Simply Saratoga Spring 2018

Simply...

Spring 2018

SARATOGA

Complimentary

™

THE PEOPLE • THE PLACES • THE LIFESTYLE

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Simply...

SARATOGA

™

THE PEOPLE • THE PLACES • THE LIFESTYLE

Owner/Publisher Chad Beatty General Manager Robin Mitchell Creative Director/ Managing Editor Chris Vallone Bushee Graphic Designer Samantha Nock Advertising Designer Morgan Rook Advertising Sales Jim Daley Cindy Durfey Contributing Writers Samantha Bosshart Peter Bowden Geraldine Freedman Jodie Fitz Dennis G. Hogan John Greenwood Carol Godette Persis Granger Charlie Kuenzel Meghan Lemery Fritz Dan Lundquist Megin Potter Casey Reeder Theresa St. John Maureen Werther

Photographers

Anthony Aquino Blackburn Portrait Design Briana & Tom Lyons Dan Lundquist Gwen Ivins Linda Loeffler Photograhy Lindsay Rae Photography Mark Bowie Michael A. Panzarino (M.A.P. Graphics) PhotoAndGraphic.com Randall Perry Photography The George Bolster Collection Theresa St. John Thom Williams

Published by

Saratoga TODAY Newspaper Five Case Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 tel: (518) 581-2480 | fax: (518) 581-2487

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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 © 2018, Saratoga TODAY Newspaper

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CONTENTS

p.

A Good Read

Fashion

Home & Garden

35

History

p. 65

p. 30

14

23

Preserving Saratoga

37 44 46

Four our Art & Creativity issue, there is no better home than that of Gary and Diane Zack!

Gives great advice

Sweet Lou's Delicatessen

30

77 Architecturally Speaking

Meghan Lemery

15

28

p. 77

...your new destination!

Samantha Bosshart proves... it's all about the front porch!

Meet... Joel Goodman

...with Peter Bowden

50 Be Party Ready...

26 pages of fashion inspiration!

90 Entertaining Made Easy ...with Jodie Fitz

The Adelphi, The Algonquin, UPH and Caffè Lena

Dan Lundquist reflects on life in the country Ogee Clock Collector

Peter Elmendorf gives us a peak into his collection

You've seen their Instagram posts...

Now meet the couple behind the hugely popular "Where's the Wagoneer" &"The Yellow Note"

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92 Post Time Memories

With Dennis G. Hogan

93 Charlie Kuenzel looks back on...

of the Humor Project

Four beautiful historical restorations gracing Saratoga's cityscape...

p. 73

88 (Indoor) Gardening

Some of our Rich and Famous visitors over the years

96 Rarely Seen Photos…

105

From The George S. Bolster Collection

98 Second in Carol Godette's series on Dining Out in 20th Century Saratoga Ma DeMartino's

104 John Greenwood provides

Save the Date

a sneak peak

From traipsing through the country for the sweet smell of maple to supporting your favorite organizations by attending their Galas... the area is brimming with activities!!

(before the "Town of Wilton Bicentennial" magazine comes out!) at the restoration process of an 1856 map of Saratoga County!

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CONTRIBUTORS SAMANTHA BOSSHART Samantha Bosshart joined the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation in 2008. As Executive Director, she advocates for the preservation of the unique architecture and rich heritage of Saratoga Springs. Samantha previously worked at Historic Albany Foundation and Galveston Historical Foundation.

Samantha completed her coursework for a Master of Arts in Historic Preservation Planning from Cornell University and received a Bachelor of Arts in History from Indiana University.

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.

JODIE FITZ Jodie Fitz is a wife, working mother of three and the creator of the Price Chopper Kids Cooking Club. She released two cookbooks in 2015; The Chaotic Kitchen; a collection of recipes to help make the lives of busy families just a little bit easier when it comes to mealtime & Cooking Up Fun; designed to get kids taste testing & experimenting with foods.

GERALDINE FREEDMAN Geraldine Freedman is a freelance writer and a former freelance flutist, who worked for several years in New York City. She's been in the area for almost twenty years first moving to Saratoga Springs, which reminded her of NYC's West Village. These days she lives in Ballston Spa with her two cats.

DENNIS G. HOGAN Dennis G. Hogan was born in New York City and his story is a common one: his dad took him to Saratoga Race Course as a boy and he’s returned every year since. He is a writer and photographer with an appreciation for Thoroughbreds. He has previously written for ThoroFan and is a regular contributor to Equicurean Magazine. He lives in Westchester County, NY.

JOHN GREENWOOD John Greenwood is a leftover Saratoga milkman who loves to write, laugh and share stories. John and his wife Patricia have been holding hands since high school. By day he’s a Transportation Manager for Stewart’s Shops. On his off hours he’s an observer/writer/blogger who is quite content taking a walk or painting the side of his garage.

Learn more at rainingiguanas.com

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

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CHARLIE KUENZEL Charlie Kuenzel is a native Saratogian who spent 36 years as a Science educator in the Saratoga School District before retiring 6 years ago. Charlie, along with Dave Patterson are the co-owners of Saratoga Tours LLC who for the past 16 years have educated and entertained thousands of visitors to the city with stories to tell the exciting history of our great city.

MEGHAN LEMERY FRITZ Meghan is a native of the Glens Falls Saratoga region.

Her passion is to provide her clients and readers with the tools necessary to live a life grounded in peace and emotional well-being.

She is an author and writer for various publications in Upstate NY and State College, PA. She is also the co-host for a monthly radio segment focused on how to improve relationships.

She currently resides in State College, PA where she enjoys spending time with her husband and son.

MEGIN POTTER Megin is an expressive writer and artist with work published in books, newspapers, corporate communications and online.

A resident of the region for over 20 years, she continues to discover anew the interesting people, places and products it has to offer. As a mother to her active young son, she is inspired to explore even more.

CASEY REEDER Casey, a senior at Saratoga Springs High School, is one of our Spring interns at Saratoga TODAY. She hopes next year to attend a liberal arts college and major in English Literature. Casey keeps busy with her job as a sales associate at Hatsational, as well as captaining the varsity Nordic skiing team at her school. She hopes one day to use her writing as an outlet to promote social change. She enjoys coming in to work with us and is excited to be published!

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

MAUREEN WERTHER Maureen Werther is the owner of WriteForYou, a professional freelance writing service specializing in business writing, web and blog content, and creative non-fiction.

Her articles, essays and white papers appear on the pages of businesses on the web and around the globe. She is also a regular contributor to numerous newspapers, magazines and journals throughout the Capital Region. She is the author of a soon to be published book, “Them That Has, Gets,” the story of historical 1790’s estate in Schroon Lake and the colorful history of its owners. Currently, she is working on a memoir detailing her roller-coaster adventures as owner of Pie ala Moe, a gourmet pie and tart company she started in 2008, in the midst of the recession.

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From The Editor p. 72

WOW - has this been a fun issue to put together!

Our spring issue has always been about art, fashion, creativity, passion - and this issue has it all!

Even our restaurant feature is about a passionate, creative person you are going to love meeting (or seeing again, as I’m sure most of you know him!) Page 15 I took the fashion section to a personal level with this issue - I mean who better to talk about fashion and the industry itself than a celebrity stylist… and I’m so pleased to introduce you to my cousin, Nick Steele on page 50!!

p. 106

Speaking of a personal level, I hijacked the fashion pages while Chad was out recovering from his ankle surgery and I couldn’t be happier with our “Fab & 50” shopping guide!! Let me know if you ladies like it, I’m hoping to make this a regular feature… now I just need to find some men over 50 who also like to shop!

You could easily call this my INSTA LOVE issue, I can’t wait to introduce you to my recent finds… p. 44 p. 71

A beautifully restored house on the Hudson River and the misty views of the water (about a mile north of where I grew up in Bacon Hill) captured my attention (page 37), as well as a site that stopped me in my tracks!

Briana and Tom Lyons, their two dogs and beautiful farm house (and let’s not forget that Wagoneer!) have captivated me!! (page 46)

You can tell warmer days are coming… our SAVE THE DATE section is filled with all kinds of great activities to get you out of any winter slump you may have been experiencing (as if!!) Page 105 I'm happiest doing issues like this one – it’s the sole purpose of having a lifestyle publication, in addition to Saratoga TODAY newspaper.

Simply Saratoga magazine brings you… the people, the places, the lifestyle and when I heard that bestselling author Laura Morton lives here - I had to have her in this issue…

(See page 19).

I hope you enjoy these stories and I must close with a THANK YOU to our readers …and advertisers! Without them, we wouldn’t be able to provide these beautiful publications - free of charge - to our tens of thousands of readers. Please, mention us by name when visiting them… Simply Saratoga - the Saratoga TODAY magazine. And keep those comments coming - I LOVE hearing from you - cBushee@SaratogaPublishing.com.

Chris

Chris Vallone Bushee Creative Director/ Managing Editor cBushee@SaratogaPublishing.com (518) 581-2480 ext.201 saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

Cover Photo (and this gorgeous barn!) taken by Tom & Briana Lyons.

See their story on page 46.

p. 15

p. 38

In Print & Online.

Sign up TODAY for FREE email delivery of our publications! saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

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THE ART OF KINDNESS MEGHAN LEMERY FRITZ LCSW-R Meghan Fritz is a psychotherapist practicing in State College, PA. Email meghanlfritz@gmail.com

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hen we think of treating others with kindness it is inherently easy. How we treat our children, parents, dearest friends is something we can usually do effortlessly and easily.

When it comes to giving that same kindness and compassion to ourselves however shame gets in the way.

In her book “The Gifts of Imperfection” Author and researcher Brene Brown, Ph.D., L.M.S.W. defines shame as, “The intensely painful feeling or experience of believing that we are flawed and therefore unworthy of love and belonging.”

Shame silences us and keeps us from connecting to others. Shame keeps us locked in a prison of fear, guilt, regret and judgment. Shame isolates us and has a way of making us feel small and alone.

It whispers to us in our most vulnerable moments that the secrets we carry cannot be brought into the light or we will be judged and condemned. These secrets make us sick with anxiety and worry and rob of us peace and joy.

It is only when we treat our shame with kindness and compassion that the intense feelings of unworthiness can begin to melt

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Learning to Let Go of Shame away and make room for true connection to ourselves and others. The only way to stop the cycle of shame is to begin the process of kindness toward our feelings and take on a steady diet of self-acceptance and love.

If you find yourself burdened with shame and regret over the past get the help you need. Work with a therapist who can slowly help you weed through the cloud of darkness and help you get to a place of light.

This seems to be the hardest intervention of all, but it is the only intervention that leads to true peace and love deep within our spirits.

When we shine the light on our shame the darkness has a way of disappearing.

Think of a flashlight in a pitch-dark room, the flash light carves a path of direction and clarity in a dark room. Without that flashlight you could end up bumping into something and hurting yourself or scared that you can’t see anything making you feel hopeless and anxious.

If you think back to shameful moments in your life, chances are you were in a very challenging place. Perhaps you were tired, in a dead-end job, difficult relationship, or a financial crisis. Challenging times can paralyze us with fear and any decisions made in fear are bad decisions.

Instead of playing back the tape of regret with embarrassment and disgust, try treating yourself with kindness, understanding and compassion.

When possible, share your story of shame with someone who will sit in the painful place with you and simply offer unconditional love, acceptance and kindness.

Many of us think that if we shame ourselves more it will help us make better decisions in the future. Beating yourself up repeatedly only continues the cycle of shame and keeps you from moving forward in a healthy way.

Kindness and compassion will shine the light on shame and help you find your confidence and strength again. It will also give you a deeper compassion for others who are struggling in every day life. Nothing cures judgment quicker than having to learn how to love yourself and treat yourself with kindness.

Don’t let shame keep you from living a life full of peace and joy. Stop hiding in the dark and let the warmth of the light heal your soul from the inside out.

YOU ARE WORTH IT!

SS

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SWEET LOU'S DELI 161 Broadstreet, Schuylerville, NY 12871

WRITTEN BY MAUREEN WERTHER PHOTOS BY BLACKBURN PORTRAIT DESIGN

Mozzarella Sticks

The "Luke"

Cozy Charm & Crazy Good Comfort Food The name “Sweet Lou’s Deli” evokes images of kindly old ladies named Louisa or Lou Ellen cooking up amazing home cooking for loyal fans.

That would be partly right. The food is amazing.

But Sweet Lou is not your mama.

Local chef Lou Maggiore, owner of the eponymous deli in downtown Schuylerville has made his name in the region as an executive chef for the last 30 years. Lovers of great Italian food will remember the amazing entrees offered at his Malta restaurant, Maggiore’s White Hart Inn. He has also left his mark on the cuisine as executive chef at popular eateries like Olde Bryan Inn, Longfellows, and Scallions.

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But his nickname comes from a grade school basketball coach who thought the young student’s basketball skills were “sweet.” The name has stuck with Maggiore throughout the years and, when he decided to open his deli in Schuylerville two years ago, his wife Donna said, “why not name it Sweet Lou’s?”

Maggiore is originally from Brooklyn. His family moved upstate when he was ten. But that charming Brooklyn style and dash are still very much in evidence in the chef ’s manner and demeanor. When our intrepid trio entered the deli on a recent Tuesday evening, we weren’t quite sure what to expect – after all, we were going to a deli at 6 o’clock in the evening. Most deli’s do their biggest business during the day and are closed by dinner time.

Not Sweet Lou’s. The rustic broad wooden stairs that lead to the second floor of the recently renovated old building open to an equally rustic and charming space. The chalk board that takes up an entire wall is filled with descriptions of menu items, ranging from daily soups to deli sandwiches and subs to dinner entrees, all named after family and friends Maggiore has made over the years.

Maggiore said he spent two years renovating the building. When he and his wife purchased the property a few years earlier, it was divided into apartments.

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“Funny thing, though,” said Maggiore with a twinkle in his eye, “our tenants didn’t seem to think they actually had to pay rent.” In addition to his prodigious skills in the kitchen, Maggiore knows his way around storytelling.

He recalled how, after the building was vacant, he was sitting in the space one evening, glass of red wine in hand, staring at the sickly green walls, when the idea came to him to convert it into a deli. “My wife’s gonna kill me,” he remembered thinking to himself.

Fortunately for Maggiore – and for his loyal following – Donna was very supportive of her husband’s idea to open his own place.

For the next two years, he worked on the renovations himself, early in the mornings and in the evenings, after returning home from his full-time role as general manager of Longfellows.

The green walls are gone, replaced by natural rough-hewn wood and large plank floors that Maggiore resurfaced himself. The dining area has a classic cast-iron wood stove, with hammered tin lampshades suspended from the exposed beams in the ceiling and large wooden tables and benches for communal seating, as well as three or four high tops with rustic chairs.

The combined effect of casual rustic chic and the chef ’s natural charm and genuine

friendliness would be winners in their own right. When you factor in the food, you’ve got a home run.

Sweet Lou’s opened on October 23, 2017 and word of its wonderful food spread quickly. Maggiore’s original intent was just to offer deli food for people to take out.

Before long, people wanted to stay and eat on the premises and soon after, they began asking about dinner entrees.

Maggiore responded by offering nightly specials that include the most incredible chicken parmigiana I have ever had, baconwrapped meatloaf and incredible meatballs and pasta, to name just a few of the mouthwatering choices on the menu board.

Business was going full-swing – until December 28th. The frigid weather resulted in freezing pipes, which burst and flooded the deli as well as the bakery, Cake, which had recently relocated to the first floor of the building.

It only took 12 days for Maggiore and his team to get things repaired and back up and running, and Maggiore said that business has quickly picked up once again.

As we sit around our large table, with classic “Rat Pack” music in the background, Maggiore regales us with stories of growing up in the area and becoming a chef. In between his stories, he jumps up to greet saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

other diners as they enter the small but cozy space.

He seems to know everybody, hugging his guests like they are family.

Maggiore, who has taught 5th grade church school in the community for years, recognizes one of the young girls who has come to eat with her family and he greets her with a big hug and warm words of welcome.

It’s obvious how important the community is to him.

He tells us that he can’t stay for very long because he has to go to the basketball game going on at the school.

Within a few minutes of placing our orders, the food starts coming out. We begin with breaded mozzarella sticks that are the size of a large Italian sausage. They are served with Maggiore’s own raspberry sauce. And they are divine. The breading is perfectly crisp and flavorful without being greasy. And the fresh mozzarella is also made in house by Maggiore. To die for.

What follows is a panoply of Italian favorites as well as new creations of sandwiches, salads, subs and entrees. Did I forget to mention the salad bar? The small buffet table is packed with an assortment of treats like Asian noodles with fresh crabmeat, mixed greens pickled in a sweet brine, courtesy of Maggiore, and dozens of other delectable side dishes.

Sweet Lou

As we go back to the salad bar to sample a little of everything, we return to a steaming cast-iron griddle filled with homemade meatballs in a superb tomato sauce, an Italian sub called “The Maggiore,” that is filled with premium Italian meats, fresh mozzarella, arugula and tomatoes, and our group favorite – the “Luke” – named after a longtime friend and fan of Maggiore’s cooking. To say that the “Luke” is a turkey sandwich is like saying the Mona Lisa is an oil painting. And that’s not hyperbole. The perfectly roasted turkey is juicy and flavorful and is stacked high on a round egg roll, with tomatoes, lettuce, caramelized onions, and topped off with the creamiest and most flavorful spinach and artichoke cream sauce you will ever taste.

Our hands down “fave” in the entrée category is the chicken parm. Like the mozzarella sticks, the flavorful breaded coating is savory without being greasy or overly heavy, and the chicken is moist, tender and melts in the mouth. Like the other entrees, it is served in a cast-iron pan with yummy garlic toast points. The cast-iron pans add a home-y chic feel to the meal.

Even though we’ve had enough food to feed a family of eight, we cannot pass up the offer of cupcakes from Cake by Alissa, which Maggiore sells in his deli. And they are, indeed, the icing on the cake that tops off an evening of great food, fun conversation and casual at-home ambience that everyone is going to want to enjoy. Its safe to say that, come summertime, Sweet Lou’s is going to be one of the “go to” places for visitors to the Saratoga region. But my suggestion is, don’t wait until summer. Go check out Sweet Lou’s today. SS

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Bestselling Author Laura Morton

is Happy to Call Saratoga Home WRITTEN BY MAUREEN WERTHER PHOTOS BY LINDA LOEFFLER PHOTOGRAPHY

hen Laura Morton first arrived in Saratoga for Travers in August 2001, she recalls it was “as if the angels were singing.” She loved everything about the city of health, history and horses and she felt as if she’d arrived home.

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to come was Saratoga. A Michigan girl born and raised, with an impressive career as an entrepreneur, writer and producer in New York and LA, Laura believes that we instinctively know when we have found the place that is meant to be “home.”

One month later, Laura watched in horror from the 69th floor of her midtown Manhattan apartment as the World Trade Center collapsed in a heap of girders, dust, blood and rubble. It was two days before she was able to escape from the pain, confusion and utter despair of a city in shock. And the first place she thought

Laura, who owns a production company and has written more than 50 books and 20 New York Times bestsellers with a variety of celebrities from Joan Lunden to Justin Bieber, loved living in the city but, as she puts it, “Wanted to be able to turn my music up without worrying about the neighbors.”

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When she checked into the Saratoga Arms on September 13, 2001 Laura made friends with the proprietor, Kathleen, and enlisted her help to look for her third (at the time) – and now permanent – home.

The place she found was far removed from the luxury glass high rise she was accustomed to in New York. The barn, which was built in 1853 and had been converted into a B&B rental during track season, was sitting on a 67-acre parcel of land just a few miles from downtown Saratoga, off Saratoga Lake. But it may as

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"

I checked into the Saratoga Arms every weekend, until Kathleen finally kicked me out.

She said... ‘You have a home and you need to go there. You live there now.’”

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well have been in another world. The gentle rolling land is a bucolic haven of peace, calm and tranquility surrounded by pristine horse farms. Laura likes to point out that Funnycide was born just across the road from her house.

A lot of people looked at the property before Laura discovered it, but nobody had the vision she did with the four-bedroom, five-bathroom house. “I decided to take it down to the studs – open it all up. And it became a labor of love. I was up here every weekend with the contractor. It was a true collaboration.”

“I checked into the Saratoga Arms every weekend, until Kathleen finally kicked me out. She said, ‘you have a home and you need to go there. You live there now.’”

When Seveann was younger, she accompanied her mom all over the world as she collaborated with clients such as Susan Lucci, Al Roker, Melissa Etheridge and many other well-known personalities.

Now that she is older and in school nine months of the year, Laura says it truly does “take a village” to raise her child and pursue her career. She adds that, while one of the downsides of living in the country is the lack of neighbors nearby, she and her daughter have created a sense of community with close friends who have become their “family of choice.”

“I’ve written at least 30 books up here and immersed myself in the community through philanthropy and giving back any way I can. I’ve created close knit bonds here and I’ve experienced things in my life I never anticipated, like having land and living in the country. It’s an extraordinary place and I feel very lucky to have had this experience. I want Seveann to have a peaceful life, and I feel very lucky that we have been so welcomed.” SS

That was in 2002 and, 16 years later, Laura’s writing and speaking career continues to flourish. She has also experienced the highs of giving birth to her amazing daughter, Seveann, as well as the lows of an unexpected battle against breast cancer in 2015, when her daughter was just seven years old.

Through it all, the house – with its wideopen expanses, warm burnished wideplank flooring and original rough-hewn exposed beams – has been a haven for Laura, Seveann and the many friends who have become part of their close-knit community.

When friends come to visit from the city, they claim they can feel their blood pressure drop as soon as they turn onto the long private drive leading up to the house. Once inside, the open chef ’s kitchen that flows into the dining and living areas, provide the perfect setting for social gatherings, sprawling dinners and lively conversation. The house has also been a place for quiet reflection, play and rejuvenation of spirit, mind and body – something that has been invaluable for both Laura and Seveann.

Seveann, now a bright, independent nine-year old, puts her foot down if her mother talks about moving somewhere else. “It’s such a special and wonderful place to raise a child,” says Laura. She recalls one of her closest friends from the city visiting with her daughter when Laura first bought the house. “Her daughter was looking out the large kitchen window and said, ‘every kid should have a back yard.’”

“I didn’t want to raise my daughter in New York City, but we do go down there all the time giving us the best of both worlds.”

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preserving

The previous single-entry porch. ©Tom Frost, Frost-Hurff Architects

Patty Lane and her dog Banksy took part in the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation’s Heart Bomb Campaign in February, showing off the newly restored porch. ©SSPF

SARATOGA

Handcrafted: THE PORCH OF

144 SPRING STREET WRITTEN BY SAMANTHA BOSSHART PHOTOS PROVIDED

ERIC TEPPER AND PATTY LANE had decided to move from Niskayuna to Saratoga Springs as soon as their second daughter finished high school. They had regularly come to Saratoga Springs to visit friends and fell in love with the city. Anticipating the move, Patty established an office for her film production company Elevation Films at the former Public School No. 4, 112 Spring Street. After looking at several houses in Saratoga Springs in 2006, they knew the one they wanted the moment they walked into saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

144 Spring Street. “It was funky and fun,” Patty responded when asked why they bought the house. Eric went on to say, “It blew us away - the natural light was fantastic and it had a great kitchen and master bedroom.”

Rhody Delaney, a grocer who had a store on Franklin Street, built the house at 144 Spring Street in 1868 in the Italianate style, a popular architectural style at the time. He lived above his store and is believed to have rented 144 Spring Street to others. In 1872, he defaulted on the mortgage and the house was sold at auction to the highest bidder, William C. Owen.

Owen, a carpenter who was highly regarded in the community, lived at the house with his wife Hannah and their daughter, Emma, and her husband, Manfred Harrington, a jeweler. In 1891, the house was rented to others and in 1895, Emma, now a widow, moved back to 144 Spring Street. It appears that at this time the house was made into a two-family residence as she resided there and rented a portion of the house to others until her death in 1915. The house had several different owners over the years, some who chose to live in the house while others rented one or both units to others.

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In May of 2006, Bates & Good Company purchased 144 Spring Street and quickly returned the home back to a single-family residence. It was the great work of Lisa Bates that won Eric and Patty over and they purchased the house in October of that same year. While for ten years Eric and Patty loved all the house had to offer, including the large two-story side porch, one thing was missing–a front porch.

Patty had fond memories of the front porch of the Queen Anne home in Massachusetts that she grew up in and she wanted the same at 144 Spring Street.

It was believed that the house at one point in time had a fullwidth front porch based on the faint shadow lines that could be seen on the exterior brick. The extensive house history done by the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation, which featured Sanborn Insurance Maps, confirmed the suspicion.

Unfortunately, despite Patty’s best efforts, she was unable to find a historic photograph of the original porch.

In 2016, Eric and Patty began the process of restoring the full-width porch that would be in-keeping with the style of the house. It would be no easy task. To restore the porch they would need a 10.4 inch easement from the City of Saratoga Springs as well as an area variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) and Design Review Commission (DRC) approval. Eric and Patty hired local architect Tom Frost of Frost-Hurff Architects to design the porch and Chris Bennett to construct it. With the enthusiastic support of the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation, the City Council, ZBA and DRC unanimously endorsed the project.

When Tom Frost stopped in City Hall to check on the status of the building permit, Barbara Robinson overheard him say the address 144 Spring Street. She proceeded to tell him, “I used to live there.” He then asked “Did it have a porch when you lived there?” She said “Yes, but a tree fell on it.” She went on to say that she might have pictures of the house and to let her know if the owner had any interest in seeing the photos. Tom did not think that they would, but took her phone number anyway. He proceeded to call Patty to share that he had met a woman who lived in the house and that she had photos. Of course, Patty was interested in the pictures. At one point she was so desperate for a photo of the house that she had considered taking out an ad in the newspaper asking for photos to see if anyone would respond, but decided that seemed a bit over the top.

TOP | Chris Bennett at work on the porch columns and brackets. ©Patty Lane CENTER | The damaged porch before and after it was removed. ©Barbara Robinson BOTTOM | Eric Tepper and Patty Lane in their kitchen. ©SSPF

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Tom called Barbara back and it turned out that she was living at 144 Spring Street when she and other members of her family heard a big crash. “There was a bad pop-up thunderstorm and a large tree fell on her 1963 Ford parked in the driveway and on the front porch,” Barbara recalled.

Of all her pictures that she was able to find, the only ones that she had were from that storm in June of 1967 showing the damage to the front porch and after the porch was removed. In the picture, one could see the decorative detail of the front porch. Barbara lived with her family in the first floor unit from when she was 11 until she was 18. She had returned to live at home when her husband was drafted by the Army to serve in Vietnam when the storm hit. She

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The porch under construction in November 2017. ©Patty Lane

Chris Bennett handcrafted decorative porch details of 144 Spring Street. ©SSPF

fondly remembers, “as teenagers my friends and I would sit on the front porch watching the boys drive by,” she said with a giggle. Once the tree hit, the porch was replaced with a simple entry porch. “I always thought it looked funny without the full-width porch,” she said.

It was the pictures that Barbara shared that changed the design of the decorative details of the porch. Not only was Patty excited about the photos, so was Chris Bennett. “I love to preserve things - I love porches!” exclaimed Chris.

When asked what he enjoyed most about the project at 144 Spring Street, he responded “I love any opportunity where I can make a building whole again.”

Chris truly has a love for carpentry, which started when he took grade school shop classes and thankfully it has yet to stop. Later, he attended North Bennett Street Trade School, the oldest trade school in the country. He moved to Saratoga Springs in 1991. His work can be seen on numerous porches in the East Side neighborhood - a porch column, baluster, top rail, newel post, decorative bracket, or, as in this case, an entire porch. Many of his projects have been acknowledged by the Foundation with Preservation Recognition Awards.

Not only does Chris’ passion make him stand out, so does his attention to detail. “He is a meticulous craftsperson who cares about every detail,” Eric commented. He handmade each piece historically proportionate - every crown molding, baseboard, bracket, and column. It took him six hours to construct each porch column, each with 20 miter joints. This is why his work stands out more than others who chose to purchase pre-cut materials at a big box store. “The dimensions and proportions are just not the same - the devil is in the details,” he explains. However, the porch would not saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

be complete without the detailed painting done by Chris Cameron of North Country Colorworks. Patty described him as “a wonderful perfectionist.” Construction of the porch started in September and was completed in December.

Despite cold temperatures, Patty and Eric have already taken every opportunity when the weather warms to enjoy their new porch and cannot wait for summer.

It took the talent of many people to create this restored piece of art. Each one needs to be recognized - Patty and Eric for their time, investment and stewardship; Tom Frost as the architect; Chris Bennett as the skillful carpenter; and Chris Cameron for the precise painting. “We are incredibly lucky to live in a community that has so many who have a passion for preserving our heritage,” reflected Patty.

While speaking with Patty, she said “I always like to leave a place I live a little bit better and make a mark on the house.” Well, you have certainly done that! Saratoga Springs is lucky to have you!

For those who want to see not only the porch of 144 Spring Street, but also the beautiful interior, the house will be featured on the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation’s 2018 Historic Homes Tour, which takes place on Saturday, May 12. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit saratogapreservation.org or call (518) 587-5030.

Founded in 1977, the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation is a private, not-for-profit organization that promotes preservation and enhancement of the architectural, cultural and landscaped heritage of Saratoga Springs. To learn more, become a member, or make a donation, please visit www.saratogapreservation.org. SS MARCH/APRIL 2018 | SIMPLY SARATOGA | 25

Artist Spotlight:

Leonard Bellanca WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER PHOTOS PROVIDED

Wood moves.

It swells and expands, exhaling the vibrations of the skilled craftsman as he shapes it beautifully into a new, useful piece of furniture.

“My own design aesthetic is inspired by the early 19th century Shaker, American Federal, and American Provincial highquality furniture makers,” said Leonard Bellanca.

The pleasure within his technique is embedded in the pure elegance of a curve, the angle at which a leg tapers, and the tight fit of an interlocking dovetail joint.

Conventional Methods It begins with a drawing.

“The nuts and bolts of the process are; we’ll talk about what they’re interested in and hash out a general sense of what they’re looking for. At this time I’ll make a rough sketch and explain the construction and materials. Then comes a larger measured-scale drawing, usually 16" x 24",” said Bellanca.

I’m kind of old-fashioned in that sense. I'm drawing with a parallel rule and triangles. It adds a kindof personal element that comes into play. There's nothing that can substitute for a good drawing.”

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This gives his clients an opportunity to see what the piece is going to look like. A full-size drawing is next, and is often what he uses to make the cutting patterns from.

“I’m kind of old-fashioned in that sense. I’m drawing with a parallel rule and triangles. It adds a kind-of personal element that comes into play. There’s nothing that can substitute for a good drawing,” said Bellanca.

He has previously worked in shops that utilized computer design and encountered numerous discrepancies between what a computer is programmed to create and what is easily constructed using two human hands.

Finding a balance between machine processes, the detail, and finishing work he does by hand, Bellanca creates new pieces that have a healthy foundation rooted in traditional techniques.

Walnut Side Table

“They have that same quality that the old pieces have, although I sometimes bend the rules a little bit,” he said.

Revived Style Bellanca’s award-winning results have earned coveted placement in gallery exhibitions, grants, and other accolades including a commission last year to reproduce a set of 18th century chairs for the Schuyler Mansion in Albany, New York.

His largest project however, was in 2004 when he designed, planned, and built his family’s 2,000 sq. ft. house and studio near Greenfield Center. Bellanca’s wife Rachel Seligman, currently the Assistant Director for Curatorial Affairs and Malloy Curator at Skidmore College’s Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery, lent her design expertise to the project while also caring for the couple’s then two-year-old son, James.

“It’s great. It is kind-of an ongoing project. The closet still needs a door, but we have 20 acres, a large vegetable garden, trees, and the grounds to tend, so we’re busy all the time.” SS

Monticello Chair

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Joel in Antartica!

MEET... JOEL GOODMAN OF THE HUMOR PROJECT, INC. WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER PHOTOS PROVIDED

How has Joel Goodman become the “Happiest Man in Saratoga”?

By realizing that it’s not what happens to you in life, but how you perceive it, that makes all the difference.

“Stress is not an event, it’s the perception of an event,” he said.

Tackling stress before it could tackle him is something that Goodman first learned when his father became seriously ill. Humor lightened the mood.

“Words do matter and carry a lot of weight.

Lightening up those words is the foundation for playing with situations that otherwise aren’t so funny,” said Goodman.

Thus began The HUMOR Project. Never 28 | SIMPLY SARATOGA | MARCH/APRIL 2018

expecting it would grow into a life-long career, Goodman has presented his laughter lessons in all 50 states and on all seven continents. His work has been featured in more than 7,000 television and radio shows, newspapers, and magazines in more than 175 countries.

The HUMOR Project has sponsored 55 international humor conferences and workshops in the past 39 years, and it all began with a speech at Saratoga Center for the Family. There Goodman was able to communicate how the positive power of humor in everyday life and work situations can help prevent the serious problem of child abuse and neglect.

“When you lighten the parent’s load, it’s not put on the kids,” he said.

Delighted and surprised to find that this message resonates with all sorts of health organizations, schools, businesses, and individuals, Goodman uses puns and wordplay to show how a funny line and the bottom line can intersect. By noticing the “Aha!” in the “HaHa”, he demonstrates how capturing an audience’s attention, and freeing them from tension, can increase retention and maximize learning.

“I enjoy playing with words and punning, but that’s not at the heart of what we do – it goes way beyond to the attitudes, perspectives, how we look at life and how we embrace life,” he said.

Goodman met his wife, Margie Ingram 45 years ago, and said it is her great energy and zest, as well as their mutual respect for one another, that has contributed to their

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happy personal and working relationship ever since. They won the first Hometown Hero Award issued by the Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau for bringing the international conference on “The Positive Power of Humor and Creativity” to the City Center for 20 consecutive years. The 100-person strong Speakers Bureau is a local resource available for program bookings.

The free Laughing Matters Newsletter is available by emailing info@HumorProject.com.

Goodman is the author of ten books, three of which he will be signing at a special Earth Day Mirth Day event at Northshire Bookstore on April 20th at 7 p.m.

These will include Laffirmations: 1,001 Ways to Add Humor to Your Life and Work, currently in its 26th printing and two of his works addressing nature education.

“

Words do matter and carry a lot of weight. Lightening up those words is the foundation for playing with situations that otherwise aren’t so funny

”

“It reinforces my commitment to saving the planet in whatever small way I can,” said Goodman.

Find these and more HUMOResources, by visiting www.humorproject.com SS

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The front reception desk of The Adelphi - notice the dishes and ash-trays from the old Adelphi.

ART

The (he) of

Restoring Saratoga WRITTEN & PHOTOGRAPHED BY THERESA ST. JOHN

The Adelphi Hotel Saratoga Springs was already well-known in the 1800s.

The Spa City lured people in from all over the country – to enjoy the fresh air, beautiful scenery, and benefits of mineral water – which many swore brought healing from various maladies of the time.

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Built in 1877, The Adelphi Hotel was another reason to visit Upstate New York during the sweltering months of Summer.

The rich and famous stayed here. Both social climbers and upper crust, mobsters and Irish-American bare-knuckle boxer, John Morrissey, waltzed in and out of the hotel's front entrance on more than one occasion.

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The Adelphi Hospitality Group bought the property in 2012. Folks in Saratoga and surrounding towns watched the progress intently, wondering if the history – the very essence of the building – would be lost under new ownership.

A grand re-opening was celebrated in October 2017. Although The Adelphi Hotel has indeed undergone extensive changes, renovations and upgrades – it somehow manages to remain that picture-perfectpostcard from a more genteel, Victorian era.

From the grand front entrance, to the refined restaurant Blue Hen and pub-like atmosphere of Morrissey's Lounge – it looks and feels like a well-choreographed dance between the past and present.

Behind the front reception desk stands a stunning wood and glass divider. Dishes and ash-trays from the old Adelphi have been re-purposed, crafting this unique piece of furniture.

Original settees, mirrors, lamps and tables have been painstakingly reupholstered and refinished. Today, they're placed throughout the common areas of the hotel, with more to be added over the next several months.

Thirty-two ultra-modern guest rooms grace the establishment, each one oozing appeal – to both the history buff and contemporary traveler. Heated bathroom floors, standalone tubs, bidet toilets, extraordinarily comfortable beds – the list goes on and on.

Even the banisters and railings that lead one down from the fourth floor to the lobby are from the original structure – though now reinforced for added stability.

The Adelphi Hotel lost none of Saratoga's historical impact during its restoration. And this present-day Adelphi will be open for business on Broadway year-round, not only during Saratoga's esteemed track season.

Makes it easy to imagine the ghosts of yesteryear standing shoulder to shoulder, offering nods of approval while shouting “Well done, Saratoga! Well done!”

The Algonquin Building Witnessing renovations to an old, weathered building that's seen better days can be pretty interesting, exciting even, especially when the builders share a deep respect for the history of the property – and are willing to do everything in their power to bring its glorious past into present day living.

The Algonquin Building first opened in 1892. A bicycle shop took up the entire bottom storefront space, with 29 beautiful apartments for rent on the floors above. Everyone in town wanted to live there.

The downtown area was flourishing after all, and people delighted in walking down a flight of stairs and out their front door onto Broadway.

Over time, things changed. The bike shop made way for Standard Furniture and new owners. By then, as people moved on, each apartment grew smaller.

Eventually, the Algonquin offered 49 living spaces to prospective tenants.

Between 2011 and 2015 – no one resided at 510 Broadway. The upper levels of the building had become a main focus in the overhaul. And 49 cramped apartments became spacious 2, 3, & 4-bedroom units once again. Just beyond the impressive Romanesque facade, The Algonquin returned to its former glory, showcasing 29 revitalized units.

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Eyeing the central atrium – as it rises to the full height of this six-story masterpiece – or the elaborate details of Algonquin's wood staircase is enough to take one's breath away – the architecture is that beautiful. Both historic features stand at the core of the building, as if they're the heart of it.

Amazingly, each section of the stairwell was taken apart during renovations and meticulously labeled. Everything was stored, then refinished and put back in place – much like a jigsaw puzzle – when it was time.

Today, The Algonquin building is a sight to behold – arresting really – definitely part of Saratoga's rich history we can all be proud of.

Universal Preservation Hall Built in 1871 by Elbridge Boyden, UPH is one of the earliest – and definitely one of the finest examples in the eclectic style of High Victorian Gothic architecture – found anywhere in the US. The structure is impressive. Its exterior architecture boasts rose-colored brick and Ohio sandstone, drawing the eye toward Boyden's attention to detail. Gothic arches hug doors and Tiffanyinspired stained-glass windows – which often catch the sunlight, bouncing shards of brilliant color onto buildings nearby.

Originally a Methodist Church, the venue also hosted several important speakers. William Jennings Bryan, Henry Ward Beecher, Frederick Douglas, President Theodore Roosevelt, and President William Taft bellowed out their message under this massive roof.

In 1976, the building was sold to the Universal Baptist Church.

Over time, it fell into disrepair, and was condemned by the city.

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A rendering of the beautiful glass atrium, which will eventually welcome the crowds.

©Lacy Thaler Reilly Wilson Preservation Architects

In 1999, the citizens of Saratoga Springs joined hands with members of the Baptist Church, in hopes of rescuing the Universal Preservation Hall from certain demise.

This partnership was truly unique. With plans formulating to rebuild and re-purpose the historic structure as a state-of-the-art performance and community events center, it would also create an entirely separate worship space for the Baptists who'd remained in the building. Their new sanctuary was completed in 2004. Sunday services have been held in that hallowed space ever since. In addition, three members of the church became active on the board of UPH. The vision of communities coming together under one roof, as they had for well over 100 years, was live!

In 2006, the U.S. Federal Government singled out and named The Universal Preservation Hall an “official project” by Save America's Treasures. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

Today, UPH is on track to become a worldclass performing arts & community venue.

And they're building a fully flexible space here – meaning everything will be able to move about inside the building. If called for, rows of seats can be broken down, set up again in a different area. When complete, the Universal Preservation Hall's performance space will comfortably seat 700.

They've also teamed up with Proctor's – which brings a wealth of expertise in areas of ticketing, sales, programs, and flow of people. Plans are well-underway for Proctor's to come to Saratoga. This will be in the way of live shows – music being tantamount – Broadway Cabaret, and even a School of Performing Arts for Children. By the time UPH celebrates its grand re-opening, slated for late 2019, it will have invested upwards of $500,000 in the necessary acoustic equipment to make such a thing possible.

UPH has, up until now, been a seasonal venue. It's too cold in Winter and too hot during the Summer to host most events.

When the doors open this time, they'll have a brand-new HVAC system, an elevator, kitchen, green room for the venue's performers and a beautiful glass atrium to welcome the crowd.

UPH has hosted several events over the years, including the Electric City Couture and an unbelievable jazz series, both in 2014/15 &16.

They were a huge hit with fans.

Now in the final stretch of reaching their 5.5 million goal, many fund-raisers are planned to make it happen. And people who love Saratoga have always been about the community, so picturing such a unique place for folks to come together – whether it be for a dazzling performance or sacred place to worship – makes crossing that finish line sweet reward. keep going...

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Caffe Lena There's power in music, as Caffe Lena is well aware. Also known as the oldest operating folk music venue in the country, Lena's offered up a gamut of emotions – a side dish to talented artists performing under her roof.

Before it was Lena's, the 1890's building was a woodworking shop for manufacturing moldings used in many elegant homes in Saratoga. Lena and Bill Spencer learned it was vacant and decided to rent it. The couple added a little kitchen and a stage.

They filled it with used furniture and began to create one of the most enduring, wellknown venues in the U.S. Since 1960, Lena's presented the very best in folk, blues, jazz, country, poetry readings and even theater to those in the community.

Used to be, one had to pull open an old weathered door, walk up a dark, rickety set of stairs to find themselves a seat near the likes of Bob Dylan, Arlo Guthrie or Don McLean belting out their tunes on center stage.

Today, the Caffe stands in the same exact spot, down on Phila. A philanthropic partnership with Bonacio Construction launched in 2015, alongside a successful

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$2 million fundraising campaign led to brilliant – and speedy renovations – including a spacious lobby, elevator, updated handicap accessibility, green room, administrative offices and additional seating in the cozy upstairs venue.

Thankfully though, none of Lena's rich cultural history's been lost in the process.

Patrons find red and pink exposed brick walls that still wind themselves, like a warm embrace, around the small, intimate tables throughout the listening room.

Images of both well-known and littleknown artists seem anxious to jump off the canvas, fingers aching to play their wellworn guitar strings to another sold-out show. You never know what happens when the lights go out – maybe they do.

A Final Thought Maybe that's what's so wonderful about the art and science in renovating, re-purposing or reinventing historic architecture throughout our city. Amazing people have a vision – to marry the past to the present – knowing full-well their community will help lead both into the foreseeable future. SS

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If Barns Could Talk WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER PHOTOS BY MARK BOWIE

lanted at the top of a hill surrounded by fields where horses graze and apple trees blossom, a 200-year-old English threshing barn has become a storehouse for stories.

P

“It’s just a beautiful place. It’s really just part of the landscape,” said farm manager Mary Cuffe Perez.

Where Life Abounds: A Brief Moment of Fame A variety of horses, cats, swallows, and bats have stayed there. Some horses are roguish and full of themselves, others are quiet and loving. The pranksters and taunting mischief-makers drag their water tanks out into the middle of the field, said Perez.

Then there are the people. In 2010, this included a huge film crew who took down some of the barn’s boards, shipped in a rusty automobile, a fox and a farm cat (at a great expense because the farm’s own cats weren’t cooperating) to tell the story of a kid who visits his grandparents and befriends a fox.

“They had half the town of Galway working for them, but when lead actor (Gary Sinise) pulled out, the movie was never finished.

They had to put everything back the way it was, and their rental fee paid for the farm’s new tractor,” said Perez. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

Stories

to

Be Told

“The stories just piled in and collected when I didn’t even realize they did,” said Perez.

These are the stories from “the other side” of the Saratoga horse business, where the romance meets with the reality.

“Barn Stories: Reflections from a Saratoga Horse Farm” is a collection of creative non-fiction stories that come from Perez’s direct experiences.

“They are little segments of life that really strike you as important and that make a great story,” said Perez.

“People really want to write – especially memoir. They really want to tell their story but don’t know how,” said Perez.

“Finding the Path to Your Story”, will be held on April 18th as part of the Local Authors Series at SUNY Empire State College’s Academy of Lifelong Learning. To register, go to www.esc.edu/all/brochure “Barn Stories: Reflections from a Saratoga Horse Farm” is available from Northshire Bookstore and on Amazon. SS

The author of several books and numerous magazine articles, Perez befriended and helped out farm owner Marcia Todd for years before her passing.

It was through this close friendship that Perez learned to ride and came to have a horse of her own; a white Arabian named Angel, who lived to be 32 years old.

In the book, Perez changed Marcia’s name to “Marilyn”. Douglas Todd, Marcia’s husband, has been reimagined into the lackadaisical character “Arvis”.

“Doug is not like Arvis, in that he works very hard around the farm,” said Perez.

By hosting writing workshops, Perez helps others tell their stories.

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A RIVER and history RUNS THROUGH IT WRITTEN & PHOTOGRAPHED BY DAN LUNDQUIST

I found this place by accident.

Or did it find me?

A few years ago, at a cookout in Greenfield, a friend suggested I try out an old motorcycle of his. I objected saying I didn’t know how to work the gears, but he said “squeeze the clutch, tap the pedal down to shift ahead, tap the pedal up to downshift; it’s that simple. Have fun and don’t worry!”

S

o I went out for a ride and, with a minimum of stall-outs, pretty quickly got the hang of it. In fact – much to my surprise – I enjoyed it so much that I started keeping an eye out for those “end of the driveway specials” that are so common in the area. Before too long I was the proud owner of a twenty-five-year-old Honda Nighthawk motorcycle.

I learned that the country roads of Saratoga and Washington Counties are a gift from heaven: they’re well maintained and lightly traveled, and they offer spectacular views.

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On one such foray–I never planned a trip or used a GPS–I found myself winding along the Hudson River about ten miles east of Saratoga Springs. It was beautiful–no, it was breathtaking–and I wondered how such a cool place could be so close and so, what… unknown?

Besides passing a couple pedaling on their bikes there was virtually no traffic.

Yet I was twenty minutes from downtown.

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It was one of those perfect summer days: high cotton-candy fluffy clouds against a deep blue sky, warm in the sun and cool in the shade.

As I rode along I passed a beautiful old covered bridge that connected the river road to one of several islands. I continued south and saw people fishing from “party boats” and a couple of mini yachts that must’ve traveled the Champlain Canal from the Atlantic Ocean up to Montréal.

Bliss.

I saw one of those blue and yellow New York State historic markers in front of an old two-story house that had gone to seed.

I stopped and read the sign to learn that it was the home of John McCrea, brother of the famous Jane McCrea, the Revolutionary War heroine who, through her brutal murder by Indian mercenaries hired by the British, so inflamed public opinion as to accelerate colonists’ support for the insurrection and, in no small way, aiding the American victory.

Path of history.

I knew from my college studies that this stretch along the river– between Lake George and Stillwater–had been the scene of unusually brutal skirmishes, not just during the War for Independence, but for twenty or so years before that, including the French and Indian War. At the same time, apart from military conflicts, the life of the farming families along the river was precarious in the untamed and ungoverned frontier. The Native American populations who had inhabited this territory for hundreds of years were expert at appearing from the dense woods and raiding farms with lightning speed, before disappearing with scalps as trophies.

I rode on.

After a few gentle hills and a long, lazy bend, the road straightened out. I went about a mile and then turned around. Something “caught me,” but what?

I backtracked and stopped, pulling over on the river side of the road and turned off the motorcycle. Then, taking my helmet off, I got off of the bike and looked around.

I couldn’t put my finger on it: there was a “something,” a quiet and stillness. (I would later learn that I was at the midpoint of the only section of the Hudson River that is not “through-navigable” due to two small waterfalls, boats use the canal on the Washington County side.

So this was… Hudson Lake?!)

I enjoyed stretching my legs and taking in the peaceful scenery. I walked along the road directly on the river and saw the large yellow farmhouse ahead on the left. As I approached, I saw that hedges and a white fence enclosed it, and there were what looked like acres of golf course quality lawn. I stopped in my tracks when I saw a life-sized– I’m over six feet tall and it wasn’t smaller than me–statue that was a lookalike for the Venus de Milo in the shade between two trees.

Like many old farmhouses, this had obviously been built in phases with additions over the years to adapt to growing needs or a growing family. Looking around I saw a couple of barns partially hidden by a quarter mile of carefully planted cypress trees. Wow I thought, “a view with privacy!”

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Then I saw the FOR-SALE sign.

I’m retired. Or as I’ve come to say, I’m self-employed, which seems to make more sense when you are “only” in your early sixties. Four years ago, anticipating my early retirement, I began to think about new beginnings with a growing excitement.

I had a successful career in higher education, at large urban Ivy League universities and small liberal arts colleges. I was a vice president at Union College for 16 years. My work had taken me all over the world and across the United States. I knew I wanted to travel when I retired, but as a world traveler, I also knew there was nowhere beside Saratoga that I wanted as my home base.

But where would home be? I’m divorced and my wonderful daughter Molly had just graduated from college. It was just me, Sammy, and Bosco (Golden Retriever and black rescue Lab).

So, deciding to leave the idealized “21st Century Leave It to Beaver” neighborhood behind, I began to look around for local alternatives.

I looked at some small houses closer to downtown, but felt a sense of claustrophobia. I went to a cute townhouse community near Saratoga Lake, but found it to be not particularly dog friendly.

So, with no sense of rush, I continued to juggle the improbable and kept returning to that farm along the Hudson, both in my mind and a couple of times actually going out and visiting it at different times of day. I was charmed to see that at different times of the day, evening, and even after dark, the place took on different complementary characteristics. It wasn’t quite a “pinch me” feeling but it was pretty close.

Of course, I decided to take the plunge.

I wasn’t exactly sure what retirement–I mean self-employment–was going to hold for me, but I knew I was handy and healthy, and this would clearly be an adventure, likely one I wouldn’t have again.

It’s a big house, but I envisioned a home office off one living/media room. The 1820 riverside section has a bedroom with its own stair and bath that I thought would be perfect for guests. I could see a studio in the insulated portion of the barn, and maybe an indoor driving range (with a tarp) up where the hayloft should be. Who knows? Endless possibilities!

When I went for my last walk-through, the owner met me and explained many quirky items to me: the reverse osmosis water purifier (“as good as the White House”), the electric and water hookups run underground from the house to the barn in case I wanted to complete an apartment out there, and so forth. As I was getting ready to leave, he handed me a small photo album, the kind we used to have when Kodak still existed.

I riffled through it and a couple of images stood out. I smiled and said “smart move not showing me these until now…”

In 1770 a young Englishman named Samuel Lewis secured riverside property on the west side of the river. It was “prime real estate”: flat, fertile, with easy, abundant access to the river. As British General Burgoyne headed south from Canada aiming for the upstart forces camped at Stillwater to prevent the British from reaching Albany, he selected the western shore for his approach south of Stillwater. Marching past what is now Five Porch Farm, saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

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the British troops recognized what Lewis had–flat land with river access–so they set up a commissary and hospital (historic markers still exist) on the site, one of the few large areas north of Stillwater so situated. Lewis fled and became a lieutenant in the American force.

Following the British defeat, Lewis returned to his farm and, in 1820, built a grand–for its time–Greek Revival enlargement on the river side, where it stands today.

However, reflecting changes in the economy over the centuries– most notably the shift to urbanization in the early-to-mid 20th Century–the farm shifted hands, and by the late 20th Century had fallen into disrepair. Like so many structures that dot the local landscape to this day.

West River Road is no longer a busy road–Routes 32 and 4 get most of the traffic–yet I’ve met many people who will say “you live in that house?” or “I remember exploring that when there were no doors or windows!” and “we always thought it was haunted… is it?”

Why the Connor family ever chose to restore the place is unknown to me–I’ve never met them, but the father and sons undertook the project in 1994, and in a year completed total modernization of the existing structures, adding a garage on the west end.

Probably for similar reasons, the Sirianni family purchased the

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place (and an additional eight acres to the west) in 2005, and hired Sonny Bonacio to build an addition that would more than double the size of the house, while staying in character with the original architecture detail. (The first year I went to pay my taxes at the Northumberland town hall they were still talking about the “precision carpentry” and care and time that had gone into this chapter of the farm’s life!)

The commercial kitchen is probably the jaw-dropper–excepting the exterior views–no expense was spared in equipping or making the true “heart of the house” totally modern while looking 100 years old.

The walk-in fireplace is stunning.

The entire 20 acres is covered with Invisible Fencing for dogs (as well as regular fencing) and the four acres of horse paddocks have Electrobraid fence along with running water and electricity to keep the buckets from freezing in winter. Less visible are “systems”: Five Porch Farm can essentially run off-the-grid with an Artesian well dug far beneath the riverbed and a sophisticated water-purification system (Darren, my “water guy,” says “you are probably getting better water than Camp David!”). The entire property–including the “barn” that is really a garage with a studio and in-law apartment where the hayloft should be–is protected by a generator that can give us a couple of weeks’ coverage should it be necessary. And there is a small 2-3 stall horse barn with a tack room for supplies.

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By September I was living on the river.

I had used the lag time to be sure all the fences were intact, and I added a gate on the River Road entrance. (Because there is little traffic, I worried it would be hard to teach the dogs to stay away from the road, especially with the lure of the river right there.)

And, despite owning a quarter-mile of deeded river rights, no deck or easy river access existed, so I hired a guy from Saratoga Lake to build a deck overlooking the water with a staircase going down to a gravel dock for a canoe and kayak.

People have asked me “What was the biggest surprise you found when you moved to the farm?”

Well, right off the bat: there is a big difference between visiting… and living in a place like this.

It is fun and easy to visit, marvel and enjoy. That is like being an uncle. You can hold the baby, feed it, giggle at it… and when it starts crying or needs its diapers changed, you call your sister.

Putting aside doing the dishes after guests leave, when you own the farm, you own the responsibility for caring for it. The pleasure, pride, fulfillment, hard work, expense… that all comes with the package.

As does the sheer quiet joy of having coffee on the river deck… or watching birds at the feeder while having a drink …with my 800 pound girlfriend, the marble statue.

If you have a farm you need a tractor.

If you know what a “PTO” is, you are ahead of where I was when I bought a used diesel Kubota tractor. I wanted “one motor” that could do all I needed, which I figured was grass and snow. A tractor–not a garden mower–that could cut a swath of grass five feet wide.

I purchased one from a dealer nearby and it arrived with the fivefoot snow blower attachment set up. But the lawn–all eight-plus acres of it–really needed cutting.

I called the office, and they apologized and promised to get the mower deck out to me ASAP. I looked at the grass and thought of the quip the delivery guy made as he got in his truck: “yup, you’ll want that mower,” he said as he surveyed the expanse of lawn, “or soon you’ll be hayin’.”

It seemed like forever, but within a couple of days a truck was coming my way.

The driver was a big, burly guy, who looked perfect for his part. I am a tall, slender guy who might look perfect for the part of retired college vice president or aging preppy. We might not appear to have much in common, but we quickly bonded. Which is the way it is when one lives in the country.

An unlikely duo, tractors brought us together.

This mower deck is three-by-five feet of heavy steel. It must weigh close to 300 pounds. I don’t remember his name, but the delivery guy rolled it across the back of his truck onto a hydraulic lift which he lowered to the ground and then pushed the deck onto the gravel by the barn, whereupon its little wheels sunk in the grit.

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“How am I gonna get this to the tractor?” which was parked in its own bay at the back of the barn. Not a big talker, the driver looked around at all the gravel and the sunken deck. “Do you have any web belts?” he asked, “I don’t think we should try to carry it.” I wasn’t really sure what he meant, but figured he meant something to pull it.

I did find a few odds-and-ends. He rejected the extension cord and clothesline, opting for some kayak tie-downs, which he lashed to the deck and dragged it–without asking for help–across the gravel to the flat cement of the garage floor. From there I knew I could drive the tractor and maneuver the deck into position. Only one question remained. I rushed over to the truck–he was raising the lift and getting ready to leave–and asked him “how do you attach it?!”

“Didn’t they give you an owner’s manual?” he asked. No, I bought it used.

We walked over to the deck and he pointed a beautifully greased finger at it “see that? when you get this under the middle of the tractor, connect that to the PTO.” Huh?!

I didn’t think any anxiety was showing, but I had no idea what he was talking about and said, “What are you pointing at and what is a ‘PTO’?”

He had sized me up perfectly but, according to the Rules of the Farm, met me where I was: respectful, appreciative, and clueless.

Even after an oral walk-through he could tell by the fish-out-ofwater involuntary motions my mouth was making that I was lost.

He stuck his ham-sized fist out, we shook, and as he walked to his truck he said, “check it out on YouTube, you’ll be fine.”

He was right.

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I got the first cut in by keeping the blades set on high, thus avoiding “haying” …just barely.

Happily Ever After I moved here four years ago and have been tinkering ever since, even a “new” 250-year-old house requires attention. In fact I spent a good portion of the summer of 2016 with Jim Smith, a “restoration carpenter” who specializes in the care of places like this.

Astonishingly, while removing softening exterior columns, we uncovered the original chestnut timbers that framed the house– and were the reason it kept its structural integrity–they were rock-solid actual trees and you could see stubs where branches had been trimmed off, as well as the mortise-and-tenon “no nails” construction technique.

They, quite simply, do not “make ‘em like they used to.”

There is a lot of room here. It is beautiful, and the power of nature is alternatingly astonishing and soothing. The farm has solitude, yet I can get to Saratoga Springs in 20 minutes.

I’ve hosted everything from family reunions to corporate retreats and Skidmore College team-building events. I’ve had a few “cause” fundraisers–local community and environmental efforts–as well as killer croquet tournaments and clay pigeon shoots.

Year-round, the austere power of Mother Nature welcomes, while reminding us that “you were not here first” …so we enjoy and care for it while we can. SS

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At Sports 4 All …you’re part of the family!

WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER PHOTOS BY MICHAEL A. PANZARINO OF M.A.P. GRAPHICS

“

Family is very important to me. I consider my customers my family.

”

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As

the athleisure fashion trend continues to grow more popular than ever, its forerunner, sports apparel still holds its appeal.

At Sports 4 All, a new shop on Church Street, team apparel, silk screening and embroidery encourages fans to wear their hearts on their sleeves – and just about anywhere else, as well.

Following and identifying with a sports team lets us speak the same language and fosters a sense of community, promoting feelings of well-being and lifting our spirits – especially when our team is winning.

One of the most memorable moments in sports history for Sports 4 All owner John Vrana, was when his team, the Philadelphia Phillies, won the 1980 World Series championship against the Kansas City Royals.

Harold Kalas, whose career as Major League Baseball's Philadelphia Phillies sportscaster

lasted 30 years, has also held a special spot in the epic fandom.

“We were big Philadelphia Phillies fans who listened to Harry Kalas so much we considered him part of the family,” said Vrana.

Vrana’s long-term relationships with professional sports teams has allowed him access to autographed merchandise that others just can’t get, he said. Each of his customers, however, at this location and in the other sports-related businesses Vrana plans to open in the region, will all be “part of the club.”

“Family is very important to me. I consider my customers my family,” he said.

Sports equipment, collectibles and memorabilia is available at Sports 4 All, 78 Church Street, in Saratoga Springs. The shop is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. SS MARCH/APRIL 2018 | SIMPLY SARATOGA | 43

It’s About

Time WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER PHOTOS BY MICHAEL A. PANZARINO OF M.A.P. GRAPHICS

To

prevent trains from crashing into one another, Saratogian Charles Dowd proposed the synchronization of clocks across the country into time zones. Adapted into what we know today as Standard Time, he is honored with a sundial monument located behind Adirondack Trust Bank on Broadway.

Even before Dowd immortalized Saratoga Springs as an important place in time, mid-1800’s artists were painting the town’s scenic highlights on a selection of Ogee Clocks. Many of these have since been lost to auction, but one local enthusiast has added a dozen to his collection in recent years.

“An alarm went off in my head and I said, ‘Wait a minute, I love Saratoga Springs, and love clocks, I gotta get these for myself,’ and I started buying every single one I could get my hands on,” said Peter Elmendorf.

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In his collection of hundreds of clocks, the Ogee clocks, made between 1840 and 1870, contain eye-catching unique hand-painted glass panels based on steel engravings (some of which he has, as well).

The memorable contrast of a white hotel against the dark green background is Elmendorf ’s favorite element of the paintings.

“It’s captivating, it just stands out even though these are very, very old,” he said.

His collection also includes the prestigious United States Hotel, Ballston Springs, and three featuring the Iodine Springs, among others.

In addition to collecting clocks, Elmendorf repairs them and helps others preserve these historical works of art. As the Rip Van Winkle Chapter 40 National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors President, he teaches a continuing education class, and has been meeting with a group of other collectors for years.

Open to the public, the group meets Mondays, 6:30 p.m., at the Burnt Hills Baptist Church, 193 Kingsley Road, in Burnt Hills. SS

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Where's the Wagoneer?

WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER PHOTOS BY BRIANA & TOM LYONS

T

hose little yellow sticky notes remind us of things we’d otherwise forget.

Often stuck up on the walls in front of our desk, now we post digitally on our social media walls.

The Yellow Note, a multifaceted creative Glens Falls-based studio, does this gently – but brilliantly, reminding us to enjoy our region and celebrate the beauty in every day.

“I started out posting the things I love, like our dogs and places we love to visit.

They are snippets of life that were shared with larger accounts and brought in new people,” said Briana Lyons.

Originally a stationery and design shop, The Yellow Note evolved into a lifestyle marketing studio. By working with companies, hotels, tourism boards, and publications including Country Living Magazine, Lyons is able to promote their products and services in a different way – and to her more than 45,000 Instagram followers.

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“

Any time we're driving the Wagoneer it's an adventure.

The gas gauge is stuck on full.”

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Lyons loved photography since she was a teenager growing up in South Glens Falls.

She taught herself and her husband, Tom Lyons, currently the Director of Community Engagement and Staff Development at Hudson Headwaters, who takes photos of Briana in a variety of scenic upstate New York and Vermont settings – always with her head turned away from the camera so all you see is a flash of her auburn hair.

“I don’t want to be the focus. I want to create a sense of place and inspire a sense of wanderlust. I want people to imagine themselves in the photo,” said Briana.

The purchase of a 1987 Jeep Grand Wagoneer lent another element to their crisp, clean photographs, and another popular Instagram account to their portfolio.

“Any time we’re driving the Wagoneer it’s an adventure. The gas gauge is stuck on full,” said Briana.

Follow them on Instagram @theyellownote and @wheresthewagoneer or visit theyellownote.com SS

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Pictured left to right: Elettra Wiedemann, Nick Steele, Melissa George 50 | SIMPLY SARATOGA | MARCH/APRIL 2018

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NICK STEELE knows fashion WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER

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respected style experts including: Robin Givhan, Fashion Critic for The Washington Post; Isabel Dupre, former Fashion Stylist for ELLE Magazine; and Celebrity Fashion Stylist Kate Young, whose clients include Natalie Portman, Dakota Johnson, and Selena Gomez.

AFRAID? DO IT ANYWAY

H

is skills as a fashion stylist have passed the test with both celebrities on the red carpet and in editorial shoots.

His work has appeared in VOGUE, InStyle, and Glamour magazines, among others. He’s helped dress a long list of stars including Beyoncé, Channing Tatum, and Denzel Washington.

SHARED SENSIBILITIES Since this is an issue about fashion and creativity, we won’t mention Steele’s extensive journalism experience or his interviews with the likes of Nelson Mandela, Madonna, and Diana Ross. We also won’t be talking about his marketing portfolio which includes brands such as Lexus and Ralph Lauren.

What we will be covering are the universally valuable personality traits and skills he’s learned along the way that have contributed to his super star stylist status. Hopefully, they help you succeed with your fashion career goals, as well.

Star Tip: “First and foremost, you need good organizational skills,” said Steele. Multi-tasking is mandatory, as is staying calm - even in the most pressure filled situations when you must adapt to constantly changing scenarios. Be a resourceful problem-solver who can clearly communicate with others.

STUDY GUIDES Surprisingly, Steele doesn’t put much stock in following trends. Instead, he pays attention to those who create looks that are visually arresting because they express a strong personal style. Fashion Icon Iris Apfel is an excellent example of a real powerhouse in the industry who is fearless, while also being sweet, funny, and joyful, he said.

Star Tip: Steele follows and engages

in social media conversations with

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When the internet was still a relatively uncharted territory, Steele worked as the online editor for ELLE magazine.

“That really thrust me into the big leagues of fashion,” he said. His first shoot was a humbling experience.

Star Tip: Work as an intern to learn

your craft – even if you don’t get paid.

Later in his career, Steele made it known that he was interested in one day working with Beyoncé. While in South Africa, her regular stylist, Ty Hunter wasn’t available, so Steele got the call.

“Be wherever they need you to be, whenever they need you to be there,” said Steele.

It was totally intimating to all of a sudden be presenting looks in a room with Beyoncé, her parents, and Jay Z, but everything went well, he said. Still reeling from the excitement, on that same trip he also had a chance to speak with Gayle King, meet Oprah, and sit with Bono and Annie Lennox.

Star Tip: “You have to ask for the things you want in life – even if it terrifies you. If you don’t put it out there, you have a very slim chance of getting it,” said Steele.

STYLIST SURPRISES The reality of working in the glamour business often runs you ragged.

As a celebrity stylist, you’re expected to support your client in a million different ways: from working overtime before an event to promoting the outfit later, holding their purse, getting them a drink, and making them laugh to ease their nerves. At the end of it all, you have to ensure anything that was on loan gets returned to where it belongs.

Fashion is a worldwide endeavor and Steele counts Australia, China, and Brazil among his favorite destinations, but an unforgettable fashion moment happened in Paris when he participated in a couture shoot with legendary fashion model Iman.

“When your fantasy actually becomes your reality, it’s surreal,” he said.

Star Tip: Time zones can be the

deciding factor determining if you get the dress. Always have back-up looks and chase down confirmations instead of relying on assumptions.

SURRENDER YOUR EGO People are always going to judge you, so wear what is practical and comfortable, but also authentically you.

When Steele got to meet a man he’d idealized–fashion designer John Varvatos– he felt like a deer in headlights, he said.

Then, he noticed Varvatos had a photograph that Steele himself had styled, hanging on the wall. It turned out this man that had so inspired Steele, was also inspired by Steele.

Star Tip: “You attract what you are,”

said Steele.

STYLE SECRETS You shouldn’t have to do any tricks to make an outfit look great if it fits well, he said.

A client once tried to squeeze herself into a dress that was two sizes too small and got hopelessly stuck right before a red carpet appearance. They were able to embrace the situation, remedy it, and laugh it off–but it took so much time that she ended up with a much more casual hair and make-up look than they had planned.

“Clothes are mass produced, so they are not going to fit every body the same way,” said Steele.

Star Tip: Invest time and money into quality

undergarments that erase body issues, and in alterations–tailoring is still often available at the neighborhood dry cleaners.

HOME TOWN CONNECTION Fashion in all its facets, tells a story. Steele’s story began with his mother Diana Steele, a glamorous high-fashion free spirit.

“She is still one of the most put together people I know,” he said.

His grandmother, Rose Vallone was a marvel of 1950’s style and effortless elegance. Steele, who lived on Mitchell Street during his childhood, explained that he continues to find Saratoga a wellspring of culture and creativity.

Steele is currently writing a novel about a harrowing event that happened to his grandmother in the 1970s. It is a fictionalized narrative based on a violent home invasion at Vallone's farmhouse in Easton. SS saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

fabulous AND

Colleen looks comfy and chic in a flattering black top with flutter sleeves piped in white and Lifestyles' perennially popular "perfect pant."

50 a recent morning, as I was throwing on a pair of my favorite jeans, booties and cool accent scarf, something I heard on the popular morning tv show I was tuned into caught my attention. One of the co-hosts posed the question: “When should a woman stop wearing jeans? You’ll hear the answer after the commercial break.”

“What?” I said to myself, stopping in my tracks. Even though I was on a tight schedule, I just had to wait for the answer. What I heard not only surprised me; it made me laugh out loud. The answer was age 53. Kind of arbitrary, right? Not 50. Not 55. But 53?

Of course, I looked at my own 60-something skinny jean-clad reflection in the mirror and thought to myself, “Says who!”

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Colleen shows off in some "boho chic" styles, with leggings and feminine patterned tops, as Spoken Boutique owner Pam Worth looks on in approval.

The whole thing reminded me of the days when our mothers or our grandmothers automatically cut their hair because they’d reached a certain age. Or they stopped wearing swimsuits, shorts or other clothing that was deemed “too youthful” for them.

Well, I don’t know about you, but I need a lot more than my ten fingers and ten toes to count the number of women I know who fall into the “Fab & 50” category. And in this new series, we’re going to introduce some of them to you.

Whether we’re talking about fashion, fitness, dating or career success, as women age, we become even more of a force to be reckoned with. And our fashion choices should be as varied and as self-defining as we are.

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Pam Worth, owner of Spoken Boutique at 27 Church Street in Saratoga Springs, couldn’t agree more.

“A woman’s age is irrelevant. When she walks through that door into the boutique, it’s all about her state of mind and how she views herself that dictates what she wears.”

Pam has been in retail for more than 30 years and she knows a thing or two about fashion.

On this particular day, Pam – who is a proud member of the Fab & 50 demographic – is dressed in a chic pair of slightly faded and distressed jeans with a crisp and classic white blouse and suede fringed booties, accented with silver and turquoise jewelry and belt – a timeless look that women of all ages can pull off. On Pam, the look is amazing.

“I don’t believe in trends” she says. Women of all ages, shapes and sizes shop in Spoken Boutique and Pam says it’s all about knowing who you are and feeling comfortable in your skin.

As my photographer friend Susan Blackburn and I sip on prosecco and nod in agreement, our 50-something model for an afternoon of fashion fun breezes through the door. Fresh from a glamour session at nearby Make Me Fabulous, located in the Pavillion Grand Hotel on Lake Avenue, it’s obvious that Colleen Coleman, owner of CMC Design Studio, is ready to try on clothes and pose for the camera.

An award-winning interior designer and mother of three grown sons, Colleen

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Colleen experiments with a variety of styles, including a bright orange "preppy" button down and a laceysleeved blouse. She also gets tips on customizing her look from one of Lifestyles' expert stylists.

could be a poster woman for our Fab & 50 campaign. And the ladies at make Me Fabulous have done a stellar job of making her “camera ready.”

Colleen admits she feels more comfortable shopping in Home Goods for her clients than she does in a boutique. But Pam immediately puts Colleen at ease and proceeds to find out exactly what Colleen looks for in clothing and fashion. Colleen describes her shape as somewhat straight and not curvy. So she always looks for clothing that will offer the illusion of feminine curves, while being comfortable and relaxed.

“I’m beyond caring what others think about what I’m wearing,” said Colleen. That’s one of the wonderful things about being 50 – we

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no longer feel as if we have to please anyone except ourselves.

She is also not great, she says, at picking out her own clothes. That is where the laid-back expertise of someone like Pam comes in very handy. She immediately goes to work, choosing colors and styles she thinks will compliment Colleen’s personality and lifestyle.

Colleen agrees that so many women “get stuck in our ruts.” We’re all so busy working, building careers, taking care of family, we often lose sight of ourselves and we fail to take the time we need to re-discover our inner “fabulosity,” as Pam describes it.

An hour of “fabulosity” later, Colleen has dazzled us with her style and her obvious zest for life. We say our thank you’s to Pam

and head from Spoken down to Lifestyles on Broadway and its newest “sister” shop next door, Caroline and Main.

We’re greeted at the door by owner Heidi West and her team of expert stylists. Within minutes, we are comfortably ensconced in cozy club chairs at the rear of the shop, surrounded by racks of clothing that would suit the tastes of women from all walks of life, whether they be career girls, preppy types, or boho chic.

Heidi and her team see it as their mission to solve a woman’s fashion “challenges,” making the shopping experience a pleasure, and watching as their customers leave with smiles on their faces and fashions that fit their lifestyles.

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Colleen feels right at home in the laid back ambience of Caroline & Main, Heidi West's new boutique located across from Lifestyles.

Heidi picks out styles for Colleen to try on.

“We are not just a ‘size 2’ store,” says Heidi. Like her friend Pam Worth, Heidi believes that every woman, no matter her age, shape or size, has it in her to feel great about herself. She also pooh-poohs the denim age limit, adding, “don’t ever think that you can’t wear a little ‘destroyed’ denim after the age of 50!”

looks good in and must have in her closet.

Heidi says that her clients understand the value of investing in certain pieces of clothing that will stand the test of time and be versatile enough to go from casual to business to a night out on the town.

Across the street, at Caroline and Main, we’re treated to a more casual, relaxed Heidi’s loyal clientele has grown over the last atmosphere with a great big touch of 25 years because she understands what it “whimsy” thrown in. In addition to the takes to meet their needs. “They’ve come to ultra-comfy cropped jeans and tees, the rely on us as a trusted resource,” she adds. boutique carries several different lines As Colleen changes from one outfit into of men’s care products, gifts, and partyanother, we marvel at the versatility of styles themed trinkets for bridesmaids’ bashes or in the shop. Heidi pulls a pair of white pants a fun night at SPAC. off the rack, calling them the “perfect pant.”

By the time our afternoon shopping spree They’re that pair of slacks that every woman and photo shoot is over, it has become even

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more obvious that 50 is nothing more than a number. Colleen is still glowing from her afternoon of pampering, glamour and demonstrating that feeling and looking great – whether you’re 50, 60 or beyond – is all a state of mind.

Be watching next time as we continue our series on Fab & 50! And if you want to be our next “model,” send a photo and short essay on how you define what it means to be a fabulous 50-something woman to cBushee@SaratogaPublishing.com. SS

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deJonghe Original Jewelry and the

story of the stones

WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER PHOTOS BY BLACKBURN PORTRAIT DESIGN

Within each of the pieces at deJonghe Original Jewelry, there is a story.

From Unmatched Origins “The first thing when it comes to designing is inspiration. We’re bombarded with influences, especially today more so than years ago,” said Dennis deJonghe.

The textures and forms of the ocean have always inspired him. Working only with natural stones, he said at deJonghe Original Jewelry they understand and carry a lot of diamonds, but Mother Nature forms such an amazing array of stones–from a lustrous pearl to a dazzling complex opal–that variety is always interesting.

“When I’m designing my own pieces, there’s a freedom in the beauty of that and it’s very rewarding. When I’m working with someone else, the best results come when they know their tastes; they are very defined and know what they like,” said deJonghe.

The Stuff of Legend The first stone deJonghe ever set was a beautiful, jazzy tourmaline. Formed in many different locations around the earth, tourmaline ranges in color from pink to green and even comes in a unique bi-color watermelon.

“Certain gemstones absolutely have certain properties that have been chronicled in books and folklore for years. Amethyst crystals are famous for this. Locally, there are the Gore Mountain garnets, and the Herkimer quartz. There can be a really soothing aspect for many looking at a gem.

Real gem collectors want to touch and feel the stone. It’s very evident they are truly in love with what they’re working with,” said deJonghe.

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Evan deJonghe inspects a sapphire

Gem dealers often just want to show off their prized finds. Gem cutters are creating electrifying shapes that are taking the jewelry world by storm, as well.

It’s a phenomenon Dennis and his son, Evan deJonghe encounter regularly on the gem-searching excursions that lead them across the country.

“Gem buying trips are always very exciting. I’m like a kid in a candy store and my son is the same way,” said deJonghe.

An Intrinsic Conflict This is when the most excruciating decisions must be made.

“I’ll see something, and for some reason I have to have it. Then it sits in the safe for years,” said deJonghe. That’s what happened with a certain ammolite stone. It wasn’t until deJonghe saw it resting next to a Mexican opal that inspiration finally struck.

“All of a sudden it hit me,” he said. The abstract dragonfly pin he created containing the two stones is featured as an example of excellence in jewelry making and design in the March issue of the MJSA Journal.

Photo Provided

When Evan deJonghe found an unusually rare matching pair of large freeform rainbow moonstones, Dennis told his son to forget about them because they were too expensive. Peggy deJonghe, the store’s accountant, told her son to go ahead and get them. Team collaboration enabled the one-of-a-kind “Moon Gem Luster” earrings, set in platinum and accented with diamonds and sapphires, to emerge. SS

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New product line: Saints & Sinners Owners Melanie & Chris Sorell

LOCKETTES... Strand Artisans

A

WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER PHOTOS BY PHOTOANDGRAPHIC.COM

salon is defined as a place for the exhibition of works of art. In less than a year, two new beauty salons have opened to give more people their own unique pieces of wearable art.

Talented artisans create these dignified and understated, gorgeously elegant, or bravely bold creations – not to be locked away, hidden on a chain, but to enable you to bring your own sense of creative expression to life through the look of your locks.

Lockettes The Salon, the master work of Melanie and Chris Sorell, opened in July of last year. Working with Bonacio Construction, they designed and built the amazing large open space on East Avenue in Saratoga Springs just as Melanie had envisioned for herself and her team of experienced stylists.

“She knows what she wants,” said Chris.

A CROWNING ACHIEVEMENT Before long however, they discovered client demand still exceeded their capacity.

Lockettes’ vision in an easily accessible location. The Epiphany’s owner and master hair stylist, James Joseph Rosenfield will continue to work from the almost unchanged 1,400 sq. ft. salon, along with six other stylists.

“I’m definitely looking forward to building my client base. I’m excited to build on my skills and learn everything,” said Sabrina Brock. A Paul Mitchell graduate, Brock worked at The Epiphany before it became Lockettes West.

Two of the Sorell’s four children will also be there helping out.

“I’ve grown up in salons, so it’s inevitable. It’s brought us closer,” said 12-year-old Leah Smith, a student at Maple Avenue Middle School.

LAYERED TECHNIQUES Melanie’s own salon experience began when she was 12 years old and developed through her work with various salons in downtown Saratoga Springs over her 20 plus years in the field. She credits Laura McDonald at Saratoga Springs’ Blue Peregrine Salon as providing the help she needed to transition into self-employment and ownership.

Then Chris said he practically tripped over the perfect opportunity for Lockettes to expand. Lockettes West The Salon opened in February in Ballston Spa. A full-service salon, they can accommodate bridal parties, accept online appointment bookings, new clients and walk-ins.

“She helped and encouraged me. ‘Community over competition’, Laura used to say.”

“I like the energy. Here, we will be able to do a little bit more. I want to see the business build up and see the stylists blossom,” said Melanie.

“I really like to see people smile when they leave – that’s the most important to me,” said Melanie.

Operating in the space formally known as The Epiphany of Hair Design, the powerful red and black color scheme continues

With the desire to renovate some of the stations and lighting in the future, bring in several jewelry and product lines, as well as become a “Wigs for Cancer” resource, the Sorells’ first priority is to their clients.

Lockettes West The Salon is located at 2100 Doubleday Avenue, Ballston Spa. For more information, go to lockettesthesalon.com SS

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DETAILS: CREATIVE DIRECTOR COREY ALDRICH • PHOTOGRAPHER LINDSAY RAE • HAIR MOLLY TREMANTE • MAKE UP DORIA RIKER (TREMANTE) • MODEL BETHANY SLADE LOCATION THE HYDE HISTORIC HOUSE | GLENS FALLS, NY • VENUE LEAD JENNY HUTCHINSON

Dress: Vilma Mare Veil / Scarf: Vintage Model: Bethany Slade

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Woman

REIMAGINED

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WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER PHOTOS BY LINDSAY RAE PHOTOGRAPHY

EVERY WOMAN can find herself in an Alphonse Mucha print.

Capturing women as if they are suspended in time, his depictions of their enticing postures and telling expressions are both what we are and what we aspire to be.

Alphonse Mucha’s decorative illustrations made him the quintessential master of Art Nouveau. In a juxtaposition of beauty, mystery, and modernity, some of his most well-known pieces were recently shown in an exhibition of his work at the Hyde Collection in Glens Falls, just ending on March 18.

Opulently Avant-Garde “REIMAGINED,” a unique event on March 10th that strategically positioned live models in the spectacular spaces of the early 20th century historic home, replicated the mood, spirit and energy of the era in a way that we crave today.

“There’s a subtle sense of desire, a softly erotic celebration of the female figure that contextualizes that kind of energy we see at the Hyde House and injects life into these spaces with a fresh perspective,” said Corey Aldrich, Brand Manager of 2440 Design Studio.

REIMAGINED is a 2440 Design Studio production in collaboration with Electric City Couture, a well-known show that highlights regional fashion and designers.

REIMAGINED models wore looks by fashion designer and stylist Kim Vanyo of Khymanyo Studio, Tara Holmes of Taine saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

Novati and Yvonne McEachron of Layered Design. Their stylistic interpretations of the Alphonse Mucha works take a philosophical look at culture and history as it is perceived through fashion.

“Fashion is very political, highly aesthetic, and personal,” said Aldrich.

Fashion in that era was expressive, unlike some of the more homogenized looks we have today. A special performance excerpt from the Musicians of Ma’alwyck yet to be released opera, 'ALEDA - The Flight of the Suff Bird Women', kicked off the event.

The event made clear that fashion can still make a statement and infuse excitement into intimate museum spaces.

Botanical Glamour “My pieces are for the alternative bride– often a more mature woman–who has a better sense of her artistic self,” said designer Kim Vanyo.

Vanyo’s designs utilize silk organzas, greenish yellows, and iridescent sheens to add a touch of drama. Bustiers with interesting snap-off embellishments are adjustable so their wearer can best describe their individual aesthetic.

The designs were paired with natural arrangements by Sydney Martin, floral designer at Simply Sydney on Broadway, to create a tapestry of floral accents that frame the goddess-like figures as if they had just been plucked from the realm of fantasy. SS For more information visit electriccitycouture.com

Dress: Vintage Model: Bethany Slade

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a HIP

new twist

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Creativity is an urge that never leaves you.

Hassoni Stanley-Jurgens works in rehabilitation services during the day, but her moonlight hours are spent doing something a bit more creative.

“I always dabble in something. I have a friend who is wild, crazy, and different. Last December, I wanted to give her something fantastic for the holidays, and something handmade means more. She’s very hip, so there was no way I could go to a regular store,” said Stanley-Jurgens.

Searching through her husband’s tool bag, she found some copper wire and her new Urban Bohemian Funk jewelry collection was born.

“It’s extremely raw and just cold. I think about a certain shape and start fiddling around. I just start moving my hands,” she said.

In addition to copper, she has added silver and gold-plated items into the collection.

Because each piece is entirely new, she wears it first before offering it up for sale.

“All my jewelry is mine first and when I sell one I’m like, ‘Darn, I love that piece’, and I cry a little bit. I’m always doing sample pieces just to see how they wear. I have to think like a consumer and ask; is it comfortable, wearable, durable, and quality.

Is it well-made? Will it tarnish quickly?” said Stanley-Jurgens.

Women love her attention-grabbing jewelry, and how affordable it is.

“I’m very new and green. It takes a lot of confidence to put yourself out there. I just try to be myself. Express yourself. Let that essence of you out. No matter where we come from, we’re all unique in some way.”

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For more information, go to sonistanley.wixsite.com

Embroidery...

Making a Comeback WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER PHOTOS BY GWEN IVINS

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hen Marcia Lyon was given an embroidery machine two years ago, she never expected it would lead to a creative full-time career in such a short time.

Now, she’s added a new ten-needle machine to her inventory and embroiders just about everything you can imagine on a range of materials.

“There’s so much variety and it can all be customized. You can put anything on it you can think of and it makes it fun,” said Lyon.

The items she’s embroidered include bridal and teacher’s gifts, purses, saddle bags, shirts, pillows, Easter baskets, and more.

“The range, the variety–it’s very interesting,” she said. Using purchased designs; Lyon varies the stitch sizes and types of thread to achieve different sheens and looks. By

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combining interesting themed fabrics and humorous sayings, she playfully embeds her personal style into all that she creates.

“It’s a learning process. It still amazes me what this machine can do,” said Lyon.

Lyon’s three grown children live in Tennessee, where embroidery and monogramming items are very popular.

She’s hoping it is a trend that will catch on even more in this area.

“People who weren’t into it before are fascinated with it,” said Lyon.

Working to secure a steady stream of wholesale suppliers, to find a partner, and to nail down a productive routine, there’s still a lot she needs to do to keep up with the demand that’s already been created by word-of-mouth, doing house parties, and a pop-up shop this winter, she said.

By tying together the threads of a new business so quickly, it’s easy to see that so far, Lyon hasn’t missed a stitch.

Find her embroidery on Instagram @marcia.lyon18 SS

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Dress for Your

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DESTINY

YOUR CLOTHING speaks volumes before you’ve even had a chance to say a word.

“It has to be finished in a rich way–you can see cheap from a mile away,” said designer Kim Vanyo, owner of Khymanyo Studio on Beekman Street. For more than 30 years, she’s been designing the garments we usually only see from a distance, including wedding and special occasion apparel, dance and theater costumes.

That is, until that day when we become the ones wearing them. Then, all eyes are on us.

Vanyo prepares us for that moment–but also to realize it is every day.

For more information, go to www.kimism.net

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All the World a Stage

“I’m sick of everyone wearing jeans all the time, there’s so many other great things out there,” said Vanyo. She loves textiles, evident in her smart separates and “Kimism”, a readyto-wear collection.

What appears to be a conservative skirt to the casual observer often has a lining of luxurious silk to kiss the skin.

“I love little surprises–it’s like the garment whispers to you. You unzip the skirt to put it on and you smile to yourself. It gives you a personal sense of satisfaction.”

Predisposed for Success

In addition to being fun, her clothing is practical and comfortable. Trained in dance, Vanyo utilizes construction secrets, such as underarm gussets and stretchy mesh, to facilitate ease of movement.

“When you know you’re well-dressed, it gives you confidence. Your posture is better.

You hold in your stomach and hold your shoulders back. You walk in an elegant manner.

Otherwise, it’s not good for your body and it doesn’t look good,” said Vanyo.

Seeking out the professional skills of a stylist can also do wonderful things.

“You’ll behave differently… define who you are and what you want to say.” SS MARCH/APRIL 2018 | SIMPLY SARATOGA | 63

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Harlem Fashion Week 2018 Photo by Thom Williams

Rising Talent

DANIEL MOZZES

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WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER PHOTOS BY MICHAEL A. PANZARINO OF M.A.P. GRAPHICS

SHOOTING THROUGH the fashion ranks, one fearless designer is making a major impact on the local scene.

“I don’t see limits. I want to WOW people,” said Daniel Mozzes.

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His fascination with fashion began early. Growing up in a household watching women dress impeccably even to do housework, he thinks all women should take the time to take care of themselves.

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“A woman should feel elegant, empowered, and dare to say, ‘This is me. I’m in charge,’” said Mozzes.

Using bright colors, exaggerated silhouettes, and lots of texture, he strives to make every piece something that will make a woman feel like she is the center of all the attention.

“I always know what I do is right. Life is boring if you don’t have something to give to the Universe, to contribute to people. There’s always going to be people who criticize. Just don’t listen. I never have a doubt. I go the other way. It makes me stronger,” said Mozzes.

Shock and Awe Mozzes has studied fashion around the world, and even had one of his gowns go to the Oscars in 2015, worn by Sandra Curley who accompanied Troy native and sound engineer winner, Tom Curley.

Although he only ever got to meet him in passing, Alexander McQueen is the man that has influenced the course of Mozzes’ life and designs more than any other, he said.

“He was the love of my life. What makes you do what you do?” he wonders.

In his recent “Ode to McQueen” collection, Mozzes translates this love through fashion.

“No one can ever get close to what he did, but here I said, ‘Oh, my God! We can really shock people.’ Me, being a very good student of him, I thought, Don’t be afraid. Make it happen.

And I did. I never saw a photo like this,” said Mozzes, referring to shots of his dresses, worn by models with their hair wrapped in plastic, white make-up on their faces and with massive red lips. “‘I love you’ doesn’t come from the mind, it comes from the mouth, so I want you to look there,” said Mozzes about his motivation for the look.

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“ ”

Oh, my God! We can really shock people.

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“Couture for a Cureˮ Fashion Show 2017

Astounding Albany After returning from his second year, showing at Harlem Fashion Week, Mozzes is more determined than ever to invigorate the local market.

“We don’t have to go to Paris, London, New York City… we have style right here.

We really, really can make a statement. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

We have style. We have elegance,” he said.

afraid to be themselves,” he said.

As the founder and executive producer of Albany Fashion Week, Mozzes is excited to again be offering a weekend of fashion vendors and shows this spring.

The show is a benefit for Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region, who enables familycentered care for critically ill children.

“This time I want to really push the envelope… It will be good not just for us, but for the future generation, educating them so they don’t have to be

“When you’ve never been without shoes, you don’t know what it’s like to be barefoot,” said Mozzes.

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“ ”

A woman should feel elegant, empowered, and dare to say, ‘This is me. I’m in charge

A Pattern of Giving Back

Contributing his talents to benefit charitable causes is a hallmark of Mozzes’ work ethic. He believes in giving new models a leg-up by exposing them to opportunities they might not otherwise have access to, supports many area non-profits, and participates in charity fashion shows throughout the region.

Natalie Sillery, the owner of Saratoga Trunk and presenter of the Saratoga Fashion Show, a benefit for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region first saw Daniel Mozzes Designs more than five years ago.

“He’s participated in the Saratoga Fashion Shows along with some very renowned fashion designers,” she said.

She feels his designs echo those of the largest fashion houses.

In addition to the shows and carrying his pieces in her shop, she refers clients to him for commissions because of his expert construction techniques.

“I have known Daniel for several years and have really enjoyed getting to know him and being able to model for him! His work is so unique and I love the way his pieces make you feel like a princess. “He’s become one of my They are each so beautiful and dear friends and is growing timeless! Daniel is one of the exponentially. Having been in the kindest people and certainly puts business as long as I have, I can his heart in everything he does tell you, he’s remarkable, a true whether it is his own designing, or couturier, and his taste for fabric raising money for the causes he is impeccable,” said Sillery. believes in. I am always honored Daniel Mozzes Designs can be when he asks me to model or help found at Saratoga Trunk, 493 him in any way,” said Heather Broadway, in Saratoga Springs Straughter, co-founder of and at his Albany studio.

Jakes Help from Heaven.

For more information go to danielmozzesdesign.com SS

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HOW TO SHOP

WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER

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Smarter

hopping can feel like navigating a maze. Confronted by endless choices, we spend hours searching for something that looks and feels right.

Luckily, there’s a map, and once you have it, feeling lost will only be a memory.

“Dressing well can be accomplished for any man or woman, of any age and body size. It comes down to understanding your personal proportions. Once you have this knowledge, you are able to breathe new life into clothing you already own and shop with confidence and efficiency - while saving money,” said Apparel Stylist and owner of Moxie, Brandon Dewyea.

CUT DOWN ON SHOPPING HASSLES Life changes and so does your body.

“Because dressing for our bodies is not a skill we are taught at a young age, our assurance that we know what works and does not as our lives shift can be a challenge at times,” said Dewyea.

As the area’s exclusive provider of The Personal Fit Service, a 22-point measurement system, Dewyea gives her clients a map to finding items that will work well for them making them look their best.

“The beauty of taking the time to utilize tools such as The Personal Fit Service is it gives you the power and knowledge to shop wiser. This enables you to enjoy your favorite local shops and take advantage of fab finds wherever you may find yourself, be it vacation etc. See a great sale? Love that new top just advertised? By consulting your easy to use laminated results chart, you’ll know immediately how it will look on you AND multiple ways it can be enjoyed!” she said.

A LIFETIME OF LOOKING BETTER In addition to how an item is cut, much of what makes it work is how it’s put together, the combination of fabric, and the balance that is created.

“It’s like a great recipe. Each ingredient is wonderful on its own but that doesn’t mean every pairing will always be enjoyable. The same goes for clothing. This is why it’s of value to understand about your personal dress points. Having some clarity, just like following a recipe, will ensure you have less disappointment and more success,” said Dewyea.

It’s not the size you wear; it’s how you wear your size, that makes you look younger, leaner, and lets you feel great.

“There have been endless studies about the connection of what we wear and how it has a direct effect on our confidence, our personal relationships, professional life and overall wellbeing. When an individual feels confident AND comfortable in what they are wearing, then it is far easier to engage in life fully.” SS Brandon Dewyea is hosting an Apparel Workshop at Simplicity Salon, 88 Congress Street, Saratoga Springs on April 26th, at 6 p.m.

The Personal Fit Solution Service is 10% off when purchased by April 30, 2018.

For more information on either, go to www.findyourmoxie.net

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The Textile Studio...

AN OPEN SECRET

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TO DISCOVER the Beekman Street Art District, look for the sandwich boards out front, but begin at The Textile Studio.

“I give them little tips so they feel like they have the inside scoop of Beekman Street,” said Cecila Frittelli, co-owner of The Textile Studio.

With maps and brochures when you first walk in, their open studio encourages you to watch the serious business of precision weaving, but also to walk down the street and take advantage of delicious dining experiences and artistic spaces.

“Let’s discover a little hidden area of Saratoga – off the craziness of Broadway, with nooks, gardens, and benches – it’s not a place just to rush through.

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WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER PHOTOS PROVIDED

This is really a nice area,” said Frittelli.

Students from Community Roots pre-school and from Saratoga Springs High School’s Fashion Design class also visit the studio to see how fabric is made. Frittelli first took up weaving when she was in 8th grade on a backstrap loom made from Popsicle sticks. It’s been her family’s full-time income since 1990.

Frittelli’s husband, Richard Lockwood patiently weaves, makes patterns, and does the cutting. Eighteen yards of a new fabric for their Spring menswear collection had just been cut off the loom, the 1,000 warp threads meticulously woven inch-by-inch.

medieval Italian fresco masters, The Textile Studio exhibits at some of the nation’s most prestigious shows, including the 2018 Smithsonian Craft Show.

“We think about longevity and a style that is timeless. Our garments fit well, and easily, and have lots of structure,” said Frittelli.

Natural fibers such as bamboo, linen, silk, and their newest acquisition – yarn made from 100 percent milk protein – are matched in clever combinations to make them light enough to wear even in warmer weather. SS For more information, go to rittelli-lockwood.com

Inspired by the color palettes of the

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Sara McCarthy teaching calligraphy at one of her workshops

The Revival of the

Written Word WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER PHOTOS PROVIDED

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he old-world elegance of fine penmanship is becoming a lost art in the digital age …or is it?

With a background in graphic design, when Sara McCarthy taught herself calligraphy to write out invitations for her own wedding, she stumbled upon a treasure trove of possibilities and Ink Revival was born.

With customized choices including printed foil, letterpress, engraving, flat printing, and more, McCarthy’s invitation suites, place cards, and menus are specialized keepsakes that spell out a remarkable attention to detail.

Helping out in more ways than one, McCarthy offers calligraphy workshops that add a whole new level of expertise to your repertoire.

“I’m happy to try out anything that can be used to enhance your vision for the day,” said McCarthy.

“When you know how to use a pen and nib, it brings joy to someone else,” said McCarthy.

In the last five years, she’s written on fruit, glass, wood, acrylic and more. Her delicate work allows the brides she helps to create a one-ofa-kind keepsake that’s never been seen before, but which forms the foundation for a beautifully rounded-out table tableau.

Welcoming you into one of her workshops means that you are greeted with a cocktail before sitting down at a beautiful place setting befitting a five-course meal, complete with flowers and candles. Glass jars containing three colors of ink, a distinguished pen holder and a handlettered instructional packet remind you that with calligraphy, the gorgeous product is the end result of an enjoyable experience, and that love is an art in and of itself.

“I can create many different design options through hand lettering. I can tweak each word and every curve of a letter,” said McCarthy.

For more information, go to inkrevival.com saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

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Vintage ...what it is and where to find it Hunting flannel?

WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER PHOTOS BY ANTHONY AQUINO

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lannels are vintage hipster style staples. As grunge grew up, hipster culture emerged, creating a new context for this extremely versatile pattern.

“Living Upstate, flannels are an all-year kind of thing for me,” said Greer Hamilton, owner of The Black Circle.

The Black Circle opened last year in the same house as The Artist Studios and Francelise Dawkins’ textile art studio on Beekman Street. The progressive shop offers quality vintage and second-hand men’s and women’s clothing, art, records, and wood items.

Their July 3rd opening stitched together the Independence Day holiday with the celebrated Beekman Street Art Fair, attracting more than 1,000 people in just their first week.

“It’s been surprisingly great. The restaurants on the street are a big pull – we have arguably three of the best restaurants here and a fourth is coming in,” said Hamilton.

After graduating from Saratoga Springs High School, Hamilton’s travels led him back to his native Saratoga in 2015, but his appreciation for flannel shirts with pearl snap closures began 20 years ago.

Each piece ignites his imagination.

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“Who’s this guy?” he asks. A carpenter with five kids, perhaps, he muses.

“I mean, c’mon, that’s just a wicked sweet pattern.”

“If it strikes my eye, I’m not going to pass it up,” added Hamilton.

Wearing his six-month baby boy, Jones, and the well-trimmed beard of today’s hipster men, his jovial easy-going nature puts both the more timid shoppers, and

those with time for a more substantial conversation, at ease. He has created an intimate shopping experience satisfying our craving to find a unique item, in an atmosphere offering that something more we’ve been looking for.

“With records, you’re committing to it.

When I put a record on, I’m going to listen to at least this whole side. It’s just nice – there’s something to it. It’s almost like “Fahrenheit 451” – if you lose it, it dies, and it’s gone,” said Hamilton.

Playing the buttery sounds of records from his own collection, which are also for sale, each record is a smooth symbol of his philosophy - confronting the dystopian horrors of a throwaway culture.

The Black Circle, is located at 79 Beekman Street, Saratoga Springs. Find them on Instagram @theblackcircle518. SS

Harvesting Vintage

WRITTEN & PHOTOGRAHED BY MEGIN POTTER

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intage clothing and accessories have so much going for them; they are a kind-earth alternative, well-made, with unbeatable character.

“It’s unique, something you can’t find anywhere else. People come in lusting after amazing pieces. They definitely withstand the test of time,” said Lola Saratoga’s Megan Druckman.

In the last decade, even high-end designers have changed the way they manufacture items, often cutting out the extra fabric that previously allowed for alterations, and opting for cheaper materials.

Gucci, and Hermes handbags.

“What makes vintage fashion so great is that it always comes back in style every 10 years, and sometimes the older items are made with better quality fabrics so they last longer,” said Eliza DeRocker, owner of Saratoga Closet, at 38 Van Dam Street in Saratoga.

Quality is a main element that sets a “vintage” item apart from something that is simply “old.” Another is that true vintage represents an era or style in fashion.

Susan O’Donnell considers vintage clothing as fun and funky pieces of art. Her Etsy shop, NorthCountryClassics is the masterpiece of a vintage purveyor who has saved some great pieces for us to find. The newest old clothing store in Saratoga, The Black Circle on Beekman Street, is right on the beat of the Hipster trend.

Chanel, for instance, stopped using gold hardware on their bags in 1998, said Druckman. “I love everything vintage,” said Colleen Luckily, Lola Saratoga, at 372 Broadway, offers Zorbas, who is helping to organize the Spa in-house authentication by appointment. WalkCity Vintage Faire, held at summer’s end in ins are welcome to shop their 100 percent Saratoga Spa State Park. SS authenticated selection of Chanel, Louis Vuitton, saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

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MARIAN BARBA...

Knows a good thing when she sees it WRITTEN BY GERALDINE FREEDMAN

“I’ve been collecting costume jewelry for 25 years,” she said. “And my experience has taught me to recognize a designer’s style. I have a very good eye for quality.”

The costume jewelry Barba collects is not those strings of plastic beads or $2 earrings you can find at flea markets. And you won’t find diamonds, emeralds or rubies in the mix. Rather, the stones are non-precious such as amethyst, topaz or aquamarine.

“Costume jewelry is for wannabees–those ladies who can’t afford the gems,” Barba said.

Where she finds this jewelry–she prefers vintage–is all part of the charm: garage sales, thrift stores, flea markets, some estate sales, even yard sales–and all within a ten-mile radius of her home in Ballston Spa. “The most I spend for a piece is never more than $5,” Barba said, laughing.

Educated at the Parsons School of Design in New York City to become a fashion designer, she worked for a time in community theater and summer stock before becoming an art teacher in the middle school in the Ballston Spa School district. A chance perusal of art books in Soave Faire yielded one on plastic jewelry. And that, as they say, started it all.

“I thought who’d wear plastic jewelry. But then I realized I could get interested in it,” she said. “I’d always loved jewelry.”

Barba also discovered that there were designers, including high fashion designers like Christian Dior and Chanel that designed costume jewelry. In the 1990s, even movie star Elizabeth Taylor designed jewelry for Avon. Most signed them on the back of the piece. Barba educated herself through reading and constantly visiting sales and came to appreciate the individuality and unique qualities of the jewelry.

Many of the better pieces can sell for hundreds and even thousands of dollars.

“There was a phase of copper jewelry, or that made of bakelite,” she said. “You can’t put a price tag on design.”

A chance listing of herself as a dealer brought requests from editors who were compiling books on costume jewelry collections. Seventy-two of her pieces were so noteworthy that they are included in thirteen books, including “Costume Jewelry” (DK Publishing, 2000).

Along the way, Barba also discovered a knack for repair and re-design by putting together pieces from various objects to create something different.

Her latest (pictured here) include two pendants that became earrings, a metal necklace with a glued-on ornament that had been a pin; and a ring ornamented with a fake rock crystal.

Barba has always consigned and in the last ten years has donated thousands of dollars to local charities.

Now, she’d like to sell much of her collection. If interested, give her a call at 518.885.7397. SS 74 | SIMPLY SARATOGA | MARCH/APRIL 2018

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cturally

SPEAKING

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

Randall Perry Photography

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WRITTEN BY MAUREEN WERTHER PHOTOS BY RANDALL PERRY PHOTOGRAPHY

For Gary and Dianne Zack,

A Perfect Fusion of Art and Home

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it is truly all about the art. The couple are probably best known as owners of Pane in the Glass on Van Dam Street and the iconic Symmetry Gallery, which closed in 2014 after attracting lovers of blown glass, stained glass artwork and multi-media art forms through its doors for nearly 25 years.

The demands of creating their art and running a successful business were big factors in the Zack’s decision to move from their home on Van Dam Street – a 5,000 square foot converted church – to a more tranquil setting about 10 minutes outside of the city, in Greenfield Center.

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Randall Perry Photography

Randall Perry Photography

“We worked on the design of the home for about two years,” said Dianne. “We took the spaces that we used most in our former home and made a sort of puzzle out of them.” Then, fitting the pieces of that puzzle together, they came up with the design and floor plan of their new home.

But it is more than a home. The Zack’s have designed a space that showcases the couple’s fine art collection, amassed across a span of 35 years, while also creating a personal sanctuary, a place of respite, rejuvenation and reinvigoration of the spirit and the senses.

The 4,500 square foot contemporary home stands on five acres of wooded land, invisible from the nearby road and surrounded by birches, alders and firs. The stone exterior, topped off by a brick red metal roof at first seems imposing and impenetrable.

But the broad custom-built cherry doors stained in mahogany that adorn the entryway quickly dispel any trepidation.

The main entry hallway is the focal point of the home, with a view of the welcoming living area and fireplace. The Zack’s see their entry hall as the synchronistic center of the home. Standing there, you can look north, south, east and west all at the same time.

To the west are the main living quarters and on the east are the guest rooms. The living, dining and kitchen areas have a southern exposure, creating warmth of passive solar and inviting relaxed conversation around the couple’s expansive wood dining table.

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Randall Perry Photography

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The walls of the home are the repositories of two lifetimes of collected art – glass vases, sculpture, vibrant oils, calming pastels – all drawn together by the deep hues on the central weight-bearing overhead beams, the pale companion walls and the cool bamboo flooring. The curved transoms overhead have a softening effect on the space.

The total effect of colors, textures, shapes and objects both soothe and invigorate. There is an intangible satisfaction that comes from being surrounded by art, beauty and imagination. The clever niches and nooks located throughout the house and carefully illuminated by subtle lighting are continued sources of delight and study.

“We had a budget and I created a spreadsheet,” said Dianne.

The spreadsheet had three columns. The first column was for things they would incorporate if money were no object. The second and third items were for functionality and utilitarian design. In that way, they were able to spend their budget wisely. Of course, the master shower – which includes one exterior wall made of ceiling-to-floor glass that overlooks the outdoors, and radiant heating that runs from the pebbled floor below and travels up the stone walls of the shower – fell into the column of “if money were no object.”

The Zack’s were quick to point out that they really could not have achieved such a marvelous finished product without the help of their architect, Vic Cinquino.

The Zack’s left nothing to chance in the design and layout Zack said that, while Cinquino had built his reputation of their home, and they spent hours and hours choosing the mainly in the commercial arena, he was excited about right textures, colors, lighting and materials throughout their doing this project. home. While the overall effect is an understated and modest opulence that bespeaks high-priced custom design, in reality, “We brought our ideas to Vic and he was immediately they were very practical in their choices. interested.” Dianne agreed. “When we were going into our first meeting with Vic to see his plans, Zack said to me, Gary Zack, who prefers to be called “Zack,” attributes the ‘Keep a straight face.’ But, I couldn’t! Vic just nailed it!” smart budgeting during the design and construction to his wife, Dianne. While she is a successful artist in her own right, Dianne is also the titular business head of the family.

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Randall Perry Photography

But Dianne thought it looked “way over our budget.”

However, Cinquino used stock materials and mostly standard sizes, which helped the Zack’s in controlling the costs of building.

Cinquino also made some changes to the Zack’s original plans, which included expanding the screened in outdoor living space (the Zack’s weren’t fully aware of just how bad the bugs can

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be in the spring and early summer months) and the positioning of the home on the property to give them the benefit of passive solar heat.

The house is also situated close to Snook Creek. In the spring, when the 15-foot wide stream is flowing in full force, the the sound of the roaring water fills the house and completes the serenity of the place.

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SARATOGA SPRINGS PRESERVATION FOUNDATION

2018

PORCH PARTY

THURSDAY, MAY 10TH | 5:30-7:30PM LIGHT FARE | MUSIC | CASH BAR

HISTORIC HOMES TOUR

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While the first floor of the Zack’s home is their personal living space, the second floor is devoted to the creation of their art. Dianne is an accomplished designer and creator of glass bead jewelry and her expansive studio, which sits above the three-car garage and has an eastern glass wall exposure, is where she goes to create, meditate and satisfy her artistic nature. Zack also takes advantage of the space, with his easels located at one end of the space. Dianne’s work bench with blow torch and domestic and Venetian glass dominate the far end of the room.

Dianne said that Zack kept wanting to expand the garage, which was fine for her because it meant she would have an even larger studio to work in. She even created a niche for a mini photography studio, where she takes photos of her gorgeous glass bead jewelry designs that she uses to display her products on www.artfulhome.com.

Zack, who’s talents include painting, wood and metal work and, of course, glass blowing, designed and built several pieces of furniture in the house, including the wood and metal side table in the living area. He also designed and made the delicate glass fixture that hangs above the dining table. Dianne said that they experimented with string and paper cups to determine how low the pendants should hang from the ceiling to create an artistic effect while not impeding the view to the outdoors that the fulllength glass windows provide.

While some may think that living in a home that easily doubles as an art gallery might include tiptoe-ing around, think again. The Zack’s five grandchildren, who range in age from 3 to 14, feel completely at home and comfortable in their surroundings. “We’ve had them riding their bikes up and down the hallway,” laughed Dianne. SS

Randall Perry Photography

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Gardening WITH

PETER BOWDEN

Scheduling Spring THE DAYS ARE GETTING LONGER at both ends now, and it is easier to believe that the worst of winter is over and spring is right around the corner. Gardeners are happily buying seed packets for the plants they’ll grow once planting season actually arrives. To get a jump on our short growing season, we may want to give some seeds a head start so they'll be the perfect size for planting in May. It's pretty easy to get ahead of ourselves when it comes to seed starting, so it's a good idea to make a seed starting schedule.

To help schedule our indoor seed starting, use a calendar and the information on the seed packs and come up with a schedule. Mark ‘Planting Week’ starting on May 13th on your calendar. Then mark the week previous to 'Planting Week' “1 week” meaning ‘one week before planting.’ Mark the week previous “2 weeks” and so on. To make things easy, I just tape the seed packs to my seed starting calendar. When I get to the week the seeds need to get started, they are right there for me.

Most vegetables are grown from seed, directly sown into the soil in spring, but there are a few vegetables that need a head start indoors. They include tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and a few others.

Cucumbers, beans, squash, carrots, lettuce, radishes... indeed most of our favorite vegetables need no head start and do better when grown from seed sown directly into the garden.

Many vegetable seeds don't need to be started ahead of time

So how do we know which needs to be started indoors? This is where the seed packet comes in handy. On the back you'll find directions like “Start indoors 6-8 weeks before frost-free planting date.” These are the plants that need a head start. The average last frost date for our region is about May 5th. We often get frost after that date though. After spending weeks growing your transplants, you sure don't want to lose them to frost or have them struggle in the cold. For our area, the week after Mother’s Day in mid-May is our “frost free” planting time. Tomatoes and peppers stall when temperatures go below 50°F, so waiting to plant them in mid to late May results in an earlier harvest.

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Lots of people figure that the earlier you start your seeds indoors, the better; that if you give your tomatoes lots more time indoors, they indeed will be larger. However, growing for too long indoors, your tomatoes will get long and leggy reaching for the light they need during these still shortish days. Leggy transplants will have a harder time adjusting to the outdoors. What you really want is a compact, sturdy transplant that grew in the longer days of midMarch through April.

March is the time for starting tomato & pepper seeds.

April is the month to start many popular, annual flower seeds.

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A sunny location is needed for seedlings

Let’s take a look at what we need to start seeds indoors. Peat pots are popular, and there are also ‘mini-greenhouses’ that include a tray, gro-cells and a clear cover to maintain high humidity to promote germination. The main requirement is that water is able to escape out the bottom so you don’t drown your seedlings. You’ll also want seed starting soil. Soil from outdoors or bagged topsoil is not appropriate for seed starting because it may carry plant diseases and is usually too dense. Seed starting soils are made specifically for the purpose. A layer of finely milled sphagnum on the surface of the soil after sowing is added insurance against damping off, a fungal disorder that is the bane of young seedlings. It is very fine, sterile sphagnum produced just for seed starting.

I like to use the ‘mini-greenhouse.’ Fill the flat of gro-cells about three quarters full to leave room for the no-dampoff sphagnum on top of the seeds. Once the seeds are in the cell, cover the seeds with no dampoff sphagnum. After gently watering them, place them in a south facing window in a warm room.

Many beginners underestimate the light requirement of seedlings.

Seeds often will germinate with little or no light only to flop over due to lack of light. If you don’t have a spot in full sun to grow your seedlings, you can use grow lights. Using timers ensures that the plants receive the same light at the same interval each day. Most seeds need temperatures between 65° and 80°F all day and night to germinate. After the seeds sprout, the temperature requirement is generally about 10° lower than the germinating temperature.

Remember, seedlings can tolerate being a bit dry, but will fail quickly if drowned. Always check the soil before watering.

At planting time, seedlings grown indoors need a period in which to become accustomed to full sunlight, wind, and other conditions not found inside. Find a shady, sheltered spot and give the seedlings a few days there. If there are cold nights, move them indoors until morning. Finish hardening off by placing the seedlings into full sun for a few days before planting in their permanent location.

Seed starting isn’t for everyone, but it is fun and easy once you get the hang of it. It is a great experience for children too. I still get a thrill when I witness the miracle of a tiny seed sprouting to life.

THANKS FOR THE READ.

SS

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ENTERTAINING Made Easy!

HI, I’M JODIE FITZ! I’m so excited to be sharing some of our family favorites with the readers of Simply Saratoga magazine!

I have spent the last six years traveling in SIX (!) states cooking with kids & families…I can relate to the BUSY COOK J As my recipe collection continues to grow, I am starting to share some of the recipes that you will find at our house for meals… Enjoyed by both family… and friends!

I am always experimenting & creating tasty bites, finding the simplest way to do it and love sharing great flavor and time-saving finds along the way.

EMERGENCY SHRIMP DINNER Ingredients • • • •

2 pounds frozen, uncooked shrimp 1-pound angel hair pasta 9 oz. bag of spinach ¼ cup olive oil

Note: I use the light olive oil for this recipe

• 2 cloves garlic

• • • • • •

1 teaspoon onion powder ½ teaspoon paprika ½ teaspoon sea salt ¼ teaspoon garlic powder ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper ¼ teaspoon white pepper

Directions 1. Cook the pasta as directed on the package, drain the water it has

cooked in and shock it under cold water. Toss it with a drizzle of olive oil (just until lightly coated) and some sea salt.

2. Prep the shrimp by letting it thaw and remove the shell.

Note: You can thaw the shrimp by running them under cold water.

3. In a Dutch oven or large saucepan, heat ¼ cup of olive oil with two cloves of crushed garlic so that the flavors infuse, but don’t let the garlic brown.

4. Add the prepped shrimp with the spices to the heated oil (I often measure

the spices into a bowl and toss them all in at once). As the shrimp are cooking, continue to stir until the spices are evenly distributed. Once the shrimp starts to turn pink add the uncooked spinach. You may have to drizzle a bit of olive oil, just to coat the spinach. Continue to stir and cook.

5. Toss the juices, shrimp and spinach together with the cooked pasta and serve.

You can always catch what’s going on in our lives at www.jodiefitz.com and www.facebook.com/jodiefitzcooks, or check out my new cook books - available on my website!

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Bookmarker Extraordinaire:

Cheryl Hensler WRITTEN BY GERALDINE FREEDMAN PHOTOS PROVIDED

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nyone who has ever read a book knows that you need something to hold the place where you left off reading.

For patrons of the Ballston Spa Public Library, they don’t have far to look.

Right there at the check-out are the perfect bookmarks, all for free, most of them one-of-a-kind and all created by Cheryl Hensler.

“They make people happy,” Hensler said laughing. “I’m so tickled.”

Hensler has worked at the library as a part-time clerk for seven years, but the idea for her colorful and inventive creations came four years ago when she heard one of the librarians talking about bookmarks a retired librarian had made.

“I thought…I could do that!”

With her background in local theater, making sets and costumes, she was no stranger to creating something “out of nothing” especially when there was little budget. Her first bookmark efforts came from cutting up the white mesh at the bottom of a pizza box. Those got a “really positive response,” she said, so, encouraged, she decided to haunt the local craft stores for other materials.

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Hensler was immediately drawn to the wide range of decorative papers, some of it iridescent or glittery and many covered with little animal prints.

She also discovered small stick-on birds, flowers, stars, fox heads and even tiny envelopes.

She decided to make the bookmarks two inches by eight inches and to theme them. Her first efforts with layering paper and adding the little stick-ons proved problematic.

having to replenish. Except in rare cases where she’ll make three of a kind, each one is different.

“I’ll sit on the living room floor and watch a movie and do up a batch of fifteen or twenty,” she said. “I really love the layering–sometimes up to four different colored papers with the stickons, and the textures. I love the blue/ green, aqua/purple papers or anything glittery. Fall is my favorite season, too.”

Besides pleasing the reading patrons, “The glue made the paper bubble and children love the bookmarks. wrinkle,” she said. “I searched and “They pick out their favorite,” Hensler finally found a special glue for paper said. “Maybe it will inspire them that that’s good for scrapbooking. Now, the this is something they can do.” S S paper lies tight and smooth.”

She presses them all out in the pages of a large, heavy dictionary.

To date, her themes have included holidays, the seasons, Halloween, Valentine’s Day, Walt Disney’s birthday; featuring some of his favorite characters, and most recently the Oscar Awards and famous lines from winning movies.

Because her bookmarks have become so popular with about 30 of them going in a week, Hensler is always

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Post Time Memories

with Dennis G. Hogan Clockwise from upper left: Franklin and Bobby, Roosevelt family horses, the Coach House, Franklin and Bobby, assorted ribbons. Photos of Franklin and Bobby courtesy: the National Archives.

Deal Me In The town of Hyde Park, NY, is a short ride from Saratoga Springs: simply cross the Hudson and head south along Route 9. Small towns and farmlands dot the landscape and point the way to Dutchess County, where past becomes present and history comes alive.

On the left: the Dutchess County Fairgrounds; to the right: the Gilded Age mansions of the Mills and Vanderbilts. Suddenly, the name Roosevelt appears with regularity: attached to a drive-in theater, atop a motel and heralding a public school. Who was this bespectacled benefactor and why is he so celebrated?

Make a quick right onto FDR Drive and you’ll discover the legacy of one of the most revered presidents of the twentieth century. Under the auspices of both the National Archives, and the National Parks Service, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Presidential Library, Museum, and Home ensure the visitor a carefree day trip and a unique perspective on the people and politics of the last hundred years.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt was born in New York, in 1882 and spent his boyhood on the Hyde Park property until he headed off to Harvard, and Columbia Universities to study law. He practiced in New York City, though his true calling was public service and in 1911 he entered politics.

Roosevelt was a two-time New York State senator, and in 1913 he became the Assistant Secretary of the Navy.

In 1928 he was elected Governor of New York, and in 1932 he became the 32nd President of the United States, defeating Herbert Hoover in a landslide.

At that time America was in dire straights. In the midst of the Great Depression, Roosevelt’s Democratic victory interrupted the almost overwhelming Republican domination that had been the norm since the mid-1800s.

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With unemployment at a reported 25-percent clip, the nation was clamoring for change. And it came in the form of the ‘New Deal,’ a two-phase series of programs and legislation aimed at regulating industry and the banks, while lifting people out of poverty and putting them back to work.

The establishment of the Federal Deposit and Insurance Corporation, the Banking Act of 1933, the Securities and Exchange Commission, Social Security, and the Works Progress Administration, were but a few of the implementations that combined to level the playing field and put the brakes on a failed economy.

“The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.”

-Franklin Delano Roosevelt And Roosevelt’s plan worked. In time, unemployment declined and America entered a new age that saw the establishment of a middle class, gave rise to a more educated public and forged a realistic interpretation of that lofty phrase, the ‘American Dream.’

History aside, Hyde Park and the FDR site offer so much more. To begin, there’s a robust visitors’ center, and the very first presidential library; a precedent that has become an American tradition.

There is Springwood, Franklin’s boyhood home and the centerpiece of the entire estate. And Bellefield, now the offices of the National Parks Service; its adjoining gardens designed in 1911 by famed landscape designer Beatrix Farrand. On a more solemn note, there is the Rose Garden, Franklin and Eleanor’s gravesite, where one may pay their respects and contemplate what once was.

On my trip I paid particular attention to the Coach House, built in 1886 by Franklin’s father James Roosevelt. James was an avid horseman, as were

most in his day, before the automobile relegated horses to show animals, pets and racing statistics.

He was a keen enthusiast of trotting and his Coach House served as home to the family horses for some sixty years. Victorian in its design, visitors will be delighted by its unique details: Corinthian stall braces, decorative hinges, and an assemblage of photos and competition ribbons captured by the horses that once laid their heads upon its straw.

An audio recording by Eleanor Roosevelt welcomes the public and transports one back in time as she recalls many of the family’s beloved animals.

Though it was ‘Bobby,’ a horse presented to James Roosevelt, by Franklin and his mother Anna, that was most dear to both father and son alike.

“Bobby was beautifully trained. He did exactly what Franklin told him to do,” says Eleanor. And it was in September of 1905, that Bobby and Franklin captured two first place honors: one for trotting, and one in the saddle horse competition at the Dutchess County Fair, held just a few miles north.

Though it must have been a bittersweet moment, for father James died in 1900. Reportedly, family members cheered and sighed as they commented on how proud Franklin’s father would be to see his son win the day in such spectacular fashion.

Yet it is now just a footnote in the pages of Roosevelt family history, and a small precursor to the contributions FDR would make in later years, when he took the reins of a great nation and guided it masterfully back on course.

FDR, America’s only four-term president, served in office until his death in 1945. And the Hyde Park site offers a colorful look at his tenure, from boyhood to the New Deal, and through the war years. So plan your road trip soon - for history awaits at America’s national parks. SS saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

HISTORY

Our

PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE GEORGE BOLSTER COLLECTION

FOR MORE ON THIS PHOTO SEE PAGE 96.

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General Ulysses S. Grant dedicating Leland Opera House • 1865

SARATOGA SPRINGS:

A Destination for the Rich and Famous WRITTEN BY CHARLIE KUENZEL, PHOTOS PROVIDED BY THE GEORGE BOLSTER COLLECTION

I

bet more people than just Carly Simon have stated, “Well I hear Wow!!!! You never know who you will see or spill coffee on in Saratoga Springs. you went to Saratoga,” not only in song but in conversation. You History tells us that meeting famous people has been the rule and not never know who you will see in Saratoga Springs. A few years ago, the exception for the last two hundred years. It’s nice to know things my good friend Dave had just paid for a coffee-to-go at Uncommon don’t change. Since our city was the number one tourist destination in Grounds on Broadway and as he was leaving a man bumped into him the United States in the 1800s you would expect the list of the rich and in the doorway. They both stopped in the doorway and said “Sorry” famous that visited in the summer to be long and distinguished, and it to each other after the collision. While both men were standing there, was. Our wonderful little city was the “watering hole” for anyone who a passerby on Broadway waved and loudly shouted, “Hi Dave.” My was rich, powerful or famous. A British social writer, after visiting us friend smiled and returned the greeting by saying “Hi,” but so did the in the summer, told readers, “If you are anybody in society then you other gentleman. My friend further explained that his name was Dave should be visiting Saratoga during the season. If you haven’t been there, and that he had taught for many years at the local high school and then you should get there, or you really are not as special as you think.” seeing former students and friends was a common daily occurrence on They came to Saratoga Springs, stayed in the hotels, drank the water and Broadway in Saratoga Springs. The other gentleman looked at him and paraded around with the other pillars of society. said, “Well, my name is also Dave… Dave Matthews” (the musician playing at SPAC that night!!).

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When making a list of famous people that have visited the city we can easily start with an impressive list of U.S. Presidents. Starting with Washington in 1783 we can add John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson, Chester Arthur, Martin Van Buren, Grover Cleveland, Franklin Pierce, Rutherford B. Hayes, James Buchanan, Millard Fillmore, U.S. Grant, James Garfield, Benjamin Harrison, and Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

Another noted leader, the Marquette De Lafayette; was so committed to America’s efforts in the American Revolution, that he was honored at a ball in Saratoga Springs on his tour of America in 1824. About the same time, the famous Joseph Bonaparte, brother of Napoleon and former King of Spain, visited the city and even made an unsuccessful offer to buy land here.

Famous orators like Henry Clay and Daniel Webster all visited our great city. Clay arrived at the United States Hotel and delivered a speech against the presidential candidacy of Martin Van Buren. On August 12, 1840 Daniel Webster gave a speech in Saratoga to a crowd of 10,000 and had the stage collapse during his opening remarks. Unhurt, he popped up from the wreckage and continued his speech for three more hours.

Morning Concert Grand Union Hotel Grand Union Orchestra of 60 Pieces

Noted authors like Oscar Wilde, Samuel Clement (Mark Twain), James Fenimore Cooper, and Washington Irving also visited the city. Samuel Clement assisted President Grant to publish his memoirs while staying at Mt. McGregor before his death in 1885. Author Washington Irving and former U.S. Secretary of State and former NY Governor William Henry Seward attended the wedding of Sarah Hardin to Reuben Hyde Walworth in Saratoga Springs in 1851. Washington Irving wrote “Rip Van Winkle,” and “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” As Secretary of State, Seward helped to make the deal for the purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1869.

Musical figures like Chauncey Olcott, and Italian tenor Enrico Caruso all performed in Saratoga Springs. Chauncey had a summer home on Clinton Street called Inniscarra. Olcott was famous for composing the song “My Wild Irish Rose,” and writing the lyrics to “Irish Eyes are Smiling.” Enrico Caruso performed in Saratoga Springs as an operatic tenor. The Grand Union Hotel had added the Leland Opera House in the rear of the hotel in 1865 and it was dedicated by General U.S. Grant on July 4th of that year. The Opera House supported many very wonderful performances in the city. One of the most famous actresses and singers of the late 1800s and early 1900s was Lillian Russell. Lillian was seen in Saratoga many summers with her longtime friend Diamond Jim Brady. Both Lillian and Jim were the toast of Saratoga as well as the subject of many rumors of their possible romantic relationship.

In 1863 the Saratoga Race Course was founded by John Morrissey with the support of William Travers, Leonard Jerome and John Hunter.

Jerome had a daughter named Jennie who later in life married Lord Randolph Churchill of England. Jennie and Randolph had a son they named Winston. In recent times the racetrack has supplied the city with many celebrity sightings from rock stars to top athletes and world class jockeys, trainers and owners.

Saratoga Springs also raised a few residents who became noteworthy in their field of work. City resident, Senator Edgar Truman Brackett’s The grand hotels competed to produce great social functions to attract son, Charles, grew up to be famous in the motion picture industry. guests for the season. The best food, drink, music and entertainment As a director, he won three Academy Awards, for the movies Sunset were found in these grand hotels. The Grand Union Hotel in 1902 Boulevard and Lost Weekend as well as an Academy Award for lifetime had a music director by the name of Victor Herbert. He conducted service to the industry. Another Academy Award winner from the city his famous orchestra and many times new music was composed in the was Monty Wooley, son of W. Edgar Wooley who was a proprietor of off-season to be introduced at summer balls at respected hotels. At the Grand Union Hotel in the late 1890s and early 1900s. As a young the end of each night’s orchestra concert at the Grand Union, Victor boy Monty was permitted to conduct the Victor Herbert Orchestra Herbert always strolled the courtyard with security officer Tom Winn, on the last few days of the summer season and after graduating college to relax after the rigors of the performance. On one night while walking went on to a career in acting. Staring in the cinema hit “The Man Who in the courtyard they heard voices coming from behind a clump of Came to Dinner,” Wooley also won an Academy Award for Best Actor shrubs and the whispered words “Kiss me,” in “The Pied Piper.” followed a few seconds later with the same voice In the 1800s Saratoga Springs was a small city and–depending on the saying, “Kiss me again.” It is said that this was year–had a population of only 6,000 to 11,000 people, yet we attracted the inspiration for Herbert to write the two act large numbers of the rich and famous for the summer season. Even today operetta Mlle Modiste with the hit song “Kiss you never know who you will see, maybe even Dave Matthews. The list Me Again.” In 1905 when the musical was a hit of famous visitors is much longer than the space allowed for this article on Broadway, Tom Winn received two tickets to and serves as a point of pride for our wonderful city. It’s safe to say that the performance with a note from Herbert that when they went to Saratoga… sometimes their horse naturally won. S S said, “Since you were at the birth, I thought you might want to see what it has grown into.”

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Rarely Seen Photos of OLD SARATOGA Springs WRITTEN BY CHARLIE KUENZEL, PERMISSION FROM SARATOGA SPRINGS HISTORY MUSEUM SPECIAL THANKS TO CURATOR JOHN CONNERS, IMAGES FROM THE GEORGE S. BOLSTER COLLECTION

CONGRESS SPRING & GRAND CENTRAL HOTEL

EMPIRE SPRING 1880

This image is of one of the most popular springs in the city’s history. It was located at the site of, what we know today as The Mill on High Rock Avenue, north of the Farmers’ Market. It was frequently consumed by visitors in the afternoon and evening.

This image was taken between 1872 and 1874 and shows the Grand Central Hotel in the background. The Grand Central Hotel opened in 1872 and burned on October 1, 1874. The cover over the Congress Spring is similar in style to the one of today that covers the Congress Spring in Congress Park.

Larger version on page 93.

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GRAND UNION HOTEL

This is an image of an advertisement for the world famous Grand Union Hotel that was located on the west side of Broadway between Congress and Washington Streets.

The original core of the hotel was Putnam’s Tavern and Boarding House, built in 1802 by Gideon Putnam. By the 1870s it had grown to be the largest hotel in the world with beautiful accommodations.

STAR SPRING • 1865 – 1870

The Star Spring is gone today, but was located between the High Rock Spring and the Empire on High Rock Avenue. A very popular spring, it was also bottled yearly and shipped to many far-off locations.

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Uncle Sam’s Diner opened on South Broadway in 1964. Owner Sam Design (known as Uncle Sam on the Westside) and his son Patrick Design, continued the family tradition of running a restaurant.

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Dining Out 20 in

th

Century

Saratoga

Take a tour with us through Saratoga's old eating establishments as Carol Godette features a different one in each issue of Simply Saratoga Magazine - Enjoy!

D

ining out or plating in? This option wasn't available for Saratogians of the '60s and '70s. Recently a friend boasted that although his wife didn't cook, she "plates a beautiful dinner" - referring to her ability to transform local take-out specials into artistic creations.

The popularity of “Take out Tuesday” offerings has helped sustain year-round business and is a relatively new aspect of our local culinary scene. Although this particular phenomenon isn’t unique, Saratoga Springs’ momand-pop restaurants have had a rich history - from the purported invention of both the potato chip and the club sandwich - to the famous and infamous clientele that have savored their cuisine.

Perhaps due to zoning laws that limit fast food chains with large footprints or the discerning tastes of the racing crowd and resident summer artists, local mom-and-pop restaurants have been the rule rather than exception within our city limits.

Author’s note: “Restaurants” in this series are defined as full service, sit down meals with wait staff service.

saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

Today, sidewalk cafes are essential elements of our local restaurant scene. This was not the case for the eateries listed in the Saratoga Springs 1963 Chamber of Commerce's Centennial brochure.

City Hall first approved an outdoor patio for Broadway's Triple Crown

Restaurant in 1977. Permit laws loosened in the 1980s, paving the way for other restaurants to construct the patios we now associate with our local favorites.

In the "pre-café" days of the 1960s, dining at a full-service restaurant was a rare treat for the average family. I remember what a special occasion it was every year when our family celebrated my parent's anniversary at The Trade Winds.

Each of us dressed in our Sunday best. If a fellow patron neglected to wear a sport coat the Trade Winds staff was instructed to ask, "May I lend you a dinner jacket?"

For many locals of 2018, dining out is no longer a yearly or even monthly event etched in our minds.

This series will focus on some of the mainstays of our local momand-pop full service restaurants.

Each issue this year will explore a beloved establishment of yesteryearthe Ash Grove Inn, Lillian's, Lou's Luncheonette, Ma Demartino's, Mother Goldsmiths–and will finish with two remaining veterans– Pennell's and The Olde Bryan Inn. Settle in and be prepared to once again enter into the world of the sparkling French-paned windows of the Ashgrove Inn, the PEB lined caricatured walls of Mother Goldsmiths, and the stone covered, cave-like walls of the Trade Winds' vestibule. SS

MARCH/APRIL 2018 | SIMPLY SARATOGA | 99

Freshly made dinner rolls were served every night. The De Martinos learned how to make bread from the Cottones at their nearby bakery.

Ma DeMartino's 79 ASH STREET, SARATOGA SPRINGS • #2 IN THE SERIES...

WRITTEN BY CAROL GODETTE, PHOTOS PROVIDED

IF HEAVEN HAS A SMELL...

I am sure it is the scent of Cottone’s fresh baked Italian bread.

Beginning in the 1880s many Italian immigrants settled in the area nicknamed “Dublin” on the west side of the railroad tracks. They longed for their homeland, and their similar customs built a daily reliance on one another. By the 1940s five restaurants evolved in an area that was unofficially renamed “Little Italy.” Visitors walking down Beekman Street were transported into another world of Bocce courts, grape arbor courtyards, the smell of homemade tomato sauce simmering on stoves, and the sight of fresh made pastas hanging on strings to dry out.

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Ma De Martino’s, like many of the restaurants grew their own produce. This garden was in the rear of the property.

©Saratoga History Museum, George Bolster Collection

For me, the apex of this area was Cottone’s Bakery (1956-1974) at the corner of Elm and Ash Street. As a resident of the Eastside, my family rarely went to the Westsideexcept on Sundays when we would patiently wait outside Cottone’s at 5 p.m. for a loaf of their crusty bread to emerge from the oven.

Saratoga Springs in the 1950s and 60s offered limited options in ethnic cuisine– no Thai options yet existed–but the choices for authentic Italian food were abundant.

Ma DeMartino’s, one of the many restaurants in the area at the time, is a lost story… nothing exists in the files of the Saratoga Room, and little is written about it in accounts of Dublin. It exemplifies a colorful but lost period in the history of our city, while underscoring survival in the face of family loss.

Today’s research shows that similar restaurants clustered together to help, rather than hurt, businesses. However, Little Italy had no grand Master plan.

Residents merely relied on what they did best–in this case, cooking–to make a living. The Racing crowd flocked to the area every summer, sometimes spilling into the streets as they lined up for a table to experience “real Italian cuisine.”

Patrons didn’t have to travel to the Puglia region to sample real orecchitte and cavateilli, they could dine at Colomaria’s, DeRossi’s or Ma DeMartino’s. At least one family member of each of these restaurants hailed from Bari, the capital of Puglia, a province also known for fresh fish and seafood dishes.

The DeGregory’s from Salerno and the Fusco’s from Naples had their own signature dishes and all the eateries served their signature pizza with fresh tomato sauce.

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MARCH/APRIL 2018 | SIMPLY SARATOGA | 101

In spite of their tragic loss, the family continued to make improvements in the restaurant. Nearby Cottone’s Bakery gave them lessons in bread making; Sam expanded the original house adding room for wedding receptions and banquets. He even attended classes on pizza making in NYC. The family created the perfect combination of food, fun and atmosphere that attracted many couples to hold their wedding receptions there and many organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce to hold banquets there.

79 Ash Street today, as a residence.

Looking at the front of 79 Ash Street today, it is hard to imagine the property as anything other than a comfortable home. But upon closer examination you can see the grocery store to the left where Anna Amoia DeMartino first sold her homemade sausage in the 1930s and, like a few others in this gambling town, Michael “ran numbers” on the side. Great grandson Paul Batchelder reports, “They would bet on anything.”

In the late 1930s Michael and Anna remodeled the home into a restaurant, adding “Ma” to the name in honor of Anna. Both of their children helped in the successful family operation. In order to have the freshest fish (meat was not served on Fridays) they filled their bathtub with water and had the “daily catch” swimming in it.

Little did they imagine then, that Ma DeMartino’s would be one of the first of many lost treasures in the neighborhood. Perhaps some of the tragic family losses foreshadowed their fate. Over the course of their marriage Anna birthed 9 children and all but two–Paul and Columbia–died in childbirth.

In 1946, five years after the restaurant was remodeled, the second floor oil stove exploded, setting fire to the upstairs apartment where son Paul and his bride Ceceilia lived. The young couple jumped from a second story bedroom window to escape the flames, but the stress of the fire caused a fatal heart attack for 61-year-old Michael.

He was given last rites on the scene.

Twenty six year old Paul had recently returned from WWII after being wounded twice in the Normandy invasion. He, his new wife Ceceilia, his sister Columbia and her husband Sam Design became the new restaurant proprietors.

Numerous wedding receptions were held at the restaurant. This 1962 photo shows Anna Theresa Design (granddaughter of the founders) at her second marriage to Don Mahoney. Her children Sandy, Paul and Gerianne Batchelder await the cutting of the cake. Photo provided by Paul Batchelder

The sound of the juke box playing Dean Martin tunes and warm welcoming full body hugs of grandma Columbia Design as she exclaimed, “Mangia, mangia!” are memories engrained in grandson Paul Batchelder’s brain. Former city resident John Spinelli worked there in August washing dishes, sweeping and mopping. He has many fond memories of his “second home.”

The restaurant continued until 1967 when Paul, chief proprietor, died at age 46. His sister Columbia and brother-in-law Sam had opened their own restaurant–Uncle Sam’s on South Broadway–and with the loss of Paul, Ma DeMartino’s was lost to the community of Little Italy and Saratoga Springs.

Now when I visit my daughter on the Westside, I hear the crunch of the hard-crusted loaf and taste the melt-in-your-mouth doughy centered Italian bread of Cottone’s 15-cent bread. How lovely it would be for all the lost businesses of Little Italy to return for just one day. SS

The original interior of Ma DeMartino’s when it first opened in June of 1937. ©Saratoga History Museum, George Bolster Collection

102 | SIMPLY SARATOGA | MARCH/APRIL 2018

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Saratoga's

Little Italy

Fusco’s Restaurant at 69 Beckman Street was one of three Italian eateries in close proximity to each other. This 1934 photo shows the beauty of the popular pizza destination. Today we know it as the Fredrick Allen Lodge.

The DeRossi family had ten children, all of whom helped in some capacity at their family restaurant. Today we know this restaurant as The Barrelhouse, but for 71 years, the DeRossi family served fine Italian food from this location.

Directly across the street from Fusco’s was DeGregory’s Restaurant at 70 Beckman Street. Today this building is home to Merle Norman.

Gathering after Convention Hall basketball game circa 1960 at Degregory’s.

Beginning from the far right: Nick “Blackie “ DiVesto, Charlie Adiinolfi, Paul Casino, Ralph Greenwood, Fred Hodgson and his brother.

©Saratoga History Museum, George Bolster Collection

©Saratoga History Museum, George Bolster Collection

saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

©Saratoga History Museum, George Bolster Collection

Photo provided. By John Greenwood

MARCH/APRIL 2018 | SIMPLY SARATOGA | 103

And so it Begins...

Map

Restoration

Donia Conn busy doing what she does best!

WRITTEN BY JOHN R. GREENWOOD PHOTOS PROVIDED

I

t was late January 2018 when I first met book and paper conservator Donia Conn at the Wilton Town Complex on Traver Road. She’d been invited there by Wilton Town Supervisor Art Johnson and Saratoga County Historian Lauren Roberts. Donia is also a Preservation Consultant and the three of us needed her professional opinion. Do not be fooled by Donia’s small carbon footprint, it took less than 60 seconds for me to realize her passion for preserving history was larger than life.

I don’t want to give too much of this story away. We are saving that for the upcoming Town of Wilton Bicentennial Magazine. What I can tell you is, Donia was there to evaluate the condition of a deteriorating 1856 map of Saratoga County. I was part of that meeting because of my personal connection to the map. The poster size map was in fragile condition and we needed Donia’s expertise to tell us if it could be saved. The reason that was so important to a town supervisor, a county historian and this author will be revealed on April 6th.

The four of us gently rolled the brittle map out onto a large conference table. Within minutes of Donia’s examination of the patient she expressed with reassuring confidence that she could indeed save it.

She explained the importance of getting it stabilized using modern day products and techniques. We were all thrilled at her diagnosis. It was clear that we had contacted the right person for the job.

I was so fascinated by Donia’s confidence in being able to rescue something in such disrepair that I felt I needed to know more about her background. You could sense her love of history and wanting to do her part in preserving it. She told me while studying mathematics in college she needed some extra cash so she took a job at a museum.

The work involved preserving and restoring paper artifacts. It was then she decided preservation was her passion. As she put it, “All the restoration focus is on the iconic Rembrandts of the world. I get more pleasure preserving a grandmother’s old cookbook. I like

104 | SIMPLY SARATOGA | MARCH/APRIL 2018

saving the overlooked pieces of everyday life.” In addition to being an independent business owner she is an adjunct professor teaching courses in Preservation Management and Collections Maintenance.

She has done work for dozens of museums and historical societies.

Her resume is long and impressive.

As it states on her website doniaconn.com: “My mission is to ensure access to our history for future generations through preservation education for institutions and individuals and the conservation of our documentary heritage.”

Included on this page is a glimpse of the map and our History Hero’s homework for the upcoming weeks. If Donia’s story has peaked your interest, then I’m sure you will enjoy knowing the rest of the story about an 1856 Saratoga County Map and how it found its way to the Wilton Town Complex to begin a new life.

Stay tuned for the “Town of Wilton Bicentennial” commemorative magazine, produced by Saratoga TODAY and due out on April 6th! SS

From this, to this!

Stay tuned for the full story.

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It's time to...

Start Here: Helping others navigate how to buy art is one of the topics that will be covered in educational seminars both leading up to, and at the event.

By partnering with key brands, organizations and media, utilizing the wonderfully talented team at the Saratoga City Center, as well as with a supportive welcome from the Saratoga community, REVEAL has evolved into an occasion of unique proportions.

The VIP Preview and Celebration will take place Thursday, August 2, 2018. The REVEAL International Contemporary Art Fair will be Friday, August 3rd through Monday, August 6th. For more information, and for galleries interested in applying, go online to revealartfair.com

WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER PHOTOS PROVIDED

AT

its best, art leaves you transfixed - immersed in a feeling.

“Something about it feeds our very soul, it almost becomes a part of us,” said Jacquie Dunbar Grande, founder of the REVEAL International Contemporary Art Fair.

Putting together the best in modern and contemporary art for an event spanning five days at the height of Saratoga Springs’ summer social and cultural season, Grande is inviting us to enjoy the opportunity to view and buy from 50 galleries around the world.

“I want REVEAL to give access to everyone,” she said.

saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

By offering a large selection of art at a range of price points, she hopes to attract collectors of all kinds, companies who are looking for another cool way to entertain clients, as well as families with kids.

An art lover herself, Grande said her private collection contains large canvases, ceramics, and bronze sculptures, It’s not the medium, but how a piece impacts her that determines what she buys, she said.

“It’s the strong connection that it creates when I see it. I want to be with this piece on a daily basis and celebrate with it every day,” said Grande.

Jacquie Dunbar Grande, founder of the REVEAL International Contemporary Art Fair.

MARCH/APRIL 2018 | SIMPLY SARATOGA | 105

Tapping Thurman Sugarbush

MAPLE WEEKEND MARCH 17-18 & 24-25 10 A.M.-4 P.M.

Mike Hill Serving Pancakes at Valley Road Maple Farm

Pouring Hot Syrup

MAKIN' MAPLE:

Thurman Maple Days

A

WRITTEN BY PERSIS GRANGER PHOTOS PROVIDED

dirondack winters are cold, sometimes excruciatingly cold. And it snows. A lot.

What a wonderful time to toss another stick of seasoned firewood into the airtight stove and hunker down with a second cup of coffee and the newspaper. ...Or not.

For the Adirondack maple producer, setting forth on a bitterly cold, snowy morning is just business as usual. Never mind that he did the same in spring’s black flies, summer’s baking heat, and autumn’s nippy mornings. When you’re a sugarmaker, that’s what you do. There are never enough days to finish brushing out the sugarbush to clear the way for more plastic tubing, run the tubing, repair the section torn open by a thirsty bear, check the vacuum buildings, and, finally, to tap. Taps are set, usually, in January, to be ready in case there’s a January thaw, a chance to get a jump on the season. The season begins when warm moist air carries the scent of spring, and ice along the sugarhouse eaves begins a steady drip. Warm days followed by nights below freezing are when sap in sugar maples (Acer saccharum) begins to flow. The maple producer gets no red-circled dependable date on his calendar. The payoff for all his planning and hours of grueling work hangs on the whim of Mother

106 | SIMPLY SARATOGA | MARCH/APRIL 2018

Nature, and then the season lasts only until prolonged warm weather teases buds from the twigs. At that point the sap develops an unpleasant “buddy” flavor. Per the USDA, over the past three years, New York’s sap flow has begun in early to mid-January and ended in early to mid-May. Between the beginning and end there are many cold snaps when temperatures remain too low for sap to flow. It’s a game of watching and waiting, but the days of waiting are filled with preparations in the sugarhouse.

The size of the sugarhouse and sophistication of its equipment varies from one operation to another. It takes about 40 gallons of sap to produce one gallon of syrup.

This reduction traditionally has been done by boiling the sap to evaporate excess moisture, leaving the sweet, sticky syrup behind. While a hobby maple operation might utilize a large kettle over an open fire to boil down enough sap to fill a few Mason jars, commercial producers stay competitive by employing energy–and labor-saving–technology. Large, shallow evaporating pans offer more exposure to heat on their underside and more surface area to release steam on top. A “Steamaway” uses that steam to pre-heat incoming sap. Additionally, many operations remove up to 90% of the water from the sap by use of a special filtering process called “reverse osmosis,” and the filtered sap, with its greater saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

sugar content, takes much less time and fuel to evaporate.

After the sap has reached the USDA-required density of 67 brix (percentage of sugar), more filtering, bottling and candy-making lie ahead.

New York, in 2017, was the second highest maple producing state, at 760,000 gallons of syrup, trailing behind Vermont’s 1,980,000 gallons, and edging out its nearest competitor, Maine, by 51,000 gallons. Each year’s USDA statistics show more taps and more gallons produced. Prices vary considerably from state to state and fluctuate year to year. One would have to be crazy to invest in a business that requires such an investment of time, energy and money and is plagued by so many uncontrollable variables.

Maple producers this writer has interviewed in Thurman, NY, readily admit to the irrationality of their chosen avocations, using terms like “addiction”, “passion” or “sickness.” They laugh and share the fun each year at Thurman Maple Days for three weekends in March, when five producers open their sugarhouses for free tours, talks and tastes.

Mike Hill was bitten by the passion early in his youth, boiling in an old oversized outhouse he and his uncle converted into a sugarhouse. Decades later, he and colleague Ralph Senecal bought an established sugarbush in Thurman. Now “Valley Road Maple Farm” is one of the four largest commercial maple operations in Warren County. During Maple Days, they serve a stellar pancake breakfast.

Similarly, Randy Galusha, was hooked as a child when he found some old taps in his dad’s barn and tried them out with his brother. Their four-tap experiment got the whole family involved, and grew to become Toad Hill Maple Farm, which Randy and his wife took over after college.

Toad Hill also ranks in the “big four.” Randy, now retired, recently replaced the original sugarhouse with a new timber frame structure, that houses state-of-the art equipment, purchased with the help of a USDA grant.

Feeding the fire.

The other two largest producers are both multigenerational operations. Three generations of Wallaces work a continually expanding sugarbush at Hidden Hollow Maple Farm and feature among their many products a hearty dark syrup. At Adirondack Gold Maple Farm, Marc and Cheryl Kenyon sugar where generations of the Kenyon family sugared before. Marc still boils sap in the old sugarhouse used by his grandfather. Like the others, Marc uses mostly tubing, but he still taps a few maples with buckets.

Windy Ridge Farm sugars on land farmed by the Wood family for over 200 years. During Maple Days the Woods will simmer sap in an old kettle over an outdoor fire and display other old equipment so visitors can get a taste of sugaring history.

Rounding out the tour, neighboring farms will open their doors to guests. See Nettle Meadow Farm and Cheese shop for special activities and tastes of their internationally awarded cheeses. Nearby Martin’s Certified Tree farm offers talks about sustainable forestry and hosts a number of artisans. Peru Llama Farm teaches the mysterious language of llamas and Blackberry Hill Maple Farm offers organic vegetables and poultry, and non-GMO heritage pork. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

Thurman Maple Days

is a free self-guided tour sponsored

by Thurman Station Association.

For map and details, see www.ThurmanMapleDays.com March 17-18 & 24-25 MARCH/APRIL 2018 | SIMPLY SARATOGA | 107

WOODWORKING SHOW MARCH 24-25 | 10 A.M.-5 P.M.

NORTHEASTERN WOODWORKERS ASSOCIATION'S

Annual

Fine Woodworking Show

WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER PHOTOS PROVIDED

108 | SIMPLY SARATOGA | MARCH/APRIL 2018

S

eductively charming to the eye and pleasing to the touch, the art of wood is that it offers so much. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

“It has character and honesty. The aesthetics of the natural wood is really appealing,” said woodworker John Olenik, who crafts in the style of the Arts & Crafts movement. This beautiful furniture blossomed from captivating construction techniques.

“It’s rounder, softer, with an oriental element, and therein lies the appeal. The joinery is like a jigsaw puzzle. It’s extremely sensuous,” said Olenik.

and miniature furniture will be on display, kids can put together boat, car, and plane kits at the Toy Factory, and teenagers can turn a wooden pen under the supervised safety of professionals.

The

NWA Woodworking Show

is March 24th and 25th, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Saratoga Springs City Center, 522 Broadway, Saratoga Springs.

For more information, go to www.nwawoodworkingshow.org

A mirror Olenik crafted from Honduras Mahogany won the first place accessories award at Northeastern Woodworkers Association's Annual Woodworking Show this year.

“We encourage everybody, regardless of skill level, to enter something into the show, not just the very best. That way people can see it and say, ‘I can make that’. The prime focus of our club is teaching and learning from others. People are constantly asking questions about how things are done – education is very important,” said Olenik.

All branches of woodworking are represented at the show including building furniture, woodturning, scroll saw cutting, carving and artistic displays. Tools, from small hand tools to major equipment, wood and more is available to buy from vendors, as well.

“It runs the gamut. Everything anyone ever wanted to buy, it’s there. It’s not like when you buy something online. The touch and feel of everything is very, very important,” said Olenik.

There’s plenty for the kids, as well.

A large collection of dollhouses

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MARCH/APRIL 2018 | SIMPLY SARATOGA | 109

artistic addition THE

YOU DIDN'T KNOW YOUR SCHEDULE NEEDED WRITTEN BY CASEY REEDER

A

lthough carrying the logo of “Health, History and Horses”, Saratoga Springs is abundant in talented artists, and their painted, sculpted and drawn works.

Local artists in and around the area seek to spread their appreciation for art of all kinds to people of any skill level. Whether it be a cure for boredom, pursuing a new hobby, relieving stress or just to pass the time, a class in arts and crafts is the perfect way to immerse yourself into Saratoga’s rich and vibrant culture in a hands-on, engaging and relaxing way.

SARATOGA ARTS on Broadway

in downtown Saratoga Springs offers a wide variety of classes to anyone interested in participating. Dedicated to offering quality fine arts and craft classes for 15 years and taught by regional artists to students of all artistic levels, Saratoga Arts is the ideal way to involve yourself in any new art form.

From weaving, to sculpted portraits, to pastel landscaping, it’s guaranteed you’ll find something in their workshop brochure that catches your attention. Different classes held on every day of the week makes it easy to find something that works with your busy schedule. The Chinese brush painting workshop with Linda Schultz, a retired art educator, is a new addition to this year’s program. Focusing on nature’s beauty, artists will learn how to capture its image through meditative and relaxing methods without great attention to precise detail. If a certain workshop doesn’t appeal to you or work with your schedule, open studio sessions for all media allows people the chance to expand their art without the formality of a class. More opportunities can be discovered through the Saratoga Arts winter 2018 classes and workshops brochure, at www.saratoga-arts.org.

A BEAD JUST SO

located in Ballston Spa offers classes to all ages in the art of beading. Students will be able to create their own earrings, bangles and necklaces with up to twelve friends in a stress-free and

110 | SIMPLY SARATOGA | MARCH/APRIL 2018

fun environment. There’s plenty of projects to choose from for an affordable event, and you can even bring your own clothing to make a piece of jewelry to perfectly match it. You can also bring food and drinks to make it an even more relaxing time. More information can be viewed on their website, www.abeadjustso.com.

ART IN MIND

from the Creative Wellness Studio, offers a wide variety of art classes for adults on almost every day of the week to conform to your busy schedule.

Studio art lessons are offered for artists of all levels who are prepared to take their art to the next level in a small group setting with specialized guidance and instruction.

Students will be learning skills in drawing and painting through individualized projects. Private art lessons are also available for anyone who seeks individual guidance in any type of media, no experience necessary.

Metal stamping jewelry classes are offered about once a month, where students learn this technique and create a unique and personalized necklace, bracelet or a pair of earrings. Paint and sip classes are also available to anyone looking to enjoy a glass of wine or a cup of coffee and de-stress through the creation of an individual masterpiece. More information can be viewed on their website and events calendar, on www.artinmindstudio.com.

C.R.E.A.T.E. COMMUNITY STUDIOS

will be holding upcoming workshops in downtown Saratoga Springs. Its non-profit organization is dedicated to providing a space where the benefits of art-making impact both the individual and the community as a whole through low-cost art workshops and groups, community wellness activities, and open studios. Their goal is to use expressive arts as an equalizer across cultural and economic barriers, and for participants to learn how to use art as an expressive medium to increase their general well-being. Their open studio occurs several

hours during the week for participants of all ages to work independently, or on the project-of-the-day. The Coping Creatively workshop is perfect for anyone who finds themselves stressed or overwhelmed from day to day. This is an effective way to get loose and have some fun in a safe, relaxed and non-judgmental space. More information can be viewed on their website and their calendar of upcoming events, on www.createcommunitystudios.org

SACRED JOURNEY CERAMICS BY JAMES BEST located in Ballston Spa offers upcoming classes for people of all ages and experience levels. Best believes each and every step of the ceramic process is part of a “Personal Inner Journey”. Classes for adults in clay hand-building and wheel throwing take place during the evenings to fit with any schedule, no experience necessary. Parent and child clay hand-building and wheel throwing classes promotes a stronger relationship between parents and their children through a relaxing process, and can be inquired for the best possible days.

Group or party hand-building classes can be held at any time to build a project to be finished in one night, with a second class to glaze. Best has been working in the design field for many years, and enjoys using ceramics as the main outlet for personal expression. More information can be acquired by emailing James Best at sacredjourney@nycap.rr.com.

The struggle of every day stress is all too real for people. Even with the rise in popularity of the always amusing Paint and Sip studio, it’s often hard to find a time and place that works with our daily schedules to take a break from the daily rush.

Thankfully, Saratoga provides us with many opportunities to involve ourselves in art’s beauty and allows us to cut loose and relax in a healthy, fun way. SS

saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

Health, Horses, History

…and a Hound WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER PHOTO PROVIDED

AS

our loveable companions, dogs are an important part of our lives, and therefore - our art.

Bailey to accompany Huppuch while he works at the Saratoga Race Course for the past five seasons.

With humor and insight, John Huppuch has superimposed images of his dog, “Bailey” into a variety of thought-provoking photographs.

“He whines in the off-season because he wants to go to the track. He totally loves the track and the attention he receives there,” says Huppuch.

“He’s a great dog, with the most mellow disposition. He loves everybody,” said Huppuch.

John, his calendar & Bailey

“

WE HOPE TO PUT THE FUN BACK INTO FUNDRAISING.”

saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

“Health, Horses and Making History”, a gala to be held on Tuesday, July 31, 2018 at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame will benefit our veterans, active military, track folks that need help and support, Saratoga Arts, the Saratoga County Animal Shelter and ASPCA, and other non-profit organizations.

With help from Kathy Handy, Computer Class Instructor at the Saratoga Springs Public Library, Huppuch digitally combined the pictures of Bailey with various images (predominately of Saratoga) to form something totally new.

Featured in the Saratoga Arts Members' Hall Gallery through February, the series was compiled into a calendar (available at Saratoga Arts) with portions of the sales benefiting the Arts Center and the Saratoga County Animal Shelter - Bailey's "alma-mater".

Bailey (a nine-year-old Beagle/ Bassett mix rescue dog) is a certified service dog. NYRA has allowed

We hope to put the fun back into fundraising, said Huppuch.

The evening’s activities will include a live and silent auction, raffles, live musical performances, a tasting from some of the area's best restaurants and caterers, and a rescue adoption event for the local animal shelter who once housed Bailey. For tickets, call (518) 226-9731, or go to www.secondchancesports.org SS

MARCH/APRIL 2018 | SIMPLY SARATOGA | 111

March - April Compiled by Casey Reeder

SATURDAY, MARCH 17 St. Patrick's Day Family Matinee: An Introduction to Irish Dance & Music

Caffe Lena, 47 Phila Street Saratoga Springs • 1:00 p.m.

The Grady Girls and special guests Mise Eire Irish Dancers Saratoga will present an afternoon program of Irish music and dance tailored especially for young people. Free and open to the public.

SATURDAY, MARCH 17 & SUNDAY, MARCH 18 13th Annual Adirondack Sports & Fitness Expo Saratoga Springs City Center, 522 Broadway Cost: Free admission / over 150 exhibitors!

MARCH 17-18 & 24-25 Maple Weekend

See page 106 for more information!

MARCH 22 Brighter Days: Shelters of Saratoga Gala

Longfellows, 500 Union Ave., Saratoga Springs • 6 – 9 p.m.

Join over 200 community members for an evening cocktail reception to support homeless services in the Greater Saratoga region. For more information or tickets, visit sheltersofsaratoga.org

SATURDAY, MARCH 24 20th Annual Make-A-Wish Gala | Black Tie

Hall of Springs, 108 Avenue of the Pines • 6 – 11 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28 Wellspring’s Annual Fundraiser - Changemakers

Prime at Saratoga National, 458 Union Avenue • 6:30–9 p.m.

Changemakers is a celebration of the people and programs that help create a community free of relationship and sexual abuse. Tickets $75/person wellspringcares.org/donate-wellspring/wellspringfundraising-events/changemakers

APRIL 7 & 8 Saratoga Comic Con Spring Show

Saratoga City Center, 522 Broadway • 10 a.m.

Saratoga Comic Con (AKA Chase Con), the largest comic con and pop culture event in the Capitol Region! Children 6 and under – Free! Regular and VIP Passes! ChaseCon.org

112 | SIMPLY SARATOGA | MARCH/APRIL 2018

saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

SATURDAY, APRIL 14 Free National Poetry Month Event

Saratoga Arts in Saratoga Springs • 1–3 p.m.

Come hear a diversified group of poets, song & story writers share their writing stories and their work! Contact Barbara Garro at Electric Envisions, Inc. 518.587.9999 BarbaraGarro.com

4th Annual Blue Needs You 8K Run

High Rock Park, Saratoga Springs • 8:30 a.m.

To benefit Code Blue, a program of Shelters of Saratoga codeblueneedsyou.org

FRIDAY, APRIL 20 7th Annual Night At The Brewseum

Canfield Casino, Congress Park • 6–9:30 p.m.

Craft beer, wine and food tasting event featuring local and regional brewers, and so much more!! Tickets can be purchased at the bar at Mama Mia's Pizza Cafe, 185 Ballston Avenue in Saratoga Springs. Night at the Brewseum benefits local sight, hearing, diabetes, youth and veterans programs supported by the Saratoga Springs Lions Club.

SATURDAY, APR 21 Saratoga Wine and Chocolate Festival

Saratoga City Center, 522 Broadway • 1 – 8 p.m.

Cost: $10-$40 wineandchocolatefestivals.com/events/saratoga

11th Annual Furry Fun Run for dogs & their people!

Warming Hut at Saratoga State Park • Avenue of the Pines Registration begins at 8 a.m., run at 9:15 a.m. to benefit Peppertree Rescue. Peppertree.org

SATURDAY, APRIL 28 American Cancer Society’s Gala of Hope

The Hall of Springs, 108 Avenue of the Pines • 6:30 p.m.

For more information on sponsorship and/or volunteer opportunities please contact Lizzie Hunter at elizabeth.Hunter@cancer.org

SUNDAY, APRIL 29 7th Annual Autism Expo

Saratoga City Center, 522 Broadway • 12 – 3 p.m.

Saratoga Bridges, in cooperation with the Skidmore College Psychology Department, hosts this event to connect individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families with providers in the Capital District area.

8th Annual Family Fun Day to benefit Jake’s Help from Heaven

Saratoga Strike Zone, 32 Ballston Avenue • 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Registration is $25 per person and includes 2 hours of bowling, ballocity, a ticket for bumper cars, 4 arcade tokens and pizza! jakeshelpfromheaven.org

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One Last Photo See the story on page 46

Our Simply Saratoga Home & Garden issue is due out May 11, 2018.

Deadlines on April 13, 2018.

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