This week we caught up with Candice Frye! You may recognize her as the Executive Director of LARAC. Read on to learn how she got her start, her thoughts on community, and what she’d include in her perfect Glens Falls day!
Tell us about yourself!
I’m Candice Frye, Director of LARAC. I live in Hudson Falls with my dog Ace - he is a 15 year old rescue pitbull that I have had since he was a puppy.
On Life in Glens Falls
I fell in love with Glens Falls by accident. I was a 'displaced educator' trying to figure out what one does when they have a Masters in Special Education and do not want to work in a classroom. I started working part-time for LARAC and part-time for the Glens Falls Farmers' Market, two parts of Glens Falls that are all heart and community. I had no chance of not falling head over heels.
Some Glens Falls Favorites
My favorite thing about Glens Falls is how quickly we can come together as a community - whether it is to help a fellow community member or put on a fun event. I am always amazed at how many people are willing to step up every time!
I think a hidden gem of Glens Falls is the arts community and its supporting businesses! Art in the Public Eye will be hosting Gallery 99 at LARAC in March, an opportunity to buy original art for under $100! That’s amazing! I have already been saving up money to buy something special! We have so many talented artists as well as local businesses who are reasonably priced and eager to work on creative projects - I often call M&M Printing and Wombat Graphics to help me create fun ideas I have in my head for gifts or home projects.
A Perfect Glens Falls Day
The perfect day in Glens Falls starts at the Farmers Market. There are so many good breakfast options - a crepe from Dickinson's Delights, or a bagel from Alchemy Bagel, chocolate milk from Battenkill or a cider from Saratoga Apple! And catching up with ALL my friends - both customers and farmers. And then stopping by the Library (I am in love with our library!). And then shopping (for me bargain shopping is my favorite). Starting at Finders Keepers because buying something new to me always makes me happy and then hitting Whisper Boutique!
On the Past
I grew up in Warrensburg, NY and every year we would go to the LARAC June Arts Festival. My mom, grandma, and I would walk and shop until we were too tired and then every year we would end our day with Strawberry Shortcake on the church lawn. No matter the weather or what chaos was happening in our lives - this tradition continued. When my mom passed away in 2016, my grandma and I made sure to continue the tradition. In 2019 my grandma (now in her 90’s) was not feeling up to all of the walking - so I brought the cake to her. Because some traditions are just that important!
Another story on the past: My love for our local music scene started when my friends invited me to Open Mic Night at Hot Shots on South St. I had just started working part-time at LARAC as the Community Outreach Coordinator. After a few weeks of watching all types of talented musicians sing solo, sing on the spot collaborations, and just make great music, I made it my mission to figure out a way for LARAC to support musicians the same way we had been supporting visual artists for many years. Every week felt like musical happiness - people coming together, many straight out of work coming to share the thing they love to do most. With the support of my boss, LARAC started coordinating music for Take a Bite, moved from one stage to three at the June Arts Festival, included music at the Fall Festival, and we continue to work with other city events to coordinate paid performance opportunities. These late night performances on South St is where my passion for supporting local music began.
On the Future
If I had a magic wand, I would move the college closer to Glens Falls or find a way to make Glens Falls more inclusive to SUNY Adirondack students. I love the feel of a college town! I think the diverse energies and life experiences that college students from outside of Upstate NY bring is important to the growth of a compassionate city. To me Glens Falls sometimes feels like a fairytale, but then I look around and realize that it is easy to feel like we are in harmony when we mostly all look and think alike. The world is much bigger than Glens Falls and I would wave a wand to help us realize the positive impact of diversity in a community.
This week’s My Glens Falls was made possible by The Queensbury Hotel.
Award-winning Chef Colin Miner is offering a 7 Course Tasting Menu running through 3/29 at Park 26. Recently named a Rising Star Chef of the Capital Region, Chef treats guests with a new special Tasting Menu each month. Each dining experience also includes an amuse-bouche, homemade bread service and intermezzo. Always an amazing experience, Park 26 is open for dinner Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Find out more here!
Thank you for supporting the businesses that support Glens Falls Living!