.” To learn more about Floyd’s Warriors, to donate or to volunteer go to http://www. floydwarriors.com. January/FEBRUARY 2015 | Simply Saratoga | 65
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A life without horses? No way!
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NANCI BEYERL
Healing Horses & People By Stephanie Hale-Lopez, photos provided
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It’s my dream life because I see the benefits of wellness and recovery every single day... We meet very few people in life who can truly say they love what they do. Nanci Beyerl, Founder and Executive Director of Peaceful Acres Horses, is one of those lucky few. From its modest inception on 12 acres of land in Schenectady County in 2003, to a 156-acre healing sanctuary for horses and people, Peaceful Acres Horses has come
a long way in a short period of time. PAH is best known for its equine rescue and rehabilitation of horses that are neglected, abandoned and/or abused. The horses surpass their own neglect, loss and trauma to go on to help people to surpass grief, loss, trauma, addictions and obstacles that are holding them back from a life of joy and emotional stability.
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Beyerl says her horses and the environment of the ranch played a part in helping her overcome her own personal crisis nearly 12 years ago and she saw first-hand how horses can help heal people. She took that vision and ran with it and PAH is now the only health and wellness center in the greater Capital Region that offers a variety of holistic health programs that saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com
partner rescued horses and donkeys in the restoration and enlightenment of people. PAH works with various underserved groups, such as: veterans and their families; women cancer patients and survivors; underprivileged, at-risk youth and their families; and women striving to surpass loss, abuse, trauma and life transitions. “It’s my dream life because I see the benefits of wellness and recovery every single day of my life,” said Beyerl. “What I sought out to do is happening. There isn’t a time that a teenager or a veteran or a woman surpassing cancer or overcoming domestic abuse doesn’t come here and meet these horses and do our programs that their lives are not positively changed.” With a large property, including three indoor arenas and 14 outdoor shelters, and close to 70 horses to take care of, Beyerl credits her team of volunteers, two employees and donors with keeping Peaceful Acres Horses running on a daily basis. “I work with the most amazing people,” said Beyerl. The PAH team recently created a “Feed Fund” where people interested in helping the sanctuary can sign up to donate $42 a month, allowing the volunteers to get hay deliveries and purchase grain to feed the 68 horses that live at Peaceful Acres. Beyerl says every donation makes a difference. On average, it costs around $16 per day to take care of each horse when you put together stabling costs, food and veterinary care. Even with the financial stresses that come with running a consumable business like Peaceful Acres Horses, Beyerl says she can’t picture her life any other way. “A life without horses? No way!” laughs Beyerl. “But the other thing is, I wouldn’t want to have a life with horses without people because truly what I see is that this place helps people and it’s become a place of Zen and tranquility for a lot of people.” To sign up as a volunteer at Peaceful Acres Horses or to make a monetary donation, visit www.peacefulacreshorses.com.
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If you ask me, we have the best stylists...
Photo by Nicole DeHaven
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of Lilac & Fern Photograph y
LAURA MCDONALD
Finding Life’s B eauty By Stephanie Hale-Lopez, Photos
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It’s been awesome...I thought to myself, ‘life is short so I’m just going to do it.’
There are moments in life when women feel exceptionally beautiful – finding the perfect little black dress, stepping out of a hair salon or strutting around in those heels you just had to buy because they complimented your LBD. Then there are the moments where a life-altering event transforms you into a person whose beauty seeps out, such as becoming a mother or overcoming an especially difficult life hurdle.
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Laura McDonald, owner of Blue Peregrine Salon, is in the beauty business. With a passion for hair and an entrepreneurial spirit, she opened her salon in July of 2014 at 55 Beekman Street in the arts district. “It’s been awesome,” said McDonald. “I thought to myself, ‘life is short so I’m just going to do it.’”
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by Mark Bolles
Through cuts, colors and other beauty services, McDonald helps her clients feel at their best. Knowing firsthand how beauty is a combination of inner and outward experiences, she set up a program at Blue Peregrine that offers free or reduced services to people facing life-threatening illnesses. Partnering with the Saratoga Hospital Mollie Wilmot Radiation Oncology Center,
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Photo by Nicole DeHaven of
Lilac & Fern Photography
McDonald gets the word out to patients who need haircuts, head shaves or wig trims. “I do that on days we’re off if they don’t feel comfortable getting services done in front of other people,” said McDonald. McDonald is a breast cancer survivor. She says her diagnosis, treatment and recovery were motivators in terms of setting up Blue Peregrine Salon and living the life she wanted to live. The salon’s name comes, in part, from St. Peregrine – the patron saint of cancer patients. “It moved me to do this and now I’m trying to put it past me and grow out my hair and sort of forget and move on,” said McDonald. “I do anything I can to help others with cancer, but other than that, I’ve moved past it.” McDonald’s salon is keeping her busy. With talented stylists, a cozy and chic atmosphere, and the use of parabenfree products that leave hair looking and smelling great, it’s no surprise Blue Peregrine has become such a well-loved salon in just six months. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com
“There are certain ingredients, like parabens, that I refuse to put on me,” said McDonald. “It’s a hormone-disruptor. I have an awesome team and we talk about different hair care lines to bring in. We carry Kevin Murphy and I love his products. He’s based out of Australia and he uses essential oils.” The team of stylists at Blue Peregrine is a large part of the salon’s success, according to McDonald. They help their clients achieve the salon’s slogan to “Live life beautifully.” “If you ask me, we have the best stylists,” said McDonald. “They’re highly educated, they continue their education, they look good and their clients say they’re awesome and friendly. I think we’re happy and I think we have the whole package – talent, great atmosphere and great music.” Blue Peregrine is open Tuesday through Saturday and walkins are welcome. To make an appointment, call the salon at 871-1029 or visit www. blueperegrinesalon.com. January/FEBRUARY 2015 | Simply Saratoga | 69
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The best thing about this is the smile...
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Sherie Grinter
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Professional Volunteer By Carissa Kumlander, photos provided
...When an organization needs a certain type of product or volunteer, I use my connections with other places to help them out.
Twelve years ago, Sherie Grinter, of Saratoga Springs, traded one career for another. She decided to give up her full time job in order to become a professional volunteer. Dedicating her life to the community, Sherie has been involved with countless organizations over the last dozen years, and does not plan to stop any time soon. “I started at a little zoo out in Greenwich, where I conducted tours and helped educate the people about the different
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animals. Then a good friend of mine introduced me to the Saratoga Lions club, and from there I began to establish more connections.” Besides volunteering her time at Lions Club events such as the Alfred Z Solomon Saratoga Springs Lions Club Health Fair, and the Annual Lions Club Duathlon, Sherie has worked closely with Rebuilding Together of Saratoga County, the American Red Cross, and the Greenfield Community Garden. Her current project during the brisk winter months is Code Blue. This organization
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provides warmth, shelter, and food for the homeless population in the Saratoga Springs area. “Code Blue is an everyday job from November to March, even though the shelter is not open every day. We recently had to switch sites. Our previous location was at St. Peter’s and our new location is at the Salvation Army. We also put together a party for our guests, which is our homeless population. Everyone gathered gifts for all of the guests to open at the party. I totally believe that everyone should be able
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to open a gift during the holidays. So between wrapping for our volunteers and then wrapping for our guests, I bet you we wrapped close to 100 presents!” While the goals of the different organizations Grinter is a part of may be inordinately different, working with an abundance of different organizations has only helped Grinter in building up her volunteering network. “I do a little bit for a lot of different organizations and it becomes like a little circle. When an organization needs a certain type of product or volunteer, I use my connections with other places to help them out.” Although she is working constantly with these incredible organizations, Sherie Grinter also finds time to run a reptile rescue from the comfort of her own home. “I have Bearded Dragons, Leopard Geckos, Uromastyx Lizards, Tortoises, and five different species of snakes. I bring the reptiles to preschools and elementary schools to help break the fear, especially with the little kids.” Sherie Grinter has been a professional volunteer for over a decade now and does not show any signs of slowing down any time soon. Some people may find working constantly and not receiving any sort of tangible reward to be disheartening, but Grinter is nothing but pleased with this aspect of the job. “The best thing about this is the smile. You get a smile from someone, even if it’s a tearful smile and you know that you’ve touched their life in a positive way, and that is all the reward I need.”
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I have so much love and it propels me forward
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Donna Roner
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Ripple Effect
By Megin Potter, photos provided
I don’t think I ever limit myself with what I do. I have the ability to focus on people without judgment... Faith is tangible; its effects ripple out and touch others in incredible ways. When someone has faith in the power of love, anything is possible. “I have so much love and it propels me forward,” said Donna Roner.
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She learned it by example, she said, coming from a long line of family members that practiced reaching out to their neighbors when they saw a need.
As a 20-year member of the Saratoga Abundant Life Church, Roner has voluntarily helped with many charitable efforts and enlisted others to do so as well.
“I love the Lord with my heart, mind, and soul, and believe we should love each other that way too,” she said.
“I don’t think I ever limit myself with what I do. I have the ability to focus on people without judgment. I put on the eyes of Christ and
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look at them with that kind of love. There’s always a story. Be kind, as they say, because you never know the battles other people are fighting.” Over the years, for Roner this has included spearheading a clothing drive that filled Wiswall Park with attendees, holding a Valentine’s Party at Doubleday Woods retirement home, or grabbing some friends and cleaning house for a woman who needed an extra hand while undergoing breast cancer treatments. “It’s like Pastor Joe says, ‘If you have the vision, you have the mission’,” said Roner of church pastor Joe Galareau’s inspiring message. It is with guidance from Galareau and Senior Pastor Dale Jensen, that Roner has been able to spread love to those in need, she said. “Walking into this church, you can’t help it, you build relationships. We have life groups where people get together. If you’re not feeling connected, it’s because you’re not plugging in.” It is in these small groups of buddies mentoring each other in a casual way that all sorts of ideas generate, circulate and come to fruition. Sometimes simple and direct activities have come about, such as collecting change into a Christmas Jar, walking down the street and then looking for someone to give it to; and other times more involved and labor intensive ones, such as filling a truck with blankets, coats and boots for the Shelters of Saratoga that were then shared with other area agencies. Working as a business administrator with children and grandchildren, there’s always a lot going on in Roner’s life, but volunteering maintains its priority status, because she really does view it as an opportunity rather than an obligation. “I make mistakes like anyone else. It’s sometimes overwhelming while in the midst of it, but then I get this stupid smile on my face when it’s finished,” she said. Roner encourages everyone to find a church that is warm and welcoming but also recommends searching online volunteer databases listing all the organizations with a need and finding one that really speaks to you. “I would tell those that want to help just to open their eyes to their community and just look. One small act of kindness, you never know how far it’s going to go.” saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com
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Dr. Edwin Williams donates his time and talents to the organization he helped create for domestic violence victims, Face-to-Face.
Dr. Edwin Williams
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Face to Face
Carrie Rowlands Johnson, photos provided
There’s no reason other than it’s the right thing to do. It’s important to give of your talents. It’s extremely gratifying. There’s a genuine warmth in the voice of Dr. Edwin Williams as his words describe his first encounter with a domestic violence victim after he reconstructs their face. “I’ve seen patients first day post-op. They have had a scar. They’re an emotional wreck. It brings up all these feelings again. It really does help them with that. They’ve moved beyond it, especially those who really break the cycle. It really does help them move on.”
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Dr. Williams is a facial plastic surgeon at The Williams Center for Plastic Surgery in Albany. Twenty years ago, he worked with plastic surgeons across the country to start the program “FACE TO FACE,” a national organization which provides complimentary consultations and plastic surgery to victims of Domestic violence. Through this program, he’s donated his time, talent, surgery center, and skills to repair the faces of dozens of local women marred at the hands of their partners. The Williams Center has also
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donated tens of thousands of personal and fundraising dollars to domestic violence agencies in our area. “I think it’s important to give… The most common facial fracture is a nasal fracture. You’ll see cheekbone fractures, scars, what have you. I guess between my trauma training and type of practice, I was kind of surprised at the people I would see and it astounded me how prevalent it was.” saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com
When the bandages are unwrapped, domestic violence victims are wrapped in a newfound confidence Maggie Fronk of Wellspring, formerly known as Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Services of Saratoga County, says domestic violence ranks as the top first or second cause of homicide toward women. Wellspring is a haven for battered women and men. The center offers a 24-hour hotline, emergency shelter, counseling, case management, and legal advocacy to victims. All of the services are free. Though subsidized by government grants, a big chunk of the funding comes from fundraisers and the generosity of individuals and businesses like The Williams Center.
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Through their fund raising efforts they not only raised funds for vital services like shelter, counseling and legal advocacy...
differently and put on more makeup. It’s a confidence thing. They feel so much better about themselves.” When asked why this cause is so important to him, Williams admits he doesn’t have a profound answer. “There’s no reason other than it’s the right thing to do. It’s important to give of your talents.
It’s extremely gratifying.”
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Williams is also involved with and volunteers his time for The Vascular Birthmark Foundation. For more information on “FACE TO FACE,” call 1-800-842-4546. Wellspring’s free and confidential 24-hour hot line is 518-584-8188.
“Through their fundraising efforts they not only raised funds for vital services like shelter, counseling and legal advocacy, they also sent a strong message that there is hope and support for abuse victims. No one ever should live in fear at home.” Fronk says that awareness is as valuable as the surgery Williams and other surgeons across the country perform. “We really wanted to use it as a means to increase awareness. It was just astounding when I started doing it, the number of individuals who didn’t realize there’s something wrong with it (Domestic Violence.) Some of it is just a verbal thing. We (wanted to) make an impact on prevention,” said Dr. Williams. Williams says when the bandages come off, women begin wrapping themselves in a newfound confidence which further enables them to move beyond the cycle of abuse. “They’re much more self confident, even to the point where they dress themselves saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com
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Save T he
DATE
Jan. 30- Feb.
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
8, 2015
Saturday, January 24 2015 Cabin Fever Luncheon
20th Annual Frost Faire
Saratoga National Golf Club, Saratoga Springs
Saratoga National Historic Park 648 Route 32, Stillwater
The annual Cabin Fever luncheon put on by the Soroptomist International of Saratoga County (SISC) is the winter event not to miss. The money raised from these events helps fund award programs, service projects and grants to the community. This year’s keynote speaker is Ms. Reshma Saujani, the founder of Girls Who Code, a national non-profit organization working to close the gender gap in technology and prepare young women for jobs in the future. For more information, call 518.581.1201 ext. 4184 or e-mail cabinfeverinfo@gmail.com
Snow, or no snow…come enjoy the 20th annual Frost Faire. If there’s snow, bring your snow tube or plastic sled for spectacular rides on the “Big Hill.” If there’s no snow, you can still enjoy wagon rides, winter nature trek, guided snow shoeing, winter tracking, Native American storytelling, games, plus hot chocolate and cookies by the bonfire.
Saturday, January 31 Chowderfest: 11 am - 4 p.m Downtown Saratoga Springs Come enjoy samples of Chowder from 50 restaurants in Saratoga. Once you taste them all, you can vote for your favorite. Bring your furry friend for a bowl of chowder just for them. For more information, visit www.discoversaratoga.org. Photo by Andrzej Pilarczyk
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Sunday, February 1 Winterfest 5K Snowshoe Race Saratoga Spa State Park Come one, come all to Saratoga’s Annual 5K snowshoe race! Have fun while getting exercise with your friends and family during this race. If no snow is on the ground, it may be turned into a trail race. Lunch and t-shirts are provided for those who register. Loaner snowshoes are available. For more information, email lclark@sals.edu.
Friday, Febuary 6 Saratoga Frozen Springs Classic Pond Hockey Tournament Saratoga Spa State Park Games begin at 6pm on Friday. 60 teams will compete in 4-on-4 round robin style games all weekend long. In addition to the hockey action, downtown Saratoga Springs will play host to a variety of events at various bars and restaurants for hockey fans to enjoy. For more information, visit www. saratogafrozenspringsclassic.com
Saturday, February 7 18th Annual Bartender’s Ball Saratoga Springs City Center, 6:30-Midnight The Bartender’s Ball is a premier social event of the season. Including dinner, dancing and non-stop musical entertainment provided by the Audiostars, it is the party to be at! This year’s theme is Vegas, so come dressed to impress and remember what happens in Vegas… Proceeds benefit Wellspring (Formerly DVRC). For information and reservations - call 518-583-0280
Friday, February 13 The Flurry Festival Saratoga Springs City Center The Flurry is well known as the best winter weekend ever for dancers and music lovers of all ages, featuring more than 300 performers, five venues, and over 200 events. Events this year will include a huge lineup of programs for families with young children, many new and exciting programs for teens, and all ages fun with international music and dance events, non-stop swing and contra dancing, jamming and music instruction, storytelling and more. For more information, call (518)384-3275 or visit www.flurryfestival.org. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com
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Photo by Andrzej Pilarczyk
Photo by Mark Bolles Photo by Mark Bolles
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Photo by Mark Bolles
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Saturday, February 14 Lake George Chingachgook Classic Annual Ice Fishing Derby YMCA Camp Chingachgook on Lake George YMCA Camp Chingachgook welcomes ice fisherman to its shores February 14 and 15 to raise funds for camper scholarships. Cash prizes are awarded to heaviest fish in categories of salmon and lake trout. Runners-up also receive cash winnings. All participants are eligible for door prizes donated by local sport supply stores. Children 12 years old and under can win a $50 savings bond for the heaviest fish in each category. For more information, call (518)656-9462 or visit www.cdymca.org.
Tuesday, February 17 Saratoga Beer Week Downtown Saratoga, Feb. 17-21 Join us as we celebrate BEER. Purchase a passport to get you into every event over the three day period or just a one day ticket to the Saratoga Beer Summit at the City Center. 40 plus events and dinner tastings to take place over the three days as well as a home brew exhibition day!
Saturday, February 28 SPAC Winter Ball Hall of Springs, 108 Avenue of the Pines, Saratoga Springs An elegant cocktail party where the Hall of Springs is transformed based upon the annual theme, featuring live music, themed hors d’oeuvres and cocktails. Now in its 5th year, this fabulous event has quickly become a must attend winter event in the capital region. For tickets or more information, visit www. spac.org or call (518)584-9330.
Saturday, March 21 Peter and the Starcatcher The Mainstage at Proctors, 2pm and 8pm Peter and the Starcatcher is the innovative and imaginative comedy based on the best-selling novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson. A company of a dozen actors play more than a hundred unforgettable characters, all on a journey to answer the century-old question: How did Peter Pan become The Boy Who Never Grew Up? For more information, please visit www. proctors.org. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com
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Meet Our
Cover Girl! Saratoga TODAY, along with SaratogaMama has recently launched our f irst “16 Under 16” contest.
With that, we have been hearing about all the AMAZING kids we have here in the
Saratoga area. Of course you can’t say the word ‘T EENAGER’ in this town and not think of Zoe Alexander, the dau ghter of Beth
and Jasper Alexander, owners of Hattie’s Restaurant.
Sadly for us… Zoe is OVER 16. S0… we decided to use her as our January COVER GIRL!
I f irst met Zoe YEARS AGO when she was a f lower-girl for one of our Bridal Expos, then we asked her to write for us a few years
How do you choose JUST ONE they were all great!
back. She’s a pleasure to work with… the consummate professional!
And along with a COVER GIRL wor thy photo shoot, we have so many people to thank… Lori Smith for make-up and Stephanie
Gimondo for hair, both of Fusion, the Salon, located at 18 Division St., Saratoga Springs. Zoe’s outf it was provided by
Alpine Spor t Shop, 399 Clinton St. Saratoga Springs (Thank you Terri-Lynn!)
She is wearing an Icelandic Zermatt
sweater, and Alp-n-Rock First Snow vest and Pistil Bowie hat with Astis Whitney mittens. And a special T HANK YOU to
Heather Bohm Tallman for taking all these wonderf ul photos!
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Help Us Find... SaratogaMama
16
SIXTEEN under
Saratoga County’s Rising Stars
SaratogaMama is looking to honor 16 ‘rising stars’ in Saratoga County. Do you know a child who is going above and beyond for their community or school? Excelling in the arts, sports or music? Overcoming an obstacle? Or going out of their way to make our world a better place?
Nominate them today by visiting SaratogaMama.com/16Under16
Winners will be profiled in the spring edition of SaratogaMama Magazine! saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com
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Editor’s Choice WHAT: Plum Dandy Cookies & Milk WHERE: 55 Railroad Place, Saratoga Springs WHY: Because who doesn’t love homemade cookies?
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