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Simply Saratoga |3SaratogaPublishing.com
4 | Simply Saratoga SaratogaPublishing.com
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Reviews
Contents
Things to Do
November / December 2011
VIEW ON-LINE"flip through" the pages of this magazine at SaratogaPublishing.com
Cover Photo by ©stockstudiosphotography.com
34 Holiday RecipesReaders share their
favorites46 Frozen Memories
Step by Step Guide toMaking a Backyard
Ice Rink 54 Save the Date
Holiday Happenings
Holiday Season
Holiday FashionOur Best -Dressed
Local Boutiques
Pg. 58Pg. 24Stewart’s Holiday Match
Digging Deep for 25 Years
Pg. 20
Pg. 46 Pg. 60
60 Seven Horse PubHomemade Variety,
Hearty Portions80 Poet
Elaine HandleyExtraordinary Words
Every Day
10 Setting the Holiday SceneBuilding “The Nutcracker”
Locally For the World’s Stages36 G. Willikers A Toy Story Comes To Life68 Vermont’s Best-Kept Secret
A Home Built in the Spirit of a Great American “Starchitect”
Pg. 36 Pg. 68Features
8 Tis the Season to be Grateful52 Simple Truths
Enjoying the Presence of the Season66 Doctors’ Notes
Opening the Doors with Speech-Language Therapy82 Financial
10 Things Professional Women Should Know
Departments
Pg. 28Holiday Gift Guide
The Region’s Best of the Season
A FamilyChristmas
The Bonacios Invite YouInto Their Home
6 | Simply Saratoga SaratogaPublishing.com
Simply Saratoga is brought to you by Saratoga Publishing,LLC. Saratoga Publishing shall make every effort to avoiderrors and omissions but disclaims any responsibilityshould they occur. No part of this publication may bereproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior
written consent of the publisher.Copyright (c) 2011, Saratoga
Publishing, LLC
©StockStudiosPhotography.comPrintingFry CommunicationsPublished bySaratoga Publishing, LLCFive Case Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866tel: (518) 581-2480 • fax: (518) 581-2487SaratogaPublishing.com
Yael GoldmanArthur GonickMeghan LemeryMichael OkbyDaniel SchechtmanSaratoga Care/ Saratoga HospitalAdvertisingJim DaleyCindy DurfeyGraphic DesignerKaty HollandCopy Proofreader
Christina JamesContributing
PhotographersMarkBolles.com
Owner/PublisherChad BeattyGeneral ManagerRobin MitchellArt DirectorTiffany GarlandEditorArthur GonickWritersKim BeattyHelen Edelman
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The holidays are quickly approaching and another year has flown by. I remember the days seemed to creep by so slow-
ly when I was young, and now with a blink of an eye another year is gone.
As a proud grandparent I realize how lucky we are to see each day through the eyes of our children and grandchildren.
If you don’t remember my letter from last year, I have been blessed with one wonderful grandson who keeps a bounce in
my step and a twinkle in my eye. The magic of Christmas comes alive when I hear his ideas and see the amazement in
his little eyes.
At our house the holiday season starts Thanksgiving weekend. The magic comes to life when I insert
the holiday cassette tape in the player and let Bing Crosby belt out the world’s best rendition of White
Christmas. Yes, I did say cassette tape. No I don’t have a CD player or computer, but we get
through life just fine, although the tape isn’t sounding so good the last few years. Recently, we did
get a neighbor to hook up our DVD player to the TV and VCR, but now we have too many remotes.
That is a topic for another letter.
After the music is playing and the appetizers are served, I make everyone gather in the liv-
ing room, despite their grumbling and complaints, for a special family tradition. I know I said
they grumble and complain, but deep down inside I know they all love it and look forward to
it as much as I do every year. Right?
After all, part of the fun of family traditions is making family members do things they say
they don’t want to do…but that is what grandmothers are for!
I know you are all now anxiously wondering what our family tradition is, and think-
ing it must be something fantastic. Well, like most traditions it is simple and silly. Our fam-
ily tradition revolves around a special little tree that dates back to around 1972, when my
son was a little boy. On top of this tree we place a beautiful handmade star. When I use
the term beautiful, I don’t necessarily use it in a visual or artistic usage, but more in an emo-
tional usage. Truth be told, the star is actually falling apart, torn and tattered, but I will never admit that!
It may not seem like much but that little tradition means the world to me.
Now I would like to share a cute story with you about something that happened during our last visit to my son’s house.
My husband of 43 years is beginning to hear less and less; At least that is what he claims. Whether or not he is actual-
ly hearing less, or just doesn’t want to hear ME anymore is the question.
Anyway, my son and daughter-in-law asked us not to buy gifts for them and instead put the money toward a hearing
aid for my husband. My grandson happened to hear this conversation and quickly pulled me aside with a very serious
look on his face. He proceeded to say “Mum-Mum, I heard what Daddy said, but I am not part of that deal. OK?” He was
quite relieved to find out that I wasn’t buying Pop-Pop a hearing aid and that he would be getting his gifts. After all, Pop-
Pop hadn’t listened to me during the first 40 years of our marriage, so why worry about it now?
And before I know it he won’t be my little grandson anymore. Just like his daddy he will become a fine young man.
After this year will we still have another year of Santa Claus and flying reindeer? Who knows what next year will bring.
All I know is I am already making plans for our annual ‘star-studded’ tree topping and I can’t wait to add another photo
to the album and another memory in my mind.
“Tis the Season for Holiday Memories”
Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas.
Mum-Mum
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Pictured Left to Right: Karen Ryan, Michael Hagen, Kadriye Sarman and
Kevin Hagen stand behind a piece of scenery constructed for “The Nutcracker”
Simply Saratoga |11
Far off the beaten path – remote even by small-town
South Glens Falls’ standards, a slim dirt road meanders off
of Ferry Blvd. before opening up in front of a large and
unassuming building. Tucked between a thick crop of
trees and just far enough from the main road, the ware-
house-like structure is easy to miss. Yet despite its low
local profile, production companies the likes of the New
York City Opera, Chicago Opera Theater, Opera
Nationale Italiana, L’Opera de Montreal, Walt Disney
Theatrical Productions, Los Angeles Music Center Opera,
Houston Ballet, Radio City Music Hall and more have all
come calling at one point or another. Here, right in our
own backyard, sits a world-class scene painting studio,
supplying opera houses, ballets and theaters across the
globe with gorgeous backdrops and whimsical pieces of
scenery. Call it South Glens Falls’ best-kept secret.
“We moved down here in 1990,” said Michael Hagen, a
native from Berlin, Germany, who spent nearly three
decades in Canada’s Montreal before relocating to South
Glens Falls. Hagen sits behind a modest office desk in his
custom built paint shop, overlooking his small crew of
three full-time artists as they work to finish set pieces for
the Cincinnati Ballet’s version of “The Nutcracker.” The
space inside the studio is huge, 135 by 100 feet of open
floor space, uninterrupted by supporting columns or struc-
tural obstructions. High above the floor runs a narrow,
white catwalk, overlooking huge swaths of partially paint-
ed cotton, grand yet unfinished wooden doors and the
beginnings of a 25-foot-high cake.
“When you want to build a paint shop, you can put up
with almost anything,” said Hagen, “but the most essential
part – no columns. Absolutely no columns. That’s what
really makes it work well.”
With such a wide open space at his disposal, Hagen is
able to lay six standard theatrical backdrops side by side
at one time, each measuring 60 feet wide by 30 feet tall.
“This is probably one of the very few shops in this
country that was built for the purpose of painting scenery,”
said Hagen.
Hagen and his crew have worked for hundreds of pro-
duction companies over the last 40 years, building pieces
for “Swan Lake,” Maurice Sendak’s “The Magic Flute”
and “Where the Wild Things Are,” “Porgy and Bess,”
Setting theHoliday SceneStory by Daniel Schechtman
Photos by MarkBolles.com
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“The Lion King” and more. But one show the artist
returns to again and again is Tchaikovsky’s “The
Nutcracker.”
“We’ve stopped counting,” said Hagen. “We have
way over 30! We were involved in three Nutcracker pro-
ductions this year alone.”
Karen Ryan, who has worked with Hagen for nearly
30 years, carefully paints the ballet’s giant Christmas
tree, holding a rendering in one hand as her guide and a
paintbrush in the other. In total, Ryan, Hagen, his son,
Kevin, and artist Kadriye Sarman will work on nearly a
dozen productions in one year, a small team of highly
skilled artists with an impressive resume too long to
print.
“It’s not very common,” said Hagen, pointing to his
small but dedicated crew, each of which have worked
alongside Hagen for at least two decades. “We have
been working on this principal for a long time now. I’d
rather have a lot of space and a few people who really
know what they’re doing than a little space and a lot of
people who step on each other’s toes. That’s what we
have here. Some companies in this position want to be
huge and grow ever year. But I don’t want to be General
Motors. That’s not my speed.”
The Christmas tree, along with the rest of the scenery,
will be shipped to the Cincinnati Ballet before the end
Left: A bird’s-eye view of the giant
Christmas Tree for the Cincinnati
Ballet’s rendition of “The Nutcracker,”
as seen from the paint shop’s catwalk.
Below: Michael Hagen pours over the
computer renderings used to construct
the scenery.
14 | Simply Saratoga Saratoga Publishing.com
Left: Computer Renderings pro-
vided to Michael Hagen Inc.,
used as guides to construct the
scenery
Right: Hagen examines a part of
the 25 foot cake to be used in
“The Nutcracker” production.
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of the year in time for their holiday production. With
29 Nutcracker productions behind him, Hagen promis-
es that, as always, this production will be different
from all the rest. It’s what keeps him coming back,
what keeps the job fresh.
“Every production is unique,” said Hagen. “After
doing 30 productions of “The Nutcracker,” not one of
them was like the other. There’s always something new
and exciting. I mean, we probably wouldn’t be doing it
otherwise; it would get boring.”
Painting backdrops and working on scenery is a dis-
cipline unlike any other, combining fine arts such as
painting, sculpture and carpentry with practical con-
cerns, dictated by the size of the stage, requirements of
the production, and even the transportation of such
giant pieces of art.
“Size is an issue whenever we’re going to build
something – take that cake for example. It will be 25
feet high when each piece is stacked on top of the
other. You can’t even fit that into the shop, which is
only 21 feet high,” said Hagen. “The first thing you’re
going to do when you get a rendering is, okay, how are
we going to build this up so it fits in the truck?
Something totally inartistic is involved, but otherwise
you’d need the electric lights in the street taken down
16 | Simply Saratoga Saratoga Publishing.com
Top: Computer Renderings provided to Michael
Hagen Inc., used as guides to construct the scenery
Bottom: Warren M. Cicotte constructs one of two
grand doors for the ballet.
Simply Saratoga |17Saratoga Publishing.com
if you’re going to transport this thing!”
Scene painting is both a highly technical and highly artistic
endeavor, a clever bit of artistry where every disparate disci-
pline must come together to make something whole, some-
thing magical.
“It’s such an uproar of energies and artistic concepts having
to be molded all into one thing,” said Hagen. “And once it
finally goes on stage, ah-ha!”
It’s at that moment, when the scenery finally reaches the
stage, where the pieces Hagen and his crew have worked on
for weeks begin to take shape, to find a purpose and meaning.
“It’s a hard thing to achieve, you know? But that’s what
makes it so attractive to me, when you can pull off that illu-
sion. When people look at an architectural backdrop we’ve
worked on, a two-dimensional painting and they see a three-
dimensional city, that’s when you know it’s working.”
As a young boy growing up in Berlin, Hagen spent many
afternoons and evenings at the local opera houses, theaters and
concert halls, soaking in the music, the dancing, the stories and
the culture. As a child, the shows enthralled Hagen, and cap-
tured his imagination in ways difficult to explain. Now, many
years later, Hagen finds he can still be swept up by good the-
ater, theater that transports him to another place and time.
“I still love it,” said Hagen. “If it’s your production, one you
happen to be involved with, you’re looking for everything.
When it’s really stunning – and this does happen, is when I
actually don’t recognize the set. That sounds crazy,” he said.
“We’re working on this stuff. We know exactly what it looks
like. But when the whole image transforms itself in a way that
you don’t pay attention to those other things, then it’s just right.
You actually forget about the stuff that you put onto the stage
and you just let the whole thing, the music, the dancing, every-
thing work on you. It comes together.”
To learn more about Michael Hagen Inc. or to view samples
of his company’s work, visit www.scenepainting.com. §
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Digging Deepfor 25 Years
Story by Daniel SchechtmanPhotos by MarkBolles.com and Provided
2010 was a rough year – harder than most, and not just in the Capital Region. Across
the country, unemployment rates hovered around 9.8 percent heading into the Christmas
season, and that winter would go down in the record books as one of the coldest and
snowiest in New York’s history.
“It was a year where we didn’t know what to expect,” said Tom Mailey, the market-
ing director for Stewart’s Shops. “I mean, just look at last year’s economy.”
For 23 years, Stewart’s Shops had relied on the generosity of its customers during the
months of November and December, collecting donations at all of their locations for the
Stewart’s Holiday Match Program. Time after time the company had managed to collect
just a bit more than the previous season, matching their customers’ contributions with
their own dollars to help fund a large group of local nonprofit organizations benefiting
children 18 and under. Every year more 501c3 nonprofit organizations would submit
applications for funding, and each year Stewart’s customers had answered the call. With
approximately 1,400 different organizations looking for funding in 2010, the company
held its breath, hoping the 24th year of the Stewart’s Holiday Match Program would
once again live up to its tradition.
Like all of its previous Holiday Match drives, Stewart’s began collecting donations in
their shops on Thanksgiving Day. Across the Capital Region, the modest clear buckets
sat patiently by the checkout counters, waiting and hoping for the metallic ping of a few
spare coins to kindly drop.
“It’s still a little old-fashioned,” said Amy Potter, Stewart’s Holiday Match program
director, “Just cash or check. We’re not online with credit cards. Mostly it’s just individ-
uals giving what they can – loose change being thrown in the buckets at the shops.”
On Christmas Day the collection ended. Stewarts tallied the total, wondering and
waiting for the season’s final numbers.
“Last year was a record for us,” said Mailey. The grand total, including customer con-
tributions and Stewart’s own financial match: “We were up to $1.28 million. We were
through the roof,” said Mailey.
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“It seems like when times are tough, people really dig deep into
their pockets to make sure other people have a good year,” said
Potter. “It’s been a tough economy for several years now, and peo-
ple just keep contributing and supporting the kids.”
Now heading into its 25th year, the Stewart’s Holiday Match
Program is looking to serve an even greater number of local
organizations, hoping once again to have a record breaking year
in collections.
“Applications are in our stores and online for the nonprofit
organizations to apply for funding,” said Potter. Organizations
seeking assistance must be a certified 501c3 nonprofit organiza-
tion, they must work to the benefit of children 18 and under, and
they must be local. Beyond that, “We like to serve as many peo-
ple as possible,” said Potter. “We like to keep it open.”
In the Saratoga region alone, Stewart’s has worked to help
organizations such as the YMCA, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, the
Saratoga Public Library, the Children’s Museum at Saratoga,
local schools, the Franklin Community Center and more.
“Last year we reviewed over 1,400 applications in a couple of
months, and then we allocated funds in March,” said Potter. “For
the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts, for example, they might want to
get some camping equipment. So we help them with the money
to buy a tent so they can plan a camping trip every year. The
Franklin Community Center needed tables and chairs for the kids,
so we were able to do things like that for these organizations that
needed a little extra help.”
This year, Potter and Mailey expect the number of applications
for funding to increase once again, estimating they will see over
1,500 requests. Out of the 1,500 who submit applications,
Stewart’s responds to almost all of them. “The only time we can’t
is if they’re not a qualified 501c3 organization, and then we help
them in another way,” said Potter. “We try not to turn anyone
away.”
Because the program is run in-house, there are no administra-
tive fees associated with the Holiday Match drive. One-hundred
percent of the funds raised are given back to the local communi-
ty, a decision that Mailey says reflects the character and culture of
Stewart’s Shops at large.
“We all work in the communities where we live, and it just
makes sense. You know, we’re that neighborhood store. We’re
probably ingrained in the neighborhoods more than most. And so
it’s just the right thing to do, to be part of the community on all
levels,” said Mailey.
As always, Stewart’s will begin their Holiday Match Program
on Thanksgiving Day, collecting donations from their customers
through Christmas. To learn more about the Holiday Match
Program, or to submit an application for funding on behalf of
your organization, visit www.StewartsShops.com for more
information. §
24 | Simply Saratoga SaratogaPublishing.com
1 2 3 4
Holiday Gift Ideas
1
3 4
2
Vagabond House, Song Bird
Cheese Stand, $309.95.
Available at Pipits of Saratoga,
487 Broadway,
Saratoga Springs, 587-2528
PipitsOfSaratoga.com
Romeo Glass, Ribbed Juniper
Moon Stemware by Minh Martin
USA, $75/ea. Available at Pearl
Grant Richmonds, Styvesant Plaza,
Albany, 438-8409 PearlGrant.com
All-Clad Slow Cooker, $179.99.
Available at
Compliments to the Chef
488 Broadway
Saratoga Springs, 226-4477
SaratogaChef.com
Gerson Large Cake Pedestal with
Glass Dome, $269 Available at Witt’s
End Giftique. Parkwood Plaza,
1762 Route 9,
Clifton Park, 371-9273
WittsEndGiftique.com
Simply Saratoga |25SaratogaPublishing.com
5 6 7 8
5 6
7
8
9
10
Gerson 4 Gallon
Beverage Dispenser,
$399. Available at
Witt’s End Giftique.
Parkwood Plaza,
1762 Route 9,
Clifton Park,
371-9273
WittsEndGiftique.com
Emily Henry
Pizza Stone
$49.95.
Available at
Spoon and Whisk,
1675 Route 9,
Clifton Park,
371-4450
SpoonAnd
Whisk.com
Viking 5 qt. Stand
Mixer $444.99 (sale
369.99)
Available at Different
Drummer’s Kitchen,
Styvesant Plaza,
1475 Western Ave.,
Albany, 459-7990
DifferentDrummers
Kitchen.com
PGR Racu Bowl
$200 Available at
Pearl Grant
Richmonds,
Styvesant Plaza,
Albany,
438-8409
PearlGrant.com
9Two Bottle Wine
Holder, $39.
Available at
Furniture
Theatre. 2785
Route 9, Malta,
587-9420
Furniture
Theatre.com
Nespresso
Espresso Maker
- starting at
$199 Available
at Different Drummers
Kitchen, Styvesant Plaza,
1475 Western Ave., Albany,
459-7990
DifferentDrummers
Kitchen.com
10
26 | Simply Saratoga SaratogaPublishing.com
Jeff Zimmerman
Barbara Chair
$2399. Available
at The Furniture
House, 1254 Route 9P
on Saratoga Lake,
Saratoga Springs,
587-9865
TheFurniture
HouseNY.com
1
1
2
3
4
5
6
Burlington Hightop
3-1 Craps / Poker /
Dining Table, w/6
chairs, Sale Price
$3659. Available at The
Furniture House,
1254 Route 9P on Saratoga
Lake, Saratoga Springs.
587-9865
TheFurnitureHouseNY.com
2Kinzig Studio
Lamp, Art
Glass Bottom
w/Hand
Embroided Shade,
$1295. Available at
Pearl Grant Richmonds,
Styvesant Plaza,
Albany, 438-8409
PearlGrant.com
3Murray Feiss -
Aris Single Tier
Chandelier $725.
25 (retail)
Available at Wolberg
Lighting Design &
Electrical Supply, 60 West
Ave. Saratoga Springs,
886-0446 WolbergInc.com
4Oriental
Accent Box,
$149.00
Available at
Furniture Theatre,
2785 Route 9, Malta,
587-9420
FurnitureTheatre.com
5Authentic Refurbished
Factory Cart 50” wide
x 28” deep x 16” high.
$899. Available at
DiSiena Furniture,
115 Round Lake Ave.,
Mechanicville 664-7385
and 80 Central Ave.,
Mechanicville, 664-8109
DiSienaFurniture.com
6
Simply Saratoga |27SaratogaPublishing.com
Room Diffuser by
Red Flower w/
Organic beech
reeds & 13.5oz
frangrance, $74.00.
Available at Antara Home,
7 Spring St., Saratoga
Springs, 587-8475
AntaraHome.com
7Exquisite Horse
Pillows, screened
images on velvet with
decorative trim, $85 -
$365. Available at Schuyler
Pond, 727 Route 29 East,
Saratoga Springs, 581-8422
SchuylerPond.com
8
7
Dramatic
transferware
vases, prices
range from
$24 - $60. Available
at Schuyler Pond,
727 Route 29 East,
Saratoga Springs,
581-8422
SchuylerPond.com
9
8
9
Canoe
Wine
Center,
$649.00.
Available at Furniture
Theatre, 2785 Route
9, Malta, 587-9420
FurnitureTheatre.com
10Thomasville
Pauline Sofa,
Ernest
Hemingway
Collection, $2399. Availableat DiSiena Furniture, 115 Round Lake Ave.,Mechanicville, 664-7385and 80 Central Ave.,Mechanicville, 664-8109DiSienaFurniture.com
11
10
11
12
Estate Lantern,
31”H x 15” W,
$125.00. Real
Wax Remote
Control Candles, $19.50-
34.50. Available atSilverwood Galleries, 24 Caroline St., SaratogaSprings, 583-3600SilverwoodGalleries.com
12
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B B
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BA Family Christmas
“Christmas is all about family and friendsand the good will we can bring to others.”
- Julie Bonacio
The Bonacios invite you into their home this holiday season
When it comes to holiday spirit and Christmas cheer, this Saratoga native has been 'Crazy for Christmas' for years. With an
eager smile stretching from ear to ear, local realtor and proud parent, Julie Bonacio, merrily exclaims "I absolutely adore
Christmas and I have since I was a little girl...and I am finally rubbing off on my whole family!"
For Julie, the Christmas season begins on November 1, when she has the guys over the house to decorate. "The house is always
completely decorated by Thanksgiving Day, with lots of trees...17 in total" Julie added. The trees have been purchased through
the years at the Catholic Charities Annual Festival of Trees, which Julie and husband Sonny are proud to support.
Some of the favorite traditions for Julie and her family:
• “After the Turkey Trot we host a breakfast at the house for any friends or family that have participated,
complete with bloody marys.”
• “Sonny and I traditionally always have Christmas dinner at our house with the complete family.
Our home has officially been nicknamed ‘The North Pole.’”
• “Watching all the holiday shows, specifically Chevy Chase’s Family Vacation.”
• “On Christmas Day, Sonny will cook and prepare all day with his mom and dad.”
Aside from Christmas Day itself, some other important dates enhance their holiday season: Christmas Eve is Sonny's mom's
birthday and New Year’s Day is Sonny and Julie's wedding anniversary!
This year, Julie cordially invites us all to step into her home for a sneak peak at the decorating that goes into a Bonacio family
Christmas.
- Chad Beatty
Photo Provided
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Baked Onions6 medium onions cut into bite-sized pieces. I use Vidalia onions.1 cup milk.1/2 cup butter.1 can cream of chicken soup (undiluted)3/4 lbs grated Swiss cheeseFrench bread slices, buttered on one side.
Grease 2 quart casserole dish. Melt 1/2 cup of butter in large skillet overmedium heat. Add onions and sauté until soft, about 10 minutes. Transferonions to casserole dish. Mix together soup, milk, salt and pepper to taste,and Swiss. Pour over onions. Top with buttered bread slices. Bake 30 minutesat 350 degrees. Garnish with parsley and paprika. Yummy!
Submitted by: Diane Gabriels
Stuffed Mushrooms & Baked Onions
Stuffed Mushrooms10 oz. pkg white or baby bella mushrooms,
stems removed and reserved.1 medium onion.2 cloves of garlic.1 stick of butter.1 cup of dry breadcrumbs.1/4 cup grated parmesan.1 tablespoon oregano.1 tablespoon of parsley.
Using a food processor, chop mushroom stems, onion and garlic. Melt butterin a large frying pan over medium to high heat. Add onion and garlic. Sautéuntil softened. Add breadcrumbs, parmesan, oregano and parsley. Cool. Stuffmushroom caps. Broil until lightly browned. ENJOY!
App
etizer
sSid
e Dish
esSubmitted by: Amy Bullock
Pumpkin Bread Pudding
Pumpkin Bread PuddingIngredients:8 Oz French bread, torn into small pieces, about 5 cups2 cups of half and half 3 large eggs2/3 cup of sugar granular2/3 cup of brown sugar1 can of pumpkin purée (15 ounces)3-4 tablespoons of melted butter1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg1/2 teaspoon of ginger1 teaspoon of vanillaPrep:Heat oven to 350 degrees, coat an 11x7 baking dish with butter. Place the bread pieces in a bowl with the half and half and cover. Set itaside.In another bowl, combine the eggs, sugar, pumpkin, melted butter andvanilla and blend together. Once blended, pour over the bread mixture.Place the bread mixture in your buttered baking dish. Bake in the oven for 45-60 minutes or until it is set and slightly browned on top.
Topping for the bread pudding.Brown sugar and vanilla hard sauceIngredients:1/2 cup of brown sugar 1/4 cup of butter1/2 cup of heavy cream2 tablespoons of corn syrup (light)1 1/2 teaspoon of French vanilla extractPut all ingredients in a sauce pan on medium heat and bring to a boil. Makesure to stir constantly so it does not burn. Reduce the heat to low and letboil for 5 more minutes then remove from heat and let stand to thicken asit cools.
French vanilla ice cream to go with the bread puddingIngredients:2 large eggs2 cups of heavy whipping cream1 cup of milk 3/4 cup of sugar granulated2 teaspoons of French vanilla extractWhisk the eggs in a mixing bowl until very light and fluffy, once eggs arelight and fluffy slowly whisk in the sugar for about 1 minute. Pour in theheavy cream and milk- Whisk to blend. Place the mixture into your ice creammaker and run until it is ready to be placed into the freezer to set. Servethe bread pudding and hard sauce hot with a scoop or two of the homemadeice cream.
Dess
erts
Simply Saratoga |35SaratogaPublishing.com
Submitted by: Amy Bullock
Chicken Alfredo with Broccoli
Chicken Alfredo with broccoli Alfredo sauce1 stick of butter1 8oz package of cream cheese1 cup of half and half1/3 cup of parmesan cheese1/3 cup of Romano cheesePrepare:Melt the butter in a sauce pan on medium heat. While the butter is melting,cut up the cream cheese into small pieces. Once the butter is melted, addthe cream cheese to the butter and stir while melting together. Once thebutter and the cream cheese are completely melted together, add the halfand half and blend together. Once it has a sauce-like consistency, take thepan off the heat and let sit to thicken up. Stir every couple of minutes whencooling to help in the thickening process.Chicken:Take boneless chicken breast and cut into small pieces and sauté in a panuntil done and cook the broccoli to the desired doneness and add them to thesauce with pasta of your choosing.
Entrèe
Submitted by: Sara Buschynski
Pumpkin Bread
PUMPKIN BREAD4 eggs2/3 cup water1 can pumpkin3 cups sugar1 1/2 teaspoon salt1 teaspoon nutmeg1 cup vegetable oil3 1/2 cup flour2 teaspoon baking soda
Brea
d
1 teaspoon cinnamonPinch of cloves1 cup walnuts or raisins (if desired)
Beat eggs; add oil, water and pump-kin. Mix well. Sift dry ingredientstogether and add to egg mixture. Mixwell. Bake for 1 hour at 350 degreesF. Makes 2 large loaves.
Submitted by: Diane Carlson
Hearty Beef & Cheese Crescent Pie
Hearty Beef and Cheese Crescent Pie1 1/4 lb. ground beef1/2 cup chopped onion1/4 cup chopped green pepper1 cup cooked green beans2 cup or 8 oz. shredded cheeseDash of pepper 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt1/4 teaspoon salt1 egg beaten1 8 oz. can tomato sauce1 can Pillsbury rolls
(Start oven at 375)Brown ground beef, onion and green pepper; drain liquid from pan. Add tomatosauce, green beans, garlic and salt, let simmer. Meanwhile, separate eachroll then separate each roll into two pieces. Place rolls on bottom and sidesof 9” glass casserole dish to form a crust. Combine egg and cheese mix andspread some of the mixture on the pie crust. Add meat mixture while hot andsprinkle with remaining cheese. You can bake as-is or take remaining rolls andlay across top of pie. Bake for 20 minutes or until top is golden brown at 370.
Entrèe
36 | Simply SaratogaA Toy Story
Simply Saratoga |37 Comes to Life!Life!
38 | Simply Saratoga Saratoga Publishing.com
The G. Willikers elves and wizards!Bottom row: Linda Ambrosino, Luke Burns, Jodi Burns
Top: Tina Mendez, Linda Cumineli, JoAnn McGraw
Simply Saratoga |39SaratogaPublishing.com
It was a completely different downtown
when owner Linda Ambrosino first came here
to visit friends in the 1970s. She quickly fell in
love with the Victorian charm of the area and
that helped to convince her to be a part of it.
She worked as a server at the Old Firehouse
Restaurant (now occupied by Stockade
Imports at 543 Broadway) and attended
Skidmore College as a theater major, graduat-
ing in 1981. “I took courses that turned out to
be important in the development of G.
Willikers,” she said. “Set design, which is sig-
nificant given the emphasis we place on our
window displays, and accounting – this was
By Arthur Gonick
Photos by MarkBolles.com and Provided
This store represents the epitome of what was envisioned when the concept of reviving downtown Saratoga Springswas formulated in the 1970s.
G. Willikers is a unique specialty shop with committed local ownership, along with a knowledgeable, caring staff thatoffers a bright alternative to malls and big-boxes. They specialize in hand-selected items that express discernment andmake the joy of gift-giving special and timeless.
Simply put, G. Willikers has it all. Their niche – distinctive toys – dictates that they are “all about fun.” They havedeveloped legions of devoted customers who wouldn’t think of going anywhere else. They’ve killed the “categorykillers” by offering a better alternative - a little bit of stimulating magic, if you will, which they are always happy toshare with you.
probably the most important of all, because no
matter how much fun this is for everyone, it’s
still a business.”
But why this business? A bit of magic, per-
haps. “Many people think I had toys in mind
all along,” Linda said, “but actually, the only
thing that I wanted for sure was to be out of the
restaurant business. I made a list of things that
were already here and nearby, and those that
weren’t. I came up with a toy store somehow.
I didn’t have a business plan, more of a
feeling.”
Did she ever! From that concept, G.
Willikers first emerged on Broadway in 1988,
in a small space that currently houses
Eugenio’s Café Gelato. When a larger location
at the former Glickman’s department store
became available at 461 Broadway, G.
Willikers made the leap, at first splitting the
space with another business and eventually
occupying all of it with toys and games from
over 250 manufacturers, and employing about
nine “elves” year-round, each who have their
own area of expertise. “We have the game
expert, the doll expert, and so on.” Linda said.
While choosing the category of toys for her
store might have been a happenstance, you
realize that it is also a deep-seated passion for
40 | Simply Saratoga SaratogaPublishing.com
Luke Burns and Ginger Tallman shop for the holidays...G.Willikers gives them plenty of choices!
Simply Saratoga |41SaratogaPublishing.com
Linda and her employees. This comes into full-flower
when she discusses toys and what they mean to her and
the customers that are continuously delighted by what G.
Willikers offers.
“The biggest thrill I get is when people visit us for the
first time and say, ‘this is just like I remember!’” Linda
said. “We try to showcase a mix of the classics, such as
Mille Bornes and Etch-a-Sketch, with today’s innovative
items and of course, what we hope will be popular in the
future.” She was glad to see that non-electronic games
were surging in popularity over the past 3-4 years. “It’s a
great antidote to all the technology we see in modern life
– these games bring families and relatives face-to-face
with each other again.”
“People will sometimes come into our store and ask if
we have educational toys, and we answer that they are all
educational. That’s the common thread in the toys we
offer; we are looking to stimulate a young person’s imag-
ination – which is the most powerful thing. TV and video
games are fine, but what’s in a child’s mind is ultimately
stronger.” Linda noted.
“That’s why Saratoga Springs is the perfect place for
us. The community has always shown profound aware-
ness of the creativity of children, and this gives us the
perfect environment to thrive,” Linda said.
Even though the pre-holiday period can be stressful
when making buying decisions, it is definitely mitigated
when your business is all about smiles. “I just spent sev-
eral days just laughing with reps as we were reviewing
the new items.” Linda said. And if you want to be a hero
in the 2011 gift-giving season, Linda believes that any-
thing from the Blue Orange eco-friendly game line is
sure to be a winner when unwrapped. “One of their
games called Spot It! has been a big hit with anyone from
ages 5 to 95,” she noted. New items that should inspire
young creative artists are Djeco mobile and 3-D wall
ornament art kits from France. Her store manager, Tina
Mendez, automatically picked Magnamobiles, wooden
toy vehicles that are assembled with magnets, as a big
item. Also, the Jellycat line of plush toys has been around awhile, but
“because of their craftsmanship, we’ve had to expand what we have
from a shelf to a section.”
Of course, the best news is that even if a child has all these things
already, the elves have thousands of choices still left for you.
Any story about G. Willikers would be incomplete without dis-
cussing the windows, which have become a signature local show-
piece of any holiday season.
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“We start discussing ideas in the summer,” Linda noted. It’s a closely-guarded secret
each year. A very valued customer overheard us talking about the 2010 windows
(which had a “Winter Wonderland” theme) and asked us about it, but we wouldn’t tell
them a thing!”
The entire display is built off-premise by the team of elves with the support of her
husband, Larry, who owns Ambrosino Design, a leading local advertising agency and
under the auspices of “window wizard” Jodi Burns.
These windows are conceived and built in secret, yet unlike Macy’s holiday
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windows, for instance, which are hidden from people behind cur-
tains, the public is invited to watch as they are installed each year.
This usually begins the week before Thanksgiving. A notice is post-
ed on their website, www.gwillikerstoys.com, which is all that is
needed, because that alone will attract hundreds of devotees. Over
the years, it would not be a stretch to call this a mini-mania.
“There are people who, year after year, make our window the
backdrop for their holiday card! You see them out there with their
cameras while we are working. I can’t think of anything more flat-
tering.” Linda said. Suffice to say, it will all be up and running (yes,
there is a mechanical component to it also) AND dazzling long
before the 25th Victorian Streetwalk on December 1, when holiday
shoppers will be greeted by Linda and her elves, along with Mrs.
Claus, Mr. and Mrs. Bill and a surprise costume character
or two.
As far as the theme for 2011, well, let’s say I tried, folks,
but they weren’t giving it up. They have the secret-keep-
ing thing down pretty good by now. But isn’t the surprise
a big part of the fun?
“When I first started, I looked at downtownshops like Mabou as a destination store andwanted to have one of my own,” Linda said.
It’s nice to report that the people who makesure that you have the perfect gift for others,got what THEY really, truly wanted. §
Simply Saratoga |45
461 Broadway
Saratoga Springs NY, 12866
(518) 587-2143
www.gwillikerstoys.com
SaratogaPublishing.com
46 | Simply Saratoga
Building your own backyard ice skating rink
FrozenMemories
Last winter I had a vision of a winter wonderland nestled in my wooded
back yard. A place where the family could gather for fun-filled activities
and create holiday memories worthy of a Hallmark card. The centerpiece
of this vision was going to be a perfectly constructed backyard ice rink
with all the trimmings. I could picture the roar of the crackling fire as kids
created frozen memories skating away under the stars.
That was my vision…but my reality was quite different.
Being a stubborn male I began the project without any instructions, help
or guidance. After all, how hard could it be to build a simple ice skating
rink in the backyard?
Story by Chad BeattyPhotos Provided
IItt wwaass aa ggrreeaatt pprroojjeecctt ffoorr mmyyssoonn aanndd mmee
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Finished backyard NiceRink ice skating rink.
While the process of building the rink did turn out to be a great
project for my son and me, the end project fell far short of the
picture-perfect postcard.
I have since tapped the ice experts and offer you advice from
the pros at NiceRink. For more detailed information on the fol-
lowing tips or to learn about NiceRink products, visit them
online at; www.nicerink.com.
Determining the best site for your ice rinkThere are just a few items of importance to consider when
choosing the best site for your rink. To start, you want to locate
your rink near an easily accessible water source. This will make
it much easier when it’s time to flood and resurface your rink.
Second to water, would be the distance away from the house.
You want the rink to be close enough to enjoy having it in your
backyard and not having to trudge across the field, although you
want it far enough away from stray pucks in the case of any
hockey being played. Next would be the pitch or levelness of
your sight. The pitch may be more important if you (A) want a
nice clean looking rink or (B) don’t want to end up filling your
rink with 30,000 gallons of water. A site that has a pitch of 6
inches or less is best, as it will take less effort to install the side
boards, will use less water and take less time to get your base ice
going.
Perimeter material needsThe perimeter of your rink can be constructed using a multi-
tude of materials depending on your site, the time you have, how
you want it to look and what kind of skating the rink will be used
for. The easiest way to put up the sideboard system is utilizing the
NiceRink brackets and thermoformed plastic boards. The brackets
can be placed into UNFROZEN ground in less than half the time
of the following construction method. The brackets will hold either
18 inches x 4 feet interlocking thermoformed plastic boards and/or
any height piece of 3/4 inch plywood, making them very versatile
for just about any rink site. If you plan on “building” the sideboard
system, a board thickness of 1/2 inches, 5/8 inch, or 3/4 inch thick
can be utilized. A sheet of CDX plywood is supplied in 4 feet x 8
feet sheets, which can be cut by either the lumberyard or yourself
if you’re handy. A 3/4 inch x 4 feet x 8 feet sheet of “CDX” ply-
wood can be bought for around $35, depending on your location,
and then cut into strips of either 12 inches, 16 inches or 24 inches
x 8 feet. I mention these sizes because they are all divisible by 48
inches, so there isn’t any wasted material left over. With all that in
mind, a 3/4 inch sheet of plywood cut into four 12 inches x 8 feet
strips would yield 32 lineal feet of boards for around $35, making
a 36 feet x 66 feet rink, having a side board cost of around $225.00.
Another reason to use plywood vs. 2-inch planks is that the amount
of board on the ground is very small and will have very little effect
on the grass underneath. The above is the favored method among
rink building veterans, however, other items that can be used to
make the job easier are the NiceRink brackets and thermoformed
Simply Saratoga |47SaratogaPublishing.com
plastic boards as mentioned. Other items that may work for you
are railroad ties, landscape timbers, 2 inches x 6 inches, 8 inches,
10 inches, 12 inches…PVC piping, telephone poles, old concrete
forms or whatever you may have around that can be used to sup-
port and contain water. After you have selected your top choice
location, put a stake in each of the four corners, and tie a heavy-
duty string line to each stake outlining the proposed perimeter of
your rink.
Now the pitch of the site must be determined so that the right
height of boards can be utilized to contain your deeper water on
the lower end of your site. There are a few ways of checking your
pitch, the first and least expensive way is to purchase a line level
from your local hardware store and follow the enclosed directions
within the package. Basically, start at what you think is your high-
est point and adjust the string on that stake to 4 inches above
ground level. We recommend a minimum of 4 inches of water/ice
at the shallow end, so this will be your water height at this stake
if it is in fact the highest point of your yard. Your pitch will deter-
mine the depths at the other corners of your rink. Pull the string
as tight as possible and then raise or lower the low end of the
string at the other three stakes until the line level reads level
between each stake. After going from stake to stake all around,
tie off the string at the height it’s at, and that is your estimated
water/ice line. An easier and MORE ACCURATE way is with the
new laser levels. The cost is about $20, but they are much more
accurate and easier to use. When the pitch is determined, you can
Chad Beatty and his sonduring their first attempt ata backyard ice skating rink
48 | Simply Saratoga SaratogaPublishing.com
Photo provided by NiceRink
Simply Saratoga |49
then measure the height of the boards you’ll need to contain your
water. Your board heights must be over this line to contain the
water.
Laying out & Filling the NiceRink linerWhen: The best answer for this is not a date, but rather the weath-
er forecast. As a rule of thumb, I usually install my brackets and
sideboards before the first freeze and lay out the liner the week or
two after. By giving it a good week or two, it will also give the
brackets and boards a chance to “freeze in” and let the grass go dor-
mant. The nice cold nights are the trick! With a few cold nights in
the low 20s you’ll be able to freeze 1-2 inches of water per night or
more. With that kind of cold at night, combined with the reflective
and water holding qualities of the NiceRink liners during the
warmer part of the day, you should freeze up a rink, with 8 inches
or less of pitch, to skateable in 4-7 days. Laying out the liner is
pretty much the easiest part of the job. Place your liner on the out-
side center of one of the ends (width) of the perimeter. Carefully
unwrap the outer wrapping and start to roll the liner up over the end
board and down to the other end. If you have extra hanging over,
leave it on! You can cut it off later when there’s water/ice holding
it in place. When the liner is laid out and empty, it will seem as
though you have a lot of extra liner material. Once the water/ice
gets on top of the liner and weighs it down, it will take up much of
the slack that seems like extra material. Do not PERMANENTLY
attach your liner to the boards until the water is in. If you do and
don’t leave enough slack, the weight of the water will pull the liner
SaratogaPublishing.com
Photo provided by NiceRink
50 | Simply Saratoga Saratoga Publishing.com
down and tear your liner as it fills up where you have attached
it. At this point, it’s wise to place some sort of weights on the
liner, along the inside edge of the boards. I also like to spray
water ALL OVER the liner, water weighs 7.5lbs. per Gallon, so
a 10-15 spray could yield some serious water weight over the
liner to help hold it in place. This is to temporarily hold the liner
in place while it is filling with water. Put the hose in, turn it on,
and let it run. DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT layer your ice using
the NiceRink liner system. You will damage your liner if you try
and “layer” your ice. The liners are used to purposely eliminate
the time wasting, base layering process. Fill the liner until it’s at
a level where as the shallowest point is filled to a recommended
minimum of 3-4 inches of water, then turn it off. Don’t be too
antsy to get skating on your rink. Make sure it’s frozen up good
and solid. For the impatient skaters you can test your rink with-
out getting on the ice by first, pressing on the ice with your
hands to see how thick the ice is. If you can’t push it down very
easily, then you can press one foot on the ice, if you hear crack-
ing, STAY OFF, if not, you can put more pressure on the ice
and then the other foot if it seems ok.
Maintaining the IceThere are several methods of maintaining the ice. There
is the flood method, spray and squeegee method, spray-
spray-spray-spray and the NiceIce resurfacer method. I’ll
go through all of them in detail and you can make your own
decisions for your rink, as you are the “rink manager.”
The Flood: The flood method is simply that, flooding. To
flood the rink you’ll need to have the availability of large
hoses and above average water pressure. You’ll need to get
the entire rink completely covered with water before any of
it starts to freeze. Do not use the flood method on smooth
ice, you’ll wreck it.
Spray and Squeegee: Again, simply spray water onto the
ice surface and squeegee it out to the spots that need the
most attention. Do not try and squeegee areas that have
started to freeze. You’ll end up with mounds of frozen slush,
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which will have to be chipped or scraped off later when they
freeze.
Spray-Spray-Spray: Spray-The name says it all! The trick
to spray coating ice is “wet ice is done ice.” In other words,
start spraying a spot on the rink until it’s glossy and move on.
Put the layers of water on as thin as possible to get a “Nice”
glass like finish and also to prevent cracking or “lifting”. This
method is the most time consuming, but will give you the best
ice surface without the use of the NiceIce resurfacer
explained next.
NiceIce Resurfacer: The NiceIce ice resurfacer is the best
and most economical method of resurfacing any ice rink. My
personal backyard rink is 44 feet x 88 feet and takes me a
whole 12 minutes to put on a fresh coat of ice. It used to take
me at least an hour to spray coat a new layer of ice and now,
as mentioned, takes about 12 minutes or less, with less water
and a much better ice surface to skate on when done. I usu-
ally put two coats on when I’m out and the second coat takes
less time than the first and provides a surface that rivals
indoor ice quality. While utilizing the patented NiceIce resur-
facer, you will be laying down a very thin, fast-freezing layer
of deoxygenated water that will then become your skating
surface. You now have the same ice surface that is laid down
on the indoor rinks and sometimes better as air temperatures
determine outdoor ice quality. §
52 | Simply Saratoga Saratoga Publishing.com
T he Holiday Season
represents light in the
midst of darkness,
peace, redemption, forgive-
ness, community and grati-
tude. It is a time of year meant
to inspire us to get back to cen-
ter, spend time with our loved ones and show our appreciation
through gift giving and celebration.
While this is all warm and cozy in theory, the truth is, most peo-
ple feel stressed, overwhelmed, irritated and burdened during the
holidays. A season in which we are called to presence, becomes,
instead, about the presents.
This year, I encourage you to do something different. Tune in to
the gifts of the season and allow yourself to actually IN-JOY the
experience of the holidays fully present and engaged in the moment.
I know you just groaned and secretly sent me your to do list that
is miles long and includes buying gifs for Aunt Morticia and Cousin
Ester, hosting the annual holiday party and cooking a gourmet meal
for your family.
The fact is, life is ALWAYS going to be busy. We will always
have bills to pay, houses to organize, jobs to show up for and rela-
tionships to nurture. The problem is, however, that if we let all of the
responsibilities of life weigh us down we stop having fun and
become miserable, negative and dull.
Our focus is constantly future-focused and we miss out on the gift
of the present moment. Everything becomes about a schedule and
making sure we are on time and ready for tomorrow.
A season of celebration soon becomes centered around material
possessions and over-committing yourself to attend every party on
the block. Let’s get back to what really matters, and the simple truth
of the season, PRESENCE.
Living a life with presence means that you are tuned in, listening,
feeling and enjoying the moment. You are completely immersed in
the NOW, no past, no future, simply the NOW. Most people experi-
ence presence in highly emotional events such as your wedding day,
completing a marathon, birth of a child or death of a loved one.
In these highly emotional scenarios we are completely present in
the moment feeling every emotion and allowing the present to sim-
ply BE what it is.
It is as if time stops and the constant chatter in our neurotic minds
ceases. The very experience of living in the present moment and
allowing it to simply BE, leaves us feeling refreshed, connected,
warm and highly tuned in to ourselves and others. People often
Meghan D. Lemery, LCSW-R
Enjoying the Presense of the Season
describe these experiences as spiritual in nature and we are
left with a sense of deeper meaning and purpose to life. We
feel more joy and compassion for ourselves and others.
Why wait for the mountain top moments to experience
the power of presence in your life? Let’s live in this power
NOW.
This season, rather than stress yourself out with the tasks
at hand, STOP.
Take a minute to smell the pine needles of your tree or
admire the beautiful lights around the community. Instead
of going to parties with people you don’t feel connected to,
spend time with your family recalling funny stories and
good times together.
Allow yourself to experience each moment with grati-
tude and joy rather than stress and craziness. Let the gifts of
the season remind you of what is truly important in life. The
relationships we have with each other, our communities
and our world. Let this season be rich with depth and pres-
ence. Allow the simplicity of living in the present moment
revive you and add more color and sparkle to your life.
Wishing you the gift of PRESENCE today and always!
Happy Holidays!
Ms. Lemery is a psychotherapist practicing in Glens Fallsand Saratoga Springs, NYFor more information on upcoming workshops andMs. Lemery’s firstnovel, “Please Pass the Barbie Shoes,”visit meghanlemery.com.
§
Simple Truths
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SSaavvee DDaattee
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Saratoga AreaHoliday Reindeer Open HouseSaratoga Springs Public Library,49 Henry St.From 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, November 13, meet and
greet Bob and Wendy Smith’s live reindeer, enjoy slidesof author Bruce Hiscock’s caribou journey and draw areindeer with Bruce’s help. For all ages- in the DutcherCommunity Room.
Nacre Dance Company Presents Christmas Oratorio Universal Preservation Hall,25 Washington St. Saratoga SpringsNovember 18, 19 and 20 at 8 p.m.Our production is based on Charles Weidman’s later
version of Christmas Oratorio. In this rendition,Weidman focuses on emotions such as joy, compassionand friendship in this dance of rejoicing. Dancers movein wonderment and reverence and their hands areoften clasped in prayer or raised in exultation.The com-bination of Bach’s passionate music and portrayals ofbiblical figures make this a moving and unforgettableexperience.Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for stu-dents and seniors. For tickets and more information, visit/nacredance.com.
Saratoga Healthy Living Expo Saratoga City Center, BroadwayOn Saturday, November 19 and Sunday, November
20, the Saratoga Healthy Living Expo encompasses allareas of wellness, from traditional medicine to the
healing arts. $5 admission. For more information, visitwww.adksports.com
Turkey TrotDowntown Saratoga Springs On Thanksgiving morning, this 5K run/walk, which begins at
8:30 a.m.,benefits the Christopher Dailey Foundation,which con-tinues to raise funds for youth sports in Saratoga County.
For more information, visitwww.christopherdaileyfoundation.com/turkeytrot.htm.
Craft FairCity Center, 522 Broadway,Saratoga SpringsSaturday, November 26, 2011From 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. this well-attended fair benefits
Saratoga Center for the Family. All crafts are handmade. $2admission.
Downtown Saratoga Tree Lighting 435 BroadwayOn Wednesday, November 30, this annual event begins at 7
p.m. Santa and Mrs.Claus will arrive by horse and carriage to visitwith the children. Free hot chocolate and cookies to keep youwarm!
Saratoga Springs Festival of TreesSaratoga Springs City Center,522 Broadway, Saratoga Springs.From Wednesday, November 30 through Sunday, December
4, the festival transforms the City Center into a holiday wonder-land.We’re noted in the region for our original, custom-craftedholiday décor – come early for the best selection! Decoratedtrees from six feet to two-foot tabletop trees, centerpieces,wreaths and lots of other holiday goodies! Saturday is Family Daywith Santa’s Workshop, and Breakfast and Sundaes with Santa(reservations required for breakfast and sundaes.) For moreinformation please visit saratogafestivaloftrees.com. Admission is$7 for adults, $5 for seniors and children 10 and over $3.
Victorian StreetwalkDowntown SaratogaOn Thursday, December 1 from 6-10 p.m., join the communi-
ty music,magic, gingerbread house display, Festival of Trees, choralgroups,Victorian costumes,Santa and Mrs.Claus, live reindeer, lotsof venues with entertainment, all free and open to the public.
Holiday Happenings
tthheeFestival
of Trees
November 30
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Photos by MarkBolles.com December 1, 2011
25th AnnualVictorian Streetwalk
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Candlelight House TourOn Friday,December 2, this tour, benefiting Saratoga
Preservation, includes homes on Fifth Avenue and PhilaStreet.A reception at the Saratoga Golf and Polo Clubfollows.Tour tickets are $40 for members, $50 for non-members;Tour and reception tickets are $75 for mem-bers and $85 for non-members. Contact Sara Bovin at(518) 587-5030 or email [email protected] or visit saratogapreservation.org.
Restaurant WeekFrom Friday, December 2 through Thursday,
December 8, visit any of the participating restaurantsand enjoy an appetizer or salad, a dinner entree, and adessert from a pre-set menu, all for only $18.19 plustax and tip! The $9.09 lunch specials are determined bythe restaurant’s discretion.
For more information, visitwww.discoversaratoga.org.
Malta Ballet – “The Nutcracker” The Egg,AlbanyOn Friday, December 2 and Saturday, December 3,
area youth will delight you with their wide array of tal-ents and grandiose costumes all bright and new.Youwill marvel over gymnasts who magically come alive asdolls and rats, and soldiers who tap dance with spec-tacular sounds.The choir will sing joyous songs of theholiday season. Tickets are available at the Egg boxoffice (518) 473-1845 or www.theegg.org through TheMalta Ballet Company – (518) 899-6664. For moreinformation, visit gingersdancetofit.com/maltaballet.htm.
Winter Dance Concert Skidmore College,North Broadway, Saratoga SpringsOn Friday, December 2 and Saturday, December 3,
enjoy an evening of dance with choreography by facul-ty and guest artists.Adults $10; students and senior cit-izens $5.Tickets are sold 45 minutes prior to each per-formance. Show times are 8 p.m. Friday and 2 and 8p.m. Saturday in the Skidmore College Dance Theater.For more information, call (518) 580-5392.
A Saratoga Christmas with The MckrellsHomemade Theater at Spa Little Theater, 19
Roosevelt Dr. Saratoga Springs On Saturday,December 3 at 7:30 p.m., join us for an
evening of Christmas favorites.Tickets are $15 per per-son. Seating is general admission. For more information,contact HMT at (518) 587-4427 or [email protected] or visit www.homemadetheater.org.
Taylor Eigsti in ConcertSkidmore College, North Broadway,Saratoga Springs This concert will begin at 8 p.m. on Friday,
December 9 in the Arthur Zankel Music Center, LaddConcert Hall
Adults $12, Senior citizens $7, students $5. For tick-et information, call (518) 580-5321 or visit www.skid-more.edu/Zankel.
“The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe”Home Made Theater at the Spa Little Theater, 19
Roosevelt Drive, Saratoga SpringsFriday, December 9 - Sunday, December 18
This magical and mysterious tale of the great lionAslan and his struggle against the White Witch is a clas-sic. Follow the adventures of four children who emergeout of an old wardrobe into the exciting, never-to-be-forgotten land of Narnia. This story of love, faith,courage and generosity, with its triumph of good overevil, is a true celebration of life. For more information,visit /www.homemadetheater.org.
Christmas Concert St. Clement’s Catholic Church,231 Lake Ave. Saratoga SpringsBeginning at 7 p.m. on Saturday, December 10, join
us for an evening of joyful music as we prepare for thebirth of Jesus the Christ. Music will be provided by ourchoir and the NYS Catholic Chorale and LifesongBand.
Breakfast with Santa St. Clement’s School,231 Lake Ave. Saratoga SpringsThis fun morning for the family will be held on
Sunday, December 11 from 9 a.m.-noon. For moreinformation and tickets, call the school at (518) 584-7350.
First Night SaratogaThis family-friendly night, complete with a 5K run, is
a tradition in downtown Saratoga on New Year’s Eve.For more information, visit saratoga-arts.org/firstnight/index.php.
Ballston SpaBallston Spa Holiday Weekend Downtown Ballston Spa The Ballston Spa Holiday Parade and Weekend
Celebration takes place December 2- 4. The paradewill be held Friday evening, December 2. Step-off timeis 6:30 p.m., proceeding on Milton Avenue and endingin Wiswall Park on Front Street with Santa lighting theChristmas tree.The parade has become a hometown-style holiday tradition, with fire trucks, floats, animals,kids and Santa parading down the main street of thevillage.This is a true community event so parade par-ticipants are welcome!
AlbanyCapital Holiday Lights in the ParkWashington Park,AlbanyOn November 25 through January 2, drive through
a winter wonderland of lights along the weaving road-ways of beautiful Washington Park.The Lake House atthe end of the journey will feature crafts, refreshmentsand, on December 23, Santa Claus will hear the wish-es of little ones! $15 per car; $25 per limousine or 15-passenger van and $75 per bus, with all proceeds ben-efiting the work of Albany PAL. For more information,
annual Holiday tradition at the Palace Theatre. Adults$5, children $3.
Schenectady Schenectady Holiday Parade This parade on Saturday, November 19 beginning
on State St., is the largest evening parade in the area.
Northeast Ballet “The Nutcracker”Proctors Theater, SchenectadyDecember 9 at 10 a.m.;December 10 at 7 p.m.; and
December 11 at 2 p.m. Please visit www.Proctors.orgfor more information.
Burnt Hills-Ballston LakeMusic Company OrchestraThis free concert will take place on Tuesday,
December 6 at Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High Schoolat 7 p.m. For more information, visitwww.cliftonpark.org/mcomusic/.
Glens Falls T’was a Month Before ChristmasThe Hyde Collection, 161 Warren St. Glens FallsOn Friday, November 25 from 1-3 p.m., tour the
children’s book illustration exhibition “Draw Me aStory” with a museum educator, then meet at theHyde’s Art Studio to create illustrated holiday lists forSanta and cards suitable for framing. For more informa-tion on this free event call (518) 792-1761 or [email protected].
Tony DeSare “Home For the Holidays” Charles R.Wood Theater, 207 Glen St. Glens FallsHudson Falls native Tony DeSare returns for his
annual Wood Theater Fundraiser on Saturday,November 26 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, November 27 at2 p.m.
Glens Falls Tree Lighting The Christmas season kicks off with the tree lighting
on Sunday, November 27 at 5 p.m. and continues allweek, culminating with a visit from Santa on Saturday,December 3 in the afternoon.
Adirondack Repertory Dance TheatreChristmas Performance Charles R.Wood Theater,207 Glen St. Glens Falls, NYSet aside Saturday, December 3 for this local holiday
tradition, this is a unique, family-oriented event. Formore information on this and other Christmas eventsplease visit http://www.woodtheater.org.
The Adirondack Ballet TheaterPresents “The Nutcracker” Charles R.Wood Theater, 207 Glen St. Glens FallsOn Saturday, December 10 and Sunday, December
11,The Adirondack Ballet Theater presents its annualproduction of the timeless classic “The Nutcracker.” Fortickets and more information please call (518) 874-0800 or visit http://www.woodtheater.org.
Lake George Community BandHoliday Concert Charles R.Wood Theater, 207 Glen St. Glens Falls On Friday, December 16, the Lake George
Community Band will entertain you with various holi-day selections beginning at 8 pm. For more informationplease visit lakegeorgecommunityband.com.
Lake George Lake George Polar Bear PlungeShepard Park Beach, Lake GeorgeFrom 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday, November 19, have
fun and raise money for Special Olympics! Grab yourfriends and family and get a team together.
Lite up the VillageLake George VillageFrom 3-6 p.m.on Saturday,November 26,watch the
village transform into a winter wonderland. Lights ofthe season will be strung and there will be activities forthe kids, including a petting zoo and a visit from Santa.There will also be merchant open houses and caroling!
Bolton’s Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Rogers Memorial Park, Bolton LandingJoin us from 2 -4 p.m. on Sunday, December 4 for
the lighting of our Christmas tree, caroling, Santa, hotdogs, hot chocolate and cider, and hayrides.
visit albanycapitalholidaylights.com/.Carriage rides through the lights will be available
Thursday through Sunday evenings. For reservations ormore information about a carriage ride, call Albany PALat (518) 435-0392.
Great Train Extravaganza On Sunday, December 4, from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at
Empire State Plaza. Bring the family for this amazing dis-play.Cost is $5 for adults and children 12 and under arefree.
Nowell Sing We ClearSt. John’s Lutheran Church 142 Maple Ave.,AltamontOn Saturday, December 10, John, Tony, Fred and
Andy return at 3 p.m. with their delightful and spiritedprogram of unusual songs, carols, stories and customs.$20 admission. For more information, visit www.old-songs.org/concerts.html#december.
Albany Last Run 5KThe race, on December 17 at 5 p.m., is a great race
for all ages, featuring a beautiful course through CapitalHoliday Lights in Washington Park and beginning witha spectacular fireworks show! This year’s race includesa new course map with mile markers, beginning andending on State Street, near the New York StateCapitol. A post-race party for all registered runnerstakes place at the Empire State Plaza at the base of theEgg. For more information, visit www.albanyevents.org.
Palace Theatre, 19 Clinton Ave.,AlbanyVisit palacealbany.com for tickets and information on these events.Celtic Thunder Christmas On Saturday, November 26 at 7:30 p.m. the men of
Celtic Thunder will be performing all of your favoriteclassic holiday songs and much more.
Albany Symphony Orchestra:Magic of ChristmasOn Saturday,December 3 and Sunday,December 4,
start a new holiday tradition with this festive afternoon.“It’s a Wonderful Life”On Friday, December 23 at 7 p.m., come enjoy an
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Jessica is cozy for the holi-
days in her fur sweater jacket by
Dolce Cabo, espresso jeggings by
Paige Premium Denim and
super-luxe genuine fur boots by
Pajar.
Amanda is wearing a Kut fromthe Kloth jacket with removablefur collar $84; See Thru SoulDenim Belted Skirt $76; KneeHigh socks $12; 80%20 BlackWool Hidden Wedge Booties $109Below: Fingerless Gloves$14.50 and Head Wrap $14 comein variety of colors and fabrics
Fashion Insider
View our ad on page 17
View our ad on page 41
View our ad on page 57
Photos by MarkBolles.com
A Gift Guide for Her
Spoken Boutique Yellow Boutique
Violet’s and Stella’s
Cozy up to a warm cup of Java in a
faux pony fur vest and a wide cuff
capri pant by "600 West". The vest is
an easy shape with eye catching
details and the wide legged cropped
trouser is a great alternative to a full
length pant. Add an animal print 3/4
sleeve sweater, smashing boots and
you're on your way!! Stop in for
more eye catching details at Spoken
Boutique
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Amy is ready for Christmas cheer in her iconic Celtic gold scroll dress by THEIA,designer Don O'Neill. She carries the motif further with her embroidered beaded cuff by designer Peter Cieslaof Bazyli Studio, and tops this exquisite ensemble off with her feathered fascinator by Mona the Mad Hatter,milliner Marsha Drummond.
Saratoga Trunk
View our ad on page 23
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View our ad on page 13
Complementos Piper Boutique
Ericka is wearing an amazing
purple Spiny Oyster (Espondilus)
necklace and earrings from her
Exotic-Signature Collection.
The necklaces above are from
the Chunky and Sexy Collection.
She works with 9.25 and 9.50
Sterling Silver and gemstones. You
can find these pieces of art online
at complementosbyericka.com or
locally at Saratoga Trunk.
Jackie is ready for the season inthis BB Dakota Audri Dress ($80). She
has paired this dress with a layeredchain bracelet ($22) and mixed metal
drop earrings ($36).Below Left: The gorjana Grahamblack leather studded wrap has a chic
but casual touch anyone will love.Genuine leather with subtle 18k gold
studding throughout, bracelet wrapsthree times and is 19" long. ($55)Below Right: The Leighelena hand-
crafted jigsaw cuff is the new state-ment accessory this season and is a
piper bestseller! Features here in gen-uine carp, Leighelena is available in
over 40 materials and colors.
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Food for Thought
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HHoommeemmaaddee VVaarriieettyy,,
HHeeaarrttyy PPoorrttiioonnss
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“One of the very nicest things about life is the
way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are
doing and devote our attention to eating.” ~
Luciano Pavarotti
Sinatra upstairs. Classic rock downstairs.
Table linens upstairs. Gleaming wood tables
with high stools downstairs.
High-ceilinged, post-and-beam spaciousness in
an illuminated upstairs that had been closed to the
public for five decades before building owner Joe
Mack refurbished the space. Cozy, all-American-
neighborhood informality downstairs.
A showcase for the bird’s-eye maple bar that
had been a centerpiece when the building housed
43 Phila Bistro, upstairs. A peek into the kitchen
downstairs.
Everywhere, exposed brick walls and shining
wood, and original artwork from the 1940s by
Greenwich Village artist Sy Wallick, who used to
gallivant in Saratoga Springs among the rich and
famous and draw their caricatures. (Those of you
with a good memory and deep roots downtown
may recall these drawings hanging in the circa-
1885 building at 43 Phila Street during its Mother
Goldsmith’s incarnation.)
And, one extensive menu of house-made items
served both up and down at the Seven Horse Pub.
Restaurateur Mack – of Horseshoe restaurant
fame, known far and wide – has done a terrific
job creating a welcoming place to share a meal,
whether tête-à-tête or in a group of favorite
Story by Helen Susan EdelmanPhotos by ©stockstudiosphotography.com
Saratoga Publishing.com
friends. Open for only two years, the Seven
Horse Pub already has a cadre of both year-
round regulars and track-season customers
who stop by almost every night they’re in
town (and, of course, the location is perfect —
off Broadway but not too far off).
Before I even sat down, I knew one reason
the eatery has such loyal patrons: the atmos-
phere is a key draw (I’ll get to the food in a
minute). The Seven Horse Pub is a jubilant
place. From the long, low-lit bar where you
can enjoy a beverage while you watch big-
screen TV, to the tables along the walls – set
for twosomes or up to six — there’s a sense of
camaraderie. If you’re looking for a good-
mood evening, you can expect low-buzz con-
versation, music to move to and prompt,
friendly service at Seven Horse Pub.
Now I’ll get to what’s what to eat:
everything.
Once Companion and I were settled at our
table, our lovely, energetic server, Keira, was
there with a suggestion. “Try the SeaHog
chowder,” she said. What a good idea!
Vegetables in a nontraditional, smoky, lobstery
bisque topped with pulled pork and cornbread
– like textured velvet on a spoon. You eat
slowly, so that it will last a long time.
Delicious. It is no wonder the Seven Horse
Pub is a two-time winner of the Chowderfest
(this year set for February 4, 2012).
Then comes the
trickier decision of
what to eat for din-
ner. Patrons can first
choose from appetiz-
ers like mozzarella
sticks. jalapeno pop-
pers, fried calamari,
jumbo shrimp cock-
tail spinach-arti-
choke dip and onion
rings. Burgers or
larger entrees (steak,
scallops, brisket,
chicken, ribs,
shrimp…and more) come next, if you have
room to spare after the generous starters. For
those who want either lighter fare or extras for
their heartier meals, there’s a wide choice from
salads and pasta to gourmet pizza. There’s a
selection of ice-cold beers on tap and a wines
by the glass to complement any choice. The
portions are generous and the prices are
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competitive with Saratoga Springs’ other high-caliber
restaurants. Whether you choose quesadillas or fish ‘n
chips in the casual pub, or seafood grill with fresh veggies
in the comfortable, but more reserved dining room, there’s
no wrong choice. It’s what you’re in the mood for – and
there’s truly something to suit every palate, including
dishes for vegetarians.
The restaurant makes everything from scratch, even
smoking the meats, proudly reports bar manager Lia
Conti, and uses local foods, including those from the
farmers’ market, whenever possible. Because the food is
fresh, the menu changes with the season.
“Fall and winter, you’ll see a lot of comfort foods on
our menu,” Conti says. “Summer – amazing salads.”
It shows in the result. Everything Companion and I
taste-tested exceeded our expectations – no corners cut.
And, there was plenty left over for lunch the next day.
Conti has been at Seven Horse Pub since opening day –
in fact, she has been in Mack’s orbit for many years,
working with him at the Horseshoe, as did many of the
staff – including the chef — who decided to stick with
him when he opened the new venue.
“We try to make this a dining experience, not just a
meal,” she says. “We work hard but we have a lot of fun
here – and great customers, who we get to know and who
get to know each other.”
Seven Horse Pub fosters the congeniality year-round.
On the fourth of July, there’s a barbecue; and festive occa-
sions such as the Super Bowl and St. Patrick’s Day get
their due as well. While the bar area has become an ideal
impromptu gathering spot, the upper level has been dis-
covered as a great venue for luncheons, bridal or baby
showers, wedding receptions, corporate parties and other
events.
Conti also touts Mack’s community spirit, which has
translated into the restaurant participating in fundraisers
for organizations such as the Arthritis Foundation, and
supporting the Preservation Foundation in efforts such as
refurbishing the iconic Spirit of Life statue in nearby
Congress Park.
Because I love it myself, I’ve saved the best for last.
Keira came by with a final suggestion – and since her first
one was spot-on, Companion and I agreed to try the Patty
Cake – a creamy concoction in a graham crust with peanut
butter, chocolate and vanilla flavors.
“You won’t be disappointed,” Keira promised.
I make the same promise to you.
Seven Horse Pub43 Phila StreetSaratoga Springs, NY 12866-3211518-581-0777www.sevenhorsepub.com.
§
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Story by Jean Wisniewski, CCC-SLP, MS, andJeanne K. M. Junjulas, CCC-SLP, MS
• Do you or a loved one have trouble communicating your wants and needs?
• Does your child have trouble being understood by his or her friends?
• Do you or a loved one have trouble thinking of words for things?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you may benefit from
speech-language therapy from a licensed speech-language pathologist (SLP).
People often associate speech-language services with children and adults
who need articulation therapy. In fact, SLPs provide those services—and
much more. According to the American Speech-Language Hearing
Association (ASHA), SLPs are the only healthcare professionals who are
specifically educated and prepared to evaluate and treat patients of all ages
who have speech, language or swallowing problems. Correcting or reducing
these problems can have a dramatic, positive impact on quality of life.
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Improving communication skills
Speech-language therapy helps people express what they
want to say and understand what others are saying to them.
These communication skills are the fundamental building
blocks of success in personal, academic and professional rela-
tionships. People who can’t communicate can’t express their
thoughts, feelings and ideas and often end up feeling isolated
and depressed.
For children, speech-language therapy can improve the abil-
ity to pronounce words correctly and to use language to express
themselves. Speech therapy also can address reading and oral
comprehension difficulty as well as speech problems such as
stuttering.
Adults often receive speech-language therapy to help them
regain skills lost through illness or injury. For these patients,
successful speech-language therapy can help restore independ-
ence and enable them to take a more active role in managing
their medical care.
Treating swallowing disorders
SLPs play a primary role in evaluating and treating infants,
children and adults who have swallowing and feeding disor-
ders. Swallowing skills are essential to maintain proper nutri-
tion and hydration and to enjoy the social pleasure of dining
with others. For patients who have difficulty swallowing (dys-
phagia), that enjoyment is often replaced with worries about
coughing or choking and the resulting embarrassment.
Of even greater concern is the possibility of infection if food
or liquid enters the patient’s airway during swallowing. This
can result in aspiration-related pneumonia, a serious complica-
tion that must be addressed immediately.
Where to turn for help
Saratoga Hospital offers comprehensive speech-language
therapy through its Regional Therapy Center. For more infor-
mation, call The Regional Therapy Center at 583-8383 or go to
www.saratogahospital.org. You can also learn more about
speech-pathology services and the role of SLPs at
www.asha.org.
Jean Wisniewski and Jeanne K. M. Junjulas are New YorkState-licensed speech-language pathologists at the RegionalTherapy Center of Saratoga Hospital. Both have earnedASHA certification, the internationally recognized credentialfor speech-language pathologists.
Doctors’ Note’s
Opening Doors with Speech-Language Therapy
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C arved into the bucolic hills of Hawk Mountain Resort in Plymouth, VT, is a
geometric masterpiece – a home secretly built in the spirit of the greatest
American *starchitect.
With all its clean lines, vantage points and nature-inspired details, this contemporary
home is reminiscent of Frank Lloyd Wright, an early 20th century architect with vision
light years ahead of his time.
In July 2010, precisely a century after Wright designed and created the famous Robie
House, Michael Clarke, a man with a lifelong fascination with the starchitect’s vision,
calmed excited nerves before beckoning his bride Annie to Hawk, where a 9,325-
square-foot, four-bedroom surprise was waiting for her. It took five years to build.
“She almost fainted when we pulled in,” he said. “She was in a mild state of shock.”
The story of how this couple arrived at that moment is, as Michael describes it, a tale
of two emotions: “It’s a love story and a tale of passion.”
When Michael purchased the 4.5 acre plot, he didn’t have any plans. He was simply
* starchitect [noun]: a standout architect whose reputation reaches celebrity, stardom
Vermont’s Best-Kept Secret
Unique Places & Creative Spaces
Story by Yael GoldmanPhotos by ©stockstudiosphotography.com
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Unique Places & Creative Spaces
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drawn to Hawk. Years later, in 2005,
he faced a decision: to sell or to build.
At the time, Michael and Annie, who
have now been married 10 years,
were considering a second home, but
couldn’t find anything that matched
their taste.
Michael, who has a background in
risk management (he worked with
“the biggest and best” architects and
engineers), already owned the Hawk
property and knew the location was
perfect.
So, he made the executive decision
to build, and said not a word to Annie.
“Love” is the why of this story: the
home was a gift for his wife. But on
the other hand is the “passion” behind
what Michael decided to build: a
prairie style home that paid tribute to
the starchitect he’d so long admired.
Frank Lloyd Wright designed hous-
es as works of art, mixing elements of
Japanese architecture, the prairie style
and of nature. World-renowned
homes like Fallingwater in
Pennsylvania (1935), the Robie
House in Chicago (1910) and the
Martin House in Buffalo (1903), were
meant to look as if they had appeared
naturally, or had grown within their
surroundings.
This was accomplished with a
unique “grammar,” a remarkable
attention to detail that was disciplined
in all aspects – in everything from the
materials and furnishings to the way
the client was meant to live inside.
As defined in “The Natural House”
by Frank Lloyd Wright, a text pub-
lished in 1954 by Bramhall House,
“Every house worth considering as a
work of art must have a grammar of
its own. ‘Grammar,’ in this sense,
means the same in any construction –
whether it be of words or of stone or
wood. It is the shape-relationship
between the various elements that
enter into the constitution.”
From this grammar, Wright’s lega-
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Unique Places & Creative Spaces
cy grew beyond the structures he
brought to life in the early 1900s to the
designs of contemporary architects
who find inspiration in his work.
For Michael, building his dream
house for his dream girl commanded a
particular kind of a talent – an archi-
tect who could adopt Wright’s centu-
ry-old vision, create a new grammar,
and use it to tell a modern love story.
He found a stellar design team:
architect Daniel Pratt of Robert Carl
Williams Associates, Hudson Falls
interior designer Kendall McKernon
of McKernon Design, and Rick Moore
of Moore Construction among a hand-
ful of other talented players – contrac-
tors, artists, suppliers – all of whom
were sworn to secrecy.
Together, they created a home that
is not a replica of any particular
Wright structure, but a conglomera-
tion of many elements and a reinven-
tion of multiple themes. It meets all of
the aesthetic and emotional criteria.
The project commanded an
unprecedented attention to detail,
great research, presentation and revi-
sion. Every solid square inch of the
property, even the airspace, was to be
carefully programmed into Michael’s
vision for Annie.
“We spent equal time on everything.
Every single area was thought about
and nothing was left to chance,”
McKernon said, explaining that the
team worked harmoniously to make
sure that every material, paint color
and piece of furniture made sense
together.
Pratt, who has his own appreciation
for Wright, visited a number of the
starchitect’s homes to capture the
emotion and to take measurements.
He wanted the design and other ele-
ments, like sconces and windowpanes,
to be as accurate as possible – not only
in their proportions but in the way
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they contributed to the overall feel of
the home.
It’s a matter of listening to the
client,” Pratt said. “There are so many
subtleties in this design.”
The “subtleties” are too detailed and
varied to count, but they’re incredible
and a significant part of what makes
the Clarke home so special.
Beautiful hardwood floors run
throughout an open floor plan on the
main floor, where natural light seeps in
through skylights and floor-to-ceiling
windows. A large foyer decorated with
Wright-inspired sprites and local art-
work, gives way to the main floor,
where you’ll find the kitchen, dining
room, master suite and a quiet sitting
area. A mix of arts and crafts furniture,
rustic elements and original artwork fit
naturally into the space.
As Annie describes, the pieces are
well-done but not luxurious: “It’s beau-
tiful furniture and it’s substantial but
not overwhelming,” she said. “I am
very pleased with it.”
The details continue with built-in
cabinets and shelves that line the hall-
ways, and a cozy stone fireplace that
stands proudly at the center of the main
level. Together, the polished hard-
woods, stone, furniture and sunlight
make for a clean and inviting setting
that feels natural and warm. And it’s all
situated within an open floor plan that
was designed to provoke clear-headed-
ness: one can stand anywhere in house
and see somewhere else.
“No view is obstructed,” Pratt said.
A blue glass staircase cascades
through the core (a tribute to Wright’s
Fallingwater), from the third-floor
library loft down to the ground level,
where the Clarke’s living space dou-
bles. There are three nicknamed bed-
rooms with private bathrooms, a curi-
ously expansive wine cellar and tasting
room, a bar for entertaining that opens
into a game room, and a large workout
area equipped for a stationary pool.
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Unique Places & Creative Spaces
Like the spaces above, the rooms on the
ground floor are decorated with sturdy,
natural pieces of furniture and some-
what rustic artwork. A multi-colored,
stained concrete accent at the bottom of
the stairs looks like an area rug, and
secures a strong, stylistic connection
between the downstairs spaces and the
rest of the house.
Out of the entire house, Michael said
the ground-floor laundry room is
Annie’s favorite, although I’m sure
she’d beg to differ. It depends on the
season, but Annie enjoys most of her
time in the outdoor spaces: in a three-
season room, called “Annie’s Cozy”
that is suspended over the pond, sepa-
rately from the rest of the house.
Michael designed it just for Annie; it’s
her private space to read and relax.
And, just above the cozy, is another
preferred space: an expansive deck that
extends from the living spaces on the
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Unique Places & Creative Spaces
main level, and accounts for 1,076 square
feet of the more than 9,000-square-foot
home.
In the winter, Annie favors the quiet sit-
ting area on the main floor and the library
loft. She said she likes the views of the ver-
dant surroundings.
Every element of the Clarke house cre-
ates a strong connection between spaces. In
every room, you’re aware of exactly where
you are – there is no hideaway, or misfit
space that feels like it belongs somewhere
else.
And just as every part of the home was
designed to complete the whole, the house
itself contributes to its surroundings. It
cooperates with nature, welcomes conver-
sation and encourages relaxation, and it
seems like that’s Annie’s favorite part.
As for Michael, one would assume that
his favorite piece of the home is the story
behind it. His eyes light up when he talks
about the process and the big surprise.
Michael went to great lengths to keep
Annie out of the loop. For five years, he
kept all emotion and discussion of the proj-
ect within the confines of his team. He
snuck away from work to make clandestine
meetings in Vermont, hushed conversations
even when Annie was miles away, and
imagined 1,000 new ways, or little white
lies, to avoid any suspicion.
By July 2010, the intricate plot had thick-
ened and Michael was ready for the
unveiling.
He brought Annie to Hawk under some-
what fictitious pretenses, luring her to the
spot where she’d expect to find the same
wooded plot she’d last seen years before.
There, in place of what she remembered,
was an artistic vision; she saw her hus-
band’s passion for Wright, one that she’d
grown into as well, translated into a fantas-
tic structure that was all hers. A bright red
bow on the door signaled ‘Honey, you’re
home.’ §
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“People are afraid of poetry,” says Elaine
Handley, who is not. “The genre is not
embraced today like it was in the past when
Edna St. Vincent Millay was a rock star. I
think it’s perceived as being too intellectu-
al, too vague, not accessible.”
But Handley’s poetry is not merely
accessible, it’s within reach, an enlighten-
ing destination. Her word images draw on
familiar feelings and experiences, immers-
ing the reader in a resonant phrase or idea
that evokes a sense memory:
“The mountains cradlethe last morning mist between them,like parents who’ve brought the baby to bed.”- From “Silver Bay Lullaby”“I never know what’s going to come up,”
says Handley. “Writing centers me. I base
my work in the physical world because
human beings are sensory creatures and we
have to write concretely to communicate.”
Indeed, what could be more concrete than
the natural grandeur of the Adirondack
Mountains, a frequent inspiration and setting
for Handley’s work. Her moments in their
rocks and grasses are personal, but the words
she chooses to memorialize them invite read-
ers to imagine it too; the pines are “stoic,” the
loons “call out unanswered questions,” gar-
dens “gloat” in their “bloomy need for tangles
and chaos,” mountains “keep their distance,”
insects “wake up groggy” in the spring, and
Story by Helen Susan EdelmanPhoto Provided
fireflies “extinguish their lights and go to bed.”
“The power of poetry is to capture an emotion
or a moment that connects someone to their own
life,” says Handley.
Sometimes a single idea or mental image begs
to become a poem, sometimes, admits Handley,
“a subject picks me. For example, on Christmas
Day I saw Queen Anne’s Lace encrusted in ice
and a poem about grief came out of it. And, I
was moved to write, really affected, when I
heard the weight of my father’s heart after his
autopsy.”
The themes of grief, disappointment or long-
ing are not unusual in Handley’s work, which
belies the wide-eyed, elegant, gentle, witty joy
of the woman’s presence.
“I do worry that my poems are dark. But I
think writing is the way I process those feelings,
which everyone experiences. I try to force
myself to try to write ‘lighter,’but that’s not how
it comes out. I am definitely not a depressed per-
son.” (She lives, quite happily, on top of a steep
hill on the edge of woods and gardens, with her
husband, Bob Miner, who is also a writer.)
What, for example, could be more heartbreak-
Extraordinary Words Every Day
Poet
Handley:Elaine “I want to speak of everyday
occurrences:stirring soup, smellingsnow before it comes, reveries of the
dishpan,the heart-in-the-mouthplunge of a common crow.”
- From “Weather”
ing than this verse from “October”?
“My little boy makes small animal noisesin his sleep and by day he’s restlesswith a longing he can’t speak.He plays in the leaves, comes to me cryingand says “I don’t know why Mommy.”In fairness and in contrast, Handley writes
about hope and resilience in such compelling
lines as exist in “Mary Brown’s Refusal”:
“The white clover recovers from footstepscrushing it, and the pond wears its silk sheathagain when the storm passes.” Her brand of melancholy is not alienating, but
comforting, keeping readers company in their
own sorrows, whispering, “You are not alone.”
The Student ConnectionHandley, who is also a full-time professor
at SUNY Empire State College — which
serves primarily adult students who also
have commitments to work, family and
civic activities — has been mentoring stu-
dents in writing since 1992, “encouraging
them,” she says, “to express themselves in
poetry, which is a wonderful genre. But it’s
a hard sell.”
One population she focuses on is veterans
and others who have been affected by war.
“War is unfathomable to me, a mixture of
bravery and barbarism, where the best of
people and the worst of people come out,”
says Handley. She believes writing is a healing
process, and has seen aching poetry and prose
from her veteran students, leading her to con-
template big questions: “Why can’t we stop
engaging in war – why do human beings keep
repeating it? Is it possible to live peacefully? Are
human beings inherently violent? I am coming
to some scary conclusions.”
“The world is confusing and chaotic, never
more so than when we are at war,” Handley
notes. Listening to returning veterans recount
their experiences has led Handley to the realiza-
tion that “literature has two functions: to serve as
Elaine Handley with her husband, writer Robert Miner
B
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M
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a mirror or to serve as a lamp. It can show us how we do live or it
can show us how we might live. I want to explore the tension of
these extremes, using war as a subject, visual art as the springboard
and poetry as the medium of resolution.”
She knows that being asked to write is a challenge for students
whose relationship with the world has not been language driven, so
Handley signed up for a watercolor painting class which, she says,
“keeps me honest. I know how my students feel – frustrated in an
unfamiliar medium.”
“Students who have been to war are not the same as other stu-
dents,” says Handley. “A student told me he had recently returned
from Afghanistan, where he had been shot. He was very young, had
spiked hair and did not look like someone who already had been to
war. In fact, he looked like my teenage son. But he told me he felt
very old and couldn’t imagine going to a college with his chrono-
logical peers. ‘I guess I’ve seen too much,’ he told me. Encounters
like this fuel my interest. I don’t like the wars we are in, but my tax
dollars do pay to fund them, and I have a responsibility to under-
stand war and to help the warriors understand themselves.”
Handley took up her own pen as a poet at age 12, in Portville, NY,
a rural community of about 2,000 in the Appalachian foothills.
“My English teacher believed in me,” recalls Handley, who has a
B.A., three master’s degrees and a Doctor of Arts. “She talked to me
about college, about graduate school. She is why I became a
teacher.”
Dedication and CreativityHandley’s dedication and creativity has been broadly recognized
within her professional community, where she has been honored
with the prestigious SUNY system-level Chancellor’s Award for
Excellence in Teaching, and, at the college, the Outstanding
Mentoring Award selection to be a Scholar Across the College, a
highly selective program enabling chosen faculty members to share
their work with colleagues at the college’s nine centers across the
state, and abroad, where Empire State College also serves students;
by publishers, in chapbooks, including “Tear of the Clouds,” “Three
Poets on These of Love, Death and Sex, “Notes from the Fire
Tower,” “Glacial Erratica,” “Winterberry, Pine,” and “Letters to My
Migraine;” and by the New York State Council on the Arts, which
gave her a grant to work on a novel. She was also the recipient in
several years of prizes from the Adirondack Center for the Arts for
“Best Book of Poetry.” Several of her prize-winning chapbooks
were collaborations with local residents Marilyn McCabe and Mary
Sanders Shartle.
“Poems can articulate how extraordinary things, often another’s
anguish or even death, are going on all about us as we are immersed
in ordinary daily activities and taking no notice,” Handley remarks.
“Poetry calls on both the imagination and critical skills, on both
nuanced language and attention to detail.”
Continually seeking to enrich and deepen her own inner con-
sciousness as well as her public oeuvre, Handley integrates her dis-
coveries along life’s pathway in poetry. Her own words, in “Dance
of the Fishes,” best capture the direction of her journey:
“We look at the sunset, pick up our pack,and walk on. Somewherefar into the mountainsthere is sweet music,and that’s where we head.” §
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Anticipate that you are likely to live a long life, and planaccordingly. In fact, according to U.S. Census Bureau statistics, a woman who reach-es age 50 today without serious health problems can anticipate celebrating her 92ndbirthday. Women in the United States, on average, will live to reach 81.1 years of age,compared with men’s life expectancy of just 76.2. 1 So if you’ve always left money mat-ters to your husband, start learning why you need to know how to manage on your own.
Beware of being overly conservative in your investments.While there is a correlation between your age and the amount of risk you should assumewhen investing, being too conservative can seriously erode the value of a retirementaccount. You may need to rely on this money for 30 years or more. That’s why you shouldthink of retirement as a long-term investment. Consider keeping a significant portion ofyour portfolio in stocks, as long as possible.
Pay yourself first. Invest for your future now. By investing system-atically over a period of time, you will be surprised how fast your nest egg can grow.Hypothetically, if at age 25 you began investing about $5,000 per year ($417 per month)and earned an 8% return, you could build a nest egg of about $1.3 million at age 65.
Choose an IRA that’s right for you. Take advantage of complimentaryIRA and pension calculators, or ask your financial advisor to run a calculator for you, tocompare the projected results of contributing to different types of accounts, includingtransferring assets from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA.
Fund your IRA, 401(k) or other employer-sponsored pro-gram to the maximum. You can build up a good portion of your retirement sav-ings if you contribute the maximum allowable amount into deferred income plans, suchas a 401(k). You will you reduce your current taxable income, and the tax-deferred com-pounding feature of these plans allows you to accumulate more than you would in a com-parable account that taxes earnings each year.
Remember this special Social Security tip: Even if you are divorced,you are entitled to half of your ex-spouse’s Social Security benefits if you are 62 or older,were married for at least 10 years and have not remarried.2 A widow, as long as she does-n’t remarry before age 60, is entitled to at least 71.5% of her husband’s Social Securitybenefits. If she waits until full retirement age, she is entitled to 100%. For more informa-tion on your particular circumstances, call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213.
If you are employed and decide to switch jobs, check yourcomplete benefits package, including the portability and vest-ing rules of your retirement plan. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statisticsreports that, on average, working women over age 25 switch jobs every 4.8 years.3 Thisjob-change frequency often limits the growth of retirement plan assets due to vestingrequirements typically set at five years.
Story by H. Michael Okby, first vice president, wealth advisor The Okby Group at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
Investigate your employer’s tuition reimbursement bene-fits. In the Employee Benefit Research Institute’s 2011 Retirement Confidence Survey,74% of workers said they expected to work for pay in retirement.4 Going back to schoolto develop “secondary employment skills” or to learn a new field can be a tremendousbenefit if you choose to make a career or job change at a later date.
Consider long-term care health insurance. Since the cost of spend-ing a year in a nursing home can exceed $100,000 in some parts of the country,5 andthe average duration of care is about three years,6 you could face unplanned expensesof at least $300,000 in retirement.
Plan ahead to make sure you don’t leave everything toUncle Sam. If you expect to leave something to your heirs, establish an appropriateestate plan. Without proper planning, estate taxes, state taxes and income taxes onretirement plan distributions could reduce your estate substantially. Essentially, yourheirs may receive only a fraction of what you’ve worked so hard to accumulate.
Call your financial advisor to discuss your goals. To build a financial strategy that willhelp you achieve your ideal retirement, consult with your legal, tax and financialexperts regularly.*
Footnotes1 The World Bank, life expectancy charts,http://search.worldbank.org/data?qterm=life%20expectancy&language=EN.2 Age 60 if your ex-spouse is deceased, 50 if you are disabled. Dana Anspach, “Key Things to Know About the Social Security Spouse Benefit,” About.com, http://moneyover55.about.com/od/socialsecuritybenefits/a/socialsecurityspousebenefit.htm.3 Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor, “Number of Jobs Held, Labor Market Activity, and Earnings Growth Among the Youngest Baby Boomers: Results From aLongitudinal Survey,” Sept. 2010. PDF available athttp://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/nlsoy.pdf.4 Retirement Confidence Survey, Employee Benefit Research Institute, 2011,http://www.ebri.org/publications/ib/index.cfm?fa=ibDisp&content_id=4772.5 Genworth 2009 Cost of Care Survey, page 6. PDF available athttp://www.genworth.com/content/genworth/us/en/products/long_term_care/long_term_care/cost_of_care.html.6 Ibid.* Bonus step.For More Information If you’d like to learn more, please contact H. Michael Okby at 518-583-5601.
ThingsProfessional Women Should KnowAbout Their Financial Future
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